The body of a man killed in an Interstate 25 crash Sunday wound up under a Colorado State Patrol car, Colorado Springs police said Tuesday. Joshua Newell, 33, of Pueblo was thrown from his Chevrolet when it hit a Jeep in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near Pikes Peak International Raceway on Sunday evening, police said. Troopers rushed to a field beside the freeway, where the Jeep came to rest, and extricated its driver. Troopers searched for Newell, whose body was found underneath the nose of a troopers cruiser. It was determined the front wheels of the patrol car never rolled over the body, Colorado Springs police, who investigated the wreck, said in an email. The trooper advised on-scene medical personnel, however, the party was already deceased. Police, called in because the troopers car wound up over the body, said Newells car veered into the median before he overcorrected and slammed into the Jeep, which rolled. Newell, who wasnt wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the Chevrolet and died shortly thereafter, police said. While the trooper, whose name wasnt released, isnt suspected in Newells death, the patrol put him on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. Police said theyll turn over the results of their investigation to the 4th Judicial District Attorney for review. SPRINGFIELD An Illinois anti-abortion advocacy group argues the U.S. Supreme Courts decision legalizing the procedure is outdated and out of step with modern science. The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based law firm, filed a brief last week on behalf of Illinois Right to Life in the highest courts first abortion-related case in years. It challenges whether a Louisiana law mandating doctors who perform the procedure have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is unduly burdensome. The Societys filing is technically in support of the Louisiana law, but its focus is on the Supreme Courts landmark 1973 ruling. Roe v. Wade should be revisited, according to the brief, because its three major tenets are no longer applicable: pregnant women and mothers do not face substantial social burdens as they once did; the scientific community agrees life begins at conception; and 38 states now have some version of a fetal homicide law. Together, those assertions are enough for the highest court to reassess whether fetuses qualify as persons under the law and can be granted the protection of the 14th Amendment, said Thomas Olp, the Societys vice president and senior counsel. That amendment ensures government does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law or the equal protection of the laws. There have been significant changes, and the court should take a new look at Roe in terms of those changes, he said. Just as its important that slaves were human beings and therefore persons protectable by law, now we need to agree preborn human beings are entitled to protection. Essentially, the Thomas More Societys and Illinois Right to Lifes reasoning is fetuses should be wholly protected by all statutes, not just a few most notably, fetal homicide laws. The position expressed here ignores the actual question facing the Court in the Louisiana case whether forcing doctors who provide a full range of reproductive health care for their patients to have admitting privileges in a local hospital [and] elevates the beliefs of politicians and ideologues above concern for womens health, Ameri Klafeta, director of the American Civil Liberty Unions Womens and Reproductive Rights Project, said. We reject that view. She added the argument detailed in the groups brief mirrors that heard in the Illinois General Assembly when legislators were debating the Reproductive Health Act. Signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June, it enshrined womens access to reproductive health care as a fundamental right. Louisianas law is similar to one in Texas that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against about five years ago. The justices decided the Lone Star States regulation was a substantial burden on womens right to abortion. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A parish priest has called for CCTV in all churches after a break-in at Milltown over the weekend. Fr Willie Byrne said considerable damage was caused to the Church of St Brigid in the early hours of Saturday morning and several sacred items were taken. A tabernacle, church safe and candle shrine were later recovered in a field in the Roseberry area near Newbridge and garda investigations are ongoing. A stained glass window and church door were substantially damaged by the raiders. Fr Byrne said an intruder alarm system will now be installed in the church but he also called for CCTV to be installed at all churches for security purposes. Fr Byrne (pictured above) said: CCTV will have to be considered for churches. Fr Byrne added: I know issues such as GDPR will have to be taken into account as people may be visiting graves in the graveyard around the church so a consultation process must be carried out. He continued: There is never any money kept in churches so I dont understand why they are being targeted in this manner. But looking forward, there will have to be some deterrents in place such as security cameras to prevent these crimes. The break-in at the church in Milltown, which celebrated its bicentenary in 2017, was discovered at 8am on Saturday morning by a man visiting a relatives grave. A stained glass window at the side of the church was smashed and a back door was also damaged. Raiders removed tabernacle containing Communion hosts from the altar area. They also took a safe from the sacristy as well as the candle shrine. Priests vestments were also thrown around the floor of the sacristy after drawers were searched. Newbridge gardai were called to the scene and carried out an extensive forensic investigation inside and outside the church building. Locals rallied around and cleaned up the church on Saturday in order that Mass went ahead as normal on Sunday morning. At Sunday morning Mass, Fr Kavanagh asked for prayers to be said for the perpetrators. Fr Byrne told the Leader: The Christian message is to reach out and offer forgiveness and reconciliation. In September 2018, a break-in also occurred at the Church of St Brigid but nothing was taken on that occasion. The parish priest added: Its very unusual for small, rural churches to be targeted in this way. Usually people respect a place of worship. Theres a misconception that money is kept in churches but this is untrue. Any money is counted and removed from the premises on a daily basis. Photo: Danielle E. Thomas/Washington National Cathedral The U.S. Space Force is real, sort of. The newest branch of the military currently occupies a strange and liminal space; it is no longer just a figment of Donald Trumps imagination, but it doesnt do anything, either. It does, however, possess an official Bible, or so a tweet from the Washington National Cathedral suggested on Sunday. Today @WNCathedral blessed the official Bible for the new @SpaceForceDoD, which will be used to swear in all commanders of America's newest military branch. pic.twitter.com/Bg9KVzrp8W Washington National Cathedral (@WNCathedral) January 12, 2020 The tweet depicts the Air Force Chief of Chaplains Steven A. Schaick holding up a large Bible for the Right Rev. Carl Wright, the Episcopal Churchs bishop suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, to bless. (The Space Force falls under the department of the Air Force, just as the Marine Corps falls under the department of the Navy.) This sets up several questions for exploration. The first: What exactly does it mean for the Space Force to have an official Bible? Are they really going to use it to swear in all commanders? And finally: When does the Space Force get an official Quran? The U.S. military might be a conservative institution, but it is secular by law; if the Air Force meant to baptize its new baby into Christianity alone, Schaick risks a lawsuit. Schaick has invited similar scrutiny in the past. In 2016, Shaick, who was then the deputy chief of chaplains serving under the now-retired Chaplain (Major General) Dondi Costin, attended a private, religious event in uniform. The event was hosted by the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, which opposed the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell and lists several Christian right groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom, as coalition partners on its website. The office of the Air Force Inspector General launched an investigation into Costin specifically after receiving a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, or MRFF. The group argued that Costin, Schaick, and others had violated military regulations by appearing at the event in uniform, thus giving the impression that the Air Force had formally endorsed the event. An investigation later cleared Costin of any wrongdoing. But Schaicks Bible blessing has aroused the ire of MRFF once again. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) condemns, in as full-throated a manner as is humanly possible, the shocking and repulsive display of only the most vile, exclusivist, fundamentalist Christian supremacy, the groups founder, Mikey Weinstein, said in a statement quoted by NPR. MRFF has said it will file a complaint about the event. That the Bible in question was donated by the Museum of the Bible, an Evangelical institution, lends Weinsteins concerns additional credibility. In emailed statements to New York, representatives for the National Cathedral said the language in its tweet specifically the phrase official Bible, and the reference to its use by all commanders came directly from Shaicks office. Lynn Kirby, a spokesperson for the Department of the Air Force, told New York by email that the Bible mentioned in the tweet will be used during the swearing-in ceremony for the first Chief of Space Operations. This option will remain a personal choice for each individual swearing in. Asked if the Air Force planned similar ceremonies to bless a Quran, or another religious text, for use by officers, Kirby was ambiguous. There is a historical tradition of Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force swearing in using a Bible purchased by the first CSAF Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, but there is no requirement to do so, she wrote. This historical tradition is only related to the swearing in of a new service chief and does not extend to any other personnel, she added. There is no official religious or other sacred text nor is there any requirement for a member to use any sacred or religious text during swearing-in ceremonies. That answer probably wont satisfy critics like MRFF, which considers the blessing ceremony an unacceptable violation of the separation of church and state. The Space Force might not be fully launched, but its already off to a rocky start. SAN JOSE, Calif. and MONTEREY, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Blach Construction (Blach), a full-service and award-winning commercial builder, is ringing in 2020 with plans to commemorate 50 years in business. Founded in 1970 by Michael S. Blach, the company will be hosting a series of unique celebrations and has kicked off a year-long giving program at Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS) in San Jose. "When we polled our colleagues on how they would like to celebrate our first 50 years, the results were overwhelmingly in favor of performing community service," stated Chairman Mike Blach. "This response was very gratifying and would have made my dad, our founder, very happy. He loved working with nonprofits and organizations that made a difference in people's lives and in our community. I am proud that we are continuing to build upon his legacy." SHCS has provided housing and employment assistance, family mentoring and adult and youth education programs to the greater San Jose community since 1964. Blach's long-standing relationship with the organization spans more than 20 years and various capacities, ranging from building its current facility to donating more than 1,500 bikes and backpacks for its toy and back-to-school drives over the last several years. Furthermore, Mike Blach has served on the SHCS board, including as a past president. Throughout its entire Golden Anniversary year, Blach will make pro bono building improvements to the nonprofit's facility, and employees will volunteer at least 500 hours to support various events and drives. Moreover, the firm kicked off an internal fundraising effort and will match all employee donations, which are anticipated to generate more than $50,000 for SHCS. In addition to Blach's philanthropic work with SHCS, the builder will also commemorate its 50th Anniversary with a series of special celebrations in gratitude to its clients, partners, subcontractors and colleagues. A special history exhibit is also being installed at its San Jose headquarters to showcase the firm's first 50 years of achievements, newsworthy events and the people who made it happen. "We are always looking ahead, planning for the future, and what we see is extremely promising. We recently broke ground on two of the largest projects in our history, including Gateway at Millbrae Station one of the largest transportation-oriented developments in the Bay Area. And, we're seeing continued growth in both new and existing markets," stated Dan Rogers, president of Blach Construction. "It's clear that Blach's first 50 years have laid a strong foundation for our next 50 years. Ultimately, we are very honored to be celebrating this significant milestone and thank our supportive clients, dedicated partners and talented employees for getting us here." About Blach Construction Founded in 1970, Blach Construction builds structures of enduring quality and value throughout the Greater Bay Area and Monterey. The company's experience encompasses a broad cross-section of workplace, education, institutional and mixed-use building types, including technology, life sciences, professional services, healthcare, K-12 and higher education and civic/community facilities. A leading innovator, Blach is dedicated to continually incorporating advanced construction techniques, leveraging prefabrication, self-perform and virtual design and construction capabilities, while investing in new offerings and project delivery methods that enable greater efficiencies and bring increased value to clients. The firm consistently wins awards across the construction industry and general business community for its projects, innovation, employee engagement and community service. Recently named the #1 "Best Place to Work" in the Bay Area (in the midsize category) by the Silicon Valley Business Journal/San Francisco Business Times, Blach has appeared on the list for 11 years running. The firm has received multiple "Construction Safety Excellence Awards" from the AGC of California, has been named a top 30 "Great Place to Work" by Fortune Magazine and ranked as a "Top Contractor in California" by Engineering News-Record. Blach is headquartered in San Jose and operates a branch office in Monterey that covers California's Central Coast. To learn more, please visit blach.com and engage with us on Facebook and Instagram . Interesting facts about Blach's first 50 years may be found on its About Us page. Contact: Kate Blocker Laura Lance Blach Construction Studio PR 408.869.8322 707.477.6606 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Blach Construction Related Links http://blach.com Want this in your inbox each morning? Sign up here.) BlackRocks big move on climate change In an exclusive interview with Andrew, the money management giants chief, Larry Fink, discussed his decision to make climate change a focus of BlackRocks investment strategy. The shift could reshape how Wall Street invests. What BlackRock will do, according to Mr. Finks latest letter to C.E.O.s: Exit certain investments that have a high sustainability-related risk but not all, since fossil fuels remain central to the global economy. Start to press corporate managers on their environmental goals, including leaning on companies to adhere to the Paris climate accords targets. Introduce more funds that avoid stocks related to fossil fuels. This is a much more structural, long-term crisis, Mr. Fink writes in the letter. He said he had come to that conclusion after talking with business leaders and scientists and having BlackRock model the economic effects of climate change. The Republicans decision to back the resolution, put forward by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), follows a contentious decision by the president to kill a top Iranian military commander in Baghdad earlier this month. The administration has defended the operation as vital, even in the face of bipartisan frustration on Capitol Hill, where some lawmakers have chastised Trump and his senior advisers for taking such provocative action without consulting them first and for refusing to say when they might seek Congresss authorization before conducting similar strikes in the future. By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a lower court ruling that allowed a lawsuit to proceed against managers of a retirement fund for IBM Corp employees centering on allegations that officials failed to disclose that IBM's microelectronics business was over-valued. The justices sent the case back to the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a further legal analysis. IBM is not a defendant in the lawsuit filed in New York federal court by plaintiffs who were participants in IBM's retirement plan. IBM welcomed the ruling, company spokesman Douglas Shelton said. "This case has important implications for businesses' ability to offer strong employee stock ownership plans and for employees, across all industries, to invest in their companies," Shelton said in a statement. Participants in IBM's retirement plan have said that in 2013 the company's microelectronics division was incurring losses even though IBM said at the time it was valued at $2 billion. The plaintiffs said the Retirement Plans Committee of IBM, which oversaw the fund, knew or should have known that the business was over-valued and made disclosures to lower the risk of an artificially high stock price and a painful correction once the problems in the unit were made public. The committee's members included senior IBM executives. IBM sold the microelectronics business a year later at a significant loss, prompting a decline in the company's stock price. IBM paid GlobalFoundries Inc $1.5 billion to take over the money-losing unit and announced it would take a $2.4 billion write-down on the entire value of assets as well as $800 million of other unspecified costs. The company's stock price subsequently plummeted more than $12.00 per share, more than 7% of its value. The plaintiffs sued the committee and its members in 2015. A federal judge dismissed the complaint in 2016. The 2nd Circuit in 2018 revived the litigation, prompting the retirement plan committee to appeal to the Supreme Court. Story continues The Supreme Court, in an unsigned decision, unanimously said that some of the key arguments presented in the case must first be considered by the lower court. The IBM dispute was a sequel to a 2014 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that a lawsuit brought by employees against Fifth Third Bancorp for putting company stock in its employment retirement plan ahead of the housing downturn could move forward. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) HOLYOKE The City Councils Development and Government Affairs Committee adjourned Monday nights meeting shortly after it began over concerns about possible Open Meeting Law violations. Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley, who chaired the committee last term, said Mike Bloomberg, Mayor Alex Morses chief of staff, sent out emails to the citys Law Department questioning if the committee was violating the Open Meeting Laws before subcommittee assignments were doled out. City Solicitor Crystal Barnes said she put a call into the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office for a ruling late Monday afternoon. No answer was forthcoming. While no city ordinance exists related to a subcommittee meeting before appointments, Barnes cautioned the committee about possible violations, which could result in state fines. Bartley said a subcommittee could meet if a quorum exists. However, Barnes urged restraint and that Mondays meeting might prove legally problematic. Shortly after the Jan. 7 inauguration, the City Council unanimously reelected Todd McGee to a second term as the bodys president. No committee assignments were made since McGees reappointment. Bartley said two councilors have not gotten back to McGee about committee assignments, which Bartley considered bad form. He opined that the committee should proceed with the evenings agenda, with only meeting minutes needing a formal vote. Councilor Peter Tallman said he was uncomfortable with moving forward. The committee approved the Jan. 13 meeting date before last weeks swearing-in ceremony. Ward 2 Councilor Terence Murphy asked Barnes if councilors filling in for absent committee members was a violation? Barnes said a committee chair and vice-chair had not been appointed. Bartley tabled Mondays agenda and held off on scheduling the next meeting. The Ordinance Committee was set to meet Tuesday night. If named chairman, Bartley recommended a meeting for Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. Well have to see what happens. Sadly, thats the best way. Its nobodys fault, Bartley said. He then adjourned the meeting. People's Liberation Army (PLA) storm ashore from landing crafts in an exercise on the mainland coast close to Taiwan, on Sept. 10, 1999. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) China Holds Military Drill on the Day of Taiwan Election Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) held a military drill on Jan. 11, the day of Taiwans presidential election. Shortly after President Tsai Ing-wens re-election victory, Chinese state-run media warned that Beijing could resort to military action to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. The military drill was conducted by the 73rd Group Army, one of the three active group armies belonging to the Eastern Theater Command of the PLA. Based in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, a coastal city facing Taiwan across the strait, it is presumed to be Chinas main military force to attack Taiwan should Beijing ever declare war on the self-ruled island. The Chinese regime claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and has not renounced the use of force to take it under its control. Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, has its own democratically-elected government, military, and currency. The Eastern Theater Command posted a statement on Jan. 11 about the drill on Chinese social media WeChat, which began with a poem, A drill is no different than a real battle, soldiers are instantly surrounded by the smoke of war. The military drill followed the most strict and challenging standards, the statement said. Photos of CAIC Z-10 attack helicopters and a Mi-17 Medium helicopter were posted to show off the PLAs military strength. Photos taken during the drill revealed that the Army Aviation Unit of the 73rd Group used Type 052D and Type 052C destroyers, two Type 075 landing helicopter docks, and a variety of military helicopters, including CAIC Z-10 attack helicopters and the Harbin Z-20. In addition, armored brigades and artillery brigades acted as supporting units in the drill. According to the post, the main purpose of the drill was to oppose those who advocate Taiwan independence and to prevent foreign forces from interfering in China-Taiwan affairs. Chinese state media also reported the drill, and pointed out that, the choice of the drill date is worth pondering, possibly a hint that the drill is meant to threaten Taiwanese citizens not to vote for an anti-communist candidate. On the same day, the PLAs Eastern Theater Command Navy, also known as the East Sea Fleet, announced that a destroyer detachment would conduct an actual five-day-and-four-night combat training on the ocean. Type 052D and Type 052C destroyers would participate, and there would be live fire drills as well as air defense and missile defense drills, it said. Post-Election Warning Shortly after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected, Chinese state-run media warned about military action to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Hu Jinxi, editor of one of Chinas hawkish publication Global Times, published a commentary on Jan. 12, the day after Taiwans election, suggesting that using military force on Taiwan is now high on Chinas agenda. Reuniting Taiwan with the mainland using military force is no big deal, considering the difference between military forces of mainland and Taiwan. It will be easier than the PLAs liberation of Beijing 70 years ago, Hu claimed. He pointed out the real challenge that China has to prepare itself for is the military intervention or economic sanctions from the United States. Strategically, we need absolute certainties in two aspects. First of all, we must be able to easily make the U.S. army suffer an unbearable loss if they come to intervene. Moreover, we must make sure that the United States would not dare to launch a large-scale retaliation against China, nor would it dare to threaten China with a nuclear war, Hu wrote. Secondly, China must surpass the United States in economic strength, so that the United States would be incapable of sanctioning China, or uniting the Western forces to impose sweeping sanctions on China. In other words, when China uses military force to unite with Taiwan, [we want to make sure that] our military action will not incur serious economic uncertainties to our country. She broke her pelvis and hip and never recovered. She suffered from dementia, and moved into The Woodlands of Arnold nursing home and rehabilitation center. Meanwhile, Jack was having trouble living at home. He needed a smaller house without stairs. Wagener said she talked him into moving into a villa at the Woodlands in May. He loved living there, she said. In September, he fell too. He broke his neck and the towering man needed a wheelchair. So he moved into the nursing home, four doors down the hall from his wife. Even then, they'd nap together, one in a wheelchair, the other in bed their hands intertwined. "Some days she knew him, other days she didnt," said Wagener. Wagener said she never lied to Jack or Harriet, and that she told Jack on Christmas Eve that Harriet had stopped eating and drinking. He barely ate or drank after that. Twenty-one members of the Saudi military are being expelled from the US after a cadet carried out a mass shooting at a air base last month. The servicemen are not accused of aiding the 21-year old Saudi Air Force lieutenant. But US Attorney General William Barr said the cadets were found to have had jihadist material and indecent images of children in their possession. Three sailors were killed and eight wounded in the 6 December attack. Training for Saudi servicemen was put on hold in the US after the attack. Mr Barr told a news conference on Monday that the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola had been an act of terrorism. He said he had asked Apple to unlock two iPhones that belonged to the gunman, who was killed by police in the attack. The gunman fired a bullet into one phone in an effort to destroy it, Mr Barr said, but FBI investigators were able to restore the device. We have asked Apple for their help in unlocking the shooters iPhones, Mr Barr said. So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance. Apple had given the FBI iCloud data from the attackers online account, the New York Times reported, but refused to unlock the phone, saying it would undermine their own encryption software. The tech firm has clashed previously with the FBI over requests to unlock iPhones belonging to terror suspects. A similar 2016 clash was resolved when the FBI found a way to unlock a phone belonging to a mass shooter in California without help from Apple. Mr Barr said that initial reports that other Saudi cadets had filmed the attack as it unfolded were inaccurate. The gunman had arrived at the scene of the shooting alone, he said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates 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. Bong Joon-ho secures nomination for the film, Parasite, but women and ethnic minorities overlooked. Director of the film Parasite, Bong Joon-ho said he was surprised and overjoyed when his work secured six Oscar nominations, a historic first for South Koreas film industry and a sign perhaps that language was no longer a barrier to global success. A dark comedy about the vast gap between the rich and poor in South Korea, snagged a coveted Best Picture nomination, Best Director for Bong, and Best Screenplay in addition to its best international feature nomination. Every time they announced the new nominations, it was so thrilling, because we didnt really anticipate any of this, Bong told Reuters Television in an interview in California. Bong had previously discussed the challenges of international films breaking the language barrier around the world but said the nominations suggest those barriers may now be falling. We can say that thanks to the internet, social media and these streaming services, the entire society is experiencing less of these language barriers and perhaps Parasite benefitted from that global trend, he said. In a video shared online by production company NEON, one of the shows stars, Song Kang-ho, managed to keep a firm grasp on his cup of coffee as he and others in the room celebrated the news. The sign youre a global superstar: You dont spill your coffee when your film is nominated for Best Picture, the company said. Oscar-nominated film, St Louis Superman, is directed by Smriti Mundhra (second left) and Sami Khan (right), and tells the story of Bruce Franks Jr It was produced by Malaysia-born filmmaker Poh Si Teng (left) [File: Dave Kotinsky/Getty/AFP] Films competing against Parasite for Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards, include Todd Phillips superhero movie Joker, which received a total of 11 nominations overall, Martin Scorseses elegiac crime film The Irishman, Quentin Tarantinos 1960s Los Angeles fairy-tale Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Sam Mendes moving war epic, 1917. Lack of diversity Although a record 62 women (or about a third of nominees) were nominated on Monday, the academy put the most weight behind a handful of swaggering male-driven and men-made movies predicated on virtuosity, spectacle and star power. For the 87th time, the academy selected all-male directing nominees although Greta Gerwigs adaptation of Louisa May Alcotts Little Women secured a nod for Best Picture. This years Oscars field is also the least diverse since the fallout of #OscarsSoWhite pushed the academy to broaden its membership. US actress and director Greta Gerwig won a nomination for her film Little Women but was overlooked in the Best Director category [File: Nina Prommer/EPA] Awkwafina, who was widely expected to become just the second Asian American nominated for best actress (the first, 1936 nominee Merle Oberon, hid her South Asian heritage) for her acclaimed performance in The Farewell was overlooked, as was Beyonce, for her Lion King song. So too was Jennifer Lopez, long considered a supporting actress frontrunner for her performance in Hustlers. Documentary nominees In documentaries, Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan, were nominated for Documentary (Short Subject) for their 25-minute film St Louis Superman, which follows an African-American rapper, who ran for a legislative seat in the US state of Missouri, following police-related gun violence in the city of Ferguson. In a post on social media, Mundhra said she was shell-shocked, overwhelmed and profoundly grateful for the nomination. The films producer, Malaysian documentary filmmaker Poh Si Teng, commented: A very good morning. The US-based producer commissions films for Witness, an Al Jazeera documentary programme. A second Al Jazeera documentary, In the Absence, about South Koreas Sewol ferry disaster, was also nominated for an Oscar in the same category. The film is directed by Seung Jun-yi and Gary Byung Seok-kam. The Academy Awards will be presented in Los Angeles on February 9. WINNEMUCCA, Nev., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG) (Paramount) announced today that it has received the Permit to appropriate water from the Oregon Water Resources Department for its proposed Grassy Mountain Gold Mine and processing facilities in eastern Oregon. This is the first Oregon State Agency permit issued as part of the consolidated permitting process initiated by Paramount in 2019. This Permit describes the appropriation and use of 2 cubic feet per second (57 liters per second) of water within the Permit Area described in the Consolidated Permit Application. This Permit provides sufficient water for the proposed mining and processing operations throughout the mine life. Paramount President and CEO Glen Van Treek stated: This Permit, along with the previously received Conditional Use Permit, represents substantial, incremental success in the permitting process. The next milestone is the notice that our Application is complete, which triggers the evaluation of our permit application by State agencies. Once again, we are pleased to note the diligence and co-operation we have received from the State of Oregon. Highlights In November 2019 , Paramount submitted the Consolidated Permit Application (State Permit) to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Paramount previously received final approval for the Conditional Use Permit from Malheur County. The Company is currently finalizing the Amended Plan of Operation that it will submit to the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) thereby initiating the federal Permitting Process. The NI 43-101 Feasibility Study (Feasibility Study) for the Grassy Mountain Project is well underway and being led by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. with expected completion in mid-2020. To stay informed of future press releases, subscribe to our E-Alerts Program and to learn more about our projects visit the projects section of our website . About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. Paramount Gold Nevada is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramounts strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering into joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account. Paramount owns 100% of the Grassy Mountain Gold Project which consists of approximately 11,000 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. The Grassy Mountain Gold Project contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land) for which results of a positive PFS have been released and key permitting milestones accomplished (see press release dated May 24, 2018). Additionally, Paramount owns a 100% interest in the Sleeper Gold Project located in Northern Nevada. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,322 unpatented mining claims (approximately 60 square miles or 15,500 hectares). Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramounts future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to: production estimates and assumptions, including production rate and grade per tonne; revenue, cash flow and cost estimates and assumptions; statements with respect to future events or future performance; anticipated exploration, development, permitting and other activities on the Grassy Mountain project; the economics of the Grassy Mountain project, including the potential for improving project economics and finding more ore to extend mine life; and mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conclusions made in the PFS; the quantity and grade of resources included in resource estimates; the accuracy and achievability of projections included in the PFS; Paramounts ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; and the other factors described in Paramounts disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions. Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document. Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. Glen Van Treek, President, CEO and Director Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications 866-481-2233 Twitter: @ParamountNV InDepth Pharmaceuticals, founded by Deepak Nihalani, Ph.D., the SmartState Endowed Chair in Renal Disease Biomarkers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), has taken a vital step toward commercializing an innovative diagnostic technique that could better predict kidney transplant success in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a kidney disease that often leads to end-stage renal failure. The company has executed an option agreement with the MUSC Foundation for Research Development (FRD), which gives it rights to evaluate the diagnostic technique further, with an eventual opportunity to license it for commercialization. For the evaluation, the company will use funding from a small business technology transfer grant it received from the National Institutes of Health in 2019. With the option agreement executed, InDepth Pharmaceuticals can now continue to explore the feasibility of putting its novel diagnostic procedure into practice. Nihalani has dedicated the past fifteen years to the study of kidney disease, with a particular emphasis on FSGS, which has multiple forms. One of those forms can recur within hours to weeks after transplantation, leading to the loss of the donated kidney. Kidneys operate much like the water filters on top of water pitchers. The body goes through a multitude of processes, producing substances that one needs to live and those that can be toxic. The kidneys filter these toxins out of the blood while producing urine to rid them from the body. FSGS causes the filters within the kidneys, known as glomeruli, to scar and harden, making it difficult for them to eliminate waste products from the body. Eventually, this can lead to end-stage renal disease, leaving a patient with few options other than dialysis or a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, transplantation will not work for all patients with FSGS. In as many as 30% of these patients, the transplanted kidney will eventually fail. Being able to diagnose which patients are within that 30% is vital. "There is currently no way of predicting which FSGS patients who receive a kidney transplant will lose kidney function again," said Nihalani. Not knowing whether their transplanted kidney will eventually fail can be very emotionally taxing for patients with FSGS. Those whose kidneys do fail also face a huge economic burden. These emotional and economic burdens could be avoided if it were possible to predict more conclusively which patients with FSGS would benefit from kidney transplant and which would not. Alternative treatment approaches, including dialysis or even immunotherapy, could then be pursued for patients with FSGS for whom a kidney transplant would have no chance of success. Some years ago, Nihalani and his colleagues, including Milos N. Budisavljevic, M.D., a professor in the MUSC Division of Nephrology, brainstormed ways to predict transplant success in these patients. They were able to identify three different genes that, when put into stable cell lines, showed increased expression levels when interacting with plasma from patients with recurrent FSGS. Over the past two decades, Budisavljevic and his team had been collecting plasma samples from patients with recurrent FSGS, and these samples provided a perfect testing ground for their diagnostic concept. In a blinded study, they were able to test plasma from patients with FSGS and recurrent FSGS and found that they could diagnose recurrent FSGS with a sensitivity and specificity of over 80%. This procedure functions as a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool to detect recurrent FSGS. "For diagnostic procedures, we must identify what is causing the disease," explained Nihalani. "This was a dire case where some patients were having two or three kidney transplants and not getting better. Thus, we owed it to them to think outside of the box and come up with a new approach." To protect and begin to develop this novel technique, Nihalani was able to work with the MUSC FRD to patent the cell lines used for diagnosis. As a result, the startup company InDepth Pharmaceuticals was born. In addition to developing this diagnostic technique for recurrent FSGS, the company is working to come up with new therapeutics for other forms of kidney disease, as well as for liver fibrosis. With the recent signing of the option agreement, InDepth Pharmaceuticals must now estimate the market value of the diagnostic procedure to acquire more funding. This includes determining the cost of the procedure as well as validating it in a larger patient population. "There are approximately 1 million patients with FSGS worldwide, and 30% of them will have recurrent FSGS," said Nihalani. "However, we aim to serve all 1 million patients with FSGS, since any of them could potentially have recurrent FSGS." Unlike water filters on pitchers that can be replaced without repercussions, patients with recurrent FSGS cannot safely replace their kidneys. InDepth Pharmaceuticals aims to get its innovation to the clinic both to enable more preventive treatments for patients with recurrent FSGS and to avoid the loss of precious kidneys. ### About InDepth Pharmaceuticals InDepth Pharmaceuticals is a Charleston-based startup company focused on developing novel diagnostic procedures and therapies for kidney disease patients. Recently, the company has produced a novel cell-based technology that predicts the rate of survival for the transplanted kidney in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The availability of this procedure will help medical professionals to make informed clinical decisions to preserve the transplanted kidneys and prolong survival. The diagnostic is highly sensitive and requires minimal technical expertise. Further details will soon be available at indepthpharma.com. About the Medical University of South Carolina Founded in 1824 in Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is the oldest medical school in the South, as well as the state's only integrated, academic health sciences center with a unique charge to serve the state through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and 700 residents in six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The state's leader in obtaining biomedical research funds, in fiscal year 2018, MUSC set a new high, bringing in more than $276.5 million. For information on academic programs, visit http://musc.edu. As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient care available while training generations of competent, compassionate health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Comprising some 1,600 beds, more than 100 outreach sites, the MUSC College of Medicine, the physicians' practice plan and nearly 275 telehealth locations, MUSC Health owns and operates eight hospitals situated in Charleston, Chester, Florence, Lancaster and Marion counties. In 2019, for the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit http://muschealth.org. MUSC and its affiliates have collective annual budgets of $3 billion. The more than 17,000 MUSC team members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers and scientists who deliver groundbreaking education, research, technology and patient care. About MUSC Foundation for Research Development MUSC Foundation for Research Development is responsible for evaluating all intellectual assets the enterprise owns and generates, extracting value, and forging industry and other relationships resulting in products and services that provide real-life solutions to the world's medical needs. Whether our translations involve a technology license, research collaboration, or new startup venture, we serve as a dedicated one-stop shop for advancing innovation at MUSC. Our team is also dedicated to building an ecosystem of innovation whose activities contribute to MUSC's overall economic impact on our state and country. Please visit us online at frd.musc.edu. The House of Representatives would vote on January 14 to send to the US Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, lawmakers from the opposition Democratic party said on Tuesday. The 435-member US House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has led her Democratic party in the impeachment against Trump, told this to her party Caucus during a meeting at the US Capitol. "The vote will be tomorrow (Tuesday)," Congressman Henry Cuellar told reporters after the meeting. Pelosi, during the caucus meeting, did not name the House managers for the Senate trial. However, the House vote would include the names of the managers who would argue the case on their behalf. "The resolution will be done tomorrow; the managers will be named in the resolution. We'll have about a 10-minute debate and we'll vote on it and then send everything over. And the Senate trial, I assume, will start next week," Cuellar said. Initiated by Pelosi on September 24, the House, where the Democratic party enjoys a majority, voted on two articles on impeachment against Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump and the White House have denied those charges. Trump, joined by his Republican party, has accused Democrats of one-sided impeachment proceedings against him. Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member Senate. As such Trump appears to be confident that impeachment would be defeated in the Senate. The White House has confirmed its defence team for the Senate trial. In the aftermath of the illegal assassination of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani on January 2, no-one within the Australian media and political establishment has raised the question as to whether the Pine Gap spy base in central Australia played a role in the killing. If it did so, senior Australian government officials are implicated in war crimes. The failure of the press and the opposition Labor Party to demand an explanation from the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is another demonstration of the ruling elite closing ranks behind US imperialism. The Morrison government, with the tacit backing of Labor leader Anthony Albanese, has responded to Washingtons drive for war against Iran by doubling down on its support for US imperialism in the Middle East and internationally (see Australian government backs US provocations against Iran). The Pine Gap facility began operations in 1970, when it was falsely billed as a space research centre. In reality it functioned as a major signals intelligence gathering facility for the US, primarily directed against the Soviet Union. Since the end of the Cold War, Pine Gaps role has expanded further, with additional infrastructure built at the desert site and hundreds of extra staff hired. According to intelligence expert Professor Des Ball of the Australian National University, Pine Gap has been used to intercept long-distance phone calls, satellite transmissions, anti-missile signals, and ballistic missile electronic communications. A section of the Pine Gap facility, Credit: Felicity Ruby In addition to this, American National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed in documents published in 2017 that Pine Gap has, over the last two decades, played a critical role in assisting US military operations, including identifying targets for missile attacks and drone assassinations. An August 2012 NSA site profile of Pine Gap stated that it has a special section, known as the geopit, equipped with a number of tools available for performing geolocations. The document, which used the US intelligence codename RAINFALL for the Pine Gap facility, explained: RAINFALL detects, collects, records, processes, analyses and reports on PROFORMA signals collected from tasked entities, it stated. PROFORMA signals are communications data of radar and weapons systems, such as surface-to-surface missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and fighter aircraft. This revelation followed the publication of other documents courageously leaked by Snowden in 2013 that showed that Pine Gap played a central role within a NSA program codenamed X-XKeyscore, that collects electronic data on people around the world, permanently storing phone numbers, email addresses, log-ins and user activity. As part of the Five Eyes global intelligence networkled by the US and including Australia, Britain, Canada, and New ZealandAustralian intelligence agencies have high-level access to the NSA data, including on Australian citizens. The Snowden revelations confirmed previous media reports of Pine Gaps role in US drone assassination operations. In July 2013, journalist Phillip Dorling wrote an article for the Age and Sydney Morning Herald, based on unnamed sources, including former Pine Gap personnel. He explained that Pine Gap allowed the US military to process intercepted electronic communications and provide target information to the US military within minutes. Dorling reported that the Pentagon was critically dependent on Pine Gap for locating targets marked for extrajudicial execution by President Barack Obama. The facility provides information that feeds into the United States drone strike program and other military operations, with personnel sitting in airconditioned offices in central Australia directly linked, on a minute-by-minute basis, to US and allied military operations in Afghanistan and, indeed, anywhere else across the eastern hemisphere. Given this record, it would be unusual if Pine Gap intelligence played no role at all in the US assassination of General Qassem Suleimani, leader of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Details about the hit operation continue to emerge. According to the New York Times, a US MQ-9 Reaper drone fired two missiles at a convoy of vehicles that was departing Baghdad airport, near an air cargo terminal. The bombing killed Suleimani, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, of the Iraqi government-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces, and at least three other people. Iran responded by last Wednesday launching limited missile operations against two US military bases in Iraq, in Erbil and Ain al-Assad airbase in Anbar province. The ratcheting up of tensions has paved the way for the Trump administration to prepare a devastating war of aggression against Iran, threatening a far wider conflagration engulfing the primary targets of US imperialism, Russia and China (see Trump bides his time, but the preparations for war against Iran will continue). The Australian government is complicit in the drive to war. Canberra has been directly involved in every US provocation in the Middle East in recent decades, including the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq from 2003. Now the government, again without challenge from within the political establishment, is preparing to line up with an even greater war crime, the US-led regime change offensive against Iran. The assassination of Suleimani underscores the urgent need for the development of an internationally unified antiwar movement. In Australia, among the primary demands of such a movement will be the immediate and unconditional end to the US-Australia military alliance and the closure of all US-connected military and intelligence bases, including Pine Gap. The author recommends: Australian spy base critical to Obamas drone assassinations [22 July 2013] Snowden confirms Australian agencies involved in NSA global spying [10 July 2013] A disgraced entrepreneur has today been ordered to pay 9.5million into the pension schemes of failed high street chain BHS after an unsuccessful appeal. Former bankrupt Dominic Chappell bought the retailer for 1 from Sir Philip Green 15 months before it collapsed with the loss of 11,000 jobs and a 570million pensions deficit. The Pensions Regulator said today that his appeal against two contribution notices in which he was ordered to pay 9,542,985 - first made in January 2018 - was struck out at the Upper Tribunal. The watchdog said the decision at the Upper Tribunal, equivalent to the High Court as a court of record, means the BHS pensions scandal is 'coming to a close' nearly four years after the retailer hit the wall. The regulator will now look to recover the money from Mr Chappell for two pension schemes. Former BHS owner Dominic Chappell (pictured at another court appearance in October last year) was today ordered to pay 9.5million into BHS pensions schemes After BHS collapsed in 2016, the Regulator immediately moved to protect the pensions of 19,000 members and made three requests for information under a Section 72 order. It managed to secure a 363m cash settlement with billionaire Green in order to rescue the scheme. However Chappell, from Blandford Forum in Dorset, was accused of failing to hand over vital documents to the Regulator as they sought to stabilise the pension fund. The Pensions Regulator took him to court charging him with three counts of neglecting or refusing to provide documents, without a reasonable excuse, contrary to the Pensions Act 2004. During the court hearing in January 2018, the former racing driver claimed he was being made a 'scapegoat' for the failure of the high street giant and said he wished he had never bought it. Sir Philip Green (pictured above in May last year) sold Dominic Chappell department chain BHS for just 1 in 2015 Representing himself at Hove Crown Court, he said that unlike billionaire Green he did not have the money to make the problem go away. He said: 'I'm not Philip Green sitting on a 100m yacht in the south of France who just wrote a cheque for 350m to make the problem go away.' Chappell said during his 13-months at the helm of BHS he had contributed 4.5million to the pension fund. However he was convicted of failing to hand over documents to Regulator and ordered to pay a 50,000 fine and 37,000 court costs. BHS was founded in 1928 and employed around 11,000 members of staff with 164 outlets And he was later handed a bill of almost 10m to make up the BHS pensions shortfall. Nicola Parish, TPR's executive director of frontline regulation, said: 'We are pleased that the decision to issue two contribution notices to pay money into the BHS pension schemes stands. 'This case illustrates how TPR is willing to pursue a case through the courts to seek redress for pension savers. 'It illustrates the situations our anti-avoidance powers were designed to meet and which allow us to protect the retirement incomes that savers deserve.' It marks the latest headache for Mr Chappell, who was banned from running a company for 10 years by the Insolvency Service last November and faces a trial later this year over allegations of 500,000 of tax fraud, which he denies. Mr Chappell - a former bankrupt - was the architect of Retail Acquisitions' purchase of BHS four years ago. Sir Philip owned BHS for 15 years before selling it to Mr Chappell, during which time the Green family and other shareholders are said to have collected 580 million from the chain in dividend payouts, rental payments and interest on loans. On Mr Chappell's failed pensions payment appeal, AJ Bell senior analyst Tom Selby said: 'This sorry saga is one step closer to being resolved. 'Despite this, thousands of former BHS workers will still understandably feel aggrieved that they will receive lower pensions than they had previously been promised.' Former staff members welcomed the news the extra money had been secured. One former shop worker said: 'It has been a long drawn out affair but I'm pleased Chappell has been told he has to make up the shortfall. 'For many workers who spent decades paying into the company pension fund it will be a weight off their shoulders to know their pensions are safe.' The city of Pearland is close to wrapping up the $4.9 million Green Tee Terrace Trail project, which includes a 250-foot pedestrian bridge across Clear Creek connecting Harris and Brazora counties and a new 10-foot-wide, 1.5-mile hike-and-bike trail that will serve several neighborhoods. The trail runs from about 1,500 feet south of Pearland Parkway/Hughes Road intersection through Riverstone Ranch to just east of FM 518. Completion is expected this month. At that point, well identify areas that need extra attention or correction to meet our standards, said Chris Orlea, director of the citys Parks & Recreation Department. After roughly a month, well inspect the corrections and then schedule a ribbon cutting and invite everyone to join. Much of the funds came through the Federal Transit Administration. Orlea said those funds, which total $2.375 million, were passed through to the city via the Houston-Galveston Area Council. The remaining money for the work is funded through $1.185 million worth of certificates of obligation, $200,000 from a developer and nearly $65,000 from the citys fund balance in addition to other sources. A cost breakdown is available at https://bit.ly/386QgeG. Once the trail is open, users will enjoy benches, bike racks, appropriate signage, water fountains and structures providing shade. Orlea said this type of project helps create eco-friendly transportation avenues from homes to commercial and retail areas. (We have) a universal goal to provide more environmentally friendly and health-conscious means of access to destination areas within the community, Orlea said. Though Green Tee Terrace Trail assumed the name of a wonderful longtime area of our community, it also provides tremendous access to the rapidly expanding Riverstone Ranch at Clear Creek and Lakes of Highland Glen developments. He said both those communities were planned with elaborate trail networks to encourage people to head outdoors and enjoy nature. Once the trail is open, people can access it from the north via any of the trail systems already in place in the Highland Glen developments. From the south, people can drive to a parking area off the northbound lanes of Pearland Parkway just past Shallow Creek Drive or at the trails head, which ends at the Lowes Shopping Center near Chilis Grill & Bar restaurant. Orlea said people eager to hit the trail should keep an eye on the citys social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for announcements regarding when the trial will open and when the ribbon cutting will occur. They are also encouraged to sign up for Pearlands e-notification system called Everbridge by logging on to www. Pearlandtx.gov. New Health Minister Robin Swann has announced a 110million funding package in a bid to avert further healthcare strikes across Northern Ireland hailing it as a "breakthrough". He said the money was coming from existing funds. Health unions have been striking over pay parity and staffing levels, which they say are unsafe. The Royal College of Nursing, which has engaged in strike action for the first time in its history, is planning to take further strike action later this month and up until March. The GMB union has also confirmed it plans to carry out further strike action in January. In a bid to avert the forthcoming action, Mr Swann, addressing the Assembly, said a new offer has been made to reinstate pay parity with England and that "decisive action" has been taken on staffing levels. LIVE: Ministers gives statement on health crisis Posted by Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 He said the department has gathered together 79m to increase pay for health staff to give them the same wage as workers in England and an extra 30m would be pulled from existing finances at Stormont. Two previous offers had been made by the department to end the dispute but both were rejected by trade unions. In December the department offered a 3.1% increase in overall pay and an additional 38m was made available to the health service. Mr Swann described a meeting with unions as "constructive". It is understood the unions have taken the offer to consult with their members to determine what action to take. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Kevin McAdam from Unite welcomed Tuesday's developments. "It gives us what we've been fighting for on the picket line in terms of pay parity. We will bring it back to our Unite people and they will decide. "What we need to do now is to work through the detail of the pay parity and make sure we're on the same page and deal with the proposals on safe staffing." Mr McAdam said a meeting with senior union members on Thursday will look to suspend ongoing strike action by healthcare workers - a development he said has been hard won. "I've been at this for two years and it took us to go out on the street and it's a disgrace it took us that far. But I welcome what's happened now. "We had a positive briefing with [Robin Swann] this morning and he's a breath of fresh air in the post. I look forward to working with him." The health minister said his department is providing a written commitment for immediate high-level engagement with unions to produce a costed implementation plan on safe staffing within an agreed short period. He said: "The breakthrough we all wanted has been achieved. This is a good day after some very difficult days. I am grateful to my colleagues around the Executive table for helping to make it happen. We have moved significantly, and quickly, to take action- together. That is a sign of optimism for the future. "I know there is scepticism in many quarters about what this health minister and this Executive can do for the health and social care service. That is entirely understandable. "Many good people doubt whether we can set party politics aside and work together constructively. We shall see. "But maybe- just maybe- today will give the sceptics some pause for thought." Mr Swann said that "sustained additional funding" is essential but that there is no quick fix to the crisis in the health service. He said the "component parts" are now in place to settle the industrial dispute and that additional funding has been secured to ensure pay parity. "I met immediately with trade union officials and briefed them on these latest developments," he said. "The new offer was outlined by me to Trade Union representatives this morning and will be formally submitted to them this afternoon. "Officials will meet with trade unions tomorrow to agree on the details." In a joint statement health unions said they had a "meaningful briefing" with the Mr Swann and that they will consider the detail of the offer in the coming days. However, ahead of the announcement in the Assembly, the GMB trade union said its members will strike on January 24. This will be followed by action short of strike the following day. Jim Donley, GMB organiser, said: Its with a heavy heart our members go on strike but they are angry about they way they have been treated. Its now time for the politicians to deliver on their promises. They must step up to the plate to end the unfairness in pay and staff shortages across all disciplines. The RCN has announced plans to strike again on January 20, 22 and 24, as well as on February 10, 12, 14 and March 2, 4 and 6. Meanwhile, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has called for new Justice Minister Naomi Long to sign off on a pay rise for police officers, which it says is five months overdue. The Independent Pay Review Body recommended a 2.5% increase in June last year. However, this was not signed off due to the absence of the Stormont Executive. Mark Lindsay, PFNI chairman, said: I have written to the Minister, Naomi Long MLA, asking her to get this matter resolved without delay. In fact, we are about to enter discussions on a new pay round for 20/21 while 19/20 remains outstanding and that is unacceptable. This situation can be remedied at a stroke of the pen and I would ask the new minister to show that the restoration of devolved institutions actually counts for something with prompt and decisive action. We have congratulated Ms Long on her appointment and are looking forward to a productive engagement across a wide range of policing matters including PSNI resources, recruitment, legacy, the function of the Police Ombudsmans office and criminal justice issues that impact on our officers. The emblem of the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images) Treasury Official Who Leaked Documents on Trump Associates Faces Up to 5 Years in Prison Former Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) senior official Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards faces up to five years in prison after she pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to conspiring to illegally leak documents to a journalist. Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York tentatively outlined a zero-to-six-month sentence and a fine of up to $9,500 as part of the plea deal (pdf) signed by Edwards on Jan. 13. The crime she pleaded guilty to carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Between October 2017 and October 2018, Edwards illegally leaked suspicious activity reports (SARs) on financial transactions by former Trump-campaign associates Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, the Russian Embassy, and Maria Butina, among others. The Department of Justice didnt identify the news organization that published stories based on the leaks, but a review of court documents and published articles points to BuzzFeed News. In court documents, prosecutors didnt designate anyone as a co-conspirator. The count (pdf) Edwards pleaded guilty to singled out a reporter as well as a senior official at FinCEN. Edwards called the senior official Enigma; she had sought to connect him or her with the reporter. Edwards had access to the SARs on Manafort, Gates, and others, and she saved thousands of reports on a flash drive issued by FinCEN, according to a press release issued by the Department of Justice. She relayed the information in the reports to a journalist by taking pictures of the documents with a smartphone and sending the photos via an encrypted messaging application. Edwards had the flash drive and the phone in her possession when she was arrested in October 2018. During an initial questioning, she denied having any contact with the media, but eventually admitted to communicating with the reporter, including during two in-person meetings. In addition to the SARs, Edwards sent or described to the reporter internal FinCEN emails or correspondence appearing to relate to SARs, investigative memos and intelligence assessments that contained confidential personal information, business information, and/or security threat assessments, the press release states. Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2020. Shes one of a handful of leakers to be prosecuted during the Trump administration. On Oct. 16, 2018, two days after Edwards arrest, former security director for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, James Wolfe, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with reporters. On Oct. 18, 2018, two days after Wolfes guilty plea, a federal judge sentenced former FBI special agent Terry Albury to four years in prison for leaking classified documents to a reporter. In August 2019, IRS analyst John Fry pleaded guilty to leaking sensitive financial documents about Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former personal attorney. In the four months following Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017, the White House was subject to 125 leaked stories, according to a report (pdf) by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The rate of leaks with the capacity to damage national security was seven times higher than during comparable periods in the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Lady Amelia Windsor showcased her arty talents yesterday after taking part in a two hour pottery painting class in London. The trendy royal, 24, wrapped up in a smart navy coat, which she paired with a large pair of gold hoop earrings and a multi-coloured scarf, for the class at the Pottery Cafe in Fulham. Amelia, who is 39th in line to the throne, strolled through the London streets with a friend before arriving at the cafe, where she painted a plate with an image of the Hindu goddess Shakti. Amelia went on to share her art work on her Instagram stories with her 81,000 followers, revealing she had also decorated the plate with her nickname 'Mel'. Lady Amelia Windsor, 24, appeared relaxed yesterday as she joined a friend for an afternoon of arts and crafts in London Lady Amelia, who is 39th in line to the throne, attended the Pottery Cafe in Fulham, where she and a friend painted plates Later, Amelia shared a snap of her painted ceramic, revealing she had decorated her plate with the Hindu goddess of Shakti Lady Amelia appeared relaxed ahead of the class, wrapping up in a smart navy coat with a multi-coloured knitted scarf for the occasion and finishing her outfit with a pair of comfortable brown boots. While her look was understated, the royal also carried a large over-the-shoulder bag by Stella McCartney, presumably in which to carry her arty creations home with her. She styled her signature blonde hair in bouncy curls with a side-parting, completing the look with subtle make-up. The royal could be seen carrying her bright red phone in her hand and checking the screen as she and her friend walked through the streets of London before their arty afternoon. Amelia shared several snaps with her 81,000 Instagram followers as she and her friend painted various bowls, mugs and plates at the trendy cafe Lady Amelia appeared understated at the arty afternoon with a friend, carrying a small keep cup for the outing The two women appeared relaxed as they walked through the streets arm-in-arm and chatted to one another before entering the Pottery Cafe. Amelia went on to share several snaps with her Instagram followers as she and her friend painted various bowls, mugs and plates at the trendy cafe. The arty royal opted to decorate a plate with a painting of the Hindu goddess Shakti, who is said to be the personification of divine feminine creative power. Lady Amelia, who graduated with a degree in Italian and French from Edinburgh University earlier this year, is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent. Lady Amelia appeared relaxed, with the young royal linking arms with her friend and chatting before catching up over the arts and crafts afternoon Lady Amelia could be seen checking her phone as she and her friend walked along the London street Since leaving university Amelia, who was once dubbed 'the most beautiful royal' by Tatler and is now signed to Kate Moss's former agency Storm, has juggled modelling work, fashion collaborations and writing. The royal has a blossoming following of 81,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly posts snaps from glamorous fashion events, as well as her adventures exploring trendy parts of London. She recently opened up about her relationship with Instagram, calling the platform 'quite toxic' and admitting the designer outfits she wears are 'mainly borrowed'. The two women appeared close, linking arms as they strutted along the road chatting to one another Amelia appeared relaxed during the arts and crafts outing with a friend, with the pair linking arms as they walked along the road in Fulham The royal, who has been vocal about wanting to live as sustainably as possible, appeared to be carrying a small keep cup Lady Amelia has suggested that her Instagram account is just a snapshot of her life, with the eco-friendly royal revealing she tries to live as sustainably as possible and often borrows clothes from brands for events. She told The Telegraph that she's cynical social media, saying: 'I think it can get quite toxic if you follow likes too much.' She also revealed checking the social media platform is not part of her morning routine, saying she would rather read a book. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has angered House Democrats by not sharing her ample campaign funds with the Houses Democratic campaign committee, the New York Post reported last week. Queens Democratic party boss Rep. Greg Meeks criticized the freshman congresswoman, who represents parts of his borough and the Bronx, in an interview with Fox News. Sometimes the question comes: 'Do you want to be in a majority or do you want to be in the minority?' Meeks said. And do you want to be part of a team?" This is a matter of ideological differences, not just stinginess. Ocasio-Cortez has publicly stated in the past that she will not pay her $250,000 dues to the committee, which she has previously criticized for supporting incumbents and blacklisting vendors that work with primary challengers. And in April, 2019, she asked her followers to boycott the committee, telling them to donate directly to Democratic candidates instead. Ocasio-Cortez responded to the criticism regarding her refusal to provide the DCC with any of her funds, explaining that shes already fundraised over $300,000 for Democratic candidates. I give quite a bit to fellow Dems - weve fundraised over $300,000 for others (more than my dues), w/ over 50% going to swing seats. DCCC made clear that they will blacklist any org that helps progressive candidates like me. I can choose not to fund that kind of exclusion. https://t.co/qqwdwPAqek Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 10, 2020 Im also not the only one. Expanding a House majority is critical, which is why I regularly (and happily) fundraise sizeable amounts for fellow members. I also believe that a Dem majority should be transformative, which is why I give strategically. Seems fair, no? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 10, 2020 Is it surprising that the anti-establishment congresswoman has done exactly what she said she would do? Not really. But Ocasio-Cortez just cant catch a break from the outrage that follows her wherever she goes. Since taking office, theres little she can do that wont result in critics sniping at her even adopting a puppy is cause for second-guessing. At least this recent nitpicking isnt sexist unlike some of the scolding she frequently endures. Here are just a couple of instances in which Ocasio-Cortezs actions have resulted in major outrage: Adopted a purebred puppy Just two days after Ocasio-Cortez announced that she had adopted a French bulldog puppy, named Deco, last Monday, the animal rights organization PETA condemned her for buying a purebred puppy over adopting one from a shelter. Ocasio-Cortez, however, has not divulged details regarding where she got her new pup and many purebred dogs can often be found at shelters. Getting a haircut On Oct. 9, 2019, conservative newspaper The Washington Times reported that the congresswoman spent $300 on a haircut and low-lights, insinuating that she wasnt upholding socialist ideals by doing so. AOC is the Eva Peron of American politics, Richard Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government, a man with no apparent expertise in womens hair care, told the paper. She preaches socialism while living the life of the privileged. Soon after, numerous women rushed to Twitter to remind everyone that $300 isnt actually a crazy amount of money for women to pay for a haircut and low-lights especially in an expensive city like New York or Washington, D.C. my cut/color is $250 to $300 in alabama so she must have had a groupon to get that kind of deal in DC https://t.co/31nPlVaIER Alex McDaniel (@AlexMcDaniel) October 10, 2019 I live in DC & I regularly pay $250-$300 for a haircut & highlight. Its not an elite, status symbol thing; thats just how much is costs to get your hair done when you pay your hair stylist a living wage. https://t.co/ExqJq5UJTd jennie (@jennieology) October 10, 2019 1) this would obvs never be a story about a man 2) this is not an expensive haircut/color for a public figure who is frequently on TV 3) if her hair was raggedy, that would be the lead story instead 4)https://t.co/CyXaQ860ts Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) October 10, 2019 Guys, I spend $300 at my stylist in Houston three times a year because thats what a cut and color for long hair costs. Beauty is expensive. It sucks, we all agree. https://t.co/cwMa7a5CRc lomikriel (@lomikriel) October 10, 2019 This is a bargain https://t.co/xjfTbey5xW Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) October 10, 2019 Feels like now is a great time to talk about the disproportionate cost of grooming for men and women that goes well past hair care and into dry cleaning, the cost of clothes, makeup, and on and on... https://t.co/TZrmVR2ttL Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) October 10, 2019 Travelling in cars Ocasio-Cortez came under fire from the New York Post and then some liberal environmentalists for using ride-hail app services such as Uber, Lyft and Juno since the start of her Congressional campaign in 2017. She was accused of hypocrisy for being a proponent of aggressive measures to combat climate change, such as the Green New Deal, while also frequently opting to travel in cars over public transportation. Soon after these reports were published, City & States senior editor Ben Adler wrote an op-ed railing against what he called the asinine critiques of her ride hailing. Hypocrisy means demanding that others do something you dont, writes Adler. But Ocasio-Cortez doesnt demand that people voluntarily avoid driving. The Green New Deal does not propose reducing U.S. emissions through personal sacrifices such as forgoing air conditioning or automobiles. Rather, it calls for national public policies to transition the U.S. energy portfolio, transportation sector and agricultural practices. Wearing a suit to work If ever there was a time to wear a nice looking suit, wouldnt it be during your first week at a new job? Well, conservative author Eddie Scarry offered up a much different take in a now-deleted tweet. "Hill staffer sent me this pic of Ocasio-Cortez they took just now. Ill tell you something: that jacket and coat dont look like a girl who struggles," Scarry said on Nov. 15, 2018. The tweet was likely referencing the fact that Ocasio-Cortez revealed she wouldnt be able to afford an apartment in Washington D.C. until she got her first paycheck just one week prior. The congresswoman shot back at Scarry, saying that she bought the clothes on sale and noting theres little she could wear that wouldnt solicit some form of ridicule. If I walked into Congress wearing a sack, they would laugh & take a picture of my backside. If I walk in with my best sale-rack clothes, they laugh & take a picture of my backside. Dark hates light - thats why you tune it out. Shine bright & keep it pushing. https://t.co/mRq5wn0v9A Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 15, 2018 Wearing a designer suit for a magazine photoshoot On Sept. 15, 2018, founder of the conservative student organizationTurning Point USA Charlie Kirk called Ocasio-Cortez a hypocrite for sporting a $3,500 outfit accessorized with $625 shoes in a photoshoot for Interview, while criticizing the rich. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who pretends to be a champion of the people & believes the unemployment went down because (they) were taking two jobs, just posed in a photoshoot with a $3,500 outfit, $625 shoes all while saying the rich have too much power and that socialism hasn't been tried, Kirk said in a now-deleted tweet. Poor Kirk didnt understand how magazine photoshoots work the models do not keep the clothes but the congresswoman filled him in. T he debate over the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs retreat from royal life rages on, with arguments ranging from allegations of fraternal bullying to ruthless tabloid attacks. As part of the issue, people have been scrutinising Meghans role in the monarchy, with some seeing her as a brave breath of fresh air within an archaic institution and others describing her as a "spoilt brat" who doesnt know her place. Her defenders point to an relentless smear campaign, accusing swathes of the press and public of failing to accept a mixed-race woman into the royal family from the start. But why is the trend WhitePrivilege dominating Twitter almost a week after the Sussexes bombshell announcement? And what has women's rights activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu got to do with it all? Heres why this explosive hashtag has blown up on social media today. The race row has centred on the media's treatment of Meghan / POOL/AFP via Getty Images When did WhitePrivilege start trending? The hashtag started gaining traction yesterday after This Morning Presenter Phillip Schofield said he didnt view Meghans treatment by the press as inherently racist. The breakfast TV host and his colleague Holly Willoughby were dissecting yesterdays crunch summit at Sandringham, when they asked whether racism was at the heart of the royal crisis. Author and activist Dr Mos-Shogbamimu appeared on the show to argue that racial discrimination did, indeed, play a big part in the fall-out. She argued that much of the criticism levelled against Meghan was symptomatic of the racism of the United Kingdom. The presenters were discussing the royal fall-out over the Sussexes shock announcement / This Morning When Mr Schofield asked her for examples to illustrate this, Dr Mos-Shogbamimu responded: That is another problem - when people keep asking what examples it makes me question where have you been the last two years? "What have you been reading? What have you been listening to? The daytime host replied: Ive been reading some criticism, but I havent personally read anything that I could say was based on racism. This is part of the problem, Dr Mos-Shogbamimu responded. Let me explain what racism looks like from the lens of white privilege. White privilege whitewashes racist and inflammatory language as unconscious bias. It perpetuates the bigotry of intolerant white people as ignorant, it defends and protects their private views once spoken as misspeak, and then it camouflages racist behaviour as error of judgement. Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu explains White Privilege on This Morning Referring back to Meghan she continued: If you look at a lot of the criticism she faced, a lot of the examples, it sums up to one thing: How dare she? She doesnt know her place. Shes uppity. When a black woman goes with the flow and does whats expected of her, its all OK. But the moment she exercises independent thought, independent authenticity, shes a problem. She went on to describe the volume of abuse and vitriol levelled against the duchess as steeped in racism and misogyny. How much more is she expected to take? Dr Mos-Shogbamimu asked. Bear in mind, if she had responded the way I would respond, she would be stereotypically defined as the angry black woman. Why has the debate blown up today? Dr Shola Mos-shogbamimu Slams Piers Morgan For His 'Personal Vendetta' Against Meghan Markle Dr Mos-Shogbamimu made a second television appearance today, this time coming to blows with Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan. The outspoken breakfast TV presenter asked her: Where is this racism that you keep talking about? Where are the ghastly tabloids which you say have been driving this racist agenda against a woman who was lorded and welcomed? She responded with a direct and heated attack on Mr Morgan, telling him: You are a man, privileged to have power and influence and you are using your platform so irresponsibly to spout out this personal vendetta with nasty and vile comments knowing fully well that your words are containing bigotry, misogyny, sexism and racism. The on-air argument soon heated up / Good Morning Britain/ITV Her host later snapped: "So you're allowed to be nasty and vile, and you're allowed to say it is all racism and call people like me racist. At which point she responded: It's not my job to teach you about racism." Its the fact you cant see it because of your privilege, she went on to explain. It is not my job to educate you Mr Morgan but you refuse to get educated. How are Twitter users responding? Social media users have widely praised Dr Mos-Shogbamimu, hailing her for being one of the clearest voices yet to articulate what's going on. Actor Charlie Condou commented: You were brilliant on This Morning, I completely agree. White people need to start accepting and owning their privilege before anything can change. Others are using it to explain what the term means amid confusion as to how it should be defined. White privilege is used to refer to the fact that white people have advantages in society that other people do not have on the basis of their skin colour. It does not cover other factors, such as wealth, gender, sexual orientation, health or religion. Has there been any other controversy? Actress and activist Jameela Jamil called out a tweet from Dancing on Ice champion James Jordan, which read: This black woman on This Morning talking about Harry and Megan is racist against WHITE people. FACT!!! She commented: Dont respond. Dont follow. Block/mute and tell your followers to do the same. Starve the troll of attention til he goes and educates himself. Dr Mos-Shogbamimu then replied to Mr Jordan's tweet herself, writing: "Hey James 'this black woman" on @thismorning has a name - say my name. "Your tweet proves my point on #WhitePrivilege denying racism against Meghan. "You're either deliberately obtuse about #racism or willfully ignorant in enabling it. "Go. Educate. Yourself." Mr Jordan later hit back on Twitter saying he was "proud to live in probably the most diverse country in the world". "To be put under an umbrella with other white privileged brits as being racist is very hurtful," he wrote. "I dont have a racist bone in my body and nor do most Brits. STOP PLAYING RACE CARD!" Alongside his impassioned message of defence he shared a post written by Piers Morgan. It read: "All those currently trawling the airwaves to state as fact that 'racist' Brits, led by a 'racist' British media, drove out poor Meghan, need to actually produce evidence of all this (non-existent) racism. The flagship conference jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation has been India's contribution to global efforts to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability to a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades.The three-day conclave will bring together 700 international participants, of which 40 per cent of the speakers will be women, emphasising India's commitment to gender equality.Along with the participation of 12 foreign ministers, including the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the European Union, the National Security Adviser (NSA) of Afghanistan, the Deputy NSA of the United States and several other ministers of state will also present their ideas.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will share his insights on India's growing role in the world in a session on January 15.This year's Dialogue titled 'Navigating the Alpha Century' is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of states, cabinet ministers and local government officials as well as major private sector executives, members of the media and academics.The inaugural session of the mega-event today will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi where other visiting leaders will share their views on important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in the modern world, climate change and counter-terrorism.Over the course of two days thereafter (on January15-16), intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars - the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, the debate on the global trading architecture, the role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, the global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace, according to a statement by the MEA.In the short space of five years, the Raisina Dialogue has acquired an enviable global profile uniting the best strategic thinkers of the world. The synergies and collaborations in the Raisina Dialogue represent India's deliberative ethos, as well as its international credibility and convening power. The Raisina Dialogue has grown along with India's diplomatic profile and will set the tone for its intensive diplomatic engagement this year.The inaugural address was to be delivered by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison but he called off his visit in view of the bushfire crisis in his country. (ANI) Probation officers must adopt a 'more inquisitive' approach rather than taking criminals who claim they've gone straight at face value, a watchdog has said. Too many officials are not investigating what is going on 'behind the scenes' when they meet offenders to discuss whether they have been rehabilitated. A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation said staff need the skills to challenge freed criminals who may be trying to pull the wool over their eyes. It comes after London Bridge attacker Usman Khan persuaded officials he was not a risk before going on his murderous rampage in November and Joseph McCann was released from prison to commit a series of horrific rapes. Serial rapist Joseph McCann (left) and London Bridge attacker Usman Khan (right) were both released after interactions with probation officers 'We need staff to demonstrate a more inquisitive approach rather than taking things on face value,' said a senior probation inspector. 'They should take a more proactive approach to investigate what's going on behind the scenes.' There had been repeated examples of probation officers failing to ask sufficiently thorough questions, across each region of England and Wales, the inspectors added. The report on the National Probation Service, published today, also provided further evidence that too many probation officers regard offenders as their main focus rather than victims of crime. It said some probation officers selected to work as victim liaison officers (VLOs) did not want to take part in such a role and preferred to work with criminals instead. 'VLOs are often... allocated to the VLO role on starting in the organisation,' it said. 'This can be problematic, given that individuals may have joined the organisation to work with offenders, and may not wish to, or have the necessary skills to, work with victims,' it added. HM Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said many officers are struggling under 'unacceptably high workloads' with more than 650 vacancies for the jobs being advertised across England and Wales. There was also a strong case for an internal review into probation failures in the case of Joseph McCann, Mr Russell said. McCann, 34, a convicted burglar, had been released from prison following a probation error in February last year before embarking on a string of sex attacks on 11 women and children across England. CCTV of McCann, who was found guilty of 37 counts relating to 11 women and children, including rape, kidnap and false imprisonment During a cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage, his victims were aged between 11 and 71 and included three women who were abducted off the street at knifepoint and repeatedly raped. He was handed 33 life sentences last month. Asked if a probation service 'serious further offence' review into the McCann scandal should be made public, Mr Russell said: 'There is a strong argument there is a public interest in that and how that is managed with the victims.' The probation service normally refuses to publish the results of inquiries into its own failings. Meanwhile, London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan was released from Whitemoor prison last November after officials decided he seemed sincere about abandoning his extremist views. A former Scotland Yard officer who mentored Khan following claimed he raised a 'red flag' to the Home Office and probation service about the convicted terrorist's behaviour eight months before his fatal attack - but his concerns were ignored. Khan being surrounded by armed police after stabbing five people, killing two, during a rampage on London Bridge Mr Russell's wide-ranging report also found the probation service, which supervises around 105,000 high-risk offenders, is not diverse enough. Most of its staff are women. 'Newly recruited probation officers have been predominantly white females, and the staff profile is currently 70 per cent white female,' the report said. 'The NPS workforce is not sufficiently diverse.' Yvette Howson, one of HM Inspectors of Probation, said: 'Over 90 per cent of the people [probation officers] are working with are male. There may be some people who are better supervised by someone of their own gender.' The NPS has a workforce including 6,500 probation officers and an annual budget of more than 500million. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday flew a kite from a rooftop in Anand Nagar Road area here on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival. The area is part of his Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhinagar. The BJP president was seen flying a kite from the rooftop of an apartment in Kanak Kala Society alongwith his wife Sonalben Shah, Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani and state BJP youth morcha president Rutvij Patel. He also released saffron balloons in the sky. Incidentally, the battle over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) also played out in the Ahmedabad skies on Tuesday, as kites with pro- and anti-CAA slogans faced off against each other. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Richard Cowan and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives said on Tuesday they would include new evidence when they send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate on Wednesday, seeking to expand the scope of a trial that will dominate Washington for the next several weeks. Senior Democrats said they would include phone records and other documents provided by Florida businessman Lev Parnas when they make their case that Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden. Parnas was an associate of Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who says Parnas helped him investigate Biden. The Ukraine-born Parnas has pleaded not guilty to federal campaign-finance violations in a separate criminal case. The late inclusion of Parnas' records, which were only made available to investigators in the last few days, suggested Democrats were trying to further substantiate their case before it heads to the Senate for trial. Trump became only the third U.S. president to be impeached when the Democrat-majority House last month approved charges that he abused the powers of his office and obstructed Congress in its investigation into his conduct. The House will vote on Wednesday to send the impeachment charges to the Republican-controlled Senate, kicking off a trial that could last through early February. It will also name the House lawmakers who will prosecute the case against Trump. Those lawmakers will walk in a procession through the U.S. Capitol to the Senate to present the articles of impeachment to the secretary of the Senate around 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office said in a statement. The Senate is expected to acquit Trump, as none of its 53 Republicans have voiced support for ousting him, a step that would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member chamber. Story continues Pelosi had delayed sending the impeachment charges to the Senate in an unsuccessful effort to get Republicans who control the chamber to agree to include new witness testimony that could be damaging to the Republican president. Republicans mocked Pelosi for the delay, saying it undercut her argument that Congress needed to impeach Trump because he was inviting foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election. Democrats said the delay allowed new evidence to emerge through government records requests - and now, the material provided by Parnas. Democrats said Parnas' phone included a screenshot of a previously undisclosed May 10, 2019, letter from Giuliani to then President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine. "In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you," Giuliani wrote. WITNESSES? One of the most contentious issues that has yet to be resolved is whether to have witnesses in the Senate trial. Democrats want to hear from current and former White House officials, such as former national security adviser John Bolton, whom they believe could provide insight into Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has resisted the idea of calling witnesses or digging up new evidence in the trial, saying his chamber should only consider evidence that has been collected by the House. Wednesday's House vote would allow the Senate to begin considering the charges against Trump next week, McConnell said. All the senators present will act as the jury at the trial, which will be overseen by the head of the U.S. Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win as he tries to win re-election in November. "It's just to try and smear this president because they know they can't beat him at the ballot box," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News. The case against Trump is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 U.S. election. Joe Biden, whose son served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, is a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Both Bidens have rejected the allegations and no evidence has emerged to substantiate them. (GRAPHIC-Impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump link: https://tmsnrt.rs/30NregM). (Graphic: Articles of Impeachment link: https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/democrats.judiciary.house.gov/files/documents/articles%20of%20impeachment.pdf). (Reporting by David Morgan and Richard Cowan; Additional repoirting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Cornwell; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot, Cynthia Osterman and Leslie Adler) Studies of animal movement and behavior -- including those addressing disease spread and animal conservation -- should monitor animals at both regular and irregular time points to improve understanding of animal movement behavior, according to a new study by Penn State statisticians. The study, which appears online this month in the journal Environmetrics, is the first to provide guidance about sampling regimes for these types of biological studies. "Tracking animals is one of the major methods of data collection in ecology, but there has been little to no work on the relative benefits of different sampling schemes," said Elizabeth Eisenhauer, graduate student in statistics at Penn State and first author of the study. "In an ideal world, we could collect continuous or really fine-scale data about animal locations, but in reality researchers often have to make choices to balance their resources." Researchers use a variety of tracking technology to study animal behavior, including GPS collars, radio telemetry, and even video cameras. These studies all provide information about an animal's location at a particular time, but due to limited resources usually provide an incomplete picture. "For a GPS collar with limited battery life, for example, one could choose to record an animal's location very frequently over a short period of time or less frequently over a long period of time," said Ephraim Hanks, associate professor of statistics at Penn State and an author of the paper. "Even when we have videos of animal movement, such as in a laboratory setting, someone has to go in and manually record location data for every animal at regular time points. With these kinds of limitations being so prevalent, we wanted to know the best way to collect animal movement data to yield the most information." The researchers propose a sampling regime inspired from the field of geostatistics -- which analyzes position data, often over time -- that they call lattice and random intermediate point sampling (LARI). LARI involves collecting location data at regular intervals, but also at a random time point between each of these intervals. "Imagine we observed the location of a fox once every 24 hours," said Eisenhauer. "If the fox is asleep in its den every 24 hours, these regular location data aren't very interesting and, for example, wouldn't give us a good estimate of the animal's home range. If we checked in more frequently, maybe every hour, we might see more regular behaviors like how it forages for food, but might still miss interesting behaviors that happen more sporadically, like checking a disturbance outside of the den. If instead of every hour, we looked every two hours with a random point between each of these 2-hour periods, we might capture more of these fine-scale behaviors." To assess the LARI sampling regime, the researchers looked at three different study systems that reflect different kinds of movement: ants moving between a nest entrance and the queen and brood at the back of the nest, guppies placed in a tank that usually swim toward shelter, and a simulated data set where the movement parameters were known. They first took very fine-scale data, for example sampling ant location once every second, to establish a gold standard or baseline. Then, the team compared a variety of less frequent regular and LARI sampling regimes to the standard. In nearly every case, the LARI sampling regime provided a better understanding of animal behavior -- more accurate estimates of movement parameters -- than a regular sampling regime with the same number of data points. advertisement "Usually in animal movement studies, researchers use a variety of parameters to describe movement in order to get at the underlying behavior," said Eisenhauer. "In our examples, that might include how attracted a guppy is to a shelter object, or how quickly or in what directions ants are moving. Our models were more accurate and precise when estimating movement parameters when we used LARI versus regular sampling regimes." Because movement observations provide an incomplete picture, researchers often use statistical modeling to fill in the gaps. When the researchers did so with the simulated data, results were closer to the known values when data was collected using the LARI sampling regime. "When the number of time points collected remained the same, LARI yielded better results when filling in the gaps than regular sampling regimes," said Hanks. "Using LARI is a relatively easy change for biologists to integrate into their own studies. It's just a matter of tweaking when their observations occur." The researchers plan to test their model using other species, and to adapt their model to allow for data collected with considerable error -- like data collected from marine mammals, where location data can sometimes be hundreds of kilometers off. They also plan to expand their models to account for animals switching between behavior types, for example changing from sleeping to foraging to migrating. "Collecting more data, finer-scale data, is always better," said Hanks. "Improving technology, like miniaturization of GPS and solar panels, might make this feasible for large animals in the future, but we're also starting to track ants and bees, so these challenges are not going away anytime soon. Ecologists will always have to make decisions about sampling design given their technology, resources, and study system, and we have just begun to scratch the surface about what might be optimal. While just a first step, we hope our work provides useful guidance." The National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health supported this work. A new policy that lays out the path for Winnipeggers to rename and re-contextualize local monuments to help commemorate Indigenous history is one step closer to completion. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A new policy that lays out the path for Winnipeggers to rename and re-contextualize local monuments to help commemorate Indigenous history is one step closer to completion. Executive policy committee gave the green light to the "Welcoming Winnipeg: Reconciling Our History" initiative at city hall Tuesday morning, sending it to council for approval later this month. The policy, drafted after extensive public consultations by the city's Indigenous relations division, recommends installing a diverse committee to field applications from members of the public about monuments to be named, renamed or given added context. Mayor Brian Bowman said he was surprised by the level of nuance with which residents responded to the idea, telling reporters Tuesday he had assumed when the project launched last year the majority would be in favour of removing controversial landmarks from the cityscape. Similar discussions have panned out in other Canadian cities such as Victoria and Halifax over the past few years, where statues of Sir John A. Macdonald and Edward Cornwallis were taken down. "I, for one, cringe when I hear people talking about rewriting history. (The city is) not going to rewrite history, but how do we acknowledge history in an accurate way that pays appropriate deference to historic reality?" Bowman discussed how "Welcoming Winnipeg" stemmed from a conversation he had with Halifax Mayor Michael Savage about how to proactively address contentious monuments, rather than have city council react hurriedly to public pressure. Bowman said he still expects to hear "divisive debates" about local landmarks, but would hope the new policy will help steer conversations toward truth and reconciliation. The stone engraving reads: "Erected by citizens of Winnipeg 1886. In Memoriam. Fish Creek. Batoche." (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) "You cant have the reconciliation without people knowing the truth and the history of this community," the mayor said. "I, for one, cringe when I hear people talking about rewriting history. (The city is) not going to rewrite history, but how do we acknowledge history in an accurate way that pays appropriate deference to historic reality?" For Bowman, there are "many" monuments that need to be addressed, including a statue standing almost directly across from city hall. The Volunteer Monument was designed by architect Samuel Hooper and placed on the original City Hall grounds in 1886. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The tall pillar now stands between the Manitoba Museum and Centennial Concert Hall. It originally paid tribute to the battalion that fought the Louis Riel-led Metis forces at Fish Creek and Batoche, Sask., in 1885, and was later rededicated to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The insciription on the plaque reads: "In honour of all who have served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. This volunteer monument is re-dedicated. First erected in 1886 on the City Hall grounds by the citizens of Winnipeg, the monument was moved to this site in 1963." (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) The monument commemorates some lives lost during the Battle of Batoche, but not those of the Metis, the mayor pointed out. "I may have my personal views, but we may hear there are others that are of higher priority that may come forward and Ill want to listen to the community in due course, rather than simply politically impose something that could really inflame the community on this," he said. jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu South Korea has donated US$5.73 million in humanitarian assistance for North Korea so far this year to help the impoverished country improve its public health situation and restore villages still reeling from the aftermath of typhoons, U.N. data showed Tuesday. According to the data released by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, South Korea has delivered $4 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) and another $1.7 million to the North's Red Cross Society as of Friday. The combined amount marks the largest portion of $7.75 million donated to the North this year so far, followed by Switzerland's $1.35 million donation and Germany's $672,000. South Korea unveiled the plan last month to provide money to help North Korea repair typhoon-hit facilities in the Pyongan and Hamgyong provinces, and conduct drills to beef up North Koreans' disaster preparedness. Earlier, the government also said it will donated $5 million to WHO for a humanitarian project to increase access to medical treatment for North Korean women and children. Of the total, $1 million was delivered last month, according to the data. (Yonhap) Fernando Alonso says he will think about a possible return to Formula 1 for 2021 after his third attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 in May. The Spaniard, who quit F1 at the end of 2018 to pursue other challenges including the 'triple crown', finished second in a stage of the Dakar rally on Monday. "He must have 0.5 per cent of the preparation in respect to the competition, but he is magic, the best driver in the world," said Dakar rival Jesus Calleja. Another competitor, Carlos Sainz jr's father Carlos Sainz, added: "I was not surprised, because he is a great driver who adapts to any circumstance." Alonso said he is happy to hear the compliments, but his only goal for Dakar was to see if he could be competitive in an unfamiliar discipline. "Honestly, this box is checked," he said, adding that he may return "one day with more chances of victory". The 38-year-old said his next goal is to finally win the Indy 500, which he could add to his Monaco and Le Mans wins to become only the second driver in history with the 'triple crown'. "That would mean a lot to me because it would be motorsport history," he said. But after that, speculation about a potential return to Formula 1 may re-emerge. "My love for Formula 1 will always be there," Alonso told the German news agency SID in Saudi Arabia. He explained that after Indianapolis, a potential 2021 return "will be on the table". New Delhi: In a terse rebuke, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Delhi Police during the hearing of bail plea of Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar. Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau slammed the Delhi Police prosecutor while hearing bail plea of the Bhim Army Chief. When the Delhi Police prosecutor objected to Azad's Twitter call of protest at Jama Masjid, Lau said: "Jama Masjid isn't in Pakistan. Why can't people protest" She further said that, "even those in Pakistan have a right to peaceful protest. To protest is a constitutional right. When there is no violence, people can't be stopped from protests." The Bhim Army chief is seeking bail in connection with violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Daryaganj area, claiming that the Delhi Police invoked "boilerplate" charges against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. When the public prosecutor said that a permission from authorities is needed to carry out the protests, Lau retorted, What sort of permission are you talking about. Even the Supreme Court has said that using Section 144 again and again is not correct. I have seen people protesting outside Parliament becoming ministers. The Additional Sessions Judge also asked the police as to what are the proofs against Chandrashekhar that point out his role in inciting violence. At this, the public prosecutor said that the Delhi Police has drone footages that show the Bhim Army chiefs instigating speeches. The court has fixed the next date of hearing on Wednesday at 2 pm. The bail plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, alleged that no specific incriminating role has been attributed to Azad in the FIR, of which the contents were "vague" and based on "conjectures and surmises". It said he was at all times demonstrably making efforts to maintain peace. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on 20 December, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on 9 January. The court had earlier pulled up Tihar jail authorities for acting in a "callous manner" by flouting laws that safeguard a prisoner's right and asked them to ensure that Azad was treated for polycythemia, a disorder of blood thickness, and taken to AIIMS, Delhi. It had said that despite knowing Azad's condition, he was given ordinary medical care and not the treatment needed to address his ailment. (Alliance News) - Watkin Jones PLC on Tuesday reported a fall in annual profit, on increased exceptional costs, but revenue rose on a strong contribution from the company's Build to Rent unit. Watkin Jones is a developer and manager of residential for-rent properties, with a focus on student accommodation. In 2019, the Bangor, Wales headquartered construction firm's pretax profit slipped 8.5% to GBP49.7 million from GBP54.3 million in 2018. Watkin Jones recorded an exceptional charge of GBP2.6 million in 2019 compared to an exceptional gain of GBP4.3 million the year before. Excluding exceptional items, the company's operating profit grew 5.4% to GBP52.3 million from GBP49.6 million. The firm's gross margin improved to 20.5% from 20.0%. Revenue grew 3.2% to GBP374.8 million from GBP363.1 million. Watkin Jones declared a total dividend of 8.35 pence for the year, up 9.9% on the 7.6p distributed in 2018. Chief Executive Richard Simpson said: "We are pleased to report another year of growth for Watkin Jones, which demonstrates the strength and resilience of our capital light business model. Despite the difficult macro environment caused by Brexit-related uncertainty, the group has delivered further profitable growth, in line with expectations." The company completed six purpose-built student accommodation developments, totalling 2,723 beds, in 2019. Watkin Jones said seven developments, with 2,609 beds, expected to be delivered in 2020 are all forward sold. The company has forward sold 1,928 beds for 2021 and has a further 1,325 beds in the pipeline for 2021. For 2022, the company has 2,642 beds in its delivery pipeline. Watkin Jones said its student accommodation properties remain its core revenue generator but noted its Build to Rent business made a "significant contribution" in 2019. "We expect it to become an increasingly important growth driver for the group in the coming years. Watkin Jones is now firmly positioned as the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent schemes," Simpson said. Watkin Jones has forward sold 159 BtR homes in 2020, with a further 782 in 2021. For 2020, the company has 71 forward sold BtR homes but a total of 818 in its delivery pipeline. Looking ahead, Simpson said: "We are positive about the outlook for both the student accommodation and BtR sectors. There is continued investor appetite in those markets and we are confident in our ability to expand our position as market leader. We therefore expect to continue to grow the business, in line with our strategy, and believe that the group has a bright future." Shares in Watkin Jones were 0.2% higher in London on Tuesday morning at 242.00 pence each. By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. ENDEAVOUR ANNOUNCES TERMINATION OF MERGER DISCUSSIONS WITH CENTAMIN PLC George Town, January 14, 2020 - Endeavour Mining Corporation (TSX:EDV) (OTCQX:EDVMF) ("Endeavour") has been informed by Centamin plc ("Centamin") that it does not intend to seek an extension to the January 14, 2020, PUSU deadline. Given the lack of information received, Endeavour confirms that it does not intend to make a firm offer for Centamin and therefore the merger discussions have been terminated. Commenting on this, Sebastien de Montessus stated: "We remain convinced about the strategic rationale of combining Endeavour and Centamin to create a diversified gold producer with a high-quality portfolio of assets. The quality of information received during the accelerated due diligence process has been insufficient to allow us to be confident that proceeding with a firm offer would have been in the best interests of Endeavour shareholders. We continue to be disciplined in relation to business development opportunities and remain sensitive to dilution of our shareholders given the significant improvement in our business over the past four years. Following a period of significant investment, our business is now well positioned to generate significant cash flow as demonstrated with our net debt reduction of US$52 million in Q3-2019 and a further circa US$77 million in Q4-2019." As a result of this announcement, Endeavour and any person acting in concert with it will, except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Panel"), be bound by the restrictions contained in Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") for a period of six months from the date of this announcement. Under Note 2 on Rule 2.8 of the Code, Endeavour, and any person acting in concert with it, reserves the right to set aside the restrictions in Rule 2.8 of the Code in the following circumstances: if the board of Centamin agrees; if a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for Centamin; if Centamin announces a whitewash transaction or a reverse takeover pursuant to the Code; and/or if there has been a material change of circumstances (as determined by the Panel). CONTACT INFORMATION Martino De Ciccio VP - Strategy & Investor Relations +44 (0) 203 011 2719 mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com (mailto:mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com) Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, David Litterick +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 HSBC Bank plc (Lead Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Anthony Parsons, Laurent Charbonnier, Sam Barnett, Alex Thomas +44 (0) 20 7991 8888 Gleacher Shacklock (Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Jan Sanders +44 (0) 20 7484 1150 Scotiabank (Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Sergei Chinkis, Peter Collibee +1 416 863 7411 Vincic Advisors in Toronto John Vincic +1 647 402 6375 john@vincicadvisors.com (mailto:john@vincicadvisors.com) Numis Securities Limited (UK Corporate Broker to Endeavour) John Prior, Paul Gillam, Alamgir Ahmed +44 (0) 20 7260 1000 HSBC Bank plc, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting as financial adviser to Endeavour Mining Corporation and no one else in connection with the matters described in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour Mining Corporation for providing the protections afforded to clients of HSBC, or for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither HSBC nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of HSBC in connection with this Announcement or any matter referred to herein. Gleacher Shacklock LLP ("Gleacher Shacklock"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for Endeavour and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour for providing the protections offered to clients of Gleacher Shacklock or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matters referred to herein. Scotiabank Europe plc ("Scotiabank"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority is acting as financial adviser to Endeavour and no one else in connection with the matters described in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour for providing the protections afforded to clients of Scotiabank, or for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither Scotiabank nor affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Scotiabank in connection with this Announcement or any matter referred to herein. Numis Securities Limited ("Numis"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), is acting as UK Corporate Broker exclusively for Endeavour Mining Corporation and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour Mining Corporation for providing the protections afforded to clients of Numis, nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein. ABOUT ENDEAVOUR MINING CORPORATION Endeavour MiningCorporation is a TSX listed intermediate African gold producer with a solid track record of operational excellence, project development and exploration in the highly prospective Birimian greenstone belt in West Africa. Endeavour is focused on offering both near-term and long-term growth opportunities with its project pipeline and its exploration strategy, while generating immediate cash flow from its operations. Endeavour operates 4 mines across Cote d'Ivoire (Agbaou and Ity) and Burkina Faso (Hounde and Karma). For more information, please visit www.endeavourmining.com. Corporate Office: 5 Young St, Kensington, London W8 5EH, UK ABOUT CENTAMIN PLC Centamin plc is a mineral exploration, development and mining company, dual listed on the London and Toronto Stock Exchange. Its principal asset, the Sukari Gold Mine ("SGM"), is located in the Eastern Desert approximately 700 kilometers from Cairo and 25 kilometers from the Red Sea. SGM began production in 2009 and is the first large scale modern gold mine in Egypt. SGM is jointly owned by Pharaoh Gold Mines NL and Egyptian Mineral Resource Authority. In addition to the SGM production asset, Centamin has a number of exploration projects, the most advanced of which are located in highly prospective regions within Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The company's exploration licence holdings include 2,721 km2 in Cote d'Ivoire and 1,850 km2 in Burkina Faso. Attachment One of the most notable challenges for the broking community in 2019 was keeping up with the speed of technological change within the sector, both in terms of how it impacts their businesses and also how they interact with and manage their clients. The insurance industry has a reputation for being behind the technology curve and not without good reason but pockets of innovation are coming together, King said, and were now seeing industry-wide change. I expect to see the adoption of new technologies and ways of working to accelerate in 2020. An exciting development within the broking sector over the course of 2019, she said, was data coming of age. Through the emergence of new and more cost-effective technologies, the broking sector was increasingly able to use data as part of its placement strategies across the client spectrum, from multinational organizations to small enterprises. This is an area in which Marsh is investing heavily, she said, notably in Marsh Commercial in the UK. Due to previously prohibitive costs, only the largest firms were able to adopt analytics into their risk management functions. Now, businesses of all sizes can benefit from the efficiencies that data, analytics and risk modelling provide. In addition, King detailed the rapid change experienced by the insurance market in some areas last year. In financial lines, for example, she said, underwriting sentiment deteriorated, capacity shrank and rates increased as a result. According to our Q3 Global Insurance Market Index, she said, which tracks rates on a quarterly basis, average commercial insurance pricing increased 8% in the third quarter of 2019. This represents the largest increase since the survey began in 2012 and the eighth consecutive quarter of average price increases. As market capacity continues to tighten in certain geographies and lines of business, King said, brokers have a crucial role to play in assisting clients in securing cost-effective insurance solutions. This, she detailed, includes looking beyond the London market and further afield to Bermuda, for example, or developing consolidated global programmes to provide added levels of transparency and efficiency. From many of the challenges the broking industry faces in 2020 and the coming decade, King said, comes the opportunities to broaden our range of expertise and the value that we deliver to our clients. One of the key challenges for the sector, she identified, is keeping abreast of regulatory changes. Brexit will have an impact over the next 12 months in terms of the administrative challenges it presents, she said, but she outlined how it is important that the broking community doesnt take its eye off the ball on regulation further afield, as it continues to tackle the issue. Disruption whether its technological, societal, or political will remain a key theme in 2020, King stated. In a world that is being disrupted by often powerful forces, clients are facing increasingly complex risks to their reputations and revenues. Brokers have a significant opportunity to grasp the nettle and provide clients with the stability they require to remain successful. Talent is another key challenge within the sector, King said, and growing its pipeline of future talent is a focal strategy within Marsh. The firm is bringing in people with diverse talents and from varied backgrounds, she said, to work together and build their businesses with the broker, to deliver the best of the business for clients. For brokers to continue to succeed in this new world of risk, we need to have a blend of creative thinkers and analytical minds, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:31:08|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangdong Province, one of the country's economic powerhouses, estimated its GDP rose around 6.3 percent to surpass 10.5 trillion yuan (around 1.52 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2019. Ma Xingrui, governor of the province, made the announcement Tuesday when delivering a government work report at the opening of the annual provincial legislative session. Facing external uncertainties in 2019, Guangdong, a leading foreign trade player in the country, saw its imports and exports reach 7.14 trillion yuan, down 0.3 percent year on year, according to the report. The province has adhered to steady growth and adopted response measures timely amid concerns about domestic mounting downward pressure, according to Ma. It unveiled 32 measures to boost the high-quality development of foreign trade and explore international markets. Guangdong's trade volume with the European Union and ASEAN is expected to rise 10.7 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. It also accelerated the development of new forms of foreign trade. The cross-border e-commerce trade in Guangdong saw a year-on-year increase of 36.9 percent and a second-hand car export pilot was also launched in 2019. Guangdong's actual use of foreign capital rose 3.5 percent to reach 150 billion yuan in 2019. The per capita disposable income in the province saw an increase of 8.6 percent to 38,900 yuan last year. Guangdong also announced its 2020 growth target at around 6 percent. The growth rate of 6.3 percent in 2019 was not slow and its GDP surpassing 10.5 trillion yuan will help shore up confidence, said Yin Tao, deputy director of the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences. Yin attributed the sustained economic increase to the province's huge investment in independent innovation, the booming economy of the two major cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and successful industry transformation and upgrading in recent years. It is estimated that its investment in research and development would surpass 280 billion yuan in 2019, accounting for 2.8 percent of the province's GDP. President Moon Jae-in attends the New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in stressed the need Tuesday to expand inter-Korean cooperation, saying it could be conducive to drumming up international support for sanctions relief for the communist neighbor. Speaking at his New Year's press conference, he made it clear that South Korea will not sit idle waiting for Pyongyang-Washington dialogue to bear fruit. "If (we) broaden cooperative ties between South and North to the maximum, it would not only facilitate North Korea-U.S. dialogue but also help win international support in connection with some exemptions or exceptions to sanctions on North Korea," the president said. If Pyongyang takes "substantive" denuclearization measures, the international community should take corresponding steps including sanctions relief, he added. Both the U.S. and North Korea have an agreement on this, but at issue is the scope of sanctions to be eased or lifted and the preconditions for that, according to the president. He said his administration's push for joint ventures with the North has made little progress due to the U.N. Security Council sanctions. But there are some inter-Korean projects not subject to sanctions, such as individual tours, he added, apparently referring to the suspended tours by South Koreans at Mount Kumgang on the North's east coast. Moon has already put forward various proposals for improving inter-Korean relations and creating the conditions for leader Kim Jong-un to visit the South. He said Washington also needs to present "new ideas" to break the stalemate in denuclearization talks in close cooperation with Seoul. Moon said there is not much time left as the U.S. is drawing nearer to November's presidential polls. He nonetheless emphasized that it is too early to be gloomy about the future of the Korea peace process. "I think we are not for now at the stage of being pessimistic about South-North dialogue and North Korea-U.S. dialogue, although it's not a stage be optimistic," he said. He mentioned President Donald Trump's birthday greetings to the North Korean leader, which were sent in a personal letter, describing the message as a token of a close personal relationship that is still alive. Even if dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington is not active, Trump and Kim maintain their mutual trust and efforts for the resumption of talks are under way, Moon added. He also said the government is continuing a push to expand inter-Korean cooperation with an "optimistic prospect" of progress. Responding to a question about China, Moon said its role is crucial for a resolution to the North Korea nuclear issue. He requested Beijing's continued "help" until the complete denuclearization of Korea and establishment of permanent peace. In particular, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are scheduled to visit South Korea later this year on separate occasions. "I believe it will become an opportunity for South Korea-China relations to make an epoch-making leap," he said, adding the government will accelerate a campaign to harmonize China's Belt and Road Initiative and South Korea's New Southern Policy and New Northern Policy. (Yonhap) The following are key comments President Moon Jae-in made during his New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. "We are not at the stage now to be pessimistic about South-North dialogue and North Korea-U.S. dialogue, although it's not at a stage to be optimistic." C ryptocurrencies today moved a step closer to respectability after US fund giant Fidelity took on its first European client in the space. Fidelity will act as custodian for London based Nickel Digital Asset Management, which runs numerous Bitcoin and cryptocurrency funds for investors. As custodian Fidelity will be responsible for Nickels customers assets, protecting them from theft. It is an important role given the large amount of hacking which takes place in the cryptocurrency markets. It is the first time a major fund or bank has made such a move in Europe. Christopher Tyrer, head of Europe for Fidelity Digital Assets, said: Fidelity has always been tech focused and we have a large incubator focused on cryptocurrency. This has the full backing of chief executive Abigail Johnson who is very interested in this space. Fidelity officially entered the space last year, offering its US clients custody and trade execution services. Storm Brendan brought heavy rain, strong winds, and surging seas to communities along the coasts of Ireland and Great Britain on January 13. Irelands meteorological service, Met Eireann, reported storm-force wind gusts at a weather station on the south coast, and more than 16 mm of rainfall at a weather station on the southwest coast. The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning across Northern Ireland. Authorities reported widespread power outages. This footage shows rough seas and surging waves between Howth and Clontarf, northern suburbs of Dublin. Credit: Irish Coast Guard Howth via Storyful Denying communion to Joe Biden was right and just, Cardinal says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Influential American Catholic Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who is a member of the Vatican's highest court, says a recent decision by a South Carolina priest to deny communion to Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden over his abortion advocacy was right and just. What the priest did in South Carolina was right and just would that more priests would act in a similar manner! Burke said in an interview with The Wanderer. Last October, Biden, who is a lifelong Catholic, was refused communion at the 9 a.m. mass at Saint Anthony Catholic Church where Father Robert E. Morey serves as pastor. Morey confirmed that Biden was denied the sacrament because of his advocacy for abortion rights. Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden, Morey said in an earlier report. Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church. Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching. The rebuke from Morey came after Biden publicly objected to a proposal to outlaw abortions in South Carolina after about six weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of rape or incest. Lets be clear, this ban is dangerous and directly violates a woman's constitutional right to choose. We must stop it. As president, I will codify Roe into federal law and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor, Biden said in a tweet. In his interview with The Wanderer, Burke said politicians who profess to be practicing Catholics will not get a pass when they are involved in public grave sin. I demonstrate that in the whole tradition of the Church, the discipline with regard to not admitting people who are involved in public grave sin, after having been admonished, has been constant and that it certainly applies to those who publicly support abortion and so-called same-sex marriage legislation, he said. This whole matter is not a question of politics it is a question of the moral law. The moral law applies to politicians as much as anyone else. If one is ignorant of the truth and promotes abortion legislation, that is one thing. But if one is a professed Roman Catholic who has been admonished that he (or she) cannot support legislation against the natural moral law, he (or she) is bound to be obedient to that law. "How can bishops stay out of the matter, when politicians who profess to be Catholic are giving scandal to the whole nation by voting in favor of abortion? How can they silently stand by? he asked. I remember an incident in 2004 when a non-Catholic, high-ranking government official in Washington, D.C., asked me if I thought the Churchs teaching on abortion could possibly change. I recall being shocked by the question and responded, How can you ask that question? After all, the question was one of the natural moral law and did not have to do with any specific denominational or confessional matter. Well, he replied, I could give you the names of probably 80 to 100 Catholic legislators who regularly vote in favor of abortion legislation. So I figure it cannot be a very firm teaching of your Church. This is a major scandal! Burke noted. Ivan Passer, a director who joined Milos Forman and others in ushering in the filmmaking movement known as the Czech New Wave in the 1960s, then went on to direct American features, including Born to Win, Cutters Way and Creator, died on Thursday at his home in Reno, Nev. He was 86. Rodney Sumpter, a lawyer and spokesman for Mr. Passers family, said the cause was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mr. Passers debut feature, Intimate Lighting, released in Czechoslovakia in 1965, was widely hailed as helping to establish a new level of cinema in that country, where Mr. Formans early success, Loves of a Blonde, had been released the same year. Intimate Lighting was a sparse, elegantly told tale of a cellist from Prague who visits a country town for a concert and reunites with an old friend. The film drew acclaim when it played at the New York Film Festival in 1966 and again when it was given a theatrical release in the United States in 1969. Wisconsin Judge Orders Commission to Remove up to 209,000 Names From Voter Rolls A Wisconsin judge told the state Elections Commission to remove thousands of people from its voter rolls, after finding three members of the commission in contempt of court for ignoring an order he gave in December 2019. I cant be any clearer than this, Ozaukee County Judge Paul Malloy said on Monday. They need to follow my order. They created this situation by disregarding the 30-day notice, he said. The commission needs to pay $50 a day until it starts purging people from the rolls. The judge also charged the three Democratic commissioners who have battled against removing people from the rolls $250 a day each. If people are free to disregard a courts order, then where do you start and stop with that? How do you enforce that? What happens to our justice system if people can just say, well thats one guys interpretation of the statue. Sure its one guys interpretation, but hes a judge. Thats what hes paid to do, Malloy said. Our justice system will cease to work, he later added. Ann Jacobs, one of the three commissioners, responded by saying she didnt want to start taking people off the rolls despite the judicial order. If we are going to treat voting as the central component of our democracy, we need to be far less cavalier about taking people off the rolls, she said, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The commission, which also includes three Republicans, will meet on Tuesday to decide whether to start purging names from the rolls. Hundreds of thousands of names could be removed through the order, which was initially made last month. It came after the state Elections Commission sent notices to more than 230,000 people that were thought to have moved and requested that they update their voter registrations or state that they hadnt moved. If they didnt respond, they were in danger of being removed from the rolls by 2021. A sign is posted to give voters information about where to cast their midterm ballots at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cultural Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Nov. 6, 2018. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images) We want voters to be prepared for 2020, said Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsins chief elections official, at the time. This mailing is designed to help people who may have moved within Wisconsin make sure theyre ready to vote next year. It will not keep anyone eligible from voting. If you move, even to an apartment in the same building, you must update your voter record by reregistering, Wolfe said. Some 209,000 havent responded. The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty brought a case by three voters, who said the state should remove them from the rolls faster. Judge Malloy agreed and ordered the purge, but the commission hasnt taken action. The Republican commissioners said they had been trying to follow the order but were blocked by Democrats. The commission said in a statement just before the New Year that it would await further direction from the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty President Rick Esenberg said during the hearing that his firm filed a motion for contempt on Jan. 2 because the commission wasnt acting on the Dec. 17, 2019, order. We asked for the sanctions because we dont know what else to do. We were granted an order 30 days ago and a state agency is not complying. It is simply astonishing, he told the judge. They simply did not comply one commissioner said the law is not the law until the Court of Appeals decides. That is not correct. In a statement after the ruling, Esenberg said, Court orders are not, and have never been, optional. It our hope that todays decision will cause the Wisconsin Elections Commission to finally follow state law. Germany, Britain, and France say they have triggered a dispute mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and global powers, citing Tehran's reduced compliance with the accord, in a move dismissed by the Islamic republic as a "strategic mistake." The three European states, who signed the deal along with China, Russia, and the United States, as well as the European Union, said that while they had set off a process that could lead to UN sanctions against Iran, they were not joining Washington in its "maximum pressure" campaign. Iran has taken several steps away from meeting its commitments to the 2015 pact since President Donald Trump announced in May 2018 that he was unilaterally pulling the United States out of the agreement and implementing crippling sanctions on Tehran. The remaining parties to the accord -- the three European powers, plus China and Russia -- have pledged to keep it alive. But European partners have been unable to offer Tehran a way to sell its crude oil abroad despite the U.S. sanctions, which caused the value of Iran's currency to plummet and sent its inflation rate soaring. "Following Iran's announcement in May 2019 that it would cease meeting some of its commitments under the JCPOA, we have sought to persuade Iran to change course," the statement from the three countries' foreign ministers said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "We do not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with the JCPOA. Contrary to its statements, Iran has never triggered the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism and has no legal grounds to cease implementing the provisions of the agreement," it added. The EU's diplomatic chief, Josep Borrell, called on Tehran to discuss nuclear issues "in good faith," adding that preserving the deal is "now more important than ever" in light of the "ongoing dangerous escalations in the Middle East. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Iran's repeated violations of the deal "could not go unanswered any longer." "Our goal is clear. We want to preserve the accord and reach a diplomatic solution within the deal," Maas tweeted. Earlier in the day, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson floated the idea of having a "Trump deal" to replace the current pact, telling the BBC that it would provide a "way forward." Iran criticized the move as a "strategic mistake" but said it was ready to consider any constructive effort to save the accord. "The usage of the dispute mechanism is legally baseless and a strategic mistake from a political standpoint," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. Earlier, Zarif's spokesman Abbas Musavi said Iran "has complete readiness to support any [act of] goodwill and constructive effort to save this important international agreement." Under the JCPOA, Tehran pledged to curb its nuclear ambitions in exchange for international sanctions relief. The agreement was signed in October 2015 in Vienna. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the deal, Iran has breached its main limitations, exceeding the stockpiles of heavy water and uranium allowed, the number and types of centrifuges it can operate to enrich uranium, and the purity of uranium. Trump has called the deal "fatally flawed," in part because it did not restrict Tehran's ballistic-missile program or address its support for terrorist groups in the Middle East. Last week, he urged European countries to also renounce the deal. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, and that the JCPOA allows the country to run reactors to generate power. A six-bill package to address the issue of New Jersey employers intentionally misclassifying workers gained final passage Monday during the last voting session of the states current legislative session. The measures overwhelmingly passed the state Senate at the Statehouse in Trenton, and now head to the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy, who must decide by Jan. 21 whether to sign or veto them. They cover a swath of concerns regarding misclassification of employees as independent contractors. The bills, among other things, would penalize employers intentionally misclassifying employees (A5839), require employers to post notice on misclassification (A5843) and allow stop-work orders to be issued against employers violating state wage, benefit or tax law (A5838). Proponents of the legislation say companies that misclassify workers benefit by skirting payroll tax contributions and employees misclassified as independent contractors lose out on benefits. Yet critics argue the bills will hurt small businesses. Intending to revamp the states labor laws, the bills address an issue that has skyrocketed by more than 40 percent in the last decade, according to a July 2019 report published by Murphys Task Force on Employee Misclassification. Among the worker bills that wont be voted on before lame duck ends is a highly criticized bill (S4204) introduced by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, which would update state labor laws by expanding the definition of an employee and independent contractor. Some independent contractors such as freelancers, truck drivers, bakers, wedding photographers, and musicians have spoken out against the bill. They say it could keep them from finding work, reduce their income, and even force them out of state. Proponents of the bill say itll fight back against employers who are exploiting gig workers by paying them less. Sweeney told NJ Advance Media the bill would be taken up in the next two-year legislative session, which begins Tuesday at noon. Unlike what (critics) were saying, we werent rushing anything, Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said last Wednesday. We had four hours of testimony, and we want to make it right," he added. We want to be fair to legitimate independent workers. But for the businesses that are gaming the system, we want to correct that. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Wing & Barrel Ranch opened in 2012, becoming the first hunting club of its kind to open in California in over 40 years. The property's unsurpassed amenities include access to 1,000 acres for seasonal bird hunting, personalized shooting instruction on the sporting clays course, as well as dog training and boarding. The year-round sporting clays course designed by famed shooting instructor and gun fitter Chris Batha is one of the nation's finest and includes a diverse topography of 15 stations and three shooting positions that simulate specific wing shooting themes. Once complete, the one-acre casting pond, designed by Josh Frasier, a Wing & Barrel Ranch investor and owner of Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters, will provide a distinctive setting for customized fly fishing instruction. With the investment round now complete, construction on the new 18,600 sq. ft. clubhouse has already begun. Designed by lead architect Michael Guthrie & Co. Architects, the clubhouse will feature the Trap Bar and members' dining room, a full-service shooter's pro shop, private meeting rooms, locker facilities and an enclosed cigar room. "The new clubhouse will be the crown jewel of Wing & Barrel Ranch, providing a central gathering place for hunters and their families to relax and socialize," said Darius Anderson. "It will be the destination of choice for not only hunting and shooting, but to also bring families together to experience the finest wine country cuisine and wines." Less than an hour north of San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge, in the heart of wine country, Wing and & Barrel Ranch's Trap Bar and members dining room will offer an unparalleled culinary experience that spotlights locally sourced produce, seafood and game. Charlie Palmer, notable chef, restaurateur and Wing & Barrel Ranch investor, is leading the design of the clubhouse kitchen and menu. Wing & Barrel Ranch uniquely blends the passions of hunting and winemaking to create a distinctive offering. Members can savor the selections of more than 20 vintners paired with the kitchen's exotic creations. Through Wing & Barrel Ranch's wine partnerships, including Silver Oak Winery, Chateau Montelena Winery and Michael Mondavi Family Estate, members can interact with some of the region's leading vintners on the clay court or at vintner-hosted clubhouse events. The new clubhouse exemplifies Darius Anderson's passion for the California sportsman lifestyle and Kenwood Investments' expertise and long-term success in bringing complex land entitlement projects to fruition. Wing & Barrel Ranch began as a preservation effort to relocate the historic Black Point Sportsman Club, previously located in the Sears Point wetlands. Anderson stepped in to relocate the club in Sonoma and bring together the best of shooting, food, wine and the wine country lifestyle. Anderson achieved this milestone by bringing together investors, local partners and individuals like Chris Moritz of Newman Knight Frank, a leading commercial real estate advisory firm, to help save and expand the club. Anderson and the Kenwood Investments team successfully acquired development, hunting and shooting permits despite the Bay Area's notoriously complicated and restrictive permitting process. They also collaborated with the community to provide limited public access and to establish an aggressive water sustainability and habitat restoration program on the property. "I used to go to Black Point when I was 12 years old," said Darius Anderson. "I have fond memories of hunting on the beautiful Tidelands, here in our backyard. Wing & Barrel Ranch was an opportunity to save this special part of my and so many others' childhood, while sharing our rich history and culture with fellow sportsmen and women." The new clubhouse and casting pond are slated to open in the summer of 2020. About Kenwood Investments, LLC: Kenwood Investments, LLC, has managed a variety of real estate, business acquisitions and entrepreneurial ventures totaling in excess of over $1 billion over the last 20 years, including extraordinary investments in real estate development, tourism, media and high-tech industries. Led by founder and Chief Executive Officer Darius Anderson, Kenwood Investments is skilled in land entitlements, pre-venture capital funding and public policy, executing projects with strong investment returns that enhance local communities. Anderson also owns Platinum Advisors, LLC, a leading government relations and lobbying firm and is the founder of Sonoma Lab Works, Inc., a licensed cannabis testing lab that combines innovation and rigorous science and testing standards to help bring the cleanest, safest cannabis products to market. SOURCE Kenwood Investments, LLC Related Links http://kenwoodinvestments.com A new study in the journal Family Practice, published by Oxford University Press, shows that there remains a meaningful gender gap between the number of biomedical papers written by women and those written by men. The medical profession has changed significantly in recent decades, with a growing proportion of women physicians. In many countries, half of the students entering medical schools are women. However, women physicians face enormous barriers throughout their career: they receive lower salaries and less funding, have more difficulty publishing their research and have slower career progression than their male counterparts. The publication of scientific articles is crucial for all researchers, as it plays a major role in the process of promotion and career advancement. The quantification of women's publication activity can be considered as an indicator of their successful integration into science. Gender inequalities in publishing may be among the main reasons why men still outnumber women in academic leadership positions. Many studies have examined gender inequalities in research, but only limited data are available for general biomedical journals. Researchers here assessed the prevalence of female first authorship in general biomedical journals and examined its variations across a number of author, article and journal characteristics. The researchers retrieved 767 randomly selected articles published in 2016 in high impact factor primary healthcare and general internal medicine journals. They extracted the following data: author (gender, number of publications and affiliation of the first author), paper (number of authors, number of participants and study design) and journal characteristics (journal discipline and 2015 impact factor). Overall, the female first authorship proportion was 48% (366 articles), but the figure was significantly higher for primary health care journals than for general internal medicine journals (63% vs. 33%). In multivariate analysis, women published fewer articles, were more often affiliated with institutions in the Western world (55% vs. 45%) and were more likely to publish qualitative studies (vs. systematic reviews or experiments). The female first authorship proportion found in this study for primary health care journals (63%) compares favorably with the existing literature, while for general internal medicine (33%) this figure is lower than the proportion found in many disciplines, except gastroenterology. The finding (at least for primary health care journals) may be partially explained by a decrease of gender gap in time, as showed by several authors. The proportion of articles with a woman as the first author increased for example from 27% in 1994 to 37% in 2014 for six high-impact medical journals, from 9% in 1992 to 29% in 2012 for gastroenterological journals, from 12% in 1976 to 48% in 2006 for dermatological journals, from 30% in 1989 to 52% in 2009 for pharmacological journals, and from 40% in 2001 to 58% in 2016 for pediatric journals. Researchers here found that women used qualitative methods for their research three times more often than men (women 25% vs. men 8%). Researchers also found that women were less prone to publish trials (women 7% vs. men 13%). This may be due to the fact that women receive fewer and lower research grants and are therefore less likely to be the principal investigator and/or first author of these costly studies. There were also significant regional differences in the study. In particular, the researchers found small proportions of female authors in Asia (the results for South America and Africa are more difficult to interpret due to the low number of observations). Although the findings about female authorship of papers in primary health care journals are encouraging in terms of integration of women scholars, the under representation of women in articles published by general internal medicine journals, in articles coming from some parts of the world (mainly Asia), and in systematic reviews and trials concerned this study's researchers. ### The paper "Gender gap in research: a bibliometric study of published articles in primary health care and general internal medicine" is available to the public at midnight on January 14 at: https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmz091 Direct correspondence to: Paul Sebo Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine University of Geneva 1 rue Michel-Servet 1211 Geneva 4 SWITZERLAND paulsebo@hotmail.com To request a copy of the study, please contact: Daniel Luzer daniel.luzer@oup.com Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals ST. LOUIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Perimeter Solutions, the global leader in the production of fire retardants, foams, and water enhancing gels, along with a wide range of services for managing wildland, industrial, municipal, and military fires, today announced the company is sending additional quantities of fire retardant and resources in support of increased airtanker operations in Australia focused at combating and preventing bush fires. On January 4, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announced additional funds would be provided for leasing four additional Large and Very Large Air Tankers (LATs/VLATs) to supplement the current air tanker fleet of six LATs, one VLAT and nine large helicopters. Under the new funding, two additional DC-10s and two MD-87s have been contracted, bringing the air tanker fleet up to eight LATs and three VLATs for the current fire season. The additional aircraft are scheduled to arrive in country over the next few weeks. Perimeter Solutions is the manufacturer of PHOS-CHEK Long-Term Fire Retardant (LTR), PHOS-CHEK WD881 Class A foam and SOLBERG FIRE-BRAKE Class A foam, used by the USDA Forest Service and many other fire management agencies around the world, for prevention and suppression of wildland fires. In collaboration with the company's Australian business partner, PHOS-CHEK Australia, the company has supplied these critical products to the Australian State Country Fire Authorities for years. To support increased air tanker operations during this period of extreme and tragic fire activity, the company is sending additional US and Canadian production and technical service personnel to reinforce existing PHOS-CHEK Australia personnel currently providing airbase and equipment service operations. Since the start of the bush fire season the company has sent thousands of tons of fire retardant and Class A foam in support of firefighting activities. This past week, over 100 tons of fire retardant were delivered to Nellis AFB in Nevada where the product will be flown by military transport to Australia. PHOS-CHEK Australia's Equipment Service Center Operations provides equipment, field services and distribution of parts and supplies for fire suppression operations. The company also operates a fleet of mobile equipment capable of ground applying fire retardant. According to Edward Goldberg, Perimeter Solutions CEO, "Sending additional resources greatly increases our ability to supply our customers the products and services they need to accomplish their mission. Our goal is to help the Australian firefighting community save lives and protect property by delivering quality products and exceptional services." In August 2019, Perimeter Solutions and PHOS-CHEK Australia jointly held workshops to support the fire agencies, aircraft operators and timber companies in the use of aerial and ground applied LTR. The workshops were in response to abnormally large damaging bushfire frequency that both Tasmania and New Zealand experienced from 2016-2018. The workshops were conducted in Launceston, Tasmania, and Taupo, New Zealand. Participants included Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Timber Companies, National Heritage Area Personnel, SEAT Operators, pilots, vendors and other local Government personnel. About Perimeter Solutions Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Perimeter Solutions operates as a leading specialty chemicals business, producing high quality lubricant additives and firefighting chemicals with a broad product offering across fire retardant and fire suppressant foam applications. Perimeter Solutions is the only company with fire retardant products qualified for use by the US Forest Service (USFS). Perimeter Solutions produces major brands known throughout the world like PHOS-CHEK and FIRE-TROL retardant, foam and gel products; AUXQUIMIA and SOLBERG foam products; and BIOGEMA extinguishing agents and retardants. More info: www.perimeter-solutions.com Media Contact: PERIMETER SOLUTIONS Dave Pelton Sr. Director, Marketing Tel: +1 314 705 1140 [email protected] SOURCE Perimeter Solutions Investors who owned stocks in the 2010s generally experienced some big gains. In fact, the SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) total return for the decade was 250.5%. But theres no question some big-name stocks didnt keep pace along the way. Wells Fargos Difficult Decade One market laggard of the past decade was big bank Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC). Wells Fargo and other U.S. banks were hit hard during the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009. Wells Fargo was actually part of the solution during the crisis, buying up the assets of Wachovia for $14.8 billion in 2008. Unfortunately, while most U.S. banks were finally getting back on the right track in the second half of the 2010s, Wells Fargo was hit by an account fraud scandal in 2016 in which the company was found to be creating accounts on behalf of customers without their consent. Wells Fargo started the 2010s trading at $27.32. The early years of the decade were difficult for bank stocks. Wells Fargo shares hit their low point of the 2010s during the Eurozone debt crisis in 2011, dropping as low as $22.58. By mid-2013, Wells Fargo was back above $40 and making new all-time highs. The rally continued mostly interrupted until the big bank hit $58.76 in mid-2015. See Also: Here's How Much Investing 0 In JPMorgan Stock Back In 2010 Would Be Worth Today Wells Fargo In 2020 And Beyond After four years of trading in a range between around $45 and $60, Wells Fargo shares broke out to the upside in the opening weeks of 2018, surging to their decade high of $66.31. The stock has since stalled thanks in large part to a Federal Reserve cap on the banks assets as part of the regulatory fallout from the account scandal. Despite the bumpy road, Wells Fargo investors that held on through a volatile decade turned a significant profit, and $100 worth of Wells Fargo stock bought in 2010 would be worth about $240 today, assuming reinvested dividends. Looking ahead, analysts expect additional upside for Wells Fargo may be hard to come by in 2020. The average price target among the 22 analysts covering the stock is $55, suggesting 6% upside from current levels. Story continues Those gains could start as soon as Tuesday when Wells Fargo reports fourth-quarter earnings before the market open. 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the curative petitions filed by two Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts - Vinay Kumar and Mukesh - who questioned the death sentence handed down by trial court and upheld by the High Court and the top court. A five-judge bench of Justices N.V. Ramana, Arun Mishra, R.F. Nariman, R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan unanimously held that there was no merit in the curative petitions of the convicts, who sought reconsideration of death penalty. "In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this Court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra & Another, reported in 2002 (4) SCC 388. Hence, the Curative Petitions are dismissed", said the court order. Apple Inc. said on Monday that it is helping the FBI investigate a Dec. 6 terrorist attack at a Florida Navy base, pushing back on criticism by U.S. Attorney General William Barr. However, Apple didnt comment on Barrs main assertion that the company has provided no substantive assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to unlock two iPhones belonging to the terrorist. Apple said the FBI notified the company on Jan. 6 that it needed additional help. Only then did we learn about the existence of a second iPhone associated with the investigation and the FBIs inability to access either iPhone, Apple said in a statement. SECURITY: Houston FBI leads new efforts to protect energy companies from cyber attacks The company provided information about the shooters Apple accounts, iCloud backups, and transaction information, and in total, handed over many gigabytes of data to investigators, it said. It added that it provided all of the information it has. On Jan. 8, Apple said it got a subpoena for information related to the second iPhone, which it responded to within hours. The company didnt say what that response entailed. Early outreach is critical to accessing information and finding additional options, the company said. We are continuing to work with the FBI, and our engineering teams recently had a call to provide additional technical assistance. RELEASE NOTES: Get Dwight Silverman's weekly tech newsletter each Monday While Apple didnt directly address the issue of unlocking iPhones, it reiterated its argument against creating special ways for government investigators to access the devices. There is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys, Apple said. Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Nana Owiti, the wife of Nairobi-based rapper King Kaka, is the newest face on Kenyan television. Owiti has been filling in the gap left by Jackie Matubia as guest host of ChatSpot on Switch TV alongside Kush Tracey and ex-KTN presenter Mary Mwikali. She made her debut about a week ago, taking to Instagram to break the news. Such Positive vibes. Such Energy. Such synergy. I felt so welcome. @mwikalimary and I have always followed each other on IG but had never met until yesterday(Jan 6). When we did, it was an instant click as we said our Hi. Its like we had met from a previous life ?. Today until Friday I will be the #GuestHost on #ChatSpot pale @switchtvke at 5:50 pm. Please Tune in? Thaaaank you ? she wrote. She was back on the screens yesterday, with rapper King Kaka among those who tuned in to watch her. The Wajinga Nyinyi rapper wrote on IG: The Queen will be hosting ChatSpot on Switch Tv from 5:50, Tune in. Wacha nichome Pop Corn hapa na strong tea nikingoja. Nana Owitis guest-hosting gig comes days after former Tahidi High actress Jackie Matubia called it a day at the Kenya Red Cross owned station. READ: Ex-Tahidi High Actress Jackie Matubia Quits Switch TV : A 26-year old Nigerian national was arrested from Mumbai on Monday for allegedly defrauding a couple here of Rs 13 lakh by promising jobs in a hospital in the US. The accused, Kolawole Boboye, has been arrested and produced before a court here, police said. The arrest was on the basis of a complaint filed by a man and his wife hailing from here, who were promised jobs of pharmacist and nurse in the US by the Nigerian. The complainant was asked to make online transfers in various bank accounts on different occasions. After they were asked to transfer a huge amount, the man got suspicious and approached the police. Cyber police registered a case after preliminary investigation. Several ATM cards, laptops and bank passbooks were seized from the accused, police said adding more people are likely to be involved in the online fraud. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kentucky coal miners and their families stood on railway tracks to prevent a train full of coal leaving the area in protest over their missed paychecks. Miners from Quest Energy in Pike County said they hadn't received a paycheck since December 16, and had been promised they would finally be paid on Friday. When the date was pushed back yet again to Monday, they decided to act. 'They wont get their coal until we're paid,' said Kenny Collins, who operates a shuttle car at the underground mine. He said his power was cut off Monday, and he is owed more than $3,000. Miners from Quest Energy in Pike Count said they hadn't received a paycheck since December 16 They used their own trucks to block the tracks to prevent coal from leaving the mine in Kimper. The miners have been told they will be paid on Friday One miner told ABC News: 'I don't know what else to do but try to stop the train from taking our coal out of here. If they want to pay us for our... for what we've worked, we'll let the train go. 'But, if not, we're gonna stand right here. We'll stand here for every coal miner that's ever been beat out of anything. It just ain't right.' The miners insisted they would not go back to work unless the money was in their bank accounts. The American Resource Corporation, who owns Quest Energy, said: 'Some of the employees are behind 8 days and some 1 day on their payday. 'They will all be paid as we don't take this lightly. They have been paid since the 16th, so we are not sure where that number is coming from. We do not work men 17 hours as stated. Miners from Quest Energy in Pike Count said they hadn't received a paycheck since December 16, and had been promised they would finally be paid on Friday In August 2019, coal miners and their families in Cumberland stood on railway tracks to prevent a coal full of train leaving the area in protest over their missed paychecks The miners in Cumberland insisted they would not go back to work unless the money was in their bank accounts Miners last summer in Harlan County held a similar protest when Blackjewel filed bankruptcy 'We work a very normal mining schedule. We value the employees greatly for their work and their future work. Given challenging markets we are focused on ensuring the longevity of the employment for all the men and women of our organization.' Miners at the tracks told the Lexington Herald-Leader about 50 miners are owed for three weeks of work. Miners last summer in Harlan County held a similar protest when Blackjewel filed bankruptcy. The miners eventually were given a deal to be paid and let the train pass. The tracks lead from Quest Energy in Pike County. A CSX crew went to the tracks to get the engine and left the loaded train cars there, WYMT-TV reported. She then spoke about the most recent protests by the Iranian people, which were led by Iranian students, angry over the regimes Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) downing a passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board, most of whom were Iranians, and some of whom were international students. Mrs. Rajavi said: Yesterday and today, the students and people in Iran have again risen up. In their chants, they have targeted [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei and the IRGC. They chanted Commander in chief must resign, IRGC commits crimes and the leader supports. She advised that these protests demonstrate the public desire for the regime to be overthrown and for a democratic, pluralist republic to be established. This dream is within the reach of the Iranian people and the Resistance Units and its for this reason, Rajavi said, that Khamenei has repeatedly, voiced alarm over the activities of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Iran, who are guiding the people toward regime change. Mrs. Rajavi then began to speak about the death of Qassem Soleimani, chief of the IRGC Quds Force and Khameneis second-in-command, who was taken out during a US drone strike in Iraq at the beginning of the month and described this as a strategic blow to the regime. Mrs. Rajavi said: Khamenei is weaker and more vulnerable than ever. The elimination of Qassem Soleimani was a strategic blow to his regime. Soleimani was responsible for the massacre of the people in Iran and the region. Mrs. Rajavi then explained that the regimes downing of the commercial plane last week has only strengthened the peoples resolve to overthrow the mullahs. She called it a major crime and a crime against humanity, much like the murder of at least 1500 innocent protesters during the November uprising, and called for those responsible, including Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, and the IRGC commanders, to be prosecuted. She noted that it is the International communitys responsibility to support regime change in Iran. Mrs. Rajavi said: The international community must support the struggle of the Iranian people and Resistance to overthrow this regime. This is the only way with which the world can rid the Middle East of terrorism, warmongering and religious fundamentalism. Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Jonny Kim was already a Silver Star-awarded Navy SEAL and Harvard University-educated doctor. Now the 35-year-old California native can add another achievement to his resume: the first Korean American to become a NASA astronaut. Kim was among 13 men and women to graduate last week from the agency's Artemis program, making him eligible for missions to the International Space Station, the moon and Mars. Even on a stage of people brimming with talent, he stood out. "Jonny, you're a Navy SEAL with a degree from Harvard medical school," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during the graduation ceremony held Friday at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "That's just ridiculous! I mean, he can kill you and then bring you back to life. And do it all in space." Or, as a headline at Task & Purpose put it: "SEAL, Doctor, Astronaut - Navy Lt. Jonny Kim achieves your childhood dreams so you don't have to." Kim is a first-generation Korean American, born in Los Angeles to parents who immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea in search of a better future for their children. Despite the accomplishments to come, he struggled with insecurity as a kid, according to a 2017 profile in the Harvard Gazette. He had a hard time at school and, as his graduation from Santa Monica High approached in the spring of 2002, decided that only a bold move could turn things around. So he enlisted in the Navy as a seaman. He asked a recruiter whether he could become a member of one of the SEAL teams, and was promised only that he could try. Just the opportunity was enough, the Gazette reported. "I didn't like the person I was growing up to become," Kim told the publication. "I needed to find myself and my identity. And for me, getting out of my comfort zone, getting away from the people I grew up with, and finding adventure, that was my odyssey, and it was the best decision I ever made." The grueling SEAL training process provoked new doubts in him. He thought about quitting during "hell week," a period of almost nonstop training that all candidates are required to complete. Instead, he made the cut for the elite team and went on to serve as combat medic, sniper, navigator and point man on more than 100 combat operations over two deployments to the Middle East, according to NASA. He was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star along the way. It was during his time in Iraq that Kim decided he wanted to become a doctor. He was serving as a medic one day in 2006 when two of his close friends were shot, the Gazette reported. Kim treated one of them, who had a severe wound to his face. Neither would survive. "It was one of the worst feelings of helplessness," Kim said, according to the publication. "There wasn't much I could do, just make sure his bleeding wasn't obstructing his airway, making sure he was positioned well. He needed a surgeon. He needed a physician and I did eventually get him to one, but . . . that feeling of helplessness was very profound for me." He earned a degree in mathematics from the University of San Diego in 2012 and his doctorate in medicine from Harvard in 2016. He was a year into a residency at Massachusetts General Hospital when he learned that he had been selected out of a pool of 18,000 applicants to become a NASA astronaut. The call came while he was grocery shopping. "I think my heart was racing 100 beats a second, and I tried not to lose my composure in the middle of the grocery store," Kim said in a video released by NASA. "But once I got the news and I hung up, I ran over to my wife, and I was jumping up and down and telling her that we got in." His class included 11 NASA candidates and two Canadian Space Agency candidates. They completed two years of training, including spacewalking, robotics, International Space Station systems and Russian language, to become eligible for spaceflight. The Artemis program has a goal of sending the first woman and next man to the moon by 2024 and to use what's learned there to make it to Mars. "These astronauts could one day in fact walk on the moon as part of the Artemis program," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during the graduation, "and perhaps one of them could be among the first humans to walk on Mars." During the ceremony, the graduates took questions from students in the audience. Asked by an eighth grade boy whether they had ever experienced self doubt, Kim took the microphone. He said it is "very human to doubt yourself." "Everyone in this audience, everyone watching, is capable of so much more than they think they are," he said. The BJP on Tuesday asked the Congress to explain if it had any doubt about who were behind the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed last year, and said the opposition party is "best at attacking India and protecting Pakistan". BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit out at the opposition party after its leaders cited the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir police DSP Davinder Singh for his links to terrorists to take a swipe at the RSS and to allege a "larger conspiracy" in the Pulwama attack. "I want to ask Sonia Gandhi and Rahul if they have any doubt about perpetrators of Pulwama attack. If you believe Pakistan was not behind it, then you should tell us clearly as to who were involved," Patra said at a press conference. Rahul Gandhi is working like an ally of Pakistan, he said, accusing the Congress of linking religion to terror attacks to target Hindus and said the party has a history of doing so. Congress leaders has invented terms like "saffron terror" and "Hindu terror", and had linked the RSS to Mumabi terror attack, Patra said. Linking the Congress to Pakistan, Patra said there are "too many coincidences" that shows a conspiracy. "The Congress is best at attacking India and defending and protecting Pakistan," he said. While Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in his tweets wondered about the real culprits involved in the last year Pulwama attack, his party colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala asked if Singh was a mere pawn and sought clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Surjewala also alleged a larger conspiracy. Patra also recited limericks to liken the Congress to a "betrayer" and a python which devours its mother. Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and Hafiz Sayeed, chief of terror organisation LeT, will soon be praising the Congress for its leaders' statements, he claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Residents in westside Portlands House District 36 will get a new state representative Thursday evening, when the Multnomah County Commission is set to select from among the five people vying for the job. The seat opened up when former House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, a Democrat, resigned in order to focus on her campaign for secretary of state this year. Over the weekend, Democratic Party members from the district nominated five people for commissions to chose from to replace Williamson during the upcoming short legislative session and through the rest of the year, according to a press release from the Multnomah Democrats. They are former state lawmaker Chris Beck; IT specialist Rob Fullmer; pediatrician Lisa Reynolds; real estate developer and Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission member Akasha Lawrence-Spence; and longtime Oregon teachers union lobbyist Laurie Wimmer. Three of the candidates Wimmer, Reynolds and Fullmer have already filed to run in the May Democratic primary for House District 36, according to state records. In nominating those three, Democratic precinct committee members defied a request by Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury to nominate only candidates who were not running for the office so as to avoid giving the incoming lawmaker the advantage of incumbency. Kafoury did not respond to a call for comment on Monday morning. The precinct committee members decided not to rank their choices for the next House District 36 representative. However, Reynolds was selected during the first round of ballots cast. The members next chose Wimmer, followed by Lawrence-Spence, Fullmer and Beck in subsequent rounds of ballots, according to spokesman Joel Barker. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. After seven hours of indirect talks, the leaders of Libyas rival factions left Moscow Monday without agreeing on a cease-fire deal. Russian and Turkish officials which back opposing sides had led the effort but came away empty handed when Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Hifter refused to sign a draft proposal he claimed did not satisfy his conditions. In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he would continue defending the internationally recognized Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). Speaking before the Turkish Parliament, Erdogan said Hifter had run away from cease-fire deal and vowed Turkey would not refrain from teaching the eastern Libyan commander a lesson if his LNA forces proceed with their 10-month-long offensive on Tripoli. The coup-plotting Hifter first said yes but then fled Moscow, Erdogan said. We have completed our duty; the rest is the duty of Mr. Putin and his team. The next round of peace talks are scheduled for Sunday at a long-delayed Berlin Conference, where international leaders will attempt once more to end a conflict that has gripped Libya since the fall of former Prime Minister Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Though the Moscow talks ended without results, some analysts note that Russian and Turkish leadership in establishing a shaky cease-fire Sunday and bringing the Libyan opponents into negotiations has been a diplomatic victory for Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Just like the Astana process in Syria, these talks show that Russia and Turkey are undertaking a parallel, rival diplomacy to the classic diplomacy dominated by the West, Jana Jabbour, a political scientist and professor at Sciences Po Paris University, told Al-Monitor. They also showed that Turkey and Russia have become makers and shakers of politics in the region at the expense of the Europeans and Americans. Jabbour said Hifter likely backed out of Mondays talks as he had more to gain from an ongoing ground offensive in which he is betting continued support from Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will give LNA forces a long-term advantage. She noted Russian and Turkish would likely seek a de-escalation of violence as neither could afford a drawn-out proxy war in Libya. Since April 2019, the Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj has been fighting off LNA forces with support from Italy, the United States and Turkey. Hifters ground offensive initially made slow gains, but increasingly took territory south of Tripoli this fall with air support from the UAE and mercenaries commissioned by the Russian private company, the Wagner Group. In the first week of January, LNA forces claimed the strategic port city of Sirte. In response to such gains, Turkish officials have boosted strategic and material support for Sarrajs GNA forces, particularly following a set of accords in November between Ankara and Tripoli vowing to increase collaboration while also demarcating new maritime boundaries between the two nations. Sedat Aybar, head of the Africa Research Center at the Istanbul Aydin University, said growing support from Ankara and its proxy forces have helped bolster GNA defenses against Hifters offensive and changed the balance of power in Libya. Through coordination with Putin, Aybar told Al-Monitor Erdogan will try to further Turkey's hold in Libya and will work towards a lasting peace deal, which would also include Hifter and the coalition forces he represents. He added, Militarily though, Turkey will not shy away from implementing what is seen as necessary upon the requests from the legitimate government. Still, the Russian-Turkish-led peace talks ended without progress Monday largely due to a lack of preparation, said Jalel Harchaoui, a research fellow at the Clingendael Institute. Harchaoui noted discussions on Monday did not address troop positions or delineations for new front lines, with GNA forces seeking a return to pre-offensive lines while Hifter forces aimed to maintain recent gains. What emerged yesterday within a few hours was the fact that nobody had actually sat down ahead of the meeting to prepare and address a pretty obvious question which is where does the LNA go? Harchaoui asked during a phone interview with Al-Monitor. Does it stay on the front line? Does it go back to April 4 lines? He added, Those two extremes are both unrealistic because if you keep all the forces on the front line it leaves such a high level of tension that the cease-fire cannot possibly hold. Moving forward, Harchaoui said Russian leverage on Hifter's forces would be essential in reaching a consensus at the Berlin Conference and beyond. Apart from military support, he said Russia has been the economic lifeline of LNA soldiers, as the Libyan dinars paid out to Hifter's forces are printed in Russia. Since May 2016, he said roughly 12 billion Russian-printed dinars have been sent to Hifter, giving Moscow distinct sway over developments on the ground. This comes in stark contrast to the leverage European leaders have maintained in Libya, Harchaoui said. Disagreements between Western governments, including Germany, France and the United States, have repeatedly delayed bilateral decisions on the Libyan conflict and postponed the Berlin Conference, which was originally slated to take place in November. Yet the pending deployment of Turkish troops following parliamentary approval earlier this month has brought new urgency to efforts to reach a sustainable peace resolution. Until recently, European leaders were mostly dragging their feet on Libya, Harchaoui said, and boom, all of a sudden you have Turkey. They find out on the 27th of November, when those two accords were signed, that the planet was not populated only with Westerners. You have other countries that are non-Western and anti-European. He continued, Now they understand they have postponed this Berlin Conference way too often and they need to make it happen not because they are prepared, not because they have the right approach, not because they think all their ducks are lined up, but simply because they realized they screwed up. 2019 saw great improvements in the PC gaming market impressive new graphics cards and processors were released along with high-end desktop processors that boasted more cores and threads than ever before. There were also a variety of popular video game releases including Resident Evil 2 and the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2. 2020 promises even more PC gaming announcements which could bring big changes to the platform. Here is what you can expect to make waves in the PC gaming scene this year. Google Stadia Googles game-streaming service was launched on 19 November and is likely to gain substantially more market share in 2020 when it launches a free plan. Google has the resources to create a truly high-quality product, meaning Stadia is a gaming platform to keep an eye on. Google Stadia is currently available in numerous countries spanning North America and Europe, but many South Africans hope the service will soon receive local servers. Many Stadia fans also hope for the service to become available on more mobile devices, as it is currently only compatible with Googles Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4 smartphones. Next Unit of Computing Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a technology developed by Intel that could drastically change the future of computing. NUC foregoes the users need for a traditional motherboard. Instead, it integrates the processor and various other ports and connections into a smaller box. Computers can still be run with powerful hardware such as high-performance graphics cards, power supplies, and SSDs. Razer recently released its first desktop gaming PC The Razer Tomahawk which uses the NUC form factor. It is a high-performance gaming PC which offers up to an Intel Core i9 9th-generation processor, 64GB RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super GPU. Epic games 2020 will see a selection of exciting game launches for PC. One game that has been hyped for years is Cyberpunk 2077, which is a futuristic role-playing game created by CD Projekt Red the same group who developed The Witcher 3. Other games that will pique the interest of PC gamers include Nioh 2, Doom Eternal, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. More exciting games expected set to be released in 2020 can be found here. New graphics cards PC gamers can expect some awesome new graphics cards in 2020. AMD recently unveiled its Radeon RX 5600 range of graphics cards, which offer a massive upgrade for 1080p gamers. AMD claims that the RX 5600 XT will offer a 20% performance increase over the GTX 1660 which AMD says is the equivalent Nvidia offering. Analysts have also claimed that Nvidia will launch its GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card in June 2020. This would follow the rumoured March 2020 launch of its 7nm GPU architecture. A n initiative to tackle violent extremism and a spike in hate crime was launched today in the wake of the most recent London Bridge murders. A 800,000 partnership, funded equally by Google UK and City Hall, offers grassroots organisations up to 50,000 to counter hate and extremism. Sadiq Khan unveiled the scheme at Googles HQ after London hate crimes hit the highest level in six years. Figures from the Mayors office for policing and crime show 17,000 offences based on race or religion were reported last year, up 56 per cent on 2013. About 561 suspected extremists were put on the Governments most intensive de-radicalisation scheme last year. WASHINGTON - Progressive Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that their preferred presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders risk splitting the movement's vote and handing the Democratic nomination to Joe Biden. The anxieties have led to calls by some for one of the two candidates to drop out before the March 3 "Super Tuesday" contests and endorse the other, in order to coalesce the left behind one standard-bearer. But others reject that approach and say both Sanders and Warren should stay in to amass delegates and join forces at the nominating convention in July. "A movement can't have two leaders. There needs to be one going into Super Tuesday," said Sean McElwee, a progressive organizer and co-founder of the research firm Data for Progress, who called for a pre-Super Tuesday winnowing to unify behind one candidate. Larry Cohen, a former union leader who chairs the pro-Sanders group Our Revolution, called that a "terrible strategy." He wants Democrats to nominate Sanders or Warren over a moderate Democrat, but said both should continue to campaign through the primary calendar, rack up delegates, and contest the convention if needed. The dispute comes as Biden remains the front-runner, in part thanks to strong support from black voters who have picked the nominee in every Democratic primary since 1992. His enduring lead concerns progressives who view 2020 as a rare opportunity to redefine the party in their populist image after decades of nominating centrists such as Barack Obama, John Kerry and both Bill and Hillary Clinton. ADVERTISEMENT Sanders and Warren round out the top three in national polls. Iowa, the first contest, is highly competitive - a poll released Friday by the Des Moines Register and CNN found Sanders leading the pack with Pete Buttigieg, Warren and Biden closely behind, but a separate survey published Monday by Monmouth showed Biden ahead of his rivals. And it's not clear Sanders and Warren would team up. A longstanding nonaggression pact between the two appeared to fizzle over the weekend after Politico reported that Sanders volunteers were directed by the campaign to tell voters that Warren's base is limited to upscale and educated people, to which Warren told reporters she's "disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me." Sanders blamed staff for the move. Recent polling by Morning Consult found that Warren is the top second-choice preference for Sanders voters nationally, and that Sanders is the top second-choice preference for Warren voters. But the survey showed that Biden would be the second choice for about one-fourth of each candidate's supporters. Cohen argued that if Sanders and Warren combine for a majority of the pledged delegates they'll have a persuasive argument at the July convention that one of the two movement progressives should be the nominee, even if Biden leads all other rivals in the delegate count. "I would totally oppose either one dropping out. It'd be a huge mistake," Cohen said. "Their voters do not overlap - they're not a single circle. There's a huge number of voters who wouldn't even vote for the other. So you need to maximize the elected delegates for the two candidates through June," when the primaries finish. That's easier said than done, because party rules say that if a candidate drops out, he or she can't compel delegates to back their second choice. They become free agents. The group Democracy For America is planning to launch a grassroots effort aimed at defeating what it calls "the corporate wing" of the Democratic Party and ensuring a Sanders or Warren nomination. The nightmare scenario for the left is that Buttigieg shines in the early states and blunts momentum for the progressives before they battle Biden in the critical March contests. "It's especially important that we do everything we can, as the iterative contest goes on, for progressive voters to unite to defeat the corporate wing," said Neil Sroka, a spokesman for Democracy For America. ADVERTISEMENT The battle within the party is unnerving Democratic leaders and strategists, whose overarching priority is to defeat President Donald Trump. But the internal divisions are born of a disagreement about how to win the presidency. The establishment wing says a moderate nominee is critical to attracting swing voters, while liberals say an insurgent with bold ideas is needed to inspire voters. Progressive voters are torn between Warren, the ex-professor and anti-Wall Street crusader known for her policy plans, and the 2016 runner-up and Franklin Delano Roosevelt acolyte who has been consistently promoting economic populism for three decades in Congress. While both are strong with "very liberal" voters, Warren performs better with older people and mainstream Democrats, while Sanders is stronger with younger voters and independents. People close to the Sanders and Warren campaigns say neither team has been thinking seriously about dropping out early, and that both are focused on winning Iowa and New Hampshire. The two campaigns are building grassroots operations across the country far beyond the early states, a sign that both are bruising for a long battle. It's not clear either would exit and make way for the other in a hurry. "If both finish in the top three, neither is going to drop out and endorse the other" after the first two contests, said Brian Fallon, a former spokesman for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. "It's pundit brain to think one of them would submit to the other in that scenario." (Michael Bloomberg is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) --- (Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou contributed to this report.) ADVERTISEMENT --- (c)2020 Bloomberg News Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (CNN) Akeem Ferguson was in a bunker when his team received the bone-chilling radio transmission: Six Iranian ballistic missiles were headed in their direction. The concrete slab they had taken cover under offered little protection from projectiles that US troops in Iraq were being attacked with. "I held on to my gun and put my head down and I tried to find a happy place, so I started singing to my daughters in my head," said the six-foot tall US Staff Sergeant. "And I just waited. I hoped that whatever happened, that it was quick." "I was 100% ready to die," he added. Ferguson survived unscathed along with other US troops and civilian contractors on Iraq's al-Assad base, after a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles on the morning of January 8. The strike was the widest scale attack on a base housing US troops in decades. Troops said the absence of casualties was nothing short of a "miracle." American troops stationed at the base are helping to counter ISIS and train Iraqi security forces. No Iraqi troops were hurt in the attack. A closer look at the site reveals a base vulnerable to this type of assault. Personnel received advance warning of the strike several hours before it took place, enabling them to take cover. Still they lacked the surface-to-air defenses to fend off a ballistic missile assault -- US military did not build structures on the base, one of the oldest and largest in Iraq, to protect against an attack of this kind. They were at the mercy of the downpour of missiles. Near the airfield, shards of metal crack underfoot as two military personnel take measurements of the gaping crater left behind by one of the missiles. It is around 2 meters deep and roughly 3 meters in diameter -- a burned copy of "Beauty and the Beast" teeters on the edge of the hole. A flip-flop, an Uno card, and a military jacket stick out from the charred wreckage left in the wake of the missile. This was a housing unit for drone pilots and operators on the base. They evacuated the unit before the strike. Incidentally, the they had nicknamed the living quarters "chaos." Like most of the US section of the base, they had already been on lockdown at bunkers for over two hours when the first missiles landed. The strike was an Iranian response to the US drone attack, ordered by US President Donald Trump, that killed Iran's most powerful general, Qasem Soleimani, less than a week before. After days of anticipation, Tehran's zero-casualty retaliation came as a relief to many. At al-Asad camp, troops could rest easy after days of heightened alert. For countries across the region, it marked a welcome climbdown after the killing of Soleimani raised the specter of region-wide war. Ten of the 11 missiles struck US positions at the sprawling desert Iraqi airbase. One struck a remote location on the Iraqi military's side. Roughly one-third of the base is controlled by the US. The Iranian missiles, which used on-board guidance systems, managed to shred sensitive US military sites, damaging a special forces compound, and two hangars, in addition to the US drone operators' housing unit. CNN journalists were the first to be granted access to the base after the Iranian attack. Advance warning The first warning came from secret intelligence signals in the evening before the attack. By 11 p.m. on January 7, most of the US troops at al-Asad were sent to bunkers, and a few had been flown out, according to commanders at the base. Only essential personnel, such as tower guards and drone pilots, would remain unsheltered. They were protecting against a ground assault which base commanders expected would follow the missile attack. Ground forces never came, and troops would only re-emerge from their shelters at the break of dawn. The strike had ended just before 4 a.m. Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi has said he was told by Iran, at around midnight, to expect airstrikes inside his country. An Arab diplomat who CNN spoke to said that the Iraqis passed on information about the strikes to the US. But the US had already received reporting about a ballistic missile attack by the time the Iraqis could notify them, according to al-Asad's Lieutenant Colonel Tim Garland. The first missiles fell at 1:34 a.m. They were followed by three more volleys, spaced out by more than 15 minutes each. The attack lasted over two hours. Troops on the base described it as a time fraught with suspense, fear and feelings of defenselessness. "You can defend against (paramilitary forces), but you can't defend against this," said Captain Patrick Livingstone, US Air Force Security Forces Commander on the base, referring to previous rocket attacks by armed groups. "Right now, this base is not designed to defend against missiles." Ill-equipped to defend against ballistic missiles As the expected attacks drew nearer, most troops filed into dusty, pyramid-like structures peppered throughout the base. These bunkers were built during the rule of deposed President Saddam Hussein. The thick, slanting walls were constructed decades previous to deflect blasts from Iran. Baghdad had a bloody eight-year war with Tehran (1980-1988) which ended with a stalemate. It was a time when the new Islamic Republic was beginning to demonstrate its military prowess. US troops said that they were unsure whether the Saddam-era shelters would withstand the ballistic missiles. But they were more sturdy than US bunkers, made to protect against rockets and mortars. Relatively light-weight rockets and mortars are typically used by ISIS, jihadi extremists and Shia paramilitary in Iraq, who for years have had US troops in their crosshairs. But Iranian ballistic missiles have a far longer range and carry a far bigger payload of explosives -- estimated to be at least half a ton each. Footsteps echo in a narrow passageway leading into the Saddam-era bunker. The walls are double-layered -- large holes in the interior reveal the coppery outer wall embedded with fans. Two spacious living areas are filled with folding beds, mattresses, stretchers and lockers. On the night of the attack, one of the rooms doubled as a makeshift bathroom, with cut up plastic water bottles serving as urinals. Lieutenant Colonel Staci Coleman was one of the US team leaders who corralled troops into such a bunker. After about an hour and a half of being in the shelter, she had doubts. "I was sitting in a bunker and I was like man, maybe I made the wrong decision [to come down here]," said Coleman. "About 10 minutes, after I said that to myself, it went boom boom boom boom boom and I said well there's my answer." "The whole ground shook. It was very loud," she said. "You could feel the blast wave in here. We knew they were close." She said the doors appeared to bend like waves with every hit that reverberated through the shelter. None of the bunkers on the base were impacted. Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant Ferguson was in a US-made bunker -- a crammed space held together by slabs of five-inch concrete fortified by sandbags. He watched the attack unfold through cracks between the adjacent walls. "There's a little hole on the side of the shelter and we saw a flash of orange light," said Ferguson. "After that we figured that every time we see a flash it's just a couple of seconds before it's going to hit. "It was Flash. Boom. Flash. Boom. We didn't know when it was going to stop. We sat there and waited for it to end." After the first volley, several went out to look for casualties. When the second volley hit nearly 15 minutes later, some were caught in the open. Staff Sergeant Ferguson said he was worried about comrades who were trapped outside. "After the second volley was over, I was worried about them being at the gate. So I left and went and grabbed them, brought them back to the shelter with us, and then we waited..." he said. At the time of the expected ground assault, Ferguson had emerged from his bunker to face off with whatever came next. He described peering into the darkness over their gunsights, worn out by the shock of the missiles. But the attack never came. "We were so tired. It was the worst adrenaline rush ever," said Ferguson. When troops had all emerged from the bunkers, many went to work, repairing the damage. They described feeling a mixture of relief and shell-shocked. "It was 'normalish' afterwards," said Coleman. "But we were all looking each other in the eye as if to say 'are you ok?'" Several troops CNN spoke to said the event had shifted their view of warcraft: the US military is rarely on the receiving end of sophisticated weaponry, despite launching the most advanced attacks in the world. "You looked around at each other and you think: Where are we going to run? How are you going to get away from that?" said Ferguson. "I don't wish anyone to have that level of fear," he said. "No one in the world should ever have to feel something like that." This story was first published on CNN.com "US troops sheltered in Saddam-era bunkers during Iran missile attack" Millions of devotees from across the world are counting hours to take the holy dip on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti' in West Bengal's Sagar Island on Wednesday, as a posse of security personnel keep a vigilant eye on the sea of humanity. Visitors from France, Russia, Australia and other parts of the globe have joined lakhs of pilgrims from India at the island in South 24 Parganas for the annual ritual at the confluence of the Hooghly river and the Bay of Bengal. Devotees also flocked to the Sagar Island -- about 130 km from Kolkata -- to offer prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram during the Gangasagar Mela, considered to be the second largest congregation after the Kumbh Mela. At least 31 lakh people assembled at the island till Tuesday evening since January 10, West Bengal Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee told reporters here. "We expect the number to touch 40 lakh. The devotees have come from across the world, including Nepal, Australia, France and Russia," District Magistrate P Ulaganathan told PTI. While some of the devotees have completed the rituals, others are looking forward to participate in the 'Shahi Snan', which commences from the early hours of Wednesday. Considering the significance and magnitude of the occasion, security forces -- equipped with CCTVs, hovercraft and copters -- have upped their arrangements in the area to ensure all-round safety of the pilgrims. Ulaganathan said the administration is using QR code- assisted wrist bands to monitor the crowd this year. A total of 20 drones have been deployed to keep a close watch on the pilgrims, he said. "With the completion of Muriganga river dredging project, ferry operations have become smoother, with the service made available to the visitors for 18-20 hours every day," Ulaganathan added. A senior Coast Guard official said a team of five divers have been deployed in the area with inflatable boats for carrying out underwater operations, if required. "Apart from that, two hovercraft and six ships are patrolling the seafront. A three-layer security is in place, with air surveillance operations being monitored from Kolkata," Deputy Inspector General S R Dash, Commander of Coast Guard, West Bengal, said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it has deployed a total of 120 personnel, divided into three teams, for the Gangasagar Mela. "The teams are stationed at Sagar Island, Kechuberia and Kakdwip. They also have at their disposal motor boats and deep diving sets," NDRF said in a statement. Mukherjee said so far, 28,687 pilgrims from different parts of the country have been treated at temporary hospitals set up at the site of the religious event, while 62 had to be shifted to Kolkata and other places for medical attention. A critically-ill Shiu Pujan Sharma of Jehanabad in Bihar, had to be carried in an air ambulance to Kolkata, the minister said. He added that 143 persons have been arrested on charges of pick-pocketing and other petty crimes at the mela. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nirbhaya gang-rape convict Mukesh Singh on Tuesday moved a mercy petition before President, said Tihar Jail official. The move comes after the Supreme Court dismissed curative petitions of the two death row convicts, including Mukesh Singh, in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case. "Convict Mukesh Singh has moved mercy petition today," said the Tihar jail official. A five-judge Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan heard the petitions filed by Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh. The duo had moved the curative petitions in the top court after a Delhi court issued death warrants in their names for their hanging on January 22. Besides them, two other convicts named Pawan and Akshay are also slated to be executed on the same day at 7 am in Delhi's Tihar Jail. They were convicted and sentenced to death for raping a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in the capital on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012. The victim, who was later given the name Nirbhaya, had succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Singapore where she had been airlifted for medical treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EXMceuticals Inc. (CSE: EXM) (FSE: A2PAW2) (the Company or EXM), a producer of cannabis extractions and refined ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, therapeutical and cosmetic industries, has appointed Paulo Martins as Chief Executive Officer and Country Director of its operations in Portugal. We are fortunate to have someone of Paulo Martins calibre and experience to step up to lead EXM Portugal. said Jonathan Summers, CEO and Chairman of EXM board. As we commence building our commercial refinery we are at a critical moment in our journey. Having the right leadership will allow EXM to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. Paulo has been a major driving force these last few months and helped, together with the team, EXM obtain its cannabis Research and Development licence from Infarmed. Paulo has a proven track record of execution, is a strong communicator, is deeply business focused and clear leadership capabilities. Furthermore, as a member of EXMs Portugal team for the past nine months he has a solid understanding of our objectives, the opportunities, as well as the potential pitfalls of growing a cannabis business on a demanding regulatory environment. Martins said, I am honored and excited to lead EXM Portugal. I believe in our team and our plan I know this company has everything to succeed in this challenging and exciting new business area. Speaking on behalf of the board, Summers said, The board believes that the job of the Portugal CEO requires additional attributes to successfully execute on the Companys strategy. Paulo Martins has the right operational and communication skills, ethics and leadership abilities to deliver improved execution and financial performance. EXMceuticals already operates a fully equipped, staffed and licensed Cannabis R&D laboratory in central Lisbon. The Company is currently seeking additional R&D partners and can potentially supply the relevant compounds for these research activities. The priority for the Company in 1H 2020 will be the fitting-out and equipping of a pharmaceutical-grade factory facility south of Lisbon that will be finished to EU-GMP standards. Once commercially licensed this will permit the supply and export of extremely pure cannabis ingredients across the EU and beyond, under the aegis of the Portuguese medicines regulator. The Company announces the resignations of Messrs. Michel Passebon and Scott Davis. We would like to thank Michel Passebon and Scott Davis for all their work as CEO and CFO of EXM. They helped EXM to move forward in the early stages of the Company. Jonathan Summers will act as interim CEO until a successor is appointed. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EXMCEUTICALS INC. Jonathan Summers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information contact: Investor Relations Email: investors@exmceuticals.com Media Enquiries: Email: media@exmceuticals.com Melanie Guillemette: +1 819 668 2734 ABOUT EXMCEUTICALS EXM is targeting the wellness and medical applications of cannabis. EXMs activities are focused on the sustainable cultivation of cannabis and hemp, and the production of high-grade cannabis and hemp ingredients for the pharmaceutical, therapeutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. The Company proposes to sell the produced ingredients to international markets. EXM is not a recreational cannabis company. EXM was recently granted the required authorizations and permits in Portugal for its existing laboratory and pilot refinery for cannabis research. EXM has previously completed research projects with its university partners, Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Universidade Lusofona as well as applying for P2020 research grants. Following receipt of these unique Portuguese cannabis authorizations and permits, EXM is proceeding with its planned R&D program, lab work and testing. In addition to this more scientific mandate, EXM is now projecting and building a significantly larger refining facility in Portugal which once complete and licensed will be used by EXM as its base for distribution of cannabis ingredients in the EU and North America. EXM has also submitted applications and undertaken negotiations with local governments and partners in Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini and Burundi, in order to obtain licences to permit the cultivation of cannabis and hemp, as well as the processing, transformation and export of psychotropic and non-psychotropic cannabinoid ingredients. In Ethiopia, EXM is in its final stage of negotiation with the government for an agro-industrial park, of 4,000 hectares (9,880 acres) encompassing a free trade zone, for which EXM has already obtained land rights over 2,000 hectares (4,940 acres) in the Amhara region. CSE:EXM | FSE: A2PAW2 Neither the CSE nor the FSE has approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor the FSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, will be, expected, proposes, intends or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Companys business operations, including the cultivation of cannabis in Ethiopia, the extraction of cannabis ingredients and the exportation of the extracts, the results of testing at our facilities established for the European market, future laws and regulations governing the sale of our products in Europe and elsewhere, and the potential to generate sales, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of EXM to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. EXM will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach has denied he defamed Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald in a tweet he published in 2018. Ms McDonald has launched High Court defamation proceedings against the Co Louth TD over a post he published on twitter on October 11th 2018 in reply to a tweet she had posted in support of the now-retired Garda Maurice McCabe. Ms McDonald claims Mr Breathnach's tweet meant that her sympathy for Mr McCabe was disingenuous, insincere and that she is a hypocrite. Represented by Tom Hogan SC, Ms McDonald also claims that the tweet meant she had failed to speak out about and condoned the murders of members of An Garda Siochana by dissident republicans and criminals. She alleges that the tweet defamed her, and as well as seeking damages including aggravated damages, she also seeks an injunction restraining the FF TD from further publishing the same of a similar statement about her. Mr Breathnach, represented by Darren Lehane Bl denies the claim and says that the Sinn Fein TD and leader's action is "misconceived". A pretrial motion in the case was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty at the High Court on Monday. The matter was adjourned to a date later this month. Pretty mild stuff, as attacks go. What candidate ever lost a nomination by being too popular with the people who show up at the polls? In fact, if I had to bet, I would wager that the source of the leak was somehow linked to Warrens own camp, because she and her team leaped on the script as an excuse to escalate. Warren whose summer surge has waned in winter, leaving her in urgent need of headlines accused Sanders of trashing her. And then, lo and behold, several anonymous sources delivered a counterpunch by leaking a previously undisclosed detail from a 2018 private meeting between the two progressive rivals. During the parley, the sources said, Sanders expressed doubts that a woman could beat President Trump in 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 02:35:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the situation is under control after Tuesday's gunfire around buildings of the General Intelligence Service (GIS). "We reassure the citizens that the incidents that took place today are under control and will not stop our work," said Hamdok on his Twitter account. He further noted that Tuesday's incidents would not make the government to backtrack from implementing the objectives of the "revolution." "We reaffirm our confidence in the armed forces and other regular forces and their ability to control the situation," he said. Earlier on Tuesday gunfire took place at Kafouri area in Bahry, Suba area and the Operations Authority headquarters. In August 2019, the former Transitional Military Council dissolved the intelligence organization's Operations Authority where about 13,000 people worked. They were asked whether to join the army or the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or be discharged and get end-of-service rewards, and the majority opted for the latter. Members of the disbanded units refused to hand over their weapons to the armed forces until they get the rewards. She was snubbed out of an Oscar nomination for her transcendent work on The Farewell. But Awkwafina did not let the sad news get in the way of her commitments as she even had some great news to share. The 31-year-old actress promoted her soon-to-premiere sitcom Awkwafina - real name Nora Lum - Is Nora From Queens at the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Tuesday. Making moves: Awkwafina promoted her soon-to-premiere sitcom Awkwafina - real name Nora Lum - Is Nora From Queens at the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Tuesday It was at the event held at The Langham Huntington where it was announced that Comedy Central gave the series an early season 2 renewal ahead of it's series premiere. She was joined at the event by her castmates BD Wong, Bowen Yang, and Lori Tan Chinn. Executive producers Lucia Aniello, Karey Dornetto and Teresa Hsiao were also at the event. Good times: It was at the event held at The Langham Huntington where it was announced that Comedy Central gave the series an early season 2 renewal ahead of it's series premiere Squad: She was joined by co-stars BD Wong (center) and SNL castmember Bowen Yang Altogether now: (Pictured from left to right) BD Wong, Bowen Yang, Lori Tan Chinn, Lucia Aniello, Karey Dornetto and Teresa Hsiao Though she was looking to the future of her new show, no doubt her Academy Awards snub was on the mind of many as she addressed it during the panel. She was grateful for the journey leading up to the awards race for The Farewell as she said: 'We appreciated the run of the film since it came out last January at Sundance and all the attention its gotten.' The star also acknowledged what people felt as a lack of diversity among nominees but felt like overall there was cultural representation in cinema from last year. She said: 'I think there's always more work to be done, of course, and I think I've had a pretty exciting ride. Not holding back: Though she was looking to the future of her new show, no doubt her Academy Awards snub was on the mind of many as she addressed it during the panel 'We appreciated the run of the film': She was grateful for the journey leading up to the awards race for The Farewell 'I can't be more grateful to do what I love to do and to be recognized at least a little bit for that is enough. It's great.' There was a lot of hope that Awkwafina would receive a nod as she earned a Golden Globe in the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical category earlier this month. Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens is centered a fictionalized version of herself in which she navigates young adulthood in New York with her cousin. 'I've had a pretty exciting ride':The star also acknowledged what people felt as a lack of diversity among nominees but felt like overall there was cultural representation in cinema from last year Coming soon: Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens premieres on Comedy Central on Wednesday, January 22 at 10:30pm Executive producer Aniello has high praise for the show as she even compared it to a recently concluded fan favorite series from the network. She said: 'Whats great about the show is that it takes existential questions and explores them in different ways through Noras lens. People who love will love this as well.' Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens premieres on Comedy Central on Wednesday, January 22 at 10:30pm. Big moment: There was a lot of hope that Awkwafina would receive a nod as she earned a Golden Globe in the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical category earlier this month When they hear shelling outside their apartment in Damascus, close to the front line, Rand and Hala start to laugh. They were just talking about artillery. "Rand called a bomb and it came immediately," jokes Hala. "Call God," she tells her friend. "But God won't come," she continues, as they keep laughing. This could be a scene inside any home in the midst of the Syrian war. Instead, it is from "Your Love Is Fire," a play by Syrian author Mudar Alhaggi, which was performed in theaters across Germany and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. It is the second play that Rafat Alzakout has directed since moving to Germany in 2015 after fleeing his native Syria and spending four years in Lebanon. There is an Arabic proverb that says the worst tragedies are the ones that make you laugh. Alzakout is part of a flourishing community of Syrian artists in exile who are testing that notion. After eight years of conflict in Syria, at least half a million people have been killed and about 11 million have been forced to flee their homes. The war has devastated the country's infrastructure and economy, plunging 80% of the population into poverty. Today, President Bashar Assad has regained control of most of the country. In October, U.S. troops, who had been helping the Kurds maintain control over a section of northeast Syria, abruptly withdrew, paving the way for a Turkish military offensive - and triggering a fresh wave of mass displacement. Recently, Assad has been getting closer to seizing control of Idlib, the last rebel-held territory, causing the death and displacement of more civilians. There is, in short, no end in sight to the country's tragedy. Which is precisely why, for some Syrians, the need for laughter is unlikely to fade. Humor was a key feature of the 2011 uprisings that became known as the Arab Spring. Political satire took off as popular protests against authoritarian regimes spread across the Arab world. In Syria, for the first time in more than 40 years of dictatorial rule, protesters poured into the streets and dared to openly criticize and ridicule the regime. "The dictator was like a god. He was untouchable, you couldn't talk about him," said Alzakout. In 2011, he joined forces with other theater professionals in Damascus and formed the collective Masasit Mati. They started a puppet show called "Top Goon" that satirized Assad. In short videos published on YouTube, the puppet Beeshu, a childish but brutal dictator, participates in a "Who Wants to Kill a Million" game show; appears dressed as Dracula trying to sink his fangs into a protester's neck; and is advised by two devils who run away, scared by his plans to order the torture, rape and murder of protesters. "We wanted to destroy the wall of fear," explained Alzakout. After decades of censorship and silence, humor became liberating. But the risks of laughing at the regime were serious. In August 2011, Syria's most famous cartoonist, Ali Ferzat, was severely beaten and left for dead on a road in Damascus after publishing a cartoon lampooning the president. The regime's security forces smashed his hands as a punishment. Masasit Mati's 10 artists used puppets to protect their identities but still received warnings that they were wanted by Assad's intelligence services. With the uprising escalating into a civil war, most of the collective's members left Syria and scattered to different countries. After 35 episodes that were watched hundreds of thousands of times over a period of four years, "Top Goon" came to an end. Among the most famous activists to use humor to draw international attention to Syria's plight was Raed Fares, who inspired many with his messages of nonviolent resistance and his use of satire. His town, Kafranbel, became famous for its sharply worded protest banners. One, about the proxy war in Syria, read: "Black Friday special offer, whoever wherever you are, bring your enemy and come fight in Syria for free ... limited time offer." "Laughter helped sustain the community living on the front lines," said Syrian Palestinian activist and researcher Razan Ghazzawi, who co-founded Kafranbel's women's center. "Kafranbel's community tried to belittle the atrocities of daily life with humor in order to survive." As the war escalated and brutality fueled radicalization, Fares faced not only the danger of regime bombings and shelling, but also threats from the Islamic State and other extremist groups that started to proliferate. In 2014, after he survived an attack by Islamic State-linked gunmen that left him with a punctured lung, he often joked that he didn't really need two lungs because his nose was so big it could take in enough air. Fares was killed by gunmen in Kafranbel in 2018. But his message has resonated with Syrian artists in exile, including a new generation that has found a creative haven in Berlin. One of them is 28-year-old comedian Firas Alshater. Alshater was studying to be an actor in Damascus when the uprising began. After participating in demonstrations and filming the protests and the government's crackdown, he was arrested and tortured by Assad's secret police. During the nine months he spent in jail - unable to contact his family, who didn't know his whereabouts - he would pass the time by making jokes and pulling pranks on new detainees. "There was nothing else to do," he said. "We just sat there and didn't know when they would call us and torture us, or what would happen next." Laughing "was a way of fighting against the things we couldn't change." When he arrived in Berlin in 2013, he started making videos with jokes about his life in Germany, the rise of the far right and what he calls Europe's "solidarity crisis." The first video he uploaded in 2016 went viral, and his YouTube videos have been watched over 2 million times. ("Make fun not war" is his motto.) He has also published two books and starred on German television. He is easily recognizable with a "freedom" tattoo on his neck and extravagantly colorful clothes. "You can sit there and be depressive and wait to die," he said, "or you can try to find something good for yourself and a way to laugh." I asked Alzakout if he can still laugh. The director paused. "Can we laugh about all this bloodshed, all this darkness around us, the torture, the misery?" he pondered. His answer was yes. He sees laughter as a way of continuing the struggle for freedom, dignity and justice. "If you use it in a smart way, humor can be stronger than tears," he said. "I will not let them make me give up. I am still making fun of all this. As artists we have no other choice." - - - Vidal is a writer in Amman, Jordan. Update: The missing boy has been found. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are searching for a 14-year-old boy who has been reported missing from Clifton. Ziair Smith was last seen leaving his Park Hill Avenue home on Monday at about 7:35 a.m., according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Police describe him as a black male, standing about 58 tall and weighing about 120 pounds, with a thin build, light complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was seen wearing a dark-blue jacket, light-blue jeans, and black boots. A photo of Ziair was supplied to the media by the NYPD. People with information are encouraged to contact the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS) or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. The film expected to make history this holiday season is visionary action director Dante Lam's The Rescue, which chronicles a Chinese rescue team's death-defying mission to save survivors of a fiery offshore catastrophe. Comprised of men of women from various backgrounds and led by a maverick captain (played by heartthrob and action star Eddie Peng), the unit must set aside their differences to face escalating challenges across air, land and sea. In addition to Peng, the film's ensemble cast includes Xin Zhilei (Crosscurrent) and Wang Yanlin (Operation Red Sea). Buoyed by positive reactions at advance screenings and recognizing the potential to elevate the release of The Rescue into a global cinematic event, CMC Pictures will open the film in North America on January 24; a day before its release in China, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. In addition to the Chinese language / English-subtitled print of the film scheduled to play in all major U.S. and Canadian markets, CMC will also offer an English dubbed version at select theaters. Watch the official trailers here: Chinese , English . About The Rescue Boasting one of the biggest budgets ever for a Chinese film at $100 million, the stunt- and pyrotechnic-filled spectacle features an A-list Hollywood production team that includes Academy Award-winning cinematographer Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Forbidden Kingdom), production designer Martin Laing (Titanic, Clash of the Titans) and special effects supervisor John Frazier (Spider-Man, Transformers). The Rescue's epic visuals were achieved through some of the world's leading digital effects companies including Scanline VFX (Avengers, Godzilla), Digital Domain (Avengers: Endgame, Ready Player One) and Macrograph VFX (The Wandering Earth, Operation Red Sea). In addition to filming on location in China, additional shooting took place at Mexico's Baja Studios, where the production team utilized the same facilities as Titanic for the movie's large-scale underwater sequences. The Rescue is the first film to showcase the China Rescue & Salvage (CRS), a lesser-known division of the Chinese Coast Guard. Founded in 1951, the unit is charged with responding to all maritime emergencies on Chinese waters, which range from shipwreck salvage missions to marine firefighting. After learning about the CRS five years ago, Lam became determined to bring the stories of these unsung heroes to the big screen in a very big way. The Rescue will open in the following North American cities: United States Albany Atlanta Baltimore Birmingham Boston Buffalo Champaign, IL Charlotte, NC Chattanooga Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Colorado Springs Columbus Corpus Christi Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Eugene, OR Fort Smith , AK , AK Greensboro, NC Greenville, SC Harlingen, TX Harrisburg, PA Hartford Houston Huntsville, AL Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas Knoxville Lansing, MI Las Vegas Los Angeles Madison Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York Norfolk Orlando Palm Beach Pensacola Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh, NC Roanoke Sacramento Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco Seattle Sioux Falls, SD Springfield, IL St. Louis Stillwater, OK Tallahassee Tampa Terre Haute Tulsa Tyler, TX Washington DC Wilmington Canada Brandon Edmonton Halifax Kanata Kelowna Kingston London Montreal Nanaimo New Westminster Ottawa Saskatoon Toronto Vancouver Victoria Waterloo Whitby Winnipeg "CMC Pictures is proud to release The Rescue in North America where we believe there's an underserved audience for expertly-crafted action movies made by masters of the genre," said Su Jia, CEO of CMC Pictures. "From the film's breathtaking aerial stunts to its jaw-dropping underwater scenes, connoisseurs of action cinema will be blown away by Dante Lam's breakneck direction and spectacular set pieces." About Dante Lam Celebrated for his uncanny ability to seamlessly blend bombastic thrills with emotionally-charged performances, Lam is a prominent figure in the world of modern Chinese action cinema. His last film, Operation Red Sea, is one of China's highest-grossing movies of all-time. Lam began his career as an assistant director and actor in the Hong Kong film industry before making the transition to writing and directing. Lam's other recent works include Operation Mekong, The Viral Factor, Unbeatable, That Demon Within and To the Fore. About Eddie Peng One of Asia's preeminent leading men, Peng has received international acclaim for his versatility and physicality. His diverse filmography includes everything from romantic comedies and dramas (Duckweed, Our Time Will Come) to gritty martial arts and action films (Wu Kong, Rise of the Legend). The Rescue marks Peng's fourth collaboration with Dante Lam following his breakthrough performance in Operation Mekong. About CMC Pictures CMC Pictures is a CMC Inc. company focusing on the global distribution of Chinese movies, with direct theatrical and Internet release capabilities in over 103 countries and 281 cities. CMC Pictures has successfully released quality Chinese titles, including Ne Zha, The Wandering Earth, My People, My Country, Wolf Warrior 2, Shadow, Animal World and Detective Chinatown 2. The company brings leading content to not only world cinemas, but also to various platforms such as television, internet and mobile. About CMC Inc. CMC Inc. is a leading media and entertainment conglomerate founded and led by Mr. Ruigang Li. Based out of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, CMC Inc. is known for its prominent strengths in premium content across multiple genres, which include film, drama, variety show, game show, financial media, documentary, short video, fashion & lifestyle, concert, theatre, live entertainment event, sports and music. The company also has a comprehensive scope of content-related businesses such as artist and sports agencies, cinemas, theme parks, and urban recreational complexes. SOURCE CMC Pictures CLEVELAND, Ohio The Cuyahoga County Board of Control on Monday approved a one-year contract of up to $70,000 with the Cleveland law firm of Ulmer & Berne LLP to help finalize financial incentives aimed at keeping Sherwin-Williams headquarters in the county. The location of Sherwin-Williams new headquarters and research and development facility has yet to be announced, but sources told cleveland.com in October that the global paint manufacturer will remain in Greater Cleveland. Details about the incentives that the city, county and state intend to offer the company have not been disclosed. Cuyahoga County Law Director Greg Huth didnt disclose Monday what incentives might be included, though he called them pretty substantial and noted that others in the public sector would contribute to the package. Ulmer & Berne will assist, Huth said, but the county will remain at the table as discussions continue with Sherwin Williams. The city of Cleveland also has hired outside lawyers to represent its interests in negotiations with the giant paint maker, the agenda says. Huth told the board he didnt anticipate needing the law firm for a full year. Asked whether a first draft of an incentive package had been placed on the negotiating table, Huth said he wasnt aware of that. This is an ideal time right now so we can use the firm to help us structure all of that, Huth said. This is the first time, according to Huth, that the county has hired outside legal counsel to help assemble and finalize an incentive package for a company. Outside lawyers are needed because of the legal nuances associated with a large, publicly-traded company, Huth said. Acrobat announces wire walk over an active volcano for next big stunt originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Acrobat daredevil Nik Wallenda, best known for his daunting high-wire stunts, announced his next big stunt will be the highest and longest walk to date. After completing a challenging routine 1,000 feet above New York City's Times Square with his sister Lijana last June, Wallenda has set his sights on his next big target: an active volcano. PHOTO: Lijana Wallenda and Nik Wallenda on the Highwire Live in Times Square in N.Y., June 23, 2019. (Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/REX via Shutterstock) "I'm going to become the first person in the world to walk a wire directly over an active volcano," he announced on "Good Morning America" Tuesday. "It has been a dream of mine for a long time." MORE: Wedding in the Philippines continues despite volcano eruption Wallenda said he searched for volcanoes around the world and decided on Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua. PHOTO: Nik Wallenda speaks at a press conference during the Highwire Live In Times Square With Nik Wallenda on June 23, 2019 in New York City. (Brad Barket/Getty Images) "This one was one of the very few that has an active lava lake. As we know from the news as of late, more and more are becoming active," Wallenda said. But the stuntman said he is taking the proper precautions and has even started to train with some never before used tools. "It's immense. It is everything that I've ever done times 10," he said. He will face "sulfuric gases that are so thick that you can't breathe through them, so part of my training is training with a gas mask -- and blindfolded cause there is a great chance that I won't be able to see," he explained. The set will even implement infrared cameras "in case you can't see me with the naked eye during that walk." As if the stakes weren't high enough with the daring location, Wallenda also revealed "this is the longest walk I've ever attempted and it is the highest walk." PHOTO: Nik Wallenda walks the highwire over Times Square in N.Y., June 23, 2019. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) "So this is truly the greatest challenge that I have ever faced," he said. Story continues MORE: Acrobat family speaks ahead of never-before-attempted Times Square stunt "I live my life about trying to inspire and in order to do that I have to push myself beyond my comfort zone and that's what I'm doing," he said. Wallenda's walk over the active volcano will air on March 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 An associate professor at the University of Maine at Machias is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court a lower court ruling on his lawsuit that calls for an end to a state law that compels public-sector employees to accept union representation, particularly when the person is not a member of the union. Jonathan Reisman of Cooper is being represented by the Buckeye Institute, which filed the labor-law challenge on January 2. The institute, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a think tank whose mission is to advance freemarket public policy in the states. It is also representing a professor in Minnesota and a teacher in Ohio in challenging union representation. "Professor Reisman is a hardworking public employee who has for many years been forced to associate with a union with which he disagrees and suffer it to speak for him," says Robert Alt, president of the Buckeye Institute and a lead attorney on the case. Noting an earlier Supreme Court ruling -- Janus -- that state laws cannot compel public employees to financially support union advocacy, he asks how states can require public employees to accept representation from unions that they have chosen not to join. "These are serious questions about the constitutionality of exclusive representation -- questions which the U.S. Supreme Court needs to address." "Despite resigning his union membership, Professor Reisman is required by Maine law to be represented by a union with which he does not agree and of which he is not a member," says Andrew Grossman, a partner at BakerHostetler in Washington, D.C., and counsel of record on the Reisman v. Associated Faculties of the University of Maine (AFUM) petition. "Following the court's landmark Janus ruling, it is clear that these laws are unconstitutional, and we hope the court will recognize them as such." Reisman's lawsuit against the university and its faculty union had initially been dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Jon Levy in December 2018. He then appealed that dismissal to the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, which upheld the district court's decision on October 4. In his lawsuit, Reisman contended that the University of Maine System Labor Relations Act violated his rights of free speech and association by allowing the AFUM to bargain collectively on behalf of all employees who comprise the bargaining unit. He argued that the act imposes on him "a governmentappointed lobbyist who attempts to influence government on his behalf and in his name, as his agent and representative, even though he disagrees with the positions it attributes to him." Among the positions that the union has taken that Reisman disagrees with are its decision to expend funds opposing the election of Maine Governor Paul LePage in 2010 and 2014; its support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016; its opposition to school choice and charter school initiatives; and its support for a referendum that raised the state's minimum wage. The faculty union and the university and its board all argued that Reisman's constitutional arguments are contrary to established precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Reisman, though, pointed to the Supreme Court's Janus decision that held that statutes compelling the payment of fees to a union that serves as an exclusive bargaining agent for all employees -- both union members and nonmembers -- violates the First Amendment rights of nonmembers by compelling them to subsidize the union's private speech. In his ruling, though, U.S. District Court Judge Levy found that the Janus decision does not, as Reisman argues, call into question previous precedent that the First Amendment is not violated when a democratically selected union serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for all employees. The judge noted that the union was not, as Reisman asserts, appointed by the university board but rather was selected by a majority vote of the employees. He added, "Reisman remains free to speak out in opposition to the union and its positions as he sees fit." In its decision, the First Circuit Court of Appeals noted that the state law does not designate the union as Reisman's personal representative. Rather, the law "merely makes clear that a union, once it becomes the exclusive bargaining agent for a bargaining unit, must represent the unit as an entity, and not only certain of the employees within it, and then solely for the purposes of collective bargaining." DUBAI/KIEV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian airliner crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off from Tehran early on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board. Debris and smouldering parts from the Boeing 737, which carrier Ukraine International Airlines said was last serviced two days ago, were strewn across a field southwest of the Iranian capital as rescue workers with face masks retrieved bodies. Among the victims were 82 from Iran, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, three Germans and three Britons, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said. Most passengers were in transit, the airline said. Ukraine's embassy in Iran said the causes of the crash had not been disclosed and any previous comments were not official. An embassy official said Iranian authorities had asked it to rescind an earlier statement from Iran based on preliminary information that had blamed the accident on engine failure. Iranian TV said the crash was due to unspecified technical problems, and Iranian media quoted a local aviation official as saying the pilot did not declare an emergency. It was Kiev-based Ukraine International Airlines' first fatal accident. The carrier said it was doing everything possible to confirm the cause, and the investigation would also involve Boeing and national authorities. Under international rules Iran has responsibility for investigating the crash. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said one of the plane's two black boxes had been found. Semi-official news agency Mehr quoted the head of the country's civil aviation authority as saying Iran would not give the recorder to Boeing. Relations between Washington and Tehran are in crisis, with Iran having launched missiles at bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq several hours before the plane crash, in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike last week that killed an Iranian military commander. Several international airlines on Wednesday suspended flights over Iranian airspace due to security risks. Story continues Safety experts say airliner accidents are rarely triggered by a single cause and that it typically takes months of investigation to understand all the factors behind them. Offering "sincere condolences" to relatives of victims, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had instructed his prosecutor general to open criminal proceedings following the crash, without specifying who they would involve. Ukraine would test the airworthiness of its entire civilian fleet of aircraft, he added. GOOD SAFETY RECORD The plane that crashed was a three-year-old Boeing 737-800NG en route to Kiev. Its last scheduled maintenance was on Jan. 6 and there was no sign that anything was wrong before it took off from Tehran, the airline said. A spokesman for the manufacturer, whose shares initially fell 2.3%, said it was gathering more information. The 737-800 is one of the worlds most-flown models with a good safety record and does not have the software feature implicated in crashes of the 737 MAX. Boeing grounded its 737 MAX fleet in March after two crashes that killed 346 people. The 737-800's twin engines are made by CFM International, a U.S.-French venture co-owned by General Electric and Frances Safran. Modern aircraft are designed and certified to cope with an engine failure shortly after take-off and to fly for extended periods on one engine. However, an uncontained engine failure releasing shrapnel can cause damage to other aircraft systems. Under international rules, Ukraine would be involved in the investigation into Wednesday's crash, and the United States would usually be accredited as the country where the jet was designed and built. France, where the engine maker CFM has half its activities, may also be involved. There was no immediate word on whether the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board would be involved. The NTSB usually invites Boeing to give technical advice in such investigations. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh and Dubai newsroom, Matthias Williams in Kiev, Tim Hepher in Paris; Writing by John Stonestreet; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Simon Cameron-Moore and Giles Elgood) Lahore: Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Tuesday pleaded "not guilty" in two terror financing cases against him as the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief recorded his statement in a Pakistani anti-terrorism court here, amidst mounting international pressure on Islamabad to rein in militant groups. The Counter Terrorism Department had registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17. He is held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. "In response to a questionnaire handed over to him by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore regarding terrror financing charges against him, Saeed on Tuesday submitted his reply in which he dismissed all charges against him. He pleaded not guilty," a court official told PTI after the in-camera hearing. The official said the ATC adjourned the hearing till Wednesday for final arguments. The cases of terror financing have been registered against Saeed in Lahore and Gujranwala cities in Punjab province on the application of the Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police. Saeed was produced at the ATC under tight security. Journalists were not allowed to enter the court premises for the coverage of the proceedings. At the last hearing on January 13, Saeed's counsel had requested the court for adjournment of the hearing against his client, saying that Saeed needed more time to record his statement. On January 10, a questionnaire was handed over to Saeed by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court. Deputy Prosecution General Abdur Rauf had submitted the questionnaire for Saeed in the ATC which was handed over to him for reply. Cross examination of prosecution witnesses against the founder of the LeT and his three close aides by the defense counsel has already been concluded. The prosecution had produced a number of witnesses against Saeed. The ATC indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in terror financing case. Saeed's indictment followed growing international pressure on Pakistan to stop militant groups from collecting funds in the country and to take immediate action against those still involved in militant activities. The international terror financing watchdog FATF has decided to keep Pakistan on its 'Grey' list for failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups LeT, JeM and others. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which kept Pakistan on the Grey List for an extended period till February 2020, had warned in October that Islamabad would be put on the Black List if it did not comply with the remaining 22 points in a list of 27 questions. Saeed, a UN and US designated terrorist, has USD 10 million American bounty on his head. He pointed out that they could not do the same to the infiltrators, including the Rohingyas. Kolkata: Triggering a controversy yet again, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh has described the state as a den of the anti-nationals encouraged by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The Trinamul Congress has filed two FIRs against him for his threatening to Shoot people to death like dogs the way the BJP-ruled state governments did it in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka for the destruction of the public properties during the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). In Nadia where the state BJP chief issued the threat on January 12 evening, district Trinamul leader Krishnendu Banerjee lodged the complaint of inciting communal tension against Mr Ghosh at the Ranaghat police station. Sections 153(2), 166, 505, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code were slapped on Mr Ghosh in the case. Later another case was initiated at the Habra police station in North 24 Parganas. The BJP MP of Midnapore also slammed the people protesting against the CAA and NRC for shouting Go Back slogans to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent two-day visit to the state. He pointed out that they could not do the same to the infiltrators, including the Rohingyas. Mr Ghosh, who has been in the eye of a storm both within the BJP and outside for his recent threat, said at Kharagpur on Tuesday, Slogans of Vande Mataram and Jai Hind were raised in Bengal. He claimed, But if someone shouts Pakistan Zindabad and Hindustan Tere Tukre Honge Hazar, Inshallah Inshallah here, it automatically comes to mind that the state has become a den of the anti-nationals. Mr Ghosh alleged, They are being encouraged by Ms Banerjee. So all of them are equally guilty. Bengal has to be freed from these anti-nationals clutches. Venezuelas state-owned oil firm PDVSA is moving to market its crude oil overseas by enlisting its joint venture partners, including U.S. supermajor Chevron, to sell cargoes to buyers in Asia and Africa, Reuters reported on Monday, quoting PDVSA documents and sources at the joint ventures. Even with the U.S. sanctions on its oil, PDVSAs partners in the various joint ventures could market cargoes not breaching those sanctions, if the oil revenues are used to repay debts of those joint ventures, sources told Reuters. The U.S. sanctions on Venezuelas oil exports essentially ban U.S. imports of oil from Venezuela, and the Latin American country saw its total exports slump in 2019. Russias Rosneft has emerged as the biggest trader of Venezuelas crude oil, as it helps PDVSA sell its oil and arrange the financing. But now, PDVSA is trying out the new method to sell its oil by allocating cargoes to joint venture partners in its projects in Venezuela, according to Reuters sources and shipping documents it has reviewed. Chevron is a partner of PDVSA in the Petropiar and has a license to operate in Venezuela until January 22. The U.S. Treasury has renewed Chevrons three-month licenses to continue operating in Venezuela several times. Chevron has lifted three cargoes so far, two in Q4 2019 and one in January, according to Reuters sources and the PDVSA documents it has seen. Referring to the oil cargo sales, Chevron spokesman Ray Fohr told Reuters: Proceeds from these marketing activities are paid to our joint venture accounts to cover the cost of maintenance operations, in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Meanwhile, Venezuela has managed to gradually increase its crude oil production in recent months. According to the latest Reuters survey of OPECs oil production, Venezuela managed to raise its output in December, which, if confirmed in OPECs figures later this month, would mean that the country exempt from the OPEC+ cuts and under U.S. sanctions would have had a three-month streak of rising production. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A 32-year-old Dublin man is to stand trial accused of the murder of Nadine Lott who died after she sustained serious injuries in her Co Wicklow home shortly before Christmas. Mother-of-one Nadine Lott died on December 17 in St Vincent's Hospital where she had been in a critical condition for the previous three days. The beauty therapist had sustained serious injuries when found at her home in St Mary's Court, Arklow, at around 4am, on December 14 last. On December 16, her ex-partner Daniel Murtagh, of Melrose Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin appeared at Bray District Court accused of a serious assault of Ms Lott. The charge was under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for causing serious harm which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He had said sorry when that charge was put to him. Bail was refused following an objection by Detective Garda Darren Mulhall, of Arklow Garda Station. Mr Murtagh was remanded in custody and faced his third hearing, at Cloverhill District Court, yesterday/today (tue) when the case was upgraded to murder. Detective Garda Mulhall told Judge Victor Blake he charged the accused this morning. He was cautioned after which he made no reply and was then handed a true copy of the charge sheet. Dressed in a black jacket and dark trousers, Mr Murtagh nodded to family members in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom. He sat silently, only speaking quietly to communicate with his solicitor Padraig ODonovan, during the hearing. Noting the new charge, Judge Blake asked if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had issued formal directions. Detective Garda Mulhall said the directions were for trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court. Detective Garda Mulhall also told the court the assault charge still stands. The DPP had also directed that Mr Murtagh could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise. His solicitor Mr ODonovan said, That will not apply. The accused was further remanded in custody and consented to appear via video-link for his next hearing at the same court on January 21. A book of evidence has to be prepared by the DPP He waved to his relatives as he was escorted from the courtroom. Mr ODonovan asked Judge Blake to direct psychiatric and medical attention for his client in custody. Judge Blake agreed to make the recommendation if it was deemed appropriate. Legal aid was granted. Due to the nature of the new charge the district court cannot consider bail and an application will have to be brought to the High Court if the accused seeks to get released pending his trial. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 21:17:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian parliament approved on Tuesday a three-month extension of an already-imposed state of emergency due to security challenges facing the country, a member of the parliament said. The parliament approved a presidential decree to extend the emergency state by another three months, starting from Jan. 27, Mohamed Abou Hamid told Xinhua. Under the decree, military and police personnel should take necessary measures to face terrorism and maintain security across the country. The state of emergency was first imposed in April 2017 after two church bombings killed 47 people. It has been continued since then. Egypt's security forces have been fighting terrorist groups concentrated in North Sinai and launched a major operation in the remote region in February 2018. "Extending the state of emergency provides concerned executive institutions with the legal tools for fighting terrorism," Abou Hamid said, noting that all the parliament's members have voted for the decision. Under the Egyptian constitution, presidential decisions to renew emergency state must be approved by the parliament. Small business leaders have urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to provide cash grants and no-interest loans of up to half-a-million dollars to help them ride out a cash-flow crisis in bushfire-devastated regions, including ways to pay staff wages even though they're not working. The government is preparing a major assistance package to be rolled out within days but is yet to decide the scale of the cash grants or concessional loans to aid businesses. But there is disagreement over some proposals, with some suggesting further debt will not help fire-affected businesses long term. Averil Berryman walks through the ruins of her business in Mogos Main Street that was destroyed by the fire that swept through the town. Credit:Kate Geraghty Options put to Mr Morrison in a roundtable meeting in Canberra on Tuesday included schemes to inject cash into local businesses, offer financial counselling to those in trouble and require banks and big business to wait longer for repayments. The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, emerged from the meeting to warn that employers would need to have the flexibility to "stand down" staff with the help of a government safety net. Two Ocean County-based drug dealers were sentenced Friday for narcotics possession-related crimes, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office announced Monday. Darnell Williams, 35, of Manchester was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for possession of cocaine in an amount greater than five ounces with intent to distribute. Tony Olden, 33, of Lakewood, received an eight-year term for possession of heroin in an amount greater than one half-ounce with intent to distribute, prosecutors said. Olden was also sentenced to five years in state prison, for unlawful possession of a weapon, according to a statement from the prosecutors office. The sentences will run concurrently. Williams was handed sentences for several other unrelated crimes including fraudulent use of a credit card and distribution of cocaine, officials said. All of his sentences will also run concurrently. His case is from a three-month investigation in Manchester that culminated in March 2019 and included a search of a township home. Prosecutors said they found about 260 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 400 doses of heroin and about $5,400 in cash. Oldens charges arose out of another three-month investigation by the prosecutors office and Lakewood police. Detectives stopped a car Olden was driving on Aug. 6, 2019 and found a substantial amount of heroin and a handgun, prosecutors said. The same day, they searched three Lakewood locations and one in Barnegat used to store and process drugs led to the seizure of 1,500 individual doses of heroin, three handguns, drug production equipment, $1,200 in cash and various amounts of marijuana, authorities said. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. 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 POTTSTOWN Borough council unanimously approved site plans Monday night for a proposed $208 million sustainable energy facility on Keystone Boulevard that is expected to generate more than 100 jobs. Now called the Pottstown Sustainable Energy Park, or PSEP, the project is being proposed for 11 acres at 405 Keystone Blvd. The company uses a new process called "gasification" to... Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 10:07:54|Editor: Liu Video Player Close CARACAS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- President of Venezuela's National Assembly Luis Parra on Monday denounced U.S. sanctions against the newly-elected members of the legislative body's board of directors. "We energetically and categorically reject the sanctions against deputies of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, who represent the people as a whole," Parra said in a statement on Twitter. "It is unacceptable for foreign governments to presume to determine the actions ... of our legislators," he said. The U.S. Treasury Department announced earlier in the day it imposed sanctions on seven delegates of the legislature, including Parra, accusing the directors' board of "illegitimate attempted takeover of the Venezuelan National Assembly." The board members were elected in accordance with assembly regulations, Parra noted. Hardline opposition leader Juan Guaido lost his bid for reelection as president of the assembly to Parra over a week ago, an outcome Guaido and his group refused to accept. The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of Guaido. San Antonio businesswoman Nuensie Suku claims to be a successful philanthropist whos raised money for charitable organizations that combat cancer, domestic violence and child abuse. Yet she wont reveal the names of the groups to which shes given money. She also says shes authored a National Bestseller and given away a majority of the proceeds for student scholarships. Now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges in a lawsuit that Suku, who also goes by the name Nancy Oakley, was unable to provide proof of any of the representations in solicitations, on her websites, social media pages and promotional videos. As a result, there is no available evidence supporting that these charitable expenditures are being made, the lawsuit alleges. It was filed Wednesday in state District Court. Oakley couldnt be located for comment, and she has yet to file an answer to the attorney generals lawsuit. Paxtons office didnt respond to requests for comment. Oakley and her nonprofit are accused of engaging in false, misleading and deceptive acts in violation of the states Deceptive Trace Practices Act. The state seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each alleged violation and a court order directing her to return all money she received with interest. The lawsuit didnt mention just how much Oakley has solicited from donors. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio teacher settles pyramid scheme lawsuit brought by state Oakley, 63, is a native of Thailand who came to the U.S. during the Vietnam War, according to a short bio on the jacket of her 2012 book The Road to Success. She described herself in a 2015 television interview as a survivor of domestic abuse and breast cancer. After a 20-year career as a civil servant, the book jacket says, Oakley embarked on her dream of entrepreneurship. She initially delved into the world of real estate and has controlled millions in assets, the bio adds. In 2008, she started a career as a retail business owner and rose to become one of the most prominent business owners on the San Antonio Riverwalk (sic). Oakleys Thai Princess Jewelry operated as a specialty tenant in the Shops at Rivercenter but left more than five years ago, mall marketing manager Debbie Sandberg said in an email. Oakley also operated a bookshop and gift shop in the mall. Siam Real Estate LLC, which does business as Thai Princess Jewelry, also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Oakley established the Thai Princess Organization Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for victims of spousal and child abuse and stopping human trafficking. It also raises funds for cancer research and treatment. In reality, Oakley makes outrageous claims that she is unable to substantiate in an effort to persuade donors to support her causes, the attorney general alleges. The organizations 2016 tax return, the only one available on GuideStar, which maintains a database on nonprofits, provided no financial information. Oakley has held six events in San Antonio to raise funds for her organization, the state alleges. One of them was held Aug. 13, 2018, at the San Antonio Marriott Northwest Hotel on Loop 410. The cost to attend was a $40 donation. An online ad urges potential attendees to come out to have fun and support a cause and then gives a description of the Thai Princess Organization. Those who bought a ticket for the event would have had a chance to win an all-expenses-paid vacation with media executive and talk show host Oprah Winfrey, according to the ad. Winfrey also sponsored a weeks vacation in Paris, the ad says. Oakley and her organization were unable to produce any correspondence with Winfrey that the star was involved with the event. A video on Oakleys Amazon author page shows her posing with Winfrey. A spokeswoman for the Oprah Winfrey Network didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Oakleys organization maintained a website on which visitors could donate using a debit or credit card. When the Donate Now button was clicked, the attorney general alleges, it redirected the visitor to a page titled Thai Princess Jewelry, LLC and disclosed that the purpose of the donation was for a Sample Item. The website also mentioned that Oakley has authored at least four books, which either say National Bestseller or National Bestselling Author. The attorney general was dubious. At least two of the books were published by Thai Princess Publishing, according to Amazons website. Oakley pitches her books at her charity events, the lawsuit alleges. In the Amazon video, Oakley says 75 percent of the proceeds from her 2012 book The Road to Success will fund scholarships for students who are really smart, but dont have any money to go to college. In a second video, Oakley says she gives money to many, many big organizations but cant give out their names because she didnt get their permission. In a YouTube video of a charity fashion show Oakley held in 2017, she urged viewers to visit her Facebook page to make donations. Right now, we work with 20 foundations, she said on the video. Every money I get in, I split into different foundations. Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel took aim at Harry and Meghan on Monday night as they poked fun at the royal couple's departure from the UK. Harry's Sandringham summit with the Queen took top billing on The Daily Show as Noah pointed out that Meghan didn't attend because she is in Canada with Archie. 'I don't blame Meghan for not going,' he joked, 'because nothing good happens when white people invite you to the countryside. Thought the U.K. had had enough of big political separations? Meet Megxit. pic.twitter.com/lQGo6ZSRdW The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 14, 2020 Trevor Noah joked that Meghan didn't attend a summit to decide the future of the royal family 'because nothing good happens when white people invite you to the countryside' 'We all know. We've seen Get Out, we know how this s*** ends!' Noah also had a pop at the Queen herself after she was filmed driving near the estate in a Range Rover 'like she's in a hip hop video from the Nineties.' Meanwhile The Late Show's Stephen Colbert also opened his show with the news, saying that 'the world is still on edge over escalating tensions between rival foreign powers that could any moment erupt into a full-blown war. 'And everyone is asking the same harrowing question: Can Harry and Meghan really leave the royal family?' He then went on to joke that, like many millennials leaving the family home, 'they will stay on the Queen's Verizon family plan'. Stephen Colbert jested that, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be leaving the UK, like many Millennials they will 'stay on the Queen's Verizon family plan' Over in Los Angeles, Jimmy Kimmel made a similar gag as he slipped Meghan and Harry into the end of a news segment that focused largely on Trump and Iran. 'The royal family's upset that Harry and Meghan want to move out and become financially independent,' he said. 'Isn't that every parent's dream? 'To not have their 35-year-old kid still living with them?' After hours of talks, the Queen released a statement Monday evening saying there would be a 'period of transition' as Harry and Meghan carve out a new life for themselves between the UK and Canada. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life,' she wrote. Jimmy Kimmel said he didn't understand the Queen's anger at Harry wanting to leave, adding: 'Surely it's every parent's dream to not have you 35-year-old kid living with you?' Monday night was not the first time that late night hosts had a pop at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. As news of their departure spread last week, Seth Meyers included a segment on his show under the headline 'Meghan kidnaps Harry.' Jimmy Fallon also had the Sussexes in his sights when he joked that the Queen has started referring to Kate as 'the one that's still in the will'. Harry and Meghan will now split their time between the UK and Canada after reaching an agreement with the rest of the family to stand down as senior royals. While the Queen noted in her statement that there are still 'complex matters' to resolved, she said she expects a final decision to be reached 'in the coming days'. Harry and Meghan have received the Queen's blessing to split their time between the UK and Canada as they carve out a more 'independent' life for themselves SpendEdge has been monitoring the global electric utilities market and the market is poised to experience spend growth of nearly USD 400 billion between 2019-2024 at a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005391/en/ Read the 115-page research report with TOC and LOE on "The Global Electric Utilities Market Procurement Intelligence Report, Pricing Outlook in Geographies that include APAC, North America, South America, and MEA, top suppliers, supplier selection and negotiation strategies, and insights into best practices to optimize procurement spend." To reduce carbon emissions, governments are offering incentives to encourage the installation of renewable energy facilities. This is propelling spend growth in the electric utilities market at a significant rate. Buyers in the energy sector are embracing digitization by adopting technologies for generation, handling, and communication of data in electric utilities. These technological strides will continue increasing the prospects of procurement in the electric utilities market. The energy utilities market in North America is observing a slowdown in its growth owing to the growing stringency in regulations pertaining to the adoption of energy-efficient measures that are compelling buyers to minimize electricity consumption. Meanwhile, in APAC, governments are taking initiatives to boost power systems and improve access to electricity. This is favoring the growth in the electric utilities market in APAC. Subscribe to our procurement platform to get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. Factors that will drive procurement expenses in the electric utilities market Collaborations among global suppliers and start-ups to use alternative fuels such as biofuels to boost the power generations will create a significant impact on the price in the electric utilities market. This will be reflective on the buyer's procurement expenses in this market. Forecasts of fluctuations in the prices of fuel will increase the prices of electricity. Insights into category management strategies that will help buyers optimize their procurement spend Optimizing procurement spend does not stop at getting the product from suppliers at reduced rates. Most of the buyers in the electric utilities market fail to realize that an impactful supplier relationship management is crucial to create avenues to save costs in the long run and also to facilitate effective category management in a market that is characterized by price dynamism. Strategic partnerships with suppliers Buyers are advised to engage with suppliers who are known to take measures to minimize risks associated with service failure and disruptions in terms of power generation. This will help them to reduce the overall TCO and ensuring supply assurance, thus minimizing risks associated with plant downtime. Engage with suppliers that have a high plant utilization rate Considering the dynamics of this market, it will be prudent of buyers to partner with suppliers who exhibit high plant utilization rates, achieve economies of scale, and can reduce fixed costs. This will help them increase their negotiation power due to high-profit margins of suppliers. Buy 1 report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 reports and get the third for free. Download the free sample of this report on the electric utilities market. Some of the key topics covered in this report are: Electric utilities market spend segmentation by region Total cost of ownership analysis in the electric utilities market Regional spend opportunity for electric utilities suppliers Electric utilities suppliers cost structure Electric utilities pricing models analysis Electric utilities procurement best practices Category management objectives Cost saving opportunities in the electric utilities market Free sample of reports that you may like: Global Renewable Energy Market Procurement Intelligence Report Global Well Intervention Services Market Procurement Intelligence Report About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005391/en/ Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us Have you ever been part of a group date where two dozen women are all competing for the same guy, and one of them tries to plan the perfect moment but it all falls apart? No? Well, Tammy from Syracuse has, and she handled it pretty much the way all of us would. The second episode of The Bachelor season 24 aired Monday night, and basically featured three parts: Hannah Brown returning to mess with Peter Webers head and heart; Kelsey freaking out over champagne; and a runway competition judged by former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley and supermodel Janice Dickinson. Brown, who dumped Pilot Pete" on season 15 of The Bachelorette" after famously having sex with him in a windmill four times, ruined the nights first attempt at a group date by stealing Peter away from the rest of the ladies. I cant help how my heart feels, Peter says. Eventually, he lets go of Hannah B., but he has to spend the rest of the night apologizing to all the other women for ditching them and creating confusion. Some believe hes really genuine, others not so much. When he finally re-gathers himself, several women try and steal a moment with him at the Bachelor mansion. Kelsey, a professional clothier from Iowa, sets up a blanket by the fireplace with a bottle of champagne that shes been saving for over a year, but Mykenna, a dancer and fashion blogger from Canada, makes her move first. I dont tolerate snakes. I dont like them. Theyre my least favorite animal, Kelsey says. Kelsey then confronts Mykenna, accusing her of stealing Peter away from her. Mykenna defends herself, and Kelsey calls bulls---. Tammy makes a priceless face and sips champagne with her eyebrows fully raised. Shes our spirit animal. ME this whole season #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/376hHFfNxC Peter Peter Hannah Eater (@bachislife) January 14, 2020 Tammy Ly, a 24-year-old house flipper who graduated from Liverpool High School in 2013, and others try to comfort Kelsey. A few minutes later, they hear a cork pop and discover Hannah Ann opened the bottle with Peter. DRAMA ALERT! Kelsey has a meltdown while Tammy attempts to mediate the situation. Tammy explains to Hannah Ann that Kelsey got the bottle as a birthday gift and wanted to save it for a special moment. Hannah Ann offers a weak apology (I apologize you feel bad) while Kelsey accuses her of doing it on purpose and calls her a snake too. Peter tries to be the good guy, finding another bottle of champagne to share with Kelsey. They decide to drink directly from the bottle, and it blows up in her face -- literally. This is the best thing that has ever happened on any Bachelor... end of story. #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/llQQrVC4Xo Sydney Sommer (@SydneySommer2) January 14, 2020 No matter what else happens in this episode, we're giving this moment our rose for the night. #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/wMbKkFVQKV E! News (@enews) January 14, 2020 I dont want to be involved in this champagne crisis anymore," Tammy says afterwards. I even, like, tried to comfort Kelsey and Hannah Ann at the same time." "This is like a full-on, intense, Im here to kill you kind of game, she adds. "I knew it was going to get real, but I didnt know it was going to get, like, this catty so quickly. Tammy trying to mediate between Kelsey and Hannah Ann #bachelor #BachelorNation pic.twitter.com/d6zLoFyGMk Catherine London (@bruhcatherine) January 14, 2020 Finally, its time for the rose ceremony. Tammy, Kelsey, Hannah Ann, Sydney, Mykenna, Victoria P., Natasha, Jasmine, Sarah, Lexi, Alexa, Alayah, Deandra, Victoria F., Shiann, Kiarra,and Savannah all make the cut. Three women -- Lauren, Courtney, and Payton -- are eliminated. The episode ends with more fun as Kelsey, Hannah Ann and several other women get to compete in a fashion show for a chance to win a Revolve closet. Boyfriends are temporary, cashmere is forever, Kressley quips. Hannah Ann wins the competition, runner-up Victoria F. gets a first-date rose from Peter, and Kelsey gets chewed out after Hannah Ann accuses her of bullying. What will happen next? Oh, just trips to Costa Rica (where Peter famously cut his face during filming) and Chile. The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. You can also live stream it on Hulu + Live. 24 Syracuse woman on 'The Bachelor' Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (21) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Taal Volcano is not showing signs of slowing down two days after it started spewing ash, state volcanologists said on Tuesday. They said the volcano is emitting less ash and steam, but authorities are still warning of a dangerous or hazardous explosion. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said residents near Taal should not let their guard down despite decreased volcanic activity. "Hindi porket humina nang kaunti ang surface activity sa main crater ay ibig sabihin ay naibsan ang panganib, lalo na ngayon na meron na tayong fissuring," Chief of Phivolcs' volcano monitoring and eruption prediction Antonia Bornas said. Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said the ongoing ash eruptions continue to trigger volcanic earthquakes. "As we speak, there are still earthquake events so we expect more activities in the next few days," he told CNN Philippines. He said the increased number and intensity of volcanic tremors occurring under the restive Taal pushed Phivolcs to raise the Alert level to 4 or "Intense Unrest" on Sunday. He added the temblors will persist as magma continues to move up the crater, causing more volcanic explosions. Phivolcs has recorded 212 quakes since Sunday. Of this, 81 were felt by those near the area. It reached up to Intensity 5, categorized as strong shaking. "Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," Phivolcs said. With hundreds of tremors recorded, Solidum explained the threat it poses to the houses situated in nearby areas. "The danger from the earthquake events would be possible landslides on steep slopes like those on the caldera wall beneath Tagaytay Ridge. Houses with thick cover of ash might be affected by shaking as roof is heavier," he said. He added the Taal Volcano continues to let out steam from the newly-formed lateral vents in the northern side of the volcano, which were created after it spewed 500-meter lava fountains on Monday. He also said fissures have been found in Lemery and Talisay, Batangas. Taal's activity may last from days to several months, based on its eruption history. Authorities are closely monitoring the volcano as its hazardous eruption remains imminent. SPRINGFIELD New rules governing how retail gun dealers do business go into effect Friday and include the types of records they must keep, how weapons and ammunition are to be stored and the kinds of video surveillance and security systems they must maintain. The rules, established by the Illinois State Police and scheduled to be published in the Illinois Register on Friday, will go into effect almost one year to the day after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act into law. The Act requires firearm dealers who have a federal firearm license to also obtain a state certificate and comply with state regulations. Pritzker signed the bill, the first of his administration, after it passed during the 2018 legislative session. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in office when it passed, but Democratic Senate President John Cullerton used a procedural maneuver to hold onto the bill because Rauner had vetoed similar legislation that spring. The bill was viewed at the time as a response to rising gun violence in parts of Illinois, especially Chicago. It was aimed at preventing theft or other diversion of guns from firearms dealers and to crack down on so-called straw purchases in which someone buys a gun on behalf of someone else who is legally prohibited from owning a gun. ISP initially proposed administrative rules in August and held a public hearing on Oct. 24 in Springfield. But those proposed rules sparked fierce pushback from gun dealers around the state who said compliance would be excessively expensive. Of particular concern was a proposed rule that would have required dealers to maintain video surveillance at several points in their stores. Dealers would have also had to maintain those recordings for 90 days and back them up to an offsite storage system such as a cloud or server. I know stores that have over 125 cameras in there, said Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Federal Firearm Licensees of Illinois, a gun dealer trade association. Youre not requiring a backup system, youre requiring a backup generator. He went on to describe the rule as requiring such a dealer to be able to upload 125 high-definition Netflix movies simultaneously. Gun dealers also complained about other proposed rules that would have required them to have written plans for storing all inventory, both during business hours and after closing, and to keep ammunition in a restricted area of the store not accessible to customers. Some gun shop owners said compliance would be impossible. Hundreds of dealers have paid $1,500 license fees, confident that they could meet the letter of the law, and now they find that they cant because of the rules that have been proposed, Valinda Rowe, spokeswoman for gun rights advocacy group IllinoisCarry.com, said during the hearing. Following that hearing, ISP revised many of the proposed rules, eliminating the requirement for backup storage of video surveillance, according to a copy of the rules provided by ISP. But that pushed the rulemaking process beyond Jan. 2 when gun dealers were to come into compliance with many portions of the new law. As a result, ISP is using its emergency rulemaking powers, which allow regulatory agencies to put rules into effect immediately, for a maximum of 150 days, while final rules are being drafted. Those proposed final rules could be subject to another public hearing, further revision, and review by the General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative Rules JCAR. The law is also the target of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, as well as several gun shops. Plaintiffs argue the law places onerous restrictions on firearms dealers that would force many stores to close and others to pass the higher costs on to those who would be seeking to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That lawsuit is pending in Sangamon County Circuit Court. As he awaits todays ruling of the Supreme Court on the Bauchi State governorship election, Governor Bala Mohammed, who is ill and currently on admission in a London hospital, said he expects a favorable judgment. The governor also said he would be returning home to fight those plotting his defeat from within his government. The governor expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the ruling that is about to be made in a few hours. Mr Mohammed is seeking medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment in London. His spokesman, Mukhtari Gidado, said in a statement circulated to the media, that his boss will soon take drastic action to get rid of saboteurs and ungrateful people within his midst (sic). He said Governor Mohammed said this in a special message sent to the people of the state from London ahead of the supreme court judgment. The Governor who said many unexpected opponents and opposition have emerged to pull his administration down through the supreme court, expressed confidence that they will fail. I am in hospital in London but we strongly believe that Allah is sufficient for us and He is Able and Capable to give us victory! Cheers, success shall be our InshaAllah! Cheers to you all. Governor Bala Mohammed, who reaffirmed his administrations commitment to the lofty ideals of new Bauchi Movement, pledged to lead with justice, equity, and humility. READ ALSO: He, however, promised to recognise and reward those who contributed positively to his movement and show loyalty to him and the Bauchi Project. According to him, the period of the supreme court judgment is a moment that God shown him his real supporters while it is also the time when detractors, within and outside his fold are exposed. The Governor, therefore, expressed gratitude to his patriotic supporters for their support and concern shown at this critical and crucial point of waiting for the outcome of the supreme court judgment and appreciated his outstanding partners of progress and paradigm shift in the state, Mr Gidado said. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Drew Angerer | Getty Images A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Tuesday that would pump more than $1 billion into developing Western 5G equipment alternatives to China's Huawei. Reasoning that Huawei has been "heavily subsidized by the Chinese government," the Utilizing Strategic Allied (USA) Telecommunications Act would help Western firms compete and become a robust player in next generation communication technology, according to a press release sent by the office of Sen. Mark Warker, D-Va., a co-sponsor of the bill. The U.S. has long held national security concerns and suspicions about Huawei's ties to the country's Communist Party leadership. Last year, it placed the company on a blacklist prohibiting U.S. companies from doing business with the firm without a special license. The bill proposes that the Federal Communications Commission direct at least $750 million or up to 5% of annual auction proceeds from new auctioned spectrum licenses to create an open-architecture model (O-RAN) research and development fund. The fund would be managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with input from other agencies. Another $500 million would become a Multilateral Telecommunications Security Fund, which would be available for 10 years "to accelerate the adoption of trusted and secure equipment globally and to encourage multilateral participation." The fund would be created in conjunction with foreign partners and would require reports to Congress on how the money was being used. The bill would also encourage the U.S. to further its leadership in International Standard Setting Bodies to help set guidelines on telecommunications and work to make Huawei alternatives more affordable through various policies. A bipartisan effort 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. No CM, ministers from other states; AAP invites only Delhi residents for swearing-in ceremony Delhi Elections: AAP announces list of 70 candidates; Kejriwal to fight from New Delhi India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 14: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released its list of candidates for all 70 seats, fielding chief minister Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi. It is the third time that Kejriwal would be fighting from the New Delhi seat. He fought for it in 2013 and 2015 polls as well. A total of 46 sitting MLAs have been given tickets, 15 sitting MLAs have been replaced, 9 seats that were vacant have been given to new candidates. Last time 6 women were given tickets by AAP, this time 8 women have been given tickets. AAP leaders Atishi, Raghav Chadha and Dilip Pandey, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, will again try their luck in the Delhi Assembly elections slated to be held on February 8. Chadha will be contesting from the Rajinder Nagar assembly seat, while Atishi and Pandey will be fighting from the Kalkaji assembly seat and Timarpur assembly seat respectively. Soon after the announcement, Kejriwal tweeted, "Best wishes to all. Don't be complacent. Work v hard. People have a lot of faith in AAP and u. God bless." Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia too would be seeking reelection from his existing seat of Patparganj assembly segment. The Delhi government's five other ministers too would be fighting for their existing seats. Satyendra Jain who holds four portfolios, including Home and Health, will be re-contesting from Shakur Basti while Labour Minister Gopal Rai will be fighting for Babarpur seat again. Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Imran Hussain will contest from Ballimaran and Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam from Seemapuri. Kailash Gahlot, who holds three portfolios, will contest from Najafgarh. Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly seems to be a triangular contest with the AAP hoping to retain power on the plank of development and the BJP and the Congress determined to oust the Kejriwal government. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Russia's pro-Kremlin TV channels mocked Western politicians for saying Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner until Iran admitted that it had done so. The prevailing editorial line then became one of blaming the tragedy on the United States for escalating tensions by assassinating Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:33:45|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi border guard officer was killed and three others wounded in an overnight attack by the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants near the Iraqi-Syrian border in western Iraq, the Iraqi military said on Tuesday. The attack took place after midnight when IS militants crossed the border line with Syria and attacked a border guard outpost in north of al-Walid border crossing point, sparking a several-hour clash, an army source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. A reinforcement force dispatched to the scene and forced the attackers to withdraw, the source said without giving further details. Late in 2017, Iraq declared full liberation of its territories from IS militants after Iraqi forces seized the whole border areas with Syria and nearby desert in western Iraq. However, small groups or individuals of IS militants still try to infiltrate into Iraq from neighboring Syria through the roughly 600 km long border with Iraq with vast rugged areas and desert land. 'When violence spread, it looked as if Mamata was losing control, but soon, she was able to contain the situation.' 'Now, the TMC stands to gain the most.' Avishek Rakshit reports. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leads a Trinamool Congress protest through Howrah Bridge, against the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, in Kolkata. Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo Riding the wave against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Trinamool Congress has started gaining lost ground it ceded during this year's Lok Sabha polls to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP, in the meantime, has launched a counter offensive against the TMC in support of the amendment. TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been on the forefront in the political movement against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens, opposing it tooth and nail, has decided to intensify protests against the Act. Political observer Sabyasachi Basu Roy Chowdhuri said this way the TMC has been able to regain some lost ground by connecting with the masses. If the Centre feels pressurised and opts for changing its course of action, it will be a resounding victory for Mamata. "For the time being, the TMC is at an advantage. When violence spread earlier, it looked as if Mamata was losing control, but soon, she was able to contain the situation. Now, the TMC stands to gain the most," Roy Chowdhuri said. According to him, while in southern West Bengal, the issue of non-inclusion of Muslims and other neighbouring countries is the primary contention, in northern West Bengal, the ground of opposition to the CAA is over rehabilitation. The Gorkhas and Nepali community in the Hills are suspicious that Hindu migrants will be settled in the Hills, and as a result, they will lose land as well as jobs. A similar suspicion is being voiced in Assam and other north eastern states that are opposing the CAA. The TMC, which otherwise had a poor show in the Hills and northern West Bengal, could also benefit in this region with the common opposition to CAA. In the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC had maintained it will not allow the NRC or CAA in West Bengal and opposed the BJP on political and economic issues primarily. The BJP, promising the NRC and CAA, besides alleging deteriorating law and order situation in the state, posted its best tally ever in West Bengal, bagging 18 seats with a 40.25 per cent vote share. On the other hand, the TMC, despite increasing its vote share by 3.48 per cent at 43.28 per cent in the state, lost 12 seats to the BJP, finishing with 22. The BJP gained vote share and seats in pockets which had an indigenous Bengali Hindu majority, Hindu migrant belt and areas dotted by the backward class and scheduled caste and tribes. The TMC gained vote share particularly in Muslim majority constituencies like Jangipur, Murshidabad and Basirhat, among others. The BJP leadership credited polarisation of votes and Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's leadership for its success in the state, but political observers noted that the voting pattern was based on the anger against the state administration and anti-incumbency factor. However, in the assembly by-elections, the TMC defeated the BJP in its own stronghold in Kharagpur Sadar and won the other two assembly seats of Kaliaganj and Karimpur. While the TMC credited its leadership, organisation capabilities and support of the people for the resounding victory, BJP leaders clandestinely blamed the CAA and NRC for the failure. However, a systemic wave of violence, allegedly carried out by the minorities, broke out across West Bengal, targeted at the railways, highways as well as government and private property. This left the chief minister worried. The BJP took the opportunity to blame the state administration for failing to contain the incidents and also put the onus on Bangladeshi immigrants for the violence. The state's urban development and municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim warned, 'The fight over CAA and NRC is not a fight between the Hindus and Muslims. If the majority community suffers as a result of the actions of a particular community, it will only benefit the BJP. If 70 per cent of the Hindu population vote for BJP (in the 2021 assembly election), they will come to power here.' Dilip Ghosh, the BJP's Bengal president, has resorted to a series of 'thanksgiving' marches after the Centre introduced the CAA. Political analysts said factors that would determine the political landscape of Bengal include: How the Centre tackles the protests and whether it goes ahead with the CAA. A University of Kentucky student went viral after shutting down a conservative activist asking 'transphobic' questions about bathroom use by transgender. The video shows 'gun girl' Kaitlin Bennet interviewing the student, Michael Hawse who confidently takes up all the questions. Hawse is now using his newfound notoriety to raise money for pediatric cancer research, as per some media reports. Netizens slam Bennet When Bennet asked the student about putting up urinals in women's washroom, he replied, "I think people make too big a f'*****g deal about it, I don't really care." Then Bennet goes on to ask Hawse about putting up of tampons in men's washroom, to which he says, "I don't really care. If a dude wants a tampon for some reason, he can have a tampon. Thats not my business." Read: Meet The Tamil Nadu Granny-grandson Duo Behind Viral TikTok Videos Kaitlin Bennett (aka Kent State gun girl) vs. An absolute KING pic.twitter.com/CVm6CpvOwN Lilith Lovett (@LilithLovett) January 11, 2020 The video instantly went viral after it was shared on Twitter on January 11. The video has so far garnered 21.3 million views and has 6,15,000 likes. The video triggered mixed reactions on Twitter with some people posting questions and others mocking Bennet for her choice of questions. Read: In London For Treatment, Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's Pic At Restaurant Goes Viral Why so triggered, gun girl? Natalie Finn (@natfinnonE) January 13, 2020 Read: Video Of Runner Kicking A Dog Goes Viral, Leads To Sponsorship Termination It's hilarious when extremist realize normal people aren't concerned with controlling what other people do with their bodies. 90$babe (@90babe1) January 11, 2020 I'll say it again bathrooms are for peeing and pooping not caring about what is between someone's legs. Ctonhunter (@Ctonhunter) January 11, 2020 Kaitlin Bennet shot to fame in 2018 after she openly carried an AR-15 rifle at Kent State University after graduation to advocate for gun rights. After the incident, Kaitlin stated that as a student, she should be allowed to open carry a gun for self-defence. After all the media attention, Kaitlin became a correspondent for a far-right American conspiracy theory and fake news website, Infowars. Read: Video Showing Cobra Regurgitating Plastic Bottle Goes Viral; WATCH Weather Alert ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kentucky...Illinois...Missouri... Ohio River at Paducah. Ohio River at Cairo. Ohio River at Olmsted Lock and Dam. .Recent heavy rainfall and snow melt will continue to keep water levels on the lower Ohio River in or near minor flood this week. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Ohio River at Paducah. * WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 39.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 7:00 PM CST Monday the stage was 38.6 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 39.0 feet tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 39.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone (pictured) will take lead as Donald Trump's defense in the Senate impeachment trial Donald Trump's defense strategy for the Senate impeachment trial is underway with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone set to take the lead and deliver opening arguments. Although the Republican majority upper chamber has not yet voted on if it will call witnesses, Cipollone will also participate in any cross examinations should any individuals end up testifying. Cipollone's deputies, Michael Purpura and Patrick Philbin, will also be stationed at Trump's defense in the Senate and Purpura, along with Trump's personal attorney Jay Seklow, are expected to participate in any cross examinations of witnesses. 'If there are witnesses, he's going to crush some people,' a former senior Trump adviser said about Cipollone, according to Politico. Sekulow is the longest-serving member of Trump's personal legal team. He is expected to make his own trial presentation focused more on the Ukraine scandal. As Cipollone, 54, takes center stage at the upcoming Senate impeachment hearing, the presidents personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, 75, who has been lobbying to join the impeachment legal team, will be left on the side lines. Giuliani, the former Republican mayor of New York City, has become a central figure in the impeachment proceedings regarding his dealings with Ukraine. A few officials claimed Giuliani has pressed the president to make him part of the legal team who will argue on the Senate floor against Trump's removal from office. Giuliani has been one of Trump's most staunch defenders, taking to TV dozens of times in the aftermath of the anonymous whistle-blower complaint that launched the impeachment investigation. Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, despite lobbying for a position with the defense, will be sidelined for the impeachment hearing. Giuliani could potentially be a witness in the trial should Republicans vote to call individuals to testify The attorney has been noticeably more absent from speaking on TV as Trump's surrogate lately. Giuliani has made the case that he knows the details surrounding the charges being levied against the President inside-out. He also has publicly indicated he has an interest in getting involved in the case. 'I would love to try the case,' Giuliani told reporters while attending the President's Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve party. An informal adviser told the Huffington Post in an interview published Monday that Giuliani has been 'working Trump hard' to be included among the lawyers who will defend him. Another source told CNN that Trump has been advised against tapping Giuliani to join the legal team, especially due to the attorney's involvement in some issues close to the Genesis of the impeachment inquiry. 'The President is never going to have him in the Senate trial, starting with the problem that he's a potential witness,' the source close to Trump said. Impeachment will be moved to the Senate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday her chamber would be voting Wednesday to transmit the two articles to the upper chamber after holding them for a month. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday morning after a Democratic caucus meeting that the lower chamber would be voting Wednesday to send the two impeachment articles to the Senate after holding off for a month Pelosi did not announce Tuesday, however, which lawmakers would serve as managers prosecuting Trumps case in the Republican majority Senate. There is speculation that two of the lawmakers selected could be House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff and House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler. Cipollone, Trumps main attorney in the impeachment case, took over as White House counsel in December 2018, replacing Don McGahn. When Cipollone took over, he brought on about 20 attorneys to the presidents official legal team who were assigned specifically to issues related to the oversight Democrats ultimately used to launch impeachment proceedings in September 2019. Both Philbim and Purpura, who will act in Trumps defense at the Senate impeachment trial, are part of the team Cipollone brought in. Call police to order or we ... Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:45:09|Editor: ZX Video Player Close JUBA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South African's deputy president David Mabuza on Tuesday reiterated his country's commitment to pushing South Sudan's rival parties toward resolving deadlock over contentious issues, particularly the number of the states and boundaries. Mabuza expressed Pretoria's readiness to mediate the discussion on the number of states as requested by the regional bloc following his meeting with President Salva Kiir at the State House in Juba. "We are now preparing a meeting where we will have President Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar in one meeting where we probably take a one step forward in trying to find a long-lasting solution to the peace process in South Sudan," said Mabuza. He said the parties to the South Sudan peace process should allow mediators to perform their duty, noting why he had prior consultations with the president and signatories to the September 2018 deal. The number of States and boundaries including the security arrangements has remained key critical tasks pending the formation of the transitional government of national unity, causing the parties to delay the formation of a new government last year by an additional 100 days to avoid a return to war. South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013 and the conflict has created one of the fastest-growing refugee crises in the world. I n his maiden Commons speech, David Simmonds, the Conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, presented a false choice between refugee children being placed with a distant cousin here or returned to mum and dad in Middle Eastern camps. Distant cousins are not part of the family reunion scheme and most of the children we help have no parents. Local authorities are at the coalface of this crisis, not the Government. Ive visited camps in Calais and Greece with Lord Dubs. In addition to supporting family reunion, Hammersmith & Fulham and many other councils have taken children who dont have family here Dubs children and have offered to take more. Weve sent social workers into camps to help. If the Government wishes to minimise risks to refugee children, it must provide legal routes for them precisely what it now proposes closing. Traffickers will be rubbing their hands. Stephen Cowan, Labour leader of Hammersmith & Fulham council Editor's reply Dear Stephen I agree with you about the importance of providing legal routes for refugee children to find sanctuary here, and about the vital role that councils play, which is probably underappreciated by much of the public. But I dont share your pessimism. The Government has removed the Dubs amendment from the Brexit withdrawal legislation, but insists its not closing the door and remains committed to providing legal routes for child refugees through a different, less prescriptive route. Thats a defensible position because theres often more than one way to achieve an objective. The test will now be whether ministers deliver. Its worth noting too that if your partys MPs in the last Parliament had honoured their manifesto commitment to deliver Brexit by voting for the Withdrawal Bill at that time, then the Dubs provisions, which were in that legislation, would now be enshrined in law. Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor Get scoot on and review e-vehicles Ross Lydall's report on e-scooter injuries in the US [January 8] underlines the need for regulation of this new type of vehicle. Safer use of e-scooters comes down to technology, education and better infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes. Where city authorities regulate responsibly, they can begin to control a new form of transport that is already growing faster than authorities ability to restrict it. The Government has undertaken to do a review of new electric vehicles and the growing popularity of e-scooters here shows that it should not delay its findings. Fredrik Hjelm, Co-founder and CEO, Voi Technology, scooter and bike-sharing company Hi-vis back-up for bus drivers I am a night-bus driver and noted the report that passengers will be required to board Routemaster buses by the front doors [January 10]. Fare evasion is rife and these are called walk on buses by those who treat night buses as a free service. Boris Johnson waves as he gets out from a London Routemaster bus during a visit to Hong Kong in 2013 / REUTERS It would help if ticket inspectors made random appearances at night. On one occasion a survey was conducted on my bus by two people wearing hi-vis vests and carrying clipboards. They were not checking for fare evasion, but everybody touched in! Peter Clark Dont forget left behind London The Government says it plans to change the way it invests in regions because the current system favours London over other parts of the UK [Chancellor promises spending spree for left behind parts of country, standard.co.uk, January 7]. As chairman of Local London a sub-regional partnership of eight boroughs in the north-east and south-east of London, and home to around 2.3 million people we have a constant battle to counter the assumption that the prosperity of our capital benefits all. Research published last year showed growth in our part of London is shrinking. If the Government wants to solve regional disparity, the answer lies in sub-regional geography. Ganluzhe.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 9 Nov 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the ganluzhe homepage on Twitter + the total number of ganluzhe followers (if ganluzhe has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the ganluzhe homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the ganluzhe homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the ganluzhe homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the ganluzhe homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if ganluzhe has a Facebook fan page). Basic Information PAGE TITLE DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE GB2312 DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER nginx OPERATIVE SYSTEM Operative System running on the server. The language of ganluzhe.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for ganluzhe.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND By Olivia Rose "WE HAVE enjoyed much success and are fulfilling the promises made to our people in the Change Document. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson was speaking at a press conference held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales to mark her Governments third anniversary in office. Flanked by Government ministers, she highlighted some of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Governments achievements over the past three years. She said her Government has advanced change through holistically investing in human capital, infrastructure, education, health and has enacted critical legislations. At the media briefing on Tuesday (January 7) she added: "I am pleased to say that we have passed three surplus budgets and critical, supplementary, real meaningful policies and changes. "Whilst we learn from criticism and will be foolish to insulate ourselves, we intend to make our voices louder than those who come bearing false and misleading reports inciting a spirit of ungratefulness, disunity, complaining, and yes hatred. "But we are encouraged that while there is much to be done, for those with eyes who wish to see, change is happening all around and for the good. The territorys leader said the "change taking place is not just physical but evident through the many benefits and opportunities that the Government continues to provide for the people. Substantial investment The premier outlined several specific achievements over the past three years. She said: "We have passed to date 76 bills and 202 subsidiary pieces of legislation. "We have reinvested over $98 million in these Islands through our capital programme including record breaking sums in school redevelopment and are happy to say that all school repairs from the hurricane has been tendered with some close to completion or completed. "We have invested in sporting facilities/programmes for our youth; community enhancement through our road development programme; prison upgrade; national security; social programmes and critical government offices damages following hurricane Ike of 2009 and Irma and Maria of 2017. Cartwright Robinson said the PDM Government is a "working government that is committed to creating a better quality of life for its citizens through gainful employment. "We have provided jobs for hundreds of TC Islanders within the public service. "We have funded key programmes in record breaking sums, in particular in policing, immigration, prison services, social programmes, education, sports, culture and health, particularly in primary healthcare. "You will hear more as we move through this year of plenty of 2020. The premier said the delivery of last years throne speech has set the tone for this years upcoming budget session and will certainly give the people something to be proud of. "I note the statements that persons are not feeling the Government and as I did in my budget address last year May, I state again that this borrowed economic model though used by previous governments is not working for us. "I committed then to reviewing this model and making it more homegrown but make no mistake about when governments are doing well there is no denying it as critical services are offered through the public service, through benefits that we are able to give under special programmes like the long running hurricane exemption for homeowners and businesses or the increase in benefits for the vulnerable among us. "And this year, we were able to again introduce meaningful and critical policies that have positively impacted individuals and businesses, Cartwright Robinson added. Achievements under the Ministry of Finance In highlighting achievements under the Ministry of Finance, Premier Cartwright Robinson said the Government continues to run an ambitious capital programme with a budget of $41,385,735. This capital programme now includes, for the first time, capital projects for Grand Turk from the infrastructure account of $4.8 million and $36,585,735 from the consolidated fund transfers. She said: "The projects contained in the capital programme for financial year 2019-2020 will continue to focus on recovery efforts that are geared towards building back better and ensuring that our infrastructure is more climate resilient to natural hazards. "In addition to this, we will also focus on community projects aimed at creating recreational places and employment opportunities throughout the Islands. "The intention is through the capital programme as employment increases, labour productivity will also increase, which will increase income in families throughout the Islands and act as a stimulus to local economic activities. "In this financial year we are spending across the Islands and heaviest in those islands that were severely impacted by Irma and Maria, the premier added. She said the Government is satisfied with the pace of post hurricane repairs and is now able to move forward with critical projects across the territory. Challenges The Governments successes and notable achievements over the past three years were not without its fair share of challenges, particularly in the areas of crime and security. The premier, who has long acknowledged that the rising level of crime across the territory, said: "Last year, we saw an increase in murders to a total of 13. "Whilst nations around us who are experiencing high incidences of crimes among the same age group and sex would wish to have these numbers, one is too many for us and we must be concerned. "I commend our police force who has certainly earned respect from all quarters over this period and again encourage us all to partner with them for our very own safety. "I offer my sincerest sympathy to those whose families were affected in this unfortunate way and those who now have to face the consequences of their loved ones actions. "Last year truly revealed some sides of us as a people that was scary. We saw people defend and give excuses for criminal behaviour in an effort to blame politicians. "This is the basis for much of what is wrong in TCI - this eagerness to encourage wrong and sadly embrace wrong by holding the wrong people accountable and then missing the big picture. "I was disappointed in the midst of the worst of it to hear people saying keep pressure on the politicians who are properly the law makers and funders and who in our case provided all the resources needed. "Then some said to keep pressure on the police. But I am yet to hear keep pressure on the criminals. "What transcended was threats being made against certain quarters and I note the statement decrying a single post on Facebook against judges. "And the Police Welfare Association spoke recently to threats against them and we as politicians dare say nothing for many seemed united in silence and in support. She added: "But let me say this clearly, it is not okay to threaten politicians and their families; it is not okay to encourage persons to blame politicians for what many do not wish to do for themselves. "Not long ago we saw our collective negative actions bear out. When we dare to blame others for others actions, persons will feel justified in making all of our lives, including tourists, a living hell. Choose wisely in 2020. Canadian filmmaker Sami Khan celebrated his Oscar nomination Monday with his wife and two-year-old daughter by having a mini dance party in their Toronto living room to the tune of Kool & the Gangs Celebration. Then reality set in. Then we realized we had to drop our daughter off at daycare, the Sarnia, Ont., native said with a laugh in a phone interview Monday morning, shortly after he was nominated as co-director on St. Louis Superman. The story, which is up for best documentary short, is about a Ferguson activist and battle rapper who was elected to the overwhelmingly white and Republican Missouri House of Representatives. I was like, Yes, I am nominated for an Academy Award but did you also know we also successfully potty-trained our toddler this week? Khan said. So its kind of been a huge week on both fronts. Khan is among several Canadians in the running for this years Oscars, which will be held Feb. 9 in Los Angeles. Animator Dean DeBlois of Aylmer, Que., got a nod for best animated feature for the final instalment in the heralded How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. DeBlois wrote and directed the coming-of-age story, which has the lead voice of Montreal-raised actor Jay Baruchel as a young Viking named Hiccup. In this last look at his life, Hiccup is a young adult, contemplating his future and finding a new home for his dragon, Toothless. DeBlois was previously nominated for Oscars for 2011s How to Train Your Dragon and the 2015 sequel. He shares the nomination this year with producers Bradford Lewis and Bonnie Arnold. Its nice to have the last instalment in the trilogy also nominated, DeBlois said from his studio in Los Angeles. When it comes to the Oscars and awards in general, I try not to think about it, otherwise I kind of carry this guilt of representing 400-plus people who worked on the movie. Whenever we get nominated or we lose, with the highs and lows, I feel it personally, because I feel its somehow my fault for not taking the prizes for the crew. Other contenders for best animated feature are I Lost My Body, Klaus, Toy Story 4 and Missing Link, which also has a Canadian connection. Vancouver Trevor Dalmer was art director on Missing Link, however he isnt named in the Oscar nomination. Meanwhile, sound expert Paul Massey, who spent his early career in Toronto, is in the running for best sound mixing on Ford v Ferrari. His co-nominees are sound pros David Giammarco, a native of Welland, Ont. and Amercian Steven A. Morrow. Ford v Ferrari is a biographical drama starring Matt Damon as American car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as British driver Ken Miles. This is the ninth Oscar nomination for Massey, who was born in England and moved to Toronto at age 19 to work in the music business. He moved to Los Angeles to work in film 13 years later. Last year Massey won the Oscar for his work on Bohemian Rhapsody. The other films nominated in Masseys category are Ad Astra, Joker, 1917 and Once upon a Time ... in Hollywood. Speaking of 1917 Vancouver-born Dennis Gassner got a nod for best production design for the epic war film. He shares the nomination with set decorator Lee Sandales. This is Gassners seventh Oscar nod. He won the honour in 1992 for Bugsy, and was last nominated in 2018 for Blade Runner 2049, directed by Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. His competition this year includes the films The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Once upon a Time ... in Hollywood and Parasite. This one is particularly sweet because it was such an uphill climb, Gassner said by phone from California, noting shooting the story of the Great War was ambitious. You are in the trenches, literally, in this film, in all kinds of conditions. And Montreal-based, American-Tunisian filmmaker Meryam Joobeur will also be representing Canada, in the category of best live action short for Brotherhood. The film is about a Tunisian shepherd who faces a dilemma when his estranged eldest son returns home from Syria with a mysterious young wife. Its a co-production between Tunisia, Canada, Qatar and Sweden. Joobeurs previous films include the 2012 documentary short Gods, Weeds and Revolutions, about a young woman who returns to Tunisia and deals with her grandfathers Alzheimers. Her 2017 short fiction film, Born in the Maelstrom, follows a young biracial woman as she struggles to find her identity. Correction - Jan. 16, 2020: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly referred to sound engineer David Giammarco as an American. In fact, he was born and raised in Welland, Ontario. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- NIO is ready to launch the all-new idea Battery as a service (BAAS) in 2020, the startup's founder and CEO Li Bin revealed in a speech he delivered at the China EV100 Forum 2020 last weekend, as the company is a staunch upholder of battery swapping service. The charging facilities widely covering a vast number of scenarios, including charging piles, 20kW DC superchargers, mobile charging vehicles and the charging poles connected with the third-party platforms, are part of weapons accentuating NIO's uniqueness. Mr. Li said the company has plowed nearly RMB3 billion in charging services and will pay more since it regards offering consumers pleasant energy replenishment experience as its goal and the biggest challenge to develop EVs. (Photo source: NIO) Among NIO's charging services, the battery swapping is more favored by the EV maker. Battery swapping is very important to EVs because it can considerably lower the purchase cost for EV consumers as well as furnish them with the same experience as refueling oil-powered cars, said Li Bin, added that NIO's car and service system is designed on the basis of battery swapping logic. The EV manufacturer completed at the end of 2018 the deployment of battery swapping stations located along expressways spanning from Beijing to Shenzhen, from Beijing to Shanghai, and from Shanghai to Shenzhen. Besides, the coverage to large cities in China has been basically realized with a total of 123 battery swapping stations set up, offering around 250,000 times of service so far. In addition, the CEO disclosed that NIO has already applied for over 1200 patents pertaining to battery swapping station, vehicles available for battery swapping, battery pack and cloud. Leveraging the latest technologies, the startup aims to have its battery pack update annually. The 70kWh battery pack was launched in 2018 and then the 84kWh one was offered without changing size in 2019. In 2020, the capacity will be increase to 100kWh, according to Mr. Li. On the whole, everything should be made for ensuring a good consumer experience. We consider that the separating consumption of vehicles and batteries based on battery swapping can benefit users through using battery packs that are chargeable, replaceable, updatable and recyclable. Battery will be rented to users an individual asset, said Li Bin. 14.01.2020 LISTEN The recent actions of Governor Nyesom Wike against traditional stools in Rivers State have been described as "demeaning, unbecoming, irresponsible, despicable, unacceptable and unbefitting" for someone who occupies such a dignified office. Prominent son of Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside stated while reacting to the way and manner Governor Wike addressed traditional rulers in the state during their quarterly meeting in Port Harcourt. Governor Wike was seen lambasting the traditional rulers and threatening to depose them over very flimsy reasons, in addition to the governor humiliating one of them by calling the monarch a trouble maker. Peterside stated the utterances of Wike represents an all-time low in the history of the state, where a governor can "insult, disgrace, humiliate and depose traditional rulers at will." "Wike's penchant for embarrassing traditional rulers is becoming irresponsible and shameful. Never in our history have we had such a disrespectful governor. "Since 2015, Wike has sacked, deposed and withdrawn recognition from several royal fathers without any recourse to history, tradition and culture. "Not too long ago, Wike threatened to depose the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, King Theophilus Princewill, just as he has severally lambasted traditional rulers as if they were his servants. "Wike must be called to order. Well meaning Rivers people must call him to order. He is turning himself into a feudal lord and an emperor at the same time. History is replete with his likes who ended up badly after turning themselves to tiny gods," he stated. Peterside appealed to the traditional rulers to overlook the "shame and disrespect" meted on them, pointing out that as fathers, they should regard the governor's utterances as that of a "child who lacks home training." "Wike should know that history is watching. Rivers people typically respect traditional rulers and traditional institutions. The governor must stop desecrating our traditional rulers and traditional institutions," he summed up. Dakuku Peterside Media Team 14/1/2020 Spb-snabzhenie.ru scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 22 Jun 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 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The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Two of the rarest of the big cats on earth will celebrate their first birthday at Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Bridgeport zoos two Amur leopard cubs, Orion and Kallisto (Panthera pardus orientalis), were born Jan. 25, 2019, adding to the important species survival work being done at the AZA-accredited facility, according to a zoo news release. The male Amur leopard cub, Orion, and the melanistic (an extremely rare black color variant) female, Kallisto, were hand-reared by zoo staff. The zoo will celebrate with a number of special activities throughout the day: At 9 a.m., first 100 guests through the gate receive free zoo calendar magnet; at 10 a.m., education talks begin at the leopard habitat; at noon, birthday enrichment offered to the cubs, designed to encourage exploration and play. Free cake and hot cocoa served to zoo guests; at 1 p.m., encore presentation of Fostering Felines Part II Lecture in the Research Station, supported with photos and video by Leopard Cub Care Specialists Bethany Thatcher and Chris Barker. The will be a 20 percent discount at Zoo Gift Shop offered all day. Amur leopards are critically endangered, which means they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, with approximately 80 animals remaining there. There are approximately 200 in human care worldwide, with slightly more than 100 in Russia and Europe, and slightly fewer than 100 in the U.S. With such a small population, each Amur leopard born is extremely important to the survival of the species, the zoo said. Amur leopards are on the brink of extinction, so theres every reason to celebrate Orion and Kallisto reaching their first birthdays as healthy young cubs, Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said in the release. The birth of these cubs brought two more precious Amur leopards to the population, which helps ensure the survival of these majestic animals for future generations. The cubs mother, Freya, resides in an adjacent habitat to the cubs. About Amur leopards More Information Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo,1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport. Saturday, Jan. 25. 203-394-6565, info@beardsleyzoo.org, beardsleyzoo.org See More Collapse A rare subspecies of leopard that has adapted to life in the temperate forests from Northeast China to the Korean peninsula and the Russian Far East, Amur leopards are often illegally hunted for their beautiful spotted fur. The Amur leopard is agile and fast, running at speeds up to 37 miles per hour. Males reach weights of 110 pounds and females up to 90 pounds. They prey on sika, roe deer, and hare, but the Amur leopard has to compete with humans for these animals. They live for 10-15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in human care. In the wild, Amur leopards make their home in the Amur-Heilong, a region that contains one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world, vast steppe grasslands and the unbroken taiga biome. Weekend warriors of all different stripes invaded the Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence this past weekend to take part in the second annual Westman Airsoft Con, which is touted as the largest indoor airsoft event in Manitoba. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (729 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Weekend warriors of all different stripes invaded the Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence this past weekend to take part in the second annual Westman Airsoft Con, which is touted as the largest indoor airsoft event in Manitoba. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, around 130 participants signed up for a variety of death match-type scenarios, where players sprayed each other with plastic pellets using replica pistols, rifles and machine guns in an enclosed space. While the number of registrants was around the same as last years inaugural event, head organizer Kevin Solomon said the 2020 convention was larger in virtually every other way. KYLE DARBYSON/THE BRANDON SUN Jordan Dyck, 33, from Regina, Sask., fires off a couple rounds of his Tokyo Marui 1911 airsoft pistol at a target range set up at the Keystone Centre for the second Westman Airsoft Con. This includes more sponsors, vendors, volunteers and a second arena that cut wait times in half, which came in handy for teams with itchy trigger fingers. Solomon and his fellow organizers even set up a monitor with a direct feed inside one of the arenas so that players could watch matches live. "And we added some new games, so its not just team death match where you run in and kill each other," he said. "We had some different scenarios like a last man standing kind of thing, we did a juggernaut event, were going to do a rescue event where the guys go in and rescue the president." KYLE DARBYSON/THE BRANDON SUN Shawn Yakimishyn, 19, from Roblin admires some of the merchandise on display from the vendors who set up shop at this year's Westman Airsoft Con. While this is only the second Westman Airsoft Con, this annual event has been running in Brandon since 2011, except it was known as the Show N Shoot Airsoft Convention back then. When Solomon took over in 2019, he wanted to change things up a bit and decided to give the event a new name with a fresh lineup of activities. Jordan Dyck travelled all the way from his home in Regina, Sask., to take part in that inaugural event, and had such a great time that he decided to make the 362-kilometre drive once again this year. Dyck told the Sun hes happy to make the trip in 2021 since the Brandon airsoft scene is so well developed and organized compared to what hes used to in his hometown. KYLE DARBYSON/THE BRANDON SUN Two team leads, with a Westman Airsoft Con volunteer to mediate, use a game of rock-paper-scissors to determine who will enter the arena first. "We dont have any indoor facilities (in Regina)," he said. "We can sometimes get some temporary spots in condemned buildings that are slated to be torn down but thats it." Shawn Yakimishyn from Roblin told the Sun that these yearly airsoft conventions are extremely welcoming to newcomers and serve as a great venue to try the sport for the first time. "It doesnt hurt that bad," Yakimishyn said. "When you get hit, it stings for like five minutes, if that, and then you good back out there and its just a good time." Moving into the future, Solomon said he wants to continue to increase the size and scope of this convention and refine some of its other elements based on player feedback. "Well talk about it online and get feedback from the players, because, really, they run this convention," he said. "I just set it up." kdarbyson@brandonsun.com Twitter: @KyleDarbyson Determined to resume crucial bus service to their village in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, which was stopped due to a poor road, as many as 85 students of a school in Dabhadi bunked their classes for fixing a one-km patch of the road to make it motorable. The bus service on DhamangaonRajur stretch was suspended in December last year due to incomplete road work done by civic authorities, a village resident claimed on Tuesday. Lack of bus facility had forced students to walk 10 kms everyday for two hours to attend their school in Dabhadi village. The construction of the 18-km DhamangaonRajur road was sanctioned in 2019 under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (CNGSY), but the work remained incomplete. "Due to the poor road conditions, the state transport bus from Badnapur depot stopped its service for more than a month," the villager told PTI. On January 10, the students bunked their classes to remove stones from the one-km patch to make the road motorable, facilitating resumption of bus service, he said. Road contractor Y K Deshmukh said, "asphalting of this road will be completed by March. Stones are now removed and the road is made motorable." Village sarpanch Monica Salve demanded construction of a proper road for hassle-free transportation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rose Parade rejuvenates Stary's love of music, teaching Ronald Stary of Watertown Middle School has returned from the Rose Parade. This year, the parade honored 300 music directors. Gulf, Iran and Turkey FMs to visit China 20 pregnant women with COVID-19 die in Azerbaijan in year Economy ministry: Organizing of accommodation and public catering increased by 61.1% in Armenia Azerbaijan opens fire toward Armenia village sector, one soldier wounded Azerbaijan official pledges to remove Armenian toponyms from Google Maps UN offers two plans to help Afghans totaling $ 5 billion in 2022 Armenia attorney general travels to Moscow on working visit Azerbaijan MOD blames Armenian side for soldiers death Dollar drops in Armenia Shirak Province captives families hold protest outside Armenia government building Rolls-Royce sales rise to record high in 2021 Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis directed gun at Armenia residents car in which his wife, 3-year-old child were ANCA urges President Biden and Congress to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for war crimes Serbia's Orthodox Patriarch tests positive for COVID-19 Brothers, sisters of 2020 Artsakh war military casualties to get compensation in lieu of their deceased parents Turkish authorities sanction arrest of 33 suspected FETO ties Copper rises in price Erdogan's spokesman, Biden's adviser discuss Armenian-Turkish relations Armenia deputy defense minister: No one can rule out border tension at any moment New commander elected of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia official: Those 100 soldiers absence will not assume any change in terms of border tension Millionaire Robert Durst dies aged 78 Reuters: Over 1.13 million cases of COVID-19 detected in US per day Great Armenian poet Razmik Davoyan dies 2 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Deputy PM Matevosyan: About 1,190 subvention programs implemented in Armenia from 2018 to 2021 243 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia MP: It would be right to put pressure on Azerbaijanis to remove their firing positions Oil is getting more expensive Nearly 10,000 people detained in Kazakhstan in connection with riots Tokayev: CSTO peacekeepers will pull out from Kazakhstan within 10 days Newspaper: Armenia businessmen pay customs duties to Azerbaijanis to go to Iran European Parliament speaker David Sassoli dies Alikhan Smailov appointed Kazakhstan Prime Minister Newspaper: Health minister makes decision full of contradictions in terms of Covid-related restrictions in Armenia Newspaper: Armenia authorities once again showed their being unprincipled, worthless, opposition MP says Germany teacher who had cannibalism fantasies is sentenced to life in prison Israel's military and other security services undergo largest rearmament in years Spain PM calls for a debate to consider COVID-19 endemic disease Flyone Armenia and Pegasus receive permission for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights Pope condemns "baseless" ideological misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines Arab foreign ministers to visit Beijing Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor Indian Defense Minister tests positive for COVID-19 US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22 Pashinyan appoints Hayk Mkrtchyan as Deputy Governor of Kotayk province Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills nine children Pashinyan: One of key priorities of Armenia presidency at CSTO is strengthening of crisis response mechanisms Internet cut off in Kazakhstan Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan Turkey defense minister meets with their envoy in process of normalization of Armenia relations Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations Dollar continues going up in Armenia New attempt by migrants in Belarus to storm Poland border Skat Airlines resumes Yerevan-Aktau and Aktau-Yerevan flights New Covid-related restrictions to be introduced in Armenia Karabakh police: Firefighters also targeted by Azerbaijan shooting (PHOTOS) Artsakh Defense Army has not fired on Azerbaijan positions Azerbaijani military are protesting amid military awards deprivation Azerbaijanis open fire in Nagorno-Karabakh Karabakh MFA: Events in Kazakhstan are result of actions planned by Turkey Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles Artsakh emergency service: Search for soldiers remains continued during holidays Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine Putin: Peacekeeping contingent to stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan v. premier Pashinyan lawsuit court session is closed Azerbaijan commandos conduct military exercises Part of the Great Wall of China collapsed due to earthquake Armenia MP: Turkey, Azerbaijans regional calculations have mixed up Copper prices decline Armenia ex-President Kocharyan v. PM Pashinyan lawsuit trial resumes Gold is getting cheaper EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Fire in residential building in New York leaves 19 people killed National Center for Infectious Diseases Yerevan branch employees protesting outside center Karabakh President: Radical Pan-Turkic circles are actively involved in process in Kazakhstan Oil is getting more expensive Mars helicopter Ingenuity preparing for difficult 19th flight Interior ministry: About 8,000 people detained in Kazakhstan Earthquake hits Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone Researchers create substitute for egg whites from fungus Kazakhstan official information channel removes message about 164 casualties EC says construction of new nuclear power plants in Europe will require 500 billion in investment Ghost ship that sank 343 years ago discovered in US Post-COVID-19 antibodies may attack healthy cells, scientists say Pope says he was praying for Kazakhstan Media: 164 people die in Kazakhstan during riots WCG FDANews FDA and International Cannabis Regulation What You Need to Know About Products Containing Cannabis An FDAnews Webinar Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST https://www.fdanews.com/canabisregulation Interest in cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD) is exploding, to put it mildly. But for as many products as there are out there, there are almost as many unanswered questions about the science, safety and quality of items containing these compounds. As FDA and other countries regulatory bodies work through these questions, what exactly must one know to ensure products are compliant? This webinar will cut through the regulatory confusions and explain what one must do to remain compliant and ultimately deliver successful cannabis-containing products: The impact of current news and events related to cannabis regulations How the FDA is regulating cannabis, including how GMPs apply to the medical cannabis industry How to comply specifically with the FDAs regulation of cannabis and cannabis-derived products How Canada and Europe are regulating cannabis, including how to comply with comparable GMP regulations from different jurisdictions How pharmaceutical manufacturers are determining whether to enter into cannabis production and how GMP 211 would affect that process Best practices for dealing with personnel requirements, process controls, procedures development, quality controls and analytical testing in cannabis production When one understands the cannabis regulatory landscape, one will ensure success with products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds. Interested in registering multiple sites? Call (888) 838-5578 in the U.S. or +1 (703) 538-7600 globally to learn about our special multisite discount. Webinar Details: FDA and International Cannabis Regulation What You Need to Know About Products Containing Cannabis An FDAnews Webinar Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST https://www.fdanews.com/canabisregulation Tuition: $287 per site Easy Ways to Register: Online: https://www.fdanews.com/canabisregulation By phone: 888.838.5578 or 703.538.7600 About FDAnews: FDAnews is the premier provider of domestic and international regulatory, legislative, and business news and information for executives in industries regulated by the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. Pharmaceutical and medical device professionals rely on FDAnews' print and electronic newsletters, books and conferences to stay in compliance with international standards and the FDA's complex and ever-changing regulations. To boost manufacturing as part of the 'Make In India' campaign, the government is expected to address the issue of inverted duty structure, especially in sectors such as chemicals and electronics, in the forthcoming Budget, sources said New Delhi: To boost manufacturing as part of the 'Make In India' campaign, the government is expected to address the issue of inverted duty structure, especially in sectors such as chemicals and electronics, in the forthcoming Budget, sources said. Inverted duty structure refers to the taxation of inputs at higher rates than finished products that results in a build-up of credits and cascading costs. Industry has been demanding that the government should remove the anomalies with regard to taxation of raw material and other inputs, the sources said. The commerce and industry ministry has proposed to the finance ministry to address the inverted duty structure on several products such as consoles, panels, certain steel products, calcined alumina, ethyl acetate, and viscose staple fibre, they added. Inverted duty structure impacts the domestic industry adversely as manufacturers have to pay a higher price for raw material in terms of duty, while the finished product lands at lower duty and cost. Further, concessions given by India under free trade agreements to its partner countries has also resulted in an inverted duty structure that makes Indian manufactured goods (those dependent on imported raw materials) uncompetitive in the domestic market. India has implemented FTAs with many countries including Japan, South Korea and Singapore, and is in discussion with several other nations. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth during April-November period of the current fiscal came in at 0.6 percent, down from 5 percent in the same period of 2018-19. Follow full coverage of Union Budget 2020-21 here Newly-inducted stealth attack helicopter Apache and transport chopper Chinook will take part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time, while a model of Rafale jet will be showcased as part of the IAF's tableau New Delhi: Newly-inducted stealth attack helicopter Apache and transport chopper Chinook will take part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time, while a model of Rafale jet will be showcased as part of the IAF's tableau, officials said on Monday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had participated in the official handover ceremony in France in October last year for the first Rafale combat jet acquired by the Indian Air Force. During the Republic Day parade, the IAF will also showcase its might and glory, with its tableau depicting scaled-down models of five systems recently added to its inventory -- Rafale aircraft, indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), surface-to-air guided weapon Aakash missile and Astra missiles. Flt Lt Shrikant Sharma will lead the 144-strong IAF contingent on Rajpath for the second time in a row, while Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar, an accomplished drum major, will front the IAF band, the officials said. Flt Lt Gagandeep Gill and Flt Lt Reema Rai are the two woman officers who will be fronting the contingent right behind Sharma. Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar, who will be part of the IAF band for the 25th time consecutive year, said, he was "brimming with pride and humility". "In 2015, when the then US President Barack Obama was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, First Lady Michelle Obama had appreciated the IAF band when it marched down Rajpath. Next day, then Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha told us about this, and gave his commendation to me in appreciation. It was an unforgettable moment in my journey with the IAF," Kumar said. Gill and Rai also exuded confidence and said they were both "full of josh" ahead of the parade. "The Republic Day flypast will comprise 41 aircraft of the IAF and four helicopters of the Army's aviation arm. The aircraft types include 16 fighters, 10 transport aircraft and 19 helicopters. The flypast will be conducted in two phases," a senior IAF official said. Leading the ceremonial parade would be the 'Ensign' formation comprising four Mi-17 V5 helicopters in an inverted 'Y' formation, also referred to as the 'wineglass formation'. They will fly past the dais, trooping the national flag and the ensigns of the three services. They will be followed by 'Dhruv' formation, comprising four Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of the Army Aviation. The second and the main phase will commence after the end of the ceremonial parade. This will be led by 'Rudra' formation of three ALH Mk-IV WSI helicopters of the IAF, flying in 'vic' formation, the officials said. The 'Chinook' formation will comprise three newly-inducted transport helicopters in 'vic' formation, a senior IAF official said. Following them will be the 'Apache' formation consisting of the latest attack helicopters of the Indian Air Force. The five attack helicopters will be flying in 'arrowhead' formation, he said. The Chinook, twin-engine, tandem rotor is a multi-role, vertical-lift platform, which is used for transporting troops, artillery, equipment and fuel. The helicopter can carry out military operations not only during the day but also at night too. Four of the US-made heavy-lift helicopters were inducted into the IAF in March last year. Eight US-made Apache stealth attack helicopters were inducted into the IAF in September last year, significantly boosting the force's firepower capability at a time when India faces complex security challenges, including cross-border terrorism. Leading the fixed wing formations this year would be Dornier formation consisting of three Dornier aircraft in 'vic' formation. After this, the three C-130J Super Hercules ac will fly in 'vic' formation. This will be followed by the 'Eye in the Sky- Netra' formation, comprising a single AEW&C flanked by two Su-30 MKIs, the officials said. Thereafter, a formation of three C-17 Globemasters, in 'displaced trail vic' formation called 'Globe' formation will flypast the dais, showcasing the IAF's heavy lift capabilities. Following the Globe formation is the first fighter formation, the 'Jaguar' formation, consisting of five Jaguar aircraft in arrowhead formation. This is followed by five MiG-29 Upgrade aircraft in similar formation, 'Fulcrum', he said. Thereafter, 'Sukhoi' formation comprising three SU-30 MKI aircraft from Air Force Station Jodhpur, will execute the famous Trishul manoeuvre. In this, the lead Su-30 would execute a vertical manoeuvre on reaching in front of the dais while the flanking ac would split outwards forming a trident, he added. The end of the parade will be marked by a single SU-30 MKI aircraft Flanker of the IAF, carrying out the signature 'vertical charlie' in front of the dais. All aircraft will fly in from the Rashtrapati Bhavan side and exit towards the India Gate at height between 60 metres to 300 metres above ground level. The Narendra Modi government has cleared the appointment of Jawed Ashraf, a 1991 batch IFS officer, as the next Ambassador to France. He will succeed Vinay Kwatra, a 1988 batch IFS officer, who has been sent to Nepal as a replacement for superannuated Manjiv Puri. Both the officers have served in Prime Ministers office in the past. Top government officials told Hindustan Times that Ashraf, currently Ambassador to Singapore, has been given the assignment to further cement special strategic relations with France, an important ally of India, while Kwatra will have a tough job of handling Kathmandu, which has veered towards Beijing off-late with a Communist regime at the helm of affairs. Just as Kwatra will have to use his diplomatic acumen to handle Kathmandu, Jawed, an old US strategic hand, is expected to use his skills to take the relationship further with Paris. With the appointment of Kwatra and Ashraf, the government is soon expected to take a call on who goes to Washington as ambassador to replace Harsh Shringla, who takes over as Indias Foreign Secretary on January 29. Front-runners for the coveted US post are T S Thirumurthy, Secretary, MEA and Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Indian Ambassador to Pakistan Ajay Besaria goes to Canada. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has announced that the final deadline to submit entries for the 45th Annual Gracie Awards has been extended until January 23, 2020. The Gracie Awards, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, celebrate programming and individual achievement by, for and about women in television, radio and interactive media. Submissions from all facets of media are encouraged. AWMF is also pleased to announce Ziploc Brand as the Diamond Sponsor of the 2020 Gracies Gala. The women featured and honored at The Gracie Awards are the same hard-working, busy women Ziploc brand helps to stay organized. With the launch of the fashionable Ziploc Accessory Bags, busy women have the perfect solution to stay organized while on the go, with versatile designs, durable material and multiple sizes. As a trusted brand among women, Ziploc brand is excited to partner with the 2020 Gracies Gala to celebrate women in media. The Alliance for Women in Media is also proud to partner with its newest Honorary Trustee, Jinny Laderer, Co-founder & CEO, vCreative. Laderer joins Jason Bailey, Sun Broadcast Group, Catherine Frymark, Discovery Communications, and Mark Gray, Katz Radio Group, as 2020 Honorary Trustees. "Each year, the Gracie Awards turn the spotlight on the best and brightest in all segments of the media industry, on and off the screen, by recognizing groundbreakers in radio, television and interactive media," says Becky Brooks, AWM/F executive director. "As our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Gracies enables the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation to deliver on its promise of furthering the connection, education and recognition of women in media. All of this is made possible by our amazing sponsors like Ziploc brand and our Honorary Trustees." The 2020 Gracie Awards entry eligibility air dates are from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. Entry details, including pricing and updated categories, can be viewed at https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/call-for-entries/. The 45th Annual Gracie Awards Gala will be held on May 19, 2020, at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel and the Gracie Awards Luncheon will be held on June 24, 2020, in New York City at Cipriani 42nd Street. To learn more, visit https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/. About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation: In 1960, the Alliance for Women in Media became the first professional broadcasting organization to establish an educational foundation. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards, a gala that honors exemplary programming created by, for or about women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, educational organization. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Twitter and Facebook. For more information about the Gracie Awards and to submit your entries, please visit www.allwomeninmedia.org/gracies. SOURCE Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Related Links http://allwomeninmedia.org A petty issue of some people riding motorcycles without silencers in Telangana's Bhainsa late on Sunday night had turned into arguments between members of two communities, followed by assault, stone-pelting and arson Hyderabad: Forty people have been arrested so far in connection with the communal clashes at Bhainsa town in Nirmal district, where the situation was peaceful and under control, police said on Tuesday. Clashes broke out in the town over a petty issue about some people riding motorcycles without silencers late on Sunday night leading to arguments between members of two communities, followed by assault, stone-pelting and arson which continued beyond midnight. Even though prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code banning assembly of more than five people, was imposed in the town some members of both sides again clashed by indulging in stone-pelting on Monday after which police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse them. "The situation is peaceful and totally under control.. we are supervising the situation," a senior district official told PTI over phone on Tuesday. Police registered cases and during the course of investigation examined CCTV footages and arrested 25 people from both the communities. Apart from deployment of large number of police personnel drawn from adjoining districts, RAF personnel were also deployed since Monday night. Internet services remained suspended in the town. The fight turned violent with members of the two communities setting on fire over 20 vehicles including two- wheelers and a car, besides ransacking houses. Some of the rioters allegedly cut off water pipes of the fire engines that were engaged in extinguishing the flames, district officials said adding some residents have also claimed that their houses were also looted by an angry mob. On the prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code banning assembly of more than five people, a police official said restrictions would be lifted if the situation continues to remain peaceful. The official said the police would not allow any leader to come to Bhainsa who try to provoke people with regard to the clashes. Condemning the violence in Bhainsa town, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said he spoke to the Telangana DGP on the issue. Im deeply troubled by the news of violent attack on individuals and properties at Bhainsa, Telangana. Such actions are condemnable. Spoke to @TelanganaDGP on the need to provide security to all citizens & their properties. Also called for strict action against the miscreants. G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) January 14, 2020 The BJP in Telangana demanded an NIA probe into the communal incident. In a statement, BJP's Telangana state chief spokesperson K KrishnaSaagar Rao claimed that few criminal mobs have 'intentionally planned' and 'physically attacked' Hindus, besides burning their vehicles and homes. "Huge arson is being reported by the local Hindu population, who are now fearful of more violence in the near future," he said. Meanwhile, Telangana's lone BJP MLA T Raja Singh Lodh, who had announced that he would be visiting Bhainsa town, was on Tuesday "detained" at his residence in Hyderabad. Following instructions, the BJP MLA was confined to his house, police said. "I have been house arrested today at my residence while I was leaving for Bhainsa to meet my Hindu Vahini karyakartas... When MIM and TRS leaders are allowed why I have been stopped?," Raja Singh tweeted, addressing the Telangana DGP. Jerusalem: Israeli lawmakers on Monday approved the formation of a committee to consider Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for legal immunity, a major setback for the embattled leader who is seeking to fend off corruption charges. Netanyahu was charged in November with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases involving trading political and regulatory favors for positive news coverage, and accepting gifts from billionaire friends. Netanyahu's opponents make up a majority in the current caretaker parliament, and his request for immunity is expected to be rejected. Netanyahu has tried to delay the vote on immunity until after March 2 elections, when he hopes a more sympathetic slate of lawmakers will be chosen. The prime minister, Israel's longest serving, has denied any wrongdoing. He called the charges against him an ?attempted coup" by law enforcement. Nonetheless, earlier this month Netanyahu formally asked parliament for immunity from prosecution. Netanyahu's Likud party has tried to delay the immunity proceedings through a series of legal challenges and personal attacks on legal officials. But on Sunday, the parliament's legal adviser ruled that there were no grounds for preventing the formation of the committee that deals with immunity requests. On Monday, lawmakers voted in favor of forming the House Committee, which is to rule on the immunity request. Court proceedings in Netanyahu's corruption cases cannot begin until the Knesset, Israel's parliament, settles the prime minister's immunity request. If the committee, as expected, rejects his request, he would be forced to seek re-election with the cloud of a trial looming over him. Israeli Cabinet members must resign if indicted, but the prime minister is not explicitly required to do so. Also Read: Israel's Netanyahu Declares Victory In Ruling Party Leadership Primary Netanyahu, who has been led the government for 11 years, has served as caretaker prime minister for the past year after twice failing to form a coalition after elections in April and September. Israel is now heading into an unprecedented third election in under a year. The March vote is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's ability to serve. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. If you live in a town or city anywhere in the world, you'll find that your place of residence identifies as part of one country. But Busingen am Hochrhein is no ordinary German town. This village has a population of 1,450 where two cultures and political systems work together to afford residents the comfort of a German location while allowing them to celebrate being economically Swiss. Where Binationality Is A Way Of Life The BBC reports that Busingen has been binational in identity for centuries now. Located near the Rhine, town residents are proud to represent two European cultures, and they've even made several interesting compromises along the way so they can hang on to their way of life. German-Swiss borders are open in this small enclave to help residents go about their business. The caveat is that Swiss police can arrest German troublemakers and bring them to the country for booking. Notably, only about 700 meters separate Busingen residents from Switzerland. Unlike the rest of Germany, residents use the Swiss franc as their currency even though the Euro is Germany's legal currency. Residents can use German and Swiss postal codes to receive mail. Restaurant Waldheim is located exactly on the border, which means diners can be in two places at once. Not Everything Is Sorted Busingen cemented its peculiar place in world history and geography because of a family feud in 1693. The village was a part of Austria then, and the Austrian government kept Busingen when it sold the property to Zurich. Lo and behold, the Austrian empire collapsed and a new country was bornGermany. Busingen was a part of the Austrian empire comprising the new nation, so residents got a new nationality as a result of these political changes. The Swiss tried to find ways for the town to re-join the country, and it almost succeeded. A 1918 referendum to be reinstated to Switzerland passed with a staggering 96% 'yes' vote. However, the German government had been hoping to trade something with Switzerland to make up for what would have become a lost territory. When the Swiss had nothing to exchange with Germany, the nation decided to keep Busingen. But the town held on to its steadfast Swiss identity. German soldiers respected Swiss customs whenever they set foot in Busingen, putting their guns and helmets away due to local neutrality. A formal agreement was reached in 1967 and is responsible for Busingen's special concessions. The town is on German soil but participates in the Swiss economic area. Taxes as a major source of frustration for the town, which attracts retired elders who can enjoy Germany's lower cost of living. An Example Of How Brexit Could Work? Despite a few hurdles here and there, Busingen's local arrangement has been working beautifully for everyone thus far. Leaders in the European Union have argued that the EU could give Northern Ireland special concessions after Brexit, thanks in part to Busingen's decades-long arrangments. As India plans to roll out a nationwide facial recognition system this year, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan believes that the country must develop its own databases for efficient implementation of breakthrough technologies that use artificial intelligence and machine learning. A facial recognition system is a technology capable of identifying or verifying a person by analysing patterns based on the person's facial textures and shape. Gopalakrishnan noted that India should carry out its own trials before implementing the facial recognition systems, as currently the algorithms used to train these mostly employ data of white men belonging to the Anglo-Saxon community, and it is unclear whether it will work properly in the country. "We also need to look at biases. One of the reasons why I believe India must do research in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) particularly is because most of the databases that are used to train these systems which we use today are being trained with data which is not from India, he told PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the Infosys Prize ceremony here. Gopalakrishnan, who is also the trustee at Infosys Science Foundation (ISF), noted that AI is a tool which impacts every industry, including research. The Infosys co-founder explained that AI and machine learning can be used to further leverage data to create new products, and new services like facial recognition, text translation, and diagnostics. Facial recognition is typically used as access control in security systems, and can be compared to other biometrics such as fingerprint or eye iris recognition systems. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) last year said the proposed facial recognition system will help catch criminals, and find missing children. Asked about the concerns raised by activists and tech experts who warn of the risks to privacy and from increased surveillance, Gopalkrishnan said "we need to sit down and come out with ethics governing the facial recognition as it is an issue that the people all over the world are grappling with." "We need to start building our own databases. Training databases must include sufficient data from India. It is a chicken and egg problem. "Because when you have huge amount of data, if you want to leverage the computing power to analyse that data, and come out with patterns or inferences, machine learning is the tool to use to find the patterns for you," he said. Gopalakrishnan added that a soft stance may be required to train Indians to use these systems, understand the implications, as well as the downside and go forward. "There is a lot of debate about using facial recognition in even unlocking your phone, but now they are going back to biometrics or iris recognition because in some way the facial recognition didn't work as it should be, he said. "But we should be doing this work. Don't wait for somebody else's tool to come to India. We should start collecting our own data that is is very important, he added. Citing another example of AI and ML use, Gopalakrishnan said scientists can use standardised DNA sequencing databases, specific to India, to develop new molecules and treatment protocols, with these systems trained using this native data. "We should be doing our own trials before deciding whether it works in India or not. The human being is as important as these tools because we make the decision to either not use the data, or to fine tune the data," Gopalakrishnan added. A government helicopter loaded with anti-ASF disinfectant solution is seen flying above Paju, just south of the North Korean border, Oct. 4, 2019, prior to spraying to curb the spread of African Swine Fever. / Yonhap By Lee Suh-yoon Quarantine officials are facing criticism for allegedly causing damage to the Imjin River ecosystem by spreading a toxic disinfectant along the North Korean border to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), according to environmental activists, Tuesday. Quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as Quats, were found in the disinfectant solution that helicopters indiscriminately sprayed over parts of the Imjin River and the DMZ to stop the virus from traveling south. So far, there have been 72 reported cases of ASF in wild boars near the border with North Korea. A powerful antibacterial agent, Quats are found in detergents and other household cleaning solutions. Though effective at cleaning hog farms, some studies have shown that high concentrations of the chemical can be fatal to fish populations. The problem surfaced last week, after a group of local fishermen in Paju reported a drastic drop in the Imjin River's fish stocks. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) which is in charge of the ASF quarantine immediately rebutted the fishermen's claims that the drop in fishing stock could be related to the anti-ASF solution, saying it only used environmentally-friendly disinfectants that "break down easily in the environment and do not accumulate in living matter." Barbed wire fences have been set up along the Imjin River at Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. / Yonhap However, a follow-up report by the local Hankyoreh daily newspaper painted a different story. According to the report, Quats have been included in disinfectant solutions sprayed over Paju and Yeongcheon in northern Gyeonggi Province since late September last year. Local governments chose and provided the solutions to the ministry, which is in charge of the aerial dissemination, and Paju City and Yeoncheon County provided ones with a 10 percent concentration of Quats. The Quat compound used by Yeoncheon was a DDAC, which studies have shown to be fatal to fish as well as causing sterility and deformation in mice. This went on for a month without proper oversight, until MAFRA finally discovered the situation in late October and demanded local governments to provide more eco-friendly disinfectant solutions. "What we feared has been confirmed. There was no control tower with the anti-ASF aerial operations," Noh Hyun-ki, head of the Paju branch of the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, told The Korea Times. "They just took whatever Paju, Yeoncheon or Cheolwon gave them and recklessly sprayed it all over [the quarantine region]." Regulators overseeing the removal of an illicit stockpile of toxic chemicals failed to detect that the company responsible, Bradbury Industrial Services, was mislabelling the waste during the clean-up operation in a bid to dump it for a second time. The deception has left at least two legitimate dangerous goods storage operators on the hook for hefty clean-up bills and facing potential punishment by the Environment Protection Authority. David Barry Logistics operations director Stephen Campbell and CEO Sonya Constantine in front of toxic waste sent to their storage facility by Bradbury Industrial Services. Credit:Eddie Jim Bradbury concealed up to 2 million litres of waste chemicals in shipments labelled as industrial fuel so the material could be unwittingly accepted for storage at licensed facilities or sent for international export. The scheme, which ran during an investigation by WorkSafe into the company, was only exposed after Bradburys Campbellfield recycling facility was destroyed by a massive blaze in April last year and the business later collapsed. Krishnajeev TR, popularly known as Fukru on TikTok has become the youngest contestant to enter the Bigg Boss Malayalam House. Fukru, who is 24 years of age has been selected for the second season of Bigg Boss Malayalam, owing to his popularity as a comic artist on TikTok. A professional biker, Fukru has risen to fame on TikTok owing to his professionally planned bike stunts and comedy videos. The creators TikTok videos are inspired from famous action and comedy movies. Hailing from the town of Kottarakkara in Kerala, Fukru has 3.6 million fans on the platform and recently made a film debut in a Malayalam movie, 'Thallumpidi'. Fukru was also part of TikToks 2019 Rewind campaign, showing his bike moves and you can watch the video here- Fukru entered the Bigg Boss House three days back with 16 other contestants. TikTok is the worlds most popular destination for creating and sharing short-form mobile videos. TikToks mission is to capture and present the world's creativity, knowledge and moments that matter directly from the mobile phone, by enabling everyone to be a creator. New Delhi/Washington, Jan 14 : US President Donald Trump is slated to visit India next month for the first time since he joined office and before he goes to elections for a second term later this year. Top sources told IANS that New Delhi and Washington DC are in the process of finalizing dates. "We are working on mutually agreed dates. It is likely to happen soon," an official of the Ministry of External Affairs said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump share a strong relationship, a glimpse of which was displayed last year in Houston where the two leaders endorsed each other before a massive Indian diaspora. Though, majority of Indians in the US have historically and traditionally been Democrat voters, the 'Howdy Modi' event in Texas, may have struck a new political dynamic. Republicans in the US hope to swing Indian votes in their favour in the next presidential elections. President Trump's visit to India, sources said, will most likely be finalized after his impeachment trial begins in the Senate next week. The trial is an outcome of the initiative of the House of Representatives which voted in favour of impeaching President Trump allegedly for seeking help from Ukraine to influence the 2020 presidential elections. The last US President who visited India was Barack Obama in 2015. New Delhi and Washington DC are expected to sign a trade deal pending since 2018, amid an economic slowdown in India. New Delhi: The terrorist, killed in a joint operation by police and security forces in Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (January 13), has been identified as Adil Gulzar Ganie affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. According to Kashmir Zone Police, Ganie was a resident of Dalvan Budgam and was actively involved in terror-related activities. He was wanted by the police for his complicity in terror crime including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. According to the police records, Ganie had a history of terror crime records since 2019 and was part of groups involved in planning and executing terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities. Several cases are registered against him, including one at Char-i-Shareef police station. Live TV On Monday, the J&K Police and security forces launched a joint search operation in Behrampura area in Budgam after receiving specific inputs about the presence of a 1-2 terrorists in the area. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party which they retaliated, leading to a gunbattle. In the ensuing encounter, the terrorist was killed and his body was later retrieved by the police. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. The security forces took all the materials into their possession and sent it for further investigation. The authorities, in the meantime, requested the people to cooperate with the police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials. VIX cools off 2% The Nifty January 2020 were at 12,362.30, a premium of 32.70 points compared with the Nifty's closing of 12,395 in the cash market. In the cash market, the Nifty 50 index gained 32.75 points or 0.27% to 12,362.30. Turnover on the National Stock Exchange's & options (F&O) segment was Rs 10.44 lakh crore compared with Rs 8.74 lakh crore reported in the previous session. The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, fell 2.2% to 13.96. On the options front, the Nifty option chain for 30 January 2020 expiry showed maximum call open interest (OI) of 27.33 lakh contracts at the 12,500 strike price. Maximum put OI of 45.72 lakh contracts was seen at 12,000 strike price. The option chain indicates that Nifty will hover between 12,000 and 12,500 in the January 2020 series. Yes Bank (down 8.31%) was banned from trading in NSE's F&O segment after the security crossed 95% of market wide position limit. IndusInd Bank, Tata Global Beverage and SBI were the top traded individual stock contracts in F&O segment of NSE for January expiry. IndusInd Bank January 2020 futures were at 1,485.90, compared with spot closing price of 1478.20. Tata Global Beverage January 2020 futures were at 387.75, compared with spot closing price of 389.10. SBI January 2020 futures were at 329.60, compared with spot closing price of 328.10. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Egyptian armed forces' second and third field armies carried out several combat missions on Tuesday, as part of the Qader 2020 drills, a statement read. According to the statement, the training activities began with raising combat readiness and inspection by participating forces, followed by the second field army conducting a number of raids on terrorist hotbeds in northern Sinai. It also included intensifying security measures in tunnels, crossings and ferries along watercourses of the Suez Canal and the Mediterraneanm in cooperation with air and naval forces. The third field armys forces executed a number of training activities and raids of terrorist hideouts in central Sinai along with continued security at watercourses of the Suez Canal, the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, in cooperation with naval and air forces, who also secured vital areas and terrorist attractions in central and southern Sinai. The Egyptian southern military zone forces raised readiness and executed a tactical training with a live shooting range while securing southern borders with Sudan and Libya, the statement added. Qader 2020 comes under Egypts progress in the fighting spirits of the armed forces formations and units and ability to execute missions. Search Keywords: Short link: Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias will travel to Morocco tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 January, to meet with the countrys political leadership. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will have talks with the Prime Minister of Morocco, Saad Eddine El Othmani, the President of the House of Representatives, Habib El Malki, and his counterpart, Nasser Bourita. Talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations and issues of regional and international interest, including the situation in Libya. The pair, stranded on the sea end of the rock when the arch collapsed without warning at 7:45 pm, were rescued by a police helicopter about three hours later. One of Victorias premier natural attractions, the London Bridge rock formation in the Port Campbell National Park near Peterborough, collapsed last night only minutes after two sightseers had crossed it. Police said no one was injured when the 40-metre section of arch, one of several famous rock formations along the Great Ocean Road, fell into the surf. The arch was about six kilometres west of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road. The two stranded people were Kelli Harrison, of Caves Beach, near Newcastle, and David Darrington, of Townsville. They were sightseeing together. Mr Darrington said he had waited for two elderly people to walk off the top of the arch and just started to photograph it when it collapsed. There was no warning. The arch just broke into a couple of large pieces and fell into the sea. I yelled out to Kelli to sit down and hang on because I thought we would be washed off, Mr Darrington said. [January 14, 2020] Security Services Industry Procurement Intelligence Report | Trends that Will Impact Price Growth in This Industry | SpendEdge SpendEdge has been monitoring the global security services industry and the industry is poised to experience spend growth of more than USD 80 billion between 2019-2024 at a CAGR of over 8% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005503/en/ Read the 131-page research report with TOC and LOE on "The Global Security Services Industry - Procurement Intelligence Report, Pricing Outlook in Geographies that include APAC, North America, South America, and MEA, and insights into best practices to optimize procurement spend." Factors such as the increase in the instances of IP infringement, the frequency of economic and sporting events are exposing masses to significant security risks. This is creating a pressing requirement to engage security services across the domestic and business sectors across the globe and in the process is driving investments in the security services industry at a substantial rate. The US is one of the dominant regions in the global security services industry in terms of spend share and is accounting for over 80% of the total regional demand. Factors such as increasing standardization of private security regulations and the US-based SME's preference towards the contract guarding industry segment are driving adoption in the security services industry in the US. Subscribe to our procurement platform to get instant access to oer 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. Insights into the industry price trends The potential impact on the security services prices because of the rise in minimum labor wages will be countered by the fact that most of the developed nations are replacing manned security services with integrated security solutions. This will contribute to the stability in the price of procuring in the global security services industry. Overhead expenses such as costs related to utilities, insurance, taxes, repairs, and advertising will observe a minimal increase which will have a hairline impact on the security services prices. What are the strategies to adopt to optimize procurement spend in this industry? Leverage integrated solutions to reduce costs The adoption of technology-based security services is an effective way for buyers to reduce the procurement costs associated with security services. However, the efficacy of these solutions gets compromised when the security systems are used in silos. Using integrated solutions is an excellent way of reducing costs and redundancy associated with standalone security systems. Develop a risk profile of risks faced by organizations Buyers are advised to develop a risk profile of the threats faced by their organizations and assess the their abilities to absorb the same. This would help in eliminating unnecessary outlay on risks that can be borne by the buyers or can be mitigated through more cost-effective measures. Buy 1 report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 reports and get the third for free. Download the free sample of this report on the security services industry. Some of the key topics covered in this report are: Security services industry spend segmentation by region Total cost of ownership analysis in the security services industry Regional spend opportunity for security service providers Security service providers cost structure Security services pricing models analysis Security services procurement best practices Category management objectives Cost saving opportunities in the security services industry Free sample of reports that you may like: Global Smart Building Technology Market - Procurement Intelligence Report Global Building Materials Market - Procurement Intelligence Report About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005503/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Taiwan separatists are doomed to "stink for eternity", China's top diplomat warned after the island's President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing. Tsai, who has drawn the ire of Beijing for refusing to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China", secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's vote. But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed her victory and warned supporters of Taiwan independence during a week-long tour through Africa. "Splitting the country is doomed to leave a name that will stink for eternity," Wang said in a statement on Monday. The "one-China principle" is a "universal consensus" held by the international community, he said, and one that will "not be affected in the slightest by a local election in Taiwan." Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan -- by force if necessary -- loathes Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China. Over the last four years, the Chinese government has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition. But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. After Tsai's victory, China doubled down on its "one-China principle", with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang emphasising that "there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China." He also slammed country leaders who had congratulated Tsai's win, including the US, Britain, and Japan. "We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China," Geng said in a statement. Story continues Wang issued the strong warning to Taiwan separatists during a trip that took him to Zimbabwe, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea and Burundi, highlighting China's growing political interest and economic clout in Africa. African leaders on his trip "all clearly expressed adherence to the one-China principle," said Wang in a statement. They all see Taiwan as an "inseparable part of China's territory," he added. The Dublin North, North East Recovery College, in conjunction with Dundalk Institute of Technology's Dept of Nursing present, Journeys Where I Am Now?, a Winter Wellbeing Festival as part of First Fortnight 2020 on Friday, January 17 at DkIT. The event will be comprised of a series "of journeys, understanding, and integration of wellbeing". A spokesperson for the event said: "Our journey will commence on a high note as we launch our publication of selected stories and poems. What I Know Now, written by participants of the Dublin North North East Recovery College and Silver Thread workshops. "We will also be launching our Song Creation Collective- our debut single C.D with original music, written and performed by students of Recovery College. "Together our launch showcases the artistic creativeness and talent of our diverse student community. "Following on with samples of our readings and song we move to a Dialogue with a panel, where we will recovery journeys and mental health. "We experience some taster workshops and wellbeing sessions. After an informative and fascinating morning, we will join again together for a final session of music and dance celebrating our transcultural recovery journey." This event will be for three hours, registration from 9.15. To Register contact: DNNE Recovery College: Phone 01 700 7907 Email recoverycollege@dcu.ie A judge has ruled that she wont allow Jeremy Christian in his upcoming double-murder trial to walk through a MAX train car with jurors because of death threats made against him since his 2017 arrest. Christian is accused of fatally stabbing two strangers after he shouted slurs at two teenage girls, one who was wearing a hijab. Multnomah County Circuit Judge Cheryl Albrecht said the risk to Christians life or to the safety of others near him if he ventures outside the courthouse or jail would be exacerbated by any media reports that might let people know when the tour of the train car was scheduled during the trial. (T)he Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, who has custody of the defendant, has reported information received over the course of his more than 30 months incarceration indicates there are numerous threats to harm or kill the defendant, Albrecht wrote in her ruling Friday. The judge also said Christians presence at the train car would only magnify the presence and attention of the media thereby enhancing the possibility that the jury could be distracted from its task. The judge noted that Christians case has been the subject of intense media coverage. 12 Jeremy Christian moves closer to trial Jury selection for the six-week trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and opening arguments are expected Jan. 28. The trial is anticipated to wrap up by the end of February. Earlier this month, the judge ruled jurors will get to tour the same model of train car -- but not the actual car -- where Christian is accused of the first-degree murders of Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche. Prosecutors say Christian also stabbed a third passenger, Micah Fletcher, in the neck, as the train pulled into the Hollywood MAX station on May 26, 2017. Fletcher survived. Prosecutors requested the jury view of the train car to help jurors understand the layout of the crime scene. Christians attorneys argued allowing the jury to see the train car would amount to a weird and emotional funerary procession that would effectively place jurors in the shoes of Christian and the two dead men. Defense attorneys also contended that a visit to the train car would be unnecessary because jurors will gain a good understanding of the cars layout through photos, video and witness testimony. In her written ruling, the judge asked prosecutors to explore the possibility of recording a video of the jurys visit to the train car that could be watched later. The court finds defendant does not have a fundamental right to be present as long as the nature of the view is a bare inspection, where counsel are permitted, and when there are no statements or evidence other than pointing out essential features. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Advertisement Prince William smiles and concentrates as he smiles and gives an MBE to expert Alex Duguid while using sign language Prince William was back at work at Buckingham Palace today just 24 hours after the Queen agreed Prince Harry could quit as a frontline royal and move to Canada with his family. The Duke of Cambridge put on a brave face as he stepped in for his 93-year-old grandmother at an investiture ceremony this afternoon after taking his three children to school and nursery this morning. Despite the turmoil in his family and the rift with his younger brother, William grinned as he knighted Theresa May's Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins and former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss before sharing a joke as he gave gongs to rapper MIA, Scottish composer Anna Meredith and BBC golf expert Ken Brown. And in a heart-warming moment, William beamed as he signed 'congratulations' as he gave an MBE to sign language expert Alex Duguid, who has signed Emmerdale and Coronation Street for deaf ITV viewers for decades. The third-in-line to the throne was back to work as Meghan Markle denied she was barred from 'dialling in' to the landmark Sandringham summit from Canada as the Sussex team continues to negotiate an abdication deal on money, titles and establishing their international commercial brand. Palace officials working for the Queen, Prince Charles and William were said to have feared yesterday's talks could have been recorded or intercepted if the Duchess took part from Vancouver, where she is with Archie. But today the couple's Kensington Palace spokesman insisted Meghan was not shut out and just left it to her husband, saying: 'In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the Duchess to join'. Prince Charles' wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Anne, were also carrying out royal duties with a visit to the University of Aberdeen this afternoon, where Anne received an honorary degree from her sister-in-law. After the family meeting at Sandringham yesterday, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell decision. The 'big four' Windsors are not expected to meet again in person but will be consulted by phone as their private secretaries thrash out a deal over their titles, tax bills, royal duties, funding and living arrangements in Canada and the UK as well as who will pay to protect them. Sir Edward Young for the Queen, Clive Alderton for Charles, Simon Case for William and Fiona Mcilwham for Harry have been ordered by Her Majesty to get a deal done within days. Prince William was back at work today, knighting Theresa May's brexit negotiator Olly Robbins as his brother Harry's decision to quit as a frontline royal caused chaos Rapper and singer MIA - real name Mathangi Arulpragasam is made an MBE by William before he knighted former England captain Andrew Strauss at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today Prince William leaves Kensington Palace after returning to London to be with his family after meeting his brother face-to-face at Sandringham yesterday before the Queen confirmed Harry's exit to Canada - but the Sussexes' spokesman has denied Meghan was barred from the summit Prince Harry was warned there are formidable obstacles to overcome before he can stand down as a senior royal (Prince pictured with Meghan Markle at Canada House in London last Tuesday, the last time they were pictured in public) Who is leading Megxit talks for the Queen, Charles, William and Harry? The Queen's private secretary Sir Edward Young Sir Edward Young, whose job may be on the line depending on the talks' outcome Sir Edward, who has worked for the Queen for 16 years, is responsible for supporting the monarch in her duties as head of state and is the channel of communication between the Queen and the Government. He previously worked for Granada as head of corporate communications and for the bank Barclays, where he held a range of financial and executive roles. Sir Edward reportedly played an influential role in getting the monarch to star in the much talked-about 2012 Olympics opening sequence film with James Bond actor Daniel Craig. But Princess Anne and Prince Edward have called on the Queen to sack him as a result of the recent royal chaos, it has been claimed. The Prince of Wales' principal private secretary Clive Alderton The Prince with his principal private secretary Clive Alderton Mr Alderton is a career diplomat who became Britain's ambassador to Morocco after a previous six-year stint as an aide at Clarence House between 2006 and 2012. Always sharply dressed with blond combed-over hair, he regularly accompanied Charles on overseas tours. Camilla in particular is said to 'adore' him, one source told the Times. The Duke of Cambridge's private secretary Simon Case Brexit negotiator turned royal aide Simon Case Mr Case was a leading civil servant previously tasked with trying to solve the border issue in Northern Ireland and Ireland during Brexit discussions. The Cambridge University history graduate, who undertook a PhD in political history at Queen Mary university in London, also served as former Prime Minister David Cameron's principal private secretary. He took up the role with Mr Cameron after serving as director of strategy at the intelligence and security organisation GCHQ. The Duke of Sussex's new private secretary Fiona Mcilwham Fiona Mcilwham, the Sussexes new private secretary is expected to be at the summit Ms Mcilwham is a top diplomat and became one of the UK's youngest ever ambassadors when she was posted to Albania aged just 35 in 2009. She swiftly impressed in the role, with Albanian journalist Muhamed Veliu telling the Mail on Sunday she 'quickly gained huge respect' at a time of mounting political tension over organised crime. She describes herself on social media as a 'wannabe supermum', where she also lists having held diplomatic posts in Washington, Brussels, Baghdad and Sarajevo. Ms Mcilwham is said to have joked with colleagues: 'I was offered the Iran desk [at the FCO]. That might have been easier'. Advertisement This morning Prince William surfaced for the first time since the Queen agreed the couple could quit as senior Royals and plan a new life together in North America with their eight-month-old son. The Duke of Cambridge was on the school run in London this morning after spending yesterday afternoon in face-to-face talks with his grandmother, father and Harry amid claims of a deep rift between the two siblings and their spouses after a series of rows dating back a year. The Queen has said that hammering out a viable blueprint for Harry and Meghan's financially independent future was proving 'complex' and indicated more details need to be ironed out - including their use of the Sussex title to build their business brand in North America. 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example,' said one senior figure last night, adding: 'No one wants to see the Sussex name on a tub of margarine' - a nod to when Princess Diana's Memorial Fund logo appeared on millions of Flora boxes a year after her death. Prince Charles is said to be focussed on money because Harry relies on his father's annual 2.3million Duchy of Cornwall payment to meet family bills. The Prince of Wales has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate when he uproots to North America. A friend said: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' William and Harry's relationship is feared to be at an all-time low following a series of furious rows including a bust up before a polo event in July last year - while Kate and Meghan are also said to have had words after the Duchess of Sussex reportedly 'b*****ed' Kensington Palace staff before Christmas 2018. But the Duke of Sussex is said to believe that his brother and his wife Kate 'never gave Meghan a chance' in the 20 months since their married with his wife said to have told him over Christmas in Vancouver: 'It's not working for me' - hastening their decision to quit as senior royals. According to Daily Mail editor-at-large Richard Kay's inside account of the Norfolk showdown: Harry arrived two hours early to secure a one-to-one meeting with the Queen to give his side of the story; But William arrived just 15 minutes before the summit was due to start as sources claim he and his brother have fallen out; Sources close to Prince Charles said he warned Harry he does not have 'unlimited resources' to prop up his new lifestyle; The two-hour meeting between the Queen, Charles, William and Harry was conducted in a 'calm' environment. Talks on money, titles and other privileges will continue today with the Queen very clear that a deal must be done this week; According to friends, Harry arrived ahead of schedule to square things with his grandmother, who came into the crunch talks deeply disappointed with him and Meghan for wanting to step back from their official duties. William skipped lunch and arrived just minutes before the talks began. In last night's statement, the Queen's sincere regret was made clear, saying she 'would have preferred them to remain full-time working members'. But after her one-to-one with Harry - followed by two hours of 'calm' discussions with him, Charles and William - Her Majesty agreed to a 'transition period' where the Duke and Duchess would step away from Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. After the meeting concluded, Princes Charles, William and Harry left in three separate cars. The Queen has ordered staff to find a solution 'within days' to the remaining sticking points, including the couple's future funding, which is expected to impose rigid rules on their commercial activities. This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. Yesterday's unprecedented Royal parley culminated with a 5pm statement from the Palace, in which the Queen gave Harry and Meghan the green light to press ahead with plans to become 'financially independent'. The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The Queen's statement in full Monday evening after a day of showdown talks to decide the futures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prince William pictured leaving Sandringham after yesterday's crunch talks with Harry, Prince Charles and the Queen - he then drove back to London Prince Harry (pictured leaving yesterday in the back seat), Prince William and Prince Charles left Sandringham in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving last night) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal Meghan's mother Doria drives in LA yesterday, as her daughter quits as a senior royal after just 20 months The key battlegrounds for the Sussexes' Megxit deal Titles Harry and Meghan have made clear they wish to continue to undertake duties on behalf of the Queen - and for that they will need titles. They could, of course, voluntarily relinquish their HRHs, which allows them to be called His and Her Royal Highness. Even if they were to do that, they could still retain their courtesy titles, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which were given to them by the Queen when they married. But the entire ethos of the couple's new brand - Sussex Royal - is built around the fact that they have the kudos of being a royal highness. Roles 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex deeply believe in the role of The Monarchy, and their commitment to Her Majesty The Queen is unwavering,' the couple say on their new website. It is not yet clear whether stating their hope of continuing to support the Queen was simply a clever move designed to force the royal family's hand. If, for whatever reason, the rest of the family say this is impossible or unwanted, it will give the Sussexes the martyrdom they crave and make the entire institution of the monarchy look old-fashioned, unwieldly and unprogressive. But the family's biggest fear all along is that any role which consitutes a 'one foot in, one foot out' approach to being a member of the royal family is simply unworkable, particularly given the couple's determination to be able to earn their own incomes and all that entails. One of the options on the table is that Harry and Meghan are allowed to keep their personal patronages and they would also be allowed to attend big set-piece family events such as Trooping The Colour. All other royal duties, however, would be dramatically scaled back. Tax Royal aides and government officials have drawn up documents setting out the 'stark reality' of stepping back from royal duties and moving abroad. Harry could face a potential 'double tax' on any commercial income, and bills running into the millions of pounds from multiple authorities. Canada requires residents - anyone who spends more 183 days or more in the country - and some property owners to pay income tax on their global earnings. Similar rules apply in the UK, although the limit here is 90 days. Meghan, who is an American citizen, already has to be taxed in the US on worldwide earnings regardless of where she lives. This means Harry might have to give up his UK residency or limit his time in Canada if he doesn't want to pay incomes in both countries, It is also likely to open up their personal financial affairs to greater scrutiny, something the royal family have never been keen on. Funding Harry and Meghan have made great virtue on their new website of the fact that they are to relinquish their funding via the Sovereign Grant - basically taxpayers money - which they claim amounts to just five per cent of their funding anyway. They say it has been specifically used to fund their official office expenses - but they also get money from the public purse for travel undertaken on official engagements both in the UK and abroad which, particularly if they are travelling further afield, could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds each year - if not millions. Their website states for the first time that 95 per cent of their annual funding comes from the Duchy of Cornwall, a private estate used to fund the official work and living expenses of the Prince of Wales. Will Charles want to continue to foot this? Can he justify it? And would anything he give them in the future - the bill is currently estimated to be around 2.3 million - be liable to tax now? Commerce Harry and Meghan claim there is 'precedent' for holding a title and earning an income and state there are current members of the Royal family who support the monarch and also have full time jobs external to those commitments. Harry and Meghan currently undertake 200 plus engagements a year between them while the prince is sixth in line to the throne and his son, Archie, seventh. They are high profile public figures in a way that the Queen's two gradndaughters and her cousin and his wife are just not. Members of the Royal Family who have attempted to go down this route in the past including the Earl and Countess of Wessex - who were forced to give up their television production and PR careers after a series of scandals. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who famously said they would go anywhere for a hot meal, and the Duchess of York, who made a string of disastrous business deals that led her to the brink bankruptcy, have learned to their cost that it can be perilous balancing their privileged royal status with business. Frogmore Cottage The couple have stated that they wish to keep Frogmore Cottage, the Crown Estate-owned home on the Queen's Windsor Estate which was refurbished for them with 2.4 million-worth of taxpayers' money. In short, the Queen still owns the property but gave it to the Sussexes to live in for as long as they wanted and to use as their official residence. But the refurbishment of Frogmore and the bill to taxpayers caused a public outcry at the time, and members of the public have made clear in recent surveys that they will not stomach the couple still owning it, while spending the majority of their time out of the country. Security As members of the Royal Family, the couple are entitled to 24/7 taxpayer funded protection from Scotland Yard, whether they are at home or abroad, undertaking official duties or on holiday. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they believe this should continue. The Metropolitan Police have privately insinuated, however, that they are not in the position to write an open-ended cheque for round-the-clock security if they are living abroad and it is understood that they have launched a review into the issue. Buckingham Palace, the Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and the Home Office have already discussed the future of the couple's security - the bill for which is already close to 1million a year. Police will not turn their backs on Harry and Meghan. But a compromise does need to be found. Advertisement The Queen, who is desperate to chart a way out of the crisis raging through the Family ranks, has ordered courtiers to double down efforts to develops blueprint for the Sussexes future, to be completed within days. In the statement, the head of state broke with protocol to refer to the couple by their first names rather than the 'Duke and Duchesss of Sussex'. Some experts have decoded this to mean Harry and Meghan could be stripped of their titles, while others have played it down as the grandmother, 93, simply striking a soft tone. Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter said the move was likely to be telling, tweeting : 'I do think it was very striking, particularly in a statement from the Queen. Are they having to give up their titles? This would be an indication they are...' Reacting to the statement, Queen Elizabeth biographer and royal historian Robert Lacey said the language was an immensely personal intervention uncharacteristic of typical Palace communiques. He told BBC Radio 4: 'It is remarkably hands-on. I mean it may have been processed through officials but this is the Queen, speaking to her people and speaking about her family, and I think coming right through it is the concern she feels.' Speaking to the Times, royal author Ingrid Seward said: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' Yesterday's unprecedented meeting represented the first time that Harry, 35, had met with his closest relatives since early November, with the prince and his wife having taken a six-week break in Canada over the Christmas period. Although they arrived back only last week, Meghan, 38, has already returned to the country. Aides have now been set to work to try to come up with a workable solution to the crisis preferably by Friday. This includes enabling the couple to find a way to become 'financially independent' and not rely on taxpayer funds in the future, as well as acceding to their wish to live partly in Canada for the foreseeable future. Other issues left on the table for further discussion are the cost and provision of the couple's security, particularly while they are spending large swathes of time out of the country. There is also the matter of Frogmore Cottage, the couple's Windsor home lent to them by the Queen, and refurbished with 2.4million of public money. The couple have insisted that they want to keep the property as a base in the UK. It is clear that despite the Queen's emphasis on the meeting being 'constructive and supportive', the schism between Harry and his family runs deep. The statement failed to hide the sadness of the elderly monarch who has made no secret of the hurt her grandson has caused her in wanting to break away from the institution and choosing to tell the world of his intentions last Wednesday without informing her first. Harry is expected to leave the country to rejoin his family by the end of the week, after conducting what will likely be an awkward engagement at Buckingham Palace on Thursday in front of the media. Yesterday's 'Sandringham summit' saw Harry arrive at 11.20am, with his grandmother and father already waiting for him. At his side was his newly-appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham. His frail grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, was earlier seen driving out of the estate and it is not known if the pair, once so close, even met. Intriguingly, his brother William, whose relationship with his brother has become so toxic that many insiders describe it as 'irreparable', did not pull through the gates of the Queen's Norfolk estate until 1.45pm, just 15 minutes before the start of the summit. It is understood that Meghan, who flew back to Canada just 24 hours after the couple's bombshell statement last week announcing they were to stand down as senior royals, was planning to dial in on speaker phone. She is staying at the couple's borrowed mansion on Vancouver Island with their eight-month-old son Archie. Some in royal circles suggested last night that Harry and Meghan had left the Queen little option but to capitulate to most of their demands to prevent a 'royal war'. The statement's talk of a 'transition period' for the couple between the UK and Canada was said by one aide to be simply a chance for the family to gain breathing space while 'this mess of Harry and Meghan's own making is sorted out'. The acknowledgement that they will hand over their public funding in order to become 'financially independent' appears to give them the licence to strike commercial deals as part of their 'Sussex Royal' brand, which some experts predict could be worth at least 400million. But senior royals are said to be aghast at this idea of monetising the monarchy and want an assurance from Harry and US-born Meghan that they will treat their positions with respect. The Queen's decision to refer in her statement to the couple by their first names, an unusually intimate reference, particularly for the monarch, has also sparked speculation that the couple are set to lose their titles. Aides say that this is unlikely as the family is acutely aware of the public backlash when Harry's mother Diana, Princess of Wales, was stripped of her own HRH. Asked if they could remember a time that the Queen has ever issued such an official personal statement about a member of her family, aides both past and present were at a loss to remember one. The Queen has referred with warmth and affection to her husband, Philip, and the Prince of Wales in speeches and other tributes, and addressed other issues such as her famous 'annus horribilis' in the Christmas speech. Other statements about family affairs have been issued by Buckingham Palace on her behalf, but always by a spokesman. Royal insiders have told the Mail it is clear that she fears for the future of the institution. Although she and Charles are agreed on the importance of a slimmed-down monarchy in the future, Harry and his family were always considered an important part of the line-up. Prince William is seen driving his Land Rover through the back gate of Sandringham to return to his Amer House after the Royal summit yesterday Charles drives his silver Audi A6, believed to be heading to RAF Marham where a helicopter was waiting for him The Queen (pictured attending church at Sandringham on Sunday), made clear her deep disappointment at Harry and Meghan's decision to quit in a statement released yesterday What does the Queen's statement reveal? Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. The fact that the Queen issued the statement in her name and makes reference to 'my family' and 'my grandson and his family' is both deliberate and significant. The monarch has been deeply hurt by the events of the past week but has also been taken aback by the backlash against Harry after he issued his statement without letting her know first. The Queen wants the world to know she's not just boss of 'The Firm' but also a grandmother. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. The Queen, as well as other senior members of the Royal Family, make clear their hurt at recent events. There's also bewilderment that Harry, in particular, feels that he has been frozen out of plans for a future slimmed-down monarchy. At the time of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, when the Queen, Charles and his two sons stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, sources say it was made crystal clear to Harry that he was a 'key component' of any future royal line-up. Royal Family members believe Harry brings a welcome joie de vivre, and without him and Meghan senior royals will be lacking. The Queen does, however, understand his desire to break away and his refusal to bow to convention. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. The Queen is deeply disappointed with Harry and Meghan shirking their Royal duties. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. The lack of detail on this speaks volumes: there is much to be sorted here. Harry and Meghan are predicted to make millions as a global 'brand'. But it will not be cheap to maintain a transatlantic lifestyle for their family with at least two homes. The statement does not address whether Charles will continue to fund his son to the tune of 2million a year. It also avoids the issue of taxpayer-funded security and consular help. The royals fear any sense of 'cashing in' could devalue their own brand. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. The royal stop-gap. In moving their son, their dogs and their household over to Canada, Harry and Meghan have already signalled to the Queen that, for the immediate future at least, there is no intention of coming back. In this the Queen has had very little choice. She can't order them to return, so she might as well capitulate in order to keep the peace while trying to formalise the new arrangements. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. This is an unprecedented crisis for the Family which is far from over. The Queen is desperate for the storm to pass and has asked her courtiers to double down on efforts to reach a solution. Advertisement Boris Johnson said he was 'absolutely confident' that the royal family would be able to resolve the crisis around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's future roles. The Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast: 'My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan - like most of our viewers - of the Queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country. 'I'm absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out.' But he said it would be 'easier' for them to resolve the issues without a running commentary from him. Asked if the royals had the right to a private life, Mr Johnson said: 'I think that all those dilemmas are well understood and I have absolutely no doubt they are going to sort it out. 'But they are going to sort it out much more easily without a running commentary from politicians.' In response to suggestions that race was an issue in the media coverage of the Duchess of Sussex, Mr Johnson dodged the question, saying: 'I don't think this is helped by running commentary from politicians. 'The royal family is a fantastic part of our country - and so is the media, by the way.' Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau was asked during an interview with Global News on Monday whether Canadian taxpayers would have to pay. He replied: 'That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on. 'We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. 'I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have.' Kate looked serious as she left Kensington Palace this morning as her husband comes face to face with his want-away brother yesterday. The Duchess was far more casually dressed as she left on the school run this afternoon Yesterday a Range Rover believed to be carrying Prince Harry entered Sandringham via an back entrance as the royal summit over his and Meghan's future began this afternoon A grim-faced Prince Philip leaves Sandringham yesterday with a female companion driving where his wife the Queen, who has been using him as a sounding board, will try to avert crisis and keep Prince Harry in the royal family Since making their bombshell announcement on Wednesday to quit, Harry and Meghan have grabbed headlines all across the world, with reporters camped outside Sandringham yesterday Harry and Meghan spent six weeks over the festive period based in the Canadian province of British Columbia staying at an exclusive property on Vancouver Island. The duchess, a former actress, lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits, and knows the country well having lived there for seven years. Mr Trudeau said the federal Canadian government had not been involved 'up until this point' about what the couple's move to the country will involve. He added: 'There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have. 'We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well.' The Sussexes enjoyed a 'general feeling of appreciation' in Canada, he added. For a moment it was just the two of them: Prince Harry arrived two hours early, and the monarch and grandson were talking quietly about the future. Read RICHARD KAY's gripping inside story of the Megxit summit... By Richard Kay for the Daily Mail ...As all around, the normal hustle and bustle of the Norfolk house was stilled while staff busied themselves far from where this extraordinary Royal Family drama was set to play out: the Queen's private apartments on the first floor, the dining room and, nearby, the Long Library. Prince Harry had swept through the gates in the back seat of a Range Rover with darkened rear windows. He arrived in good time for lunch. More importantly, his arrival allowed him time to seek out his grandmother ahead of the summit with his father and brother. Prince Charles was already there. He had flown in from Oman by private jet on Sunday night after paying his respects on the death of the Arab state's leader, Sultan Qaboos. A car had driven him the 15 miles from RAF Marham. William was last to arrive, picked up from his home at nearby Anmer in a black Land Rover Defender and entering the estate through a cul-de-sac next to the primary school at West Newton. It was 1.45pm. The meeting had been set for 2pm. Scene of the showdown: Members of the family gathered at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk for a historic royal summit Earlier, another part of this gripping tableau had taken place: Prince Philip the patriarchal figure who for so long had dominated all family discussions had quietly left the house, driven away in his Land Rover Freelander by Countess Mountbatten, the former Lady Penny Romsey who helps care for him. Just how strategic this departure was, was not immediately clear. But the fact he left more than an hour and a half before the Duke of Sussex arrived was seen as significant. At 98, he no longer lays down the law as he once did and some courtiers wonder if this was his way of saying 'this is not my fight'. It may also be that by making himself absent he could not be drawn into a situation where the mantra which governed his attitude to royal life 'you are either in the family or out' was being tested by Harry and Meghan's wish to be part-time royals. Twenty-seven years ago, it was the measured and cool Philip who handled the catastrophe over Charles and Diana's marriage by acting as an honest broker between the warring couple. How the Queen must have wished for the composure of her unflinching husband as this most difficult of situations unspooled. According to informed sources, the mood at the meeting was calm and there are no reports of shouting or blistering exchanges. The discussions were led by the Prince of Wales, who perhaps has more invested in the outcome than anyone. It will be his money that funds a future independent life for Harry and Meghan and it is their co-operation that he requires if he is to see through his dream of a slimmed-down monarchy fit for the 21st century. Finding an accommodation was the watchword. William, who has so often been in disagreement with his father in recent times, is believed to have supported this approach. But it was the Queen to whom it has fallen to resolve this most heart-breaking family crisis. And the statement that came in her name was laced with despair. Not since 1997 in the aftermath of the death of Diana has the Queen issued such a personal bulletin. Then, she addressed a nation in shock and by including the magical phrase that she was speaking 'as a grandmother' defused the resentment that had built up over the Royal Family's failure to speedily acknowledge the loss of the princess. Now here she was 22 years later grappling with the conflict over Diana's son and his demand to stand down as a senior royal and move overseas with his wife and young son Archie. Can there ever have been a more poignant communique? Her message was clear that she will not stand in the couple's way but it is with a heavy heart that she has agreed. In one sentence alone, her sadness about this incendiary situation shone through. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.' It was the Queen to whom it has fallen to resolve this most heart-breaking family crisis. And the statement that came in her name was laced with despair Unsaid was the anguish felt around the conference table at Sandringham yesterday afternoon that little more than 18 months after a wedding that delighted the watching world, no one knows what will happen to Harry and Meghan in their semi-detached status from the House of Windsor. What does seem certain is that the tricky issue of their titles, while not referred to, has been papered over. The language the Queen uses is of conciliation and it is carefully chosen. In the first instance, she refers to 'my grandson'. The next reference is to 'Harry and Meghan'. Only once does she mention the pair by their official name when she talks about the 'Sussexes' spending time in Canada and the UK. This last must be an oblique nod to their titles as duke and duchess and the HRH style they also enjoy. From this it seems there will be none of the punishment meted out to both Diana and the Duchess of York, who both lost their royal highness titles on divorce. Repeating the mistakes of the past was not on the agenda. Above all, the palace view was that nothing should be put in writing which would inflame an already tense position. It was for that reason that it is thought there was no open telephone line to Meghan in Canada. According to palace officials, such an idea was rejected because no one knew for sure who else might have been listening in. 'This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call,' says one insider. Harry is thought to have reached Sandringham early specifically to allow him some time alone with his grandmother. Unlike William, who had been at the Royal Family Christmas, Harry had been 5,000 miles away on Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada. According to friends, he wanted to put his side of the story to the Queen. He was also able to see his father, who has been perplexed by his decisions that could yet have a profound effect on the future direction of the family. For Charles, the matter is far from concluded. He knows Harry will rely on his Duchy of Cornwall to meet family bills. He has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out of Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate. After 90 brisk minutes, the Long Library (pictured) meeting broke up and the four royals went in different directions Says a friend: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' This is why more talks are planned, though these are likely to involve officials rather than the family group. It is hoped that the couple's future funding will act as a brake on their money-making plans. 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example,' says one figure. No one wants to see the Sussex name on a tub of margarine.' This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. And just as it was then, it is public attitudes which are likely to shape Harry and Meghan's financial future. Courtiers intend to make it clear that the country will not wear the couple exploiting their royal status for money. After 90 brisk minutes, the Long Library meeting broke up and the four royals went in different directions. The Queen returned to her upstairs suite. At 3.45pm, Prince Charles left behind the wheel of a silver Audi heading for Marham where a helicopter was waiting to fly him back to Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral estate. Harry left moments later. The skies were darkening as William, the last to leave, set off for Anmer Hall just after 4pm. The question now is what happens next. Princes blast bullying 'lies': In a rare joint statement, the brothers condemn 'offensive' claim William forced Harry and Meghan out By Rebecca English for the Daily Mail Princes William and Harry gave a rare display of public unity yesterday to condemn claims that the Duke of Sussex had been 'bullied out' of the Royal Family by his own brother. Their joint statement described reports in The Times as 'offensive and potentially harmful' in light of their work on mental health. It read: 'Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge. 'For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.' William and Harry, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, collaborated on the Heads Together campaign to stamp out the stigma on mental health issues. All three royals have campaigned extensively against bullying. Princes William and Harry gave a rare display of public unity yesterday to condemn claims that the Duke of Sussex had been 'bullied out' of the Royal Family by his own brother. Pictured: The brothers in 2018 It would be unusual even under normal circumstances for the brothers to issue a joint statement on any single story in the media. One of the last times they did so was when an Italian magazine published distressing images of their dying mother in 2006. Since the rift that led to the division of their joint household last year, many presumed it would never happen again. But the brothers were stung into action by yesterday's Times article, which reported that an insider suggested Harry and Meghan 'regarded themselves as having been pushed away by what they saw as a bullying attitude from the Duke of Cambridge'. It added the Sussexes 'wanted to step away from their royal role after two years of constantly being told their place'. The newspaper said the source, who 'knows the couple well', dates the rift back to before their wedding in 2018 as Harry felt his brother was 'insufficiently welcoming' towards Meghan when they first started dating. The source was also quoted as saying of William and his wife Kate: 'From the start their response was not very clever, not very friendly. William and Harry, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, collaborated on the Heads Together campaign to stamp out the stigma on mental health issues. Pictured: Harry, Meghan, William and The Duchess of Cambridge in March last year Royal aides made clear yesterday that the brothers were deeply unhappy with the claims. Pictured: The brothers in 2010 'Quite early on they decided, 'right, we are going to tell these people their place and we are going to push them away'.' Royal aides made clear yesterday that the brothers were deeply unhappy with the claims. However, they did not comment on or reject other allegations, including that Meghan was determined to walk away from the Royal Family but 'heartbroken' that Harry felt torn by his decision to leave the UK. A source in the Sussex camp described the suggestion that William had bullied his brother as 'deeply disappointing'. Suggestions of a rift between the pair are not new. Last year, Prince Harry told broadcaster Tom Bradby that while he loved his brother dearly, 'we are on different paths'. In an article headlined 'Harry and Meghan's escape from the poisonous palace', Mr Bradby wrote at the weekend that senior royals had been 'jealous and unfriendly' and he had no doubt Harry and Meghan felt 'driven out'. The ITV presenter, who is close to Harry, also raised the possibility of the couple doing a 'no-holds-barred' interview if they failed to get their way in negotiations, writing in The Sunday Times that 'I don't think it would be pretty'. A Sussex aide said yesterday there were 'no plans' for an interview. Sources noted that Meghan was using the aggressive US PR firm Sunshine Sachs, leaving many Palace figures 'out of the loop'. Queen is 'bending over backwards to try and help Meghan and Harry': Royal experts give their verdicts on the historic Sandringham Summit By Danyal Hussain for MailOnline The Queen is 'bending over backwards' to try and help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after the pair announced they would be stepping back from Royal duties in a bid to become 'financially independent'. Royal experts have claimed that a dramatic statement from the Queen had been penned in order to look after her vulnerable grandchild. In her statement, Her Majesty made clear her disappointment at the couple's decision to quit their Royal duties but said the royal family 'understand and respect' their wishes. The Queen's words came after a summit at Sandringham between herself, Prince Charles, Prince William and Harry, with Meghan believed to have dialled in from Canada. After the meeting at Sandringham this afternoon, one expert claimed the victory had gone to the young Royals. Ingrid Seward (left) said that the Susessexes had won the first battle. Penny Junor (right) described the monarch's words on the future of Harry and Meghan as 'friendly and warm' Speaking to the Times, royal author Ingrid Seward said: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' This is while royal expert Penny Junor said the Queen was 'carefully handling a vulnerable Duke and Duchess of Sussex' and that the pair had 'got what they wanted. 'They have decided that Harry and Meghan must go off and do what they want to do, and they will support them'. She also described the monarch's words on the future of Harry and Meghan as 'friendly and warm'. The couple, who do not want to be publicly funded, will have a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK, but final decisions will also be reached in the coming days. 'I think it's a positive statement. It sounds friendly and warm, the way the Queen talks about family so much,' Junor said. 'That she's supportive of their decision is really good news.' She added: 'It read to me like a grandmother talking about the family.' The royal writer said it gave the couple space to find their perspective. Robert Lacey (left) said the language was personal, while Victoria Arbiter, right with her husband Dickie, said the move was 'likely to be telling' 'I think it will take the pressure off them. I think they're in a very vulnerable state at the moment. I think they're unhappy, they feel isolated and unloved, unappreciated and they needed careful handling,' she said. 'My reading from that statement is that the family has been sensitive to their vulnerability.' Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes the Queen's statement, which uses the word 'family' eight times, was intended to be 'very gentle and very informal'. 'It's just the way it's written is extremely informal, and I think that's to make it very friendly,' the royal biographer said. 'And I think it's quite gentle. And I think that's probably the whole approach, it's gently, gently. And interestingly enough, she keeps mentioning family, the whole way through. 'It's certainly not Oscar Wilde. But I just think it's a very together and quite loose statement and obviously it's just to keep everybody happy moving forward.' Asked about the next steps following the statement, Ms Seward said: 'She said in the coming days, so that's very quick for the royal family. 'I think we'll be hearing more quite shortly - I think this is a bridge.' Meanwhile, biographer and royal historian Robert Lacey said the language was an immensely personal intervention uncharacteristic of typical Palace communiques. He told BBC Radio 4: 'It is remarkably hands-on. I mean it may have been processed through officials but this is the Queen, speaking to her people and speaking about her family, and I think coming right through it is the concern she feels.' Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter added that the move was likely to be telling, tweeting : 'I do think it was very striking, particularly in a statement from the Queen. Are they having to give up their titles? This would be an indication they are...' UPDATE: 2 arrested in shooting where victim sought help inside Allentown church, cops say A male victim was expected to survive a gunshot wound, after seeking help inside a nearby church in Allentown, according to city police. The shooting occurred about 4 p.m. Tuesday at North Sixth and West Chew streets, police Capt. John Hill said. The victim was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. Police were looking for one perpetrator who fled in a vehicle and a second person who may have fled on foot, police said. There was no further description immediately available. Detectives may be reached at 610-437-7721 if anyone has information on the incident. Or use your phone to text a tip to 847411, beginning with the keyword TIPAPD. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. India ordered an investigation of Amazon.com Inc and Walmarts Flipkart on Monday over alleged violations of competition law in the latest setback for US e-commerce giants operating in the country. NEW DELHI: India ordered an investigation of Amazon.com Inc and Walmarts Flipkart on Monday over alleged violations of competition law in the latest setback for US e-commerce giants operating in the country. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it was ordering a wider probe following a review of allegations that Amazon and Flipkart were promoting some preferred sellers and in turn hurting business for other, smaller sellers. Flipkart is fully compliant with all laws and is currently reviewing the CCI order, senior vice president Rajneesh Kumar said. Amazon did not respond to a request for immediate comment. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is expected to visit India for potential meetings with government officials this week. The complaint against the two companies was filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, a group representing small and medium-sized businesses. They alleged that several of Amazon and Flipkarts preferred sellers were affiliated with, or controlled by, the companies themselves, either directly or indirectly. In its 11-page order, the CCI noted four alleged anti-competitive practices: exclusive launch of mobile phones by the e-commerce firms, promoting preferred sellers on their websites, deep discounting practices and prioritising some seller listings over others. Exclusive launch (of mobile phones) coupled with preferential treatment to a few sellers and the discounting practices create an ecosystem that may lead to an appreciable adverse effect on competition, the order said. The CCI said its investigation unit should complete the probe within 60 days, but typically such cases have taken far longer. Walmart in 2018 invested $16 billion to buy a majority stake in Flipkart, its biggest ever deal. The CCI probe will be the latest setback for the U.S. companies that were last year hit with more stringent foreign investment rules. Some of the allegations reviewed by the CCI have been long levelled against both companies. Indian brick-and-mortar traders allege Amazon and Flipkart violate the countrys foreign investment rules and burn billions of dollars to offer steep discounts that hurt smaller traders. The two companies say they are in compliance with all rules. In a recent study, the CCI said Indias was the fastest growing e-commerce market with revenue this year expected to reach $120 billion, triple its size in 2017. The e-commerce sector is plagued with several issues, any adverse action by the CCI could scuttle the growth of the sector, said Ram Kumar Poornachandran, competition law lead at law firm TT&A. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Brigadier Gold Limited (TSXV: BRG.H) (the "Corporation") is pleased to provide an update with respect to its previously announced change of business transaction (the "Proposed COB"), which, as announced in November, has been conditionally approved by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The Corporation's initial portfolio will comprise an investment of up to 75% equity ownership (on a post-converted, fully diluted basis) in CBD Group Asia Limited ("CGA") and strategic investment/partnership with Natural Source Group Pte Limited ("NSG"). Following completion of the Proposed COB, the Corporation will commence trading on the CSE under the name Canrim Growth Group Inc. and under the symbol "CBDA" as an investment holding company (the "Resulting Issuer"). Corporation Update On January 8, 2020, CGA and the Corporation signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chinese CBD production industry leader HH Biotechnology Holdings Co. ("HH Biotech"), to form the foundation of a cross investment and commercial partnership among CGA, the Resulting Issuer and HH Biotech. The parties will work toward signing a definitive agreement, with the intention of together building a CBD cultivation, production and extraction industry leader in China as well as surrounding Asia. "We see the Asian markets in the health and wellness space, and in particular as it relates to the fledgling CBD product market, as having extremely high-growth potential and we are excited to provide our shareholders with exposure to unique investments in this area. We intend to leverage our holdings in CGA as well our recently signed MOU with HH Biotech into a growth oriented issuer" commented Ranjeet Sundher, CEO of the Corporation. CGA Updates In conjunction with its other business efforts, CGA continues to roll out its proprietary sales platform, "iBloom". The iBloom mobile application is a cross-border WeChat sales tool targeting primarily Chinese consumers. The iBloom app has been through rounds of focus groups and marketing testing studies aimed at maximising its appeal to millennial, cash rich Asian consumers. CGA has carried out these tests successfully, and combined with CGA's software development team's efforts, expects to launch commercially within the first quarter of 2020. iBloom will warehouse both in Hong Kong as well through the "Free Trade Zones" in China in order to fulfil orders to both Chinese based consumers as well as those based Pan-Asia. CGA has received offers from numerous North America brands to list on iBloom. In addition, it has received offers from Chinese wholesalers to purchase CBD products through the platform and CBD product manufacturers seeking Pan-Asia exposure through export markets. CGA expects to begin marketing iBloom in March 2020 and intends to be the first and the leading CBD focused sales tool in Asia. CGA's CEO James Foster will be the keynote speaker in Hong Kong at the Asia Hemp Investment Summit & CBD Products Exhibition during the week of January 13, 2020. Asian industry leaders will convene as well as Chinese government officials to discuss and collaborate. In addition, he will be meeting with China's Yunnan provincial government heads to discuss investment opportunities as well as potential export production scenarios. CGA has rebranded itself as CGA Innovate which better articulates CGA's business model. Please visit CGA's new website for more information: https://cgainnovate.com/ China Cannabidiol ("CBD") Landscape CGA's initial operations will focus on the distribution of hemp CBD goods in China. China is currently the largest cultivator, producer, extractor and exporter of CBD in the world and legislation continues to change and trend toward market access and openness. China regulates CBD production and processing on a provincial basis, similarly to the United States (on a state basis). Each provincial government offers differing levels of efficiency in terms of regulation. Currently two provinces in China have legalized CBD production: Yunnan and HeiLongJiang. Yunnan has been cultivating cannabis for thousands of years, and as a result its government is proactive in facilitating the development of the CBD industry. HeiLongJiang became a hemp CBD producer more recently. Government subsidies are available to producers and other companies in the hemp CBD industry. Soon a third province, Jilin, will offer full legalisation. James Foster, CGA's CEO commented: "we expect pharmaceutical and food legalisation for CBD derived from hemp in 2020. This will likely follow the United Nations International Commission on Narcotic Drugs removing low-THC, hemp extractions from the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which China along with most countries currently follows. This will be a game changer for the industry and will create a wealth of CBD opportunities for CGA, Canrim and others in China, and likely elsewhere in Asia too." COB Update The Corporation has changed the terms of the previously announced offering (the "Offering") which will be completed in connection with the Proposed COB. The Corporation will now complete the Offering of units ("Units") for a price of $0.20 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of CAD$2,000,000, with each Unit comprising one (1) common share of the Corporation and one-half (1/2) of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole purchase warrant will be exercisable for one common share of the Resulting Issuer (as defined below) for a price of $0.30 per common share for a period of one year. Final acceptance of the Proposed COB will be subject to receipt of shareholder approval and completion of certain other conditions, including delivery of completed application documentation and closing of the Offering. The Corporation intends to hold a special shareholder meeting to approve the Proposed COB and related matters on February 27, 2020. For investment, partnership or other corporate inquiries, please contact corporate@canrimgrowth.com Completion of the Proposed COB is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to, CSE final acceptance and approval of the TSXV of the delisting of the Common Shares. There can be no assurance that the Proposed COB will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document to be prepared in connection with the Proposed COB, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed COB may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed COB and has neither approved nor disapproved the content of this press release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. ANY SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "1933 ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES 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. Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statements Statements in this press release regarding the Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, including that the Proposed COB will be completed on the terms and within the timelines described herein or otherwise, receipt of required shareholder approvals, completion of the Corporation's private placement of Units, the development of the products and business of CGA, including iBloom, entering into a definitive agreement and completing a transaction with HH Biotech as well as management's expectations with respect to the timing of the foregoing, regulatory changes to the CBD market in Asia, and the benefits to the Corporation or Resulting Issuer which may be implied from such statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51431 An army deserter, Harpreet Singh, who had stolen two INSAS rifles from the army training centre at Panchmarhi in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh on December 5, escaped from Hoshiarpur civil hospital in the wee hours of Tuesday. He reportedly pushed aside the police guard while returning from the toilet and fled. Four police personnel have been placed under suspension for negligence. Harpreet, who was arrested from Tanda on December 9, along with accomplice Jagtar Singh, alias Jagga, the son of Khalistan Zindabad Force militant Harbhajan Singh, was shifted to the civil hospitals prisoners ward on December 31 with a fractured forearm. Around 4am on Tuesday, his handcuffs were removed as he asked to use the toilet but when he was returning to the ward, he pushed back the guard and ran away. On learning about the incident, senior police officials rushed to the hospital. Search teams were despatched to the bus stand and railway station but the escapee could not be found. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gaurav Garg said the police of the entire region were on alert. He hinted at taking strict action against the four suspended policemen. This is a very serious case. They deserve a much severe action than just suspension, he said. Sources said that two of the four police personnel deployed in the prisoners ward were absent from duty. Posing as army personnel, Harpreet and Jagga, had stolen two INSAS assault rifles, three magazines and 20 cartridges from the sentries at the training centre. The stolen rifles were recovered from a sugarcane field of Kandhali Narangpur village of Tanda block. Jagga is also lodged in Hoshiarpur central jail. KHALISTAN LINK Punjab Police were alerted by the army intelligence and Madhya Pradesh anti-terrorist squad (ATS) that Harpreet, who was absent from duty since October 15, had stolen two 5.56-mm rifles, three magazines and 20 cartridges from the sentries at the training centre at Panchmarhi in Hoshangabad district. A search was conducted for two days before Harpreet was arrested from Chotala village and Jagga from Kandhali Narangpur village. Jaggas father is also behind bars in connection with a blast in the border district of Tarn Taran in September. It was later reported that China-made drones were being used to drop weapons in the border villages of the district from Pakistan. In September, police busted the KZF terror module, which was conspiring to unleash terror strikes in the state, by arresting four people and seizing five AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand-grenades. The four included Harbhajan Singh, who was arrested from Chohla Sahib village in Tarn Taran district. TRAINED BANDSMAN Harpreet was commissioned in the Sikh regiment at Ramgarh in Jharkhand in December 2015. He was trained as bandsman at Pachmarhi and deputed as B-Flat clariant (musician) in June 2017. Posing as army personnel, Harpreet and his accomplice arrived at a check post early on December 5 and asked the sentries on duty to call someone from inside the cantonment. After engaging the sentries in chatter, the duo suddenly seized the two INSAS assault rifles and 20 cartridges from the check-post and fled. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Greek AVAX SA, which is the contactor for design, procurement and construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), envisaging transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria, will prevent any delays in the projects implementation, Trend reports with reference to Bulgarian Energy Ministry. Reportedly, the progress in IGBs construction was discussed with participation of Bulgarias Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova and representatives of ICGB AD project company and AVAX SA. AVAX SA assured that the interconnectors construction is carried out in accordance with the highest standards and will meet the deadlines set in the contract. "By the end of January 2020, the construction of temporary camps and facilities at each work site along the entire pipeline route on the Bulgarian and Greek territories should be completed," said AVAX SA. The contractor said it is developing a plan for the gradual delivery of pipes in accordance with the linear construction schedule and sets aside temporary areas for their storage. Minister Petkova noted that IGB is a strategic project not only for Greece and Bulgaria, but for the whole Southeast Europe. She noted that the project that will enable real diversification of gas supply sources and called for maximum mobilization to ensure timely completion of the project. Petkova said the Ministry of Energy is ready to assist in the completion of the project on time, in synergy with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets. The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria project envisages a two-stage development. In the first stage, the pipeline capacity will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas, of which 2.7 billion cubic meters will be offered for the long-term market, the remaining share of 0.3 billion cubic meters in the short term. In a second phase, also depending on the evolution of the market, the capacity of the pipeline can be increased to 5.3 billion cubic meters of gas thanks to the addition of a compression station: 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas 0.5 billion cubic meters of short-term gas will be offered for long-term products. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_Zeyn [January 14, 2020] Chakaka Primary School in Malawi, Winner of One Million Liters VALENCIA, Spain, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two months after its launch, the One Million Liters initiative, which invited people to join the Sustainable Denim Revolution, now has a beneficiary: the Chakaka Primary School in Benga, Malawi. One of the greatest problems in the textile industry is the excessive consumption of water. Taking on the challenge of shifting towards responsible processes, Tejidos Royo has been working in collaboration with Gaston Systems Inc. and Indigo Mill Designs (IMD) on its pioneering Dry Indigo technology. This has allowed it to eliminate the use of water 100% from the indigo thread dyeing process, which is an important milestone in the textile industry. Jose Rafael Royo, member of board, explains that, "At Tejidos Royo we are acutely aware of th impact we have on the environment and we have been working to make good our commitment to our surroundings and to meet the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the stakeholders in each industry have to play a leading role in creating a landscape for change, so we decided to develop Dry Indigo, which opens up a fantastic path for the whole textile industry towards sustainability." To achieve these aims and to spread its values, Tejidos Royo created the One Million Liters initiative, an international campaign that offered users from around the globe the chance to nominate a charitable cause to receive the donation of the one million liters saved using the Dry Indigo technology. Following the panel's deliberation and vote, made up of outstanding professionals, the winning charitable cause was Chakaka Primary School, run by the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle. The project aims to build a well and installing a pump that ensures a permanent supply of drinking water at the school. As a result, they will have all the water needed for drinking and cooking, as well as to clean the installations, thereby improving hygiene and sanitation which is necessary in order to prevent the spread of diseases. So, Tejidos Royo hopes that this first call for a Sustainable Denim Revolution is just the beginning of a long process moving towards being an ethical industry. Join the Sustainable Denim Revolution! www.onemillionliters.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chakaka-primary-school-in-malawi-winner-of-one-million-liters-300986566.html SOURCE One Million Liters [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Barely a week after outspoken Kenyan rapper and poet, King Kaka's controversial song ' Wajinga Nyinyi' has dropped off from the trend charts, another one has come up to join in the movement to enlighten on the nature of the countrys divisiveness that brings to light and addresses scandals, corrupt civil servants and the state of the nation. The new song is done by Gabiro Mtu Necessary and produced by UK based producer Redlum with mixing and mastering done at MGF Studios that is based in Kisumu. In the song, the artist Gabiro Mtu Necessary uses his witty flow and lyrics composed in Luo to refer to his fellow citizens as fools who forget as soon as the music is off. Najua mshasahau, wacha sasa tubanjuke Gabiro says in the opening words of the song. There is as much a cycle of scandals as there is a tendency of venting and moving on with the furore dying down and everyone making the same electoral mistake each and everyday. It is evident that Gabiro is feeling wasted as a fellow citizen seeing the like of Miguna Miguna being deported away from their motherland yet no one stands up to speak for himor on his behalf. Maybe fear is inbound! With the keyboard warriors talking about revolution back to deep slumber and no longer engaging on social media, writing lofty revolutionary tales inspired by King Kakas Wajinga Nyinyi, he has decided to remind them to at least wake up and dance to their normal club bangers and get the feeds active once more. As ever, Gabiros charming lyrical prowess is the star of the show, always delivered without a hint of strain. Lyrically, Gabiro mines a personal mood for inspiration, but contrasts the somber subject matter with a light and breezy delivery that will make you forget your worries in an instant only if you dont listen too closely to the lyrics. In 2019 Gabiro Mtu Necessary released his collaborative tune Nitembezee in which he featured talented super star Kidis the Jembe at a time when Kenyan artists were championing for more play of their sound on local media giving the song enough space to get airplay and features in various media. Fronted by a captivating traditional melody and pulsating dancehall beat, Daima Mjinga puts forth a dominating sound from Gabiro. Full of charismatic verses and a fierce, brassy dance break that leads into the chanting choral refrain where he spends the track confidently expressing feelings of sorrow and disappointment. Born and raised in Kisumu Gabiro has not only had the chance to work with Kidis but also big names like Wyre, Ketchup and even Ugandas Nutty Neithan; he has released a total of 10 singles, barely pausing for breath in between drops. Enjoy. Video Link : 45-year-old doctor who treated Unnao rape victim's father in 2018, dies India oi-Madhuri Adnal Unnao (UP), Jan 14: A doctor who treated the Unnao rape victim's father when he was thrashed in police custody died on Monday after complaining of uneasiness here, official sources said. Prashant Upadhyaya, 45, was rushed to the hospital after complaining of uneasiness where he died during treatment, they said. Upadhyay had treated the victim's father in April 2018 after he was brutally thrashed in police custody, they said. Charge sheet filed in connection with death of 23-yr-old Unnao rape victim who was set ablaze The doctor was posted in emergency ward of the district hospital and was suspended during a CBI inquiry into the matter. He was presently posted in Fatehpur. BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar was convicted of raping the minor girl from Unnao and is in jail in connection with the case. Police said that Upadhyay was a diabetic and his body was sent for post-mortem. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 8:36 [IST] House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suddenly has a new lever as she pushes Senate Republicans to include witnesses and documents in President Trump's impeachment trial a "trove" of text messages turned over by Lev Parnas, the indicted former Rudy Giuliani associate. Why it matters: A public release of some or all of the materials could give Democrats new ammunition to argue that the White House must turn over more information and allow new testimony from witnesses. What's happening: Parnas' lawyer, Joseph A. Bondy, said in a series of tweets over the weekend and yesterday that he turned over to the House Intelligence Committee the contents of Parnas' iPhone 11, detailing interactions "with a number of individuals relevant to the impeachment inquiry." Bondy said he has also shared dozens of text messages, photos and materials from a Samsung phone and thousands of documents. He is also expected to provide investigators with materials from two other devices, an iPad and another iPhone, "as soon as possible," per Bondy. In a phone interview with Axios last night, Bondy said he anticipates that when the articles are turned over to the Senate, "there will be a public record that is transmitted with that, including information from witnesses." "I have reason to believe that at least some of what Mr. Parnas transmitted to [the intelligence committee] will likely make the public record." Asked if the contents of the documents Parnas provided to the committee hurt the president, Bondy replied: "They aren't helpful." He added that Parnas is eager to testify before Congress, and hopes the document dump will help in getting his client an audience with lawmakers. The backdrop: House investigators subpoenaed Parnas and his business partner, Igor Fruman, in October shortly before the two men were arrested on campaign finance charges. The two men worked with Giuliani in his effort to dig up political dirt on Joe Biden in Ukraine. They refused to cooperate, but Parnas ultimately ended up doing so after hiring a new lawyer. What's next: Pelosi is meeting with her caucus later this morning, and will discuss the next steps on impeachment. Shortly after, likely this afternoon or Wednesday, the House is expected to vote on delivering the articles to the Senate and naming House managers. The bottom line: Pelosi's efforts to force Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to agree to document production and witness requests before the trial haven't worked. But a group of key Senate Republicans facing tough re-election fights, led by Susan Collins of Maine, want to keep open the option to call witnesses. Go deeper: The US is stepping up its lobbying campaign to convince the UK not to let Huawei work on its 5G infrastructure. The Guardian and the Financial Times both reported that top US officials this week delivered a dossier to the UK detailing new security concerns about Huawei. Both papers quoted an unnamed official as saying it would be madness for the UK to allow Huawei to work on 5G, the next-generation telecoms infrastructure. US officials are concerned Huawei's involvement in 5G infrastructure could allow the Chinese government to spy on sensitive communications. Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters The briefings to the papers and the behind-the-scenes pressure are part of an extended campaign by the US to stop the UK allowing Huawei to work on communications infrastructure. US officials are concerned any involvement could allow the Chinese government to spy on sensitive communications. The UK is part of the so-called five eyes intelligence sharing group, made up of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Britain. The five countries share sensitive national security and threat information, leading to fears that any compromise within one member state could endanger the security of all parties. Huawei is thought to have close links to the Chinese state and US officials believe it could be easily compromised. US President Donald Trump described Huawei as a security risk at a NATO summit in December. The UK believes it can contain any risks and Theresa Mays cabinet narrowly voted to allow Huawei to work on non-core equipment last year, although that decision was put under review. Prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to make a final ruling on the issue later this month. READ MORE: China threatens 'consequences' if Germany bans Huawei If people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us which is the alternative? Johnson told the BBC in a TV interview on Tuesday. On the other hand, lets be clear, I don't want, as UK prime minister, to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security. The visit from the US delegation comes days after the head of MI5 downplayed the risks posed by Huawei. Spy chief Sir Andrew Parker told the Financial Times over the weekend there was no reason to think that the UKs intelligence sharing agreement with the US would be threatened if Huawei was cleared to work on parts of the British 5G network. Story continues The US placed Huawei on a sanctions list last May and several countries around the world have already banned the company from working on 5G. Everybody I have spoken to is not going forward, but how many countries can I speak to? Trump said at the NATO summit in December. Am I going to call up and speak to the whole world? Huawei said in its annual letter in December that it was in a fight for survival against concerted efforts by the US government to keep us down. READ MORE: Huawei in fight for 'survival' despite record sales Imran Kassim, 36, admitted providing funds to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group. PHOTO: Facebook SINGAPORE In an unprecedented trial, a 36-year-old Singaporean man accused of providing funds to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was found guilty of financing terrorism on Tuesday (14 January). Appearing in court a day after his trial, Imran Kassim declined to say anything in mitigation, only adding, I think Ive said everything that I had to say yesterday. Imran was charged in April last year with one count of providing $450 through the Western Union Global Network to an individual known as Mohamad Alsaied Alhmidan in Turkey, for the publication of ISIS propaganda on 31 October 2014. In delivering his verdict, District Judge Seah Chi-Ling noted that Imran had admitted to sending the monies to support ISIS media work in his statement. He had stated that he believed his funds would benefit the extremist group by spreading support and garnering awareness for it. Imran had also said so in court numerous times, added the judge, with the receipt from Western Union provided as unchallenged evidence. While Imran had stated in his defence that he did not recognise Singapore law and only recognised Islamic Syariah law, the argument had no basis in laws here, said the judge. The judge also rejected Imrans argument that the portrayal of ISIS in the media had been grossly exaggerated and that the opponents of ISIS have themselves committed atrocities. Even if proven that opponents to ISIS have committed atrocities, and they have not, said the judge, this does not comprise an appropriate defence in law, said the judge, adding that the prosecution has proven its case against the accused. During his half-day trial yesterday, Imran had admitted to the transfer numerous times, saying, The only thing I can say I did do was I did the transfer and did it to benefit the Islamic State. However, the former managing director of firm Novo Logistics claimed he could not plead guilty as he did not recognise Singapore law. He did not give his defence when called to do so, only adding in closing submissions that he contributed to ISIS propaganda to highlight the atrocities committed by the Western coalition against Muslims in (ISIS) and claiming that the mainstream media had grossly exaggerated portrayals of ISIS. Story continues Sentencing for Imran has been adjourned to Tuesday afternoon. Related story 'I don't recognise Singapore law': Man on trial for funding ISIS A book is made of wood. But it is not a tree. The dead cells have been repurposed to serve another need. Now a team of scientists has repurposed living cells -- scraped from frog embryos -- and assembled them into entirely new life-forms. These millimeter-wide "xenobots" can move toward a target, perhaps pick up a payload (like a medicine that needs to be carried to a specific place inside a patient) -- and heal themselves after being cut. "These are novel living machines," says Joshua Bongard, a computer scientist and robotics expert at the University of Vermont who co-led the new research. "They're neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal. It's a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism." The new creatures were designed on a supercomputer at UVM -- and then assembled and tested by biologists at Tufts University. "We can imagine many useful applications of these living robots that other machines can't do," says co-leader Michael Levin who directs the Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology at Tufts, "like searching out nasty compounds or radioactive contamination, gathering microplastic in the oceans, traveling in arteries to scrape out plaque." The results of the new research were published January 13 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Bespoke Living Systems People have been manipulating organisms for human benefit since at least the dawn of agriculture, genetic editing is becoming widespread, and a few artificial organisms have been manually assembled in the past few years -- copying the body forms of known animals. advertisement But this research, for the first time ever, "designs completely biological machines from the ground up," the team writes in their new study. With months of processing time on the Deep Green supercomputer cluster at UVM's Vermont Advanced Computing Core, the team -- including lead author and doctoral student Sam Kriegman -- used an evolutionary algorithm to create thousands of candidate designs for the new life-forms. Attempting to achieve a task assigned by the scientists -- like locomotion in one direction -- the computer would, over and over, reassemble a few hundred simulated cells into myriad forms and body shapes. As the programs ran -- driven by basic rules about the biophysics of what single frog skin and cardiac cells can do -- the more successful simulated organisms were kept and refined, while failed designs were tossed out. After a hundred independent runs of the algorithm, the most promising designs were selected for testing. Then the team at Tufts, led by Levin and with key work by microsurgeon Douglas Blackiston -- transferred the in silico designs into life. First they gathered stem cells, harvested from the embryos of African frogs, the species Xenopus laevis. (Hence the name "xenobots.") These were separated into single cells and left to incubate. Then, using tiny forceps and an even tinier electrode, the cells were cut and joined under a microscope into a close approximation of the designs specified by the computer. Assembled into body forms never seen in nature, the cells began to work together. The skin cells formed a more passive architecture, while the once-random contractions of heart muscle cells were put to work creating ordered forward motion as guided by the computer's design, and aided by spontaneous self-organizing patterns -- allowing the robots to move on their own. These reconfigurable organisms were shown to be able move in a coherent fashion -- and explore their watery environment for days or weeks, powered by embryonic energy stores. Turned over, however, they failed, like beetles flipped on their backs. advertisement Later tests showed that groups of xenobots would move around in circles, pushing pellets into a central location -- spontaneously and collectively. Others were built with a hole through the center to reduce drag. In simulated versions of these, the scientists were able to repurpose this hole as a pouch to successfully carry an object. "It's a step toward using computer-designed organisms for intelligent drug delivery," says Bongard, a professor in UVM's Department of Computer Science and Complex Systems Center. Living Technologies Many technologies are made of steel, concrete or plastic. That can make them strong or flexible. But they also can create ecological and human health problems, like the growing scourge of plastic pollution in the oceans and the toxicity of many synthetic materials and electronics. "The downside of living tissue is that it's weak and it degrades," say Bongard. "That's why we use steel. But organisms have 4.5 billion years of practice at regenerating themselves and going on for decades." And when they stop working -- death -- they usually fall apart harmlessly. "These xenobots are fully biodegradable," say Bongard, "when they're done with their job after seven days, they're just dead skin cells." Your laptop is a powerful technology. But try cutting it in half. Doesn't work so well. In the new experiments, the scientists cut the xenobots and watched what happened. "We sliced the robot almost in half and it stitches itself back up and keeps going," says Bongard. "And this is something you can't do with typical machines." Cracking the Code Both Levin and Bongard say the potential of what they've been learning about how cells communicate and connect extends deep into both computational science and our understanding of life. "The big question in biology is to understand the algorithms that determine form and function," says Levin. "The genome encodes proteins, but transformative applications await our discovery of how that hardware enables cells to cooperate toward making functional anatomies under very different conditions." To make an organism develop and function, there is a lot of information sharing and cooperation -- organic computation -- going on in and between cells all the time, not just within neurons. These emergent and geometric properties are shaped by bioelectric, biochemical, and biomechanical processes, "that run on DNA-specified hardware," Levin says, "and these processes are reconfigurable, enabling novel living forms." The scientists see the work presented in their new PNAS study -- "A scalable pipeline for designing reconfigurable organisms," -- as one step in applying insights about this bioelectric code to both biology and computer science. "What actually determines the anatomy towards which cells cooperate?" Levin asks. "You look at the cells we've been building our xenobots with, and, genomically, they're frogs. It's 100% frog DNA -- but these are not frogs. Then you ask, well, what else are these cells capable of building?" "As we've shown, these frog cells can be coaxed to make interesting living forms that are completely different from what their default anatomy would be," says Levin. He and the other scientists in the UVM and Tufts team -- with support from DARPA's Lifelong Learning Machines program and the National Science Foundation -- believe that building the xenobots is a small step toward cracking what he calls the "morphogenetic code," providing a deeper view of the overall way organisms are organized -- and how they compute and store information based on their histories and environment. Future Shocks Many people worry about the implications of rapid technological change and complex biological manipulations. "That fear is not unreasonable," Levin says. "When we start to mess around with complex systems that we don't understand, we're going to get unintended consequences." A lot of complex systems, like an ant colony, begin with a simple unit -- an ant -- from which it would be impossible to predict the shape of their colony or how they can build bridges over water with their interlinked bodies. "If humanity is going to survive into the future, we need to better understand how complex properties, somehow, emerge from simple rules," says Levin. Much of science is focused on "controlling the low-level rules. We also need to understand the high-level rules," he says. "If you wanted an anthill with two chimneys instead of one, how do you modify the ants? We'd have no idea." "I think it's an absolute necessity for society going forward to get a better handle on systems where the outcome is very complex," Levin says. "A first step towards doing that is to explore: how do living systems decide what an overall behavior should be and how do we manipulate the pieces to get the behaviors we want?" In other words, "this study is a direct contribution to getting a handle on what people are afraid of, which is unintended consequences," Levin says -- whether in the rapid arrival of self-driving cars, changing gene drives to wipe out whole lineages of viruses, or the many other complex and autonomous systems that will increasingly shape the human experience. "There's all of this innate creativity in life," says UVM's Josh Bongard. "We want to understand that more deeply -- and how we can direct and push it toward new forms." By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the curative petitions filed by two convicts of the December 16 Delhi gangrape-murder case, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh, who had questioned the death sentence handed to them. Vinay and Mukesh, along with two other convicts Akshay Kumar Singh and Pawan Kumar, are scheduled to be hanged at 7 am on January 22. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard the curative petitions of Vinay and Mukesh on Tuesday. The in-chamber hearing by Justices N.V. Ramana, Arun Mishra, R.F. Nariman, R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan ruled that the review verdict of the top court earlier had not erred in granting the accused death penalty. Akshay and Pawan are yet to file their curative petitions. After exhausting all legal remedies to get the death sentence commuted, the convicts last resort is presidential mercy. According to the lawyers associated with the case, the other two convicts will also file curative petitions soon. In their petition, Vinay had cited the Jessica Lall murder case, stating that Manu Sharma was given life imprisonment and not death sentence despite it being a brutal and unprovoked murder of a defenceless woman. "The convict was a very powerful person from a political family. This inequity of outcome between the petitioner's case and those mentioned above highlights the fundamental divide in the criminal justice system where the poor and the weak always suffer the 'worst punishments', even when people from other classes are guilty of offences that are barbaric and heinous. It also indicates a systematic bias against the poor which has caused prejudice against the petitioner," the plea reads. The four were convicted and sentenced to death for raping a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in the national capital on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012. The victim, who was later given the name Nirbhaya, had succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Singapore where she had been airlifted for medical treatment. A curative petition is the last judicial resort available for the redressal of grievances. Curative petitions are decided in-chambers by the judges. If it is rejected, they are legally bound to move a mercy petition. It is filed before the President who has the power to commute it to life imprisonment. The court after issuing a black warrant in their name gave them two weeks time to file both the curative and mercy petitions. (With ANI inputs) Gold has suffered a 3.5% decline over the past four days following its impressive rally to a seven-year high last week. It rallied on the back of a United States airstrike that killed Iranian military general Qasem Soleimani, which caused tensions to mount between the two nations. However, since then, there has been a de-escalation in hostilities and the prospect of full-scale warfare has thankfully reduced, with Donald Trump leaning towards a diplomatic negotiation with Iran despite the Middle Eastern countrys promise of retaliation. As a result, gold which is a common hedge to the traditional financial system has begun to stutter, with price falling back towards the $1,530 level of support. From a technical perspective, it is still trading above the 50 EMA on the daily chart, which could become an immediate level of support until a long-term solution is found between the US and Iran. Bitcoin is often touted as digital gold as it is also a common hedge away from traditional currencies and capital markets. This has been reiterated by the correlation between both charts in light of last weeks events. The worlds largest cryptocurrency also rallied significantly as the prospect of warfare became increasingly likely, with the digital asset suffering a 5% slump as tensions waned. With Iran admitting responsibility for the Ukrainian commercial aircraft that was shot down last week, killing all 176 passengers, there remains a chance of potential escalation over the coming weeks, which in turn could spur the likes of Bitcoin and gold. For more news, guides, and cryptocurrency analysis, click here. The post Gold falls 3.5% as tensions cool between USA and Iran appeared first on Coin Rivet. Kansas City Slice Of Life Cake maker creates Patrick Mahomes headband cake "They made me a fan and I'm from California," said Aubrey Eitland.The California transplant named her Overland Park cakery Water to Wheat."People go crazy for the Chiefs," Eitland said.Her latest creation is a chocolate, Italian meringue butter cream Patrick Mahomes cake."I got it, basically, from his hair and his headband and just looking at Patrick Mahomes," Eitland said.Like his throws, it's pretty sweet. Legal Perspective Impacts Local Worker's Fate Amid EPIC Telcom Deal Underway Don't trust the US gov't, states tell court in T-Mobile/Sprint merger case The United States government approved the T-Mobile/Sprint merger without fully investigating whether the deal's anti-competitive harms can be offset by merger conditions, state attorneys general argued in a court filing. The US Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission both found that the merger would harm consumers, a group of states that are trying to block the merger pointed out in a court filing last week. Great KC Real Estate Debate MO attorney general sues KC area land trust Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office has filed a lawsuit against Vinelanders Community Land Trust Inc and its owner, Alice Goodlow, alleging the charity took money from thousands of Missourians without providing promised homes to any of its members.The lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, alleges Goodlow and the trust used money solely on organizational expenses and conditioned members to give money to the trust for their future appliances and furnishings.Kristy Mitchell was a member Vinelanders for two years. KCI Sacred Ground Considered Were there ever slave graves on KCI land? There's a persistent rumor in local circles that part of Kansas City International Airport was once a slave graveyard. The topic crossed Flatland's radar when an anonymous contributor asked the curiousKC team to see if there is "any truth to that." Hotness In The News Lindsey Pelas Leaves Little To The Imagination In A Thong Model Lindsey Pelas got racy in revealing underwear in her latest Instagram story, where the 28-year-old, Louisiana-born model flaunted her derriere in the cheeky photo and video. In the photo, Lindsey had her back - and her curvaceous backside - to the camera as she looked over her shoulder and took the picture in the mirror. Social Media Sets Mood Social media and depression: Researchers find new link between mental health and time spent scrolling INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -- The relationship between increased social media use and poor mental health is a major issue affecting adolescents and teens across the U.S. However, a recent study out of Brigham Young University suggests high usage rates may not be the culprit after all. "It's not necessarily time spent Prez Trump Vs. Speaker Pelosi The stage is finally set for impeachment's dramatic, divisive endgame The imminent final act of America's impeachment ordeal will be played for far higher political stakes than might be expected given the all-but-guaranteed acquittal of President Donald Trump in his trial in the Republican-led Senate. Remember The 90s Matchbox Twenty announces new tour that includes stop at Starlight Theatre KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Matchbox Twenty announced a new tour Monday, and it includes a stop in Kansas City. The band will bring their 2020 tour to Kansas City's Starlight Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. The show will feature special guests The Wallflowers. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, Jan. Classic Sounds In Kansas City Kansas City Symphony Celebrates the Centenary of Isaac Stern - KC STUDIO His gravestone simply reads, "Isaac Stern, Fiddler." Born July 21, 1920, he became one of the most celebrated musicians of his lifetime. This year, institutions around the world - including the Kansas City Symphony - honor his contributions. Cowtown Booze Achievement KC Bier Co. Is Now Officially a Regional Brewery KC Bier Co. has officially graduated from a microbrewery to a regional brewery. A brewery must produce more than 15,000 barrels of beer each year to be considered a regional brewery by the Brewers Association. In 2019, KC Bier Co. produced 16,526 barrels of beer, a 24 percent increase compared to 2018. Weather On The Way Tracking a parade of storms We are tracking three storm systems this week. The strongest of the storm systems arrives Thursday night and lasts through the day Friday, and it looks to bring another round of wintry weather. But before Friday, we are tracking the first storm, a weak disturbance that moves through the region tonight. We start the morning with more than a handful of pop culture goodness, community news and then grab interesting items from around the globe for the purposes of education and enlightenment . . .is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . 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. We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So before you buy or sell Founder Holdings Limited (HKG:418), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. Do Insider Transactions Matter? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year. See our latest analysis for Founder Holdings The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Founder Holdings In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when President & Executive Director Xing Shao bought HK$873k worth of shares at a price of HK$0.46 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is HK$0.46. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. Happily, the Founder Holdings insider decided to buy shares at close to current prices. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Xing Shao. Xing Shao bought a total of 3.48m shares over the year at an average price of HK$0.42. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues SEHK:418 Recent Insider Trading, January 14th 2020 Founder Holdings is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Does Founder Holdings Boast High Insider Ownership? I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our information indicates that Founder Holdings insiders own about HK$4.9m worth of shares. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. This level of insider ownership is notably low, and not very encouraging. What Might The Insider Transactions At Founder Holdings Tell Us? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Founder Holdings shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if Founder Holdings insiders bought more shares in the company. To put this in context, take a look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. By Anna J. Park Korea and Taiwan have a very similar economic structure with both economies relying heavily on exports of IT products but the two countries have shown divergent paths in stock markets over recent years. Analysts say that the key reasons for the difference were Korea's sluggish performance of non-IT, domestic-focused industries and Korean firms' low dividend payout policies. Both countries have strong IT sectors, which largely contribute to their export-oriented economies. The largest companies in both economies in terms of market capitalization Samsung in Korea and TSMC in Taiwan take up over 30 percent of each of their total stock markets. Despite their shared similarities in macroeconomics, performances of their stock markets are very different. When comparing their key indexes Korea's KOSPI index and Taiwan's TAIEX index, KOSPI increased about 15 percent to Jan. 10 this year from Jan. 8, 2016, while TAIEX saw a more-than 52 percent jump during the same period. In 2019 alone, the KOSPI rose only about 7 percent, well below TAIEX's 23 percent growth. The difference has been partially driven by foreign investors' strong purchase of Taiwan's stocks. Foreign net purchase of Taiwanese stocks during the latter half of last year stood at some $6.5 billion, which is in stark contrast to the fact that they sold about $4 billion of Korean stocks during the same period. Min Byung-kyu, global market analyst at Yuanta Securities Korea, also explains that Korea's overall stagnant performance of domestic industries is one of the main causes of the difference. He pointed out that last year's performances by IT sectors in both countries were similar; market returns of the IT sector in Korea stood at 41.3 percent, while Taiwan's IT sector logged similar returns of 41.8 percent. "The major difference came from poor performance in Korea's domestic industries, such as retail, electronics, communication, construction material, gas and finance and banking," Analyst Min told The Korea Times. "Also, Taiwan's IT sector takes up a larger proportion in their stock markets than us. Their IT sector constituted about 62.7 percent of the total stock market at the end of last year, while Korea's IT sector possessed some 44.3 percent. Thus the Taiwanese stock market was positively influenced by overall brisk performances of global IT sectors, much more than the Korean stocks," Min added. Another essential reason behind their divergent path in stock performances is different dividend rates, analysts say. Taiwanese firms have a much higher propensity to pay dividends back to investors than Korean firms in general. The Taiwanese stocks offer one of the highest dividend yields to investors of about four percent, which is among the highest in global standards. Korean stocks' dividend rate stood at about two percent. "Dividend policy is another key reason that explains the difference in the Korean and Taiwanese stock market performances. Dividend policy directly affects stock valuation. Korea's dividend propensity has increased over the years, yet it stills stands at some two percent in terms of dividend yield," said Shin Joong-ho, strategist at eBest Investment Securities. He also explained Korea's particular sociocultural backgrounds is another reason for the low valuation of the stocks. "Korean firms now have enough capital, yet they do not invest much nor pay dividends back to investors, which causes a low valuation of their stock prices. It seems that many firms still suffer from a sort of path-dependent trauma, due to their past experiences of harsh economic crises back in the late 90s and late 2000s. They tend not to hastily remove their cash and keep it for emergencies," he said. He added that he expects Korean stocks will eventually go in the direction of rewarding more cash back to investors as the firms will be, more and more, pressured to be adaptive to investors' demands. We believe investing is smart because history shows that stock markets go higher in the long term. But not every stock you buy will perform as well as the overall market. For example, the Sims Metal Management Limited (ASX:SGM), share price is up over the last year, but its gain of 12% trails the market return. Zooming out, the stock is actually down 7.7% in the last three years. Check out our latest analysis for Sims Metal Management While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. Over the last twelve months, Sims Metal Management actually shrank its EPS by 26%. Given the share price gain, we doubt the market is measuring progress with EPS. Indeed, when EPS is declining but the share price is up, it often means the market is considering other factors. Revenue was pretty stable on last year, so deeper research might be needed to explain the share price rise. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). ASX:SGM Income Statement, January 14th 2020 Sims Metal Management is well known by investors, and plenty of clever analysts have tried to predict the future profit levels. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Sims Metal Management's TSR for the last year was 16%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! Story continues A Different Perspective Sims Metal Management provided a TSR of 16% over the last twelve months. But that return falls short of the market. On the bright side, that's still a gain, and it's actually better than the average return of 4.9% over half a decade This could indicate that the company is winning over new investors, as it pursues its strategy. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Sims Metal Management . If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Drones are cool. There is no denying it. Some are glorified tech toys, but many models are useful tools for imaging and cinematic applications small and large. If looking for a flying camera to use on a project, there is something out there for any budget: this industry has come a long way in a very short time. There are models on the market now that have amazing video quality and stabilization, something we couldn't even have dreamed of just 5 years ago. Of course one gets what one pays for: a drone that can capture stunning footage requires a somewhat hefty investment. And like any investment, doing prior research to make sure it's actually worth the money is always a good idea. As a new DJI Authorized Dealer located in Dubai, Airworks offers official DJI Drones and Gimbals on stock with official warranty. It may be daunting to understand how drones work; this is why AirWorks has released DJI Educational, the online platform that explains how to fly. The courses cover everything one needs to start flying a UAV safely. Upon completion of the course, a certificate of participation is released. All courses are free for AirWorks customers, and are available for a fee for all other users. Here are some of the best DJI Drones on the market in 2020: this will make finding the ideal one a little bit easier. The drones listed are ready-to-fly models, which means they can be used right out of the box. In most cases, an Android or iOS device will be needed to view the camera feed in real-time, but a few models also stream video directly to remote control. Regulations and Safety The rules of the air vary from region to region. Generally, if the drone weighs 250g and up, registration is needed in order to fly it outdoors legally even over one's own property. The latest addition to the DJI drone family, the DJI Mavic Mini, actually weighs 249g (without accessories), making it much easier for pilots to fly it without needing registration. Its light weight, however, means it lacks a safety featureobstacle avoidance. It does includes all of the other expected tools to help ensure a safe flight, including GPS stabilization, automated return-to-home, and automatic takeoff and landing. Why DJI is the Best Brand for Drones DJI is a world leader in the drone industry, and there's a good reason for that. The company is simply a few steps ahead of its competition right now, and has a product catalog with models at various price points, making it the go-to brand for all drone-enthusiasts. Its iconic Phantom series continues to be appreciated to the day, and the Mavic series is by far the most sold worldwide. DJI's pro line Inspire is currently in its second generation. These drones offer functionality well beyond what you get with a Phantom, including dual-operator supportone person flying and the other working the cameraas well as interchangeable lenses and camera modules, a Raw cinema workflow, and retractable landing gear. Small vs. Large Drones The request for small, portable drones is on the rise. Hikers, travel photographers and even just hobbyists are looking for lightweight options that can fit into a backpack (or in a Pocket in the case of the Osmo Pocket camera!). The best small drone currently available is without a doubt the Mavic Mini. However, there are other options! If planning to use the drone mainly for fun, another good option is the DJI Tello. Weighing only 80g, with a flight time of up to 13 minutes, the DJI Tello has a 720p HD camera and is extremely easy to use. On the other hand, if looking for more features and a sturdier body, the DJI Mavic Air is a good choice, which features ActiveTrack, QuickShot, SmartCapture and TapFly and the powerful FlightAutonomy 2.0 visual system for more precise stationary flight and optimized performance. If searching for a drone for professional projects, the Mavic 2 Pro is guaranteed to satisfy all needs. It features a Hasselblad L1D-20c with a 1-inch 20 MP CMOS sensor, adjustable aperture f/2.8-f/11, 10-bit Dlog-M and 10-bit HDR video. If you are looking for extra zoom power, you can opt for the Mavic 2 Zoom, featuring a 4x lossless zoom and Dolly Zoom Feature. Media Contact: Beatrice Baldi Phone: +97145727599 Email: [email protected] Related Links DJI Authorized Dealer SOURCE Airworks Trading LLC A smiling Princess Eugenie was pictured in the early hours of Tuesday leaving one of London's most prestigious hotels, amid chaos across the rest of the royal household. The 29-year-old had spent Monday evening at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, after senior royals gathered at Sandringham on Monday to discuss the future of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, following their shock announcement that they wanted to step back from royal duties. The Princess put on a brave face as she braved the showers in London and wore a black tailored coat over a navy blue patterned dress with tights and boots. Eugenie, who is the Queen's granddaughter and tenth in line to the British throne, beamed as she got into a car and was driven away. Prince Eugenie is picture in a car leaving the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair after a tough day for the royals The 29-year-old braved the London showers and wrapped up in a black tailored coat, wore over a blue dress and tights Her appearance comes as senior royals discussed the future of Meghan and Harry (Harry pictured above) Eugenie is considered as a key royal figure, but didn't seem to let the drama surrounding her cousin Harry worry her. The Princess has also had to face her fair share of dramas in recent months, following her father Prince Andrew's appearance on Newsnight. Eugenie was also pictured last week leaving Kensington Palace after the family had gathered at the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton, to celebrate Kate's 38th birthday. Eugenie looked to the floor as she left the hotel, she is also thought to have attended Kate Middleton's birthday celebrations last week Princess Eugenie was driven from Kensington Palace in London on Thursday She looked downcast when leaving the palace, but seemed to have perked up this week, after spending time at the Mayfair venue. World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten works at the hotel and a main course could set you back more than 70 at the restaurant. On Monday Prince Harry travelled to Sandringham to ask his 93-year-old grandmother, father and brother to let him and his wife keep their royal titles while living abroad and grabbing 'financial independence' to earn their own money using the Sussex brand, which experts say could be worth 400million. Charles is also said to be 'hurt' by Harry and Meghan's decision to quit because he has secretly given them millions to fund their lavish lifestyle and furnish their Windsor home in a show of 'love' for the couple since they married 20 months ago, according to the Evening Standard. The monarch is under more pressure to find a way forward because the Sussexes could give a tell-all interview to their friend Oprah Winfrey and 'sound off' about the royal family's 'racism and sexism' if they do not get their way at Sandringham, palace aides fear. The couple are said to see their long-term future in the US but not while President Donald Trump is President - with friends claiming while the couple plan to live in Canada at first their ultimate aim is to have a home and business in Los Angeles. Prince Harry stands with his then-fiance Meghan Markle (pictured) outside Kensington Palace after making their engagement announcement back in November 2017 Yoruba kings and chiefs who indulge in clubbing, smoking, drinking and other untoward behaviour are not worthy of honour and any respect, says the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. Oba Adeyemi spoke in Oyo town on Monday during the installation of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, as the Mayegun of Yorubaland. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at the event. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, were also present on the occasion. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was represented by Babafemi Ojudu. Responding to reports in social media credited to him as saying that after Wasius coronation, he was not expected to prostrate before some kings in the land, the Alaafin said, I did not mean that he should disrespect the royal fathers. He understands the culture and I am not saying that he should disrespect the culture. But kings who go about clubbing and drinking do not deserve any respect. Turning to Wasiu, the monarch said, Accord deserving honour and respect to kings; they are custodians of culture. But there are kings that are not worthy of honour and respect. On why the musician was chosen for the title, the oba said it was time Yoruba people honoured those who had distinguished themselves in their callings. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates By Choi Sung-jin President Moon Jae-in seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place in dealing with North Korea. In his New Year's address Jan. 7, Moon made no mention of the North's denuclearization, inviting criticism from conservative politicians and media outlets. He did not stress the need to beef up military preparedness, a regular message in South Korean leader's year-opening speech. Instead, the liberal president dwelled on the importance of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation. He even insinuated that he might risk alienating the United States to that end. North Korea sent something akin to a reply four days later though not in a pleasant way. Signed by Kim Kye-gwan, the North's former chief nuclear envoy, Pyongyang's statement was designed to repudiate the U.S. calls for reopening working-level talks unless Washington accepts all of its preconditions. Like adding a fifth wheel, Kim then ridiculed Moon's office for announcing the delivery of Donald Trump's congratulatory message to the North's Kim Jong-un while making light of Seoul's role as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang. "South Korea, not even a member of the core U.S. allies, were as frivolous as to convey the greeting of the U.S. president. It seems as if the South still had hope for playing the role of go-between in DPRK-U.S. relations," Kim said. The North sent a clear message that they believe it is presumptuous for the South to meddle in the personal relationship between Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump. Realistically, it was a slap in the face for President Moon and South Korea. North Korea's propaganda machine has long been second to none, of course, when it comes to bombarding its counterparts with rough words. It is not easy, either, to tell whether the rude statement reflects the North's show of confidence or its sense of frustration, or both. One thing seems inevitable, however: Pyongyang is shooting itself in the foot by making South Koreans who are relatively sympathetic to the North rethink their stance. Right-wing media outlets here are nothing if they waste such opportunities. They call for discontinuing the talks to denuclearize, reintroducing the U.S. nuclear weapons and even going nuclear while stepping up sanctions on the North until the communist regime hoists the white flag and capitulates. Things appear to be going back to two years ago. Looking back, however, the stop-and-go pattern and going back to square one have continued through the past four decades of the North Korean nuclear crisis. The hawks, here or across the Pacific, said the North especially its leadership has had no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons, and will not do so even in the future. But nothing is absolute, and everything is relative in a relationship not just between individuals but also countries. There were at least four moments to resolve the crisis considerably if not entirely in 1994, 2005, 2007 and 2012. Conservative analysts say Pyongyang has cheated the U.S. and its allies by pretending to denuclearize and gaining time to advance its arsenals. Kids in America would laugh, or get angry, if the world's wealthiest and most powerful country is as foolish as to be duped by a tiny, impoverished Asian nation repeatedly and for so long. It's an open secret that the U.S. has been less than eager to buy the North's weapons at any price. President Trump has been playing with Kim, praising the young dictator but never conceding anything of substance. Kim is no fool, however. Trump's recent killing of the Iranian military leader must have made Kim stick to the "nuclear sword of the state" even further while allowing two more Asian countries as virtual exceptions of the global non-proliferation endeavors. By most appearances, Washington has some other priorities than depriving the North of its lethal toys, such as keeping China and Russia in check by deploying strategic assets on or nearby this divided peninsula. That said, North Korea and its 30-something ruler have few others to blame but themselves for their dismal state of things. After the special four-day meeting of the communist party, Kim declared a "frontal breakthrough" going back to a continuous nuclear buildup and economic self-reliance. Kim and his coterie may think that the more massive and sophisticated their nuclear arsenal, the higher the price tag for its abandonment. Chances, however, are that atomic weapons will remain costly white elephants for long. Vietnam has become what it is now, not because of its nuclear weapons. Moreover, the North's elite and even ordinary people have come to love money and will hardly endure another "march of suffering" as they did in the 1990s. Time not for completing nuclear programs but for rebuilding the economy is not on Pyongyang's side. It has never been. Critics of Moon said his inter-Korean policy has flopped as Pyongyang cold-shoulders him while Washington is resentful of what it sees as Seoul's one-sidedly pro-North stance. To overcome the dilemma, Moon and his diplomatic team have few other options but to make bolder moves toward both Pyongyang and Washington. They should be able to say their piece to their foul-mouthed counterparts in the North. Instead, Seoul needs to come up with more substantive economic assistance by, for instance, developing joint projects in the agricultural sector or reviving cooperative businesses in light industries and tourism, finding ways not to violate the U.N.'s disciplinary move. The increasingly confusing global political order requires not just good intentions but also tenacity and shrewdness. The Republic of Korea and its leaders also need more confidence and self-esteem, not only to recover lost pride but to enhance the efficiency of their foreign policy. The people are increasingly losing patience to see one of the world's top-10 countries in terms of economy and military remain the regional punching bag. Choi Sung-jin (choisj1955@naver.c0m) is a Korea Times columnist. By Trend From year to year, the Armenian propaganda campaign continues to impose on the world community a far-fetched version of the events of January 1990, and the pogroms in Baku and Sumgayit, which allegedly provoked a massacre of Armenians, Rizvan Huseynov, Director of the Center of Caucasian History, told Trend. In this sense, this year was no exception in the Armenian media, the renowned Azerbaijani historian said, adding that falsifying historical facts, Armenians have launched an anti-Azerbaijani campaign in an attempt to mislead the world community again. "When the Armenian side begins to talk about the pogroms in Baku in January 1990, then it is apparently lying because these very events were preceded by a whole series of tragic events and provocations that cannot be kept in disguise," Huseynov noted. "If they talk about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, then we must return to the events in 1987-88, when the first pogroms and expulsions of Azerbaijanis from the territory of Armenia began. It was at that time that atrocities were committed in Kapan, in Gugark and other regions of Armenia, where Azerbaijanis were brutally expelled or killed. It was the first wave of refugees from the end of 1987 and the beginning of 1988 that flooded the streets of Azerbaijan's large cities - Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja and others, when destitute people became a kind of first catalyst for the events that led to the development of the Karabakh conflict," said the historian. "It was 100-percent provocation by the Soviet KGB, which was carried out by the hands of nationalists, and in particular - party leaders, heads of police, districts, prosecutors - in a word, dignitaries of Armenia who participated in the expulsion of Azerbaijanis and thereby inspired the Armenian nationalists to these atrocities," he added. The USSR witnessed the picture; and the Gorbachev leadership actually provoked all these events, forcing the Azerbaijani side to take retaliatory measures, said Huseynov. Thus, these dispossessed people appeared in Azerbaijans Sumgait city as well, where, not without the support of the State Security Committee, everything was done not to let the city leadership and law enforcement agencies to act. At that time, somehow, in anticipation of the Sumgait events, a huge group of criminal masterminds from all over the USSR appeared there, the historian noted. Who brought them is also understandable, since without an allied leadership this operation wouldnt have succeeded. As a result, the city was paralyzed, after which there were riots led by Armenian Eduard Grigoryan, his brothers and other Armenians. Nationalists beat, killed and raped the Armenians, and the purpose of this provocation was to justify the further occupation of Azerbaijani territories and large-scale aggression against the Azerbaijani people, Huseynov said. The historian reminded that literally immediately after the Sumgait events, a biased anti-Azerbaijani campaign was launched in the Soviet and foreign media to denigrate Azerbaijan. They tried to represent the Azerbaijani people as a monster, to attribute all the atrocities exclusively to the Azerbaijani people, while initially all this monstrous provocation was launched by Armenia, in particular, by the Armenian State Security Committee and the nationalists of this country, Huseynov noted. Following this, the events inNagorno- Karabakh began to develop in a more dangerous way, rallies and riots by the Armenian separatists in Karabakh started, said the historian. The Armenian separatists sought to separate Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan, hostilities began, and all these events caused fair indignation of the Azerbaijani people. Amid the complete inaction of the then Azerbaijani leadership, the situation was menacing, Huseynov said. As a result, a great part of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia came to the conclusion that it was necessary for Azerbaijan to gain independence to save its sovereignty and territorial integrity as the Soviet leadership of the Azerbaijan Republic was unable to do this. In fact, the national liberation movement has started since 1988, the scholar added. The peak of this movement was the subsequent events of January 1990. While realizing the seriousness of the events, the Soviet Union Center again provoked the so-called riots of Armenians to justify sending of a huge contingent of the Soviet troops to Baku. Thus, a war was declared to the Soviet city of Baku. A contingent of troops, comparable to the contingent of the Soviet troops sent to Afghanistan during the war, was sent to Baku. The war against the Azerbaijani people was unambiguously declared. This is the reality, Huseynov said. Therefore, if the current Armenian media outlets, journalists and the Armenian leadership do not realize that there were forces, in which the Armenian provocateurs and nationalists played a big role, trying to stop the national liberation movement in Azerbaijan, then they are simply blind. In this situation, Armenia attempted to prevent Azerbaijan to gain independence. As a result, the 'Karabakh map' was used to turn the national liberation movement into an interethnic conflict, and the goal was partially achieved, the scholar said. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani people eventually gained independence. I think that this period, which turned into disorder and riots followed by the January 20 tragedy, is the chain of provocations of the Armenian side and the Soviet Union Center aimed at undermining the national liberation movement in Azerbaijan. Libya's eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar delayed signing a ceasefire agreement at talks in Moscow, but Russia said it was hopeful the country's warring rivals would soon conclude the deal to end nine months of fighting. Talks on the terms of a ceasefire between Haftar's forces and the UN-recognised government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj went on for seven hours on Monday without the two delegations actually meeting, though Moscow noted "certain progress". Sarraj's Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has been under attack since last April from forces loyal to Haftar, who is based in the east of the oil-rich North African country with his loyalist politicians. Map of forces involved in the fighting in Libya, as of January 12, 2020 following the start of a ceasefire Sunday.. By (AFP) The two sides were expected to agree the terms of a ceasefire that took effect over the weekend, raising hopes of an end to the latest fighting to wrack Libya since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- because of concerns Islamist militants and migrant smugglers, already active, will take advantage of the chaos. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sarraj and the head of High Council of State in Tripoli, Khaled al-Mechri, had signed the document. But Haftar and his ally Aguila Saleh "have asked for a bit more time until morning" to study it, he said. Turkey and Russia's foreign and defence ministers acted as mediators, but the rival delegations did not apparently come face-to-face. "We have refused any meeting with Haftar," al-Mechri was quoted as saying by Libya al-Ahrar television channel. Calls for 'credible' truce The ceasefire initiative was launched by President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who jointly called for a truce in Istanbul last week. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli has been under attack since last April from forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP/File) A fragile ceasefire went into effect from midnight Sunday, but Erdogan on Monday reiterated the "urgent necessity" for a permanent agreement after meeting with Italy's prime minister. German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Putin on Saturday and he supported her drive to hold a peace conference sponsored by the United Nations. Berlin said Monday the summit was planned for later this month. French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for a "credible, lasting and verifiable" truce. Diplomatic sources said discussions were also under way at the United Nations about establishing an observation mission in Libya to monitor the ceasefire, similar to an existing initiative in Yemen. "For the ceasefire in Libya to hold, there should be an impartial monitoring and implementation mechanism as well as confidence-building measures," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told AFP. The UN is already "recording and verifying reported ceasefire violations" through its political mission in Libya, which employs around 230 people, he added. 'Turn page on past' Sarraj on Monday called on Libyans to "turn the page on the past, reject discord and to close ranks to move towards stability and peace". Since the start of Haftar's offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans have been displaced, according to the UN. Turkey and Russia's diplomatic initiative came despite the countries being seen as supporting opposing sides. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) welcomed Libya's military strongman Khalifa Haftar (L) in Moscow. By HO (RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY/AFP) Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA in January in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. The GNA has also signed agreements with Ankara assigning Turkey rights over a vast area of the eastern Mediterranean, in a deal denounced by France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus. Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces, which are supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt -- all regional rivals of Turkey. Several hundred Russian mercenaries are reported to be in Libya supporting Haftar. Putin said any Russians in the country are not in Moscow's pay. Libya has been wracked by bloody turmoil since the ouster of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP/File) Russia supports Haftar as the stronger militarily and backed by its ally Egypt, said Russian defence analyst Alexei Malashenko. "Moscow wants to preserve its presence in Libya through Haftar, including its oil interests," he said. Russia could rekindle trade in arms and wheat and relaunch a stalled railway construction project. Europe and North Africa have also launched a diplomatic offensive to try to prevent Libya, with the increased involvement of international players in its conflict, from turning into what Berlin calls a "second Syria". King Abdullah of Jordan on Monday warned that thousands of fighters have left Syria for Libya and "that is something we in the region but also our European friends will have to address in 2020". Texas needs a new method of selecting judges. Texas is one of only six states in the country that holds partisan judicial elections. With more than 1,000 elected judges at all levels of the judiciary, it is often difficult for voters to make informed decisions about these races. As a result, many decisions in judicial races are based on party affiliation, position on the ballot or a candidates name. This has led to partisan sweeps in recent years, with many talented judges in both major parties losing at the ballot. In his State of the Judiciary speech early last year, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht declared the way the state picks judges is among the very worst methods of judicial selection. We agree and look forward to the work of the newly appointed 15-member Texas Commission on Judicial Selection. The group, which includes Bexar County State Rep. Ina Minjarez, has been tasked with reviewing the way Texas judges are elected and making recommendations for reform before the 2021 legislative session. It is a mammoth undertaking that has been long overdue. Regrettably, the lack of political fortitude to tackle this issue has only maintained the status quo. Changing the way judges are selected will require amending the Texas Constitution, which means a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Legislature will have to agree to place it on the ballot. As we mentioned earlier, partisan elections have produced repeated sweeps at polls, and the election of judges based solely on party affiliation, rather than experience, temperament and talent. In Bexar County, many experienced, quality judges have lost elections to candidates with minimal legal experience. But its not just a Bexar County issue, its statewide. Texas has just over 1,065 elected judges. In January 2019, when the most recently elected judges took the bench, there were 443 new judges. That is a high rate of turnover for such important jobs, and it creates inconsistency in practices and sometimes requires a bit of learning on the job. Judicial jobs used to go to well-respected members of the legal profession who had spent time in the trenches, paid their dues, and gained the experience and wisdom that comes with decades on the job. Regrettably, many candidates now view filing for the judiciary as nothing more than a lottery for a well-paying job. They invest little in their campaigns. Its a low-risk and high-reward effort: a well-paying job with little oversight. This lack of oversight has been a big problem in Bexar County. While county commissioners fund court operations, they have no say in how judges run their courtrooms or spend their days. In recent years, there have been serious work ethic issues among some of the newer members of the Bexar County judiciary who consider a few hours at the courthouse a full days work. One first-term local district judge ended up in prison on public corruption charges, and several judges have been referred to the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, which provides peer support to judges with substance abuse, mental health disorders or other issues. There are many different ways to select judges without the heavy hand of partisanship, and we look forward to seeing what the commission recommends based on best practices in other states. All of this is about maintaining professionalism and restoring stability to the justice system. Change wont come easy. Texans feel strongly about their right to elect judges, and any talk about taking away choices is going to get pushback. But the law should be above partisan swings, and the loss of quality judges simply because of party affiliation is a disservice to all Texans. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Pennsylvania man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison for sending a Snapchat message that said he and others planned to commit a shooting at Parma Senior High School. Russell Miley-Cruz, 22, sent a message to someone identified in court filings as T.G. on April 11, 2018 that said Dont go to Parma High School tomorrow friend, we are about to shoot that s--t up alright man? Dont tell the cops and you will be fine. He claimed that he received the threat himself and was merely forwarding it on, later telling the person to tell her friends, prosecutors said. The other person shared the message with a friend, who then shared in on Snapchat. The threat spread among students, and 1,200 students called out of school the following day, according to a news release. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson ordered Miley-Cruz to pay $409.92 in restitution to reimburse Parma police for the overtime costs it incurred in investigating and identifying the threat. The FBI arrested Miley-Cruz, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on March 1, 2019. He pleaded guilty in September to charges of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and obstruction of justice. During the investigation, Miley-Cruz gave a detective a fake phone number and denied using his Snapchat handle djravetastic in an effort to deceive them. He also denied knowing anybody in Parma and took steps to delete relevant files on his phone, authorities said. Miley-Cruz also called the detective back a few minutes after speaking to them and claimed to have received another school shooting threat, though said it came from a fake phone number, prosecutors said. Finally, he created a Facebook profile using the photo and actual name of a Parma high school student and posted on local news stories taking credit for the threat. Snapchat allows users to send photos, videos and text messages that generally disappear after the recipient has viewed the message or 24 hours after they are uploaded. Cleveland FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson previously said that Miley-Cruz and the person with whom he exchanged messages were online acquaintances. Miley-Cruz has struggled with mental illness, his attorney David Betras wrote in a sentencing memo. He plans on attending a community college in Pennsylvania upon his release from prison, the memo states. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments section. Read more: Man pleads guilty to threatening school shooting in Parma on Snapchat Pennsylvania man made Parma school shooting threat on Snapchat, feds say Parma police investigating threat made on Snapchat to high school Tina Nguyen, Generali Vietnam CEO, told about the success of the charity fundraising campaign on GenVita at the launching ceremony of charity activities in 2020 of Generali Generali Vietnam is the first insurance company in Vietnam to apply digital technology in charity fundraising to create sustainable and positive impacts on local communities. The money will be used to support the companys various charity activities in 2020. The One Billion Footsteps for a Good Cause campaign was launched in July 2019, aiming to encourage GenVita users to track their daily footsteps via the GenGo function. Every footstep recorded during the campaign period will be converted to one Dong by Generali towards its charity fund for the Gen Yeu Thuong (GenCare) programme. Additionally, many exciting challenges were launched on GenVita to encourage an active lifestyle and spread the spirit of giving among users. Many also formed teams to participate in the step count competition. As of the end of 2019, the campaign attracted over 10,000 participants contributing over one billion footsteps and successfully delivering the campaigns target. Tina Nguyen, Generali Vietnam CEO shared: The GenGo function on GenVita was developed to encourage users to adopt an active lifestyle such as to run or walk daily and look after their health. I am very pleased to see that GenVita users have been very enthusiastic about keeping fit with GenGo and at the same time giving a helping hand to underprivileged people in our communities. Generali Vietnam delivered a lot of gifts to people living in Lam Dong Provincial Protection Center on the occasion of Lunar New Year In early January 2020, over 500 staff members of Generali Vietnam visited four social protection centres in Lam Dong province to deliver gifts to approximately 500 elderly and orphans, and to participate in other volunteering activities at these centres. The funding for these activities came from the One Billion Footsteps for a Good Cause campaign and other internal fundraising initiatives by Generali Vietnams staff. The company intends to continue these fundraising activities in the future. GenVita is a digital ecosystem developed by Generali Vietnam, offering free services to its customers as well as any willing users. Apart from enabling users to research, buy and manage insurance policies online, GenVita also provides useful and reliable information on health and finance and encourages its users to look after their health. Specifically, users can use the GenGo function on GenVita to track their daily footsteps, form teams to compete and exercise to improve their health. Another unique feature of GenVita is Alo Dr Gen, which allows users to get free health consultations via telephone with Generalis medical doctors seven days a week. For every footstep tracked by GenGo on GenVita, Generali Vietnam contributes VND1 to the charity fund of Gen Yeu Thuong Generali Vietnam is a member of Generali Group, one of the largest global insurance and asset management providers from Italy. In Vietnam, after nine years of operation, Generali Vietnam currently has a nationwide network of over 60 GenCasa (agency offices) and customer service centres, serving approximately 200,000 clients. With the motto of Simpler, Smarter, Customer-centric, Generali Vietnam is committed to providing world-class insurance solutions through innovative product offerings, a wide distribution network and a revolutionary customer experience. Generali Vietnam takes pride in its strong focus on improving the customer experience and has received the following awards: 2017 and 2018 Best Customer Service and 2018 Most Innovative Insurance Company by International Finance Magazine, 2017 Excellent Brand by Vietnam Enterprise Development Science Union and 2017 and 2018 Golden Dragon by the Vietnam Economic Times. For many people who have hearing problems it is noisy environments, such as busy restaurants, that are their main problem. Hearing aids help somewhat, but even the most advanced ones cant amplify only single individuals that the user is talking to when there are other speakers nearby. At CES 2020 we ran into OrCam, an Israeli company that has developed technology that combines computer vision with audio modulation to know who the intended speaker the user is trying to listen to and to only amplify that persons speech. This is a smart reworking of a similar technology in OrCams other products that use cameras to help visually impaired people understand whats around them. Heres our visit to the companys booth where one of our own got to try out how the OrCam Hear device works: Link to the product preview page: OrCam Hear Flashbacks: OrCam My Eye Helps Patients with Low Vision to Read Text and Recognize Objects in Everyday Life; A leading international human rights group has rebuked the Australian government for police raids on the media, saying the country's national security laws were having a "chilling effect" on journalists and their sources. Human Rights Watch has said in its annual report that while Australia was a vibrant democracy with robust institutions, freedom of expression came under unprecedented pressure in 2019 and the nation's "overly broad" national security laws were open to misuse. News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst, whose home was raided by federal police. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Police raids on journalists and the prosecution of "Witness K" and his lawyer Bernard Collaery over the East Timor spying scandal were highlighted as examples of cracking down on press freedom. The repeal of the medevac laws, offshore processing of refugees, controversial new encryption laws and the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system were also raised as concerns. The Iraqi ambassador to Iran said on Monday that the country is in negotiations to purchase the Russian S-300 missile defense system. Iraq has sought to purchase such a system from Russia since 2017, but has been held back by pressure from the U.S. Turkey has purchased the S-400 system from Russia, a move that caused considerable tension between the country and the Trump administration. Itas possible that Iraq will buy the [S-300] system, said Iraqs ambassador Saad Jawad Qandil, adding that it was part of a push to diversify the countrys military. The killing of Soleimani clearly shows the need for Iraq to improve its air defenses, said Igor Kurushchenko, a member of the Russian defense ministry general council, in comments to The National, a Dubai-based outlet. Iraq must be able to protect itself from missiles fired from the US and Iran. The negotiations continue after the U.S. airstrike at Baghdad International Airport on January 2 that killed senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. The strike came just days after Soleimani orchestrated a violent riot outside the American embassy in Baghdad and, according to administration officials, was timed to prevent an imminent attack on U.S. forces in the region. In response to the strike, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has repeatedly called for U.S. forces to leave the country. The U.S. State Department has dismissed Mahdis proposal. The Iraqi Parliament passed a non-binding resolution on January 5 calling for all foreign troops to leave Iraq, but almost half of the bodys lawmakers didnt show up to the vote, including representatives of Sunni Arab and Kurdish voters. The Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, signed by President Trump in 2017, allows the U.S. to impose sanctions on countries that complete significant transaction[s] with Russian defense bodies. Iraq is currently bound by a strategic agreement to the U.S. that allows the American military to maintain a significant presence in the country. More from National Review African Americans have every right to be skeptical about redistricting in any form, as theyve often ended up cracked or packed to dilute their votes. In 2019, however, the amendment was supported by many prominent members of the states Legislative Black Caucus. Many of the caucuss concerns centered on the lack of guarantees that the makeup of the commission would reflect the diversity of the commonwealth and how the commissions criteria would protect minority communities. Qassem Soleimani is dead. The drone and missile strikes have stopped. Now what? Many Western leaders see an opportunity for renewed diplomacy with Iran. President Donald Trump doesnt care about that. Its clear that he and his top advisers want only one thing to come out of this moment: regime change in Tehran. There are two problems with this single-minded obsession. First, it isnt likely to happen; the regime, though weakened, is less fragile than Trump and his team seem to believe. Second, if it does happen, the mullahs successors are likely to be more oppressive at home and more aggressive abroad. In short, Trump and his advisers should be careful what they wish for. Advertisement Trumps foreign policy, in the Middle East and elsewhere, comes down to one slogan: Look strong. What to do with this strength, and how to parlay it into geostrategic advantage, doesnt seem to be a question thats crossed his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, national security adviser Robert OBrien said on Fox News Sunday that Trumps maximum pressure campaign was working. Iran is being choked off, and Iran is going to have no other choice but to come to the table, he said. OBrien didnt make clear what they would come to the table formaybe a better nuclear deal, some accord that involves an end to their support of terrorists. Leaving aside the matter of plausibility, there are any number of possibilities. Advertisement But Trump was having none of it. Almost immediately, he tweeted, National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran choked off, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldnt care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and dont kill your protesters. If Trumps main desire is no nuclear weapons he shouldnt have pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (aka the Iran nuclear deal), which states, in its preamble, Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weaponsand which, in the 159 pages that follow, lays out measures and verification procedures (all of which Iran had been obeying) to block even a deceptive Iran from getting any nukes for at least 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for dont kill your protesters, its quite likely that more will be killed given the protests persistence and the regimes brutality. What will Trump do if this happens? Will he kill Soleimanis successor, or bomb a police headquarters? Then what? Its laudable for a president to stand up for the protesters of any oppressive regime, but thats not quite whats going on here. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted a clearer message: The voice of the Iranian people is clear. They are fed up with the regimes lies, corruption, ineptitude and brutality of the IRGC under @khamenei_irs kleptoocracy. We stand with the Iranian people who deserve a better future. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, during a speech at Stanford University, Pompeo spelled out his idea of what a better future should be: We just want Iran to behave like a normal nationjust be like Norway. Advertisement Advertisement First, its worth noting that the voice of the Iranian people is far from clear. The hundreds of thousands protesting the regimes corruption and the hundreds of thousands protesting the U.S. killing of Soleimani are all voices of the Iranian people. Some of them are even the same Iranian people. Advertisement Advertisement Second, even if the voice of the people was clear and monolithic, that doesnt mean they wantor the government would agreeto be like Norway. As Daniel Larison spelled out in the American Conservative, No offense to Norway, but telling [the Iranians] to be like Norway amounts to telling them that they should accept having little or no influence in their region. No nation would accept the reduced role that Pompeo demands, especially when the demand comes from the worlds only superpower that behaves more abnormally than any other nation in the world. Advertisement In short, be like Norway is code for regime change. Now, regime change might be a good ideaIrans regime is horrible in many waysif it was also a sensible idea, but it isnt. Irans economy is rocky: Many of its citizens, especially young people in the cities, detest the regimes controls. But as Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst now at the Brookings Institution, told me in an email, The regime is firmly entrenched and has a monopoly on the use of force, which it does not hesitate to use. If the demonstrations get more serious and widespread, he continues, the elite military units in the IRGCthe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpswill use brute force to keep in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the protests get out of control and the current government, led by President Hassan Rouhani, cant control the crowds, then the true power, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would usher in a new government. And in the very improbable event that Khamenei and his regime tumbles, his successors are not likely to be the young pro-Western street protesters. They are much more likely to be the officers of the IRGC, who would be still less inclined than the Ayatollah to negotiate about democracy with the protesters or about disarmament with the West. Colin Kahl, a former Middle East specialist at the Pentagon and the National Security Council, now a professor at Stanford, draws a parallel with Egypt, where young protesters forced Hosni Mubarak out of powerbut ultimately the military seized control. (Like the IRGC in Iran, the Egyptian military controlled many of the states economic and political levers.) Advertisement None of this is to say that Washington should simply accept, much less appease, Irans behavior domestically or across the Middle East. However, it is possible to pressure the leaders of a country like Iran while also negotiating with them for the sake of common interests. The United States did this with the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. And many countries have done it with rivals throughout history. Advertisement Advertisement Trump tolerates, and in some cases coddles, far more oppressive and dangerous regimes than Iran. He does this with China, mainly because he has no choice, given its size and its integration with much of the world economy, including its holding of a huge share of the U.S. debt. He also does it with North Korea for reasons that remain unfathomable, at least when it comes to his affection for Kim Jong-un. Advertisement One thing that Russia, China, and North Korea have in common is they all possess nuclear weapons. Iran does notthough, as its rulers compare U.S. policy toward those other countries with its policy toward Iran itself, they must feel a sharper incentive than ever to resume its nuclear program. Even a pocketful of nukes can deter a foe from aggression. And the Iranians have every reason to fear, even to expect, aggression from the current American president. In short, the standoff with Iran is far from over. Trump may have gained some leverage from the latest exchange. But his unwillingness to exert the leverage as a diplomatic overture is only making things worse. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The attorney for embattled state Rep. Larry Inman expects the government to retry his client after a jury last month could not agree on a verdict on two of three charges. Inman, R-Williamsburg, was acquitted of making a false statement to the FBI. But a federal jury could not reach a unanimous decision on charges of attempted extortion and solicitation of a bribe, resulting in a mistrial. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker set a scheduling conference for Thursday, Jan. 16, to determine whether the government intends to retry the case. The U.S. Attorneys Office would not reveal plans before the hearing but attorney Christopher Cooke, who represents Inman, thinks the government will retry the case. Thats my impression, he said. He said he was absolutely opposed to retrial and said his client, subject of a recently failed recall drive, has been through enough. Jonker said in court documents that he expects the government to indicate at the upcoming hearing if Inman will be retried. Inman was accused of trying to sell his vote on repealing the prevailing-wage law - which requires workers on many public projects receive union-level pay - in exchange for thousands in campaign funds. He sent texts to a union leader and lobbyist saying that he and other Republicans each needed $30,000 to vote against the repeal. Lisa Canada, political and legislative director of the Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights union, contacted police after receiving texts in the days leading to the House vote. Inman blamed his opioid addiction for writing potentially incriminating texts he had no memory of sending. He told jurors: I did nothing wrong. I am an innocent man." Ultimately, he voted for the repeal. State legislators passed the repeal after a petition drive would have put the issue before voters. Inman has also faced recall efforts in response to the criminal allegations. Last week, however, the states Bureau of Elections determined that recall backers did not have enough valid signatures to proceed. Jonker told the parties in the criminal case he wanted them to look at First Amendment issues, and what effect a second trial could have on campaign fundraising. As the Court has said from the bench and in writing multiple times, the case presents important, novel and difficult questions about the sometimes fine line between legitimate solicitation of campaign contributions and criminal bribery and extortion, attempted or completed, Jonker wrote. The Court was satisfied, for purposes of the first trial, that a jury could properly resolve these questions under proper instructions focusing on the key issue of quid pro quo exchange. Given the result of the first trial, the Court questions whether the calculus has changed and whether the Court should revisit questions of First Amendment overbreadth as applied to this case as a matter of law. Multiple trials on the same issue have potential to chill legitimate campaign funding activities in a way that a single trial does not. The judge also wants to know if Inman intends to file a notice of diminished capacity based on his use of alcohol and prescription drugs. The judge rejected such a request at the first trial but allowed witnesses to testify about his use of substances so that the jury could evaluate Inmans state of mind. Jonker has a number of questions about the range and scope of that theory regarding the two charges that remain. The charge of attempted extortion carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Solicitation of a bribe is a 10-year felony. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Before our last general election in 2016, Fine Gael was so enamoured with the Tories that it tried to copy the then successful David Cameron election campaign playbook. The former British prime minister advised Enda Kenny's strategists to talk up the economy and stick to the plan even if it seemed not to be working. Fine Gael lost nearly 30 seats as the voters rejected 'Keep the recovery going'. Interactions between the parties have cooled since, as the small matter of Brexit entered the equation and soured Anglo-Irish relations. Nonetheless, the bromance between Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar did blossom on Merseyside last October, leading to a breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations. After a stonking win in the British election, BoJo is cock of the walk. Ahead of calling a general election this week, Leo is a lame duck. The imbalance of power was reflected in the interaction between the two leaders. BoJo put on a show as he turned up in Stormont to welcome the restoration of power-sharing after three long, redundant years. The Northern parties thought he was coming to Stormont with his cheque book as London was supposed to back the deal with cash. Before his arrival, the first row of the new regime had broken out. The DUP and Sinn Fein had a spat over the possible introduction of water charges in the North. Before the end of the day, all sides were agreed on no water charges. Sinn Fein finance minister Conor Murphy said the 2bn (2.3bn) being spoken of coming from London would not be enough. The suggestion was 1.5bn-2bn was on the table. The prime minister failed to put his money where his mouth was. All the parties got was patronising pats on the head for getting back to work - at last. In the main hall of Stormont, before an audience of children from Dunloy St Joseph's Primary School on a tour or parliament, he spoke admiringly about the leadership shown. He said it was now up to the parties to make it work. He mocked the utterance of his predecessor Tony Blair who said about the Good Friday Agreement that: "I feel the hand of history upon our shoulders." "Never mind the hand of history...I see the hand of the future," Johnson said. However, the prime minister did not provide any figures for the amount of money to be provided by the British government to Northern Ireland. With his usual bravado, he batted on questions about the cash-for-ash and amnesties. On the forthcoming arrival of Brexit, Johnson said there could be checks on goods coming into Northern Ireland if they are coming south of the Border after Brexit. He pitched the responsibility on to the trade negotiations with the EU, being handled by Ireland's European Commissioner Phil Hogan. "Be in no doubt... I don't foresee any circumstances whatsoever in which there will be any checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to GB. "The only circumstances in which you'd imagine the need for checks coming from GB to NI was is if those goods were going on to Ireland - and we had not secured, which I hope we will, a zero tariff, zero agreement with our friends and partners in the EU," he said. Above the great hall, in a cramped corridor, Leo was left with just a few short minutes to stand alongside the great man before the cameras. It didn't match the statesman image he's trying to portray in the general election. Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who brokered the deal, was left as a bystander. The only hint of a general election came when Varadkar said he looked forward to a North-south ministerial council "as soon as we have a new government in place south of the Border". Varadkar said he looked forward to beefing up east-west co-operation between the UK and Ireland, the UK having a new relationship with the EU and a new trade deal in place. In the Blair-Bertie Ahern era, the leaders would come to Belfast to give negotiations a push across the line. The purpose of BoJo and Leo coming to town when all the hard work was done was unclear. All everyone really cared about was the Sandringham summit between Prince Harry and the queen. Unlike Leo's solidarity stance with Harry and Megan last week, Boris wasn't biting when asked for his view. "I really don't comment on stuff to do with the queen." Reacting to the Kerala government moving to Supreme Court with their plea against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao called it a "mature" move. Slamming the nationwide protests against the law, Rao said that the Kerala government has finally realized that the act can only be challenged in the Supreme court and not on the streets. "Kerala government showed some maturity by challenging CAA in the Supreme Court. They have realised their blunder. I am glad, somebody used their sense in realising that the Centre's act can only be challenged in SC and not on streets," Narasimha Rao said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved to the Supreme Court with his plea against the Citizenship law, stating that it violates the Constitution of India and its principle of secularism. READ | BIG: Kerala Government Challenges CAA In Supreme Court, Becomes First State To Do So Kerala Government Challenges CAA in SC The Kerala government has moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which grants Indian citizenship to minorities from three countries - Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. In the petition, the Kerala government stated that the act violates "Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India" and is violative of the basic structure principle of secularism. READ | Kerala BJP Secretary AK Nazeer Attacked By SDPI Workers After Attending Pro-CAA Meet With this, the Kerala government becomes the first state government to move the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Act, to which several states have also raised objections. Kerala was also the first state assembly to move a resolution against CAA. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution promises Right to Equality to all while Article 21 says "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law" and Article 25 says "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience". READ | Silent On 'all-Opposition' Meet Flop Show, Sonia Gandhi Launches Attack On Modi-Shah Narasimha Rao on 'flop' Opposition meet Speaking of the key opposition leaders including Shiv Sena, TMC, BSP, DMK who bunked the 'All-Opposition' parties' meeting called by Sonia Gandhi on Monday, GVL Narasimha Rao said that there is a lack of unity among the opposition parties. "Lack of unity caused many leaders to boycott the meet. DMK has yet not made its mind about fight alongside Congress against CAA, and the new ally Shiv Sena has also given excuses. Many parties will distance themselves from Congress because of their hypocrisy," the BJP leader said. Multiple opposition parties gathered at the national capital for a meeting on January 13. The meeting, however, turned out to be a 'flop show' as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she would boycott the opposition meeting, other opposition party leaders like MK Stalin, Mayawati, Arvind Kejriwal also skipped the meeting. READ | Sena, TMC, BSP, DMK Bunk: Amid Dwindling 'Opposition', Here's Who Answered Congress' Call Looking to try the best hair salons in town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable hair salons in Berkeley, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. Pro Beauty Salon Photo: kanak g./Yelp Topping the list is Pro Beauty Salon. Located at 2195 Bancroft Way (between Shattuck Avenue and Fulton Street.), the hair salon and waxing spot is the highest-rated affordable business of its kind in Berkeley, boasting four stars out of 106 reviews on Yelp. We looked there to learn more about Pro Beauty Salon. "Founded by Berkeley entrepreneur Ben Yu, who always wanted a better haircutting experience," per the history section of its Yelp profile. "He decided to create an environment that is fun, efficient, clean and gives the customer an amazing hair cut. After 7 years under development, Zip Clips opened in May 2014." Concerning signature items, "Specializes in cutting hair!" it notes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "Our innovative system and high tech environment to cut, clean and efficiently manage a unique customer experience!" 2. Vika Beauty Salon Photo: tessa s./Yelp Vika Beauty Salon, located at 2442 Sacramento St. (between Channing and Dwight ways), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable hair salon 4.5 stars out of 201 reviews. The site has lots more information on Vika Beauty Salon. "Virginia Perez established Vika in 2008, after a number of years as a stylist in Berkeley salons," the business notes in the history section of its Yelp profile. Concerning signature items, "Vika Beauty Salon provides state of the art hair styling, coloring, cuts and all types of hair care," it notes on Yelp in the section about specialties. 3. Lhasa Hair Salon Photo: jo w./Yelp Over in Downtown Berkeley, check out Lhasa Hair Salon, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 148 reviews on Yelp. Stop by the hair salon by heading over to 2035 University Ave. (between Milvia Street and Shattuck Avenue). Yelper Fhjcg N., who reviewed Lhasa Hair Salon on Dec. 10 wrote, "I've been here four or more times. It's my go-to. I'm mostly satisfied with their work. Their place is clean, they are nice and skilled." Yelper Pearly T. wrote, "Went to Lhasa Hair Salon for the first time yesterday and had a great experience." 4. University Hair Care Photo: university hair care/Yelp And then there's University Hair Care, a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 96 reviews. Stop by 1444 University Ave. (between Sacramento and Acton streets) to hit up the next time you're looking to achieve a cut on a budget. We turned there for an overview of University Hair Care. "Beauty salon, We do colors, highlights and haircuts for men, women and children," per the history section of the business's Yelp profile. Interested so far? "We are a full-service salon located in Berkeley for almost 20 years, specializing in haircuts and hair colors," the business explains in the bio section of its Yelp profile. Regarding signature items, "At University Hair Care, we offer an array of hairstyling services for men, women, and children," it writes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. BRUSSELS - Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday ratcheted up pressure on Iran to stop violating its landmark nuclear deal in a last-ditch effort to resolve their differences through talks while also starting a process that could bring back punishing U.N. sanctions on Tehran. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this photo released by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, technicians work at the Arak heavy water reactor's secondary circuit, as officials and media visit the site, near Arak, 150 miles (250 kilometers) southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. The head of Iran's nuclear agency says his country has begun new operations at the heavy water nuclear reactor. The move intensifies pressure on Europe to find an effective way around U.S. sanctions, which block Tehran's oil sales abroad. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP) BRUSSELS - Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday ratcheted up pressure on Iran to stop violating its landmark nuclear deal in a last-ditch effort to resolve their differences through talks while also starting a process that could bring back punishing U.N. sanctions on Tehran. The three European Union countries are being pressed on one side by U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon the agreement like he did unilaterally in 2018, and on the other side from Iran to provide enough economic incentives for them to roll back their violations. Now, the Europeans have reluctantly triggered the accord's dispute mechanism to force Iran into discussions, starting the clock on a process that could result in the snapback of U.N. and EU sanctions on Iran. The three nations specifically avoided threatening the sanctions while emphasizing hopes for a negotiated resolution. They held off their announcement until tensions between the U.S. and Iran had calmed down after the Jan. 3 killing of an Iranian general in an American drone strike so their intent would not be misinterpreted. "Our goal is clear: We want to preserve the accord and come to a diplomatic solution within the agreement," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. We will tackle this together with all partners in the agreement. We call on Iran to participate constructively in the negotiation process that is now beginning. Iran's Foreign Ministry warned of a "serious and strong response" to the European move. But at the same time, ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi held out an olive branch, saying his country was "fully ready to answer any good will and constructive effort" that preserves the nuclear deal, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. The U.S. State Department said it fully supports the decision to initiate the dispute resolution mechanism. We believe further diplomatic and economic pressure is warranted by nations, it said in a statement. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell talks to reporters at the European parliament Tuesday, Jan.14, 2020 in Strasbourg, eastern France. Britain, France and Germany have launched action under the Iran nuclear agreement paving the way for possible sanctions in response to Tehran's attempts to roll back parts of the deal, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer, Trump said, according to the statement. The accord, which Iran signed with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia in 2015, has been unraveling since Trump pulled Washington out in 2018 and reinstated sanctions designed to cripple the Islamic Republic under what the U.S. called a maximum pressure campaign. The Europeans felt compelled to act, despite objections from Russia and China, because every violation of the deal reduces the so-called breakout time Iran needs to produce a nuclear bomb, Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Parliament. Each of these actions were individually serious, Raab said. Together, they now raise acute concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran insists it is not seeking an atomic weapon. At the time of the signing of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, Iran's breakout time was estimated to be as little as two months. With the safeguards in place, limiting Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, the number and types of centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium, and the purity that is allowed, that estimate grew to more than a year. Trump said the deal should be renegotiated because it didn't address Iran's ballistic missile program or its involvement in regional conflicts, and reimposed U.S. sanctions that have left Iran's economy reeling. To pressure the remaining signatories to provide enough economic incentives to offset the U.S. sanctions, Iran last year began violating its limitations in stages. Throughout, it has announced the violations publicly and continued to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency in to its facilities. Following the U.S. drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran announced what it said was its fifth and final step in violating the deal, saying it would no longer abide by any limitation to its enrichment activities. A cleric walks on the U.S. and British flags while leaving a gathering to commemorate the late Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. drone attack on Jan. 3, and victims of the Ukrainian plane that was mistakenly downed by the Revolutionary Guard last Wednesday, at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. M (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) That left the Europeans with no choice but to invoke the dispute mechanism, Raab told Parliament. We do so with a view to bringing Iran back into full compliance, he said, adding that they hope the move will reinforce the diplomatic track, not to abandon it. In their letter to the EU's foreign policy chief announcing their move, the three countries distanced themselves from the new U.S. sanctions. Our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran, they said. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments. At the same time, they rejected Tehran's argument that it was justified in violating the deal because Washington broke the agreement first when it pulled out. Invoking the dispute mechanism starts a 30-day period in which to resolve the problem, which can be extended and probably will be. If the problem persists, the matter could be brought before the U.N. Security Council and might result in the "snapback" of sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. After receiving the letter, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who co-ordinates the agreement on behalf of the world powers, stressed that the pressure on Iran from Europe does not mean international sanctions will automatically be imposed. Despite Iran's recent violations, all remaining parties to the JCPOA have said it is worth preserving, saying it is the best way to curb Iran's nuclear program. Diplomats note that even with its violations, Iran is still enriching uranium to a lower purity than it did before the deal, and IAEA inspectors continue to have access to its facilities. We see no reason for such a step, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement about the EU countries' decision. It called the move an ill-considered decision that could lead to a new escalation and make a return to the original framework unachievable. With the growing skepticism that the deal will be able to saved without U.S. involvement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested the possibility the agreement could be reworked somehow to address some of Trump's concerns. Let's work together to replace the JCPOA with the Trump deal, he told the BBC. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Borrell refused to comment on that but again emphasized that the remaining signatories feel it is the best solution to limiting Iran's nuclear ambitions. We have to preserve the nuclear deal and work to go back to full and effective implementation," Borrell said in Strasbourg, France. He described the pact as a significant achievement and underlined that "there is no alternative to this agreement. Raab told Britain's Parliament that the government in Iran has a choice. "The regime can take the steps to de-escalate tensions and adhere to the basic rules of international law. Or sink deeper and deeper into political and economic isolation," he said. We urge Iran to work with us to save the deal. ___ Rising reported from Beirut. Danica Kirka in London, Frank Jordans and Geir Moulson in Berlin and Daria Litvinova and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed. London: Australian supporters of Britain's Labour Party are being urged to check if they are eligible to vote in the UK party's leadership race with the shortlist of candidates confirmed on Monday. Following the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn, four women: Rebecca Long-Baily, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry will compete against frontrunner Sir Keir Starmer in an attempt to be named the party's first female leader. Labour leadership contender and the UK oppositions foreign spokeswoman Emily Thornberry, left, with Labour International members, including Secretary Reagan Ward (3rd from right) in Sydney, August 2019. Frontbencher Angela Rayner leads the race to be named Deputy which will be fought out between her and four lesser-known candidates Rosena Allin Khan, Dawn Butler, Ian Murry and the accident-prone Corbynista frontbencher Richard Burgon. Australians who are British or eligible Irish citizens aged 14 or over can join the party for the sum of 25 ($47) and vote in the leadership elections if they register by Monday 20 January. A woman who claimed direct trains from London to Grimsby would enourage 'terrorists' to visit the town has prompted a hilarious reaction on Twitter. Her comment followed reports that the seaside town - and neighbouring resort Cleethorpes - could see its first direct link to London in almost 30 years. The Grimsby local wrote: 'Don't think you will be saying it's good when terrorists from London get on a train and come to Grimsby. Bad idea my opinion.' A woman who claimed direct trains from London to Grimsby would enourage 'terrorists' to visit the town has prompted a hilarious reaction on Twitter Her comment followed reports that the seaside town - and neighbouring resort Cleethorpes - could see its first direct link to London in almost 30 years. Pictured: One response to the woman's comments Grimsby MP Lia Nici has written to the Department for Transport. Pictured: Grimsby Her comment was then shared to Twitter, and the reactions were hilarious. Maracus Flute wrote: 'Changing at Doncaster IS annoying...' Alex added: 'Love the idea that the only thing stopping terrorists from targeting Grimsby and Cleethorpes is the change at Doncaster.' Paul Bowen sarcastically added: 'I'm a London-based terrorist and I can't wait for a direct line to Cleethorpes. The woman's comment was shared to Twitter and the reactions were hilarious 'Bit of mayhem, spot of lunch in Steels then a nice kip on the train without the worry of missing my connection at Donny. Ideal.' Maxton said: 'Genius, the only thing keeping Grimsby safe is the complicated rail journey.' Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers hopes the town could see a twice-daily train, GrimsbyLive reports. Sir Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, will meet Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to push for the extra LNER services. Grimsby MP Lia Nici has written to the Department for Transport. Good morning. (Heres the sign-up, if you dont already get California Today by email.) Its a rivalry that feels at once inevitable and arbitrary, timeless and very rooted in our hyperpartisan era: California versus Texas. Over the weekend, my colleague Dana Goldstein published an in-depth analysis of American history textbooks used in California and Texas schools. Though they came from the same publishers, theyre different in ways that are informed by politics. On Monday, I talked with Dana about the project, why she picked California and Texas, and what shell be watching going forward. Heres our conversation: Can you briefly tell me a bit more about how the project came about? I got the idea for this story at the very beginning of 2019, when I did a previous story, which was about the state of Michigan and how it had a huge battle between conservatives and liberals about how to define what should be taught in social studies classrooms. And while I was doing that piece, I visited some schools and I went into a history classroom and I saw this teacher had a textbook and it was completely marked up, like she had stuck sticky tags all over it, and underlined and highlighted stuff. And I thought, The textbook is still important. Fifty years ago today we were visited by a corrupt US businessman named Spiro Agnew who just happened to be the vice-president of the United States. The only reason I remember the visit of Spiro Who? is because I was arrested at the National War Memorial in Canberra and charged with "assault police" an arrest which has affected my travel arrangements ever since. Others arrested with me were charged with the extraordinary offence of "fighting in the grounds of the War Memorial". Just think about that as a charge. Meredith Burgmann is arrested in 1970 for protesting at the arrival of US vice-president Spiro Agnew. Because I was found guilty of a felony at the Agnew demonstration, I have found it difficult to travel to the United States. I have to undergo an interview with the US consulate in Sydney before obtaining a visa. On these occasions there have been strange conversations where I point out that Spiro Agnew was in fact a crook. The US officials always respond with officialese for, "Yes, but he was our crook." Agnews visit occurred at the height of the Vietnam War and at the peak of discussion about Australias non-questioning support role. DES MOINES, Iowa - Quentin Hart, the black mayor of Iowas most racially diverse city, is backing Pete Buttigieg for president, giving the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor a rare boost from a minority leader as he struggles to attract voters of colour. Hart told The Associated Press he was supporting Buttigieg in part for what he called the Democrats effort to address racial economic disparity in South Bend. Like Waterloo, which Hart represents, South Bend is a once-thriving Midwestern city with a higher-than-average unemployment rate and a history of racial discord. The Buttigieg campaign hopes Harts endorsement will help not only inoculate the 37-year-old Buttigieg from the stubborn notion that he cannot win black support but also potentially resonate beyond majority-white Iowa, as Buttigieg winds his way through the Democratic primary campaign. Hes taken an industrial place like South Bend, Indiana, which is kind of similar to the story of Waterloo, Iowa, where a lot of people had given up on that community, and made great strides to turning it around, Hart said of Buttigieg. The endorsement, revealed on Tuesday, comes three weeks before Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses. Polls show Buttigieg, who served two terms as mayor from 2012 to early this year, in a tightly grouped pack at the top, along with former Vice-President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. In recent days, Buttigieg has been hounded by Black Lives Matter activists, including during a rally in Des Moines on Sunday. Black activists have long argued that Buttigieg did too little to mend police relations with the black community, notably in firing the citys first black police chief early in his career and in the shooting death of an armed black man by police in June. Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown endorsed Buttigieg last week, becoming the first member of the Congressional Black Caucus to do so. Ten members have endorsed Biden, who has the most support from the group. A recent Washington Post/Ipsos poll found Buttigieg had support from 2% of black voters nationally. Waterloo, a city of about 68,000 residents, has a black population of 16%, less than South Bends roughly 27%. Just like in South Bend and Waterloo, were placed in situations where it seems like were responsible to fix generations of decline, to fix generational and systemic racism or problems that weve had, said Hart, who is the first black mayor of Waterloo and is in his third term. The campaign hopes that Hart, who has also dealt with racial unrest involving policing in his city, can inspire others to follow him, especially in subsequent nominating contests with greater racial diversity, such as the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary. I think I can play a role moving forward with the campaign, said Hart, who plans to publicly endorse on Wednesday. Thats the hope of Mayor Pete as well. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Houston detectives are searching for the person responsible for fatally shooting a 33-year-old man whose body was found in the parking lot of a southeast Houston motel days before Christmas. Police said Gino Armendariz was shot, possibly in the face, on Monday, Dec. 23 around 12:52 a.m. in the parking lot of a motel in the 8700 block of the Gulf Freeway. When officers arrived, they found Armendariz's body lying in the parking lot next to a running vehicle, according to a Houston news release. NASA scientists using data from its NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite, has traced the movement of the smoke coming off the Australian fires across the globe showing that it has circumnavigated the Earth. In an image created from data gathered by the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Nadir Mapper on Suomi NPP, a black circle shows the smoke which had been traced from its origins coming back to the eastern region of Australia after having traveled around the world. Suomi NPP carries carry five science instruments and is the first satellite mission to address the challenge of acquiring a wide range of land, ocean, and atmospheric measurements for Earth system science while simultaneously preparing to address operational requirements for weather forecasting. Suomi NPP also represents the gateway to the creation of a U.S. climate monitoring system, collecting both climate and operational weather data and continuing key data records that are critical for global change science. NASA's satellite instruments are often the first to detect wildfires burning in remote regions, and the locations of new fires are sent directly to land managers worldwide within hours of the satellite overpass. Together, NASA instruments detect actively burning fires, track the transport of smoke from fires, provide information for fire management, and map the extent of changes to ecosystems, based on the extent and severity of burn scars. NASA has a fleet of Earth-observing instruments, many of which contribute to our understanding of fire in the Earth system. Satellites in orbit around the poles provide observations of the entire planet several times per day, whereas satellites in a geostationary orbit provide coarse-resolution imagery of fires, smoke and clouds every five to 15 minutes. NASA satellites can show the movement of the smoke across the globe as evidenced above, but other instruments found onboard can give scientists, firefighters, health experts, local government, and others information about what is happening on the ground in real-time. So, too, air quality during events such as devastating bushfires is another serious concern to address and NASA satellites are able to help in this area as well. The OMPS (Ozone Mapper and Profiler Suite of instruments) Aerosol Index layer on Suomi NPP is able to indicate the presence of ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing particles in the air (aerosols) such as desert dust and, in this case, soot particles in the atmosphere; it is related to both the thickness of the aerosol layer located in the atmosphere and to the height of the layer. The Aerosol Index is a unitless range from < 0.00 (clear ranging to light yellow then yellow) to >=5.00, where 5.0 (dark red) indicates heavy concentrations of aerosols that could reduce visibility or impact human health. The Aerosol Index layer is useful for identifying and tracking the long-range transport of volcanic ash from volcanic eruptions, smoke from wildfires or biomass burning events and dust from desert dust storms, even tracking over clouds and areas of snow and ice. Aerosols absorb and scatter incoming sunlight, which reduces visibility and increases the optical depth. Aerosols have an effect on human health, weather and the climate. Aerosols are produced from many events including pollution from factories, smoke from fires, dust from dust storms, sea salts, and volcanic ash and smog. Aerosols compromise human health when inhaled by people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Aerosols also have an affect on the weather and climate by cooling or warming the earth, helping or preventing clouds from forming. The image below shows a huge area directly above the bushfires that is spewing extreme amounts of aerosols into the atmosphere creating a health hazard not only for residents in the area, but also for those affected when wind patterns carry that smoke on jet streams. NOAA meteorologists incorporate Suomi NPP data into their weather prediction models to produce forecasts and warnings that help emergency responders anticipate, monitor and react to many types of natural disasters, including the bushfires plaguing Australia currently. Suomi NPP serves as an important link between the current generation of Earth-observing satellites and the next generation of climate and weather satellites. It observes the Earth's surface twice every 24-hour day, once in daylight and once at night. In its orbit Suomi NPP flies 512 miles (824 kilometers) above the surface in a polar orbit, circling the planet about 14 times a day. The satellite sends its data once an orbit to the ground station in Svalbard, Norway and continuously to local direct broadcast users. The data collected by Suomi NPP can help save lives. ?NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Worldview application provides the capability to interactively browse over 700 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and then download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, essentially showing the entire Earth as it looks "right now." This satellite image was collected on Actively burning fires, detected by thermal bands, are shown as red points. Image Courtesy: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). ### Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will invest in a third of US$22.8 billion worth of development projects in Indonesia as Southeast Asias largest economy looks to the worlds wealthiest countries to fund infrastructure and human capital development projects. The investment plan was announced during President Joko Jokowi Widodos official two-day trip to Abu Dhabi that ended Monday. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that, under the deal, the UAE would invest $6.8 billion into five government-to-government projects and 11 business-to-business projects in agriculture, education, energy and mining, among other sectors. As the President conveyed, this deal with the United Arab Emirates might well become the largest deal in Indonesias history, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in a statement on Monday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 The Prime Minister, Mr Gorton, has made it clear that his Government would continue to adopt a "wait and see" attitude on the treaty. Mr Barnard said he and Mr Whitlam had not discussed American bases in Asia or Australia. The F-111 was discussed, but Mr Barnard would not give any details of what had been said. China also was mentioned in the talks, Mr Barnard said. For the first time in his three-day visit, Mr Agnew drove today without the protection of his bulletproof Cadillac. He drove from his hotel to the Fairbairn Air Base in a Rolls-Royce from the Supply Department pool. His bullet-proof car, and the "armoury" car in which secret servicemen normally follow him, were flown to New Zealand last night to be ready for Mr. Agnew's arrival in Auckland today. Security precautions in Canberra today were superfluous. There were no demonstrators along the route. Only a few curious tourists parked along the perimeter of the aerodrome waiting to see the Vice-President's plane, "Air Force Two," take off. "A wave of greeting from Mr. Agnew as he and Mrs. Agnew leave the U.S. Presidential jet at Fairbairn R.A.A.F. base, Canberra yesterday. On the aircraft is Mr. Agnew's Vice-Presidential seal." January 14, 1970 Credit:Staff photographer 14 ARRESTED DURING AGNEW'S DAY (Published on January 15, 1970) CANBERRA, Wednesday. Demonstrations, violence and arrests marked Vice-President Agnew's only full day in Australia today. Police arrested 14 demonstrators outside Parliament House in two clasheseight in the first and six in the second. When Mr Agnew began his official round of engagements at 11 a.m. with a meeting of Federal Cabinet at Parliament House it looked as though the day would be a quiet one for him. He left his hotel a few minutes before 11 a.m. with only a handful of spectators and not even one demonstrator present. ARRESTS When he arrived at Parliament House he was met by 100 people, only about 30 of them demonstrators , waving Vietcong flags and anti-Vietnam placards . The demonstrators, their numbers swelled by the arrival of two busloads from Sydney, danced on the lawns opposite Parliament and held an anti-war meeting. At Parliament House, Mr Agnew watched as astronaut Thomas Stafford, who is in his party, presented the Prime Minister, Mr Gorton, with four moon rocks brought back by Apollo 12. The rocks, ranging in size from a pinhead to an eighth of an inch across, are mounted in clear plastic above a small Australian flag which the astronauts took to the moon and back. The first violent clash with police and arrests came about 2.15 p.m. A number of plainclothes detectives appeared among the demonstrators. Scuffles broke out and other police raced into the crowd and dragged away eight people. "Demonstrator winces in pain after being judo chopped in the face by security guard." January 15, 1970. Credit:Staff photographer Then as Mr Agnew left Parliament House, the demonstrators tried to rush the steel barricades erected across King George' s Terrace. Police held them back but one young demonstrator broke free, ran towards Mr Agnew's speeding Cadillac and appeared to be going to throw himself under it until police grabbed him. One of those arrested at this stage was a 54-year-old retired coalminer from Wollongong who is now on a T.P.I. Repatriation pension for a heart condition. As a precaution police later took him to Canberra Community Hospital, where he was admitted for "rest and observation." Patron of the WAVE Trauma Centre, actor James Nesbitt, has paid tribute to the former chair of the board of Wave, Professor Jean Orr CBE, who died suddenly last weekend aged 76. "She was a woman of immense compassion who not only believed that those who bore the brunt of the Troubles should be helped and supported. She did everything she could to make that a reality," the Cold Feet star said. "Jean was a life force, brilliant and generous. She had such humanity, compassion and great humility. "She was a woman of immense creativity, colour and warmth. I loved her sense of humour, her optimism and her grace." No casualties reported in attack on base that houses American troops north of the capital, Baghdad. Katyusha rockets targeted the Taji military camp, located north of Baghdad, on Tuesday but no casualties were reported. No group claimed responsibility. The Iraqi base located 85km (53 miles) north of the capital hosts a large number of US troops and other foreign forces, making it a target for Iran-backed armed groups after the US assassination of top commander Qassem Soleimani. At least two Katyusha rockets were fired, an army captain told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media. On Sunday, four people were wounded after eight Katyusha rockets were fired at the Al Balad airbase. Military sources identified the wounded as Iraqi soldiers. The incidents come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran following Soleimanis killing and Irans retaliatory missile attacks against US targets in Iraq. The limited Iranian response, which caused no casualties, appeared to be mainly a show of force and de-escalated tensions that had threatened to turn Iraq into a proxy battlefield amid increasing fears of all-out war. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The country's lead volcanologist on Tuesday said studies have to be conducted before heeding the call of Senate President Tito Sotto to conduct cloud seeding in areas affected by ashfall from the Taal Volcano eruption. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum backed the statement of Sotto that artificial rains can help clean up the ash that covered plants and homes this week, but warned it could lead to a more destructive situation, such as when the ash mixes with water to create a surging mudflow. "This has to be studied. Obviously kung masyadong maraming tubig, mawa-wash down ang abo sa gilid at may banta ng flood or lahars dahil inaanod ang abo," he said in a media briefing. Solidum added, "In general cloud seeding is a good idea, but how to operationalize it, you really have to study it." Sotto hit back at critics of his proposal, insisting that "water will wash away everything." "Ang hirap sa iba, 'pag hindi nila ideya nakapintas agad. Tumulong na lang sila at huwag humanap ng mali," he said. [Translation: What's difficult for some is that they insult ideas if it's not theirs. They should just help and not be fault-finders.] Affected residents in Batangas towns have complained of having a hard time leaving their towns due to the slippery and muddy roads when the volcanic ash mixed with rain on Sunday. It also slowed down rescuers who were trying to evacuate residents. Sotto on Monday said he has proposed to the Air Force to conduct cloud seeding over affected areas instead of waiting for the rain. He said, "Water solves the ashfall debris." He said this suggestion was backed by his fellow senators. The lawmaker added a team from the Air Force is studying his idea. Ashfall from the ongoing eruption of the Taal Volcano blanketed several towns in Batangas and reached Bulacan, Antipolo in Rizal, and several cities in Metro Manila. The high court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Police to deal with the issue of easing traffic on the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch on account of the anti-CAA protest, keeping in mind the "larger public interest" and in accordance with the law in a time-bound manner. A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court presided by Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice C. Harishankar after passing the directions, disposed off the plea. The plea filed by advocate Amit Sahni sought court's directions to withdraw the closure of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch i.e. Road No. 13 A (between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj) as well as Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizen (NRC) as a temporary measure. However, the road closure was extended from time to time till date, thereby causing huge inconvenience/hardship to the lakhs of commuters everyday, who were compelled to take different route for the last one month. "The Kalindi Kunj stretch, which is quite crucial as the same connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) has been shut down since 15-12-2019 due to protests against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Parliament of India. Several Lacs commuters using the aforesaid road are forced to use alternative routes Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which not only results in brunt of hours of traffic jams but wastage of fuel and precious time also (sic.)," the plea read. ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A Kenai man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for threatening a state judge. Steven Bachmeier, 43, was sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by federal statute, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. The prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release, prosecutors said. Bachmeier in May 2010 faced criminal charges and tried to withdraw a guilty plea. The judge in the case denied his request and Bachmeier threatened to carve the flesh from the judges children, prosecutors said. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in the criminal case. In January 2017, Bachmeier tried to have his name legally changed and the matter was assigned to the same judge who presided over his criminal case. That angered Bachmeier, prosecutors said, and he mailed a pleading to the court in which he wrote, I have told her in past Im going to kill her family, which I still entend to do. A federal jury in January 2019 convicted Bachmeier of mailing a threatening communication. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason sentenced him Friday, prosecutors said. New Delhi, Jan 14 : After a prolonged period of pain, the Indian telecom sector has got a fresh lease of life, thanks to the recent unprecedented tariff hikes and the government's efforts to revive profitability, a brokerage firm report said on Tuesday. "We believe the recent tariff hike is a beginning of trend reversal with more price hikes to come in 2020. The incremental price hike is a function of support for VIL (Vodafone Idea Ltd) and the needed profitability boost to RJio and Bharti. This could be a turning point for the industry, wherein incremental capital commitment would decline with players agreeing on better tariffs," a Motilal Oswal report said. "With the recent positive developments in the industry and potential trigger points, we believe that the sector offers strong operating, financial and valuation leverage. While Vodafone Idea would need more measures for its survival, RJio and Bharti stand to benefit significantly from further relief measures", it said. The brokerage said that to address the risk of the looming adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities and to alleviate the financial stress, telecom companies have announced strong 25 per cent average revenue per user (ARPU) increase, which should add Rs 293 billion/Rs 190 billion to the industry's overall revenue and EBITDA (earning before interest, tax, amortisation and depreciation) in 2020-21. "However, given the second sim card phenomenon, we estimate there could be 20-30 per cent leakage (partly factored in), which could be more pronounced for weaker players due to the risk of customers retracting back to the primary sim (and thus, reduce their subscriber base)", it added. According to the report, RJio has the highest share of smartphone devices (estimated at 79 per cent), and, therefore, could see the highest gain. On a second quarter 2019-20 annualised basis, Bharti's consolidated revenue/EBITDA can rise by Rs 112 billion/Rs 81 billion, while RJio's revenue/EBITDA should increase by Rs 133 billion/Rs 96 billion, it said. VIL is likely to see the highest operating leverage given its lowest EBITDA margin, and subsequently its revenue/EBITDA should increase by Rs 102 billion/Rs 74 billion, it added. Telecpm companies have devised price plans in a manner where there is limited risk of downtrading, as data volume offerings have reduced by over 90 per cent for the base plan, which is priced 25 per cent lower. Besides, the industry ARPU increase was hinged on three key triggers - ballooning leverage, negative free cash flow, and "reducing network/pricing arbitrage". This had led to slowing subscriber churn and limited growth opportunities, thus compelling telcos to keep ARPUs on a growing trajectory, the report said. "To resolve the telecom industry's near-term cash flow issues and to alleviate financial stress, the government is exploring (a) telcos plea of offering moratorium for AGR liability and the possible reduction in penalty and interest, (b) GST input tax credits of Rs 80-90 billion for Bharti/VIL, (c) reduction of the current UFO obligation, which stands at 5 per cent, thus reducing license/spectrum fee to 5-6 per cent from the current 12 per cent" it said. However, these could be long-drawn processes as approval of the GST Council and the Finance Ministry is needed, it added. Also, TRAI has decided to continue with the current regime of interconnection usage charges (IUC) of Rs 0.06/minute until December 2020 and defer the zero charges to January 2021, "which would benefit Bharti/VIL by Rs 10 billion/Rs 13 billion," the report noted. With the assembly elections less than a month away, the three major political parties in Delhi - the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress - are pulling out all stops to make their position stronger in the electoral battlefield. Over the past few months several political leaders, mostly MLAs and former MLAs, have even switched parties, more often to secure their candidature in the assembly elections which are scheduled to be held on February 8. Here is a list of leaders who have crossed over to the other side in the past few months: 1. Anil Bajpai: The AAPs Bajpai moved to the BJP on May 3, 2019. In the 2015 Delhi assembly elections, Bajpai beat Jitender of the BJP from the Gandhi Nagar seat and got 45.24% of the votes. However, in May 2019, he joined the BJP and is likely to get a ticket from the opposition party in the same constituency. 2. Devender Sehrawat: Sehrawat joined the BJP in May 2019 after which he was disqualified as AAPs MLA from the Bijwasan constituency. The BJP is likely to field Sehrawat although the seat is unknown. 3. Rajkumar Kumar Chauhan: The former Delhi minister and senior Congress leader Chauhan quit the party to join the BJP on May 11, 2019. Chauhan, a former four-time MLA and minister in the Sheila Dikshit government, was upset with the Congress after he was denied ticket from the North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. 4. Kapil Mishra: Mishra was Delhis water and tourism minister after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in the 2015 assembly elections. In May 2017, he was removed from Arvind Kejriwals cabinet and things went downhill for him since then. After being sidelined by the AAP for levelling corruption charges against Kejriwal and state urban development minister Satyendar Jain, Mishra joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on August 17, 2019. The speaker of the Delhi Assembly later disqualified him as an MLA from Karawal Nagar. Now, senior BJP leaders have hinted that the party is keen on making Mishra their candidate from the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency to give a tough fight to the AAP. 5. Prahlad Singh Sawhney: The four-time Congress MLA was elected in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 assembly elections from the Chandni Chowk seat. He, however, joined the AAP on October 6, 2019, and the Kejriwal-led party is likely to field him from the same seat in the upcoming elections. 6. Alka Lamba: Once a strong woman leader of the AAP, Lamba was disqualified as the partys MLA from the Chandni Chowk seat after she joined the Congress on October 12, 2019. The Congress is likely to give Lamba a ticket to contest from the Chandni Chowk seat. Prior to joining the AAP, Lamba was associated with the Congress party. 7. Gugan Singh: The AAPs Lok Sabha candidate from Northwest Delhi constituency, Gugan Singh Rana rejoined the BJP on December 30, 2019. He was a prominent Dalit face of the BJP in the outer Delhi areas but had left the party in 2017 after he was denied ticket in the Bawana by-poll and joined the AAP. The BJP is likely to field Singh from the Bawana seat in the February 8 elections. 8. Shoaib Iqbal: The five-time MLA has been a Congress heavyweight and its minority face for politics in the national capital. Iqbal shifted to the AAP on January 10, 2020, and is likely to contest for the party from the Matia Mahal seat. A former deputy speaker in the Delhi assembly, Iqbal had been an MLA in the 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 assemblies. In the 2015 assembly elections, he was defeated by Aasim Ahmed Khan of the AAP. He had been with various political parties including Janata Dal and the Congress. 9. Vinay Mishra: The son of senior Congress leader and former lawmaker and MLA Mahabal Mishra, Vinay Mishra joined the AAP on January 13, 2020. Vinay contested the 2013 assembly elections from the Palam seat but lost and came fourth. This time the AAP may field Vinay from the Dwarka seat. 10. Ram Singh Netaji: He won from the Badarpur assembly constituency twice once as a BSP candidate and second time as an Independent, after which he joined the Congress. On Monday, Netaji joined the AAP hinting that the leader might be given a ticket from the Badarpur seat. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:46:16|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Local people carry the body of a child who was killed in an explosion in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh province, Afghanistan, Jan. 14, 2020. Two children were killed and nine others were wounded in two successive bomb explosions in Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Tuesday, the city police said. (Photo by Kawa Basharat/Xinhua) MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two children were killed and nine others were wounded in two successive bomb explosions in Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Tuesday, the city police said. "One explosion occurred at morning rush hour in Police District 2 of the city, killing two children and injuring eight civilians passersby. The blast was aiming at terrorizing people and it caused panic among the residents," provincial police spokesman Adil Shah Adil told Xinhua. Police and the rescue team reached the site after the attack was reported. The second blast came about 20 minutes later, targeting the responding police and one police officer was injured, he said. The dead and wounded were shifted to a nearby hospital, the police official added. The initial investigation found the blasts were caused by two improvised explosive devices planted by militants. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet. The province has been the scene of clashes between security forces and Taliban militants. Earlier this month, eight security force members lost their lives in a Taliban attack in Balkh. China would always respect Sri Lanka's sovereignty and not allow any "outside interference" in its internal affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday as he met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wang met the two leaders separately with both sides pledging to further promote relations between the two countries. "As Sri Lanka's strategic partner, China will continue to stand by Sri Lanka's interests," the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister was quoted as saying by Gotabaya's office. "China stands for the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We will not allow any outside influences to interfere with matters that are essentially internal concerns of Sri Lanka," Wang said. The president told Wang that Sri Lanka was facing many political challenges and the only way to overcome them is to be economically strong. "The economic independence will ensure political independence," Gotabaya said. The president said Sri Lanka is ready to enhance Sri Lanka-China ties, strengthen bilateral win-win cooperation in various fields and actively promote the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative to build regional shipping and logistic hubs, China's state-run Xinhua agency reported from Colombo. The Sri Lankan government fully supports the development of major projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port, Mahinda said, noting that these projects will not only help develop the country's economy and improve people's livelihood, but also become a major driving force for the friendly cooperation between the two countries, it said. In his response, Wang said China, as did in the past, would be Sri Lanka's longtime partner in prosperity and growth. He noted that China's policy towards Colombo had always been consistent and would continue to be Sri Lanka's reliable friend. "China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners with sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship built upon a long tradition of friendly exchanges. Recent years has seen fruitful cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. "China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka's new administration to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust, dovetail development strategies and bring bilateral relations to new heights," Wang added. President Gotabaya's postponed first visit to China will take place in February, his office said after the meeting. In December 2017, Sri Lanka handed over the control of the southern sea port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease, triggering concern over Beijing's efforts to expand influence in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Identity and access management in 2022 - what will the future look like? As we enter into 2022, there is still a level of uncertainty in place. Its unclear what the future holds, as companies around the world still contend with the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working has been encouraged by most organisations and the move to a hybrid working system has become business as usual, for the majority of businesses. Some have reduced their office space or done away with their locations altogether. Following best security practices With all this change in place, there are problems to deal with. According to research, 32.7% of IT admins say they are concerned about employees using unsecured networks to carry out that work. Alongside this, 74% of IT admins thought that remote work makes it harder for employees to follow best security practices. This need to manage security around remote work is no longer temporary. Instead, companies have to build permanent strategies around remote work and security. The coming year will also create a different landscape for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Here are some key predictions for next year and what to start preparing for in 2022: The reality of SMB spending around security will hit home SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working, especially in comparison to their size. They had to undertake significant digital transformation projects that made it possible to deliver services remotely, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve seen a shift in mindset for these companies, which are now more tech-focused in their approach to problem solving. According to our research, 45% of SMBs plan to increase their spending towards IT services in 2022. Around half of all organisations think their IT budgets are adequate for their needs, while 14.5% of those surveyed believe they will need more, to cover all that needs to be done. Identity management spending to support remote work For others, the COVID-19 pandemic led to over-spending, just to get ahead of things and they will spend in 2022, looking at what they should keep and what they can reduce their spending on. Areas like identity management will stay in place, as companies struggle to support remote work and security, without this in place. However, on-premise IT spending will be reduced or cut, as those solutions are not relevant for the new work model. Services that rely on on-premise IT will be cut or replaced. The device will lead the way for security We rely on our phones to work and to communicate. In 2022, they will become central to how we manage access, to all our assets and locations, IT and physical. When employees can use company devices and their own phones for work, security is more difficult. IT teams have to ensure that theyre prepared for this, by making sure that these devices can be trusted. Wide use of digital certificates and strong MFA factors Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication There are multiple ways that companies can achieve this, for example - By using digital certificates to identify company devices as trusted, an agent, or strong MFA factors, like a FIDO security key or mobile push authentication. Whichever approach you choose, this can prevent unauthorised access to IT assets and applications, and these same devices can be used for authentication into physical locations too. Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication. Understanding human behaviour Alongside this, it is important to understand human behaviour. Anything that introduces an extra step for authentication can lead to employees taking workarounds. To stop this, it is important to put an employee education process in place, in order to emphasize on the importance of security. The next step is to think about adopting passwordless security, to further reduce friction and increase adoption. Lastly, as devices become the starting point for security and trust, remote device management will be needed too. More companies will need to manage devices remotely, from wiping an asset remotely if it gets lost or stolen, through to de-provisioning users easily and removing their access rights, when they leave the company. Identity will be a layer cake Zero Trust approaches to security Identity management relies on being able to trust that someone is who they say they are. Zero Trust approaches to security can support this effectively, particularly when aligned with least privilege access models. In order to turn theory into practical easy-to-deploy steps, companies need to use contextual access, as part of their identity management strategy. This involves looking at the context that employees will work in and putting together the right management approach for those circumstances. For typical employee behaviour, using two factor authentication might be enough to help them work, without security getting in the way. How enterprises manage, access and store identity data There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time For areas where security is more important, additional security policies can be put over the top, to ensure that only the right people have access. A step-up in authentication can be added, based on the sensitivity of resources or risk-based adaptive authentication policies might be needed. There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time, so that it aligns more closely with those use cases. Identity management critical to secure assets in 2022 There are bigger conversations taking place around digital identity for citizenship, as more services move online as well. Any moves that take place in this arena will affect how businesses think about their identity management processes too, encouraging them to look at their requirements in more detail. Overall, 2022 will be the year when identity will be critical to how companies keep their assets secure and their employees productive. With employees working remotely and businesses becoming decentralised, identity strategies will have to take the same approach. This will put the emphasis on strong identity management as the starting point for all security planning. The latest After the Sandringham Summit, during which all the senior royal family hashed out the early stages of a workable exit for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the next week will be spent finalising as much as possible to ensure the period of transition is as smooth as possible. Harry arrived at his grandmothers estate in Norfolk two hours early in order to appeal to her on an emotional level and explain his feelings, before the official meeting began with the rest of their family, and their private secretaries. Meghan was originally expected to dial in from Canada, but a spokesperson said today: In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the Duchess to join. Queen Elizabeths statement said she is reluctantly supportive of her grandsons decision, highlighting the difference between my family and his family throughout. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family," the British monarch said. She added: "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days." Among those complex matters is who will pay for their extensive security costs. The Metropolitan Police provides personal security for the royals and Harry, Meghan and Archies protection is estimated to cost 1m annually. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said their move still needed to be finalised, speaking in vague terms about the details that need ironing out; in particular, whether or not the Canadian taxpayers will be on the hook for security costs and what level of engagement they choose to have. He explained: I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. Queen Elizabeth is head of state for Canada (as well as Australia and New Zealand) and while its more of a ceremonial role, the decision to move to a Commonwealth country was a sensible one by the Sussexes. Video of the Day The logistics Expand Close Meghan Markle heads to afternoon yoga in Toronto, Canada, in 2017. Picture: Splash News / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle heads to afternoon yoga in Toronto, Canada, in 2017. Picture: Splash News Meghan is already back in Canada, having flown to her new base - the country where she called home for seven years - last week. She and Harry made a brief return to the UK and left their son Archie in the care of her best friend Jessica Mulroney and his nanny, whom they declined to identify in order to protect her privacy, and is back in British Columbia. Harry is expected to return within days after the Sandringham Summit, during which he came to an agreement with his grandmother and other senior royals. The big four wont be sitting down again and will instead be communicating over phone and email, although the queen still prefers communicating via letters. Once they settle in Canada, at least temporarily, there are the inevitable questions about finances, education opportunities for Archie when the time comes and then theres the question of immigration and tax. Both will be treated the same as any other citizen attempting full-time residency and subject to the taxes imposed, although its expected they will divide their time between Canada, Britain and some time in Los Angeles, to protect themselves from residential taxes that come with each country. There are no provisions in the Citizenship Act that confer Canadian citizenship status to members of the royal family, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, a government department, said in a statement. In order to become legal permanent residents of Canada, they would need to apply through our normal immigration processes. However, members of the royal family are not required to seek authorisation to come to and stay in Canada as visitors. The familial relationship Although Harry and William put on a show of unity on Monday, condemning a newspaper for claiming Harry was bullied out of his role by his older brother, citing the language as potentially damaging and contradictory to the positive mental health practices hey both endorse; their brotherly beyond is deeply fractured. Harrys close friend, ITV journalist Tom Bradby, detailed in a piece that words were exchanged before Harry and Meghans 2018 wedding that deeply damaged their relationship. Its believed that Meghan and Kate Middleton do not get along and Harry feels hurt that his brother and sister-in-law did not make enough of an effort to welcome his wife into the fold from the very beginning. Really damaging things were said and done. The atmosphere soured hard and early, but few meaningful attempts were made by anyone to heal the wounds, he wrote in a 1,600-word piece in The Times. My understanding is that William did try, but the impression I have, for the moment at least, is that things have gone too far to be retrieved. It was in a now-infamous interview with Bradby last year that Harry said he and his brother are on different paths, confirming the rumours following the family for months that a rift had developed between all parties in Buckingham Palace. Its believed that Harrys family see supporting his decision as a means to not only protect his mental health and respect his desire for privacy, but as an opportunity to ensure their personal relationships are not fractured beyond repair and can eventually be improved. The finances Expand Close Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 19, 2018. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 19, 2018. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Queen Elizabeth confirmed the initial statement which said they intend to become financially independent, but how they do so is a delicate balancing act. Despite trademarking Sussex Royal on over 100 items - from pencils to socks and educational initiatives - they will still be expected to adhere to certain ethical obligations and not seen to be cashing in on their royal name. And if they make the decision to remove their HRH titles, an option which is now on the table in order to ensure a clean break at a quicker pace, then the trademark is essentially worthless. Sussex Royal is not worth very much if its not the genuine article, even for the most diehard royal fans who want to cosy up in a pair of socks with their names on it. Prince Charles is said to have spent a significant amount of his personal fortune on his youngest son, covering the cost of his wedding and the renovations on their home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Harry relies on the 2.3m stipend he receives from his fathers Duchy of Cornwall, which he uses for family bills and its believed he is hoping to still have access to that, at least in the short term. He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that, a source told the Daily Mail, indicating that Charles identifies the complexities of their finances, even what is considered personal. He inherited an estimated 20m from his late mothers estate and as Spencer money, its considered private money. The trust issues him an annual 450,000, and the brothers also split their mothers extensive jewellery collection. The Queen Mother left him an additional 6m in order to compensate for not becoming sovereign. He and William will split another 8m of her trust when they turn 40, as will her other great-grandchildren. Meanwhile, Meghan retained the employment of her high-powered Hollywood agent and business manager even after she became a royal, who are reportedly brokering deals on her behalf to future-proof their finances. News has migrated from print to the web to social platforms to mobile. Now, at the dawn of a new decade, it is heading to a place that presents a whole new set of challenges: the private, hidden spaces of instant messaging apps. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and their ilk are platforms that journalists cannot ignore even in the US, where chat-app usage is low. I believe a privacy-focused communications platform will become even more important than todays open platforms, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks CEO, wrote in March 2019. By 2022, three billion people will be using them on a regular basis, according to Statista. But fewer journalists worldwide are using these platforms to disseminate news than they were two years ago, as ICFJ discovered in its 2019 State of Technology in Global Newsrooms survey. Thats a particularly dangerous trend during an election year, because messaging apps are potential minefields of misinformation. ICYMI: The sentinel of the liberal media American journalists should take stock of recent elections in India and Brazil, ahead of which misinformation flooded WhatsApp. ICFJs TruthBuzz projects found coordinated and widespread disinformation efforts using text, videos, and photos on that platform. It is particularly troubling given that more people now use it as a primary source for information. In Brazil, one in four internet users consult WhatsApp weekly as a news source. A recent report from New York Universitys Center for Business and Human Rights warned that WhatsApp could become a troubling source of false content in the US, as it has been during elections in Brazil and India. Its imperative that news media figure out how to map the contours of these opaque, unruly spaces, and deliver fact-based news to those who congregate there. Journalists must experiment with different ways to identify and engage the chat-app influencers and networks that can amplify quality journalism. Sign up for CJR 's daily email If journalists dont step up, audiences wont find much credible news on private messaging apps. Over the past two years, according to our survey, newsrooms in seven out of the eight global regions we examined have cut back on the use of these apps as a distribution platform for their content. The steepest drops occurred in Eurasia/ former USSR (20 percentage points), Europe (16 points), and North America (10 points). It seems likely to us that the initial excitement of experimenting with yet another publishing platform soon dissipated, particularly as journalists realized the apps arent designed for wide distribution of content. Messaging apps are built for groups of a few hundred usersnot large enough for a news publisher to easily distribute content (as German news outlet inFranken.de discovered), but more than enough to share links to conspiracy theories, or upload dubious videos and photos. And the platforms arent eager to support tools to enable publishing. In December, WhatsApp shut down the ability of publishers to send bulk newsletters. Yet messaging apps remain great for engaging audiencesby responding to questions, or crowdsourcing, or receiving texts, photos, and videos during breaking news or making the editorial process more visible and accessible to readers, as is happening in countries including Brazil, Rwanda, and Israel. Journalists in many parts of the world are doing that. Our 2019 survey showed a spike in their use of messaging apps to directly interact with, and respond to, readers and viewers. More than two-thirds (69 percent) engage their audiences at least weekly via instant messaging. Sadly, in the US, where chat-app usage is lower, its only 26 percent. Still, more than 100 million Americans use Facebook Messenger. US journalists clearly need to engageand experimentmore. They should also be mindful of vulnerable communities. Immigrants to the US tend to use chat apps more frequently to communicate with family back home, making them targets for disinformation. Chinese-Americans are already being flooded by Chinese government disinformation on Tencents WeChat app, and even more so in the wake of the Hong Kong protests. With foreign governments likely to step up their interference in the 2020 elections, journalists can serve as a reality check on the distortions likely to appear in these dark spaces. RECENTLY: A new narrative in Guerrero, Mexico Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Sharon Moshavi is the Senior Vice President of New Initiatives at the International Center for Journalists. She has reported internationally from more than a dozen countries, and was based in New Delhi, Jerusalem, and Tokyo as a foreign correspondent. Her work has appeared in outlets that include the BBC, BusinessWeek, The Boston Globe, Forbes, NPR, and The New Republic. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday (14 January 2020) for talks about the Alliances strong partnership with Jordan and the current situation in the Middle East. Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that Jordan is one of NATOs closest global partners and that the Alliance and Jordan are united in their work to counter international terrorism. The Secretary General underlined it was important to preserve the gains made against ISIS to ensure the terrorist group does not return. During his visit the King discussed regional security challenges with Allied ambassadors during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. The Secretary General praised the Kings leadership and his role in promoting regional security. NATO and Jordanian forces have a long track record of practical cooperation and have worked together from the Balkans to Afghanistan. NATO has also helped strengthen Jordans capabilities, including cyber defence, border security and countering improvised explosive devices. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called a general election for Saturday, February 8. The Taoiseach discussed the timing of an election with his government colleagues at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning. On Sunday, Mr Varadkar confirmed that he had decided on an election date, but "protocol" dictated he could not make an announcement. Last week, he said the election will be held when "its the right time for the country". "When you're in politics, you always have to be prepared for an election, at the same time you can always be better prepared for election but that's not what matters. What matters is when it's the right time for the country," he said. However, he did say he would be holding a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, today, and that the Dail would return the following day. Meanwhile, it has emerged that Fine Gael general election candidates have been asked to sign a party pledge confirming there is nothing in their past life they have not revealed which could bring the party into disrepute. At a parliamentary party meeting last week, candidates signed an amended pledge confirming they had revealed any matter, including views they may have held, which could be a breach of Fine Gaels ethos and principles. It follows a number of controversies involving previous candidates, including Maria Bailey and Verona Murphy. The candidates were asked to confirm they had no pending prosecutions or prior convictions other than minor road traffic offences which resulted in fines of less than 500. They pledged they had revealed any Revenue Commissioner, Work Place Relations, Labour Court or Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement judgments made against them. Any civil litigation taken against them or their companies was also to be revealed to the party general secretary. In the aftermath of the Maria Bailey controversy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would be instructing all election candidates to reveal any involvement in legal proceedings. He said he would also introduce a new party pledge which all candidates would be required to sign. The pledge was updated this month and given to candidates last week when they met in Dublin to discuss the forthcoming general election. It also emerged yesterday Michael Martin has signed up to a televised head-to-head election debate with the Taoiseach on Virgin Media. However, Mr Varadkar has yet to confirm he will take on the Fianna Fail leader in the debate being proposed by the station. The Taoiseach's spokesperson said Mr Varadkar was looking forward to debating Mr Martin, but would consider all debates based on their merit. RTE has yet to decide if it will hold a head-to-head debate featuring the leaders of the two main parties. Meanwhile, former Fine Gael election candidate Verona Murphy has confirmed she is set to run as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming general election. Ms Murphy confirmed to Independent.ie that she will mount a fresh bid for the Dail. Her entry into the race will cause a headache for Fine Gael in the south east constituency where its two incumbent TDs, Paul Kehoe and Michael DArcy, are battling for re-election. The Veronicas have deleted the infamous video of a Young Liberal activist storming a drag queen library reading, after he he took his own life. Wilson Gavin, 21, was one of between 15 to 20 students who loudly chanted 'drag queens are not for kids' at the Drag Storytime event at Brisbane Square Library on Sunday afternoon. The president of the University of Queensland's Liberal National Club was found dead in southern Brisbane the following morning. Hours after his death, Jessica Origliasso posted a brief tribute to Mr Gavin and removed the video of his protest. Wilson Gavin (pictured during a media appearance on Sky News as a spokesman for the Australian Monarchist League) has been described as a 'very tormented soul' after being found dead in a suspected suicide in the wake of leading a protest against a drag time story reading Protester Wilson Gavin and friends stormed a drag queen story-time event for children at a library in Brisbane's CBD (left and right). He confronts Diamond Good-rim above 'Terrible to hear the recent news involving one of the men from yesterday's protest,' she wrote in an Instagram story. 'For anyone needed support or triggered by the events of the past 48hrs, please reach out for support.' Jessica ended the message with a list of suicide helpline numbers. Polly Wilson, who claimed to be his aunt, posted on Twitter in the wake of Mr Gavin's death to describe him as a 'tormented soul'. 'He was a very tormented young man and lost his way in life. He had a lovely heart,' Ms Wilson wrote in one social media comment. Mr Gavin, a monarchist, opposed same-sex marriage despite being openly gay. Hours after his death, Jessica Origliasso (right, with her sister and Veronicas partner Lisa) posted a brief tribute to Mr Gavin and removed the video of his protest Hours after his death, Jessica Origliasso posted a brief tribute to Mr Gavin and removed the video of his protest. In another she criticised her Mr Gavin's protest, but attempted to justify his reasoning. 'I stand by everything I said on Twitter in regard to my late nephew Wilson Gavin's behaviour at the library - it was despicable behaviour. However, there is a reason for everyone's behaviour. He was a very tormented soul and I loved him,' she said. Mr Gavin's friend Drew Pavlou paid tribute to a 'decent and kind person that cared for others' while acknowledging the inner torment he suffered. 'He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain,' Mr Pavlou wrote in a Facebook post. Social media user Polly Wilson, who was claiming to be Mr Gavin's aunt, posted on Twitter in the wake of his death to describe her nephew as a 'tormented soul' Mr Gavin's friend Drew Pavlou paid tribute to a 'decent and kind person that cared for others' while acknowledging the inner torment he suffered 'Today is a reminder of all we must do to affirm to young marginalised Australians the intrinsic worth and value of their lives.' The tragedy came after the protest at an event where drag queens read stories to children and their parents to teach kids about the fluidity of gender identity and provide them with queer role models. Footage of the protest shows the demonstrators chanting loudly while one of two performers Diamond Good-Rim tries to get them to stop. The Veronicas' star Jessica Origliasso, who is engaged to transgender bartender Kai Carlton said she was furious at the protest and called the group bigoted The video featuring Mr Gavin went viral and was slammed by The Veronicas star Jessica Origliasso, who is engaged to transgender bartender Kai Carlton. Before the tragedy emerged, Origliasso described the demonstration as a 'tone deaf 'protest' and fueled by bigotry.' In the wake of Mr Gavin's death, drag queen Diamond Good-Rim issued a statement saying he was deeply saddened by the news. 'My thoughts and deep condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time,' he said. 'We all need to band together at this awful, difficult time. Please, if any of you are feeling affected in any way by these recent events, reach out for support.' Johnny Valkyrie, the second drag queen at the event, said: 'If the family (of Mr Gavin) are reading this please know that I support you, and I am here to gather support and I know you are good people.' Mr Pavlou said his mate was 'at his core a very kind person that cared for others'. 'MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY': DRAG QUEENS RESPONDS Johnny Valkyrie Johnny Valkyrie, one of two drag queens involved in the Brisbane library incident, said his heart goes out to Wilson Gavin's family and friends. 'If the family are reading this please know that I support you, and I am here to gather support and I know you are good people,' he said. 'To those of you who follow me, if you require support please reach out to community services and hotlines which are freely available to the community. 'I cannot say anymore at this stage. I have to reflect on the events, heal and extend my love to the community.' Diamond Good-rim, another library performer, said: 'I am deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the passing of Wilson Gavin this morning. My thoughts and deep condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. 'We all need to band together at this awful, difficult time.' Advertisement 'I had the great privilege of seeing that side of him in life,' he said. 'He was hilarious and a riot to be around, his fame will always remain legendary.' Mr Gavin, a gay man, previously made the news in 2017 for opposing same sex marriage. The then 19-year-old fronted a 'You Can Say No' rally, saying: 'I support what marriage really is and I'm gay.' He also made media appearances as a spokesman for the Australian Monarchist League. Writer Satyajeet Marar said: 'Wilson Gavin was an intelligent, witty, articulate and outspoken young man with a good heart. 'Despite holding opinions that some people disagree with strongly, he would defend them with conviction. 'Brave and admirable traits while most of us in this generation spend years obsessing over what others think of us and worrying about whether expressing our opinions will cause people to dislike us.' The University of Queensland Liberal National Club deactivated its Facebook page on Monday afternoon. Despite its name, the club is no longer formally associated with the political party. State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington declined to comment on the 'unconfirmed reports' at a press conference earlier today. 'I think today is a day to think about a bit of compassion and respect for people,' Ms Frecklington said. A spokeswoman for the University of Queensland said the institution will provide support for staff and students, and said they hope 'everyone shows consideration for those affected during the difficult days ahead'. For 24/7 confidential crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids' Helpline 1800 551 800 New York, Jan 14 : New Jersey Senator Cory Booker announced that he was ending his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination amid polling and fund-raising woes. Booker, who was never able to secure a top-five position in voter-preference surveys, dropped out of the race on Monday ahead of the February 3 Iowa caucuses, the Democrats' first nominating contest, reports Efe news. His decision comes six weeks after California Senator Kamala Harris ended her White House bid and means that the lone African-American candidate left in the Democratic presidential contest is former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who got a late start in the race and also is not one of the front-runners in the polls. African-Americans are a key voting bloc for Democrats in their bid to defeat incumbent President Donald Trump in the November 3 election. Booker's move came after he failed for the second straight time to qualify for a Democratic debate despite having launched a digital and TV ad campaign valued at around $500,000. "It's with a full heart that I share this news - I'm suspending my campaign for president," the former Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, wrote on Twitter. He added in an email to supporters that his campaign has reached a juncture in which he needs more money to gain ground and that those funds are lacking. That money is "harder to raise because I won't be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of (Trump's) impeachment (trial in the Senate) will rightly be keeping me in Washington". Booker did not participate in the last Democratic debate on December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles and also did not qualify for a debate in Des Moines, Iowa, scheduled for Tuesday night. "It was a difficult decision to make, but I got in this race to win, and I've always said I wouldn't continue if there was no longer a path to victory," the Senator, whose message of community, love and unity failed to resonate with voters, said in the email. Booker also has repeatedly spoken out about the lack of racial diversity among the candidates remaining in the Democratic field. The 50-year-old Booker became Newark's mayor in 2006 after making an unsuccessful, underdog bid for that same office four years earlier; that 2002 contest was documented in the critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated documentary feature "Street Fight," which helped boost the politician's public visibility. After winning re-election in 2010, Booker ran for the New Jersey Senate seat left vacant following the death of 89-year-old Democrat Frank Lautenberg. He won that 2013 special election and then was re-elected to the same seat a year later. Booker is up for re-election once again this year in a state where a Republican senator has not been voted into office since 1972. The race for the Democratic nomination is down to 12 following Booker's exit, with former Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, leading the polls. After Booker's announcement, Trump took to Twitter to sarcastically mock the failed campaign of one of his harshest critics. "Really Big Breaking News (Kidding): Booker, who was in zero polling territory, just dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Primary Race. Now I can rest easy tonight. I was sooo concerned that I would someday have to go head to head with him." Commissioner for Economic Policy and Economic Research at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku 14.01.2020 LISTEN The Commissioner for Economic Policy and Economic Research at the ECOWAS Commission has said Ghana would not have met all the convergence criteria to qualify to join the use of the Eco as a common currency by ECOWAS countries if it had taken effect a few weeks ago. Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku stated that, even though Ghana had made a lot of progress in the sustainability of some of the critical criteria, the country has not been able to meet all. Price stability, fiscal sustainability, a countrys public debt not exceeding 70% and a countrys currency not fluctuating over 10% are the four primary convergent criteria Dr Apraku listed. He explained that the countries must have met the criteria not on a years basis but a sustained period of three years before 2020 for those that had qualified to start while those who would qualify later would join. This is what we call the gradual approach and we have to think about this in the contest of what has happened recently, he added. According to him, seven countries by the end of 2019 would have met the convergent criteria if it was to take of namely; Cote DIvoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Togo and Cape Verde. However, the former Ghanaian Minister for Trade and Industry said this is about the best that ECOWAS has ever done since 1975, adding that in 2018, only three countries met the convergence criteria. He revealed this at a two-day national consultation workshop in Tamale in the Northern Region, to evaluate the successes and failures of the ECOWAS 2020 agenda and to gather views on the post-2020 agenda for the sub-region. The Commissioner said that they intend to build a monetary union with a very strong micro-economic fundamental instead of aggregating weak economies which end product would be a regionally weak economy. Trade and socio-economic development Dr Konadu Apraku said ECOWAS has made major progress in project implementation, particularly in the construction of ECOWAS border post as well as the development of several infrastructure projects such as roads and railways. Stating that, progress has also been made in improving agricultural productivity, energy generation and distribution, improvement in health service and social amenities, all of which have contributed to opening up the region and ultimately ensuring increase intra-ECOWAS trade and sustainable economic growth. He said significant progress has also been made in consolidating the custom union status of the community, the creation of the ECOWAS free trade area giving rise to the establishment of ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme. Trade agreement Regarding the economic partnership with the European Union, he said 13 countries have signed the EPA with the exception of Nigeria and Gambia. He mentioned two member states, Cote DIvoire and Ghana to have signed an interim agreement of which implementation will commence in January 2020. The 53rd summit of heads of state recommended that the European Union partners show greater flexibility on the issue of the EPA particularly the implementation schedule of the interim EPA. Meanwhile, he noted that there are a lot of challenges in the agreement and cautioned Ghana to study the agreement carefully to avoid some of the pitfalls that will be generated by the agreement. On democracy and governance Dr Konadu Apraku added that the initiative of ECOWAS has yielded tangible results hence, the adoption of the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance has contributed to the promotion of democratic governance and consolidation of institutions in the region. According to him, ECOWAS has been monitoring the conduct of elections in various countries and the results are seen in the sub-region. ---Myjoyonlin On January 8, the New York Times ran an editorial all but endorsing last months move by former Nissan executive and multi-millionaire Carlos Ghosn to evade prosecution on charges of tax evasion and money laundering by absconding on bail and seeking refuge in Lebanon. The Times openly conveyed its sympathy for the executive, who is now the subject of an Interpol alert for his arrest and extradition back to Japan to stand trial. The headline of the editorial was Carlos Ghosn, Victim or Villain? It asserted: Unresolved in all this is whether Mr. Ghosn is guilty of the crimes he was accused of in Japan and deserves to spend time in prison, or whether the Japanese legal system, with its 99 percent conviction rate and the inordinate pressure it puts on suspects to confessin Mr. Ghosns case this included questioning him for hours without a lawyer by his side, all but cutting off any contacts with his wife and holding him for weeks in jailmeets international standards of justice. The Times cited Ghosns allegation that his prosecution is a conspiracy by Nissan and the Japanese government to bring down the corporate powerbroker, because he was allegedly pushing for the effective takeover of the Japanese-based auto conglomerate by its French-based partner Renault. Ghosn, it favorably observed, was a master of high-stakes multinational industry, brutal corporate intrigue, extravagant compensation packages and complex international deals, both above and below the board. The Nissan executive, the Times conceded, functioned at the margins of the law. It nevertheless concluded that, as the Japanese legal system is also on trial, it may be better for this saga to play out in the court of public opinion. Ghosn, the Times leaves no doubt, should be left alone and never be prosecuted. This echoed the line of an earlier editorial by the Wall Street Journal, which declared that it is hard to blame him for fleeing Japan after his ill-treatment. The contrast with the New York Times attitude and editorial commentary regarding the now nine-year case of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange could not be more striking. In 2010, Assange took responsibility to ensure that leaks made by former American soldier Chelsea Manning saw the light of day. WikiLeaks published the Collateral Murder video and coordinated the publication of the Iraq War Logs, the Afghan War Diary and the CableGate documents, which exposed, for judgement by the public opinion of the international working class, the extent of the war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and the anti-democratic reality of US foreign policy. The Times is prepared to take seriously Ghosns claim that he is the victim of a high-level conspiracy. In 2010, it gave no credence to the insistence by Julian Assange that an extradition warrant issued against him by Sweden, to answer questions over sexual assault allegations, was part of a conspiracy by the American government to slander his name, silence WikiLeaks and facilitate his rendition on to the US to face espionage charges. The Times is sympathetic with Ghosn reneging on his bail terms in order to escape Japan and prosecution. In June 2012, when Julian Assange sought political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition, the Times was among the publications that portrayed his actions as an attempt to evade justice for sex offences. The Times is more than prepared to condemn the Japanese legal system and imply Ghosn would be either pressured by mistreatment to plead guilty or face little more than a show trial with a pre-determined outcome. But what of the WikiLeaks publisher and the mistreatment he has endured during a nine-year US-led vendetta? Assange was declared guilty of espionage and high-tech terrorism in 2010 by the Obama administration. British courts disregarded the lack of any evidence to support the Swedish allegations and endorsed his extradition. While under the protection of political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy, he was denied access to medical care and arbitrarily detained inside the small building by the British government, on behalf of its American ally. As is now known, Assanges every wordincluding with his legal representativeswas being recorded by the security company ostensibly protecting the embassy and reported to the very American agencies seeking his prosecution. He was repeatedly vilified in the Times and the international media as everything from a rapist, to unhygienic and a narcissist, to a Russian agentdue to WikiLeaks entirely justified publication of leaks in 2016 that shed light on the right-wing, militarist presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. There is absolutely no possibility that Assange would receive a fair trial in the United States. The New York Times nevertheless welcomed his eviction from the Ecuadorian embassy in April 2019itself the direct result of underhanded US pressure and payoffsand the announcement by the Trump administration that it was seeking his extradition from the United Kingdom on the indisputable crime of conspiring with Manning to steal the leaked information. The Department of Justice subsequently added 17 counts of espionage for publishing the leakscharges that could no less be levelled against the publishers and editors of the Times and dozens of other newspapers. Since publishing a few carefully worded comments on the danger to freedom of speech posed by the charges against Assange, the Times editorial column has maintained a virtual silence on the outrageous treatment to which he is being subjected. The Times has not condemned Assanges imprisonment and what UN official Nils Melzer has labelled his psychological torture in the maximum security Belmarsh Prison in London. While it has taken the time to call for Japans pursuit of Ghosn to be abandoned, the Times, along with the rest of the American corporate media, is refusing to wage a campaign to demand that the Trump administration drop the espionage charges against Assange and allow the restoration of his personal freedom. On display in the New York Times positionstoward Ghosn on the one hand, and Assange on the otheris the class-based justice defended by a mouthpiece of the ruling elite. Assange openly set out to try and alert and educate ordinary people. He established WikiLeaks to be a means for whistleblowers to expose war crimes, diplomatic intrigues, corporate conspiracies and intelligence-police spying and violations of democratic rights. Even though the Times published the Manning leaks in 2010 to boost its circulation and profits, it did not hesitate to join with the American government in its relentless campaign to destroy Assange and WikiLeaks and terrorize into silence all would-be future whistleblowers and genuine journalists. His pursuit of transparency and holding power to account went too far, triggering revolutionary upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt against US-backed regimes. The newspaper of record is complicit in the attempt to criminalize reporting the truth and exposing the crimes of the ruling class. Ghosn, in contrast, served the ruling elite. He developed means, both above and below the board, to brutally restructure loss-making corporations, sack thousands of workers and slash wages and conditions, and revive profits and deliver billions of dollars in shareholder return. He impressed the rich and their media sycophants with obscene displays of personal wealth, such as staging a lavish wedding at the Palace of Versailles at which his guests dressed as 18th century French aristocrats. As far as the Times is concerned, such a figure should no more be pursued as a criminal than the corporate executives whose illegal financial operations generated immense profits but led to the 2008 economic meltdown, or the politicians who used lies about weapons of mass destruction to invade and devastate Iraq in pursuit of domination over the oil-rich Middle East. LONDON, PUNE, India and SANTA CLARA, California, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems and fintech platform leader Gojoko today announced a joint offering - the Community Lenders Go Digital Platform running on the Persistent Digital Credit Union Solution. Persistent also announced the availability of the Persistent Digital Bank Solution, which includes an industry-first actbot, providing new levels of proactive interaction with customers. Community Lenders Go Digital Platform supports Gojoko Marketing's mission to elevate community banks and credit unions to help them grow and expand into modern financial institutions. The solution offers customers the choice of modularized capabilities based on their needs, which will run on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The new service will provide the agility necessary to enable banks and credit unions to rapidly design, launch, service and scale banking and lending portfolios. It also offers credit unions an effective way to leverage a cutting-edge banking platform without significant investment. Gojoko deploys a fintech platform, digital customer interface and advanced digital marketing to its banking customers. Persistent provides systems integration, including the aggregation of loans and booking into the Mambu banking platform. Tobias Gruber, CEO, Gojoko Marketing "The opportunity for credit unions in the UK is tremendous. Currently less than 3% of banking here is done through credit unions. Our strong relationship with Persistent lends itself to formally partnering to provide this packaged offering to make it even easier for credit unions to get up and running fast. It's a platform that is flexible and scales quickly, allowing credit unions to offer high value to its customers fast." Philip Acton, CEO, My Community Bank "Gojoko & Persistent have built a fintech ecosystem, giving My Community Bank access to a state-of-the-art and end-to-end banking infrastructure. This digital infrastructure integrates several cutting edge technologies from partners like Mambu and Salesforce, and runs on AWS. My Community Bank has been able to leverage this infrastructure to become the fastest growing credit union in the UK and helps us to deliver a best-in-class product to our customers." Community Lenders Go Digital Platform is the first Persistent Digital Bank Solution, designed as a ready to use set of Digital Banking components and expertly integrates with existing IT systems. The microservices-based integration layer and sandbox is hosted on AWS and is available worldwide. For smaller financial institutions, like community credit unions, this solution removes the technology barrier to entry and allows them to focus on their core mission. In addition, AWS provides them the same security and scalability enjoyed by the largest financial institutions. Find more information here. The Solution includes: Online application for Loans & Advances (personal, vehicle, education, vacation and more to follow) Customer Digital Onboarding (eKYC for Individual, Small Enterprises) Online Deposits opening (Saving Accounts, Checking Accounts, Term Deposits) Integration with Payments processors including Debit card and Credit card Integration with Regulatory reporting tools Integration with a wide range of platforms and solutions including Mambu, Salesforce, various credit scoring agencies, KYC data providers, etc. An actbot built on sophisticated machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, offering Conversational User Interface. Chris O'Connor, Executive Director & CEO, Persistent Systems "Persistent's expertise is our ability to seamlessly integrate various components to complete the technology mosaic needed for today's business platforms. We work with some of the world's largest banks as well as cutting-edge fin-tech companies. Partnering with Gojoko to offer this advanced banking solution as a product is a perfect fit for our respective strengths and a great win for customers." Nitin Gupta, Global Head, Financial Services Solutions and Partners at AWS "AWS helps ease the deployment of sophisticated banking solutions for community banks and credit unions, while enabling them to benefit from the agility, scalability, and security that the cloud offers. By extending our relationship and work with Persistent, community credit unions and challenger banks will have access to a complete cloud-native lending aggregation service, in turn providing the foundation for a fast and efficient banking experience for consumers through the Community Lenders Go Digital Platform ." About Persistent Systems Persistent Systems (BSE & NSE: PERSISTENT) is a global solutions company delivering digital business acceleration and enterprise modernization for businesses across all industries and geographies. Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements: For risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements, please visit FLCS Media Contacts: Ken Montgomery Persistent Systems +1-213-500-8355 [email protected] Saviera Barretto Archetype +91-8434917719 [email protected] Pulkit Grover Persistent Systems +91-9158715658 [email protected] SOURCE Persistent Systems French movie director Christophe Ruggia was taken into custody on Tuesday over allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl who was cast in one of his movies nearly two decades ago, Paris prosecutors said. Actress Adele Haenel, who is now 31, has alleged that Ruggia assaulted and harassed her between 2001 and 2004 after she was cast in a Ruggia-directed movie called Les Diables, or The Devils. According to Haenels allegations, published in French media outlet Mediapart in November last year, she was first harassed aged 12 and the abuse continued until she was 15. Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi, a lawyer for Ruggia, said the filmmaker denied any misconduct. The Paris prosecutors office in November opened a preliminary probe into sexual assault of a minor aged 15 by a person of authority, and sexual harassment. 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 Haenel has credited the documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men share detailed allegations of child sexual abuse against Michael Jackson (which his family denies), with prompting her to speak out. The #MeToo movement, which gained traction after sexual misconduct allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein were made public (allegations Weinstein denies), has sparked a wave of allegations by people who say they were sexually abused by those in powerful positions. But the response in France so far has been relatively muted. While many in France have embraced the movement, some prominent figures have not. Actress Catherine Deneuve put her name, with 99 other French women, to a 2018 letter saying the #MeToo campaign amounted to puritanism and that men had the right to pester women. Additional reporting by agencies Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Monday again defended his move of terminating Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by dubbing him as the 'no. 1 terrorist ... in the world' as Tehran witnessed a consecutive third day of protests denouncing the country's Islamic regime. "We killed Soleimani (Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani), number one terrorist in the world by every account. That person killed a lot of Americans and lot of people, we killed him. When the Democrats try and defend him, it's a disgrace to our country," the President said at a short press briefing. Protestors in Iran took to streets for the third day in the wake of authorities acknowledging the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane last week by accident that led to serious escalations between the United States and Iran. Videos from inside Iran showed students chanting slogans including "Clerics get lost!" outside universities in the city of Isfahan and in Tehran, where riot police were filmed taking positions on the streets, Al Jazeera reported. Images from the previous two days of protests showed the injured being carried and pools of blood on the ground. Gunshots could be heard, although the police denied opening fire. US President Donald Trump, who raised the stakes last week by ordering the killing in a drone strike of Iran's most powerful military commander, tweeted to Iran's leaders: "Don't kill your protesters." Tehran acknowledged shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner by mistake last Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, hours after it fired at US targets in Iraq to retaliate for the killing on January 3 of General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iranian public anger, rumbling for days as Iran repeatedly denied it was to blame for the plane crash, erupted into protests on Saturday when the military admitted its role. Dozens of protesters were videographed at sites in Tehran and Isfahan, a major city south of the capital. "They killed our elites and replaced them with clerics," they chanted outside a Tehran university, referring to Iranian students returning to studies in Canada who were on the plane. The development also comes at a time when the White House and Trump's legal team are readying for the next phase of the process after nearly a month waiting for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment. A person familiar with his activities told CNN that the President was focused both on protests in Iran spurred by the downed Ukrainian jetliner and the looming Senate trial, phoning allies to discuss the upcoming proceedings. (ANI) Opalesque Industry Update - The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is to expand its central bank membership base and to increase collaboration in its work as a forum for international cooperation and as a hub for central banks and other financial authorities. The BIS Board of Directors has decided to invite the central banks of Kuwait, Morocco and Vietnam to become members of the BIS. This is the first such expansion since 2011 and will take the number of members to 63. Jens Weidmann, Chair of the BIS Board, welcomed the expansion and said: "Reviewing membership at regular intervals ensures that the membership base remains in keeping with the Bank's global profile and its mandate to promote global monetary and financial stability." Also convening in Basel, the Global Economy Meeting (GEM) agreed to expand the membership of two of the central bank committees based at the BIS, the Committee on the Global Financial System (CGFS) and the Markets Committee. The CGFS, a central bank forum for monitoring and analysing broad financial system issues, will invite Argentina, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Thailand to join. This will take the number of central bank members to 28. The Markets Committee, which monitors financial market developments, will invite Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa and Turkey to join. This will take the number of central bank members to 27. GEM Chair Mark Carney said that, following the expansion, emerging market economies (EMEs) would make up about two fifths of the membership of each committee. "In the last decade, EMEs have become much larger and ever more connected to the global financial system. Having a representative range of views on financial market and monetary matters will benefit the citizens of EMEs and advanced economies alike," he said. Few Oregon tech companies failed quite as spectacularly as SureID. The highly touted Hillsboro firm collapsed in 2017 when it lost its major customer, the U.S. Navy. Hillsboro-based SureID laid off more than 400 employees over several months before turning to bankruptcy court. A little more than two years later, former SureID CEO Steve Larson is getting the band back together. He has reunited several of his former lieutenants in an enormously ambitious new venture that draws on Larsons experience running SureID, which specialized in identity authentication. The new company, Q5id, aims to provide a mass-market solution to digital security. It hopes to create a new system to verify peoples real-world identities, using photos of their face, palm prints, voice recordings and physical ID, such as a passport or drivers license. Q5id hopes banks, wireless providers, ride-hailing services, online dating apps and many others will sign up to use its service as a tool to ensure customers are who they say they are. That could theoretically reduce fraud and misconduct, saving industries billions of dollars. Everybodys identity has been stolen and the fraudsters use your identity and my identity, Larson said. He said Q5id aims to make that much more difficult by providing the tools to check to see who is conducting business digitally. Its a big lift. The Beaverton startup faces tremendous business and technological challenges getting large organizations to buy into its upstart technology and convincing consumers to trust Q5id with biometric data and personal documents. Its a pretty crowded space, said Ken Westin, a veteran Portland online security expert now serving as director of security solutions for Silicon Valley tech firm Elastic. A lot of companies are trying to solve this problem, using biometrics for identification. Q5id spent last year developing its technology, according to Larson. He said the company hopes to sign up customers this year as it fine tunes its product, then launch in 2021. Q5id raised $5 million when it launched the company early last year, Larson said, and is in the process of raising up to $15 million more. He said the money comes from wealthy individuals, not investment funds, and the backers who do not want to be identified. Q5ids board of directors includes some very public names, though, among them former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge (who served for a time on SureIDs board) and former Intel vice president Tom Kilroy. Before running SureID Larson had been CEO of Unicru, a Beaverton company that developed technology to screen prospective employees for big retailers including Target. Unicru sold in 2006 to a company called Kronos for $150 million. Larson had left Unicru three years earlier to start SureID, which provided identity authentication services to government agencies and the military. Clients used its tools to ensure the people visiting a site were authorized to be there. SureID nurtured connections to military leaders and the Defense Department. In addition to Ridge, two retired generals and a retired Coast Guard admiral served on its board at various points. SureID grew to $57 million in annual revenue but relied on one client the U.S. Navy for 70% of that. The Hillsboro company had borrowed nearly $60 million from Goldman Sachs to finance its growth. When the Navy pulled its business early in 2017, SureID couldnt cover its debt and began a rapid descent, parting with Larson and hundreds of other employees in a string of layoffs. Despite the layoffs and bankruptcy, portions of SureID continue operating. The Hillsboro companys old military business now operates under the name Fortior, while another portion of the business continues to operate under the SureID name now under the ownership of a company called Sterling Tower Solutions. SureID replaced Larson as CEO in May 2017, as the business was cracking up. Within months Larson was beginning again and using his experience in identity authentication to begin building Q5id. The new company employs 35 in its Beaverton offices, in the same building that once housed Unicru. Larson said he expects to employ 100 by years end as the company readies its launch in 2021. Two of Q5ids vice presidents held the same titles at SureID. Larsons son Ray is director of operations, the same job he had at SureID. The goal, Larson said, is to take the experience he and his team gained at SureID and apply it to a broader set of identity authentication technology. We learned a lot about the need for it and the market for it, he said. Q5ids technology works like this: People use their smartphones to upload an image of their face, their palmprints and three voice samples. They then upload some kind of physical identification, like a drivers license or passport. It all takes a couple minutes. Once Q5id has established who they are, the company uses that assurance to authenticate their online activities and financial transactions. The Beaverton company expects its customers will be financial institutions, online retailers and others seeking to eliminate the cost of fraudulent activities. The very act of putting all that personal data online could expose people to further privacy intrusions, though. You have to trust the company when you put in some of your biometrics, because thats not something you can change, said Westin, the Portland online security strategist. Passwords can always be reset. But your face and voice are yours to keep and if hackers find a way to compromise them that will be difficult or impossible. Westin said Q5id has hired an impressive roster of local developers but cautioned it may be difficult for a company in Portlands suburbs to compete with companies in the Bay Area seeking a similar breakthrough. He said those companies may have an inside track in landing prominent technology companies as clients. If it seems unlikely that a tiny startup in Oregon could emerge as a gatekeeper for digital identities, Larson doesnt disagree. If Q5id can establish its technology then he sees it as part of a larger companys portfolio. Now 71, Larson spent 17 years at Unicru followed by 16 years running SureID. He said he doesnt plan nearly as long a run at Q5id. Well try to sell it, he said, in the next three to four years. Note: This article has been updated with Ken Westins current title. -- Mike Rogoway mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan - Severe winter weather has claimed more lives as avalanches triggered by heavy snowfall killed 55 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir while 15 died in neighbouring Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday. The latest deaths raise the two countries overall death toll from the severe weather to 126 since Sunday. The disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir was the worst-affected area, with 55 deaths in the past 24 hours, said Waseem Uddin, a spokesman for Pakistans National Disaster Management Authority. Among those fatalities, 41 died in a single avalanche in the Neelum Valley while 14 people died in elsewhere in the region, he told The Associated Press. Avalanches are common in Kashmir, which is divided between Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its entirety. Earlier on Tuesday, Ahmad Raza Qadri, the minister for the disaster management authority in Kashmir, said they had declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. Rescuers are facing difficulties in reaching the stricken villages, he said, Military helicopters were being used to evacuate people as authorities struggle to reopen highways and reach people cut off by heavy snowfall and avalanches in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Also badly affected by heavy snowfall is Pakistans southwestern Baluchistan province, where 20 people died, said Uddin, adding that some parts in the province was under six inches of snow. Twelve people were also killed in weather-related incidents in Pakistans eastern Punjab province. In Afghanistan, the State Ministry for Disaster Management confirmed at least 15 more deaths overnight, raising the death toll in weather-related incidents since Sunday to 39. So far, about 300 houses have been damaged across Afghanistan because of snowfall, floods and landslides, the agency said. On Monday, residents of the Afghan capital, Kabul, where temperatures dropped to -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit), abandoned driving and struggled to get to work on snow-covered roads. ___ Faiez reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday lashed out at a doctor on duty at a government hospital here, while meeting the patients of the recent bus accident. In a video of the incident, Yadav is seen reprimanding a senior consultant doctor, who was on emergency duty at the hospital, for interrupting while he was talking to the patients. "You are a very small officer. You cannot defend the government," Yadav was heard telling the emergency medical officer (EMO) DS Mishra. "I was standing there because I am their attending officer. When the patient's family members claimed that they did not receive their cheque (compensation), I tried to clarify that they have received the cheque," Dr Mishra told reporters. He said that Akhilesh Yadav then asked him to go away even though he was on emergency duty. Yadav, also President of the Samajwadi Party (SP), was meeting the victims of the Kannauj bus accident and their families here on Monday. He had, earlier on Monday, announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of people who lost their lives in the accident. As many as 20 people are feared dead after a double-decker bus carrying at least 45 passengers collided with a truck at Dewar Marg in Kannauj district here late on Friday and went up in flames. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced Rs 2 lakh each compensation for the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those grievously injured in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 16:22:34|Editor: ZX Video Player Close by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Long-standing U.S.-Iran tensions may continue after the tit-for-tat fight between Washington and Tehran in recent weeks, experts have said in recent interviews. The U.S. government said Friday that it has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, days after Tehran's missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday in a White House statement that the measures are aimed at denying Iran revenue that "may be used to fund and support its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism and terrorist proxy networks, and malign regional influence." Tensions between Tehran and Washington have reached new heights since the United States killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad's airport on Jan. 3. "Multiple armed organizations in the Middle East worked with General Soleimani and declared after his killing that they will attack U.S. forces or facilities," Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the center for international and security studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua. "If these attacks come, the U.S. leadership will have to decide whether to retaliate against Iran or only against the specific attacker," Ramsay said. Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua that the risk is that "there will be a wave of attacks and counter-attacks that never end. Each side will cite the other country's aggression to justify its own actions." Trump's words on Twitter signaled that the U.S. has no intention of defusing the "maximum pressure" on Iran. On Sunday Trump expressed his support on Twitter for protests in Iran, after Tehran admitted that its armed forces had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing all 176 people on board. Michael O'Hanlon, also a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua that while Iran "won't want a war," it may ramp up attacks on military facilities or oil-related infrastructure. However, confrontation does not have to be a foregone conclusion, Ramsay believes, adding that numerous steps could be taken to reverse the spiral of escalation. "There are lots of possible steps that could be taken quietly on each side. The U.S. could pick spots to relax its controls on the use of dollars by the Iranian Central Bank, allowing the real purchase and delivery of medical and humanitarian goods," Ramsay said. "The United States could also allow some oil transactions to take place. Iran could hold off on the steps it announced a few days ago about moving away from the nuclear deal and it could privately discuss these with the International Atomic Energy Agency," he added. It is "not clear what Trump's long term strategy is with Iran," West said. "Although Trump says he wants to avoid Middle Eastern entanglements, he already has sent additional troops to that region and may have to send more to protect American interests," West said. NEW YORK and SAN RAMON, Calif. and SINGAPORE and LONDON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Geoffrey Dohrmann, President and CEO of Institutional Real Estate, Inc. (IREI), and David "Mac" McWhorter, Executive Director of the Institute for Real Estate Operating Companies (iREOC), are pleased to announce that Dr. Randall Zisler has joined the senior leadership of iREOC as Chief Investment Strategist and Research Director. In this capacity, he will also co-lead iREOC's Strategic Capital Advisory and Research services in collaboration with Mr. Dohrmann and Mr. McWhorter. "Randy is a highly respected professional in the institutional real estate investment community that Geoff and I have known for more than 30 years," said McWhorter. "We are excited to have Randy join iREOC to help advance the mission and goals of the Institute, and serve iREOC's esteemed membership of institutional investors, investment managers and real estate operating companies." Randy holds an undergraduate degree, two of his three master's degrees and his Ph.D. from Princeton University, where he was a professor and taught economics and finance. In addition to Princeton, he has lectured at Harvard and Yale, among other universities. He was Executive Director and Head of Real Estate Research at Goldman Sachs & Co., Managing Director at Nomura Securities International in CMBS, Partner at Pension Consulting Alliance, and Managing Director and Co-Head of Investment Banking at Jones Lang LaSalle. Randy has advised many developers and large family offices, and he was Chief Investment Officer to Merv Griffin, the entertainer and investor. At Pension Consulting Alliance, he was Real Estate Adviser to governments, pension funds and sovereign funds, including the U.S. Department of Labor, the Government of Singapore, IBM, AT&T and CalPERS. He has advised many investment banks, public and private REITs, private equity funds, and developers around the world. Randy has consummated over $5 billion of equity and debt transactions and written more than 100 papers on real estate finance, strategy and capital markets. He is well known for his many public presentations on real estate investment strategy. He remains Chairman of Zisler Capital Associates, which has also become a Strategic Partner of iREOC. About iREOC iREOC is the only industry organization dedicated to connecting, engaging and empowering institutional investors, investment managers and real estate operating companies to form and run more profitable and productive REOC partnership investments. To learn more, visit www.ireoc.com. SOURCE Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Related Links http://www.irei.com B oris Johnson said it is "epically likely" a comprehensive post-Brexit trade deal with the EU will be agreed this year. The prime minister has long insisted that he will secure a trade deal by the end of 2020, which is when the transition period following a January 31 Brexit date ends. Asked about securing a comprehensive deal, which the EU has suggested looks unlikely be the end of December, he told BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker: "Enormously likely, epically likely." Pressed on the possibility of such an agreement not coming to fruition, he added: "You always have to budget for a complete lack of common sense." Boris Johnson has insisted he can get a deal, despite reservations from Ursula von der Leyen / PA Mr Johnson said the debate should not be about a new deal but "a great new partnership", as he touted the opportunities for trade outside of the EU Britain would also get. The PM previously met with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the potential future deal, and she expressed her concerns that the transition period was too short to secure one. "The EU will negotiate in good faith, in the framework of the Political Declaration, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome," she said in a statement. "Time however is short for such an agreement to be reached and then ratified before the end of 2020. The President made clear that there is a trade-off between any regulatory divergence and access to the EU market." Regulator Sebi has barred Nishat Shailesh Gupte, a former official of Diageo Plc, from the capital markets for seven years for indulging in insider trading activity in United Spirits. Besides, Sebi has directed three persons related to Gupte -- Poonam Haresh Jashnani, Haresh Parmanand Jashnani and Varun Haresh Jashnani -- to disgorge unlawful gains totalling over Rs 1 crore made by them, along with interest, in the insider trading case. Sebi said Gupte, who was the Global Business Development Manager (M&A) of Diageo, was in possession of unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI) relating to the open offer for acquisition of shares of United Spirits Ltd (USL) by Relay BV together with Diageo Plc as the person acting in concert (PAC). Gupte was part of the core team which represented Diageo/PAC in the transaction to consolidate shareholding of the acquirer in USL and was guiding the team since the beginning of the transaction lifecycle. Further, the regulator said Poonam, Haresh and Varun also indulged in insider trading activity in USL based on the information passed by Gupte. Gupte is the son-in-law of Poonam and Haresh, and brother-in-law of Varun. "Considering the close family relationship amongst Nishat, Haresh, Varun and Poonam, it can reasonably be concluded that it was Nishat who had communicated the UPSI to them," Sebi said in an order dated January 10. Based on trading while in possession of UPSI, Poonam, Varun and Haresh have made ill-gotten gains, it added. By indulging in such activities, these persons violated Sebi's PIT (Prohibition of Insider Trading) regulations. Accordingly, the Securities an Exchange Board of India (Sebi) barred Gupte from the capital markets for a period of seven years. Besides, he has been restrained from associating himself with any listed public company. Further, Poonam, Haresh and Varun have been asked to disgorge wrongful gains of about Rs 45.44 lakh, Rs 29.24 lakh and Rs 26.18 lakh respectively along with 12 per cent interest per annum. They need to pay the amount within 45 days. In case they fail to pay the wrongful gains along with interest as directed, Sebi will initiate recovery proceedings. Kiki Osinbajo, the second daughter of Nigerias vice president, Yemi Osinbajo has set social media ablaze after sharing a photo of herself and her boyfriend on her Instagram page. While the beauty entrepreneur didnt reveal the identity of the beau, some eagle-eyed social media users have gone ahead to dig up and shared that he is Hafeez Yaroson from the prominent Yaroson royal family in Kaduna. According to reports, he is said to be a big Hausa rapper at one point before going on to embrace polo. Read Also: Prophet T.B. Joshua Drops 2020 Prophecies, Tells Osinbajo To Be Prayerful Kiki tagged the photo: amor. See what she shared below: As tensions with Iran soar, Trump calls on NATO to deploy troops and take on a greater role in the Middle East. Brussels, Belgium Five days after the United States assassinated a top Iranian military commander a move that pushed Washington and Tehran to the brink of war US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process. Trump, who had ordered the January 3 killing of Qassem Soleimani prompting retaliatory Iranian attacks against US targets in Iraq, later called on the 29-member alliance to send more troops to the Middle East and increase its role in preventing conflict in the region. The demand caught many by surprise, given Trumps long-standing criticism of NATO, including questions over its value to the US and calls on allies to pay more for the alliances defence. Jens Stoltenberg, NATOs secretary-general, initially appeared to heed Trumps request, saying the Atlantic alliance could do more in the Middle East. But he has since signalled NATO would not deploy combat troops to the region, saying the best way is to enable local forces to fight terrorism themselves. The alliance currently has 400 personnel in Iraq, as part of a mission to train the countrys army to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS). But shortly after Soleimanis killing, NATO temporarily suspended the non-combat missions training activities. And despite Trumps call on NATO to expand its presence in the Middle East, analysts say deep divisions between the US and some NATO allies over Washingtons strategy on Iran from the USs unilateral decision in 2018 to abandon a landmark deal that curbed Tehrans nuclear programme to Soleimanis assassination was likely to limit the alliances role in the region. No NATO ally supported the US decision to take out Soleimani. Turkey may have said it openly, but all allies think it was a strategically disastrous decision. Its also why NATO will not expand its involvement in the region to any great extent, said Ivo Daalder, who served as Washingtons ambassador to NATO between 2009 and 2013. Unpredictable Neither NATO nor the United Kingdom, Washingtons closest ally, were reportedly informed of the USs operation to kill the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. In the wake of Soleimanis death, the UK, France and Germany, called for de-escalation, while Turkey expressed its opposition to foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in the region. The current crisis has deepened the divisions across the Atlantic and increased the likelihood of European allies distancing themselves from an increasingly unpredictable United States, said Daalder, who is now the president of the Chicago Council. 191209083223386 Trumps demand that NATO boost its presence in the Middle East is something that would mark a significant shift in the mission of alliance, which was founded in 1949 as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. Daalder said the demand was based on Trumps belief that Europes interests were more tied to the region than that of the US, including a greater European reliance on Middle Eastern oil and exposure to threats posed by returning ISIL fighters. Indeed, Trump, in calling for more NATO involvement, said the US was independent and does not need Middle East oil. Rasa Jukneviciene, a Lithuanian legislator and the former head of the European Parliaments delegation to NATO, characterized those comments as a veiled message to European NATO allies about their future role in the security arena. It is a message addressed first of all for Europeans, and Europe must realise that talking about strategic autonomy will not suffice any more, said Jukneviciene, calling on European countries to increasing their defence spending. Currently, of NATO members, the USs share of total defence costs stands at approximately 70 percent. According to alliance figures, the US spent around 3.4 percent of its GDP on defence in 2019. The US, therefore, largely leads NATOs security agenda. Speaking at a NATO summit in the UK last month, Trump once again called on members to commit to increasing their defence spending to 4 percent of GDP, while targets have currently been set for 2 percent by 2024. Europe will have to take a decision, one or another. In my opinion, and in the opinion of the majority of politicians in my country, NATO is the best tool to deal with such complex problems, said Jukneviciene. Opportunity Jamie Shea, senior fellow at the Brussels think-tank Friends of Europe, said NATO member states should view Trumps demands to contribute more resources to Middle East operations as an opening to make NATO more relevant to the Mediterranean and Turkey, and even to Trump. In return, Europe could ask for assurances from Trump that there will be no more threats to leave NATO or ambiguity over Article 5, he said, referring to the provision in the alliances charter that obligates allies to defend each other if they come under attack. Every crisis is an opportunity, he added. Amid the discord and questions over the alliances value, some experts say NATOs next steps in the Middle East could be crucial to its future. Fawaz A Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, said he expected the alliance to move into a transitional period while members decide on where future resources are placed. The American century is coming to an end, he said, referring to Washingtons diminishing influence on NATO partners. There has been a rupture in global relations between historical allies, and NATO is at the centre. T he Government is "working very hard to do what we can" to save airline Flybe, Boris Johnson has said. But the Prime Minister warned there are "limits" to what a government is allowed to do to help individual companies. Airlines claim APD restricts connectivity and passenger growth. Passengers on domestic flights pay 26 in APD for a return trip, with higher rates for longer flights and premium cabins. Regional airline Flybe at risk of collapse The tax is expected to be worth 3.7 billion to the Treasury in 2019/20. If Flybe collapses, it would be the second UK airline to fail in four months, after Thomas Cook went bust in Septembe r. Asked if he intends to save Flybe, Mr Johnson told the BBC: "It's not for Government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble. "But be in no doubt that we see the importance of Flybe in delivering connectivity across the whole United Kingdom. "It's very important, for instance, where I was yesterday in Northern Ireland, and we're working very hard. "I can't go into commercially confidential discussions. "We're working very hard to do what we can, but obviously people will understand that there are limits, commercially, to what a government can do to rescue any particular firm. "But what we will do is ensure that we have the regional connectivity that this country needs." Shadow chancellor John McDonnell claimed "bailing out a company through a tax cut across the industry is not the way forward". He went on: "Working with the company and unions, the Government should look at targeted assistance to support routes judged on economic, environmental and social grounds." Sajid Javid will hold talks with the business and transport secretaries to discuss whether the airline can defer paying air passenger duty / REUTERS Greenpeace UK policy director Dr Doug Parr said the policy was "poorly thought out". The Government cannot claim to be a global leader on tackling the climate emergency one day, then making the most carbon-intensive kind of travel cheaper the next," he said. Cutting the cost of domestic flights while allowing train fares to rise is the exact opposite of what we need if were to cut climate-wrecking emissions from transport. The aviation sector has got away for years with increasing its carbon footprint. The last thing we need is another incentive for them to pollute more. Friends of the Earth campaigner Jenny Bates added: It would be completely unacceptable and even reckless if the Government cut air passenger duty on domestic flights. These short UK trips are exactly the ones we need to avoid in the drive to cut aviation climate emissions to help prevent climate breakdown. Instead, the Government could invest more in our rail system and make such trips more affordable. Flybe was bought by a consortium consisting of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital in February 2019 following poor financial results. The consortium, known as Connect Airways, paid just 2.2 million for Flybe's assets but pledged to inject cash into the airline to turn it around. The holding of rescue talks with the Government over the weekend indicates the financing requirements have become greater than expected. The airline is Europe's largest regional carrier, flying around nine million passengers a year to 170 destinations across the continent. It has a major presence at UK airports such as Aberdeen, Belfast City, Manchester and Southampton. Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Tuesday asked veterans to use their respect in society to counter incorrect perceptions about the services on social media. He was speaking at an event here to observe the Fourth Armed Forces Veterans Day. "The bond between the service people and the veterans is indelible and eternal. Please do not hesitate in approaching the services for anything - suggestions, requests, recommendations, course correction," Singh said. He also urged the veterans to use the respect that they have in society to give a positive image of the services. "This is the age of information. While a lot of good information is shared, there are a lot of myths and incorrect perceptions about the services - sometimes put out on the social media. "I request all of you to please use the respect that you have in society. Sometimes, if there is any misconception or myth being spread, please make sure you give the positive image of the services on the media," the admiral said. A father who was caught drug driving has claimed his drink was spiked with meth at a children's party. Paul Robert Zielke pleaded guilty to the offence at Bundaberg Magistrates Court in Queensland after he was stopped by police on October 20. Zielke told the court on Thursday he had driven his 14-year-old son to a party the night before, but took a taxi home because he thought his drink had been spiked. Paul Robert Zielke pleaded guilty to drug driving on October 20 but told the court he believed his drink was spiked at a children's party the night before (stock image) 'I took a taxi home and then went to get my car the next day and that is when police pulled me over,' he said, according to News Mail. 'I have never actually drug drove in my life I am quite embarrassed and disgusted by everything that happened. 'The police actually attended the party premises and asked the people at the party if anyone would take responsibility for the spiking and there was no responsibility taken.' Magistrate Andrew Moloney fined Zielke $200 and disqualified him from driving for a month but said he had taken Zielke's early guilty plea into account. The Magistrate also chose not to record the father's conviction. MERIDEN A West Haven man was sentenced to more than six years in prison Monday in connection with a 2016 carjacking, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Don Meeker, 33, is set to serve 73 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, officials said in a release. Officials, citing statements and documents from Meekers trial, said he was involved in an armed Jan. 1, 2016 carjacking in the vicinity of Hobart Street and Myrtle Street in Meriden. The victims reported that they had asked an individual, later identified as Kyle Valentine, for directions at a gas station. Valentine told the victims to follow a car in which Valentine was a passenger. After traveling a few minutes, the car stopped. Valentine and Elbert Llorrens then exited the car and approached the Passat, officials said. Llorens pointed a handgun at one of the victims who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car, opened the door and stated I want everything. Valentine and Llorrens took the wallets and cell phones of the two men, then drove away in their vehicle, officials said. The investigation revealed that Meeker drove the car that the carjacking victims followed, and that Meeker provided the handgun to Llorens. After the robbery, Meeker, Llorens and Valentine spilt the money stolen from the victims, officials said. Meeker was found guilty of one count of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation in December 2017, officials said. Llorens and Valentine were previously sentenced in connection with the case, officials said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com "This demonstrates that contact with both parents after a divorce is important," says Professor Eivind Meland at the Department of Global Public Health and Care, University of Bergen. According to numbers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health around 40 per cent of all teenagers have experienced a divorce. "We wanted to explore what happens to the communication between parents and children after a divorce and how this impact the children's future health," Meland explains. The study included 1225 youths from the former region of Sogn of Fjordane. They were asked if they found it easy or difficult to talk with their parents. The answers were graded from "very easy" to "very hard or lost contact". The researchers also asked the children about their health complaints and self-esteem. The health complaints included various physical and psychological symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, stomach aches, anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping. They asked the children in 2011 and in 2013. In 2011 213 of these children had divorced parents. Two years later the number had increased to 270. "The divorce did not seem to affect how they communicate with their mother, but are strongly connected to conversational difficulties with father," Meland says. "We also see that closeness to both father and mother impacts the children's health two year after the divorce." More health complaints when the children had lost contact with their father The researchers observed a clear connection between how easy the children found to talk with their father after divorce and health complaints later in life: "Those children that reported having lost contact or who find it difficult to talk with their father after divorce also had most health complaints," says Meland. They also saw a clear connection between the divorce and conversational difficulties between children and fathers: "It seems like conversational difficulties between children and father was present also before the divorce, but we also see that the divorce weakens the relationship between the children and their fathers," Meland states. If the children reported having a good relationship with both parents after the divorce, the divorce did not seem to affect the self-esteem or health to the children in any negative manner. Daughters find it hardest to talk with their father The study also shows that the girls have more difficulties talking with their fathers than the boys. Daughters also reported having more health complaints, but the consequence of conversational difficulties seemed to be the same for both sexes: "In the data we can see the tendency that girls suffer more from having lost contact with their fathers, but the difference is not significant," the researcher says. A neglected subject The data included information on which parent was the child's main caregiver and where the children lived, but it was not considered reliable enough to be included in the article. It suggested that three times as many children reported having lost contact with their fathers than with their mothers: "If the divorce is taken to court, it is the mother that most often ends up with the status as the main caregiver," says Meland, but adds that he sees a tendency towards that the parents decide to share the custody. Meland strongly believes that the importance of maintaining a close relationship between father and child after a divorce is a neglected subject: "Our research clearly shows that a strong relationship with both parents is important for the children's health. This should impact the family policy," says Meland. ### WASHINGTON - Ever since Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., began his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination against Hillary Clinton in 2016, there have been conflicting views about his attitude toward women in politics. His backers have held him up as a standard-bearer for liberal ideals, including gender equality and an end to the political glass ceiling, going so far as to crown him "the most feminist 2020 candidate." Others have eyed him warily, accusing him and some of his backers, "Bernie Bros," of having a "sexism problem." Some continue to blame him in part for Clinton's loss of the presidential contest to then-candidate Donald Trump, inflicting a wound that may never heal among some Democratic women. On Monday, Sanders' presidential ambitions and the aspirations for that elusive "first female president" clashed yet again. A CNN report detailed a private conversation Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., had with Sanders in 2018, in which they allegedly disagreed about a woman's chances to win the White House in the coming election. Sanders disputed the report, slamming it as "ludicrous." His campaign called the account, initially attributed to four anonymous individuals, "a lie." But then Warren confirmed it, albeit not in so many words, suggesting Sanders was untruthful or at best remembered the conversation very differently. Whatever was or wasn't said, the fallout was swift. Politicians, journalists and politicos heralded the news as an "explosive account" and "a helluva leak." On social media, progressive debated progressive, ultimately perhaps to the benefit of the candidates' more moderate opponents, particularly former vice president Joe Biden. One powerful fact, in particular, gave the argument its legs: Women, especially younger women, are not flocking to Warren as her supporters had hoped. Indeed, in the most recent polls, Sanders is doing better than Warren among women. Sanders was polling ahead of Warren with women in both Iowa and New Hampshire, according to a Jan. 3 CBS-YouGov poll. In Iowa, 23% of women said they would vote for Sanders if the caucus were held today, compared with 19% who said they'd support Warren. In New Hampshire, the gulf was wider, with 26% saying they'd support Sanders in the primary and 19 percent backing Warren. The margin of error in the New Hampshire poll was plus or minus 5.3 percent; in Iowa, 3.8%. Early reactions to the controversy varied starkly. "If Bernie Sanders said anything remotely close to 'a woman can't beat Donald Trump in 2020' in a conversation with Elizabeth Warren, he's the dumbest person on the face of the earth," tweeted Christopher Hale, a former Obama staffer. "I just struggle to believe that's the case." People backing Warren, on the other hand, said their candidate had nothing to gain from complaining about sexism and found it hard not to believe her. "The idea that Warren trotted this out to damage Sanders seems very unlikely," tweeted feminist writer Jessica Valenti. "She knows that women who complain about sexism are seen as whiners, not winners." A third camp dismissed the controversy as a media-generated distraction. Those critics accused CNN of stirring up drama on the eve of a Democratic debate the network happens to be co-hosting Tuesday night, less than three weeks away from the Iowa caucuses. "It's almost a certainty cnn will open the debate tomorrow by asking sanders about the warren/sanders meeting," tweeted political consultant Jordan Uhl. "The story has no real impact on voters' lives but there are few things cnn loves more than drumming up their own yellow journalism." But there was a larger history at play. Sanders' first attempt to run for president was marred by his aggressive supporters, dubbed the Bernie Bros, who harassed his political opponents and journalists online. Their actions spurred allegations of sexism that have never abated and deepened resentment about Sanders' challenge to Clinton, the former first lady and secretary of state whom supporters described as the most qualified candidate in history. It was also later alleged that his 2016 campaign fostered a hostile work environment for women, with several coming forward to allege that they were paid less than their male counterparts and subjected to sexual harassment and poor treatment, the New York Times reported last year. Sanders apologized to the women, promising to "do better." But when asked whether he knew about the complaints, he responded, "I was a little bit busy running around the country." The senator again faced backlash in 2016, shortly after Clinton lost, when he offered advice to a woman who asked him for tips on running a political campaign. "It is not good enough for someone to say: 'I'm a woman! Vote for me!'" Sanders said. "No, that's not good enough. What we need is a woman who has the guts to stand up to Wall Street, to the insurance companies, to the drug companies." Many critics would argue Warren is that kind of woman. The two political rivals have been longtime allies and friends, who started their campaigns for the 2020 Democratic nomination with a pact to remain civil. That truce began to fray this weekend, when Politico revealed Sanders' campaign had given volunteer canvassers a script portraying Warren as appealing only to "highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what." The tensions between Sanders and Warren only intensified Monday when CNN aired its report. Although many did not see what Warren's campaign had to gain by leaking details of the conversation to the news media, polling numbers suggest she could benefit from pulling female voters away from Sanders. Another criticism Monday's spat drew was from people who would support either Sanders or Warren over their more moderate opponents. They argued that a feud between the two candidates could split voters on the left flank of the party, boosting the chances that either former vice president Joe Biden or Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, could gain momentum and end up facing off against President Trump in November. "Whether you support Sanders or Warren or anyone else in this race, I can't imagine that a fight between supporters of these candidates is helping anyone," tweeted Charlotte Clymer, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. "There's way too much at stake for this toxicity." A group of Korean victims of wartime forced labor in Japan and their bereaved families attend the press conference at Gwangju in South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. Yonhap A group of 33 Korean victims of wartime forced labor in Japan and their bereaved families living in the southwestern city of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province launched a joint compensation lawsuit against six Japanese companies Tuesday. The 33 plaintiffs include two surviving victims of Japanese forced labor, while the other 31 victims were all deceased and represented by their children or grandchildren in the second such lawsuit initiated in the Gwangju-South Jeolla region. Fifteen of the plaintiffs filed suits against Hokkaido Coal and Boat Co., nine against Mitsubishi Mining Co., four against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, three against Mitsui Mining Co., one against Nishimatsu Construction and one against Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The civic group Citizen's Forum for Halmuni (grandmothers) and the nongovernmental organization Lawyers for a Democratic Society extended legal and other support to the forced labor victims and their families in their joint lawsuit. In April last year, the two groups launched a similar compensation lawsuit against Japanese companies on behalf of 54 Korean forced labor victims and their families residing in the Gwangju-South Jeolla region, though the relevant court hearing has yet to begin due to the Japanese side's refusal to receive judicial documents. The two groups held a joint news conference in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, after filing the second compensation lawsuit against Japanese companies. They said the lawsuit will clearly reveal anti-human and illegal acts committed by the Japanese government and companies during wartime, emphasizing it is difficult to improve friendship and relationships between Korea and Japan without reflecting on the past. They also urged the creation of a Korea-Japan joint consultative body on the forced labor issue and vowed not to give up their legal fight until the rights of the victims are restored. In particular, any financial compensation from Hokkaido Coal and Boat Co. appears to be difficult as the Japanese company already went bankrupt. But the bereaved families of the concerned victims said they participated in the lawsuit to have the illegality of forced labor recognized and demand an apology from Japan. In November 2018, the Supreme Court upheld two rulings one that ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to pay between 100 million won and 120 million won each to five women and another that ordered the company to pay 80 million won each to six other forced labor victims. Following the rulings, Mitsubishi's assets in South Korea have been seized. But Mitsubishi and other Japanese companies have not accepted the South Korean court rulings, escalating bilateral diplomatic conflict between Seoul and Tokyo. Korea was under Japan's brutal colonial rule from 1910-45. South Korea says Japanese leaders and companies do not sincerely repent for the country's past wrongdoings and refuse to take full legal responsibility. Japan claims all reparation issues were settled in the 1965 treaty that normalized their diplomatic ties. (Yonhap) Two pipe bomb type devices were thrown at a house in west Belfast in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A woman, two men and a baby who were inside the property in the Monagh Drive area were unharmed. The occupants reported hearing two bangs outside the rear of the house at around 12.50am. Police and Army Technical Officers attended the scene and discovered the remnants of what is believed to be two pipe bomb type devices. There was no damage caused to the property. Detective Sergeant Duffield appealed for witnesses to come forward. We are working to establish a motive for this incident and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with our investigation to contact detectives in Musgrave Police Station on 101, quoting reference number 49 14/01/20," he said. "Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. Hafiz Saeed is currently at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore (Photo Credit: File Photo) Lahore: Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Tuesday pleaded "not guilty" in two terror financing cases against him as the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief recorded his statement in a Pakistani anti-terrorism court, amidst mounting international pressure on Islamabad to rein in militant groups. The Counter Terrorism Department had registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17. He is held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. "In response to a questionnaire handed over to him by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore regarding terrror financing charges against him, Saeed on Tuesday submitted his reply in which he dismissed all charges against him. He pleaded not guilty," a court official told PTI after the in-camera hearing. The official said the ATC adjourned the hearing till Wednesday for final arguments. The cases of terror financing have been registered against Saeed in Lahore and Gujranwala cities in Punjab province on the application of the Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police. Saeed was produced at the ATC under tight security. Journalists were not allowed to enter the court premises for the coverage of the proceedings. At the last hearing on January 13, Saeed's counsel had requested the court for adjournment of the hearing against his client, saying that Saeed needed more time to record his statement. On January 10, a questionnaire was handed over to Saeed by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court. Deputy Prosecution General Abdur Rauf had submitted the questionnaire for Saeed in the ATC which was handed over to him for reply. Cross examination of prosecution witnesses against the founder of the LeT and his three close aides by the defense counsel has already been concluded. The prosecution had produced a number of witnesses against Saeed. The ATC indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in terror financing case. Saeed's indictment followed growing international pressure on Pakistan to stop militant groups from collecting funds in the country and to take immediate action against those still involved in militant activities. The international terror financing watchdog FATF has decided to keep Pakistan on its 'Grey' list for failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups LeT, JeM and others. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which kept Pakistan on the Grey List for an extended period till February 2020, had warned in October that Islamabad would be put on the Black List if it did not comply with the remaining 22 points in a list of 27 questions. Saeed, a UN and US designated terrorist, has USD 10 million American bounty on his head. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Photo: courtesy of the author Tents are sleeping quarters, not living quarters. Theyll protect you from the elements, but they are not concerned with your comfort. Once you move into any position that isnt strictly horizontal, tents can feel like a middle seat in basic economy. In my decades of camping, Ive slept in a lot of tents from ultralight and modern Hillebergs to heavy old canvas Springbars. The low roof forces you to awkwardly shimmy on and off your clothes from a lounge-y half-seated, half-reclined position. Or pull a leg muscle trying to slip on a sock. Once you get your pack inside, theres even less room to maneuver. Tents also have floors. This seems like a great idea, since the ground outside is literally dirt (and thus dirty), but it means you cant wear your muddy boots inside the tent. And that means fumbling with long and intricate hiking laces every time you enter or exit. These inconveniences are tolerable when the weather is wonderful and youre car camping for two days at a KOA in the Catskills. But I recently found myself on a monthlong hunting expedition deep in the Alaskan backcountry, roughly 150 miles above the Arctic Circle and 120 miles away from any semblance of society. The Arctic is beautiful mossy tundra that rises and falls forever, lit by a haunting low-angle light but its also cold, wet, windy, and miserable. Given the amount of time we would be spending in them, traditional tents just wouldnt work. You might think a cabin tent would be a good option, with its high ceiling and open space, but theyre generally heavy and bulky to backpack, and probably wouldnt stand up to the Arctics often epic winds. Kifaru 8-Man Tipi From $1,233 We used a 12-person teepee, but if you have a smaller group and arent carrying a lot of gear, the 8-person version is even lighter and less expensive. From $1,233 at Kifaru.net Buy So I was relieved when my buddy Donnie Vincent, a backcountry bowhunter and filmmaker, told me wed be using his 12-man Kifaru teepee as our Arctic living quarters. A single pole, made of light but strong aluminum, rises through the center. Ripstop waterproof fabric stretches out around it to create a 20-by-17-foot circular footprint. You can actually stand inside and walk around. Four of us could maneuver around each other and fit sleeping pads, oversize packs, a couple of food and water bags, and even a small cooking table we made from rocks. Theres no flooring, so we could come in and out without taking off our boots a convenience that cant be overstated after long, brutal days. And because of the chimney opening, we could also use a collapsible tin woodstove. Stuffing it full of endless tinder raised the teepees internal temperature into what felt like the 70s on nights when the world outside was below zero. We were in an Arctic Marriott, even if the socks we dried from a clothesline run overhead made it smell more like a hog pit. Come time to move camp, the teepee disassembles in about four minutes, which is half the amount of time it takes to put the thing up. Then youre left with an 11-pound package thats the same size as most packed tents. There are downsides, of course. Because of their height and width, teepees can be susceptible to wind failure. We had to stage an emergency 4 a.m. takedown when sustained 70-mph winds nearly blew our shelter into Canada. But this was more a function of user error idiots camping on a highly exposed ridge because we wanted to wake up with a nice view than it was anything wrong with the teepee. And youll want to avoid packing it into areas that have no big, flat spaces. On a different trip a dall sheep hunt in Alaskas cliffy Chugach Mountains we opted for traditional tents, because they were the only things that we could find enough open ground to fit. I missed the teepee every time I kneed myself in the teeth trying to pull off a boot. Other Great Strategist-Approved Camping Equipment BioLite CampStove 2 Wood-Burning and USB-Charging Camping Stove $150 Contributing writer Steven John likes the BioLite CampStove 2 because it can cook your food and charge up your devices. Just build a fire in the chamber, and the stove converts the heat to electricity. The hotter the fire, the more power you generate, John says. And of course, the faster you can boil water or cook your meal. I love this thing because its a perfect example of an upgrade to a classic, essential piece of hardware. $150 at Backcountry Buy Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower $35 This camping shower the top-rated on Amazon has more than 1,200 five-star reviews. Not only will it help you get clean, the built-in USB charger can be plugged into a car adapter, laptop, or computer. The shower has plenty of pressure, and the battery lasts surprisingly long, writes one reviewer. $35 at Amazon Buy $35 at Amazon Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. (Newser) A close associate of President Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has provided a trove of text messages and photos to the House committee leading the impeachment inquiry. Joseph Bondy, the lawyer for Lev Parnas, tweeted Monday that they had "worked through the night" to provide data from two of his client's smartphones to the House Intelligence Committee, the AP reports. The material involves "interactions with a number of individuals relevant to the impeachment inquiry," Bondy said, per ABC. The Democrat-run committee subpoenaed Parnas for documents on Oct. 10, the day after news broke that he and business partner Igor Fruman had been arrested while trying to board a one-way flight to Europe. Though the House voted to impeach Trump in December, committee Chairman Adam Schiff has pressed ahead to gather more information and documents in advance of the president's upcoming Senate trial. story continues below Parnas was deeply involved in efforts by Giuliani to press Ukraine's leaders to announce an investigation into Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Trump's withholding of US military aid to the war-torn country is at the heart of the two impeachment articles approved by the House. Parnas and Fruman, both US citizens who emigrated from the former Soviet bloc, were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy, making false statements and falsification of records related to allegations they made outsize campaign donations to Republican causes after receiving millions of dollars originating in Russia. Bondy's tweets on Monday included a photo of Parnas posing with Trump, both men smiling and giving a thumbs-up, paired with the hastags #LetLevSpeak and #LevRemembers. A federal judge ruled earlier this month that Panras' cellphone data could be provided to House investigators. (Read more Lev Parnas stories.) Boeings Net Commercial Plane Orders Drop for First Time in Decades The fallout from the 737 Max crisis continues to bedevil Boeing, with the firm announcing its commercial airplane operations lost orders in 2019, marking the first time in decades that the planemaker has taken this type of hit to its business. The company has been in turmoil after two crashes, five months apart and both involving the Max, killed 346 people. Boeing released figures on Tuesday that showed a net loss of 87 plane ordersmeaning that more orders were cancelled than were placed. The company also posted the lowest numbers for plane deliveries in 11 years, losing the top spot to its European rival Airbus for the first time in eight years. Airbus, by comparison, said earlier this month it racked up a net 768 orders last year after cancellations and delivered a record 863 planes. Still, Boeing ended 2019 with a commercial airplane backlog of 5,406 planes, representing years of future production. The numbers show that with a net loss of 183 orders, the 737 Max was responsible for the biggest drop. Chart comparing Boeing and Airbus across deliveries, net orders, and the ratio of orders to deliveries. (Boeing and Airbus/ Dominic Roshan/Reuters) Challenging Time The 737 Max was grounded mid-March of last year following the air disasters, which involved an Indonesian airliner and an Ethiopian jet. Investigators believe the crashes were caused when the planes new automated flight-control system inadvertently pushed the planes noses down. Boeing is still struggling to fix the software and get the plane back in service. Last month, the firm fired its CEO and announced it was suspending production of the Max. Getting the plane back in service is a key aim for new Boeing chief Dave Calhoun, described by the companys board as the right leader to navigate Boeing through this challenging time in our 104-year legacy. In an email sent to Boeing employees, the incoming CEO noted the painful lessons of the past 18 months, vowing greater transparency and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of safety and quality. Calhoun said returning the Max to service would be his key objective. This must be our primary focus, he wrote. This includes following the lead of our regulators and working with them to ensure theyre satisfied completely with the airplane and our work, so that we can continue to meet our customer commitments. Well get it done, and well get it done right. Analysts estimate that Boeing has been losing around $1 billion a month because of the grounding and the company reported an almost $3 billion negative free cash flow in the third quarter. The aeronautics giant is due to report fourth-quarter earnings on Jan. 29 and said earlier it is considering raising more debt. Credit Rating Agency Moodys said it had placed Boeings A3 senior unsecured credit rating under review for a possible downgrade. Reuters contributed to this report. Glasgow, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected an official demand for a second referendum on Scottish independence in a formal letter on Tuesday. Responding to a request from Scotlands first minister and leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, to hold a vote later this year, Johnson said Scotland had seen a decade of political stagnation, with schools, hospitals and jobs left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK. Sturgeon described Johnsons continued rejection as unsustainable, and said the Scottish government will set out our response and next steps later this month when we will also ask the Scottish Parliament to again endorse Scotlands right to choose. It was inevitable, but it then poses the bigger questions of the longer set of endgames that we are into, Scottish political analyst Gerry Hassan told Al Jazeera. And, the need for the independence movement and the SNP leadership to have open public debates and an acknowledgement of the situation that [Scotland] is in. Buoyed by his success in last months UK-wide general election which saw him win a majority in Parliament, Conservative leader Johnson rebuffed Sturgeons demands as he now looks ahead to Britains withdrawal from the European Union otherwise known as Brexit on January 31. Sturgeons SNP may have secured 48 out of 59 Scottish seats in Decembers election, but the devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, where the party also dominates, requires permission known as a Section 30 order from Westminster in order to hold a second referendum on Scottish statehood. The first was held in September 2014 and saw Scots reject independence from the British state by 55-45 percent. The SNP leader has already ruled out holding a Catalan-style referendum on independence, which saw the Spanish region hold an unsanctioned poll in 2017 against the wishes of the Spanish government. Nobody realistically is thinking of unofficial referendums or a unilateral declaration of independence, said Hassan. We are already looking ahead to 2021 and how a Scottish mandate [for independence] can be secured. Today I have written to Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish people voted decisively to keep our United Kingdom together, a result which both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to respect. Let's make 2020 a year of growth and opportunity for the whole of the UK pic.twitter.com/JjQp3X2J2n Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 14, 2020 In 2021, the next elections to the Scottish Parliament will be held and today hold more intrigue than ever. The SNP will be hoping to secure a majority or at least return a pro-independence majority combined with the independence-supporting Scottish Green Party. But even that route to securing another plebiscite on Scottish sovereignty looks forlorn after the Conservative Party Scottish Secretary at Westminster, Alister Jack, said on Sunday that victory for the SNP in the Scottish elections would not give the party a mandate to hold a second independence poll. 200111155121708 The balls in Sturgeons court, and it leaves the SNP in quite a difficult position, said Simon Pia, a former Scottish Labour press adviser. Now it will be a question of how much popular support Sturgeon can gather, because the interesting point is that [at the UK general election] she gathered 80 percent of the seats in Scotland on 45 percent of the vote, he told Al Jazeera. Pia also said that, while polling on independence remains between 45 and 50 percent, and within touching distance of a majority, it has never shown the clear majority support required to win another vote. On Saturday, 80,000 pro-independence supporters braved the wind and rain in Scotlands largest city, Glasgow, to show their support for Scottish statehood. But as Sturgeon weighs up her next move which could include taking the SNPs independence demand to the courts the governments of Scotland and the United Kingdom will remain at loggerheads. What is quite lucky for Johnson is that this issue has come so early in his premiership, said Pia. And hes still got a fair wind behind him. The discontent and criticism of the [UK] government has not started building up. But I can understand Sturgeons position she wants to play a waiting game. Follow Alasdair Soussi on Twitter: @AlasdairSoussi NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- Federal prosecutors are urging a New York judge to sentence a former congressman to nearly five years in prison. The suggested sentence for, now former, New York Representative Chris Collins, would be close to the maximum for involvement in insider trading. The Republican representative pleaded guilty to insider trading charges in October 2019, and resigned from Congress. Prosecutors claim Collins lied to federal agents. Collins' attorneys asked for no jail time. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17. Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse, then candidate, Donald Trump for President. New Delhi: The Kerala Government on Tuesday filed a suit against the Citizenship law in Supreme Court and asked the court to declare it as unconstitutional. Kerala became the first state to move against the CAA in the apex court. In December, the Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution against the CAA, supported by the opposition MLAs. The Suit also challenges the passport Amendment Rules 2015 and Foreigners ( Amendment ) Order 2015, which regularized the stay of non Muslim Migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who had entered India before December 31, 2014. German police carried out raids on suspected Islamist militants across the country early Tuesday, over allegations they were plotting a violent attack, Berlin prosecutors said. German authorities are on high alert for Islamist threats to Europe's most populous country, which has in recent years suffered several attacks. "On suspicion of planning a serious violent act endangering the state, search warrants are being executed in Berlin, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia," the Berlin attorney general's office said via Twitter. The probe "targets suspects of Chechen origin from the Islamist scene," it later added. Germany's deadliest attack was a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead. The attacker, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, hijacked a truck and murdered its Polish driver before killing another 11 people and wounding dozens more by ploughing the vehicle into a festive market in central Berlin. He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan four days later while on the run. Since then, German authorities have thwarted nine attacks believed to have radical Islamist motives, according to the head of the Federal Crime Office (BKA), Holger Muench. Most recently, police in the western city of Offenbach arrested three men in November 2019 for allegedly planning a bomb attack in the name of Islamic State. That same month, a Syrian was arrested in Berlin accused of having procured key components for an explosive device and discussing bomb-making tips with other suspected Islamists in an online chat group. Germany's security services estimate there are around 11,000 Islamic radicals in Germany, some 680 who are deemed particularly dangerous and capable of using violence -- a five-fold increase since 2013. Around 150 of these potentially dangerous individuals have been detained for various offences. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With its unique access and insight into the lives of animals, San Diego Zoo Global Press, the book publishing division of San Diego Zoo Global, has introduced young readers to residents of the famous zoo since its founding in 2015teaching the next generation to care for our planets most endangered creatures. This message has never been more urgent, since these children will inherit an environment threatened by global warming and the spread of human beings into fragile habitats. Recently, the press gave kids a close encounter with Ruuxa, the cheetah star of Ruuxa & Raina: A Cheetah & Dogs True Story of Friendship & Miracles (May 2018). At Warwicks bookstore in San Diego, children met the cheetah and the Rhodesian Ridgeback whose resilient friendship endured birth defects, disease, surgeries, and other challenges. It was amazing and definitely a highlight of my bookselling career, said Adrian Newell, the book buyer at Warwicks, who watched kids get a hands-on experience with a member of a vulnerable animal population. Ruuxa & Raina is one of four books in the presss growing Hope and Inspiration Childrens Book Collection, a series of nonfiction, photograph-driven titles written by Georgeanne Irvine. One of the ways to engage children and adults is to introduce them to a specific animal, said Irvine, a childrens author and the director of corporate publishing at San Diego Zoo Global. When children get to know an animal like Karen the orangutan, it truly inspires them to care about orangutans as a whole. That generally leads them to care about all sorts of other animals, she said, mentioning the main character of the publishers Karen's Heart: The True Story of a Brave Baby Orangutan. The children can tell their parents to vote for candidates who support conservation efforts and they can introduce their parents to the concept of protecting and saving these amazing animals. Irvine has worked for the zoo for more than 40 years, performing all sorts of duties: leading celebrities on tours of the zoo, guiding animals through TV appearances, and accompanying an endangered Sumatran rhinoceros traveling from Indonesia to San Diego. She has also led a freelance career as a childrens author, producing more than 24 childrens books for different publishers. Inspiring Care and Conservation The childrens press began in 2015, when then-San Diego Zoo Global president Douglas Myers tapped Southwestern Publishing Group for the new initiative. The zoo had worked with Southwestern on guidebooks and exhibit books since 2008, but Myers wanted to expand the literary offerings to include young readers (Paul Baribault is now the president of San Diego Zoo Global). The press launched with the Hope and Inspiration series, and working with Southwesterns Blue Sneaker Press imprint, the zoo added a series of illustrated books for younger readers. The publishing plan is to do three books in each of those series a year, said Chris Capen, president of Southwestern Publishing House. The first illustrated book from the press launched last October with Ty the Quiet Giraffe, written by Carrie Hasler and illustrated by Barbara Ball. I always start with research, said Hasler, an author and former teacher who joined Southwestern to work on the Blue Sneaker Press imprint. She also helps edit the Hope and Inspiration series. Because its a picture book for kids, the animals are fictionalized and given human characteristics. But they are all in their natural habitat. Those little details may not be picked up by anybody else, but theyre important to the zoo and to me as well, she said. Young readers form a true bond with the animals in these books. In December, Floyd the flamingo, the San Diego Zoo animal at the heart of the Hope and Inspiration title Fabulous Floyd: The True Story of a Flamingo Who Never Gave Up, died unexpectedly. There has been an outpouring of people on our Facebook page who loved Floyd, who knew his story, and who were so attached to him, Irvine said. That doesnt happen unless you know a particular animal. Floyd will live through his book and he will continue to inspire children. The press taps into the zoos fanbase around the world. Between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (located an hour north of the zoo), the organization counts five million visitors a year. In addition, San Diego Zoo Kids is a special closed-circuit TV network that broadcasts in about 300 childrens hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. The books are also sold in other zoos and aquariums across the country. There is a very tight knit group of merchandisers for zoos and aquariums, and San Diego Zoo is obviously very active in that, Capen said. The books are published by San Diego Zoo Global Press, but they fit nicely in zoos across the country. The lead character of each Hope and Inspiration book comes with its own plushie, letting young readers select their favorite animal. Yvonne Miles is the zoos corporate director of merchandising and oversees product development around the books. She characterized plushie sales as fantastic, and said the press is exploring additional merchandise like socks and pajamas. Hopefully, our readers will grow up saying, This was really impactful and I want to make a change, Miles said. The bottom line is to get the conservation message out there, to share these stories so that people can find ways of supporting the animals. IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique mortgage brokerage firm, negotiated individual refinance loans on behalf of repeat client, The Bascom Group, LLC, for three multi-family communities, two in California and one in Nevada. A commercial bank in Texas funded a $16.5M loan secured by Casanova Grove Apartments, a 76-unit apartment complex in Monterey, California and a $4.8M loan for Michigan Heights Apartments, a 28-unit apartment complex located in Los Angeles, California. Both loans have four-year terms with 36 months of interest only payments and multiple extension options. Loan proceeds will be used for the addition of new units and general property renovations such as new flooring, appliance upgrades, miscellaneous interior repairs, etc. The third bridge loan in the amount of $9,700,000 was secured by Pebble Cove Apartments, a 90-unit multi-family community strategically located at 5101 OBannon Drive in Las Vegas, Nevada within close proximity to the McCarran Airport, Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Downtown Las Vegas. Talonvest negotiated with a Midwest based commercial bank to deliver a LIBOR floating-rate loan with a five-year term, three years of interest only payments, and prepayment flexibility after the first loan year. Jerry Fink, Managing Partner at Bascom, commented, Talonvest continues to deliver attractive loan terms for us through their extensive capital markets relationships. They exceeded our expectations, their execution was seamless, and all loans closed in an efficient, timely manner. The Talonvest team representing Bascom on these assignments included Erich Pryor, Tom Sherlock, and Eric Snyder. About Talonvest Capital, Inc.: Talonvest Capital, Inc. is a boutique real estate firm providing advisory services to commercial and self storage real estate investors, owners, and developers throughout the United States. The firm utilizes a unique collaborative team approach and four decades of institutional knowledge and expertise from the team members to deliver better capital solutions for its clients. About Bascom: Bascom is a private equity firm specializing in value-added multifamily, commercial, and non-performing loans and real estate related investments and operating companies. Bascom sources value-added and distressed properties including many through foreclosure, bankruptcy, or short sales and repositions them by adding extensive capital improvements, improving revenue, and reducing expenses by realizing operational efficiencies through implementation of institutional-quality property management. Bascom, founded by principals Jerry Fink, David Kim, and Derek Chen, is one of the most active and seasoned buyers and operators of apartment communities in the U.S. Since 1996, Bascom has completed over $15.6 billion in multifamily and commercial value-added transactions including more than 330 multifamily properties containing over 85,000 units. Contact: Amanda Waite Talonvest Capital, Inc. 949.648.0337 awaite@talonvest.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd008751-0704-46b2-b128-7c555f1a4f60 A volunteer firefighter whose wife died a year before catastrophic fires ripped apart his home is now living in a tent and spends every day searching for his dog. Ash Graham lost his house in Nerrigundah on the New South Wales south coast when out-of-control fires ravaged the area on New Year's Eve. He managed to escape the fires with just his truck and a few belongings, with his three-year-old dog Kozi by his side. Scroll down for video Volunteer firefighter Ash Graham camps on the lawn near the fire station at Nerrigundah on January 13 A fire approaches the village of Nerrigundah on New Year's Eve, which was among the hardest places hit in the bushfires Volunteer firefighter Ash Graham holds a camera showing a photo of his missing dog, Kozi, at the fire station at Nerrigundah Kozi was left at the local fire station while Mr Graham was out warning people to evacuate their homes, but the dog fled as the flames approached the station. The last place Mr Graham saw Kozi was outside the fire station. He said he won't give up until he finds him. 'He was the only thing I was left with when my wife passed away, so... yeah... he's my best mate,' Mr Graham said through tears. 'He's my motivation, he gets me out of bed of a morning on my down days.' Mr Graham has already searched through mine shafts and wombat holes, and hopes the dog headed towards water. 'I'm just hoping that he was faster then Armageddon,' he said. 'Maybe I just haven't walked that extra hundred metres, maybe I've just over glanced an area and there were a couple of houses I hadn't looked under.' Mr Graham's wife Melanie died from cancer just a year before the catastrophic fires tore through the south coast. Volunteer firefighter Ash Graham wipes a tear as he talks about his dog, Kozi, while camping on the lawn near the fire station at Nerrigundah Sandstone sculptures by local fire captain Ron Threlfall show scenes of distress in Nerrigundah Fire and thick smoke remains the village of Nerrigundah on the evening of December 31 A roofer by trade, Mr Graham stopped work to spend six years taking care of his wife before she died. Mr Graham's plans are to cut down trees on the property in order to make it safe to set up his camp trailer - where he will be now living. While he has been meaning to leave his makeshift home of the tent in the yard of the fire station, he has not been able to bring himself to do it. But he said that Nerrigundah is always home. 'I'll never move,' he said. Community members have set up a GoFundMe to help Mr Graham, which has already raised more than $13,000 in just three days. Mr Graham has already searched through mine shafts and wombat holes, and hopes the dog was smart by going towards water. Picutred: a fire approaching Nerrigundah on December 30 In this Dec. 31, 2019, photo provided by Siobhan Threlfall, a fire threatens her home at the village of Nerrigundah The tiny village of Nerrigundah in was among the places hardest hit by the country's devastating wildfires, with two-thirds of homes destroyed. A man in his 70's who lived near the village was killed in the disaster - one of the 27 lives claimed by the wildfires, which also have destroyed more than 2,000 homes. Like many small communities in Australia that have been scorched by the wildfires, Nerrigundah will never be the same. Once a thriving gold mining town with over 1,000 people, the village has lately been home to just a few dozen who love the peace of the Australian bush, a place far from the bustling cities where dogs can run free. But now a landmark building that was once a store has burned down. The village's old schoolhouse is also gone, as well as the building that used to be the church. Nerrigundah was caught by surprise by the fires because many did not expect them to come for another few days, and nobody could believe its ferocity. Lyle Stewart stands in front of his destroyed home at Nerrigundah after a wildfire ripped through the town on New Year's Eve The home of Lyle Stewart is razed to the ground at Nerrigundah after a wildfire ripped through the town on New Year's Eve Preeja Prasad By Express News Service BENGALURU: Bengaluru could soon have the tag of Protest City, adding to its numerous tags. The city has witnessed a record number of protests in a month ever witnessed in history. A whopping 82 protests have been staged in Bengaluru since December 12 when the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee held the first anti-Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register for Citizenship (NRC) protest -- a figure which the City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao says could well be more than the total number of similar protests held in New Delhi. The alleged police brutality in Jamia Islamia University in Delhi on December 15 when the crackdown on anti-CAA/NRC protesters saw the police enter the campus and beat up and arrest students, saw a massive outage across India. Since that day, the number of protests in Bengaluru shot up with as many as 20-odd requests to stage protests being received per day by the city police -- eight alone at City Police Commissioners office. Most of the requests were granted, according to senior police officials. Prior to December 15, the number of protests (on issues other than CAA/NRC) in Bengaluru were merely two to four per week, but after that day the city police have been made to be on their toes with the number of requests and protests staged spiralling upwards. Bengaluru Central Division under Deputy Commissioner of Police Chetan Singh Rathore witnessed the highest number of protests. Since December, I received 40 requests of which 35 were approved. The rest had to be rejected as it was during Section 144 which was imposed in the city (December 18 to 21). A majority of the protests have been held at Town Hall, which comes under Central Division, while Freedom Park which saw the second-largest number of protests comes under West Division. These two have been the key spots to stage protests in Bengaluru. Fortunately, Bengaluru has observed peaceful protests and we have informed the organisers that those violating rules would be charged under Criminal Procedure Code, said Umesh Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (West). Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao told TNIE: It is tiring and exhausting, but we are constantly engaged with the organisers and laying down the ground rules. If they do not fall in line, then we will mean business. It is everybodys democratic right to protest, but not in a way where it affects others. Currently, I have decentralised the operations and have CCTV cameras to monitor everything. Those who are violating rules and our trust, will face severe consequences. We are doing the job with a lot of patience. Rallies which include protesting in two or more divisions have to get permission from the Additional CP or Commissioner of Police himself. At least 120 persons were detained and later released the same day during the section 144 imposition between December 18 and 21, but none after that. No protests were accepted during those three days and those who attempted to stage protests without permission were the ones detained, Rathore said. A strongly worded attack by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the prospect of allowing some married men to become priests has exposed the perils of having a "parallel papacy" within the Vatican, insiders have said. In a move that has shaken the Catholic Church, Benedict has co-authored a book in which he says he can no longer stay silent on the idea of addressing the chronic shortage of priests by letting married men become ordained. The book, in which Benedict (92) defends the principle of celibacy, has been interpreted as an attack on Pope Francis and the latest salvo in a war between traditionalists and reformers. There were fears when Benedict resigned that by assuming the title of emeritus pope and choosing to live within the Vatican, that he would become the focus for enemies of Francis. The issue of married priests was discussed by a synod, or extraordinary meeting of cardinals and bishops, in October and Francis is expected to announce his response soon. But Benedict pre-empted Francis by co-writing a book with a conservative cardinal, Robert Sarah from Guinea, in which they argue priests can't serve both God and a family. "Since serving the Lord requires the total gift of a man, it does not seem possible to carry on the two vocations simultaneously," they write in 'From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church'. "The ability to renounce marriage so as to place oneself totally at the Lord's disposition" is central to being a priest, they say, so Catholics should ignore the "theatrics, diabolical lies and fashionable errors" swirling around the issue. The book has raised fundamental questions about Benedict's role as emeritus pope and to what extent he has become a lightning rod for conservatives unhappy with Francis's reformist agenda. "It's an imprudent and ill thought-out intervention which undermines Francis's authority," Austen Ivereigh, a Vatican expert, said. Critics said Benedict should not have the title emeritus pope or to dress in the white papal cassock. Instead he should have been called emeritus bishop of Rome and persuaded to live away from the Vatican. Mr Ivereigh added: "The effect has been to create around Benedict an alternative papacy." James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor of the Catholic publication 'America', said he feared a "parallel magisterium, which can lead to disunity". There was speculation that given Benedict's frail health, it was likely others had a hand in the book, such as the German cardinal Gerhard Muller and Benedict's personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Ganswein. "The big question is, who is behind this?" said Gerard O'Connell, a veteran Vatican analyst. "Benedict is very frail - mentally he is clear but he gets tired after 15 minutes and cannot write or type." Others in the Church point out that celibacy is a tradition, not dogma, and that there are wings of the Catholic world in which priests are married, including conservative Anglicans who defected to Rome under a move that began under Benedict's papacy. ( Daily Telegraph, London) by Sara Guaglione , January 14, 2020 The Economist Group is getting a new president, Bob Cohn. He was the former president at The Atlantic. Cohn, who spent more than 10 years at The Atlantic, left in September. He will now lead the core newspaper business at The Economist Group, "focusing on expanding subscriptions and readership around the world, as well as developing new digital offerings," according to the company. Cohn is also charged with finding commercial opportunities in North America. It's an important growth market for The Economist, accounting for 55% of its 1.6 million print and digital circulation, per the company. advertisement advertisement "The Economist is about to embark on ambitious plans related to the U.S. 2020 presidential election, including the launch of new products and marketing campaigns," it stated. Cohn will split his time between New York and Washington, D.C., and report directly to Lara Boro, who joined The Economist Group as CEO last September. Separately, Guardian Media Group announced that Annette Thomas will take on the role of CEO in March. Thomas was most recently chief executive of Web of Science Group, a data, analytics and software business focused on research and higher education. She has also served as CEO of trade book publishing company Macmillan Science and Education. GMG board chair Neil Berkett stated Thomas was a highly experienced leader of mission-driven businesses." He touted her track record, noting she has "consistently delivered sustainable growth through deep engagement with end-users ... championing innovative new business models. Anna Bateson will continue as interim chief executive until March 2, when Thomas will take on the role. Bateson will then return to her position as Chief Customer Officer. Today, Advance Local also announced changes to its C-suite: Randy Siegel, longtime CEO of the Newhouse family company, announced Monday he will step down at the end of March. Advance Local oversees various newspapers, including The Oregonian and Cleveland Plain Dealer. Advance sold Times-Picayune and its NOLA.com site to the owners of The Advocatelast year, which then merged. It is quite distressing to keep reading the same Stanley Heller vitriolic op-eds criticizing Israel over and over. This time Heller turns his discerning eye on defending anti-Zionism vs. anti-Semitism. And for a change, he is partially correct. Legitimate criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic. However, using the U.S. State Department standard, only criticizing Israel is anti-Semitic. Heller never turns his attention to any wrongdoing elsewhere and his focus on Israel can only lead to one conclusion: his anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. Israel is not a perfect state. I wish it were. Nor is the United States, Canada, Sweden or any other country we can name. Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Smashed doors, dusty tables and 12 years of unread mail -- welcome to the defunct Palestinian parliament. It has been more than a decade since the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) last met, due to infighting between Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah and Islamists Hamas. The two sides are currently talking up the prospect of new elections -- the first since 2006 -- but for now the key Palestinian political institution, located in the occupied West Bank, lies empty. It is mid-morning on a recent week day in Ramallah but the hundreds of spaces in the parliament's car park hold just a few dozen vehicles. The main door to the parliamentary chamber is shuttered, with an armed police officer standing guard. A back route leads through a partially smashed glass door. Inside the chamber, dust gathers on rows of empty seats around a central speaker's dais. In the parliamentary offices next door, the postman still delivers mail to the lawmakers' boxes, but many haven't been checked in years. The most senior figures, including chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, have the largest piles. - No one to serve - In 2004 the shiny new parliament building was opened in central Ramallah, the Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of Jerusalem. Construction was largely funded by Japan and was intended to symbolise a return to democracy after the bloody Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israel in the early 2000s. It only saw one general election, in 2006, when Hamas won an unexpected victory. The Islamist party won 74 of the 132 seats, while Abbas's secular Fatah got 45. Hamas, which does not recognise Israel's right to exist, is considered a terrorist organisation by the United States and European Union. Many countries refused to accept the election result. A year later Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in a bloody conflict that verged on civil war. Story continues With lawmakers at each others' throats, parliament was suspended in 2007. Most politicians stopped turning up but kept receiving salaries of about $3,000 a month -- in a territory where nearly a quarter of people live in poverty. About 120 civil servants at the parliament in Ramallah and dozens more in Gaza continued working, awaiting better days. They still receive salaries but have no one to serve, said Rasha Kawas, who has worked for the PLC for more than 20 years. The parliament retains some official roles -- including coordinating with others in the Arab world and beyond. There are parliamentary panel discussions, visits by school students and the occasional citizen looking for assistance. Committee work continues "at a different rate", said Ahmed Abu Dayyeh, who organises parliamentary task forces. But more often than not there is nothing happening at all, one employee said. Official working hours are between 8am and 3pm, though these were "a bit flexible", the employee added. So what do they do all day? He gestured to his phone. For her part, Kawas said: "When there are any activities we are very happy. We feel we are working." - Back to life? - Since parliament last met, 84-year-old president Mahmud Abbas has ruled by decree, passing about 300 laws, according to Abu Dayyeh. In Gaza, however, Hamas set up a rival government and Abbas's decisions have no effect there. Arif Jaffal, director of the Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor (Al-Marsad), said 13 years without a parliament had seen Abbas concentrate power in his hands, while the judiciary and other checks have been weakened. "This led to a political system standing only on one leg," he said. In late 2018, Abbas pledged to permanently dissolve the parliament and call new elections. But in practice both the West Bank and Gaza, while theoretically in favour of elections, are able to operate without them while their differences remain unresolved. Other challenges also hamper plans to hold elections. Abbas recently formally asked Israeli authorities to allow voting to take place in east Jerusalem, which remains predominantly Palestinian, though Israel has yet to respond. Israel seized control of Palestinian east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and considers the whole of the city its undivided capital. But the Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Ammar Dweik, general director of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights, said new elections could be the route to "reunification" of the Palestinian political system. But he warned getting there remained a challenge, with fears that elections could spark fresh tensions. "These elections must be handled carefully due to the fragility of the political environment," he said. In the parliament, staff retain hope for a breakthrough which could see them regain their purpose. "We see that there is a stronger political will than ever before to hold elections and bring life back to the Legislative Council," Abu Dayyeh said. Elusive SPX Bottom Monica Kingsley - 3 minutes ago S&P 500 reversed sharp intraday losses, and credit markets moved in a decisive daily risk-on fashion. Turnarounds anywhere you look HYG, TLT, XLK but will that last? VIX having closed where it opened,... Gearing Up For USDA Tomorrow. The Corn & Ethanol Report 01/11/2022 The PRICE Futures Group - 4 minutes ago We kickoff the day with NIFB Business Optimism Index (Dec) at 5:00 A.M., Redbook YoY (08/Jan) at 7:55 A.M., Fed George Speech at 8:30 A.M., Fed Chair Powell Testimony and IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism (Jan)... California lawmakers to debate universal healthcare proposal AP - 1 hour ago SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California lawmakers on Tuesday will start debating whether to create the nation's first universal health care system in a key measure of whether the proposal will muster the... $SPX : 4,650.08 (-0.43%) $DOWI : 35,821.68 (-0.69%) $IUXX : 15,571.73 (-0.27%) Soybeans Lower in Early Trading, With November Weakest Barchart - 1 hour ago Soy futures are mostly 2 to 5 cents lower so far for Tuesday. Soon to expire January is up 2 in very thin activity. Nearby Soybean futures fell 23 3/4 to 26 3/4 cents on Monday, a more than 1% drop.... ZSF22 : 1365-4 (-0.67%) ZSPAUS.CM : 13.3522 (-0.62%) ZSH22 : 1376-4 (-0.60%) ZSX21 : 1234-0s (+1.79%) ZSPX21US.CM : 12.3270 (+1.90%) Cattle Futures Down Triple Digits to Begin Week Barchart - 1 hour ago Live cattle futures closed the Monday trading session with $1.07 to $1.47 losses. Feb contracts have dropped $4.02 since 12/30 with 7 of those 8 sessions red. USDA reported the bulk of the weeks activity... LEG22 : 136.375 (+0.09%) LEM22 : 136.250 (+0.02%) GFF22 : 161.275 (+0.22%) GFH22 : 165.475 (+0.08%) Cotton Futures Split, with Nearby Futures Strongest Barchart - 1 hour ago Front month cotton futures are a tale of two crop years, with crop up 76 to 87 points this morning while new crop December is 2 points lower. Cotton futures were off their high at the close on Monday,... CTH22 : 115.58 (+0.31%) CTK22 : 113.38 (+0.27%) CTZ21 : 111.55s (+0.25%) Germany faces 'gigantic' task meeting energy, climate goals AP - 1 hour ago BERLIN (AP) Germany's new climate minister said Tuesday that the country faces a gigantic task if it wants to achieve its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring sufficient... $SPX : 4,650.08 (-0.43%) $DOWI : 35,821.68 (-0.69%) $IUXX : 15,571.73 (-0.27%) Crude OIL 4h Elliott Wave Analysis: Trades Into Resistance Area EW-Forecast.com - 1 hour ago Crude oil made nice and strong five waves down in November, which is a bearish structure so we assume that energy has turned into a higher degree correction CLG22 : 79.06 (+1.06%) Markets Still Not Wowed Market Tea Leaves - Tue Jan 11, 5:39AM CST Yesterday the markets still didn't trade Higher. Can this change today? - The plane was about to land in Dire Dawa Airport from Djibouti before the locusts slammed its windscreen, engines and nose - Efforts by the crew to clean the windscreen using the aircraft's wipers proved futile and their visibility was hindered by the swarm - The plane, 30 minutes later, landed in Addis Ababa as landing in its initial destination was hindered by the insects A swarm of locusts forced an Ethiopian passenger plane to divert from its original route after it collided with the insects while preparing to land. The pilots were preparing to land the Ethiopian Airliner in Dire Dawa Airport from Djibouti before meeting the swarm which invaded the planes windshield, nose and engines. READ ALSO: Lady luck smiles at needy form one student who reported to school with only 2 bars of soap The insects slammed the plane's nose, windscreen and engines. Photo: Aeronews. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kenyan newspapers review for January 14: Omtatah moves to court to contest Uhuru's decision to extend term of BBI team According to BBC, the plane's wipers failed to clean the its windscreen thereby interfering with the pilots' visibility. The plane landed 30 minutes later in Addis Ababa as the swarm made landing in Dire Dawa Airport impossible. READ ALSO: Mbunge Ndindi Nyoro anaamini Ruto atakuwa Rais Bora zaidi katika taifa la Kenya Pictures shared by Aeronews global showed the plane's nose, engines and windshield smeared with the dead insects. No casualties were reported and the Dire Dawa-bound passengers took another flight to their destination. East Africa is under a locust invasion which first infested Ethiopia. The United Nations's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warned in November 2019 about a possible invasion of the insects into Kenya and true to the warning, the voracious feeders were first spotted in Wajir and Mandera counties in late December 2019. They have so far spread into Meru and also Kirinyaga counties. Farmers have asked the government to swing into action before the invasion becomes an ungovernable menace. The insects are infamous for moving in swarms and wiping out any vegetation it comes across. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Please cut off this breast - Sharon Atieno | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Rice exports from Vietnam, the worlds third-largest shipper of the grain, rose 4.2% in 2019 from a year earlier to 6.4 million tonnes, customs data showed on Monday. However, revenue from rice exports last year dropped 8.3% to $2.8 billion, the Customs Department said in a statement. West Africa, the Philippines and Malaysia were among the largest buyers by volume of Vietnamese rice, it added. In December, Vietnams exports increased 36.7% from the previous month to around 500,000 tonnes, worth $228 million. The governments General Statistics Office late last month forecast 2019 rice exports at $6.259 million tonnes, and December exports at 390,000 tonnes. 5 1 of 5 Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 5 of 5 CVS Health, one of the nations largest drugstore chains, is transforming its walk-in clinics offering vaccines and quick check-ups into more high-tech HealthHUBs, a part of the companys new focus on outgrowing its retailer roots and becoming a health care provider. It officially opened the first hub in the Houston area on Monday at 5402 Westheimer Road in the Galleria area. CVS began testing pilot HealthHUBs in the Houston area late last year and plans to open 15 more in the area in the first half of 2020, eventually expanding into 12 states on the East Coast, Midwest and Southwest. As many as 1,500 HealthHUB locations are slated to open nationwide by the end of 2021. CVS has approximately 9,900 stores in the U.S. 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!) Its been more than 24 hours since four people were found dead in a Florida home near Walt Disney World on Monday, and by Tuesday there were more questions than answers. The Osceola County Sheriffs Office announced Monday morning a death investigation at 202 Reserve Place in Celebration, Fla. Police were alerted by a neighbor that the children and family dog hadnt been seen for days. Law enforcement confirmed that four bodies were found inside the central Florida home and one person was in custody. The identities of the dead wont be released until the medical examiner conducts autopsies, said a spokesman for the sheriffs office, Jacob Ruiz. Police did not indicate how the people found dead were killed or what charges the person in custody could face. All parties involved with this investigation are accounted for, Sheriff Russ Gibson said during a brief news conference Tuesday. He did not answer reporters questions about the investigation. Neighbors told WESH 2 News in Orlando that the man taken into custody was the father of the family that lived in the house. The station reported that, through Osceola County court records, it determined the home where the bodies were found was leased by Tony and Megan Todt, originally from Colchester. According to a Facebook page for Megan Todt, she attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. While the investigation continues in Florida, officials in Colchester urged residents to come together and offer support after a missing local family was tied to the discovery of the bodies. In a statement, Colchester First Selectman Mary Bylone called the news out of Florida regarding a Colchester family shocking and heartbreaking. While there is much we do not know at this time, I know that the thoughts and prayers of our entire community are with the relatives and friends of the family involved, Bylone added. We cant always make sense of moments like this, but we can support each other. It is in times like these that our town pulls together and shows what we are made of: compassion and kindness, Colchester officials said in a post on the town of Colchester website. As a result of this news, officials said, crisis counselors will be provided at schools for any children who might be impacted by the news. Additionally, we are looking into other ways to support our community, the statement said. The family believed to be linked to the investigation in Florida are 44-year-old Anthony Todt, his 42-year-old wife Megan and their three children Alex, Tyler and Zoe. The family also has a dog named Breezy. The Todt have not been in touch with their family since Jan. 6, various news reports indicated. Connecticut State police said the agency was not requested to aid local authorities in Florida to help with the investigation, but called the news heartbreaking in a Tuesday afternoon statement. We want to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, state police said. Josue Dorelus, a state police spokesman, said Tuesday that there had not been a missing person report filed in Connecticut in connection with the case. We are confident in their ability to conduct a thorough investigation. We ask that the public exercise patience while the Osceola County Sheriffs Department releases information as these types of investigation tend to be complex, state police said. Anthony Todt and his wife are listed as the owners of Family Physical Therapy with locations at 7 Park Ave. and 744 Middletown Road in Colchester, according to the business Facebook page. Connecticut Department of Public Health medical licensing records indicated that Anthony Todt allowed his license as a physical therapist to expire in September. His license was listed as being out of Celebration, Fla. Megan Todts license as a physical therapist will expire on Jan. 30, DPH records show. Her license is out of Kissimmee, Fla., records said. Friends of the family created a Facebook page called Looking For The Todt Family to provide updates, but removed the page Monday. When someone asked Kellie Ball who identified herself in a public Facebook post as the sister of Anthony Todt why the page was removed, Ball said she wasnt going to explain anything. We took it down, Ball said through a Facebook comment on her page Monday night. This is a hard time for our family. Please respect that. Ball, who said she has a good relationship with her brother, said he was commuting back and forth for work between Connecticut and Florida. These last few days have been really hard for me and my family, Ball said. Neighbor Marcelo Rodriguez told the Orlando Sentinel he saw deputies at the two story home earlier Monday yelling for residents to open the front door. He said he then saw a man who lives there in handcuffs outside the home. Rodriguez said the man lived at the home with his family. We are in shock, Rodriguez said. Its terrible. Reporting by Associated Press was used in this report. As the new year unfolded with horrifying images of fire, drought, earthquakes and the threat of war with Iran, the Facebook post of a dear friend caught my eye. She is a linguist, fluent in five languages, and smart enough to know the trouble that human beings can conjure when they misunderstand each other. Farsi, or Persian, is one of her languages. She linked to a piece about three volatile words that most North Americans have heard and reacted to in recent days as it has been included in reports of Middle East protests since the assassination by U.S. forces of Qassem Soleimani, a general in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and commander of its Quds Force. Death to America is how the Iranian protest chant Marg bar Amrika is usually translated for English speakers. Thats an error. Ill quote Reza Mirsajadi, a visiting assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, who wrote the article my friend linked to in her post. The Death to ___ chant commonly heard in Iranian political protests for well over 60 years, is a mistranslation, he wrote. Yes, the Farsi word marg can translate to death, but Marg bar ___ translates to Down with ___. Mirsajadi wrote the piece in 2017. Its every bit as, if not more, relevant today. By native Farsi speakers, marg bar is used more to display a fervent animosity toward a governments action, rather than a wish for the genocidal annihilation of that countrys people. Its a distinction likely not apt to move many minds, especially when paired with footage of mobs burning a U.S. flag as they chant. President Donald Trump invoked the inaccurate translation when he addressed the nation after Iran fired retaliatory missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq. Instead of saying, Thank you to the United States, they chanted Death to America, Trump said during the portion of his speech where he blamed the attack on former President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated a nuclear nonproliferation deal with Iran. Trump referenced the chant to bolster his decision to scuttle the nuclear accord, as well as to justify military action so far and to boost public support for future retaliatory strikes. As my Facebook friend noted, cultural context is imperative. A bit of online research showed that this mistranslation has been the subject of much discussion among native Farsi speakers. This might seem trivial to some. People are rightfully concerned with tensions between the U.S. and Iran, in the form of anything from cyberattacks to terror attacks. But we all need to remember that words have power. Misapplied, they can spread fear and support an atmosphere where questions are shut down and skepticism is denounced as unpatriotic. Politicians who asked probing questions about the White House justification for the killing of Soleimani have been labeled sympathizers of terrorists. Understanding the difference between a literal translation and how phrasing is actually used by native speakers is unfortunately the type of higher-level thinking that too many North Americans monolingual as we tend to be often skip. Ethical translators emphasize the dilemma of finding an exact word in English to capture the emotion, the intent of the original speaker, admitting when nothing fits exactly. Again, this is not to minimize the current danger of war in the Middle East. Rather, its a call to remain vigilant to facts, to intents, to truths. These three words alone, when misunderstood, have proven powerful enough to sow confusion, to stir anxiety and to marshal support for political and military action. We need to replace such misperception with nuance and understanding. Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at msanchezcolumn@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Huguenot resident Joseph Pessolano, 58, set out in search of his birth parents days after his 21st birthday -- something he said he would have tried so much sooner had he been in possession of his birth certificate. Pessolano was missing critical information, like his given name, that prevented him from attempting to locate them and that left him with questions about his family history. It wasnt until he received his adoption decree at 21 that he learned his full name, Christopher Anthony Ray, other critical information about himself and leads to his family. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 15, New York adoptees will be able to obtain a copy of their certified birth certificate once they turn 18. Every person has the right to know where they come from, and this new law grants all New Yorkers the same unrestricted rights to their original birth records, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement. After years of being denied this basic human right, adoptees will finally be able to obtain critical information about their origins, family histories and medical backgrounds, Cuomo said. The new law also gives direct line descendants -- like a child, grandchild or great-grandchild -- the ability to request a copy of the adoptees birth certificate and eliminates any government agencys ability to impose restrictions on an attempt to obtain the information. OLD LAW IS RIDICULOUS Pessolano called the old law ridiculous. A state cannot guarantee that any child will not look for their birth parents, and they cannot guarantee confidentiality even though they say that they do,'' Pessolano said. "So to prevent birth certificate access is ridiculous. Until now, an adoptees birth certificate was sealed once an adoption is finalized. An adoptee would need to petition the court and their biological parents, who would need to consent, for the birth certificate to be released. If I had [my birth certificate] I would have looked for my parents so much sooner, he said. Howard Zucker, state commissioner of health, said: We are pleased to be implementing this law that will help adoptees access birth records that other New Yorkers have always been able to obtain." As an adoptee, most of us, we need three things: truth, validation, acceptance," Pessolano said. "Getting a birth certificate helps towards those things. Zucker said hes expecting a high volume of requests in the coming weeks. New York state residents can submit requests to the state Department of Health for their birth certificate. Those born in New York City must apply through the city Department of Health. Adoptees are encouraged to apply online for efficiency, however, paper applications will be accepted via mail or in person. Birth certificates will be issued via mail, per the state. New York is the tenth state to provide unrestricted access to certified birth certificates. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:51:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A cultural event entitled "Happy Chinese New Year" to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival or Lunar New Year was held here on Tuesday night. The event started with a short video called "Beautiful China-Blissful Holiday" that presented New Year blessings, followed by singing and dancing performed by Mongolian artists. In his speech at the event, Yang Qingdong, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, said "China and Mongolia are good friends and good neighbors." "In recent years, relations and cooperation between our two countries have been developing rapidly in a wide range of areas, especially culture and tourism," Yang added. Noting that Mongolians will soon celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the White Moon, he wished the two peoples good health and happiness. In addition, a photo exhibition showcasing the beauty and development of China also opened during the event co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia and the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulan Bator. The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China, and falls on Jan. 25 this year. ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans has issued a voluntary recall of Wegmans brand frozen breaded chicken breast fillets because some of the chicken may be undercooked, according to Wegmans. The 20-ounce packages can be identified with the UPC 7789025193 and the best used by date of Oct. 23, 2020, according to the recall notice. The product may be returned for a full refund, according to the Rochester-based grocery store chain. The recall was issued Thursday. Wegmans said customers with questions can call 1-855-934-3663. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:52:37|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Liu Zhibin and his wife Zhao Shuzhi feed corns to whooper swans at Swan Lake Managerial Station in the national nature reserve for whooper swans in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2020. "Come, come to eat!" Liu Zhibin and his wife Zhao Shuzhi called whooper swans while blowing their whistles. Every year from November to March of the following year, these whooper swans fly from Siberia to Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province, to spend the winter. After retiring in 2015, the Lius came to Rongcheng City from Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to reunite with their son. Since Liu loves birds from a young age, he became a "swan guard" at Swan Lake Managerial Station in the national nature reserve for whooper swans in Rongcheng. Liu's wife often comes to help him. In order to protect swans, Rongcheng City set up two swan managerial stations in the nature reserve. Liu, along with 12 other "swan guards", devotes himself to shielding the wintering paradise for the swans. Everyday, Liu would feed three meals for the whooper swans. Whenever feeding them, Liu watches the swans fly in and gather around to eat, and it feels like a family reunion dinner to him. When patrolling the nature reserve for whooper swans, Liu likes to stop the car, open the window and quietly watch the "elves" in Swan Lake, reluctant to see them migrate away. However, he knows that they would return next year. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei) Subscriber content preview SEATTLE A new StorQuest Self Storage facility at 12805 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. sold for almost $21.4 million, according to King County records. The seller was 12805 MLK SP LLC, which acquired the land in 2017 for over $1.1 million then developed it. . . . Communities destroyed by bushfires are bracing for flash floods and landslides with heavy rain forecast for Thursday. The Snowy Mountains and south coast regions could see between 30 and 80mm of rain over the coming days. Sydney is expected to receive its most significant downpour in several months, with forecasts of 2-8mm on Thursday and 5-10mm on Friday. Experts are describing the forecast as a 'doubled-edged sword' because the rain is good for containing fires but may cause landslides and tree-fall in burnt-out areas. Rain at last: This map shows rainfall accumulations over the next 10 days A car makes its way through thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke in the Ruined Castle area of the Blue Mountains on January 11 Heavy downpours are expected for fire grounds in The Bega Valley Shire where the local council has said it would work with the RFS to manage any impact of the deluge. 'Weather predictions indicate conditions are favourable over the next week for the containment effort,' the council posted on its Facebook page. 'There is predicted rainfall from Thursday onwards - early indications show the possibility of heavy rainfall which may impact on sediment runoff into waterways. 'This situation is being monitored and planned for by council and RFS.' Firefighters have welcomed the forecast as the best news in months but the Bureau of Meteorology said the rain could be a 'double-edged sword'. 'Hopefully some of this heavy rainfall will fall over fire sites and help control or even extinguish fires,' meteorologist Sarah Scully said on Tuesday. 'But it's a bit of a double-edged sword because heavy rainfall and gusty thunderstorms bring the potential for flash flooding, particularly in the burnt-out areas of NSW and Victoria which are now vulnerable to land slips and trees coming down.' Mr Fitzsimmons said filtration and other equipment is being deployed into the water systems to protect drinking supplies. A Rural Fire Service firefighter Trevor Stewart views a flank of a fire on January 11, 2020 in Tumburumba NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the government was using silt curtains to stop ash being washed into Warragamba Dam by heavy rainfall. The fire service has been working closely with the SES, NSW Police and the Bureau of Meteorology to track the location of the heaviest falls. Despite the easing conditions, fire danger ratings are still high for large parts of NSW on Wednesday. Rain and cooler weather is also expected to hit Victoria on Wednesday afternoon. The conditions help disperse the bushfire smoke, improving the air quality forecast for Thursday to a moderate rating. The Bureau of Meteorology said cooler conditions will remain for Victoria until the weekend, with maximum temperatures in the low 20s. The Dunn Road fire on January 10, 2020 in Mount Adrah, near Wagga Wagga in NSW Rain and thunderstorms accompanying the cool change will hardly help firefighters battling blazes in the state's east and northeast. Less than 5mm of rain and thunderstorms are forecast for fire-affected areas, bringing dry lightning that could spark new fires. Central Victoria could see between 5mm and 15mm of rainfall. The recent bushfires have burned 1.4 million hectares across the state. Four people have died, with 353 homes and 548 other structures destroyed. Seventeen fires were burning in Victoria on Tuesday evening. One emergency warning remained in place on Tuesday night, in Tamboon where emergency services reported the fire was creating its own weather pattern there while becoming erratic. After the US assassination in Baghdad of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, Berlin, London and Paris issued a fraudulent joint letter Sunday, denouncing Iran as a threat to peace and demanding it respect the 2015 nuclear treaty Washington repudiated in 2018. The statement, reeking of hypocrisy, serves as a warning amid the danger of all-out war in the Middle East. One cannot halt the spiral of imperialist demands, threats, provocations and murder by appealing to the conscience of capitalist governments like Washingtons European allies. Anti-war sentiment in the working class, rising hand in hand with growing strikes and social protests against austerity and police repression, must take a politically independent form. In their letter, the European powers pass over in total silence the extrajudicial murder of Suleimani in gross violation of international law, mass protests in the Middle East against his killing and the three decades of US-European wars in the Middle East since the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq. These wars killed or wounded millions and turned tens of millions into refugees. Instead, they denounce Iran for destabilising the Middle East. They write, Recent events have highlighted Irans destabilising role in the region, including through the IRGC and Al-Qods force. Our commitment to the security of our allies and partners in the region is unwavering. We must addressthrough diplomacy and in a meaningful wayshared concerns about Irans destabilising regional activities, including those linked to its missile programme. After the murder of Suleimani, the Iranian regime announced that it would increase the number of centrifuges it operates to enrich uranium. It did not, however, take any overt action to build nuclear weaponsit neither expelled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors present in Iran, nor repudiated the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which it has signed. Nonetheless, the letter of Berlin, London and Paris portrays Iran as a nuclear threat, while merely expressing regret that Washington scrapped the 2015 treaty. It claims the treaty plays a key role in keeping Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. It demands Iran reverse all measures inconsistent with the treaty; we call on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation; and we remain ready to engage with Iran in order to preserve the stability of the region. This letter is a political fraud. As EU foreign ministers held an emergency Middle East summit Friday in Brussels, they made off-the-record statements directly contradicting the arguments in the letter Berlin, London and Paris issued two days later. EU officials know that, in the conflict with Tehran that Washington has orchestrated since Trump repudiated the 2015 nuclear deal, it is not Tehran that seeks escalation. A senior EU diplomat told Reuters that Iran aims to calm the crisis: Irans desire to prevent the crisis from escalating has bought us some time, it has the effect of cooling this down just a little. Another EU diplomat said Iranian nuclear weapons are not an imminent danger: Iran has not set any targets or deadlines when it comes to uranium enrichment targets, so that gives us time. Finally, an unnamed French diplomat said Paris is at least as worried about US as about Iranian actions: We need to coordinate and maximise the effect everybody has in trying to de-escalate what the Iranians do, but its the same for the Americans. That is to say, European claims that Iran is destabilising the Middle East, and that it is urgent to confront Irans nuclear weapons program, are a pack of lies. One must ask why European officials are issuing empty denunciations of Iran that they know to be false, and staying silent on the danger of war posed by Washington, the worlds most heavily-armed nuclear power? It is not ties of unbreakable friendship that bind the European powers to Washingtons propaganda on Iran. In fact, the Middle East has been the scene of rising conflict between Washington and its European allies ever since the Stalinist regimes dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 deprived them of a common enemy. While EU powers joined US wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria when it suited their imperialist interests, they clashed with Washington over post-Gulf War sanctions on Iraq, the illegal 2003 US invasion of Iraq, and now US sanctions on Iran. These inter-imperialist conflicts are not subsiding, but mounting. Berlin and Paris reacted to Brexit and the current US presidents statements that the NATO alliance is obsolete by moving to build an EU army independent of Washington. Both Washington and the EU have imposed multiple, multi-billion-dollar trade war tariffs against each others corporations. Now, even as EU officials recite lying war propaganda against Iran, the danger of overt EU conflict with Washington is growing. While US military superiority and economic threats doubtless play a significant role in getting Europe in line, these are not enough to explain their decision, for now at least, to endorse US accusations against Iran. Behind these developments lie profound shifts in class relationsabove all, the ruling elites fear and hatred of the emerging international movement in the working class. It must be recalled that in 2003, European officials defied Washington, publicly refuting US lies about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that Washington was using to justify a planned, illegal invasion of Iraq. Frances right-wing prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, publicly stated his governments opposition to this policy at the United Nations. Calling for unity in the UN Security Council, Villepin said: In this temple of the United Nations, we are the guardians of an ideal and of a conscience. The great responsibility and immense honour we have must lead us to give priority to disarmament in peace. It is an old country, France, from an old continent like mine, Europe, that today tells you thisafter experiencing war, occupation, and barbarism. It does not forget and knows what it owes to those from America and elsewhere who fought for freedom. But it has never stopped facing history and humanity. One need not be a supporter of Villepins government, its austerity policies and its wars in Ivory Coast and other former French colonies, to recognize that a profound shift has taken place in the European bourgeoisie. In 2003, despite his indubitable hypocrisy, Villepin could justify opposition to US aggression by reference to popular opposition, historically rooted in the working class, to war, fascist barbarism and the bourgeoisies collaboration with the Nazi Occupation of France. Today, President Emmanuel Macron takes a different line. A global resurgence of strikes and protests spans every continentfrom yellow vests and mass strikes against pension cuts in France, to the Indian general strike, mass anti-government protests in Algeria and Iraq, and strikes last year of US autoworkers and teachers. In 2018, as Macron launched attacks against the yellow vests, the largest wave of mass arrests in France since the Occupation, he hailed Philippe Petain, the fascist leader of the collaboration with the Nazi occupation, as a great soldier. These policies underscore that European capitalism has reached a historical dead end. It is viciously hostile to mass opposition to a US war with Iran. Its main concern is not the danger of war, but crushing opposition from below. It is useless to appeal to Macron or his colleagues in Berlin and London to stop war or austerity. As calls multiply for strikers to bring down Macrons government, it is critical to turn the emerging movement against Macron into an international, socialist and anti-war movement of the working class. Avaroa Cable Ltd (ACL), a wholesale fibre optic operator providing managed wholesale connectivity services to and between the Cook Islands, has confirmed that the Manatua One Polynesia submarine cable system has successfully been brought ashore in Rutaki village, Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. The landing, late last week, followed Tropical Cyclone Sarai, which had created immensely difficult sea conditions, requiring deep sea cable laying operations to be temporarily suspended. The cable will provide international connectivity to Rarotonga and Aitutaki when it goes live in May this year with a capacity of up to 10Tbps (10,000,000Mbps). It will connect Apia in Samoa, Tahiti and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Niue and, Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. Manatua will be the first submarine cable to connect the Cook Islands and also the first in Niue. The last two remaining Manatua landings will be undertaken in Tahiti and Bora Bora in French Polynesia and will be completed this month. The cable was landed on Aitutaki on 14 December 2019. The cable will now be connected through to the Rarotonga International Cable Landing Station being constructed by Avaroa Cable Ltd at Aroa. Separately, the cable-laying vessel SubCom Reliance will continue to deploy the Manatua cable, stored in her vast onboard tanks, back to join up with the main cable, around 50km off Rarotonga, and onwards to French Polynesia. ACL is a state-owned enterprise of the Cooks Islands Government and funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme and the Asian Development Bank. SAN DIEGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) (the "Company"), the first-ever publicly traded cannabis company in the United States that launched the world's first-ever cannabis-derived nutraceutical products, brands and supply chain, announced today the opening of its subsidiary HempMeds Mexico 's new office in Mexico City. "As pioneers in Mexico's cannabis industry, we are excited to announce the official opening of our new Mexico City office, which reinforces our strong footprint in the country alongside our current offices in Monterrey that have been operational since 2017," said Raul Elizalde, President of HempMeds Mexico and Latin America. "This new office's main purpose will be to provide the public with guidance on cannabidiol (CBD) products that the Company offers to the Mexican market, the advantages that these products have over other CBD products, and relevant information about how to talk with medical professionals about using CBD for therapeutic purposes." According to Grandview Research , Mexico's medical cannabis market size was valued at $47.3 million in 2018. Arcview Research estimates that if cannabis becomes recreationally legal in Mexico, the country's medical and recreational cannabis markets combined could be worth more than $1 billion by 2024. Since the establishment of HempMeds Mexico, the company has worked to promote access to CBD products by supporting nonprofit organizations that help provide quick access and by working with the government to establish an importation process that allows patients to get Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X (RSHO-X) with ease. HempMeds Mexico was the first company to receive a COFEPRIS federal government import permit for a cannabis product, RSHO-X, for a medical indication and continues to collaborate with local authorities, health professionals and the general public to promote the entire industry and its potential to positively impact the country's economy. "We've worked tremendously hard to bring CBD to Mexico and our success there has been recognized globally for our growth and innovation," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "We are optimistic that this new office will allow us to expand our business in the country more than ever before and educate citizens and public officials on the differences between hemp and marijuana." About HempMeds Mexico HempMeds Mexico is a Mexico-based company that made history by being the first company to receive a COFEPRIS federal government import permit for the cannabis product RSHO-X for a medical indication. HempMeds Mexico plans to work directly with the Mexican government to safely and legally provide access to CBD hemp oil products. For more information, please review the company's website at http://www.hempmeds.mx . About Medical Marijuana, Inc. We are a company of firsts. Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA) is a cannabis company with three distinct business units in the non-psychoactive cannabinoid space: a global portfolio of cannabinoid-based nutraceutical brands led by Kannaway and HempMeds; a pioneer in sourcing the highest-quality legal non-psychoactive cannabis products derived from industrial hemp; and a cannabinoid-based clinical research and botanical drug development sector led by its internal R&D and scientific team and its pharmaceutical investment companies and partners including AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. and Kannalife, Inc. Medical Marijuana, Inc. was named a top CBD producer by CNBC. Medical Marijuana, Inc. was also the first company to receive historic import permits for CBD products from the governments of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay and is a leader in the development of international markets. Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s headquarters is in San Diego, California, and additional information is available at OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s corporate video, click here. Shareholders and consumers are also encouraged to buy CBD oil and other products at Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s shop. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER 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 and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. LEGAL DISCLOSURE Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act. CONTACT: Public Relations Contact: Andrew Hard Chief Executive Officer CMW Media P. 858-264-6600 [email protected] www.cmwmedia.com Investor Relations Contact: P. (858) 283-4016 [email protected] SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc. Related Links http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2020 / As Michelle Obama once said, "Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed." Lawrence J. O'Bryan and his family are a prime example. Owner and CEO of TPC-KY, Inc., the primary label supplier to GE Appliances in North America and a key partner with Black & Decker, Thornton's, and several other major companies, Larry O'Bryan credits much of his success to his parents, who overcame much adversity of their own to build a successful future for their children. Born in 1959 to a poor family, Lawrence J. O'Bryan's life story is one of rags to riches. His father did not have the opportunity to attend school past seventh grade, as he had to start working full-time to help support his family. Likewise, his mother wasn't educated beyond high school. However, instead of succumbing to the various challenges they faced as a result of their background and environment, they embraced adversity and used it to fuel their future. Larry O'Bryan explained that his parents bought old homes in disrepair in an impoverished neighborhood of Louisville and his father, a handyman, transformed them into apartments. In time, the once-marginal neighborhood became the "it" place and property values escalated. The couple financed the loans themselves and eventually began to sell the properties in the 1980s. During this time, they would pay their children to work on the apartments rather than giving them an allowance for spending to help them learn the value of hard work. They also ensured all five children attended private Catholic schools and went to college. "I know this education and the commitment my parents made for us is a major reason for my successes in life," Larry O'Bryan said. It is also a significant motivation for Larry O'Bryan's commitment to giving back to his community. He routinely donates his time and money to a number of causes, including the St. Xavier High School scholarship/endowment fund, which he founded, as well as Salvation Army for Hurricane Relief, Hearts in Motion, and Home of the Innocents, among others. In addition to owning and helming one of the nation's biggest label manufacturing companies, Lawrence J. O'Bryan is the founder of Pro-Active Media and has had a successful career as a political media consultant. Among other achievements, Larry O'Bryan led the successful Democratic effort to defeat four-term Republican incumbent State Senator Elizabeth Tori representing Hardin and Jefferson Counties. In 2012, he also provided the winning media for Court of Appeals Judge Irv Maze and Circuit Judge Angela Bisig. The first political media consultant to produce and air political ads in high-definition, Larry O'Bryan remains at the forefront of campaign media technology. CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572949/Larry-OBryan-From-Modest-Upbringing-to-CEO-and-Political-Strategist As China and the United States prepare to sign a phase one trade deal on Wednesday, doubts remain about whether all the details of the agreement will be released publicly and whether Beijing can meet the lofty purchasing demands. High-ranking Trump administration officials have insisted that details of the agreement will be made available. However, there are signs that the full text and numbers wont be released. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has previously said that some aspects of the deal wont be made public, including specific targets for Chinese commodity purchases, in order to prevent market manipulation. You will get the top line categorical numbers, but not the individual product lines, said Clete Willems, who was deputy director of the National Economic Council and a member of the U.S. negotiating team with China. The administration isnt legally obligated to publish the full text of the deal because it was an executive agreement that didnt require congressional approval, said Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Just because the U.S. is happy with the translation doesnt mean we get to see everything, he said. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speaks during an event to sign an update to the North American Free Trade Agreement, at the national palace in Mexico City, Tuesday, Dec. 10. 2019. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) For example, Scissors, who has previously advised the administration on China issues, said he is 90 percent certain that there is an unwritten commitment by the U.S. to further cut tariffs if the Chinese are on track to make the roughly $200 billion in additional purchases over the next two years as promised. China will also be reluctant to sign off on text that acknowledges wrongdoing. The Chinese are never going to admit in their version that they engage in coercive technology transfer, Scissors said. Is the Chinese version of things going to be very different from the U.S. version? A post on the semi-official Chinese social media account pointed readers to a statement made by the Ministry of Commerce in December, which said: "After the agreement is officially signed, the contents of the agreement will be announced to the public. Story continues But it is not unusual for trade agreements not to be published in their entirety, and the Chinese government will be reluctant to publicize anything which may vex its other trading partners. Other suppliers to China could lose out should Beijing meet the U.S. demands to drastically increase some of its purchases. Adding it up Since the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published its phase one fact sheet in December, economists have debated whether China could meet U.S. purchasing demands. These would effectively double Chinas imports of U.S. goods, which were around $188 billion in 2017. If Beijing reverted to 2017s levels and added $200 billion, it would buy $576 billion of U.S. goods and services over two years. The staggering jump is theoretically achievable, given that the total value of Chinas imports in 2017 alone were worth $1.84 trillion. Rosa Wang, a Shanghai-based analyst at agricultural research firm JCI China, said she is quite confident that China could meet Trumps demand to buy at least $80 billion of farm goods over two years, but the government would need to reduce tariffs or issues waivers to make sure private buyers join state buyers in importing American farm products. Agricultural imports are also complicated by an outbreak of African swine fever in China, which has led to the loss of up to one-quarter of the worlds pigs to disease or cull. The situation means that China needs more protein for human consumption. In November, Chinas imports of beef and pork hit record levels, as it stocked up on meat ahead of the Lunar New Year festival later this month. Other factors elsewhere in the world may open the door to U.S. meat sales, such as the devastating wildfires, which will hit Australias beef exports, said Chenjun Pan, an analyst at Rabobank. Beef supply from Australia will be impacted by the fires, Pan said. The trend was already for lower supply from Australia, since the drought has been quite severe. But most of Chinas soybeans and corn go into animal feed, meaning that demand for these crops is dependent on China being able to increase its pig herds. The disease is preserved by cold weather and spread by farm vehicles which are harder to clean in icy conditions. With northern China in the grips of bitter winter, the crisis is far from over. 70 percent of the feed is for growing and finishing pigs. Even if the sow herd was up to numbers right now, we would still be six months away from having full numbers in growing and finishing pigs, said E. Wayne Johnson, a pig farming specialist based in northern Beijing. Farmers wait for evidence of purchases American wheat and corn farmers have long craved unfettered access to the Chinese market, but this was ruled out last week by Han Jun, vice minister of agriculture and a key part of Chinas negotiating team. Han said that China would not raise import quotas on corn, rice or wheat, so anything imported above the 2020 quota level will remain subject to a 65 percent tariff. In 2017, China imported $900 million worth of corn, just $200 million of which came from the U.S. In the same year, it imported $1.3 billion in wheat, with $500 million from the U.S., as well as $1.8 billion in rice, with none of that being American grown. The U.S. wants to push grain down Chinas throat, but China's doesnt want it, Johnson said. In addition, he noted that the country is going to have a glut of domestically produced grain. Last year, only 56 percent of Chinas corn import quota was met, 28 percent of wheat and 40 percent of rice. While this may suggest capacity to import American grain, it is unclear whether it is needed. Beijing has prioritized self-sufficiency in these three strategic grains and has large stockpiles of reserves. Still, American farmers are hopeful that they will see a boost in exports. The trade war caused our market share to plummet to zero for all of 2018. We recovered 1 percent of the market share in 2019, Michelle Erickson-Jones, a director at Farmers for Free Trade, wrote in a blog post. We are hopeful, however, that we will recover a substantial amount of this market share through the phase one agreement. Energy sales are also a priority for the U.S., and on the face of it, the sector has room to grow. U.S. exports of crude oil and related petroleum products in the July to Oct. 2019 period were roughly half what they were in the same time frame in 2017. Trump and American energy firms are definitely keen to revive oil and liquefied natural gas exports to China as suppliers from other countries like Australian LNG or Russian oil, have capitalized on the trade spat, said Henning Gloystein, global energy director at the Eurasia Group. But while China is eager to diversify its energy supply from the volatile Middle East, it would be reluctant to engage in a long-term relationship as a buyer of strategically key products like oil and gas with a geopolitical competitor who is perceived to want to contain Chinas rise, Gloystein added. This will be especially the case should Trump win this years election. Beijing is concerned that a bolstered-up Trump could come back and use energy supply which China sees as a strategic priority for political leverage, he said. A police officer on Tuesday shot an 18-year-old student of Iman Malik Academy, Hamza Umar in Yola, Adamawa State. The incident happened in Jambutu ward of Yola North local government area when police officers on patrol went to the area to arrest some miscreants, but met stiff resistance from some protesting youth. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, one of the officers fired gunshots and a stray bullet hit the victim, who was not among the protesters. The victim, who was hit on the thigh, is currently responding to treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Yola, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Confirming the incident, an elder brother to the victim, Bello Umar, said his brother was going to buy drugs for their father at a medicine store in the area when he was hit. The police fired the bullet while trying to disperse a group of youths who were protesting the arrest of a friend earlier on by the police on suspicious of involvement in activities of Shiila boys, Mr Bello said. Read Also: He said his brother was rushed to FMC Yola by the police officers, but alleged that the family were shouldering the medical bill. Contacted, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the incident. He said the police team was on patrol to mop-up a group of miscreants who attempted to burn a police station. After the mop-up operation and search on the suspected Shila boys those found with dangerous weapons or incriminating objects were arrested he said. The spokesperson said the command was investigating the incident and any police officer found to have erred in the line of duty would be sanctioned accordingly. He added that it was the police that took the victim to FMC Yola for treatment, saying that the police were equally investigating the victim and if he was found to be involved in the case would be prosecuted. He became head brewer at More Brewing when that brewpub opened in Villa Park in 2017, and rose to even greater prominence. Among his achievements was winning best in show at the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer in 2017 for Karma, a thick, sweet stout made with coconut, cinnamon and cacao nibs aged in bourbon barrels. Sen. Cory Booker's exit from the 2020 White House race means the field is losing a nuclear advocate whose views clashed with some top contenders. The big picture: The Washington Examiner's Abby Smith points out that Booker "didnt hold back in his criticism of his Democratic counterparts skeptical of nuclear energys role in a low-carbon future." Her item cites Booker's comments in a September HuffPost interview that highlighted his differences with Bernie Sanders and to a lesser degree Elizabeth Warren. What he said: "As much as we say the Republicans when it comes to climate change must listen to science, our party has the same obligation to listen to scientists," Booker said. Go deeper: Its both an honor and disappointment to be the lone candidate of color on the stage tonight. And the question is, why am I the lone candidate of color on this stage? Fewer than 5 percent of Americans donate to political campaigns. You know what you need to donate to political campaigns? Disposable income. You are the oldest candidate onstage this evening And Im white as well. Im running because Ive been around. On my experience. Senator Warren, you would be the oldest president ever inaugurated. Id like you to weigh in as well. Id also be the youngest woman ever inaugurated. [cheering] The mayor just recently had a fund-raiser that was held in a wine cave full of crystals and served $900-a-bottle wine. According to Forbes magazine, I am literally the only person on this stage whos not a millionaire or a billionaire. So if this is important this is the problem with issuing purity tests you cannot yourself pass. I do not sell access to my time. Senator, your presidential campaign right now as we speak is funded in part by money you transferred, having raised it at those exact same big-ticket fund-raisers you now denounce. No. He addressed I did not come here to listen to this argument. Climate change is an existential crisis. We dont have to go to war, but we have to make it clear: This is as far as you go, China. This president is not against immigration hes against immigration by non-white people. Yes. My good friend Joe, and he is a good friend, hes received contributions from 44 billionaires. Pete on the other hand is trailing, Pete. You only got 39 billionaires contributing. And I have not denigrated your experience as a local official. I have been one You know Im sorry I just think you should respect our experience when you look at how you evaluate someone who can get things done. If you just go by vote totals, maybe what goes on in my city seems small to you. If you want to talk about the capacity to win? Try putting together a coalition to bring you back to office with 80 percent of the vote as a gay dude in Mike Pences Indiana. Im going to interrupt now. It costs $30 trillion dollars. Lets get that straight. Under Joes plan, essentially we retain the status quo. Thats not true. It is exactly true. And, but thank you. Im making sure that were able to cover everyone who is, in fact, able to be covered. Put your hand down for a second, Bernie, O.K.? Just waving to you, Joe. I know, I know. Saying hello. The polling stations will be equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI), for Delhi Assembly polls which are going to be held on Feb. 8 in a single phase. FREMONT, CA: For upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, the Delhi Election Commission has announced that the February 8 Delhi Assembly polls will have almost 11 Artificial Intelligence equipped polling constituencies, one from each district in the national capital. The Delhi Election Commission also mentioned that digital photo voter slips are QR codes, which will time, which is wasted in finding out voters' names in the electoral rolls. Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer, Ranbir Singh, said that for the first time, voters would be provided with digital photo voter slips, and the slips will have QR code. Previously to find the name in the electoral rolls, a lot of time was wasted, but this new technique will save time and effort. The eleven constituencies where this facility will be installed are yet to be finalized. The digital photo voter slips can be downloaded easily from the Voter Helpline mobile app, which is an experimental feature, only available to those who link their mobile numbers with the app. For this time, it is an experiment, and if it becomes successful, they will set up more such booths next time. Recently the same technology was used in the five-phase Jharkhand Assembly elections held in November-December last year. On the digital photo voter slip, there will be a QR code that will be scanned at the polling booth having the facility. Still, voters are supposed to carry one identity card with them. The other new thing which is going to happen for the first time is that voters can carry their mobiles inside the polling booth up to the polling official using the booth app and can use it in place of the printed copy. Delhi Assembly polls will be held on February 8 in a single phase, while the counting of votes will take place on February 11. Sometimes the D.C. press focuses more on the horse race, said David Kochel, a longtime Republican operative who was a strategist for Jeb Bush last time around. At local outlets The Des Moines Register, specifically its usually easy to get policy and issues covered in a way that is away from the typical political-process angles. The Registers endorsement will receive national coverage when it appears in the coming weeks. And its Iowa Poll, done in collaboration with CNN and Mediacom for the 2020 campaign, is the talk of the political cognoscenti whenever a new edition drops, as one did on Friday. They winnow the field, Carol Hunter, the papers executive editor, said of the local citizens, and I think they feel like theyre playing a role in the destiny of the nation. Our job is to serve Iowans, she added. If its that important to Iowa, its got to be that important to The Des Moines Register. Register reporters have gone on to cover politics at national outlets including The Associated Press, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Jeff Zeleny, the senior White House correspondent at CNN and a former Times reporter, covered the 2000 caucuses for The Register. The people you met stayed on as sources, Mr. Zeleny said. And The Registers coverage is read all around the country not just on the internet, where its site is available through a special subscription geared to politics junkies, but in the print editions of other Gannett papers, a category that doubled to more than 260 dailies across 47 states in November when Gannett merged with the parent company of GateHouse Media. Such consolidation, along with the industry trends prompting it, has caused worry at Gannett publications such as The Register, which has its roots in a paper that was started in an abandoned log cabin in 1849. The daily, which was sold to Gannett for $165 million in 1985, has won more than a dozen Pulitzer Prizes in its history. Saudi Arabia carried out the highest number of executions for six years in 2019 including three prisoners who were teenagers when arrested in connection with pro-democracy protests. New figures show that in total 184 people were put to death, among them a youngster tortured with electricity and beheaded because as a 16-year-old he sent WhatsApp messages about a demonstration. Abdulkarim al-Hawaj, 21, and 36 others were executed on a single day in April during a beheading bloodbath for prisoners convicted of 'terrorism' offences. Saudi Arabia executed 184 people in 2019, watchdogs say, up 35 from the previous year and the highest total for six years (file image) Two of those killed were teenagers Abdulkareem al-Hawaj (left) and Mujtaba al-Sweikat (right), who were just 16 and 17 at the time of their arrests One was crucified and his body put on display as a warning to others. A second youngster was put death after being arrested as a 17-year-old boarding a flight to the US where he was due to begin studies at Western Michigan University. Campaigners say Mujtaba al-Sweikat was convicted solely on the basis of a confession extracted under torture after he was severely beaten all over his body, including the soles of his feet. Another of those killed was teenager Salman Qureish, who was arrested shortly after his 18th birthday accused of crimes he committed as a juvenile. Sentencing a person to death who is under 18 is banned under international law and executions of the youngsters went ahead despite Saudi Arabia vowing not to put to death anyone who was a juvenile at the time of their offence. One of the victims was gay, put to death after confessing to sex with four other men on trial. Figures show that of the 184 put to death last year, 37 were convicted of 'terrorism' offenses. Of these, 24 were from Saudi Arabia's minority Shia community, in particular the city of Awamiya, where Arab Spring protests flared up in 2011. Court documents showed that al-Sweikat confessed to throwing Molotov cocktails at security forces and running a chat group on his Blackberry phone that helped to organise the demonstrations. His father insisted that his son only twice joined demonstrations and for five minutes on each occasion. 'He was subjected to psychological and physical abuse which drained his strength,' said Nader al-Sweikat. 'The interrogator dictated the confession and forced him to sign it so that the torture would stop. He signed it'. During one mass killing in April, 37 men were put to death in public. Pictured is Deera Square in Riyadh where public executions are still held Maya Foa, director of campaign group, Reprieve, called on the US and UK to call out the executions in the 'strongest possible terms' saying that international pressure 'can make a difference'. She said: 'According to official Saudi figures, 37 people were executed for 'terrorism' offences in 2019, but a closer look at the charges - 'disobedience against the King,' 'preparing banners with anti-state slogans,' 'incitement via social media' - reveals who these so-called terrorists really are. 'Mujtaba al-Sweikat and Abdulkarim al-Hawaj were arrested after taking part in pro-democracy demonstrations. For all the talk of reform, Saudi Arabia is still a country where attending a protest or criticising the regime can get you killed.' The human rights charity insisted that Saudi Arabia put an end to all human rights abuses ahead of the G20 summit which the country's de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, is due to host in Riyadh later this year. Foa added: 'These latest execution figures expose the gap between the reformist rhetoric and bloody reality of Mohammed Bin Salman's Saudi Arabia. 'As the Crown Prince travels the world meeting heads of state, his regime has been executing young men arrested as children for the 'crime' of standing up for democracy. 'With the G20 summit in Riyadh fast approaching, 2020 must be the year that the Kingdom's partners stop falling for the Saudi charm offensive and insist on an end to these egregious human rights abuses and violations of international law.' Reprieve's figures show that 82 were put to death for drug smuggling and 57 for murder. The number killed in 2019 is more than double the 88 prisoners put to death in 2014. Of the 184 who died, 88 were Saudis, 90 were foreigners and six of unknown nationality. Protests have resumed in Lebanon. As reports AFP, Lebanese protesters resumed blocking major highways on Tuesday in what they said would be a "week of wrath" demanding an end to a months-long political vacuum. Although protests had declined in size in recent weeks, demonstrations have been ongoing since October, increasingly targeting banks and state institutions blamed for driving the country towards collapse. As a liquidity crisis grows and the cost of living rises, protesters have returned to the streets to urge politicians to swiftly form a cabinet of experts to respond to their demands. On Tuesday morning, dozens of protesters blocked key highways in and around Beirut with overturned trash bins and burning tires, AFP correspondents reported. Many Lebanese have lost their jobs or seen their salaries reduced by half in recent months. Even as banks cap withdrawals, the value of the Lebanese pound to the US dollar has fallen by almost half on the parallel exchange market. There were demonstrations on Tuesday in the provinces too, including second city Tripoli and the southeastern town of Hasbayya, Lebanese television channels showed. Personalised cancer treatment is one step closer to becoming a reality for more patients, thanks to a Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project grant awarded to University of South Australia researcher Dr Stephanie Reuter Lange to explore how computer-based modelling can optimise cancer treatment and remove the need for expensive clinical trials. Dr Reuter Lange's $300,000 project is one of two UniSA projects successful in today's Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project funding announcement with Professor Peter Hoffmann also securing $100,000 to further critical work in identifying the extent of endometrial cancer and where it has spread. While cancer treatments are most successful when personalised to an individual, Dr Reuter Lange says most cancer medicines are still administered with a "one size fits all" approach. "Despite substantial improvements in the treatment of cancer, three out of 10 patients will still not survive longer than five years, due to either cancer progression or death from severe treatment-related side effects," Dr Reuter Lange says. "There is no field of medicine in which individualisation of medicines is more important than in the area of oncology. There is large variability in how patients respond to many cancer medicines, which can result in either undertreatment that leads to cancer progression, or overtreatment that can have significant toxic side effects. "The concept of dose individualisation means we can tailor the amount of a drug administered to an individual patient to maximise tumour response and minimise side effects. My focus will be to use computer-based modelling methods to identify dose individualisation strategies for best treatment practice." While the merits of individualised drug dosages are clear, conducting the large-scale clinicial trials required to implement the treatment in practice is a complex and costly process which means cancer treatments currently on offer remain standardised rather than personalised. Dr Reuter Lange's work uses the science of mathematical and stasitical models to characterise drug behaviour, helping clinicians make an educated decision on the most appropriate treatment regimes. "This work will provide an evidence-basis for dose individualisation of cancer therapies, offsetting the need for the conduct of costly, large-scale clinical trials," she says. "Ultimately this work will lead to improved patient outcomes and provide a framework on which treatment guidelines can be based for the optimal use of new and existing cancer therapies." UniSA Professor Hoffmann's research project will focus on developing less intrusive diagnosis and treatment techniques for endometrial cancer, the most diagnosed gynaecological cancer in Australia. According to Professor Hoffmann, radiological imaging is unreliable in determining the stage of endometrial cancer, meaning the majority of patients have to undergo surgical staging (and removal of lymph nodes) even though the minority will actually have cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes (metastatic disease). He says the Cancer Council SA funding will go towards identifying molecular tissue markers that indicate the presence of metastatic disease so that future patients may not need to undergo unnecessary radical surgery (Lymphadenectomy) to get an accurate diagnosis. Established in 2011 Cancer Council's Beat Cancer Project is a collaboration between Cancer Council SA, the State Government, SAHMRI and the universities and providing research funding to improve the lives of all South Australians impacted by cancer. For more information on the project, go to cancersa.org.au/research/beat-cancer-project. ### Prince Harry found it hard to choose between being the "ideal" royal member of the family for Queen Elizabeth II and being the best husband for Meghan Markle. On Jan. 8, Prince Harry and Meghan took to Instagram to announce their decision to step back as "senior" members of the royal family. They added that they have been thinking about it for "many months" since it is a tough decision to become independent from the central and senior members of the royal family -- the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William. However, the long-awaited freedom seemed to be breaking Prince Harry's heart, most especially now that he needs to choose between Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan. Prince Harry's Choice Since the news stormed the public, the Queen has been trying to resolve the issue by conducting a conference call with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry. She even reportedly locked the Duke of Sussex within the said conference but unfortunately, they did not gain any ideal conclusion. The Daily Mail's royal correspondent Rebecca English also posted on Twitter, saying: "The Queen has convened a meeting of all four royal households and 'tasked' them with coming up with a 'workable' future role for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within 'days not weeks." The royal family tried to resolve the Sussexes' decision to steo back from the royal family, which they did not expect would happen so quickly. Prince Harry, aside from his decision, has not publicly addresses their decision yet; however, royal watchers know that he only wants the best for his wife and their son, Archie. Nonetheless, despite unveiling the decision in public, a source told The Times that the Duke is currently experiencing immense pressure because of Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan. "Harry is under intense pressure to choose. It is sad," the insider divulged. "He loves the Queen. He loves this country. He loves all his military stuff and I think it will genuinely break his heart to leave." The source went on and told the publication that they do not think that drifting away from the royal family is what Prince Harry truly wants. What Prince Harry Aims to Do The other members of the royal family may quit, but Prince Harry is one of those royals who would never think of quitting his duties, most especially when he dedicated his life to follow his late mother's steps. After Princess Diana's death in 1997, Prince Harry felt that doing social works gives him a "sense of purpose" as part of the royal family. He also revealed that through the years, he became deeply connected with the people of Botswana and Africa, defining it also as a "sense of escapism". On the other side of the coin, he also wants to protect Meghan since, according to the Duke of Sussex, he cannot allow his wife to fall victim to the "same powerful forces" that led to his mother's death. What his mother has lived through is something that he is currently protecting Markle from. "I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces," Prince Harry said. With all these remarks he made in the past, it is almost impossible to predict what his heart truly wants. But whether he wants to continue the legacy of his mother with or without the support from the royal family, only time can tell -- until his mind and heart are clear enough to finally choose. Northern Ireland has officially legalized same-sex marriage. According to the Christian Post, starting Monday, Jan. 13, same-sex couples were able to register to marry in the country and those who were already married would be able to have their union recognized by the law. Englands parliament passed the legislation last year to legalize both gay marriage and abortion in Northern Ireland. The rest of the United Kingdom legalized gay marriage in 2014, and in July 2019, the United Kingdom government said that Northern Irelands then restrictive laws on abortion and gay marriage were out of compliance with human rights laws. Christian leaders, however, say with the approval of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland, they are worried about free speech. When same-sex marriage registration starts on 13 January another set of robust protections will be needed to protect those in Northern Irish society who disagree with same-sex marriage, said Colin Hart, director of The Christian Institute, a nondenominational Christian charity. Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said that the legislation is being amended to underline that mere criticism of same-sex marriage is not an offense. He also said that equality law is also being amended to protect religious organizations and employees from being sued for declining to take part in a blessing or other event marking a civil same-sex wedding. Meanwhile, some churches in Northern Ireland say they will still only conduct marriages between a man and a woman. The Church of Ireland affirms, according to our Lord's teaching, that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and lifelong, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side," a spokesperson for the Church of Ireland told the Belfast Telegraph. The deputy clerk of the Presbyterian Churchs General Assembly told reporters that the church would maintain the scriptural basis of marriage despite the law change. Related: Church Leaders Protest Shocking Northern Ireland Abortion Law Changes Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Ahavelaar Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner. Faggan Singh Kulaste, the Union Minister of State for Steel on Tuesday said that the Citizenship Amendment Act is meant to provide citizenship to the refugees, and it is not against any particular religion. He asserted that there should no confusion over the Indian minorities, as they are safe. Kulaste also said that even after not having a majority in Rajya Sabha, the bill passed in the house. Faggan Singh Kulaste on CAA Kulaste on the sidelines of Kite Festival in Hyderabad spoke about CAA. He said, "CAA is about Citizenship to the refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is not against any particular religion or Country. It is for the minorities in those countries. There must not be any confusion regarding Citizenship to those minorities and Citizens in India. Read: Should confiscate properties of all who destroy public property: Sadhguru on CAA protests "In the Parliament, we are not holding a majority in Rajya Sabha but still the bill was passed with massive support. This proves that it is not against any Indian Citizen," the leader added. Read: CAA explained: MHA spokesperson clarifies assertions regarding the Act The Citizenship Amendment Act The Act seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. This will be applicable to the members of these communities having arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, they will not be considered as illegal migrants. Read: CAA to GST: Manish Tewari slams centre claims its laws & resolutions 'destroyed India' Additionally, the mandatory residence period for naturalised citizenship for these communities would be reduced to 6 years. Several parties in the North East such as the All Assam Students Union (AASU) have been vehemently opposed to this Act. To ameliorate their concerns, the Centre has exempted a major part of the North East from the ambit of the CAA. The opposition contends that the Bill discriminates on the basis of religion, which might go against Article 14, which guarantees the right to equality. Read: 'NRC being smuggled into NPR': Manish Tewari establishes links between the two (With ANI Inputs) Less than six months after closing Commonwealth, his Michelin-starred restaurant in San Franciscos Mission District, chef Jason Fox has been named executive chef of San Franciscos Proper Hotel. Fox will oversee three of the restaurants dining properties: restaurant Villon, popular rooftop hangout Charmaines and cafe La Bande, all of which now have new food menus crafted by Fox. Charmaines menu highlights street food from around the world including Japanese-inspired tsukune or chicken skewers with yuzu and a cured egg yolk, as well as pumpkin and blue corn empanadas. At Villon, Fox has added a shrimp agnolotti with roasted chicken dashi; potato gnocchi with mushroom and kale; and fish and chips with a a sea bean and seaweed slaw, among other things. The Chronicle has reached out to Fox for more information. (See the new menus here) Foxs last venture, Commonwealth, ceased operations in August as a result of failed lease negotiations. The restaurant was a success and was having one of its best years at the time of its closure, Fox told The Chronicle last year. Commonwealth opened in 2010 and became a rare Michelin-starred destination with reasonable prices a la carte items were priced between $16 and $24 and the tasting menu started at $105. But to keep the business profitable, Fox said he would often work 16-hour days. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Chefs in San Francisco known for solo brick-and-mortar projects or pop-ups are becomingly increasingly familiar with hotel kitchens. When the Proper Hotel opened in Mid-Market in 2017, it did so with James Beard-nominated Jason Franey at the helm of its restaurants. Louis Maldonado, who was working on re-opening Aziza with chef Mourad Lahlou for a year, left the project and became executive chef of Hotel Bijou in the Tenderloin earlier this year. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @JustMrPhillips GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Berlin: European countries have triggered a dispute mechanism in their nuclear deal with Iran, a move that could lead to the return of United Nations sanctions on Tehran. Britain, France and Germany said that they had been "left with no choice" but to make the move given Iran's announcement on January 5 that it would no longer be bound by limitations on its nuclear energy program following Washington's targeted killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds Force. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell at the European parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Credit:AP Tehran had been gradually reducing its commitments under the deal since the United States withdrew and reimposed sanctions in 2018. With Washington threatening secondary sanctions against European businesses dealing with Iran, Tehran argued it could no longer reap the financial benefits laid out in the pact in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. In a joint statement on Tuesday, local time, Britain, France and Germany reiterated their regret at the Trump administration decision to withdraw from the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. They said that they had "sought to persuade Iran to change course" and "worked hard" to address its concerns. By Laman Ismayilova Unique and rare minerals have been discovered inside mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Mud volcanoes contain rare types of minerals in breccia, a rock composed of broken fragments of minerals or rock cemented together by a fine-grained matrix. It may have a variety of different origins, as indicated by the named types including sedimentary breccia, tectonic breccia, igneous breccia, impact breccia, and hydrothermal breccia. The studies revealed the presence of natural minerals, nonspecific sulfates, oxides, natural iron (silicate, hematite) as well as rare types of minerals. All these minerals are possibly formed under the influence of deep fluids. An analysis of mud breccia was made by Azerbaijani and Ukrainian scientists as part of the project "Accessory mineralization of breccia in Azerbaijan's mud volcanoes". The studies were conducted jointly with specialists from the Ukraine's Center for Problems of Marine Geology, Geoecology and Sedimentary Ore Formation. Bubbling and belching away like witches cauldrons, mud volcanoes are unbelievably beautiful natural wonders. Azerbaijan is home to some stunning and unique natural wonders. The Land of Fire has the greatest number of mud volcanoes worldwide. At present, there are 365 mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Most volcanoes are active, and 43 of them are protected by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. For security reasons, the admission of people there is prohibited. Until the end of 2019, Azerbaijani scientists expect several volcanic eruptions, including Bozdag-Gobu volcanoes in Absheron district, Bahar in Alat village and Shikhzahirli volcano in Gobustan. Tourists can get a unique panoramic view of the spectacular natural wonder in the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve. The worlds largest mud volcanoes - Boyuk Khanizadagh and Turaghai - are both in Azerbaijan. Boyuk Khanizadagh erupted on October 10, 2001, shooting out flames for 300 meters in the air. It was the highest record for flames shot from a mud volcano. NASA geologists studying Mars concluded that mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan are similar to uplands of the planet for their structure. On September 5, 2004, the largest mud volcano in the territory of Azerbaijan was added into the Guinness World Records. Azerbaijan's rich fields of oil and gas condensate such as Lokbatan, Garadagh, Oil Rocks, and Mishovdag were also discovered near mud volcanoes. The lava, mud, and liquid spewed by mud volcanoes are used as raw materials for chemical and construction industries, as well as pharmacology. Enriched with specific components - mineral salts, organic substances, microelements, volcanic mud has medicinal properties that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Volcanic mud gives a great effect in the treatment of patients suffering from diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A Pakistani taxi driver working in Dubai is winning the internet by returning an Indian girl's lost wallet that also had her UK student visa. She was about to return after her winter break when she lost her wallet. According to NDTV, Raechel Rose flew on January 8 to Manchester and had left her wallet in Modassar Khadim's cab on January 4. The student was on her way to attend a friend's birthday party. Her mother, Sindhu Biju, said, "She had got into his taxi with another friend near BurJuman around 7.30 p.m. on January 4. She added, "Just then, they saw their other friends in another car and decided to join them. They immediately left the taxi and Rose didn't realise that she left her wallet behind." How Mudassar Khadim, a Pakistani living in Dubai not just became our pride but also won hearts of the Indians is a lesson for all of us... #AmazingPakistanis pic.twitter.com/D3OOU5MY1d Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) January 13, 2020 The wallet had her Emirates ID, Her United Arab Emirates Driving License, Health Insurance Card, Credit Card and more than 1000 Dirhams. However, Khadim finished two more trips and then realised that the wallet of a passenger was left in the car. Khadim told the Gulf News, "Since the family, who came next, said it was not theirs, I opened it to check if there is any contact number. I could only see all the cards and the cash. Later, with the help of Roads and Transport Authority verified the details that matched Khadim's complaint and he then dropped Rose's wallet at her residence. This incident makes us believe that good people do exist. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. Our military and intelligence services brought justice to Qassem Soleimani, Irans terror mastermind. President Trump ordered General Soleimanis killing after months of attacks on Americans by Irans proxy forces in Iraq. These attacks culminated in a rocket strike that killed an American and wounded others, then the attempted storming of our embassy in Baghdad. The first attack crossed the red line drawn by the president last summer that if Iran harmed an American, it would face severe consequences. The president meant what he said, as Mr. Soleimani learned the hard way. Mr. Soleimanis killing was justified, legal and strategically sound. But the presidents critics swarmed as usual. After the embassy attack, a Democratic senator declared that the president had rendered America impotent. Some Democrats then pivoted after the Soleimani strike, calling him reckless and dangerous. Those are the words of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who also described Mr. Soleimani the leader of a State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization plotting to kill American troops as a senior foreign military official. Sen. Bernie Sanders likened Americas killing of a terrorist on the battlefield to Vladimir Putins assassination of Russian political dissidents. Some Democrats seem to feel a strange regret for the killing of a monster who specialized in killing Americans. The linguist his proxies killed on Dec. 27, Nawres Hamid, was merely his last victim out of more than 600 in Iraq since 2003. His forces have instigated attacks against our troops in Afghanistan. He plotted a (foiled) bombing in Washington, D.C., and attempted attacks on the soil of our European allies. He armed the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon with rockets to pummel the Jewish state of Israel. And he was greeted moments before his death by a terrorist responsible for the bombing of our embassy in Kuwait in 1983. Some of the presidents critics will concede that Mr. Soleimani was an evil man, but many complain his killing was unlawful. Wrong again. He was a United States-designated terrorist commander. As I have been briefed, he was plotting further attacks against Americans at the time of his death. The authority granted to the president under Article II of the Constitution provides ample legal basis for this strike. Furthermore, those who accept the constitutionality of the War Powers Act should recall that Congresss 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force very much remain in effect and clearly cover the Soleimani operation. This will be a relief to the Obama administration, which ordered hundreds of drone strikes using such a legal rationale. American forces are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, and they have every right and authority to defend themselves. This legal act of self-defense was not only proportionate it was targeted and brilliantly executed, causing essentially no collateral damage. So the killing was justified and legally sound. It was also strategically sensible. If Irans anemic response on Tuesday is any indication, the Soleimani strike has already restored deterrence and our troops in the region are safer for it. To put it simply, the ayatollahs are once again afraid of the United States because of this bold action, which is forcing them to recalculate their odds. In 2019 alone, Irans violent provocations included mining ships in the Strait of Hormuz, downing an American drone and threatening the global economy by striking Saudi oil facilities. President Trump chose restraint at the time but promised ferocious retaliation in the event of American casualties. The mullahs must have thought that he was bluffing. Now theyre compelled to face the reality of Americas vast overmatch of their forces. The weeks and months ahead will tell whether the Islamic Republic is successfully deterred but it has been deterred in the past, for example, when Ronald Reagan sank much of the Iranian Navy in 1988. (It has never successfully been appeased, and President Barack Obamas attempts to buy off Iran with his nuclear deal only fueled the regimes imperialism and regional campaign of terror.) Iran is not 10 feet tall. In fact, its a weak, third-rate power. Because of this administrations maximum-pressure campaign, the regime manages an economy trapped in a deepening depression. To remain in power, it must mass murder its own people, which it did as recently as November. If maximum pressure is maintained, the ayatollahs will eventually face a choice between fundamentally changing their behavior or suffering economic and social collapse. They may also choose to lash out in a desperate bid to escape this logic, perhaps by making a break for a nuclear bomb. Such impulses must be deterred or, if recklessly pursued, halted with swift and firm action, as the president promised on Wednesday. This tough-minded approach is not a distraction from Americas competition with more serious adversaries like China and Russia, who watch our actions closely in the Gulf for signs of commitment and resolve. Our long-term challenge with China, in particular, directly involves the Middle Easts energy resources, to which access remains critical for our allies in the Indo-Pacific, and indeed for China itself regardless of important strides in Americas domestic energy production. The future of our Iran policy is a critical part of our success in the global competition that will determine the character of this century and the safety of the American republic within it. And recent events have shown we are up to the task. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-13 22:20:51|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close SHENZHEN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- SF Airlines, China's largest cargo airline, will see its fleet of all-cargo freighters exceed 60 in 2020, according to the airline Monday. Besides the expanding fleet, SF Airlines will also see a continuously expanding global air route network with more than 70 destinations worldwide in 2020, said the cargo airline. "China's air cargo market is embracing greater opportunities and challenges alongside the advance of the Belt and Road Initiative and higher demands in the global logistics system from all sectors," said Liddel Li, president of SF Airlines. SF Airlines operates a total of 58 all-cargo freighters on its global air cargo service network with 65 destinations. The Shenzhen-based cargo airline is the aviation branch of China's express giant SF Express. It provides specialized services for the booming express delivery business and other air freight services such as chartered freight flights. Over the past decade, its fleet has carried more than 2.5 million tonnes of air cargo in around 330,000 flight hours worldwide, according to the airline. In 2019, China's civil aviation industry handled a total of 7.52 million tonnes of air cargo, said statistics released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Bizarre footage has emerged showing one of Melbourne's most feared crime figures singing in a car - after he died in a hail of bullets last week. Nabil Maghnie was gunned down at Epping in Melbourne's northern suburbs at 8.30pm on January 10. Footage circulating social media in recent days shows a softer side to the man known as the 'Mad Leb,' singing 'Ride Like the Wind' by Christopher Cross in the passenger seat of a car. The 44-year-old is seen screaming the lyrics while using an arm rest as a microphone and dancing in his seat as the car travels through the countryside. Nabil Maghnie was shot dead in Epping in northern Melbourne on January 10 Footage emerged on social media of Maghnie singing 'Ride Like the Wind' by Christopher Cross into a car arm rest Police are investigating whether Maghnie was bashing a standover victim while demanding payment for a debt in the moments before he was killed. Maghnie was seen lying dead next to his Mercedes utility vehicle after he was gunned down, with two others, reportedly including one of Maghnie's sons, were also wounded in the incident. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting are yet to be determined but investigators have little doubt Maghnie would have known his killers. A black ute is towed away at the scene of Nabil Maghnie's execution in Epping on Friday Forensic police attend the scene of Maghnie's shooting death in Epping in northern Melbourne It is understood Maghnie went to a property with his son Abbas and another man, 44, before the householder was attacked. Another person is believed to have opened fire on Maghnie. A source told the Herald Sun: 'This is his own sh*t that's gone wrong. Nabil's doing business as usual and the victim's fought back'. Police now fear that the shooting could spark a revenge induced spree of violence with a 'tit for tat' mentality among Maghnie associates. 'There will certainly be some unrest and reprisals,' the source said. 'The next few days could be interesting.' A crowd of around 30 people gathered at the scene, where blood stains were visible on the footpath. Maghnie infamously drove himself to hospital after being shot in the head in 2016. In 2011, the married father was the victim of another non-fatal shooting at Broadmeadows. He was being investigated by police over a double shooting at the Love Machine nightclub in Prahan in April last year and was prime suspect in an attempted hit on notorious Mongol's bikie Toby Mitchell. Maghnie was also on bail for serious driving offences at the time of his death after crashing his Range Rover at more than 200km/h while high on booze and cocaine last year. A joint venture of flag carrier Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa based in Turkey's southern province of Antalya, SunExpress added Nuremberg, Germany to its flight network, it said in a statement on Monday. The commercial airline will also increase its flight capacity and frequency to Turkey's western province of Izmir during the 2020 winter season, according to the statement. Celebrating its 30th year in aviation and tourism, the company said it was deepening its roots in Izmir, SunExpress's second base since 2012. "SunExpress has begun operating direct flights from Izmir to Nuremberg once a week for the first time under the winter season," it added. The company added more daily flights this winter reaching up to four trips between Izmir and Antalya and up to three between Izmir and Adana in southern Turkey. It also continues to operate daily flights from Izmir to Van, eastern Turkey, as well as increasing weekly trips to Trabzon to five, Kayseri to four and Malatya, Kars, Erzurum and Samsun to three. On international routes, during the winter season, SunExpress will boost the number of flights to Berlin and Hamburg as well as to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart, departing from Izmir. SunExpress, which continues its efforts to increase the number of flights to and from Izmir within the scope of its growth strategy, offers connections from 11 cities in Turkey to 17 destinations in Europe via its Izmir base during the winter season. Text & Image: AA Three men are expected to be OK after being injured in a hail of gunfire outside a Spring-area convenience store Monday night. The men were standing in front of the Cypress Express Mart on Cypress Station Drive near Cypress Trace Road when someone drove by in a black sedan and started shooting, according to deputies with the Harris County Sheriffs Office. All three men were struck, authorities said, and the shooter sped away. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Over 32 snow slides and avalanches were reported in the vicinity of army posts in Jammu & Kashmir in the last 48 hours in which two Army soldiers and a Border Security Force (BSF) trooper lost their lives, the Indian Army said on Tuesday. However, Shriram Ambarker, SP, Kupwara, said five Army jawans were buried under the snow while four of them had succumbed. Five civilians were also killed in an avalanche in Ganderbal district. Two bodies were found on Monday night and three were found on Tuesday morning. The bodies were handed over to their relatives. Indian Army also stated that major tragedy and losses were averted by alert troops in north Kashmir and Ladakh region. Over the past 48 hours there has been unprecedented heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Gurez, Bandipur, Kupwara, Nawgam and Baramulla areas of North Kashmir where Indian Army troops are deployed. The temperature reported in the areas of deployment is minus 57 degrees Celsius in North Glacier in Siachen and fresh snowfall recorded Gurez Sector was 51 cms, Machhil Sector was 117 cms, Keran and Tangdhar Sector were 56 cms, Naogaon Sector was 122 cms and in Uri and Gulmarg sectors were 61 cms "Over 32 snow slides have been reported in the vicinity of army posts. However, alert and well rehearsed drills have saved numerous lives and loss to property," Army sources said. In Kanzalwan area of Gurez, more than 200 troops stationed in the area moved to safer places prior to their location being hit by a major snow slide. In Tangdhar, seven soldiers who were trapped under a snow slide were safely rescued by soldiers of the rescue team. Similarly, in Gulmarg sector, seven soldiers whose shelter came under a snow slide were rescued. In Nawgam sector, four BSF personnel affected by a snow slide was rescued however one constable suffered a cardiac arrest and died. In an another major snow slide in the Machhil sector, dedicated rescue teams are currently engaged in rescue of five soldiers out of which four soldiers have been pulled out of the snow. "One soldier is stable, one critical and two soldiers are non-responsive for whom expert medical care is hampered due to inclement weather. Search for one soldier is still in progress," source said. In Ladakh region, Indian Army rescued stranded 'Chadar' trek tourists on Tuesday. "Multiple search and rescue columns of the Fire and Fury Corps were launched to rescue a group of tourists who were stranded in bad weather while undertaking the annual 'Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh," the force said. Responding swiftly to request received from the Union Territory administration, columns were launched from two directions to reach the tourists who were stuck at Niraq village along the Zanskar River. Helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps were also pressed into service for the purpose. Despite the inclement weather and narrow valleys of the Zanskar river, Army helicopters managed to land at a makeshift helipad in Niraq and inducted a column of Army personnel to coordinate the rescue operations. Six tourists who were suffering from effects of frostbite and High Altitude Pulmonary Odema (HAPO) were evacuated by the helicopters to the Army medical facility in Leh. "An Army Medical Officer was also inducted to provide immediate medical aid to the tourists. Medicines, emergency rations and warm clothing was also inducted by the helicopters," said the force. The Chadar Trek is an annual winter event in Ladakh popular among tourists wherein the trek is undertaken on the frozen Zanskar river over a period of four to five days, with staging halts in between. Royal sources have denied that Prince Harry had a furious row with his brother William at a charity polo match last year. After their showdown with the Queen at Sandringham yesterday, it was reported Harry and William had a bitter war of words shortly before they were pictured at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club in Berkshire in July 2019. But Buckingham Palace sources have now said the argument did not take place after speculation the siblings' relationship is at an 'all-time low'. The latest claims come after the brothers spent Monday afternoon with their father and grandmother to thrash out the Sussexes new role following their decision to quit the royal family. Harry and William pictured at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club in Berkshire in July 2019 Prince William leaving Kensington Palace today - 24 hours after showdown talks with the Queen, Harry and Prince Charles confirmed his brother's exit to Canada Harry leaving Sandringham after the talks to iron out his and Meghan's future role in the monarchy Support: The Duke of Cambridge, left, and the Duke of Sussex, right, with Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha, wife of late Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash - but despite the smiles the brother reportedly had a row before the event Kate and Meghan, pictured together at the event, are rumoured to have had a row over the treatment of palace staff The Sun reported that tensions grew between the brothers over the past year, with William accusing Harry of 'speaking rudely to staff' and 'changing' personality. Kate and Meghan were also said to have clashed over the way the Duchess of Sussex spoke to staff and she told her US-born sister-in-law after she 'b*****ed' a Kensington Palace worker: 'That's unacceptable, they're my staff and I speak to them'. But the Duke of Sussex reportedly believes that his brother and his wife Kate 'never gave Meghan a chance' - friends have said the rift between the two brothers is so deep now that it is unlikely to be repaired for the foreseeable future. The King Power event was the first time the families had been seen together since Archie's birth and both Harry and William played in a polo match for charity. At the time, royal fans hailed the camaraderie between the brothers, as well as the excitement on Prince Louis' face as he met his cousin Archie. But there were claims despite the outward smiles, Harry and William had a furious row just before the event, the latest in a series of tense exchanges between them. A source told the newspaper: 'It's absolutely heartbreaking to see just how damaged William and Harry's relationship has become. 'They'll always love each other as brothers, but right now things have never been so bad. William feels betrayed and let down by Harry. 'Harry feels like William and Kate never gave Meghan a chance. And now they're leaving the country in this state.' December 2018: Footage of the couples leaving St Mary Magdalene Church at appeared to show Meghan turning to William to engage him in conversation - but royal watchers claimed he failed to engage and fiddled with his scarf instead April 2019: The Duke of Sussex walked ahead of his brother into the service at St George's Chapel in Windsor, fuelling speculation they are feuding October 2019: Prince Harry tells his friend, ITV star Tom Bradby, that he and William are travelling on 'different paths' in the first public acceptance of a rift between the brothers William is believed to have warned Harry against marrying Meghan, while also feeling as if his brother's relationship with the former actress had changed him. Harry, meanwhile, chafed at his brother's criticism and suggestion that he was rushing into his marriage. It comes after William and Harry gave a rare display of public unity yesterday to condemn claims that the Duke of Sussex had been 'bullied out' of the Royal Family by his own brother. Their joint statement described reports in The Times as 'offensive and potentially harmful' in light of their work on mental health. It read: 'Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge. 'For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.' Rumours of strife between the brothers circled for much of last year, before Harry finally addressed them in his and Meghan's ITV documentary with journalist Tom Bradby. Asked to comment on rumours of a rift, Harry said: 'Part of this role, part of this job and this family being under the pressure it is under, inevitably stuff happens. 'But look, we are brothers, we will always be brothers. We are certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him and, as I know, he will always be there for me.' He added: 'We don't see as much as we used to because we are so busy but I love him dearly and the majority of stuff is created out of nothing. As brothers, you have good days, you have bad days.' The Duke of Cambridge had spoken of his sadness at the broken bond with Harry. 'I've put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can't do that any more; we're separate entities,' he told a friend according to The Sunday Times. 'I'm sad about that. All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope the time comes when we're all singing from the same page. I want everyone to play on the same team.' Affectionate: Prince Harry placed a hand on his wife's lower back, left, and spent time with his newborn son at the polo in July - but rumours of a row with his brother has emerged When it was put to Harry last week that he needed to discuss his plans with William at least before 'pressing the nuclear button', he made clear he hadn't any intention of doing so. Neither had it occurred to him that there would also be ramifications for the young Cambridge children, George, six, Charlotte, four, and Louis, just one. The siblings have only seen their cousin Archie, eight months, once or twice since he was born. 'He is so caught up with his own problems and just hadn't thought through how it would affect everyone else,' said a source with intimate knowledge of the week's events. While sources close to William say he 'does not recognise' the quote in The Sunday Times, it is widely acknowledged it is 'fairly close' to what he is thinking. 'Sadness, I'd say is the overwhelming emotion,' said one source. 'This is his brother, for God's sake. He loves him. And he is desperately sad and worried that it has come to this. There's an acknowledgement that things are very estranged at the moment. But maybe time and a little distance will heal that.' While understandably concerned for his brother, William is also said to be worried about the increased workload the 'abdication' will bring for other family members. Although now seventh in line to the throne, Harry and Meghan would still have undertaken more than 200 public engagements each year. And even in the slimmed-down monarchy their father is hoping for, the Sussexes would have had a significant role. Privately, William and Harry have always felt the public perception of them as Diana's 'boys' wedded together for the rest of their lives by tragedy was an anachronism. They have always had each other's back, but have always had different ways of handling things and different paths. One source said the rot began after Harry left the military in 2015 and began to feel frustrated at his rather rootless existence compared to William's clearly defined career path. It was Kate who brought the brothers together, particularly as they collaborated on their mental health campaign, Heads Together. But others say it was just a plaster on a long-festering wound that was ripped off when Meghan came on the scene and Harry had his own family to defend. The Mail understands while William feels both he and his brother have been deeply affected by Diana's death, Harry seems unable to move on with his life. The Queen approved Harry and Meghan's desire to quit, although she admitted she was disappointed at their decision and wanted them to stay on as full-time working royals. Harry and Meghan will now spend a 'transitional period' between Canada and the UK as the particulars of their new 'progressive roles' are worked out. A Nepalese man has been arrested upon his return from India for his alleged sexual misconduct inside a public bus and airing the video through social media. Rabin Sarki, 21, was arrested from Chitwan district on Monday evening. In early 2019, a video showing a man performing indecent acts in a passenger bus had gone viral on social media, prompting police to launch a probe. Nepal Police claim that the accused, a rickshaw-puller, has confessed to the crime. He told the investigators that he committed the offence to earn money. As a controversy began over the incident, he ran away to India and stayed in Delhi and Kashmir for around seven months before returning to his home in Chitwan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With U.S. President Donald Trump facing an impeachment trial over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, Russian military hackers have been boring into the Ukrainian gas company at the centre of the affair, according to security experts. The hacking attempts against Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company on whose board Hunter Biden served, began in early November, as talk of the Bidens, Ukraine and impeachment was dominating the news in the United States. It is not yet clear what the hackers found, or precisely what they were searching for. But the experts say the timing and scale of the attacks suggest that the Russians could be searching for potentially embarrassing material on the Bidens the same kind of information that Trump wanted from Ukraine when he pressed for an investigation of the Bidens and Burisma, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment. The Russian tactics are strikingly similar to what U.S. intelligence agencies say was Russias hacking of emails from Hillary Clintons campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential campaign. In that case, once they had the emails, the Russians used trolls to spread and spin the material, and built an echo chamber to widen its effect. Then, as now, the Russian hackers from a military intelligence unit known formerly as the GRU, and to private researchers by the alias Fancy Bear, used so-called phishing emails that appear designed to steal usernames and passwords, according to Area1, the Silicon Valley security firm that detected the hacking. In this instance, the hackers set up fake websites that mimicked sign-in pages of Burisma subsidiaries, and have been blasting Burisma employees with emails meant to look like they are coming from inside the company. The hackers fooled some of them into handing over their login credentials, and managed to get inside one of Burismas servers, Area1 said. The attacks were successful, said Oren Falkowitz, a co-founder of Area1, who previously served at the National Security Agency. Falkowitzs firm maintains a network of sensors on web servers around the globe many known to be used by state-sponsored hackers which gives the firm a front-row seat to phishing attacks, and allows them to block attacks on their customers. The timing of the Russian campaign mirrors the GRU hacks we saw in 2016 against the DNC and John Podesta, the Clinton campaign chairman, Falkowitz said. Once again, they are stealing email credentials, in what we can only assume is a repeat of Russian interference in the last election. The Justice Department indicted seven officers from the same military intelligence unit in 2018. The Russian attacks on Burisma appear to be running parallel to an effort by Russian spies in Ukraine to dig up information in the analog world that could embarrass the Bidens, according to a U.S. security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. The spies, the official said, are trying to penetrate Burisma and working sources in the Ukrainian government in search of emails, financial records and legal documents. Neither the Russian government nor Burisma responded to requests for comment. U.S. officials are warning that the Russians have grown stealthier since 2016, and are again seeking to steal and spread damaging information and target vulnerable election systems before the 2020 election. In the same vein, Russia has been working since the early days of Trumps presidency to turn the focus away from its own election interference in 2016 by seeding conspiracy theories about Ukrainian meddling and Democratic complicity. The result has been a muddy brew of conspiracy theories that mix facts, like the handful of Ukrainians who openly criticized Trumps candidacy, with discredited claims that the DNCs email server is in Ukraine and that Joe Biden, as vice president, had corrupt dealings with Ukrainian officials to protect his son. Spread by bots and trolls on social media, and by Russian intelligence officers, the claims resonated with Trump, who views talk of Russian interference as an attack on his legitimacy. With Joe Bidens emergence as a front-runner for the Democratic nomination last spring, the president latched on to the corruption allegations, and asked that Ukraine investigate the Bidens on his July 25 call with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine. The call became central to Trumps impeachment last month. The Biden campaign sought to cast the Russian effort to hack Burisma as an indication of Joe Bidens political strength, and to highlight Trumps apparent willingness to let foreign powers boost his political fortunes. Donald Trump tried to coerce Ukraine into lying about Joe Biden and a major bipartisan, international anti-corruption victory because he recognized that he cant beat the vice president, said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the Biden campaign. Now we know that Vladimir Putin also sees Joe Biden as a threat, Bates added. Any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections. The corruption allegations hinge on Hunter Bidens work on the Burisma board. The company hired Hunter Biden while his father was vice president and leading the Obama administrations Ukraine policy, including a successful push to have Ukraines top prosecutor fired for corruption. The effort was backed by European allies. The story has since been recast by Trump and some of his staunchest defenders, who say Joe Biden pushed out the prosecutor because Burisma was under investigation and his son could be implicated. Rudy Giuliani, acting in what he says was his capacity as Trumps personal lawyer, has personally taken up investigating the Bidens and Burisma, and now regularly claims to have uncovered clear-cut evidence of wrongdoing. The evidence, though, has yet to emerge, and now the Russians appear to have joined the hunt. Area1 researchers discovered a GRU phishing campaign on Ukrainian companies on New Years Eve. A week later, Area1 determined what the Ukrainian targets had in common: They were all subsidiaries of Burisma Holdings, the company at the centre of Trumps impeachment. Among the Burisma subsidiaries phished were KUB-Gas, Aldea, Esko-Pivnich, Nadragas, Tehnocom-Service and Pari. The targets also included Kvartal 95, a Ukrainian television production company founded by Zelenskiy. The phishing attack on Kvartal 95 appears to have been aimed at digging up email correspondence for the companys chief, Ivan Bakanov, whom Zelenskiy appointed as the head of Ukraines Security Service last June. To steal employees credentials, the GRU hackers directed Burisma to their fake login pages. Area1 was able to trace the look-alike sites through a combination of internet service providers frequently used by GRUs hackers, rare web traffic patterns, and techniques that have been used in previous attacks against a slew of other victims, including the 2016 hack of the DNC and a more recent Russian hack of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Burisma hack is a cookie-cutter GRU campaign, Falkowitz said. Russian hackers, as sophisticated as they are, also tend to be lazy. They use what works. And in this, they were successful. "Matt's extensive experience in the areas of customer digital experience, innovation, product development, and brand management will play a key role as Kaiser Permanente continues to lead in the transformation of health and health care," said Chairman and CEO Greg Adams. "His knowledge and experience will help the organization maintain its position as an industry leader. Matt is a strong addition to our boards and we look forward to his contributions." As Starbucks' chief marketing officer, Ryan leads the global marketing, brand, and product functions and is accountable for ensuring that the customer is at the heart of everything Starbucks does. Prior to serving as CMO, he served as Starbucks' chief strategy officer, with responsibilities for long-term strategic planning and identifying new avenues for growth, customer relationships, and digital capabilities. Before to joining Starbucks in May 2013, Ryan was senior vice president of global brand, franchise, and customer relationship management for The Walt Disney Company. Before joining Disney in 1998, Ryan held strategic planning roles with several national and international advertising agencies. Ryan graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in history and literature. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/ For more information: Marc Brown [email protected] 510-271-6328 SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Related Links http://www.kaiserpermanente.org by Gord Hotchkiss , Featured Contributor, January 14, 2020 Hypocrisy, thy name is Hollywood. Or, at least, thats the take Ricky Gervais took in his opening monologue at the Golden Globe awards. The acid cast from the podium hit the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Joe Pesci, Felicity Huffman, Martin Scorsese and even Dame Judi Dench, for heavens sake. It started as a textbook and somewhat predictable Gervais modus operandi, barbed but contained in its destructive capacity. But then Gervais switched gears and carpet-bombed the room, leveling the elite with two devastating blasts. The first: "Well, you say youre woke but the companies you work for in China unbelievable. Apple, Amazon, Disney. If ISIS started a streaming service, youd call your agent, wouldnt you? And the second, immediately following: So if you do win an award tonight, dont use it as a platform to make a political speech. Youre in no position to lecture the public about anything. advertisement advertisement "You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg. "So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f*** off, OK? Its already three hours long. What was interesting was how vehemently the politically divided social spheres reacted. That bastion of conservative punditry, Fox News, embraced Gervais with relish. Representative Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican, said on Fox and Friends: Ricky has done a much deeper and more important service to our country than just making us laugh. Hes illuminating their hypocrisy in a way that they might actually change, because how many of those actors made some annoying political speech after that. On the other hand the left one Hollywood royalty and its sycophantic liberal chorus of supporters were not amused. In fact, they were pissed. Gervais was accused of defecting to the other side, where he shat on their holier-than-thou red carpeted parade. Left-leaning publications like the Los Angeles Times rushed to condemn his remarks. This all missed the point by a country kilometer (Im Canadian. Were metric. Deal with it). The very fact that were talking about which side Gervais is on without bothering to listen to what he was saying is the whole point. In the words of one clinical psychologist, were all stuck on transmit. No one is bothering to switch to receive. In the middle of the social storm, as the right piled on the bandwagon and the left twisted a delicately turned ankle jumping off, Gervais looked on bemusedly, tweeting, I didn't roast Hollywood for being a bunch of liberals. I myself am a liberal. Nothing wrong with that. I roasted them for wearing their liberalism like a medal. I'm such a snowflake liberal, I can't even really hate them for it. But my job is to take the piss. I did that. The real point came in a tweet shortly a few days after the one above: Ive noticed a couple of tweets criticising me for accepting new followers who are the opposite of me. Christian, conservative, pro life, pro gun, reactionaries. Of course I accept them. To err is human, to forgive divine. Its what Jesus would do. Dog Bless all my followers. Gervais biggest sin was to make his audience feel uncomfortable. This happens when our beliefs are challenged by pointing out our own hypocrisies. And that can happen to anyone, on the left or right. But for this to happen, we have to stop talking and start listening. And that makes us vulnerable. Strange things can happen when you have to listen -- even when you dont want to. I remember being in a TED audience in 2010 when Sarah Silverman did what Sarah Silverman does: She made the audience feel uncomfortable. TED audiences have a lot of common with the one at the Golden Globes. Theyre privileged. Theyre liberals. And theyre pretty white. This audience was not amused (I was, but lets go with the consensus here). TED curator Chris Anderson apologized to us afterward and called Silverman God awful in a tweet. So what was Silvermans sin? She wanted to strip the word retard of all its power to offend by using it again and again and again. The TEDsters didnt get it. They predictably, in hindsight were offended. Silverman, like Gervais, has been trying to lower the bulwarked barricades of beliefs that separate right from left and look for some ideological middle ground. She has repeatedly reached out to right-wing trolls on Twitter to try to start an actual conversation. Conversations are uncomfortable. You have to get inside that other persons space far enough to understand what theyre trying to say. And they have to be willing to do the same. It demands vulnerability on both sides. It admits the possibility that you might be wrong about some things. If were going to fix things, we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. We have to admit that were human, that we err, and that sometimes the other side just might be right about some things. Most of all, we have to admit that, whether we find them on the right or left, hypocrisy and ignorance are the real things we should be trying to eliminate. And it might just be easier to start in our own camp before we try to clean up the other side. Head of Iranian commission on PS752 will arrive in Ukraine to identify laboratory for decoding 'black boxes' - Bureau of Air Accidents Head of the air accident investigation commission of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Hasan Rezaeefar plans to arrive in Ukraine to choose a laboratory for deciphering the "black boxes" of the plane of International Airlines of Ukraine (UIA) crashed in Tehran, the National Bureau of investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents with civil aircraft of Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine. "It is planned that chairman of the investigation commission Hasan Rezaeefar will arrive in Ukraine in order to determine a laboratory for reading and decrypting information from objective control means ("black boxes")," the National Bureau of the air accidents said. It emphasized that after the inspection of the laboratory a decision will be made where the decoding of the "black boxes" of the crashed airplane will take place. Entries open for Fire Fighters Memorial Walk 2020 Entries have opened for this year's Firefighters Memorial Walk. The 50 kilometre open road event is organised by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service. It follows the Parish Walk route from Peel to Ramsey, passing Kirk Michael, Ballaugh, Jurby, Andreas, through Sulby and finishing at Ramsey Fire Station. The event starts at Peel Fire Station at 8:30am on Sunday,19th April 2020. All proceeds from the event go to The Firefighters Charity which provides various types of assistance to serving and retired fire service personnel and their families. Each finisher will receive a medal. Former NSW Police detective Gary Jubelin says he is looking forward to "the full facts coming out" when he faces court next month accused of illegally recording conversations during the investigation into missing toddler William Tyrrell. Mr Jubelin was charged in June last year with four counts of using a device to record a conversation he was party to, which can be unlawful under the Surveillance Devices Act. He has pleaded not guilty. Gary Jubelin outside court last year. Credit:AAP Mr Jubelin briefly faced court on Tuesday for procedural matters to be organised ahead of a week-long hearing due to begin on February 3. He is accused of recording four conversations with a person linked to the investigation into missing toddler William Tyrrell, who vanished from his grandmother's house at Kendall on the NSW mid-north coast in September 2014. BAGHDAD - Young Iraqis who drove mass protests demanding sweeping political reforms are worried that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which is playing out in part on Iraqi soil, is killing their momentum. Even before the U.S. drone attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the 4-month-old protests against government corruption, poor services and rising Iranian influence in state affairs were beset by internal divisions. A violent security crackdown heightened tensions, leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries as well as targeted killings of sympathizers. And in the stormy aftermath of the U.S. drone strike that also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, avoiding another war in Iraq became a top priority for state officials as they scrambled to contain hostilities between Washington and Tehran. We are afraid that the uprising is being forgotten and (officials) are focusing on things we dont want, not our main goals, said Noor, an activist in Baghdads Tahrir Square who asked to be identified only by her first name, fearing reprisal, like all other protesters interviewed for this story. On the other hand, we are trying to be calm and keep people on the street to make the point that we are not with the Americans or the Iranians. We are with Iraq. There are hopeful signs as Iran and the U.S. appeared to back down at least in the short term after Tehran retaliated for Soleimanis killing by firing missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American troops. No one was seriously injured and Iran was unexpectedly forced to shift gears to manage the fallout from its accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner filled with Iranians. Nevertheless, the issue of U.S. troop withdrawal in response to the attack that killed Soleimani minutes after he landed at Baghdad airport has monopolized Iraqi politics, with caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi openly calling for their ouster. Everyone is busy with America and Iran, but we are still facing attacks on the street, said Zaid, a protester in Baghdad. Now weve become an easy goal for the militias; they can harm us because no one is focusing on them. The rejection of Iranian influence over Iraqi state affairs was a core component of the protest movement and demonstrators fear that as tensions between Tehran and Washington ease, Iranian-backed militias will turn on them for vengeance. The protests began Oct. 1, when thousands took to the streets in Baghdad and in the countrys predominantly Shiite south. Since then, about 500 people have been killed, most of them shot by security forces who also used tear gas to disperse crowds. While Friday protests brought out thousands countrywide, the turnout was lower than expected. Adding to their worries, two local journalists known for their coverage of the anti-government protests were found shot dead in a car parked near a Basra police station. And more people were wounded in clashes Saturday between protesters and security forces in Karbala, in southern Iraq, when police fired into the crowd. Protesters are certainly more afraid now than they were a few weeks ago but at the same time they want to maintain their ground, said Ruba Ali Hassan, a researcher at York University in Toronto. Theyve had such great momentum over the past three plus months and theres great fears this momentum might die down. People are trying to show great support and make sure that the protesters can still move forward but theyre on shaky ground unfortunately. A growing concern among protesters is their belief that Iran-backed militias are seizing on some demonstrators refusal to grieve over Soleimani as an excuse to attack them. In turn, the attacks fuel the differences of opinion over Soleimani, deepening the rifts between the demonstrators and distracting them from their original purpose. In the southern city of Nasiriyah, for instance, protesters refused to let a symbolic funeral procession for the Iranian general enter the square where they were camped. Violence broke out and at least one protester was killed and three wounded when an Iran-backed militia fired on crowds. Demonstrators then burned the headquarters of Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella organization for multiple militia groups and part of the Iraqi security forces. Political parties and militias have attempted to create discord within the demonstration square in the centre of Nasiriyah they took advantage of the rifts between protesters, said Ali, a protester based in the city. We have concerns the emotions arising from his death will rob the protests of its true aims. The events in Nasiriyah have spooked protesters in Baghdads Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the movement, who fear similar attacks, several activists said. Since Soleimanis death, protest organizers have been trying to refocus attention on their movement, three activists said. With that in mind, they issued a statement last week saying their goals had not changed. At the top of their list is preventing Abdul-Mahdi, who has headed a caretaker government since his resignation in December, from being renamed prime minister, which many suspect the countrys political elites would like. All the news is about America and Iran, and the elites are trying to make the people forget about the protests in Iraq, and our goal for change and we dont want that, said the protester, Noor. We are trying to be calm and study what is going on around us. We are telling everyone, stay with Iraq. This is not our war. ___ Associated Press writer A. J. Naddaff in Beirut contributed to this report. Advertisement The Duchess of Sussex today denied she was barred from 'dialling in' to the landmark Sandringham summit from Canada as senior royals discussed her stepping down from the Royal Family with Prince Harry. The couple's Kensington Palace spokesman insisted Meghan was not shut out of the discussion and just left it to her husband, saying: 'In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the Duchess to join'. It comes as the Sussex team continues to negotiate an abdication deal on money, titles and establishing their international commercial brand. Meanwhile it was also revealed that the Queen allowed Harry and Meghan to quit as senior Royals following a private heart-to-heart with her grandson at yesterday's crisis summit. After a family meeting at Sandringham, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to split their time between Canada and the UK as they wind down their Royal duties. According to Daily Mail editor-at-large Richard Kay's inside account of the Norfolk showdown: Harry arrived two hours early to secure a one-to-one meeting with the Queen to give his side of the story; Sources close to Prince Charles said he warned Harry he does not have 'unlimited resources' to prop up his new lifestyle; Insiders also claimed the Prince of Wales feared his youngest son is hoping to pay the family bills using funds from the Duchy of Cornwall; The two-hour meeting between the Queen, Charles William and Harry was conducted in a 'calm' environment. According to friends, Harry arrived ahead of schedule to square things with his grandmother, who came into the crunch talks deeply disappointed with him and Meghan for wanting to step back from their official duties. In last night's statement, her sincere regret was made clear, saying she 'would have preferred them to remain full-time working members'. But after her one-to-one with Harry - followed by two hours of 'calm' discussions with him, Charles and William - Her Majesty agreed to a 'transition period' where the Duke and Duchess would step away from Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. There was speculation Meghan was barred from dialling in on the meeting from Vancouver. But Palace sources have now said: 'In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the duchess to join.' The Duchess of Sussex chats on her phone while running errands in Toronto, Canada, in December 2016 Prince Harry (pictured leaving yesterday), Prince William and Prince Charles left Sandringham in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Queen's statement in full Monday evening after a day of showdown talks to decide the futures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving last night) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal with Meghan 'dialling in' to support her husband from Canada Prince William pictured leaving Sandringham after yesterday's crunch talks with Harry, Prince Charles and the Queen After the meeting concluded, Princes Charles, William and Harry left in three separate cars. What does the Queen's statement reveal? Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. The fact that the Queen issued the statement in her name and makes reference to 'my family' and 'my grandson and his family' is both deliberate and significant. The monarch has been deeply hurt by the events of the past week but has also been taken aback by the backlash against Harry after he issued his statement without letting her know first. The Queen wants the world to know she's not just boss of 'The Firm' but also a grandmother. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. The Queen, as well as other senior members of the Royal Family, make clear their hurt at recent events. There's also bewilderment that Harry, in particular, feels that he has been frozen out of plans for a future slimmed-down monarchy. At the time of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, when the Queen, Charles and his two sons stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, sources say it was made crystal clear to Harry that he was a 'key component' of any future royal line-up. Royal Family members believe Harry brings a welcome joie de vivre, and without him and Meghan senior royals will be lacking. The Queen does, however, understand his desire to break away and his refusal to bow to convention. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. The Queen is deeply disappointed with Harry and Meghan shirking their Royal duties. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. The lack of detail on this speaks volumes: there is much to be sorted here. Harry and Meghan are predicted to make millions as a global 'brand'. But it will not be cheap to maintain a transatlantic lifestyle for their family with at least two homes. The statement does not address whether Charles will continue to fund his son to the tune of 2million a year. It also avoids the issue of taxpayer-funded security and consular help. The royals fear any sense of 'cashing in' could devalue their own brand. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. The royal stop-gap. In moving their son, their dogs and their household over to Canada, Harry and Meghan have already signalled to the Queen that, for the immediate future at least, there is no intention of coming back. In this the Queen has had very little choice. She can't order them to return, so she might as well capitulate in order to keep the peace while trying to formalise the new arrangements. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. This is an unprecedented crisis for the Family which is far from over. The Queen is desperate for the storm to pass and has asked her courtiers to double down on efforts to reach a solution. Advertisement The Queen has said that hammering out a viable blueprint for Harry and Meghan's financially independent future was proving 'complex' and indicated more details need to be ironed out in the coming days. And sources revealed that Prince Charles also views the matter far from concluded as he knows Harry will rely on his Duchy of Cornwall to meet family bills. He has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate when he uproots to North America. A friend says: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' The Queen has ordered staff to find a solution 'within days' to the remaining sticking points, including the couple's future funding, which is expected to impose rigid rules on their commercial activities. One figure said: 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example. No one wants to see the Sussexes' name on a tub of margarine.' This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. Yesterday's unprecedented Royal parley culminated with a 5pm statement from the Palace, in which the Queen gave Harry and Meghan the green light to press ahead with plans to become 'financially independent'. The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The Queen, who is desperate to chart a way out of the crisis raging through the Family ranks, has ordered courtiers to double down efforts to develops blueprint for the Sussexes future, to be completed within days. In the statement, the head of state broke with protocol to refer to the couple by their first names rather than the 'Duke and Duchess of Sussex'. Some experts have decoded this to mean Harry and Meghan could be stripped of their titles, while others have played it down as the grandmother, 93, simply striking a soft tone. Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter said the move was likely to be telling, tweeting : 'I do think it was very striking, particularly in a statement from the Queen. Are they having to give up their titles? This would be an indication they are...' Reacting to the statement, Queen Elizabeth biographer and royal historian Robert Lacey said the language was an immensely personal intervention uncharacteristic of typical Palace communiques. He told BBC Radio 4: 'It is remarkably hands-on. I mean it may have been processed through officials but this is the Queen, speaking to her people and speaking about her family, and I think coming right through it is the concern she feels.' Speaking to the Times, royal author Ingrid Seward said: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' Yesterday's unprecedented meeting represented the first time that Harry, 35, had met with his closest relatives since early November, with the prince and his wife having taken a six-week break in Canada over the Christmas period. Although they arrived back only last week, Meghan, 38, has already returned to the country. Aides have now been set to work to try to come up with a workable solution to the crisis preferably by Friday. This includes enabling the couple to find a way to become 'financially independent' and not rely on taxpayer funds in the future, as well as acceding to their wish to live partly in Canada for the foreseeable future. Other issues left on the table for further discussion are the cost and provision of the couple's security, particularly while they are spending large swathes of time out of the country. There is also the matter of Frogmore Cottage, the couple's Windsor home lent to them by the Queen, and refurbished with 2.4million of public money. The couple have insisted that they want to keep the property as a base in the UK. It is clear that despite the Queen's emphasis on the meeting being 'constructive and supportive', the schism between Harry and his family runs deep. Prince William is seen driving his Land Rover through the back gate of Sandringham to return to his Amer House after the Royal summit yesterday Charles drives his silver Audi A6, believed to be heading to RAF Marham where a helicopter was waiting for him Prince Harry was warned there are formidable obstacles to overcome before he can stand down as a senior royal (Prince pictured with Meghan Markle at Canada House in London on Tuesday, the last time they were pictured in public) The Queen (pictured attending church at Sandringham on Sunday), made clear her deep disappointment at Harry and Meghan's decision to quit in a statement released yesterday The statement failed to hide the sadness of the elderly monarch who has made no secret of the hurt her grandson has caused her in wanting to break away from the institution and choosing to tell the world of his intentions last Wednesday without informing her first. Harry is expected to leave the country to rejoin his family by the end of the week, after conducting what will likely be an awkward engagement at Buckingham Palace on Thursday in front of the media. Yesterday's 'Sandringham summit' saw Harry arrive at 11.20am, with his grandmother and father already waiting for him. At his side was his newly-appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham. His frail grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, was earlier seen driving out of the estate and it is not known if the pair, once so close, even met. Intriguingly, his brother William, whose relationship with his brother has become so toxic that many insiders describe it as 'irreparable', did not pull through the gates of the Queen's Norfolk estate until 1.45pm, just 15 minutes before the start of the summit. It is understood that Meghan, who flew back to Canada just 24 hours after the couple's bombshell statement last week announcing they were to stand down as senior royals, was planning to dial in on speaker phone. She is staying at the couple's borrowed mansion on Vancouver Island with their eight-month-old son Archie. Some in royal circles suggested last night that Harry and Meghan had left the Queen little option but to capitulate to most of their demands to prevent a 'royal war'. The statement's talk of a 'transition period' for the couple between the UK and Canada was said by one aide to be simply a chance for the family to gain breathing space while 'this mess of Harry and Meghan's own making is sorted out'. Kate looked serious as she left Kensington Palace this morning as her husband comes face to face with his want-away brother yesterday. The Duchess was far more casually dressed as she left on the school run this afternoon Yesterday a Range Rover believed to be carrying Prince Harry entered Sandringham via an back entrance as the royal summit over his and Meghan's future began this afternoon A grim-faced Prince Philip leaves Sandringham yesterday with a female companion driving where his wife the Queen, who has been using him as a sounding board, will try to avert crisis and keep Prince Harry in the royal family Since making their bombshell announcement on Wednesday to quit, Harry and Meghan have grabbed headlines all across the world, with reporters camped outside Sandringham yesterday Piers Morgan wades into row after palace statement Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain Piers Morgan has claimed that Harry and Meghan have 'bullied' the Queen into getting their way after crisis talks at Sandringham over the Sussexes' future. Wading into the row following the Queen's historic confirmation that the pair would step down, Mr Morgan tweeted: 'Harry/Meghan have successfully bullied the Queen into letting them have their cake & eat it.' He also claimed that the couple were 'having their cake and eating it with all the royal trimmings'. Mr Morgan made plain his views on the Sussexes yesterday morning on ITV, saying: 'The Queen's just had to fire her middle son, her 98-year-old husband is very sick and these two little spoiled brats are holding her to ransom at the worst moment. 'If they want to leave after 18 months then that's fine,' he said before speaking directly to Meghan: 'I always thought you'd do this anyway. You quit your friends, you quit your dad, and you quit your jobs.' Advertisement The acknowledgement that they will hand over their public funding in order to become 'financially independent' appears to give them the licence to strike commercial deals as part of their 'Sussex Royal' brand, which some experts predict could be worth at least 400million. But senior royals are said to be aghast at this idea of monetising the monarchy and want an assurance from Harry and US-born Meghan that they will treat their positions with respect. The Queen's decision to refer in her statement to the couple by their first names, an unusually intimate reference, particularly for the monarch, has also sparked speculation that the couple are set to lose their titles. Aides say that this is unlikely as the family is acutely aware of the public backlash when Harry's mother Diana, Princess of Wales, was stripped of her own HRH. Asked if they could remember a time that the Queen has ever issued such an official personal statement about a member of her family, aides both past and present were at a loss to remember one. The Queen has referred with warmth and affection to her husband, Philip, and the Prince of Wales in speeches and other tributes, and addressed other issues such as her famous 'annus horribilis' in the Christmas speech. Other statements about family affairs have been issued by Buckingham Palace on her behalf, but always by a spokesman. Royal insiders have told the Mail it is clear that she fears for the future of the institution. Although she and Charles are agreed on the importance of a slimmed-down monarchy in the future, Harry and his family were always considered an important part of the line-up. For a moment it was just the two of them: Prince Harry arrived two hours early, and the monarch and grandson were talking quietly about the future. Read RICHARD KAY's gripping inside story of the Megxit summit... By Richard Kay for the Daily Mail ...As all around, the normal hustle and bustle of the Norfolk house was stilled while staff busied themselves far from where this extraordinary Royal Family drama was set to play out: the Queen's private apartments on the first floor, the dining room and, nearby, the Long Library. Prince Harry had swept through the gates in the back seat of a Range Rover with darkened rear windows. He arrived in good time for lunch. More importantly, his arrival allowed him time to seek out his grandmother ahead of the summit with his father and brother. Prince Charles was already there. He had flown in from Oman by private jet on Sunday night after paying his respects on the death of the Arab state's leader, Sultan Qaboos. A car had driven him the 15 miles from RAF Marham. William was last to arrive, picked up from his home at nearby Anmer in a black Land Rover Defender and entering the estate through a cul-de-sac next to the primary school at West Newton. It was 1.45pm. The meeting had been set for 2pm. Scene of the showdown: Members of the family gathered at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk for a historic royal summit Earlier, another part of this gripping tableau had taken place: Prince Philip the patriarchal figure who for so long had dominated all family discussions had quietly left the house, driven away in his Land Rover Freelander by Countess Mountbatten, the former Lady Penny Romsey who helps care for him. Just how strategic this departure was, was not immediately clear. But the fact he left more than an hour and a half before the Duke of Sussex arrived was seen as significant. At 98, he no longer lays down the law as he once did and some courtiers wonder if this was his way of saying 'this is not my fight'. It may also be that by making himself absent he could not be drawn into a situation where the mantra which governed his attitude to royal life 'you are either in the family or out' was being tested by Harry and Meghan's wish to be part-time royals. Twenty-seven years ago, it was the measured and cool Philip who handled the catastrophe over Charles and Diana's marriage by acting as an honest broker between the warring couple. How the Queen must have wished for the composure of her unflinching husband as this most difficult of situations unspooled. According to informed sources, the mood at the meeting was calm and there are no reports of shouting or blistering exchanges. The discussions were led by the Prince of Wales, who perhaps has more invested in the outcome than anyone. It will be his money that funds a future independent life for Harry and Meghan and it is their co-operation that he requires if he is to see through his dream of a slimmed-down monarchy fit for the 21st century. Finding an accommodation was the watchword. William, who has so often been in disagreement with his father in recent times, is believed to have supported this approach. But it was the Queen to whom it has fallen to resolve this most heart-breaking family crisis. And the statement that came in her name was laced with despair. Not since 1997 in the aftermath of the death of Diana has the Queen issued such a personal bulletin. Then, she addressed a nation in shock and by including the magical phrase that she was speaking 'as a grandmother' defused the resentment that had built up over the Royal Family's failure to speedily acknowledge the loss of the princess. Now here she was 22 years later grappling with the conflict over Diana's son and his demand to stand down as a senior royal and move overseas with his wife and young son Archie. Can there ever have been a more poignant communique? Her message was clear that she will not stand in the couple's way but it is with a heavy heart that she has agreed. In one sentence alone, her sadness about this incendiary situation shone through. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.' It was the Queen to whom it has fallen to resolve this most heart-breaking family crisis. And the statement that came in her name was laced with despair Unsaid was the anguish felt around the conference table at Sandringham yesterday afternoon that little more than 18 months after a wedding that delighted the watching world, no one knows what will happen to Harry and Meghan in their semi-detached status from the House of Windsor. What does seem certain is that the tricky issue of their titles, while not referred to, has been papered over. The language the Queen uses is of conciliation and it is carefully chosen. In the first instance, she refers to 'my grandson'. The next reference is to 'Harry and Meghan'. Only once does she mention the pair by their official name when she talks about the 'Sussexes' spending time in Canada and the UK. This last must be an oblique nod to their titles as duke and duchess and the HRH style they also enjoy. From this it seems there will be none of the punishment meted out to both Diana and the Duchess of York, who both lost their royal highness titles on divorce. Repeating the mistakes of the past was not on the agenda. Above all, the palace view was that nothing should be put in writing which would inflame an already tense position. It was for that reason that it is thought there was no open telephone line to Meghan in Canada. According to palace officials, such an idea was rejected because no one knew for sure who else might have been listening in. 'This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call,' says one insider. Harry is thought to have reached Sandringham early specifically to allow him some time alone with his grandmother. Unlike William, who had been at the Royal Family Christmas, Harry had been 5,000 miles away on Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada. According to friends, he wanted to put his side of the story to the Queen. He was also able to see his father, who has been perplexed by his decisions that could yet have a profound effect on the future direction of the family. For Charles, the matter is far from concluded. He knows Harry will rely on his Duchy of Cornwall to meet family bills. He has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out of Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate. After 90 brisk minutes, the Long Library (pictured) meeting broke up and the four royals went in different directions Says a friend: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' This is why more talks are planned, though these are likely to involve officials rather than the family group. It is hoped that the couple's future funding will act as a brake on their money-making plans. 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example,' says one figure. 'No one wants to see the Sussex name on a tub of margarine.' This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. And just as it was then, it is public attitudes which are likely to shape Harry and Meghan's financial future. Courtiers intend to make it clear that the country will not wear the couple exploiting their royal status for money. After 90 brisk minutes, the Long Library meeting broke up and the four royals went in different directions. The Queen returned to her upstairs suite. At 3.45pm, Prince Charles left behind the wheel of a silver Audi heading for Marham where a helicopter was waiting to fly him back to Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral estate. Harry left moments later. The skies were darkening as William, the last to leave, set off for Anmer Hall just after 4pm. The question now is what happens next. Princes blast bullying 'lies': In a rare joint statement, the brothers condemn 'offensive' claim William forced Harry and Meghan out By Rebecca English for the Daily Mail Princes William and Harry gave a rare display of public unity yesterday to condemn claims that the Duke of Sussex had been 'bullied out' of the Royal Family by his own brother. Their joint statement described reports in The Times as 'offensive and potentially harmful' in light of their work on mental health. It read: 'Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge. 'For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.' William and Harry, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, collaborated on the Heads Together campaign to stamp out the stigma on mental health issues. All three royals have campaigned extensively against bullying. Princes William and Harry gave a rare display of public unity yesterday to condemn claims that the Duke of Sussex had been 'bullied out' of the Royal Family by his own brother. Pictured: The brothers in 2018 It would be unusual even under normal circumstances for the brothers to issue a joint statement on any single story in the media. One of the last times they did so was when an Italian magazine published distressing images of their dying mother in 2006. Since the rift that led to the division of their joint household last year, many presumed it would never happen again. But the brothers were stung into action by yesterday's Times article, which reported that an insider suggested Harry and Meghan 'regarded themselves as having been pushed away by what they saw as a bullying attitude from the Duke of Cambridge'. It added the Sussexes 'wanted to step away from their royal role after two years of constantly being told their place'. The newspaper said the source, who 'knows the couple well', dates the rift back to before their wedding in 2018 as Harry felt his brother was 'insufficiently welcoming' towards Meghan when they first started dating. The source was also quoted as saying of William and his wife Kate: 'From the start their response was not very clever, not very friendly. William and Harry, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, collaborated on the Heads Together campaign to stamp out the stigma on mental health issues. Pictured: Harry, Meghan, William and The Duchess of Cambridge in March last year Royal aides made clear yesterday that the brothers were deeply unhappy with the claims. Pictured: The brothers in 2010 'Quite early on they decided, 'right, we are going to tell these people their place and we are going to push them away'.' Royal aides made clear yesterday that the brothers were deeply unhappy with the claims. However, they did not comment on or reject other allegations, including that Meghan was determined to walk away from the Royal Family but 'heartbroken' that Harry felt torn by his decision to leave the UK. A source in the Sussex camp described the suggestion that William had bullied his brother as 'deeply disappointing'. Suggestions of a rift between the pair are not new. Last year, Prince Harry told broadcaster Tom Bradby that while he loved his brother dearly, 'we are on different paths'. In an article headlined 'Harry and Meghan's escape from the poisonous palace', Mr Bradby wrote at the weekend that senior royals had been 'jealous and unfriendly' and he had no doubt Harry and Meghan felt 'driven out'. The ITV presenter, who is close to Harry, also raised the possibility of the couple doing a 'no-holds-barred' interview if they failed to get their way in negotiations, writing in The Sunday Times that 'I don't think it would be pretty'. A Sussex aide said yesterday there were 'no plans' for an interview. Sources noted that Meghan was using the aggressive US PR firm Sunshine Sachs, leaving many Palace figures 'out of the loop'. Queen is 'bending over backwards to try and help Meghan and Harry': Royal experts give their verdicts on the historic Sandringham Summit By Danyal Hussain for MailOnline The Queen is 'bending over backwards' to try and help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after the pair announced they would be stepping back from Royal duties in a bid to become 'financially independent'. Royal experts have claimed that a dramatic statement from the Queen had been penned in order to look after her vulnerable grandchild. In her statement, Her Majesty made clear her disappointment at the couple's decision to quit their Royal duties but said the royal family 'understand and respect' their wishes. The Queen's words came after a summit at Sandringham between herself, Prince Charles, Prince William and Harry, with Meghan believed to have dialled in from Canada. After the meeting at Sandringham this afternoon, one expert claimed the victory had gone to the young Royals. Ingrid Seward (left) said that the Susessexes had won the first battle. Penny Junor (right) described the monarch's words on the future of Harry and Meghan as 'friendly and warm' Speaking to the Times, royal author Ingrid Seward said: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' This is while royal expert Penny Junor said the Queen was 'carefully handling a vulnerable Duke and Duchess of Sussex' and that the pair had 'got what they wanted. 'They have decided that Harry and Meghan must go off and do what they want to do, and they will support them'. She also described the monarch's words on the future of Harry and Meghan as 'friendly and warm'. The couple, who do not want to be publicly funded, will have a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK, but final decisions will also be reached in the coming days. 'I think it's a positive statement. It sounds friendly and warm, the way the Queen talks about family so much,' Junor said. 'That she's supportive of their decision is really good news.' She added: 'It read to me like a grandmother talking about the family.' The royal writer said it gave the couple space to find their perspective. Robert Lacey (left) said the language was personal, while Victoria Arbiter, right with her husband Dickie, said the move was 'likely to be telling' 'I think it will take the pressure off them. I think they're in a very vulnerable state at the moment. I think they're unhappy, they feel isolated and unloved, unappreciated and they needed careful handling,' she said. 'My reading from that statement is that the family has been sensitive to their vulnerability.' Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes the Queen's statement, which uses the word 'family' eight times, was intended to be 'very gentle and very informal'. 'It's just the way it's written is extremely informal, and I think that's to make it very friendly,' the royal biographer said. 'And I think it's quite gentle. And I think that's probably the whole approach, it's gently, gently. And interestingly enough, she keeps mentioning family, the whole way through. 'It's certainly not Oscar Wilde. But I just think it's a very together and quite loose statement and obviously it's just to keep everybody happy moving forward.' Asked about the next steps following the statement, Ms Seward said: 'She said in the coming days, so that's very quick for the royal family. 'I think we'll be hearing more quite shortly - I think this is a bridge.' Meanwhile, biographer and royal historian Robert Lacey said the language was an immensely personal intervention uncharacteristic of typical Palace communiques. He told BBC Radio 4: 'It is remarkably hands-on. I mean it may have been processed through officials but this is the Queen, speaking to her people and speaking about her family, and I think coming right through it is the concern she feels.' Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter added that the move was likely to be telling, tweeting : 'I do think it was very striking, particularly in a statement from the Queen. Are they having to give up their titles? This would be an indication they are...' The clock will start on a negotiation period that could last 35 days or longer if there is a mutually agreed extension. After that, a signatory would have to raise the dispute to the U.N. Security Council. Then, if the Security Council cannot agree on a resolution to the dispute a stalemate would be likely, given that the permanent members already disagree sanctions would be reimposed. The Magic Fairy heard her shout. Appearing in a blaze of light, She said: "My dear are you all right?" "All right?" cried Cindy. "Can't you see I feel as rotten as can be." Roald Dahl, 'Cinderella', 'Revolting Rhymes' ROALD Dahl helped us all to see through the idyllic tales of family, romance and the prince and princess story. This week, a fairytale is being shattered for many people in Britain. I, like all Irish people, have a low interest in the monarchy but I find this powerful undoing of the royal fairytale to be intensely interesting. The prince and his new wife have left the kingdom to live in Canada. They are stepping back from the prescribed "publicity rota" and intend to work and build toward financial independence. There has been much talk in the media about the Sussexes' ungratefulness for their privileges and their snubbing of Queen Elizabeth by not informing her first. I hear a young couple deeply in love at the most tender and precious time of their lives with a new baby, stepping out of the gaze of a press they find toxic and harmful. In many ways this is the kind of decision many ordinary couples make and yes, of course, they are not an ordinary couple. They have privilege and live in grand homes, paid for by the taxpayer, and it is understandable some people feel put out. In reality though, we may only get snippets of the truth and versions of the truth. Some reports this week indicated there have been months of discussions between Prince Harry and his father Prince Charles, and there is no real surprise. Is it possible Harry and Meghan simply wanted to control the timing and content of what went to the media? Perhaps they could not trust they would be treated fairly if they did not take control. Video of the Day There's normally a backlash when someone steps away from a family, even if you're not royalty. There is a need to blame someone and there tends to be free-floating anger that gets attached to the person leaving. Just this week, I spoke to a lovely woman in therapy who has been shunned by her family for 15 years since she told them of sexual abuse by her father. I wondered what story they tell their neighbours and friends about this absent daughter. Do they say she's a bit strange, selfish or never gets in touch? We hear in various reports how Meghan is "manipulating Harry". Implied here is the suggestion Harry is not mentally strong enough to make this decision himself. It's always easier to blame the outsider because then the problem is not in any way belonging to the family and cannot reflect on them. But if there is no outsider and the family member steps away alone then it is not in any way uncommon for their mental health to be attacked. This all happens because of the resistance of the family to admit or reflect upon the reasons why a person may need to be away from them. This week there was commentary about Meghan not being able to get on with her own family and equating this with some strangeness in her own psychological self. Her father's drinking and pre-wedding behaviour have been revised in the press through the lens of Meghan's "difficult persona". In the dark years in our mental health system in Ireland, it was not unusual for wayward daughters or sons to be cast into a mental institution. It's wise to listen beyond the justifications and explanations and ask why would a daughter or son want and need distance from a family. Before a decision is made, there have usually been efforts to survive, heal and repair relationships. Usually there have been make-ups and break-ups before the decision is taken and it is never taken lightly. People leave so they can be themselves, often pursuing a path in life that parents condemn or oppose. Sometimes estrangement and distance are necessary to protect sanity and allow the person leaving to go forward. Often the pulling away from toxic relationships must wait until the person is of independent age or has the means to survive alone. In the case of Meghan, it is clear this modern woman is in a stronger position than many. She has financial security and the capacity to earn for herself. It must not be forgotten she has already distanced herself from one toxic situation in her own family. This has surely informed her approach to the difficulties she and her husband have been experiencing in the royal family and with the press. She has no reason to accept a life of criticism from the family or the press and she has the means and the strength to step away now. In this fairytale it's not the prince making all the decisions, but his young, strong, independent, successful wife, mother of his child and partner in life. Together they are choosing a path and a kingdom for their future and I for one love the modernness of this fairytale. Of course it's easier to find fault with the person who is leaving than to reflect on what is driving them away. As in many families much of what is wrong remains unsaid for many years and in the case of the royals, it may be centuries. I believe Meghan saw the situation with the clarity of an outsider. She could see nothing was going to change for her in this kingdom and she is taking care of herself, because no one else will. She knows Harry too is limited in what he can do, because the royal brand will come before everything else and she knows where she stands in that pecking order. "I'm not going to the ball," Cindy shouts, "I'm off to Canada, where I'll have some clout." . . - , ! - ? - , . , , , , ... Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he expects the U.S. Senate to begin President Donald Trumps impeachment trial next week. The Senate will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day and start the impeachment trial on Tuesday, McConnell announced. The Kentucky Republican added that the Senate will take some preliminary steps this week. The announcement came just hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote Wednesday to send the Senate the two articles of impeachment that it passed nearly a month ago. 'We're assuming we're on the trial next Tuesday and I think that's the case,' McConnell said during a press conference. McConnell predicted that the White House's favored outcome, passage of a quick motion to dismiss the charges against the president, is unlikely. 'There's little or no sentiment for a motion to dismiss. We have an obligation to listen to the arguments,' he told reporters. The House impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, with only Democratss supporting the motions. 'The American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial. The House will now proceed with a vote on transmitting the articles of impeachment and naming impeachment managers on Wednesday, January 15. The President and the Senators will be held accountable,' Pelosi wrote in a statement Tuesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that the House will vote Wednesday to send impeachment articles to the Senate. She did not name the Democrats who would serve as impeachment managers for the trial The announcement followed a caucus meeting Tuesday morning Some speculate two of the impeachment managers could be House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff and House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (pictured) Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has still not said if the Senate will host witnesses in the trial, but claims they will hold a vote after opening arguments on if they should call individuals to testify The House speaker was also expected on Tuesday to announce the names of lawmakers who will serve as 'managers' and prosecute the president. But no names were released. Two Democrats thought to be front-runners for he jobs are Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment inquiry in the House, and Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, whose committee approved the impeachment articles in December. HOW IMPEACHMENT UNFOLDS NOW Wednesday: Nancy Pelosi holds a vote on the House floor to approve transmitting the two articles of impeachment to the Senate. She also names the 'managers' who will prosecute the case for the Democrats Thursday: The U.S. Senate receives the articles of impeachment. Mitch McConnell could move immediatelyl to a debate over the rules under which the trial will take place. He will also have to decide on the status of a motion, which he signed on to himself, calling for a rapid dismissal of the articles of impeachment without a trial. It is unknown whether that motion will be voted on or not. Friday: Senators leave Washington D.C. for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend Monday: Congress observes MLK Day Tuesday: Opening arguments could begin in the trial as Donald Trump heads to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum Advertisement Pelosi met with her Democratic caucus Tuesday morning to decide a path forward. The caucus decided a House vote Wednesday would finalize the transmission of the twin articles to McConnell's chamber. 'In December, the House upheld its Constitutional duty to defend democracy For The People: passing two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump abuse of power and obstruction of Congress,' Pelosi continued in her statement Tuesday. 'The Senate GOP Leader has signed on to a dismissal resolution. A dismissal is a cover-up,' she said. Waiting until Wednesday allows Democratic presidential candidates debating in Iowa on Tuesday night, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, to retain the spotlight and come back to Washington in the morning. The three will be sworn in as jurors this week. An extended trial could include six days of hearings per week, and would take them off the Cmapaign trail for as long as the Republican McConnell wants. After the two articles are formally sent to the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to kick off the trial next week. It isn't clear yet how long the trial will last, with some Republicans, like Senator Lindsey Graham, pushing for a quick acquittal with no witnesses at all and others claiming they want to hear from a long string of people. McConnell is readying a resolution to set out the rules of the impeachment trial and claims after opening statements there will be a vote to decide if the Republican majority chamber wants to call individuals to testify. Pelosi claims the House held impeachment articles for so long because they wanted to make the case to the American people that there was a need for witnesses in the trial. The California Democrats has requested McConnell provide her with the planned rules for the trial before she hands over the impeachment articles, but the Majority leader would not comply with that request, claiming Pelosi would not dictate the Senate trial. Republican Senators Susan Collins (left) and Mitt Romney (right) have said they will likely vote to hear from witnesses after opening arguments. They also foiled the White House's plan to request a resolution to dismiss the case, claiming they would not vote to approve There are a handful of Republicans who disagree with McConnell and Graham's approach for a speedy trial, and claim they want to hear from witnesses. 'I have been working for and advocating that we follow that model. And that we have language in the governing [rules] setting up the parameters of the trial that would allow for a vote on whether or not we should have witnesses subpoenaed and documented provided,' moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins told reporters Monday evening. Tennessee GOP Senator Lamar Alexander says he might vote to hear witnesses 'I might not. Or I might,' the senator, who is retiring at the end of the year, said. 'My view is we should hear the case, ask our questions and then have a vote on whether we need to hear additional witnesses or call for additional documents,' Alexander said. 'It's important to have a vote on whether we have witnesses or not.' Senator Rand Paul warned his colleagues that they can't be selective on witnesses if they approve to hear from them. 'Don't think you can just vote for Bolton and not the witnesses Trump wants,' Paul told senators at a party lunch last week, two attendees told Politico. Senators Elizabeth Warren (top), Bernie Sanders (bottom left) and Amy Klobuchar (bottom right) will likely be taking time off the 2020 campaign trail as they participate in the Senate impeachment trial 'I'm not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments. But I presume I'll be voting for that after,' another moderate Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, told reporters. Romney has publicly feuded with Trump in the past. The White House is also preparing its defense of Trump with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow expected to hold speaking roles in the trial. Trump's counsel is also pushing for the Senate to include in the rules of its impeachment resolution an option that would swiftly dismiss the charges against the president. The motion would require 51 votes and, if passed, would end the trial. Both Collins and Romney claim they will not vote to immediately dismiss the trial and since Republicans have 53 seats and 51 are required to approve motions, the resolution will not pass. Trump's defense strategy for the Senate impeachment trial is underway with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone set to take the lead and deliver opening arguments. Although the Republican majority upper chamber has not yet voted on if it will call witnesses, Cipollone will also participate in any cross examinations should any individuals end up testifying. Cipollone's deputies, Michael Purpura and Patrick Philbin, will also be stationed at Trump's defense in the Senate and Purpura, along with Trump's personal attorney Jay Seklow, are expected to participate in any cross examinations of witnesses. 'If there are witnesses, he's going to crush some people,' a former senior Trump adviser said about Cipollone. Sekulow is the longest-serving member of Trump's personal legal team. He is expected to make his own trial presentation focused more on the Ukraine scandal. As Cipollone, 54, takes center stage at the upcoming Senate impeachment hearing, the president's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, 75, who has been lobbying to join the impeachment legal team, will be left on the side lines. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone (pictured) will take lead as Donald Trump's defense in the Senate impeachment trial Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, despite lobbying for a position with the defense, will be sidelined for the impeachment hearing. Giuliani could potentially be a witness in the trial should Republicans vote to call individuals to testify Giuliani, the former Republican mayor of New York City, has become a central figure in the impeachment proceedings regarding his dealings with Ukraine. A few officials claimed Giuliani has pressed the president to make him part of the legal team who will argue on the Senate floor against Trump's removal from office. Giuliani has been one of Trump's most staunch defenders, taking to TV dozens of times in the aftermath of the anonymous whistle-blower complaint that launched the impeachment investigation. The attorney has been noticeably more absent from speaking on TV as Trump's surrogate lately. Giuliani has made the case that he knows the details surrounding the charges being levied against the President inside-out. He also has publicly indicated he has an interest in getting involved in the case. 'I would love to try the case,' Giuliani told reporters while attending the President's Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve party. An informal adviser told the Huffington Post in an interview published Monday that Giuliani has been 'working Trump hard' to be included among the lawyers who will defend him. Another source told CNN that Trump has been advised against tapping Giuliani to join the legal team, especially due to the attorney's involvement in some issues close to the Genesis of the impeachment inquiry. 'The President is never going to have him in the Senate trial, starting with the problem that he's a potential witness,' the source close to Trump said. Police entered the Gujarat Vidyapith (GV) campus in Ahmedabad on Tuesday where students had organised an event to fly kites bearing anti-citizenship law messages. While students claimed that police disrupted the event, a senior officer said they entered the campus as part of "routine patrolling" on inputs that some members of rival student outfits, NSUI and ABVP, might confront each other over flying of anti-CAA kites. Some students of the varsity said a group of police personnel entered the campus, located on Ashram Road in the city, while they were preparing to celebrate the Uttarayan Festival by flying kites with messages like "India Against CAA", "No NPR, No NCR". They claimed that police personnel also demanded their identity cards. When confronted by us, the police personnel told us they had the right to enter the campus without taking anyone's permission, claimed some students in video clips shared with media persons. "They stopped us and asked us to show identity cards. If required, I would show my I-card to the varsity guard, but why to policemen when we are already inside the campus? They didn't tell us who allowed them to enter the campus," an agitated student said. The students had organised the kite-flying event with anti-CAA messages printed on them to express solidarity with their counterparts in the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. While police had allegedly entered the JMI during anti-citizenship law protests in December, JNU had witnessed violence by masked people on January 5. When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) P L Mal said the police entered the campus over a "law and order issue, after receiving inputs that members of NSUI and ABVP may enter into confrontation as some students were planning to fly kites with messages against the CAA". "Police went to the campus as it was a law and order issue. They came back after conducting a routine patrolling there," Mal said. The Gujarat Vidyapith was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1919. The GV administration could not be contacted for comment. Students of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmemdabad had claimed on January 5 that some policemen had entered the campus when they were organising a candle light march to express solidarity with the students of the JNU and JMI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Matheson has appointed a new General Counsel and Director of Legal Operations, Lauren Leonard. Leonard initially joined the company as Associate General Counsel in January 2019. One year ago, Leonard joined Matheson with intentions to ensure compliance and promote best practices regarding legal affairs as the company continued to grow. Matheson, an almost 60-year transportation and logistics provider for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and other commercial carriers, has been awarded multiple service contracts in recent years, resulting in accelerated growth. President and CEO, Mark Matheson, attributes the company's success to the high value the team places on quality of service. For instance, Matheson continuously accomplishes advanced levels of performance with a 99.9% rate for on-time delivery achieved via its three entities: Matheson Postal Services, Matheson Flight Extenders, Matheson Trucking Inc. Moreover, the companies have received many accolades from various organizations for sustainability efforts, innovation and performance. Leonard, a top-rated attorney, joined the Matheson team bearing multiple professional accolades and extensive legal experience in business, real estate litigation, police liability defense, employment and more. Further, with six years of civil litigation spent at a family-owned business, Leonard viewed her transition to family-run Matheson as a natural decision. During her time at Matheson, Lauren Leonard has successfully guided the Matheson entities through legal affairs during its growth as she oversaw outside counsel and advised the Board of Directors on legal matters. In her new role, Leonard will continue to report to Chief Legal Officer, Charles Mellor, and will oversee the day-to-day legal matters for all of the Matheson companies. "Lauren has been an excellent addition to our team," Mellor says. He continues, "she has helped us make significant progress in legal compliance and managing legal affairs. Her new role is a natural fit." About Matheson Companies Matheson Companies is a transportation and logistics services provider committed to excellence in safe, efficient, on-time transportation and material handling solutions for customers. Founded with a single water truck under the name R.B. Matheson Trucking Inc. by Robert and Carole Matheson in 1962, the company is now a leading transportation and logistics provider for USPS and other commercial carriers. Its goal is to exceed customer expectations for regional trucking, mail transport, and aircraft ground support services. Specific services Matheson provides include quality long-haul and short-haul transportation, underwing operations, terminal handling and ground handling. Matheson's dedicated truck drivers, cargo handlers, forklift drivers, and material handlers are thoroughly trained to consistently complete jobs within specified customer-centric time frames. This is accomplished via Matheson's three divisions with locations across the United States: Matheson Trucking Inc., Matheson Flight Extenders, with 31 locations, and Matheson Postal Services, with 9 locations. To find out more about Matheson Companies, visit their website at www.mathesoninc.com. SOURCE Matheson Companies Related Links http://Mathesoninc.com The New York bodega owner who appears in the chilling surveillance video that precedes the violent hacking death of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz, says he called police twice but there was no response. Guzman-Feliz, 15, was slayed with machetes by five Trinitarios gang members on June 20, 2018 in what turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. The 15-year-old was chased into the Bronx bodega by 19-year-old Manuel Rivera along with Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 25, Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, 25, Jose Muniz, 23 and Elvin Garcia, 25. The shocking security footage shows Rivera and the gang dragging Guzman-Feliz from the store and knifing him in the street. Now, three months after the murder trial, bodega owner Modesto Cruz has spoken out in his first on-air interview. He explained what was going on in the clip that went viral and led to the many blaming Cruz for not having done enough to save the boy from the thugs. New York bodega owner Modesto Cruz tells MTV's True Life Crime Wednesday that he called cops twice on June 20, 2018 before Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz was murdered MTV's True Life Crime episode on Wednesday looks into the June 20, 2018 killing of Guzman-Feliz Cruz is seen trying to stop Guzman-Feliz from climbing behind the counter after dashing into the store to escape the gang. His actions were questioned by neighbors, friends, strangers and celebrities, who flocked to the murder scene. Critics said he should have done more to protect the teen, and Cruz previously said he felt 'so much hate from the community' afterwards. 'Anyone's reaction behind a counter, seeing person sitting on the counter without saying anything. I think we would all react like that because he didn't say anything,' Cruz tells MTV's True Life Crime. In the 'Gang Target or Mistaken Identity? The Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz Case' episode airing Wednesday, Cruz explains to host Dometi Pongo - and Sasha Merci translating in Spanish - that he would usually close the store at 11pm. But at 11.37pm when the victim climbed behind the counter, the gang was 'already at the door' making it impossible for Guzman-Feliz to escape. Cruz could not reveal details of what the gangmembers were saying in the footage which shows them pointing and yelling at the victim as he was under a police gag order. However Trinitarios gang member and cooperating witness Michael Sosa Reyes recalled for the jury during the trail last June that he falsely told Cruz the boy had 'done something' to his grandmother, and needed to be dealt with. He said the victim was screaming 'No! No! No!'. Cruz called 911 two minutes after they entered at 11.37pm as seen on security footage He says: 'At 11.46pm I made the second call, asking why the help was not arriving and there was no response' In the latest episode of the MTV eight-part series, Cruz speaks about the little-known fact he dialed 911 for help before the teen was murdered. Cruz says the first call was at 11.39pm, two minutes after the group walked in, and after calling seven minutes later there was still no response. 'After they were taking Junior out, I went to the counter right away. I started to make the first phone. They were asking so many questions and I just wanted them to send help immediately,' Cruz says. 'At 11.46pm I made the second call, asking why the help was not arriving and there was no response.' Footage from the show illustrates just how close the horrific incident was to the victim's home and the hospital. Footage from the show illustrates just how close the horrific incident was to the victim's home and the hospital Cruz what happened to explains to host Dometi Pongo - and Sasha Merci translating in Spanish Guzman-Feliz had left home to meet with friend but that night bystanders ended up witnessing his demise on the corner of East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue. The bodega security footage showing the child desperately trying to flee their grasps, holding on the corner of the door frame, caused the story to go viral on social media and drove the community to seek justice with the hashtag #JusticeForJunior. Last June, Trinitarios gang member and cooperating witness Michael Sosa Reyes, revealed murderer Estrella callously bragged that his victim was 'not going to eat for a very long time because I hit him in the neck' as the killers fled the scene. But in reality, Estrella did more than just strike Guzman-Feliz in the neck. His four-and-a-half inch knife sliced the defenseless 15-year-old's jugular vein. Guzman-Feliz managed to stagger back into the shop after the attack, before stumbling to a nearby hospital where he collapsed and bled to death. The teen is seen climbing behind the counter but Cruz says he didn't say anything He explained anyone in his position would try to stop the boy from climbing behind the counter Cruz explained the gang was already behind the door as the teen tried to flee the scene Cruz wouldn't explain what the gang said during the encounter that ended with the murder Reyes added that ringleader Diego Suero ordered his disciples from the 'Bad Boys' crew to inflict 'any kind of damage' on rival gang members that fateful evening. Reyes recalled how the gang gathered inside Suero's apartment, just one block away from the bodega on East 183rd Street. 'Go after Sunset, you know what you have to do,' Suero allegedly told his men. Reyes said he interpreted the order to mean, 'If you have a gun, shoot it, if you a have a knife, you stab, if you have a machete, you use it.' Shortly afterwards, the gang members spotted aspiring NYPD detective Junior walking the streets and mistook him for a notorious member of the rival Sunset Crew. At first the men pursued him in cars, before hunting down the terrified young teen on foot. Rivera who was seen dragging the teen out and knifing him, was sentenced to 23 years and the other men got 25 years to life in October 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he supports replacing the Iranian nuclear deal hammered out by former President Barack Obama with one spearheaded by President Donald Trump. The Obama-era deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saw Iran agree not to build nuclear weapons, but had limits critics said were too soft and was set to expire in 2020. Trump exited the deal in 2018, though other countries involved in the pact havent yet exited. From the American perspective, its a flawed deal plus it was negotiated by President Obama. If were going to get rid of it, lets replace it and lets replace it with the Trump deal, Johnson told the BBC on Tuesday. President Trump is a great deal maker, by his own account and others. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead. The UK, France, and Germany, three countries still involved in the deal, triggered a dispute mechanism in the JCPOA after Iran said it was suspending all limits on production of enriched uranium. We do not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with the JCPOA. Contrary to its statements, Iran has never triggered the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism and has no legal grounds to cease implementing the provisions of the agreement, the countries said in a joint statement. It was referring the matter to a commission, as laid out in the deal. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said after Johnsons comments that the prime minister supports the JCPOA but also wants to be ambitious and bring in the United Sates and Tehran into a broader rapprochement. Raab said in a number of statements Tuesday that the UK wants to remain in the deal. We want to keep the deal alive, not extinguish it. If Iran has the will, Britain will use its diplomatic energy to work with allies to chart the way forward, he said. In another statement, he said, We want to bring Iran back into full compliance and preserve the deal. Updating MPs on why ???????? ???????? ???????? have today triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal. We want to keep the deal alive, not extinguish it. If Iran has the will, Britain will use its diplomatic energy to work with allies to chart the way forward Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) January 14, 2020 Johnson also said Tuesday morning that he agreed with Trump that Iran needs to be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons. Weve got to stop the Iranians acquiring a nuclear weapon Thats what the Joint Comprehensive agreement does, he added. Johnsons support of Trump comes after a series of events rocked the Middle East, including the United States killing Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Iran firing missiles at Iraqi bases hosting troops from a number of countries, and Iran shooting down a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 people from seven different countries, including the United Kingdom. Iran also provoked consternation by arresting British Ambassador to Iran Rob McGuire after he attended a vigil for the passengers on the plane. Thanks for the many goodwill messages. Can confirm I wasnt taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of PS752 tragedy. Normal to want to pay respectssome of victims were British. I left after 5 minutes, when some started chanting, McGuire said after he was released. Thousands of Iranians have gathered to protest their government after the admission of shooting down the plane. In at least one locale, security forces fired upon protesters. U.S. officials have said they support the Iranian protesters and Trump warned Irans leaders not to kill any more demonstrators. Human rights groups said hundreds of Iranians were killed in protests late last year. Johnson told the BBC that it was good that Iran admitted to shooting down the plane, and that they apologized for what happened. Clearly, Iran, as President Rouhani has said, made a terrible mistake. Its good that theyve apologized, Johnson said. The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down. I was actually in Oman just over the weekend talking to the people in the region, and they dont want a military conflict between the West and Iran, Johnson continued. Let me be very clearI dont want a military conflict between us and between the United States and Iran. Lets dial this thing down. From The Epoch Times New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): A five-member Iranian delegation led by country's Cultural Counselor Mohammad Ali Rabbani held talks with Jawaharlal Nehru University's Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Tuesday to expand cooperation between Tehran's Allameh Tabataba'i University and JNU's School of International Studies (SIS). This was the first visit undertaken by the delegation to the JNU after the signing of an agreement on the same between SIS's Center for West Asian Studies (CWAS) and Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU) in August, last year. Speaking to ANI, Sharad K Soni, Director, International Collaborations, JNU, said, "the Iranian delegation informed the Vice-Chancellor that there is much scope of Indian Studies in Tehran. We told them that the JNU would provide academic support to the (Tehran's Allameh Tabataba'i) University for the initiation of courses in this regard." Soni was present at the meeting between the Iranian delegation and the Vice-Chancellor. Allameh Tabataba'i University is one of Iran's most eminent universities in humanities and social sciences. (ANI) A top American official decried the needless, tragic, and avoidable death of a United States citizen locked up in an Egyptian jail for over six years, but declined to condemn or harshly criticise the government of President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, who is close to President Donald Trump. Mustafa Kassem, a 64-year-old auto repair shop owner and Egyptian-American citizen, was arrested in Cairo during the 2013 coup that brought Mr Sisi to power. He went on a hunger strike after he 15-year jail sentence was upheld in September following a mass trial that included more than 700 defendants. He reportedly died over complications related to malnutrition. His daughter told Al Jazeera television, which is supportive of the Islamist Egyptian opposition, that he was subject to negligence in prison. Egypt's chief prosecutor ordered an autopsy on Tuesday and said officials are questioning all doctors who oversaw Kassem's care in prison and at the Cairo University hospital where he died. News of his death rippled across social media. Another prisoner killed by [Egyptian] prison cells, wrote Egyptian-American activist Aya Hijazi, who was herself jailed until 2017, calling for the release of at least six more US citizens believed to be in prison in Egypt. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has given the green light to this criminal regime to get rid of its citizens, Egyptian journalist Mohammed Gamal Helal wrote. 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 Egyptian authorities have launched a deep, wide crackdown on opponents of Mr Sisi in the years since he came to power, with allegations of extrajudicial killings, forcible disappearances, and detentions inside the countrys dank, disease-infested prisons without trial. Like thousands of the countrys political prisoners, he shouldve never been detained, US Senator Chris Murphy, a New England Democrat often critical of Mr Trumps Middle East policies, wrote on Twitter. Pompeo must remind Egypt that military aid is legally tied to releasing prisoners, including at least six US citizens. The US this month launched airstrikes on an Iranian-backed militias after allegations that it had fired rockets at a US base, killing an Iraqi American contractor. That attack set off a sequence of events that led to the US assassination of an Iranian general and worries of a wider Middle East war. Kassem and his family had pleaded with Mr Trump to intervene on his behalf. But just days after his sentence was upheld in court, the US president praised Mr Sisi. Egypt has a great leader, he said during a meeting with Mr Sisi in New York. Hes highly respected. Hes brought order. Before he was here, there was very little order. There was chaos. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Systems Definition, Inc. (SDI), a leading provider of fireground accountability solutions, announced that it has been awarded an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 contract to examine integrating SDI's Advanced Personnel Accountability Application (APAA) technologies into the Air Force Disaster Response Force (DRF) Common Operating Picture (COP). SBIR is a competitive awards-based program enabling small businesses to explore technology potential within the defense arena. Activities will assess suitability of adapting SDI's commercial APAA accountability solution into an Air Force COP. APAA leverages radio-based technologies and available Department datasets for simpler, streamlined, and more accurate First Responder accountability. The proposed effort looks at bringing enhanced situational awareness and personnel accountability capabilities to the DoD environment. For defense commercialization, the initial potential users are DoD First Responders. "What we have learned from our prior and on-going personnel accountability efforts is the critical importance of simplicity and ease of use. DoD First Responders, just like civilian First Responders, need tools and capabilities like these to enhance safety and increase operational awareness," said Brendan Adams, SDI Principal Investigator. SDI is a privately held small business located in Alexandria, VA, serving Government and private industry with innovative software applications and technical services. SDI's First Responder applications are well-proven to support critical fire department safety and accountability efforts. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research process in an attempt to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants, and decrease bureaucratic overhead. Beginning in SBIR 18.2, and now in 19.3, the Air Force has begun offering 'Special' SBIR topics that are faster, leaner, and open to a broader range of innovations. CONTACT: Mr. Frank Briese, SDI, TEL 703-717-0222 x114, FAX 703-717-0225, EMAIL [email protected] Additional information is available at http://www.firegroundaccountability.com. SOURCE Systems Definition, Inc. Related Links http://www.systemsdefinition.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 11:26 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3220f11c 1 Business labor,student,demonstration,omnibus-bill,job-creation,labor-rights,Indonesia,labor-market Free Labor and student groups continue to demonstrate against the governments omnibus bill on job creation. They say they have been excluded and are seeking involvement in the creation of a regulation that, as it stands, is expected to change Indonesia's labor market to be more flexible and attractive for investors. Hundreds of people representing seven labor unions and organizations, including student groups, under the Labor with the People Movement (Gebrak) voiced their rejection of the omnibus bill that is expected to change workers' severance pay, working hours and minimum wage, among other points. "We will not become slaves in our own country," said a demonstrator marching towards the Houses main gate in Jakarta on Monday. The government is still formulating the omnibus bill on job creation and plans to submit it to the House of Representatives to begin deliberations this month. While few details have been officially announced, bits of information about what might be included in the labor reform bill have trickled out onto the Internet. The government has planned for labor market flexibility by allowing hourly pay to be included in the omnibus bill on job creation, according to Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartato and Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang. "Flexible-hours work, as well as easy hiring and easy firing principles will be discussed. The technicalities will be under the Manpower Minister," Airlangga said on Dec. 30. Students and labor groups under Gebrak argued that the clauses would benefit businesses more than workers because the private sector could possibly abandon labor rights and the minimum wage and create longer working days. The bill would also allow companies to hire outsourced and contract-based workers without a maximum time limit, according to their statement. It would also remove labor rights such as severance pay and insurance and would provide no punishment for companies that did not provide universal healthcare insurance BPJS to employees, the Gebrak statement contends. The labor alliance also criticized President Joko Jokowi Widodo for putting the people at risk for the sake of economic growth and attracting investment. "We will not become slaves in our own country," said a demonstrator marching towards the Houses main gate in Jakarta on Monday. (JP/Moch. Fiqih Prawira) Jokowis administration is writing three omnibus bills on job creation, taxation and small and medium enterprises to facilitate business in Southeast Asias largest economy, attract investment and stoke smoldering growth. According to the World Banks ease of doing business index, which ranked Indonesia 73rd, the countrys rigid employment and minimum wage regulations are among the factors causing the countrys stagnating rank. Strict employment protection legislation shapes firms incentives to enter and exit the economy, which in turn has implications for job creation and economic growth [] A 10 percentage-point increase in the minimum wage in Indonesia was associated with a 0.8 percentage-point decrease in employment on average, the report reads. The demonstration follows another that occurred on Jan. 9 of approximately 100 protesters, representing about 20 labor groups in the Jakarta Labor Movement (GBJ), on the streets of Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta in response to the government's plan to reform current labor regulations. We are suspicious that the omnibus bill will bring about a flexible labor market by depriving workers of their basic rights, including the reduction of severance pay and a proposal on wage calculations based on working hours, said GBJ spokesperson Jumisih during the protest. Workers will be forced to work without certainty because the bill will make them more vulnerable to layoffs and outsourcing. These patterns of modern exploitation will make workers wages far from decent. The bill is being written behind closed doors and does not take into account the publics perspective, she added. (mfp) Arriving at Links Hall, Pachecos first steps were to assess immediate needs and put temporary staff in place to ensure operations could continue. Aaliyah Christina, Keisha Janae and Kelly Anderson have filled in in the office, and Giau Truong has kept things going in production. Truong was recently appointed as production manager, a permanent part-time position at the venue. Weve had some amazing folks who have been part of the Links family for a long time really step up, even before I walked in the door, to say: What do you need? How can we help? What can we do? Lets just roll up our sleeves, said Pacheco. "This community is so deeply committed to Links that I never once felt like I was walking into an empty office or an empty organization. BOSTON A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents have successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the scandal that led to President Donald Trumps impeachment. Russian agents launched a phishing campaign in early November to steal the login credentials of employees of Burisma Holdings, the gas company, according to Area 1 Security, a Silicon Valley company that specializes in email security. Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. vice president and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, previously served on Burismas board. It was not clear what the hackers were looking for or may have obtained, said Area 1s CEO, Oren Falkowitz, who called the findings incontrovertible and posted an eight-page report. The timing of the operation raises the possibility that Russian agents could be searching for material damaging to the Bidens or scheming to plant forged data and sow misinformation online. The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December for abusing the power of his office by enlisting the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden, a political rival, ahead of the 2020 election. A second charge accused Trump of obstructing a congressional investigation into the matter. Our report doesnt make any claims as to what the intent of the hackers were, what they might have been looking for, what they are going to do with their success. We just point out that this is a campaign thats going on, said Falkowitz, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker whose companys clients include candidates for U.S. federal elected offices. In an earlier interview, he told The Associated Press that the campaigns of top candidates for the U.S. presidency and House and Senate races in 2020 have in the past few months each been targeted by about a thousand phishing emails. Falkowitz did not name the candidates. Nor would he name any of his companys clients. Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Biden said in a statement that the incident shows that not just Trump but also Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Joe Biden as a threat. Some cybersecurity experts cautioned against blaming Russian military agents without more evidence, however, saying the report indicates Area 1 investigators didnt have access to Burismas internal logs and compromised email accounts in making the determination. Thats problematic, tweeted Thomas Rid of Johns Hopkins. Caution advised based on what we currently know. And while many experts said its a good bet the phishing amounts to a Kremlin attempt to smear the Bidens, there are other possibilities. Michael Connell, a former Army intelligence officer and researcher at the government-funded Center for Naval Analyses, notes that Russian agents have previously attacked energy-related computer systems in other countries, most notably Germany. The goal of the hackers was probably information gathering, but it also likely included creating backdoors to allow future access (for intel or destructive cyberattacks), he wrote in an email. Russian hackers from the GRU, the same military intelligence unit that Area 1 said was behind the operation targeting Burisma, have been indicted for hacking emails from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of Hillary Clintons campaign during the 2016 presidential race. Stolen emails were released online at the time by Russian agents and WikiLeaks in an effort to favor Trump, special counsel Robert Mueller determined in his investigation. Area 1 discovered the phishing campaign by the Russian military intelligence unit on New Years Eve, said Falkowitz, who would not discuss whom he notified prior to going public or whether Burisma shared information with his company. He said he followed the industry standard process of responsible disclosure, which would include notifying Burisma. Joan Donovan, a Harvard University disinformation expert, said one of the most dangerous possibilities would be data theft spiced with forgeries and subsequently leaked. That reportedly happened in 2017 when emails related to the campaign of President Emanuel Macron of France were stolen and published online with some fakes included just ahead of his election. She called the Burisma incident testament to the fact that we have not paid enough attention to email security when the consequences of a leak are so high for businesses, politicians and journalists in particular. Email is unfortunately the way that weve come to do business but email has become a serious, serious vulnerability, she said. In phishing, an attacker uses a targeted email to lure a target to a fake site that resembles a familiar one. There, unwitting victims enter their usernames and passwords, which the hackers then harvest. Phished credentials allow attackers both to rifle through a victims stored email and masquerade as that person. In the report, Falkowitz said the GRU agents used fake, lookalike domains that were designed to mimic the sites of real Burisma subsidiaries. Falkowitz said the operation targeting Burisma involved tactics, techniques and procedures that GRU agents had used repeatedly in other phishing operations, matching several patterns that lots of independent researchers agree mimic this particular Russian actor. Area 1 says it has been tracking the Russian agents for several years. The discoverys timing just weeks before presidential primaries begin in the United States highlights the need to protect political campaigns from targeted phishing attacks, which are behind 95% of all information breaches, said Falkowitz. Area 1 said its researchers connected the phishing campaign targeting Burisma to an effort earlier last year that targeted Kvartal 95, a media organization founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In this case, the Russian military agents, from a group security researchers call Fancy Bear, peppered Burisma employees with emails designed to look like internal messages, the company said. In order to detect phishing attacks, Area 1 maintains a global network of sensors designed to sniff out and block them before they reach their targets. In July, the U.S. Federal Elections Commission gave Area 1 permission to offer its services to candidates for federal elected office and political committees at the same low rates it charges non-profits. ___ AP writer Yuras Karmanau in Kiev, Ukraine, contributed to this story. Amaravati Parirakshana Samiti members burn the Boston and G.N. Rao committee reports in the Bhogi fire near Benz Circle in Vijayawada on Tuesday. (Photo: C. Narayana Rao) Vijayawada: Farmers agitating agai-nst the shifting of the AP capital from Amaravati will be left high and dry because certain clauses in the development agreement they entered into with the then Chandrababu Naidu government proving detrimental to their interests. The agreement is silent on two crucial issues. It is restricted to the development a particular area in lands owned by and pooled from farmers and in no way binds the government to retain the capital for which the land was pooled. Secondly, it is weak on securing the farmers interests in the event of the Amaravati dream project failing to take off or being abandoned in the middle. On top of it, the development agreement between the Capital Region Development Authority and farmers gives enormous power to the government to cancel the agreement at any point of time without giving any reasons thereof. The future of the Amaravati capital project proposed in the 33,000 acres pooled from farmers is in the doldrums following the decision of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to move the Secretariat and the High Court out of Amaravati. Contrary to claims of former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the chief architect of Amaravati, that he gave top priority to secure farmers interests, legal experts caution against the very development agreement is weakening their case. It is not a foolproof agreement. It is not explicit on the fate of farmers in the event of the project getting shelved and did not define in clear terms the relief the farmer is entitled to, senior advocate R.N. Hemendranath Reddy told Deccan Chronicle. On the other hand, the agreement took several precautions on securing the interests of not only the CRDA but the agencies which would buy the developed land from the government. The CRDA prohibited the farmers from stopping the development works and claimed that the specific clause was incorporated in the interest of prospective purchasers and the scheme. Recently, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan recollected his interaction with Mr Naidu in which he sought to know how he would guarantee the continuation of capital and success of land pooling scheme in the event of change in the government. Mr Naidu on several occasions announced that adequate steps would be taken to give legal sanctity to Amaravati and ensure its continuation irrespective of the party in power. Stating that there would be limitations in incorporating the capital related clauses in the CRDA agreement with farmers, Telugu Desam Rajya Sabha member Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar said a clause was incorporated wherein farmers were entitled for damages for breach of any of the terms of the agreement by the CRDA. Meanwhile, the ruling YSR Congress wanted to turn the tables against Mr Naidu and project itself as the saviour of farmers. Through the proposed Bill repealing the A P CRDA Act, the present government sought to assure the farmers that it would develop the plots and hand them over to the farmers. MANZINI - Musician and local producer, Mzwakhe Myeni has been arrested and charged with the alleged assault of a businessman and hurling insults at a former Uzalo actor. This is a new twist to the events which occurred in December 2018, where the musician opened a criminal case against the actor, Simphiwe Melusi Nxumalo famously known as Bob 90 and local businessman, Nhlanhla Macingwane. Myeni (40) of Madonsa in recorded statements, at the time, alleged that the duo severely assaulted him with fists and kicks while Nxumalo held both his hands tight. The producer alleged that after assaulting him, the two demanded unpaid money and claimed they were not paid for performances or honouring invites during the event themed Eswatini Christmas Blestival held at Mavuso Trade Centre during the same year. The businessman and Nxumalo were arrested and charged with allegedly assaulting Myeni. They were charged with offences which included malicious injury to property and crimen injuria among others. The duo had also opened a case against Myeni. Offences Myeni made a court appearance before Magistrate Dumisa Mazibuko yesterday after he was arrested and charged with two criminal offences: common assault and crimen injuria. When he appeared in court, the musician was informed of his charges and he said he knew nothing about them. Nkhosi yenkantolo angiwati lamacala, Myeni said The accused is alleged to have assaulted Macingwane by threatening to assault him on December 26, 2018 while at the Manzini Police Station. Myeni is said to have further injured, insulted and impaired the dignity of Nxumalo by uttering words of gross impertinence relating to his condition (albinism). In statements submitted in court, Nxumalo alleged that Myeni insulted him while trying to sort out a misunderstanding at the police station. While I was telling my side of the story, he started hurling insults at me in the presence of the police. He made fun of my condition. I apologised, stood up and left the police station as I did not want to hear more of the insults, he said in the statements. Meanwhile, Macingwane alleged that he was threatened with assault by Myeni at the police station. Meanwhile, in 2018, Myeni in his recorded statements alleged he had met the former Uzalo actor at a filling station and he informed him that he wanted to promote his new album during his show and further requested for a slot. I agreed that he perform during my show, however, we did not have any agreement pertaining to him getting paid as he was the one who had approached me. I supplied him with instruments and my band and he performed. After the show, he said he needed me to pay him as the crowd loved him, Myeni alleged. He added that after requesting for payments, they came to a decision that he thank the former Uzalo actor with E1 000, which he would use to fill up petrol on his way back to South Africa. On the following day, I slept since I was tired and had my phone off. While sleeping, I heard the sound of a vehicle which was being driven recklessly. When I went outside, I found the same man with his friends, who assaulted me while he held both my hands. I was assaulted in full view of my children and wife, who were traumatised, Myeni alleged at the time. The accused was remanded out of custody as he was released on his own recognisance until January 20, 2020 pending the setting of his trial date. Hyderabad: I disembarked from the plane and walked into the high-security Srinagar airport less than a week after the Centre abrogated Article 370 on August 5. A message was passed to Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh the cop who on Saturday was arrested with two Kashmiri militants and within minutes he arrived, smiling broadly while whispering into his wireless. As he shook hands and led me to his chamber for a cup of kahwa, Singh warned: Janaab, haalat kharab hai yahaan, giving a sense of the sensitive ground situation. Behind his spotless uniform, shining shoes and perfect turban was a police officer whose anti-terrorist operations yielded results in the Valley over the years, making him a blue-eyed boy, while his colleagues got left behind. The kahwa arrived and Davinder paaji spoke at length on militancy and security operations. The discussion veered to the risks he faced, particularly since he belonged to Tral in Pulwama district a stronghold of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) and the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (an al-Qaeda cell in Kashmir headed by Zakir Musa, who was shot dead in an encounter last year) Davinder smiled, simply saying he was taking all precaution. Posted to the Srinagar airports anti-hijacking squad in end-2018 (till his arrest last weekend), Davinder played a crucial role there after August 5 when he, along with SSP Javaid Iqbal, faced two tasks: securing the airport from the high threat of a terror attack, and liaising with J&K and New Delhi to ensure smooth arrivals/departures of high officials like NSA Ajit Doval, former Army Chief Bipin Rawat, and those involved in counter-insurgency operations. Anyone who knew Davinder well would vouch that the 57-year-old career-long man of operations would not have been so naive as to travel along with Hizb terrorists and be nabbed by his own. But then, the Kashmir police has said otherwise. August 5 has been a game-changer and perhaps the most challenging time for any police officer, including myself, Davinder said of the Valleys situation post August 5. The situation is tense, people are indoors and an uneasy calm prevails. Was the threat to Srinagar airport at an all time high? He said security agencies were working in close coordination and there was no way terrorists would succeed. He was mostly at the airport 24x7, and going home to Tral was out of the question. Davinder was also busy with the arrival of incre-asing troops at the airport with each passing day. He was the polices pointsman for the Army, the paramilitaries and other senior police officials, which meant that he knew exactly who was coming in and going out of Kashmir in those tense days when convoys used to roll through deserted roads.While in the J&K polices Special Operat-ions Group (SOG), comprising dare-devils and ruthless policemen, he led plenty of operations against terrorists. Davinder is an encyclopedia on terror networks on operations in the Valley. He led from the front and took risks which other would not. While leading ops, you dont think about the consequences, he would say. Hearing that I would travel to various localities, including downtown Srinagar, Davinder offered one of his AK-47 toting policemen to accompany me throughout. You will need him, he said. I refused, for I was there to do journalism; I added jokingly that a policeman for company would get me into trouble. I will be perfectly fine without him, I assured Davinder and he relented. He did not let me go before asking where I would stay. Rajbagh, I said casually. Phones are not working in Srinagar. If you need anything, try to reach the airport, he said, waving goodbye. Within the department, Davinders image was like Mumbais encounter specialists: those who gained the confidence of gangsters, extorted money and yet laid a trap a win-win for them. But to believe that an operational man like Davinder would resort to something stupid like this is difficult, said an official under whom Davinder had previously worked. Despite whispers about his weaknesses, it is surprising that he was posted in a sensitive post like the anti-hijacking squad. DARIEN The businessman charged with manslaughter in the death of an Anguillan resort employee has filed a lawsuit against the hotel chain, alleging its negligence caused the incident to occur. Scott Hapgood, 44, of Darien, is considered a "fugitive" by Anguillan authorities after he declined to appear on the island in November to address the manslaughter charge in the death of Kenny Mitchel. Hapgood is also being sued by Mitchel's estate. But now he is firing back with a lawsuit of his own, claiming Auberge Resorts was negligent in the hiring and supervision of Michel who died on April 13 after a confrontation with Hapgood in a room at the Malliouhana Resort, which is owned by the company. "Auberge Resorts failed to ensure the safety and protection of its hotel guests, the Hapgood family," his attorney Juliya Arbisman said. "As a result, Auberge Resorts should be held responsible for the harm that the Hapgood family has suffered." Since his arrest, Hapgood has been placed on leave from his job and has faced costly criminal proceedings, his representatives said. The incident has sparked international outrage and has been the focal point of speculation on what went on in Hapgood's hotel room leading up to Mitchels death. Hapgood contends that Michel unexpectedly showed up at the room at the Malliouhana Resort on April 13 to fix a sink that wasn't reported broken. Hapgood had been at the resort vacationing with his family, including his young daughters, two of whom were in the room when Mitchel arrived. Mitchel was an employee of the resort and was wearing a hotel uniform when he showed up at the room, according to Hapgood's representatives who issued a press release on his lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that Mitchel then pulled out a knife, demanded money and attacked Hapgood. The lawsuit claims Hapgood acted in self-defense when he fought with Mitchel. Hapgood restrained Mitchel for nearly an hour as resort officials failed to call police or an ambulance, the lawsuit said. Mitchel died about an hour later, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also mentions Mitchel's cause of death was attributed to a cocaine overdose based on an Anguillan toxicology report. The lawsuit filed by Mitchel's estate said the 27-year-old died as a result of Hapgood keeping his arm on the younger man's neck for more than 40 minutes. Hapgood was charged with manslaughter by Anguillan authorities a few days after the incident. Citing concerns for his safety and for the judicial system on the Caribbean island, which is a territory of the United Kingdom, Hapgood's attorneys advised him not to appear in an Anguillan court in November. He is now considered a fugitive from justice. Hapgood's lawsuit against Auberge Resorts was filed in Marin County California Superior Court. India February Gold futures dropped on January 14 after the United States dropped China's designation as a currency manipulator ahead of an interim deal between the two sides to ease their trade dispute. Global equities rallied to reach fresh record highs as the world's two biggest economies prepare to formalise a truce, said a Reuters report. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that the Chinese translation of the deal was almost completed and would be made public on Wednesday, just prior to a signing ceremony, it said. On the MCX, Gold contracts for February were trading lower by Rs 201, or 0.51 percent, at Rs 39,345 per 10 gram at 09:20 hours. Gold & Silver Rates Gold Rate in Mumbai 10g of 24K gold in Mumbai 10g of 22K gold in Mumbai View more Silver Rate in Mumbai 10g silver in Mumbai 1kg silver in Mumbai View more Show Gold and Silver prices extend fall on Monday amid a rally in global equities and strength in rupee pushed both the precious metals lower. Spot Gold breached key support of $1,550 per troy ounce in the international market while Silver prices also closed below $18 per troy ounce. Experts suggest that volatility is likely to continue in Gold in the short term amid a rise in rupee and rally in global equities. Traders could go short in the short term with a target near 39,000. We expect strength in equities and rupee could continue to keep both the precious metals under pressure. Gold prices could test next support of $1,532 and Silver prices could test $17.70 per troy ounce, Manoj Kumar Jain, Director, IndiaNivesh Commodities told Moneycontrol. By Rasana Gasimova Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev has said that the construction of a new highway from Baku to the Russian border is expected to be completed in 2021. The construction of the highway between Baku-state border and Russia will be completed in 2021. This will cut the time that trucks pass through the territory of Azerbaijan in half and create favourable conditions for their movement in the North-South, North-West and South-West directions, Mustafayev said at a meeting on 2019 results chaired by President Ilham Aliyev on January 13. The construction of a highway bridge on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border will begin in 2020, he said. Azerbaijan, together with Iran and Russia, is working on the development of the North-South Transport Corridor - roads and railways are being built. Azerbaijan has completed most of the work on its territory. This year, it is planned to begin construction of a motor bridge on the border of Azerbaijan and Iran. I think that the construction of this bridge will be completed next year, Mustafayev said. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani State Highway Agency noted that most part of the 152-kilometer Baku-Guba- Russia state border highway will be constructed this year. Note that in February 2018, President Ilham Aliyev ordered to allocate 150 million manats ($88.2 million) for the construction of the Baku-Guba- Russia state border highway that stretches from H.Z. Taghiyev settlement near Sumgait to the border with the Russia. The new highway will become part of the North-South International Transport Corridor, and will also give an impetus to the development of tourism. The North-South Transport Corridor which is designed to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia, including the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia plays a major role in it. The coverage of the transport corridor is impressive - it is multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road route for moving freight between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz President Zelenskyys reaction to the tragedy wins both praise and criticism as he navigates several political crises. Kyiv, Ukraine Last week, Ihor Kovalenko had ill feelings towards Iranians, because their government launched an errant missile that downed a Ukrainian passenger plane with 176 people aboard. This week, the stocky and bearded furniture salesman, 34, has empathy for them because after top officials in Tehran admitted their guilt, average Iranians rallied against them and their lethal mistake. Today, Kovalenko says he feels closer to Iranians than to Americans. After I saw how Iranian people protested on our behalf, it made me feel so close to them, much closer than to the Americans who are too preoccupied with their dominance, and whose president is a total imbecile, Kovalenko told Al Jazeera. Our president should not be so subservient to Trump. As Ukraine mourns 11 of its nationals killed in the plane crash, politicians, analysts and public are polarised over their new, anti-establishment President Volodymyr Zelenskyys response to the tragedy amid a de-escalation of Tehrans confrontation with the West. Observers agree that whatever Zelenskyy does these days, he has to look over his shoulder twice at his unfriendly neighbour, Russia, and at US President Donald Trump, whose pressure on Ukraine to open an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden led to his impeachment. Zelenskyy, a comedian and political newcomer who won last Aprils presidential race, demanded over the weekend a full admission of guilt, an open probe, and compensation from Iran after Tehran admitted it had mistakenly shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane with 176 people on board on January 8. His stance coincided with the blowback from Western governments, including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. But for two days before Tehran took responsibility, despite evidence of a missile attack presented by Western governments, Zelenskyy refrained from lambasting the Islamic republic and joining the international chorus backing US President Donald Trumps anti-Iranian sentiments. The disaster was not a topic for hype on social media, sensationalism or conspiracy theories, Zelenskyy said on January 9 while the US, Canadian and UK leaders were already quoting intelligence data proving that Iran did launch a Russian-made Tor M1 missile. His foreign minister, Vadym Pristaiko, said Ukraine didnt have enough proof of the attack. First, there was silence, then harsh statements, Kyiv-based political analyst, Aleksey Kushch, told Al Jazeera, referring to Zelenskyy. As a result, the tragedy of the Ukrainian plane [crash] is being used in geopolitical games. Ukraine [did] not respond properly to the attack on the plane that is seen as an attack on the Ukrainian state. Kushch said Ukraine should have instead convened a United Nations security council to access the entire cause-and-effect chain of events. But other experts saw Zelenskyys reluctance to jump to conclusions and criticise Iran as a sign of his newfound political self-reliance. It reflects his independence. The West wanted him to immediately pressure Iran, but he held on for two days, Kyiv-based analyst Mikhail Pogrebinsky told Al Jazeera, claiming that Western embassies in the Ukrainian capital sent multiple signals to Zelenskyy urging him to condemn Iran. Standing up to Russia Ukraines former President Petro Poroshenko warned that the ex-Soviet nation of 43 million should not become a pawn in the US-Iran confrontation that inevitably affects Tehrans old ally and Ukraines archenemy, Russia. We should restore justice while commemorating the memory of those lost, and to prevent Ukraine from being dragged into geopolitical conflicts, he said in a tweet on January 10. But it was under his presidency and government that Ukraine became a new battleground of Russias confrontation with the West. Poroshenko, an oligarch and former foreign minister, was elected president months after popular protests toppled his pro-Moscow predecessor Viktor Yanukovich in 2014. Russia responded by annexing Crimea and backing separatists in the Donbass region while Poroshenkos government grappled with a dire economic meltdown that made Ukraine one of Europes poorest nations. In the heat of the conflict, another plane was downed the Malaysian MH17 flight fell in a separatist-controlled area, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board. An investigation was complicated by ongoing hostilities that claimed more than 13,000 lives. Only two years later, an international investigation presented irrefutable evidence that a mobile Buk surface-to-air missile system that arrived from Russia had been used to fire on the aircraft. But the Kremlin fiercely denied any involvement. In the latest incident, Russia sided with Iran. 200110010444931 There is no proof for thunderous statements at this stage, Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov reportedly said on January 10. After Irans admission of guilt, military analyst Viktoria Baranets wrote in an opinion piece published by the Komsomolskaya Pravda, one of Russias most popular dailies: The missile could have [been] fired by an officer who does not share government policies, or an expert bribed by foreign intelligence. To many Ukrainians, it sounded very familiar. Just like in the case with the Malaysian plane, Russias leaders in their official statements not only try to support Iran as its strategic partner, but also misinform the international community by making up false versions of this horrible tragedy, Oleksander Turchinov, Ukraines former acting president and defence secretary wrote on Facebook on Sunday. Abandoned by the West Almost six years after the separatist conflict began, Ukrainians have often felt abandoned by the West especially after Trumps impeachment scandal unfolded. It was centred on a July 25 phone call with Zelenskyy, in which Trump urged him to announce investigations into Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential frontrunner, and his son, Hunter, who had served on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company reportedly involved in corruption schemes. The Trump administration also withheld nearly $400m in military assistance to Kyiv. Ukrainian leaders and top brass said the aid that included Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, counter-mortar radars and night-vision equipment, was essential, but not all Ukrainians fighting the separatists felt the same way. We never felt any use for it in the trenches, it was a drop in the ocean, a war veteran told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, because he works for a security agency and is not authorised to talk to media. The officer is opposed to many of Zelenskyys policies, but believes that he should be more self-reliant in decision-making. We have to be on our own, because Americans have let us down already, and they inevitably will do it again, he said. 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. Mr. Cuomos criticism of the federal governments response to the earthquakes focused on the fact that Mr. Trump still has not released hurricane-related federal funds that he said could be used to address damage from the earthquakes. The seismic activity began in late December and have forced thousands of fearful residents from their homes: More than 8,000 residents are scattered in more than 40 shelters, and thousands more are sleeping in makeshift tents and inside parked cars near highways. But the island is clearly showing signs of recovery: Electricity has been restored to 99 percent of customers, and the Army Corps of Engineers has mobilized personnel to help install generators. Mr. Cuomo, along with a delegation of elected officials from New York, toured a major natural gas power plant that was damaged in the southern part of the island. It used to produce about a quarter of the islands electricity, but officials expect it will now be shut down for several months. Mr. Cuomo also visited Guanica, a coastal town that received the brunt of the damage from the earthquakes. He walked its narrow streets with the towns mayor, observing homes most of them built on stilts that had collapsed. Santos Seda, the mayor, said that 700 of the towns 8,000 homes sustained damage and that there was a lack of engineers to inspect the structures. Book by former PGC officer highlights unusual wildlife encounters Dick Bodenhorn has published a book highlighting some of the unusual encounters he had while working with the Pennsylvania Game Commision. Russian banks rejected more than six in every 10 loan applications made last year, new data has shown. Only 36.9% of requested loans were granted in in Russia last year, down from 41% the year before, the National Bureau of Credit History said. The approval rate for payday and short-term loans or unsecured credit was even lower at just 33.9%, while banks granted two-thirds of safer mortgage applications, RBC reported. The rate is still higher than the record low of 2016, when, following a deep recession and sharp devaluation of the ruble, only 10% of loan applications were approved. In a bid to quell fears of an emerging consumer credit bubble, the Central Bank made it more expensive for banks to lend to riskier customers last year by forcing them to hold more cash on their balance sheets. It also limited the daily rate of interest which can be charged on short-term loans. A report from ratings agency Fitch showed Russian banks had been overestimating the creditworthiness of their borrowers before the new regulations came into force in October 2019. The safe the borrower, the lower the chance of a default, and the lender is thus required to keep less capital on its balance sheet. However, the Central Bank employs a much stricter set of criteria for determining how solvent a borrower is than the banks own internal models, leading to a mismatch between the quality of the banks loan portfolios, the Moscow Times reported. The professor at the department of the stock market and investments at the Higher School of Economics, Alexander Abramov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the reason why so many loans are denied is related both to the policy of the Bank of Russia and to financial difficulties of the Russians. "The Central Bank seeks to limit the credit growth, since that would help to maintain and later lower the level of the citizens' debt load. And indeed, thanks to this policy, there was a decline in consumer loan growth last year," the economist said. The second reason is the too low incomes of the Russians. "A quarter of the population who receive loans then spend about 80% of their income to pay interest on loans. These are extremely high figures," the expert concluded. Head of the State Dumas Committee for Financial Markets Anatoly Aksakov, in turn, noted that a decline in the number of approved loan applications is an objective process. "The banks have begun to take a tougher approach to borrowers. Bank debt is growing, and banks are trying to reduce the default risk. They take into account that the population has become less solvent, as its incomes have not grown in previous years, including 2019," the MP said. He also added that the Bank of Russia's demands on unsecured credits have grown. "As for the mortgage, the main thing there is the exhaustion of that part of the population having the opportunity to pay an initial contribution of 20% according to the requirements of the Bank of Russia," Aksakov concluded. NEW HAVEN A Silver Alert was issued Monday for a 12-year-old girl reported missing from New Haven. Camryn Blake, 12, is an African-American girl with black hair and brown eyes, officials said in the alert. She stands approximately 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs roughly 130 pounds. Blake was last seen wearing a black Northface hoodie, Adidas sweatpants and red, white and black-colored Jordan-brand sneakers. She was reported missing Monday, officials said. The Silver Alert was issued at 3:06 p.m. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6316. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com [January 14, 2020] HomeServe plc: First Utility Partnership in Japan HomeServe Japan Corporation ("HomeServe Japan"), a joint venture between HomeServe plc and Mitsubishi (News - Alert) Corporation, has signed its first utility partnership with Chugoku Electric and began test marketing with homeowners today. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005349/en/ HomeServe plc: First Utility Partnership in Japan (Photo: Business Wire) Two products are being marketed to Japanese homeowners - combined electrical wiring and air-conditioning cover; and comprehensive plumbing cover. As in HomeServe's other geographies, these products are designed to meet the needs of homeownerswho wish to avoid the unplanned cost and inconvenience of an unexpected home repair. The business model being deployed is similar to HomeServe's successful Membership model in the UK, France, Spain and North America. In return for signing up to an exclusive, long term affinity partnership with HomeServe Japan, Chugoku Electric earns a commission on every sale and renewal. HomeServe Japan is responsible for marketing and service to homeowners, and has partnered with local providers to fulfil the service. Products are fully underwritten by a local insurance provider. H Stephen Phillips, Global CEO of International Business Development, said: "We are delighted with the reception our service proposition has received from Japanese utilities. The newly de-regulated gas and electricity sector is looking for new ways to deliver value to its customers, and HomeServe has a tried and tested model to help them do so. Chugoku Electric is a significant player in the sector, serving 2.9 million households in Western Japan, and is one of the principal electricity suppliers to Japan's 53 million households. "The fact that we have started marketing in Japan after less than a year is testament to the strength of the joint venture between HomeServe and Mitsubishi Corporation. Mitsubishi Corporation's strong commercial relationships with the Japanese utility sector have accelerated our progress, and the combined team is looking forward to delivering an exemplary new service to the Japanese market." About HomeServe HomeServe is an international home repairs and improvements business which provides people with access to tradespeople and technology to make home repairs and improvements easy. HomeServe is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a market capitalisation of 4.3 billion. ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005349/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 2 suspects arrested in connection with blast outside Hafiz Saeed's house in Pak 26/11: As India grieved, Saeed grew in Pak, while Lakhvi fathered a child in jail Hafiz Saeed remains absent again in terror financing trial International oi-Vicky Nanjappa Lahore, Jan 14: Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's statement in the terror financing case against him could not be recorded in an anti-terrorism court after his lawyer requested the court to give the JuD chief more time. Defence counsel requested the Anti-Terrorism Court-I Lahore for adjournment of the hearing against Saeed in the terror financing case, saying the JuD chief needed more time to record his statement, a court official told PTI after the in-camera hearing. The court accepted the request of Saeed's counsel and adjourned the hearing till Tuesday. Cross examination in Hafiz Saeed terror financing cases concludes In the last hearing on Friday, a questionnaire was handed over to Saeed in the ATC regarding charges of terror financing against him. Deputy Prosecution General Abdur Rauf submitted the questionnaire for Saeed in the ATC which was handed over to him for reply. Earlier, the cross examination of prosecution witnesses, including some revenue officers, by the defense counsel concluded. The prosecution had produced a number of witnesses against Saeed and his three close aides. The ATC had indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in the terror financing case. The Counter Terrorism Department had registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17. He is held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. More come forward to testify against Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. Saeed's indictment followed growing international pressure on Pakistan to stop militant groups from collecting funds in the country and to take immediate action against those still involved in militant activities. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 11:17 [IST] An Italian archeologist working in Vietnam is so in love with Hoi An, a city in the central province of Quang Nam home to a UNESCO-recognized ancient town, that he has persuaded his fiancee to leave France to permanently settle here. Federico Barocco was a working archeologist in Laos as part of a UNESCO project. In 2001, he was reassigned to Vietnam. His passion for Vietnamese archeological culture grew so strong he decided to open a restaurant featuring the antiquities he had collected for decades. A personal museum of Vietnamese culture The Baroccos were the first foreign family to purchase a home in Hoi An Ancient Town. Rico, as people would call him, elaborated on his collection of pottery products, antique objects, and items from the old days that he had accumulated for years when talking to your correspondent. They are now on display at his restaurant at 36 Tran Phu Street in Hoi An Ancient Town. His fluent Vietnamese might surprise any local. I am European, but now my soul belongs in Vietnam. It hurts me deep down to see so many Vietnamese selling off the antiquities that testify to their own ancestry and origin, he said. I spent all of my money on collecting these old things [so] I will be able to tell tourists and Vietnamese youths who visit my place in the future the stories behind these items. He has a full cupboard housing ceramic products from the days of the Champa kingdom, which ruled over southern Vietnam until the early 19th century, when it was annexed into Vietnamese territory. I love it here. Hoi An is almost too peaceful and ideal for my family. We go to work and take the kids to school, and each day is filled with happiness, Rico added. From what Ive read, many Italian merchants who came to Hoi An to trade have been laid to rest here after they died. When I get old and depart this life, I want to rest in Hoi Ans soil just like them. In his restaurant, there is a manual scale made of steel sitting neatly in a corner. Below it is a lunch tray carved out of wood. Elsewhere, he displays a wooden mold traditionally used for making banh duc, a Vietnamese rice powder sponge cake. I rent this place from a local. One of its first owners was a Chinese baker, Rico talked about his restaurant. On the floor, we can still see the imprint of the old kitchen. The ancient floor tiles are still intact. Italian Federico Barocco, his Vietnamese-French wife Dao Thu Thanh, and their two children now live in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Barocco If you love me, come to Hoi An with me In 2009, Rico fell in love with Dao Thu Thanh, a Vietnamese-French woman. Their courtship began on a field trip to Cu Lao Cham, a small islet located 15 kilometers off the east of Hoi An. As his team was readying for the journey, he noticed a French family trying to figure out the way to the same destination. Tourism was not so thriving in Hoi An around that time, so sea travel to Cu Lao Cham was few and far between. Rico was moved by the familys yearning to see the archeological beauty of the Cham people on the islet, so he and his team agreed to let them on board. On this very voyage, the man found his other half. Dao Thu Thanh was born in Vietnam but has lived in France since she was two years old. Their love blossomed after the trip. I phoned her every day. She said we could settle in Europe, but I told her that despite my European looks, my heart was already in Hoi An, he said. I told her, if you love me, come to Hoi An with me. His vision for a family life was a tiny cottage in the suburbs where their children would grow up surrounded by wonderful landscapes. As the wedding approached, Rico browsed all over Hoi An to find the best ao dai, a Vietnamese long gown worn by brides and grooms on their wedding day, for both of them. He also searched for betel and areca, small fruits to offer as betrothal gifts to the in-laws as per Vietnamese tradition. They held a genuine Vietnamese-style wedding reception in France, with the bride and groom both wearing the ao dai and the Vietnamese words song hi (double happiness) written in beautiful calligraphy hanging in the background. Though Thanh was sad to part with her family in France, she is content with the new life in her fatherland. Thanh now runs the restaurant while Rico pursues his archeological career. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! ABU AHABI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, presented standout PV and energy storage portfolios at the Tenth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Company signed two distribution agreements totalling 200 MW to supply C&I and residential inverter solutions to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2020, cementing its position in this rapidly burgeoning solar hub. The first phase of the agreement of 100MW was signed with a Dubai based firm Power n Sun, and the other 100MW distribution partnership is with a renowned Egyptian group ACO. "This agreement marks a milestone for our fruitful cooperation in the MENA region. We are satisfied with the solid performance and comprehensive offerings from Sungrow and look forward to our continued cooperation to build a more sustainable UAE," said Mr. L. K. Verma, Managing Director of Power n Sun. Solar power is poised for future growth in the MENA region, driven by booming economies and population. According to the International Energy Agency, by 2021 renewable capacity in the MENA region will grow by 78%. Sungrow keeps pioneering cutting-edge innovations tailored to this region. At WFES, the Company garnered wide attention given the innovations. Optimized for the large utility-scale segment, Sungrow unveiled the 1500V turnkey station SG6250HV-MV, which integrates central inverters, MV transformer and more in a 40-ft container, significantly minimizing the initial investment for its clients. With an optimal protection level, the solution is the ideal match given the high temperature and severe sandstorm in the region. Another flagship product - SG250HX, the world's most powerful 1500 Vdc string inverter, was also introduced, which enables designs with 6.75MW blocks, celebrated for its ability to minimize the LCOE of utility-scale plants. A wide range of C&I and residential product lineups were on display as well, including SG5K-D, featuring the compact design and innovative friendly end-user interface; multi-MPPT commercial inverter SG110CX, embedded with IP66 and C5 protection capability. The energy storage demand in the MENA region is on an upward trajectory. Sungrow fully integrated turnkey energy storage system (ESS) solution comprising storage inverters, batteries and an energy management system, is another attraction at the show with the presence of 1 Hour, 2 Hours and 4 Hours systems. Given the cutting-edge technology, the Company remarked it can supply both NCM lithium battery and LFP lithium battery solutions as per varied demands. With its regional hub located in Dubai, Sungrow is poised to supply more future-proofed product portfolios together with a comprehensive local team covering sales, technical support, after-sales service in the Middle East. "We are continuing to expand the commitment to this dynamic market. What helps as well is the alliance with more distributors to extend opportunities to power more communities," said Alvin Shi, Regional Director of Sungrow Middle East. Shi highlighted Sungrow's success in supplying an 18MW commercial rooftop plant in the UAE and a 106MW solar plant in Oman which is about to be online in the near future. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 100 GW installed worldwide as of December 2019. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 22-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 60 countries, maintaining a worldwide market share of over 15%. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076392/Agreement_Signing.jpg ROME - At least 953 migrants were returned to Libyan shores in the first two weeks of 2020, the majority of whom were disembarked in Tripoli, and all were taken to detention centres, said the UN Migration Agency International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Twitter. There were 136 women and 85 children among the 953 migrants, IOM said. "Almost all were taken to Libya by the Libyan Coast Guard and only one return of 60 people was operated by a commercial ship," IOM spokesperson Safa Msheli told ANSA. NGO search and rescue vessels reported having rescued 237 others, IOM said in a statement published in Geneva. It said these returned migrants are among the more than 1,000 who have left Libya by sea since 1 January, driven in part by the heaviest clashes Tripoli has seen since hostilities began nine months ago. IOM said during the same period last year, 23 bodies were recovered by the coast guard and no migrants were returned to Libya. "The current sudden increase in departures is especially alarming given the very limited search and rescue capacity in the Mediterranean," IOM said. In an interaction with Russian Media Delegation, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today said that the year 2019 was a marking year which boosted the bilateral relations between India and Russia so far. Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also requested Russian authorities to invest in developing the inland and port logistic of the Far East, which will help to improve the connectivity of these ports with mining locations and improvements in evacuation infrastructure. In an interaction with Russian Media Delegation, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today said that the year 2019 was a marking year which boosted the bilateral relations between India and Russia so far. The special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries was strengthened significantly. Minister Pradhan also added how the Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has described Russia as a reliable partner and a special friend whereas President Putin, in turn, has talked of taking India-Russia relations to new heights of cooperation. He further added to it that it is very rare to find two major powers that have developed a partnership such as a country like India- Russia. On bilateral co-operation in the steel sector, Minister Pradhan said that they remember fondly the contribution of the Soviet Union in the development of Indias steel industry. while appreciating the efforts shown by Russia, he added that they recognize the immense potential of Russia in supply coking or metallurgical coal, which is largely imported by India, to support the Indian steel industry. Minister Pradhan also talked about his visit to Moscow and a follow-up visit to Vladivostok, in which he shared an experience when they were able to identify the strong potential for expanding cooperation between India and the Russian Far East for import of coking coal. Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also requested Russian authorities to invest in developing the inland and port logistic of the Far East, which will help to improve the connectivity of these ports with mining locations and improvements in evacuation infrastructure. In a short span of fewer than six months, Indian steelmakers significantly increased off-peak of coking coal from Far East Russia. Minister Pradhan also showed his optimism in this sector in the coming years. While in conversation about the co-operation in the oil and gas sector, Minister Pradhan said that the success behind the strengthening of the hydrocarbon sector is the guidance of the strong leaders who have always supported the major decisions. He also termed the connection between two countries like India- Russia as the Energy Bridge, with Russia being one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas and India being the worlds third-largest energy consumer, Russia has the potential to become an important source to fulfill Indias oil and gas requirements. The Joint Statement on cooperation in oil and gas during Honble Prime Ministers visit to Russia in September provides a roadmap to deepen cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector. Minister Pradhan also said that India will invite investments by Russian companies in the Indian oil and gas sector, particularly in the gas business, gas infrastructure, and petrochemicals. He also talked about India as becoming the gas-based economy as it has laid the investment over $60 billion in developing natural supply and distribution infrastructure. LNG imports from Russia at competitive rates will help us in meeting the objectives of price stability and energy security. The discussion went further to the connectivity and to which Minister Pradhan said that they are keen to explore the new northern sea route to source crude oil and LNG through Russias Arctic. The route has the potential to cut the cost and time for transporting LNG from Russia to India. A sea line between Far-East Russia and the East coast of India will also facilitate the sourcing of coking coal from the region. While coming off to the discussion he concluded it by saying that he is looking forward to the strategy to diversify our crude oil supply sources and we are now exploring ways to import crude from Russia as well. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App A 17-year-old Pakistani boy will reunite with his family after almost two years after he inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory in 2018. Mubarshar Bilal, who is also known as Mubarak, was released from the juvenile home in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Tuesday morning and was later taken to Attari-Wagah border for handing him over to Pakistani authorities, officials said. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia said Bilal was released from Juvenile Home at 7 am on Tuesday. An order pertaining to his release from the Centre was received five to six days back, Kalia told PTI. Talking to reporters at Attari in Amritsar on Tuesday, Bilal said he was very happy to join back his family in Pakistan. "I am very happy today (to return home)," said an elated Bilal. He also praised Indian authorities for treating him well and said that he was indebted for that. Bilal said he had left home in a huff following a fight with his family members. "There was a bit of a fight at home and I left it in anger. I could not come to know (entering India) and then I was caught by the BSF personnel," said Bilal, adding that he spent almost 20-22 months here. "I have a mother, brother and sister there (in Pakistan)," Bilal replied to a question. Asked whether he will come to India again if he gets a visa, he replied, "surely." Bilal had been kept in juvenile home in Hoshiarpur after he was held by the Border Security Force in February 2018. Bilal, a resident of Kasur district in Pakistan, had inadvertently entered Indian territory. He was held from Khemkaran village of Punjab's Tarn Taran district and was later booked under the relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. Bilal was acquitted of all charges by the Juvenile Justice Board in September 2018. Various social activists here had even launched a campaign to release Bilaland repatriate him to Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The guilty pleas were accepted by the Honorable Beth L. Freeman, United States District Judge. Five additional members of the prison gang have pleaded guilty to related conspiracy charges, one of whom Judge Freeman sentenced today to seven years in prison. According to the plea agreements, between December 2, 2012, and April 14, 2014, Lopez, 25, and Alegre, 28, both were members of the Nuestra Familia/Salinas Nortenos Enterprise. The Enterprise consisted of members and associates of the Nuestra Familia prison gang as well as Norteno street gangs in Salinas, California, and the surrounding areas. Members and associates of the Enterprise agreed to commit crimes such as murder, narcotics trafficking, and other acts of violence through a pattern of racketeering activity. Norteno gang members pledge their allegiance and loyalty to Nuestra Familia and are instructed on its rules, rituals, and obligations. Gang rules and discipline are maintained by assaulting and threatening those individuals who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Inside prisons and local jails, all members and associates of Nuestra Familia and Nortenos work together to maintain the structure and follow the rules of the Enterprise. In their plea agreements, Lopez and Alegre admit to participating in the distribution of narcotics to other inmates at Monterey County Jail. Also, the plea agreements describe the roles of the defendants in removals as a means of violently enforcing the most important of the gangs rules while they were in the jail. The term removal refers to a violent attack designed to remove (from both the custodial housing unit and the gang itself) a member of the gang who committed a serious violation of the gangs rules. A removal is accomplished by having one or more hitters stab the victim and then having at least two bombers assault the target by punching and kicking the victim without weapons. The purpose of the subsequent beating is to inflict upon the victim maximum damage while giving the hitters time to wash themselves and get rid of weapons. Alegre admitted that he participated in the November 13, 2013, removal of a victim from one of the housing units of the Monterey County Jail. Alegre admitted that he was the hitter for the removal and repeatedly stabbed the victim in the head, torso, and arms. Alegre acknowledged that immediately after the victim was stabbed, two bombers began punching and kicking the victim to allow Alegre to escape being caught by guards with the stabbing weapon. Lopez admitted that he participated in the December 2, 2012, removal of a victim from one of the housing units at the Monterey County Jail. Lopez admitted that he was a bomber in the attack and that he and another bomber punched and kicked the victim to inflict the maximum damage possible and to allow the hitter to escape. Lopez acknowledged that the victim was stabbed in the chest and back over 20 times by the hitter. Lopez also admitted being a bomber on the February 25, 2013, removal of a victim. Lopez punched and kicked the victim after a hitter stabbed the victim in the head. On September 27, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Lopez, Alegre, and several other defendants with racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). Both Lopez and Alegre also were charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1959(a)(5), and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1959(a)(6). Alegre was also charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1959(a)(5), and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1959(a)(3). Lopez was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). Both defendants pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy charge, wherein they admitted that murder was an object of the conspiracy. If they comply with their plea agreements, the additional charges will be dismissed at sentencing. Judge Freeman scheduled the sentencing hearing for Lopez for April 7, 2020, and the sentencing hearing for Alegre for May 5, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of their plea agreements, both Lopez and Alegre have agreed that a reasonable and appropriate disposition of their respective cases would include a term of imprisonment of 10 years. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553. The following additional defendants have pleaded guilty to crimes as part of the criminal Enterprise and are scheduled to be sentenced in the case: Name Charges Sentencing Michael James Rice a/k/a Redwood Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) Scheduled for March 3, 2020 Jeffrey Lopez, a/k/a T-Bone Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) Scheduled for March 17, 2020 Juan Alvarez, a/k/a Chucky Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) Scheduled for March 31, 2020 Ramon Montoya, a/k/a Little Ray Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) Scheduled for March 31, 2020 Additionally, Judge Freeman sentenced Alberto Moreno, a/k/a Doughboy, to seven years in prison for his role in the criminal RICO Enterprise. Moreno, 26, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy on November 12, 2019. In his plea agreement, Moreno admitted that he was a member of the Enterprise and that he participated in the distribution of narcotics to other inmates at Monterey County Jail. Moreno also admitted that he participated as a bomber in an April 29, 2013, attack, in which the victim was stabbed in the head by the hitter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia A. Quiroz and Stephen Meyer are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the Salinas Police Department, the Monterey County Sheriffs Office, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Photograph: Dave Chan/Getty Images When a Canadian business magnate sent off a flurry of tweets blaming Donald Trump for provoking the crisis which eventually led to the accidental shooting-down of a Ukrainian passenger jet, the posts quickly went viral. Michael McCain, the billionaire CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, used the companys branded Twitter account to describe the US president as a narcissist and described the 176 passengers and crew as collateral damage from Trumps irresponsible, dangerous, ill-conceived behaviour. It was a potentially risky move for a company employing 24,000 people and with operations in the United States, but the thread was liked more than 70,000 times on Twitter suggesting that his comments had struck a nerve in Canada. Iran has admitted accidentally shooting down the plane, which was carrying 57 Canadian citizens. However, McCains tweets highlight one strand of Canadas response to the disaster the latest in a string of events in which the country has found itself caught up in feuds between the Trump administration and other countries. Related: Justin Trudeau: US escalation partly to blame for Iran plane deaths Justin Trudeau seemed to acknowledge such frustrations on Monday, when he said that the victims of the disaster would still be alive were it not for a recent crisis partly triggered by Trumps decision to kill Irans top general, Qassem Suleimani. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families, he said. As a close ally of the US and its largest trading partner Canada has always been especially vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of policy decisions made in Washington DC. Such sensitivity has only heightened under the current administration. Canadians might not be holding Donald Trump directly responsible for this attack, but I believe there is increasing concern among Canadians that we are the collateral damage in erratic decisions made by the Trump administration, said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Carleton University. Theres no real forethought from this administration in how policy might affect allies. And really theres no afterthought to how they might ameliorate the damage that comes from these situations. Story continues Canada was one of the first victims of Trumps aggressive trade policy, when the US slapped tariffs on aluminum and steel imports on the grounds of national security. And since then, the pain has only escalated. Related: We dont have a single friend: Canadas Saudi spat reveals country is alone In August 2018, Canada prompted a furious response from Saudi Arabia after it criticized the kingdoms stance on human rights. Saudi Arabia expelled Canadian diplomats, recalled medical students and cut off trade but the US refrained from comment. The fact that the Trump administration didnt defend us, was probably the first indication that this might be a serious challenge for Canada, said Carvin. In December 2018, Canada responded to a US arrest warrant and detained Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on suspicion of fraud. Bound by an extradition treaty between the two nations, Canada had no choice, but the consequences have been disastrous for the country. A protester holds photos of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who are being detained by China, in Vancouver. Photograph: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images Shortly afterwards, two Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China, a move widely viewed as retaliation for Mengs arrest. Both men remain in custody. Relations between China and Canada remain in the deep freeze, and a free trade deal worth billions of dollars was shelved. Related: China-US feud threatens Canada as Huawei executive due in court While Trudeau has spoken with Trump about the pain Canada has suffered especially around the two detained citizens little progress has been made in freeing Spavor and Kovrig. Its not helpful if the president of the United States says hell say something to China and then doesnt follow through because hes more interested in getting a trade deal than he is in freeing the two Canadians, said Carvin. China knows this and can use this as leverage against us. With his seemingly freewheel approach to policy, Trump has often left Canada officials scrambling to assess the impacts of his decisions. We can predict the coming consequences of many of his actions, massive and momentous and obvious, wrote former diplomat Scott Gilmore in a Macleans magazine article linking the crash to US policy in the Middle East. But, in our inherently chaotic and unstable world, the impact of others, like withdrawing from the Paris agreement, are less immediate and recognizable and it may take us decades to fully appreciate the tornadoes to come. With much of the focus within Canada dedicated to navigating US foreign policy and not on its own, Canada has sidelined its own priorities, including pursuing a security council seat at the UN. We have benefited so much from the protection of the United States, said Carvin. But were starting to see what the world looks like when that protection isnt there. The Hispanic market is an important one for any brand to tap into considering the fact that United States Hispanics currently have $1.7 trillion in purchasing power, and this figure is expected to rise in the years to come. To reach Hispanic audiences successfully, it is an imperative to first understand them by knowing who they are and where they spend most of their time. For instance, Hispanics love to cook and if you're a farmer or planning to open a Hispanic retail store, you might consider tapping into this market but it is important to determine which fruits and vegetables are top-selling among them. According to Produce Bluebook, Hispanic produce staples such as tomatoes, avocados, mangos, and peppers are as much mainstream than any fruits and vegetables. These are abundant at Hispanic retail stores, but there are other items whose growing demands should also be addressed. "The first items we had were Hispanic products: chayote squash, jicama, tomatillos. We used to only market to Hispanic stores," said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's/World Variety Produce, Inc. in Los Angeles. Melissa's/World Variety Produce has been in the industry for 35 years and since, they are known to sell Hispanic ingredients. "Being based in L.A., on the West Coast, it's the largest Mexican-American population in the country, " Schueller added. "We have the right portfolio for these stores here, whether they're Hispanic retailers or mainstream stores catering to Hispanic consumers." The public relations director noted that throughout the years, there is a tremendous growth of mangos. "Mangos are something 20 years ago, I'd never had one," he shares. "But Hispanic culture really made them popular, more popular than bananas in Hispanic stores. A Hispanic shopper will buy 10 mangos at a time." Cactus leaves are also top-selling among the Hispanics. "Jicama is something many Latin families will buy every time they shop," Schueller notes. "Chayote squash-we can't sell enough of it. It's not really a mainstream item but big [with] Hispanic and Asian populations." Raquel Espinoza, director of sales and marketing for Produce House LLC in Nogales, AZ, supplies staples like tomatoes and hot peppers. "Cantaloupes do really well in the fall," she added. "We've been doing it for four years and it keeps expanding. We'd love to see the hard squash category take off; Latinos don't consume it much. There's a lack of information on how to use it. We need to do more educating and marketing and give recipes that are user friendly." For Alex Jackson Berkley, sales manager for Frieda's Inc. in Los Angeles, this is a good time to offer specialties because consumers want more produce choices than ever before. "In Southern California, the market is changing, where there's so much more variety. The second and third generations want more variety. We see dragon fruit, jackfruit, ginger, turmeric-these items used to be more expensive." In an article by Abasto, traditional Hispanic fruits and vegetables such as radish, papaya and avocado are also offered by supermarkets to target Latino shoppers. In 2018, the most consumed fruits and vegetables by Hispanics in the United States were a combination of traditional American products. In the fruit department, the top-selling products include apples, grapes, avocados, pineapples, melon, strawberry, green lemon (limes), papayas, blackberries, and mangos. Meanwhile among vegetables the best-selling products in the Hispanic market include as onions, lettuces, cucumbers, tomatoes, chiles, squash, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and radishes. New Delhi: Canadian investigators flying to Tehran on Monday will access the wreckage and black boxes from a Ukranian jetliner downed by a missile strike last week, officials said. We dont fully know what the scope of our investigation will be, Transportation Safety Board (TSB) chair Kathy Fox told a press conference. However, she added, there have been early signs that Iran is allowing the TSB to play a more active role than is normally permitted. Last week, Iran admitted that it shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane on January 8 killing 176 onboard. Two Canadian investigators were to land in Tehran within hours, followed by two more in the coming days or weeks. They will also be allowed to visit the crash site and the wreckage of the plane that is being reassembled in a nearby hanger. We do know what has happened. What we dont know is why it happened, Fox commented before listing off questions surrounding the crash that still need to be answered. Iran admits shooting down plane Regretting the crash, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered condolences to the families of the victims. Armed Forces internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752 (sic), Rouhani said on Twitter. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences, he said in another tweet. Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif termed the development as sad day. Using a heartbreak emoji, Zarif tweeted, A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations. Denial And Admission Iran had denied for several days that a missile caused the crash. But then the US and Canada, citing intelligence, said they believed Iran shot down the aircraft with a surface-to-air missile, a conclusion supported by videos of the incident. The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, at least 57 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. The Canadian government had earlier lower the nation's death toll from 63. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The U.S. Navy reportedly has footage and documents related to a UFO video that caused a sensation when it was leaked in 2017. But it wont reveal any of it because releasing the info and footage would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States, the Navy said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by UFO researcher Christian Lambright. Vice independently confirmed the Navys response to the request. Lambright sought more information about a 2004 sighting of an object off the California coast that is often referred to as the Tic Tac due to its shape. The fast-moving object was tracked by U.S. military pilots in leaked footage: The object descended from 60,000 feet to 50 feet in seconds. The part that drew our attention was how it wasnt behaving within the normal laws of physics, pilot Chad Underwood, who filmed the encounter, told New York magazine last month. The Navy wrote to Lambright saying it had found certain briefing slides that are classified TOP SECRET related to the incident as well as a video classified SECRET. As a result, it could not release the info. Copies of the letter were posted on the UFOs - Documenting The Evidence blog. Vice verified the news with the Navy. [A]s the investigation of UAP sightings is ongoing, we will not publicly discuss individual sighting reports/observations, Susan Gough, a Pentagon spokesperson, told the website. The military does not refer to these sightings as UFOs but rather unidentified aerial phenomena. Gough also said the militarys footage of the incident was of the same duration as the footage that was leaked, but she would not answer questions about the resolution or say if there was any additional accompany audio. Last year, the military confirmed that the footage was indeed legit and should not have been leaked. The clip was obtained by To The Stars Academy Of Arts And Science, the private research and media firm co-founded by rocker Tom DeLonge, formerly of Blink 182. Story continues Also on HuffPost UFO Over Mojave Desert Sept. 9, 1985 This cigar-shaped UFO was photographed by general aviation pilot David Hastings as he piloted a Cessna Skymaster plane over the Mojave Desert on Sept. 9, 1985. There has never been an indication of hoax in this case, which remains unexplained to this day. UFO Over Holloman Base An unidentified flying object was photographed by a government employee over the Holloman Air Development Center in New Mexico in 1964. Conspiracy theorists have claimed the photo is proof that the U.S. government has been in contact with aliens. Strange objects over France While descending an Austrian mountain in 1954, photographer Erich Kaiser captured an image of what he called mysterious silvery-white flying objects. Mexican Air Force Pilots Video Mexican Air Force pilots filmed strange, brightly lit objects that moved quickly in the skies on March 5, 2004. Some scientists said the phenomenon could have been caused by gases in the atmosphere. Roswell America's most infamous UFO case centers in Roswell, N.M. Some people claimed an alien spacecraft crashed there in 1947; the military said it was a weather balloon. Roswell dummies The Air Force issued "The Roswell Report" in 1997. Countering claims that aliens were recovered at the New Mexico site, the report said military officials picked up 200-pound dummies, above, that were used in an experiment. Alien in Brazil Video grab close up. What looks like an alien creature with visible head, neck, arms and body standing in the Brazilian rainforest in Manaus, Brazil. In this Amaz-alien footage, a lone unidentified being appears to stand in the jungle of Brazil -- even arching its back -- just feet away from a bright flashing blue light. In what some allege as proof that Earth is being visited by aliens from another planet, the video was obtained by paranormal writer Mike Cohen who says the video was taken by two British tourists visiting the Manaus region of the Amazon jungle. Crop Circle in Yogyakarta, Indonesia A large circle and geometric pattern local residents say were created by a UFO appeared in a rice field in Krasakan hamlet in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on the morning of Jan. 23, 2011. Stan Romanek film Stan Romanek claimed that this still image from a three-minute video he shot in 2003 shows an alien looking into his home in Nebraska. In the film, a strange face appears to be popping up and down outside Romanek's window. Sketch of UFO sighting This eyewitness drawing of an alleged UFO sighting is in one of 19 once-secret files posted to the British National Archives website. The files cover sightings reported between 1986 and 1992. Although many of the reports were debunked, some remain unexplained. France field markings An investigator in 1989 measures markings that some said were left behind by a UFO in Normandy, France. France began releasing its "X-Files" on UFO sightings in 2007. President Jimmy Carter President Jimmy Carter, shown here in 1971, reported that he saw a UFO above Leary, Ga., in 1969. He filed a report about the sighting to the International UFO Bureau in 1973. Astronaut Gordon Cooper Astronaut Gordon Cooper, who piloted Mercury and Gemini space missions in the 1960s, once said he saw a "typical saucer shape, double-cylindrical shape, metallic" UFO. He was also outspoken on the idea that some UFOs were interplanetary vehicles visiting Earth. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Netflixs Witcher series came out with a huge bang, and the popularity of the show influenced how many people returned to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. With the player count reaching over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, the series has gone up even higher. Those who enjoy the series also have returned to the books, where the franchise started written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. There are several in the series. There are five books in the series, and you want to read them in this order: They released in this order, and they follow the adventures of Geralt while he works with Ciri after Niilfgaard attacks Cintra to develop her powers. Youll meet several notable characters from the Witcher television show and The Witcher 3 game. During the first one, you encounter Triss, Vesemir, Yennefer, Lambert, Eskel, Dandelion, and many more. There are other books, too. You should read The Last Wish and then Sword of Destiny. These are a series of short stories that Sapkowski wrote before the book series. In 2013, he also released a standalone novel called Season of Storms that takes place after The Last Wish. You have plenty to check out if youre keen to dive even further into the Witcher series in any form. You can always revisit the first or second Witcher video games to learn more about Geralts video game journey. The 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder convict on Tuesday also approached the Delhi High Court for setting aside the death warrant issued by a trial court After the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the curative petitions filed by two convicts in the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case, one of the convicts, Mukesh Singh, has filed a mercy plea before President Ram Nath Kovind. Mukesh filed the mercy plea with President Ram Nath Kovind, Tihar Prison authorities told PTI. The three others are yet to file any petition before the President. Mukesh, one of the four convicts scheduled to be hanged on 22 January, on Tuesday also approached the Delhi High Court for setting aside the death warrant issued by a trial court. The matter is listed for hearing on Wednesday before a bench of Justices Manmohan and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal. The petition, filed through advocate Vrinda Grover, seeks setting aside of the 7 January order issuing warrant of his execution. The four convicts Vinay Sharma (26), Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan Gupta (25) are to be hanged on 22 January at 7 am in Tihar jail as a Delhi court had issued their death warrants on January 7. Earlier in the day, a five-judge bench of the apex court had refused to stay the Delhi court's order and also rejected the curative petitions filed by Mukesh and Vinay on 9 January, holding that there was no merit to the petitions. A 23-year-old medical student Jyoti Singh was gruesomely beaten, gang-raped and tortured in a moving bus by Ram Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, Mukesh and a juvenile on 16 December, 2012 when she was travelling with a friend in New Delhi. She succumbed to her injuries 13 days later at a Singapore hospital. Six people were arrested in the case, including a minor. During the trial, the driver of the bus was found dead in his cell. The Juvenile Justice Board found the minor guilty of gangrape and murder and awards three years term at a probation home. In July 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions filed by three of the accused Mukesh, Vinay and Pawan. The fourth convict, Akshay's review petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court in December, 2019. With inputs from PTI University of Tartu scientists hope create a solution for chronic infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment after having discovered mechanisms for listening in on sleeping bacteria. Having recently published a research article on the topic in Scientific Reports with his team, Senior Research Fellow in Molecular Microbiology Arvi Joers writes about the ability of bacteria to listen in on one other and what this discovery means for medicine. The life of bacteria is not easy. If there is sufficient food, they multiply rapidly, but they do not tend to store it. Once bacteria are out of food, it is over for them: their metabolism slows down and they enter a sleep-like state. In such a state, bacteria are quite resilient to environmental conditions and can even live through difficult times. In this, they are similar to a bear in hibernation - minimal energy is spent while waiting for better times ahead. These arrive with new food. Once there is enough food again, all bacteria wake up and start multiplying rapidly. However, bacteria can be more hesitant if there is little food and it is not of the best quality. Is it even worth leaving a secure state for such a lousy meal? Perhaps it is not even real food, but some sort of trick? Naturally, bacteria do not follow this line of thought. Instead, they have developed mechanisms in the course of evolution that offer solutions to such dilemmas. One particular sign of the environment being sufficiently good for bacteria to grow and multiply is the growth of other bacteria. University of Tartu scientists discovered that sleeping bacteria can learn about the growth of other bacteria by spying on them. Namely, as bacteria grow, they expel material from their cell walls into the environment. The cell wall is quite a rigid structure that surrounds each bacterial cell and protects it from the external environment. For a bacterium to grow bigger, the cell wall must become softer and give in to a certain degree. As a result of changes like this, part of the cell wall material enters the environment, sending sleeping bacteria a message that conditions have improved and others have enough food to grow. Once sleeping bacteria identify material originating from the cell walls of other bacteria in the environment, they wake up quickly and in great numbers in order to get their share of the newly arrived nutrients. Sleeping bacteria unwilling to wake up pose a serious problem in medicine. Antibiotics are, above all, known to kill actively growing bacteria and they do not often work on sleeping bacterial cells. Thus, sleeping bacteria can survive a course of antibiotics in the human body and start to grow again later when the person has finished the treatment. These cells are called persister cells and they can cause long-term chronic infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment. If scientists could now use this new knowledge to trick sleeping bacteria and lure them into waking up with some substance similar to a cell wall, there would be hope of killing them with antibiotics on the first try. This would allow bacterial infections to be treated with one course of treatment. ### A volcano sent clouds of ash blowing through the Philippine capital of Manila Monday, forcing schools and businesses to close. More than 24,000 people near the Taal volcano, roughly 70 kilometers south of Manila, were evacuated after the volcano suddenly came to life Sunday following months of being restive. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Experts have warned that the volcano could erupt at any time, and that an eruption could trigger a tsunami, Reuters reported. The court filing says the first set of documents will focus on communications of then-Secretary Rick Perry as well as chief of staff Brian McCormack among other items. The U.S. Department of Energy will begin producing documents related to Ukraine by January 28 following an agreement with watchdog group American Oversight, according to a joint filing in a Washington, DC, federal court Monday. The agreement comes after American Oversight sued the Energy Department for the documents in October under the Freedom of Information Act. The parties agreed that two additional releases of records will occur on February 4 and March 16, CNN wrote. Read alsoU.S. Energy Secretary Perry to resign amid Ukraine inquiry media The court filing says the first set of documents will focus on communications of then-Secretary Rick Perry as well as chief of staff Brian McCormack among other items. The next set will include communications with President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Perry and Giuliani were key players in the congressional impeachment inquiry into Trump's Ukraine conduct that led to the House charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Democrats say Trump abused his office by directing a pressure campaign for Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for $400 million in U.S. security aid and a White House meeting. Trump, Democrats say, then stonewalled congressional investigators to coverup the misconduct. The Department of Energy did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. The agency has thus far refused to cooperate with a congressional subpoena for Ukraine-related documents requested as part of the impeachment inquiry. A Delhi court on Tuesday sought response of the CBI on a plea filed by Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in a case of alleged sexual and physical assault of several girls in a Muzaffarpur shelter home, claiming that testimonies of witnesses in the case were not reliable. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Kulshreshtha directed the CBI to file its reply within two days and deferred for the third time pronouncement of judgement in the case till November 20. The plea filed through advocate P K Dubey said the prosecution witnesses were not of sterling quality. The plea was filed as the probe agency had given a statement in the Supreme Court that the girls, who were thought to be allegedly murdered, were alive, said advocate Dheeraj Kumar, representing some of the accused in the case. The court had earlier deferred the order till January 14 as the judge was on leave and prior to it, the judgment was deferred by a month as 20 accused, who are currently lodged in Tihar central jail, could not be brought to court premises due to lawyers' strike in all six district courts in the national capital. The court had on March 20, 2018, framed charges against the accused, including Thakur, for offences of criminal conspiracy to commit rape and penetrative sexual assault against minors. The accused included eight women and 12 men. The Court had held trial for the offences of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, drugging of minors, criminal intimidation among other charges. Thakur and employees of his shelter home, as well as Bihar department of social welfare officials were charged with criminal conspiracy, neglect of duty and failure to report assault on the girls. The charges also included offence of cruelty to child under their authority, punishable under the Juvenile Justice Act. All the accused, who appeared before the court, pleaded innocence and claimed trial. The offences entail a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. The court had reserved order on September 30 after final arguments by the CBI counsel and 20 accused in the case in which former Bihar Social Welfare Minister and the then JD(U) leader Manju Verma also faced flak as allegations surfaced that Thakur had links with her husband. She had resigned from her post on August 8, 2018. The CBI had told a special court that there was enough evidence against all the accused in the case. However, those accused have claimed that the CBI had not conduct a "fair investigation" into the case, which has been registered under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and entails life imprisonment as the maximum punishment. Additional Sessions Judge Kulshreshtha, during the in-camera trial, concluded the arguments in the case. The case was transferred on February 7 from a local court in Muzaffarpur in Bihar to a POCSO court at Saket district court complex in Delhi on the Supreme Court's directions. During the trial, counsel for the CBI told the court that the statements of minor girls, who were allegedly sexually assaulted, point to the fact that there was enough evidence against all the accused and they should be convicted. The matter had come to light after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) submitted a report to the Bihar government on May 26, 2018, highlighting the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in the shelter home for the first time. On May 29 last year, the state government shifted the girls from the shelter home to other protection homes. In May 31, 2018, an FIR was lodged against the 11 accused in the case. The top court had on August 2 taken cognisance of the alleged sexual assault of about 30 minor girls in Muzaffarpur's shelter home and transferred the probe to the CBI on November 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Why it matters: Given that Microsoft's support for Windows 7 is ending today, consumer PCs running the old operating system are left increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks as newly discovered security loopholes and exploits will no longer be patched. It's why the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a warning, urging users to update their devices and replace unsupported ones, while refraining from using them for emails, internet banking and accessing other sensitive accounts. For many people, Windows 7 remains the OS of choice for daily computing. However, the software is hitting its official end-of-life status today, meaning no more security patches or technical assistance from Microsoft going forward, unless you're an enterprise customer paying for the company's Extended Security Update program, which itself will last till January 2023. Considering that Windows 7 still has over 440 million users worldwide, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), has issued a public warning encouraging people to "upgrade devices currently running Windows 7, allowing them to continue receiving software updates which help protect their devices." According to The Telegraph, the intelligence agency has urged such users to "replace unsupported devices as soon as possible, to move sensitive data to a supported device and not to use them for tasks like accessing bank and other sensitive accounts." adding that "they should also consider accessing email from a different device." PCs running an unpatched or out of support operating system become a prime target for malicious attackers and are at a greater risk of falling victim to WannaCry-like malware, making it "crucial to move away from them as quickly as possible." Microsoft has also repeatedly notified Windows 7 users of the OS's impending end-of-life, and the company will be displaying full-screen Windows 10 upgrade prompts this month in the hope of getting users to make the switch. Nevertheless, the decade-old OS still commands a respectable market share that's hard to ignore, even for Microsoft. The company will be supporting its Chromium-based Edge browser on Windows 7 for at least 18 more months, following a similar announcement made last week by Google for its popular Chrome browser. BJP district secretary Raju Roy has alleged that a party worker died in police custody here due to torture and demanded a magistrate probe into the incident. The deceased identified as Ram Prasad Barui, was admitted to Cooch Behar government medical college late on Sunday night, where he died early on Monday morning. "Police had arrested a BJP worker on December 21 in connection with a false case. He had been in jail since. Today, out of nowhere, we found out that he has died. We believe that he was tortured by the police following which he died," Roy said here on Monday. He said that Barui had died in police custody but the police brought him to the hospital to avoid blame. "On behalf of BJP, we demand that the incident is probed by a magistrate. He (Barui) was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night. Around 1.25 am on Monday he was shifted to critical care unit after which he died at around 5 am," Roy said. BJP has on several occasions accused the TMC-led state government, police and TMC workers of targetting its activists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday parried questions on claims that his party used school children in an attempt to project support for the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act amid protests across the country. READ: Narasimha Rao Calls Kerala Govt's Challenge To CAA In SC A "mature" Move The BJP leader had just one response: "Maine aapko jawaab de diya hai (I have replied to your question)". He repeated that sentence 27 times, while speaking to NDTV here. Somaiya, who visited the school and met authorities, criticised the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government for the notice to the school for attempting to raise awareness among children about a law passed in Parliament. Maharashtra government's school education department on Monday issued a notice to all schools in the state asking them not to use their premises for hosting any political event, a move which has invited criticism from the BJP. Sources in the department said the notice has been issued to the management of schools to ensure students are kept away from any political event. The move came after it was reported that the BJP had organised a talk on the CAA at a school in the Matunga area last week. Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said the notice has been issued cautioning schools to keep students away from political events. On January 10, Shree Dayanand Balak, Balika Vidyalaya and Junior College, which is run by the Arya Samaj, had organised an hour-long programme on a public ground next to the school campus. Local BJP leaders, including corporator Nehal Shah, had interacted with school students from classes 8th to 10th and first and second-year students of the junior college to "spread awareness and correct misinformation" about CAA. She has been filming the upcoming Netflix superhero kid film, We Can Be Heroes, with frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborator Robert Rodriguez at the helm. But on Monday, the Bollywood superstar, also known as Mrs. Nick Jonas, spent some downtime at upscale hotel The Peninsula Beverly Hills with her tiny pet pooch by her side. And in a case of self-promotion, and casual-cool style, Chopra wore a classic denim jean jacket with her name written in big bold red letters on the back. Down time: Priyanka Chopra cut a casual figure while reigning-in her pet pooch outside a swanky hotel in Beverly Hills on Monday The red lettering was over a black background and had five white stars around it. Keeping with her easy-going style choice, she also donned a pair of black pants, black shirt and white slip-on sneakers. She also wore stylish sunglasses and had her dark tresses pulled back into a bun. Self promotion: The Bollywood superstar, 37, went with a casual-cool look that included a denim jean jacket with her name on the back Chopra was seen outside the lobby of The Pennisula Beverly Hills. Her assistant appeared to have temporarily lost her dog leash, but later found it, which put the former Quantico star at ease. Once calm was restored, she grabbed the reigns of her pup Diana and headed inside. Glamour! Chopra and husband Nick Jonas looked glamorous when they attended the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 5, 2020 Chopra has been making the rounds now that the annual awards season has kicked into overdrive. Just last week, she exuded elegance alongside her husband at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills a pink hand draped bustier gown by Christina Ottaviano. The previous day attended the Vanity Fair x Amazon Studios 2020 Awards Season Celebration in West Hollywood. Chopra's upcoming film - We can Be Heroes - focuses on a group of kids whose parents are kidnapped by aliens. In a twist, those parents happen to be superheroes and the kids must find out how to harness their skills to save them and the wold as a whole. This picture shows a Dash 8 Q400 of Flybe airline during take-off on September 24, 2019 at the airport in Duesseldorf, western Germany. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has offered a heavy hint that his new Conservative administration will begrudgingly step in to help prevent the collapse of Europe's biggest regional airline, Flybe. Last year, Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Air and Cyrus Capital jointly bought the airline for just $2.8 million. They promised to invest 100 million ($130 million) in the struggling firm which was set to be rebranded as Virgin Connect. Reports have been circulating since Sunday that the airline is on the brink of collapse. Speaking to the BBC Tuesday, Johnson said it was "not for a government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble," but then added that the government "recognized the importance of Flybe" and was working hard to do what it could. Sky news reported Tuesday that the three U.K. cabinet ministers responsible for finance, transport and business will hold an emergency meeting to discuss a rescue package. One plan on the table is to let Flybe delay payment of this year's estimated air passenger duty (APD) bill of 106 million for three years. The government would allow the tax deferral only if Flybe's consortium of owners committed their own funds. Flybe is the biggest operator of U.K. domestic flights and serves routes to 30 different airports in continental Europe. According to its own figures, Flybe carries 8 million passengers a year on 74 aircraft, making it Europe's largest fleet devoted to regional connections. Its network serves more than half of all U.K. domestic flights that do not depart from or land in London. It's seen as strategically crucial to regions and islands around Britain that aren't served by rail. In September 2019, U.K. operator Thomas Cook went into administration, which stranded thousands of passengers all over the world. Two years prior, Monarch Airlines collapsed. The U.K. government of the time refused to step in on both occasions. Flybe itself has so far refused to comment on the need for a bailout beyond a statement that said it continued to operate as normal. It refrained from commenting on any speculation. Travelers on U.K. domestic flights pay 13 in APD for a single flight. It was introduced with a stated impact of reducing the environmental impact of flying. Greenpeace U.K. Chief Scientist Doug Parr said on Twitter Tuesday that "cutting air passenger duty encourages flying" and should not be used to save a struggling airline. https://twitter.com/doug_parr/status/1216969816558448641 New Delhi: Keralas move to challenge the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in the Supreme Court on Tuesday has again drawn attention to the question whether a state government can do so in case of a central law. In its petition filed under Constitutions Article 131, Kerala has called the CAA discriminatory. While Article 131 says the Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to decide disputes between the Centre and the state governments, but whether a state can challenge the validity of a central law under this provision has not been settled yet. It is pending consideration before the Supreme Court in a case dating back to 2000. In this case, Jharkhand had challenged a provision in the Bihar Re-organisation Act, 2000, related to the apportionment of pension liability between the two states. The case was filed after Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000. Bihar has objected to the challenge by relying on a 2011 decision of a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court related to Madhya Pradeshs challenge to the validity of certain provisions of Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act. The court, in that case, had ruled that a state cannot challenge a central law under Article 131. Bihar has cited the judgment and argued against Jharkhands challenge. The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the Bihar versus Jharkhand case in November 2014, saying it cannot agree with the view taken of the two-judge bench. It ruled that Article 131 is worded in such a manner that the Supreme Court can decide disputes on questions of fact and law under Article 131. Consequently, it opined that a challenge to a central law can be made under Article 131. Therefore, we find it difficult to accept the statement of law enunciated by this Court in State of Madhya Pradesh v. Union of India... We are unable to agree with the proposition that this Court cannot examine the constitutionality of a statute in the exercise of its exclusive original jurisdiction under Article 131, the judgment said. Since the judgment in Madhya Pradesh versus the Union of India was also given by a two-judge bench, the bench which heard the dispute between Jharkhand and Bihar, referred the matter to a larger bench. The larger bench is yet to be constituted and the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court. Kerala has in its petition cited the November 2014 judgment to argue that a state government can challenge a central law. Since the judgment acknowledged that it is in conflict with the earlier decision in the case of Madhya Pradesh and referred the matter to a larger bench, reliance on it might not be helpful. Relying on the judgment in the State of Jharkhand versus the State of Bihar could be an ineffective submission. The maintainability of such a petition under Article 131 will now have to be decided by the larger bench. This might delay the entire thing, said Supreme Court advocate Chitranshul Sinha. The Supreme Court rejected West Bengals 2017 petition against the Aadhaar Act filed under Constitutions Article 32, which empowers individuals and organisations to move court against government actions and laws, which may violate fundamental rights. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A recent purchase of a nature preserve in Superior Township will add 80 acres to the Superior Greenway near Ann Arbor, officials announced Thursday. The newly acquired land, dubbed the Secrest Nature Preserve for a local family thats long supported land preservation in Superior Township, is adjacent to several other conservation areas and parks, including Schroeter Park. The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy bought the property from the Marissa A. Stepien Living Trust at the end of 2019, according to a news release from the group. The City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County were significant funding sources of the project. The acquisition brings together nearly 280 acres of protected land in the area, protecting the area east of Berry Road, between Ford and Warren Roads. The newly preserved land was purchased for $693,000 from the Marissa A. Stepien Living Trust. Ann Arbor approved $300,000 from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage in March 2019 for the lands title and conservation easement. The countys Parks and Recreation Commission contributed $360,000, with the remaining costs shared between Superior Township and the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, according to Remy Long, Ann Arbors greenbelt program manager. This piece of land which we always referred to as the farm has always been a part of my family, so it has always conjured up good memories for me," the trusts administrator Marissa Perez said in a statement. When I was made aware of the truly inspirational work that the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy and Washtenaw County were doing in the region and their plan to preserve and protect the property, I was very pleased to know that our small plot would be incorporated into a larger protected area to be enjoyed by future generations." Located in both the Rouge and Huron watersheds, the parcel also borders Washtenaw Countys Weatherbee Woods Preserve. The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy plans to put in a parking area and public hiking trails that will link to trails on the Weatherbee Woods property, according to the news release. The Washtenaw Audubon Society documented more than 40 noteworthy species on the land, including blue-winged warbler, Baltimore oriole and ruby-throated hummingbird, according to the release. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Man armed with wiper fluid robs Ann Arbor gas station One road closed in Scio Township after weekend rainstorm The high life: Inside Ann Arbors newest luxury apartment high-rise 4.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have publicly expressed their desire to have a sham impeachment trial without any witnesses, but that appears to be going up in flames. According to CBS News, there are now enough GOP senators who will vote to call witnesses for the looming Senate trial. Senior White House officials tell CBS News they increasingly believe that at least four Republicans, and likely more, will vote to call witnesses, the report notes. More from CBS News: In addition to Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and possibly Cory Gardner of Colorado, the White House also views Rand Paul of Kentucky as a wild card and Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee as an institutionalist who might vote to call witnesses, as one official put it. Last week, Collins said she was working with a fairly small group of GOP senators to allow new testimony, adding that her colleagues should be completely open to calling witnesses. Romney has expressed an interest in hearing from former national security adviser John Bolton, who has said he would testify under subpoena. Murkowski said last week that the Senate should proceed as it did during the 1999 Clinton impeachment trial. Gardner and Alexander have both said the Senate trial should be fair and impartial. Paul has said the president should be able to call his own witnesses, including the whistleblower whose complaint about Ukraine sparked the impeachment inquiry in the first place. Mitt Romney is a yes vote on Bolton testimony Shortly after the CBS report was published, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney (R) said he would vote in favor of hearing from John Bolton, a witness that could be damning to Trumps impeachment argument. Mitt Romney says hell vote to hear from at least one impeachment witness: I presume Ill be voting in favor of hearing from John Bolton. Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) January 13, 2020 With Romney now on the record indicating that hell vote to hear from at least one witness, Democrats now only need three more Republicans in the Senate to reach a majority a number that, according to CBS News, the White House expects them to reach. Nancy Pelosis strategy to hold the impeachment articles worked Despite Mitch McConnells claim that House Speaker Nancy Pelosis decision to temporarily hold onto the articles of impeachment didnt accomplish anything, the strategy actually worked. Since Trump was formally impeached last month, more evidence of wrongdoing related to the presidents Ukraine plot has surfaced and there has been mounting public pressure on Senate Republicans to hold a fair trial with witnesses. In other words, Pelosi didnt hand over the articles of impeachment to the Senate for this very reason so Republicans couldnt immediately take them and quickly rush through a sham trial to clear Trump. Ultimately, if the reporting is true and there are, indeed, enough Republican votes to call witnesses, Nancy Pelosis strategy was a success and Mitch McConnell will be forced to endure a trial with witness testimony. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter Moodys Analytics, a global provider of financial intelligence, announced today that BNP Paribas Cardif has selected the Moodys Analytics RiskIntegrity for IFRS 17 solution for its global implementation of IFRS 17. The insurance subsidiary of BNP Paribas will use the RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17 to meet the stringent reporting requirements of the new accounting standard. Designed to support the needs of actuaries, finance, and IT professionals, the RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17 comes with all the capabilities required for an efficient implementation of IFRS 17. Available as a software-as-a-service solution, it integrates seamlessly with an insurers existing infrastructure, connecting data, models, systems, and processes between actuarial and finance functions. We are delighted that BNP Paribas Cardif has selected our solution for their implementation of IFRS 17, which will have far-reaching impact on insurance companies worldwide, said Andy Frepp, Executive Director at Moody's Analytics. We are assisting a rapidly growing number of insurers to meet the new accounting and disclosure requirements efficiently, and use our tools to move beyond reporting to make better, faster business decisions. BNP Paribas Cardifs selection of the Moodys Analytics solution for IFRS 17 was driven not just by its functionalities and ease of use, but also the depth of Moodys Analytics actuarial and solutions expertise, said Murielle Puron Chambord, Chief Financial Officer at BNP Paribas Cardif. Earlier this year, Moodys Analytics was named a Category Leader in "IFRS 17 Technology Solutions: Market and Vendor Landscape 2019," a Chartis Research report that assesses 10 leading vendors of IFRS 17 solutions. For the latest IFRS 17 insight from Moodys Analytics, visit the Moodys Analytics IFRS 17 Thought Leadership Center. Click here to learn more about the Moodys Analytics RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17. About Moodys Analytics Moodys Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moodys Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn. Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moodys Corporation reported revenue of $4.4 billion in 2018, employs approximately 10,900 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 44 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005382/en/ STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- City records show Staten Island has 300 zombie properties that are a blight on communities across the borough. But they might not languish in the often lengthy foreclosure process thanks to a new law signed late last month by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. The Zombie Property Remediation Act allows mortgage lenders to expedite foreclosure processes across New York City. The new law authorizes local governments to compel mortgage lenders to either complete a mortgage foreclosure proceeding, or to issue a certificate of discharge of the mortgage for any abandoned property. Zombie properties are plaguing communities all across our state, driving down property values and burdening our taxpayers, Cuomo said. By making it easier for local municipalities to deal with these abandoned and unmaintained properties, we are helping to preserve homes and protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The governors office says thousands of abandoned properties are blights on communities throughout the state. When these properties fall into foreclosure, they often languish for a long period of time during the foreclosure process before government can step in. This new law makes it easier for municipalities to reclaim and redevelop zombie properties in order to return them to the property tax rolls. LOCAL AGENCY Locally, the agency that deals with zombie properties is the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD -- which built a comprehensive database to identify and track zombie homes records -- shows there are at least 2,000 zombie homes in the city and at least 300 on Staten Island. HPD also surveys neighborhoods to identify abandoned properties, develops policy strategies to return zombie homes to productive use, and does outreach to homeowners at risk of foreclosure, the agency said. Members of the public can flag open, vacant buildings by calling 311. The city will seal up unguarded buildings or demolish structures deemed unsafe by DOB. The civil penalty for a non-compliant mortgage holder of a zombie home is $500 per day, per property, according to HPD. REDUCING S.I. ZOMBIE HOMES Staten Island real estate professionals say the new law will hopefully diminish the number of zombie homes across the borough. This legislation is years overdue and will significantly improve neighborhoods that have been negatively impacted by these neglected properties, said Jon Salmon, broker/owner of Salmon Real Estate, Castleton Corners. Said Joan Camerlengo, broker/owner Joan Camerlengo Realty, New Dorp: The enactment of this legislation is beneficial to the community at-large since it will force lenders to expedite the handling of foreclosure properties. This will have a positive effect on property values generally, since foreclosure properties will not be allowed to significantly deteriorate to the point of blight, thus devaluing whole neighborhoods. Relators say the new legislation will help avoid a long-time negative impact on real estate vales in a community where there is a zombie home. Governor Cuomos legislation will short circuit the normally protracted foreclosure process and move these properties much quicker to redevelopment, James Prendamano, CEO of Casandra Properties, which has two Island-based offices. Without question, this will improve not only property values, but overall health and safety in our communities. It will be interesting to see cases where the government takes assets back and what that disposition process will look like. I would hope that local real estate brokerages would be included in that process, he added. 2016 LAW PASSED The new legislation isnt the states first attempt to minimize New Yorks zombie property problem. In 2016, Cuomo signed the Zombie Property and Foreclosure Prevention Act, which was supposed to hold mortgagees and lenders accountable for their properties, as well as help homeowners in danger of foreclosure become up-to-date on their payments. The law also established HPDs Zombie Homes Initiative. However, the Advance first followed up in 2017, one year after the law was passed, and the state had not yet issued a single penalty against a bank or mortgage to provide for failure to maintain and secure a property. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Cresco is one of the largest marijuana companies in Illinois, and operates around the country. Besides Joliet, it has marijuana grow facilities in Kankakee and Lincoln. It also operates five dispensaries in Illinois, with plans to open at least five more in the state. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during the first Prime Minister's Questions of the year, in the House of Commons in London on Jan. 8, 2020. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP) UKs Boris Johnson Supports Replacing Obamas Iran Nuclear Deal With Trump Deal British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he supports replacing the Iranian nuclear deal hammered out by former President Barack Obama with one spearheaded by President Donald Trump. The Obama-era deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saw Iran agree not to build nuclear weapons, although it had limits that critics said were too soft and were set to expire in 2020. While Trump withdrew the United States from the pact in 2018, the UK, Germany, France, Russia, and China have so far stood by the deal. From the American perspective, its a flawed deal plus it was negotiated by President Obama. If were going to get rid of it, lets replace it and lets replace it with the Trump deal, Johnson told the BBC on Jan. 14. President Trump is a great deal maker, by his own account and others. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead. Lets replace it with the Trump deal.#BorisJohnson discusses the Iran nuclear deal (the JCPOA) on #BBCBreakfast More here: https://t.co/rBgWP1Wpuf pic.twitter.com/cKEkh8VEGI BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 14, 2020 The UK, France, and Germany, three countries still involved in the deal, triggered a dispute mechanism in the JCPOA, following Irans announcement said it was suspending all limits on production of enriched uranium. We do not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with the JCPOA. Contrary to its statements, Iran has never triggered the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism and has no legal grounds to cease implementing the provisions of the agreement, the countries said in a joint statement. It was referring the matter to a commission, as laid out in the deal. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said after Johnsons comments that the prime minister supports the JCPOA, but also wants to be ambitious and bring in the United States and Tehran into a broader rapprochement. Raab said in a number of statements on Jan. 14 that the UK wants to remain in the deal. We want to keep the deal alive, not extinguish it. If Iran has the will, Britain will use its diplomatic energy to work with allies to chart the way forward, he said. In another statement, he said, We want to bring Iran back into full compliance and preserve the deal. Updating MPs on why have today triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal. We want to keep the deal alive, not extinguish it. If Iran has the will, Britain will use its diplomatic energy to work with allies to chart the way forward Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) January 14, 2020 Johnson also said Jan. 14 that he agreed with Trump that Iran needs to be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons. Weve got to stop the Iranians acquiring a nuclear weapon. Thats what the Joint Comprehensive agreement does, he added. Johnsons support of Trump comes after a series of events rocked the Middle East, including the United States killing Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran firing missiles at Iraqi bases hosting troops from a number of countries, and Iran accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 people from seven different countries, including the United Kingdom. Iran also sparked outrage by briefly arresting British Ambassador to Iran Rob McGuire for attending a vigil for the passengers on the plane. Thanks for the many goodwill messages. Can confirm I wasnt taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of PS752 tragedy. Normal to want to pay respectssome of victims were British. I left after 5 minutes, when some started chanting, McGuire said after he was released. A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to protest in support of the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters) Thousands of Iranians have gathered to protest their government after the admission of shooting down the plane. In at least one locale, security forces purportedly fired live ammunition at protesters, according to witnesses. U.S. officials have said they support the Iranian protesters, and Trump warned Irans leaders not to harm any demonstrators. Human rights groups said hundreds of Iranians were killed in anti-government protests late last year. Johnson told the BBC that its good that Iran admitted to shooting down the plane, and that they apologized for what happened. Clearly, Iran, as President Rouhani has said, made a terrible mistake. Its good that theyve apologized, Johnson said. The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down. I was actually in Oman just over the weekend talking to the people in the region, and they dont want a military conflict between the West and Iran, Johnson added. Let me be very clearI dont want a military conflict between us and between the United States and Iran. Lets dial this thing down. While hearing the bail plea of Bhim Army Chief leader Chandrashekhar Azad, who was arrested by the Delhi police from the Jama Masjid area during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest last year, Delhi's Tis Hazari Sessions Judge on Tuesday asked the state to produce FIRs registered against Bhim Army chief in Saharanpur and posted the matter of bail plea tomorrow. Appearing for Azad, Advocate Mahmood Pracha pointed out that FIR mentions about charges against Azad in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Court slammed the Delhi Police, saying, people can carry out peaceful protests anywhere. "Jama Masjid is not in Pakistan where we are not allowed to protest. Peaceful protests take place in Pakistan as well," the Judge said. While the Judge asked about those charges, the Public Prosecutor (PP) pleaded for ignorance and told that he will find out. To this, the Judge expressed surprise at the fact that the PP was not aware of the charges. Thereafter, the Prosecutor mentioned some posts by Azad on social media. When Pracha asked about the posts, Prosecutor denied sharing those posts with him. Following which, the Judge slammed the prosecutor, asking "What privilege you are claiming?" After the Prosecutor read a post by Azad in which he mentioned about going to dharna in the Jama Masjid area. On this, Judge Kamini Lau asked the Prosecutor -- "What is wrong with dharna? What is wrong with protesting? It is an individual's constitutional right to protest peacefully." "You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan. Even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India. None of the posts by Azad were unconstitutional," the judge said. When the Prosecutor said that permission is a must for any protest, the judge asked "What permission?" "The apex court has said repeated use of 144 is abuse (referring to recent Kashmir case decision). Many people protest even outside parliament," she said. She also asked the Prosecutor that in which law prohibits a person from protesting in front of any religious place? Stressing on the legalities in the case, Lau asked for details of the investigation. Prosecutor said that 'drone footages' of the alleged inflammatory speeches made by Azad are there. Pracha replied that Azad was only reading Constitution and talking about the Citizenship Act and register of Citizens. The Tis Hazari Judge listed the matter for hearing at 2 pm on Wednesday so that Prosecutor can produce all FIRs registered against him in Saharanpur. Azad was arrested by the Delhi police from the Jama Masjid area during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest last year.Hence, a Delhi court on Thursday ordered Tihar Jail authorities to immediately take Azad to AIIMS for medical treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Henry Cavill has confirmed The Witcher season two will head into pre-production 'very shortly'. In an Instagram clip posted earlier in the month, the actor, 36, shared his delight at the positive reception of the first edition, which recently beat out Stranger Things and Peaky Blinders to become one of Netflix's highest rating original series on IMDb. The screen star - who plays monster hunter Geralt of Rivia in the fantasy drama - joked he'll keep fans updated with the 'thrilling and exciting' cardio exercises he practices to keep in shape for the show. It's back! Henry Cavill confirmed The Witcher season two will head into pre-production 'very shortly' in a clip posted to his Instagram earlier this month (pictured in the series) Walking down the streets of London, the Superman hunk told his social media followers: 'Hello everybody, Im back. I have been enjoying my Christmas break, perhaps a little too much at some points, but now it is back to work.' The thespian expressed his gratitude towards viewers as he elaborated: 'Pre-production will be starting very shortly on Witcher season two. 'I see that youve all enjoyed Witcher season one, thank you very much for that, and Im glad you enjoyed it. Ill be giving you updates on here as time goes on. 'Of course you ought to expect many more of my thrilling and exciting cardio videos! See you then, have fun, thank you very much', a beaming Henry ended the clip. He's in charge: The show centres on protagonist Geralt of Rivia (Henry) - a monster hunter who travels the countryside slaying terrifying beasts The eight-part series was first shared on the streaming serve last month, and had an astonishing rise to the top just days after its release. According to Forbes, the show kicked off with a rating of 8.9, which narrowly edged it ahead of shows including Black Mirror, Narcos, Peaky Blinders, Stranger Things and House of Cards - who had scores of 8.8. However, it soon slipped down to 8.8, meaning it now sits among Netflix's highest ranking TV heavyweights. Forbes claims that The Witcher's early high rankings may fall over time, but not by much, cementing itself as a huge success for the channel. Impressive: The actor, 36, shared his delight at the positive reception of the first edition, which recently became one of Netflix's highest rating series on IMDb Back to the grind: Walking down the streets of London, the Superman hunk told his social media followers: 'I have been enjoying my Christmas break, but now it is back to work' The show is an adaptation of the bestselling medieval book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, which centres on protagonist Geralt of Rivia (Henry) - a monster hunter who travels the countryside slaying terrifying beasts. The story also examines Princess Ciri (Freya Allan) and Yennefer of Vengerberg's (Anya Chalotra) arcs, as the trio's intertwining destinies find them coming together in full force. Created for TV by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the showrunner recently revealed she plans to create seven seasons of the hit. When asked about the future of The Witcher, Lauren, 49, told SFX Magazine: 'Oh hell, yeah! Second season? Ive done it for seven seasons!' DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Pakistani Defense Market - Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report 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. The report offers detailed analysis of Pakistani defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. The report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants. In particular, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the following: Pakistani defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of Pakistani defense industry during 2020-2024, 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. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country Porter's Five Force analysis of Pakistani 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 Pakistani defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis Pakistan is one of the major non-NATO allies of the US and a significant partner with China in the area of defense and security equipment development. The internal instability caused by terrorist groups along with Pakistan's long standing territorial dispute with neighbor countries are major factors driving the year on year increase the Pakistani defense budget. Insurgencies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rising terrorism and territorial dispute with India and Afghanistan are key issues which are expected to propel spending of government in defense sector. Pakistan is expected to spend US$48.5 billion on defense over 2020-2024 to manage internal instability and bolster its defense capabilities with respect to India. The country's total defense budget, excluding US aid has increased at sluggish rate over 2015-2019, with a CAGR of 0.69%, the country invested US$7.6 billion in the defense sector in 2015, which further increased to US$7.8 billion in 2019. The defense budget of Pakistan decreased drastically from US$9.4 billion in 2018 to US$7.8 billion due to economic instability and turmoil which has resulted in depreciation of Pakistani currency against US dollar. Between 2015 and 2019, Pakistan's average capital expenditure allocation was 36.8% of the total defense budget, while its revenue expenditure allocation was 63.2%. The country's military hardware upgrade strategies are expected to increase the average capital allocation to 37.8% over the forecast period. Pakistan's homeland security (HLS) expenditure, targeted towards the prevention of drug smuggling, human trafficking, robbery, corruption, and cyber-attacks, is on the increase due to the growing instances of criminal and illicit activities within the nation. HLS expenditure, valued at US$1.0 billion in 2019, grew from US$0.9 billion in 2015, at a CAGR of 2.68%. Pakistan's domestic defense industry is able to fulfill the majority of the national requirements for low and mid-market technology defense systems, but is largely unable to supply technologically advanced defense systems. US was once biggest exporter of arms to the Pakistan however the rising tensions between these two countries has considerably affected the weapons sales. From 2014-2018 there is large reduction in the arms transfer between these two countries. However, the Pakistani export market is set to gradually grow over the forecast period, as the country begins to develop high quality indigenous defense systems. Key Highlights One of the most attractive defense markets in South Asia , Pakistan is anticipated to invest US$48.6 billion cumulatively over the forecast period, compared to US$42.3 billion spent during 2015-2019. Expenditure is anticipated to focus more on the procurement of equipment to augment air defense capabilities, enhance the operational capabilities of the current fleet of naval vessels, and better communication and surveillance systems. , is anticipated to invest cumulatively over the forecast period, compared to spent during 2015-2019. Expenditure is anticipated to focus more on the procurement of equipment to augment air defense capabilities, enhance the operational capabilities of the current fleet of naval vessels, and better communication and surveillance systems. The share of capital expenditure as a percentage of overall defense expenditure is anticipated to rise from an average of 36.8% during 2015-2019 to 37.8% over the forecast period. The Pakistani MoD is expected to invest in land based C4ISR, conventional diesel electric submarine, multirole aircraft, airborne C4ISR, missile defense system, attack helicopters, Main Battle Tanks (MBT), corvettes MRO, and frigates. Companies Mentioned Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) The Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) Surveillance and Target Unmanned Aircraft (SATUMA) Boeing Raytheon Lockheed Martin Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Aselsan Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Attractiveness and Emerging Opportunities 3.1. Current Market Scenario 3.1.1. Primary threat perception 3.1.2. Military Doctrine & Strategy 3.1.3. Procurement Programs 3.1.4. Ongoing procurement programs 3.1.5. Future procurement programs 3.1.6. Top Procurement Programs by Value (US$ Million) 2019-2024 3.1.7. Geopolitical, Social and Economic Scenario 3.1.8. Political & Strategic Alliances 3.2. Defense Market Size Historical and Forecast 3.2.1. Pakistani annual defense expenditure to reach US$10.9 billion by 2024 3.2.2. Territorial disputes and the war against terrorism expected to drive defense expenditure 3.2.3. The country's defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP to increase over 2020-2024 3.3. Analysis of Defense Budget Allocation 3.3.1. Capital expenditure share to average 37.8% during the forecast period 3.3.2. Capital expenditure to record a CAGR of 6.43% over 2020-2024 3.3.3. Pakistan Defense Procurement Scenario 3.3.4. Budget allocation for the army to be highest over the forecast period 3.3.5. Defense expenditure allocation for the army expected to increase over the forecast period 3.3.6. Per capita defense expenditure expected to increase during the forecast period 3.3.7. Homeland Security Market Size and Forecast 3.3.8. Allocation for the police forms the major component of homeland security expenditure 3.3.9. Measures to curb organized crime and cyber-attacks will drive homeland security expenditure 3.4. Benchmarking with Key Global Markets 3.4.1. Pakistani defense expenditure expected to record a CAGR of 6.48% over 2020-2024 3.4.2. Pakistani defense expenditure is low compared to other Asian defense spenders 3.4.3. Pakistan's defense expenditure is anticipated to reach 2.4% of GDP in 2024 3.5. Market Opportunities: Key Trends and Growth Stimulators 3.5.1. Top 10 Defense Market Sectors by Value (US$ Million) - Projections over period 2019-2024 3.5.2. Fighter and multi-role aircraft 3.5.3. Frigates 3.5.4. Land-Based C4ISR 4. Defense Procurement Market Dynamics 4.1. Import Market Dynamics 4.1.1. Defense imports projected to increase over the forecast period 4.1.2. China and the US were the leading suppliers of arms to Pakistan during 2014-2018 4.1.3. Aircraft and armored vehicles accounted for the majority of defense imports between 2014 and 2018 4.2. Export Market Dynamics 4.2.1. DEPO expected to start defense exports 5. Industry Dynamics 5.1. Five Forces Analysis 5.1.1. Bargaining power of the supplier: low to medium 5.1.2. Bargaining power of the buyer: high 5.1.3. Barriers to entry: medium to high 5.1.4. Intensity of rivalry: low to medium 5.1.5. Threat of substitution: low to medium 6. Market Entry Strategy 6.1. Market Regulation 6.1.1. Defense procurements assigned to DGDP and DGMP 6.1.2. Pakistani government updated Offset Act for defense equipment procurements 6.2. Market Entry Route 6.2.1. Budgeting Process 6.2.2. Procurement Policy & Process 6.2.3. Foreign firms enter the Pakistani defense industry through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) 6.2.4. Collaborations and joint ventures - a viable market entry route 6.3. Key Challenges 6.3.1. Corruption in the Pakistani defense sector hinders its growth 6.3.2. Unstable political system coupled with internal instability discourages foreign participation 6.3.3. Economic crisis in Pakistan is expected to act as major restrain to the growth of defense industry over the forecast period 7. Competitive Landscape and Strategic Insights 7.1. Competitive Landscape Overview 7.1.1. Foreign suppliers manufacture defense systems overseas and deliver to Pakistan 7.1.2. Growing domestic defense industry is predominantly state run 7.2. Key Domestic Companies 7.3. Key Foreign Companies 8. Business Environment and Country Risk 8.1. Economic Performance For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dccia5 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) -SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED (TSXV: SRL) (FSE: CCG.F) ("Salazar Resources" or the "Company",) a well-funded Ecuadorian and Colombian focused copper-gold explorer, is pleased to provide the following update on its wholly-owned portfolio: Highlights Three projects to be drilled across the wholly-owned portfolio in 2020 Well-funded Company, with strong treasury to be supplemented by income from joint ventures Multiple concession applications to be submitted on re-opening of national mining register Fredy Salazar, CEO of Salazar Resources commented, "We are pleased to announce that the Company remains well-funded and that the Board has approved plans to drill Ruminahui, Los Osos and Macara this year. Meanwhile, Salazar Resources continues to run a prospecting team field-checking targets generated by our specialists in Ecuadorean geology. We are aiming to grow our portfolio of highly prospective assets through our expertise and our unrivalled grass-roots network, and we eagerly await the reopening of the national mining register. Furthermore, as proud Ecuadoreans we remain committed to developing the natural resource endowment of our Country in partnership with our local communities and with our government. The Company is focused on its strategy of advancing its 100%-owned projects prior to seeking partnership with major mining companies. In parallel, funded work at the Curipamba, Pijili and Santiago joint venture projects continues to progress well." Strategy Salazar Resources plans to drill Ruminahui, Los Osos and Macara on a 100% basis in 2020 and evaluate strategic options as the projects advance. The Company also awaits the re-opening of the national mining register later this year with interest. Salazar Resources has four project applications pending, and it is hoped that at least one of these new projects will be awarded when the register reopens. In addition the Company will submit several further applications for new projects and concession areas when the mining register opens. Responding to inbound strategic interest Salazar Resources intends to open formal discussion for farm-outs later in the year. The Company will be attending the Project Generators Hub at the Association for Mineral Exploration, Roundup 2020 conference in Vancouver later this month. Budget Salazar Resources has a funded US $2.6m budget for 2020 that incorporates the option to drill up to 8,500m on its 100% owned portfolio. At September 30, 2019, Salazar Resources had Cdn $4.27m in cash and the Company also receives income in the form of advance payments and management fees from its funded joint ventures. The guaranteed income from Curipamba is a minimum of US $600,000 per annum and Salazar Resources will earn additional management fees for exploration services provided to the Exploration Alliance for work on Pijili and Santiago. Salazar Resources can generate further income from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Perforaciones Andesdrill S.A that owns three diamond drill rigs. Drill Plan for 2020 At Ruminahui and Macara, water-use permits are awaited prior to drilling. The initial plan is to allocate 3,000m of drilling at Ruminahui and Los Osos, with 2,500m of drilling at Macara. Timing of the drill plans will depend on water permit issuance and the drilling will be carried out by Perforaciones Andesdrill S.A. An exploration update on Los Osos will be provided shortly. Other Work Salazar Resources runs a prospecting team regularly field-checking targets, with a view to growing the property portfolio in a value-accretive manner. Salazar Resource also continues with community engagement as part of all day-to-day activity in order to work across all of our operations in the most socially and environmentally responsible way possible. The Company recognizes the importance of working safely and respecting the environment and communities we are privileged to work in. In Colombia, ratification of the Alisales licenses is ongoing, with a view to starting fieldwork in H2 2020. The Company continues to monitor options regarding access to the Ramos and La Verde license areas prior to starting the license ratification process. About Salazar Salazar Resources (SRL.V) (CCG.F) is a mineral resource company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral deposits in Ecuador and Colombia. The Company has a proven Ecuadorian discovery team led by ex-head of exploration for Newmont in Ecuador, Fredy Salazar; a team of 40 people including fifteen geologists; three drill rigs and an unrivalled Ecuadorian 'grass roots' network. The Salazar Resources team has been involved with many discoveries in Ecuador, including Curipamba (Adventus Mining and Salazar Resources), Fruta Del Norte (Lundin Gold), the Mozo deposit, Cangrejos (Lumina Gold), Rio Blanco (Junefield Mineral Resources and Hunnan Gold), and Gaby (ENAMI). Salazar Resources aspires to be Ecuador's leading project generator with the right partners at the right time making the company self-funding. Salazar Resources has a joint venture on the Curipamba VMS discovery, whereby its partner can earn 75% of the project by funding exploration and development expenditures of US $25 million before October 2022. A feasibility study is expected to be completed during 2021, after the partner is required to fund 100% of the development and construction expenditures to commercial production. In addition, Salazar Resources has a funded Exploration Alliance with the same partner that has incorporated the Pijili and Santiago projects to date. Salazar Resources is advancing its 100% owned Ruminahui, Macara, Los Osos and Alisales projects with the aim of making Ecuador's next significant copper-gold discovery. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED Fredy Salazar Salazar Resources (Chief Executive Officer) fsalazar@salazarresources.com Tel: +593 (0) 99 733 6152 Merlin Marr-Johnson Salazar Resources (VP Corporate Development) merlin@salazarresources.com Tel: +44 20 7389 5023 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 press release contains "forward -looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "pending", "intends", "plans", "forecasts", "targets", or "hopes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" "might", "will be taken", or "occur" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that Salazar expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Although Salazars has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, 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 such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Salazar undertakes to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51427 UPDATE 9:44 P.M. JAN. 15: Mom of Portland children swept out to sea thanks community for providing light to my dark days A Portland father and his two young children swept out to sea on the Oregon coast over the weekend were walking on an off-beach trail when they were hit by a sneaker wave, the family said Monday. Lola Stiles, 7, died Saturday afternoon and her brother, William, 4, is still missing. Their father, Jeremy Stiles, 47, was recovering from hypothermia at Seaside Hospital, the family said in a statement. Our hearts ... could not be more broken as both children were loved beyond measure by our entire family and so many others, the family statement said. The Stiles family want(s) to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and especially the support of the first responders and Coast Guard during this horrific tragedy for our family. The wave hit the three near Cape Falcon, between Manzanita and Cannon Beach. Rescuers pulled Jeremy Stiles and Lola from the water, a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard said. They were taken to the hospital in Seaside, where Lola was pronounced dead. Coast Guard crews scoured the ocean for nearly five hours Saturday, but were unable to locate William. The three were walking on an off-beach trail when a sneaker wave creeped up onto the beach trail they were walking on and pulled them out to sea, the family statement said. The Oregon coast was hammered with massive waves over the weekend, coupled with unusually high tides, and a high surf warning was in effect. Private homes are perched on a rocky shelf overlooking the beach, where at high tide the shore is covered with rocks. Theres no developed beach access, and the area is mostly served by gravel roads. The area where the family was overtaken by the water is about a mile from U.S. 101, off a series of winding roads that lead to the Pacific Ocean. Dispatch recordings show that emergency workers staged in the area of Columbia Street. That street turns into a lane that leads to a trailhead. Oregon State Police released few new details Monday, saying what happened remains under investigation. The agency declined to say how far out to sea the father and daughter were when a Manzanita police officer first arrived and how that officer managed to get them onto shore. The first 911 call came in at 12:38 p.m. Saturday, said Capt. Tim Fox, a state police spokesman. He said that was about the time of the highest tide. Lola Stiles was a first grader at Northeast Portlands Vestal Elementary School. The Instagram and Facebook accounts of Jamie Stiles, the childrens mother, shows images of a proud and delighted mom who relished time with her children and milestones in their lives, like when Lola got her ears pierced last month and her daughters first time going to a friends birthday without her mom by her side. 29 Family swept into ocean near Cannon Beach Portland Public Schools spokeswoman Karen Werstein told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the districts crisis recovery team was at Vestal to provide students with emotional support, as are officials with the Trauma Intervention Program in Portland. Theyre there all day and theyre there for students, teachers and families, she said. Joanne Cornelius told The Associated Press that she had just finished taking photos of the waves and high tide outside her home nearby when a frantic woman pounded on her window and asked her to call 911. Children had been washed out to sea by a wave, the woman said. Its a dangerous beach," Cornelius said. Its a thing that people have to be aware of in winter at the beach at the Oregon coast. Theres dangerous waves and when the signs are up, people have a tendency to walk right by. After she called for help, Cornelius said she saw the girls body brought to an ambulance and then the girls father in shock, wrapped in blankets and put into a car. She also saw a distraught woman with the group with blood on her face, wearing no shoes and soaking wet. It was tragic," Cornelius said, "just absolutely tragic. A fundraiser was set up to help the Stiles family with funeral expenses. The Stiles family operates a coffee shop at 8044 N.E. Glisan St. called Mother Lovin Coffee. The latest post on the shops Facebook page said they were closed Saturday. The mothers are out today for a little rest and relaxation, the post said. See you Monday. The image was a sign that said, Gone to the beach. Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Noelle Crombie and The Associated Press contributed to this report. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Billings Police are investigating a stabbing at a downtown hotel after a man approached the front desk with stab wounds. Shortly after 9 p.m., a 56-year-old man approached the reception desk at the Dude Rancher Lodge, a vintage hotel on North 28th Street in downtown Billings, according to a news release from the Billings Police Department. The man had been stabbed twice. The hotel called police and authorities took the man to a local hospital. Police later arrested one person after they returned to the hotel later Monday night, according to a follow-up social media post from the department. The person will likely be charged with felony assault with a weapon, police said. According to the police, both the victim and the suspect were staying at the hotel together. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 2 Angry 6 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 13:04 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3221371a 1 Entertainment sukima-switch,concert-ticket,concert,music,jakarta,Japan Free Japanese jazz-fusion duo Sukima Switch will to hold a concert in Indonesia on March 20 at Ciputra Artpreneur Theater in South Jakarta. The concert is part of their Sukima Switch Tour 2019-2020 Popmans Carnival vol. 2, which will also take them to Taiwan and Japan. Three ticket categories are offered with prices starting from Rp 402,500 (US$29.31). Those who purchase CAT 1 tickets will be able to attend a group photo session with the duo. Tickets are available at loket.com. Consisting of musicians Takuya Ohashi and Shintaro Tokita, Sukima Switch debuted in 2003 and performed in Jakarta at the 2018 Indonesia-Japan Music Festival. According to Antara news agency, a number of their songs were featured as the themes of various films and anime programs, including Doraemon: Nobitas Dinosaur, The Last: Naruto the Movie, Naruto Shippuden and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Haikyuu!!. One of their songs, Zenryoku Shounen, was used as the background song of a Pocari Sweat television commercial in Indonesia. The video had been viewed more than 14 million times on YouTube. (wir/wng) Mumbai, Jan 14 : Actor Pankaj Tripathi feels with great work comes the responsibility of living up to peoples expectations, and says he tries hard to ensure he doesn't compromise on the quality of his work. "With such great work comes the responsibility of living up to people's expectations. I am elated that people are showering me with such love and thus, I try extra hard to ensure that I don't compromise on the quality," Pankaj said. "I still choose my films with care, go for characters that I feel attuned with. I am happy about the kind of movies I am in this year. Each of the films has given me gratification and joy. I hope to continue to look for solid work. The good thing about success is that it inspires you to work harder," he added. The actor is looking forward to 2020 with many projects lined up for release. He will be seen in "Kaagaz", Gunjan Saxena's upcoming biopic "The Kargil Girl", "Mimi", "Ludo" and "83". He also returns with the second season of his hugely famous show "Mirzapur" in which he reprises the role of Kaleen Bhaiyya. He also be seen in his first international project "Dhaka", in which he will feature alongside Chris Hemsworth. At the moment, he is currently shooting for a big project, which will soon be announced and has another show in the pipeline. Boris Johnson today insisted it is 'epically likely' that the UK will seal a trade deal with the EU by the end of the year - despite Brussels warning the timescale is unrealistic. The PM refused to give a categorical guarantee that an agreement will be reached before the end of the post-Brexit transition period, 'you always have to budget for a complete failure of common sense'. But Mr Johnson - who this morning gathered his Cabinet for its regular meeting - made clear he believes the 'enormous' probability is that a settlement will emerge. The comments came as the cross-Channel haggling stepped up a gear. The EU's trade commissioner Phil Hogan has suggested the UK will have to surrender fishing waters in return for access to the bloc's financial markets for the City of London. Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: 'Obviously you always have to budget for a complete failure of common sense, that goes without saying, but I'm very, very, very confident that we'll get a (deal).' Boris Johnson (pictured on BBC Breakfast today) insisted it is 'epically likely' that the UK will seal a trade deal with the EU by the end of the year Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (left) and Trade Secretary Liz Truss were at the weekly Cabinet meeting Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (left), housing minister Esther McVey and Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry were in Downing Street today The premier also gave another strong hint that the UK will seek to carry out trade deals with the US in parallel to those with the EU. 'This is not about a deal, this is about building a great new partnership. And from January 31, what we're going to do is start working with our friends and partners around the world - not just with the EU,' he said. 'We're going to start building new relationships with friends and partners around the world.' Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on January 31, but will enter a transition period until the end of the year. Mr Johnson has insisted he will not push back the deadline, but critics claim that the timescale is too tight to reach a new deal. Fishing is set to be one of the most explosive issues in the forthcoming trade talks, which will formally begin after the UK leaves the EU's institutions on January 31. The government has vowed to take back control of the UK's fishing waters. But several EU countries' fishing industries - mainly France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and Spain - rely on access to UK waters. Ireland's industry alone could shrink by a third, or equivalent to 428million-worth of income. It means Brussels will almost certainly make continued fishing rights one of its red lines and offer something in return. Ahead of a trade mission to Washington yesterday, Mr Hogan said: 'There certainly will be trade-offs, particularly at the end of the negotiations. 'The EU will be seeking concessions on fishery access - and the UK will very probably be seeking concessions on financial services.' He also lashed out at the idea that a trade deal with the US could replace like-for-like any lost trade with the bloc, branding it 'fairy-tale economics'. By linking fishing rights to financial markets access, the Irishman departed significantly from Brussels's stance on future trade talks up until now. It is the first time such a senior official has raised the prospect of bartering access to individual sectors off against each other. Tory chairman James Cleverly (left) and Health Secretary Matt Hancock were among the ministers at Cabinet today The EU's trade commissioner Phil Hogan (pictured in Brussels last month) has suggested the UK will have to surrender fishing waters in return for access to the bloc's financial markets for the City of London It also puts him at odds with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, who has so far refused to drag financial services into the negotiations. As things stand, the EU is offering the City of London 'equivalence' for financial services firms after the Brexit transition period - a weak system that can be withdrawn by the bloc at 30 days' notice. Former PM Theresa May wanted to push for much deeper access known as 'mutual recognition'. But Mr Hogan's comments suggest that if Boris Johnson wants to secure this level of access for British banks, insurers and other financial firms he will have to surrender Britain's fishing waters. The UK will enjoy full single market access until the end of this year, when Mr Johnson wants a trade deal to be done by. According to the terms of the withdrawal agreement, both sides will also aim to have fishing deal in place by January next year. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she would sound out the prime minister shortly after January 31 on how much he wants to diverge from EU rules. She has warned Britain will get a less favourable trade deal the more it chooses to diverge from rules on state aid, competition, social and employment, environment, climate change, and tax. Speaking in Luxembourg yesterday she said: 'It is the decision of Great Britain how close or distant from the biggest single market in the world they want to be. 'The closer they are, meaning a level-playing field, the more they are ready to respect the European rules, the easier accession to the European single market will be. 'The further away, the less there is of a level playing field, the more difficult their access to the European single market will be.' Last week she warned it would be 'basically impossible' to complete a full trade deal by the end of the year. The remaining EU27 member states are currently thrashing out their red lines on the future relationship negotiations on everything from space programmes to security cooperation. At the weekend Simon Coveney, Ireland's deputy prime minister, said the timetable set by Mr Johnson was 'very ambitious' if not 'unrealistic' and that the bloc would not be rushed into any agreements. Mr Johnson has ruled out any extension of the Brexit transition period - which keeps Britain in the EU's single market and customs union - beyond the end of the year. BATAVIA, Ohio Commissioners in Clermont County voted Monday to approve a resolution declaring the county a Second Amendment sanctuary, a growing movement among gun-rights advocates. The resolution in Clermont County was approved unanimously. A petition is circulating in Stark County in an attempt to get county officials to make the region a sanctuary for gun owners. Several other cities and counties across the country, including several in Virginia, have passed similar resolutions. Supporters say the sanctuaries will protect gun owners from enforcement of gun laws approved at the state or federal level. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine is proposing changes to gun laws following a deadly mass shooting in Dayton last year. His most recent proposal does not include red flag laws or universal background checks. According to WKRC Channel 12, Clermonts resolution declares the county will not appropriate funds, resources, employees or agencies to initiate unconstitutional seizures." It also wants state and federal legislators to stop trying to pass gun laws and instead address the real and fundamental challenges in our communities." Many legal experts believe the resolutions carry no weight, USA Today reports, calling them publicity stunts. In a column for the Washington Post, Mary McCord, legal director of Georgetown University Law Centers Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, says state and federal laws supersede local statutes. Clermont County Commission President tells WLWT Channel 5 the resolution lets DeWine know how residents feel about gun rights. This particular order sends a strong statement to the governor of the state of Ohio, Painter said. A lot of people want to move towards restricting gun access, when I think most of us know that the only way to stop a bad guy in close quarters with a gun is a good guy with a gun. In a major conspiracy, Pakistan intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is hatching a plot to launch a terrorist attack in either Delhi or Gujarat ahead of Republic Day (January 26), according to sources in the Delhi Police. According to a tip-off, six terrorists absconded from Tamil Nadu, went to Nepal and from there they entered India. They were accused in the murder of K P Suresh, leader of Hindu Munnani for Thiruvallur East district. They are suspected ISIS terrorists. The Special Cell of the Delhi Police on December 9 (Thursday) had arrested three of them. They were arrested after a brief encounter and arms and ammunition were also recovered from them. A few days later, a fourth suspected ISIS terrorist was arrested by the Gujarat Police. However, two others are still missing and they are expected to launch these attacks. They have a foreign-based handler who is helping them. Live TV Basti IG range Ashutosh Kumar had confirmed the report saying that they had received information about two terrorists entering the country and that they were currently in Uttar Pradesh. Intelligence agencies sources had told Zee News that the two terrorists, identified as Khwaja Moinuddin and Abdul Samad were last seen in West Bengal's Siliguri. In September 2017, Khwaja Moinuddin was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Chennai. The sources added that Moinuddin is associated with ISIS and has been active in south Indian states. The fourth terrorist arrested was brought in the national capital by the Delhi Police and is currently in transit remand. During interrogation, the accused confessed that the handler, helping them, had asked them to launch a major attack before January 26, including a lone wolf attack. It is to be noted that the terrorist speaks in Tamil language and the police had to bring in a translator. According to sources, Pakistan's ISI wants some radicalized Indian men to commit a terrorist act in the country so that the entire blame will be on the ISIS. After the statement of the four terrorists and information of the technical surveillance of the special cell, ACP Lalit Mohan Negi of the Special Cell came to know that the handler was an ISI official, who disguised as an ISIS member to spread terror in India. After this information, the security agencies across the country are searching the two terrorists who are still absconding. The Patiala House Court on Monday (December 13) extended the remand of all four terror suspects of the ISIS module, by eight days. On January 10, the three suspected ISIS terrorists had confessed that they were instructed to launch attacks on police and Army recruitment camps. During the investigation, the suspected terrorists said that they were also ordered to target Hindu as well as RSS leaders across the country including the Delhi-NCR region. Further, they were also asked to target Hindu leaders based on posters displayed across several places in the national capital. The terrorists spoke in code words and the Special Cell decoded them. The team is still questioning the suspects. Close Lightning strikes as Philippines' Taal volcano erupts A volcano in the Philippines has been shuddering continuously with earthquakes and opening cracks in nearby roads as police blockaded at-risk towns over fears of a bigger eruption. More than 53,000 residents have fled their homes in the vicinity of the Taal volcano to take shelter in evacuation centres, though thousands more have refused to leave or have returned to check on their animals and possessions. Many houses and farms have been damaged by volcanic ash since Taal, one of the countrys most active and deadliest volcanoes, began spewing lava and ash on Sunday. Follow the latest updates Regarding Behind Shen Yuns ad blitz (Page 1, Jan. 11): Thanks for your revelations about Shen Yun, Falun Gong and China. I dont have anything against Falun Gong itself (although it does sound a bit cult-like) but I feel so assaulted by the months-long, relentless, ubiquitous advertising juggernaut that theres no way I would buy a ticket for a performance. Kristin Anundsen, San Francisco Legendary vehicle Talk about a good investment! The news story Bullitt Mustang that tore up S.F. draws record bid (Jan. 13) indicates that the 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the legendary San Francisco chase scene in the movie Bullitt, which was purchased in 1974 for $3,500, has sold at an auction for $3.74 million, an increase of over 100,000%! Good thing the previous owner didnt follow this command spoken by McQueen in Bullitt: You sell whatever you want, but dont sell it here tonight. Karl Gustaffson, Half Moon Bay Housing is a right Regarding Moms take radical stand in housing battle (Bay Area, Jan. 9): The current state of housing, gentrification and displacement is racist, as Otis R. Taylor Jr. clearly drew the link between todays state of housing with our history of redlining and segregation. And in addition to undermining a foundational human right, it is literally shortening the lives of our black community. Housing insecurity and homelessness during pregnancy and early childhood which disproportionately impacts communities already experiencing unjust outcomes such as educational disparities, hiring discrimination and income disparities can lead to toxic stress and trauma. The impacts of stress can be felt intergenerationally; if experienced during pregnancy, it can result in various negative outcomes for the parent and baby. If experienced during childhood, unstable housing can negatively impact social and emotional development. For the sake of justice, and for the next generation, lets listen to and prioritize the voices of our black moms in need of housing. As the wealthiest region in one of the worlds wealthiest countries, why are we comfortable being bystanders to this injustice? Jenna Gaarde, Oakland Era of tax cheating Concerning IRS finds compliance too taxing (Editorial, Jan. 13): This era of less tax auditing and more tax cheating is perfectly symbolized by our self-aggrandizing president, who once boasted that not paying taxes makes me smart. President Trump has also fought tooth-and-nail to block the public release of his tax returns or to have them investigated by the New York State Attorney Generals office for evidence of fraud. When historians look back and describe Trump and his anti-IRS Republican cohorts, two phrases will surely be used: breach of the publics trust and complete lack of transparency. Charles Carrington, San Francisco How wealths invested In Money wont trickle down from wealthy (Letters, Jan. 13), the writer suggests that tax cuts and deregulation for the wealthy dont result in more income to the lower and middle class, arguing that the wealthy hoard their income, while the less wealthy spend theirs immediately. The wealthy dont just put their money away in a bank vault, they try to make more money with it. They invest it in things like businesses that provide jobs and income for other people. That income also allows many other non-wealthy individuals like me to have retirement plans, whose assets are also invested, and for the same reason. Political arguments about how to best make the wealthy pay their fair share will continue, but those arguments can be counter-productive, when the arguers dont recognize the possibility that hurting the wealthy can also hurt the non-wealthy. Daniel Mauthe, Livermore Get rid of the tests Regarding Test services CEO defends SAT, ACT as UC faces suit (Jan. 10): I am thrilled to see that some of the UC regents and UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ are meeting the claims of the highly compensated ACT CEO, Marten Roorda, with skepticism and concrete research that shows that standardized tests are not good predictors of college success. As an educator and mother of one kid in college and one in high school, it pains me greatly that high schoolers spend their time, their stress, and, if funds allow, their parents hard-earned money, on trying to maximize their scores on the ACT and SAT. Some parents spend as much as $7,000 so their kids can spend hours and hours on classes, homework and multiple practice tests to learn how to game the system better with private test prep companies like Kaplan and Compass. How is that fair? Kids are better off spending their precious hours of youth having fun, reading or pursuing meaningful learning! UC Regents: Do the right thing and do away with the ACT/SAT requirement! Where you lead others will follow and our youth will benefit! Kristine Wyndham, Oakland Roots of capitalism Regarding Genius of Trump economy (Letters, Jan. 9): The letter writer who thinks that President Trump is a genius for fast-forwarding supply-side or trickle-down economics must be asked a simple question: Who created the capitalist society we live in today? The GOP constantly tells us that capitalism is the only answer, yet I doubt a single politician could tell us who created the philosophy of capitalism; can you? The idea that capital will trickle down to the masses is based on the invisible hand that takes profits and turns them into jobs. So does that reference help you answer the question? Probably not, since very few people ever read the book that put capitalism at the forefront of our society. The problem with the book is that it was written when the stock market did not exist. Back then, the only way to make more money was to invest in new businesses or to expand your current business, which meant taking profits and turning those profits into jobs (the trickle-down). Today, those profits are just put back into the market, which creates no jobs, just commissions for stock brokers. The book is The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, written around 1776. A rewrite might be needed. Roger Lema, Hayward Three-dollar bill Given the Republicans sycophantic support of the presidents erratic and often illegal behavior, the next logical step will be to propose to honor him by putting his visage on the new three-dollar bill. Steven Tracy, Davis Reduce carbon footprint King tides a vision of future (Page 1, Jan. 9) brought welcome attention to rising water levels in San Francisco Bay, but missed the opportunity to bring attention to the causes and to encourage us each to take personal actions to help limit that rise. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are changing our climate, becoming visible in increasingly dramatic wildfires and worrisome sea level rise. One of the most effective ways to reduce our GHG emissions is to electrify our transportation using electricity generated from renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro. If you switch to an electric vehicle (EV) you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 40%. When done in scale, this makes a difference and helps leave a livable planet for our kids. Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who has served as state superintendent since January 2019, said she plans to finish out the remainder of her term but wont seek election in April 2021. Her term ends in July 2021. I am honored to have been appointed by Governor Evers to lead the Department of Public Instruction and will always be grateful to the governor for the trust he placed in naming me as his successor, Stanford Taylor said in a statement. I promised Governor Evers I would commit to completing the two and a half years left in his term as state superintendent and to continue the work we had started together at the DPI, and I will maintain that commitment while I serve this office. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed a strategic agreement to store crude oil at storage facilities in Japan, Abu Dhabis state-held oil firm, which pumps nearly all the oil in OPECs third-largest producer, said. Under the strategic agreement, which extends a previous deal expired at end-2019, ADNOC will store over 8 million barrels of crude oil at storage facilities in Japan and could trade that oil as the Abu Dhabi company is pushing into the oil trading business. At the same time, ADNOC will make sure that there is some amount of crude oil left at the Japanese facilities in case of oil shortage or emergency. The new three-year deal positively contributes to Japanese energy security, while also supporting Adnocs broader trading ambitions, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Groups chief executive said in a statement, as carried by The National. Around a quarter of Japans crude oil imports come from the UAE, while 90 percent of Japanese oil demand is met with imports from the Middle Eastern region, according to Reuters estimates. For resource-poor Japan, the deal is part of boosting its energy security, while ADNOC gets access to more storage and trading opportunities in the worlds fastest-growing oil demand market, Asia. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) renewed last month the crude oil tank lease agreement with Saudi Aramco. The Saudi Arabian state oil giant will be able to store crude oil in the next three years at a facility in Okinawa, while Japan will receive preferentially the crude in case of emergency. In 2018, ADNOC announced its intention to expand downstream operations in and outside the UAE, to take full advantage of the rising demand for higher value refined and petrochemical products, particularly in the growth economies of China and Asia. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Jill Serjeant (Reuters) - From riots in modern Paris to beekeeping in North Macedonia, Oscar nominations on Monday for the best international feature film spanned a vast range of topics. Led by dark social satire "Parasite" from South Korea, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also honoured films from Poland, France and Spain. However Oscar hopeful "Atlantics" from Senegal, a story of migrants and those they leave behind from female director Mati Diop, failed to make it to the list of five, despite having won at the Cannes Film Festival last year. "Parasite," about the vast gap between rich and poor in South Korea, boosted an international winning streak that includes a Golden Globe, with six Oscar nods, including the coveted best picture prize, best director for Bong Joon Ho, and best screenplay in addition to its best international feature nomination. The academy this year changed the name of the category to international feature from foreign language film to reflect a more positive and inclusive approach to films made outside Hollywood. Spain is represented by director Pedro Almodovar's semiautobiographical "Pain and Glory," about depression and the creative process. The movie, which also stars Penelope Cruz, also won a first Oscar nod for lead actor Antonio Banderas. Despite its title, French entry "Les Miserables" has little obvious connection with the 19th-century Victor Hugo novel and subsequent musicals. The film, written and directed by Ladj Ly, the son of a Mali immigrant, was inspired by 2005 riots in a multiethnic, working-class area of Paris, and was also a winner at the Cannes film festival. Poland's "Corpus Christi" is a slow-burn drama about a young man with a criminal background who later passes himself off as a priest. "It is amazing that a Polish story ... appropriately universalized, properly told, can be readable all over the world," Krzysztof Rak, one of the producers, told reporters in Warsaw on Monday. Story continues "Honeyland," from North Macedonia, relates the tale of one of the last wild beekepers in a remote village in the former Yugoslav territory. The film, which has been praised for combining a nature film with a human story, won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival last year. It also won a nomination on Monday in the best documentary field. The Oscars will be handed out at a ceremony in Hollywood on Feb. 9. (Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 11:41:05|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close CANBERRA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of using fake figures to mislead Australians about his government's record on reducing emissions. During an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television on Sunday, Morrison claimed that Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions are "50 million tonnes less on average" under the coalition government "than under the previous government." However, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald report, official data released by the government, Australia produced 530 million tonnes of emissions in 2019 compared to 533 million tonnes in 2014, the first full year of the coalition government. The Opposition Labor Party has branded Morrison's claim "unconscionable." Australia's annual emissions fell from 622 million tonnes in 2007, when Labor won power after 11 years in opposition, to 538 million tonnes when the party was ousted from government in 2013. "Mr Morrison's fake number distorts the data and takes credit for reductions actually achieved under the former Labor government, not the Coalition," Pat Conroy, Labor's climate change assistant spokesman, told The Sydney Morning Herald. "At a time of public concern about climate change, Australia deserves better than deceit and inaction from their prime minister on emissions reduction." Australia has committed to reducing emissions by 5 percent from the 540 million tonnes produced in 2000 by 2020 under the Kyoto Protocol. Stephen Howes, director of the Development Policy Centre at Australian National University (ANU), warned that latest projections showed Australia was on track to achieve a reduction of only 1.5 percent. Indias government should consider other ways to address misinformation on encrypted platforms. One would be to stop spreading misinformation in the first place: It is Mr. Modis own party that coordinated a cyber army to spread propaganda on WhatsApp before the last election, and an official app dedicated to the prime minister himself that spread a flurry of false content. More systemically, there are limits on forwarding such as those already introduced by WhatsApp. There are other ways to write rules about law enforcement access, too, tailored to whats technically feasible. India, however, doesnt seem interested in nuance in this age of aggressive censorship and indefinite Internet shutdowns. Our Bollywood celebrities do love their bikes. From some really mean machines that we have seen John Abraham strut around on, to some really speedy masterpieces that Shahid is a fan of, Bollywood seems to be fascinated with bikes, and biking outfits. Instagram/shahidkapoor The latest B-Towner to be bitten by the speed bug is Rajkummar Rao. He was recently spotted riding a Harley that in its truest sense is a machine that a lot of biking fans have coveted over the years. Viral Bhayani Rajkummar is seen riding his latest toy, the 2018 Harley Davidson Fat Bob. The bike, which retails for just shy of at least Rs 15 lakhs, depending on how you deck it out is an iconic piece from the American motorcycle company. Viral Bhayani With its iconic rectangular headlights and an all-black colour theme, the bike that Rajkummar has does look cool and dapper. However, if you ask us, it's his biker outfit that really steals the show for us. Viral Bhayani Rajkummar is wearing a rather laidback co-orded set of a black t-shirt, with a pair of black denims and black sneakers. The outfit, paired with a red shirt actually works well for him, considering his rather lean and fit physique. Viral Bhayani The red shirt, which at first seems rather simplistic and plain, is actually a dapper one. If you look closely, you may be able to see the Viking emblem on the left side of his shirt. Viral Bhayani Also zany are the pair of Gucci sneakers that Rajkummar is wearing. The nappa leather sneakers are dope, and look particularly swell with that shoelace tag that it carries. Although not conventionally a pair of biking boots, these sneakers do actually make a lot of sense, both ergonomically as well as sartorially, considering how atrocious Mumbai's stop and go traffic can get sometimes. Gucci We're not sure though whether we would risk a pair of wearing a pristine pair of Guccis while riding a bike as heavy as the Fat Bob. But then, if you look this swell, can you really complain? We certainly can't. Viral Bhayani All in all, a rather dapper way to go on a ride, Rajkummar. Badass indeed. New Delhi: Taking on Microsoft's Indian-born CEO Satya Nadella over his remarks on the Citizenship Amendment Act, BJP MP Meenakashi Lekhi on Tuesday said it is the "perfect example" of how the literate need to be educated. Responding to a question by BuzzFeed on the CAA, Nadella was quoted as saying that what is happening in the country is "sad" and "just bad". Speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in New York, he also said he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India create the next unicorn in India. "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example," Lekhi said on Twitter in response, and also posted Nadella's statement issued by Microsoft India. "Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA?" she went on to say. After the BuzzFeed tweet quoting Nadella, Microsoft India issued a statement in which its CEO said every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. "And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," Nadella said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Members of Belfast City Council have called on Stormont to ban the sale of puppies and kittens from unregistered breeders. Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn forwarded a motion that the council demands Northern Ireland adopts 'Lucy's Law', which begins later this year in England, meaning that members of the public can only buy from registered breeders. After passing, the council will now write to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to call for preparatory work to allow for Lucy's Law to be legislated for here. Mr Flynn said: "Puppy farming is a callous, inhumane and cruel industry, which seeks to make a quick profit out of the misery of animals. "Bred in horrendous conditions, where they lack basic needs of food and water, animals are denied adequate healthcare, and young pups are often removed from their mothers long before they are ready, according to standards set out by established practice." Lucy's Law is named after the Cavalier King George Spaniel who suffered multiple health conditions including a curved spine, bald patches, epilepsy, and infused hips as a result of spending most of her life kept in a cage and used to breed litters of puppies at a Welsh puppy farm. In 2013 Lucy was rescued by Lisa Garner, who used social media to spread the word about the conditions in puppy farms. In her memory, Lucy's Law campaign was launched, and new legislation is becoming law in England in April this year. Similar legislation is being looked at in Wales and a consultation on the issue is active in Scotland. Mr Flynn added: "You will still be able to adopt animals from rehoming charities, but there is an ongoing conversation on whether these rescue and rehoming centres will require licences in the future and become regulated themselves. "I hope with the returned Assembly that this issue will be high on the priority list for any new minister and department. "I intend to lobby hard to see this important legislative change, and hope this council can lend its support." Lucy's Law means that cats and dogs under six months old can only be sold through breeders directly. They must be born and reared in a safe environment with their mother, and sold from their place of birth. Third party sellers such as pet shops and commercial dealers would not be able to sell young animals unless they have bred them themselves. The ban is also designed to deter smugglers who often abuse the pet travel scheme to bring animals into the UK to be sold for profit, often from the Republic or from mainland UK. The motion passed with unanimous support in the chamber. Good news was delivered to several Western Massachusetts colleges and universities looking to enhance their study of Native American and indigenous cultures and history. Five Colleges, Incorporated has been awarded a $2.5 million, four-year grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to help its member campuses transform how they approach Native American and indigenous studies, with the goal of enhancing teaching, learning and scholarship in the field. The grant is one of the largest made by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the consortium to date, and is one of the consortiums largest from any source in its 50-year history. We are honored to receive this funding from the Mellon Foundation, Five Colleges executive director Sarah Pfatteicher said. This award represents the Mellon Foundations continued support for the consortium and the significant work our member campuses are doing to advance the humanities in service of society. Importantly, it also recognizes our efforts to build sustained, reciprocal relationships with Native American scholars and communities, and will support further efforts in this area." The Five College campuses includes Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Connecticut River Valley region has historically been a crossroads of Indigenous nations, according to Pfatteicher, and remains a hub for scholars, leaders artists, writers and activists in the field. With this remarkable grant we want to honor, humbly and respectfully, this history of being a space where peoples pathways converge, Pfatteicher said. Called Gathering at the Crossroads: Building Native American and Indigenous Studies at the Five College Consortium, the effort will allow the campuses to develop and establish a set of new academic pathways for students interested in Native American and Indigenous Studies, as well as create new advising structures to guide students through these academic options. The grant includes funding to bring a variety of scholars and Indigenous experts to the campuses as collaborators. We are thankful to Mellon and thrilled to expand NAISs reach and programming, said Professor Laura Furlan, faculty member at the University of Massachusetts and chair of the long-standing Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Committee. This truly is an exciting time to be a part of NAIS in the Valley. Amherst College professors Lisa Brooks and Kiara Vigil issued a joint statement in supporting, writing that for many years, a hallmark of the Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies program has been an abiding commitment to collaboration and community building. We are excited about the opportunity this Mellon Grant offers us to further build and extend that collaboration and community, providing additional needed support to nurture these ongoing efforts, which will enable future intellectual and cultural work within the Five Colleges, throughout the Kwinitekw Valley (the Native American name for the Connecticut Valley), and across a wider Native network." Work on the project begins this month. Elevated leukemia incidence is found in World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers (New York, NY - January 14, 2020) - Responders who worked at the World Trade Center site after the attacks on September 11, 2001, have an increased overall cancer incidence compared to the general population, particularly in thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and, for the first time ever reported, leukemia, according to a Mount Sinai study published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum in January. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center, 50,000 workers were involved in rescue and recovery, with many of them caught directly in the dust cloud from the collapsing towers. From then until cleanup of the site ended in June 2002, workers were potentially exposed to an array of toxins later shown to cause adverse health effects, including cancer. This study examined cancer incidence in responders including law enforcement, construction, and telecommunications workers, and found an increased overall cancer incidence, with the greatest elevation in thyroid cancer. It is the first to show an increase in leukemia, which is known to occur after exposure to occupational carcinogens, including benzene fuel and other sources that existed at the World Trade Center site, in some cases at low levels of exposure and with a latency of several years from exposure. Researchers also found that neither the length of time that first responders and recovery workers worked on the World Trade Center site, nor the intensity of their exposure, had any bearing on the development of the elevated cancers. However, some risk factors--such as responders' age on September 11, their gender, and whether they were smokers at the time--were associated with increased cancer risk, underlining the need for continued surveillance of World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers. "This study showed increased incidence of several cancer types compared to previously conducted studies with shorter follow-up periods," said Susan Teitelbaum, PhD, Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and one of the lead authors. "Because of the long latency period of many types of cancer, it is possible that increased rates of other cancers, as well as World Trade Center exposure health issues, may emerge after longer periods of study." Researchers studied post-September 11 cancer incidence among 28,729 rescue and recovery workers via cancer registry data from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina from 2002 through 2013. Although the incidence of certain cancers, such as lung, was not elevated in this study's findings, researchers believe that may be due to the long time periods over which these cancers develop. ### This work was supported by contract 200-2017-93325 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics in the 2019-2020 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 12th nationally for Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai West are ranked 23rd nationally for Nephrology and 25th for Diabetes/Endocrinology, and Mount Sinai South Nassau is ranked 35th nationally for Urology. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai South Nassau are ranked regionally. For more information, visit https:/ / www. mountsinai. org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. All you need to know about Railways' Shri Ramayana Express launching today Flying objects existed during Ramayana days, Arjun's arrow had atomic power: Bengal Governor India pti-PTI Kolkata, Jan 14: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday claimed flying objects existed during the period of Ramayana and the arrows of Arjuna of Mahabharata had atomic power. "It is not in the 20th century, but it was during the period of Ramayana, we had flying objects (Uran Khatola). Sanjay narrated the entire war of Mahabharata (to Dhitarasthra) not from TV. The arrows of Arjuna in Mahabharata had atomic power in it," Dhankhar said while addressing a programme here. In Mahabharata, it is said that Sanjay, even after staying away from the battle had narrated what was happening in the battlefield to Dhritarashtra, who was blind. NEWTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A passenger in a car is dead after a car crash in Newton County. It happened on Sunday around 9 p.m. Indiana State Police said Trooper Brian Runyon responded to a single vehicle crash on County Road 400 West near Morocco. The initial investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Andrew Kepchar from Crown Point, was going north. The truck allegedly left the roadway and hit a utility pole. Police said the truck then rolled onto its passenger side and caught fire. The power lines were knocked down at the scene, which ISP said hindered first responders from accessing the vehicle. Thomas Richardson of Morocco was a passenger in the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Newton County Coroners Office. Kepchar was taken to Franciscan Hospital in Rensselaer where ISP said he consented to a certified test for alcohol consumption. The results of that blood draw are pending testing by the Indiana Department of Toxicology. Kepchar was arrested and taken to the Newton County Jail. He is tentatively charged with Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, which is a level five felony. The crash is still under investigation. Below: Photo of Andrew Kepchar, provided by Indiana State Police. - Company to present Indigo Marketplace, Indigo Carbon, and the Terraton Initiative, at two of the leading international forums on agriculture - Solutions seek to address both farm profitability and put growers at the centre of efforts to combat climate change BASEL, Switzerland and BERLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Indigo Agriculture, a company dedicated to harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet, will invite delegates to reimagine agriculture at two of the most important international agriculture forums taking place in Berlin later this month. The company will use the platforms provided by the renowned Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), and Farm & Food 4.0, to introduce Indigo Marketplace, Indigo Carbon and the Terraton Initiative. Together, these interrelated platforms help improve farm profitability and enable growers to play a critical role in contributing to a more beneficial food and farming system while addressing climate change. At the GFFA, Indigo Agriculture will exhibit in the Forum's prestigious Innovation Marketplace. Farm & Food 4.0 is the leading congress for innovation and digitalization in agri-food. Indigo will also exhibit its solutions and take part in the panel discussion "Regenerative agriculture - old methods rethought". Indigo Agriculture's Head of Europe, Georg Goeres, who will lead the company's representation said, "We are delighted to be participating in both of these leading international forums looking at opportunities to build a more sustainable food and agriculture system. To succeed, Indigo believes that we need to take a systems-based approach to reimagine agriculture for the benefit of both people and the planet." Indigo Marketplace, a digital platform for the transaction of grain, seeks to de-commoditize agriculture by connecting grain growers directly with buyers willing to pay for high-quality, sustainably grown, and identity preserved crops. Indigo Carbon is a carbon market providing growers with a financial incentive to enrich their soil with carbon. This helps to address climate change while also improving soil health and the resilience of farms to extreme weather while reducing the need for chemical and fertilizer inputs. Indigo Carbon is a key part of The Terraton Initiative, a global effort to sequester one trillion tons of carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere and store it within agricultural soils. Together, these solutions, which are underpinned by Indigo's microbial seed treatment technology and digital agronomy, improve farm profitability, the environmental sustainability of agriculture, and consumer health. "Our approach, which will roll out in Germany and Hungary in 2020, supports the recently announced EU Green Deal," said Goeres. "We look forward to participating in the debates with growers, scientists, policymakers, NGOs, and other industry colleagues, to reimagine agriculture in ways that will benefit all of us." About Indigo Agriculture Indigo improves grower profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health through the use of natural microbiology and digital technologies. The company's scientific discoveries and digital platforms create new value from soil to sale, benefiting tens of thousands of growers across millions of acres. Working across the supply chain, Indigo is furthering its mission of harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet. In 2019, Indigo established The Terraton Initiative, a global effort to draw down one trillion tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide through agricultural soils. Ranked #1 on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list, Indigo is headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices in Memphis, TN; Research Triangle Park, NC; Sydney, Australia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Switzerland. For more information please visit our About Us page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. www.indigoag.eu Media Contacts Indigo Eva Delafontaine edelafontaine@indigoag.com Veritas Public Relations for Indigo David Schimm, +49-179-5944745 david.schimm@veritaspr.de The 2020 Democratic primary campaign has been a contest not merely of which candidate's ideas and policies most appeal to Democratic voters but of which potential nominee is most likely to defeat Donald Trump in November's general election. Polling has shown that a majority of democratic voters say it is more important for the nominee to have the best chance of beating Trump than to share their position on most issues, and several of the Democratic contenders have made "electability" central part of their campaign message. The problem with electability arguments, however, is that most of the time they can't actually be put to the test until it's too late. Usually, electability claims are based on pretty limited data or vague theories. Candidates can point to their past election performance in swingish states, like Sen. Amy Klobuchar does in Minnesota, arguing the ability to perform well in a purple-ish, upper Midwest state would have made the difference for Democrats in the 2016 election. But how you reach voters in a state with just five million residents doesn't necessarily translate to running in a diverse country with 330 million people. Those candidates may perform better in their home states but they may also perform much worse in others. Former Vice President Joe Biden can point to hypothetical general election polling, where he has consistently performed the best of all the Democratic candidates against Trump, but polling a year out has limited value. Indications are that Biden is benefiting from high name recognition, which anyone who is the nominee would eventually match. Sen. Elizabeth Warren supporters, meanwhile, can argue she would bridge the progressive and centrist wings of the party. Yet indications are that disdain for Trump would go a long way toward unifying Democrats behind any nominee. The one exception to these cases, though, might be Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose electability argument is fundamentally different from the others. Story continues The Sanders campaign believes he can bring new people into the electoral process enough to more than make up for any shortfalls he might have among older voters or some more traditional swing voters compared to Biden. That is what his "political revolution" is about. The whole campaign is based around bringing in non-voters, picking up former third-party voters, activating infrequent voters, and getting regular voters more engaged in organizing. The Sanders campaign is investing heavily in relational organizing, getting people to contact their friends and family and to knock on the doors of their neighbors. He is not trying to win the current electorate so much as create a new, much more favorable one. Many past candidates have claimed they would reshape the electorate, and many have failed, but if the Sanders campaign can, it should be evident as soon as states start voting in the primary. Polling in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada all show very close races with Sanders at or near the top. If Sanders is really activating non-voters in a way that can make a difference in the general election against Trump, we should clearly see that in the results of these contests. In the 2016 Democratic primary, only about 30 million people voted compared to the over 136 million who voted in the general election, so it is in theory much easier to swing a primary via greater turnout. If Sanders is uniquely able to excite new and infrequent voters, we should see historically high turnouts and surprisingly strong performances from Sanders in these early states. He should not only gain the momentum of the victories but also benefit from a real demonstration of his electability case. If turnout isn't much different from 2016, however, even if Sanders narrowly wins, his electability argument is basically dead. If he can't get tens of thousands more to turn out in the early primaries, there is little reason to believe he would uniquely be able to get millions more to turn out in November. That doesn't necessarily mean he will lose the primary or the general election. Sanders has a solid base of support, and with a large, divided field he could win the nomination with a plurality of Democratic support. Similarly, President Trump is deeply unpopular, and the race is likely to be a referendum on his leadership. There is a legitimate argument that any Democratic nominee could beat him in November by simply being the alternative. But if Sanders can't drive turnout in the early primaries, it is unlikely he will be reshaping our politics. Instead, he will be trying to get lucky in a divided field and hope to ride an anti-Trump wave. Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah agree the Warren-Sanders showdown was the Iowa debate's main event Bernie Sanders tried to shake Elizabeth Warren's hand after the debate. She brushed him off. Former mafia prosecutor: It sounds like Trump associates were plotting 'a mob hit' against Marie Yovanovitch The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has narrated how a female doctor was allegedly assaulted and stripped by relatives of a patient in Maitama District hospital, Abuja. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman, NMA FCT chapter, Ekpe Phillips, said the act was carried out while the doctor was carrying out her lawful duty. He said the relatives assaulted the doctor due to her refusal to approve blood transfusion for the patient. Mr Phillip condemned the dastardly act. This particular case was that of a Chronic Illness (Medical Condition) that was given standard quality care comparable to best practices. Unfortunately, the patient did not respond adequately and died. In the course of management, patients relatives had insisted on blood transfusion which was not required because the blood volume was normal and would further complicate the present condition leading to mismanagement, he said. He noted that the relatives had threatened to kill the doctor for refusing their request despite adequate counselling and explanation. He however said, they made good their promise by molesting the female doctor and stripped her naked in broad daylight. This indeed is terrible and unacceptable. Condemnable Act Mr Phillip noted that the act of molesting doctors in their line of duty has become frequent. He said the association will no longer tolerate such act. He also said the alleged culprit has been arrested and charged to court. He noted that the association will support its member to seek justice and enforce their fundamental human rights. While sympathising with the relatives of the deceased, he urged patients and relatives to follow appropriate channels if dissatisfied with a patients treatment rather than taking laws into their hands. He called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, to deploy appropriate security measures to protect the lives of residents including health workers. All efforts made to get the contact information of the accused were unsuccessful. The hospital refused to provide the contacts for the relatives of the dead patient saying it is unprofessional to give private information about a patient. Last year, Trump withdrew a preferential trade status for certain Indian goods in a sign of U.S. displeasure, and India retaliated with tariff hikes of its own. Since then, the two countries have engaged in talks to bridge their trade differences but have yet to resolve them. CORVALLIS, Ore. - For the first month and a half after receiving a modified toy car designed for children with disabilities, the kids and their families seemed motivated to use driving as a means of exploration and socialization. But in the month and a half after that, most kids' driving time fell off to almost nothing. Sam Logan, an Oregon State University kinesiologist who conducts research using the cars in his lab, said families who use the "Go Baby Go" ride-on cars require more robust support to push past barriers and keep using the cars over time. Otherwise, instead of helping young children with mobility issues explore their world, the cars end up forgotten in a closet. OSU is one of several Go Baby Go chapters around the country working with children ages 3 and younger who experience limited mobility. OSU students take the off-the-shelf cars that kids can ride in and modify them with large easy-to-press activation buttons and PVC pipe frames to keep children sitting safely upright inside the car. In previous studies, researchers made frequent home visits and were able to troubleshoot any problems families faced in using the cars. Logan said their aim has always been to be as inclusive as possible, so that even children with complex medical needs are able to drive. This latest study used an electronic tracking system developed by two former high school students to record participants' car usage. Now freshmen at Brown University, twins Benjamin and Joshua Phelps started working in Logan's lab when they were freshmen at South Eugene High School and used open-source coding to craft a system that logged every push of the ignition button and the length of each use. "The reason behind this study was to figure out what happens when families get cars and they're not part of a research study and they're not getting systematic support," said Logan, a kinesiologist in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences. "Turns out, when we gave the cars out for three months and tracked their use, the average was about seven days out of 90 that they were used." The drop-off in usage was significant: In the more hands-on studies, kids used the cars for an average of 1,060 minutes over three months; in this one, they averaged only 171 minutes, most of which occurred in the first 45 days. Half of the 14 participants saw less than 100 total minutes of use, including one child who never used the car. In a companion study, families said the two biggest barriers to usage were their environment and the kids' responses to the device. The noise, speed and lack of finesse-steering posed challenges for some kids, and limited space or bad weather kept some families from making the car part of their regular routine. To overcome those barriers, as the cars become more widespread, Logan sees the need for a welcome kit to help families get started, telling them what to expect and how to approach specific problems, as well as offering ideas for fun ways to use the cars, like driving to the mailbox or setting up a play car wash. Community-based support is also crucial. Families in similar situations could share their knowledge with newcomers, and public recreational spaces could better accommodate the Go Baby Go cars. "What we haven't figured out yet is, what can that support look like in a way that's sustainable across the country," Logan said. ### Co-authors on the study include OSU researchers Kathleen Bogart and Bill Smart, graduate students Michele Catena and Christina Hospodar, undergraduate students Jenna Fitzgerald and Sarah Schaffer, and South Eugene High School students Benjamin and Joshua Phelps. Additional co-authors were Heather Feldner from the University of Washington and Bethany Sloane from Oregon Health & Science University. Joze Sproston, a dance school owner, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, during the matinee on Jan. 14, 2020. (NTD Television) MANCHESTER, EnglandJo Sproston knows what it takes to be a dancer. As a dance school owner, she is familiar with the grueling hours, pain, and sweat required to bring a performance alive on stage. When Sproston saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Palace Theatre in Manchester during the matinee on Jan. 14, she was awe-struck by the power and energy coming from the dancers as they jumped and leaped across the stage. First time Ive ever seen anything like this, Sproston said after experiencing the first half of the performance. And the costumes, the choreography, and the actual execution of the moves are just fantastic. New York-based Shen Yun is a world premier classical Chinese dance and music company with a mission to revive Chinas divinely inspired culture through performing arts. Classical Chinese dance, which draws upon the vast history of Chinas 5,000-year-old civilization, is one way in which the Middle Kingdoms culture has been passed down. Sproston, who runs a dance school in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, said she was intrigued by the techniques portrayed by both female and male dancers, adding that she was captivated by the performance as a whole. As they walk across the stage, they just look like theyre gliding. You dont see them move across the stage which is very beautiful to watch, especially for the women, she said. The power of the men dancing is just fantastic. The jumps are just incredible. But its the whole look of it with the breath-taking costumes [and] the projections on the back. I think the whole look is a very more dramatic, instant, colorful kind of Wow look compared to the classical ballet that Im used to, she added. Along with the technique, she was also impressed by the formations, in particular how the performers seem to form them with little effort. I know that takes hours of work, but its the formations. They just glide from one set of formations to another and move form lines, circles on and off stage just seamlessly and that just takes hours and hours of doing it again, again, again. So I know how many hours thats taken, she said. Classical Chinese dance is rich with an expressive power that comes through the dancers bearingwhich can be described as a particular inner spiritand their form. Their dance movements bring out the inner meaning of intrinsic thoughts and feelings, reflecting the peculiarities of human nature, the standard for human conduct, moral concepts, mental state, ones value system, according to the Shen Yun website. Through about 20 or so vignettes, Shen Yun tries to portray different aspects of Chinese history, including palace grounds or folk dances in villages. Meanwhile, some pieces contain stories that were recorded in history or literary works that recount ancient myths, bygone heroes, or celestial paradises. They embody traditional Chinese values like loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine. In addition to dancing, Shen Yun performances travel around with a live orchestra that takes the essence from Eastern and Western classical instruments to create a harmonious sound, something Sproston enjoyed listening to. I really liked the mixture of East and West, she said. I liked the instruments. I [kept] looking down, actually, at the orchestra. Shen Yun Delivers a Message of Compassion and Love Like Sproston, audience member Jane Butterworth was also amazed by the quality and artistry of the dancing. I thought the quality of the dancing was quite spectacular. I thought it was very gentle but also very powerful at the same time, Butterworth said. Jane Butterworth, who works in essential oils, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, during the matinee on Jan. 14, 2020. (NTD Television) Butterworth, who works in essential oils, said that she was also able to feel the hard work of the dancers to bring the performance to life. She felt that even in a gentle movement it can have powerful expression, she said. I felt that each of the dancers has worked so hard to bring that through, even in the smallest of movements. She also said she really enjoyed learning about historical events portrayed on stage in a very honest way, including pieces that touched on the persecution of Falun Gong. Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, teaches Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance and has helped over 100 million Chinese people today understand and return to the essence of traditional Chinese culture. But the Chinese regime banned the practice in 1999 and has since continued to systematically persecute Falun Gong adherents in China. People who are caught practicing the discipline in China face severe persecution, including torture, imprisonment, and even death. These stories portray themes like spiritual devotion, the benevolence of gods, good and evil retribution, and the search for the meaning of life, according to the companys website. Such values are foundational to traditional Chinese culture and are not political in nature. According to the Shen Yun website, many of the performers practice Falun Gong, which has inspired the performers to integrate spirituality into their work and seek inner stillness and a connection to the universe. Butterworth said that she was able to see Falun Gongs principles portrayed in the pieces, adding that it was something that the world really needs. I think its really needed right [now.] I think its really important right now. And it comes across, once again in a very beautiful way, its delivered with a message of compassion and with love and I think they really, really it just comes out of them on the stage, she said. With reporting by NTD Television. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. The lawyers who pushed and defended the actions that got Donald Trump impeached are now tasked with keeping the president in office. It was the White House counsels team that provided the legal justification for the presidents decision to stonewall congressional subpoenas a move that led to an article of impeachment. And it was Trumps TV bulldog and ostensible personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who nudged on the presidents attempts to lean on Ukraine to open politically advantageous investigations a pressure campaign that led to another article of impeachment. Now, they all have a role to play as they plot their strategy to get Trump acquitted in his upcoming impeachment trial both within the ornate Senate chamber and on the all-important conservative media circuit. Its a well-worn Trump strategy: Act first, lawyer up later. And it has often made his attorneys part of the story when they inevitably get questions about Trumps behavior. The upcoming Senate trial will be no different. In the Senate, White House counsel Pat Cipollone will deliver opening arguments and take the lead. Hell be flanked by two of his deputies, Michael Purpura and Patrick Philbin, who will be stationed at the presidents defense table ready to parse the Democratic prosecutions arguments and cross examine any witnesses. Then theres Jay Sekulow, the longest-serving member of the presidents personal legal team, who is expected to make his own trial presentation delving into the Ukraine scandal and denouncing any attempts by Democrats to link the presidents behavior to Robert Muellers election interference investigation. Outside the chamber, Giuliani will remain his omnipresent self, whether Trumps in-house legal team likes it or not. Even though the former New York mayor has been sidelined from the actual trial, thats hardly stopped him from brashly defending the president on TV or stopped Trump from giving his personal lawyer kudos for doing so. Story continues Embracing their clients always-confident style, the presidents lawyers are likewise predicting total victory. Im completely convinced, based on the facts and law, we will succeed, Sekulow said in an interview. FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2015, file photo, Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, introduces Republican presidential candidate former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during a Presidential candidate forum with Rev. Pat Robertson at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. In his testimony to Congress on Feb. 27, 2019, Michael Cohen said that Sekulow, who was serving as one of President Trump's lawyers, reviewed his false congressional testimony and made changes pertaining to what he was going to say, Not all the details of the strategy are set in stone. Although the trial could begin as soon as the end of this week, Senate leaders have yet to agree on a final structure for the trial, including critical aspects like whether there will be witnesses. As a result, Trumps lawyers are staying flexible. Youve got to be prepared for any contingency, Sekulow said. They do have several items already in motion. A trial brief picking apart the Houses case could be formally entered into the record later this week, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi transmits the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Trumps lawyers arent saying exactly what will go into the document, but they are pledging during the trial to go point by point in response to the allegations and evidence that House Democrats produced during last years impeachment probe. Our defense will address each of the issues and the appropriate facts, Sekulow said. Logistically, the Trump legal team plans to be constantly on the move shuffling back and forth along Pennsylvania Avenue between Capitol Hill and the White House, where the president will monitor the proceedings and live tweeting his own commentary while in town. Trump does plan to travel during the trial, too, including next week to a global economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, and to campaign rallies later this month in New Jersey and Iowa. Cipollone, Purpura and Sekulow all are also preparing to take part in any cross examinations, even though Republican leaders have punted a vote on this issue until further along in the process. Each of Trumps attorneys has extensive experience in court hearings and trials, and people who know them warn not to underestimate their effectiveness. If there are witnesses, hes going to crush some people, said a former senior Trump adviser about Cipollone, who handled a range of commercial and corporate litigation cases while in private practice. Ringers also remain in the mix to back up the president. Retired Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz is a potential late add to the Trump team for a presentation on the constitutional issues central to the impeachment probe. And a handful of House Republicans who played the role of Trump attack dogs during the impeachment hearings namely Reps. Jim Jordan and John Ratcliffe could be tapped to make Senate appearances. As for Giuliani, Trumps most famous lawyer, the former New York mayor isnt expected to be a physical presence in the Capitol. Sources close to the presidents legal team said last fall that Giuliani would be sidelined during a Trump impeachment trial if it focuses on Ukraine. Thats the exact scenario that has played out. But Giuliani hasnt been sidelined in the media hes just kept playing the role that he assumed the moment he became a member of the presidents legal entourage in April 2018. In the last couple of days, Giuliani published an op-ed in the Daily Caller arguing that the Supreme Court could toss out the House-passed impeachment articles as unconstitutional. He then explained his reasoning in a Fox News appearance Saturday night with Jeannie Pirro that earned a Thank you Rudy! tweet from Trump himself about 75 minutes after the show aired. Just like in his earlier business career, lawyers have been a central part of the Trump era. Often, theyve become part of the story itself. After serving as Donald Trumps all-purpose legal fixer during the 2016 election, Michael Cohen ended up in the legal crosshairs himself. His work for Trump ultimately led to a guilty plea and a three-year prison sentence for tax fraud and lying about hush money payments to a porn star crimes that implicated the president. The work that Trumps first White House counsel, Don McGahn, did for the president later made him a witness for Muellers team as it investigated whether the president illegally tried to thwart the Russia probe. McGahn ended up spending 30 hours meeting with Muellers investigators. Giuliani, meantime, has hired his own criminal defense attorneys amid federal scrutiny of his business dealings in Ukraine that occurred in parallel with his efforts to gather information for Trump as his lawyer. The key members of the Trump legal team that will be in the spotlight during the impeachment trial represent a blend of the old and new. Sekulow, 63, became a personal attorney for the president in the summer of 2017, not long after Muellers appointment. A well-known conservative attorney and head of the nonprofit American Center for Law & Justice, Sekulow outlasted many of his contemporaries on the Trump legal team by serving as a prominent public defender of the president on TV and on his own daily radio show. Alongside Giuliani, Sekulow helped lead negotiations with the special counsels lawyers over an interview with Trump. The duo ultimately secured an obligation to only respond to written questions, while averting a legal fight over a subpoena. Sekulow has also argued a dozen cases before the Supreme Court. Hell fight another round in front of the high court in March, when the Trump attorney will help defend the president against subpoenas for his financial and tax records. Thats really valuable experience, said Paul McNulty, a former George W. Bush Justice Department deputy attorney general who served as a key GOP aide to the House Judiciary Committee during President Bill Clintons impeachment proceedings. Trumps current crop of White House lawyers were also brought on specifically to deal with issues like impeachment. Cipollone, 53, replaced McGahn in late 2018, making a return to government for the first time since the George H.W. Bush administration. He was no stranger to Trumps world. Cipollone first met Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign via an introduction from conservative commentator and longtime friend Laura Ingraham. He later helped prep the GOP nominee for his debates with Hillary Clinton. As White House counsel, Cipollone restocked the presidents official legal team with about 20 attorneys specifically assigned to the kinds of oversight issues that Democrats ultimately used to launch impeachment proceedings. That group included Philbin, a former colleague at Kirkland and Ellis who served in senior positions at the George W. Bush Justice Department, at one point even working as a top aide to then-Deputy Attorney General James Comey. Purpura, a former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of New York and George W. Bush White House aide, had been on the shortlist early on in the Trump administration for a lifetime judicial appointment based in Hawaii. But that nomination never came, and Purpura ultimately left a high-paying, private-equity job in real estate to come work in the Trump White House. John Hueston, a former federal prosecutor and close friend of Purpura, called Purpura truly a master strategist and a rare one because he has that skill at both the trial level and also behind the scenes in investigations. In fact, much of his best work is unknown because of his extremely good work at terminating investigations before they become public, said Hueston, who has served as an outside adviser to California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris on judicial nominations. The Cipollone-led Trump legal team has blocked House Democrats from the start. It has rejected a request for documents related to private discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. It has blocked former Trump White House communications director Hope Hicks from responding to any substantive questions connected to the Mueller probe during a closed-door deposition with House investigators. And after the Ukraine scandal broke, the team rejected any pretense of participating in the Democratic investigation and instead urged House Democrats in December to impeach the president fast so that the Senate could move quick to acquit him. That stance led to the second article of impeachment against Trump for obstruction of Congress. No matter their resumes, Democrats argue that the presidents attorneys should expect to face complications during the Senate trial that could cost them Republican votes. That includes working for a president who has shown little in the way of impulse control, despite the counsel of his lawyers. The best lawyers can only do so much with a difficult client and a difficult case, said Ted Kalo, a Democratic strategist who briefly worked for Pelosi and the House Judiciary Committee on messaging during their December impeachment effort. That challenge is further exacerbated, he added, by a difficult client who appears to be set on a defense strategy thats appealing to Fox News prime-time hosts but not necessarily moderates of the Senate. Anita Kumar contributed to this report. Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation find themselves in an awkward position as watchdogs claim the U.S. government is skirting key environmental laws by refusing to closely examine the consequences of increasing production of key plutonium components for the nations nuclear arsenal. As supporters of bringing more defense-related spending to New Mexico, the Democratic lawmakers have been reticent to speak about whether there should be a more in-depth review of the plutonium core project, despite their recent criticism of the Trump administrations plans to roll back environmental oversight of other federal projects. Federal officials have set a deadline of 2030 for increased core production, with work being split between Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. At stake are jobs and billions of dollars to revamp existing buildings or construct new factories. The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear arsenal, said last week that it doesnt need to do any broad environmental reviews of the proposal. Watchdog groups say thats a violation of law; some are calling for a nationwide review, and others want a more in-depth analysis of the impact on the Los Alamos lab. The offices of U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich told The Associated Press they would not be able to say whether they would support an expanded review without first being briefed by the U.S. Energy Department. A meeting is planned for this week. The senators said they support Los Alamos mission and believe the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act is important to ensuring worker, community and environmental safety. The burden is on DOE and Los Alamos to explain their NEPA analysis and decisions to the public, and we will continue to prioritize worker safety and independent oversight of the lab, the senators said. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Democratic Senate candidate whose district includes the lab, declined to comment. His office said he was gathering more information. The mission of producing the cores has been based at Los Alamos for years, but no cores have been made since 2011, because the lab has been dogged by safety lapses and concerns about a lack of accountability. The consequences of building up production capabilities at Los Alamos are immense, and a thorough review should be done, said Greg Mello of the Albuquerque-based Los Alamos Study Group. He said the government isnt going to become conscious of the contradictions and interactions of the numerous programs that would be involved unless its forced to prepare an environmental impact statement. Here at Los Alamos, the pit production is the catalyst and main component of a huge expansion that now threatens to set up a satellite campus in Santa Fe. Theres talk of a satellite campus in Espanola and bridges over the Rio Grande, and theyre struggling with housing and transportation, he said. Theres $13 billion in construction proposed, and no one knows how it all fits together. The states congressional delegation and other elected leaders have been fighting for years to consolidate plutonium core production at Los Alamos, given the lucrative nature of the work. Even Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was among the supporters while she was in Congress. Her office said Friday that in general, it would want the most up-to-date information. That would certainly seem to be in New Mexicans best interest when were talking about everything involved in pit production, Governors Office spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said. He said the state Environment Department is doing what it can to make sure New Mexico will be protected. Stelnicki said that the state agency has talked with the Department of Energy broadly about the plutonium project but that officials with the Environment Department did not provide details about any regulatory concerns related to ramping up production or the added waste that will be generated by manufacturing more plutonium cores. Watchdogs said the state needs to consider that the waste will need to be sent somewhere. New Mexico already is home to the federal governments only underground nuclear waste repository, but questions have been raised about its capacity. It will be up to Lujan Grishams administration this year to consider a permit renewal for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, near Carlsbad. The energy Departments draft application calls for extending the time that waste can be placed there from 2024 to 2052. However, the National Nuclear Security Administrations documentation regarding plutonium core production suggests that the repository be open long enough to take the tens of thousands of metric tons of waste generated from the project over 50 years. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Forum in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Armenian Presidents Office told Armenpress. Highlighting the recent effective meetings and discussions the officials touched upon the implementation process of the agreements reached between the two sides. They praised the fact that the Armenian-Serbian relations are gradually growing. There is already a visa-free regime for the citizens of Armenia over which a respective agreement was reached during the Armenian Presidents official visit to Serbia. The Serbian PM informed that the Embassy of Serbia will open in Armenia in late February. The sides also praised another agreement, about holding the Armenian Seaside Startup Summit forum along with the annual EXIT music festival being held in the Serbian city of Novi Sad. The Armenian President and the Serbian PM discussed the prospective directions for the bilateral cooperation. They stated that both Armenia and Serbia attach a great importance to the environmental issues and green technologies, and in his turn President Sarkissian said the two countries can conduct a mutually beneficial cooperation in this sphere. The officials also highlighted the great cooperation potential in IT, high technologies and artificial intelligence. In this context they talked about the collaboration opportunities within the frames of the Armenian presidential initiative ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow). Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan In The Know by Yahoo A "charming" bachelor with a "big personality" and a voracious sex drive is finally retiring at an advanced age of more than 100, after a career spent single-handedly saving an endangered species. Oh, and hes also a turtle. Diego, a giant tortoise belonging to the Chelonoidis hoodensis species that is native to the Galapagos island of Espanola in Ecuador, is finally retiring after decades in a captive breeding program, the AFP news agency reports. Before the program began in the 1970s, there were just 14 tortoises 12 females and two males remaining in Diegos species. Today, there are 2,000 of them. And Diego has played a crucial role in that recovery. By some estimates, the now-famous tortoise has accounted for around 40 percent of the current population. That would mean hes fathered approximately 800 children. "Diego has been critical," James P. Gibbs, a professor of environmental and forest biology at the State University of New York in Syracuse, told the New York Times. So what is it thats made this long-necked, beady-eyed bachelor so popular? For one, he sounds like the life of the party: Professor Gibbs said Diego has "a big personality" and is "quite aggressive, active and vocal in his mating habits." "Without a doubt, Diego had some characteristics that made him special," Jorge Carrion, director of the Galapagos National Park told the Times. Diego will now be returned from the tortoise center on the nearby Santa Cruz Island to Espanola, which is now home to the burgeoning turtle population he helped save. A 26 year-old man who suffered gunshot injures during the anti-CAA protests on December 20 has died, taking the toll of those killed in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district to seven. The daily-wage worker, Mohammad Abrar, was discharged from a Delhi hospital on Jan 10 where he was undergoing treatment. He died on Sunday, SP City Prabal Pratap Singh said. Abrar was a resident of Masrurganj locality under Rasoolpur police station area, the SP said, adding that the cause of death will be known after the post mortem examination report. Violent protests against Citizenship Amendment Act had started from the Dakshin police station area in Firozabad after Friday prayers. During the protest at Naini crossing under Rasoolpur police station area, Abrar had suffered bullet injuries. His family said Abrar was returning after work as a daily wager when he was shot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday (January 14) clarified that Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Devinder Singh, who was arrested for helping terrorists, was not awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It is to clarify that Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J&K State on Independence Day 2018, Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet. It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J&K State on Independence Day 2018. J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) January 14, 2020 For his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwama on 25/26 August 2017 when he was posted there as DSP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts, the J-K Police said in another tweet. for his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwahma on 25/26 Aug 2017 when he was posted there as DySP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts. J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) January 14, 2020 The Jammu and Kashmir police also said that it is known for its professionalism and will not go easy on anyone who is found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct. We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone, the J-K Police said. We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone. J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) January 14, 2020 It may be recalled that Singh was arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 12 during an operation in Sophian when he was going towards Jammu with two most-wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists. Meanwhile, MHA sources told Zee Media on Tuesday that Singh's case would soon be transferred to National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe in this matter. It is to be noted that a NIA team was unable to reach Srinagar so far due to heavy snow fall, which has halted flight operations at Srinagar airport. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to get a new president by next week and that would not be the only organisational change within the ruling party. According to party functionaries, preparations are also underway to strengthen the party units at the state and district levels to overcome the structural deficiencies that led to the electoral reverses the BJP has faced, including most recently in the Jharkhand assembly polls last month. Elections to pick new state office bearers are underway and are expected to be completed in 50% of the states by the end of the week. As per the partys rules, the announcement of a new party chief can be made with a new organisational set up in at least 50% of the states. The party is also closely scrutinising the reasons for its losses in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where it had been in power for three terms, in late 2018. The BJP, which returned to power at the Centre with a bigger mandate in 2019, has begun reviewing the performance of its functionaries, the process of finalising candidates and the issues on which it will go to the polls, said a party functionary on condition of anonymity. A quick review of the Jharkhand poll was that the party did not act decisively to address concerns of anti-incumbency, of internal feuds that came out in the open and was relying too much on the national narrative to retain the state, which has a sizeable tribal population, said the functionary quoted above. The functionary said there is a view that the party relied more on national issues and the central leadership to retain power instead of addressing local issues like the perception among the tribals that their rights were not being protected or the fear among Christians that their faith will be targeted. The issue of weakness at the state level was raised at a meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, in December. The Sangh is also concerned by the growing clout of the regional leaders that pose a challenge to the BJP. Most of the regional parties are driven by narrow political considerations. There is a need to counter the polarising narrative these parties build. Take, for example, the ruling TMC [Trinamool Congress] in West Bengal, which has created a falsehood about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and turned it into a campaign, said a functionary of the RSS. The Sangh is concerned that the absence of strong local level leadership at the state levels will lead to ceding ground to the regional parties, which will be exacerbated by the absence of allies. After the oldest ally, the Shiv Sena, broke away from the BJP [last year], there have been minor issues with other allies too. So it is imperative for the party to keep its friends close and consolidate its cadre strength. In each state, the party has a substantial number of supporters, which should translate into electoral gains, the Sangh functionary said. After losses in assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, the new party president will have the challenging task of leading the party in the assembly elections in Delhi in February and Bihar later in the year. The party is currently campaigning on a war footing to drum up support for its policies like fast-tracking of citizenship for non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that has triggered protests. A second BJP leader said the losses the party faced in the states cannot be seen as an outright rejection of the party. Look at the vote share. In MP [Madhya Pradesh], it came down from 44.9% to 41%; in Jharkhand from 33.37% to 31.26%; in Maharashtra, too, the dip was from 27.8% to 25.6%...which indicates support for the party, its ideology, and its policies, the second BJP functionary said. On why the party won elections in states like Assam, where its presence was limited, but failed to retain power in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the second functionary said the party is aware there were problems in candidate selection. In Haryana, for instance, eight ministers lost the assembly polls last year. The rebels brought the partys count down in Maharashtra. Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies said the process of assessment should include over reliance on the central leadership as well as concentration of power at the Centre. There is far more reliance on the central leadership or, more precisely, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah instead of the local leadership doing what it should. There is also the problem of local leadership having little control over issues such as ticket distribution, he said. Kumar said structural changes like replacing functionaries will not help the party unless it addresses the style of functioning. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NAS Investment Solutions (NASIS), a national sponsor of high-quality real estate investment properties, has acquired a 26,340 square-foot, 2-story retail property. Built in 2010, the freestanding building is leased to Walgreens, one of the oldest and largest pharmacy store chains in the nation and features a pharmacy drive thru window. NAS Investment Solutions has acquired a 26,340 square-foot, 2-story building leased to Walgreens in Burlington, Vermont. Built in 2010, the freestanding building features a pharmacy drive thru window. The recent property acquisition, eligible for 1031 exchanges and self-directed IRAs, represents a narrow window of opportunity for accredited investors to participate in an investment that is projected to deliver an annual 6.51% cash-on-cash return. There is an anticipated 10-year investment hold period on an absolute triple net lease in place with 16.5 years remaining on the initial term of the lease with 50 years of options thereafter. The Property serves a densely populated area, with over 55,000 residents in a 3-mile radius. The local area is saturated with office and retail space with a 100% occupancy rate within a 1-mile radius from the Property. There are over 1.5 million square feet of office and retail inventory also within this radius, making this an extremely desirable submarket location with minimal opportunity for new developments. Assuming responsibilities for asset management and property management for the newly acquired property is National Asset Services (NAS), one of the Nation's leading commercial real estate companies. "This particular location has experienced an overwhelming amount of investment interest from the very beginning," commented Karen E. Kennedy, President and Founder of NAS Investment Solutions and National Asset Services. "There is a strong demand for high quality real estate investments with investment grade tenants in strong submarkets such as Burlington. Investors are turning to quality commercial real estate as an investment alternative that is insulated from Wall Street uncertainty." NAS Investment Solutions recently announced an expedited completion of an industrial office investment property opportunity in Syracuse, New York. This offering sold all remaining equity in just six weeks from the date of acquisition. About National Asset Services (NAS) Since 2008, NAS has served 2,495 investment clients and has established an impressive track record for investment property management. The track record includes generating over $535 million in cash distributions to property investors and managing a commercial real estate portfolio of 164 diverse commercial properties, comprised of 24.2 million square feet, in 29 states. The overall value of NAS' managed portfolio in the company's 11-year history, totals $3.28 billion. NAS manages a wide range of diverse commercial real estate: Office, medical office, multifamily, retail, student housing, assisted living and industrial flex properties. The company manages solely owned and multi-owner properties. NAS offers a wide range of asset management capabilities. They include: Property management; project management; lease administration; acquisition and disposition services; real estate strategy analysis; long-range business objectives; monitoring changing market conditions; investor relations; real estate and investor accounting; loan modification and workout solutions; exit and hold strategies; leasing & marketing; tenant retention plans; research studies; site selections; feasibility studies; insurance risk management; capital improvement planning and tracking; property tax appeal services and cost segregation services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, NAS operates regional offices in Orlando, FL and Austin, Texas. About NAS Investment Solutions (NASIS) NAS Investment Solutions was established to leverage National Asset Services' vast experience in investment property management by identifying, acquiring and enhancing commercial real estate investments across all sectors of the real estate industry. For more information about National Asset Services and NAS Investment Solutions, visit nasassets.com or nasinvestmentsolutions.com JW Robison 310-795-8985 [email protected] SOURCE National Asset Services Gurugram: After missing four deadlines, the flyover at Bajghera railway crossing is finally ready to be opened for public. The four-lane flyover, which has been constructed to decongest the crossing, will benefit thousands of commuters who use Bajghera road. The public works department (PWD) has been informed that traffic could be allowed on the stretch from Wednesday afternoon, railway officials said on Tuesday. The flyover has been built over the Delhi-Rewari railway track at Palam Vihar, popularly known as Bajghera railway crossing. Currently, the crossing is being managed manually by the Indian Railways and that is a big hurdle in traffic movement on Bajghera road that connects old Gurugram with Delhi via Palam Vihar, New Palam Vihar and Bajghera village. SB Malik, deputy chief engineer, Northern Railway, said, Our men finished bituminous work on the remaining portion of the flyover by 5pm on Tuesday. Then we informed the PWD that the flyover is fit to be opened for the traffic from Wednesday afternoon. In June 2016, the Haryana government had planned to construct a flyover and an underpass to decongest the railway crossing. The PWD, which is custodian authority of Bajghera road, constructed approach roads of the flyover and underpass, while the railways built their central portion. The underpass was opened for the traffic in November last year. Rajeev Yadav, superintending engineer, PWD Gurugram, said, We will do a final inspection of the flyover on Wednesday before allowing traffic by evening. We have spoken with the officials of the Indian Railways in this regard. The flyover will bring permanent relief to the tens of thousands of commuters who use Bajghera road to-and-fro for Delhi and Gurugram. In December 2016, the PWD had commenced the construction of the flyover and the underpass. The flyover was originally to be completed by December 2018, but it got delayed because of delay in shifting of underground utilities such as sewer and water pipelines by over six months. Since then, it had missed three more deadlines in June, August and November last year. Residents living in Palam Vihar and surrounding areas have expressed happiness over the developement. Lokesh Sharma, a resident of New Palam Vihar, said, Bajghera road was blocked for traffic in December 2016 due to the project. Now, it will be opened for traffic after three years. New Palam Vihar and Palam Vihar are separated by the railway track and all these years we had suffered a lot travelling via Daulatabad flyover or Chauma railway crossing. The flyover will ease traffic flow between Delhi and Gurugram also. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Photo: Benjamin Combs/Unsplash From an insightful look at America's war on terrorism since 9/11 to a session on how to help San Diego County take part in a global competition of nature-loving regions to a performance by a homegrown indie pop band, there's plenty to do in San Diego this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Talk-About Series: Three Presidents at War From the event description: Brett McGurk, former special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, will discuss U.S. foreign policy decisions related to the fight against terrorism since 9/11. When: Thursday, Jan. 16, 5:30-7:45 p.m. Where: Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5250 55th St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets City Nature Challenge iNat Training - Partner Meeting From the event description: Help San Diego County win the 2020 City Nature Challenge, a worldwide competition to see which region has the most nature-loving residents. It uses the iNaturalist website to make observations of wild plants and animals over a 4-day period. This session will cover an overview of the challenge, the resources we can offer partners, as well as an iNaturalist tutorial. When: Friday, Jan. 17, 1-7 p.m. Where: San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Boychick, Spooky Cigarette, Ten Bulls and Kodalith From the event description: Headlining this show will be local band Boychick, which was born out of the now-defunct act, Della!Della! Boychick is a four-piece indie pop group with a groovy 1970s vibe. Influenced by artists such as The Beatles, David Bowie, The Pixies, The Strokes, and Alabama Shakes, Boychicks style is a unique-yet-accessible blend of classic and contemporary pop and rock. Story continues When: Friday, Jan. 17, 9 p.m.- midnight Where: Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. Admission: $8 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Lawrence Lessig is a Harvard law professor who is also a member in good standing of the Democrat party's Progressive wing. He is not the type you would assume would be slimed by the New York Times. That, however, is precisely what Lessig is charging the New York Times with doing. It all started when it emerged that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepted $850,000 from Jeffrey Epstein, after he'd already been convicted as a pedophile: Three top administrators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology knew about donations from Jeffrey Epstein to support an MIT lab as early as 2013, according to a new report, and approved his money even though they were aware of his sex crimes. A new internal report released Friday by MIT found "significant errors in judgment" in accepting $850,000 in donations from Epstein from 2002 through 2017. The donations included 10 payments overall and nine after the wealthy financier's 2008 sex crime conviction in Florida. The report found most of the post-conviction donations, totaling $525,000, were made to support the work of MIT's embattled Media Lab, led by former director Joi Ito, while $225,000 went to Seth Lloyd, a professor of mechanical engineering and engineering systems and physics. Once the story broke, Lessig wrote an essay in which he argued that, if an institution is going to take dirty money, it would be wise to make sure the donor stays anonymous. In a blog post about his lawsuit, Lessig made clear what he'd written in the essay and what he discussed with the New York Times: My essay was clearly not "defend[ing] soliciting donations" from Epstein. My essay said repeatedly that such soliciting was a "mistake." And more importantly, it was a mistake because of the kind of harm it would trigger in both victims and women generally. [snip] So: I did not defend taking money from Epstein. I didn't say it was ok to take money from Epstein "if in secret." I said it was wrong to take Epstein's money, "even if anonymous." The assertion in the tweeted headline and lede to the contrary is thus flatly false. (Emphasis in original.) Despite the clarity with which Lessig wrote his essay, the New York Times, as is the media norm today, went for a clickbait headline, which Lessig reproduced in his blog post: "A Harvard Professor Doubles Down: If You Take Epstein's Money, Do It in Secret: A conversation with Lawrence Lessig about Jeffrey Epstein, M.I.T. and reputation laundering." The obvious implication was that Lessig was encouraging institutions to take dirty money and advising them about best practices to do it. Deeply offended by that implication, Lessig has filed suit against the New York Times in a federal district court in Massachusetts accusing the Times of deliberately publishing false and defamatory information using a clickbait headline about him. This is just the latest in a wave of people fighting back against out-of-control Leftist institutions, including the media. Currently, the most famous example is the series of suits Nick Sandmann, the Covington Catholic student who was grossly maligned by the media for the sin of wearing a MAGA hat, filed against several media outlets. CNN just entered into a secret settlement with Sandmann, and word is that the number was very, very good. Academics are also pushing back, as was the case with a professor who sued the University of New Mexico because it suspended him after a student tried to blackmail him. Lessig makes much of the fact that he really loves the New York Times ("I love the Times"), but the reality is that even Leftists are realizing that the media have become a Frankenstein's monster. It needs to be cut down to size before it destroys not only conservatives, but the Leftist village as well. Carlos Ghosn doesnt go down without a fight. And the former Nissan-Renault-Mitsubish CEO plans to bring along the media for a greater spectacle and drama while he goes down swinging his sword. Its for this reason why the fallen automotive titan decided to hold a two-and-a-half hour press conference from Beirut; and why he sat down with one-on-one interviews with CNN, CBS News, and other major news networks to share his side of the story. And with everything said of him, there are two things that stand out completely: his daring escape by literally using a boxand how the Japanese are starting to fight back. Thinking Inside the Box Of course, theres one question on everyones mind these days: How did he escape? According to reports, Ghosns escape was made possible with his 15-man teamwhich includes a former U.S. Green Beret. Ghosn also gave a CBS news correspondent a hint of what he used during his daring escape: a big, black box. The details of his planned escape are as fiery and brash as Ghosn himself: First, he boarded a bullet train for a three-hour trip to Osaka airport. Then he hid himself in a boxa music equipment cratethat was to be shipped outside of Japan. This black box was placed on a private jet flying to Beirut. Japanese Unconvinced by Ghosns Accusations Now that he has escaped, Ghosn has branded himself the Fugitive of Injustice, according to CBS news. Still, with all the romantic flair in describing himself and his daring escape to Lebanon, the Japanese still arent convinced of Ghosns criticisms of Japans criminal justice system. According to a survey of 1,040 people by Tokyo-based broadcaster Fuji News Network (FNN), more than 90 percent of the Japanese werent convinced of Ghosns criticisms with regards to the Japanese criminal justice system. Interestingly, only four percent sided with Ghosn. Story continues Meanwhile, Ghosns fiery accusations against the Japaneses justice system has forced the countrys Justice Minister Masako Mori to defend their side. She even went so far as to call out a series of press conferences last week. The question now is this: Are the Japanese also convinced by her side of the story? We still dont know, yet. Whatever the case, lets wait and see as the Carlos Ghosn drama unfolds in the news. The post Heres How Carlos Ghosns Dramatic Saga is Unfolding in the News appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Michelle Carter, the Plainville woman sentenced to jail in a landmark texting-suicide case, will be released on Jan. 23, according to the Bristol County Sheriffs Office. Jonathan Darling, a spokesman for the Bristol County Sheriffs Office, confirmed the release date to MassLive. He added that there were no issues with Carter while she was at the Bristol County Jail. Weve had no problems with her at all, Darling said. She attended programs, is getting along with other inmates and is polite to our staff. Carter had no discipline issues. The news of Carters release comes as the U.S. Supreme Court said it will not take up the appeal on her case. The high court issued a denial Monday of her request to review a lower courts ruling. The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court means her conviction will stand. Carter was charged after her on-and-off again boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, took his own life in July 2014. Roy was found dead in a Fairhaven Kmart parking lot on July 13, 2014 after he turned on a gas-powered water pump and allowed the cabin of his truck to fill with carbon monoxide. Authorities said they discovered thousands of exchanges between Carter and Roy. In calls and text messages for months leading up to his death, Carter urged Roy to kill himself. On the night of his death, Carter was on the phone with Roy as he was in his truck inhaling carbon monoxide. When he said he was getting out, she ordered him to get back in. The judge in the case ruled Roy likely would not have gotten back in the truck and killed himself except for Carter telling him to do so and failing to notify authorities. Carter was charged with involuntary manslaughter and the case went to trial in the summer of 2017. She was convicted of the charge and sentenced to serve 15 months in jail. Carter began serving in February 2019 after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected her appeal. Carter had also gone before the Massachusetts Parole Board in September and requested early release, but she was denied. Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn III released a statement Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Carters request for a review. I am very pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied Michelle Carters petition for further review of her conviction. This, once again, justifies the decision to charge the defendant with manslaughter based on existing Massachusetts law, which is well-established, he said. The validity of charging her has been vindicated by numerous judges at every step of the criminal justice process---including twice by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which voted unanimously to uphold the conviction. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision today brings closure to the family of Conrad Roy for his tragic death. I hope that the finality of this decision brings some solace to them. I am very pleased that the legal chapter of this tragic case is finally closed. Related Content: Six years after it started, World War II ended in 1945 with Nazi Germany surrendering in May and its leaders going on trial for war crimes in November. Here is recap of key events that year. January 27: Auschwitz liberated Advancing Soviet soldiers on January 27 enter the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp near Krakow where the Nazis had exterminated 1.1 million people, one million of them Jews, since 1940. About 7,000 men and women are still alive. The sprawling complex becomes a symbol of the Holocaust, the genocide of European Jews that is also known as the Shoah. The Nazis 10 days earlier had started evacuating the camp, sending 60,000 prisoners to other camps to the west in so-called Death Marches. The first Nazi camp to be freed was Majdanek, near Lublin in Poland, on July 24, 1944. The last was Theresienstadt, near Prague, on May 8, 1945. February 4-11: Yalta conference With the prospect of Germanys defeat, the leaders of the Big Three Allied powers Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States meet in the Crimean seaside resort of Yalta from February 4 to decide the future of post-war Europe. Frances Charles de Gaulle is not invited. Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Franklin D. Roosevelt decide to split defeated Germany and Berlin into four occupied zones, including one for France. They agree that Germany should be demilitarised and pay war reparations, to set up an assembly of nations the future UN and that Nazi leaders should be tried for war crimes. The Soviet Union also wins recognition of the Curzon Line giving it 40 percent of Polish territory. February 13-15: Dresden bombed Over three days in February, Britain and US planes rain several thousand tons of bombs on the eastern German city of Dresden, sparking a firestorm that destroys much of the centre. Up to 25,000 people are killed in the raids, according to recent research, in an attack critics say was unnecessary as Nazi Germany is already effectively defeated. April 30: Hitler commits suicide As Soviet forces close in, Adolf Hitler kills himself in his Berlin bunker with a bullet to the head on April 30. He is with his newly-wed wife, Eva Braun, who also commits suicide by taking cyanide. The next day Hitlers number two Joseph Goebbels and his wife commit suicide after killing their six children with cyanide. Heinrich Himmler, head of the Nazis SS paramilitary and an architect of the Holocaust, kills himself with cyanide in May while in British custody. May 8: Germany surrenders After Hitlers suicide and the fall of Berlin on May 2, Germany seeks to surrender. Negotiations at Allied headquarters in the French city of Reims result in an act of surrender signed in the early hours of May 7 by German and Allied representatives. It orders German troops to stop fighting on May 8 at 11:01 pm, Central European Time. May 8 is also the day chosen by the Allies to officially proclaim victory over Nazi Germany. The war, however, continues in Asia and the Pacific. July 17: Potsdam conference Leaders of the Big Three victors meet again at Potsdam, outside Berlin, from July 17 to finalise the accords intended to disarm, denazify and democratise Germany. They confirm some of the decisions taken at Yalta, including on occupation zones and Nazi trials, and shift Polands western border into Germany. The Allies issue the Potsdam Declaration on July 26 that gives Japan an ultimatum to surrender. August 6 and 9: Hiroshima, Nagasaki On August 6 at 8:15 am, a US air force plane Enola Gay carries out the worlds first ever nuclear attack, dropping a single bomb on the southern Japanese city of Hiroshima. The city is devastated and turned into a furnace. About 140,000 people die in the explosion and by the end of the year from the uranium bombs effects, according to generally accepted estimations. Tens of thousands more die later from injuries or radiation. On August 9 at around 11:00 am, a US plane drops a plutonium nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, a city further south, leaving around 74,000 people dead by the end of the year. The Japanese government concedes defeat and Emperor Hirohito informs the nation of its capitulation in a radio address on August 15. The formal surrender document is signed on September 2 on the battleship USS Missouri anchored off Tokyo. It brings World War II to an end. Between 40 and 60 million people had been killed, half of them civilians and including about six million Jews. October 24: UN created The United Nations is established on October 24, based on a founding charter agreed in San Francisco nearly four months earlier and signed by 51 nations. With its headquarters in New York, the international body succeeds the League of Nations that had proved itself powerless to stop World War II. The UN has an executive body, known as the Security Council, in which five permanent members the victors of the war Britain, China, France, the Soviet Union and the United States have a veto. November 20: Nazis on trial Nazi leaders go on trial in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on November 20 with 21 of them, including Hitlers designated successor Hermann Goering, charged with conspiracy, war crimes, crimes against peace, and for the first time in history crimes against humanity. The trial lasts 218 days, delivering its verdict on October 1, 1946 of 12 death sentences; three terms of life in prison; two of 20 years in prison; one of 15 years; and one of 10 years. On October 16, 10 of the defendants are hanged. Goering commits suicide a few hours earlier in his cell by swallowing a hidden cyanide capsule. Liu Cixin, the award-winning author of the trilogy, attended the global debut. [chinadaily.com.cn] An immersive exhibition inspired by The Three-Body trilogy, China's best-selling science-fiction novels, made its global debut in Shanghai on Friday. Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, the trilogy's author, described the exhibition as "rendering to the audience the true feeling of being surrounded in the restored scenarios in the books." The organizer said that the exhibition is dedicated to restoring classic scenes and science fiction stories in books with frontier technological approaches after one year's preparation, gathering the efforts of 27 curators and artists from around the world. An immersive exhibition inspired by The Three-Body trilogy made its global debut in Shanghai. [chinadaily.com.cn] "We strived to present the fabulous experience that the magic and magnificence of the trilogy rendered to its readers in a spiritual world with three-dimensional senses combining visual, audio and video interactions," said Shi Fei, Board Chairman of Shanghai Zun'an Tongheng Cultural and Creative Development Co Ltd, the exhibition organizer. The exhibition covers nearly 2,000 square meters spanning three floors in Shanghai Tower, the world's second tallest building and China's tallest, in the Lujiazui Finance Area. It replicated six iconic scenarios in the trilogy, of which the first book, The Three-Body Problem, won the Hugo Award in 2015. Liu said he was impressed by the scenarios, including water drips, the three-body planets, the severe winter and the chaotic era, in the exhibition, saying they were very close to what he had in his mind when writing the novel. The exhibition features the scenario of water drips in the trilogy. [chinadaily.com.cn] "I was also impressed by the curators' creative and interactive ways to present the words in the books. As a writer who works with words, I felt for the first time that words are becoming alive, empowered by high technologies," he said. The exhibition will be open until February 2021 and many other Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Xi'an, Wuhan, Shenyang and Ningbo, have expressed strong interest in hosting the exhibition, Shi said. Japan's Tokyo and Osaka also are interested. The trilogy has been published in at least 25 foreign languages and has sold over 20 million copies. Celebrity fans of the books included former US President Barack Obama and Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg. An immersive exhibition inspired by The Three-Body trilogy made its global debut in Shanghai. [chinadaily.com.cn] An immersive exhibition inspired by The Three-Body trilogy made its global debut in Shanghai. [chinadaily.com.cn] An immersive exhibition inspired by The Three-Body trilogy made its global debut in Shanghai. [chinadaily.com.cn] (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) The US Navy is preparing to remove 21 Saudi Arabian military students from a training program after an investigation into a deadly shooting by a Saudi aviation student at a Florida navy base. Saudi Air Force officer Mohammed Alshamrani shot three US sailors and injured eight other people at the Pensacola facility last month. Those to be expelled have not been accused of helping the 21-year-old, a US official told the Associated Press. The Justice Department has been investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, with flight training suspended for about 175 Saudi students across three bases during the probe. It is understood the Saudi trainee military pilot launched the attack after an instructor called him "porn stash", suggesting his moustache resembled that of a pornographic film actor. Mohammed Alshamrani, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force, made a complaint over the incident in April, which he said left him embarrassed and angry. The phrase was spelt that way in Alshamrani's subsequent complaint, but was taken to be a reference to his moustache looking like that of a male adult film performer. The incident happened at the end of a training session at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. Alshamrani carried out his attack on Friday, eight months later, at the same base. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: Services included in the Compulsory Medical Insurance Package, which has been approved by the decision of Azerbaijans Cabinet of Ministers, has been disclosed, Trend reports with reference to the Cabinet. A package is a set of medical services that as part of compulsory medical insurance are insured in the appropriate form, volume and under certain conditions are rendered to the insured persons. It includes emergency medical care, primary healthcare services, specialized outpatient care, inpatient medical care, in total - 2,550 types of medical services. Six of these services are emergency medical care services, 35 primary healthcare services, 1,265 specialized outpatient care services and 1,244 inpatient care services. Medical and surgical treatment of diseases widespread in Azerbaijan with a risk of disability and death are also covered by the compulsory medical insurance. These services include more than 150 vital operations with high cost. In accordance with the law On Medical Insurance, medical services under the Services Package will be provided to citizens only if there is medical evidence (excluding emergency medical care) in medical institutions with which the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance has relevant contracts. The package of services includes the names of medical services, tariffs, insurance limit, cases requiring co-financing, conditions for the provision of medical services, depending on their type, as well as waiting time. A certain part of the cost of medical services that must be paid by the insured is called the amount of co-financing and it will be applied to the insured persons if they dont comply with the conditions specified in the Services Package. The terms of payment of this amount are determined by the Services Package, and it must be paid directly to the medical institution. The amount of co-financing applicable to services provided on an outpatient basis is paid in the following manner: If a citizen comes to a medical institution at the place of registration to get medical services on an outpatient basis within the administrative territory without a family doctors referral, then a citizen must pay the amount of co-financing worth five manat ($2) for each insured event. That is, if you have been registered in Azerbaijans Sheki city and without seeing a family doctor, you directly see a doctor in a medical institution in Sheki city, then you must pay the amount of co-financing worth five manat ($2) due to the non-compliance with the conditions prescribed in the Service Package. If a citizen comes to a medical institution located in another administrative territory within the medical territorial zone to get medical services on an outpatient basis without a family doctors referral, then a citizen must pay the amount of co-financing worth five manat ($2) for each insured event. That is, if you have been registered in Sheki city and without seeing a family doctor, you directly see a doctor in the Gakh medical institution (located in another administrative territory, but within the medical territorial zone), you must pay the amount of co-financing worth five manat ($2). If a citizen, without a family doctors referral, comes to a medical institution located outside the medical territorial zone where he has been registered to get medical services on an outpatient basis, then a citizen must pay the amount of co-financing worth 15 manat ($8) for each insured event. For example, if you have been registered in Sheki city and without seeing a family doctor, you directly see a doctor in a medical institution of Shamakhi city (located in another medical territorial zone), you must pay the amount of co-financing worth 15 manat ($8). The procedure for paying the amount of co-financing for getting medical services in a hospital is as follows: If a citizen, without a referral from a medical institution situated in the place of registration or residence, comes to a medical institution located in another administrative territory but within a medical territorial zone, then a citizen must pay the amount of co-financing worth 30 manat ($17) for each insurance case exceeding 100 manat ($58). For example, if you are registered in the Guba district and without contacting a family doctor at the place of registration, you apply for medical services in a hospital in Khachmaz district (in the medical territorial department, but in a different administrative territory), then due to non-compliance with the conditions established in the Service Package, you must pay co-financing in the amount of 30 manat ($17.6). Outside the medical territorial department: if a citizen without referral from a medical institution located in the administrative territory at the place of registration applies for a medical service in a medical institution located outside the medical territorial department where he is registered, then for each insurance case the cost of which exceeds 100 manat ($58.8), the citizen must pay co-financing in the amount of 90 manat ($52.9). For example, if a citizen is registered in the Guba district and without contacting a family doctor at the place of registration, applies for medical services in a hospital in the Shamakhi district (located in another medical territorial department), then due to non-compliance with the conditions established in the Service Package, he must pay the co-financing in the amount of 90 manat ($52.9). At the same time, for each magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography service provided on the outpatient basis, a citizen must pay the co-financing in the amount of 20 manat ($11.7). All medical services to the insured are provided according to the relevant referral. All laboratory and diagnostic services, without undergoing appropriate examination of a doctor, are carried out at the expense of the citizen. If the conditions specified in the Service Package are met (referring to a family doctor, referring to a specialized doctor based on the direction of the family doctor, etc.) while providing emergency and urgent medical care, outpatient (excluding CT and MRI) and inpatient care, payment of co-financing is not required. The application of the co-financing will begin on April 1, 2020. A longtime aide distanced Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI from a new book on priestly celibacy Tuesday and asked that Benedict be removed as co-author after the project gave the impression the retired pope was trying to interfere with the reigning one. Benedict's longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, told Italian and German media there had been a misunderstanding with the other co-author and that Benedict never intended to have his name on the book, From the Depths of Our Hearts. Advance excerpts of the book, which is set to be published in France on Wednesday and in the United States next month, had set Catholic social media abuzz, fueling conservative-progressive battle lines that deepened after Benedict's 2013 retirement paved the way for Pope Francis' papacy. While Benedict knew Cardinal Robert Sarah was planning a book and contributed text reaffirming the necessity of priestly celibacy, he never approved a co-authored book and never saw or authorized the cover giving him lead author status, Gaenswein said in a statement carried by German Catholic agency Kathpress and Italian ANSA agency. Gaenswein said Benedict has asked that his name and photo be removed from the cover as well as from what was said to be a joint introduction and conclusion reaffirming the need for priestly celibacy. Benedict's association with the book was surprising since he had vowed to live hidden from the world" when he stepped down as pope, specifically to avoid any suggestion that he still wielded papal authority. The timing of the book's publication also looked suspect to Francis' supporters. Francis has said he will publish a document in the coming weeks that is expected to touch on whether married men could be ordained priests in the Amazon, to deal with a priest shortage there. The book includes an introduction and a conclusion, said to be written jointly by Benedict and Sarah, as well as a chapter apiece. The Associated Press obtained galleys of the English text after the French daily Le Figaro published excerpts Sunday. Earlier Tuesday, Sarah reproduced letters from Benedict making clear the 92-year-old ex-pope had written the text and approved of publishing it as a book. He spoke out after reports quoted sources close to Benedict" as alleging that Sarah had manipulated the pope into publishing the book. These defamations are of exceptional gravity," Sarah, who heads the Vatican's liturgy office, tweeted at one point as the scandal grew. While insisting on the transparency of his interactions with Benedict, Sarah tweeted, Considering the polemics provoked by the publication of the book 'From the Depths of Our Hearts,' it has been decided that the author of the book in future publications will be: Cardinal Sarah, with the contribution of Benedict XVI. However, the complete text will remain absolutely unchanged. After the first reports, Francis' supporters quickly alleged Benedict had been manipulated by members of his right-wing entourage into writing something that amounted to a frontal attack on Francis. Some claimed it was evidence of elder abuse, given Benedict's age and increasing frailty. Conservatives, many of whom long for Benedict's orthodoxy, argued it was no such thing and noted that Francis too has reaffirmed the gift of priestly celibacy. The Vatican tried to tamp down the furor by insisting the book was a mere contribution" to the discussion about priestly celibacy written by two bishops in filial obedience" to Francis. Sarah a hero to liturgical purists and conservatives and a quiet critic of Francis denied there was any manipulation on his part and said Benedict was very much a part of the process. He tweeted three 2018 letters from Benedict making clear the retired pope had provided him the text and participated in discussions about publishing it. In a statement, Sarah chronicled all his interactions with Benedict and said the retired pope had approved the final text, including the joint introduction, conclusion and cover. From my side, the text can be published in the form you have foreseen, read a Nov. 25 letter from Benedict to Sarah. Sarah acknowledged he had warned Benedict that his participation in the project might create a media storm, but persuaded him it was worthwhile. Quoting his own correspondence to Benedict, Sarah wrote: I imagine that you might think your reflections might not be opportune because of the polemics they might provoke in newspapers, but I am convinced that the whole church needs this gift, which could be published around Christmas or the start of 2020." Sarah said he forgave all those who had defamed him by accusing him of manipulating Benedict, and affirmed his obedience to Francis. The US publisher of the book, Ignatius Press, which has been Benedict's English-language publisher since before he became pope, has defended the book and Benedict's participation in it. The Rev. Joseph Fessio, Ignatius' founder and editor, said he had read the text in French and English, and said only Benedict could have written it. Is it really believable that Sarah would perpetrate a fraud?" Fessio asked in an email. Or alter something from Benedict? Or claim that Benedict didn't collaborate and agree to the intro and epilogue?" Ignatius in November published another book by Sarah, The Day is Now Far Spent," in which the cardinal defended priestly celibacy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The study provides an overview of the Mobile Threat Defense market in Europe and forecasts its development until 2023.It highlights major market drivers and restraints that are likely to affect the demand for mobile security solutions. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839460/?utm_source=PRN In addition to identifying major industry trends that will have a lasting impact on MTD product development and marketing, the study discusses features that will be definitional for tomorrow's competitive mobile security solutions. European Smartphone and Tablet Cybersecurity Solution Market, Forecast to 2023 provides essential insights to cybersecurity vendors, chief information security officers (CISOs), as well as business executives interested in mobile security. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839460/?utm_source=PRN 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 A local TMC leader was hacked to death on Tuesday afternoon by unindentified miscreants at Shantipur area of West Bengal's Nadia district, police said. Shantanu Mahato was attacked by masked miscreants near his home and hacked to death. The miscreants shot several rounds in the air and burst crude bombs while leaving the area, the police said. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. According to family members of Mahato, he was a victim of infighting within TMC. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee reacting to the incident condemned the killing and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. "The police should immediately arrest the culprits. I am confident this killing is not a result of infighting, but if anybody from our party is involved we will take appropriate action," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo is pleading with Ghanaians to give his government four years to continue the work they have started. Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Speaking at the maiden edition of the Results Fair held in Accra on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, the NPP leader said his party and government has achieved a lot in the last three years in office. Having achieved all these significant milestones, even in the midst of the difficulties we met, I am hopeful that the Ghanaian people would reward my party with another resounding victory in 2020." READ ALSO: Explainer: Why Kofi Amoabeng was arrested He added that his party will not be complacent. we will work hard for victory, regardless of the fact that One Good Term Deserves Another. We need four more years to do more, he said. He touched on some of the important achievements of his government in the last three years; he noted that he inherited a dire macroeconomic situation but currently things are far better. The banking sector was weighed down by a plethora of poorly capitalised, and weak and insolvent institutions, with potentially grave consequences for the entire financial system. Agricultural and industrial activities were down. Unemployment, especially of the youth, was widespread, against a background of low incomes and high prices, he said. Nana Addo also assured the gathering present at the event that the programs and policies his government is undertaking will revive and turn things around. ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana He said it will improve the health and social wellbeing of citizens, create a society of opportunities for all, and help put Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity. READ ALSO: Ghana discovers another oil reserve in Avenor - Akufo-Addo In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo said, the Results Fair is a demonstration and appreciation by his government that a lot more needs to be done to achieve the Ghana that we want. It is also an indication of our resolve to secure a better future for all Ghanaians. Although a lot has been achieved over the past three years, there is still more work to be done to transform our country. Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh - President Buhari has approved committees for 3050MW Mambilla power project - The committees included IMSC and PDC - Sale Mamman, the minister of power, would chair the the Inter-ministerial steering committee In his efforts to ensure that Nigerians enjoy steady power supply, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, January 13, approved the constitution of two committees for the Mambilla hydroelectric power project in Taraba state. The Nation reports that the committees were the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) and Project Delivery Committee (PDC). Legit.ng gathered that a press statement indicated that the minster of power, Sale Mamman, would chair the Inter-ministerial steering committee, while the director in-charge of renewable energy in the federal ministry of power would head the PDC, reporting to the minister of power through the permanent secretary of the ministry. The ministers special adviser on media, Aaron Aritmas, who disclosed this in a statement, said that members of the Inter-ministerial steering committee are representatives of federal government agencies and Taraba state government. Minister of power, Sale Mamman Source: Twitter The statement also noted that the federal government agencies involved are ministries of water resources, environment, finance, budget and national planning, works and housing, Justice, information and culture, and mines and steel development. According to Aritmas, others included representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), National Security Adviser (NSA), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The statement said that the terms of reference of the Inter-ministerial steering committee include; "facilitating and fast-tracking the execution and project delivery of the Mambilla Hydroelectric power project; finalising within six months the review of the project engineering and technical design concept to achieve optimal efficiency and benefit the immediate target market (the Northeast geopolitical zone); as well as obtaining approval of the loan facility from the China Exim Bank for the Off-shore component of the project based on the reviewed contract price. The Inter-ministerial steering committee would be supported by project delivery committee, which would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the project in line with agreed timelines and deliverables, including design of a framework for post-project operational management that will ensure that the project starts performing from the point of delivery. Also, an independent consultant would serve as a project coordinator to coordinate the administrative and stakeholder aspects of project implementation. The federal ministry of power is expected to announce the dates for the inauguration of the committees soon. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Mamman said that Nigerians might start enjoying 18-hour power supply daily as soon as power generation and distribution get to 7,000 megawatts. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) - Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Can Nigeria solve its power problems? Top engineers offer solutions | - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) A Filipino lawyer is retracting the complaint he filed against President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court a move that the tribunal said would not have any impact at all to its ongoing assessment. Jude Sabio on Tuesday signed a 28-page affidavit saying he intends to withdraw the 77-page document, formally called a "communication" by the ICC, where he alleged in April 2017 the "continuing mass murder" in the Philippines. Sabio said the complaint should be "set aside and trashed" because it was being used by Duterte's critics for political propaganda. "I will send by e-mail later my letter-withdrawal that I executed today addressed to Prosecutor [Fatou] Bensouda regarding my intention to withdraw my earlier ICC communication," Sabio said in a statement sent to CNN Philippines. He added he will submit it personally to Bensouda's office in The Hague anytime soon. The ICC Office of the Prosecutor, however, told CNN Philippines that no communication before them can be withdrawn. It added that any supposed withdrawal "would have no impact" on the preliminary examination it is conducting. "The Office cannot effectively destroy or return information once it is [in] its possession or control. However, the Office would register any supplemental information the sender may now want to provide, including in terms of how to treat such information," its news desk said. It added that the ICC has a "wide range of reliable sources" and is not confined to information in the communications alone. 'Devastated, disillusioned, disenchanted' Sabio's affidavit detailed how he was "devastated, disillusioned and disenchanted" in helping out self-confessed hitmen Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascanas in the complaint before the ICC after he lost financial support from former opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Sabio said he received from Trillanes 50,000 to 100,000 a month for around two years until Trillanes stepped down from the Senate last June. He also said he sought 700,000 in legal fees from Jesuit priest Albert Alejo, who supposedly asked him to make a billing for rendering services to Matobato. Sabio said he never got paid, even after following up with the camp of Trillanes and Senator Leila de Lima, whom he said were working together on a plot to oust Duterte. "I denounce their fraudulent ploy against me. Together with my wife, who has been my constant companion, I endured a lot of hardship and sacrifice for handling Matobatos cases in Davao. For more than once, I ran out of money for food and hotel in Davao, because they failed to send the needed budget for my trip and stay in the Davao region," said Sabio, who had also been dragged into some of the legal cases involving Trillanes. Despite his stinging rebuke of Trillanes and members of the opposition Liberal Party, Sabio did not backtrack on the allegations in his communication with the ICC, even stressing several times that he remains an advocate against extrajudicial killings. Sabio's communication included statements of Matobato and Lascanas, that they killed people in Davao City upon the orders of then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. This was followed by supplemental information from then opposition lawmakers Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano. They said over a thousand people were killed by the so-called Davao Death Squad, while thousands more were killed in the war on drugs since Duterte became president in 2016. Trillanes in a statement on Tuesday said Sabio's withdrawal will not have any effect on the Philippines' case. "Even assuming tanggapin ang pagwithdraw ni Sabio, marami pang ibang nagfile laban kay Duterte sa ICC," Trillanes said. [Translation: Even assuming that Sabio's withdrawal is accepted, there are many others who filed a complaint against Duterte in the ICC.] The Commission on Human Rights previously told CNN Philippines that at least three more communications were filed by non-government organizations and concerned individiduals. READ: At least three more communications vs. Duterte filed at ICC CHR Trillanes said the Duterte camp influenced Sabio's decision, afraid of what the ICC's findings would be. Sabio, on the other hand, accused Trillanes, detained Senator Leila de Lima and other members of the opposition, of using the ICC complaint for politics. Duterte and the ICC The ICC in February 2018 launched a preliminary examination which will determine whether or not it will proceed with a formal investigation into the Philippines' case. A month later, Duterte pulled the country out of the ICC, a move that took effect after one year March 2019. Duterte has also repeatedly warned ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda against setting foot on the country. The ICC said it will continue looking into the country's situation despite Duterte's threats and the Philippines' exit from the tribunal. Deaths in the country's anti-drug campaign have also attracted the attention of the United Nations' Human Rights Council, which called on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate. READ: What to expect from UN's review of Philippine drug war More or less 6,000 drug suspects have been killed, according to government data, but local and international human rights groups say thousands more have died in extrajudicial killings as a result of Duterte's public pronouncements to finish all drug addicts. Malacanang has said there are no state-sanctioned killings, and that the country's independent courts could prosecute alleged violations by police and law enforcement agencies. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario and Currie Cator contributed to this report. London-listed oil producer Lekoil has suspended trade in its shares amid a budding scandal involving a loan from a company claiming to act on behalf of the Qatar sovereign investment fund. Alliance News reports Lekoil had agreed a $184-million loan with representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority earlier this month, to be used for the development of an offshore field, Ogo, in Nigeria. The funding, according to Energy Voice, was to go towards the drilling of two exploratory wells during the second half of this year. Lekoil is currently surveying the area. More than a week after Lekoil entered the loan agreement, other representatives of the Qatari sovereign wealth fund approached the company to express suspicions about the validity of the loan. Ultimately, it was established the Qatari Investment Authority had no knowledge of any loans with Lekoil. "Lekoil is urgently seeking to establish, alongside its legal counsel and nominated adviser, the full facts of this matter, and pending this clarification, the company has requested that its ordinary shares be suspended from trading on AIM with immediate effect," the company said this week. The Financial Times meanwhile reported that the loan agreement had involved an intermediary: a Bahamas-based company called Seawave Invest. Seawave Invest connected Lekoil with people who claimed they were representatives of the QIA but, according to Lekoil, had constructed a complex facade in order to masquerade as representatives of the fund. The company added it had paid $600,000 to Seawave Invest. The FT recalls this is not the first time a Nigerian-focused oil company has had trouble. In 2018, Lekoils partner in the Ogo field was found guilty of money laundering and fraud, for example. Lekoil bought off Afren and currently has 40 percent in the field. However, the company is looking to sell on the 22.86 percent it bought from Afren. The operator and majority shareholder in the field is Nigerian Optimum. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: WATERLOO A plan to shut down one of the Waterloo Regional Airports runways is ready for takeoff. Several City Council members said they support voting next week to decommission runway 6-24, the shortest of the airports three takeoff and landing strips. We need to get this resolved and move on, said Councilwoman Sharon Juon, noting airport board members have been split on the issue. Waterloo has the only airport in Iowa with three paved runways, and the Federal Aviation Administration has said it will not provide any financial support for runway 6-24 because the airports other two runways can handle nearly all of the air traffic. Airport Director Keith Kaspari has recommended closing the runway because its deteriorating condition has created safety and liability concerns. Cost estimates run from $300,000 for a short-term resurfacing effort to $1.9 million to rehabilitate the runway in a shorter and narrower format. Here we are today at a crossroads, Kaspari said. We dont have the funds to maintain it. We dont have the funds to improve it. Kasparis recommendation generated blowback last summer from general aviation pilots and Livingston Aviation, who urged the airport board to keep runway 6-24 open. They said the runway is important when strong crosswinds make the other two runways unsafe for small aircraft landings. Councilwoman Margaret Klein, who serves as a liaison to the airport board, said runway 6-24 was built by the federal government in 1944 to handle air freight for World War II and is no longer needed. We cannot afford this runway in my opinion, Klein said. The Des Moines International Airport has two runways. Cedar Rapids airport as two runways, and they are booming. We are struggling at the airport with many needs and not enough money to go around, she added. The last thing we need to do is continue to hold out false hope that that runway is ever going to be a viable thing for us. Councilman Jerome Amos Jr. said he was worried about keeping the runway after Kaspari described its very poor condition with cracks and heaved concrete. If we as a council say lets keep it open, and we cant fix it properly, in my mind that does make us liable if something does happen on that particular runway, he said. Council members asked Kaspari to bring the issue up for a vote at the next meeting Jan. 21. Photos: Presidential candidates campaign in the area. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Box is on pace to not only blow past Roddys previous songs in terms of popularity, but to become one of the biggest rap hits in recent memory. Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images Last week, Justin Bieber was roundly mocked for sharing a graphic on his Instagram page that instructed fans on how to game streaming numbers in an effort to get his new (uh) ode to marital relations, Yummy, to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It included tips like Create a playlist with Yummy on repeat and stream it. Dont mute it! Play at a low volume. Let it play while you sleep, and a suggestion that fans from abroad download a VPN to mask their IP addresses so that theirs might count as American streams. Bieber quickly deleted the post, but nothing on the internet is ever really deleted. There were some moralizing scolds who shouted about how Biebers attempt to activate a stan army in this way was unfair, cheating the system. But, of course, the charts have been manipulated for decades by payola, CD buybacks by labels, and outright fraud. The fundamental problem with Biebers post is that it was undignified. Contrast it with the response from Roddy Ricch, a comparatively unknown Compton rapper whose own single, The Box, just blocked Bieber from that No. 1 spot. Instead of creating his own system to juice the numbers, Roddy tweeted, presumably smirking while he did it: stream yummy by justin bieber Roddy Ricch (@RoddyRicch) January 11, 2020 (Its reminiscent of six years ago, when a similarly unbothered Compton rapper was blocked from the top Billboard spot by a certain Disney property and tweeted, If it wasnt for thatt fukin frozen album I woulda had the #1 album on billboard top 200 too lol. Its Bool doe.) For the uninitiated, Roddy Ricch is a 21-year-old rapper from Compton signed to Atlantic Records. Prior to last month, if youd heard him playing out of car speakers or in clubs, it was probably either his breakout single, the 2018 bloodletting Die Young, or his exuberant contribution to Mustards Perfect Ten album, Ballin or maybe his hook on the late Nipsey Hussles Grammy-nominated Racks in the Middle. But The Box, the second track from his major-label debut Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, which debuted at No. 1 in December and returns to No. 1 this week, is on pace to not only blow past his previous songs in terms of popularity, but to become one of the biggest rap hits in recent memory. If you want some sense of how rapidly The Box has climbed the charts, when we say second track from Roddys debut album, thats track as in has not technically been released as a single yet. Anecdotally, Ive had at least a half-dozen conversations this month that go something like, I love this song, but how is it charting so high? To answer, maybe you start with the obvious: The Box is arresting from the jump its opening notes make it sound like 20th Century Fox is looming over South L.A. County. Roddy moves easily between vocal modes, sounding defiant (I wont ever sell my soooooouuuuuullllll, and I can back that), conspiratorial (Got a bitch thats looking like Aaliyah she a model), or playful like when he cackles unnervingly at the beginning of the second verse. He raps with verve whether hes detailing sexual encounters or offering a $100,000 bounty on George Zimmermans head. Its full of tics little yelps, hairpin turns in tone and sounds great on stereo systems. Its strange and eccentric, but not so strange or eccentric that it wont scan easily for people who are familiar with the rap thats bubbled on pop radio over the last few years. Roddy is not so much breaking new stylistic ground as he is arranging existing pieces in a way that is just foreign enough to make him distinct. Combine that with that excellent vocal control and just enough shards of specificity (like when he compares selling out the Novo in Downtown L.A. to Michael Jordans flu game) to build out his own mythos, and you have a relatively obvious recipe for a new rap star. There is, of course, the matter of Atlantics significant investment in him, plus the priceless early endorsements from established stars on opposite coasts, like Nipsey and Meek Mill. (Roddys rise has also seemed to be more or less unaffected by the domestic-violence charges he faced last summer; the L.A. County district attorneys office would later drop the case, concluding after review that it was without merit.) And then there are the ways in which various digital channels have contributed to the tracks ascent. While it has little in common, musically speaking, with the four most popular rap songs of last year including one by Lizzo and two by Post Malone The Box shares one key thing with last years biggest rap song, Lil Nas Xs meme hit Old Town Road, the last viral hit to deny Bieber a No. 1: massive popularity on the rapidly expanding social media platform TikTok. One gets the impression that the way we (read: critics old enough to rent cars) try to parse TikTok today is like how early man might have tried to describe fire, but The Box does not come with any of the obvious hallmarks of a social media hit. There is no prescribed dance, no meme-adjacent syntax, no superstar to anchor the song. In terms of its potency as a no-frills rap hit that can fully cross over, the closest recent analogue is DaBabys Suge. While Roddy is an undeniably talented vocalist and occasionally a compelling songwriter, not all of his music is quite so effective. He has a rap for being a bit of a biter understandable given his age, but intermittently distracting all the same. He frequently adopts the same syntax and vocal intonations as Young Thug, and there are moments on Antisocial when he sounds as if hes lapsing into karaoke versions of Future (see his vocals during the verses on the otherwise effective Perfect Time); theres the fit of Lil Wayne cosplay on Moonwalking, a song that features Lil Durk another rapper from whom Roddy sometimes borrows. Part of the appeal of The Box is that, like Ballin, its an example of a young, talented artist moving away from imitation of his influences and toward something like synthesis. A former detective sergeant who was dismissed from An Garda Siochana last October has gone to court seeking to legally challenge her dismissal. Evelyn Doherty was sacked after serving in the force for 28 years. She worked in the Crime and Security Section of An Garda Siochana. In 2017, she was found guilty by a jury in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of harassing a State solicitor by sending abusive letters between September 2011 and March 2013. Ms Doherty denied all charges. She was acquitted by the jury of two counts of making false statements. She was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, but the balance of her sentence was last year suspended by the Court of Appeal. Ms Doherty (52) of Sandyford, Dublin, who has a case before the Supreme Court, now wants her dismissal overturned. In an affidavit, she said she is seeking a judicial review of the Garda Commissioner's decision and claims her rights have been allegedly breached. She was suspended with pay in October 2013 and, in August 2018, she claims her wages were stopped. She claims from August 2018 to October 2019, she was suspended without pay and claims it was without a justified explanation to herself or her solicitor. She said documentation from the Garda Commissioner in October last year stated she had not replied to his letter requesting a submission as to why he should not sack her. She claims she posted a submission to the Commissioner in July 2019. She said her submission was sent again by email to the Commissioner but she was dismissed two days later on October 16, 2019. Seized In the High Court yesterday, Ms Doherty told the court she also wanted property returned to her, including laptops which she said had been seized by gardai seven years ago. She also said she was seeking reinstatement until her case before the Supreme Court is finalised. Mr Justice Charles Meenan told Ms Doherty to put the Garda Commissioner on notice of the application. The case will come back before the court at a later date. Mark Andol sitting with Clay Moden on WYRK's Shiftwork! That's where things changed. I had 70 employees, 18 family members, and 3 guys I went to kindergarten with, but I had to lay off 40 of them when the recession hit in 2010 - That was gut-wrenching. That was where the Made In America Store was born. For Immediate Release Anthony M Falbo 716-652-0024 TFalboJr@MadeInAmericaStore.com Buffalo, New Yorks own Mark Andol, founder and CEO of the Made In America Store and General Welding & Fabricating, gets featured on WYRKs Shiftwork - A show that features influential entrepreneurs contributing to Buffalos resurgence. Western New York has seen a resurgence in the past decade, and its largely due to the influential entrepreneurs who helped build the community. To help recognize these effort, Buffalo local radio station Country 106.5 WYRK decided to give the spotlight to some of the business owners to talk about their start, and what theyre doing for the community. Mark Andol, founder & CEO of the Made In America Store, was recently featured on Country 106.5 WYRKs new featurette, Shiftwork. Clay Moden, host of Shiftwork, went through Marks upbringing, his steel fabrication plant, his major loss to China, and the inevitable opening of the first 100% USA made products store. Catch the Shiftwork interview with Mark Andol here! Each month Clay Moden and WYRK will highlight a different entrepreneur in the Buffalo, New York, area. BOILERPLATE: Established in 2010, the Made In America Store is the nations only 100% U.S.A. made department store. With more than 9,000 products from 500+ manufacturers, the Made In America Store is dedicated to creating and saving jobs in the United States of America by increasing U.S. manufacturing for our childrens future. For more information, visit the Made In America Stores website https://madeinamericastore.com/ Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: Infighting in both the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Tejashwi Yadav-led Grand Alliance (GA) is increasing over seat-sharing and, more importantly, the face of CM in the Bihar election. JD-U leader Prashant Kishor, who had demanded more seats than the BJP in 2020, triggered the first such fissure in the ruling camp. Kishor was castigated by none other deputy chief minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who attacked Kishor saying he was just in a data collection business. Later, Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement that the NDA will fight the election under Nitish Kumar settled the nerves of the two allies. But soon, LJP, which is one of the ruling allies in Bihar as well as in the union government, caused some heartache over seat-sharing. LJP sits comfortably with a strong electoral invincibility in at least 43 seats in Bihar and deserves natural claims over those seats, LJPs Pashupati Kumar Paras told the media. The BJP had to come out stating that no individual can dictate either the formula of seat-sharing or number of seats. ALSO READ | Jitan Ram Manjhi calls for next Bihar CM to be from SC or minority communities In the Grand Alliance, HAM (Secular) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi is willing to contest on at least 80 seats on which he claims to be comfortable. The Congress is uneasy over the CM face. Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra said that such issue is decided after the poll results are out. The RJD remains adamant on Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face. Political analysts DM Diwakar and Dr RK Verma blame ambition in politics above ground reality for these infightings. The regional parties have nurtured more political ambitions than they deserve fairly. Thats why infighting is out and may get aggravated further, Verma said. THREE MAJOR PARTIES ARE NECK TO NECK The fight over seat-sharing can be understood well if one looks at the party strength in the Bihar Assembly. RJD has 80 MLAs, JD-U 71, BJP 53, LJP and RLSP each have two MLAs besides others. The January 3 killing of the Iranian general will not start a war but it will have a detrimental effect on Iraq. It is a turning point! This is how over the past 10 days many analysts described the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of the pro-Iranian Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), on January 3 in Baghdad. For many, the killing indicates a clear shift in the low-level confrontation between the United States and Iran which started when Donald Trump took the US presidency and reversed many of his predecessors policies, pulling out of the nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions on Tehran. Up until now, this confrontation was limited to small skirmishes in Iraq and Syria, where Iran and its proxies would hit American interests, and the US with its closest ally, Israel, would also target Iranian positions, with both sides shying away from taking responsibility for the attacks. For many observers, the assassination signalled the USs intent to confront Iran in Iraq full-on, to which Iran will surely react, striking back at US positions and thereby igniting a regional war. But a closer look at the events before and after the assassination reveals that this is not a turning point in US-Iran tensions and a major conflict is unlikely. However, the assassination will still have a negative impact on Iraq, which has become the main battlefield for the US-Iran confrontation, and the Iraqi protest movement will bear the brunt of this. Inside the US strategy on Iran What happened on January 3 appeared to be a dramatic departure from this low-level confrontation, not only in terms of the nature of the operation, but also with respect to its attendant political discourse. It is the first time that the US has targeted an Iranian official of this stature. In addition, the US claimed responsibility for the operation with threatening language demanding that Iran abstain from targeting US interests. Many associated this shift with the attempt by PMF elements to attack the US embassy in Baghdad on December 31, which brought back the painful memories of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 and the American consulate in Benghazi in 2012. However, it seems to me that the American decision to escalate preceded this. It can be traced back to the US air strike on December 29 against five of the bases and headquarters of the Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most important Iraqi Shia armed factions loyal to Iran. The air strike was a response to the December 27 rocket attack on the K-1 Iraqi military base near Kirkuk, which killed an American contractor and injured several American military personnel. The US air srike was devastating and led to a large number of causalities. It was different from previous attacks on PMF bases in terms of the sheer level of destruction it caused. The assassination of Soleimani raised a number of urgent questions, especially because of the perception that it signalled a turning point for the US strategy vis-a-vis Iran. Is the US going to continue targeting the pro-Iran armed groups, which had become a cornerstone of the current Iraqi regime, and thus aim to dismantle their infrastructure? Indeed, there were concerns among many of the leaders of these factions that they could be targeted as well. Some feared that the US would not stop at the assassination of Soleimani and would instead topple the entire political order in Baghdad, replacing it with a military regime. Or will the matter end with the assassination, a strong message by the US and a painful blow to the Iranians, which could bring them back to the negotiating table? Looking at the developments of the past week, we can now say with certainty that the crisis will not escalate into an open conflict; the US does not want to go further and face off with Iran in Iraq and Tehran, for its part, is not capable of real retaliation or starting a war in the region. Its limited attack on the Ain al-Assad military base hosting US troops demonstrated its weakness, confusion, and limited options. In other words, what many observers thought was a turning point in US-Iran relations may in fact not be the case. In my opinion, the assassination was a limited precision strike meant as a deterrent for future Iranian attacks. It is a continuation of Trumps maximum pressure strategy, not a deviation from it. It came as a response to Irans own decision to escalate by hitting the K-1 base, which is one of the headquarters of US military advisers in Iraq; previously Iranian attacks had avoided directly targeting Americans. Trump wants Iran to come back to the negotiating table, which is why on January 3 he tweeted: Iran has never won any war, but it has not lost any negotiations. During a news conference the same day, he also said that the goal of this attack was to stop the war and not start one. That said, the assassination will still have a negative impact on Iraq, which will face the consequences of renewed tensions. Although unable to respond in kind, Iran still wants to use the incident as a game-changer in Iraq to redraw spheres of influence, roles of political actors and the balance of power. The US, on the other hand, will continue to resist an escalation, while maintaining its maximum pressure strategy. Two scenarios: US withdrawal or engagement Given that an all-out war is unlikely, this means the current political system in Iraq will remain intact. In this case, there are at least two possible scenarios for what happens next in the country. In the first scenario, the US would withdraw its forces from Iraq in response to the resolution passed by the Iraqi parliament to that effect on January 5. This would likely enable Shia Islamist forces close to Iran to solidify their control of Iraq. Despite Trumps threats of sanctions against Iraq if it decided to end the US military presence on its territory and despite the US political opposition to the decision of the Iraqi parliament, there appears to be some support within the US establishment for withdrawal from Iraq. Such a withdrawal will not only be military, but also political a price to pay for the assassination of Soleimani. This would remove the existing tension by allowing the Iranians to save face given their inability to respond to the assassination. The Americans would likely move their forces to alternative locations, such as the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, from where they would continue pressuring the Iranians and their allies. In this scenario, Iraq would face the most critical moment in its recent history, as it would fall outside American patronage for the first time since 2003. The Iraqi people did not benefit much from the US engagement in Iraq over the past 17 years. During this time, the US democratisation project failed, corruption increased, sectarianism spread, radical armed groups proliferated and the country was brought to the brink of civil war. With a weak government in Baghdad, Iraq became a vassal of Iran. And yet a US withdrawal now could make matters much worse. The fear is that Shia Islamist forces loyal to Iran would close the country and eliminate its relative openness to the world or what is left of it not only politically but also culturally, turning Iraq into a clone of Iran. In the second scenario, the US could refuse to withdraw from Iraq for strategic reasons and continue confronting Iran and its allies. Trump suggested that he could choose this course of action during a news conference on January 7, when he said a US withdrawal would be the worst thing that could happen to Iraq as it would strengthen Irans foothold in the country. If the US stays, the existing regime in Iraq will be under pressure, not to cut off ties with Iran necessarily, but at least to curtail the activities of the armed factions, especially those that target the US presence and interests. The US would in this case pit the Shia political elites against one another, that is, those who support incorporation into the Iranian regional sphere of influence against those who oppose Iranian influence and wish to carve out a regional role for Iraq independent of Iran. This does not necessarily bode well for Iraqs democracy either. After all, the Trump administration has repeatedly demonstrated that it is not concerned about human rights violations or democratisation efforts. It is concerned about Irans influence on the Iraqi government and the influence of Irans proxies in Iraq. It should be recalled that the US supported keeping Adel Abdul Mahdi in his post as prime minister despite calls by the protesters for his resignation after a violent crackdown killed hundreds. The biggest challenge for Iraqs revolution The continuing protests in Iraq aim not to reform the existing political system but to reformulate national identity and the relationship between society and the political order. Regardless of which scenario follows the assassination of Soleimani, it appears that the revolutionary movement in Iraq will face its greatest challenges and tribulations in the coming months. Before the assassination, Iran interpreted the protests as part of a regional plot to overthrow the existing political system in Iraq, which it considers one of its closest allies and the cornerstone of the regional axis it leads. It is the same way that Iran interpreted the situation in Syria and decided to launch a battle to defend the Bashar al-Assad regime at the expense of millions of Syrians who were killed and displaced. I believe Iran is ready to defend the regime in Iraq, as much as it defended the al-Assad regime or perhaps even more. Being unable to avenge the assassination of Soleimani, the armed factions and Irans proxies will now turn their wrath on those they consider to be Americas allies, a general and prejudiced term that includes all opposition to the current regime. This narrative, employed by authoritarian regimes in the region who describe any protest movement as a foreign conspiracy, will grow more aggressive in Iraq and will be used as a justification to target protesters. At the same time, the Iraqi ruling elite, who rightly consider the revolutionary movement as the greatest internal challenge they face, will also become more ferocious. Since they lack the vision and will for genuine reform, they will likely step up their efforts to stamp out any opposition. These internal dynamics will prompt them to rebuild a closed authoritarian regime that eliminates the remaining relative freedoms that the country has enjoyed since 2003. Thus, the revolutionary movement, which holds the key to the countrys salvation, will encounter even more antagonism after Soleimanis assassination. In the face of this hostility, the Iraqi revolutionaries must continue to reject attempts to turn Iraq into a battlefield for regional powers to settle their scores. We must emphasise that we will create our own political system with our own hands regardless of the will of foreign powers. Our revolution will heed the sacrifice of hundreds of Iraqis and continue the fight for a new Iraq built and shaped by its own people. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. FORMER Fine Gael election candidate Verona Murphy is set to run as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming general election. Ms Murphy has confirmed to Independent.ie that she will mount a fresh bid for the Dail. She is due to do a South East Radio interview later on Tuesday amid growing expectation that the election will be called by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar imminently. Her entry into the race will cause a headache for Fine Gael in the south east constituency where its two incumbent TDs, Paul Kehoe and Michael DArcy, are battling for re-election. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Verona Murphy. Photo: Douglas OConnor / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Verona Murphy. Photo: Douglas OConnor Ms Murphy, who is the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, was the Fine Gael candidate in the Wexford by-election last November, where she finished third. She was also a general election candidate for the party but she was removed from the ticket in December following a controversial by-election campaign where she linked some migrants in Ireland with the terror group Isil in a series of interviews. Ms Murphy apologised for those remarks but later said she stood over her raising of concerns about migrants, insisting it was a security issue. "Do we have to wait to have a London Bridge incident on Wexford Bridge? she told South East Radio in December. Mr Varadkar said after that interview that he was glad she did not get elected to the Dail for Fine Gael and said he regretted picking her to run for the party. Around 11 oclock Monday morning, President Trump sent out one of his now-famous Tweets: The Democrats and the Fake News are trying to make terrorist Soleimani into a wonderful guy, only because I did what should have been done for 20 years. Anything I do, whether its the economy, military, or anything else, will be scorned by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats! For what its worth, I totally agree with him. The day before, our Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, sacrificed his Sunday morning by appearing on a couple of the weekly news shows, and the far-left reporters who cant recognize their flaming bias, pitched their stories in a way that makes me itch. The resulting headlines were quite similar to that which appeared in The Military Times, Esper Says He Never Saw Evidence of Threat Against four US Embassies and my immediate reaction was a very simple, Who cares? What the me-first media in Washington cant seem to understand is that the best intelligence is the most secretive. Todays leftists in the news media act like spoiled, insensitive brats and the timeless fact that any breach in our nations intelligence can cost American lives has been long forgotten. No reporter, good or bad, has the right to believe those of their stripe now almost as maligned as this nations Congress -- should be granted privy of any sort, most especially in the military realm, and why powerful politicians or government safe-keepers get in mud baths week after week with such slimeballs and their microphones is beyond me. Had I been in the press gallery, the most salient point in Secretary Espers dialogue with CNNs Jake Tapper was when our Pentagon leader told the network viewers, Id rather be here discussing this topic with you, rather than going up to Dover Air Force Base and standing there while flag-draped coffins come home, and I have to explain to husbands and wives, sons and daughters, why their service member died when I had information that could have prevented it, he said. Im of the same belief but what is nauseating to me is what difference does it make if Trump said one embassy was endangered before he upped it to four U.S. consulates. High-level intelligence doesnt come in a neatly wrapped parcel with your daily newspaper. Usually it is the result or many strings and threads -- many minor and weak and even misleading until some CIA expert or military command interprets what is real and what it not. Secretary Esper was well between his boundaries when he told reporters he had not seen any evidence the now-droned-and-dead Iranian thug General Qasem Soleimani was planning more attacks on the U.S., but it is a given cinch Esper knew far more than he was about to reveal on some Sunday morning folly to a pair of liberals whose agendas are far from his own.. Lets look at an excerpt of Meghann Meyers version of double-speak that just appeared in the Military Times: * * * Esper told CBSs Margaret Brennan that his opinion wasnt based on any specific intelligence citing threats against four embassies. I didnt see one, with regard to the four embassies, he said. My expectation was, they were probably going to go after our embassies. Probably and could have been, Brennan said quoting Esper, sounded more like assessments than evidence. Well, the president didnt say? He didnt cite a specific piece of evidence, Esper said. (Later on Sunday morning) Esper told CNNs Jake Tapper that he also believed multiple embassies were under threat. What the president said with regard to the four embassies is what I believe as well, Esper said. He said he believed that they probably could have been targeting the embassies in the region. I believe that as well, as did other national security team members. Esper declined to cite any specific intelligence about the threats. Tapper countered that the president had shared the threats publicly, including on Fox News. The president said very publicly that he believed - believed is not the same as evidence, Tapper said. But the president was not citing intelligence when he said he believed in the threat, Esper countered. Members of the administration briefed Congress about the Soleimani killing and the threats he posed to Americans, but many - on both sides of the aisle - denounced the briefing as vague and dissatisfying, and have since come out to say they were never told that four embassies were at risk. Why is Trump telling this to Fox News, but the administration is not briefing Congress on this threat of four embassies, unless there was actually no specific intelligence that there was a threat to four embassies? Tapper said. Senior members of the House and Senate, as well as the top leaders of their intelligence committees, were given all of the classified details, Esper said. The bottom line is, we had exquisite intelligence that can only be shared with the Gang of Eight, so I understand the frustration of many members of Congress, he added. Im not going to go into details of what they were briefed, partly because I wasnt there. * * * Do you see how that works? The Secretary of Defense threw an excuse of I wasnt there, when any lamebrain can swear Mark Esper knew exactly what those briefings included. The same is true of Trump. When he Tweeted yesterday morning, Anything I do, whether its the economy, military, or anything else, will be scorned by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats! Our POTUS already knew there are very few adults in America who do not already know thats true. Yesterday he knew exactly what he was doing. royexum@aol.com Residents wait at a rest area after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a mobile station in Hong Kong on Sunday. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Few of the citys older residents have been fully inoculated, leaving them highly vulnerable as the city battles an outbreak of the new variant. A man has been arrested after one of Britains worst paedophiles was found stabbed to death in his prison cell. Richard Huckle, 33, was stabbed with a makeshift blade at HMP Full Sutton while serving 22 life sentences for abuse against 191 youngsters aged between six months and 12 years. Humberside Police said officers had arrested a 29-year-old man after the incident last October and had passed a file to prosecutors for consideration. In a statement, the force said: A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man at HMP Full Sutton on October 13 2019. A file has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and we are awaiting their decision regarding charges. Huckle, a freelance photographer, from Ashford in Kent, awarded himself Pedopoints for different acts of abuse against his young victims. He also sold images of his sickening depravity on the dark web. In online posts, Huckle bragged that it was easier to target impoverished children in Malaysia than those from wealthy Western backgrounds. He was arrested when he was stopped at Gatwick Airport en route to spend Christmas with his family in 2014, after Australian authorities tipped off the UKs National Crime Agency. At the time of his arrest, he was writing a guide to teach fellow paedophiles how to abuse children and avoid detection. Officers seized his encrypted laptop and managed to uncover more than 20,000 indecent pictures and videos although there were other files they were unable to crack. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Customers select pork at a supermarket in Fuyang, in eastern China's Anhui province on May 10, 2016. China's pork imports in December rose almost four times from a year earlier, according to Reuters calculations of customs data released on Tuesday, as the country bought more of the staple meat ahead of Lunar New Year holidays in January. December arrivals were 375,000 tonnes according to Reuters calculations compared with 95,384 tonnes a year earlier and 229,707 tonnes in November 2019. Pork imports in 2019 jumped 75% to 2.108 million tonnes, according to General Administration of Customs data after the deadly African Swine Fever disease decimated the country's huge hog herd. China's soybean and pork imports from the United States have "significantly rebounded" in November and December, customs vice minister Zou Zhiwu said at a briefing on Tuesday adding that China's agricultural imports from the United States were 14.1 billion yuan ($2.05 billion) in December. This statement was made ahead of a Phase 1 trade deal to be signed between Washington and Beijing. Hopes for big farm imports by China from the United States have dimmed in recent days. An outbreak of African Swine Fever that started in August 2018 has nearly halved China's pig herd, according to official data, sending pork prices soaring to record levels. Meanwhile imports of beef, more expensive but also increasingly popular with the country's growing middle class, also expanded. December beef arrivals climbed 80.6% on the year to 189,000 tonnes according to Reuters calculations. They were up marginally from November imports of 186,984 tonnes. In 2019, beef arrivals rose 59.7% year-on-year to 1.66 million tonnes. Upset by the big brother attitude of Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) Bihar unit president Jagadanand Singh, state Congress leaders are now looking for Lalu Prasads intervention to resolve the issues nagging the opposition Grand Alliance (GA) in Bihar ahead of 2020 assembly polls. The RJD is definitely the major party in the GA, and it should behave like big-hearted party. RJD chief Lalu Prasad knows how to steer the coalition to success. The Congress party is confident that Prasad would step in to ensure better coordination among the GA partners, said senior Congress leader and MLC Prem Chandra Mishra over the fissures appearing in GA after Singh took over as the state RJD chief. Lalu Prasad is serving time in jail in Ranchi after his conviction in the fodder scam. Expressing his annoyance over the war of words within the GA, Congress legislature party (CLP) leader Sadanand Singh once again demanded a coordination committee to hammer out the differences. The GA will remain crippled with one issue or the other if there is no coordination committee in the alliance, said the Congress veteran. Sadanand Singh, a nine-time legislator, also added that the RJD must understand that it would not dethrone chief minister Nitish Kumar or defeat the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) onits own in Bihar. RJD had tried in 2000 and 2010, but miserably failed. We need to weave out Jharkhand like adjustments to oust the NDA from power in Bihar, he added. The Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) leaders are enraged over Jagadanand Singhs recent statement in which he had unilaterally declared opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the alliances chief ministerial face and allegedly asked the coalition partners to walk out if they did not agree with it. Singhs assertion that he had not asked for support from any ally partners for the RJDs Bihar bandh to protest the NRC on December 21 also rubbed the Congress leaders the wrong way. Congress workers were there in the bandh. Some of them are facing police cases also. How can as senior leader like Jagadanand Singh make such lowly comments? Such type of remarks can worsen the scenario for secular forces in their fight against the communal brigade. Instead of criticizing leaders of its ally, it would have been better if Jagadanand Singh started attacking the government for its failures, said Mishra, adding that the GAs chief ministerial face in Bihar would be decided in the meeting of allies and with the consent of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi. A senior RJD leader, on condition of anonymity, claimed that Jagadanand Singh was making outrageous remarks against the GA leaders to pave the entry of his son Sudhakar Singh into electoral politics from Ramgarh by cosying up with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In 2009, the RJD-Congress alliance was broken as Jagadanand Singh wanted to contest from Buxar against the Congresss wish to field KK Tiwari, said the RJD leader, adding that Sudhakar had unsuccessfully contested the seat on BJP ticket earlier. Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi had also dismissed Jagadand Singhs projection of Tejashwis as GA leader in Bihar. Meanwhile, Jagadand Singh clarified that he had batted for Tejashwis face in the party and not in the alliance. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON While both the federal and state guidelines for the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes have both changed for Nebraska, many businesses in Fremon New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Man Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday stoked a fresh controversy during his visit in Shaheen bagh where hundreds of people are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). While addressing the protestors, Aiyar said, "I am ready to do whatever I can do for all of you. I am making a promise. Whatever support you need from me in a personal capacity, I am ready to provide." The leader also made thinly veiled reference to the government, equating it to killers. "I am ready to make whatever sacrifice is needed. Now let's see whose hands are stronger -- ours or those killers," he said. #WATCH Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar at the protest against #CAA & #NRC, in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh: Jo bhi qurbaniyan deni hon, usme main bhi shaamil hone ke liye tayaar hun. Ab dekhein ki kiska hath mazboot hai, hamara ya uss kaatil ka? pic.twitter.com/ojV4QU9dMs ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020 Mani Shankar Aiyar is the second big leader from the Congress to visit Shaheen Bagh. Earlier, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor had visited Jamia, Shaheen Bagh and JNU on Sunday. Tharoor had also addressed the crowd at Shaheen Bagh. Expressing solidarity with those protesting against the amended citizenship act, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday visited Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh and said that the law was against the ideals of unity espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. Also Read: Delhi High Court Orders Cops To Manage Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh Blockade In Time-Bound Manner Tharoor later travelled in metro to reach JNU where he addressed the students and condemned the violence by a masked mob on January 5. He said the December 15 police action against the students in Jamia is a "blot on the nation". After visiting the university, he visited Shaheen Bagh to express solidarity with the protesters. Terming the Citizenship Amendment Act "discriminatory", Tharoor asserted that it is against the ideals of unity espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. "Whatever happened on December 15 is a blot on nation. Without any provocation, without any intimation to the vice chancellor, they (police) entered hostels and attacked women students. Students studying in library were attacked, which is a 'shame, shame, shame' and not acceptable at all," he told the crowd. Also Read: Determined Mothers, Unfazed Children And Chants Of 'Azadi': An Evening In Shaheen Bagh Attacking the act, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said the Centre's step is discriminatory and an effort to marginalise "one community". "That is why we opposed the introduction of the bill in Parliament, as it brought religion in the Citizenship Act for the first time," he said. Tharoor said he did not want any section of society to be reduced to second class citizens. "We shall stand for the values we cherish and for the humanity, and above all we should stand for Bharat (India)," he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Vientiane Times said on January 13th that the Agreement on Bilateral Local Currency Cooperation between the Bank of the Lao PDR and the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) was inked on January 6th in Beijing, China, during Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisouliths official visit to the country from January 5th-9th. The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC)(Photo: Reuters) Under the deal, residents of Laos and China are allowed to use both LAK and CNY in trade and investment under both countries provisions of legislations. The banks encourage commercial banks in the two nations to enhance cooperation and facilitate the exchange of LAK and CNY. The PBOC said the agreement will help boost financial cooperation as well as promote trade and investment between the two countries. Meanwhile, a senior official from the Bank of the Lao PDR said the agreement will support trade and investment activities between the two nations by reducing trade transaction costs. Analysts say Laos may benefit from the Laos-China monetary cooperation, and diversification of the currency exchange policy will drive down demand for the USD, which is being used in Laos to import goods. Currently, Laos is facing challenges in maintaining a stable exchange rate between the LAK and the USD, and LAK and THB. The value of the USD and THB has increased in the past few months. To date, China is the largest foreign investor in Laos. Two-way trade has surged significantly in the past few years, and the value is expected to grow further in the time ahead when the Laos - China railway becomes operational in 2021./. Shanghai cut ties with sister-city Prague Tuesday after the Czech capital announced a twinning agreement with Taiwan's capital Taipei. The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute between Prague's city government and China that has soured Czech-Chinese relations despite a campaign by president Milan Zeman for closer ties with Beijing. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory under what its one-China policy, and has vowed to retake the island one day -- by force if necessary. Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib, of the anti-establishment Pirate Party and in charge of the city since November 2018, cancelled another twinning agreement with Beijing in October. In a newspaper commentary published Sunday, Hrib said China was a "risky and unreliable partner", before signing the deal with his Taipei counterpart on Monday. Shanghai's move comes after the landslide weekend re-election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, which Beijing sees as an affront to its claims over the self-ruled island. Prague has "repeatedly made erroneous actions on Taiwan and other major issues involving China's core interests?grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, and openly challenged the one-China principle", Shanghai's city government said in a statement Tuesday. "We urge Prague's municipal authorities to recognize their mistakes promptly," it added. Over the last four years the Chinese government has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition. But the strong-arm tactics backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Taiwan has seen its circle of friends shrink in recent years as former diplomatic allies switched recognition to an increasingly powerful Beijing. Hrib said in his commentary in Welt am Sonntag newspaper that he had backed out of the Beijing agreement because he could not sign an agreement that forced Prague to "speak out against the independence of Tibet and Taiwan". Hrib also accused the Czech government of "neglecting" ideals of the peaceful 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended four decades of communist rule in the Czech Republic. "As mayor I am working to fulfil my campaign promise to return to a course of respect for democracy and human rights," he wrote. Mayor of Prague Zdenek Hrib (right) and his Taipei counterpart Ko Wen-je after they signed a twinning agreement in the Czech capital The president's aide says an Iranian official is expected to arrive in Ukraine in the coming days. While the Iranian government has pleaded guilty to shooting down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 as a result of "human error", investigators are yet to establish whether it was actually an "unintentional" act, says Andriy Yermak, an aide to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. "There were several versions. The version about the missile was one of the main ones initially," Yermak said in a commentary to Ukrayinska Pravda. Read alsoRussia could remotely control missile launcher that brought down PS752 media "That is why our people went there to study all the circumstances and establish the facts. I'd like to note that despite the Iranian side admitting the fact of the shooting down and declaring that it happened as a result of a tragic mistake, we still have to establish whether there was a mistake or intent," he said. Yermak added that this is why the work of the investigative commission continues. Also, the president's aide says an Iranian official is expected to arrive in Ukraine in the coming days. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine is considering the possibility of convening a meeting of the UN Security Council over the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Iran. "This is being considered. We first need to find out whether our plane was attacked deliberately or unintentionally. Our actions depend on this conclusion. Each diplomatic process should have its own logic and sequence," Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov told the news outlet censor.net in an interview. Sinn Fein's stance on the killing of gardai by members of the Provisional IRA is at the centre of a legal row in a defamation action being taken by party president Mary Lou McDonald against another TD. Fianna Fail's Declan Breathnach is being sued for damages in the High Court by Ms McDonald over online comments she believes portrayed her as condoning the murders of members of An Garda Siochana. Mr Breathnach denies defamation and claims Sinn Fein supported and continues to support the crimes of the Provisional IRA, which have included murders of gardai. But a row has erupted over the extent to which the historical connection between Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA will feature in the trial. In a pre-trial motion, Ms McDonald is seeking to strike out parts of Mr Breathnach's defence which focuses on those links and, in particular, the refusal by party members to condemn the murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. The motion was briefly mentioned yesterday before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty, who adjourned the matter to Thursday. The legal row comes at a sensitive time for both parties, with the country on the cusp of a general election. Ms McDonald's action against Louth TD Mr Breathnach centres around Twitter posts on October 11, 2018, the day the Disclosures Tribunal published its report on the treatment of Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe. Ms McDonald posted a tweet saying Sgt McCabe had been "repulsively denigrated". She added: "Shame on those who set out to destroy him." Mr Breathnach responded on Twitter asking Ms McDonald what had she had to say about "your compatriates [sic] association with those involved in the murder" of three named gardai. Among those mentioned in the tweet were Garda Tony Golden, who was murdered by a dissident republican in 2015, and Sgt Patrick Morrissey, who was murdered by the INLA in 1985. In her proceedings, Ms McDonald alleged the words used by Mr Breathnach meant her sympathy for Sgt McCabe and condemnation of those who set out to destroy him was "disingenuous and insincere". She claimed his tweet meant she failed to speak out against the murders of members of the force by dissident republicans and criminal gangs, and that she condoned such killings and was a hypocrite. But in defence papers, lawyers for Mr Breathnach denied his tweet was defamatory in the manner alleged by Ms McDonald. Instead they said the tweet was more likely to have meant that while Ms McDonald's support for Maurice McCabe was commendable, she should also recognise and acknowledge Sinn Fein supported and continued to support the crimes of the Provisional IRA, which included the murder of gardai. In the defence papers, it was claimed that at no stage had Ms McDonald acknowledged the killings of gardai by the Provisional IRA were criminal acts of murder. Ms McDonald's legal team is now asking the High Court to strike out the alternative meaning put forward by Mr Breathnach and focus the case on what she claims his tweet meant. The motion was brought to the court by her counsel Tom Hogan SC. But Mr Breathnach's counsel Darren Lehane BL told the court the motion was "misconceived". Ms McDonald, who is represented by prominent defamation solicitors Johnsons, claims her reputation was seriously injured and that she had been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt. She is seeking damages, the costs of the proceedings and an injunction restraining Mr Breathnach from publishing similar statements. But in defence papers, lawyers for Mr Breathnach said that if Ms McDonald suffered any reputational damage, which was denied, this would have been minimal as the Fianna Fail TD's Twitter account only had 1,790 followers at the time and the tweet was removed after 10 days. The defence filing said the tweet was removed following a complaint from Ms McDonald in order to seek an amicable resolution, even if Mr Breathnach believed her complaint lacked legitimacy. It is also being argued that Mr Breathnach's comments enjoyed qualified privilege as both he and Ms McDonald had a duty to express themselves freely and to say what they believe to be true in public life. Mr Breathnach's lawyers argued that Ms McDonald frequently made comments about people in public life, including other TDs, that challenged their integrity or capacity and statements they had made. They said Mr Breathnach also had a duty to challenge utterances by people in public life, such as Ms McDonald, and argued the frank and incisive exchange of strong political statements was an essential part of the democratic process. The defence filing said it damaged the democratic system for a prominent politician "to seek to censor and muzzle" statements made by another politician. It argued that as a public figure who was well able to be critical of others, Ms McDonald should recognise that others have a right to be critical of her. Nifty Outlook Floodgate finally opens for 12,400 12,500 Towards the fag end of the previous week, the tensions between the US and Iran arose from nowhere and the small trailer of it was seen on Friday (January 03) itself. However, the real repercussion of this development was seen on the first trading day of the week gone by. We had a massive cut of nearly two percent to test sub-12,000 levels. This continued till Wednesdays opening point as things started to look extremely scary. Fortunately, things cooled off with respect to this as no follow up action was seen ... Airstrike Targets Syrian Military Airport, Air Defenses Activated: State TV Syrian air defense systems were triggered on Tuesday following an aerial strike on a military base in Homs, Syrian state media said. According to the state-run SANA agency, Army air defenses confronted aggression on T4 airport in Homs eastern countryside. It added there were reports that say the aggression was perpetrated by drones and missiles and some of them were downed. The state-run news outlet blamed Israel for the incident. The army air defenses immediately intercepted the hostile missiles and shot down a number of them, meanwhile, 4 missiles reached the targeted area and the damages were limited to materials, a military source said via the state news outlet. Syrian media has claimed that the T4 base has been targeted by the Israeli Air Force in the past. According to Haaretz, the base is home to Syrian regime forces, as well as an Iranian Revolutionary Guards grouping with Russian air forces. The incident comes about a week after unidentified aircraft struck targets in Syria near the border with Iraq on Friday, killing eight Iran-backed Iraqi militiamen. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed the attack was carried out by unknown drones that targeted vehicles and armories. Unidentified aircraft targeted vehicles and arms depots in the Albu Kamal area, causing a large explosion. At least eight Iraqi Hashed fighters were killed, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported the Times of Israel. He was referring to Iraqs Iran-backed Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Force) militia. The attacks follow escalating tensions in the Middle East after the United States killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who headed the Iran Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. Iran then fired a barrage of missiles at American soldiers in Iraqi bases. Whats more, several Iraqi bases have been targeted by rocket attacks by unknown assailants this week. Iran and Syria are close strategic allies, and Tehran has given significant military support to Damascus in the decade-long Syrian Civil War. A number of Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups are active inside Syria. And last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to Syria and spoke with President Bashar Assad in Damascus. The two didnt mention the airstrike that killed Soleimani, but Putin praised the Assad regime. The situation didnt just changein fact, were witnessing the restoration of Syrias statehood, Syria as a state, the countrys territorial integrity, Putin said, reported The Associated Press. We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Yeah, let's just call it now: We're not really going anywhere fast at this point. But someday, we'll be able to roam freely about the world, and it will be just READ THE REST Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 08:21 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32205d87 1 Business OJK,Suahasil-Nazara,financial-industry,insurance,Jiwasraya,Asabri,Wimboh-Santoso,banking-industry Free Newly appointed Financial Services Authority (OJK) ex-officio commissioner Suahasil Nazara says he aims to strengthen the agency's supervision of both the banking and nonbanking financial sectors to better detect potential threats. His statement comes amid the financial crisis in state-owned insurance company Asuransi Jiwasraya and a deep plunge in the value of stocks invested in by state-owned insurer Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (Asabri). "Strong supervision that is able to provide an early warning is needed," said Suahasil, who is also the deputy finance minister, after his swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Jakarta on Monday. "I believe that the internal and audit processes can still be performed, but we need to dig deeper [to detect] whether a financial institution is facing a problem, he added. Suahasil also called for closer coordination between the OJK and the government as some state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are running businesses in the financial industry. The OJK, which is responsible for supervising financial institutions, including insurance companies, and protecting consumers, has come into the spotlight after Jiwasraya failed to pay out on policies worth Rp 12.4 trillion (US$889 million) that fell due in December, allegedly as a result of corruption and investment mismanagement. Meanwhile, Asabri, which manages social insurance and pension funds of personnel of the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and employees of the Defense Ministry, reportedly lost Rp 10 trillion (US$728.4million) as several stocks in its portfolio endured losses of more than 95 percent last year. Some of the stocks in Asabris portfolio were similar to those of ailing Jiwasraya, which were deemed low quality stocks by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). In the financial sector, Suahasil said, the regulators often had to dig deeper in order to be able to detect whether a situation faced by a financial institution was good or bad. There should be a mechanism to identify whether a company's financial report is disclosing its real performance or misleading information, he stressed. In the same event, OJK chairman Wimboh Santoso expressed the hope that the appointment of Suahasil would strengthen his agency. "With an ex-officio member from the Finance Ministry, it will strengthen us and give more [input] when the commissioners make a decision," he said. (dfr) LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he believes the royal family can resolve a serious rift over the plans of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who want to break free of their royal roles and move to Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 file photo, Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, left, and Prince Harry arrive to visit the Support4Grenfell Community Hub in London. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is set to hold face-to-face talks Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 with Prince Harry for the first time since he and his wife, Meghan, unveiled their controversial plan to walk away from royal roles at a dramatic family summit meant to chart a future course for the couple. The meeting at the monarch's private Sandringham estate in eastern England will also include Harry's father Prince Charles and his brother Prince William. (Toby Melville/ Pool via AP, File) LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he believes the royal family can resolve a serious rift over the plans of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who want to break free of their royal roles and move to Canada. The plans of Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have received tentative approval from Queen Elizabeth II, who said she and other senior royals regret the decision but understand and respect it. Vital details remain to be worked out, with difficult issues to resolve, and Canada's leader has raised questions as well, but the British prime minister told the BBC that the monarchy will be able to find solutions. "My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan, like most of our viewers, of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country," Johnson said. "I'm absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out." He said the senior royals, who had a crisis summit Monday afternoon at the queen's palatial Sandringham House retreat in eastern England, will be able to find an amicable way forward "much more easily without a running commentary from politicians." Harry and Meghan ignited the latest crisis by unilaterally issuing a statemen t Wednesday indicating a desire to step back from most royal duties and become financially independent. They have decided to spend at least part of their time in Canada, a Commonwealth country where the queen is head of state and Meghan worked for seven years while filming the TV series "Suits." The move annoyed senior royals who had not been consulted, sparking the so-called Sandringham summit that brought together the 93-year-old queen, her eldest son and heir Prince Charles, and Prince William, who would follow his father Charles to the throne, along with Harry. Few details emerged, but the queen's statement afterwards indicates the family won't seek to block Harry and Meghan's bid for independence from royal roles they clearly find restrictive. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking after the queen made clear the couple has chosen Canada as its alternate destination, said his country welcomes the news but has issues to discuss, including the possible cost to taxpayers of providing security for the well-known royal couple. "I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have," he told Canadian TV, adding that no formal talks between the British and Canadian governments have been held. Britain's royals are protected by a special unit of London's Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard, at a cost that is not made public because of concerns that details about its operation could compromise the royals' safety. In addition to cost concerns, it is likely that special arrangements would have to be made to allow London police to operate on a long-term deployment in Canada. Many financial questions remain. The queen says Harry and Meghan don't plan to use public funds when they step back from royal duties, so it is possible they may be asked to pay for security out of their own pockets. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The royals seem to be adopting a "go slow" attitude toward the breakaway couple, with the queen talking about a period of transition. Harry and Meghan have declared that one of their goals is to become financially independent. It is not known if they will continue to receive financial support from Harry's father, Prince Charles, who uses income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate to support a variety of royal activities. The estate generated more than 20 million pounds ($26 million) last year. Harry and Meghan have announced plans to launch a major charitable institution in the coming year, but details haven't been made public. In the past they have focused on female empowerment, wildlife protection, ending the stigma surrounding mental health problems and other issues. They just took a six-week vacation in western Canada with their infant son Archie. Meghan has returned to Canada after a brief visit to London last week. ___ Follow full AP coverage at https://www.apnews.com/PrinceHarry Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury on Tuesday said the troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous had arrested Jammu and Kashmir cop Davindar Singh been Davindar Khan and raised a question on who the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack were. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davindar Singh was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir on January 11. Citing the incident, Choudhury demanded a fresh look in the Pulwama attack in 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February last year. Congress had done the same after 26/11. Sonia Gandhi had sent Digvijay Singh to blame the RSS for the attacks. Whenever surgical strikes happen, they do not believe the army's stands and even the PM's statements. They keep asking for evidence: Dr. @sambitswaraj BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) January 14, 2020 Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion, the Congress leader said in a series of tweets. The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish, he tweeted. Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it, he said in another tweet. Singh and the terrorists were arrested while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the National Highway in J-K. DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2019 - Too few people covered by Medicare participated in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack or acute heart event or surgery, particularly women, the elderly and non-white patients, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. Every year, an estimated 1.3 million U.S. adults with heart disease may qualify for cardiac rehabilitation (this number does not include those with qualifying heart failure). [1]Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve health outcomes among patients who have heart failure, have suffered heart attacks or have undergone a cardiac procedure such as coronary artery bypass surgery. This observational study measured participation rates and identified the populations and regions most at risk for suboptimal cardiac rehabilitation. In the review of more than 366,000 patients covered by Medicare who were eligible for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation in 2016, researchers found: only about 25% (approximately 90,000) participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program; among those who participated in cardiac rehabilitation, only 24% began the program within 21 days of the acute cardiac event or surgery; and among those who participated in cardiac rehabilitation, only about 27% completed the full course of the recommended 36 or more cardiac rehabilitation sessions, which have been shown to improve health outcomes. "Cardiac rehabilitation has strong evidence demonstrating its lifesaving and life-enhancing benefits, and Medicare Part B provides coverage for the program. However, participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs remains low among people covered by Medicare," said lead study author Matthew D. Ritchey, P.T, D.P.T., O.C.S., M.P.H., a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. "The low participation and completion rates observed translate to upwards of 7 million missed opportunities in this study to potentially improve health outcomes if 70% of them covered by Medicare who had a heart attack or acute heart event or surgery participated in cardiac rehabilitation and completed 36 sessions." Additional study findings included: Participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation decreased with increasing age, with only about 10% of patients age 85 and older participating, versus about 32% of those age 65 to 74. Participation was lower among women than men, about 19% versus about 29%, respectively. Over half of the cardiac rehab eligible patients had less than 5 comorbid conditions. Non-Hispanic whites had the highest participation rate at about 26%, versus 16% for Asians, 14% for non-Hispanic blacks and 13% for Hispanics. Participation also varied by region, with cardiac rehabilitation being lowest in the Southeastern United States and the Appalachian region. Patients who had a procedure such as coronary bypass surgery were more likely to participate in cardiac rehabilitation than those who had a heart attack with no procedure performed. Researchers noted that patients face systematic, logistical and cultural barriers to attending and completing an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. At the system level, there are no universally accepted, automated, electronic referral processes for cardiac rehabilitation services. On a personal level, patients may not complete rehabilitation due to the costs and/or the time needed to participate in the program versus returning to work and other personal commitments. "Improving awareness of the value of cardiac rehabilitation, increasing referral of eligible patients and reducing system and patient barriers to participation are all critical steps in improving the referral, enrollment and participation rates, which, in turn, can improve patient outcomes," said Ritchey. "For example, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, recently launched the TAKEheart initiative to implement automatic referral processes with care coordination to increase cardiac rehabilitation referrals, enrollment and retention across hundreds of hospitals. Each of these programs are important building blocks for continued improvement for patients." This study had the following limitations: Billing codes were used to identify patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, however, referral rates cannot be assessed with use of billing data. Clinical information was not available for patients; therefore, the authors were unable to validate the billing codes used or to exclude patients who may not have been appropriate for cardiac rehabilitation. This study was restricted to assessing cardiac rehabilitation use among older patients with Original Medicare coverage, therefore, the findings may not be generalizable to Medicare Advantage members or to younger patients. The authors were unable to control for factors that may have affected their findings such as the availability of cardiac rehabilitation programs in certain communities. "It is also important to improve the capacity within existing cardiac rehabilitation programs and to address shortages in available programs, especially in rural areas. One strategy for addressing these shortages could be to increase the use of home-based or tele-cardiac rehabilitation, which have been shown to achieve similar health outcomes as compared to center-based rehabilitation care," said Ritchey. In 2019, the American Heart Association issued a new Scientific Statement, a collaboration with the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the American College of Cardiology, detailing the need for and benefits of home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs to improve patient access and health outcomes. The American Heart Association also supports the Increasing Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 (H.R. 3911), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2019. The 2018 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Cardiac Rehabilitation, published in April 2018, provide a comprehensive report on the performance and quality measures that can assess and improve the quality of care for patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. ### Co-authors are Sha Maresh, Dr.P.H.; Jessica McNeely, Ph.D.; Thomas Shaffer, M.H.S.; Sandra L. Jackson, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Steven J. Keteyian, Ph.D.; Clinton A. Brawner, Ph.D.; Mary Whooley, M.D.; Tiffany Chang, M.P.H.; Haley Stolp, M.P.H.; Linda Schieb, M.P.H.; and Janet Wright, M.D. Author disclosures are in the manuscript. There was no public or private funding for this study. The study was conducted voluntarily by a group of clinicians and researchers committed to the Million Hearts Cardiac Rehabilitation Collaborative, which is a national initiative of more than 100 organizations and agencies focused on increasing participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs from 20% to ?70% by 2022. Additional Resources: After January 14, view the manuscript online. What is Cardiac Rehabilitation? Am I Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation? Cardiac Rehabilitation Tools and Resources Cardiac Rehabilitation: Frequently Asked Questions Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Statement 2018 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Cardiac Rehabilitation Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations and health insurance providers are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information. About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. New Delhi: Google Doodle is today celebrating the 101st birth anniversary of great Indian Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi. He is remembered as the one who brought Urdu literature to Indian motion pictures. From writing passionate love poems to Bollywood song lyrics and screenplays, the range of work has made Azmi one of the most renowned poets of the 20th century in India. Also, his humanitarian efforts continue to impact peoples lives today. Azmi was born Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi on this day in 1919 in the Azmargh district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He wrote his first poem at the age of 11. Inspired by Gandhi's 1942 Quit India freedom movement, he later left for Mumbai (then Bombay) to write for an Urdu newspaper. Azmi published his first collection of poems Jhankar in 1943. Soon after that, he became a member of the influential Progressive Writers Association that used writing to try to achieve socioeconomic reforms. In one of his early and most famous poems, Aurat, Azmi advocated for womens equality. He also founded the NGO Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS) to support various educational initiatives to improve the lives of rural women and families. Azmi won numerous awards for his contributions, including three Filmfare Awards for Garm Hawa, the prestigious Padma Shri Award, Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, Sahitya Akademi Award, Maharashtra Gaurav Award by Government of Maharashtra, Yash Bhartiya Award by Government of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Government State Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, and Afro-Asian Writers Lotus Award. He has been honoured with Doctorates from many universities in India, such as Purvanchal University and Agra University, the most prestigious being from the Vishwa Bharti University in Shanti Niketan. Kaifi Azmi breathed his last on May 10, 2002 at the age of 83. Kaifi Azmi's daughter Shabana Azmi is also a renowned Bollywood personality and Padma Shri winner. Also Read: Realme 5i: Specifications, Features, Price, Sale Date, Offers Inside To commemorate the renowned poet, the Indian government has inaugurated a train named 'Kaifiyat Express' which runs from his hometown Azamgarh to Old Delhi. President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his administration intends to hire more qualified teachers so as to increase the teacher-to-pupil ratio in the country. He made this known while receiving a delegation of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) at the statehouse on Tuesday, 14th December. While making the disclosure, Buhari conceded that the country currently has a deficit of teachers adding that his administration is poised to bridge the gap. Read Also: Man Detained For Using Hanan Buharis Old Phone Line Sues DSS, Demands N500m Buhari was recently criticized by a section of the media after his daughter, Hanan was spotted using presidential jet. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:01:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close TOKYO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Spent plutonium-uranium mixed oxide (MOX) has been removed from a nuclear power plant in western Japan, marking the first time the country has conducted such an operation, the plant's operator said Tuesday. According to Shikoku Electric Power Co., one of 16 MOX fuel rods was removed from its Ikata plant's No. 3 reactor at around noon on Monday as part of the ongoing maintenance work. Shikoku Electric has said that as well as replacing the control unit of the No. 3 unit's reactor in Ehime Prefecture, it will also add five new MOX fuel rods ahead of the planned restart of the reactor and commercial operations, which are set to begin again towards the end of April next year. The removed MOX fuel rods will be stored in a cooling pool at the plant, the utility said, although with no facility to reprocess the fuel, the utility has yet to explain where the final location of the used fuel will be. The Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), meanwhile, under pressure from the international community, has been looking to a process called the plutonium-thermal (pluthermal) power generation as a means of reducing Japan's stockpiles of plutonium. Japan is the only country without nuclear weapons that is allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel and has enough plutonium to theoretically make about 6,000 plutonium-cored atomic bombs. But following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the worst such crisis since Chernobyl in 1986, the majority of Japan's nuclear reactors were taken offline for safety inspections amid widespread public opposition over the safety of the aged plants. After Japan's nuclear watchdog imposed tighter safety requirements on the plants in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, some utilities have been slowly rebooting their reactors after implementing extensive safety upgrades and passing tougher safety inspections. In the wake of Japan actively trying to reduce its stockpiles, the government announced in 2018 a concrete goal of decreasing the total volume of plutonium, which is stockpiled both in Japan and overseas, from the current 47 tons. The stockpiles, under the government's plan, must be reduced before a reprocessing facility in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, goes online in 2021 to extract plutonium. The JAEC in 2018 issued new plutonium guidelines to try to reduce the nation's stockpiles, with restrictions placed on the Rokkasho facility so that it can only produce the amount of plutonium required for MOX fuel needed for Japan's nuclear plants. The JAEC's overall time-frame for lowering Japan's plutonium stockpiles by pluthermal power generation, however, still remains uncertain. The recent progress on two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferroelectrics may revolutionize the applications of ferroelectric (FE) materials in nanoelectronics. Their atomic-thickness renders high-density integration; their clean van der Waals interfaces allow for lattice mismatch, facilitating the epitaxial growth on various substrates including silicon; meanwhile many 2D materials are also high-mobility low-bandgap semiconductors. Predictions of intrinsic FE in several 2D materials have been experimentally confirmed, such as IV-VI group compound, In2Se3, van der Waals bilayer, Bi2O2Se, etc.. 2D multiferroics with magnetoelectric (ME) couplings have also been explored, which are highly desirable for realizing efficient "magnetic reading + electric writing". Multiferroic materials which are both FE and magnetic are rare in nature due to the mutual exclusive origins of the two orders (empty d shell for conventional FE order and partially filled d shell for magnetic order). Meanwhile, for traditional multiferroics, the ME coupling is weak in type-I multiferroics with ferroelectricity and magnetism arising respectively from different mechanisms, while for type-II multiferroics where ferroelectricity is induced by magnetic ordering their spin-driven FE polarizations (mostly < 0.01 C/m2) and Curie temperature (mostly < 150 K) are far below the values for practical applications. It is the same case for previous designs of 2D type-I and type-II multiferroics. In a new article published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and at the Nanjing University, China present a first-principles predictions of 2D multiferroics with robust and diversified magnetoelectric couplings: thin-layer CuCrX2 (X=S or Se). "Theoretically, the mutual exclusion between ferroelectricity and magnetism or between high Curie temperature and strong magnetoelectricity in traditional multiferroics can be avoided here." they state in an article titled "Room-Temperature Multiferroicity and Diversified Magnetoelectric Couplings in Two-Dimensional Materials." "The vertical ferroelectricity is neither induced by empty d-shell nor spin-driven, giving rise to an alternative possibility of resolving those intrinsic exclusions and contradictions." "Tri-layer Cu-intercalated CrX2, denoted as Cu2(CrX2)3, is still completely FM for X=Se while Cu2(CrS2)3 possesses much more complex spin configurations. Although the magnetic coupling is FM in-plane for Cu2(CrS2)3, we still need to check various possible configurations of interlayer coupling as listed in Table. S3. The FM state is higher in energy compared with three ferrimagnetic states, and the ground state turns out to be the configuration in Fig. 4(a), with a total magnetization of 2.62 B/f.u.. When the polarization is aligned downwards, the middle layer is FM coupled with the top layer while AFM coupled with the down layer; as the polarization is reversed, according to the symmetry, the middle layer should be AFM coupled with the top layer and FM coupled with the down layer in the ground state. The energy will be lowered by 16.4 meV with the magnetization reversal of the middle layer, which should take place spontaneously considering the small barrier of spin switching equivalent to the spin anisotropy energy (<1meV). As a result, the 180-degree reversal of a considerable magnetization of 2.62 B/f.u. can be achieved via FE switching." "Their ferromagnetism can be stabilized due to enhanced carrier density and orbital shifting by the vertical polarization, and the Curie temperature of both ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity can be above room-temperature. Layers with different thickness may exhibit diversified types of magnetoelectrics for efficient magnetic reading + electrical writing due to the gradient of interlayer coupling parameter, where a considerable net magnetization can be reversed upon FE switching." they add. "Our prediction does not only exploit new types of multiferroic couplings in 2D, but also propose a way of constructing robust multiferroics for practical applications, which may stimulate experimental efforts concerning the recent synthesis of previously predicted intrinsic 2D ferroelectrics." ### This research received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. See the article: Tingting Zhong, Xiaoyong Li, Menghao Wu, Jun-Ming Liu Room-Temperature Multiferroicity and Diversified Magnetoelectric Couplings in Two-Dimensional Materials Natl Sci Rev; doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz169 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz169 The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 14, 2020 -- Protein editorial assistants are clearing the way for cut-and-paste DNA editors, like CRISPR, to access previously inaccessible genes of interest. Opening up these areas of the genetic code is critical to improving CRISPR efficiency and moving toward futuristic, genetic-based assaults on disease. The DNA-binding editorial assistants were devised by a U.S.-based team of bioengineers, who describe their design in APL Bioengineering, from AIP Publishing. "The innovation in this paper is having another protein co-delivered with the CRISPR DNA editor, moving chromatin packaging out of the way, so CRISPR has greater access to the DNA," said lead author Karmella Haynes, from Arizona State University and Emory University. DNA doesn't usually sit inside cells as a freely accessible double helix. It's heavily wrapped up in a protective package called chromatin, which controls what genes are activated or silenced by a cell at any moment in time. Unfortunately, this packaging prevents scientists, who are accessing DNA, from correcting disease-causing mutations. Haynes describes chromatin blocking as "the elephant in the room" in CRISPR discussions, but it wasn't directly proved until 2016, when Haynes' team conducted some clever experiments capturing the effect. Her team is trying to fix the problem by investigating different methods of chromatin disruption. They used a well-established artificial system, where chromatin packaging can be turned on or off for one gene -- luciferase -- which codes for an easily detected luminous protein. When examining the chromatin-packed state, the team found several editorial assistants, which are called DNA-binding transiently expressed activation-associated proteins (AAPs), disrupted the chromatin and enabled CRISPR to successfully edit the luciferase gene. "The idea is that if CRISPR needs to bind in the middle of a gene but can't bind close enough to edit the mutation, you could send in our chromatin-opening protein to right outside that hard-to-bind region, rearrange the chromatin, and make the DNA across that gene more accessible for CRISPR to edit the gene," explained Haynes, who is keen for others to use her system to improve CRISPR efficiency. She pointed out the AAPs can be adapted to target different genes, simply by switching the DNA-binding regions. "It'd be interesting to find out whether one type of AAP is more effective at disrupting chromatin at some genes versus others. Or whether combining proteins together might further enhance CRISPR editing," said Haynes. "I envision there being a whole catalog of CRISPR cofactors that can be used to enhance CRISPR activity." ### The article, "Site-directed targeting of transcriptional activation-associated proteins to repressed chromatin restores CRISPR activity," is authored by Karmella A. Haynes, Rene Daer, Fatima Hamna and Cassandra M. Barrett. The article will appear in APL Bioengineering on Jan. 14, 2020 (DOI: 10.1063/1.5127302) After that date, it can be accessed at https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5127302. ABOUT THE JOURNAL APL Bioengineering is an open access journal publishing significant discoveries specific to the understanding and advancement of physics and engineering of biological systems. See http://aip.scitation.org/journal/apb. Tehran, Jan 13 (UNI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Iran President Hassan Rouhani, here, to defuse tensions in the region, the Iranian president's press service said on Monday. Mr Rouhani in the meeting said that Tehran was ready to closely cooperate with all countries in the region to de-escalate the current situation. The Iranian President stressed that Iran is willing to have close relations with all regional countries. "In the current conditions, we must all cooperate with each other to establish peace and stability and ease tensions. We believe that division in the Islamic community is not beneficial to anyone and we completely welcome Pakistan's efforts for promoting regional peace and stability in this regard," Rouhani was quoted as saying in the statement. The president added that Iran was not the one to foment wars in the region, however, it was ready to respond to the aggressive actions from the outside, referring to the military operation against the US bases in Iraq. Qureshi, in turn, said that Pakistan would not allow the use of its own territory in the interests of other states. He also condoled the killing of top Iranian General Soleiman. Tensions escalated in the Gulf after US military killed General Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force on January 3. Last week, Iran started a revenge operation in response to Soleimani's assassination. According to the Iraqi military, about 22 missiles struck the country, with 17 of them hitting the US Ain Al Asad air base and five attacked the Iraqi city of Erbil, targeting the US-led coalition headquarters. UNI XC JAL 0501 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:21:43|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Judiciary spokesman said here Tuesday that the Islamic republic has arrested some people related to the crash of a recent Ukrainian passenger plane over Tehran's sky, official IRNA news agency reported. Gholamhossein Esmaili made the remarks in his press conference without further elaboration. On Wednesday, Iran shot down a Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 passenger plane wherein nearly 180 people were killed. The armed forces said that the plane was brought down due to "human error." USA: FBI Deputy Director David Bowdichs Remarks at Press Conference on Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich issued the following statement during a press conference at the Department of Justice. (Remarks prepared for delivery.) Good afternoon. Id like to offer a brief overview of our investigation into this attack. This has been a large and incredibly complex investigation, with dozens of investigative entities involved. Let me start with what weve done so far. Since the beginning of this investigation, the FBI and our partners have been united in our goal: to confirm whether the shooter acted alone or if anyone helped him. So far, weve conducted more than 500 interviews with witnesses, base personnel, and the shooters friends, classmates, and associates. And even today, we continue to run down any new leads in an effort to find as many answers as possible for the victims and their families. For more than a month, this has been an around-the-clock operation, involving hundreds of FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional experts from across the country. Weve employed dozens of surveillance teams, and executed, served, or obtained numerous search warrants, subpoenas, court orders, and emergency disclosure requests. Weve also collected more than 42 terabytes of digital mediaand the effort to exploit that data is ongoing. While were still searching for more information, so far, we have not identified any solid evidence that the shooter acted with any co-conspirators, or that he was inspired by a specific group. Social media attributed to the shooter suggests that he harbored anti-U.S. military and anti-Israel sentiments, and that he thought violence was necessary to defend Muslim countries. In addition, just prior to the attack, a statement was posted to his social media accounts that was nearly identical to a previous statement by Anwar al-Aulaqi, a now-deceased senior leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. And during the attack, the shooter fired shots at pictures of the current U.S. president and a former president, and a witness at the scene recounted that he made statements critical of American military action overseas. Regarding the attack, I can now share that the shooting lasted approximately 15 minutes. Naval Security Forces engaged the shooter approximately eight minutes after the first shots were fired, and weve determined that he was killed by law enforcement officers. At the crime scene, we found a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, several ammunition magazines, and approximately 180 rounds of ammunition. As announced previously, the ATF identified the shooters weapon as having been lawfully purchased in July 2019 in Florida. It was purchased under a hunting license exception. This exception allows non-immigrant visa holders who otherwise are not permitted to buy firearms or ammunition to purchase them if they have a valid, state-issued hunting license, permit, or other required documentation. Partnerships are crucial in a case like this, so I want to thank our many federal, state, and local agency partners for their hard work, including NCIS, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. I especially want to recognize the brave Naval Security Forces personnel who responded to the initial call for help, as well as deputies from the Escambia County Sheriffs Office. Those heroes saved many lives that day. Im also grateful to our FBI Jacksonville Field Office, and a host of supporting FBI Headquarters personnel and resources from other field offices. Finally, I want to echo the attorney generals point about the challenge that law enforcement faces from default user-controlled encryption. The FBI continues to work with our private sector partners to find the right solution for accessing the digital evidence we need to stop criminals and terrorists. Were not trying to weaken encryptionafter all, data security is a central part of our mission. But even with a court order, to date we cannot access the contents of two phones in this investigationand countless devices in other investigations. We want to work together with private sector companies, so that we can lawfully access the evidence and information we need to keep our country safe. Thank you. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. My No. 1 goal is to have someone come through Chicago and not even know were under construction," Commissioner Jamie Rhee said. We want to bring this in on time and on budget, and we want to make sure that were doing it in a way thats the least disruptive to the traveling public as possible." BAGHDAD (AP) Young Iraqis who drove mass protests demanding sweeping political reforms are worried that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which is playing out in part on Iraqi soil, is killing their momentum. Even before the U.S. drone attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the 4-month-old protests against government corruption, poor services and rising Iranian influence in state affairs were beset by internal divisions. A violent security crackdown heightened tensions, leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries as well as targeted killings of sympathizers. And in the stormy aftermath of the U.S. drone strike that also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, avoiding another war in Iraq became a top priority for state officials as they scrambled to contain hostilities between Washington and Tehran. We are afraid that the uprising is being forgotten and (officials) are focusing on things we don't want, not our main goals, said Noor, an activist in Baghdad's Tahrir Square who asked to be identified only by her first name, fearing reprisal, like all other protesters interviewed for this story. On the other hand, we are trying to be calm and keep people on the street to make the point that we are not with the Americans or the Iranians. We are with Iraq. There are hopeful signs as Iran and the U.S. appeared to back down at least in the short term after Tehran retaliated for Soleimani's killing by firing missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American troops. No one was seriously injured and Iran was unexpectedly forced to shift gears to manage the fallout from its accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner filled with Iranians. Nevertheless, the issue of U.S. troop withdrawal in response to the attack that killed Soleimani minutes after he landed at Baghdad airport has monopolized Iraqi politics, with caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi openly calling for their ouster. Story continues Everyone is busy with America and Iran, but we are still facing attacks on the street, said Zaid, a protester in Baghdad. Now we've become an easy goal for the militias; they can harm us because no one is focusing on them. The rejection of Iranian influence over Iraqi state affairs was a core component of the protest movement and demonstrators fear that as tensions between Tehran and Washington ease, Iranian-backed militias will turn on them for vengeance. The protests began Oct. 1, when thousands took to the streets in Baghdad and in the country's predominantly Shiite south. Since then, about 500 people have been killed, most of them shot by security forces who also used tear gas to disperse crowds. While Friday protests brought out thousands countrywide, the turnout was lower than expected. Adding to their worries, two local journalists known for their coverage of the anti-government protests were found shot dead in a car parked near a Basra police station. And more people were wounded in clashes Saturday between protesters and security forces in Karbala, in southern Iraq, when police fired into the crowd. Protesters are certainly more afraid now than they were a few weeks ago but at the same time they want to maintain their ground," said Ruba Ali Hassan, a researcher at York University in Toronto. "Theyve had such great momentum over the past three plus months and theres great fears this momentum might die down. People are trying to show great support and make sure that the protesters can still move forward but theyre on shaky ground unfortunately. A growing concern among protesters is their belief that Iran-backed militias are seizing on some demonstrators' refusal to grieve over Soleimani as an excuse to attack them. In turn, the attacks fuel the differences of opinion over Soleimani, deepening the rifts between the demonstrators and distracting them from their original purpose. In the southern city of Nasiriyah, for instance, protesters refused to let a symbolic funeral procession for the Iranian general enter the square where they were camped. Violence broke out and at least one protester was killed and three wounded when an Iran-backed militia fired on crowds. Demonstrators then burned the headquarters of Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella organization for multiple militia groups and part of the Iraqi security forces. Political parties and militias have attempted to create discord within the demonstration square in the center of Nasiriyah they took advantage of the rifts between protesters, said Ali, a protester based in the city. We have concerns the emotions arising from his death will rob the protests of its true aims." The events in Nasiriyah have spooked protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the movement, who fear similar attacks, several activists said. Since Soleimani's death, protest organizers have been trying to refocus attention on their movement, three activists said. With that in mind, they issued a statement last week saying their goals had not changed. At the top of their list is preventing Abdul-Mahdi, who has headed a caretaker government since his resignation in December, from being renamed prime minister, which many suspect the country's political elites would like. All the news is about America and Iran, and the elites are trying to make the people forget about the protests in Iraq, and our goal for change and we don't want that," said the protester, Noor. We are trying to be calm and study what is going on around us. We are telling everyone, stay with Iraq. This is not our war. ___ Associated Press writer A. J. Naddaff in Beirut contributed to this report. Video PlayerClose General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, January 13, 2020. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] BEIJING, January 13 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed strengthening checks and oversight over the exercise of power as he demanded consistency in full and strict governance over the Party. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC held in Beijing on Monday. He also stressed upholding and improving the Party and state supervisory systems, adding that the efforts would ensure the Party's line and policies be faithfully followed and provide a strong guarantee to securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI. Historic and groundbreaking achievements have been made in ensuring full and strict governance over the Party with all-around and profound influence, thanks to efforts made in this regard with unprecedented bravery and resolve since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said. The Party has explored a successful way to solve its own problems while staying in power for a long time and avoid history's cycle of rising and falling, and has established a set of effective systems for supervising power and enforcing disciplines and laws, he said. Xi stressed enhanced political oversight to ensure the implementation of institutions, calling for particular efforts to step up supervision regarding the tasks of securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the battle against poverty. He underscored efforts to ensure that the power is exercised in a fair, law-based and clean manner. Xi stressed solving prominent issues that are strongly concerned about by people in poverty-stricken areas and that undermine the people's interests and targeting the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism in targeted poverty alleviation. Greater efforts should be made to address "minor corruption" in areas related to people's livelihood, "protection umbrellas" that shelter gang crimes and "stumbling blocks" to the implementation of policies designed to benefit the people, he said. Xi ordered continuous efforts to crack down on corrupt officials from low-level "flies" to high-ranking "tigers." He called on Party members to be soberly aware of the grave, complex, long-term and onerous nature of the anti-corruption fight. Xi stressed severely punishing those corrupt ones who showed no signs of restraint after the 18th CPC National Congress and the corruption issues that seriously hindered the implementation of the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies or damaged the very foundation of the Party's governance. Tough steps should be taken to address corruption behind various risks, combat graft in the financial sector and state-owned enterprises, strengthen the administration of state resources and assets and fight corruption hidden in local government debt risks, Xi said. Efforts are needed to investigate and punish insurance fraud in medical institutions, improve the supervision system for overseas state-owned assets and strengthen oversight over leading officials at all levels, Xi said. Xi demanded to push forward a coordinated system under which officials don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption. Xi said Party and state oversight systems must be improved and the disciplinary inspection and supervision system must be reformed in a coordinated manner. Intraparty oversight should take the leading role, Xi said, while stressing the coordination of oversight by people's congresses, democratic oversight, administrative oversight, judicial oversight, auditing oversight, accounting oversight, statistics oversight, public oversight and oversight through public opinion. While presiding over the meeting, Zhao said that Xi's speech is of great guiding significance in deepening the full and strict governance over the Party. Party organizations at all levels, Party members and officials should follow Xi's instruction, as well as consolidate and develop the sweeping victory in the fight against corruption, said Zhao. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), speaks at the fourth plenary session of the 19th CCDI of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, January 13, 2020. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] (Source: Xinhua) BLUFFS A family-owned farm based in Bluffs expanded its ability to store food last year and plans to expand further in 2020. Mueller Family Farms started as a hobby for co-owner Linda Mueller, but the farm spent the past five years growing after Muellers grandson and fellow co-owner, Michael Meyer, started to oversee it. Last year, a walk-in cooler was added allowing the farm to work with more restaurants and have more variety for customers at farmers markets and grocery stores. The packaging for salads also improved last year, which was necessary for selling the salads in stores, Meyer said. The farms tillable acres also almost doubled within the past year, increasing productivity. Mueller Family Farms also expanded into new sales outlets last year. Restaurants that use the farms produce include Great Scott! Community Market in Winchester, Evandys Boatel in Naples and Lonzerottis Italian Restaurant in Jacksonville. Evandys Boatel purchases all of its tomatoes and cherry tomatoes from Mueller Family Farms and plans to implement the farms spring mix. Meyer went to school with the chef at Lonzerottis and the restaurant started buying all of its cherry tomatoes from Mueller Family Farms last year. The restaurant also buys specialty melons from the farm and creates seasonal menu specials based on produce that is in season at the farm. If you dont want to cook the Mueller Farm stuff for yourself, you could still try out some local restaurants and have the opportunity to try our produce, Meyer said. This spring, Jacksonvilles County Market will roll out a variety of Mueller Family Farms products, Meyer said. The farm is interested in expanding to more local restaurants, including to ones in Jacksonville and Springfield, he said. Mueller is willing to deliver to restaurants that arent in the farms immediate area. The farm currently is looking at building a deer fence to keep out deer who could eat their fresh produce, Meyer said. The farm also is adding a new building dedicated to washing, packing and processing fresh vegetables to ensure the same standards as a commercial kitchen. Meyer has a background in food service and that experience helps him understand how to make sure food meets safety standards, he said. Concerns about the safety of lettuce have increased since romaine lettuce grown in California was recalled after being connected to cases of E. coli. Mueller Family Farms specializes in cut greens and Meyer hopes the extra safety precautions the farm takes encourage people to feel confident about buying their produce. If you cant go buy from the big guy in California, you can still buy local, Meyer said. Its safe. This year, the farm also will try to grow garlic for the first time. Meyer said that none of the farms had garlic at last years farmers markets and he is hoping to have an artisan garlic for sale when market time comes. Nigerias ruling party, APC, has expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Hope Uzodinma, its candidate in the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election. A seven-member panel of the apex court on Tuesday annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state and declared the APC candidate who came fourth in the March 9 governorship poll as the winner. The court earlier on Tuesday dismissed the appeal of Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance (AA) who came second in the Imo election, after Mr Nwosu withdrew his appeal. Mr Nwosu had last December been declared as not qualified to participate in the election by the Supreme Court. We never lost faith in the judiciary In its reaction signed by its spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC said the turn of events at the Supreme Court is a reflection of the massive rigging that happened in Imo State during the last governorship poll in the state. Even as we are still wondering why we lost elections we clearly won in Zamfara State at the Supreme Court and how the same court ruled our party out of the electoral race in Rivers State, we have never, as a political party, lost faith in the judiciary. We salute Senator Hope Uzodinma, our supporters and members for their temperance displayed in the aftermath of the blatant rigging of the Imo Governorship election. We chose to focus on the judicial route to reclaim the Partys mandate. We are confident that our other stolen electoral mandates will be restored by the courts. The APC calls on all Imo State APC stakeholders to come together in support of Senator Uzodinma to ensure the success of the Partys Next Level agenda and to democratically entrench the APC in the state and entire South East, the party stated in its statement issued on Tuesday night. In his reaction, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, congratulated Mr Uzodinma on his victory. Mr Lawan also congratulated the APC in the state for peacefully retrieving its mandate through the constitutionally stipulated judicial process. The Senate President said the unanimous decision of the seven-member panel of the highest court in the land has cleared any doubt on the victory of the APC in the election. This is a victory for democracy, the rule of law, the All Progressives Congress and the good people of Imo State. The new Governor-elect should be magnanimous in victory and see his mandate as a call to serve his people conscientiously and to the best of his ability, Mr Lawan said. The Senate President wished the governor-elect a successful tenure in office. He also praised the Nigerian Judiciary for reasserting itself as a sacred chapel for judicious resolution of disputes. Britain's Prince Harry and his then-fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Nottingham Academy in Nottingham, England Dec. 1, 2017. As interracial marriages are on the rise in both the U.S. and U.K., BuzzFeed recently unveiled a "safe space to talk about interracial dating in 2020." Read more I sat on my bed in my apartment on 16th and Cecil B. Moore, exasperated as I listened to my then-boyfriend lecture me while YG played in the background. The boyfriend, a white boy from New England, had decided to instruct me, a black and Arab American woman from Baltimore, on not so much why, but how he was permitted to say the N-word. It was because, apparently, YG would have never released his art if it were not for all listeners to consume in its entirety. Even when that meant white boys in fraternities saying the N-word. I was not sure how to respond, even though everything coming out of his mouth was wholly incongruous with everything I believed was racially and politically acceptable. I was a college sophomore and did not quite have it in me yet to explain how wrong the entire situation was. We later broke up. More conversations about race continued after the breakup, each validating my anger and frustration. Ultimately they validated my decision to end our relationship. This month, BuzzFeed unveiled a bot for people to discuss thoughts and anxieties they may have about their interracial relationships. My immediate response was to find this incredulous and absurd. If you cant talk about your anxieties around race with the person youre dating, and have to bring those concerns to a bot, why are you with that person? I knew this from experiences like the one I mentioned earlier. Having dated a number of white men, Ive learned over the years that if I could not be fully candid about how I experience the world, we are incompatible if for no other reason than that. The BuzzFeed tool, however, discourages people from taking any tensions that might uniquely arise when dating outside your race to your partner. Instead, it posits that you share those concerns with a robot (who can post your feelings publicly if you choose, or else keep them anonymous). This encouragement to avoid tough in-person conversations reminds me of a troubling misconception I experienced in Philly, especially at Temple. I saw it taken for granted particularly among liberals that we live in a city that celebrates racial differences, and people arent afraid to date outside of our race. However, the truth is a lot more complicated. Many white and other Philadelphians including ones who identify as progressive are uncomfortable with the daily realities of race. The inability to acknowledge these realities are detrimental as we continue an era that is far from post-racial. Even though interracial marriages have steadily increased since the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling legalized them in 1967, a 2018 YouGov poll found that nearly 20 percent of Americans found something morally wrong with interracial marriage. Its not going to help Americas racial divides or tensions to avoid important conversations in our most intimate relationships. If our partners do not make room for us to be honest, then how can they expect us to ever make the vulnerable decision to engage in a committed relationship? BuzzFeed made a questionable decision when they created this bot: singling out race as some kind of taboo. What this project says is: Lets give people interracial relationships a completely passive outlet to vent, instead of: Lets propose that people in interracial relationships talk to each other, and/or even a therapist, if there is something awry. It is completely natural to have anxieties in a relationship. I have them, and Im sure folks who are married for years do, too. We dont always want to hurt our partners feelings. We dont know how to say many difficult things out loud. These conversations can be really hard. And the internet can be a magnificent place for pushing us to confront the toughest topics. But BuzzFeed decided to make this bot specifically racial. And its important to be able to unpack the burdens of racism with the person you might want to, say, share a bank account and raise children with, or at least pick up from the airport. Theyre a better person to bring uncomfortable realities to than strangers on the internet. Especially if you love them. Yasmine Hamou is a Temple alumna who splits her time between Philly and Austin. SANTA FE Longtime New Mexico state Sen. Richard Martinez was set to be released from Santa Fe County jail on Tuesday after serving a four-day sentence for aggravated drunken driving. Martinez, a Democrat from Rio Arriba County, checked himself into jail on Friday afternoon, according to county jail records. He was sentenced earlier this month to five days in jail and 85 days of probation after being convicted of aggravated drunken driving and reckless driving. Those charges stemmed from a June 2019 incident in which Martinez plowed into another vehicle that had stopped at a red light in Espanola, injuring both occupants of the other vehicle. However, a state judge gave Martinez credit for one day in jail for time served after his arrest, meaning he only faced a four-day jail sentence. Martinez, who has served in the Senate since 2001, tearfully apologized for his actions before being sentenced, while also saying he has been sober for six months and is seeking help for a drinking problem. After being convicted, Martinez resigned from his post as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman. But he has ignored calls to also resign from the Legislature and has indicated he plans to run for reelection this year to his Senate District 5 seat. Martinezs sentence drew criticism from some New Mexicans for being too lenient, as Attorney General Hector Balderas office had asked District Court Judge Francis Mathew to impose the maximum 180 days in jail under the two charges he was convicted of. However, some of Martinezs relatives had expressed concern about Martinezs well-being in jail, and his attorney told the judge during the sentencing hearing that Martinez has medical conditions that could be difficult for corrections officers to adequately handle. The 30-day legislative session starts next week. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind will on Thursday hold a conference with 200 clerics and students of the Jamia Millia Islamia here to allay fears and doubts among certain sections of the Muslims amid protests and growing controversy over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that was enforced on January 10. According to the RSS-affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) spokesperson, Nafees Hussain, Jamiat president Suhaib Qasmi will chair the meeting at Constitution Club here with leaders of the Deoband seminary, Ahle Hadith, Bareilly Sharif and Nizamuddin Dargah. The Jamia students have been invited to the conference, as it was from this varsity that the movement erupted on December 15, when students and protesters clashed with Delhi Police after anti-CAA slogans were raised following the enactment of the CAB on December 11. It then spread like wildfire across the country. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has taken responsibility to arrest the growing controversy over the new Citizenship Act. According to sources, the MRM will involve the clerics across the country to reach out to the larger Muslim population. According to an MRM cadre, they will discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the problems arising from it. They will try to handle questions related to the growing animosity and confusion among the Muslims on CAA. The MRM believes most of the problem is due to the rumours being spread about CAA regarding proof of identity. Therefore, doubts must be allayed. According to Hussain, such type of awareness event will also be held in other states and cities. 71-year-old volunteer security guard gets Texas highest civilian honor for stopping church shooter Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Jack Wilson, the 71-year-old volunteer security guard who stopped a gunman at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, ahead of the new year was honored Monday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for his bravery. Wilson was honored during a formal ceremony with the newly minted Governors Medal of Courage, which Abbotts office describes as the highest honor given to civilians by the governor for those who display great acts of heroism by risking their own safety to save anothers life. The firearms instructor who has also been a reserve sheriffs deputy stopped 43-year-old Keith Thomas Kinnunen last month after he opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ, killing two people security guard Richard White, 67, and grandfather Anton "Tony" Wallace, 64, who had just handed out communion. In his remarks on Wilson Monday, Abbott thanked God for placing Wilson in the church on the day of the shooting. Although we continue to mourn the loss of Tony Wallace and Rich White, we also thank God for putting Jack Wilson in that church that day to bring the attack to an end and to prevent the further loss of further life. Only God knows who is alive today because of Jack Wilson. What we do know is that so many lives were saved because of Jack Wilsons quick action, Abbott said. His calmness under pressure and above all else his courage and his willingness to risk his own life to save the lives of others. Courage has been defined as feeling fear yet choosing to act; following your heart when determining what to do; persevering in the face of adversity; stepping up to do the right thing to do; facing suffering with dignity and with faith. Jack Wilson embodies those traits. When faced with an evil that few of us can ever comprehend Jack Wilson responded with strength, with bravery and with love for those in the church that day, Abbott continued. Thats why he volunteered to provide security at the church knowing that one day he may be called upon to step up and risk his own life. Jack, I know that youve been reluctant to accept the label of being called a hero but that is exactly who you are. You are a hero to everybody in the church that day. You are a hero to the people of Texas. You put your life on the line to ensure others would live. That is the hallmark of heroism and of courage. And its my honor to present to you the Governors Medal of Courage, Abbott added. Wilson, in his response to the award, said he didnt feel like a hero but rather a protector. When events arise, youre going to do one of two things. Youre either going to step up and do whats right or walk away, and Im not one to walk away, he said. In his remarks Monday, Abbott also praised the churchs Senior Pastor Britt Farmer for guiding his church through the ordeal. I saw firsthand how tight-knit the West Freeway Church of Christ community truly is. The fact of the matter is, its far more than just a community. Its a family. A family of brothers and sisters in Christ who look out for one another even in the darkest of moments, Abbott said. Britt, I want you to know, its easy to see here youre not only a man of faith, youre a man filled with grace provided by God. There was a serenity and calmness to the way you responded to this catastrophe. Its almost unimaginable. Knowing that you lost some of your very best friends. You lost some of your congregants. It was your church that was attacked but yet God empowered you with the strength that you needed to be able to instill calm and resolve in your congregants and God continues to work through you to this very day, Abbott said before presenting Farmer with the state flag. Esper contradicts Trump on intel that led to Gen. Soleimani's assassination Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 6:05 AM US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has made remarks that clearly contradict earlier comments by President Donald Trump who alleged Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani had been plotting attacks against four US embassies before he was assassinated in an American airstrike. Trump personally ordered the drone strikes that targeted Lieutenant General Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) as well as eight other companions on January 3. Speaking on Fox News Friday, the US president alleged that "four embassies" would have been targeted if the US had not carried out the operation, but failed to provide any details to substantiate his claims. "We will tell you probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad," Trump claimed. "I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies." Commenting on Trump's remarks, however, Esper told CBS's Face the Nation Sunday that he had not seen any specific piece of evidence that would suggest those attacks were in the making. "I didn't see one with regard to four embassies," he said when asked if there had been any tangible threat prior to the US airstrikes. In a separate interview with CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, Esper appeared to be cautiously supporting Trump's view that Iran had been planning attacks against multiple embassies. "What the president said in regard to the four embassies is what I believe as well. And he said he believed that they probably, that they could have been targeting the embassies in the region," Esper said, not confirming however that there was intelligence to support what he or the president believed. "I'm not going to discuss intelligence matters on the show," Esper said. The New York Times has pointed to the disparity between President Trump and his defense secretary concerning the intelligence that pushed Iran and the US to the brink of war. "They had to kill him because he was planning an "imminent" attack. But how imminent they could not say. Where they could not say. When they could not say. And really, it was more about what he had already done. Or actually it was to stop him from hitting an American embassy. Or four embassies. Or not," the Times wrote, with regard to the Trump administration's constantly shifting justifications as to why they had to target the Iranian general. Members of Congress have also questioned whether an Iran attack was imminent, which the Trump administration said was the case in defending the decision to conduct the strikes in intelligence briefings before lawmakers. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called the killing "provocative and disproportionate," and other members of Congress said they were unconvinced following the closed-door briefing. She told ABC's "This Week" that "I don't think the administration has been straight with the Congress of the United States" about the reasons for targeting General Soleimani. Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a Republican critic of the administration since the strike, cast doubt on the information shared with Congress and complained that he had not "been able to yet ascertain specific details of the imminence of the attack," according to CNN. In an interview with CBS, Adam Schiff, Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Trump for his remarks on Fox News, saying that he was "fudging the intelligence." "Frankly, I think what they are doing is overstating and exaggerating what the intelligence shows," he said, noting there had been no specificity in the briefing of congressional leaders concerning attacks on US embassies. In retaliation for the assassination of Soleimani, Iran targeted the American airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in western Iraq and another in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region on Wednesday. A USA Today/Ipsos poll released Thursday found that 55% of Americans said they believed the killing of General Soleimani has made the United States less safe, rejecting a fundamental argument by the Trump administration that the assassination made the US safer. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Bulldozed the Grave of Executed Christian Pastor: Family The family of an executed Christian pastor said his grave was bulldozed by Iranian authorities last month. Rev. Hussein Soodmand is the only Christian pastor to have been confirmed to have been formally executed by the Iranian regime. He was executed in December 1990 and buried at the Beheshte-Reza cemetery in Mashhad. His daughter Rashin Soodmand, who lives in exile in Europe, told Article18, a human rights organization that promotes religious freedom in Iran, about the situation. Article18 posted photos of the grave and wrote that all that now remains of the pastors unmarked grave is the soil under which he was once buried. I can say that the recent disrespect shown to our fathers grave wounded our hearts yet again, she said, according to the website. Our father was killed cruelly and contrary to the law. They buried him in a place they called laanatabad [accursed place], without our knowledge, and did not even give our family the opportunity to say goodbye to him, or to see his lifeless body. Over the years, she said that his family had to travel to the remote area to visit his grave, saying Iranian officials would not allow them to construct a gravestone with his name. But now, Iranian officials want to completely remove the only [sign] of him left for us. We will take our appeal to any relevant national or international institution about this disrespect and cruelty, the younger Soodmand remarked. The grave of the only #Iranian #Christian to have been executed on official charges of #apostasy has been demolished. Since Rev. Hussein Soodmands burial in 1990, the only sign anyone was buried there was a concrete slab. Now, even that has been removed. https://t.co/HpQvVTObR8 Article 18 (@articleeighteen) January 9, 2020 A spokesperson for Article18 told Fox News that his grave was found desecrated when his family visited it on the anniversary of his death last December. The Iranian authorities certainly made the call, a spokesman for the organization told Fox. We dont know who exactlyperhaps the local mayorbut our understanding is they are expanding the cemetery and selling off plots to wealthy families who can afford them. The pastor converted to Christianity before the 1979 revolution that placed the current regime in power, according to his family. In 1990, he was arrested and tortured before being held in solitary confinement. Two weeks after resubmitting himself to prison, the pastor was executed after being convicted of apostasy by a special court of clergy. His family was informed after the execution had been carried out, the website noted. In an article from Amnesty International in 2018, Christians, including converts, consistently face harassment in Iran. They also face arbitrary arrests, detentions, and prison sentences. The UK-based rights group noted that Irans overall human rights situation severely declined in 2017 and 2018, with officials suppressing basic freedoms. Floggings, amputations and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments were carried out, according to the group. Kerr Consulting We are delighted to receive these awards. 2019 Sales for Sage Intacct and Sage X3 were tremendous. Our Enterprise AnyWare brand continues to grow within several verticals. Im proud of my team and couldnt be happier about the outlook for Kerr Consulting in 2020. Dave Kerr, founder & CEO. Kerr Consulting (kerrconsulting.com) has been named a winner of multiple awards for 2019. The first was from Sage North America, as a part of their prestigious Partner Awards series, where Kerr earned the Sage Community Partner Award. In addition, Kerr Consulting was named a member of Bob Scotts VAR Stars for 2019, which honors members for their accomplishments in mid-market MRP and ERP software. Kerr Consulting has been the recipient of multiple awards in the past and is most well known for their partnership with Sage North America, Bill.com, and the development of their own line of SaaS solutions under the Enterprise AnyWare brand. Dave Kerr, founder and CEO, said We are delighted to receive these awards. 2019 Sales for Sage Intacct and Sage X3 were tremendous. Our Enterprise AnyWare brand continues to grow within several verticals. Im proud of my team and couldnt be happier about the outlook for Kerr Consulting in 2020. About Kerr Consulting Kerr Consulting (Kerrconsulting.com) is a leading provider of ERP financial software, including Sage Intacct, Sage X3, and Enterprise AnyWare. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Kerr Consulting supports thousands of clients by providing software sales, accounting systems support, and SaaS solutions to deliver the best solutions and support for accountants and businesses. About Sage North America Sage is the global market leader for technology that helps small and medium businesses perform at their best. Sage is trusted by millions of customers worldwide to deliver the best cloud technology and support with our partners, to manage finances, operations, and people. About Bob Scott Bob Scott has been informing and entertaining the mid-market financial software community via his email newsletters for 20 years. He has published this information via the ERP Global Insights (formerly Bob Scotts Insights) newsletter and website since 2009. LIMA, Peru - Perus constitutional Court has backed President Martin Vizcarras controversial decision to dissolve the nations legislature last year. Magistrates voted Tuesday to ratify Vizcarras move and dismiss a complaint backed by opposition lawmakers. Vizcarra dismissed Congress in late September, claiming it was necessary to combat deeply entrenched corruption in Peru. Though polls show the decision was popular, critics argued it was an overreach of his executive powers. The decision by the constitutional Court appears to put Vizcarras legal concerns to rest and pave the way for new elections. The president of the South American nation has called on Peruvians to vote for a new slate of lawmakers on Jan. 26. Nearly every former living Peruvian president is under investigation in connection with bribery scandals involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:30:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Algerian army forces on Tuesday conducted military exercises on the border with Libya under the supervision of interim Algerian Army Chief of Staff Said Chengriha, official media reported. Algerian Defense Ministry on Monday said that Chengriha would pay a visit in the following day to the fourth military region of Ouargla, not far from the Libyan border, to follow up the implementation of the combat program across army units over all military regions. The visit of Chengriha started from the locality of In-Amenas, on the border with Libya. The defense ministry said in a statement that the army chief was due to oversee "tactical and graphic exercises with live ammunition" which will be conducted by units of Armored Brigade 41. On Dec. 26, 2019, the High Security Council held a meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, deciding to take measures to strengthen protection of the borderline with the war-ridden Libya and Mali. Libya is hit by civil war since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Algeria, which shares 1,000 km long border with Libya, fears the fallout of any potential "proxy war" in Libya. The North African nation has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Libya to thwart intrusion of terrorists and arms. President Donald Trump authorised the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani seven months ago if Iran's increased aggression resulted in the death of an American, according to five current and former senior administration officials. The presidential directive in June came with the condition that Mr Trump would have final sign-off on any specific operation to kill Maj Gen Soleimani , officials said. That decision explains why assassinating the general was on the menu of options that the military presented to Mr Trump two weeks ago for responding to an attack by Iranian proxies in Iraq, in which a US contractor was killed and four US service members were wounded, the officials said. The timing, however, could undermine the Trump administration's stated justification for ordering the US drone strike that killed Soleimani in Baghdad on 3 January. Officials have said Maj Gen Soleimani, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, was planning imminent attacks on Americans and had to be stopped. "There have been a number of options presented to the president over the course of time," a senior administration official said - adding that it was "some time ago" that the president's aides put assassinating Maj Gen Soleimani on the list of potential responses to Iranian aggression. After Iran shot down a US drone in June, John Bolton, Mr Trump's national security adviser at the time, urged him to retaliate by signing off on an operation to kill Maj Gen Soleimani, officials said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also wanted Mr Trump to authorise the assassination, officials said. But Mr Trump rejected the idea - saying he'd take that step only if Iran crossed his red line: killing an American. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The president's message was "that's only on the table if they hit Americans", according to a person briefed on the discussion. Story continues Neither the White House nor the National Security Council responded to requests for comment. Mr Bolton and the State Department also did not respond to requests for comment. US intelligence officials had closely tracked Maj Gen Soleimani's movements for years. When Mr Trump came into office, Mr Pompeo, who was Mr Trump's first CIA director, urged the president to consider taking a more aggressive approach to Maj Gen Soleimani after showing him new intelligence on what a second senior administration official described as "very serious threats that didn't come to fruition". The idea of killing the general came up in discussions in 2017 that Mr Trump's national security adviser at the time, retired Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, was having with other administration officials about the president's broader national security strategy, officials said. But it was just one of a host of possible elements of Mr Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran and "was not something that was thought of as a first move", said a former senior administration official involved in the discussions. :: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The idea did become more serious after Lt Gen McMaster was replaced in April 2018 by Mr Bolton, a longtime Iran hawk and advocate for regime change in Tehran. Mr Bolton left the White House in September - he said he resigned, while Trump said he fired him - following policy disagreements on Iran and other issues. In April, Mr Bolton had helped prod Mr Trump to designate the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a foreign terrorist organisation. White House officials at the time refused to say whether that meant the US would target Revolutionary Guard leaders as it does the leadership of other terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State militant group and al Qaeda. Iran retaliated by designating the US military a terrorist organisation. The actions underscored the rising tension between the US and Iran in the three years since Mr Trump took office. Since Mr Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 - and his administration tightened its squeeze on Iran's economy with punishing economic sanctions - Iran has attacked US military assets in Iraq with increasing aggressiveness and frequency. Iran has launched more than a dozen separate rocket attacks on bases housing Americans since October. The US military blamed Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia that is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, but is backed by Iran. US military and intelligence officials say the group takes direction from Iran, specifically the Quds Force. A US military official in Iraq said the rockets Iran has launched at US forces have become more sophisticated over time. The largest attack was on 27 December, when Kataib Hezbollah launched more than 30 rockets at an Iraqi base in Kirkuk, killing a US contractor and wounding four US service members. After the attack, the United States launched airstrikes against five Kataib Hezbollah locations, three in Iraq and two in Syria, targeting ammunition and weapon supplies, as well as command and control sites. Mr Trump signed off on the operation to kill Maj Gen Soleimani after Iranian-backed militia members responded to US strikes by storming the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. Iran responded to the assassination of Maj Gen Soleimani by striking bases housing US forces in Iraq, and after no Americans were killed, Trump appeared to back off further military conflict. Instead, he announced new sanctions against Iran on Friday. This article originally appeared on NBC News . Christian school sues Oregon county over right to meet at church property Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Christian school that meets at a church has filed a lawsuit against an Oregon county after officials told the congregation that the school could not use the property. Skopos Christian School, which has around 30 students, began to hold classes at Faith on Hill Church in Milwaukie last year after they had to leave their former building. Skopos and Faith on Hill are both being represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative law firm based in Sacramento, California. PJI explained in a statement released last week that they're filing the suit under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA for short. Essentially, the county has been fining the church for letting Skopos use its wing in a manner consistent with the terms of the churchs permit, explained PJI attorney Ray Hacke in the statement. Nothing in the permit limits the wings use to Sunday school classes and Wednesday night Bible studies. The wing is being used for what it was built for, and suing under RLUIPA was the only way to stop the county from misusing its power to suppress religious exercise. According to PJI, Clackamas has sent letters to the church telling them that having the Christian school operate on their property violates the terms of their permit. The Christian Post reached out to both the County of Clackamas and Skopos Christian School for this story, however neither returned comment by press time. Enacted in 2000, RLUIPA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against religious institutions regarding landmark and zoning laws. RLUIPA prohibits zoning and landmarking laws that substantially burden the religious exercise of churches or other religious assemblies or institutions absent the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest, explained the United States Department of Justice. Last July, a Florida church successfully won a legal battle against a county that was fining them for opening a school for children with disabilities on their property. Crosspoint Church voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against Sarasota County after reaching a settlement in which the county waived a daily $250 fine against the church. We commend Sarasota County for changing course, approving Crosspoints zoning request, and reimbursing the churchs hefty application fee, said Kyle McCutcheon of the Alliance Defending Freedom, who represented Crosspoint. The county already allows the church to host a secular charter school on its property and has now correctly determined that Crosspoint has an equal right to host a private Christian school thats motivated by its convictions. He had also formed close friendships. "One guy was 18, like me. The other was 19," Perez said of his two best friends. "The one that was 19 was about 40 miles from where I was born in Texas. The other was from Vermont." In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, there was much talk about whether female voters would support the female candidate. Gloria Steinem suggested that young women preferred Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton only because they sought proximity to Sanders male supporters. Madeleine Albright told those same young women that there was a special place in hell for them if they didnt help other women (presumably Clinton). Susan Sarandon, who supported Sanders in the primary and the Green Partys Jill Stein in the general election, told the BBC that she wasnt moved by the idea of electing the first female president because she didnt vote with her vagina. On The Daily Show, Jessica Williams thrusted her pelvis over an imaginary voting-booth lever to demonstrate how that might work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this discourse seems simplistic or crude, its partly because, at the time, there werent very many examples of how women would behave when given the chance to vote for one of their own for president. White women have trended Republican for a long time, but many activists and strategists were still surprised when more than half of them voted for Donald Trump over a fellow white woman in 2016. More broadly, a great many U.S. voters have never, or only very rarely and recently, had the opportunity to support a viable presidential candidate who shares their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender. Were still figuring out how much shared identity influences voters. Today, most activists would at least pay lip service to the idea that other considerations besides identity-based solidarity should come into play when assessing political candidates. But the idea that people will generally fall in line behind the person who looks or loves or believes like them still informs a lot of assumptions in political campaigns and punditry. Kamala Harris, for one, centered her campaign strategy on winning the South Carolina primary, hoping that the states majority-black Democratic electorate, and black women in particular, would deliver her a necessary win. When she wasnt able to secure a lead or even maintain double-digit support in the state, she refocused on the earlier caucus in Iowa. Two months later, having made no progress, she was out of the race. Advertisement Advertisement The most diverse presidential slate in history might be the one to demonstrate that identity solidarity doesnt play a determinative role in voter behavior. Harris isnt the only current example of a candidate failing to earn the support of what would seem to be a natural affinity group. Black voters are overwhelmingly supporting Joe Biden, who is white. A December Quinnipiac poll of self-identified registered voters found Cory Booker, a black man, dead even at 2 percent with Pete Buttigieg, a white man who has been widely criticized for his record and rhetoric on race. (Booker ended his campaign on Monday after failing to qualify for a second consecutive debate.) Multiple polls show a plurality of young voters supporting Bernie Sanders, the oldest candidate on the Democratic slate and recent recipient of the youth-led Sunrise Movements endorsement. Buttigieg is the youngest, but his support from young voters is hovering around 2 percent, while senior citizens prefer Buttigieg over everyone except Biden. Women favor Biden by a sizable margin too, despite the fact that there are multiple women in the race, including Bidens fellow top-tier candidate Elizabeth Warren. Julian Castro was the only Latino candidate in the race before he dropped out in early January, but in the course of his yearlong campaign, he was never the favorite for Latino voters. The most diverse presidential slate in history might be the one to demonstrate that identity solidarity doesnt play a determinative role in voter behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why doesnt it? One reason is that when a candidate is a member of an underrepresented demographic, her relationship with like-identified voters is often more fraught than a glass ceiling narrative would have us believe. These voters can be hardest on candidates who are like them, or react negatively to those candidates political performance in identity-specific ways. Political consultant Chris Jahnke told me in August that older white women can be some of the most sexist evaluators of older white female candidates; in these leaders, they see people who look like them enacting the very qualitiesoverconfidence, ambition, competitive drivetheyve been admonished for. At Jewish Currents, Joshua Leifer writes of the age gap in Sanders Jewish base, What for young Jews are sources of identification and prideSanderss proletarian Jewishness, his agonistic politicsare, for many of their senior-citizen counterparts, reminders of political disappointments and quashed revolutionary hopes. Many gay people and young people have a, shall we say, complicated relationship with Buttigiegs politics and worldview. Personally identifying with a candidate can provoke a wide range of complex, and sometimes contradictory, reactions. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic voters are also constantly wringing their hands over the question of electability, that amorphous, unknowable quality that would almost always have the party capitulate to Americas most bigoted inclinations. Black voters particular insight into American racism led some of them to worry that America was too racist to elect a black president. A majority didnt swing Obamas way until he proved he could win white voters in the 2008 Iowa caucuses. The concern over whether anyone besides a white, straight man is really electable still lingers in 2020, particularly in light of Clintons 2016 loss. It almost certainly helps explain why Joe Biden is really popular among black voters and the national front-runner right now. Biden is the familiar, establishment-favored candidate. In an election that has Democratic voters atypically more concerned with beating the opposing candidate than nominating a candidate who shares their values, an old, white, bumbling man with centrist politics might seem like the person who can best woo old, white, bumbling men away from Trumpand, indeed, thats how Biden is pitching his candidacy. This assumption, buoyed by sexist and racist statements from undecided voters, points to another underdiscussed dynamic of identity politics: White men have identities too; theyre just rarely acknowledged as such. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These nuances help clarify why identity-based predictions of voter behavior often get it wrong: People dont only have one identity. At any rate, across-the-board support for Biden tends to drown out some telling dynamics deeper in the cross tabs. Drill down further (one helpful tool is Politicos proportional support graphics, which disaggregate each candidates supporters by race, gender, age, ideology, education, and several other attributes, then illustrate how much the makeup of a candidates base differs from the makeup of the full Democratic electorate) and you can start to see some trends that complicate simplistic ideas about identity-based voter preferences. Sanders is disproportionately popular among black men, but not black women. Hes disproportionately popular among black and white voters who didnt go to college, but not those who did. Warren is disproportionately popular among women, but if you add race to the equation, youll see that its entirely due to support from white women; shes disproportionately unpopular with black women. With Biden, the opposite is true. Advertisement These nuances help clarify why identity-based predictions of voter behavior often get it wrong: People dont only have one identity. Women and black voters and working-class voters arent distinct classes of people. They intersect. Each voter has multiple identities that influence her political worldview, her life experiences, and her impulses toward voting-booth solidarity. Sometimes, a woman wants to vote for a woman because shes a woman. Sometimes, she wants to vote for a woman because that candidate is highly progressive (female voters tend to be more progressive than male ones, in part because of how each political party treats women). Sometimes, a female voter is also really wealthy, and shed rather protect high-earners than put a billionaire-trolling woman in charge. Sometimes, shes white and racist. Sometimes, shes a service member who wants a veteran in the White House. Sometimes, maybe, she evaluates a candidates policy priorities and leadership potential, divorced from her own identity and interests, and votes accordingly. Or maybe she just picks the person all the folks in her church choir are voting for! Every voter is a mishmash unto herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two recent polls of LGBTQ voters, a notoriously un- and underpolled demographic, demonstrate the fallacy of broad-brush assumptions about minority voting behavior. In one poll of 816 LGBTQ people who were likely to vote in the Democratic primary, nearly a third claimed Warren as their preferred candidate. Buttigieg, the first major openly gay presidential candidate, came in fourth place. (He got 14 percent of survey respondents, close behind Sanders and Biden.) Why might this be? Well, LGBTQ voters are far more progressive than the full Democratic electorate: Sixty-four percent of LGBTQ poll respondents said theyd prefer a candidate whod fight for big ideas and larger changes; just 28 percent said they want someone willing to compromise on incremental changes. It makes sense that LGBTQ people would go for Elizabeth big structural change Warren over Pete unity Buttigieg, gay though he may be. Advertisement In another survey, only 30 percent of LGBTQ people who said they were planning to vote in the Democratic primary said they were even considering Buttigieg. There were also significant differences of opinion within the LGBTQ acronym: Forty-five percent of gay men said they were considering Buttigieg, compared with 29 percent of lesbians and 22 percent of bisexuals. Is that because gay men see themselves in, and want to vote for, a fellow gay man? Or because men are generally more conservative than women, who made up 100 percent of the lesbians and 75 percent of the bisexuals surveyedboth of whom preferred Sanders and Warren to Buttigieg? Why do lesbians and bisexuals prefer center-of-the-road Biden to Buttigieg? Is it the safety and electability thing? Are lesbians and bi people turned off by Buttigiegs brand of gayness? Do they just not know him well enough yet? Or is it because the bi poll respondents were more than twice as likely to identify as black as the gay ones? Who can say! The only clear takeaways are that the LGBTQ community is not a political monolith, and that Buttigiegs gay identity isnt enough to win over the majority, or even a plurality, of his fellow LGBTQ Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will always be some people who analyze candidates primarily on identity grounds. One lesbian told Politico that Buttigieg was all fine and good, but Im one of these women who thinks we are way overdue for having a woman in the White House. Thats a lens through which Im going to filter my decision. That article, which went on to claim that lesbians are divided over which glass ceiling to break first, was titled, Why some lesbians dont want Pete Buttigieg to be president. The implied assumption here is that lesbians need more of a reason than straight voters to reject his candidacy. But there are a million reasons why lesbians might not support Buttigieg, especially in a primary slate thats almost uniformly aligned in favor of LGBTQ rights and protections. (Are white men voting against Sanders expected to explain themselves?) Advertisement When voter identity is used to explain electoral losses, its rarely the younger person of color who gets the extra attention. The early 2020 slate was just diverse enough to demonstrate basic lessons in uncharted territory. In 2007, in an attempt to explain why there was a 26-point gap between black women and black men who supported Clintons candidacy, one CNN analyst said, Black women dont just vote their black identity. They also vote their identity as women. In 2020, its more obvious than ever that the identity explanation is just one part of the picture. Like all voters, black women support the candidates they like the best and those they believe can win: With multiple women and black peopleincluding one black womanto choose from in the Democratic primary, a near majority of black women voters still rallied behind a white man. As many observers have pointed out, Bidens current popularity surely benefits from black voters continued reluctance to support a black candidate who hasnt yet proved she or he can win white voters in a national electionyes, even after Obama. Its complicated. And personal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too often, nervous Democrats concerned about electability take away oversimplified identity-based lessons from election failures. Instead of looking at Trumps win and seeing voter suppression, the strategic failures of the Clinton campaign, and depressed voter turnout among people of color who said they didnt like either candidate, they see evidence that American swing voters are too sexist to support a woman for president. In the Atlantic last week, Ibram X. Kendi argued for a different interpretation, reframing the narrative of the swing voter from the older white moderate who flips between parties to the young person of color who flips between voting Democrat and not voting at all or voting third-party. There are many ways to win or lose an election. But when voter identity is used to explain electoral losses, its rarely the younger person of color who gets the extra attention. Advertisement The electability issue is a strange one because perceptions of a candidates ability to win are both speciousbased on biased assumptions about other peoples preferencesand self-fulfilling. Using Kendis framing, one could argue that the most electable Democrat is a black one, or one with a reasonably sophisticated understanding of racial justicea candidate who might excite those black swing voters who came out for Obama in 2008 and 2012, then didnt vote at all in 2016. But todays black voters overwhelmingly prefer Biden; their support is essential to his current lead in the national polls, while no candidates of color have made it into the January debate. And yet: Biden is also disproportionately popular among white voters who exhibit high levels of white consciousness and racial resentment, which should raise questions about whether his messaging could truly resonate with the set of black voters Obama energized. Again, racial groups are not a monolithBiden does better with older black voters than with the younger ones Kendi identifies as crucial swing voters. The candidate black voters prefer today might not be the one to capture the particular set of black voters who sway elections. And its worth wondering whether Biden would make more overtures to those racially resentful whites in a general election campaign, making him even less appealing to voters of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Identity-based arguments about electability yield all sorts of assumptions, partially because there still just isnt much data to parse. The Democratic Party is still in the very early days of testing its own hunches about how the vast majority of its memberspeople who arent straight white menwill behave when given the opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate who shares their race, gender, or status as a sexual minority. The results are already a lot more complicated than the average armchair analyst could have predicted. At any rate, most voters arent looking at polling data or debriefs of previous elections to inform their assumptions about electability. Theyre relying on their own worldviews. When I interviewed senior citizens about the Democratic candidates in September, several people said they thought Biden was too old for the job, and possibly too old to win. We need someone who can get the young people excited, one elderly woman told me. Someone like Pete Buttigieg. We were brought to this moment of utter dysfunction by a long string of presidents who lied and otherwise shaded the truth to test the limits of congressional power. Now, the flouting of congressional authority to declare war and to approve the spending of taxpayer dollars on military adventures has become the norm. Will we see anytime soon a bipartisan surge of indignation and resolve to restore the proper balance envisioned by the Founders? I, for one, will not hold my breath. Ukrainian lessee farmers to be able to buy land on preferential terms economy minister 13:52, 14.01.20 1886 This will be a tool for indirect state support for farmers, the official says. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Rockcliff Metals Corporation (CSE: RCLF) (FSE: RO0) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its ongoing, fully-funded +100,000-metre drill program which began in 2019 has now re-commenced. A total of approximately 70,000 metres is expected to be drilled throughout 2020. A minimum of ten drills are either at property sites or are in transition to various properties. This extensive drill program will continue to focus on enhancing the confidence of the Company's advanced-stage deposits while drilling will also be initiated on other high-grade copper deposits that are within trucking distance to the Company's fully functional leased mill and tailings complex. Rockcliff's President and CEO Alistair Ross commented: "All samples from our 2019 drill program have now been submitted for assay, and will be released as soon as they are available. The 2020 program is important from two aspects. The primary focus will be to continue growing the confidence in our deposits at Rail and Tower, and progress the JV talks with Hudbay on Talbot. In addition, this year we will take the opportunity to begin some preliminary exploration on some promising projects at Copperman, Freebeth and Pen to begin to grow our pipeline beyond our primary three front runners referred to above." 2020 Drill Program The 2020 drill program is designed as a multi-focused program. Advanced-Stage Drilling: Approximately 20,000-30,000 metres of drilling are planned to strengthen the confidence on the existing, 100% owned Tower and Rail advanced-stage deposits. This drilling will be included in the new NI 43-101 Resource Estimates planned to be completed in Q1 of 2020. Additional drilling outside of the known deposits is also anticipated where high-priority geophysical anomalies along strike of the deposits exist. Drilling at the Talbot deposit, at which the Company recently completed all required work expenditures to earn a 51% interest (subject to Hudbay's review), is planned in 2020 once the joint venture agreement with Hudbay is finalized. Exploration Drilling: Approximately 30,000-40,000 metres of exploration drilling will focus on several properties, including the Bur, Copperman, Pen, and Freebeth properties where known historical deposits and copper-bearing zones exist. The main purpose of this program is to advance our geological knowledge of each deposit, advance and grow the known mineralization and to make copper discoveries. Of importance is the fact that all properties to be drill tested are within trucking distance to the Company's fully functional leased mill and tailings facility. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation Rockcliff is a well-funded Canadian resource development and exploration company and near-term copper producer, with a fully functional +1,000 tpd leased processing and tailings facility as well as several advanced-stage, high-grade copper and zinc dominant VMS deposits in the Snow Lake area of Manitoba. The Company is a major landholder in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt which is home to the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world, hosting mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. The Company's extensive portfolio of properties totals over 4,500 square kilometres and includes eight of the highest-grade, undeveloped VMS deposits in the belt. For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com Twitter: @RockcliffMetals Facebook: Rockcliff Metals Corporation For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Alistair Ross President & CEO Cell: (705) 507-4251 aross@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 a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51438 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14 2020 As the Foreign Ministry doubles down on economic diplomacy, the government has been looking to replicate its successful push into Africa elsewhere. However, challenges such as the adverse economic climate in other countries have proven to be significant factors in determining the outlook for Indonesia's trade and investment strategies, several ambassadors have said. Last week, more than 130 Indonesian heads of missions overseas convened in Jakarta for foreign policy briefings and coordination meetings to develop economic diplomacy strategies. From Wednesday to Saturday, envoys were briefed on the foreign policy directive of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who wants diplomats to be more economic-minded in their work abroad. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 As US President Donald Trump prepares to sign a phase one trade deal with China on Wednesday morning, trade experts see it as more of a political document than an economic road map with little chance it will inspire a meaningful phase two agreement any time soon. But despite the scepticism, the accord hits the pause button on the turmoil, threats and mercurial negotiating that have characterised US-China trade relations over the past 18 months, they add. As outlined, the deal promises to increase Chinese purchases of American goods and bolster intellectual property protection in return for lowered tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US. The president likes pomp and circumstance in cases where he has something to boast about and I think, from his standpoint, he has something to brag about, said Derek Scissors, resident scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, who was recently briefed on the trade deal by administration officials he declined to identify. He can say Im the only one who can get China to the table, that I forced China into making concessions and now the Dems cant touch me on this, he added, referring to the Democratic Party. In a further sign of detente before the signing, the US Treasury Department on Monday removed China from a list of countries that it claims manipulate their currencies to gain an unfair trade advantage. The reversal drew criticism from some lawmakers. China is a currency manipulator that is a fact, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a tweet. Unfortunately, President Trump would rather cave to President Xi than stay tough on China. Seen through the political lens Trump tends to favour, theres little upside to further increasing or decreasing the pressure on Beijing near term as he juggles impeachment, a lingering Middle East crisis, efforts to pass a US-Canada-Mexico trade deal and his re-election campaign. Story continues Declaring victory, signing a deal and moving on affords him several advantages, analysts said. It blunts criticism from political rivals that his trade policy has hurt average Americans, despite strong economic evidence that it does. It lets him argue that his China tariff strategy has worked. It throws a bone to long-suffering Midwestern farmers facing mounting bankruptcies and debt who are important to his re-election bid. And it allows him to make the argument with manufacturing workers a weak link politically as factory employment, new orders and inventory decline sharply that he is a great deal maker who keeps his word and is in their corner. Perhaps most important, the deal blunts potential economic damage that could unsettle financial markets moving toward November. Voters have short memories, and he wants to start racking up perceived wins they will remember as election day approaches. Unfortunately, President Trump would rather cave to President Xi than stay tough on China, says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York. Photo: AP That leaves Trump with neither the bandwidth, attention span nor willing partner to tackle a meaningful phase two agreement involving complex structural issues. These include reforming Chinas state-led economy, prying open its services markets and tackling the myriad ways Beijing impedes foreign companies in its massive market. The phase one agreement will be the high-water mark for the Trump administrations trade diplomacy vis-a-vis China during his first term, and perhaps for years afterward, said Jeff Moon, president of the China Moon Strategies consultancy and a former official in the Office of the US Trade Representative and the National Security Council. There will be discussions about a phase two agreement that will never be concluded. According to Moon, Trump uses a five-chapter playbook: take credit, exaggerate achievements, satisfy key stakeholders, divert attention and delay accountability. Trump can also tout his continuing leverage over China. While the US has agreed to cancel tariffs on around US$155 billion in Chinese imports that were set for December 15 and halve to 7.5 per cent the September tariffs on about US$120 billion, it has retained 25 per cent tariffs on US$250 billion on Chinese imports. That will allow Trump to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods close to the election such a side deal has been rumoured should the US economy or financial markets sink. Alternately, he can ratchet up the conflict, heaping blame on Beijing, if he needs to rile up his base. China shares some of Trumps short-term outlook but for very different reasons, analysts said. Beijing is willing to purchase pork, soy and other US farm products it needs although it may end up buying less than the US$40 billion to US$50 billion Trump has claimed in order to stop further short-term US tariff increases. And even if Beijing falls well short of its commitment, the year-long purchase agreements will not wrap up before the spring of 2021, well after the election that is Trumps inordinate focus, analysts add. After walking away from talks in May, Beijing bit the bullet and agreed to sign the phase one deal driven by President Xi Jinpings own political calculations, analysts said. China saw an off ramp and took it, said Henrietta Treyz, economic policy director with consultancy Veda Partners and a former Senate staffer handling tax, banking and finance issues. The trade war has fuelled corporate indecision and uncertainty, undercutting foreign investment. Chinas economy is wobbly, with 2019 growth expected to barely reach 6 per cent when results are reported as early as Friday, the lower end of its target. And thats only after a slew of rate cuts, tariff reductions and other year-end stimulus measures. And 2020 is the final year of its 13th Five-Year Plan that promised to build a moderately prosperous society and end poverty, which is putting a spotlight on unemployment. The Chinese have always been willing to write big checks to purchase American goods with the hope of preserving the overall status quo Jeff Moon, former USTR official Last week, the Standing Committee of the Communist Party's Politburo described as the most powerful seven men in China said every effort must be made to achieve the plans goals this year. Last month, the State Council, Chinas cabinet, urged local governments to go to all lengths to prevent massive job losses it termed the country's top policy priority, citing the potential for social instability. Also in December, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan told Chinese to prepare for a tough year ahead. Use every penny on vital things, he told top officials at a policy meeting. In this environment, agreeing to more substantive concessions under a phase two deal offers little upside for Beijing, analysts said. Trump might not be re-elected. He is an unreliable negotiating partner. He could renege at any time. And his priorities and trade team might change completely in a second term without re-election pressure. Beyond that, American moves to fundamentally alter Chinas economic structure could weaken its grip on power and undercut a ruling Communist Party that has derived much of its legitimacy from expelling Japan and reasserting national pride. The Chinese have always been willing to write big checks to purchase American goods with the hope of preserving the overall status quo, Moon said. Amid the fanfare of Wednesdays White House signing involving 200 invited guests in the East Room analysts question how much detail will be released. China is not eager to disclose terms that could make it look like it is caving in to US pressure, they said. And Trump wants to avoid quantifying a deal that may not be as very large and comprehensive as he has claimed. The two sides will release a lot of nothing, especially involving politically sensitive agriculture purchases, predicted Treyz, who estimates the phase one deal secured only around 10 per cent of what the US originally sought. Theres also some concern that the final text will have weaker translation in the Chinese language than the US wants, she added. One obvious example is if it says should in Chinese as opposed to shall in English. Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. More from South China Morning Post: This article Phase one trade deal gives Donald Trump bragging rights but phase two is likely a mirage, analysts say first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. A Pakistani court has overturned the death sentence given to the country's ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf, a former close US ally in the war against terror. The Lahore High Court ruled that the special tribunal formed to try the ex-president was not legal. Musharraf's defence team had petitioned the high court following the tribunal's conviction last December that the former army general was guilty of imposing emergency laws in violation of the constitution during his rule. Musharraf seized power in 1999 when he ousted the elected government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a military coup. Eight years later, he imposed emergency rule and placed several key judges under house arrest. 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 move drew nationwide condemnation and protests that led to his resignation in 2008. The death sentence given to Pervez Musharraf stands quashed after today's court order, Pakistani prosecutor Ishtiaq Khan told reporters. Recommended Former Pakistan president sentenced to death Musharraf's lawyer Mr Azhar Sadique hailed the court's verdict, but said let us see how government reacts. He claimed that Musharraf was a political target and had been falsely charged with treason by the government in 2014 after former premier Sharif returned to power. Musharraf made Pakistan a key ally of the United States in its war on terror following the September 11 2001 attacks. He allowed Nato to transport military equipment to land-locked Afghanistan through Pakistan and the US to use Pakistan's air bases for logistic support. Supporters of former Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf protest a court's death sentence decision, in Karachi Wednesday Jan 1 2020 (AP/Ikram Suri) The conviction and death sentence handed down to Musharraf in December was heavily criticised by Pakistan's powerful military and the ex-ruler's All Pakistan Muslim League opposition party. On Monday, Musharraf told Pakistan's ARY news channel that he was happy about the hearing's outcome. As far as my health is concerned, I am now feeling better, he added. Musharraf's health last month deteriorated and he was allowed to leave detention for treatment in hospital. His spokeswoman Ms Mehrene Malik Adam said the Lahore court had delivered justice in a case which was based on false allegations. Musharraf says the special court that tried him in intervals from 2014 to 2019 rejected his requests to record a statement in Dubai. He had been living there since 2016, when he left Pakistan to receive medical treatment. A Pakistani court ousted ex-premier Sharif in 2017 on corruption charges. He is currently staying in London for medical treatment on bail. Associated Press The mayor of the Czech capital has signed a sister-city agreement with Taiwan's capital Taipei, rejecting China as "an unreliable partner" in the wake of President Tsai Ing-wen's election victory at the weekend. Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib, of the anti-establishment Pirate Party, announced the move after Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen won a second term in office on a platform of standing up to pressure from China, which has included the threat of annexing the democratic island by force to achieve "unification." Hrib signed the sister-city arrangement with his Taipei counterpart in Prague's Old Town Hall on . The cities have pledged cooperation in business and economic development, science and technology, tourism, education, healthcare, and culture. Prague Zoo will receive pangolins from Taipei Zoo, while Prague will send students to Taipei to study Chinese and also learn from Taiwan's experience of digitizing healthcare and operating its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. In a newspaper commentary published , Hrib said China was a "risky and unreliable partner." He wrote in Germany's Welt am Sonntag that he couldn't accept an agreement that forced city officials to "speak out against the independence of Tibet and Taiwan." "As mayor I am working to fulfill my campaign promise to return to a course of respect for democracy and human rights," Hrib wrote, and accused the Czech government of neglecting the legacy of the peaceful 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended four decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia. Just a day later, the city of Shanghai announced it had ended its twinning arrangement with Taipei. Long-running exchange Prague has "repeatedly made erroneous actions on Taiwan and other major issues involving China's core interests," the Shanghai municipal government said in a statement on . "We urge Prague's municipal authorities to recognize their mistakes promptly." Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je said the twinning agreement was "just the start" of a long-running exchange. "The city of Prague has the right to make friends with any city in the world," Ko told journalists. "It doesn't need permission from China." "Prague shouldn't be prevented from making twinning arrangements with any sister-city." Ko said on his Facebook page that the two cities shared "democratic values, respect for basic human rights and cultural freedoms." Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the executive department charged with managing the relationship with China, said the island is governed by the 1911 Republic of China, which is a sovereign state, and that it is normal for its cities to enter into twinning arrangements. Prague also suspended sister-city relations with Beijing in 2019, prompting Beijing to cancel concerts by four Czech musical groups. Hrib wrote of the decision that the cancellations were made "for purely political reasons." "As mayor of our capital, I tried to keep my campaign promise, namely, that I would return to the path of respect for democracy and human rights, the ideals of our Velvet Revolution, which are ignored by the current leadership of our republic," he said in the article. Unification vs sovereignty In 's general election, Taiwan's President Tsai swept to a landslide victory, seeing off China's preferred candidate Han Kuo-yu and garnering more than 57 percent of the total vote after she vowed to defend the island's way of life against threats, infiltration and saber rattling by China. China said on that the democratic island's "separatists" would "leave a 10,000-year stink." Tsai's election victory came after she stood up to increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called last year for "unification," refusing to rule out the use of force to annex Taiwan. Tsai responded by saying that Taiwan's 23 million people -- who are ruled under the Kuomintang (KMT)-founded Republic of China regime that fled to the island in 1949 after losing the civil war -- have no wish to give up their sovereignty. Taiwan was part of Japan for 50 years before being handed back to the 1911 regime, and has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor has it formed part of the People's Republic of China. Tsai also argued that the erosion of democratic progress and civil liberties in Hong Kong under China's "one country, two systems" means that Taiwan should never take Beijing seriously when it talks about "unification." The election followed half a year of protests in Hong Kong, which underscored to Taiwan's voters the erosion of democratic progress and civil liberties under the "one country, two systems" model that China wants to use to rule Taiwan. Tsai told journalists at a news conference after her victory was announced on that she expects pressure from China to continue, and even worsen, but said her government utterly rejects the notion of Chinese rule under the same formula as Hong Kong. Beijing has been stepping up its campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically since Tsai was elected in 2016. Taiwan now has formal relations with only 15 countries, including Belize, Nauru and the Vatican, after Kiribati and the Solomon Islands broke off diplomatic ties with Taipei last year. Beijing insists that its diplomatic partners accept its claim on Taiwan, known as the "one China" policy, effectively forcing them to cut ties with the Republic of China. Reported by Chung Kuang-cheng for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Riya Patel wants to change lives and leave behind a legacy. Luckily, Patel, a junior at the Alabama School of Math and Science, has got an inspiring woman to show her the ropes. In fact, all of the young women and men at ASMS are furthering their education and dreaming big thanks to one woman. Ann Bedsole celebrated her 90th birthday on Jan. 14, 2020, in a gymnasium packed with high-schoolers, board members and school faculty. Bedsole, the founder of ASMS and the first woman to hold a seat in the Alabama Senate, doesnt plan on relaxing too much in her 90th year, as she ambitiously said shed like to raise money for the school, for homeless women and shed like to renovate Bienville Square. Bedsole has a long and fruitful track record, having served in the Alabama House of Representatives and the Senate. She was the founding president of the Mobile Historic Homes Tour and Alabama Forest Resources Center. Shes served on multiple boards and still owns and operates two businesses. And she does so with gumption, said John Hoyle, president of the school. Bedsole is still actively involved in the advancements of the school and makes her opinion known with grace and strength, he said. I want our students to look at Bedsole and the example shes set for us like us throwing down a gauntlet saying, You can do what I did," he said. Shes our leader, and shes led by example. Bedsole is currently on the foundation board for the school, and her representation in the school has not diminished. When students first arrive at the school, they learn all about Bedsole and her contributions to the state and school, said Jace Johnson, member of the Student Government Association and Beta Club at ASMS. But, a lecture isnt the only way students come to know their schools iconic founder. Jalexis Edwards, vice president of the SGA at ASMS and an aspiring attorney, said her favorite moment with Bedsole was when they were on a tour through the quiet halls of the new science labs. A bell hung in one of the labs and without saying a word, Bedsole marched over to the bell, rang it hard and smiled back at Edwards. Shes so kind," Edwards said with a smile. She makes you feel like youve already met her before. When asked by a student how she lived long, Bedsole chose to quote Lucille Ball. If you want to stay young, Live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age,'" she said with a chuckle. I dont know how she did that with the honesty and the lies, but hey." Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - KABN Systems North America Inc. ("KABN North America") and Torino Power Solutions Inc. (CSE: TPS) (the "Company" or "Torino Power") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") dated January 13, 2020 with respect to the previously announced proposed reverse takeover of Torino Power by KABN North America. The Definitive Agreement outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to which KABN North America and the Company will effect a business combination that will constitute a fundamental change of the Company and will result in a reverse takeover of the Company by the security holders of KABN North America (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Definitive Agreement was negotiated at arm's length. KABN North America is a Canadian FinTech company that specializes in continuous online Identity Verification, Identity Management and Monetization and is currently in development to launch a digital banking and financial services platform. It is developing a financial services platform in North America (the "KABN NA Platform") that consists of: KABN ID : a blockchain and biometrically based, patent-pending, EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) compliant, "always on" ID validation and verification process at its core. KABN Card : new types of financial and related services through a payment card-approved, digital currency-linked prepaid card and mobile banking wallet program for a variety of digital currencies and multi-currency fiat transactions. KABN KASH: a robust loyalty and customer engagement platform. KABN North America is the exclusive licensee in Canada and the United States of America of the intellectual property (the "Licensed IP") that is comprised in the KABN ID, KABN Card and KABN KASH programs. KABN North America's key shareholders are KABN (Gibraltar) Limited and Crypto KABN Holdings Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which are the licensors of the Licensed IP. Summary of the Transaction The Proposed Transaction will be structured as an amalgamation of KABN North America and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company whereby the shareholders of KABN North America will receive post-Consolidation common shares of the Company ("Torino Shares") in exchange for their common shares of KABN North America ("KABN Shares"). Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals, including approval of the existing shareholders of the Company, and conditional approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for the listing of the common shares of the resulting issuer (the "Resulting Issuer") following completion of the Proposed Transaction. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company will be required to, among other things: (i) change its name to a name requested by KABN North America and acceptable to applicable regulatory authorities (the "Name Change"), (ii) consolidate its outstanding Torino Shares on a basis of ten old Torino Shares for one post-Consolidation Torino Share (the "Consolidation") and (iii) replace certain directors and officers of the Company on closing of the Proposed Transaction with nominees of KABN North America. Management and Board of the Resulting Issuer Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that the persons identified below will serve as directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer: Houssam (Sam) Kawtharani - Director Mr. Kawtharani is a director of KABN North America and the co-founder of Corl Financial Technologies Inc., a fintech that offers data-driven growth capital to startups. Prior to co-founding Corl Financial Technologies Inc. Mr. Kawtharani was the Head of Product at IOU Financial Inc., a publicly-listed online lender, where he supported the company in originating over $500 million in loans across the United States of America and Canada through continuous product development and innovation Mr. Kawtharani is also the founder and director of Sam Kay Consultancy Inc. o/a FinBlox Labs, a fintech and blockchain advisory services firm for startups, enterprises and financial institutions. Mr. Kawtharani is also currently an advisor at KABN, AuBit International, EzyStayz Holiday Rentals Pty Ltd., OmniPsarx PBC and Trusted Inc. Holdings Limited. Mr. Kawtharani has a Bachelor of Science in computer science and business administration from the American University of Beirut and a Masters in Engineering from Concordia University. Benjamin Kessler - Director, Interim Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kessler has over 20 years of account management, business development, marketing and partnership experience in the financial services sector. Mr. Kessler is currently Chief Executive Officer and a director of KABN North America, as well as Chief Executive Officer of KABN (Gibraltar) Limited. Most recently, Mr. Kessler served as Managing Director, Payments Solution Group - Banc of California from January 2016 to 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Kessler served as Vice President, Global Account Management at Earthport North America TLC from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Kessler has also served as Vice President, Emerging Verticals at Mastercard Worldwide from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Kessler has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University and a Master of Business Administration from the New York University Stern School of Management. David Lucatch - Director, President Mr. Lucatch has more than 30 years inventing technology and business solutions in the international marketing arena and over 20 years of that developing and taking to market internet and mobile based platforms. Mr. Lucatch has held senior management posts and directorships at both private and public media and technology firms and is currently President and a director of KABN North America. Mr. Lucatch has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in commerce and economics from the University of Toronto. J. Patrick Mesina - Director Mr. Mesina is currently a director of the Company, KABN North America and Cortland Credit Group Inc., as well as a director and audit committee member of TSX Venture Exchange-listed Brockton Ventures Inc. Mr. Mesina presently works as a director with a Canadian based institutional investment firm, Cortland Credit Group Inc. Mr. Mesina had served as Vice President with a Toronto based institutional investment firm AIP Private Capital Inc. from March 2012 to September 2017. Since September 2017 he has been a consultant for several companies, including Vive Crop Protection Inc. and Northern Lights Partners Inc. Mr. Mesina has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from the University of Toronto. Craig McCannell - Interim Chief Financial Officer Mr. McCannell is currently the Chief Financial Officer of KABN North America, Chief Executive Officer of KABN (Gibraltar) Limited, and the Chief Financial Officer of Pegasus Fintech Canada Inc., a full service blockchain, technology and growth accelerator advisory firm. Mr. McCannell had served as Chief Financial Officer at two publicly traded companies and was a senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. McCannell has an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfred Laurier University and obtained his Certified Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant) designation in 2002. Ravinder Mlait - Director Mr. Mlait has served as director of the Company since February 2015 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 2015. From December 2013 to present, Mr. Mlait has served as Chief Executive Officer of Cannabix Technologies Inc., an early stage technology company listed on the CSE. Mr. Mlait has served as director and officer of Brockton Ventures Inc., a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange since February 22, 2018. From June 2010 to present, Mr. Mlait has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockland Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Mlait obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) from Simon Fraser University in 1999 and obtained his Masters of Business Administration from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia in 2010. Torino Shareholder Meeting It is anticipated that a special shareholder meeting of the Company (the "Special Meeting") will take place in Q1 of 2020 to approve, among other matters: (i) a special resolution authorizing the Name Change; and (ii) an ordinary resolution authorizing the fundamental change of the Company resulting from the Proposed Transaction. Assuming completion of a contemplated private placement of approximately 13 million shares by KABN North America prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction, the shareholders of Torino Power following the Proposed Transaction will hold approximately 9.3% of the shares of the Resulting Issuer and the shareholders of KABN North America will hold approximately 90.7% of the shares of the Resulting Issuer. Other Conditions Precedent Other conditions to completion of the Proposed Transaction include, but are not limited to: The representations and warranties being true and correct in all material respects as of the closing of the Proposed Transaction. No material adverse change prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction. The Company not having undertaken any business, other than in connection with the completion of the Proposed Transaction, from and after November 21, 2019. Conditional approval by the CSE of the listing of post-Consolidation Torino Shares. Cancellation of the stock options of the Company held by certain officers and directors (and former officers and directors) of the Company. Resignation of certain directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries without payment by or any liability to the Company, its subsidiary and KABN North America. KABN North America having raised aggregate gross proceeds of at least $750,000 prior to and in connection with the Proposed Transaction through issuances of KABN Shares and share purchase warrants to purchase KABN Shares. No order or decree restraining the Proposed Transaction. Termination Rights The Definitive Agreement may, with certain exceptions, be terminated prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction: by mutual consent of TPS, its subsidiary and KABN North America; by a party if a condition in its favour or a mutual condition is not satisfied by April 30, 2020; by the Company or KABN North America if: there has been a breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements on the part of the other party, which breach has or is likely to result in the failure of the conditions precedent set out in the Definitive Agreement and is not cured within ten business days following receipt by the breaching party of written notice of such breach by the non-breaching party; any permanent order or decree preventing the consummation of the Proposed Transaction has become final and non-appealable; the other party (or the board of directors or any committee of such party) withdraws or modifies in a manner adverse to the initial party its approval of the Definitive Agreement or its recommendation to shareholders to vote in favour of the resolutions necessary to the completion of the Proposed Transaction; or the Proposed Transaction is not completed by April 30, 2020. Trading Halt Trading in the Torino Shares will remain halted until all the requirements of the CSE have been met and the resumption of trading is approved by the CSE. For more information, please visit www.torinopower.com or contact Bryan Loree at 604-808-2225 or info@torinopower.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Torino "Rav Mlait" CEO and Director Torino Power Solutions Inc. On behalf of the Board of Directors of KABN North America "David Lucatch" President and Director KABN Systems North America Inc. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. As noted above, completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions. The Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained in respect of the applicable matters. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or listing statement of the Company to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Torino should be considered highly speculative. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities under the KABN Financing in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements 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 may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Proposed Transaction, expectations regarding whether the Proposed Transaction will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction will be satisfied, the timing for holding the special meeting of shareholders of the Company and the timing for completing the Proposed Transaction, expectations for the effects of the Proposed Transaction or the ability of the combined company to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: the ability to consummate the Proposed Transaction; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; and the diversion of management time on the Proposed Transaction. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51430 Mukesh Singh, one of the four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case, filed a mercy plea before the President on Tuesday, prison officials said, shortly after the Supreme Court refused to stay his scheduled execution. The mercy plea was filed by 32-year-old Mukesh Singh, who will be hanged at 7 am on January 22 in Tihar jail along with Vinay Sharma (26), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan Gupta (25), as ordered by a Delhi court that had issued their death warrants on January 7. Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said Mukesh moved the mercy plea in the evening after his curative petition -- and that of Vinay -- was dismissed by the apex court. According to jail sources, Pawan Jallad from Meerut, who will carry out the hanging, will reach Tihar jail here on January 20 and will reside inside the premises. He will be given Rs 15,000 per execution, they said. A dummy execution will be carried on January 21 evening as well. On January 13, a team of prison officials performed dummy execution of the four convicts. The dummies were created using sacks filled with debris and stones as per the weight of the convicts, a senior jail official said. The family of all the four convicts are allowed to meet them twice a week. On Tuesday, Vinay Sharma's father came to meet him. While Mukesh's mother keeps visiting him. His mother last met him two days ago, the jail official said. Pawan Gupta's family members too visit him. They last saw him on January 7, he said. But Akshay's wife last came to meet him in November and since the pronouncement of the execution date, no one from his family has come to meet him yet. However, he regularly speaks to his wife on phone, the jail official added. An official said they have asked the four convicts when they would want to meet their families one last time before the execution date but none of them has responded yet. In case, they do not respond, the jail authorities will decide on the last date for meeting which could be January 20, two days ahead of their hanging. Jail authorities have been holding conversations with the convicts on a daily basis to ensure that they are in a good mental state. However, according to jail sources, among the four convicts, Vinay has been showing anxiety more than others and can be often seen pacing inside the cell. On the conduct of convicts, sources said, Vinay has received maximum punishment. He got eleven punishments in Tihar while Akshay received one, Mukesh three and Pawan eight. Such punishments are given when the inmates don't follow the rules of the prison. While Vinay used to actively get involved in painting classes and has earned Rs 39,000 in wages, Akshay has earned Rs 69,000, Pawan Rs 29,000 and Mukesh did not involve himself in any work. The jail sources said, Mukesh, Pawan and Akshay took admission for class 10th in 2016 and appeared in exam but they could not pass. In 2015, Vinay took admission in one-year-bachelor's degree program but he couldn't complete. The convicts have so far not decided on the beneficiary of their daily wages that they have earned in their seven years of jail tenure and the amount will be handed over to their family in case they don't decide, jail sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 1. The House will vote on Wednesday to send articles of impeachment to the Senate, allowing the long-awaited trial of President Trump to begin. The American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Before the vote, Ms. Pelosi said she would appoint the team of lawmakers who would serve as prosecutors known as managers in the case against Mr. Trump. The House managers will walk the articles of impeachment from the House chamber to the Senate and read them aloud in their entirety, prompting the Senate trial to commence. Heres a step-by-step guide to the trial. SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shanghai International Baby Photo will launch in February 2020, organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Focus On Industry Child, Baby and Maternity photography, are continuing to expand. An investigation shows that, the current population of children in China has exceeded 240 million. With the full liberalization of the country's "second child" policy, it provides a huge consumer base for the market. According to the relevant industry development report, the total income of children's photography industry in 2018 reached 62 billion yuan, People born after 1995 with strong consumption ability are becoming the main consumers, they will bring higher demand for the children's photography market. Shanghai International Baby Photo Expo is also expanding and exerting great influence at home and abroad, under the impetus of the growing industry in recent years. Sailing From Here The upcoming event, Shanghai International Baby Photo Expo 2020 (spring), will take place from February 18-20, 2020 at National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in Halls 7.2/8.2. One Stop Trading and Cooperate platform The show is launching twice per year, dedicated to build a global one-stop trade procurement platform for Maternity, Infant and Children Photography industry. It will provide unlimited opportunities to audience as well as a new chance to work together for the industrial development and innovation. Deep cooperation to build a win-win ecosystem This exhibition divides exhibiting sections of different products, with its 10 sections, its aim is to connect the child, baby and maternity photography industry with other upstream and downstream industries. Scope of exhibits of Hall 7.2 maternity-baby-children theme photography, family theme photography, backdrops and furniture, children's make-up Scope of exhibits of Hall 8.2 maternity-baby-children photo clothes and accessories, souvenirs, celebration event planning, maternal-child health, processing equipment and software, graduation theme photography, marketing & training management. Concurrent event to promote industrial upgrading and development In addition to the exhibition, BABY PHOTO EXPO provides attendees with vital business growth and relationship-building opportunities through various on-site activities, including seminars, new product launches and services, aiming to upgrade and develop the industry. The event will be held concurrently with China Wedding Expo, thereby linking the events and sharing resources. We are looking forward to meet with you in Shanghai, focusing on new products, hold new trends and get new business opportunities. We are expecting with you establishes better future together. Exhibition Date: February 18-20, 2020 Exhibition Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)7.2/8.2 Hall Address: No. 1888 Zhuguang Rd, Qingpu District, Shanghai (West Entrance) No. 168 East Yinggang Rd, Qingpu District, Shanghai (South Entrance) For more information, please contact us: Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Tel: (86-21) 62792828 Email: [email protected] website: www.babyphotoexpo.com SOURCE Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (Newser) State Department officials say they will raise concerns with Egypt over the "tragic and avoidable" death of an American citizen who had been detained for more than six years. New York City resident Moustafa Kassem was arrested amid political upheaval in Egypt during a trip to visit family in August 2013, NPR reports. His lawyers say that after a liquids-only hunger strike that started last year, Kassem stopped taking liquids on Thursday. Relatives say the 54-year-old was arrested for no good reason after going to a shopping mall to change money. He was held in pretrial detention for more than five years before he was sentenced to 15 years in prison following a mass trial involving hundreds of defendants. Kassem, who had a wife and two children, died on Monday. story continues below "His death in custody was needless, tragic, and avoidable," State Department official David Schenke said Monday, per Reuters. Relatives say Kassem was not involved in politics and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was arrested days before he was due to return to the US. His brother-in-law, Mustafa Ahmed, wrote in the New York Times after Kassem was sentenced in 2018 that when they were stopped by soldiers, Kassem produced his US passport. "Moustafa saw his blue passport as a shield, his bulletproof armor, which carried the protection and the force of the United States government behind it," he wrotebut an enraged soldier called Kassem a spy and arrested him. Ahmed wrote that Kassem told him after years of being held in dire conditions that he "would rather starve to death than rot slowly and silently here in this hell." (Read more Egypt stories.) The Iran nuclear agreement should be scrapped and replaced with a superior Trump deal, Boris Johnson has said as he shrugged off being shut out of the decision to assassinate Qassem Soleimani. Appearing to sign the death knell for Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) backed by the EU the prime minister instead heaped praise on the US presidents negotiating skills. From the American perspective, its a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by President Obama from their point of view it has many, many faults, Mr Johnson said. Well, if were going to get rid of it, lets replace it and lets replace it with the Trump deal. Thats what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward President Trump is a great deal maker. He added: Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead, thats the opportunity. Recommended Johnson admits solution to social care crisis could be five years away The comments come just days after Mr Johnson signed a joint statement with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron in which they pledged to work together to rescue the 2015 deal. Designed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, it has been on the brink of collapse since Donald Trump pulled the US out in 2018, long before the latest crisis in the Gulf. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Johnson dismissed any fears over Washingtons failure to even inform him that it was poised to kill General Soleimani despite the potential risk to UK troops in Iraq. This was not our operation. There was no reason for us to be told, he said. Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Show all 23 1 /23 Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather in front of Amir Kabir University AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranians demonstrate following a tribute for the victims of the Ukraine Boeing 737 crash in front of the Amirkabir University in the capital Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police dispersed students chanting "radical" slogans during a gathering in Tehran to honour the 176 people killed when an airliner was mistakenly shot down AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University - People hold flowers as tear gas fired by police rises Online videos purported to show that Iranian security forces fired both live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the Islamic Republic's initial denial that it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University AFP correspondents said hundreds of students had gathered early in the evening to pay respects to those killed in the air disaster ISNA/AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian protester prepares to throw a tear gas canister back at police AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University A protester confronts an Iranian police officer AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gathe AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranians light candles for victims EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran People burn British and Israeli flags during a protest in front of the British embassy, in Tehran. Hundreds of Iranian hardliners gathered for a protest against Britain, a day after the UK ambassador to Iran Robert Macaire was detained after attending a a vigil for the victims of Ukraine passenger jet EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protestBritish embassy protest in Tehran Chanting "Death to Britain", up to 200 protesters rallied outside the mission a day after the brief arrest of British ambassador Rob Macaire AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran AFP via Getty Images Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Protesters chant slogans while holding up posters of Gen. Qassem Soleimani during a demonstration in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. AP And he defended choosing not to return from his luxury holiday on a Caribbean holiday when the crisis struck, saying: I was not in this country but I worked very hard, as you can imagine, in making sure there was a European response. The prime minister confirmed he would meet the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the Briton jailed in Iran, very soon but declined to agree the crisis had worsened her plight. It is hard to say whether the death of Qassem Soleimani has made that particular case more or less difficult, he argued, adding: Lets see how we go. Mr Johnson said Britain had played its traditional role in serving as the bridge between the European powers and the United States. And he said, of the shooting down of the Ukrainian airliner: Im glad the Iranians have accepted responsibility and identified it as an appalling mistake and it does appear that it was a mistake. It is very important that the bodies are repatriated in a dignified way and that the families are allowed to grieve and to have closure. The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down, he said adding that he did not envisage any further escalation in the tensions between the US and Iran. RAMALLAH, West Bank Deeds 100 years old from the Ottoman archives are helping the Palestinians in their battle to prove their rights to lands around Jerusalem and the West Bank that have been confiscated by Israel. Turkish officials had announced as early as 2015 that they were handing Ottoman documents to the Palestinians to help them claim ownership of properties taken over by Israel. Daily Sabah, a pro-government paper, quoted Kudret Bulbul, head of the Turks Abroad and Related Communities Directorate of the Prime Ministry between 2014-2016, as saying that the archives included land registers, sultans' decrees and historical documents proving the property ownership of Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. In 2018, a full electronic archive of 140,000 documents was available, spanning over 400 years of Ottoman rule in Palestinian lands. Israel Hayom newspaper published an article Jan. 2, titled Erdogans Quiet Jihad, reporting that Turks handed the Palestinians 140,000 microfilm pages from the Ottoman archives in an effort to extend their influence-peddling in Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount. The Palestinians see these documents as a game-changer in their battle with Israel over land. They have already used the archive to challenge Israeli ownership of land and real estate in various parts of the country, the article noted, adding that the Turkish authorities delivered the microfilms to the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Ankara last year. Lawyers affiliated to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reclaimed hundreds of lands from Israel in 2019 with the help of those records, Walid Assaf, the commissions director, said. The commission, affiliated with the PLO, provides legal aid to citizens who appear before Israeli courts to defend their lands. Assaf said during a Jan. 5 press conference in Ramallah that the commissions lawyers reclaimed 6,000 dunams (1,483 acres) in 2019. He also pointed out that another 40,000 dunams (9,884 acres) had been reclaimed since 2015 by proving that they were acquired through fraud. According to Assaf, the Turkish authorities, specifically the Directorate of Ottoman Archives, handed copies of the archives on Palestine to the Palestinian Embassy in Turkey, which in turn delivered the documents to Methaq Center for Heritage and Islamic Research, which is affiliated with the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, in March 2018. The ministry then shared the archive with the Palestinian Land Authority and the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission. The archive includes maps, documents and real estate plans during the Ottoman rule of Palestine between 1516 and 1917. The Ottoman archives on Palestine proved to be a huge advantage for the Palestinians, as it allows them access to many title deeds and properties that existed prior to the creation of the State of Israel, specifically in the area currently classified as Area C. This area, established under the 1995 Oslo II Accords, constitutes 60% of the West Bank. The agreement gives Israel judicial and security control over Area C, but the Palestinians maintain that Israel intends to annex and declare sovereignty over the whole area by displacing Palestinians and establishing Jewish settlements. Head of the Palestinian Land Authority Musa Shakarna told Al-Monitor, The existence of historical documents proving ownership of lands over 400 years of Ottoman rule of Palestine is significant. Israel expropriated most lands under the pretext they were state property. The documents are important to prove that Palestinians owned these lands hundreds of years before the establishment of Israel. The Palestinian Land and Water Settlement Commission, a public association that has financial and administrative independence and legal competence, also said it relies on Ottoman archives in its work. Its work is to provide land ownership, settle disputes between citizens and register land in the Palestinian Land Authority Registry. Shakarna said, We sometimes refer to the archive documents to verify land ownership as part of the commissions work that took off in 2016 to register all Palestinian territories. Shakarna noted, Ever since we started the project of land [Tapu] registration in 2016, we have settled the situation of 1 million dunams and registered them completely under the names of their owners in official records. Around 2 million dunams are also in the final stages of registration. The commission will finish registration of all West Bank territories by 2022. Encouraged by what they can find in archives in terms of land registry, Methaq Center for Heritage and Islamic Research is also working on receiving a new batch of historical Palestinian documents from some Arab states. Khalil Karaja al-Rifai, director of Methaq, told the local Maan news agency Jan. 2 that the center is procuring new, important documents that will soon be revealed, in cooperation with the Arab League. Assaf told Al-Monitor that the Ottoman archive that was obtained provides many more documents and manuscripts than the Jordanian archive that the Palestinian Authority (PA) received from the Jordanian kingdom after its establishment in 1993. The Ottoman Empire, which ruled the lands for 400 years, has a larger archive. Assaf noted that the Ottoman archive will help the Palestinians challenge the Israeli interpretation and application of the 1921 Ottoman Mewat Land Ordinance related to deserted and remote lands. The law allowed people to restore these lands, provided they receive the governments approval and restoration happens within three years at most. If the lands were not reclaimed during this duration, they were taken from the initial person and given to another. If the person restored the lands with governmental approval, he could register them under his name, provided he paid registration costs. Assaf said that Israel activated the Ottoman law in the early 1980s and announced all lands that were not used during three consecutive years would become state territory. Consequently, it managed to control thousands of dunams. He added, Thanks to these documents, we have restituted wide stretches of land, and we will recover thousands of additional dunams that Israel had previously declared state territory. He said that the archive is being used for two purposes: to solve internal disputes between citizens over land ownership and to reclaim Israeli-controlled lands in Israeli courts. We used Ottoman archives to restitute lands in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Salfit, he said. The PA might succeed in proving ownership of some territories with the Ottoman archives, but it might fail to reclaim important landmarks in Jerusalem and around Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel is imposing its full sovereignty on the city and relying on the green light of the US administration, which declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel, and on annexing Area C in the West Bank to Israel. Joe Biden on Monday called the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in Iowa a 'toss-up' and predicted his campaign would 'do well' in the first caucus state. With just 21 days until the Iowa Caucuses, the former vice president spoke directly about the latest polls acknowledging a group of candidates who are bunched in the top tier, after preceding weeks have shown movement by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. 'I think we're going to do well here in Iowa, it's because of you,' Biden told a few dozen campaign volunteers who were dialing potential supporters from his campaign headquarters here in Des Moines, located under a illuminated sign for a Firestone tire dealership. SWEET: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden carries a plate of cookies as he arrives during a stop at a campaign field office in Des Moines Biden speaks with a potential caucus-goer during a stop at a campaign field office Biden spoke moments after Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. blasted Bernie Sanders in a statement Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., denied telling Warren during a private meeting that a woman couldn't win the presidency UNDERCOUNT: Biden's note card had South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 13 per cent in Iowa, when he was at 17 per cent in the latest Monmouth University poll 'People are beginning to make up their minds now and this is a critical moment. All the polling data I've read and seen it's a toss-up,' said Biden, who has campaigned here in each of his three preceding presidential campaigns and who has suffered disappointing results in the past. He got 1 per cent of the vote here in 2008. 'The latest Monmouth poll out has me ahead. It's all close. This is a real toss-up. The last couple weeks makes a gigantic difference,' said Biden. 'You guys are the starting gate. If in fact you come out of here well and New Hampshire you do well things move pretty rapidly. And we feel really good because of you all,' said Biden, with his sister, Valerie, in the audience. 'I think we represent the broadest coalition of people not just one segment of people. Oddly, while addressing the audience, Biden held a note card on 'Joseph R. Biden, Jr.' stationary listing the incorrect Monmouth poll results for Buttigieg. The note showed that the South Bend Mayor was at 13 per cent in Iowa, when he was actually at 17 per cent in the latest poll. IT'S IN THE CARDS: Biden holds a card that has the latest poll numbers, although he appears to have understated Pete Buttigieg's vote total in the latest Monmouth survey by four percentage points. (Buttigieg is at 17) Biden visited his campaign office while volunteers dialed potential supporters He thanked stated attorney general Tom Miller for his pledge of support. 'To jump in and say this is the person, this is the man, this is the woman ... it's not an easy thing to do,' Biden told the longtime officeholder. He credited the mostly young supporters who were making calls on his behalf. Their call sheet had them telling supporters or leaners: 'That's terrific! I'm also supporting the Vice President because insert support point. We have just a few weeks left before the Iowa Caucus and we need all hands on deck to help.' His ruminating about the polls came as rivals Sanders and Warren kept up the accusations after a break in their months-long truce. Warren confirmed a story based on anonymous sources claiming Sanders had told her in a private meeting two years ago that a woman couldn't win the White House. 'I thought a woman could win. He disagreed,' she said in a statement. After a CNN report on the alleged conversation, Sanders said: ''It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn't win,' Sanders said. 'It's sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren't in the room are lying about what happened.' Kaylen Silverberg MD, Medical Director of Texas Fertility Center We have been serving women and men from Corpus Christi and the surrounding communities for decades. Opening a location in this city was the logical next step for TFC. Texas Fertility Center (TFC) has been serving patients from the coastal city of Corpus Christi for decades. Now, this celebrated fertility practice has opened a Corpus Christi fertility clinic location. Under the guidance of Susan Hudson MD, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist, patients will receive highly effective and affordable fertility care. From basic treatments like ovulation induction, to more advanced interventions like in vitro fertilization (IVF), Corpus Christi patients can find a wealth of options. Bringing experience, compassion and technology together in Corpus Christi Much like the other TFC locations, this Corpus Christi fertility clinic will provide comprehensive diagnostic tools and fertility treatments. Every patient has unique challenges and family-building goals, which is why Dr. Hudson customizes each patients treatment plan. Female and male infertility have many complex causes, which means that I never rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, Dr. Hudson explains. To help her patients achieve the best treatment outcomes, Dr. Hudson draws on her wealth of knowledge and experience. After earning her Bachelor of Science and medical degree from Texas A&M University, she went to Scott & White for her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Then, she traveled to Mayo Clinic to complete her Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship. After her time at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Hudson returned to Texas. She spent three years working at a practice in San Antonio before opening her own in New Braunfels. Five years later, she joined TFC. In addition to her experience as a fertility doctor, Dr. Hudson understands what its like to be a fertility patient. She and her husband utilized fertility treatments to welcome their third child. Going through IVF has given me a unique perspective that has made me a better fertility doctor, she says. Looking to the future with the Corpus Christi fertility clinic location Medical Director Kaylen Silverberg believes that expanding TFCs reach into Corpus Christi made sense for the practice. We have been serving women and men from Corpus Christi and the surrounding communities for decades. Opening a location in this city was the logical next step for TFC, and I cant think of anyone better than Dr. Hudson to spearhead this effort, he explains. The Corpus Christi fertility clinic office is now open and accepting new patients. About Texas Fertility Center Texas Fertility Center (TFC), one of the nations leading full-service infertility practices, provides advanced infertility and reproductive endocrinology services to patients throughout Texas, the Southwestern United States and the Americas. Since 1980, TFC has been recognized nationally and internationally for outstanding pregnancy rates, leading-edge laboratory procedures and innovative research programs. For more information, visit http://www.txfertility.com. A 33-year-old Bangladeshi national was arrested on Monday from Kabirdham district in Chhattisgarh, police said. Khurshid Sheikh was stopped near a State Bank of India branch in Pandariya town and was held after he failed to produce valid identity and travel documents, an official said. "He confessed he belongs to Dinashpur in Bangladesh and entered West Bengal illegally in November last year. He was selling utensils door-to-door in Raipur," he said. Sheikh was remanded in judicial custody, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:26:06|Editor: zyl Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday said that nearly 1,000 illegal immigrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast so far in 2020. "Close to 1,000 migrants were returned to Libyan shores and detained so far in 2020," IOM tweeted. "IOM staff are at disembarkation points to provide assistance, but the organization reiterates that measures to protect lives and guarantee the safety of these people are not in place," the organization said. Libya has become a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, who expect to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. According to IOM, more than 110,000 illegal immigrants made their way to Europe through the Mediterranean in 2019, while 1,283 died on the way. IOM has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of immigrants due to the deteriorating security conditions in the country. The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around the capital Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the rival UN-backed government. At least six people were killed when a sinkhole swallowed a bus and a number of pedestrians in northwest China, it has been reported. Video shows the bus pulling up at a stop in Xining, in Qinghai province, before the road surface opens up beneath it and the entire vehicle falls inside. Pedestrians can be seen fleeing as explosions and smoke issue from the 80 sq m sinkhole in the footage broadcast on state media. There was water running above, and an explosion went off due to the electricity cable. The sound was huge. A water pipe broke, and water poured in, CNN reported a witness as having told a government-run magazine. A man who rescued a baby from the edge of the hole subsequently returned, with others, to help a woman holding on to the edge, CNN reported. However, the road gave way a second time, causing them all to fall. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty It happened on Monday outside a health clinic and left six people dead, 16 people in hospital while four are still missing. Chinese rescuers watch on as the bus is lifted out of the sinkhole (AFP via Getty Images) In 2018, a woman was swallowed by a sinkhole in Lanzhou City, in Gansu province, which was the fourth to appear in the city that year. Two years earlier a busy intersection in Hangzhou City, Zheijiang province, was wrecked when a 2m sinkhole opened up but alert police officers spotted the hazard early and were able to prevent motorists from driving into it. The Espanola Giant Tortoise was once considered beyond saving. After decades in decline, just over a dozen were left on the Galapagos island by the 1970s, most of them female. Their numbers were so sparse that some likely had gone decades without encountering another tortoise. Extinction seemed inevitable. Then Diego came along. Flown in from the San Diego Zoo in 1976, the extremely sexually active tortoise went on to father upwards of 800 offspring. His considerable effort helped his species, known scientifically as Chelonoidis hoodensis, rebound to a population of 2,000. It also turned him into a star, his sexual prowess the subject of articles in newspapers across the globe. Now, the ancient tortoise is headed for retirement. Officials with the Galapagos National Park service announced Friday their breeding program has been so successful that it is being terminated. Diego, who's believed to be over a hundred years old, will be released from captivity and returned to the wild. Not that it'll slow his storied sex drive. "He might actually amp it up," said James Gibbs, a professor of environmental and forest biology at the State University of New York in Syracuse who has assisted in the Galapagos program. "I don't know - we shall see." Little is known about Diego's early life. The long necked, yellow-faced tortoise is thought to have been picked up in Espanola during a scientific expedition sometime between 1900 and 1959. At some point, he landed at the zoo. When scientists discovered that Chelonoidis hoodensis was its own species, and that Diego was one of the few still in existence, he was brought back to the Galapagos for the breeding effort. The tortoises had nearly died out, Gibbs said, after serving as food for whalers, colonists and others who passed through the islands. It did not help that settlers introduced goats, which depleted the cacti the massive turtles relied upon for food, water and shade. Through captive breeding, which the Galapagos began in 1965, scientists have worked to restore the population of threatened tortoise species. The Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative has an ambitious goal: to bring tortoise populations back to their historical numbers. Despite the program's successes, there was a setback in the case of Lonesome George, who died in 2012 as the last known member of the Chelonoidis abingdoni species. Over decades of mating attempts, he failed to produce any descendants. "Only when George had died did an autopsy reveal it wasn't lack of potency that impeded his reproduction," the New York Times reported in 2017, "but a more anatomical ailment affecting his reproductive organ." Diego had no such difficulty. At the breeding facility, he lived in a corral with his mates, a kind of reptilian Hugh Hefner. He won over the female tortoises who, Gibbs noted, choose whether or not to mate. His popularity was not limited to his own species: Galapagos tourists became fond of him, too. Unlike most tortoises, he isn't reclusive, Gibbs said, and was often seen exploring his home or mating. He has been known to stare out at each of his visitors. Sometimes, he even hisses at them. "It's not just that he has a name and a story," Gibbs said. "He is a very distinctive tortoise. He has this very bold personality, kind of broken scutes, a big yellow neck. He's just an out and about tortoise." With Diego responsible for about 40 percent of the tortoises produced in the breeding program, there is debate among scientists over the consequences of having such a small gene pool. Gibbs said that this "bottleneck effect" is a concern, though the true impact won't be known until it is tested over time. The Galapagos National Park said in its statement that researchers had decided to end the breeding program and release the tortoises after using mathematical models to predict population changes over the next hundred years. "The conclusion was that the island has sufficient conditions to maintain the tortoise population, which will continue to grow normally - even without any new repatriation of juveniles," said Washington Tapia, director of the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative. That result, Gibbs said, offers a hopeful message for conservation efforts across the world. "I don't know what's been the most successful species restoration campaign; there are many," he said. "But this one is very, very inspirational, that we can truly take something written off as extinct to fully recovered, and let them carry on." Diego is set to be released within the next few months, after being quarantined to avoid carrying seeds from plants that are not native to Espanola. Then, Gibbs said, he'll likely be released along with the other captive tortoises to a cactus-rich area in the middle of the island. Given his "spryness," he could live another 20 years. (@FahadShabbir) MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2020) Organizations involved in the transit of oil in Belarus will have to pay a quarterly environmental tax, according to a new decree of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. At the end of last week Lukashenko signed a decree imposing an environmental tax on the transit of oil and petroleum products on its territory. A source close to the matter told Sputnik on Monday that the tax only concerns Belarusian companies. According to the text of the decree, organizations that transport oil or oil products by transit pipelines in Belarus are now recognized as environmental tax payers. The decree states that the environmental tax rate is set at 0.35 Belarusian rubles (0.17 USD) for the transit of 1 metric tonne (about 7 barrels) of oil or petroleum products for 100 kilometers (62 miles). The amount of the new environmental tax is not included in the costs of production and sale services, property rights and non-operating expenses, taken into account in taxation. The new tax regulations came into force on January 1, 2020. Investing.com - Gold prices were down on Tuesday in Asia as the imminent signing of the U.S.-China phase one deal sent global equities higher and sapped safe-haven demand. Gold Futures for February delivery on New Yorks COMEX fell 0.7% to $1,539.05 by 12:55 AM ET (04:55 GMT). The yellow metal hit April 2013 highs last week after Iran launched rockets at U.S. airbases in Iraq in response to an airstrike that killed a top Iranian general earlier this month. Sino-U.S. trade optimism were cited as a headwind for the safe-haven metal today. Global equities traded higher today as China and the U.S. prepared to sign a truce in their 18-month-long tariff dispute. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that the Chinese translation of the deal was almost completed and would be made public on Wednesday, while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News on the weekend that Beijing had promised to buy $40 billion to $50 billion worth of U.S. farm products annually and a total of $200 billion of U.S. goods over the next two years. Meanwhile, just two days before the signing of the deal, the U.S. dropped China's designation as a currency manipulator, further easing the tensions between the two nations. On the data front, China reported that its exports rose for the first time in five months in December, while imports also surpassed expectations. Related Articles Oil Prices Gain; Iran Protests, Imminent Signing of U.S.-China Trade Deal in Focus OIls Losses Deepen; Oversupply Feared Above Iran Tensions, China Deal Gold Blows Away More Froth, But Retains $1,500 Grip They had some extended family in the Fort Worth area, people who had come earlier using visas for translators who had assisted the U.S. military. Their fellow Iraqis welcomed them. So did refugee resettlement workers affiliated with Catholic Charities. They picked up Sabah and her family at the airport, brought them to an apartment stocked with groceries and helped them acclimate. In the weeks that followed, workers and volunteers ferried the family to medical appointments; taught Sabah how to use the bus; and enrolled them in cultural orientation classes covering points such as building credit and avoiding phone scams. Digital banking software provider, Backbase, has today announced the launch of its next generation Backbase-as-a-Service. This managed cloud platform service covers Backbases entire portfolio of banking products, helping banks to innovate with speed whilst reducing their costly operational hurdles. At present, banks face a twofold threat; both from more technologically-capable neo-bank competitors and, more recently, from the expansion of big tech into banking. In this new digital environment, agility and fast time to market is key. To support banks in keeping pace, Backbase-as-a-Service provides financial institutions with the technological infrastructure to develop and release new services to their customers more swiftly. With less time dedicated to set-up, updates and security, banks can focus on innovating and allocating more resources to new features that enhance the overall experience for customers. Lowering time to market, while eliminating upfront capital investments on hardware and maintenance of aging technology, Backbase-as-a-Service becomes the ideal innovation partner. As banks grow, they can increase or decrease computing capacity as needed as Backbase-as-a-Service is based on usage-based spending. This allows for higher business flexibility and a faster response to market shifts. Commenting on the launch, Jouk Pleiter, CEO, said: Backbase is committed to being the leading innovation partner for global banks and credit unions. We believe the move to cloud is an unstoppable one, and one which every financial institution needs to embrace. Our clients want the freedom to innovate and maintain their competitive edge, so launching Backbase-as-a-Service is the logical step for us. It is our duty to maximise their ROI when it comes to becoming digital-first and meeting the digital demands of their customers. Cloud is an exceptional tool for taking that leap. Thomas Fuss, VP Technology, added: The improved service will significantly benefit banks both in terms of reducing overhead on IT and delivering superior digital banking experiences to their clients. Its another step forward in helping clients unlock their digital potential. Undertaking the transition to the Backbase cloud means our clients are always tapping into the latest innovations and features that our platform offers. Cloud adoption has been relatively slow in banking so were proud to provide clients with a state-of-the-art managed service which is always available, always secure and always packed with the latest innovations. Along with the business value of innovating at scale and reducing IT overhead, the newly announced Backbase-as-a-Service will offer banks: - Managed Software & Hardware Updates - 99.9%+ Uptime - Shared or Dedicated Backbase Environment - Multiple Sandbox Environments - Database Backups & Redundancy - Scalable Infrastructure - End-to-End Encryption - Regulatory Compliance The platform is immediately available worldwide. ### About Backbase Backbases Digital-First Banking Platform powers seamless customer experiences, unifying data and functionality from core banking systems and innovative fintech partners. We believe it is vital that banks evolve and maintain superior digital experiences in order to retain privileged control of the customer relationship, drive efficiency, stave off new competition and continue to grow. More than 100 large financials around the world have benefitted from Backbases omni-channel, Digital-First Banking Platform, including ABN AMRO, AIB, Barclays, Banamex, Bank United, BNP Paribas, Central1, Citi bank, Citizens bank, CheBanca!, HDFC, Hiscox, IDFC First,KeyBank, Lloyds Banking Group, Metrobank, Navy Federal Credit Union, PostFinance, RBC, Societe Generale and Westpac. Industry analysts continue to recognize Backbases front runner position. Backbase was named a Leader in the Forrester Wave (TM): Digital Banking Engagement Platforms, Q3 2019. The 2019 Ovum Decision Matrix lists Backbase as the Ultimate Digital Banking Platform Market Leader. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005050/en/ Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan speaks to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students Union president Aishe Ghosh during a meeting at Kerala House in New Delhi, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. (PTI Photo) Kochi: Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, asking that it be struck down for being discriminatory and violative of Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution. These articles lay down the principles of equality, freedom and secularism in the Constitution. The challenge in the Supreme Court follows up the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly, also a first, opposing the new law, which purportedly offers citizenship to persecuted people from neighbouring countries but effectively shuts out Muslims. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was in New Delhi last week to attend the CPM Politburo meeting; he held talks with legal experts on the topic. Following these consultations, the government decided to go ahead with a suit in the Supreme Court. The states additional chief secretary in charge of the home department moved the petition for the government on Monday. The apex court is already dealing with 59 petitions by individuals or political groups challenging the controversial amendment. Having referred these suits to the central government for its response, the court fixed January 22 for hearing them. Among these challengers are the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. Others include the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Peace Party, CPI, NGOs 'Rihai Manch' and Citizens Against Hate. Several law students have also approached the apex court challenging the Act. Pinarayi Vijayan has the support of all political parties--bar the BJP--in the Kerala Assembly on his confrontation with New Delhi over CAA. Industries minister E P Jayarajan told reporters on Tuesday that the state government would go to any extent to continue its fight against the CAA. This Act destroys democracy. This will only help in implementing the RSS agenda, to drive the nation to a fascist regime, he said. A mother and her three children have been found dead in their home in a gated community called Celebration, near Disney World, and the father has been arrested at gunpoint. Anthony Todt, his wife Megan and their children Alek, Tyler and Zoe, were reported missing by family members a week ago. Relatives said they last heard from them on January 6, while neighbors say they hadn't been seen since mid-December. Police only went to the Todt's home on Monday - a day after a concerned neighbor called them. It's not clear if the officers had been to the home after family initially reported the Todts missing. The Daily Beast reports that the Todt's had recently moved from Colchester, Connecticut, to Celebration, Florida. It's not clear how long they had lived in the rented home but court documents show the couple had recently been served with an eviction notice. Celebration, a gated community on the outskirts of Disney World, boosts population of around 7, 400 people and was created by the Walt Disney company. Anthony Todt( left), Megan Todt (right) and their three children, Alek, Tyler and Zoe were reported missing by relatives on January 6. Megan and the three children were found dead in their home on Monday, and neighbors said they saw Anthony being arrested A neighbor said Anthony was led out of the house at gunpoint before being arrested in front of the house Osceola County Sheriff's Office announced they were engaged in a death investigation in the North Village area in Celebration Anthony runs two physical therapy businesses in Connecticut, but the state says his physical therapy credentials lapsed on September 9, 2019, after they were not renewed. According to the business' page, Family Physical Therapy, Megan was a physical therapy instructor at the family's business. Both Anthony and Megan earned master's degrees in physical therapy. After the family were feared missing, a Facebook group titled 'Looking for the Todt Family' was created where one family friend wrote: 'Worried sick! I keep sending them messages on messenger and they are being sent but not delivered. I'm guessing their phones are off. Praying for their safe return.' A neighbor woman said her husband last saw the family in a packed vehicle on December 15. 'They are our neighbors and my kids play with them. He speaks to them often when he is walking our dog bc Megan is often out walking theirs. My kids haven't played with them since before Christmas because they have not seen them outside,' she wrote. 'My husband was going to offer them our beach buckets bc he was going to toss them and he assumed they were going on vacation because of the way their vehicle was packed.' The bodies have the deceased have not been formally identified, but WFTV reports that four bodies were discovered inside the home On Monday, Osceaola County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they were conducting a 'death investigation'. They have not classified the deaths as a homicide or murder, and they have not confirmed that the bodies found in the home belong to Megan and her three children - Alek, Tyler and Zoe. Neighbors told The Daily Beast they saw armed police escort the father, Anthony, out of the home and arrested him at gunpoint. Family members who set up the Facebook group to search for the Todts while still missing said they had no further information. 'Please no questions or comments at this time. Please respect our family - we don't know anymore,' one relative wrote. Pictured: Authorities appear to be loading bodies into a hearse outside the home in Celebration, Florida On Monday, Osceaola County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they were conducting a 'death investigation'. They have not classified the deaths as a homicide or murder Osceola County Sheriff Russell Gibson said: 'This is an isolated incident, and all parties involved with this death investigation are accounted for' One post shared by a group administrator revealed that four bodies had been found inside the home during the search. 'I am so sorry to report that 4 bodies have been found (not identified) in Celebration, Florida, today. Tony is in the hospital. We have no further details and we will update you when we know more. Please pray for the family,' she wrote. A separate post the Facebook group's administrator cited News 3 saying that law enforcement had previously attempted to contact individuals at the home for several days. Osceola County Sheriff Russell Gibson said the death investigation was launched after authorities arrived to the home. 'This is an isolated incident, and all parties involved with this death investigation are accounted for,' he told reporters. The owner of the Celebration home rented by the Todts filed a eviction notice against them on December 22, 2019. The reasons for the eviction are not clear. Pictured: a residential eviction document filed on December 22 against Anthony and Megan Todt at the home address in Celebration, Flordia First Selectman's Office Town of Colchester said the news of death search was 'shocking' and 'thoughts and prayers of our entire community are with the relatives and friends of the family involved' Marcelo Rodriguez, a neighbor, said he saw authorities approach the home in question with guns drawn. 'I saw a lot of police with guns in their hand saying open the door, open the door and a few minutes later I saw the guy on the porch with handcuff and I said something bad happened over there,' he told WESH. Although authorities have not revealed the identities of the deceased, the First Selectman's Office Town of Colchester said the news was 'shocking'. 'The news reports out of Celebration, Florida regarding a Colchester family are shocking and heartbreaking. While there is much we do not know at this time, I know that the thoughts and prayers of our entire community are with the relatives and friends of the family involved,' they wrote. 'We can't always make sense of moments like this but we can support each other. Colchester proves every day the power of community and the importance of being kind. I know we will stand together as we help each other to work through this moment.' On October 15, 2017, Lagos state government under the leadership of the immediate past governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, unveiled a statue in honour of Fela Anikulapokuti, the late Afrobeat icon at Allen roundabout in Ikeja. However, the statute has been brought down by the present administration of the state. According to report, the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu says Felas statue is located at one of the four roundabouts which it has identified as a major cause of gridlock in the state. Read Also: Dont Ever Compare Naira Marley To Fela: Dede Mabiaku The other roundabouts area are Ikotun, Lekki-Epe expressway and Maryland. Gboyega Akosile, spokesman of the governor, on Monday said that the statue will be relocated to an area where it wont cause traffic, theCable reports. Temple Universitys online MBA program is back in U.S. News and World Report rankings for the first time since 2018, when the school disclosed it had provided false data. Before that disclosure, the program ranked No. 1. Now, its tied for 88th out of more than 300 schools. The rankings were released at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Temple called the new ranking disappointing but not surprising. When Temple first reported issues with submitted data to the publication in January 2018, we understood that it would take time to restore the inevitable damage to the ranking and reputation of the Fox School, the university said in a statement. But it was the right thing to do to restore public trust in the integrity of our data. Temples online MBA program had ranked first for four straight years before the school reported it had submitted false data. U.S. News dropped the program from the rankings, and the university hired a law firm to investigate. That firm concluded that Fox in some cases knowingly provided false data to the rankings organization. The longtime dean, Moshe Porat, was removed from his position; he has since sued the university, claiming he has been unfairly blamed. READ MORE: #Inflategate? After losing its #1 U.S. News ranking, Temple's online MBA program faces many challenges Temple instituted its own review and took steps to tighten procedures for reporting rankings data throughout the university, including the hiring of an external auditor. Agencies including the U.S. Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, and an accrediting agency launched probes, and the university subsequently found that inaccurate data had been reported about several other Fox programs. In late 2018, the university agreed to pay $4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by former students of its Online MBA program who claimed the schools rankings scandal devalued their degrees. Last month, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced a settlement with Temple that included $250,000 in new scholarships for Fox students. The false reporting, done intentionally and knowingly to boost the schools rankings, elevated Fox Business School as the nations top online MBA program for several consecutive years," Shapiro said in a statement at that time. "The school used this ranking to attract prospective student applicants. This behavior misled students, alumni, employers and the public about the quality and value of these Temple programs. Temple University has accepted responsibility for its role in this conduct and has been proactive and cooperative in addressing it. he added. U.S. News ranks online MBA programs in five areas: faculty credentials and training, student excellence, engagement (how well they promote participation), expert opinion (based on a survey of academic officials at MBA programs), and student services and technologies. READ MORE: Temple business dean forced out over falsified MBA data used in rankings Three other Pennsylvania universities placed in the top 10 for online MBAs. Carnegie Mellon was third, Pennsylvania State Universitys World Campus sixth, and Villanova University ninth. Indiana University-Bloomington had the best program, according to the rankings. Other local universities that placed higher than Temple include: Lehigh (18th), Delaware and West Chester (47th, tie), Drexel (54), Pittsburgh (59), Rutgers-Camden (69), and St. Josephs (80). Staff writer Erin Arvedlund contributed to this article. Uniqlo releases report on new year yearnings By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-01-14 11:31 Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing brand owned by the Yamaguchi-headquartered Fast Retailing Co Ltd, together with some research institutions in Shanghai, jointly released a report on January 11 concerning Chinese peoples expectations in 2020 for a better life. Based on 7,792 valid questionnaires, the research aimed to get an insight into the changes in contemporary lifestyles and consumption habits. "Confidence", "freedom", "comfort", "breakthrough" and "efficiency" are the top five keywords people listed for their life desires in 2020. These yearnings are also reflected directly in the choice of new clothes for the lunar New Year. In the past, people bought new clothes for the Spring Festival to bring a more festive atmosphere and clothes were mostly consistent with their age and social identity. But nowadays, when choosing clothes, people consider more of showing their confidence, beauty and personality, balancing vitality and freedom. 64.7% of respondents believe that comfortable clothing can make life more comfortable and allow them to calmly cope with job challenges. More than 46.3% believe that clothes can become a channel to make a breakthrough from their original personality, so they are willing to change themselves by trying new fashions, and also bringing themselves luck every day. Faced with changes in consumers' attitudes towards life, Uniqlo has tried to endow consumers with multiple roles and identities through clothing. Therefore, it is trying multiple styles in design for buyers self-expression, and providing more creative and vital options for people of more age groups. New Delhi: India and Russia have begun negotiations on an agreement for long-term assured supplies of crude oil, especially from Russias Far East region, as New Delhi looks to diversify its energy sources and do away with over-dependence on the Middle East, people familiar with developments said. The negotiations on the Russian side are being handled by Rosneft, the largest global public oil and gas corporation, and by Indias petroleum ministry. The two sides are also eyeing an agreement on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Russia after the agreement on crude oil is concluded, said people on both sides familiar with the negotiations. The talks have focused on long-term assured supplies of oil that will not be affected by developments in other parts of the world, such as the Middle East, said a person who declined to be identified. A second person said on condition of anonymity that the Indian government is working on an easier and economical sea transport route from Russia to India. Transportation of energy [from Russia] is one of the key concerns, but we are working on a solution, the person said. The Russian side, the people said, is looking at tapping reserves in its Far East region, which stretches from Siberia to the Pacific Ocean and is estimated to have 10 to 14 billion tonnes of oil and 14 to 15 trillion cubic metres of gas. The negotiations on oil and gas supplies are part of the five-year road map for cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector that was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Vladivostok last September for the Eastern Economic Forum and the annual summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian gas producer Novatek also signed an agreement with Indian energy firm Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) for LNG supply and joint development of downstream LNG business. A joint statement issued after the Modi-Putin summit said the two sides would cooperate in geological exploration and joint development of oil and gas fields in Russia and India, and develop ways of delivering Russian energy resources to India, including a long-term agreement for sourcing Russian crude oil. The second person said India imports more than 80% of the crude it processes. It imports almost half of its crude oil requirements from the Gulf region, which is prone to disruptions because of geopolitical reasons. This often threatens our energy security, both in terms of price and supply volatilities. Energy import from Russia is, therefore, a reliable alternative, the person said. Though India has a refining capacity of 249.4 MT, annual capacity utilisation has been often more than 100%. In 2018-19 domestic refiners processed 257.2 MT of crude in 2018-19. Out of that more than 88% (226.5 MT) was imported crude, and more than 63% of that (142.9 MT) came from the Middle East. India is looking for reliable and economical alternatives; especially after the US embargo against Iran that has now reduced Iranian crude import to almost zero. Russia could be one such alternative, the person said. Oil and gas imports have figured in petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhans meetings and visits to Russia since last year. During a visit to Russia last August, Pradhan met top Rosneft officials and energy minister Alexander Novak and discussed collaboration in oil and gas. He also welcomed Rosnefts proposal for new investments in refining and petrochemical operations. The two ministers also met more than 20 CEOs and representatives of Indian and Russian oil and gas companies and discussed Indian investments in energy assets in Russia, and Russian investments in new initiatives to make India a gas-based economy, including use of natural gas in transportation. During Rosenoft CEO Igor Sechins visit to New Delhi last September, an Indian consortium of Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil Corp, ONGC Videsh Ltd and Oil India Ltd and the Russian behemoth signed a non-binding cooperation agreement on the Indian firms taking stakes in oilfields in Russias Far East. During another visit by Pradhan to Russia last October, he met Sergey Tyrtsev, first deputy minister for development of the Far East and Arctic, and discussed energy cooperation. Pradhan also met deputy prime minister and presidential envoy for the Far East, Yury Trutnev, and discussed the sourcing of crude oil and potential Indian investments in the oil and gas sectors. RS Sharma, former chairman and managing director of Oil and Natural gas Corporation (ONGC) said transportation of crude as well as LNG from Russia has to be cost effective to make commercial sense. India must explore long term, reliable and cost effective options. Russia has potential, he said. Most people are familiar with turbulence in aviation: certain wind conditions cause a bumpy passenger flight. But even within human blood vessels, blood flow can be turbulent. Turbulence can appear when blood flows along vessel bends or edges, causing an abrupt change in flow velocity. Turbulent blood flow generates extra forces which increase the odds of blood clots to form. These clots grow slowly until they may be carried along by the bloodstream and cause stroke by blocking an artery in the brain. Mechanical heart valves produce turbulent blood flows Patients with artificial heart valves are at a higher risk of clot formation. The elevated risk is known from the observation of patients after the implantation of an artificial valve. The clotting risk factor is particularly severe for the recipients of mechanical heart valves, where the patients must receive blood thinners every day to combat the risk of stroke. So far, it is unclear why mechanical heart valves promote clot formation far more than other valve types, e.g. biological heart valves. A team of engineers from the Cardiovascular Engineering Group at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern has now successfully identified a mechanism that can significantly contribute to clot formation. They used complex mathematical methods of hydrodynamic stability theory, a subfield of fluid mechanics, which has been used successfully for many decades to develop fuel-efficient aircrafts. This is the first translation of these methods, which combine physics and applied mathematics, into medicine. Using complex computer simulations on flagship supercomputers at the Centro Svizzero di Calcolo Scientifico in Lugano, the research team was able to show that the current shape of the flow-regulating flaps of the heart valve leads to strong turbulence in the blood flow. "By navigating through the simulation data, we found how the blood impinges at the front edge of the valve flaps, and how the blood flow quickly becomes unstable and forms turbulent vortices," explains Hadi Zolfaghari, first author of the study. "The strong forces generated in this process could activate the blood coagulation and cause clots to form immediately behind the valve. Supercomputers helped us to capture one root cause of turbulence in these valves, and hydrodynamic stability theory helped us to find an engineering fix for it." The mechanical heart valves which were used in the study consist of a metal ring and two flaps rotating on hinges; the flaps open and close in each heartbeat to allow blood to flow out of the heart but not back in again. In the study, the team also investigated how the heart valve could be improved. It showed that even a slightly modified design of the valve flaps allowed the blood to flow without generating instabilities which lead to turbulence -- more like a healthy heart. Such a blood flow without turbulence would significantly reduce the chance of clot formation and stroke. Life without blood thinners? More than 100,000 people per year receive a mechanical heart valve. Because of the high risk of clotting, all these people must take blood thinners, every day, and for the rest of their lives. If the design of the heart valves is improved from a fluid mechanics point of view, it is conceivable that recipients of these valves would no longer need blood thinners. This could lead to a normal life -- without the lasting burden of receiving blood thinner medication. "The design of mechanical heart valves has hardly been adapted since their development in the 1970s," says Dominik Obrist, head of the research group at the ARTORG Center. "By contrast, a lot of research and development has been conducted in other engineering areas, such as aircraft design. Considering how many people have an artificial heart valve, it is time to talk about design optimizations also in this area in order to give these people a better life." Research group Cardiovascular Engineering The ARTORGs Cardiovascular Engineering (CVE) group studies cardiovascular flows and diseases, such as valvular heart disease and heart attack. Its research aims to improve the long-term durability and biocompatibility of therapeutic devices and implants and to develop novel diagnostic tools for clinical practice. CVE translational research projects address immediate clinical needs that were identified together with clinical partners in Angiology, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery at Inselspital, who are closely integrated in the project teams from start to finish. The team operates an experimental flow lab with modern measurement technology and a computational lab to model flows in the heart and blood vessels. Its experimental facilities include high-speed cameras and laser-based methods for three-dimensional flow quantification. The group develops and uses custom-tailored computer models and supercomputers to study biomedical flow systems with fluid-structure interaction. The man -- Sushanta Ghosh (38) -- was arrested on Friday from his house in Lankamura on the outskirts of the state capital in connection with huge cash theft from Agartala city ATMs using cloning devices by the two Turkish and two Bangladeshi nationals. Agartala, Jan 14 (IANS) Two Tripura policemen, including an officer, were suspended for their negligence of duty in a police station, where a 38-year-old man was found dead during police custody, official said on Tuesday. Police claimed that the youth committed suicide on Sunday at the West Agartala police station during his police custody. "A sub-inspector of police and a constable were suspended for their negligence of duty in the police station during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday," a police official said. The issue has rocked the state politics forcing the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to order a magisterial inquiry into the death of Sushanta Ghosh, who was arrested following the interrogations of the Turkish and Bangladeshi nationals. The official said that the police authority has also appointed a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to investigate the matter. According to the official, the slain youth was involved in connection with the stealing of huge amount of cash from ATMs in Agartala using cloning devices by two Turkish and two Bangladeshi nationals, who were arrested at Belgharia (under North 24 Parganas district) in West Bengal in November and are now being interrogated by the intelligence and cyber crime branch officials in Agartala. After visiting Ghosh's family former Tripura Chief Minister and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Manik Sarkar said that a judicial probe must be conducted, while the officers of the West Agartala Police Station should be removed at once. Meanwhile, the Tripura government on Monday transferred 32 senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Sharmistha Chakraborty, who was probing the ATM robberies. Senior lawyer and Tripura Human Rights Organisation Secretary Purusattam Roybarman has demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge. While the CPI-M has urged the Tripura Human Rights Commission to inquire into the incident, the Congress has demanded a judicial probe. Sushanta's father Parimal Ghosh in an FIR claimed his son died following police torture. "My son was arrested as the Turkish and Bangladeshi ATM hackers had earlier bought sweets from my shop. My son had helped them exchange dollars into rupees without knowing their (Bangladeshis) criminality," Ghosh said, and claimed that some injury marks have been found on his son's body. As per the preliminary probe, the Turkish nationals along with their Bangladeshi collaborators had stolen Rs 50 lakh during October-November last year from around 80 customers of different banks, mostly from State Bank of India by hacking the ATMs in Agartala. Police official probing the crime said that the same foreign nationals had stolen a huge amount of cash by hacking the ATMs in Guwahati and Kolkata. sc/rs/ State Rep. Liz Linehan, D-Cheshire, has announced that she will seek another term in the Connecticut General Assembly. Linehan made her formal announcement Monday, but informed her social media followers of her plans over the weekend. She represents the 103rd District, which includes parts of Cheshire, Wallingford and Southington She was first elected to the legislature in 2016 and won reelection in 2018. Linehan said she delayed announcing her reelection bid until now because she had not reached the fundraising threshold to qualify for public financing under the Citizens Election Program. State law requires candidates using the program to raise at least $5,000 from a minimum of 150 donors within the district, Linehan said, adding that she currently has $6,300 donations from 170 donors. She was able to raise that amount in a week. I am extremely fortunate and grateful to have such passionate supporters to have received enough donations to qualify for the Clean Elections fund, without so much as a public announcement of my campaign, or a single fundraiser, Linehan said. In fact, I filed for re-election earlier than usual because my supporters were asking how and when they could donate. Judy Villa, chairwoman of the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee, said the amount Linehan raised in such a short period of time is a testament to the work Liz has done for her constituents. Liz helps everyone, Villa said. They simply wanted to help her, too. Guy Darter, Cheshires Republican Town Committee chairman, was not immediately available for comment about who might challenge Linehan in November. By having reached the public financing threshold so quickly, Linehan said she now can focus her full attention on the start of the states 2020 legislative session. Lawmakers return to Hartford Feb. 5 Linehan said she is opposed to Gov. Ned Lamonts plan to improve the states transportation network. As it is currently constituted, with a toll on trucks, I can not support it, Linehan said. I dont think it wise for us to implement a plan that is still being challenged in the courts. Rhode Island implemented a toll on trucks at two spots along Interstate 95 in June 2018. The trucking industry went to court in opposition to the tolls and now the two sides are fighting out in court whether the case ultimately should be decided in state or federal courts. As long as its still being decided, I think we should be looking to come up with alternatives to pay for transportation improvements, Linehan said. She is the House chairwoman of the Childrens Committee, and serves on the Veterans Affairs and Education Committees. Linehan also is a member of the FIRE/EMS and Manufacturing legislative caucuses. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com By PTI NEW DELHI: Forced to import onions to check spike in prices, the Union Government now fears that the key kitchen staple may rot in godowns as states have shown little interest in buying them despite its offer to bear transportation cost. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the Centre is offering onions to states at Rs 55 per kg landed cost and is ready to bear the cost of transporting the commodity. While the Centre alone can import onions, it depends on states for retailing them to consumers. READ HERE | 18,000 tons of onion imported, available at Rs 22 per kg: Paswan Retail onion prices started to rise by September-end and touched a high of Rs 170 per kg in December, forcing the Union government to import onions from countries like Turkey and Egypt. In subsequent weeks, rates started to soften with the arrival of new Kharif crop in the market. "So far, we have contracted (import of) 36,000 tonnes of onion. Of which, 18,500 tonnes of shipment has reached India, but states have taken only 2,000 tonne that too after much persuasion. We are worried about its disposal because it is a perishable commodity," Paswan told reporters. "Tomorrow, someone should not go to court and say imported onions were rotting," he said. He said the Centre is offering imported onions at an average cost of Rs 55 per kg and also bearing the entire transportation cost. ALSO READ | Consumers prefer homegrown over imported onions in Delhi Despite all, the state governments are not coming forward to buy them. As per government data, retail onion prices average Rs 50 per kg in most markets. The data showed onion being priced at Rs 50 per kg in the national capital but local vendors were selling it for Rs 70-80 a kg. Asked why prices are still high despite imports, Paswan said, "The imports are being done to improve the domestic supply and check prices. If state governments are not ready to take the imported onions, what can we do?" So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments have taken the imported onions. Many states have withdrawn their demand, he added. Sources said the taste of imported onions is different from the homegrown ones and consumers are not buying them when domestic onion is available at the same rate. Stating that a shipment of 5,500 tonne was cancelled before it set on sail in the absence of demand, Consumer Affairs Secretary Avinash Srivastava said 4,000 tonne of imported onions is expected to arrive in the next two days and 14,500 tonnes by the month-end. The government is importing onions through state-run trading agency MMTC. Imports are being undertaken from Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt. Onion prices shot up due to 25 per cent fall in the kharif production. Paswan also said the ministry is keeping a close watch on prices of other commodities, especially edible oils and pulses. The government will take action at appropriate time. Today (10 January 2020), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended the extraordinary meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels on the situation in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters, the Secretary General stressed the need for NATO and the EU to continue to support Iraq, fight international terrorism and stand together. He also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the crash of the Ukrainian plane in Iran. Click here for Secretary General Stoltenberg's statement. Former state Rep. Jonathan Wallace announced his candidacy for the Georgia House of Representatives in a press release on Jan. 13. Wallace is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Marcus Wiedower for District 119, which includes areas of Clarke and Oconee counties. Wallace won the seat in 2017 in a special election, flipping the district from Republican to Democratic. The Red & Black reported on some of Wallaces time in office, during which he sponsored bills, including ones involving education and transportation. Wiedower defeated Wallace in the Nov. 2018 general election with 52.8% of the vote. Wallace will run as a Democrat again for the 2020 election, according to his ActBlue page. District 119 deserves a future where all families thrive. We deserve a representative that thinks critically about each proposal rather than voting along party lines for reelection, Wallace said in the release. I will return to the State House to ensure that we have a representative focused on real solutions. Wallace graduated from the University of Georgia in 2001 with a degree in computer science, according to his LinkedIn. The suspected killer of a Deliveroo driver who was stabbed to death in a road rage attack may have fled to Austria, police have warned. Takieddine Boudhane, a 30-year-old Deliveroo and Uber Eats rider, was killed in a confrontation with a van driver in Finsbury Park, London, on 3 January. The driver of a white VW Caddy van is believed to have stabbed Boudhane to death and fled the scene. It is now feared that the fugitive, who has not yet been named, may have fled to Austria on the morning after the killing. There is a person of interest who we believe flew to Austria, Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli, police commander for the borough of Islington, told the Islington Tribune. The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Show all 18 1 /18 The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Purple ribbons are seen tied to a tree and fence at a park near to where 17-year-old Jodie Chesney was stabbed to death in an attack with no obvious motive, in the Harold Hill area of London. Chesney was stabbed in an unprovoked attack while out with friends on March 1, 2019. Four males aged 16, 17, 19 and 20 have been charged with her murder which all four deny. In honour of her favourite colour, purple ribbons were tied to a railing, alongside a message also written in purple: "Choose life, drop the knife! RIP Jodie. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes and bottles of alcohol are seen outside the house where 20-year-old Tyrelle Burke was stabbed to death, in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester. Burke was stabbed to death on April 5, outside his home by a friend following a night out. 18-year-old Denver Walton was charged with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims A woman walks past floral tributes near to where 29-year-old Joshua White was stabbed to death, in the Hackney area of London. Joshua White died after he was stabbed through the heart in broad daylight on April 26. Two teenagers have been charged with his murder, and police are attempting to extradite an 18-year-old from Ireland in relation to the attack. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes and photographs are left at the spot where 17-year-old Yousef Makki was stabbed to death, in Hale Barns. Makki was stabbed to death on March 2 during a row with another boy. A 17-year-old boy was cleared of his murder by a jury at Manchester Crown Court on July 12. Makki's family have protested against the verdict. Photography by Reuters The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes and packets of crisps and a chocolate bar are tied to a fence where 21-year-old James Halewood was stabbed to death, in the Kirkby area of Liverpool. Halewood was stabbed to death in broad daylight outside a parade of shops at lunchtime on July 7. Two men aged 26 and 23 have been arrested in connection with his death. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Graffiti on a fence of an industrial unit near to where 18-year-old Hazrat Umar was killed, in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham. Umar was killed after being stabbed 15 times in an unprovoked attack on February 25, on his way to the gym. Adam Muhammad, 17, a student at the same college, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes are seen tied to a pedestrian crossing near to where 40-year-old Gavin Garraway was stabbed to death, in the Clapham area of London. Garroway was stabbed to death through the window of his car on March 29. Zion Chiata, 18, has been charged with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes and teddy bears are seen outside a house where 26-year-old Kelly-Mary Fauvrelle and her unborn baby where stabbed to death, in the Croydon area of London. Fauvrelle was stabbed to death in the bedroom of her home in the early hours of June 29. Her baby boy, Riley, was delivered but also died four days later. Ex-partner Aaron McKenzie has been charged with her murder and causing the death of the baby. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Flowers are tied to the entrance of Sara Park near to where 16-year-old Abdullah Muhammad was killed in the Small Heath area of Birmingham. Abdullah died after suffering stab wounds to the chest and back in the evening of February 20. Three males aged 17, 19 and 20 have been charged in connection with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims The remains of candles and tributes are seen near to where 19-year-old Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck was stabbed to death, in the Wood Green area of London. Gabbidon-Lynck died after he was stabbed by a gang on bicycles on February 22, in an incident which left another man suffering from knife and gunshot wounds. Three men aged 18, 19 and 20 have been charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims A woman pushes a pram past a row of houses where 33-year-old Charlotte Huggins was stabbed to death, in south London. Huggins was the first stabbing victim of 2019, stabbed in the back at her home in the early hours of New Year's Day. Her ex-boyfriend Michael Rolle was found guilty of her murder and jailed for life. He stabbed Huggins after she celebrated New Year's eve with a male friend. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes are left at the spot where 18-year-old Cheyon Evans was stabbed to death, in the Wandsworth area of London. Evans died from a stab wound to the chest after being attacked by a group of youths in broad daylight on June 14. Three males aged 18, 18 and 17 have been charged with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Lanfrey Place is where 17-year-old Ayub Hassan died after suffering multiple stab wounds in the street, in the West Kensington area of London. Hassan was killed after his attack on March 7. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Floral tributes are left near to where 21-year-old Lewis Bagshaw was stabbed to death, in the Southey area of Sheffield. Bagshaw collapsed and died on July 21, when seeking help from residents of Piper Crescent after suffering stab wounds. Police investigations into his death are ongoing. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Flowers and toys are left at the scene where 19-year-old Lejean Richards was stabbed to death, in the Battersea area of London. Richards was attacked and fatally stabbed on February 5. Roy Reyes-Nieves, 23, and Roger Reyes-Nieves, 18, have been charges with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims A man walks past floral tributes left near to where 24-year-old Joe O'Brien died after being stabbed in a fight outside a pub, in Manchester. O'Brien died following a fight outside the Royal Oak pub on April 21. Momodou Jallow, 21, has been charged with his murder. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims Flowers are seen near to where 29-year-old Nathaniel Armstrong was stabbed to death, in the Fulham area of London. Armstrong was stabbed to death during an altercation on March 16. Murder charges against a 29-year-old male were dropped after prosecutors said there was no realistic prospect of conviction. Reuters/Phil Noble The makeshift shrines to Britain's knife crime victims A police officer stands outside a row of terraced houses where 33-year-old nurse Saima Riaz was stabbed to death, in Rochdale. Riaz, a mother of three, was found on April 23. 36-year-old Mohammed Abid Choudhry has been charged with her murder. Reuters/Phil Noble However, Mr Kohli added that he is confident the investigation will come to a conclusion. The fatal stabbing earlier this month sparked the Metropolitan Polices first murder investigation of 2020 and calls for more protection for delivery drivers. There are a lot of people working as delivery drivers, they must have better conditions of employment and employers must take more responsibility for their safety too, Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader and MP for Islington North, said soon after the attack. Recommended Calls for more protection for delivery workers after fatal stabbing Delivery drivers do a great job in London all of the time. Yet they are vulnerable. Alex Marshall, the chair of the couriers and logistics branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), said some members of the public treat delivery drivers with utter contempt and employers need to do more to protect them. Boudhane was an Algerian national who had been living in the UK for about three years. He was described as a good guy by a fellow delivery driver, who said he no longer feels safe working in London after the attack. Officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Lennox Road at about 6.50pm on 3 January and Boudhane was pronounced dead at 7.42pm that evening. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the murder investigation, told the Tribune that his team is making good progress and appealed for anyone with information to come forward. It is very likely that members of the public would have seen a fight in the road which they may also have captured on their phones, he said. At this time I am unable to release any further information concerning the identity of the driver as this may hinder the ongoing police investigation. The incident is thought to be spontaneous and not connected to anything other than a traffic altercation, Mr John added. Additional reporting by PA 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. ROTHERHAM has claimed a place near the top of a chart in which nobody wants to be number one a list of the worst places in the country to live. Noted as the town that gave the world the Chuckle Brothers and Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers, Rotherham was ranked at number five in a vote to find the UKs biggest grot spots. Yorkshire in general came out of the poll pretty poorly, with Huddersfield and Doncaster also joining Rochdale and chart-topper Peterborough in the top five. Those nominating Rotherham for infamy overlooked the delights of Clifton Park, Wentworth Woodhouse, Parkgate Shopping, Magna and numerous historic churches and country parks, with one instead hailing it as an un-flushed toilet of a town. One voter in the survey by alternative travel site I Live Here, which said more than 80,000 people had voted for the top ten, said: I highly recommend a visit to anyone lucky enough to be passing by on the M1, junction 33. Just ten minutes there will leave you feeling much better about your own s***** city. Another said: Regional attractions include mullets! You thought they came and went in the 80s? Not in Rotherham they didnt. The Advertiser even merited a mention, with one website visitor saying: After a year of reading headlines in the Rotherham Advertiser like Chip Pan Fire Guts House, Body found outside takeaway and Asbo Grandad at it again, I decided I somehow didnt fit in and moved away. Given the opportunity to fight the towns corner, Rotherham Council declined to comment. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met a Mumbai university student named Santosh Sable, who sells peanuts at Girgaum Chowpatty after attending classes to meet his daily expenses. After taking cognisance of a media report that went viral on social media about this youth, Thackeray met him and assured all possible help from the state government. Sable, who resides in Satara area, sells peanuts at Girgaum Chowpatty beach every day after his studies to bear with daily expenses. The Chief Minister called Sable today and assured him of providing every possible help for his better education. Thackeray has also asked the officers to find out a way by which Sable can he helped. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Confirms Avoidable Death of Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem in Custody WASHINGTON/CAIROThe United States on Monday confirmed the death of Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem in a prison in Egypt where he had been in custody since 2013, and vowed to continue raising concerns over Cairos human rights record. Egypt said Tuesday it would investigate the death of Kassem, who had gone on a hunger strike as part of a six-year battle against what he insisted was wrongful imprisonment. Egypts state prosecutor said Kassem died in a Cairo hospital on Monday, saying in a statement an autopsy had been ordered to determine the cause of death. The prosecutor said Kassem had been transferred on Sunday from a jail hospital to the Cairo university hospital. The prosecutor also said officials are questioning all doctors who oversaw Kassems care in prison and at the hospital where he died. Kassem, who had been on a liquid-only hunger strike to protest his conviction, stopped taking liquids last Thursday, rights group Pretrial Rights International said in a statement. The group, which said it was representing Kassem and his family, also said that Kassem died on Monday in a hospital. I am deeply saddened to learn today the death of U.S. citizen Moustafa Kassem whod been imprisoned in Egypt, the U.S. assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs, David Schenker, told a State Department briefing. His death in custody was needless, tragic, and avoidable, Schenker said. I will continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker (2nd-R) speaks with Saudi army officers during a visit to a military base in Al-kharj in central Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 5, 2019. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images) The case has trained a spotlight on the dangers of Egyptian prisons, where many inmates are serving time for crimes they insist they did not commit, or have not been charged at all. Kassem was sentenced to prison in September 2018, along with dozens others, over a 2013 sit-in that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters. The sentencing, which included jail terms for more than 600 others, concluded a mass trial of people accused of murder and inciting violence during the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest at Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo. Washington is Cairos closest Western ally and one of its top aid donors. Rights activists say President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has overseen an unprecedented crackdown on freedoms in Egypt since he took power in 2014. Sisi and his backers say the measures are needed to keep Egypt stable and to counter threats from the ISIS terrorist group. Rabaa square was the single most deadly incident in unrest that followed the 2011 popular uprising that toppled Egypts longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. The Associated Press contributed to this report. GALLUP, N.M., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS) has selected the industry-leading Synergy Education Platform by Edupoint Educational Systems for its K-12 student information management needs. The district's Synergy solution will include Synergy Student Information System, Synergy Special Education, and Synergy Analytics in a cloud-hosted environment. GMCS serves over 11,600 students in northwest New Mexico and is the seventh largest district in the state. With Synergy Education Platform, GMCS will benefit from a single solution integrated by design for seamless interoperability systemwide. Synergy will provide powerful out-of-the-box reporting and the ability to create custom reports whenever they are needed, as well the ability to easily call up the data needed for the district's annual Impact Aid application. Synergy users will have access to the platform's unique suite of mobile apps serving nearly every user type with the targeted tools and information they need for their particular role. Principals and assistant principals, for example, will be able get out from behind their desks and access data in real time as they work on the go, checking student IDs and printing hall passes as needed with an optional third-party mobile printer. The district will also enjoy full field-level security systemwide for maximum data security and privacy. "Gallup-McKinley County Schools selected Synergy not only for the quality of our solution, but also because of Edupoint's strong presence throughout New Mexico, where we are the market leader," said Bob Weathers, Founder and CEO of Edupoint. "It's about trust. We have long-standing customers and relationships in the state, and district leaders saw value in that. We're pleased to have Gallup-McKinley join our existing New Mexico clients and look forward to partnering with the district to support students over the long term." About Edupoint Educational Systems For over 35 years, the leadership of Edupoint Educational Systems has provided well-designed, technologically advanced student data management systems that empower K-12 stakeholders to improve student achievement. Synergy Education Platform by Edupoint is an industry-leading student data management ecosystem built to fit the way educators already work, with seamlessly integrated student information management, learning management, MTSS, assessment, special education management, and analytics. Synergy is unique among K-12 student data management solutions in providing an array of role-based mobile apps designed to give all stakeholders access to the tools they need when and where they need them. Thousands of schools nationwide choose the Synergy Education Platform to support 4.5 million students in 21 states. Learn more: http://www.edupoint.com/ *PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0430s2p-edupoint-sis-300dpi.jpg This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE Edupoint Educational Systems Related Links http://www.edupoint.com Biden, whose camp had long downplayed his chances in Iowa, has ramped up his schedule in Iowa, recently surpassing Warren for the number of events held in the state. He has more than doubled his spending on television ads with his campaign and a super PAC backing him spending more than anyone else over the past two weeks. He has landed the states most coveted endorsements, sent out-of-state surrogates in to campaign on his behalf and is planning significant time in the state over the next week. An error has occurred within file /articles.aspx Please report the error to support@bizcommunity.com and it will be fixed as soon as possible. Jollibee to Open First Stores in the Tampa Bay Area and Maui Following Openings Across California and Arizona Jollibee is adding to its U.S. store count with the addition of two new Jollibees in one week. The brand will open its first store in Florida's Tampa Bay area in the city of Pinellas Park on Friday, January 17, 2020 and its first store on the island of Maui on Friday, January 24, 2020. The new stores are part of the brand's plans to grow to 150 stores in the U.S. by 2023. Jollibee Pinellas Park and Jollibee Maui are the 40th and 41st stores to open in the U.S. and arrive on the heels of the brand's recent entrance into Arizona and further expansion across California. 2019 marked a record year for Jollibee in the U.S., as the company experienced unprecedented growth, outpacing the growth rate of the U.S. restaurant industry and exhibiting consistent double-digit growth in terms of same-store sales and profits. The company also opened the doors of its new North American headquarters in Los Angeles, California to accommodate its growing workforce and help meet its expansion goal in the U.S. With Florida and Hawaii ranking among the top 10 states with the highest concentration of Filipinos, opening additional locations in new key areas in these states was an obvious decision for the company. Jollibee's existing stores in Jacksonville, Florida and on Hawaii's Oahu island have enjoyed much success and fans from outside these cities are clamoring to have a store in their neighborhood. "We cannot wait to welcome Jollibee fans who have long waited for their turn to finally have Jollibee in their area, in addition to welcoming new foodies intrigued by our unique menu, which we fondly describe as a joyous mash-up of Western comfort food and Asian flavors," said Beth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Foods Corporation North America, Philippine Brands Group. Pinellas Park, which is located within the Tampa Bay area, is known for its diverse food scene with Southern and Latin American influences. Additionally, though Jollibee already has four locations on the island of Oahu, the brand is expanding to Maui to give fans and newcomers living there an easier way to get their Chickenjoy and further add to the already vibrant food scene on the island. Expect those in and around Pinellas Park and Maui to triumphantly exclaim, "It's Our Turn!" as they celebrate the arrival of Jollibee in their city. Jollibee is known as the 'Home of the Famous Chickenjoy' so a visit to the store would be incomplete without it. The restaurant's Chickenjoy is delicately hand-breaded and made with a secret marinade to make it crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious on the inside. Also widely loved is the brand's Jolly Spaghetti with its signature sweet-style sauce loaded with chunky slices of savory ham and hotdog, as well as Peach Mango Pie, craved for its delicious filling made with real Philippine mangoes enclosed in a light, crispy crust. Customers at both stores will also be able to try the U.S.-exclusive Chicken Sandwich, made with a 100% hand-breaded chicken breast fillet, a brioche bun, garlic aioli sauce, lettuce and tomatoes. In honor of the brand's arrival in Pinellas Park and Maui, Jollibee will offer an exclusive tasting for select fans at each store the day before the store opens to the public. On opening day, Jollibee will also be giving away exclusive collectible items and fan-favorite products. Fans can head to Jollibee USA's Facebook and Instagram pages for more details. Jollibee store openings in the U.S. and across the globe have been known to draw massive crowds as fans and curious newcomers alike queue up for hours and even days beforehand for a chance to be among the store's first customers. At the chain's most recent opening in Chandler, Arizona, the store welcomed thousands of customers on opening day with the first customer claiming her place in line on Christmas night, camping out for three days before the official openinga new record in Jollibee's U.S. openings. The Pinellas Park store is located at 4057 Park Boulevard North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 while the Maui store will open at 270 Dairy Road, Kahului, HI 96732. Store hours for opening day and beyond are 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, local time. Jollibee is the flagship brand of Jollibee Foods Corporation's 15 brands. JFC is one of the world's largest and fastest growing Asian restaurant companies with more than 5,800 stores in 35 countries. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Restaurant industry news and trends. Subscribe 2022 Restaurant News Resource The former director of collapsed Australian music streaming service Guvera has been banned from managing companies for two years by the corporate watchdog. Gold Coast man Darren Russel Herft was disqualified by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission after seven Guvera Group companies failed to meet their legal obligations. Former Guvera boss Darren Herft has been handed a two-year ban by ASIC. Credit:Wayne Taylor Herft improperly used the group for his gain in circumstances where there were significant conflicts of interest in the operation, ASIC said in a statement on Tuesday. Debts owed to the Australian Taxation Office and the Office of State Revenue were also unpaid, the watchdog said. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / MOTA VENTURES CORP. (MOTA.CN)(FSE:1WZ:GR)(PEMTF) (the "Company" or "Mota Ventures") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Ihuana S.A.S ("Ihuana"), has completed its 2,000 square foot research and development facility in Guasca, Colombia (the "R&D Facility"). The purpose-built R&D Facility will be used for a seed registration program on Ihuana's licensed land. This is a significant step, as it will allow Ihuana to begin the important process of registering the genetics of our high-CBD, low-THC strains of cannabis with the Colombian Agricultural Institute (Instituto Colombiano Agroprecuario, or ICA). The R&D Facility is located on Ihuana's fully-licensed 2.5-hectare agricultural site located in the Bogota savannah region of Colombia. This area of Colombia has a fertile landscape that is world-renowned for its flower production and exportation. Cannabis plants thrive in the region's mild and stable climate, consistent sunlight (about 12 hours per day year-round) and fertile soil. The Bogota savannah is also an excellent region for cannabis cultivation due to its strong agricultural infrastructure, low labour costs and proximity to free trade zones and major airports for agricultural exportation. The R&D Facility uses a market-leading agricultural cover film produced by Ginegar for use in greenhouses. Its unique thermal, mechanical and optical properties make it ideal for protecting crops and enhancing growth. The Company will use an existing structure on the property for cannabis propagation, cloning and drying. The team at Mota Ventures is excited to announce the completion of the R&D Facility-a major step in the Company's plan for the international distribution of CBD products. The R&D Facility will allow Ihuana to register up to ten strains of high-CBD, low-THC cannabis. Cultivating high-CBD strains of cannabis directly impacts the Company's margins, as higher CBD content will result in a larger yield when extracted. Story continues Joel Shacker, CEO of Mota, commented: "We have been working toward this milestone for some time and are pleased to announce that this puts us well ahead of schedule on our Colombian cultivation plan." About Mota Ventures Corp. Mota Ventures is seeking to become a vertically integrated global CBD brand. Its plan is to cultivate and extract CBD into high-quality value-added products from its Latin American operations and distribute it both domestically and internationally. Its existing operations in Colombia consist of a 2.5-hectare site that has optimal year-round growing conditions and access to all necessary infrastructure. Mota Ventures is also seeking to acquire revenue-producing CBD brands and operations in both Europe and North America, with the goal of establishing an international distribution network for CBD products. Low cost production, coupled with international, direct to customer sales channels will provide the foundation for the success of Mota Ventures. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of MOTA VENTURES CORP. "Joel Shacker" Chief Executive Officer For further information, readers are encouraged to contact Joel Shacker, Chief Executive Officer at +1.604.423.4733 or by email at IR@motaventuresco.com or www.motaventuresco.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statement All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to the registration of cannabis strains, the international distribution of CBD products and the creation or acquisition of CBD brands. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited those identified and reported in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, 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 such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. SOURCE: Mota Ventures Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/572924/Mota-Ventures-Completes-RD-Facility-in-Colombia Tri-State COVID cases surge, but number falls in Washington County While the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Tri-State area skyrocketed in the past week, the number cooled slightly for Washington County. Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis will travel to Poland on Tuesday, 14 January, to meet with his Polish counterpart, Konrad Szymanski, and the chair, Stanislav Tyszka, and members of the Polish Parliaments European Affairs Committee. The two sides are to discuss European issues of shared interest and will exchange views on the challenges the Union is facing. During his stay, Mr. Varvitsiotis will visit Auschwitz, where he will honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and visit the permanent Greek exhibit in honour of the Greeks who lost their lives in the Nazi concentration camp. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:52:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a gathering and extends Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as personages without party affiliation ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 14, 2020. Wang Yang and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the gathering. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday gathered with leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), as well as personages without party affiliation ahead of the Spring Festival. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended festival greetings to them at the gathering held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Yang and Han Zheng attended the gathering. Wang is also the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, while Han is a vice premier of the State Council. Xi delivered a speech at the gathering, stressing that 2019 was a highly extraordinary year in the development course of the CPC and the country. "All of us have worked together and worked hard," he said, adding that a more solid foundation has been laid to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Noting that 2019 was the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation system, Xi said the central committees of non-Communist parties and the ACFIC, as well as personages without party affiliation have safeguarded the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and made new achievements. The year 2020 is a decisive one for securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the fight against poverty, Xi said. It is also the concluding year of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). Xi called for all-round efforts to maintain stable growth, advance reform, make structural adjustments, improve people's livelihood, guard against risks and ensure stability. He expressed the hope that non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation will continue being the CPC's "good advisors, good aides and good colleagues." Chrysler Group LLC employees work on the assembly line during the production launch of Chrysler vehicles at the assembly plant in Brampton (REUTERS) The Canadian economy added 35,200 in December, compared to economists expectations of 25,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate drops to 5.6 per cent from 5.9 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Almost all of the new jobs were full-time positions. After two months of woe, Canada's job figures roared back, making up half of the prior month's decline in employment and sending the jobless rate back to whence it came, said Avery Shenfeld, chief economist at CIBC World Markets, in a note. The 35K jobs gain was all in full-time private sector paid jobs, and the 5.6% unemployment rate (vs 5.9% the prior month) is not quite back to its lows but is in the range considered to be full employment. Ontario led the way with 25,000 new jobs, followed by 21,000 in Quebec. The December data brings 2019s total to 320,000 jobs for the year 283,000 of them were full-time positions for the second-best year since 2007. The Canadian dollar (CAD/USD) got a lift in the minutes after the data was released. Shenfeld cautions that hours worked are up only slightly to 0.3 per cent, and wage growth slowed from 3.8 per cent year over year from 4.4 per cent. Jessy Bains is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jessysbains. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. The National Industrial Court has ordered the Nigerian Army to reinstate a senior officer, Abdulfatai Mohammed, having found the military authorities violated the law in his 2016 dismissal. The judge, Rakiya Haastrup, gave the judgement on Tuesday at the headquarters of the industrial court in Abuja. The judgement upholding Mr Mohammeds claim that the authourities arbitrarily forced him to retire, capped off nearly four years of efforts to get justice, including repeated appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari for redress. Advise your clients to comply, Ms Haastrup told the counsel to the defendants after her judgement. Details later GST on textiles will not be increased from 5 to 12 per cent: FM Sitharaman It is not BJP money: Nirmala Sitharaman on IT raids on 'Samajwadi perfume' trader Nirmala Sitharaman responses to Twitterati who addressed her "Sweetie" India oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, Jan 14: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sealed a man's lip who addressed her as "sweetie" on a Twitter post where he accused her of misrepresent ed Swami Vivekanand. Recently, FM took on to Twitter to mark Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary with one of his famous quotes, "Awake, arise, and dream no more!" After posting the verse, the minister added that the words were taken from "The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda IV, pp 388-89". 'Finance Minister' trends on twitter as Sitharaman skips pre-Budget experts meet Replying to her tweet, a Twitterati, Sanjoy Ghose tried to pointed out Sitharaman that she did not use the correct quote. Ghose wrote, "@nsitharaman quotes from the Katha Upanishad & Swamiji's adoption of the saying "arise awake". Sweetie its "cease not until your goal is reached" not "dream no more"; unless it's Budget 2020 that you are warning us about!" The great line, "Arise, awake, and cease not till the goal is reached" was inspired by a shloka from the Katha Upanishad, and in the late 19th century it was than popularised by Swami Vivekanand. Countering Ghose's allegations FM replied him, "Glad you're taking interest. While he is oft-quoted w/the verse from Katha Upanishad, what I've excerpted, is from 'The Awakened India', written in Aug 1898 - BTW, I had cited the reference below the verse itself. Pub by Advaita Ashrama if you're further interested." @nsitharaman quotes from the Katha Upanishad & Swamijis adoption of the saying arise awake. Sweetie its cease not until your goal is reached not dream no more; unless its Budget 2020 that you are warning us about! https://t.co/piAWuwpmgy sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) January 12, 2020 Glad youre taking interest. While he is oft-quoted w/the verse from Katha Upanishad, what Ive excerpted, is from The Awakened India, written in Aug 1898 BTW, I had cited the reference below the verse itself. Pub by Advaita Ashrama if youre further interested. https://t.co/fceSBUxain Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 12, 2020 . I have always believed that all JNU-ites rock! Have a good Sunday Maam! https://t.co/pCHCPYBTty sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) January 12, 2020 The responses that came in thereafter was mixed as some supported Sitharaman's counter reply and praised her as "dignified", while others criticised Ghose's use of the term "sweetie". The first full year Budget on February 1, 2020 will be presented by Sitharaman. Visa announced it will acquire Plaida startup that connects payment apps like Venmo and Square Cash to users bank accounts to transfer fundsfor $5.3 billion. That marks a doubling of Plaids value in a year. The eight-year-old San Francisco company last raised funding a year ago at a $2.65 billion valuation. In 2019, Plaid doubled its number of customers to reach 2,600, and it expanded beyond the U.S. to the U.K., Spain, France and Ireland. Visa, with its market value of $420 billion and $23 billion in revenue last year, isnt buying Plaid for its revenue potential. Plaids 2019 revenue was between $100 and $200 million, according to a person familiar with the matter. Assuming it was $150 million, Visa would be paying a sky-high price of 35 times sales, one of the highest price-sales multiples in recent history for a private company. Visas primary reasons for buying Plaid are twofold. First, Plaid works with the vast majority of the largest fintech apps in the U.S., including Venmo, Square Cash, Chime, Acorns, Robinhood, and Coinbase. With the acquisition, Visa gets access to an important, ballooning base of customers that it can sell additional payment services to. Second, Visa has a global network thats unparalleled in financial technology, with millions of customers across 200 countries. That will make it much easier for Visa to take Plaid global. YIWU, China, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, which is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world, held the 2019 Yiwugo Top 10 Vendors Award Ceremony on the evening of January 13 at Hall E1, Yiwu International Expo Center. Ten enterprises including Hailing GEMEI Small Home Appliance Firm, Nicole Jewelry, Guizhen Silk Flower Accessory Firm, Chaoling Cultural and Educational Supplies Firm, Zongxin Canvas Shoes, BAOLA, Dingxin Thread Firm, Yiwu Meishi Cosmetic Firm, Shenzhen Weibo Electric Technology Co., Ltd. and Shifeng Socks Firm won the honorary title of "2019 Yiwugo Top 10 Vendors" and received their trophies. 2,000 people participated in the award ceremony. In recent years, upgrading "Made in China" through branding has become a key development strategy for China's manufacturing industry. For tens of thousands of commodity suppliers on Yiwugo, improving product quality and creating their own brands may not only create value for consumers, but also greatly speed up their transformation and upgrading. To help commodity suppliers in Yiwu market to create their own brands, Yiwugo launched the "Top 10 Vendors" contest. The event, which has been successfully held for the 8th consecutive year, has played an effective role in mobilizing vendors' awareness of promoting their own brands. Through brand development, vendors in Yiwu market pursue high-quality development by high standards and continuously promote product upgrading. Cai Zhenghao, owner of Hailing GEMEI and top winner of the contest, founded this brand in 2007. Up to now, GEMEI has established a stable product distribution network covering dozens of European countries. GEMEI's product design can be customized according to customers' needs. Cai Zhenghao said that by winning the title of "Yiwugo Top 10 Vendors", GEMEI has represented quality products in Yiwu market and gained the world's recognition, which reflects the maximum value of a brand. Xu Jiawei, founder of Nicole Jewelry, said, "While creating their own brands, small and medium-sized enterprises will inevitably encounter difficulties such as insufficient resources and lack of talents. Therefore, our approach is to join large platforms wherever possible. For example, our participation in the 'Yiwugo Top 10 Vendors' contest and tying our brand with Yiwugo has been an attempt to 'throw out a minnow to catch a whale' and this would often lead to good results." In addition, Xu Jiawei attaches great importance to product innovation. Product innovation serves as the foundation for branding. Customers' favorable impression of a brand is eventually derived from the high-quality products. At present, most of the small- and medium-sized enterprises with independent brands in Yiwu market focus on in-depth cultivation and development under a certain category of commodities. For example, Guizhen Silk Flower Accessory Firm focuses on the development and production of various kinds of ribbons, and has developed thousands of ribbon products. This kind of focus may ensure the good quality and rapid iteration of products in Yiwu market, but "flighting alone" can hardly capture enough attention in brand promotion. In response to this situation, the "Yiwugo Top 10 Vendors" contest breaks down the participating enterprises into specific industries according to the 16 categories specified in the Specific Commodity Classification and Codes issued by the Ministry of Commerce, and selects outstanding vendor representatives in each industry. Yiwugo "Top 10 Vendors" Contest has served as a platform on which the enterprises operating different categories of commodities may display their products together. As such, they can benefit from the "aggregation effect", thereby attracting more attention and achieving good promotional effect. SOURCE Yiwugo Related Links http://Yiwugo.com MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Employers are upping the ante on perks and benefits for tech workers, new research from global staffing firm Robert Half Technology shows. About three-quarters of technology leaders surveyed (76%) said their company offers IT staff more than the norm when it comes to things like remote work opportunities and sign-on bonuses. Among the 28 U.S. cities in the survey, Miami (92%), Seattle (85%) and Raleigh (84%) have the most organizations that are sweetening the pot for hard-to-find IT talent. Six in 10 IT managers said the main reason for the extras is to gain a recruiting edge over competitors. One-third (33%) reported that it boosts staff retention. More than half of survey respondents (58%) at companies that don't offer additional perks or benefits to IT workers conceded that doing so could help them find talent a persistent challenge in the current hiring market, according to 86% of technology leaders in separate State of Tech Hiring research from Robert Half. "Hiring managers need to consider the whole compensation package to attract and retain top talent," said Ryan Sutton, a district president of Robert Half Technology. "In the current competitive market for technology professionals, perks like remote work and flexible schedules are increasingly the norm. Firms can work with their recruiting teams to develop compelling offers for individual candidates." Sutton added, "Companies should constantly assess the landscape and ensure their strategies are up to par with industry trends." For more tips on perks and benefits that win workers over, visit the Robert Half blog. NOTE: This release has been updated from the 8:01 a.m. ET version to reflect U.S. survey results instead of North America. About the Research The online survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by a leading independent research firm. It is based on responses from more than 2,800 IT decision makers in 28 major U.S. markets. Respondents were screened to have hiring authority for the information systems or information technology department of a company. About Robert Half Technology With more than 120 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at roberthalf.com/technology . Visitors can also request a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2020 Salary Guide . SOURCE Robert Half Technology Related Links http://www.roberthalf.com This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please email Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday claimed flying objects existed during the period of and the arrows of Arjuna of had atomic power. "It is not in the 20th century, but it was during the period of Ramayana, we had flying objects (Uran Khatola). Sanjay narrated the entire war of (to Dhitarasthra) not from TV. The arrows of Arjuna in had atomic power in it," Dhankhar said while addressing a programme. In Mahabharata, it is said that Sanjay, even after staying away from the battle had narrated what was happening in the battlefield to Dhritarashtra, who was blind. - Willis Raburu said his life will never be the same - The presenter disclosed his heart still pains from the sudden loss of his daughter - He, however, wants to go through the motions and mourn the best way he knows how to - Willis hinted he still prays about his loss Television personality Willis Raburu has admitted his daughters death has left a void so wide in his heart, nothing will ever fill it. The TV host said he feels guilty whenever he is happy or dares to smile as a time like this cannot be masked in happiness and falsehoods. READ ALSO: Bride makes history by including 200 bridesmaids in her wedding READ ALSO: Picha za Moses Kuria seli zawauma wafuasi wake According to the Citizen TV presenters Instagram post, he still weeps behind the curtains and his pain has never really faded away. The bubbly chap added he will never be the same going forward and hoped one-day things will get easier. READ ALSO: Kenyan woman asks single ladies above 26 to accept men's advances or will regret at 35 The heartbroken husband still gets flashbacks and replays the painful moment he heard his daughter was no more. I still hurt each day, I still get flashbacks, I still cry, I still grieve and I do so privately but the effects and outlet are sometimes public and I a not ashamed of it, Willis said. Willis admitted he is just trying to take one day at a time by allowing himself to mourn in and let all the pain and anger out. We must wish it away, pray it away, hide it away, shame it away, commonise it, we must go through it, he added. The pain stricken TV guy lost his first daughter at birth and has been indifferent since. His wife Maryaprude vowed to abandon God and her faith because she felt the almighty had abandoned her too. Willis decided tp step down from his job temporarily as he and his wife mourned the loss of their child. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. How we lost our babies promo | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke By PTI CHANDIGARH: A 17-year-old Pakistani boy was on Tuesday repatriated to the neighbouring nation where he will reunite with his family after almost two years when he inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory in 2018. After he was released from a juvenile home in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Tuesday morning, Mubashar Bilal, a resident of border village Wazirpur of Pakistan's Kasur district, was taken to the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar for handing him over to Pakistani authorities, officials said. ALSO READ | Pakistani taxi driver returns Indian girl's lost wallet, earns praise from her family Bilal, who is also known as Mubarak, was handed over to the Pakistani Rangers by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at around 1:30 pm, they said. He crossed over to Pakistan on the basis of the 'Emergency Travel Certificate' issued by the Pakistan High Commission. Talking to reporters at Attari in Amritsar, Bilal said he was "very happy" to return to his family in Pakistan. "I am very happy today (to return home)," said an elated Bilal. He also praised Indian authorities for treating him well and said that he was indebted for that. Bilal said he had left home in a huff following a fight with his family members. "There was a bit of a fight at home and I left it in anger. I could not come to know (entering India) and then I was caught by the BSF personnel," Bilal said, adding that he spent almost 20-22 months here. "I have a mother, brother and sister there (in Pakistan)," he replied to a question. Asked whether he will come to India again if he gets a visa, he replied, "surely." Earlier during the day, Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia said Bilal was released from a juvenile home at 7 am on Tuesday. An order pertaining to his release from the Centre was received five to six days back, Kalia told PTI. He had been kept in juvenile home in Hoshiarpur after he was held by the Border Security Force in February 2018. Bilal had inadvertently entered Indian territory. He was held from Khemkaran village of Punjab's Tarn Taran district and was later booked under the relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. He was acquitted of all charges by the Juvenile Justice Board in September 2018. Hailing from a poor family, his father Mohammad Akbar was reportedly a daily wager in Pakistan and was longing to have a glimpse of his son ever since he left home. Bilal's father reportedly had even raised the demand for repatriation of his son in the Pakistani media. Later, various social activists in India had launched a campaign for the release of Bilal and his repatriation to Pakistan. Bangkok, 14 January 2020 ONYX Hospitality Group, one of the regions leading hotel management companies, today announces the signing of a management agreement with Hangzhou East Bay Headquarters Base Construction Co. Ltd., introducing Amari East Bay Hangzhou, a new landmark in the Qiantang New Area of Hangzhou. This will be ONYX Hospitality Groups second Amari in China. Located along the riverbank area of the Xiasha subdistrict, Hangzhou East Bay is in close proximity to the Qiantang River, neighbouring the industrial development zone. With the start of the citys east expansion development strategy and the infrastructure of Greater Jiangdong, the area along the eastern border of Hangzhou is gradually being transformed into one of the citys major districts. As one of the key infrastructures in the development zone, East Bay Headquarters Base will be home to enterprise headquarters, creative industries, commercial buildings, conference centres, a water park and walking streets. The headquarter building, in which Amari East Bay Hangzhou will be located, is situated in the Xiasha Wetland area, encompassing the interchangeable ring entrance in the south and sitting on more than 50 hectares of wetland landscape park where the most scenic views of the river can be enjoyed. The area will also play a major role in attracting investments, leading and driving the development of the region. Scheduled to open in 2021, Amari East Bay Hangzhou will occupy levels 33 to 47 of the Hangzhou East Bay Headquarters Main Building, the tallest skyscraper in the Qiantang New Area. The lobby will be nestled on the on 47th floor, approximately 200 metres from the ground, embracing a panoramic view of the Qiantang River and the riverbank wetland. Guests can enjoy an amidst the clouds experience in this tallest hotel in Qiantang New District. Amari East Bay Hangzhou will feature 316 rooms that include guestrooms, executive suites and deluxe suites. A wide range of facilities, including an all-day dining outlet, a Chinese restaurant, lobby bar, executive lounge, multi-function room, fitness centre, swimming pool, kids club and Thai-inspired spa will be offered, providing a wide range of experiences for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel will combine a contemporary Thai-inspired design with touches reflecting the art and culture of Hangzhou, building a magnificent life gallery for a luxury sojourn. The Amari brand by ONYX Hospitality group is a bright re-imagining of Thailands rich cultural roots, with each hotel in its portfolio highlighting the textures and flavours of its unique setting through architecture, design, cuisine and service, complemented by touches of contemporary Thai-ness. In recognition of its brand and service excellence, Amari was awarded the Best Asian Style Hotel at the 2018 Golden Pillow Awards of China Hotels. The past three years have been significant for the regional expansion of Amari, with the brand being launched at multiple new locations including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China and Laos. Based in Bangkok, ONYX Hospitality Group has a growing regional portfolio of 50 operating properties across three core brands in eight markets. The Group has a robust development pipeline of 25 new properties in markets such as China, Malaysia and Laos, and has set a target of having 99 hotels open by 2024 as part of its journey towards being the best medium-sized hospitality player in the region. Homeowners were threatened with a large knife after their house was robbed in Dublin. At around 1am on Sunday thieves broke into a house at Sundale Park in Tallaght while a baby slept upstairs. PUNE, India, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Paints and Coatings Market size is projected to reach $236.1 billion by the end of 2026. According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled "Paints & Coatings Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Resin (Epoxy, Acrylic, Polyester, Alkyd, PU, and Others), By Technology (Waterborne, Solvent Borne, Powder Coating, and Others) By Application (Architectural, Automotive OEM, Marine, Coil, General Industries, Protective Coatings, Automotive Refinish, Industrial Wood, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026," the market size was $146.5 billion in 2018. Driven by the huge demand for the product across diverse industries, the market will exhibit a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, 2019-2026. Paints & Coatings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Paints and coatings are widely used across diverse industries. The product is used in interior as well as exterior parts of all infrastructures. The demand for these products has risen dramatically in recent years. Advances in paints and coating manufacturing methods have emerged in favor of market growth. The growing construction industry in several countries across the world will aid the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. Increasing use of the product in public infrastructure projects, coupled with the efforts put in by governments will contribute to the growth of the market. To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, Click Here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 List of the companies that are operating in the Paints and Coatings Market are: PPG Industries, Inc. Axalta Coating Systems Nippon and Kansai (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.) (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.) AkzoNobel Kwality Paints and coatings Pvt. Ltd. (KPCPL) Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited NIPSEA GROUP The Sherwin-Williams Company Jotun Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. RPM International Inc. TIKKURILA OYJ S K Kaken Co., Ltd Dunn-Edwards Corporation Get Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 The report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the global Paints and Coatings Market in recent years. It highlights major industry developments and gauges the impact of these developments on the market. It analyzes key aspects of the market, with primary focus on leading products, major applications, and leading companies. The competitive landscape has been discussed in detail. Additionally, the report provides forecast values for the market for the period of 2019-2026. Factual figures are obtained through trusted sources. The data provided in this report is gathered through opinions and interviews of world leaders and experienced market research professional. Increasing Number of Company Mergers to Aid Growth Among all factors that have contributed to the growth of the market, mergers and acquisitions have had the highest impact. The increasing number of company mergers and collaborations has, in turn, created several opportunities for the companies operating in the market. In October 2019, Berger Paints completed the acquisition of STP Ltd., a company engaged in the manufacturing of construction material. Through this acquisition, the company will enhance its business across several regions. The report highlights major company mergers of recent times and gauges their impact on the global market. Asia Pacific Accounted for the Largest Market Share; Presence of Several Large Scale Companies to Aid Growth The report analyzes the ongoing Paints and Coatings Market trends across major regions including North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. As of 2018, the market in Asia Pacific accounted for the highest market share and is projected to grow considerably in the coming years. The rapidly rising construction industries in developing as well as developed countries such as India, Japan, and China will aid the growth of the market in this region. Besides Asia Pacific, the Paints and Coatings Market in North America will exhibit considerable CAGR in the coming years, due to the increasing use of paints and coatings in improving old infrastructures. As of 2018, the market in North America was worth USD 23.8 billion. Order a Single User License Copy: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/101947 Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Emerging Trends in Global Market Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Key developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Collaboration, Partnership, and Joint Venture Paints & Coatings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Resin Key Findings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Resin Epoxy Acrylic Polyester Alkyd Polyurethane (PU) Others TOC Continued! Request for Customization https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 Key Industry Developments: April 2019: PPG completed the acquisition of Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, a company engaged in manufacturing of coating material. February 2019: AkzoNobel launched a new facility for the production of powdered coatings. The company has invested an estimated 9 million in this facility. Have a Look at Related Market Insights: Paints and Coatings Additives Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Dispersing Agent, Rheology Agent, Leveling Agent, Anti-foaming Agent, Adhesion Promoting Agent, and Others), By Application (Automotive, Architectural, Wood, Industrial, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Food Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Materials (Glass, Metal, Paper & Paperboard, Wood, and Plastics [Polypropylene, Polyethylene, PET, and Others]), By Product (Rigid, Semi-Rigid, and Flexible) By Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy Products, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Sauces, Dressings and Condiments, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Chromium Oxide Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Pigment Grade, Metallurgical Grade, Refractory Grade, Chemical Grade), By Application (Paints & Coatings, Ceramic, Metallurgy, Rubber, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Lubricants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Automotive, Industrial, Marine Oil and Process Oils), By Grade (Mineral, Synthetic and Semi-synthetic), By Application (Automotive, Industrial and Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Metalworking Fluids Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Function (Neat Cutting Oils, Water Cutting Oils, Corrosion Preventive Oils and Others), By Type (Mineral, Synthetic and Bio-based), By Application (Construction, Electrical & Power, Agriculture, Automotive & Transportation, Telecommunication and Healthcare), and by End-use Industry (Metal Fabrication, Transportation Equipment, Machinery and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Polyethylene (PE) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), By End User (Packaging, Automotive, Infrastructure & Construction, Consumer Goods/Lifestyle, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Electrical & Electronics, Agriculture, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Polypropylene (PP) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Homopolymer, Copolymer), By End User (Packaging, Automotive, Infrastructure & Construction, Consumer Goods/Lifestyle, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Electrical & Electronics, Agriculture, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Polymer Foam Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Polyurethane (PU), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Others), By Application (Automotive, Building & Construction, Packaging, Furniture, Appliances, Apparel and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Polyurethane (PU) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Rigid Foam, Flexible Foam, Molded Foam, Elastomers, Adhesives & Sealants, Coatings, and Others), By Application (Furniture, Construction, Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, Packaging, Footwear, and Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Ceramics Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Traditional, Advanced), By Application (Tiles, Sanitary Wares, Abrasives, Pottery, Bricks & Pipes, Others), By End-Use Industry (Building & Construction, Industrial, Medical, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights, we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US :+1-424-253-0390 UK : +44-2071-939123 APAC : +91-744-740-1245 Email: [email protected] Fortune Business Insights Linkedin | Twitter | Blogs Read Press Release: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/press-release/paints-and-coatings-market-9506 SOURCE Fortune Business Insights Cyprus police said they rescued 101 Syrian migrants sighted on a boat off the Mediterranean island's southeast coast on Tuesday. A patrol vessel located the 33-metre (100-foot) boat 18 nautical miles off the resort town of Protaras. The migrants were brought to shore on an inflatable and their damaged boat anchored near a fishing harbour. The migrants had said they set off from Mersin in Turkey, an eastern Mediterranean route often used by people smugglers. The migrants -- 88 men, six women and seven children -- were being processed before transfer to a reception centre outside the capital Nicosia. Nicosia has warned Brussels it has come under pressure from increased migration flows, ranking it top in first-time asylum seekers in proportion to its population. Cyprus is the first European Union member to permanently host the European Asylum Support Office to help cope with the spike in arrivals. But the small EU member, located 100 miles (160 kilometres) from Syria, has not seen the same massive inflow of migrants as Turkey and Greece. Syrian nationals accounted for 33 percent of first-time asylum seekers in Cyprus in the second quarter of 2019, EU figures show. According to available government data, the number of arrivals and applicants for asylum from January to June last year almost reached 7,000. Search Keywords: Short link: While the Ellwood City Medical Center remains closed indefinitely, two other hospitals operated by the centers owner remain open while Americore Health LLC goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Eleven entities contained under affiliated company Americore Holdings Inc. were entered into bankruptcy Dec. 31 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern Kentucky District, including Ellwood City's hospital, which has been closed since Dec. 10. But St. Alexius Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., and Izard County Medical Center in Calico Rock, Ark., remain open and accepting patients, according to court documents filed last week. The court granted Americore permission last week to continue to let St. Alexius use its existing bank account to cover expenses there, including wages and insurance. St. Alexius workers had their paychecks held the week of bankruptcy, but since have reported being paid. The court also released $75,000 in emergency cash to Success Healthcare 2, the subsidiary that runs St. Alexius, to cover medical supplies, medicine and other patient costs. Americore also has filed a motion Friday asking for permission to pay insurance costs for Izard County, Ellwood City and the former Pineville Medical Center, as well as severance obligations, but a response to that motion had not been filed as of Monday. Former workers of the Ellwood City Medical Center, especially at least 152 laid off in the last two months, have been watching the proceedings closely because many of them say they are still owed money from November and December. Americore has struggled financially for much of its time since acquiring the former Ellwood City Hospital in 2017, having at least 20 delayed or disrupted payrolls since August 2018, resulting in state and federal investigations. Its emergency room and inpatient services were shut down Nov. 27 by the state Department of Health for serious violations, leading to the rest of the hospital closing on Dec. 10. Grant White, Americore CEO, had initially said he hoped to reopen the Pershing Street hospital in January, but the bankruptcy has put that into question. By Patrick OShea, Ellwood City Ledger, Pa. (TNS) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 14:36:23|Editor: Liu Video Player Close DHAKA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The first unit of a mega Bangladeshi electricity plant being built in collaboration with Chinese firms has gone into operation successfully. The first unit of the plant injected 660 MW electricity to the national grid Monday afternoon, Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin, the spokesman of Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, told journalists. The 1,320 MW Payra coal-fired power plant, located in Patuakhali district, some 204 km south of capital Dhaka, is a joint venture funded by the North-West Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation. Once fully completed, the power plant will be operated by Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited, the joint venture of the Bangladeshi and Chinese companies. Bangladeshi State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid had earlier said with the generation of 660 MW in the first unit of the plant, the country's power generation capacity will stand at 23,222 MW. According to the officials, Chinese and Bangladeshi workers have been working around the clock to make the second unit of the power plant fully operational by June 2020. To end insecurity, US' withdrawal should be priority: Shamkhni ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 13 January 2020 / 15:54 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister, Imad Khamis said, by attacking US' Ain al-Asad base, Iran proved it wouldn't give up on protecting its national security and interests under any circumstances. As long as US forces maintain their presence in West Asia, the region won't reach stability, security and peace, Shamkhani said, "US' withdrawal from the region will be realized by the unity of regional nations and governments". Supporting measures by Syrian government to oust terrorist groups in Idlib, he stressed, "Looting Syrian oil and resources is another tragedy that will end by US' complete withdrawal from the region". Syrian Prime Minister, Imad Khamis, for his part, thanked Iran's support for Syrian nation in fighting against terrorism, saying, "Now that terrorism is destroying thanks to the attempts by Syrian government, military and nation and the support of friend countries, we should try to develop bilateral relations through advancing trade and economic cooperation". End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Boris Johnson has rejected Nicola Sturgeons call for Holyrood to be given the power to hold a fresh vote on independence (PA) Boris Johnson has rejected a demand from Nicola Sturgeon to allow a second Scottish independence referendum. In a letter to Scotlands first minister, the PM said: I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums. Ms Sturgeon immediately hit back at Mr Johnson, saying that the Tories are terrified of Scotlands right to choose. Ms Sturgeon has argued Brexit, which she says takes Scotland out of the EU against its will, gives the country grounds for another vote on independence. But Mr Johnson said in a letter to Ms Sturgeon on Tuesday: Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade, with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK. It is time that we all worked to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together and unleash the potential of this great country. 1/ Tories are terrified of Scotlands right to choose - because they know that when given the choice well choose independence. Tories have no positive case for the union - so all they can do is attempt to deny democracy. It will not stand. https://t.co/ILpW8Sx4kv Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 14, 2020 He also pointed to the 2014 referendum, in which Scotland voted by 55% to not be an independent country, saying Ms Sturgeon made a personal promise it would be once-in-a-generation vote. Ms Sturgeon responded on Twitter: Tories are terrified of Scotlands right to choose - because they know that when given the choice well choose independence. Tories have no positive case for the union - so all they can do is attempt to deny democracy. It will not stand. Prime minister Boris Johnson and Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon pictured last July (PA via AP) The problem for the Tories is the longer they try to block democracy, the more they show the Westminster union is not one of equals and fuel support for independence. This response predictable - but also unsustainable and self defeating. Scotland will have the right to choose. Story continues In an official statement issued later, Ms Sturgeon added the Westminster union cannot be sustained without consent and that democracy will prevail. In the House of Commons, Mr Johnson has regularly blocked SNP MPs calls for a second referendum. He was even called out by the partys Westminster leader Ian Blackford last month when he was caught playing on his phone rather than listening to Mr Blackfords call for independence. Mr Johnson, putting his phone back in his pocket, muttered back: Say something more interesting. Read more from Yahoo News UK Will Big Ben bong for Brexit? Government considers calls for bell to chime on Jan 31 Labour peer says Boris Johnsons Brexit deal is being 'rammed through' Parliament and brands ministers 'arrogant' Harry Dunn: Chances of US suspect Anne Sacoolas being sent to UK 'very low' admits PM Establishment-minded Democrats are up in arms by how well Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is doing in polls. We should cheer for Sanders to win. When Bernie was still on the 2016 campaign trail competing against then-fellow Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, all the polls except Rasmussen Reports showed Bernie crushing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. I dont know what everybodys afraid of. Ive got my fingers and toes crossed that Bernies at the top of our ticket in 2020 and well glide into the White House with a landslide victory. The contract also mandates that Horton maintain residency within the school district by the end of July 2021. Horton comes to the district from Jefferson County in Kentucky, where he most recently served as Chief of Schools. He will also be provided with up to $8,000 in moving expenses, according to the contract. "The film has been granted tax exemption in view of the story of the film that highlights the sacrifice and valour of Tanhaji and is an inspiration for the young generations," said the government spokesman. New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Twitterati heaped praise on the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government after it granted tax exemption to "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior", a biographical period movie. Reacting to the news, Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and wrote, "Thank you Shri Yogi Adityanathji for making #TanhajiTheUnsungWarrior Tax-Free in Uttar Pradesh. I would also be delighted Sir if you watched our film. @myogiadityanath #TanhajiUnitesIndia." As the announcement was made, Twitterati hailed the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government and #ThankYouYOGIji, #Tanhaji_TaxFree began trending on the Internet. A user on the micro-blogging site wrote, "#ThankYouYOGIJi for maintaining hopes in the hearts of us. Thanks for all the work you have done till now for us." "A true warrior's tribute to a true warrior Tanhaji - The unsung warrior. Tax Free in UP", added another. A post read, "Booked for today show, was hoping to be tax free in Maharashtra. Really disappointed. If Devendra Fadnavis was CM 100% would have been tax-free. Tanhaji is Maratha pride Indian pride." A netizen wrote, "Tanhaji The Unsung Warrior has been granted Tax Free status in Uttar Pradesh . It's disgraceful of Shiv Sena for not making the film Tax Free in Maharashtra from where Tanha ji Malusare belongs...#ThankYouYOGIji" saurav/adr/bg New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Soon after BJP leader Raghuraj Singh sparked controversy by saying he will 'bury people alive' who raise slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said this is India, not Taliban and urged the government to take action against the leader. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "This country runs on the Constitution, laws, elected leaders and democracy and on the other hand these people are saying they will burn everything down. This is India, not Taliban. This is not an extremist country where you can burn people alive. This is a shameful comment and the party should take action against it. This shows that leaders are encouraged to make such comments." Sanjay Singh's remark came after Raghuraj Singh earlier in the day said that he will bury alive those who raise slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. When asked about HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal appealing to the JNU students to call off their agitation, Singh said, "Ramesh Pokhriyal should chalk down some solution for this. He should try to end the tussle between the students and the VC." Outlining the current economic situation of the country the AAP MP said, "Under the present government, the economy has drastically come down. The price of the basic commodities is skyrocketing. The GDP has come down to 4.5 %. The government does not care about the people. They just cannot say they don't consume onions so it does not matter to them. All the sectors are facing a challenge in this country." (ANI) Starting from January 2021, all Malaysians above the age of 18 and corporate entities will be assigned a Tax Identification Number (TIN), said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah in his address at the Malaysia Tax Policy forum. According to Amiruddin, this initiative is meant to ensure that no one will be able to avoid their tax obligations, while providing justice to those who have been paying their taxes responsibly. While the government has yet to share much information regarding the TIN initiative, independent tax expert Veerinderjeet Singh said that it is essentially an automatically assigned tax number. Internationally, TIN is a term used for a tax file number. But instead of requiring a person to come forward and obtain a tax file number, the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) will allocate a tax number automatically, Veerinderjeet said. If successfully implemented, the government would be able to make automatic tax registration of both individuals and corporations to facilitate real-time reporting, which makes it difficult for them to evade their taxes. Tax experts also believe that this move will help to increase the number of registered taxpayers, reduce tax arbitrage activities, and prevent losses in government revenue. To ensure smooth implementation of the initiative, however, the government needs to first engage all participating stakeholders. Amiruddin noted that these engagement sessions will be carried out this year. There is an urgent need for strong capacity to tax in order to carry out the policies that we have outlined, as taxation provides a stable and adjustable source of revenue that can be mobilised if needed, he said. Amiruddin also mentioned that the government is expecting to collect RM244.5 billion in revenue this year, which is an increase of RM11.2 billion from 2019. The TIN initiative was first announced during the tabling of Budget 2020 by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. (Source: Malay Mail) 1 3 votes Article Rating SHARE [January 13, 2020] SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS BZUN, FCAU, PRU, REAL INVESTORS of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuits NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors of pending deadlines in the following securities class action lawsuits: The RealReal, Inc. (REAL) Class Period: shares issued in connection with its June 2019 Initial Public Offering. Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: January 24, 2020 MISLEADING PROSPECTUS To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-the-realreal-inc-securities-litigation Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) Class Period: 2/15/2019 - 8/2/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: January 27, 2020 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/new-york-se-pru Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCAU) Class Period: 2/26/2016 - 11/20/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: January 31, 2020 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/new-york-se-fcau Baozun Inc. (BZUN) Class Period: 3/6/2019 - 11/20/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: February 10, 2020 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-baozun-inc-american-depositary-shares-securities-litigation If you purchased shares of the above companies and would like to discuss your legal rights and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact us toll-free (844) 367-9658 or visit the case links above. If you wish to serve as a Lead Plaintiff in the class action, you must petition the Court on or before the Lead Plaintiff Motion deadline. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) acknowledged for the first time this week that they discussed the fraught topic privately more than a year ago. They presented conflicting accounts of their conversation at a debate Tuesday night, with Warren saying Sanders disagreed with her view that a woman could win. Sanders contends that he merely outlined what he said would be Trump's efforts to defeat another female candidate, and in the debate, he said, "Of course a woman can win." BOGOTA - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed alarm Tuesday at the staggering number of social activists killed in Colombia despite a peace accord aimed at improving conditions in poor, rural areas. According to the U.N., 107 human rights defenders were killed in 2019, a worrying number that could grow to 120 as investigations are completed. At least 10 activists have been reported killed in the first two weeks of 2020. This vicious and endemic cycle of violence and impunity must stop, said Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the high commissioner. The vast majority of the deaths happened in rural areas with higher-than-average rates of poverty and where illegal armed groups operate. Some of these areas were previously controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the rebel group that signed an historic peace accord in 2016. The U.N. pointed to challenges in implementing the accord, the presence of illegal armed groups in territory once controlled by the leftist rebels and the governments military-focused response as all being partly to blame. The landmark agreement ending over five decades of conflict includes lengthy chapters outlining ways for the government to establish a presence in remote regions where the illicit drug trade flourishes. While some advances including the building of new roads and efforts at crop substitution have taken place, those parts of the accord are proving to be the most difficult and long-term to bring into action. We acknowledge some positive steps, Hurtado said, pointing to a recent security meeting. However, the number of killings clearly shows much more needs to be done. More than half the killings took place in four provinces Antioquia, Arauca, Cauca and Caqueta and people advocating on behalf of specific community, ethnic, indigenous and Afro-Colombian groups were the most targeted. The killings of female activists increased by almost 50 per cent between 2018 and 2019. The U.N. did not provide a specific number. The total number killed in 2019 is about the same or possibly a bit higher than the previous year, when 115 were killed. The U.N. is calling on the government of President Ivan Duque to redouble efforts to ensure a secure environment for civic engagement, increase the presence of state authorities and expand access to health and education. Duque won the presidency in 2018 on a platform that was critical of the peace deal, though he has not managed to reform any key components. The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, which is charged with monitoring implementation of the accord, published a study last April finding that work had begun on more than two thirds of the agreements commitments. The study found progress at the two-year mark comparable to other peace processes around the world that the institute has studied. Special Representative Carlos Ruiz, who heads the U.N. Verification Mission in Colombia, told the U.N. Security Council Monday that significant strides have been made but noted that continuing violence in conflict-affected regions remains a threat to peace. He pointed to profoundly worrying developments in recent weeks including territorial disputes between illegal armed groups that risk spreading into more widespread violence in areas like the province of Choco. Ruiz also highlighted the recent death of Lucy Villarreal, an activist killed just after completing a childrens workshop in the port city of Tumaco, where violence involving dissident rebels has flared in the peace deals aftermath. He said full implementation of the peace agreement holds the best hope for Colombias future. Peace will not be fully achieved if the brave voices of social leaders continue to be silenced through violence and if former combatants who laid down their weapons and are committed to their reintegration continue to be killed, he said. OTTAWAInvestigators know the how of the devastating crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Now the issue facing accident investigators from Canada and other nations is why? And what lessons must be learned to prevent such a tragedy in the future? Any doubt about the cause was removed Saturday with Irans surprise admission that it made a disastrous mistake when it thought the Boeing 737-800 was a hostile target and launched a missile to shoot it down soon after it took off from Tehrans airport, bound for Kyiv. Yes, we know what has happened. What we dont know is why. So the investigation is going to try to understand why it happened, said Natacha Van Themsche, the director of air investigations for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The Boeing jet crashed into a Tehran suburb Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board, including 57 Canadians. Among the passengers, 138 were scheduled to fly to Canada on a connecting flight from Kyiv. The crash happened hours after Iran unleashed missiles at Iraqi military sites housing U.S. and coalition forces, as its own military was on high alert. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in part blamed the loss of life on heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. following Washingtons targeted killing of a prominent Iranian general. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families. This is something that happens when you have conflict and war. Innocents bear the brunt of it, he said in an interview with Global News. Trudeau said he has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump on the need to de-escalate tensions in the region and noted that Washington gave Canada no advance notice of its strike against Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which set in motion Irans missile strikes against coalition forces in Iraq, including Canadian personnel. Asked if he would have wanted a heads-up, Trudeau replied, obviously. The circumstances around the crash are prompting questions about military procedures, why the airspace had not been closed given the tension and why commercial aircraft continued to operate even after the Ukrainian aircraft had been shot down. We need to establish a sequence of events. We need to understand how everything happened, Van Themsche said. Investigators will even look at Irans assertion that the missile strike was accidental. When accident investigators approach an accident scene, everything is on the table, notwithstanding what people have said publicly. We dont take that just at face value. We need to corroborate that, validate that information, said Kathy Fox, chair of the safety board, adding its normal for investigators to look at the sequence of events that led up to a crash. If it was unintentional, she said, what was the context that led someone to make such a tragic mistake? She cautioned that the investigation will not be short, but the outcome could help avoid a similar disaster in the future. Fox noted the fate of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people on board, as evidence that the lessons of that air disaster were not fully learned. She pointedly quoted from the conclusion of a Dutch safety board report into that disaster, saying: Practice shows that states in which there is ongoing armed conflict will not implement restriction on their airspace on their own initiative. The downing of the Ukrainian airlines flight is clear evidence that more needs to be done when youre dealing with military activities versus civilian operations, Fox said. She acknowledged that the upcoming probe will put a spotlight on the actions of the Iranians. Clearly some of these questions are going to very uncomfortable for the country to answer but we hope that the purpose of safety investigations will override those, Fox said. Nevertheless, safety board officials said the access granted by Iran to Canada has gone beyond what is required under international protocols. Two board investigators are in Tehran and are expected to be allowed access to the crash site and the wreckage on Tuesday. As well, Canada has been asked to help download the data recorders. Safety board experts skilled at analyzing voice and flight data recorders are ready to deploy, once they know where that work will be done. Everything were seeing so far is giving us optimism, she told a news conference Monday. Because Iran is leading the investigation, Fox cautioned that Canada will be restricted in what information it can release about the investigation. But she said that the Canadian team would speak out if it had concerns about the transparency of the investigation or its findings. Read more about: The jury selection for Harvey Weinstein's trial is underway, and supermodel Gigi Hadid might potentially join the panel of jurors. According to Fox News, Hadid was present in the Manhattan courtroom alongside more than 100 people and when Judge James Burke enquired if anyone knew a legal team member either from the accusers' or defendant's side, the 24-year-old raised her hand and replied: "I have met the defendant." When asked whether she would be impartial in her judgments, she responded by saying "yes". The Judge then proceeded to announce a list of all the witnesses and asked the jurors whether they knew any of them, to which Hadid affirmed by saying-- "I have met Salma Hayek and possibly Ryan Beatty," reported Fox News. The 100 or so jurors, including Hadid, were handed over a questionnaire, which they were instructed to fill in order to provide their background details and prove their impartiality. Media mogul Harvey Weinstein faces five charges of sexual misconduct and could possibly spend the rest of his life in prison if proven guilty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President vows to stop ceasefire violation in Idlib President Erdogan stressed that 400,000 Syrians must be returned to their homes as part of the cease-fire. Turkey is determined to stop the Syrian regime's attempts to violate a cease-fire in Idlib province, the Turkish president said on Tuesday. "I HOPE THE CEASEFIRE PERSISTS" "We are determined to stop the [Syrian] regime's attempts to violate cease-fire [in Idlib] -- ourselves if needed. It is no joke. Everybody should see and accept that Turkey definitely does what it says," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his party's parliamentary group. "I hope the cease-fire persists," Erdogan said. Noting that previous cease-fires in the Idlib province were broken by the regime, he said: "This time, the situation is different." He urged the international community to discuss the Syrian regime's use of violence. Turkey pushed hard for a ceasefire in Idlib after the region endured months of battering by forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime and its allies, sending about a million civilian refugees flocking towards the Turkish border. It was a week where oil futures retreated below $60 a barrel but natural gas futures settled higher. On the news front, American upstream major Apache Corporation APA shares rocketed after it, together with partner TOTAL S.A. TOT, announced a discovery offshore Suriname block 58. Meanwhile, British integrated behemoth BP plc BP agreed to divest certain North Sea assets for $625 million. Overall, it was a mixed week for the sector. While West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 6.4% to close at $59.04 per barrel, natural gas prices rose 3.4% for the week to finish at 2.202 per million Btu (MMBtu). (See the last Oil & Gas Stock Roundup here: ExxonMobil's Q4 Update, Core Labs' Dividend Cut & More) The crude benchmark had its largest weekly decline on a percentage basis since July after the U.S. government reported an unexpected increase in crude stockpiles and hefty build in refined product inventories. The bearish data sets deepened the commoditys losses that was already on the defensive due to the cooling of geopolitical tensions between U.S. and Iran. Meanwhile, natural gas prices moved northward even as the U.S. Energy Department's weekly inventory release showed a smaller-than-expected decrease in natural gas supplies that was also lower than the five-year average and the year-ago decline. Prices rose nevertheless as market participants chose to focus on a bullish weather forecast. Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories 1. Shares of Apache scored its biggest intraday gain since 1973 after the energy explorer and its partner TOTALannounced a major oil discovery at the Maka Central-1 well in Block 58, offshore Suriname. Story continues Block 58 covers 1.4 million acres in water depths and is located near ExxonMobil and Hess Stabroek block in Guyana, South Americas newest oil giant. The field seems a unique, large-scale oil resource opportunity. Maka Central-1 well, which was drilled using Noble Sam Croft drillship, encountered a geologic model bearing 73 metres (240 feet) of oil reservoirs and 50 metres (164 feet) of hydrocarbon-bearing light oil and gas condensate pay. The drilling results proved to be pleasing for both companies as the well confirmed ample traces of hydrocarbon within its bounds, mirroring high potential for productive oil wells. This, in turn, consolidates Apache and TOTALs confidence in discovering significant resources beyond the Maka Central finding since the two control 1.4 million acres in the region. (Read more Apache Stock Jumps as It Hits Oil in Suriname's Block 58) 2. BP has recently entered into an accord with Premier Oil to divest stakes in some of its North Sea assets. The deal, valued at $625 million, is likely to be closed by the end of the third quarter of 2020. The to-be-divested assets comprise the British energy giants stakes in the Andrew area in the central U.K. North Sea. This includes the Andrew platform and controlling stakes in five fields Andrew, Arundel, Cyrus, Farragon and Kinnoull. Notably, the Andrew platform is being utilized by the five fields to produce oil equivalent volumes. The other assets to be sold include the 27.5% stake of BP in the Shearwater oil field, being operated by Royal Dutch Shell plc (RDS.A - Research Report) in the British North Sea. The other assets to be sold include the 27.5% stake of BP in the Shearwater oil field, being operated by Royal Dutch Shell plc in the British North Sea. Notably, the recent deal reflects BPs move to reshape its portfolio of North Sea assets as part of its $10-billion asset divestment plan by 2020-end. With the divestments of the matured fields, the integrated energy player will focus on more profitable resources, which comprise the Clair and Quad 204. (Read more BP to Divest $625M Matured North Sea Assets: Here's Why) 3. Kinder Morgan, Inc. KMI recently announced that it has sold all Pembina Pipeline Corporation PBA shares that were received by the company following the divestment of a stake in Kinder Morgan Canada Limited. For the sale of a 70% interest in the Canadian unit, Kinder Morgan got 25 million shares of Pembina. The move of divesting its Canadian unit and the U.S. part of the Cochin Pipeline is in line with the midstream companys strategy of reducing debt burden through divestments. Converting Pembina shares into cash of $764 million in after-tax proceeds will likely help Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) Kinder Morgan to increase balance sheet flexibility. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The latest move is significant for the company as it had only $241 million in cash and cash equivalents, and a long-term debt of $30,849 million at the end of third-quarter 2019. Total debt-to-capitalization ratio was 50.6%, signifying that its balance sheet is more levered than the industry it belongs to. (Read more Kinder Morgan Sells Pembina Shares to Reduce Debt Burden) 4. Range Resources Corporation RRC recently released 2020 capital budget of an estimated $520 million. The amount is much lower than the projected 2019 capital expenditure of $728 million. Notably, in order to improve the balance sheet, the company has decided to shelve dividend payments, which will enable it to save $20 million per annum. The exploration and production company expect 2020 spending to enable it to maintain production volumes of around 2.3 Bcfe per day. Majority of the capital budget will likely be spent on the companys Marcellus properties. For 2020, average well cost will likely remain below the $625 per lateral foot mark. For 2020, Range Resources has hedged more than 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day of production at $2.64 average price. This year, the company expects to export additional propane and butane volumes to international markets, with the help of the Mariner East system. (Read more Range Resources Expects Lower 2020 Capex, Shelves Dividend) 5. Transocean Limited RIG recently issued a new fleet status report, lending an insight into its portfolio of drillships, recent contracts and backlog. Since its last fleet status update in October 2019, which showed a backlog of $10.8 billion, the company has been successful in securing $352.9 million worth additional contracts, courtesy of new deals and extensions of its existing projects. While the company won a few deals since the last fleet report in October 2019, the$91- million worth one-year drilling contract off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago for its semisubmersible Development Driller III served as the fundamental component to boost its backlog. This new pact with leverage to command an estimated day rate of $250,000 is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2020. Further, it is expected to help the company progress in terms of both backlog and cash flow. Moving on, the Leiv Eiriksson rig, which operates for ConocoPhillips, gained a 125-day contract offshore Norway and is expected to be effective August 2020. Drillship Discoverer Inspiration, working for Talos Energy, also clinched a 120-day contract in the US Gulf of Mexico with a dayrate of $210,000. Notably, Discoverer Inspiration is set to conclude a contract with Chevron in the US Gulf during the first quarter of this year.(Read more Transocean Adds $352.9M to Backlog Since Last Fleet Status) Price Performance The following table shows the price movement of some the major oil and gas players over the past week and during the last 6 months. Company Last Week Last 6 Months XOM -1.7% -9.4% CVX -3.8% -7.2% COP -0.4% +7.4% OXY +5.3% -9.8% SLB -1.8% -3.1% RIG -11.5% -1.4% VLO +5.9% +14.2% MPC +3.4% +8.7% The Energy Select Sector SPDR a popular way to track energy companies edged down 1% last week. The worst performer was offshore driller Transocean Ltd. whose stock slumped 11.5%. Longer-term, over six months, the sector tracker is down 6.3%. Houston-based oil and gas producer Occidental Petroleum OXY was the major loser during this period, experiencing a 9.8% price decline. Whats Next in the Energy World? As usual, market participants will be closely tracking the regular releases i.e. the U.S. government statistics on oil and natural gas - one of the few solid indicators that comes out regularly. The Baker Hughes data on rig count will also be on the energy traders' radar. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 TOTAL S.A. (TOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Transocean Ltd. (RIG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Pembina Pipeline Corp. (PBA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Range Resources Corporation (RRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apache Corporation (APA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. DALLAS - Jan. 14, 2020 - Researchers at UT Southwestern have uncovered evidence that the higher prevalence of "malignant" enlargement of the heart among blacks contributes to the higher incidence of heart failure in this population. The new study is published online in the journal Circulation. Left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH is the enlargement and thickening of the muscular wall of the left ventricle of the heart, the lower left chamber. This thickening can be detected on an electrocardiogram or with imaging tests like an echocardiogram. LVH can occur in several forms. In about half of cases, LVH occurs without other evidence of heart damage or stress, and in these cases the prognosis appears to be benign and similar to people without LVH. In contrast, in the other half of cases, when LVH occurs together with signs of damage or stress to the heart muscle, the course is malignant and associated with a markedly higher risk of heart failure. "Malignant LVH is easily identifiable with widely used tests in the clinic, so now that we've found this association, we are hoping to identify patients with higher risk for heart failure earlier, when preventive interventions can have a greater impact on future risk," says James de Lemos, M.D., a professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Previous studies described a malignant type of left ventricular hypertrophy but did not include enough participants to enable researchers to conclude whether the observed differences in malignant LVH contribute to a higher risk of heart failure for black versus white individuals. So the UT Southwestern researchers pooled data from three biracial cohort studies - the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, the Dallas Heart Study, and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) - to test the hypothesis that malignant LVH may contribute to disparities in heart failure risk. Combined, the three studies encompassed health data from more than 26,000 people living in North Carolina, Mississippi, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, California, New York, and Texas. All three studies included height, weight, blood pressure, and blood test results as well as electrocardiogram results, a measure of the electrical activity of the heart. For this study, the researchers excluded participants with cardiovascular or kidney disease and those who were not self-identified as white or black, which resulted in a study group of 15,710 participants. The median age was 57 years with 56 percent female, 32 percent black, and 36 percent with hypertension. Individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy were identified by ECG, and the malignant form of LVH was further defined as having abnormal blood marker levels reflecting injury or stress to the heart muscle. For blood markers, the researchers looked for abnormal high-sensitivity cardiac troponin levels or abnormal N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels. Using these characteristics, the team classified all study participants into groups based on whether they had ECG-LVH and abnormal blood markers. Then they determined how many of these participants had been hospitalized or had died due to a heart failure event in the 10 years of follow-up. Nine percent of participants had LVH, 27 percent had abnormal cardiac troponin, and 21 percent had abnormal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels. Of those participants with LVH, 47 percent had normal biomarker levels, 37 percent had one abnormal biomarker, and 15 percent had abnormal levels of both biomarkers. The team found that participants with malignant LVH were older, more likely to be male, with diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure compared with those without LVH or those with LVH but normal blood tests. They also found that the prevalence of malignant LVH was three times higher among black men and women compared with white men and women. Heart failure occurred in 512 participants (3.3 percent) over the 10 year study period. Of those, 56 percent were men and 39 percent were black. The rates of heart failure were highest for black men, intermediate for white men and black women, and lowest among white women. Of the participants with malignant LVH, 13 percent developed heart failure compared with 2.7 percent in the group with LVH and normal biomarkers. "Our study helps explain why African American men and women have disproportionately high rates of heart failure, a significant health disparity that persists despite considerable advances in cardiovascular care," says Alana Lewis, M.D., a cardiology fellow at UT Southwestern Medical Center and lead author of the study. "We hope these findings can help cardiologists identify those at higher risk for developing heart failure and intervene earlier." ### Additional UT Southwestern researchers who contributed to the study are: Colby R. Ayers, M.S.; Ian Neeland, M.D.; Ambarish Pandey, M.D.; Mark H. Drazner, M.D., M.Sc.; and Jarett D. Berry, M.D. Neeland has received honoraria, consulting and speaker's bureau fees, and travel support from Boehringer-Ingelheim/Lilly Alliance, has received a research grant from Novo Nordisk, and has been a member of the scientific advisory board of AMRA Medical. Christie Ballantyne, M.D. is a consultant for Abbott and Roche and is named on provisional patent No. 61721475 titled "Biomarkers to Improve Prediction of Heart Failure Risk" filed by Baylor College of Medicine and Roche. Vijay Nambi, M.D. is an investigator on provisional patent No. 61721475 titled "Biomarkers to Improve Prediction of Heart Failure Risk" filed by Roche and Baylor College of Medicine. Tiffany Powell-Wiley, M.D. is funded by the Division of Intramural Research of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Berry discloses research support from Abbott. He is also a national coordinator for the STRENGTH trial. Stephan L. Seliger, M.D. receives grant support from Roche Diagnostics. Christopher R. deFilippi, M.D. has received consulting, honorarium, and royalties from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Alere/Abbott Diagnostics, Fujirebio, Radiometer, Roche Diagnostics, Ortho Diagnostics, Metabolomics, Quintiles, WebMD, and UpToDate. He has also received research grants from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Diagnostics, Ortho Diagnostics, and Fujirebio. De Lemos reports grant support from Roche Diagnostics and Abbott Diagnostics, consulting fees from Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Diagnostics, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Quidel Cardiovascular Inc., Novo Nordisk, Amgen, Regeneron, and Esperion. Seliger, DeFilippi, and de Lemos have a patent pending (U.S. patent application No. 15/309,754) titled "Methods for Assessing Differential Risk for Developing Heart Failure." The other authors have no relationships to disclose. The Dallas Heart Study was supported by grants from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR001105). The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Health and Human Services, under contract Nos. HHSN268201700001I, HHSN268201700002I, HHSN268201700003I, HHSN268201700005I, and HHSN268201700004I. MESA was supported by contracts HHSN268201500003I, N01-HC-95159, N01-HC-95160, N01-HC-95161, N01-HC-95162, N01-HC-95163, N01-HC-95164, N01-HC-95165, N01-HC95166, N01-HC-95167, N01-HC-95168, and N01-HC-95169 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and by grants UL1-TR-000040, UL1-TR-001079, and UL1-TR-001420 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). About UT Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution's faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 22 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 17 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 15 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 2,500 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 105,000 hospitalized patients, nearly 370,000 emergency room cases, and oversee approximately 3 million outpatient visits a year. In a press release on Monday, the US Treasury Department designated the individuals as "current or former officials of the government of Venezuela for their actions undermining democracy," adding that they were "corrupt National Assembly officials" who were doing the bidding of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, reports Efe news. Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) The US has imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelan individuals who tried to seize control of the South American country's legislature, which has been controlled by the opposition since 2015. It described that move earlier this month as a "failed attempt to illegitimately seize control of the National Assembly and block interim President Juan Guaido and other deputies from participating in a constitutionally required election of National Assembly leadership". Treasury said that in addition to lawmaker Luis Parra, the other individuals designated were Jose Gregorio Noriega Figueroa, Franklyn Leonardo Duarte, Jose Dionisio Brito Rodriguez, Conrado Antonio Perez Linares, Adolfo Ramon Superlano and Negal Manuel Morales Llovera. The action by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control freezes any assets those seven Venezuelan individuals may have under US jurisdiction and bars them from conducting financial transactions with American citizens. On January 5, Maduro's allies in the National Assembly and some opposition lawmakers elected Parra to replace Guaido as speaker. Parra is a former member of the opposition Justice First party who was expelled due to corruption allegations that he denies. During the session, security forces barred Guaido and other opposition lawmakers from entering the building. Hours after Parra's election, Guaido led an improvised congressional session at the offices of an anti-Maduro newspaper, where they voted to re-elect him as speaker. Guaido was first elected to head the National Assembly in January 2019 and a few weeks later was declared the nation's interim president by that body, which justified the move by asserting that Maduro's re-election victory in 2018 was marred by fraud. Since being proclaimed Venezuela's interim president, Guaido has been recognized as such by the US and roughly 60 other countries. But he has no influence over the bureaucracy or armed forces, which have publicly declared their support for Maduro and rejected the opposition's overtures, including an unsuccessful attempt by Guaido on April 30, 2019, to spark a military uprising. ksk/ Representative image France, Britain and Germany plan to trigger on Tuesday the dispute mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal following renewed violations by Tehran of the 2015 accord, two European diplomats said on Tuesday. The diplomats said the decision was aimed at saving the deal by discussing with Iran what it should do to reverse decisions it had made. The aim was not to reimpose UN sanctions, they said. The three powers will inform the European Union on Tuesday they plan to trigger the mechanism, the sources said. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is expected to make a statement in Strasbourg at the European Parliament at midday. Iran took a further step back from its commitments to the 2015 pact, with six world powers, by announcing earlier this month that it would scrap limits on enriching uranium, though it said it would continue to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "At one point we have to show our credibility," said one diplomat referring to Iran's recent nuclear decisions. The three European powers party to the deal act though the EU, which coordinates any negotiations over it with the other parties, which include Russia and China. "Our intention is not to restore sanctions, but to resolve our differences through the very mechanism that was created in the deal," a second diplomat said. Scene of the lecturing event on the meritorious deeds of Outstanding Veterans of the Year 2019 By Yang Mingyue BEIJING, Jan.13 -- The public lecturing tour on the meritorious deeds of Outstanding Veterans of the Year 2019, jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, began with the first lecturing event held in the Peoples Great Hall in Beijing on the afternoon of January 10. Representing all the nineteen veterans honored with the title of Outstanding Veteran of the Year, Li Shijiang, chairman of DFD Chemical Industry Co. LTD, Li Wenqiang, senior technician with the 404 Co. LTD under China National Nuclear Corporation, Zhang Li, chief designer of simulation under Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, Ci Jun, who is a road mender working at the Qinghai-Tibet highway in Xizang Autonomous Region, Yin Lijun, chairman of the Labor Union under the Rongcheng City Thermal-electric Gas Group Co., LTD, and Yang Yubin, secretary of the CPC Huaniao Township Committee, Shengsi County of Zhejiang Province, told in turn their own stories in different fields and positions. The audience who listened to the lecture said that as the outstanding representatives of the vast number of veterans, the nineteen veterans have always been upholding the glorious tradition of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army and staying true to our founding mission. Their contributions deserve to be remembered by society, and their deeds deserve to be widely celebrated. About 700 people from central and state organs, military units, universities, enterprises in Beijing attended the lecture. Texas 16 Catholic bishops Monday called Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to reject resettlement of new refugees deeply discouraging and disheartening, joining other religious and secular groups pressing the governor to reconsider. Abbott, who is Catholic, said the state is already overburdened with immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and Friday made Texas the first and so far only state to opt out of the federal program facilitating refugee resettlement. Forty-two other states, including 17 led by Republican governors, have said theyll remain a part of the program. States have until Jan. 21 to decide whether they'll remain in the program. While the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops respects the governor, this decision is simply misguided, the bishops statement says. It denies people who are fleeing persecution, including religious persecution, from being able to bring their gifts and talents to our state and contribute to the general common good of all Texans. The refugees who have already resettled in Texas have made our communities even more vibrant. San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller underlined the bishops stance on Twitter. People are suffering, hoping the U.S. is a safe place to live and to breathe, he wrote, adding: We oppose Abbotts position. Lets have hope. We are ready to help those in need. The White House has slashed the number of refugees resettled in the U.S. to a record low of 18,000 in 2020, critics of Abbotts move have noted. During the Obama administration, the figure exceeded 100,000 a year. Refugees are the most stringently vetted entrants to the country, going through multiple interviews and security screenings in a process that can take up to three years. For subscribers: Abbott says he wont admit refugees, making Texas first state in nation to opt out of federal program Abbott has cast his decision as a matter of stretched state resources. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Abbott wrote that since 2010, more refugees have been sent to Texas than to any other state. At the same time, the governor wrote, thousands of migrants have crossed its border with Mexico. The state and nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants and the homeless indeed, all Texans, Abbott wrote. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who in November wrote a letter to Pompeo reaffirming San Antonios willingness to take part in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, reacted strongly to Abbotts move, saying on Facebook that the nations guarantee that its gates are open to those seeking refuge is a principled foundation of a civilized and compassionate society. While over 40 governors have opted to uphold this decree, Texas has not, he wrote. Rest assured that the arms of this city remain extended, welcoming those who hope for a better tomorrow and fairer future. In a statement Monday, Abbotts spokesman, John Wittman, defended the decision, saying the governors denial simply means refugees who come to Texas would do so without the services that resettlement agencies provide to help them adjust and integrate. No one seeking refugee status in the United States will be denied that status because of the Texas decision, the statement said. Importantly, the decision by Texas will not prevent any refugee from coming to America. Equally important, the Texas decision doesnt stop refugees from moving to Texas after initially settling in another state. Abbotts stance has stoked the partisan divide among state lawmakers. Republican Sen. Pete Flores, a retired game warden from Pleasanton who represents a district that reaches from San Antonio to the border, said Abbott has the information to make the right choice. I stand with Gov. Abbott on whatever position he takes that is in the interest of Texas, said Flores, who is up for re-election this year. It has to do with our capacity to be able to adequately address the issue. Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, who previously wrote to Abbott urging him to continue refugee resettlement efforts in the state, said she was deeply disappointed. An unprecedented amount of people are experiencing displacement in todays world due to political and economic instability and conflict, and we should welcome them to Texas with open arms, she said in a statement. With the strength of our economy and our people, we have ample resources to help refugees it is our moral obligation to do so. Reaction in San Antonio from political leaders and refugee advocates ranged from confusion to dismay. I did not see this coming, said Antonio Fernandez, president of Catholic Charities, which is involved with nine federal refugee resettlement programs. Fernandez said the agency receives millions of federal dollars annually to play this role. For us, the decision from Gov. Abbott was sad and disappointing. The state of Texas is famous for welcoming people from other countries, Fernandez said. In the last quarter of 2019 alone, the agency welcomed 249 refugees, he said. It gives them a wide range of support and services, from English language classes to advice and training on how to apply for a job. From the moment the people land in the San Antonio airport, Catholic Charities picks them up. We provide food for them and a respectful life, he said. Fernandez said he has been told Abbotts decision will take effect June 1. He said he is awaiting clarification on whether a special class of refugees, including interpreters and others who worked for the U.S. military overseas, will be affected by Abbotts decision. Either way, he said, unless the governors decision is reversed, we will have to reduce our services drastically. The Center for Refugee Services on Wurzbach does not take government money, relying instead on donations and grants, executive director Margaret Constantino said. Were still trying to wrap our heads around all this. Its a confusing time for a lot of people, she said. Our work will not slow down. We are still here to provide the social services needs of any refugee. John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | For the second time in five weeks, the Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a multi-million dollar penalty against Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) for allegedly installing improperly manufactured components on the wings of some of its 737s. The latest penalty proposal, announced by FAA late Friday afternoon, is $5.4 million for allegedly installing noncomforming slat tracks on approximately 178 737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft subsequently were presented as ready for airworthiness certification. The slat tracks guide the slats, which provide additional lift on takeoff and landing. The slats and tracks are installed on the leading edge of the 737's wings. On Dec. 6, FAA proposed a $3.9 million penalty against Boeing for installing nonconforming slat tracks on 133 737NG aircraft. The FAA alleged Friday that Boeing failed to adequately oversee its suppliers to ensure they complied with the company's quality assurance system and that it was this failure that resulted in the defective components being installed. The slats were weakened by a condition known as hydrogen embrittlement that occurred during a plating process when they were manufactured. The FAA also alleges that Boeing knowingly submitted the affected aircraft for final airworthiness certification after determining the parts could not be used due to a failed strength test. Boeing said Friday, "We are aware of today's proposed civil penalty by the FAA, which concerns a nonconforming batch of slat track assemblies on 737 MAX airplanes that were the subject of a service bulletin and airworthiness directive issued last year. We are working closely with our customers to take the appropriate corrective actions consistent with the Airworthiness Directive." The manufacturer also said it will make sure that all inspections and any necessary part replacements are performed on all 737 MAXs before they return to service and that the company has not been informed of any in-service issues related to the slat tracks. Story continues The 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since March following two fatal crashes related to a flight control system installed on the aircraft. Also on Friday, FAA proposed a $3.9 million penalty against Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) for allegedly operating 44 aircraft on more than 21,500 flights with incorrect calculations of weight and balance data. FAA said that between May 1, 2018, and Aug. 9, 2019, the aircraft were operated with incorrect operational empty weights and center of gravity or movement data. The weight-related information is used with other data in determining how many passengers and how much fuel can be safely carried, as well as where cargo must be located. Southwest said Friday that the proposed penalty pertains to data processing issues that occurred while transferring aircraft weight information from one Southwest computer system to other computer systems in the spring of 2018. A spokesperson said the issues were identified and reported by Southwest to the FAA in late July 2018 and fully resolved in early August 2018. "Since discovering the data discrepancy in 2018, in coordination with the FAA, Southwest has enhanced its weight and balance program by implementing additional controls to strengthen the process of managing aircraft weight data in our systems. We continue to monitor the performance of our weight and balance program closely to support our unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement." Once Boeing and Southwest receive their enforcement letters from the FAA, they will have 30 days to respond to the agency. Southwest said it will continue working with the FAA to demonstrate the effectiveness of its controls and processes and "seek to achieve an effective and appropriate resolution to this proposed penalty." Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Gov. Ned Lamont touted the University of Connecticuts economic impact on the state ahead of a new analysis that will be released Tuesday afternoon. UConn is an economic driver for the state, he said Monday. Lamont said he was briefed on the new impact analysis, which will be unveiled later today alongside a website with a town-by-town breakdown of the impact. The report will outline the amount of economic activity that UConn generates yearly for the state, including through jobs, research, clinical care, value added to the gross state product, and other factors, UConn said in a news release. The report was done internally at the university, spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said. In 2013, the university commissioned a similar study from Pittsburgh consulting firm Tripp Umbach. Rather than paying for it to be done externally on contract, Reitz said, we had our own experts do it. The previous report found that the flagship had a $3.4 billion impact on the states economy in 2013. Lamont on Monday pointed to President Thomas Katsouleass experience in engineering as key to the states economic growth. Weve got a new president there, Tom Katsouleas, he came out of Duke School of Engineering, Lamont said. Hes in a part of the state where we have tons of engineering and manufacturing jobs that we cant fill, and UConn is key to our economic future there. Katsouleas started at UConn in August. He was previously the executive vice president and provost at University of Virginia, and led Dukes School of Engineering for seven years. Liz.Teitz@hearstmediact.com Parliament speaker Razumkov: Lawmakers' salaries grow as part of indexation 13:28, 14.01.20 1790 He says the indexation is associated with an increase in the cost of living. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's longtime aide is pushing to have the retired pontiff removed as co-author of a controversial book on priestly celibacy that many church-watchers saw as an effort to influence Pope Francis. Benedict's aide, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, alleged that the retired pope never intended to have his name on the book - there had been a "misunderstanding" with the other co-author, Cardinal Robert Sarah. But in a series of tweets and statements Tuesday, Sarah defended himself, saying that Benedict, 92, had been fully informed and signed off on the plans. Given the dispute, Sarah wrote, Benedict would be removed as co-author and instead listed as a contributor. By evening, the book's English publisher said it still considered Benedict a co-author. The back-and-forth between Benedict's main lieutenant and a conservative cardinal mirrored a larger debate inside the Catholic Church over what kind of role the retired pope should have, and whether he risks being manipulated as he grows more frail. Benedict vowed after abdicating to remain silent on major church affairs, but in two high-profile instances over the past year, on the topics of sexual abuse and celibacy, he has shared opinions that either contradict Francis or put pressure on him. "The one good thing from this whole cheap operetta is that it's now clearly demonstrated to show that the whole [pope] emeritus thing doesn't work," said Ulrich Lehner, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame. The new book, whose excerpts were published Sunday by Le Figaro newspaper, amounts to an ardent defense of clerical celibacy at a time when Francis is considering an exception that would allow for some married priests in the Amazon region. According to those excerpts, Benedict wrote that celibacy was a sometimes painful but necessary "criterion" for ministry. The question of over Benedict's role in the book has consumed a slice of American Catholicism, with social media posts flying about who was likely telling the truth and why. In keeping with the polarization of the U.S. church in recent years, conservatives were angered by the suggestion that Sarah - a traditionalist stalwart - had duped Benedict, or that Benedict wasn't challenging Francis, while more liberal Catholics accused the emeritus pope of trying to undermine Francis. John Allen, editor of the Catholic news site Crux and a biographer of Benedict, said Tuesday that, despite the fracas, Benedict and Sarah were on the same side of the celibacy debate. "They are both willing to entertain limited exceptions," said Allen, noting that Benedict has facilitated married priests in the Western Church more than any other previous pope, allowing exceptions for married, Anglican priests who become Catholic. "I think this is less about pope versus pope than about rival camps in the church seeking to exploit both popes," Allen said. In a statement to Italy's ANSA news service, Ganswein, Benedict's personal secretary, said that the retired pope had never approved the project as co-author and had not "seen or authorized the cover," which also included his photo. Ganswein called it "a misunderstanding that does not raise questions about Cardinal Sarah's good faith." Ganswein also asked that Benedict's name be removed from introductory and concluding sections. Sarah, the head of the Vatican's liturgical office, took to Twitter to provide a different narrative of what happened, sharing several letters written by Benedict to Sarah in late 2019. In Sarah's version, according to those letters and a separate statement, the cardinal had reached out to Benedict in September, asking the pope emeritus if he might be willing to share reflections on the priesthood, paying particular attention to the topic of celibacy. Sarah says he also cautioned Benedict that such a subject might raise "debate" in the newspapers. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. "But I am convinced that the whole church needs such a gift," Sarah says he told Benedict. Benedict replied that he had already started writing along those lines, but hadn't felt good about the work he was producing. "Then came your letter, with the unexpected request of a text directly on priesthood with particular attention to celibacy," Benedict wrote. "So I reprised my work and will forward to you the text." He passed along that text in October, according to Sarah, and later offered a final thank you to the cardinal in November. "As for me, the text can be published in the way you planned," Benedict wrote. - - - The Washington Post's Stefano Pitrelli in Rome contributed to this report. Canada is marketing a five-year bond deal in U.S. dollars at a higher yield than equivalent issues in the American market as the federal government seeks to diversify its funding sources. Canada plans to price the $3 billion (U.S.) transaction at six basis points over the U.S. Treasury yield, according to people familiar with the matter. Thats equivalent to a yield in loonies of around 1.93 per cent and compares with 1.62 per cent for Canadas five-year bonds denominated in the countrys own currency, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. BNP Paribas SA, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, HSBC Holdings Plc., Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto Dominion Bank are arranging the deal, which is expected to be priced Tuesday. Canada last sold bonds in U.S. dollars a year ago, when it priced $3 billion of 2022 bonds at a spread of 10 basis points, or a yield of 2.633 per cent, the data show. The new bond will supplement Canadas foreign exchange reserves and diversify its sources of financing, an Ottawa-based press officer at Canadas Department of Finance said in an email. These funds will not be used for other kinds of government financing or program spending, which are raised exclusively through domestic borrowing programs, she said. By comparison, Royal Bank of Canada issued $1 billion of fixed rate three-year senior bail-in bonds at a spread of 38 basis points over U.S. Treasuries, equivalent to a yield of about 2.15 per cent. While there isnt a direct comparison in the American market, a similar duration security issued by rival Bank of Nova Scotia yields 2.31 per cent, data compiled by Bloomberg show. A grandmother-to-be went under the knife for the third time to fix her deformed breasts after her implants fell out of open wounds in her chest following a disastrous surgery in the Dominican Republic. Judy Hernandez, 37, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, shocked Dr. Terry Dubrow and Dr. Paul Nassif when she shared her horrific story on Monday night's episode of the E! reality series Botched. The mother of four explained that she was left with open wounds on both of her breasts after contracting two strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The wounds were so large, her breast implants eventually slipped out. Scroll down for video Horrifying: Judy Hernandez, 37, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, revealed on Monday's Botched that her breast implants fell out of open wounds in her chest Then and now: The grandmother-to-be went under the knife for the third time to have her misshapen breasts reconstructed 'I went to the Dominican Republic to have my implants put in and my implants fell out in my hand,' she explained in her testimonial. 'After eight months, two surgeries, wound VACs, I was left with a massacre,' she recounted. 'Emotionally, it was terrible to deal with. I literally cried every single day for eight months. It was terrible. I almost died.' Judy, whose 20-year-old son was about to welcome his first child, hoped Dr. Dubrow could fix her misshapen breasts so she could move on with her life and hopefully find love as a young grandmother. 'I feel like I'm still young. I'm single, and I want to get my life going,' she said. 'I don't want to be alone forever.' When she sat down with the doctors, she explained that she had a tummy tuck, a Brazilian butt lift, and a breast augmentation in Colombia during her first round of surgeries. Life-threatening: Judy was left with open wounds on both of her breasts after contracting strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria following surgery in the Dominican Republic Nightmare: Both of her implants ended up falling out of the gaping wounds in her breasts 'After two and a half years having the breast implants in, it felt like a lot of pressure on my chest. I had back pain. I couldn't sleep. I then decided to have my implants changed to smaller sizes,' she said. Judy traveled to the Dominican Republic for her second surgery and ended up fighting for her life. 'It was a terrible experience. I went to the recovery house. I was so sick,' she told the doctors. 'I came back to the United States, immediately went to the hospital 'cause I was running a fever. I started getting wounds on my incisions.' After going to the hospital and having her wounds 'packed,' she was referred to a plastic surgeon. She recalled being examined by the physician's assistant when she heard a 'pop.' 'One fell out right in her hand,' she said. Hard to handle: Dr. Paul Nassif (left) and Dr. Terry Dubrow (right) were stunned when Judy told them what happened Recovery: After the botched boob job, Judy needed to stay in the hospital for two weeks and have wound VACs or vacuum-assisted closures of the wounds 'What do you mean one fell out? One what fell out?' Dr. Dubrow asked. 'My implant fell out,' she confirmed. 'It was like a few holes that were opening up.' Judy said the woman who was examining her was 'hysterical' because she had 'never seen this before,' and the doctors noted that they never have either. She went home and a few days later she was brushing her teeth and felt another pop. Her other implant had fallen out into her shirt. 'Last time I checked, having your implants out while brushing your teeth is not ideal,' Dr. Dubrow said in his testimonial. Judy shocked the doctors again when she revealed she had the implant with her. Risky: In the examining room, Dr. Dubrow noted that she was 'missing the entire lower portion of the breast' and reconstruction would be difficult Decisions: When he asked whether or not she wanted implants, Judy agreed it would be best to let him assess the situation during surgery Not having it: 'Judy puts me into a very difficult situation. I don't want her to have implants. They're clearly not suitable for her,' the doctor explained on the day of her surgery 'Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa. This implant fell right out of your breast into your shirt?' Dr. Dubrow asked. She admitted that she was told to just throw the silicone implant away, but she 'kept it for memories.' Judy said she had contracted two strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, one in each breast. She needed to stay in the hospital for two weeks and have wound VACs or vacuum-assisted closures of the wounds. 'The wound VAC shoots up fluid into my breast, so it was like killing whatever was inside and then it would suck it out,' she recounted. 'It was so painful.' Dr. Dubrow told Judy that the surgeon in the Dominican Republic had cut out the blood supply to the breast tissue. 'It slowly started to die and turn into basically a zombie breast,' he explained. 'You're getting very sick, but you don't know because the surface looks okay, but there is a zombie brewing below.' Success: Dr. Dubrow was able to reconstruct Judy's breast without using implants Happy: Judy was the picture of confidence when she walked into a restaurant to meet her pals wearing a spaghetti-strap dress after her surgery Results: Judy's misshapen breasts were made rounder, more symmetrical, and perkier during the surgery In the examining room, he noted that she was 'missing the entire lower portion of the breast' and reconstruction would be difficult. 'One of the fundamental difficulties of your situation is that there's very little distance between your natural crease, here, and the areola,' he said. 'We can try to recruit tissue from the inner and outer portions to the lower portions to make you a lower pole.' Dr. Dubrow admitted that breast implants would give her a 'better shot at a normal breast contour,' but he would rather not use them because they were a 'disaster' when she last had them. When he asked whether or not she wanted implants, Judy agreed it would be best to let him assess the situation during surgery and decide the plan of treatment himself. 'I can theoretically make incisions, get a feel for how much blood supply's in the tissue, and then access whether implants are worth the risk,' he said. On the day of her surgery, Dr. Dubrow saw that blood supply was only coming from the top of her breast. Something to smile about: Judy said she no longer felt 'self-conscious' about her chest and was ready to start dating again Feeling good: 'I feel like a hot grandmother,' she said after the surgery 'If I put an implant in there, that nipple may just say bye-bye,' he said. 'Judy puts me into a very difficult situation. I don't want her to have implants. They're clearly not suitable for her, but do I have enough breast fullness and symmetry and will she be happy with that result? He ended up liking the shape he was able to create and decided the implants weren't worth the risk because they would likely lead to another set of complications. The surgery was a success, and after her recovery, Judy happily showed off her new breasts to her friends. She was the picture of confidence when she walked into a restaurant to meet her pals wearing a spaghetti-strap dress that revealed her decolletage. 'Before my surgery, I got done dirty in the Dominican Republic. I lost the bottom of both my breasts and I was left both physically and emotionally scarred,' she said. 'I was so self-conscious about the way I looked, I couldn't get myself to date and I was afraid I would be single forever,' she recalled. 'But now, thanks to Dr. Dubrow, my scars are gone, and now I have two full, perky, implant-free breasts. 'I feel like a hot grandmother.' When a metabolic specialist informed Julie and Paul Gravina their newborn twins were gravely ill, the most crushing part of that conversation was being told there was no cure. He said other than keeping to a strict diet theres really not much else we can do for them, Mrs Gravina said.I said I will devote the rest of my life to making sure you never have to tell a family that again." Charlize, pictured on the slide, has had two liver transplants due to a rare metabolic condition. Credit:Kate Geraghty Thats how she ended up donating her daughter Charlizes liver to the Childrens Medical Research Institute at Westmead. There, scientists and clinicians are using her liver cells to test gene therapy tools that could eventually mean children like Charlize and her twin Isaac could be cured with as little as a single treatment. The twins were born with Propionic Acidemia, a type of metabolic condition that is so rare only a few children are born with these conditions each year in NSW, the institutes head of gene therapy Professor Ian Alexander said. As stated in http://www.britannica.com, Oregon comprises an area of startling physical diversity, from the moist rainforests, mountains, and fertile valleys of its western third to the naturally arid and climatically harsh eastern deserts. Mountains, plateaus, plains, and valleys of different geologic ages and materials are arrayed in countless combinations. In I Live in Oregon (published by iUniverse), Cam Mountsier-Cole shares a host of information and facts about this state that was founded on Valentines Day in 1859. From tidbits of history, to special attractions, unique features, things to do and more, it shares why Oregon is such a great place to live. Through words and illustrations, Mountsier-Cole shares fun information about Oregon, seeks to help children develop a connection to their home state and provides a tool to help children learn their home address. For more details about I Live in Oregon, please visit https://www.amazon.com/I-Live-Oregon-Cam-Mountsier-cole/dp/1532085311. I Live in Oregon By Cam Mountsier-Cole Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 30 pages | ISBN 9781532085314 E-Book | 30 pages | ISBN 9781532085321 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Cam Mountsier-Cole has been a Montessori preschool teacher, administrator and school owner for more than 30 years. Jackson Cole is a freelance illustrator and the authors son. He currently lives in the mountains of Colorado and spends much of his time in nature, climbing mountains and running trails. iUniverse, an Author Solutions, LLC, self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Rising Star and Editors Choice designationsself-publishings only such awards program. iUniverse is headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS. To the Editor: Re When the Surgeon Is a Mom (Science Times, Dec. 31): As a past president of the Association of Women Surgeons, I was disappointed by this article. The vignette at the beginning portrays women surgeons who are mothers in a very negative way. The idea that desperate mothers take sick children to day care by giving them Tylenol to reduce their fever is unsettling. The reporter does not take into account that this woman is a physician who would be able to assess the gravity of her childs fever and make a responsible decision. Furthermore, she is then described as not giving an operation her full attention because she is checking the clock, worried about picking up her son in time. If this is true, it is unacceptable. In the operating room, all surgeons must and do concentrate all their attention on the surgery they are performing. This article revives outdated stereotypical ideas that women cannot be competent professionals and good mothers. My 50 years of experience with countless women surgeons has demonstrated the baselessness of that supposition. More than half of the physicians graduating from medical school are women. We must help enable them to be good doctors as well as have good family lives. They need not sacrifice the well-being of their families to live up to their responsibilities to their patients. M. Margaret Kemeny New York To the Editor: Both my parents were highly regarded surgeons. I grew up with seven siblings. My reconstructive surgeon mother started her practice in the 1950s. The challenges she faced in launching and sustaining her career were titanic, the help, little to none. Suffice it to say that certain aspects of child rearing took a back seat. [January 14, 2020] Cadre Delivers Outperformance on Salt Lake City, Utah Multifamily Property Sale Cadre, a technology-driven real estate investment platform, today announced the sale of Avida Apartments, a 400-unit multifamily project located in the Salt Lake City, Utah metro area. Cadre sold the Avida property at a significant premium to its cost and targets achieving a greater than 16% Net IRR following final distributions, representing outperformance relative to underwriting. The Avida sale was Cadre's third successful exit in 2019 and fourth overall, further validating Cadre's institutional investment standards and data-driven investing approach. Cadre executed its business plan of improving the asset's operating performance and profile in order to position the asset for an institutional exit. The asset also benefited from Salt Lake City's relative affordability which has driven significant population and job growth, a key trend identified by Cadre's investment team in partnership with its data engineering team. The sale highlights the further realization of Cadre's mission to provide more individuls with access to institutional-grade real estate that delivers compelling returns. "2019 was an exceptional year for Cadre, and we are pleased that we were able to complete the sale of Avida Apartments and deliver outperformance for our investors. The sale extends our track record and highlights the growing opportunity to couple investing experience with data analytics in order to drive alpha for investors," said Ryan Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Cadre. "We built Cadre with the goal of creating a more transparent and liquid real estate investing model so more people can benefit from access to institutional-grade real estate investments. We are grateful to our investors for their support and look forward to building on our strong momentum in this new year." About Cadre Cadre is a technology-enabled real estate investment platform that provides qualified individuals and institutions access to fully vetted commercial real estate opportunities. Cadre has also built a secondary market for commercial real estate enabling investors to have the potential to seek liquidity. Cadre combines its institutional experience with differentiated technology to empower investors through direct access, lower fees, and greater transparency. For more information, please visit cadre.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005776/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Political battling sacrifices independence of appointments to Supreme Court of Georgia ODIHR report By Levan Abramishvili The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) published its second monitoring report on the appointment of the Supreme Court Judges in Georgia on January 9. The report calls the legal reforms regulating the appointment of judges an important step towards improving the independence of the judiciary, but states that they do not guarantee an impartial process based on clearly defined and objective criteria without the influence of partisan politics.Because the final plenary vote on the judicial appointments took place in the midst of a political crisis, an opposition boycott, and widespread calls for an adjournment, the report states that the decision to proceed in the current political environment further calls into question the sincerity of the authorities stated aim to have an open, transparent process that garners wide political support and builds public confidence in the judiciary.ODIHR Director Ingibjoerg Solrun Gisladottir expressed hope that the Office will have the chance to follow up with the Georgian authorities in the near future.We were asked to undertake an independent assessment of the judicial appointments process in Georgia at a critical period in the countrys political development, she said.We identified numerous shortcomings on which I hope to be following up with the Georgian authorities in the near future. With our recommendations, we aim to contribute to improvements to the legal framework for judicial appointments, and above all the need for any decisions on the system to be taken in an atmosphere of collegiality and dialogue, ODIHR Director added.The ODIHRs monitoring team went on to observe the hearings of the 20 High Council of Justice (HCJ) nominees, the committee vote, and the final plenary vote following the completion of the nomination process before the HCJ and the finalization of the first report on the appointment process.Despite some positive aspects, their overall assessment found that neither the HCJ nor the parliament took sufficient measures to ensure objectivity, fairness, or consistency during the selection process.On the positive side, the report states that the hearings before the HCJ and parliament were generally open and transparent, and enabled public scrutiny of the candidates and the overall process. Parliament also invited members of key organizations involved, including the office of the ombudsman, civil society, the legal community and academia, all of whom contributed positively to the quality and transparency of the hearings, according to the report.Nevertheless, the fact that parliament played a decisive role in judicial appointments and also that the procedure was not guarded against partisan politics was at odds with international good practice, states the ODIHR report. The monitors noted that the hearings were used as a political platform by MPs from all sides of the political spectrum, and the interviews did not calm widespread concerns about the adequacy of many of the candidates.The work of the monitoring team started in June 2019 following a request from the Public Defender of Georgia and included observation of the interviews of 49 candidates before the HCJ and 20 nominees in the Legal Issues Committee of the parliament. They also closely monitored the final voting sessions in the parliament in December 2019.Following the constitutional amendments, a minimum number of judges at the Supreme Court increased from 16 to 28, at the same time, 10-year appointments were changed to lifetime tenures.The High Council of Justice was given the authority to nominate candidates for parliamentary appointment. After the selection process, the HCJ provided a list of 20 candidates to the Parliament of Georgia for approval, out of which, 14 candidates were appointed to the Supreme Court for a lifetime against repeated recommendations from international partners.Aside from ODIHR, the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, independent experts and non-governmental organizations have all found numerous flaws in the selection process of the Supreme Court Judges, including the lack of transparency and accountability.The OSCE ODIHR provides support, assistance, and expertise to participating States and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination. The Lahore High Court ruled on Monday that the death sentence handed down by a lower court in December on Pakistans former leader Pervez Musharraf is unconstitutional. The new verdict exonerates Musharrafat least for the momentof the death penalty, prosecutors, as well as members of Musharrafs defense team, confirmed. It does not exempt him from facing similar lawsuits in the future. Ishtiaq A. Khan, the prosecutor representing the government, told news agency AFP: The filing of the complaint, the constitution of the court, the selection of the prosecution team are illegal, declared to be illegal And at the end of the day, the full judgment has been set aside, Deutsche Welle reported. The lower court Special Tribunal on December 17 sentenced the countrys former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf to death in a treason case related to the state of emergency he imposed in 2007 while in power, commonly referred to as a Bloodless Coup. It was the first time in Pakistans history that a former army chief and ruler of the country has been sentenced to death. Musharraf was sentenced in absentia and has been out of the country since 2016 when he was allowed to leave on bail to seek medical treatment abroad. In an infamous purge in 2007, Musharraf imposed a state of emergency and placed several key judges under house arrest in the capital, Islamabad, and elsewhere in Pakistan. He came to power after ousting former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a 1999 bloodless coup. Later, when back in office, Sharif first accused Musharraf of treason in 2013. The retired general was formally charged in 2014. The Associated Press contributed to this article It's the calm before the storm. Tuesday is expected to be chilly and mostly dry before the largest storm to sweep the Bay Area so far this year heads into the region Wednesday night. The system from the Gulf of Alaska is expected to deliver a potent mix of moderate to heavy rain, high winds, frigid temperatures and low-elevation snow. "Pretty much since Christmas most of the storms have been relatively low impact, run-of-the-mill systems," said Scott Rowe, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Bay Area office. "This next system that were going to see arriving over the next several days is going to be a little stronger." When the storm's frontal boundary arrives Wednesday night, southerly winds are forecast to crank up with gusts up to 40 mph possible in coastal hills. "We might have the need to issue a wind advisory for some locations," said Rowe. "We'll be looking at that more closely today." The highest rainfall rates are also expected at the front of the storm, and Rowe said there's some concern about low-level flooding on roads. But he adds major flooding isn't expected. "Overall the system isnt going to hang around for a long amount of time," he said. "I know a lot of folks remember what happened in the North Bay last year with that strong atmospheric river, but this isnt going to be one of those events." Rainfall totals from late Wednesday through Thursday night are forecast to range from one to two inches in the North Bay and coastal mountains to a half inch to an inch in most other areas, including Oakland and San Francisco. With temperatures unseasonably low around the region this week, low-elevation snow is likely when the storm arrives Wednesday night. One to two inches is possible on peaks above 3,500 feet, including on Mount Hamilton in the South Bay and Mount St. Helena in the North Bay. The Santa Lucia Mountains along the Big Sur coast are forecast to see the heaviest snowfall. Temperatures will be unseasonably cool through Friday with daytime highs in the 50s and overnight lows in the 30s and 40s. Temperatures will gradually climb to seasonal averages over the weekend. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. Syria opens 3 humanitarian corridors for civilians from militant-held areas in Aleppo, Idlib Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 4:47 PM Syrian authorities have opened three humanitarian corridors for civilians from areas controlled by foreign-sponsored militants in the northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to leave and move to government-controlled parts of the country. Syria's official news agency SANA reported on Monday that the corridors were set up in the town of Abu al-Duhur, located about 45 kilometers (27 miles) south of Aleppo, al-Hadher village in the Mount Simeon district of Aleppo province as well as Hobait town in the Ma'arrat al-Nu'man district of Idlib province. The report added that local officials and army units have made preparations "to evacuate civilians who want to leave areas controlled by terrorists," namely buses, ambulances and food supplies. Later in the day, SANA reported that dozens of civilians from the last remaining militant-held regions in the countryside of Aleppo province crossed the al-Hadher humanitarian corridor into government-controlled territory. They underwent medical checks, and are expected to be transferred to their hometowns across the country within the next few days. Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Friday that Ankara had agreed with Moscow that a ceasefire will be implemented in Syria's Idlib. The announcement came a day after a Russian defense ministry official said a ceasefire had already been implemented there in line with agreements with Turkey. "According to the agreements with the Turkish side, the ceasefire regime was introduced in the Idlib de-escalation zone starting from 14:00 Moscow time (11:00 GMT) on January 9, 2020," Russian Major General Yury Borenkov was quoted as saying then. The ceasefire eventually came into effect on Sunday. The Turkish Defense Ministry said attacks by air and land would halt at one minute past midnight on January 12 under the agreement. Turkey had earlier requested Russia to declare a ceasefire in Idlib, and sent a delegation to Moscow in December last year to discuss the issue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The brand once known as Dunkin Donuts turns 70 this year. The first 68 are inextricable from the word Donuts. They were a beloved treat for founder Bill Rosenberg, a working-class eighth-grade dropout in Depression-era Boston. By the time he died in 2002, hed built his brand into 5,000 stores in 38 countries. But the most recent 20 years of history have been an evolution toward something bigger. The brand evolved into the largest coffee-and-baked-goods chain in the world, as well as one of the fastest-growing in the U.S. Of its 13,000 stores, about 9,500 are in the U.S., and it plans to double that number over the next 20 years. It might even pull it off, with rising same-store sales now driving $1.3 billion in hot and cold drinks. Today the company also sells bagels and sandwiches and low-calorie wraps, and customers can purchase creamy, nitrogen-infused cold brew from tap handles. The foam cups it used for decades are actively being phased out in favor of a double-walled paper cup that wont be too hot to the touch. Using the companys DD Perks app, customers can even order on their phones before leaving the house. So given all this, the brand didnt want to be limited by its doughnut-focused name. In September 2018, it announced that it was changing its name to simply Dunkin -- a change as big as when Kentucky Fried Chicken eliminated Kentucky, Fried, and Chicken from its name. Dunkin Donuts, minus the Donuts. It was once unthinkable. But the weirdest thing has happened: Doughnut sales grew. Its happening at the nearly 500 U.S. stores that have adopted a store redesign. It turns out people became more impulsive when the doughnuts jumped from behind the counter to a front-facing pastry case by checkout. It didnt matter if the word was in the title. Now, worldwide, Dunkin is moving two billion doughnuts a year -- in 70 varieties, no less. Thats just how powerful this brand has become. The company debuted at #17 on our first-ever Franchise 500 list in 1980, and its ranked every year since. Seventeen times, it broke the top 10, including five years consecutively now. And it has ranked #2 three times in three different decades. This year, finally, for the first time ever, Dunkin is #1. Its the just result for a brand that has innovated through the decades while never losing sight of what makes it so strong. Related: Want to Open a Business? Here Are 5 Reasons to Consider Franchising. Bill Rosenberg always had a hustle. He was born in June 1916 in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood, and family legend has it that he was selling ice from his tricycle at 3 years old. He had a watermelon stand at age 9, bought and sold ice cream for a markup by age 11, and dropped out of school at 14 to work full-time and support his family. Even then, Rosenberg had a soft spot for doughnuts. In his 2001 memoir, Time to Make the Donuts, Rosenberg reflects on visits to a diner in Boston, where they sold the biggest nickel jelly doughnuts you ever saw. And at home, his mom would fry hot-cake doughnuts in a kettle with rendered beef fat, which shed drain on kraft paper bags. Ill never forget licking the grains of sugar off my lips and fingers, he wrote. This great experience left an indelible memory of how doughnuts meant so much to me and every other kid. Rosenberg went chasing dough, but originally, it wasnt with Dunkin. In 1946, starting with a single truck, he founded what would become Universal Food Systems, New Englands largest food-service business. In addition to running commissaries and vending machines for factory workers, the company built trucks with sidewalls that opened to the street, so workers could buy sandwiches, pastries, doughnuts, and coffee -- precursors to todays food trucks. Rosenberg was committed to quality, and to get the drip flavor right in his coffee, he ran boiling water over leaching bags in custom-designed 100-gallon stainless steel tanks. The diligence allowed him to charge 10 cents a cup, rather than the standard five. And for his doughnuts, he bought from bakeries that produced fresh batches multiple times each day. In time, coffee and doughnuts came to account for 40 percent of his food-service business, so he opened a stand-alone retail shop where customers could come to him. In 1948, with brother-in-law Harry Wintour as full partner, Rosenberg went brick-and-mortar with a place called Open Kettle in Quincy, Mass., just outside Boston. It was the first retail doughnut store with dine-in seating. The coffee was freshly ground and brewed in small batches, and while the typical doughnut shop offered four or five choices, Rosenberg -- inspired by Howard Johnsons 28 varieties of ice cream -- made dozens. Business boomed, and in 1950, Rosenberg rebranded Open Kettle to Dunkin Donuts. Over the next five years, he opened four more stores. And thats when he set his sights on franchising. Franchising was a new concept in the early 1950s, and not particularly well-respected. Howard Johnsons was one of the first to do it, and across the country in California, Ray Kroc was just discovering and wooing the brothers whod started McDonalds. But Rosenberg believed franchising could be transformative, so in 1955, he bought out his brother-in-law and sold his first Dunkin Donuts franchise. By 1960, the company was on its way to 100 stores, and at a convention in Chicago, Rosenberg began rallying his fellow franchise companies -- brands like Chicken Delight, Burger Chef, and A&W Root Beer -- to organize into what would become the International Franchise Association. Today the IFA is the worlds oldest and largest franchise organization, representing more than 733,000 franchise establishmentsincluding Dunkin units. Its safe to say that Dunkin is a very active and well-respected franchise brand, says Stephen Worley, an IFA spokesperson, clearly careful not to show preference for one member over another. In many respects, its one of the more recognizable franchise brands in the country. Rosenberg claimed that alongside Dunkin Donuts, forming the IFA was his proudest achievement. In 1960, when franchising was in its infancy, most people looked upon it as an outcast or a misfit, but I believed it was the epitome of entrepreneurship and free enterprise, he wrote. When you share with others, everyone benefits. Thats the whole concept behind franchising. If the franchisees do well, I do well; we all do well. Perhaps for this reason, Dunkin moved to embrace franchising in a way that even its famous franchise rivals hadnt. For most of its history, Dunkin' has been 100 percent franchised -- meaning it's owned zero corporate-owned stores. That was way ahead of its time. Other franchise giants ran a mix of franchised and corporate locations, though in the past few years, many of them are actively trying to sell their corporate locations to franchisees, in part as a way to take those financial burdens off the parent companys bottom line. Pizza Hut, for instance, had 649 corporate U.S. locations in 2009; now it has only 23. Many other competitors, like McDonalds, hover at around 93 to 95 percent franchise ownership. Grant Benson, Dunkin Brands senior VP of franchising and business development and 34-year company veteran, believes this is what set up the brand for its initial success. It has 1,100 franchisees -- and if you think about it, he says, thats really 1,100 volunteers that are choosing every day to invest and reinvest in your brand based on their faith and confidence in the concept. That puts a big onus on the corporate company. Franchisees are only made profitable when the brand is relevant, innovative, and meeting the needs and expectations of the guests, he says. So as times changed, Dunkin had to change as well. Related: Licensing vs. Franchising: Which Path Is Right for You? Dunkin has long been selective about its franchise partners, but the cost of entry can actually be less than that of other well-known brands. While low-end price tags for Krispy Kreme and McDonalds are $440,500 and $1.26 million, respectively, motivated entrepreneurs can buy into Dunkin starting at just less than $100,000 for a kiosk-type operation. That value play was one of many things that got David Baumgartners attention. Hed spent his career in print distribution, but when the economy crashed in 2008, he knew it was time to find a new line of employment. He didnt know much about franchising -- or, for that matter, about Dunkin Donuts (as it was still known then). But he was aware of the brands loyal following, and after doing his homework, he was impressed by the companys growth goals, especially given the sputtering economy. (A 2009 Entrepreneur article called Dunkin a recession-resistant franchise.) Baumgartner opened his first Dunkin in Chattanooga, and business was brisk. But everybody thought we were a doughnut store, he says, so coffee took a while to catch on -- especially cold coffee, which was virtually nonexistent in the South. But that wasnt unheard of. Dunkin was big back then, but it still wasnt as nationally known as today. The brand was coming out of a few rocky decades. It had a successful IPO in 1968 but began suffering in the 1970s as founder Bill Rosenberg began a long fight with cancer and diabetes. (Rosenbergs doughnut habit eventually landed him in a weight-loss program.) Stock plummeted. Franchisees sued over an equipment-purchasing dispute. Rosenberg retired in 1989, and the company sold to British food conglomerate Allied Domecq that same year. (Allied also owned Baskin-Robbins, which is how all those Dunkin-Baskin combo locations came about.) But there was also an upswing. The brands famous 1980s Time to make the doughnuts ad campaign, featuring a fictional Fred the Baker, was a national hit. Allied Domecqs restaurant business would become Dunkin Brands Group and start working toward a second IPO. So thats what Baumgartner was walking into when he opened his Chattanooga location in 2009, confusing locals with all those doughnuts. Then Dunkin really started making moves. In 2009, it brought in former Blockbuster and Papa Johns leader Nigel Travis as CEO -- and for the next nine years, hed grow company revenue by 60 percent and add 6,000 stores. He also took the company public again, in 2011. Then in 2018, former McDonalds executive David Hoffmann took over as CEO and quickly announced a three-year strategic plan called Blueprint for Growth. It laid out an aggressive pledge to add more than 200 new U.S. locations annually through 2021. Long-term, it plans to grow to 18,000 stores -- mostly outside the Northeast, where the brand has long dominated. The company soon upgraded its app, called DD Perks, to allow its 12 million subscribers to order ahead. It also presented a vision for what it called a Next Generation redesign, which would give stores a modern look, a cold-beverage bar, and quick-grab deli cases for on-the-go customers. Through all this, franchisees like Baumgartner saw their customers change. People once thought he ran a doughnut shop but started to see it as their morning coffee destination. Now its almost flipped. All you have to do is get [the coffee] in peoples hands, and they become regulars. Experiences like Baumgartners are largely responsible for Dunkins decision to drop Donuts from its name. Coffee has long been the companys big sales driver, and focusing on the winning product has proven successful. In 2018 Dunkin invested $100 million to reinvigorate and expand its espresso platform and install the new iced-beverage tap systems. In Q1 2019, the upgrades culminated with 5.5 percent system-wide sales growth and the companys largest quarterly same-store sales increase in four years. Opinions about the name change werent all positive. As one Wall Street Journal headline lamented, Dunkin Fans Say Losing the Donut Leaves a Hole. But it certainly got a lot of attention, and signaled its bigger ambitions. There were millions and millions of impressions [on social media], says Benson, the Dunkin senior VP. In every possible venue and media outlet, there was an opinion being bantered around about it. But sales spoke louder than anything else. Espresso became Dunkins fastest-growing product category, and the company credits it for a year of growth that, through Q3, saw 135 stores open and same-store sales grow by an average of 1.9 percent. Baumgartner now owns and operates 41 stores in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, with plans to double his footprint by the end of 2023. Custom spins on the Dunkin slogan -- Knoxville runs on Dunkin, Birmingham runs on Dunkin, and so on -- have helped secure local followings in every new market. After building the companys first freestanding Next Generation store, he now runs seven Dunkin locations with the new branding. Related: Why It Took Dunkin' Donuts 10 Years to Build the Perfect New Cup Today Dunkin says its growing on the strength of its franchisees. Through peer-elected advisory councils, they meet regularly with corporate leaders at the local, regional, and national level. Thats where the good ideas are born, says Benson. And the meetings prove critical to mobilizing the large network in support of big brand initiatives. In return, franchisees benefit from nearly universal brand recognition, powerhouse marketing support, and flexible build-out options. In the spirit of Rosenbergs doughnut truck, Dunkin stores today can be located inside gas stations, airports, hospitals, and supermarkets. In addition to the strip-mall and stand-alone stores (with and without drive-throughs), you can find Dunkin inside Walmarts, and some still cohabitate with sibling brand Baskin-Robbins. How many opportunities are there where you can get involved in a 70-year-old brand that has 10,000 stores in the United States and more space to develop? says Baumgartner. And theyre going to give you the support and the field staff to help you be successful. Whats most interesting about Dunkin isnt the degree to which its changed. Its the degree to which its maintained its core values. Change is hard, but not changing is harder, says Benson. Consider the fact that Dunkin still offers the original coffee blend it first brewed seven decades ago. The iconic Dunkin font is the same as it was in the 1970s, and the America runs on Dunkin slogan has been in play for 14 years. When Dunkin decided to phase out its environmentally unfriendly foam cups, it undertook 10 years -- 10 years! -- of weekly meetings, testing, and focus groups to settle on a more sustainable paper alternative. The trick the company has pulled off is to be at once old and new, to give its customers something fresh without betraying its founding principles or significantly upending the daily ritual that brings them through the door. Were talking about coffee and doughnuts, says Benson. These are the highlights in peoples busy days. So were being very true to that legacy, retaining all the goodness and richness thats been earned one cup of coffee or one doughnut at a time. Check out our complete Franchise 500 rankings, or view more stories here. Related: The Top 20 Franchises of 2020 From the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Franchise 500: Our Definitive Ranking of 2020's Strongest Franchises #1 on the Franchise 500: Even Without the 'Donuts', Dunkin' Takes the Cake Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Theres so many things going on in Northwest Indiana right now, we have to really focus on whats going on there. Other representatives are going to be focusing on whats going on in their areas all across the state, so Im going to stay focused on District 3, said State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will "teach a lesson" to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar if his forces continue attacks against the North African country's internationally recognized government. Erdogan issued the threat in a televised speech on January 14, after General Haftar and the head of the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj, left Moscow without reaching a cease-fire deal to end months of fighting. The two rivals didn't meet directly but their delegations on January 13 held about seven hours of closed-door talks with top diplomats and military officials from Russia and Turkey. Libya has been torn by violence since longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. NATO-member Turkey has been backing the GNA, while Russia supports Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), which is trying to capture the capital, Tripoli. A tentative cease-fire that came into force on January 12 saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes in Libya, although both sides have accused each other of violating it as skirmishes continued around Tripoli. After the January 13 meetings in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said Sarraj had signed a draft truce agreement but that Haftar requested more time to consider it. The next morning, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced Haftar had left the Russian capital without signing the document. Russian news agencies reported that Sarraj had also departed. Russia's Defense Ministry later said that Haftar had taken two days to discuss the agreements reached in Moscow with his allies, Russian news agencies reported. But speaking at a meeting of his party in Ankara, Erdogan said the "putschist Haftar ran away" from the Russian capital. "Despite this, we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community," the Turkish president said. He said the issue would now be discussed at a Berlin summit on Libya planned for January 19. Addressing at a press conference during a visit to Sri Lanka earlier in the day, Lavrov said Moscow would continue pushing for a permanent truce agreement between the warring sides in Libya's conflict. Turkey and Russia have both been criticized by UN and Western officials who say their efforts to arm their allies have led to an intensification of the violence. Erdogan announced earlier this month that he had dispatched military elements to Libya to ensure stability for the GNA. UN experts and diplomats say that Russian military contractors in recent months have deployed alongside the LNA. With reporting by AFP, TASS, and Reuters Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:36:00|Editor: ZX Video Player Close COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Tuesday that his government will soon launch a target based strategy to promote the island country's tourism industry as the sector has the potential to play a leading role in the economic growth of the country, a statement from the President's office said here Tuesday. As a result, the President said the government hopes to generate a 10 billion U.S. dollar income per year from the tourism sector by 2025. "We require a skilled team with expertise and dedication. Every step should generate immediate results. On my part I do not hesitate to take decisions for the benefit of the country. I expect the officials would commit themselves to passing benefits of such decisions onto the public. If there is a target-based plan (for tourism), every challenge can be overcome", the president said. The president also emphasized the necessity of upgrading the quality of facilities provided to tourists visiting the country and amenities at airports will be streamlined. The importance of developing places of tourist attraction and building an effective promotional mechanism are also highlighted by the president, the statement said. Instructions were also given to shopping malls to be equipped with requirements sought after by tourists while the president also instructed the Tourist Board to implement programs with the participation of Sri Lankan envoys overseas to build the image of Sri Lanka and to promote it as a tourist destination. Sri Lanka achieved 1.9 million tourists last year with over 240,000 visiting during the month of December alone, statistics from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed here last week. India, China, Britain, Russia and Australia were the top five markets for Sri Lanka tourism last year with Chinese tourists reaching over 167,000. With the newly-implanted government policies, a lot of people are coming out on to the streets to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens (CAA & NRC) in full swing. The environment is a bit grim as some protests have been successful while many have been intervened by the Delhi Police, who have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Amidst all this, when the country is going through a sensitive emotional upheaval, there is a heavy chance you'll come across 'fake news' that will put you in a state of panic, in an already intense scenario. Twitter Now, what is fake news? Well, according to a school that is teaching children to identify fake news, this is what it is: Fake news is completely false information, photos or videos, intentionally created and spread, to confuse the public, spread mass panic, provoke violence and get attention, This is the given definition on one of the slides of a PowerPoint presentation being shown to students at Amritha Vidyalayam in Kannur, as reported by Beebom. Yes, they're teaching children in 150 government schools in Kannur district of Kerala on how to spot fake news when you see it, and we can't think of anything more progressive than this. Kerala is literally waging a war against fake news and this initiative known as 'Satyamev Jayate', was started by the Kannur District Collector Mohammed Ali. Fake news in Kerala is very common and is mostly propagated through Whatsapp forwards. Over the last few months, a lot of people have been lynched in Kerala over the suspicion of being child traffickers. Of course, there is a lot of paranoia in the air due to this and that's only been created by fake Whatsapp forwards that have been incessantly doing the rounds. Not just fake news on lynching but Kerala floods-related fake news has also done the rounds, instilling fear and panic among people. While nothing drastic can be done to stop the circulation of fake news, this initiative taken by Kannur is a step in a positive direction for sure! The Logical Indian Due to the constant circulation of fake news, the DC of Kannur, Mir Mohammed Ali has started a rather unique initiative called 'Satyamev Jayate', which literally mean truth alone triumphs. The initiative is mostly about teaching children the importance of truth and making the circulation of fake news absolutely obsolete. The initiative will educate school children on what fake news is, how it's dangerous and what can be done to curb it. It is basically a training program for students to inculcate certain characteristics in them, to impart certain values in them. We want to encourage them to be more sceptical about the kind of information which is available on the internet and how to differentiate between what is true, what is false, Mir Mohammed Ali told the Logical Indian in an interview. We have to take sides here and being neutral is not an option when people around you are spreading fake news. If you are neutral, it means you are automatically siding with the false narrative, he added. The program ideally targets students in grades 8-12th, which is important because at this age children become quite tech-savvy and mostly even have mobile phones to communicate with. The was inaugurated on June 13. We have one teacher each from 150 government schools in the district. These teachers would undergo a month-long training and they would then go back and teach their students the same. In fact, we have already conducted a half-day training for the teachers. Mr Ali said. Twitter The program teaches kids to identify 'click-bait' material, something they can easily fall trap to. So, a few exercises are implanted for them to recognise what is click-bait on the internet and what isn't. Another thing they're thought is the concept of a filter bubble. Which means, if you spend a lot of time on the internet, you will slowly start 'encountering news that favours your point of view'. If people know a certain section of people are in favour of something, they tend to take advantage by advocating for what they're in favour of, and fake news can be born out of that too. So, basically what the program does is it lay down a few pointers for students to check whether certain information or news received by them via social media is fake or genuine, so they can do the needful, which is to dispose of any form of fake news they read. They are even encouraged to post correct information to counter the fake news, after thorough research, of course. Twitter While this program was initiated in July last year, its relevance has increased over the last few months and we need this implemented, not just in schools but everywhere, due to the current political scenario in the country. We just hope people learnt to distinguish right from wrong, especially in sensitive times like these, when false information can really make a home for itself in someone's thought process, if it's not countered properly. With inputs from The Logical Indian Investigators questioning Jammu & Kashmir police officer Davinder Singh said on Monday that the officer, who was arrested for allegedly escorting terrorists, claimed he was working on a plan to eliminate top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo but could provide no proof to support his assertion. Singh, who was suspended on Monday and his office sealed, is currently with the anti-hijacking wing of Srinagar airport and is not mandated to carry out undercover counterterror operations. There is nothing to support his claim, importantly none of the counterterror units operating in Jammu & Kashmir have backed his claim and neither was he in touch with them or tasked, a senior official in the security establishment who didnt want to be named said. Also Watch l To be treated as terrorist: Senior J&K cop caught with Hizb terrorists The two terrorists were identified as Hizbul Mujahedeen member Naveed Babu and Altaf. Babu is accused of being involved in the killing of 11 non-local workers including truck drivers and labourers in south Kashmir last year. The police also arrested a lawyer from Shopian, identified as Irfan, who was travelling with them. Preliminary investigations indicated the two alleged terrorists stayed at Singhs house in Srinagars Indra Nagar for about two days. On Saturday, when Singhs vehicle was flagged down at a police check post on the highway leading to Jammu, Singh allegedly didnt hide his identity but told policemen that he was travelling to Jammu with family members. Unfortunately for Singh, there was pin-pointed information with the J&K Police about terrorists travelling with Singh, a second senior official in the security establishment, who did not want to be named, said. An AK-47 rifle, two pistols, two grenades and lakhs of rupees were recovered from Singhs residence, said a third official, adding that militants had struck a deal of Rs 12 lakh with Singh for transportation, providing them accommodation and other related issues. Singh was providing hideout to militants in Jammu during winters for several years for which he was getting handsome amount of money, said the official. He added that Singh was taking the two militants to Chandigarh for providing them accommodation for a couple of months. The J&K Police are now examining Singhs finances and cases he was associated with the past, a senior Union home ministry official said, and called for a 360-degree investigation. The National Investigation Agency could take over the case, the officer indicated. In particular, police are examining Singhs house, which adjoins the headquarters of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps.The other line of investigation is that Singh was escorting, on a regular basis, terrorists from north to south Kashmir, where the deployment is very thin. Singh was under investigation earlier as well. He allegedly tried to extort money when he was posted in the critical Special Operations Group (SoG). Despite the inquires, there were no red flags against Singh, a fourth official in the security establishment admitted. By John Geddie, Aradhana Aravindan and Pavel Polityuk SINGAPORE/KIEV (Reuters) - Five countries whose citizens were killed when an airliner was shot down by Iran last week will meet in London on Thursday to discuss possible legal action, Ukraine's foreign minister told Reuters. Speaking on the sidelines of an official visit to Singapore on Monday, Vadym Prystaiko said the five nations would also discuss compensation and the investigation into the incident. All 176 people on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight were killed in the crash on Wednesday, minutes after the plane took off from Tehran airport By John Geddie, Aradhana Aravindan and Pavel Polityuk SINGAPORE/KIEV (Reuters) - Five countries whose citizens were killed when an airliner was shot down by Iran last week will meet in London on Thursday to discuss possible legal action, Ukraine's foreign minister told Reuters. Speaking on the sidelines of an official visit to Singapore on Monday, Vadym Prystaiko said the five nations would also discuss compensation and the investigation into the incident. All 176 people on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight were killed in the crash on Wednesday, minutes after the plane took off from Tehran airport. In Kiev, Ukraine's top security official said a senior Iranian investigator would visit the Ukrainian capital in the coming days to determine whether a Ukrainian laboratory is suitable to decode the plane's black box flight recorders. Prystaiko said suggestions from Iran that the plane was shot down as it flew near a sensitive military base during a time of heightened tensions were "nonsense". "We have created this group of foreign ministers from the grieving nations. On Jan 16, we will meet in person in London to discuss the ways, including legal, how we are following this up, how we are prosecuting them (Iran)," Prystaiko said. He said the five nations also included Canada - which had at least 57 passport holders aboard the doomed flight - Sweden, Afghanistan and a fifth country which he did not name. Canada has previously said these four countries and Britain had established a coordination group to support victims' families. Many on board were Iranians with dual citizenship. After days of denials, Iran said on Saturday its military had shot down the plane in a "disastrous mistake". Tehran said its air defences were fired in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq, and that the airliner was mistaken for a "hostile target" after it turned toward a sensitive military base of the elite Revolutionary Guards near Tehran. "This is nonsense because our plane was recorded and confirmed - was going within the international route which was given by the dispatchers...Nothing was extraordinary," Prystaiko said, adding that investigators said the pilot's last words were "everything is ok on board and I am switching to auto pilot." "I have seen this information on media that our plane changed the route...Yes, because it was hit by rocket! It was already dying." EXPLANATION FOR EARLY CONFUSION Oleksiy Danylov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defence council, told Reuters in Kiev that Iran would have the final say on where the black box recorders would be decoded. Danylov also offered an explanation for an early source of confusion: a statement issued by Ukraine's embassy in Iran on the day of the crash that initially pointed to engine failure as the cause. The statement, which was deleted later that day and replaced with another statement saying the cause was unknown, had been issued to try to gain access to the crash site, Danylov said. "If we had said straight away that they had shot it down, I am not sure they would have let us go to the wreckage at all, let us do what we were doing," he said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards apologised to the nation and accepted full responsibility. Senior Guards commander Amirali Hajizadeh said he had informed Iran's authorities last Wednesday about the unintentional strike, a comment that raised questions about why officials had publicly denied it for so long. Prystaiko said all involved had to be held to account and that Ukrainian investigators should be central to the investigation. "We have to dig out who gave the order, who pushed the button. Everything...all these people should be punished," he said. (Reporting by John Geddie and Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore and Pavel Polityuk in Kiev; Editing by Peter Graff and Timothy Heritage) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Stopping Googles End Run: No Safe Harbor Privilege in Trade Agreements The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement recently passed the house and is headed for the senate. Many in the music industry are concerned, however, that the new deal contains concepts which looks very similar to the failed DMCA law, and which would greatly benefit tech giant Google should it pass through the senate. ____________________________________ Op-ed by Chris Castle of Music Technology Policy Many welcome the passing of the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Less discussed is the part of USMCA that incorporates concepts of the failed DMCA from US law. The chances of doing something to lessen the blow are dwindling now that the USMCA has passed the House of Representatives and moved on to the Senate. We still have a chance to have an impact in the Senate, but time is going by. Googles USMCA Back Door Getting the DMCA incorporated into USMCA is, lets face it, a major lobbying victory for Google that takes the sting out of big losses in the European Parliament on the European Copyright Directive. But see what they did there? Google are having trouble stopping the headlong defense against its safe harbor abuse through the front door, so they make an end run by lobbying for language in USMCA that gives them their treasured groovier than thou safe harbor privilege. That privilege saves Google and other Big Tech publishers from complying with the law same as anyone else, from copyright infringement to profiting from illegal goods to advertiser fraud. And now of course they want USMCA to become a model for all other trade agreementsincluding, no doubt the coming bilateral agreement with the UK after Brexit. That is what we need to stop cold in its tracks. And by we I mean all creatorsnot just music, but artists in all copyright categories. What is to be Done? Theres a few ways to do this. First, the simplest thing is to ask your Senators to make a statement for the record opposing the safe harbors being included in any trade deal, including USMCA. Then, realize that significant legislation comes with something called legislative history which is a stand alone document that is a narrative explanation of what the Congress intended with the bill. The legislative history for USMCA has not been finalized yet, but the clock is ticking. (You can read the legislative history from the House of Representatives on the Music Modernization Act if you want to get an idea of what this will look like. Both House and Senate issue these reports.) Courts often review the legislative history when trying to say what the law is as a way of defining the intentions of Congress, sometimes years or decades after a particular bill was enacted into law. Its important that the USMCA legislative history reflect that Congress was not throwing the door open to Google to incorporate special privileges. One other way is to require the U.S. Trade Representative to consult with relevant committees of Congress before ever doing this again. This takes the back room dealing out of it, or at least limits it. Creators should be concerned about perpetuating in other trade agreements the harms in the USMCAs Article 20.89 (Legal Remedies and Safe Harbors)and thats the problem floating beneath the surface of USMCA. Just at a time when not only has the copyright small claims court bill (CASE Act) passed overwhelmingly in the House, but we are also expecting the Copyright Office report on the DMCA safe harbor and we are starting to win victories over the value gap in Europe, we dont need US trade agreements to perpetuate and expand the bad DMCA safe harbors (17 USC Sec. 512 et seq for those reading along at home). Particularly when the world is moving past those privileges and US law is frozen in amber. These concerns arise because the USMCA incorporates the highly controversial DMCA safe harbor . This perpetuates the DMCAs highly controversial and debilitating whack a mole regime that creators have suffered for decades just at a time when the CASE Act is about to give some relief, especially to photographers, film makers and music artists. Creators simply cannot tolerate such grotesque unfairness becoming standard practice for trade agreements by the United States especially if the US ends up negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the UK after Brexit. The Article effectively codifies the notification-counter-notification call and response of the so-called DMCA safe harbor. The infringer sending a counter-notification after receiving a takedown notice likely knows that there is no downside for challenging an independent artist if that artist cannot afford a federal lawsuit to enforce a reply to a counter-notification (17 USC Sec. 512(g)(2)(C)) much less international copyright enforcement. The House of Representatives has recently passed the CASE Act to deal with this very problem and I expect the Senate will take up the CASE Act in the coming weeks. It would be a bizarre twist for the Congress to plug one loophole only to allow another through the back door of trade agreements. (Not to mention the showdown over Googles fair use loophole brewing in the Supreme Court in the Google v. Oracle case.) Even if the US rolls back the DMCA safe harbor, its possible that we may be stuck with whatever safe harbor privilege that Google snuck into the USMCA as a stand alone regime. That would be unacceptable. Take Action I encourage readers to call on your representatives and ask that they include in the legislative history of the USMCA language that would recognize the harms to artists and all creators of Article 20.89 that perpetuates the unworkable DMCA regime. The legislative history should also disclaim the use of the Article as a model for future trade agreements and require the US Trade Representative to consult with the relevant committees of Congress before negotiating future agreements that address safe harbors. This is particularly urgent given the Copyright Offices current review of the DMCA and legislative events in Europe moving in the exact opposite direction of the Article. If you agree with these concerns, I recommend that you call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your Senators that you want (1) the USMCA legislative history to place a limitation on incorporating DMCA in future trade deals and (2) Congress to require the US Trade Representative to consult with Congress. And you want them to make a statement for the record opposing inserting safe harbors in any trade deals, including USMCA. The Artist Rights Watch motto is Never Take It for Granted that Justice Will Be Done. We have a chance to fix thisif not us, then who, if not now, then when? Share on: [January 14, 2020] Frost Radar in the Global Industrial Cybersecurity Market NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The industrial cybersecurity market has been experiencing rapid growth and gaining widespread significance in recent years. High penetration of Industrial Internet of Things technology in critical infrastructure industries (e.g., power utilities and oil & gas) and the manufacturing industry has resulted in increased threat attack surfaces. Cyberattacks in the energy and utilities industries alone cost an average of $13.2 million per year. As attacks face more intense government and end-user scrutiny, more cybersecurity regulations are being enforced globally. Rising incidences of cyberattacks, evolving government compliance regulations, and increased awareness in mature and emerging markets have accelerated the adoption of cybersecurity approaches. However, the complexity of cybersecurity and unclear return on investment (ROI) benefits are creating confusion among end users. Market participants are addressing industry needs by introducing a number of service packages consisting of an assortment of managed and professional cybersecurity services. With attacks increasing in target and sophistication, cybersecurity approaches need to evolve too. End users want scalability and flexibility in cybersecurity amid an ever-changing threat landscape. Service providers have started to transition to cybersecurity-as-a-service models. A service-based has given rise to models such as software-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service. Providers are also focusing on pay-as-you-go expertise by providing services on a subscription basis that allow for continuous monitoring and assessment of the industrial environment. The indusrial cybersecurity services market is largely fragmented with vendors from both the information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) sides leveraging their domain expertise to provide lifecycle services for cybersecurity with innovative service platforms and management consoles. North America, Europe, and the Middle East are mature markets in terms of cybersecurity with a high degree of adoption of the Internet of Things and increased scrutiny of critical infrastructure protection. Professional services are also seeing high market acceptance with the increasing need of expertise as a service in the cybersecurity field owing to the crippling shortage of in-house talent. Market participants are focusing on offering a comprehensive portfolio and providing end users the ability to select services best suited to their cybersecurity goals. With security gaps existing in the IT and OT divergent scenarios of the industrial control systems (ICS) space, market participants are establishing partnerships with vendors from different backgrounds to provide joint solutions for IT/OT security in the industrial environment. The radar reveals the market positioning of companies in an industry using their Growth and Innovation scores as highlighted in the radar methodology. The document presents competitive profiles on each of the companies in the radar based on their strengths, opportunities, and a small discussion on their positioning. The analyst examines hundreds of companies in the industry and benchmarks them across 10 criteria on the radar, where the leading companies in the industry are then positioned. Industry leaders on both the Growth and Innovation indices are recognized as best practice recipients. https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839454/?utm_source=PRN 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frost-radar-in-the-global-industrial-cybersecurity-market-300986446.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Suspended Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police Devinder Singh had ferried Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Naveed Babu to Jammu last year also and facilitated his return to Shopian after "rest and recuperation", officials interrogating him said here Tuesday. "Meri mati maari gayi thi (I must have lost my mind to do what I did)," an interrogator quoted Singh as saying after the DSP failed to impress them with his theory of catching a big terrorist. Singh was arrested last Saturday along with Naveed Babu alias Babar Azam, a resident of Nazneenpora in South Kashmir's Shopian district, and his associate Asif Ahmad. He is believed to have taken Rs 12 lakh for smuggling the two to Chandigarh for providing them accommodation for a couple of months, officials said. The officials, who have been spending considerable time questioning Singh, said there have been many inconsistencies in his statements and everything was being crosschecked and corroborated with the confessions of captured militants who have been kept in different rooms at an interrogation centre in South Kashmir. During questioning it emerged that Singh had taken them to Jammu in 2019 also, the officials said. In a tone laced with sarcasm, they said the DSP was taking the militants for "rest and recuperation". Naveed told the interrogators that they used to stay in the hilly regions to avoid the J&K police and left the areas to escape harsh winters, they said. The official said the DSP's bank accounts and other assets were being verified by the police and papers were being collected, amid speculations that the case may be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Going into the service history of Singh, majority of retired and serving officials of the JKP spoken to referred to a proverb -- coming events cast their shadows long before -- to say that if action had been taken against the officer during his probation period, such things would not have happened. Recruited in 1990 as a sub-inspector, Singh along with another probationary officer were subject of an internal enquiry where some narcotics had been seized from a truck. However, the contraband was sold by Singh and another sub-inspector, the officials recalled. There was a move to dismiss them from the service which was stalled by an Inspector General rank officer purely on humanitarian ground and the duo was shifted to the Special Operations Group, a team of policemen engaged in counter- militancy offensive. However, he could not last there for long and was shifted this time to the police lines only to be rehabilitated in 1997 again in the SOG. During this period, he was posted in Budgam and is alleged to have indulged in extortion for which he was sent back to the police lines. His proper rehabilitation began in 2015 by the then Director General of Police K Rajendra, who posted him in district headquarters of Shopian and Pulwama, the officials said. However, after some alleged wrongdoing during his stint in Pulwama, the then Director General of Police S P Vaid transferred him in August 2018 to the sensitive Anti-Hijacking Unit in Srinagar, though the move was opposed by some other officers. An advocate, Irfan Ahmad Mir, was driving the vehicle when they were caught by the police on National Highway in Kulgam district. The advocate, who has also been arrested, had travelled to Pakistan five times on an Indian passport. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bill is pending in the Virginia General Assembly to pay almost $160,000 to Winston Lamont Scott, who was wrongly convicted of a rape in Fairfax County more than four decades ago. Scott, 63, of Indiana, was exonerated by the Virginia Supreme Court last March on the strength of DNA testing. He is one of 13 innocent people cleared of serious crimes by a Virginia post-conviction DNA testing project begun in 2005, 30 years after the attack that led to his conviction. Scott was convicted primarily on the victims identification of him in a photo spread and again in court at his 1976 trial. Experts say victim-witness misidentification is the single most frequent contributor to wrongful convictions. In granting him a writ of actual innocence last March, the unanimous Virginia Supreme Court ruled that in light of the new DNA evidence, no rational trier of fact would have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In 2010, DNA testing of sperm found on the victims jeans and from her vagina failed to identify Scotts genetic profile or that of the victims only sex partner at the time. Scott was not excluded by DNA until 2017, after he was located out of state and asked if he wanted to submit a sample for testing. Due to continuously increasing demand on the Virtsu-Kuivastu ferry line, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications authorized the Estonian Road Administration to negotiate with OU TS Laevad, a subsidiary of AS Tallinna Sadam, to acquire an additional new-built ferry for servicing the Virtsu-Kuivastu line. According to the ferry services agreement with the Estonian Road Administration signed on 11.12.2014, TS Laevad provides ferry services on the Rohukula-Heltermaa and Virtsu-Kuivastu ferry lines until 30.09.2026. TS Laevad also has the necessary competence in the specialities of operating ferry lines and up-to-date experience in acquiring new ferries. Subject to the results of further analyses and negotiations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has set the goal for the Road Administration to conclude an agreement with TS Laevad by 31.03.2020 on the terms and conditions for acquiring and operating the new vessel. More detailed impact on the economic activities of Tallinna Sadam Group can be assessed after the agreement with the Estonian Road Administration has been signed and the cost of the vessel has become clear. Additional information: NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, in collaboration with US-based retail magazine, Retail Info Systems (RIS) developed a report titled,'Smart Store Strategies for Digitally Savvy, Time-Crunched Shoppers'. The study, based on a poll conducted with senior executives from national and large regional retail organisations, reveals how retailers need to combine human and technology best practices to create "store-of-the-future" strategies. It also highlights technology investments necessary to ensure financial success. This conversation on best practices for technology deployment comes at a crucial time for retailers, as brick-and-mortar locations face increasing pressure to compete with consumers' ecommerce options. Wipro and RIS found that an overwhelming number of retailers are planning to stay competitive in the future by investing in new technology solutions such as digital signage, new mobile applications, and AI-driven customer service and support for enhanced consumer experiences called store-of-the-future. The study finds that retailers are looking for guidance on improving implementation of strategies and ensuring their investments become profitable. Some of Wipro's and RIS's additional observations on how retailers are creating store-of-the-future strategies include: 81% of retailers say it's important to adopt a smart, store-of-the-future strategy to succeed with today's consumers. 88% also say that store associates play a big role in those strategies. Most retailers want to improve their methods and best practices, as many respondents rated their performance in implementing store-of-the-future strategies as middling, scoring themselves just 5.5 on a scale of 10. Retailers identify three high-level consumer strategies that rise far above the rest: service (88% said yes), convenience (73%), and value (67%). Retailers believe the most important customer-facing technologies are click and collect (85%), proximity or location engagement in stores (64%), and buy online and return in store (55%). New shopper-facing technologies retailers plan to invest in include new payment options (62%), interactive digital signage (47%), and click-and-collect (44%). Advanced back-office technologies are also important. Retailers plan to invest in technologies such as advanced order management (79%), mobile apps for store staff (70%), personalized marketing capabilities (61%), in-store mobile devices (58%), and AI-driven customer service and support (28%). "Wipro's work with its retail partners to build smart stores-of-the-future is based on the five pillars of seamless experiences, human-centric, intelligence, future-ready, trusted and safe -- the SHIFT principle -- to build innovative solutions," said Deviprasad Rambhatla, Senior Vice President and Global Head Retail Distribution and Transportation (RDAT), Wipro Limited. "These guiding principles will help our teams improve financial results for retailers as well as enhance the experiences for their customers and store associates," he said. To access the full report, please click here. About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 175,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Media Contacts: Shraboni Banerjee Wipro Limited [email protected] Jim Cameron Ruder Finn [email protected] Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. SOURCE Wipro Limited Ukraine knew on a preliminary basis that Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on January 8, the same day as the incident, but decided not to go public with the information because it wanted to get access to the crash site. Kyiv knew conclusively that Iran's military was to blame the following day, yet told its embassy in Tehran to rule out a terrorist act in its statement, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov told Current Time, a television and digital network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America. The reason being, he said on January 13, was that the situation room in Kyiv wanted Iran to accept Ukraine's team of investigators. "After we received confirmation from Tehran that they were waiting for us, this information was removed," Danylov said. Opposition politicians had criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for not announcing findings sooner that Iran had likely shot down the airliner on January 8, killing all 176 people on board, including 11 Ukrainians. Danylov posited that the prime ministers of Britain and Canada came out with statements laying the blame on an Iranian rocket for "political reasons." However, Kyiv took a "pragmatic" approach because "our task was to discover the truth," he said. When asked if such actions were provocative, Danylov justified them as "goal-oriented." He said Ukraine's investigators believed the rocket that shot down the airliner was a Russian-made Tor missile. When Iran acknowledged shooting down the plane after nearly three days of denials, Danylov said it "relieved some tension." It was confirmation that Ukraine "went down the right path," he said. Danylov said he had faith in his team's conclusions because it consisted of the same people who investigated the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in July 2014. An international team of investigators led by the Netherlands has concluded that Russia was responsible for shooting down the airliner in which all 298 people aboard were killed. Russia has rejected the conclusions of the investigation. Infosys said the company has partnered with GEFCO, a world leader in multimodal supply chain solutions and the European leader in automotive logistics, to support its digital transformation over the next five years. Indian Railway Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said Ministry of Railways has given its approval to IRCTC to operate 82901/82902 Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express (06 days a week). This train will have its inaugural run on 17 January 2020 and will start its commercial run from 19 January 2020. Aster DM Healthcare said the board has approved the shares buyback for up to 57.14 lakh equity shares fully paid-up of Rs 10 per equity share representing up to 1.13 % of the total paid-up Equity Share capital of the company at a price of Rs 210, for an aggregate amount of up to Rs 120 crore, being 4.69% and 5.42% of the fully paid-up Equity Share capital and free reserves. IT major Wipro will announce its Q3 result today, 14 January 2020. Manappuram Finance said the company has raised $300,000,000 by allotment of fixed rate senior secure notes (Notes) in accordance with Regulation S of the US Securities Act, 1933, as amended and applicable Indian laws and regulations pursuant to the meeting of the Financial Resources and Management Committee dated 13 January 2020. The Notes will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The renewable energy sector is on the rise for the past decade, particularly solar and wind power technologies are growing at a rapid pace. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839392/?utm_source=PRN According to the Infinium global research report on renewable energy, the global renewable energy market showed steady growth in 2018 as compared to the previous years. This year, a significant amount of investment was registered in renewable power technologies. The global investment in renewable power is expected to reach up to USD 272.3 billion, which is about 65% of the total for all new generation technologies. This is with excluding the large hydropower facilities. Including the large hydropower segment, the investment reaches up to USD 288.3 billion, which is about 69% of the total for all new generation technologies. Renewable energy is a better and green alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Through the use of renewable energy, we can lower the impact of pollution caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. The consumption of renewable energy has almost doubled in the last few years as the government and international organizations such as the EU and the UN have taken initiatives to lower carbon emission. Global factors including growing pollution levels due to GHG emissions, the number of initiatives by the government organizations and fluctuating prices of fossil fuels are the major. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) it has estimated that the number of deaths due to the diseases caused by pollution was around 5 million. Additionally, the carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels have significantly increased worldwide since 1900. Since 1970, carbon emissions have increased by around 90%, with emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes making about 78% of the total increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 1970 to 2011. These are the additional factors expanding the demand for an alternative to the conventional energy that in turn is boosting the demand for renewable energy. Renewable energy technologies covered in this report include Hydroelectric Power, Wind Power Energy, Bioenergy, Solar Energy and Geothermal Energy. Hydroelectric Power accounts for the maximum share of the market based on type. The global stats and the recent development of the renewable energy provided in the report give a better picture of the future market. Growing initiatives by the governments and involvement of the private sectors for the developing of advanced technologies have elevated the market at a global level. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles and off-grid power supply, the market is expected to grow at a sizeable rate during the forecast period. The global renewable energy market seems to be highly influenced by the regional structure. The environmental properties, legal and regulatory norms, per capita budget and the healthcare infrastructure of the region is affecting the growth of the market. Developing economies in the Asia Pacific region holds a growing share of global energy consumption. The rapidly growing industrialization and urbanization are some of the reasons underlining the growth of the market. On the other side, North America holds a significant share (around 25% in 2018) of the global market. The presence of major renewable energy generating companies and an increasing number of local as well as federal government initiatives are some major factors contributing to the market growth in this region. The report provides an insight into the recent investments in the renewable energy industry on the basis of technology type. From the study, it was found that in 2018, investment in the renewable energy industry was concentrated on solar power, following a similar trend in the previous year. While the investment was lower as compared to the previous year, which was chiefly due to lower unit costs for solar power and the changes in China's photovoltaic (PV) market. While the wind power investment continued to lag behind solar power. However, it has increased minimally in 2018, to USD 134.1 billion. On the other hand, other segments were lagging further behind, although investment in biomass and waste-to-energy increased by more than 50%. This report also provides country wise investment trends and opportunities in the renewable energy industry. According to the report, renewable energy investment in developed countries increased by about 11% in 2018. While the investment in the developing world hit a record high of USD 61.6 billion in the same year. China, on the other hand, saw a steep decline in investment among the developing countries. The investment trends varied by region, with investment rising in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Asia, and the United States while falling in the Americas as well as in China and India. A market attractiveness analysis is provided in the Infinium global research report on renewable energy market. The market attractiveness is dependent on the market size and growth rate of the industry. According to the study by Infinium global research, the market attractiveness of the renewable energy industry is expected to be on the higher side at the present Period. There are some additional factors including the number of competitors, pricing and operating margins, which affect the attractiveness of the market. The leading big investment deals were the final investment decision on the USD 4.2 billion, 700 MW Al Maktoum IV solar thermal project in the United Arab Emirates. The largest financing for wind power was the USD 650 million investment in Torrent Power's 500 MW project in India, which was awarded in an auction conducted by Solar Energy Corporation of India. Another big transaction for new capacity was the USD 634 million deal for the 60 MW Lostock waste-to-energy project in the United Kingdom. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839392/?utm_source=PRN 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 Wadia Group chairman Nusli Wadia has distanced himself from the dispute between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry. He has withdrawn all defamation cases against Tata Group's chairman emeritus. Tata had alleged Wadia "galvanised" other independent directors, in favour of Mistry, to act against the interests of the group. "Since the whole dimension of Tata-Mistry dispute has changed over the last three years and the Supreme Court has asked industrialists to settle the matter through dialogues, Wadia has taken the first step to disassociate himself from the corporate battle. It doesn't mean that the veterans will mend their broken relations. There is a lot to happen," said a Mumbai-based senior corporate lawyer. The dispute triggered between Tata and Wadia with the unceremonious removal of Mistry from the chairmanship. Wadia, who was on the boards of major Tata group companies, claimed it was shocking and violated corporate governance standards. Tata Sons, in a special shareholder meetings of group companies in December 2016, removed Wadia from the boards of Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals, along with Mistry. In retaliation, Wadia filed civil and criminal defamation lawsuits against Ratan Tata personally, Tata Sons and its other directors. He claimed Rs 3,000 crore in damages on the grounds that the notices seeking his removal had hurt his reputation and goodwill. After Cyrus Mistry won the legal battle in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the dimension of the case has completely changed. According to a corporate executive, the 75-year-old Nusli Wadia, who is often referred to as the corporate samurai for his famous legal battles, now has no reason to continue the lawsuits since NCLAT has reprimanded Ratan Tata and his close aides in its order. "The Supreme Court's direction to settle the matter came in at the right time and Wadia took the opportunity to become the first mover in reducing the bitterness between the two corporate czars," he added. The legal battle is now between Ratan Tata and the Mistry family, which holds 18.4 per cent stake in Tata Sons. Mistry wants to regain the director position in the holding company of Tata Group and turn Tata Sons back into a public company from a private company. The Wadia and Tata families had long-standing ties during the time of JRD Tata, who was Tata group chairman for over five decades and died in 1993. It was JRD Tata who had stopped Neville Wadia, father of Nusli Wadia, from selling the family's textile business Bombay Dyeing in 1971. Nusli Wadia had named his younger son Jeh after the first name of JRD, which is Jehangir. Wadia said years ago that JRD had considered him for the chairmanship of Tata Sons. But he felt it was Ratan Tata's rightful post. For decades, Wadia was a close friend of Ratan Tata and helped him fight the battle against the stalwarts at the helm of Tata group's major companies post-1991, when Tata became the chairman. Also Read: Wipro Q3 profit drops 3% to Rs 2,463 crore; revenue up 2.73% Also Read: Satya Nadella's CAA remarks: Meenakshi Lekhi pitches education for 'literates' Also Read: Statue of Unity gets listed among eight wonders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation The case of a man accused of murdering two people in Concord Township is being bound over to the Lake County grand jury. A probable cause hearing was held Jan. 14 in Painesville Municipal Court in front of judge Paul Malchesky. The defendant, 27-year-old Blake Sargi of Concord Township, was present in the courtroom for the hearing with his attorneys Ian N. Friedman and Brad Wolfe. Several members of the victims and defendants family were present in the courtroom as well. Sargi is facing two counts of murder for the Jan. 3 shooting death of Euclid residents Heavenly Goddess Murphy-Jackson, 38, and William Larondez Jackson Jr., 39. Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno said at a Jan. 6 news conference that dispatchers received a call shortly after 11 p.m., Jan. 3, from Sargis stepmother. She said her stepson had shot and killed two people. She said the victims were in a white vehicle parked on Andrea Drive in Concord Township. Leonbruno said at the news conference that deputies were immediately dispatched. Due to the nature of the call and threat of armed violence, the Lake County Sheriffs Office SWAT team was dispatched. When deputies arrived in the 7500 block of Andrea Drive they found the two victims inside of a 2019 White GMC Yukon. Leonbruno said both appeared to have been shot in the head and were dead. They were in the front drivers side and front passenger seat of the vehicle. Deputies secured that scene; detectives and the Lake County coroner were called. Other deputies responded to the Oakridge Drive home where Sargi lives with his mother. Leonbruno said the father came out of the home and told authorities the mother was trying to convince Sargi to come out of the house and she feared what would happen to him. After a SWAT negotiation, Sargi gave himself up to law enforcement and was arrested. He was arraigned on the two murder charges in Painesville Municipal Court Jan. 6. His bond was set at $10 million with a 10 percent cash surety option. A $1 million cashiers check was posted by a family member for Sargis bond Jan. 7. Part of Sargis stepmothers 911 call was played during the Jan. 14 probable cause hearing. Lake County Sheriff Patrol Commander Lt. Robert Rizzo took the stand as a witness. Rizzo is also the crisis negotiator for the SWAT team and spoke with Sargi on the phone that night. Rizzo said their talk lasted about 15 to 20 minutes. Rizzo said that during that conversation, Sargi said multiple times that he acted in self-defense. Rizzo said that the sheriffs office detective bureau is investigating the case and he has not had direct involvement with that investigation. Leonbruno said at the Jan. 6 news conference that no motive had been established. Leonbruno said in a Jan. 14 email there was no update regarding motive. Malchesky found probable cause at the Jan. 14 hearing and bound the case over to the grand jury. The murder charges each carry a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. Terms for Sargis bond include GPS monitoring. He is also prohibited from having contact with the victims families and witnesses. He is also prohibited from committing further acts of violence and possessing or directly controlling firearms as well as other deadly weapons. Long before Lucas Black made his name on NCIS: New Orleans, he had a few other notable projects. In fact, some may not even realize he starred in one film that made it big. Why did Black end up throwing objects at his [then] co-star? Lucas Black has done far more than NCIS: New Orleans Actor Lucas Black at the HumanaChallenge dinner banquet | Sandy Huffaker/Corbis via Getty Images While fans continue grieving Special Agent Christopher LaSalle on NCIS: New Orleans, Lucas Black is living his best life surrounded by friends and family. The actor stepped away from the spotlight to spend more time with loved ones and doing things he loves most. If you follow Black, you already know the avid hunter and fisherman has been extremely busy teaching his kids the ropes in the outdoors. Long before Black landed his iconic role on NCIS: New Orleans, he starred in a few noteworthy projects. You may not even realize how many. The Decatur, Alabama boy got his start in the 1994 film The War opposite Kevin Costner at the tender age of 11. Because of that, he went to work the following year on American Gothic. Lucas left such an impression on the casting department, the remembered him for other potential roles, according to IMDb, including the one you probably didnt realize was Lucas in the first place. Black starred in this hit film when he was a teen Remember the sleeper hit, Slingblade, starring Billy Bob Thorton? That was a much younger Lucas in the co-starring role as Frank Wheatley, the kid who befriended Karl Childers. The movie followed Karl, whod been hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, until his release. He began a new start in the small town shared by Frank and the two become an odd-couple of friends. In the end, Karl saves Frank from an abusive situation. That said, theres one very thing one of Lucass former co-stars remembers most. Why did he throw things on-set? Country musician and actor, Dwight Yocum, reflected on the 20th anniversary of Slingblade in 2016. He played the abusive boyfriend, Doyle Hargraves, to Franks mother. It will always remain a magical experience for me. I had done five movies at that point. After being on set a couple of days and shooting a couple of my scenes, I remember calling my manager on the phone and saying, You know what, I think Im in a real one here, something that will really have an impact, he told Nash Country Daily at the time. I think Billy [Bob Thornton] is doing something unique and lasting as a director and writer. I was really proud to be a part of it, and I still am. The film, which Yocum called a tragically joyful movie, had a moment between Yocum and Black that Yocum still remembers to this day. Lucas Black had run out of actual props to throw and he started throwing actual elementsreal books, real encyclopedias, he said. Lucas was hurling that stuff. I actually did get hit pretty hard with a couple of the encyclopedias. The one hit me in the ribs and almost took the wind out of me completely. Sure, the incident took place on the set of a movie and it was over 20 years ago, but the fact that Yocum remembers it so vividly points to Lucass natural talent early on. His days on NCIS: New Orleans may be over, but in the words of Karl, we love you, boy. NCIS: New Orleans returns to CBS on Sunday, February 16. The rules of the retirement game just saw a sizable overhaul in Congress, giving a nod to the reality that many Americans can't afford to quit working. The changes aren't massive enough to put to rest concerns about an upcoming retirement crisis where some forecast a growing gap between the haves and have-nots. Even so, the adjustments are likely to help some households boost their retirement savings. The new law, signed by President Donald Trump in late December, has key twists for those who work at small businesses, those who steadily work part time at a given company and those who are worried about whether they're on a bleak path to outlive the money in their 401(k). Eventually, workers may see their 401(k) plans begin to add options that offer annuities in their 401(k) plans, too. The SECURE Act or the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement offers small business owners some additional tax incentives for starting a retirement plan and seeks to make it less costly to do so. Financial services firms would be allowed to offer new multiple employer 401(k) plans to unrelated small companies with unrelated businesses. Workers who spend a large chunk of their careers at small companies that do not offer pensions or 401(k) plans are particularly vulnerable to an inadequate level of savings to cover the bills in retirement. ADVERTISEMENT Here's a look at some points to know: Turning 70 in 2020?New rules can help delay spending savings. Start thinking of age 72, instead of 70 and a half, if you want to delay taking money from your IRA or 401(k) for as long as possible. Under the new law, savers who are currently in their 50s and 60s wouldn't be required to take a minimum distribution from retirement savings until they hit age 72. Taking out the correct required minimum distribution, or RMDs for short, is essential each year, especially since the penalty for not doing so is 50% of what you should have taken out that year. The penalty is in addition to the ordinary income tax you pay on the money you withdraw from the retirement accounts. (Tax experts at H&R Block note, though, that it is possible to get a waiver by making the appropriate withdrawal as soon as the mistake is discovered and filing Form 5329 with an explanation of the error. If the IRS considers the error to be reasonable, the penalty will be waived. It may help to talk with a tax professional.) Given that many Americans are living longer and working longer, it can make sense for some to try to keep their hands off their retirement savings for as long as possible. "This isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all-situation," said Keith Bernhardt, vice president of retirement income for Fidelity Investments. Keeping the money in a tax-deferred IRA or 401(k) can help the account grow more in the future, too, depending on the success of your investments. ADVERTISEMENT "You're still benefiting from the tax deferred nature of having money inside the account," Bernhardt said. The new threshold applies to people who turn age 70 and a half in 2020 and later. The new 72 is simpler to track than the old age rules. After all, it's a little odd to try to figure out when you turn age 70 and a half. One potential point of confusion: If you turned 70 and a half in 2019 or earlier, you don't get the benefit of the new delay. You're still required to take the RMD for 2019 and in future years. The new rules can give you more flexibility for minimizing the tax hit in some years, too. Maybe you'd rather spend money from a regular brokerage account earlier in your retirement years. Say that investment outside of a retirement account is worth $10,000 but only $2,000 of that money represents actual earnings. Then, you'd only be taxed on the $2,000 not the entire $10,000. Take $10,000 out of the IRA and you'd be taxed on the full amount if you saved that money on a pretax basis while working. Take a hard look at your own numbers and talk to a tax professional or financial adviser. ADVERTISEMENT Outliving your money remains a real risk for many. Once people retire, they can run the risk of dipping too heavily into their retirement savings and running short of money as they age. Though people retire at different ages, Fidelity noted that participants in the 401(k) plans it manages often retire around age 65. "Regardless of age, most make withdrawals in the first year, then the withdrawal rate declines until the required minimum distribution age," according to Fidelity. One drawback for withdrawing money from a tax-deferred retirement account is that withdrawals are taxed at your regular income tax rate. You might face a 10% penalty if you withdraw the money before age 59 as well. If you take out too much money, you're at risk of driving up your annual income tax bill. Retirement savings can help young families, too. The act allows parents to withdraw money without penalties but you would pay income taxes on those withdrawals from a 401(k) or IRA to cover costs associated with childbirth or adoption. The change applies to distributions in 2020 and afterward. New parents would be allowed to withdraw up to $5,000 without the 10% penalty if the money is withdrawn within a year of the birth or adoption. You'd have to check with your plan sponsor to see when this might be allowed within a given plan. Working part time won't hurt your ability to save. Going forward, the new law requires companies that offer 401(k) plans to allow part-time employees who have worked at least 500 hours a year for at least three consecutive years to set aside money from their paychecks into the plan. The employer isn't required to make matching contributions until the worker meets the plan's normal eligibility requirements. In the past, someone who was steadily working part time could legally be excluded from saving for retirement in a 401(k) or similar plan if he or she worked less than 1,000 hours a year. So the change is expected to open the doors for many people who work in retail, health care and other part-time heavy fields. The change may be particularly beneficial for women. How soon will you be able to save? It might be sometime in 2024 or earlier. Some plan sponsors could wait until 2024 to make this change relating to part-time workers based on the statute, said Mark Iwry, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Iwry was responsible for national retirement policy and regulation of the private pension system while serving as senior adviser to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the Obama administration. But, he continues, some plans will voluntarily implement this change earlier by taking into account years worked before 2021. Or, he said, some might conceivably decide for administrative simplicity not to look back for three years and simply allow participation by employees who have at least 500 hours of service in a given year. Time for a wake-up call By December 2021 or after, savers are expected to begin receiving estimates once a year for how much monthly income their current 401(k) savings might generate in retirement. Iwry, who has supported such a disclosure for more than a decade, said the number will be key in helping people understand what kind of regular income their retirement accounts could generate. "People don't readily have a way to translate the account balance that they've accumulated to the amount of regular income that it can deliver to them in their retirement years," Iwry said. Think of something similar to the estimates that you receive for Social Security retirement benefits. Once you have a clearer picture, you may decide to work longer, save more, or maybe even realize that you're well on track when it comes to saving for retirement. Right now, many people are in the dark when it comes to their retirement savings, according to Joshua Gotbaum, a guest scholar for economic studies at the Brookings Institution. Many people haven't saved enough before they retire, but they don't know it, he said. Or others who have retired don't know how long their savings will last and they could be afraid to spend even when they have enough financial resources to do so. "This lifetime income benchmarking will help both," Gotbaum said. Consider this example: A woman with $50,000 in her 401(k) at age 65 could get an annuity paying just under $3,000 per year _ or $250 a month _ for life. It's a number that might motivate you to bump up your regular savings rate. In 2020, individuals can save up to $19,500 in their 401(k) plans _ or $500 more than last year. If you're 50 or older, you can save even more than that through what's called catch-up contributions, which max out at $6,500 in 2020. In all, someone 50 and older could save up to $26,000 in 2020. The annual contribution limit for Individual Retirement Accounts for 2020 is $6,000 or $7,000 for those 50 and older. Want to work and save more into your 70s? If you're working, the new law removes the age cap for setting aside savings into a traditional Individual Retirement Account. Beginning in 2020, the age cap formerly age 70 goes away for individuals who have wage income. You're allowed to set aside money in a traditional IRA as long as you have income from work. Another plus: If a couple could contribute to a spousal IRA before age 70, the new rules allow them to do so now even if the person is older than 70. But remember, the change is only effective starting with tax year 2020 contributions made for the year 2020, so people should understand the age 70 limit is still in place for traditional IRAs when it comes to contributions made for tax year 2019. OTTAWA - Now that Queen Elizabeth has extended her blessing for her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to spend extended time in Canada, a lot of questions have arisen about what official role they might play here. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Now that Queen Elizabeth has extended her blessing for her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to spend extended time in Canada, a lot of questions have arisen about what official role they might play here. Would Prince Harry, as grandson of the Queen, have any royal powers? No. Canada's constitutional monarchy dictates that the Queen of the United Kingdom is Canada's head of state and the prime minister is head of government. As such, Queen Elizabeth does have a constitutional role in Canada's government. Normally those functions are carried out by her vice-regal representatives: the Governor General federally and lieutenant-governors in the provinces. However, only the Queen is recognized as the Queen of Canada, and therefore only she could step in and do things that her representatives usually do, such as opening Parliament or reading the speech from the throne (as she has done twice here, in 1957 and 1977). Other members of the Royal Family could not. "The extended Royal Family have no specific legal status in Canada, although they do hold an important place both politically and culturally," says Andrew Heard, a political-science professor at Simon Fraser University whose research has specialized in Canadian constitutional issues and the Crown. If Harry and Meghan come to live in Canada, they would have "no ability to exercise any constitutional function of the monarch, as only the Queen is recognized as having the capacity to act formally," Heard says. Could the Duke and Duchess of Sussex take on some other official role in Canada? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or other officials in Canada could invite Prince Harry or the Duchess of Sussex to take on some kind of ceremonial, non-constitutional role, but that could also become complicated, says Philippe Lagasse, a Carleton University expert on the Westminster system and the Crown. "The government of Canada could presumably ask them to do certain things, but that would be rather awkward, given that you do still have the official representatives of the Queen here," Lagasse said. "Are we recruiting them to do things that are usually done by other people? Do we invite them for Canada Day every year? What if they're in the U.K. and if we're paying for their security if they're in Canada part-time and they don't show up to Canada Day are we going to get upset because they're not there?" A lot will depend on what they want to do in Canada a question that even the Royal Family in Britain seems unclear about. Could Prince Harry become the next Governor General? While there's no legal bar against it, and members of the Royal Family in the past have served as governors general or been married to them, experts say it's highly unlikely Harry would be appointed to this position. There was similar speculation in the late 1970s and early 1980s that Harry's father, Prince Charles, might be sent to Rideau Hall. But concern about Quebec separatism at the time stymied any true exploration of this idea, Heard says. "The idea of appointing Prince Charles as governor general was feared to throw fuel on the separatist fire. There is still strong republican sentiment in Quebec ... It would be a calculated risk to choose a Briton as our governor general." Michael Jackson, president of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, also notes the role of governors general in Canada "carefully takes into account the ethnic and linguistic makeup of the country." "Today, the Governor General is expected to be fluent in both official languages and to represent the population, which obviously Harry and Meghan can't do the same way," Jackson said. How would Harry and Meghan's coming to Canada differ from an official royal visit or royal tour? When members of the Royal Family come to Canada on official visits, they are acting as personal representatives of the Queen. Similarly, when there is a royal tour, the government of Canada invites Royal Family members in their official capacities, and they are expected to take part in carefully planned events. These usually involve much pomp and circumstance, with lots of protocol and official ceremonies. If Royal Family members wish to visit Canada privately, they are free to, and their presence in Canada does not require protocol officers or official welcomes. Such was the case when Meghan and Harry spent a quiet few weeks on Vancouver Island over the holidays. Who will foot the bill for the couple's security costs? Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Monday the federal government hasn't decided if it will cover any security costs associated with Harry and Meghan's time in Canada. The prime minister's office is also remaining vague about this, saying only that much will depend upon decisions that have yet to be made by the Sussexes themselves when it comes to their future roles within the Royal Family. "We are of course supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in this as well. There are still many discussions to be had," Trudeau spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said in a statement. Costs might be shared with the British government, be taken on by the couple themselves, be shared, or be subject to an arrangement that changes over time. Not everyone is giddy at the idea of Canada picking up a royal security bill. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation launched a petition Tuesday, calling on Trudeau to ensure taxpayers' dollars aren't used to support Harry and Meghan. Federation director Aaron Wudrick noted the duke and duchess have themselves expressed an ambition to become financially independent. "True financial independence cannot be achieved if Canadian taxpayers are still paying the bills," Wudrick said in a news release. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2020. Democrats say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also plans to name House managers who will serve as prosecutors in the trial. The Democratic-led United States House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate, lawmakers said on Tuesday, bringing the start of Trumps trial one step closer. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told a party meeting that she would also name the House managers who will lead the prosecution of Trump at the trial, Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar said. The House impeached Trump last month on charges of abusing power by pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation into his Democratic rival Joe Biden and charges of obstructing Congress. But Pelosi has delayed sending the charges to the Senate in an effort to get that chambers h to agree to include new witness testimony that could be damaging to the Republican president. McConnell says he has the votes to start the impeachment trial without an agreement on witnesses. US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi answers questions during a news conference at the US Capitol [Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP] A Wednesday vote would allow the Senate to begin the trial as soon as this week. However, opening arguments will likely not be heard until next week at the earliest, as the Senate will likely take several days to get through formalities such as swearing in members. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win as he faces a re-election contest in November. He is only the third US president to be impeached. No president has been removed from office as a result of an impeachment trial. A motion to dismiss? The Senate is expected to acquit Trump, as no Republicans have voiced support for removing him, a step that would require a two-thirds majority. But some Republican senators are conferring privately about whether to allow a motion to dismiss the charges against the president or to call additional witnesses for testimony. Trump suggested over the weekend that he might prefer simply dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to charges from the House, which he considers a hoax. It was an extraordinary suggestion, but one being proposed by Trump allies with support from some Republican senators, including McConnell. But it is clear McConnell does not have the 51 votes needed from his Republican majority to do that. Key Republicans, Senator Susan Collins and Senator Mitt Romney, said would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges. Witnesses? Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Romney and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses. My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called, Collins said. Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy towards Ukraine being led by Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Ive said Id like to hear from John Bolton, Romney told reporters Monday. I expect that barring some kind of surprise, Ill be voting in favour of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments. Democrats have been pushing Republicans, who have the majority in the Senate, to consider new testimony, arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosis delay in transmitting the charges. McConnell is drafting an organising resolution that will outline the steps ahead. Approving it will be among the first votes that senators take after they are sworn as jurors by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the court of impeachment. McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial. He prefers to model Trumps trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clintons trial in 1999. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks with reporters after walking off the Senate floor [File: Patrick Semansky/AP Photo] Senators say if witnesses are allowed, some Republicans may also try to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president. There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens. It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Just four Republican senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony. Most Republicans appear willing to go along with McConnells plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later, rather than upfront, as Democrats want. Collins is pushing to have at least the promise of witness votes included in the organising resolution. She and the others appear to be gathering support. Ive been working to make sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, and yes, that would include witnesses, Murkowski told reporters. [January 14, 2020] Axcient Announces Record 2019 Results to Kick Off 2020 DENVER, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axcient , a leader in business availability and cloud security solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), today announced record results in 2019 for products in the Axcient X360 Platform , including Axcient Office 365 Protection and Axcient Business Continuity . Highlights from the year include industry awards, major technology updates, new members of the companys leadership team, and participation in more than 125 IT industry events. The past year Axcient was focused on providing a best-in-class experience for MSPs, and we delivered on our promise by simplifying our technology, billing, and pricing, said David Bennett, Chief Executive Officer. Our numbers indicate that partners are responding to the changes weve made and are moving their business to Axcient. We are excited to celebrate a successful 2019, and look forward to what we can accomplish together in 2020. Growth Axcient closed 2019 with record growth. Quarter over quarter, Axcient Office 365 Protection grew 77 percent and Axcient Business Continuity grew 58 percent. Year over Year, Axcient Office 365 Protection and Axcient Business Continuity grew 200 percent. Additionally, the company issued 25 percent more releases to its technology. Awards The company also won several notable awards in 2019, including TMC s Cloud Security Excellence award for its Replibit solution, Chief Revenue Officer Angus Robertson was recognized as a Denver Business Journal C-Suite award winner , Channel Event Manager Kaitlyn Langer was named to CRN Women of the Channel , and the company was named one of CRN s Coolest Cloud Vendor . Leadership Team In 2019, Axcient welcomed new members of the executive team, including Chief Executive Officer David Bennett , Chief Financial Officer John Blood, Senior Vice President of Product Ben Nowacky , Vice President of Sales Michael Goldberg , Vice President of Worldwide Services and Support Kent Sieckman , and Angus Robertson was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer. IT Industry Events In 2019, Axcient hosted 87 Tech Series events across the country for MSPs. The interactive education events offered partners access to Axcients Sales Engineers, industry-leading MSP technicians for an opportunity to share best practices, and the tools to successfully drive more profitability for business. Additionally, the company attended and hosted business sessions at more than 40 IT Channel industry events, including XChange , NexGen , IT Nation , IT Nation Evolve , CompTIA ChannelCon , and more. To learn more about Axcient or to start a 14-day free trial , please visit www.axcient.com . About Axcient Axcient is an award-winning leader in business availability and cloud security solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The Axcient Business Availability suitewhich includes Replibit , BRC , CloudFinder , Anch or , Fusion , and the Axcient Cloud enables MSPs to build secure technology stacks for their clients, automate processes, and acts as the last line of defense for MSPs. Trusted by MSPs worldwide, Axcient protects businesses data and continuity in the event of sec urity breaches , human error, and natural disasters . For more information, visit Axcient at www.axcient.com . Follow Axcient on LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter . Media Contact ARL Strategic Communications for Axcient Email: [email protected] or [email protected] A man who the Chinese government claims was the first Australian visa holder to be repatriated back to China over economic crimes was deported because he was unable to renew his visa after being sent to prison. The man was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Australia of at least 12 months, requiring him to be removed from the country. The man was allegedly wanted in China after reneging on a 3.6 million yuan ($750,000) contract in 2001. Credit: Peter Braig According to federal government sources, he exhausted all of his visa options and his removal from the country was not an extradition. Chinese state media agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday that China's Ministry of Public Security had successfully secured the repatriation of the man, known only by his surname Mr Liu, after years of close communication between police forces of the two countries and collaboration with the Chinese embassy in Canberra. Some of them include Spider G, NeuroTags, Genrobotic Innovations, AI Aeronautics, Synersense, Dealshare and NanoHealth. Highway to a Hundred Unicorns, the Microsoft for startups initiative, works closely with local governments to strengthen the startup ecosystem in each state. Microsoft, the worlds biggest software maker, is increasing its efforts to empower the startup ecosystem in Tier 2 cities across the country. As part of this initiative, the Redmond, Washington-based firms Highway to a Hundred Unicorns programme, has selected 54 startups from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala and Telangana. Some of them include Spider G, NeuroTags, Genrobotic Innovations, AI Aeronautics, Synersense, Dealshare and NanoHealth. The top tech startups selected through Emerge-X, a competition for startups, win credits to access Microsofts cloud computing platform Azure and get a host of business and tech benefits. The competition has received over 530 applications and the top three startups from each state gain access to a year-long mentorship program and a two-day founder boot camp. Highway to a Hundred Unicorns, the Microsoft for startups initiative, works closely with local governments to strengthen the startup ecosystem in each state. The entrepreneurial energy of startups is rising well beyond the known metropolitan hubs and is remarkably high in Tier 2 cities, despite the obvious challenges. "Through Highway to a Hundred Unicorns, weve been able to reach some highly promising innovators from each of the five states, said Lathika Pai, country head, Microsoft for Startups - MENA and SAARC. In the next phase of our journey, we look forward to engaging with more startups and accelerating their growth and providing them with Microsofts platform to go global. The fifth edition of the Microsofts outreach programme was hosted at Hyderabad in association with the Government of Telangana. More than 150 innovators and entrepreneurs are engaged with Microsoft experts, industry stalwarts and ecosystem stakeholders, including members of the state government. More than 650 startups that have participated in the five events have benefited from the mentorship and guidance through technology workshops on Azure, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Microsoft said over 75 ecosystem players including the Global Entrepreneurship Network, TiE, Headstart, NASSCOM, and Startup Grind as well as prominent investors, entrepreneurs and executives in the national startup ecosystem have actively engaged with the innovators at each of the locations. Microsoft said firms such as Wholesalebox and Rapidor are among the participating startups in the programme that have received recent fresh funding from one of the participating investors. Photograph: Rickey Rogers/Reuters "Kevin is the natural choice to assume the role of CEO as Ankura further establishes itself as one of the leading global consulting firms," said Vahe Dombalagian, Managing Director and Co-Head of the Financial & Transaction Services team at Ankura's investment partner, Madison Dearborn Partners, and a member of Ankura's Board of Directors. "With his extensive operational and leadership expertise, proven track record at Ankura and strong vision for the firm's continued success, Kevin is well prepared to lead Ankura into its next period of growth. The entire Board and I are confident that Kevin can help Ankura achieve its objective of becoming the leader in its chosen markets and home to the best talent in the global consulting industry. We thank Roger for his vision and contributions, and we look forward to supporting Kevin during this next chapter." Assuming this new role extends and expands the work Mr. Lavin has been undertaking for the last several years as Co-President of the firm. Since joining Ankura in early 2016, Mr. Lavin has played an integral role in determining and executing Ankura's growth strategy as a differentiated professional services firm focused on collaboration and the delivery of creative and innovative solutions for clients. Ankura today has over 1,500 employees in more than 30 offices worldwide and generates revenue in excess of $500 million. It intends to continue to grow by remaining true to its values and mission of helping clients navigate a wide range of corporate performance and risk management challenges. Mr. Lavin also possesses extensive executive leadership experience from previous roles serving as chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and chief restructuring officer at various operating companies. To further support Ankura's growth strategy in this next stage, Darin Buchalter, a Senior Managing Director, will become the Chief Administrative Officer of Ankura with responsibilities over IT, client intake, real estate, business administration and marketing. Mr. Buchalter will assume these duties while continuing to provide senior strategic counsel to both publicly traded and private clients in the real estate and construction industries. Additionally, David Tortorello, formerly Vice Chairman of Ankura, will become non-executive vice chairman of the firm, serving as a member of the Board of Directors. The other members of Ankura's leadership team, including President Phil Daddona, will remain in their current roles. "I am honored to be named CEO of Ankura and to lead our talented professionals as we continue to grow and build upon our successes," said Kevin Lavin. "Since our founding in 2014, Ankura has grown from a nascent start-up into one of the fastest growing consulting firms." "Our collaborative, client-centric approach and focus on innovation are what set Ankura apart and why clients continually seek our counsel," continued Mr. Lavin. "I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure our values and mission continue to hold true and our clients continue to receive the high-impact and smart solutions they have come to expect in the midst of an increasingly dynamic and complex business landscape." "I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished at Ankura over these past five years," said Roger Carlile. "Our goal was to create a different kind of business advisory services firm and it has been an honor to lead our talented team of professionals as we have realized this vision. Kevin is the right person to build on this success as Ankura embarks on its next chapter of growth. He has been a critical partner in building Ankura into a dynamic organization and I am confident the firm will continue to thrive under his leadership." Prior to joining Ankura in 2016, Mr. Lavin was appointed by the then-governor of New Jersey to serve as the emergency manager of Atlantic City, New Jersey. He also previously served as the global segment-leader of a major global consulting firm. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. About Ankura Ankura is a business advisory firm defined by HOW we solve challenges. Whether a client is facing an immediate business challenge, trying to increase the value of their company or protect against future risks, Ankura designs, develops, and executes tailored solutions by assembling the right combination of expertise. We help clients navigate a wide range of corporate performance and risk management challenges, including those pertaining to compliance, investigations, forensics, technology, turnaround and restructuring, and corporate strategy. We build on this experience with every case, client, and situation, collaborating to create innovative, customized solutions, and strategies designed for today's ever-changing business environment. This gives our clients unparalleled insight and experience across a wide range of economic, governance, and regulatory challenges. At Ankura, we know that collaboration drives results. For more information, please visit: www.ankura.com. SOURCE Ankura Ceron has over 28 years of experience in international corporate management, most recently serving as the CEO of a consulting firm he founded in 2016, focusing on corporate governance and organizational growth strategy. Prior to that, he was associated with Marsh & McLennan, where he led the companys HR and sales operation in Latin America from 2002 to 2016. Ceron has also held a number of senior HR roles at Philips Lighting in the Netherlands and PepsiCo in Mexico. According to BMS Latin America & Caribbean CEO Jose Astorqui, BMS has been expanding its operations and brand presence in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2015 with about $200 million in premiums brokered in the region in 2019. BMS is confident in launching the next phase of its expansion in the region, together with the expertise of Ceron, Astorqui added. BMS is well-recognized for its talented team and versatility in market conditions. The Latin American and Miami market has been changing dramatically and Im excited to join BMS at this phase of development, commented Ceron. Cambodia National Rescue Party former president Kem Sokha greets journalists after meeting with Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Angela Corcoran in his house in Phnom Penh, Nov. 12, 2019. Cambodia should immediately drop bogus charges against opposition chief Kem Sokha, rights groups demanded Tuesday, the eve of a planned two-day treason trial in a case they said will be overseen by a politically controlled judiciary beholden to Prime Minister Hun Sens government. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), said Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) president Kem Sokha will be the victim of a staged trial on completely bogus treason charges when proceedings at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court get underway on Wednesday, and that the government should cut their losses by dropping the charges against him. But clearly Prime Minister Hun Sen decided instead to extract the proverbial pound of flesh from Kem Sokha for daring to challenge him, he said in a statement of the opposition leader, who faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The reality is Kem Sokha did nothing he should have been charged for and this entire pre-trial prison detention, house arrest and now trial has been a massive violation of his human rights. Sadly, there's no hope Cambodia's politically controlled judiciary will dare do anything to call into question the paucity of the prosecutors' case or the sheer injustice of the proceedings. Kem Sokha, 66, was arrested in September 2017 and charged with treason over a video recorded four years earlier in which he discusses a strategy to win power at the ballot box with the help of U.S. experts, although he maintains his innocence and his lawyers have said that prosecutors lack evidence to convict. Two months after Kem Sokhas arrest, Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP for its role in the alleged plot and banned 118 of its officials from political activities. The move to dissolve the CNRP was part of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) to win all 125 seats in parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election. Robertson slammed a last minute registration requirement for courtroom monitors as the icing on the cake of this sham trial, noting that of a maximum 30 available seats, 23 will be reserved for diplomatic officials. Four senior members of the CNRP told RFAs Khmer Service on Tuesday that the court had denied their request to attend the trial. Even now, the government is playing games with foreign governments, deciding on [who] will get a seat to the show, while also achieving its objective of limiting reporting by independent journalist and human rights NGOs, he said. By capping the number of observers in court, Cambodia is damaging Kem Sokha's rights by keeping most of the public out of what is supposed to be a public trial. Concocted narrative Robertsons concerns were echoed on Tuesday in a statement by London-based Amnesty International, whose regional director Nicholas Bequelin said that after two years held in arbitrary detention, authorities have yet to present a shred of credible evidence to support a charge of treason. The non-existent crime was politically manufactured to further the suppression of the opposition party, Bequelin said. The Phnom Penh Court must acquit Kem Sokha to bring an end to this mockery of justice. Bequelin dismissed the allegations against Kem Sokha as lacking a basis in facts and law, calling it a concocted narrative and a front for the systematic denial of the rights to freedom of association and expression of millions who support the CNRP who are suffering at the hands of a weaponised criminal justice system. Kem Sokhas charges must be voided and the rights of CNRP members must be fully respected to enable them to freely participate without discrimination in Cambodias political life once again, he said. Bequelin also slammed Cambodian authorities for placing restrictions on who can observe Kem Sokhas trial, saying they are working to limit scrutiny of the proceedings. The gravity of these absurd accusations demands that the authorities uphold the highest standards of fairness and transparency, which requires holding a public hearing, he said. It is essential that human rights monitors and journalists are given unhindered access to the trial. EBA implications Both HRW and Amnesty International noted that Kem Sokhas case is of particular import to the European Union, which has called for his release and a host of improvements to Cambodias human rights situation ahead of a February decision on whether to withdraw the countrys tariff-free access to its markets under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme for developing nations. Given the shoddy, rights abusing way the government has treated Kem Sokha, and the government's failures to make any serious progress on other rights issues, the EU will be fully justified if it takes harsh action next month to enforce the human rights provisions contained in the EBA agreement, HRWs Robertson said. Kem Sokhas attorneys said Tuesday that a court official had informed them the trial could take up to three months, which would mean the case could still be ongoing by the time the EU makes a final decision on the EBA next month. Independent political analyst Kim Sok told RFA that a trial like Kem Sokhas needs time to conduct fairly, saying that if it wraps up within the allotted two days it means everything was prepared [by the court] ahead of time. Koul Panha, the former executive director of and currently an advisor to local electoral watchdog Comfrel, said he expects the government will have Kem Sokhas trial delayed for a long time so that the CPP can use his case for political negotiation with the opposition to appear that they are easing political tensions when they are pressured by the international community. Delaying the court hearing would provide many advantages to the ruling party, including more opportunities to negotiate with the EU to maintain EBA status, he said. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Pheap Aun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. COLOMBO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Wildlife Conservation said on Monday that the cabinet has agreed to recruit civil defense force in areas worst affected by the long standing conflict between humans and elephants to minimize the number of deaths. Ministry officials quoted by local media as saying that 2,500 civil defense personnel will be recruited in areas which are populated by humans and elephants, and steps will also be taken to build strong elephant fences with Chinese aid to remedy the situation. In addition, every eight officers from the civil defense force will be given five firearms each to scare away the elephants when they enter areas of human residences. Sri Lanka faced the highest number of elephant deaths in the country's history in 2019 with 361 animals killed, the Center for Environment and Nature Studies said last week. Over 100 people were also killed in the longstanding human-elephant conflict, the Wildlife Ministry said. Officials have urged the government to take immediate steps to control the situation to minimize the elephant deaths and protect the majestic animals. Killing wild elephants in Sri Lanka is an offence punishable by death, but there have been regular reports of angry villagers poisoning or shooting them. Official records show the population of wild elephants in Sri Lanka is estimated at 7,500. In a message to employees, Boeing's new CEO David Calhoun, who started work Monday, pledged greater transparency at a company still reeling from two crashes that killed 346 people and led to harsh scrutiny of the company's corporate culture. "This is a crucial time for Boeing," he wrote. "We have work to do to uphold our values and to build on our strengths. I see greatness in this company, but I also see opportunities to do better. Much better." Calhoun's top priority will be convincing federal regulators that the 737 Max is safe to fly. The plane has been grounded worldwide since March. Boeing also is counting on Calhoun to rebuild relationships with customers, regulators and the public. That will be a formidable challenge in the wake of more than 100 pages of internal communication released late last week that painted a picture of a company disdainful of regulators, its customers and even of its own workforce. In one exchange, an employee wrote that the 737 Max was a plane "designed by clowns supervised by monkeys." The communications also showed Boeing aggressively pushing back against simulator training for 737 Max pilots. The fact that pilots could be trained on iPads rather than in costly simulators was a major selling point for the newest version of the Max jet. Last week, however, the company abruptly reversed itself, saying that all pilots should take part in simulator training. The company apologized for the communications. Calhoun's tenure has already drawn fire from lawmakers, who criticized the company's board of directors for offering the former GE executive a $7 million bonus for reaching a number of milestones, including returning the 737 Max to service. In a letter sent Monday to Democratic Sens. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin urged Boeing's board of directors to cancel the bonus. "This payment represents a clear financial incentive for Mr. Calhoun to pressure regulators into ungrounding the 737 Max, as well as rush the investigations and reforms needed to guarantee public safety," the senators wrote. "We believe that this bonus would be unconscionable in the face of two tragic plane crashes and proof that Boeing has not learned its lesson." The company said Friday that Calhoun will receive a compensation package valued at $28 million, which includes the $7 million bonus. Boeing's previous CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, was fired in December. The company said Muilenburg forfeited a $14.6 million severance package, but will receive $62 million in stock and pension benefits. The newest version of the company's best-selling jet has been grounded for 10 months after two of the planes crashed within months of each other. The company had hoped to win the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration to return the plane to service in December. Some reports have indicated that the plane could be recertified in February, but the FAA has indicated that there is no set timeline for ungrounding the jet. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes U.S. airlines have repeatedly adjusted flight schedules to accommodate the grounding. On Tuesday, American Airlines, which had previously said it expected to resume 737 Max flights in April, said it was now removing the plane from its schedule until early June. That matches a timeline announced by United last month. "American Airlines remains in continuous contact with the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and Boeing," the airline said. "Based on the latest guidance, the airline anticipates that the resumption of scheduled commercial service on American's fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft will occur June 4, 2020. Once the aircraft is certified, American will run flights for American team members and invited guests." Southwest Airlines, which has 34 Max jets in its fleet, the most of any U.S. carrier, has not said whether it will change its previously announced plan to resume Max service in April. "Many of our stakeholders are rightly disappointed in us, and it's our job to repair these vital relationships," Calhoun wrote. "We'll do so through a recommitment to transparency and by meeting and exceeding their expectations. We will listen, seek feedback, and respond - appropriately, urgently and respectfully." Trump authorized Soleimani's assassination 7 months ago: Report Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 3:39 PM US President Donald Trump had authorized the American military to assassinate Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani seven months ago if Tehran's actions led to the death of Americans in the region, according to US media reports. Trump's authorization in June came with the condition that he would have final approval on any specific operation to kill Soleimani, NBC News reported Monday, citing five current and former senior administration officials. The officials told NBC News that former US National Security Adviser John Bolton had urged Trump to sign off on an operation to kill Soleimani after Iran shot down a US drone in June after the aircraft violated Iranian airspace. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also wanted Trump to authorize the assassination over the incident, officials said. But Trump declined that option, according to a person briefed on the discussion, who said the president's message was "that's only on the table if they hit Americans." The new report further contradicts the Trump administration's publicly stated justification for ordering the US drone strike that killed Soleimani. US officials have claimed that Soleimani was planning "imminent attacks" on Americans and had to be stopped. Trump's national security officials have already contradicted each other several times over the assassination. The claim that Soleimani was planning "imminent attacks" against the US has been met with widespread suspicion and skepticism in the US. The idea of killing Soleimani also came up in discussions in 2017 that Trump's national security adviser at the time, H.R. McMaster, was having with other senior advisers, officials said. The plan to assassinate Soleimani was part of Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran and "was not something that was thought of as a first move," said a former senior administration official involved in the discussions. The US military carried out an airstrike on the direction of Trump at Baghdad's international airport last Friday, assassinating Gen. Soleimani and the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, as well as eight other companions. On Wednesday, Iran responded to the assassination, striking the American airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in western Iraq and another in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MIAMI - A Maryland man pleaded guilty Tuesday to posting threats on Facebook that he planned to kill Hispanics in Florida and elsewhere. Court records show 35-year-old Eric Lin of Clarksburg, Maryland, admitted in Miami federal court that he sent threatening communications in interstate commerce between May and August of last year. Lin faces up to five years in federal prison at his March 30 sentencing. Evidence shows Lin made several threatening Facebook posts, including plans to kill a Florida resident and to kill all Hispanics in Miami and other places. Federal prosecutors said Lin also said he would stop at nothing until you, your family, your friends, your entire worthless Latin race is racially exterminated. Prosecutors also said Lin posted messages talking about the mass shootings of Hispanics and the idolization of Adolf Hitler. : A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to take over administration of the Waqf Board. Admitting the plea moved by advocate K Fazlur Rahman, a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha directed the state Minorities Department to respond to the plea by February 28. According to the petitioner, the state Waqf Board comprises a chairperson, one and not more than two members elected from each of the electoral colleges consisting of Muslim members of Parliament from the state, Muslim members of the state legislature, Muslim members of Bar Council of the state. In case there is no Muslim member of the Bar Council, the state, as the case may be, may nominate any senior Muslim advocate from the state, he submitted. This apart, the Waqf Act mandates that, at all times, the number of elected members of the board shall be more than the number of nominated members. Accordingly, election was notified for the board through a notification dated September 6, 2017 by the state minorities welfare department. One Muslim MP from the state, two MLAs and Mutawallis were elected. As there was no Muslim member from the state Bar council, two designated senior advocates A Sirajudeen and M Ajmal Khan were appointed as members. However, treating the two senior advocates as nominated members and not elected members, the state issued an order dated September 18, 2019 and took over the administration of the board for violating the Act by having more nominated members than elected. Aggrieved, the petitioner moved the present petition challenging the order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dhaka, Jan 14 : Bangladesh's highest court on Tuesday rejected the appeal from a former minister who was sentenced to death for committing crimes against humanity in 1971. A four-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain announced the verdict, upholding the death penalty against Syed Mohammed Kaiser, now behind the bar, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the rules, the defence will now have an opportunity to file a review petition against the verdict within 15 days. He was indicted in February 2014 with 16 charges of crimes against humanity, including looting, mass killings, arson, among others. Eight British tourists were injured with three critically today (Jan 14) after a minivan they were travelling in crashed in Thailand. The group of holidaymakers had landed this morning at the country's airport in Bangkok and were travelling straight to the popular party resort of Pattaya on the east coast of the country. But the white Toyota minibus they were in collided with a central reservation on the motorway just after 10:30 am local time. Paramedics rushed to the scene and rushed the victims to hospital. Three of the group were in a critical condition while five others were conscious after the collision. The driver, Thanakorn To-iam, 53, suffered injuries to his right leg and nose and was taken to hospital. Thanakorn told police he had picked up his passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport and was heading to tourist attractions in Pattaya. He said when the van's rear left tyre exploded on the motorway, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the barricade. Police are investigating and examining evidence, including dash-cam footage and tyre tracks to check the driver's claims. A spokesman for the Sawang Boriboon Foundation said: ''There were eight injured people in the minivan. They were all travelling together from the UK. ''Three of them were seriously injured and have been taken to the nearest hospital.'' Captain Nakhonrat Nontseelard from Pattaya Police said investigators would check the vehicle and interview the crash victims to find the cause of the accident. He said: ''The initial evidence from the scene of the crash was that a tyre blew and the van lost control. But we also need to check if the driver was speeding or if anything else could have caused the crash.'' New Delhi, Jan 14 : "UP govt has made Tanha ji movie tax free. Actor Ajay Devgan has thanked Yogi ji for this. #ThankYouYOGIji," declared Department of Silk and Textile, Uttar Pradesh, on its official twitter handle. The announcement comes after the Deepika Padukone-starrer "Chhapak" was made tax free in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan a couple of days ago. There is a pattern here. Ajay Devgan's "Tanhaji" is being tax-exempted where there is a BJP government while Chhapak has been made tax free in the Congress states. If one observes pattern closely, one will find that these movies have been declared tax free not because of the subject or merit but what political stand the actors or filmmakers may have taken on issues like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the JNU violence. Ajay, who essays the title role in "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior", had tweeted on January 10: "I have always maintained that we should wait for proper facts to emerge.I appeal to everyone -- let us further the spirit of peace and brotherhood, not derail it either consciously or carelessly. #JNUViolence" According to reports, Ajay's tweet was seen as his stand on Deepika's JNU visit, which many felt was planned in haste. During her visit, the "Chhapaak" leading lady stood silently in solidarity of JNU students, causing a political storm over the film. Thus both actors made their stand clear on the CAA as well as the JNU violence. Speaking to IANS, Janata Dal United general Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP KC Tyagi said, "We are living in a time which is so unfortunate that real heroes like Tanhaji are divided into Hindu-Muslim and subjects like acid attack become the whipping goats of politics." Tyagi added: "Both films deal with great subjects and should be watched by the entire country and not just a few states. State governments should make films tax free not as per their political convenience but the subject they deal with." He also said that "Chhapak shows how women have been subjected to violence through acid attacks. It should be declared tax free everywhere because it makes people aware of subjects like acid attack and protects womanhood. Tanhaji is a Maratha hero but he is unsung and unknown. It is unfortunate that this film is made tax free only by BJP-led state governments and not in Congress-ruled states. This film should also be watched by everyone so that this unsung hero is celebrated". "Tanhaji" has grossed Rs 75.68 crore at the domestic box-office so far, according to the Bollywood trade website koimoi.com, while the figures for "Chhapaak" stand at Rs 21.37 crore. It will be interesting to which state gives both the films a tax-free status. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text SPRINGFIELD New rules governing how retail gun dealers do business go into effect Friday and include the types of records they must keep, how weapons and ammunition are to be stored and the kinds of video surveillance and security systems they must maintain. The rules, established by the Illinois State Police and scheduled to be published in the Illinois Register on Friday, will go into effect almost one year to the day after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act into law. The Act requires firearm dealers who have a federal firearm license to also obtain a state certificate and comply with state regulations. Pritzker signed the bill, the first of his administration, after it passed during the 2018 legislative session. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in office when it passed, but Democratic Senate President John Cullerton used a procedural maneuver to hold onto the bill because Rauner had vetoed similar legislation that spring. The bill was viewed at the time as a response to rising gun violence in parts of Illinois, especially Chicago. It was aimed at preventing theft or other diversion of guns from firearms dealers and to crack down on so-called straw purchases in which someone buys a gun on behalf of someone else who is legally prohibited from owning a gun. ISP initially proposed administrative rules in August and held a public hearing on Oct. 24 in Springfield. But those proposed rules sparked fierce pushback from gun dealers around the state who said compliance would be excessively expensive. Of particular concern was a proposed rule that would have required dealers to maintain video surveillance at several points in their stores. Dealers would have also had to maintain those recordings for 90 days and back them up to an offsite storage system such as a cloud or server. I know stores that have over 125 cameras in there, said Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Federal Firearm Licensees of Illinois, a gun dealer trade association. Youre not requiring a backup system, youre requiring a backup generator. He went on to describe the rule as requiring such a dealer to be able to upload 125 high-definition Netflix movies simultaneously. Gun dealers also complained about other proposed rules that would have required them to have written plans for storing all inventory, both during business hours and after closing, and to keep ammunition in a restricted area of the store not accessible to customers. Some gun shop owners said compliance would be impossible. Hundreds of dealers have paid $1,500 license fees, confident that they could meet the letter of the law, and now they find that they cant because of the rules that have been proposed, Valinda Rowe, spokeswoman for gun rights advocacy group IllinoisCarry.com, said during the hearing. Following that hearing, ISP revised many of the proposed rules, eliminating the requirement for backup storage of video surveillance, according to a copy of the rules provided by ISP. But that pushed the rulemaking process beyond Jan. 2 when gun dealers were to come into compliance with many portions of the new law. As a result, ISP is using its emergency rulemaking powers, which allow regulatory agencies to put rules into effect immediately, for a maximum of 150 days, while final rules are being drafted. Those proposed final rules could be subject to another public hearing, further revision, and review by the General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The law is also the target of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, as well as several gun shops. Plaintiffs argue the law places onerous restrictions on firearms dealers that would force many stores to close and others to pass the higher costs on to those who would be seeking to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That lawsuit is pending in Sangamon County Circuit Court. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dr. Robbie Henson, dean of the OBU College of Nursing. Henson Appointed as Dean of OBU College of Nursing January 14, 2020 OBU has appointed Dr. Robbie Henson as dean of the Universitys College of Nursing. Henson has served as interim dean since August 2019 and is the Lawrence C. and Marion V. Harris Chair of Nursing. Her duties as dean will begin immediately. Henson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at OBU and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She then earned a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Colorado. Her dissertation was titled, A Grounded Theory Study of Nurse/Client Mutuality in Health Care Planning. Henson has many years of nursing education experience. She previously served at the University of Texas Arlington/Tarrant County Hospital District in a joint appointment as an undergraduate faculty/clinical nurse specialist. She has also worked as an adjunct graduate nursing faculty member at Southern Nazarene University. Since joining the faculty at OBU in 1991, she has served as professor of nursing, team leader for the CCNE Accreditation visit to the OBU College of Nursing, graduate program coordinator, associate dean for academic programming and interim dean. Henson has clinical experience in a wide range of specialties including adult medical-surgical, intensive care, home health, psychiatric-mental health and maternal-newborn nursing. She is currently teaching in both the undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Nursing. She has received recognition from the National League of Nursing as a Certified Academic Nurse Educator. She has received numerous honors and awards throughout her career, including Oklahoma Nurse Educator of the Year by the Oklahoma Nurses Association. She received OBUs Promising Teacher Award in 1996. She was also selected as the Senior Class Outstanding Faculty Member for the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Arlington and was a Piper Professor Award Nominee for Excellence in Teaching, also at UT-Arlington. Her primary research focus is on nurses' roles in facilitating self and family care through mutual goal setting. She has also completed research related to retention of nurses in the acute care setting. She has published articles on such subjects as introducing new technology, the concept of mutuality, and consumerism and quality management. She has practiced professionally in health care agencies in the Shawnee area as well as in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fort Worth, Texas. She is an active member at First Baptist Church, Shawnee. Dr. Susan DeWoody, provost, is excited for Hensons selection to lead the College of Nursing. After conducting a national search for dean, it was confirmed to us that Dr. Henson was a standout candidate. Dr. Hensons steadfast leadership and wealth of experience in nursing education equips her well to lead the OBU College of Nursing forward. I am confident with her promotion to dean that she will continue to serve our students, faculty and community with excellence. Dr. Heath Thomas, OBU president, is excited for the College of Nursings future under Hensons leadership. I am thrilled with the appointment of Dr. Robbie Henson as dean of the College of Nursing. Her academic and administrative background, combined with her genuine care for students and faculty, make her an exceptional choice. The future is extraordinarily bright in the College of Nursing, and we anticipate our best days under Dr. Hensons leadership. Henson is humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve the College of Nursing faculty, staff and students as dean. It is a great and humbling honor to be asked to lead the College of Nursing at OBU. When I sat in class as a student on this campus years ago, I would not have anticipated ever serving as dean for this school the first baccalaureate program of nursing in the state of Oklahoma. While I have many years of experience as both a nurse and an educator, I am keenly aware that this work is the Lords and that I am the vessel He has chosen to work through. Agartala, Jan 14 : Two Tripura policemen, including an officer, were suspended for their negligence of duty in a police station, where a 38-year-old man was found dead during police custody, official said on Tuesday. The man -- Sushanta Ghosh (38) -- was arrested on Friday from his house in Lankamura on the outskirts of the state capital in connection with huge cash theft from Agartala city ATMs using cloning devices by the two Turkish and two Bangladeshi nationals. Police claimed that the youth committed suicide on Sunday at the West Agartala police station during his police custody. "A sub-inspector of police and a constable were suspended for their negligence of duty in the police station during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday," a police official said. The issue has rocked the state politics forcing the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to order a magisterial inquiry into the death of Sushanta Ghosh, who was arrested following the interrogations of the Turkish and Bangladeshi nationals. The official said that the police authority has also appointed a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to investigate the matter. According to the official, the slain youth was involved in connection with the stealing of huge amount of cash from ATMs in Agartala using cloning devices by two Turkish and two Bangladeshi nationals, who were arrested at Belgharia (under North 24 Parganas district) in West Bengal in November and are now being interrogated by the intelligence and cyber crime branch officials in Agartala. After visiting Ghosh's family former Tripura Chief Minister and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Manik Sarkar said that a judicial probe must be conducted, while the officers of the West Agartala Police Station should be removed at once. Meanwhile, the Tripura government on Monday transferred 32 senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Sharmistha Chakraborty, who was probing the ATM robberies. Senior lawyer and Tripura Human Rights Organisation Secretary Purusattam Roybarman has demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge. While the CPI-M has urged the Tripura Human Rights Commission to inquire into the incident, the Congress has demanded a judicial probe. Sushanta's father Parimal Ghosh in an FIR claimed his son died following police torture. "My son was arrested as the Turkish and Bangladeshi ATM hackers had earlier bought sweets from my shop. My son had helped them exchange dollars into rupees without knowing their (Bangladeshis) criminality," Ghosh said, and claimed that some injury marks have been found on his son's body. As per the preliminary probe, the Turkish nationals along with their Bangladeshi collaborators had stolen Rs 50 lakh during October-November last year from around 80 customers of different banks, mostly from State Bank of India by hacking the ATMs in Agartala. Police official probing the crime said that the same foreign nationals had stolen a huge amount of cash by hacking the ATMs in Guwahati and Kolkata. A 35-year-old man was attacked with a knife after he resisted a robbery attempt near Parvati foothills on Monday evening. A case of attempted murder was registered against the unidentified robber. The injured man has been identified as Manoj Bahutule, 35, a resident of Janata Vasahat. Bahutule was sitting on a wall inside the forest area near Parvati foothills at 4pm when the incident took place. The victim is a salesman at a clothing store. He had come out for a walk and was resting on the wall, said police sub-inspector KD Sankpal of Dattawadi police station who is investigating the case. A man suspected to be in his 20s arrived at the spot where Bahutej was sitting and brandished a knife. The robber tried to snatch Bahutules mobile phone, but the victim resisted the attempt. Then, the accused allegedly slashed the victims hand with the knife he was holding. He then pushed Bahutule, who fell on the ground and then, the accused struck him on the face with the back of the knife. He then continued to punch and kick an injured Bahutule, fracturing his left wrist and leg, according to police officials. As the victim lay on the ground, the robber fled with his mobile phone and Rs 200 cash which was in his pocket. The victim has lost three front teeth and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital for the other injuries, said the police. We have a suspect, but there has been no arrest. We are looking for the person, said PSI Sankpal. A case under Sections 307 (attempted murder), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 392 (punishment for robbery) of Indian Penal Code was registered at Dattawadi police station. The prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at Londons Westminster Magistrates Court is a travesty of justice that will forever stain the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Ecuador, as well as all the individuals involved. Appearing alongside Assange in court Monday morning, Assanges attorneys revealed that they had been given only two hours to meet with their client at Belmarsh prison to review what lawyer Gareth Peirce called volumes worth of evidence. Expressing the practiced cynicism of British class justice, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said this was not an unreasonable position, citing a lack of space in the prison interview room. With the bang of her gavel, Baraitser sent Assange back to his dungeon at Belmarsh, where he awaits his February extradition hearing under conditions UN Rapporteur Nils Meltzer has called torture. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange [Credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham] At this stage in the near decade-long international witch-hunt of Assange, nobody should be surprised by such shameless lawlessness on the part of the worlds most powerful governments. Ever since Swedish, British and American prosecutors conspired in 2010 to issue a warrant for Assanges arrest in connection with an investigation into bogus sexual misconduct allegations, these advanced democracies have trampled on their own laws and traditions, subjecting the journalist to a pseudo-legal process that would have been deemed unfair even by the standards of the Middle Ages. Mondays mockery of justice is an escalation of the attack on Assanges right to counsel. It takes place after the Spanish newspaper El Pais published a detailed account of how a security firm, UC Global, secretly spied on Assanges privileged discussions with his lawyers and fed the illegally obtained surveillance to the CIA. UC Global also shared footage from cameras it installed throughout the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where Assange was forced to seek refuge from 2012 to 2019 to avoid US extradition. El Pais reporting showed that UC Global recorded every word Assange spoke and live-streamed these conversations to the CIA. Despite the support of a criminally compliant media, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the US and British governments to downplay the profoundly anti-democratic precedents they intend to set through the Assange prosecution. In an opinion article published Monday in the Hill, titled Will alleged CIA misbehavior set Julian Assange free? American attorney James Goodale wrote a scathing attack on the CIAs spying on Assanges privileged attorney-client communications. Goodale is among the most prominent and well respected attorneys in the US, best known for representing the New York Times when the newspaper was sued by the Nixon administration for publishing the Pentagon Papers in 1971. The Pentagon Papers were leaked by RAND Corporation analyst Daniel Ellsberg, who has also called for the release of Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. The Pentagon Papers revealed how the US government for years lied to the public in expanding the Vietnam War, which led to the deaths of 55,000 US soldiers and 3 million Vietnamese people. Their publication triggered an explosion of public anger and fueled anti-war protests. Goodale wrote: Can anything be more offensive to a sense of justice than an unlimited surveillance, particularly of lawyer-client conversations, livestreamed to the opposing party in a criminal case? The alleged streaming unmasked the strategy of Assanges lawyers, giving the government an advantage that is impossible to remove. Short of dismissing Assanges indictment with prejudice, the government will always have an advantage that can never be matched by the defense. Goodale explained that the Daniel Ellsberg case may be instructive. Ellsberg, like Assange, was prosecuted under the Espionage Act for leaking documents to the Times and the Washington Post. During the trial, Nixons plumbers broke into the office of Ellsbergs psychiatrist and wiretapped his phone. In that case, Judge William Matthew Byrne ruled that the surveillance had incurably infected the prosecution and dismissed the charges, setting Ellsberg free. Goodale wrote that for similar reasons, the case against Assange should be dismissed. He added: The usual remedy for warrantless surveillance is to exclude any illegally obtained information from the trial, but that remedy is inapplicable here. The governments advantage in surveilling Assange is not the acquisition of tangible evidence but, rather, intangible insights into Assanges legal strategy. There is no way, therefore, to give Assange a fair trial, since his opponents will know every move he will make. Fifty years after the collapse of the prosecution of Ellsberg, there is no faction of the American or British ruling class capable of defending basic democratic principles. Three decades of permanent war and financial speculation have transformed the capitalist world into the fiefdom of a global oligarchy, protected by garrison states, in which the imperatives of imperialist plunder demand increased repression and censorship worldwide. Assange and Manning, who exposed US war crimes and helped inspire social opposition internationally, are test cases for dictatorial forms of rule that are to be imposed on millions. It is a grave danger to the rights of all that the British justice system is now moving to place Assange in the hands of the very same officials who plotted for months to carry out the murder of Irans General Qassem Suleimani. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the British Extradition Act of 2003 bar the British government from extraditing any individual to a country where the government assassinates its opponents and is incapable of guaranteeing that the individual will not be killed or tortured. Suleimanis death underscores that the US is legally incapable of making such a guarantee. The pseudo-legal process shows that what the British and US governments are attempting to carry out is not an extradition, but an extraordinary rendition, defined by the European Court for Human Rights as detention outside the normal legal system, which, by its deliberate circumvention of due process, is anathema to the rule of law and the values protected by the [Geneva] Convention. This travesty of justice has been ignored by the entire spectrum of what passes for the left wing of the imperialist political establishment, including Jeremy Corbyn, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, Ilhan Omar and all those associated with the Labour Party in the UK and the Democratic Socialists of America faction of the Democratic Party in the US. Their silence is not an oversight, it is a class position. The affluent upper-middle class layers on whose behalf these politicians speak have tossed their decades-old anti-war placards in the garbage and enlisted as cheerleaders for US and British imperialism. Behind their sophistic arguments that humanitarian considerations justify US-led wars in Libya and Syria, the real motivations reside in their bulging stock portfolios, amplified by imperialist plunder. There is only one social force capable of leading the fight to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, defend democratic rights and stop the global drive toward dictatorship and war. The end of 2019 saw the working class, billions strong and more internationally interconnected than ever before, moving into struggle on a scale not seen in decades. It is the urgent task of socialists to endow this movement with a revolutionary socialist perspective to transform the world on an egalitarian basis, free of war and dictatorship. The body of missing Ohio teenager Harley Dilly has been found in the chimney of an abandoned home, nearly a month after he first went missing, Port Clinton Police announced Tuesday. Police said the 14-year-old's death was accidental and found no signs of foul play, according to CBS affiliate WOIO-TV. Dilly went missing December 20 while walking to school. A reward of more than $20,000 was offered for information pertaining to his disappearance. Now, Port Clinton Police Chief Rob Hickman said Dilly's family has some closure. They believe he was climbing up an antenna, slipped off and into a chimney, where he became stuck. The abandoned house where his body was found Monday night is across the street from his home a residential area along Lake Erie some 40 miles east of Toledo. "It's not the outcome we wanted," Hickman said during an emotional press conference, according to WOIO. "I promise myself not to break down today." Police said they checked the abandoned home multiple times, but there was no sign of forced entry and the doors were secure. They decided to search the area again, in another attempt to find Dilly, WOIO reports. harley-dilly-horizontal.png Harley Dilly, 14, of Ohio was found dead in a chimney, nearly one month after he went missing. Port Clinton Police Department Authorities first thought Dilly may have run away from home, because his family had said he would sometimes spend a night away from home if he got upset, The Associated Press reported. At the time of Dilly's disappearance, the teen may have been upset about having electronics taken away from him. WOIO said the community including K-9 teams and helicopters helped in the search for Dilly. Sneak peek: Chacey Poynter: Witness to Murder Trump speaks before signing "Phase One" of China trade deal Putin's entire Cabinet resigns After it moved the Supreme Court against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Kerala government on Tuesday said it would continue its fight against the legislation as it "destroys" the secularism and democracy in the country. The CPI(M)-led government had on Monday moved the apex court challenging the CAA and sought to declare it as 'ultra vires' of the Constitution. State Industries Minister E P Jayarajan told reporters here that the state has moved the apex court and will explore all options to fight the Act. "The state government will to go to any extent and continue its fight against CAA. This Act destroys the democracy in the country." "This will only help in implementing the RSS agenda, to drive the nation through a fascist regime, and destroying the secularism and democracy in the country. The RSS and the Sangh Parivar cannot implement this law just by using muscle power," Jayarajan said. Tourism Minister Minister Kadakampally Surendran tweeted that the state became the first in the country to approach the top court against the Act. "Kerala government files lawsuit against the unconstitutional CAA. Kerala becomes the first state in the country to go the Supreme Court against CAA. Kerala leads the way," he said in the tweet. In a suit filed in the apex court, the Kerala government has sought to declare that the CAA 2019 was "violative" of Article 14 (Equality before law), 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) and 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion) of the Constitution. It also claimed that the law was violative of the basic principle of secularism enshrined in it. The state Assembly had on December 31, 2019, passed a unanimous resolution against the CAA and became the first state to do it. NEW DELHI - As the temperature in India's capital plunged on a recent evening, Rehana Khatun bundled her 29-day-old daughter in a fuzzy quilt and went out for her new nightly activity: participating in a sit-in against the government. Khatun, 28, is a mother of three who rarely leaves her neighborhood in southeast Delhi. Now she is one of a few hundred Muslim women - including grandmothers and children - who have occupied this stretch of road for a month, undeterred by rain, cold or threats, as a sign of opposition to a new law that excludes Muslim migrants from a fast-track to citizenship. She sits cross-legged as she settles in for another night of speeches under bright blue and yellow tarps held up by narrow poles. "Our fight is for our Constitution, our country, our survival," she said. The protest in the capital's Shaheen Bagh neighborhood has become an enduring symbol of the demonstrations that have swept India over the new law, which was passed in December. Most of the women are homemakers, many in hijabs, and their long-running vigil has been featured on prime-time news shows, inspired similar sit-ins and attracted solidarity from across India. On Sunday, the protest attracted its largest crowd yet, according to locals, as thousands of supporters packed the narrow lanes surrounding the area. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the country have taken to the streets in opposition to the law since its passage. Opponents say the measure is discriminatory and violates India's secular ethos. The protests mark the most significant challenge to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he took power in 2014. While India's Muslim community is at the forefront of the opposition, Indians of all faiths have joined in the demonstrations, discontented with the government's policies and its agenda of emphasizing Hindu primacy. The government doubled down on the citizenship law Friday, showing no intention of backtracking. Several protests have devolved into showdowns with the police, who have responded with force. Since December, 24 people have died nationwide, nearly all of them in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state. People have used multiple ways to register their opposition, including candlelight vigils, readings of the Indian Constitution's preamble, and even a boat march by fishermen. The peaceful sit-in at Shaheen Bagh began after police stormed a nearby university campus and assaulted unarmed student protesters. The first night, the demonstration consisted of four women and six men. In the following days, the men went to work, but the number of women coming out of their homes continued to grow. Now the protest is led by women while the men watch from the sidelines. Some women arrive in the morning, staying until the wee hours of the next day before going home for a few hours. When they leave, others take their place. The numbers change daily, ranging from several hundred to a few thousand. Children of all ages scamper around, waving national flags bigger than they are, while women cover their heads with the flag in a sign of reverence. They say they will not leave until the law is repealed. "In all my 35 years of working with Muslim women, I had never witnessed a scene such as this," wrote activist Syeda Hameed, chair of the Muslim Women's Forum, after a visit. "What I was witnessing was the new generation of Muslim women who speak boldly without an iota of fear." Although there is no leader at Shaheen Bagh, some participants have already become icons. Bilkis, an 82-year-old grandmother who uses only one name, shot to fame after a viral television interview. Toothless and bent with age, Bilkis, now fondly called Gangster Granny, is protesting for the first time in her life. "Our ancestors have also given their blood for this country," she said, questioning why Muslims are being singled out by the government. India's powerful home minister Amit Shah has stated that the citizenship law will be followed by a nationwide push to verify all citizens, an exercise that many believe targets Muslims. Bilkis said that if the government goes ahead with the registry of citizens, she will refuse to participate. "They [government] can beat us with sticks or shoot us with bullets," she said. "We will die but won't leave our land." From a small rickety stage, participants make speeches about unity and the democratic traditions of the country and sing patriotic songs. Young and old recite poems: One favorite is a newly penned protest verse called "We won't show our papers," while others opt for a celebrated poem against dictatorship by a Pakistani poet. On New Year's Eve, the gathering swelled to several thousand. At midnight, the area reverberated with the national anthem and glowed with pinpoints of light from scores of phones held aloft. Seema Saifi, 38, came out to protest on the first day and has since returned every day. She has barely slept in that time, traveling 40 miles round trip each day to her job at a large company and joining the protest every evening until the early hours of the morning. She said the women have received messages of support from around the world. "We have gotten strength from each other," she said. "Now this seems like home." An army of nearly 200 volunteers, mostly locals or students living nearby, has split into teams to keep the sit-in running. Some look after meals while others coordinate with the media and guests. One day, a delivery truck rolled up with crates of milk and tea ordered by an anonymous well-wisher from Mumbai. A team of doctors started a medical tent that operates daily. A group of college students set up a booth where children can read and draw. As the protest has endured, there have also been points of friction. There are arguments over who should be allowed onstage, whether to accept donations of supplies and how to keep away local politicians. Some chief volunteers recently tried to call off the protests to avoid it becoming a tool for political parties, but the women did not leave. Rumors about impending action by police to clear the road has not deterred them, either. For Khatun, the past weeks have not been easy juggling household chores with ongoing protests. Bringing out the newborn baby, whom locals call the youngest revolutionary, in the biting cold has its own risks. But she is unfazed. "People take her in their lap when she cries. If she falls sick, there is a doctor here," she said. When her daughter grows up and asks her what Khatun did at this moment, she said, "I will have an answer." - - - The Washington Post's Joanna Slater contributed to this report. In light of that history, the Trump administrations new plan to trim the environmental reviews for infrastructure projects looks like the latest in a long line of attempts to use process to affect policy. This time, though, its in the name of unleashing bulldozers instead of restraining them. JNU has once again found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons. The disturbing scenes of a broken server room and mayhem-seekers having a field day around the campus have caused discomfort in every citizen's mind Jawaharlal Nehru University has once again found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons. The disturbing scenes of a broken server room and mayhem-seekers having a field day around the campus have caused discomfort in every citizen's mind. The nursery of ultra-leftism, JNU, first entered the national conscious in the digital age via the disturbing scene that saw a clutch of students show their fangs by raising "tukde-tukde" slogans. While people have called for the cauterisation of this wound I call JNU, one should investigate the problem through the process of scientific enquiry a practice that JNU has always prided itself upon. First, we need to ask ourselves how the thought processes of Left-leaning and Right-leaning individuals differ. For that, we need to rely on the Rotter Locus of Control Test. Developed by American scientist Julian Rotter, the test is a set of 29 questions that differentiates people into those with External Locus of Control and Internal Locus of Control. In a paper published by psychologist Theodore Dembroski, it has been found that leftists have an External Locus of Control, while rightists have an Internal Locus of Control. In other words, rightists have greater internal control while leftists consider external factors as the culprit for their actions. It should be noted that Dembroski's paper on locus of control isn't based on economic principle it only deals with the basic behaviour of the Left and Right. Dembroski found that leftists and rightists are different personality types. Then why is the ideology that is being nursed in JNU dangerous? The answer lies in a social psychology theory called 'Moral Foundation Theory', developed by psychologists Joshua Greene and Jonathan Haidt. It states that each of us have a morality meter in our brain that determines what we consider wrong or right. There are six parameters to judge our morality: Care, fairness, loyalty, authority, sanctity and liberty. It has been found through research that the morality of Right-leaning individuals is sensitive to all the six parameters but considers loyalty as the most important factor of their morality, but a Leftist's brain is sensitive to only "liberty, care and fairness". Thus, it seems moralistic for the Left to raise Azadi slogans as a celebration of "liberty". The problem lies in the fact that because a Leftist's brain considers "loyalty to the country" as a lesser trait on morality scale, the sloganeering can often be viewed as 'anti-national'; they can raise slogans for terrorists as they did on the death anniversary of Afzal Guru by raising 'tukde-tukde' slogans in 2016. As 'sanctity' is another parameter that is also not important to them, they have on occasion hurt the honour and sanctity of our armed forces as well as the sentiments of some Hindus. In 2010, when 76 soldiers were killed in a Maoist attack in Dantewada, there were celebrations on campus. In 2000, Pakistani poets celebrated their country's deeds during the Kargil war while denigrating the Indian Army inside JNU. In 2013, Mahisasura Day was celebrated where Goddess Durga was depicted in a disparaging manner. These actions have always rubbed a section of the general population and Right-leaning individuals the wrong way. It is the Right-leaning emphasis on 'loyalty' that is often mocked by the Left when they call people "Bhakts". Left-leaning individuals are habitual disruptors, as on their moral scale "respect for authority" is not important; this is a troublesome quality as they may sometimes be prone to vandalism as a display of their resentment. This is not the first time in JNU that a vice-chancellor has been harassed. In 1983, JNU was closed for a year as the Left student union went on a rampage and looted then-vice-chancellor PN Srivastav's residence an act for which the university had to be closed for a year. We must question ourselves about the role of JNU and the media in shaping the nation's ideology and how an ideological cold war being waged by a section of the Left extremists masquerading as Left-leaning intellectuals? To answer that, we must first understand a theory called "confirmation bias". If a student is thrust into a Left ecosystem and taught largely Left-inspired literature, the thought process begins to take hold and 'confirmation bias' can take root in the mind of a student. Confirmation bias is what happens when people tend to screen out information that doesn't conform to their pre-existing world view and will only accept those bits of information that makes their political ideology stronger. The next step from this is 'informational dominance' that has seen simple students turn into ultra-leftists. One would do well to recall the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the company tried to dominate information that a person receives, so that the public view can be shaped in a particular way. In a university, information about the world often comes from professors. If one's professor has a particular ideological leaning, it is possible that the teachings will shape the student in that manner and the student will only read papers and journals that adhere to that ideology. In a paper by Susan Friske, it was found that confirmation bias was the main reason for inter-group conflicts. The rot in JNU isn't the students, but the confirmation bias coupled with informational dominance that is perpetuated by some professors. What has happened in JNU cannot be undone, but new beginnings can always be made. I am reminded of an experiment to find the Law of Weighted Average, where people were told to guess the total number of jellybeans in a bottle. It was found that when fewer people guessed, the combined answer was far away from the real answer, but as more and more people started guessing, the final count was close to the real answer. This shows us the importance of diversity in opinions. We need to make JNU diverse. This is when this institution will truly become great. Before concluding, I want to acknowledge that a lot of Left-leaning intellectuals and narrative-creators will find what I have written problematic. I request them to read about the Dunning-Kruger Effect, whereby people who are incompetent at something are unable to recognise their own incompetence. It is time for the Left intellectual to stop belittling the Right intellectuals as such attempts reaffirm the Dunning-Kruger Effect. The author is Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India [January 13, 2020] TUESDAY DEADLINE ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. 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About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005962/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Leonardo's AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp.'s factory at Northeast Philadelphia Airport has won a contract to build these TH-73A training helicopters for the U.S. Navy. The company is one of three big helicopter makers that build and sometimes test their craft around the region Read more The U.S. Navy has chosen AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. over four rivals, awarding a $176.5 million contract to build an initial 32 TH-73A training helicopters. The deal boosts orders at the 650-worker plant, which is owned by the Italy-based Leonardo industrial group. If all goes well, the company could gain orders for an additional 98 aircraft by 2024, boosting the total contract award to $648 million. The training craft will serve pilots and maintenance workers for the Marines and Coast Guard, along with the Navy, James F. Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, said in a statement. He said the deal helps "ensure the readiness of our Naval Aviators for decades. The helicopters are based on his companys civilian TH-119 model, said Alessandro Profumo, chief executive of AgustaWestlands owner, Leonardo, in a statement. Leonardo is thrilled to be the Navys long-term partner, he added. We are proud to be a core contributor to the future of U.S. defense. The new helicopters will replace the Navys aging Sea Ranger trainers. Besides the copters, the contract highlights include spare parts, maintenance equipment, and training and data, according to Naval Air Systems Command, based in Patuxent River, Md., which oversees the training program. Some 87% of the work is to be done at the Philadelphia plant, with the rest in Texas and abroad. As the company sought U.S. military work, Leonardo has updated the 40-year-old plant adjoining city-owned Northeast Philadelphia Airport, adding a training facility and 166 jobs in a $125 million expansion since 2018. Once built, the helicopters will be maintained from the Navys helicopter facility in Milton, Fla., said William Hunt, Leonardos top official at the Philadelphia plant and a managing director. The contract is a ringing endorsement for Leonardo Helicopters and its training program, said managing director Gian Piero Cutillo in a statement. Besides Italy and the United States, Leonardo has plants in the United Kingdom and Poland, spreading its work among NATO allies. With sales of $13 billion last year, it is one of the biggest industrial companies based in Italy. AugstaWestland is the second-largest of three major helicopter factories in the Philadelphia area, which are also served by regional and national suppliers. All depend on U.S. military contracts. The Boeing works in Ridley Park, Delaware County, which employs about 4,600, upgrades Chinook CH-47 helicopters for the Army, Special Forces, and allied foreign military and civilian users. The plant also builds tilt-rotor Ospreys, which take off and land like helicopters but fly like planes, for the U.S. Marine Corps and other buyers. The Trump administration attempted to cut Army spending on Chinooks and other 20th-century weapons that were popular for American wars in Asia and Europe, and instead spend more on long-range and cyberweapons for use against China and Russia. But the regions Democratic and Republican Congress members rallied to save Boeing jobs, and work on the Chinooks has continued for now. Lockheed Martin last year tried to close its Sikorsky helicopter plant near Coatesville, which at the time employed 465. The workers built Marine One helicopters for use by the president, but Lockheed Martin chief executive Marillyn Hewson, blaming a lack of civilian orders, was preparing to shut the works and consolidate production in Connecticut and elsewhere. Then a call to Hewson from President Trump, who considers Pennsylvania an important part of his reelection strategy, was followed by a pledge from Lockheed Martin to find new work and keep Coatesville open for now. Lockheed Martin continues to work on S-92 (civilian version of the Marine One) and S-76D helicopters in Coatesville, along with Canadian Maritime Service orders. The plant still employs more than 400, said Lockheed Martin spokesperson Callie Ferrari. The Leonardo and Sikorsky plants are nonunion. Boeing production workers in Ridley Park are represented by a local unit of the United Auto Workers union. (Corrected). Although they are frequent competitors, the helicopter companies sometimes work together. Boeing and Leonardo are partners on MH-139 Grey Wolf military helicopters, which are based on Leonardos AW139 civilian design. The company has sold more than 1,000 civilian AW139s, including more than 200 built in Philadelphia, and others from Europe. The Air Force last year said it would buy up to 82 Grey Wolfs in a $2.4 billion deal to replace its aging Hueys in defending U.S. nuclear weapons bases in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, and to transport elected officials and other Very Important Persons. The helicopters are to be assembled at Leonardos AgustaWestland plant in Northeast Philly, with weapons added at Boeings Ridley plant. They are armed with heavy machine guns. FEMA responding to possibly making fire survivors pay, turning it onto PG&E The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said PG&E owes it, nearly $4 billion for recovery efforts during the 2017 and 2018 wildfires. FEMA reps have said if that debt is not resolved it would consider staking a claim on $13.5 billion settlement slated for 2017 and 2018 wildfire victims. Chico police announce arrest of Wells Fargo robbery suspect The suspect wanted in a bank robbery is behind bars this morning and police are crediting alert witnesses with helping to crack the case. Kevin Miers is the man Chico police said targeted the Wells Fargo on Monday, Jan. 6. Officers arrested him last week; Jan. 9, three days after the robbery at the Wells Fargo on East Avenue. Chico Police arrest man for shoplifting, find 250 hypoedermic needles Chico police said they seized drugs and more than 250 new hypodermic needles during a shoplifting arrest. Officers arrested 30-year-old Duke Clayton Monday afternoon, for stealing from Kohl's department store. During the stop on the bike path behind the business, officers recovered the stolen property and discovered more than 250 new hypodermic needles and drugs. Clayton is facing drug and theft charges. Deputies arrest three people after finding two girls high on heroin A community-wide call is going out this morning from the Butte County Sheriff's Office. Surrounding a man charged with running a drug house, Eric Becerril. He is facing felony charges of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, after law enforcement found two teenage girls in his home, high on heroin. Just last month detectives charged him with maintaining a residence where narcotics are used or sold. Pelosi sets up floor vote as soon as Wednesday to name impeachment managers and send articles to the Senate Today, the House of Representatives ends a three-week delay in turning over impeachment to the senate. Voting begins this week to send the charges or articles, and decide who will try the case. Democrats would like to call more witnesses for the trial. President Trump is urging the Senate to dismiss the charges with no trial. Iran announces arrests over plane crash as Rouhani warns those responsible will be punished More fallout this morning from the downing of a civilian plane in Iran. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is casting blame. Trudeau said the military escalation between the U.S. and Iran is responsible for the downing of that Ukrainian airline's plane, which killed 176 people. 57 of them were Canadians. [January 14, 2020] Global Restaurant POS Software Market and POS Systems for Small Business Market Analysis By Product Demand, End Users, Top Regions, Key Players, Competition, Opportunity Assessment and Growth Predication 2024 Dallas, Texas, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Restaurant POS Software Market 2019-2024: The driving factors influencing the Global Restaurant POS Software Market includes growing demand of multi-purpose POS terminals from the owners. global restaurant POS software market vendors are offering various solutions to support different types of restaurants such FSR (Full-Service Restaurant), QSR (Quick Service Restaurant), Others. Restaurant POS Software includes table reservation, material management, kitchen display system, helpful in the Restaurant Management. According to this study, over the next five years the Restaurant POS Software market will register a 7.6% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach US$ 1450 million by 2024, from US$ 930 million in 2019. In particular, this report presents the global revenue market share of key companies in Restaurant POS Software business, shared in Chapter 3. In the past few years, there were start-up players entered the Restaurant POS Software market, got lost of investment and increased fast; like Toast, TouchBistro and ShopKeep etc. the top investors include T. Rowe Price, Generation Investment Management, Lead Edge Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, JP Morgan Chase & Co., OMERS Ventures, Napier Park Global Capital, Recruit Co., Ltd, Activant Capital and Thayer Street Partners. Get a PDF sample of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2792867 . The report also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/manufacturers in the market. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in in Chapter 3. Aloha POS/NCR Shift4 Payments Heartland Payment Systems Oracle Hospitality PAR (Brink POS and PixelPoint) Toast POS ShopKeep Clover Network, Inc. Focus POS TouchBistro AccuPOS Revel Systems EZee Technosys SilverWare POS BIM POS FoodZaps Technology SoftTouch The global restaurant POS software market is categorized into several segmentation including type, applications and regions. On the basis of type, the global restaurant POS software market is segregated into DOS system, Linux System, and Windows System. Based on the applications, the global restaurant POS software market is fragmented into full-service restaurants and quick service restaurant. Looping on to the regional overview, the global restaurant POS software market is a wide range to Americas, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, APAC, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain, Middle East & Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries. Browse Complete Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-restaurant-pos-software-market-growth-status-and-outlook-2019-2024 . In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, the challenges and the risks faced by key players and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Research objectives To study and analyze the global Restaurant POS Software market size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2024. To understand the structure of Restaurant POS Software market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Restaurant POS Software players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. To analyze the Restaurant POS Software with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the size of Restaurant POS Software submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. Have any query? Feel free to ask us @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2792867 . Some Major TOC Points: 1 Scope of the Report 2 Executive Summary 3 Global Restaurant POS Software by Players 4 Restaurant POS Software by Regions 9 Market Drivers, Challenges and Trends 10 Global Restaurant POS Software Market Forecast 11 Key Players Analysis Continued Part2: Global POS Systems for Small Business Market: The global POS system for small business industry is considerably a challenging factor due to the determination of easy running expenses in small businesses. This helps to choose the accurate POS solution for business for the global POS system for small businesses to search for more than 100 options to come up with recommendations. The global POS system for small business market is estimated to project steady growth in the coming year. According to this study, over the next five years the POS Systems for Small Business market will register a xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach US$ xx million by 2024, from US$ xx million in 2019. In particular, this report presents the global revenue market share of key companies in POS Systems for Small Business business, shared in Chapter 3. The report also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/manufacturers in the market. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in in Chapter 3. Square Lightspeed Shopify ShopKeep Toast Inc PayPal Here Vend IT Retail Access the PDF sample of the report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/4129976 This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares and growth opportunities of POS Systems for Small Business market by product type, application, key companies and key regions. The global POS systems for small business market is categorized into several segmentation including type, applications and regions. On the basis of type, the global POS systems for small business market is segregated into on-premises and cloud-based. Based on the applications, the global POS systems for small business market is fragmented into retail, logistics, catering, and others. Looping on to the regional overview, the global POS systems for small business market is a wide range to Americas, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, APAC, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain, Middle East & Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries. Make an enquiry of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/4129976 . Some TOC Points From Report: 1 Scope of the Report 2 Executive Summary 3 Global POS Systems for Small Business by Players 4 POS Systems for Small Business by Regions 9 Market Drivers, Challenges and Trends 10 Global POS Systems for Small Business Market Forecast 11 Key Players Analysis Continued About Us: Orbis 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. Contact Us: Hector Costello Senior Manager Client Engagements 4144N Central Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas - 75204, U.S.A. Phone No.: +1 (972)-362-8199; +91 895 659 5155 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The New York Times Amazons founder and chief executive, Jeff Bezos, is visiting India this week for the first time in more than five years. Instead of garlands, Indias government is welcoming him with a new antitrust case. The Competition Commission of India, the countrys antitrust regulator, opened a formal investigation on Monday into the practices of Amazon and Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce giant mostly owned by Walmart. The inquiry was prompted by complaints from an association of small traders, after several rounds of regulations failed to curb the market power of the two e-commerce platforms, particularly in the online sales of mobile phones. Indian merchants have lobbied Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take tougher action against the companies. India requires foreign-owned e-commerce firms to be neutral marketplaces, much like eBay, to protect local retailers and distributors from the deep-pocketed competition. In the United States, Amazon both operates a marketplace and sells many products including diapers, batteries and books like a traditional retailer, buying them wholesale and then reselling them to consumers. Under Indian law, the site is supposed to rely on independent sellers who post their products on Amazon. But both Amazon and Flipkart give preference to some sellers, the Indian regulator said, by using affiliated companies, discounts and their global relationships with manufacturers to influence who sells what and at what price. For example, Amazon sells its own brands, like Amazon Basics luggage and Solimo paper products, on its Indian site through companies in which it holds an equity stake. And Flipkart features a small group of preferred, high-volume sellers on its service. The commission will investigate whether those arrangements violate Indias antitrust law. India is one of Amazons fastest-growing markets as well as an important location for its customer service and research operations. But Bezos has made just three trips to the country. On Wednesday, he is expected to discuss opportunities for small businesses on Amazon at a conference in New Delhi. He is also expected to meet Modi and plans to travel to Mumbai, home to Indias Bollywood film industry, to rub elbows with Bollywood stars like actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Zoya Akhtar. In a statement, Amazon said, We welcome the opportunity to address allegations made about Amazon; we are confident in our compliance and will cooperate fully with CCI. Flipkart said it was complying with all laws in India governing e-commerce and noted the large number of sellers on its platform. We take pride in democratising e-commerce in India, the company said in a statement. Amazon, the worlds biggest online retailer, faces other antitrust inquiries around the world. The scrutiny in Europe and the United States has also focused on its relationship to its third-party sellers, which account for about 60 percent of sales. The Federal Trade Commission and the House Judiciary Committee are examining whether Amazon treats unfairly sellers that do not use some of Amazons services, such as its fulfilment network. The European Unions antitrust commission has opened an investigation into whether Amazon misuses information from its marketplace sellers to decide what products it sells directly to customers, including its own private-label offerings. Amazon has maintained that it faces strong competitors, such as Walmart, and is a small player in the overall retail market, which is still dominated by physical stores. Vindu Goel c.2020 The New York Times Company The Queen defies her 93 years in so many ways, but it seems her hearing may be one aspect of her health that is starting to show the effects of time. On Sunday the day before the Royal showdown with Prince Harry she was pictured driving to church at Sandringham wearing a discreet red hearing aid in her right ear. She follows the lead of Prince Philip, who began wearing hearing aids in 2014 when he was the same age as the Queen is now. The couple join two million others in the UK who currently wear hearing aids and, in fact, both appear to have encountered hearing issues later than most. The Queen was pictured driving to church at Sandringham wearing a discreet red hearing aid in her right ear A 2016 study in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, found that two-thirds of adults over the age of 70 have hearing loss with the number increasing among the over 85s. According to NHS guidelines, hearing aids are available to anyone who needs them, yet the standard option is a highly visible aid with a battery that sits behind the ear. Perhaps unsurprisingly, experts believe the Queen has opted instead for a top-of-the-range aid that costs around 2,000. It looks very much like a Signia Silk Nx hearing aid but I cannot confirm 100 per cent, says Mo Khan, deputy chief of audiology at London Hearing in Harley Street. The Queen was pictured on Sunday driving to church at Sandringham with the discreet red hearing aid If so, the Queen has got one of the worlds smallest hearing aids, which picks up sounds from a microphone inside the ear itself. The in-the-ear [ITE] aids which are often only available privately are a discreet option that fit inside the ear canal completely or are only just visible. All hearing aids consist of a microphone to pick up sound, an amplifier to make the sound louder and a receiver to send the amplified sounds into your inner ear. Behind-the-ear hearing aids have a receiver with microphones that sit round the back of the ear, says Francesca Oliver, an audiology specialist at the charity Action on Hearing Loss. ITE hearing aids have a microphone built into the earpiece so it sits inside the ear canal and nothing goes behind the ear. Although smaller aids, including the Signia Silk Nx can be more discreet, Ms Oliver adds: A smaller size does not necessarily mean better quality. Smaller hearing aids cannot physically accommodate as many features as larger hearing aids so there may be some compromises. Hearing aids are often colour coded red for the right and blue for the left. Photographs have only shown the Queens red right-side aid, but it is likely that she has a blue left-side one, too. Most people have hearing loss in both ears, adds Ms Oliver. Wearing two hearing aids allows you to tell where a sound is coming from and to hear speech in noise more clearly. Potential NHS moves to restrict patients to one instead of two hearing aids and only for those with severe hearing loss have largely been overturned thanks to campaigning. Patients in North Staffordshire, however, are subject to restrictions after hearing aid provisions were cut. Yet many people are reluctant to use hearing aids. According to estimates, patients wait ten years before seeking advice from their doctor after first detecting signs of hearing loss. There are some misconceptions about what is available and how much it costs, says Ms Oliver. People might think that NHS hearing aids are vastly inferior to those available privately but this is not the case. Those who need hearing aids, should start as soon as possible. People who struggle to hear the world around them can start to feel isolated, says Nick Clive, a consultant audiologist in Harley Street. People with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia, and those with moderate hearing loss have a three-fold risk increase, possibly as hearing loss can lead to social isolation a known risk factor for dementia. It could also be linked to auditory deprivation, says Mr Clive. The brain is not being stimulated and this affects neural plasticity the ability of nerves to carry messages. Even when patients begin to wear hearing aids, some are reluctant to continue, often because of pain or embarrassment, says Ms Oliver. Common reasons that people stop wearing hearing aids are issues with physical discomfort, unnatural sound and difficulty handling and controlling them. But these are all solvable problems with the help of an audiologist, she adds. If you happen to leave your wallet in a cab or a restaurant, more often than not, you are not going to find it. Especially, if there was a lot of money in it. However, there are some people who don't let greed get the better of them. One of them is this Pakistani cabbie, who returned an Indian student's wallet in Dubai. Facebook According to reports, an Indian student named Raechel Rose forgot her wallet - which contained Rs 19,000 in cash, and her UK Visa - in Modassar Khadim's cab on January 4, the Gulf News reported. "She had got into his taxi with another friend near Burjuman on January 4," said Rose's mother, Sindhu Biju. "Just then, they saw their other friends in another car and decided to join them," said Biju who was accompanying her daughter. They immediately left the hired taxi and Rose forgot to take her wallet along," Sindhu Biju. The Indian family approached police for help and checked the CCTV footage, but to no avail as the car's number plate was unclear. "Since they had not started the journey, the driver had not started the meter. Hence, it was difficult to trace the driver through the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) call centre," Biju said. A Heartwarming Story of honesty.....A Pakistani taxi driver Modassar Khadim in Dubai turned a saviour for an Indian girl Raechel Rose by returning her lost wallet that had her UK student visa just three days before she was to return after a winter break with her parents. pic.twitter.com/Q6y4jDRXZU Bermuda News (@aqayyum22) January 13, 2020 "She did not have a copy of the visa. When she called the university, she was told she might have to apply for visa again. Though she was in tears, she rushed to the police station to report the matter," she said. Khadim had noticed the wallet after completing two other trips. "Since the family, who came next, said it was not theirs, I opened it to check if there is any contact number. I could only see all the cards and the cash," he said. Khadim called the RTA, reported the matter to police, but failed to contact Rose. However, to his surprise, he was soon contacted by RTA officials. Source /Gulf News/ Khadim "Finally, the RTA call centre called me back when I was finishing my duty and verified the details that matched with their complaint. I was given their number following which I went to their house to drop the wallet," he said. How Mudassar Khadim, a Pakistani living in Dubai not just became our pride but also won hearts of the Indians is a lesson for all of us... #AmazingPakistanis pic.twitter.com/D3OOU5MY1d Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) January 13, 2020 He was given 600 Dirhams (Rs 11,500) by Rose's father, but he refused to accept the amount despite the parents' insistence, saying she was like his "younger sister." The Indian family also wrote to the RTA appreciating Khadim's gesture. 14.01.2020 LISTEN Large-Scale mining companies in Ghana will soon lose their assets to the state after the Supreme Courts reasons for confiscating the Exton Cubics mining lease are published. Lots of the mining companies in Ghana are operating without parliamentary ratification but the government has not taken any action against them as it happened to the Ghanaian-owned Exton Cubic. This selective justice should not be entertained after the company has spent about US$ 50 million on the project. Today, Tuesday January 14, 2020, the 5-2 majority decision at the Supreme Court presided over by the Chief Justice, who was recently appointed by the president, insisted on the Exton Cubic mining lease confiscation but the panel did not publish the reasons. The NPP government under the leadership of H. E. Nana Akufo Addo dragged the mining company to the apex court for failing to acquire its parliament approval of its mining lease for the Nyinahin bauxite concession. Meanwhile, lots of mining companies in Ghana are operating without parliamentary approval. This ruling by the court has placed the foreign large-scale mining companies into a high political risk because same reasons will soon be applied to confiscate their leases and assets in Ghana, as the apex courts decision will be used as a reference to rule against them, should any bold and concerned citizen drags all these mining companies to the same court. A mining engineer residing in Denver, Colorado, USA, Solomon Owusu has vowed to play a leading role in the lawsuit against these mining companies and also use every legal means possible to fight against the Chinese Sinohydro company after the reasons from the court are published. A gentleman called David Addo has already initiated a lawsuit against some of the mining companies at the Accra High Court. Solomon has highly recommended that Exton Cubic company fights this case at the International Arbitration Court to seek redress. The outspoken mining engineer and the small-scale mining untiring advocate has admonished the large-scale mining companies in Ghana to stop all planned continuous investments until they face the Supreme Court for operating without acquiring parliamentary ratification. It is highly possible that they will lose their assets in Ghana due to the wrongful actions taken by this NPP government. According to him, the youth of the country will not sit unconcerned for this government to continuously collapse Ghanaian-owned businesses and allow foreigners to succeed. Solomon Owusu Denver, Colorado, USA Private sector lender Bandhan Bank on Tuesday reported a huge jump in net profit, including that of merged Gruh Finance, to Rs 731 crore for December 2019 quarter. Bandhan Bank had reported a post tax net of Rs 331.26 crore in the year ago period. However, the results are not comparable as the reported quarter includes the performance of gruh Finance, with which it merged in 2019. The microlender-turned-universal bank had to set aside Rs 200 crore as loan loss provisions after evaluating risks for its portfolio from in the restive North Eastern India. Over a tenth of the Kolkata-headquartered bank's overall book come from Assam, which has been witnessing a spate of protests by citizens over the passage of the amendments to Citizenship Act by both the Houses of Parliament. The bank's chief executive and managing director C S Ghosh hinted that this is a temporary phenomenon, which may last for up to two months, but explained that it has decided to be cautious by setting aside the money. The bank's core net interest income grew 37.10 per cent to Rs 1,541 crore on a 88 per cent jump in loan portfolio and a blended net interest margin of 7.91 per cent. The non-interest income grew 52.99 per cent to Rs 358 crore. Share of the low cost current and savings account deposits has now gone up to 34 per cent as against 32.90 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter. The bank's gross non performing assets ratio stood at 1.93 per cent as against 2.41 per cent in the year-ago period. The overall provisions stood at Rs 294 crore compared to Rs 145 crore in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, its executive director Sudhir Choksey said housing loan growth has become slow and it may take a few more quarters to recover. The bank's chief financial officer Sunil Samdani said the bank is evaluating all options to reduce the promoter holding to 40 per cent in compliance with the RBI mandate, but did not share the specific details. The bank's scrip closed 1.03 per cent up at Rs 518.95 apiece on the BSE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Physician Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Medicare and Illegally Prescribing Opioid Drugs Los Angeles, California - A former Los Angeles-area physician was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for engaging in a multi-faceted Medicare fraud scheme and for illegally prescribing thousands of opioid painkillers and muscle relaxers. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicola T. Hanna of the Central District of California, Assistant Director in Charge Paul D. Delacourt of the FBIs Los Angeles Division, Special Agent in Charge Timothy DeFrancesca of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector Generals (HHS-OIG) Los Angeles Regional Office and Special Agent in Charge William D. Bodner of DEAs Los Angeles Field Divison made the announcement. Kain Kumar, 56, of Palmdale, California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez of the Central District of California, who also ordered Kumar to pay $509,365 in restitution, $494,900 in asset forfeiture, and a $72,000 fine. Kumar pleaded guilty on April 4, 2019, to one count of health care fraud and one count of distribution of hydrocodone. As part of his guilty plea, Kumar admitted that from February 2011 until May 2016, he defrauded the Medicare health care benefit program by prescribing unnecessary home health services in exchange for the payment of illegal kickbacks to him from a La Verne, California-based home health agency called Star Home Health Resources Inc. Kumar further admitted that in furtherance of this scheme, he submitted false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to Medicare for Medicare beneficiaries that he did not personally examine or for patients he only briefly examined. Kumar also admittedly prescribed drugs that were not medically necessary and which were paid for by the Medicare Part D program. Kumar admitted that between February 2013 and January 2016, he prescribed 23,826 pills of the opioid drug hydrocodone (commonly sold under the brand names Vicodin or Norco) and 38,459 pills of the muscle-relaxer carisoprodol (sold under the brand name Soma) without a legitimate medical purpose. Kumar directed his office staff who were not medical professionals to issue prescriptions for these drugs to patients even though Kumar had not examined the patients, he admitted. Kumar instructed his office staff to issue prescriptions for opioid drugs by instructing his staff to sign Kumars name on prescriptions and by providing his staff with pre-signed prescriptions. In one instance, Kumar examined a patient only on the very first visit and thereafter on a monthly basis, for approximately a year-and-a-half, he caused prescriptions to be issued to the patient for hydrocodone and carisoprodol, even though Kumar did not actually see the patient for a subsequent physician examination. Kumar was charged along with Errol Lat, 75, Thelma Lat, 74, Elaine Lat, 49, all of Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Corinne Chavez, 36, of Rosamond, California, in a second superseding indictment returned on July 2017. All co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. This case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA. Trial Attorney Claire Yan of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander F. Porter of the Central District of California prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. Many of the most challenging optimization problems encountered in various disciplines of science and engineering, from biology and drug discovery [1] to routing and scheduling [2] can be reduced to NP-complete problems. Intuitively speaking, NP-complete problems are "hard to solve" because the number of operations that must be performed in order to find the solution grows exponentially with the problem size. The ubiquity of NP-complete problems has led to the development of dedicated hardware (such as optical annealing and quantum annealing machines like "D-Wave") and special algorithms (heuristic algorithms like simulated annealing). Recently, there has been a growing interest in solving these hard combinatorial problems by designing optical machines. These optical machines consist of a set of optical transformations imparted to an optical signal, so that the optical signal will encode the solution to the problem after some amount of computation. Such machines could benefit from the fundamental advantages of optical hardware integrated into silicon photonics, such as low-loss, parallel processing, optical passivity at low optical powers and robust scalability enabled by the development of fabrication processes by the industry. However, the development of compact and fast photonic hardware with dedicated algorithms which optimally utilize the capability of this hardware, has been lacking. Today, the path to solving NP-complete problems with integrated photonics is open due to the work of Charles Roques-Carmes, Dr. Yichen Shen, Cristian Zanoci, Mihika Prabhu, Fadi Atieh, Dr. Li Jing, Dr. Tena Dubcek, Chenkai Mao, Miles Johnson, Prof. Vladimir ?eperi?, Prof. Dirk Englund, Prof. John Joannopoulos, and Prof. Marin Soljaci? from MIT and the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, published in Nature Communications [3]. In this work, the MIT team developed an algorithm dedicated to solving the well-known NP-complete Ising problem with photonics hardware. Originally proposed to model magnetic systems, the Ising model describes a network of spins that can point only up or down. Each spin's energy depends on its interaction with neighboring spins -- in a ferromagnet, for instance, the positive interaction between nearest neighbors will incentivize each spin to align with its closest neighbors. An Ising machine will tend to find the spin configuration that minimizes the total energy of the spin network. This solution can then be translated into the solution of other optimization problem [4]. Heuristic Ising machines, like the one developed by the MIT team, only yields a candidate solution to the problem (which is, on average, close to the optimal solution). However, algorithms that always find the exact solution to the problem are difficult to apply to large problem sizes, as they would often have to run for hours, if not days, to terminate. Therefore, heuristic algorithms are an alternative to exact algorithms, since they provide fast and cheap solutions to hard problems. The researchers were guided by their knowledge of fundamental photonics. Professor Marin Soljaci? from MIT explains: "Optical computing is a very old field of research. Therefore, we had to identify which recent advances in photonic hardware could make a difference. In other words, we had to identify the value proposition of modern photonics." Graduate student Charles Roques-Carmes adds: "We identified this value proposition to be: (a) performing fast and cheap fixed matrix multiplication and; (b) performing noisy computation, which means that the result of the computation slightly varies from one run to the other, a little bit like flipping a coin. Therefore, these two elements are the building blocks of our work." While developing this algorithm and benchmarking it on various problems, the researchers discovered a variety of related algorithms that could also be implemented in photonics to find solutions even faster. Postdoctoral associate Dr. Yichen Shen is enthusiastic about the prospect of this work: "The field of enhancing computing capability with integrated photonics is currently booming, and we believe this work can be part of it. Since the algorithm we developed optimally leverages the strengths and weaknesses of photonic hardware, we hope it could find some short-term application." The MIT research team is currently working in collaboration with others towards realizing proof-of-concept experiments and benchmarking their algorithm on photonic hardware, versus other photonic machines and conventional algorithms running on computers. ### This work was supported in part by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) under SRC contract #2016-EP-2693-B (Energy Efficient Computing with Chip-Based Photonics MIT). This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with NSF Award #CCF-1640012 (E2DCA: Type I: Collaborative Research: Energy Efficient Computing with Chip-Based Photonics). This material is based upon work supported in part by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Research Office through the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, under contract number W911NF-18-2-0048. C. Z. was financially supported by the Whiteman Fellowship. M. P. was financially supported by NSF Graduate Research Fellowship grant number 1122374. Contact information: Charles Roques-Carmes (chrc@mit.edu), Yichen Shen (ycshen@mit.edu), and Marin Soljaci? (soljacic@mit.edu). [1] For instance, the task of determining the three-dimensional structure of a protein, given its sequence of amino-acids. [2] For instance, the problem of finding the shortest path connecting many cities. [3] Roques-Carmes et al., Heuristic recurrent algorithms for photonic Ising machines, Nature Communications [4] One such procedure has been proposed by Karp in his seminal paper: Karp, Richard M. "Reducibility among combinatorial problems." Complexity of computer computations. Springer, Boston, MA, 1972. 85-103. A man accused of crashing into two parked police cars with $200 million worth of meth in his van has pleaded not guilty to negligent driving. Simon Tu, 27, is accused of smashing into two marked vehicles outside the local police station in Eastwood, Sydney, on July 22. Police claim Tu failed to stop after the incident, but when they did track him down an hour later, he was allegedly found with 273kg of meth in his vehicle, worth an estimated $200 million. Simon Tu, 27, is accused of crashing into two parked police cars while carrying $200 million worth of meth in his van Police alleged the white Toyota HiAce Tu was driving was crammed full of 13 cardboard boxes packed with crystal methylamphetamine. In Burwood Local Court on Monday, Tu pleaded not guilty to negligent driving and failing to give particulars after an accident. He has not entered a plea on the drug commercial drug supply charges. '[He] has certainly had a very, very bad day,' Detective Chief Inspector Glyn Baker said at the time. 'Crashing into a police vehicle with that amount of drugs on board is somewhat unheard of.' The damage: Police allege Tu crashed into two parked police vehicles out the front of a station in Eastwood on July 22 How it happened: Tu is accused of accidentally ramming two parked police cars in Eastwood (left) on July 22 and then failing to stop. He was later pulled over 3km away in Ryde Until shortly before his arrest, Tu was working as a business franchisee. Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia that one of his older brothers helped him into the business. Police allege 13 cardboard boxes crammed with crystal methylamphetamie, or ice, were in the back of the van In a media release, police said officers seized 273kg of ice in total - with an estimated potential street value of more than $200 million The cardboard boxes were loaded out of the van and meticulously pored through by gloved New South Wales police officers Tu was remanded in custody and will face court again on the drug supply charge on February 12, and on the driving charges on June 25. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday flew a kite from a rooftop in Anand Nagar Road area here on the occasion of the Makar Sankranti festival. Shah was seen flying a kite from the rooftop of a building in Kanak Kala Society, accompanied by wife Sonalben Shah, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani and BJP's youth morcha president Rutvij Patel. He also released saffron balloons on the occasion. Vaghani was seen holding the spool for Shah as the home minister maneuvered the kite. The area is part of Shah's Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhinagar. Incidentally, the battle over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) also played out in the Ahmedabad skies on Tuesday, as kites with pro- and anti-CAA slogans faced off against each other. Earlier in the day, the BJP president held a meeting with party leaders at his residence in the city. On Wednesday, Shah would lay foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) at Nasmed in Kalol tehsil of Gandhinagar through remote control at a ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The institute is being set up by the National Skill Development Corporation. On Saturday too Shah had visited Ahmedabad and inaugurated a host of projects and attended a convocation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Quetta, Jan 14 : Heavy snowfall, rain and flash floods have killed at least 30 people in Pakistan, with authorities struggling to clear and reopen highways and evacuate people to safer places as an unusual extreme weather system has entered the country. A top official in Balochistan said on Monday that 14 people were killed in the last 24 hours in different parts of Pakistan's largest province, mainly due to roof collapse amid heavy snowfall, reports The News International. Emergency officials said that the 11 people were killed in Punjab province, battered by heavy rains, while five others died in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir areas. Meanwhile, traffic was suspended on the Quetta-Chaman highway as the Khozak-Pass linking Pakistan with Afghanistan also received heavy snowfall, bringing a halt to the Afghan transit trade as hundreds of trucks and other goods vehicles remained standard on both sides of the border, said Dawn news in a report. Around two dozen passengers in four vehicles were trapped in the far-flung area of Kaachar close to Pakistan-Iran border. Balochistan Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan said the provincial government was fully activated to open roads and to ensure provision of all possible help to the people in rain and snow affected areas. On Sunday, emergency was declared in Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Kech, Ziarat, Harnai, and Pishin districts of the province due to the heavy snow. According to Met Office, cold and dry weather was forecast for most parts of province including the capital Quetta for the next 24 hours. Heavy snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan has broken a 50-year record, while in Quetta it surpassed a 20-year record. The Northern Ireland Executive met on Tuesday morning to discuss the UK Government's offer of financial support following the New Decade New Approach deal. Following the meeting First Minister Arlene Foster said that the new Executive was "based on mutual respect and trust". Read More Mrs Foster did not directly address the financial issue, but said the five-party Executive was committed to working together for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland. "There are significant challenges ahead of us, but equally we have a real opportunity. With strong leadership and collegiate working we will make sure that our public services are transformed," the DUP leader said. Through this new five-party Executive based on mutual respect and trust, we can rebuild confidence in the Executive. We will do this by delivering on the things that matter to people in Northern Ireland, together. Sinn Fein's deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that while changes would not happen overnight, parties were working on a sustained approach to make long-lasting changes. Our immediate priorities will include dealing with the issues impacting the most vulnerable. The extension of welfare reform mitigations, a plan to tackle waiting lists and the urgent publication of a Mental Health Action Plan will be among those pressing actions," the Mid Ulster MLA said. Politics is never easy and being in a five-party Executive comes with its own set of unique challenges. But we have one shared purpose to improve peoples lives. We are committed to working together to deliver for all in our shared society. Writing in Tuesday's Belfast Telegraph, Ulster University economist Dr Esmond Birnie estimated that it would take at least 5bn to get Northern Ireland up and running again and deliver the commitments of the deal. While it was expected Prime Minister Boris Johnson would announce 2bn in funding during a visit to Northern Ireland on Monday, the PM said the deal was "not just about money". Read More Finance Minister Conor Murphy said that the issue of funding from the UK Government "wasn't complete" and the offer "way short" of what was needed. "We intend to pursue that over the next few days and coming week," the Sinn Fein MLA told reporters at Stormont on Tuesday. Mr Murphy said the Department of Finance is working to "tie down the commitment offered from the British Government". "We haven't managed to secure that completely yet," he admitted, but said that the UK and Irish Governments had to live up to their part of the deal. "We're going to work that through with them and if we get the necessary finances to run decent public services then we won't be into the matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul." DUP leader Mrs Foster said the Prime Minister must live up to financial promises made during negotiations that led to the return of power-sharing after three years. Look at this group, threatening to get legal with you over what, exactly? It seems most likely that knowledge of your very existence threatens to upend their ideas about their father, and hence about themselves. Judging only on the facts you present your birth father does not seem like the greatest guy in the world. Ironically, if his family would let you in, you might learn otherwise. In 2019, 60-year-old Vishnu Patel, who is specially-abled, was in the news for making an environment-friendly bike with waste material. In an interview to ANI, Mr Patel said that he had built seven battery-operated bikes - all out of waste material - that would not harm the environment. "People throw away the e but I'm making bikes out of it. I want to make 3-wheelers for divyangs that can also carry their families simultaneously," he said. Impressed by Patel's innovation and to encourage his dedication, Chairman of the Mahindra group has offered to invest in entrepreneurs like him. A Twitter user shared Vishnu Patel's story with Anand Mahindra, who is known for tweeting about and supporting innovations that catch his eye; in the past, he has offered help to many who have impressed him. 'He's divyang ever since he was 1yr, can't hear but his skills are powerful. He knows tricks that can make things work alternatively. He's impressing all of us since I was 1yr', added the user. Fabulous story. Ill reach out to him to see if I can invest in upgradations for his workshop. In fact hes inspired me to personally set aside 1 cr as an initial fund to invest in micro entrepreneurs like him in the country. So much talent & innovation waiting for recognition https://t.co/hM46jv264o anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 11, 2020 Responding to the tweet, Mr Mahindra called it a 'fabulous story' and said that he would reach out to Mr Patel and invest in his workshop. 'I'll reach out to him to see if I can invest in upgradations for his workshop', wrote the Chairman of the Mahindra Group. Gujarat: Vishnu Patel, a 60-year-old differently abled man in Surat, says he has built two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles using parts of old electronic items. He says, "If Rs 20 Lakh loan is granted to me, I can make a vehicle which will bring laurels to India." (20.02.2019) pic.twitter.com/azszoPLK9t ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019 He added that Mr Patel's story has inspired him to set aside Rs 1 crore as an "initial fund to invest in micro entrepreneurs like him." Anand Mahindra is known to lend a helping hand to people who come up with 'jugaad' (hacks) to make daily life easier. In 2018, he offered to make a small investment for a cobbler whose witty advertisement bowled him over. The cobbler called himself a 'shoe-doctor' and the board advertised his shoe repair shop as a 'hospital' for 'injured' shoes, listing Dr Narseeram as the doctor on duty. They flew down to meet him&produced these ideas. We would be delighted to get your inputs on the analysis & approaches & which you prefer. We want to design something that enhances the pavement aesthetic & hopefully create a template for roadside vendors..(2/2) pic.twitter.com/bNRB9bkJOi anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 28, 2018 Mahindra made his design studio in Mumbai, come up with a new kiosk for the cobbler - and they came up with the best one. The kiosk was delivered and set up - Mahindra made sure the shoe doctor enjoyed his work space. Grace Kelly was a huge Hollywood star when she decided to marry Prince Rainier in 1956 The difference in the world-views of the Markles and the Windsors was always evident in the language they employed. After her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan told Vanity Fair magazine: I was born 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. The Windsors were a good deal less ethereal. If it doesnt fart or eat hay, shes not interested, Prince Philip once said of his daughter, Princess Anne. During her engagement to Harry, Meghan employed the soapy language of Californian mindfulness. She spoke of nurturing our relationship and focusing on who we are as a couple. Describing their first meeting, she said, So for both of us, it was just a really authentic and organic way to get to know each other. Around the same time, Harry spoke of their relationship in very different terms, almost as though he were a colonel welcoming new blood to the regiment. For me, its an added member of the family, he told the BBC. Its another team player as part of the bigger team and you know, for all of us, what we want to do is to be able to carry out the right engagements, carry out our work and try and encourage others in the younger generation to be able to see the world in the correct sense... During her engagement to Harry, Meghan employed the soapy language of Californian mindfulness. She spoke of nurturing our relationship and focusing on who we are as a couple. Pictured following their engagement in 2017 It seemed to me then that one or other of them was going to be disappointed. In an American magazine, I posed this question. Five years from now...will she be content unveiling commemorative plaques at schools and hospitals, smiling through welcoming pageants in national costume offered by C-list countries, engaging in polite conversation with foreign dignitaries of a similar status at Buckingham Palace? Or will she yearn for something less dogged and dutiful, something with more zip? I went on to predict that, In years to come, Meghan may look back on her wedding day as the high-point of her life as a royal... Interviewed by the BBC, she said that one of the first things she and Harry ever talked about was just the different things that we wanted to do in the world and how passionate we were about change. But life as a royal is little more than a stuffy succession of meals with mayors, dignitaries and foreign bigwigs, and the younger brother and his wife will inevitably be given the duller, less important ones. At these meetings, taking a polite interest and saying nothing controversial is the order of the day. The Royal Family maintains its position by keeping well away from politics, or anything remotely radical. This is not the life for someone who dreams of changing the world. The Windsors were a good deal less ethereal. If it doesnt fart or eat hay, shes not interested, Prince Philip (pictured in December) once said of his daughter, Princess Anne I gave it five years, but that has proved optimistic. Some have compared Meghan to the Duchess of Windsor, and there are certainly similarities: both Americans, both divorced, both forceful, both aghast at the endemic stuffiness of the House of Windsor. Duke and Duchess of Windsor after their marriage at the Chateau De Cande, in Monts, France, in June 1937 But there are differences, too. The Duchess of Windsor started from a position of unpopularity: she had few illusions about the shifting affections of public opinion. Meghan Markle, on the other hand, is an actress who craves applause; she needs to be loved. In many ways, a closer parallel is to Princess Grace of Monaco. Grace was a huge Hollywood star when she decided to marry Prince Rainier in 1956, picking up so many titles twice a Duchess, once a Viscountess, eight times a Countess, four times a Marchioness and nine times a Baroness that she instantly became the most titled woman in the world. But after five years, she was bored stiff. In 1961, Alfred Hitchcock, who had directed her in To Catch A Thief and Dial M For Murder, suggested that she should star in his new film, Marnie. Princess Grace accepted his offer and the filming was scheduled, but she had reckoned without the priggishness of the people of Monaco, who were horrified at the idea. Accordingly, Grace abandoned the film, and returned to her monotonous life as a princess. By chance, in March 1981, she met Prince Harrys mother, Princess Diana, when she was undertaking her first public engagement as a future royal. Diana was distraught at the pressures on her. Putting her arms around her, Princess Grace tried to comfort her with a joke. Dont worry dear, she said, Youll see itll only get worse. You are here: World Flash Negotiations between Libya's warring leaders in Moscow are going positively, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday. "We are trying to make the cease-fire in Libya permanent," Erdogan said at a press conference in Ankara with visiting Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Erdogan noted that he will attend a meeting in Berlin on Jan. 19 to discuss Libya's peace process, along with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We have supported the Berlin process in a constructive way and continue to support it," he stated. Appreciating Italy's efforts on the Libyan issue, Erdogan said the Syrian crisis was another topic of their talks. "I stressed that we expect Italy's support for our efforts to maintain the de-escalation status of Idlib," the president said. For his part, Conte said the cease-fire will be a temporary solution and the international community should find a permanent settlement for the Libyan issue. The Berlin process is an important opportunity, he added. Italy would not accept any attempt that will intervene in the sovereignty of Libya, the Italian leader said. Moscow hosts talks for reaching a cease-fire agreement between Khalifa Haftar, commander of the east-based Libyan National Army which has been trying to conquer the capital Tripoli, and Fayez al-Serraj who heads the rival Tripoli-based UN-recognized government. Turkey and Russia brokered the negotiations which came after a cease-fire on Jan. 12 initiated by Ankara and Moscow after 11 months of heavy clashes in Libya. Turkey backs Serraj while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside Haftar's forces. Louis CK will perform in Philadelphia in March as part of the controversial comics first tour since a sexual misconduct scandal in which he admitted to masturbating in front of female comedians and associates derailed his career in 2017. CK is scheduled to perform a stand-up set at the Met on March 6. The performance is CKs second set to take place in Pennsylvania on the tour, and will come following a Jan. 22 date at Readings Santander Performing Arts Center, which is already sold out. A Live Nation spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment about the shows booking. Initially announced in October as a 14-city tour, CKs current run has the comic doing professional stand up comedy around the country and planet with a set consisting of jokes, stories, observations, lies, non-lies, and being generally ridiculous for the benefit of a laughing audience, according to a statement on the comedians website. Following his date in Philadelphia which will employ Yondr technology, so no one can record the set on their cell phones CK is scheduled to move on to performances in locations including Washington, D.C., Albany, and Boston. The comedian briefly took a break from stand-up performances following his admission to sexual misconduct allegations from several women, initially reported in a 2017 New York Times article. In response, CK said in a statement that these stories are true, and added that he would step back and take a long time to listen after having spent a long and lucky career talking and saying anything I want. The scandal also resulted in a number of the comics projects being axed, including FXs Louie, as well as the feature film, I Love You, Daddy. Ultimately, CK took slightly less than a year away from the stage, returning in August 2018 with a surprise performance at Manhattans Comedy Cellar that drew criticism for because the show was unannounced and consisted of material focusing on survivors of the Parkland school shooting. Additional shows followed the Manhattan appearance, some including material about his sexual misconduct scandal. The Daily Beast attended a performance in San Jose, Calif., last January, writing that CK joked that he likes to [masturbate], but I dont like being alone. The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly, CK wrote in a statement regarding the scandal in November 2017. I have been remorseful of my actions. And Ive tried to learn from them. And run from them. Now Im aware of the extent of the impact of my actions. O n high streets up and down the capital (and country), independent bookshops seemed to be consigned to the scrap heap with promises that physical books would soon be phased out thanks to e-readers and iPads. But it looks as though the fortune of the bookselling trade is turning. For the third year in a row, the number of independent bookshops has risen, with 890 stores now spread across the UK and Ireland according to the Booksellers Association. After 20 years of decline within the independent bookshop trade, the recent figures are surprising and very welcome. As London is home to some of the best independent bookshops in the country, here are the top five spots in the capital where youll find your next read. John Sandoe Books, Chelsea Often the first port of call for self-confessed bibliophiles, there isnt an inch of this store that isnt occupied by a teetering pile of books. Founded in 1957 as a small collection of titles that Sandoe himself found interesting, the shop has bloomed into three adjoining 18th Century shopfronts in Chelsea. John Sandoe houses hard-to-get-hold-of editions of books, with its website proudly stating we have about 30,000 books here, of which almost all are single copies. Perfect for: a Sunday afternoon in which you have around 3 hours to spare get lost in the labyrinth of rare books and delight in stumbling upon a title you havent thought about in years. Libreria bookshop Its likely the most Instagram-friendly bookshop around - yet this East London spot doesnt allow any phones within its butter-yellow walls. Mirrored ceilings, cosy nooks and towering shelves make Libreria a wonderland for those seeking their next read. One of the highlights of the shop is the assistants working there theyre simultaneously happy to leave you browsing yet also able to inform you which book youll love from their vast collection and theyre usually right. Perfect for: finding the book that will lift you from your reading (or not reading) rut. Lutyens & Rubinstein Having recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary, Lutyens and Rubinstein are firmly set in their status as a London hotspot for book lovers. Not only is the shop picture-perfect (hello, gorgeous window displays and striped outside awning), but every book in there has been curated and recommended by a group of readers, writers and publishers after being asked what they would like to read. Plus, they have a great selection of gifts and stationery if youre looking to hit two birds with one very lovely stone. Perfect for: those with a penchant for poetry, art or childrens fiction they have dedicated sections for each. Foster Books Housed in the oldest building on Chiswick High Road, Foster Books specialises in the out-of-print, rare and hard-to-find books from hundreds of years ago to the modern day. Take a look at the categories of their titles online before you make a visit to fully appreciate the full breadth of stock that they hold and to make any special orders for the store. Perfect for: anyone seeking a book thats hurtled in full force off the beaten track. Persephone Books Read every book on the current top chart in Waterstones? Persephone is the place for you. Specialising in undiscovered and neglected fiction and non-fiction from writers that are predominantly women, the covers are as beautiful as the stories within. A personal favourite is The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski a 1953 sci-fi horror tale thats equal parts charming and disturbing. Perfect for: finding a last-minute gift for a friend whos already read everything. One of the many events held at Burley Fisher If youre a fan of Camden Lock Books, listen up. Started in 2016 by Camdens Jason Burley and Sam Fisher, this Hackney hotspot focuses on new titles from independent publishers. As well as a coffee shop hidden within the store, Burley Fisher also holds weekly talks, panels and exhibitions after receiving funding via Kickstarter to convert their basement into an events space. Perfect for: a rainy day when you want to visit one shop and remain there from dawn til dusk. Skoob interior It may be housed in a windowless basement room, but Skoobs collection of second-hand books goes unrivalled across the capital. The shop itself is crammed with over 55,000 titles and has further stocks (over a million) held in Oxfordshire ready to order; if you thought second-hand means limited stock, you are sadly mistaken. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held meetings in Ashgabat with regional representatives of several units of United Nations, Trend reports referring to Turkmenistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Jan. 14. At a meeting with Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Viorel Gutu, projects and programs in the field of promoting agricultural development and solving problems related to food security were discussed, a source in the ministry said. During the meeting with Regional Coordinator for Central Asia of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Dmitry Godunov, the parties focused on the main vectors of cooperation, such as promotion of investments, modernizing the customs service, transport and logistics sectors, and studying the issue of the country's entry to World Trade Organization (WTO), the source said. Meetings were also held with Regional Representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ashita Mittal and the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Cluster Office located in Tehran Cvetan Cvetkovski. The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, (FOB) Ibaka in Mbo, Akwa Ibom, has arrested six suspected smugglers, seized 1, 439 bags of smuggled rice between December 23, 2019, to January in the state. Peter Yilme, the Commanding Officer of FOB, stated this while handing over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday in Mbo Local Government Area of the state. Mr Yime, a captain, said the command would remain steadfast in fighting illegalities on the waterways in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ibas. He, however, said that some of the suspects escaped on sighting the Navy gunboats. He said the arrests were made along the Unyenge, Effiat, and Mendoro creeks between December 2019 and January by Navy officers and men on routine patrol in their gunboats. I handover 1, 439 bags of rice and six suspects to the Superintendent of Customs, Garuba Hassan in line with the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff. We are committed to rid the waterways of all forms of illegalities. I commend the untiring efforts of the officers and ratings in ensuring the mandate and tasks of the Base are achieved. READ ALSO: I also appreciate the immense effort of the Chief of Naval Staff, for providing the necessary platform and logistics support for the Base to carry out its operations, he said. One of the suspects, Wede John, from Bayelsa, said that he usually transports fish and was carrying rice for the first time when he was arrested. He said, I dont know the owner of the rice and didnt know that rice was loaded into the boat. This is my first time of carrying rice. I usually transport crayfish and dry fish to Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. I was carrying rice from Bakassi to Unyenge when I was arrested, he said. Another suspect, Awagoyi Philp, a boat driver said the owner of the rice promised to pay him N20,000 for carrying the rice but that he was yet to collect the money. He said, I drive boats and I was paid to drive the boat that carried the rice. This is my first time. The owner of the rice promised to pay me N 20, 000 and is aware that I have been arrested. (NAN) [January 14, 2020] Study by Wipro and Retail Info Systems reveals retailers investing in new technology solutions to succeed with today's consumers NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, in collaboration with US-based retail magazine, Retail Info Systems (RIS) developed a report titled,'Smart Store Strategies for Digitally Savvy, Time-Crunched Shoppers'. The study, based on a poll conducted with senior executives from national and large regional retail organisations, reveals how retailers need to combine human and technology best practices to create "store-of-the-future" strategies. It also highlights technology investments necessary to ensure financial success. This conversation on best practices for technology deployment comes at a crucial time for retailers, as brick-and-mortar locations face increasing pressure to compete with consumers' ecommerce options. Wipro and RIS found that an overwhelming number of retailers are planning to stay competitive in the future by investing in new technology solutions such as digital signage, new mobile applications, and AI-driven customer service and support for enhanced consumer experiences called store-of-the-future. The study finds that retailers are looking for guidance on improving implementation of strategies and ensuring their investments become profitable. Some of Wipro's and RIS's additional observations on how retailers are creating store-of-the-future strategies include: 81% of retailers say it's important to adopt a smart, store-of-the-future strategy to succeed with today's consumers. 88% also say that store associates play a big role in those strategies. Most retailers want to improve their methods and best practices, as many respondents rated their performance in implementing store-of-the-future strategies as middling, scoring themselves just 5.5 on a scale of 10. Retailers identify three high-level consumer strategies that rise far above the rest: service (88% said yes), convenience (73%), and value (67%). Retailers believe the most important customer-facing technologies are click and collect (85%), proximity or location engagement in stores (64%), ad buy online and return in store (55%). New shopper-facing technologies retailers plan to invest in include new payment options (62%), interactive digital signage (47%), and click-and-collect (44%). Advanced back-office technologies are also important. Retailers plan to invest in technologies such as advanced order management (79%), mobile apps for store staff (70%), personalized marketing capabilities (61%), in-store mobile devices (58%), and AI-driven customer service and support (28%). Deviprasad Rambhatla , Senior Vice President and Global Head Retail Distribution and Transportation (RDAT), Wipro Limited. "These guiding principles will help our teams improve financial results for retailers as well as enhance the experiences for their customers and store associates," he said. To access the full report, please click here. About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 175,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Media Contacts: Shraboni Banerjee Wipro Limited [email protected] Jim Cameron Ruder Finn [email protected] Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-by-wipro-and-retail-info-systems-reveals-retailers-investing-in-new-technology-solutions-to-succeed-with-todays-consumers-300986893.html SOURCE Wipro Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 06:37:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The city of Paphos on the far western shores of the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus celebrated on Tuesday the upcoming Chinese New Year. Dancers of China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater have brought "Shi Feng" drama to Cyprus as part of the celebrations of the Year of the Rat, which started on Jan. 25, 2020. The dance drama took the audience to the south of ancient China, when a young man went through the hardships to become a general, but his beloved girl left him. At last the two met in the water forever. "This is the first time I watched a performance from China. It was very impressive, very nice and I'll try to see more," Paphos resident Lakis Christodoulou told Xinhua after the performance which drew a packed audience at the city's newly renovated municipal theatre. Lisa Korobova, a Russian residing in Cyprus, said "I really enjoy Chinese culture and especially Chinese modern culture. This performance was extremely outstanding. I had a very good time." Addressing the audience at the Paphos Markideio Theatre, Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Huang Xingyuan noted that this was the six consecutive year Paphos staged events to celebrate the Chinese New Year. "This city has witnessed and contributed to every step we took towards fostering deeper bonds of friendship between China and Cyprus," Huang said. He also commended Mayor Phedon Phedonos for making Paphos the city that has the most frequent and fruitful friendly exchanges and cooperation with China among all cities of Cyprus. "We are confident that with concerted efforts, more and more Chinese will visit Paphos for travel and study, and that the local Chinese diaspora and Chinese companies will become even more engaged in Paphos' strategy of building a Smart City with rich cultural heritage, to make the ancient birthplace of Aphrodite a modern-day incubator for upgraded and innovative China-Cyprus cooperation," he added. To this end, he said, the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus will strengthen its collaboration with the Paphos Municipality. Paphos has a large community of Chinese who made their residence in the city under the investment program of the Cypriot state. The year 2020 is uniquely important to both China and Cyprus, as the island will celebrate 60 years of its independence, while China is in the final steps towards achieving its first centenary goal -- to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos noted that the night's event was the third one organized in the last 12 months in the city and proof of the close bilateral ties. "It is the result of the commitment of both sides to work together in order to bring together the peoples and cultures of our countries even closer, and the outcome is visible and substantial," he added. Haftar left Moscow without signing ceasefire Proposal would ignore requests by Libyan National Army (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, JANUARY 14 - Libyan General Khalifa Haftar left Moscow without signing the ceasefire agreement with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj, according to RIA Novosti, citing a source. Haftar said the proposed document ignored many of the requests by the Libyan National Army, said Al Arabiya. Informed Italian sources said Haftar's decision was taken in order to better study and clarify the terms of the agreement to then propose modifications. However, in leaving Moscow, Haftar didn't say when or if he would resume talks for signing the ceasefire. Sources said he would take a break in talks to discuss with countries that support him what might be acceptable terms in order to sign. This is why after leaving Moscow, Haftar was headed to a country in the Middle East where he was expected to have a series of meetings, sources said.(ANSAmed). The Tennessee Valley Authority has named Jeannette Mills its newest Executive Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer, effective Feb. 3. In her role, she will lead TVA's efforts to further strengthen its relationships with local power companies, elected officials, community leaders, economic development agencies and other stakeholders in TVA's seven-state service area. "Jeannette brings more than 30 years of energy and utility experience to TVA, both from a customer-focused and regulatory perspective," said Jeff Lyash, TVA President and Chief Executive Officer. "She has a passion for high-quality customer service and a solid track record for driving economic development." Most recently, Mills served as the Senior Vice President of Safety, Health, Environmental and Assurance for the U.S. region at National Grid Group, the United Kingdom's largest investor-owned utility. Previously, she had served as a Commissioner on the Maryland Public Service Commission, providing regulatory oversight of gas, electric, telephone, water, sewage disposal, and transportation companies. Mills spent 25 years of her career at Baltimore Gas and Electric, starting as an associate engineer and steadily progressing through positions of increasing responsibility to ultimately serve as Vice President, Customer Operations and Chief Customer Officer. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Masters of Business Administration from Loyola University. "TVA's history and reputation for serving the public is highly respected within the utility industry and I am excited to be a part of a team that cares so much about improving the lives of the people of the area," said Mills. Mills fills the role previously held by Van Wardlaw, who is retiring in January after nearly 40 years of TVA service. "Van has been instrumental in building stronger relationships with our partners throughout the Tennessee Valley and his contributions to TVA's continuing mission are deeply appreciated," said Lyash. The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Contact Jim Hopson TVA Public Relations, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000 tvainfo@tva.gov (865) 632-8860 CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Portage Point Partners, LLC ("Portage Point"), a business advisory and interim management firm that partners with companies and their stakeholders to navigate complexity, transition and underperformance, announced three promotions today Mark Berger to Managing Director, Zach Rose to Senior Vice President and Ryan Mersch to Vice President. Mark Berger joined Portage Point in January 2019, bringing almost 15 years of experience advising stakeholders during periods of underperformance and transition. Since joining Portage Point in 2019, he served as Chief Restructuring Officer for Energold Drilling Corp ("Energold") during its CCAA proceedings, as Plan Administrator for Synergy Pharmaceuticals ("Synergy") and as Financial Advisor to Dura Automotive ("Dura") during its ongoing Chapter 11 proceedings. At Energold, Mr. Berger led the publicly-traded international driller through an in-court restructuring culminating in a debt for equity swap by the senior secured lenders with the Board of Directors granting Mr. Berger full operational and financial control during the process. At Synergy, Mr. Berger led the wind down of the former publicly-traded pharmaceutical company after Bausch Health completed the $195 million acquisition of Synergy assets pursuant to a Section 363 sale. At Dura, Mr. Berger and Portage Point are working with Kirkland & Ellis and Jefferies to restructure the company. Zach Rose joined Portage Point as its second full-time employee in 2016 and has substantial experience spanning investment banking and advisory services. Since joining Portage Point, Zach has played a pivotal role managing the firm's growing team of professionals while leading execution efforts across more than 25 engagements comprising a broad-range of complex situations. Several of these engagements have earned industry-wide recognition including Large Turnaround of the Year (2019) and Corporate Transaction of the Year (2017). During 2019, Zach led the day-to-day implementation of large-scale transformation and performance improvement initiatives for a $200 million subsidiary of a publicly-traded company. Additionally, Zach provided meaningful contributions to the restructuring efforts at Energold and Dura. Currently, Zach is supporting execution efforts across multiple engagements while continuing to onboard and develop talent within Portage Point's growing team. Ryan Mersch joined Portage Point as its third full time employee and has significant experience working as an investment banker and advisor. Ryan has served in various capacities supporting clients during performance improvement, interim management and financial restructuring engagements. In 2019, he supported Financial Advisor engagements for the Total Finance Investment, Inc Chapter 11 and Dura as well as interim management and performance improvement engagements for the Loot Crate, Inc. Chapter 11 proceeding (Chief Restructuring Officer) and performance improvement project related to a $600 million powersports distribution and manufacturing business (Interim Chief Operating Officer). Currently, Ryan serves as the daily execution leader for publicly-traded Melinta Pharmaceuticals during its ongoing Chapter 11 proceedings as Portage Point (Financial Advisor) is working with Skadden and Jefferies to restructure the company. About Portage Point Partners Portage Point is a business advisory and interim management firm that partners with companies and their stakeholders navigating complexity, transition and underperformance. The firm is comprised of an operationally oriented team encompassing a broad range of expertise built to maximize value and align stakeholder interests while guiding businesses through the most urgent and complex challenges ranging from performance improvement to accelerated transformation to complex financial restructuring. Since its founding in 2016, industry-leading organizations have honored Portage Point with numerous transaction and individual awards. For more information, please visit www.portagepointpartners.com. SOURCE Portage Point Partners Related Links http://portagepointpartners.com Blood drive set in Waverly WAVERLY A community blood drive is schedule from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Waverly Civic Center, 200 First St. NE. Schedule a blood donation appointment at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call (800) 287-4903. Moose Lodge plans events WASHBURN The Moose Lodge at 6636 La Porte Road has several events planned. Loose-meat sandwiches will be served at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and tenderloin baskets will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. There will be an all-you-can-east fish and salad bar from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, with a steak fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. An omelet and waffle breakfast is planned for 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. Sons of Norway to meet Jan. 25 CEDAR FALLS The local chapter of the Sons of Norway will meet at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Cedar Falls Womans Club on Clay Street. Reservations need to be made by Jan. 21 at 277-2294. Dawn Ask Martin and Robin Vosten will give a program on the Norwegian concept of coziness and togetherness with family and friends. Girl Scouts to raise money CEDAR FALLS The Senior Girl Scout Troop 6581 will bus tables at Pizza Ranch on University Avenue from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22. Funds raised from this event will help pay for a trip to Savannah, Ga., in June. The troop will receive 7% of net dinner sales, including carry-out and delivery. Donations will also be accepted. In Savannah, troop members will visit the home of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, and other historic and educational sites. YWCA to offer first aid, CPR WATERLOO The YWCA will offer an adult, child and infant first aid/CPR/AED class from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 25. Classes are taught in a blended format with 2.5 hours being completed online prior to attending class in person. Cost is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Registration deadline is Jan. 23. For more information, call Syd Wille at 234- 7589 or swille@ywcabhc.org or go to www.ywcabhc.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON The Castro twins are united in their pick for president, with U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro on Tuesday endorsing Elizabeth Warren, joining his brother Julian, who has become an active supporter of the Massachusetts senator since he dropped out of the race earlier this month. While the endorsement wasnt shocking Joaquin Castro chaired his brothers presidential campaign the support of the San Antonio congressman, who heads the influential Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is nonetheless a big pickup for Warren as she vies for support both in Texas and among Latino voters. Senator Warren is going to fight for all of us, including for people who came from neighborhoods like mine. Thats why Im proud to be in this fight with her, Joaquin Castro said in a statement, in which he called Warren the only candidate who can unite the Democratic Party and our country, two things essential to defeating Donald Trump and restoring Americas leadership role at home and abroad. For subscribers: Democratic presidential contenders turn their attention to Texas The endorsement comes as the Democratic hopefuls increasingly turn attention to Texas, which votes with 12 other states including California on Super Tuesday, March 3. Former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this week touted support from U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a freshman Democrat who flipped a Republican Dallas district in 2018. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, meanwhile, made a swing through Texas which is among the states where the billionaire has spent the most over the weekend. South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg made stops in Houston and Dallas last week, as well. Warrens campaign, meanwhile, is opening a Houston office on Friday and claims more than two dozen senior staffers and organizers across the state. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox "Joaquin has been a leader on issues near and dear to my heart from investing in public education for our kids to ensuring our military families and veterans are supported, Warren said in a statement. "With his support in this campaign, we will build a movement that elects Democrats up and down the ballot and places opportunity in the hands of all working families in Texas and across the country. ben.wermund@chron.com India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the co-production of a biopic on Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The MoU was signed between National Film Development Cooperation of India and Film Development Cooperation of Bangladesh following talks between Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and his Bangladeshi counterpart Muhammad H Mahmud at the India Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Ministers' Meet 2020 held here. The biopic will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal and will be released in March 2021 as part of centenary celebrations of Banga Bandhu. Speaking on the occasion, Javadekar said that India and Bangladesh are organic friends and share a great legacy. The two ministers also launched the content sharing programme between Bangladesh's state-owned radio public broadcaster, BETAR and All India Radio. The exchange programs will be broadcasted from both India and Bangladesh hourly. Javadekar informed that the two sides have also agreed to scale up joint production and exchange of programs between the official broadcasters and Radio. Javadekar's Bangladeshi counterpart Mahmud, in his inaugural speech, said that the relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka has reached new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. "Without the support of India, the liberation of our country would never have been possible. Our relationship is historic. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, the relationship has reached new heights," Mahmud said. India has also extended its support to Bangladesh for the establishment of 'Bongobondhu Film City'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British crop production will fall dramatically if climate change causes the collapse of a pattern of ocean currents in the Atlantic, a new study claims. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) brings heat from the tropics, making Britain warmer and wetter than it would otherwise be. University of Exeter scientists show that, while warming Britain is expected to boost food production, if the AMOC collapses it would not just wipe out these gains but cause the widespread cessation of arable farming across the country. Such a collapse a climate change tipping point would leave Britain cooler, drier and unsuitable for many crops, the study, published in Nature Food, says. The main problem would be reduced rainfall and, though irrigation could be used, the amount of water and the costs appear to be prohibitive. While the chances of an imminent AMOC collapse are low, a UN climate science report last year said its collapse was 'as likely as not' by 2300 without emission cuts, but much less likely if emissions are reduced If the AMOC collapsed, we would expect to see much more dramatic change than is currently expected due to climate change, said Dr Paul Ritchie, of the University of Exeter. Such a collapse would reverse the effects of warming in Britain, creating an average temperature drop of 3.4C and leading to a substantial reduction in rainfall (-123mm during the growing season). These changes, especially the drying, could make most land unsuitable for arable farming. The study examines a fast and early collapse of the AMOC, which is considered low-probability at present though the AMOC has weakened by an estimated 15% over the last 50 years. Professor Tim Lenton, Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, said worst case scenarios must be considered when calculating risks. Any risk assessment needs to get a handle on the large impacts if such a tipping point is reached, even if it is a low-probability event he said. The point of this detailed study was to discover how stark the impacts of AMOC collapse could be. The study reinforces the message that we would be wise to act now to minimise the risk of passing climate tipping points, according to Prof Lenton. Growing crops is generally more profitable than using land as pasture for livestock rearing, but much of northern and western Britain is unsuitable for arable farming. With the land area suitable for arable farming expected to drop from 32% to 7% under AMOC collapse, we could see a major reduction in the value of agricultural output, said Professor Ian Bateman, of Exeters Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute. In this scenario, we estimate a decrease of 346 million per year a reduction of over 10% in the net value of British farming. Speaking about the expectation that moderate warming would boost agricultural production in Britain, he added: Its important to note that the wider effects for the UK and beyond will be very negative as import costs rise steeply and the costs of most goods climb. The study focuses on agriculture, but AMOC collapse and the resulting temperature drop could lead to a host of other economic costs for the UK. The AMOC is one reason that average temperatures in Britain are warmer than those of many places at similar latitudes. For example, Moscow and the southern extremes of Alaska are further south than Edinburgh. The study follows a report by the European Environment Agency which highlights how climate change could cut the value of agriculture by 16% by 2050 due to an increase in droughts and higher rainfall. Correction: This story originally contained the incorrect amount of the annual contract with Toximeters Inc. LANSING, MI -- Michigan state police on Monday, Jan. 13, halted use of 203 breathalyzer machines utilized to determine blood-alcohol levels in drunk driving cases statewide. Based on new information learned over the weekend, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is aggressively investigating potential fraud committed by contract employees of Datamaster vendor, Intoximeters, and also moving today to take all 203 Datamaster DMT evidential breath-alcohol testing instruments out of service until MSP can inspect and verify each instrument to ensure it is properly calibrated, state police Col. Joseph Gasper said in a statement issued Monday evening. In the interim period, the MSP recommends that police agencies utilize blood draws rather than breath tests to establish evidence of drunk driving. " ... At this early stage in the investigation, the MSP does not know how many certification records were falsified or how long these deceptive practices were occurring." State police continue to investigate but have identified discrepancies" related to machines used by the following agencies or at the following locations: Alpena County Sheriffs Department Beverly Hills Police Department Detroit Detention Center Montcalm County Sheriffs Department Niles Police Department Pittsfield Township Police Department Tecumseh Police Department Van Buren County Sheriffs Department In Michigan, drivers give implied consent by virtue of having a drivers license to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test upon being arrested for an intoxicated driving offense, said Michael Komorn, a Farmington Hills-based drugged- and drunk-driving attorney, who also specializes in marijuana law. If a driver refuses a test, they face an automatic six-month drivers license suspension from the state. If you refuse, theyre usually going to request a search warrant," Komorn said. So theyre still going to get your blood somehow, probably. State police are re-certifying and calibrating machines across the state but have not released a timeline regarding how long the process may take to complete. The agency on Jan. 7 issued a stop order on a lucrative, 2018-signed contract currently worth nearly $1.3 million annually with St. Louis-based Intoximeters Inc., a company tasked with calibrating the states DataMaster machines. Three company employees were tasked with calibrating and servicing breathalyzer machines across Michigan. DataMaster machines are used to determine a drivers blood-alcohol level. While roadside breathalyzer tests are used to determine probable cause for a DUI arrest, the results are inadmissible in court. Once suspects are booked during a DUI arrest, theyre administered a DataMaster breathalyzer test, the results of which are admissible for purposes of prosecution. In a memo sent to county prosecutors across the state on Jan. 10, state police noted performance-related issues with the vendor. Review of vendor records in the last two days has yielded additional discrepancies that may point to the potential for a more widespread issue with the way in which some instruments were being serviced, Gasper said Monday, Jan. 13. While the discrepancies do not directly impact or deal with the results of evidential breath tests, it is concerning that it appears as though some certification records have been falsified. State police have opened a criminal investigation into the company and its employees, To be clear, a properly calibrated and maintained Datamaster DMT is an extremely reliable instrument, which is why issuing the stop order, placing the instruments temporarily out-of-service and assuming responsibility for maintaining all Datamasters in the state is an extreme move that places a burden on all of the states law enforcement resources, but it is an absolutely necessary move to safeguard the integrity of the criminal justice process, Gasper said. Upon learning of additional and more egregious discrepancies, I am no longer comfortable having police agencies using these instruments until we can be confident they are certified, calibrated and serviced according to state law and industry standard. unrevealed issues first arose with the vendor in August. State police notified the company there was in potential breach of contract and requested a corrective action plan. That same month, Intoximeters responded with a corrective action plan, Gasper said. When issues rose again shortly after that, the MSP again contacted Intoximeters and we have been working with them to remedy the issues. MLive has requested comment and is awaiting response Intoximeters. Michigan State Police announcement: -- Gus Burns is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact him with questions, tips or comments at fburns@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, @GusBurns. Read more from MLive about medical and recreational marijuana. More on MLive: Michigan breathalyzer reliability under scrutiny Roadside drug testing pilot extended Marijuana most prevalent drug found in roadside tests The dos and donts of driving with marijuana Recreational market poised to boom in 2020 Michigan wants Weedmaps to stop advertising for unlicensed marijuana businesses Michigan not collecting personal information on customers BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) today introduced Donna Glenn as its new chief actuary, effective February 3, 2020. Ms. Glenn comes to NCCI from Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, MA, where she led casualty product and underwriting for Liberty's national insurance business segment. One of her responsibilities was to lead workers compensation strategy for both guaranteed cost and loss-sensitive business. Prior to Liberty Mutual, Ms. Glenn held various positions at The Hartford, Travelers, and Deloitte, in commercial and personal lines of insurance including workers compensation, commercial auto, general liability, umbrella, and excess liability. In addition to her actuarial work, Ms. Glenn brings experience in product development, predictive analytics, business intelligence, underwriting, project management, marketing, vendor management, operations, compliance, and consulting. "We are very pleased to have Donna joining our Executive Team," said Bill Donnell, president and CEO of NCCI. "She is a strategic thinker, strong people leader, skilled communicator, collaborator, and continual learner." Ms. Glenn graduated from Quinnipiac College with a bachelor of science degree in computer science and mathematics. She is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and has represented Liberty on several industry boards of directorsWCRI, MWCIA, and PCRBwhere she is the current board chair. About NCCI Founded in 1923, the mission of the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is to foster a healthy workers compensation system. In support of this mission, NCCI gathers data, analyzes industry trends, and provides objective insurance rate and loss cost recommendations. These activitiescombined with a comprehensive set of tools and servicesmake NCCI the source you trust for workers compensation information. Contact: Cristine Pike 561-758-6965 SOURCE National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) Related Links http://www.ncci.com Zain Imam, who became popular with the shows like Tashan-E-Ishq and Naamkaran, has been hitting headlines for his personal life. As per the latest report, Zain is dating south actress Eshanya Maheshwari. The buzz of their relationship started doing the rounds ever since the actress posted pictures from their Thailand vacation, where the duo along with other actors Randeep Rai, Ishita Raj and Purvi Mundada welcomed New Year 2020. Eshanya shared a few pictures and captioned it, "31st night A sweet ending To a new crazy Beginning 2020 with this crazy group.... cheers to all the craziness we had in phi phi.. from pool parties to island tour, from market shopping to Scooty drives conversations about all possible nonsense already missing you guys thanks for making start of 2020 so fun filled Bringing lots n lots of crazy memories back with me from phi phi ." - (sic) She also shared another set of pictures and captioned it, "Laughters we shared together on this crazy trip. Express everything.. #THISISUS #CRAZYGANG #FRIENDS #phiphiisland #thailand #newyear." - (sic). There were also rumours that the duo had even been vacationing in Goa. When Zain was asked about the dating rumours, he denied it. He was quoted by IWMBuzz as saying, "Where does such useless stuff even come out from?" The actor also refused to comment further. It has to be recalled that Zain was previously linked with his Naamkaran co-star, Aditi Rathore. The couple's on and off-screen chemistry was loved by the fans. They had even nick-named them as AdiZa (real name) and AvNeil (on screen name). Although it has been more than a year that the show went off air, fans still wish to watch the couple on-screen. Also Read: Has Naamkaran Actors Zain Imam And Aditi Rathore's Friendship Gone Kaput? Queen Mathilde put on a stylish display today as she welcomed the heads of foreign diplomatic missions to a New Year's reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels. The Belgian Queen, 46, joined her husband King Philippe, 59, in welcoming prominent foreign ambassadors to their palace, which is located in the heart of the capital. Their guests included the ambassador of Morocco, Mohammed Ameur, and his spouse, alongside the ambassador of Germany, Martin Kotthaus. Mathilde looked chic in a green satin gown featuring a stunning red and blue floral design as she shook hands with the foreign ambassadors alongside her husband. Queen Mathilde of Belgium, 46, looked elegant as she joined King Philippe, 59, to welcome the heads of foreign diplomatic missions to a New Year's reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels earlier today The mother-of-four wore her blonde locks in a sleek up-do, revealing a stunning pair of drop earrings The Belgian Queen joined her husband to welcome the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Martin Kotthaus to the Royal Palace earlier today The mother-of-four paired her stylish midi dress with a pair of burgundy heels, and wore her blonde locks in a sleek up-do. The Queen completed her ensemble with blue, crystal drop earrings and accentuated her natural beauty with subtle makeup for the New Year's reception. King Philippe also dressed to impress in a sophisticated dark blue suit paired with a white dress shirt and a purple, spotted tie. The atmosphere of the event seemed relaxed and amicable, with Mathilde expertly showing her guests around the room. King Philippe also dressed to impress in a sophisticated dark blue suit paired with a white dress shirt and a purple tie Mathilde looked chic in a green satin gown with a stunning red and blue floral design as she welcomed the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Belgium Lok Bahadur Thapa, the Belgian ambassador for Nepal, and US ambassador Ronald Jay Gidwitz were also greeted by the royal couple in the grand room. It comes after the royal couple were seen welcoming EU dignitaries to another New Year's reception at Brussels Royal Palace last Thursday. Among their guests last week were EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and the President of the European Parliament David-Maria Sassoli, as well as the British ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow, who was also in attendance. Mathilde looked stunning in a red midi dress with sheer balloon sleeves, which she paired with beige heels. Queen Mathilde of Belgium beamed as she greeted the ambassadors and their partners at the Royal Palace for the New Year's reception earlier today The royal couple appeared relaxed as they greeted ambassadors at the Royal Palace alongside her husband King Phillipe A small beige clutch bag tucked under her arm, she led Ursuka Von der Leyen and David-Maria Sassoli around the palace. Sporting a pair of drop earring with diamonds and a silver bracelet, the Belgian monarch was the picture of elegance during the small reception. Her husband King Philippe looked smart in a thinly striped navy blue suit and a spotted orange tie. Irish-Swiss food group Aryzta has appointed Tyson Yu as CEO of its North America division, effective 1 February. He has also joined the companys executive committee, reporting to Kevin Toland, group CEO. Dave Johnson assumes the role of non-executive chairman of Aryzta North America. Elsewhere, John Heffernan has been appointed as president and chief commercial officer North America, where he will be reporting to Mr Yu. Mr Yu (37) is currently chief operations officer of Aryzta North America and has been with the company for 10 years. Prior to this, he worked in private equity and investment banking and is a graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics. Mr Heffernan (49) is currently group chief strategy officer at Aryzta, having joined the group in March 2018. He will remain on the group executive committee. Prior to joining Aryzta, Mr Heffernan had senior positions as chief development officer in DAA plc, as founder and CEO of Clearpower and AER, in private equity with Boundary Capital, and worked with McKinsey and Company. Aryzta CEO Kevin Toland thanked Dave Johnson for his leadership and contribution in refocusing our North American business in the past two years. Flash Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday in Harare. Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and China enjoy profound friendship and that Zimbabwe regards China as a sincere and reliable friend. The Zimbabwean leader said that he has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping many times and the two heads of state decided to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, an elevation that Zimbabwe is pleased with and proud of. In the process of striving for national independence, safeguarding national sovereignty and opposing Western interference and sanctions, China has always extended firm support to Zimbabwe, which the southern-African country will never forget, Mnangagwa said. He said that Harare appreciates China's selfless assistance to Zimbabwe's economic and social development, and hopes that China will continue to help Zimbabwe speed up its economic reform and realize economic recovery. Zimbabwe firmly supports the one-China principle and will continue to support China on all questions concerning Beijing's core interests, Mnangagwa said. Zimbabwe hopes to take the opportunity of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries to deepen political mutual trust and enhance the level of pragmatic cooperation between Zimbabwe and China. Harare expects more Chinese investors to invest in Zimbabwe, and believes that Zimbabwe will have broader development prospects, Mnangagwa said. Wang, for his part, said Beijing is Zimbabwe's time-honored and reliable partner and that President Mnangagwa cherishes the friendship with China, adding that China highly appreciates Mnangagwa's personal attention to supporting Zimbabwe-China cooperation that has kept advancing the bilateral relationship to new highs. China supports Zimbabwe's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and dignity, supports Harare's choice of a development path that is in line with its national conditions, and supports Harare's just proposition that unfair sanctions against Zimbabwe should be lifted as soon as possible, Wang said. Wang said China is willing to see Zimbabwe develop friendly and cooperative relations and expand diplomatic exchanges with more countries; Beijing appreciates Zimbabwe's valuable support on issues related to China's core interests, and will provide assistance to Zimbabwe within its capabilities and share the country's experience in governance. This year, Wang said, both countries are at a crucial point in their state development and national rejuvenation: while China will meet its target of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way and accomplish its first Centenary Goal, Zimbabwe will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its independence and vigorously advance its Vision 2030 blueprint. China is willing to translate the high degree of political mutual trust between the two sides into an inexhaustible force driving bilateral pragmatic cooperation, and make good use of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to promote more cooperation between the two sides to better serve the interests of the two peoples, Wang said. He also called for closer coordination between the two sides on international and regional issues to deal with challenges more effectively. During his visit, Wang also met with Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and held talks with Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiuso Moyo. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India in the midst of spiralling tension between his country and the US. On Wednesday, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also deliver a lecture at the Raisina Dialogue, the External Affairs Ministry's flagship annual conference. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Zarif on Thursday morning over breakfast, according to the ministry. In the meeting, both ministers are expected to deliberate on fast escalating tensions between Iran and the US over the killing of top Iranian military commander Maj Gen Soleimani by America in a drone attack. On Thursday afternoon, Zarif will travel to Mumbai where he will interact with a group of business leaders. He will conclude his India visit on Friday, according to the MEA. The visit assumes significance as it is taking place when the global focus has been on Iran and the US over the confrontation following the killing of Soleimani. READ| Pakistan urges "maximum restraint", as it maintains balancing act in Iran-US relations Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force was killed when a US drone fired missiles on his convoy in Iraq on January 3. Last week, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces' are stationed in Iraq. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the US. India's role in peacemaking India has been maintaining that it would like the situation to de-escalate as soon as possible and the country has been in touch with key players including Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar as it has important interests in the region. India has strategic interests in the Gulf region which is a key source of the country's energy security. After the conflict soared, Tehran on January 9 had said that it would welcome any peace initiative from New Delhi for de-escalating tensions in the region. Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni said that Tehran welcomes all initiatives from all countries, especially India. He said, "India usually plays a very good role in peace in the world. At the same time India belongs to this region. We all welcome all initiatives from all countries, especially India a good friend for us, to annoy allow escalations." Amid escalations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a conversation with both Zarif and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Tehran and New Delhi share a strong bilateral relationship with economic, historic and cultural links. Both countries have relied upon one another for maintaining the stability of the region. The most prominent, Chabahar Port, that acts as a transport and trade corridor with Afghanistan and Central Asia is significant in India-Iran relations. READ| US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted READ| Iran strikes US base in Iraq: World divided, oil prices surge; everything you need to know (With PTI inputs) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the curative petitions filed by two Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts - Vinay Kumar and Mukesh - who questioned the death sentence handed down by trial court and upheld by the High Court and the top court. A five-judge bench of Justices N.V. Ramana, Arun Mishra, R.F. Nariman, R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan unanimously held that there was no merit in the curative petitions of the convicts, who sought reconsideration of death penalty. "In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this Court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra & Another, reported in 2002 (4) SCC 388. Hence, the Curative Petitions are dismissed", said the court order. The curative petitions were taken up in-chambers, without the presence of the lawyers of the convicts, by the bench headed by Justice Ramana. The in-chambers review is the procedure to consider curative and review petitions. The five Judge bench also dismissed plea of the convicts to stay the execution of the death sentence. "The applications for oral hearing are rejected. The applications for stay of execution of death sentence are also rejected," said the court. Shares gained on Tuesday morning thanks to the growth of banking stocks. - Photo cafef.vn The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange gained 0.22 per cent to close at 968.00 points. More than 105.4 million shares were traded on the southern bourse, worth VN1.8 trillion (US$77.8 million). The index dropped 0.28 per cent to close Monday at 965.84 points. Market trading conditions were positive as increasing stocks outnumbered decliners by 143 to 134, while 64 stocks ended flat. The large-cap VN30-Index, which tracks the performance of the 30 largest stocks by market value and trading liquidity, rose 0.46 per cent to close at 885.81 points. Banking stocks supported market strongly, including Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Bank for Investment and Development (BID), Vietinbank (CTG), HDBank (HDB), Military Bank (MBB), Tien Phong Bank (TPB), Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) and VPBank (VPB). ACB increased by 1.7 per cent, MBB rose by 1.2 per cent, SHB climbed by 1.4 per cent and VPB gained by 1.9 per cent. On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was up 0.76 per cent to end Tuesday morning at 103.08 points. More than 11.9 million shares were traded on the northern market, worth VND145.7 billion. The northern market index was up 0.08 per cent to end Monday at 102.30 points. Concerns over incidents of Pakistan-origin drones dropping weapons into Punjab, disruption in services at Gatwick airport after UAVs were sighted and the killing of a top Iranian commander in a drone-launched attack prompted the government to order the registration of all civilian drones, officials said on Tuesday. The Civil Aviation ministry on Monday announced that all drone operators in the country will have to mandatorily register their UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) by January 31, with officials saying a large number of drones are operating without complying with prescribed guidelines. The January 3 killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone-launched missile attack gave the task of putting in a framework to regulate civilian drones a sense of urgency even though there was not much to compare in terms of the UAVs used, they said. The mandatory registration of drones was initiated considering the possible threats to security of airports and other vital installations from unregulated drones, the officials said. At the same time, they said there was no comparison between use of the military-grade large unmanned aerial vehicle to kill Soleimani and drones being used in India. "But the incident brought some kind of urgency in having a framework for carrying out a census of the drones," an official told PTI. An MQ-9 long endurance drone armed with laser-guided Hellfire air-to-surface missiles was used to hit Soleimani's convoy when it was leaving the Baghdad airport. The drone used was a high-grade machine, which has a 66-ft wingspan and can fly higher than a passenger aircraft. "Though India does not have similar drones, the incident made us think about possible security concerns from unregulated civilian drones to flight operations," said an official. He said the reports of Pakistan-origin drones dropping weapons into Punjab last year and flight services being disrupted for close to 70 hours in UK's Gatwick airport in 2018 after sighting of UAVs made the ministry think about ways to regulate the operation of drones in India. An industry expert said drones in operation in India range from 250 grams to around 50 kg and are mostly used for commercial purposes. In October last year, the Civil Aviation ministry came out with a policy document primarily to deal with possible security challenges from rogue drones to key installations like nuclear power plants and military bases. It said it was a matter of concern that small drones were proliferating at a rate that has alarmed battlefield commanders and planners alike. "The utilisation of armed drones by extremist groups to carry out reconnaissance and targeting strategic Israeli installations during Israel-Lebanon war is an example of escalation of terrorist and insurgent drone capabilities," according to the document. The policy document said multiple incidents of sightings of drones in the vicinity of commercial airliners and major airports like New Delhi and Mumbai have raised flight safety concerns. "Further, the upsurge in drone use has also increased the threat quotient for VVIPs who can be targeted through the rogue drones," it said. There is no official data about the number of civilian drones operating in India. Vipul Singh, co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based drone company Aarav Unmanned Systems Pvt Ltd, told PTI that over four lakh drones are operating without necessary regulatory permissions in his estimate. However, Ankit Mehta, co-chair of industry chamber FICCI's committee on drones, said in October last year that the number is between 50,000 and 60,000. Asked whether the government's move on mandatory registration of drones was influenced by Soleimani's killing and the dropping of weapons by Pakistani-origin drone in Punjab, Mehta said every incident is adding to the "noise". "But the point is very simple... that ultimately the point and scale of the problem can only be understood after people share how many systems they have with them," he said. Singh said people flying drones near airports can pose a threat to flight operations. "There are cases where people, may be out of pure ignorance, are flying drones near airports...So those things are a little tricky. It is important to tackle them. That is why they (government) want that the ownership of drones should be clear," Singh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bachelorette winner JP Rosenbaum was so weak when he got home from the hospital where he was treated for a rare autoimmune disease that he couldn't even pick up his young children. It was the first time his wife, Ashley Hebert Rosenbaum, had ever seen him cry, the couple has revealed. Last month, Rosenbaum, 42, was diagnosed in December with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This causes parts of the body - or in some cases the whole body - to be paralyzed. However, after treatment to replace his blood plasma and intense physical therapy, he says he's recovered most of his motor skills. In an interview with Good Morning America that aired on Tuesday, Rosenbaum opened up about the emotional effect the health scare had on his everyday life and family. The Bachelorette stars JP Rosenbaum (left) and Ashley Hebert Rosenbaum (right) say he is mostly recovered following his battle with Guillain-Barre syndrome Rosenbaum said his symptoms first began on the weekend before New Year's Eve. The rare disorder sees body's immune system attacks its peripheral nervous system and causes paralysis. Pictured: Rosenbaum at home recovering, left, and in the hospital, when he announced the diagnosis, right Rosenbaum told correspondent Adrienne Bankert that the hardest part of his paralysis was not being able to be there for his kids. 'I can't hug my kids, pick up my kids, do anything for my kids. I don't want my kids to see me like this,' he said. 'I just burst into tears just 'cause I was scared and frustrated.' Hebert Rosenbaum added: 'But I have to tell you, when he burst into tears, I've ever seen him cry. Ever.' The couple said Rosenbaum's health issues began over one weekend in early December. 'He complained to me: "You know, my hands feel a little weird,"' Hebert Rosenbaum said. 'By the end of the day we had picked up a pizza for the weekend, it was Friday, and he couldn't carry the pizza.' For most Guillain-Barre patients, the condition starts with muscle weakness, often following a viral infection, although it's not clear if this is what happened in Rosenbaum's case. The condition is rare, affecting about one in 100,000 annually, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. After the first symptoms of Guillain-Barre, sufferers' conditions usually worsen for about two weeks before plateauing around the four-week mark. Rosenbaum described how the struggle affected his everyday life, including not being able to get dressed or pick up his children Rosenbaum's first line of treatment was IVIG, which used donated blood that contain healthy antibodies to block harmful ones from doing damage Pictured: Rosenbaum, left, and wife Ashley Hebert Rosenbaum in October The recovery period can last as little as a few weeks and as long as a few years, but about 30 percent of those diagnosed have a residual weakness after three years. Most who have Guillain-Barre make full recoveries, but some are left with tingling sensations in the arms and legs. 'Walking was hard. I couldn't put on socks, I couldn't get dressed,' Rosenbaum told Good Morning America. His wife added: 'He couldn't open up the bathroom door knob.' In a series of videos via his Instagram Stories, Rosenbaum explained how the disorder was affecting his everyday life but that doctors were closely monitoring him. Rosenbaum's his first line of treatment, before physical or occupational therapy, was Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG). The immune systems of people with Guillain-Barre produce harmful antibodies that attack the nerves. IVIG is a treatment made from donated blood that contains healthy antibodies to block the attacks of the harmful ones. Rosenbaum said he's mostly recovered, but is still in physical therapy five days a week. Pictured: Rosenbaum, far left, with Herbert Rosenbaum, second from right, and their two children The couple met on Season 7 of The Bachelorette in 2011 (pictured, the finale) and married in December 2012 He is still undergoing physical therapy five days a week, but called the strides he has made 'incredible' and that nearly all of his fine motor skills have returned. 'I've been doing a lot of physical and occupational therapy,' Rosenbaum said in a video Instagram story earlier this month. 'I was even able to get away to Maine to visit with my in-laws for a week.' Rosenbaum and Hebert Rosenbaum met and fell in love while filming Season 7 of The Bachelorette in 2011. They married in a televised ceremony in December 2012 and have two children, son Fordham Rhys, five, and daughter Essex Rose, three. Chairman of Renault Jean-Dominique Senard has denied that the French carmakers alliance with Nissan is on the rocks. Photo: Charles Platiau/Reuters The chairman of Renault (RNO.PA) has denied that the French carmakers alliance with Nissan (NSANY) is on the rocks, in the wake of rumours that the car companies were on the verge of severing their 20-year partnership. In an interview (link in French) with Belgian newspaper LEcho published Monday, Jean-Philippe Senard said that the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance was solid, robust, anything but dead. There has been much speculation about the future of the alliance, which ramped up after its former chairman Carlos Ghosn dramatically jumped bail from house arrest in Tokyo in December and fled to Lebanon. Ghosn attacked Nissan in his lengthy press conference in Beirut last week, accusing the company of plotting a coup against him in collusion with the Japanese prosecutor. He said the plot against him was based on Nissans declining performance in early 2017, and blamed former CEO Hiroto Saikawa for that. Some of our Japanese friends thought the only way to get rid of the influence of Renault on Nissan was to get rid of me, he said. READ MORE: Carlos Ghosn rips into Nissan and Japan's legal system comparing his arrest to 'Pearl Harbor' In his interview with LEcho, Senard denied recent media reports that Nissan was looking to extricate itself from the cost-sharing partnership with Renault. The Financial Times and Bloomberg cited sources saying that Nissan has been weighing up the possibility of going it alone in terms of manufacturing and engineering for quite some time. Senard said the Financial Times report had no connection with the actual reality of the alliance. He added that he had never seen so much harmony between the different leaders of the three groups and that this would move the alliance in the right direction. We will not fail to demonstrate this in a public way soon, he added. Nissan said in a statement that it was in no way considering dissolving the alliance, adding that the alliance is the source of Nissans competitiveness. Renault, which rescued Nissan in 1999, is also its largest shareholder. Both Renault and Nissan shares plunged to multi-year lows this week on reports that the alliance could shatter. Harris County Fire Marshal's Office / Google Maps A Galena Park teenager is facing a felony charge after allegedly lighting a firework during dismissal at North Shore Senior High School last week, the second time a firework was detonated inside a Harris County school in as many days. Justin Carter, 17, was charged with reckless arson after allegedly setting off the explosive during the schools afternoon dismissal Jan. 8. Several students were injured as they rushed to exit the building, suffering scrapes, scratches and bruises, according to the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. A businessman who was a witness named in the Mueller report pleaded guilty on Monday to child pornography possession and sex trafficking charges, according to court documents. The businessman, George Nader, who has also acted as an informal adviser to the United Arab Emirates crown prince, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of sex trafficking a minor in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On the possession of child pornography charge, Mr. Nader faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and at least five years of supervised release, court documents said. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the sex trafficking charge. Mr. Nader must register as a sex offender, the documents said. His sentencing hearing is set for April 10, according to Jonathan Jeffress, one of Mr. Naders four lawyers. He declined to comment further. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 21:34:17|Editor: ZX Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 5 million people in Somalia will require humanitarian assistance this year, the UN humanitarian agency said on Tuesday. According to the 2020 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), most families with severe or extreme needs live in southern, central and southwest regions. The report urges donors to build on 2019 gains, sustain lifesaving response and support livelihoods early in 2020. "The main factors driving humanitarian needs in Somalia include food insecurity, climate-related shocks, conflict and heightened protection risks. People with disabilities face additional vulnerabilities," said OCHA. Food security experts have warned that the floods which were experienced late 2019, made some roads impassable and cut thousands off from aid. "About 1.3 million boys, girls, pregnant and lactating women suffer from acute malnutrition, with 180,000 children under 5 suffering from life-threatening severe malnutrition," said OCHA. The UN agency said an estimated 3.7 million people need protection-related assistance, 1.37 million children (including 691,295 girls) need assistance to either stay or enroll in school in 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that an estimated 70,000 hectares of land have been infested by hoppers and breeding adult locusts in Somalia. After a humbling setback in 2010, when arch-rival BMW stole a march on it and pushed it to second position, Mercedes-Benz India is firmly entrenched as king of the hill for the fifth year running on account of its growing sales and product strategy, which carved out a family of products for younger buyers worldwide. Now, the company is looking to pivot its strength on a family of electric vehicles called EQ, which stands for Emotional Intelligence and will roll out in India. The first one will be a sporty SUV called the EQC, which is priced at around Rs 1 crore and ... Its no secretsocial media can be damaging to our mental health. Most of our Instagram feeds are flooded with pop culture memes, our favorite celebrities faces, and highlights from our friends lives, but some accounts are specifically created to cut through all of that noise and prompt you to check in with your mental health. Theres a plethora of Instagram therapy accounts that post advice, inspiration, and reminders to make your mental health a priority on the daily. Which, in our opinion, is more important than keeping up with the Kardashians selfies. Although nothing can replace actual therapy sessions, getting free mental health advice straight to your phone is super convenient. Whether youre struggling to find a therapist, cannot afford regular therapy sessions, or just want to incorporate more mental health awareness into your daily routine, these accounts will do the trick. We rounded up our favorite therapy accounts on Instagram for you to start followingsee our top eight below. The best 8 Instagram therapy accounts to follow 1Therapy for Latinx Therapy for Latinx focuses on helping Latinx people find therapists, with the tagline, Mental health can be challenging, finding a therapist shouldnt be. They post a mix of humorous and blunt (in the best way) content. Were suckers for a good meme, especially when its created for mental health awareness or normalization. 2Notes from Your Therapist For those who find handwritten notes nostalgic and comforting (cough, coughus), youll love @notesfromyourtherapist. Allyson Dinneen writes daily notes in her signature scrawl, making you feel like she wrote it just for you and slipped it onto your desk. She encourages followers to feel their emotions, good and bad, because its all part of being human. Story continues 3Minaa B. Minaa B. is a social worker, mental health educator, and founder of the online book club The Literary Social. She posts candid thoughts on self-love and being gentle with ourselves, while providing no-nonsense, concise paragraphs of advice with titles like, Stop Making Other Peoples Healing Your Responsibility, which inspire us to take action. 4Lisa Olivera Lisa Olivera is a therapist and writer who posts lots of simple, one-sentence mental health reminders/nuggets of wisdom in a soothing color palette. She prompts us to take the time to pat ourselves on the back for how strong we aresomething that many of us need to be reminded of in order to do. 5Nedra Glover Tawwab Nedra Glover Tawwab is a therapist and boundaries expert specializing in teaching people how to create healthy relationships. Tawwab posts lots of bulleted lists, offering straight-forward, actionable advice. 6Whitney Goodman Whitney Goodman describes herself as a radically honest psychotherapist, which is what many of us needradical honesty in a world that either sugarcoats or dismisses our mental health. Her Instagram account, sit with whit, posts research-backed diagrams and snippets of advice. 7The Mind Geek Ireland-based therapist Sarah Crosby runs The Mind Geek Instagram account, which follows a bold and playful template of mental notes written as sticky notes taped to a wall. She tackles all sorts of subjects from boundaries to highly sensitive personality traits to signs of codependency. If youre looking for a quick and easy way to enter into the therapy world, this is the account for you. 8Millennial Therapist Millennial Therapist is run by Sara Kuburic, MA, CCC and takes the form of bulleted lists, gentle reminders, and note-to-self posts. Kuburic helps us restructure our language to be gentler and more honest with ourselves, all while posting in a minimalist feed. The search to identify the remains of a woman found murdered in Illinois 43 years ago continues, and authorities on Monday released more information further indicating she may have lived in Alabama. The womans body known to investigators as Jane Seneca Doe - was discovered Oct. 2, 1976 by a local farmer and his granddaughter in a field on West U.S. Route 6, 1.4 miles east of the LaSalle county line in Erienna Towship in Seneca, Illinois, said Grundy County Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson. The case was investigated by the Grundy County Sheriffs Department and Grundy County Coroners Office who determined that the female had been shot elsewhere and placed in the field. The victim had no identification on her. After exhausting all efforts to try to identify her, the woman was buried in an unmarked grave at the Braceville-Gardner Cemetery on Thanksgiving Day 1976. For years, the case remained cold until Coroner John W. Callahan reopened the case in 2017, hoping to use modern-day forensic science techniques and technology to finally give the victim her name back, Johnson said. Investigators combed through old case files, entered the female into numerous unidentified persons databases and released an artist-rendered-image to the public, with the hopes of receiving new information pertaining to the case. On Dec. 18, 2018, coroners officials exhumed her remains in the course of using DNA enhancements to further their probe. A forensic odontologist also examined the remains and determined that the victim was between the ages of 15 and 27 when she was killed. In January 2019, the remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification in Fort Worth, Texas, using a grant from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and Department of Justice. In late-April, the lab developed a full female DNA profile and entered it into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS,) where the national database continues to search for a potential match to any missing persons nationwide. Since May 2019, the Grundy County Coroners Office has been working closely with the DNA Doe Project, an organization that utilizes genetic genealogy to assist in identifying the unidentified. Throughout the course of months of efforts, the DNA Doe Project has successfully located a close match to Jane Seneca Doe. Here is the new information released Monday: -Jane Seneca Doe was likely born between 1948 and 1960 and would have been missing by October 1976. -Her parents may have come from Selma, Alabama. One set of grandparents were from Selma, Alabama. -One of her grandparents was likely named Calhoun. One great-grandparent may have been named Harris. - Other possible areas her relatives reside: Dallas Co. or Wilcox Co., Alabama. -At least one branch of the family moved to Ohio. -She may have siblings who were unaware of her existence. Anyone with any information, which may lead to the identity of Jane Seneca Doe, is urged to contact Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson of the Grundy County Coroners Office at 815-941-3359 or e-mail: bjohnson@grundyco.org The government through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, signed nine grants contracts amounting to EUR 27 million (UGX.114.5b) for implementing development projects in poverty-stricken districts of Northern Uganda. The affirmative action programme is part of the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), a government project, supported by European Union aimed at improving livelihoods in the five sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile. DINU is a complex multi-spectral programme by OPM being implemented in 37 districts for the duration of six years between (2017-2023) focusing on three specific interlinked sectors of food security, Nutrition and Livelihoods; Infrastructure and Good Governance. The OPM which is responsible for the overall supervision of DINU has since selected nine grantees to take on the project after a very competitive process through the DINU Call for concept Notes that was launched in 2019. These include Caritas Switzerland; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (ITTA); National Research Organisation (NARO), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Care Denmark and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS Others include Center for Health, Human Rights Centre and Development (CEHURD), ADOL Health Care Initiative and DIAKONIA-Sweden. All these were handed contracts in a meeting signed on Tuesday, January 14, at OPM office in Kampala. The OPM also assured the country that that process for grantees said the process was handled with due diligence. Ms Christine Guwatudde, the OPM Permanent Secretary who chaired the meeting warned grantees against corruption and extortion. We expect the implementation of the various activities I grant actions to be of very high standards, she urged grantees adding that; each will synergize with other innervations and partners in the region, in particular, coordinate closely with the district local governments. Ms Guwatudde also asked the grantees to strengthen their implementation approaches and deliverables and avoid any waste of resources on activities that would not translate into changes in the lives of the target community and all other beneficiaries. Under this arrangement, she explained that the funds will be awarded in two lots for projects in five sub-regions to improve livelihoods through increased production of diversified food, enhanced market opportunities and better maternal and child nutrition as well as to improve performance and accountability of local governments through strengthened participation of communities. Mr Cedric Merel, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Uganda, said DINU is a flagship programme of EU partnership with the Government of Uganda through which the European Union continues to support the consolidation of peace, stability and socio-economic development of Northern Uganda. Poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition remain significant challenges for many people in the region, and the continuing refugee inflow from South Sudan and DRC is posing additional challenges in certain districts. EU will stand together with government to ensure that this flagship programme brings the expected benefits to the population in the targeted districts, he said. Mr.Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, MoFPED, said that as a contracting authority of the DINU Call, the finance ministry is happy to facilitate the process leading to the award of large grant contracts under which the Government shall work with different actors in the development of Northern Uganda. He explained that his ministry is pleased to award contracts under which government shall work closely with different partners in support of the DINU programme implementation in Northern Uganda. Some of the beneficiary districts of the DINU programme are Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Omoro and Pader in Acholi Sub-region. Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Napak (Karamoja); Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Otuke and Oyam in Lango Sub Region. AMuriat and Katakwi for Teso region while Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Yumbe and Zombo represent the West Nile region. Related More fallout from Irans shooting down of the Ukrainian airliner: a news anchor on Irans state television has resigned, apologizing to the people of Iran for lying to you on TV for 13 years. Iran State TV's anchor resigns saying, "It was very hard for me to believe the killing of my countrymen. I apologize for lying to you on TV for 13 years."#IranProtests2020 https://t.co/XnTv72KDkZ Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 13, 2020 Can Jake Tapper, the closest thing to an honest man in the Washington press corps, be far behind? A researcher handles a test tube containing a seedling of a newly created dwarf palm oil tree, which scientists hope will cut costs and limit environmental damage, at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board laboratory near Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 18, 2018. In his first public comments on Indias move to restrict palm oil imports after top exporter Malaysia criticized Indian policies toward Muslims, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said countries could not allow economic considerations to overrule speaking out against wrong. He justified his criticisms against India regarding its conflict with Pakistan over insurgency-stricken Kashmir and new amendments to its citizenship law that allegedly discriminate against Muslims, saying money should not be the only thing that matters. We are concerned because we sell a lot of palm oil to India. But on the other hand, we need to be frank and when something is wrong you have to say it, he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. If you allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done by us and others. On Jan. 8, the Indian government, through its Ministry of Commerce and Industry, amended its import policy on refined palm oil and palmolein a liquid form of palm oil from free to restricted. Although Malaysia was not named specifically, the new restriction is expected to hurt the country because India is its biggest importer of palm oil. Malaysia and Indonesia supplied about 60 million metric tons of palm oil annually, or about 85 percent of the worlds output, according to government data. Mahathir told reporters that while Malaysia needed to resolve its differences with India regarding palm oil, he was not backing down from his comments. That is something we have to find a solution for, but the fact is what happens in India today has caused a lot of unhappiness among the people there and the whole world. We feel that it is wrong to discriminate against anybody intended, he added. Last month, Mahathir criticized India over its amended citizenship law that allegedly discriminates against Muslims. The Indian parliament adopted the amendment granting citizenship to members of religious minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who seek refuge in India and who entered the country before September 2014. It excludes Muslims from those countries from applying for Indian citizenship. Mahathir, in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September, spoke about the Kashmir conflict, saying Pakistan and India should sit down to resolve their differences. Now, despite U.N. resolution[s] on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied. There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means, he said in his speech. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the U.N. would lead to other forms of disregard for the U.N. and the Rule of Law, he added. On Jan. 8, when it reported that India was imposing restrictions on palm-oil imports, the Reuters news service quoted Indian officials and industry sources as saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government was seeking to target Malaysia after recent criticism of India by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced he had sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing concerns about Indias amended citizenship law. The [Indian] governments efforts in Assam has left effectively 1.9 million persons, primarily Bengali-speaking Muslims, stateless. The government appears to now be extending this effort across the country, Menendez wrote in his letter dated Jan. 13. Despite the governments claims that the citizenship bill seeks to protect religious minorities, its failure to include Muslim groups facing persecution in neighboring countries, such as Pakistans Ahmadiyya and Burmas Rohingya, signal an anti-Muslim intent, he wrote. Menendez also wrote about the situation in Kashmir, saying the ongoing internet shutdown there had left peoples lives, jobs, and the economy in a more dire situation. Expanding the market Palm oil which is refined for use as cooking oil and used in cosmetics and biofuels, is Malaysias biggest agricultural export. India was Malaysias top importer of palm oil, taking in more than 4.4 million metric tons in 2019, a 75 percent increase over 2018s total of 2.5 million metric tons, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. While monthly exports to India totaled from 318,000 to 550,000 metric tons early in 2019, those figures dropped to 219,956 in October, 142,696 in November and 138,647 in December, the board reported. On Monday, Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Malaysias minister of Primary Industries, said the country might need to find new markets for its palm oil exports. She named Pakistan and African countries as possible locations. Pakistan is a good market. They have about a 220 million population with a birth rate of 2.7 percent. So in average they have 5 million babies every year, she said. With the growth of population they need palm oil because it is the cheapest oil. So we foresee Pakistan is a new market and some of the African countries also could be new markets, she told reporters after visiting a palm oil refiner near Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia exported slightly less than 1.1 million metric tons to Pakistan a slight decrease from 2018 and smaller amounts to African countries in 2019, according to board figures. Meanwhile, Indonesia will be the winner if Malaysia cannot settle its dispute with India and loses palm oil exports to its neighbor, according to a professor with the Universiti Tun Abdul Razak. Barjoyai Bardai said Malaysia could be forced to cut its selling price to appeal to new customers. While palm oil exports account for only 2.8 percent of the total gross domestic product, more than 1 million people are involved in growing, processing and selling it across the globe. The statement from Mahathir has made things worse. We cannot afford to allow the palm oil price to come down, he told BenarNews. Indias action followed a decision by the European Union last year to phase out the use palm oil as a source of renewable fuels by 2030 because of deforestation concerns. Palm oil expansion is a major driver of deforestation and degradation of natural habitats in parts of tropical Asia and Central and South America, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a Swiss-based group of governments, conservation organizations and scientists. Mahathir called the findings baseless, unfair and unjustified. The statement mentions that preserving the memory of the Holocaust and combating anti-Semitism is not an internal affair of any country The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel condemned the glorification of those responsible for the murder of Jews and anti-Semitic ideologies in Ukraine. The corresponding statement was published on the Ministrys website. "Individuals responsible for the murder of Jews in the Holocaust and in pogroms, as well as antisemitic ideologists of the Ukrainian National movement have recently been subject of public glorification in Ukraine," the statement reads. In response to this, and to the publicity in the Ukrainian press, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation of these phenomena and emphasizes the following: Preserving the memory of the Holocaust and the battle against antisemitism including the glorification of antisemites and murderers of Jews - are not an internal matter of any country. On the contrary, those are essential obligations and responsibilities of every Israeli diplomat. It represents a shared moral duty to Israel and its many allies across the world, the Ministry stated. As we reported earlier, on January 2, heads of diplomatic missions of Poland and Israel in Ukraine stood against paying tribute to Stepan Bandera and Andriy Melnyk. These were the leaders of OUN, the far-right movement in Ukraine in the first half of the 20th century. Later, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded to criticism of Poland and Israel about honoring Stepan Bandera and a number of people who collaborated with the Nazis, citing the revival of "national memory." The BJP on Tuesday attacked the Congress, saying the opposition party is "best at attacking India and protecting Pakistan". BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also targeted the Congress over comments of two of its leaders on the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Davinder Singh for links with terrorist. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. While Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wondered about the real culprits involved in the last year Pulwama attack, which had killed over 40 CRPF personnel, his party colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala asked if Singh was a mere pawn and sought clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Patra said the Congress has been reduced to giving oxygen to Pakistan and attacking India, and alleged that the opposition party has a history of defending the neighbouring country. He likened the opposition party to a python who "devours" its mother. Patra dared Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi to make it clear if they have any doubts on who were the perpetrators in the Pulwama attack. Linking the Congress to Pakistan, Patra said there are "too many coincidences" that shows a conspiracy. A 69-year-old woman was critically injured Monday when she crashed an electric scooter into a cement mixer in San Francisco, officials said. The crash occurred around 3:25 p.m. near Bay Street and the Embarcadero, according to San Francisco police. According to the authorities, Free targeted port truck drivers who had lost their operator authority due to not having insurance. Operating under the names Justyce Insurance or Pure Justyce Insurance Agency, Free accepted premium payments from her victims without remitting them to insurance carriers. From September 2017 to July 2018, authorities said that at least seven victims paid Free for coverage that was not placed with an insurer. The state insurance department later launched an investigation into the matter after receiving complaints. Some of the victims discovered that their authority to operate as a motor carrier was suspended after reviewing their own status on either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA) websites. The investigation found that Free would solicit victims through telephone, email or a postcard offering competitive quotes with attractive rates on commercial vehicle insurance. She would then gather the victims vehicle information and provide a quote for the desired coverage. Once the quote was accepted, she had the victim make a cash payment directly into her bank account she claimed that she could pay the insurance carrier this way to immediately establish a policy for the victim. Several victims were issued fraudulent insurance certificates and insurance identification cards, which tricked them into thinking they had coverage. This agent robbed truck drivers who already have some of Americas hardest jobs, said California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara. This unlicensed agent not only stole from her clients, she put them at risk of losing their livelihood. Thanks to the hard work of Department of Insurance investigators and the Riverside County District Attorneys Office she will now have to pay restitution to those she harmed. A couple of months ago, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., looked to be asserting herself as a potential front-runner in the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination. Now, she's caught with the pack. And a poll suggests that she might have a tough time breaking from it in Iowa - and why her path might run through her erstwhile ally, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. The Monmouth University poll of Iowa voters would at first glance seem to have some good news for Warren: Even though she, at 15 percent, is nine points behind former vice president Joe Biden (24 percent) and virtually tied with Sanders (18 percent) and former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg (17 percent), she has a couple of things working for her. The first is that she is tied with Buttigieg for the most well-liked candidate (73 percent favorable vs. 19 percent unfavorable), and the second is that she leads the field when it comes to the most-cited second choice. Here's how the second choices break down: Warren: 23 percent Buttigieg: 15 percent Sanders: 14 percent Biden and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): 10 percent All of that would seem to bode well for the senator from Massachusetts, especially given that second choices really matter in Iowa. Under the state's caucus system, candidates who don't clear 15 percent initially at a given caucus site are declared not viable and their supporters can go to another candidate. Given that process, Warren could feasibly pick up support, given how well-liked she is and how many people consider her their backup option. That's not actually how it pans out - at least not as the field is constructed. Rather than just asking about second choices, Monmouth took things a step further and ran a hypothetical contest in which the race was distilled down to the top four candidates - the ones who clear 15 percent. This simulates a caucus in which the initial results mirror the current statewide poll and supporters of other candidates will need to go elsewhere. While you might expect that to benefit Warren, you'd be wrong - and curiously so. In that scenario, Warren actually gains only one point. Buttigieg, meanwhile, gains eight points, Sanders gains six and Biden gains four. The race then would stand like this: Biden: 28 percent Buttigieg: 25 percent Sanders: 24 percent Warren: 16 percent Warren's problem is this: She is very disproportionately the second choice of voters whose first choices are already the other top candidates. Monmouth pollster Patrick Murray told me she takes 83 percent of her second-choice votes from the triumvirate of Biden-Buttigieg-Sanders. By contrast, the vast majority of people who don't support a top-four candidate - 75 percent - go for a top-four candidate as their backup. And that's an issue in Iowa. It means the other candidates have more to gain from the 15 percent threshold. And it essentially means that Warren probably needs to have one of them stumble to build out her base of support and actually win the state. That may be easier said than done. In fact, a new national Quinnipiac University poll shows Warren's supporters are actually less settled on her (28 percent say they've made up their mind) than supporters for Biden (41 percent) and Sanders (42 percent). The case may be different in Iowa, of course, but it's another data point worth considering. So who might she need to stumble? A look at the headlines right now might give you a sense. She and Sanders are suddenly tangling on the campaign trail in a way they have conspicuously avoided to this point. There's a reason for that. While her support seemed to overlap mostly with Buttigieg earlier in the campaign, it appears that it now overwhelmingly overlaps with the candidate most ideologically similar to her: Sanders. The same national Quinnipiac University poll, in fact, shows that Warren is the second choice of 57 percent of Sanders supporters, and Sanders is the second choice of 52 percent of Warren voters. Neither of them are the second choice for more than 12 percent of any other candidate's voters. These, again, are national numbers rather than Iowa ones, it bears reemphasizing. But it could provide a window into the calculus for each side down the stretch and especially in Iowa, where either candidate knocking the other below 15 percent could reap huge rewards. The Monmouth situation is obviously a hypothetical one; even if all four candidates remain about where they are, we won't see all four of these candidates clear the 15 percent threshold at every caucus site. But it does provide a very telling window into what we're seeing - and what we could see in the remaining three weeks until the caucuses. New Delhi: The Kerala government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, describing it as a colourable legislation violative of the basic structure principle of secularism in the Constitution. Kerala, which has become the first state to challenge the CAA in court, has sought a declaration that the CAA is ultra vires of the Constit-ution, being violative of Article 14 (equality for before the law), Article 21 (right to life) and Article 25 (right to freedom of religion) as well as violative of the basic structure. Besides challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA, Kerala has also challenged the amendme-nt to the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules 2015 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order 2015, contending that they too are in the teeth of Article 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. It also challenged the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules 2016 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order 2016 being unconstitutional. Kerala has joined more than 60 petitioners who are already before the court challenging the CAA and the 2015 and 2016 am-endments to the Passport (Entry to India) Amendm-ent Rules, and Foreigners (Amendment) Order. The CAA and amendments to the Passport (Entry to India) Amend-ment Rules and Foreign-ers (Amendment) Order, Kerala has contended, is a colourable legislation and the grant of citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, Buddh-ists and Jains facing persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh is not founded on any rationale principle justifying special treatment. There is no rationale in not extending the rights conferred to a class of minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangla-desh to religious minorities belonging to... Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, says the petition by the Kerala government. Saying the classification of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh was without any rationale or any standard principles, Kerala has claimed that the entire exercise was manifestly arbitrary and violates Arti-cle 14 of the Constitu-tion. The apex court had on December 18 sought the response of the Centre on a batch of petitions that challenged the constitutional validity of the CAA. The court will hold a hea-ring on Janu-ary 22, when it would also consider the plea for a stay on the citizenship law. The Centre opposed any stay on the law contending that there was an assumption of constitutionality in favour of the law passed by Parliament. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko has said that during his visit to Singapore, he agreed on a visit of a group of Singaporean businessmen to Ukraine and the holding of the second Ukrainian-Singaporean business forum in Singapore in 2020. "Singapore is the important gateway to Asian markets. With Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon we agreed to organize a visit by Singaporean business reps to Ukraine and to conduct the second Ukrainian-Singaporean Business Forum in Singapore in 2020," he said on Twitter on Tuesday. In addition, the minister said that he had discussed with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan the possibility of introducing IT in the public services sector of Ukraine. "Stated excellent level of bilateral relations and increase in trade. Discussed Smart Nation [Singaporean Government's initiative to use information technology, networks and large data to create high-tech solutions] experience and possibility of IT-optimization for public services in Ukraine," he added. Prystaiko also noted that he thanked his Singaporean colleague for his sympathy for the crash of the Boeing 737 of Ukraine International Airlines in Iran, and also invited him to visit Ukraine. In addition, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced the signing of memorandums of cooperation between the Council of Exporters and Investors under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as between the Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Scientific Center of Singapore. "We help Ukrainian business and science to "enter" Asia," he summed up. As reported, on January 13-14, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko is paying official visit to the Republic of Singapore. He had previously met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. 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. Only a sliver of vaping-related lung illness victims used products bought at recreational marijuana stores, according to new data published Tuesday, in contrast to Oregons victims, all of whom bought products at legal stores. The new report from federal health officials underscores Oregons unique place in the epidemic. Most of the victims nationally who fell ill after vaping cannabis products and then told officials where they got the products cited informal sources such as friends, dealers or online stores. Thats not the case in Oregon. For all 13 victims who vaped THC, the chemical in marijuana that makes people high, state health officials said theres they purchased products at legal stores. The same was the case for the nicotine products victims vaped. The latest count in the lung illness epidemic: 2,602 people nationally contracted the disease and 57 died as of Jan. 7. Two of the deaths were in Oregon. As of Jan. 2, Oregon has had 22 victims total. Of 783 victims who reported precisely where they bought their THC products, 8%, or 63 people, said they bought them at recreational stores, and 27 people said they bought them at medical marijuana dispensaries. People should consider not using any vaping products, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, including those with nicotine. The epidemic has seen a dramatic decline in cases in recent months. The CDC is confident that a primary culprit has been vitamin E acetate added to illicit THC vape products, but the agency hasnt dismissed the possibility that other substances have caused or contributed to the illnesses. Of the nearly 2,000 people for whom the CDC has substance use data, 264 said they used only nicotine products. In Oregon, seven victims used only nicotine, according to the state agency investigating the outbreak, the Oregon Health Authority. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Marchant, Rob GREENWICH Kevin Joyce, 49, of West Main St., Norwalk, turned himself in to Greenwich Police headquarters late last week on an outstanding warrant for a charge of criminal mischief. The warrant was issued in connection with an incident on LeGrande Avenue in late November. Bail was set at $25,000. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New Light Technologies Inc. (NLT) is proud to release the Automated Infrastructure Compliance Framework (AICF) - an open-source toolkit for protecting your cloud. Today's public clouds are vastly complex, offering hundreds of services. With this complication comes the challenge of ensuring compliance and managing configuration using a sound DevSecOps practice. The Automated Infrastructure Compliance Framework (AICF) is an open-source project that solves the following challenges, across both Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure: Key components comprising the AICF New Light Technologies Inc. (NLT) is proud to release the Automated Infrastructure Compliance Framework (AICF) Pre-deployment policy-as-code checks using Open Policy Agent (OPA), so that only valid configurations can be deployed Post-deployment drift detection, automated remediation, and security scanning using Fugue.co, so that any undesired changes are identified and fixed Integration with your choice of Infrastructure-as-Code and CI tools to automate this process To learn more about the AICF and how NLT can help implement it, visit aicf.nltgis.com or contact us at [email protected] . About New Light Technologies, Inc. (NLT) Based in Washington DC, NLT provides a broad range of integrated Information Technology (IT) consulting services and products to government, commercial, and non-profit sectors. The firm offers comprehensive DevSecOps systems integration , development, and management for IT Infrastructure Modernization, Virtualization and Microservices, Cloud & Mobile Computing, Application Development, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), and Big Data Modeling, Analytics, & Visualization. NLT is a recognized leader in the development of enterprise Geospatial platforms and real-time integrated analytics for mission-critical decision support, planning, and research applications. Media Contact: Tim Kuhn 202.568.6300 [email protected] SOURCE New Light Technologies Authorities in China have come across a new kind of virus that has affected a total of 41 people and has claimed one life. The unique form of corona-virus is being linked to the recent pneumonia outbreak in the city of Wuhan, according to Chinese state media. Reuters The condition follows the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV that was spread across China in 2002 as well as primary detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that was spotted in 2012. In case you didnt know, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause infections that range from a regular cold to something as lethal as SARS. In this, patients show pneumonia-like symptoms including high-fever, have difficulty breathing, among others. Out of the 41 affected, two have been discharged while the rest remain in stable condition. The main centre for this outbreak is the local seafood market -- as the patients are mostly vendors and buyers at the market. The market was home to not just seafood but also a variety of creatures like snakes and other amphibians. The market has been shut for now, with decontamination in progress. In case you thought the disease is only limited to China, it isnt. Yesterday, this deadly disease was also spotted in Thailand, which as the regional authorities have confirmed was a Chinese woman who travelled from Wuhan. The authorities stopped the women from entering Thailand when they found out that the lady travelling from Wuhan had a fever. She has been in medical care ever since and is recovering. Reuters Scientists in Hong Kongs Department of Health have revealed that genetic sequencing of the virus from a Wuhan patient is 80 percent similar to SARS that is seen commonly in bats. They havent been able to confirm whether it spreads easily between humans as SARS. World Health Organisation has issued guidance for detecting, staying safe as well as treating the novel coronavirus. Prompt diagnosis was made possible thanks to China instantly sharing the genetic sequencing of the virus. Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): A former US Treasury Department adviser pleaded guilty in a federal court on Monday to conspiracy for disclosing sensitive financial transaction reports related to people linked to the Russia probe, including former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office had alleged that the official, Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards, leaked the documents, known as Suspicious Activity Reports, to a reporter whom CNN has previously identified as working for BuzzFeed News. "I transmitted a file containing or disclosing the existence of a SAR," Edwards, 41, said in court Monday. "I am sorry for what I have done and I apologize to you, your honour, and the court," she added. Prosecutors alleged in the court documents that for about a year beginning in the fall of 2017, Edwards leaked reports concerning Manafort, his business associate Rick Gates, the Russian Embassy and convicted Russian spy Maria Butina, among others. Edwards, who was charged in October 2018, initially pleaded not guilty in January 2019 and was set to go to trial in March of this year. Prosecutors had filed two charges against her: one count of unauthorized disclosure of Suspicious Activity Reports and the other count of conspiracy to make such unauthorised disclosures. The second charge to which she pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The type of report prosecutors accused Edwards of leaking is filed confidentially by banks and other financial institutions to the flag for law-enforcement entities what they believe are possibly illegal transactions. (ANI) IIMBue 2018: Doctor friendly software need of the day for better diagnosis, says Dr Devi Shetty Last day of Windows 7 today: Cost of upgrading to Windows 10 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The journey of the Microsoft Windows 7 ends today. Microsoft will no longer support this operating system with new features such as security patches. In simple terms, those PCs running Windows 7 will no longer get support from Microsoft. The focus would be entirely on Windows 10 in the years to come. Currently 54.62 per cent of the systems run Windows 10. On the other hand Microsoft Windows 7 constitutes 26.64 per cent of the systems. This means 400 million systems run Windows 7. "While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. Going forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10," says the official documentation. Windows 10 Home is priced at Rs 9,299 while the Pro edition is Rs 14,999. PCs originally built with Windows 7 are running 10-year-old technology. Windows 10 has many of the same features and capabilities from Windows 7 built into the experience. Once you move to a new PC, there will be many aspects of the experience that you will find familiar, but also with important innovations and capabilities that were not available ten years ago, says Microsoft. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:46 [IST] Advertisement Amber Heard has been pictured kissing her new lover, an LA-based cinematographer called Bianca Butti who was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time last year. The pair were seen kissing as they left a hotel in the upscale Southern California resort town before engaging in some heavy PDA in Heard's vintage Ford Mustang car. Amber, 33, has been very open about being bisexual, both privately to her family and friends, and publicly in the media. Amber Heard's new lover revealed: Actress was pictured kissing female cinematographer Bianca Butti, who is battling breast cancer, as they left the Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs on Sunday The Aquaman star, who was in a four-year relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree before falling for Depp on the set of 2011's Rum Diary, giggled with Bianca, 38, as they waited for the hotel valet to bring round her car. The pair appeared to be looking at something on a phone before Butti placed a hand tenderly on Heard's hip and moved in for a kiss. Heard, 33, reciprocated, closing her eyes and leaning towards her new love interest. Happy: The Aquaman star, 33, laughed and joked with Bianca, 38, who is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles Shared a laugh: They appeared to be highly amused by something on Butti's cell phone and seemed very relaxed in one another's company Moves: The pair got affectionate as they waited for Heard's car. Butti placed a hand tenderly on Heard and moved in for a kiss. Heard closed her eyes and leaned towards her girlfriend Together: The two drove off with Heard behind the wheel of her Mustang car as they headed to their next destination Mind the road: But they clearly couldn't keep their hands off each other as they leaned in for another kiss Only eyes for each other: Despite the traffic around them, Heard and Butti indulged in a steamy make out session Heard looked casually stylish in a baggy plaid shirt and blue skinny jeans ripped at the knees. The blonde, who left her long hair loose, wore a white lace-up ankle boot on her right foot and a medical boot on her left. It's not known how the actress suffered an injury but she has been wearing the boot since the beginning of the year. Butti had on a cropped white sweater under a black knit cardigan and added turquoise pants and dark sneakers. She completed her look with a gray fedora over her long dark hair. Relaxed: Heard looked casually stylish in a baggy plaid shirt and blue skinny jeans ripped at the knees and she left her long blonde hair loose Hurt: The actress wore a white lace-up ankle boot on her right foot and a medical boot on her left. It's not known how or when the actress suffered an injury but she's been wearing the boot since the beginning of the year Fine: Butti had on a cropped white sweater under a black knit cardigan and added turquoise pants and dark sneakers Snazzy: Butti completed her look with a gray fedora over her long dark hair as she pulled Amber close to her Her pride and joy: Another great love of Heard's life is her classic 1968 cherry red Ford Mustang and she giggled as she prepared to drive off Butti is credited on her IMDb page as the cinematographer for several episodes of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta that aired in 2013. She is also credited on the upcoming Bella Thorne movie Leave Not One Alive and the thriller Uncanny along with a handful of other independent films and shorts. In August last year, friends of Butti set up a GoFundMe page for her, saying she needed financial help to cover the costs of treatment as she battles breast cancer for the second time. In a note on the fundraising page, Butti explains that she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015 and that it returned in March 2019. Her Instagram handle is @buttibeatsit. The first time she was diagnosed she said she underwent a traditional western program of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. After being diagnosed a second time, she was seeking 'alternative' treatments, she said, her insurance wouldn't cover much of it and she was hoping to raise $60,000 to cover her bills and pay for two more years of therapies. Courageous: Los Angeles-based cinematographer Bianca was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and a second time in 2019 Bianca posted pictures of herself online during her battle with breast cancer Came out in 2010: Heard had four-year relationship with a woman before marrying Depp. After their messy 2016 split, she's been linked to Elon Musk, Vito Schnabel and Andy Muschietti $50 million lawsuit: Heard is being sued for defamation by her former husband after she wrote an op-ed about being the victim of domestic violence which he says suggest he's an abuser Superhero franchise: Since her high profile marriage, the actress landed the role of Mera in the DC Comics films Justice League and Aquaman On her page, Butti said that she was seeking alternative treatment through the Center for New Medicine in New Irvine , and that she believes 'the most powerful treatment is the treatment one believes in'. She added that her alternative treatments of choice were 'mistletoe, high dose vitamin C, a cutting edge procedure called cryoablation (where they actually freeze the tumor), and using nutrition, exercise and emotional therapies to heal this from all angles'. Butti said the the money for her treatment over the next two years would go toward oncologist appointments, imaging, bloodwork, scans, oxygenation treatments, acupuncture, herbs and supplements'. Latest role: Heard is currently filming the CBS All Access streaming sci-fi series The Stand in Vancouver, Canada, with James Marsden Fundraiser: A few friends started a Go Fund Me page for Butti last August to help pay for her mounting bills from both treatments; to date it has garnered over $18,500 First approach: She underwent a traditional western treatment of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for her first diagnosis, which resulted in her losing her hair: she's pictured in 2016 Acclaimed: She is credited on her IMDb page as the cinematographer for several episodes of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta that aired in 2013 Brave soul: Bianca also shared this snap of her chest and wrote: 'Boob is on the mend y'all' She explains how she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015 when she was just 34-years-old, and that it was confirmed to have returned in March 2019. 'I was beyond devastated. A new tumor appeared in my right breast, almost 3 years since I was declared cancer free,' she explained with heartfelt emotion. For the first diagnosis she underwent a traditional western treatment of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Now, after extensive research and personal experience, she decided to seek more alternative treatments. 'I will say that getting a cancer diagnosis for the second time, is a lot less scary than the first time, she confessed. I firmly believe that the most powerful treatment is the treatment one believes in.' At last check Butti's Go Fund Me page has raised just over $18,500. Troubling times: In August last year, friends of Butti set up a GoFundMe page for her, saying she needed financial help to cover the costs of treatment as she battles breast cancer for the second time Bianca posted a picture with her dog Birdie as she received treatment for breast cancer Sharing: Butti posted an image of herself receiving her first does of vitamin C as part of her cancer treatment (left) and during her first round of cancer treatment (right) Following the end of her marriage to Depp, Heard started dating tech entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.They were together for several months before calling it quits in early 2018. Musk is now dating Canadian singer Grimes who announced last week that she is expecting a baby. Heard then moved on to Heidi Klum's ex Vito Schnabel and the couple were photographed locking lips while at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, England, in July 2018. By March 2019, Schnabel was out and in was Argentinian director Andy Muschietti who helmed the 2013 horror film Mama and the big screen adaptation of Stephen King's It, released in 2017. Heard and Depp married in February 2015, broke up in May 2016 and finalized their acrimonious divorce in January 2017 Following the end of her marriage to Depp, Heard started dating tech entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. They were together for several months before calling it quits in early 2018 Heard then moved on to Heidi Klum's ex Vito Schnabel and the couple were photographed locking lips while at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, England, in July 2018 By March 2019, Heard was with Argentinian director Andy Muschietti who helmed the 2013 horror film Mama and the big screen adaptation of Stephen King's It, released in 2017 Heard is still dealing with the fall out from her breakup with Depp, whom she married in 2015. Their divorce was finalized in January 2017. She accused the Pirates Of The Caribbean star of domestic violence when they broke up, claiming he had thrown a cell phone at her which hit her in the face, and initially got a restraining order against him. Their divorce was eventually settled with the actor paying the actress $7 million, which she subsequently donated to charity. In March 2019, the Black Mass and Finding Neverland star filed a $50 million defamation suit against Heard for her 2018 domestic violence op-ed published in The Washington Post even though she did not mention him by name. In April 2019, in response to the suit, the actress whose credits also include Magic Mike XXL and The Danish Girl, repeated her allegations of domestic abuse against Depp. She described a number of incidents when Depp alleged beat and choked her while he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol in the complaint obtained by The New York Post. For his part, Depp called his ex-wife's claim an 'elaborate hoax'. He has long denied her allegations and has instead claimed that she repeatedly violently attacked and severely injured him. In the defamation lawsuit, Depp claims Heard threw a glass vodka bottle at him and caused the bones in the tip of his right middle finger to shatter. Early days: Heard and Depp met on the set of the film The Rum Diary. They're pictured at the film's European premiere in London in November 2011 Heard has accused Depp of multiple episodes of abuse during their relationship while he denies her allegations, calling them an 'elaborate hoax'. They're pictured in February 2016 Drama: The actress, pictured leaving court in May 2016 after getting a restraining order against her then husband, got $7 million in the divorce, which she then donated to charity Last month, it was reported that the judge in the defamation case had sided with Depp and will allow deposition testimony from two LAPD officers who responded to the couple's home on the night of the incident. Officers testified under oath they did not see any injuries to Heard's face when they saw her on the night of May 21, 2016. However, Heard has been trying to get the lawsuit dismissed and has succeeded in getting the trial pushed back by six months, to August 2020. Depp had been ordered to produce records relating to his drug and alcohol use, but according to Deadline.com, he failed to submit them as required by 15 November and so the jury trial was postponed. Meanwhile, Depp was in Paris, France, over Christmas where it's believed he spent some time with his former partner Vanessa Paradis and their two children - Lily-Rose, 20, and Jack, 17. Depp and Paradis were together for 14 years before parting ways in 2012. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he believes members of the royal family can settle differences over Prince Harry and his wife Meghan. Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, want to break free of their royal duties and move to Canada. The two have received approval from Queen Elizabeth. She said she and other family members regret the decision but understand and respect it. Agreement on important details has yet to be reached, however, and some difficult decisions need to be made. Canadas leader also has raised questions. But Boris Johnson told a BBC television (TV) reporter that the monarchy will be able to find solutions. My view on this is very straightforward: I am a fan, like most of our viewers, of the queen and the royal family as a(n)asset for our country, Johnson said. The royal family held a crisis meeting Monday at the queens Sandringham House property in eastern England. Johnson said he believes they will be able to find agreement much more easily without a running commentary from politicians. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex started the crisis when they released a statement last week. They said they wanted to step back from most royal duties and become financially independent. The two have decided to spend at least part of their time in Canada, a Commonwealth country where the queen is head of state. Meghan worked in Canada for seven years while filming the TV series Suits. The move angered some royals who had not been involved in the decision. The Sandringham meeting brought together the 93-year-old queen, her eldest son and heir Prince Charles, his son Prince William and his brother Prince Harry. After the meeting, the Queen release a statement saying the family will not try to stop Prince Harry and Meghan from seeking independence. After it was clear they will live in Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country welcomes the news, but he has issues to discuss. Among the issues are the high cost of providing day-to-day security for Harry, Meghan and their son, Archie. I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have, Trudeau told Canadian TV. He added that so far there have been no official talks on the issue between the Canadian and British governments. Britains royal family is protected by a special team of officers from Londons Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard. The cost of that protection is not made public. In addition to security costs, it is likely that some special force of London police would have to operate in Canada. Many financial questions remain. The queen says Harry and Meghan do not plan to use public money when they step back from royal duties. So it is possible they may be asked to pay for their security. Harry and Meghan have said that one of their goals is to become financially independent. It is not known if they will continue to receive money from Harrys father, Prince Charles, who uses earnings from the Duchy of Cornwall estate to pay for many royal activities. The estate earned more than $26 million last year. Harry and Meghan have announced plans to launch a charitable organization in the coming year. They just completed a six-week vacation in western Canada with their baby. Meghan has returned to Canada after a short visit to London last week. Im Anne Ball. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story royal adj. belonging to a king or queen or members of their family monarchy n. a country that is ruled by a king or queen fan n. someone with a strong interest in another person or thing asset n. a thing that is good, helpful or valuable Commonwealth n. the countries that were once part of the British Empire heir n. one who has rights to the property or position of another after that individuals death charitable adj. relating to the assistance of those in need Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and bitterly cold. It will feel like it's in the single digits and low teens.. Tonight Partly cloudy and extremely cold. Wind chills around or below 0 degrees. MADRID and SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nok Nok Labs one of the driving forces behind the new FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standard aimed at strengthening the security of biometric systems on mobile devices, today has partnered with banking leader, BBVA. The agreement is part of BBVA's strategy to improve the security and user experience of its mobile banking services through state-of-the-art biometric capabilities. Through this agreement, Nok Nok a leading developer of authentication solutionswill provide BBVA with a series of technological capabilities. This will allow the bank to continue offering secure and scalable authentication solutions that put user privacy at the center of its mobile banking services, which are already being used by more than half of its customers worldwide . In addition, the agreement with Nok Nok will allow BBVA to implement the new FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standard in its mobile banking services, which reinforces the security of biometric authentication systems in web and mobile applications. This standard, promoted by the FIDO Alliance, allows alternative identification systems, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to be used instead of passwords in a comfortable and secure manner. In 2013 Nok Nok was one of the founding companies of the FIDO Alliance and, along with other industry members, it has contributed to developing the key technical specifications and features of this new standard, which is already being used by other leading digital companies. Nok Nok provides BBVA with an interoperable solution that has the support necessary to adapt to industry standards and global regulations, such as for the European Market, Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) which defines minimum requirements for strong customer authentication. Thanks to the partnership with Nok Nok, BBVA will be able to continue offering its customers innovative and agile mobile banking solutions that offer a perfect balance between user experience and security. "Traditionally, one of the biggest challenges of authentication systems has been to balance security with user experience. Due to the FIDO standard, we are confident that both elements work together seamlessly to provide customers with the highest security standards, along with a transparent and agile user experience. In this way, we can improve the ability of our clients to interact with us in a more natural way," says Juan Francisco Losa, BBVA's Global Technology & Information Security Officer. "Having a simple and robust authentication process on mobile devices is integral for protecting customer privacy," says Phillip Dunkelberger, CEO of Nok Nok Labs. "We are very proud to partner with BBVA and this is a fantastic collaboration for Nok Nok because it will allow us to introduce the latest innovations in authentication for customers, through a simple, transparent and secure experience. This agreement will allow us to continue expanding our international presence." About Nok Nok Nok Nok is the trusted leader in next-generation consumer authentication providing passwordless solutions to the world's largest organizations. Delivering the most innovative authentication solutions in the market today, Nok Nok empowers global organizations to improve the user experience to access digital services, while meeting the most advanced privacy and regulatory requirements. The Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite integrates into existing security environments to deliver a cost-effective, future-proof and standards-based authentication solution. Headquartered in the Silicon Valley, California, the company has delivered unique inventions and innovations that are protected by a robust global patent portfolio. As a founder of the FIDO Alliance and inventor of FIDO specifications, Nok Nok is the expert in deploying standards-based authentication, and its industry leading customers and partners include DDS, Inc., Ericsson, Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi, Intuit, Lenovo, MTRIX GmbH, NTT DATA, NTT DOCOMO, OneSpan, SoftBank, Standard Bank, and T-Mobile. About BBVA BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. It is also the leading shareholder in Turkey's BBVA Garanti. Its purpose is to bring the age of opportunities to everyone, based on our customers' real needs: provide the best solutions, helping them make the best financial decisions, through an easy and convenient experience. The institution rests in solid values: Customer comes first, we think big and we are one team. Its responsible banking model aspires to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable society. SOURCE Nok Nok Labs Get this newsletter in your inbox Monday-Friday by signing up at subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters. Top stories for Tuesday, Jan. 14 Mark Graves/Staff COAST TRAGEDY: A Portland father and his two young children swept out to sea at Falcon Cove Beach on the Oregon coast over the weekend were hit by a sneaker wave, the family said Monday. Its a dangerous beach," said a local resident who called 911. The children, Lola Stiles, 7, who attended Northeast Portlands Vestal Elementary School, and William Stiles, 4, will be remembered at a vigil in Manzanita Wednesday night. Here are safety tips for storm-watching on the coast. (Mark Graves/Staff) CATLIN GABEL: The first of what could be many sexual abuse lawsuits against The Catlin Gabel School was filed Monday by Kim Wilson of Portland, who says she was molested 80 times by Richardson Shoemaker, a longtime Catlin math teacher. The lawsuit followed The Oregonian/OregonLive's report on more than 15 former students who shared their stories of abuse. CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, one of his primary election opponents and a city commissioner candidate all denied complaints to the city auditors office that theyve violated a voter-approved $500 campaign contribution limit. OREGON LEGISLATURE: Residents in westside Portlands House District 36 will get a new state representative Thursday evening, when the Multnomah County Commission is set to select from among the five people vying to replace former House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, a Democrat. MENTAL HEALTH: Oregons top health administrator has asked state lawmakers for $20 million to help ensure that people who need mental health treatment get it, particularly those who have been charged with a crime. NOTE TO READERS: Weve launched an Oregon Opinion newsletter featuring editorials, commentary pieces and letters to the editor. Sign up for free to get it in your inbox every Sunday morning. Snap of the day The Oregonian/file 180 XURROS: The delectable, detail-oriented Barcelona-style churro shop is reopening in downtown Portland in February. Heres what you need to know. (Oregonian/OregonLive file photo) More news Oregon Democrats publicly unveil new climate change legislation; still face significant opposition 2 candidates file to run for late Portland Commissioner Nick Fishs council seat Intel hires new CIO from Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hillsboro animation studio Laika follows Golden Globe win with its sixth Oscar nomination Violent smash-and-grab from Portland bookshop sees loss of rare volumes, irreplaceable Andy Warhol works Beat Check podcast: The legacy and challenges left by Portlands departing police chief Tim McGraw brings country showcase to Portland area this August Find more at oregonlive.com Weather and traffic Scattered rain and snow showers are on tap for Tuesday in Portland with accumulation unlikely or not adding up to much. High 35, low 27. Get the latest forecast at oregonlive.com/weather In Portland, the ramp from North Alberta Street to Interstate 5 northbound is closed for installation of a sign bridge all hours and days through Sunday, Jan. 19. Stay up to date on traffic conditions at oregonlive.com/commuting Advice Ask Amy: Boyfriends awful children make her question their future together Dear Abby: Boyfriend reluctant to talk about his late father Dear Annie: Should husband grant friends dying wish of seeing him naked? Find more, including today's horoscope, at oregonlive.com Today's comics Click here to see today's comics Today's obituaries Click here to find area deaths reported recently Today in history In 1784: The United States ratified the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War. In 1920: Oregon became the 25th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote nationwide. Most Oregon women had already had voting rights since 1912. In 1963: George C. Wallace was sworn in as governor of Alabama with the pledge, Segregation forever! a view Wallace later repudiated. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A recidivist offender who was arrested three times in less than two weeks, for allegedly stealing a credit card he used for a shopping spree, evading police during a high-speed chase and smashing an MTA bus window, was released without bail on two of the three occasions after criminal justice reforms went into effect on Jan. 1. 25-year-old Emeka Adubas streak of arrests began after he allegedly stole a credit card on Nov. 27 from the center console of a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Mariners Harbor before going on a shopping excursion at Jimmy Jazz inside of the Staten Island Mall, according to a criminal complaint. I went to a car,'' Aduba allegedly told police after he was arrested on Dec. 28. "I needed money and I saw credit cards and weed and so I took the stuff and shopped at Jimmy Jazz. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and two counts of petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. A District Attorney spokesman said bail would have been requested if the new bail reform laws did not go into effect at the start of the new year. Just over a week later, authorities allege that Aduba swiped a white BMW 650i, which he used to recklessly speed down a one-way residential street in Grymes Hill on Jan. 7. Police allegedly clocked Aduba driving 90 mph in a 25-mph-zone before running a red light at the corner of Van Duzer Street and Hillside Avenue. When officers turned on their sirens in an effort to stop Aduba, he fled down Van Duzer Street and ran another red light as he passed Vanderbilt Avenue, the criminal complaint alleges. Authorities say that Aduba then continued fleeing officers by jumping onto the Staten Island Expressway and weaving in-and-out of other cars while traveling approximately 90 mph before he lost control of the stolen BMW and slammed into the guardrail of the Expressway. After crashing, Aduba allegedly tried to exit his car and run towards the other side of the Expressway before he was apprehended. When police placed Aduba in custody, it was discovered that his license has been suspended at least three times for failure to answer, appear or pay fines issued to him, according to the criminal complaint. For his alleged high-speed-evasion, Aduba faces a litany of charges including second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree reckless endangerment, among others. The district attorneys spokesman said that prior to the adoption of the bail reform laws, Aduba would have been eligible for bail after his arrest, and that it would have been requested by the District Attorneys office. However, Aduba was let free without bail and was arrested only three days later when he allegedly smashed the window of an MTA bus with a rebar, a steel construction bar, just after midnight on Jan. 10 at the corner of Richmond Terrace and Harbor Road. Police previously said that the window was shattered as a result of a shooting, but a criminal complaint indicates that Aduba smashed the window and then left the steel bar at a home on Lockman Place. About 12 hours later, an NYPD officer found Aduba at a home on Bailey Place in Mariners Harbor, but the 25-year-old man allegedly fled from police ignoring officers commands before running through a fence. When he was caught, Aduba allegedly fessed up to the crime. Yeah it was a rebar, that is me in the video, I went to the house and left it there, Aduba allegedly told police after he was caught on video surveillance dumping the piece of steel. For the most recent incident, Aduba faces multiple counts of criminal mischief, criminal trespassing and trespassing, along with one count of obstructing governmental administration for fleeing. Lawyers listed on public records as representing Aduba for the various crimes did not respond to a request for comment Monday night. Aduba was issued $5,000 bail, cash or bond, according to court records, and is due back in Richmond County criminal court on Jan. 16. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon recently highlighted the cases of David Orama and Brad McPherson, who were sentenced to 16 and 17 years to life in prison, respectively, on burglary convictions in 2019. Both recidivist felons, McMahon said, would have been set free after being taken into custody had they been arrested today under the new bail reforms. McMahon shared his concerns over the new legislation multiple times, including in a commentary on SILive.com, defining it as a slap in the face to every family that has suffered the loss of a loved one to crime. Multiple Island elected officials including Rep. Max Rose (D-New York), Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn), Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island), Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) and Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R-South Shore) have explicitly voiced concerns over the legislation, as well. In November, McMahon, alongside the acting Queens district attorney, called for Albany lawmakers to review the impact of a series of sweeping bail, criminal justice and discovery reform laws. [There is] a lack of common sense in these laws, McMahon said during the press conference. In a reversal of his recent public comments, Gov. Cuomo said on Monday that he is open to changes in the bail reform laws, according to CBS. I think something is necessary. The question is what, Cuomo said. On Dec. 3, Cuomo responded to a question regarding increased criticism for his support of the criminal justice reforms, at an event in Buffalo. It is change, and change is often opposed by the system, Cuomo said in reference to the legislation. If you make one change to the status quo, and the system has to react, and the system says, we dont want to make this change," he said. I get it. I understand the anxiety about change, but this is not a case of first impression, Cuomo said a little over a month ago. This system has been enacted by other states, and I dont think its going to have the dramatic impact that some people would suggest. Cuomo cited other states, including New Jersey, that have introduced similar though not identical legislation and the wheels did not fall off the car, adding that the laws brought more justice to the system. A report released in April by the New Jersey court system found that the reforms are working as intended. New Jerseys jail population is no longer comprised of large numbers of lower-risk defendants, charged with less serious offenses, who cannot afford to post bail, the report reads. McMahon previously decried this comparison, saying that judges in New Jersey are eligible to use discretion to set bail in cases where they believe it would be warranted. Worcester, Mass. - January 14, 2020 - Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have developed a tool to identify molecular receptors in worms that are involved in sensing pheromones related to mating, an advance that could speed up neuroscience research into pheromones by eliminating months of work. Associate professor of biology and biotechnology Jagan Srinivasan, doctoral candidate in biology Douglas K. Reilly, and researchers at Cornell University published their findings in Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom. Pheromones are chemicals produced by animals that send signals to other animals and trigger social responses, such as mating. Srinivasan and Reilly study pheromones in microscopic worms known as Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans, to better understand how the sense of smell works. Their research could have implications for human research because C. elegans has a nervous system that mimics the basic mechanisms of smell in humans, and loss of the sense of smell is associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Srinivasan and Reilly developed a process that more quickly isolates pheromone receptors in C. elegans. Receptors are specialized proteins that act as docking stations for molecules. When worms are exposed to pheromones, the pheromones latch onto the molecular receptors in the worms. Isolating a specific molecular receptor traditionally has been a long, laborious process because the worms possess more than 1,000 molecular receptors. Srinivasan described the traditional process--which takes three or four months--as hunting for a needle in a haystack. The new method he and Reilly developed takes about a month. "Here we are saving months of work, we're streamlining the process, and we're getting a targeted approach," Srinivasan said. In their study, Srinivasan and Reilly attached a chemical known as an alkyne to an ascaroside, a pheromone produced by C. elegans to attract male worms for mating. "We wanted to find a way that we could take a pheromone and link it to a probe, yet it would still be biologically active so a male would sense it and respond to it with the right receptor," Reilly said. "Then we wouldn't have to screen 1,200 receptors that are in the genome." For this study, the researchers focused on the process rather than the resulting receptor, which they said could be a subject of further research. Their probe methods could also be applied to other pheromones and to other research organisms, such as flies, to better understand how receptors function, they said. "We're looking at this mate attractant pheromone, but there are people looking at pheromones involved in foraging for food and other actions," Reilly said. "For those, we can start to ask what receptors are sensing the pheromone we're using." In addition, Srinivasan said, "Applications of this new technology could help identify receptors in parasitic nematodes that cause damage to agricultural crops." ### About Worcester Polytechnic Institute WPI, the global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPI's pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world. WPI offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across 14 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. http://www.wpi.edu Contact: Alison Duffy Director of Strategic Communications Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts 508-831-6656; 508-340-5040 (cell) amduffy@wpi.edu [January 14, 2020] Calian Announces Filing of Preliminary Base Shelf Prospectus OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calian Group Ltd. (Calian or the Company) (TSX: CGY) today announces that it has filed and obtained a receipt for its preliminary short form base shelf prospectus (the Shelf Prospectus) with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada. A copy of the Shelf Prospectus can be found on the Companys directory on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . The filing of the Shelf Prospectus, when made final, will allow Calian to qualify the distribution by way of prospectus in Canada of up to Cdn.$100 million of common shares, preferred shares, warrants, units, subscription receipts and debt securities, or any combination thereof, during the 25-month period that the Shelf Prospectus is effective. Should the Company decide to offer securities during this period, the specific terms, including the use of proceeds from any offering, will be set forth in a related prospectus supplement to the Shelf Prospectus, which will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities commissions. We are proceeding with a Shelf Prospectus, as it will provide us with further access to capital as needed, and the flexibility to capitalize on strategic expansion opportunities, said Kevin Ford, Chief Executive Officer of Calian. We have consistently demonstrated strong capital stewardship, and we expect to continue driving shareholder value through our future capital deployment. 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 these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Calian Calian employs over 3,400 people in its delivery of diverse products and solutions for private sector, government and defence customers in North American and global markets. The Companys diverse capabilities are delivered through four segments: Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and Information Technology. The Advanced Techologies segment provides innovative products, technologies and manufacturing services and solutions for the space, communications, defence, nuclear, government and agriculture sectors. The Health segment manages a network of more than 1,800 health care professionals delivering primary care and occupational health services to public and private sector clients across Canada. Learning is a trusted provider of emergency management, consulting and specialized training services and solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and clients in the defence, health, energy and other sectors. The Information Technology segment supports public- and private-sector customer requirements for subject matter expertise in the delivery of complex IT and cyber security solutions. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Companys offices and projects span Canada and international markets. For investor information, please visit Calians website at www.calian.com or contact the Company at [email protected] . Kevin Ford President and Chief Executive Officer 613-599-8600 Patrick Houston Chief Financial Officer 613-599-8600 Media inquiries: Simon Doyle 613-599-8600 x 2205. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements containing certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities law (forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as plan, continue, expect, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate, may, will, potential, proposed and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur and include, but are not to, statements regarding the filing of the final Shelf Prospectus, the filing of any potential prospectus supplement; the amount and terms of any securities to be offered, and anticipated timing of any financing under the final Shelf Prospectus. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry, the timing and filing of the final Shelf Prospectus; the potential offering of any securities by the Company; uncertainty with respect to the completion of any future offering; the ability to obtain applicable regulatory approval for any contemplated offerings; the ability of the Company to negotiate and complete future funding transactions, as well as the risks identified under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] US Attorney-General William Barr has asked Apple for help in gaining access to the date on two iPhones used by a man named Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani who is accused of shooting dead three people at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, last month. Barr made the request during a media conference on Monday at which he announced details of the incident. The FBI had already asked Apple for help last week. Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force, was attending a training course in the US. The incident has been designated a terrorist act. Barr said during a gunfight with law enforcement officials, Alshamrani fired a single round into one of the iPhones. The second iPhone was also damaged during this encounter. "Our experts at the FBI crime lab were able to fix both damaged phones so they are operational," Barr said. "However, both phones are engineered to make it virtually impossible to unlock them without the password. It is very important to know with whom and about what the shooter was communicating before he died." Barr said he had asked Apple for help in unlocking the shooters iPhones. "So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance. This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that investigators be able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause. "We call on Apple and other technology companies to help us find a solution so that we can better protect the lives of Americans and prevent future attacks." In 2016, the FBI similarly sought Apple's help in gaining access to data on an iPhone belonging to a terrorist who had killed Americans in December 2015. That finally ended up in court, with Apple refusing to do what the FBI asked: create a modified version of its iOS operating system that allowed the agency to use brute-force methods to find out the passcode on the device. In the end, the FBI obtained the data on the phone by using the services of a private company. Ukraine's farmland market: Finalized bill stipulates no more 10,000 ha per person 15:14, 14.01.20 3290 A citizen of Ukraine will be able to buy no more than 10,000 ha of farmland, even if he or she has a company that can buy land as a legal entity. Heat from the oceans could be used to power holiday resorts, coastal towns and eventually countries using offshore barges that harvest thermal energy. Global OTEC Resources, a marine energy startup from Cornwall has been given a 140,000 EU grant to build a prototype of their invention. It pulls deep freezing water from the ocean to the much warmer surface and the difference in temperature drives a turbine that generates electricity. The initial prototype will be able to generate one megawatt of power and unlike wind and solar power can run 24 hours a day, according to the company. This could help reduce the demand for fossil fuels from 'off grid' islands in warmer climates and even power whole small nation states, said CEO Dan Grech. Scroll down for video Global OTEC Resources, a marine energy startup from Cornwall, has been given a 140,000 EU grant to build a prototype of their invention Founders Dan Grech and Hayden Ashfield are in talks with the Maldives government and resorts on the island about supplying power after the trial. Currently 96 per cent of the energy produces in the Maldives comes from fossil fuels with just 4 per cent from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. The UK firm say the barges could initially be deployed to seven Maldivian island resorts to replace diesel generators. 'We are convinced of the viability of OTEC in the Maldives', said Ibrahim Nashid, Chairman of Renewable Energy Maldives. 'OTEC is the ideal energy solution that can provide base load energy and fresh water through the year in the Maldives.' Founders Dan Grech and Hayden Ashfield are in talks with the Maldives government and resorts on the island about supplying power after the trial The heat extraction technology behind the barge was first developed in the 1880s by French scientists Jacques D'Arsonval but was perfected through the 1970s and 80s. It is called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and the big innovation by Global Resources is to put it on a floating barge. The barge pulls freezing water from a depth of 3,200ft using a cold water pipe and combine it with the hot surface water to drive a turbine that produces electricity. 'These islands no longer have to depend on costly diesel imports to provide their energy', said Mr Grech. 'We are round the corner from a massively empowering renewable energy revolution and we are excited that the Maldives wants to pioneer this with us'. It is called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and the big innovation by Global Resources is to put it on a floating barge They are starting their trial in the Maldives as it is the 'perfect location' due to sitting on an ancient underwater volcano, benign weather year round and a large tourist economy. 'These three points mean that we can lower our costs much quicker than starting anywhere else in the world', said Mr Grech. 'Our first floating prototype for the Maldives will take 18 months to complete the design and build. 'We are currently in the capital Male in negotiations with various parties about the final locations It has sparked a bit of a bidding war because lots of islands are keen to be the first to be powered by the ocean!' Global Resources say it has much greater environmental advantages than fossil fuels or nuclear power and is completely renewable. The barge pulls freezing water from a depth of 3,200ft using a cold water pipe and combines it with the hot surface water to drive a turbine that produces electricity They say it also avoids the land-use problems linked to other renewable technologies such as solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power. HOW DOES OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION WORK? OTEC works by taking heat absorbed by the oceans from the Sun then turning it into electricity. Below about 3,000ft ocean water is ice-cold - about 39.2F and OTEC uses the difference between this and much warmer surface water. Warm water is used to create a fluid with a boiling point of -22F The vapour from the fluid drives a turbine attached to an electric generator Exhaust vapour from the turbine is condensed and cooled by water pumped from the cold water source below The condensed vapour is then returned to the boiler to complete a cycle that will generate electricity 24 hours a day throughout the year SOURCE: Global OTEC Resources Advertisement Unlike wind and solar power, Global Resources say OTEC technology can generate electricity 24 hours a day throughout the year. The company say that an area of tropical ocean around 38 million square miles absorbs a quadrillion mega joules of energy from the Sun every day. This is about the same as the energy from burning 170 billion barrels of oil per day. Tapping even a small proportion of this thermal energy could power small countries and coastal communities in warmer climates, according to Mr Grech. He says the longer term goal is to be able to provide power more widely as they become able to mass produce the barges. The company has attracted private investment from the UK and internationally to further develop its technology. They have also completed a number of feasibility studies including a peer-reviewed partnership with the University of Exeter. 'The temperature differential around the Maldives bodes well for OTEC applications which have a great potential to satisfy the energy demand of the archipelago', said Professor Lars Johanning from the University of Exeter, who reviewed the work. Thousands of households across Britain could see energy bills soar by as much as 190 a year as 47 fixed price deals come to an end this month, data shows. Some 142,000 customers will see their bills go up by a collective 16million if they don't switch tariff by the end of January, according to uSwitch. The average increase in energy bills will be 114 but some could see annual price hikes of 190 equivalent to a rise of 19 per cent. To avoid a shock increase, customers on fixed tariffs are advised to check when their deal comes to an end and switch before their supplier hikes the price. Act fast: Customers on fixed tariffs could find bills increasing by hundreds at the end of the month Households are already under financial strain - the Office of National Statistics showing credit card debt continues to rise whilst typical household spending rose by more than 800 extra last December, according to the Bank of England. Financial difficulties are set to continue in the new year as the longest wait for payday all year is upon us and research showing half of those already in debt find themselves in an even worse financial position following Christmas. Why it's worth switching Customers on a fixed tariff that is coming to an end who don't move to a cheaper energy deal will be automatically rolled onto their supplier's default tariff also known as the standard variable tariff. These are typically known as some of the worst value plans on the market with an average increase of 114 a year. However, those with EDF, Shell Energy and Scottish Power will see even greater hikes of 192, 175, and 146 on average, respectively. In fact, three EDF tariffs are due to end at the end of January, including its Blue+Heating Protect, Simply Fixed and Easy Online Exclusive deals. FIXED TARIFFS WITH THE BIGGEST PRICE INCREASES Supplier Tariff ending Rollover tariff Old price () New Price () Difference () EDF Energy Simply Fixed Jan20 Standard (Variable) 985 1177 192 Shell Energy First Fixed January 2020 Flexible 2 v2 1004 1178 175 ScottishPower Help Beat Cancer Fixed Saver January 2020 Online Standard 1033 1178 146 EDF Energy Blue+Heating Protect Jan20 Standard (Variable) 1042 1177 135 EDF Energy Easy Online Exclusive Jan20 Standard (Variable) 1047 1177 130 ScottishPower Help Beat Cancer Fixed Price Energy January 2020 Online Standard 1049 1178 129 npower Exclusive Fix January 2020 Standard (Paperless) 1051 1179 127 ScottishPower Help Beat Cancer Fix and Save January 2020 Online Standard 1052 1178 126 British Gas Energy Plus Protection Jan 2020 Temporary May 2021 1052 1177 125 Gulf Gas and Power Gulf Home Fixed 12 January 20 v1 Gulf Home Standard 1013 1133 120 Source: uSwitch It is expected that Ofgem, the energy watchdog, will announce at the beginning of February that the price cap will decrease somewhat from its current level of 1,179. However, this lower rate still won't take effect until 1 April and will be reviewed again in another six months. The price cap is designed to help those who are stuck on pricey SVTs but even if the cap is reduced, customers on default tariffs could still be overpaying by around 300 a year. Cordelia Samson, energy expert at uSwitch, said: 'People are already feeling the strain on their wallets after Christmas, and the last thing they need is for their energy bill to shoot up. 'Anyone whose fixed energy deal is coming to an end soon will be rolled on to an expensive Standard Variable Tariff if they don't choose a new, cheaper plan. So now is the time to take action. 'In the past six months we've seen the lowest-priced deals becoming even cheaper. 'Households can take advantage of more than 50 fixed deals available for less than 1,000 per year and switch now. 'If you switch to a fixed deal this time, make sure you also sign up for a reminder to alert you when the plan is next due to expire to keep you firmly in control of who you give your hard-earned money to.' What are the best deals? Currently, the best fixed deal on the market is with Utility Point - its Just Up 20 Wk02 Direct tariff which costs on average 828 per year. For those looking for an environmentally friendly tariff, the cheapest deal is with Gulf Gas and Power and its Gulf Home Renewable tariff, costing 831 a year. The only Big Six company with a tariff in the top ten list is EDF - its Simply Online Jun21v6 deal costs an average of 890 a year. SOLON, Ohio, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ECRM, a global leader in driving long-term, critical business relationships, has transformed its brand identity with an updated, modernized logo, signifying a new era for the company. Greg Farrar, CEO of ECRM ECRM has been helping buyers and sellers achieve success since the company was founded in 1994. In an ever-evolving marketplace, ECRM has continually been at the forefront of change, enhancing its business and processes to better serve its customers in today's increasingly fastpaced digital age. With the increasing number of new product launches and category disruptions occurring each year, staying ahead of innovation has never been more importantor more challenging. To help its customers successfully navigate these challenges, ECRM has transformed its service offering into a comprehensive, technologyenabled and hightouch suite of category management support solutions that deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness to the buying and selling process. "ECRM's consultative approach results in a much more tailored experience for buyers attending its category programs, which delivers me a productive schedule of appointments with a diverse array of qualified suppliers," said Kenneth Hausmann, Senior Category Manager - Dairy, Frozen & Bulk Foods at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market. "In addition, ECRM's RangeMe platform is a perfect digital complement to these inperson programs that extends our product discovery capabilities yearround." ECRM's new brand identity is a reflection of this transformation and the company's relentless dedication to serving its customers' needs via technology and enhanced services: Technology-Enabled Offering: To expand its capabilities, ECRM acquired RangeMe in May 2017 and has been continually integrating the product discovery platform's powerful functionality into its industry leading category programs and everyday processes. The extensive reach of the RangeMe platform allows buyers to search and access more than 150,000 suppliers, making it an essential category management tool. This online functionality seamlessly augments ECRM's category programs by expanding its reach, facilitating communication and leveraging proprietary data to drive decisionmaking capabilities. High-Touch Services: ECRM differentiates itself through continuous engagement with its customers via a large, serviceoriented Client Success team. The team's capabilities have been enriched with a newly revamped menu of category management support services specifically designed to better align buyer needs and objectives with supplier capabilities. The customer centric approach and on-demand accessibility of the Client Success team ensures more targeted and relevant connections and superior outcomes for category program customers. For suppliers, ECRM drives maximum exposure to the most relevant buyer community. "As a longtime ECRM program participant and RangeMe Premium Verified member, I've experienced firsthand how ECRM's evolution has created more diverse opportunities and expanded ROI for suppliers like myself," said Shiv Joshi, Managing Director of Greystone Premium Organic. "Its category programs put us facetoface with the right buyers in an incredibly efficient and intimate manner, and RangeMe helps extend our reach even further with additional exclusive opportunities to be discovered." ECRM's new brand identity has a design that's strong, bold and modern, yet unquestionably ECRM. "ECRM has done an amazing job adapting to fulfill its customers' needs," said Greg Farrar, CEO of ECRM. "Now is the time for the brand to embody the company that we have become." Today's ECRM brings technology, services, industry knowledge and networking together unlike anyone in the industry creating a competitive advantage for its customers. We're here making it happen, being your catalyst, your engine, your spark. ECRM isa driving force for buyers and sellers. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kurt Repola at 440-248-0990 or email at [email protected]. Contact: Kurt Repola Senior Vice President of Marketing, ECRM [email protected] 440-248-0990 SOURCE ECRM Related Links https://ecrm.marketgate.com The Beaumont Independent School District held a meeting at El Cristo Rey Catholic Church Monday to address Hispanic parents concerns about a lack of bilingual employees throughout the district and at school meetings. Despite the growing Hispanic population in BISD, many parents in attendance felt their concerns are being ignored. We are always feeling ignored because of the language, Maria Perez, who attended the meeting and has three children who attend schools in BISD, said in Spanish. At (school) meetings, they never have anyone who speaks Spanish who can help explain to us what is going on. Perez said she believes the lack of bilingual employees is part why many meetings are poorly attended. According to Texas Education Agency, in the 2018-19 school year, 25% of BISD students were Hispanic. That was a 9% increase from 2010. Currently, 79.5% of Fletcher Elementarys student population is Hispanic the highest percentage among all BISD schools. To address the lack of bilingual workers in the district, BISD this school year began offering increased pay for those who fill positions that seek bilingual applicants. BISD Human Resources Executive Director Derwin Samuels Jr. was in attendance to publicize current job openings where bilingual applicants are needed. Many of the parents, with the help of Jesus Abrego, the Director of the office of Hispanic Ministry for the Beaumont Catholic Diocese, helped set up Mondays meeting with BISD. Abrego said many of BISDs Spanish-speaking parents bring their concerns about the district to him because they trust him as a member of the church. This is the reason I have been working with the parents to be a voice for them, Abrego said. The last time BISD held a similar meeting was in spring 2019. Another meeting was scheduled for earlier this school year, but BISD Superintendent Shannon Allen said Tropical Depression Imelda forced its postponement. A few parents pressed Allen at a discipline forum in November 2019 about rescheduling the meeting for BISDs Hispanic parents. Imelda happened, which derailed the time line and calendar, Allen said. We had a discipline forum where we met with several parents and the concern was Dr. Allen, youre never with us again. I charged the team to set up a meeting: Tell me the day and time, Im gonna be there. Mondays meeting began at 1:30 p.m., and Perez said she had to get off work to attend. I had to leave work early. A lot of parents work (at 1 p.m.), Perez said in Spanish. I would have liked if they chose a later time because a lot of parents could not make it because of work. About 20 parents attended. Perez said she was certain more people would have shown up if the meeting had been scheduled later. Abrego said the early meeting time was set by BISD. Allen said the time was agreed upon by parents and the district. Some of the BISD administrators in attendance to address any individual concerns included Allen, BISD Supervisor of Parent Involvement Alberto Iglesias, Samuals Jr., Principal In-Residence Dr. Aaron Convington and Bilingual and English Second Language District Coordinators Blanca Jones and Julie Smith. BISD will host a Bilingual Parent Resources Night at Fletcher Elementary on Jan. 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Another meeting with Hispanic parents was not decided on but is expected to occur sometime before the end of the school year. Ive been here many years hearing the same thing that were said today, Abrego said in Spanish on whether Mondays meeting showed progress by BISD. They keep telling us theyre going to do things, but they never tell us when theyre going to do it. jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com Debates at Toronto city hall over new taxes are usually dangerous affairs. Taxes, implemented carelessly, can hurt people who are already struggling with the cost of living in our stupidly expensive city. For Mayor John Tory and city councillors, new taxes can also be bad politics one wrong move and their re-election hopes are toast. So Tory and council will be glad to hear their next major debate on a new tax will be super simple. Stress-free. Just kick back and vote for it. There should be no doubt about taxing the hell out of vacant homes. The notion of a vacant home tax is back in the news these days after Councillor Ana Bailao pitched the idea of including one in the citys 2020 budget, along with an increase to the municipal land transfer tax charged on luxury homes. The citys budget, unveiled in draft form last Friday, is balanced but wobbly. It relies on some assumptions about provincial and federal funding that may not materialize, and even with Torys increase to property taxes to pay for transit and housing it still shows the repair backlogs for infrastructure getting worse. Some extra cash could create some breathing room. And a tax on empty homes looks to be an ideal way to get it. I was a skeptic when city hall first studied the notion of taxing unused property in 2017, but the experience of our pals in Vancouver has been educational. Their Empty Homes Tax, approved in 2016, is simple. Every person who owns a house or condo needs to complete a form each year declaring that their property is either occupied or vacant. If youre just letting your property sit empty for more than six months of the year, you are subject to a tax currently set at 1.25% of the assessed value. Enforcement isnt complicated either. Each year, some homes are selected for audit. If property owners havent been truthful, the city will charge a whopping $10,000 a day until the mistake is fixed. Easy, right? And its paying off. According to the most recent numbers, released in November, Vancouver has raised $39.7 million in net revenue since it implemented the tax. At the same time, the tax has also seemed to motivate some property owners to stop being lazy and start finding tenants. The number of declared vacant homes dropped by 22 per cent. Its impossible to say exactly how much a tax like this would raise in Toronto, but its a safe bet there are a lot of empty homes in the city that would be paying up. A 2018 city hall report found that between 15,000 to 28,000 of Torontos approximately 752,000 homes have low water and hydro usage, suggesting they could be vacant. Last fall, a Toronto resident used a camera setup to watch for lights inside units at five downtown condo buildings and estimated an unoccupied rate of 5.6 per cent. Some owners of vacant units may have legitimate reasons for not using them. They could be in the hospital, or the homes may be in the process of being renovated. Exemptions should be permitted in these cases. But many empty homes are undoubtedly owned by people who are using them as part of an investment portfolio holding them until theyre ready to cash in. Those owners deserve no sympathy. They are taking houses out of Torontos strained housing market. It takes a lot of gall to leave a perfectly good home vacant while more than 7,000 people are sleeping in shelters or on the street each night. So city hall should not delay. Council should approve a vacant home tax with its 2020 budget and put the money toward affordable housing, shelters and the parts of the budget that could use a boost. Let there be no tolerance for landlords who shelter only their own wealth. Tax them and tax them hard. WASHINGTON - Amid reports of anti-government protests in Iran last weekend, President Donald Trump issued a series of tweets aimed at pressuring Tehran, demanding that human rights groups be allowed in to "monitor and report" on the unrest. "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown," Trump wrote in both Farsi and English, his rare use of a foreign language making the challenge to Iran's leadership more pointed. "The world is watching." Several hours later in Hong Kong, Kenneth Roth, the executive director of U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, was denied entry after landing at the airport. A Chinese government spokesman in Beijing said the ban was the nation's "sovereign right" given such groups' support of mass pro-democracy protests since last summer. Trump was silent on Roth's plight. To much of the world, the protests in Hong Kong and Tehran have reflected similar frustrations of ordinary citizens over the control, repression and lack of accountability of authoritarian regimes. Reports of strong-armed tactics being used by authorities to suppress the uprisings in Tehran - which flared anew after the Iranian military admitted it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 on board, amid a military operation against the United States - echoed some of the bloodier confrontations in Hong Kong. But to Trump, the twin flash points prompted markedly different rhetorical responses, reflecting a president who has consistently used the promotion of human rights in a tactical and transactional manner, aimed primarily at winning concessions on security or trade, rather than as a broader expression of western-style democratic values. In the past few days, he had jumped all in to offer solidarity with the protesters in Iran, while he has been decidedly more circumspect on the situation in Hong Kong. "Human rights principles are strong principles because they apply to everybody. When Trump picks and chooses where to promote human rights, he undermines the credibility of the U.S. government's voice," said Roth, who had intended to release a report critical of Beijing's at a news conference in Hong Kong. "I don't want to belittle the importance of the U.S. government support for Iran's protesters, but that would be much more effective if it was applied in a more principled way," Roth added. "It's so easy to respond to Trump by claiming that he's instrumentalizing human rights - using human rights as simply another tool in a battle with the clerics." Trump's stream of tweets and retweets in support of the Iranian protesters over the past three days came as the administration redoubled its maximum pressure campaign on Tehran in the wake of the military confrontation last week that resulted in the U.S. drone killing of Iran's top general and Iran's firing of a dozen ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops on the night the Ukrainian plane was shot down. The president also appeared eager to use the unfolding demonstrations in Iran's capital to score political points against Democrats, as he sought to paint House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as supportive of the Iranian regime amid their criticism of his foreign policy - and their efforts to impeach him. Democrats have accused Trump of recklessly pulling the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration and many couched their support for the protesters by emphasizing their displeasure with Trump's policies and recent actions toward Iran. "I support the right of the people of Iran to peacefully protest against their corrupt government. But this isn't about us," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tweeted. "We should support them, including by lifting the Muslim Ban - not try to engineer regime change or recklessly risk a war." On Sunday, Trump dropped in another tweet in Farsi - translating an earlier tweet warning Iranian leaders, "DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS" - amid an angry tweetstorm about impeachment as the Sunday political talk shows were underway. Trump's Republican allies clipped a response from Pelosi on ABC's "This Week" program in which she said "there are different reasons why people are in the streets" to suggest she did not believe the protesters were denouncing the ruling regime. Trump retweeted several posts from Twitter users - including several accounts with vague origins - referencing the Iran protests and employing the hashtag #NancyPelosiFakeNews. Among them was a post featuring a doctored image of Schumer wearing a turban and Pelosi a hijab, with text accusing them of rushing "to the Ayatollah's rescue" - a meme that drew condemnation from Muslim Americans. "Why the actual hell is the president of the United States using the way I and millions of other Americans dress and the religious beliefs that We hold as a slur," wrote Hend Amry, a well-known Twitter voice. By comparison, Trump has been far more reserved on the Hong Kong protests over Beijing's attempt to impose stricter legal controls despite the long-standing "one country, two systems" governing approach to the island. Though Trump has struck occasional notes of support for the protesters - including at a speech at the U.N. General Assembly last fall - he has been careful not to directly criticize President Xi Jinping amid ongoing trade negotiations. Trump has praised Xi's leadership and suggested that a leader called more ruthless than any Chinese head since Mao Zedong meet with the protesters. Last fall, Trump tweeted congratulations to China on the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule, a message posted hours after a protester in Hong Kong was shot by authorities. He has left it to Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to offer more direct critiques of Beijing's human rights record. Samuel Chu, the managing director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, said he has emphasized to partners in Hong Kong that, given Trump's transactional nature, "it is our job to align, as closely as possible, the administration's political interests with our interests. It's not for us to trust that this administration is going to do the right thing." Given Trump's interest in a trade deal with Beijing, Chu said, his group focused much of their lobbying efforts on Congress. That strategy paid off in November when lawmakers passed a measure with veto-proof majorities that requires the Trump administration to sanction Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Hong Kong. Trump signed the bill into law, though in doing so he emphasized his friendship with Xi. This week, Trump will participate in a signing ceremony for a "phase one" trade deal with China. Andrea Prasow, the Washington director of Human Rights Watch, said Trump's inconsistent approach to human rights and protesters has undermined the United States' ability to build coordinated, international pressure on oppressive regimes. Though Trump led a robust sanctions campaign on North Korea during his first year, he has since played down human rights issues since engaging in nuclear negotiations directly with dictator Kim Jong Un. And he has voiced almost no concerns with human rights abuses by Saudi Arabia as he builds a close relationship with the Kingdom's leaders. "Trump is seen as so unpredictable and so transactional that it does not help build what Iran could really benefit from: international consensus," Prasow said. "The initial reaction is that, 'Hey, he's talking about human rights!' But it's counterproductive when it's coming from this administration, knowing that it will be only be instrumentalized - and that it can turn on a dime." The Big Falcon Rocket, which was subsequently renamed Starship, has a launch target of this year, according to the SpaceX website. Widely known as a high-rolling art collector, Maezawa announced in 2018 that he planned to take six to eight artists with him on the moon voyage and inspire them to create new art a project he called "Dear Moon." "What I want to do is show the people of Earth just how beautiful our planet is by taking artists up there, so that they can convey that beauty to the world," he previously told CNN. 'A special someone' Writing on his website, Maezawa said he thought the lunar trip was a good chance to "seriously face up the idea of 'continuing to love one woman' which I'd only really had a hazy image about." He pointed out that dueling had been used 'as recently as 1818 in British court' A man locked in a court battle with his former wife has requested trial by combat with Japanese swords to solve the dispute. David Ostrom, 40, from Paola, Kansas said he would give his ex-wife Bridgette Ostrom, 38, the choice of an attorney or a 'stand-in fighter' to battle him. He argued in court documents that dueling had never been 'explicitly banned or restricted' in the United States. He pointed out to the Iowa District Court in Shelby County that the method had been used 'as recently as 1818 in British Court.' David Ostrom, 40, has requested trial by combat with Japanese swords. He pointed out to the Iowa District Court in Shelby County that the method had been used 'as recently as 1818 in British Court' (Stock image) Ostrom told the Des Moines Register that his inspiration came from a 2016 case in which New York Supreme Court Justice Philip Minardo admitted that duels had not been abolished. In the documents, Ostrom expressed a desire to meet his ex-wife and her attorney 'on the field of battle where (he) will rend their souls from their corporal bodies.' He added that his wife, from Harlan, had 'destroyed (him) legally.' He asked Iowa District Court to give him 12 weeks 'lead time' to allow him to source or forge katana and wakizashi swords. Iowa District Court in Shelby County. The court is yet to rule on either party's motion His former wife's attorney, Matthew Hudson, filed a resistance to the request, pointing out that Mr Ostrom had spelt 'corporeal' incorrectly and adding: 'Although (Ostrom) and potential combatant do have souls to be rended, they respectfully request that the court not order this done.' Hudson argued that a duel could end in one or both parties dying, which would be disproportionate to custody and property tax issues. He asked the court to order Ostrom undergo psychological treatment. Ostrom, in response, admitted to the spelling mistake but denied any mental health issues. Iowa District Court is yet to rule on either party's motion. If you were this person and think 'well all I know for sure is I have three cows, seven goats and some soy beans and I don't go back and take care of them, I know I'm screwed,' than someone telling you to stay away for two weeks and maybe nothing happens - you're in trouble anyway." Dottid, a Dallas, TX-based commercial real estate (CRE) proptech company, raised $3.85m in seed funding. Backers included: David Ridley, Founder and former CEO of Invesco Real Estate, Laurie Dotter, current investment board member for two public Texas pension funds, and David Farmer, former COO of Invesco Real Estate. Dottid aims to revolutionize the CRE industry one business at a time by streamlining the leasing transaction process, allowing owners, brokers, and tenants to close more deals faster and with lower costs, saving millions in lost revenue and valuable time, and ultimately creating a better customer experience for the tenant. Led by Founder and CEO Kyle Waldrep, and Chief Technology Officer, Senecca Miller, Dottid provides a SaaS technology platform which provides a single location for owners, brokers, and tenants to seamlessly transact throughout the leasing process. The company has also built a team of advisors such as: Jonathan Crowder, Partner at Intelis Capital; Don Goldstein, former CIO and CISO of CBRE; Brian Liikala, former Portfolio Manager for the State of Michigan Retirement Systems; and Catherine Rodewald, former President of Prudential Asset Resources Inc. FinSMEs 13/01/2020 While precise statistics are hardly available, a new survey has suggested that it could take a dramatic shift for Nigerians to start linking mental disorders to natural causes. The survey conducted by Africa Polling Institute in collaboration with EpiAFRIC found that there is still widespread belief linking mental disorders to supernatural causes including witchcraft, demonic possession, and even punishment from gods. Nigerians identified possession by an evil spirit as one among three major causes of mental disorders, the study released on Tuesday revealed. Other identified causes are drug abuse and sickness of the mind. The survey revealed that of over 5,000 adults interviewed last September in all senatorial districts and states across the country, including the Federal Capital, 55 per cent of respondents in rural areas view mental health disease as possession by evil spirits. Punishment from God More findings showed that women are more likely to view mental disorder as a punishment from God than men. A psychiatrist, Aremu Saad, said over 20 per cent of Nigerians suffer from different forms of mental illness. Because of misconceptions and links to supernatural causes, many sufferers turn to traditional healers, reputable for applying mundane methods such as exorcisms beating, roping, and chaining. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The global health agency said one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions. Poor perception Poor knowledge of mental illness, its causes and characteristics among Nigerians has been a major hurdle to improving mental health in the country, the study also noted. The assessment also revealed that most Nigerians are aware of mental health diseases but mostly recognise and connect with its overt signs much more than covert signs. At least 70 per cent of respondents believe mental health disease is, when someone starts running around naked. Experts said this misconception is fueling a culture of stigma and discrimination which has allows some silent but debilitating mental disorders such as depression to flourish. Depression is a common mental disorder and one of the main causes of disability worldwide, yet its symptoms are barely noticed unlike the typical lunatic in tattered rags by the roadside. According to WHO, depression is characterised by sadness, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth. It can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing peoples ability to function at work or school and to cope with daily life. An ex-adviser to Donald Trump's presidential transition team and key witness in former Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election has pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes involving minors. George Nader, a 60-year-old Middle East specialist with close ties to the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, admit to possessing child pornography and bringing an underage boy to the US for commercial sex during a court hearing on Monday. Explicit videos depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers were discovered on his phone in January 2018, when FBI agents examined the devices as part of their probe into Russian election meddling. Nader, who has been described by prosecutors as a lifelong paedophile, served Mr Trump during his transition to the presidency as an informal foreign policy adviser. His testimony in the Russia investigation has been attributed with undermining previous claims about a meeting between a supporter of Mr Trump and a Russian banker linked to Vladimir Putin, that at first was said to have been a chance encounter and later found to likely have been a coordinated rendezvous. His name appears over 100 times throughout the special counsels report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller investigation: The key figures Show all 12 1 /12 Mueller investigation: The key figures Mueller investigation: The key figures Robert Mueller is the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, and potential obstruction of justice by the president. Mr Mueller has a pristine reputation in Washington, where he was previously in charge of the FBI. Throughout his investigation, he and his team have been notoriously tight lipped about what they know and where their investigation has led. REUTERS Mueller investigation: The key figures Former FBI director James Comey was the catalyst that led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Mr Comey was fired by the president after Mr Trump reportedly asked him to drop his own Russia investigation. Mr Trump has long maintained that the investigation is a "witch hunt". AFP/Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein had authority over the special counsel investigation for much of the two years it has been active. Mr Rosenstein found himself with that responsibility after then-attorney general Jeff Sessions recused himself from that oversight. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney general Jeff Sessions's decision to recuse himself from oversight of the special counsel investigation may have cost him his job in the end. Mr Sessions resigned last year, after weathering a contentious relationship with Donald Trump who vocally criticised his attorney general for taking a step back. Mr Sessions recused himself from the oversight citing longstanding Justice Department rules to not be involved in investigations overseeing campaigns that officials were apart of. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney General William Barr is currently responsible for oversight of the special counsel investigation. Mr Barr's office will be the first to receive the Mueller report when it is finished. His office will then determine what portion or version of that report should be delivered to Congress, and also made public. EPA Mueller investigation: The key figures Michal Cohn is the president's former personal lawyer, who has been helping the special counsel investigation as a part of a plea deal over financial crimes, and campaign finance crimes, he has pleaded guilty to. Among those crimes, Cohen admitted to facilitating $130,000 in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Cohen has said he did so at the direction of Mr Trump. Cohen has also admitted that he maintained contacts with Russian officials about a potential Trump real estate project in Moscow for months longer than Mr Trump and others admitted. The talks continued well into 2016 during the campaign, he has said. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Stormy Daniels has alleged that she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006, soon after Melania Trump gave birth to Baron Trump. The accusation is of particular importance as a result of the $130,000 hush money payment she received to keep quiet about the affair during the 2016 campaign. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Paul Manafort was Donald Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort was charged alongside Rick Gates for a slew of financial crimes, and was convicted on several counts in a Virginia court. He then pleaded guilty to separate charges filed in a Washington court. Manafort has been sentenced to just 7.5 years in prison for his crimes in spite of recommendations from the special counsel's office for a much harsher sentence. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures George Papadopoulos was one of the first individuals associated with the Trump campaign to be charged by the Mueller probe. He ultimately received a 14 day prison sentence for lying to investigators about contacts he had with Russian officials. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Roger Stone is a well known political fixer and operative, who has made a name for himself for some dirty tactics. He has been charged by the Mueller probe earlier this year, and he has been said to have had prior knowledge that WikiLeaks planned on publishing stolen emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016. Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Rick Gates was charged alongside former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for a range of crimes. Gates, who worked alongside Manafort for a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party. The two were charged with conspiracy and financial crimes. Gates pleaded guilty. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was one of the first casualties of the Russia scandal, and was forced out of his position in the White House weeks after Donald Trump took office. Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to "willfully" making fraudulent statements about contacts he had with Russian officials including former Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Flynn then lied to Vice President Mike Pence about that contact. REUTERS Naders sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April. He has been held in jail since a judge determined he was too dangerous to be released on bail in June of last year, CNN reported. The US Justice Department has recommended Nader receive 10 years in prison the mandatory minimum sentence available in cases involving child pornography charges. Recommended Prosecutors reveal threats Roger Stone wrote to Mueller witness Nader pleaded guilty to bringing a 14-year-old child into the country in 2000 from the Czech Republic. Additional charges against him over transporting child pornography were dismissed in court on Monday. He also previously pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in 1991, and convicted of sexually abusing minors in 10 different cases in the Czech Republic, where he served a one-year prison sentence in 2003. Nader has argued that his plea deal preserves his right to appeal the latest conviction against him, though he would still be subject to the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years under US federal law. He has also been charged with seven other conspirators allegedly involved in illegally wiring over $3.5m (2.7m) in political donations to Mr Trumps former 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton. The high court, on 10 January, had refused to entertain another plea seeking directions for removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh here in order to clear road blockages that are causing traffic congestions at the DND route. Saying that it is the responsibility of the police to manage traffic, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday disposed of an application seeking directions on the removal of barricades from Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj stretch, which has been closed since 15 December due to ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). #NewsAlert Delhi High Court disposes the application seeking court directions to remove barricades in Shaheen Bagh.@mitrasouvik123 with details.#CitizenshipShowdown pic.twitter.com/49QgsCJV8h News18 (@CNNnews18) January 14, 2020 "It ought to be kept in mind that whenever any agitation or protest is going on, situation is like fluid keep on changing looking to the temperament of the protesters and resistances by other people. Simultaneously, police has to maintain the law and order. Hence, the respondents have all power, jurisdiction and authority to control the traffic, wherever protests or agitations are going on, in the larger public interest. In such a situation, no specific writ, order or direction can be issued by this Court as to handle the agitation or protest or the place of protest and the traffic. It all depends upon the ground reality and the wisdom of the police, where situations may keep changing every 10 minutes," read the Delhi High Court order. On Monday, the Delhi High Court had agreed to hear a PIL seeking to open Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch. The petition, filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni, said the road closure is "causing huge inconvenience/hardship to lakhs of commuters every day and they are compelled to take different routes for last one month". The plea was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar which listed it for hearing on Tuesday. The petition sought direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to withdraw the closure of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh Stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on 15 December, 2019, for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is quite crucial as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters who use these roads are forced to take alternative routes Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, it said. The plea said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing. It claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Sahni said he has given representation to the authorities on 3 January but, no action has been taken till date. Besides Delhi Police, the plea has made the Centre and the Delhi government as parties, seeking from them requisite assistance to the police in addressing the issue. Due to the heavy traffic on alternative routes, it takes 15-20 minutes for people to cross just one traffic signal at Ashram, it said. Citing several news reports, it said that on an average, Ashram Chowk is used by around 30,000 vehicles every day. With the Kalindi Kunj road closure, an additional 1 lakh vehicles are flowing through the intersection. The high court, on 10 January, had refused to entertain another plea seeking directions for removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh here in order to clear road blockages that are causing traffic congestions at the DND route. In December, 2019, a plea was filed in the high court by advocate Bajrang Vats seeking to remove physically challenged protesters from the periphery of Mandi House and direction to open roads affected by their demonstrations for general traffic. The court had directed that the petition be treated as representation by the authorities and to be decided in accordance with law, keeping in mind the permissions given by the police to the protestors, effect on the traffic and inconvenience caused to the public at large. With inputs from PTI NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiple Sclerosis - Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2028 Summary Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05838953/?utm_source=PRN Multiple Sclerosis (MS) therapeutics market has entered an exciting phase, with an upsurge of available treatment options and several promising late-stage pipeline products offering diverse mechanisms of action (MOA). The latest research report "Multiple Sclerosis: Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2028" expects the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) market to grow in sales from $19.8bn in 2018 to $32.9bn in 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%, due to the launch of 11 new pipeline agents providing more options for patients and stimulating further competition. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a primary autoimmune disease with a mechanism involving recurrent inflammatory attacks on the central nervous system (CNS) due to a dysfunctional immune system, leading to neurological disability.Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is primarily considered an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the CNS, and is characterized by lymphocyte and macrophage infiltrates, as well as glial cell activation. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients are generally grouped into four major categories on the basis of the disease course. These categories are Relapse-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS), Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), and Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PRMS). The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pipeline is strong and diverse with a total of 49 products in all stages and phases of clinical development, of which 24 are early-stage and 25 are in the late-stage pipeline.Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a significant focus for product development, with seven of the late-stage products targeting this patient group as an initial indication. There is currently a distinct lack of Disease Modifying Therapies (DMT) options for patients with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) subtypes, and these populations remain significantly underserved. The 11 new pipeline agents have a broad range of MOA, including anti-CD20 antibodies, three second generation S1P receptor modulators, an anti-LINGO-1 antibody, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a Repulsive Guidance Molecule A (RGMA) Inhibitor and antioxidants. Further, 14 late-stage drug products will launch in the seven major markets (7MM - US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and Japan) during, or shortly after, the forecast period from 2018 to 2028. While physicians might be persuaded that there may be some advantages of the newer generation, the pipeline developers may find it difficult to persuade payers, or insurance companies to use their drug over fingolimod generics, especially in the US, where branded drug prices are high. The current Multiple Sclerosis (MS) market is highly competitive, with 14 available treatment options, most of which are immunomodulatory agents.The majority of approved treatments address the inflammatory and systemic origins of the disease, but few possess neuroprotective effects and, as such, have an insufficient impact on the underlying neurologic deterioration caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Remyelination strategies could prove revolutionary for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as they address a key pathophysiological aspect of the disease that is thought to contribute to the accrual of permanent disability. The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) market is heading towards earlier and more aggressive therapies, with studies in the US questioning whether people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who are recently diagnosed should already go on with one of the monoclonal antibody therapies. Scope - Overview of Multiple Sclerosis, including epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and disease management. - Annualized Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics market revenue, cost of therapy per patient, and treatment usage patterns in three patient segments (RRMS, SPMS and PPMS) forecast from 2018 to 2028. - Key topics covered include strategic competitor assessment, market characterization, unmet needs, clinical trial mapping and implications for the Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics market - Pipeline analysis: comprehensive data assessing emerging trends and mechanisms of action under development for Multiple Sclerosis therapy. The most promising candidates in Phase III development are profiled. - Analysis of the current and future market competition in the global Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics market. Insightful review of the key industry drivers, restraints and challenges. Each trend is independently researched to provide qualitative analysis of its implications. Reasons to buy The report will enable you to - - Develop and design your in-licensing and out-licensing strategies through a review of pipeline products and technologies, and by identifying the companies with the most robust pipeline. - Develop business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the global Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics market. - Drive revenues by understanding the key trends, innovative products and technologies, market segments, and companies likely to impact the global Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics market in the future. - Formulate effective sales and marketing strategies by understanding the competitive landscape and by analysing the performance of various competitors. - Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolios and create effective counter-strategies to gain a competitive advantage. - Organize your sales and marketing efforts by identifying the market categories and segments that present maximum opportunities for consolidations, investments and strategic partnerships. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05838953/?utm_source=PRN 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 NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To prepare for the transition into Windows 7 End of Life, Cynerio is offering hospitals a complementary risk assessment until February 14, 2020. Connected medical devices are the weakest link in healthcare security and the prevalence of devices running on the Windows 7 operating system puts hospitals at even greater risk of cyber attack. The assessment will provide hospitals with a comprehensive inventory of their healthcare IoT ecosystems, and a detailed analysis of unsupported operating systems running on specific devices. Vendors like Siemens, Roche, Philips, and GE have relied on Windows operating systems for years and today, nearly 50% of all medical devices running on Windows use Windows 7. Due to the long life cycles of medical devices critical to patient care, more than 20% of all device models in the global medical ecosystem now run on the unsupported operating system. This includes a significant portion of imaging devices, placing radiology departments at even higher risk. The Cynerio solution integrates with hospital networks and immediately provides a 360 view into device inventory, complete with profiles on operating systems, vendors, and communication behaviors. The risk assessment identifies and flags vulnerabilities on the network, evaluates device criticality to workflow and care delivery, and determines which devices and departments are most at risk. Cynerio then provides robust and enforceable cybersecurity strategies customized to hospitals' unique network infrastructures and workflows. "No device is risk free, especially network-connected devices. Medical devices are the weakest link: they are not designed with security in mind, have extensive lifecycles, and often cannot afford any downtime," states Leon Lerman, Cynerio's CEO and co-founder. "Cybersecurity is an ever-changing landscape and today's Windows 7 end-of-life only adds to the inherent weaknesses of hospital networks. If a device responsible for critical care is vulnerable, patients are at risk. It's more important now than ever for hospitals to know their risk and to take educated measures to secure their networks and patients." Cynerio is the world's premier medical-first cybersecurity IoT solution. We view cybersecurity as a standard part of patient care and provide healthcare delivery organizations with the insight and tools they need to secure clinical ecosystems and achieve long-term, scalable threat remediation without disrupting operations or the delivery of care. For more information, please contact us . Contacts: Spicetree Communications Wes Rogers t: +1-912-506-0869 e. [email protected] SOURCE Cynerio Drivers in Northern Ireland contested at least 200 parking tickets last year, new figures show. Stock image Drivers in Northern Ireland contested at least 200 parking tickets last year, new figures show. The British Parking Association (BPA) extended the right to appeal parking fines to Northern Ireland and Scotland on May 1 last year. By September 30, 200 local drivers had challenged their fines, as well as 835 penalised parkers in Scotland. Common excuses include entering the wrong registration number, failing to understand instructions on signs and confusion about the grace periods allowed before and after parking. The figures were released by an independent body set up to handle appeals, Parking on Private land Appeals (POPLA). Lead adjudicator John Gallagher said drivers were "more aware than ever" of their right to appeal, with four in ten fines (40%) now being overturned across the UK. This is partly down to a rise in privately owned car parks and number plate recognition cameras. Mr Gallagher said he usually can't help drivers caught out by "unforeseen circumstances" as appeals were based on fact and law. There was room, however, to refer back cases "where we see genuine special circumstances". This included one driver who was fined for being late as his hospital surprised him with an emergency blood transplant. "If a motorist feels they have a strong case, we would encourage them to appeal to us. "We would also recommend that they provide as much information and evidence as possible to help their case," said Mr Gallagher. POPLA's annual report for 2019 showed that of 79,962 appeals across the UK, a total of 32,012 fines had been cancelled. This was down to the appeal being allowed or parking operators not contesting the challenge. Steve Clark, BPA's head of business operations, said: "We applaud the launch of POPLA into Scotland and Northern Ireland, allowing motorists there the chance to have their cases independently considered." The New Zealand Transport Agency is warning people to be on the lookout for a scam vehicle licence email currently back in circulation. While the email appears to be a standard vehicle licensing renewal reminder, with the NZ Transport Agency logo and links to the online transaction website, it is part of a sophisticated phishing exercise. If youve recently received an email asking you to renew your rego, please check the email details carefully," says a NZTA spokesperson. Genuine Transport Agency emails always use an nzta.govt.nz suffix. If the email was genuinely sent from the Transport Agency, it will include your specific vehicle details including: Your vehicles plate number. Vehicle make. The expiry date of your current vehicle licence. If the email does not include your specific vehicle details, do not complete the online renewal transaction webpage that the email takes you to. If you thing youve received a scam email, or youre unsure, please call us on 0800 108 809. If you have unintentionally clicked on a suspicious link and entered your credit card or banking details, we recommend you: Contact your bank immediately and have them stop any payments that may have been made. You may also need to request a new credit/debit card. Report the email to your local Police cyber-crime division. Go to the netsafe website and read their advisories. It is a very helpful resource for cyber safety. www.netsafe.org.nz Do not delete the email. Instead, put it in your junk mail folder in case the Police need it for further examination. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:01:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- East China's Zhejiang Province concluded 1,425 cases related to mafia-style crimes last year and convicted 3,968 criminals, the provincial higher people's court said. Among the convicted, 1,198 were given prison terms of more than five years. Li Zhanguo, president of the provincial higher people's court, said the rule of law has been prioritized during the strengthened crackdown on mafia-style crimes in the province, to make sure that handling procedures and trial standards are uniform and just. Himachal Pradesh has made it to the Guiness Book of World Records for preparing the largest quantity of khichdi that had to be tilted out of its enormous container with a crane in order to be served to devotees on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. A team of 25 chefs cooked 1995 kg of the dish at Tattapani in Mandi district in a vessel weighing 270 kg, with the dimensions of four feet depth and seven feet diameter, that was especially acquired from Jagadhari in Haryana, said the state's tourism director Yunus Khan. The chefs' team from Holiday Home hotel in Shimla took five hours -- from 4 AM to 9 AM -- to prepare the stew, said deputy general manager of the hotel Nand Lal Sharma. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur accepted the certificate on behalf of the state's Tourism and Civil Aviation department from Guiness World Records for preparing the largest-ever 'bean and rice' dish. Earlier, the record for making the largest amount of khichdi -- 918.8 kg -- was held by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor after he had represented the Indian ministry of food processing industries at an event in New Delhi on November 4, 2017, said Rishi Nath, an adjudicator of the Guiness World Records. As the khichdi container was too heavy to be carried even by many people, a crane brought it at Tattapani from Jagadhari. After the khichdi was cooked, the crane was also used to tilt the vessel to bring the dish out for serving it to the devotees who took a holy dip at the Sutlej river at Tattapani. The Chief Minister said the world record at Tattapani would further develop the place as a tourism hotspot. Kimmi Sood, a Shimla councillor, told PTI the annual tradition of serving khichdi to devotees at Tattapani was started by her relatives in 1926 and has been going on ever since. Now, this tradition is being carried out under the aegis of Durga Devi Bihari Lal Virochan Lal Trust, she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Criminal Court resolved that the Supreme Resolution No. 281-2017-JUS signed by ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski which had granted a presidential pardon for humanitarian reasons has no legal effect. Republican Sen. Rand Paul offered a warning to his colleagues as they began debating whether to hear from witnesses like John Bolton in President Donald Trumps imminent impeachment trial. Dont think you can just vote for Bolton and not the witnesses Trump wants, Paul told senators at a party lunch last week, according to two attendees and two people briefed on the meeting. He advised that incumbent senators conservative base would be enraged if vulnerable lawmakers were seen as undercutting Trump. The blunt advice from Paul laid bare the GOPs perilous task in handling Trumps impeachment trial in an election year, all while the president delivers stage directions on his Twitter account. Trump over the weekend first requested that House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and even Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear as witnesses, then argued a few hours later that the trial should be dismissed summarily before it begins. At different times the president has expressed different views. But I wouldnt get too distracted by an intervening tweet, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is close to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This is about Chuck Schumer getting 2020 Republican incumbents into tough voting situations, Cornyn added in reference to Schumers vow to force motions to subpoena witnesses. It wont surprise you that were thinking about that too and how to avoid that as much as possible. The GOP has tried to stay focused on its game plan to shut down Democratic hopes of locking in witnesses at the outset of the trial, but its become increasingly clear the party will face an internal reckoning during the trial as it defends its Senate majority and faces a president who demands complete loyalty. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has sent GOP leaders a message that they cant assume she will try to move through the trial as quickly as possible and ignore the possibility of hearing new evidence. And shes not alone. Story continues Take Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who is retiring at the end of the year. He says he might vote to hear witnesses if I needed to. Or I might not. Or I might. My view is we should hear the case, ask our questions and then have a vote on whether we need to hear additional witnesses or call for additional documents, said Alexander. Its important to have a vote on whether we have witnesses or not. Republicans are preparing a resolution establishing trial rules that would punt those decisions until after hearing the opening arguments from House impeachment managers and Trumps attorneys. McConnell (R-Ky.) is expected to finalize that language on Tuesday with his conference, and it will be substantially similar to the language governing former President Bill Clintons impeachment trial, according to a person familiar with discussion. Ultimately in that trial, the Senate subpoenaed three witnesses for depositions after opening arguments. McConnell has to balance his approach to the Trump trial between GOP hard-liners who want an immediate vote to dismiss the case and his more moderate members, such as Collins, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah, who want to retain the ability to call witnesses for additional evidence. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is surrounded by reporters as she heads to vote at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) I have been working for and advocating that we follow that model. And that we have language in the governing [rules] setting up the parameters of the trial that would allow for a vote on whether or not we should have witnesses subpoenaed and documented provided, Collins told reporters on Monday evening. Shes been speaking with GOP colleagues about the matter and said the discussions have been going well, though its a group that might be able to fit into a couple of phone booths. Still, even just three GOP senators could keep the trial from moving forward under McConnells preferred path. And both Collins and Romney said they will not move to immediately dismiss the trial, essentially blowing up Trumps Twitter trial balloon. Republicans control 53 seats and 51 votes are required to approve motions. Trump indicated consistently for the previous weeks that ... he deserves an opportunity to get a fair hearing, make his case and I think thats ultimately what will happen, said Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of GOP leadership. The ensuing votes could get even more interesting. Im not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments. But I presume Ill be voting for that after, Romney told reporters. McConnell privately notes to other senators that his approach doesnt foreclose the possibility of calling witnesses. But it does allow the Senate to begin the trial and move toward a resolution of the political crisis that has consumed Trump and Capitol Hill for months. So while McConnell and his deputies appeared to deploy a hard-line whipping strategy last week to lock up the votes to ignore Schumers initial demands, GOP leaders have turned to a far softer approach as the impeachment trial prepares to open in the coming days. We want to have the Clinton rule applied to the beginning of the process and then deal with issue of witnesses at a later stage, said Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.). I dont think theres any questions that there will probably be that vote at some point. But while Romney might like to hear from Bolton, theres also a wing of Trump loyalists like Paul (R-Ky.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who argue that, if witnesses are going to be considered, Joe and Hunter Biden need to be included. And much of the GOP is caught in the middle, a function of the partys narrow majority and the desire of Senate GOP leaders to sideline Democrats as much as possible and exercise control of the trial with only Republican votes. Its easy to see the witness debate spiraling out of control with senators seeking controversial witnesses that neither party wants to consider, absent some sort of broader agreement on the second phase of the trial. We need to start working together on procedures, said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), another lawmaker facing reelection. Marianne LeVine and Marc Caputo contributed to this report. Update: Khadijah Davis was found safe 10 days after she went missing, police say SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Khadijah Davis told her mom she was going to the store Thursday evening to get some soup. When she didnt return home that night, her mom and siblings said they began to worry. The next day, Theresa McArthur called Syracuse police to report her daughter missing. Syracuse police confirmed Monday night that Davis is missing, but a spokesman for the department said they dont have reason to believe she is in danger at this time. Her family, however, said they are very concerned. This is not her," her sister Jacquasia Sholtz said. She wouldnt just get up and leave. Sholtz said her sister has never run away or been in any trouble. She usually calls or texts family if plans change, Sholtz said. And Davis -- who celebrated her 18th birthday on Wednesday -- was looking forward to her birthday party with family on Friday. Instead, her family has spent the past four days searching for any sightings of Davis. They have asked local businesses for video surveillance; theyve posted missing person fliers in stores and on telephone poles; and theyve turned to social media, with hopes someone has seen or heard from Davis. This is just not something she would do, Sholtz said. The family also has checked phone and bank records. Daviss last phone call, Sholtz said, was to her mother at 7:41 p.m. Thursday. It was a normal conversation, Sholtz said. Her phone, which was partially charged when she left her Robinson Street home Thursday evening, is shut off, her family said. Her family is concerned because Davis doesnt have her medication with her, which her sister said she needs to regulate a medical condition. Something is not right, Sholtz said. The family is planning to resume their search on Tuesday. Sholtz said she and other family members plan to meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lincoln Park on Robinson Street. They invite anyone interested in helping with the search to join them. Syracuse police ask anyone with information about Daviss whereabouts to call them at (315) 442-5222. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. The world's debt when compared against its total output hit another all-time high of over 322% in the third quarter of 2019 and it is set to keep growing, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) said in a new research report. Total worldwide debt sat close to a record $253 trillion by the end of September, boosted mainly by higher borrowing by governments and non-financial corporates. This represented an increase from $250.9 trillion at the end of the second quarter of 2019. "Spurred by low interest rates and loose financial conditions, we estimate that total global debt will exceed $257 trillion in the first quarter of 2020, driven mainly by non-financial sector debt," the IIF said in the report. The group is an association of financial institutions that came together in response to the debt crisis of the 1980s. Record-low interest rates in countries around the globe have made it easier and more attractive for corporates, individuals and governments to borrow, and thus incur more debt. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - On Saturday, at approximately 11:22 P.M., officers responded to a vehicle fire in the 3100 block of W. 24th Street. Upon arrival, officers saw an SUV type vehicle fully engulfed in flames. Yuma Fire Department extinguished the vehicle and a human body was located inside. Due to the condition of the body, identification and cause of death have not been determined at this time. An autopsy has been scheduled and further information will be released when available. This case is still under investigation. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Maninder Singh, who was being hunted by Chandigarh Police for killing a nurse at a hotel around New Years Eve, confessed to his crime on live television here on Tuesday. A murder convict currently out on bail, he also confessed to the previous crime committed in Karnal in 2010, even as he had earlier filed a review petition in the high court. As soon as they got the information, cops rushed to the office of the Punjabi news channel in the Industrial Area, Phase 2, and arrested the 31-year-old while the programme was still being telecast from the TV studio. Sarabjit Kaur, 27, was found lying on the bed with her throat slit, in room number 301 at Hotel Sky, also in the Industrial Area, Phase 2, on the afternoon of January 1. She had checked into the hotel along with Maninder on December 30. CCTV footage showed Maninder leaving the hotel the same evening. The murder came to light when the hotel staff went to inquire about their check-out timings, as the couple had made the booking for just two days. Sarabjit, who belonged to Sangrur and had previously worked at a private hospital in Mohali, had recently got selected as a nurse at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda. Her training was to commence at the PGIMER in a few days. Maninder used to work as a driver at a factory in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, till about three months back. The two were in a relationship and had visited the hotel a number of times, police had claimed. Sarabjit Kaur, victim. SHE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR I killed her because she was having an affair with her sister-in-laws brother, said Maninder, during his interview in the TV studio. Maninder said the man in question had sent her a message on her mobile phone, stating that he was leaving for Kuwait and she should meet him before his departure. I saw the messages on Sarabjits phone and asked her about him. She said they were supposed to get married, but later her family decided that they would first marry Sarabjits elder brother. After this, I choked her and then killed her with a knife, said Maninder. During the interview, Maninder claimed everything was fine between the couple and they had even visited Amritsar, although Sarabjits family had refused to his marriage proposal. Her family told me that as their daughter has a government job and I am jobless, they couldnt marry her to me. The second reason was our caste. I regret what I did, he said. In fact, after being arrested, Maninder reportedly told police that he and Sarabjit were planning to elope and he had also taken a loan from bank. I KILLED RENU TOO Haryana Police had arrested Maninder for killing a woman, with whom he had a relationship, in Karnal back in 2010. He was later convicted, following which he had challenged the order in the Punjab and Haryana high court. He was presently out on bail. Confessing to that crime as well, Maninder said: I killed Renu during a fight at Karna Lake in Karnal, where she had gone for her training. She was also having an affair with a man from Uttar Pradesh. Maninder Singh POLICE KEPT MY PARENTS CAPTIVE According to the channel officials, Maninder reached their office around 6pm and contacted a cameraman who was shooting a news video. He told the staffer about his case and said that he wanted to surrender as police have held his parents captive. While he was taken to the TV studio, the management informed the Sector 31 police station. During the interview, Maninder said that before leaving his house last month, he had lied to his parents that he was going to Ludhiana as he had got a job. After committing the crime, he had been on the move staying in Bathinda, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar to avoid being traced, said police. His Hyundai i20 car, which was abandoned in Patiala, was recovered two days ago, said an investigating official. Maninder is the youngest of three siblings. His father is a carpenter and his two elder sisters are married. The accused has studied till Class 12 at Government Senior Secondary School in Sector 27. Even as police had been claiming that Maninder fled to Punjab or Madhya Pradesh after changing his baptised Sikh look, he appeared on TV with a flowing beard and turban. Police are yet to recover the murder weapon. Maninder, who was booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, will be produced in court on Tuesday. Police kept waiting outside the studio for 10 minutes, before barging in and arresting Maninder on live TV. A RECAP: AS IT HAPPENDED 6pm: Maninder Singh reached the news channel office, walks towards a cameraman shooting a live video, confesses and seeks his help 6:15pm: He is taken to the studio for an interview by the local crime team. During the course of 23-minute interview, Maninder confesses to having murdered Sarabjit as well as another woman in 2010 7pm: Police reach the spot, after being informed by the news channel management. The SHO keeps waiting outside the studio for 10 minutes, before barging in and arresting Maninder on live TV With a robust tech sector that is only growing with the arrival of Amazon HQ2, Washington is an ideal market for Upsuite to help those companies find and secure coworking and flexible offices. Upsuite has created a service that helps leaders of growing companies find and secure coworking and flexible offices in an average of 23 days from the first call and with 90% less research and touring time. The company has assembled offices in nearly 2,000 locations throughout North America and has partnered with some of the worlds s best accelerators, commercial real estate pros, and business organizations to deliver them. And, we are proud to announce the launch of our newest coworking and flexible office market: Washington DC. Upsuite currently lists over 160 locations, from downtown Washington DC to Baltimore, MD, all the way to Leesburg, VA. Upsuites operator partners in the area include IWG, WeWork, Industrious, Novel and Convene, as well as local favorites in the DC area. The launch of the Washington DC market follows a very successful 2019 for Upsuite, having served 1,000 different requirements, from companies as large as 5,000 employees, and as small as 1 employee founder. In Washington DC, Upsuite has detailed listings for over 160 coworking and flexible office locations, featuring reviews, photos, maps and amenities, Upsuite provides a one-stop location for Washington DC coworking search. Coworking members use Upsuite to search, compare and tour coworking offices in Washington DC that are conveniently located, meet their budget, and on their terms. All at zero cost to the member. Verified coworking operator partners receive a stream of pre-qualified introductions, the ability to pick from interested companies who will provide the most revenue long term, delivered as a no risk, no upfront cost on demand service. Commercial real estate advisors/brokers work with Upsuite Coworking Advisors who help identify the ideal space for their clients and help close small or complex coworking deals. About Upsuite Founded in 2018, Upsuite has created a service that helps leaders of growing companies find and secure coworking and flexible offices in an average of 23 days from the first call and with 90% less research and touring time. The company has assembled offices in nearly 2,000 locations throughout North America and has partnered with some of the worlds s best accelerators, commercial real estate pros, and business organizations to deliver them. Upsuite provides the easiest way to find, evaluate, and secure the coworking / flex office at the location, price point, and terms that teams want. Upsuite removes surprises and saves users time in their search by providing 99% of the market inventory, actual suite availability and pricing, all before they tour. If teams book through Upsuite, their membership also comes with exclusive discounts, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Upsuite Verified Operator Partners gain access to a steady stream of the most interested companies and corporate teams, all at no risk or up front cost. Working with Upsuite maximizes their revenue, minimizes their sales and marketing risk, and ensures that they will have the kind of profitable members who will help their coworking business thrive. Commercial real estate advisors utilize Upsuites network of Coworking Advisors to help find short-term coworking space for their clients. Learn more at https://www.upsuite.com. Belarus says it has asked several European countries to sell it oil in the face of a tariff dispute with Russia, its regular supplier. "All commercial departments of our plants, of the Belarusian Oil Company, have been holding talks practically on a daily basis. I think we will get alternative sources for oil supplies soon. It is about all possibilities -- Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, wherever. We are working on it now," Deputy Prime Minister Dzmitry Krutoy said on January 14. Krutoy's statement comes less than two weeks after Moscow abruptly halted oil shipments to Belarus. Belarus has been at odds with Russia over oil-transit prices for some time against a backdrop of increasing pressure by Moscow on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to deepen integration between the two neighbors. A two-month deal on natural-gas prices hours before a December 31 deadline struck helped the sides avoid a gas shutoff to start the year. Belarus is heavily reliant on Russia for fuel and funding and is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to Europe. Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement in 1999 to form a unified state, but little progress has been made in the ensuing two decades. Meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenka last year failed to bring the two sides together as the Belarusian president noted he was merely seeking "equal" terms. Belarusian protests in December targeted the perceived secrecy of the talks and objected to closer ties to Russia. With reporting by BelTA and Belsat The thrill of watching a storm at the edge of the Pacific Ocean lures visitors to the Oregon coast each year. But it can be dangerous and even deadly. On Saturday, a family was pulled out to sea during a fierce storm near Cannon Beach. In 2017, a man and his 3-year-old son died after being caught in a sneaker wave on the southern coast. This weekends storm was made even more dangerous because of an unusually high tide, called a king tide, that added 11 feet to the tops of already huge waves, said Rick Hudson, emergency manager for Cannon Beach. People come out here because they want to be weather-watching, but they dont realize how dangerous the weather can be and how fast it can change, Hudson told the Associated Press. You can be in raincoat, watching the beautiful storm happen, and all of a sudden you have a 30-foot wave, and it swells up and goes all the way up to the maximum part of the beach and you have nowhere to go. Those who flock to the Oregon coast to see big waves crashing against our rocky shoreline should keep some precautions in mind. Chief among them is that salty old adage: Never turn your back on the ocean. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offers more practical advice as well. In charge of managing much of the Oregon coast, the agency is well aware of the many dangers involved in visiting the ocean during stormy weather. We dont want to scare people away from the coast, but we want them to be as careful as they would be crossing the street or walking around a new town, parks spokesman Chris Havel said. Stretches of coastline are constantly changing, shaped by wind, waves and erosion. Even if you know a beach well, Havel said, you should always treat it like a brand-new place. Thats especially true during big winter storms, when its essential to check in with your surroundings before getting too close to the waves. I understand the allure, Havel said. Theres a thrill of discovery that comes with being surrounded by forces that are completely beyond our control that are completely unpredictable. Those forces may only be growing more chaotic and unpredictable. Climate researchers believe that extreme high tide events in Oregon will only get worse as our planet warms and oceans continue to rise. Drawing on the parks departments safety tips and our own experience on the coast, here are 10 ways to stay safe while storm watching on the Oregon coast: 1. Consider not going at all Weather words like king tide and storm surge can translate into a big show at the coast. But consider whether going out there during extreme weather events is really worth the risk. After all, small storms hit the coast with some regularity. 2. Pick a safe spot Not every spot on the coast is safe for storm watching. What youre looking for are places that are high up, with some kind of barricades to keep you safe. The parks department recommends the Devils Punchbowl viewpoint, the South Jetty observation tower at Fort Stevens State Park, the Cape Ferrelo viewpoint found within the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, as well as viewing platforms at Seal Rock and Yachats state parks. 3. Stay high up and far back No matter where you decide to go, make sure you stay high up and far back from the waves. Find an established cliffside viewpoint, if possible, and avoid rocks and trails that lead down to the beach. Just because a piece of land is dry when you get there doesnt mean it will stay dry for long. The ocean is volatile in a storm, so give it plenty of room to crash and churn. 4. Mind the fences Always mind the fences, cones, caution tape and signs that tell you to stay back. These are in place for a very good reason: to keep you alive. These barricades usually keep people from the edges of cliffs, which are always eroding and are especially vulnerable on stormy days. All this said, some people will still want to venture closer to the ocean. Its in our human nature to walk right up to the edge of danger. CONSIDER YOUR SAFETY BEFORE DOING SO, and pay attention to warnings to stay off the beach. Before you get closer and again, really consider your safety before doing so here are some additional tips for staying safe near the edge of the surf. 5. Watch the waves from a safe distance The first place you watch a storm should always be from a safe distance away. Stand there for a few minutes and just watch. Get a feel for the waves. How far are they coming in? How volatile is the ocean in this moment? Bear in mind that everything can change in a split second. 6. Stay off jetties, rocks and logs There are certain places on the beach that you should absolutely avoid in a storm. Jetties are a no-brainer, though rocky spots of any kind can be dangerous, especially if you fall or find yourself scrambling to higher ground. Big driftwood logs can seem stable, but waves can move them easily, throwing you off or pinning you underneath. Its also good to watch out for all slippery surfaces, like trails or muddy hills. 7. Be near a quick escape route As you approach the ocean, stay close to a route that will be easy to retrace should you need to run. Established trails or access points are the best. Avoid clambering down any rocks that will be hard to get back up. 8. Stay on your toes Be ready to act at a moments notice. Waves can come in fast, so you need to maintain a quick reaction time. If you cant react quickly, you shouldnt be venturing close to the waves in the first place. 9. Always keep your eye on the ocean This is true year-round at the coast, but its especially true when the surf is rough: always keep an eye on the ocean. This remains true if youre taking photos, picking up rocks or talking with other people. When you walk back along the beach, move diagonally so you can watch out for waves behind you. 10. Be careful exploring post-storm Danger doesnt vanish when a storm is done. The ocean can still be chaotic and unpredictable, so stick to safe storm watching locations. Remember that surrounding rocks, trails and cliffs will still be slippery, and driftwood piles will be unstable. --Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB US to Work With Iraq on Possible Troop Reduction Pompeo Sputnik News 22:24 13.01.2020(updated 22:45 13.01.2020) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States will work with Iraqi leaders to possibly reduce the Pentagon's military footprint in the country while preserving American interests, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested on Monday. "How ultimately our force posture will [look like will] be resolved inside Iraq. We will work along duly elected leaders in Iraq to get to the right place", Pompeo offered during remarks at Stanford University. "I think we can achieve both of these goals reduce our footprint, reduce our risk while still achieving the American objectives in the region, including in Iraq". The Iraqi Council of Representatives expelled foreign troops from the country after the US assassinated the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Qasem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iraqi Shia militia, near the Baghdad International Airport on 3 January. Amid escalating tensions with Iran following the Soleimani's killing and subsequent Iranian missile strikes on Iraqi military bases that house US and NATO troops, US President Donald Trump called for an expanded NATO mission to the Middle East, which he is credited with calling 'NATOME'. US Department of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus asserted that the US military would stay in Iraq, and suggested that their primary purpose would be to fight the Daesh terror group, while noting that Washington will protect Americans, Iraqis and coalition partners. In December 2017, the Iraqi leadership announced that it had defeated Daesh, after a three and a half year conflict. Scattered militant groups reportedly continue to operate inside the country, according to reports. *Daesh (ISIS, IS, ISIL, Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address [January 14, 2020] OPENER Names Ben Diachun as Chief Executive Officer PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPENER , a pioneer of aerial vehicles for consumer travel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Diachun as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). OPENER is producing BlackFly, the worlds first fixed-wing, all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) personal ultralight aircraft. Founder and former CEO, Marcus Leng, will oversee next-generation manufacturing and international operations as Chairman of the Board. During this transformative time, there is no better person to guide OPENER than Ben Diachun, said Marcus Leng, OPENER Founder and Chairman. Ben is a proven leader in the aerospace industry, he gets things done, and he has the innate ability to inspire everyone around him. Ben has the technical proficiency and corporate know-how that OPENER needs as we expand operations, produce vehicles, and grow the company. BlackFly is designed to easily takeoff and land in small areas and travel distances of up to 40 miles at a speed of 80+ mph (US restricted performance: 25 miles/62 mph). The vehicles are simple to master and require no formal licensing (US only). OPENER is pioneering a new industry with BlackFly. I am truly honored to lead the company into production, establish sales initiatives, and secure our market position, Ben Diachun said. We have the opportunity to show the world that three-dimensional transportation is real. A big part of my job is to seize this vast opportunity and successfully bring a safe and exciting flying vehicle to market. Since joining OPENER as company president in May, 2019, Ben Diachun has deployed his unparalleled engineering experience to improve manufacturing processes, enhance efficincy to meet future demands, and grow the companys team. Ben comes from Scaled Composites, where he participated in key engineering design, directed flight testing, and stepped up into leadership roles. Ben is recognized for taking 15 new aircraft types from concept to first flight in his 16 years at Scaled. About OPENER: On October 5, 2011, history quietly was made near the small town of Warkworth, Ontario, Canada. That day saw the first manned flight of a fixed-wing all-electric VTOL aircraft. This event prompted the formation of a stealth company with the sole purpose of pursuing the development of this new unique technology. In September of 2014, the Company reorganized as OPENER and relocated the majority of its operations to Silicon Valley in California to pursue an unencumbered and accelerated development timeline. Find videos and more information at https://opener.aero . Media Contact: Heidi Groshelle, Groshelle Communications [email protected] Biography: Ben Diachun, OPENER President and CEO Ben Diachun, President and CEO, comes to OPENER from Scaled Composites in Mojave, California. Ben joined Scaled in 2003, serving as a Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Chase Pilot, Business Development Manager, and Vice President of Engineering, prior to becoming President. During his 16 years at Scaled, Ben held key technical and leadership roles, developing multiple new experimental aircraft types from concept to first flight. The revolutionary new aircraft include the non-stop, non-refueled, around-the-world GlobalFlyer; the first commercial manned spaceship, SpaceShipOne, and its follow-on, SpaceShipTwo; the optionally-piloted/UAV Firebird demonstrator; the high-performance experimental jet, Swift; as well as the Model 401 advanced-research aircraft. Ben holds a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He also holds a Certificate in Technical Management from the University of California, Los Angeles and Financial Management from the University of Virginia. He is a Commercial Pilot with Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Seaplane Ratings. Ben was part of the team that was awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy in 2004 for the development of SpaceShipOne. In 2014, he was named in Aviation Weeks 40 Under Forty. Since 2016, Ben has served on the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Industrial Advisory Council at Purdue University. Diachun joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Board of Directors in 2018 and received the Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award at Purdue University in 2019. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8feb9ca-a223-4d5c-a939-3de657b0b730 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 04:48:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close HAVANA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Tuesday touted bilateral ties with the European Union (EU) as "positive." "2019 was a positive year in our relations with the EU and its member States," Rodriguez said via Twitter. "We continued to advance our economic, commercial and cooperative relations," he added. According to the senior official, last year, Cuba and the EU held their Second Joint Council and completed the first cycle of political talks under the bilateral Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2016. Cuba and the EU relaunched ties after the European bloc split with the U.S. so-called Common Position on Cuba, a foreign policy that advocates isolating the Caribbean island to press for political changes there. Few animals are as shrouded in mystery as the large wild cat often called the cougar. They are also called "ghost cats" because few people ever see them where there is a known wild population. They keep out of sight and almost always avoid contact with humans. They are regarded as extremely solitary and secretive animals. But is one of these powerful and mysterious cats now being seen in Lubec and nearby areas? Lubec resident Chessie Gartmayer said in December that she saw crossing the Quoddy Farms Road in South Lubec "a cat as large as a German shepherd with a long tail, a tail almost as long as the huge body, hanging just off the ground and curving back up." Others have seen a large cat and reported this on a Lubec Facebook page. These sightings were by Rita Rahilly in 2018, Shanna Wheelock and Jody Grimes in 2017. Richard Mistler said he used a trail camera to photograph one in 2016. The Lubec area has had other reported sightings before 2016. Michael Jenkins was driving home at night and had to abruptly stop his car to avoid hitting a large cat crossing the road. He said it was light brown and had a long body and tail and was larger than any cat he had ever seen. When he arrived home, he calmly told his wife, "I just saw a puma." Sonia Bailey and other Lubec residents during the winter months of 20102011 also said they saw a puma or cougar. One witness found large tracks in the snow from an animal leaping along and measured the distance between the tracks as 17 feet. In nearby Charlotte, Lyle and Arthur Furlong saw a very large dark-coated cat in 2011. Philip Farrell and two passengers from his car reported watching a very large longtailed cat crossing Route 1 in Pembroke. Puma, cougar, panther, catamount and mountain lion are all names for this animal, which is found from North America to the tip of South America. They can inhabit jungles, rain forests, deserts, prairies and forests from sea level to high elevations. They often roam large areas but can also adapt to using much smaller areas adjacent to cities and towns, even suburban backyards. One male has been studied for years living in Griffin Park of Los Angeles. They are solitary, and social tolerance of their kind is only exhibited by males and females during a brief breeding period. Then they separate, and the females alone take care of cubs. Coat colors vary from light tan to dark brown, reddish and grayish brown. Even black has been reported. Powerful legs move a slender and supple body. The ears are short and round on a small head. From nose to tip of tail, they can measure eight feet. The shoulder height is 2630 inches. Males average 160 pounds and females 135 pounds. Possible origin of animals explored What could be the origin of the animals seen in places in Maine such as Lubec? This is a controversial topic with widespread disagreement. Mark McCollough, the endangered species specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at East Orland, stated during a program at the University of Maine at Farmington that there are three hypotheses for cougars seen in Maine: They come from a past population that was not completely wiped out; they could be migrants dispersing from known populations in the Midwest and Canada; or they are escapees or intentionally released animals from captive facilities and private pet owners. Bill Betty of Rhode Island and Nova Scotia has been researching and collecting reports of cougar sightings in New England and Canada for many years. He agrees that Canada and the western states, maybe even Florida, are likely sources of the animals. But he also believes some are the descendants of the eastern cougar, especially those sighted in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He does not agree that the eastern subspecies is extinct. In 2018 it was removed from the federal endangered species list with the statement there is no longer any viable breeding population in the Northeast. It could be possible that cougars seen in Maine are coming from Canada. The Department of Biological Sciences at Montreal University published a paper in 2003 about research done in eastern Canada. Thirtyeight scent scratching posts were set up in national and provincial parks in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. DNA analysis of some collected hair was positively identified as cougar in Quebec and New Brunswick. Maine borders Quebec and New Brunswick, and both provinces have declared they have cougar populations. There have been reports of cougar sightings in Maine near these bordering areas for years. Some hair was collected in New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy National Park in 2003. This park is about 70 miles from the border crossing in Calais, which is not far from Lubec. In 2011 two people reported to the Eastern Puma Research Network that they witnessed a cougar swimming across the St. Croix River near Fosterville, N.B. There are two classes of sightings used by scientists for credibility analysis of cougar sightings in Maine. Class 1 is DNA positive identification or a body or undeniable photos of an animal. Class 2 includes tracks verified by a qualified professional or a witness testimonial backed up by physical evidence such as a prey carcass, scat or microscopic hair recognition. A Cape Elizabeth sighting has been classified as Class 1 and a Monmouth sighting as Class 2 in Maine. Mark McCollough has said, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." It is difficult for all sightings to be labeled as credible. This should not stop any person from reporting any unusual animal sightings. A report should include the location, the date, name of witness, address, phone number and e-mail address. A brief description of the incident, distance from the animal, the time and length of the sighting, a description of the animal and the weather conditions should be included. If photographs of the animal or tracks were taken, they should be as clear as possible. Lubec resident Chessie Gartmayer says, "I have been greatly affected by my sighting." This is not an unusual reaction to seeing a large cat. Other people will confirm it leaves a vivid memory. Sometimes it creates quiet contemplation that a person will not share. Sometimes with a hushed tone or one laced with wonder the sighting story will be told. The unexpected sight of such a majestic cat is an unforgettable experience. UPDATE: This event is now sold out. The co-creator and host of the popular news podcast Serial is coming to the Harrisburg area. Journalist and public radio personality Sarah Koenig will visit Penn State Harrisburg on January 23 at 6 p.m. in the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre. The event is free, but attendees must register in advance online. Part of the Penn State Harrisburg Reads program, Koenig will discuss this years book selection Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. The book is a memoir about Stevensons attempts to appeal the murder conviction of Walter McMillian, who had been imprisoned for the 1986 murder of a woman in Alabama and sentenced to death. Koenig will also discuss the third season of Serial," which explored criminal justice cases in Cleveland, Ohio, and the role podcasts play in investigative journalism. Having launched in 2014, Serial has been downloaded more than 420 million times, and won a 2014 Peabody Award. Koening was named one of Time magazines 100 most influential people in 2015. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The American people no longer trust what they hear from the media and their government. Ever since his first campaign started in 2015, President Donald Trump has railed against his political opponents within the government and has often warned the American people not to trust the Fake News media. These warnings seem to have been heeded especially in the case of the death of disgraced financier and alleged pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. While the media and government officials have repeatedly assured the country that Epstein committed suicide in his prison cell on August 10, 2019, the American people are not convinced. A new Rasmussen Reports survey indicates that only 21% of the American people believe that Epstein killed himself. While 27% are undecided, most respondents, 52%, believe that Epstein was murdered. The results are a significant change from the last Rasmussen Reports poll in mid-August. At that time, only 42% of respondents believed Epstein was murdered, while 29% believed the official story that he committed suicide. As time has passed, more Americans have become convinced that the suicide story is bogus. Every day the evidence mounts that this case is highly unusual. It was just discovered that the video footage from outside Epsteins prison cell on July 23, 2019, the night of his first so-called attempted suicide, was accidentally destroyed. According to officials at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the videos were not preserved as a result of technical errors. Prosecutors had guaranteed attorneys for Epsteins former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, that the evidence was being protected by jail officials. After learning of this new development, one of Jeffrey Epsteins attorneys, Marc Fernich, said it only adds to the unanswered questions and deepens the air of mystery surrounding (Epsteins) death, feeding the perception that the public will never really know what happened and that the powers that be arent really interested in finding out. Nothing about Jeffrey Epsteins prosecution and death in federal custody surprises or could surprise me at this point. After Epstein allegedly tried to commit suicide in July, prison officials initially placed him under close supervision. Incredibly, the extra monitoring did not last long, for he was found dead on August 10. At that time, he was alone in his cell because his cellmate had been transferred the previous day. The two guards entrusted to monitor Epstein supposedly neglected their duties. Instead of watching the most high-profile prisoner at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, they reportedly were napping and surfing the Internet. It strains credulity to believe that a notorious prisoner who had purportedly just tried to commit suicide would be left alone in his jail cell with no supervision and allowed to possess the apparent means to kill himself. This week, the CBS news program 60 Minutes released the first photos of Epsteins autopsy. It showed that the noose supposedly used in the suicide did not contain blood even though Epsteins neck was bloodied. The noose was also not cut, even though a jail guard reportedly cut down Epstein from his hanging position after discovering him. Famed forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden was hired by Epsteins brother and was present at the autopsy. It is his determination that Epstein was most likely murdered. During a career that has spanned more than 60 years, Baden has conducted over 20,000 autopsies. Regarding the condition of Epsteins body, Baden asserted that There were fractures of the left, the right thyroid cartilage and the left hyoid bone. I have never seen three fractures like this in a suicidal hanging. Going over a thousand jail hangings, suicides in the New York City state prisons over the past 40-50 years, no one had three fractures. Badens doubts about Epstein committing suicide are now shared by most Americans, according to the Rasmussen poll. One reason so many Americans suspect that Epstein was murdered is that there were many powerful people who may have wanted him dead. He operated what authorities believe was a sex trafficking operation involving underage girls and prominent individuals, including the elite from politics, Hollywood and business. In July of 2019, Epstein was indicted on sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy charges and he was being held in Metropolitan Correctional Center awaiting trial. His list of influential associates included former Democratic Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Prince Andrew and former President Bill Clinton among many others. This week, The Sun released photos of former President Bill Clinton with Chauntae Davies, a massage therapist, who was one of the sex slaves abused by Epstein. Another photo shows Clinton boarding Epsteins plane, The Lolita Express, for a 2002 trip to Africa. It has been documented that Clinton flew on Epsteins plane over two dozen times. Even though Attorney General Bill Barr claims that Epstein committed suicide, citing the video evidence he saw from that night, the American people are very skeptical. Over the years, there have been many cases in which the federal government has been less than truthful with the American people. There is strong suspicion that this may be another case of the American people being purposely misled. Aboard the Ocean Viking in the Mediterranean Sea Since 2016, almost 12,000 refugees and migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe. Libya acts as a major gateway for African refugees and migrants. There are currently more than 636,000 refugees and migrants in Libya, mostly from neighbouring countries and sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These people are often fleeing poverty, conflict, forced labour and other threats to their lives and wellbeing. Many suffer abuse and extortion en route and their arrival in Libya rarely marks the end of the dangers they face. You see this, Karim, a rescued migrant, told Al Jazeera while pointing to his shoulder. This is where a Libyan stabbed me when I asked for money for the work I did for him. He then pointed to his right leg. This is where I was shot while waiting for work in Tripoli. There is complete lawlessness there. Everyone has guns and knives. There are no rights for black people, even someone who has been stabbed or shot. Florent, from Cameroon, was another migrant rescued from an overcrowded rubber boat in distress in the Mediterranean after he managed to escape Libya. If I die right now, Ill die with no regrets. Ive managed to escape Libya. It was hell. Nothing less than hell, he said. Names have been changed to protect identity* Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:46:10|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash on Tuesday urged the Arab countries and international community to support Sudan during the transitional period. "We are looking forward to supporting Sudan" in many priority fields, especially the economic field, the visiting UAE official told reporters following his meeting with Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. "There are many challenges, but we are confident that with the will of the Sudanese and the support of the brothers and the international community," Sudan will overcome the difficulties, he added. Gargash arrived in Khartoum on Monday for a two-day official visit. O llie Williams has quit Love Island after three days. The 23-year-old is thought to have decided to leave the show after realising that he still has "strong feelings" for his ex-girlfriend. ITV confirmed Williams' decision to end his stint in the villa on Tuesday (January 14) afternoon. Speaking in the Beach Hut, Williams admitted: "I have to be honest with myself, and everyone, that I do still love someone else. "I have to follow my heart in this scenario and it would be wrong for me to ignore these feelings. Williams had one of the shortest stints ever in the villa / ITV "At the end of the day, this is Love Island and it's about finding love. If I carried on anything with Paige, or any other girl that might come into the villa, it wouldn't be fair on them." A source told The Sun: "The show made Ollie realise he wasn't ready to be in another serious relationship and he still has really strong feelings for Laura. "Meeting girls who were so different to him and his background only clarified how he felt about his ex and he felt it was only fair to leave the competition and sort his head out. Love Island 2020: Series 6 - In pictures 1 /126 Love Island 2020: Series 6 - In pictures ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV Siannise ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV Paige plays the couple challenge. ITV Connagh and Mike chat. ITV ITV Sophie interrupts Connagh, Mike and Nas' chat. ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV Twins Jess and Eve on their double date ITV Leanne and Mike chat after his date ITV ITV Rex Features ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV ITV Love Island contestants were flabbergasted as it was revealed XX's favourite sex position was the butter churner ITV2 Eve and Jess Gale ITV Laura Whitmore ITV Leanne Amaning and Mike Boateng ITV The girls around around the fire pit ITV Shaughna enters the villa ITV Paige and Ollie ITV Sophie ITV Shaughna and Callum ITV Siannise and Nas ITV Sophie and Connor ITV ITV Leanne enters the villa ITV ITV ITV ITV "He told producers and acted on his feelings as soon as he made up his mind." Williams' departure comes after photos emerged of him posing alongside dead endangered animals, which were reportedly taken to promote his hunting business Cornish Sporting Agency. A petition calling for him to leave the show has received over 38,000 signatures. CropX, a Netanya, Israel and San Francisco, CA-based global soil sensing and agricultural analytics company, acquired CropMetrics, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based provider of cloud-based, precision-irrigation tools. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. With the acquisition, current CropMetrics and CropX partners and customers will now have access to an enhanced combination of in-soil data, advanced farm management analytics and decision-support tools. CropMetrics adds more than 500,000 acres under management and over 10 years of in-depth U.S. farm data to the CropX farm management platform. Effective immediately, the CropMetrics team led by CEO Lee Addams will join CropX, adding valuable on-farm agronomy and irrigation management expertise. Led by Tomer Tzach, CEO, and John Vikupitz, president, CropX provides accurate, proprietary soil sensing technology and a feature-rich, decision-support platform built by in-house agronomic, data science and software teams. By analyzing soil data and integrating it with crop models, satellite imagery and weather forecasts, its farm management platform helps farmers around the globe cut crop-input costs and increase profitability by driving water, fertilizer, energy and labor savings. Founded in 2015, the company is backed by Finistere Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, OurCrowd, Greensoil Investment, Germin8 Ventures, Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited, Bosch, Armada Investment, Tal Capital and others. FinSMEs 14/01/2020 EDMUND, Okla., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Donald R. Chadwell, MD, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Achiever in the field of Medicine as a Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician. Dr. Chadwell is unique to his field because he has extensive experience in marketing, human resources, and financial management, as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation services. He served as a medical director at multiple hospitals on account of his three decades of experience directing medical facilities, program coordination, compliance, and fiscal accountability. He also is experienced treating injuries, chronic pain, nerve damage, and prosthetics. Revered for his dedication, he has become well known in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. A gracious physician, Dr. Chadwell thanks his family and therapists for inspiring him to pursue a medical career. He loves his job and proclaims, "I have a lot of knowledge. I have really enjoyed the profession. I like working with the families." For young professionals aspiring to have an analogous vocation, he advises them to, "Be open to other people and utilize the team model." In preparation for his career, Dr. Chadwell first attended the University of Cincinnati for a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and a minor in chemistry. He then relocated to Mexico and attended University Of Autonona Guadalajara where he earned a Doctorate of Medicine. He completed fifth year training at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Niagara Falls and an internship and residency at State University Of New York At Buffalo School Of Medicine and affiliated hospitals. He served as chief resident from 1988 to 1989. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Chadwell enjoys traveling and listening to music. He is a fan of country western, rock and roll, and the Band. In honor of his excellence, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital has recognized Dr. Chadwell as the Physician of the Year. Dr. Chadwell dedicates this recognition to Dr. Lee who has been a wonderful mentor and his wife of sixteen years Machelle Chadwell; thanking her for continuous love and support. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com LONDONBoris Johnson suggested his government may be ready to allow Huawei Technologies Co. to supply at least some equipment for the U.K.s 5G broadband networks even in the face of strong pressure for a ban from the U.S. The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology, Johnson said when asked about Huawei in a BBC TV interview on Tuesday. We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. If people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us whats the alternative. The U.K. for months has been debating how much, if any, access to grant Huawei to its broadband market in the future amid the suggestion the U.S. may be more wary of sharing intelligence if it uses Chinese equipment. Senior U.S. officials visited London on Monday with a last-ditch plea that the U.K. should bar Huawei from providing the kit, warning again that intelligence-sharing could be at risk. Supporters argue that the companys equipment can be used in non-core areas in a way that keeps the networks secure. But the U.S. warns that the effects of the leap to 5G technology are so poorly understood that the safest and best solution is to keep the Chinese company out altogether. Huawei denies it poses a spying risk. We are confident that the U.K. government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations, Huawei Vice President Victor Zhang said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. Two U.K. parliamentary committees concluded there is no technical reason to ban us from supplying 5G equipment. The U.S. delegation, led by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger and including officials from the State Department, argued that there was no way the U.K. could mitigate the security risks from such a network, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Johnson showed hes alive to the U.S. concerns. Lets be clear, I dont want as U.K. prime minister, to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to co-operate with Five Eyes intelligence partners, he said, a reference to the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As some Huawei gear has already been installed, companies warn that a full ban would delay the rollout of 5G and cost hundreds of millions of pounds. It would also potentially put into doubt Johnsons pledge to deliver 5G to most of the country by 2027. U.K. newspapers reported Monday that Pottingers team had handed Johnsons government a dossier of evidence against Huawei. But it may not impress. Speaking in September on condition of anonymity, British intelligence officers said there was nothing the U.S. knew about the company that Britain did not. Andrew Parker, the head of the domestic Security Service MI5, told the Financial Times this month that he had no reason to believe intelligence-sharing with the U.S. would be harmed by a decision to allow Huawei in. Johnsons spokesman on Monday told reporters that a decision would come in due course. The U.S. believes that with the general election out of the way, it is imminent. The road to a U.K. decision has been long and controversial. Some officials have pushed for tough restrictions as a result of concerns over foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, while others said this would saddle the telecommunications industry with extra costs and delay technological upgrades. So-called 5G, which stands for fifth-generation wireless technology, promises speeds as much as 100-times faster than current 4G networks, potentially unlocking new technologies, including automated factories. Huawei has become a lightning rod for tensions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and security policy as Washington threatens reprisals against any governments that allow Chinese equipment to form part of the crucial ultra-fast networks. Of the so-called Five-Eyes intelligence-sharing nations, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. have effectively banned the company, while Canada and U.K. have not sofar followed suit. Read more about: Bangkok, Thailand -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/13/2020 -- Perfect Companion Group Co., Ltd. has recently introduced some new products for pet care. It is one of the best Pet Shop Online in Thailand and its latest products shall help customers provide quality nourishment to their pets. Perfect Companion Group Co., Ltd. has of late come up with some new pet care products. The company offers a variety of Pet Food online that are of top quality. Their latest products have also been manufactured without compromising on the quality quotient and can provide a lot of nutrition to the pets. The Operations Head of the company recently said in an interview, "We have always been known for offering superior quality of pet nourishing products in the whole of Thailand. Our R&D team is always in the search of new formulas that can add to the quality factor of our products. The new supplies launched in our Pet Supplies Store are extremely effective and can provide a lot of nutrition to the pets." The company strives at manufacturing premium quality of products that can be highly beneficial for pets. Their new products are available in the market and can be served to the pets in an easy manner. Company Profile: Perfect Companion Group Co., Ltd. is a company that manufactures various products that can help in improving the health and living of pets. Media Contact Address: No: 1, Empire Tower, South Sathon Road, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok Province 10120 Thailand Phone: +66 (0) 2091-9600 Website: https://www.perfectcompanion.com/ E-mail: contact@perfectcompanion.com 14 January 2020 CLEAN INVEST AFRICA PLC ("CIA" or the "Company") Coaltech sarl signs MOU with the Republic of Uzbekistan Ministry of Innovation and Development and the Uzbekistan Railway company in relation to a coal fines project with an initial estimated value of USD $16,000,000. Clean Invest Africa Plc (NEX:CIA), the NEX Exchange quoted clean technology and renewable energy investment company, is pleased to provide the following update from the CoalTech Group ("CoalTech"), its wholly owned subsidiary. Coaltech has, via its joint venture company Coaltech sarl, established withLuxembourg based fund management company, Creon Capital, to jointly develop opportunities in Russia and CIS, concluded and signed a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with the Republic of Uzbekistan Ministry of Innovation and Development and the state owned Uzbekistan Railway company. The MOU is for the development in Uzbekistan of a project for the processing of coal fines into coal pellets, with an initial estimated value of US$16,000,000. Coaltech has developed an innovative agglomeration solution that converts coal fines waste deposits into combustible coal pellets via a proprietary technology, and it has signed a joint venture agreement withLuxembourg based fund management company Creon Capital to jointly develop opportunities in Russia and CIS. CoalTech Sarl, is developing the CoalTech business opportunities in Russia and CIS, which account for roughly two thirds of the coal production in Eurasia, excluding China. Creon Capital invests in the joint project with its clean-tech Creon Energy Fund (Sicav-SIF). The Fund's initiator, Creon Energy (Moscow) is responsible for project implementation regionally. Coaltech sarl has reached a preliminary agreement with both the Ministry of Innovation and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan Railways JSC for the development in Uzbekistan of a potential project for the processing of coal fines into coal pellets, with an initial estimated value of USD$16m. Coal extraction is one of the largest industries in Uzbekistan. The project anticipates feasibility studies, development of technical specifications and joint development of a business plan including confirmation of local demand in addition to the provision by the parties of relevant technical assistance. The parties have agreed that subject to successful outcome of this initial phase including a feasibility study, that they shall enter into appropriate commercial long term supply and/or off take arrangements. Filippo Fantechi, CEO of Clean Invest Africa Plc, stated that this signing of an MOU with the Ministry and the Uzbek railway company is a significant step in the further geographic expansion of Coaltech and represents an extremely large, long term opportunity for Coaltech if it comes to fruition. This co-operation is the first output from the Luxembourg based joint venture targeting Russia and the former soviet countries, agreed with Creon Investments and as announced to the market on 18th July 2019. Contacts The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement. ENQUIRIES: Company Clean Invest Africa PLC Filippo Fantechi - Chief Executive Officer Telephone: +973 3 9696273 Noel Lyons - Executive Director Telephone: +44 7912 514 809 Corporate Adviser Peterhouse Capital Limited Guy Miller Telephone: 020 7220 9795 Notes to editors The Ministry of Innovative and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan was created by Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017 (? ??-5264 and - ??-3416, with its role being to ensure accelerated innovation- driven growth of all sectors of the Uzbek economy and social sphere based on "advanced foreign experience, modern achievements of world science, innovative ideas, developments and technologies "and in accordance with the goals outlined in Uzbekistan's action strategy on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017 - 2021." For more information see https://mininnovation.uz/en/menu/o-ministerstve Uzbekistan Railways, O?zbekiston Temir Yo?llari, are the national rail carrier of Uzbekistan and owns and operates all railways within the country. It is a state-owned stock company, formed in 1994 to operate railways within Uzbekistan. The total length of its main railway network is in the region of 7,000 km and it employs in the region of 91,000 people. For more information see http://railway.uz/en/ Varanasi, Jan 14 : A Muslim woman in Varanasi is working overtime to translate the Ram Charit Manas written by Tulsidas into Urdu. The woman, Nazneen, has already translated five of the seven 'kands' (chapters) of the epic. She has translated 'Baal Kand', 'Ayodhya Kand', 'Aranya Kand', 'Kishkindha Kand' and 'Sunder Kand'. The 'Yuddha Kand' and 'Uttar Kand' remain to be translated, she said. "I have already translated Hanuman Chalisa, Durga Chalisa and Sai Chalisa in Urdu. I am doing these translations because I want Muslims to know more about Hindu mythology and culture. I feel my community should know about Lord Ram. This will bring Hindus and Muslims closer," said Nazneen. A member of the Muslim Mahila Foundation, Nazneen works for the empowerment of Muslim women. She finds inspiration from Emperor Akbar who had set up a department for translation of scriptures form one language to another. Nazneen, daughter of a weaver from Lallapur in Varanasi, says her work will also send a message to those politicians who are warring over issues such as the new cityizenship law. "I want people to learn about sacrifice and co-existence from Ram, Sita and Laxman and stop fighting over such issues," she said. How, or even whether, Democrats nationwide will vote if their party nominates someone they don't agree with looms over the Democratic nomination process as the field winnows to candidates with very different worldviews. In November, Gallup found that a majority of Democrats (60%) would prefer to see their party nominate someone with the best chance of defeating President Donald Trump, even if that nominee does not share their views on key issues. This, however, leaves a sizable faction of Democrats (36%) for whom issue alignment is a more important voting factor than electability. A casual glance at the Democratic primary polls for president reveals a fault line through the leading candidates, with centrist Democrats on one side and progressives on the other. Support for the more centrist or moderate Democrats in the race (Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Bloomberg) totals 41.4% among Democrats nationally in the latest RealClear Politics average, while progressive leaders Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren total 35.6%. Reflecting on the factional divisions within the Democratic Party, Ron Brownstein of CNN Politics said in December that "the principal components of the Democratic coalition are fragmenting, with such key demographic groups as whites with and without college degrees, African Americans and Hispanics all tilting toward different contenders." Brownstein also noted that Barack Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016 each won the nomination through coalitions of Democratic subgroups that have not yet coalesced this cycle. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an ardent Sanders supporter, may have said it best when she recently described the Democratic Party as being "too big of a tent." "In any other country," Ocasio-Cortez said, "Joe Biden and I would not be in the same party, but in America, we are." So, how hard will Democrats have to work between now and November to line up behind a single candidate? To understand where rank-and-file Democrats stand on the frontrunners, Gallup asked them in October 2019 whether they agree or disagree with Sanders, Warren and Biden on "the issues that matter most to you." Overall, the candidates fare about the same, with roughly seven in 10 Democrats agreeing with Biden and Sanders and just over six in 10 agreeing with Warren. Democrats' Agreement With Democratic Candidates on the Issues Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with -- [CANDIDATE] -- on the issues that matter most to you. Joe Biden Bernie Sanders Elizabeth Warren % % % Agree 69 70 62 Disagree 27 28 30 No opinion 4 2 8 Gallup, Oct. 14-31, 2019 However, not all Democrats fall into the same "agreement" categories for each candidate. In fact, Democrats can be sorted into three broad factions on the basis of their answers to these questions. Democratic Base: 39% of Democrats agree with all three candidates on the issues -- Biden, Sanders and Warren 39% of Democrats agree with all three candidates on the issues -- Biden, Sanders and Warren Centrists: 27% of Democrats agree with Biden on the issues that matter to them but disagree with Sanders, Warren or both 27% of Democrats agree with Biden on the issues that matter to them but disagree with Sanders, Warren or both Progressives: 20% of Democrats disagree with Biden but agree with Sanders, Warren or both The remaining 14% disagree with all three candidates or have no opinion about them, making them the wild cards within the party. Confirming the logic behind these groupings, a majority of Centrists (55%) describe their political views as being moderate, and 21% say they are conservative. Meanwhile, half of those categorized as Progressives say they have liberal political views. The Democratic Base is evenly divided between liberals and moderates, with relatively few conservatives. Democratic Groups' Political Ideology How would you describe your political views -- very conservative, conservative, moderate, liberal or very liberal? Centrists Progressives Democratic Base % % % Total liberal 24 50 44 Moderate 55 35 42 Total conservative 21 14 13 Gallup, Oct. 14-31, 2019 Centrists tend to be young, with 57% under age 50; the Democratic Base leans more senior, with 54% aged 50 and older. However, Progressives are the most strongly defined by age, as 73% of this group is aged 18 to 49 while 27% are 50 and older. Democratic Groups by Age Centrists Progressives Democratic Base % % % 18-49 57 73 46 50+ 43 27 54 Gallup, Oct. 14-31, 2019 The Democratic Base in October was slightly more enthusiastic about voting in the 2020 election than were the other groups. In other words, the core party members are going to vote regardless -- but those favoring the centrist or progressive candidates are a bit less enthusiastic, which could become an issue if their candidate or branch of the party doesn't prevail in the primaries. Democratic Groups' Enthusiasm for Voting in 2020 Compared to previous elections, are you more enthusiastic than usual about voting, or less enthusiastic? Centrists Progressives Democratic Base % % % More enthusiastic 65 63 73 Less enthusiastic 27 37 21 As enthusiastic/No opinion 8 1 5 Gallup, Oct. 14-31, 2019 Most Republicans Unified Around Trump Republicans, on the other hand, are more united behind President Trump. Eighty-four percent of Republicans approve of the job Trump is doing as president, and 83% say they agree with Trump on the issues that matter most to them. Only about half of the 17% who disagree with Trump on the issues important to them (9% of all Republicans) say they want him impeached and removed from office. That 9% of all Republicans might be identified as the "Never Trump" faction of the party. Meanwhile, 72% of Trump's base (those who agree with him on the issues) are enthusiastic about voting in 2020, similar to the Democratic Base. Bottom Line The U.S. political system is mired in partisan polarization -- but beyond the existing partisan dividing line are some deep schisms. While the Democratic Base agrees with all of the leading Democratic presidential candidates' positions (39%), there are two major Democratic factions -- Centrists (27%) and Progressives (20%) that may have a hard time accepting a nominee who is not aligned with their views. The 1972 primary nomination process comes to mind as a possible historical parallel. Following an agonizing loss in the 1968 presidential election, the Democratic Party developed a more left-leaning grassroots strategy in 1972, energized by anti-Vietnam War sentiment and the hope that young voters (who had just won the franchise with passage of the 26th Amendment) would back the party. Sen. George McGovern became the 1972 Democratic nominee despite opposition from much of the centrist Democratic establishment. Similar to what a Sanders or Warren victory might look like in 2020, McGovern's left-of-center insurgency gradually overwhelmed a similarly fragmented Democratic Party, resulting in the marginalization of a former U.S. vice president (Hubert Humphrey), a former vice presidential candidate (Edmund Muskie), a host of lesser candidates from the U.S. Senate (Eugene McCarthy, Henry Jackson, Vance Hartke and Fred Harris) and the U.S. House (Shirley Chisholm, Wilbur Mills and Patsy Mink), state governors (George Wallace and Terry Sanford), and even the mayors of New York City (John Lindsay) and Los Angeles (Sam Yorty). The parallels to 2020 may end there. The 1972 election concluded with one of the largest defeats in American election history. McGovern lost with less than 38% of the popular vote and winning only one state (Massachusetts). That's unlikely to happen in 2020, given that Trump's approval rating is nowhere near Nixon's in late 1972. However, as the 2020 Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary approach, the first question is whether Democrats will pick the candidate whom the largest number of Democrats agree with, leaving the smallest number discouraged on the sidelines. The second question is whether Democrats' animosity toward Trump will heal the deep divisions within the party, keeping a repeat of 1972 at bay. Learn more about public opinion metrics that matter for the 2020 presidential election at Gallup's 2020 Presidential Election Center. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has warned applicants against patronising fake recruitment sites as the Service was not recruiting. A statement by its spokesperson, Sunday James, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the NIS Comptroller-General, Muhammad Babandede, issued the warning while reacting to the reported existence of fake NIS websites across the country. It particularly noted that the website https/nis/recruitmentname.ng where unsuspected Nigerians were being duped, was fake. The service is hereby disassociating itself from the fake claims and advising Nigerians against subscribing to it as no recruitment is ongoing in the service. The service recruitment exercise is always advertised in reputable national dailies, televisions and on its website www.immigration.gov.ng and it is usually free, the statement noted. He advised the general public to desist from patronising fraudsters and report any suspected case to the following platform and telephone number nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng. and 07080607900. (NAN) Australia's science minister wants the debate over the realities of climate change to end, as various experts prepare to meet in Canberra. Karen Andrews will on Wednesday meet with representatives from the CSIRO, the Academy of Science and bushfire researchers to discuss ways to address bushfires through science and technology. She admits it's a 'fair' question as to why it's the first time she's sat down with all of the agencies, given how long bushfire warnings have been in place. Australia's science minister Karen Andrews wants the debate over the realities of climate change to end, as various experts prepare to meet in Canberra Ms Andrews says Wednesday's roundtable will be the first of many, and she's not prepared to continue debating whether climate change is real or not. 'Every second that we spend talking about whether the climate is changing, is a second we are not spending on looking at adaptation, mitigation strategies,' she told ABC radio. 'It really is time for everyone to move on and to look at what we're going to do.' Her view puts her at odds with outspoken coalition backbencher and former furniture salesman Craig Kelly, who denies climate change. Environmental experts are meeting in Canberra to sit down with minister Sussan Ley, with protecting koalas and other species top of the agenda. Graphic footage of koalas caught up in blazes across the country has been aired around the world, with millions of dollars pledged to help protect them. Smoke is seen billowing from a fire in East Gippsland in Victoria earlier this month Ms Ley will meet with Australia's threatened species commissioner and other experts following the announcement of a $50 million program to support environmental groups and intervene to save wildlife. It's believed more than one billion animals have perished in the fires. Samantha Vine from Birdlife Australia says it's inevitable many of the nation's unique species have been pushed to the brink of extinction. 'Bird species that we are most concerned about include the Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoo, the regent honeyeater and the western ground parrot and the northern eastern bristlebird,' she said. Part of the $50 million has gone to Sydney's internationally renowned Taronga Zoo, as well as Zoos South Australia and Zoos Victoria for the treatment of injured animals and the establishment of 'insurance populations'. The meetings are part of a strategy by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to get the best advice from experts on a range of topics to inform the government's bushfire response. Education Minister Dan Tehan will meet with education sector representatives while Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will hear from financial counsellors. On Thursday, farming representatives will come to Canberra to discuss the recovery of the agriculture sector, which has been thrown a $100 million lifeline in the form of grants of up to $75,000 to rebuild fences and replace equipment. Meetings to discuss tourism and bushfire relief will be held on Friday. UN health agency urges China to continue search for source of new virus, as Thailand case emerges 13 January 2020 - It is "essential" for China to continue investigating the source of a previously unknown strain of coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Monday, following confirmation that an infected patient is being treated in Thailand. In its statement, WHO identified the patient as a traveller from Wuhan, in China, who was hospitalized in Thailand on 8 January. According to Thai authorities, the patient is recovering from the illness. The novel coronavirus is believed to have originated in Wuhan, infecting dozens of people in China and, on Saturday, Chinese media reported the first known death from the virus. Coronaviruses rely on animal to human transmission, and the health commission in Wuhan has reportedly declared that there is no evidence of any spread between humans. However, given recent developments, WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is planning to consult with the members of the agency's Emergency Committee, and could call for a meeting of the Committee at short notice. In its Monday statement, WHO noted that it has been expecting cases to be reported in countries other than China, underscoring the importance of monitoring and preparedness in other countries. The work of WHO and the Chinese authorities in containing the new coronavirus will be made more complicated by the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, which begins on January 25, and sees hundreds of millions criss-crossing the country. WHO has issued guidance on how to detect and treat persons ill with the new virus: standard recommendations for halting the spread of coronaviruses include regular hand washing; covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing; thoroughly cooking meat and eggs; and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HOLYOKE -- A second man has been charged in the shooting death of a 21-year-old city resident in South Holyoke. Jean Carlos Rivera, 30, of Holyoke was arrested on Monday and charged with murder in the death of Jesus Otero Marrero. He is expected to be arraigned in Holyoke District Court Tuesday morning, said James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Holyoke Police detectives and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Gullunis office are investigating the case and took Rivera into custody after identifying him as a suspect, he said. Marrero, of Holyoke, was found dead in an alleyway near 605 South Bridge St. Friday morning. He was shot multiple times and was believed to have been killed overnight, officials said. This is the second arrest made in the killing of Marrero. Merkin Andrade, 30, of Holyoke, was charged with being an accessory to murder and misleading a police investigator. He is being held in prison after a judge revoked his bail on an earlier open case. The homicide was the first of two that have occurred in less than two days in the city. Racquese Wright, 21, of Springfield, was killed at about 7 p.m. outside 133 Sargeant St. Police on patrol heard gunshots and found him suffering from multiple wounds; they administered first aid and he was brought to Holyoke Medical Center where he later died. Police continue to actively investigate both homicides. Leydon declined to say if police believe if they are related. New Delhi: Contrary to common notion that old people feel the loneliest, a new study, in a sad finding revealed that young people are the most affected by loneliness. The study carried out by BBC Radio 4s All In The Mind in collaboration with Wellcome Collection found out that 40 per cent of people aged 16-24 say they feel lonely often or very often, compared to 29 per cent of 65-74-year-olds and 27 per cent of those aged over 75. The study, carried out by academics at the University of Manchester, Brunel University London, and the University of Exeter, assessed 55,000 people aged 16 and over, asking them about their attitudes and personal experiences of loneliness. In addition to ages 16 and 24 who struggle to share their emotions which can lead to a feeling of isolation, researchers found that the loneliest ones tended to have more online only friends on social media. The study also revealed that the stigma of being lonely which can lead to you further withholding emotions is different between men and women, with women feeling even more shame than their opposite sex. The study however adds that with age, the feelings of being ashamed surrounding loneliness decrease with age. Despite caring less for the stigma surrounding loneliness decrease with age, the study adds that older people say they're more likely to try and hide their loneliness than younger people. Also Read: Lonely Cardiac Patients May Be At Higher Death Risk: Study Commenting on the findings, Pamela Qualter, Professor of Psychology at the University of Manchester, who led the study, says, For me, the most interesting findings relate to the stigma of loneliness and the varied solutions people had to overcome loneliness. Those findings suggest that we need to be kinder to ourselves when we feel disconnected from others, but also that there is a whole toolkit of potential solutions that we can try. For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Others News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Secretary for Development Michael Wong (centre) visits a private residential project to see how five historic buildings are being preserved during the modular integrated construction process. Secretary for Development Michael Wong today met senior government officials in Singapore and visited development projects adopting the modular integrated construction (MiC) method. In the morning, Mr Wong visited a private high-rise development project using MiC modules in the Little India area. He was briefed on the project design and the construction process, particularly the experience of transporting, lifting and installing large modular units in the busy city centre. Mr Wong then met Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong and Urban Redevelopment Authority Chief Executive Officer Lim Eng Hwee to discuss land use planning, urban development and urban renewal issues. The development chief was given an overview by the authoritys officials on the Master Plan 2019, which sets out the land use plan for Singapore's development over the next 10 to 15 years. He was also briefed on how Singapore adopts innovative technology to facilitate its urban planning process. Mr Wong also toured the Singapore City Gallery which showcases the country's development story over the past 50 years. During a lunch hosted by the Minister for National Development, Mr Wong briefed him on Hong Kongs latest developments. In the afternoon, he visited a private residential project under construction to learn about the project design and details of the conservation of five historic buildings during the construction process. The project consists of two 56-storey towers and will become the tallest MiC buildings in the world when completed. Mr Wong also viewed an integrated construction and prefabrication hub to see how different processes of manufacturing prefabricated construction units are consolidated in a single multi-storey factory to optimise land use. He also paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong. The European Union has a new aim: figuring out how home-grown companies in the region can make money from data. The EU is drawing up plans to boost the competitiveness of European companies amid the hegemony of U.S. and Chinese firms. Europe has struggled to develop, support and even host digital companies over the past few years. For example, Spotify, the Swedish music streaming service, threatened in 2016 to move to the United States. However, the EU's new head of data and industry policy wants these European firms to be better equipped to stand up to their American and Chinese counterparts. "I will make sure we will not miss the new wave of industrial data," Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the internal market, told the Financial Times Tuesday. "The most important thing is to evaluate how we create data and how we will be able to use this data," Breton also said. The plan in Brussels is to help EU companies better capitalize on the electronic information they generate, according to the newspaper. The exact scope of the data which is being targeted is yet to be defined. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has often criticized the dominance of big tech players and how they use data. In 2018, the European Union approved a sweeping data privacy law known as the General Data Protection Rule (GDPR), aimed at giving users' a bigger say over their own data. Margrethe Vestager, the EU's chief for competition policy, said in September that there should be stronger rules on how companies collect and use information. In December, Vestager opened preliminary investigations into Google and Facebook's data practices, assessing whether the two U.S. tech firms are complying with its rules in the region. LONDON and PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 85% of brands experienced trademark infringement in the past year, showing a steady upward trend from 81% in 2018 and 74% in 2017. This is according to the latest research from CompuMark, the industry leader in trademark research and protection, and a Clarivate Analytics company. For those that suffered infringement, consequences were significant, with the top three cited as customer confusion (45%), loss of revenue (38%) and damage to brand reputation (37%). Three quarters of trademark infringements also led to litigation, with 40% of organizations spending between $50,000 - $249,999 on legal proceedings. In addition, 46% of respondents had to rebrand as a result of infringement, an exercise which can be costly for brands. The research also shows that trademark infringement frequently goes beyond business name and includes many different types of infringement: Business name (44%) Web domains (44%) Social media (38%) Online marketplaces (38%) Advertising campaigns (34%) In parallel with the rise in infringement, the number of trademarks filed is also increasing with 48% of brands filing more, 31% filing the same number, and 21% filing fewer marks, compared to last year. This reflects latest figures from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) showing a 15.5% increase in trademarks filed in 20181 The filing landscape is shifting too; 78% of respondents are including industrial design trademarks in their filing strategies and 56% are filing more image marks than in 2018. "We're seeing more and more trademarks filed as brands seek to take advantage of commercial opportunities driven by globalization, the online marketplace and emerging markets entering the IP space," said Jeff Roy, President, IP Group, Clarivate Analytics. "Trademark infringement can have a devastating impact on brands and, as a result, clearing, registering and watching marks has never been more important. It's likely we will continue to see an increase in the number and types of trademarks registered, including image marks, as the process and technology for searching continues to improve." Technology was the most cited (49%) way of improving the trademark research and protection process, with artificial intelligence seen as the method of speeding up search, watch and review, as well as in using predictive analytics and automating tasks. "Having access to the right data and tools remains critical in researching and filing new marks and artificial intelligence, in particular, will have a valuable role in improving the process. CompuMark, as a Clarivate Analytics company, continues to develop and invest in new technologies and solutions to help brands create, protect and advance their most valuable IP," concluded Roy. The research was commissioned by CompuMark, a Clarivate Analytics company. It was conducted by Vitreous World and surveyed 351 trademark professionals from in-house and external legal teams across the USA, UK, Germany, France and Italy. The Trademark Ecosystem: Global insights into infringement, technology and trademark process is the fourth annual report developed by CompuMark and can be downloaded here. About CompuMark CompuMark is the industry leader in trademark research and protection solutions. We enable trademark and brand professionals worldwide to launch, expand and protect strong brands through the highest quality global content; expert analysis; superior trademark screening, search, and watch tools; and best-in-class service. Key products include: SAEGIS Trademark Screening Tools; TM go365 Self-service Research Solution; Trademark Full Search; Trademark Watching; Copyright Searches; and Custom Solutions. For more information, please visit www.compumark.com. About Clarivate Analytics Clarivate Analytics plc (NYSE:CCC; CCC.WS) is a global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation. We have built some of the most trusted brands across the innovation lifecycle, including the Web of Science, Cortellis, Derwent, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet. Today, Clarivate Analytics is on a bold entrepreneurial mission to help customers reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing innovations. For more information, please visit clarivate.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and oral statements included herein may contain forward-looking statements regarding Clarivate Analytics. Forward-looking statements provide Clarivate Analytics' current expectations or forecasts of future events and may include statements regarding results, anticipated synergies and other future expectations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties including factors outside of Clarivate Analytics' control that may cause actual results to differ materially. Clarivate Analytics undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. Media contact Sofia Nogues, Senior External Communications Manager, Clarivate Analytics +44 7500102982 [email protected] 1 https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0012.html SOURCE Clarivate Analytics Related Links https://clarivate.com Decorated J&K police officer caught travelling with terrorists In a dramatic move, the Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday arrested a senior police officer in Jammu and Kashmir who was accompanying two wanted terrorists to Delhi, which raised doubts about his intentions and role. Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh was caught travelling with two militants on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, en route to Delhi. The police recovered AK-47s and other arms from the car they were travelling. The arrest of the police officer has revived the debate over the role of Afzal Guru in the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament and also the illicit links between the security establishment and Kashmir militants. Afzal had then named Davinder Singh as a key go-between in the 2001 incident, but his role in the Parliament case was never investigated. Singh was awarded the Presidents medal for bravery only last year. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, inspector general of police for J&K Vijay Kumar said although Singh has worked on several anti-militancy operations, the circumstances under which he was arrested yesterday when he was driving the car with militants towards Jammu is a heinous crime. That is why he is being treated at par with the militants. Singh has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, according to some reports. TV18 reported that the IGP denied having any knowledge of Singhs connection to Afzal. There are no such records. However, the police will look into the matter. Afzal Guru had in an affidavit named J&K police officer Davinder Singh as setting him up to take a Parliament attack accused "Mohammad" to Delhi, rent a flat and buy a car for him. Singh is now said to have been "caught with Hizbul terrorists on way to Delhi". The two militants caught with Davinder Singh, who is posted as DSP at Srinagar airport, are Naveed Babu, said to be top commander of the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Altaf of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Naveed was wanted for his role in the killing of labourers from Bihar and West Bengal in October last year, in the wake of abrogation of J&Ks Article 370 status. It is not clear why Singh was taking Naveed and Altaf to Delhi, especially since Delhi is usually placed on high alert in the run up to Republic Day on 26 January when the police say terrorist groups like to stage a high-profile attack. Davinder Singhs name came into national prominence when Afzal Gurus lawyer, Sushil Kumar, released a letter Guru wrote in his own hand which provided details of the role Davinder referred to as Dravinder Singh in the letter played in introducing Guru to one of the men who later attacked parliament. Afzal Guru had alleged in his defence that Singh tortured him and threatened to kill his family unless he carried out his directions. Guru alleged in a written affidavit and through statements carried in the local media that Singh had forced him to carry the Parliament attack terrorists to Delhi, hire a flat there and also buy a second-hand white ambassador car for the use of the terrorists. It was this white ambassador car that the terrorists used during the Parliament attack in 2001. According to a PTI report, deputy inspector general of South Kashmir Atul Goyal apprehended Davinder Singhs car at a police barricade when he was supervising the operation at Mir Bazar in Kulgam of South Kashmir on 11 January. The DIG, according to the eyewitness, lost his cool at the DSP. Two AK rifles were seized from the car. A search was conducted at his residence and the police allegedly seized two pistols and one AK rifle, the officials said. IGP Vijay Kumar, however, said there was no record of involvement of the the arrested police officer in the Parliament attack case as was being reported in a section of the media. "We have no such records and I have no information, but we will ask him about this," he said. On assigning security duty to Davinder Singh during the recent visit of envoys to J&K, Kumar said the police had no information about the officer's involvement till Saturday. "He was on duty and how could we have stopped him from that as we had no information about his involvement in anything," he said. Kumar also refused to divulge details of the probe, adding that after news spread about their detention, some militants escaped from a hideout in Shopian. ST. PAUL The Minnesota Attorney Generals Office is asking for a delay in the lawsuit St. Paul-based Bremer Bank filed against its philanthropic parent the Otto Bremer Trust while it conducts its own investigation. In a letter filed in Ramsey County District Court this past week, Assistant Attorney General Carol Washington indicated that her office has a "pending investigation regarding central issues in the lawsuit" and asked that the court delay continuation of the suit until the investigation concludes. On Oct. 28, the trusts three trustees transferred approximately 37 percent of Bremer Financials voting stock to 19 out-of-state hedge funds, with the goal of replacing the Bremer Financial board of directors and exploring whether to put the bank up for sale. The investigation will look at the circumstances around trusts leaders sale of bank stock and whether their motivations are self-interested or whether they honor trust-founder Otto Bremers intent that the shares only be sold due to "unforeseen circumstances," according to the Attorney Generals office. "My office is using the broad authority we have under the law to make sure that charitable trust assets are used for the public good," Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a prepared statement. "This includes by representing the public in making sure that trustees fulfill their fiduciary duties and remain faithful to the charitable purpose of the trust." ADVERTISEMENT How we got here The bank sued the three trustees who oversee the charitable trust which has a 92 percent financial stake in the otherwise employee-owned bank this past fall in order to halt efforts by three trustees to sell bank shares to the group of hedge funds and outside investors. The bank is 80 percent employee-controlled. Viewed as the first step toward a potential bank sale, the suit alleges that the trustees lied to the banks board of directors and violated a structure set up decades ago in an effort to enrich themselves, court documents say. In its counter-suit, the trust called the claims false and without merit. Founded in 1943, the $13 billion Bremer Bank is Minnesotas fourth-largest banking institution and the 11th largest farm and agricultural lender in the country. Why the attorney general's office? Under state statute, the attorney generals office is responsible for the "supervision, administration and enforcement of charitable trusts," according to the offices letter, which did not otherwise specify the nature of the investigation. The court document was filed as the parties are preparing to meet for a scheduling conference on the matter Wednesday, Jan. 15. The letter indicates the attorney generals office has contacted both sides about its aim to stay proceedings until the completion of its investigation and noted that the parties are open to the "general concept." What the trust says A spokesman for the trust issued the following statement Monday morning: ADVERTISEMENT "We appreciate the Attorney Generals thorough review of the current situation and particularly for clarifying the role his office plays in terms of oversight and as the only party with standing to represent the beneficial interests of OBT. Weve been working closely with the Attorney Generals office for 75 years and welcome its active involvement in this matter to ensure the best outcome for OBTs beneficiaries," the statement read. What the bank says A spokeswoman for the bank issued the following statement: "We welcome the attorney generals involvement and the opportunity to cooperate in the offices investigation. We remain focused on serving our customers, employees and communities with the same heartfelt determination that Otto Bremer instilled in our company when he established it in 1943." Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani had on 4 January said that 'rumours' of the disinvestment-bound airline's shutdown are 'all baseless'. Amid efforts to privatise debt-laden Air India, its employees of the ground handling arm, AIATSL, are likely to get their salaries by next week. A staff notice issued by Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL) on Monday said, "We regret to inform the delay in payment of salaries for the month of December 2019 due to circumstances beyond the control of management." However, AIATSL said that all efforts are being made to make the payment at the earliest or by next week, reported PTI. Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani had on 4 January said that 'rumours' of the disinvestment-bound airline's shutdown were 'all baseless'. Lohani's remarks came weeks after he told the Civil Aviation Ministry that the carrier's financial situation was 'grossly untenable' for sustaining operations. While Air India's net loss in 2018-19 was around Rs 8,556 crore, its current total debt is around Rs 80,000 crore. Early this month, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had reassured Air India employees that the passenger carrier would remain operational till its privatisation process was complete. The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA), one of the unions that was present in the meeting, said that all the Unions opposed privatisation but the minister stated that the government did not have funds to infuse into Air India. Early this month, a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah had approved the Expression of Interest (EoI) as well as the share purchase agreement for Air India's privatisation, a senior government official said. Shah heads the panel looking after the divestment process. Its other members include Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and the Civil Aviation Minister. Early this month, Puri had said that the government had no option but to privatise Air India as it has around Rs 80,000-crore debt and needed the cooperation of the employees for carrying out the privatisation process. Assuring the Air India employees of not taking away their jobs, the national carrier in November last year had said that it would give one-year job protection to its employees amid efforts are underway to privatise the loss-making national carrier. Over 11,000 employees of the debt-laden Air India will be offered employment guarantee for a period of one year as employee issues of state-run companies are of concern to buyers in the wake of high employee costs and low productivity. With PTI inputs Each time data security expert Jim Van Dyke concluded his work on a data breach lawsuit, he couldnt shake the feeling there was even greater use for his research. An expert witness in nearly 20 high-profile legal cases, Van Dyke developed an algorithm to offer detailed and unbiased analysis of data breaches to lawyers, judges and juries. Wouldnt everyone benefit from the same information, Van Dyke wondered. Van Dyke likens the publicly available Breach Clarity Score to magnitude scales like the Richter Scale, widely used in measuring earthquakes. Without a single, consistent way to measure the impact of data breaches, every breach feels like an emergency, said Van Dyke. There are high-profile breaches that are not as serious as they seem, and smaller, less-visible breaches that can be extremely dangerous. Couple that complexity with the growing frequency of data breaches, and consumers are left feeling confused, overwhelmed and even helpless. This often leads to inaction, or taking the wrong action. The patent-pending algorithm underpinning the Breach Clarity Score analyzes 1,188 data points to assess the specific risks stemming from a breach. The tool then recommends actions to mitigate the unique risks of each particular breach. New data points are added as Breach Claritys proprietary research, knowledge base and partner network expands. The idea is to provide clarity, calm fears and give direction, helping consumers regain a sense of control, said Al Pascual, recognized fraud expert and co-founder of Breach Clarity. The Breach Clarity Score conducts a sophisticated analysis, and yet provides quick and simple answers. Van Dyke and Pascual worked together closely at Javelin Strategy & Research, a firm Van Dyke founded in 2003 and sold in 2015. Together, they will generate consumer awareness and use of the Breach Clarity Score, as well as integration of the Breach Clarity platform with other digital tools, such as online and mobile banking apps. Breach Clarity Advisory Board Adds Five Today, Van Dyke and Pascual announced the addition of five members of the Breach Clarity advisory board. The following individuals have agreed to serve on the board, each for a three-year term: Kurt Abrahamson, chairman and former CEO of ShareThis Adept in designing and directing sales, marketing and product development initiatives, Abrahamson has devoted his 25+-year career to guiding organizations to growth and efficiency. He has held a variety of positions with several high-tech and digital companies, including Google, Jupiter Media and ShareThis. His track record of raising capital and designing highly effective operational infrastructures will help Breach Clarity achieve a number of objectives as a fast-growing, early-stage company. Matt Macomber, former BlackRock and Bank of the West digital executive For TMG Solutions, Macomber and his team help financial institutions accelerate and optimize their digital transformation strategies. Prior to founding TMG Solutions, Macomber led teams responsible for everything from web and systems integration to omnichannel distribution at financial services firms BlackRock and Bank of the West. His distinctive expertise around user experience, design and development will not only assist Breach Clarity in the iteration of its own technology; it will also help the company develop strategies for seamless integration of the Breach Clarity Score within banks and credit unions digital channels. Ellen Richey, former vice chairman and chief risk officer for Visa Richey topped off her 40-year career serving as chief risk officer for Visa, Inc. Her knowledge of digital-era risk and the different ways financial institutions, merchants and networks view and manage for it will provide useful context for Breach Claritys enterprise product development and delivery. In addition, Richeys expert understanding of cyber threat actor tools, techniques and procedures will give Breach Clarity a clear line of sight into the ever-evolving threat landscape. Tom Shaw, former VP of financial crimes management for USAA Following 16 years with Bank of America, Shaw dedicated more than a decade to USAA where he oversaw the fraud management lifecycle of financial products from deposits to brokerage. Now a consultant, Shaw applies his 33-year experience to assisting financial institutions with the development of agile fraud risk management strategies. His mastery of analytics, organizational design and vendor selection will help Breach Clarity delivery its message and value proposition within the financial institution marketplace. Eva Casey Velasquez, CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center Velasquez has more than 30 years of experience assisting victims of crime. She has investigated consumer and economic fraud issues for the San Diego District Attorneys Office and led a BBB team in the agencys pursuit of increasing awareness of consumer protection tools and resources. In her current role as president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, Velasquez furthers her passion for public good by providing free services to victims of identity theft. For Breach Clarity, Velasquez will ensure the voice of the consumer remains a central component to the companys purpose and product evolution. Were incredibly pleased at the strength and diversity of this team, said Van Dyke. The caliber of professionals who have joined us indicates we are on the right track. They are precisely the individuals to help us decode the mystery of data breaches for the millions of consumers impacted each year. About Breach Clarity Breach Claritys proprietary, machine learning algorithm instantly analyzes more than 1,000 elements to score the risk level of a data breach. Each publicly reported data breach in the U.S. receives a Breach Clarity Score on a simple numerical scale, typically from 1 to 10. Breach Claritys dynamic algorithm and easy-to-use interface runs on the most comprehensive source of data breaches in the U.S., maintained and updated continuously by the Identity Theft Resource Center. To learn more, or to check the score of a recent data breach, visit https://www.breachclarity.com/. An 85-year-old woman was found raped and murdered in her house at Kahuru village in Engineer area of Nyandarua County. Reports indicate that an unknown number of thugs broke into her home on Saturday night and made away with household goods. Engineer Town Police Commander Charity Dorcas the granny had traveled to her rural home from Nairobi to undertake some farming business when she was attacked. According to Ms Dorcas, the victim used to visit the home once a month to pay farmworkers and monitor projects. Detectives suspect that the attackers believed the woman had cash and that it is likely they killed her after she identified them. Her body was discovered on Monday, KNA reports. A village elder, Joel Kimani, termed the incident shocking and urged police to find the attackers. (Newser) Amazon has long been suspicious that it lost out to Microsoft on a lucrative $10 billion cloud computing deal with the US military only because of President Trump's intervention, and now Jeff Bezos' behemoth has taken its latest step to stymie the latter from proceeding with that project. CNN Business reports that, per a court filing put in on Monday, Amazon Web Serviceswhich already has a lawsuit complaining that the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract from the Defense Department was handed to Microsoft only after "behind-the-scenes attacks" against Amazon from Trumpwill file a preliminary injunction with a federal court by Jan. 24 to stop Microsoft from starting its work with the military until its complaint is resolved. story continues below Amazon says the contract-awarding process was influenced by the president's antipathy for the Washington Post and Amazon CEO Bezos, who owns the newspaper, and that itnot Microsoftis the most qualified to handle the job. Amazon was originally believed to be the favored company for the project. Reuters notes the judge will hand down a decision on the restraining order by Feb. 11, the day the Microsoft project was due to start. The Pentagon, meanwhile, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, insist the process was fairly conducted and that the resulting contract didn't emerge from any outside influence. Per Investor's Business Daily, Microsoft intends to request that the judge dismiss Amazon's lawsuit entirely. (Read more Amazon.com stories.) By PTI DURG: Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo on Tuesday said Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone meeting a specific group of students on the JNU campus and "ignoring" others in the midst of promotion of her film "Chhapaak", has "not gone down well" with some people. Supriyo said the names of some members of the group the actor had met with, have now surfaced as accused (in connection with the violence in the varsity). Addressing reporters, the BJP leader also slammed the trolls for making derogatory remarks against the actor over her visit. Ahead of the release of her film "Chhapaak", Padukone visited the JNU on January 7 to express solidarity with students who were attacked by masked assailants two days earlier. The visit triggered a backlash from many netizens. Addressing a press conference in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, Supriyo also accused Opposition parties of spreading a "false propaganda" about the new law. Responding to a query on Padukone getting trolled on social media, the MoS for Forest and Environment said, "I am a big admirer of Deepika Padukone. Even I have named my younger daughter as 'Naina' after Padukone's character in her film 'Yeh Jawani hai Deewani'. "Nowadays people write and speak anything even if it is abusive on social media Deepika's visit to JNU and meeting those, whose names are now being surfaced as accused (in connection with the violence in the university), and not meeting the other groups did not go down well with some people," he said. The BJP MP from West Bengal also said that people did not like Padukone meeting only a specific group in the JNU in the midst of promotion of her film. "Despite that if anyone abuses or uses harsh words (against her on the issue), I condemned them. Use of any kind of abusive word at any forum should not be done," he said. Reiterating the party line on the new citizenship law, Supriyo said the legislation is not aimed at snatching away citizenship of people in the country. He said Opposition parties like the TMC, the Congress and the Left are spreading "falsehood" over the CAA for political reasons. Earlier, addressing a pro-CAA rally of the BJP in Durg, Supriyo said, "An Italian translation of the new citizenship law will be sent to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chinese one to leaders of the Left parties, if they have not understand its provisions properly". He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified all doubts of all parties on the CAA in Parliament before it was passed. BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Crayon released its annual market and competitive intelligence research study, the 2020 State of Competitive Intelligence report. This is the largest study on the best practices and trends in the field of market and competitive intelligence, drawing from the responses of more than 1,000 CI professionals and stakeholders. Download the full report at www.crayon.co/state-of-competitive-intelligence The study found that 90% of businesses say that their industry has become more competitive in the last three years, and 48% say it has become much more competitive. CI teams and budgets are growing, as the need for -- and impact of -- competitive intelligence expands. "The competitive landscape has changed -- it is easier than ever for competitors to go to market and innovate, making the need for competitive intelligence greater than ever," shared Ellie Mirman, CMO at Crayon. "The competitive intelligence landscape has changed as well. Automation, data proliferation, measurement tools, and so much more have transformed the way businesses can capture and analyze competitor movements and take action to get ahead. Our goal with this study is to share best practices and trends in competitive intelligence to enable CI professionals to continue to grow in their roles and have a greater impact on their organizations." The study also revealed that CI professionals still struggle with much of the CI program foundation, including competitor research and impact measurement. More than a third of CI effort still goes towards CI research, and gathering competitive data is the #1 challenge faced by CI professionals. Further, only 44% have defined key performance indicators, however, those that do have established KPIs are twice as likely to see revenue increases as a result of CI. Additional findings include: CI teams are growing: more than half (57%) of businesses have CI teams of two or more dedicated CI professionals, compared to just 37% of businesses two years ago. The competitor website was rated the top source of competitive intelligence data, with 98% of businesses saying this source was valuable. Companies that share CI daily or weekly were twice as likely to see revenue increases as a result of CI compared to those who share CI less frequently. Companies that saw revenue increases as a result of CI were 63% more likely to increase CI headcount and 66% more likely to increase CI budget this year. "As the world's largest non-profit serving the competitive & marketing intelligence community, SCIP (Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals) is pleased to partner with Crayon on this important study, surveying the state of our profession," shared Cam Mackey, Executive Director of SCIP. "By providing a benchmark against current practices and insight into best practices, this report is an important resource to help improve the value that we bring to our organizations every day." To review the full report, visit www.crayon.co/state-of-competitive-intelligence About Crayon Crayon's market and competitive intelligence software platform enables businesses to capture, analyze, and act on market movements from their competitors, customers, and partners. Tens of thousands of teams use Crayon's software to automatically track and analyze complete competitive intelligence - external messaging and positioning, product and pricing changes, hiring plans, go-to-market strategies, and more - pulling from hundreds of millions of sources. Crayon enables businesses to take advantage of valuable market intelligence data to enable sales with competitive battlecards, improve marketing performance, inform product strategies, and drive revenue. To learn more about Crayon, visit www.crayon.co. Contact Ellie Mirman Crayon +1-617-843-5543 [email protected] Related Images 2020-state-of-competitive.png 2020 State of Competitive Intelligence Report Download the full report at www.crayon.co/state-of-competitive-intelligence Related Links 2020 State of CI Report Crayon Blog SOURCE Crayon Related Links http://www.crayon.co Chinese guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan (Hull 175, L) and guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571, R) dock at the Karachi military port after completing the drills at 6 p.m. on January 13, local time. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Dong Zhaohui) By Dong Zhaohui, Mu Ruilin, Chen Runchu and Zhang Jian KARACHI, Pakistan, Jan. 14 -- As the last cleat hitch of Chinas guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571) was tied to the dock at 3 p.m. on January 13, all naval ships of the Chinese fleet participating in the PN-PLAN Bilateral Exercise, code-named Sea Guardians-2020, have returned to Karachi Port, Pakistan, marking the successful completion of the maritime phase of the bilateral exercise. From leaving the port early in the morning on January 10, to their berthing at the dock on the afternoon of January 13, 11 naval ships from China and Pakistan have carried out over 10 drill subjects as the vessels breaching three meters of high wave in waters of the northern Arabian Sea. The drill subjects include anti-pirate speedboat attack, maritime interception and temporary inspection, helicopter cross-deck landing, anti-missile drill, search and rescue drill, change of guard formation, ship-aircraft coordinated anti-submarine drill, underway replenishment control, submarine rescue and lifesaving. Senior Captain Ye Dan, commander of the Chinese naval fleet, said after returning to Karachi Port: The joint exercise promoted the deep integration of the technologies and tactics of the two navies and deepened the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. The first actual-troop submarine rescue exercise at sea greatly improved the underwater emergency rescue capabilities of the two navies, and also tested and improved the actual combat training level of the formation. The entire formation completed the scheduled subjects and related training plans and laid a good foundation for our new mission, he added. The Chinese and Pakistani naval ships steam in formation in waters of the northern Arabian Sea.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) Corvus Gold Expands Mother Lode Main Zone with 36.6m @ 2.43 g/t Au&New Central Intrusive Oxide Zone Below Main Zone with 41.2m @ 1.60 g/t Au (incl. 15.2m @ 3.60 g/t Au&6.1m @ 5.3 g/t Au) Posted by Publisher Internet Corvus Gold Inc. (?Corvus? or the ?Company?) (TSX: KOR, OTCQX: CORVF) announces it has received assay results from two holes from the Phase-4 Mother Lode resource expansion drill program (Table 1). Both holes returned positive results from the central part of the deposit where the Main Zone mineralization has infilled parts of the deposit not yet estimated (Figure 1): ML19-121; 36.6m @ 1.79 g/t Au ML19-122; 36.6m @ 2.43 g/t Au & 27.4m @ 2.42 g/t Au In addition, results continue to be returned from the newly discovered Central Intrusive Zone (?CIZ?, previously called the deep intrusive zone with the first hole reported NR19-19, Dec. 5, 2019; ML19-119; 50.3m @ 1.50 g/t Au, including 33.5m @ 1.94 g/t Au). This new and expanding, higher-grade, oxide zone is below the main Mother Lode deposit and remains unconstrained. ML19-121; 41.2m @ 1.60 g/t Au, including 15.2m @ 3.6 g/t Au & 6.1m @ 5.3 g/t Au All intercepts to date from the Mother Lode Phase-4 drilling are within open pit depths and have ended in mineralization. A diamond core drill rig has begun drilling at the North Deep target and will then move to follow-up test the expanding intrusive CIZ target (Figure 2). Newly Identified Central Intrusive Zone Discovery The initial Phase-4 holes in the CIZ target continue to outline a significant area that Corvus believes has potential for high-grade oxide mineralization (+1 g/t gold) immediately below the known Mother Lode deposit. These recent intercepts combined with the previous results continue to show an intimate association with a widening intrusive dike system, which projects down into the geophysical target announced late last year (NR19-18 Nov. 7, 2019). Previous drilling in the CIZ target has only penetrated the upper portion of the dike system returning broad intercepts of higher grade oxide gold mineralization (ML17-020 with 54m @ 0.77 g/t Au including 10.7m @ 2.8 g/t Au; NR18-01 Jan.10, 2018, & ML19-119 with 50.3m @ 1.50 g/t including 33.5m @ 1.94 g/t Au; NR19-19 Dec. 5, 2019). This new high-grade oxide zone is being targeted with follow-up drilling laterally and at depth to follow it down dip into the geophysical anomaly. Corvus believes the CIZ could represent a major new oxide expansion of the Mother?Lode system with grades that could have the potential to support both open pit and eventually underground development as the deposit extends at depth. Jeffrey Pontius, President and CEO of Corvus, said, ?The latest intercepts from the new CIZ are encouraging and we believe they could represent the tip of the iceberg for a new high-value part of this growing deposit. As with other sediment hosted gold systems, there is a close relationship between intrusive activity as well as potential to grow at depth. The Phase-4 Mother Lode exploration program is designed to unlock what Corvus anticipates may be the deep potential for both high-grade oxide and deeper sulfide mineralization in this promising new sediment hosted deposit. Corvus has a commanding land position and we believe we are well-situated to expand the Bullfrog Mining District that is anchored with our large North Bullfrog and Mother Lode deposits that highlight the potential for new discoveries in the area.? Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (?NI 43-101?), has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent of Corvus, as he is the CEO & President and holds common shares and incentive stock options. Carl E. Brechtel, (Nevada PE 008744 and Registered Member 353000 of SME), a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has coordinated execution of the work outlined in this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Brechtel is not independent of Corvus, as he is the COO and holds common shares and incentive stock options. The work program at Mother Lode was designed and supervised by Mark Reischman, Corvus? Nevada Exploration Manager, who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project log and track all samples prior to sealing and shipping. Quality control is monitored by the insertion of blind certified standard reference materials and blanks into each sample shipment. All mineral resource sample shipments are sealed and shipped to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Reno, Nevada, for preparation and assaying. AAL is independent of the Company. AAL?s quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to AAL and an ISO compliant third-party laboratory for additional quality control. Mr. Pontius, a qualified person, has verified the data underlying the information disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information by reviewing the reports of AAL, methodologies, results and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice, and all matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. There were no limitations on the verification process. Mr. Scott E. Wilson, CPG (10965), Registered Member of SME (4025107) and President of Resource Development Associates Inc., is an independent consulting geologist specializing in Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource calculation reporting, mining project analysis and due diligence evaluations. He is acting as the Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, and is the primary author of the Technical Report for the Mineral Resource estimate and has reviewed and approved the Mineral Resource estimate and the Preliminary Economic Assessment summarized in this news release. Mr. Wilson has over 29 years of experience in surface mining, mineral resource estimation and strategic mine planning. Mr. Wilson is President of Resource Development Associates Inc. and is independent of the Company under NI 43-101. Mr. Wilson, a qualified person, has verified the data underlying the information disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information by reviewing the reports of AAL, methodologies, results and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice, and all matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. There were no limitations on the verification process. Metallurgical testing on North Bullfrog and Mother Lode samples has been performed by McClelland Analytical Services Laboratories Inc. of Sparks Nevada (?McClelland?), McClelland is an ISO 17025 accredited facility that supplies quantitative chemical analysis in support of metallurgical, exploration and environmental testing using classic methods and modern analytical instrumentation. McClelland has met the requirements of the IAS Accreditations Criteria for Testing Laboratories (AC89), has demonstrated compliance with ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and has been accredited, since November 12, 2012. Hazen Research Inc. (?Hazen?), an independent laboratory, has performed flotation, AAO testing and cyanide leach testing on samples of sulphide mineralization from the YellowJacket zone and Swale area of Sierra Blanca, and roasting tests on Mother Lode flotation concentrate. Hazen holds analytical certificates from state regulatory agencies and the US Environmental Protection Agency (the ?EPA?). Hazen participates in performance evaluation studies to demonstrate competence and maintains a large stock of standard reference materials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Canadian Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET), the EPA and other sources. Hazen?s QA program has been developed for conformance to the applicable requirements and standards referenced in 10 CFR 830.120 subpart A, quality assurance requirements, January 1, 2002. Pressure oxidation test work on Mother Lode concentrate samples was performed by Resource Development Inc. of Wheatridge, CO. For additional details, see technical report entitled ?Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Integrated Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects, Bullfrog Mining District, Nye County, Nevada?, dated November 1, 2018 and amended on November 8, 2018, with an effective date of September 18, 2018 on the Company?s profile at www.sedar.com. About the North Bullfrog & Mother Lode Projects, Nevada Corvus controls 100% of its North Bullfrog Project, which covers approximately 90.5 km2 in southern Nevada. The property package is made up of a number of private mineral leases of patented federal mining claims and 1,134 federal unpatented mining claims. The project has excellent infrastructure, being adjacent to a major highway and power corridor as well as a large water right. The Company also controls 445 federal unpatented mining claims on the Mother Lode project which totals approximately 36.5 km2 which it owns 100%. The total Corvus 100% land ownership now covers over 127 km2, hosting two major new Nevada gold discoveries. The combined Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects contains a Measured Mineral Resource for the mill of 9.3 Mt at an average grade of 1.59 g/t gold, containing 475 k ounces of gold and Indicated Mineral Resources for the mill of 18.2 Mt at an average grade of 1.68 g/t gold containing 988 k ounces of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource for the mill of 2.3 Mt at an average grade of 1.61 g/t gold containing 118 k ounces of gold. In addition, the project contains a Measured Mineral Resource for oxide, run of mine, heap leach of 34.6 Mt at an average grade of 0.27 g/t gold containing 305 k ounces of gold and an Indicated Mineral Resource for, oxide, run of mine, heap leach of 149.4 Mt at an average grade of 0.24 g/t gold containing 1,150 k ounces of gold and an Inferred, oxide, run of mine, heap leach Mineral Resource of 78.7 Mt at an average grade of 0.26 g/t gold containing 549 k ounces of gold. About Corvus Gold Inc. Corvus Gold Inc. is a North American gold exploration and development company, focused on its near-term gold-silver mining project at the North Bullfrog and Mother Lode Districts in Nevada. Corvus is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries and the expansion of its projects to maximize share price leverage in an advancing gold and silver market. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, ?forward-looking statements?) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the advancement and development of our Mother Lode project and the expansion of our drill program; plans for drilling; expectations of and potential for additional resources or mineralization; expectations regarding the potential for future open-pit and underground mining; expectations for types of mineralization; updates on the development progress at the Mother Lode project; the potential for new deposits and discoveries and expected increases in a system?s potential; expectations regarding the potential expansion of the Bullfrog mining district; anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the Company\-\-s inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company\-\-s inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company?s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 filed with certain securities commissions in Canada and the Company?s most recent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the ?SEC?). All of the Company?s Canadian public disclosure filings in Canada may be accessed via www.sedar.com and filings with the SEC may be accessed via www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company?s mineral properties. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will speak to the Great Lakes Bay Economic Club about her vision for the future of Michigan during a special meeting of the club Friday, Jan. 17, at Saginaw Valley State University. Her talk will come less than two weeks before she delivers her State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Whitmer is expected to provide a preview of portions of her State of the State address. Her priorities include working to ensure every Michigander has an excellent public education and a path to a good-paying job, every community has clean, safe drinking water, and everyone can drive to work or drop their kids at school safely, without blowing a tire or cracking a windshield. Pune, Maharashatra -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2020 -- As indicated by an examination report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), a main market insight firm, the worldwide aseptic packaging market is foreseen to observe a high development rate in the coming years. The market shows a profoundly aggressive business scene. The main players in the aseptic packaging disinfection showcase have been depending on acquainting inventive items with stay pertinent in the challenge. Over the coming years, they are probably going to move their concentration towards innovative headways of their accessible items. They are likewise expected to expand their interests in this market in an offer to catch more offers, expresses the examination report for aseptic packaging market from 2017 to 2024. The world has witnessed extreme urbanization in the developing economies of China and India in the previous decade has been a help for the nourishment, refreshment, and dairy ventures. These two nations house more than 33% of the total populace and a noteworthy piece of them are presently requesting packaging in food products, that too aseptically guaranteeing conservation from natural defilement while being without additive. As indicated by the discoveries of this business knowledge study, the interest in the worldwide aseptic packaging market will proliferate at a great CAGR of 10.0% during the estimate time of 2017 to 2024. As far as income, the worldwide aseptic bundling market has been assessed to accomplish a valuation of 80.49 billion by 2024, mounting from the market's assessed worth of US$41.31 billion starting at 2017. Request PDF Sample For More Information@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=129 Tough Competition to Boost the Growth of Market The huge extension in the nourishment and refreshments bundling industry is driving the worldwide aseptic bundling market colossally," says a TMR experts. These days, shoppers are by and large more cleanliness cognizant and know about the advantages of safe bundling. This is additionally thought about the interest for aseptic bundling over the world. Aside from nourishment and refreshment bundling, the expanding utilization of aseptic bundling for the bundling of pharmaceutical and individual consideration items is additionally supporting the development of this market generously. Over the coming years, this market is probably going to pick up from the serious challenge among players. The main organizations in this market are putting intensely in R&D in an offer to present new item before their rivals to increase an edge over them, reports the examination study. Asia Pacific Draws New Businesses Asia Pacific has surfaced as the key territorial markets for aseptic Packaging among others. The appeal for aseptic packaging in countries like India, Indonesia, and Thailand is making Asia Pacific the most encouraging market for aseptic packaging. Specialists foresee a proceeded with high development pace of the Asia Pacific aseptic packaging market throughout the following hardly any years, keeping up its administration. These benefits are anticipated to boost the growth of global aseptic packaging market from 2017 to 2024. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gray Eagle Capital Partners LLC ("Gray Eagle"), a New York-based private equity firm specializing in control equity investments and buyouts of lower middle market businesses, launched its operations. Gray Eagle will focus on providing long-term investment capital as well as strategic, operational and financial resources to companies in sectors such as business services, value-added distribution, and healthcare services. The firm seeks to make equity investments of up to $30 million per transaction and to work closely with management teams of healthy, family-owned businesses headquartered in North America with over $1 million in EBITDA. Gray Eagle is backed by wealthy individuals, family offices, and institutional capital. Gray Eagle was co-founded by Allam Taj and Christoph Ganz, who together bring over 25 years of investing, legal, consulting, and operations experience to the firm. Their prior experience includes roles at firms such as Citigroup, Legg Mason, Johnson and Johnson, Skadden, Boston Consulting Group, and Lindt. "We are pleased by the reception we have received from our investors and are humbled by their support," said Taj. "The lower middle market presents an exciting opportunity given the number of quality businesses in need of additional support to supercharge growth and of business owners nearing the age of retirement." "We are excited at the prospect of partnering with family-owned businesses to help unlock their full potential while preserving the traits that made these firms successful in the first place," added Ganz. Gray Eagle intends to actively participate in the boards of its portfolio companies while allowing the management teams to retain control over day-to-day operations. To fuel growth, the firm intends to invest in operational improvements and add-on acquisitions, where appropriate, and to provide its portfolio companies with hands-on assistance and with access to operating partners and advisors. The founding partners are supported by a talented group of investment professionals, operators, advisors, and subject-matter experts. "We look forward to helping owners achieve their goals as we build leading lower middle market businesses and create long-term value for all stakeholders involved," said Taj. About Gray Eagle Capital Partners LLC Gray Eagle Capital Partners LLC is a private investment firm specializing in control equity investments and buyouts of lower middle market businesses in North America. Headquartered in New York City, the firm seeks to acquire healthy, cash flow generating businesses with over $1 million in EBITDA and to grow them through operational improvements, business model enhancements, and strategic acquisitions. With a collaborative approach to investing, Gray Eagle focuses on staying true to its core values of authenticity, transparency, and partnership while creating long-term value for all its stakeholders, including its investors, business owners, employees, customers, and the communities in which it operates. For more information, please visit www.grayeaglecap.com. SOURCE Gray Eagle Capital Partners Related Links https://www.grayeaglecap.com UPDATE: He threatened to burn down a building. Days later, he set the Bound Brook fire, cops say. An arrest has been made in a Sunday night, seven-alarm blaze that destroyed two under-construction apartment buildings and damaged nearby buildings in downtown Bound Brook. Juan Hector Padilla, 28, of East Second Street, was arrested and charged Monday with second-degree arson and third-degree hindering investigation apprehension and providing false information, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. Additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. Juan Hector Padilla, 28, has been charged with arson in the massive fire in Bound Brook. Padilla was seen walking in the area of the construction site prior to the fire, according to investigators, who are still trying to determine the origin of the fire and how it was started. Officials had previously said it could take months before a cause is determined. "We would ask the public and the community of Bound Brook if they saw anything, if they have any video, iPhone footage, you name it, to please contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said at a Tuesday press conference. A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declined to comment on its role in the investigation. The federal agency is assisting state and local investigators, the spokesman said. The blaze broke out around 8 p.m. on Sunday night and quickly engulfed the entire Meridia Downtown building before jumping across the street to a second apartment building under construction. Several homes and an electronics store were also damaged or destroyed in the fire. Between 100 and 200 nearby residents were displaced from their homes as firefighters from almost every Somerset County town worked to control the flames. The fire was mostly out by mid-morning Monday, and firefighters worked through the day dousing the remaining hot spots. A massive fire ripped through commercial buildings in downtown Bound Brook on Sunday, Jan. 12.Photo courtesy Marc Teschic No one was seriously injured in the fire. One Bound Brook firefighter suffered a sprained ankle. Mayor Robert Fazen praised the work of first responders, saying at the press events, "Quite frankly, this could have spread into the neighborhoods and taken up many, many houses without the work of our fire department, our police department and everyone. A smaller number of firefighters remained at the scene Tuesday morning, although there were no hoses directed at the buildings. The crowd of onlookers had thinned substantially, with just a few milling outside a Dunkin Donuts a block down. Not all residents were back in their homes Tuesday morning. Fazen said most should be able to come back home either later on Tuesday or sometime Wednesday. Power was restored on Monday. Neighbors watch as firefighters battle a 7 alarm fire on East Main Street in Bound Brook, January, 12, 2020Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for The New Jersey Red Cross is assisting 24 people from 11 displaced families with emergency assistance. The Somerset County Department of Social Services is arranging temporary housing. Of those displaced, borough officials said about a dozen residents from two properties are permanently displaced. Another 20 have been temporarily displaced pending the demolition of the buildings. It was unclear what path the two builders might take going forward. Fazen said he believed both concrete parking decks would be razed and the builders would start from scratch, while Gomez said the parking decks were structurally sound and would not be demolished. Demolition will not be authorized until the prosecutors office and fire investigators complete the investigation, borough officials said. The developers are looking to resume building as soon as possible, Fazen said. They had just installed windows (when the fire happened), so its unfortunate, but its just property. It can be replaced, Gomez said by phone Tuesday morning, adding, For a horrible situation this was best case scenario no one was hurt. Gov. Greg Abbott gave Texas' highest civilian honor to the 71-year-old hero who courageously killed the West Freeway Church of Christ gunman last month. During a stirring ceremony on Monday Abbott presented Jack Wilson with the Governor's Medal of Courage in Austin, hailing the man a hero for stopping gunman Keith Thomas Kinnunen as he opened fire at the church in the Fort Worth-area town of White Settlement on December 29. Wilson was a parishioner at the congregation and when he realized a gunman had stormed the service, he sprung into action. On Monday Gov. Greg Abbott honored 71-year-old Jack Wilson (left) with Texas' highest civilian award, the Governor's Medal of Courage, for his bravery in stopping a gunman who opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas on December 29 Hero parishioner Jack Wilson wore a black cowboy hat for the special ceremony on Monday which took place at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bestowed Wilson with the Governor's Medal of Courage on Monday morning for his bravery in killing and stopping 43-year-old gunman Keith Thomas who opened fire on the congregation and killed two people at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas on December 29th, 2019 'When events arise... You're either going to step up and do what's right or walk away. And I'm not one to walk away,' Wilson said during the ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Austin A close up of the Governor's Medal of Courage pictured above. It is given to civilians who display great acts of heroism by risking their own safety to save another's life. It is the highest award given to civilians by the Governor Wilson, a firearms instructor who trained the West Freeway Church of Christ's volunteer security team, shot the attacker once in the head. With a single shot he ended the harrowing attack that killed 64-year-old Anton 'Tony' Wallace and 67-year-old Richard White. The Governor's Medal of Courage is given to civilians who display great acts of heroism by risking their own safety to save another's life. It is the highest award given to civilians by the Governor. However, Wilson doesn't hail himself a hero. 'When events arise, you're going to do one of two things. You're either going to step up and do what's right or walk away. And I'm not one to walk away,' Wilson said in accepting the medal at the Texas Governor's Mansion. 'Yes, Ive been handed the moniker of a hero, and as Ive stated a couple of times already, I feel more as a protector than I do a hero because I did lose two real good friends,' he added. 'When faced with an evil that few of us could ever comprehend, Jack Wilson responded with strength, with bravery and with love for those in the church that day. That is the type of man Jack Wilson is,' Gov. Abbott said praising Wilson Gov. Greg Abbott and Wilson pictured sharing an intimate moment at the Monday ceremony Gov. Greg Abbott praised Wilson saying: 'He's the hero who risked his life to save the lives of others by stopping a gunman in a deadly shooting at a church near Fort Worth' Wilson beamed in his black cowboy hat as Gov. Abbott presented him with the esteemed medal. 'Although we continue to mourn the loss of Tony Wallace and Rich White, we also thank God for putting Jack Wilson in that church that day to bring the attack to an end,' Abbott said. 'You put your life on the line to ensure others would live. That is the hallmark of heroism and of courage.' 'Only God knows who is alive today because of Jack Wilson. What we do know is that so many lives were saved because of Jack Wilsons quick action, his calmness under pressure and, above all else, his courage and his willingness to risk his own life to save the lives of others,' Abbott added. 'When faced with an evil that few of us could ever comprehend, Jack Wilson responded with strength, with bravery and with love for those in the church that day. That is the type of man Jack Wilson is,' Abbott continued. Wilson, a firearms instructor, killed gunman Keith Thomas Kinnunen with a single shot to the head, ending his shooting spree at the West Freeway Church of Christ on December 29. Worshipers pictured hiding in the pews when gunfire rang out at the scene Gunman: Keith Thomas Kinnunen, the man who shot two people during an attack at West Freeway Church of Christ last month Victims: Richard White, 67, (left) and Anton 'Tony' Wallace, 64, (right) were killed by Kinnunen on December 29 Wilson has experience not only in weapons but in law enforcement as well and is now turning towards a career in politics. Last year he announced his candidacy for a seat on the Hood County Comissioners' Court. 'My understanding is he was a reserve deputy and had significant training, had his own shooting range, had taught other people how to shoot, had taught many people in this church how to be prepared,' Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said during a news conference after the shooting. 'Hes not just responsible for his actions, which ultimately saved the lives of maybe hundreds of people, but hes also responsible for training hundreds in that church,' he added. Gulf Capital, one of the largest and most active alternative asset managers in the Middle East, announced today its three-year growth plans for IVI-RMA Middle East, the fastest growing provider of fertility treatment services in the GCC, following its acquisition of 100% of its stake for over $100 million. The transaction is a corporate carve-out of the Middle Eastern clinics of IVI-RMA, the largest IVF service provider globally, and continues Gulf Capitals strategy of acquiring controlling stakes in market leaders. Gulf Capital is actively targeting investments within the fast growing and defensive healthcare sector and has identified the fertility sub-sector as a key focus priority, given its expected double-digit growth rates across the region. With increased awareness coupled with the technological advancements in the field, the fertility sector in the GCC is forecast to continue to grow at 15%+ CAGR annually over the next five years. Launched in early 2016, IVI-RMA Middle East has established itself as the fastest growing IVF service provider in the UAE and Oman, growing at a 50% CAGR since inception, on the strength of very high success rates relative to industry peers. With over 1,200+ pregnancies in less than four years, the providers success is driven by the scientific and personalised approach of a highly skilled medical team. With a focus on original research and publications, IVI-RMA Middle East has achieved the highest success rates in the region, with pregnancy and live birth rates that position it within the top-quartile globally. Gulf Capital will back the existing management team to continue to deliver best in class treatment and success rates and to roll out operations across the region, it said. The new chapter of IVI-RMA Middle East will see the implementation of an ambitious three-year plan. It envisages launch of a new platform-wide brand identity in 2020, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art genetics lab in Abu Dhabi, and expanding the number of clinics by more than three-fold to nine clinics taking the provider to new markets in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The company and Gulf Capital will also be opportunistically looking at acquisitions in other geographies, it said. Dr Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: We are thrilled to back the strongest management and medical team within the IVF sector regionally. This transaction exemplifies Gulf Capitals tried and tested strategy of acquiring controlling stakes in market leading companies in high growth sectors. IVI-RMA Middle East is the fastest growing IVF service provider in the GCC, and we are excited to be collaborating with its strong management team to take this platform to the next level. The investment in IVI-RMA Middle East is Gulf Capitals largest equity investment to date and is the first corporate carve-out in our firms history. Dr (Professor) Human Fatemi, Medical Director for IVI-RMA Middle East, remarked: Over the past few years, the uptake of assisted reproduction methods to conceive has increased exponentially in the GCC, especially among the urban population. Infertility in the Middle East has been on the rise due to the ever-evolving lifestyle patterns and other disorders. However, most of the treatment protocols are based upon Western treatment plans. While the IVF market in the GCC is growing rapidly, there is a clear need to address issues like standardised clinical protocols, structured training, genetic laboratories and ethical practices. At IVI-RMA Middle East, we are undertaking fundamental research across all related areas including genetics research based upon our observations and trials locally. It has been our constant endeavour to assist more and more couples to fulfill their dream of starting a family by providing the most advanced fertility treatments in accordance with international guidelines, coupled with the right technology. Our partnership with Gulf Capital shall help us offer our services to an even broader segment of the population. Suresh Soni, CEO of IVI-RMA Middle East, said: We are excited to partner with Gulf Capital as we embark on our next phase of expansion and growth. We share a common vision: Paulatim ergo certe Slowly therefore surely. The cornerstone of our success is good science and technology, which translates into the best medical outcomes for our patients. We have world-renowned IVF specialists and embryologists working in state-of-the-art facilities. We shall continue to deliver the best treatments and services to our patients so that they receive the best value for their money. Our partnership with Gulf Capital, which has a storied and long history of value addition and operational expertise, will help accelerate our growth internationally and position us as one of the largest global IVF fertility platforms. Hazem Abu Khalaf, Managing Director at Gulf Capital, added: We were very impressed by what Suresh Soni and Dr Human Fatemi have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. IVI-RMA Middle Easts research focused and patient centric approach has allowed it to build an impressive track record that compares favourably even with the best IVF centers globally. With a regional market expected to continue to expand at a double-digit growth rates over the next five years, we are confident that our partnership will enable the team to expand its coverage and services into new territories globally and to deliver market leading success and live birth rates. We are enthusiastic about our future plans together and look forward to working closely with the team on this new phase of growth. Gulf Capital was advised by Allen & Overy and PwC. The selling shareholders of IVI-RMA Middle East were advised by Lincoln International, Clyde & Co and Ernst & Young. TradeArabia News Service Crude oil futures slipped 0.75 percent to Rs 4,101 per barrel on January 14, as participants trimmed their positions ahead of the signing of the so-called Phase One of the US-China trade deal, which will be vital to gauging the direction of the market. On January 13, oil prices edged down as fears of a conflict between the United States and Iran eased. In the futures market, crude rate touched an intraday high of Rs 4,126 and an intraday low of Rs 4,092 on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). For the January series, the crude touched a low of Rs 3,825 and a high of Rs 4,670. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil delivery for February contracts slipped Rs 27, or 0.65 percent, to Rs 4,117 per barrel with a business turnover of 5,035 lots. The crude for delivery in January was down by Rs 32, or 0.77 percent, to Rs 4,100, with a business volume of 27,138 lots. The value of the January contract traded so far is Rs 2,922.27 crore and February contract saw a value of Rs 145.76 crore. Crude oil prices edged lower in the last trading session and closed below 9 and 20-day EMA, which is a negative sign. Price is trading near the strong support zone of 4,100 and a breakdown below the level may drag prices towards Rs 4,070-4,050, Axis Securities said. The brokerage advised clients to sell January crude at Rs 4,100 with stoploss at Rs 4,130 and a target of Rs 4,070-4,050. West Texas Intermediate crude was marginally down 0.34 percent to $57.88 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, slipped 0.17 per cent to $64.09 per barrel. It wasn't just Storm Brendan which stormed into Northern Ireland yesterday morning. The Prime Minister came to celebrate and congratulate regarding Saturday's restoration of devolution. Boris Johnson refused to be drawn on precisely how much extra funding London would be providing, although there is an expectation that the Secretary of State will provide more clarity in due course. Whilst we do have access to the detailed case which Northern Ireland's Department of Finance may have made to the Treasury in London, we can use a variety of official sources such as statements by permanent secretaries and the Audit Office to estimate the scale of the funding gap. One category of demands are those which require a once off increase to reform services or make good an historic deficit. This category includes: Clearing the health waiting lists - 350m (ie 50m in each of seven years). Implementing the Bengoa structural reforms to health provisions - 750m (ie 150m in each of five years). Roads, to restore and repair after years of neglect, 1,2bn. Building new roads and other new physical infrastructure (such as the York Street Inter-Change) 200m plus. Water treatment and sewerage 2,5bn (spread over 2021-2027). It is clear that these sums for capital spending are enormous and total about 5bn. They should be compared to the existing capital budget of the Stormont departments which is only about 1,500m annually. Importantly, there are also funding pressures in terms of day-to-day or recurrent spending in the Northern Ireland departments, all of these figures are annual spends: Health pay parity with GB - 50m. Welfare reform mitigation - about 125m. Education - 250m. Universities - 50m. Many other demands such as extra police and health staff. The annual current spending budget of the Northern Ireland departments would need to expand from about 10bn by a further half billion or so. Once again, very large sums of money. Obviously, like other parties to the New Decade, New Approach agreement the Government should honour its commitments. A careful reading of the text of that agreement implies that London will foot the bill for extra spending on health - ranging from pay all the way through to Bengoa. However, there is no similar commitment regarding wider infrastructure. Here, the agreement simply reiterates that Northern Ireland will get its Barnett share of extra spending in Great Britain. If, as the Conservative manifesto suggested, government spending in GB does increase by about 25bn over the course of this Parliament that would imply (assuming a 2.5% share) that five years from now Northern Ireland's Block Grant from London would be 600m higher per annum. Expand Close Esmond Birnie Nigel McDowell/Ulster University / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Esmond Birnie The increase is likely to fall short of what is being demanded and whilst going forward there will be some funding provides by both the Irish government and also the EU, that will be relatively small. Difficult though this may be to say, the Government (and the Treasury in particular) does have a case for being very careful about delivering a cash bonanza. The RHI scandal illustrates that it is very necessary to have "capacity" to spend extra money wisely and well. In his Stormont speech the Prime Minister rightly stressed the value of leadership. Some of Northern Ireland's current spending demands arise precisely because of decisions made - or not made! - by previous Stormont administrations. To simply bankroll this situation might encourage fiscal irresponsibility in the future - what is termed "moral hazard". It is not self-evident why the sum of domestic rates and water charges is so much lower in Northern Ireland compared to a comparable region such as Wales. For sure, as we wait to read the finer detail, any large scale extra money will come at the price of accountability and control - this is probably inevitable and a good thing too. Esmond Birnie is a senior economist at Ulster University She's one of Australia's most sought-after models and is known for her role as a Myer ambassador. And on Tuesday, Elyse Knowles showed off her incredible physique while on holiday in Queensland. Taking to Instagram, the 27-year-old shared a series of photos while posing in a khaki bikini and leaning on a rock cave at Rainbow Beach. Busting out! Elyse Knowles showed off her incredible physique in a cleavage-baring bikini top while on holidays in Queensland In one picture, Elyse gazed seductively at the camera as she showed off her figure in a cleavage-baring bikini top and matching bottoms. In another, the model threw her hands up in the air and laughed, flaunting her curves and taut stomach. 'The natural beauty of our Aussie land!,' she captioned the series of snaps. All smiles: Elyse showed off her taut stomach as she threw her hands in the air and leant back on a rock cave at Rainbow Beach Elyse's post comes after she shared throwback photos while celebrating New Year's at Stradbroke Island, Queensland. On Sunday, she took to Instagram to post snaps with boyfriend Josh Barker and their friends as they welcomed 2020. In one picture, Elyse posed on the sand in a skimpy abstract bikini that accentuated her cleavage, washboard stomach and lean legs. Relaxing: Elyse's post comes after she shared throwback photos while celebrating New Year's at Stradbroke Island, Queensland She styled her blonde locks underneath a trendy fedora, and concealed her gaze behind narrow-frame sunglasses. Another photo saw the Seafolly ambassador posing alongside partner Josh and their Weimaraner dogs. Reflecting on her travels earlier this year, she wrote: 'New Year with the crew at North Stradbroke Island!' Family: In one photo, the Seafolly ambassador posed alongside her partner Josh and their two Weimaraner dogs Meanwhile, Elyse and Josh settled in Byron Bay, New South Wales, last year in search of a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. The Block winners are currently renting a $1.5million bohemian-style home featuring rustic furnishings and high ceilings. The sustainable property has three bedrooms, wide verandas and a self-contained studio apartment attached. WESTPORT Winter has been relatively kind to the region so far. Snowfall hasnt amounted to much, and temperatures have seesawed from seasonally appropriate to unseasonably warm. Still, many people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring, particularly those who live along Lee Pond, where residents can row boat, canoe, kayak, paddleboard and enjoy bird-watching. There is a chance to live within this water community by purchasing the cream-colored raised ranch at 11 Stone Drive. The listing agent calls it the perfect home in a great location at the right price. Its a wonderful neighborhood and is convenient because of its nearness to town and all of Westports amenities, including the Metro-North train station, shopping, restaurants and local beaches, according to the agent. The house is only about one mile from downtown. A mile away in the opposite direction is the entrance to the Merritt Parkway. This six-room, 2,016-square-foot house has picture-postcard curb appeal, the agent said. It sits at the end of a private cul-de-sac off Calumet Road on a level and sloping 0.75-acre property. Views of Lee Pond are visible from the living room, dining room and kitchen. It was built in 1964 and has since received many improvements. It has a newer roof, mechanicals and air conditioning system. Even with its many updates, the kitchen and baths could use some TLC. The driveway is lined with fieldstone retaining walls, concluding in front of the attached underhouse two-car garage. One side of the driveway is planted with a row of attractive perennials. The windows on the front facade are punctuated with window boxes. The blue front door stands out against the light-colored exterior. This door is framed by sidelights and topped with a tall multipaned transom. On the main living level, the open floor plan allows for an ease of flow from one room to the next for everyday living and entertaining. There are no walls between the living and dining rooms. One is completely open to the other. The living room has a built-in bookshelf, and the dining room has a window seat and a door to the large raised wood deck that has multiple tiers. The kitchen features open-faced cabinets and stainless steel appliances. There are three bedrooms in this house, all on the main level. The master suite has a private bath. The lower level features wood-paneled walls and a floor-to-ceiling antiqued red brick fireplace with a raised hearth. The large open space serves as a family room and enough space to include a gym, play room, music room or home office. ABOUT THIS HOUSE STYLE: Raised Ranch ADDRESS: 11 Stone Drive PRICE: $625,000 ROOMS: 6 FEATURES: direct waterfront property, not in a flood zone, views of Lee Pond, 0.76-acre level and sloping lot, located on a private cul-de-sac, large raised wood deck, exterior lighting, professionally landscaped, close to all Westport amenities, very convenient to downtown Westport and the Merritt Parkway, open floor plan, 40-gallon hot water heater tank, zoned central air conditioning, oil heat, full basement, attic, attached two-car garage, stone wall, three bedrooms, two full baths SCHOOLS: Coleytown Elementary, Coleytown Middle, Staples High School ASSESSMENT: $450,700 MILL RATE: 16.86 mills TAXES: $7,599 See More Collapse With Lee Pond as part of this propertys backyard, its residents can look forward to the first day of fishing season, which this year is April 11. They can use a rod and reel on the pond. Also, just a few blocks away, they can fish on a section of the Saugatuck River designated by some as among the best fly fishing locations in Connecticut. Upstream of this house is the Westport-Weston Family YMCA and its Camp Mahackeno. There will be an open house on Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house contact Robert Appell of Jeanette Dryburgh & Associates and William Raveis Real Estate at 203-216-4518 or robert.appell@raveis.com. Siemens was awarded a contract last year to provide signaling technology for a railway line to transport coal from a remote coal mine run by Indias Adani Group in northern Queensland state Frankfurt: German engineering group Siemens said it would fulfil its contractual obligations to a controversial coal mining project in Australias outback, attracting criticism from environmental groups on Monday. Siemens was awarded a contract last year to provide signaling technology for a railway line to transport coal from a remote coal mine run by Indias Adani Group in northern Queensland state. The German company had said it would decide by Monday on its involvement in the project. On Saturday, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg called for Siemens to review its role in the project. It seems that @SiemensDE have the power to stop, delay or at least interrupt the building of the huge Adani coal mine in Australia. On Monday they will announce their decision. Please help pushing them to make the only right decision. #StopAdani Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 11, 2020 There is practically no legally and economically responsible way to unwind the contract without neglecting fiduciary duties, Siemens Chief Executive Joe Kaeser said in a statement. Local and federal governments approved the project based on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as well as hundreds of pages of environmental impact statements, Siemens said. While I do have a lot of empathy for environmental matters, I do need to balance different interests of different stakeholders, as long as they have lawful legitimation for what they do, Kaeser said. We should have been wiser about this project beforehand. Now, we need to be a supplier who sticks to its commitments as long as the customer stays on legal grounds, too. Because being a company which is not a reliable source for its customers is simply not an option. Adani said it was pleased to be working with Siemens and that it would not be intimidated or deterred from delivering on its promises of jobs for locals and coal for developing nations. Environmental activists slammed the decision and pledged to continue their protests, concerned the continued use of coal will lead to higher emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas which is linked to global warming. If Siemens board thinks this is the end of the conversation, theyre kidding themselves, said Julien Vincent, executive director of environmental advocacy group Market Forces in Melbourne. Siemens will face huge public opposition at its AGM on the 5th of February and will have to explain to its shareholders why becoming part of the most reputationally risky projects in the world is in the companys best interests, he said in a statement. Siemens said it had pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and it fundamentally shares the goal of making fossil fuels redundant over time. A protest group that has disrupted the operations of companies linked to Adanis mine said they would target Siemens. Siemens expertise is vital to the Adani coal railway and there is too much at stake to give up, said Galilee Blockade spokesperson Ben Penning. Citizens will escalate their protests until Siemens listen to the science and choose the right side of history. Hinsdale Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Kassedi Clark PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Hinsdale man responsible for the murder of Kassedi Clark pleaded guilty Monday in Berkshire Superior Court. Michael Boulais, 34, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, reckless endangerment of a child, and improper storage of a firearm. Judge John Agostini sentenced Boulais to serve life in prison at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction without parole on the first-degree murder charge. Boulais shot and killed the 24-year-old Clark on April 13, 2018. Clark and Boulais had been in a relationship for nine years and had four children together. They were estranged at the time of her murder, which occurred during an argument at Boulais' Hinsdale home. Clark attended Taconic High School and was studying to be a nurse, with an interest in becoming a midwife, according to her Facebook profile. "I send my condolences to Kassedi's family and friends for their tragic loss," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said. "This is a just outcome for yet another domestic violence homicide in our county. I thank the law enforcement personnel for their investigation into the matter and our victim witness advocates for helping the family cope with such a terrible situation." State police units including the crime lab and investigative services, Hinsdale and Dalton Police Departments, and Berkshire County sheriff's office conducted the investigation. Anyone researching Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSEMKT:PZG) might want to consider the historical volatility of the share price. Volatility is considered to be a measure of risk in modern finance theory. Investors may think of volatility as falling into two main categories. The first type is company specific volatility. Investors use diversification across uncorrelated stocks to reduce this kind of price volatility across the portfolio. The second type is the broader market volatility, which you cannot diversify away, since it arises from macroeconomic factors which directly affects all the stocks on the market. Some stocks see their prices move in concert with the market. Others tend towards stronger, gentler or unrelated price movements. Some investors use beta as a measure of how much a certain stock is impacted by market risk (volatility). While we should keep in mind that Warren Buffett has cautioned that 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk', beta is still a useful factor to consider. To make good use of it you must first know that the beta of the overall market is one. A stock with a beta below one is either less volatile than the market, or more volatile but not corellated with the overall market. In comparison a stock with a beta of over one tends to be move in a similar direction to the market in the long term, but with greater changes in price. Check out our latest analysis for Paramount Gold Nevada What PZG's beta value tells investors While history does not always repeat, this level of beta may indicate that the stock price will continue to be exposed to market risk, albeit not overly so. Share price volatility is well worth considering, but most long term investors consider the history of revenue and earnings growth to be more important. Take a look at how Paramount Gold Nevada fares in that regard, below. AMEX:PZG Income Statement, January 13th 2020 Does PZG's size influence the expected beta? Paramount Gold Nevada is a rather small company. It has a market capitalisation of US$21m, which means it is probably under the radar of most investors. It doesn't take much money to really move the share price of a company as small as this one. That makes it somewhat unusual that it has a beta value so close to the overall market. Story continues What this means for you: Since Paramount Gold Nevada has a beta close to one, it will probably show a positive return when the market is moving up, based on history. If you're trying to generate better returns than the market, it would be worth thinking about other metrics such as cashflows, dividends and revenue growth might be a more useful guide to the future. In order to fully understand whether PZG is a good investment for you, we also need to consider important company-specific fundamentals such as Paramount Gold Nevadas financial health and performance track record. I urge you to continue your research by taking a look at the following: Financial Health: Are PZGs operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Past Track Record: Has PZG been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of PZG's historicals for more clarity. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. On 10 January, the Kerala government had published anti-CAA advertisements in the front page of national dailies, a move that was criticised by the states governor as 'thoroughly undesirable'. Demanding the repeal of Citizenship Amendment Act, the Kerala government led by Pinarayi Vijayan moved the Supreme Court on Tuesday, saying the amended law violated Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution and the basic structure of secularism in India. With this, Kerala becomes the first state to approach the apex court against the Citizenship Amendment Act, which has seen unprecedented protests all over the country. In its petition, the Kerala government has demanded that the CAA should be declared violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. Article 14 promises Right to Equality to all while Article 21 says "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law" and Article 25 mandates "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience". While chief ministers of non-BJP ruled states like Mamata Banerjee have announced no implementation of CAA in the state, Kerala was the only state to pass a joint resolution on 31 December with the ruling CPM-led LDF and Opposition Congress headed UDF coming together to take the Legislature route to register its opposition. While presenting the resolution, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the CAA was against the "secular" outlook and fabric of the country thereby spearheading religion-based discrimination. "The Act contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution. In view of the anxiety among the people of the country, the Centre should take steps to drop the CAA and uphold the secular outlook of the Constitution," he said. At the forefront of the Opposition, Vijayan on 3 January had written to his counterparts in 11 states on the need to save secularism and democracy. Referring to the chief ministers, including Mamata and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Vijayan in the letter said, "Apprehensions have arisen among large sections of our society consequent to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism." On 10 January, the state government had published anti-CAA advertisements in the front page of national dailies, a move that was criticised by the states governor as "thoroughly undesirable". The state-sponsored advertisement said that "the state was leading the efforts to protect constitutional values" and its Assembly was the first to pass a unanimous resolution against the controversial law. Altoida Inc. today announced that Chief Science Officer Ioannis Tarnanas has been selected to keynote at the upcoming Worldwebforum to share how Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Active Digital Biomarkers (aDM) can be applied to the early detection of Alzheimers Disease. Tarnanas joins an elite group of leading academics and business innovators carefully chosen to present on how they are driving radical change and finding answers to future challenges. Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges facing society today, and 30% of the population aged 65 or older will be living with Alzheimers by 2025, said Tarnanas. Yet, research shows 1 in 3 dementia cases are preventable if diagnosed early. Altoida was founded to solve this by harnessing advances in technology to detect brain changes early in the disease process, before permanent and irreversible brain damage occurs. Founded by Tarnanas and a team of esteemed neuroscientists, physicians and computer scientists, Altoida is reinventing digital biomarkers to drive better clinical outcomes for brain disease. The companys innovative FDA-cleared and CE Mark-approved medical device, the Altoida Neuro Motor Index (NMI), collects functional and cognitive biomarkers to detect Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) up to ten years prior to onset - with up to 94% accuracy. Now healthcare professionals have a novel way to objectively assess cognitive and everyday functions before the onset of symptoms. The Worldwebforums 8th annual meeting is focused on empowering radical change, and takes place Jan 16 -17 in Zurich, Switzerland at the StageOne Event and Conference Hall. Ioannis Tarnanas keynote takes place on January 17th from 10:15 11:15 a.m. in Room 5 under the Data Ethics in Healthcare session. This keynote marks the beginning of a year of expansion for Altoida, including landmark projects and strategic partnerships that will further the companys vision of becoming the worlds most scalable and comprehensive digital brain health plattform. Ioannis RanIoannis Tarnanas, Ph.D. Ioannis is a Senior Atlantic Fellow with a group leader position for Brain Health and Digital Biomarkers at the Global Brain Health Initiative, a joint research center between UCSF Department of Neurology and Department of Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his research on degenerative disease of the central nervous system. In addition, Dr. Tarnanas is an external collaborator of the Center for Digital Health Interventions (c4dhi.org), a joint initiative between the ETH Zurich and Dartmouth College USA. About Altoida Altoida Inc. is a leading digital health innovator that leverages active digital biomarkers to drive better clinical outcomes for brain diseases. Led by a team of esteemed neuroscientists, physicians and computer scientists, the company offers a FDA-cleared and CE Mark-approved medical device and brain health data platform to support early detection of Alzheimers disease up to ten years prior to onset with up to 94% accuracy. The company is privately held with offices in Houston, San Diego, and Lucerne, Switzerland. WASHINGTON As the timetable for the Senate impeachment trial finally came into focus on Tuesday, it brought a startling realization that the proceedings will likely have a large impact on the Democratic presidential primary. Its virtually certain that the trial will last beyond the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. The bigger question is how much the trial might interfere with the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary. This is unwelcome news for the Democratic senators who are in the thick of battle for their partys presidential nomination. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has been in a tailspin of late. Over the summer, she was climbing in the polls and by early fall had tied former Vice President Joe Biden for the lead, but she has lost considerable momentum since then. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Photo: Tom Brenner/Reuters) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has been trying to break out of single digits and has seen signs she might be able to do so, but has yet to have that breakout moment. Shell be looking for one in the debate Tuesday night in Des Moines. But now, Biden and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg the two frontrunners not in the Senate will be free to campaign in Iowa in the crucial closing days before the first contest of the primary, while Warren and Klobuchar will be confined to their seats in Washington, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado. Its a challenge for the candidates who will be stuck in Washington. Its an advantage for Biden and Buttigieg, Jeff Link, a veteran Iowa Democratic operative, told Yahoo News. But a senior campaign staffer for one of the senators in the race rejected the notion this gives Biden a leg up. Joe Biden can run all over Iowa, but most of the media and the country is going to be focused on what happens in the Senate, the staffer told Yahoo News. The Constitution and Senate rules require that all 100 senators be present for the entire impeachment trial, and that the Senate work six days a week while the trial is underway, allowing for only Sundays off. Story continues From left, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, at last month's Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles. (Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters) Further, senators are required to be present in the chamber, and will be largely silent. They are there to play the role of judge and jury in determining the guilt or innocence of the president, which means they will have few opportunities for the breakout moments that often define other congressional proceedings. Even any questions they want to ask must be put in writing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters Tuesday that he expects the Senate to begin its trial next Tuesday, after the House votes this Wednesday to name impeachment managers and to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate: one for abuse of power and the second for obstruction of Congress. McConnell said the Senate will likely vote next Tuesday on an organizing resolution that lays out the rules for the trial, but even after that, it is likely to be a few days before opening arguments begin, giving House Democrats and the White House a few days to file legal briefs, a McConnell spokesman said. That puts the beginning of arguments at the end of next week. Theres only one week after that before the Iowa caucuses. If the trial lasts only two weeks, itll end the week before Feb. 11, when voters in New Hampshire go to the polls to pick the Democratic candidate. But its very possible that the trial will last three weeks, putting it into the week of the states primary. And if the Senate decides to call witnesses, it could go even longer, overshadowing the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses, possibly even lasting right up until the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary. For candidates who are struggling to stay afloat financially, like Klobuchar and Bennet, this could be a fatal body blow. It already helped push another Democratic senator, Cory Booker of New Jersey, out of the race on Monday. In an email to supporters announcing his decision to suspend his campaign, Booker suggested he no longer saw a path to victory because, among other things, the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington. Sen. Elizabeth Warren helps a woman fill out a "commit to caucus" card in Maquoketa, Iowa. (Photo: Daniel Acker/Reuters) Sanders is so well-financed from small-dollar donors and a loyal core following that he is expected to stay in the primary all the way until the end. So this might help him by weakening Warren. The most up-to-date fundraising numbers show Sanders with a cash-on-hand total of $33.7 million, followed by Buttigieg with $23.4 million, Biden with $9 million, entrepreneur Andrew Yang with $6.8 million, and Klobuchar with $3.7 million. While senators in the race and their respective staffs will lose time on the ground in key early states, they still have a few weapons at their disposal to mitigate the impact of being pulled away from the first phase of the primary. Its likely the next few weeks will see a number of press conferences from Capitol Hill, stepped up surrogate appearances, candidates beaming in to local television affiliates via satellite and livestreaming with supporters. As for squeezing in trips to Iowa, candidates will be largely limited to Saturday evenings, and rushing back 24 or 36 hours later to be in the Senate for Mondays session. Bernie Sanders has a major edge in two of these categories. He was endorsed by three-fourths of the Squad of freshmen congresswomen, which gives him some of the highest profile surrogates in the race. Sanderss large war chest also makes private jet flights for single-day trips to Iowa a more realistic option for him than for many of his rivals. All of this raises the question about what would have happened if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had sent articles of impeachment to the Senate immediately after the House impeached President Trump on Dec. 18. In that scenario, a trial could have started right after the new year, and might have been completed before Iowa. But so far, no leading Democratic candidates have openly criticized Pelosis decision. It is what it is, the senior campaign staffer said. * Hunter Walker and Brittany Shepherd contributed to this story. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Photo: Stitcher This month will see the release of The Goop Lab, the new Netflix series from Gwyneth Paltrows divisive as in, ethically dubious for its peddling of pseudoscience but nonetheless supported by countless fans and believers wellness brand, currently valued at around $250 million. That the series exists at all shouldnt be a surprising development. After all, Goop is a highly effective machine for capitalist achievement, growing at all costs in any and all directions. And what more obvious direction is there than television, with its peak status and golden age? (Apparently, a cruise experience.) Every time a Goop story makes the rounds, I tend to hear the following inquiry bubble back up: Who on this burning planet believes in this stuff? Well, a ton of people, apparently, given that the wellness industry is said to be worth over $4 trillion these days according to the wellness industry, anyway. Then again, that shouldnt be all too surprising. There is an alluring emotional logic behind the wellness concept. That logic, ultimately, is rooted in a sense of anxiety ostensibly about the chaos of the world, but mostly about death. The Dream is a podcast that understands this, deeply and intimately. Hosted by Jane Marie, an alum of This American Life, and Dann Gallucci, her partner and creative collaborator, the series can be described as a vibrant and sustained inquiry into various systems of capitalist exploitation. Its second season, which began publishing in early December, is focused on the aforementioned $4 trillion-plus wellness industry, and its best interpreted as a continuation of the work it had done with its first season, which plunged deep into the world of multilevel marketing (MLM). For those unfamiliar, MLM is a controversial sales and marketing strategy that has a tendency to look a lot like a pyramid scheme, in that it creates a network of non-salaried salespeople who often find themselves pushed deep into debt by virtue of their participation in the scheme unless they effectively recruit other souls into the sales network. Think It Follows, but for capitalism and debt. The scheme is the heartbeat of companies like Herbalife, Amway, Avon, and LuLaRoe. The Dream does a good job illustrating the operational structure of these multilevel marketing systems: how they function, flourish, and sustain. But what it does really well is lay out the emotional architecture of these systems: why all sorts of people feel compelled to buy into the dream in the first place. A recurring theme in its explorations is a constant and effective seizing of gaps in social opportunity specifically, how a combination of economic disparity, gender inequality, and other social factors can lead individuals from certain demographics to buy into these schemes in pursuit of something greater, or at least in pursuit of what everybody else already seems to have. A core case study of the first season revolves around why certain MLMs strategically target women, capitalizing on their historic disenfranchisement from economic opportunity by offering the (semi-)illusion of upward mobility and social achievement. An echo can be found in the wellness-industry-focused sophomore season, which sketches how pseudoscience is often made to fill the gap left open by scientific uncertainty and, more crucially, a medical community that historically can be really bad at understanding, connecting with, and explaining itself to the wider world. Indeed, among the principal connecting threads tying the two seasons together is a clear understanding that the failures and exclusionary nature of various societal systems open up a pathway for predatory alternative systems (some in the shape of bottom-line-conscious corporations) that turn those breakdowns in service into a capitalist edge. Speaking of edges, The Dream has some sharp ones of its own to consider, some of which may be a pro or a con depending on your sensibilities. The most important of which is its deeply activist and personal point of view, which it wields like a hammer. Though the podcast ostensibly features two hosts, its ultimate lens belongs to Jane Marie, who drives the shows prosecutorial inquiries forward with the passion and self-belief of a religious crusader. Theres an utterly fascinating portion of the sophomore seasons second episode that underscores Maries point of view. We get introduced to the fact that Gallucci her co-host, creative collaborator, business partner, and boyfriend himself buys into certain ideas and aspects of the wellness industry, at least marginally. They spend a decent amount of time on this, and we hear the two engage in a stimulating conversation in which Marie expresses her concerns and horror. Could her partner be even slightly open to a world she finds utterly batty and irredeemable? Raise your hand if you think Dan is crazy, she asks the audience, assuming conspiracy with the listener. The sentiment is delivered somewhat playfully, and it clearly comes from a loving place, but it is also slightly presumptuous in the belief that everyone at the very least you, the not crazy listener shares the severity of the assessment. That presumption can be alienating, depending on who you are, how you relate to the whole wellness concept and the world at large, and how you relate to people in your life that have some relationship to these things. And The Dream does this quite a bit, implicitly assuming that the listener has some shared level of moral repulsion (derived, perhaps, by similar backgrounds in education, class, and so on) as its primary point-of-view character. If you do share it, then all of this will probably come off as entertaining and vindicating. But if youre even slightly at odds, it can feel remarkably ungenerous, particularly toward people who do participate in multilevel marketing schemes or feel some sort of hope emanating from the wellness industry. The show does provide an explanation of sorts for its hard-line skepticism. Later in that same episode, we learn that Marie suffered from a childhood incident that has, among other things, led to sustained periods of horrendous pain throughout her life. This fact, in turn, powerfully contributes to the shaping of her worldview, which is a fascinating mix of nihilism (I would love for the universe to mean something; that would be so rad, she recently told the L.A. Times, jokingly but not really) and moralism. This piece of biographical information is certainly clarifying on a narrative level, but Im struck by the possibility of some poetic mirroring: Give or take a few Sliding Doors moments, that very life experience could well have resulted in beliefs espoused by the powerful wellness industry. This may raise the question of whether Id prefer a classically structured journalistic documentary project on these subjects that shies away from a strong point of view. And my answer would be, Absolutely not! Id rather take the point of view and all its attendant edges; it is the thing that makes this podcast so smart, funny, and genuinely engaging. To some extent, I do find myself wishing that I was able to share in their righteous fury, though Im unable. I get where theyre coming from, but I personally find too much kinship with the people who do buy into these harmful systems. Perhaps ironically, The Dream was really helpful with that. A French former priest accused of sexually abusing some 75 boys while working as a Boy Scout chaplain has gone on trial in Lyon. Bernard Preynat admitted to abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s, telling the court on Monday: "I have heard the suffering of these people, which I'm guilty of causing. "I hope that this trial can unfold as quickly as possible." The church hierarchy is suspected of covering up the priest's actions for decades. A French cardinal was convicted last year of failing to report him to police or prosecutors. The trial briefly opened on Monday but was delayed because of a lawyers strike. It resumed on Tuesday, though some lawyers pleaded for a fresh delay. 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 Preynat, now 74, is charged with the sexual assault of 10 minors between 1986 and 1991 and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He is also accused of abusing dozens of others in the 1970s and 1980s, though those alleged incidents happened too long ago to prosecute. Parents first alerted the diocese to alleged molestation by Preynat in 1991. The priest swore to the then-cardinal he would no longer touch a child, and no other victims have come forward saying he abused them after 1991. He wrote a letter that year to the parents of a victim who wanted him to leave the Scout association he led, reading: "I swear to you that since the start of the school year in September, absolutely nothing has happened between me and the children ... Everything that happened has shaken me up a lot and made me think. I am not trying to justify myself since I am wrong. Let me finish the year normally." At the time of the abuse, Preynat was in charge of the Saint-Luc scout camp in a private Catholic school in Sainte-Foy-les-Lyons in the suburbs of Lyon for 20 years, then continued his career as a priest until 2015 in the mountains near Lyon. In 2014, Alexandre Hezez, who said he had been abused as a child by Preynat, went public as an adult and asked church hierarchy why he was still in office. One by one, other victims came forward. It was only last year that the French Catholic Church found Preynat guilty of abuse and removed him from the priesthood. In defrocking him, the church said in a statement: "In view of the facts and their recurrence, the large number of victims, the fact that Father Bernard Preynat abused the authority conferred on him by his position within the Scout group that he had founded, the court decided to apply the maximum penalty, namely the dismissal from the clerical state." The decision came after French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin was convicted in March of covering up for Preynat's actions. Barbarin tried to resign, but Pope Francis refused to accept it until the appeals process is complete. An appeals court ruling is expected on 30 January. Several other church officials were also accused of failing to alert police or prosecutors, including a senior Vatican official, Cardinal Luis Ladaria. The Vatican invoked his immunity as an official of a sovereign state. Additional reporting by Associated Press Chowdhury's remarks calling for a relook into the Pulwama incident come at a time when party strategists are seeking to re-invent Sonia Gandhi's lost aura. The recent comments made by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, on the Pulwama terror attack constitute yet another manifestation of the identity crisis that the grand old party is presently suffering from. In a series of tweets, Chowdhury said, "Had Davinder Singh by default been Davinder Khan (sic), the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed, and religion. The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us. We cannot afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish. Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident; need a fresh look on it." Through this statement, Chowdhury has not only raised questions about the Indian establishment and security apparatus, but has also (inadvertently or otherwise) given a handle to the Pakistani establishment to target India. The Congress leader, speaking to TV news reporters, also said that it should be probed whether Singh and other security officials had a hand in the Pulwama terror attack. He also sought to give a communal spin to the whole incident. Chowdhury seemed to have ignored the fact that the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack, in which a suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF personnel. Several other pieces of evidence had also pointed to Pakistan's role. Subsequently, India's political and security establishment had sent out a strong message by conducting air strikes on terror camps deep inside Pakistani territory. Chowdhurys statement cant be dismissed as an an out-of-turn remark by a loudmouth. The fact that he first tweeted the statement and then reiterated his stand while speaking to reporters indicates that the party's leadership did not ask him to tone his remarks down or issue a clarification. In fact, Congress spokesperson and working committee member Randeep Singh Surjewala questioned in a press conference whether Singh was a lone ranger or whether he was acting at the behest of "master conspirators." As it happens, Surjewala had raised similar questions even in the immediate aftermath of the attack. At the time, he had said, "Questions must be asked as to who provided the kilograms of RDX and MI4 Carbines and rocket launchers to the so-called home grown terrorists." Both Chowdhury and Surjewala enjoy the confidence of party bosses Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as is evident from the positions they hold. Chowdhury's remarks calling for a relook into the Pulwama incident come at a time when party strategists are seeking to re-invent Sonia Gandhi's lost aura, and to re-establish the Congress' position at the forefront of the Opposition ranks. They also highlight the current state of affairs in the leadership structure of the party. It is important to note that Singh was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which is effectively under the command of the Centre. His arrest has certainly raised questioned about moles who may be working in tandem with the enemies of the nation. However, the fact that he was caught speaks about the counter-measures taken by security agencies. One should wait to see how the investigation in the case progresses. The problem for the Congress is two-fold. Firstly, the narrative and the known facts about the Pulwama attack are well-settled. The recent statements by the Congress only expose its position on national security issues. Secondly and more importantly, the controversy has punctured the Congress' unsuccessful bid to reposition itself as a party that is taking a strident position against the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Population Register and National Register of Citizens. Till now, West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee has been at the forefront of the political opposition to the three moves. On Monday, a meet chaired by Sonia Gandhi to oppose the CAA, NPR and NRC turned out to be a flop show, as seven key Opposition parties remained absent. Leaving aside the Congress, the other parties that were present at the meet have a combined strength of just 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha. The Congress' failure to convince several Opposition parties may be due to the fact that in 2003, Manmohan Singh, as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, had asked the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government to amend the Citizenship Act to facilitate citizenship to persecuted religious minorities in Bangladesh. The provision of an NPR to be updated every year was also started by the Congress in 2011. There are many UPA-era press releases and statements by the then home minister P Chidambaram on the merits of the NPR. Twelve days in which war between the U.S. and Iran seemed to loom ever closer began and ended with apparent Iranian mistakes. The big picture: Iran is under growing pressure at home and abroad, while President Trump appears emboldened. But Trump is also facing criticism in Washington for failing to substantiate claims of an "imminent" threat, and overseas for his role in driving the escalation. The first mistake: The escalation began on Dec. 27 when rockets fired by an Iran-backed militia killed a U.S. contractor, Nawres Waleed Hamid. U.S. intelligence officials believe the attack was intended to "keep the pressure on" rather than escalate tensions with the U.S., and Hamid was killed "by unlucky chance," per the NY Times. Then came the American retaliation, which left 25 dead, and the chaotic scenes at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which infuriated Trump. Trump's gamble: Cham Wings Airlines Flight 6Q501 landed in Baghdad at 12:36am local time on the morning of Jan. 3. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and his entourage were the first passengers to depart, per NYT. At 12:47am, two American Reaper drones that had been trailing Soleimani unleashed the missiles that killed him and nine others. The second mistake: Ukraine Airlines Flight 752 began its ascent out of Tehran at 6:12am on Jan. 8, carrying 176 passengers and crew. Iran was bracing for potential American retaliation to its ballistic missile strikes on Iraqi military bases, which began four hours earlier. Just two minutes after takeoff, the plane was blown from the sky. An Iranian commander later said it was mistaken for a cruise missile. The tragedy coincidentally occurred almost at the exact moment President Trump declared "all is well" because Iran's strikes in Iraq had resulted in no American casualties. After three days of denials, Iran admitted Saturday that it shot down the plane. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif cited human error at time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism. Between the lines: "The irony is that this unpredictable and unplanned event might end up having more serious implications for the Iranian regime than countless deliberate U.S. attempts to destabilize it," Rob Malley, CEO of the International Crisis Group and a former Obama adviser, tells Axios. Tehran is facing outrage abroad and pressure at home after three days of protests, which appear motivated as much by the cover-up as by the disaster. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to blame both sides today, telling Global News Canada that the 57 Canadians killed in the crash would be "home with their families" if not for U.S.-Iran tensions and "escalation in the region." Trump's claim that Soleimani was planning attacks on four embassies also seemed to crumble on Sunday when Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CBS he'd seen no such intelligence. Nevertheless Trump, who has tweeted in support of the Iranian protestors, appears to consider himself the winner of this high-stakes showdown. What to watch: "President Trump's approach to foreign policy is self-reinforcing: If he undertakes unconventional action (like moving the embassy to Jerusalem or killing Soleimani) and the anticipated blowback does not occur, he is emboldened to take more, bolder and riskier moves," Malley says. "Each time this happens, his world view is further validated and his sense that he can get away with almost anything is bolstered." "That approach will work until it doesn't until his decisions trigger an aggressive reaction that proves costly to the U.S." Go deeper: Pompeo declines to appear for testimony on Soleimani airstrike The state is stepping into the legal battle over a proposed condominium project in San Mateo to defend a California law that prevents cities from rejecting multiunit housing that meets their local building rules. Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed Monday to intervene in an appeal of the case, in which a San Mateo County judge ruled to narrow the scope of the decades-old law. Developers and advocates for more housing construction have warned that the judges decision could have sweeping implications for the states ability to force communities to build their way out of Californias affordability crisis. Becerra said the law, the Housing Accountability Act, is an important tool to ensure new housing is constructed throughout the state as California grapples with a multimillion-unit shortage. State officials estimate that more than double the current rate of production is needed to keep up with demand. We all have to work together to take on this challenge, and that starts with having the units we need to meet demand, Becerra said in a statement. This is about upholding our states laws and doing our part to ensure that all Californians have a place to live. The filing was supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said in a statement that California will defend our ability to tackle the cost crisis by holding all cities accountable to statewide housing policy. In a statement, San Mateo City Attorney Shawn Mason said this singular case did not represent the citys commitment to developing affordable housing. Just as there are legal limits on the citys authority, the California Constitution limits the states authority over Charter cities as well, he said. We look forward to having our independent court system review this case. Superior Court Judge George Miram ruled in November that San Mateo was not obligated to follow the state law on housing approvals because it is a Charter city a system that gives about 120 local governments in California greater control over their own affairs. Several Bay Area housing groups sued San Mateo after the City Council rejected a 10-unit condominium project on West Santa Inez Avenue near El Camino Real because it did not meet the citys design guidelines for multifamily housing. The groups argued that those design objectives which state that developers should set back any floors of a building that are higher than neighboring structures were merely suggestions, not requirements, and that the condominium project otherwise met San Mateos zoning rules. Citing the Housing Accountability Act, they said San Mateo should have to approve the housing. The law was strengthened in 2017 when the Legislature and then-Gov. Jerry Brown raised the threshold for cities to prove a project does not qualify and allowed courts to fine those that flout the law. But Mirams decision challenged the legitimacy of the law altogether. He ruled that, as a Charter city with constitutionally protected control over its local matters, San Mateo did not have to follow the state housing law. Critics of his ruling contend that housing is a regional issue, because development decisions made by a city have ripple effects on surrounding communities, and that the state is the only entity in a position to override unreasonable objections to construction. Although the court decision did not create a binding precedent for California, they worried that cities would seize on the decision to limit development. The California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund, one of the organizations that sued, has asked Miram to grant a new trial. On Tuesday, it also appealed his decision. The group said it wanted to ensure that Charter cities could not use a similar legal argument to avoid other laws that the state adopted to boost housing construction, because uncritical deference to local concerns has proven to be disastrous for housing availability in California. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff WATERLOO In the Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation of the thriller Wait Until Dark, Susan, a newly blind woman, finds herself trapped in her Greenwich Village basement apartment by a trio of thugs. Her blindness may be the key to her escape from the criminals, if only she can hold out until dark. Kelsi Hansen is making her debut in the role of Susan in the Waterloo Community Playhouse production that opens Jan. 24 on the Hope Martin Theatre stage. Hansen is blind. I expected memorizing lines and learning how to move around the stage. What I didnt anticipate is how much I love and enjoy it, says Hansen, 28, who is an independent living teacher for the Iowa Department for the Blind. She lost her sight over a period of two weeks when she was 12 years old after battling cancer and a brain tumor. There are misconceptions about blindness, and a lot of stuff in the media portrays blindness the way they think it is. Im trying to put accuracy into the role. Whats been a unique challenge to me is that Ive been blind for 16 years, so I have to take myself back to what it was like when Id only been blind for a 1 1/2 years to accurately portray Susans blindness. Shes not as oriented or as comfortable with her blindness or using her other senses as I am, Hansen explains. Director Greg Holt said Hansen has been generous in sharing her own story with the six-member cast. I feel fortunate that someone so capable is cast in the role of Susan. Kelsi is very talented, an upbeat and positive person to work with and very straightforward about her blindness. Shes written some notes in the program separating truth from fiction, he explained. Hansen has never performed on stage before, but shes always had an interest in acting. She took an acting class at age 10 from Holt. She points out that being sighted at one point, you have a different perception of how you look to the rest of the world, and how the world looks at you. Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott was first performed on Broadway in 1966. A film version starring Audrey Hepburn was released in 1967. Hatchers adaptation was published in 2013. It is now set in 1944. He also made the play much more immediate, less complicated and more streamlined and physical. It gets into the story much faster than the original. In Hatchers version, you dont know who you can and cant trust, which heightens the suspense. Its a very intense play, and the audience lives vicariously through Susan, said Holt. Cast members include Carrsan Morrissey, Trace Moustakas, Grant Tracey, Joe Frenna and Natalie Lindaman. Shelby Davis is Hansens assistant and under-study. Everyone has been very supportive. I dont think Greg could have found a better cast. We help each other out, Hansen said. Wait Until Dark also is technically challenging, filled with special effects and unusual lighting techniques designed by Mike Ingraham. We tried to create a tight, confined space, and the windows are high like youd find in a basement apartment. There are bars on the window, and you can see the legs of people as they walk past. Theres a fire, knives thrown at a wall a lot of different tricks are being used in this show, Holt said. Hansen is having the time of her life. This is my first show which is very exciting. Im kind of nervous, but my biggest struggle has been and will continue to be not smiling because Im having so much fun. Home again: Natalie Meeser opens Little Prairie Girl in Grundy Center hometown Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. More on why our personal consumption habits matter in the climate emergency. The post 'Do personal consumption habits really matter in the climate emergency?' started an intense discussion on Twitter and in comments and drew a fair bit of criticism, which I feel I should address and dig a bigger hole for myself. Coincidentally, Beth Gardiner, an environmental writer in London, posted an article on CNN titled Why you shouldn't feel too guilty about flying. She flies a lot and and also addresses the question of personal choice. It's a conversation that is heavily skewed toward individual behavior and personal choice -- how much I fly, what kind of car you drive, whether we've installed efficient light bulbs. And that obscures a much bigger, and more important, picture. While we fret over our own actions -- and each other's -- we are failing to ponder much more consequential questions about how the systems that shape our lives have led us to this point of crisis. Questions about corporate malfeasance, the power of big money and decades of political failure. The finding that just 100 companies -- including vast oil and gas concerns -- are responsible for 71% of all greenhouse gas emissions since 1988 has provided a framework for a different way of thinking about this problem. But if you read the list of the top 100 producers of greenhouse gas emissions here on the Guardian, they are, with (I think) one exception Maersk, a shipping company that burns a lot of fuel fossil fuel producers. They don't actually generate most of the CO2; that comes from the users. They make the jet fuel that powers Beth Gardiner's airplane or the gasoline that moves our car or the coal that fires the blast furnace that makes the steel for our new pickup truck or the generator that keeps our billboards lit. They make the petrochemicals that make the single use plastics holding our takeout food. And every day, we buy what they are selling, either by choice or necessity. Beth Gardiner writes: "The big polluters' masterstroke was to blame the climate crisis on you and me," said the headline of a Guardian column that summed up the dynamic nicely. And we've fallen for it, spending far too much time worrying about our individual choices and too little demanding the political changes needed to make real progress against this existential threat. That headline points to a George Monbiot article, in which he states that the biggest and most successful lie is that this crisis is a matter of consumer choice. Companies are excusing their actions by saying "they are not responsible for our decisions to use their products," which is kind of what I am saying. But then Monbiot explains: We are embedded in a system of their creation a political, economic and physical infrastructure that creates an illusion of choice while, in reality, closing it down. We are guided by an ideology so familiar and pervasive that we do not even recognise it as an ideology. It is called consumerism. It has been crafted with the help of skilful advertisers and marketers, by corporate celebrity culture, and by a media that casts us as the recipients of goods and services rather than the creators of political reality. It is locked in by transport, town planning and energy systems that make good choices all but impossible. So we are stuck in a rut. "In such a system, individual choices are lost in the noise." And as a tweeter noted, reiterating Monbiot, a lot of people don't have the ability to chose. Critic Chris points out that, as Emma Marris noted in the original article, not everyone has these options; many are, as Monbiot notes, "locked in." Chris followed up: "It's also about people in global south, many working poor in global north, people with disabilities: lots of people don't have discretionary income: the impact of their living expenses is out of their control." Point taken; I may be falling into the trap of Jarrett Walker's elite projection, "the belief, among relatively fortunate and influential people, that what those people find convenient or attractive is good for the society as a whole." But does that mean that we shouldn't try to make appropriate personal choices? Of course not. To a certain extent, we can decide what to consume. To live in a smaller home closer to work. To not eat as much meat. To fly less. And it is beginning to make a difference; it's happening in Europe where short-haul flights are declining and people are switching to trains. They are moving real estate markets in North America. They are changing restaurant menus. Tiny stuff, for sure, but more and more people are doing this. And if I didn't believe that our actions could make a difference, I couldn't continue writing or teaching. Individual choices are, in fact, never individual. Our votes are individual yet they are the most important choices we make. Individual choices can change governments. They can move markets. They can put those 99 fossil fuel producing companies out of business. Or 98 I should say, as number 72 on the list is Murray Coal, and it just went bankrupt, thanks to changing markets. Now it is cold and yucky out but I have to get on my e-bike to go teach my class all about living the 1.5 degree lifestyle. I could take a streetcar or even drive, but I am getting on the bike to send a message to my students, to set an example and show solidarity with all the other cyclists out there. It's an individual action, but it matters. And every week, there are more of us. A former Bridgeton official has a new job that will keep her in South Jersey. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced Monday former Bridgeton Business Administrator Stephanie Bush-Baskette would work in the same role in Atlantic City. The state has had operational and financial control of Atlantic City since 2016. The five-year takeover is scheduled to end in 2021. During last Tuesdays Bridgeton City Council meeting, it was announced that Bush-Baskette would be leaving Bridgeton to take on a new role outside of the Cumberland County city. Bush-Baskette officially began working Monday and replaced interim business administrator Anthony Swan, who went back to being the citys solicitor. I appreciate the confidence the Governor, Lt. Governor and Mayor have in me. I look forward to sharing my experiences, skills, and passion to have a positive impact on the City of Atlantic City, Bush-Baskette said in a statement. I am ready to get to work. Bush-Baskette has served in several public office roles. In addition to serving as the business administrator for Bridgeton, East Orange, and Hillside, Bush-Baskette served three terms in the State Assembly for the 27th District and was the first African-American woman to work in the gubernatorial cabinet, working as the DCA Commissioner for former governor Jim Florio. We look forward to Dr. Bush-Baskette bringing her remarkable, distinguished career to Atlantic City to help guide it to the next level of renewal and prosperity, Lt. Governor and DCA Commissioner Sheila Oliver said in a statement. Her blend of expertise in municipal administration, government ethics, and social policy issues make her uniquely qualified to serve as the citys top administrator. Governor Murphy and I remain committed to strengthening the fundamentals of city government and bolstering the ability of the citys staff to ethically and efficiently run the city. I am very confident that Dr. Bush-Baskette will help us enormously in this endeavor. Its a great day here in the City of Atlantic City anytime we can bring someone on our staff with the knowledge, experience, and plethora of skills as Dr. Bush-Baskette, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small added. I look forward to working with Dr. Bush-Baskette to enhance the vision of the City in 2020 and beyond. In Bridgeton, Kevin Rabago was named acting business administrator as the city begins its search for Bush-Baskettes replacement. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks to attendees during an event at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, California on Jan. 13, 2020. (Philip Pacheco / AFP via Getty Images) Pompeo Warns US Tech Companies Against Aiding Chinese Regimes Orwellian Surveillance State Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 13 warned Silicon Valley leaders of the dangers of working with the Chinese communist regime, imploring them not to let U.S. technology power a truly Orwellian surveillance state. We need to make sure that our companies dont do deals that strengthen a competitors military or tighten the regimes grip of repression in parts of that country, Pompeo told a meeting of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The group is an association of more than 350 companies in the California tech hub. We need to make sure American technology doesnt power a truly Orwellian surveillance state. We need to make sure American principles arent sacrificed for prosperity, he said. Advanced Tech Pompeos remarks come amid growing concerns about the Chinese regimes use of advanced technology for domestic surveillance and control, including through a sprawling network of CCTV cameraswith roughly one camera for every four peoplemany of which are equipped with facial-recognition technology. U.S. lawmakers and experts have also recently drawn attention to the role U.S. tech companies have played in building Chinas surveillance capabilities. An Uyghur human rights bill passed by the House of Representatives in December 2019 includes export controls of U.S. technology that aids state-sponsored surveillance in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, where an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are detained in re-education camps. A Senate version of the bill was passed in September 2019, and lawmakers are currently working on a compromise bill to pass and send to the president. In February 2019, Massachusetts-based lab equipment maker Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that it would stop selling DNA sequencers to Xinjiang, after receiving criticism from U.S. lawmakers that its products were used by Chinese authorities to identify individuals in its campaign of suppression. On Jan. 2, former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse criticized Google for putting profits over human rights, citing its work with the Chinese regime, which included the Dragonfly project, a since-scrapped censored search engine for China, and its artificial intelligence (AI) center in Beijing. Just when Google needed to double down on a commitment to human rights, it decided to instead chase bigger profits and an even higher stock price, LaJeunesse wrote on social media platform Medium. In his speech, Pompeo cited 2019 Senate testimony from a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, who said, The work that Google is doing in China is indirectly benefiting the Chinese military. The Trump administration recently imposed export controls on AI technology that analyzes satellite imagery in order to protect emerging technology that could give the United States a significant intelligence or military advantage. The Chinese regime has prioritized a military development strategy known as military-civil fusion, Pompeo said, referring to its effort of leveraging private industry and university research to advance its military. Under Chinese law, Chinese companies and researchers mustI repeat, mustunder penalty of law share technology with the Chinese military, he said. Even if the Chinese Communist Party gives assurances about your technology being confined to peaceful uses, you should know there is enormous risk, risk to Americas national security as well. Chinese Tech Theft The state secretary also highlighted the regimes rampant theft of intellectual property, which not only harms individual victim companies, but also jeopardizes U.S. innovation, he said. He said U.S. business leaders have privately shared with him their concerns of being targeted by Chinese economic espionage: fears of getting hacked; fears of a Chinese state-backed company undercutting your margins; fears that a Chinese company will steal your idea, manufacture it in China, and then sue you out of business for patent infringement. The FBI currently has about 1,000 open intellectual property (IP) cases, nearly all of them somehow connected to China, Pompeo added. Federal authorities have in recent years cracked down on cases of Chinese state-sponsored IP theft, including through cyberhacking, economic espionage at U.S. companies, and tech transfers by Chinese researchers at universities and research institutes. At the same, the U.S. administration has tightened regulations due to Chinese companies that pose security risks. The State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and branches of the U.S. military have all banned their staff from downloading Chinese social media app TikTok onto government-issued phones, due to cybersecurity concerns. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior is reportedly set to permanently halt its fleet of nearly 1,000 Chinese-made drones due to the risk that they could be used by Beijing for spying. In 2019, the United States barred Chinese tech giant Huawei from doing business with U.S. companies due to similar security concerns. Kalamazoo Public Safety Generic Photo Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley said Officer Craig Jankowski was placed on administrative leave with pay in September when his agency was notified by Battle Creek police that Jankowski was identified as an alleged john. He was fired Dec. 23. (Kalamazoo Gazette file) KALAMAZOO, MI -- On the job for less than two years, the career of Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Craig Jankowski began to unravel last year when a prostitute was arrested with heroin in Battle Creek. The drug arrest on Sept. 15 quickly took a turn when the 27-year-old woman told members of a Battle Creek Police Department drug unit that she believed a client was one of their own, or possibly a police officer in the city of Kalamazoo. She had listed the man in her cell phone contacts under the name "Cop Looking Dude," according to an eight-page Michigan State Police report obtained by the Kalamazoo Gazette under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Police checked the number attached to the contact, which came back to Jankowski's cell phone. What unfolded from there was a two-month investigation by state police detectives and an internal investigation by Kalamazoo Public Safety's Office of Professional Standards that led to Jankowski being terminated from his job. However, he avoided prosecution after the woman refused to testify in court for fear of being labeled a snitch, the report shows. KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley said Jankowski, who was sworn in as a Public Safety officer in December 2012, was placed on administrative leave when the agency was notified by Battle Creek police that Jankowski was identified as an alleged john. He was fired Dec. 23. Jankowski's union, the Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers' Association, has filed a grievance on his behalf that is pending an arbitration hearing, the chief said. The Kalamazoo Gazette was unable to reach Jankowski or KPSOA President Chris Hancox for comment for this report. Hadley declined to comment on what his agency found during its internal probe, which was conducted following the conclusion of the criminal investigation by MSP Detective Sgt. Mike Spring in early December. The Gazette has filed a FOIA request for the internal investigation documents. Spring's report says the woman advertised on the website, Backpage.com, and that she and Jankowski first met in April 2014 at the Econo Lodge on Sprinkle Road in Kalamazoo. That meeting, the woman told police, ended abruptly because she became suspicious that Jankowski was an undercover police officer. A short time after cutting the meeting short, the woman told Spring that she sent a text message to Jankowski to apologize and that Jankowski denied that he was a police officer, according to the state police report. The woman said she met with Jankowski two more times between April and July at hotels in Battle Creek and that in both instances Jankowski paid her $100 for sex. Spring obtained search warrants for Jankowski's cellphone, as well as the woman's phone. The analysis of the woman's phone showed three contacts between her and Jankowski in late June and three more in early July. There were five more contacts between Aug. 3 and Aug. 14, as well as two contacts in early September, the report shows. On Jankowski's phone, Spring found a contact between Jankowski's phone and the woman's phone on May 23, "with additional contacts in June, July, August and September." Spring said the analysis of Jankowski's phone also revealed additional text messages from Sept. 26 that Spring said showed "Jankowski may be communicating with another prostitute." Jankowski declined to speak with Spring and Detective 1st Lt. Chuck Christensen when they contacted him on Nov. 3 for an interview. He did, however, turn over his cellphone to the detectives and provided them with the device's password. "Jankowski stated that he did not think he should talk to us about this investigation at this time," Spring said in his report. "Jankowski stated he wanted to be very respectful but he did not think he should answer any questions." Spring submitted his investigation for review on Nov. 21 to Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert. Spring's report says Gilbert asked him at that time to contact the woman "to determine if she is still willing to testify in court before he would authorize charges." Spring later spoke to the woman at the Calhoun County Jail and she told the detective she would not testify in court, according to the police report. "She stated that this officer had her phone records and I could use that, however she has already had issues in the jail with other inmates thinking she was a 'snitch.' She stated that she would refuse to testify in any court hearing in reference to Jankowski. "(Gilbert) stated that without the cooperation of (the woman) he did not think he would be able to authorize any criminal charges against Jankowski." Rex Hall Jr. is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. You can reach him at rhall2@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter. It was unclear why Hifter declined to sign the pact. One reason may be that it did not include a deadline for the disbanding of the disparate militias aligned with the GNA, according to a Libyan military official cited by Interfax. Hifter has claimed that his Tripoli offensive is partly intended to cleanse the capital of those militias, which he describes as terrorist and criminal groups. By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 13, 2020 | 06:12 PM | PADUCAH The McCracken County Sheriff's Department began investigating last month after getting a complaint from Four Rivers Harley-Davidson. They told detectives an employee may have stolen approximately $40,000 from the business. The investigation led detectives to believe that the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer, 57-year-old Marie McGruder, had used the company credit card for personal use over the last two years. The Sheriff's Department says she paid for vacations, groceries, pet supplies, electronics and other items with the cards. Detectives also say she was using cards assigned to other departments to hide transactions for personal purchases. So far, the Sheriff's Department believes that McGruder made over $10,000 in unauthorized purchases. The investigation is ongoing so that a total amount can be determined. McGruder was arrested Monday and charged with theft by unlawful taking over $10,000, which is a class C felony. A Paducah woman has been arrested after an investigation into possible embezzlement at a business. Trumps looming tariffs are terrifying the American wine world, and restaurateurs, retailers, importers, distributors, and others are rallying against it. Theres no timeline on the proposed 100 percent tax that would affect European wines and other goods yet, but if youre plugged into the restaurant world, youve certainly seen social-media posts advocating against the tariffs and asking you to speak out against them. Monday, January 13, was the deadline for public comments on the proposed tariffs. Since December 12, nearly 25,000 were made to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. To recap, there are two tariff proposals, both involving a 100 percent tax. One would only affect French goods, including Champagne, in response to Frances Digital Sales Tax on American tech companies. The other would affect wine and other goods from all European Union countries and is in response to subsidies for Airbus that the World Trade Organization has deemed unfair. But these tariffs are an escalation of a trade war thats already started. Last year, the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on English, French, German, and Spanish still wines under 14 percent, as well as Scotch and Irish whiskey. The New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov spoke to a number of restaurateurs and shop owners, all of whom envision scenarios that are roughly grim to apocalyptic. A co-owner of the East Villages Il Posto Accanto, an Italian wine bar, tells the paper, This will be the end of us, while an importer, Jon-David Headrick, says the 25 percent tariff already imposed last year have been hard enough to deal with. Speaking to the Dallas News, James Gunter, the owner of importer and distributor Wines With Conviction, puts a number on it, saying the 25 percent tariff equals a price hike of $2 to $3 per bottle. Industry leaders are weighing in, too. Union Square Hospitality Group head Danny Meyer tells Asimov that its completely ludicrous to have these trade wars somehow connect airplanes to wine. This is a point echoed by others, who are wondering why fights over taxes on tech giants and European Union subsidies for Airbus have spilled over into the wine world. Speaking to Chicagos WGN-TV, Cream Wine Company founder Andy Pates says the tariffs are going to be catastrophic. Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits executive director Barkley Stuart tells the Dallas News that the tariffs will cause more damage to the U.S. economy than to the French economy, and therefore are counterproductive. In an op-ed for CNN, wine writer Jon Bonne writes, If youre asking yourself what Big Tech and big aerospace possibly have to do with Burgundy and provolone, you arent alone. He argues that this is dumb politics at work: Wine is for the snobby elites whom Trump a man whose New York home is ludicrously lavish, decorated with gold, and in an actual tower rails against. France will, Bonne points out, probably retaliate, which isnt great, given that one-third of our own wine exports from California go to the E.U. Some 78,000 jobs could be at risk, he adds. One California wine retailer is trying to offer a solution, reports Alder Yarrow for the website Jancis Robinson. Speaking at a USTR hearing on the Digital Sales Tax on January 7, Lyle Fass of Fass Selections said, We all know these tariffs are a nuclear bomb, adding hes against them even while suggesting limiting the tariffs to larger brands like Veuve Clicquot and Moet & Chandon. The owner of Dom Perignon, Krug, Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and some other major Champagne brands is LVMH, which is controlled by the French billionaire Bernard Arnault. As Yarrow puts it, this would put the focus on an $18 billion business instead of potentially putting many small importers and distributors in danger. The DMK on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress on CAA, NRC and NPR since its party chief M K Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. A day after avoiding participating in the meet for showcasing opposition unity, the DMK was also non-committal on restoration of ties with its old ally, notwithstanding the regret reportedly expressed by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K S Alagiri. "We did not take part in the meeting since our chief was accused of violating coalition dharma," senior leader T R Baalu said here. The party did not participate in the meeting at Delhi on Monday since it was felt that TNCC president Alagiri's recent statement was an "accusation against party chief M K Stalin," Baalu, also a Lok Sabha MP, said. On January 10, Alagiri had said that Congress was not alloted a fair number of posts of local bodies chiefs by the lead partner DMK and this went against "coalition dharma". Speaking to reporters here, Baalu said he felt that Alagiri could have avoided issuing the statement. Asked if the ties with Congress have now returned to its "old status," (since Alagiri has reportedly expressed regret and met party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard) Baalu was non-committal. He said: "Time will tell whether it has returned to the old (normality indicating bonhomie) status or not; why are you concerned?" Wondering whether the press was a doing post-mortem of the issue, he said his party felt that Alagiri issuing a statement on the matter was not correct. "Only this much we can tell you now," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tensions between Iran's government and the Revolutionary Guard spilled into the open last night as the president's office accused the elite military force of misleading it over the accidental shooting down of a civilian airliner. As protesters took to the streets for a third consecutive day, allies of Hassan Rouhani, the democratically elected president, appeared to be directing the public's anger toward their more hardline rivals in the Revolutionary Guard. A spokesman for Mr Rouhani said the Revolutionary Guard had falsely told the president it had not been involved as he tried to explain why Iran spent the first days after the crash denying responsibility for the 176 deaths. "All relevant authorities had assured us there had been no missile involved in the downing of the plane," said Ali Rabiei, a government spokesman. Expand Close Rivals: Hassan Rouhani's supporters vented ire at the military. Photo: AFP via Getty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rivals: Hassan Rouhani's supporters vented ire at the military. Photo: AFP via Getty Meanwhile, a leaked recording appeared to show a Revolutionary Guard officer complaining that Mr Rouhani's administration was hanging them out to dry as they faced widespread fury over the incident. The recording, published by the Iranian opposition site Pyk Net, purported to capture on film an unnamed Revolutionary Guard commander addressing comrades, urging them to weather the political storm. "The statement by the government admitting the cause of air crash was disgraceful," he said. "The statement should not have blamed the entire Revolutionary Guard and could have just said it was the fault of one individual." The commander went on to suggest the government could have waited "two or three months" before announcing the real cause of the crash, to allow the Guard more time to bask in public support after the killing of Qasem Soleimani and the missile barrage fired against US forces in Iraq. He added that the Rouhani administration was failing to show gratitude for crushing anti-government protests last year. Several hundred civilians died in the crackdown. "The November protests were caused by the Rouhani government but the Revolutionary Guard sacrificed itself and put them down, but this time the government is passive in the face of the attacks on the Revolutionary Guard," he said. Expand Close Dictator: Ayatollah Ali Khameni has been supreme leader since 1989 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dictator: Ayatollah Ali Khameni has been supreme leader since 1989 Two female protesters were reportedly shot and wounded in Tehran on Sunday night, while students protested yesterday at Sharif university in Tehran, widely considered one of Iran's top academic institutions. Tensions between the relatively moderate government and the hard line Revolutionary Guard have been building for years as Mr Rouhani advocated diplomacy with the West and Guard commanders called for continuing isolation. But faced with public anger over the fate of Ukrainian Flight PS752 - and with elections looming in February - the sides appeared to be at particularly bitter odds. Riot police faced down protesters denouncing Iran's clerical rulers yesterday, amid anger after authorities acknowledged shooting down a passenger plane by accident. Video from inside Iran showed students yesterday chanting slogans including "Clerics get lost!" outside universities in the city of Isfahan and in Tehran, where riot police were filmed taking up positions on the streets of the capital. Images emerged from the previous two days of protests showing wounded people being carried and pools of blood on the ground, while the sound of gunfire could be heard. Authorities denied that police had opened fire. US President Donald Trump, who raised the stakes on January 3 by ordering the killing of Iran's most powerful military commander, tweeted to Iran's leaders: "don't kill your protesters." Tehran has acknowledged shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner by mistake on Wednesday, killing 176 people, hours after it had fired at US targets in Iraq to retaliate for the killing of General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. Iranian public anger, rumbling for days as Iran repeatedly denied it was to blame for the plane crash, erupted into protests on Saturday when the military admitted its role. - Kennedy Agyapong has asked Ghanaians to leave the national security minister alone - The MP has defended his party member by saying he is not the only man who cheats on his wife - But in a hilarious manner also questioned why his colleague will have an affair with a lady with long fingernails - Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Firebrand NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has jumped to the defense of embattled National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah. According to Mr. Agyapong, the security capo should not be crucified over his amorous video which leaked on social media on Sunday, January 12, 2020. He noted that, let any man who says he is clean cast the first stone. Let the clean cast the stone. READ ALSO: US Education: Meet 8-year-old Ghanaian pupil who topped her class after only one month But in a hilarious manner, the Assin Central MP also questioned why Mr Dapaah would also date or entertain lady with long and scary fingernails. I looked at the ladys fingernails and wondered what could National Security Minister be doing with such fingernails? Kennedy Agyapong hilariously asked on Oman FM on Monday, January 13. He also cautioned ladies who allow themselves to used by evil persons to deliberately disgrace and bring down men to be careful. Her pictures are out; its possible she will never get a man to marry her. She thinks shes nailed Kan. How much were you paid if you were contracted to set him up? he asked. On Sunday, January 12, Ghana woke up to a viral video on social media of national security minister sweet-talking a lady who is not his wife in a video call. READ ALSO: Ghanas first female police officer turns 90 today and Ghanaians cant keep calm The 66-year-old minister did not know the lady was recording their conversation. The video showed Mr. Kan Dapaah in pyjamas and having an erotic conversation with the lady. After the video leaked, the lady has since been identified as one, Chantelle Kujawu . ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Meanwhile, government or the minister in question are yet to release a statement on the matter. The incident have left Ghanaians talking on social media with some accusing Kan Dapaah of being reckless and bring shame to his family, especially his wife. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Dzata George is alleging that the embattled Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah was set up by his own party people. According to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, the minister fell prey to persons within the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) who want him out. Statecraft on display. Set a man up, play coy, orchestrate calls for his resignation and pressure him to resign. Just so you bring the 'greater evil' of the two to control our national security. We live in dangerous times as a Nation, the lawmaker posted on Facebook. Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Chicago aldermen have rejected a proposed $125,000 legal settlement for a woman who witnessed the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald by a white Chicago police officer. Some aldermen on Monday questioned why the city should pay Alma Benitez, who filed a federal lawsuit in 2016 alleging investigators tried to pressure her into changing her account of the shooting, the Chicago Tribune reported. She agreed on an undisclosed settlement with the city in November. Benitez was in a fast-food drive-thru lane in 2014 when she said she saw police surround and shoot McDonald. Finance Committee Chairman Scott Waguespack called for the committee to vote against the proposal, saying afterward that there wasnt enough support to pass it. Benitezs lawsuit could now proceed to trial or the city could settle with her for $100,000 or less, an amount that does not require City Council approval. A jury found former officer Jason Van Dyke guilty in October 2018 of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in McDonalds shooting. He was sentenced to six years in prison. OAKLAND (BCN) The judge in the trial of a transient man charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland in 2018 will hold a hearing on Tuesday on a defense motion to move the case away from Alameda County. Assistant Public Defender Christina Moore, the attorney for John Lee Cowell, 29, wrote in a motion she filed on Dec. 30 that she doesn't think Cowell can get a fair trial locally because "prevalent and persistent news coverage has demonstrably prejudiced potential jurors of Alameda County." Cowell is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Wilson and her sister, 26-year-old Letifah Wilson, on the platform at the MacArthur station at 9:36 p.m. on July 22, 2018. Cowell also is charged with a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait, a charge that would result in life in prison without parole or the death penalty if he's convicted. Moore said 55 percent of respondents in a survey the defense recently conducted of 470 Alameda County residents said they believe Cowell is definitely guilty or probably guilty of murder. She said those numbers include people who indicated they have no familiarity with Cowell's case, but 81.5 percent of the 315 people who said they are familiar with the allegations against him said they believe he definitely or probably is guilty of murder. Moore said nearly 40 percent of those people said "they did not need any additional facts before deciding the issue of guilt" for Cowell. But Assistant District Attorney Micheal O'Connor wrote in a response filed last Friday that he believes, "The press coverage of the case is not highly prejudicial to the defendant (Cowell)." O'Connor said that more than half of the news articles about Cowell's case that Moore cited in her motion were written within two months after Wilson was killed and three-fourths of the articles were written in 2018. O'Connor said, "The passage of time blunts the prejudicial impact of pretrial publicity." In addition, O'Connor argued that the courts have recognized that, "Alameda County is a large and populous county, making it very likely that jurors can be found who can refrain from prejudging the case." O'Connor also wrote that it's a longstanding practice in the county for judges to defer a decision on a change of venue motion until after potential jurors are brought to court and questioned. O'Connor said Moore has not shown that there's reasonable likelihood that Cowell will be unable to get a fair and impartial trial in Alameda County. Superior Court Judge Allan Hymer, an expert in mental health legal issues who was appointed last week to preside over Cowell's trial, will hold a hearing on the change of venue motion at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse at 12th and Oak streets in Oakland at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A panel of potential jurors will be brought to Hymer's courtroom on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday afternoon, another judge, Superior Court Judge James Cramer, will hold a hearing to receive a new report on Cowell's mental competency that's being prepared by psychiatrist Jason Roof of the University of California at Davis. Roof was scheduled to interview Cowell at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Monday. Cowell's trial could be suspended if Roof indicates in his report that he thinks Cowell is mentally incompetent. In another twist in the case, Moore disclosed in a recent motion that Cowell recorded several rap videos in early 2017 under a rap moniker. Moore said she's seeking an order that the prosecution discloses to the court any of Cowell's lyrics or videos they may seek to admit into evidence so the court can rule on any issues about their admissibility because she's concerned that they may be unduly prejudicial. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. She shot to worldwide fame as one of the original 90s supermodels alongside the likes of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. And Helena Christensen put on her very own fashion parade as she headed to a yoga class in New York's West Village on Monday. The Danish model, 51, looked chic in a low-key double denim ensemble of wide-legged jeans and a matching jacket. Supermodel strut: Helena Christensen looked chic in a low-key double denim as she headed to a yoga class in New York's West Village on Monday The fashion icon teamed her outfit with a grey T-shirt and green leather pumps, while holding her yoga mat under one arm. The mother-of-one sheltered her eyes with a pair of pink-rimmed shades and opted for low-key hair and makeup to emphasise her naturally stunning features. Helena completed her low-key look with a brightly-coloured fabric belt, a delicate heart-shaped pendant and a black woven leather handbag. It seems the supermodel was in a reflective mood, posting an adorable childhood snap of her son Mingus, 20, who she raises with her former boyfriend, actor Norman Reedus, 51. Sharing the sweet snap on Instagram, she wrote: 'Thank you for this angel in my life.' Double denim delight: The Danish model, 51, teamed her outfit with a grey T-shirt and green leather pumps, while holding her yoga mat under one arm Helena recently discussed the secret to maintaining her incredible figure, citing the 'Viking mentality' and incorporating nature into her workouts. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday's You magazine in September 2019, she explained: 'I think it's important to shake it up and do as many different forms of workout as possible, but also to incorporate nature into them. 'Swim in the ocean, swim in rivers, swim in lakes. Hiking, trekking, chopping wood it's the best way of working out, because it doesn't really feel like a workout. It feels like you're alive. 'This summer, several times a day, I would go down to the beach and sprint barefoot with my dog, jump in the ocean and just move around like crazy in the water. It's where I feel the calmest, happiest, most stable. 'Thank you for this angel': Helena was in a reflective mood, posting an adorable childhood snap of her son Mingus, 20, who she raises with her former boyfriend, actor Norman Reedus, 51 'It's just the Viking mentality. I have this yearning to be near water. It's almost an obsession. If I woke up one morning and had a mermaid tail, it wouldn't surprise me.' Helena's modelling career was launched when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title back in 1986. She went on to become one of the original 1990s supermodels alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer. She previously dated the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who tragically passed away in 1997, aged 37. The model split from Paul Banks, 41, frontman of rock band Interpol, in 2018 after a decade together. "Maybe Lowes workwear for children (C8) is so the kids can engage in 'industrial play', formerly known as jobs around the house," suggests Jenny Stephenson of Wollongong. "Just don't ask how much they get paid, that is a whole other conundrum." While we no longer send kids down pit or up chimneys, Peter Harrison of O'Connell notes that there are "still hard-working farm kids to look after. Theyre up early helping mum and dad feed cattle and sheep and checking water supplies." Don Bain of Port Macquarie offers a plea composed on behalf of the much-maligned stink bugs (C8). "We are little stink bugs, hear us shout/Please dont burn our bottoms/Please dont smash our snouts/We didnt start the fires/And we didnt cause the drought/Were just little stink bugs/Please dont wipe us out!" Given that "fans of foul smelling shrimp paste, jack-fruit, truffles and ripe-cheeses abound", Gregory Abbott of Macleay Island is sure that "the world's culinary smarties can come up with a gourmet recipe a la stink bug (C8). A soup, a souffle, or steamed insect spare ribs?" John Wilko of Batemans Bay is of similar mind. "Being so plentiful, surely our creative chefs could find a way to serve stink bugs as an entree prior to a main course of cockroaches and mealy worms." And on that note, we'll let stink bugs go and get back to work stinking up backyards around the country. David Swain's comment about being unable to visualise negative impact (C8) drew many responses. Don Smith of Ashfield and Ingo Weinberger of Campsie all nominated a negative impact as being when the hammer hits your thumb instead of the nail. Graham Galbraith of Moss Vale believes it is "when you swing the hammer at a nail and miss". Taking a different view, Ian Catt of Surry Hills thinks that "having a negative impact (C8) on the nail involves the other side of the hammer". Andrew Smith of Birmingham Gardens offers, "If David Swain used a claw hammer to impact his nail in, then used the claw to pull it back out, that would be negative impact." A man has been charged with murder following the alleged stabbing of a man in a town in New South Wales' Southern Tablelands. Emergency services attended a property in Good Hope, 20km south-west of Yass, at around 2.45am on Monday and discovered a 35-year-old man with a serious stab wound. Despite attempts to revive him, he died at the scene. A second man, also 35, was found nearby with stab wounds and taken to Canberra Hospital under police guard. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old man after being discharged, was taken to Goulburn Police Station, where he was charged with murder. It will be alleged that the two men were known to each other. The man was refused bail to appear in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday. All monetary amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2020) - IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") today announced that the Government of the Republic of Senegal has approved the mining permit application for the Boto Gold Project ("Boto" or the "Project") for an initial period of 20 years, principally under the provisions of Senegal's 2003 mining code. The receipt of the mining permit positions the Project for a development decision and eventual production. Boto is one of IAMGOLD's most advanced growth projects. Based on the results of various development and operating optimizations undertaken since the completion of the Feasibility Study ("FS") for the Project (see news release dated October 22, 2019), Boto is expected to produce an average of 160,000 ounces of gold per year during the first six years of operations, averaging 130,000 ounces of gold per year at all-in sustaining costs of $842 per ounce sold over a mine life of approximately 11 years. With expected initial capital expenditures of $271 million, the Project represents an after-tax Net Present Value (6% discount) of $219 million using a gold price assumption of $1,350 per ounce. Gord Stothart, President and COO of IAMGOLD, said, "The Boto Gold Project generates impressive returns and margins, and we are very pleased to now be in receipt of the exploitation permit. We thank the Government of Senegal for their ongoing support of this Project. Situated in the highly prospective Boto-Karita-Diakha gold district, the Project is well positioned to benefit from further discoveries. Work is already underway to obtain approvals for the next steps, supporting either a decision to proceed to full construction or further de-risk prior to construction approval." OPTIMIZATION STUDY HIGHLIGHTS (100% BASIS) Project Economics and Key Parameters FS-2018 Optimization study 2019 Optimization study 2019 Gold Price Assumption used in financial analysis $1,250/oz $1,250/oz $1,350/oz Mining Capacity at peak 33 Mtpa 38 Mtpa 38 Mtpa Milling Capacity (hard rock equivalent) 2.5 Mtpa 2.7 Mtpa 2.7 Mtpa Average Annual Gold Production (Years 1-6) 160,000 oz 160,000 oz 160,000 oz LOM Average Annual Gold Production 140,000 oz 130,000 oz 130,000 oz LOM Average Recovery Rate 89.4% 89.4% 89.4% Mine Life 12.8 years 11 years 11 years LOM Average Total Cash Costs $714/oz $760/oz $778/oz LOM Average AISC $753/oz $824/oz $842/oz Average Grade 1.71 g/t Au 1.71 g/t Au 1.71 g/t Au Average LOM Strip Ratio 5.8:1 7.5:1 7.5:1 Estimated Capital Expenditure Initial Capital $254 million $271 million $271 million Sustaining Capital $66 million $68 million $68 million After-tax NPV (6%) $261 million $150 million $219 million After-tax IRR 23.0% 17.7% 22.6% Payback Period 3.4 years 3.8 years 3.2 years /US$ exchange rate of 1:1.20; Oil price of $65 per barrel. Note: the Company has the option to lease finance mining equipment. A supporting National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of this release. MINERAL RESOURCES The Mineral Resource estimate used as the basis for the study is summarized below. Boto Gold Project Mineral Resources - December 31, 2019 Classification Tonnes (000) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Ounces (000) Attributable Contained Ounces (000) Indicated 40,600 1.56 2,033 1,830 Inferred 8,200 1.78 469 422 Notes: CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources are reported within an optimized constraining shell using MineSight 3D software. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves; Cut-off grades vary between 0.37 g/t Au and 0.50 g/t Au, depending on the deposit and the weathering type of material; Mineral resources were estimated based on a gold price of $1,500 per ounce; Capping of grades varied between 2 g/t Au and 25 g/t Au on raw assays by mineralized zone; The density varies between 1.65 g/cm3 and 2.75 g/cm3 depending on weathering zone. Attributable is a representation of dividends calculated as 90% for IAMGOLD, with 10% to the government of Senegal. MINERAL RESERVES The tonnes, grades, and classification of the Mineral Reserves captured within the optimization study mine plan are summarized below. Boto Gold Project Mineral Reserves - December 31, 2019 Classification Tonnes (000) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Ounces (000) Attributable Contained Ounces (000) Probable 29,040 1.71 1,592 1,432 Waste within Designed Pit 218,300 Total Tonnage within Designed Pit 247,340 Notes: CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves. Reserves estimated assuming open pit mining methods. Mineral Reserves are estimated using a long-term gold price of $1,200 per ounce. Average weighted process recovery of 89.4%. Quantity of gold payable is 99%. Transportation and refining costs estimated at $3.04 per ounce. Royalty and other charges of 4.0% are applied to the gold metal value. Processing costs estimated at $10.82, $11.28 and $15.61 per tonne for saprolite, transition and fresh rock material, respectively. G&A costs estimated at $4.29 per tonne for saprolite for the Malikoundi deposit and $4.37 per tonne for all other material at the Malikoundi deposit and for the Boto 5 deposit. The cut-off grades for the Malikoundi deposit are 0.42 g/t Au for saprolite, 0.43 g/t Au for transition rock and 0.58 g/t Au for hard rock. The cut-off grades for the Boto 5 deposit are 0.41 g/t Au for saprolite, 0.43 g/t Au for transition rock and 0.58 g/t Au for hard rock. The tonnes and grades are diluted. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Attributable is a representation of dividends calculated as 90% for IAMGOLD, with 10% to the government of Senegal. OPTIMIZATION WORK The FS issued in October 2018 was used to support the application for an exploitation permit, which was received as noted above, in December 2019. During 2019, the project team completed further engineering work to optimize the project. Work included condemnation drilling, plant engineering, water management optimization and additional resource drilling. The update of the reserve block model ("BM") resulted in a modest reserve decrease compared to the 2018 FS. Based on the revised BM and results of the optimization work, including the mining plan, and review of the forecast capital and operating cost estimates, the economic analysis of the project was updated as outlined above. The optimization study confirms the preferred development approach to be a conventional truck and shovel open pit mining operation with a mineral processing circuit incorporating primary crushing, grinding, and cyanide leaching, followed by gold recovery using carbon-in-pulp, stripping and electrowinning. Open pit mining includes approximately 13.7 Mt of waste stripping and 1.2 Mt of ore stockpiling in pre-production mining during a thirteen month pre-production period followed by 11 years of production mining along with stockpile reclaim. The maximum mining rate is 38 Mt per annum. The average ore grade is 1.71 g/t Au and the LOM stripping ratio is 7.5:1. Future Work The project team is now focusing on long lead items engineering and critical path activities to be in a position to rapidly launch the project in case of either a decision to proceed to full construction or further de-risk and optimize the project prior to construction approval. The exploration team is conducting a delineation drilling program to target the conversion of additional inferred resources to an indicated category, which may be upgraded to reserves, as well as continuing exploration to expand resources in proximity to the resource pits on the exploitation lease as well as regionally. Qualified Persons The initial FS and subsequent optimization studies were completed by IAMGOLD and Lycopodium and incorporate the work of IAMGOLD, Lycopodium and Specialist Consultants Qualified Persons (QPs) (as defined under National Instrument 43-101). Lycopodium and Specialist Consultant QPs are independent of IAMGOLD and have reviewed and approved this news release. IAMGOLD QPs are not independent of IAMGOLD and have reviewed and approved this news release. The areas of responsibility for each QP involved in preparing the FS, upon which the technical report will be based, are: Lycopodium QPs N. Morrison, P. Eng., Metallurgical testing and mineral processing, recovery methods and plant operating costs M. Oliazadeh, P.Eng., Summary, project infrastructure and plant capital cost Specialist Consultants QPs T. Ciuculescu, P.Geo. (RPA) Summary, accessibility, geological setting, deposit type, exploration, drilling, sample preparation and analysis and security, data verification, mineral resource estimate R. McIsaac P. Eng. (Knight Piesold), Tailings and water IAMGOLD QPs P. Chabot, ing., Summary, mine design, mine capital and operating costs, reserve estimate L-B. Denoncourt, ing., Summary, property description, historical setting, permitting, financial analysis and adjacent properties The information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Craig MacDougall, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration for IAMGOLD. Mr. MacDougall is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Forward-Looking Information All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10, 2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This document contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; (ii) the optimization study representing a potentially viable development option for the Project; (iii) estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the duration of financing payback periods; (iv) the estimated amount of future production, both produced and metal recovered; and, (v) estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow, net present value and economic returns from an operating mine. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on IAMGOLD's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but generally these assumptions include: (i) the presence of and continuity of metals at the Boto Gold Project at estimated grades; (ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated during mining operations; (iii) the capacities and durability of various machinery and equipment; (iv) the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times; (v) currency exchange rates; (vi) metals sales prices and exchange rate assumed; (vii) appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the economic analysis; (viii) tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; (ix) the availability of acceptable financing under assumed structure and costs; (x) anticipated mining losses and dilution; (xi) metallurgical performance; (xii) reasonable contingency requirements; (xiii) success in realizing proposed operations; (xiv) receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and (xv) the fulfillment of environmental assessment commitments and arrangements with local communities. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward-looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being different from what is expected to be encountered during mining operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar; increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development, operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which IAMGOLD operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in IAMGOLD's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com ) for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in the Corporation's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html). IAMGOLD cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to IAMGOLD, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. IAMGOLD does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by IAMGOLD or on our behalf, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred Resources This news release also uses the term "inferred resources". We advise investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred Resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors The SEC limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. IAMGOLD uses certain terms in this news release, such as "measured," "indicated," or "inferred," which may not be consistent with the resource definitions established by the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the IAMGOLD Annual Reports on Form 40-F. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml or by contacting the Investor Relations department. The Canadian Securities Administrators' NI 43-101 requires mining companies to disclose reserves and resources using the subcategories of "proven" reserves, "probable" reserves, "measured" resources, "indicated" resources and "inferred" resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not demonstrate economic viability. A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic material, or natural, solid fossilized organic material including base and precious metals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity. An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed. An inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. Mineral resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. About IAMGOLD IAMGOLD (www.iamgold.com) is a mid-tier mining company with four operating gold mines on three continents. A solid base of strategic assets in North and South America and West Africa is complemented by development and exploration projects and continued assessment of accretive acquisition opportunities. IAMGOLD is in a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise. For further information please contact: Indi Gopinathan, Investor Relations Lead, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 360-4743 Mobile: (416) 388-6883 Martin Dumont, Senior Analyst Investor Relations, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 933-5783 Mobile: (647) 967-9942 Toll-free: 1-888-464-9999 info@iamgold.com Please note: This entire news release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com and through Newsfile's website at www.newsfilecorp.com. All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov. Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique de presse, veuillez consulter le http://www.iamgold.com/French/accueil/default.aspx. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51386 Sky News The programme of events marking The Queen's 70th year on the throne has been revealed by Buckingham Palace. Instead, it is believed that other members of the Royal Family will take on much of the duties in her place, including Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall. "But yet, because she has reigned for so long, there is a chance for the nation to celebrate her and she has through her household, and many other people who are taking part, put forward for this weekend events that people can involve themselves in, or ignore, in the true British style, just as they please." Former DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has advised Conor Murphy - who currently holds Stormont's purse strings - to stop complaining that the Government's financial package to the new Executive falls short of what was expected. "All the parties drew up this enormous wish-list without securing the money to deliver it," Mr Wilson told the Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday night. "Conor Murphy is facing an uphill job but there's no point in him moaning about it. "The parties don't have any leverage any more. "The Secretary of State knows that they aren't going to walk out of the Executive." Read More Mr Wilson said that the new Sinn Fein Finance Minister must be honest. "He should just admit that the Executive is on a tight budget. There is no point in gurning every day about how the government did the dirt on us," he said. "He needs to ask each of the parties to identify their big priority. "If he doesn't do that, there will be tit-for-tat opposition around the Executive table to every spending decision he makes. They will be at loggerheads forever." The DUP MP said that the Barnett consequentials - the formula for distributing money to the devolved regions - may have made it initially appear that New Decade, New Approach meant much more money than it did. "The parties now need to make the best of it," Mr Wilson said. "In 2007, the DUP went back into the Executive with Sinn Fein (after the St Andrews Agreement) in what wasn't a hugely popular move. One of our conditions was that there should be a massive financial package. "That money didn't last long as it was hit by the recession. "Government cutbacks wiped it out." Mr Wilson said that "complaining about the financial package" was the wrong approach. "There is room to cap waste by departments. Conor Murphy has good officials in the Finance Department. "I found that if you go to the government with a genuine case, you can get money," the East Antrim MP said. "It could be argued, for example, that Northern Ireland should get something in return for the third Heathrow runway. "A business case can also be made to the Treasury that to enable long-term savings, a bit more money needs to be spent now to reform public services." Meanwhile another former DUP Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton - who is now chief executive of the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce - said it was vital that the return of devolution was supported by a generous financial package from the government. He said: "We are all well aware of the scale of challenge that the new Executive faces. "Belfast Chamber believes that it is important that the return of devolution is underpinned by a financial package that permits the delivery of important infrastructure and enables essential reform of our public services." Mr Hamilton continued: "In Belfast Chamber's Belfast Manifesto we set our '7 Priorities for a Better Belfast'. "This included the need to upgrade the city's water and sewerage system and the construction of the York Street Interchange. "The inclusion of these and other vital projects in the deal that restored devolution is welcome and Belfast Chamber hopes that the funds will now be made available to realise them as soon as possible so that we can create more jobs, attract more investment and grow our economy". House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) House Will Submit Impeachment Articles to the Senate on Wednesday The House of Representatives will submit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on Tuesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) later confirmed the planned timing. The caucus met in the morning about the timing of the submission. The speaker indicated with the full consent of the caucus that those articles of impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate at some point tomorrow, Jeffries told reporters in Washington at a House Democrat leadership press conference, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The House managers, or the representatives of the House who will present the prosecutions case, will also be appointed tomorrow, Jeffries said. House Democratic Chief Deputy Whip Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told reporters just before the press conference that Pelosi was in charge of appointing the House managers. I think we have a general idea of who they are going to be but well leave that to Speaker Pelosi to do that tomorrow, he said. Pelosi later added in a statement that the American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial. The House will now proceed with a vote on transmitting the articles of impeachment and naming impeachment managers on Wednesday, January 15, she added. The President and the Senators will be held accountable. House Republican leaders said in a press conference earlier Tuesday that Democrats rushed through the impeachment inquiry only to see Pelosi implement a delay by withholding the impeachment articles. It was unclear what exactly she believes she accomplished by it, Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) told reporters. Important pieces of work, like, for example, USMCA, will not be taken up because the Senate will now be focused on the impeachment trial, she added. President Donald Trump walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Chief Deputy Whip Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) said Americans are trying to live their lives and are concerned about issues outside of impeachment. They are hungry to see us do something important like get USMCA finalized, he said. The real cost of impeachment, he said, is the delay of the trade deal. Trump has called for the GOP-held Senate to dismiss the impeachment articles, but Senate Republican leaders said on Monday that there werent enough votes for the move. Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, no pressure Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have, Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday. I agree! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have grappled over trial guidelines, with McConnell seemingly winning out by getting the majority votes necessary to start the trial without voting on whether to call witnesses. Citing the guidelines approved by the Senate for the 1999 trial of President Bill Clinton, McConnell said a vote on witnesses would come after the House managers and Trumps team presented their cases to the Senate, which acts as a jury. McConnell said later Tuesday that the Senate trial would likely start on Jan. 21. A Senate impeachment trial is triggered by a House vote. While the House requires a simple majority to approve articles of impeachment, the Senate requires a supermajority to convict a president, or remove him from office. On the other hand, only a simple majority is needed to dismiss the articles. No president in history has been removed from office. The Realme X50 5G will launch in Russia soon. The exact details for the release date and price are yet to be unveiled, however. Last year, the countrys leading carrier, MTS, launched its 5G network with coverage in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The carrier uses Huawei equipment and supports both the mmWave and sub-6GHz standards. The Realme X50 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 765G chipset and supports only sub-6GHz 5G. Thats going to limit its carrier support, for example Tele2 (in partnership with Ericsson) launched a mmWave network in Moscow. Source (in Russian) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2020) - Mundoro Capital Inc. (TSXV: MUN) (www.mundoro.com) ("Mundoro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release issued December 27, 2019 announcing the closing of a private placement for a total of $1,530,968, it has received additional subscriptions for 735,473 units at a price of $0.135 per unit, for an aggregate of $99,288 ("Final Offering"). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of $0.20 per share, for a term of two years from the date of issuance. The proceeds raised from the Final Offering will be used towards project exploration, project acquisitions and general working capital. Subject to TSX.V approval, all securities issued under the Final Offering will be subject to a restricted resale period under Canadian securities law for a period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Company has agreed to pay a finder's fee of $5,674, in respect of the additional subscriptions. About Mundoro Capital Inc. Mundoro is a Canadian mineral exploration and development public company focused on building value for its shareholders through directly investing in mineral projects that have the ability to generate future returns for shareholders. The Company holds a diverse portfolio of projects in Serbia and Bulgaria as well as an investment in a producing gold mine in Bulgaria. There are eight licenses in Serbia, of which one is optioned to JOGMEC, indirect interests in two licenses are optioned to Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, four licenses are optioned to Vale and one license, Zeleznik, is available for third parties to option. In Bulgaria, Mundoro has formed a Generative Alliance with JOGMEC. Mundoro's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "MUN". Story continues For further information please contact: Teo Dechev, CEO, President and Director of Mundoro Capital Inc. at +1-604-669-8055 Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This News Release contains forward-looking information and statements ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated by reference in this News Release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the completion of the private placement, completion of exploration work on projects and licenses and results of that exploration work, the prospect of one or more additional joint ventures and other statements regarding activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "promising", "encouraging" or "continue" or similar words or the negative thereof. The material assumptions that were applied in making the forward-looking statements in this News Release include expectations as to the Company's future strategy and business plan and execution of the Company's existing plans. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements are based will occur. We caution readers of this News Release not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this News Release, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and market conditions, changes in law, regulatory processes, the status of Mundoro's assets and financial condition, actions of competitors and the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Release and Mundoro undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and for a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.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. These securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from registration is available. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in this private placement within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined under Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51423 By Abdul Kerimkhanov Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is among the most strategic projects in Europe, is 90 percent complete. Earlier, Albanian President Ilir Meta said during the 7th Global Baku Forum on 14 March 2019, that TAP has considerably impacted Albanias role in the region and beyond. TAP, along with TANAP, is a part of Southern Gas Corridor project that envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijani Shah Deniz-2 gas field to Greece and southern Italy across the Adriatic Sea through Greece and Albania and involves designing, construction and operation of the natural gas pipeline. Albania, Italy and Greece signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on the TAP project in February 2013. The cost of the project is 4.5 billion euros. TAP will transverse Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea to reach Italy. Azerbaijani gas is expected to reach European markets by 2020. The TAP project is one of the strategic objectives of the EU in the energy security and diversification of energy sources, chosen as the shortest and direct way to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to the European markets. Construction of nearly 74.6 percent of the 878 km pipeline has been completed, of which 550 kilometers will pass through the northern part of Greece, 215 kilometers - Albania, 105 kilometers - the Adriatic Sea and 8 kilometers - Italy. The TAP pipeline is expected to be commissioned in 2020. The initial capacity of TAP will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year with the possibility of doubling it. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Assad Serhal, a founder of SPNL, is a reformed hunter. That morning in Hammana, Serhal grew upset as he showed a photograph that had been spreading on social media. Recently, a series of nationwide protests had been calling for the resignation of Lebanons political leaders. One of the chants often shouted by protesters was, All of them means all of them. The photograph showed the words of the chant, in Arabic, written using the carcasses of songbirds killed by hunters. The phrase was also underlined in birds, twice. Boris Johnson said there could be checks on goods entering Northern Ireland if they are coming from south of the border after Brexit. The British prime minister was in Belfast to meet Northern parties after a deal was struck to restore the Stormont Assembly. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also met with the parties along with Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who brokered the deal last week. "I don't foresee any circumstances whatsoever in which there will be any checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain," he said. "The only circumstances in which you'd imagine the need for checks coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland was if those goods were going on to Ireland and we had not secured - which I hope we will - a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with our friends and partners in the EU." In the main hall of Stormont, before an audience of children from Dunloy St Joseph's Primary School on a tour of parliament, he spoke admiringly of the leadership shown. Mr Johnson said it was now up to the parties to make it work. He mocked the utterance of Tony Blair, who said about the Good Friday Agreement: "I feel the hand of history upon our shoulders." "Never mind the hand of history," Mr Johnson said. "I see the hand of the future." Money However, the prime minister did not provide any figures for the amount of money to be provided by the British government to Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein finance minister Conor Murphy said the 2bn (2.3bn) being spoken of would not be enough. Mr Varadkar said the Good Friday Agreement was back up and running again. He and Mr Johnson discussed co-operation between Ireland and Britain over the next couple of years and said a post-Brexit trade deal should be in place as soon as possible. Mr Varadkar said he looked forward to beefing up east-west co-operation between the UK and Ireland, the UK having a new relationship with the EU and a new trade deal in place. The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led coalition government collapsed in January 2017 over a row about a botched energy scheme. It widened to take in wrangles on matters such as the Irish language and the legacy of the Troubles. WOODBURY, Minn. It took less than an hour for a Washington County jury to convict a White Bear Lake woman last week on charges related to running illicit massage parlors in Woodbury and White Bear Lake. Shixun Lan, 53, of White Bear Lake, was convicted on four felony sex-trafficking charges, including promoting prostitution and receiving profits from prostitution. Lan owned and operated Woodbury Wellness in Woodbury and White Orchid Spa in White Bear Lake. "The fact that this brothel was active in two cities, in bustling shopping centers open to the public and in broad daylight is a testament of what these traffickers will do for money," Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said. "Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to achieve justice for the victims with no voice." Lan began operating Woodbury Wellness in May 2017 after city officials approved plans for the massage business. Soon thereafter, according to the criminal complaint, she began advertising in the massage section of Backpage.com, showing photos of Asian females and the inside of the business. From June through September 2018, members of the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force conducted surveillance and saw mostly men entering and leaving the businesses. Two women appeared to be living inside. ADVERTISEMENT Woodbury Wellness also operated at odd hours from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. another potential sign of sex trafficking, officials said. Investigators saw Lan transporting women to her house in White Bear Lake and to the White Orchid Spa in White Bear Lake. She also made trips to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Customers interviewed by police Several customers, interviewed during traffic stops after leaving Woodbury Wellness, told investigators their interactions with the massage therapists, most of whom were from China, involved sexual activity, according to the criminal complaint. One man said he had been there five or six times and had "tipped" three different women $40 after sexual acts; another man said he been offered sexual acts by two other employees at Woodbury Wellness on other occasions, the complaint states. In September 2018, an off-duty Washington County sheriffs investigator saw condom wrappers fall out of a trash bag a woman carried to the dumpster behind the business, said Imran Ali, the assistant criminal division chief of the Washington County Attorneys Office and the director of the East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force. Search warrants executed a few days later by members of the task force using ultraviolet lights showed "bodily fluids" in every massage room, the complaint states. Three woman who were at Woodbury Wellness and White Orchid Spa denied providing sexual acts to customers. One woman, who did not have a license to be a massage therapist in Woodbury, was in possession of a large amount of cash, according to the complaint. Lan was arrested outside a bank in Woodbury and declined to speak with investigators. She had more than $7,000 cash on her. ADVERTISEMENT Lan was taken into custody after her conviction last week and is being held without bail at the Washington County Jail. Her sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 6 in front of Washington County District Judge Richard Ilkka. She could face up to 15 years in prison and up to a $60,000 fine. A call for statewide licensing Minnesota is one of just four states that does not regulate massage therapy at a statewide level, said Ron Precht, senior manager of communications at the American Massage Therapy Association. Instead, regulation of massage businesses falls to local municipalities, which can create "gaping holes that traffickers use to their advantage," Precht said. Without a statewide licensing system, "people who do not behave appropriately can just move down the street," he said. Ali, director of the task force, said he hopes that Lans conviction will send a message to the Minnesota Legislature that the issue of licensing must be addressed. "I dont know how many more times we have to look at an article in the newspaper about another massage parlor being shut down and someone being convicted of trafficking for someone to pay attention," he said. "This is an issue in any city that has massage parlors. Its not just confined to here in the metro. Weve assisted in investigations around the state big and small cities. Something really needs to be done." A gang which duped users of payment app Paytm on the pretext of updating Know Your Customer (KYC) details has been busted with the arrest of three men here, the police said on Tuesday. The investigators were looking for other members of the gang including its kingpin who hails from Jamtara district of Jharkhand, said an official of D B Marg police station. Jamtara is in currently because of a Netflix film about digital frauds emanating from the area. The arrested men were identified as Narshi Suthar (23), Nandkishore Suthar (26) and Pukhraj Suthar (36). Anil Shah (73), the complainant, told the police that he received a message from an unidentified number last month, asking him to update KYC of his Paytm account and warning him that the account will be blocked if he failed to do so. Shah called the number provided in the message. He was asked to download 'Team Viewer app' on his mobile and send one rupee to any number from PayTm account, the official said. Shah followed the instructions, without realizing that the person at the other end -- believed to be the mastermind of the racket -- had accessed his Paytm id and password. Before Shah ended the call, Rs 1.72 lakh had been withdrawn from his bank account. Police investigations revealed that the main accused then bought Rs 50,000-worth Big Bazar cash vouchers from the amount withdrawn, and sent these vouchers through WhatsApp to Narshi, Nandkishore and Pukhraj. The trio allegedly purchased mobile phones using these vouchers and sold them in Lower Parel and Grant Road areas. They told the police that the main accused lives in Jamtara. The gang had cheated hundreds of people with the same modus operandi, they allegedly told the police. The police recovered at least 70 mobile phones from their possession, all purchased through Big Bazar vouchers. They had Rs 2.22 lakh in total in their bank accounts. A court sent them in police custody till January 20 and further probe is on, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tharoor apologises for his 'power without responsibility' remark on Delhi CM Kejriwal India oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, Jan 14: The Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday has apologized for his remark on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter after he faced criticism on his controversial remark that the Delhi CM wants power without responsibility, something which has been "the prerogative of eunuchs". On Monday night, regarding the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) Tharoor reportedly claimed that Kejriwal is trying to be good to both sides by making statements deploring both CAA and NRC but has not taken any tangible action. While speaking on a television channel Tharoor said that he has not even shown human compassion one expects from a chief minister from victims of violence in his state. He also pointed out at Kejriwal for not visiting the students and showing them some concern being a chief minister. JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News The senior Congress leader attacked the Delhi CM with his controversial remark by saying that Kejriwal really wants power without responsibility, which we all know has been the prerogative of eunuchs for ages. Apologies to those who found my quote about "power without responsibility" offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, &most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate &withdraw it. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 13, 2020 Soon such derogatory remark drew sharp criticism on social media. Tharoor was trolled by the netizens who accused him of "transphobia" and asked him to apologize to the LGBT community. Absolutely no question of Rahul apologising over his comment: Shashi Tharoor On Tuesday morning Tharoor tweeted where he wrote, "Apologies to those who found my quote about 'power without responsibility' offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, & most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate & withdraw it." DANBURY Police said they have "very good information" in a shooting that left a man and a woman wounded at a bar over the weekend. Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said the two were "grazed" by a single shot from a handgun after a fight broke out inside Castello, an Italian restaurant and bar off Padanaram Road. There was an altercation and the shot was fired, Chief Ridenhour said Monday. He said it was not clear whether the two people wounded were the shooter's intended targets, but said the shooting was not mob-related, as commentators speculated online after news of the shooting broke Sunday afternoon. The bar hosts Friday night parties with a DJ, according to its Facebook page. A video posted to Facebook by the DJ purportedly shows one of of those parties at Castello last October. The brief clip shows a packed barroom with dozens of attendees under dim lighting, and loud music blasting from a DJs turntables. Ridenhour said the shooting occurred at one of those parties inside the restaurant Saturday night. He said that because the shooting was not a random crime, there is no danger to the general public. Police learned about the shooting when they were called to the emergency room for the two gunshot wound victims around 3:38 a.m. Saturday morning, Lt. Bryan Bishop said Sunday. The restaurant appeared to be empty Monday afternoon a day it is typically closed. A man who came to the door said he worked in the kitchen but did not know anything about the fight a few nights before. Chief Ridenhour described the victims as younger, in their late 20's, and indicated they have been reluctant to cooperate with police. But Danbury's police chief said investigators have recovered evidence from the scene. We have very very good information on this," Ridenhour said Monday. He declined to speak further about what had been found because of the investigation, but said he believed detectives had recovered a shell casing from the scene. The Padanaram Road eatery opened in late 2007 in the spot that previously held Bella Italia. The bar sits across the road from the North Street shopping center that houses ShopRite and Burlington. The restaurant is tucked into a hillside the lower level of the building serves as a covered parking lot. Brothers Lenny, Denny and Kenny Balidemaj opened the restaurant after leaving another establishment by the same name in Mamaroneck, N.Y Attempts to reach the owners, and Chef Deme Balidemaj by phone, through Facebook, and at his home address were unsuccessful. Mayor Mark Boughton said he had heard there was an incident at the restaurant, but did not have further details. Castellos a pretty nice place doesnt make sense to me, he said. The shooting marks Danburys first of the new year. The last shooting reported in the Hat City was in September of last year, when a 34-year-old man allegedly shot and killed his friend with a handgun by accident while they were high on crack cocaine. Police said 27-year-old man also walked into the police station last October with a self-inflicted gunshot wound he said happened when he was moving a handgun in his car while driving. Police later found the loaded gun in the grass near the entrance to police headquarters. Sarah, the head of the Vaticans liturgical office, provided a different though not entirely contradictory narrative, sharing several letters written to him by Benedict in late 2019. Sarah said he asked the pope emeritus in September if he might be willing to share reflections on the priesthood, paying particular attention to the topic of celibacy. TMC has lodged two police complaints against West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts for his comments that anti-CAA protesters "were shot like dogs", police and TMC sources said on Tuesday. Senior TMC leader and state food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick said on Tuesday that party actvists have lodged a police compliant against Ghosh for his controversial remark. "The common people are living in fear. Some are apprehending that Dilip Ghosh might kill them or shoot them. So a police complaint has been filed at Habra police station in North 24 Parganas, which is being treated as a FIR," Mullick said. The second police complaint has been filed by a TMC leader in Ranaghat area of Nadia district. "We have received the complaint. We are looking into it," Nadia district police said. Ghosh has kicked up a row with his remark at a public meeting in Nadia district on Sunday that "anti-CAA protesters were shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states", provoking criticism from political rivals as well as his own partymen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vermonts progressive, gun-fearing state legislature commenced its 2020 session on Jan. 7, using its large Democrat majorities in both houses to ramrod a host of ambitious bills down the throats of the citizenry, beginning with an ill-considered gun bill which hit the House Judiciary Committee the morning of Jan. 9. The arrogance of this overwrought (and overconfident) cabal is evident to all but themselves. The Firearms and Domestic Violence Bill (H 610) is the first of a phalanx of intended assaults on the Bill of Rights. But its proponents forgot something -- the pretense of constitutionality. This bill seeks to close what leftist ideologues dub the Charleston loophole, but which federal law retains as a constitutional default provision. When a person seeks to purchase a firearm, they must undergo a background check in which they are either instantly approved, instantly rejected based on past criminal history, or are placed on hold, pending a three-day delay to permit federal authorities to make further inquiries to determine whether they are legally disqualified from the purchase. If the three days elapse without action, a federally licensed gun dealer may proceed with the sale. The criminal who opened fire on a defenseless black congregation in Charleston, South Carolina in 2016 obtained his murder weapon via a legal purchase, despite a three-day delay, when authorities failed to intercede. Such purchases constitute a minority of gun sales, but the left has seized on this case as an opportunity to brand their virtue-signalling crusade as a necessary evil to protect the public. Whether or not Vermonts earnest effort would actually save lives, it most clearly falls far shy of constitutional acceptability. Federal efforts to close the loophole have sought to extend the three day hold to ten days, to allow investigators more time for due diligence. Vermonts pushy majority came out swinging for a more distant fence, and introduced a law to simply prohibit the purchase if the three days pass in silence. The shoddy bill states: This bill proposes to: (1) eliminate the default proceed process created in Federal firearms background check law (commonly referred to as the Charleston loophole) by prohibiting the transfer of a firearm unless the National Instant Criminal Background Check System has affirmatively determined that the transferee is not prohibited from possessing firearms. In hearings before Vermonts House Judiciary Committee, the bill was supported by both Erik Fitzpatrick of the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Counsel and Vermonts ultra-progressive and openly partisan Attorney General T.J. Donovan, who stated in testimony that he ...fully support[ s ] this bill. Neither of these gentleman addressed constitutionality in their eager endorsement, reflecting that both are either so woefully incompetent, or so bloatedly overconfident, that they neglected even a pretense of homage to our nations founding document. The reason that federal law contains a three-day limit is that at some point, lacking evidence of criminality, every citizen of legal age possesses a right to purchase a firearm -- some might even want to use said weaponry in self defense, against rampaging serial killers (like the one being employed to deprive them of that ability). What Vermont seeks to enact would mean that its citizens will be deprived of that right solely because bureaucrats in the federal government failed to find any evidence to halt the sale. Because they have come unhinged, they have forgotten what shall not be infringed. If women had to wait for a mental health approval prior to acquiring an abortion, or protesters were deprived of their right to free speech because government allowed three days to lapse and did nothing, the left would comprehend what a giant FAIL they have launched in the Green Mountain State. But thus far, neither of these advocates, nor the two attorneys who sit on the Judiciary Committee, have batted a biased eyelash. The Office of Legislative Counsel is supposed to police legislation for exactly such problems, but this is just one of many laws in which that function has been skirted. In addition to creating an absurd roadblock that would fail constitutional scrutiny even in Vermonts knee-jerk liberal courts, this statute fails because of federal preemption -- it conflicts with federal law concerning statutes which govern not only the Second Amendment but interstate commerce. But it gets better er, worse. If a would-be gun buyer is denied a firearm because no one did anything, the Vermont government proposes to not do anything. That is, there is no appeal process in the statute for a person denied the right to purchase a firearm. As in, no due process, at all. (Perhaps this is the consequence of Vermonts marijuana legalization, and these people are high on more than their power trip). Vermont offers a backdrop that should cause more than just Vermonters to pause here. It has one of the worst business climates, (and economies), in the nation. Its pension system is dramatically underfunded. With an opioid epidemic, with an aging population, fleeing workers and taxpayers, unbearable property taxes, the highest per capita student spending in the United States, and crumbling credit ratings, it faces a bleak future when the national economy falters. These economic conditions are what push shooters to attack schools, desperate dealers to deal drugs, despairing citizens to use opioids, young people to commit suicide, and marriages to collapse under acrimonious stress. But instead of addressing these underlying problems, these tax-hungry bureaucrats seek to tax marijuana, tax gasoline via a carbon tax, consolidate and close local schools (as costs steadily increase nonetheless due to increasing administrative costs), provide steady raises and more jobs for state employees, and otherwise ignore the suffering citizenry. Vermonts legislature, in other words, is aggravating the circumstances that increase violence, suicide, and domestic abuse, while focusing numerous bills on seizing guns as the culprit. Wrong culprit. The complete lack of constitutional consideration observed in this legislative circus is commonplace in this bombastic legislature, where saving the children equates to terrifying them with active shooter alerts to condition them for slaughter, climate change activism that buses them to events to block traffic and break laws, and prolific Black Lives Matter displays at their schools so they can be taught how to be racial justice warriors against their own culture and family members. Vermont has had no mass shootings. It has had a mass collapse of mental health services. Following the closure of one of its largest psychiatric care facilities in 2012, this problem has worsened, with medical hospitals routinely clogged with mental health patients (or substance abusers, or the two combined) waiting weeks or months for lack of beds in appropriate facilities, at high costs with no service provision for the mentally ill. This is crippling small rural hospitals, and has been continuing unabated since 2011. Now, Vermonts chief remaining facility for mental health services, the Brattleboro Retreat, has announced it will likely close due to years of financial failure. The legislature is nonplussed -- it must protect the children from guns!! But it is not protecting the children: it is terrifying them, politicizing them, and exposing them to increasing numbers of homeless, drug-addicted, mentally ill adults. Vermont boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the nation, but one of the highest rates of unconstitutional blunders such as H 610 -- it is clear which direction the criminal conduct is headed. New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister or Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has been caught on tape slamming an elderly government doctor a hospital in Kannauj where he paid a visit to meet victims injured in a road accident. At least 21 people had died and several were injured when a double-decker bus burst into flames after colliding with a truck on Friday. Akhilesh lashed out at the doctor when he tried to intervene while the patients were telling the SP leader that they have not received any compensation from the government so far. "You don't speak. You are a government man, I know. You could be from BJP or RSS. You cannot take the government's side. You don't have to explain anything to me," the SP leader can be heard telling the doctor. Live TV He then asked the doctor to leave the place immediately. "Go away from here immediately," Akhilesh retorts at the doctor. Watch the video shared by ANI below: #WATCH Former CM Akhilesh Yadav who went to meet injured of Kannauj accident, at a hospital in Chhibramau asks Emergency Medical Officer to leave the room as he speaks about compensation amount been given to the injured,says, "Tum sarkar ka paksh nahi le sakte...bahar bhaag jao". pic.twitter.com/U3DrdHI1se ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2020 The doctor has been identified as Emergency Medical Officer DS Mishra who later clarified that he had tried to correct the kin's claim over not receiving compensation. "I was present there as I was treating patients. One of the patients said he didn't get the compensation cheque. I tried to clarify that the cheque was given. At this, Akhilesh ji got angry and asked me to leave the room," Dr Mishra was quoted as saying by the ANI. DS Mishra,Emergency Medical Officer,Chhibramau:I was present there as I was treating patients. One of the patients said he didn't get the compensation cheque,I tried to clarify that the cheque was given. At this,former CM Akhilesh ji got angry&asked me to leave the room. (13Jan) pic.twitter.com/0gkIqZxJQk ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2020 Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party announced an ex-gratia od Rs 20 lakh to the families of the deceased while UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. The incident took place on Friday night at Dewar Marg in Kannauj district while the bus, carrying at least 43 passengers, was en-route to Jaipur from Farrukhabad. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 21:19:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close ACCRA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 people lost their lives in a fatal road crash early Tuesday in South Ghana's Komenda, local media reported. The accident involved two buses from a local transport company, which were traveling in opposite directions. The crash occurred when the Takoradi-bound bus tried to overtake another vehicle but ended up colliding with the other bus driving towards Accra. A team of personnel from the police has been dispatched from the headquarters to visit the accident scene to assess the situation and investigate the course of the crash. The Norwegian government has awarded 28 oil and gas companies a total of 69 offshore blocks to explore for petroleum in mature areas of its continental shelf, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said. Shell, ConocoPhillips, Total, and Equinor won blocks, as did DNO, Aker BP, Lundin Petroleum, and Enis Vaar Energi. Private-equity backed firms, such as Chrysoar, which acquired ConocoPhillips assets in the British North Sea last year, and Neptune Energy received stakes in eight and 13 blocks respectively. Russias Lukoil, which holds stakes in two licences, and wholly-owned Rosneft subsidiary RN Nordic, a previous licence holder, were not awarded any blocks. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on why. The annual predefined areas licensing round covers blocks adjacent to acreage previously explored or developed, as opposed to licensing rounds in the countrys frontier areas. Thirty-three oil companies had submitted bids by a September deadline for a total of 90 offshore exploration blocks, including 48 in the Arctic Barents Sea. The number of final awards depends on a range of factors, including Norways requirement that each licence must have several owners. Of this years 69 licences, 33 were in the North Sea off southern Norway, 23 were in the Norwegian Sea off central and northern Norway and 13 were in the far-north Barents Sea. Norways oil and gas output is expected to rise sharply in the next several years as recent large discoveries come on stream, and authorities are keen to extend the lifespan of the oil and gas industry for decades to come. Hopefully, the exploration in the awarded acreage will result in new discoveries, Energy Minister Sylvi Listhaug told an industry conference. This is important to ensure employment, value-creation and future government revenue for Norways largest industry. Separate from the awards, Norway also conducts so-called numbered licensing rounds, which include frontier parts of the Norwegian continental shelf, where exploration is more risky but where large finds could be made. The Norwegian government aims to announce the next numbered licensing round before Norways 2021 general election, but must first agree an updated plan on areas to exempt due to environmental concerns, particularly in the Arctic. In Ireland, the announcement late last year that the Government will not issue any new oil exploration licenses has been much criticised by the industry here. Reuters Evangelical media leader says Trump must win,' 'will win' in 2020; calls Democratic Party institution of evil Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A conservative evangelical leader has authored a new book arguing that President Donald Trump must win and will win in the 2020 election, calling the Democratic Party a political institution of evil. Steve Strang, CEO and founder of Charisma Media and author of God, Trump, and the 2020 Election: Why He Must Win and What's at Stake for Christians if He Loses, said that while we don't know who the Democrats will nominate, he believes its going to be really, really bad if Trump loses. "Anyone who gets in, any of them, including Bloomberg who I didn't even know about when I wrote the book, is going to be very, very liberal, very, very leftist, they are not friends of free speech, they are not friends of the Gospel, he told CP. "If the left gets in, whoever it is, if it's Warren, if it's Bernie Sanders, if it's Bloomberg, if it's Buttigieg, they will immediately do away with a lot of things that Trump has done." Strang told CP that he saw his book as my attempt to rally the Christian community to say don't be so passive, don't be so quiet. Do whatever you can to get all your neighbors, all your friends to back Donald Trump and not only that, but to pray, and to acknowledge the spiritual warfare that is going on, he said. Looking forward God, Trump, and the 2020 Election is not the first book that Strang has written about the current president. Strang had the book Trump Aftershock: The President's Seismic Impact on Culture and Faith in America released in 2018 and God and Donald Trump released in 2017. He said that his latest book contrasted with the others in that the first two were written after the fact while his upcoming release was looking forward, toward the election. The first, God and Donald Trump, was written on the spiritual aspects and the miracle of his unexpected victory and the fact that it had been prophesied and other things, said Strang. "The second book, Trump Aftershock, was really an analysis of what happened in his first two years in office." The other books, I think, we had kind of a secular reader in mind when I wrote them. And this one is focused on the Christian community." He also said he considered God, Trump, and the 2020 Election to be the most spiritual of the three, as it focuses on spiritual warfare and biblical prophecies, and their relation to the current election and Trump. While saying that he did not prefer to call Trump the chosen one as others have, Strang does believe that in times of national crisis God does raise up unexpected leaders. Abraham Lincoln would be an example. Truman would be an example. Even to some extent, Roosevelt. These are times of crisis where unexpected leaders rose to the occasion, he explained. I try to make the case from a Christian perspective, explain to the reader, that its how I understand things. But I also try to make the case almost like a lawyer would make the case to a jury, trying to persuade them that the evidence of Scripture and the evidence of what Christian leaders opine about it is believable. A political institution of evil A former registered Democrat who left the party in the 1990s over its stance on abortion, Strang sharply criticizes the Democratic Party in his latest book. The Democratic Party has become a political institution of evil and is hell-bent on pulling down what remains of America's Christian heritage and culture. We cannot allow such people to run our government, he wrote. Strang defended the rhetoric he used, explaining that inflammatory language has often existed in American political discourse, both in the past and present. Actually, in the discourse of our country, the statements on both sides, conservative and leftist, are much more provocative than that, he said to CP. "I believe that it is valid to say that something is evil. There are people on the left who say things are evil that the Bible doesn't necessarily call evil." Strang explained that he has his issues with the Republican Party, especially candidates who run on socially conservative platform only to not implement their stated goals once in office. Nevertheless, he believes that in our binary political system, you have to pick one or the other. That's what happened with the election of 2016. You can complain all you want, but either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump was going to be elected. Period,he said. There was no third option. And the Republican Party does tend to support on their platform and during election campaigns values that are more conservative and more Christian." The sibling relationship is the longest most people will enjoy in their lifetimes and is central to the everyday lives of children. A new Tel Aviv University and University of Haifa study finds that relationships between children and their siblings with intellectual disabilities are more positive than those between typically developing siblings. The research examines the relationships of typically developing children with siblings with and without intellectual disabilities through artwork and questionnaires. It was conducted by Prof. Anat Zaidman-Zait of the Department of School Counseling and Special Education at TAU's Constantiner School of Education and Dr. Dafna Regev and Miri Yechezkiely of the University of Haifa's Graduate School of Creative Art Therapies. The study was recently published in Research in Developmental Disabilities. "Having a child with a disability in a family places unique demands on all family members, including typically developing siblings," Prof. Zaidman-Zait explains. "Although challenges exist, they are often accompanied by both short- and long-term positive contributions. "Through our research, we found that relationships among children with siblings with intellectual disabilities were even more supportive than those among typically developed siblings. Specifically, we found that children with siblings with intellectual disabilities scored higher on empathy, teaching and closeness and scored lower on conflict and rivalry than those with typically developing siblings." Until now, research on how having a sibling with a developmental disability affects children's social-emotional and behavioral outcomes generated mixed findings. At times, the findings suggested that having a sibling with developmental disabilities led to greater variability in typically developing children's behavior and adjustment. "But these studies did little to tap into the inner worlds of children, which really can only be accessed through self-expression in the form of art or self-reporting, independent of parental intervention, which is the route we took in our study," Prof. Zaidman-Zait says. The scientists assessed some 60 children aged 8-11, half with typically developing siblings, half with intellectually disabled siblings, through drawings and a questionnaire about their relationships with their siblings. Mothers of both sets of siblings were also asked to answer a questionnaire about their children's sibling relationship quality. "We drew on the basic assumption that artistic creation allows internal content to be expressed visually and that children's self-reports have special added value in studies measuring sibling relationship qualities, especially in areas where parents might have less insight," Prof. Zaidman-Zait says. Both sets of typically developing children, with and without siblings with intellectual disabilities, were asked to draw themselves and their siblings. Licensed art therapists then used several set criteria to "score" the illustrations: the physical distance between the figures; the presence or absence of a parent in the illustration; the amount of detail invested in either the self-portrait or the sibling representation; and the amount of support given to a sibling in the picture. The children were then asked to complete the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire, which assessed the feelings of closeness, dominance, conflict and rivalry they felt for their siblings. Reviewing the children's illustrations and questionnaires, as well as the questionnaires completed by the children's mothers, the researchers found that the children with siblings with intellectual disabilities scored significantly higher on empathy, teaching and closeness in their sibling relationship and scored lower on conflict and rivalry in the relationships than those with typically developing siblings. "Our study makes a valuable contribution to the literature by using an art-based data gathering task to shed new light on the unique aspects of the relationships of children with siblings with intellectual disabilities that are not revealed in verbal reports," Prof. Zaidman-Zait concludes. "We can argue that having a family member with a disability makes the rest of the family, including typically developing children, more attentive to the needs of others." The researchers hope their study, supported by The Shalem Foundation in Israel, will serve as a basis for further research into art-based tools that elicit and document the subjective experience of children. ### American Friends of Tel Aviv University supports Israel's most influential, comprehensive and sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). TAU is recognized and celebrated internationally for creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture on campus that generates inventions, startups and economic development in Israel. TAU is ranked ninth in the world, and first in Israel, for producing start-up founders of billion-dollar companies, an achievement that surpassed several Ivy League universities. To date, 2,500 US patents have been filed by Tel Aviv University researchers -- ranking TAU #1 in Israel, #10 outside of the US and #66 in the world. A solution to the civil conflict in Libya is the ultimate hot potato. A series of global and regional powers have tried to bring the warring sides together; Turkey and Russia were the latest to try and fail in Moscow on Monday. Now it's Germany's turn, and if it fails as well, the standoff is likely to go on until the collapse of one faction or both. The complex, multi-sided game playing out in Libya provides a window on how things work in a new, post-Pax Americana world. An assertive U.S., missing from the Libya deliberations as well as the action on the ground, is difficult to replace. The Moscow talks were meant to consolidate a shaky ceasefire around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Since April, General Khalifa Haftar's forces have been trying to take the city from the United Nations-supported Government of National Accord led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey unequivocally backs Sarraj, in large part because they've signed a controversial pact demarcating their maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean, bolstering their claims to undersea natural gas deposits that Cyprus, Greece and Egypt also consider their own. Erdogan has also sent a small number of troops to Libya to train Sarraj's forces. Russia plays a more equivocal role. On the one hand, Libyan and U.S. officials have reported the involvement Russian mercenaries from the infamous Wagner Group on Haftar's side. According to some sources, there are more than 1,000 of these private soldiers, who usually operate in close coordination with the regular Russian military. (Russia, as usual, officially denies any military involvement.) Russia also has printed banknotes for a parallel central bank established by Haftar in eastern Libya, and Russian-made weapons have filtered down to his rebel troops through the United Arab Emirates. On the other hand, the Russian oil company Tatneft last month resumed exploration in Libya under a deal with the country's National Oil Corporation, which is aligned with the Sarraj government. Russia's attempts to work with both sides are part of President Vladimir Putin's interest-based policy in the Middle East and Africa. Whatever works for the Russian oil and weapons industries works for Russia, too. Ultimately, Putin wants a stable government in Libya with which Russia can build a relationship. The heavier bet the Kremlin appears to have placed on Haftar is explained only by the greater territory he controls. But a lack of clear commitment on Putin's part, and his good relationship with Erdogan, mean a lack of control over Haftar, who left Moscow on Monday night without signing the cease-fire deal already signed by Sarraj. Erdogan and Putin were not the first parties who tried to bring the sides to a compromise. In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Haftar and Sarraj near Paris, and even got them to agree to a cease-fire - which didn't hold. His neutrality has also been called into question: Last year, antitank missiles the U.S. had sold to France were discovered by Sarraj's troops at a base formerly used by Haftar's forces, and Macron blocked a European Union statement calling on Haftar to stop his Tripoli offensive. Italy, which sees itself as Europe's natural broker in relations with its former colony, brought Haftar and Sarraj together in Palermo in November 2018, but the meeting was inconclusive. Italy has maintained strict neutrality in Libya, but its main interest is in limiting the flow of undocumented immigrants, who mostly arrive on Italian islands if they set sail from the Libyan coast. That has put it into close contact with the Sarraj government, which controls the Libyan coast guard. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's attempt to organize another Haftar-Sarraj meeting in Italy collapsed last week. Thus, no foreign power that has tried to broker talks between Sarraj and Haftar is able to bring enough pressure to bear on either side to make a peaceful solution possible. This is the kind of deadlock which, in the old days of a sole-superpower world, the U.S. could have broken - for better or for worse - by weighing in for one of the sides. The U.S. has a small military presence in Libya, acting occasionally against terrorist groups there. Libya, the country with Africa's biggest oil reserves, is important for oil-price stability, a key U.S. geopolitical interest, and for the fight against the spread of Islamist terror. Haftar is a dual U.S. and Libyan citizen; he's someone the U.S. could talk to. President Donald Trump, however, has refused to play by the old Pax Americana rules. "I do not see a role in Libya," he said plainly in 2017. "I think the United States has right now enough roles." The U.S. military presence actually was reduced when Haftar began his offensive on Tripoli last year. This is a far cry from the U.S. involvement, say, in shaping the aftermath of the Balkan wars or its role in getting Israeli and Egyptian leaders to make peace in 1978. The absence of a dominant power capable of altering the balance of forces on the ground makes the Libya conference in Berlin, planned for Sunday, a difficult undertaking. Even the persuasive skills of German Chancellor Angela Merkel may not be enough to break the deadlock in a way that will please the Libyan rivals. For all the clashing foreign interests and all the attempts by foreign powers to mediate, a lasting solution to the Libyan crisis lies with the Libyans themselves. They need to make a deal to unify the country before the disparate militias and tribes making up each side tire of the stalemate and it disintegrates into chaos. Despite his seemingly greater military strength, Haftar, who is 76 and not in the best of health, doesn't have an unassailable bargaining position. Libya's disintegration is a realistic scenario. In a world where Uncle Sam doesn't send in the cavalry at decisive moments, conflicts can only be extinguished if the parties show common sense and compromise. Libyans should hope that Merkel, for whom this is an art form, can serve as a good example to Haftar and Sarraj. Sundar Pichai, senior vice president of Android, Chrome and Apps at Google Inc., gestures as he speaks during the company's Android One smartphone launch event in New Delhi, India, on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014. Google said Tuesday it plans to end support for third-party cookies, which fuel much of the digital advertising ecosystem, in its Chrome browser within two years. Cookies are small pieces of code that web sites deliver to a visitor's browser, and stick around as the person visits other sites. Third-party cookies are often added by advertisers and ad networks, in addition to the site the user is actually visiting, and can be used to track users across multiple sites, and to target ads and see how they perform. Justin Schuh, director of Chrome engineering, in a blog post Tuesday said Google will phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome once it has figured out how to address the "needs of users, publishers, and advertisers" and it has developed tools to "mitigate workarounds." The changes, amid regulatory conversations and other moves in the digital world toward more privacy features, will affect how some advertising players reach consumers online. But they could also stoke further antitrust scrutiny. A Deutsche Bank analyst said in a note last year that Google could "inflame already high antitrust concerns if it does something in Chrome" because it would squeeze out Google's digital ad competitors. Chrome is the most popular web browser in the world, with about 69% of global market share as of September 2019, according to Statista. Google's announcement comes one day before Microsoft is set to start rolling out Edge, a new web browser using Google's Chrome web browsing engine, which will have "tracking prevention" enabled by default. Google has been making changes to limit the use of cookies, including a change announced in May that gave users more information about how they were being tracked across the web. The company also plans an update in February that will require websites to label third-party cookies that can be used on other sites. Apple has made similar moves, with an anti-tracking tool called Intelligent Tracking Prevention for its Safari browser, and Mozilla's Firefox also rolled out a version that blocked third-party tracking cookies by default. Publishers such as Vox Media have already responded to these changes by rolling out first-party data plays to give advertisers a direct relationship when they're no longer able to use as much third-party data to target audiences. Schuh discussed the company's "Privacy Sandbox" initiative to develop standards that would let online advertising continue in a more privacy-conscious way. In August, Schuh introduced the initiative, saying it would be a solution that protects user privacy while helping content "remain freely available on the web." "Some ideas include new approaches to ensure that ads continue to be relevant for users, but user data shared with websites and advertisers would be minimized by anonymously aggregating user information, and keeping much more user information on-device only," he wrote. "Our goal is to create a set of standards that is more consistent with users' expectations of privacy." Disclosure: CNBC parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Vox Media. New Delhi, Jan 14 : After the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the state government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the amended law. Kerala has now become the first state to move the top court in the backdrop of nationwide protests against the religion-based citizenship law. The Supreme Court is already seized of the matter with more than 60 petitions challenging the law and a hearing on the matter is scheduled on January 22. The Left-led Kerala government in the petition termed the new law violative of several Articles in the Constitution, which includes right to equality, and cited that this law is against the basic principles of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. The Kerala government urged the apex court to pass a judgement declaring the law to be ultra vires the Constitution and void. The state government has also challenged the validity of changes made in 2015 to the Passport law and the Foreigners (Amendment) Order. Meanwhile, a plea has also been filed in Supreme Court seeking directions to declare the CAA constitutional and also the Election Commission to identify and take stern action against the political parties spreading false rumours in the country. The PIL, filed by Mumbai-based Puneet Kaur Dhanda through lawyer Vineet Dhanda, is the first in the apex court supporting Centre's legislation and sought a direction to declare the CAA as "constitutional" saying that this law should be implemented by states aggressively. The law provides citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who had come into the country from three countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - on or before December 31, 2014. On December 18, a bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant refused to grant a stay on the implementation of the law and listed the matter for further hearing in January. The court issued notice to the Centre. All the matters will be heard together by the apex court on January 22. Kerala government said the CAA violates the constitution and strikes at the root of India's secular and democratic principles. Recent resolution passed by the state Assembly against CAA has been attached with the petition. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Boulder City, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - George Sharp, President of Forwardly, Inc. (OTC Pink: GRDO) announced today that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has agreed to process the company's requested corporate actions, including the execution of a one for 8 reverse split, the changing of the corporation's recorded name from Guard Dog, Inc. to Forwardly, Inc. and a change in CUSIP number. The reverse split will be effective at the opening of trading on January 15, 2020, at which time the company's trading symbol will be "GRDOD" for 20 days. Effective on February 12, 2020, Forwardly's new symbol is expected to be "FORW". The corporate actions are the result of many months' worth of effort and patience required to systematically, and at great expense, unwind previous corporate actions which were executed improperly with the Nevada Secretary of State and subsequently file proper documents. Forwardly thanks FINRA and its own securities counsel for their diligence and assistance in rectifying the situation. The management of Forwardly, Inc. wishes to make clear that FINRA does not approve corporate actions such as the ones undertaken by Forwardly. FINRA's role is simply to process these actions once it receives the appropriate documentation and the corporation's records appear to be in order. Indeed, FINRA admonishes all companies seeking to process corporate actions that: "FINRA has neither approved nor disapproved this action. FINRA's processing of the stated corporate action does not constitute FINRA approval and should not be construed or represented as such. Furthermore, in processing this action pursuant to FINRA Rule 6490, it should not be assumed that FINRA has considered your company's compliance with any federal, state, or other self-regulatory requirements". In recognition of the above admonishment, Mr. Sharp, a well-known advocate for truth in the microcap markets, advises investors to be wary of those who claim that FINRA has "approved" certain corporate actions, in an attempt to advance or justify the ill-intended acts so often seen in the microcap markets. This is often a tactic undertaken by many unscrupulous parties, including certain attorneys who aid and abet these often fraudulent acts. Forwardly will always endeavor to be aboveboard in its activities, act in the best interest of its shareholders, and comply with all laws, rules and regulations. About Forwardly, Inc. Forwardly is an opportunity investor seeking to finance fresh ideas. The company is headed by George Sharp, a longtime whistleblower and advocate against microcap fraud. In addition to consulting to public companies, attorneys and those associated with the financial markets, Mr. Sharp is a former consultant to OTC Markets Group, Inc. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimates," "projects," "intends," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. CONTACT: Forwardly, Inc. 1022 Nevada Highway Boulder City, NV 89005 702-840-4433 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51449 Tweets can be collected and sent via email or delivered to a SharePoint Online library. 17a-4, LLC is sharing a free Twitter capture service for state and local government clients that need to adhere to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Title 5 Section 552. Employing Microsofts Power Automate (Flow) workflows, Tweets can be collected and sent via email or delivered to a SharePoint Online library. Compliance policies can then be applied to the tweets and governments can monitor ongoing activity, including retweets. State and local governments leverage Twitter to keep residents aware of emergency situations such as fires, hurricanes or accidents. Twitter is a powerful communication tool for distributing real-time communication but, as such, it is subject to retention requirements. 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Fees may apply if 17a-4s professional services are required. About 17a-4 LLC: 17a-4 is a compliance services and software company with a focus on solutions to meet regulatory and e-discovery needs of institutional clients. Clients leverage 17a-4s expertise to ensure information infrastructures comply with SEC (Rule 17a-4), FINRA and CFTC (Rule 1.31) regulations. 17a-4 services include Designated Third Party and books and records reviews. 17a-4 products include DataParser for messaging compliance and the SEC DeskTop a hosted platform for SEC and FINRA documents and regulatory workflows. 17a-4s architecture provides for a single-point in which all e-messaging content may be managed for retention, legal and regulatory holds and e-discovery productions. 17a-4 is based in New York. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Technically we are able to supply both Azerbaijani oil and oil from other countries to parties wishing to buy it, Ibrahim Ahmadov, deputy head of the public relations and events department at Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, told Trend. He was answering a question about readiness to supply oil to Belarus. Negotiations were held on this issue. Technically, we can supply both Azerbaijani oil and oil from other countries to parties wishing to buy. But so far there is nothing concrete, Ahmadov said. Earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi told reporters that Belarus has sent proposals to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Poland, Baltic countries and Kazakhstan for oil supply. All possible options are being looked into. We've sent the relevant commercial offers. All the commercial departments of our refineries, of Belarusian Oil Company conduct negotiations virtually every day. I think we will be able to secure alternative ways of delivering specific oil soon, Dmitry Krutoi added. All possible countries, including Ukraine, Poland, Baltic states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. We are working on it. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has partnered with easyJet, offering customers easy access to both airlines' networks through joint gateways across Europe. The partnership follows easyJets accelerated and successful roll-out programme with world-leading flight comparison search engine, Dohop, which powers the easyJet website, connecting its European network with long haul flights. For Etihad, this has been achieved using the NDC (New Distribution Capability) platform providing technical capability for new partnerships previously not possible. The partnership with easyJet and Dohop is the UAE national airlines first use of this technology and Etihad plans to add more airlines and travel partners to their NDC portfolio in 2020. Ali Saleh, Etihad Airways vice president Alliances and Partnerships, said: This new collaboration between two great brands is a logical leap forward for both our companies. EasyJet is a perfect launch partner for us in Europe, allowing us to reliably increase the breadth of our continental reach to and from Abu Dhabi, as we enhance ways of connecting directly with more airlines and travel partners around the world. The ability to provide end-to-end booking capabilities through our NDC platform will provide customers with one stop solutions for seamless travel with partners, whether legacy or low-cost, through Etihads global gateways. Rachel Smith, easyJets head of Commercial Partnerships said: "We're excited to announce our partnership with Etihad Airways, which opens up Abu Dhabi as a destination to our passengers and more of Europe to Etihad. Through smart self-connections and strategic partnerships, we continue to extend the reach of the worldwide by easyJet network offering more value and more routes to more customers." Customers will for the first time be able to purchase tickets on the easyJet website from 68 cities on the airlines network in Europe to Abu Dhabi, connecting on to Etihad Airways flights from 10 European gateways in Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome, Geneva, Madrid, Manchester, Milan Malpensa, and Zurich. Both airlines plan to expand the partnership to include more destinations in the future. - TradeArabia News Service Addressing the media at the party office here on Tuesday, Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra and former Delhi Education Minister Aravinder Singh Lovely also released a post-mortem report on the Arvind Kejriwal government's education sector. New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) With the Delhi Assembly polls less than a month away, the Congress accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of ruining the education sector and not spending 46 per cent of the education budget. "It was shocking and a matter of grave concern that 46 per cent of the Delhi's education budget remained unspent, though Kejriwal has been claiming that his government's education model was the best," Chopra said. On claims of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, also the Education Minister, the Congress leader said, "If the Delhi government education model was applied in other states, students there too will start leaving government schools in hordes." Chopra said the Kejriwal government "spent" more funds on advertisements than improving the government schools' standards. "In the past four years, over 100,000 children have left Delhi government schools due to falling standards," he said. By dividing the students into two groups, the Kejriwal government had done injustice and created complex among children, he said. Lovely said, "The AAP government instead of improving the education standards helped contractors by white washing classrooms made during the Congress regime, to make it look new." Voted to power, the Congress would order a probe into the corruption, he said. On education during the 15 years of the Congress rule, Lovely said when the party came to power, the education budget was raised from Rs 866 crore to Rs 5,912 crore. "They said in the last five years, the Kejriwal government's education budget went up to Rs 26,577 crore. But of this, only Rs 12,243.06 crore was spent," Lovely said. "The Kejriwal government's achievements were confined to newspaper advertisements, aimed at misleading the people," he alleged. The number of economically weaker section (EWS) students has come down from 25,000 to 19,879 in last few years, he added. aks/pcj Our dual focus will be working together to share learnings and broaden our strategies and services to best meet evolving patient demand for convenience and care coordination. Physicians for Womens Health, doing business as Womens Health Connecticut (WHC), one of the nations largest and most successful single-specialty physician networks, announced today that it will enter into partnership with Womens Health of Central Massachusetts (WHCMA), a highly-regarded and long-standing ObGyn practice based in Worcester, MA. The move further solidifies WHCs position as the regions largest ObGyn network and sets the course for continued expansion throughout New England. The addition of WHCMA under the WHCs umbrella adds to WHCs continued growth as one of the largest and most successful womens health groups in the nation with more than 250 providers and over 80 locations in Connecticut alone. With WHCMA joining, both organizations can collaborate to enhance their efforts in providing the highest quality care to patients in their respective communities. Nancy Bernstein, President and CEO of Womens Health Connecticut, stated, We look forward to our new partnership with Womens Health of Central Massachusetts. Our dual focus will be working together to share learnings and broaden our strategies and services to best meet evolving patient demand for convenience and care coordination. WHCMA has a very strong reputation in the central Massachusetts market that complements what we have already created in Connecticut. Abraham Fischer, MD and Peter Davidow, MD, both co-presidents and founders of the WHCMA organization, spearheaded the move. Dr. Fischer said, We are excited to work with Womens Health Connecticut. We have a shared vision for providing the highest quality of care for women and believe this arrangement will enhance our efforts to bring the most advanced, innovative care to women in our communities. This partnership allows us to maintain our focus on the best patient care while simultaneously moving into a new phase of growth. Dr. Davidow added, We look forward to this unique partnership and to providing leadership for expansion efforts in Massachusetts." Advising Womens Health of Central Massachusetts in the creation of this new partnership was Provident Healthcare Partners, the leading investment banking firm for healthcare companies. About Womens Health Connecticut Founded in 1997, Physicians for Womens Health (d/b/a Womens Health Connecticut) is currently one of the largest and most respected womens health networks in the nation, with more than 250 highly-trained and devoted healthcare providers. By focusing solely on womens health, WHC provides unsurpassed expertise and devotion to addressing the changing needs of women across Connecticut. Its commitment and united voice for women has been influential in the womens health space for more than 2 decades. About Womens Health of Central Massachusetts Womens Health of Central Massachusetts has been an OBGYN physician practice aimed at providing state-of-the-art obstetric and gynecologic care to patients from adolescence through menopause and beyond. Within the new partnership, its 15 providers will continue their reputation for offering a highly patient-centered environment, a caring experienced staff, comprehensive on-site services and a fully integrated team approach. WHCMA currently has four offices located throughout central Massachusetts in Worcester, Marlborough, Webster, and Southbridge. About Provident Healthcare Partners Provident is the leading investment banking firm specializing in merger and acquisition advisory, strategic planning, and capital formation for healthcare companies. The firm has a comprehensive knowledge of market sectors and specialties, including the Ob/Gyn specialty. Provident also has unsurpassed experience and insight into the M&A process, which includes working work a number of private equity firms and strategic consolidators. For more information, visit http://www.providenthp.com. # # # It confirms that Old Mutual acted properly, spokeswoman Tabby Tsengiwe said at the court, according to Bloomberg. Importantly it also provides legal clarity on corporate governance and board stewardship, including the relationship between a board and its executive. Old Mutual is committed to strengthening governance and the management of conflicts of interest. However, the fights not over for Moyo, who told reporters outside the courthouse that there is a very good chance he will look to overturn the decision in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The battle between the firm and its former CEO first exploded into the headlines when Old Mutual suspended Moyo in May 2019, citing a material breakdown in trust and confidence over an alleged conflict of interest. Nonetheless, the executive has denied any wrongdoing and has launched his own accusations over conflicts involving Old Mutual chairman Trevor Manuel (which Manuel and the company deny). Old Mutual restricted Moyo from accessing his office after his first court victory. The insurer then issued another employment termination notice in August, while doling out six months of his salary. The case couldnt have come at a worse time for the insurer as it struggles to increase sales and operating earnings in an environment of lukewarm capital markets, a poor-performing South African economy, and the worst crisis seen in Zimbabwe in a decade. Emily Rae Stallard, 37, was arrested at a Tampa Walmart on Saturday after two men stopped her from allegedly lighting the makeshift bomb A Florida woman has been hit with numerous charges after she tried to build a bomb inside a Walmart while with her child. Emily Rae Stallard, 37, was arrested at a Tampa Walmart on Saturday after two men stopped her from allegedly lighting the makeshift bomb, made with a candle wick, a mason jar, nails and denatured alcohol. A security guard called deputies with the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department to the scene, where they learned that the woman had been roaming the store for approximately an hour with her son. With assistance from an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Stallard was detained 'without incident.' Florida Police Scanner reports that the woman tried to spit on officers as they apprehended her and placed her in a patrol car. The mother was charged with attempted arson, fire bombing, child abuse, battery on a law enforcement officer and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A security guard called deputies with the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department to the scene, where they learned that the woman had been roaming the store for approximately an hour with her son Stallard is currently being held behind bars and has a bond of $8,500. 'This shows how important it is that if you see something out of place, say something,' Hillsborough Sheriff Spokesperson Amanda Granit said, according to WFLA. 'Your actions and what you saw could really make a huge difference, as it did in this case.' Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Tuesday extended greetings to the people of the union territory on the eve of Pongal festival. In her message, Bedi said "Pongal is a testimony to our ancient culture embedding man with nature." She also asserted that "conservation and preservation of nature was woven through rituals of worship, devotion and respect to the different forms of nature." She wished the auspicious Tamil month of 'Thai' would bless every family with abundance, joy, prosperity and happiness. "I extend my heartiest wishes to the people of Puducherry and the Tamils across the globe," she said. Bedi also referred to the Tamil treatise 'Thirukkural' and emphasised the need to adhere to the principles of upright governance in one of its couplets. The Chief Minister in his message said wished the people saying the dawn of Tamil month 'Thai' would pave the way for prosperity and happiness. In a veiled reference to the alleged hindrances caused to his government by Bedi, he said the dawn of Pongal "will definitely remove all the hurdles and ensure good days of prosperity and development for the people of Puducherry." The lone Lok Sabha member from Puducherry V Vaithilingam, Ministers, legislators and leaders of various political parties greeted the people ahead of Pongal festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first case of a novel coronavirus, a new virus from the same family as SARS, outside China. The UN health agency, quoting the Thai officials, said that a person travelling from Wuhan, China was hospitalised in Thailand and is recovering from the illness. The WHO said that the possibility of cases of the new virus outside China was not unexpected and it reinforced the agencys calls for active monitoring and preparedness in other countries. It said the genetic sequences shared by China can be used to rapidly diagnose such patients and, adding that the WHO has issued guidance on how to detect and treat persons ill with the new virus. WHO reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak and any animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts, said the UN agency in a statement. Read: China Probes Pneumonia Outbreak Amid SARS Fears: State Media According to the WHO, novel coronavirus is a new strain in the large family of coronaviruses (CoV) which was previously not identified in humans. CoV causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). CoV is zoonotic which means such viruses transmit between animals and humans. Read: Now, United Nations Files Plea In SC On India's Decision To Deport Rohingyas List of global health challenges On January 13, the WHO released a list of urgent, global health challenges and raised deep concerns over lack of investment in core health priorities and systems by the leaders. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, in a statement, said that health is an investment in the future. Countries invest heavily in protecting their people from terrorist attacks, but not against the attack of a virus, which could be far more deadly, and far more damaging economically and socially, said Ghebreyesus. The WHO official said that health security cannot be a matter for ministries of health alone as a pandemic could bring economies and nations to their knees. He added that governments, communities, and international agencies must work together to achieve these critical goals. Read: US Justifies Killing Soleimani As Self Defence At United Nations Read: Avril Lavigne Supports Justin Bieber After He Opens Up About His Lyme Disease Did a 37-year-old Easton man pull the trigger in order to kill a 19-year-old Southside Bethlehem girl? Or is the wrong man accused in the crime? Closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday in the murder trial of Kasheem Aiken. The reputed gang member is accused of killing Teayahe Glover, although his attorney argues the murder was carried out by another man. With testimony concluded, the 12-member jury was left to deliberate Aikens fate Tuesday afternoon. Authorities describe the crime as a case of love, jealousy, friendships, loyalty, gang life and ultimately, revenge. Glover was found dead Feb. 8, 2017, at the corner of Sioux and Sassafras streets in Bethlehem. She suffered gunshot wounds to her face, her back and just under her left armpit, police said. Aiken blamed Glover for the gang-related death of Alan Young, according to Northampton County Chief Deputy District Attorney William Blake. This is about the defendants loyalty to his friend who he felt nearly died because of Teayahe Glover, Blake told the jury during his closing argument Tuesday. Christopher Shipman, the attorney representing Aiken, blamed the killing Xavier Snyder. He was a new gang member who just joined the group a month prior and was trying to get noticed, according to Shipman. Whats the point of being in a gang if you cant move up to some part in authority? Shipman asked. He later added, We knew Xavier Snyder was new to this gang. He was the low man on the totem pole. Snyder, 20, of Washington, Warren County pleaded guilty to third-degree murder as part of a plea deal that included a promise to testify against Aiken. Snyder testified that Aiken pulled the trigger. Aiken is accused of carrying out the the homicide with Snyders help. Glover was present when her boyfriend, Alan Young, got into an argument that ended with 23-year-old Tariq Dashton Page of Allentown shooting Young, according to police. Page later pleaded guilty to attempted homicide and is serving a seven- to 14-year prison sentence. Investigators believe Aiken and Snyder were allied with Young and resentful of Glover, saying she played a role in Youngs shooting. The pair sought revenge when Glover told investigators what happened, police said. Blake said Snyder initially was told to take the blame from higher members in the gang. He fled to New Jersey because he was scared, Blake said. "The defendant told Xavier Snyder, You know what? Youre gong to take the hit for this. Youre under orders, " Blake said. Shipman said Snyder posted on Facebook he had a revolver in his possession hours before the killing. It was Snyder who lured Glover out of her house early that morning through Facebook, he said. Shipman asked the jury to pay attention to IP address records used during social media messaging prior to the crime. He said court testimony about the records shows Snyder was using someones elses hot spot -- not Aikens -- when the crime took place because he was not with Aiken. Snyder allegedly told several people he committed the crime before saying, I was just kidding, Shipman said. I assumed Mr. Snyder would have a far more innocent demeanor when he took that stand, Shipman told the jury. There was no emotion, no remorse, it was simply matter of fact. ... Blake said the defense was trying to make jurors ignore the evidence that would make AIken guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is revenge that all started the very night Alan Young got shot and everybody was gathered in that emergency room, Blake said. In that emergency room, the defendant said, Dont worry. I got this. Thats where the revenge plan started. Aiken is facing charges of criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide. Dressed in dark pants and a black-and-white gingham dress shirt, Aiken did not testify Tuesday during his trial. He showed little emotion and repeatedly told the judge, Yes, your honor when asked if he understood his rights. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:18:23|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NICOSIA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot authorities mounted a major rescue operation on Tuesday after a boat carrying more than 100 irregular immigrants was spotted off the southeast coast of the eastern Mediterranean island, the police said. A police statement said the boat was spotted at about 11:30 a.m. local time (0930 GMT) sailing in rather rough seas about 20 nautical miles off Cape Greco. It added that a patrol boat was dispatched to meet and escort the 33-meter-long refugee boat to the nearest facility, a fishing port in the region of the Protaras tourist area of Cyprus. "Members of the police, the Marine Police, the Immigration Service, the Civil Defense and an ambulance staffed with medics are waiting for the immigrants to provide needed services," the statement said. Officials said the immigrants, who are believed to come from Syria, will be processed at a local police station and will later be taken to refugee hosting centers. The arrival of the large group of immigrants will put even more pressure on overcrowded refugee facilities of Cyprus, a European Union member country with the largest concentration of immigrants in relation to its population. Turkish and Syrian heads of intelligence met in Moscow on Monday, in the first official contact in years. Turkeys intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and his Syrian counterpart Ali Mamlouk discussed the ceasefire in Syrias Idlib, and possible coordination against the Kurdish presence in northern Syria, according to Reuters. The discussions included "the possibility of working together against YPG, the terrorist organization PKKs Syrian component, in the East of the Euphrates river," a Turkish official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Australians can expect higher prices for fresh food and meat as a result of the bushfire crisis, but supermarkets have been warned to not put more pressure on devastated farmers. Bushfire-affected farmers will also be given up to $75,000 to immediately repair their properties, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison promising at least $100 million to rebuild Australia's primary production farmland. Sandy Wicks and her father Linton Vogel after fire ripped through Cudgewa in North Eastern Victoria. Credit:Paul Jeffers Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie estimated there were 19,000 farmers, foresters and fishers in the regions hard-hit by the fires and said customers would have to accept higher prices for some produce. "In terms of prices of food, you might have seen reporting that supermarkets are letting the Australian public know that they'll have to pay more for their red meat. Yes, you will," she said on Tuesday. In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Singapore Airlines Limited (SGX:C6L), since the last five years saw the share price fall 25%. Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Airlines In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). While the share price declined over five years, Singapore Airlines actually managed to increase EPS by an average of 28% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. Due to the lack of correlation between the EPS growth and the falling share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics to try to understand the share price movement. In contrast to the share price, revenue has actually increased by 1.6% a year in the five year period. A more detailed examination of the revenue and earnings may or may not explain why the share price languishes; there could be an opportunity. The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). SGX:C6L Income Statement, January 14th 2020 Singapore Airlines is well known by investors, and plenty of clever analysts have tried to predict the future profit levels. You can see what analysts are predicting for Singapore Airlines in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Singapore Airlines the TSR over the last 5 years was -12%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! Story continues A Different Perspective Investors in Singapore Airlines had a tough year, with a total loss of 4.4% (including dividends) , against a market gain of about 6.7%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 2.5% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Singapore Airlines better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Singapore Airlines you should know about. We will like Singapore Airlines better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on SG exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Theres no dearth of finding a way to protest, especially when it comes to the young generation. For the ongoing India-Australia match at Mumbais Wankhede Stadium, the authorities had banned black clothing fearing protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizenc (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). However, the protesters were already thinking way ahead of the authorities. A group of youngsters, wearing white t-shirts with different letters written on their t-shirts, showed up at the match, and when standing in order, this is what the letters read: They young protesters were hailed on social media as heroes. In Wankhede Stadium people were not allowed to wear black dress, black cap. So they did this No one can stop the protests and the protesters. https://t.co/kJlh3Yn2Jy An Indian (@Congress_Army) January 14, 2020 Protesters went to Wankhede Stadium to watch #INDvsAUS match wearing anti #CAA_NRC_NPR messages. pic.twitter.com/L4nD8CEVBS Shivangi Thakur (@thakur_shivangi) January 14, 2020 Anti NRC CAA and NPR protesters are being forcefully pushed out by Police from Wankhede Stadium@FahadTISS #NRC_CAA_Protests #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/MDitAbDmXH We The People of India (@ThePeopleOfIN) January 14, 2020 However, the protesters were quickly escorted out of the stadium. Advertisement A wild racecourse brawl that went viral around the world was allegedly sparked when one of the men told another: 'your missus is hot'. Extraordinary photographs showing men trading blows after a day out at Rosehill Racecourse made headlines last December, thanks largely to the efforts of one woman who tried to use a bunch of red roses to break up the fight. But while the scuffle - which was dubbed 'the war of the roses' - caused much amusement online, it also led to six men from the two opposing groups being charged by New South Wales Police. Three of the men fronted Parramatta Local Court in Sydney's west on Tuesday, and told Daily Mail Australia outside court what had sparked the brawl. Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker (left) trades blows with Nathan Luke, Bailey Petrie (centre) delivers a blow to Ryan Connell and Stephen John Luke (right) joins in Bailey Petrie (left), Matthew Samuel Becker (centre) and Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker (right) all pleaded guilty to a count of affray over the wild Rosehill Racecourse brawl on December 7. They are pictured outside Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker, Bailey Petrie and Matthew Samuel Becker all indicated they plan to plead guilty to one count of affray during their brief court appearance. Outside court, Becker claimed they were not the ones who initiated the brawl. 'We were staring (at them) and they go: "What are you staring it?",' he claimed. 'Then one of the boys said "Well, your missus is hot" and that pretty much started it. 'They came over at us. Obviously we play footy, so we rag dolled them a bit and stuff... they should have just walked off. 'It's been made out to be that we're the thugs and they are the victims, when they came running at us. 'He got bashed with flowers and high heels,' Becker said pointing to Locke-Walker, the man at the centre of the red roses viral image. Their heavily-tattooed mate Beau Jay Hollitt who is also facing the same charge did not appear before the court. Stephen John Luke and his son Nathan James Luke - the other two men charged over the incident - did not appear before the in court on Tuesday. They are also charged with a single count of affray and have been ordered to reappear on January 28. (L to R) Steve and Sharyn Luke, Ryan Connell and Hayley Luke, Nathan Luke and Shania Matthews-Allen were caught up in the wild brawl at Rosehill Racecourse, in Sydney's west, on Saturday afternoon. They claim they 'don't even know' what started it. Mr Luke (right) appears to throw a punch at Becker (left), as good mates Locke-Walker (far left) and Hollitt (far right) watch on Becker (left) and Locke-Walker (centre) trade blows as rose petals fly through the air and a shocked security guard watches on In the days after the brawl, Mr Luke's wife Sharyn revealed that her family - including her daughter Hayley who was the one wielding the bunch of red roses - had been having an early Christmas celebration when trouble kicked off. 'To see somebody beating the living daylights out of her father, she was just trying to stop him and get him off him - she's never attacked anyone,' Mrs Luke said of her teenage daughter's actions. 'She was not aggressive in any matter, it was simply an attempt to stop the man hitting her dad... what's a bouquet of flowers going to do to someone? Mr Luke said he didn't want to 'stir the porridge' over the brawl, but also defended his daughter. 'Well she saw that was me on the ground and I guess she thought she'd help out. It wasn't us that started it, but I don't want to do anything about it...' he said. 'We're all OK and it didn't ruin our Christmas party.' Despite not throwing a punch, Hayley Luke (right) became the face of the incident for her desperate efforts in coming to the aid of her father Steve (centre) after he was knocked to the ground while trading blows Brandon Walker (left) Ms Luke sent petals flying through the air when she used a bunch of red roses to hit Walker over the head. Her mother Sharyn told Daily Mail Australia: 'She was not aggressive in any matter, it was simply an attempt to stop the man hitting her dad...' The brawl erupted as thousands of punters left Rosehill Racecourse after a long day of festivities. A photographer standing nearby took a series of photos as the violent struggle erupted, with security guards seen watching on helpless to stop the scuffle evolving. By the time police arrived at the Australian Turf Club venue most of those involved had left the racecourse. Police chased down and boarded the hire bus the the Luke group was in, before issuing court attendance notices to the six men. Never the one to mince words, Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj on Tuesday hit out at the government for over regulation that he said was killing the industry. The automobile industry in 2019 endured its worst-ever performance in a year in over two decades with a near 14 percent decline in sales over 2018. Bajaj said the increase in price of a two wheeler by almost 30 percent in the last 18 months was a big reason for the current slowdown and added that he did not expect the upcoming budget will be able to solve the problems. "If the real issues are addressed, only then can we see some chance. Addressing peripheral issues has never solved any problem," Bajaj said after the launch of the company's first ever electric vehicle, Chetak. "The single most important reason for the current slide is over-regulation by the government. We are budget agnostic. The over-regulation is killing the industry." A host of regulatory changes in the domestic automobile industry starting with new safety norms which has made features like ABS for two wheelers mandatory has led to an increase in the price of vehicles. Also, the change in insurance norms that made third-party cover mandatory for two wheelers for five years has further raised prices. Added to that the changeover from BS IV to BS VI norms in April 2020 and the rising clamor for introducing electric vehicles even when the infrastructure is not ready to support mass adoption has only added to the confusion. "The price of owning a two-wheeler for a common man has increased by 30 percent in 1.5 years. That is a hard problem. Does the government have the humility to reflect and roll back some of this? Can they absorb some of the hit by BSVI?" Bajaj said. "It will be politically incorrect to say that BSVI is not the right thing to do, but frankly, I'm going to say it. Getting rid of old vehicles in a suitable mechanism would have been more effective than squeezing out the last little bit of emission from BSIV vehicles." Sale of two wheelers, which forms the biggest chunk of domestic automobile sales slumped 14 percent in calendar year 2019 at 18.57 million units against 21.64 million in 2018. In the fiscal so far (April-December 2019), sales are down nearly 16 percent at 13.91 million. Bajaj Auto's own sales also declined 13.25 percent at 1.7 million units. Bajaj is country's fourth largest two wheeler manufacturer behind Hero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS. The industry has been asking for a reduction in GST on automobiles from 28 to 18 percent and while Bajaj agreed it would help absorb some of the cost that manufacturers are forced to pass on to the consumers, he remained doubtful if it would really happen. "I don't think there is anything that the budget can do which can solve the industry's problems. The budget was not the reason due to which the sales have been heading down," he said. Bajaj Chetak is back! New electric scooter launched at Rs 1-1.15 lakh Who is Michael Debabrata Patra, the new RBI Deputy Governor to fill Viral Acharya's position The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to the Punjab Right to Business Act 2020, aimed at facilitating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. The state cabinet also authorised Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore to summon a two-day special session of state assembly on Thursday and Friday. The proposed law will be brought in the two-day long special session of the Punjab Assembly starting on January 16, a government statement said here. The cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, it added. The Right to Business Act is aimed at easing regulatory burden on newly incorporated MSMEs by providing enabling provision of self-declaration and also exempting them from certain approvals and inspections for establishment and operations of MSMEs in the state. "The MSMEs in the state will get a big relief from the tedious process of getting regulatory approvals before setting up of the units," it said. The Act would encompass various regulatory services, including sanction of building plans, issuance of completion/occupation certificate for buildings,registration of new trade license under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976. The cabinet also decided to recommend to the Governor to summon the 10th Session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha as per the Article 174 (1) of the Constitution of India, for two days on January 16 and 17, the statement said. It also gave go ahead for placing resolution to ratify the Constitutional (126th Amendment) Bill. The Constitution (126th Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to extend the reservation for scheduled castes in Punjab for another ten years with effect from January 25, 2020. The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha on December 10 and by the Rajya Sabha on December 12. The cabinet also approved enactment of the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, with the relevant Bill. The ordinance was promulgated in order to bring certain amendments in Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for facilitation of taxpayers and promotion of 'Ease of doing Business'. The cabinet also decided to change the timing of the commencement of session to 11 am on Thursday from 10 am earlier with the speech of Governor. On Friday, the session would begin at 10 am with obituary references, followed by presentation of a resolution to ratify the Constitution (126th Amendment) Bill, 2019. The house would adjourn sine-die after the proposed legislative business on the same day, a government spokesperson said. The cabinet also decided to fill up as many as 3,186 posts of various cadres in teaching and non-teaching staff in schools which would entail financial implication of Rs 42 crore per annum. The move will help plug a major gap in the school staff, thereby improving the standards of education, the release stated. During the meeting, the chief minister underlined the need for serious relook at the school curriculum from the point of making students job-ready. Pointing out that vocational courses had been introduced for senior classes in various fields, such as hospitality and mobile phone repair, among others, he stressed on the importance of more thrust on vocational teaching. The cabinet also approved the annual administrative report of the Civil Aviation department for the year 2018-19, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have warned the bushfires razing large swathes of Australia could become normal around the world as global temperatures are projected to increase by 3-5C this century. A review of 57 scientific papers published since 2013 suggested clear links between climate change and an increase in the frequency and severity of fire weather. Richard Betts, Head of Climate Impacts Research at the Met Office Hadley Centre, who co-authored the review, said: Were not going to reverse climate change on any conceivable timescale. So the conditions that are happening now, they wont go away. The studies included in the review were analysed to determine the impact climate change had on wildfire risks all over the world. The findings comes as the Australian government and some local media continue to downplay the role of climate change on recent wildfires that have destroyed nearly 3,000 homes and killed at least 28 people and an estimated one billion animals. Animals rescued during Australia fires Show all 25 1 /25 Animals rescued during Australia fires Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala rescued at a burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide AAP Image/Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter Pat Smith pouring water onto a possum's feet with burns from fires on the outskirts of the town of Tumbarumba in New South Wales Greenpeace Australia-Pacific/AFP Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Grey-headed Flying Fox bats prepared for a feeding at the Uralla, Australia, home of Jackie Maisey, a volunteer with Northern Tableands Wildlife Carers. The bats are swaddled in flannel wraps similar to those being made by thousands of crafters worldwide who are using their sewing, knitting and crocheting skills to make items for wildlife injured in the Australian brush fires Jackie Maisey/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires Sara Tilling takes care of a young injured Kangaroo which she and her partner Gary Henderson are nursing back to health in Cobargo EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan holds a baby Koala she just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Images Animals rescued during Australia fires Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Fire-impacted, orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys are seen at the property of WIRES Carers Kevin and Lorita Clapson in East Lynne, South of Sydney EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala receives water from a cyclist during a severe heatwave that hit the region, in Adelaide Instagram/BIKEBUG2019 via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned Flying-Fox is fed at the property of WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator, Janet Jones, in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan checks an injured Koala she had just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A wallabie eating a carrot dropped by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife services over the bushfire affected areas along the South Coast for wallabies NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Animals rescued during Australia fires A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires Gary Henderson holds the young injured kangaroo he and his partner are nursing back to health EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala drinks water offered from a bottle by a firefighter during bushfires in Cudlee Creek, south Australia Oakbank Balhannah CFS via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid South Coast wombat coordinator Tony De La Fosse with two orphaned pouch-rescued Wombats at his property in Malua Bay EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Qantas, an orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey whose feet were burned in recent bushfires, is held by WIRES Carer Kevin Clapson at his property in East Lynne EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Various completed animal pouches for animals affected by Australia bushfires hang on clothing racks in Regents Park, Queensland Kim Simeon via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey hangs in a makeshift pouch at the property of WIRES EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island, South Australia Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator Janet Jones weighs a rescued Grey-Headed Flying-Fox at her home in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A weary kangaroo shelters on a patch of green grass surrounded by burnt bushland along the Princes Highway near in Milton Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Various animal wraps for bats affected by bushfires Simone Watts via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires A staff member moving a rescued koala to a temporary shelter at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney Taronga Zoo/AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley AFP via Getty Images The increased risk of fire weather seasons periods with a high fire risk due to the combination of higher temperatures, low humidity, low rainfall and strong winds have become 20 per cent longer globally. Western United States and Canada, southern Europe, Scandinavia, the Amazon and Siberia are also affected by the increased fire risks. Australia was particularly vulnerable to fires as its land area has warmed more than the rise in average global temperatures of about 1C since pre-industrial times, said Betts. Temperature conditions in Australia are extreme at the moment but they are what we expect to happen on average in a world of three degrees of global warming, he added. It brings it home to you what climate change means. Ian Colin Prentice, director of the Levelhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society at Imperial College London and co-author of the review, added: Wildfires cant be prevented and the risks are increasing because of climate change. This makes it urgent to consider ways of reducing the risks to people. Land planning should take the increasing risk in fire weather into account. The World Meteorological Organisation said if no action is taken to stop rising emissions, the global temperature could increase by 3-5C this century, more than three times limits agreed in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced strong criticism for not doing more to combat climate change even as the country struggles to get its worst wildfire season on record under control. He has admitted to handling some parts of the crisis poorly but has been defiant in rejecting any links between his administration's climate policies and the bushfires, and has defended the country's reliance on its coal industry. During an interview with ABC News: "We want to reduce emissions and do the best job we possibly can and get better and better at it. "I want to do that with a balanced policy which recognises Australia's broader national economic interests and social interest." Vietnams Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has busted several child porn rings in recent months thanks to tip-offs from the US Department of Homeland Security. Colonel Phan Manh Truong, deputy head of the MPS Criminal Police Department speaks at a conference on Monday. Photo thanhnien.vn The information was revealed by Colonel Phan Manh Truong, deputy head of the MPS Criminal Police Department at a conference on Monday about child sexual abuse online and how best to educate the younger generation about the dangers of predators. Truong said childrens safety in cyberspace must be ensured to protect their rights and give them opportunities to access information. In the past three years, the force has detected some 150 cases of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Truong said the number didn't truly reflect the scale of the problem in Vietnam. He said the consequences of online child sexual abuse are severe as it leaves indelible marks and causes trauma for both victims of abuse and children who see such images or videos. In September 2019, a group of five Chinese men went to Da Nang City and hired teenage girls under 16 years old to film and livestream pornographic contents for distribution to millions of other people in China. After four months of detention for further investigation, they will soon be prosecuted, according to Da Nang Police. The gang's arrest thrust online child sexual abuse into the spotlight. Truong recommended setting up quick-response teams to track and block websites hazardous to children and to research the use of artificial intelligence to filter pictures involving children uploaded online. The MPS has received information provided by the US Department of Homeland Security about suspected Vietnamese victims on child porn videos uploaded from IP addresses in Vietnam. In one case, Vietnamese police worked with internet service providers to arrest a man in HCM City who has sexually abused his niece. We even needed to inspect the culprits hands, as he did not show his face in the video but did reveal his hands. It is extremely hard to filter this type of content yet we are making painstaking efforts to control child pornography, said Truong. According to the Vietnam Information Security Association, Vietnam has 64 million internet users, accounting for 66 per cent of the population, making it one of countries with the most internet users in the Asia-Pacific region. Some 62 million Vietnamese people use social media, 96 per cent of them have YouTube accounts and 95 per cent have Facebook accounts. More than 30 per cent of Vietnamese internet users are between 15 and 24 years old while 60 per cent of children learn how to surf the web by themselves and cyber safety is not included in the school curriculum. A survey by the Research Institute for Sustainable Development shows more than 720,000 images of child pornography are uploaded online daily. Only 10.4 per cent of children know about online child abuse and the percentage of parents is even lower at only 8.6 per cent, according to the survey. It has never been so easy to approach children and abuse them, the report concluded. VNS Children should be protected from violence and sexual abuse While efforts are being made to prevent violence against children, much more work still needs to be done. Woman offers hope to unfortunate children We hear many harrowing tales of child sexual abuse. When a case of child abuse is discovered, most condemn the perpetrator and think of how they should be punished. The worst age in developed nations like the US and UK, is 47.2, according to new research. According to a working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NERB), this middle age is when people feel least satisfied with their lives, and it doesn't matter where they are, how their overall health is. In nations that are still developing, it happens only a little later: 48.2. Professor David Blanchflower, an economics professor at Dartmouth College, has long been a student of life satisfaction and over the years has continued to bolster his theory that our happiness falls on a 'U' curve over time. Happiness falls to its lowest point for Americans - as well as people in other developed nations, like the UK - at age 47, as a a graph from a new study shows Blanchflower compiled a massive dataset and found his happiness curve in a total of 132 countries. Although trajectories varied and looked somewhat different from nation-to-nation, the basic gist was the same. For the US, measured by the General Social Survey from 1972 to 2018, once controls are introduced, happiness goes into a veritable free fall from the optimism of an Americans's 18th year of life and first of adulthood on into middle age. It's not exactly 'thirty, flirty and thriving,' but the plummeting happiness quotient does slow it's downward roll a little around age 30, before bottoming out in the late 40s for the US. For his part, Blanchflower doesn't offer a a lot of explanation in his latest paper, but does heartily defend that it's solid evidence that 'the happiness curve is found in 32 countries. No myth' (the final words of his paper's conclusions, to which he's devoted an entire page). Others akcnowledge that science hasn't quite worked out why, but offer some compelling context and hypotheses. Journalist Jonathan Rauch wrote a book on The Happiness Curve, discussing the same 40s slump. He noted in an interview with MarketWatch that orangutans and chimpanzees also hit a midlife slump. Rauch also suggests that this is a time of transition - and we shouldn't necessarily think of it as a crisis point. 'The best conjecture is that it is because of a change in our values and our brains,' he says. 'It seems like we start out wired for social competition, we're ambitious, but our ambition is a trickster. 'It is disappointing because it never lets you feel satisfied and by midlife we feel disappointed.' Brain shrinkage also starts in the 30s and 40s, and accelerates in our 60s. The sex hormones testosterone (for men) and estrogen (for women) also start declining as early as in the 30s, and the shift may become more noticeable in the 40s. But, there's hope. With time, happiness perks back up again, according to the new working paper. In fact, happiness climbs back to heights seen only in our 20s once more in our 70s. So no matter where you live, or how dark the middle ages seem, hold on, the happiness curve is everywhere,' writes Blanchflower. Seoul, Jan 14 : South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday that it was premature to be pessimisic about the Korean peace process, pointing out the relatively good personal relationship between the leaders of North Korea and the US. In his New Year's press conference at the presidential palace, he said: "I think we are not at the stage for now to be pessimistic about South-North dialogue and North Korea-US dialogue, although it's not a stage be optimistic," reports Yonhap News Agency. He mentioned US President Donald Trump's birthday greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last week, which were sent in a personal letter, while concerns about Pyongyang's provocations were running high. Moon called the letter, through which Trump emphasized his relationship with Kim once again, "very positive" and a "good idea". "North Korea accepted it and immediately released a response. It stressed the relationship between the two leaders," he said. Even if dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington was not active, Trump and Kim were maintaining mutual trust, with efforts for the resumption of talks under way, Moon said, adding that his government is continuing a push for expanding inter-Korean cooperation with an "optimistic prospect". Indian and US officials were engaged in talks to finalise dates for a possible visit by US President Donald Trump to India, government sources said on Tuesday. India had invited Trump to grace the Republic Day parade as the chief guest last year but the US President could not come due to scheduling issues. "Both sides are in discussions to finalise the dates," said a source. There has been indication that the US President may visit India in the next few months. Finalisation of dates will also depend on political developments in Washington, where impeachment proceedings are on against Trump, the sources said. During his visit to the US in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reminded Trump of his invitation to him to visit India along with his family. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their visit to Washington last month conveyed to the US side that India was waiting to host President Trump. Trump will seek re-election in presidential polls scheduled to take place in November. Last week, Trump and Modi held a telephonic conversation during which they discussed ways to further strengthen the US-India strategic partnership. The conversation came in the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. Modi highlighted the significant progress made in deepening the strategic partnership between India and the US in the previous year and expressed his desire to continue to work with President Trump for enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, the PMO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) My generation worried about getting voting rights, and with some notable exceptions we tended to think the country was moving in the right direction, said Elsie L. Scott, director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard. Not so with this new group. Millennials are the first generation not expected to do as well financially as their parents and they are worried not about the country living up to its ideals but about the country becoming a dictatorship. A poll suggested 49% of Britons do not want the bells to chime to mark Brexit Day (AP) Nearly half of Britons do not think that Big Ben should chime to mark Britains departure from the EU on January 31, a poll has suggested. A survey conducted by polling agency YouGov suggested that 49% of people believe the bells should stay silent, compared with just 37% who want them to ring out across London. The famous bell was temporarily silenced in 2017 for the safety of workers involved in the four-year restoration of the Elizabeth Tower. But there have been calls for it to chime at 11pm on 31 January to mark Britains departure from the EU. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested the public could raise money to pay for the chimes to ring out (AP) The YouGov poll asked people whether they believed the day Britain leaves the European Union should be added to the list of special occasions when Big Ben chimes? A total of 1,724 adults were surveyed, with those aged 18 to 49 most opposed to the proposals. It comes as prime minister Boris Johnson said Britons may be able to bung a bob for a Big Ben bong on Brexit night under plans being drawn up by the government. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: The issue was discussed at a meeting of the House of Commons commission on Monday. But it was ultimately ruled out after it was revealed that it could cost 500,000, up from the original estimate of 120,000. The expanded budget stems from the need to put in and remove a temporary floor in order to ring the bell. But the prime minister, in an interview with BBC Breakfast, said ministers were working up a plan to fund the costs to enable the bell to chime. The bongs cost 500,000 but were working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong because there are some people who want to, he said. Because Big Ben is being refurbished, they seem to have taken the clapper away, so we need to restore the clapper in order to bong Big Ben on Brexit night. And that is expensive, so were looking at whether the public can fund it. Downing Street said there was not a specific government fund but insisted that whatever happened with the famous bell, Brexit Day would be properly marked. The Springfield City Council is expected to vote on a resolution Monday night urging TD Bank to reconsider plans to close its branch in the Mason Square neighborhood of the city at the end of the month. Management at the bank confirmed in November it would be closing its office at 958 State St. on Jan. 31 and offering an ATM at the location instead as well as ATMs at nearby Walgreens pharmacies. City Councilor Tracye Whitfield, chairwoman of the finance committee, drafted the resolution and is sponsoring it with eight other councilors. If passed, the legislation will urge the bank, as well as Democratic U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who represents the city, and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to meet with the Mason Square residents and local officials to continue this discussion, Whitfield said in a statement. For over 40 years the residents of Mason Square have banked at this location, the councilor said in her statement. "TD Bank says they are a good neighborhood bank and a good corporate citizen. If that, in fact, is true, then they should have branches in every neighborhood. The banks decision prompted a backlash from local officials, who have argued without the branch, residents, especially those of color, will have to travel miles to find a full-service bank. State Rep. Bud L. Williams, a Democrat from Springfield, said it is a question of providing services to communities of color, and Democratic state Sen. James T. Welch said the closure will put a burden on residents in the neighborhood who already live in "a food desert with no supermarket or grocery store in the area. City Councilor Orlando Ramos, a sponsor of the resolution expressed similar concerns, saying, Banking deserts, just like food deserts, have a huge negative impact on lower-income communities and communities of color." Whitfield said in her statement she has received phone calls from concerned residents, many of whom rely on public transportation and will have to travel three miles to do banking. The city councilor added that TD Banks 2019 earnings were up 3% in the U.S. My goal is to reach a win-win solution for both the neighborhood residents and TD Bank," she said in the statement. The State Street branch is located across from American International College and has been at the site for decades. The bank will continue to serve Springfield residents with six other stores, including three less than two miles away from the State Street location, TD spokesman Matthew Doherty wrote in response to questions from The Republican. Whitfield and Malo Brown, city councilor of Ward 4, recently met with TD Banks regional director, Steven Webb, and offered to help increase foot traffic. They also suggested making improvements to the appearance of the building and increase security. TDs decision to close two branches in predominately neighborhoods of color is concerning and needs further discussion, said in Whitfields statement. Related content: Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday (January 14) visited Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi to express solidarity with those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and praised the protesters, mostly women, for expressing their voice against the new legislation. The Congress leader visited Shaheen Bagh just hours after the Delhi High Court asked Delhi Police to look into the traffic issues created due to the ongoing protest at Shaheen Bagh for around 30 days now. During his speech, Aiyar assured protestors he is willing to help them in whatever way possible and will stand with them in their fight against the CAA. "I am ready to do whatever I can do for all of you. I am making a promise. Whatever support you need from me in a personal capacity, I am ready to provide," he said. The Congress leader, however, also created a political row when he made an indirect attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, equating it to killers ("kaatil"). "I am ready to make whatever sacrifice is needed. Now let's see whose hands are stronger -- ours or those killers," he said. Notably, Aiyar is the second prominent leader from Congress to visit Shaheen Bagh. Earlier, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor had visited Shaheen Bagh on Sunday (Janaury 12) to express solidarity with the anti-CAA protesters. Live TV Meanwhile, the anti-CAA protests reached Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday (January 14) as several spectators rose up to protest against the new legislation and NRC during India-Australia ODI at the stadium. The passing of the CAA, which was notified by the Centre on January 10, has been met with protests in several parts of the country. The new legislation grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees in India from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014 on grounds of religious persecution in their home countries. Repeat borrowers accounted for more than half of total dollar volume, fueling the firms continued coast-to-coast expansion NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Realty Capital (MRC) announced that it closed over $2.2 billion in financing and note purchases in 2019. The nationwide transactions, between $7.8 million and $345 million, touched all major asset classes and included deals in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, California, Washington and Massachusetts. MRCs second consecutive $2 billion-plus year and continued national expansion was bolstered by the firms strong relationships with repeat borrowerswhich accounted for more than half of total dollar volumeand several transactions with world-renowned sponsors including Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Raffles. The firms debt investment platform focuses on originating senior-secured loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments in the middle-market as well as performing note purchases and acquiring non-performing loans. Highlights in 2019 included: $345 million loan for a portfolio of stabilized multifamily assets, and the construction of a luxury mixed-use rental building in Beverly Hills, CA. $314 million construction loan on the Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences, a mixed-use project in Bostons Back Bay neighborhood. $225 million construction loan on The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton, a planned luxury condominium tower in Boca Raton, Florida. $210 million loan for the development of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. $168 million collateralized by the Emerson Lofts, a planned 1,000-unit mixed-use multifamily development project in Jersey City, New Jersey. $138 million financing package for a mixed-use development at 300 West 122 nd Street in the West Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. $72 million first mortgage for The Ray, a 141-room hotel and retail development in Delray Beach, Florida. $53 million construction loan on a mixed-use development in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. $50 million first mortgage for a mixed-use condominium development in the Broadway Triangle neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. $35.1 million in financing for the completion of two separate construction projects in Beverly Hills and San Diego, CA. $32.5 million to finance the acquisition of a mixed-use development site in the Turtle Creek neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. $30 million first mortgage for a mixed-use development at the site of the former RKO Keith's Theater in Queens, NY. Story continues We are very pleased to have closed out yet another $2 billion-plus year, a reflection of our strong existing relationships and several transactions completed with globally recognized sponsors, said Josh Zegen, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of MRC. The deals closed with names such as Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Raffles in 2019 show that we are having a growing influence across the globe thanks to our unparalleled expertise and execution, which weve fine-tuned over the course of 15-plus years in business. We look forward to continuing our national expansion in 2020 and another decade of success. About Madison Realty Capital (MRC) Madison Realty Capital (MRC) is a New York City based real estate private equity firm focused on debt and equity investment strategies with regional offices in key markets including Los Angeles and Dallas. Founded in 2004, MRC has closed on approximately $12 billion of transactions in the multifamily, retail, office, industrial and hotel sectors. The firm manages investments in the United States on behalf of a global investor base. MRC is a fully integrated firm with over 60 employees across all real estate investment, development, and property management disciplines. Among other industry recognitions, MRC has been named to the Commercial Observers prestigious Power 100 list of New York City real estate players and is consistently cited as one of the industrys top construction lenders. Media inquiries, contact Great Ink Communications: (212) 741-2977 Tom Nolan tom@greatink.com Al Barbarino al@greatink.com Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella statement that CAA is just bad for India has not gone down well with the BJP, and party MP Meenakshi Lekhi trained guns at the corporate biggie on Tuesday. Calling it a perfect example of How literate need to be educated, Lekhi tweeted: Precise reason for CAA to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA? This outburst came after on Monday, the Microsoft CEO spoke out against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and was quoted as saying: I think what is happening is sad...Its just bad...I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or become the next CEO of Infosys. Though Microsoft promptly tried to make ammends and issued a fresh statement by Nadella, and said Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds, said the India-born CEO. Im shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to find a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large. But the damage was done. Lekhis analogy of providing opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in the US was intended to highlight the victims have been the religious minority facing persecution, who are being given priority through the 'Tanhaji' also featuring Saif Ali Khan, Kajol and Sharad Kelkar, has earned Rs 61.93 crore in its first weekend. Mumbai: Bollywood star Ajay Devgn says he stays away from social media because as an actor one should be known for their work, not for what they post online. Devgn, who is basking in the success of his latest release "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior", believes social media has washed away the mystery around stardom. "The stardom era has been washed (away) by social media now and by actors themselves, who constantly keep sharing information about their lives. Earlier, we would imagine how they lived, what they did but now people think they (stars) are just like them. "I am not too much (active) on social media. I believe an actor should be known for their work and not for social media activity. Wherever I go, I get respect and that makes you feel good. I have always done my own thing," the actor told PTI in an interview here. "Tanhaji..." is Devgn's 100th film and the actor, who began his career in 1991 with "Phool Aur Kante", considers himself lucky to have stayed relevant for audiences thanks to his varied film choices. "I have been lucky to be doing different kind of roles and they have worked too because so many actors struggle to do different things. "At that time nobody was doing a film like Raincoat'. I just wanted to try out different things, hence I did it. There was no fear whether it will work or not. I am glad my risk paid off. A lot of people advised me against such films but today almost everyone is doing such films and they are working." Of all the 100 films that he has acted in his 29 year-long career, historical films like "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" have touched him the most. "Something like 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior' or 'Legend of Bhagat Singh' makes you think that how is it possible that such sacrifices are made by people? We can't even think of (it). They must be different people, what they think and how they function. Country came first for them." "Tanhaji...", also featuring Saif Ali Khan, Kajol and Sharad Kelkar, has earned Rs 61.93 crore in its first weekend. The actor will next be seen in "Maidaan", "Bhuj: The Pride of India", "Chanakya" and a film with Luv Ranjan. In "Maidaan", there won't be any romantic angle, said the actor. "It is a fabulous story, director Amit Sharma has done a great job. Times have changed, storytelling has changed. There are no deliberate commercial elements added to a film today, be it a song or the romantic angle. 'Maidaan' has been very moving and emotional journey for me." Ajay said there is still some time for "Chanakya" to go on floors. "I will finish work on 'Maidaan' and 'Bhuj' in three to four months. These two films will release in 2020. 'Chanakya' we will start later in the year," he said. About Luv Ranjan's film, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay said it will also start shooting by the end of the year. Rinku Gupta By Express News Service Working in the Dhanush-starrer Pattas opened up a plethora of new experiences for heroine Mehreen Pirzada. Dhanush and I play a slum-dwellers in Pattas, so we had to shoot several portions in a slum. It was my first such shoot and a totally new experience, says Mehreen. Her very first day involved a shot opposite Dhanush, in the slum. I was already quite nervous because I was working with an actor of Dhanushs calibre. Moreover, huge crowds had gathered to see him. This added to my anxiety as I am not as fluent in Tamil as I am in Telugu and I had a very long dialogue to deliver. So I was anxious to get my lines right and emote opposite him at the same time. ALSO READ: Darbar to continue making noise till Pattas hits screens But Dhanush put her at ease. He told me he understood, since having worked in Hindi films, he knew how challenging it was to act in a different language. That helped me relax and give that first shot. The crowds, it turned out, were not there only for Dhanush. Mehreen continues, To my surprise, I heard voices calling out Honey, Honey to me from the crowds. This was my characters name from F2. I learnt that the crowds were mainly Telugu-speaking there and so they were familiar with my Telugu films. I felt a bit more relaxed as I could converse with them in Telugu in the breaks. Pattas has several comical portions, especially during the Jigidi Killady song, and Mehreen feels that Dhanushs off-screen humorous side helped break the ice and translate into good screen chemistry with her. ALSO READ: Anirudh Ravichander to reunite with Dhanush for Vivek-Mervins 'Pattas' She narrates an incident when Dhanush had to drive an Audi car on a deserted road in Pondicherry. Suddenly the choreographer asked Mehreen to take the wheel. I hadnt driven a Scooty leave alone a car in a very long time, though I knew how to drive. So I was quite rusty at the wheels. When I told Dhanush this, he started pulling my leg. He pretended to move towards the edge of the seat, nearer the door in case he had to jump out. He told me he was extremely nervous and had a lot more to achieve in life. My life is in your hands, he quipped. I laughingly replied that I had not achieved anything as yet, so I had every intention of driving carefully. We had a good laugh. Mehreen also saw the hospitable side of her co-star. When we shot in Chennai, Dhanush arranged a sumptuous home-cooked lunch in his vanity van, for our cameraman Om Prakash sir, director Durai Senthilkumar, Sneha maam, and me. LONDON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The monarch of Britain said Monday the royal family is willing to give "a period of transition" in which Prince Harry and his family would spend time in Canada and the UK. After the royal family had a "very constructive" discussion about the future of Duke and Duchess of Sussex Monday at Sandringham, the Queen said in a statement that despite her preference for the couple to remain as full-time working royals, the royal family is "entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family". "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family," it said. Harry and Meghan published a statement last week saying that they intend to "step back" as senior royals, spending time in North America and being financially independent. "Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK," the Queen's statement said. However, it added, due to the complex nature of the issue, "there is some more work to be done", but the Queen has asked for "final decisions to be reached in the coming days". British media reported that the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry met at Sandringham to discuss the plans Monday. New Chief Financial Officer (CFO) brings 20+ years of financial experience and an extensive background in the software industry Dr. Matthias Heiden to succeed Arnd Zinnhardt and become Member of Executive Board Software AG (Frankfurt MDAX: SOW) today announced the appointment of Dr. Matthias Heiden as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Dr. Heiden will be taking over from Arnd Zinnhardt, who will step down after 18 years in the role. Dr. Heiden will join Software AG and assume the role of CFO and Member of the Executive Board officially after a transition period is completed. Dr. Heiden is a highly accomplished finance leader with an extensive background in the software industry and international experience within large global DAX-listed companies. He will join Software AG from SAF-HOLLAND S.A., where he is currently CFO with overall responsibility for a wide range of key functions, including: Finance, Controlling, HR, Investor Relations, Legal Compliance, and Corporate Communications. Headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, SAF-HOLLAND is Europe's largest independent commercial vehicle supplier. Before joining SAF-HOLLAND, Dr. Heiden spent 12 years with SAP SE in a range of senior leadership roles, including CFO SAP Deutschland and SAP Head of Global Treasury. His final role with SAP was that of Regional CFO for Middle and Eastern Europe, where he was a member of both SAP's Global and European Leadership teams overseeing significant revenue streams across all lines of business. While at SAP, he was a key player in its transformation to a subscription and cloud-based business model and was co-sponsor of SAP's own finance transformation program, "Finance Run Better Together." Software AG's Chairman of the Supervisory Board Dr. Andreas Bereczky said: "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Heiden to Software AG. His track record gives him an excellent understanding of how software businesses run; combined with new CFO DNA, I am certain he will make an outstanding contribution to Software AG." He added: "On behalf of the Supervisory Board, management team, and all of our employees, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Arnd for his significant contribution to the company over the past 18 years, including the key role he played in the development and implementation of our new strategy, Helix." Sanjay Brahmawar, Chief Executive Officer of Software AG, commented: "I am excited that Matthias Heiden is joining the Software AG team. With his extensive international and software experience, we have found a strong finance leader to support our transformation journey going forward. In addition, I would like to extend my gratitude to Arnd for everything he has done for the success of Software AG and our people." Arnd Zinnhardt added: "I have very much enjoyed my time at Software AG and would like to thank my colleagues for their support over the years. We successfully developed Software AG and shaped the company to what it is today. Now that the new Helix strategy is starting to come to fruition, I am pleased to be able to pass the torch to Dr. Heiden." Dr. Matthias Heiden said: "Joining Software AG at this stage in its transformation journey is very exciting. Its financial strength and innovation agenda are compelling. I look forward to taking the company and its finance function to the next level in executing the Helix transformation agenda in the coming years." Dr. Heiden holds a PhD in Business Administration from Saarland University in Germany. He lives with his wife and daughter in Speyer, Germany. Software AG's Q4 and annual financial results will be announced as planned on January 29, 2020. About Software AG Software AG offers Freedom as a Service. We reimagine integration, spark business transformation and enable fast innovation on the Internet of Things so you can pioneer differentiating business models. We give you the freedom to connect and integrate any technology-from app to edge. We help you free data from silos so it's shareable, usable and powerful-enabling you to make the best decisions and unlock entirely new possibilities for growth. Learn more about Software AG at www.softwareag.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005093/en/ Contacts: Otmar F. Winzig Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations +49-6151-92-1969 otmar.winzig@softwareag.com Sarah Logan Vice President, Communications +44 2077 880 157 sarah.logan@softwareag.com The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, noted that the Day of Diplomacy, which was allocated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has become a unique annual event that highlights the role of Bahraini diplomacy in supporting Bahrains achievements at various levels, based on a solid foundation of support by HM the King and the reform approach, which developed the political, economic and social fields in the Kingdom. The minister was speaking as he participated in opening the Diplomatic Forum in the presence of the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Member Adel Ahmed Al Jubeir, Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, senior officials and diplomats. Shaikh Khalid expressed deep thanks and appreciation for the keenness of the participants to share their expertise and successful practices, adding that the experience will strengthen the role of diplomatic missions abroad to continue Bahrains proactive policy. Bahrains foreign policy is committed to asserting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, as well as protecting its security, defending its interests, enhancing its global position and reputation, in addition to strengthening its relations with brotherly and friendly countries and developing co-operation with regional and international organisations, he said. The Kingdom is also keen to defend Arab and Islamic issues and promote the values of peace, coexistence and dialogue among various cultures, and combatting extremism and terrorism, Shaikh Khalid added. Mr Al Jubeir stressed the depth of relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia which extend to centuries, not years or decades, noting their steady consensus in facing challenges, thanks to the wisdom of their leaders and to the good balance, rationality and foresight of their policies. He stressed the ability of the two countries to continue to accomplish achievements and face various challenges in light of their close co-operation and co-ordination. The Day of Diplomacy included discussion sessions that addressed the objectives and strategies of the government action, culture as a stepping stone to Bahrains international standing, and Bahrains economy in its global context The ceremony featured the screening of a documentary about Bahrains policies in the past and present and the presentation of the Diplomatic Excellence Awards to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs laureates in recognition of their distinguished merits. Separately, Shaikh Khalid received Mr Al Jubeir, in the presence of Dr Al Zayani. The two sides reviewed the historic solid relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hailing their development in all fields. They also affirmed their keenness to continue co-ordination and co-operation regarding various issues in all international forums. They exchanged viewpoints on ways to strengthen the GCC process and discussed the latest developments in the region as well as supporting all efforts to enhance regional and international peace and security. National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander Major General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa received at his majlis yesterday Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid, Dr Al Zayani and Bahraini ambassadors abroad. Major-General HH Shaikh Nasser thanked the ambassadors taking part in the forum for their efforts to serve Bahrain and promote its international status. He said Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, represents a pioneering model in foreign policy that is based on the principles of respect, positive cooperation, no interference in other countries internal affairs, emphasising the kingdoms sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting its security and defending its interests. A poverty-stricken Chinese student who lived on 20p a day has died in poverty after suffering from complications caused by severe malnutrition, according to her family. Wu Huayan, 24, weighed only a bit more than three stone before her death because she could not afford to buy food, it was reported. Ms Wu from rural Guizhou Province had only two yuan (20p) to spare each day on meals because she had to save money to treat her ill brother. Wu Huayan from China's Guizhou Province has died after suffering from complications brought by malnutrition. Her parents both died and she had to look after her ill brother Ms Wu died of an unspecified illness yesterday afternoon in hospital, her family told Beijing Youth Daily. The news was confirmed by the government of Ms Wu's hometown, Shabahe County, to Shanghai-based The Paper. The news of her death came as Chinese President Xi vowed to build an all-around Xiaokang, or moderately prosperous, society and eliminate extreme poverty by the end of 2020. It also came after a Chinese province last week declared that only 17 out of its 80 million residents were in poverty. She was only allowed to eat two steam buns or two bowls of plain steamed rice each day because of her financial situation. She ate as little as possible, leading her to be malnourished Ms Wu stood 4ft 5in tall and weighed 21.5kg (47 pounds). She was a student at the Shenghua Vocational College in the city of Tongren. Her mother died when she was four and her father died when she was 18, leaving her to be the sole carer of her younger brother who is mentally ill. In an interview in October, Ms Wu said she received 300 yuan (33) per month from the local government as welfare, but with that money she also needed to cover part of her sibling's medical bills. For the previous five years, she had lived extremely frugally, eating as little food as possible. 'I am not like other people who can ask for money from their parents after they spend it. I don't have parents,' she said in the video interview. With an impossible two yuan daily food budget, she was only allowed to eat two steam buns or two bowls of plain steamed rice. 'I used to have plenty of hair. But in the third year of high school, my hair started to fall out in lumps, so did my eyebrows,' Ms Wu said. She added that her brother had to be hospitalised in the same year. Ms Wu, a college student, initially refused to see the doctor for her malnutrition out of financial concerns, her classmates had to carry her to hospital by force to ensure she would be treated Good Samaritans reached out to help Ms Wu, donating more than 76,700 to her last year Although the government covered half of her brother's medical bills, she still had to borrow 5,000 yuan (548) to pay for the rest. In an interview with Guizhou City News, she said she knew she had been malnourished, but could not afford to go to hospital. 'I often felt no strength in my limbs, could not sleep and my feet started to swell,' she said. After entering college, Ms Wu took a student loan and worked two part-time jobs in order to improve her financial situation. But in September, Ms Wu's classmates demanded that she go to the doctor after seeing her frail physical condition. Ms Wu initially refused out of financial concerns, so her classmates carried her to hospital by force. Apart from malnutrition, she was found to have problems with her heart valves and need surgery, which would cost more than 20,000 yuan (2,100). Just when Ms Wu was about to give up medical treatment because of the astronomical cost, Good Samaritans heard of her story and helped her set up online crowd-funding pages. She thanked people who helped her for their generosity. She said she looked forward to the day when she could recover. Ms Wu died yesterday afternoon of an unspecified illness Her story was also reported by local and national news outlets. Tongren Women's Association shared her story on its social media account, encouraging the public to help her. Kind-hearted strangers donated 700,000 yuan (76,724) to the student in the space of two days - more than enough for her surgery and nursing fees. Tongren Civil Affairs Bureau then offered 200,000 yuan (21,909) to Ms Wu as emergency subsidisation. The authority also promised to do whatever it could to ensure that Ms Wu received proper medical care. Ms Wu said she looked forward to the day when she could recover. 'I still want to write my articles and poetry. This is the life I want,' she said. DAMASCUS, Syria - Syrias air defences confronted an aerial aggression from Israel that targeted an air base in the countrys centre late Tuesday, state media reported quoting a military official. The official quoted by the state news agency SANA said the attack targeted the T-4 air base in Homs province shortly after 10 p.m. local time. The official said the attack only caused material damage to the base, saying most rockets were intercepted while only four landed in the targeted area. There was no immediate Israeli comment. Israel has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Syria over the past years but it rarely comments on what it targets. Israel is widely believed to have been behind airstrikes mainly targeting Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria that have joined the countrys war fighting alongside the government. The attack on Tuesday comes during heightened tension after the recent escalation between the U.S. and Iran, Damascus main ally in the region. A U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed Irans top general earlier in January. Gen. Qassim Soleimani was the main architect of Irans policy in Syria, where thousands of allied fighters fought alongside President Bashar Assads forces in the countrys civil war. Russia announced late last year that it had delivered the S-300 air defence system to Syria. Russia, too, is a key ally of Assad, and its intervention in the civil war, beginning in 2015, turned the tide in his favour. TEHRAN, Iran - Iran said Tuesday that authorities have made arrests for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which killed all 176 people on board and set off protests in the country demanding accountability after officials initially concealed the cause of the crash. Irans Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said some individuals were arrested after extensive investigations. His statement on the judiciarys website did not say how many people had been detained or name those arrested. Iran at first dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane, but in the face of mounting evidence officials acknowledged on Saturday three days after that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States. The plane, en route from Tehran to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians and 57 Canadians, many of whom were Iranians with dual citizenship. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant. Irans president on Tuesday called for a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts to be set up to probe the incident. The responsibility falls on more than just one person, President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech, adding that those found culpable should be punished. There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly, he said, without elaborating. Rouhani called the incident a painful and unforgivable mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case by all means. This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court, he said. Tensions have been escalating since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, then reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the accord. The deal has quickly unraveled since then, with Iran steadily breaking away from limits on its nuclear program and Europe unable to find ways to keep Tehran committed. The U.S. sanctions have devastated Irans economy. On Tuesday, Britain, France and Germany triggered the so-called dispute mechanism action that paves way for possible further sanctions in response to Irans moves. Tensions sharply escalated further after on Jan. 3, when a U.S. airstrike killed Irans most powerful commander, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles on military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq to avenge Soleimanis killing. The Ukrainian plane was shot down in Tehran as Iranian forces were on alert for possible U.S. retaliation. While Rouhani pointed to mistakes and negligence, he also repeated the governments line that the plane tragedy was ultimately rooted in U.S. aggression. It was the U.S. that made for an agitated environment. It was the U.S. that created an unusual situation. It was the U.S. that threatened and took our beloved (Soleimani), he said. Rouhani called the governments admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a first good step. He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian planes flight recorder, the so-called black box, have sent it to France for analysis. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the shootdown. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane, I wished I was dead. The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for U.S. military retaliation. The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the countrys leadership. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. Also Tuesday, Irans judiciary said that 30 people had been detained in the protests, and that some were released, without elaborating further. An Iranian film director whod called for protests in Tehrans Azadi, or Freedom, Square is among those released. Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening. Hes said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane shootdown and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest. Irans Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador on Sunday to protest what it said was his presence at an illegal protest. Britain, in turn, summoned Irans ambassador on Monday to convey our strong objections over the weekend arrest. Irans top prosecutor, Mohammad Javad Montazeri, was quoted in local media Tuesday saying the British ambassador must be expelled from the country as soon as possible. ___ Batrawy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Jaipur, Jan 14 : Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the discussions regarding the creation of the new post of Chief of Defence Staff were going on for over 20 years, however Prime Minister Narendra Modi "gave his instant approval for the same without wasting any time." "After becoming Defence Minister, I discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave his instant approval for the same without wasting any time," Singh said here. Singh was addressing a programme on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day organised in Jaipur. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was also present on the occasion. Singh had all words of praise and respect for Army veterans. He said, "We should never forget our ex-servicemen. Their work remains incomparable. The country has a longstanding tradition of respecting our ex-servicemen." He said, "In fact, veterans were the ones who inspired us to create the CDS post," adding that many schemes are being discussed for army veterans one of which includes making the pension system online. "Many other schemes are being discussed for the welfare of Army veterans, he said adding that the Prime Minister had recently announced the setting up of three major army hospitals. He said Gen Rawat is attending his first event after taking over as India's first ever Chief of Defence Staff. "He has a strong respect for veterans and hence he is here to mark his presence in the programme," Singh said. The minister said the government is aiming to bring India among the top three best performing countries in terms of economic parameters by 2030 and to become a 5-trillion-dollar economy. Speaking further on creating CDS position, he said that the formation of CDS shall streamline many processes and resolve many challenges being faced by Army, Navy and Air Force. "Many projects which we were thinking about earlier shall now be implemented. This (creation of CDS) was also required as our country is presently moving at a fast pace," he said, adding "it was paramount for us to look into geopolitical issues." He said the Department of Military Affairs has been set up for the first time in India which will further streamline things in the defence sector. Burisma's website had been subject to multiple break-in attempts over the past six months. Russian military hackers tried to steal emails from the Ukrainian energy firm where Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden, had a seat on the board, a U.S. cybersecurity firm said on Monday. Energy company Burisma Holdings Ltd was at the center of attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump last July to pressure Ukrainian authorities to announce an investigation into the Bidens for purported corruption, an effort that has led to the Republican being impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Reuters said. Read alsoUkraine wants to probe Burisma. But it's "too sensitive" media California-based Area 1 Security identified the hacking of Burisma and linked it to Russia's Main Directorate of Military Intelligence, or GRU. The same hacking group, known as "Fancy Bear" by cybersecurity researchers, breached the Democratic National Committee in 2016 in what U.S. investigators described as part of an operation to disrupt that year's election. "You can see this attack really is starting to parallel with what we saw in 2016," Oren Falkowitz, Area 1's chief executive, said in an interview. The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials at the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment. Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A source close to Burisma told Reuters the company's website had been subject to multiple break-in attempts over the past six months but did not provide further details. What data the hackers were looking to steal is not clear, Area 1 said. Breaching Burisma could yield communications from, to, or about Hunter Biden, who served as a director between 2014 and 2019. A leak of stolen data could potentially affect the impeachment process and U.S. electoral contest. Area 1 said it became aware of the Russian targeting of Burisma after its email security scanning product found suspicious evidence online, including "decoy domains" websites designed to imitate legitimate email services used by Burisma's subsidiaries. Publicly available domain registration records examined by Reuters show that the hackers created the decoy domains between November 11, the day before U.S. Democrats began their first public impeachment hearings, and December 3, the day before the House Judiciary Committee took up the issue. Area 1's report said it discovered the GRU had targeted two subsidiaries of Burisma, KUB Gas LLC and Esko Pivnich, as well as CUB Energy Inc, which was affiliated with the firm, using lookalike domains intended to trick employees into providing their email passwords. Burisma and its subsidiaries share the same email server, Area 1 said, meaning a breach at any of the companies could expose them all. The report gave a limited indication of how Area 1 determined that the lookalike domains were the work of the GRU, pointing mainly to similarities in how the hackers had previously set their digital traps. Area 1 co-founder Blake Darche said unpublished data gathered by his firm linked the operation to a specific officer in Moscow, whose identity he was unable to establish. But Darch said "we are 100 percent certain" that the GRU was behind the hacking. An outside researcher, Kyle Ehmke of Virginia-based cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect, who reviewed the malicious domains flagged by Area 1, said based on the information he had seen, he believed "with moderate confidence" that the websites were devised by the GRU. Ehmke said that the hacking operation against Burisma used tools and methods consistent with Russian hackers associated with the GRU, but that a complete picture was lacking. The Eastport attorney who started the case that led to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act and then, supporters believe, was framed by state officials on a felony marijuana charge in 1968 to end his efforts was finally pardoned by the state on January 7. Donald Gellers, who died in 2014 in New York at age 78, was a strong advocate for the Passamaquoddy Tribe through community organizing and his lobbying for changes to existing laws while he worked as a lawyer in Eastport for eight years, starting in 1963. In issuing the posthumous pardon, Governor Janet Mills stated, "While this pardon cannot undo the many adverse consequences that this conviction had upon Mr. Gellers' life, it can bestow formal forgiveness for his violation of law and remove the stigma of that conviction. Let it also remind us of these guiding truths: That, when enforcing the law, proportionality is an essential component of fundamental fairness, and that fundamental fairness is the essential moral and legal promise that a thoughtful government makes to its people. And that history will long judge whether and how that promise is kept." Mills' statement acknowledges that "there is merit" to the claim that the state had sought to thwart Gellers' "outspoken political and legal advocacy" for the tribe. She points out that even the chief of the Maine State Police stated at the time that a felony charge for small personal possession of marijuana was severe; that his arrest and trial were all handled by the state's top officials, "a unique level of attention to a small personal possession case"; that the state allowed Gellers to leave the country rather than serve his sentence following his felony conviction, which was all that was needed to disbar Gellers and end his advocacy in Maine; and that the penalty for the co-defendant, Al Cox, who was the one in actual possession of the six marijuana cigarettes, was only to forfeit the $500 bail that was posted for him. While Cox simply forfeited the minimal bail, Gellers "was deprived of his entire livelihood." A story about justice Mary Creighton, a former Pleasant Point tribal councillor who was a friend of Gellers, says, "I know for a fact that he was framed." She says that a tribal member who has since passed away would talk after Gellers' arrest about how he had placed marijuana cigarettes in the pockets of Gellers' vest, which was in his closet, while Gellers was in Boston filing the initial land claims case for the tribe. The tribal member said he had been working with people in the state government to frame Gellers, since the state "didn't want to lose the land that the Passamaquoddys laid claim to," Creighton says. Creighton adds that Gellers had helped her with a custody case and became a friend of the family. "I'd always known Don to be a gentleman. He was a decent person." Another tribal member, Dwayne Tomah, notes that Gellers' story is riveting. "It's about justice, it's about equality and demonstrating that doing the right thing is so important. Despite the pressures applied and his life being threatened, he rose above all that and sought justice for the Passamaquoddy people. He set the standard for providing justice for indigenous people." Tomah says that Gellers "exposed the corruption going on within the state," which included taking the tribe's lands and resources, mishandling its monies and abusing the rights of the people. "That's the reason why the state was so involved in this case. They wanted to make it difficult for him to continue the legal battle to right the injustices levied against the tribe." Madonna Soctomah, a former tribal representative, says she was moved by how Gellers' life was so changed by the arrest and conviction. "It gripped me in what the impact was on a human being's life in such a tragic way, when he intended to do something that might have been beneficial to the Passamaquoddy Tribe. It altered the rest of his life tremendously. It just brought me to such a feeling of tragedy for any human being who tried to do anything with good intent." Advocacy for the tribe In a letter that Gellers wrote in February 1979 to request some payment for his work for the tribe, which he had never received, he related what he and tribal members went through during the years leading up to the land claims case. While practicing law in Eastport, he had worked for seven years in the 1960s as the tribe's lawyer, "alone, all of that time, against the whole State of Maine." He wrote that he "was dealing with a people that had known so many defeats that hope, itself, was a victory." He noted that tribal members "died of malnutrition and burned up in their shacks. Getting arrested for anything meant getting convicted. Living meant begging the welfare Indian agent for groceries and clothes, having children taken from parents and placed for adoption in non-Indian homes, not voting for the legislature or serving on juries, and occasionally talking about land and treaty rights that no one ever respected. I stopped all that, and stopped it peacefully." While he was the father of the land claims effort that led to the 1980 settlement with the state, Gellers also accomplished much else for the tribe, including having the state legislature: create the Department of Indian Affairs; allow the tribe to make on-reservation ordinances, to reduce police harassment; approve a new Maine Indian Housing Authority Act that allowed the tribe to operate their own housing authorities; and pass a law giving tribal members the right to hunt for their own sustenance on reservation lands and to govern their hunting, fishing and trapping. He also got the federal government to allow the state's tribes to have their own anti-poverty program, which allowed for school children to have hot lunches and breakfasts. He helped tribal members get federal small business loans, set up a tribal newspaper and secured court returnings of tribal children taken from their families and defended tribal members in court. His efforts, though, meant that he had "acquired enemies because of my involvement" in helping the tribes, he wrote in the letter. He noted that his life was first threatened by a wealthy Eastport man who showed his law office clerk two bullets, saying they were for Passamaquoddy Chief George Francis and him, unless they stopped pressing the land claims case. "I wrote the man's lawyer, Oscar Whalen, who refused to answer me, even when I telephoned him about it." Another morning he awoke to find a sign on his lawn saying he was a communist, and the following week there was another sign with a swastika. He confronted State Rep. Kenneth Mills of Eastport about the signs, and while Mills did not say he had placed them, he "never denied it," wrote Gellers. Gellers lived in the Hobbs house, which also served as his office at the corner of Shackford and Middle streets in Eastport. The house may have a history in the fight for equality in the U.S., as local legend says it was as a safe house for the Underground Railroad, with a secret room built in the foundation to hide runaway slaves seeking their freedom in Canada. The house also was the location where the state ended up arresting Gellers. He alleges that the state used a tribal member and a "buddy" posing as an "armed Mafia gunman" who was actually a state police officer to set him up on the marijuana charge. The two had gone into his house and came and went for several days while Gellers was away. When Gellers returned, he found the two in his living room. They then called in "a squad of state policemen," who burst in and arrested Gellers for possessing six marijuana cigarettes. Gellers ended up being convicted on a felony charge of "constructive possession" of marijuana and was sentenced to two to four years in state prison, although no one had "ever gone to the state penitentiary" for possessing marijuana, he noted. The attorney who ended up taking over the land claims case from Gellers, Tom Tureen, swore to an affidavit that stated that a member of the Maine Attorney General's Office admitted that the AG's office sought to prevent the land claims suit from being heard in court and prosecuted Gellers for the marijuana violation, subjecting him "to terroristic measures never employed on anyone else." John Kelly, who had been an assistant attorney general at the time of Gellers' arrest, is currently one of three members of the Governor's Board on Executive Clemency that recommends to the governor whether a pardon should be granted. During the board's proceedings on October 17, he recused himself from involvement in the Gellers pardon application. He has not responded to an inquiry concerning why he recused himself. History now corrected In his letter to the board, Robert Checkoway, the Freeport attorney who petitioned for Gellers' pardon, working pro bono for Gellers family, wrote, "From a humble law office in Eastport, petitioner Don Gellers became the first lawyer ever to take up the cases and causes of Maine's Indians, fighting the establishment and prevailing culture. In the space of about 10 years between his move to Maine in the early 1960s and his forced departure he campaigned in court and the broader community for equality for natives, their right to public accommodations and to recognition by the federal government, and pioneered the effort to recover compensation for centuries of improper land transfers, which had divested them of their aboriginal holdings. His effort helped end the archaic and oppressive management of the Indian agent system and gradually turned the entire state from a pattern of oppressing and excluding our original peoples to one of recognition and closer to equality. The land claims case he started became the first of several other successful suits by other eastern tribes." Checkoway noted that Gellers was "an avowed counterculturalist" and had admitted using marijuana, "but the facts of his arrest just days after he returned from Massachusetts to file the original Indian land claims case created a strong public impression that the conviction was motivated by the state's desire to remove him from the case." Checkoway wrote that, following the conviction, Gellers, who was Jewish, was allowed to leave Maine and go to Israel rather than go to prison. He served in the Israeli Army, fighting in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, during which he was wounded, and then pursued religious studies. After returning to New York, he became a rabbi, and until his death in November 2014 he served without compensation as the religious official of the Moroccan Jewish Organization of New York. According to Checkoway, "Gellers remarried twice after returning to New York and fathered a daughter by his second marriage. When that marriage dissolved, lawyers for his ex-wife used the record of his Maine conviction to deny him custody of the girl. Unable to protect her, she fell into addiction and died young. The conviction for possession of marijuana in Maine had the ironic and tragic extended effect of preventing him from saving her from the danger of more serious drugs." Following the issuing of the pardon on January 7, Checkoway stated, "The corrected history will now record that Don Gellers -- Rabbi Tuvia BenSchmuel Yosef -- was a courageous advocate for civil rights, not an outlaw. The state of Maine considers him a citizen hero, a person who devoted his whole life to help others and make the world and our part of it a better place, and now without any demerits." He added, "The lawsuit brought by an unruly lawyer in Washington County 50 years ago which threatened to upend centuries of legal structures and land ownership was not, in the end, a threat too great for our own system to handle. Even after settling the fundamental legal issues of land transfer and ownership we still have a long way to go to meet our indigenous hosts with real fairness, but it can be done. Just ask what Don Gellers would do." Patnaik, who hails from Odisha, pursued his graduation from Utkal University in 1979. (Photo Credit: ANI/Twitter) New Delhi: Incumbent Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik will retire from his post on January 31. Patnaik, an Indian Police Services (IPS) officer from the 1985 batch, was appointed to the top post on January 30, 2017. Earlier, reports had surfaced that the Ministry of Home Affairs would not be seeking to renew the term of Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. The MHA had written to Election Commission (EU) that the process of appointing Delhi Commissioner is on. Consequent upon attaining the age of superannuation, Amulya Kumar Patnaik, IPS:1985, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, shall stand retired from government service with effect from 31.01.202, an official order approved by Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday stated. Patnaik, who hails from Odisha, pursued his graduation from Utkal University in 1979 and his masters from the University of Delhi in 1981. Amulya Patnaiks term as Delhi Police Commissioner witnessed several controversies. Questions were raised over the management of the Delhi police right from the protests at Jamia Millia Islamia University to the police deployment in Jawaharlal National University. The confrontation between Delhi police and advocates after police personnel on duty outside Delhis courts were allegedly assaulted by lawyers, following scuffles over a parking dispute gained traction. Things went awry for Patnaik when thousands of cops shouted, Humara Commissioner (of Police) kaisa ho, Kiran Bedi jaisa ho while demanding action against lawyers involved in attack on their colleagues. Also Read: Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik Calls Urgent Meeting To Discuss Cops Protest Along with this, the infamous clashes in Delhi's Chawri Bazar took place with Patnaik as Delhi commissioner. News agency ANI had that time reported Patnaik was reprimanded by Home Minister Amit Shah, however, the top Delhi cop called it a simple briefing. Moreover, Patnaik is credited for launching special units to prevent crimes against women such as the anti-obscene calls cell and anti-stalking cell. Also Read: Cops Are On Street, Situation Is Grim, Where Is Home Minister Amit Shah?: Congress Among some prominent cases that Patnaik handled are the parcel bomb case, the sensational Sarita Vihar kidnapping and the busting of the notorious Asghar gang. He has also been credited with planning and managing the security of the lone train journey undertaken by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. Patnaik is a recipient of the Presidents Police Medal for distinguished service and police medal for meritorious service. 8 hurt in stabbing in Colorado: Eight people were injured by a male suspect in an apparent random stabbing rampage near downtown Colorado Springs, police said Monday. The suspect was restrained by some of his victims and arrested, police said. Some of the victims were attacked on streets and some were found injured in the city's America the Beautiful Park over the course of about a half-hour, police said. Officers responded to the stabbings at about 1:30 a.m. More than 8 million federal student loan borrowers use income-driven repayment plans. These plans can drop payments to $0 based on a borrowers income and family size. And after 20 or 25 years 10 if you work in public service any remaining balance is forgiven. But to stay on these plans, you must recertify your personal information annually. Failing to do so can lead to consequences like increased payments, a bigger loan balance and, eventually, default. Yet more than half of borrowers miss their deadlines, according to data from the Department of Education. A new law addresses this issue by letting borrowers opt in to automatic recertification. James Kvaal, president of the nonprofit Institute for College Access & Success, expects this change to take months, not years, to implement. Borrowers should continue to watch for recertification requirements, Kvaal says, and when the opportunity comes to opt in, they should. You will still likely have to recertify income-driven plans manually in 2020. Heres how to hit your deadline. Watch for reminders Your servicer, the company you make payments to, must inform you of your recertification deadline. It may do this via email, letter or phone call. A federal loan servicer spokesperson said borrowers must be notified at least twice, 90 and 60 days before their deadline, but some servicers use more touchpoints. Ignoring these messages tripped up Jeffrey Dohm, 36, of Salina, Kansas. I was pretty much just paying with automatic withdrawals, Dohm says. I didnt really log in to my account all that often, and so I missed notifications. He realized something was wrong after a $500 loan payment was withdrawn from his bank account roughly four times his regular amount. Dohm says he had enough of a cushion to avoid overdrafting but had to temporarily pause repayment due to the lost savings. He now checks his student loan account every couple of months for notifications and advises others to do the same. Mark your calendar Deadlines stay the same if you recertify on time each year, so set your own reminder in case you miss your servicers. Robert Lowen, 47, of Sarasota, Florida, uses a calendar program and creates alerts to remember his date. Although (recertification is) not a difficult process, he says, too many things can and do fall through the cracks. Lowen says aligning the process with another annual task, completing his taxes, also helps him remember. Hes missed recertification only once in nine years. Borrowers who dont know their deadline can find it in the National Student Loan Data System. Your servicer can also confirm the date. Apply early and online Recertifications take about two weeks to process but can be longer depending on your financial situation. For example, someone with irregular income may need to provide additional documentation like pay stubs or a letter from an employer to finish. A federal loan servicer spokesperson said borrowers should submit everything within the 90-day window before their deadline to avoid delays. You can recertify via a paper form or at studentaid.gov. Online renewal is preferred, as it streamlines processing and lets you import income information directly from the IRS. Dont pay a third-party debt relief company for help. Borrowers should avoid paying for services the federal loan servicers provide for free, Education Department press secretary Angela Morabito told NerdWallet. Avoid consequences Borrowers who miss their recertification deadline should take immediate action. Get that paperwork in as soon as possible, says Persis Yu, director of the nonprofit National Consumer Law Centers Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. Consequences start 10 days after the missed deadline: Payments become based on what you owe, rather than your income, and typically increase. Lowen says his bill rose from $160 to around $900. For most income-driven plans, all unpaid interest capitalizes that is, its added to your balance, increasing the amount you pay interest on. Loan forgiveness can be delayed. Dohm, a therapist at the nonprofit Central Kansas Mental Health Center, says missing deadlines has cost him four payments toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. During that 10-day grace period, you can ask your servicer to pause payments via an administrative forbearance while you sort out your paperwork. Forbearance is also available after that point, but the unpaid interest will have capitalized. Its a process that requires perfection, Yu says, and nobody is perfect. That includes her even Yu says shes missed her recertification date before. This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press. More From NerdWallet Ryan Lane is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: rlane@nerdwallet.com. The article 8 Million Student Loan Borrowers Must Do This in 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AppGuard, Inc , A Blue Planet-works company and leading zero trust cybersecurity solution for endpoints, servers, mobile platforms and IoT devices, today announced the continued onboarding of leading law firms across the globe. Major firms in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan have recently selected AppGuard as a critical component in their cybersecurity stack to provide maximum protection while also reducing overall enterprise security risk and costs.. As cyberattack frequency and sophistication continue to increase, law firms are a major target for advanced cybersecurity attacks due to their sensitive data. AppGuard's patented zero trust solution is unique in the space, providing prevention instead of detection. This approach is proven to be effective against every type of advanced attack, including fileless malware, drive by downloads and zero day. By implementing AppGuard into the enterprise cybersecurity stack, customers reduce their overall risk exposure and experience significant cost savings across the entire IT and cybersecurity cost center. A leading U.S. law firm with offices located in key business centers and political capitals around the globe, needed to provide an additional level of support for their most critical machines that would close all vulnerabilities that may exist. Their IT group, headed by some of the leading cyber experts in the industry, tested AppGuard against their current solutions and other products in the industry. After rigorous testing, they were unable to breach AppGuard and will be using AppGuard to secure their mission critical applications, providing them 100% protection. Two major global firms wanted to replace their current solutions with a zero trust solution. After careful analysis of the leading industry products, they both selected AppGuard based on its ability to prevent every type of attack. AppGuard secures the enterprise by enforcing the integrity of operating system design. Through continuous operating system-based policy enforcement, AppGuard provides the highest level of protection as well as reduces IT and cyber cost overhead. "Protecting our enterprise and data has become a critical component of doing business in today's high-risk environment. We feel confident AppGuard provides us the level of protection that our customers as well as our organization expect." says Director of Information Technology of Am Law 100 Law Firm in New York. "We knew that we needed to increase the level of protection our current solution provided and analyzed all the leading solutions in the industry. AppGuard far exceeded our existing product as well as every other product we tested." says Major U.S. Law Firm. About AppGuard, Inc. AppGuard, a Blue Planet-works company, provides award-winning server and endpoint cybersecurity protection for enterprises as well as small and medium sized businesses. AppGuard's patented inheritance technology maintains the same level of guarding and isolation on any process spawned from a risky application. The technology does not rely on detection and response, and instead prevents. For more information, visit: https://www.appguard.us/ Contact Michael Shelton VP of Marketing E: [email protected] P: 646-374-4956 SOURCE AppGuard Related Links https://www.appguard.us/ Newsfrom Japan Seoul, Jan. 14 (Jiji Press)--South Korean President Moon Jae-in urged Japan on Tuesday to present its own ideas to resolve the issue of South Koreans requisitioned to work for Japanese firms during World War II. Japan should present its own ideas and discuss the issue face-to-face with South Korea, Moon told a New Year's press conference at his presidential office in Seoul. The South Korean government has already presented its proposals several times, he said, adding that his country's legislative body has made efforts as well. Moon said that his government plans to take part in a proposed consultative council aimed at resolving the wartime labor issue. Establishing the council has been proposed by lawyers for plaintiffs in South Korean lawsuits demanding compensation from Japanese companies for wartime labor. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Compeat announced today that it was included on Built In Austin's list of Best Places to Work, Best Midsize Companies to Work for and Companies With the Best Benefits in 2020. Companies are selected based on data submitted by companies and their employees. "We are excited to be included in this list of amazing companies," states Carol Dunnigan, SVP, People and Culture. "Over this past year, we gained input from focus groups, feedback from surveys, and listened to our employees. They told us what it would take to be a best workplace, we paid attention, and will continue to do so as we put them first and make them proud. Our culture of caring for our employees and our customers creates an environment where our team members can be innovative, creative and challenged to meet and exceed our customers' expectations. To be recognized for our culture is truly an honor." Maria Christopoulos Katris, CEO and co-founder of Built In, said, "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our 2020 honorees. Built In aims to change lives by connecting talented tech professionals with jobs they were born to do. These companies have become part of that mission because they stand for more than just the work they're doing. They stand for their people and purpose." She added, "We also extend our gratitude. These companies exemplify what it means to be an employer of choice for today's purpose-driven tech workforce. Writing about them inspires us daily and, in terms of our offering, gives us total confidence that the professionals who visit our websites will find work that gives them a strong sense of professional and personal meaning." Austin is continually included in the lists of top places for tech professionals to work. With a thriving tech scene, companies are flocking to the capital of the Lone Star State. Compeat is proving to be a great fit for Austin's finest talent by being recognized by Built In Austin in these three categories: Best Places to Work in Austin: Built In's "Best Places to Work" list rates companies algorithmically based on compensation data and employer benefits. Rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Best Midsize Companies to Work for in Austin: Built In's "Best Midsize Companies" list rates companies with 101-500 employees algorithmically based on compensation data and employer benefits. Rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Companies with the Best Benefits in Austin: Built In's "Best Perks & Benefits" list rates companies algorithmically based employer benefits. Rank is determined by assigning scores to the benefits that are most important to our core audience. About Compeat With 20 years of industry experience, Compeat is the leading provider of innovative accounting, back office, workforce and business intelligence solutions designed specifically for restaurants. Compeat's solutions are designed to maximize restaurant profitability and control prime cost through actionable business intelligence. Compeat's product portfolio includes Intelligence, Operations Reporting, Accounting, Inventory, Logbook, Labor, Schedule, Employee and Management Mobile Apps and third-party integrations with over 80 plus Point of Sale and Solution Partners. Compeat serves over 1500 restaurant customers with over 15,000 locations ranging from high volume independents to large chains. For more information, visit www.compeat.com. About Built In Working in tech is a way of life. Built In helps people live it with purpose. Across the most vibrant tech hubs in the US, Built In helps tech professionals stay on top of tech news and trends, expand their networks and carve out futures at companies they believe in. Built In attracts a niche audience of 1 million tech professionals every month and, in 2019, the company hit a milestone, serving 1,100 companies annually. Built In recently launched BuiltIn.com, a national hub for tech trend coverage and resources to help professionals grow in their careers. National Site: BuiltIn.com Local Sites: BuiltInChicago.com | BuiltInLA.com | BuiltInColorado.com | BuiltInAustin.com | BuiltInNYC.com | BuiltInBoston.com | BuiltInSeattle.com | BuiltInSF.com BEST PLACES TO WORK: METHODOLOGY Built In's list rates companies algorithmically based on compensation data and employer benefits. Rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Contact: Melanie Swan, [email protected] SOURCE Compeat Related Links http://www.compeat.com A 32-year-old Dublin man is to stand trial accused of the murder of Nadine Lott who died after she sustained serious injuries in her Co Wicklow home shortly before Christmas. Mother-of-one Nadine Lott died on December 17 in St Vincent's Hospital where she had been in a critical condition for the previous three days. The beauty therapist had sustained serious injuries when found at her home in St Mary's Court, Arklow, at around 4am, on December 14 last. On December 16, her ex-partner Daniel Murtagh, of Melrose Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin appeared at Bray District Court accused of a serious assault of Ms Lott. The charge was under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for causing serious harm which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He had said sorry when that charge was put to him. Bail was refused following an objection by Detective Garda Darren Mulhall, of Arklow Garda Station. Mr Murtagh was remanded in custody and faced his third hearing, at Cloverhill District Court, today when the case was upgraded to murder. Detective Garda Mulhall told Judge Victor Blake he charged the accused this morning. He was cautioned after which he made no reply and was then handed a true copy of the charge sheet. Dressed in a black jacket and dark trousers, Mr Murtagh nodded to family members in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom. He sat silently, only speaking quietly to communicate with his solicitor Padraig ODonovan, during the hearing. Noting the new charge, Judge Blake asked if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had issued formal directions. Detective Garda Mulhall said the directions were for trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court. Detective Garda Mulhall also told the court the assault charge still stands. The DPP had also directed that Mr Murtagh could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise. His solicitor Mr ODonovan said, That will not apply. The accused was further remanded in custody and consented to appear via video-link for his next hearing at the same court on January 21. A book of evidence has to be prepared by the DPP He waved to his relatives as he was escorted from the courtroom. Mr ODonovan asked Judge Blake to direct psychiatric and medical attention for his client in custody. Judge Blake agreed to make the recommendation if it was deemed appropriate. Legal aid was granted. Due to the nature of the new charge the district court cannot consider bail and an application will have to be brought to the High Court if the accused seeks to get released pending his trial. Was any consideration given to the high debt burden facing most young physicians, their exceptionally long training requirements, the onerous litigation environment in the United States or even the hours physicians work? Physician salaries are neither the fastest growing nor the largest expenditures in our health-care budget by a long shot. When the British population went to the polls last month, they were voting on not only the next prime minister, but also on the broader issue of whether the country's exit from the European Union would take place and, if so, in what form. Now, with a Conservative majority government in power, Brexit appears all but certain. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's mantra of "get Brexit done" does not mean that the UK will leave with a deal, however. Members of Parliament are likely to approve the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at the end of this month, but the UK must still agree and ratify a trade deal by December 2020 to avoid a cliff-edge exit. If there is no deal, most accept that the consequences could be disastrous, especially for small businesses. Free trade in goods, services and labor across the continent will change, hampering the opportunity to scale and grow. Yet, if the worst were to happen, there is a ray of hope some 2,000 miles away for those British businesses looking to maintain EU access: Estonian e-Residency. A Brexit sanctuary Arguably the most developed digital society in the world, this small country nestled along the Baltic Sea is letting people from across the globe claim residency from afar, with the added benefit of domiciling their business there without the need for a physical presence. The e-Residency program celebrated its fifth anniversary last month. In a recent interview with PitchBook, managing director Ott Vatter recalled its origins: "The initial idea was to open up Estonian digital services and make it possible for foreigners to benefit. The main motivation was that there were quite a few companies registered to Estonia that had business interest in the Baltics, and the board members of these companies had to sign documents in Estonia to do business, but citizens could do it online. So, the first idea was to make their life easier." Vatter continued: "After that, we actually discovered that we were solving a much bigger problem, and the amount of people who are actually interested in the program was much wider than just these already existing companies and the board members of the existing companies. We saw that there was interest outside and inside of the EU from countries where it was difficult to incorporate or people who weren't in their citizenship country all the time. And it grew from there." It sounds almost too good to be true, but by attaining e-Residency, companies can establish and manage their EU-based, location-independent company completely online. The benefits include straightforward administration with minimal cost, remote management, lower cost of business services, access to the EU market and access to a wider range of e-services. It may seem odd that there is essentially a back door into Europe's single market, but most EU countries already allow nonresidents to found companies. It's just the digitization that sets Estonia apart, which has made it a popular choice for people who need to manage their EU operations on the go or outside of the union. So far, more than 60,000 people have signed up for the program, and in excess of 10,000 businesses have been created, around 440 of which originate from the UK. Now, that number is expected to rise. A survey from e-Residency with British companies has shown that 33% of respondents are considering moving out of the UK, most likely due to dissatisfaction with the government's approach to protecting them from the fallout of Brexit. In fact, the survey found that British businesses are more scared of a no-deal Brexit than their headquarters catching on fire. "It is not surprising that there is still a great deal of confusion and apprehension three years after the UK chose to leave the EU. Companies simply have not had the support they need to prepare adequately for Brexit, and this in turn is affecting their sense of security and stability in doing business in the UK," Vatter explained. "Staying in the UK can help the country's economy through this period of uncertainty, but by becoming an e-Resident they don't have to fear a no-deal Brexit or an end to access to the free market." A startup nation Having the e-Residency program further cements Estonia's position as a true haven for startups. While small, the country benefits from a vibrant ecosystem that is getting bigger, thanks to the creation of startups from abroad. Last year, companies based in Estonia raised $86.6 million in VC financing across 21 deals, the second-highest deal value of the decade, behind 2018's $227 million, according to PitchBook data. The country has been home to some of Europe's most recognized and successful businesses. Perhaps the most notable is Skype, whose founders and employees have since gone on to create more than 40 startups. Among those include fintech startup TransferWise, which is now based in London and was co-founded by Skype's first employee, Taavet Hinrikus. Another is ridesharing business Bolt (fka Taxify), which reportedly raised 60 million (around $67 million at today's conversion rate) last July at a valuation of more than $1 billion. "We have really turned our size to our benefit. I mean, it's like a small testing port for all kinds of innovative, new and fresh ideas," Vatter said of the startup ecosystem in Estonia. "I think it's very easy to turn things back, something goes wrong. You can very cost-efficiently test if your business idea works, create the company very quickly and with no substantial cost, which means that if you fail, then you can't go wrong," he pointed out. "In Estonia, there's a big hunger to achieve. We were lucky to have made some good decisions and invest in digital services, kind of like a startup government," said Vatter. "There are a lot of initiatives coming from Estonia, but also pressure. You know, people are always asking what's next and we have to keep it up." Featured image via scanrail/iStock/Getty Images Plus Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said he will leave politics if a single person over five lakh is given citizenship in the state. Referring to the "rising" Muslim population, he said, "Ajmal or his son or his grandson will be the Assam chief minister after 30 years and no one can stop it." Speaking in support of granting citizenship to Hindus, Sarma, who is also the chief of NEDA, BJP's version of the NDA in the northeast, said a Hindu "cannot be a Jinnah as he never attacks anyone" and is secular. The minister was speaking during the debate on the governor's address in the one-day special session of Assam Assembly. He said the amended citizenship law will not violate the Assam Accord. "I'll leave politics if one person more than five lakh is given citizenship. If a single person is added beyond five lakh, the Assam government will take responsibility," the finance minister said. He also supported granting of citizenship to Hindu Bengalis, which is being vehemently protested against by various outfits. "A Hindu cannot be a Jinnah. Not a single Hindu king has destroyed a mosque or a temple. A Hindu is always secular and does not attack anyone," Sarma said. "In Assam Accord, many things were left unresolved... We haven't violated the Assam Accord, but are addressing unresolved issues," he added. The historic Accord, which was signed after the six-year long Assam Agitation, was a four-page document that did not include many things, Sarma claimed. The minister advocated formation of an assembly committee to study the Assam Accord in detail to find out its deficiencies and unresolved issues. "Even the NRC was not part of Assam Accord. It was evolved in a meeting between the AASU, Assam government and the Centre in 2005. The Assam Accord didn't speak about children of those coming before 1971, so it's inconclusive," he added. The Citizenship Act was amended in 1987, 1993 and 2003; and the spirit of the Accord was touched many times earlier than the CAA this time, the minister said. "The Assam Accord is not that bad. If we had read it properly, 1966 would have been the cut off year and 1967 voter list would have been the NRC. I regret that," he claimed, citing the Clause 5 of the pact. He alleged that the ongoing agitation against the CAA is driven by misinformation that over one crore Hindu Bangladeshis will enter Assam. "Who is this Pramanik in Bangladesh saying 2.5 crore people will come to Assam? Is there a conspiracy to destabilise Assam? There are many Islamic fundamentals working to destabilise Assam," Sarma claimed. He stressed that Hindu Bengalis will not affect the culture of Assam as there are many examples of Assamese marrying Bengalis. "Assamese nationalism cannot be based on language. It'll be on the love for the land. For example, we don't speak Missing language but they are part of Assamese nationalism. The theory that Hindu Bengalis will destroy Assamese culture is wrong," the minister added. But the paper doesnt explain why edibles impact you differently than puffing a joint. Thats because not all THC is the same. Lets get scientific for a second. Smoking a joint releases whats called delta-9 THC into your bloodstream. But edibles cause marijuana to go through your liver and releases a different compound called 11-hydroxy THC. Both forms of THC are relatively similar, but when 11-hydroxy THC crosses your blood-brain barrier, it activates receptors in your brain more fully than delta-9 THC does. Did Meghan Markle appear via video link at this week's Sandringham showdown? Even if she didn't, in my head she did. In my head, she didn't even just "dial in", but was beamed into the Queen's Long Library from the Canadian waterfront mansion in which she's sought refuge, like a Hollywood A-lister picking up an award from a provincial backwater it wasn't worth making the trip to. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you today," she would have begun, unleashing that expensive Hollywood dentistry. "I'm on mom duty, as you know. So if Archie suddenly needs a change, you may all just have to bear with me." Then a slanting of the brows and widening of the eyes the way she was told, "to emphasise sincerity", in drama class. "But this moment means so much to me. Really." Meghan and Harry with newborn son Archie at Windsor Castle last May. Credit:PA One would hope so. There's little doubt it was Meghan who brought about the summit in the first place. Harry, bless his cotton polo shirts, won't even know what "progressive" means. And that the Duchess of Sussex wouldn't make the effort (or was too cowardly) to fly in and thrash out a plan with the Queen but was happy to fly to New York to watch her pal Serena Williams in the US Open finals when Archie was four months old is a defining fact in a long list of facts that have defined Meghan in my eyes. Not one of those facts has anything to do with her heritage. Because, in case you've missed the diplomatic incident sparked by Megxit and stoked by the kind of commentators who are always ready to whip out the easiest and laziest card in the pack, it's not Meghan's actions that have driven out the young couple, but racism. Some of the trademarks of the Kali Yuga are that rulers will become a danger to the world, humans will be angry with each other and that there will be climate change. Kali, the cause of this age of darkness, pops up every now and then and causes trouble by possessing someone or the other. He's the colour of soot and has a long tongue If you have noticed my absence from this column, I think it's fair to use a mythological excuse. There's no Greek Muse (the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who is memory personified) for column writing, so I'm just going to pick Thalia the comic Muse and also Clio, the Muse for history, and tell you that those two, usually on my side, holding my bag while I conquer the world etc, have been on a long vacation and so inspiration has been hard to find. Notice I picked history there, as one of the things I write about. Strictly speaking, mythology isn't history at all. None of this really happened, in a way that you and I would call real, at any rate. But to quote Albus Dumbledore, who will surely become a mythological figure in his own right several centuries from now: Of course it's happening inside your own head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? If you believe something, you can usually see it, and feel it. Like love. Or hate. Or anger. Sometimes there's the crushing sense of disappointment, you who have lived so long on this beautiful planet should see the world implode, humans fighting humans, humans fighting animals. What happened to ages when we just invented new gods and composed epic poetry? I'll tell you what happened: it's the Kali Yuga. You've probably heard of the Kali Yuga before. It's what uncles in your colony parks sigh about as they sit in the winter sun, playing cards or generally passing time. My kids don't spend time with me, says one, and the other tells everyone about how his neighbour's daughter goes out at all hours wearing short skirts and tight tops. It's truly the Kali Yuga, they all agree, while secretly wishing they too had a neighbour who left the house barely clad at all hours. But apart from uncles (and some aunties) imagining the wrath of the gods is basically young people being young people, Kali Yuga has its root in various epics, most notably the Mahabharata. Here are some of the trademarks of Kali Yuga that I thought were significant: a) Rulers it says kings, but I'm going to go ahead and say elected officials also will become a danger to the world. b) Humans will be angry with each other. c) Lust and sex will be totally okay with everyone. (Not seeing the downside here, but we have to take the bad with the good.) d) Humans will think of themselves as gods or directly connected to gods and make that their business. (Social media influencers, I'm looking at you.) e) Climate change. (No, really, it's a thing.) Kali, to rhyme with 'gully', is not to be confused with the goddess Kali. He is a vindictive gandharva, one of Hinduism's heavenly beings, sort of like a nymph or a dryad, not a full god himself. First he got pissed at a princess called Damayanti who picked a mere mortal, the prince Nala, over him, so he caused a series of misadventures to befall Nala, including causing him to gamble and lose his whole kingdom. Sound familiar? That's because it was a common theme with Kali. In later years, he was reborn as Duryodhana, Evil Prince, cousin to the Pandavas who entered the world braying like a donkey, a very bad omen. (Although, I mean, if you've never heard a baby cry, you could be forgiven for thinking this was bad.) It's easy to blame Duryodhana's divisive ways on a malevolent being possessing his body, but as everything these days has extra significance for me: mythology is just stories that have been polished enough to make for good listening; a lot of it was also Duryodhana's own fault. Kali is described as dark-skinned on his Wikipedia page , but not the sexy dark skin of Ram or Krishna, who were so dark they were almost blue. No, he's the colour of soot instead, which proves Ancient India was as obsessed with Fair & Lovely as Modern India is today. He has a long tongue and definite body odour. In the Kalki Purana, he's just a demon, fond of gambling and prostitution and gold like certain other world leaders I could mention. In the Bhagwat Purana, however, they turn his awfulness into a caste thing, describing him as a sudra wearing king's clothes with a canine face and green hair. He's got a lot of back story, which I won't go into in detail for the sake of brevity, but basically, he pops up every now and then and causes trouble by possessing someone or the other. He appears in our age, our current Iron Age or Kali Yuga, as soon as Krishna dies, and infected the world with his terrible ways. A Google search for 'Kali Yuga' throws up hopeful questions on Quora. How many years are left in Kalyug? asks one user, while another website promises that we'll be done with this age by 2025, just another five years to go! (If we don't destroy the planet and ourselves first.) Some spiritual gurus believe that Kali Yuga is already over, and we're in a weird middle place, waiting for the next age to happen. Wherever we are the Age of Aquarius, Kali Yuga, Purgatory it's soothing to think that this too shall pass, that we'll be back to a golden age eventually. After all, time is a circle, and we go round and round on it, even if we think we're travelling in a straight line. Read more from the 'Mythology for the Millennial' series here. Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is the author of several books, including The One Who Swam with the Fishes: Girls of the Mahabharata. She tweets @reddymadhavan Police along with forensic team reached her home after being informed by her staff on the incident. Bhopal: A suspicious letter containing harmful powder has been posted to BJPs Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur. Although, the letter was posted in October last year, it was opened on Monday night by her staff here, Ms Thakur told reporters here on Tuesday. My staff opened the letter at 9.30 pm on Tuesday and found a silver coloured pouch containing powder which caused irritation when it came in contact with skin, Ms Thakur, an accused in 2008 Malegaon blast in which six people were killed and 100 others injured, said. Police along with forensic team reached her home after being informed by her staff on the incident. The letter and powder were sent to forensic science laboratory for examination, police said. The letter written in Urdu have photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and herself- all crossed out. The letter could be have been sent by terrorists, but I will not be cowed down, she said. The police has registered a case under Section 326. Democratic lawmakers unveiled a revised version of last years failed carbon cap and trade legislation on Monday at an informational meeting of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. After debating the controversial carbon pricing policy in the last several legislative sessions, backers hope to finally push it across the finish line in the 35-day session that begins Feb. 3. Yet early reaction to Legislative Concept 19, as the bill is known, suggests that there will still be significant opposition to the bill among Republican lawmakers and industrial companies affected by the bill. The carbon pricing program from last years House Bill 2020, known as the Clean Energy Jobs bill, would remain largely intact. The new version would establish a gradually more stringent cap on statewide carbon dioxide emissions and require polluters from the transportation fuels, utility and industrial sectors to acquire emissions allowances to cover every metric ton of their emissions. As the supply of those allowances declines over time, the theory goes, the price of allowances will go up and force polluters to clean up by electrifying transportation, building more wind and solar farms or adopting more efficient production technology. Backers of the bill say theyve made significant changes, however, to lessen its impact on fuel prices for rural Oregonians and the cost of compliance for large industrial firms two sources of loud opposition to HB 2020. At the same time, they contend it will maintain the environmental integrity of the program and the commitment to reduce greenhouse gases 45% below 1990 levels by 2035 and 80% below that level by 2050. A number of people have been looking over the events of last year and poring over the thousands of pages of testimony we received and looking at how we can properly address this issue in a way that addresses the needs of all Oregonians, Michael Dembrow, chair of the Senate committee, said in opening the informational meeting. LC 19 is the result of that. One concession in the new legislation is a geographic phase-in of carbon pricing for suppliers of gasoline and diesel. It would be effective in the Portland area in 2022 and in 2025 for Salem-Keizer, Eugene, Medford, Bend, Corvallis-Albany, plus those cities that consume more than 10 million gallons of fuel a year. That means consumers in those areas will begin seeing higher prices for fuel in that time frame. The Department of Environmental Quality says that will still regulate some 84% of total diesel emissions and 87% of gasoline emissions in the state. Meanwhile, fuel supplied to more rural areas of the state would not be subject to the carbon pricing, though cities and counties could opt in to the program. Once 19 counties opt in, the carbon pricing mechanism would apply statewide. The rural exemption also means those areas wouldnt benefit from the investment of the revenues generated by the program initially at least. Overall, 90% of the revenues generated by the sale of transportation allowances would go to projects where fuels are subject to the carbon price, with a big chunk headed to the Portland metro area. Eighty percent would go to local governments to fund transportation projects. To receive money, those metro areas must have adopted a climate plan. The remaining 20% would go to the Oregon Department of Transportation for use throughout the state. The proposal also changes the treatment of emissions by industrial companies, which will only be regulated on the emissions generated by their industrial processes, not the natural gas they burn. That cuts the number of companies directly regulated under the program from 30 to approximately 11. Those companies would initially get 100 percent free allowances from the state, declining consistent with the statewide emissions cap after 2024. Emissions associated with natural gas consumption by industrial companies would be regulated upstream, at the utility or natural gas marketer that supplies them. So-called trade exposed users of natural gas would be held harmless. The rate relief would initially be equal to 100 percent of their natural gas emissions, declining to 97 percent after 2030 if they comply with regular energy audits by the Energy Trust of Oregon and undertake efficiency upgrades that have a payback period of less than five years. For other industrial companies, gas suppliers will receive free allowances equal to 60% of their consumption, with the money to be used for rate relief to those companies. The amount of those free allowances would decline with the overall cap, meaning they would gradually be subject to greater rate increases under the program. Many of the revisions to the legislation grew out of discussions the governor and her Carbon Policy Office staff had with industrial and forest products companies after the end of last years legislative session. This fall, Senate President Peter Courtneys office also convened a group of lawmakers to work on a version that addressed some of the biggest objections from last year. Sen, Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, was one of the few Democratic holdouts on HB 2020 last year because he felt it disproportionately impacted his rural constituents. He was involved in redrafting the legislation for the 2020 session, and said the primary driver for him was the anxiety that Oregon school children expressed about global warming when he was touring the state in support of the Student Success Act. The changes we have made clearly articulate the need that rural parts of Oregon have, he said Monday. It was imperative from my perspective to start having a conversation that lets most of the young people around the state who are concerned, to give them an understanding that the adults in the state do care and are concernedI think there is a pathway. Im not sure were done yet. But were set up to have a lively discussion in a short period of time. Roblans backing could bolster the Democratic vote count in the Senate, and an additional concession for Boeing could win over Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, D-Gresham, whose flip-flopping at the end of last years session contributed to Courtney killing the bill without a vote. Yet there is still no sign that Republicans have been won over or abandoned the ongoing threat of a walkout to deny Democrats the quorum they need to pass legislation. Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, was included in the talks this fall but said he abandoned the process in frustration. He told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he was disgusted by the process and the resulting legislation. The legislation could still face substantial opposition from industrial companies. Chris McCabe, a lobbyist for the pulp and paper industry, said the draft legislation has gotten considerably worse than what the governor was working on with usOur position had been an outright exemption We havent gotten that. Mark Gram, chief operating officer of Jubitz Corp., a fuel delivery and truck stop company, told lawmakers Monday that he had significant questions about how the geographic phase-in of the carbon pricing for motor fuels would be implemented, and how fuel would be accurately tracked once it left importers and was distributed around the state. It will be a very difficult challenge the way its structured now, he said. Nor does the draft especially appeal to environmental groups, who feel the concessions are an overreaction to the opposition last year. Meredith Connolly, the Oregon director of Climate Solutions, said oil companies are the largest source of pollution in the state, and should not be let off the hook based on where they sell their fuel. Likewise, she said the state needs to ensure that the program doesnt allow large industrial users of natural gas to carry on with business as usual. We want to make changes to avoid legislation that is climate action in name only, if it fails to hold many large polluters accountable and fails to curb their pollution, she said. Warren Would Bypass Congress to Eliminate Student Loan Debt Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced she would implement a plan to eliminate student loan debt that can bypass Congress, and it would be initiated on her first day in office. In a plan released on Tuesday, Warren said she would call on the secretary of education to use their authority to begin to compromise and modify federal student loans consistent with my plan to cancel up to $50,000 in debt for 95 percent of student loan borrowers. That would impact about 42 million Americans. Were facing a student loan crisisone thats holding back our economy and crushing millions of American families, Warren said in the release. She said she previously introduced a plan to broadly cancel student loan debt, provide universal tuition, free public two- and four-year college and technical school, ban for-profit colleges from receiving federal aid, and help end racial disparities in college enrollment and resources. Citing potential congressional votes to block such a plan, Warren said the United States cannot wait. The Department of Education already has broad legal authority to cancel student debt, she wrote in her release. Her announcement adds urgency to the legislation (pdf) that she introduced last year to cancel the most outstanding student loan debt. At the same time, Warren is looking to make significant headway ahead of the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries next month. In recent weeks, she has slipped in the polls and is now behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). In some polls, including surveys taken in Iowa, she trails former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg as well. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Americans hold more than $1.6 billion in student debt as of Jan. 8. The Institute for College Access & Success noted that more than 60 percent of new graduates in Iowa and 75 percent of graduates in New Hampshire have student debt. Last year, Sanders introduced a plan to forgive all student debt held by 45 million Americans, saying it could be paid for by new taxes on Wall Street. His plan would also make two- and four-year public colleges debt- and tuition-free. Warren, however, is the only candidate who said they would eliminate student loan debt via executive power. If we want to achieve the kind of big, structural changes that will make our education system, our economy, and our society work for everyone, were going to need to use every tool, every scrap of opportunity that comes our way, to help working families, Warren said in a release. The future of our economy and the lives of a generation of student loan borrowers are at risk, and Im committed to seeing this fight through no matter what. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Joint working plans for 2020 were signed between Turkmenistan and UN organizations in Ashgabat on Jan. 14, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen government. A number of annual working plans for 2020 were signed with UNICEF. Among them are documents entitled "Improved legislative framework on the rights of the child" signed with the Turkmen parliament, "Survival and well-being of children" and Qualitative and inclusive early childhood education signed with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, "Improved social protection system for children" signed with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, "Enhancing access to qualitative data" signed with the Turkmen State Statistics Committee, "Coordination and monitoring of the rights of the child" signed with the Turkmen Institute of State, Law and Democracy, and Protection and promotion of the rights of the child signed with the Turkmen Office of the Ombudsman. A number of annual working plans for 2020 were signed with the United Nations Population Fund. Among them are Improving Youth Access to Reproductive Health Knowledge and Promoting Strengthening the System and Mechanisms for Promoting Gender Equality signed with the Turkmen parliament, Improving the Quality of Integrated Services in Reproductive Health and Disaggregated Data for Sustainable National Development signed with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, "Improving Youth Access to Reproductive Health Knowledge" signed with the Ministry of Education and "Promoting Strengthening of the System and Mechanisms for Promoting Gender Equality" signed with the Turkmen Institute of State, Law and Democracy. The annual joint action plan for 2020 within the Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkmen government and the UN Office for the Coordination of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency Preparedness, Response was also signed. CSB Bank announced that the regulatory restrictions imposed by Reserve Bank of India on opening of new branches, vide their letter dated 30 January 2015 in view of the delayed Initial Public offering of shares of the Bank, have been lifted by RBI, with effect 10 January 2020. Accordingly, the Bank can currently open branches under the general permission of Reserve Bank of India for all banks subject to the condition that the Bank should ensure that at least 25% of the total number of "Banking Outlets" opened during a financial year are opened in unbanked rural centres, which is applicable for all banks, as part of the general permission. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Apparently theocracy is being launched through the U.S. military by the Episcopal Church. A small but aggressive secular group that peddles theocracy conspiracy theories is getting media attention for complaining about blessing a military Bible. According to an NPR headline, the ceremony sparked outrage. The public outrage seemingly was mostly confined to several irritable tweets. The liberal Washington National Cathedral hosted a pro forma Bible blessing for the new U.S. Space Command, attended by the U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains. Officiating was the Episcopal Churchs Bishop to the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries Carl Wright. This Bible will be used to swear in future officers of the U.S. Space Command, if they so choose. The complainant against the Bible blessing was Mikey Weinstein, of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which through media advocacy and litigation condemns military chaplaincies and imagines the military is a hotbed of Christian privilege. The MRFF condemns, in as full-throated a manner as is humanly possible, the shocking and repulsive display of only the most vile, exclusivist, fundamentalist Christian supremacy, dominance, triumphalism and exceptionalism which occurred at yesterdays blessing at the Washington National Cathedral, Weinstein complained. Anyone whos familiar with National Cathedral can only laugh at Weinsteins faux outrage. The cathedral belongs to the Episcopal Church and, in contrast to fundamentalist Christianity supremacy, is home to refined mainline Protestant liberalism and political correctness. The Episcopal Church and the Washington National Cathedral, because of their history as pastorate to Americas political and cultural elites, do often officiate in rites of American civil religion. Although small and declining, the Episcopal Church continues to play an outsized role in military chaplaincy. In recent years the Episcopal Church is better known for LGBTQ advocacy and climate change activism than for robust Christian orthodoxy, much less fundamentalism. Oblivious or indifferent to that reality, Weinstein warned: If MRFFs fervent attempts to exhaust all DoD administrative remedies to eliminate this fundamentalist Christian tyranny and oppression fail, MRFF will plan to stop this matter in federal court in Northern Virginia. The utilization of a Christian Bible to swear in commanders of the new Space Force or any other DoD branch at ANY level is completely violative of the bedrock separation of church and state mandate of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Of course, military commanders are sworn in on whatever book they choose, or no book at all. There is no compulsion, just as military chaplains of various religions cant and dont compel any service member to participate in any religious rites. And the chaplaincy doesnt promote Christian supremacy. Recently the U.S. Army commissioned its first female Muslim candidate for chaplaincy. The chaplaincy represents Americas religious diversity, and it also reflects that most Americans identify as Christian. Secularist fanatics like Weinstein believe religion should be effectively banished from public life. But humans are intrinsically spiritual. Every nation and community will have spirituality, just as each person has soul and spirit. America affirms religious freedom. America does not restrict religion to closets and basements. Religion is not strictly private or personal. It is communal and public. For all their contemporary faddishness and occasional silliness, the Episcopal Church and the Washington National Cathedral serve important roles in mediating public religiosity in America, inimitably deploying the stately tools and arenas of their tradition. Authentic fundamentalists can offer nothing similar. Weinstein called the brief National Cathedral Bible blessing a constitutional horror. But it was just the opposite, illustrating that religious institutions and religious voices are protected by the Constitution, which is essential to liberty for all people. This article was originally published at Juicy Ecumenism, The Institute on Religion & Democracy's blog. Follow Mark on Twitter: @markdtooley [January 14, 2020] Agora launches Private Client Platform SMALL ACCOUNT SOLUTION PROVIDES DEALERS WITH PREMIUM MODEL PORTFOLIO CAPABILITY TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - Agora Dealer Services ("Agora"), a Carrying Dealer focused on supporting independent advisors and dealers, announced today that it has launched its Private Client Platform. This new model portfolio capability, previously unavailable to many dealers and advisors, provides them with a small account solution offering fully customizable, robust and high net worth portfolio management capabilities. Deploying new technology, innovative thinking and creative solutions through an unprecedented platform, Agora has engineered a realignment of all existing stakeholders into a more efficient, value-added delivery system to address an underserved market of Canadians with smaller portfolios of investible assets. These Canadian investors are well-served by independent dealers and advisors supported by Agora's technology and custodial platform. The Private Client Platform provides every dealer with the ability to offer an extensive range of model portfolios tailored to their investors' objectives. In launching this platform, Agora is supporting independent dealers and advisors to deliver high quality wealth anagement advice and services to all clients. With the benefits of professional portfolio overlay and feature-rich technology tools, advisors can see that every client receives premium independent portfolio advice and account management. "Based on our discussions with industry participants, this solution addresses an issue that has been previously unsolvable in Canada: how to deliver high quality service to average size accounts," said Mr. Paul Morford, Chief Executive Officer of Agora Dealer Services Holding Corp. "We are excited to be bringing this platform to independent dealers and advisors to ensure they are able to remain competitive in the industry and can focus on providing the level of service and independence that Canadian investors deserve." "Our vision is coming to fruition," said Mr. Jeff Thorsteinson, Chief Operating Officer of Agora Dealer Services Holding Corp. "Dealers, fund companies, and fintech vendors are excited to partner with Agora and be included in our platform. This fortifies our position as the tech platform of choice to fully support the independent dealer and advisor channel in the areas of investment solutions, client service, fintech applications, compliance and practice management." About Agora Dealer Services Corp. Agora was borne of a clear vision. It is the inspiration of a team of seasoned industry experts with a deep understanding of the current challenges faced by the independent advisor channel. Agora empowers dealers to be nimble and evolve with the changing needs of advisors and their clients and to access and utilize new technologies and investment solutions as they come to market. The company is committed to enhancing its dynamic platform, collaborating with dealers and product providers while providing deep bench strength with practice management resources. These new capabilities will help independent advisors grow effective practices and scale to compete today and into the future. For more information, visit www.agoracorp.ca. Agora Dealers Service Corp. is a MFDA Level 4 Carrying Dealer. It is wholly-owned by Agora Dealer Services Holding Corp., a private company. SOURCE Agora Dealer Services Corp. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Pennsylvania State Police said child endangerment charges are pending against two teenage girls after video posted on social media appeared to show them recording a toddler using a vaping device. The police said in a statement on Monday that the Troop A Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the incident they allege took place while a 17-year-old girl was babysitting a 2-year-old boy the evening of January 9 in Westmoreland County, part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. An 18-year-old woman was also at the home, police said. In the video obtained by state police and provided to CNN affiliate KDKA, at least one girl can be heard laughing while a toddler appears to put a vaping device in his mouth. A girl next to the child holds her phone out in front of him, appearing to take a photo or video. The toddler falls down and starts coughing. Police said they received an anonymous tip about the incident on Sunday through the Safe2Say reporting system after the video was posted on Snapchat. In the release, the police said the device is believed to contain 3% nicotine and no THC. 'The child, while observed in the video to be coughing after inhaling from the device, did not display any other visible effects,' the police statement said. Authorities alerted the child's parents, who they said were unaware of the incident, and also reported it to Children and Youth Services. Charges of endangering the welfare of children are pending against the teenagers, police said. The teenagers are not related to the boy, police said. Police have not publicly identified the two teenagers, but the United School District of Armagh, Pennsylvania confirmed that it believes the girls were students in the district. 'United administration was made aware of the video today, and the matter is being investigated by the authorities,' superintendent Barbara Parkins said in a statement. 'We believe that two of our students were involved in the situation. The names of those students were provided to the authorities.' Parkins told CNN that the school district was also notified of the incident through the tip reporting system, adding that the district was not involved in 'imposing punishment' on them. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images A new Washington PostIpsos poll contains some of the most comprehensive insight yet into the preferences of black prospective 2020 voters. Published on Saturday, the results of the all-online survey which, despite methodological concerns about internet polling, largely echo the crosstabs found at Morning Consult and other well-regarded pollsters provide lots of information that we already knew: Joe Biden remains the front-runner by a long shot, at 48 percent; Bernie Sanders comes in at a fairly distant second, at 20 percent, but leads among black adults ages 18 to 35 by a margin of 4230. Pragmatism remains an overwhelming determiner, with nearly 60 percent of respondents saying that its most important to nominate the Democratic candidate with the best chance of defeating President Trump, and just one-third preferring the candidate who best aligns with them on the issues. Among those who lean Democrat, Biden is considered the most likely to oust the Republican incumbent (53 percent), handle the issues most important to black Americans (32 percent), and to unite the country (43 percent). But one of the more notable findings is how little the conventional wisdom that black people would be most drawn to a black candidate, or, if not, at least require that a white nominee choose a black running mate seems to reflect reality. According to the survey, 72 percent of respondents feel that its either not so important (35 percent) or not important at all (38 percent) for an eventual white nominee to choose a black vice president to diversify their ticket. This news seems unlikely to prompt either Biden or Sanders, both white men over 75, to change course from what their plans already appeared to be: Rumors circulated last year that Biden was considering naming a VP pick before even winning the primary, and Sanders said in a recent interview with the New York Times editorial board that he definitely wouldnt choose an old white guy for his; former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who is black, is widely considered a front-runner for both. But these findings do suggest that the clannishness of black-voter behavior is overstated. Today, as in past elections, whatever intraracial affinity black voters feel toward black candidates is easily discarded when those candidates fail to convince them that a racist, majority-white general electorate will support them and prevent a Republican from winning. Its easy to forget that the excitement generated by the candidacies of Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson before him, and the consequent successes of both, hinged on unique circumstances. Jacksons campaigns in 1984 and 1988 were buoyed by massive voter-registration drives that, in some cases, doubled or even tripled the black electorate in multiple states. This generated an outpouring of black-voter energy driven not by the mere fact of a charismatic black candidate, but a candidate whod made huge investments in expanding black political power at a time when Republicans were making inroads decimating it. Two decades after Jackson failed to secure the Democratic nomination for the second election in a row, even Obama a man of enduring popularity among black Americans whod go on to almost match Jacksons showing among black primary voters had to convince black Democrats he could win over white people in Iowa and New Hampshire before they defected from the candidate most had initially supported, Hillary Clinton. Neither mans approach is prescriptive or easily replicable, but when paired with the failures of the likes of Carol Moseley Braun, Al Sharpton, and more recent black presidential candidates like Cory Booker and Kamala Harris they suggest most definitively that black candidates cant expect the benefit of the doubt, even from their presumed constituencies. This is as true in the post-Obama era, when the reality of a black ex-president is undeniable, as it was beforehand, and sometimes ruthlessly so: News that Booker dropped out of the 2020 race on Monday has left the Democratic primary with just two remaining candidates of color, Andrew Yang and Deval Patrick. Yang, a Taiwanese-American businessman, has an enthusiastic base sustaining his upstart run, but one would be forgiven for forgetting that Patrick, the black former Massachusetts governor, is running at all. Harriss once-promising campaign floundered, and Booker and Julian Castro, the Mexican-American former HUD secretary, failed to generate much interest for theirs. All have collectively upended the notion that the person best equipped to rebuild the so-called Obama coalition the mix of Northern whites, young people, and energized black and Latino voters that eventually propelled the ex-president to the White House in 2008 would inevitably be he or she who, at least superficially, most closely resembled Obama himself. But the PostIpsos polls findings are even more suggestive. Not only were black Americans not sold on this cycles black candidates, most arent particularly moved by the prospect of white front-runners using a black VP pick as an olive branch. At the most recent primary debate, candidates were given the opportunity to lament the absence of nonwhite prospects who qualified to be onstage, and with fair reason: The centrality of voters of color to the Democratic coalition has prompted even Sanders whose aversion to so-called identity politics, the practice of singling out certain demographic groups and appealing to them through their unique experiences, is well documented to address his shortcomings among black voters in 2016 by amassing black surrogates and promising not to choose a 2020 running mate who looked too much like him. Yet as Ive written before, black voters are under no illusions about the electorate to which theyre submitting a candidate. Many would no doubt appreciate a black president or vice president. Few are willing to risk four more years of Trump to make it so. As a result, todays white Democratic primary competitors are under minimal pressure to realize a ticket that reflects the diversity of the American people. Its an indictment of widespread racism that this is true. But it also vivifies what so many black voters have been telling white Americans for decades, with varying degrees of success: You dont owe us carrots. Government that looks out for our interests will do. Kerala Industries Minister EP Jayarajan on Tuesday accused the BJP of "trying to destroy democracy in the country" and said the state will continue to fight against Citizenship Amendment Act. "BJP is trying to destroy democracy. They are following the RSS agenda. The BJP should think whether it's possible to lead the country this way. Since they're in power, they think that they can do anything. It is wrong and they should realise it," the minister alleged. Jayarajan said CAA "destroys" secularism and democracy in the country. He referred to the state government moving the Supreme Court against the CAA. "They (BJP) may have a majority in the parliament. However, majority of people are against CAA. Kerala state stands tall with the people in their protest against CAA and the Kerala government's move is in an attempt to protect our Constitution," the minister said. "When issues pertaining to Constitution come up and it is violated, there are many ways to defend it. One among them is to approach the Constitution bench. When the Constitution was attacked, the Kerala government approached the Supreme Court and we have all the rights to approach the top court," he added. The Kerala government has moved the Supreme Court against CAA which grants Indian citizenship to minorities from three countries - Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. In the petition, the Kerala government stated that the Act violates "Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India" and the provisions were violative of the basic structure principle of secularism as well. Kerala Assembly had earlier passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of CAA. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote letters to his counterparts in 11 states asking them to consider passing a resolution against CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 14:22:21|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Afghan commando force members take part in their graduation ceremony at Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Jan. 13, 2020. A total of 1,123 new cadets have graduated from a commando school and joined the Afghan national army, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Rahmatullah Alizadah) KABUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,123 new cadets have graduated from a commando school and joined the Afghan national army, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday. "Up to 1,123 commando forces completed their training at commando school in Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps in Kabul on Monday," the ministry said in a statement. The fresh graduates had received professional certificates and joined the country's Special Operations Forces, the statement added. The latest graduation came as Afghan security forces have intensified security operations against Taliban militants, who have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions in the countryside ahead of winter. The Afghan security forces remain in control of most of Afghanistan's population centers and all of 34 provincial capitals, but Taliban insurgents hold large portions of rural areas, staging coordinated large-scale attacks against Afghan cities and districts occasionally. EDWARDSVILLE Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has named Lindy Wagner as director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI), effective March 2. Wagner has more than 16 years of experience working in higher education. Most recently she was in the Office of Associate Chancellor for Diversity at SIU Carbondale since August 2019 where she provided diversity and inclusion training workshops for faculty, staff and students, as well as student organizations. She is completing a doctorate in intercultural communication at SIUC. This is an amazing opportunity, and I am thrilled to become a part of the SIUE community, Wagner said. Being selected as the CSDI director provides a chance to collaborate with partners across campus and ensure students are receiving the best possible resources to make their campus experience a positive and memorable one. Since January 2017, Wagner has been an associate for the Sustained Dialogue Institute where she provides training across the nation that allows students to explore race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability status and other topics. Wagner was associate director for multicultural student development at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, from 2015 to 2017. She was assistant director of residence life at SIUC 2010 to 2015 and assistant director of residential life at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from 2009-2010. Wagner was a residence director 2005-09 at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. While there she also was an intergroup dialogue circle facilitator for the Conversations About Race and Ethnicity program. She earned a bachelors in international studies in 2003 from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, and a masters in counseling and student development in 2005 from Kansas State University. Lindys extensive experience in both higher education, training and development uniquely qualifies her to lead CSDI, said SIUE Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple. Lindy will be critical in leading the work of CSDI and serving as a meaningful collaborator with students, faculty, staff and senior leadership on purposeful diversity efforts. SIUE has a diverse student body of more than 13,000. Man escapes crashed plane just before it's hit by train Indian and United States officials were engaged in talks to finalise dates for a possible visit by US President Donald Trump to India, government sources said on Tuesday. India had invited Trump to grace the Republic Day parade as the chief guest last year but the US President could not come due to scheduling issues. "Both sides are in discussions to finalise the dates," said a source. There has been indication that the US President may visit India in the next few months. Finalisation of dates will also depend on political developments in Washington, where impeachment proceedings are on against Trump, the sources said. During his visit to the US in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reminded Trump of his invitation to him to visit India along with his family. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their visit to Washington last month conveyed to the US side that India was waiting to host President Trump. Trump will seek re-election in presidential polls scheduled to take place in November. Last week, Trump and Modi held a telephonic conversation during which they discussed ways to further strengthen the US-India strategic partnership. The conversation came in the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. Modi highlighted the significant progress made in deepening the strategic partnership between India and the US in the previous year and expressed his desire to continue to work with President Trump for enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, the PMO said. New Jersey landlords cannot require their tenants pay rent by electronic means, such as a credit card or account withdrawal, under a new bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Monday. The legislation (S1493) takes aim at landlords who require renters to agree to automatic monthly debit payments as a condition of entering a new lease or renewing a lease. This practice is harmful to renters as it limits the ability of individuals to retain control over their finances. It furthermore may be used as a means to discriminate against low-income and disadvantaged tenants, thereby limiting access to affordable rental housing, the bill says. Under the law, landlords who dont accept cash or check rent payments from tenants could face penalties of $100 to $200 per offense. The requirement extends to security deposits, parking fees, utilities or other payments made to a landlord. But it would only apply to new lease agreements executed after the bill becomes law. The bill overwhelmingly pass the New Jersey Legislature last year 38-0 in the state Senate and 73-3 in the state Assembly. The state already bans most brick-and-mortal retail stores and restaurants from going cashless, which experts say disenfranchises consumers who cant access bank or credit cards. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. The mother of 23-year-old paramedic student, who was raped and brutally assaulted by six men in December 2012, on Tuesday said she knew that the curative pleas of the convicts will be rejected and is confident that they will be hanged on January 22. Her remarks came after the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the execution of two of the four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case while dismissing their curative petitions against their conviction and capital punishment. "The curative please had to be rejected. This was the third time they had gone to the Supreme Court. Whatever pleas they file, we are ready to face them and we will fight it out. We feel that they will be hanged on January 22. We want that to happen," Nirbhaya's mother told PTI over phone. The four convicts -- Vinay Sharma (26), Mukesh Kumar (32), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan Gupta (25) -- are to be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail as a Delhi court issued their death warrants on January 7. Vinay and Mukesh had filed curative petitions on January 9. Shortly after the apex court refused to stay the execution of two of them, Mukesh moved a mercy petition before President Ram Nath Kovind. Mukesh also approached the Delhi High Court for quashing the death warrant. The high court is expected to take up his petition on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attorney General William P. Barr Announces the Findings of the Criminal Investigation into the December 2019 Shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station Washington, DC ~ Monday, January 13, 2020 Good afternoon, and thank you for coming. We are here to discuss the results of the investigation into the shooting that occurred on Dec. 6, 2019 at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Joining me today are David Bowdich, Deputy Director of the FBI; John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Michael Sherwin, Associate Deputy Attorney General for National Security; Rachel Rojas, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Field Office in Jacksonville, Florida; and Larry Keefe, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. I want to thank the FBI and the other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in responding to and investigating the incident for their rapid and excellent work. Many people worked long hours through the holidays, and I am grateful for their diligence and commitment to seeing this through. You will be hearing from Deputy Director Bowdich shortly about the details of the FBI investigative work, which was superb. In considering this case, we have to remember that there are thousands of allied pilots and other military personnel receiving training on military bases throughout the United States. These military partnerships are critically important to the United States. The Royal Saudi Air Force, which flies American-made aircraft, is an important military partner, and has long had a training relationship with us. On Dec. 6, 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, entered a building on the grounds of Pensacola Naval Air Station and killed three U.S. sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans. Alshamrani was killed during the attack. This was an act of terrorism. The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology. During the course of the investigation, we learned that the shooter posted a message on social media on Sept. 11 of last year that said: "the countdown has begun." Over Thanksgiving weekend, he visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. He also posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media, and did so two hours before his attack at the naval base. Early reports indicated that the shooter arrived at the site, accompanied by other Saudi cadets, who took video of the attack as it unfolded. These reports turned out not to be accurate. The shooter arrived by himself. Other Saudi cadets happened to be in the area and, after the attack began, they took some videos of the resulting commotion. They fully cooperated in the investigation, as did the other Saudi cadets who were interviewed by the FBI at Pensacola and at additional bases across the country. After Alshamrani entered the building and cased the facility, he proceeded to walk around shooting down his unarmed victims in cold blood. During and after this heinous attack, there were many specific acts of courage, and I want to draw special attention to two U.S. Marines: Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Maisel and Staff Sgt. Samuel Mullins. They were outside the building when they heard gunfire and, although unarmed, they ran into the building to confront the shooter. Their only weapon was a fire extinguisher that they had pulled off the wall as they ran toward the gunfire. Who but the Marines? Although they were unable to engage the shooter, they helped save many lives by performing CPR and other medical aid on the victims. I would also like to mention the heroic acts of Navy Airman Ryan Blackwell. The shooter shot Airman Blackwell five times, yet Ryan still managed to jump on top of a fellow sailor to keep her from being shot. He further assisted other students and helped them escape, all while taking additional fire from the shooter. Airman Blackwell's heroic acts also saved countless lives that day. We are grateful as well for the bravery of the base personnel and local law enforcement responders who initially arrived at the scene and engaged the shooter. I would also like to address the cooperation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gave complete and total support for our counter-terrorism investigation, and ordered all Saudi trainees to fully cooperate. This assistance was critical to helping the FBI determine whether anyone assisted the shooter in the attack. While there was no evidence of assistance or pre-knowledge of the attack by other members of the Saudi military (or any other foreign nationals) who are training in the United States, we did learn of derogatory material possessed by 21 members of the Saudi military who are training here in the United States. 17 had social media containing some jihadi or anti-American content. However, there was no evidence of any affiliation or involvement with any terrorist activity or group. 15 individuals (including some of the 17 just mentioned) had had some kind of contact with child pornography. While one of these individuals had a significant number of such images, all the rest had one or two images, in most cases posted in a chat room by someone else or received over social media. The relevant U.S. Attorneys offices independently reviewed each of the 21 cases involving derogatory information and determined that none of them would, in the normal course, result in federal prosecution. However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and the 21 cadets have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the U.S. military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia (later today). The Kingdom has assured me that it will review each of these cases under their code of military justice and criminal code. The Kingdom has also agreed that we will have full access to anyone we want to interview in Saudi Arabia and any documents relevant to our investigation. Indeed, it has already been providing documents. Further, the Kingdom has assured us that, if we later decide to charge any of those being sent back to Saudi Arabia in connection with this counterterrorism investigation, it will return them for trial. We appreciate Saudi Arabia's cooperation in this case. Finally, I want to address an issue regarding the shooter's phones. The shooter possessed two Apple iPhones, seen on posters here. Within one day of the shooting, the FBI sought and received court authorization based on probable cause to search both phones in an effort to run down all leads and figure out with whom the shooter was communicating. During the gunfight with first responders, the shooter disengaged long enough to place one of the phones on the floor and shoot a single round into the device. It also appears the other phone was damaged. Our experts at the FBI crime lab were able to fix both damaged phones so they are operational. However, both phones are engineered to make it virtually impossible to unlock them without the password. It is very important to know with whom and about what the shooter was communicating before he died. We have asked Apple for their help in unlocking the shooter's iPhones. So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance. This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that investigators be able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause. We call on Apple and other technology companies to help us find a solution so that we can better protect the lives of Americans and prevent future attacks. With that, I will turn things over to Deputy Director Bowdich. Speaker: Attorney General William Barr Topic(s): National Security Component(s): Office of the Attorney General NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How imbecilic are those Republicans trying to make a name for themselves by supporting the unconstitutional Schiff/Pelosi articles of impeachment? Beyond polite description. Susan Collins, Rob Portman, probably the self-serving Mitt Romney, are all trying to be the biggest monkey wrenches in an already ridiculous endeavor to remove President Trump from office. Each of them should just admit he is a Democrat at heart and switch parties. How else to explain their betrayal of their own party? Poor judgment is one thing, like Matt Gaetz voting for Pelosi's meaningless resolution to limit Trump's ability to counteract Iran. That was just dumb, a hopefully momentary lapse. As for the rest of them, they are idiotic, masters of their own demise. If they fail to realize that Donald Trump is the most successful, most popular president in decades, perhaps ever, they do not have the requisite brains to hold public office. If they do not realize by now that the impeachment over a boring phone conversation with the president of Ukraine is as big a hoax as the Russia-collusion story from the outset, they are too dim to have any political power in the Republican Party. Send them over to the Democrats where they belong. While Republicans are often the stupid party, Democrats are the evil party; they support terrorists like Qassem Soleimani and brutal tyrannies like those in Iran and Venezuela. Trump has trolled them into defending the indefensible. Who among us knows what Mitch McConnell has up his sleeve? Let us hope he has a plan to demolish the Dems' specious plan to impeach, a plan that was hatched before Donald Trump was even inaugurated. McConnell should have dismissed both unconstitutional articles the minute Pelosi refused to send them to the Senate. Bad faith is just that, bad faith an obvious reason to do away with them. As Trump's popularity grows, the Dems have doubled down into the realm of insanity. Why even one Republican would join them is an exercise in self-destruction. They either think Twitter represents the American voter or are simply dumb. Susan Collins's fine speech in defense of Judge Brett Kavanaugh was a ray of hope, but alas, she has reverted to her former fence-sitting on all things conservative. Like Meghan Markle, she craves affection and approval from all corners, even the uninformed who have no sense of Trump's many successes that have benefited them. The same goes for Lisa Murkowski. Like Collins, she is not a conservative and loves the headlines she gets when she betrays her party. Rob Portman is a surprise defector. The Democratic party has morphed from what it was in the JFK days to something Castro (if he were alive) and Vladimir Putin could embrace. Bernie Sanders is currently leading the Democrat ticket; he is an avowed Marxist and Communist. Every Democrat running for the presidency seriously means to transform America into something it was never meant to be. All of them have extreme contempt for those of us who support Trump; we are rubes, ignorant, racist, etc. They want to abolish the electoral college in order to disenfranchise the voters in middle America whom they so disdain. They are, in two words, a bad bunch. As has been observed over and over again, they hate Trump far more than they love their country. And now a few Republicans in the Senate are joining their noxious club. Shame on them. No amount of wishful thinking will make the Democrats' dreams of impeachment come true. But the process will flush out the Republican turncoats, and they will likely be soon defeated. Both Schiff and Pelosi have become embarrassments to their party and their districts. Collins, Murkowski, Portman, Romney, and any other Republicans who think pretending to be on the right side of the law will hold them in good stead are mistaken. Their duplicity will be its own reward. This much is true: Trump has an uncanny ability to make his opponents reveal their lack of character, their real agendas. He got them, all of them in Congress and throughout the left media to support Soleimani, the most genocidal terrorist on the planet, and the tyrants of Iran. How clever is that? The man is a genius. He loves his country, and, despite the incoherent fury of the radical left, the American people love him. Those misguided Republicans who think they will be celebrated for their phony bipartisanship should all be gone soon for they are not in touch with their constituents. "There are only two sides to this question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots and traitors" (Stephen Douglas). The Democrat Party of today is truly traitorous. These people mean to destroy America as founded and remake it into their perverted version of an authoritarian, statist nightmare. Im Yang Gang! Photo: Courtesy of Yang2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang just got a big comedy endorsement. In a press release, Yangs campaign announced today that stand-up comedian and most recent recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Dave Chappelle, has officially endorsed Yang. Chappelle will be campaigning for Yang later this month in South Carolina, where Chappelle will perform two benefit shows on the 29th and 30th. Chappelles quote in the press release was a short one: Im Yang Gang! Yangs quote, however, went into a little more detail. Dave is one of the most important voices in our country today and Im thrilled he has thrown his support behind this campaign, he said in the release. He and I share similar concerns about the future and hopes for what it could be. We are also parents who see the world that we are leaving to our kids and believe they deserve better. Chappelle is not the first high-profile comedian to give Yang a bump. In December, Donald Glover hosted a fundraising event for the candidate and became the campaigns official creative consultant just a few days later. Other celebrities who have endorsed Yang or reportedly donated to his campaign include Ken Jeong, Weezers Rivers Cuomo, and Nicolas Cage. Yang is also one of the only Democratic candidates to discuss major comedy dramas. Last year he commented on the Shane Gillis controversy at SNL, noting that he didnt think the comedian should lose his job and adding that people would benefit from being more forgiving rather than punitive. We are all human. But we cant forget the time Bernie Sanders went on the record about paying comedy podcast guests during his interview with James Adomian (as Bernie Sanders). Note to Elizabeth Warren: The time to come out strong against @FuckJerry is now. Demonstrators shut off highways leading to Tripoli from the countrys south as rallies against ruling elite continue. Protesters in Lebanon have resumed blocking several major roads in the capital, Beirut, and other areas of the country, in renewed demonstrations against a ruling elite deemed inefficient and corrupt. Rallies picked up following a brief period of relative calm, with demonstrators on Tuesday burning tyres and shutting off three highways leading to the capital from the countrys south. Students also took part in some of the protests and hundreds marched down main highways, raising Lebanese flags and blasting rallying songs through loudspeakers. In central Beirut, dozens rallied outside the central bank, chanting against the governor and his financial policies. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr said protesters in Beirut were rallying under the slogan the revolution is coming back, promising to launch a week of demonstrations. Protesters blocking some roads in #Lebanon capital Beirut w/ burning tires protesters plan to return to the streets after a lull to force authorities to resign & form independent Govt #LebanonProtests pic.twitter.com/CEV9M4rQ7m Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) January 14, 2020 The nationwide demonstrations calling for a government overhaul began in October last year, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on October 29. In mid-December, Hassan Diab was designated as prime minister, but has so far failed to form an emergency government amid political divisions and jockeying for power. In the northern city of Tripoli and in Akkar province, protesters on Tuesday sat in the streets and blocked several roads with burning tyres or bricks. In the southern city of Sidon, dozens of protesters marched down the streets, rallying outside banks and government offices. Laila Youssef, 47, said she was taking part to call on politicians to wake up. Weve gone back to closing down roads because we cant stand it any more, the mother of three told AFP news agency. What we earn today is not enough to buy the basics for home. Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with the local currency plummeting against the US dollar, losing more than 60 percent of its value over the last weeks while sources of foreign currency have dried up. Meanwhile, banks have imposed informal capital controls, limiting withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers in the country, which relies heavily on import of basic goods. Panic has set in among residents who fear their deposits are in danger. The protests have so far failed to pressure politicians to form a new government to institute drastic reforms. Lately, protesters had focused their anger on banks, rallying at the premises or outside banks and demanding access to their deposits. Dozens have also taunted politicians who showed up in shopping malls or restaurants, sometimes chasing them out of public places and decrying their failure to address the economic crisis. Protesters say they want a new government of independent experts to be appointed to steer the country through its major economic crisis, which they blame on policies adopted by the countrys ruling elite. Demonstrators also want early elections to be held based on a new, non-sectarian electoral law. A Singaporean man, who financed a Islamic State terrorist in Turkey, was on Tuesday sentenced to 33 months in jail. Imran Kassim, 36, was convicted of one count of funding Islamic State (IS) propaganda by sending SGD450 (USD 333) to a man named Mohamad Alsaied Alhmidan in Turkey on October 31, 2014, a report in Channel Asia said. District Judge Seah Chi-Ling found Kassim guilty based on his statements to officers, his admissions in court and a remittance advice and receipt. "First, he claims he is not subject to Singapore law, being subject instead to Islamic Sharia law," the judge said. Kassim, in his statements, admitted that he had sent the money in response to a Facebook post, as he believed the donation would benefit the page holder, whose work was to get support for IS. He said that he donated the money because it would "help spread support for IS", gather more supporters for the terror outfit and raise awareness for it. Responding to Kassim's allegations that there were inconsistencies and "gross exaggerations" in the way the IS is portrayed, and that opponents of IS have themselves committed atrocities, the judge said that even if these facts were proven, his arguments were not a defence in criminal law. The prosecution asked for a sentence of 32 to 33 months in jail, saying that while Kassim was the first offender to claim trial for a terror financing offence, he was not the first to be prosecuted. The prosecution listed factors including how he carried out the offence in a deliberate fashion, donated to "one of the most dangerous terrorist organisations in the world", and displayed "no remorse". "He does not recognise Singapore law, despite being a Singaporean who has enjoyed Singaporean citizenship his entire life," the prosecution said. "Even going so far as to say that he transferred the money to protest Singapore's participation in the war against IS," the report said. The prosecution highlighted that the donations were part of his larger, long-standing plans to support the IS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Srinagar, Jan 14 : Four army soldiers, a BSF constable and five civilians were killed in avalanches in Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in Jammu & Kashmir. An army party was hit by an avalanche in the Machhil sector close to the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday night in which five army jawans were trapped under the snow. Rescue parties immediately reached the spot and an operation was started. "We took out all the five jawans buried under the snow while four of them succumbed," Shriram Ambarker, SP, Kupwara, told IANS. A Border Security Force (BSF) constable was killed after an avalanche hit the force's deployment on the Line of Control (LoC) in Naugam sector on Monday evening, the paramilitary force said on Tuesday. The incident took place around 8.30 p.m. after which a search and rescue operation was launched, the BSF said. Six out of seven BSF personnel deployed in the area were safely rescued but one constable was trapped and he could not be revived despite efforts, said the BSF. Five civilians were also killed in an avalanche in Ganderbal district. Two bodies were found on Monday night and three were found on Tuesday morning. The bodies were handed over to their relatives. "They initiated it, we didn't even have to go to them," Hackney said of the businesses. School buses will operate on the same schedules during break times as they will during instruction times. The superintendent said as it plays out, there will be some flexibility to routes that have less traffic of students, but the hope is that engagement will be high. "Our goal is that we're going to be offering some really unique and fun experiences for kids that will really motivate them to come to school when they don't necessarily have to," said Hackney. Initially, Hackney said there was growing concern over what students were going to do during intercession, but over time she knows the public will recognize the plethora of available options. "I think they're going to be surprised over what we're going to be able to do," she said. Hackney even went as far as to say that the "incredible experiences" available over intercession are what she is most excited about for year-round schooling in Hopewell. The Daily Beast Fox News White House correspondent and perpetual nemesis of Jen Psaki thought he had Joe Bidens press secretary cornered on Monday when he asked her why the president is still referring to COVID-19 as a pandemic of the unvaccinated when so many people are getting breakthrough infections. He was wrong.I understand that the science says that vaccines prevent death, Doocy began, before undercutting that basic truth. But Im triple-vaxxed, still got COVID. Youre triple-vaxxed, still got COVI The National Security Agency (NSA) is starting the year off on the right foot by alerting Microsoft to a flaw in its Windows 10 operating system, instead of secretly weaponizing it. The intelligence agency discovered 'an extraordinarily serious security vulnerability' that could spoof the digital signature of software that could trick a PC into letting malware in that is posing as a legitimate application. The bug was uncovered in NSA's own research and by disclosing this information to the tech giant, the agency believes it is putting 'computer security ahead' of its own agenda. The NSA came under fire five years ago for weaponizing a less sever flaw found in Microsoft's technology, dubbed EternalBlue, that was said to be like 'fishing with dynamite', according to The Washington Post. Cybercriminals stole the hacking tools from the NSA, launching massive ransomware campaigns one specifically was WannaCry. This major extortion scheme hit 150 countries including the US, Britain, Russia, China, Germany and France, and affected 200,000 different companies. Scroll down for videos The National Security Agency (NSA) is starting the year off on the right foot by alerting Microsoft to a flaw in its Windows 10 operating system, instead of secretly weaponizing it. Pictured is the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland Russia Prime Minister Vladamir Putin spoke out against the intelligence services for the 'ransomware' attack in 2017. He said the NSA should beware of creating software that can later be used for malicious means. 'As regards the source of these threats, I believe that the leadership of Microsoft have announced this plainly, that the initial source of the virus is the intelligence services of the United States,' Putin said. 'Once they're let out of the lamp, genies of this kind, especially those created by intelligence services, can later do damage to their authors and creators,' he told reporters in Beijing. Chinese state media said 29,372 of their institutions had been infected, along with hundreds of thousands of devices. The intelligence agency discovered 'an extraordinarily serious security vulnerability' in Microsoft's Windows 10 that could spoof the digital signature of software that could trick a PC into letting malware in that is posing as a legitimate application This was the first time Microsoft will have credited NSA for reporting a security flaw. Computer security expert Dmitri Alperovitch praised the NSA in a tweet Tuesday morning for disclosing the flaw instead of using it as a hacking tool The Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Center, a non-profit organisation providing support for computer attacks, said 2,000 computers at 600 locations in Japan were reported affected so far. Shortly after EternalBlue was compromised, another NSA tool called EsteemAudit, was also breached. This hack took advantage of a vulnerability in Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol in Windows 2003 and Windows XP, allowing an attacker to install and execute malicious code on hundreds of thousands of computers. Microsoft Corp President Brad Smith sharply criticized the US government in 2017 for 'stockpiling' software flaws that it often cannot protect, citing recent leaks of both NSA and CIA hacking tools. 'Repeatedly, exploits in the hands of governments have leaked into the public domain and caused widespread damage,' Smith wrote in a blog post. 'An equivalent scenario with conventional weapons would be the US military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen.' However, Anne Neuberger, NSA director of Cybersecurity, held a press conference today stating that the agency did report the vulnerability and that 'this was the first time Microsoft will have credited NSA for reporting a security flaw.' Computer security expert Dmitri Alperovitch wrote in a tweet Tuesday : 'Big kudos to NSA for voluntarily disclosing to Microsoft.' 'This is the type of [vulnerability] I am sure the [NSA hackers] would have loved to use for years to come.' Brian Krebs with KrebsonScurity shared Neuberger stated that the problem only exists within Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. The flaw, according to Krebs, could have implications on a range of functions including authentication on Windows desktops and servers, the protection of sensitive data handled by Internet Explorer/Edge browsers, as well as a number of third-party applications and tools. Microsoft released a free software patch to fix the flaw this afternoon and said it has not seen any evidence that hackers have used the technique. Amit Yoran, CEO of security firm Tenable, said it is 'exceptionally rare if not unprecedented' for the U.S. government to share its discovery of such a critical vulnerability with a company. Yoran, who was a founding director of the Department of Homeland Security's computer emergency readiness team, urged all organizations to prioritize patching their systems quickly. An advisory sent by the NSA on Tuesday said 'the consequences of not patching the vulnerability are severe and widespread.' Microsoft said an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by spoofing a code-signing certificate so it looked like a file came from a trusted source. "The user would have no way of knowing the file was malicious, because the digital signature would appear to be from a trusted provider," the company said. If successfully exploited, an attacker would have been able to conduct "man-in-the-middle attacks" and decrypt confidential information it intercepts on user connections, the company said. Some computers will get the fix automatically, if they have the automatic update option turned on. Others can get it manually by going to Windows Update in the computer's settings. Advertisement Prince Andrew was photographed leaving Buckingham Palace today as courtiers continue their discussions over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new life away from the Royal Family. The Duke of York did not attend the summit at the Queen's Sandringham estate yesterday after he was forced to relinquish his royal duties following the scandal over his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein last year. But Andrew, 59, was seen driving at the palace in London today, while his daughter Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were seen at Kensington Palace - along with Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Today is the first time Andrew has been seen since he was photographed with his brother Prince Charles arriving to attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas Day last month. Prince Andrew is photographed leaving Buckingham Palace in London today as discussions continue over Harry and Meghan Today is the first time Andrew has been seen since he was photographed with Charles at Sandringham on Christmas Day Prince Andrew carried out a spectacular self-destruction last November in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis Andrew carried out a spectacular self-destruction last November in an interview with the BBC, which saw several of his business sponsors for his Pitch@Palace initiative announcing they would no longer back the project. Many of the Duke's royal patronages also sought to distance themselves from him following the programme on November and he eventually announced he was stepping down from all his patronages and his royal duties. During the interview on Newsnight, Andrew said he did not recall meeting alleged sex-slave Virginia Roberts now known as Virginia Giuffre - and emphatically denied that he had sex with her. The royal denied sweating heavily on the dance floor at Tramp nightclub with her, on the basis he had suffered from a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat. Andrew also sought to cast doubt on the authenticity of a photograph that showed him with his arm around Miss Roberts' waist, but conceded that it was difficult to prove if it was a fake. Andrew's daughter Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are seen at Kensington Palace in London today Eugenie is seen driving at the entrance to Kensington Palace in London today as the Harry and Meghan crisis continues Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is also seen in the back seat of a car at Kensington Palace in London today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave after visiting Canada House in London last Tuesday Meanwhile today, it emerged that the Duchess of Sussex did not join the royal summit with the Queen and senior royals by phone yesterday and instead relied on her husband to put their case for a new independent life. This followed speculation over whether Meghan, who is in Canada with baby son Archie, was able to participate in the discussions convened by the Queen at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Meghan is said to be driving their wish to step back as frontline royals, become financially independent and live part of the year in Canada, but it appears she was happy for Harry to conduct the talks with his family. After the Sandringham summit the Queen issued a statement which sanctioned the couple's new 'independent life' away from full-time royal duties and she said they would begin a transition period living in the UK and Canada. The move has raised questions over the costs of the couple's security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the costs would be discussed in future. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 03:42:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian embassy in Lebanon on Tuesday opened a medical center to support the country amid its current economic crisis. The medical center includes six clinics specialized in surgery, internal medicine, pediatric medicine, gynecology, and bones. "Clinics will be managed by a team of doctors from the Egyptian armed forces," the embassy said in a statement. The embassy added that the center will receive patients four days per week and will offer its services for free to all those who live on the Lebanese territories. "This project reflects the importance of the historic ties between Lebanon and Egypt and the peoples of the two countries," it added. At least 59 people were killed and many more were missing after avalanches in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir over the last 24 hours, senior government officials said on Tuesday. In neighbouring India, at least 10 people were killed after several avalanches hit the northern-part of Indian-administered Kashmir. Two Pakistani officials said many villagers were still stranded by the avalanches in the Neelum Valley area following heavy rain that also triggered landslides. Many people were reported missing and feared dead as rescue efforts got under way, one of the officials said. Rescuers had managed to extract more than 50 people from the snow and airlifted them out of the area for treatment. Authorities also scrambled to provide relief to local people with another spell of heavy snow expected on Friday. 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 At least 53 houses had been completely destroyed by avalanches in the Pakistani administered region known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), officials said. Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, saying: A senior Indian police official said five soldiers were among the 10 killed near the border between India and Pakistan. Recommended 54 dead amid extreme weather in South Asia The area is one of the worlds most militarily tense frontiers, where the neighbouring armies have confronted each other over disputed territory for decades. Kashmir has been divided between Indian and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. In 2012, an avalanche engulfed a Pakistani army battalion headquarters near the Indian border, killing at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilians. Meanwhile in western Pakistan, heavy snowfall in southwestern Balochistan destroyed several houses in the mountainous region, killing 17 people. The disaster management authority declared an emergency in seven districts of the mineral-rich province and sought the armys help for relief and rescue operations. Key highways connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan were blocked due to heavy snow, forcing officials to suspend transportation of essential goods into Afghanistan. Severe cold and heavy snow led to the death of 39 people in six provinces of Afghanistan in the past two weeks said Mr Tamim Azimi, a spokesman for Afghanistans Natural Disaster Management Authority in Kabul. We are distributing emergency assistance, including cash to families of the victims, said Mr Azimi, adding that heavy rain and snow have hampered rescuers. Under the training program, Rohrbacher, the lawyers agreed, was required to sit within a few feet of her manager and stare into their face for about a half hour. The management also required her participate in a training that consisted of participants including McMenamy yelling derogatory remarks at one another and trying to prompt a reaction. In 2013, Rohrbacher put her name up for a promotion to a management position. McMenamy, according to the lawyers filings, says he declined to consider giving Rohrbacher a raise until she had completed the training course. At the end of May, she left the company, though court documents are not entirely clear as to the circumstances of her departure: she both submitted her resignation in writing and Teton Therapy managers signed a document terminating her employment. Rohrbacher alleged in an early-December court filing that the use of the training constituted religion in the workplace. She was offered the promotion, Rohrbacher said, contingent on attendance at a Scientology-based training course in Clearwater, Florida. Two Goa Police personnel have been suspended for allegedly assaulting a photojournalist in Margao town, a senior police official said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday when photojournalist Soiru Komarpant, working with a local Marathi daily, was clicking pictures of a brawl between some tourists and an elderly woman near Margao bus stand in South Goa district. At that time, police driver Ujesh Naik and constable Mahendra Gosavi, attached to Fatorda police station, allegedly manhandled Komarpant, the official said. A group of journalists later met Superintendent of Police (South) Arvind Gawas and informed him about the incident. Gawas subsequently suspended the two police personnel, the official said. Goa Forward Party MLA from Fatorda and former state deputy chief minister Vijai Sardesai posted a tweet on Monday night to condemn the assault on the journalist by policemen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Agitators of the Trinamool Congress students' wing continued their sit-in demonstration here against the amended Citizenship Act for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday. The protesters of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) demanded that the new citizenship law be revoked. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had visited the demonstration site on Rani Rashmoni Avenue in the heart of the city on Monday and urged the student community to lead the anti-CAA protests across the nation. The protesters were seen carrying posters and placards against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). TMCP leaders said their stir is not only against CAA and NRC but also against violence in JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. CPI(M)-affiliated Students Federation of India (SFI), however, mocked the TMCP for organising a sit-in against CAA "while Mamata Banerjee compromised the fight against the law by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bridget Anne Kelly, left, and Bill Baroni, former allies of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, are appealing their convictions in the Bridgegate case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more Chris Christie is out of office. But the scandal that helped sink his White House ambitions will be back in the spotlight Tuesday, when the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether onetime aides to the former New Jersey governor committed fraud when they helped execute the political retribution plot known as Bridgegate. Bridget Anne Kelly, Christies former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, his top executive appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were found guilty in 2016 by a federal jury of charges including conspiracy and fraud. The charges stemmed from their involvement in a 2013 scheme to reduce the number of access lanes available in Fort Lee, N.J., to commuters approaching the George Washington Bridge from three to one, gridlocking traffic in the town for days. Their goal was to punish the towns mayor for his refusal to endorse Christies reelection campaign, according to evidence from the trial. The traffic jams, which began on the first day of school to maximize chaos, caused delays for everyone from schoolchildren to first responders, endangering public safety, prosecutors alleged. The scandal erupted in January 2014 just months after the Republican Christie won a landslide reelection in the generally blue state when emails surfaced linking the bridge plot to the governors office. Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee, read one August 2013 email from Kelly to Port Authority official David Wildstein. Got it, he replied. In order to execute the scheme, the jury found, the defendants and Wildstein created a bogus story that they were conducting a traffic study. That deception is central to the argument on Tuesday. At trial, Kelly and Baroni testified they believed the traffic study was legitimate. The question before the court is essentially whether Kelly and Baroni defrauded the government of its property by lying to agency employees and others in order to use public resources for the unauthorized political payback scheme. Attorneys for Kelly and Baroni say the precedent set by their convictions would transform the judiciary into a Ministry of Truth for every public official in the nation. Each faces prison time if the high court affirms their convictions. Kelly was sentenced to 13 months after a federal appeals court upheld most of the counts, and Baroni had already served three months of his 18-month term when the justices agreed in June to hear the appeal. READ MORE: Bridget Kelly, sentenced to 13 months in prison, lashes out at Chris Christie: You are a bully Wildstein, the governments star witness, pleaded guilty and was spared prison time. The government says Kelly and Baroni defrauded the Port Authority of the labor of more than a dozen employees, some of whom worked overtime to collect tolls and perform other unnecessary work. The defendants political motivations were irrelevant to the jurys finding of guilt, the government said. The scheme in this case required the Port Authority to pay additional wages, redirected the value of the Port Authoritys scheduled wage payments, and divested the Port Authority of control of the George Washington Bridge, all to the benefit of Kelly and Baroni, who used those Port Authority resources to create traffic jams and a cover-up, acting Solicitor General Jeffrey B. Wall wrote in court papers. The scheme was effectuated by means of a lie the claim of a traffic study that did not in fact exist without which Baroni would not have been able to turn the agencys resources from helping the public to harming it. Attorneys for Kelly and Baroni say the decision by a three-judge appeals panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia would allow any public official to be indicted on nothing more than the [ubiquitous] allegation that she lied in claiming to act in the public interest. Consider a deputy mayor who orders pothole repair to reward her boss political base, justifying it on policy grounds, the attorneys wrote in court papers. Or a staffer who requests an environmental review as window-dressing to assuage a lobby group, with no intention of heeding its recommendations. Or a state cabinet secretary who appoints a friend to a post, declaring him to be the best-qualified. All are felons under the decision since they engaged in spin in describing their true purposes, and so deprived the state of property (the pothole repair trucks, the expense of the study, or the appointees salary), they wrote. The government says those scenarios are misplaced. A city official who has the power to order snow removal or pothole repair generally does not need to tell her staff why she wants them to plow certain roads or fill certain potholes, government lawyers wrote. In contrast, the government says, Baroni lacked the authority to realign the lanes, and thus needed to lie about the supposed traffic study. NEXTEX TO LAUNCH TURBODRY AT OUTDOOR RETAILER The technology can be used in just about any activewear apparel or accessory imaginable. From shirts, to base layer, to shorts, to underwear, to leggings, beanies, seamless, the possibilities are vast. NEXTEX TO LAUNCH TURBODRY AT OUTDOOR RETAILER The Next Revolution In Drying Technology NexTex Innovations announced today that it will introduce TurboDry Technology, a new category of high-performance fabric at Januarys Outdoor Retailer Show. TurboDry patent-pending fabrics incorporate a revolutionary drying technology that relies on the principals of biomimicry design inspired by nature to quickly transport moisture, in one direction, away from the wearers skin to its exterior. This process, based on the physics of contact angles and capillary action, keeps wearers dry and is more durable and sustainable than chemically-coated alternatives. TurboDry gives wearers unprecedented comfort through improved sweat management, said Chad Lawrence, NexTexs CEO and a 22-year veteran of the textile industry. The technology can be used in just about any activewear apparel or accessory imaginable. From shirts, to base layer, to shorts, to underwear, to leggings, beanies, seamless, the possibilities are vast. TurboDry Technology works with not only filament yarns, but also spun fibers and various fiber blends, including chief value cottons (CVCs) and regenerated cellulosic materials. TurboDry is the creation of Dr. Jason (Jun-Yan) Hu, a former senior research fellow at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University who is currently the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of NexTex Innovations. After many years of researching how trees draw water from their roots to their leaves, Dr. Hu was able to mimic that ability and translate it into warp-knit, weft-knit, narrow elastics, and seamless fabrics. NexTex Innovations, an Atlanta-based technology hub that leverages strategic partnerships with researchers, brands, universities and manufacturers, has exclusive rights to launch TurboDry into the International market. Were eager to introduce TurboDry at Outdoor Retailer in January, Lawrence remarked. The NexTex Innovations booth will feature a large-scale model of capillary structures and hands-on demonstrations of TurboDry fabrics one-way moisture transport capabilities. TurboDry/NexTex Innovations will be featured all three days of the show on January 29-31, located on the lower level in booth 6011-LL at the Colorado Convention Center. Lawrence shared, Im particularly excited about the sustainable aspects of our fabrics. TurboDry moisture transportation processes are physical and will not wash out, extending the life of the garment. TurboDry can be made with recycled polymers. It can also be produced using same-type polymers (for example, 100% polyester) which could allow for future recyclability when the garment has reached its end-of-use. Additionally, all TurboDry fabrics are bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified. TurboDry not only delivers great performance but is also a technology that does not rely on chemicals to achieve its superior one-way moisture transport. TurboDry offers the best of both worlds exceptional drying performance with carefully considered environmental impact. For more information on TurboDry, please visit https://turbodrytechnology.com/ Contact: Chad Lawrence Company: NexTex Innovations Phone Number: 251-593-9148 Email: chad@nextexinnovations.com Egyptian officials held long, in-depth talks with US representatives in Washington on Monday where Egypt explained its vision for filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypts foreign ministry said in a statement. Mondays talks were part of the ministerial meeting at the US Treasury Department on the filling and operation of the $4 billion project. Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati participated in talks with their Ethiopian and Sudanese counterparts where they discussed the technical rules and mechanisms needed for reaching a "just and balanced agreement on filling and operating" the dam on Ethiopia's section of the Nile River. The Washington meetings, which continue on Tuesday, are being attended by US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and the president of the World Bank David Malpass. Four rounds of talks in the GERD negotiations were held as part of the roadmap agreed upon during a US-brokered meeting in Washington last November to break the deadlock in the negotiations. The Washington meeting had set 15 January as the targeted deadline for resolving the dispute. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest four trilateral meetings between the irrigation ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have not led to significant progress due to Ethiopias intransigence. According to the Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in 2015, if the three countries fail in resolving the dispute through negotiations, they can ask for mediation or refer the matter to their heads of state or prime ministers. Ethiopia started constructing the GERD in 2011 on the Blue Nile in the northern Ethiopia highlands, from where most of the Nile's waters flow. Egypt fears that the speed of filling the Ethiopian dam will diminish its share of the rivers water. Ethiopia aims to become the continent's biggest power exporter by generating more than 6,000 megawatts through the dam. E3 bloc says Iran failing to respect its side of nuclear pact but adds it is not joining US maximum pressure campaign. The European signatories to a nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015 have triggered a diplomatic dispute mechanism, in their strongest response yet to Tehrans steps away from the unravelling pact. Following Washingtons decision to withdraw from the deal in May 2018, Iran began dropping its commitments under the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). On January 6, days after the US assassination of a top Iranian general, Tehran took a further step by announcing it would scrap limits on enriching uranium, though it said it would continue cooperating with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. We do not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with the JCPOA, France, Germany and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement on Tuesday, adding they had no choice but to trigger the process that could eventually lead to UN sanctions. 200113102457366 Instead of reversing course, Iran has chosen to further reduce compliance, the statement said. Iran has dismissed the European move, but said it would be willing to consider efforts to bolster the fragile deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as in the past, has complete readiness to support any [act of] goodwill and constructive effort to save this important international agreement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a statement. Josep Borrell, the European Unions foreign policy chief, said the aim of the dispute mechanism was not to reimpose sanctions, but to find a solution for the return to full compliance with the deal, which was also signed by Russia and China. Russia condemned the EU move, warning it risked causing a new escalation. The foreign ministry said in a statement: We do not rule out that the thoughtless actions of the Europeans could lead to a new escalation around the Iranian nuclear accord. The ministry added that Moscow sees no reason for such a move. Despite all the challenges the Iranian nuclear accord has not lost its relevance, the ministry concluded. Diplomatic difficulties The accord deemed at the time to be a landmark achievement sought to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and global powers beginning to welcome the country back into the international community. But US President Donald Trump called it the worst deal in history and in May 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the deal, re-imposing crippling sanctions which have devastated Irans economy. 190707051824231 In response, Tehran challenged the European powers to fulfil their part of the deal and boost its economy. It began to raise the purity to which it enriched uranium beyond the limits it agreed to in the 2015 deal to apply further pressure on Europe, as well as stockpiling nuclear material. It means that [for European powers] there are serious problems with the implementation of this nuclear agreement on the part of the Iranians and Iranians feel the same way about the Europeans, that theyre not upholding their end of the deal, which is why they all find themselves in this position now, said Al Jazeeras Dorsi Jabbari, reporting from Tehran. Iran is in a very particular position right now, given the latest chain of events that have unfolded since the beginning of this year This now means that there is further pressure on the Rouhani government, whose main achievement was the securing of this nuclear deal in 2015. But since the US left and reimposed a series of sanctions, there have been no benefits to the deal for the Iranian people thats why they feel like they havent been able to see why theyre still in it. Everything has changed since the US left and this whole agreement is now in question I think this mechanism has been triggered to force all sides to come back to the negotiating table and talk out the issues they all have at the moment. With the accord under intense pressure, despite the statements of European leaders, support appears to be growing for a new pact which could receive the endorsement of the US president. A new deal? United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday he would be willing to work on a Trump deal to replace the international accord agreed between Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany. If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement, Johnson said. Britain and other European powers have been trying to salvage the deal since President Donald Trump pulled the United States out. Johnson said a Trump deal would be a great way forward, but did not specify the details of the proposal. His idea stands at odds with Tuesdays statement from Britain, France and Germany, which expressed determination to work with all participants to preserve the deal. From the American perspective its a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by (former) President Obama, Johnson said. President Trump is a great deal-maker by his own account and many others. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead. In an apparent bid to keep the door open for diplomacy, the three European signatories known as the E3 said they were not joining the US campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran. Given recent events, it is all the more important that we do not add a nuclear proliferation crisis to the current escalation threatening the whole region, they said. A huge tortoise with an astonishing libido has been acknowledged to have saved his species from tragic extinction. Most of his descendants were brought back to their natural environment in the Galapagos Islands. The name of the tortoise is Diego. It is one of the fourteen male tortoises picked to participate in a breeding campaign on Santa Cruz Island. The project was a success. With the help of Diego, the campaign has produced approximately 2,000 giant tortoises since the 1960s when the project began. This is proof that the once critically endangered species can reproduce on their own and thrive in the wild. The sex drive of Diego was one of the main reasons why he was chosen to participate in the program. Diego is already one hundred years old and he has fathered hundreds, of baby tortoises. Some estimates revealed that he is the father of as many as 800 tortoises. According to the Galapagos National Parks service, the project recently concluded. The project's administrators are preparing for the release of Diego to the wild on the island of Espanola. Diego will be released later this year. The current population of tortoises in the world is approximately 1,800. Diego will be joining this population into the wild. It predicted by the rangers of the park that Diego had fathered 40% of the 1,800 population. The director of the park named Jorge Carrion shared that Diego had made a significant contribution to the population of tortoises in Espanola. He expresses his happiness for the return of Diego to his natural environment. According to the beliefs of the park service, Diego may have come from the Galapagos Islands eighty years in the past through a scientific journey. Five decades ago, there were only two male tortoises and 12 female tortoises of Diego's kind (Chelonoidis hoodensis) in Espanola. To save Diego's species, he was transferred to the San Diego Zoo in California. At the present, Diego is being prepared for transport to bring him back to Espanola. Espanola is one of the oldest regions of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands is was declared as a Unesco World Heritage location and is known around the world for its one-of-a-kind animals and vegetation. The indigenous wildlife in the Galapagos Islands includes tortoises and iguanas. This had significantly contributed to the development of the Theory of Evolution of Charles Darwin. Travelers from different countries have witnessed the diversity of wildlife in the Galapagos Islands. Approximately eight decades after being part of the successful project for the survival and prevention of the extinction of Diego's kind and species, he will finally retire from the project with lots of accomplishments. After living for years in the San Diego Zoo in California, Diego will finally retire in his natural home with all the other tortoises that he fathered and others that were products of the successful program. Enjoy your golden years Diego, you've done well. Outgoing Westpac chairman Linsday Maxsted's looming departure from the board of miner BHP has sparked calls for Australian directors to face annual shareholder elections, in line with standards in the United Kingdom and United States. Mr Maxsted on Tuesday announced he will not stand for re-election as a director at BHP, months after he brought forward his retirement as chairman of Westpac after a money-laundering scandal rocked the nation's oldest lender. Lindsay Maxsted will retire "at or before" BHP's annual general meetings this year. Credit:Peter Braig Mr Maxsted will remain a member of the BHP board and stay on the risk and audit committee of the world's biggest miner until his departure at or before its 2020 annual general meetings, BHP said in a statement on Tuesday morning, citing a "nine-year tenure guideline" for its succession planning. The 65 year old has held a number of senior board positions at Australian companies. In October, a month before the Westpac scandal erupted, he was re-elected chairman of listed toll road operator Transurban. Its time for America to clean up its K-12 governance model. As it stands today, education policy is crafted by tens of thousands of technocratic, political, and legal authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, all with overlaying and duplicative roles. This unique-to-K-12 web of oversightthe hangover of Americas centuries-long battles over racist policies, federalism, and taxationis self-defeating, undemocratic, and very expensive. If youre upset about crime in your neighborhood, complain to your police chief. Potholes in the local roads? Complain to your mayor. But there are countless people to complain to about the nations lagging academic outcomes, from the U.S. secretary of education to governors to state superintendents to district superintendents to more than 90,000 school board members. Our K-12 governance confuses rather than serves the general public, and trust in our elected and appointed leaders to improve outcomes has plummeted. According to a recent Education Week survey of 1,100 teachers, just 1 percent said they think state legislatures are best suited to oversee K-12 policies. (Zero percent, apparently, want our so-called education governors wading into education policy. Ouch.) With no clear indicators of whos in charge, the policies federal, state, and local government bodies impose on educators will inevitably be, as they have been in the past, incohesive, contradictory, and poorly funded. How did we get here? Since the establishment of common schools in America, theres been a push-pull battle between governance bodies over whos best fit to be in charge of education. These fraught debates have been spurred on by, among other things, the growth of states bureaucracies, urbanization, and the eventual legal expansion of who in America has the right to a public education . Should government be centralized or fragmented? Where should a school districts taxing authority begin and end? Should decisionmakers be professionals or politicians? Partisan or nonpartisan? Are school boards really fit to decide how to spend taxpayer dollars? Are legislators? With these questions left mostly unanswered, the vast majority of states seem to be caught in a purgatory where everybody and nobody is in charge. This has been complicated by the aging and insufficient manner in which federal, state, and local government bodies distribute more than $700 billion in education aid, an amount thats almost doubled in the last 30 years. Federal lawmakers, frustrated with lagging results amid increased spending, have encroached more and more into the minutiae of classroom goings-on. Take, for instance, fights over standards and testing. Governors and legislatures dictate the spending of more than half of education costs and yet are often the loudest voices pushing for local control, a historically loaded and ambiguous term. Just look at how the phrase has been deployed in debates over busing and school choice. Even at the local level, the so-called rightful place for decisionmaking, theres no shortage of K-12 initiatives coming from mayors, city councils, and county commissioners that conflict with teacher, principal, superintendent, and school board-driven initiatives. 1% of teachers think state legislatures are best suited to oversee K-12 policies. Plenty of advocates for changes in standards, curriculum, instruction, and finance will tell you that their ideas often fizzle out not because they lack public support or arent backed by research. They say its because, despite working for a multibillion dollar lobbying industry, they lack the resources, political capital, and inside knowledge to navigate their proposals through the layers of governance and power dynamics that vary and change frequently at the federal, state, and district levels. I got a front row seat to Americas fractured K-12 governance system four years ago when I began to track K-12 policymaking at the state level. President Barack Obama had just signed the Every Student Succeeds Act into lawa bipartisan effort that returned significant chunks of K-12 decisionmaking to state and local governments. When I conducted interviews back in 2015, dozens of federal, state, and local officials gushed to me over the virtues of local control, arguing that practitioners would be more committed to home-grown initiatives representing their own agendas and their definitions of success. But things quickly unraveled . State boards of education sued legislatures over who had the constitutional right to draft and enact K-12 policy, governors refused to sign off on state superintendents decisions, and local district superintendents told parents to dismiss wholesale new accountability ratings and trust their own school ratings instead. There was so much infighting and undercutting among policymakers in some states that not much change ended up taking place. Its no wonder so many states now are falling short of their own academic goals. Politicians love of new education initiatives, paired with their aversion to raising taxes, have too often left district superintendents footing other decisionmakers bills. Take a look at how local tax dollars are being used to pay down the costs of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ballooning state pension obligations . In order to dodge the inevitable class and race wars, state politicians have almost completely backed off consolidating any of our nations 13,000 school districts, many of them financially strapped and either overcrowded or losing students. Most crucially, our nonsensical governance system has left state departments of education gutted , the very agencies tasked with executing federal and state initiatives and coordinating all the necessary training for local initiatives. That policy churn that teachers are so irritated with coincides with the leadership churn we see in state capitals and state education departments. Im not at all advocating for more federal or state authority over our schools. Nor am I saying we should expand or clip the rights of superintendents and school boards to decide what happens in their districts classrooms. But I am saying, lets decide who does what. There will be plenty of hand-wringing in the coming years about recently declining NAEP scores, deep and stubborn outcome and opportunity gaps between student groups, and rapidly increasing K-12 costs for taxpayers. Lets only hope that all of the outraged politicians, philanthropists, teachers, and parents aim their ire at the true culprit: our governance model. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:53:17|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A broader inter-Korean cooperation will help promote dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States and win the international support for sanctions relief toward Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday. Moon made the remarks in his televised New Year's press conference at the presidential complex Blue House, saying the inter-Korean cooperation should be expanded as much as it can, instead of looking at the progress in the DPRK-U.S. dialogue alone. He said an enhanced inter-Korean cooperation will also help gain the international support for the "exemption of a part of sanctions" against the DPRK or the recognition of "exceptional measures." Moon said that if it is necessary to win an exceptional approval from the UN Security Council over sanctions against the DPRK, he had willingness to make efforts for it during the process of inter-Korean cooperation. Although Moon acknowledged the limitation on inter-Korean cooperation because of international sanctions, he said there was sufficient room where the two Koreas can seek cooperation and exchanges. He said that though the inter-Korean relations were faced with difficulties because of the stalled DPRK-U.S. dialogue, efforts were being made to expand inter-Korean cooperation through dialogue. The president said his government was optimistic that things would go well sufficiently. Moon's comments came a week after he said in his New Year address that his government would seek "realistic" ways for the broader inter-Korean cooperation while continuing efforts for the success of the DPRK-U.S. denuclearization negotiations. The president offered the DPRK concerted efforts to create conditions for top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un's reciprocal visit to South Korea, reaffirming his commitment to the resumption of the currently halted inter-Korean cooperation projects and the reconnection of railways and roads across the inter-Korean border. Moon has advocated a virtuous cycle of the improved inter-Korean relations leading to creating conditions favorable to the DPRK-U.S. denuclearization talks. Regarding the deadlocked DPRK-U.S. dialogue, Moon said that although both the DPRK and the United States agreed to a principle of the Korean Peninsula's denuclearization in return for corresponding measures, the two sides showed difference over with what concrete measures to reach that goal. Moon noted that even if the DPRK-U.S. dialogue did not break down, it was true that the dialogue was in a deadlock, saying the prolonged stalemate was not desirable as it can set back the talks. He said that both the inter-Korean and the DPRK-U.S. dialogues could not be seen as entering a pessimistic stage although he was not currently too optimistic about it. Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's birthday congratulatory message to the DPRK leader, Moon said sending the message itself was "very positive," noting that a dialogue message was sent by Washington through the birthday message, to which the DPRK immediately announced its response. Kim Kye Gwan, an advisor to the DPRK's Foreign Ministry, said in a statement Saturday that dialogue with the United States can resume only when Washington fully accepts Pyongyang's demands. Regarding the DPRK response, Moon noted that though the DPRK said it would resume talks with the United States only when Washington accepts its demands, Pyongyang made it clear that it will not close a door to dialogue. Moon emphasized the continued trust between the leaders of the DPRK and the United States, adding that efforts for dialogue were being made between Pyongyang and Washington. The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of following the policy of divisiveness instead of governance and said anyone showing him the mirror is dubbed as anti-national. "Modi ji has only one slogan - not governance, but divisiveness. He and his ministers follow this everyday, be it through laws like CAA, NRC or NPR, or through their statements...," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said at a press conference here. Asked about Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's remarks on CAA, he said, "Whenever someone nationally or internationally tries to show the BJP leadership a mirror, they are dubbed anti-national and are stopped from doing business in India". The Indian-origin CEO of Microsoft, one of the five biggest technology companies in the world, has voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) saying what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant lead a multinational company in India that benefits its economy. Surjewala said Modi and his ministers give statements like crushing people under elephants or gunning them down or burying them alive, and that this is their style and they have now attacked the entire country. He said apart from remarks from the Microsoft head, thinkers, writers, former defence personnel and journalists have stated in an open letter that the policy of the BJP is to divide the nation. "Modi ji should leave the policy of divide and work on solving the problems confronting the country, but Modi ji continues to work on his policy of dividing the country. Because, for him the only vision is television," the Congress leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raising the minimum wage could lower the suicide rate, according to a study published last week, delivering labor advocates a tantalizing new finding about the broader impacts of wage changes even as some experts said other factors could explain the decrease. More than 47,000 Americans died by suicide in 2017, and with other so-called deaths of despair drug overdoses and alcoholism it has grown into a slow-motion public health crisis. The phenomenon is difficult to study, and researchers have struggled to find effective prevention strategies. The new study examined suicide rates from 1990 through 2015 across all 50 states and Washington, and measured how they changed as the minimum wage increased. The researchers focused on adults between 18 and 64 years old with a high school education or less a group more likely than others to be affected by changes in the minimum wage. When controlling for changes in a states economy and welfare policies, the researchers estimated that a $1 increase in the minimum wage corresponded with a 3.5 percent decrease in the suicide rate for those with a high school education or less. Without some of the controls, the decrease in the suicide rate was 6 percent. The effect was most pronounced during times of high unemployment. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 69-year-old woman riding an electric scooter suffered life-threatening injuries when she struck a cement mixer along San Francisco's waterfront on Monday afternoon, according to police. The collision was reported at about 3:25 p.m. at the intersection of The Embarcadero and Bay Street. The woman was taken to a hospital and an update on her condition was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon. No other details about the collision were immediately available from police. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. MBABANE - A student shows how the thieves gained entry into the dormitory in a robbery during the festive holidays. (R) Corn flakes and Cremora coffee creamer belonging to the students, which the robbers prepared in the lunchbox (L) and ate. (Pics: Sithe MBABANE Security concern! Students at Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT) are concerned about their security following a burglary that occurred in one of the dormitories. Students were away when the robbery took place as they had closed on December 13, 2019 for the holidays and returned to school on Sunday evening. The dormitory, dubbed the New York block or also referred to as Labotsibeni, which has a total of 38 rooms, was broken into while the students were on break. It is believed the break-ins have been happening for a long time. Valuables belonging to the students including, Lenovo Desktop, sneakers, clothing, blankets, electrical appliances, cash and toiletry were taken. Feared In an interview with some of the students, they said they now feared for their safety following the robbery as it seemed like in some of the rooms, the burglar bars were tampered with. They said as much as they appreciated that security was beefed-up at the institution, they would like same to happen at the dormitories. We have only one security guard manning the dormitories and sometimes during weekends he does not work, some of the students said. The scholars said by the look of things, the burglary happened overtime and the thieves had all the time in the world to remove the glass windows by the doors and break into their lockers, taking cereal among other items, which they had the audacity to eat while relaxing inside their rooms. They also suspected that it might have been an inside job. The students were also of the view that management failed to address the matter in a reasonable manner as they only addressed them when they returned from the holidays. They argued that the boarding master could have at least addressed them about the robbery earlier because the institution already knew about it. When we arrived, we were met by the ransacked dormitories, without anyone explaining the situation to us, said the students. According to the students, they arrived at the college on Sunday evening to be met by the dormitories which were turned upside down with removed glasses at the top of the doors. Reported Further, the students said what added salt to injury was the fact that when they reported to the institutions authorities, requesting that their locks be changed, they were told to do it themselves without involving the institution. They further said the boarding master told them that he was not around when the burglary happened. When reached for comment on the matter, ECOT Principal Nomcebo Nhlengetfwa confirmed to have received a report from the security personnel at the college regarding the break-in. However, she said the report was verbal and she was still waiting for something recorded or written down from the security officer in charge. Nhlengetfwa said according to the security report, they had also recorded statements at the police station. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said nothing had been reported yet to the police. However, she said they would be visiting the institution to find out what had actually happened. The U.S. Navy has awarded aerospace company Leonardo a $176 million firm-fixed price contract to replace its TH-57B/C Sea Ranger helicopters. Leonardo, through AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., will build and deliver an initial 32 TH-73A aircraft and associated equipment based on the company's singled-engined TH-119 design, the Defense Department announced Monday. The service expects to buy 130 aircraft, for a total contract value of $648 million, Navy officials said. The Sea Ranger helicopters, operational since the 1980s, are used to train pilots in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The Pentagon expects deliveries to begin in October 2021 and continue through 2024, the Navy said. Related: The Navy Is Buying Equipment that Makes it Easier for Female Pilots to Pee "The new Leonardo TH-73A helicopters are the cornerstone of AHTS, which is the planned replacement to address the capability and capacity gaps of the current aging TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter training platform," said Capt. Todd St. Laurent, Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems (PMA-273) program manager, in a news release.. "The TH-73A will provide a modern helicopter training platform that will serve rotary and tiltrotor training requirements into the foreseeable future," he added. "Our plan since day one has been to offer the U.S. Navy the training capabilities they asked for, without compromise," said William Hunt, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters in Philadelphia. "We are honored to deliver on that promise, build the new fleet in Philadelphia and maintain it from Milton, Florida." The service trains several hundred aviation students per year at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton. The Navy chose the TH-119, a derivative of the commercial AW119, over Airbus' version of the single-engine H135 and Bell Helicopter's 407GXi. Five proposals in total were submitted for the contract, the service said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: Army's New Sighting System Could Lead to Reckless Shooting and Fratricide, Experts Say Intel has gone outside for another top executive, bringing in Archana (Archie) Deskus to be the chipmakers new chief information officer. Intel once emphasized hiring from within, emphasizing the companys distinctive corporate culture and the specialized nature of the semiconductor business. Thats changed over the past several years, though, and Intels top ranks are now filled with leaders hired from outside the company. The new hires bring a more diverse set of skills as the chipmaker works to expand its business beyond its historical reliance on microprocessors for PCs and laptops. Deskus had been CIO at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and before that held the same title at industrial service company Baker Hughes. Intel said she will work either at corporate headquarters in California or at the companys Arizona site. Prior Intel CIO Paula Tolliver left the company in October after a little more than three years. Other Intel executives who are relatively new to the company include CEO Bob Swan, who joined Intel as CFO in 2016 from the investment firm General Atlantic. He had previously been eBays CFO. CFO George Davis, whom Intel hired last year from Qualcomm Data center Vice President Craig Barratt, who joined Intel last year when it acquired Barefoot Networks, where Barratt had been CEO Chief Communications Officer Claire Dixon, hired in 2019 from VMware Technology Vice President Jim Keller, who joined Intel in 2018 after working at Tesla, AMD and Apple. Intel is Oregons largest corporate employer, with 20,000 employees at its Washington County campuses. Few of the new executives work in Oregon, though the company continues expanding its research and manufacturing operations here. Intels share price closed Monday at $59.59, up 21% in the past year and near its highest point since the dot-com era. The company is benefitting from soaring demand from data centers and from a resilient PC market. -- Mike Rogoway mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Since news of their relationship first came to light in July 2017 all eyes have been on Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry. Since his birth and certainly throughout his wild teen years, Prince Harry has been an object of much fascination. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, for her part had a decent following in the United States and in Canada for her role in the beloved drama series, Suits. However, her romance, engagement and eventual marriage to the prince elevated her to new heights. Being in the spotlight is one thing but the fishbowl existence and the constant scrutiny, bullying, offensive language, racism and made up stories about Markle by the British press have proven to be too much. Following their six-week holiday hiatus the Sussexes have announced their resignation as senior royals. The difference in how the U.K. vs the U.S. is covering this news is drastic. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will no longer be senior members of the British royal family Though their unhappiness in their royal roles was palpable both in their emotionally charged ITV documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, as well as in their decision to sue several U. K. publications the Sussexes resignation announcement went off like a bombshell. On Jan. 8 they announced their intent to not just step away from royal life, but to also split their time between North America and the U.K. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, they stated. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. Queen Elizabeth is supporting Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys choice to resign Though there have been rumors that the queen was furious with the Sussexes, that couldnt be further from the truth. Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family, the queen said in a statement. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. The U.S. and the U.K. are covering Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys exit very differently The U.S. newspapers and tabloids seemed much more concerned with Markles state of mind, especially considering the racism and bullying that shes enured. In contrast, the British papers seem to shove the blame on the decision to exit solely on the duchess. One of the sole outliers has been Afua Hirschs incisive essay Black Britons Know Why Meghan Wants Out. Even that was published in the New York Times. Still, a YouGov poll of 1,327 U.K. residents found that 50-percent Britons polled do support the Sussexes. After all, the memory of Princess Dianas harassment from the press which led to tragic death is still haunting. C abinet ministers are set to trash out a 100 million rescue deal for Flybe, Europes largest regional airline, it has been reported. Chancellor Sajid Javid will on Tuesday hold talks with the business and transport secretaries on whether to back an agreement, according to Sky News. Andrea Leadsom and Grant Shapps will meet Mr Javid to discuss whether a 100 million tax payment can be deferred until 2023. It was reported that the deal would be conditional on Flybe's three shareholders pumping tens of millions of pounds into the loss-making carrier. The plan is said to involve the troubled airline deferring this year's estimated air passenger duty (APD) bill of 106 million for three years, giving it the chance to survive the tough winter trading conditions. Trade association Airlines UK, which represents UK carriers, has previously warned that the tax restricts connectivity and passenger growth. Passengers on domestic flights pay 26 in APD for a return trip, with higher rates for longer flights and premium cabins. The tax is expected to be worth 3.7 billion to the Treasury in 2019/20. Flybe was bought by a consortium consisting of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital in February 2019 following poor financial results. The consortium, known as Connect Airways, paid just 2.2 million for Flybe's assets but pledged to inject cash into the airline to turn it around. The holding of rescue talks with the Government over the weekend indicates the financing requirements have become greater than expected. If Flybe collapses, it would be the second UK airline to fail in four months, after Thomas Cook went bust in September. Around 2,400 people are employed by Flybe. The airline is Europe's largest regional carrier, flying around nine million passengers a year to 170 destinations across the continent. It has a major presence at UK airports such as Aberdeen, Belfast City, Manchester and Southampton. Aviation consultant John Strickland said that some of these airports would suffer a "significant impact" if Flybe ceased operations. "At a market level it doesn't look like very much," he said. "But if you look at the regions (Flybe serves), it's dramatic." Flybe operates most domestic routes between airports outside London, including connections between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Flights operated as normal on Monday. A Flybe spokeswoman said: "Flybe continues to focus on providing great service and connectivity for our customers, to ensure that they can continue to travel as planned. "We don't comment on rumour or speculation." Brian Strutton, general secretary of pilots' union Balpa, said Flybe plays "an incredibly important role connecting the regions and nations of the UK and onwards to Europe". He went on: "The Government must recognise that the UK cannot afford to lose yet another airline, and the markets that Flybe serves cannot afford to lose their air connections which help businesses thrive. "So we urge the Government to take every possible action to keep Flybe flying." The airline began as Jersey European Airways in 1979, operating regional flights from Jersey. The countrywide anti-CAA protests are a "conspiracy" hatched from afar by those resentful of a united and grand India and these are being aided by a "crooked" opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged here on Tuesday. Addressing a rally organized by the BJP in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which was passed less than two months ago, the firebrand BJP leader charged that those opposing the legislation were committing the "paap" (sin) of working against national interests. Sushil Kumar Modi (Bihar Deputy CM) and Sanjay Jaiswal (state BJP chief) have very well articulated how the CAA is about granting citizenship to persecuted refugees and not about taking it away from anybody, he said. "For taking such a step, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah deserve acclaim. Instead they are being attacked", Yogi lamented. "Protests are taking place across the country and a 'kutil' (crooked) opposition is adding fuel to the fire. But the people of the country need to understand that it is a conspiracy hatched from afar. "The strings are being pulled by those who are resentful of 'Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat' (united India, grand India) which is becoming a reality under Modi", he claimed. Seeking to underscore that the Modi government did not discriminate against people on the basis of their religious identity, Yogi asked so many people have benefitted from the welfare schemes like Ujjwala Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. "Was anybody asked, before being included as a beneficiary, as to what is his or her religion or caste?", he remarked. But those feeling threatened by the new India keep looking for an opportunity to thwart Modis efforts to build Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat, he said. "This new India does not cower, like the Congress did, before Pakistans atomic power. "The neighboring country is today fearful that it may end up losing even the PoK, after the Article 370, which Jawaharlal Nehru wrongly introduced, was abrogated", the UP CM said evoking wild applause. The monk-turned-politician, who also heads the Gorakhnath Temple, began his speech recalling his spiritual ancestors deep links with Gaya and the ancient links between eastern UP and this central Bihar town pointing out that Lord Buddha came from Kapilavastu situated in Siddharthnagar district in the adjoining state and attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. In the town after which a reserved Lok Sabha constituency is also named, Yogi appealed to Dalits reverence for B R Ambedkar. "The revolutionary-turned-freedom fighter Sri Aurobindo had said that the biggest virtue, in current times is to work for national interest and the biggest sin is to work against it. The opposition is committing the paap (sin). To understand this you should take the contrasting examples of Ambedkar and Jogendra Nath Mandal", Yogi said. "Ambedkar remained loyal to his country while Mandal fell for Jinnahs designs, helped the creation of Pakistan and became a minister in that country. "While Ambedkar is a revered figure, Mandal felt so stifled in Pakistan that within a decade he resigned and came to Kolkata where he spent his last years living a life of anonymity. Let it be known to all whoever works against national interests shall be condemned to a similar fate", he added. He said while coming to the venue he was bemused to see posters put up on the walls by the RJD-Congress combine opposing CAA in the name of the Constitution. "A party which had strangled the Constitution by imposing the Emergency has the audacity to do so", Yogi said taking a swipe at the grand old party. The Congress always surrendered before those who ran their "shops of fatwas" and expected the country to be run as per their decrees and not the Constitution. They never cared for the humiliation faced by Muslim women because of triple talaq and it required a Narendra Modi to illegalize this practice, he said. "Congress, similarly, played a scare-monger on Ram temple issue, claiming blood will be spilled on the streets if the matter was taken to its logical conclusion. Now it has been settled once and for all and on this auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti I declare that Ayodhya in my state will soon be ready with a Ram Mandir", he added. Before ending his speech, Yogi said he would like to underscore the need for the society at large to be on guard against "deplorable attempts" (kutsit cheshtaein) to mislead the nation on CAA. He exhorted those gathered at the programme to fan out and tell the people that this law is about granting citizenship and not taking it away and that it has nothing to do with NRC. NRC was an exercise that took place in Assam, upon the Supreme Courts direction, the UP CM added. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Tejashwi Yadav is scheduled to attend a dharna against CAA in the evening here at Shanti Bagh, barely a km away from Gandhi Maidanm, the venue of Yogi's function. As part of the BJP's nationwide pro-CAA campaign, party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address a rally in Vaishali on coming Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - The number of sailors kidnapped off West Africa surged by more than 50 percent last year, a maritime watchdog said Tuesday, urging greater international cooperation to reduce piracy. The abductions took place in the Gulf of Guinea, waters stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Angola in the south to Senegal in the north, which are considered among the world's most dangerous for piracy. The number of crew snatched there jumped from 78 in 2018 to 121 last year -- amounting to over 90 percent of kidnappings reported at sea worldwide, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said in its annual piracy report. "This region has recorded an unprecedented rise in crew kidnaps," said Michael Howlett, director of the Kuala Lumpur-based IMB He called for "increased information exchange and coordination between vessels, reporting and response agencies in the Gulf of Guinea". Overall, however, reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide fell in 2019 to 162 from 201 a year earlier, the watchdog said. The Gulf of Guinea has now eclipsed the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia, as Africa's piracy hotspot, and countries in the region have been trying for some years to bolster means of intervention and to increase cooperation. Attacks in the gulf, home to Sub-Saharan Africa's two main oil producers Nigeria and Angola, have seriously disrupted international shipping routes and had huge economic costs. In 2017 alone, the cost to West Africa was estimated at over $818 million, including naval activities and contracting security services, according to a report from Oceans Beyond Piracy, a programme that studied maritime attacks. Criminal gangs in the past used to steal cargoes of oil, but have switched tactics over the past decade to kidnapping sailors for ransom as crude prices have fallen. Much of the problem originates in the Niger Delta, in Nigeria, a base for pirates who use high-powered speedboats to raid passing ships and kidnap crews. The Singapore Straits, the gateway for shipping to the trading hub, also experienced a jump in piracy, with 12 armed robberies from vessels reported in 2019, the watchdog said. But it added the incidents were "low-level" and usually limited to robbery. Psychological thriller film "Joker" led the race for the 92nd Academy Awards, or the Oscars, with 11 nominations, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday. Based on DC Comics characters, "Joker" is directed by Todd Phillips and stars Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role. The highest-grossing R-rated film ever follows the devolution of Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill failed stand-up comedian who turns into the killer-clown Joker. The film has been a subject of significant controversy in the United States since it premiered at the Venice and Toronto film festivals last year. "Joker" picked up nominations across a series of major categories, including best picture, best actor for Phoenix and best director for Phillips. Three films were close behind "Joker" with 10 nominations each: mob drama "The Irishman," World War I epic "1917" and comedy drama "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Coming-of-age period drama "Little Women," comedy drama "Marriage Story," comedy drama "Jojo Rabbit," and South Korean black comedy thriller film "Parasite" earned six nods respectively. There are nine nominees for best picture award this year. "Joker," "The Irishman," "1917," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" will compete for the top trophy against "Ford v Ferrari," "Jojo Rabbit,""Little Women," "Marriage Story" and "Parasite." Phillips, Sam Mendes ("1917"), Martin Scorsese ("The Irishman"), Quentin Tarantino ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood") and Bong Joon-ho ("Parasite") were nominated for the Best director award. No female director was nominated in the category once again. The best actor race is very competitive. Phoenix is widely seen as the front runner after he won his second Golden Globe for best actor at the 77th Golden Globe Awards earlier this month for his portrayal of the killer-clown Joker. He will compete against Antonio Banderas ("Pain and Glory"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"), Adam Driver ("Marriage Story") and Jonathan Pryce ("The Two Popes"). Battle for best actress will be among Cynthia Erivo ("Harriet"), Scarlett Johansson ("Marriage Story"), Saoirse Ronan ("Little Women"), Charlize Theron ("Bombshell") and Renee Zellweger ("Judy"). Erivo is the only woman of color nominated for an acting Oscar this year while Zellweger is widely considered a favorite after she took home her fourth Golden Globe for best actress earlier this month. Both Al Pacino and Joe Pesci were nominated for best supporting actor award for "The Irishman." They will face off against Tom Hanks ("A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"), Anthony Hopkins ("The Two Popes") and Brad Pitt ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"). Laura Dern walked away with the award for best supporting actress for her role in "Marriage Story" at the 77th Golden Globe Awards. She will compete against Kathy Bates ("Richard Jewell"), Scarlett Johansson ("Jojo Rabbit"), Florence Pugh ("Little Women") and Margot Robbie ("Bombshell") for the best supporting actress Oscar. "Parasite," the first South Korean film winning the coveted Palme d'Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival last year, is a favorite this Hollywood awards season. It's the first South Korean film nominated for best international feature film Oscar and the sixth film ever to be nominated for both best picture and international feature film. "Parasite" will compete against "Corpus Christi"(Poland), "Honeyland" (North Macedonia), "Les Miserables" (France) and "Pain and Glory" (Spain) in the best international feature film category. "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World," "I Lost My Body," "Klaus," "Missing Link" and "Toy Story 4" are on the list in the best animated feature competition. The nominees for best animated short award are "Dcera," "Hair Love," "Kitbull," "Memorable" and "Sister." "American Factory," the first film from former U.S. First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions, will compete against "The Cave," "The Edge of Democracy," "For Sama" and "Honeyland" in the category of best documentary feature. Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, the documentary tells the story of Chinese company Fuyao's factory in the U.S. state of Ohio. Rounding out the rest of its nominations were for cinematography, screenplay, costume design, film editing, original score, production design, visual effects, sound editing and sound mixing. The 92nd Academy Awards will be held on Feb. 9 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show News Recap through Jan. 13 NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show, the world's largest gathering for the retail trade industry, takes place January 12-14, 2020 at the Javits Convention Center in New York. Business Wire is the official news wire partner for NRF 2020 Vision. Please note the following important information: NRF 2020 Exhibitor News and Press Kits http://www.tradeshownews.com/events/NRF2020/ Additional Information for Press https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/press Listed below is the news recap through January 13, 2020.* 01/13/2020 - 10:00 AM Retail Seasonal Hiring a Challenge: Kronos Survey Finds Stores were Underprepared for the 2019 Holiday Season 01/13/2020 - 08:10 AM NRF Foundation Honors Raises a Record $4 Million to Support Future Retail Leaders 01/13/2020 - 07:00 AM Cavender's Tackles Store Execution with Kronos Task Management 01/13/2020 - 06:00 AM JRNI and Radius8 Partner to Enable Location-Based Appointment Scheduling for Retailers 01/13/2020 - 06:00 AM Retailers Look to Hybrid Cloud as They Search for Flexibility 01/13/2020 - 06:00 AM Madix and Shekel Brainweigh Deliver Ready-Made Product Aware Cabinets to Retail Industry 01/13/2020 - 06:00 AM Apex Introduces New Additions to its Click & Collect/Returns Platform During #NRF2020 01/13/2020 - 06:00 AM Position Imaging uses the NRF Innovation Lab to introduce the iPickup BOPIS solution for retail 01/13/2020 - 05:30 AM Jerry Leigh Upgrades to NGC's Andromeda Cloud Platform to Streamline Product Development and Accelerate Lead Times 01/13/2020 - 05:30 AM McFadyen Digital Introduces Cartable - Popup Autonomous Retail as a Service 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM Medallia Announces Powerful Retail Customer Experience Capabilities at NRF 2020 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM Zebra Technologies Unveils New Intelligent Automation Solution at NRF 2020 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM New Toshiba Receipt Printers Enhance Hospitality Point-of-Sale Customer Experience 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM Stein Mart Expands Partnership with Inference Solutions to Deliver Unique BOPIS Experience 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM Shekel's Visual Recognition (SVR) Included in Ground-Breaking Edge-X Autonomous Shopping Solution 01/13/2020 - 05:00 AM Inference Solutions to Exhibit at NRF 2020 01/13/2020 - 04:45 AM Southeastern Grocers Chooses Opterus Store Communications Tool for Operational Execution 01/13/2020 - 04:41 AM Infinite Peripherals desarrolla una solucion de escaneo de codigos de barras y captura de datos para el Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro 01/13/2020 - 04:06 AM Displaydata Showcases World-Leading Electronic Shelf Label Portfolio at NRF 2020 01/13/2020 - 04:00 AM The Retail Doctor Partners With Axonify to Bring Learning That Works to Frontline Retail Associates 01/13/2020 - 12:36 AM Infinite Peripherals desenvolve solucao de leitura de codigo de barras e captura de dados para o Galaxy XCover Pro da Samsung 01/12/2020 - 11:00 PM Co-op Utilizes ACI Worldwide to Prevent eCommerce Payments Fraud 01/12/2020 - 09:39 AM Samsung Showcases Innovative Retail Solutions to Reinvent the Customer Experience at NRF 2020 01/12/2020 - 09:00 AM Apex Self-Serve Automated Lockers Help Warehouse Teams Work Faster and Smarter 01/12/2020 - 08:26 AM AWM Smart Shelf Showcases AWM Frictionless on Microsoft Azure at Retail's Big Show 01/12/2020 - 08:22 AM AWM Smart Shelf Announces Partnership with OptiCrib Providing Technology for State-of-the Art Storeroom Management 01/12/2020 - 07:30 AM Intel and AREA15 Bring Experiential Retail to Life in Las Vegas 01/12/2020 - 06:40 AM Scandit Collaborates With Samsung to Deliver Optimized Barcode Scanning Performance and Ergonomics for the New XCover Pro 01/12/2020 - 06:00 AM World's First Micro-Market Using Hitachi LiDAR and Shekel Product Aware Debuts at NRF 2020 Vision 01/12/2020 - 06:00 AM NCR Named Leading Global POS Software Provider by Independent Third Party 01/12/2020 - 06:00 AM Independent Study of Customer Data Reveals 164 percent ROI, Hardware and Software Cost Savings Driven by NCR Technology 01/12/2020 - 06:00 AM Infinite Peripherals Develops Barcode Scanning and Data Capture Solution for the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro 01/12/2020 - 05:45 AM Veras Retail and Samsung Deliver Clienteling 2.0 Solution to Mobilize Frontline Retail Workforce on Cost-Effective, Ruggedized Business Tablets 01/12/2020 - 05:00 AM 90% of Shoppers Want Self-Checkout Machines to Automatically Identify Items According to Shekel-Sponsored Consumer Survey 01/12/2020 - 04:00 AM Axonify to Exhibit at NRF 2020 01/11/2020 - 02:35 PM Red Maple to Exhibit at NRF 2020 01/11/2020 - 12:00 PM NRF Names New Chairman, Board Members 01/10/2020 - 02:57 PM NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show Exhibitor Profiles 01/10/2020 - 10:53 AM InVue Introduces NE360 Family of Products: The Most Flexible mPOS System 01/10/2020 - 08:50 AM Aila Technologies to Showcase Innovative In-Store Customer Experiences at NRF 2020: Retail's Big Show 01/10/2020 - 06:58 AM Precima Presents the Latest Trends in Digital Shopper Personalization at NRF's 2020 Big Show 01/10/2020 - 06:00 AM Userful Visual Networking Platform Delivers Breakthrough Edge-Computing Applications for Retail, Seamlessly integrates Digital Signage and Services with Range of Display Devices 01/10/2020 - 05:00 AM PlumSlice Labs Announces Its Product Platform For Brands and Retailers 01/10/2020 - 05:00 AM Tinyclues Expands Retail Customer Marketing Reach in 2020 with NRF Sponsorship 01/10/2020 - 05:00 AM NRF 2020 : Tinyclues poursuit l'expansion de sa solution pour le marketing client dans l'industrie du retail 01/09/2020 - 03:08 PM KIOSK Information Systems Features Next Gen Self-Service Solutions for Retail at NRF 2020 01/09/2020 - 08:03 AM Elo Showcases Unified Architecture for Points of Sale and Interactive Retail Solutions at NRF 2020 01/09/2020 - 07:26 AM One Door to Showcase Innovation in Visual Merchandising and Space Planning at NRF 2020 01/09/2020 - 07:00 AM Infinite Peripherals Introduces the Smallest Dual-Purpose UHF RFID and 1D/2D Barcode Scanner 01/09/2020 - 06:24 AM Everseen Digitizes High-Value Business Processes and Loss Prevention for Retailers 01/09/2020 - 06:00 AM Brierley Puts Marketers Behind the Wheel of the Ultimate Loyalty Platform at NRF's 2020 Conference and Expo 01/09/2020 - 06:00 AM Sensormatic Solutions Survey Finds Engaged Sales Associates - Not Robots - Are Driving In-store Sales and Experiences 01/09/2020 - 06:00 AM First Insight Announces Industry's First Enterprise-Grade Management and Integration Capabilities for Voice of Customer Analytics 01/09/2020 - 06:00 AM Ahead of NRF 2020 Vision, Cradlepoint Announces First Integration of Machine Learning into NetCloud Service to Enable Wireless SD-WAN 01/09/2020 - 06:00 AM DemandTec by Acoustic Empowers Retailers with Market-Leading Price, Promotion and Markdown Optimization 01/09/2020 - 05:00 AM Coming to a Store Near You: Aruba Advances Digital Retail Experiences with SD-Branch Innovations 01/09/2020 - 05:00 AM ACI Worldwide's UP Merchant Payments Achieves Oracle Validated Integration with Oracle's Retail (POS) Solution 01/09/2020 - 05:00 AM Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions to Exhibit at NRF 2020 01/09/2020 - 05:00 AM Toshiba's 'Frictionless Store' Offers Glimpse of Future at NRF 2020 01/09/2020 - 04:00 AM Ceridian to Transform How the Retail Workforce Is Paid 01/09/2020 - 03:55 AM New Relic Enables Leading Retailers to Create Superior Digital Experiences for their Customers 01/08/2020 - 05:22 PM CORRECTING and REPLACING Apex Streamlines Off-Premise Dining with its Self-Serve Order Pick-Up Lockers 01/08/2020 - 07:15 AM Softeon to Feature Powerful Fulfillment Suite at NRF Big Show 2020 in New York City 01/08/2020 - 06:00 AM Bamboo Rose and True Fit Partner to Hyper-Personalize Online Customer Experiences 01/08/2020 - 06:00 AM Pointr Accelerates US Growth, Launches Map Scale with Major American Department Store 01/08/2020 - 06:00 AM Sensormatic Solutions to Showcase Connected, Scalable Solutions at NRF 2020 01/08/2020 - 06:00 AM Brookshire Grocery Co. and Weis Markets Select AisleOne from Mercatus to Power 1-to-1 Online Shopping Experiences 01/08/2020 - 05:17 AM VTEX Achieves AWS Retail Competency Status for its Innovative Commerce Offering 01/08/2020 - 05:00 AM Office Depot Transforming Customer Experience and Supply Chain Operations with Zebra Mobile Solutions 01/08/2020 - 05:00 AM Shekel Brainweigh Brings Autonomous Shopping, AI Retail Breakthroughs to NRF 2020 Vision 01/08/2020 - 05:00 AM GK Software Embeds Next-Generation Workforce Dimensions from Kronos Suite into OmniPOS Platform to Streamline Workforce Management 01/08/2020 - 05:00 AM Retail Analytics Leader Lori J. Schafer Named CEO of PlumSlice 01/07/2020 - 11:58 AM Gunnebo and Loomis U.S. Partner to Drive Retail Growth with New Cash Management Solution 01/07/2020 - 10:38 AM Subscription Programs Delivering Revenue Growth According to New Retail Survey 01/07/2020 - 10:16 AM Advantech to Launch Outdoor Self-Service Kiosk at NRF 2020 01/07/2020 - 06:00 AM Things Remembered Thrives with Workforce Dimensions from Kronos 01/07/2020 - 06:00 AM Position Imaging CEO, Ned Hill, Has Been Recognized as a Thought Leader and Innovator by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) 01/07/2020 - 06:00 AM Marks & Spencer Transforms Workforce Scheduling for 80,000 Colleagues with JDA and Microsoft Teams 01/07/2020 - 05:53 AM Apex to Exhibit at NRF 2020 01/07/2020 - 05:07 AM Posiflex Introduces New Line of Compact and Modular Kiosks and its Enterprise IoT Platform for POS at NRF 2020 01/07/2020 - 04:00 AM Brother to Showcase Print and Labeling Solutions for Retail Transformation at NRF 2020 01/07/2020 - 03:00 AM Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) at NRF 2020 Showing Accessible Kiosks 01/06/2020 - 06:00 AM JDA 'Makes Retail Seamless' at NRF's Big Show 2020 Showcasing the Power of AI and ML 01/06/2020 - 05:00 AM Stibo Systems' Customers adidas, Grupo Exito to Discuss Their Focus on Transformational Customer Experiences at NRF 01/01/2020 - 08:00 AM Loomis Launches Its Most Compact Smart Safe Yet-the Titan Z-in Partnership with Gunnebo 12/23/2019 - 07:37 AM Stibo Systems' Recent Survey Reveals Gap Between Demand for Deeper Consumer Experiences and Retailers' Ability to Deliver 12/19/2019 - 06:05 AM One Door and JDA Software Partner to Simplify Work for Stores 12/18/2019 - 06:00 AM Sensormatic Solutions continues trajectory of innovation 12/18/2019 - 05:30 AM Retailers Recognize Logility with Nine #1 Rankings Including Most Likely to Recommend to Retail Colleagues 12/17/2019 - 06:30 AM Windstream Enterprise Selects enVista as Strategic Retail Consulting Partner 12/17/2019 - 05:30 AM Retailers Rank NGC #1 in Seven Categories Including Technology Innovation, Overall Performance and Software Reliability in RIS News 2020 Software LeaderBoard 12/13/2019 - 03:00 AM Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) Announces Research Panel, MCR and NRF 12/03/2019 - 06:04 AM Mercatus Partners with Point Pickup to Offer Reliable Last-Mile Grocery Delivery for Growing Retailers 10/08/2019 - 06:40 AM Satya Nadella to Open NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show *Recap composed of NRF 2020 Vision related news releases and multimedia issued over Business Wire's network. About Business Wire Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in news release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Investor relations, public relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals, and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX Network. Business Wire has 18 newsrooms worldwide to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media. Learn more at www.businesswire.com. Follow us on Twitter @businesswire. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005981/en/ It was all bad news on the job front on Monday. Though a media report suggested Walmart shed hundreds of senior jobs in India, the Beast of Bentonville later said it has sacked 36 executives, including eight in the senior management. (Representational image) NewDelhi/Chennai: It was all bad news on the job front on Monday. Though a media report suggested Walmart shed hundreds of senior jobs in India, the Beast of Bentonville later said it has sacked 36 executives, including eight in the senior management. Appa-rently, after taking Flipkart into its fold, the US giant now finds redundancies in the brick and mortar vertical. Later on, Oyo hospitality chain, in an internal mail to its staff in India and South Asia, said it plans to downsize its manpower as part of an ongoing business restructuring. Sour-ces said Oyo is sacking about 1,000 of its roughly 10,000 employees in India. Coincidentally, these announcements came on a day an SBI Research report said India would generate fewer jobs, nearly 16 lakh less, in the current fiscal. "In FY19, India had created 89.7 lakh new payrolls as per the EPFO data. In FY20, as per current projection this number could be at least 15.8 lakh lower," the SBI report said. Walmart India president & CEO Krish Iyer said, The company remains committed to growing its wholesale retail business in India. Most of the sacking was in Walmarts real estate division. Oyos Ritesh Agarwal said, Some roles at Oyo will become redundant, but not saying how many. The cover for issue 2 of Oncotarget features Figure 5, 'MASPIN can prevent the formation of UPA - UPA-receptor complex by a single step, and thus decrease the possibility of the abnormal degradation of the ECM, the development metastasis and angiogenesis, The cover for issue 2 of Oncotarget features Figure 5, "MASPIN can prevent the formation of UPA - UPA-receptor complex by a single step, and thus decrease the possibility of the abnormal degradation of the ECM, the development metastasis and angiogenesis," by Fodor, et al. In the present study, the research team investigated AEZS-108 induced cytotoxicity and the altered mRNA expression profile of regulatory factors related to angiogenesis and metastasis in LHRH receptor-positive OCM3 cells. Their results show that AEZS-108 upregulates the expression of MASPIN/SERPINB5 tumor suppressor gene, which is downregulated in the normal uvea and UM specimens independently from the LHRH receptor-ligand interaction. In order to investigate the mechanism of the induction of MASPIN by AEZS-108, OCM3 cells were treated with free DOX, D-Lys6 LHRH analog, or AEZS-108. Dr. Gabor Halmos from the University of Debrecen, Department of Biopharmacy, in Debrece, Hungary as well as the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, in Miami, FL, USA said, "Although uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease, it is the most prevalent lethal ophthalmological tumor." The discovery of specific receptors for peptide hormones on cancer cells has led to the development of cytotoxic or radiolabeled hormone analogs that are appropriate for tumor localization and targeted therapy. AEZS-108 guides the chemotherapeutic agent specifically to those tumors that express LHRH-receptors, which could result in targeted cytotoxicity and less damage to healthy tissues. The authors reported that previously OCM3 UM cell line expresses the receptor of LHRH localized on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, rendering them susceptible to AEZS-108 uptake and the detection of the LHRH receptor in OCM3 cells has led to the use of AEZS-108 for targeted therapy of the tumor. Moreover, that the OCM3 UM cell line expresses the LHRH receptor and LHRH rendering them susceptible to AEZS-108 uptake. The Halmos Research Team concluded, "In summary, our data confirmed previous results showing LHRH receptor expression in OCM3 cells, a UM in vitro model. Furthermore, we report for the first time that AEZS-108 causes changes in the expression of genes that are involved in angiogenesis and ECM degradation and which might inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in OCM3 cells. These findings suggest that AEZS-108 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of angiogenesis and tumor suppression. Taken together, targeted cytotoxic LHRH analogs, such as AEZS-108, might serve as an effective treatment for patients with LHRH receptor-positive uveal melanoma." The Best of Texas wants you to know that a poor turkey has lost his testicles for you to enjoy. The organization, which hosts festivals around Texas, said in a Facebook post not to let the turkey's testes be wasted in vain at its first Texas Testicle Festival from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday in Bankersmith Hall in Fredericksburg. Testicles from calves, lambs, roosters, turkeys and other animals are considered delicacies in other parts of the world. And that's what the festival is celebrating people who enjoy eating animal testicles. Joe Bachmeier, an organizer with the event, said the festival will include turkey, lamb and veal testicles. The organs were imported from professionals that performed the removal of the testicles. They will be battered, fried and grilled at the festival. If you don't want to try the testicles, hungry visitors can choose from burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, artisan pizzas, gourmet hot dogs and pork ribs. READ ALSO: Barbacoa & Big Red Festival adds a second day in response to criticisms of last year's event Bachmeier said they are expecting several hundred people to attend the event, which will include lawn games, a full bar, live music and a small petting zoo for kids. Tickets for the festival range between $5 and $35 and are available for purchase at bankersmithtexas.com or at the festival gate located at 7905 Old San Antonio Road. "This event is just to celebrate the testicle festivals that happen nationwide," Bachmeier said. "We think its a really fun event people will enjoy. Plus, it's at a really cool venue." Although the hall has a Fredericksburg address it is located in a town that was established in 1913 that later became a ghost town. Priscilla Aguirre is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED (TSXV: SRL) (FSE: CCG.F) ("Salazar Resources" or the "Company",) a well-funded Ecuadorian and Colombian focused copper-gold explorer, is pleased to provide the following update on its wholly-owned portfolio: Highlights Three projects to be drilled across the wholly-owned portfolio in 2020 Well-funded Company, with strong treasury to be supplemented by income from joint ventures Multiple concession applications to be submitted on re-opening of national mining register Fredy Salazar, CEO of Salazar Resources commented, "We are pleased to announce that the Company remains well-funded and that the Board has approved plans to drill Ruminahui, Los Osos and Macara this year. Meanwhile, Salazar Resources continues to run a prospecting team field-checking targets generated by our specialists in Ecuadorean geology. We are aiming to grow our portfolio of highly prospective assets through our expertise and our unrivalled grass-roots network, and we eagerly await the reopening of the national mining register. Furthermore, as proud Ecuadoreans we remain committed to developing the natural resource endowment of our Country in partnership with our local communities and with our government. The Company is focused on its strategy of advancing its 100%-owned projects prior to seeking partnership with major mining companies. In parallel, funded work at the Curipamba, Pijili and Santiago joint venture projects continues to progress well." Strategy Salazar Resources plans to drill Ruminahui, Los Osos and Macara on a 100% basis in 2020 and evaluate strategic options as the projects advance. The Company also awaits the re-opening of the national mining register later this year with interest. Salazar Resources has four project applications pending, and it is hoped that at least one of these new projects will be awarded when the register reopens. In addition the Company will submit several further applications for new projects and concession areas when the mining register opens. Story continues Responding to inbound strategic interest Salazar Resources intends to open formal discussion for farm-outs later in the year. The Company will be attending the Project Generators Hub at the Association for Mineral Exploration, Roundup 2020 conference in Vancouver later this month. Budget Salazar Resources has a funded US $2.6m budget for 2020 that incorporates the option to drill up to 8,500m on its 100% owned portfolio. At September 30, 2019, Salazar Resources had Cdn $4.27m in cash and the Company also receives income in the form of advance payments and management fees from its funded joint ventures. The guaranteed income from Curipamba is a minimum of US $600,000 per annum and Salazar Resources will earn additional management fees for exploration services provided to the Exploration Alliance for work on Pijili and Santiago. Salazar Resources can generate further income from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Perforaciones Andesdrill S.A that owns three diamond drill rigs. Drill Plan for 2020 At Ruminahui and Macara, water-use permits are awaited prior to drilling. The initial plan is to allocate 3,000m of drilling at Ruminahui and Los Osos, with 2,500m of drilling at Macara. Timing of the drill plans will depend on water permit issuance and the drilling will be carried out by Perforaciones Andesdrill S.A. An exploration update on Los Osos will be provided shortly. Other Work Salazar Resources runs a prospecting team regularly field-checking targets, with a view to growing the property portfolio in a value-accretive manner. Salazar Resource also continues with community engagement as part of all day-to-day activity in order to work across all of our operations in the most socially and environmentally responsible way possible. The Company recognizes the importance of working safely and respecting the environment and communities we are privileged to work in. In Colombia, ratification of the Alisales licenses is ongoing, with a view to starting fieldwork in H2 2020. The Company continues to monitor options regarding access to the Ramos and La Verde license areas prior to starting the license ratification process. About Salazar Salazar Resources (SRL.V) (CCG.F) is a mineral resource company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral deposits in Ecuador and Colombia. The Company has a proven Ecuadorian discovery team led by ex-head of exploration for Newmont in Ecuador, Fredy Salazar; a team of 40 people including fifteen geologists; three drill rigs and an unrivalled Ecuadorian 'grass roots' network. The Salazar Resources team has been involved with many discoveries in Ecuador, including Curipamba (Adventus Mining and Salazar Resources), Fruta Del Norte (Lundin Gold), the Mozo deposit, Cangrejos (Lumina Gold), Rio Blanco (Junefield Mineral Resources and Hunnan Gold), and Gaby (ENAMI). Salazar Resources aspires to be Ecuador's leading project generator with the right partners at the right time making the company self-funding. Salazar Resources has a joint venture on the Curipamba VMS discovery, whereby its partner can earn 75% of the project by funding exploration and development expenditures of US $25 million before October 2022. A feasibility study is expected to be completed during 2021, after the partner is required to fund 100% of the development and construction expenditures to commercial production. In addition, Salazar Resources has a funded Exploration Alliance with the same partner that has incorporated the Pijili and Santiago projects to date. Salazar Resources is advancing its 100% owned Ruminahui, Macara, Los Osos and Alisales projects with the aim of making Ecuador's next significant copper-gold discovery. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED Fredy Salazar Salazar Resources (Chief Executive Officer) fsalazar@salazarresources.com Tel: +593 (0) 99 733 6152 Merlin Marr-Johnson Salazar Resources (VP Corporate Development) merlin@salazarresources.com Tel: +44 20 7389 5023 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 press release contains "forward -looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "pending", "intends", "plans", "forecasts", "targets", or "hopes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" "might", "will be taken", or "occur" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that Salazar expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Although Salazars has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, 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 such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Salazar undertakes to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51427 Its hard to imagine that a story about an armed militia stealing stallions and in-foal mares could get any more surprising than what it was. Sadly, according to multiple published reports, it has. Earlier this month, stallion Churchill Downs was one of multiple Thoroughbreds that were stolen during a 14-hour siege at Al Shaab Stud in Libya. After the ordeal, Al Shaab Stud owner Dr. Amad Ashaab explained that the armed group arrived, broke into the stable, stole all the veterinary devices, furniture, generators, jars and water pumps, in addition to the horses. At the time, Dr. Ashaab called for all humanitarian organizations and all horse organizations to save the horses of Libya. Now, according to multiple reports (including one by The Sun), the situation has actually gotten worse. The update on the situation is that armed militiamen returned days later and stole the rest of the horses on the premises, which Dr. Ashaab has numbered at 30. "Now armed militias from Tarhuna have returned to steal the remaining 30 horses. I expect the worst, Dr. Ashaab explained via social media. "I stand in front of a stable silenced, my world is sad, the world is shameful. Militias want to set fire to the stud. They have already burned my heart and soul. "I cannot believe that my life's work has been destroyed and the horses have suffered from barbaric people." (With files from The Sun) You can't judge a book by its cover, but can you judge a high school by the number of students its sends to elite universities? A new report nudges you to do just that. PolarisList has put together a national ranking of public and private high schools based on the number of students enrolling in Harvard, Princeton and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. East Coast high schools dominate the top of the list; the first San Francisco Bay Area school to appear in the ranking is Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto with 11 students going to Harvard, 12 to Princeton and 14 to MIT. The public school on the Peninsula has a national ranking of 17 and is second in the state after Harvard-Westlake, a private school in Studio City, with 23 students going to Harvard, 22 to Princeton and six to MIT. The Harker School in San Jose is second in the Bay Area and third in the state with 11 students enrolling at Harvard, 13 at Princeton and 12 at MIT. (See how more Bay Area schools ranked in the gallery above.) ALSO: The best Bay Area school districts for 2020, according to Niche The report from PolarisList looked at data from college classes graduating in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The rankings are based on the total number of students enrolling at Harvard, Princeton or MIT across those four years. "We report on college matriculation, not college admissions," according to PolarisList. "With college admissions, you may end up with a skewed look at a school if one student happens to be accepted into multiple schools." PolarisList says they chose to highlight these three colleges because they are among the top schools which admit students who receive Pell Grants, a federal subsidy, and are therefore more accessible than other top schools. The report also notes class size, student-to-teacher ratios and the percentage of students who qualified for free and reduced lunch. Some schools have the same ranking because they had the same number of students get into the top schools. While the rankings are interesting to consider, the focus on admittance to only three of the most prestigious schools makes the information limited. Even the most exceptional students can't all get into Harvard, where only 6 percent of applicants are accepted on average, and there are thousands of other colleges across the country to consider. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. The New York Public Library's list of the 10 most-checked-out books of all time, revealed Monday for its 125th anniversary, largely consists of children's books. Chances are you have read, or heard of, at least one. There's "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats and "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss, each checked out nearly a half million times. There's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Where the Wild Things Are." But there is also one very famous children's book conspicuously missing from the list: "Goodnight Moon." You remember: the great green room, with the telephone and balloon and the painting of the cow jumping over the moon, and the soothing words to which millions of children have been tucked safely into bed: "Goodnight stars, Goodnight air, Goodnight noises everywhere." So conspicuous was its absence from the most-read list that the library felt a need to explain why, giving the 1947 book by Margaret Wise Brown an honorable mention. It was almost an apology, as there was, in fact, something to apologize for. While children and their parents have loved the bedtime story for decades, Anne Carroll Moore "hated" it. Moore not only ran the children's section at the library for 35 years, she actually invented it. And her influence on the entire industry was so widely felt that, even though she technically retired from the library in 1941, her opinion still kept the book off the shelves for decades. "By all measures, this book should be a top checkout (in fact, it might be the top checkout) if not for an odd piece of history: extremely influential New York Public Library children's librarian Anne Carroll Moore hated Goodnight Moon when it first came out," the library said in an addendum to its list. "As a result, the Library didn't carry it until 1972. That lost time bumped the book off the top 10 list for now. But give it time." The unusual snippet of cultural history, which was first reported by Slate, draws attention to a largely forgotten figure responsible for introducing an entire generation of children to libraries in the early 20th century, yet who grew up at a time when most libraries didn't even allow children inside. Moore's distaste for several beloved children's books published in her time, including E.B. White's "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web," may make her seem like villain in the eyes of readers or parents today, said Jan Pinborough, author of "Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children." But the notable dissents Moore is known for now, Pinborough said, belie her more important life's work: nearly single-handedly engineering children's services at the library as we understand them today. "We take children's libraries so for granted now," Pinborough told The Washington Post. "But she created these innovations, these beautiful welcoming spaces for children. She took down the silence signs. She designed child-sized tables. . . . And she ordered books in many languages so that all of the children, including many immigrant children, could actually check out books and bring them home. . . . She made all these great contributions, but I feel like today she's looked at as villainous because of her efforts to quash a few certain books." Moore, born in Maine in 1871, moved to New York in 1895 and very shortly thereafter "more or less invented the children's library," as New Yorker writer Jill Lepore, a Harvard history professor, reported in a 2008 story about the librarian's relationship with White. She opened her first at the Pratt Institute in 1896 and her next at the New York Public Library in 1906, as its first director of the new children's department. Less than a decade after stocking the shelves with kid-friendly storybooks, in 1913, those books accounted for one-third of all checkouts at New York library branches, Lepore reported. Before long, libraries around the country copied Moore's children's services and looked to her for recommendations on which books to collect. Once she started offering reviews, Moore's stamp of disapproval - or her refusal to add a book to her library's collection - was enough to ruin a book, said Betsy Bird, collections development manager at the Evanston, Illinois, Public Library. "When she didn't like a book, she would say, 'This is truck,' " Bird, who was previously a youth materials specialist at the New York Public Library, told The Post. "People would make this pilgrimage to her in the library to show her their book, and if she didn't like it she would tell people right to their face." That is exactly what happened to Margaret Wise Brown the first time she went to meet Moore with a publishing colleague in 1938, according to a biography of Brown by Leonard Marcus. The two disagreed stylistically. Moore was a lover of fairy tales and fables. Brown, a believer in rhyme, in speaking to children in their own language. They never quite saw eye to eye, Marcus noted. "Do you want to know what I think of these books?" Moore asked Brown and her companion, Bill Scott, when they came with a stack of books. "Truck, Mr. Scott! They are truck!" So it would be no surprise, then, that when Brown's most famous work, "Goodnight Moon," was published, the unusually powerful New York librarian "didn't really care for it," Bird said. "Goodnight Moon" went on sale for $1.75 in the fall of 1947 and then - for the next several years - was almost forgotten. The reviews that year were fine but not great. The Christian Science Monitor said it "creates an atmosphere of peace and calm" for children, while the New Yorker was unmoved: "Goodnight Moon" was "hypnotic bedtime litany," the critic wrote, according to Marcus's biography, "Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon." But at the New York Public Library, the internal opinion was particularly harsh: It had been "dismissed as an unbearably sentimental piece of work," according to Marcus. Moore was by then retired from the library but her influence did not go away in the slightest: She still attended every meeting, as Lepore reported. And so for years, presumably following the advice of its most famous in-house critic, the library refused to add the book to its collection. Only 6,000 copies of "Goodnight Moon" were sold in the fall of 1947, according to Marcus, and sales had tanked by its second year in circulation. Bird said that the book's explosion in popularity in later years is still somewhat of a mystery. Marcus theorized that "Goodnight Moon" traveled to more and more parents by word of mouth amid the post-World War II baby boom starting in 1953, when suddenly sales started inching back up. "There may be no specific explanation for what ensued - 4,000 copies sold in 1955, 8,000 in 1960, nearly 20,000 in 1970, and onward and upward - other than that parents who knew Goodnight Moon and found it memorable recommended it to their friends," he wrote. Neither Moore nor Brown, however, would live to see it. Brown died in 1952 at age 42, while Moore died in 1961 at 89. Her influence had waned toward the end of her life after she disagreed with critics writ large about the merits of White's two classics, "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web" - the latter of which is No. 6 on the New York Public Library's list of most-checked-out books. But Lepore told The Post via email that she would hope the formidable New York librarian's unpopular opinions don't go on to spoil her remarkable influence on kids. "That Moore, she was a pistol," Lepore said. ". . . But, given that people have forgotten, ignored and dismissed everything Anne Carroll Moore did for public libraries and for children, it'd be pretty tragic injustice if she gets remembered only to be attacked for having hated 'Goodnight Moon' and banned 'Stuart Little'." A senior IAS officer, whose education reforms when she was Commissioner and Director, School Education, really turned things around in Andhra Pradesh, is now with her parent cadre the Indian Postal Services. Her new policies of connecting Aadhar Card details to the pensioners' accounts have benefitted over one crore people in Andhra Pradesh. The same was later implemented in the government schools for children so that they avail all the facilities given by the government and was later implemented across India. She talks to us about how they overcame some of AP's most intrinsic barriers to education. Excerpts from the interview: 1) You pursued a Masters degree at Harvard Kennedy School. What were the lessons that you learnt and later implemented in your government service? I pursued a Masters in Public Administration and Public Policy. My areas of interest were poverty elimination, public sector, new public management and understanding the financial management of the non-profit sector. I also did the Negotiation Programme at the Harvard Law School. When I came back, I shared the nuances that I had learnt in these institutions. After this, I did three months of research and wrote a paper on the Thrift Cooperatives in Andra Pradesh. This was part of my finance course and the now it is even taught in IIM Ahmedabad. The new public management was very interesting and I could understand my work in that context. There was another programme that I pursued in Human Resource Management which helped me deal with the union members wisely. The way I had dealt with the union members before and after had changed. What I had learnt from Harvard is that both the parties can win at the same time. There need not be a zero-sum game between the union and the administration always. The course I did on public policy for poverty alleviation was another interesting one. Here, I could understand the disconnect between the people who form policies, guidelines, their implementation and the final outcome will not match the vision you have. And I have witnessed this happen in the government institutions even today. 2) How did this transition from the postal department to the education department happen? I was interested to work in the social sector from the beginning and that is why I got into social services. We had done a lot of interesting work on the Aadhaar-enabled payments for daily wagers and pensioners in my tenure. It had tremendous impact benefitting over one crore people in Andhra Pradesh. I personally went to different villages to see how the programme was going and if the postmasters have adapted themselves to the technology which is a point of transaction. At the same time, I was very keen to work in the education department and the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who noticed my work asked me if I can serve as the Commissioner for School Education. I was happy to get something that I had always wanted. 3) Tell us about some ground-breaking policies which you implemented in school education. There are many such policies which were implemented in Andhra Pradesh first and later replicated in other states. When I joined the education department, I worked as a State Project Director of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as well as the commissioner. Earlier, these two were separate offices. While forming policies was in the hands of the commissioner, the funds would be with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. I could see how best these departments could be aligned to bring in different changes. One factor which I could align was Unified District Information of School Education (UDIS) which is essentially a data on the number of government schools, the number of children studying etc. While the school education department collected the data on a quantity basis like the number of classes, benches, toilets and children, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was collecting data on who these children are, where they come from, whether the teachers maintained the register and so on. When I sat down to analyse these figures, they did not tally. For instance, there will be 30 children listed out of which 20 will be studying in private schools and only 10 will be in the government school. We were able to find out that there were over five and a half lakh children who studied in government as well as private schools. This led me to introduce Aadhaar-enabled system at the school level to get the exact number of children in government schools so that they can avail our services. In our state, over 76.8 per cent children are connected through Aadhaar to schools currently. Now, majority of the states have implemented this programme. The panel involved people who have been immense contributions in the field of education 4) There has been a drastic decrease in the allocation of budgets for education by the central government. What can the government do to increase the budget for this sector? There are different factors that matter in the delivery of education in the government schools and budget is one of the major factors. From 2014-2017, the budget has reduced for school education from 3.2 per cent to 2.7 per cent of the GDP at the national level. At the state level, it has been increasing. In Andhra Pradesh, it was 14 per cent then it increased to 16 per cent. Sometimes, when there is financial crisis, an allocation is made in the budget but there is a delay in the release. I think the Delhi government is the best example as they have a huge budget only for the education sector. 5) What should government schools do to make it friendly for differently-abled children? Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, we have a programme for differently-abled children under which we assess the level of disability they have. In some cases, the disability can be rectified with the surgeries. Some children might just need glasses or might have cleft lips which can be set right. And the last step is following up with children who are suffering from other disabilities. We need to follow up with them and their parents. In a few cases, these children will need home therapy also. Hence, we train mothers to give this home therapy. If they can't do home therapy then they can be brought to the therapy centres for which they are also given transport allowance. 6) What do you think prevents people from sending their children to government schools? There are two major reasons that prevent people from sending their children to government schools one is that private schools are better than government schools. They also see that there is greater accountability, teachers are available, better infrastructure and so on. And the second reason is that the medium of instruction is English. The parents want their child to learn English. In private schools, the parents can also go and demand if something is missing as they pay for those facilities. It's time to make the teachers and government officials responsible at the government schools by training them for the required skills and knowledge of the 21st century. 7) Jagan Mohan Reddy, CM, Andhra Pradesh is converting all the Telugu medium schools to English medium schools. Don't you think it is a good step towards imparting English education? When the Chief Minister visited different places, he has seen people interacting in English and how necessary it is for children to learn the same. Hence, he has been aspiring to bring English medium to the masses. However, we tried to convince him that only Class I-VI students can be taught English and we can take it to the other classes in the coming years. He was not willing to do so. Now, all the children from Class I-VIII will be taught in English medium only. There are certain preparations to be done for this. Currently, teachers are being trained to teach in English, textbooks are developed with the English content and so on. As many as 98,000 teachers need to be trained in several stages. Hence, we have been in conversation with organisations like British Council and Regional Institute of English to provide modules to teach English. (UPDATE: 1/15/2020, 10:28 a.m.): The Bayonne Police Department confirmed that they recovered the van last night, January 14 at 9:30 p.m. in Jersey City. An investigation is ongoing. A Liberty Humane Society van was stolen Monday night during an animal control call in Bayonne, officials said. The theft occurred around 8 p.m. on West 48th Street. An employee of the Jersey City nonprofit left the car running with the keys in the ignition while inside a home, a Bayonne police spokesman told The Jersey Journal. No animals were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen, Liberty Humanes director of operations Kim Saunders said. The organization uses the vehicle for animal control calls throughout Jersey City, Hoboken, and Bayonne, Saunders said. She declined to provide a dollar value of the equipment inside. We are saddened and disappointed that someone would steal a van from a nonprofit organization that is committed to serving the community, Saunders said. The van, a white 2016 Ford Transit Connect, is lettered with the nonprofits logo and information. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Bayonne Police Departments detective bureau at 201-858-6925 or contact the departments anonymous tip line at 877-900-8477 or via text at 274-637 using the keywords TIP BPD. Whether youre a leader or a member or a lobbyist or anybody engaged in that Springfield culture, youve got to ask yourself what direction youre taking things or what youve done to contribute to it or what youre doing to alleviate the concerns that voters and the rest of us have about this culture and the corruption, Pritzker said. Ive insisted that to everybody, to all the leaders and chairs of committees as well as to the members themselves. The Church of the Highlands, Alabamas largest church, continues to buy more property adjacent to the former Cahaba Grand Conference Center on U.S. 280 in Birmingham for a planned new campus for Highlands College, which trains ministers. The church closed a deal on Jan. 7 to pay $32 million for an office building, parking deck and land along Grandview Parkway and Cahaba River Road, according to deeds filed with the Jefferson County Probate Court. The church also purchased additional land and a warehouse for $2.925 million, according to probate records. In 2016, founding Pastor Chris Hodges announced that the church had bought the Cahaba Grand Conference Center, where it began holding services on March 6, 2016, as its Grandview campus. This past week, we wrote a check and we own that conference center, Hodges said at the time. The conference center was originally built as the Richard M. Scrushy Conference Center as part of the HealthSouth headquarters campus, later called the Grandview Plaza, which was bought by the Daniel Corporation in 2008. Hodges said the church acquired the conference center property for a quarter of what its worth, although he did not announce a selling price at the time. Jefferson County probate and tax records show the purchase price was $8.5 million. Highlands College, which has 1,147 students in ministry currently at the Greystone campus of the Church of the Highlands, last year announced plans to move its campus by 2021 to the churchs Grandview property on U.S. 280 and double enrollment. Plans call for eventually adding student housing to the site. The churchs 2019 annual report said Highlands College had 371 traditional students, 701 evening students and 75 interns in ministry training at the school. Since 2011, Highlands College has placed 576 ministry graduates in employment, many with churches affiliated with the Association of Related Churches, co-founded by Hodges to plant churches. The planned new campus of Highlands College is located behind Grandview Medical Center, which also was formerly part of the HealthSouth campus. This location is perfectly suited for a college campus and relocating there will elevate our visibility within the community, according to a statement on its web site. The Grandview location will give us the capacity to create a true college campus designed to promote community with state-of-the-art learning facilities and a beautiful green space that transforms the property into a walkable campus. Highlands College also announced a campaign to raise a $100 million endowment for renovations at the Grandview campus and to provide scholarships for students. We will seek to fund an endowment that will allow us to provide the opportunity for up to 1,000 students to attend Highlands College on full scholarships, the statement said. These scholarships are a vital part of the Highlands College vision because our approach requires students to be fully immersed in the classroom and in the living laboratory of the church. Pat Henry, president of the Commercial division of Daniel Corporation, which owned the conference center, said that the plans for Highlands College are impressive. Theyve got some pretty big plans for it, Henry said. Henry said the property is in good hands. Theyve been in the building for more than two years," he said. "We moved out a couple years ago and they moved into our space. Any growth or expansion we can get in Birmingham is a good thing. Although he does not attend the church, Henry said the churchs outreach and projects help the Birmingham area. I personally am blown away by the church and the investments they are making in this community, Henry said. It should be celebrated. Im excited about what theyre doing as citizens of the community. Weekly attendance at the Church of the Highlands now exceeds more than 50,000 at all its campuses combined, according to its latest year-end annual report. Alabamas largest church is headquartered on Grants Mill Road in Irondale but founding Pastor Chris Hodges has his weekly sermons streamed by video to branches from Huntsville to Mobile and Tuscaloosa to Columbus, Ga. Weekly attendance at all 21 branch locations combined is 52,163, according to the churchs latest annual report. According to its course catalog, Highlands College is not a degree-granting institution and is not accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The college holds applicant status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation. The school hosted a comprehensive accreditation visit by a team of evaluators from the ABHE from Oct. 29-31 to determine its compliance with standards for accreditation. In 2017-2018, tuition cost $2,750 per semester, according to the catalog. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Queen agrees to let Harry and Meghan move part-time to Canada after 'constructive' royal summit. She says she would have preferred Harry and Meghan to remain full-time royals but respects wish for an independent life. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Matt Dunham With rise in Omicron cases, SC to conduct hearings virtually for next two weeks Can't allow every person who thinks of some solution to COVID-19 to file petition: SC Kerala Govt moves Supreme Court against CAA India oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, Jan 14: The government of Kerala has filed a suit against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led-Left part has sought a direction to declare the contentious citizenship law as unconstitutional. Reportedly, in December the Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution against the CAA, seeking direction from the Centre to cancel the contentious citizenship law that triggered nationwide protests violence. The resolution was supported by all the MLAs except BJP's O Rajagopal. Accusing the Modi-led-BJP government of executing the RSS agenda of dividing the nation into communal lines in the name of NRC and CAA Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, moved the resolution. Earlier, Vijayan had cleared by saying that there will be no detention centers in Kerala. He later added that the state has a long history of secularism, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, everyone reached had reached here. He also talked about Christians and Muslims bonding. Kerala CM said that their tradition is of inclusiveness and the state assembly needs to keep this tradition alive. Vijayan has called the exercise of CAA as a "violation of the fundamental right of equality". Complied with SC order, demolished apartment complexes in Kochi's Maradu: Kerala govt informs Reportedly, the CAA 2019 passed by both houses of the Parliament has created concern among various communities triggering nationwide protest violence. "The Act, which has set new guidelines for granting citizenship, is a violation of the fundamental right of equality as mentioned in Part III of the Constitution," claimed the Kerala CM. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 17:58 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c322208d3 1 Science & Tech windows-7,windows-10,operating-system,Microsoft,computer Free Its time to finally bid farewell to operating system Windows 7 which has been around for 11 years. Starting from Jan. 14, Microsoft is discontinuing the operating systems technical assistance and software updates that play an important role in keeping your computers from harm. According to a statement, the decision was taken as the company needed to focus on other new technologies. For those still using Windows 7, Microsoft suggests that users upgrade to Windows 10 by January at the latest in case you need further support or service. According to kompas.com, upgrading to Windows 10 is not that difficult as long as users have a stable internet connection, a license to install Windows 10 and other requirements, including 1 GB of RAM for the operating system's 32-bit version and an SVGA monitor with a screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Here are steps that users can follow to upgrade their software: Click this link and click on Download tool now to download the software. After completing the download process, open the app, click Accept and choose Upgrade this PC now and click next. On the next page, opt for Keep personal files and apps to protect your files during the upgrade, then click Install. Keep in mind that your computer may restart several times during the process. When all of the processes are done, Windows 10 will be automatically installed and launched on your computer. As the last step, users need to activate Windows 10 by going to the Settings menu, clicking Windows update and then choosing Activation where they have to input the license code and click Start. (wir/kes) Busani Bafana BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As a child, Kenyan meteorologist Saumu Shaka helped out on her parents small farm growing maize and pigeon pea - and learned how the weather can hold food producers hostage. Looking back, the yield has declined over the years, said Shaka, 28, who works with the Kenya Meteorological Department. A decade ago, her parents would get 25 sacks of maize from their six hectares in Taita Taveta County, southeast of Nairobi. Today that has dwindled to five bags at most, because of erratic rainfall that can also spur crop-destroying pests. As climate change fuels extreme weather and threatens harvests, Africa needs more scientific expertise to help small-scale farmers adapt, especially women who tend to be hit worst, said Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, director of Nairobi-based group African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women represent nearly half of farmers in Africa and produce up to 80% of basic food crops. They are also largely responsible for preparing, storing and processing food. But in many cases, the FAO says, they have limited rights, mobility and access to resources, information and decision-making power, making them more vulnerable and less able to adapt to climate change impacts than men. This means womens continued underrepresentation in climate change research is no longer acceptable, said Kamau-Rutenberg, noting that few have opportunities in science education. AWARD is leading the One Planet Fellowship, a new initiative that will train 630 African and European scientists to use a gender lens to help African smallholders adapt to climate shifts, unusually offering Africans the opportunity to serve as mentors. Under-investment in African scientific research capacity means we still dont even know the specific ways climate change will manifest ... in Africa, said Kamau-Rutenberg. In September, the three-year career development programme welcomed its first cohort of 45 fellows from Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo, Mali, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso - over half of them female. The aim is to set an example and dispel the myth that there are no African women scientists ready to step into leadership, Kamau-Rutenberg added. AWARD collaborates on the initiative, worth nearly $20 million, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Frances BNP Paribas Foundation and Agropolis Fondation, the European Union and Canadas International Development Research Centre. FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE As one of the inaugural fellows, Shaka is seeking home-grown solutions to the challenges faced by farmers like her parents, who are battling to grow enough food on a warming planet. Her research focuses on cost-effective climate-smart agribusiness techniques to help young people boost jobs and food security, which she will promote on social media platforms. African scientists have firsthand experience and solutions that are practical and applicable to their societal set-ups within their individual countries, she said. Women scientists, moreover, are better able to understand the specific challenges in designing community-tailored solutions to help fellow women, said the senior meteorologist. Droughts and floods, for example, impose a health burden on women, who have to walk long distances in search of water and stay alert to the risk of waterborne diseases, she noted. Pamela Afokpe, 27, an AWARD fellow from Benin, said in-continent experts could relate to the needs of African farmers more easily. Afokpe, a vegetable breeder with East-West Seed International, is working to get more farmers growing indigenous leafy vegetables in West and Central Africa by helping them access high-yielding varieties resistant to pests and diseases. Up to now, a limited number of African experts have contributed to the landmark scientific assessments published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which synthesises research and guides policymakers. Out of 91 lead authors of the 2018 IPCC special report on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, only eight were from Africa, as were just a tenth of the 783 contributing authors. South Africas Debra Roberts, co-chair of a working group for the IPCC ongoing sixth scientific assessment report and the first female co-chair from Africa, said the panels work showed tackling climate change required all of society to respond. Women have different lived experiences and views on the problems and solutions, she said. We need to hear those voices if we are to be able to identify context-relevant solutions from the scientific literature. There is no one-size-fits-all, she added. Over the IPCCs three decades of operation, there have only been three female co-chairs, two of them on the current report, she noted. We have a long way to go still, Roberts told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. ENERGY PRIORITIES Women also need to be involved in the practical design of climate solutions, such as expanding off-grid solar power and clean cooking, which can reduce drudgery and minimise health issues linked pollution, said agricultural experts. As forest loss and climate change make resources scarcer, women have to go longer distances to gather fuel-wood, which puts additional pressure on their time, health and personal security, said Katrin Glatzel, a research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Dakar, Senegal. In Mali, a public-private partnership has provided 1.6 million people with more efficient stoves, reducing pollution by half compared to a traditional three-stone fire, she noted. Glatzel said it was important to include and empower female scientists and farmers in the switch to cleaner, modern energy, so that their concerns could be addressed. A 2019 survey by charity Practical Action in rural Togo found women prioritised energy for pumping drinking water and processing crops, while men favoured mobile-phone charging and heating water for washing, she noted. In northern Benin, meanwhile, a solar-powered drip irrigation system means a cooperative of 45 women now fetches water one or twice a week rather than daily, she added. Bringing women on board with technological innovation for rural energy services is key to ensure that end products meet their needs and those of their families, she said. (Reporting by Busani Bafana; editing by Megan Rowling and Laurie Goering) A senior official in the UKs single-payer healthcare system says that patients should stop selfishly putting their own health and well-being first in order to improve the funding and morale of the NHS. Jessica Arnold, who has held a number of senior roles in the NHS, argues in the Guardian that the National Health Service would be in fine shape if citizens were willing to suffer in silence until the service can tend to them. Arnold makes an impassioned plea for Brits to stop using private healthcare, regardless of long wait times, because the private sector drains staff and resources from the NHS. I strongly encourage people not to use private healthcare services, she writes. I implore anyone who uses private healthcare to be aware that they are effectively privatising the NHS by doing so. In a ponderous sentence, she writes: I ask people to think carefully about the impact of prioritising themselves at a high cost to not only other people who do rely on the NHS, but to their future selves who may rely on the NHS one day because they have an accident or emergency, or become really quite unwell, or can no longer afford to pay privately. (Emphasis added.) The op-ed comes as the NHS announced its worst month in history for three months in a row, each one worse than the last. She acknowledges that NHS hospitals send patients to private providers, because they are struggling to manage the demand and backlog of patients. Yet she wants the government to rescind this superficial effort to reduce long waiting lists and close all the exits for the sake of the NHSs needs. Private health services represent a modest share of the UK healthcare sector (approximately 11 percent of all non-urgent cases), less than other European nations with universal healthcare. In France, Italy and Austria, countries which one could hardly accuse of an exaggerated faith in free markets and private initiative, the private sector accounts for about one third of the hospital sector, wrote analyst Kristian Niemietz of the Institute of Economic Affairs. In Germany and the Netherlands, virtually all hospitals are private. This competition produces to radically different outcomes, Niemietz found: If the UKs breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer patients were treated in the Netherlands rather than on the NHS, more than 9,000 lives would be saved every year. If they were treated in Germany, more than 12,000 lives would be saved, and if they were treated in Belgium, more than 14,000 lives would be saved. In other words, without private healthcare, people may never get to become their future selves. Yet the Labour Party would like to stamp out even this tiny fragment of competition. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, a self-described Marxist, has said that as private sector contracts run out, they should be brought in-house, or nationalized (which is much what he says about every industry). The proposal would bring patients greater misery. If politicians eliminate private healthcare, the NHS would have to build 42 new hospitals to care for the influx of trauma and orthopedics patients alone, according to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network. And it would cause the waiting list for these services to triple, from 568,993 to 1,652,785 in three years. These hospitals would also be inferior due to lack of competition. Hospitals that were exposed to a greater degree of competition recorded greater improvements in clinical outcomes, financial outcomes and efficiency measures, wrote Niemietz. Even supporters of European welfare states have written guilt-ridden stories about how unresponsive nationalized health systems forced them to turn to private physicians for the sake of their childrens health. Yet ideologues share Arnolds belief that Brits should sacrifice themselves for the sake of this government agency. In a 2017 editorial, the Guardian noted that citizens turn to private physicians rather than face long queues but insists private treatment is not the answer. The problem, it avers, is money. In a sense the paper is right: The problem is fundamental economics. The government promises to meet an unlimited demand (for healthcare) with a limited supply (of doctors) while charging no co-pay. No amount of money can fund infinite demand, so rationing inevitably follows. This leads to long wait times, greater pain and suffering, and thousands of needless deaths. Putting the state ahead of the well-being of its putative clients is neither restricted to the NHS nor the UK. It infects any government agency whose budget depends on personal choice. Americans see it in the hostility of teachers unions to allow students trapped in failing public schools to attend charter schools. One official recently tweeted: Please dont encourage removing students from public schools. Instead, you could use your power to encourage parents, students and community members to communicate their expectations to their local school / school boards. https://t.co/UCfLiuPPvh ?????? ??????? (@msauroraeverett) January 10, 2020 The Social Assistance State, warned Pope John Paul II, creates public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients. Its difficult to imagine a more bureaucratic mindset than asking people to sacrifice their health and possibly the lives of their families for the sake of a government agency. British voters regard the NHS in nearly religious terms. False gods also demand sacrifices. Moloch demanded that believers sacrifice their own children to him, whereas Yahweh offered His Son for the life of the world. Arnolds op-ed offers a stark example that ultimately socialists, democratic or otherwise, unapologetically put their own needs ahead of the lives of their citizens. (Photo credit: Andy Thornley. This photo has been cropped and modified for size. CC BY 2.0.) OTTAWA, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NAV CANADA today announced a tentative agreement has been reached with the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) representing approximately 2,101 air traffic controllers. The tentative agreement is subject to the union ratification process which is expected to be completed before the end of January. NAV CANADA will not be commenting until the agreement is ratified. About NAV CANADA NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace. The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation. Air traffic management systems developed by NAV CANADA are used by air navigation service providers in countries worldwide. For further information, please contact: Brian Boudreau Manager, Media Relations 613-563-7303 Media Information Line: 1-888-562-8226 English Italian Banca IFIS: Three-year business plan Net profit of 147 million Euro in 2022 with significant growth in core businesses and less extraordinary business Investments of 60 million Euro and 190 new employees FINANCIAL TARGETS FOR 2022 Increase in sustainable profit to 147 million Euro to further improve financial solidity and support growth, whilst also ensuring payment of a significant dividend to shareholders; to 147 million Euro to further improve financial solidity and support growth, whilst also ensuring payment of a significant dividend to shareholders; ROTE to climb to 8.9%, indicating that the Group is well positioned in the most profitable segments of the market; indicating that the Group is well positioned in the most profitable segments of the market; CET 1 ratio of 12% in 2022 , exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%; Investments of approximately 60 million Euro in support of organic growth and business stability; , exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%; Stable operating costs due to monitoring and efficiency gains, despite significant investments; Pay-out ratio for Banca IFIS shares of 40%-45% , corresponding to a yield of over 7% at current market prices. due to monitoring and efficiency gains, despite significant investments; Profitability of all business units, with greater competitive advantage in the NPL and Factoring units; revenue growth is expected to amount to 602 million Euro, driven by: purchases of non-performing loans of 8.5 billion Euro (nominal amount) in the three-year period for the NPL segment; (nominal amount) in the three-year period for the NPL segment; increase in the volumes of loans to customers during the three-year period of 1 billion Euro in the Commercial and Corporate Banking segment, driven by digital innovation, the new market coverage model and the new communications and marketing strategy. Milan, 14 January 2020 The Board of Directors of Banca IFIS met under the chairmanship of Ernesto Furstenberg Fassio and approved the 2020/2022 Strategic Plan. The new Plan confirms Banca IFISs role as a specialist bank in support of the real economy with the primary goal of generating increasing, sustainable profit by replacing the financial component deriving from the PPA with recurring business profit, whilst also distributing value to its shareholders, explained Luciano Colombini, Banca IFISs Chief Executive Officer. Today we are presenting a business plan in line with the Bank's core businesses. A plan that represents maximum transparency in the face of the market and which will lead Banca IFIS to further increase its commitment in the coming years to exploit all opportunities offered by the market in accordance with its stated objectives. The plan will be implemented by a management team of professionals with extraordinary track records, offering proven experience and complementary specialisation. We are a unique group in the banking industry due to our competitive positioning in the various markets and our distinctive business model, which we will continue to refine in order to strengthen our leadership. The analyses of our strategic positioning and cost and capital allocation that we have conducted have shown that all our business areas remain profitable: in particular, NPLs and Factoring show the greatest competitive advantage. Diversification thus currently ensures the banks stability and reduces its enterprise risk. Our advantage is that we operate in segments of the market with ample room for growth and we have better management skills than our competitors, in addition to exclusive know-how. Within the Commercial and Corporate Banking business, we will further increase our presence in the SMEs segment, which has always been integral to this Bank's identity. We will do so by developing our model for serving this market through new investments in digital innovation and a marketing and communication strategy aimed at increasing the recognisability of Banca IFISs brand. A broader product range, along with a constantly evolving distribution and operations model, will allow us to expand our customer base, including in currently less served but high-potential areas. The plan also calls for considerable improvement in asset quality, with a reduction in the loss rate to 75 basis points in 2022, through careful management of the concentration risk and reinforcement of the loan disbursement, management and monitoring process, in addition to recovery of non-performing positions. In the NPL segment, we will continue to operate as primary investors, leveraging on the strength of our servicer, one of Italy's top servicers: from 2020 to 2022, we estimate that we will purchase 8.5 billion Euro of new non-performing loans. Our medium-term strategy will be based on purchasing portfolios of unsecured loans by participating actively in all sale processes on the market, expanding the characteristics of the non-performing portfolios purchased to include the secured and corporate segment and constantly increasing the efficiency of the recovery process for non-performing loans. We do not expect calendar provisioning to have substantial effects over the three-year period. Afterwards, from 2023 onwards, when the portfolios purchased subject to calendar provisioning have reached a more significant scale, the strategy will be to serve as co-investor for NPLs, while continuing to act as a primary player for the asset classes of reference. Within the plan, a great deal of attention has been devoted to regulatory capital performance, with the CET1 ratio rising to 12% by 2022, exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%, due to the increase in profits, concluded Luciano Colombini, Banca IFISs Chief Executive Officer. THE 2020/22 BUSINESS PLAN Guidelines and goals The main goal of the business plan is to increase the Bank's sustainable profit in order to further improve financial solidity, fund growth in business and provide shareholders with attractive returns by distributing dividends. In 2022, profit is expected to rise to 147 million Euro, with a ROTE of 8.9% at the end of the plan. An ambitious target has been set for sustainable profit, i.e. net of the extraordinary effect of the reversal of the PPA, which is set to rise from 82 million Euro in 20193 to 142 million Euro in 2022 due to the management actions described in the Business Plan. Revenues are expected to rise for both the Non-Performing Loans Division, driven by the purchase of 8.5 billion Euro (nominal amount) of new NPLs, and the Commercial and Corporate Banking Division, due to the increase in disbursements, which will be supported by a new market coverage model, greater integration between business units and considerable investments in digitalisation and marketing. Operating costs are expected to remain essentially stable over the 2020-22 period, despite significant investments in IT, digitalisation and marketing, due to careful monitoring and efficiency gains. The headcount, expected to be 1,688 at the end of 2022, reflects a natural turnover performance estimated to give rise to 67 departures through the use of the solidarity fund, but above all the hiring of 190 capable, dynamic, young, new employees. The improvement in asset quality, through a reduction of non-performing loans from 654 million Euro in 20193 to 496 million Euro in 2022, reflects the reinforcement of the credit risk management process during the disbursement, management and monitoring of loans and recovery of non-performing positions, a reduction in concentration risk and the disposal of NPLs, primarily deriving from the former Interbanca Group. Considerable attention has also been devoted to regulatory capital performance, with the CET1 ratio rising from 11% in 20193 to 12% in 2022, exceeding the current SREP threshold1 of 8.12%, driven by the rise in profit. The pay-out ratio is estimated to be 40%-45% over the plan period; at current share price levels, this percentage would ensure a 7% yield on current exchange prices. The funding strategy calls for funding of 10.5 billion Euro by 2022, of which 5.5 billion Euro from retail customers, 1.4 billion Euro of TLTROs, 3.3 billion Euro of debt instruments and 0.3 billion Euro of other debts. The Business Plan envisages a more diversified funding mix, involving the issuance of bonds of 1.7 billion Euro over the three years, to be implemented in the light of volume trends and the market scenario, whilst also reducing the cost of funding. Cost and capital allocation to the business units Competitive positioning and capital and cost allocation to the various business units were analysed as part of the process of preparing the Business Plan to define the Groups strategy and to be increasingly transparent in the face of the market. The following were analysed for each business unit: the market of reference, competition and the competitive positioning of the products/services, the price system, distribution channels, financial policy, commercial organisation and commercial strategy. The cost and capital allocation indicates that all business units remain profitable and continue to represent positions of leadership in their markets of reference. In particular, the NPL and factoring business present the best competitive positioning and the highest sustainable profitability. Accordingly, the Bank will continue to invest mainly in these two segments, which represent its historical core business and ensure an excellent level of diversification in profit generation. FOCUS ON THE MAIN LINES OF BUSINESS: NPLs Banca IFIS: competitive positioning in the NPL market Banca IFIS is the fourth largest NPL operator on the Italian market in terms of volumes managed (24.4 billion Euro of NPLs) and is the leader in the unsecured non-performing loan segment. Banca IFIS was among the first companies to enter the non-performing loans market, and since 2011 it has purchased over 22 billion Euro of non-performing loans by nominal amount, recovering over 1 billion Euro in cash from its proprietary NPLs. Banca IFIS operates on the non-performing loans market as a primary investor and owns one of the top servicers currently operating in Italy. The Bank's main competitive advantage is its ability to purchase and manage NPL portfolios, paired with a proprietary database of over 1.2 million Euro of debtors, organised into uniform groups by type, age, residence, amount due, profession, recovery times and guarantees. Even more than the secured segment, the unsecured non-performing loans segment presents barriers to entry due to the considerable investments required in terms of personnel and IT, the achievement of economies of scale, an efficient organisation to manage internal and external recovery personnel and an extensive, detailed database. However, the unsecured market is a relatively mature segment, with prices and margins expected to remain essentially stable in the coming quarters. In terms of transactions, we expect the non-performing loan market to remain dynamic over the next three years, with an increase in transactions on the secondary market. In fact, in the three years from 2020 to 2022, the market is expected to see 84 billion Euro of new sales of non-performing loans, of which approximately 20 billion Euro of unsecured NPLs. Of the total transactions, 70% is expected to occur on the primary market and 30% on the secondary market, driven by sales organised by securitisation vehicles, including those that have benefited from government guarantees (GACS) and are seeking to improve cash generation. The strategy Banca IFISs strategy for the medium term is focused on continuing to purchase unsecured loan portfolios by participating actively in all processes on the market, progressively expanding the characteristics of the non-performing portfolios purchased to include the secured and corporate segment and constantly increasing the efficiency of the recovery process for non-performing loans. Over the three years, strategic actions will primarily be based on: Expediting the integration of FBS into the Group to take full advantage of complementary expertise offered by Banca IFIS in the unsecured segment and by FBS in the secured and corporate segment, and thus to position itself on the market as a truly integrated Italian operator. To this end, a minority interest in FBS S.p.A. was acquired in October 2019, bringing Banca IFISs stake in the company to 100%; to take full advantage of complementary expertise offered by Banca IFIS in the unsecured segment and by FBS in the secured and corporate segment, and thus to position itself on the market as a truly integrated Italian operator. To this end, a minority interest in FBS S.p.A. was acquired in October 2019, bringing Banca IFISs stake in the company to 100%; Reorganising the corporate structure in the NPL segment by concentrating purchase and investment activities within IFIS NPL and all servicing activities within a newly formed company, IFIS NPL Servicing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFIS NPL; in the NPL segment by concentrating purchase and investment activities within IFIS NPL and all servicing activities within a newly formed company, IFIS NPL Servicing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFIS NPL; Increasing the efficiency of the recovery system by cutting costs, achieving operating synergies and simplifying and digitalising processes; by cutting costs, achieving operating synergies and simplifying and digitalising processes; Expanding the characteristics of the portfolios purchased in the secured and corporate segment through partnerships with niche servicers/investors and hiring specialised teams. From 2020 to 2022, Banca IFIS estimates new NPL purchases of 8.5 billion Euro in terms of nominal amount, for a total investment of approximately 0.8 billion Euro. Development of servicing activity on account of third parties will be selected and reserved to various market niches. Assets under management are expected to increase to 9.1 billion Euro by 2022. The long-term strategy, from 2023 onwards, i.e. when it is estimated that non-performing loan purchases will be more affected by the calendar provisioning rules, is to act as a co-investor for NPLs while remaining a primary player for the asset classes of reference and turning the effects of the new regulations into opportunities, given that: there will be an extended period of low rates, in which NPLs may prove a new, attractive asset for investors, and Banca IFIS may play a leading role, enabled by its brand and track record; in view of the opportunities to reduce capital absorption and funding for all new NPL portfolios that will be exposed to calendar provisioning, the Group will constantly increase its ability to attract investors directly to act as co-investors in the purchase of portfolios from the outset or to purchase new NPL portfolios transformed into paying plans (by monetising capital gains, without having to further expand the operating machine). Within this scenario, Banca IFIS may sell part of such vehicles junior or senior notes on the basis of its financial needs, by forming specific investment vehicles, whilst continuing to service the portfolios concerned. The project is not aimed at proprietary NPL portfolios, the loans in which are not subject to the application of calendar provisioning. FOCUS ON THE MAIN BUSINESSES/COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE BANKING Banca IFIS: competitive positioning in the SME credit market Banca IFIS markets itself as a specialised operator in support of small and medium enterprises. It is the number-four operator in factoring in terms of turnover with a market share of 5.7%; it has a market share of 1.8% in leasing and engages in the purchase of tax credits on the structured finance market. The level of concentration of the customer portfolio is quite modest due to a sound level of fragmentation of exposures in the face of customers, represented primarily by small and medium enterprises. The Bank has approximately 80,000 customers: approximately 9,000 companies in factoring and 16,000 in leasing (in addition to 55,000 VAT-registered self-employed customers), with strong diversification by sector and a concentration primarily in northern Italy. The strategy The strategy is focused on profitable growth, expanding the customer base and strengthening cross-selling through the following management action: Evolution of the commercial model in the medium enterprises segment, with the introduction of relationship managers who will offer customers the full range of Banca IFIS products (factoring, leasing, structured finance, corporate finance, working capital management and import/export services), while promoting cross-selling and up-selling to the customer portfolio. Local coverage is planned to be improved in areas with the greatest density of businesses (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and the Northeast), alongside expansion of the range of value-added products and services, with a particular focus on products in support of companies that operate outside Italy and structured finance transactions of modest amounts; in the medium enterprises segment, with the introduction of relationship managers who will offer customers the full range of Banca IFIS products (factoring, leasing, structured finance, corporate finance, working capital management and import/export services), while promoting cross-selling and up-selling to the customer portfolio. Local coverage is planned to be improved in areas with the greatest density of businesses (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and the Northeast), alongside expansion of the range of value-added products and services, with a particular focus on products in support of companies that operate outside Italy and structured finance transactions of modest amounts; Digital innovation and new online hub for customers, with custom-tailored business services and private profiles that may be personalised according to a self-service approach. The new online hub will primarily be used to manage back-office processes so that personnel may focus on marketing and advisory activities. Investments of 18.3 million Euro in IT and digitalisation are planned for the development of the new online hub; for customers, with custom-tailored business services and private profiles that may be personalised according to a self-service approach. The new online hub will primarily be used to manage back-office processes so that personnel may focus on marketing and advisory activities. Investments of 18.3 million Euro in IT and digitalisation are planned for the development of the new online hub; Strengthening of credit risk monitoring: over the three-year period the loss rate is expected to decline by 18 basis points from 101 basis points in 20193 to an estimated 83 basis points in 2022, due to the constant enhancement of non-performing loan disbursement, monitoring and management processes. In factoring the loss rate will fall from 131 basis points in 20193 to 90 basis points in 2022. In leasing it will fall from 81 basis points in 20193 to 75 points at the end of the Plan. New communications and marketing strategy with the aim of supporting the new commercial model. In 2020, a rebranding plan will be presented for the entire Banca IFIS Group, entailing a new corporate identity and redefined integral and external strategic communications by the Group in support of a renewed marketing approach. After years of a multi-logo approach adapted to each service or product, the bank will present itself to the market with a single, simplified Banca IFIS brand and strong positioning in the enterprise segment. Thanks to these actions, we estimate an increase in the volumes of loans to customers during the three-year period of 1 billion Euro in the Commercial and Corporate Banking segment. IMPROVED OPERATING EFFICIENCY The Business Plan calls for a reduction in the cost/income ratio from 56% in 2019 to 52% in 2022, to be achieved in part through containment of operating costs. Efficiency will be improved through numerous management actions aimed at achieving the following goals: Containment of personnel costs , which are expected to remain essentially in line during the plan period, rising from 130 million Euros in 2019 3 to 133.5 million Euros in 2022, despite the increased costs for the negotiation of the national collective contract (estimated at 5 million Euro) and a natural increase in the cost of resources tied to the planned hiring of 190 new employees and departures through the solidarity fund; , which are expected to remain essentially in line during the plan period, rising from 130 million Euros in 2019 to 133.5 million Euros in 2022, despite the increased costs for the negotiation of the national collective contract (estimated at 5 million Euro) and a natural increase in the cost of resources tied to the planned hiring of 190 new employees and departures through the solidarity fund; During the plan period, investments in personnel training of 3 million Euro are planned, mostly in the areas of training and digital learning. The Business Plan calls for the introduction and/or extension of all those activities that aim to reconcile work/life balance for the purposes of the well-being and quality of life of the resources employed within the Group: flexible working is planned to be introduced, together with an expansion of part-time work, where requested and possible; of 3 million Euro are planned, mostly in the areas of training and digital learning. The Business Plan calls for the introduction and/or extension of all those activities that aim to reconcile work/life balance for the purposes of the well-being and quality of life of the resources employed within the Group: flexible working is planned to be introduced, together with an expansion of part-time work, where requested and possible; Administrative expenses are expected to remain essentially stable, rising from 156 million Euro in 2019 3 to 159 million Euro in 2022, despite the investments and greater direct costs incurred in order to grow the business. The rationalisation of the IT platform, optimisation of logistics, optimisation of licences and renegotiation of contracts will result in a reduction in costs of 15 million Euro, which will offset the increase in NPL recovery costs, the greater VAT costs for the formation of IFIS Servicing of approximately 3 million Euro and the greater IT/digitalisation and communication costs of 5 million Euro; are expected to remain essentially stable, rising from 156 million Euro in 2019 to 159 million Euro in 2022, despite the investments and greater direct costs incurred in order to grow the business. The rationalisation of the IT platform, optimisation of logistics, optimisation of licences and renegotiation of contracts will result in a reduction in costs of 15 million Euro, which will offset the increase in NPL recovery costs, the greater VAT costs for the formation of IFIS Servicing of approximately 3 million Euro and the greater IT/digitalisation and communication costs of 5 million Euro; Optimisation of the real-estate portfolio with the construction of a new property alongside the historic Mestre office in which to concentrate all personnel currently based in offices in central Padua and Porto Marghera (Venice), and with the sale of the property on Corso Venezia in Milan, closed in 2019, with the concomitant centralisation of personnel at the property in the nearby Via Borghetto, which will be renovated and modernised. The sale will be completed in early 2020 and will result in capital gains before taxes of 25 million Euro and cost savings of 1.5 million Euro; with the construction of a new property alongside the historic Mestre office in which to concentrate all personnel currently based in offices in central Padua and Porto Marghera (Venice), and with the sale of the property on Corso Venezia in Milan, closed in 2019, with the concomitant centralisation of personnel at the property in the nearby Via Borghetto, which will be renovated and modernised. The sale will be completed in early 2020 and will result in capital gains before taxes of 25 million Euro and cost savings of 1.5 million Euro; Optimisation of the organisational structure with a reduction in reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the formation of four major departments, already realised and implemented; with a reduction in reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the formation of four major departments, already realised and implemented; Compliance with ESG (environmental, social and governance) requirements both in terms of the Groups own operations, through the use at all Group facilities of energy from 100% certified renewable sources and the implementation of plastic-free company behaviour and culture, and in terms of the use in its activities on the market and offer to customers of specific green products and financing programmes focused on support for activities and investments for corporate environmental sustainability. Groups main financial targets 20193 2020 2021 2022 CAGR 19-22 Net banking income 557 575 589 602 2.6% - o/w PPA 58 35 18 8 -47.8% Loan loss provisions (LLP) -85 -65 -65 -66 -8.2% Net banking income LLP 473 510 524 537 4.3% Operating costs -312 -332 -320 -314 0.2% - o/w personnel costs -130 -137 -135 -134 1.0% - o/w other costs -182 -196 -185 -180 -0.3% Extraordinary Items 18 -22 0 0 P/L from sales of investments -1 25 0 0 Pre-tax profit 177 181 203 223 8.0% Net income 123 125 135 147 6.1% - o/w PPA 41 24 12 5 -49.0% Customer loans 7,668 8,378 8,941 9,654 8.0% - o/w IFIS NPL 1,350 1,584 1,787 1,936 12.8% Total assets 10,412 11,299 12,196 12,730 6.9% Direct funding 8,339 9,191 10,014 10,463 7.9% - o/w customer deposits 5,139 5,071 5,217 5,467 2.1% Shareholders Equity 1,540 1,597 1,674 1,759 4.5% Cost/income 55.9% 57.8% 54.4% 52.1% Cost/income (excluding NPL) 49.7% 52.6% 49.6% 47.1% Cost of credit (excluding NPL) -1.20% -0.84% -0.79% -0.75% ROE 8.2% 8.1% 8.3% 8.6% ROTE4 8.5% 8.3% 8.6% 8.9% ROA5 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% Return on allocated capital6 13.3% 12.2% 12.2% 11.8% CET1 1,036 1,141 1,229 1,350 CET1 ratio 11.0% 11.3% 11.5% 12.0% Tangible equity 1,472 1,533 1,610 1,700 RWA 9,446 10,099 10,667 11,223 LCR 900% 600% 550% 350% NSFR 110% 110% 110% 110% Disclaimer This press release may contain written and oral forward-looking statements, which includes all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts but rather reflect subjective judgments that may or may not prove to be correct, and which are therefore inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions, expectations, projections and provisional data concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors (including, without limitation, the economic environment and changes in governmental regulations, fiscal policy, planning or laws in the Republic of Italy, other relevant jurisdictions and the EU), many of which are outside the control of Banca IFIS (the Company). There are a variety of factors that may cause actual results and performance to be materially different from the explicit or implicit contents of any forward-looking statements and thus such forward-looking statements are not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law and regulations. The information and opinions contained in this Presentation are provided as at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Neither this Presentation nor any part of it nor the fact of its distribution may form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract or investment decision. The information, statements and opinions contained in this press release are for information purposes only and do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments. None of the securities referred to herein have been, or will be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States or in Australia, Canada or Japan or any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful (the Other Countries), and there will be no public offer of any such securities in the United States. This Presentation does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or the Other Countries. Copies of this document are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into the United States or the Other Countries. This press release defines the main guidelines of economic and financial development of Banca IFIS Group considering the banks market potential in a positive and ordinary macro scenario. All forecast contained herein are based on 2019 year end preview: we underline that all data referred to 2019 are the best estimate at the current date and are purely indicative. At the date of this Presentation all accounting procedure are in process and will be concluded in accordance with the financial calendar of the Company. Every preliminary results and any other figures related to 2019 included in this document are therefore subject to changes and amendments Neither the Company nor any member of Banca IFIS nor any of its or their respective representatives directors or employees make any representation, express or implied with respect to such statements nor accept any liability whatsoever in connection with this Presentation or any of its contents or in relation to any loss arising from its use or from any reliance placed upon it. Attachment Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 18:47:54|Editor: ZX Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Intra-Libyan talks mediated by Russia and Turkey reached no settlement on Monday, though efforts to reach a deal will be continued, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. "We will continue efforts in this direction. So far, the final result has not been achieved," Lavrov said during a news conference broadcast directly from Colombo by the Russian Foreign Ministry, following talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena. Earlier this month, the leaders of Turkey and Russia put forth a Libya ceasefire initiative, which the conflicting parties accepted while also agreeing to hold talks in Moscow. The hours-long talks ended late Monday without a ceasefire agreement being signed by both sides. Lavrov said the head of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Serraj, and its foreign minister Mohamed Taher Siala signed the draft, but Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, asked for an extra day and left Moscow without signing it. Russia is working to ensure that all parties involved in the Libya conflict show responsibility for the fate of their country, he added. Lavrov added that the political process in Syria became possible "thanks to the responsible attitude of all Syrian parties with the support of external players." The minister said that Moscow wants to combine the efforts of Germany, France, Italy and Libyan neighbors including Algeria and Egypt, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar, encouraging all Libyan parties to come to an agreement rather than relying on force. Libya has been locked in a civil war following the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Several armed militias of different backgrounds have since emerged and have been fighting each other to take power, despite a peace deal being signed by the warring parties in the Moroccan city of Skhirat in 2015. Firebrand Iraqi leader Moqtada Sadr called Tuesday for a "million-strong march" against the presence of US troops in Iraq, days after parliament voted for their departure following Washington's killing of an Iranian general in a Baghdad drone strike. "The skies, land and sovereignty of Iraq are being violated every day by occupying forces," the Shiite cleric turned populist politician wrote on Twitter. He urged Iraqis to hold "a million-strong, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations", without giving a date. Washington on January 3 killed a revered Iranian general, Quds Force chief Qasem Soleimani, in a strike that also killed a senior Iraqi military official. The Iraqi parliament responded by voting on January 5 to oust foreign forces -- including some 5,200 American troops -- who have been backing the fight against Islamic State jihadists since 2014. Soleimani's killing also came weeks into mass anti-government demonstrations in Baghdad and the country's south, condemning politicians seen as corrupt, inept and under the sway of both the US and Iran. The rallies have persisted throughout but shifted to include calls for Iraq to be spared any conflict between Iran and the US. Iraq has been in political paralysis since the resignation of prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, with pro- and anti-Iran factions unable to agree on a candidate to form a new government. Protesters have rejected the possibility of reinstating Abdel Mahdi. "The people reject that," said Hussin Ali Abdul Hussein, a demonstrator in Karbala, south of the capital. "We don't want to recycle the rubbish, we want a prime minister the public can accept." The protest movement and the ensuing crackdown by security forces has left around 460 people dead, mostly protesters. Activists have also faced a campaign of intimidation, abductions and killings. Search Keywords: Short link: After dedicating more than five decades to the Midland community, the man many knew as "Mr. Midland" will be remembered by his family, friends and colleagues for his tough-but-fair demeanor and his dedication to those around him. Alan Wayne Ott died Sunday morning at StoryPoint of Midland. He was 88. Ott was born Dec. 30, 1931, in Manistique, to Dale and Helen Ott. He graduated from Manistique High School 1950. While he was still in high school, Ott took a part-time job as a bookkeeper at the First National Bank of Manistique, beginning what would become a career in banking that lasted more than 50 years. After graduation, Ott served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Returning home from the war, Ott resumed work at the First National Bank before journeying downstate for a position in Clare. It was there that he met, and later married, Jean Magnus, who was also employed at the bank. They had a son, Jeffrey, and a daughter, Amy. "Dad was very family-oriented, and very dedicated to the family and the community he cared very much for both," said Jeffrey Ott. "He was very protective of his time with his family." Alan joined Chemical Bank & Trust Company as a cashier in 1962, and was promoted to vice president two years later. He was named the banks fifth president and chief executive officer a decade later before becoming chairman of its board of directors. He also held the same position with Chemical Financial Corporation. While with Chemical Bank, Ott led the organization to acquire 17 community banks across Michigan's lower peninsula. Active in community affairs, Ott served as trustee for the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation for more than 34 years. He also served as treasurer for the Gerstacker Foundation, assisting in the development of several initiatives to benefit Midland residents, including the Tridge, Midland County Courthouse, Washington Woods and rail-trail projects. Ott volunteered with several other Midland organizations, including the 4-H Foundation, Midland Community Center, Midland County Economic Development Corporation and Delta College. Jeffrey Ott said his father would like to be remembered as someone who always put family first, and who thought giving back to the community was "important, and expected." During a Dow event on Monday that was meant to showcase the companys new Sylvia Stoesser Center, Dow CEO Jim Fitterling started his presentation by saying a few words about Ott. He spoke about the "paralleled" history between Dow and Chemical Bank, and how Ott was an influential part of it. Bankers are developers and matchmakers, and he was all of that, Fitterling said. He put people together and he came up with good deals. He had a vision for what a community like this should be like and he was partners with everybody. So, people sometimes think (Chemical Bank is) here because of Dow no, its here because of a lot of people, and Alan Ott was one of those key people. Fitterling said the Midland community is the way it is thanks to people like Ott. "Community doesn't just happen community is what everybody contributes to it," he said. "Alan was committed to this community and committed to being a part of it and a visible part of it and we're going to miss him we're going to miss his leadership." Ott along with fellow philanthropist Ranny Riecker served as co-chair of the Mackinac Center for Public Policys headquarters building campaign between 1997 and 1998, helping to raise $2.4 million to convert an abandoned Woolworths department store. He was also a member of the Mackinac Center's original Mid-Michigan board of advisors. "Every meeting with (Ott) was a lesson in virtue, civility, getting your facts right and community building," said Joseph Lehman, Mackinac Center president. "I will always be grateful for his leadership in our headquarters campaign on Main Street and his advice along the way. Midland has lost a giant who never overlooked the little things that others might have missed. The Mackinac Center has lost a friend and an indispensable sounding board." Former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who worked with Ott for more than 40 years, refers to the Chemical Bank founder as "Mr. Midland" an influential banker, foundation leader and civic leader all rolled into one. "(Ott) could be tough, but he had a heart of gold," Schuette said. "His goal which must be our goal was to make Midland the best town in America. That was his goal, and he did a great job at it. We're going to miss him immensely." For Jenee Velasquez, executive director at the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Ott was an invaluable mentor for nearly three decades, working together to realize projects such as Midland's first streetscape redevelopment and the 'Spray Park" initiative. Working with Ott during her tenure as executive director of the Midland Downtown Development Authority, CEO of Midland Tomorrow and later philanthropic efforts, Velasquez remembers his "tough, but fair" leadership style. "He was tough on you when you were with him, to make sure he brought out your best thinking, and behind the scenes, he worked hard to make everything you wanted to have happen occur," Velasquez said. "He was someone who listened to everybody, and he knew all he said, but he never said all he knew." Ott valued relationships over transactions, and was available to all people, Velasquez said. Alan Ott was an advocate, advisor and influencer with dynamic power a community titan, who gave so much to others and asked for so little for himself, said Diane Postler-Slattery, MidMichigan Health president and CEO. His longstanding support and commitment to MidMichigan Health spans more than four decades. Like so many other organizations he touched, he gave counsel and insights with the betterment of the greater Midland community in mind. We have him to thank for the best of who we are and what we do. He will be missed in ways beyond measure. For those wishing to share a story or pay their respects, visitation will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Midland Chapel. The family will also receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 before funeral services at 11 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to either the Midland Area Community Foundation or Midland County 4-H. Iranian protesters have burned an effigy of the UK's ambassador in Tehran as the country's judiciary warned he is now 'persona non grata'. Rob Macaire was arrested in the Iranian capital on Saturday after he left a vigil for the 176 killed by Tehran when its military shot down a passenger plane earlier this month. He was held for an hour and then released. A cardboard cutout of him was burned alongside UK and US flags at Tehran University by regime loyalists. Gholam-Hossein Esmaili, a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, called for Mr Macaire to be expelled for playing a 'provocative role' in protests over the downed Ukrainian jet. Iranian protesters have burned an effigy of Rob Macaire alongside UK and US flags at Tehran University 'Under international law, such a person is a 'persona non grata',' Mr Esmaeili told reporters. 'The (Iranian) people expect the person to be expelled and that is also what international law calls for.' Mr Macaire was accused of failing to respect the Islamic republic's laws when he attended a vigil for the people killed when Iran accidentally downed a Ukrainian jet. He was held for about three hours after attending the vigil, with the detention being described by Dominic Raab as 'illegal'. However the diplomat said he went to an 'event advertised as a vigil for victims' of the tragedy to pay his respects to the four Britons killed when the aircraft was shot down, but 'left after five mins when some started chanting'. It came as Boris Johnson yesterday told BBC Breakfast the Iran nuclear deal should be replaced with a 'Trump deal' amid fears the regime could acquire weapons within a year. A cardboard cutout of Mr Macaire, who was arrested in the Iranian capital on Saturday after he left a vigil, was burnt at Tehran University The Foreign Office was understood on Tuesday evening to have not been informed of the latest escalation by Iran through official channels. The rising diplomatic tensions came as the UK, France and Germany accused Tehran of breaching the terms of the Iran nuclear deal. Tensions have soared with Iran since the U.S. president pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement saying Iran was 'not meeting its commitments' over the pact. It added that they were referring the matter to the dispute resolution mechanism. The JCPOA lifted sanctions on Iran for agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear activity to ensure Tehran did not acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran's Revolutionary Guard admitted accidentally shooting down the Ukrainian jet, killing all those on board, despite initial denials. Health Minister Robin Swann with medical staff during a visit to the Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Ireland. Picture: Michael Cooper Unions have said they're optimistic following a "breakthrough" offer from Health Minister Robin Swann to resolve concerns around pay parity and safe staffing. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland has called an extraordinary meeting of its board on Thursday and said they're waiting for formal communication from the minister as they decide whether to continue with industrial action. Kevin McAdam from Unite said his union will also meet on Thursday to consider the new offer. It comes as Mr Swann announced a 110million funding package in a bid to avert further healthcare strikes across Northern Ireland. The money, which Mr Swann said is coming from existing funds, is being offered in a bid to avoid further strike action from unions. Read More It amounts to 79m towards pay parity for health workers and an extra 30m from existing Stormont finances. He said his department will provide a written commitment for immediate high-level engagement with unions to produce a costed implementation plan on safe staffing within an agreed short period. Health unions have been striking over pay parity and staffing levels, which they say are unsafe. In a statement, an RCN spokesperson said: "On receipt of this correspondence, the suspension of strike action scheduled for next week may be proposed," the RCN said. "We are pleased that the minister has listened carefully and responded quickly to our concerns, and that the situation in relation to pay parity has now been resolved. "We are also satisfied that real progress has been made in relation to safe staffing and recruitment and retention of nursing staff. "The minister has committed to a costed implementation plan for safe staffing within an agreed short period. There is a long way to go and we will work closely with the minister and Department of Health to find a sustainable way forward." Head of bargaining for the Unison health workers' union Anne Speed said: "We genuinely hope that justice for our members and patients alike is imminent. "Their courage and tenacity has put the health and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland at the heart of a new political agenda. "We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached and that our dispute can be resolved." Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Kevin McAdam from Unite welcomed Tuesday's developments. "It gives us what we've been fighting for on the picket line in terms of pay parity. We will bring it back to our Unite people and they will decide. "What we need to do now is to work through the detail of the pay parity and make sure we're on the same page and deal with the proposals on safe staffing." Mr McAdam said a meeting with senior union members on Thursday will look to suspend ongoing strike action by healthcare workers - a development he said has been hard won. "I've been at this for two years and it took us to go out on the street and it's a disgrace it took us that far. But I welcome what's happened now," he said. "We had a positive briefing with [Robin Swann] this morning and he's a breath of fresh air in the post. I look forward to working with him." Two previous offers had been made by the department to end the dispute but were rejected by trade unions. In December the department offered a 3.1% increase in overall pay and an additional 38m was made available to the health service. By Rami Ayyub and Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's left-wing parties said on Monday they would join forces ahead of a March 2 national election to regain dwindling influence in parliament and pose a fresh challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Labour, which dominated Israeli politics for decades and spearheaded peace efforts with the Palestinians, will join with the veteran party Meretz after seeing their combined seats in the 120-seat Knesset diminish from 29 to 11 after two inconclusive elections this year. By Rami Ayyub and Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's left-wing parties said on Monday they would join forces ahead of a March 2 national election to regain dwindling influence in parliament and pose a fresh challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Labour, which dominated Israeli politics for decades and spearheaded peace efforts with the Palestinians, will join with the veteran party Meretz after seeing their combined seats in the 120-seat Knesset diminish from 29 to 11 after two inconclusive elections this year. Many of their voters have defected to the upstart centrist party Blue and White, led by former general Benny Gantz and the main challenger to Netanyahu's right-wing Likud. After the left-wing alliance was announced, a TV poll predicted Gantz would take 34 of parliament's 120 seats, and Netanyahu 31. But the poll, by the Israel Television News Company, saw Netanyahu coming closer to a parliamentary majority should he ally with kindred parties to control 57 seats, against a projected 56 seats under Gantz. Another 7 seats were seen going to secular-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, a coalition wildcard. The change in the political landscape coincides with a squabble among lawmakers over an immunity request submitted by Netanyahu, who is under indictment in three criminal cases. Netanyahu and Gantz failed to form governing coalitions after April and September votes, plunging the country towards an unprecedented third election in less than a year. The new left-wing alliance will be headed by Labour's Amir Peretz, a former defence minister who called the merger "a partnership of change and hope". Under leaders like Yitzhak Rabin, Labour was a driving force in Israel's efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving premier, has asked parliament to protect him from prosecution on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. But without a majority of votes in parliament to get it done, he is now pushing to delay debate over his immunity request until after the election -- ensuring his trial would not begin until after Israelis go to the polls and possibly grant him a new mandate. Gantz's Blue and White is working to hold the debate as soon as possible. On Monday, a parliamentary committee voted to form a panel that could potentially reject the immunity request, over the objections of Likud lawmakers who argued the vote should have been frozen as Israel currently has only a caretaker government. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a witch hunt by the media and left to oust a popular right-wing leader. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by William Maclean, Kirsten Donovan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. When a police party in civvies tracked and arrested J&K DSP Davinder Singh India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The decorated police officer Davinder Singh, who has been arrested on terror charges had left the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists stay at his home before leaving for Jammu. Singh is alleged to have brought Naveed Babu, Mir Irfan and Rafi Rather from Shopian to Srinagar on Friday evening. On Saturday, they set out to Jammu, from where they were planning on going to New Delhi. However before he could leave, the police arrested him sources familiar with the developments confirmed to OneIndia. Singh during his interrogation claimed that he was ferrying the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to facilitate their surrender. Officials investigating him say that he had made this made claim during interrogation, but we are investigating the same further. In lieu of money or facilitating a surrender: The case so far against decorated J&K cop JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News However, sources also said that Singh was helping the terrorists cross the Banihal tunnel in lieu of money. The source also said that an amount of over Rs 10 lakh was agreed upon. Singh however denied the charge during interrogation. The source however added that Singh was not being truthful and he had no authorisation to organise a surrender. The official cited above said that they were tracking their movements from Shopian. A police party in civvies was near his residence keeping a watch over their movements. Meanwhile, he would be questioned for his alleged links with Afzal Guru. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar while confirming the arrest of Davinder Singh said that the officer would be treated like any other terrorist. He would be questioned for his links with Afzal Guru, Kumar said. He also said that another person, a lawyer by profession had also bee caught. Singh on the other hand is a decorated police officer who had served in the Special Operations Group and had earned a President's medal. In the year 2004, Afzal Guru, who was lodged in the Tihar jail had written a letter to his lawyer. In the letter he had said that Singh then posted with the J&K Police's Special Operations Group had asked him take Mohammad, a Pakistani national identified as one of those who carried out the Parliament attack to Delhi, rent a flat and purchase a car for him. Afzal had also named another officer Shanty Singh, who along with Singh allegedly tortured him at the STF camp. He further mentioned that the name of Altaf Hussain the brother in law of SSP Ashaq Hussain, who first brokered his release with Davinder Singh and took him to the DySP. The Afzal Guru link to the decorated cop arrested by J&K police Kumar said that the officer had worked in many anti-terrorist operations. He had however committed a heinous crime and hence was arrested, Vijay Kumar also said. Sources tell OneIndia that the the terrorists along with the DSP were arrested in a joint operation of the police and Army on the national highway near Mirbazar. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered in a raid at the officer's residence, the source also added. This is the first instance in which such a senior officer has been arrested along with terrorists. The arrested terrorist, Syed Naveed Baba was wanted in several cases. He was an IED expert and was wanted in the killing and attacks on truckers and locals, security officials said. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its discontent on the progress of the CBI probe underway for past 22 years to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A bench headed by Justice L. Nageswara Rao observed that the latest report filed by the investigating agency is apparently a mirror image of the report filed two years ago. "What is the progress we want to know?" the court told the CBI. The top court's observation came on an appeal filed by convict A.G. Perarivalan, sentenced to life, seeking to recall the judgment convicting him in the case. In November 2019, the matter came up for hearing before the apex court, which sought latest status report on the assassination and gave four weeks to CBI-led multi-disciplinary monitoring agency (MDMA), probing the matter, to furnish its report. The court had earlier agreed to examine whether he can be released on the basis of new evidence, which has come to light - whether the two batteries supplied by him were the ones used in the belt-bomb that killed Gandhi in 1991. The court was hearing a plea of Perarivalan, who sought deferral of his life sentence in the case citing the incomplete MDMA probe. Perarivalan and three others were initially awarded death sentence, which was later commuted to life term. Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at an election rally. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Perarivalan, said the Letters Rogatory (LRs) sent to many countries, were yet to receive a conclusive response since 1998. Perarivalan in his petition said the only substantial overt act attributed to him was that of supplying two 9-volt batteries, alleged to be used in the improvised explosive device. The court told Perarivalan's lawyer, "Have you seen this report (submitted by the CBI)? we want to know the progress made in two years?". The court has allowed Perarivalan's lawyers to examine the report in the court. Sankaranarayanan had submitted the man who built the bomb is lodged in a Sri Lankan jail for decades, and the agencies claim that the investigation is still going on, as the Sri Lankan government has not responded to their queries. He had also argued that the details of how the bomb was put together and how it was transported to the crime scene have not been uncovered in 28 years, and the person who built the bomb is yet to be probed. The MDMA was set up in 1998 on the recommendations of Justice M.C. Jain Commission of Inquiry. This commission was tasked to probe the conspiracy which led to Gandhi's assassination. The MDMA is headed by a CBI official and comprises officers from Intelligence Bureau, RAW and other agencies. The top court had told Additional Solicitor General Pinki Anand, representing MDMA, to include the updated status of Letters Rogatory (LRs) sent to Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries. "Latest status report is to be filed in four weeks," the bench had said. The apex court observed the last report on the matter is a year old, and the response on LRs is awaited. The Centre opposed the submission of Sankaranarayanan and contended his client's role was not limited to procurement of batteries. The probe agency had maintained Perarivalan was an active conspirator in the assassination. In March 2018, the apex court had asked the MDMA to file a status report in connection with LR sent to Sri Lanka for examining one of the accused Nixon alias Suren, lodged in Colombo jail. Yoga guru Ramdev has said that Deepika Padukone should hire persons like him for offering correct advice, days after the actress had visited Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi following the violence at the campus earlier this month. "Deepika Padukone needs to study about political, social and cultural issues. She should understand more about our country. Only after gaining knowledge, she should take decisions. I feel she should have persons like Swami Ramdev for correct advice," Ramdev said at an event here on Monday. On January 7, Padukone joined the protest at JNU after a masked mob entered the varsity campus and attacked the students and teachers with sticks and rods on January 5. Several BJP leaders questioned the support extended by Padukone. On the other hand, the Congress threw their weight behind the actress for her stand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EgyptAir will launch a new, year-round direct service between Dublin and Cairo this summer, Dublin Airport has announced. The new route, commencing June 5, will operate four times per week and is Irelands first scheduled air service to Egypt. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays with an Airbus A320neo aircraft that will join the EgyptAir fleet in February. The 142-seat configuration will have 16 seats in business and 126 in economy. Were very pleased to welcome EgyptAir to Ireland and to add Cairo to Dublin Airports extensive route network, said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison. Cairo is one of the worlds great cities and we will be working closely with EgyptAir to promote this new route, which will be welcomed by both business and leisure travellers. An estimated 14,000 people travelled between Dublin and Cairo last year, and EgyptAir also has a route network reaching 70 onward destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia from its Cairo hub. Egypt's tourism industry has struggled to bounce back from terror attacks and political unrest in recent years, but visitor numbers are ticking upwards and this winter, the UK government lifted its ban on flights to the Sinai Peninsula. The city ranked third on Lonely Planets Top 20 cities to visit in 2020, a year expected to finally see the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near Giza. The much-delayed project will house 5,400 artefacts from Tutankhamen's tomb in a 500m2 complex described as the largest archaeological museum in the world. Flights to Cairo are among several new services set to take off from Dublin this year, including long-haul routes to San Francisco and Tel Aviv, and new Aer Lingus flights to Rhodes, Brindisi and Alghero. The Egyptian Ambassador in Dublin, His Excellency Khaled Sarwat, said the new route would further enhance and deepen the bilateral relations between Egypt and Ireland and boost the mutual investment, trade and tourism between our two friendly nations. Nishanth Nair has been appointed as the cluster director of sales of Hyatt Regency Thrissur and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty in Kerala, India Nair is a strong sales professional with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry for the last 10.5 years. He has been associated with different hotels namely SKS Doha, Qatar; Radisson Blu, Kochi; Carnoustie Hotels & Resorts (A PGA Group Company, UK); Thomas Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd, Trivandrum; Kadavu Resort, Calicut and Vythiri village, Wayanad. In his new role, Nair will be responsible for the entire sales and marketing spearheading the growth and development of the hotels generating maximum revenue. Speaking on his appointment, Nair said: Im delighted to take over the role as the cluster director of sales of Hyatt Regency Thrissur and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty. Being engaged with the properties since its pre-opening gives me much required insight to take the hotels to greater heights. I look forward to culturally and locally make use of all possible resources to keep the business growing in the homeland." - TradeArabia News Service Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 02:20:16|Editor: ZX Video Player Close British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (1st L) and British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith (1st R) are greeted by Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster (2nd R) of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, on Jan. 13, 2020. Boris Johnson said Monday during a visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland that he hopes and is "confident" to secure a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with the European Union (EU). (Photo by Paul McErlane/Xinhua) LONDON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday during a visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland that he hopes and is "confident" to secure a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with the European Union (EU). Addressing concerns over possible checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea after Brexit, Johnson told reporters that "I cannot see any circumstances whatever in which there would be any need for checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to GB (Great Britain)." "The only circumstances in which you could imagine the need for checks coming from GB to NI (Northern Ireland), as I have explained before, is if those goods were going on in to Ireland, and we had not secured -- which I hope and am confident we will -- a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with our friends and partners in the EU," he said. "There are plenty of protections for Northern Irish business, farmers and others," he said. Johnson's visit came three days after Northern Ireland's two major parties, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein, agreed on a draft deal to restore a power-sharing government, breaking a three-year political deadlock in the region. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein received Johnson at the door of Stormont, seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Praising politicians for their willingness to set aside differences, Johnson said "now is the chance for the government and Executive to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and to deliver on the priorities for the people." In a statement prior to his visit, Johnson hailed the deal as "historic". "This is an historic time for the people of Northern Ireland. After three years, Stormont is open for business again with an Executive who can now move forward with improving people's lives and delivering for all communities in Northern Ireland," read the statement. Newsfrom Japan Narita, Chiba Pref., Jan. 14 (Jiji Press)--Police Monday arrested a Laotian on suspicion of trying to export ivory and other items he took from a Japanese zoo where he worked, in violation of the customs law. The Chiba prefectural police's Narita International Airport Police Station has not disclosed whether Lam Ouan Khongsavanh, 27, an unemployed Laotian who lived in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, admitted to the allegations. On July 4 last year, the suspect allegedly tried to export to Laos via Vietnam some 220 items, including African elephant ivory, Asian elephant bones and hair, white rhinoceros bones, cheetah teeth and deer horn, packed in a suitcase and other containers, according to the station and the Tokyo Customs' Narita airport branch. Most of the items are subject to international trading restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. His attempt was detected in an X-ray scanning of the suitcase at the airport. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] ST. LOUIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawthorn River, a developer of commercial and consumer loan origination software for community banks, today announced it has launched Hawthorn River Lending on Salesforce AppExchange, empowering customers to streamline their end-to-end lending process. The integration pairs the Salesforce platform with Hawthorn River's decades of banking experience to provide community banks a powerful tool to improve operational efficiencies, enhance the borrower experience, and simplify regulatory compliance. Built on the Salesforce Platform, Hawthorn River Lending is currently available on AppExchange here . Hawthorn River Lending As community banks seek to remain independent in a rapidly consolidating industry, striking a balance between an optimized efficiency ratio and high-touch delivery model is a top priority. Hawthorn River Lending supports this objective with an easy to use loan origination solution that automates manual work, engages borrowers through customer portals, and proactively monitors regulatory requirements such as HMDA and TRID. Hawthorn River Lending can strengthen customers' value-proposition with industry-grade controls and procedures around information security, scalability, and business continuity. Comments on the News "Launching Hawthorn River Lending on AppExchange is an important step in fulfilling our mission to position community banks to remain competitive and independent in a rapidly consolidating industry," said Jon Rigsby, CEO of Hawthorn River. "Hawthorn River is a welcome addition to AppExchange, as they power digital transformation for customers by allowing community bankers to engage with borrowers through an easy-to-use solution," said Woodson Martin, GM of Salesforce AppExchange. "AppExchange is constantly evolving to enable our partners to build cutting-edge solutions to drive customer success." About Salesforce AppExchange Salesforce AppExchange, the world's leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies to sell, service, market and engage in entirely new ways. With more than 5,000 solutions, 7 million customer installs and 90,000 peer reviews, it is the most comprehensive source of cloud, mobile, social, IoT, analytics and artificial intelligence technologies for businesses. Additional Resources Follow Salesforce on Twitter: here Follow Hawthorn River on Twitter: here Salesforce, AppExchange and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc. About Hawthorn River From streamlining the end-to-end lending process to automating specific steps along the way, Hawthorn River helps community banks improve profitability, enhance the borrower experience, and simplify regulatory compliance. For information, visit www.hawthornriver.com. Media Contact: Jon Rigsby Hawthorn River 314-220-5009 [email protected] SOURCE Hawthorn River A pile of syringes found near a rural primary school have sparked outrage amid fears Australia is facing a rural drug crisis. Belle Wooderson, from Dubbo in New South Wales, posted a picture of seven needles she found scattered on the ground outside her home on Sunday. 'Sick to death of seeing and having to clean up dangerous stuff,' she wrote in an online post. A pile of syringes found near a primary school in Dubbo in regional New South Wales has sparked fierce debate online about how to combat a perceived rural drug crisis 'Thank goodness the kids are on holidays from school.' Readers in the community Facebook group where the photo was shared were appalled by the picture and quick to label the finding as 'disgusting' and 'putrid'. Ms Wooderson, who lives close to Dubbo South Public School, encouraged online debate about how the country town - with a population of about 39,000 - could best tackle a perceived drug crisis. One man suggested the implementation of a needle exchange program but others disagreed and claimed it would be a 'waste of money'. When one woman proposed CCTV as a means of deterrence, another responded: 'Good idea, they'll find somewhere else but at least it'll be away from the school.' Another social media user called the littered syringes 'plain disgusting' and called for drug users to be DNA tested. Another still said authorities should be more concerned with the use of plastic syringes than plastic straws - which are set to be banned in South Australia. Ms Wooderson told Daily Mail Australia the potential hazard of her stepping on the needle paled in comparison with the threat posed to children walking near the school. One social media user called the littered syringes 'plain disgusting' and called for drug users to be DNA tested. 'Drug users can potentially risk the lives of our younger generation and especially those who have no knowledge of the potential dangers (discarded needles) can possess,' she said. 'Thank goodness kids are still on school holidays or I could see a situation arising with very young children who walk past my place to get to school.' The Dubbo resident called on her council to better regulate the behaviour of drug users in the town. Another still said authorities should be more concerned with the use of plastic syringes than plastic straws - which are set to be banned in South Australia 'The council need to give residents access to a sharps box in their own home and provide a pamphlets or information booklet on safe disposal,' she said. 'It has become such a common scenario around our town it's a wast of police resources to remove every needle they see.' The Safe Sharps program in New South Wales tells needle users how to dispose of the items safely. In Dubbo alone, there are 12 safe disposal spots - most of which are public toilet blocks. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dubbo Regional Council and Western NSW Local Health District for comment. Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars" films, has deleted his Facebook account after the social media giant said it would not fact-check political advertising. Hamill tweeted his decision on Sunday night, with a link to a New York Times report that Facebook would not "police the truthfulness" of political ads. "So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my @Facebook account. I know this is a big "Who Cares?" for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night," Hamill wrote. @HamillHimself: So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my @Facebook account. I know this is a big "Who Cares?" for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night. #PatriotismOverProfits Facebook announced on Thursday several new updates to "increase the level of transparency" around political advertising in the face of intense scrutiny from Congress. But unlike Twitter, which has banned political ads, and Google, which has limited targeting of them, Facebook won't block them. Instead, it wants political ads to be regulated and said in its blog post that politicians must abide by its Community Standards. Hamill has often voiced political opinions on Twitter, tweeting last week that "I like his speeches with all the words removed much better," next to a video of President Donald Trump, and mocking a new year 2017 tweet by the president with a recording of himself reading his words in the voice of the Joker. He's also declared that he will vote to elect a Democratic president in this year's election, regardless of who the candidate is. @HamillHimself: I am not endorsing anyone at this point, as I will #VoteBlueNoMatterWho2020. ANY candidate running would be an improvement on what we have now. I am retweeting this ad because I think @CoryBooker deserves to be included in the debates & because he asked me to share it with you. In October, Facebook refused to remove an ad from Trump's reelection campaign that included a statement about former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign that had not been backed by evidence. In a letter obtained by The New York Times and CNN, Facebook said it would not fact-check political ads because of its belief in free speech. Hitado GmbH becomes Nexus IB10 distributor for sphingotec in Germany and Switzerland Norderstedt and Hennigsdorf, Germany, January 14, 2020 - Hitado GmbH (Hitado), a Sysmex point-of-care subsidiary, and SphingoTec GmbH (sphingotec) have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the commercialisation of the Nexus IB10 diagnostic platform by Hitado in Germany. Further, Sysmex Suisse AG will commercialise the platform in Switzerland. The Nexus IB10 platform is a fully automated rapid immunoassay point-of-care platform, that provides accurate test results within only 20 minutes and features a broad menu of tests relevant in near-patient settings, e.g. cardiovascular parameters such as troponin I, NT-proBNP, D-dimer, CK-MB and myoglobin. Further novel and proprietary tests that are developed by sphingotec and provide solutions for highly unmet diagnostic needs in sepsis, acute heart failure and acute kidney injury will complement the existing menu of IB10 test making the platform a unique solution for acute and critical care. The CE-IVD-marked system meets the requirements of near-patient testing and can be flexibly deployed in laboratories, emergency departments, intensive care units, and doctors' offices. Regarding this new distribution agreement, Hitado's CEO Andre Michel commented, "We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive distribution partner for Nexus IB10 in Germany and Switzerland. This product is a strategic fit with our existing product portfolio and will separate us from our competitors, providing customers with a comprehensive package of patient-near testing devices." Andreas Bergmann, CEO of sphingotec, echoes those sentiments. He noted, "We are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Hitado and Sysmex who have been very successful in promoting the IB10 platform in the past. We also believe that they are excellent strategic partners for providing rapid and novel solutions needed by clinicians in managing critically ill patients and will support us in our long-term strategy to improve patient outcomes in acute and critical care conditions." The Nexus IB10 platform was originally developed and commercialised by Samsung under the brand name Samsung LabgeoIB10. Following the acquisition of Samsung's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA), the manufacturer of the IB10 platform, by sphingotec in 2018, Nexus IB10 is now exclusively represented by sphingotec and made available through sphingotec's global network of distribution partners. ### To discover more about the Nexus IB10 and sphingotec's portfolio of diagnostic solutions for acute and critical care, please visit sphingotec.com. For more information on the Hitado point-of-care portfolio, please visit hitado.de. About Hitado GmbH Hitado was founded 44 years ago as a provider of diagnostic solutions for hospitals and laboratories and is the leader provider of near-patient diagnostics in Germany. Today, they are a part of the Sysmex Group, a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. Their portfolio includes highly specific rapid tests for diverse applications including cancer screening, cardiac diagnostics, pregnancy, infection and metabolic diagnostics to specialised point-of-care testing systems. To discover more about Hitado, visit hitado.de. About sphingotec SphingoTec GmbH ("sphingotec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) develops and markets innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for novel and proprietary biomarkers for the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of acute medical conditions, such as sepsis, acute heart failure, circulatory shock, and acute kidney injury in order to support patient management and provide guidance for treatment strategies. sphingotec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis or congestive heart failure, Proenkephalin (penKid), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function, and Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 (DPP3), a unique biomarker for cardio-renal pathway disruptions leading to acute organ dysfunction. In addition, sphingotec develops a portfolio of novel biomarkers, which predict the risks of developing obesity, breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. IVD tests for sphingotec's proprietary biomarkers are made available as sphingotest microtiterplate tests as well as point-of-care tests on the Nexus IB10 immunoassay platform by sphingotec's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) alongside a broad menu of IB10 tests for established biomarkers for acute and critical care. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. SEOUL, South Korea President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on Tuesday called for economic exchanges with North Korea, including allowing visits there by South Korean tourists, to help ease tensions and encourage the North to resume talks with the United States. North Korea has already said that it would welcome tourists from the South as the heavily sanctioned country seeks new ways to earn hard currency. Tourism is one of the few North Korean industries not covered by sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council and Washington to squeeze the Norths ability to earn foreign currency. North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, recently declared that his country no longer expected a breakthrough in deadlocked negotiations with Washington over how to denuclearize the North nor the lifting of American-led United Nations sanctions. He said his country would instead rebuild its economy without the help of relief from the sanctions that were imposed over the Norths weapons programs. To increase tourism, North Korea has recently opened seafront resorts or ski and spa complexes, all built in part to attract tourist cash from abroad, mainly China. Senior Congress leader on Tuesday apologised on Twitter after he was criticised for his remark that Delhi Chief Minister wants power without responsibility, something which has been "the prerogative of eunuchs". On Monday night, Tharoor alleged that Kejriwal is trying to have it both ways by making statements deploring the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Register of Citizens (NRC) but has not taken any tangible action. "He has not even shown human compassion one expects from a chief minister from victims of violence in his state. In any other state, had students been bashed up in this manner, the chief minister would have visited them and shown them some concern," Tharoor told a TV channel. "Mr Kejriwal really wants power without responsibility, which we all know has been the prerogative of eunuchs for ages," he said. The remark drew sharp criticism on social media as netizens accused him of "transphobia" and asked him to apologise to the LGBT community. "Apologies to those who found my quote about 'power without responsibility' offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, & most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate & withdraw it," Tharoor tweeted on Tuesday morning. He did not directly mention the "eunuch" reference which had sparked outrage. 28 people have been killed in Australia's fires and 3,000 properties destroyed Canberra and Geelong also cancelled their Australia Day fireworks displays The mayor said the decision was to respect 'those who lost lives and property' A western Sydney council has cancelled its Australia Day fireworks 'out of respect' to bushfire victims. Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the council decided to axe the January 26 fireworks after 28 people died in bushfires ravaging New South Wales and Victoria. 'Out of respect to those who lost lives and property, and with the ever-present danger from fires in our own area, the council has decided to put this year's fireworks on hold,' Mr Bleasdale said. Canberra and Geelong councils also cancelled their Australia Day fireworks displays in response to the bushfire crisis gripping Australia. Scroll down for video Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the decision to axe the January 26 fireworks came after a 28 died in bushfires ravaging New South Wales and Victoria Canberra and Geelong councils also cancelled their Australia Day fireworks displays in response to the bushfire crisis gripping Australia. Pictured: A kangaroo escapes as the fire front approaches a property in Colo Heights, NSW A number of regional cities also canned displays over New Year's Eve, but Sydney City Council's decision to go ahead with its harbour fireworks sparked outrage. Witnessing the fireworks amid the devastation, one person tweeted: 'My parents are without power, their town is cut off, and the southerly is blowing another fire towards them. A fireworks show feels like a huge slap in the face.' Responding to calls to cancel the event and reallocate the funding to fire-affected regions, Sydney mayor Clover Moore said planning for the fireworks began 15 months ago and most of the budget had already been allocated. The event was also a boost to the NSW economy. Blacktown Council's decision comes as bushfire-ravaged communities around the state prepare for heavy rainfall forecast for Thursday. Authorities fear the showers could impact water quality and cause landslides and flooding in some parts of NSW. Rainfall totals of 30 to 80 millimetres are forecast from Thursday, with strong falls possible for fire grounds in the Snowy Mountains, southwest of Sydney and South Coast regions. Water NSW said it is preparing to limit potential impacts on the water quality in dam storages caused by ash run off but the rain forecast this week is not considered intense enough to wash material into catchments. Chief executive David Harris said no water quality problem is expected this week but catchments will need to be managed to protect future water supply. The mayor said the decision was to respect 'those who lost lives and property'. Pictured: Business owner Sally Anne Wilson (left) stands in front of her destroyed shop with her partner Christopher Lee in Cobargo, NSW, on New Year's Day At least 28 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October. Pictured: Firefighters struggle with strong winds in the NSW town of Nowra Several precautionary measures have been taken including using silt curtains to stop ash being washed into Warragamba Dam by heavy rainfall. Firefighters have welcomed the forecast as the best news in months, but the Bureau of Meteorology said the rain could be good and bad news. 'Hopefully some of this heavy rainfall will fall over fire sites and help control or even extinguish fires,' meteorologist Sarah Scully said on Tuesday. 'But it's a bit of a double-edged sword because heavy rainfall and gusty thunderstorms bring the potential for flash flooding, particularly in the burnt-out areas of NSW and Victoria which are now vulnerable to landslips and trees coming down.' Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment If this story is not Jezebelic, then nothing is. As reported by the Catholic News Agency, A radical feminist group has taken credit for an ongoing series of attacks on pro-life advocates in Germany, including the vandalism of two churches and the burning of a pro-life journalist's car. This is the spirit of Jezebel at work, the spirit of radical feminism, the spirit of anti-Christ, the baby-killing spirit. And it is not a reasonable spirit, one that seeks to change hearts by dialogue and discussion. Instead, it is the spirit of intimidation, the spirit of fear, the spirit that seeks to silence all opposing voices. It is the spirit that says, If you dare take a stand for life, you will pay for it! A group calling itself the Feminist Autonomous Cell took responsibility for vandalizing a church in Tubingen on Dec. 27, accusing it of anti-feminist attitudes. Then, Four days later ... the group said that they had torched the SUV belonging to German journalist Gunnar Schupelius. Schupelius, a columnist for the newspaper BZ, has written pieces supporting pro-life views. In the confession letter, Schupelius home address was published in a bid to incite further violence. Did I say that Jezebel used intimidation tactics rather than reason? One week later, the Feminist Autonomous Cell was at it again. On the night of January 8-9, paint was thrown at the church building [in Berlin]. Later, a letter was posted online that explained the paint attack was in response to the church hosting participants during the March for Life, an event held annually in September. Jezebel is speaking clearly. Stand up for the unborn, and you will pay for it. Hold to biblical principles, and we will attack you. Interestingly, in contrast with America, the pro-life movement in Germany is very small, to the point that last years March for Life had a record attendance of just 8,000. But the church in Berlin would not stay silent. Instead, it hosted a special, pre-march conference aimed to connect pro-life activists throughout Europe. This, according to the vandals, was unacceptable. In the letter taking credit for the attack, the vandals said that the March for Life serves as a platform for fundamentalist, anti-trans, homophobic, anti-Semitic, mysoginist [sic], patriarchal and right-wing conservative speakers, and therefore they the attack was legitimate. Does this sound familiar? First, in the eyes of the radical feminists, their attacks are justified. After all, these fundamentalist, primitive Christian beliefs are dangerous to society at large. They must be snuffed out before they can destroy more lives. Second, these Christians perpetuate the evil patriarchy. Male domination must be opposed, even violently. After all, the patriarchy is guilty of perpetual violence against women. Third, by definition, fundamentalist Christians are anti-trans, homophobic, and misogynist. Put another way, Christians, you must not believe that biology matters and that God made us male and female. If you say that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, you are a bigot. And if you uphold the sanctity of life, you are a woman-hater. Fourth, and perhaps surprisingly, these Christians are also anti-Semitic. Do these radical feminists really care about the Jews of Germany? Or is this another attempt to put a negative, stereotypical label on these conservative Christians? To be sure, there has been more than enough anti-Semitism in Church history, but is Germanys pro-life movement antisemitic? Not according to the Federal Association for the Right to Life (Bundesverband Lebensrecht e.V, or BVL), which responded to the Feminist Autonomous Cell with its own letter. In part, the letter stated, Fortunately, there are millions of people who are not disconcerted by this nonsense of attempted misclassification, including, of course, many Christians who are not attached to any kind of phobia, hatred or attitude of discrimination, either against homosexuals, Jews, women or others. For all this is self-defeating if you take Christianity seriously and know it. But thats the real issue. Jezebel hates the message of Christianity, the message of the prophets, the message of life. Jezebel despises Gods authority, replacing it with the idolatrous worship of other gods, leading to the exaltation of self. In short, We will not have God rule over us! Jezebels bark, though, is larger than her bite. Just stand up to her and refuse to bow down to her intimidation and threats, and in the end, she will be defeated. Stand strong, pro-life Christians of Germany! The unborn are depending on you. [January 14, 2020] Nok Nok Labs Joins Forces with BBVA to Boost the Use of Authentication on Mobile Banking Services MADRID and SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nok Nok Labs one of the driving forces behind the new FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standard aimed at strengthening the security of biometric systems on mobile devices, today has partnered with banking leader, BBVA. The agreement is part of BBVA's strategy to improve the security and user experience of its mobile banking services through state-of-the-art biometric capabilities. Through this agreement, Nok Nok a leading developer of authentication solutionswill provide BBVA with a series of technological capabilities. This will allow the bank to continue offering secure and scalable authentication solutions that put user privacy at the center of its mobile banking services, which are already being used by more than half of its customers worldwide . In addition, the agreement with Nok Nok will allow BBVA to implement the new FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standard in its mobile banking services, which reinforces the security of biometric authentication systems in web and mobile applications. This standard, promoted by the FIDO Alliance, allows alternative identification systems, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to be used instead of passwords in a comfortable and secure manner. In 2013 Nok Nok was one of the founding companies of the FIDO Alliance and, along with other industry members, it has contributed to developing the key technical specifications and features of this new standard, which is already being used by other leading digital companies. Nok Nok provides BBVA with a interoperable solution that has the support necessary to adapt to industry standards and global regulations, such as for the European Market, Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) which defines minimum requirements for strong customer authentication. Thanks to the partnership with Nok Nok, BBVA will be able to continue offering its customers innovative and agile mobile banking solutions that offer a perfect balance between user experience and security. "Traditionally, one of the biggest challenges of authentication systems has been to balance security with user experience. Due to the FIDO standard, we are confident that both elements work together seamlessly to provide customers with the highest security standards, along with a transparent and agile user experience. In this way, we can improve the ability of our clients to interact with us in a more natural way," says Juan Francisco Losa, BBVA's Global Technology & Information Security Officer. "Having a simple and robust authentication process on mobile devices is integral for protecting customer privacy," says Phillip Dunkelberger, CEO of Nok Nok Labs. "We are very proud to partner with BBVA and this is a fantastic collaboration for Nok Nok because it will allow us to introduce the latest innovations in authentication for customers, through a simple, transparent and secure experience. This agreement will allow us to continue expanding our international presence." About Nok Nok Nok Nok is the trusted leader in next-generation consumer authentication providing passwordless solutions to the world's largest organizations. Delivering the most innovative authentication solutions in the market today, Nok Nok empowers global organizations to improve the user experience to access digital services, while meeting the most advanced privacy and regulatory requirements. The Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite integrates into existing security environments to deliver a cost-effective, future-proof and standards-based authentication solution. Headquartered in the Silicon Valley, California, the company has delivered unique inventions and innovations that are protected by a robust global patent portfolio. As a founder of the FIDO Alliance and inventor of FIDO specifications, Nok Nok is the expert in deploying standards-based authentication, and its industry leading customers and partners include DDS, Inc., Ericsson, Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi, Intuit, Lenovo, MTRIX GmbH, NTT DATA, NTT DOCOMO, OneSpan, SoftBank, Standard Bank, and T-Mobile. About BBVA BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. It is also the leading shareholder in Turkey's BBVA Garanti. Its purpose is to bring the age of opportunities to everyone, based on our customers' real needs: provide the best solutions, helping them make the best financial decisions, through an easy and convenient experience. The institution rests in solid values: Customer comes first, we think big and we are one team. Its responsible banking model aspires to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable society. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nok-nok-labs-joins-forces-with-bbva-to-boost-the-use-of-authentication-on-mobile-banking-services-300986254.html SOURCE Nok Nok Labs [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A fresh picture of ailing former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif at a London restaurant along with some family members has gone viral on social media, leading the Opposition to cast aspersions over the "serious nature" of his health. Sharif, 69, left for London on November 19 in an air ambulance to seek medical treatment, a month after he was released on bail from a seven-year prison sentence for corruption. The PML-N supremo is undergoing treatment of multiple diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAD is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to which the heart does not receive the blood it needs, leading to acute chest pain and, in some cases, a fatal heart attack. In the photo leaked on Monday, Sharif appeared to be stable and sitting in a restaurant with his son Hasan, PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, his son Salman and former finance minister Ishaq Dar. Federal Science Minister Fawad Chaudhry uploaded the leaked photo on his Twitter account and made a satirical comment. "In London's intensive care unit, the treatment against plundering is underway and all patients present (there) are feeling better," the outspoken minister said. The photo was also reportedly discussed at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, the Dawn newspaper reported. It may cause problems for him in securing extension in his stay abroad from the PTI-led Punjab government which has become sceptical about the "serious nature" of his health, it said. At the time of Sharif's departure for London, Khan had taken a dig at him, saying doctors were of the opinion that "this man could die any minute if he did not go abroad for treatment. But he suddenly recovered and looked perfectly fine as he got a glimpse of the London-bound air ambulance". Sharif's PML-N slammed the ruling party leaders for doing politics on their leader's health, saying the government should come out of the "Sharif phobia" and concentrate on addressing important issues facing the country. "Doctors have advised Nawaz Sharif to go out for change of environment. They insist that staying indoors will not be good for his health. Therefore, Sharif has started going out. On Sunday, Sharif along with his family members had a walk to catch fresh air and had tea in a restaurant," the leading daily quoted a PML-N leader from London as saying. Sharif was shifted from jail to the Services hospital in Lahore in October after his health condition deteriorated. Doctors then recommended him to get treatment abroad. The Pakistan government allowed Sharif''s travel for medical reasons but put the condition that he submit an indemnity bond as a guarantee that he would return to the country after getting treatment. He, however, rejected the condition and challenged it in courts. Sharif was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on humanitarian grounds in the Al Azizia case and by the Lahore High Court in the ongoing Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, in which he is a suspect. In November, he was allowed by the Lahore High Court to travel abroad for treatment without any bond. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted a restriction it has imposed on Fairfax-backed CSB Bank, formerly The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd, on opening new branches in view of the delayed Initial Public Offering (IPO). The bank, in a regulatory filing on Tuesday said that the regulatory restrictions by RBI on opening new branches, through their letter in January 30, 2015, has been lifted with effect from January 10, 2020. The general permission to open new branches was withdrawn in 2015 in view of the delayed IPO of shares of the Bank, and it was not permitted to open any new branches ... The Maharashtra government's school education department on Monday issued a notice to all schools in the state asking them not to use their premises for hosting any political event, a move which has invited criticism from the BJP. Sources in the department said the notice has been issued to the management of schools to ensure students are kept away from any political event. The move comes after it was reported that the BJP had organised a talk on the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) at a school in the Matunga area last week. Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said, The notice has been issued cautioning schools to keep students away from political events. However, former school education minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar called the action "politically motivated". It (CAA) is an Act approved by both the houses of Parliament and signed by the President. Such instructions are uncalled for, he said. The BJPs youth wing as well as the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad have been holding meetings with college students to make them aware about the "benefits" of CAA, that aims to give Indian citizenship to persecuted non -Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Similarly, the Congress, Left parties and some organisations have started their own separate campaigns to sensitise college students about "ill-effects" of the CAA and the proposed Register of Citizens (NRC). The committee did advance a $300,000 settlement for a Chicago police officer who said a supervisor sexually harassed and abused her, a $500,000 settlement for a man who suffered a subdural hematoma when he struck his head on the floor of a holding cell when a police officer shoved him to the ground in 2016 while he was handcuffed, and a $150,000 payment to a man who filed a lawsuit saying police struck and choked him after they pulled him over for no reason in 2016 in the Ashburn neighborhood on the South Side. Libyan Ceasefire Agreement Envisions Russian Control Over Implementation - Reports Sputnik News 17:30 13.01.2020(updated 17:33 13.01.2020) DOHA (Sputnik) The ceasefire agreement being prepared to be signed by Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj includes a mutual withdrawal of forces, and Russia and the UN's control over the deal's implementation, Al-Arabiya reported on Monday, citing its sources. "The agreement includes the following points: Russia will control the ceasefire and send delegations to Libya to monitor the process; the deployment of Turkish troops to Tripoli will stop; the UN [will provide] international control of the ceasefire agreement's implementation; the LNA and GNA will return unconditionally to their positions under the ceasefire," a source told the channel. Earlier in the day, Haftar and Sarraj arrived in Moscow to hold talks on the Libyan crisis under the mediation of Russia and Turkey. The meeting is expected to produce an official ceasefire agreement. According to the sources, the LNA will be responsible for ensuring the security of oil and gas fields and fighting against terrorism in coordination with the GNA's head. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed on a common stance on Libya and called for a comprehensive ceasefire starting 12 January at midnight. They also urged all warring parties to begin negotiations. On Sunday, the LNA and Sarraj's GNA announced a ceasefire, effectively halting the months-long LNA offensive to take the GNA-held capital of Tripoli. The ceasefire appears fragile, however, as the sides have accused each other of violating it since then. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, January 13, 2020. Liam McBurney/Pool via REUTERS Donald Trump should produce a replacement for the Iran nuclear deal, Boris Johnson said as he called for tensions in the Gulf to be "dialled down". The UK, along with European allies, has remained part of the troubled nuclear deal despite the US president's opposition. The British Prime Minister said one of the problems the American leader had with the agreement was that it was negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, so putting in a replacement "Trump deal" would be a way out of the current crisis. The comments came as reports suggested the UK, Germany and France are prepared to trigger the deal's dispute resolution mechanism following concerns over breaches of the agreement by Iran. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is due to update the Commons on the situation on Tuesday afternoon. The US has pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which eased sanctions in return for Iran agreeing to restrictions on its activity in an effort to ensure Tehran did not acquire a nuclear weapon. The UK and European allies have publicly remained committed to the approach, despite breaches by Iran and the difficulties caused by Mr Trump's decision to walk away. Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: "If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement. "The problem with the JCPOA - this is the crucial thing, it's why there is this tension - the problem with the agreement is that from the American perspective it's a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by President Obama. "From their point of view it has many, many faults. "If we are going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal. That's what we need to see. "I think that would be a great way forward. "President Trump is a great deal-maker - by his own account and many others. Let's work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead." The Prime Minister said he "did not envisage" any escalation in the tensions between the US and Iran, adding: "Let's dial this thing down." He said he was "glad" Iran had acknowledged that it made a "terrible mistake" in shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane last week. Iran's judiciary said arrests have been made over the incident, in which 176 people, including four Britons, died. President Hassan Rouhani called for a special court to be set up to handle the process, saying: "This is not an ordinary case. "The entire the world will be watching this court." Mr Johnson said: "I'm glad the Iranians have accepted responsibility and identified it as an appalling mistake, and it does appear that it was a mistake. "It is very important that the bodies are repatriated in a dignified way and that the families are allowed to grieve and to have closure. "Clearly, as President Rouhani has said, Iran made a terrible mistake. It is good they have apologised. "The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down." The PM defended his role during the tensions, after facing criticism for not returning from his holiday immediately after the US strike which killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. "I was not in this country but I worked very hard, as you can imagine, in making sure there was a European response," he said. Mr Johnson said Britain had played its"traditional role" in serving as the bridge between the "European powers and the United States". He said there was no need for Britain to have been informed by the US before the attack: "This was not our operation. There was no reason for us to be told." Oprah Winfrey has denied planning a tell-all interview with Harry and Meghan after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave the UK for Canada. Nicole Nichols, chief spokesperson for the Oprah Winfrey Network, said the pair are 'not in discussion for an interview' on Monday. It comes after palace aides revealed fears that the royal couple - who are close to Oprah and invited her as a guest to their wedding - could 'sound off' over allegations of racism and sexism within the British establishment on US TV. There were suggestions that the Sussexes could use the threat of an interview as leverage to get their way in crunch talks with the Queen at Sandringham. Oprah Winfrey's team have denied that she is in talks with Harry and Meghan for a tell-all interview after the pair leave the UK for Canada There are fears among palace aides that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could 'sound off' over allegations of racism and sexism on US TV networks After hours of talks, the Queen released a statement Monday evening saying there would be a 'period of transition' as Harry and Meghan carve out a new life for themselves between the UK and Canada. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life,' she wrote. Oprah's denials were first printed by Buzzfeed News. Aside from Oprah, Meghan's team were said to have reached out to television networks ABC, NBC and CBS - where another friend, Gayle King, works. A royal source said: 'Harry and Meghan's people have been reaching out to all the big US networks to explore the possibilities of a sit-down warts-and-all interview. 'Meghan feels she's been silenced and is no longer prepared to be muted. She and Harry feel the royals have been racist and sexist.' Another source told the Telegraph that the palace feared a potential interview. They said: 'Just look at what happened with the Duke of York on Newsnight.' The Queen gave her blessing for the pair to carve out a new 'independent' life following hours of talks at Sandringham on Monday Members of the Royal Family gathered at Sandringham estate in Norfolk where 'calm' negotiations were held on Harry and Meghan's future The Queen's statement in full Monday evening after a day of showdown talks to decide the futures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After a family meeting at Sandringham, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to split their time between Canada and the UK as they wind down their Royal duties. According to friends, Harry arrived ahead of schedule to square things with his grandmother, who came into the crunch talks deeply disappointed with him and Meghan for wanting to step back from their official duties. In last night's statement, her sincere regret was made clear, saying she 'would have preferred them to remain full-time working members'. But after her one-to-one with Harry - followed by two hours of 'calm' discussions with him, Charles and William - Her Majesty agreed to a 'transition period' where the Duke and Duchess would step away from Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. Meghan was barred from dialling in on the meeting from Vancouver. Palace officials said such an idea was rejected because no one knew for sure who else might have been listening in. An insider said: 'This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call.' Journalist and close confidante of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tom Bradby has warned that if the Royal couple are left feeling hard done by, they may give a 'no-holds barred' interview which would could further damage the monarchy After the meeting concluded, Princes Charles, William and Harry left in three separate cars. The Queen has said that hammering out a viable blueprint for Harry and Meghan's financially independent future was proving 'complex' and indicated more details need to be ironed out in the coming days. And sources revealed that Prince Charles also views the matter far from concluded as he knows Harry will rely on his Duchy of Cornwall to meet family bills. He has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate when he uproots to North America. A friend says: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' The Queen has ordered staff to find a solution 'within days' to the remaining sticking points, including the couple's future funding, which is expected to impose rigid rules on their commercial activities. One figure said: 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example. No one wants to see the Sussexes' name on a tub of margarine.' Prince Harry (pictured leaving yesterday), Prince William and Prince Charles left Sandringham in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving last night) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal with Meghan 'dialling in' to support her husband from Canada Prince William pictured leaving Sandringham after yesterday's crunch talks with Harry, Prince Charles and the Queen This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. Yesterday's unprecedented Royal parley culminated with a 5pm statement from the Palace, in which the Queen gave Harry and Meghan the green light to press ahead with plans to become 'financially independent'. The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The Queen, who is desperate to chart a way out of the crisis raging through the Family ranks, has ordered courtiers to double down efforts to develops blueprint for the Sussexes future, to be completed within days. Sikhs in the US will be counted as a separate ethnic group in the 2020 census, an organisation of the minority community said on Tuesday, describing it as a milestone. President of the Sikh Society of San Diego Baljeet Singh said that the Sikh community's efforts have come to fruition. "This has paved the way forward nationally not only for the Sikh community but also for other ethnicities in the United States," he said. Describing this as a milestone, the United Sikhs said that this will be the first time the minority group will be counted and coded in the decennial A delegation of the United Sikhs has had several meetings with the in the recent past with the last one being in San Diego on January 6. "It's clear that a separate code is needed to ensure an accurate count of Sikhs in the United States, recognising a unique identity," said Deputy Director Ron Jarmin. "Working with United Sikhs, we understand how this change affects the national Sikh community, leading us to add this code for the 2020 Census," said Shagufta Ahmed with the Census Bureau and Office of Management Budget. According to the United Sikhs, the current estimates of Sikhs living in the US are at 1 million. Sikhs meet the criteria for representation in the US Census as a distinct ethnic group and have a distinct unified appearance, culture, language, food and history. The United Sikhs has advocated for the separate coding for more than two decades and filed commentary with the US Federal Register advocating for Sikhs to be added as an ethnic group, in large part, so that action can be taken to address major Sikh issues such as bullying, intimidation and hate crimes against the community. "With the 2020 census approaching, many historically undercoded communities will be at-risk for being under-counted and under-served," said Ruben Singh, United Sikhs Census Manager "We look forward to collaborating with our census partners and other Sikh organisations and institutions to address the unanticipated challenges of the 2020 Census," he said. Meanwhile, the Sikh Coalition has partnered with the Census Bureau for the 2020 census. This is because Sikhs have traditionally been a 'hard to count' population in the United States, said Satjeet Kaur, Sikh Coalition executive director. "Our community matters, and we want to make sure that Sikh families are appropriately counted and accurately resourced wherever they are across our country," she said. A clearer picture is emerging of how San Antonio leaders plan to pay for $2.7 billion in transportation improvements while still trying to protect the Edwards Aquifer. Officials, including Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, already pinpointed $40 million a year from a portion of the citys sales tax revenue that finances aquifer protection and linear parks to instead boost bus service. San Antonio voters will decide in November whether to redirect those funds to VIA Metropolitan Transit. Now, officials are pushing for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bonds to partially fund expanded bus service, among other priorities outlined in the ConnectSA transportation strategy. They want to take a chunk of the citys and countys next bond packages 70 percent of each to fund those projects, on top of what the city and county would normally spend on streets, sidewalks and sewers. The additional funds would finance road improvements many of which are already needed to create the citys first high-frequency bus route with dedicated lanes, Nirenberg said. The route would run south from Stone Oak to San Antonio International Airport, then to downtown and ultimately to Brooks, formerly known as Brooks City-Base. On ExpressNews.com: Mayor wants SAWS to take on aquifer protection program Supporters of the move including Nirenberg and former Mayor Henry Cisneros, tri-chair of ConnectSA point out that transportation improvements are part of every city bond. In the $850 million bond approved by San Antonio voters in 2017, more than $445 million or 52 percent was allocated for street, bridge and sidewalk improvements. Another 16 percent, about $139 million, was set aside for drainage and flood control projects some of which were related to street upgrades. City officials havent decided how large the next bond package will be. Cisneros insisted the 70 percent figure is not as dramatic as it sounds. If were ever going to do anything that resembles a way to put transit in reach of the vast majority of San Antonians, this creative thing weve cobbled together is whats going to work, he said. Separately, Nirenberg has proposed that city-owned San Antonio Water System take on additional debt in the form of bonds to finance a program to protect the Edwards Aquifer should the utility and its board agree to assume responsibility for the 20-year-old program. Nirenberg has pinned his hopes on SAWS taking over aquifer protection clearing the runway for the sales tax vote on transit in November. Suzanne Scott, general manager of the San Antonio River Authority, floated a property tax increase to, among other things, help protect the Edwards Aquifer, but the board rejected the move in November. The program has kept about 160,000 acres from being developed over sensitive areas that funnel rainfall into the aquifer through the purchase of conservation easements on privately owned land in and around Bexar County. The sales tax revenue also has funded linear parks and creek protection in San Antonio. A city study recently estimated that another 56,000 acres would have to be protected from development in order to keep up with projected increases in water demand through 2070. On ExpressNews.com: Wolff wants to shift sales tax from aquifer protection to transit So far, its unclear how much it would cost SAWS to take over the program. Nirenberg said the utility is exploring options that would do so without burdening San Antonios ratepayers. He also noted that, though the sales tax that funds aquifer protection will expire next year, revenue from the tax wouldnt run out until 2022. The SAWS board will get another briefing today on whether the utility will take over aquifer protection. Board members were receptive to the idea when it was presented at their December meeting, board member Amy Hardberger said. But they still have questions about how much it would cost and how the utility would pay for it, she said. Its a little cart before the horse to talk about what the funding mechanism is, Hardberger said. One option: The city could return some money it took from the water utility under the citys $2.9 billion budget adopted in September to help fund the program. District 9 Councilman John Courage pushed city budget writers to take more money from SAWS as part of their revenue sharing agreement with the city boosting the citys take from 2.7 percent of the utilitys revenue to 4 percent. SAWS CEO Robert Puente warned at the time that SAWS might need to implement a larger-than-expected rate increase in two years as a result. Now, Courage said the city could rebate some of those funds to SAWS for startup costs for the aquifer protection program. To me, that sounds like a reasonable way to stimulate the process and make it work better, Courage said. A previous version incorrectly stated that Mayor Ron Nirenberg asked the San Antonio River Authority to take over a city-run program to protect the Edwards Aquifer. Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio city government and politics. 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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 ALBANY More than half of new STEM jobs in New York are in computer science, data shows, but few public high schools in New York offer advanced computer science classes and students are graduating high school ill-prepared to join the booming technology industry. With the goal of narrowing this gap, the Board of the Regents this week moved to approve learning standards for computer science and digital fluency for K-12 schools. The standards were conditionally approved by the Board of Regents P-12 Committee on Monday, leaving additional time for the state Education Department (SED) to engage with early learning experts to ensure the K-2 standards are developmentally appropriate and implemented equitably across the state. The standards will be returned to the Board later this year for final adoption, state education officials said. We know that computer science and STEM fields are the jobs of the future, so its important that we invest in our children and provide them with access to training in these areas to ensure that all of New Yorks students are prepared to compete for 21st-century jobs, Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. State education officials sought feedback from experts over a 15-month period before creating the curriculum standards to consider how to best meet the needs of students in various regions and communities across the state. In New York, just 44 percent of all public high schools teach computer science, according to 2018 data from Code.org. Compounding the problem is the state's shortage of educators with the skills to teach computer science to K-12 grades. Siena College, in Loudonville, this summer became the first institution in the state to be authorized to certify educators to teach K-12 computer science. A new program at the Loudonville school integrates its teacher training program with its computer science department to train K-12 teachers who specialize in the field. One challenge in computer science education is the allure of high-paying technology jobs that often pull experts away from the classroom. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "For people who do graduate with a computer science degree, there are a lot of opportunities besides teaching," Siena computer science Professor Robin Flatland said. "We are working specifically with teachers that have computer science experience, but are committed to teaching." For children who do not wish to pursue careers in the tech sector, computer science skills are vital for participation in 21st-century life, work and civic engagement, state officials said. To comply with a 2018 state law requiring the development of computer science standards, and to fulfill the expectation outlined in the 2010 USNY Statewide Technology Plan that students, teachers, and leaders will have clear standards for what students should know and be able to do with technology, the Department engaged with workgroups of stakeholders to create the guidelines. The state K-12 computer science and digital fluency standards are organized into five categories: Impacts of Computing, Computational Thinking, Networks and Systems Design, Cybersecurity, and Digital Literacy. The standards will be finalized in August 2020, education officials said. They anticipate the rollout of an awareness-building campaign, curriculum development and implementation will occur over a three year period, with all schools in compliance by September 2024. When we expose New Yorks students to the exciting world of computer science and technology early in their school careers, we are encouraging and enabling more of our students to engage in a career path where they can not only compete, but they can flourish, State Education Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said. China will accelerate capital market reforms this year, giving priority to expanding the market-based initial public offering system, improving the quality of listed companies and increasing market openness to draw more long-term institutional capital from home and abroad, analysts said. The country's top securities regulator, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, will hold its annual work conference later this month to set the agenda for the reforms and will lay out the regulator's key tasks and main objectives. Investors have followed previous meetings closely to look for policy clues that could affect their strategies in China. A top priority of the regulator's reform agenda this year is gradually expanding the pilot registration-based IPO system to a wider marketplace, after the country's top legislature adopted the revised Securities Law establishing the system's legal basis and abolished administrative approvals for new share sales, analysts said. The IPO reforms will be expanded first to ChiNext, the startup board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The regulator had successfully experimented with a registration-based IPO system at Shanghai's technology-focused STAR Market in June. The market-based IPO reforms, which are endorsed by the country's top leadership, represent a fundamental shift in approach that has been in the making for several years. It is designed to let market forces play a major role in new share issuance, remove administrative intervention and improve market efficiency. "Marketization has been the core philosophy of China's economic reform, as well as the reform of the securities market," said Chen Jiahe, chief investment officer of Beijing investment firm Novem Arcae Technologies. "With the registration system, the market itself and investors will become the primary decision-makers when it comes to IPO issuance. This will make the IPO mechanism, as well as the whole securities market, more efficient than before." The revised Securities Law, which takes effect on March 1, will help facilitate the smooth market-based reform of China's capital market, analysts said, as the revised law significantly raises the cost companies will face if they engage in fraudulent activities, such as financial fraud or insider trading. The law also stepped up requirements on information disclosure and boosted the legal protection of investors' rights and interests. Investor sentiment was boosted by expectations of favorable reforms. The Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.75 percent, closing at 3115.57 points on Monday. The startup board in Shenzhen rose 1.62 percent to 1935.07 points, its highest level in 33 months. The regulator's reform agenda this year is expected to follow the 12 priorities announced by CSRC Chairman Yi Huiman in September, which include improving the quality of listed companies, enforcing stricter delisting rules, stepping up regulation on mergers and acquisitions, improving refinancing rules and further opening the capital market to foreign investors. Li Daxiao, chief economist at Yingda Securities, said investors will see stricter regulation of listed companies and a rise in the number of delistings. "China's capital reform efforts are market-oriented, rules-based and more compatible with international standards. As the Chinese stock market grows rapidly, the acceleration of the reforms will help boost the market's global profile and enable it to better serve the economy," Li said. Xue Yi, a professor of finance at the University of International Business and Economics, said the reforms will help build a fair, transparent and dynamic market in the long run, which will boost its attractiveness to foreign investors and maintain a stable market environment. ITHACA, N.Y. and ARUSHA, Tanzania, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Because of its unique history and biology, banana has lagged behind most other crops with regards to genetic improvement. As a consequence, bananas are at a higher risk to diseases and pests, as well as the new uncertainties created by climate change. A good example is the recent appearance of the Panama Disease Race 4 disease in the banana producing regions of Latin America and to which Cavendish, the most widely grown banana variety in the world, is highly susceptible1. This difficulty in making genetic progress has also robbed consumers of a potentially wide array of different flavors, textures and quality characteristics that could be naturally bred into new banana varieties potentially opening new, higher value markets and further increasing demand for bananas worldwide. Remedying this situation requires rethinking how we breed bananas and the development of a new paradigm for the sustainable genetic improvement of this crop. With this goal in mind, Nature Source Improved Plants (NSIP) has joined forces with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and a host of other institutions in a project called Breeding Better Bananas2 which will focus initially on Matooke and Mchare type bananas important in Africa. But, the new approaches to be developed and implemented in this project have implications for banana improvement worldwide. NSIP will contribute its expertise and advanced in genomics and predictive tools to help create a new paradigm for the genetic improvement of bananas. About Nature Source Improved Plants (NSIP) Nature Source Improved Plants (NSIP) is an advanced optimization analytics company located in New York, USA and Chiapas, Mexico; and dedicated to the conservation, evaluation and utilization of natural genetic resources to deliver high performing plant materials and creating value and efficiency through innovative and sustainable cutting-edge technologies for the global community. NSIP is focused on maximizing genetic performance via a unique pipeline of new breeding technologies based on genomics, operations research and other advanced fields of mathematics and computer science. NSIP's advanced genetics and breeding technologies have resulted in a multifold increase in productivity and quality across a wide variety of field, vegetable, perennial and orphan crops, while minimizing R&D costs. NSIP is also focused on the development of high throughput and high fidelity in vitro propagation techniques to meet the needs of growers especially those involved in the production of perennial plantation crops. Dr. Steven Tanksley (Chief Technology Officer, NSIP): "We at NSIP are very enthusiastic and proud to be a part of this important project and to bring our advanced breeding technologies and experience to help develop a sustainable approach to the genetic improvement of banana to serve the needs of the world community." For more information about NSIP, please visit NSIP, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube About the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa's most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, IITA improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. The genetic improvement of bananas and plantains is crucial to IITA's research mandate. IITA's germplasm and breeding programs are among the most advanced in the world and are pivotal in this new collaborative endeavor. Dr. Allan Brown (IITA Banana Breeder): "What we have done in the past has to change if we are to address the current and future challenges to banana. We have to get better." For more information about IITA, please visit IITA 1 Stokstad E (2019) Devastating banana disease may have reached Latin America, could drive up global prices. Science doi:10.1126/science.aay7681 2 http://breedingbetterbananas.org/ Media Contact: Theresa Fulton, [email protected] SOURCE Nature Source Improved Plants, LLC Related Links https://nsiplants.com/ Co Londonderry medical devices firm Armstrong Medical has announced it will invest 8m in its business, creating 24 new jobs. The company manufactures and exports products for use in anaesthesia, respiratory and critical care. Its products are sold to more than 60 countries. Now Armstrong Medical has invested in new machinery and a new 26,000 sq ft warehouse to accommodate increased production. The family-owned manufacturer, based in Coleraine, said the move will allow it to double its production. Economic development agency Invest NI contributed 800,000 to the investment. Invest NI chief Kevin Holland said: "This investment is a significant commitment by Armstrong Medical and gives them the operational capacity to meet growing demand. "The company already has a strong export business and is committed to growing this further." He said the company had been taking part in Invest NI's scaling programme, which had been supporting the firm's growth plans. "This increase in the company's production levels will significantly enhance its competitiveness and ability to innovate," he added. "This investment is an exciting step that will see this important employer in the north west scale more quickly." Twelve of the new roles have already been filled at the company, which reported a turnover of 11m in its last results. Armstrong Medical executive chairman John Armstrong said: "Our investment in new machinery, premises and people will enable us to double our output and meet customer demand. "With an increased production area, an enlarged warehouse and more office space we will be able to introduce new products and have the ability to scale up operations on existing products. "Our business continues to grow - in 2018 we secured an important contract with GE Healthcare. This expansion gives us much more capacity and potential to meet these growth ambitions, and with Invest NI's support, we are able to do this more quickly than if we were doing it on our own." The company, which was established in 1984 and currently employs 154 people, announced in the summer that it had received planning permission for an extension. It has been based at its existing 90,000 sq ft facility at Wattstown Business Park in Coleraine since 1994. It was one of eight companies last year to exhibit at Arab Health, an international show attended by over 4,000 companies from around the world. At least 57 people were killed and others were missing after avalanches in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir over the last 24 hours, senior government officials said on Tuesday. In neighbouring India, at least 10 people were killed after several avalanches hit the northern-part of Indian-administered Kashmir. Two Pakistani officials said many villagers were still stranded in the avalanches in the Neelum valley area following heavy rains that also triggered landslides. Many people were reported missing and feared dead as rescue efforts got under way, one of the officials said. A senior Indian police official said five soldiers were among the 10 killed near the border between India and Pakistan. The area is one of the world's most militarily tense frontiers, where the neighbouring armies have confronted each other over disputed territory for decades. Kashmir has been divided between Indian and Pakistan since their independence in 1947 and for decades tension on the border has left tens of thousands dead. In 2012, an avalanche engulfed a Pakistani army battalion headquarters near the Indian border killing at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilians. 2020 Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks as she attends a rally at the Kings theatre on January 7, 2020 in New York. Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren is demanding a federal investigation into whether President Donald Trump provided advance notice of the deadly strike on Iran's Gen. Qasem Soleimani to stock traders who may have profited illegally from the tip. The Massachusetts Democratic senator made her demand in a letter dated Monday to the chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It cited a Daily Beast report that Trump had told guests at his Mar-a-Lago resort days before the Jan. 3 strike to expect a "big" response to Iran "soon." "If this report is true, it raises a number of troubling national security questions regarding President Trump's handling of classified and other sensitive national security information," Warren wrote in the letter, which was also signed by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the ranking member of the Senate subcommittee that oversees securities and investments. The senators wrote that the president's Florida resort guests may have obtained "confidential market-moving information and had the opportunity to trade defense industry stocks or commodities or make other trades based on this information." Read more: Defense stocks double the S&P 500s return six months after Middle East turmoil, history shows Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on January 14, 2020 2020/01/14 President Xi Jinping's special envoy and Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang will travel to Oman on January 14 to offer condolences over the passing of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Q: Tomorrow Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza will start his visit to China. Could you provide any details of his visit? Are there any plans to meet with representatives of Chinese energy companies? A: At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza will pay an official visit to China from January 15 to 19. It is a major event in China-Venezuela exchange in 2020. There will be a courtesy call with Vice President Wang Qishan and talks with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two sides will exchange views on how to resolve the Venezuela issue as well as advancing the two sides' comprehensive strategic partnership and other issues of common interest. We believe this visit will help find a political solution to the Venezuela issue at an early date, deepen political mutual trust and practical cooperation between China and Venezuela, and maintain stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Q: Some sources say China will buy an additional $80 billion of manufactured goods, $50 billion more in energy supplies, and services by $35 billion from the United States over the next two years under the phase one trade deal. Does China have any comment on it? A: I would refer you to the Ministry of Commerce for specifics regarding China-US trade consultations and the phase one trade deal. Please stay patient for a little longer as more information may come out in a couple of days. Q: Two questions. On Monday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned US tech companies against China's so-called "Orwellian surveillance state". Does the foreign ministry have any comment on that? And how does China view the US Treasury decision to remove the currency manipulator label for China? A: On your first question, I haven't seen the latest remarks from the US and will need to check for more information. However, this won't be the first time the US has made such remarks. Certain people in America keep attacking and smearing China by force of habit. This has not only tarnished America's international credibility, but also been questioned and rejected by more and more countries. We urge the US to give up its consistent prejudice against China and work to create an enabling atmosphere for the development of China-US relations. On your second question, to begin with, China is never a currency manipulator. The latest US conclusion is consistent with facts and international consensus. The IMF concludes in a most recent report that the RMB exchange rate level is broadly in line with fundamentals, essentially dismissing the view that China is a currency manipulator. Second, as a responsible major power, China has stated repeatedly that it will not resort to competitive currency devaluation or use the exchange rate as a tool in dealing with external disturbances such as trade disputes. Third, China will resolutely deepen market reform of the exchange rate regime, continue to improve the managed, floating regime based on market supply and demand and with reference to a basket of currencies, and keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at an adaptive and equilibrium level. Q: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has wrapped up his visit to Africa and will soon be back to Beijing. How do you comment on his first visit in the new year? A: Africa has been the destination for Chinese foreign ministers' first overseas visits each year, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang's visit this time marks the 30th consecutive year of this practice. The unique tradition fully reflects the special friendship China and Africa have long cherished through weal and woe. It also shows that developing friendly and cooperative relations with African countries has been China's basic policy and unswerving strategic choice in foreign affairs. The profound friendship between China and Africa has been and will remain unbreakable no matter how the international landscape changes or what others say. China will always stand firmly with our African brothers. During his visit, State Councilor Wang Yi exchanged views and reached broad consensus with African leaders and foreign ministers on consolidating bilateral relations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides noted the need to speed up the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, promote high quality BRI development and deepen practical cooperation in various fields. Both sides agreed that China-Africa relationship is at its historical best with promising cooperation in the future. The China-Africa cooperation will continue to take the lead in international cooperation with Africa. Facing the complex and fluid international landscape, both sides vowed to continue to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation, jointly uphold multilateralism and basic norms governing international relations, oppose unilateralism and bullying behavior, reject foreign interference, firmly stand on the right side of history and justice, and stand for the common interests of developing countries. The two sides reaffirmed that they will continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. African leaders and foreign ministers clearly reiterated their commitment to the one-China principle and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Taking State Councilor Wang Yi's visit as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with Africa to cement our traditional friendship, enhance the quality and efficiency of our practical cooperation, strengthen international coordination and cooperation and jointly build a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa. Q: Reports say State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Sri Lanka today and met with the Sri Lankan foreign minister. Can you confirm this? Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov may also meet with the Sri Lankan foreign minister today. Will there be a meeting between State Councilor Wang and Foreign Minister Lavrov? A: After concluding his visit to Africa, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a stopover in Sri Lanka from the 13th to the 14th, during which he met with Sri Lanka leaders and discussed bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest. China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners with sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship built upon a long tradition of friendly exchanges. Recent years has seen fruitful cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka's new administration to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust, dovetail development strategies and bring bilateral relations to new heights. We will release more information in a timely manner. As to whether there will a meeting between the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers, I have nothing to update you at the moment. Vietnams rapid development across the board is something foreign fashion brands can tap into, Photo: Le Toan According to industry insiders, Vietnams fashion industry will enjoy the fastest growth rate in Asia, presenting more opportunities than Japan. In light of this, apparel retailers are eyeing Vietnam as a key consumption hub in Southeast Asia. Japanese brand UNIQLO officially launched its flagship store, UNIQLO Dong Khoi, in Ho Chi Minh City last month and will open the second store in Hanoi this spring. Tadashi Yanai, founder and chairman as well as president of Fast Retailing Group, has been bullish about the companys prospects in Vietnam. I think Vietnam has massive potential and will be one of the biggest consumer markets in the world, he said prior to the Ho Chi Minh City branch opening. Fast Retailing is a global company that operates multiple fashion brands including UNIQLO, GU, and Theory. The group has to explore new markets in the likes of Vietnam, Italy, and India as Japans ageing population slows down the prospects of rapid growth in the sector. An ongoing trade dispute between Japan and South Korea, as well as other regional factors, means firms like UNIQLO may pay even more attention to the opportunities available in Vietnam and other similar markets in the coming time. Vietnam is also an important country in Asia for such groups in the digital age. While UNIQLO can implement some unique business strategies in Vietnam, which it could not carry out in other markets, it can also expect to contribute to the countrys rapid growth. The company and its partners are producing an annual output of $3 billion for export markets in Vietnam, and the retailer hopes to increase both output and local consumption here. In addition to UNIQLO, other Japanese apparel manufacturers have ramped up operations in Vietnam. Matsuoka Corporation plans to build a new factory to reduce its reliance on the Chinese market. Its subsidiary, Annam Matsuoka May Garment Company, will develop the factory in the central province of Nghe An. Meanwhile, Japanese trading house Itochu currently exports over 60 billion worth of garments from Vietnam, equivalent to $547.5 million a year. Itochu aims to increase outsourcing and exports to 100 billion ($912.5 million) by 2021. The company currently holds ties with more than 100 Vietnamese textile and apparel businesses. The trends have been on the rise for several years. Stripe International, a Japanese apparel manufacturing mainstay, acquired NEM Groups apparel brand in 2017. The NEM fashion brand has since doubled the number of its stores to 90 as well as scaled up its presence nationwide. After the deal, Stripe International continued its buying spree by taking over Vietnamese womens footwear brand Vascara in September. The move reflects Stripe Internationals ambition to foray deeper into the Vietnamese fashion industry. Last February, Japanese investment fund Advantage Partners also wrapped up its acquisition of Vietnamese fashion brand Elise. In the next five years, Elise will continue to focus on the womens fashion segment, which is predicted to reach $2 billion in 2022 with an annual growth rate of about 30 per cent. With fresh capital from Japanese investment, Elise is set to double its outlets and quadruple its revenue. As of present, the brand has 95 stores nationwide with three factories and 30 exclusive outsourcing companies, supplying 3 million products per year. Ralf Matthaes, managing director of Infocus Mekong, said that as Southeast Asias third-most populous country, with an average age of 30 and the fastest-growing middle class in the region, fast fashion is taking a hold in Vietnam. Along with Japan, Europe and North Americas populations are ageing too, while the Vietnamese youth are now more likely to express their individuality through fashion, making the country a key potential market for these brands. Besides reasonable price, fashion brands need to understand the cross-over of the functionality of fabrics for Vietnams hot climate, while providing the latest fashion styles, cuts, and colours, said Matthaes. Gone are the days of conformity and fitting in. Many Vietnamese now want to stand out from the crowd, look elegant, successful, sexy, and fashionable, while not emptying their bank accounts to do so. He pointed out some indicators of opportunity including population, age, and GDP growth, as well as lifestyle, youth trends, and overall cultural trends. The continuing emergence of Japanese fashion brands will intensify the competition in a market where international brands like Zara and H&M and home-grown brands such as Canifa, Hnoss, and IVY Moda are actively expanding their presence. In this context, many Vietnamese brands have been struggling to keep their market share, such as Ninomaxx, N&M, Blue Exchange, and PT 2000. Hnoss, meanwhile, even sold out its business to Vietnamese retail-management company Seedcom in 2018 due to fierce competition. Several mid-range fashion brands are facing many difficulties in terms of premium, sales channels, operation, and management, and these factors mean opportunities for big foreign brands from the likes of Japan this year and beyond. Moscow, Jan 14 : Russia and Turkey announced on Tuesday that it would continue efforts to end hostilities in Libya despite strongman Khalifa Haftar leaving the peace talks in Moscow without signing a permanent ceasefire deal. Warring rivals Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), and Haftar, who commands the Libyan National Army (LNA) and is allied to the eastern so-called Tobruk government, were both in the Russian capital on Monday for the talks, reports Efe news. RussiaN Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "We will continue our efforts to that end, for now, no definitive results have been agreed on." Moscow and Ankara back different sides in the Libyan conflict - as they also do in Syria - and slated the peace talks after declaring a ceasefire. Haftar, a strongman military leader, left the peace discussions in Moscow without inking the permanent ceasefire deal his rival al-Sarraj did sign. His east-based army looks to overrun Tripoli. "Every effort from the Europeans now, including the Germans, the French, the Italians, as well as those of Libya's neighboUrs like Algeria, and Egypt, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar and Russia, should be united and they should stop resolving their differences through the use of force," Lavrov said. Al-Sarraj's Tripoli-based government receives the economic and political backing of the European Union and military support from Turkey, Qatar and Italy while Hafter is backed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Russia. Russia's top diplomat said Libyan's would benefit from the country becoming a "second Syria". Moscow came to the aid of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, bolstering a fierce aerial campaign that has helped put down a mass rebellion against the regime across much of the country. Some 400,000 people have been killed in Syria, according to the UN, including many civilians. Lavrov said the blame for the current conflict in Libya could be laid with the West, given Nato's military invention in support of the rebellion against dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The state has since collapsed into a civil war that has killed thousands. The failed peace talks in Moscow not only jeopardize the fragile ceasefire in the North African country but also the upcoming international conference on Libya in Germany next week. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:55:39|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to his party members at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, on Jan. 14, 2020. Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Tuesday that Turkey would "teach a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar, commander of Libya's east-based army, if his forces resume fighting. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Tuesday that Turkey would "teach a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar, commander of Libya's east-based army, if his forces resume fighting. "If attacks on the legitimate government and our brothers in Libya continue, we will not hesitate to give Haftar the lesson he deserves," Erdogan spoke to his party members at the parliament. Haftar had "run away" from Moscow after the peace talks between him and the head of the Tripoli-based government Fayez al-Serraj, Erdogan said, noting that the latter has already signed the cease-fire deal. "Haftar did not sign the cease-fire. He first said yes, but later, unfortunately, he left Moscow and he fled Moscow," Erdogan said, adding that the talks in Moscow "showed the true face of Haftar" to the international community. The Libyan crisis would be discussed in Berlin on Sunday, he said. Saying that Turkey had done its part in Moscow by convincing Serraj to sign the agreement, the president said that now "the ball is at the hands of Russia to persuade Haftar." Turkey will keep a presence in the region as long as it is needed, he said, stressing that Ankara does not have any plans for adventurism. "We only aim to protect the rights and future of ourselves and our brothers," Erdogan said. On Monday, Moscow hosted talks on cease-fire agreement between the east-based Libyan National Army and the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. Turkey and Russia brokered the negotiations which came after a cease-fire they initiated earlier. The rival parties in Libya both accepted the truce which took effect on Jan. 12. Turkey backs Serraj and the Turkish parliament has authorized the government to send troops to Libya. Mike Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said Qassem Soleimani was killed as part of a broader strategy of deterring challenges by U.S. foes that also applies to China and Russia, further diluting the assertion that the top Iranian general was struck because he was plotting imminent attacks on U.S. targets. In his speech at Stanford University's Hoover Institute, Pompeo made no mention of the threat of imminent attacks planned by Soleimani. It only was in response to a question that he repeated his earlier assertion that pre-empting such plots was the reason for the Jan. 3 American drone strike on Iran's second most powerful official. His speech, "The Restoration of Deterrence: The Iranian Example," focused on what he called an administration strategy to establish "real deterrence" against Iran following earlier Republican and Democratic policies that encouraged Tehran's "malign activity." Democratic and some Republican lawmakers have challenged the administration over the self-defence rationale supported by undisclosed intelligence over imminent attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the potential targets included four U.S. embassies. On Sunday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he had seen no intelligence forewarning of imminent attacks on embassies. Trump on Monday added new fuel to the controversy by saying "it really doesn't matter" whether Soleimani posed an imminent threat. Pompeo said there was "a bigger strategy" behind the killing of Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, Iran's elite foreign espionage and paramilitary force. "President Trump and those of us in his national security team are re-establishing deterrence real deterrence against the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said. "Your adversary must understand not only that you have the capacity to impose cost but that you're in fact willing to do so," Pompeo said, adding that the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal from which Trump withdrew in 2018 had emboldened Tehran. "America now enjoys the greatest position of strength regarding Iran we've ever been in," he said, pointing to the damage done to the Iranian economy by U.S. sanctions that Trump re-imposed following his withdrawal from the nuclear deal. "The importance of deterrence isn't confined to Iran," Pompeo said. "In all cases, we must deter foes to defend freedom. That's the whole point of President Trump's work to make our military the strongest it's ever been." He cited the resumption of lethal military aid to Ukraine for defence against Russia-backed separatists, Trump's withdrawal from an arms control accord with Moscow and tests of a new U.S. intermediate-range cruise missile. Pompeo also pointed to increased U.S. naval exercises in the South China Sea in response to China's militarization of disputed islands and Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports as aspects of the administration's deterrence strategy. "We're restoring credibility to deterrence," he said. 2020 Democratic presidential candidates (clockwise from top left): Former Vice President Joe Biden; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren; hedge fund manager Tom Steyer; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; and former South Bend, Ind. mayor Pete Buttigieg. Read more With the impeachment of President President Trump at a standstill, Democrats will hold their seventh debate of the 2020 election cycle Tuesday night at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Just six Democratic presidential candidates will take the stage, teeing off less than a month before the Iowa caucuses, which take place Feb. 3. Former Vice President Joe Biden remains the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls. Remaining close behind him are Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, with former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg rounding out the races top tier. Heres everything you need to know to watch or stream Thursdays Democratic presidential debate: What time does Tuesdays debate start? Tuesdays Democratic debate, the seventh of the 2020 election cycle, is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern and last about two hours. Its cohosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register, and will air live on CNN. The debate will also stream live for free on CNN.com and DesMoinesRegister.com, as well as on the CNN app. Fortunately for CNN, the debate wont have to compete with Jeopardy!' s insanely popular Greatest of All Time tournament, which airs on ABC Tuesday at 8 p.m. The tournament has drawn a monster audience, averaging close to 15 million viewers a night in same-day ratings across its first three nights. For sake of comparison, Decembers Democratic debate garnered just 6.17 million viewers across CNN and PBS. Which candidates will appear? Tuesday will be the smallest lineup yet for a Democratic debate, with just seven candidates qualifying. They are (in alphabetical order): Joe Biden , former vice president and U.S. senator from Delaware Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Ind. Amy Klobuchar , U.S. senator from Minnesota Bernie Sanders , U.S. senator from Vermont Tom Steyer , hedge fund manager Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts Why arent Mike Bloomberg and Andrew Yang at the debate? Two notable omissions from the debate are former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Bloomberg, who officially entered the race Nov. 24, did not meet the fund-raising threshold required to quality for Tuesdays debate because the billionaire is funding his own campaign. On Saturday alone he spent more than $825,000 on Facebook ads, and told the New York Times hes open to spending $1 billion to defeat Trump. Yang, who qualified for all six previous debates, failed to meet the Democratic National Committees polling requirements, which required candidates to reach at least 5 percent in four approved national or early-state polls, or at least 7 percent in two early-state polls. Yang blamed the lack of polls conducted since the previous debate. If the DNC had only done their due diligence and commissioned polls in the early states, Andrew Yang would certainly be on the debate stage," campaign chief Nick Ryan said in a weekend email to supporters. Other candidates who also wont be on the debate stage are: Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Two more candidates drop out For the second debate in a row, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker didnt poll high enough to qualify, and announced Monday he was ending his presidential campaign. Our campaign has reached the point where we need more money to scale up and continue building a campaign that can win money we dont have, and money that is harder to raise because I wont be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington, Booker wrote to supporters. READ MORE: Why Cory Booker's presidential campaign got stuck in the 'friend zone' READ MORE: How Cory Bookers failed football career at Stanford shaped his political future On Friday, self-help author Marianne Williamson announced she was also dropping out of the race, after reports surfaced she had laid off all of her campaign staffers. While Williamson didnt attract much attention from voters, social media meme-makers certainly enjoyed her brief candidacy. Who is moderating tonights debate? Tuesday nights debate will have three moderators: Wolf Blitzer, CNN news anchor Abby Phillip, CNN political correspondent Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register chief politics reporter How many more Democratic debates will there be? The DNC has approved as many as 12 debates, though there may be fewer, depending how the primary process plays out. Tuesdays debate will be the first of 2020, with five more tentatively scheduled to take place over the coming months. The DNC has yet to release the qualification criteria for its forthcoming debates. The eighth debate will be held Feb. 7 in Manchester, N.H., cohosted by ABC News and Apple News. Following that will be debates in Nevada (Feb. 19) and South Carolina (Feb. 25). Early Democratic primaries and caucuses Hong Kong: CE announces livelihood initiatives (To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive Carrie Lam today announced 10 new initiatives to improve peoples livelihood in the face of an economic downturn and rising unemployment rate. At a press conference, Mrs Lam said the measures, which will incur $10 billion in recurrent government expenditure, reflect its commitment to help the disadvantaged and the elderly. These livelihood improvement measures are now estimated on a very preliminary basis to require about $10 billion recurrent expenditure. That represents about 2% of the total operating expenditure of the Government. But it also reflects our commitment to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged people and the elderly. I think we should not look at it in terms of short-term deficits. By the way, these measures are supported by the Financial Secretary himself." The Chief Executive said the Government will not be hindered by concerns over fiscal deficits in implementing the measures that are considered justified. So on the one hand, we have a lot of aspirations from society about more work to be done by the Government in improving the livelihood of these people, so that they can share the benefits of economic growth. But to say that because we are now having an economic recession, that is why although we feel that these are justified measures, that we would not do it because of worries over fiscal deficits, I do not think that is a very positive way of dealing with the situation. Mrs Lam called on citizens to have confidence in Hong Kong overcoming its current difficulties. "At the end of the day, I think we should and I would advocate that we should have confidence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong will rebound after these months of social unrest and we have a lot of opportunities in front of us that will give us more economic growth in the time to come to enable us to afford these measures to support the livelihood of the disadvantaged, so that is the position that we take." Citing the initiative to lower the eligible age for the $2 transport fare concession scheme from the current 65 to 60 as an example, Mrs Lam said there was a breakthrough in the Governments thinking. Of the 10 measures that we now propose, I am sure you will be able to find our previous different positions on some of these measures from expressing reservations to perhaps even resisting those proposals or aspirations from the political parties or members of the public. But I have to say that we are having sort of a breakthrough in our thinking - that we should be listening more to the people, we should display more humility, that instead of we are right always, we should listen to the people to what they have to tell us in terms of ensuring that Hong Kong will be a more inclusive and harmonious society and that different sectors of society will be able to share the benefits of Hong Kongs economic growth and prosperity. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mustafa Kassem, an American citizen detained in Cairo in August 2013 while visiting family in Egypt, died Monday after more than six years in Egyptian custody, according to the two groups representing his case, Pretrial Rights International and The Freedom Initiative. He was 65 and the given cause was heart failure. Mohamed Soltan, a former Egyptian political prisoner and head of The Freedom Initiative, said Kassem had been on a liquid-only hunger strike on and off for years before stopping the liquids last week. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker told reporters Monday that Kassem's "death in custody was needless, tragic, and avoidable," adding that he will "continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity, as will the entire team at the Department of State." Soltan told CNN he knows of at least six other Americans in Egyptian custody. A senior State Department official told CNN it's "still premature" to discuss punishing Egypt over the death of a U.S. citizen, but "we are really concerned about this and we're going to we're going to talk about it, about what we're going to do." Kassem, sentenced to 15 years in prison in September 2018 after what CNN calls a trial lacking all due process, asked President Trump soon after to intercede on his behalf in a letter hand-delivered by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.). "I pray that you have a plan for me," Kassem told Trump in the letter, which Trump may or may not have read. "I am going on a hunger strike because I am losing my will and I don't know how else to get your attention. ... I am putting my life in your hands." More stories from theweek.com Bernie Sanders tried to shake Elizabeth Warren's hand after the debate. She brushed him off. These are the 2 most damning bits of evidence in the new impeachment documents, according to MSNBC Tom Steyer insists he didn't listen in on the tense Bernie-Warren post-debate moment he wandered into WASHINGTON Senate Republicans indicated on Monday that they would not seek to summarily dismiss the impeachment charges against President Trump, proceeding instead to a trial with arguments and the possibility of calling witnesses that could begin as soon as Wednesday. Dismissal was always a long shot given Republicans narrow control of the Senate, but it was the subject of renewed discussion after Mr. Trump said on Sunday that he liked the idea put forward by some conservatives as a way to deny the Houses case the legitimacy of a trial. Other Republicans had signed on to a resolution that would have dismissed the Houses impeachment articles if they were not promptly brought to trial. In interviews, rank-and-file senators and party leaders made clear on Monday that even if they wanted to pursue dismissal, the votes simply were not there to succeed at least not at the outset of the trial. They did not rule out considering a motion to dismiss the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after opening arguments from both sides. Our members generally are not interested in a motion to dismiss, said Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, a top Republican leader. They think both sides need to be heard. They believe the president needs to be heard for the first time in a fair setting. Reporters raise their hands to get a chance to ask a question of President Moon Jae-in during his New Year press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Yonhap By Jung Da-min President Moon Jae-in has said Seoul and Tokyo should work together to solve the thorny issues between them, including the issue of compensation for wartime forced laborers. In the New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, Moon talked about the series of tit-for-tat moves between Seoul and Tokyo: The Korean top court's 2018 ruling that ordered Japanese firms to compensate Korean victims for their forced labor during the Japanese colonial period; Japan's trade restrictions to Korea in a retaliatory move; Seoul's filing of a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Tokyo over the trade issue; and Seoul's consideration of terminating the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan. "But I believe, other than those issues, the Seoul-Tokyo relations are in a good state. Seoul and Tokyo are committed to developing future-oriented bilateral relations considering each other as the closest neighbor," the President said. Expressing regret over the situation where the trade restrictions are damaging both Korean and Japanese businesses, Moon said the two countries need to resolve the conflicts to rebuild trust. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center remains on lockdown after several gang members attacked guards on Friday. Sources told MassLive the inmates involved in the attack are members of the Latin Kings. Cara Savelli, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, said Tuesday the facility at the Lancaster-Shirley town lines remains on lockdown. The investigation into the attacks is ongoing. The Worcester District Attorneys Office is part of the investigation. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited the correction officers who were attacked inside the prison. "Karyn Polito and I just visited with the correctional officers who were attacked on Friday, and their families," Baker tweeted on Sunday. "They were badly injured, but able to share their thoughts on what happened. Very grateful they were there for each other." @KarynPolito and I just visited with the Correctional Officers who were attacked on Friday and their families. They were badly injured, but able to share their thoughts on what happened. Very grateful they were there for each other. Charlie Baker (@CharlieBakerMA) January 12, 2020 Three correction officers were injured. The officers had serious and significant injuries, according to Guy Glodis, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union. Two of the officers need surgery, he added. The union said the attack on the correction officers is because of relaxed rules and regulations promoted by inmates rights groups. Glodis, the former sheriff of Worcester County, said in a release that the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which was passed in 2018, has allowed inmates to manipulate the system and engage in violent action, increased gang activity, intimidation and assaults on officers and other inmates. A video released by the Department of Correction showed a correction officer on Friday speaking with inmates before an inmate punches the officer at around 10:50 a.m. The officer was then surrounded by other inmates who attacked him. Other officers raced to the scene to help. Authorities have not detailed exactly what prompted the attack, stating that the incident remains under investigation. The correction officer was attacked in the prisons general population housing unit. One of the correction officers involved in this incident immediately radioed for assistance, Jason Dobson, Department of Correction Deputy Director of Communications said in an earlier statement. "Additional correction officers responded and within minutes secured the area." Six inmates were removed from the unit and face internal discipline but could face charges after the district attorneys office and the prison conduct investigations. Boycotting brands, movies and celebrities has become a trend now. It takes one statement or advertisement for hashtags wanting the person or brand who made that comment, to be boycotted, to start trending on Twitter. It has been done to death, so much so that people have started making fun of those who trend these hashtags. The cancel culture is now being cancelled. Twitter One wonders, if people boycott, movies, food delivery companies, e-commerce websites, soaps and computer software how do they plan to live their day to day lives?! It's absurd. What is actually funny is that, even though these people might claim to boycott these products, brands and celebrities, they continue to consume, use and watch them in their real lives. There is little conviction in the boycott culture. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella spoke about India's controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at a tech conference in the US. Asked Microsoft CEO @satyanadella about India's new Citizenship Act. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys" cc @PranavDixit Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 He expressed his sadness over what's happening in India right now with respect to CAA, while maintaining that India has the right to protect its borders and define its immigration policy, just like any other country. Official account of Microsoft India on Twitter posted Satya Nadellas statement. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 People on Twitter started making fun of those who are quick to boycott things and challenged them to do that with Microsoft. Satya Nadella is already trending on Twitter. Ok Bhakts, Time to boycott Microsoft and Windows now. Just be careful that you dont start boycotting windows of your house https://t.co/sl3cmKlr7i Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) January 13, 2020 Bhakt : send Deepika Padukone to Pakistan Deepika : I will come back under CAA Bhakt : bycott CAA Intekhab Alam (@Bhola4U) January 13, 2020 Well, bhakts are boycotting him completely. They had boycotted 'satya' long time back with fake news. Now they are also boycotting 'nutella' !! Dr. Uzma Razvi (@sane_indian) January 13, 2020 All this comes in light of the hashtag trend #boycottChhapaak, after Deepika Padukone visited JNU to stand in solidarity with students who were the victims of a brutal attack. People are also trending the hashtag #boycottAmazon, as there are sellers that are selling doormats with lord Ganeshas picture on it. Who is to educate these people that they should be actually boycotting these sellers instead of Amazon altogether? And now #boycottLux is trending too, as people are mocking others, egging them on to boycott the soap brand as its brand ambassador is Deepika Padukone. Twitter The point at the end of the day is that, boycotts will most likely never be taken seriously because of their sheer frequency and stupidity. People boycotting brands, products and celebrities for having different views than theirs only bring to front their fragile ideologies, which are threatened by the mere existence of an opposing point of view. BALTIMORE, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Drug company Hoffmann-La Roche (OTCMKTS: RHHBY) bilked U.S. federal and state governments out of $1.5 billion by misrepresenting clinical studies and falsely claiming that its well-known influenza medicine Tamiflu was effective at containing potential pandemics, according to a recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit. The lawsuit claims the drugmaker's scheme involved publishing misleading articles falsely stating that Tamiflu reduces complications, severity, hospitalizations, mortality and transmission of influenza. The company then used those articles to aggressively market the drug to the government for pandemic use. Relying on the supposed truthfulness of Roche's claims, federal and state governments spent about $1.5 billion to stockpile Tamiflu to combat influenza pandemics, according to the complaint. "As alleged in the complaint Tamiflu does not do what Roche promised," said attorney Mark Lanier of the Houston-based Lanier Law Firm. "Roche hid this fact for many years by selectively citing its studies and suppressing the data about Tamiflu. The company utilized lobbyists, key opinion leaders and ghostwriters to promote Tamiflu with a deceptive promise to governments fearful of an influenza pandemic." The lawsuit brings claims under the False Claims Act, which allows individuals to bring claims on behalf of the government. Unsealed on September 10, the lawsuit seeks reimbursement of taxpayer funds spent to purchase tens of millions of courses of Tamiflu for the Strategic National Stockpile. Roche is vulnerable to a judgment in excess of $4.5 billion because the False Claims Act mandates payment of triple damages, plus civil penalties. Whistleblower Dr. Thomas Jefferson, a physician and public health researcher affiliated with the respected global Cochrane Collaboration research network, has researched neuraminidase inhibitors like Tamiflu for more than two decades. He began questioning Tamiflu's efficacy in 2009 and spearheaded efforts to have the company release the underlying clinical study data. When he finally received the data in 2013, Dr. Jefferson analyzed it and concluded that the clinical data does not support Roche's claims about Tamiflu's effectiveness for use in an influenza pandemic, the lawsuit states. According to the data as analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration, Tamiflu's effectiveness is limited to a small benefit of reducing the duration of flu symptoms and preventing onset of symptoms but not transmission or infection. In addition, as early as 2000, the FDA had warned Roche that data did not support its broader efficacy claims and that such statements were misleading. "The lawsuit alleges that Roche was well aware that Tamiflu is an ineffective product for fighting influenza pandemics," said attorney Clayton Halunen of Minneapolis-based whistleblower law firm Halunen Law. "Yet Roche masterfully marketed this drug to fill Roche's coffers at taxpayer expense. This is precisely the type of corporate behavior the False Claims Act is designed to stop." The case is United States of America, ex rel. Thomas Jefferson, et al. v Roche Holding AG, Hoffman-La Roche Inc., and Genentech Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Case No. 14-CV-03665. About the Lanier Law Firm For more than 30 years, the men and women at the Lanier Law Firm have worked tirelessly, throughout the United States, to find unique and effective solutions for their clients. More than 60 skilled attorneys practice law in a broad array of areas, including business litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, asbestos exposure, oil and gas litigation, personal injury, and defective and dangerous products, among others. Named an Elite Trial Law Firm by The National Law Journal, the Lanier Law Firm has offices in Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. To learn more about Mark Lanier and the Lanier Law Firm, visit http://www.lanierlawfirm.com. About Halunen Law With offices in Minneapolis, Chicago and Phoenix, Halunen Law offers experienced legal representation to employees and whistleblowers across the country. Halunen Law has achieved a reputation as a fearless, tenacious and successful plaintiffs' law firm, with a laser focus on achieving justice for its clients as well as meaningful social change. The firm's qui tam / whistleblower practice group specializes in actions under the federal and state False Claims Acts and other whistleblower laws. For more information, visit http://www.halunenlaw.com Media Contact: J.D. Cargill 713-659-5200 [email protected]. SOURCE Lanier Law Firm Related Links http://www.lanierlawfirm.com Move to launch dispute mechanism may spell the end of historic 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of more sanctions. Iran warned the United Kingdom, France and Germany about the consequences of their decision to launch a dispute mechanism against it under the 2015 nuclear deal. The European nations announced on Tuesday they triggered the dispute mechanism provided for in the landmark nuclear agreement in order to force Iran to honour its commitments under the accord. Triggering the mechanism was a strategic mistake, Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said. The usage of the dispute mechanism is legally baseless and a strategic mistake from a political standpoint, Zarif was quoted by the semi-official Fars News Agency as saying. Analysts say the move may mean the end of the nuclear accord and the reimposition of more sanctions on Tehran. Of course, if the Europeans seek to abuse [this process] they must also be prepared to accept the consequences, Irans foreign ministry said in a statement. 200105193124737 Tehran suggested it had little faith in the declaration by the Europeans that they were determined to work with all participants to preserve the historic deal. On the contrary, it once again signals to everyone in particular to the three European state parties to the agreement that it will respond seriously and firmly to any disloyalty, ill will, or unconstructive action, the statement added. The United States unilaterally pulled out of the multilateral nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Iran has long accused the Europeans of reneging on promises to protect its economy from US sanctions. Foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed the completely passive action of the three countries and said Iran would support any act of goodwill and constructive effort to save the agreement. Following Washingtons decision to withdraw from the accord, Iran began dropping its commitments under the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. On January 6, days after the US assassination of a top Iranian general, Tehran took a further step by announcing it would scrap limits on enriching uranium, though it said it would continue cooperating with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. The three European signatories now say they have no choice but to trigger the mechanism. Russia also a signatory of the agreement condemned the European Union move to put the Iran nuclear deal in dispute. We do not rule out that the thoughtless actions of the Europeans could lead to a new escalation around the Iranian nuclear accord, the foreign ministry said in a statement. C ountdown to terror Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the triggering of the process set in motion a new phase with considerable risk. She said the current impasse could only be solved if the Europeans presented Iran with an economic package to offset US sanctions which so far they have been unable to do to Tehrans satisfaction. On the other hand, Iran could respond to this pressure tactic by in turn further stepping up its nuclear programme and leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would be a major turning point, Geranmayeh said. 200108090421877 Ali Vaez, project director for Iran for the International Crisis Group, pointed out that China and Russia have already suggested they will not recognise the reimposition of UN sanctions, potentially leading to deepening fissures over this issue. UN sanction snapback could exhaust whatever leverage Europe retains without producing any gains, and closing the door on Europes ability to even mediate tensions between Iran and the US, he wrote. Analysts say the UN sanctions that would be reimposed would have little impact on the Iranian economy, already under severe strain from measures the US has taken since May 2018. However, the issue is symbolically important because the UN sanctions included an arms embargo, which will expire in October 2020. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in November that the lifting of the embargo was a political and security goal for Iran. Conversely, the US and its allies in the region have been keen to maintain the embargo, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo branding the October 2020 deadline a countdown to terror. : The DMK on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress on CAA, NRC and NPR since its party chief M K Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. While DMK also said time would tell whether the ties have become normal again, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K S Alagiri sought to downplay the discord and asserted that both parties were "two joined hands" and the alliance would go on. A day after avoiding participating in the meet for showcasing opposition unity, the DMK was non-committal on restoration of ties with its old ally, notwithstanding the regret reportedly expressed by Alagiri. "We did not take part in the meeting since our chief was accused of violating coalition dharma," senior leader T R Baalu said in Chennai. The party did not participate in the meeting at Delhi on Monday since it was felt that TNCC president Alagiri's recent statement was an "accusation against party chief M K Stalin," Baalu, also a Lok Sabha MP, said. Speaking to reporters here, Baalu, a former Union Minister said he felt that Alagiri could have avoided issuing the statement. Asked if the ties with Congress have now returned to its "old status," (since Alagiri has reportedly expressed regret and met party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard) Baalu was non-committal. He said: "Time will tell whether it has returned to the old (normality indicating bonhomie) status or not; why are you concerned?" Wondering whether the press was a doing post-mortem of the issue, he said his party felt that Alagiri issuing a statement on the matter was not correct. "Only this much we can tell you now," he added. TNCC chief K S Alagiri, after meeting Sonia Gandhi, told reporters in Delhi that DMK and Congress were two joined hands and lofty ideology was the backbone of the ties between them. He asserted, "our alliance will continue" and underscored that panchayat polls and the matter related to it cannot alter the ties between Congress and DMK. Asked if the bitterness that surfaced after he released a statement over local polls has dissipated, he said it was not against the DMK, adding "there is no bitterness." When reporters drew his attention to Baalu's remarks, he quoted a Tamil phrase to mean that both differences and bonhomie were common in a relationship. He said the ties between his party and the Dravidian outfit was akin to family bonding. "I would like to make it clear that there is no sadness or anger in our family," he said. Alagiri said he shared a good rapport with Stalin and there was no scope for the two joined hands to get separated. "The coalition is going on good, I have told our party chief (Sonia Gandhi)." On his party reportedly "demanding" over 100 seats for next year's Assembly polls and the DMK getting dejected over it, he said: "This is all imagination. Is it possible to predict what will happen next year in ?" On January 10, Alagiri had said that Congress was not alloted a fair number of posts of local bodies chiefs by the lead partner DMK and this went against "coalition dharma". "Of the 27 district panchayat chief posts, not even one, not even that of a vice president has been given to us so far. We regret to inform this is against coalition dharma," TNCC President K S Alagiri and Congress Legislature Party leader K R Ramasamy had said in a joint statement. A day after making the statement, Alagiri had said that "a view had to be articulated and it was done by the party; our friendship continues as usual, there is no problem." Elections to rural local bodies in 27 districts of Tamil Nadu was held in December 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] Advantech Honored with Wendy's Golden Link Award for Intelligent Payment Systems Advantech (News - Alert) Co. Ltd. (TWSE stock code: 2395), a global leader in intelligent systems, is thrilled to announce it has been selected as the winner of the Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence by Wendy's for their close partnership in the WePayment program. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005718/en/ Advantech Honored with Wendy's Golden Link Award for Intelligent Payment Systems (Photo: Business Wire) Presented by Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Co-op (QSCC), the Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence is the highest honor for supplier and distributor partners that serve Wendy's restaurants. This year, the winners were chosen from more than 430 companies for their exceptional partnership, commitment, and innovation in making a positivesupply chain contribution. Advantech partnered closely with Wendy's QSCC during implementation of the WePayment program. More recently, Advantech has partnered with Wendy's technology teams in both the Virtual Handheld Point-Of-Sale and Inspire 50 projects and is now poised to provide PCs, tablets, and servers for these projects in addition to the WePayment PCs. Advantech ARK fanless embedded systems are designed to provide rapid configurable modular design for embedded IoT applications. They provide more than just I/O customization services, but also a selection of innovative software packages including Advantech WISE-PaaS, cloud services, and AI analytics suite. About Advantech Advantech's corporate vision is to enable an intelligent planet. The company is a global leader in the fields of IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms. To embrace the trends of IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, Advantech promotes IoT hardware and software solutions with the Edge Intelligence WISE-PaaS core to assist business partners and clients in connecting their industrial chains. Advantech is also working with business partners to co-create business ecosystems that accelerate the goal of industrial intelligence. (www.advantech.com) About Embedded-IoT Group As a leader in the embedded market, Advantech Embedded-IoT group not only delivers a wide range of embedded design-in services but also develops a series of integrated IoT solutions and services to minimize uncertainty and risk for customers approaching the IoT market. Advantech Integrated IoT Solutions include everything from sensor nodes, to gateways, to WISE-PaaS IoT software and much more. (Embedded-IoT.advantech.com) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005718/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Have Sheriff Offices in North Carolina, possibly even Beaufort County's Sheriff Office, become too political in the discharging of their sworn constitutional duties? No, the sheriff is a constitutional officer. Yes, the Sheriff Office, on strong occasion, often reverts back to political patronage in the dispensation of their sworn constitutional duties. The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has dismissed claims he was convicted in the United States of America by the State Bar Court of the State of California, Los Angeles in 1996. The lawmaker said he was alleged to have broken the law in California, and tried but in the end, was found not guilty. His comment was in reaction to a statement by a civic group asking Mr Omo-Agege to resign after accusing him of perjury. Allegation The group, led by Solomon Adodo, had faulted Mr Omo-Agege, for allegedly refusing to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Senate of his conviction in the USA, Vanguard Newspaper reports. While the group called for a fresh prosecution against the lawmaker, it also threatened to stage a protest at the National Assembly if he fails to resign and the Delta Central Senatorial District seat declared vacant within the next 72 hours. The group also referred to the mace-theft in April 2018 which the lawmaker was said to have masterminded. The group raised concerns that Mr Omo-Ageges emergence as Deputy President of the Senate was a mockery of the 9th Assembly Incontrovertible documentary evidences available to us reveal that sometime in April 22, 1996, Augustine O. Omo-Agege believed to be one and the same Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege was ordered to be suspended from the practice of Law following his conviction for violating California Penal Code section 470, a felony criminal offense involving moral turpitude, under the authority of subdivision (a) of rule 951, California Rules of Court. Our scrupulous findings reveal that the said Augustine O. Omo-Agege was admitted into the State Bar of California on December 14, 1992. The records reveal that on or about March 7, 1992, the said Augustine O. Omo-Agege was alleged to have committed the crime of forgery of Check in violation of Penal code section 470, a felony. Furthermore, on or about March 7, 1993 the said Augustine O. Omo-Agege was alleged to have committed the crime of perjury-application for Drivers license in the County of Los Angeles in violation of Penal code section 118, a felony. Following a lengthy prosecution of the said allegations levelled against Augustine O. Omo-Agege, he was convicted of violating California Penal code section 470 and was also subsequently suspended from the practice of law pending final disposition of the proceeding The said Mr Omo-Agege should be prevailed upon by the Nigerian Senate to resign from Office and his Senatorial Seat declared vacant. In the event that Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege hesitates in resigning from Office, impeachment proceedings should be immediately initiated against him in order to redeem the battered image of the Nigerian Senate, the group said. Reaction In his reaction, Mr Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, dismissed the allegations. He said he has been travelling freely to and within the United States as he was cleared of all charges in the said case and was never a convict in the USA as being alleged. READ ALSO: In a statement by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the lawmaker accused the group of attempting to drag his name into mud. He said the call for his resignation over a spurious and malicious allegation of conviction by a Californian court, was the latest act of political jobbers who were seeking to mislead gullible people with lies and propaganda. He also referred to an earlier publicised response to same allegation on September 25, 2018. The fact is, at a point in his brilliant and bright legal career in California, USA, Senator Omo-Agege, then a young attorney, was alleged to have broken the law in California but in the end, he was found not guilty. Accordingly, he was declared innocent by the honourable Lance A. Ito, who presided over the popular O.J. Simpson murder trial case and G. Magnera of the Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Omo-Agege had to fight hard for his innocence and God vindicated him against the expectations of evil men like the most sadistic blackmailer in the world. Today, he remains an active member in good standing at the State of California Bar Association an impossibility if a valid and subsisting conviction were hanging on him. These are verifiable public facts and truths, the statement read. Not the first time In September 2018, a similar allegation was levelled against the controversial official. This was levelled by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor. Mr Emerhor not only accused the lawmaker of being convicted by a U.S court, he also claimed that the lawmaker was plotting to kill him. Advertisements At the time, Mr Omo-Agege gave a similar reaction to the allegations. EU trade deal by the end of the year is enormously likely, insists Johnson, in BBC Breakfast interview The PM says it is enormously, epicly likely there will be a comprehensive trade deal with the EU by the end of this year. He accepts that you always have to budget for a complete failure of common sense, but adds: Im very, very, very, confident theres three verys there that we will get [it]. This is not about a deal, its about building a great new partnership, he says. The key thing is that were coming out of the EU on January 31. BBC PM says he wants to see county lines drug gangs totally wound up The Guardian Javid willing to cut Air Passenger Duty to save Flybe The government is to consider cutting air passenger duty on all domestic flights as part of a plan to save regional airline Flybe from collapse. Chancellor Sajid Javid is to meet later with the business and transport departments to discuss lowering the levy, the BBCs business editor says. The change would allow Flybe to defer a tax bill and implement a rescue plan. By applying the move to the whole industry, the government would avoid breaching EU state aid rules. It could also improved regional connectivity, a key Conservative manifesto pledgeChanges to air passenger duty could reduce the billions of pounds the charge generates for the government, which is expected to reach 3.7bn this financial year, according to Office for Budget Responsibility. BBC Thousands of passengers risk being stranded Daily Telegraph Stormont 1) Northern Ireland veterans warn of betrayal Veterans of the Troubles in Northern Ireland have warned Boris Johnson not to betray them after the Government suggested legacy issues in the province could be reopened. The Prime Minister promised before the general election to end the unfair trials of those who served in Northern Ireland and give them legal protection to prevent them being prosecuted. But that pledge is at odds with an agreement reached to restore power-sharing at Stormont, which could see every death in the Troubles being reviewed. Government sources have admitted it will not be easy to marry up the two different commitments, leaving veterans facing more uncertainty about whether they could face prosecutions in future. Daily Telegraph Duncan Smith warns that pledge must be honoured The Times Stormont 2) Complaints that the extra money falls well short The governments offer for extra money as part of the deal to restore Stormont falls way short of what was promised, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has said. Mr Murphy was speaking after the Stormont parties met Secretary of State Julian Smith to discuss how much will be allocated. The finance minister refused to comment on how much exactly had been proposed. Earlier the prime minister said the government had made huge commitments as part of the deal. The British and Irish prime ministers were in Belfast on Monday to mark the return of devolution after a three-year impasse. Speaking to the media, Mr Johnson did not state how much money would be provided to support the deal, saying it was not about money but leadership. BBC It will take 5bn to get Northern Ireland running again Belfast Telegraph Fox urges Johnson to merge Foreign Office and DfID Boris Johnson must slaughter sacred cows by merging the Foreign Office (FCO) and Department of International Development (DfID), the former international trade secretary Liam Fox is to say in a major speech pushing a proposed Whitehall shakeup. Ministers have been considering a merger of the FCO and DfID for months, but in recent weeks it was reported that the plans advocated by Dominic Cummings, Johnsons chief strategist, had been put on hold. Fox, still influential in Conservative policy making, is to urge Johnson not to grant a last-minute reprieve to DfID in an attempt to buy political peace. In a speech to the Institute for Government on Tuesday he will argue the Conservative victory has created a political moment which is as important as Mrs Thatchers victory in 1979, and as a result the reshaping of Whitehall must be as radical. The Guardian Former trade minister asks: Do we really need an industrial strategy? Daily Telegraph but Hague warns against Whitehall reorganisation Never underestimate the money and time that can be wasted by rearranging how government is run. As Welsh Secretary in the Nineties, I inherited a drastic reorganisation of local councils in Wales, and found myself having to set aside about 100 million to move everything around money that could have gone directly into public services. The totally unnecessary destruction of traditional English counties and ridings in the Seventies was an even more scandalous waste of money. Nothing obscures accountability and performance more surely than starting a government office all over again. Suddenly, no records are available, no file can be found and no comparison is valid. Sometimes this might even be the deliberate intention Tony Blairs abolition of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2001 made inquiries into the terrible episode of foot and mouth disease that year much harder to pursue. William Hague, Daily Telegraph Boost in housing allowance to tackle homelessness Almost one million Brits will see a 120 a year boost to their housing benefits in April. Ministers revealed that 900,000 people across the country will see relief when the freeze on the Local Housing Allowance benefits rates is lifted later this year. DWP Minister Will Quince said: This government is levelling up opportunity across the UK, and this will be a welcome increase for more than a million people as we provide more money to help pay for housing. We are committed to tackling all forms of homelessness ending the freeze on housing benefits is just one part of achieving this. The Sun >Today: Alex Morton on Comment: Johnsons electoral success rests on helping people move from renting to owning their home Big Ben will not bong for Brexit Big Ben will not bong for Brexit, after projected costs spiralled to half a million pounds. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the House of Commons Commission on Monday morning, but it was dismissed over financial and logistical issues. A letter, signed by 60 MPs, had previously called on the Government to allow the 13-tonne bell to ring symbolically at 11pm on Jan 31 to mark our departure from the EU. However, the meeting was told that the cost had rocketed to 500,000 from an original estimate of 120,000 because the floor that supports the temporary equipment used to strike Big Ben had already been removed. Daily Telegraph Wallace: Are the Conservatives ready to be unpopular? The big question is, having just scored a victory which long seemed impossible, how willing are the Conservatives to risk temporary unpopularity in order to make the most of their opportunity to make a lasting difference? They must draw on the rough, tough experience of the last few years to find the grit and discipline necessary. They have to remember all they went through in order to get here, and promise themselves that the sacrifice must not be allowed to be in vain. If they settle into their ministerial offices with a sigh of relief even a feeling of mission accomplished then they will come to regret it. Mark Wallace, The i When will Johnsons luck run out? Michael Deacon, Daily Telegraph Five make it through to the Labour leadership contest Five candidates have made it through to the next round of the Labour leadership contest Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry. The leadership hopefuls passed the first hurdle after gaining the nominations of 22 MP and MEP colleagues, with one candidate, Clive Lewis, dropping out in the process. All five candidates for the deputy leadership Angela Rayner, Dawn Butler, Ian Murray, Richard Burgon and Rosena Allin-Khan made it through to the next round of the competition. Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, was the clear favourite for the leadership among MPs, with 88 nominations, with Rebecca Long-Bailey, the favoured candidate of many Jeremy Corbyn allies, second on 33. The Guardian Historic opportunity for a female leader Daily Telegraph Leadership hopefuls must lighten up Rachel Sylvester, The Times Thornberry is everything that is wrong with the middle-class, Remainer Labour Party Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph The Queen agrees to a transition period for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Queen allowed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to quit as senior Royals following a private heart-to-heart with her grandson at yesterdays crisis summit, it was revealed last night. After a Family meeting at Sandringham, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs decision to split their time between Canada and the UK as they wind down their Royal duties.In last nights statement, her sincere regret was made clear, saying she would have preferred them to remain full-time working members. But after her one-to-one with Harry followed by two hours of calm discussions with him, Charles and William Her Majesty agreed to a transition period where the Duke and Duchess would step away from Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. Daily Mail Security bill spiralling out of control The Times Her Majesty has taken a firm grip on the situation Leader, Daily Telegraph Surrender to selfish demands a big mistake Leader, The Sun >Today: ToryDiary: How to leave the Royal Family as working members of it, at least US warns against madness of using Huawei The US has warned the British government it would be madness to use Huawei technology in the UKs 5G network. A US delegation presented the UK with new evidence claiming to show security risks posed by using the Chinese firm. US President Donald Trump has sought to pressure Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the issue. A decision is expected this month on whether to allow Huawei to supply some non-core parts for the UK network. BBC It would be like putting Russia in charge of anti-doping of world athletes Financial Times Bercows farewell spending spree John Bercow took a 1,000 taxi from Westminster to Nottingham and back during a spending spree in his last few months as Speaker. Mr Bercow made the trip to deliver a speech at Nottingham Trent University about how Parliament should respond to the anti-politics age. Aides said he was advised to take a taxi due to heightened security concerns. But critics said Mr Bercows costs defied common sense. Details of the Speakers official expenses obtained by MailOnline under FOI rules show that a farewell tour of trips by Mr Bercow included a 7,000 visit to the US in May where he gave a speech insisting MPs could still block No Deal Brexit. Some 1,400 went on a single dinner with fellow presiding officers from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He also splurged more than 12,000 on retirement parties for four senior Commons staff who had worked with him. Daily Mail Time to demolish Bercow-backed shanty town outside Parliament Charles Moore, Daily Telegraph SNP renews demand for a second independence referendum Boris Johnson and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack have been accused of abandoning an agreement made between all political parties after the result of the 2014 independence referendumThe Smith Commission met in the aftermath of the 2014 vote to thrash out new powers for the Scottish Parliament, which were later set out in the Scotland Act 2016. However, the cross-party agreement also stated that nothing in this report prevents Scotland becoming an independent country in the future should the people of Scotland so choose. Now Linda Fabiani has written to Alister Jack after his announcement yesterday that there would be no indyref2 even if the SNP is returned with a majority at next years Holyrood elections demanding the UK government recommit to the Smith Commission agreement. The Scotsman SNP MP criticised for vulgar language Daily Express Ranger: Close the regional digital divide We must address the level of regional inequality when it comes to digital investment. Between 2015 and 2018, London received 9bn in tech investment. The second closest UK city was Cambridge, receiving just 583m. This is an unacceptably large gap. Britain is home to technologies which are addressing some of societys biggest challenges, from the ageing population to climate change, but too many are housed in and around the capital. More funding to develop world-class digital clusters outside London, and tax and regulatory incentives for businesses within them, will support innovation while creating local jobs and attracting the best global talent beyond the M25. Kulveer Ranger, City AM Shrimsley: The Government must safeguard the BBC The BBC is, for all its flaws, one of the UKs best brand ambassadors. The rise of RT and Al Jazeera should be proof enough of the soft-power value of a globally respected broadcaster. Mr Johnson must get past his gripes and move on to future-proofing a precious asset. The danger is that the temporary swagger gives way to the carelessness for which Mr Johnson has long been known and a great and valuable institution is lost or broken, just when the UK needs its global brands more than ever. Robert Shrimsley, Financial Times Phillips: Scruton knew the precious value of freedom In How to Be a Conservative, he wrote that ordinary people were trying to live by their lights, raising families, enjoying communities, worshipping their gods and adopting a settled and affirmative culture these attempts are scorned and ridiculed by the Guardian class. As a result, he wrote, conservatives now had to move quietly and discreetly known only to each other as they move in disguise. At the same time, he realised that many of them no longer understood what they needed to conserve. So his Conservative Philosophy Group tried to restore conservatism to the Conservative Party. As someone who occasionally attended its meetings, I felt we resembled a small flotilla of ships from another age, buffeted by tempests and mountainous seas and relying for our perilous navigation on Sir Rogers north star. Melanie Phillips, The Times He kept the light of conservative philosophy burning in dark times. We owe it to him to follow his example Douglas Murray, Daily Telegraph >Today: Roger Scruton on Comment: The ten principles that should form the foundation of a modern Conservative policy. >Yesterday: News in brief Gemma Ward is expecting her third child with her partner, David Letts. The 32-year-old Australian model announced the happy news on Instagram on Tuesday, sharing a photo of herself showing off her baby bump at the beach. 'Expecting a baby girl this year to round out our little gang,' she captioned the snap. It's a girl! Gemma Ward is expecting her third child with her partner, David Letts. The 32-year-old Australian model announced the happy news on Instagram, sharing this photo of herself showing off her baby bump at the beach Gemma and David are already parents to a six-year-old daughter, Naia, and a three-year-old son, Jet. The photo was taken during the couple's recent holiday in Byron Bay, on the far north NSW coast. Gemma posed side-on in a nude bikini with high-waisted briefs, against the backdrop of an empty beach. Family of five: Gemma and David are already parents to a six-year-old daughter, Naia (pictured), and a three-year-old son, Jet Bonding time: Gemma is pictured with her son, Jet Her burgeoning baby bump was on full display as she placed her hands behind her hips. Meanwhile, Gemma and David were flooded with congratulatory messages on Instagram from their famous friends. The likes of Nicole Trunfio, Lara Bingle, Jessica Gomes, Megan Gale and Georgia Fowler all sent their well-wishes. Congrats! Gemma and David were flooded with congratulatory messages from their friends Gemma famously dated late actor Heath Ledger. The two were reportedly in a relationship at the time of the 28-year-old's death from an accidental drug overdose in New York City in January 2008. In an interview with Vogue Australia in July, Gemma spoke about balancing her modelling career with motherhood. 'I think it's all about teamwork. You have to make sure everyone is on board and obviously the kids come first, but work is pretty important too when you have an obligation to provide for them,' she said. Three EU countries on Tuesday launched a process charging Iran with failing to observe the terms of the 2015 deal curtailing its nuclear programme, a move that sparked anger and threats from Tehran at a time of intensifying tensions. Britain, France and Germany insisted they remained committed to the agreement, which has already been severely tested by the US exit from the accord in 2018. But even as their statement was released, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated he might prefer a comprehensive accord negotiated with US President Donald Trump instead of the 2015 deal. The decision to begin the so-called dispute mechanism process comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following the killing of top commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike, and the admission by Tehran days later that it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner. The foreign ministers of the three European nations said Iran had been progressively scaling back its commitments under the deal since May last year. "We have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran's actions," to begin the dispute process, their statement said. The 2015 nuclear deal signed in Vienna -- known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) -- has a provision that allows a party to claim significant non-compliance by another party before a joint commission. If the issue is not resolved by the commission, it then goes to an advisory board and eventually to the UN Security Council, which could reimpose sanctions. The first meeting of the process -- set to include the European nations, Iran and the other parties to the deal, China and Russia -- would take place in Austria by the end of the month, a diplomatic source told AFP in Vienna. Iran had intensified sensitive activities to enrich uranium, which can be used to make a nuclear weapon, in response to Trump's pulling out of the deal. Its latest step in January to forgo the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment prompted the Europeans to trigger the mechanism. But Tehran lashed out at the European countries and appeared to threatened unspecified retaliation. "Of course, if the Europeans... seek to abuse (this process), they must also be prepared to accept the consequences," the foreign ministry said in a statement. But the three powers said they "once again express our commitment" to the deal and expressed "determination to work with all participants to preserve it." "Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPoA," they said. The accord aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Western powers feared were aimed at developing weapons, in return for sanctions relief. The three countries said they would not join "a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran" championed by US Trump. But Johnson said he would be willing to work on a "Trump deal" to replace the JCPoA, which was negotiated by the administration of former president Barack Obama. "That's what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward," Johnson said, noting that "from the American perspective it (the 2015 deal) is a flawed agreement." British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab denied that Johnson's remarks represented a shift, saying London backed the nuclear deal while also wanting a wider deal that would go beyond Iran's atomic drive to cover all contentious issues. The EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said it was "more important than ever" to save the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal "in light of the ongoing dangerous escalations in the Middle East." He emphasised that the aim of the dispute mechanism was not to reimpose sanctions. Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the pro-American shah. Iran has vowed retribution over the United States' killing of Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. And while Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation, Iranian forces mistakenly shot down over a Tehran a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Analysts said launching the deal's dispute resolution mechanism gave Europe the advantage of taking control of the process, but warned that the move could also backfire. Ellie Geranmayeh, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP that the triggering of the process "set in motion a new phase." The greatest risk now was that Iran could respond to this "pressure tactic" by speeding up its nuclear programme or even leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which would be a "major turning point", Geranmayeh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Bahk Eun-ji Private kindergarten owners will be subject to harsher penalties for misusing funds after three revision bills, designed to make management and accounting at preschools more transparent, were passed by the National Assembly, Monday. Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, right, greets after three revision bills to improve management and accounting transparency of private kindergartens at the National Assembly plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. /Yonhap Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. Mostafa Kassem, who had been in detention since 2013, had gone on hunger strike A jailed US-Egyptian citizen who died on Monday following an extended hunger strike was provided medial and legal procedures to stop himself from harming himself with a follow-up from the US embassy in Cairo, a statement by the interior ministry said on Tuesday. The interior ministry said Mostafa Kassem received all aspects of medical care during his time in prison, adding that he was visited by family and representatives from the US embassy. The ministry said Kassem insisted on his hunger strike despite receiving advices at more than one occasion of the gravity of the [effects of the] strike on his medical condition, apparently a reference to his suffering from diabetes. Kassem, 64, had been in custody since his arrest in Egypt in 2013. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison on convictions related to a 2013 pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in in Cairo. He had gone on hunger strike to protest his convictions. The interior ministry statement came a day after Egypts top prosecutor ordered an autopsy to determine his cause of death. According to a statement by the prosecutor-general, Kassem died at a Cairo hospital after he had been transferred from a jail hospital the night before. US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker confirmed Kassem's death to reporters at a briefing in Washington on Monday, describing it as "needless, tragic and avoidable. Search Keywords: Short link: We may finally get a Democrat debate tonight that isn't deathly boring for a change. Elizabeth Warren, facing declining poll numbers, is attacking Bernie Sanders with the claim that in a private meeting 13 months ago, he told her that a woman could not win the presidency. M.J Lee of CNN broke the story yesterday: The stakes were high when Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren met at Warren's apartment in Washington, DC, one evening in December 2018. The longtime friends knew that they could soon be running against each other for president. The two agreed that if they ultimately faced each other as presidential candidates, they should remain civil and avoid attacking one another, so as not to hurt the progressive movement. They also discussed how to best take on President Donald Trump, and Warren laid out two main reasons she believed she would be a strong candidate: She could make a robust argument about the economy and earn broad support from female voters. Sanders responded that he did not believe a woman could win. The description of that meeting is based on the accounts of four people: two people Warren spoke with directly soon after the encounter, and two people familiar with the meeting. What does "people familiar with the meeting" even mean? Those four people amount to thin sourcing, particularly given Warren's habit of lying when it serves to advance her career interest, as with her claim to Native American status and her plagiarized recipe for the book Pow Wow Chow, ostensibly a collection of Native American recipes. Bernie's campaign is vigorously disputing the claim: Sanders' campaign released an angry statement from the Vermont senator in response to the CNN report. "It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn't win," Sanders said. "It's sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren't in the room are lying about what happened." But in a discussion of President Trump's tactics, according to Sanders, sexism did come up during their conversation. "What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could," he said. He went on to invoke his primary opponent in 2016, who defeated him for the Democratic nod but lost to Mr. Trump in the general election. "Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016," Sanders said. Sanders has a long history of claiming that a woman could be elected president: YouTube screen grab. It had previously been reported that at that same December 2018 meeting, Sanders and Warren, rivals for the progressive vote, had agreed to not attack each other. But it appears that Bernie cast the first stone in this Sunday report from Politico: The nonaggression pact between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren is seriously fraying. Sanders' campaign has begun stealthily attacking Warren as a candidate of the upper crust who could not expand the Democratic base in a general election, according to talking points his campaign is using to sway voters and obtained by POLITICO. The script instructs Sanders volunteers to tell voters leaning toward the Massachusetts senator that the "people who support her are highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what" and that "she's bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party." "I like Elizabeth Warren. [optional]" the script begins. "In fact, she's my second choice. But here's my concern about her." It then pivots to the criticisms of Warren. The Sanders campaign did not challenge the authenticity of the script, but it declined to comment. Cheated out of the nomination in 2016, Sanders apparently is playing hardball this time around: The document also instructs to tell voters who are favorable toward Pete Buttigieg that he lacks support among African Americans and young people and to tell voters sympathetic to former Vice President Joe Biden that "he doesn't really have any volunteers" and that "no one is really excited about him." All of the attacks relate to the electability of Sanders' top rivals. Will open warfare break out between Sanders and Warren tonight? Will Sanders call Warren a liar, hitting her hard on a point where she is most vulnerable? I certainly hope so. My guess is that the three moderators, CNN's Wolf Blitzer, WaPo's White House correspondent Abby Phillip, and Des Moines Register political correspondent Brianne Pfannenstiel, will shy away from provoking an attack that could damage the eventual nominee. But Sanders, whatever else you might say about him, is not shy about expressing his preferences including his love of genuine socialism, where all the means of production belong to the state, not the watered down welfare state on top of a market economy version that leftists usually fall back on. Reason TV has put together a 16-minute video with Bernie Sanders's long history of defending communism over the years. Republican members of the US Senate, poised to begin an impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the coming days, voiced opposition on Monday to any attempt to dismiss the charges against him without a trial. The Democratic-led US House of Representatives is expected to formally send the charges to the Senate this week, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to help acquit his fellow Republican. Trump appeared on Sunday to reverse his position on how the Senate should proceed, writing on Twitter that a full trial would give the Democrats who pursued impeachment ... Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detention of 176 members of the armed forces over suspected links to a network blamed by Ankara for a 2016 coup attempt, according to state media. Suspected followers of the United States-based religious leader Fethullah Gulen have been swept up in a sustained crackdown since the failed coup in which some 250 people were killed. Operations against the network of Gulens network are still routine in Turkey. State-run singled out news agency said on Tuesday the latest police operation on Tuesday was coordinated from the western city of Izmir and singled out people in 49 provinces. It added that those facing arrest included 143 lieutenants, 97 of them serving, and 33 junior lieutenants, 11 of them serving. Six F-16 warplane pilots were among those set to be detained, the agency added. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied any involvement in the attempted coup. In the subsequent purge, tens of thousands of people have been jailed pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others sacked or suspended from their jobs. 190708085246239 Turkey has been condemned by its Western allies and rights groups over the crackdown, purges and erosion of judicial independence following the failed coup bid three years ago. Critics accuse the government of using the incident as a pretext to silence opposition in the country. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that the purges and detentions are in line with the rule of law and aim to remove Gulens supporters from state institutions and other parts of society. Some drone enthusiasts are accusing the Federal Aviation Administration and the media using the panic around mysterious drone sightings to approve stricter regulations. Hysteria began to swirl in December as reports of at least 17 drones flying 'nighttime search patterns' over northern Colorado, emerged, according to the Denver Post. At the time, Phillips County Sheriff Thomas Elliott told the publication that 'the drones stay about 200 feet to 300 feet in the air' from 7pm to 10pm nightly. Nobody, including Colorado authorities, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FAA, the Air Fore, the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense were able to shed light on the unexplained phenomenon. In December, reports of at least 17 mysterious drones flying over northern Colorado emerged with no explanation Phillips County Sheriff Thomas Elliott told the publication that 'the drones stay about 200 feet to 300 feet in the air' from 7pm to 10pm nightly According to Vice, parts of the drone community are questioning the reports and are even pointing fingers at the FAA. They say the most recent wave a drone hysteria coincides with a recent proposal from the FAA that would require private drone owners to be identified on a central database by a unique identifier and GPS coordinates sent via cellular signal. The policy would allow drones to be tracked by the government, but would not apply to recreational drones that weigh less than 0.55 pounds. Several users, who believe the move will devastate their hobby, suggest that the FAA has capitalizing on national media coverage is one way to garner support. The FAA has reportedly been consulting figures in the drone community for years, but the potential rule is not popular with enthusiasts. Loretta Alkalay, a former FAA lawyer turned aviation attorney who's also a drone enthusiast, said the media reports: 'seem to harken back to the "old" days when there was so much media sensationalism and scaremongering with any drone sighting.' Alkalay said that there is a history of media outlets accepting alleged drone sighting without much evidence, only for investigators to later debunk the claims entirely. DJI, a major drone manufacturer, backed up these Alkalay's point with a report showing ten cases of mainstream hysteria and the official fact check by official investigators. Loretta Alkalay says the media reports, 'seem to harken back to the "old" days when there was so much media sensationalism and scaremongering with any drone sighting' One such instance involved a pilot reportedly striking a drone around 20 miles from the O'Hare International Airport in Illinois. The FAA found that the pilot had struck and killed a bird, not collided with a drone. In April, a British Airways pilot said he slammed into a drone near Heathrow Airport, only for the UK transport secretary to say it was more likely a plastic bag. The DIJ further asserts that this is indicative of a larger trend where pilots falsely report nearly any unidentified object in the sky as a drone. The manufacturer also refers to a study by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, which analyzed all reports of sightings as of August 2015 and found only 27 of 764 reports were legitimate drone interactions. DJI spokesman Adam Lisberg told Vice: 'From our perspective, this illustrates why you should take concerns about drones with a real big grain of salt, because who knows what youre really seeing?' Lisberg said: 'Without an independent confirmation or measurement, its a lousy way to try and make policy on how drones should be identified.' Furthermore, it appears none of the alleged drone sightings in Colorado turned up any real evidence. One resident in Washington County, Colorado, said he captured a photo of the unexplained drones flying across the northern part of the state in December (pictured) After a string reports, sightings and failed attempts to record the drones, the Colorado Department of Public Safety flew an aircraft capable of detecting heat signatures over the area in question. A nearly five hour flight found nothing amiss. The Colorado Springs Gazette wondered if a nearby Air Force base in Cheyenne conducted drone operations, but the Air Force later admitted to having nothing to do with it. Since, a joint task drone force of as much as 15 separate agencies were put together after 70 local, state, federal and military officials met in Colorado. Although no one has been able to positively identify the puzzling reports, hobbyists and law enforcement are attempting to move forward best as possible. Yuma County Sheriff Todd Combs said on Facebook: 'All I can say is dont live your life in the fear of the unknown. Take life as it comes, be proactive on issues when you can and be thankful for the place we call home, Yuma County.' Sean Wendland, a drone enthusiast in Sacramento, California, questioned if identifying the objects was even relevant. 'The question is do authorities NEED to know what it is? Is it causing any harm? Has it created danger? Do Americans NEED to know what it is? I would argue no, not at the cost of freedom,' Wendland said. LONDON (Reuters) - BlackRock (BLK.N) Chief Executive Larry Fink has warned company boards to step up efforts to tackle climate change, marking a significant shift in the public stance of the worlds biggest investment manager amid mounting concerns about global warming. In his annual letter to CEOs, Fink said they must act or face increased wrath from investors concerned about how unsustainable business practices might curb their future wealth. He said BlackRock would exit investments that presented high sustainability-related risk, including thermal coal producers, as it participated in what he described as a fundamental reshaping of finance. Finks intervention comes at a time when investors are increasingly pressuring financial firms to do more to combat climate change. The shift in global investing trends towards large asset managers such as BlackRock, with its $7 trillion in assets, has made it a potentially powerful lever for forcing wider corporate action. But BlackRock and peers such as Vanguard Group and State Street Corp (STT.N) have been criticised for not doing enough to guide the firms they invest in, with a Reuters analysis in October finding they rarely challenge company management. Activists in December said they would be monitoring Finks letter closely for signs of greater engagement with the climate crisis. BlackRock is also strengthening its commitment to transparency in its stewardship activities, with portfolio managers increasingly disposed to vote against management if they felt companies were not making sufficient progress on sustainability-related disclosures. We dont yet know which predictions about climate change will be most accurate nor what effects we have failed to consider. But there is no denying the direction we are heading, the veteran investor said in the letter. Finks letter specifically aligns BlackRock with the goals of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, in contrast with the recent stance of the United States which under President Donald Trump has backed away from the climate accord. Every government, company and shareholder must confront climate change, Fink said. As well as applying pressure on companies through campaigning, activists in recent months have succeeded in winning over major investors in the financial sector to their cause. Barclays (BARC.L) investors, at the urging of lobby group ShareAction, earlier this month submitted a motion that would force the lender to phase out fossil fuel financing faster. The director of a Pennsylvania museum was forced out of his job on Monday in the wake of allegations about a pattern of misconduct at his former job as a manager at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The director, Joshua Helmer, is no longer employed at the Erie Art Museum, the Erie museums board said in a statement. It did not elaborate on whether Mr. Helmer was fired or asked to resign. The action against the museum director, who had been appointed to the Erie post in 2018, followed a New York Times article on Friday that reported that multiple women had accused Mr. Helmer of making advances toward them in the workplace while he was at the Philadelphia museum and that an intern had made a similar complaint in Erie. More updates on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle keep on coming after Monday's Sandringham Summit. According to the latest report, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make the Canadians pick up the tab (or at least part of it) for round the clock protection of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie as they plan to live in the country. In a report by the Evening Standard, the Prime Minister privately assured Queen Elizabeth II that the family would be safe in his country, with Canada expected to pay around half of the estimated $1.2 million annual bills. The Sussexes will be protected by the same specialist team of Royal Canadian Mounted Police that currently guards the governor-general, who represents Queen Elizabeth II in Canada. Prince Harry is a former British Army officer who served in Afghanistan and is currently the captain general of the Royal Marines, so it is important for him and his family to have security following previous death threats. Home Secretary Priti Patel told BBC, "I'm not going to provide any detailed information on the security arrangements for either them or any members of the Royal Family or for any protected individuals - that's thoroughly inappropriate for me to do so." The security and its cost, given the couple's desire to become "financially independent," is one of the issues understood to be central in ongoing discussions within the royal household after their constructive discussions at Sandringham on Monday. Even if the couple is provided British royal protection officers from Scotland Yard, there will still be Canadian security. The head of U.K. police is currently debating with government officials as to whether that protection will continue. Scotland Yard has privately mentioned that they are not in the position to write an open-ended cheque for round-the-clock security if the couple is living abroad. It is understood they have launched a review into the issue, and while the police will not turn their backs on Prince Harry and Meghan, a compromise is needed. However, there are concerns that a large number of costs would lead to a backlash in Canada and even damage the status of the monarch there. The Daily Mail already reported that the Canadians are furious that they will have to pay the Sussexes protection. One tweet said, "If Canada ends up paying even a penny for Harry and Meghan when they live here, I will riot." Another tweet reads, "What's there to decide? Taxpayers shouldn't have to fork out any money for these spoiled multimillionaire brats." "Prince Harry and Meghan with their young son get to CHOOSE to leave their home in England, they get to CHOOSE to live in Canada, even if part-time, but Canadian taxpayers DO NOT get to CHOOSE to pay the security for their decisions. God bless the British way," another commented said. The London Standard says that both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are entitled to 24/7 taxpayer-funded protection at home and abroad as members of the royal family, whether they are on official duties or not. Additionally, Canadian Finance Minister Bill Moreau has gone on the record as saying no final decision has been made. Speaking to CBC News, he said, "No, we haven't spent any time thinking about this issue. We are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role. We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time." New Delhi, Jan 14 : Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar here on Tuesday again courted controversy by calling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 'kaatil' (killer) and accused the Narendra Modi government of dividing the country and "trying to create disturbance within the Muslim community". Addressing protestors at Shaheen Bagh, he launched a tirade against the Modi government over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The people, especially women and children, have been protesting against the CAA and the NRC at Shaheen Bagh for the last 25 days. "Jo bhi qurbaniyan deni ho, usme main bhi shaamil hone ke liye tayaar hun. Ab dekhein ki kiska hath mazboot hai, hamara ya us kaatil ka? (I am ready for whatever sacrifices have to be made. We have got to watch whose hands -- ours or of killers -- are stronger)." Aiyar also said the BJP government came to power promising 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'(growing together), but it was doing just the opposite 'sabka saath, sabka vinas' (Destrucution for all together). Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston New Delhi: Yoga guru Ramdev on Monday said Deepika Padukone should get herself acquainted with socio-political issues in the country before taking any "big decisions" and should appoint people like him as her advisors, who will give her a "fair insight" into vital issues. Padukone has been drawing flak from right wing leaders and trolls for expressing solidarity with the students on the JNU campus in New Delhi who were protesting against the January 5 violence. "Deepika's efficiency as an actor is a different ball game. However, she should first study social, political and cultural issues and understand more about our country. After acquiring this knowledge, she should take big decisions," Ramdev told reporters in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. I feel that Deepika Padukone should have persons like Swami Ramdev for the right piece of advice, he quipped. Strongly supporting the new citizenship act, Ramdev said that even those people who do not even know the full form of the CAA are using "foul language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The prime minister and the home minister have said that the law was not meant to snatch citizenship but rather to grant it, but people are still igniting fires over it," he said. Ramdev said some people are creating chaos over the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "They are even raising slogans for 'Jinnah Wali Azadi'. Where did this slogan come from? Such protests are tarnishing the image of the country and its institutions," he alleged. Ramdev claimed two crore people are living in India illegally. "No country can be permitted to be used as a dumping yard. No illegal citizen should be allowed to live in India. If protesters opposing the proposed NRC have any alternative proposal, they should come forward with it," he said. Hailing Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Ramdev said the Indian freedom struggle was incomplete without the former. "To tarnish the whole character of a person for just one or two things is an extremely shallow act," he said. When asked about Congress leaders terming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Indira Gandhi, he said, "If a grandchild emerges like her grandmother, then that trait fetches glory to the entire clan, and we will welcome it". He said the Opposition should be as strong as the ruling party for making democracy robust. Ramdev demanded the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be annexed to India. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. As US energy giant ExxonMobil prepares to cease its operations in Equatorial Guinea, the country's authorities seek to replace it with another foreign oil producer, with Russian companies being among the potential candidates, Gabriel Obiang Lima, the country's minister of mines and hydrocarbons, said MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2020) As US energy giant ExxonMobil prepares to cease its operations in Equatorial Guinea, the country's authorities seek to replace it with another foreign oil producer, with Russian companies being among the potential candidates, Gabriel Obiang Lima, the country's minister of mines and hydrocarbons, said. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing a company's spokesman, ExxonMobil is currently looking for a buyer of its assets in Equatorial Guinea, including the stake in the Zafiro field, the largest one in the country. Meanwhile, the country's authorities claim to be discussing a potential sale with several interested parties. "We are talking to companies from Russia, the U.K. and Equatorial Guinea itself [to replace Exxon]," the minister said, as quoted by the newspaper. He added that the company was looking for "quicker returns" in the US states of Texas and New Mexico. Due to the United States' shale oil boom in recent years, many energy companies choose to abandon their activities in Africa, refocusing their attention and resources to the US. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:50:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A ceremony marking the export of the first batch of Chinese pears to Brazil is held in the city of Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 14, 2020. A total of 32.4 tonnes of fresh pears were sent from north China's Hebei Province to Brazil, the first batch exported to the largest consumption market of pears in Latin America. China is the world's largest grower and exporter of pears, exporting about 500,000 tonnes a year. Brazil is the world's second-largest importer of pears, after Russia, importing about 300,000 tonnes a year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 32.4 tonnes of fresh pears were sent from north China's Hebei Province to Brazil, the first batch exported to the largest consumption market of pears in Latin America. China is the world's largest grower and exporter of pears, exporting about 500,000 tonnes a year. Hebei's planting areas of the fruit account for about 25 percent of the country's total, ranking first in China, while the exports of Hebei pears make up more than half of the country's total exports. Brazil is the world's second-largest importer of pears, after Russia, importing about 300,000 tonnes a year. At present, Hebei pears have been exported to 72 countries and regions. The market share of Vsmart has been soaring in the last months of 2019 According to statistics published by market research firm GfK, as of November 2019, the market share of Vsmart reached a record high. According to a source of ICTnews, the success came as a result of Vinsmart discounting the Live model by 50 per cent, causing overdemand. The Thegioididong.com chain also reported running out of two othermodels of Vsmart. Vsmart's Live smartphone officially debuted in August 2019. After three months, the price decreased from VND6.99 million ($303) to VND3.49 million ($151) for the version with 4GB RAM and VND3.79 million ($164) for the 6GB version. With the Live flying off the shelves, while other models also reported high demand, Vsmart's market share increased to 6 per cent from 2-3 per cent. In November, the market share of Apple in Vietnam also increased to 9.6 per cent thanks to the launch of iPhone 11. Between July and October, the market share of this smartphone brand plunged to 6.4, 6.3, 5.6, and 6.1 per cent, respectively. Increasing the market share to 9.6 per cent in November made Apple rank third in the smartphone market in Vietnam. Vsmart introduced the Vmessage and Vcall services which allow Vsmart users to send texts and make calls for free. To use Vmessage/Vcall, after the latest software update, users also need a VinID account and a Wi-Fi connection or mobile network, similar to iMessage or FaceTime. VinSmart has recently announced a co-operation agreement with Google to develop smart TVs under the Vsmart brand with Google features. Along with that, images of Vsmart smart home devices have been shared on a Facebook group, including a smart switch and a hub connecting smart home devices, as well as a screen showing temperature and humidity levels. The devices seem to be in a completed form, ready for the market. Back to the report, Vivo also reported an impressive increase to 7.6 per cent, the highest increase within 12 months, to stand at fifth position in November. The market share of Samsung and Oppo had light decreases, but still maintain the two highest positions. BY THE NUMBERS IN THE NEWS TODAY STOCKS TO WATCH GameStop (GME) said holiday season sales fell more than 25% and also forecast a larger than expected drop in same-store sales for fiscal 2019. McKesson (MCK) raised its fiscal 2020 full-year outlook to $14.60-$14.80 per share from the prior $14-$14.60. The drug distributor cited continued positive momentum in its business, and will give further details on its outlook today. Amazon (AMZN) will ask a judge to block Microsoft (MSFT) from working on a $10 billion Pentagon cloud computing contract. Amazon is disputing the awarding of the contract, accusing Trump of exerting improper pressure on the Defense Department to favor Microsoft. Boeing (BA) is offering very large discounts in order to keep orders for its currently grounded 737 Max jet, according to Britain's Telegraph newspaper. The paper said the discounts amount to more than 50%. Zumiez (ZUMZ) reported holiday season comparable sales of 6.8%, with the specialty apparel retailer also raising its fourth-quarter guidance. Apple (AAPL) was downgraded to "underweight" from "neutral" at Atlantic Equities, which said Apple's Services and Wearables businesses aren't likely to provide material upside. Sysco (SYY) was downgraded to "neutral" from "overweight" at Piper Sandler, following the announcement that the food distributor's CEO Tom Bene would step down on Jan. 31 after two years in that role. WATERCOOLER J ustin Trudeau has blamed the showdown between Donald Trump and Irans leaders for the deaths of 176 people killed when their plane was shot down over Tehran. The Canadian leader said those who died when the aircraft was downed by an Iranian missile could have been right now home with their families if it was not for escalating tensions in the region. All 176 people on board the Ukrainian airliner, including 57 Canadians, were killed when it crashed to the ground after taking off from Tehrans international airport on January 7. The US killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in a January 3 drone strike prompted Iran to launch a missile attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops on January 8 - hours before the passenger jet was shot down. Debris at the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Tehran / AP "I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Mr Trudeau told Global News. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau attends a memorial service for the victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed in Iran / REUTERS He said Canada did not receive a heads up before the United States killed Soleimani, and that he "obviously" would have preferred one. "The US makes its determinations. We attempt to work as an international community on big issues. But sometimes countries take actions without informing their allies," he said. Mr Trudeau said that while the government was working as quickly as possible to bring the bodies home for burial, it was likely to take weeks or "perhaps even months." South Africa: SA targets Indian tourist market South Africa's Tourism Minister will visit Mumbai, India, in a drive to grow tourist arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region. Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane will be in Mumbai from 14 - 16 January as part of a trade roadshow to grow Indian tourist arrivals and consolidate the market share of the Asia-Pacific region to South Africa. Ahead of her visit, the Department of Tourism said the Minister will use the visit to strengthen the strong historical and cultural ties shared by the two countries. In January 2019, a Strategic Programme of Cooperation -- inclusive of tourism -- was signed during President Cyril Ramaphosas State visit to India. The two countries will sign a three-year plan of action, which will outline the implementation plan of the Strategic Programme of Cooperation in the tourism sector. The Minister will also use the road show to engage with stakeholders, tour operators and investors in an effort to build confidence, seek partnerships and opportunities to unlock the market for both countries tourism sectors. This is part of the new marketing approach, which aims to pay greater attention to the needs of tourists in all the markets - especially our priority markets, said the Tourism spokesperson Blessing Manale. India is an important tourist source and priority tourist market for South Africa, with 93 428 Indian tourists visiting the country in 2018. This visit is part of the effort to grow this number in the coming years, said Manale. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Delhi Police's Crime Branch, which is probing the JNU violence case, on Tuesday will question two suspects and some who were injured in the attack by a masked mob on 5 January, officials said New Delhi: The Delhi Police's Crime Branch, which is probing the JNU violence case, on Tuesday will question two suspects and some who were injured in the attack by a masked mob on 5 January, officials said. Police will also question those who made calls to police control rooms on the day of the violence, they said. Sucheta Taluqdar and Priya Ranjan will be questioned along with some people who were injured in the attack, the officials said. Crime branch officers had on Monday questioned three students, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, in the case. Ghosh, Talukdar, Ranjan, Dolan Samanta, Vhaskar Vijay Mech, Chunchun Kumar (a JNU alumni) and Pankaj Mishra have been named as suspects. The officials said a Forensic Science Laboratory team (Cyber) will also be visiting the campus to collect evidence. Conservatives are targeting voter rolls in Flyover states to gain an advantage in 2020. Michigan officials are set to announce theyll sue PFAS manufacturers. And Democrats take to the stage one last time before votes are cast in the 2020 presidential primary season. Check-in Judgment day: A Wisconsin judge who ruled the state must start purging voters who may have changed addresses from the state rolls found the state elections commission and three of its members in contempt for refusing to abide by his orders, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Patrick Marley reports. Ozaukee County Judge Paul Malloy is also fining the state $50 a day and the commissions three Democratic members $250 a day until they comply. The Democrats on the commission said they were holding out starting a voter purge to see if the state supreme court would take up their case. Game plan: Several Pennsylvania counties are under threat of a similar lawsuit as the conservative Judicial Watch says it will sue unless the rolls are cleaned, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes Julian Routh reports. Like in Wisconsin, the group wants to have the rolls purged before the 2020 election. Suit up: Michigan officials are set to announce a lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers to recover cleanup costs, MLives Paula Gardner reports. Michigan joins Ohio in seeking some remedy through the courts to its water contamination problems, which are already costing state and local governments millions. Live on stage: Its debate day from Iowa, the last one before Democrats caucus on Feb. 3. The Des Moines Registers Kim Norvell and Stephen Gruber-Miller explored whats on Iowans minds as six candidates prepared to face the crowd at Drake University. The Registers Nick Coltrain analyzed how and where the candidates have been spending their time in the Hawkeye State over the election cycle. Not to be outdone, Republican President Donald Trump plans to hold a competing rally in Milwaukee, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Bill Glauber and Ashley Luthern. Testing, one, two, three: Defense attorneys in Michigan are advising drivers to refuse roadside drug tests, saying they are unreliable, MLives Gus Burns reports. State police are taking part in a pilot program to determine if the roadside saliva swabs are a sound method of determining if a driver is high on pot. While its perfectly legal to smoke weed recreationally in Michigan, driving under the influence is still a crime. Farm to table: One of the more interesting aspects of legalized marijuana around the country is that there is precisely zero interstate commerce of the substance in recreational-use states. Instead, all the pot must be locally grown in whichever state it will be sold in. The Chicago Tribunes Ally Marotti is out with a nice explainer of how pot gets from the dirt to the dispensary. Oil spill: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said he would veto a proposal to roll back regulations that change the requirement for the oil and gas industry to report oil spills from 5 gallons up to 80 gallons, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes Laura Legere reports. The Republican-controlled state House advanced the bill anyway, setting up a potential showdown. Wine about it: Theres one industry thats about to take a hit from Trumps proposed tariffs: wine. Per the Detroit Free Press Susan Selasky, Trump is proposing a 100% tariff on European wine, which Michigan dealers say will cause the price to skyrocket. And the problem isnt localized. Importers in Illinois are issuing the same warnings, per the Chicago Sun-Times Ahlaam Delange. Beach bummed: Indiana Republicans might limit public access to beaches in the state, instead ceding large parts of lakeside land to property owners, the Northwest Indiana Times Dan Carden reports. The state supreme court ruled in 2018 that the beaches were public property, at least up to the high-water mark. State Rep. Doug Miller, who is sponsoring the bill, said he is just trying to return property to owners who initially thought they bought it. Arrivals/Departures Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey dropped out of the presidential race, per the Associated Press. Former Rep. John Delaney of Maryland was in Cumberland, Iowa, on Monday, per the campaign. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg was in Winterset and Ames, Iowa, on Monday, per the campaign. Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer was in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, per the Des Moines Registers candidate tracker. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang was in Newton and Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, per the campaign. Six candidates will be on stage in Des Moines on Tuesday for the final debate before the Iowa caucus, per the Des Moines Register. The lineup is former Vice President Joe Biden, Steyer, Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and Buttigieg. CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip and the Des Moines Registers Brianne Pfannenstiel will moderate. President Donald Trump will be in Milwaukee on Tuesday to hold a competing rally, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Yang will be in Ames, Iowa, on Tuesday, per the campaign. White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, will be in Milwaukee on Tuesday, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Delaney will be in Humeston, Liberty and Osceola, Iowa, on Tuesday, per the campaign. Buttigieg will be in Newton, Toledo, Cedar Falls and Mason City, Iowa, on Wedneday, per the Des Moines Registers candidate tracker. Trump will hold a re-election rally in Des Moines on Jan. 30, per the Des Moines Register. Pennsylvania Democrats are sending postcards to Iowa voters with the hopes of swaying them, per public radio station WHYY. Democratic state lawmakers in Wisconsin want to make presidential candidates pay localities up front for rally costs, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This Is Your Captain Speaking I think every member of the UAW or anyone who cares about the UAW is concerned and does not want to see a government takeover. And I think that the union has to take the steps to prevent that. There have been some really important steps taken already and more has to be done. -Former United Autoworkers Union President Bob King, quoted in the Detroit News about the potential for a federal takeover of the union he once helmed. The UAW is embroiled in a federal corruption investigation over allegations of kickbacks. Enjoying The Flyover? Be sure and subscribe here. Email Seth at SRichardson@cleveland.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SethARichardson. Towns on the New South Wales South Coast descended into chaos when they were stripped of supplies as catastrophic bushfires tore through the area on New Year's Eve. Residents in Ulladulla had to wait in the baking sun for hours and paid extortionate prices for essentials while others resorted to extreme measures to save their homes. A resident in nearby Lake Conjola had to smother spot fires with milk before using his home-brewed beer to save his shed when it set alight. Towns on the New South Wales South Coast descended into chaos when they were stripped of supplies as catastrophic bushfires tore through the area. Pictured: a line of customers at Woolworths in Ulladulla RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman's Bay and Ulladulla A house and vehicle gutted by bushfires are seen in the town of Lake Conjola in New South Wales on January 1 According to the Sydney Morning Herald, that same resident saved his home by cutting off pieces of his verandah with a chainsaw as they were on fire. His brazen act of bravery saved his home from being completely destroyed while his neighbour's home was flatted by the out-of-control blaze. Another woman escaped her home as it was burning to the ground and rowed across the lake to meet her boyfriend who made a run for it in a car. But as they were driving away the carpet of the vehicle also set fire while embers fell from the blaze. A resident named Trent had been using his boat to look for his mother but found residents writhing in agony on the beach. They were wearing next to nothing and had sunburns all over their body, blisters on their feet and were in dire need of food, water and shelter. A disgusted shopper snapped a picture of the price tag showing a 24-pack of Mount Franklin water was being sold for an eye-watering $48 at the service station Residents stranded on the beach on the NSW South Coast as fires tore through the area Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra Trent halted his search for his mother and took the suffering people from the beach to safety, spending more than $600 on fuel to help. When he realised how dire the situation had become he took to Facebook to ask for help and was astounded to find 26 boat owners show up the next morning. As the fires ravaged the small coastal towns on New Year's Eve, many were left without homes, the power was wiped out, sewage systems broke down, all telecommunications were down and food and water became scarce. While tensions rose in the communities, shops and service stations chose to inflate the price of essentials. Termeil BP on the Princes Highway charged a 24-pack of Mount Franklin water for more than double the original price, asking customers to pay $48. AUSTRALIA'S BUSHFIRE CRISIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as authorities predict the devastating bushfires will continue burning until at least March. At least 28 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October. NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT Around 90 fires were burning in NSW on Thursday morning 20 people dead More than 5.2 million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals 1,870 homes confirmed destroyed, more than 3,774 outbuildings and 200 facilities razed VICTORIA 19 bushfires burning in the Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions as of Thursday morning Five people dead More than 1.5 million hectares burnt 387 homes have been damaged or destroyed 602 non-residential structures have also been damaged SOUTH AUSTRALIA Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead More than 274,000 hectares burnt 161 homes confirmed destroyed, along with 413 sheds and outhouses QUEENSLAND 2.5 million hectares burnt 48 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.5 million hectares burned One home confirmed destroyed TASMANIA 30,000 hectares burned Two homes confirmed destroyed NORTHERN TERRITORY Five homes confirmed destroyed Advertisement One woman claimed a store in Lake Conjola had doubled the price on all their products, selling a loaf of bread for $9. Pictured: the line at Woolworths Ulladulla Pictured: People lining up to use a public telephone booth after telephone reception was cut across the south coast of NSW The owner of the store told Daily Mail Australia the sign was a mistake and the bottles had simply been mislabelled. He said the sign was supposed to read two packs for $48 but an employee forgot to write the small but important detail. Residents in areas being destroyed by bushfires claim other businesses had been trying to take advantage of people in need too. One woman claimed a store in Lake Conjola had doubled the price on all their products, selling a loaf of bread for $9. Service stations were asking for $100 for a canister of gas and $104 for a packet of cigarettes. There were reports of a man driving away from a service station without paying for petrol and looters posing as emergency service officers before ransacking homes. As the fires ravaged the small coastal towns on New Year's Eve, many were left without supplies. Pictured: residents at Woolworths Ulladulla Burnt-out bush land surrounds the Princes Highway in Ulladulla on January 2 Entrepreneurs 500 list is one of the most distinguished rankings, and Express is proud to have held the top spot in staffing/recruiting for nearly a decade. - Express CEO Bill Stoller Leading the industry, Express Employment Professionals was once again named the No. 1 Staffing Franchise for the ninth consecutive year in Entrepreneur Magazines annual Franchise 500 list released Tuesday. The company also landed in the top 100 franchise brands out of more than 1,100 competitors. Entrepreneurs 500 list is one of the most distinguished rankings, and Express is proud to have held the top spot in staffing/recruiting for nearly a decade, Express CEO Bill Stoller said. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our franchisees and their commitment to offering hope through employment. As we enter a new year, we look forward to fulfilling more entrepreneurs dreams of business ownership backed by a proven system. Entrepreneur editor-in-chief Jason Feifer praised the companies on the list for understanding what consumers want now. Making our list means (these companies are) forward-thinking, nimble and closely in touch with their customers needsbecause in an ever-changing business environment, thats what a franchise must do to thrive, he said. To determine Franchise 500 rankings, companies were evaluated on financial strength and stability, growth rate and the number of years a company has been in business. Express celebrates its 37th anniversary in 2020. With more than 825 franchises internationally, Entrepreneur and Forbes further recognized Express on their Top 100 Franchises for Less than $150,000 list and One of Americas Best Franchises to Buy in 2019, respectively. Staffing Industry Analysts added to the accolades by naming Express the sixth-largest staffing firm in the U.S. and 11th largest global staffing firm. Express continues to make strides to put a million people to work annually, and it is truly an honor to be recognized as one of the top franchise companies along the way, Stoller said. We hope to add many more owners to our family and network of success in the coming year. *** If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Karami, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966. About Bill Stoller William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 800 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Since its inception, Express has put more than 7.7 million people to work worldwide. About Express Employment Professionals Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.56 billion in sales and employed a record 566,000 people in 2018. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com. Police in North Carolina say a homeless man was killed Monday when he was run over by a truck while he was sleeping underneath it. High Point officers responded to the report of a traffic crash with injuries in the rear parking lot of a Food Lion grocery store. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said had police officer Davinder Singh been "Davinder Khan", the reaction of the "troll regiment of the RSS" would have been different. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. "Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan ,the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed and religion," Chowdhury said on Twitter. The Congress leader also said now, the question will arise who were the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack. The terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead on February 14 last year. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he said. "Now, question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," Chowdhury said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON - For all of the Trump administrations insistence that the threat of an imminent attack led to the American drone strike on Irans top general, U.S. officials behind the scenes say the strike was motivated as much, if not more, by a broader effort to rein in a dangerously emboldened Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Attorney General William Barr gave voice to the broader rationale on Monday, saying deterrence was a key component of the strike. But they, like other U.S. officials interviewed by The Associated Press, stopped short of saying definitively that no specific plot was broken up. Still, the shifting rationale has raised questions about the nature and credibility of the threat posed by Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the architect of a decades-long reign of terror in which Iranian proxy fighters killed hundreds of Americans and contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands in the region. Critics of President Donald Trumps decision say he should have consulted Congress before taking an action that brought the United State and Iran to the brink of war. Nine Senate Democrats on Tuesday demanded a new classified briefing from the nations top intelligence official seeking specific evidence underlying Trump statements that Iran was planning imminent attacks on four U.S. embassies. That justification, which first surfaced Friday, was not provided to lawmakers during classified briefings last week. It was disputed days later by Defence Secretary Mark Esper, who said hed seen no such evidence though the president maintained Monday that there was no contradiction in their comments. It is vital for the American public to know if intelligence is being manipulated or inaccurately represented by their government to justify an assassination of a foreign official, the nine Democrats wrote in a letter to Joseph Maguire, the director of national intelligence. I think the administration has to come back and fill in the details said Sen. Chris Murphy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committees Middle East and Counter-terrorism panel. My guess is that the details dont exist. In recent days a clearer picture of the decision-making process leading up to the strike has emerged. While U.S. officials stopped short of saying definitively that there was no specific plot disrupted by Soleimanis death, they have acknowledged in recent days that the long-considered operation had a more fundamental purpose: breaking up what they viewed to be a perilous cycle of violence that could have brought the United States and Iran even closer to hostilities. Soleimani was undoubtedly planning other potentially deadly operations against American interests as he had for decades, the officials said. But a driving concern was that the Trump administration feared a loss of deterrence with Iran, according to three senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations surrounding the strike and its aftermath. Two of Trumps most prominent Cabinet officials echoed that message on Monday. Our ability to deter attacks had obviously broken down, Barr said . Pompeo said, President Trump and those of us in his national security team are re-establishing deterrence real deterrence ? against the Islamic Republic. Trump himself implicitly acknowledged the deterrence aim, telling reporters Monday that the strike against Soleimani should have been done 20 years ago. And he implied as much in a tweet that day: The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was imminent or not, & was my team in agreement, he tweeted. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Concerns about increasingly brazen attacks by Iran and its proxies, including the downing of an American drone and strikes on Saudi Arabian oil field last year, have mounted within the U.S. national security community for months, the officials said. Trump had decided against military retaliation to those attacks, which damaged equipment but did not result in loss of life, but U.S. officials worried that Iran might confuse its restraint with weakness. Soleimani, the officials said, had been identified as the target for potential U.S. lethal action months ago, at least since the aftermath of Trumps September decision to call off what was seen to be an imminent strike on Iran. Military planners and other officials viewed a targeted strike at Soleimani as a potentially more agreeable option for the president, who publicly expressed concerns for the collateral damage predicted for the September option. Those fears, the officials said, led them to view the broader matrix of threats from Iran and its proxies with greater severity, an assessment compounded by the swiftness with which the Iranian proxy in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, helped organize the siege of the U.S. Embassy after the Dec. 29 U.S. strike against the group believed responsible for killing a U.S. contractor on Dec. 27. Soleimani had been in the crosshairs of the U.S. before at least once in 2007 but two administrations had rejected operations to kill him, wary of the consequences of striking down Iranian military leader. The final go-ahead to strike Soleimani came two weeks ago, once it became apparent that there was a window of opportunity because of new intelligence on his travel plans. The strike against Soleimani, among the most powerful figures in Iran, was deliberately disproportionate to reset the cycle of violence and reinstate deterrence by demonstrating that the U.S. could respond overwhelmingly and decisively at its choosing, the officials said in relating how the strike was conceived. The killing was a risky move that brought the two nations closer to war than at any point in recent memory. Irans ballistic missile strikes last week on two Iraqi bases that house American troops was one of the most directs attacks by Iran on the U.S. since the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage taking in Tehran. Even as tensions appear to cool, the long-term effects of the strike are unclear and will likely be difficult to predict, given the wide breadth and capabilities of Irans network of proxies. Still, U.S. officials defend the strike as restoring a check on Irans aggression. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Esper quoted CIA Director Gina Haspel, who, on a secure video conference, had summed up the stakes for the president: The risk of inaction is greater than risk of action. ___ Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann, Matthew Lee, Robert Burns and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report. The officers affidavits, which cover a period from 2011 to 2015, were only made public last month as a crackdown on fare evasion in the subway was becoming a contentious political issue. Transit authorities have authorized a plan by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to add hundreds of additional officers to the subways, fueling a debate about overly aggressive policing and making poverty a crime. Videos of arrests of young black men and a Latino churro vendor in the subway in recent months went viral online, stirring anger among those who believe the police are too aggressive and prompting protests that included turnstile-jumping. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the citys subways and buses, has said it is losing millions of dollars because of fare evasion and that it needs the 500 transit police officers proposed by Mr. Cuomo to address the problem. Some elected officials have opposed the move, saying it will worsen the racial disparities in arrests. Fare evasion is a $300 million annual problem that should be addressed in a way that does not unjustly target any specific group or community, Ken Lovett, an authority spokesman said. We are committed to assisting the attorney general with her inquiry in any way we can. From October 2017 to June 2019, during stops when race was recorded, 73 percent of the people who received a ticket for fare evasion and 90 percent of those who were arrested on that charge were black and Hispanic, according to police data. In the letter sent to Mr. Shea, civil rights investigators from Ms. Jamess office asked that the Police Department to turn over documents that would provide a complete picture of fare evasion enforcement since October 2017. The Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation, a nongovernmental organization in Accra has petitioned President Akufo-Addo to allocate all 30% appointees into the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to only women and persons with disability (PWDs). Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the Executive Director of the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation, Otiko Afisah Djaba said the participation of women and PWDs in public and political leadership is very relevant to Ghana's democratic dispensation and national development. She is however disappointed that majority of the 920 women and PWDs who contested in the just ended District level and unit committee elections lost abysmally. The Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection said government should redeem its commitment towards gender equality and all-inclusiveness by giving all the 30% appointees slot to only women and persons with disability, who have been marginalized for far too long. This according to Otiko Djaba will enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (Goals) 5 and 10 which promote the rights of women and PWDs to participate in decision-making and social inclusion. She also appealed to the government to redeem its promise of passing the Affirmative Action Bill before the end of the first quarter of 2020 for better representation of women in politics and public decision making. Towards a better representation of women in politics and public decision making positions in 2020 and beyond, the Government should redeem its promise of passing the Affirmative Action Bill. Passing the Affirmative Action Bill before the end of the first quarter of 2020, which is by end of March 2020 will be a great news. Madam Otiko Djaba further appealed to the Government to appoint all the 909 women and persons with disability who contested in the 2019 District Assembly and Unit Committee Elections and did not win into the assemblies. The press conference was also attended by several queen mothers and the various PWD associations. By Dahlia Nehme ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should work together to de-escalate the tense situation in the Gulf, a Japanese foreign ministry official said on Monday, relaying comments by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The official said Japan's strong relationship with both the United States and Iran enabled it to play a diplomatic role in defusing heightened regional tensions following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on U.S. By Dahlia Nehme ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should work together to de-escalate the tense situation in the Gulf, a Japanese foreign ministry official said on Monday, relaying comments by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The official said Japan's strong relationship with both the United States and Iran enabled it to play a diplomatic role in defusing heightened regional tensions following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on U.S. forces in Iraq. As part of a Middle Eastern tour, Abe met UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi on Monday after having been to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. He will head to Oman on Tuesday, whose ruler, Sultan Qaboos, died on Friday. Abe will "compare notes with the leaders of the three countries who we believe are like-minded in the sense that they are all worried about the extremely high tension in the region and the need for...de-escalation," the official said. He added that Abe has met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani three times last year and maintains "very good contact" with U.S. President Donald Trump. Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan thanked Abe for Japan's "balanced policy" towards the Middle East, in a statement on UAE state media after their meeting. Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE was willing to work with Japan and Saudi for regional stability. In turn, Abe said he appreciated the "discrete position" the UAE has been demonstrating in the current situation. In May and June 2019, several attacks took place on international merchant vessels in the Gulf, including the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the allegations. The UAE did not lay blame on any country for those attacks or other attacks on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. Japan's Cabinet last month approved the deployment of a warship and patrol planes to the region and on Friday ordered them to head to the Middle East to protect ships bringing goods to Japan. They are for self-defence and have a mandate of "information collection", the official said. (Reporting by Dahlia Nehme; Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Chris Reese and Angus MacSwan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. HONG KONG, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) held from Monday to Tuesday in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) aims at examing the current global economic landscape and share insights on the environment businesses in the new year. The two-day event, themed with "Redefining Growth: Innovation Breakthrough Inclusiveness", touches on a wide range of issues including global economic outlook and opportunities, fintech, sustainable and inclusive development, green finance and financial inclusion, offering participants a head start in identifying new economic challenges and opportunities in 2020. Speaking at the forum, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam noted that today's economies are exploring growth through innovation and technology while seeking inclusiveness. "As fintech continues to shake up the financial world, the AFF continues to expand its focus on fintech. This year, we launch the FintechHK Startup Salon, showcasing promising business ideas from fintech startups," Lam said. "To exemplify our commitment to technology, last year, we issued eight virtual banking licences, as well as two virtual insurer licences. These can spur financial innovation, while boosting customer experience and building financial inclusion." Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Paul Chan said that in 2019, Hong Kong again topped the world in fund-raising through IPOs. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report ranked Hong Kong's financial system top in the world, while the World Bank rated the region the third-easiest place to do business. President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun said the core values of AIIB are lean, clean and green, and the bank is supporting innovative approaches to infrastructure financing. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto shared the country's experience in growth, saying innovative economic policies not only made the country survive the crisis in 2010 but also made it perform better than before. The AFF is part of the International Financial Week in Hong Kong, which brings together some 16 events ranging from private equity and fund-raising to alternative investment and advertising strategies for financial concerns. A trip to Shenzhen, a neighboring mainland city, is also featured this year, with visits to leading financial services and technology companies there. The Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 K9942 displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford has been presented with a prestigious Engineering Heritage Award by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The awards, established in 1984, celebrate the contribution of mechanical engineering past and present, recognising artefacts, sites and landmarks of significant engineering importance. The Spitfire was recognised for the contribution and vital role it played both in terms of protecting our nation and its pioneering engineering. The award was presented to RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton by current Chair of IMechEs Engineering Heritage Committee John Wood, with fellow IMechE members in attendance. Built in Woolston, Southampton in 1939 this early Mark 1 is the worlds oldest surviving Spitfire. Designed by R J Mitchell, the Spitfire combined strength, lightness and streamlining with the powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. From the beginning pilots recognised it as a thoroughbred combining a perfection of design with superb handling characteristics. RAF Museum Cosford Curator, Tom Hopkins said: The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history. It won immortal fame during the summer months of 1940 by helping to defeat the German air attacks during the Battle of Britain. Although Hurricanes outnumbered Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, it was the Spitfire which captured the imagination of the British public and enemy alike. The Spitfire was developed into many subsequent variants and continued to serve with the RAF until well after the end of the Second World War. Chair of IMechEs Engineering Heritage Committee, John Wood said: The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is delighted to present this award to the Spitfire to recognise the huge contribution, its designers and pilots made during the Battle of Britain. The UKs large aerospace industry is built on the rich heritage of engineering innovation which is a legacy of aircraft such as the Spitfire. Spitfires first went into service in August 1938 with No.19 Squadron and by the outbreak of war, a year later, nine squadrons were equipped. Production rapidly built up and by July 1940 there were nineteen Spitfire Mk 1 squadrons available. 1,566 Spitfire Mk 1s were built and the example on display at RAF Museum Cosford is the oldest surviving example of its type. The aircraft can be viewed daily from 10am in the Museums War in the Air hangar. Entry to the Museum is free and further details can be found at rafmuseum.org/cosford. This is the 129th Engineering Heritage Award to be presented by IMechE, which has over 120,000 members across the UK and overseas, with over 400 members based in Shropshire. By holding events and working on engineering initiatives, they aim to raise the profile of engineering across a broad spectrum of industries and offer practical guidance and support to engineers. Further details can be found at imeche.org. In Niger, the poorest country in the world, this is what war looks like. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, hundreds of men on motorbikes drove at a Niger military camp and launched a heavy mortar and rocket attack. The attackers were Islamic extremists. The battle lasted hours. At the end, at least 89 soldiers lay dead, along with more than 70 attackers. On Monday, Jan. 13, the country's president declared three days of national mourning and fired the country's army chief of staff. The same day, he was in Pau, France, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is concerned about the escalating violence in the region. Next door, in Mali and Burkina Faso, the military situation is even more dire. And this despite the presence since 2013 in Mali of 4,500 French special forces, on a mission baptized "Barkhane," sent to clean out the extremists who took over Timbuktu and central Mali, imposing sharia law in 2012. The French pushed them out of Timbuktu and now say they are winning. The French minister of the army told the National Assembly last year that Barkhane had "eliminated" more than 600 extremist fighters by 2018. The French are not alone. In Gao, in Western Mali, an enormous UN base houses 13,000 soldiers from more than 20 countries. More than 1,250 Canadian soldiers, 200 at a time, equipped with eight helicopters, served in Gao until Sept. 1, 2019, carrying out medical evacuations and transporting passengers and cargo. Regis Duvignau/pool via The Associated Press Yet the number of attacks on military targets and civilians has increased dramatically in the last year. The effects have been devastating. According to a UN report in November, more than 1,500 civilians had been killed since January 2019 in Mali and Burkina Faso, and more than one million people have now fled their homes in the countries of the region. The leaders of those five countries Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania went to Pau, a small city in southern France, on Jan. 13 to meet Macron. France lost 13 soldiers in a crash of two helicopters an anti-extremist mission in November. Seven of them came from the military base in Pau. Story continues Macron reads the riot act The main reason for the Pau meeting was for Macron to read the riot act. His message to the presidents was that his soldiers needed more help from their troops and France needed less criticism from local voices on the ground. There have been small demonstrations in Bamako, the capital of Mali, against the ongoing French military presence. But in Gao, which I visited earlier this year, there is no criticism of the UN or France. Thousands of people forced to flee their homes in central Mali blame the "bandits," as they call the extremists. They are thankful for the protective umbrella the troops, based in their enormous camp, offer. Mali Army via AP/The Associated Press The problem is that the 4,500 French soldiers are fighting in an area bigger than Europe. The UN soldiers are not fighting, merely patrolling. Adding to the problem, according to Mathieu Pellerin, a Paris-based expert on sub-Saharan Africa, is that the extremists are now far from a unified group. Some are aligned with al-Queda and one of the groups active in bombing civilian targets and kidnapping has been dubbed al-Qaeda in Maghreb or AQIM. But some are not even religiously motivated, but have tribal, economic or simply criminal aims. The African leaders grumble in private that the French, from their arrival in 2013, have simply gone it alone. The French goal, they muttered, was simply to protect themselves and Europe from an African threat. Migration a bigger interest for France "The French say they have to be there maybe for 30 years," explained Marie-Roger Biloa, an African affairs analyst in Paris, "because they have to make sure the 'jihadists' don't spill over into Europe, which would lead to more migration and refugees as well going to Europe." Migration that is the threat the Europeans don't like to talk about, but are willing to pay heavily to contain. Agadez is a famous town in the desert of Niger, known for hundreds of years for its Grand Mosque, built in 1515 and the biggest mud-brick structure in the world. It was also a well-known trade and smugglers route. At the beginning of the last decade that route exploded, becoming an enormous magnet for refugees fleeing conflicts in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Cameroon and Nigeria. These people would pay smugglers healthy sums to take them illegally into Libya and Algeria, and from there they would try to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. Christophe Petit Tesson/The Associated Press In 2015, the European Union came up with a plan. Niger would ban smuggling and the EU would pay the Niger government for choking off the Agadez smuggling route. Over a period of four years it will have paid the government more than $1.5 billion Cdn to seal this deal. To see Agadez after that deal was sealed, as I did more than a year ago, is to see a town gasping for economic breath. Smuggling was its lifeblood. Instead, now there are thousands of migrants and refugees stranded there, supported by the UN and other agencies, many living on mattresses in rudimentary shelters, exposed to the cruel desert weather. Anger grows. The migrants of Agadez have revolted more than once, burning shelters and demanding to be heard and better treated. The crisis in the sub-Sahara region is growing. France's president has pressed his African counterparts for more effort and his European partners for more money. After the Pau meeting, Macron announced that France would send 220 more soldiers to reinforce the Barkhane contingent. France and the armies of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will co-ordinate their efforts against the extremists. But a slightly bigger military force and pots of money have merely postponed a bigger explosion in the most downtrodden corner of the world. A nother blow has been delivered to the Chinese tech giant Huawei as US officials urge the UK government not to use the company's tech in its 5G network. Last year, President Trump's administration accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets, fraud and violating US sanctions against Iran. The US banned the company's equipment from US networks in a bid to protect national security over fears Huawei would be ordered to put in backdoors that would allow the Chinese government to spy on the US. This week, the US has handed over a dossier of information raising concerns over Huawei in an attempt to persuade the UK not to use its equipment off the back of the security risks. The Guardian reported officials from the US stating that involvement from Huawei in the UK's burgeoning 5G network would be "nothing short of madness". Here's everything that's happened so far with the Huawei US trade ban and what it means for Huawei smartphone owners in the UK. What is the Google Huawei ban about? In the past, the Chinese tech giant has been accused by President Trumps administration of stealing trade secrets, fraud and violating US sanctions against Iran, claims which have led the US president to ban Huaweis equipment from US networks in an effort to protect national security. As a result, Google was forced to pull Huawei's Android license back in May 2019. This is the operating system that powers the majority of the world's phones, aside from the Apple iPhone. Other companies are affected by the executive order, including the SD card trade association and chip designer Qualcomm. In July, Qualcomm said its sales fell in the previous quarter partly as a result of not being allowed to sell to the Chinese firm. What about Huawei in the UK? There were concerns about whether or not Huawei's 5G technology would be allowed to build the country's new 5G infrastructure. The tech firm is already involved in building 5G networks in six of the seven cities in the UK where Vodafone has gone live. It is also assisting in developing 5G sites for EE and Three. In July, the UKs Science and Technology Committee said there were no technical grounds to exclude Huawei from the UKs 5G, but did suggest that the government needs to consider the impact of using Huaweis tech on its relationship with major allies, such as the US. Norman Lamb, Chair of the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee, said: We have found no evidence from our work to suggest that the complete exclusion of Huawei from the UKs telecommunications networks, would, from a technical point of view, constitute a proportionate response to the potential threat posed by foreign suppliers. He added: The conclusion is restricted to technical considerations. There may well be geopolitical or ethical grounds for the Government to decide to enact a ban on Huaweis equipment. The Huawei Mate 20 X 5G has a 7.2-inch screen and four camera lenses across the device / Huawei In response to the report, Victor Zhang, President of Global Affairs at Huawei, said: We note the key conclusion from the Science and Technology committee letter, which states There are no technical grounds for excluding Huawei entirely from the UKs 5G or other telecommunication networks.' And it also says we have found no evidence from our work to suggest that the complete exclusion of Huawei from the UKs telecommunications networks would, from a technical point of view, constitute a proportionate response.' We are assured that the UK, unlike others, is taking an evidence-based approach to network security. Huawei complies with the laws and regulations in all the markets where we operate. However, the recent reports of meetings between US and UK officials has seen the US government try to change this. Mr Johnson's spokesman, speaking ahead of the meeting, said: "The security and resilience of the UK's telecoms network is of paramount importance. "We have strict controls for how Huawei equipment is currently deployed in the UK. "The government is undertaking a comprehensive review to ensure the security and resilience of 5G and fibre in the UK." What does the Google Huawei ban mean for Huawei phone users? Huawei devices could no longer receive updates or be able to access software from Google / Getty The ban hasn't affected current Huawei smartphones and devices. Google has said the Google Play Store, the Android app store through which Android device owners get their links to the outside world, and the security features which come with Android, will continue to be available on existing Huawei devices. That means anything from the Huawei P30 range release, the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G, and previous devices are all fine. Following news of the block, Huawei said many of its devices would be able to access Android 10 the next version of Googles phone software due to launch later this year and would continue to receive other updates without interruption. It reiterated this position at its recent Developer Conference in China. Unfortunately, the Mate 30 Pro smartphone was not so lucky. Announced in September, this is Huawei's most powerful phone yet, featuring the company's Kirin 990 chipset, four lenses on the back of the phone and a beautiful curved screen. However, as the device doesn't feature Android, it's unlikely the phone will get a UK or Europe release date. The upcoming P40 range is probably not going to come to Europe either. Huawei phones not affected by the Google ban Huawei P30: P30 Pro, P30, P30 Lite Huawei P Smart Huawei Mate 20: Mate 20 Pro, Mate 20, Mate 20 Lite, Mate 20 X Huawei P20: P20 Pro, P20, P20 Lite Huawei Mate 10: Mate 10 Pro, Mate 10, Mate 10 Lite Huawei P10: P10 Plus, P10, P10 Lite The company is getting creative with ways around this. For instance, at this year's IFA in Berlin, Huawei announced an updated P30 Pro smartphone which will ship with Android 10, the latest Android software, because that device was already licensed to use Android. Why is Huawei suing the US government? President Trump has said he does not want to do business with Huawei / AFP/Getty Images Huawei has always said that the security concerns are unfounded and that its equipment has never been used for spying. In November, the Federal Communications Commission banned Huawei from a federal subsidies programme which will make its equipment more expensive for US telecoms carriers. As a result, Huawei fired back with a lawsuit, calling the order was unlawful. Glen Nager, a US lawyer who represents the company, said the order was based on "unsound, reliable and inadmissible accusations and innuendo, not evidence. The designation is simply shameful prejudgment of the worst kind," said Nager. This is the second lawsuit Huawei has launched against the US. It is also currently challenging the constitutionality of the federal law that bans US agencies from buying its equipment. It looks like this fight is going to go on for a long time. US trade ban took its toll on Huawei When news of a ban was first announced, it began to have serious effects on Huaweis sales in the UK. According to data by Kantar, Huawei's smartphone sales fell by two per cent between the first quarter and second quarter of 2019. By comparison, the company had a market share of 9.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2018, growing to 15.7 per cent in early 2019, so whilst the new figures are still higher than last year, it demonstrates that the Huawei surge is slowing down. In addition, Huawei's sub-brand Honor appears to be falling too, from 3.9 per cent market share of sales in the second quarter of last year down to 2.3 per cent now. Huawei's head of consumer Richard Yu with the latest Huawei P30 Pro phones / ERIC PIERMONT / Contributor When Huaweis 5G device, the Mate 20 X 5G launched in the UK last July, network operators initially pulled the smartphone from their lineups. One of the first 5G devices to be announced, the Mate 20 X 5G was removed from the 5G offerings from the likes of EE following the trade ban. However, the Huawei 5G phone was restored following leniency in the trade ban, and is available to buy from Three, Sky Mobile and the Carphone Warehouse. How could another Android ban affect the future of smartphones? Huawei is championed as one of the most innovative smartphone brands, often showcasing its design and technical prowess at various keynote events around the world. This is how the company has managed to go from a largely obscure Chinese brand to one of the biggest phone makers in the world, selling 59.1 million phones in the first quarter of 2019. With the development of its own OS, its likely that regardless of whether Huawei is banned from doing business with the US, the company will strike out on its own. Nonetheless, a potential ban could have implications for the future of things like smartphone design. Take, for instance, the Huawei Mate X, the companys folding phone. Google worked with both Huawei and Samsung to create the next version of Android that works well on folding phones. Future versions of Huawei's folding phone may not be able to support Android / EPA By ending this close relationship, future smartphone design will certainly be affected. However, Huawei is doing what it can to temper any future issues that may arise. At the companys annual developer conference in China recently, Huawei officially unveiled its Android alternative: HarmonyOS.The operating system has been in the works for a few years but Huawei reportedly stepped up development in order to replace its reliance on the Google-owned Android. Three people were charged in King County Superior Court in connection to two separate auto insurance fraud cases after investigations by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidlers Criminal Investigations Unit. In the first case, Sawsan Al-Tamimi and Yassir Al-Mtowag each were charged with one count of filing a fraudulent insurance claim. According to the investigation, Yassir Al-Mtowag rear-ended another car in Issaquah at 7:50 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2018. His uninsured 2014 Ford Fiesta was registered to his Lynnwood, Wash., business, Sunshine Market. At 8:15 a.m., Al-Mtowags mother, Sawsan Al-Tamimi, called Progressive Insurance and added the Ford Fiesta to her policy. At noon, Al-Mtowag filed a claim with Progressive. He stated the collision happened after 9 a.m., but the driver of the other car told Progressive it occurred at 7:50 a.m. while she was driving to work. The damage to both cars was estimated at $4,423. Progressive denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidlers CIU. In the second case, Moshe Kipersztok was charged with one count of filing a fraudulent insurance claim. According to the investigation, Kipersztoks GEICO policy was canceled for nonpayment on March 19, 2018. He reinstated coverage on his 2014 Audi Q5 effective April 5. On April 8, he filed a claim with GEICO for an estimated $6,438 in damage that he said occurred in a hit-and-run while the car was parked at a Bellevue restaurant on April 7. GEICO ran a claim history on the Audi and found one filed with Travelers Insurance on March 23 for the same damage. Travelers denied the claim, which resulted from a collision with another vehicle, because of a dispute over which driver was at fault. GEICO also denied Kipersztoks claim and referred the case to Kreidlers CIU. Topics Auto Fraud Abuse Molestation Washington A reduction in the economic growth forecast due to Brexit has been halved just weeks ahead of Britain exiting the European Union. The government published a new study which now predicts that, with a free trade agreement with Britain, GDP will be 3.2% to 3.9% lower in 2030 than it would have been without Brexit as opposed to the 7% originally predicted in a crash-out exit for Britain. Business Minister Heather Humphreys published the report which found that an EU-UK free trade agreement would reduce the harm from Brexit by half. We have always known that Brexit in any form will have a negative impact on Ireland," the Minister said. "Nevertheless, its important to say that it will not cause a contraction in the economy. The economy will still grow but our estimates show that it will grow 3.2% - 3.9% less than it would have done if Brexit had not occurred. The Cabinet discussed the report in its last meeting before the general election was called. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked ministers for their work and also explained why he was calling the election now. However, Cabinet will still meet on January 29, just two days before Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. Ministers also agreed to draft legislation for new measures to clean up the electoral register. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said that the Bill would allow local authorities to require a person to provide a PPSN, Eircode or date of birth in respect of their own registration details. However, these new measures will not come into place for this election. Elsewhere, Environment Minister Richard Bruton defied legal threats from oil giants to divert a two cent levy from fuels towards a climate action fund. However, it was also agreed that the National Treasury Management Agency could provide funds to NORA as well as Irish Water. The government agreed to establish the climate action fund on a statutory basis. Future monies from a 2 cent levy placed on the sale of most oil products will now be transferred to the climate action fund. Oil groups had previously threatened legal action over moving the fund away from the National Oil Reserves Fund. There is a lot of leisure demand for cities that are regional destinations, and this route expansion will address some of that need, Drew Wells, Allegiants vice president of planning and revenue, said in a news release. The taxi driver who evacuated The Sydney Morning Herald at midnight said the city was busier than usual. We were his first fare in two hours. "Locals take Ubers, not taxis, and after 12 o'clock, you can't take tourists anywhere. Some get in [the cab] but there is nothing to take them to. Sometimes they shout." The Oxford Hotel in Darlinghurst. Credit:Cole Bennetts Near midnight there was nothing moving but more gulls at Taylor Square, once the very heart of Sydney's nightlife along with Kings Cross, which remains locked out. Empty tables at the outdoor smoking gallery of the Oxford Hotel glowed in a pink light. The bouncer at the Courthouse Hotel, where crowds once welcomed the sunrise from the Judgement Bar upstairs, greeted us with a warm handshake. The Judgement Bar was closed and just seven people drank in a couple of clumps downstairs. Four more dedicated figures banged away at the slot machines. "I don't think we'll set the world on fire tonight," said manager Stuart Cairns. "It'll take years to undo the damage that's been done." With punters banned from entering new venues after 1.30am, the city's curfew had effectively kicked in at that hour rather than at the legislated 3am, Cairns explained. Venues that had made their profits in the once busy late-night went belly up and when the foot-traffic collapsed, cafes and restaurants followed them out of business. A man slumped on a chair outside a takeaway joint by the silent taxi rank next door, but beyond him you could see movement outside Stonewall, one of the handful of Oxford Street clubs that has survived the laws with its atmosphere close to intact. Inside, a crowd danced and yelled merry conversations and when drag performers Coco Jumbo and Hannah Conda lept atop the bar and demanded a cheer to celebrate the "end of the f---ing lockouts", the mood became truly celebratory. Moments later, over shots of tequila that would have been illegal at this hour the night before ("Just like grown-ups," Coco yelled in my ear), the two talked about their faith that the city would regain the vibrancy they remembered. Drag queens Coco Jumbo and Hannah Conda take to the bar at Stonewall on Oxford Street as the venue throws a party to celebrate the end of lockout laws. Credit:Cole Bennetts Loading They talked about how friends from New York had chosen not to attend last year's Mardi Gras having seen what Sydney had become. Outside Stonewall, Eddie Ratnor, who moved to Sydney from Bali 15-years ago and lives in Surry Hills, said he was staying out to mark the occasion. He missed the Darlinghurst of the old days, when the gay community on Oxford Street mingled with the rest of the city's subcultures - everyone from "goths to banker-wankers". "You need that in a city, you need a place where that creative energy happens. Sydney is dead now. I have lived in Berlin and Paris and New York and Sydney was up there. It is meant to be like this, it is not meant to be Pyongyang." Back inside, the City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster - also well known as the sister of the former prime minister, Tony Abbott - was celebrating with her wife Virginia Flitcroft and Stonewall stalwarts Glenn Hansen and Linda Warren. Christine Forster, right, is pictured with her wife Virgina Flitcroft, left, and Stonewall nightclub management, Lida Warren and Glen Harris. Credit:Cole Bennetts. "I've been campaigning for this for five years," she said. The laws had had a particularly dire impact on Sydney's gay community, which more than any other had thrived and mingled and made its bonds late in the night, she said. Bud Light Seltzer is here. Anheuser-Busch InBevs latest product debuted nationwide Jan. 13. Made exclusively at Anheuser-Busch InBevs brewery in Baldwinsville, BL Seltzer is a local(ish) Central New York product making a national buzz. Its available in four flavors: black cherry, lemon lime, strawberry and mango. Each 12-ounce can is 100 calories, 5% alcohol and less than one gram of sugar. Heres the biggest question: Is it any good, and how does it compare to White Claw, the current biggest seller in the rapidly growing hard seltzer market? We pitted Bud Light Seltzer against White Claw in a head-to-head taste test to find the best. Three of the four varieties were made by both brands. We also compared Bud Lights strawberry to White Claws raspberry. The judges: syracuse.com | The Post-Standard food and dining writer Jacob Pucci; beer, wine and spirits writer Don Cazentre; features writer Charlie Miller and multimedia journalist Katrina Tulloch. Which seltzers shined, and which seltzers fizzled flat? Heres our review: Mango Mango: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: This seltzer had a rounded, full fruit flavoreven if it didnt taste a whole lot like mango. Why didnt they just call it Bud Light Seltzer Peach?" judge Katrina Tulloch asked. Shes right, it really does taste more like peach. White Claw: The flavor was described as crisp and clean, while others called it hollow and thin. To its credit, it was more easily identifiable as mango. Verdict: Despite its fruit mix-up, we largely prefered the flavor of the Bud Light by a 3-to-1 vote. Winner: Bud Light Lime Lemon Lime: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: The Bud Light seltzers each have less than one gram of sugar per can, while White Claw has two grams per can. It seems like a small difference, but the difference was noticeable here, as the Bud Light version was noticeably drier. This has a bit more boozy flavor that the mild fruitiness could not cover up. White Claw: Maybe it was the sugar, but for whatever reason, this seltzer seemed juicier than the other. "I typically like it drier, but this is the one exception. Judge Charlie Miller thought it was too sweet, comparing it to a dry version of 7Up. Verdict: The extra gram of sugar won out, as we picked White Claw over Bud Light 3-to-1. Winner: White Claw Behind the scenes: Bud Light Seltzer launches at Anheuser-Busch brewery in Baldwinsville Black Cherry Black Cherry: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: When it comes to cherry-flavored beverages, theres really just one question: does it taste like cough syrup? In the case of the Bud Light Seltzer, the answer is a definitive no. Theres a ton of cherry flavor on the nose, with a fruit flavor thats neither bitter and harsh nor syrupy sweet. Judge Charlie Miller compared the flavor to the Luxardo cherries in his Manhattan. Indeed a premium experience. White Claw: Take everything we just said for the Bud Light Seltzer and the opposite is true for the White Claw. The judges described it as medicinal and fake and it lacked the pleasant fruity aromas of the Bud Light. Verdict: This one was easy. Winner: Bud Light Strawberry/Raspberry Raspberry/Strawberry: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light strawberry: While not a perfect pairing, these two were similar enough to compare. And to our collective surprise, this was all four judges favorite overall seltzer. Despite using just natural flavors, they were somehow able to mimic the flavor of a whole strawberrybright, clean and refreshing and tasting nothing like those strawberry bonbon candies found strictly in the home of grandparents. " It reminds me of those freeze-dried strawberries youd get in astronaut food packs as a kid," judge Katrina Tulloch said. Bud Light hit a home run with this drink, judge Charlie Miller said. Its like you went into a strawberry patch and picked a berry, judge Don Cazentre added. White Claw raspberry: This is a perfectly fine beverage, but after drinking the Bud Light strawberry, everything is going to be a letdown. Like White Claws mango flavor, the raspberry flavor was a bit thin and artificial. Verdict: An imperfect comparison, but a clear winner. Winner: Bud Light Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Overall: The judges were unanimous in our ranking of the four Bud Light Seltzers: Strawberry Mango Black Cherry Lemon Lime As for the overall champ, the winning seltzer was clear. Bud Light Seltzer takes the crown. Grand champion: Bud Light Seltzer The Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw taste panel: (left to right) Don Cazentre, Charlie Miller, Jacob Pucci and Katrina Tulloch.Sarah Gambell Still thirsty? Read more: Whats the best winter/holiday beer? We tasted a dozen to find out 10 Upstate New York pumpkin beers, ranked New Yorks Best Hard Cider: And the 2019 winners are ... 17 grocery store eggnogs, ranked from worst to best Jacob Pucci finds the best in food, dining and culture across Central New York. Contact him by email at jpucci@syracuse.com. Subscribers only: Join an insider text group with Jacob Pucci to get the inside scoop on the restaurants and cuisines of Central New York. SIGN UP HERE Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work The lack of housing in Laois is the key issue facing many people and will be a major issue in the upcoming General Election campaign, according to Fianna Fail's poll topper at the last General Election, Sean Fleming TD. The candidate has also taken a side swipe at Fine Gael over social housing. The lack of affordable houses in Co Laois for people on average income to purchase means many people are facing the prospect of having to rent for life. People in this situation are also caught by paying very high rents, especially in Portlaoise. This has caused a double problem as when they are paying high rents they cannot afford to save for a deposit. The mortgage repayment on many houses would be less than the actual monthly rent and yet the Government is not allowing many people who have proven they can pay a mortgage to buy their own home, he said. This Government for the first time in the history of the State has a policy of social engineering to change the culture of home ownership in Ireland to eventually turn us into a nation of renters. Many of these houses will be owned by multinational investment companies (vulture funds/cuckoo funds). The situation facing people on the social housing list is even worse and there has never been so few houses built by Laois County Council in recent times, solely as a result of the Government starving the Council of funds. Worse still is the many people who are on low to middle incomes and are not eligible to go on the social housing list and cannot save a deposit for a mortgage. This Fine Gael Government has a policy of abandoning these people. It is part of the Fine Gael DNA not to build social housing, he said. Deputy Fleming is standing with Pauline Flanagan, Barry Cowen and Peter Ormond on the Fianna Fail ticket in Laois Offaly. The way in which Netflix went about the Oscar race this year no female directors, very traditional movies that focus almost exclusively on the personal illumination and/or transformation of white men is disheartening, but not as disheartening as the level with which the streamer was rewarded for it. ("Dolemite Is My Name," the lone major Netflix awards contender not centered on a white man, did not receive any nominations. And the streamer's Cannes Film Festival acquisition, "Atlantics," directed by Mati Diop, a French woman of Senegalese descent, was not nominated in the international feature category.) Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: Europe's financial watchdog European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) said that the European alternative investment funds (AIFs) saw their value increase by 11% to 5.8 trillion ($6.5tn). Nearly 40% of assets under management in the EU funds industry is made up of alternative AIFs, latest figures show. The report was based on data gathered from 30,357 AIFs, representing almost 100% of the market. Funds of Funds accounted for 14% of the industry, followed by Real Estate Funds (12%), Hedge Funds (6%) and Private Equity Funds (6%). The Hedge Funds sector amounted to 333bn in NAV of all AIFs. However, when looking at gross exposure they total 67% of all AIFs due to their increasing reliance on the use of derivatives. These funds are exposed to financing risk, as one-third of their financing is overnight. However, the fact that they maintain large cash buffers offers some security. The remaining category of Other AIFs accounts for close to two-thirds of the industry (61%), covering a range of strategies with fixed income and equity accounting for 67%. Most AIFs are sold to professional investors (84%) but retail participation is significant at 16%, with the highest share in the Funds of Funds and Real Estate categories. Liquidity risk an issue in Real Estate and Funds of Funds sectors The two sectors with the largest percentage of retail investors, Funds of Funds (FoF) with 31% and Real Estate with 21%, a...................... To view our full article Click here Panel also includes atypical pathogens such as Pneumocystis jirovecii LRT BAL Panel expected to substantially increase total addressable market for Unyvero System in the U.S. Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Holzgerlingen, Germany, and San Diego, CA, USA, January 14, 2020, 08:00 am CET -- Curetis N.V. (the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, "Curetis"), a developer of next-level molecular diagnostic solutions, today announced the U.S. launch of its Unyvero LRT BAL Lower Respiratory Tract Application Cartridge for use with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples to diagnose lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia. The Company received 510(k) clearance of Unyvero LRT BAL panel by the U.S. FDA on December 20, 2019, and has taken all necessary steps for an immediate U.S. commercial launch. The LRT BAL panel will be commercially available to Curetis U.S. customers from the end of January onwards. Several prestigious medical centers, including a major cancer center and a large academic institution, have already committed to evaluate the Unyvero LRT BAL panel for routine use in patients hospitalized for suspected pneumonia. The Unyvero LRT BAL application is the first and only FDA-cleared molecular diagnostic pneumonia panel that includes Pneumocystis jirovecii. As culture-based diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP) is not possible, identification of this pathogen is often based on morphological detection techniques, which are labor-intensive and time-consuming and lack sensitivity. Rapid diagnosis of PJP, which causes severe and life-threatening symptoms, is crucial in patients with a weak or suppressed immune system. Initiating the appropriate therapy even one day earlier can significantly reduce mortality in this patient group. Pneumocystis jirovecii is a leading cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. Several features unique to Pneumocystis make its diagnosis difficult. No combination of symptoms, signs, and chest radiographic findings is diagnostic of Pneumocystis Pneumonia, the organism cannot be cultured, and its diagnosis currently relies on microscopic visualization of the characteristic cysts and/or trophic forms on stained respiratory specimens, said Richard G. Wunderink, MD, Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Medical Director, Medical ICU, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, when the FDA cleared the test in December. Inclusion of Pneumocystis jirovecii in a rapid comprehensive molecular panel for BAL, the preferred diagnostic procedure for Pneumocystis Pneumonia, will greatly facilitate our ability to quickly diagnose and treat these patients. Beyond Pneumocystis jirovecii, the LRT BAL panel detects a broad spectrum of clinically relevant causative agents, including atypical pathogens, as well as antibiotic resistance markers. Thereby, it provides clinicians with a valuable diagnostic tool that informs early and supports appropriate antibiotic treatment decisions in this indication. Infections with atypical pathogens are often associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), but are not considered in the context of hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia. Therefore, hospitalized patients usually are not tested for these organisms unless there is a suspicion of infection. Further, empiric treatment of these patients does not normally cover atypical pathogens. Unyvero LRT BAL expands the diagnostic capability of clinicians to routinely identify atypical infections that might otherwise escape detection and hence can prevent prolonged inappropriate treatment of patients. Indiscriminate overuse and misuse of antibiotics are key drivers of dramatically spreading antibiotic resistance, a substantial global health threat. A report recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that drug-resistant bacteria and fungi cause almost 3 million infections and 35,000 deaths a year in the United States, meaning that antibiotic-resistant pathogens cause a serious infection every 11 seconds and a death every 15 minutes (Ref. 1). By providing a fast and reliable solution for the rapid detection of pathogens and antibiotic resistance markers, Unyvero LRT BAL is an essential, indispensable tool for targeted antimicrobial therapy improving patient outcomes while facilitating stringent antibiotic stewardship. Unyvero LRT had already been cleared by the U.S. FDA for tracheal aspirate samples in 2018, said Johannes Bacher, COO of Curetis. With our newly launched Unyvero LRT BAL Application Cartridge, clinicians and hospitals can now also test bronchoalveolar lavage samples. This sample type accounts for about half of the samples obtained for the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia. As a result, our Unyvero solution is offering the most comprehensive multiplex molecular panel for the rapid diagnosis of bacteria and fungi associated with severe pneumonia. It not only enables rapid and simultaneous detection of pathogens but also offers the broadest coverage of resistance markers. We are excited about this launch on the heels of the recent FDA clearance decision. We expect that the launch of our LRT panel for BAL samples will significantly increase the total addressable market for our Unyvero System in the U.S., said Oliver Schacht, PhD, CEO of Curetis. It will provide us with substantial opportunities to place Unyvero instruments for rapid testing of patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections. Moreover, by providing laboratorians and clinicians with a powerful diagnostic tool to identify pathogens in lower respiratory tract infections earlier, faster and more reliably, Unyvero supports antibiotic stewardship efforts to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics. ### Reference 1) CDC. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2019. The full 2019 AR Threats Report, including methods and appendices, is available online at www.cdc.gov/DrugResistance/Biggest-Threats.html. About Curetis Curetis N.V.s (Euronext: CURE) goal is to become a leading provider of innovative solutions for molecular microbiology diagnostics designed to address the global challenge of detecting severe infectious diseases and identifying antibiotic resistances in hospitalized patients. Curetis Unyvero System is a versatile, fast and highly automated molecular diagnostic platform for easy-to-use, cartridge-based solutions for the comprehensive and rapid detection of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers in a range of severe infectious disease indications. Results are available within hours, a process that can take days or even weeks if performed with standard diagnostic procedures, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes, stringent antibiotic stewardship and health-economic benefits. Unyvero in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products are marketed in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S. Curetis wholly-owned subsidiary Ares Genetics GmbH offers next-generation solutions for infectious disease diagnostics and therapeutics. The ARES Technology Platform combines what the Company believes to be the most comprehensive database worldwide on the genetics of antimicrobial resistances, ARESdb, with advanced bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. For further information, please visit www.curetis.com and www.ares-genetics.com. Legal Disclaimer This document constitutes neither an offer to buy nor an offer to subscribe for securities and neither this document nor any part of it should form the basis of any investment decision in Curetis. The information contained in this press release has been carefully prepared. However, Curetis bears and assumes no liability of whatever kind for the correctness and completeness of the information provided herein. Curetis does not assume an obligation of whatever kind to update or correct information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or for other reasons. This press release includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms believes, estimates, anticipates, expects, intends, targets, may, will, or should and include statements Curetis makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Curetis actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Curetis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Contact details Curetis Contact Details Curetis N.V. Max-Eyth-Str. 42 71088 Holzgerlingen, Germany Tel. +49 7031 49195-10 pr@curetis.com or ir@curetis.com www.curetis.com - www.unyvero.com International Media & Investor Inquiries akampion Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina Buth Managing Partners info@akampion.com Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64 Tel. +49 30 23 63 27 68 Attachment NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science announced today that its new Helix 51 incubator has garnered corporate support from Horizon Therapeutics. The first bioscience incubator in Lake County, Helix 51, which opened in May 2019, and RFU's new Innovation and Research Park, expected to open early this year, represent an investment in affordable, state-of-the-art wet lab space critical for the expansion of the bioscience industry in Illinois. "We are pleased that Horizon Therapeutics, one of Chicago's life science leaders and also one of its fastest-growing companies, is stepping up to support the regional entrepreneurial activities energized by our new Helix 51 incubator," said Dr. Ronald Kaplan, RFU's executive vice president for research. "Horizon's support in the regional bio ecosystem is pivotal. We expect to announce in the near future additional corporate partnerships." "We are committed to growing the Illinois and Lake County life sciences ecosystem and are pleased to support regional biomedical entrepreneurship, which offers an important window into innovation," said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. Dr. Kaplan, who also serves as interim dean of the university's Chicago Medical School, has been a driving force in conceptualizing the planned first phase of the Innovation and Research Park, a 100,000 square-foot building designed to promote collaboration among academic and industry scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the goal of accelerating the development of RFU's nationally recognized research into prevention and treatment of disease. The Helix 51 incubator, named in recognition of the iconic Photo 51 captured by the university's namesake, which sparked the discovery and description of the structure of DNA, currently provides a supportive environment, including meeting, office and wet lab space for four companies working to develop treatments for disease and innovations in healthcare delivery. The incubator will expand into the Innovation and Research Park in the second quarter of 2020 to house a total of 15 early-stage bioscience companies, which will help fuel job creation and training within the bioscience industry. Lake County is home to 33,000 bioscience jobs and 122 companies, according to Lake County Partners, a non-profit economic development group. Helix 51 provides a "soft landing" zone for international bioscience companies looking to establish a foothold in the United States and particularly the Illinois market. Development of the incubator is supported in part by $2.5 million in funding under the federal New Market Tax Credit program aimed at fueling investments that help create jobs and job-training opportunities in low-income communities. Helix 51 and the Innovation and Research Park are also attracting investment and industry collaborations through an array of financial incentives under the Waukegan-North Chicago Enterprise Zone, a state program aimed at stimulating economic growth and community revitalization. About Rosalind Franklin University Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. Founded in Chicago in 1912, RFU embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, the university encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu. About Horizon Therapeutics Horizon is focused on researching, developing and commercializing medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare and rheumatic diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit horizontherapeutics.com, follow us @HorizonNews on Twitter, like us on Facebook or explore career opportunities on LinkedIn. Office of Marketing and Communications [email protected] 847-578-8313 SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Related Links http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu Volunteers distribute food to neighbors who remain outdoors using camping tents and portable lights for fear of possible aftershocks after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck in Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. The quake was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, part of a 10-day series of temblors. Read more Pennsylvania is home to the fourth-largest stateside population of Puerto Ricans, which continues to grow largely because of migration driven by natural disasters in Puerto Rico and expected to increase after the onslaught of recent earthquakes. The states Hispanic community is the fastest-growing segment of the population, accounting for more than 50% of Pennsylvanias population growth in the last two decades. As this trend continues, it becomes even more important for the states leaders to ensure our communities have the tools they need to prosper, while also helping those who come to the state in need. Its no doubt that accessibility to the next generation of wireless 5G will be one of the most critical of these tools as we move into 2020. The coming decade promises even more advancements that will optimize businesses, streamline production and transportation, facilitate educational programs, and improve citizen services. But without reliable access to a network that can support these technologies, thousands of Pennsylvanians and millions of Americans will be left on the wrong side of the digital divide. As the founder and executive director of the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, Ive made supporting innovation and businesses on the mainland United States and Puerto Rico one of my top priorities. So how do we ensure inclusive access to the 5G future? Governor Wolfs Broadband Initiative is one positive step forward. But theres more to be done, and we need a disruptive force to catalyze change. Thats why I support the pending merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, which would accelerate 5G innovation and increase competition in the wireless market. Together, T-Mobile and Sprint are shaped to be that disruptive force. With complementary spectrum portfolios, T-Mobile and Sprint have a combined $40 billion investment in nationwide 5G networks and services. The newly formed New T-Mobile will help to close the digital divide across the country and drive inclusive 5G access, a concern close to the heart of legislators, local leaders, and businesses of all sizes. Puerto Ricans increasingly need access to affordable and reliable high-speed connectivity to manage their businesses and reach customers; its worth noting that 4.4 million Hispanic-owned businesses contribute more than $700 billion to the U.S. economy every year. New T-Mobile will only add to the efforts to provide the connectivity they need. Within three years of the mergers close, for example, the companies have promised to cover 97% of the countrys population and 85% of rural Americans. By 2024, this new network will also have nearly twice the capacity of the combined stand-alone networks and three times the 5G capacity. As New T-Mobile seeks to fill this network capacity with users, it will continue to have an incentive to compete aggressively on price and quality of service against incumbent providers. In fact, T-Mobile has already announced that after the close of the merger, T-Mobile Connects low-cost services will reduce prices substantially. In the spirit of better connecting the under-connected, New T-Mobile has announced other post-merger initiatives to better serve these communities, which will be especially advantageous to many of our established and newly arriving Puerto Rican constituents. After the merger, for example, New T-Mobile will launch Project 10 Million, aiming to end the homework gap by offering free service, hot spots, and low-cost devices to 10 million households and families over five years. The company has also signed one of the largest and most comprehensive memorandums of understanding with leading civil rights organizations, recommitting to investing in the communities it serves. The Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission have approved the merger, while 18 of the 19 required state public utility commissions have also acted favorably. As we are clearly now in the final stages of this merger, our communities are hopeful that the transaction can close quickly so that we can begin to realize many of these massive benefits across Pennsylvania, as well as for all American businesses and consumers. Justin Velez-Hagan is the executive director of the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and is the author of The Common Sense behind Basic Economics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015) and The Paradox of Fiscal Austerity (Lexington, 2019). A statement signed by hundreds of current and former employees says that the reporting in the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer seems to barely scratch the surface of the abuses perpetrated by this man. Helmer, who left the Philadelphia Museum abruptly in 2018 and was later banned from the building, has been ousted as director of the Erie (Pa.) Art Museum in the wake of those reports. The Philadelphia Inquirer Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump share a strong relationship, a glimpse of which was displayed last year in Houston where the two leaders endorsed each other before a massive Indian diaspora. Top sources told IANS that New Delhi and Washington DC are in the process of finalizing dates. "We are working on mutually agreed dates. It is likely to happen soon," an official of the Ministry of External Affairs said. Though, majority of Indians in the US have historically and traditionally been Democrat voters, the 'Howdy Modi' event in Texas, may have struck a new political dynamic. Republicans in the US hope to swing Indian votes in their favour in the next presidential elections. President Trump's visit to India, sources said, will most likely be finalized after his impeachment trial begins in the Senate next week. The trial is an outcome of the initiative of the House of Representatives which voted in favour of impeaching President Trump allegedly for seeking help from Ukraine to influence the 2020 presidential elections. The last US President who visited India was Barack Obama in 2015. New Delhi and Washington DC are expected to sign a trade deal pending since 2018, amid an economic slowdown in India. VANCOUVER, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - An industry leader in player health, BCLC is providing members of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) with the opportunity to license GameSense for free. GameSense is BCLC's player-facing, positive-play program designed to assist players in making informed choices. In order to provide GameSense free-of-charge to NASPL members, BCLC created a unique, out-of-the-box model, which includes GameSense-branded assets and materials for use online and in lottery retail locations. "By collaborating with our industry partners in North America, we are creating a community of lottery jurisdictions with a shared commitment to player health," said Kevin Gass, BCLC's Vice-President of Lottery Gaming. "Working together enables us to share key learnings and improve best practices for players all over the world, including right here in B.C. where our focus remains on providing great gambling and greater good." GameSense can be found in several jurisdictions throughout North America, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and across the suite of gaming facilities operated by MGM Resorts International. Launched in 2009, GameSense aims to improve player trust, awareness and education using research-based guidelines and best practices. GameSense has earned international recognition including the U.S.-based National Council on Problem Gambling's Social Responsibility Award in 2015. To learn more about GameSense, visit GameSense.com About BCLC BCLC is a provincial government Crown corporation offering socially responsible gambling entertainment through more than 3,500 lottery retailers, 35 casino gaming properties, three bingo halls and through its online gaming website, PlayNow.com. Last year, BCLC generated more than $1.4 billion in net income to benefit provincial and community programs, including healthcare, education and charities across British Columbia, Canada. SOURCE BCLC Crypto derivatives exchange FTX has added Paxos' gold-backed futures contracts to its platform. Paxos launched PAX Gold (PAXG) in Sep. 2019 to lure more investors into the digital trading space. According to the companys website, each PAXG token is backed by one troy ounce of gold bars stored in London vaults. Users can trade PAXG against dollars on Paxos exchange, itBit, as The Block previously reported. The new listings on FTX let users trade PAXG as perpetual and quarterly futures contracts, Paxos announced Tuesday in a press release. FTX is managed by cryptocurrency liquidity provider Alameda Research. Data gathered by CoinMarketCap shows that PAXG saw roughly $542,000 in adjusted 24-hour volume, with the vast majority of that figure occurring Bithumb in a PAXG-USDT market. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Alameda Research, not Alabama Research, operates FTX. The mother of a young British model who fell to her death while taking photos on a clifftop in Australia has pleaded with online trolls to stop mocking her daughter. Madalyn Davis, 21, was watching the sunrise at Diamond Bay in the east of Sydney when she fell from the 100ft cliff, a notorious selfie spot. Cruel online trolls wasted no time mocking her for her death after she climbed over a safety fence to get a perfect Instagram photo. Her mother, Rebecca Smith, said Madalyn was a 'wonderful, beautiful person that made a mistake' as she took aim at the 'nasty people' online. Madalyn Davis, 21, was watching the sunrise at Diamond Bay in Sydney's east with seven friends about 6.30am when she fell from the 30m (100ft) cliff Her mother Rebecca Smith (pictured with Madalyn on the left and her sister Anastasia on the right) was forced to defend her from online trolls 'My daughter was not self-obsessed she was a wonderful beautiful person that made a mistake. How can you write such things? She has a little sister and brother who be reading this,' the British model's mother said. She also mocked the trolls for helping 'make her famous' as she condemned the 'nasty people' attacking her daughter. 'Fill your boots you nasty people, you are the ones that [have] to sleep with yourselves at night,' she said. 'Madalyn was loved, she had integrity and decency. If you need to believe otherwise in order to feel better about yourself then that's your pain. I wish you healing to whatever trauma led to you behave this way.' She added: 'She always wanted to be famous so thank you trolls you are making this happen'. Ms Smith shared several pictures of her daughter, calling her 'my little weirdo' and adding 'You were one in a million'. Ms Smith also posted several stories to her own Instagram in tribute to her daughter Other posts mocked the trolls for helping 'make her famous' 'My daughter was not self obsessed she was a wonderful beautiful person that made a mistake,' she wrote 'Is anyone going to post the selfie that she died to take? I hope it was at least worth it,' one of the trolls wrote. Another wrote: 'I'm just wondering, did they ever recover the selfie picture?' A third wrote: 'Fences and signs are posted for a reason. Your perfect Instagram photo cost you your life. Hopefully others will learn from this.' 'Wanted a photo for Instagram got a Darwin award instead.' The cliffs are a notorious selfie spot where another tourist died in similar circumstances in August after climbing over a safety fence. Friends also angrily shut down the trolls who attacked the young woman, saying they should respect her grieving family. 'What happened to Maddy was a mistake and no one should be blamed especially not her,' her friend Meg Feather wrote. 'Imagine how you would feel if you lost your daughter or your best friend or your sister and everyone was saying it was her own fault, please. Just think twice.' Madalyn Davis, 21, (pictured) was posing for a photograph on the edge of the cliff in Australia when she fell to her death Ms Davis and her friends ignoring the barrier prompted hundreds of cruel comments on her social media after her death was announced Ms Feather also lashed out in a video on her Instagram at the trolls who she said had kept her crying for hours. 'Do you know what that will do to her family and her mum and her friends, i literally can't believe it,' she said. 'People who don't even know her are commenting saying that she deserved it. They know all her family and friends have to read it. 'Everyone would want to take a picture of that sunrise, it was just an accident.' The young tourist arrived in Australia late last year from Lincoln, England, and was planning on starting a new life there. In her last picture - taken two days before she died - the model can be seen smiling and surrounded by friends in a bar on Bondi Beach. In the last picture - taken two days before she died - the model (front left) can be seen smiling and surrounded by friends in a bar on Bondi Beach 'Fences and signs are posted for a reason. Your perfect Instagram photo cost you your life. Hopefully others will learn from this,' one wrote Trolls returned fire with more insults leveled at Md Davis' friends who tried to defend her Close family friend Lydia Woodward said: 'Maddy had been at a party and then they all went to this cliff to take pictures. 'It appears that Maddy was sitting on the cliff edge to have her picture taken when she fell. It's such a tragedy.' Ms Davis was having 'the time of her life' in Australia in the lead up to the fatal accident. Mrs Woodward told MailOnline: 'Maddy was having the time of her life. She wanted to see everything and do everything and was having a good time. 'She was the life and soul of the party. And she was doing her best to have a good time.' Maddy's family are distraught by news of her death, Mrs Woodward, a close friend of the 21-year-old's mother Rebecca 'Becky' Smith revealed. She said: 'They (Maddy's parents) are beside themselves. One moment they are laughing when they remember funny things about Maddy, the next moment they are in floods of tears. They are all over the place. 'They are still talking about who will go to Australia to identify the body. It's very early stages. It has only been 24 hours since she died.' The young tourist was at a party in Vaucluse on Saturday night and went to the nearby 30-metre (100ft) Diamond Bay cliffs with seven friends about 6.30am. Madalyn Davis was at a party in Vaucluse on Saturday night and went to the nearby 100ft Diamond Bay cliffs with seven friends about 6.30am Madalyn Davis, 21, (pictured in Bondi days before her death) fell to her death from a cliff at a popular selfie spot in Sydney They are believed to have climbed over a fence to sit on the edge of the cliff to watch the sunrise and take photographs before she fell. Ms Davis was mourned in dozens of tributes by shattered friends online, remembered as a 'free spirit' who was 'beautiful inside and out'. Her mother Rebecca Smith desperately tried to get hold of her on Sunday afternoon and begged friends to help track her down. 'Anyone seen Maddie? Not been able to get hold of her please get in touch if you were out with her last night,' she posted online. However, by Monday morning her family confirmed Ms Davis had died and thanked her friends for their kind words. 'Thank you for all your beautiful condolences for Madalyn Davis and her family - it is an absolute tragedy to which nothing has been confirmed,' another family member wrote. Ms Davis was mourned in dozens of tributes by shattered friends online, remembered as a 'free spirit' who was 'beautiful inside and out CCTV from early on Sunday morning showed a person looking over the edge of the cliffs Heartbroken friends in Britain and Australia posted tributes to Ms Davis on social media on Monday morning as new of her death spread. 'I really don't know how to process this Maddie, last time we saw each other was three years ago and now you are gone,' one wrote. 'I will never ever forget the times we shared together the giggle fits we had in town. I will forever miss you, angel.' Another friend wrote: 'You were an incredibly beautiful model and talented artist giving so much colour to the world. 'You were so fun to be with that so many people have so many great stories and memories they tell about you, you will be so very sorely missed. 'I hope all the koalas and kangaroos are looking after you.' A third added: 'It was a pleasure knowing you Maddie, you were beautiful inside as well as outside.' Ms Davis on December 14 told her friends she was having the 'best time' travelling and had no plans to return to Britain, in a post next to this photo of her at Thailand's Full Moon party Heartbroken friends in Britain and Australia posted tributes to Ms Davis on social media on Monday morning as new of her death spread A friend in Newcastle, NSW, said he was planning a trip to Sydney to visit Ms Davis and her friends, but now it was too late. 'I'm utterly destroyed... I would never have thought it would happen. She has such a gorgeous soul,' he wrote. Ms Davis on December 14 told her friends she was having the 'best time' travelling and had no plans to return to Britain. 'Can't believe I've been travelling for a whole month now!' she wrote next to a photo of her at the Full Moon Party in Thailand in November. 'Not looked back at my old life once (miss my job though) and I am super excited for my future abroad,' she wrote. Ms Davis was supporting her stay in Australia by styling eyelashes for $50 a set, and occasional modelling work. NSW Police said emergency services were called to Diamond Bay Reserve after reports a woman had fallen off a cliff. 'Emergency services were alerted after a group of people taking photos inside the fence early this morning regathered and could not find the woman,' it said. They commenced an air and water search and retrieved her body about 10.30am on Saturday. Police commenced an air and water search and retrieved her body about 10.30am on Saturday In August last year, a 27-year-old woman fell to her death while posing for photos on the cliff face. A witness told The Daily Telegraph at the time vigilant bystanders tried to resuscitate the woman while others helped her distressed friend, who had taken the photo. 'The friend needed a couple of men to help her all the way up (the path),' they said. Diamond Bay is a popular location for selfies, with numerous photos tagged #diamondbay on Instagram snapped from the cliff edge. The Waverley Council said last year it would crack down on visitors risking their lives at Diamond Bay for the perfect picture. Mayor Paula Masselos told The Daily Telegraph council was devastated to learn about the latest death. Further talks will begin on Monday on how to keep people away from the spot. Diamond Bay is a popular location for selfies, with numerous photos tagged #diamondbay on Instagram snapped from the cliff edge 'I've already asked the general manager and we're having a meeting tomorrow to discuss it. It depends in part on what the police investigation reveals,' Ms Masselos said. Security was increased around the lookout in August following the 27-year-old's death. 'Extra patrols, more signs, the fencing we increased as well when the rangers tell people not to go over boundary fences they don't listen, they go further down and go over boundary fences further down,' Ms Masselos said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Waverley Council for additional comment. Fairfield University Art Museum is hosting Archives of Consciousness: 6 Cuban Artists, featuring recent works by noted artists of Cubas post-Soviet era. The exhibit, running Friday, Jan. 24, through Friday, May 15, invites viewers to witness the struggles and experiences of life in Cubas revolutionary society, according to a news release. At a time when the United States has withdrawn from the unprecedented opening in US-Cuba diplomatic relations achieved under President Obama (2014-2016), this exhibit speaks to the myriad ways in which systems of power exert control over human efforts to create greater equality and mutual understanding. Through images that regularly converge and, at times, conflict, six participating artists question the boundaries of liberation achieved so far, not only in Cuba, but in every modern society, including our own. Their works interrogate how gendered, racial, sexual, religious, commercial, technological and even entrepreneurial mythologies inhabit our identities and influence our destinies. Featured in the Fairfield University Art Museums exhibition are pieces by Roberto Diago, Manuel Mendive, Eduardo Roca (Choco), Abel Barroso, Mabel Poblet and Luis Enrique Camejo. Representing different generations of artists raised in the culture and evolving process of the Cuban Revolution, their works strike a dialogue across decades of memory and the increasingly paradoxical formula of liberation through authoritarian, one-party rule that has defined Cuba since 1959. With subtle precision, humor, drama, wit, and spectacle, these artists document the complex feelings and angles from which citizens experienced the Cuban governments shift from an intransigent commitment to Communist culture and a socialist economy to the now thirty-year-long period of state-directed capitalism and continuing Castro family rule (1992-2019). In conjunction with the exhibition, and with the assistance of faculty liaison, Michelle Farrell, the Fairfield University Art Museum has organized a full roster of public programs: Thursday, January 23, 5 p.m.: Opening Night Lecture: Archives of Consciousness: 6 Cuban Artists, Lillian Guerra, Curator of the Exhibition, Professor, Department of History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Quick Center, Wien Experimental Theatre. Thursday, January 23, 6-7:30 p.m.: Opening Reception: Archives of Consciousness: 6 Cuban Artists (artist Mabel Poblet will be in attendance), with music by Ariacne Trujillo Durand, at Quick Center, Lobby and Walsh Gallery. Friday, February 7, 1-4 p.m.: Panel: Cuba Today: Internet access, El Paquete, and the New Filmmakers 1-2:15 p.m. Organized and facilitated by Michelle Farrell, Associate Professor, Fairfield University, with Javier Labrador Deulofeu, Cuban filmmaker; Yaima Pardo, Cuban Filmmaker and Internet Activist and Julia Weist, artist. Coffee break: 2:15-2:45 p.m. Film Screening - Selection of Cuban Short Films 2:45-4 p.m., followed by a Roundtable Conversation at DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Multimedia Room Thursday, February 13, 5 p.m.: Film Screening: Wheel of Life (Patchwork Films, 2015, running time 15 minutes), followed by Dance Class: Learn the Casino (The Cuban dance that launched the salsa) with instructor Victoria Harel. Organized by Michelle Farrell, Quick Center, Wien Experimental Theatre. Wednesday, February 26, 5 p.m.: Lecture: The Art of Manuel Mendive, Barbaro Martinez-Ruiz, Associate Professor, Department of Art History, Indiana University, Quick Center, Wien Experimental Theatre. Thursday, April 2, 5 p.m.: Lecture: The Art of Black Mobilization: Afro-Latin American Artists, History and Racial Justice. Alejandro de la Fuente, Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics, Professor of African and African American Studies, Harvard University, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Multimedia Room. Thursday, April 9, 11 a.m.: Art in Focus: Manuel Mendive Hoyo, Elegua Feeds Me (Elegua me alimenta), 1996, at Quick Center, Walsh Gallery. Thursday, April 23, 5 p.m.: Gallery Talk: Collecting Cuban Art, with Steve Certilman, at Quick Center, Walsh Gallery. Tuesday, April 28, 7-9 p.m.: Drawing Party: Archives of Consciousness: 6 Cuban Artists, at Quick Center, Walsh Gallery. J ustin Trudeau has said there are "many discussions" yet to be had about the details of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs move to Canada. The country's prime minister said his government is "supportive" of Harry and Meghan's move but that the cost still needs to be discussed. Mr Trudeau's remarks came after it emerged he had privately assured the Queen that Harry, Meghan and Archie would be kept safe if they chose to live there. Speaking to Global News about the move, he said: "I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have." Trudeau said he would be supportive of the couple's decisions / AFP via Getty Images Mr Trudeau said there were still "a lot of decisions" to be had by the royal family and the duke and duchess regarding the "level of engagement they choose to have". "We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well," he said. "We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be." The Sussex's security detail bill is estimated to cost around 1 million annually, and there have been fears there would be a backlash from Canadians. On Monday, Prince Harry attended a summit with the Queen, his father Prince Charles and brother William on Monday at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk to discuss his and Meghan's future roles. The Queen announced afterwards that she had agreed to a transition period "in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK". The "historic" crisis talks are believed to be the first time the senior royals had met since Meghan and Harry's bombshell announcement that they were stepping down from their roles as senior royals. The couple went public with their plans against the advice of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the fallout has since engulfed the Windsor family, it was reported. In an unprecedented statement released on Wednesday, the Queen was described as being "hurt" by the news. However, the Queen described their crisis talks as "very constructive" and said the royal family are "entirely supportive" of the couple's plan for a new life as a young family. The Queen said: Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. Meghan has flown back to Canada to be with their son Archie and is believed to have joined in on the discussion via conference call. Mr Trudeau's comments on Monday echoed those of Canada's finance minister Bill Morneau, who said the government "had not spent any time" thinking about the couple's security costs. In an interview filmed by CBC, Mr Morneau said: "We obviously are always looking to make sure that as a member of the Commonwealth that we play a role. NEW DELHI - Indian and American officials are discussing a potential visit by President Donald Trump to New Delhi as early as next month, two people with knowledge of the talks said. They emphasized that the talks were preliminary and subject to change, particularly in light of the impeachment process in the United States. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. If finalized, the visit would be Trump's first to India as president. The United States has sought to cultivate India as a partner and potential counterweight to China, and Trump has spoken of his "great admiration" for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In September, the two men appeared together, clasping hands and smiling, at a rally Modi held for Indian Americans in Houston. Over the past month, Modi has faced the most significant show of opposition to his government since he came to power in 2014, with protests sweeping the country over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims. Trump administration officials have struck a cautious tone since the law was passed. The United States cares "deeply and always will about protecting minorities," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month in response to a question on the citizenship measure. India is having "robust debate" on the issue, he said. News of the potential visit by Trump to India was first reported by the Hindustan Times and the Hindu, two Indian newspapers. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi declined to comment and referred questions to the White House. In response to inquiries Tuesday morning, the White House also declined to comment. The "two sides are in touch" and "trying to work out a mutually convenient date," said one Indian official. Another said the visit could take place in February or March. India and the United States have deepened their military and security cooperation in recent years, but trade tensions have shadowed the relationship between the world's two largest democracies. Last year, Trump withdrew a preferential trade status for certain Indian goods in a sign of U.S. displeasure, and India retaliated with tariff hikes of its own. Since then, the two countries have engaged in talks to bridge their trade differences but have yet to resolve them. While Trump frequently criticizes India's trade policies, he has hailed his personal rapport with Modi. Like Trump, Modi is a right-leaning nationalist politician who inspires both adulation and opposition. After Trump appeared with Modi before cheering crowds at a stadium in Houston, Trump likened the Indian leader to rock star Elvis Presley. The last American president to visit India was Barack Obama. He traveled to New Delhi twice during his time in office, first in 2010 and again in 2015, when he participated in India's annual Republic Day festivities. - - - The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey in Washington contributed to this report. Candidates seeking election to 33rd Dail must submit their nomination by next Wednesday, January at 12 noon. Saturday, February 8, 2020 is polling day and general election polling stations will be open to voters from 7am to 10pm. Pursuant to the advice of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, under Article 13.2 of the Constitution, the President has dissolved Dail Eireann and the 33rd Dail will meet for the first time on Thursday, February, 20 at 12 noon. To stand for election, a candidate must be a citizen of Ireland and at least 21 years of age by polling day. A person may nominate himself or herself as a candidate or, with his or her consent, may be nominated by a person who is registered as an elector in the constituency concerned. A candidate not in possession of a certificate of political affiliation (confirmation that a person is a candidate of a political party registered in the register of political parties) must have their nomination completed using either of the following options: by way of assents requiring the completion of statutory declarations by 30 assentors (registered electors) in the relevant Dail constituency, or by way of the candidate, or someone on his or her behalf, lodging a deposit of 500 with the returning officer. The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on Wednesday, January 22. Candidates may withdraw their nominations up to 12 noon on Thursday, January 23. Every person who is an Irish or British citizen and is included in the register of electors is entitled to vote at the General Election; over 3.3 million are entitled to vote at Dail elections. A person eligible to vote but not yet registered as an elector still has time to apply for entry in the supplement to the register to be published before polling day and so be able to vote on Saturday, February 8. To be eligible, a person must be 18 years of age or over on or before polling day and be ordinarily resident in the constituency. For inclusion in the supplement to the register, a person completes the relevant application form (RFA2), which can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or can be obtained from city, county, and city and county councils. Application forms will need to be received by the registration authority for the area in which the applicant is resident not later than Wednesday, January 22. For those seeking inclusion in the supplement to the postal and special voters lists, the relevant application forms will need to be received by the registration authority not later than Thursday, January 16. Voting, to elect 159 members (excluding the Ceann Comhairle) to the 33rd Dail, will take place in the 39 constituencies specified in the Electoral (Amendment) (Dail Constituencies) Act 2017. Further information in relation to electoral matters is available HERE Also read: An Taoiseach confirms date of 2020 general election Reuters A meteorite that crashed into rural southeastern Australia in a fireball in 1969 contained the oldest material ever found on Earth, stardust that predated the formation of our solar system by billions of years, scientists said on Monday. The oldest of 40 tiny dust grains trapped inside the meteorite fragments retrieved around the town of Murchison in Victoria state dated from about seven billion years ago, about 2.5 billion years before the sun, Earth and rest of our solar system formed, the researchers said. In fact, all of the dust specks analyzed in the research came from before the solar system's formation thus known as "presolar grains" with 60 percent of them between 4.6 and 4.9 billion years old and the oldest 10 percent dating to more than 5.6 billion years ago. The stardust represented time capsules dating to before the solar system. The age distribution of the dust many of the grains were concentrated at particular time intervals provided clues about the rate of star formation in the Milky Way galaxy, the researchers said, hinting at bursts of stellar births rather than a constant rate. "I find this extremely exciting," said Philipp Heck, an associate curator at the Field Museum in Chicago who led the research published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Despite having worked on the Murchison meteorite and presolar grains for almost 20 years, I still am fascinated that we can study the history of our galaxy with a rock," Heck added. The grains are small, measuring from two to 30 micrometres in size. A micrometre is a one-thousandth of a millimetre or about 0.000039 of an inch. Stardust forms in the material ejected from stars and carried by stellar winds, getting blown into interstellar space. During the solar system's birth, this dust was incorporated into everything that formed including the planets and the sun but survived intact until now only in asteroids and comets. The researchers detected the tiny grains inside the meteorite by crushing fragments of the rock and then segregating the component parts in a paste they described as smelling like rotten peanut butter. Scientists have developed a method to determine stardust's age. Dust grains floating through space get bombarded by high-energy particles called cosmic rays. These rays break down atoms in the grain into fragments, such as carbon into helium. These fragments accumulate over time and their production rate is rather constant. The longer the exposure time to cosmic rays, the more fragments accumulate. The researchers counted these fragments in the laboratory, enabling them to calculate the stardust's age. Scientists previously had found a presolar grain in the Murchison meteorite that was about 5.5 billion years old, until now the oldest-known solid material on Earth. The oldest-known minerals that formed on Earth are found in rock from Australia's Jack Hills that formed 4.4 billion years ago, 100 million years after the planet formed. World leaders who participated in the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision with respect to a range of global issues. Raisina Dialogue 2020 is India's annual global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics. The conference kicked off on Tuesday in Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Addressing the inaugural session, former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he would like to see India as a 'strong component' of the global alliance of democracies and appreciates Prime Minister Modi's leadership in that respect. "I would like to see India as a strong component of the global alliance of democracies. I appreciate very much the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in that respect. I hope we could engage India much more internationally in the coming years," Rasmussen said. Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who majorly spoke about liberal democracies in coping with political protests in their own countries heaped praises over PM Modi for making India 'self-defined'. He further stated that Harper India would not become a "bastion of western liberals" and under the current government, its identity is "coming back in a big way". "I am not just talking about the energetic domestic reforms, but very much a country that is self-defined and aspires to be a global cooperative partner, but at the same time will be very much Indian. India is not going to be a bastion of western liberalism," he added. Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo highlighted the role of world leaders particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted it to be instrumental in "reversing the current trend" amid the difficult times. READ: EAM Jaishankar highlights key focus of Indian Foreign Policy at Raisina Dialogue 2020 READ: Raisina Dialogue to begin on Tuesday, PM Modi to attend inaugural session About Raisina Dialogue The flagship conference organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) together has been India's contribution to global efforts to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability to a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades. The three-day conclave is set to assemble 700 international participants, of which 40 per cent of the speakers will be women, that emphasizes India's commitment to gender equality. 12 foreign ministers, including participants of Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan, and the European Union, the National Security Adviser (NSA) of Afghanistan, the Deputy NSA of the United States and several other foreign ministers will also put forth their ideas. READ: 13 foreign ministers to take part in Raisina Dialogue 2020 READ: Australian PM Scott Morrison to visit India for the Raisina Dialogue (with inputs from ANI) (image credits: ANI) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been warned it will take at least 5bn to get Northern Ireland up and running again after three years without a government. The eye-watering figure comes from a leading economist who has said a massive cash injection is needed to improve our infrastructure and tackle key issues such as the health crisis. Dr Esmond Birnie said a one-off investment of 4.5bn is required for capital projects such as the York Street interchange, tackling waiting lists and solving the nursing pay dispute, followed by 500m in annual payments. Read More He was speaking after the Prime Minister's whistle-stop visit on Monday. It was expected that Boris Johnson would announce that Stormont was to receive 2bn after the DUP and Sinn Fein signed up to the New Decade, New Approach deal at the weekend. Read More But after yesterday's meeting with First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Secretary of State Julian Smith at Stormont Castle, Mr Johnson would not be drawn on how much the UK Government would fund Northern Ireland as part of the agreement. However, Stormont's new Finance Minister, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, said figures given privately fall "way short" of what was needed. "We have to analyse the verbal figures that were given tonight by the Secretary of State, but my initial read of them is they fall way short," he said. "I wouldn't intend to accept that. The British Government made commitments here, as part of all the rest of us. They can't come today and congratulate us for living up to our commitments and then not live up to their own." Dr Birnie, a senior economist at Ulster University, estimates it will cost 350m to clear the health waiting lists, 750m to implement the Bengoa structural reforms to health, and 1,200m to fix the roads. While the Prime Minister refused to reveal how much money had been agreed, Dr Birnie said he expects Mr Smith to provide more clarity in due course. Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, Dr Birnie said: "For sure, as we wait to read the finer detail, any large scale extra money will come at the price of accountability and control - this is probably inevitable and a good thing too." DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots had suggested on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show yesterday morning that separate water charges could be implemented in order to fund some of the commitments made in the deal. He added that Mr Smith was reluctant to say how much extra money would be supplied by the Treasury. "He said he didn't want to make any promise of a figure and I said: 'Well all you have to say is billions, and that would be of course at least two billion," said Mr Poots. "That may well come with strings attached, so for example, and I don't know this, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do press us to raise rates at a higher level, that we have to do something in terms of water rates. "Those could be pressures applied by the Treasury, and we will have to wait and see if that is the case." Currently, water charges are included in domestic rates set by councils. Mr Poots said water infrastructure was running at a 1.5bn deficit and he would not be surprised if the UK Government requests more money to be raised at a local level to reduce it. However, Mrs O'Neill was quick to rule out the possibility of new water charges, while Mrs Foster added: "I don't think water charges will be on the table. It's something that has no support in the Executive." The DUP leader also said she will hold the PM to his word on providing adequate finances. Mrs Foster said it was up to Mr Johnson to "step up to the plate" and deliver financially. "I very much want to hold him to his word and make sure that we do have enough finances to deal with the resource pressures, particularly around public sector pay and other matters," she added. "But we also have a great deal of investment to put in in relation to infrastructure, and it's important that we do that as well. "Some of the figures may sound big, but some of it is over a period of years, so those are the issues we finally need to settle with the Secretary of State, and that's what we are going to do. "[Boris Johnson] must deliver. Because we have stepped up to the plate in relation to the political agreement. "He put forward an agreement, he asked us to sign up to it - we all signed up to it to come into a multi-party Executive - so therefore it is incumbent on the Prime Minister to step up to the plate in terms of finances." In their first joint statement since taking office, Mrs Foster and Mrs O'Neill said funding to make the commitment in the deal a reality must be "quick". Mrs O'Neill added: "All Executive ministers are committed to working together to tackle some very serious issues in our society and across public services. But, quite simply, we need the money to make it happen. We have done our bit and I look forward to the fulfilment of the commitments made by the two Governments to let us get to work." Chinas banking watchdog may give some large lenders even more time to comply with sweeping new regulations for the asset management sector after they complained of difficulties meeting the end-2020 deadline set almost two years ago. Speculation that the target date would be extended for a second time has increased over the past few months and was further fueled in December after analysts at Zhongtai Securities, a Shandong province-based brokerage that offers asset and wealth management services, sent a message to clients that the deadline for compliance would be extended for three years to the end of 2023. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) has not made any announcement but a senior official at the watchdog gave the strongest hint yet that a change may come during a briefing on Monday when he was asked about an extension. Some banks have relatively large stocks of asset management products, Xiao Yuanqi, the chief risk officer with the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) said at a press conference on Monday to discuss the watchdogs priorities for 2020. Individual institutions with large stocks [of AMP] have faced difficulties rectifying all the problems during the grace period, but weve required them to make rectification plans including medium- and long-term plans. In principle, they have to meet the requirements by the end of the period. We will study arrangements to ensure that asset management products, especially bank wealth management products, are regulated in a smooth and orderly way in the future. At the same time, we will offer flexible measures and arrangements for some banks where appropriate, Xiao said, without elaborating. Potential instability A draft of new rules aimed at unifying oversight of the $16 trillion asset management industry was unveiled in November 2017 aimed at reining in off-balance-sheet shadow banking activities that were increasingly seen as a risk to financial stability. Wealth management products (WMP), sold exclusively by banks, were a particular target and lenders were told to bring their WMP assets and liabilities back onto their balance sheets and ensure they met new requirements on leverage ratios, risk reserve funds and investment restrictions. To bring banks WMP business out of the shadows and make them more transparent, lenders were also allowed to set up special wealth management subsidiaries which could sell their own products. Previously, banks were only allowed to sell WMP through tie-ups with partners, usually other fund managers. But banks warned that because of the huge amount of work involved in restructuring their WMP and the potential for instability caused by forced sales of assets backing the products, they couldnt meet the June 2019 deadline set in the draft. A key problem for banks was disposing of non-standard debt assets off-balance-sheet and illiquid long-term assets including loans to real estate developers and local government financing vehicles, which were stipulated as being off-limits under the new regulatory framework. In April 2018, when the final asset management regulations were published, the deadline was pushed back to the end of 2020, giving institutions an 18-month transitional period to adjust their operations. However, large banks complained that in reality it was not easy to move those off-balance-sheet assets back onto their balance sheets. Xiaos comments about the need for flexibility suggest that the regulator is likely to approach the issue on a case by case basis rather than use a one-size-fits all policy and Caixin has already reported that watchdogs have considered (link in Chinese) imposing different requirements on large banks. Analysts with Huatai Securities have said they expect banks to gain exemptions on some of their off-balance-sheet assets, especially those that lenders have complained are difficult to move back onto their balance sheets in a relatively short period of time. However, some analysts have warned that without uniform rules for everyone through a one-size-fits-all policy, some banks could gain a competitive advantage from favorable treatment by the regulator. This could create opportunities for arbitrage and unfair competition, with new asset management products from companies that have complied with the regulations suffering from a disadvantage because they are likely to offer lower returns, they said. Timmy Shen contributed to the report. This story has been corrected to reflect that the draft of new rules for the asset management industry was unveiled in November 2017, and that it set a June 2019 deadline. Contact reporter Tang Ziyi (ziyitang@caixin.com) Caixin Global has launched Caixin CEIC Mobile, the mobile-only version of its world-class macroeconomic data platform. If youre using the Caixin app, please click here. If you havent downloaded the app, please click here. CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo told CNBC Monday that the health retailer is on track to meet its goal of rehabbing more than one thousand of its stores and said the chain is seeing positive early results. CVS launched three of its HealthHUB concept stores in the Houston, Texas region near the end of 2018 and expanded the program to 50 locations in four markets by the end of 2019, he said. Hundreds more are scheduled to be overhauled by the end of 2020. "We're really excited about what we're seeing from the consumers. The acceptance, the interest that is growing with our clients," Merlo said in a sit-down interview with Jim Cramer on "Mad Money." "We've made a commitment to have about 600 hubs by the end of this year. That's 12 [updated stores] a week with a trajectory of 1,500 hubs by the end of 2021." CVS has more than 9,900 locations situated in 49 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, North Carolina and Ohio are among the next markets that CVS is targeting for its HealthHUB expansion this year. With its HealthHUBs, CVS wants to offer more health services and products to customers, which is tailored around the company's $70 billion acquisition of Aetna. Florida, Maryland and Virginia are also on the list to carry the new concept in the first half of 2020. Merlo said the idea is to make CVS a "health-care destination." CVS is redesigning about 20% of the real estate in its front stores to carry more health-related services, including walk-in clinics, care concierges and other pharmaceutical missions. The renovations coincide with rival Walgreens' plans to rehabilitate its stores in an attempt to drive more foot traffic. While Merlo welcomes the early results that he has seen in the stores, he said it is too early to say how effective they will be due to a small sample. "We're seeing increased traffic in the stores, we're seeing higher front-store margins and we are seeing terrific utilization of the health-related services," he said. "So we're really pleased with what we're seeing." CVS shares posted a 13% gain in 2019. The stock is down about 2% thus far in 2020, closing Monday's session at $72.76 per share. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Thirteen months ago, a Clifton man chucked bags of cocaine over a balcony at a Stapleton housing project in a bid to avoid being busted with them, police said. That gambit didnt work. So now, Angel Sanchez will spend a year behind bars after being sentenced Monday under a plea agreement. Sanchez, 30, was arrested shortly after the events unfolded at 10:18 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2018, said police. A criminal complaint said the defendant was seen holding 10 small bags of cocaine, which he then tossed over a balcony at 197 Gordon St. The building is part of the Stapleton Houses. Cops recovered the drugs from the ground outside the balcony, said the complaint. Sanchez, who lives on the 100 block of Park Hill Avenue, was indicted on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass. One of the drug charges accused Sanchez of possessing cocaine with the intent to sell. In September, the defendant pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to attempted third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance to resolve the case. A bearded man garbed in a gray hoodie and dark pants, Sanchez thanked Justice Mario F. Mattei on Monday for previously adjourning the sentencing to allow him to take care of some family matters. I hope this is the last time I see you under these circumstances, said the judge. Prior to the proceeding, Sanchez and several family members hugged each other and tearfully bade good-bye both outside and inside the courtroom. Later, several called out, Love you, as court officers escorted the defendant to a holding cell at the end of the hearing. Love you, too, he called back. My client was initially indicted for a (Class) B felony and was looking at spending up to 12 years in state prison, said defense lawyer Mario F. Gallucci outside court. I was able to demonstrate to the district attorney certain deficiencies in the proof, which led to the one-year resolution, which my client accepted. Gallucci did not elaborate on the deficiencies. Good morning, Bay Area. Its Tuesday, Jan. 14, and one of the fixtures of Powell Street has retired. Heres what you need to know to start your day. California should pass a constitutional amendment that requires all cities and counties to provide enough housing or shelter to put every homeless person under a roof, a task force appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday in its long-awaited report. The hurdle for passing such an amendment is daunting. But Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, co-chair of the 13-member task force, told The Chronicle they concluded that leaving the problem to the whims of local governments hasnt worked. No more of this being an option, he said. Its past time to do what is fair, compassionate and necessary to save lives. In San Francisco: Underused homeless shelter in school gym sees spike in families sleeping there after city opens it to families across the city. Not even counting plane emissions Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle As Silicon Valley booms, demand for air travel into and out of San Jose is surging. So San Joses City Council is considering an airport expansion plan that would add six new gates and up to 11,000 more parking spots and rearrange taxiways to make them more efficient. Its a huge undertaking. And it directly conflicts with another goal of the city and state: slashing climate pollution, reporter Mallory Moench writes. More Supremes? "Andrew Harnik / AP Photo ; Joe Raedle/Getty Images ; AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ; Tamir Kalifa / T Even if Democrats sweep the November elections, their hopes of rewriting the laws and policies of the Trump administration would face a significant obstacle a Supreme Court with a conservative majority that is likely to stay in place for another decade or more. So some Democratic presidential candidates are proposing to expand the court, for the first time in 150 years, or to broaden the rules for selecting its members. Legal reporter Bob Egelko looks at the candidates proposals for the nations highest court. The Beefeater of Powell Street Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Forty-three years of humping luggage in a bright-red topcoat and breeches ended with a $5 tip pressed into the hand of the doorman at San Franciscos Sir Francis Drake Hotel. You are my last customer, Tom Sweeney said, snapping his fingers. Oh, yeah. Sweeney first put on the Beefeater suit in 1976 originally as a temporary gig. But in short order, his gift for shaking hands, remembering names and joking with passing cable car riders had made him a crucial asset to the citys hospitality industry. Now San Franciscos most famous doorman has carried a bag for the last time. Sam Whiting was there on the occasion of his retirement. Wet Wednesday Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Weather officials expect a storm from the Pacific Northwest to wallop the Bay Area with widespread rain and whipping winds Wednesday, while dumping up to 2 feet of snow in some Northern California communities. But fortunately flooding should not be a major concern. Its all beneficial, said Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. This is not an atmospheric river. We are not forecasting any catastrophic flooding or anything to that effect. Around the bay Kincade losses: Sonoma County is preparing to take legal action against PG&E as it weighs a regional economic blow of some $725 million from last years Kincade Fire and a string of forced power outages. Six on stage: A Democratic presidential campaign field once touted as the most diverse in history has been whittled to six candidates on Januarys debate stage, all of them white. For Oakland Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, thats a sign of a systemic problem. More: Sanders, Biden and Warren top new California poll. Overconfidence? Kyle Shanahans message to the 49ers: Dont be that stupid Shakeup: S.F. District Attorney Chesa Boudin hires new attorneys after Friday Night Massacre. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Secretary of State in Bay Area: Mike Pompeo touts tough stance on Iran as Trump points to Soleimanis horrible past. Fur federation lawsuit: San Franciscos ban on fur sales just took effect. Now the industry is suing. Highly flammable: California, 15 other states question safety of shipping liquefied natural gas by rail. Diablo Canyon: PG&E nuclear plant closure would cause electric bills to rise. Datebook Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle It is intended to beckon, Susan Dackerman says, standing at the entry plaza in a small crowd, to say, Yo students, yo Stanford, yo Palo Alto, yo San Francisco, yo Bay Area, come see what were doing at the Cantor. The giant bright yellow Y and O YO or OY, depending on your perspective is one of Dackermans first commissions as director of the Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford, and shes hoping it will make the imposing but free museum more welcoming. More from Datebook: SF Sketchfest 2020: Guide to navigating a comedy labyrinth. Pearl Jam announces first Bay Area shows since 2014. Oscar nominations: In race between Irishman and Hollywood, both might lose. Sex, Explained could be the most necessary show on Netflix. An open letter to my wife, who hates Rush (RIP Neil Peart edition) Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com. Iran will issue a "preliminary report" on the Ukrainian airliner crash on Saturday, Fars news agency close to Revolutionary Guards reported on Friday. Quoting "an informed source" Fars said during the announcement of the preliminary results "foreign representatives" will also be present, but did not specify their nationalities. Iran has come under criticism for not quickly involving all interested parties in the investigation of a Boeing 737-800 that crashed on the morning of January 8, hours after Iran carried out a missile attack on U.S. bases in Iraq. Officials of the United States, Canada and Britain have said that it is "highly likely" that the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile, perhaps by error in the aftermath of the missile attack on the Iraqi military bases hosting American troops. Ukrainian officials on Friday indicated that they are focusing on a missile attack or act of terrorism as possible causes of the plane crash that occurred within hours from Iran's missile attack on two military bases in Iraq but have pointed out that Iran is cooperating with the investigation. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister had earlier said that Ukrainian investigators who are in Iran now had been given access to pieces of the crashed airliner and specialists were analyzing the videos that allegedly show an object or objects approaching an aircraft and an aircraft burning before crashing to the ground. So far the investigation team had found no evidence of a terror attack in the fragments that have remained from the plane, Vadym Prystaiko said. The Ukrainian foreign minister pointed out that the issue of where the black boxes of the Boeing 737 would be analyzed was still being discussed with the Iranian authorities but indicated that Ukraine prefers this to take place in Kiev. Prystaiko said Ukraine will demand punishment of those responsible and compensation from Iran if it is proved that the plane had been shot down. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office said on January 10 that it was too early on in the investigation to reveal specific details. Iranian authorities on Friday stressed that Iran has the capability of downloading the data from the black boxes of the plane but if damage makes it hard they will seek help. They also insisted that speculations about a missile attack on the plane were baseless. "One thing is for certain, this airplane was not hit by a missile,"Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) said. Iranian officials have also called on Canada to share any intelligence or evidence suggesting the missile theory. Based on reporting by Reuters, DPA, and AFP Rarely has a headline writers coinage proved as bankable as "Megxit". The parallels between the two news events are unending: a seemingly snap decision that anyone looking hard enough should have spotted a mile off; outrage from the corners of society that precipitated the crisis; an outpouring of anger that, for some, smacks heavily of racism and xenophobia. The only difference between the UKs withdrawal from the EU and the Sussexes decision "step back" from royalty is that Harry and Meghan, at least, seem to know what they are doing. On Monday, crisis talks between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of senior royalty concluded with a statement from the commander-in-chief. In a few dozen words, the Queen triggered her Brexit-bruised subjects with talk of a period of transition during which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK and the nation shuddered as one. For someone who reportedly considers pregnant too vulgar a term for polite company, the monarch did not mince her words. We would, stated the Queen, have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family. Despite affecting grandmotherly familiarity by referring not to the Duke and Duchess but to Harry and Meghan, the statements overtone was more than merely formal it was contractual. In a departure from the typically cryptic character of royal statements, the Queens was surprisingly explicit. It revealed that the main thing obliging Harry and Meghan to remain full-time working royals in the current roles making them beholden to the Royal Rota and a quota of royal engagements is not duty, but money: their reliance on "public funds. Of course, financial accountability is one of the defining characteristics of the modern monarchy. It was only in 1993 that the Queen first agreed to pay income tax; only in 2001 that the monarchys first annual accounts were published. World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Show all 24 1 /24 World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Italy World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Argentina World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Brazil World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Chile World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK The Godwins Law of Royalty states that as a debate about the monarchy grows longer, the probability that someone will interject YES BUT THEY BRING IN SHEDLOADS OF MONEY approaches 1. Yet this is usually the extent of our knowledge; most of us cant tell our Sovereign Grant from our Civil List, our Crown Estate from our Crown Land. This ignorance is mutual. On the one hand, the royal family has divulged as little as possible about their finances; at times, deliberately obfuscated. As The Guardian argued in 2002, the year after the publication of the Royal Households first financial reports, the real cost of the royal family to the taxpayer remains shrouded in confusion and secrecy ... nothing is straightforward, and much is obscured. And the Sussexes concur: while many of you may be familiar with royal finances, they couple claim, they still choose to preface "The Funding" page of their new website by far its most detailed with their conclusion that such matters are often misreported or quite confusing. Harry and Meghan want to put an end this covert culture. Integral to their attempt to carve out a progressive new role for themselves within the royal family is their work to become financially independent.'' Sussex Royals Funding page is upfront about what that work will entail. In a handy Q&A, the Sussexes explain that they will cut the 5 per cent of their income they derive from the Sovereign Grant (whose workings they illustrate with a helpful diagram), thereby freeing themselves to earn a professional income perhaps including from the Sussex Royal brand, which they recently trademarked for a range of goods and services, including clothing, books and emotional support groups. Motivating the couple is a distinctly millennial proclivity to overshare. Harry and Meghan seem determined to modernise the monarchy, not only by working to become independent of royal finances, but by elucidating how those finances work. The Sussexes appear to believe that only by solving the mink-furred mysteries in which Britains most enigmatic clan is shrouded can its survival be secured. They are sorely though for republicans like me, happily mistaken. In The English Constitution (1867), the journalist Walter Bagehot observes that the monarchy should be paraded like a pageant, but hidden like a mystery. In other words, while the pomp and ceremony of royalty must be as visible as possible, its inner workings must remain latent. The reason that the royals have gotten away with financial furtiveness for so long is that for the most part, the public doesnt want to know. We recognise that the power of monarchy inheres in its mystique; that to know the cost of the crown is to cheapen it. Meghan and Harrys resignation from senior royalty has peeled back the velvet curtain to expose the machinery of monarchy and whetted the publics appetite for information. When will this transition period be complete? How will the Sussexes balance their time between the UK and North America? Are their dogs also internationally protected people? Our curiosity will be the monarchys undoing. For if Brexit has taught us anything, the fastest way to fall out of love with an institution is to have its innards spill out before our eyes. When there is a select committee on the Queen, writes Bagehot, the charm of royalty will be gone. At this point, that doesnt seem so far-fetched. Infosys said that it has partnered with GEFCO to support its digital transformation over the next five years. In early trade, the scrip slipped 0.63% to Rs 768.60 on the BSE. GEFCO is a world leader in multimodal supply chain solutions and the European leader in automotive logistics. As a key business and technology partner of GEFCO, Infosys will help transform the group's next generation business application management services. Building upon the foundation of these services, Infosys will also leverage its Live Enterprise Suite to help GEFCO evolve into a 'Digital Native' organization. This will enable new supply chain capabilities to extract and process information in real time and generate purposeful insights with very low latency to help GEFCO respond intelligently and effectively across the value chain. The end objective is to help GEFCO create new sustainable sources of competitive advantage and continuously improve value for its customers. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday. Infosys is engaged in the business of offering digital services and consultancy services. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A CNN employee stands on the stage, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, before a Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa. Read more DES MOINES, Iowa New tension between the Democrats' progressive stars threatened to shake up the party's presidential nomination fight Tuesday night in the final debate showdown before primary voting begins. Just six candidates gathered in Des Moines, each eager to seize a dose of final-days momentum on national television before Iowa's Feb. 3 caucuses. But a sudden he-said, she-said dispute over gender involving two longtime allies, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, loomed over the event. Specifically, Warren charged publicly on the eve of the debate that Sanders told her during a private 2018 meeting that he didn't think a woman could defeat Trump, a claim tinged with sexism that Sanders vigorously denied. Amid an immediate uproar on the left, there were signs that both candidates wanted to deescalate the situation, yet they were almost certain to be pressed to confront during the debate. The feuding was likely to expand to include nearly every candidate on stage. Sanders has recently stepped up his attacks on former Vice President Joe Biden over his past support of the Iraq War, broad free-trade agreements and entitlement reform, among other issues. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who has had several strong debates, will be looking for another opportunity as she remains mired in the middle of the pack in polling. Billionaire Tom Steyer will have to answer criticism that he's trying to buy his way to the White House. And with two surveys showing Pete Buttigieg losing support in Iowa, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will need a breakout moment to regain strength before the caucuses. The shifting dynamics meant Tuesday's debate could be unlike any of the others in this cycle. Generally polite disputes over policy items including health care and immigration are being replaced by increasingly bitter and personal knocks just as many Democratic voters are beginning to tune into the race. "Weve got at least four people who are bunched right there together at the top. So how do you break out? said Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chair and current committeeman. Not to be forgotten amid the focus on the Democratic race, President Donald Trumps reelection campaign flew a banner in the skies over Des Moines for several hours before the debate. Trump himself countered by hosting a campaign rally in Milwaukee. The debate, on the campus of Drake University and televised on CNN, marks the first forum with an all-white lineup. Businessman Andrew Yang, an Asian American candidate who appeared in the December debate, failed to hit the polling threshold for Tuesday's event. And New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker ended his campaign on Monday after he didn't make the debate stage, leaving just one black candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick in the race. This was the first debate since Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which heightened tensions throughout the Middle East. Biden advisers see that development as a boon to his candidacy, allowing him to argue hes a steady, experienced alternative to Trump. But it could easily become a problem if Biden fails to answer what will likely be pointed attacks from Sanders on his support for the Iraq War. While Biden said over a decade ago his vote was a mistake, hes struggled to offer a clear answer for his support, at times misleadingly asserting that he opposed the war from the start. Sanders is eager to take the fight to Biden, as his advisers believe his message on income inequality and major structural change can appeal to the same white working-class voters who make up much of Biden's base. While Sanders and Warren have, until this weekend, publicly defended each other on the debate stage and in media interviews, Sanders team was expecting attacks from the Massachusetts senator on the debate stage. They believe that the Warren campaign is responsible for leaking what they say is an inaccurate description of the senators 2018 private meeting, as reported by CNN. But in a statement later Monday, Warren said the description of their meeting was correct. Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed, Warren said in a statement. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry. Trump, campaigning in neighboring Wisconsin, weighed in on the feud. She said that Bernie stated strongly that a woman cant win. I dont believe that Bernie said that, I really dont. Its not the kind of thing Bernie would say," Trump said. The clashes could offer an opportunity for candidates who stay above the fray. While Klobuchar sparred with Buttigieg during the last debate, shes previously sought to tamp down tensions among her opponents and avoided taking moderators bait to go after other candidates. And Steyer, who has largely flown under the radar throughout the campaign, could look to capitalize on a handful of recent polls that have shown him gaining traction in some of the early primary states. Peoples reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Des Moines and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. The statue, one of the tallest structures of Lord Jesus in the country, is allegedly being developed on a government land and sponsored by local legislator and senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar. BENGALURU: Members from several Right wing organisations and BJP on Monday held a huge protest at Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, 80 km from here, opposing the construction of a 114-foot statue of Jesus Christ in Kapali Betta (Kapali Hills). As the police made elaborate security arrangements, no untoward incidents were reported. The statue, one of the tallest structures of Lord Jesus in the country, is allegedly being developed on a government land and sponsored by local legislator and senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar. The Congress leader, who was recently released from Tihar jail, came up with the idea of constructing Asias largest statue of Jesus Christ at Kapala Betta, in his constituency, Kanakapura. Thousands of protesters, who wore saffron scarves and carried saffron flags, took part in the Kanakapura Chalo rally, organised by the Hindu Jagaran Vedike. They marched from Ayappa Swamy temple at Kanakapura to tahsildars office, shouting slogans like Bharat Mata ki Jai and Jai Sri Ram. Senior BJP leader Ashwathnarayan, who led the protest, claimed that it was successful. People came in thousands from neighbouring districts, taluk centres and villages. As many as 5,000 people took part in the protest, he claimed. The statue of Jesus can not be built legally. There is no chance that it could be built otherwise. We will not allow the statue to come up, he said. Kapala Betta, also known as Muneshwara Betta, has a Muneshwara temple on top of the hill. But over a period of time, a cross was installed at the top of the hill and lighting arrangements were made. Two years ago, a trust was formed, which decided to develop the hill by installing the statue of Christ. Protesters accused Shivakumar of trying to turn Kapali Betta or Muneshwara Betta, the hill on which the proposed statue is to come up, into Yesu Betta. BJP leader and former minister C.P. Yogeshwar, who also took part in the protest, accused Shivakumar of trying to instigate communal violence to serve his political ambitions. He said that the fight is against oppressive politics of Mr Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh, who is also Bengaluru Rural MP. Addressing the gathering, RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat said that the agitation is not against Jesus Christ, but against the religious conversions. Asking Shivakumar whether he was doing it for the sake of votes, Bhat asked, What is your intention? You want to sell this country to foreigners once again. The Hindu community is warning you. This is also an act of treason. Reacting to the protests, Archbishop of Bengaluru Diocese Peter Macahdo said he has requested the support of the government. We request the government not to make it a political or emotional issue, but be considerate on the needs and intentions of the Christian community. He said that everyone had the right to protest. Shivakumar said that the BJP and other organisations are targeting him to gain political space in Ramanagara district, which they do not have now. Noting that people have been brought in from outside for the protest, he said that he has appealed to the people and party workers not to react and maintain peace if the protesters try to instigate and speak against him. Global leader in dropped object prevention solutions, Dropsafe, is expanding its work in the Middle East, North Africa (Mena) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in order to cater for the increasing need for best practice drops prevention solutions in the Oil and Gas and wider energy sectors. As demand in these regions has grown, Dropsafe has continued to supply solutions to leading national oil companies, such as Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), alongside regional and international contractors and service companies operating in the regional supply chain, said a statement. Dropsafes distributor in the region is UAE-based Stevens Supply International, who have helped the business to rapidly expand its network in both MENA and the CIS in support of these leading energy businesses. The Mena and CIS regions are crucial markets for production and supply in O&G globally, which makes access to cost-effective and robust Drops prevention solutions vital. With traditional energy sources coming under increased scrutiny in recent years, there is growing recognition of the need to adhere to the highest standards of safety and corporate responsibility. A staple of businesses long-term strategies must be to ensure that, as operations are optimised for cost, they remain at the forefront of best practice making no compromises with the safety of personnel or integrity of equipment. Although companies have made significant progress in ensuring that drops risks are mitigated effectively, there is still work to be done to ensure that drops prevention best practice is comprehensively followed, the company said. Harsh conditions experienced in the Mena region can quickly corrode fixtures, with high heat and intense UV radiation affecting the integrity of many components. Additionally, wide temperature ranges and corrosive environments in the CIS heighten the need for robust and versatile drops prevention solutions. Dropsafes product range has been designed to meet the demands of operation in a broad range of environmental conditions. For instance, Dropsafes advanced polymer Barrier solution is engineered to last over a decade, depending on the level of UV exposure. Dropsafes Net and Pouch secondary retention and tethering solutions use corrosion-resistant steel wire mesh to ensure that they continue to meet the highest standards of safety and performance throughout their lifetime. Dropsafes further expansion in these regions comes at an exciting time for the company as it looks to expand its product range to provide robust solutions specifically designed to meet a broad sweep of condition requirements, from temperate warehouses, arctic oil rigs and drilling operations in desert environments, it said. Mike Rice, Commercial Director, Dropsafe, said: The Middle East, North Africa and the CIS are critical nodes for global energy supply. Our activity in the Middle East has grown in accordance with demand for Drops prevention solutions, as companies increasingly take robust approaches to Dropped Object prevention. However, best practice dictates equally robust solutions if companies want to lead in HSE and avoid costly reputational damage. Bobby Stevens, founder, Stevens Supply International, said: Our partnership with Dropsafe comes from a shared desire to ensure maximum safety for workers within Oil & Gas. The financial benefits of a robust Drops prevention programme are clear, which is why we have opted for products which are not only the safest, but are also cost-effective because of their durability. We are pleased to play a leading role in shaping HSE best practice in the Mena and CIS markets to set an example for socially responsible companies around the world. - TradeArabia News Service President Donald Trump speaks to the members of the media before leaving the White House, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in Washington, for a trip to watch the College Football Playoff national championship game between LSU and Clemson in New Orleans. Read more President Donald Trump added to the controversy over his administration's justification for the killing of an Iranian general, saying Monday that "it doesn't really matter" whether it was in response to an imminent threat to the United States. In a tweet, Trump criticized Democrats for trying to determine whether Iranian attacks the administration has said were planned by Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani against U.S. targets were imminent. "It doesn't really matter because of his horrible past," Trump wrote. The administration has held Soleimani, as head of Iran's Quds Force, responsible for orchestrating Iran's use of proxy forces in terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East, and the deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers over the years, long before the threat it has said justified the Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike that killed him. In a separate tweet, Trump emphasized Soleimani's past actions rather than the threat of future attacks. "The Democrats and Fake News are trying to make terrorist Soleimani into a wonderful guy, only because I did what should have been done for 20 years," he wrote. Trump said last week that Soleimani had been planning attacks on four U.S. embassies. Senior administration officials have declined to confirm that assertion, while saying there was intelligence that Iran was plotting imminent strikes against a series of U.S. targets, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Many Democratic lawmakers and a number of Republicans have the questioned administration's claims about the immediacy of the threat - and the targets - and charged that it has failed to provide full and accurate information about an action that brought the United States and Iran to the brink of war. Last week, in what Iran said was retaliation for Soleimani's killing, Iran launched a barrage of missile strikes against two Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops, although no casualties resulted. Several hours later, Iranian missile defense shot down a Ukrainian airliner that had just taken off from Tehran, killing all 176 aboard. Tehran's admission of what it said was a "mistake," following days of denial of the shoot-down, has led to large anti-government demonstrations in Iran and a crackdown by security forces. In an apparent reference to reported deaths of some protesters, Trump retweeted posts critical of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. One, saying "Who in America supports this mullah's crime? Answer: Nancy Pelosi," included a photograph of a body hanging from barbed wire strung over a fence. Another included a doctored photograph of Pelosi wearing a headscarf and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in a turban, standing in front of an Iranian flag. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is out with a new book titled Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics. Read more When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sat for an interview in 2014 with federal investigators probing the Bridgegate scandal, two pulled him aside and personally apologized for the way the prosecutor overseeing the case was handling the probe, according to an account in Christies new book. In the book, Christie lambastes the investigation as a political hit job carried out by a liberal prosecutor who wanted to damage the Republican governor to boost his own chances of getting a job in a Hillary Clinton administration. Then-U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman didnt conduct the interview himself, Christie writes. He preferred to stay back in his office, presumably coordinating the media leaks. The scene described in the 432-page Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics, published on Tuesday by Hachette Books, offers a new window into Christies view of the scandal that helped sink his political career. As disclosed in recent days by news organizations that obtained advance copies, the book blames Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, for blocking Christies rise in Trumps orbit. Christie also accuses the White House staff of failing to deliver for Trump, but does not go after the president. Much of the administrations early stumbles could have been avoided, Christie writes, had Kushner not fired him as chair of Trumps transition team. He documents his friendship with Trump, which he traces to a 2002 dinner. Trump ordered him scallops and lamb Christie says he is allergic to the former and hates the latter. Christie also recalls his work in Trenton with South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), and explores his own failed bid for the White House. We were beaten by two forces we couldnt control: Jeb Bush locking up so many of the donors who would have come our way, and the total dominance of our political lane by Donald Trump," he writes. But he suggests he might have won if not for the bridge scandal. A federal jury in 2016 found two former Christie allies guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud and other counts in connection with the 2013 traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge, which were intended to punish a Democratic mayor who had refused to endorse the governors reelection. Bridget Anne Kelly was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Bill Baroni got two years. Both are awaiting re-sentencing after an appeals court in November threw out a couple of convictions. Another onetime Christie ally, former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official David Wildstein, pleaded guilty. Wildstein testified that Christie laughed when Baroni told him about the traffic jams during a 9/11 commemorative event in New York City in 2013. Christie has said he doesnt recall that. The governor has also maintained he did not have advance knowledge of the bridge plot, which was described as a lane-realignment study. In his book, the two-term governor says he received the apologies from an FBI agent and a corruption investigator who he says worked for him when he was U.S. attorney from 2002 to 2008. Neither is named in the book. Fishman, who succeeded Christie in that office as an appointee of President Barack Obama, was bitter that scores of talented prosecutors had left the U.S. Attorneys Office in Newark to follow Christie to Trenton after he was elected governor in 2009, according to the book. Christie describes Fishman as an avid Clinton supporter known in the U.S. Attorneys Office as Napoleon on Broad Street (the one in Newark) for his bitterness, imperiousness, ambition, and physical stature. Fishmans ambition, Christie writes, "was rumored to be a return to D.C. in a Clinton Justice Department, perhaps as attorney general or deputy. What better way to increase his stock than by taking out her purported number-one 2016 rival? the governor writes. New Jersey Democrats have long viewed Christies own tenure as U.S. attorney with suspicion, saying he politicized the office. Fishman declined to comment Tuesday, but in response to previous criticism from Christie, he told the Bergen Record in 2017: I can only assume that I have had to make some decisions or have made some decisions over the last several years that have been uncomfortable for him. In addition to the bridge case, Fishman also prosecuted Christies mentor, David Samson, who abused his power as chairman of the Port Authority to shake down United Airlines. Samson pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge and was sentenced to probation. In his book, Christie belittles the governments case in Bridgegate, saying that when he was a prosecutor, he would have been embarrassed to bring such a jerry-rigged charge." Christie argues that Fishman could have referred the case to the state Attorney Generals Office, which could have brought official-misconduct charges that would have actually fit the defendants conduct. Then, however, he would have lost control of the case and his ability to inflict political damage on me, Christie writes. Christie would go on to announce his candidacy for president about two months after the charges were announced. After the first Republican debate in August 2015, Christie writes, he told his wife, Mary Pat, Weve got a problem. Whats the problem? she asked. Donald Trump, he replied. From a stylistic perspective, he was everything I was but on jet fuel, Christie writes. Christie dropped out in February 2016 after a poor finish in the New Hampshire primary, and soon afterward endorsed Trump. And another one bites the dust. Beloved downtown New York retailer Opening Ceremony is shuttering all of its stores, including its LA and Tokyo outposts. It's the latest blow to Manhattan's retail landscape, with Barneys, Henri Bendel, and Lord & Taylor stores all having closed its doors last year. But Opening Ceremony was a different beast, as it was more than just a clothing store. It was also known for throwing some of the most memorable events, shows and parties for fashion week, which included longtime collaborators like Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze and Solange. Its founders, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, were one of the first to transform the act of shopping into an experience, encouraging a sense of discovery by including an eclectic array of brands from all over. (They were one of the first to stock Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler. The announcement comes right on the heels of the news that Opening Ceremony's trademark would be sold to New Guards Group, the company behind Off-White and Palm Angels. While the stores are saying good bye, the OC brand and collection will continue under its new owners. "We've made a decision to focus on growing Opening Ceremony collection and brand with our new partners, New Guards Group, and expand the designs of Opening Ceremony," the founders wrote in a joint statement. "We are stepping back from multi-brand retail, for a moment, so we can come back with an experience that is just as inspiring, filled with love and relevant for the years ahead as Opening Ceremony has been. Read, below, for the complete letter. A year ago, the area known as Cerro de la Corona in Totalan, a hamlet of 715 residents in the southern Spanish province of Malaga, was home to olive trees, almond trees and a variety of shrubs. Now the ground is a stony field. For 299 straight hours in January 2019, a dozen excavators and two drills ate away at the hillside, moving 17,000 tons of rocks in a race against the clock. Now, only the green shoots of a few newly growing olive trees lend some color to the 15,000-square-meter site. Here, under a sheet of iron, lies the borehole that kept Spaniards glued to their television screens for 13 days. It was a tragedy, but we need to carry on Resident of Totalan The current silence is in sharp contrast with the incessant noise of the rescue equipment a year ago, as it sliced up the mountain in a desperate bid to find a little boy alive. Two-year-old Julen Rosello fell into a borehole with a diameter of no more than 25 centimeters on January 13, 2019 as he was playing on a relatives rural property, where he and his family had been invited to spend the day. His body was found deep down the shaft following an unprecedented rescue operation involving engineers, explosives experts and specialized miners brought in from northern Spain. The autopsy showed the cause of death to have been a 71-meter free fall down the narrow unmarked hole, which had been drilled in search of underground water. This is one of the few certainties in a case that will be tried in a Malaga court, where the first hearing is scheduled for January 21. The only individual who will stand trial is David Serrano, the property owner, who was also the only person there that day who knew about the existence of the borehole. He is being accused of negligent homicide, and faces between three and three-and-a-half years in prison if found guilty. He is also being asked for 1.5 million in damages; Serrano claimed insolvency but his request was denied. Miners going down a parallel shaft that was dug next to the borehole. When the more than 200 reporters who covered the rescue effort left the area, after publishing hundreds of articles and providing 228 hours of television coverage, the machines remained in Totalan for a few more days in an attempt to return the hill to its original state. The borehole where the toddler disappeared, as his parents Victoria Garcia and Jose Rosello described it, has been covered up for good. And the local residents, who organized themselves into committees to feed, house and assist the hundreds of volunteers who descended on the village, would rather move on now. It was a tragedy, but we need to carry on, says one senior citizen walking along Paseo de la Salud. The feeling is strange, very strange, says Angel Garcia Vidal, the engineer who spontaneously stepped up to lead the complex, unplanned rescue operation. Garcia Vidal returned to the site just a few weeks ago. The first thing that came to mind was the enormous effort that took place, and the repercussion it had. I wasnt fully aware of it. And this year has given me some perspective on the sacrifice and work of those days. It took him six months to go back to the daily routine at his office, he admits. Like him, another 300 experts in various fields contributed to the rescue effort. Theres been enough time now to think about what could have been done better in such an extreme and unique situation, adds Julian Moreno, who was technical director of Malagas firefighter department at the time. He has not returned to Totalan, but what happened there stays in your head; it will still be some time before we manage to move on. I still have a strange feeling. The experience has marked me for life Francisco Manuel Alonso, geologist We did what we could, and we would have liked a different ending, adds Sergio Tunon, head of the Mining Rescue Brigade. We always worked with the hope that he was still alive. It was difficult, but not impossible, says Francisco Manuel Alonso, a geologist from Huelva University who helped the team understand the terrain they were working with. I still have a strange feeling. The experience has marked me for life. A Malaga judge named Elena Sancho Mallorquin will oversee the trial, which has attracted so much media interest that a special room has been reserved for the press. The six hearings will seek to clarify two main points: whether Serrano did or did not warn Julens parents about the existence of the borehole (he said that he did, the parents deny it); and whether the opening was covered. A few days after the accident, Serrano gave a news conference at which he claimed that the borehole had been covered with two concrete blocks and that the child slipped between them. But Antonio Sanchez the man who was hired to make the hole said it was not. The defense has claimed that Sanchez should be held responsible for not taking the proper safety precautions. Serranos attorneys have also tried to shift the blame to Julens parents, saying they should have been alert to the childs movements. The parents are pushing for the highest prison sentence, three and a half years, claiming that Serrano completely disregarded safety norms and that if only he had taken a few basic steps, their sons death could have been avoided. English version by Susana Urra. Nguyen Van Hung volunteered as a patrol officer in Hanoi 15 years ago and has, with his team, helped catch over 300 criminals since. At 10 a.m. one recent morning the 62-year-old veteran put on a gray jacket and headed out to Thanh Xuan District to meet one of his patrol team members, who was waiting on a motorbike. At first glance the two appeared to be typical seniors. People did not know they were patrolling the area with the Khuong Mai Ward police. Officers were driving ahead in a car and the two followed close behind. Then Hung noticed two neatly dressed older men on a motorbike and directed his colleague to follow them. After driving around for some time the two suspects stopped on Nguyen Ngoc Nai Street. The person riding pillion removed his glasses, pulled out a small tool the size of a finger, approached a parked motorbike and broke its lock in seconds. When he was about to steal the motorbike, Hung jumped off the motorbike and knocked the man down. His colleague and the officers had meanwhile handcuffed the other suspect. Hoang Manh Thang, chief of the Khuong Mai Ward police, says: "Hung has very sharp instincts in detecting potential thieves. Sometimes younger officers miss out but not Hung." Hung says: "I have not caught anyone wrongly in the last 15 years. Thieves who plan to steal motorbikes often drive around a few times. Drug dealers are trickier but also not that difficult to identify." In 2003 Khuong Mai Ward set up a local patrol team that would coordinate with the police to keep order and security. It had five members with Hung being the leader. "There are many thieves out there. Since I am a veteran and have lots of free time, I want to do something good for the public." As volunteers he and his team receive no money. Dong Thi Hue, Hung's wife, says: "Even in cold weather he goes if someone calls to report a burglary. Over the past 15 years he has not been at home much around Lunar New Year." Hung says the most devious among criminals are drug dealers. He sometimes assumes a playboy person to visit nightclubs and bars to find criminals. "One time I caught a drug dealer, and he was trying to stuffed narcotics into his mouth to destroy the evidence. I was angry and put my hands into his mouth to pull out the drugs." He shows a scar on his thumb as a result of being bitten. Tools and weapons seized by Hung and police officers after they busted a gang of robbers in June 2019. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Van Hung. Around 10 years ago during criminal raids, he was twice treated for HIV exposure with post-exposure prophylaxis. "When we cornered and blocked two motorbike thieves, they threatened saying 'I have HIV. I will hurt you if you don't let me go." "But letting them escape like that would be cowardly. So I and a fellow officer rushed over to tackle them. Both of us sustained scratches. I have to take antiretroviral medicines to prevent becoming infected." He kept the three-month-long treatment a secret from his wife and children because of the fear of worrying them and also possible stigma and separation from them. At night he would go and sleep at the ward police headquarters. "Addiction to anything is difficult to give up. Including addiction to arresting robbers." A day before Lunar New Year last year Hung was threatened by a gangster who said he would come back for him after being released from prison three years later. "Though I have been threatened many times, their parents appreciate what I do to stop them. They say, 'Thanks for locking him up and putting him in jail. That drug-addicted gangster child of mine is tearing down the whole family." Hoang Tuyen, 54, a team member, says: "I am also a veteran but I am not as dedicated as Hung. I see him drive around patrolling the street every day come rain or shine. It is hard to find people like him nowadays." Hung and team have helped the police crack more than 300 cases of robbery, drug trafficking, prostitution, and others. He was honored with Hanoi's Outstanding Citizen Award in 2016 and the Good People, Good Deeds title in 2019. He recently returned to patrol duty after being in hospital for a week. "The passion is still in me, but my health is gradually becoming poor. All five members of the team are between 57 and 62." There was one time when he had to wait in a cemetery all night for a criminal. He is not sure how much longer he will be up to doing such things. "It is sad but I still have not found anyone from the younger generations to continue this mission." OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Former Ocean Springs mayor Connie Moran was found laying in the street near her Washington Avenue home late Monday night, intoxicated and unable to stand. After refusing medical treatment, Moran was taken into custody, charged with public drunk. According to the police incident report obtained by The Mississippi Press, Ocean Springs patrolman Howard Rhodes was southbound on Washington Avenue at about 11:48 p.m. when he spotted a white female laying on her back in the southbound lane. I got out to check on the female, later identified as Connie Moran, and observed she was intoxicated and unable to stand. The report indicates Rhodes found Moran in the 200 block of Washington Avenue, but the daily police log lists the specific location as 207 Washington. Moran resides at 206 Washington. The report goes on to say Moran had removed her shoes and was disoriented when I awakened her, Rhodes wrote. Initially, she made no move to attempt to stand and lay on her back, smiling. She asked me repeatedly what I was doing. I told her she was laying in the road and that I was checking on her well being. Another officer, Melanie Hammond, arrived on the scene and, at that point, Moran attempted to stand, but fell down. The officers notified Acadian Ambulance service and medics examined Moran when they arrived, but she refused medical treatment, signing a release form, according to the report. Rhodes said Moran was highly intoxicated and could not walk or stand without assistance, and he and another officer, Paris Griffin, helped Moran to a patrol car, where she was placed under arrest for public drunk. Moran was transported to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center in Pascagoula and held under a $263 bond. She remained in the ADC as of 10 a.m. Tuesday. Moran served three terms as Ocean Springs mayor from 2009-2017. In November, she was defeated by then-Pascagoula mayor Dane Maxwell in a bid to gain a seat on the Public Service Commission. Ironically, Morans husband, Jack Rosen, was arrested more than three years ago on the same charge on the same street. On July 22, 2016, Rosen reportedly jumped on the hood of an unidentified vehicle and rode on it for more than a block before falling off. Witnesses called police to the scene. As was the case with his wife, Rosen was offered assistance, but refused and became belligerent with police, leading to his arrest for public drunk. He would ultimately enter a no contest plea and was fined $330, plus a $30 state assessment. UPDATE: In a tweet Tuesday evening, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office reported that the driver, Aisee Mwembo, 36, of Sugar Land, died. Original story follows. *** A woman is in critical condition after driving her car into a small lake Monday night just outside Missouri City. The woman plunged into the neighborhood lake near Oilfield Road and University Boulevard shortly after 10 p.m., according to Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Danny Beckworth. Deputies for Missouri City firefighters rushed to the lake and jumped into the water, breaking the drivers side window to pull the woman to safety. She was unconscious when rescuers pulled her from the submerged car, Beckworth said. Dense fog might have played a role in the crash, which has decreased visibility across the Houston area well into Tuesday morning. MORE FROM JAY R. JORDAN: Woman dies after being thrown from car near Richmond. After the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital, officers with the Houston Police Department Dive Team checked the car and found no one else inside, Beckworth said. None of the rescuers were injured. Reporter J.R. Gonzales contributed. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com Iran to offer full cooperation in paying for Ukrainian plane damages: official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Head of Central Insurance company Gholam-Reza Soleimani said on Monday that because the Ukrainian plane crashed in Iran, the government will have good cooperation in paying the damages. Soleimani said in a press conference that because the plane was mistakenly hit with a rocket, Iran and Ukraine will have talks about the damages. Soleimani said that the Central Insurance company of Iran has no responsibility in this regard but the government may need its expert advice to use in the talks. He added that the Iranian companies had issued insurance for the Iranian passengers to cover them at foreign destinations, but the plane crashed in Iran. The Iranian planes are insured by Iran, but this one belonged to Ukraine so it had insurance coverage by Ukraine, he said, adding that he was not aware of details of the insurance of the plane, but the plane, the passengers, and other issues should be included. He also said since passengers were from different nationalities and different insurance policies so the number of compensations should be negotiated. 9417**1424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Doug Steinhardt Gov. Phil Murphys policies are tearing apart New Jersey families and killing New Jersey jobs. His reading of the state of our state is, at best, the purposeful deception of a politician worried about his re-election and, at worst, the delusions of an out-of-touch executive who cant (or wont) accept the harsh economic realities of Americas highest taxed families. We can do better. Last November, New Jersey voters sent Phil Murphy a message when they bucked a national trend and gave Republicans their biggest statehouse win in 28 years. GOP legislative candidates who used the NJGOP platform of lower taxes and less regulation overcame campaign spending deficits as large as 10-1 and won. When Governor Murphy said, If tax rate is your issue were probably not your state, he told New Jerseys middle class that he isnt listening and doesnt care. His $4 billion in budget increases isnt just unreasonable, its unsustainable. The governor uses his State of the State to portray otherwise, but the 2019 Murphy Midterms marked a turning point and New Jersey Republicans have momentum. Still, our kids cant afford to start their lives here and our parents cant afford to retire here. Sunday dinners, where families dined together, are being replaced with internet relationships, since Murphys policies are tearing them apart. The NJGOP has consistently maintained that New Jersey families deserve honest answers to the states real problems. With the solutions to the states affordability crisis that Republicans have proposed, New Jerseyans can live here and dont need to leave. A recent United Van Lines study confirmed that, for the second year in a row, more people moved out of New Jersey than any other state in America. We have the highest property and income tax rates in the country, the lowest mainland U.S. GDP growth, the highest foreclosure rate, one in four families go hungry, and when Illinois claws back its corporate tax rate this year, the highest corporate tax rate in America, too. Murphys 2020 update is more of the same, progressive platitudes that propelled him to the governorship, but weakened our already weak economy and compounded our already colossal deficit. His failure to garner support within his own caucus is proof that even Democrats dont believe he has the aptitude or answers to lead New Jersey to better times. Late last year, I challenged Trentons politicians to walk their neighborhoods and not meet someone who is negatively impacted by the governors radical policies. Those who can afford an exit plan have one. Those who cant afford one are losing their jobs, homes and hope. As a proud New Jerseyan who still sees opportunity in this great state, I call on the governor and his administration to do better. The beginning of that journey starts with honest answers. Here are some hard truths. New Jersey has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Every new tax and fee perpetuates the states economic illness and ignores the obvious cure. New Jersey must live within its means. Families across the state are forced to make that same, tough decision every day. Meanwhile, Trenton Democrats pass the buck, and burden, to us. No honest answer starts without tackling the states public sector pension and healthcare crisis. But, thats hard to do when your governor is bought and paid for by public sector labor union bosses who benefit from that system. New Jersey taxpayers owe over $151 billion in pension and retiree health benefit liabilities. Thats four times the size of the entire state budget. As of 2018, our pension deficit was the highest, per capita liability in America. If we dont elect leaders willing to face it, that reality will eventually bankrupt us. I think most New Jerseyans have relatively simple wants. They want to live safely and securely, in homes they can afford, in a state they can afford to live in. But Murphys job-limiting wage mandates ignore the regulation cutting and job creating recommendations of the Red Tape Review Commission that would stimulate the states economy and promote well-paying jobs. Sadly, those straight-forward plans dont make it into Phil Murphys progressive playbook. The result is that the United States economy is booming, and the common-sense policies employed by President Trump mask just how weaker and poorer New Jersey is under this governor. Murphys radical, liberal agenda ignores the economic challenges of youth, the tough, fiscal realities of parenthood, the difficult retirement decisions facing seniors, and the crippling business climate his policies create. The beautiful thing about our state and country is that every November we have a choice. Every election is a chance to choose a better path, one that lowers taxes, relaxes regulations, recognizes hard work, and respects the United States Constitution. New Jersey Republicans offer common sense and affordable solutions to the 30 years of economic peril wrought by legislative Democrats. Phil Murphys progress of today is the middle class poverty of tomorrow. We can change that, in 2021, and lead New Jersey back on the right path. I wont quit working for an affordable New Jersey. Lets lead right, because theres nothing left. Doug Steinhardt is chairman of the state Republican Party. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Growing up in landlocked Missouri, Dana Maloney never dreamed of living on the water one day. But now, thanks to the fact that her middle son fell in love with and married someone from Mobile, Dana and her husband Jim are living a dream on Mobile Bay, where they moved to be close to their first grandchild, two-year-old Beatrice Louise. You never know where love is going to lead you, says Dana. As the owners of a rambling former bed-and-breakfast that they have completely renovated over the past couple of years, they share their dream with guests who stay at the boutique hotel located on a bluff 50 feet above the bay in Fairhope. Jubilee Suites receives rave reviews from guests. I always dreamed of having a B&B, but I never imagined looking at these sunsets over the water every night, says Dana. Its spectacular. Before relocating to Fairhope, the Maloneys had spent the past 26 years in Charlotte, N.C., where Jim, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, worked for Microsoft as they raised their three sons. Once the boys were grown and gone, the couple turned their 3,500-square-foot home in Charlotte into an Airbnb, becoming one of the states first superhosts. The space was so popular that Dana and Jim moved into a small condo a quarter of a mile away, and Dana found herself making several trips to the Airbnb every day to accommodate the needs of her guests. When Jim retired, they started to think about investing in a property where they could live and be hosts at the same time. In May of 2016, on a visit to Mobile, Danas daughter-in-law drove her past Away at the Bay bed and breakfast in Fairhope and pointed out where shed stayed one summer in college when she worked at the Grand Hotel. Originally built in 1940 as two buildings that served as barracks at Brookley Field in Mobile, the structure was moved across the bay by barge after World War II. For many years, it was known as Eastern Shore Apartments before becoming Away at the Bay in 1987. Dana told her daughter-in-law to let her know if the B&B ever went up for sale. I saw the potential, she says with seven suites, most of which have private balconies overlooking the bay; a 200-foot stretch of shoreline; and a birds-eye view of those amazing sunsets for which Fairhope is known. As luck would have it, the place had been on and off the market for a few years, so the Maloneys were able to purchase it and move to Fairhope, where they keep little Beatrice during the week while her parents work. I wouldnt trade the last couple of years with my granddaughter for anything, says Dana. The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood about halfway between Fly Creek Marina and the Fairhope Municipal Pier, within walking distance of downtown Fairhope. During the renovation, the red-brick exterior was whitewashed to give it a more coastal feel. The seven suites have names like Dogwood, Camellia and Magnolia. Each suite is different, with one or two bedrooms and one or two baths, fully equipped kitchens and even washers and dryers. But its the little details throughout that elicit glowing reviews from guests: cozy bedding, thick towels, TVs with streaming services at the ready, local tea from Fairhopes Spice and Tea Exchange, local artwork on the walls and the Maloneys graciousness as live-in hosts. We want people to feel pampered and really relaxed, says Dana, who cultivates an upscale, healthy vibe at the boutique hotel. A certified yoga instructor, Dana loves hosting workshops of all kinds, especially those that nurture creativity. You name it, we will host it, she says. A large yoga studio on the third floor offers stunning views of the bay and excellent acoustics. Theres even an experience manager, Christy Wells, on premise whose job is to tailor each guests visit to make it as memorable as possible. Theyre really trying to do something different here, out of the box, Christy says of the Maloneys. While Christy can help plan activities in and around Fairhope, theres nothing wrong with taking it easy at this zen inn. If you want to be a hermit, says Dana, you can be a hermit. Against the backdrop of Mobile Bay and its famous sunsets, Jubilee Suites has become a popular place for weddings and other special events. People have been so supportive in this town local artists, musicians, forward-thinkers, Dana says. We said yes to coming here, and it all kind of happened. And its greater than my wildest dreams. Just three weeks away from the first votes being cast in the 2020 presidential cycle, the top election threats coordinator in the U.S. intelligence community warned local administrators and elected officials from around the country of the myriad threats they face. Shelby Pierson, the election threats executive at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, gave prominent, solo remarks Tuesday at the 2020 Election Summit, organized by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The event was one of the last times election leaders from across the country will gather before presidential caucuses and primaries begin, starting with Iowas voting on Feb. 3. Pierson, appointed to the new role created by former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, spoke for 20 minutes in somewhat vague terms about the precise threats facing leaders in thousands of precincts across the country, but was clear about the sharpened nature of the cyber and disinformation tools expected to be used by foreign actors this year. "This is not a Russia-only problem, she said. Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, non-state hacktivists, all have opportunity, means, and potential motive to come after the United States in the 2020 election." In a gaggle with reporters afterward, Pierson stressed her desire for as much transparency with the public and media as possible on developing threats. To that end, she said she had recently met with several U.S. senators and intends to have a briefing with state leaders in the coming days. Election Security Coordination Improves As the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit first reported in 2018 and again in 2019, key election leaders did not have permanent federal security clearances to see top election threats. They do now. Christy McCormick, chairwoman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission the only federal agency focused full-time on election administration credited the National Investigative Units sustained reporting as one factor in getting the long-delayed clearances resolved. "Thanks to I think some impact from your reporting, yes, we all do now have security - permanent security clearances at the secret level, Chair McCormick said in an interview at the summit. Her agency, the E.A.C., is also sending out financial help approved last month by Congress. State-by-State Funding State Federal Share State Share 20% Total Alabama $6,901,560 $1,380,312 $8,281,872 Alaska $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 American Samoa $600,000 N/A $600,000 Arizona $8,362,741 $1,672,548 $10,035,289 Arkansas $5,011,991 $1,002,398 $6,014,389 California $38,740,655 $7,748,131 $46,488,786 Colorado $7,106,267 $1,421,253 $8,527,521 Connecticut $5,735,740 $1,147,148 $6,882,887 DC $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 Delaware $3,031,481 $606,296 $3,637,777 Florida $21,506,406 $4,301,281 $25,807,687 Georgia $11,549,183 $2,309,837 $13,859,020 Guam $600,000 N/A $600,000 Hawaii $3,508,595 $701,719 $4,210,314 Idaho $3,616,020 $723,204 $4,339,223 Illinois $14,830,251 $2,966,050 $17,796,302 Indiana $8,510,075 $1,702,015 $10,212,090 Iowa $5,161,182 $1,032,236 $6,193,418 Kansas $4,909,494 $981,899 $5,891,393 Kentucky $6,467,707 $1,293,541 $7,761,248 Louisiana $6,597,832 $1,319,566 $7,917,398 Maine $3,505,118 $701,024 $4,206,142 Maryland $7,914,306 $1,582,861 $9,497,167 Massachusetts $8,841,674 $1,768,335 $10,610,009 Michigan $11,999,001 $2,399,800 $14,398,801 Minnesota $7,389,506 $1,477,901 $8,867,407 Mississippi $5,021,549 $1,004,310 $6,025,859 Missouri $8,101,455 $1,620,291 $9,721,746 Montana $3,127,978 $625,596 $3,753,573 Nebraska $3,915,413 $783,083 $4,698,495 Nevada $4,790,795 $958,159 $5,748,954 New Hampshire $3,472,912 $694,582 $4,167,494 New Jersey $10,934,419 $2,186,884 $13,121,302 New Mexico $4,142,484 $828,497 $4,970,981 New York $21,838,990 $4,367,798 $26,206,788 North Carolina $11,624,810 $2,324,962 $13,949,772 North Dakota $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 Northern Marianas $600,000 N/A $600,000 Ohio $13,657,222 $2,731,444 $16,388,666 Oklahoma $5,820,345 $1,164,069 $6,984,414 Oregon $6,007,538 $1,201,508 $7,209,045 Pennsylvania $15,103,663 $3,020,733 $18,124,395 Puerto Rico $5,821,405 $1,164,281 $6,985,686 Rhode Island $3,210,168 $642,034 $3,852,202 South Carolina $6,767,471 $1,353,494 $8,120,966 South Dakota $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 Tennessee $8,476,810 $1,695,362 $10,172,173 Texas $26,064,574 $5,212,915 $31,277,489 Utah $4,603,931 $920,786 $5,524,718 Vermont $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 Virgin Islands $600,000 N/A $600,000 Virginia $10,175,711 $2,035,142 $12,210,853 Washington $8,860,638 $1,772,128 $10,632,765 West Virginia $4,044,353 $808,871 $4,853,223 Wisconsin $7,818,581 $1,563,716 $9,382,297 Wyoming $3,000,000 $600,000 $3,600,000 Totals $425,000,000 $84,520,000 $509,520,000 Congress approved, and President Trump signed, legislation allocating $425 million in election security money in December. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is in charge with dispersing the funds to each state within 45 days of the laws Dec. 21, 2019, passage and tracking the usage of the money. These figures, provided by the E.A.C., list how much each state can apply for and the 20 percent match amount required of any state accepting the grants. All 50 states can get new election security money within weeks, totaling $425 million dollars. But the New York-based Brennan Center for Justice estimates more than $2.1 billion is actually needed to secure America's elections. Nearly a dozen secretaries of state from across the country pleaded for more money when interviewed at their annual conference last summer. On Tuesday, Chair McCormick said the need is still there even after the additional nearly half-billion dollar assistance from Congress, signed by President Donald Trump. I think the states will tell you more money is needed, she said. Congress Presses Voting Equipment Manufacturers Some of that money will likely be used to buy more secure voting equipment, including machines that keep paper records of all votes cast, which can then be used in a post-election audit to ensure the integrity of the count. Last week, Congress pressed the CEOs of America's three biggest voting equipment manufacturers Omaha-based Election Systems & Software, Austin-based Hart InterCivic, and Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems on the security in their devices, used in elections coast to coast. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., asked the company executives during a hearing of the Committee on House Administration, Is there any method of voting that's 100 percent secure? All three answered no. Davis then asked, To your knowledge, has a foreign state successfully breached, or hacked, any of your vote tallying election machines? Again, each indicated no. When using the $425 million allocated by Congress to purchase new equipment, expand cyber training, or strengthen the security of voter registration systems, states must put up a 20 percent match for the amount they receive up from five percent match required in the 2018 tranche of $380 million in election security funds given by Congress. While states can start accepting the money within 45 days of its Dec. 21, 2019 passage, there is no requirement they spend it by the 2020 elections. Congress, instead, set a five-year deadline after yet another presidential election in 2024. Mark Albert is the chief national investigative correspondent for the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit, based in Washington D.C. Travis Sherwin and April Chunko contributed to this report. Know of election security concerns or wasteful spending? Send investigative tips, information, and documents to the National Investigative Unit at investigate@hearst.com. The NSDC Secretary says the UN is not a sufficiently effective organization nowadays. Ukraine is considering the possibility of calling a meeting of the UN Security Council over the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Iran. "This is being considered. We first need to find out whether our plane was attacked deliberately or unintentionally. Our actions depend on this conclusion. Each diplomatic process should have its own logic and sequence," Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov told the news outlet censor.net in an interview. Read alsoPS752 downing: Ukraine says had evidence of missile hit ahead of Iran's statement According to him, the vast majority of those who died on board the Ukrainian plane were Iranians, and therefore, the NSDC does not see it now as a deliberate attempt. At the same time, Danilov says the UN is not a sufficiently effective organization nowadays. "A lot is written in the Charter of the United Nations, but unfortunately, a lot of this has not been done for quite a long time. It actually states, for example, that the Russian Federation should not have annexed Ukraine's Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but it did annex. Thus, one should not rely on things whose effectiveness is not perfect. The UN Security Council is unable to help us handle Russian aggression, so one should not pin too many hopes on it. Unfortunately, the UN is now an organization that is not effective enough and its decisions are partially only non-binding and declarative and, unfortunately, this is the case not only with the United Nations," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors. On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error." A new study conducted by CareerAddict.com, a leading online career resource, revealed that progression is considered more important than pay, with an astonishingly high number of survey participants (82.39%) saying that a lack of progression would influence their decision to leave their jobs. DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 1,000 career-driven individuals were surveyed at the end of 2019 in order to discover the hidden trends of employee turnover and help companies retain their top talent. Woman leaving her work Survey respondents were asked to rate different reasons that would affect their decision to quit based on a scale of importance. A lack of career advancement opportunities, followed by low pay and the absence of a salary raise, were the three main contributing factors to their decision to leave. Meanwhile, among those who had already quit their jobs, 35% also revealed they would consider returning if they were offered a better salary or a higher position. "We wanted to truly uncover what exactly pushed workers over the edge," said Christopher Thoma, Project Manager of CareerAddict. "Our findings were quite fascinating, showing that the modern workforce is more complex than ever, with job satisfaction and progression proving vitally important." While the majority of participants were Millennial and Gen Z workers, making up nearly 67% of the respondent pool, the survey found that there was a common sentiment across all participating age groups. Indeed, the opportunity for job progression was a priority to the overwhelming majority, regardless of age. The study not only revealed invaluable insights regarding employee turnover, but it also uncovered disconcerting realities that are prevalent in today's workplace: 53% of survey takers said they felt discriminated against by their superior, 61% of which were women. Meanwhile, 1 in 4 people said they felt discriminated against because of their gender, 76% of which were women. With merely 18% of participants saying they regret leaving their previous job, there is much to be said about high employee turnover rates. While most workers are driven by their professional aspirations, their development is not only halted by limited opportunities but also workplace discrimination. For many employers, then, the task of keeping their workforce positively engaged might prove to be a greater challenge. About CareerAddict CareerAddict is one of the world's leading online career resources, offering expert advice and industry knowledge to its ever-growing global audience of career-enthused individuals. Since launching in 2013, CareerAddict is focused on providing job seekers, students, workers and employers all over the world with all the necessary tools, information and resources they need to achieve all their professional aspirations. For any additional information or media inquiries, contact Stavros Triseliotis at [email protected] or on +353 1 539 7977. Related Images why-people-quit-their-jobs.jpg Why People Quit Their Jobs - CareerAddict Study Woman leaving her work Related Links Study - Why People Quit Their Jobs Contact CareerAddict SOURCE CareerAddict Related Links https://www.careeraddict.com Head the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj, and Benghazi-based General Khalifa Haftar who is now warring for control of the capital, were actually in the same building in Moscow for peace talks on Monday an extremely rare and unlikely event in its own right. The Putin-sponsored talks follow an agreement between the Russian president and Turkey's Erdogan last week to issue an urgent ceasefire call in Libya (the urgent call designated last Saturday for a pause in fighting), but which was immediately rejected by Haftar, despite Russia being among his political backers. Monday's talks may have also been awkward for Haftar-Russian ties, given Haftar departed Moscow without signing the agreement for an unconditional open-ended ceasefire even after the GNA's Sarraj did. Likely, Haftar rebuffed the ceasefire which also would establish a military commission to determine a contact line between fighters on the ground given his Libyan National Army (LNA) has made recent gains into Tripoli. Notably Haftar refused to engage in face to face talks with Sarraj despite being in the same building. But he did ask for more time to make a final decision, but it's increasingly looking like he'll reject any stoppage in fighting. Related: What The Trade War Ceasefire Means For Oil Expressing surprise that like with Syria before, the United States has been effectively cut out from overseeing any diplomatic solution, Der Spiegel journalist Mathieu von Rohr noted, Now, [Russia and Turkey] not only have their seat at the table, they provide the table. And Europe is nowhere to be seen. While France and Italy were quarrelling about Libya, Russia and Turkey took the initiative. Now, they not only have their seat at the table, they provide the table. And Europe is nowhere to be seen. https://t.co/VNpG3iPpWD Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) January 13, 2020 Amid Haftar delaying signing the deal, the Russian military is still touting that the Libyan rivals agreed to an "ongoing ceasefire" according to the AFP. Russia has vowed to continue pushing peace efforts. But the reality will only be tested on the ground, where mortars and missiles continue to fly across the suburbs on the outskirts of Tripoli. President Erdogan meanwhile used the occasion to slam Haftar, saying Turkey will "teach a lesson" to the LNA leader if attacks resume. Turkey has recently sent troops to bolster the besieged GNA in Tripoli, after having for years provided support in the form of military hardware, including drones. This opens the potential for the entire situation to spill over into a broader regional proxy war, given also Egypt has condemned Turkish intervention in the war, and has warned it could send its own troops if Ankara and other external actors don't back down. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Greetings From Ventnor City "Greetings From Ventnor City has it all: a gripping mystery, twists and turns, and Kellys signature humor! Dont miss this one." Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Crime Fiction Author Plexus Publishing, Inc., the independent publisher of the New York Times bestseller Boardwalk Empire, announced the publication of Jane Kellys latest mystery, Greetings From Ventnor City. Newly engaged Meg Daniels stays behind at the Artistical Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City while her fiance returns to work securing their employers Bahamian property from Hurricane Frieda. But shes not alone for long. The talkative stranger with skinny white legs sticking out of wide Bermuda shorts turns out to be Xander Frost, rock idol and frequent Artistical guest, traveling incognito as part of his quest to learn how ordinary people live. A woman recognizes Meg as the amateur sleuth who recently solved a mysterious disappearance from the 1960s, and she asks for help in learning the fate of the sister she last knew as a 19-year-old who ran away from her Ventnor home in 1968. Xander persuades Meg to take the case, and the unlikely duo travel up and down the Jersey shore and beyond to interview the people who had known Sarah Johnson best. As they retrace her stepsand Meg gets a taste of the rock star lifethey discover that there might be a sinister reason the trail has been cold for so long. Was she a rebellious teenager who got swept up in the counterculture and broke free of her restrictive family? Or did someone want her out of the way ... permanently? According to Jane Kelly, Meg has always aspired to find a career where she feels as if she is doing something to help people. She is coming to realize that her investigations, even though they are amateur efforts, do help people. She adds, In Greetings From Ventnor City, I believe that Meg is finally settling into her role as a detective. Kelly delivers a gripping mystery with twists and turns you won't see coming! said Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling crime fiction author. Greetings From Ventnor City is delightful to read and a complex, riveting mystery that will keep you turning pages well into the night. MORE ADVANCE PRAISE Meg Daniels is in it again, and readers are in for yet another exhilarating ride of twists and turns. Greetings From Ventnor City had me alternately laughing and cringing at Megs trademark wit, unusual experiences, and unerring ability to dig out the truth, come hell or high water. Jane Gorman, author of the Adam Kaminski mystery series The perfect beach read no matter where you are. Matty Dalrymple, author of the Lizzy Ballard thrillers and Ann Kinnear suspense novels ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jane Kelly is a native Philadelphian, but no matter where her career took herNew York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, or Phoenixshe managed to visit the Jersey Shore, where the Meg Daniels mysteries are set, at least once a year. Jane is a graduate of Chestnut Hill College, has an MS from Drexel University in Library and Information Science and an MPhil in Popular Literature from Trinity College, Dublin in 2008. Jane has served as president of the Delaware Valley Sisters in Crime and on the board of the New York Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Her fourth Meg Daniels mystery, Missing You in Atlantic City, won an Independent Publisher Book Award silver medal for mid-Atlantic fiction in 2015. Greetings From Ventnor City (303pp/trade paperback/$14.95/ISBN 978-1-940091-06-8) is available in bookstores and from all major online booksellers, and by ordering direct from the publisher. For more information or to order, call or email Plexus Publishing, Inc. at 609/654-6500 or info@plexuspublishing.com or visit plexuspublishing.com. - The committee will be headed by Yusuf Haji and will have two joint secretaries who will handle official communication - It is expected to submit its comprehensive advice to the government by June 30, 2020, or any other date President Uhuru will direct - Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula and ANC chief Musalia Mudavadi had expressed concern over the President's delay in publishing the names as required by law President Uhuru Kenyatta has gazetted names of the 14-member task force charged with spearheading implementation of the recently launched Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report. The team, whose term was extended by the President on December 11, 2019, will be headed by Mohamed Yusuf Haji, according to a gazette notice dated Friday, January 10. READ ALSO: Generous man tips all staff members at local restaurant with KSh 1,413 President Uhuru (c) poses for a photo with a section of members of the BBI taskforce. Photo: State House. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Walimu 3 wauawa baada ya wanaoamniwa kuwa Al Shabaab kushambulia Garissa Other members that will serve in the taskforce are Lawi Imathiu, Maison Leshomo, James Matundura, Rose Moseu, Agnes Kavindu Muthama and Saeed Mwaguni. The other seven are: Peter Njenga Zaccheaus Okoth (Archbishop Emeritus) Adams Oloo READ ALSO: Moses Kuria accuses Raila of bewitching Uhuru 4. Amos Wako 5. Florence Omose 6. Morompi ole Ronkei 7. John Seii The team will be required to conduct validation of the report they presented before the Head of State in November 2019. This will be done through consultations with citizens, civil society and faith-based organisations among other stakeholders. "They shall conduct validation of the task force report on building bridges to a united Kenya through consultations with citizens, civil society, the faith-based organisations, cultural leaders, the private sector, and experts. They will propose administrative, policy, statutory or constitutional changes that may be necessary for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the task force report, taking into account any relevant contributions made during the validation period," read the notice signed by Head of the Public Service Joseph Kinya. The BBI has been perceived as the brainchild of the handshake between Uhuru (l) and Raila (r). Photo: Raila Odinga. Source: UGC The Steering Committee is expected to submit its comprehensive advice to the government by June 30, 2020, or any other date the President may direct. The gazettement comes amid surging calls by leaders allied to ODM leader Raila Odinga who want the BBI report quickly furnished and its recommendations adopted through a referendum. Leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto (c) hold that it is not easy for a referendum to held before August 2020. Photo: State House. Source: Facebook Led by Siaya Senator James Orengo, the leaders want a plebiscite convened before August 2020. However, leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto hold that it is not easy for a referendum to be held that soon. They are also strongly opposed to consultative meetings to popularise the BBI report. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Please cut off this breast - Sharon Atieno | Tuko TV | My Story. Source: TUKO.co.ke Truly Local shopping isnt just a nice thing to do to show local spirit. Truly Local shopping in the future may very well be the difference between whether your community grows economically or withers on the economic vine. To be clear, Truly Local isnt the same as just shopping local, all local shopping isnt created equal. Truly Local is described as locally owned and operated; this on occasion includes national chains that are locally owned. With the increase of big boxes, national chains, Wall Street or out-of-town owners and online shopping opportunities, many local community governments are finding it increasingly more difficult to make their local fiscal budgets stretch to cover their basic needs. In fact, many are already in severe financial straits. The term 'unintended consequences' could very well have been coined to convey the situation many communities find themselves in today or will find themselves in the near future. The courtship of big boxes and chains might be viewed as a necessary evil that communities must attract to appear viable. By bringing these big boxes and chains to the community, it can indeed create new jobs, increase the quality of life for residents and provide a greater variety of goods and services that we all enjoy. While the benefits can be great, we must realize this also comes with high risk as well. The greater the saturation of big boxes and chains, the greater long term economic risk to our communities. One might ask, how can this be? Very simply, the more money each of us spends with these big box, chain and out of town owners; the bigger the drain on our local budgets as a greater percentage of those dollars we are spending leave our community, never again to return. Studies show that dollars spent at locally owned businesses are three to seven times more valuable as they are re-circulated multiple times throughout the community in lieu of being sent to some far off corporate headquarters. It is those same dollars leaving our community that otherwise would fund our police, fire departments, city government, water department, road department, parks & recreation and so forth. Bottom line, fewer dollars equate to fewer or less than desirable services. How can communities balance sending their dollars to Wall Street in lieu of growing their own Main Streets? As is the case with most things in life, it is all about balance. Having these big boxes, chains, Wall Street and out-of-town owned businesses can initially be beneficial to the overall growth of a community. The bigger issue arises when communities in their haste, vigorously court these big boxes, chains and Wall Street organizations at the expense of organically growing their local business base from within. We must not forget that small businesses, mostly locally owned, employ the majority of all workers across the country. We must attend to that base as well. Communities must find the resolve to expend equal attention and resources on their local business, innovation and entrepreneur base. Nurturing their startups will ultimately create the balance to weather the pending economic storm clouds of retail; along with the rapidly shifting shopping habits that are changing right before our eyes. With the rapidly shifting retail and consumer habits, it is imperative that communities have these critical conversations. It is also critical that they find ways to stimulate local entrepreneurship and innovation. It is imperative they find ways to keep a greater percentage of their consumer spending local. While we will discuss this in future columns, the younger generations are leading us rapidly toward an experiential economy where it isnt about sameness, but about making dining and shopping an experience. This spells local in every way. These aren't just nice discussions to have; the economic and vital future of every community under 100,000 is in danger of slowly being dismantled by the winds of economic change. We are sure of one thing: Wall Street cares little about our communities, unless of course, how it can extract more local dollars that boost their bottom lines. The future of our communities are certainly in our hands, and our hands only. Whether we win or lose tomorrow will be determined by the hard decisions we make today. Hopefully our communities will make those decisions based on long-term growth and not just short-term satisfaction. John A. Newby is the author of the "Building Main Street, Not Wall Street " column dedicated to helping communities and local media companies combine synergies allowing them to not just survive, but thrive in a world where their Truly-Local identity is being lost to Amazon, Wall Street chains and others. Newby is partnering with the Midland Daily News for this weekly column series. His email is john@360MediaAlliance.net. Chief Ministers K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy along with TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao at Pragathi Bhavan on Monday. The AP CM and the IT minister wore similar dresses, to the pleasure of photographers. Hyderabad: Chief Ministers K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday decided to pursue a give-and-take policy in all matters for the larger benefit of the people of the two states. They decided unanimously to supply Godavari waters to the Krishna river basin and to resolve all issues regarding assets and liabilities under the 9th and 10th Schedules of the AP Reorganisation Act as early as possible. Mr Reddy arrived at Pragathi Bhavan on Monday afternoon where Mr Rao accorded him a warm welcome. They had lunch and then held a six-hour discussion with officials on issues of mutual interest as well as on the national political situation. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and in a spirit of mutual cooperation. There was a lengthy discussion on the diversion of the Godavari water to the Krishna basin. Water availability in the Krishna is not uniform every year. On several occasions there has been no water available in the Krishna at all. As a result farmers in Rayala-seema in AP and in Ma-habbnagar and Nalgonda districts in TS incur losses as the crops do not get the required water. It was therefore decided that water from the Godavari river be diverted to the Krishna basin when required. By utilising the Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam projects, the Godavari water can be diverted to the Krish-na with less expense, the two CMs decided. Officials to sort out asset division Mr Rao and Mr Reddy also decided to discuss in depth from where water from the Godavari should be diverted and to where, and related issues, in their next meeting. There are also issues in the ninth and tenth Schedules under the bifurcation Act which can be solved quite easily with mutual cooperation and proper awareness, the CMs observed. The chief secretaries of both the states have been told to meet and solve issues under the two Schedules. At the high-profile meeting, the ongoing controversy on the proposal of three capitals for Andhra Pradesh also came up for discussion. When Mr Rao raised the matter, Mr Reddy reportedly explained his views. Mr Reddy said that in his opinion, AP must have three capitals for decentralisation of administration and for the development of all regions. Amaravati will remain the legislative capital, Kurnool will be the judicial capital and Visakhapatnam the executive capital. Mr Reddy said all reports will be discussed in the Assembly before a final decision is made. He also said that he is considering bringing in new legislation on decentralisation and equal development of all regions. Meanwhile, as the bonhomie shared by the two Telugu chief ministers remained intact, political observers were amused to see that the camaraderie extended to the sartorial tastes of the leaders. Mr Reddy has taken to wearing a white shirt and khaki-coloured trousers, while TRS working president and minister K.T. Rama Rao too wore a similar dress. As they walked into Pragathi Bhavan, photographers jostled to capture the image. Within minutes, the photograph has been circulated on social media. Someone commented that it should be captioned Would-be CM of Telangana with AP CM. Alister Campbell, Insurance Industry Executive Alister has an incredible wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the insurance supply chain. We're extremely fortunate to be working with Alister to create the future of our industry Finaeo announced today that Alister Campbell, a 30+ year insurance industry veteran, has joined the companys Board of Directors. Previously CEO of several large insurers including Zurich Canada and The Guarantee Company of North America, Campbell is currently also serving as CEO of PACICC, Canadas P&C insurance insolvency resolution authority. Launched in 2016, Finaeos digital marketplace connects carriers, brokers and their clients to streamline and accelerate the distribution of life and health insurance. Finaeos end-to-end platform alleviates process inefficiencies for carriers and brokers, while reinventing the client experience. The companys API technology is built in collaboration with insurance carriers to transform the way policies are sold, and ensure products are digitally accessible to brokers and their clients. With the addition of Campbell to Finaeos Board of Directors, the company will gain new insight into addressing the specific needs of insurers and navigating the internal complexities of the insurance supply chain. Client expectations have evolved, and the industry needs to develop a different way of creating value. Our goal is to help carriers digitally distribute while augmenting the way brokers serve today's digital customer. - Aly Dhalla, CEO and Co-Founder, Finaeo. Alister has an incredible wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the insurance supply chain. We're extremely fortunate to be working with Alister to create the future of our industry. Alisters experience spans many facets of insurance, including Property & Casualty, Personal, Life and Health as well as Travel insurance. In addition to his prior roles as CEO, Alister was also previously President, Personal Insurance at Zurich Canada, and served as Chair of World Travel Protection. He currently serves on the Board of the Global Risk Institute in Financial Services and as Chair of the International Forum of Insurance Guarantee Schemes. Finaeos vision for creating a seamless digital flow from prospect-to-policy is inspiring and doable. However, insurers have to balance the limitations of their legacy systems with the costs and risks associated with migrating to the new digital age. Says Campbell, I have lived that tension for years and have seen the tangible benefits from driving an execution-focused change agenda. I look forward to helping Aly and his team deliver on their vision for brokers and insurers! In 2019, Finaeo closed a $5.35M funding round to further support product development and market expansion. The company has since developed an end-to-end carrier integration model and is continuing to expand its broker-enabled distribution network across North America. More about Finaeo: Finaeo is a venture-backed insurtech building the digital fabric to connect and power life and health insurance, globally. Finaeo connects insurance carriers, brokers and their clients through an integrated marketplace to streamline the "prospect-to-policy" experience. To learn more, visit https://finaeo.com/ The New York Times The threat of air pollution grabs our attention when we see it for example, the tendrils of smoke of Australian brush fires, now visible from space, or the poisonous soup of smog that descends on cities like New Delhi in the winter. But polluted air also harms billions of people on a continuing basis. Outdoors, we breathe in toxins delivered by car traffic, coal-fired plants and oil refineries. Indoor fires for heat and cooking taint the air for billions of people in poor countries. More than 1 billion people add toxins to their lungs by smoking cigarettes and more recently, by vaping. Ninety-two percent of the worlds people live in places where fine particulate matter the very small particles most dangerous to human tissues exceeds the World Health Organizations guideline for healthy air. Air pollution and tobacco together are responsible for up to 20 million premature deaths each year. Airborne toxins damage us in a staggering number of ways. Along with well-established links to lung cancer and heart disease, researchers are now finding new connections to disorders such as diabetes and Alzheimers disease. Scientists are still figuring out how air pollution causes these ailments. They are also puzzling over the apparent resilience that some people have to this modern onslaught. Some researchers now argue that the answers to these questions lie in our distant evolutionary past, millions of years before the first cigarette was lit and the first car hit the road. Our ancestors were bedeviled by airborne toxins even as bipedal apes walking the African savanna, argued Benjamin Trumble, a biologist at Arizona State University, and Caleb Finch of the University of Southern California, in the December issue of the Quarterly Review of Biology. Our forebears evolved defenses against these pollutants, the scientists propose. Today, those adaptations may provide protection, albeit limited, against tobacco smoke and other airborne threats. But our evolutionary legacy may also be a burden, Trumble and Finch speculated. Some genetic adaptations may have increased our vulnerability to diseases linked to air pollution. It is a really creative, interesting contribution to evolutionary medicine, said Molly Fox, an anthropologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not involved in the new study. The story begins about 7 million years ago. Africa at the time was gradually growing more arid. The Sahara emerged in northern Africa, while grasslands opened up in eastern and southern Africa. The ancestors of chimpanzees and gorillas remained in the retreating forests, but our ancient relatives adapted to the new environments. They evolved into a tall, slender frame well suited to walking and running long distances. Finch and Trumble believe that early humans faced another challenge that has gone largely overlooked: the air. Periodically, the savanna would have experienced heavy dust storms from the Sahara, and our distant ancestors may have risked harm to their lungs from breathing in the silica-rich particles. When the dust is up, were going to see more pulmonary problems, Finch said. Even today, Greek researchers have found that when Sahara winds reach their country, patients surge into hospitals with respiratory complaints. The dense foliage of tropical forests gave chimpanzees and gorillas a refuge from dust. But the earliest humans, wandering the open grasslands, had nowhere to hide. Dust was not the only hazard. The lungs of early humans also may have been irritated by the high levels of pollen and particles of fecal matter produced by the savannas vast herds of grazing animals. Finch and Trumble maintain that scientists should consider whether these new challenges altered our biology through natural selection. Is it possible, for instance, that people who are resilient to cigarette smoke have inherited genetic variants that protected their distant ancestors from cave fires? One way to answer these questions is to look at genes that have evolved significantly since our ancestors moved out of the forests. One of them is MARCO, which provides the blueprint for production of a molecular hook used by immune cells in our lungs. The cells use this hook to clear away both bacteria and particles, including silica dust. The human version of the MARCO gene is distinctively different from that of other apes. That transformation happened at least half a million years ago. (Neanderthals carried the variant, too.) Breathing dusty air drove the evolution of MARCO in our savanna-walking ancestors, Finch and Trumble hypothesize. Later, our ancestors added to airborne threats by mastering fire. As they lingered near hearths to cook food, stay warm or keep away from insects, they breathed in smoke. Once early humans began building shelters, the environment became more harmful to their lungs. "Most traditional people live in a highly smoky environment," Finch said. "I think it has been a fact of human living for us even before our species." Smoke created a new evolutionary pressure, he and Trumble believe. Humans evolved powerful liver enzymes, for example, to break down toxins passing into the bloodstream from the lungs. Gary Perdew, a molecular toxicologist at Penn State University, and his colleagues have found evidence of smoke-driven evolution in another gene, AHR. This gene makes a protein found on cells in the gut, lungs and skin. When toxins get snagged on the protein, cells release enzymes that break down the poisons. Other mammals use AHR to detoxify their food. But the protein is also effective against some of the compounds in wood smoke. Compared to other species, the human version produces a weaker response to toxins, perhaps because AHR protein is not the perfect protector the fragments it leaves behind can cause tissue damage. Before fire, our ancestors did not need to use AHR very often; in theory, their bodies could tolerate the limited damage the protein caused. But when we began breathing smoke regularly and needing the AHR protein constantly, the gene might have become dangerous to our health. Perdew believes that humans evolved a weaker AHR response as a way to find a sweet spot, a compromise that minimized the damage of airborne pollutants without causing too many side effects. These adaptations were never perfect, as evidenced by the fact that millions of people still die today from indoor air pollution. But evolution doesnt seek perfect health. All that matters from an evolutionary standpoint is that you reproduce, Perdew said. If you die in your 40s, so what? Its kind of a cold, heartless way to think about it, but it is what it is. A changed atmosphere Our species arrived at the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago with bodies that had been shaped for millions of years by this highly imperfect process. Clean water, improved medicines and other innovations drastically reduced deaths from infectious diseases. The average life expectancy shot up. But our exposure to airborne toxins also increased. If we compressed the last 5 million years into a single year, it wouldnt be until Dec. 31, 11:40 p.m., that the Industrial Revolution begins, Trumble said. We are living in just the tiniest little blip of human existence, yet we think everything around us is whats normal. The Industrial Revolution was powered largely by coal, and people began breathing the fumes. Cars became ubiquitous; power plants and oil refineries spread. Tobacco companies made cigarettes on an industrial scale. Today, they sell 6.5 trillion cigarettes every year. Our bodies responded with defenses honed over hundreds of thousands of years. One of their most potent responses was inflammation. But instead of brief bursts of inflammation, many people began to experience it constantly. Many studies now suggest that chronic inflammation represents an important link between airborne toxins and disease. In the brain, for example, chronic inflammation may impair our ability to clear up defective proteins. As those proteins accumulate, they may lead to dementia. Pathogens can hitch a ride on particles of pollutants. When they get in our noses, they can make contact with nerve endings. There, they can trigger even more inflammation. They provide this highway thats a direct route to the brain, Fox, of UCLA, said. I think thats what makes this a particularly scary story. Some genetic variants that arose in our smoky past may offer some help now. They might allow some people to live long despite smoking, Finch and Trumble suggest. But the researchers have studied another gene for which the opposite seems to be true: a variant that was once helpful has become harmful in an age of rising air pollution. The variant, ApoE4, first came to light because it drastically raises the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. More recently, researchers have also discovered that ApoE4 increases the risk that exposure to air pollution leads to dementia. But these studies were restricted to industrialized countries. When researchers looked to other societies such as farmers in poor villages in Ghana, or indigenous forest-dwellers in Bolivia ApoE4 had a very different effect. In these societies, infectious diseases remain a major cause of death, especially in children. Researchers have found that in such places, ApoE4 increases the odds that people will survive to adulthood and have children. Natural selection may have favored ApoE4 for hundreds of thousands of years because of this ability to increase survival. But this gene and others may have had harmful side effects that remained invisible until the sooty, smoky modern age. Carl Zimmer. c.2020 The New York Times Company BJP MLA Surendra Singh who is known for making outrageous statements on Tuesday compared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with a demon "Lankini" and called her "chief" of demons. He alleged that Banerjee was protecting terrorists who killed thousands of Hindus. Referring to the Trinamool Congress protest against the amended Citizenship law during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kolkata visit, the BJP MLA made the statement. 'India is a party of Gods' "In a democratic society, Mamata Banerjee has traits of a demon. She has no human values and no women characteristics. She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. That's why we can call her demon and not a human. She is like the Lankini of Sri Lanka," he said. "In Bengal, Mamata is not a leader but a Lankini. BJP won 18 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, now the party will sweep Assembly polls in West Bengal. India is a party of Gods. And SP, BSP, TMC are parties of demons. Giving protection to terrorists means protecting demons. We can call her the chief of demons," the BJP legislator from Ballia added. READ | 'Bengal is no Uttar Pradesh': Mamata Banerjee hits back at Dilip Ghosh's shocking threat Mamata against CAA-NRC Mamata Banerjee has been heading protests in the state against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). She met PM Modi for a brief one-on-one discussion during his Kolkata visit and said she had asked him to withdraw the contentious law. She has earlier said that the central legislation and proposed nation-wide NRC can only be implemented in West Bengal over her "dead body". READ | BJP's motormouth MLA Surendra Singh makes outrageous remark targeting Priyanka Gandhi, calls her "Shurpanakha" and Rahul Gandhi "Raavan" Mamata hits back at Bengal BJP chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday also hit out at BJP state chief Dilip Ghosh after he threatened to shoot anti-CAA protestors involved in violence like it was done in Uttar Pradesh. Banerjee called Ghoshs comments as shameful and said Bengal was not like Uttar Pradesh. How can you say this? she asked. Its a shame to even take his name. Youre promoting firing. This isnt UP. Here firing wont happen." Furthermore hitting out at the BJP state chief, she said, "Understand that if tomorrow something untoward happens, youll be equally responsible. You want to kill people for protesting? WATCH | "Mayawati does facial, colours hair at 60", BJP's motormouth MLA Surendra Singh makes sexist remark against BSP chief What is CAA? The Citizenship Amendment Act, approved by Parliament on December 11 and signed into law by President Ram Nath Kovind on December 13, provides citizenship to refugees from six minority religious communities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as long as they have lived in India for six years and entered the country by December 31, 2014. The Act has been widely criticised for excluding Muslims. At least 26 people have died in last months protests against the law. Of these, 19 died in Uttar Pradesh, five in Assam, and two in Karnataka. READ | 'Changing name won't help train come on time', BJP's motormouth minister takes a jibe at his own party (with ANI inputs) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Asterion Cannabis Inc. ("Asterion" or the "Company") announces that the Company's 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at Suite 2200 - 1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6E 2K3. Matters to be acted upon at the AGM include; Appointment of Auditor Number of Directors Election of Directors Stock Option Plan Approval Other Business About Asterion Asterion is a Canadian medicinal cannabis company with operations in Australia, specializing in innovation in the development and supply of medical cannabis and is focused on becoming an industry leader in next generation cannabis products. Asterion is focused on the future of advanced agriculture and aims to produce the highest quality of genetically uniform cannabis strains, at an affordable price. Asterion is led by a team of highly experienced executives with over 120 years of combined experience in medical cannabis, renewable energy, capital markets, and other highly relevant sectors across North America, Oceania, Europe, Africa and Asia. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Stephen Van Deventer" Chairman & Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Deanna Kress +1-778-999-6063 info@asterioncannabis.com Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's anticipated business plans and prospects of success in executing its plans, 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. Various risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Asterion's expectations. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions, future prices of cannabis, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for cannabis, or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology or cannabis industry, and delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals, may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51450 The animals were then taken to Metro Animal Shelter. The shelters manager, Tory Walsh, said the shelter received 61 animals in total from the incident - 45 dogs, 15 rabbits and one very pregnant cat. The statement released by the police department Jan. 9 said there were 62 animals. That was a miscount, the department said. Animal control officers recently concluded their investigation into the homeowner and are recommending charges on 61 individual counts of animal cruelty, according to animal protection officer Sergeant Scott Schell. Speaking before Schoell's comments, Itzen said once the investigation was complete his office would proceed with filing charges against the homeowner. The animals in question are not up for adoption because the case is still pending. Itzen said the homeowner has not surrendered ownership, so until she does or a court makes a determination in the case, the animals will remain under her ownership, but they won't be under her care. The animals will stay at Metro Animal Shelter until the case is resolved, but just wont be up for adoption, Walsh said. The dogs taken from the home are mostly small breeds that require grooming, and Petco has donated its services and has been giving the dogs "spa days" since Sunday, Walsh said. By Barani Krishnan Investing.com - Street protests in Iran or the anticipation of a China deal arent swaying oil buyers. Crude prices sunk further for the year on Monday on easing tensions in the Middle East and amid worries that oil could get into another oversupply situation from seasonal lows in consumption. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark for U.S. crude, was down 59 cents, or 1%, at $58.45 per barrel by 1:10 PM ET (18:10 GMT). Brent, the global benchmark for crude, slid 54 cents, or 0.8%, to $64.44. Brent hit mid-September highs of $71.75 last week, while WTI surged to an April peak of $64.72, after Iran fired missiles at U.S. airbases in Iraq. Tehrans action was in response to the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3. But the missiles didnt kill any U.S. servicemen and President Donald Trump decided to stand down any further escalation with Iran, dramatically easing tensions in the Middle East and crude prices as well. Until then, WTI and Brent had risen on Soleimanis killing, especially with oil tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz next to Iran as precaution. On Monday, WTI was down more than 4% on the year while Brent showed a 2% decline. The U.S. crude benchmark fell more than 6% last week alone, its sharpest weekly decline in six months. Social media was awash with images of street protests in Iran on Monday as people condemned the Islamic Republics leadership after Tehrans forces accidentally downed a Ukraine Airlines flight last week while firing at the U.S. airbases in Iraq. But the protests did little to boost the prices of crude, which had trouble sustaining geopolitical premiums even after last Septembers attack on Saudi Arabias oil facilities in Abqaiq that briefly knocked out 5% of world crude supply. There have been plenty of geopolitical issues in the Middle East since the start of the year, said Olivier Jakob, founder of PetroMatrix, an oil risk consultancy in Zug, Switzerland. Story continues However, last week has shown that Abqaiq was no exception: the oil markets have little appetite to buy a geopolitical premium," Jakob said. "It is easier for crude oil to sustain a rally on no news, or just the weekly U.S. stock data, than to sustain a rally on flying missiles. Analysts said fears were growing that oil might head into another oversupply situation after last weeks U.S. government data showing huge inventory builds. The U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed that crude stockpiles rose by 1.2 million barrels for the week ended Jan. 3, versus market expectations for a decline of 3.6 million barrels. Gasoline inventories soared by 9.1 million barrels, compared with expectations for a rise of 2.7 million barrels, the data showed. Distillate stockpiles, meanwhile, climbed by 5.3 million barrels, versus forecasts for a build of 3.9 million barrels. Crude traders and investors also appeared indifferent to the upcoming U.S.-China phase one deal, which could contain promises by Beijing to buy more crude from the United States. Trump and Chinas Vice Premier Liu He are to sign the deal at the White House on Wednesday, with nary an official detail announced so far on the contents of the pact. Bloomberg reported at the weekend that there could be $200 billion in Chinese commodity imports, although it indicated this may have more to do with grains, given Trumps plan to repair some of the damage suffered by farmers. Related Articles Wall Streets Biggest Oil Hedge Is Declared a State Secret Gold Prices Slide as Risk Outlook Improves; Copper Hits 8-Month High Oil Holds Biggest Weekly Loss Since July on Easing Gulf Tension TICKERS: PGE; PGEZF; 5D32 Source: Bob Moriarty for Streetwise Reports (1/14/20) Bob Moriarty of 321gold reports on the latest drill results from this company's Montana project. The world is at an interesting junction. Awash in debt caused by promises that governments cannot possibly fulfill, civil disorder takes place in at least fourteen different countries. The U.S. political system has tied itself into partisan knots in an effort to replay the 2016 election with a President dodging and weaving getting thrown out of office on the basis he used the Presidency for political purposes to affect an election. Those intent on tossing Trump out of office are of course using their office for political purposes to affect an election. But truth stopped being part of the political process a long time ago. The U.S. Congressional-Military-Industrial-Complex (CMIC) managed to convince Trump to assassinate a high government official in a sovereign nation thereby setting an interesting precedent that almost certainly just painted a bulls eye on the butts of every U.S. high government official who would ever dream of setting foot in the Middle East. Does anyone in this administration even understand where the word "assassin" comes from? Iran invented the concept while many are hoping that one day Trump will cotton on to the interesting concept of telling the truth. We were told at first that the U.S./Israel tag team needed to whack Soleimani on the legal basis that there was some "imminent" threat to the U.S. Our beloved president would have a nose the size of a California redwood like Pinocchio if that fairy tale represented the real world. In "Trump World" imminent means planned for many months. Those who believe that a country at constant war with enemies of all sorts located everywhere conveniently have forgotten that the U.S. declared war on seven countries in five years sometime prior to 911. So now if the U.S. tells you that they are going to war with you and will invade you and kill your family and rape your dog, if you defend your country, your wife and children, you are called a terrorist. Soleimani didn't start a war with the U.S. or attack the U.S. first; the US declared war on Iran. Eighteen years ago!! Sigh!!!!! That can't end well. In other places, South Africa, home of the mining of 78% of platinum and 39% of palladium the government determined that continuing to supply cheap electricity to potential voters, below the cost of production, was more important than providing well paid jobs to their citizens. Industry, primarily mining, is being throttled. Someday South Africa will be just as much an example of economic wisdom as is Zimbabwe today. Regardless of demand, the supply of PGMs is going to decline. In 2017 having read the words on the wall, a South African company named Sibanye bought the Stillwater Mining Company in Montana for $2.2 billion and have counted an incredible 80 million ounces of platinum/palladium. Group Ten Metals Inc. (PGE:TSX.V; PGEZF:OTCQB; 5D32:FSE) owns the other half of the Stillwater complex. They just announced some of the best PGM drill intercepts I have ever seen. I wrote about Group Ten back in July. It's something that everyone interested in PGM stocks should read. The PGMs are going to go into permanent shortage. There are few PGM companies to choose from. Group Ten announced a drill program for the 2019 season back in June. At the end of October they put out a press release saying they had completed the program for the year. Assay results came out the week before Christmas. The market yawned and even while the price of palladium continues to hit a new all time high day after day, the market yawns. On the day the release came out, the shares were $0.175. Today they are $0.19. Be still my beating heart. Clearly the market doesn't get it. These results were world class, some of the best I have ever seen. Face it; most investors are as clueless as I am about the value of one hole compared to another. These intercepts have copper, nickel, platinum and palladium. Who can do that math in their head? But I've come up with a way where it is easy to compare one assay to another. The TSX has a hissy fit every time I use it because they would like to control all the information investors have access to. And you just know in your heart of hearts that your government has only your best interests in mind. Yea, right. Let's take the example of the highest-grade hole first. Group Ten talked about a 1.90 g/t Pt equivalent intercept of 272 meters. Imagine for the sake of visibility that this hole is a cube. It's 272 meters deep and 272 meters on each side, and we will use a rock density of 2.5 for our math. There is no such cube. It doesn't exist for Group Ten or anyone else. But if you pretend such a cube exists, you can compare one hole to another. We cube the hole by multiplying the length by the width by the depth. Then we multiply that by 2.5 because there are 2.5 tons of rock in a cubic meter then we multiply that number by the gross metal value of the Pt equivalent of $59.07. Of course no mine extracts all of the rock or mills all of the contained metal but we aren't doing a 43-101, we are trying to understand what one hole means to the next. If such a cube existed of 272 meters of 1.9 Pt equivalent it would have a gross metal value of $2.971 billion USD. Now that's a nice hole. When you decrease both the length of the hole and the grade of the rock, what does that do to our mythical value? So we will do a cube of 175 meters times 2.5 times a rock value of $46.63. That gives us a gross metal value of a tiny $625 million in USD but both length and grade went down. Where this technique for comparing holes gets interesting is when you increase either length of intercept or grade but not both. You can come up with a surprise. So we will take the 327 meter hole of 1.21 g/t Pt equivalent and multiply it times the rock density of 2.5 and gross metal value of $37.62 to come up with a drill hole value of $3.288 Billion in USD. That's billions with a capital B. B being a very large number for any drill hole. Now I can't tell you if a $37.62 a ton intercept is economic but a $3.288 billion dollar hole should be worth something. The world is about to fall off an economic cliff into a debt sinkhole and that's true regardless of if the Donald manages to ignite WW III or not. All the fools investing with the use of the FOMO tool in "Bitcon," weed or the S&P are about to get a rude awakening. It might be nice to have some investments in real assets when that happens. Group Ten is an advertiser and naturally that makes me biased. I do own shares bought in the open market. Do your own due diligence. Group Ten Metals PGE-V $0.19 (Jan 14, 2020) PGEZF OTCBB 81.1 million shares Group Ten website. Bob Moriarty founded 321gold.com, with his late wife, Barbara Moriarty, more than 16 years ago. They later added 321energy.com to cover oil, natural gas, gasoline, coal, solar, wind and nuclear energy. Both sites feature articles, editorial opinions, pricing figures and updates on current events affecting both sectors. Previously, Moriarty was a Marine F-4B and O-1 pilot with more than 832 missions in Vietnam. He holds 14 international aviation records. [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Bob Moriarty: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Group Ten Metals. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Group Ten Metals is an advertiser on 321 Gold. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. 2) The following companies mentioned are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Group Ten Metals. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Group Ten Metals. Please click here for more information. 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Group Ten Metals, a company mentioned in this article. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa seems to be cracking under immense pressure from ministerial berth aspirants. His statements on Monday clearly point to his reluctance to confidently state that all 11 of the newly-elected MLAs would be made ministers. Yediyurappa has been saying all along that all these MLAs, who were instrumental in the BJP government coming to power and now adding numbers to his government, will be made ministers. But on Monday, Yediyurappa put the onus on party national president Amit Shah. Amit Shahs decision is final. I will abide by his decision as he is the national president, Yediyurappa said when asked if all 11 MLAs will be inducted as ministers. Having cancelled his New Delhi trip to discuss cabinet expansion with the central leadership at least three times already, Yediyurappa is now compelled to show that the delay is a result of the unavailability of the central leadership and not reluctance from his end. Yediyurappa said he was willing to visit New Delhi anytime but that it depended on when he would get an appointment with Amit Shah. I intend to go to Delhi at the earliest. If Amit Shah gives time, I will travel even tonight and finalise cabinet expansion. I hope to expand the cabinet before I travel out of the country, Yediyurappa said referring to his travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum. The Chief Minister is expected to fly out of Karnataka on January 20. If I get an appointment with them tonight, I will go else I will at least try tomorrow. The expansion will be done as soon as possible, he said. Yediyurappa had earlier said he would go to New Delhi probably on January 11 or 12 to discuss cabinet expansion with the BJP bosses. However, on Saturday, he said he had decided to discuss the exercise with Shah during the latters visit to the state next week. Shah will be here to address a rally in Hubballi on January 18 as part of the BJPs nationwide outreach programme to create awareness among the people about the Citizenship Amendment Act. POLK COUNTY, Georgia A police officer is recovering after he was struck by a train while searching for a suspect in a moment recorded on his body camera. The Associated Press reports the hit from the train last week left Polk County police officer Andy Anderson with a concussion, six broken ribs, a broken elbow and a broken shoulder bone. Anderson was released from the hospital on Sunday, ABC News reports. The officer tells Fox 5 Atlanta he was searching for a burglary suspect when he was struck. CNN reports Anderson spotted the suspect and radioed for backup. Unfortunately, he didnt realize how close he was to the tracks as the train approached. Thats a prime example of tunnel vision. Its real," Police Chief Kenny Dodd tells Fox 5 Atlanta. He was so focused on the man getting away he forgot about the danger around him and didnt step far enough off the tracks. CNN reports two people have been arrested in connection with the burglary. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comments page. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: 2 Pittsburgh-area teens accused of posting video of toddler vaping Ohio infant dies after attack by family dog Man injured when shots fired into Maple Heights home Gunmen burst into Cleveland home and killed one man, injured another Drunken driver gets more than three years in prison for crash that killed Avon Lake bicyclist Man shot in the mouth in Cleveland arrested on drug trafficking charges Driver accused of ramming two Elyria police cruisers Suspected Al-Shabab Militants Kill 3 Kenyan Teachers By Mohammed Yusuf January 13, 2020 Kenyan police say suspected al-Shabab militants killed three teachers in Kenya's northeastern Garissa county early Monday in the second attack on a school in the area in as many weeks. Officials have withdrawn teachers from the area for their safety. Kenyan police say the teachers were killed when an unknown number of armed men attacked a school in Garissa county, near the border with Somalia. Police spokesman Charles Owino says the militants also attacked a police post, but he says no officers were injured. "Today morning at about 02:00, armed attackers believed to be al-Shabab militia attacked Kamuthe primary school next to Kamuthe police post. They attempted to destroy a telecommunication mast, and they also murdered three teachers," he said. As police began a search for the attackers, Garissa County education officials, with the help of the national government, withdrew teachers from the schools perceived to be too dangerous. "The market center was attacked, police camp was burned, the Safaricom mast was burned, they also attacked the school, they went and picked on non-Muslim teachers and three were killed, one is injured," said Khalif Sheikh Issack, the Garissa county education chief. "The remaining teachers we advise them to come to Garissa, [and] we picked most of them. All teachers in this county now are going to be assembled in Garissa for further advice and deployment elsewhere, where there is security." Hassan Omar is a member of the county assembly of Garissa. His constituency falls under the area that came under attack. "The most safe place in Garissa is this line, Bura district, where previous teachers were transferred to. Now this has happened, it shows nowhere is safe in Garissa county," he said. On January 7, at least four students were killed and four more injured when al-Shabab militants attacked another primary school in a remote village of the county. Security officers have been accused of not providing enough security to protect the teachers and the school. Garissa County Commissioner Meru Mwangi Garissa told VOA the government has not abandoned its people. He calls on locals to help the police with information. It's unfortunate, because they are dealing with innocent locals, and we, as the government, we are inquiring and asking members of the public to help and assist the security agencies with information so that this kind of activities can be reduced," he said. In just over a month, al-Shabab has been blamed for attacks that killed at least 23 people in Kenya, including an attack on a military base that killed three Americans. The militant group wants Kenyan troops to leave Somalia, where they are helping the Somali government maintain security and fight al-Shabab. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Home Office had formally requested the extradition of 42-year-old US citizen Anne Sacoolas over the death of Harry Dunn (Family handout/PA) The Prime Minister has said the chances of a return to the UK for the US suspect charged in connection with the death of teenager Harry Dunn are very low. The Home Office said it submitted an extradition request for Anne Sacoolas on Friday after she was charged with causing the 19-year-olds death by dangerous driving last month. Despite saying it was right that we made the appeal for extradition, Boris Johnson told BBC Breakfast that sending Mrs Sacoolas back to face justice was not what (the US) do. Mr Dunn died after his motorbike crashed into a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year. I think the chances of America actually responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. Thats not what they doBoris Johnson Mrs Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity after the collision and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy. The US State Department has said the extradition request for Mrs Sacoolas is highly inappropriate and would be an abuse. But the Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said Boris Johnsons views on the prospects of an extradition are diametrically opposed to the familys. Speaking about the extradition request on Tuesday, the Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast: I think that its right that we made the appeal for extradition. He added: I think the chances of America actually responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. Thats not what they do. Reacting to Mr Johnsons comments from Denver in the US, the spokesman for the Dunn family, Radd Seiger, told the PA news agency: I do not know what is in the Prime Ministers mind in making those comments because the parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him but we expect to do so within the next few days. Certainly, if he is basing those comments on what is currently emanating from Washington he may well be right. However, the extradition request has now been delivered and therefore the legal process has commenced Mr Johnsons officials have been working extremely hard over the last few months to prepare a thorough and diligent case. Expand Close The family of Harry Dunn (left to right) mother Charlotte Charles, stepfather Bruce Charles, family spokesman Radd Seiger, father Tim Dunn and stepmother Tracey Dunn (David Mirzoeff/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The family of Harry Dunn (left to right) mother Charlotte Charles, stepfather Bruce Charles, family spokesman Radd Seiger, father Tim Dunn and stepmother Tracey Dunn (David Mirzoeff/PA) Mr Seiger continued: Harrys family will as always take things one step at a time and will not prejudge the outcome of the process, but as I have stated many times publicly, my analysis of the prospects of success are diametrically opposed to Mr Johnsons given my detailed discussions with officials both in London and Washington. Should the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ultimately make the political decision not to return her, that will not be the end of the matter. But the fact that they are prejudging the request without having even read it shows where we are with the current administration in terms of their approach to upholding the rule of law and right versus wrong. Commenting on what would happen if an extradition request was blocked, Mr Seiger told PA: If that is what transpires, the campaign will swing into action deploying a number of measures, including blockading the bases, and we will sit down with British officials to discuss what they will do, not only on Harrys familys behalf, but the whole nations to ensure that justice is done and that no one ever suffers the same fate as Harry. Clearly, not only are we not safe around the bases, but none of us will get justice should the worst happen. That is not a sustainable position and I have made that crystal clear to the Government and the point has been taken on board. But we will take one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Unlike the Prime Minister, there is no doubt in my mind. Cracks are emerging around the volcano that spewed lava and plumes of ash near the Philippine capital on Sunday, raising the likelihood of an imminent major eruption. That's the verdict of experts at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or Phivolcs, which said the threat level from the Taal volcano south of Manila remained at level 4 on Tuesday one short of an active eruption. At a news conference, Phivolcs experts explained that while surface activity had slowed, there were clear indications that magma molten rock in the Earths crust continued to rise up from below. The signs, said chief scientist Maria Antonia Bornas, were similar to those in a major 1911 event "before it progressed into a climactic or explosive eruption". The 1911 eruption killed about 1,500 people. Successive strong earthquakes about 50 volcanic tremors were detected over eight hours on Tuesday. This also indicated rising magma, Bornas said. The message to the public, she said, was that the danger had not necessarily eased just because surface activity had slowed, and the appearance of fissuring cracks was particularly worrying. Nonetheless, Manila's mayor announced that schools, which have been suspended since Sunday, would reopen on Wednesday, and while ashfall affected more than 500 domestic and international flights, the main airport at Manila has been back in operation since Monday afternoon. Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Show all 44 1 /44 Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano as it erupts in Tagaytay, Philippines Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Local authorities have begun evacuating residents near Taal Volcano as it began spewing ash up to a kilometer high Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos People take photos of a phreatic explosion from the Taal volcano as seen from the town of Tagaytay in Cavite province, southwest of Manila AFP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Billows of smoke with lightning is seen from the eruption Pacific Press via Zuma Wire/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents stand lakeside as the volcano erupts behind them Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A family rides their motorcycle through clouds of ash as they evacuate to safer grounds AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning streak over Batangas Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos The tiny volcano near the Philippine capital draws many tourists for its picturesque setting, however as it belched steam, ash and rocks in a huge plume thousands were forced to flee and officials to temporarily suspend flights AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Ashfall after the eruption of the Taal volcano Jerome Austria Abuan via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Villagers evacuate EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning flashes as Taal Volcano erupts The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A dog left in a garage covered with ashes barks nearby the erupting Taal Volcano Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A volcanic lightning caused by eruption @DERRICKQUIBAEL via REUTERS Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Ash from the Taal volcano in the air, with a church in the foreground Renz Lejarso Guevara/AFP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents stand lakeside as the volcano erupts behind them Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents walk along a road covered in ash mixed with rainwater Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Villagers take shelter inside a church during the eruption EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A volcanic lightning caused by eruption @DERRICKQUIBAEL via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A policeman walks past a police vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A fishing boat sails along a lake as Taal Volcano erupts Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos An ash column from erupting Taal Volcano looms over Tagaytay city EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A resident splashes water on a vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano spews ash and smoke AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A person on a canoe while the volcano spews ash AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents walk along a road covered in ash mixed with rainwater Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts JPL YEN via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A worker hoses down plants covered with mud and ash AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents evacuate Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal Volcano erupts with a massive plume of ash and steam Xinhua/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents fleeing wait for a ride on the side of a highway Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos People travel along a road covered in ash EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A massive plume of ash and steam erupts AP The perception that the crisis was over represented a major challenge to agencies in the most-affected province of Batangas, said Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum. "We have to make sure that people understand and, of course, government, that this is not an activity that will just be in a short while," he said. Tens of thousands of people have fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash from Taal, and government work was also suspended in a number of towns and cities over ash-related health risks. The official count of evacuees stood at just over 40,000 as of Tuesday evening, though that number is expected to rise. And Save the Children estimated that 21,000 children alone had been evacuated from the 14km danger zone identified by the Philippines government. The charity said it was "deeply concerned" for children who have been forced to leave their homes. They are missing out on school, and facing hunger and disease in "cramped and unsanitary" evacuation centres. Jerome Balinton, of the Save the Children Philippines, said the children "have no idea when or even if they will be able to return to their homes". He told The Independent in a statement: Our humanitarian team have just visited an arena now doubling up as an evacuation centre and it was heart-breaking. "More than 900 people are sleeping on the cold, hard surface without mats. Due to sudden evacuation, people were not able to bring blankets, hygiene essentials, mosquito nets, and supplies for babies such as diapers." One Philippines NGO donated 3,000 pollution masks to be distributed by the armed forces to affected regions, according to local media reports. Balay Mindanaw brought 25 crates full of N95 filter face masks to Batangas after hearing reports that supplies in local markets had run out, manager Leonardo Bautista told ABS-CBN. President Rodrigo Duterte visited Batangas on Tuesday, after it was declared a disaster zone so that emergency funds could be more quickly distributed. Accompanied by top disaster-response officials and cabinet members, he reportedly offered his prayers "to prevent an eruption" and promised the national government would help with the cleanup and reconstruction of the devastated province once the ashfall ends. Additional reporting by agencies The Congress has just shifted gear in the protests against the Citizenship Amended Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Along with 19 other Opposition parties on Monday, the Congress called upon chief ministers to consider to suspend the National Population Register (NPR) enumeration as this is a prelude to NRC. This is seen as a big leap for the party that has so far been a vocal critic of the citizenship package of the BJP government which comprises of the recently-enacted CAA and a proposed NRC. But this is the first time the party is advocating an administrative line of action while continuing political protests on the CAA-NRC-NPR. So far, only two Opposition states - Kerala and West Bengal - have passed resolutions in the state assemblies against CAA and NRC. Kerala assembly called a one-day special session on December 31 to discuss and adopt a resolution against CAA. And state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan justified the resolution saying, The act contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution. Also Watch l Rahul Gandhis dare to PM Modi vs BJPs Pakistan gladdened jibe In West Bengal, the assembly passed a resolution on September 6 to oppose the NRC in Assam. The assembly also rejected any possibility of conducting a similar exercise in the state. And now, the Congress-led Opposition parties have taken a step forward, asking non-BJP states to adopt a resolution against conducting the National Population Register. The resolution adopted at the meeting said, The CAA, NPR and NRC is a package that is unconstitutional, which specifically targets the poor, the downtrodden, the SC/STs and the linguistic & religious minorities. The NPR is the basis for the NRC. We demand the withdrawal of the CAA and the immediate stoppage of the nationwide NRC/NPR. All the Chief Ministers, who have announced that they will not implement NRC in their State, must consider to suspend the NPR enumeration as this is a prelude to NRC. Why it is a significant move? For, it was the Congress-led UPA which had started the NPR in 2010. The data for National Population Register was collected in 2010 alongwith the houselisting phase of Census of India 2011. But now, when the NDA government has taken a cabinet decision to do the same exercise, the Congress has taken a u-turn and asking states to oppose it. According to the Congress leaders, it is borne out of the apprehension that NPR data would be used for NRC. They also pointed out that the government itself had told Parliament that NPR data would be used for NRC. Currently, the Congress is in power in seven states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. If the state governments decide to oppose NPR and refuse to cooperate with the Centre to conduct the extensive exercise, it will lead to a complex administrative problem for the Centre vis-a-vis the NPR. If a state resolves to boycott CAA, NRC and NPR, the Centre might be helpless as it is the states human resource and machinery that are used for such exercises. It will also raise serious questions on the federal system as citizenship is handled solely by the Centre (it is one of the subjects of the Central List) and states have little role in citizenship matters. Also, the NPR is used to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars. It helps the government decide its welfare programmes and development strategies. In the absence of an NPR, such schemes may also face hurdles in implementation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON But many of the people who cause problems are likely the ones who could benefit from a long-term city partnership with a mental health service provider. MONTREAL - A man who sought to prevent Jewish people from ever buying his land should lose the honour of having a street and park named after him, a Jewish advocacy group said Tuesday in a public call to the city of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A street named after Alphonse Waegener is seen, Tuesday, January 14, 2020 in St. Jean-sur-Richilieu, Que. A Jewish advocacy group is calling on a city south of Montreal to change a street and a park named after Waegener, a man who sought to restrict the sale of his land to Jews. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz MONTREAL - A man who sought to prevent Jewish people from ever buying his land should lose the honour of having a street and park named after him, a Jewish advocacy group said Tuesday in a public call to the city of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. About 40 kilometres south of Montreal, on a small residential island in the Richelieu River, is Waegener Street. At the end of that road is Waegener Park. Both are named after Alphonse Waegener, who tried in the 1960s to prevent Jews from ever acquiring the titles to the land he owned on that island. It was recently revealed in Quebec Superior Court that Waegener had registered a real estate covenant decades ago, stating the "purchaser and his representatives" of the land, "may not dispose of or rent the said lot to persons of the Jewish race." A judge revoked those conditions in November after they were brought to the court's attention by a notary, who discovered them in the course of his work for a client who had sold land subject to Waegener's covenant. Montreal's La Presse first reported the story Tuesday. David Ouellette, with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in an interview that when his organization read what Waegener's 99-year-old son had told the news organization, CIJA felt it had to speak out. The La Presse article quoted Louis Waegener, who said "my father got along with everyone. But you see, the Jews, they become owners a little bit everywhere. That's what he didn't like. He had Jewish friends, he just didn't want there to be any trouble with the Canadians." Ouellette said he and the rest of his colleagues at CIJA were "dumbfounded" by Louis Waegener's words, which they felt tried to justify the covenant "by saying that Jews take over everything." The Canadian Press's attempts to contact Waegener's son, Louis, were not successful. CIJA is now calling on the city to "do the right thing and commit to renaming the street and the park bearing the Waegener name," according to a news release sent out by the group Tuesday afternoon. St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Mayor Alain Laplante said his city will "study and seriously review the suggestion" by CIJA to rename the street and park. In an interview Tuesday, Laplante said it was common in generations past for streets and parks in his city to be named after the owners of adjacent land not necessarily as a celebration of the owner's values. He said he learned of the existence of the illegal, discriminatory covenants earlier in the day and that he had personally never heard of Alphonse Waegener. Laplante said instead of making any "hasty" decisions, his city prefers to consult with citizens who would be affected by the name change. "The park is less serious," he said. "But when you have to change a civic address, business cards, make other changes with Canada Post ... there are repercussions on citizens, so we would like to consult them and then make a decision on the demand to change the name." Alphonse Waegener's 1960s real estate covenants were likely already illegal when he had them registered. A 1950 Supreme Court of Canada ruling had struck down a covenant drawn in 1933 that stated certain lands in Ontario should never be sold to Jews or people of colour. Ouellette said it was not uncommon in the 1950s and earlier to find discriminatory covenants restricting land sales members of certain ethnic or religious groups. He said he appreciated the notary's decision in the Waegener covenant case to speak out and right a wrong. "I think that's the most important part of the story," Ouellette said. "It had come into the hands of a notary, who couldn't let this slide by. He saw this and said it couldn't stay on the books." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2020. Hisense has plans to launch its range of Smart Televisions in India in March 2020. Hisense Smart TVs will compete with Xiaomis Mi TV range that dominates the Indian market as of now. Hisense also presented the worlds first Dual Cell TV at CES this year. Update: We had a chance to talk to Amit Dhaka, Marketing Head, Hisense India about the positioning of Hisense in India. You can read more about it here. At CES 2020, Hisense showcased three new Laser TVs - the 75-inch Trichrome Laser TV, the Sonic Screen Laser TV and the Self-Rising Screen Laser TV. The company further revealed that it is all set to start its operations in India this year. To recall, Hisense had acquired Toshia. It claims that it is ranked number one market leader in TV in China, South Africa, Australia, and Japan. The company is targetting 40 million TV sales per year and aiming at number two position globally. Hisense will also sell home appliances in India in 2020. In 2019, Hisense unveiled TVs that were critically acclaimed as great budget TVs in the US. If the same models come to India at an affordable price, then it will stir up the budget TV space, giving consumers better value for money products. Hisense has plans to launch its range of Smart Televisions in India in March 2020 with features like Quantum Dot technology. Further, they will come equipped with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a more immersive and engaging cinematic experience. Other features include the presence of Hi-View Engine, Full Array Local Dimming with more dimming zones for better contrast ratio and a bezel-less slim designs. Hisense also presented the worlds first Dual Cell TV at CES this year. Compared to traditional LCD technology, the Dual Cell TV is said to bring better viewing angles, improve the contrast ratio to the OLED level subjectively with better black level. It also introduced ConnectLife platform that the company says is not only cloud and AI-based but also IOT capable and upgrades as it is used. Rishi Tandon, COO Hisense India said, We are extremely proud to introduce the range of Smart Televisions, Air Conditioners & Refrigerators in India this year. The range has a good integration of Global & Indian Insight based features. We are confident that packed with innovation, technology and differentiated offering in our new range, our products will be liked by Indian consumers. HONG KONG, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's strengths and resilience have not been undermined in the face of social unrest and challenges in recent months, Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Monday. While opening the 13th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong, Lam said Hong Kong's core competitiveness and status as one of the world's premier financial centers continue to be internationally recognized. Hong Kong was ranked third in the world in the Global Financial Centers Index last September, just behind New York and London. In December 2019, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaffirmed Hong Kong's position as a global financial center and regional trading hub, and one of the most open economies in the world. The chief executive spoke highly of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, saying the Greater Bay Area, with a population of about 70 million and a combined GDP equivalent of around 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars, and its huge market potential, presented boundless promise for Hong Kong, particularly the financial services sector. "Coupled with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Greater Bay Area development will ensure long-term prospects for Hong Kong's economy," she said, adding that through the two national policies, Hong Kong will enhance its role as a business bridge between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. Lam said she is "confident that we will bridge our divide, that we will realize the common goal of a re-united community and a flourishing economy" through the concerted efforts of the HKSAR government and the people of Hong Kong. The two-day event, themed with "Redefining Growth: Innovation Breakthrough Inclusiveness", touches on a wide range of issues including global economic outlook and opportunities, fintech, sustainable and inclusive development, green finance and financial inclusion, offering participants a head start in identifying new economic challenges and opportunities in 2020. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation gained 7.4 percent intraday on January 14 after the company sold its land in Dahej. The company informed exchanges that it has divested one of its plots in the industrial land in Dahej as part of the strategy to divest non-core assets. The land has been sold for a total transaction value of Rs 99.2 crore, the company said in its BSE filing. "The Deed of Assignment was executed in December 2019 and the transfer order from Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation was received accordingly. The company has received the sale consideration and paid all the related charges & its share of transfer fees," it added. The company's existing Nitric Acid plant is situated in Dahej where it continues to have an adequate unutilised area in order to take care of any future expansion, Deepak said. Along with other fertiliser shares, the stock also saw buying interest, rising 24 percent ahead of Union Budget 2020. It was quoting at Rs 115.20, up Rs 5.55, or 5.06 percent on the BSE at 1028 hours IST. Eight local designers have been chosen to exhibit their design brands to thousands of buyers, influencers, retail and trend experts when they take part in Irelands leading fashion trade show Showcase Ireland that takes place at the RDS in the coming days. The designers were selected following a competitive pitch process, carried out by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Inner City Trusts Fashion and Textile Design Centre to give local designers a chance to showcase their ranges at this prestigious event. The response to the call out was huge and as a result, sixteen businesses were selected to take part in a Dragons Den style pitching event that took place last month with eight being selected to take part in the prestigious Dublin event that will take place on 19-22 January. The successful brands are: Amy Gault Designs; Alan Creswell Designs; Grace Loves Embellishments (Cara Sweeney); Celtic Irish Art (Siobhan Corr); Bridie Mullin Irish Linen; Piece Makers (Joanne Doherty); Natasha Duddy Glass Designs and Valerie Taylor Hand Woven In Ireland. Deirdre Williams, Business Development Manager with the Inner City Trusts Fashion and Textile Design Centre said excitement is building for the designers who are busy putting the final touches to their designs. The response to the competition was fantastic and evidence of the growing fashion and textile industry that exists here in the North West. We are really proud to have these top quality designers taking part in the Showcase Ireland event and to be working with the Council and Invest NI to provide this fantastic opportunity to these designers to showcase their collections to thousands of potential clients. Tara Nicholas, business officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the Showcase Ireland event is hugely iconic in the Irish fashion industry and the participation of the local designers is fantastic in promoting the NW regions growing fashion industry. Cara Sweeney, founder director of the Strabane based accessories brand Grace Loves Embellishments said that she is really excited to have been selected to showcase at the event. My range of embellished headbands, bags and accessories is designed and handmade in Strabane I am hoping to appeal to a customer who appreciates handcrafted, Irish made product Alan Creswell, print designer and owner of Alan Creswell Designs said that he is really looking forward to networking with buyers, traders and other designers. This is a big annual event and attracts buyers from all over the world Im hoping to reach out to these buyers and negotiate some orders The competition was part of the Fashion and Textile Design Centres Designer Enterprise Programme which supports emerging designers and helps to take them commercially to market. The programme, collaborates with Derry City and Strabane District Council and Invest NI to draw on the expertise of industry experts and ensuring that local designers are empowered and provided with essential skills training, knowledge and the tools to develop their businesses effectively and efficiently. For further information on the Designer Enterprise Programme contact Deirdre Williams on 07807795889 or email info@fashionanddesignhub.com and for business support, contact Tara Nicholas Business Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council on 02871 253 253 or email tara.nicholas@derrystrabane. com Bandhan Bank on Tuesday said it recorded 120% jump in net profit to Rs 731.03 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. Net Interest Income (NII) grew 37.10% to Rs 1,541 crore during the period under review. The numbers cannot be compared as the Q3 results include figures of Gruh Finance, which merged with the bank on 17 October 2019. The bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) stood at Rs 1181.96 crore as on 31 December 2019 as against Rs 1064.21 crore as on 30 September 2019 and Rs 831.02 crore as on 31 December 2018. The ratio of gross NPAs to gross advances stood at 1.93% as on 31 December 2019 as against 1.76% as on 30 September 2019 and 2.41% as on 31 December 2018. The ratio of net NPAs to net advances stood at 0.81% as on 31 December 2019 as against 0.56% as on 30 September 2019 and 0.7% as on 31 December 2018. The bank's provisions and contingencies (excluding tax provisions) declined 22% to Rs 294.87 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. During the quarter, the bank made additional provision of Rs 200 crore on standard advances in microfinance portfolio after evaluating risk observed in certain areas of a north eastern state. The bank's CASA ratio stood at 34.31% in Q3 December 2019 (excluding GRUH deposits 35%) as against 41.40% in Q3 December 2018. Commenting on bank's Q3 performance, Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, managing director and CEO of Bandhan Bank said: "Q3FY20 has been a satisfying quarter given the challenges faced during the quarter. During the quarter, the Bank has made additional provision of ~ 200 crore on standard advances in microfinance portfolio after evaluating risk observed in certain areas of a north eastern state, though having a dwindling effect. Last quarter has witnessed strong customer growth on advances and deposit growth has been highest over last four quarter. I am positive and confident on the business and growth going forward." Shares of Bandhan Bank turned volatile post result announcement. The stock was down 1.55% at Rs 505.70. It recovered after sliding as much as 2.85% to hit an intraday low of Rs 499. Bandhan Bank is a commercial bank focused on serving underbanked and underpenetrated markets in India. The bank is the first instance in India of a microfinance entity transforming into a universal bank. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE:ETH) as an investment opportunity by taking the foreast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. I will be using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Ethan Allen Interiors Is Ethan Allen Interiors fairly valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$36.9m US$39.9m US$39.9m US$41.7m US$45.2m US$46.8m US$48.2m US$49.5m US$50.6m US$51.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 3.52% Est @ 2.99% Est @ 2.61% Est @ 2.35% Est @ 2.17% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% US$34.5 US$34.8 US$32.4 US$31.7 US$32.1 US$31.0 US$29.8 US$28.6 US$27.3 US$26.1 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$308m Story continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 10-year government bond rate (1.7%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.1%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2029 (1 + g) (r g) = US$52m (1 + 1.7%) 7.1% 1.7%) = US$984m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$984m ( 1 + 7.1%)10= US$496m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$804m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$17.9, the company appears quite good value at a 41% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. NYSE:ETH Intrinsic value, January 14th 2020 The assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Ethan Allen Interiors as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.983. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Next Steps: Whilst important, DCF calculation shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price to differ from the intrinsic value? For Ethan Allen Interiors, I've compiled three important aspects you should further examine: Financial Health: Does ETH have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does ETH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Are there other high quality stocks you could be holding instead of ETH? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. BJP leader Sambit Patra on Tuesday challenged Congress to come on camera and say if they have any doubts about the Pulwama attacks after Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded a "fresh look" in the Pulwama attacks in 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in February last year. "I ask the leaders of Congress--Do you have any doubts as to who were the perpetrators of the Pulwama attacks? I challenge the Congress leadership to come on camera and say if they have any doubts about the Pulwama attacks. If they have any doubt about our Army or our Intelligence agencies. If they have doubt that Pakistan didn't do Pulwama, they should come forward," said Patra while speaking to the reporters here. "Whenever surgical strikes happen, they do not believe the Army's stands and even the PM's statements. They keep asking for evidence. These are too many coincidences. Three days ago, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury taunted the Army Chief and asked him to work and not to talk. On the other side, his party is giving Pakistan a clean chit. Why?" he added. The BJP leader further added that Chowdhury had earlier stood up in the Parliament and raised questions regarding the abrogation of Article 370. "This is the same Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who had stood up in the Parliament during the abrogation of Article 370 and had said, "Did you ask Pakistan? Did you ask UN? This is a bilateral issue." Why are they singing the tune of Pakistan," he added. The BJP leader launched a scathing attack at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and raised a question as to why is he acting as an 'ally' of Pakistan. "Why is Rahul Gandhi acting as an ally of Pakistan? This is our question. When Pakistan submitted a dossier at the UN, Rahul Gandhi's name featured on top of the list," said Patra. "I say this with extreme sadness that we may be political rivals, but the way the Congress party is behaving, it does not behove of a political opponent, this behoves of some kind of larger conspiracy," he added. Patra's statement came soon after Adhir Ranjan on Tuesday said the "troll regiment of RSS" would have been more strident and vociferous had arrested Jammu and Kashmir cop Davindar Singh been "Davindar Khan" and raised a question on who the "real culprits" behind the Pulwama attack were. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davindar Singh was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir on January 11. Citing the incident, Adhir Ranjan demanded a "fresh look" in the Pulwama attack in 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February last year. "Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion," the Congress leader said in a series of tweets. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he tweeted. "Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," he said in another tweet. Singh and the terrorists were arrested while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the Highway in J-K. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 16 dead after road collapses in China Rescue operations are still underway to locate the missing persons. At least 10 people are missing in China after a road collapsed in the country's central region, local media reported on Tuesday. PUBLIC BUS FELL INTO THE HOLE Authorities in Qinghai Province told state-run Xinhua news that 15 people were injured when the incident occurred late on Monday in the provincial capital Xining. 16 dead after road collapses in China WATCH The report said the incident happened at around 5:30 p.m. (0930GMT), when a public bus fell into the hole. It added that the street that collapsed saw heavy traffic on daily basis. Motorcycle taxi mobile app JoyRide has reached milestone after becoming one of the most downloaded app in the Philippines. In a statement issued by the company, Joyride surpassed the its competitor Angkas and another ride-hailing app Grab. Tagged under travel category , JoyRide: Motorcyle Taxi, is peaked at number nine as the most downloaded free application in the Philippines available in Apple Store. The same statement claimed that JoyRide is the only motorcycle taxi app that was able to enter the top 10 charts of the Apple store in the country. According to JoyRide Vice President for Corporate Affairs Noli Eala, as of January, the motorcycle taxi hailing app has received a total of 200,000 downloads from December 21, 2019. We did not expect that we will topped the charts. Were very happy because were able to get large volume of downloads in a short period of time and we are thankful that this has gotten a lot of positive feedback from the riding public he said. We will continue to be compliant with the guidelines especially with the no price surge in our fares. They could also expect that we would reach the 10,000 cap set equally among operating motorcycle taxi companies, Eala added. Since last September, JoyRide has started training its Kasundo drivers with the hopes of joining the initial pilot-run of the motorcycle taxi of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The Filipino-owned app-based motorcycle taxi has started to navigate Metro Manilas streets last December 23, 2019. The technical working group has extended the pilot program for the three motorcycle companies up to March 23, 2020. Also read: The post Joyride Tops PHs Ride-Hailing Mobile Apps in Apple Store appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Top companies are showcasing latest innovations and creations in the fields of printing, packaging, plastic and petrochemical industries, with an aim to support the economic diversification and prosperity of the kingdom and all the region, at an ongoing event in Saudi Arabia. The 17th edition of Saudi Plastic and Petrochemicals Exhibition and the Saudi Print and Pack (Saudi PPPP) kicked off on January 13, under the patronage and the presence of Bandar bin Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. This edition of the exhibition will run until January 16. The exhibition is set to witness a wide local, regional and international participation from various sectors of industry as it serves as an ideal platform for companies, distributors, suppliers and various stakeholders, to showcase their products and services. It also enables them to learn more about the latest technologies and services used by the plastic and petrochemical industries, which play pivotal roles in driving the growth of the countrys national economy, in conjunction with the Kingdom's assumption of the G20 presidency for the year 2020, to focus on the Business 20 (B20), which aims to build a vital environment to come out with initiatives amid an increasingly challenging business environment characterized by rising protectionism, populism, and raising growth and productivity. Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, business development director, Riyadh Exhibition Company, said: The exhibition is a leading regional and global platform that brings together decision makers, experts, manufacturers and suppliers in the sectors of printing, packaging, plastic and petrochemical industries under one roof. Considered as the most important specialized exhibition at the national level, Saudi PPPP allows the participants to explore the potential of the dynamic sectors in Saudi Arabia, the region and the world, thereby promoting industrial sustainability and the development of trade capabilities and potentials in various related sectors, he added. Al Al-Sheikh further emphasized the importance of the exhibition as it presents an ideal opportunity to explore the potential of these sectors and learn about the investment opportunities available in the Saudi market. The exhibition makes this possible by bringing together hundreds of exhibitors in the kingdom, and by attracting thousands of visitors including specialists, businessmen, project developers, VIPs and decision makers from various industrial sectors. He pointed out that the exhibition contributes to enhancing the private sectors participation in economic development and in the creation of additional job opportunities for citizens with competencies. Furthermore, he noted that the company has succeeded in presenting an even more successful and exceptional version of the exhibition this year, keeping pace with the growth of dynamic sectors in the kingdom. Besides, 70 per cent of the raw materials exported from Saudi Arabia to all parts of the world are raw materials of petroleum derivatives, and the value of exports of the plastics and chemicals sectors account for about 60 per cent of the non-oil exports to the Kingdom, which owns 67 per cent share of the regions packaging industry, he added. Al Al-Sheikh said: Through the hosting of this exhibition, we, at Riyadh Exhibition Company Ltd, strive to provide a vital and effective platform for visitors and exhibitors and to facilitate communication channel between them. We also remain committed to assisting them in achieving various milestones for the relevant industrial sectors and shaping current and future trends in the development of environmentally friendly solutions and sustainable mechanisms that contribute to the strengthening of the local economy of the kingdom and that of various other countries that are participating in the exhibition, he added. In addition, participants will also be able to attend a series of relevant and comprehensive discussions that address issues related to the current challenges facing the industry and demonstrate how to take advantage of the opportunities available in the future, he concluded. Saudi PPPP 2020 will showcase the most recent innovations and advancements in the fields of printing, packaging, plastic and petrochemical industries and will underscore their pivotal roles in the growth of the national economy. The latest edition of the exhibition will witness the participation of more than 424 exhibitors from 26 countries, spread across eight major international pavilions. It will also allow participants to highlight their brands and market them in the Kingdom, which is a thriving economic destination within the Middle East. The exhibitions agenda includes the Saudi Conference of Plastic and Petrochemicals on January 14, and the Saudi Conference for Printing and Packaging. Saudi Plastic and Petrochemicals Exhibition 2020 and the Saudi Print and Pack 2020 will be held with the diamond sponsorship of Sabic and Advanced Petrochemical Company, supported by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as the supporting partner of the industry; and the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Modon as an industry partner. Saudi Industrial Development Fund is the industrial empowerment partner and the Riyadh Chamber is a supporting partner of the exhibition, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Photo/www.ccdi.gov.cn Guo Luping, a doctor from the Maternity and Child Care Center in Jiangxi, cant hold the scalpel anymore, but her vow to be an outstanding doctor still holds true. "I am a doctor, I may have a tumor. I need to do a physical examination. In January 2016, Guo arrived in Nanchang. She didn't have time to go home and went straight to the hospital. Her instinct told her that the tumor in her chest might be malignant. Actually, four or five months ago, Guo already found that she may have a tumor, but did not talk about it. It wasn't until the Lunar New Year holiday that she started paying attention to her health. After the physical exam, she found that she had breast cancer. "I was in Tunisia and I was treating people every day. I couldn't leave for a day, or even an hour," Guo said. In November 2014, as a member of the 21st group of Chinese medical aid workers, Guo went to Tunisia, the northernmost country on the African continent. The hospital was located at the edge of the Sahara desert, with sandstorms that can reduce visibility to a few meters. Furthermore, the equipment was not as good as domestic county hospitals. The obstetrics department had only one ward, and one doctor. At the hospital, Guo sometimes had to perform four or five operations a day and sometimes more than 10. She was always late for dinner, so she had to dine on cold water and bread. Later, she simply soaked the bread in water to make a cup of liquid before eating. Guo said that not only her but all of the doctors in the medical team are excellent. The local people were amazed by the professionalism, dedication and hard work of the Chinese doctors, and the working system they brought was also followed. Thanks to their joint efforts, the once high rates of neonatal and maternal mortality have come down. Many years of selfless assistance cemented the friendship. There are very few Asian faces here, said Guo. Whether they are children of a few years old or people in their 70s and 80s, they will call those with yellow skin and black hair Chinese doctor! "It made me feel the connection between people and their hearts," Guo said. Guo quietly found her doctor and asked to take some drugs and a chemotherapy pump back to the Sahara desert, to fulfill her commitment to the patients. The senior leadership heard about it and persuaded her to stay in China for treatment, even though she had already bought a ticket back. "You are not the only person, you have a team behind you," said her leader. This team is the Chinese medical team. Over the past 50 years, Chinese doctors have provided services to over 20,000 people, benefiting over 200 million patients. Although the five years after the operation are still a dangerous time, Guo has always had the dream of going back, even though she can no longer hold a scalpel. As the ambassador of the China population welfare foundation and the representative of provincial and municipal women's federations, she has integrated herself into a broader career and devoted herself to the field of "Belt and Road Initiative" health care. Yet another person on business ombudsmans London List returns to Russia RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:57 14/01/2020 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) Alexey Latypov, the thirteenth businessman entered on the so-called London List, has returned to Russia, according to a statement of the press-service of Boris Titov, Russias Business Rights Commissioner. Earlier, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation had dismissed a case against Latypov opened in 2017 on charges of embezzlement of municipal land worth 128 million rubles (about $2 million at the current exchange rate). At that time, investigators said that the defendant could get two land plots from a Sakhalin town administration under a false pretext of establishing a non-commercial dacha community while planning to sell these plots at a profit in violation of the law on non-commercial associations of citizens. Latypov in turn insisted that he committed no offence, whereas the criminal case was launched to deny him opportunity of defending himself in the framework of a contested action and as a result of his refusal to surrender certain land plots without compensation. At the end of 2019, the charges against Latypov were dropped, he was granted the right to exoneration and the right to submit a civil claim against the Sakhalin Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry. According to the business ombudsman, it may be expected that yet another person on the London List will come back to Russia in late January; there are also at least five promising cases, although it is very difficult to make the prosecution agree not to detain those wishing to return; in 90% of cases, Titov says, investigators refuse to satisfy such petitions. He proposes to use bail and preliminary approvals of mitigation of pre-trial restrictions to settle the issue. The so-called London List is a conventional name for a register of ex-Russian entrepreneurs residing abroad while under criminal investigation in the Russian Federation, who wish to return to their home country if provided guarantees that they are not to be placed in detention. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday that he "saved" protections for Americans with preexisting medical conditions. But actions speak louder than words. And history tells quite a different tale. Trump made the claim while targeting former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is running for the Democratic nomination and launched health-care-themed ads over the weekend. Bloomberg's response: But Trump doubled down yesterday evening: "Glad to see you're watching our ads, @realDonaldTrump. I know management isn't your strong suit, so perhaps you don't know your Justice Department supports a suit that would undermine protections for pre-existing conditions. Now that you know, why not ask them to drop the suit?" But Trump doubled down Monday evening: "I stand stronger than anyone in protecting your Healthcare with Pre-Existing Conditions. I am honored to have terminated the very unfair, costly and unpopular individual mandate for you!" But this is revisionist history. At best, Trump could be said to have a complicated relationship with the Affordable Care Act's landmark ban on insurers from refusing coverage or charging more to patients with medical conditions like diabetes, cancer or heart disease. At worst, his administration has taken repeated steps to undermine that ban - most notably, by refusing to defend it in a challenge to the 2010 health-care law. These protections are deeply popular among the public. More than 50 million Americans have preexisting conditions that could have excluded them from health coverage in many states before the ACA was passed. Congress and President BarackObama mandated it since insurers were hesitant to cover patients who might end up costing them a lot of money. Yet Trump - eager to win public approval on the issue - is majorly mangling the facts on how preexisting condition protections came to be. He's made this claim multiple times in the past. These latest tweets take things to a whole new level. Below is a timeline of preexisting condition protections in the United States: 1991: Massachusetts becomes one of the first states to prohibit health plans and insurance companies from using health status to exclude patients and set prices. 1993: Four more states - Maine, New Jersey, New York and Vermont - now have laws requiring insurers to cover any patient regardless of a preexisting condition. September 1993: In an address to Congress, President Bill Clinton outlines a health reform plan that would provide a "health care security card" to every American that would entitle them to medical treatment regardless of preexisting conditions. 2008: Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and John McCain, R-Ariz., both propose health reform plans in their presidential campaigns. Obama's plan would ban insurers from discriminating on the basis of preexisting conditions. McCain's plan would weaken existing state protections by allowing insurance to be sold across state lines but would also expand high-risk pools to cover patients with preexisting conditions. 2009: Congressional committees write and revise several versions of health reform, but all of them guarantee coverage for patients with preexisting conditions. March 2010: Congressional Democrats pass the Affordable Care Act without a single Republican vote. President Obama signs the law, which creates a nationwide ban on discriminating against or charging more to patients based on their health status in the individual and small group markets. 2016: Trump promises to repeal Obamacare if elected president. Early in his campaign, he promises to keep the law's preexisting condition provisions. But in March, he releases a plan calling on the ACA to be repealed "completely," with no mention of preexisting conditions. 2017: Trump supports bills from House and Senate Republicans that would weaken preexisting condition protections by allowing states to seek waivers from the law and consider a person's health status when writing policies in the individual market. February 2018: Texas and other Republican-led states file a lawsuit against the ACA, which says the whole law is hinged on its penalty for lacking health coverage and can no longer stand because the GOP-led Congress has repealed the penalty. June 2018: The Trump administration announces it will not defend the ACA from the state-led challenge. The Justice Department files a brief with the court saying that the law's preexisting condition protections can't exist without the mandate penalty but that the rest of the law can stand. March 2019: The administration adopts a fuller-orbed stance against the ACA, writing in a brief that the entire law must fall. Trump insists that if the law were struck down, he would enact a plan continuing to protect patients with preexisting conditions. Democrats scoff at that claim - as they and others are doing now. Prince Harry has always been part of his father's slimmed-down monarchy 'whoever he married' a Palace insider has said. It comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex entered into talks with the Queen and senior royals on Monday at Sandringham. In a statement, the Queen said that she would have preferred Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to 'remain as full time working royals'. Last week it emerged that Prince Charles would not 'bank roll' his son after they leave the Royal family, as it came into question whether or not they would still receive funds from the Duchy of Cornwall estate. Prince Charles is alleged to have said that the Royal succession plans would include Harry and 'whoever he married'. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured above during their engagement Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, in London for the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth in 200. Prince Charles is believed to have said that his plans included both his sons and their families The Queen (pictured above) this week said she wanted the couple to remain as full time royals But any rumours that Harry had not been part of future plans have been squashed after one source told People magazine: 'Charles has always envisioned working with both of his sons and their families in the future. 'The leaner monarchy that has been proposed by Charles for cost-cutting purposes included Harry and whoever he married'. The source also said that senior members wanted the couple to be content with their next steps. They said the firm wanted to get them to a place where they 'felt happy'. This picture of Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George was released to mark a new decade Duke and Duchess of Sussex together with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey for the centenary of the Armistice in central London on November 11 2018 But there has always been a focus with the palace on the line of succession and Prince Harry may have felt snubbed after a image emerged of the Queen, Prince George, William and Charles. It has previously been denied by Royal sources that Charles had been trying to slim down the monarchy by squeezing out Harry and Meghan. MailOnline contacted Clarence House this evening, who said they would not be able to comment on the claims made by the so-called royal insider. It seems however, that Prince Harry had never been convinced he was part of succession plans after it came to light yesterday that he once commented that 'he could do whatever he wanted' as he was 'never going to be King. Long serving protection officer for the royals, Ken Wharfe said that he once overheard a conversation between a young Prince William and Harry. The brothers were said to have been involved in an argument during a journey from London to Gloucester when Harry said: 'You'll be king one day, I won't. Therefore I can do what I want!', the Mirror reported. Businessman Bryan Brulotte will not run in the Conservative leadership race and is advocating for former Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay to run instead, CBC News has learned. "Although my desire was to serve and continues to be a motivating factor, after careful consideration and review of the recently published regulations, I have decided to withdraw from the leadership race for the Conservative Party," Brulotte said in a press release shared with CBC News. On Saturday, the Conservative Party released the rules for its leadership contest for the June vote, giving candidates just over two months to pull together $300,000 and secure 3,000 signatures in order to have their names on the ballot. The first deadline, requiring $25,000 and 1,000 signatures from 30 ridings in at least seven provinces and territories, is set for Feb. 27, with the remaining financial obligations and signatures required by March 25. Brulotte, CEO and chair of the employment firm MaxSys Staffing and Consulting, announced his intention to seek the leadership on Dec. 16. Brulotte is also a former member of the military who served overseas in both Germany and on United Nations peacekeeping missions with the Royal 22nd Regiment. In a press release dated Jan. 15, Brulotte said the decision to stand down is not one he made lightly. "I believe in a united Canada and I still believe that vision can be achieved," the release said. "As such, it is with a strong sense of purpose that I fully encourage, and advocate for the upcoming leadership campaign of Peter MacKay," Brulotte wrote, adding he has known MacKay since 1997. "Without a doubt, Peter has consistently displayed all the necessary attributes to become prime minister of Canada," the release says. MacKay, a former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and a cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's government, is said to be considering a run, but has not announced a decision. MP Marilyn Gladu became the first caucus member to enter the race when she announced her leadership bid last week. Fellow Ontario MPs Erin O'Toole and Pierre Poiillevre are expected to announce bids soon. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest and former interim leader Rona Ambrose are among those also believed to be considering their options. GlaxoSmithKline has made innovation its top priority as the drugmaker seeks to land federal approval of six drugs within the next 12 months, CEO Emma Walmsley told CNBC on Monday. Performance and trust round out the balance of GSK's main priorities in 2020 as the British company labors to make advancements in treatments for a number of diseases, Walmsley said in a "Mad Money" interview from J.P. Morgan's annual health-care conference in San Francisco. "We've had a lot of positive data for patients, whether that be on the Tesaro acquisition ... or our new drug in multiple myeloma," she said in a sit-down with show host Jim Cramer. "We have a lot of data coming through for HIV patients, in terms of these pioneering two-drug regimens, and we hope that this data among others is going to give us at least six approvals of new medicines or new indications" this year. Walmsley, however, stopped short of saying how much GSK would spend on the research and development. She said the company is "accelerating investment," but one of its "biggest cultural transformations" is in taking a more disciplined approach to go after products that will bring the best returns. GSK hired Walmsley in the first half of 2017 after she spent nearly two decades with cosmetics company L'Oreal. In late 2018, GSK, Britain's largest drugmaker, dished out $5.1 billion to acquire Tesaro, an American cancer biotech firm. It was part of Walmsley's plan to focus more on oncology. Soon after, the company announced it would split into two businesses: one for prescription drugs and vaccines, while its consumer products division formed a joint venture with Pfizer. About a month ago, GSK said it would seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for belantamab mafodotin, a treatment for multiple myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer. The company said belantamab mafodotin, if cleared, would be the first of its kind available in the country. "Two years ago that was just in phase one. We've now gone going to have up to 10 studies, and we're hoping for an approval in fourth-line BCMA in the very near future," Walmsley said. BCMA is B cell maturation antigen. ViiV Healthcare, GSK's HIV drugs division, last year submitted applications to the FDA for a two-drug treatment called cabotegravir and rilpivirine for adults living with the virus and one called fostemsavir. For all the investment moves that GSK is making, Walmsley assured Cramer that the company has no plans to decrease its 4.3% dividend. "We want to make sure that that innovation is being brought to patients but our commitment to the dividend remains extremely strong and there's no change to our policy around that," she said. At age 20, Kyndal Pointer is counting down the months until she gets to vote for the first time in a presidential election. She's excited. She's registered. She knows her polling place. She knows the issues. Just 10 months to go, and then she can cast her vote for a new America. Not like the one where she grew up, in the Mississippi Delta. Not like the one we have now. "There is so much cancer, diabetes and hypertension in Mississippi, and medicine is so expensive," said Pointer, who left the Delta for Washington D.C. two years ago to attend Howard University. "People are dying because they don't have the money." She's for universal health care, affordable housing, free public college and immigration overhaul. All she needs is a candidate to vote for. "I hear people say that giving everybody health care and free college and affordable homes will leave the country in debt," Pointer said. "I tell them that war and mass incarceration has left the country in debt. So, if we're going to be in debt, at least let it be for the right reasons." Among African American voters between the ages 18 and 34, liberal Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont seems to fill the bill. That group, black Millennials and Gen Z'ers, as they are called, favor Sanders by as much as 42 percent over moderate front-runner former vice president Joe Biden, according to a recent poll by The Washington Post. That level of support makes black baby boomers cringe. The vast majority of them believe Biden has the best chance of beating President Donald Trump. A vote for anybody other than Biden in the Democratic presidential primary might as well be a vote for Trump, the wise elders believe. Defeating Trump is the priority. Nevertheless, a poll of black women taken last year by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women's Roundtable found that 18.9 percent of black women in the 18 to 34-year-old group favored Sanders, compared with just 10 percent who said they'd vote for Biden. Pointer continues working through the political calculus, trying to come up with a candidate to vote for when so many contenders are here today and gone tomorrow. "I've been waiting all my life for the opportunity to vote for someone whose policies I agreed with," Pointer said. "Now, the first chance I get, it looks like I'll have to put my progressive ideas on the back burner and just vote to get Trump out." Millennials and Gen Z'ers just can't seem to catch a break. They're inheriting a mess of a country. "My generation worried about getting voting rights, and with some notable exceptions we tended to think the country was moving in the right direction," said Elsie L. Scott, director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard. "Not so with this new group. Millennials are the first generation not expected to do as well financially as their parents and they are worried not about the country living up to its ideals but about the country becoming a dictatorship." But there was reason for guarded optimism. "The political involvement of African American Millennials and the Gen Z's tends to be based on lived experience," said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women's Roundtable. "And what they have lived through are years of violence, mass shootings and racial hatred. But they have not become cynical or disillusioned and I believe they will connect with the power of the ballot and not sit this one out." Gen Z'ers like Pointer are the first generation born into world where high-tech gadgetry is as ubiquitous as a body part. Their entire lives have been spent immersed in a social media network that can be as destructive as it is enlightening. They are so inundated with data that they can change their minds at the speed of a tweet. No candidate could really say they had a lock on those votes. Pointer had fought her way out of impoverished Mississippi and into Howard. Came to study political science in the department founded by Nobel Prize winner Ralph Bunche. Got an internship with Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn. And she holds fast to dreams of someday becoming a civil rights lawyer. "When I was in fifth grade, the school superintendent was arrested for embezzling school money," Pointer recalled. "I was so upset that I started trying to find out how someone could do something like that. That's how I got interested in politics. I started speaking up every time I saw wrongdoing. I was so outspoken that some people accused me of being disrespectful. But I never backed down. I was speaking the truth and I usually ended up having the last word." She'd left behind her mother and four siblings. She'd left behind her friends in Shelby County, along with many others who had wanted to go to college but could not afford to. "Everybody who wants to better themselves ought to have the opportunity," she said. All she needed was a candidate who believed that, too. Nokia brand licensee HMD Global has now announced Android 10 for three more phones. The company says that the latest version of Android is now available for the Nokia 6.1, the Nokia 6.1 Plus and the Nokia 7 Plus. All three phones were announced back in 2018. Users will get to enjoy various new features with Android 10 such as gesture navigation, smart reply as well as improved privacy controls, focus mode to mute distracting apps, and family link to help guardians lay down digital rules. Needless to say, OS updates are quite hefty. Thus, it is recommended you download them over Wi-Fi and not data. Advertisement Previously, Android 10 was rolled out to Nokia 7.1, Nokia 9 PureView and Nokia 8.1. All these phones are a part of the Android One program. They run the near-stock version of Android. Android One phones also get OS upgrades for two years and regular security updates for three years. At this point, a total of six Nokia handsets are on the latest version of Googles OS. HMD Global had previously committed to updating three of its phones in Q4 2019 and three in Q1 2020. So far, its following up on the plan nicely. Advertisement According to the analytics firm Counterpoint Research, HMD Global is the quickest company when it comes to software updates. By Q3 2018, a whopping 96 percent of Nokia handsets were already upgraded to Android 9 Pie. A host of other Nokia devices will also be updated to Android 10 before 2020 ends Last year, HMD Global was a bit slow at first with the Android 10 deployment. It rolled out the latest OS to Nokia 8.1 in October, which was joined by Nokia 9 PureView and Nokia 7.1 in December. However, from then on, updates caught pace and everything is now progressing smoothly. It sure seems like the vendor wants to maintain its lead. HMD Global claims it has been the swiftest again with the latest Android OS deployment. Advertisement Smartphone makers usually prioritize their premium products when rolling out the latest software updates. Thus its commendable that despite selling mostly mid and low tier phones, HMD Global wants to upgrade its entire portfolio quickly. Other devices from the company that will likely receive Android 10 before this quarter ends include Nokia 2.2, Nokia 3.1 Plus, Nokia 3.2, Nokia 4.2, Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 5.1 Plus, Nokia 8 Sirocco, and Nokia 7.2. Later on, in Q2 2020, Android 10 is expected for the Nokia 1, Nokia 2.1, Nokia 3.1, and Nokia 5.1. Advertisement HMD Global has brought the Nokia brand back from the dead and it seems to be doing a great job. According to a report from the research firm Canalys, it was the fifth most popular brand in Europe in Q3 2019. Globally, it was the 13th most popular brand during the same period, according to Counterpoint. After a successful 2018, last year wasnt all the great for the company. It saw its shipments decline, as its phones failed to keep up with competing devices. However, its good to see that the sales numbers havent affected the companys commitment to swift OS updates. With a slew of new devices expected this year, there is surely still hope for the vendor. A Thai man's penis began to decay after he got it jammed in a metal pipe for five days and only sought medical attention after the pain became unbearable. The 21-year-old placed his penis in a sock and then put it into a metal cylinder and had sex with it last week. After climax, the tip had swollen so much the blood couldn't flow back - and he was stuck inside the make-shift sex toy. A 21-year-old Thai man was hospitalised on Sunday after getting his penis stuck inside a metal cylinder He wandered around his house for five days in extreme pain while trying a variety of lubricants to free himself from the jam. The unidentified man eventually dragged himself to hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, and explained the situation to doctors on Sunday night. He told medics that he had used the industrial equipment to masturbate twice before, but this time after 'experimenting with a sock' he climaxed and could not remove himself. He had endured the pain for five days - with his penis rotting inside the contraption - before he summoned up the strength to call for help. Volunteer rescue workers then took him to the hospital. Paramedic Akachai Buapathum said they spent three hours cutting the metal from the man's penis - but wasted 25 blades slicing through it. Akachai said: 'When I first saw his penis it was already swollen. An undated file photo shows a Thai ambulance in the Thai countryside. Paramedics said they had to use 25 saw blades to crack open the tube around the man's penis 'The bolt and nuts he put on were 3mm thick and we had to cut them open with a small blade. 'We used 25 blades and spent more than three hours on the operation. 'The man had been experimenting with adding a black sock to his sex toy, but this was one of the reasons that he was stuck.' Doctor Sitra Likisakul said the man could have lost his penis as the skin had rotted so badly the tissue inside was visible. He said: 'It's very dangerous to have the penis in this situation for three hours, let alone five days. 'The penis was stuck because when it was erect in the bolt, the cavities filled with blood. But afterwards the blood couldn't return and stayed in the glands at the top of the penis. The organ then began rotting.' 'Being stuck like this for just three hours could cause someone to lose their penis but this man was stuck for five days. I am still shocked that he survived.' NASSAU, The Bahamas, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Killi, a consumer-led privacy application wholly owned by Freckle Ltd. (TSXV: FRKL) (the "Company"), today announced that CFO Andrew Elinesky will host investor meetings at the AlphaNorth Capital Conference at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas from January 17 through 19, 2020. "With California's CCPA consumer privacy law live as of January 1, 2020, data privacy is at the forefront of businesses operating in the United States," said Mr. Elinesky. "Only 30% of businesses believe they are compliant and almost all U.S. states are in the process of enacting similar privacy laws. This trend along with constant CCPA news flow has created a shift surrounding the collection and selling of personal data from businesses to the consumer, with many consumers choosing Killi to safeguard and monetize their data. Quarter-over-quarter growth in Q3 of our key metrics indicate that Killi is the solution for consumers with 12% more monthly active users; 18% average revenue per user (ARPU) increase; an increase in lifetime value (LTV) of 5%; as well as a 30% reduction in the cost of acquiring (CPA) subscribers. Our balance sheet is solid to implement our business plan, and we continue to execute strategies to widen Killi's audience and further improve our key metrics. We look forward to introducing Killi and our expanding market opportunity to the micro-cap, tech investors that the AlphaNorth Capital Conference attracts from across the globe. About AlphaNorth Capital Investment Conference Capital Event Conferences is pleased to host the AlphaNorth Capital Conference at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas from January 17 19, 2020. The conference introduces growth-stage companies (Non-Resource, Technology, Biotech, Special Situations) to active top-level capital finance individuals through a day of scheduled one-on-one meetings. For more information, please visit https://www.capitalevent.ca/conferences/alpha-north/. About Freckle Ltd. Freckle's consumer identity mobile application "Killi" (killi.io) allows consumers to take back control of their digital identity from those who have been using it without their consent. With Killi, consumers can opt-in and select specific pieces of personal information that they would like to share with companies, as well as answer specific surveys, and be compensated directly for these answers. Download it here. Freckle, via its data and offline measurement products, also allows leading brands and platforms to measure the effectiveness of their advertising by independently matching media spend to in-store visitation while remaining media agnostic. Freckle's technology is used by Fortune 500 brands like McDonald's, Lexus, Walmart, Verizon and AT&T, and is a core component of the top demand-side platforms (DSPs) and data management platforms (DMPs) used around the world. For more information, please visit freckleiot.com / killi.io 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 press release are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, capital expenditures and other costs, financing and additional capital requirements, ability to secure additional sales, ability to negotiate partnerships on favorable terms, and user acceptance of the improved UI. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe'' or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: expansion of the Killi application outside of North America; introduction of an additional third-party research engine in the Killi application; increasing ARPU for Killi; addition of incentivized video modules to the Killi application; improvement of the Killi UI; improvement of the engagement and user retention; securing an international data distribution deal; expansion of Freckle's global presence; securing additional partnerships in Q4; quarter over quarter revenue growth in Q4; sustaining current recurring revenue; building Killi into a legal global DTC application for Data Privacy; and, improving key data metrics. Although management of the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Corporation assumed no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The securities of the Corporation have not been and will not be 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 registration requirement. 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. SOURCE Freckle Ltd. Passenger Casey Hood, 18, was killed in the crash. (SWNS) A 27-year-old woman was over the limit when she crashed her car into a tree, killing herself and a teenage passenger, an inquest has heard. The hearing was told that Lucy Leadbeater, 27, was uninsured, and that she was driving "dangerously" before she crashed in the village of Denne Hill, Kent, in September 2018. Neither Ms Leadbeater, nor Casey Hood, 18, the passenger killed in the crash, were wearing seatbelts. Caseys mother Natalie Hood, 47, was found dead from a drug overdose two days later after posting on Facebook: "I just want my little girl back. An inquest into her death was opened last month during which it emerged that she died from morphine toxicity. Casey's mother Natalie Hood posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook before being found dead two days after the crash. (SWNS) Ms Leadbeaters Toyota Yaris had been followed by police to a motorway lay-by after it was spotted driving erratically by officers near Canterbury police station. A police van pulled into the lay-by beside the Toyota Yaris and an officer spoke briefly with Ms Leadbeater, who drove off mid-conversation. Officers followed and came across the wreckage of the car on its side in Denne Hill at about 3.50am on 14 September, 2018. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Tests later revealed Ms Leadbeater, who had been drinking with friends, had 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system, above the legal limit of 80. Police crash investigators concluded she had lost control on a bend before hitting a tree. Assistant coroner Scott Matthewson concluded that both Casey Hood and Ms Leadbeater had died in a road traffic accident. He said: "It is obvious from the evidence that Lucy was substantially intoxicated. "We will never know why she drove off from the lay-by because I cannot say, on the balance of probabilities, that she was aware of the police presence." Story continues Police crash investigators said Ms Leadbeater had lost control on a bend before hitting a tree. Parts of the report were read out at the inquest, detailing how passengers in the rear of the Toyota were "scared" by how dangerously Miss Leadbeater was driving, and had asked her to slow down. One even got out of the Yaris in the lay-by moments before the crash, while another pulled the handbrake in an effort to stop the car. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is facing criticism for excluding women directors and some worthy performances from actors of colour in its nominations. Oscar nominations on Monday featured all male filmmakers in their directing category, which critics say was a repeat of the 2017 #Oscarssowhite controversy. Greta Gerwig, whose "Lady Bird" follow-up "Little Women" earned six nods, including best actress for Saoirse Ronan and best supporting actress for Florence Pugh, was overlooked for best director consideration. Gerwig, however, received a nomination in the adapted screenplay category. Ronan, who picked up her fourth career Oscar nomination, said Greta's omission left her "scratching (her) head a bit." "But to me, Greta, since she started, has made two perfect films, and I hope when she makes her next perfect movie, she gets recognised for everything, because I think she's one of the most important filmmakers of our time," Ronan told Deadline. Pugh said Gerwig's snub was a "big blow, especially because she created a film that is so her and so unique and it's just come out of her, and it's been a story she's wanted to do for so long." But it was not just Gerwig. Female filmmakers like Olivia Wilde ("Booksmart"), Lulu Wang ("The Farewell"), Joanna Hogg ("The Souvenir"), Lorene Scafaria ("Hustlers"), Marielle Heller ("A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood") and Celine Sciamma ("Portrait of a Lady on Fire") were all sidelined. The stars of these films have also been overlooked, most notably Awkwafina of "The Farewell" as she recently scripted history by becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the Golden Globe for best actress - comedy or musical. Jennifer Lopez of "The Hustlers" was another actor who was overlooked for her performance as veteran stripper who takes Constance Wu's Destiny under her wings. Among the prominent black faces of Hollywood, Oscar winners Lupita Nyong'o ("Us") and Jamie Foxx ("Just Mercy") lost out on nods in best actress and best supporting actor categories. Eddie Murphy and his Netflix feature "Dolemite Is My Name" also received cold shoulder from the Academy voters as the movie did not receive even one nod. The Academy Awards, however, did take steps towards by inclusitvity, unlike its British counterpart the BAFTAs, which had no actor of colour in their acting categories. South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" scripted history by becoming the first Asian feature to be nominated in the best picture category. The movie received a total of six nominations. British actor Cynthia Erivo, overlooked by BAFTAs for best actress consideration, landed an Oscar nod. Antonio Banderas of "Pain and Glory" also managed to receive a nomination in the best actor category. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Rasana Gasimova Azerbaijani Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) under the Economy Ministry has supported the participation of over 150 entrepreneurs in 15 specialized exhibitions and fairs, thus helping startup companies and entrepreneurs to enter the local and foreign markets. With the support of the agency, entrepreneurs presented their products and services to a wider audience, expanded their sales opportunities and established new business relations, the agency reported. In conducting the exhibitions and fairs, the agency collaborated with numerous organisations, such as the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and worked within business partnership platform with BP, AzerTelecom and Pasha Holding. The agency paid special attention to the participation of representatives of startup companies, women and people with disabilities in these fairs. SMEs Development Agency will continue supporting entrepreneurs willing to participate in exhibitions and fairs to be held in the country and abroad in 2020. The main task of the SMEs Development Agency is to ensure the succession of reforms, to improve the business regulation system and to enhance the role and competitiveness of SMEs in the country's economy. The share of SMEs in employment in Azerbaijan was 76 percent in 2018, and in recent years, comprehensive work has been carried out for the development of SMEs. In particular, inspections of business entities have been suspended and the process of obtaining licenses has been simplified. The share of SMEs in Azerbaijans foreign trade is planned to increase to 40 percent after 2025. The Agencys stand won 'Best social project award at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition of Gifts and Promo Items (Gift & Promo 2019) held in Baku on September 12-14. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A girlfriend accused of killing her own boyfriend by setting his apartment on fire has died three weeks before her murder trial. Jeffrey Lindsell, 39, was fatally burned when his Gymea granny flat in Sydney's south went up in flames on October 7, 2017. Two days later, he died in hospital. His 49-year-old girlfriend Amanda Zukowski allegedly started the fire and tampered with the property's water supply and was charged with murder eight months after her boyfriend's death. However, Zukwoski was discovered dead in her inner west home on Sunday - three weeks before she was due to face court for murder on February 3. Amanda Zukowski (pictured), 49, allegedly killed her own boyfriend by setting his apartment on fire but died on Sunday - three weeks before her murder trial on February 3 The 49 year old planned to defend herself at the trial but given there is no one left to charge, the case has been dropped, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mr Lindsell's mother Kathy told the publication she had 'mixed emotions' that the trial would not go ahead due to the death of Zukowski. 'I'm still struggling with how I feel or what I feel. We've been getting more anxious and stressed as it's been getting closer,' she said. 'We are still missing our person - Jeff.' Jeffrey Lindsell (pictured), 39, was fatally burned when his Gymea granny flat in Sydney's south went up in flames on October 7, 2017. Two days later, he died in hospital Mr Linsdell lived in the same residence as his parents but in a separate granny flat. At the time of the blaze, Mr Linsdell's parents Kathy and Des watched in horror as their son ran out of his burning flat while on fire. Mr Linsdell's father desperately tried to put out the fire with a hose but no water came out, Detective Senior Constable Christopher Preston told the Supreme Court in 2018. In the 2018 Supreme Court hearing, a police video of neighbour Linda West, who witnessed the fire, was shown. At the time of the blaze (pictured), Mr Linsdell's parents Kathy and Des watched in horror as their son ran out of his burning flat while on fire 'I asked her again about Jeffrey, I said "you sure he's not there?",' Ms West said in the video, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The neighbour alleged that Zukowski responded: 'He's not f***in' in there, Linda.' Despite the accusations, Zukowski was granted bail by the Supreme Court in November 2018. She was forced to wear an ankle monitor and restricted to an address in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville until her untimely death this year. Police are not treating her death as suspicious. With his thumbs in his pockets, Wilson Gavin stood at the front of the crowd, leading a videotaped chant that would quickly go viral: "Drag queens are not for kids." As the president of a conservative group at his Australian university, the 21-year-old had steered protesters into a public library in Brisbane, where they barged into a room full of families attending "Drag Queen Story Time." Inside, the group faced off with a sequined, costumed performer who had been reading from a children's book. Kids in the audience asked what was happening. Parents called the police, and a handful filmed the confrontation. As their videos spread across social media, politicians chimed in - most of them condemning the protest as a hateful act. The next day, Gavin, who was openly gay, took his own life. Sky News Australia That rapid succession of events has turned a young man's death into an emotional and political controversy in Australia's third-largest city and across the country: Some have pointed to an overwhelming "social media mob" that came after Gavin. Others have talked about disproportionately high rates of suicide among LGBTQ youth, or a culture they say lacks acceptance. Others still have insisted that it is inappropriate to make any kind of political statements at all. "To me, this incident transcends politics. It is about humanity, and about recognizing that everybody has it," Johnny Valkyrie, one of the drag queens at the library event, said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I only wish I could tell him I love and support him." In recent years, Gavin had emerged as a young voice for conservatism in Australian politics. Despite his sexual orientation, he opposed same-sex marriage and actively campaigned against the issue in 2017, when it went up for a national referendum. In 2018, he defended the role of the British monarchy on "Outsiders," a political talk show whose hosts have described themselves as "Trump's Aussie mates." "I'm a lover of all things traditional. I'm a lover of all things beautiful," he said on the show. "And there's nothing more traditional in this country than the monarchy." Satyajeet Marrar, a fellow member of the Australian Monarchist League, said Gavin was an "outspoken young man with a good heart." "Despite holding opinions that some people disagree with strongly, he would defend them with conviction," Marrar wrote on Facebook. "Brave and admirable traits while most of us in this generation spend years obsessing over what others think of us." At the University of Queensland, Gavin became president of the school's Liberal National Club, which branded itself as the local chapter of Australia's right-wing political party. Although the national organization disaffiliated itself from the university club in December, members maintained ties with at least one member of Parliament and sought out opportunities for political action. On Sunday, their venue was the local public library, and their target was a drag queen reading a children's book. Much like in the United States, the queens' family-friendly recitations - meant to foster free expression and tolerance toward LGBTQ people - have emerged as a cultural point of tension. In Brisbane, however, the city council had voted to sponsor a drag queen story time. So Gavin and the UQ Liberal National Club organized a protest to "defend LNP values against a corrosive gender ideology," the club wrote on its Facebook page, according to ABC Australia. "This event is designed to indoctrinate and sexualise young children. Our kids deserve better than this! Why is this moral filth being paid for by the taxpayer?" the post stated. (As of early Tuesday, the group's page appeared to have been deleted, and the club did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.) One mother at the event, Jenny Griffin, said one of her children, who are 6 and 8, started to cry out of fear and confusion in response to the "harassing and kind of threatening" protesters, she told ABC. Many elected officials and commentators seemed to agree with her. As videos of the confrontation spread across social media, politicians on the left and right criticized the fiery protest, calling the students "bigots," "homophobes" and "bullies." Trevor Evans, an openly gay lawmaker from Brisbane, condemned them as "ratbags." Online, Gavin defended himself and the action, saying it was part of the LNP's fight against "politically correct rubbish." But even LNP politicians distanced themselves from the demonstration. On Monday, less than a day later, police told Australian media that Gavin had taken his own life. Various corners of Australian society, which had already fiercely debated the protest, interpreted his death as radically different kinds of tragedies. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. George Christensen, a conservative member of Parliament, used it as an opportunity to attack "broken" social media networks and announce he would be deleting his Twitter account. He said "Twitter keyboard warriors [had piled] on an individual for a political protest." Mark Robinson, another right-wing politician and the sponsor of the UQ club, said Gavin was "treated terribly for "taking a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation." For other Australians, however, Gavin's death was instead a sign of the mental health issues affecting LGBTQ youth - and the homophobia some of them said was instilled and spread by those on the Australian right. Drew Pavlou, a friend of Gavin's at UQ, remembered him as a "very decent and kind person" who may have also been coping with such issues. "He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain," Pavlou wrote on Twitter. "Today is a reminder of all we must do to affirm to young marginalized Australians the intrinsic worth and value of their lives." Valkyrie, the 23-year-old drag queen, told The Post that while Gavin's death should transcend politics, the influence of certain political views - namely, those like Christensen's - had left a noticeable mark on the situation. The drag queen and activist said he himself had attempted suicide 13 times during his adolescence while coming out and coming to terms with his identity: He is both transgender and gay, he said. "Wilson may have contributed to the incident, which harmed myself and others, but I forgive him," Valkyrie said, tearing up on the phone, "and I understand that he was troubled. . . . I only wish I could tell him I love and support him." On social media, he offered him up a message anyway. "What you did on Sunday was unacceptable," Valkyrie wrote. "Who you were was not." Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:12:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Lebanese demonstrators protest in front of the house of newly-appointed Prime Minister Hassan Diab in Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 14, 2020. Protesters vowed on Tuesday to escalate their demonstrations if Hassan Diab fails to form a cabinet of independent ministers within 48 hours, MTV local TV Channel reported. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Protesters vowed on Tuesday to escalate their demonstrations if the newly appointed prime minister Hassan Diab fails to form a cabinet of independent ministers within 48 hours, MTV local TV Channel reported. The protesters organized a march from Beirut's downtown to the house of Diab to voice their demands. They vowed to force the prime minister to resign if the new cabinet is not formed within 48 hours. They also said that they will escalate their protests by going to the houses of Lebanese politicians if no proper measures are taken to solve the country's crises. The protesters have been asking for the formation of a government with independent ministers who are capable of introducing structural reforms to save the country's deteriorating economy. However, Diab has so far failed to form a new cabinet due to interferences by different political parties trying to protect their shares in the new government. ROSCOMMON, MI Michigan State Police say they arrested two men in northern Michigan after a woman said she escaped from a home where she was being forced into prostitution. At 3 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, troopers from the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post were called to assist with an investigation of an alleged human trafficking case. Deputies from the Roscommon County Sheriffs Office had a woman in custody who was accused of stealing a vehicle. The woman alleged she was being forced into prostitution at the residence on Roberta Drive in Crawford Countys South Branch Township, near Roscommon. The woman said she was being held against her will by two suspects, identified as James Manford Jarrell and Jeffrey Allen Kobel, both 50-years-old and Roscommon area residents. The woman was brought to the area from Ypsilanti a few days earlier, police said. The MSP emergency support team, strike team investigative narcotics group (STING), MSP canine, MSP Houghton Lake Post and Crawford County Sheriffs Office executed at search warrant at the house and arrested the two men, according to a press release from Michigan State Police. Jarrell is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first-degree and one count of unlawful imprisonment, and fourth-time habitual offender. The sexual conduct charge is punishable by up to life imprisonment. Bond was set at $100,000 cash-surety. Kobel is charged with one count of unlawful imprisonment, and a third-time habitual offender. The charge is a felony and is punishable up to 15 years. The bond was set at $25,000 cash-surety. The pair remain in the Crawford County Jail. Their next scheduled court appearance is at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. Related news: State police investigate report of broken windows, shots fired in Roscommon County 46 arrested in human trafficking sting in Michigan Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 04:39:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close PRAGUE, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Coal Commission discussed three scenarios for stopping coal consumption that were put forward from working groups on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The government is hoping to have a complete proposal for the withdrawal of coal from Czech industry by September so that a decision can be made by the end of the year. The three decarbonization scenarios put forward by the working groups fell into rapid, moderate, and slow categories. According to a release by the ministry, a rapid path would mean reduction in coal use as early as 2030 to 2035, moderate from 2035 to 2045, and slow between 2045 to 2050. The working groups studied decarbonization from many angles. The first presented an analysis on coal termination in the Czech Republic which looked at electricity consumption and production. The analysis looks at ways to replace coal dependency, such as already available domestic options like nuclear energy, renewables, and natural gas. The second working group analyzed the legal and policy aspects of decarbonization, and the third provided analysis on socio-economic impacts. The commission will reconvene in March while the working groups continue their negotiations and analysis. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco's ban on the sale of fur within city limits was challenged in a federal lawsuit by an international fur trade group on Monday. The International Fur Trade Federation claims in the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco that the city law violates the U.S. Constitution by interfering with interstate and foreign commerce. The law was passed by the city's Board of Supervisors in 2018. It went partly into effect in 2019 and then fully into effect this year. The lawsuit, filed against the city and Dr. Grant Colfax, the city's public health director, asks for an injunction blocking enforcement of the law. Last year, the law partially took effect but allowed a temporary exemption for sale or distribution of furs obtained before March 2018. On Jan. 1, the exemption was ended and sales of all furs were banned. The legislation states, "The sale of fur products in San Francisco is inconsistent with the city's ethos of treating all living beings, humans and animals alike, with kindness. "In light of the wide array of faux fur and other alternatives for fashion and apparel, the demand for fur products does not justify the unnecessary killing and cruel treatment of animals," the law says. The lawsuit notes that most fur farms are located in other states or in other countries, such as Denmark and Finland. It argues because fur products "do not constitute any threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a person or animal within San Francisco," there is no legitimate local purpose for the law. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. He promised me the moon. Literally. Fashion billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, 44, wants to woo a life partner with the promise of a round trip to our lunar neighbor via the private aerospace aviation company SpaceX. According to Mashable, the founder of the Japanese clothing retailer Zozo is saving a seat as part of a block of tickets he bought for a 2023 lunar flight, where Im sure Ive been able to acquire my share of money, social status, and fame along the way. But now Im restarting my life. Im 44 now, as Maezawa writes on his website. As feelings of loneliness and emptiness slowly begin to surge upon me, theres one thing that I think about: Continuing to love one woman. The application on Yusaku Maezawas site So, if youre interested, you need to be a single woman aged 20 or over with abright personality and someone who wishes for world peace. Application are due on January 17th. Even then, successful applicants will initially have to go on matchmaking dates with Maezawa and wait three years, since the lunar trip doesnt happen until 2023. As for his own dating bio, Maezawa says he has a passion for contemporary art (e.g. he once purchased a Basquiat painting for $110 million), supercars and wine. And hes done both a 100 million and 1 billion yen giveaway on Twitter. And he wants to ultimately find a life partner so he can shout our love and world peace from outer space. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter. The post This Japanese Billionaire Wants to Take a Date to the Moon via SpaceX appeared first on InsideHook. Indonesian army chief Gen. Andika Perkasa speaks to reporters during a visit by his Thai counterpart, Gen. Apirat Kongsompong (left), to Indonesias Aceh region, Jan. 14, 2020. The Thai and Indonesian army chiefs signed an intelligence sharing deal in Indonesias Aceh province Tuesday that aims to contain cross-border movements of fugitives and militants, including from Thailands insurgency-plagued Deep South, officials and observers said. Thai Royal Army commander Gen. Apirat Kongsompong indicated that he went to Aceh to get a better understanding of how, in 2005, that region at the Western tip of Sumatra Island settled its own longtime rebellion. His one-day trip to Aceh was the first official visit to the autonomous province by a Thai army chief. Apirat met with his Indonesian counterpart, Gen. Andika Perkasa, to discuss military-to-military issues, including renewing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in training, and to sign a three-point deal aimed at deterring security threats and containing movement across frontiers of terrorists or perpetrators, officials said. [We] have signed the minutes of meeting for exchanges of more intelligence and try to have more cooperation for fugitive groups of persons crossing the borders, for both countries, Apirat said during a joint news conference with Andika, according to video clips released to BenarNews by a Thai military source. Among other measures, the deal calls for both armies to cooperate in tracking down persons or groups deemed a threat to both countries and the region and denying space for people deemed a threat to the countries and the region, Apirat told reporters in Aceh. He said Gen. Pornsak Poolsawat, the army commander in the mainly Muslim and Malay-speaking Deep South, who accompanied him to Indonesia, would be assigned to setting up a committee to coordinate and implement the cross-border deal with the Indonesian army. The two sides agreed to share intelligence on movements of extremists, rebels or perpetrator groups who have been undermining national security, according to a copy of the official document from the meeting obtained by Reuters. Apirat: Aceh has peace A statement issued later by the Indonesian army did not specify how the cooperation deal would apply to Indonesian Muslim extremist groups, including the Islamic State-linked militant group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah. Authorities have blamed the group for terrorist attacks across the archipelago in recent years. The purpose of Apirats visit to Aceh was to sign a four-year extension of a bilateral army cooperation deal as well as engage in talks about the peace process that led to a 2005 agreement, which ended Acehs insurgency, Indonesian army spokesman Candra Wijaya said in the statement. The cooperation [arrangement] includes education, joint training activities, exchange of visits by senior army officials of both parties in order to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, the statement quoted Andika as saying. He said his Thai counterpart held talks with traditional Acehnese leaders because Apirat wanted to get a better understanding of how Aceh had achieved peace. Apirat, for his part, said he appreciated the model that Aceh had used in pursuing peace. So what brings the peace, you know, its not about the religion. Its not about who you are, but its about understanding. I have hope. Aceh has peace, Apirat said as he responded to a reporters question about whether the general had a message for insurgents in the Deep South. A peace accord signed in Helsinki by Jakarta and Acehnese rebels in August 2005 ended a 28-year separatist conflict, whereby Indonesia agreed to grant Aceh special autonomy. Aimed at BRN The bilateral deal struck by the Indonesian and Thai armies is targeted at Barisan Revolusi Nasional (the National Revolutionary Front), or BRN, the largest and most powerful of the southern Thai rebel groups, according to a former high-ranking member of the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), another rebel group in the Deep South. I believe the agreement between the Thai army commander and Indonesia is aimed at pressuring insurgents who fled from Malaysia to Indonesia after they received pressure from Malaysia for refusing to join the peace talks, the ex-PULO rebel told BenarNews on condition of anonymity, referring to negotiations between Bangkok and southern rebels groups brokered by Kuala Lumpur. Before the insurgency re-ignited in 2004, separatists from the Deep South traveled to Aceh to be trained for combat before passing those skills on to a younger generation of fighters after returning home to the border region, said Samret Srirai, a retired senior Thai military officer. More than 7,000 people have been killed in violence in the Deep South during the past 16 years. Since 2015, neighboring Malaysia has facilitated negotiations between Bangkok and MARA Patani, an umbrella group representing rebel organizations and factions, but those talks have led to no breakthroughs while violence in the region persists. [I] believe the agreement is done because some BRN are hiding in Indonesia, so Thailand wants to monitor them, professor Srisompob Jitpiromsi, who directs Deep South Watch, a think-tank based in the region, told BenarNews. CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw or, the Corporation) announced that, at its annual meeting of shareholders held earlier today, the resolutions proposed in Shaws management proxy circular were adopted. The detailed results from the annual shareholder meeting are as follows. 1. Election of each of the following fifteen nominees as directors of the Corporation (by ballot): Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % Peter J. Bissonnette 20,125,059 99.98 4,167 0.02 Adrian I. Burns 20,115,059 99.93 14,167 0.07 Christy Clark 20,129,087 >99.99 139 <0.01 Richard R. Green 20,125,159 99.98 4,067 0.02 Gregg Keating 20,119,198 99.95 10,028 0.05 Michael W. OBrien 20,125,159 99.98 4,067 0.02 Paul K. Pew 20,129,098 >99.99 128 <0.01 Jeffrey C. Royer 20,129,098 >99.99 128 <0.01 Bradley S. Shaw 20,129,098 >99.99 128 <0.01 JR Shaw 20,125,059 99.98 4,167 0.02 Mike Sievert 20,129,198 >99.99 28 <0.01 JC Sparkman 20,115,059 99.93 14,167 0.07 Carl E. Vogel 20,129,098 >99.99 128 <0.01 Sheila C. Weatherill 20,125,087 99.98 4,139 0.02 Willard H. Yuill 20,115,159 99.93 14,067 0.07 2. Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors of the Corporation (by show of hands proxy result shown): Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % 20,088,326 100 - - About Shaw Communications Inc. Shaw Communications Inc. is a leading Canadian connectivity company. The Wireline division consists of Consumer and Business services. Consumer serves residential customers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital phone. Business provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, digital phone and video services. The Wireless division provides wireless voice and LTE data services through an expanding and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, SJR.PR.A, SJR.PR.B, NYSE SJR, and TSXV SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca For further information, please contact: Shaw Investor Relations investor.relations@sjrb.ca A librarian and a book shop owner have pleaded guilty to theft charges after $8million of rare books went missing over a 25-year period from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Gregory Priore, a former archivist at the library, and John Schulman, the owner of Caliban Book shop in Pittsburgh, admitted theft and receiving stolen goods charges. The pair were accused of stealing or damaging more than $8million in rare books and materials from historical documents, including a George Washington journal worth around $250,000 and a book of letters by famous figures such as Abraham Lincoln worth $100,000. Gregory Priore (left) and John Schulman (right) were charged with stealing and damaging rare items from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh resulting in a loss of more than $8million A collection of ancient Greek works by Homer, including his famed series of poems in the Odyssey worth $1,700, was also stolen or damaged An investigation determined that 320 items were missing and that 16 additional items were 'diminished', meaning damaged beyond their original condition or missing a portion of the complete work A collection of ancient Greek works by Homer, including his famed series of poems in the Odyssey worth $1,700, was also stolen or damaged. Although both men had been in contact since the early 1990s, it took around 25 years for the scheme to be uncovered, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Prosecutors said a Carnegie Library staff member auditing the museum's Oliver Room, which houses its rare items, noticed some pieces were vandalized or missing altogether. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh saw $8million worth of rare books stolen or damaged the museum's Oliver Room, which houses its rare items, from 1992 and 2017 The subsequent investigation determined that 320 items were missing and that 16 additional items were 'diminished', meaning damaged beyond their original condition or missing a portion of the complete work. SOME OF THE RARE WORKS DAMAGED OR STOLEN FROM CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH Some of the works worth more than $8million that were damaged or stolen during the 25-year scheme by Gregory Priore and John Schulman included: - George Washington, 'The Journal of...', worth $250,000. - George Washington; Abraham Lincoln, et al. 'Some Men of Fame: Their Portraits and Autographed Letters', worth $100,000. - James Lewis 'The Aboriginal Port-Folio', worth $110,000. - Daniel Giraud Elliot 'Monograph of the Paradiseidae, or Birds of Paradise', worth $100,000. - Ferdinand V. Hayden 'The Yellowstone National Park, and the Mountain Regions of Portions of Idaho, Nevada, Colorado and Utah', worth $165,000. -George Catlin 'Catlin's North American Indian Portfolio', worth $175,000. -George H.V. Collot 'Voyage Dans L'Amerique Septentrionale', worth $275,000. - Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied, Prince; Karl Bodmer 'Reise in das Innere Nord-America...', worth $1,200,000. - Ptolemy 'La Geografia...', worth $115,000. - Thomas Jefferys 'The American Atlas', worth $120,000. - Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall 'History of the Indian Tribes of North America' worth $181,500. - Etianne Claviere and J.P. Brissot de Warville 'De la France et des Etats-Unis' worth $100,000. - Isacc Newton 'Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica', worth $900,000. - Edward S. Curtis 'The North American Indian...', worth $540,000. - Giovanni Piranesi [Opere], worth $600,000. - Jan & Willem Blaeu 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum', worth $200,000. - Jodocus Hondius & Gerard Mercator 'Atlas Sive Cosmographicae', worth $180,000. - Nicolaus Visscher 'Atlas Minor', $200,000. Advertisement It was alleged the relationship between Priore and Schulman began in 1992 and lasted for 25 years. Priore, 63, was originally charged with 10 counts but pleaded down to theft of unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Both counts are felonies in Pennsylvania. John Schulman, 56, initially faced 20 charges but pleaded guilty to a forgery charge as well as theft by deception and receiving stolen property. According to the criminal report, Priore worked as the manager and sole archivist of the Oliver Room for 25 years before being fired in June 2017. Schulman is the co-owner of Caliban Book Shop in Oakland, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which specializes in rare books. The Oliver Room closed more than a year ago once authorities discovered the thefts. Priore first contacted Schulman about the scheme in the late 1990s, according to the criminal complaint. The librarian allegedly told police he made between $500 and $3,000 for items he stole and gave to Schulman to sell. Investigators were reportedly told by Priore: 'I should have never done this. I loved that room, my whole working life, and greed came over me. I did it, but Schulman spurred me on.' Carnegie Library said it was 'deeply disappointed' that the suspects had long-standing ties to the library. Spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes told WPXI: 'We are grateful the investigation into the Oliver Room theft has resulted in arrests, however we are deeply disappointed that at the center of this case are two people who had close, long standing relationships with the library. 'We look forward to the appropriate individuals being held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to cooperate with the DA's office and deeply appreciate their efforts to recover the stolen materials. 'The District Attorney will release information as appropriate as the case progresses through legal proceedings. We would like to thank our community for their support throughout this lengthy and complex investigation. 'We have been asked not to comment further until legal proceedings are complete.' Both men will be sentenced on April 17 and could face fines, restitution and jail time. Former BHS owner Dominic Chappell arrives at the City of London Magistrates' Court accused of tax evasion and buying two yachts to launder money. Photo: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images Disgraced ex-BHS boss Dominic Chappell has been ordered to pay 9.5m ($12.3m) into his former companys pension schemes after a tribunal struck out his appeal against a Pensions Regulator ruling. Chappell, who bought the department store chain from Sir Philip Green for just 1 before leading the company into administration just a year later, had challenged the findings of the regulator. Its determinations panel concluded that Chappell should contribute millions to the funds, noting that a series of acts taken in the company under his leadership were materially detrimental to the pension schemes. When BHS collapsed in 2016, some 11,000 employees lost their jobs and the companys pension schemes were left with a huge deficit. In January 2017, the panel ruled that Chappell must pay 9,542,985 into the schemes. It had concluded that management decisions of the company, an inadequate business plan, and the way money was extracted and distributed to Chappell, advisers, company directors, and family members, among other things, were detrimental to the schemes. In November 2019, Chappell was handed a 10-year ban on serving as a company director, after the Insolvency Service found that he wrongfully diverted 1.5m in funds from BHS to a company in Sweden, just a day after the companys board had discussed entering administration. He also transferred more than 1m in BHS funds to his company Retail Acquisitions. Chappell engaged in a lengthy appeals process against the Pensions Regulator ruling, however. But the regulator said on Tuesday that its decision to issue two contribution notices against Chappell stands, after the Upper Tribunal of the regulator struck out the appeal. We are pleased that the decision to issue two contribution notices to pay money into the BHS pension schemes stands, said Nicola Parish of the Pensions Regulator. In 2017, Green agreed to pay 363m in cash to rescue the pension schemes after the Pensions Regulator concluded that the main purpose of his sale of BHS was to sidestep responsibility for the insolvent schemes. Under Greens leadership, the scheme went from being in a surplus to a deficit. Imperial Valley News Center Man Suspected in 2018 Double Murder & Related Violent Crimes Arrested in Mexico Los Angeles, California - A man wanted for his alleged involvement in the 2018 murder of his pregnant wife in the city of El Monte was extradited from Mexico to Los Angeles last Friday, announced Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office, and Alex Villanueva, the Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Octavio Curiel-Martinez, 37, a Mexican national, is suspected in the murders and related violent crimes. The victims, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, were discovered at an El Monte residence on August 29, 2018, and were pronounced dead at a hospital later that evening. Based on an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD) and the El Monte Police Department, Curiel-Martinez was charged in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, with murder (two counts); attempted murder; assault with a firearm (two counts); shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied car; corporal injury to spouse (two counts); assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury; felony child endangerment (two counts); and misdemeanor child endangerment (six counts). A state warrant was issued for his arrest on September 5, 2018. LASD detectives assigned to the case identified Curiel-Martinez as a suspect following the murders and determined that he fled the state of California to Mexico. Investigators and prosecutors later enlisted the assistance of the FBI to locate and apprehend Curiel-Martinez. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles, on March 15, 2019, after Martinez was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP). Curiel-Martinez was located based on information provided by U.S. investigators and arrested by Mexican police officers on unrelated local charges in Bolanos, Jalisco, Mexico, on May 17, 2019. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office formally requested the extradition of Curiel-Martinez and a provisional arrest warrant was issued by the Mexican government on May 23, 2019. Curiel-Martinez was then transported to Mexico City pending extradition to the United States. Following the return to the United States on January 3, Curiel-Martinez was booked into the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department to await prosecution by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. The United States government is expected to dismiss the federal warrant charging Curiel-Martinez with UFAP. The fugitive investigation, arrest, and extradition of Curiel-Martinez was a coordinated effort among multiple law enforcement agencies in the United States and Mexico, to include the Policia Federal Ministerial (PFM); FGR Fiscalia General de la Republica (Office of the Attorney General of the Republic); Instituto Nacional de Migracion (Mexican Immigration); the FBIs Legal Attache in Mexico City; detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the El Monte Police Department; and the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. The extradition was handled by prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs. The return of Curiel-Martinez was sponsored by the United States governments Project Welcome Home, which provides funding for the transportation of FBI fugitives to the United States, where the repatriation by the host country occurs through deportation or extradition. The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement as well as counterparts in other countries to apprehend violent criminals charged with state crimes who then flee the jurisdiction interstate or internationally. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Students in San Francisco's Westside now have access to some City College of San Francisco courses after City College Sunset began its first day of the Spring 2020 semester on Monday. Under the program, City College now offers six classes serving working adults, seniors, immigrants and high school students at two locations: Wah Mei School at 1400 Judah St. and Abraham Lincoln High School at 2162 24th Ave. The effort to bring the classes to the city's Westside was spearheaded by Supervisor Gordon Mar, who represents part of the area. In a statement, Mar called the classes "a model for how the city can step up and invest in City College for win-win situations." Back in November, it was revealed City College of San Francisco had paused some 300 classes from its spring 2020 schedule as a result of budget cuts, in order to close a reported $13 million deficit. "As the state cuts funding for community-serving classes, I'm committed to working with the college to ensure City College continues to offer these important resources in the community," he said. The classes at Wah Mei School include 2 child development classes, both of which are required for the childcare profession permit, an English as a Second Language class and one older adult class. The classes at Lincoln High School include an American Sign Language class and a College Success course, both meant for high school students. "The City College Sunset child development classes are helping me enhance my professional development," Brian Nguyen, a student, said. "The convenient location has enabled me to have this opportunity." "The ESL class allows immigrants and workers seeking to improve their language skills a space to build their confidence and learn," ESL Department Chair Greg Keech said. "Thousands of students have taken our classes and gone on to find good jobs with their improved skills. Students can still enroll by showing up at the class this week," he said. City College Sunset, which is tuition-free for San Francisco residents, will serve as a pilot program for the Spring semester. Afterward it will have the potential to be renewed or expanded, depending on demand and interest in the program, Mar's office said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Texans who are age 65 or older or who are disabled as defined by law may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit at the Harris County Appraisal District office. Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred but not cancelled as long as the owner continues to qualify for the exemption. Taxes accumulate with 5 percent interest per year. The law extends the tax deferral to the surviving spouse of the person who deferred taxes on the homestead if the surviving spouse was at least 55 years old when the deceased spouse died. Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled also should be sure they have applied for and received the appropriate homestead exemptions. These exemptions will reduce future tax burdens, and the tax savings from homestead exemptions are theirs to keep, said Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger. In December, the appraisal district mailed postcards listing the homestead exemptions the property owner has and encouraging them to contact us if they are eligible for one additional exemption because of a 65th birthday or becoming disabled. A filed tax deferral affidavit keeps homeowners from losing their homesteads because of delinquent property taxes. A pending sale to foreclose on the homesteads tax lien will also cease as a result of filing a tax deferral affidavit. In addition, no taxing unit can start or continue a lawsuit to collect delinquent taxes once an affidavit is filed. There are no penalties on delinquent taxes during the deferral period; however, a tax deferral does not cancel penalties that were already due. Homeowners with a mortgage on their home should first check with their mortgage company to make certain the deferral does not violate the terms of the deed of trust securing the mortgage on the property. Most deeds of trust require that taxes be paid currently, Altinger said. All deferred taxes and interest become due when the homeowner or surviving spouse no longer qualifies for the exemption. If the tax debt remains unpaid at that time, penalties may be imposed and taxing units may take legal action to collect the past due amount. For further details about property tax deferral, contact the Harris County Appraisal Districts information center at 713-957-7800 or visit the districts offices at 13013 Northwest Freeway in Houston. Information can be found online at www.hcad.org by keying in tax deferrals in the Search Bar at the top right of the screen. Information also is available on the Comptrollers Property Tax Assistance Divisions website at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax. Supermarket giant Woolworths has launched a back-to-school promotion for kids. The Australian grocery chain is offering shoppers free personalised school labels for children to use on their books, stationery, lunchboxes and drink bottles. All you have to do is simply buy any three participating products that feature 'personalised school labels' in the catalogue. The selected items include muesli bars, peanut butter, Milo, Maggi two-minute noodles, cordial, sliced leg ham, cereal, lunch containers, and even cleaning products such as dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent. Scroll down for video Supermarket giant Woolworths is offering shoppers free personalised school labels for children to use on their books, stationery, lunchboxes and drink bottles All you have to do is simply buy any three participating products that feature 'personalised school labels' in the catalogue After you check out, enter the unique code found on the shopping receipt or online order number on the website. Next, create your personalised school labels online and the name tags will be sent straight to your home just in time for the start of the school term. The name tags come in a variety of colours and characters to choose from - and parents can include their children's first or full name. Some shoppers revealed the store is also offering free personalised lunch bags for kids when you buy selected items with the 'free personalised lunch bag' label printed on the packaging And it's not just the personalised school labels the supermarket is giving away. Some shoppers revealed the store is also offering free personalised lunch bags for kids. Customers are required to find the 'free personalised lunch bag' label printed on selected items around the store, including Bega's 45-pack tasty cheese slices. The free personalised school labels have been popular among shoppers in recent years, with many parents keeping their eyes out for the promotion every back-to-school season. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Jeppe Kofod arrived in Delhi on Wednesday on a two-day visit. He will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15 and will also participate in Raisina Dialogue 2020 on January 16. India's flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina Dialogue began on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the inaugural session at which seven former heads of state or government shared their views on important challenges facing the world. Delhi: Jeppe Kofod, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark arrives in India. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15 and participate in Raisina Dialogue 2020 on January 16. pic.twitter.com/nhZP1xSAXY ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020 READ | EAM Jaishankar Highlights Key Focus Of Indian Foreign Policy At Raisina Dialogue 2020 As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Kofod will after meeting PM Modi will meet Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat followed by the Raisina Dialogue. Later he will end his day with a working dinner with EAM. Kofod will end his visit on Thursday. Over the course of two days, intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars - the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, debate on the global trading architecture, role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace. READ | Australian PM Scott Morrison To Visit India For The Raisina Dialogue Foreign Ministers from 13 countries to attend Raisina Dialogue Foreign ministers from 13 countries, including Russia, Iran and Australia, are attending the fifth edition of the geo-political conference, 'Raisina Dialogue'. The three-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), also witnessed the participation of many deputy foreign ministers, former prime ministers, former presidents, national security advisors, military chiefs and other high-level policy-makers, scholars and officials. Over 180 delegates from 105 countries are taking part in this edition, themed '21@20: Navigating the Alpha Century'. In all, the conference has 116 speakers. Besides, Externally Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the other foreign ministers participating in this year's conference are from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary, Rwanda and Tanzania. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and prime ministers of Sweden, Republic of Korea, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and Bhutan are also participating in the conference. READ | Raisina Dialogue To Begin On Tuesday, PM Modi To Attend Inaugural Session READ | 13 Foreign Ministers To Take Part In Raisina Dialogue 2020 (image credits: ANI) After enduring criticism for only having four voting members to approve important issues and spending, NJ Transits board of directors is finally getting reinforcements. The state senate voted 40-0 to confirm four nominees to the troubled transit agencys board, who were vetted by the State Senate Judiciary Committee earlier before Mondays voting session. The new board members included former State Senator and current Board of Public Utilities chairman Robert Gordon. He co-chaired a joint legislative committee that investigated NJ Transit after the Sept. 29, 2016 Hoboken Terminal train crash that killed a woman walking in the station and injured more than 100 people. Also confirmed were Cedric Fulton, retired Port Authority Director of Bridges, Tunnels and Terminals; Richard Maroko, Recording Secretary and General Counsel of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO; and James D. Adams, a professional engineer who is vice president of KS Engineers. Murphys other nominations expire on Tuesday. The board has 13 seats. These appointments bring it to eight members. The news didnt sit well with one commuter advocate who asked where are the board members who are supposed to come from the ranks of regular riders? This is disappointing. Once again, we have politically connected individuals who likely dont use public transit or have little to no background in transportation entrusted with one of the largest transit agencies in the country, said Len Resto, NJ Association of Railroad Passengers chairman and a rail rider. Where are the train riders? Bus riders? For an administration that promised to take the politics out of NJ Transit, this is very disheartening. Murphys nominees, who are specifically supposed to come from the ranks of regular commuters, were not vetted by the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday. State Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen has been negotiating with the administration over those nominations since Resto and other commuter advocates expressed dissatisfaction with the original nominees. Have the new board members shared the experiences of commuters or are willing to ride a crowded bus or train during rush hour to learn? Maroko, who lives in Montclair and said he usually rides the Montclair-Boonton line to his job in New York, unless there are delays or other problems. I will take the method that works best on any given day, he said. If there are cancellations or delays on the Montclair-Boonton line, Ill drive. Adams said his commute varied between three NJ Transit bus routes or the Northeast Corridor rail line when he worked for the state school construction authority in Trenton. Want more NJ Transit news? Enter your email address to be the first to know: I experienced some of the problems and delays, said Adams who added he wants to ride buses and trains during rush hour because getting first-hand knowledge of what the traveling public experienced will be helpful. Fulton said he commuted for 30 years to and from New York by train during his job with the Port Authority and is familiar with bus operations from running the Port Authority Bus Terminal. He retired in mid-2017. During Fultons tenure, bus terminal operations were changed to a different model to reduce delays after Weinberg lobbied for improvements. I was on the floor of the bus terminal regularly with customers, Fulton said. Experiencing what NJ Transit riders experience during rush hour is the best way to get a real feel for what the issues are. Gordon said he was a Bergen Line rail commuter for five years when he worked as a management consultant for a Fortune 500 company in New York. But his transit claim to fame was co-chairing the oversight committee that investigated NJ Transit after the Hoboken crash. Some of that information contributed to the NJ Transit reform bill signed by Murphy in December 2018 that added more members, including rider representatives, to the board. Gordon said hes not done asking questions and plans to meet with key managers to learn the details of NJ Transits operation and understand what the cause of its problems are. But he also wants to see first hand what riders are enduring, too. There is nothing better than spending time with your customers. I need to learn more before I do anything and I need to understand the needs of the customer, Gordon said All four nominees said they believe in being activist board members. Past boards have been criticized for voting for what NJ Transit management recommended, with rarely a no vote cast. I believe constructive tension is good, Fulton said. Transparency is important and open dialog is a necessity to understand the facts critical to make a decision. Maroko said NJ Transits board needs a diversity of vision to handle strategic planning and resolving staffing issues NJ Transit faces. He added his labor experience could help the agency with its staffing and retention issues. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters YouTuber Brittani Boren Leach has revealed that the organs from her three-month-old son, Crew, who died suddenly over the holidays, have saved the lives of two children. Leach, 29, shared the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday that shows her holding her tummy during her maternity shoot. 'I never got around to posting my maternity pictures with Crew because by the time I got them back, he had already made his VERY fast and furious entrance to the world. I almost didnt take maternity pictures because I was just so "busy".' 'Im glad I did because little did I know, he would spend more time in my belly than he did out. And while he was here he wanted to be with his Mama as much as possible. Now I know why,' the grieving mother wrote. She added that she and her husband 'got the bittersweet call a few days ago, that his liver saved the life of a 1 year old boy, and his heart saved the life of 7 month old boy'. Leach said Crew would have been four months old today. Scroll down for video YouTuber Brittani Boren Leach (left) has revealed that the organs from her three-month-old son, Crew (right), who died suddenly over the holidays, have saved the lives of two children 'I have peace knowing that he was THE miracle that another family prayed for, and we pray that we are able to meet these precious boys one day. 'In three short months he has touched and changed more lives than most in their lifetime, and despite the pain, Im so proud God chose me to be his Mother,' Leach added. Over the weekend, Leach revealed that she buried Crew in a gown made from her wedding dress. 'Oh how I wish this picture was taken today, I would give anything just to hold him this close again,' Leach wrote in the caption of a sweet photo that shows her holding Crew. 'Those of you who were following me before and "knew" Crew, knew he lived in this wrap. It was his favorite place to be. 'We buried him dressed in a gown made from my wedding dress, with a small favorite toy from each of his siblings, and this striped wrap placed snugly over him. I figured, who is better to carry him until I get there, than Jesus,' Leach said. She continued: 'If I could say one thing to you, here it is. Take all the pictures. Forget the laundry. Forget the dishes. It really doesnt matter. Just love your babies. Breathe in their scent. Memorize their smile. And love them really really hard.' The mom vlogger, who has three other sons and a stepdaughter with her husband Jeff, held a funeral for Crew last week. Leach revealed on Saturday that she buried her three-month-old son, Crew, in a gown made from her wedding dress following his sudden death over the holidays. She shared this photo of her holding Crew The mom vlogger, 29, who has three other sons and a stepdaughter with her husband Jeff, held a funeral (Crew's coffin) for Crew last week 'We laid our sweet baby boy to rest today, and a part of me went with him. During his memorial, Carter reached over and grabbed my hand. Then Cooper laid his hand on ours and then Sydney laid hers on top. Im so so proud of them. 'We will always feel like we are missing a piece of our family, because we are. And until we get to Heaven, I know hes smiling, laughing and playing at the feet of Jesus,' she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. 'I just wish he was here instead,' Leach wrote, adding that her family 'laid a tiny blue cape with a C on it over his casket to celebrate our little Hero Crew'. Leach announced the devastating news of little Crew's death on her Instagram page on December 30. At the time, she shared a series of heartbreaking images alongside her tiny son in the hospital. It is not known exactly what caused Crew to become unresponsive but Leach explained he was found not breathing at a relative's house on Christmas Day. At the time, she told fans that the family had decided to donate his organs, adding: 'The pain is unbearable. I keep thinking that I will wake up from this nightmare, but I dont.' Brittani said: 'We are living a nightmare, and Im dying inside. This cant be real.' She was also forced to hit back at trolls who questioned her intentions in the wake of the tragedy. Leach said: 'Please keep in mind that we can see your comments, questions and conversations with one another. Put yourself in our shoes(which is impossible to do) and ask yourself If youd want to read what youre about to write or say.' Leach shared a series of heartbreaking images alongside her tiny son in hospital leading up to his death in December It is not known exactly what caused Crew to become unresponsive but Leach explained he was found not breathing at a relative's house on Christmas Day The YouTuber hit back at one follower who asked 'is it real?', replying: 'If you haven't been in my shoes, consider yourself blessed, and go watch TV because this is MY real life.' Thanking those who have already offered support Leach's husband Jeff wrote on Facebook: 'Unfortunately, there are also people out there who do not have pure intentions when they follow or comment on our family. Only they can explain their motivations. 'The last few days have been a nightmare for our family. We love our son with all our heart. We didnt ask for this. We don't expect anything from anyone. We are not prepared for the attention we are receiving.' Leach, who is based in Texas, had first told her 736,000 followers on Instagram that Crew had fallen ill on December 26. Sharing a picture holding his tiny hand she wrote: 'While at a relatives house last night, Crew laid down for a nap and when I went to check on him, he was not breathing.' Her next post showed the YouTube star crying as she tended to the youngster, explaining he was on a ventilator. Leach, who vlogs about being a mother, wrote: 'I cant explain to you what this feels like. This kind of thing only happens to "other" people. Not me. I just want to crawl in bed with my baby and nurse him. 'Please continue to pray. Please. I dont think I can go on without him.' 'I keep thinking that I will wake up from this nightmare, but I don't', Leach wrote Calling the pain 'unbearable' Leach (pictured) said her baby son fell ill on Christmas Day Leach with her husband Jeff, their four sons and her stepdaughter on Christmas Day Leach vlogs about being a mom. She is pictured pregnant with Crew (left) and with her son (right) On December 27 she announced: 'Crew's tiny earthly body is still with us, although I know hes already dancing and playing in Heaven. We have some hard decisions to make over the next 12 hours, that no parent should ever have to make. 'I keep thinking that I will wake up from this nightmare, but I dont.' A heartbreaking image showed Leach and her husband Jeff with baby Crew. She added: 'Its all just too much. All of it. I know God has a plan for this, but Im really really mad at him right now. 'I cry behind the bathroom door while Jeff holds me, because in the room over everyone else gets to laugh and go on with their lives, and it makes me so angry. 'Running tests on my sons body to see how his organs are functioning before they take them. Pumping breastmilk just to pour it down the drain. Hearing a baby cry. Seeing a baby his age. Shopping Nordstrom for the dress Ill wear to my sons funeral. 'Its all too much. Im sorry to vent, but this is my heart. And I need all the prayers to get through this.' Crew was then given an 'honor walk' Leach said before his organs were donated to 'potentially save 3 to 4 babies lives'. Granger Smith's wife Amber wrote to Leach to say: 'I know your fear and your anger and shock.' The couple lost their three-year-old son River to a drowning accident at the family's Texas home in June 2019. Leach had earlier shared images from wishing followers a Merry Christmas from her 'very loud, crazy, and beautiful blended family'. A touching image showed Crew surrounded by his siblings and parents. Then we met the surgeon as I was being prepared to be taken into the operating room. He explained that if he didnt operate right away, I might get sepsis and die. He also said he didnt take my insurance but assured us I was in capable hands, as he was very experienced. After asking about our occupations, he announced his fee for my laparoscopic appendectomy would be $15,000. We were stunned by the timing and the amount. Was this supposed to be a negotiation? CITY HALL -- The state wants to more than double New Yorks beer excise tax to give more money to the State University of New York, but its unclear whether Island elected officials will get on board with the proposal. Currently, the excise tax, which is paid by beer distributors, is 14 cents per gallon. But legislation recently introduced ahead of the upcoming State Legislature session would raise that to 30 cents per gallon, which matches New Yorks current excise tax on wine, Syracuse.com reported. So far, the bill faces bipartisan opposition among Island state lawmakers. Assemblymembers Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn), Micheal Reilly (R-South Shore) and Michael Cusick (D-Mid Island) and state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) said they are opposed to the proposal. "While I am strongly in favor of increasing funding for CUNY and SUNY schools, I do not believe that now is the appropriate time to consider raising taxes and hurting small businesses, Cusick said. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the State Legislation on this issue." Manhattan Democrat Harvey Epstein is the assembly sponsor of the bill. He estimates the increased beer tax would boost the states revenues from about $45 million to $96 million per year. Epsteins bill would add revenue to support both SUNY and the City University of New York, Syracuse.com reported. Under one party rule, the governor and Democratic majority are giving free college to illegal immigrants who attend city and state universities,'' Malliotakis said. "Now they want to raise the tax on beer to help offset the burden they placed on these universities. I have voted against these types of money grabs over 350 times and will continue to do so. We need smarter policies not higher taxes. Assemblyman Reilly said Albany Democrats have already made it clear that theyd rather raise taxes than cut spending to address the states $6 billion budget deficit. "Make no mistake, this is a tax increase that will certainly impact the hardworking middle- and working-class New York families I represent, along with many of our local small businesses, and thats why I will not support it, he said. North Shore Democratic Assemblyman Charles Fall said he is hesitant to support the bill. The craft beer industry is making a particularly positive impact on jobs and tourism, as demonstrated by the Flagship Brewery here on the North Shore," Fall said. An excise tax may negatively impact one of the fastest growing and innovative industries in New York state. "As such I am hesitant to support this bill (A.8915) which could harm small businesses in my district. However, as with any legislative proposal, I will continue to evaluate this legislation as the legislative session continues. Given the projected budget shortfall, we are in need of alternative revenue sources, he continued. In fact, I introduced legislation that will increase the excise tax on vaping products that are still legal to purchase here in New York state. The increase in revenue from that legislation will go to Department of Health programs that will help individuals quit tobacco and vaping use all together. Lanza said: The problem in New York is that taxes are too high, not too low," Lanza said. We dont need any new tax schemes, especially when we all know that its a farce, and not one penny of these tax dollars will go to students or their families. Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore) did not return requests for comment at press time. Epsteins bill memo notes that New Yorks beer tax is among the lowest in the country. At 30 cents per gallon, the new New York tax would still fall below the nationwide average of 33 cents per gallon, according to Syracuse.com. But New Yorks booming brewery industry is opposed to the plan. Right now we have the second highest number of breweries in the country and were in the top 5 for the economic impact in our state, Syracuse.com reported the executive director of the states Brewers Association, Paul Leone, as saying. It doesnt make sense to increase the tax on a successful industry that is still growing to support another." Currently, New Yorks breweries, most of them small mom and pop operations, reinvest a lot of their revenue into their businesses, allowing them to add employees and expand, Leone said. The brewers association also lobbied successfully in 2019 to block two bills that would have boosted beer taxes. The new bill has a sponsor in the Senate, but has yet to receive an endorsement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But over the last several years, Syracuse.com has pointed out that Cuomo has made it a point to reduce taxes, fees and regulations on the states alcoholic craft beverage industry. New York states brewery count surged from less than 100 at the beginning of the decade to more than 450 in 2019, the paper reported. Additionally, in his State of the State address this week, Cuomo backed new initiatives friendly to the alcohol industry, including a plan to allow beer, wine and spirits sales at movie theaters. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. Jammu and Kashmir: Areas near Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are facing heavy snowfall in the past 48 hours and snowslides at several places took away the life of 10 people including five soldiers and five civilians. The areas covered under snowfall blanket include Gurez, Bandipur, Kupwara, Naugaon and Baramula areas of North Kashmir where Indian Army troops are deployed. Snowfall of 51 cms has been recorded in Gurez Sector, 117 cms recorded in Machhil Sector, 56 cms recorded in Keran and Tangdhar Sector and 61 cms Uri & Gulmarg Sectors. The lowest temperature reported in areas of deployment is minus 57 degrees in North Glacier (Siachen). The army troops are put on high alert due to the ongoing situation and their well-rehearsed drills have saved numerous lives and loss to property in the region. Army helicopters of Army Aviation Corps were also pressed into service for examining the situation and helping rescue operation teams deployed in the area. Nearly seven soldiers who came under snowslide in the Tangdhar Sector were rescued by the army team and a similar case happened in Naogaon sector were army personnel saved four BSF personnel affected by a snowslide. Rescue operation is underway at Machhil Sector were dedicated rescue teams are currently engaged in rescuing five soldiers out of which four soldiers have been pulled out of snow. Live TV Due to chances of major snowslide in the region of Kanzalwan area of Gurez, more than 200 troops stationed there were moved to safer places. Shriram Ambarker, SP, Kupwara, said five Army jawans were buried under the snow while four of them had succumbed. Five civilians were also killed in an avalanche in Ganderbal district. Two bodies were found on Monday night and three were found on Tuesday morning. The bodies were handed over to their relatives. Multiple Search and Rescue columns of the Fire and Fury Corps were launched to rescue a group of tourists who were stranded in bad weather while undertaking the annual 'Chaddar Trek' on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh. Responding swiftly to request received from the UT administration, columns were launched from two directions to reach the tourists who were stuck at Niraq Village along the Zanskar River. Despite the inclement weather and narrow valleys of the Zanskar River, helicopters of the Army Aviation managed to land at a makeshift helipad in Niraq and inducted a column of Army personnel to coordinate the rescue operations. An Army Medical Officer was also inducted to provide immediate medical aid to the tourists. Medicines, emergency rations and warm clothing were also inducted by the helicopters. The severe weather condition has lead to heavy loss of life and property in the region bringing normal life to a standstill. Flight and vehicular situation is completely suspended in the area. As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) broadcast the situation will continue to sustain due to the Western Disturbance. IMD forecast said that there are chances of heavy rain or snowfall is likely at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the next 24 hours. Senate Republicans Not Interested in Motion to Dismiss Impeachment: Sen. Roy Blunt Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) told reporters on Monday that Senate Republicans are not interested in the motion to dismiss the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. I think our members generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss. They think both sides need to be heard, Blunt, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, told reporters. Certainly there arent 51 votes for a motion to dismiss, Blunt added, according to The Hill. The majority-Democrat House of Representatives formally charged Trump on Dec. 18, approving two articles of impeachment (pdf) for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. No House Republicans voted in favor of the articles, and a small number of Democrats broke with their party to vote against one or both articles. The Senates trial on the charges has not begun because the House has yet to pass the articles to the Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not set a time for the House vote to launch the Senate action, although Democrats said the vote could take place Wednesday. Over the weekend, Trump wrote on Twitter that if the Senate opts for a trial instead of dismissing the articles, he believes that would give credence to the allegations against him, which he calls a hoax. A two-thirds supermajority in the Senate is required to convict a president and remove him from office. A simple majority (51 votes) is required to dismiss the charges against Trump. Republicans control the Senate with a 53-47 majority. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she would oppose a motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment. Earlier on Jan. 10, Collins told reporters that she has been working with a fairly small group of Republican senators and others in the party to try to make sure that House impeachment managers, as well as representatives for the president, can call on witnesses during the upcoming trial. My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called, Collins said, AP reported on Monday. It takes 51 votes during an impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also indicated that he would oppose a motion to dismiss. I think we ought to have the opportunity to hear from both sides, and senators ought to have the opportunity to have their questions answered, and then well see where we are, he said, according to Talking Points Memo. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) told reporters on Jan. 6 that he wants to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton but said hed leave it up to Senate leaders to decide on the trial process. Read More McConnell: Senate Should Stick With Clinton Precedent for Impeachment Trial Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Collins have aligned themselves with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), saying they approve of his plan to vote on initial impeachment trial guidelines while waiting to vote on the issue of witnesses later in the process. Ive been working to make sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, and yes, that would include witnesses, Murkowski told reporters. Read More 2 Moderate GOP Senators Agree on Starting Impeachment Trial Without Voting on Witnesses Collins told Maine Public Radio on Dec. 31, 2019: I am open to witnesses. I think its premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented and get the answers to the questions that we senators can submit through the chief justice to both sides. Zachary Stieber and The Associated Press contributed to this report. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE - A domestic helper mixed her urine, menstrual blood and saliva into water and rice which her employers family members unknowingly consumed. Dianas action in August last year was an attempt to prevent her employer from scolding her for her work performance. She was hoping that the family would agree with whatever she did after consuming the mixture from a kettle. On Monday (13 January), the 30-year-old Indonesian, who only goes by one name, was jailed for six months and seven weeks after she pleaded guilty to one count of stealing $13,300 from the safe belonging to her employer's mother and two counts of mischief. Diana was employed in 2017 to work for the household of six family members, comprising two grandparents, two parents and two grandchildren. The maid knew that her employer's mother, 67, kept her money in a safe in her bedroom. She thought of a plan to steal the money by keeping an eye on the elderly woman as she unlocked her iPad. After identifying the passcode keyed in by the woman, Diana tried and successfully unlocked the safe. Between August 2017 and June 2018, the maid siphoned $13,300 from the safe on five occasions. She passed the cash to a compatriot who helped her remit the money to Indonesia. The cash was not recovered. In a written mitigation tendered to the court, Diana admitted to her wrongdoing. She said that she was divorced with one child and supporting an ailing mother, and asked for the lightest sentence. Other Singapore stories Raffles City hit by blackout, visitors asked to leave mall Man who sexually abused stepdaughter when she was aged 6-12 jailed 28 years, caned 'I don't recognise Singapore law': Man on trial for funding ISIS 85.2% of 2019 O-level candidates had 5 passes or more: MOE (Bloomberg) -- Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here. Grindr is sharing detailed personal data with thousands of advertising partners, allowing them to receive information about users location, age, gender and sexual orientation, a Norwegian consumer group said. The service -- described as the worlds largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people -- gave user data to third parties involved in advertising and profiling, according to a report by the Norwegian Consumer Council that was released Tuesday. Twitter Inc. ad subsidiary MoPub was used as a mediator for the data sharing and passed personal data to third parties, the report said. Every time you open an app like Grindr, advertisement networks get your GPS location, device identifiers and even the fact that you use a gay dating app, said Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems. This is an insane violation of users EU privacy rights. The consumer group and Schremss privacy organization have filed three complaints against Grindr and five adtech companies to the Norwegian Data Protection Authority for breaching European data protection regulations. Schremss group Noyb will file similar complaints with the Austrian DPA in the coming weeks, according to the statement. Match Group Inc.s popular dating apps OkCupid and Tinder LLC share data with each other and other brands owned by the company, the research found. OkCupid gave information pertaining to customers sexuality, drug use and political views, to the analytics company Braze Inc., the organization said. In a statement, Grindr said while we reject a number of the reports assumptions and conclusions, we welcome the opportunity to be a small part in a larger conversation about how we can collectively evolve the practices of mobile publishers and continue to provide users with access to an option of a free platform. A spokeswoman for Match Group said OkCupid uses Braze to manage communications to its users, but that it only shared the specific information deemed necessary and in line with the applicable laws including GDPR and CCPA. Braze also said it didnt sell personal data, nor share it between customers. Twitter is investigating the issue to understand the sufficiency of Grindrs consent mechanism and has disabled the companys MoPub account, a representative said. Story continues European consumer group BEUC urged national regulators to immediately investigate online advertising companies over possible violations of the blocs data protection rules, following the Norwegian report. Its also written to European Commission executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager to take action. The report provides compelling evidence about how these so-called ad-tech companies collect vast amounts of personal data from people using mobile devices, which advertising companies and marketeers then use to target consumers, BEUC said in an emailed statement. This happens without a valid legal base and without consumers knowing it. The European Unions data protection law, GDPR, came into force in 2018 setting rules for what websites can do with user data. It mandates that companies must get unambiguous consent to collect information from visitors. The most serious violations can lead to fines of as much as 4% of a companys global annual sales. Where Tech Giants Are Getting Slapped Over Privacy: QuickTake Its part of a broader push across Europe to crack down on companies that fail to protect customer data. In January last year, Alphabet Inc.s Google received a fine of 50 million euros ($56 million) from Frances privacy regulator following a complaint by Schrems over the companys privacy policies. Prior to GDPR, the French watchdog levied maximum fines of 150,000 euros. The U.K. threatened Marriott International Inc. with a 99 million-pound ($128 million) fine in July following a hack of its reservation database, just days after the U.K.s Information Commissioners Office proposed handing a 183.4 million-pound penalty to British Airways in the wake of a data breach. Schrems has for years taken on large tech companies use of personal information, including filing lawsuits challenging the legal mechanisms Facebook Inc. and thousands of other companies use to move that data across borders. Hes become even more active since GDPR kicked in, filing privacy complaints against companies including Amazon.com Inc. and Netflix Inc., accusing them of breaching the blocs strict data protection rules. The complaints are also a test for national data protection authorities, who are obliged to examine them. In addition to the European complaints, a coalition of nine U.S. consumer groups urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of California, Texas and Oregon to open investigations. All of these apps are available to users in the U.S. and many of the companies involved are headquartered in the U.S., groups including the Center for Digital Democracy and the Electronic Privacy Information Center said in a letter to the FTC. They asked the agency to look into whether the apps have upheld their privacy commitments. (Updates with FTC complaint from U.S. consumer groups in last two paragraphs) --With assistance from Stephanie Bodoni and Ben Brody. To contact the reporters on this story: Sarah Syed in London at ssyed35@bloomberg.net;Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net;Nate Lanxon in London at nlanxon@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Amy Thomson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Model Amber Valletta, at the Fashion Awards in December, believes that if she didn't get sober 25 years ago, she wouldn't be alive. (Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage ) Amber Valletta is speaking out about her addiction. The 45-year-old supermodel, who soared to fame in the 90s alongside Kate Moss and Shalom Harlow, has been drug- and alcohol-free for 20-plus years. She says if she wasnt, she wouldnt be alive. In an interview with Porter magazine, Valletta talked about going public with her addiction at a 2014 MindBodyGreen event, admitting of the speech she gave at the invite-only event, I didnt think anyone would see. However, her powerful story in which the Vogue cover star revealed she would show up at photo shoots drunk and high went viral. I didnt have a problem when I was out using, if you saw me high or drunk, said Valletta, who is also an actress (on TVs Revenge as well as in films including Hitch and What Lies Beneath), of the years during which she was using. So why would I be ashamed of being clean and saying: I have a disease that I cant control? She continued, Only by being sober do I have any chance of survival. Left to my own devices, I guarantee you no matter how much I love life, my family, if I take a drink or any of my drugs of choice, Ill be dead. Ill ruin everything. So Valletta remains focused on her health and living a sober life. I want to be the person that I aspire to be, she said. I dont want to talk it, I want to live it. I want to allow myself the space to have bad days, be sad, be mad, be loving and accepting of others. Even people that I dont think are right. Its hard to do, but I want to move through the world as gently as I can. In her 2014 MindBodyGreen speech, the Oklahoma native said that at just 8 years old, she began looking for ways to get high I sniffed markers, I sniffed glue, fingernail polish, anything that could give me a buzz because she was uncomfortable being a human being. She started to use drugs that were around the culture of her family soon after, including marijuana. She was discovered at 15 and landed her first Vogue cover by 18, and the lifestyle gave her unlimited access to drugs. By 22, her addiction was at its peak, with cocaine and alcohol abuse. She sought help at 25 because she didnt want to die. Story continues Valletta was able to get sober and a year later had her son Auden, with ex-husband Chip McCaw. Valletta who is now in a relationship with hairstylist Teddy Charles told CBS News in 2014 that she worried for her son, now 19, as addiction runs in their family. "I mean, I know he's gonna experiment," Valletta said of Auden. "I mean, I kinda hope he doesn't but just because he has such he has such intense information about it, and he's seen it really up close. But I also don't want to be like that crazy parent that's like, you know, hovering and watching and not giving him his space, because I'm afraid if I don't allow him to do and make mistakes, he will also push against me." Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyles newsletter. Advertisement A photographer has captured bioluminescent plankton lighting up a beach with a bright blue glow. Alistair Bain came across the phenomenon in Tindalls Bay, Auckland during a trip to the beach with his mother. The hobby photographer and high school teacher told Daily Mail Australia it is difficult to capture the true magnificence of the moment. 'There was a small crowd of locals enjoying it,' he said. Biolumiscent plankton lights up Tindalls Bay beach in Auckland as the sun sets in the distance. The blue light intensifies with movement in the water The photographer heard the phenomenon might have been coming so he and his mother headed down to the beach 'It started about 30 minutes after sunset but didn't really look that impressive until it got fully dark. 'That was when it really started to shine.' Mr Bain has only witnessed bioluminescent plankton once before in his life, and said he was chasing a tip from his sister when he came across the beach. 'My sister saw that the water had turned an unusual colour at Tindalls Bay earlier in the day,' he said. She mentioned it 'may be worth a trip' to the beach at night on the off chance that it was plankton. 'I've seen some beautiful scenery over the last few years, with Bioluminescence being one of my favourites,' he said. 'What makes last night's display even more special is that I got to experience it right on my doorstep at one of our beautiful Whangaparaoa beaches.' Mr Bain was joined by his mother, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, for the photography session. Bioluminescence is caused by a chemical reaction within the bodies of certain creatures. He told Daily Mail Australia it was difficult to capture the true beauty of the moment through his lens. Pictured: His mother appreciating the moment Daniel Ward, a colleague of Mr Bain's with a degree in Marine Science said the glow is a defence mechanism to 'distract and evade predators'. 'It can be difficult to predict when these blooms of marine plankton will show up even in their preferred warmer water temperatures. 'For the best experience of bioluminescence the water needs to be disturbed i.e. wave action or simply a swimmer splashing about as this triggers their defence mechanism,' he said. Most plankton species are known to be biolumiscent. Mr Bain sells his pictures through his Facebook page, Alistair Bain's NZ Photography. BRUSSELS - Almost 1,000 people trying to flee Libya by boat have been intercepted and returned to the conflict-ravaged country by its coast guard during the first two weeks of the new year, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. The IOM said at least 953 migrants, including 136 women and 85 children, were plucked from the Mediterranean Sea and that many were returned to the Libyan capital of Tripoli. They were picked up by the Libyan coast guard, which is trained and funded by the European Union, and one commercial vessel. All were then taken to detention centres, the agency said in a statement. Libya is run by rival authorities in the east and west vying for power. The east-based government is supported by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia. The western, Tripoli-based government receives aid from Turkey, Qatar and Italy. The latest round of fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli has threatened to plunge Libya into chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The IOM said no migrants were returned to Libya during the same two-week period in 2019, but that 23 bodies were recovered from the sea then. The organization said migrants with whom its staff spoke mostly blamed fighting in and around Tripoli for the hike in departures for Europe. Measures to protect lives and guarantee the safety of these people are not in place at locations in Libya where migrants are being dropped off, the agency said. Alternative solutions that safeguard lives must be found to alleviate the suffering of thousands of men, women, and children who are held in inhumane conditions. Although the European Union has also worked with Turkey to stem the flow of Europe-bound refugees and migrants, Cyprus police reported bringing 101 Syrians to safety after their boat experienced problems about 23 miles off the island nations southeastern coastline. Many of the the Syrians 88 men, 6 women and 7 minors climbed aboard a marine police vessel, while other remained aboard the 33-foot (10-meter) boat as it was towed to a nearby harbour where they were given medical check-ups. Police said theyll be transferred to a migrant reception centre near the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. MBABANE Despite producing a huge number of failures in the Junior Certificate (JC) results, Impumelelo High School is still getting more applications from pupils and has been dubbed a rehabilitation centre. This was declared by the schools owner, Danda Nxumalo, during an interview yesterday. The school, which is based at Sidwashini, produced 24 failures out of 30 pupils. Three learners got Second class passes, while the other three got third class passes. Nonetheless, Nxumalo highlighted that this did not stop parents from approaching the school as they showed interest in having their children enrolled there. In fact, she showed this reporter an admission booklet which had a list of the number of pupils who had applied for admission to the school. When this reporter arrived at the school, the owner was found interviewing one of the applicants. Nxumalo mentioned that the school catered for orphans and pupils whose parents could not afford to pay school fees. Challenges The owner articulated that in the case where they had challenges in paying the school fees, the school engaged in negotiations with parents or guardians to admit pupils on a budget which was requested by the parents. For this reason, she relayed that pupils interested in learning at the school were always there. Furthermore, the owner pointed out that contrary to popular belief that the school had a reputation for producing failures, it was actually a saving grace for rejected pupils. Nxumalo mentioned that these were the learners who got third class passes and others who failed. When other schools rejected them, she said Impumelelo was the first to welcome them with open arms. The owner mentioned that unlike other schools which only admitted learners who got good symbols, Impumelelo was there for even those who had engaged in drug usage. She likened the school to a rehabilitation centre. We take children who have been rejected from other schools and those who indulge in drugs. When these children come to the school, they are exposed to a lot of positive support by the institution, Nxumalo said. She said there were pastors in the school who provided spiritual guidance and counselling to the pupils. Nxumalo said there were those who were reformed and showed remarkable change in behaviour. However, she pointed out that there were those who did not show immediate reformation. The school owner even highlighted that there was a feeding scheme for less privileged children in the school. She reiterated that the school also paid school fees for 10 children who were in dire need. Nxumalo relayed that the school provided a place where the pupils would be kept from 8am to 5pm so that they were occupied with learning and refrained from bad habits. She echoed that they returned home psychologically reformed. When questioned as to why the school had attained the poor results, she attributed part of this to the tussle over the administration of the school. Although she did not divulge more on it, Nxumalo was quick to clarify that the matter was handled in court and would soon be ironed out. The owner expressed that despite the school producing more failures, government still declared it as fit to operate, which meant that it was indeed making a difference in the education sector. The smoke is predicted to circle the Earth (Rick Rycroft/AP) The severe smoke caused by months of wildfires burning in Australia will circle the Earth and reach the country again, Nasa has said. The US space agency used satellite data to make a UV index which showed the smoke had risen into the lower stratosphere, travelling more than 4,000 miles as hazy skies were reported in Chile. The smoke is expected to make at least one full circuit around the globe, returning once again to the skies over Australia, Nasa said in a statement. Over the past week, Nasa satellites have observed an extraordinary amount of smoke injected into the atmosphere from the Australian fires and its subsequent eastward dispersal. Making matters worse on the ground and in the air are wildfire-generated storms, known as pyrocumulonimbus events, which take place when moisture is trapped in the smoke in the cold upper air and forms a cloud that produces dry lightning. These fire-induced thunderstorms have pushed the smoke to the stratosphere, allowing it to travel much further and affect atmospheric conditions around the world. Expand Close Volunteer firefighters have been battling the blazes since September (Rick Rycroft/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Volunteer firefighters have been battling the blazes since September (Rick Rycroft/AP) The effects of those events whether the smoke provides a net atmospheric cooling or warming, what happens to underlying clouds is currently the subject of intense study, Nasa said. The agency added that there were noticeable impacts on Australias neighbour. The smoke is having a dramatic impact on New Zealand, causing severe air quality issues across the county and visibly darkening mountaintop snow. The fire threat in Australia is most acute in rural communities but low air quality continues to plague the major cities, with Victoria Health saying Melbournes air was the poorest in the world early on Tuesday. The fires have been burning since September and have killed 27 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and led to the evacuations of thousands of people. Thousands more rallied late on Friday in Sydney and Melbourne, calling for the countrys prime minister to be sacked and for Australia to take tougher action on global warming. , Cookies . cookies. Humanitarian aid worth almost UAH 800,000 was sent to Donbas, according to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters. More than 20 tonnes of construction materials were handed over to the civilian and military administrations of the cities of Krasnohorivka and Marinka, the municipal healthcare establishments of the Mariinsky Central District Hospital and the Center of Primary Healthcare of the Mariinsky District Council. "The project Help East is much needed today, especially in the towns and villages located directly near the contact line. Therefore, this humanitarian initiative will continue to evolve and develop. Another shipment of humanitarian aid consisting of medical products will be soon sent to the territorial healthcare association of Stanytsia Luhanska, Svitlodarsk City Hospital and the regional traumatology center in the city of Lyman, Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev said. A reminder that since the launch of the project Help East, a total of 65 tonnes of humanitarian cargo worth over UAH 15 million has been delivered to Donbas. iy A dispute has arisen between two firms involved in availing of the State's Immigrant Investor Programme, it has been claimed in the Commercial Court. People who have applied for a residence permit here have invested, or promised to invest, 23.5m in projects under a vehicle set up between the companies - Peppercanister Focus Capital and Deke Holdings. Peppercanister, of Mount Street Crescent, Dublin, is suing Deke, of Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, over an alleged failure to perform a May 2018 share purchase agreement, which provided for the sale by Deke to Peppercanister of shares in GCI ICAV, an asset management vehicle. Peppercanister says it lodged 1m in an escrow account for this purpose. The share purchase agreement identified 37 foreign investors who had applied to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for a residence permit, and had subscribed or applied to subscribe 23.5m in projects sponsored by GCI. For each investor who obtained or retained a residence permit, and who agreed to invest in a specified project, a portion of the money in the escrow account was to be released to Deke. However, a dispute arose between the two firms in relation to the release of monies notices for the escrow account. Where there was a dispute about the release of monies, the parties were required to use reasonable endeavours to resolve the matter within five days, Peppercanister says. If that failed, a barrister was to determine the dispute. A further dispute arose over the barrister to be appointed to resolve this matter. Peppercanister says Deke has frustrated the dispute resolution process required under the share purchase agreement. As a result, it brought proceedings which were admitted to the Commercial Court yesterday by Mr Justice David Barniville. It seeks an order for specific performance of the May 2018 share purchase agreement, so as to require Deke to take all necessary steps for the appointment of an independent barrister to determine the dispute. The judge was told that earlier efforts at mediation were not successful. Adjourning the matter to next month, the judge urged the parties to engage again. CNBC's Jim Cramer warned the recent gains in Alphabet could be short lived when the company reports earnings in coming weeks. The "Mad Money" host broke down the movements in other stocks that he said aren't "momentum" based. Later in the show he sat down with GlaxonSmithKline CEO Emma Walmsley and CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo as he attends the J. P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Does Alphabet deserve to cross the $1 trillion mark? Carsten Koall | Getty Images is close to joining one of the most elusive clubs on Wall Street, but CNBC's said Monday that he is skeptical of the progress. Shares in Alphabet, the tech giant that owns Google, rose almost $10 to an all-time closing high of $1,440.03, pulling within 1% of reaching $1 trillion of market capitalization. "Now, I don't like this move. It's based on nothing fundamental, just the momentum that we see in so many tech names," the "Mad Money" host said. Meaningful gains in Tesla, Lululemon, Beyond Meat Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Shanghai's Mayor Ying Yong attend the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory groundbreaking ceremony in Shanghai, China January 7, 2019. Aly Song | Reuters Cramer has been hammering home the difference between meaningless and meaningful gains on the stock market and on Monday laid out a basket of companies that are rising for good reason. "We don't want to be in a situation where stocks keep roaring on the same old, same old information, so it's a relief to see a bunch of winners rallying on genuine good news," the host said. GlaxoSmithKline aims for six drug approvals in 2020 A GSK lab in London. Oli Scarff | Getty Images has made innovation its top priority as the drugmaker seeks to land federal approval of six drugs within the next 12 months, CEO Emma Walmsley told CNBC. Performance and trust round out the balance of GSK's main priorities in 2020 as the British company labors to make advancements in treatments for a number of diseases, Walmsley said in a "Mad Money" interview from J.P. Morgan's annual health-care conference in San Francisco. "We've had a lot of positive data for patients, whether that be on the Tesaro acquisition ... or our new drug in multiple myeloma," she said in a sit-down with Cramer. "We have a lot of data coming through for HIV patients, in terms of these pioneering two-drug regimens, and we hope that this data among others is going to give us at least six approvals of new medicines or new indications" this year. Six hundred and counting CVS' new concept stores, called HealthHUBs, offer more health services than its typical drugstores. Source: CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo told CNBC that the health retailer is on track to meet its goal of rehabbing more than one thousand of its stores and said the chain is seeing positive early results. CVS launched three of its HealthHUB concept stores in the Houston, Texas region near the end of 2018 and expanded the program to 50 locations in four markets by the end of 2019, he said. Hundreds more are scheduled to be overhauled by the end of 2020. "We're really excited about what we're seeing from the consumers. The acceptance, the interest that is growing with our clients," Merlo said in a sit-down interview with Cramer. "We've made a commitment to have about 600 hubs by the end of this year. That's 12 [updated stores] a week with a trajectory of 1,500 hubs by the end of 2021." Cramer's lightning round PT Cemindo Gemilang joins the World Cement Association 14 January 2020 Indonesian cement producer PT Cemindo Gemilang is the latest addition to the World Cement Association's international membership, which currently spans 34 countries. The firm joins as a Corporate Member. "As we work to address the key global challenges facing the cement industry, in particular the goal of full decarbonisation by 2050, it is important that we engage dynamic emerging-market players. We are delighted to welcome Cemindo Gemilang to the WCA," said Ian Riley, CEO of the World Cement Association (WCA). The company is the producer of Semen Merah Putih brand cement as well as ready-mix concrete, which is available throughout Indonesia. Cemindo is also a major producer in Vietnam, through its Chinfon Cement subsidiary. "At Cemindo Gemilang, we want to become one of the world's leading building materials companies, and do so by adopting innovative and eco-friendly solutions, said Vince Indigo, Cemindo's president commissioner. "In today's rapidly-evolving global cement sector we believe the new and significant challenges can best be tackled together. The WCA has provided a strong global voice for the cement industry and we look forward to contributing to future discussions, working with its leaders and members to share ideas, insights and best practice." Published under Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 02:38:18|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Maltese President George Vella (1st R, Front) administers the oath of office to Robert Abela (3rd, R) at the President's Palace in Valletta, Malta, on Jan. 13, 2020. Robert Abela, the newly-elected leader of Malta's Labor Party, was officially sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday at a ceremony at the President's Palace in Valletta. (DOI of Malta-Clodagh O'Neill/Handout via Xinhua) VALLETTA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Robert Abela, the newly-elected leader of Malta's Labour Party, was officially sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday at a ceremony at the President's Palace in Valletta. Abela won the Labour leadership election on early Sunday, beating Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne. He replaces Joseph Muscat who was forced to resign over an investigation into the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Muscat resigned from his post shortly before Abela took his oath of office. Abela then walked up the street towards his new office some 10 minutes away but it took him almost an hour to walk past hundreds of well-wishers who lined the streets. Upon his arrival, he convened the first Labour parliamentary group meeting. In his first comments to the media after taking his oath of office, Abela said he will be communicating decisions about his cabinet of ministers "in due course". Asked about Fearne, Abela said he was looking forward to working with him. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala will be at the forefront for protecting the Constitution of India and the fundamental rights of its citizens. "The suit filed by the state government in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is part of the intervention to protect civil rights from within the Constitution," he said in a Facebook post. Vijayan said that secularism was a fundamental characteristic of the Indian Constitution. "To deviate from that is to undermine the Constitution. Kerala was the first state in the country to decide not to implement the wrong law. The resolution was first passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly demanding repeal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act," Vijayan said. "Kerala has requested other Chief Ministers of the country to intervene similarly to uphold values of Constitution. The united voice of the people are rising. Will seek every possible means for the upkeep of democracy in the country," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fears over the Covid variant meant that, from late November, all travellers arriving in the UK were required to take a lateral flow test before flying and self-isolate until they received a negative result from a post-arrival PCR test. This led to many people scrapping their travel plans over the festive period - which is typically one of the busiest times of the year outside summer for international travel from Britain. A total of 19.4 million people travelled through Heathrow across the whole of last year - less than a quarter of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, and 12.3% down on 2020. Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: 'There are currently travel restrictions, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes. The aviation industry will only fully recover when these are all lifted and there is no risk that they will be reimposed at short notice, a situation which is likely to be years away.' Several overseas destinations - including France and Germany - had brought in their own restrictions late last year, effectively rendering the possibility of a holiday within their territory impossible amid the outbreak of Omicron. Ms Streeter added: 'Mass vaccination programmes failed to have the desired effect in 2021, in bringing the rebound in travel there had been such high hopes for this time last year. The web of rules and regulations which was spun across different countries and regions and swept away, and then spun again as new variants emerged, clearly led to a drop in confidence in the travelling public.' Pictured: Heathrow in December. Lucknow, Jan 14 : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has been caught on tape slamming a doctor at a hospital in Chhibramau in Kannauj where he had gone to meet those injured in the January 12 bus accident that killed 20 people. Several others were injured when a double-decker bus burst into flames after colliding with a truck on Friday. While interacting with the kin of the injured, Akhilesh Yadav is heard lashing out at the doctor, "You could be from the RSS or from the BJP, but you cannot tell me what they are saying." He asks the Emergency Medical Officer to leave the room as he speaks about compensation amount been given to the injured and says, "Tum sarkar ka paksh nahi le sakte...bahar bhaag jao." (Go out, you cannot plead for the government.) Akhilesh lashed out at the doctor when the latter tried to intervene when some patients were complaining to the Samajwadi Party leader that they had not received compensation. On learning that the doctor is from Gorakhpur, Akhilesh said: "It is now obvious why you are taking sides. You should not have interrupted in between when I was speaking to the patients. You don't speak, you are a government man, I know. You don't have to explain anything to me. You don't speak because you are a government servant. You can't tell me what they are saying. You need not speak on behalf of the government. Go away from here." The doctor has been identified as Emergency Medical Officer D.S. Mishra who later clarified that he had tried to correct the kin's claim of not receiving compensation. "I was present there as I was treating patients. One of the patients said he did not get the compensation cheque. I tried to clarify that the cheque was given. At this, Akhileshji got angry and asked me to leave the room," Mishra said. SP MLA from Kannauj (Sadar) Anil Dohre said: "The doctor was talking on political lines, though his job is to take care of the patients. Akhilesh wanted to know about the health of the patients and their treatment. But the doctor started speaking and started telling how many people were in the bus and how much compensation was given. The government should take cognizance of the issue." SP has announced ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the deceased, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced relief of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. There were 45 passengers, including three staff, in the bus that was going to Jaipur from Farukkhabad when the accident took place on the Grand Trunk Road near Chhibramau on Friday night. Charred bodies of 10 people have been recovered from the completely-damaged bus while the remaining bodies have not been found. Iran Announces Arrests Over Downing of Plane That Killed 176 TEHRAN, IranIrans judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran last week. The announcement came amid an upswell of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the downing of the jetliner last Wednesday and apparent attempts by senior officials in Iran to cover-up the cause of the crash. Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane, acknowledged only on Saturdaythree days after and in the face of mounting evidencethat its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested. His statement on the judiciarys website did not say how many individuals had been detained or name them. Irans president on Tuesday also called for a special court to be set up to probe the incident. The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts, President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran. This is not an ordinary case. The entire world will be watching this court. Rouhani called the incident a painful and unforgivable mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case by all means. The wreckage of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 at the scene of the crash in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, in a file photo. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) The responsibility falls on more than just one person, he said, adding that those found culpable should be punished. There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly, he said, without elaborating. Iran shot down the plane as its forces were on alert for possible U.S. retaliation after Iran launched ballistic missiles on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq. No one was hurt in that attack, which was carried out in response to the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike in Baghdad. Rouhani called the governments admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a first good step. He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian planes flight recorder, the so-called black box, have sent it to France for analysis. The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadiansincluding many Iranians with dual citizenshipand 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the shootdown. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane, I wished I was dead. General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace division, speaks at Tehrans Islamic Revolution and Holy Defence museum in the capital Tehran on Sept. 21, 2019. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images) The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for U.S. military retaliation. The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the countrys leadership. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. Also Tuesday, Irans judiciary said that 30 people had been detained in the protests, and that some were released, without elaborating further. An Iranian film director whod called for protests in Tehrans Azadi, or Freedom, Square is among those released. Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening. He said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane shootdown and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest. Irans Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador on Sunday to protest what it said was his presence at an illegal protest. Britain, in turn, summoned Irans ambassador on Monday to convey our strong objections over the weekend arrest. By Nasser Karimi and Aya Batrawy BlackRock Chief Executive Larry Fink has warned company boards to step up efforts to tackle climate change, marking a significant shift in the public stance of the world's biggest investment manager amid mounting concerns about global warming. In his annual letter to CEOs, Fink said they must act or face increased wrath from investors concerned about how unsustainable business practices might curb their future wealth. He said BlackRock would exit investments that presented high sustainability-related risk, including thermal coal producers, as it participated in what he described as a "fundamental reshaping of finance". Activists hailed the move, which followed a campaign over BlackRock's perceived prior lack of action, as significant. "As the biggest financial institution in the world, BlackRock's announcement today is a major step in the right direction and a testament to the power of public pressure calling for climate action," said Ben Cushing of the U.S.-based environmental group Sierra Club. The shift in global investing trends towards large investment managers such as BlackRock, Vanguard Group and State Street Corp has made them a potentially powerful lever for forcing wider corporate action. But activists have criticised them for not doing enough, and in December some said they would be monitoring Fink's letter closely for signs of greater engagement with the climate crisis. Diana Best, senior strategist for the Sunrise Project which is part of a campaign group that has lobbied BlackRock to take action, said its move "instantly raises the bar for competitors such as Vanguard and State Street Global Advisors". Vanguard and State Street did not immediately respond to requests for comment. STEWARDSHIP A Reuters analysis in October found these large index fund managers rarely challenge company management. BlackRock is also strengthening its commitment to transparency in its stewardship activities, with portfolio managers "increasingly disposed to vote against management" if they felt companies were not making "sufficient progress on sustainability-related disclosures". The investment giant did not give specific details on which companies it would divest from or the size of those positions. Fink's letter specifically aligns BlackRock with the goals of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, in contrast with the recent stance of the United States which under President Donald Trump has backed away from the climate accord. "Every government, company and shareholder must confront climate change," Fink said. As well as applying pressure on companies through campaigning, activists in recent months have succeeded in winning over major investors in the financial sector to their cause. Barclays investors, at the urging of lobby group ShareAction, earlier this month submitted a motion that would force the lender to phase out fossil fuel financing faster. Activists on Tuesday urged BlackRock to back its new stance by voting in favour of such resolutions. "If BlackRock is serious about its commitment to phase out thermal coal, it should use its voting rights to get major coal financiers to do the same," said Jeanne Martin, campaign manager at ShareAction. Flowers and candles are placed in front of the portraits of the flight crew members of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed in Iran, at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) Iran Makes Arrests Related to Ukrainian Plane Crash; Analyst Says Iranian Credibility Severely Damaged Iran arrested an unspecified number of suspects on Jan. 14 in connection with the accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger jet, although experts said the arrests wont solve the crisis, and that the Iranian regime isnt trustworthy. Irans Press TV reported that the Iranian Judiciary Commission detained a number of suspects for their role in the plane crash, according to Turkeys Anadolu Agency. New York Times journalist and Iran expert Farnaz Fassihi reported on Twitter that the man who took video footage of the plane being struck by a missile was arrested. Ali Bakeer, an Ankara-based Middle East analyst, says the Iranian regime has arrested low-ranking officials involved in the downing of the plane; he thinks that the whole episode lacks transparency. I think arresting a few people with relatively low ranks will not solve the problem. To people, authorities that lie once, try hard to hide the evidence, and only confess under pressure and credible intel info, can always lie, Bakeer told The Epoch Times. The information about the arrests was released in a statement by Judiciary Commission spokesman Ghulam Hussein Ismaili, two days after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acknowledged on Jan. 11 that it accidentally shot down the Ukrainian jetliner that crashed on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people aboard. The whole operation was a fiasco. It uncovered the devastating incompetence of the regime, Bakeer said. After the crash, the Iranian government repeatedly denied Western accusations amid mounting evidence that it was responsible, according to the Tehran Times. The gap between the state and the mafia running the state which allowed such a tragic incident to occur in the first place is widening, Bakeer said. The plane was shot down hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Part of the wreckage from Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed after being hit by a missile shortly after taking off from Tehrans Imam Khomeini airport on Jan. 8, 2020. (Iran Press/Handout via Reuters) Irans President Hassan Rouhani released a statement on Jan. 11 referring to the investigation in the case and called the incident a mistaken shooting by the Iranian army that was on high alert to defend itself from a U.S. military response. In the atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by the American Army, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe taking the lives of dozens of innocent people because of human error and mistaken shooting, Rouhani said. The country has witnessed widespread protests since Jan. 11, after its military conceded the mistake. I believe the Iranian regime is under immense internal pressure right now and this could drive it to be more aggressive, especially against the anti-regime protests, Bakeer said. Calls for International Investigation While the Iranian government continued to push its anti-America narrative after the incident, many nations that lost their citizens demanded an international investigation. Experts, however, think that the Iranian regime will most likely not accept one. Those dead in the incident included 11 Ukrainians, 57 Canadians (including many Iranians with dual citizenship), 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans, and three Britons. I call on all international partners of Ukraine, the entire world community to be one and persistent until the full and final investigation into all the circumstances of this disaster. All of us need it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on Jan. 11. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called the incident terrible and horrifying and said his country is in touch with the governments of other countries who lost their citizens. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Charles Platiau/AFP via Getty Images) [Yesterday] a group was established at foreign minister level (the International Coordination and Response Group for victims of Flight PS752) together with these countries. I will ensure that the group quickly establishes contact in light of the statement from Iran. We also have the support of the EU in our demands for a full investigation and for Irans cooperation in this, Lofven said in a statement on Jan. 11. However, Bakeer told The Epoch Times that the Iranian regime will most likely not accept the calls for an international investigation. Of course, they have every single right to call for international investigation given the fact that this regime cant be trusted and has been in constant violation of many of the international laws, whether it comes to internal or external behavior and policies, said Bakeer. Calls for a transparent investigation were also made by Canada, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom, as per the official statements by each nation. A large sinkhole opened on a busy road in northwest China Monday, swallowing a public bus and passersby before causing an explosion that killed at least six people. State media later reported at least 15 people were injured and another 10 remain missing. The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. local time on a heavily-trafficked street in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, state media reports. It marks the latest instance of sinkholes opening around busy or rapidly-developing parts of China. Video from the scene captured by CCT and circulating on Chinese social media showed people gathered at a bus stop outside the Great Wall Hospital in the city's Chengzhong District when the road suddenly buckles, sending people on the street running. Several more people on the street fell in the hole as it widened, swallowing the front end of the bus and a street sign. After a few seconds, the flash of a fiery explosion is seen before yellow smoke pours out of the sinkhole. The sinkhole measured 32 feet wide, state officials told the South China Morning Post. It's unclear how many passengers were on the bus, and the deceased have not yet been identified. The incident drew more than 1,000 people and 30 vehicles to the search and rescue efforts, the Xinhua News Agency reported according to Agence France-Presse. Sinkholes are commonly caused when soft material like limestone, carbonate rock or salt bed erodes beneath the surface; they can occur naturally or be caused by man-made behaviors tied to groundwater pumping or construction, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In China, mineral and coal mining as well as rapid construction projects are believed to be the causes of the country's numerous and often deadly sinkholes. In 2018, four people died after a sinkhole opened up on a busy street Dazhou of China's Sichuan Province. In 2015, five people died after being swallowed by a 32-foot sinkhole in the industrial city of Shenzen just outside Hong Kong. As Director of Account Management, Sharon Bremser will nurture Aurigo's relationships with public sector customers and create win-win scenarios by better aligning Aurigo's solutions with our customer's growing requirements. Ms. Sharon Bremser, P.E. worked for the Department of Transportation for 34 years and retired as the WisDOT Design and Construction Technologies Chief. Sharon holds a BS in Civil Engineering from UW-Platteville. Sharon enjoys volunteering and planning events to raise funds that promote women in leadership roles and helping active and retired military personnel. As Director of Marketing, Richard Craemer will help drive Aurigo's marketing and communication strategy, including helping establish our market leading positioning and branding. Richard most recently worked as Director of Sales and Marketing Operations for e-Builder Inc., where he spent close to ten years helping drive their marketing strategy before its acquisition by Trimble Inc. Richard holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. "I am thrilled to welcome Sharon and Richard into these leadership positions at Aurigo as we navigate our next phase of growth. I am confident that their unique expertise will help bring strong awareness of customer needs and scale to our sales and marketing organization," said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO of Aurigo. Aurigo helps over 200 customers plan and deliver over $300 Billion of capital programs safely and efficiently, with a comprehensive suite of cloud software products that help agencies achieve an entirely digital lifecycle of capital construction projects, from capital planning and budgeting, through estimation, solicitation and construction, and eventually maintenance and operations. About Aurigo Aurigo Software is America's leading provider of modern cloud software to help infrastructure owners plan, build, maintain, and operate their multi-billion-dollar capital investments safely and efficiently. We cater to large, medium, and small agencies with two unique product suites, Aurigo Masterworks, and Aurigo Essentials. Aurigo Masterworks Cloud is designed for large public agencies and infrastructure owners, while Aurigo Essentials Cloud Software is designed for small and midsize agencies. Aurigo is a privately held US corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada and India. More about Aurigo at www.aurigo.com. Aurigo Masterworks Cloud is a comprehensive suite of enterprise software products that automates the entire lifecycle of capital programs, including planning, forecasting, budgeting, bid & estimation, project management, contract administration, scheduling, right of way, permitting, materials testing, field inspection, civil rights, and document control. The system has powerful reporting and dashboard capabilities, a native mobile application and is investing extensively to harness Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technologies. Aurigo Essentials Cloud is an all-in-one construction project management software solution, built on the same powerful Aurigo Masterworks platform. Aurigo Essentials is catered to, needs of Small and Mid-sized Government agencies, to help them automate their capital planning and construction lifecycle processes at a very affordable price. Visit www.aurigo.com/essentials for more information. SOURCE Aurigo Software Related Links https://www.aurigo.com Three EU countries on Tuesday said they were launching a dispute mechanism against Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal, accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating the accord while insisting they remained committed to the agreement. The move by Britain, France and Germany comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following the killing of top commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike and the admission by Tehran days later it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner. The foreign ministers of the three European nations said Iran had been progressively scaling back its commitments under the deal and defying key restrictions on its nuclear programme since May last year. "We have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran's actions" to begin the dispute process, their statement said, adding Tehran was not "meeting its commitments". The 2015 nuclear deal -- known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) -- has a provision that allows a party to claim significant non-compliance by another party before a joint commission. If the issue is not resolved at the joint commission, it then goes to an advisory board and eventually to the UN Security Council which could reimpose sanctions. Iran had intensified sensitive activities to enrich uranium -- which can be used to make a nuclear weapon -- in response to the United States pulling out of the deal in 2018. Its latest step in January to forego the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment prompted the Europeans to trigger the mechanism. "Iran's actions are inconsistent with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and have increasingly severe and non-reversible proliferation implications," the statement said. 'Back to full compliance' But the three powers said they "once again express our commitment" to the deal and expressed "determination to work with all participants to preserve it". "Given recent events, it is all the more important that we do not add a nuclear proliferation crisis to the current escalation threatening the whole region," the statement added. "Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPoA." The accord aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions -- which Western powers feared were aimed at developing weapons -- in return for sanctions relief. The three countries said they would not join "a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran" championed by US President Donald Trump. Trump's move meant Iran has not benefitted from the sanctions relief it had hoped for, creating more trouble for its already battered economy. The country also saw highly unusual protests in November sparked by a surprise petrol price rise. Yet even as the EU powers made clear their committment to the deal, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he would be willing to work on a "Trump deal" to replace the JCPoA. "If we are going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal," he said. "That's what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward," he added, noting that "from the American perspective it's a flawed agreement." 'Resume diplomatic effort' But EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said it was "more important than ever" to save the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal "in light of the ongoing dangerous escalations in the Middle East." Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the Tehran US embassy that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution which ousted the pro-American shah. The United States killed Soleimani in a strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, prompting vows of retribution by Iran. And while Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation, Iranian forces mistakenly shot down over a Tehran a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Analysts have said the Europeans still have an opportunity to press for diplomacy, with Tehran on the defensive after admitting shooting down the airliner. "I see an opportunity to re-engage at least on the nuclear front," Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute told AFP. "I think the Iranians would do it, in a multilateral setting." Search Keywords: Short link: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Two Navy ships are now heading to the Middle East to aid in the repatriation of Filipinos in the region. President Rodrigo Duterte sent off Tuesday Del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz and landing platform dock BRP Davao del Sur to fetch Filipinos in the Middle East and bring them home. "This is a sacred mission and it is really to safeguard the lives of the Filipino people. I task you this duty with the prayer and with the hope that you would carry out your mission successfully and that everybody will be safe," Duterte said. Around 400 troops are on board the vessels. The ships can carry around 700 passengers in total. The ships are expected to reach Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 25 days. They will have a layover in Sri Lanka to refuel and replenish. The government has promised Filipinos coming home of livelihood assistance and may be redeployed to a different country. The Philippines is still bent on sending Filipinos in Iraq home despite what appeared to be a deescalation of conflict between Iran and the United States. Tensions between the two countries rose after Tehrans top general was killed by a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Environment Secretary and Special Envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu earlier said at least 1,600 Filipinos in Iraq have expressed intent to avail of repatriation, but only a few of them have actually gone to the embassy. At least 14 Filipinos were supposed to fly back to the country last weekend, but they were delayed due to exit visa issues. Data from the Department of Labor and Employment showed there are 2,191 OFWs in Iraq, while the Department of Foreign Affairs counted 4,204 Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country as of June 2019. CNN Philippines' Ina Andolong and Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. Washington has said intelligence-sharing may be at risk if the UK buys 5G equipment from Chinese tech giant Huawei. United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson trod a delicate line between China and the United States on Tuesday morning over the contentious issue of whether to use equipment from Chinese tech giant Huawei in the UKs next-generation 5G wireless networks. The administration of US President Donald Trump has tried to convince Washingtons allies to steer clear of Huawei gear in 5G network buildouts, citing the potential for the telecoms giant to include backdoor security vulnerabilities that could allow China to spy on Western networks a charge Huawei has vigorously denied. In an interview with the BBC, Johnson said Huaweis critics should suggest alternative equipment providers, but then added he would not risk the UKs security when upgrading the nations 5G communications network or prejudice the countrys ability to share intelligence among Five Eyes intelligence alliance partners: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. It was reported on Tuesday that Washington had stepped up efforts to try and prevent Downing Street from using Huawei technology in the UKs switchover to 5G networks. The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology, Johnson told the BBC on Tuesday. I have talked about infrastructure and technology. We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. 191101095721235 Now, if people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us which is the alternative. The US has banned its tech firms from selling components to Huawei and dozens of companies in its supply chain, citing national security concerns. The US has also previously warned that any use of Huawei could lead to a review of intelligence sharing. On the other hand, lets be clear, said Johnson. I dont, as the UK prime minister, want to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to cooperate with Five Eyes intelligence. In a statement emailed to Al Jazeera, Huawei emphasised its long-standing business relations with the UK. We strongly agree with the prime minister that the British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology. That is why we invested more than $15 billion last year in research and development to ensure our customers receive just that, wrote Victor Zhang, vice president of Huawei. Huawei has worked with the UKs telecoms companies for 15 years, and looks forward to supplying the best technologies that help companies like BT and Vodafone fulfill the governments commitment to make gigabit broadband available to all. Referring to comments made to the Financial Times (FT) this week by MI5 spy chief Andrew Parker, Zhang added: We are confident that the UK government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations. Two UK parliamentary committees concluded there is no technical reason to ban us from supplying 5G equipment, and this week the head of MI5 said there was no reason to think the UKs intelligence-sharing relationship with the US would be harmed if Britain continued to use Huawei technology. The upgrade from 4G to 5G will revolutionise mobile internet capabilities, with consumers able to download a two-hour film in less than four seconds well below the six minutes it takes on the 4G network. Cyber threat? But senior US officials, according to the FT, have been trying to dissuade the UK government, providing technical information on the firm to UK security officials on Monday. The FT said there were growing expectations that Johnson would decide in favour of allowing the use of Huawei equipment in some non-core parts of the network, with a final decision due later in January. It comes after Conservative Party politician Bob Seely called for Britains foreign affairs committee to open an immediate investigation into Huawei. Seely said Huawei to all intents and purposes is part of the Chinese state and a deal with the tech giant would allow Beijing to access the UKs network. A member of the foreign affairs committee in the last parliament, Seely added it was an extraordinarily important issue on which the government should be listening to the US and Australia. He told MPs during the Queens Speech debate that Huawei was the subject of US investigation for fraud and commercial espionage. Foreign Office Minister Andrew Stephenson said a final decision would be taken in due course, adding: The government will consider the full range of risks when making this decision. She found fame for her drunken drunken antics on Jersey Shore, but has since reinvented herself on social media as a loving mother. Yet Deena Cortese was left defending her parenting on Tuesday, as she revealed her son was in need of foot braces. Deena explained of her son, who is named Christopher John after his father: 'CJ has Metatarsus Adductus and will be getting night braces to get it corrected. Jersey Shore's Deena Cortese reveals son CJ, 1, needs foot braces... after fans blasted her for his lack of shoes 'He's had it since he was born but we noticed it at 10 months when he started walking. The doctor says it's common and we've been on top of it. 'Unfortunately his right foot has an extreme case and he literally can not get a shoe on . That is why CJ isn't in shoes and just socks and booties.' Deena hit back at trolls who blasted her for letting the one-year-old go shoe free. Explained the mother-of-one: 'I've been getting a lot of messages about CJs feet, how he walks and other mothers ridiculing me for not putting shoes on him at 1 years old. 'Please before messaging me telling me what I should do or asking and making comments about why he's not wearing shoes, maybe ask if I've already looked into what you see could be wrong, because more than likely I have. First Christmas: Explained the mother-of-one: 'I've been getting a lot of messages about CJs feet, how he walks and other mothers ridiculing me for not putting shoes on him at 1 years old' Early walker: Christopher John, known as CJ, took his first steps at just ten months old The 31-year-old said she was the first to notice her son's disorder, shortly after he began walking at ten months of age. 'Anything you guys notice about my son. I most likely noticed it before anyone else,' she said. 'I just didn't think it was necessary to let anyone know why his feet went the way they do or the reason he's not wearing shoes.' She said getting the 'concerning messages... doesn't make a mother feel great'. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 14) dismissed the curative petitions of the convicts, Vinay Kumar Sharma and Mukesh, in the Nirbhaya case. The duo filed the curative plea after a Delhi court issued a death warrant in their name and announced January 22 as the date of their hanging. The five-judge bench comprising Justice NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, Rohinton Nariman, R Bhanumati, and Ashok Bhushan heard the petitions in-chamber. Notably, a curative petition is the last judicial resort available for redressal of grievances. Now, they can move a mercy petition before the President who is empowered to commute their death sentence to life imprisonment. Live TV After issuing a black warrant, the Delhi court had given them two weeks' time to file both the curative and mercy petitions. Besides Vinay Kumar Sharma and Mukesh, two other convicts named Pawan and Akshay are also slated to be hanged on the same day in Delhi's Tihar Jail premises. The four convicts were awarded capital punishment for raping a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in the national capital on the night of December 16, 2012. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress on the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register since its party chief M K Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. A day after avoiding participating in the meet for showcasing opposition unity, the DMK was also non-committal on restoration of ties with its old ally, notwithstanding the regret reportedly expressed by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K S Alagiri. "We did not take part in the meeting since our chief was accused of violating coalition dharma," senior leader T R Baalu said in Chennai. The party did not participate in the meeting at Delhi on Monday since it was felt that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Alagiri's recent statement was an "accusation against party chief M K Stalin,"Baalu, also a Lok Sabha MP, said. On January 10, Alagiri had said that the Congress was not alloted a fair number of posts of local bodies chiefs by the lead partner DMK and this went against "coalition dharma". Speaking to reporters, Baalu said he felt that Alagiri could have avoided issuing the statement. Asked if the ties with Congress have now returned to its "old status," (since Alagiri has reportedly expressed regret and met party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard) Baalu was non-committal. He said: "Time will tell whether it has returned to the old (normality indicating bonhomie) status or not; why are you concerned?" Wondering whether the press was a doing post-mortem of the issue, he said his party felt that Alagiri issuing a statement on the matter was not correct. "Only this much we can tell you now," he added. - Uhuru said the platforms sit outside the collection management organisation - He noted the new system of payment of royalties will help raise revenue for artists from KSh 200 million to KSh 2 billion - The president directed ICT Ministry to meet with music industry stakeholders to resolve rights issues immediately President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed immediate changes in collection of royalties by content service providers' platforms such as Skiza and ViuSasa. Uhuru said all royalties for local content producers must be channeled through one account. READ ALSO: William Ruto's daughter Abby Cherop joins Form One at Alliance Girls High School Uhuru has announced a ban on content service providers including Skiza, Viusasa. Photo: PSCU. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Uhuru fires Mwangi Kiunjuri in new Cabinet reshuffle In a state address at State House in Mombasa on Tuesday, January 14, Uhuru said he will not condone divergence of royalties to unfairly benefit individuals. "The current sector structure which comprises content service providers who work with digital platforms such as Skiza and Viusasa will be eliminated. And this is because they sit outside the collection management organisation. My practical direction on this is to have all right holders register on the national rights registry. To receive royalties, content service providers will be required to channel all payment of royalties through a single centrally managed account at the Kenya Copyright Board, and this will enable oversight by the regulator and ensure that the collection distribution accounts are easily auditable," said Uhuru. He noted the new system of payment of royalties will help raise revenue for artists from KSh 200 million to KSh 2 billion. Uhuru directed the ICT Ministry to meet with music industry stakeholders to resolve rights issues affecting the industry. "The Kenya Copyright Board with the assistance of the Ministry of ICT has already reviewed and agreed on the tariffs for 2020. These tariffs are to be gazetted and will form the basis on which compliance will be monitored. "Therefore in this regard , I direct the Ministry of ICT, in consultation with the AG to ensure that this new tariff structure is gazetted within the next 30 days. Further, I am directing the Ministry of ICT to remove conditions requiring digital platforms to only work through licensed content providers. This will enable musicians to work directly with platforms such as Skiza," added the head of state. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Please cut off this breast - Sharon Atieno | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Kitty Spencer was spotted wearing a diamond ring now estimated to be worth up to 300,000 on her wedding finger, as she was spotted with her 60-year-old fashion tycoon beau in Cape Town yesterday. Princess Diana's niece, who only turned 29 last month, has been dating fashion tycoon Michael Lewis, who is six years older than her father, Earl Spencer, 55, since last spring. The couple went public with their relationship during a stroll through New York City in May and were seen kissing after leaving Club 55 in St Tropez in August. And now an expert has revealed that the society model, who is 32 years younger than South Africa-born multi-millionaire, Michael Lewis, who turns 61 this month, was wearing an emerald cut diamond ring with an estimated '30 carats of flawless' diamonds. Kitty Spencer was spotted wearing a diamond ring now estimated to be worth up to 300,000 on her wedding finger, as she was spotted with her 60-year-old fashion tycoon beau in Cape Town yesterday Speaking to MailOnline, appraiser Oliver Horner from Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Paw, said: 'This gorgeous full hoop diamond full band engagement ring is of extremely high quality. 'The full band is set with large emerald cut diamonds, each stone looks to be approximately one and a half carats and I would estimate the total diamond weight of the ring to be between 25 and 30 carats. 'Judging from the image the diamonds look to be of exceptional quality and I estimate a clarity grade to be between flawless and VVS1 and to be of D to F colour which is the very best. 'I believe a ring of this exceptional quality would have an would cost between 200,000 - 300,000 maybe even more given the provenance of such a piece.' An expert has revealed that the society model, who is 32 years younger than South Africa -born multi-millionaire, Michael Lewis, who turns 61 this month, appeared to be wearing an emerald cut diamond ring with an estimated 30 carats of emerald cut diamonds Although she was previously spotted with the ring on last November, this is the first time she has worn it on her left-hand wedding finger. The appearance comes just a few weeks after insiders told the Daily Mail that Kitty agreed to marry the father-of-three, after he reportedly proposed to her before Christmas. Kitty grew up in Cape Town, and spent Christmas, her birthday and New Year's Eve in South Africa, where Michael is also based. Michael has three adult children and was previously married to a woman named Leola in 1985. Kitty, who was spotted at the tycoons 19 million mansion in central London last summer, told the Mail at the time that she didnt feel in any rush to start a family. I can see myself having children at some point, she told me, but Im only in my 20s. I do have friends my age who are having children, and they are so, so, sweet, but I think everyone should do things in their own time. Lewis' previous wife, Leola, signed a prenuptial agreement but it's not yet known whether Lady Kitty will do the same. Lady Kitty Spencer has shared a glimpse at her sun-soaked vacation in South Africa, after seeing in her birthday and the festive period abroad. Princess Diana's niece, who turned 29 last month, took to Instagram this week to post a picture of her glamorous surroundings in Western Cape Lady Kitty's last boyfriend was Italian property magnate Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, who was also significantly older than the socialite. At the beginning of the month one of her friends told the Daily Mail: 'Michael proposed to Kitty before Christmas. Shes been in Cape Town for the holidays and told her mother and the rest of the family. Michael is loved by all of them. Despite his wealth, hes very humble and low key. It's not yet known whether Lady Kitty will convert to Judaism, Mr Lewis' faith, before the big day. Iran says real revenge against US is its withdrawal from region ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 13 January 2020 / 15:34 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian first Vice-President Es'haq Jahangiri praised Iraqi parliament's decision on the withdrawal of US forces in a meeting with a high ranking Syrian delegation and hoped the approach expands to the other Islamic states, stressing that the real revenge against US actions is their withdrawal from the region. In a joint meeting of Iranian and Syrian high-ranking delegations in Tehran, Jahangiri said that interference by western states, especially US in the region has led to insecurity and instability. US has committed "enormous crimes in the region, especially in Iraq and Syria by forming terrorist groups like ISIS," he continued. Stressing on Iran's continuous supports for Syrian government and nation, he noted that Iran backs Syrian territorial integrity and sovereignty to establish peace and stability and hopes the crisis in Idlib would be resolved. Mentioning Tehran's willingness for expanding economic cooperation and relations with Damascus, the official insisted on the need of implementing and pursuing recently-signed bilateral agreements. Jahangiri said, "Iranian private sector companies are very interested in participation in reconstruction of Syria". He also expressed hope that Tehran-Damascus ties advance in all areas along with political and military relations. Syrian Prime Minister, Imad Khamis, for his part, noted that US has always had plans for aggression against regional states. "We should be ready and increase our cooperation and coordination, as it can serve as a deterring shield against US plots," he added. Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Muallem said that Trump administration has taken covered war as its strategy and it is trying to impose poverty and hunger to nations by unilateral sanctions. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United States on Tuesday warned of threats to commercial vessels in and around the Persian Gulf in the wake of its confrontation with Iran. Tensions have soared since the U.S. airstrike earlier this month that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top general and the architect of its regional military activities. Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at U.S. troops in Iraq, without wounding anyone, and accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner near Tehran, killing all 176 on board. Heightened military activity and increased political tensions in this region continue to pose serious threats to commercial vessels, the U.S. said in a maritime warning. Associated with these threats is a potential for miscalculation or misidentification that could lead to aggressive actions. It said vessels transiting the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz through which one-third of all oil traded by sea passes could encounter GPS interference or communications jamming. It said some vessels have reported communications from unknown entities falsely claiming to be U.S. or coalition warships. It said ships contacted by Iranian forces should identify themselves and say that they are proceeding in accordance with international law. It advised ships to refuse to allow Iranian forces to board but not to forcibly resist them, and to immediately contact the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Iran was accused of sabotaging oil tankers in the Persian Gulf last year. It denied those allegations, but acknowledged seizing a British-flagged oil tanker in response to the impounding of an Iranian oil tanker by authorities in Gibraltar. The Iranian tanker was suspected of intending to violate sanctions to deliver oil to Syria, a close ally of Iran. Both ships were released weeks later. The tensions are rooted in President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and to impose maximum economic sanctions. The sanctions have devastated Iran's economy. We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company Limited (HKG:3613). What Is Insider Selling? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. As Peter Lynch said, 'insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise. See our latest analysis for Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine There wasn't any very large single transaction over the last year, but we can still observe some trading. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! SEHK:3613 Recent Insider Trading, January 14th 2020 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Our data isn't picking up on much insider ownership at Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine, though insiders do hold about HK$7.7m worth of shares. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. It's always possible we are missing something but from our data, it looks like insider ownership is minimal. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Insiders? It is good to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. While the overall levels of insider ownership are below what we'd like to see, the history of transactions imply that Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine insiders are reasonably well aligned, and optimistic for the future. Therefore, you should should definitely take a look at this FREE report showing analyst forecasts for Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The former president of Franklin College, a liberal arts school in Indiana, has been charged with sex crimes involving a child after an undercover police officer posing as a teenager exchanged online messages with him on Grindr, according to a criminal complaint. The complaint was made public on Wednesday after the college announced on Monday that it had fired the president, Thomas J. Minar, after finding out that he had been arrested in Wisconsin on suspicion of sex crimes involving a child. Over the weekend, Franklin College terminated the employment of President Thomas J. Minar when we became aware of a deeply disturbing incident, the statement said. It said the Sturgeon Bay Police Department told the college by email that Mr. Minar was taken into custody this month in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., on suspicion of child sex crimes. The statement said that Mr. Minar had confirmed to college officials that he had been arrested after they found out. The German Government's stance on Nord Stream 2 and the importance of continuing the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory remains unchanged. "Our stance on Nord Stream 2 remains unchanged: it is an economic entrepreneurial project that has a political dimension, which is why it is so central to us and so important that Ukraine must remain a transit country," Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a briefing in Berlin on January 13, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. In this context, he welcomed the extension of gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia through the mediation of the EU and also due to the great efforts of Germany. "This is a very important and good signal," the spokesman said. He disagreed with critics of the project, who say that Nord Stream 2 strengthens dependence on Russian gas, as Berlin considers that the new gas pipeline, on the contrary, means diversifying supplies. On January 11, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced firm support for Nord Stream 2 project after the talks with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Moscow. ol Defense Secretary Mark Esper would not provide clarity today on a possible threat to US embassies from Iran-backed groups that prompted the Donald Trump administration to launch a deadly strike against a top Iranian military leader earlier this month. Trump stated in an interview on Fox News Jan. 10 that Iran would have targeted four American embassies in the Middle East if he had not authorized a Pentagon drone strike to take out Quds Force chief Qasem Soleimani Jan. 3. But Esper said Sunday he hadnt seen specific evidence pointing to such a plot. "I've spoken a lot about Iran this week and I have nothing more to add," Esper told reporters today at a joint press conference at the Pentagon with his Japanese counterpart. So far, the administration has not provided a proven "imminent" threat from Soleimani to justify the strikes, frustrating lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. During Tuesdays meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono sought to encourage the United States to engage diplomatically with Iran, citing persistent diplomatic efforts to bring the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic back to the table for talks. Last year, Trump rebuffed a Japanese offer to serve as a go-between for dialogue, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned of an uptick in clashes between the two rival nations. Japan has approved nearly $5 billion for a military mission in the Middle East to protect Japanese ships in the region. But Kono said Japan would be limited from participating in the US-led International Maritime Security Construct or its European alternative. "We have some constitutional restrictions, so we will not be participating in the American or European initiative," he said. Japan had one merchant ship damaged in the Arabian Gulf last year. Special functions were held across Jammu region on Tuesday on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day to honour the sacrifice of veterans from all the three services, a defence spokesman said. The main function was held at Balidan Stambh here in which Farooq Khan, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu, and a large number of veterans laid wreaths, the spokesman said. Khan appreciated the spirit of national unity, dedication and sacrifice exhibited by retired armed forces personnel. "There is a requirement for the citizens and NGOs to keep in touch with veterans and martyrs' families and draw lessons from their rich experience. The students would get motivation listening to these stories of valour and sacrifice," the advisor said. The administration will give priority and support to resolve problems being faced by veterans and the families of those who have laid down their lives in the service of the nation, he added. Students from Scouts and Guides and NCC pledged to work closely with the armed forces to spread awareness regarding security, cleanliness of environment and work for anti-drug addiction campaigns. The Army also celebrated Veterans Day at Government Higher Secondary School Manjakote in Rajouri district, where ex-service personnel were acquainted with various schemes and welfare programmes being run by the union territory and Central government, the spokesman said. Similar functions were also held at Ratnuchak military station here and in Reasi district, the spokesman said adding that a Veterans Sahayata Kendra (VSK), Unit Run Canteen and medical desk were established at Ratnuchak to address the needs of veterans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 14-year-old from Oakland is facing charges for stealing three vehicles and a handgun. Over the past two weeks, officers received reports of multiple stolen vehicles in Oakland. One of those vehicles was recovered, out of gas, in Fairfield. One was involved in a crash in Smithfield and another was involved in a crash in Augusta. No one was around either vehicle when first responders arrived. During this same time period, a handgun was stolen out of a vehicle in Oakland. The handgun was recovered Monday by detectives. The investigation is ongoing. Upon a search of the vehicle, 20 pounds of high grade marijuana were discovered in the back seat under a tarp. On Monday, Meives attorney, Sam ONeill, told Judge James Stecker that his client is self-employed in Oregon and works full time. He had financial troubles and a severe lack of judgment that led to this crime. He has been sober since June of 2019. He identified his problems and the issues it created in his life. He has made an effort to change and he completed a treatment program. Im asking for a fine, which he would have the ability to pay today. I apologize for my actions, I know what I did was wrong, Meives told the court. In treatment, I learned about my addiction. Im just asking for an opportunity to prove I am a law abiding citizen. Judge Stecker acknowledged that Meives prior record is limited to one assault in 2003. But this is not an appropriate case for a fine due to the quantity of marijuana involved. I wont send you to the department of corrections, but I understand that you are not far off. Do not ever do this again. Meives was given credit for one day already served. BALETE, PHILIPPINES - JANUARY 13: A resident fishes at a lake as Taal Volcano erupts on January 13, 2020 in Balete, Batangas province, Philippines. The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime, as Manila's international airport suspended flights and authorities began evacuating tens of thousands of people from the area. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) The eruption of a volcano near the Philippine capital has delivered a dazzling but highly dangerous spectacle since it began spewing superheated steam on Sunday. Taal volcano's bursts of lightning and monster clouds of ash have drawn crowds of gaping observers, but also prompted thousands to flee from its fury. Here are five facts about the mix of beauty and terror that volcanoes produce: - Lightning - Large eruptions sometimes put on a stunning display of lightning strikes that illuminate the massive cloud of ash surrounding them. This has happened repeatedly above the Taal volcano and been captured in videos shared widely across social media. It is a relatively unusual and difficult to study phenomenon, so there is some scientific dispute about how and why it happens. One theory posits that particles bashed together in the chaos of the eruption create static electricity which eventually results in lightning. However, Indriati Retno Palupi, a volcanologist and geologist, told AFP lightning can be created when ashes containing chemical elements react with gasses in the surrounding air. - Tsunamis - A violent eruption could trigger a deadly rush of waves by displacing water with rising magma or an avalanche of debris, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In fact, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the US state of Washington produced a 780-foot (235-metre) tsunami, according to the International Tsunami Information Center. The wall of water was unleashed by the partial collapse of the volcano's flank and a fast-moving avalanche of debris. - Million volcanoes? - Around 1,500 potentially active volcanoes are present around the world, many of which are found on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the earth's surface. However, around 75 percent of volcanic activity on Earth occurs underwater. Undersea eruptions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say, are "a constant process that shapes the features of the ocean". Oregon State University geologists estimate there could be as many as a million Called "submarine volcanoes". - Global cooling - The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) northwest of Manila, was the Philippines' most powerful in recent years and killed more than 800 people. However, the eruption had worldwide impact. Nearly 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide were shot skyward by Pinatubo, which then drifted globally. "This gas cloud... caused global temperatures to drop temporarily (1991 through 1993) by about 1F (0.5C)," according to a US Geological Survey account of the eruption. On top of the cooler temperatures, the gases and ash sent high in the sky by Pinatubo also caused "brilliant sunsets and sunrises", USGS said. - Indonesia's killer volcanoes - Indonesia is the world's most volcanic area. The Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and islets -- and nearly 130 active volcanoes -- is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire". In 1815, Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa exploded in one of the most violent eruptions in recorded history. An estimated 12,000 people died, while a resulting famine killed another 80,000. The island of Krakatoa was practically wiped off the map in 1883 by a volcanic explosion so powerful that it was heard some 4,500 kilometres (2,800 miles) away. Around 36,000 people were killed in the eruption and the resulting tsunami. A new volcano emerged in 1928 on the same site. burs-mff/jm/fox [January 14, 2020] CPS HR Consulting Releases Agenda for Annual Conference As technology continues to develop and employee expectations reshape the workplace, talent-sourcing professionals can struggle to stay up to date on the latest strategies and techniques to ensure their agency and office are successful in the ever-evolving world of work. To address these concerns, CPS HR Consulting is set to host its fifth annual conference, Accelerate 2020: The Evolving World of Work, in February in Napa Valley, California. The conference will focus on helping professionals succeed during a time of rapid change. Key sessions are highlighted below: Day One - Wednesday, Feb. 5 - 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Paul Loehr will open the conference with a half-day workshop designed for human resources (HR) professionals who want to develop their organization's HR analytic capabilities by gathering key data, developing meaningful metrics and using analytics in decision making. In Wednesday's keynote, Haider Abdullah and Brad Fleiss explore four trends emerging from Mercer research on global talent and the implications of a fast-changing industry. For the final session of day one, Haider Abdullah and Brad Fleiss will guide the audience through a facilitated discussion about where their organization is currently, and how they can take action to prepare for the evolving future of work. Day Two - Thursday, Feb. 6 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To open day two, Sara Christiansen, author of "Critical Leadershift: Why Traditional Management Techniques are Counterproductive in the Modern Workplace" and well-known social scientist, will lead the keynote session. This session will examine the transition that modern HR professionals must make, from an administrative and risk-management professional, to a strategic business partner. At 10:5 a.m., in a breakout session, Preet Bassi, CEO, Center for Public Safety Excellence, will discuss eight critical issues that public service professionals must address to remain relevant in the 21 st Century. Century. For the next session, Igor Shegolev will lead a discussion centered around pay equity in the modern workplace. The session will analyze some of the main causes of pay inequities and provide methods to combat these issues. Day Three - Friday, Feb. 7 - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For the first general session of the day, Dr. Steven Jones, CEO, Jones and Associate Consulting, will discuss the importance of interrupting biases in ourselves and our systems. The audience will learn practices to better understand unconscious biases and, as a result, leverage a more diverse workforce. Next, at 11 a.m., Margie Maulden, president, Executive Feedback, will educate HR professionals on the importance of effective communication and feedback in the workplace. Along with additional workshops and speakers, CPS HR Consulting will announce the recipient of the 2020 Talent Management Grant at the conference. This $20,000 grant is awarded each year to an agency that displays excellence in HR through public services that foster quality, fairness, equity and solutions to organizational needs. Registration for Accelerate 2020: The Evolving World of Work closes on Feb. 1, 2020. For more information on the schedule and speakers, as well as to register and book accommodations, visit: www.cpshr.us/Accelerate2020. About CPS HR Consulting CPS HR Consulting, based in Sacramento, California, is a self-supporting public agency providing a full range of integrated HR solutions to government and nonprofit clients across the country. CPS HR consultants have expertise in the areas of organizational strategy, recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, and training and development. For more information, visit www.cpshr.us or connect with them on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005072/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An Australian Border Force employee is suing her former lover who accused her of blackmailing him into having sex, a court has heard. Erin Weatherall, 36, from Brisbane, has told Queensland District Court she was first accused of being a sexual predator in 2017. According to her statement of claim filed in the court, she had no idea that her accuser was lover Tony Kelly, who had begun a relationship with Ms Weatherall in January 2017 after telling her he had separated from his wife. But when ABF internal investigators questioned Mr Kelly, after hearing he was having an extra-marital affair with Ms Weatherall, he told them she had blackmailed him. Speaking to investigators Mr Kelly allegedly said: '(Ms Weatherall) has been trying to blackmail me, threatening to call my wife and tell her about our affair and the pregnancy. She's blackmailing me so that she can have sex with me.' Erin Weatherall (pictured) is suing her former lover for defamation after blackmail accusations Ms Weatherall claimed she was blindsided by the 'devastating' complaint made in July 2017. 'That's ridiculous. I've never blackmailed anyone for sex,' she told investigators at the time. Kelly allegedly went as far as acted as Ms Weatherall's support person' where he attended meetings with Ms Weatherall and her superiors after she was suspended from active duties in August 2017. In an interim judgment of the case in December, judge Ray Rinaudo said Kelly assured Ms Weatherall it wasn't him. Ms Weatherall thought she had been in a loving relationship with Tony Kelly (pictured) On one occasion, Mr Kelly allegedly told her regional commander in Ms Weatherall's presence that the blackmail allegations came from 'jealous co-workers.' Judge Rinaudo said Mr Kelly had also called on his father, Wayne Kelly, the then principal legal adviser for the Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission, to represent Ms Weatherall. Wayne Kelly later refused to represent her, citing a 'conflict of interest. Ms Weatherall's health rapidly deteriorated and was hospitalised in December 2017 for a perforated kidney, collapsed lung and pneumonia. Between August and December 2017 she also lost 13kg because she could not eat due to stress and anxiety. By January 2018, Ms Weatherall had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and was having suicidal thoughts. The pair began a relationship in January 2017 while working for the ABF (stock photo) Ms Weatherall ended the relationship a month later before she finally discovered it was her former lover who had made the blackmail accusations. 'Clearly, it would have been devastating for her to find out some 15 months after allegations were made against her that the person with whom she was in a loving relationship had been the perpetrator of the allegations in the first place,' the judge said. Ms Weatherall lodged a statement of claims with Queensland District Court (pictured) Mr Kelly and his legal team are yet to file a defence. A Department of Home Affairs spokesman told The Australian that it 'takes the safety, physical and mental wellbeing of its employees very seriously and has a range of support and review mechanisms that staff can, and do, access when required'. 'We respect the privacy of employees, and their families, and cannot comment on individual cases or personal circumstances,' he said. When asked what the states attorneys position is in the case on Monday, Assistant Kane County States Attorney Dawn Troost said the office does believe McCarty Park is a playground and the men are residing at Wayside in violation of the statute. She said their involvement in the suit is premature because the Aurora Police Department has yet to contact the states attorneys office concerning the matter. Cardi B is pondering life as a politician. After dominated the music industry with her chart-topping hits and record-breaking albums, the rapper is looking to try her hand at politics by becoming a member of Congress. Cardi B | Stephane Cardinale Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images While Cardis loyal fans couldnt be happier shes broadening her horizons, others are actually slamming the rapper for trying to be part of a national legislative body they believe she knows nothing about. Cardi Bs interest in politics was sparked by war documentaries Cardi B may be adding Congresswoman to her long list of achievements in the upcoming future. The Invasion of Privacy rapper has been showing a great deal of interest in politics lately. While many fans have applauded her openness surrounding political issues over these last few months, many were surprised to learn that Cardis actually looking to get into the political ring. On January 12, the Bronx native took to Twitter to announce her political aspirations in a series of posts. I think I want to be a politician, she wrote in one tweet. I really love government even tho I dont agree with Goverment. I think I want to be a politician.I really love government even tho I dont agree with Goverment iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 Cardi went on to reveal that her interest in public affairs sparked while watching war documentaries. Like I was watching War documentaries, she shared. No matter how many weapons a country have you need people ! How are you trying to go against a country and possibly start a war when this country lacks patriotism? I barely see people claiming they LOVE being American. Like I was watching War https://t.co/r4gwhTQkHy matter how many weapons a country have you need people ! How are you trying to go against a country and possibly start a war when this country lacks patriotism? I barely see people claiming they LOVE being American. iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 After receiving mixed reviews from her fans, Cardi shared that she was going to explain her decision a little more clearly using a different platform seeing as though Twitter was not doing her explanations justice. I will have to explain a lot so I will have to do a video or a live talking about it, she wrote. So imma come back to my last two tweets another day.Imma talk about it another day. I will have to explain a lot so I will have to do a video or a live talking about it So imma come back to my last two tweets another day.Imma talk about it another day . iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 Cardi later revealed that though shes in need of proper schooling before her goal of becoming a politician is achieved, she is confident shell be an ideal member of the political party. I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress, she explained. I deada** have sooo much ideas that make sense.I just need a couple of years of school and I can shake the table. I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress.I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense.I just need a couple of years of school and I can shake the table . iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 13, 2020 Many arent onboard with Cardis political aspirations While the rappers loyal fans believe that she could easily become an elected official, others feel as though shes the last person who should run for Congress. After posting her series of tweets, many began sharing how opposed they are to the idea of Representative Cardi B. I went to college for both American History and Political Science, although to be faireven my cat is more qualified to run for Congress than Cardi B, avid Trump supporter and reality star Mindy Robinson tweeted. No, CardiB shouldnt waste her time at a run for Congress, someone else expressed. Most people wouldnt take her seriously; I certainly dont. Anyone who cant communicate intelligently and effectively doesnt deserve my vote. And I mean this. Some people even brought up the fact that the rapper was recently indicted on felony charges, which they believe disqualifies her from running for Congress. Wants to be in congress but still is in court on gang related charges @iamcardib, someone else tweeted. Did horrible acts like drugging and robbing and i guess its ok to be in congress. As people continue to slam Cardi Bs political aspirations, fans have been coming to her defense, pointing out different reasons why her ambitious goal could definitely become a reality. Cardi B already beat the odds by going from a poor stripper to a multi-millionaire and one of the top women in music today, one fan shared. Who is anyone to tell her she cant run for Congress? Cardi has been increasingly political on social media Though Cardi Bs legal aspirations arent being embraced by the masses, her interest in politics isnt entirely unexpected. The rapper has been incredibly outspoken about government and public affairs these last few months. In August, she partnered with Senator Bernie Sanderswho she endorsed back in 2016to talk, in-depth, about his 2020 campaign. Cardi B's nails are juuuust a little different than mine. Our views on the issues are pretty similar. pic.twitter.com/PhA2wXnkpy Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 15, 2019 Shes also called out President Donald Trump on social media more than once over government issues hes been at the center of. While people continue to stand by their belief that Cardi B is unqualified for Congress, it seems to others that she definitely has what it takes to shake the table with a political run. The food will harken to the Chinese American food of the principals memories, everything from crab Rangoon to egg foo young to orange chicken. Were cooking food we all love, and talk about, and think about, Bracamontes said. Something we feel close to because of the memories of eating these foods with friends and family. In case you hadnt noticed, CES was a little hornier than usual this year. The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featured an unprecedented number of sex-adjacent technologies and products, with roughly a dozen companies showcasing everything from vibrators and toys to a first-of-its-kind wearable treatment for premature ejaculation. Its a major shift from the 2019 edition of the tradeshow, when sex-tech company Lora DiCarlo found itself at the center of a controversy after the Consumer Technology Association awarded, then rescinded, then finally reinstated a prize for the brands Ose personal massager. Following public backlash in the wake of the Lora DiCarlo saga, CES decided to expand its coverage purview this year, instating a one-year sex tech trial at the 2020 show. The result was a small but vocal corner of the Health and Wellness expo at CES 2020 that transformed into a veritable mini sex-tech wonderland, with new products not only from Lora DiCarlo, but also likeminded brands like Dame, Lovense, Ohmibod, Pulse and MysteryVibe. We were thrilled to be at CES to debut two new additions to the Ose family of pleasure devices, and to continue to advocate for gender equity in the tech industry, Lora Haddock, founder and CEO of Lora DiCarlo, tells InsideHook. After the 2019 events, we became change agents and helped to provide a positive evolution for the sexual health and wellness industry. Were proud of our advocacy, which helped create a safer and more inclusive environment for all CES attendees. Other leaders within the industry were quick to credit Haddocks influence in transforming CESs attitude toward sex tech. Bryony Cole, CEO at sex tech organization Future of Sex, says she doubts the technology would have made an appearance at CES this year if it werent for the controversy and the swift activism that followed. Lora Haddock taking a stand created this space for brands to have a voice, Cole tells InsideHook. It is a great signal for the wider tech community to pay attention and take sex tech seriously. Sex expert Jess OReilly, PhD., host of the @SexWithDrJess Podcast, agrees. The sex-tech industry is estimated to grow to $50 billion by 2025 by some estimates, she tells InsideHook. The tech industry [at large] simply cannot afford to ignore its innovations, impact and trends. While much of the conversation surrounding those innovations, impact and trends has rightfully focused on female-oriented sex tech (or, as DiCarlo more appropriately puts it, products for people with vaginas), there is plenty of room in the industry for advancements that appeal to all genders, including men. Cole tells us that male sexual wellness will be the next trend, and evidence of that trend was on display at CES, with sex-tech startup Morari Medical making waves after debuting a prototype for a wearable, disposable solution to premature ejaculation. The as-yet nameless device, which Morari Medical founder and CEO Jeff Bennett says he hopes will be available to the public by mid-2021, is a transdermal patch placed in the perineum area during sex that works to delay ejaculation using neuromodulation as a means of inhibiting the nerves of the penis. Morari Medical CEO Jeff Bennett with the prototype at CES (Morari Medical) Sound painful? Dont worry, its not. Bennett compares the sensation to a pleasurable tickle, adding that despite some media speculation to the contrary, the device wont pull any hair in the area upon removal. Its not like a bandaid where it rips out the hair, Bennett tells InsideHook, explaining that the product uses a very novel substance designed to adhere to the skin without causing any discomfort, regardless of the wearers grooming habits. Bennett positions the device, which he says will be available over-the-counter for men who suffer from clinical PE as well as those simply interested in extending their sex sessions, at the intersection of sexual health and pleasure two pillars that are increasingly coming to be seen as one and the same within the broader sexual wellness community. Related: The 26 Best and Worst Things at CES A pleasure product provides less stress and better sleep, which improves overall health and wellness, says Bennett, adding that while the Morari Medical device addresses the legitimate medical issue of premature ejaculation, the product is also a device designed to enhance the sexual experience for all parties involved. This is not just a male issue, this is a couples issue, says Bennett. Our product isnt just for PE, its for delaying ejaculation. Whether you meet the definition of PE or you dont, it can be useful for delaying the experience, and both parties benefit from it. If CES 2020s newfound horniness was little more than an attempt to atone for last years sins against the sex-tech community, at least it didnt fall flat. The media frenzy surrounding horny CES proves that the dawn of a new, technologically advanced sexual revolution is upon us, and its one that transcends gender. The potential benefits of sex tech apply regardless of gender, says OReilly. The industry is shifting, and we now use sex tech not only to address potential issues, but also for the sake of pure pleasure itself. This has opened up new options for sex toys for all genders including men. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter The post Why #Sextech Was the Biggest Buzzword at CES 2020 appeared first on InsideHook. The United States House of Representatives is expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss sending the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, triggering a trial early next week, Democrats said following a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a day before. The Democratic-controlled House voted last month on two articles of impeachment -- abuse of power related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of the Congress -- but Pelosi has yet to deliver them to the Senate, according to New York Post. Senator John Cornyn said it's "likely" that opening arguments could begin next Tuesday. "Tuesday is what I'm what's what it's really like feeling like ... And so we'd actually be glued to our chair, starting Tuesday," he told reporters on Monday. "That's what that's what it feels like right now and I realize things could change," he added. Pelosi has held up the articles because she said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hasn't revealed the framework of the proceedings. But the latter has said that Pelosi cannot dictate how the Senate will conduct the trial. When the House voted on December 18 to impeach the President, the expectation was that the articles would be sent to the Senate right away. But Pelosi had surprised many by saying she would withhold sending the articles until Senate Republicans agreed to a "fair process" for the trial. Meanwhile, the White House has been preparing for the trial to begin and have discussed with Republicans the option of an immediate vote to dismiss the articles in the Senate. The motion would require 51 votes and Republicans who hold a 53-47 majority appear to be falling short of that number. In addition, the House is also expected to name managers to act as prosecutors in what's expected to be a weeks-long trial that will likely end in an acquittal. Notably, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney will be the key witnesses who could describe first-hand how Trump pressured Ukraine. Both were prevented by Trump from speaking to House impeachment investigators. Bolton has since said he would testify if the Senate issued a subpoena. Since the very beginning, Trump has dismissed impeachment as a "witch-hunt". He refused to allow White House officials to testify during the inquiry and tried to block House investigators from obtaining government documents and emails. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Harvey Weinstein is surrounded by women. Most have come to bury him. But at least one has come to save him. From red coats to a fuchsia one, from blindfolds to a pussy bow blouse, they have all come dressed for the task at hand. Weinstein, on trial in New York for rape and sexual assault allegations, has been accompanied to court by his lead attorney Donna Rotunno, who has said, of course, that her client is not guilty. A chorus of women who are certain of his guilt have turned the sidewalks surrounding the courthouse in Lower Manhattan into an outdoor stage for protest, performance and catharsis. All of these women are telling a vivid and powerful story - both verbally and visually - about this milestone, about this denouement to a case that sent the #MeToo movement crashing through the culture like a tsunami. In their collective and their individual style, the women on both sides are decrying victim-blaming, spotlighting their empowerment and making an argument for a global sisterhood. And, in the case of Rotunno: using those messages to swim against the tide of public opinion by offering her client a vigorous defense. Society is just getting used to their stories, just now figuring out how to respond to them. Weinstein is weaving a tale, too. But his is a familiar one, an exasperating cliche. Long before Weinstein became a social pariah, back when he was an influential movie mogul, he was a supremely unimpressive dresser - a man whose style might have best been described as a simmering state of dishevelment. Weinstein ambled through life with the air of someone who didn't have to be tailored and snazzy because his clout gave him a pass for everything. He wasn't quite sloppy; he simply dressed with a generous amount of disregard. Now, stripped of the shiny patina of power, with an electronic monitoring device strapped to one ankle and a brace wrapped around the other, he shambles from his SUV to the courthouse steps bent over his metal walker. What was once read as self-entitled schlubbiness now reads as a different kind of caricature, that of a desperate man mincing his way toward his comeuppance. Defendants regularly try to influence a jury, as well as the public, with their courtroom attire and demeanor. But the Weinstein trial has multiple levels of showmanship. It's not just the defendant whose costuming is notable. The style of the women who support him and confront him stands apart, as well. They're reeling off a narrative about control and power - one that is nuanced and varied and bold. Rotunno is a Chicago-based attorney who has established a reputation for defending men accused of sexual misconduct. She believes they have a right to a defense. She believes that being a woman helps her in these cases because it allows her to question accusers aggressively without coming across as vicious. And she dresses in a manner that declares traditional femininity an advantage. Does that means she's exploiting her gender? No more than a man does. Rotunno takes control of the social presumptions and prejudices about women and uses them to her advantage. She walks into the courthouse in her figure-flattering dresses, slim coats and her high, narrow heels. She looks pretty - in the standard sense, in the familiar sense. Rotunno turns the old female power-dressing template upside-down. Instead of the neutral, floppy-bowed blouse that was part of the "Dress for Success" mantras of the late 1970s, when professional women had to dress like men to get ahead, Rotunno wears the 21st century version of that shirt - a red pussybow blouse. It's not dour. It's bright. It's feminine. It's in control. Her aesthetic is relevant, which is to say that it looks of-the-moment and paints her as someone who is cosmopolitan. She looks tough but not unyielding. Strong but not overbearing. Single-minded but not inhumane. Rotunno makes a visual argument that an unabashedly female aesthetic can be the default definition of bulldog ferocity. Rotunno dresses to convey power but also in a way that is bluntly female. Her style equates the two. Rotunno has argued in interviews that women have agency and with that comes responsibility, that the women who have accused Weinstein were not powerless. The feminine is mighty. Her style is potent. The protesters wear red, as well. Weinstein's antagonists have said the color symbolizes how they are reclaiming their power, which is to say that they believe it was lost or stolen. Outside the courthouse, their red coats combined to create the impression of a roaring fire in a grim, gray canyon. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The lawyer Gloria Allred was in red, too. Allred works with multiple Weinstein accusers. She is the publicity-seeking advocate, the attorney who walks her clients by the hand, like a protective mother hen, in front of the media, who leans into a microphone to declare her legal intentions and who understands that sometimes the impact of a visual statement is far more memorable than a verbal one. Rose McGowan, the accuser who often seemed dangerously close to being engulfed by her own rage, wore a pink trapper hat. Its plush fur framed her face. Not so long ago, a fuzzy pink hat might have been seen as a sweetly feminine aesthetic gesture. But this is the age of pink pussy hats. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reclaimed the House speaker's gavel wardrobed in fuchsia. Rotunno wore a hot pink coat to fight for her client. This is the era of power pink. The question is whether the color has suddenly been imbued with potent swagger or if women have only just recognized what has always been true. Women in red and black - with strips of black netting, alluding to blindfolds, tied across their eyes - flash-mobbed the courthouse Friday. Inspired by a Chilean feminist art collective, they chanted at Weinstein, "The rapist is you." Their clothes and their words linked the events unfolding in New York to the struggles of women in South America, India and elsewhere. Their blindfolds recalled the Chilean human rights protesters who have been partially blinded by rubber bullets fired by police and soldiers. Women are using attire to declare their solidarity, to underscore their righteous outrage, to signify their personal agency. Weinstein is the washed-out man in black and shades of gray. He shuffles into the courthouse in the shadow of Rotunno. She waits for him. But she doesn't usher him in. She's a power player, not a helpmate. Not a coddler. The protesters are a red-hot firestorm. Rotunno may shield Weinstein from being fully engulfed. But he is already the color of ash. Chinese diplomacy has found a new voice on Twitter -- and it's not entirely diplomatic. The communist government has recently embraced the social media platform -- despite blocking it within China -- deploying its foreign ministry and a growing army of diplomats to tout or defend its policies to a global audience. One diplomat posts artistic selfies in Nepal, China's envoy in South Africa quotes Western poetry alongside pictures of sunsets and wildlife, while ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming has used the site to issue strident defences of beleaguered Chinese telco giant Huawei. They are among more than a dozen Chinese ambassadors and consuls general around the world who have opened Twitter accounts in recent months, often adopting a style far removed from traditions of diplomatic reserve. Now the government itself has joined the fray, with the foreign ministry writing its first tweet last month, peppering posts with sarcastic "LOLs", exclamation marks and hashtags to extol Beijing's world view or lambaste critics. "Some people would rather buy lies than authoritative information. Absurd & alerting!" read a ministry tweet about alleged former Chinese spy Wang Liqiang, who sought asylum in Australia late last year. The informal and sometimes confrontational tone is a far cry from the usually sedate official statements the government is known for -- and the approach has led to occasional public gaffes. Senior ministry official Zhao Lijian last year had an online spat with Susan Rice, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, who called him "a racist disgrace" after he tweeted claims of racial discrimination in Washington. The social media push comes as China is under increasing international pressure over its mass detention of Muslim minorities in the far-western region of Xinjiang and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, while a trade war with the United States rages on. Chinese officials and media have long struggled to convincingly spread their message to a global audience, said Yuan Zeng, a media lecturer at the University of Leeds in Britain. There is a "pressing demand for a more efficient way to let out China's voice", Zeng told AFP. The foreign ministry's Twitter presence has drawn comparisons to US president and prolific tweeter Donald Trump, who uses the platform to attack his opponents and aggressively praise his own policies. Beijing sees "how popular Trump is on social media, and how often Western media quote his tweets", said Wenfang Tang, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. "So in that sense it's the Trump effect." Chinese officials previously kept a low profile on social media, leaving the talking to state-run media outlets. But the country's growing political and economic clout has emboldened diplomats to speak with an increasingly assertive and nationalistic voice both on the internet and offline, said Ardi Bouwers, a media specialist at consulting firm China Circle. That behaviour also allows them to prove their loyalty to President Xi Jinping, who himself "uses patriotic language, talking about self-reliance, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, (and) crushing attempts to divide China", Bouwers said. In a statement, the ministry told AFP that it has opened accounts on Twitter "in order to better communicate with other countries and better explain China's situation and policies". At its daily briefing on Monday spokesman Geng Shuang was asked whether the use of Twitter is fair given the platform is blocked inside the country. "We have the world's largest population of internet users. At the same time, we have always managed the internet in accordance with laws and regulations," Geng replied. He said "the Chinese internet is open". Overseas, the response to China's social media campaign has been mixed. Beijing's ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has built an online fanbase with stylish and carefully framed photographs of herself, shot against the backdrop of traditional Nepalese architecture. Her photos have been "liked" thousands of times and received largely positive replies from local Twitter users. But replies to the foreign ministry's tweets are rife with scorn and derision, often accompanied by reports documenting China's repressive policies and satirical cartoons critical of Beijing. "All this effort is taken by part of Twitter's users as mere propaganda," Alessandra Cappelletti, a professor of international relations at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, told AFP. It remains to be seen "how convincing Chinese information specialists will be in branding their country to educated foreign audiences", she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Cambridge City Council voted Monday night to ban the municipal use of facial recognition technology, becoming the fourth community in the state to do so, the ACLU of Massachusetts announced. Brookline, Northampton and Somerville have already passed similar bans, and the Springfield City Council took its first steps Monday night to restrict the use of the software as well. A bill before the State House would also establish a statewide moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology and other forms of biometric surveillance, including the analysis of a persons gait or voice, until the legislature regulates the software. Cambridge joins a small but growing number of cities who are stepping up to protect residents from intrusive and undemocratic technology, Cambridge City Councilor Marc McGovern, former mayor of the city, said in a tweet. #FacialRecognition technology ban is ordained by the City Council. Cambridge joins a small but growing number of cities who are stepping up to protect residents from intrusive and undemocratic technology. Thanks to @ACLU_Mass and @onekade for their support and leadership. pic.twitter.com/d9w0XjrDqh Councilor Marc McGovern (@Marc_C_McGovern) January 13, 2020 Proponents of legislation banning the use of facial recognition technology at the state or municipal level argue privacy laws have not caught up with the software, as regulation at the state and federal level of biometric surveillance is nonexistent. They also say the software is inaccurate and biased when it comes to factors of age, gender and race. In the proposed statewide moratorium, legislators wrote that many of the databases that use facial recognition technology are plagued by racial disparities and other biases. Face recognition technology has a history of being far less accurate in identifying the faces of women, young people, and dark skinned people, the bill states. Such inaccuracies lead to harmful 'false positive identifications. The ACLU of Massachusetts launched a campaign in June called Press Pause on Face Surveillance that aims to make the public more aware of the alleged dangers of face surveillance and the need for a statewide moratorium on its use, according to the organizations statement. A poll conducted by the Beacon Research and released by the ACLU in June showed nearly eight in 10 Massachusetts residents support a moratorium on government use of the technology, the statement said. Privacy laws have not kept pace with advancements of digital technology," said Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts. But Massachusetts cities and towns are stepping up to ensure that face surveillance technology doesnt get out ahead of our basic rights. Related content: By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP national leadership has lashed out at the state assemblys unanimous resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). BJP national general secretary Arun Singh told reporters here that the state assemblys resolution was against the Constitution and its sole purpose was vote bank politics. In Kerala, the Congress and the CPM have come together on one platform to oppose the CAA. If these parties continue to work against national interests, they will be wiped off from the country soon. They should instead work for the welfare of the state and its people, Singh said. The BJP leader said Opposition parties were spreading lies over CAA even while knowing that the law does not affect any Indian citizen. Singh said BJP would conduct a massive countrywide campaign to connect with over 3 crore households to expose the misinformation surrounding CAA. Besides holding public meetings in over 1 lakh panchayats across the country, we will hold rallies in every district as part of our Sampark Abhiyaan. Over 10 lakh BJP workers will be associated with the campaign, he added. Singh said the condition of minorities in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh was grim. In these three countries, we have not seen a single person from the minority community assuming a top constitutional post. But in India, members from minority communities have adorned top positions, he added. The BJP national general secretary also condemned the attack on party state secretary A K Nazeer while offering namaz inside a mosque in Idukki. Singh later inaugurated a campaign at the GPO here to send postcards to Prime Minister felicitating him. BJP workers took out a march to the secretariat to protest attack on party state secretary Nazeer allegedly by activists of SDPI and DYFI. New state chief soon Asked about the prospects of carrying out a pro-CAA campaign in the absence of a leader at the helm of the state unit, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said the partys organisational polls will soon be over. The process of electing district presidents has started and we will have a new state president within a month, he added. FRANKFURT - Prosecutors in Germany have filed charges against six more individuals in connection with Volkswagens diesel emissions scandal, bringing the total to 11. Prosecutors in the town of Braunschweig said Tuesday that the suspects - all Volkswagen executives at the time - were responsible for cars that had software that let them pass emissions tests in labs but then turned off pollution controls. It said the illegal actions involved took place at different times between 2006 and 2015. The prosecutors statement did not name the individuals charged. Three of the accused were charged with direct offences and the other three as accessories to the offences, meaning they assisted or facilitated them. The prosecutors said 32 more individuals were under investigation. Those charged earlier include former CEO Martin Winterkorn. He resigned after the scandal erupted in 2015. Winterkorn also faces charges in the U.S. but cannot be extradited. The company has paid more than 30 billion euros ($33 billion) in fines, settlements and recall costs. Four persons have been arrested from different parts of the city for their alleged involvement in duping a nationalised bank of Rs 40 lakhs using forged documents, police said on Tuesday. Prasanta Kumar Mondal, Naba Kumar Mithia, Pradip Chakraborty and Koushik Roychowdhury were arrested from different parts of the city late Monday night for allegedly duping a nationalised bank in southern part of the city's Shakespeare Sarani area, they said. Police started a probe based on the complaint lodged by the bank's regional manager last July at the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. During investigation, it was found that the accused had produced 60 National Savings Certificates (NSC), each having a value of Rs one lakh, to the bank and obtained a term loan of Rs 18 lakh and another overdraft account of Rs 22 lakh, a senior officer of Shakespeare Sarani Police Station said. "A total 40 lakh was obtained by these four from the bank. Later, bank authorities found that all the 60 NSCs were forged and manufactured. We found that the verification process of such collateral securities were also intercepted by the fraudsters to dupe the bank," the officer said. The roles of the then branch manager of the nationalised bank and the postal department are also not beyond doubt, he said. Fake NSCs and Kishan Vikas Patras (KVPs) were also seized from their possession. "It seems these four were planning to dupe another bank using these fake papers," said the officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 04:36:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on Monday that the shooting by a Saudi pilot at a Navy base in Pensacola, southeastern state Florida, in December was "an act of terrorism." The evidence shows that the shooter, 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani of the Royal Saudi Air Force, was motivated by the "jihadist ideology," said Barr at a press conference on the findings of the investigation into the shooting on Dec. 6, 2019 at Pensacola Naval Air Station. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gave complete and total support for our counter-terrorism investigation, and ordered all Saudi trainees to fully cooperate," said Barr, adding that as many as 21 Saudi cadets involving derogatory information have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the U.S. military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia later on Monday. However, there was no evidence of assistance or pre-knowledge of the attack by other members of the Saudi military or any other foreign nationals who are training in the United States, said Barr. The U.S. investigators found Alshamrani posted a message on social media on Sept. 11 of last year that said: "the countdown has begun." The shooter visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City in late November and posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media even hours before his attack at the naval base. During the attack which lasted about 15 minutes, Alshamrani killed three U.S. sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans. He died after exchanging gunfire with sheriff's deputies who responded to the shooting. How can the complex relationships between wildlife, natural ecosystems and humans in a large number of habitats be captured with reasonable effort? Researchers need sound data over long periods of time and complex mathematical models. Can environmental stakeholders produce a similar result? An international team led by Professor Robert Arlinghaus from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and the Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin have developed a method for combining the empirical knowledge of fishery stakeholders in such a way that the result corresponds to the best scientific understanding. This is of particular interest when human and financial resources are insufficient to achieve a profound scientific understanding or when, for example, fish stock data cannot be retroactively recorded. The study published in Nature Sustainability shows that the collective of users of fish stocks is able to identify the ecological cause-effect relationships of the population biology of the top predatory fish species pike in a way that corresponds exactly to the best scientific knowledge. The study by the international team of fisheries biologists, computer scientists and social scientists is the first evidence that the collective intelligence of nature users is able to accurately capture complex human-environment relationships. In the study, around 220 anglers, fisheries managers and angling club managers identified factors that alone or in interaction with each other determine the development of pike populations, for example nutrients, aquatic plants, cormorants, fishing and angling or water temperature. The individual ideas on pike biology - the so-called mental models - were mathematically combined into a collective understanding of the ecological relationships. The knowledge of 17 fisheries biologists served as a reference. The result is astonishing: if the anglers' ecological ideas are brought together, the result corresponds almost exactly to the best scientific knowledge on pike biology. "And the result is better the more actors are involved in the collective solution," explains study leader Professor Robert Arlinghaus from IGB. Many are not necessarily better, they must also be diverse Sounds like a primal democratic solution. "It's not quite that simple. It is important that the ideas of different types of stakeholders - anglers; fisheries managers and angling club managers - are given due consideration," notes lead author Payam Aminpour, PhD student at Michigan State University. Using only the knowledge of one type of stakeholder can lead to the accumulation of misconceptions and myths that arise from exchanges within this subgroup. "If only one stakeholder group is considered, the collective outcome deteriorates the more people are involved in the solution," Robert Arlinghaus notes. The wisdom of the crowd (WOC) comes into play when a multi-level analytical approach is chosen. First, the collective knowledge within a user subgroup is determined and then the results are summarized across groups. "Our study shows that it makes sense to take into account the knowledge of as many different types of nature users or interest groups as possible, such as anglers, hunters, foresters, administrators and conservationists. And if as many opinions as possible are then incorporated within each group, the overall result will be particularly good," summarizes Robert Arlinghaus. The researchers argue that the WOC-principle of resource users should be applied more systematically than today in the investigation and subsequent management of nature and the environment. This is especially true when human and financial resources are not sufficient to achieve a deep scientific understanding. For example, it is difficult to scientifically assess the state of fish stocks in thousands of lakes or to retrospectively estimate the development in a fishing area for which there are no accompanying scientific studies. A concrete example of application, on which Robert Arlinghaus and his team are currently researching, are the pike populations in the inner coastal waters, the so-called Bodden waters, around Rugen. Here, too, the team relies on the wisdom of anglers and fishers, for the hopeful benefit of all. ### An emergency alert message on an iPhone is pictured in Carleton Place, Ont., on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick An emergency alert about a nuclear incident, which was sent in error in Ontario this past weekend, has prompted many questioning how the system works. AlertReady, the system which sent out the emergency warning to mobile devices and media outlets, is a program designed to inform people of imminent dangers. If you have a compatible mobile device, you will receive the alert with no option to opt out of the program. Martin Belanger is the director of public alerting at Pelmorex, which provides the software to government officials to issue the alerts. He explains to Yahoo Canada News that in Canada, there are two different levels when it comes to public safety alerts. The first type of alert is an emergency alert, which is sent out for situations that pose an imminent threat to life. The alert is sent to TV and radio stations, as well as compatible wireless devices. The second type is an information advisory. Unlike an emergency alert, these types of alerts arent sent out to the media and compatible cell phones. Instead, the local government, who are the authorized issuer of the alert, sends them out to an area targeted with a specific issue. This can include a road closure, a boil water advisory, a dangerous animal on the loose or a wildfire in an isolated region. The difference (between the two alerts is), if suddenly that situation poses are greater risk to life or property, this is when the severity is upgraded so it reaches the criteria to send an emergency alert, Belanger says. Unlike emergency alerts, non-emergency alerts wont interrupt broadcasts on TV or radio, or trigger cell phones with the loud alert tone. When non-critical situations are sent out, they will be picked up by outlets who feel its important to make them available, like the Weather Network, or local news, he says. But its not sent to all TV or radio stations and cell phones in the area. In the U.S., there are different tiers of alerts for different emergencies. For example, a specific alert will go out to a certain region for an Amber Alert, while a so-called presidential emergency alert is sent out to the entire country. Depending on the level of alert, a cell phone user may be able to opt out of it. In Canada, there is no such option. In Canada, you cannot opt out according to the CRTC, from receiving emergency alerts, says Belanger. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex did not take part in discussions at Sandringham over the Sussexes split from the Royal Family after the couple decided it wasnt necessary. Meghan flew back to Canada on Thursday, to rejoin her eight-month-old son Archie who had stayed in the country following the familys six-week break there. Prince Harry remained in the UK, to join the Royal Familys so-called Sandringham summit, which was convened to discuss the couples future. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex react during their visit to Canada House in thanks for the warm Canadian hospitality. [Photo: Getty] It had been speculated Prince Harrys wife might participate via a video conference link. But, on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the 38-year-old did not in fact take part in the discussion. READ MORE: What drove Harry and Meghan away from the Royal Family? In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the Duchess to join, a representative for Buckingham Palace told Yahoo UK. Those who did attend the meeting with the Queen included Harry, Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge. The latter two were pictured leaving the meeting at Sandringham on Monday afternoon. The meeting was followed up by a statement from the Queen, published on the Royal.uk website at 5pm, which detailed the outcome of the constructive discussions. READ MORE: Unanswered questions after Queen's statement on Meghan and Harry's decision to step down Speaking on behalf of the Royal Family, the monarch said they were entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family, she added. However, there are still many questions regarding Harry and Meghans future which remain unanswered. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday celebrated the festival of Pongal with her family by preparing Pongal dish at her residence here. "Happy Pongal to all," she said in a tweet in which she also posted a video showing rituals of Pongal. The four-day harvest festival is dedicated to the Sun God. According to tradition, the day marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the sun's six-month-long journey. To mark the festival, the Pongal sweet dish is prepared and is first offered to the Gods and Goddesses followed sometimes with an offering to cows, and then shared with the family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Councilwoman Felisha Reyes-Morton laughs with children at a community event last week at Camden Lutheran Housing Inc., where residents crafted roses and hearts out of reused materials to bring to their community garden in North Camden. Read more Felisha Reyes-Morton describes the early years of her life as forced into maturity, having to take on a series of big responsibilities she wasnt prepared for. Born to parents who moved from Puerto Rico to North Camden in the 1960s, she was raised most of her life by a single mother after the drug-related torture slaying of her father when she was a year old. Her mother wanted to distance Reyes-Morton and her two younger siblings from their local roots in North Camden by moving the family to the Parkside neighborhood, which she understood was less affected by poverty, crime, drugs and incarceration. Then, she remembers the bittersweet moment when her mother, allowed leave from a five-year federal prison sentence for Reyes-Mortons Sweet Sixteen celebration, had to depart, transforming it to a farewell party. While her grandmother took custody of Reyes-Morton and her younger siblings, the teen acted as the head of her household. These days, Reyes-Morton, 30, the youngest member of Camden City Council (the second-youngest to serve in its history) sees her role in local leadership as holding herself accountable to a community that helped her understand the cultural roots she was sometimes denied as a child. She is the founder (with her husband Bryan Morton) of the Community Building Corporation and the North Camden Little League, and has served as the vice president of nonprofit Concerned Citizens of North Camden and a member of the Camden County Democratic Committee. Between 2011 and 2018, as a board member of Camden City School District, she launched a gifted and talented pilot program, partnering with private donors to build new STEM labs in its schools, and brought in more than $250 million in investments for new school buildings. In February 2019, she was elected to fill the seat on Camden City Council vacated by Luis Lopez. And this month, she started a three-year term, becoming the first Latina to represent the 4th Ward since redistricting. Reyes-Morton lives in North Camden with her husband and their three daughters, ages 11, 5, and 3. Your family left North Camden when you were a child, and now you represent the people of North Camden. How does your mother feel about your achievements? My mother currently lives in Puerto Rico. She is very proud of the life that I have created for myself and that part of it is dedicated to working toward healing Camden, as she always encourages me to follow my heart when it comes to giving back to the city that has given so much to me through my life. As a woman of Puerto Rican descent, what perspectives do you bring to the table? You know, when I was growing up I was that girl who would always wear Jordan sneakers and sweatpants to go everywhere, the one who needed to take care of her siblings, administrate my familys finances, do food shopping, buy school supplies, translate for a grandmother with diabetes living on Social Security with a language barrier. We understand [North Camden residents] because we know what its like to struggle for stability, because we are them and they are us. Now, we bring that perspective and give back to the community by connecting our people with local government and showing our people how to proceed into the next phase of their lives without losing their sense of community. What has it been like to be the youngest leader in spaces like the School Advisory Board and City Council? Unpacking the experience of women who come from island identities, the generational customs and cultural concepts of our families, and how they have been tainted in this citys perception has been the greatest challenge. To demonstrate that we can be educated, that we can drive this city and region to growth and success ... that our women can give hugs and kisses, raise kids, lead men and be powerful is a strong message and responsibility when I, myself, feel like Ive been forced into maturity. I see these [local government] opportunities as ways to avoid future generations and my own children from having to mature before time because of their circumstances. How has the experience been in City Council so far? Weve learned that there are different leadership styles and approaches, when it comes to being present and really impact peoples lives when severely affected by crime and poverty. I strongly believe that trauma has helped me build skills needed to work through the cultural dynamics, to take ownership for peoples rights. Sharing with the people at the front porch steps is always a win-win, as our people learn how to advocate for themselves while we learn better on how to carry the message that this city and its people need to be respected. Which are the challenges that you are determined to solve? In addition to working toward safer neighborhoods, developing more family programming and growing the education system to fully support student success, I have two priorities in my agenda to assure that our residents dont miss an opportunity because life is happening: One is to connect the many job opportunities that exist in Camden to the people and residents of Cooper Grant, North Camden, and Cramer Hill, by developing a series of workshops on, lets say, resume building and interviewing skills, now that we have an online infrastructure where people can find open job positions with Camden Works. The second one is to have local government spend time in being more present and available at the places where people are at, by visiting the local parks, the community events in the ward, bringing resources to them and emphasizing that residents can lead and decide what to do to improve their neighborhoods. Easy on the eyes and tough on ground, the Black Rhino Rumble is a jack-of-all-trades eager to show its prowess on Rally roads and overland adventures alike. The Black Rhino Rumble is a new, flat profiled, minimal six spoke off road wheel inspired by the infamous Rally racing sport. The Rumbles clean rally rim design is a direct succession of Black Rhinos Boxer - one of Black Rhinos most popular off road rims within Black Rhinos Rally lineage. Rumble in the Jungle Easy on the eyes and tough on ground, the Black Rhino Rumble is a jack-of-all-trades eager to show its prowess on Rally roads and overland adventures alike. Confident bold spokes show off Black Rhinos virtuoistic perfection in imposing just the right proportions. A distinct beveled edge surrounds the window perimeter, while the deep step-lip provides additional wheel strength in the right places. Regardless if its backcountry, through the country or to the countryside, the Black Rhino Rumble are off road rims that bring the Rally aesthetic to life wherever your exploring. Built to take on all kinds of challenging roads, these off road wheels are constructed of Black Rhinos proven high-strength refined hardened alloy - a superbly strong and lightweight technology perfected over the decades. Versatile in application as truck rims and off road wheels, the Rumble is equally at home on crossovers and rally inspired builds. Black Rhino Rumble - the off road wheels that know no boundaries. New for 2019, Black Rhino is introducing an exclusive Olive Drab Green finish to complement three additional standard finishes; Gloss Gold, Gunblack, and Bronze. The Black Rhino Rumble off road rims are available in 15x7 and 16x7 sizes for overland Subaru vehicles such as Crosstrek XV, Legacy, Impreza, Forester, Outback and WRX. It is also available in 17x8 for a variety of other vehicles including the Subaru BRZ, Ford Fiesta, Focus ST, FRS, STI and WRX. Additionally, due to demand, the Black Rhino Rumble truck rims are also being released in a 17x8.5 size for 5x127 Jeeps and 6-lug trucks with a deeper lip profile compared to the original sizes. Discover all of Black Rhinos off road wheels and truck wheels by visiting the simple to use online Fitment Guide on our website to see all possible off road wheels based on year, make and truck model. The Fitment Guide will also introduce visitors to all other important technical details that are significant, such as offset (positive, neutral or negative), load carrying ratings and live factory warehouse inventory levels. The Black Rhino Truck Wheels Configurator tool goes a step further and allows truck enthusiasts to visualize all compatible Black Rhino off road rims on a realistic render based on year, make, model and even color for most trucks and SUVs. The companys website http://www.blackrhinowheels.com includes helpful dealer locator tools, by zip code in the United States and internationally. The website also features dealer support tools, including online access to the live inventory in Black Rhinos new 155,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Brea California. For dealers, all Black Rhino truck rims can be ordered on the website and orders received by 4pm ET are shipped the same day. Black Rhino, an off road rims manufacturer with a South African heritage, donates a portion of all Black Rhino truck wheels sales to combat the complex Rhino poaching crisis in South Africa. That means the impact of your purchase and passion goes beyond truck rims themselves - it enables the conservation efforts that help protect the native Black Rhino from extinction. The principle of free trade without the use of special duties and restrictions is an ideal but unattainable model of the global trading system in the face of fierce global competition Open source The principle of free trade without the use of special duties and restrictions is an ideal but unattainable model of the global trading system in the face of fierce global competition. Theoretically, free trade provides all countries with equal competitive conditions for the sale on the world market of raw materials and goods at market prices. In fact, most developed countries have widely used cheap natural or labor resources from their colonies for economic growth and gaining competitive market advantages. With the aim of further economic growth, they expanded their colonial possessions, as a result of which contradictions and conflicts between different countries arose trade, economic, political and armed, which to one degree or another was present in the 21st century. Despite special international organization for regulating trade relations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), was created, most countries actively use economic lobbyism. Thus, governments protect domestic producers and create additional jobs in the labor market. The welfare and prosperity of the state and its citizens largely depends on this. In the modern world, the upholding of national economic interests is an important component of international relations. Weak states in the economic sense are in fact colonial raw material territories for highly developed countries that produce competitive products with a high level of added value. A striking example of the acute contradictions of the global market is the trade war between the United States and China, the two world largest economies. Since the U.S. trade deficit with China amounted to $ 419.2 billion in 2018, the U.S. government imposed trade duties on imports of Chinese goods. Despite this, last year, imports of goods from China to the United States grew by another $ 53.3 billion. Chinese manufacturers achieved such results due to the high level of competitiveness of their products in the US market. Ukraine is a small open economy. This confirms the index of the economic competitiveness of our state. According to the methodology of the World Economic Forum (WEF), last year Ukraine ranked 83rd among 140 countries. This means that 82 countries in the global market have obvious competitive advantages over our economy. Most countries use economic protectionism to protect their own producers, stimulate the export of their products and create barriers to imports. But not everyone is officially reporting this. Very often, such a policy is carried out in a non-public way. Positive results in various periods were achieved by Japan, South Korea, Turkey, and Canada. The state of the Ukrainian economy, which is gradually descending to the level of the raw materials appendage for the developed countries, was described by Viktor Halasyuk, president of the Ukrainian Association for the Club of Rome. Mr. Halasyuk notes that trade wars are competition in the global economic arena for improving the profession of the country. This is a struggle to change the status quo of a country in the world market ... Each country has its own profession or economic specialization. Today the EU is a producer. Ukraine is a raw material donor. Indeed, 82% of European exports are industrial products, and more than half of Ukrainian exports are raw materials... An Atlas of Economic Complexity was created at Harvard University. It clearly demonstrates that the Ukrainian export basket is 70% filled with agricultural, mineral and industrial raw materials and products with a low level of processing. The expert also outlined the essence of modern global economic processes: In the case of Ukraine, economic policy is not just about welfare. Not about the income level of Ukrainians, but about the role of Ukraine in the world. A raw material colony, an IMF debtor and an exporter of people, or a manufacturer, innovator, and leader? Economic policy is programming the future! A clear understanding of the current political and economic situation in a global context should become the cornerstone of important decisions for the authorities. We should not rely on the fact that the market itself will resolve all contradictions in the face of fierce price competition at the global level, an uncompromising struggle for the markets for raw materials and goods, and systematic trade wars between the world's strongest economies. Ukraine needs real sovereignty in decision-making and sound economic protectionism. This is the best way for the development of the state in the modern world economic environment. While hearing the bail plea of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, a Delhi court on Tuesday pulled up Delhi and Uttar Pradesh cops, asking why is it an offence to protest at religious places. The Tis Hazari court was hearing the bail plea of Azad in connection with violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Daryaganj area. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on 20 December, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on 9 January. Tis Hazari Sessions Judge Kamini Lau went on to question the grounds on which permission was denied, stating that it is not Paksitan. The judge said, "It is one's constitutional right to protest. People can carry out peaceful protests anywhere. Jama Masjid is not in Pakistan where we are not allowed to protest. And peaceful protests take place in Pakistan as well." Bail denied, Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad sent to 14-day judicial custody In his plea, the Bhim Army leader has claimed that police invoked "boilerplate" charges against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. Azad, currently in judicial custody, claimed he has been falsely implicated as the allegations levelled against him in the FIR were not only "ill-founded", also "improbable". The bail plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, alleged that no specific incriminating role has been attributed to Azad in the FIR, of which the contents were "vague" and based on "conjectures and surmises". It said he was at all times demonstrably making efforts to maintain peace. Bhim Army chief taken to AIIMS for follow-up treatment The bail plea claimed that charging him with being a part of an unlawful assembly was "erroneous", as at no point of time during the alleged incident did the police authorities declare the peaceful protestors to be an unlawful assembly. "No motive has been attributed to the accused in the present FIR, and all charges have been added mechanically... Charging the accused with being a part of an unlawful assembly is erroneous, as at no point of time during the alleged incident did the police authorities declare, announce, or proclaim the peaceful protestors to be an unlawful assembly, and nor were any warnings issued or announced in this regard. Bhim Army joins CAA stir in Delhi, raises pitch for Azad's release Daryaganj violence and anti CAA protest On December 20, Azqad's outfit had called for a protest against CAA in front of Jama Masjid. Though Azad was denied permission to protest, he was spotted holding up a copy of the Constitution with a photo of BR Ambedkar on it. He was immediately detained by the police, but escaped from their custody and returned to the protest venue. Later that night, Azad surrendered. As the protest began, protesters started marching from the mosque to Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. However, they were stopped at Delhi Gate when the protest took a violent turn and the crowd refused to back down. A car allegedly set on fire outside Daryaganj police station. Policemen then used water cannons and to disperse the crowd, as per reports. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh demands release of Bhim Army's Chandrashekar Azad METROPOLITAN district leader James Collins has called on Health Minister Simon Harris to green-light free flu vaccines for kids. He says this will reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments, with demand reaching an all-time high last week. The City West Fianna Fail councillor, who is running in the upcoming general election, said at present, Mr Harris is rehashing some of Fine Gaels election pledges from 2016, giving an example of free GP care for kids under 13. He should concentrate on practical measures which can alleviate the trolley crisis in Irish hospitals. Irish hospitals are currently experiencing the worst crisis in the history of the state, with 760 patients waiting on trolleys on Monday last week. Unsurprisingly University Hospital Limerick is again the most overcrowded hospital in the country - there were 92 people waiting on trolleys at UHL on Monday, and 28 of these were flu victims, Cllr Collins pointed out. He seized on the fact Mr Harris blamed a more severe flu season for the overcrowding, adding: If flu is really to blame, lets do something practical to tackle it, by following the example of Britain, where a flu vaccine is available free of charge to children. Doctors and nurses will tell you that flu spreads more quickly over the Christmas period as a result of families meeting socially, with children often passing the flu on to their grandparents during family visits. We encourage the elderly to get the flu vaccine, but we need to do the same for children. This neednt be a huge burden on already overworked GPs - the vaccine could be administered through the schools in a similar way to how the HPV vaccine is administered, the father-of-three pointed out. The total number of people on trolleys in UHL over last week, up to Friday , was 322. Beth Chelton (lef) and Josh Gideon (right) One of the Austin areas longest-running wealth management firms, Richard P. Slaughter Associates, is starting the new year off with an enhanced staff directory. The bolstered roster will help strengthen relationships, advance customer service, and progress the wealth management needs of all clients. The four new team members added in recent months expand the staff to 18 service professionals. The two newest additions, Beth Chelton and Josh Gideon, will also have a significant client-facing impact for the firm. Chelton joins the company in a newly created position Senior Compliance and Project Specialist, while Gideon expands the firms team of Financial Advisors. Chelton comes to Slaughter Associates directly from Silicon Valley Bank in Phoenix where she served as Senior Financial Risk and Controls Manager. Before that, she spent 16 years with Sentinel Trust Company in Houston serving many roles, most recently as Senior Vice President and Director of Operations. At Slaughter Associates, Chelton will use her expertise to maintain existing processes and implement new controls as needed to support future growth for the firm. Gideon joins the Slaughter Associates team following an eight-year stint with Charles Schwab in which he moved quickly up the ranks to Vice President, Financial Consultant for the Austin office. At Schwab, Gideon managed a practice that included more than 250 household families with over $350 million in combined assets. With Slaughter Associates, Gideon will support the financial planning process for new and existing plans as well as further develop client relationships to assure the highest levels of client satisfaction. We are excited about the opportunities these new team members will provide to us and our clients, said Brooks Slaughter, President, and CEO. Each person is a great fit with the culture and mission of our company and, combined, provide us with tremendous capacity to implement new initiatives and projects that will heighten the service experience for our clients. Rounding out the recent new additions are Hailey Wingfield and Lafe Blobaum who both joined the firm last fall to provide depth in the areas of analysis and planning. Wingfield serves as Associate Analyst and Trader where she assists the investment committee in analyzing a wide range of individual stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds among other client support duties. Blobaum is an Associate Financial Planner and will use his experience as an entrepreneur to help business-owner clients solve the complex challenges often experienced in personal financial plans. About Richard P. Slaughter Associates, Inc. Richard P. Slaughter Associates is a leading Austin-based wealth management firm. Slaughter Associates delivers a comprehensive wealth management approach to its clients by providing financial planning, asset management, ongoing education, and a lifespan relationship for a personal and individualized service. This approach is unique in a financial industry that is often segmented and outsourced. By committing to each of these important components, Slaughter Associates charts a path to reach the individual financial goals of its clients. Founded in 1991 in Austin, Texas by Richard P. Slaughter, Slaughter Associates is one of the original fee-based firms in the nation. In 2010, the firm launched a new division to embrace the business community with RPS Retirement Plan Advisors. Slaughter Associates is a NABCAP Premier Advisor, recognized for its commitment to maintaining top business standards, first-class financial management capabilities, and dedication to preserving transparency in the financial services industry. The firm is also a distinguished Best Places to Work, honored by the Austin Business Journal for 15 consecutive years, and was included in InvestmentNews magazines list of Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors in 2018 (the inaugural year) and 2019. Just when you thought there was nothing left to say about Donald Trumps hush money cover-ups of sexual affairs with Playboy centerfold model Karen McDougal, and AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels, a new Wall Street Journal report reveals that Trumps involvement in the illegal schemes was even deeper than previously reported. The report by investigative journalists Joe Palazzolo and Michael Rothfeld is adapted from their upcoming book The Fixers, which tells the story of the various henchmensuch as his now-imprisoned former lawyer Michael Cohenwho carry out Trumps dirty work on his behalf. Much of that work involves, according to the Journal, chasing down and suppressing information about Trumps personal behavior that mat reflect poorly on himsuch as his extramarital affairs. Or as the two reporters put it, to create for Trump a particular version of himselfone that often bore little resemblance to reality. According to Palazzolo and Rothfelds report, back in August of 2015, just two months after Trump officially announced his candidacy for president, Trump and Cohen met in Trumps office with David PeckerCEO of American Media Inc., parent company of the National Enquirer. At that meeting, Pecker offered to use the Enquirerin coordination with Mr. Cohento intercept harmful stories and ensure they never surfaced, according to the Journal report. One of those harmful stories was McDougals claim that she had a months-long sexual affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007, slightly more than a year after he wed his third wife, Melania, and shortly after their son Barron Trump was born. When he got word that McDougal was planning to go public with her story, Trump personally phoned Pecker. Can you make this go away? Trump asked the Enquirer boss. And Pecker did, indeed, make the story go away. The Enquirer shelled out $150,000 for McDougals story, then simply buried it, in what that tabloid business refers to as a catch and kill deal. McDougal in 2018 sued Trump and Pecker to be released from her agreement with the Enquirer, eventually settling the case. The Journal report also revealed that after media reports uncovered Cohens $130,000 payment to Daniels, to keep her silent about her one-off sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, Trump went through an elaborate charade to demonstrate his innocence in front of his wife. With Melania listening in on the call, Trump phoned Cohen. Michael, did you really pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels? Trump asked his fixer. Why didnt you tell me about it? Cohen picked up the cue, the Journal reported. The lawyer told his then-boss hed planned to tell him after the election but had thought it safer to keep Mr. Trump out of it. In his later statements to prosecutors as well as public testimony, Cohen admitted that the payoff to Daniels was hardly a surprise to Trump. In fact, Trump told him to get it done and directed the payoffs of both Daniels and McDougal every step of the way. Photo By Glenn Francis / Wikimedia Commons ALBANY A new state law requiring political parties to offer a presidential candidate and garner nearly three times as many votes than previously needed to maintain their statewide ballot line is facing a legal challenge by the newest political party. The Serve America Movement (SAM) Party, which gained state ballot access in the 2018 gubernatorial race with former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner garnering more than 50,000 votes, is suing Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, state legislators and the state Board of Elections alleging that the requirements are unconstitutional. The law requires all state political parties to run a candidate for this years presidential election and receive 2 percent of the total vote or 130,000 votes whichever is greater in order to say on the ballot. Previously, if a minor party's candidate for governor received 50,000 votes, it would retain ballot status and thus hold significantly more influence. Everything about this effort to suppress political competition, including how it was enacted, represents how the current two-party system wields its power to rig the system in its favor, Michael Volpe, state SAM Party chairman and 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor, said in a statement. With the imposition of this requirement, New Yorkers are denied the ability to choose candidates who are willing to be held accountable for their actions, candidates who oppose party power politics and demand transparency in all decisions, and candidates who at all times require that decisions be made based on the needs of citizens and not the needs of party bosses. This is the third lawsuit filed by minor parties over the changes. The Conservative and Working Families parties filed separate lawsuits last summer challenging the authority of a public commission that recommended the changes. The Libertarian and Green parties are also considering suing the state. The SAM Party complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday, alleges that forcing the minor party to nominate a presidential candidate or otherwise lose party status is a severe burden and violates the First and Fourteenth amendments allowing citizens to create and develop new political parties. It also violates the minor partys right to select candidates who best represent its ideology and preferences, the complaint alleges. The Constitution forbids a state from compelling a political party to participate in a national election and address nationwide issues in order to speak to statewide issues, the complaint states. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The ballot-access changes were part of an overhaul on campaign finance rules established by a nine-member commission appointed by Cuomo and legislative leaders last year. Reforms also included a public matching funds program and lowered contribution caps, but the commissions third party threshold discussions were seen by critics as Cuomos attempt to kill the Working Families Party for supporting his primary opponent in 2018. The changes became law late last year without debate from the Legislature. The federal complaint alleges that process circumvented the separation of powers doctrine and violated the state Constitution. The power to legislate, it argues, resides with the Legislature and the power to veto lies with the governor. The lawsuit emphasizes that the third partys challenge centers on the threshold criteria and not the campaign finance reforms that were made. Well fight this effort by Gov. Cuomo and his handpicked commission with everything we have, Volpe said. It threatens the very existence of challenges to the status quo and efforts to better represent the interests of all New Yorkers. Its undemocratic, unconstitutional, unfair and has been cooked up solely to serve the interests of those who control our broken political system. VALPARAISO Prosecutors dismissed a criminal revenge porn case Tuesday, saying the matter is best left to be resolved in the civil courts. "Should any additional credible evidence be discovered, we are always willing to evaluate todays decision based on the information available to us at the time," Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann said when contacted by The Times. Virginia resident Kathy Browne had faced a misdemeanor count of distribution of an intimate image based on allegations she obtained explicit photographs, which a Valparaiso woman had sent to Chicago Fox 32 news anchor Rafer Weigel. Browne was accused of sending the images to the local woman along with threats of providing the photos to her children's school, Porter County court records state. Weigel was suspended from Chicago Fox 32 in the wake of the allegations. In seeking to have the charge dismissed, Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Hammer wrote that it is the result of the prosecution, "being unable to meet its burden of beyond a reasonable doubt." Saudi Arabia executed 184 people in 2019, the highest number of killings since records began six years ago, according to human rights campaigners. Research by Reprieve, an organisation which tracks human rights abuses, showed a record number of executions compiled from reports by the official Saudi Press Agency, including one example where 37 people were executed in a single day. Press reports showed 90 of those killed were foreign nationals, while 88 were Saudi nationals and 6 were of unknown nationality. The figures also showed that executions have more than doubled in Saudi Arabia since 2014, when 88 people were killed, with 2019 being comfortably the worst year for killings. In comparison, 149 people were executed in 2018 and 146 people were killed in 2017, according to Reprieve. The research come after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his government was trying to minimise the use of capital punishment in the country in 2018. Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Show all 7 1 /7 Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi Washington Post journalist who was critical of the Saudi regime and the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he was murdered on 2 October in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul AFP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman has been implicated in the murder, with US officials claiming that he must have known of the plot AFP/Getty Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures 15 man hit squad Turkish police suspect these 15 men of being involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, issued 10 October, 8 days after the journalist disappeared EPA Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saud al-Qahtani Aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saud al-Qahtani is claimed to have ordered Khashoggi's murder Saud Al-Qahtani/Twitter Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb A former diplomat who often travelled with the Crown Prince, Mutreb was initially claimed to be the leader of the hit squad and is pictured here entering the Saudi consulate on the day of the murder AP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Mustafa al-Madani First implicated in the 15 CCTV photos released by the Turkish police, al-Madani was later found to have been used as a body double for Khashoggi, leaving the Saudi consulate dressed in his clothes on the day the journalist was killed CNN Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi (L) Son of the murdered journalist met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 23 October EPA These latest execution figures expose the gap between the reformist rhetoric and bloody reality of Mohammed bin Salmans Saudi Arabia, Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, told The Independent. As the Crown Prince travels the world meeting heads of state, his regime has been executing young men arrested as children for the crime of standing up for democracy. Ms Foa also criticised the upcoming G20 summit in the capital of Riyadh which is set to take place in November this year. 2020 must be the year that the Kingdoms partners stop falling for the Saudi charm offensive and insist on an end to these egregious human rights abuses and violations of international law, she added. The event has already drawn criticism from the human rights group Amnesty International, who have refused to attend C20 meetings in preparation for the annual summit. We cannot participate in a process which is being abused by a state which censors all free speech, criminalises activism for womens and minority rights, as well as homosexuality, and tortures and executes critics, the group said in a statement. Recommended Saudi Arabia sentences five to death over killing of Khashoggi Saudi Arabia has sought to improve its international reputation in recent years with expensive PR campaigns and high-profile sporting events, Amnesty added. In a 2018 interview for Time magazine, the Saudi crown prince claimed his government was looking into reducing the number of executions and said he believe it would take about one year to introduce reforms. However, the following year saw no reductions in the number of executions. In April, the country carried out one of the largest mass executions in its history, in which 37 people were sentenced to death. CNN reported that many of the men who were condemned to death had been sentenced on the basis of confessions which were obtained by coercion and torture. Nirbhaya: SC dismisses curative pleas filed by two death-row convicts India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 14: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed curative petitions filed by two convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case. Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Kumar had filed the petitions last week in a bid to delay the death penalty to be executed on 22 January. The bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Arun Mishra, R F Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan did not find any merits in the curative petitions. On January 7, Additional Sessions Judge, Patiala House Court in Delhi had issued death warrants for their hanging on January 22. Nirbhaya: Tihar authorities carry out dummy execution ahead of hanging The two judges were also part of the bench which rejected review petitions filed by the three of the four convicts in 2018. The other two convicts in the case are Akshay Kumar Singh and Pawan Gupta. These two have not filed any curative petition yet. The curative petition is the last judicial remedy left for the convict. If the apex court rejects their plea, then they have only one option of seeking mercy before the President. All the four convicts will be hanged on January 22 at Tihar Jail. On Sunday, the authorities of Tihar jail conducted a dummy execution ahead of the hanging of Nirbhaya's killers. A black warrant was issued for the hanging of the four convicts for January 22 at 7 am. Officials said that the dummy was created in sacks that were filled with stones and debris. The weight of the convicts was considered while creating the dummy, officials also said. The four convicts would be hanged in the Jail 3 of Tihar. The Uttar Pradesh Prison authority has confirmed that Pawan Jallad from Meerut will be sent to hang the four convicts on January 22. Nirbhaya case: The last time 4 convicts were hanged in a day was in 1983 Earlier this month, a Delhi court issued death warrants against all four convicts in the case. The case is related to rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student by six men on a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012. Reportedly, six people were convicted in the case, one was a minor, who was sent to a rehabilitation centre, and another, Ram Singh, committed suicide in the Tihar Jail. Robin Roberts and Niecy Nash were among the stars in attendance at the premiere of Stolen By My Mother, The Kamiyah Mobley Story at New York City's Paley Center for Media. Roberts, 59, is an executive producer, while Nash, 49, leads the cast of the movie, which is based on true events. At the event, Roberts wore a grey ensemble with a sleeveless white top with a sheer panel, and white and silver heels. She had her short brown hair styled to the side and wore earrings. Big night: Robin Roberts, 59, and Niecy Nash, 49, were among the stars in attendance at the premiere of Stolen By My Mother, The Kamiyah Mobley Story at NYC's Paley Center for Media Nash was clad in a black velvet jumpsuit with a plunging chest and accessorized with dangling earrings and rings. She wore her lustrous black locks parted and down. The Good Morning America host took to Instagram Monday with a clip from the screening, writing, 'Oh what a night! Special screening of my upcoming Lifetime movie Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story.' The broadcasting veteran said she was 'grateful to the entire talented cast and crew' of the film, adding that Nash will appear on Good Morning America Tuesday. It's the first in Robin Roberts Presents, a series of projects from the Tuskegee, Alabama native that will include dramatizations of true stories, along with an adjacent Roberts doc on the same topic. Proud: The GMA host took to Instagram Monday with a clip from the screening Beaming: Roberts donned a grey ensemble with a sleeveless white top with a sheer panel and white and silver heels to the screening Ensemble: The cast's Ta'Rhonda Jones, Jeffrey Byrd and Nash posed for a shot Happy: Nash looked to be in great spirits as she made her way into the venue In the film, Nash plays South Carolina woman Gloria Williams who kidnapped a newborn Kamiyah Mobley in July of 1998 from a Florida hospital where her mother Shanara Mobley (played by TaRhonda Jones) was recovering. Williams renamed the child Alexis and raised her, but the truth would eventually bubble to the surface. (Kamiyah is portrayed by Rayven Symone Ferrell in the film.) 'It was a story that really resonated with our audience, and I was just so impressed with how Kamiyah was handling everything,' Roberts told the Boston Herald Sunday about the case. 'I could not imagine finding out, at 18, that the person who raised you was not really your mother.' Roberts explained to the newspaper about the strong reaction the story received, and how it resonated with her. Big role: In the film, Nash plays a South Carolina woman who kidnapped a newborn baby in July of 1998 from a Florida hospital Best foot forward: Jones plays Shanara Mobley, the mother of the kidnapped child Exchange: Roberts, Nash and actress Rayven Ferrell, who plays Kamiyah in the film, chat before attendees at the debut 'The way she was navigating both families, and the response we were getting from our GMA audience, made me want to know more about it,' Roberts said. 'And I'm glad that we're doing a companion documentary, because you want to know how she's doing now.' Roberts opened up how she's warming up to being an executive producer, and the way it differs from her job as an anchor. 'I'm a journalist, and storytelling is storytelling,' she said. 'It's been challenging, because I'm used to the world I've been in, where I go in and we're live for two hours. Exciting: The film is the first in Robin Roberts Presents, a series of projects from the Tuskegee, Alabama native that will include dramatizations of true stories, along with an adjacent doc Relaxed:M Nash looked confident as she appeared at the venue Familiar face: Larry Birkhead, ex-partner of the late Anna Nicole Smith, was at the screening 'There's an immediacy to what I do day-in and day-out, but on the other hand, not with this. You have to be patient.' Roberts said that while there's a bit of 'artistic license' in the Lifetime doc, the documentary presents the specifics in the case. 'We had to give people the absolute facts,' she said, but I'm getting to stretch another muscle that I don't usually use at GMA, so it's been a great complement.' Kelvin High School was offering counselling services to staff and students Tuesday, following the death of a 17-year-old boy who developed complications from the flu. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Kelvin High School was offering counselling services to staff and students Tuesday, following the death of a 17-year-old boy who developed complications from the flu. In a letter sent home with classmates Monday, principal Maria Silva said the Crescentwood-area school was informed that Blaine Ruppenthal had died of "complications due to influenza." Blaine Ruppenthal, 17, died of complications due to influenza. (Facebook photo) "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of his passing," Silva wrote. "It is hoped that by providing a supportive place for expressions of grief, the students and staff will be able to understand and cope with the loss." Silva added that a school crisis response plan has been activated, meaning trained professionals will visit all of Ruppenthals classes and a counselling centre has been set up for students. After he suffered cardiac arrest on Dec. 7, Ruppenthals family started a Prayers for Blaine Ruppenthal page on Facebook. In a post there, a relative wrote that the teen was rushed to the hospital, where he was put into an induced coma and received hypothermic therapy; doctors concluded the illness was Influenza A. Family members continuously shared updates on his fragile condition, until people began posting condolence messages Monday. "Blaine was genuinely one of the sweetest people in the school. Not only was he unbelievably kind, but he cared so much about his friends," said Chaya Tabac, a 17-year-old classmate and friend of Ruppenthal's since middle school. With something like the flu, were completely unprepared to have somebody in the school age to be affected by death and so it comes as a complete shock." Radean Carter, Winnipeg School Division Outside school, Ruppenthal was an active member of the 176 Canadian Air Cadets in Winnipeg. Enhanced support services for staff and students who are grieving Ruppenthal's loss will remain in place as long as theres demand, said Radean Carter, a senior information officer with the Winnipeg School Division. "Blaine was genuinely one of the sweetest people in the school. Not only was he unbelievably kind, but he cared so much about his friends," said classmate Chaya Tabac. (Facebook) "With something like the flu, were completely unprepared to have somebody in the school age to be affected by death and so it comes as a complete shock," Carter said. "We are so sad for the family that is having to live through this and the students, his friends. "Its terrible." The division doesnt offer flu vaccines in its schools since community members can get shots free of charge at doctors' offices and pharmacies across the city. Carter said staff follow and promote public health practices including reminding people to wash their hands thoroughly in order to prevent the spread of the flu. Flu death 'rare in young, healthy individuals' It's rare but not unheard for an otherwise healthy young person to die of the flu, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer says. Dr. Brent Roussin said those most at risk of "severe outcomes" from influenza tend to be the very young (under five), the very old, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions. click to read more It's rare but not unheard for an otherwise healthy young person to die of the flu, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer says. Dr. Brent Roussin said those most at risk of "severe outcomes" from influenza tend to be the very young (under five), the very old, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions. "It's rare in young, healthy individuals to have severe outcomes. It's certainly not as common as in the extremes of ages or (those) with underlying health issues," he said in an interview Tuesday. "It's certainly a tragedy. I certainly express my sympathies to friends and family of anyone who's had these severe outcomes." Roussin said it's still too early to predict whether this year's flu season will be more severe than normal. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has blamed the flu and a spike in respiratory illnesses for recent overcrowding at city hospital emergency rooms. Roussin said the earlier-than-usual arrival of Influenza B contributed to the strain on the system. In the first week of the year (Dec. 29-Jan. 4), there were 256 visits per day to the province's emergency rooms due to respiratory illnesses, including the flu. The week before, such visits hit a three-year high at 262 per day. Last year, 17 people with lab-confirmed influenza died in Manitoba, while the year before there were 46 deaths, the most in 10 years. Getting the flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the virus, Roussin said. And while it's best to get it in fall, it's not too late to do so, he said. Normally, around one in five Manitobans get the flu shot; last season, 23.6 per cent did so. As of Dec. 27, 22 per cent had received the flu shot this season. Roussin believes one of the reasons the numbers are so low is because of familiarity with influenza. "Because we see the flu come every year, and everyone knows about the flu, (we) don't perceive it as risky as it actually is," he said. -Larry Kusch Close "We ask staff and students to wash thoroughly and say the ABCs (singing the song takes the appropriate amount of time for proper cleansing) so you know youre doing a really good cleansing of your hands." A recent Manitoba Health report indicates there was "high (influenza) activity" during the first week of 2020. Since September 2019, Manitoba Health has recorded strains of Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza B. (Experts say it's somewhat unusual for more than one strain to be circulating at the same time.) Two seniors, both past the age of 80, have died of flu-related causes in the province since. But young people haven't been immune; a spokesperson for Manitoba Health said in a statement Tuesday that, "the flu is impacting younger people more this season than in previous years." Mordens Joanne Ens died Jan. 6 from a flu-related illness. (FACEBOOK) Meanwhile, a 24-year-old Morden woman died Jan. 6 after a flu-related illness. "She had battled a case of the flu since New Years Day and then had a bacterial infection that her body was too weak to handle," an online obituary for Joanne Ens says. Almost 200 influenza B cases have been reported to date and almost all involved people under the age of 50, while Influenza A cases reported cases have been minimal, with more than half below the age of 50. Manitobans who are six months or older are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Injections are available at public health offices, nursing stations, doctors offices, Access Centres and pharmacies, as well as immunization clinics. On average, about 22 per cent of Manitoba residents get a flu shot every year. It's not clear whether Ruppenthal was immunized with this season's vaccine. "The flu is impacting younger people more this season than in previous years." Manitoba Health Julien Arino, a professor at the University of Manitoba, who researches mathematical epidemiology and population dynamics, called that number "very low." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. While Arino said the flu isnt nearly as contagious as a disease such as measles, between 45 and 60 per cent of a population has to get a flu shot in order for the province to obtain herd immunity. "People tend to be indifferent to vaccines. You hear about influenza every year, but you dont really realize what effect it will have until you really see something that hits close to home," Arino said. "Its often things like what happened to (Ruppenthal), which will lead people to vaccinate." Meanwhile, he said its most effective to get the flu shot at the start of the season since it takes up to two weeks to protect patients from the flu strains in it although it's better late than never. In 2018-19, there were 19 flu-associated deaths in Manitoba a less severe year, compared to a total of 46 one year prior. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie This handout image supplied by the IIPA (Iran International Photo Agency) shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant as the first fuel is loaded, on August 21, 2010 in Bushehr, southern Iran. Getty Images DUBAI, United Arab Emirates After more than 18 months of sticking up for the Iran nuclear deal after the U.S. administration left it in May 2018, European Union signatories have triggered a dispute mechanism in the accord over Tehran's suspension of compliance. France, Germany and the U.K. (the E3) in a joint statement informed the EU on Tuesday that they had set off the mechanism, which they say is aimed at saving the deal, also known as the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). The motion does not reimpose sanctions; rather, it appears to allow the E3 to officially "register our concerns" that Iran is not meeting its commitments under the deal. What concrete consequences the mechanism actually has is unclear. Iran responded by dismissing the European measure as "passive," with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi saying it "practically" is not a new measure. Still no sanctions "We do not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with the JCPoA," the statement read. "Iran's actions are inconsistent with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and have increasingly severe and non-reversible proliferation implications." The statement went on to say that the E3 "have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran's actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments under the JCPoA and to refer this matter to the Joint Commission under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism" set out in the agreement. At the same time, the three countries stressed their commitment to upholding the deal and their desire for a diplomatic solution. "The E3 remain fully committed to this diplomatic effort and intend to resume it as soon as conditions allow," the statement said, stressing the countries' "objective of preserving the JCPoA" and "sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue," while remaining in the deal's framework. In doing so, the statement added, "our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran." EU ministers have long threatened to re-impose sanctions or "consequences" of some sort if Iran breaks its obligations under the deal, though critics have accused them of fecklessness after the threats failed to materialize despite months of incremental deal breaches from Tehran. Iran increasing enrichment and centrifuges The news comes after Tehran's series of progressive rollbacks in compliance over the last year to the multilateral 2015 agreement that was meant to keep Iran's nuclear program in check. Iran has pledged to return to higher levels of uranium enrichment in response to intensified U.S. sanctions, and in early January announced it was dropping all obligations to the deal including limits on its number of operational nuclear centrifuges in the wake of the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Iranian officials noted that the country would still work with the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, and held that while compliance was suspended, the deal was not officially dead and that the rollbacks could be reversed if U.S. sanctions on the country were lifted. In school buildings with indoor air quality related problems, such as moisture damage, temperature problems or poor ventilation, pupils experience slightly more symptoms than in buildings in which conditions are stated to be good based on expert evaluation. However, the association between indoor air quality of the school building and the pupils' symptoms was so weak that it is not possible to reliably assess the quality of the indoor air based on the amount of reported symptoms. This was found in a recent study, by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the University of Helsinki, which was published in the scientific journal Environmental Health. The researchers found that inadequate indoor air quality was connected to the pupils' respiratory and general symptoms, such as colds, coughs and headaches. Some link to lower airway or skin symptoms was also found, but not to eye symptoms. It is worth maintaining and investigating buildings Earlier research also suggests that symptoms are not a good marker of the indoor air quality of a building. "We need more research on how much indoor air impurities explain the differences in symptoms between schools, in comparison to other factors that influence symptoms. To date, these other factors have been remarkably little researched," said Professor Juha Pekkanen. Besides indoor air, other factors that influence symptoms include the age of the person, their health and stress levels, including how well they are doing and feeling at work and school, and beliefs and concerns about the risks of poor indoor air. The fact that many issues influence people's symptoms in indoor environments needs to be considered when interpreting the results of indoor air questionnaires. "Questionnaires aimed at building users provide valuable additional information for the management of indoor air quality problems. However, the decisions on renovations should be based primarily on data obtained by investigating the building," said Chief Physician Jussi Lampi. The study included 129 lower and upper primary school buildings in the Helsinki area. The building conditions were assessed based on the City of Helsinki's evaluations. The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare's indoor air questionnaire was used to gather data about pupils' symptoms. More than 12,000 pupils responded to the questionnaire. The response rate was 60%. BRIDGEPORT During the launch of a city-wide effort to respond to the earthquake that struck Puerto Rico, an emotional city council president Aidee Nieves recalled her childhood summer vacations on the island. We will be working together to fund and support the towns and cities of Puerto Rico affected by these earthquakes, she said Monday as she fought back tears while announcing plans to raise money to benefit displaced residents and affected towns dealing with the aftermath of the 6.4 magnitude earthquakes and aftershock. It hit close to home when my aunt called me this morning and told me my cousins are sleeping outside in Yauco and it really hurts, she told Hearst Connecticut Media. The southern part of the island has been part of my value system. Bridgeport will host a fundraising event at the East Side Senior Center at 1057 E Main St. on Saturday. The event will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will collect monetary donations that will be dispersed to Yauco, Ponce, Guanica, Guayanilla, Penuelas, Utuado, San German and San Sebastian. In the past, like with Hurricane Maria, the city has sent supplies and goods to help residents in Puerto Rico. To avoid getting bogged down with shipping fees and the logistics of sending goods, however, Nieves said theyve opted to arrange monetary donations instead. Its more about stimulating their economy and putting people to work and putting stores to work, she said. The selected Puerto Rican towns receiving the funds will be setting up specific accounts that will be used to purchase supplies and materials to rebuild. The city of Bridgeport is more than our city limits, and the state of Connecticut is more than our state lines, said state Rep. Antonio Felipe, D-Bridgeport. A lot of the influence that we get as people ... comes from the island of Puerto Rico and when you look at that it really means a lot to give back to the island that has influenced us so much. The city is partnering with several community leaders and organizations like the Red Cross and the YMCA to fund and support affected towns. Along with the Saturday event at the senior center, the city will also have a phone bank at the Emergency Operations Center, 581 N Washington Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday for residents to make donations. More details will be provided Wednesday at the East Side Senior Center at 6 p.m., according to Lissette Colon, the HR talent manager for the Bridgeport School District. She said she is assisting with the citys communication with Puerto Rican officials. Colon said the city is working with Pedro Juan Figueroa Garcia, the mayor of Hormigueros, who will serve as a point of contact between Bridgeport and the mayors of the towns receiving the funds. How to donate The city will be collecting monetary donations at the East Side Senior Center at 1057 E Main St. on Saturday. The event will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The city will also have a phone bank at the Emergency Operations Center, 581 N Washington Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday for residents to make donations. See More Collapse Donors can also designate which town they want their donation to go to, according to Colon We want to make sure people feel comfortable that their money is going there, she said. We want to give people options. jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com Heavy chemicals used in the battle against the New South Wales bushfires could be contaminating the state's drinking water supplies. Bright pink flame retardant has been sprayed liberally across bushfire-affected areas in a bid to slow the spread of blazes. While the retardant isn't toxic for human consumption, when mixed into waterways it can disrupt the water's nutrient balance which can make it undrinkable. PICTURED: A New South Wales Rural Fire Service Tanker (drops fire retardant on the Morton Fire burning in bushland close to homes at Penrose in the New South Wales Southern Highlands The firefighting retardant is made up of a mix of ammonia with thickeners and corrosion inhibiters - chemicals to prevent damage to planes dropping them. If the retardant is sprayed into waterways it can start to have a serious impact - disrupting the water's nutrient balance and potentially creating algal blooms. This can then lead to fish kills, and harm the health of any livestock or humans which drink from the waterways according to the CSIRO website. University of Sydney Associate professor Tina Bell studied the impact of one of the retardants on vegetation in eastern Victoria in 2005. Dr Bell told the Sydney Morning Herald the potential impact of these chemicals leaking into waterways is still unknown. 'Unfortunately, very little research has been done in Australia on the immediate and longer term effects of fire retardants on plant and animal communities,' Dr Bell said. Pictured: A resident walks in front of South Turramurra homes which were bombed by fire-retardant during NSW RFS firefighting efforts on November 12, 2019 in Sydney, Australia The New South Wales government has a fact sheet warning residents about health impacts of fire retardant. 'The health risk from drinking rain water contaminated with fire retardants is also low, but the water may taste and smell unpleasant and consumption should be avoided,' New South Wales health advises. But the flow-on effects and production of algal blooms in water catchments are not addressed. PICTURED: Pink fire retardant is seen across areas surrounding Colo Heights on November 14, 2019 in Sydney, Australia The risk factor is also likely to grow with the forecast of rain on the horizon, with heavy rains set to wash chemical residue into water catchments. Phos-Chek is one of the main tools used by fire fightrs in Australia, and was originally part of the umbrella of international chemical giant Monsanto. General manager of Phos-Chek Australia, Darren Webb, told the Sydney Morning Herald the product has undergone extensive checks in the United States meaning it's safe for use in Australia. PICTURED: Chemical fire retardant is seen after being dropped to protect houses on Canoon Rd and Barwon Avenue South Turramurra, north of Sydney, Tuesday, November 12, 2019 An endorsement by the manufacturer actively urges fire authorities to avoid applying the retardant in close proximity to waterways. But Mr Webb said there are negative repercussions either way, because allowing the vegetation to burn around water catchment areas can also lead to a flow on effect. 'The ash, the sludge can come down the side of the catchment area into the waterway and create its own issues - as compared to trying to stop it coming into a catchment area [with the retardant],' Mr Webb said. The Federal Aviation Administration said planes were supposed to release fuel over designated unpopulated areas, typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomizes and disperses before it reaches the ground. The agency said it was investigating the dump. Adrian Gee, the spokeswoman for Delta, said the flight had dropped the fuel to reach a safe landing weight. She said airline officials share concerns regarding reported minor injuries to adults and children. Many jetliners, especially those used on long flights, carry so much fuel when fully loaded that they take off weighing more than their maximum safe landing weight. Ordinarily, they consume enough fuel along the way to be well below the maximum threshold by the time they land. However, if a flight is cut short soon after takeoff, the plane may still be significantly overweight. In that situation, pilots have three choices. They can circle for a while to burn off fuel, but in an emergency there may not be time. They can land overweight, which risks damaging the aircraft. Or they can jettison fuel in flight, generally by spraying it out through nozzles on the planes wings, if the plane is equipped. WHITING Region cities with lakefront parks and property were busy Monday assessing the aftermath of the weekend weather that wreaked havoc across Northwest Indiana. Mike Nastav, with Whitings Parks Department, said the city had park crews equipped with excavation and construction equipment clearing debris Monday from Lakefront Park. Nastav said the damage is extensive. The waves in Lake Michigan were relentless during the weekend's storm, ruining large swaths of grassy areas near the boardwalk. A lot of sediment from the lake is scattered across the park grounds, and essentially all the flower beds have been washed out, he said. Nastav said with the level of damage, it's unlikely the park will be completely fixed before the spring. There's also the risk another storm will damage the park again. Cleanup in Gary is slated for Tuesday morning at Marquette Park Beach, near Lake Street. A downpour of rain, gusty winds and dropping temperatures caused lakeshore erosion, flooding and treacherous travel conditions throughout the Region over the weekend. A bipartisan commission in Wisconsin will be forced to purge up to 209,000 names from the state's voter rolls after a judge held the group in contempt and threatened its dissenters with daily fines. Judge Paul Malloy told the six-person panel to begin the purge immediately after he sided with a lawsuit from conservatives, who argued that voters who moved in the state may still be able to cast ballots in their previous districts during the upcoming elections. The commission, which includes an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, requested to withhold purging the voter rolls until after the presidential elections due to previous inaccuracies involving state data for residents who relocated throughout Wisconsin. The purge reportedly impacts districts with Democratic majorities, including college campuses and urban areas, in a battleground state which Donald Trump won in 2016 by less than 23,000 votes. In his ruling, the judge told the panel it would face a $50 (39) daily fine for each day the purge is not carried out, while specific dissenters on the commission would also each face a $250 (193) daily penalty. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony. She has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord Vice News The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty I cannot be clearer on this, Judge Malloy said on Monday. They need to follow the order. The judge also addressed the panels numerous attempts to stall the purge, demanding it begin removing names ahead of the next election despite an ongoing legal battle and requests for the states Supreme Court to intervene. Recommended How voter suppression and fear sideline minorities in Georgia He told the group: You have this court order, you have an appeal, and a petition to the Supreme Court. But nothing has told this court that it cant act. Though voters will still be able to bring proper documentation to register on Election Day, opponents of the purge say it will lead to voter apathy and hamper turnout in an otherwise crucial election season. Its no secret that this voter purge would target Wisconsins communities of colour and young voters the very people who are most energised to turn out in 2020 and win change for our neighbourhoods, Jennifer Berry, a Wisconsin resident and local activist, told the New York Times in a statement, adding: Well continue to fight back in the courts, in the streets, and by organising so every Wisconsinite is ready and registered to vote. An analysis conducted by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found a majority of voters included in the purge lived in areas that voted for the former 2016 Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. Voters included in the purge were reportedly provided 30 days to respond to an October mailing that enquired about their current addresses in the state. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit has been filed by The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin to stop the purge from happening, arguing that the removal of voter registrations without adequate notice would amount to a violation of constitutional due process. Additional reporting by AP New Delhi: Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury on Tuesday (January 14) said the troll regiment of RSS would have more strident and vociferous, had arrested Jammu and Kashmir cop Devinder Singh been 'Devinder Khan'. He also raised a question on the Centre asking who the 'real culprits' behind the Pulwama terror attack were. On January 11, DSP Devinder Singh was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Baramulla's Shopian. The forces had also recovered five grenades from the car they were travelling in. Citing the incident, Choudhury demanded a 'fresh look' in the Pulwama attack in 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February last year. "Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion," the Congress leader said in a series of tweets. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he tweeted. "Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," he said in another tweet. Reacting to Choudhury's statement on the J&K DSP's arrest, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back saying there should be a 'democratic surgical strike' on the grand-old party. "Congress has done exactly what it is capable of -- to attack India and save Pakistan," Patra said, addessing the media today. He also resurrected the term 'saffron terrorism' claiming that the coinage was invented at the behest of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Live TV Patra used the opportunity to highlight the Congress's stance on Batla House encounter, as well as Rahul Gandhi`s alleged statements on 'Hindu terror' which were later released through Wikileaks. All this came just a month away from the Delhi Assembly polls. "Dear Congress, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, do you have any doubt who launched the terror attack on Pulwama? I challenge you to come on camera and express that you don`t trust Indian Army and Indian Intelligence agencies," said Patra, from the BJP podium. He further claimed that it was an effort by the party to give clean chit to Pakistan. "This is not a slip of the tongue, this is Congress speaking in Pakistan`s words," he said. BJP went all out to launch an offensive against the Congress party by using the opportunity to remind Chowdhury's faux pas in the floor of the house during the debate of abrogation of Article 370. "Kuchh to gadbad hai. Kuchh to connection Pakistan ke sath hai (There`s something is wrong. There's some connection with Pakistan)," alleged Patra. He went on to claim that by Tuesday evening, 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Sayeed might express his 'love' for the Congress, as well. Patra even insinuated that the Congress party is like a 'python' that wants to kill 'its mother'. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi had dared PM Modi to enter any university in the country and appease the student and explain CAA and NRC, provided he did not have any police protection. THE GREAT CONCERT OF THE NIGHT By Jonathan Buckley The British writer Jonathan Buckley has his doubts about the usefulness of linear narrative. In fact, hes on record as saying that plot isnt of overriding importance in his work. So its fitting that his latest novel, The Great Concert of the Night, is conceived as an episodic journal written by a museum curator named David, who has lost the love of his life to cancer and will soon lose his job. Gradually, over the course of a year, David assembles a picture of his muse, Imogen, an actress whose presence in films consoles him even while her true nature and that of their relationship elude definition. Words, as David writes in one entry, do not preserve the person. The concert of the title is the name of one of Imogens films, but it also serves as a metaphor for Buckleys novel: a constellation of moments searching for harmony. By the end, we learn more about the narrator than his beloved. Seen as unworldly by his family, David is something of a recluse, a passive witness to lifes concert. Hes the curator of a failing museum that is a cross between a historic house and a collection of medical specimens. He describes it as an assemblage of objects removed from the flow of time, and he tries to preserve the memory of Imogen in a similar fashion. Yet its her vocation as an actress that renders her difficult to define; Imogen has described her own self as an alias. She inhabits roles as she does life, without revealing herself, and on her deathbed she speaks of playing the bravely dying woman to make her mother proud. Are they really lovers or is the much older David more of a father confessor for Imogen? Characteristically, when she takes him to an orgy, David remains steadfastly a spectator. In the end, we are left with speculation but without the fixative of certainty. On Monday, two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, separately, made controversial and provocative statements. In Uttar Pradesh (UP), a party leader, addressing a rally to spread awareness about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act said that those who raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath would be buried alive. In West Bengal, the partys state unit president said that BJP governments in UP, Assam and Karnataka had shot protesters like dogs, dragged them away, and even slapped cases. The BJP, to its credit, was quick to distance itself from both remarks. This is important. But the comments, in the wake of recent protests and the government crackdown on them, throw up a larger question about State authority and violence. Let us go back to two principles which govern any civilised society based on rule of law. In a democracy, the right to express ones views, the right to protest, the right to organise demonstrations, and the right to critique policies and legislations, is fundamental. But there is one caveat the expression of dissent must be peaceful. While, for most part, the protests against the CAA and a possible National Register of Citizens (which the government has now said is not on the table) have been peaceful, the vandalism of public property in UP and West Bengal and parts of Delhi, and the stone-pelting against police in pockets of the Capital such as Seelampur, crossed this red line. The State, then, is within its rights to respond responsibly. The second inter-related principle is that the State has a monopoly of force. It is the only legitimate authority which has a coercive apparatus under its control, and the right to use these coercive instruments. But this too has a caveat the States use of force must be proportionate to the violation; it must be within the framework of law; and it must be carefully exercised with the clear aim of restoring order, protecting and securing citizens, enabling citizens to fully exercise their rights, and ensuring justice. It is this principle which has been violated in a substantial measure in recent times. Take three examples. The first is Kashmir. There is no doubt that India has faced terrorism, often instigated and sponsored by Pakistan from across the border. The States authority and its monopoly over force has been consistently challenged in the Valley. It is, thus, within its rights to bring in any change which can help establish this authority as well as restore peace and order, and provide citizens the room to live freely. The government argued that the nullification of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir will do precisely this. But while the region has seen relative peace over the past five months, and the State appears all-powerful at the moment, this has happened at the cost of curtailing citizen rights. The restrictions on connectivity and communication (now partially eased), the detention of leaders and activists, and the clampdown on political protests, including peaceful ones, have marked the new normal in the Valley. In this case, it is clear that the State, in the process of establishing its authority, has taken rather arbitrary and arguably undemocratic measures, which, instead of enabling citizens to exercise their rights, restricts them, and instead of ensuring more individual freedom, curtails it. The second example is how the State has responded to protests in UP and Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia. Once again, the fact that public property was vandalised in UP and a mob turned violent around the Jamia area on December 15 warranted the State to step in. But there is now enough evidence to suggest that the manner in which this was done was excessive. In Jamia, Delhi Police decided to walk into the university, assault students, and even vandalise campus infrastructure, including the library. In UP, the CM spoke of revenge this, then, became a signal to the lower ranks of the police force to act with a strong degree of vengeance. It resulted in detentions, including of those citizens who had nothing to do with the violence; it reportedly resulted in the police itself vandalising homes, especially of Muslims; it resulted in the disproportionate use of force, where close to 20 protesters were killed; and it resulted in arbitrary notices sent out to a range of citizens, once again mostly Muslims, with the threat of attaching their properties. In this case, it is clear that the State used its legitimate monopoly over force irresponsibly. In the process of restoring order, it, in fact, created disorder. The third instance is what happened in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University on January 5. Irrespective of the background of the unrest in the university amid competing claims about which faction of students started the cycle of attacks and assaults what is clear is the following. Masked miscreants entered the campus; they assaulted students and teachers; there was almost a targeted attack on those who were seen as adversaries; a mob outside the university cheered on the protesters and intimidated, even attacked, civil society activists and journalists. In this case, it is clear that the State failed to do its primary job of securing the life and liberty of citizens. It was either incompetent or was unwilling to act. The polices subsequent actions also show that its priority has not been ensuring justice for those who were attacked, but arguably protecting the perpetrators of the violence. Put it all together, and what do you have? The Indian State has restored order at the cost of some rights (Kashmir). It has used its legally sanctioned coercive powers to perpetuate, what the political theorist Madhav Khosla recently termed, extra-constitutional violence (UP and Jamia).And it has allowed mobs to wrest away the power to perpetrate violence, thus failing to ensure peace and security (JNU). All of this will erode the faith of citizens in the State. It will also weaken the States own monopoly over force. And it will make statements by those leaders in UP and Bengal not seem like fringe remarks, but an attempt to redefine how the State will engage with dissent and dissenters. The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON STAMFORDA Mount Vernon getaway driver who helped steal over $48,000 worth of expensive pocket books from an upscale Greenwich department store was sentenced to a year in jail Tuesday. As part of a plea deal at the Stamford courthouse, Joshua Spillman, 41, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of conspiracy to commit larceny in the first-degree and was sentenced by Judge Gary White to one year in jail and three years probation. Spillman was originally charged first-degree larceny and conspiracy. Senior Assistant States Attorney Maureen Ornousky said Spillman was behind the wheel of a car on Jan. 15, 2019, when at least two other men went into Saks Fifth Avenue and stole $48,370 worth of purses. Ornousky said Spillman brought the men to the store and waited for them steal the purses and drove them from the scene while aware of their criminal enterprise and that they were members of a high end shoplifting ring. Ornousky said Spillman was prosecuted following an investigation into his cellphone data and video footage from the store. When Judge Gary White asked Spillman if the facts claimed by the states attorney were correct, Spillman replied, Yes, your honor. You are pleading guilty because you are guilty? White asked. Yes, your honor, Spillman said. Police say Spillmans accomplices ran off with armfuls of pricey purses in the afternoon on Jan. 15. Spillman was arrested later in April and he was picked up at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, New York, where he was in custody. One alleged accomplice, Gerald Smith, 48, also of Mount Vernon, was picked up in November 2019 after he was found in a Nassau County, New York, jail, Greenwich police said. Smiths charges of first-degree larceny, organized retail theft and conspiracy to commit larceny are still pending. He is being held in lieu of a $250,000 court appearance bond at the Bridgeport Correctional Center. Spillman has remained in jail unable to post a $150,000 court appearance bond since his arrest on April 10, 2019, which make him legible for release in three months. Once out of jail, he will be on probation for three years, during which time he could be sent back to jail for up to three years should he get arrested for another crime. In recent years, organized bands of thieves have targeted purses, as well as other luxury items, as the merchandise of choice to steal, police say. The Internet has opened new possibilities for the sale of stolen merchandise, according to law enforcement and retail experts. The term they use is e-fencing. The purses stolen from Saks were never recovered, police said. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Abkhaz Leader Resigns, No Plans To Run For New Term By RFE/RL January 13, 2020 Raul Khajimba, leader of the self-proclaimed breakaway Georgian republic of Abkhazia, who resigned following four days of protests in the regional capital, Sukhumi, does not plan to take part in a new election. Separatist Vice President Aslan Bartsits told lawmakers, who accepted the resignation on January 13, that Khajimba "will continue to take part in political life" but "is not going to run in the election." Afterward, the breakaway region's parliament named de facto Prime Minister Valery Bganba as acting president and announced that the current staff of the separatist cabinet will continue until a new president is elected. Bganba issued a statement addressing the residents of the breakaway region, saying that he will do "everything to establish internal stability in order to secure the decent organization and execution of presidential elections in accordance with the terms defined by the constitution." The leader of the Bloc of the Opposition Forces, lawmaker Aslan Bzhania, said on January 13, that he plans to put himself forward as a presidential candidate in the election. A day earlier, former Abkhaz Prime Minister Sergei Shamba read Khajimba's resignation statement to protesters near the presidential residence. Parliamentary speaker Valery Kvarchia confirmed the resignation, telling Russia's TASS news agency that "the issue of who will act [as president] has not yet been decided." "It may be the prime minister," he added, referring to Prime Minister Valery Bganba. Kvarchia added the region's de facto legislature would take up the issue in a session later on January 13. The announcement came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide, Vladislav Surkov, arrived in Sukhumi, joining a Russian delegation headed by Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Rashid Nurgaliyev. The crisis in the breakaway Georgian region erupted on January 9 when demonstrators stormed the Sukhumi building housing Khajimba's administration, asserting the September election that he won was fraudulent. The legislature later called on Khajimba to step down. The Abkhaz Supreme Court on January 10 reversed an earlier decision and declared the September results void, following a petition by opposition leader Alkhas Kvitsinia. Khajimba and his supporters had resisted calls for his resignation and planned to launch legal appeals before his January 12 about-face. The head of the region's self-proclaimed Central Election Commission, Tamaz Gogia, said on January 12 that he did not agree with the Supreme Court ruling, but that he would abide by it. The commission set March 22 as the date for a new election. The Black Sea region has had de facto independence from Georgia since a war against Tbilisi in 1992-93. After Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war in August 2008, Moscow unilaterally recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian region, South Ossetia, as independent states. Both regions have since been largely propped up by Moscow and host Russian military forces. Georgia and most of the international community consider both regions to be occupied territories. With reporting by TASS, Sputnik, Interfax, and Kavkazsky Uzel Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/abkhazia- leader-resigns-not-going-to-run- for-new-term/30374552.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 Pedro Sanchez presides over todays Cabinet meeting. PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (AFP) As was expected, Spains new coalition government has started its term by announcing good news. The debut measure adopted by the Cabinet, which met on Tuesday for the first time ever, was a 0.9% rise in pensions, a move that had been on hold until a government could finally be formed. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who gave a press conference when the Cabinet meeting ended, after weeks of avoiding questions from reporters, stated that the new executive wants to quickly make up for lost time, and plans on seeing out its full four-year term despite lacking a working majority in Congress and needing the support of other parties if it is to pass legislation and see its budget approved. The PM said today that Delgados resume is impeccable and unquestionable Sanchez won the November 10 repeat general election but, as at the April polls, fell short of an absolute majority. He managed to win a recent investiture vote in Congress, however, thanks to a coalition agreement between his Socialist Party (PSOE) and leftist Unidas Podemos, the support of a number of smaller parties, and the key abstention of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC). The prime minister did not go into detail on Tuesday about the decisions that will have to be made in the coming days, including a pay rise for civil servants, a rise in the minimum wage and the governments spending cap. But he did come out in defense of his first major appointment: that of former Justice Minister Dolores Delgado as prosecutor general. The decision has caused widespread controversy given that the public prosecutor is supposed to operate independently of the government. Opposition politicians and critics say that the move will jeopardize the judiciarys image of impartiality and make it look as if there is political interference, according to Cristina Dexeus, the president of the Asociacion de Fiscales prosecutors association. Sanchez wants Dolores Delgado to be the new attorney general. Kike Para The prime minister said today that Delgados resume is impeccable and unquestionable, and explained that he had called on her to exercise her independence as prosecutor general. As well as her role as minister, Delgado was also voted in as a PSOE deputy in November and campaigned for the party. But Sanchez insisted that this would not limit her independence, saying that she is completely qualified to be the prosecutor general. Absent from the press conference today was one of Spains new deputy prime ministers, Pablo Iglesias, who is the leader of Unidas Podemos. The coalition deal between the parties came as a surprise after last years repeat election, given that such an agreement had proved impossible in the wake of the April polls. Whats more, Sanchez famously stated that he wouldnt be able to sleep at night if he had accepted the demands of Unidas Podemos for a coalition deal. On Tuesday, however, Sanchez insisted he had no reservations about Iglesias and the governing agreement. On the contrary, Im proud, the prime minister told reporters. Its true that this is an unprecedented experience, but all of the ministers are now from the government of Spain and not from a political party. Sanchez gave a news conference after avoiding reporters questions for weeks Catalonia and the independence drive in the northeastern Spanish region was a key issue among the questions journalists put to Sanchez on Tuesday. The prime minister insisted that he was opting for dialogue and a political solution to a political problem. He did not, however, go into more detail about the content of the negotiations that he has agreed to hold between the Spanish government and the Catalan regional government over the future of the region. These talks were a requirement from the ERC party in exchange for their abstention at the recent investiture vote. Sanchez also sought to defend the plan to put any agreements reached from the Catalonia negotiations to a vote among the residents of the region. If we can get to a consultation in Catalonia it will be because there has been a deal, and so I hope that will be the case, because that would mean that the crisis has been resolved, he said. All of this will be done under the safeguard of the Constitution, we are a pro-constitutional party, we dont take lessons from anybody. Sanchez also made repeated references to the harshness of opposition parties during the investiture debate and in their subsequent statements to the press. Before they would call me a squatter, he said, in reference to criticism of the prime minister after he took power thanks to a successful vote of no confidence against former Popular Party Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Now they are questioning our legitimacy as a government. We call on them to recognize the result of the elections. They are trying to obstruct politics and now they want to obstruct justice. There needs to be renewal, that is what institutions such as [Spains CGPJ legal watchdog] require, he added, in reference to the fact that the government will need the votes of opposition parties if it is to see new members elected to key institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. English version by Simon Hunter. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has said it wasn't privy to information that Swedish recording artist Alban Nwapa was banned from entering Ukraine after he performed in Russian-annexed Crimea. "The Security Service of Ukraine does not have information about the ban on entry to Ukraine specified in the inquiry regarding said foreign citizen," the SBU told local news site Ukrayinska Pravda regarding Nwapa, whose stage name is Dr. Alban. In December, Nwapa on his Instagram account thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for allegedly interceding in having the authorities allow him entry to Ukraine. The Eurodance and hip-hop artist had previously given a performance in Crimea and allegedly broke Ukrainian law by not receiving permission through the proper channels. "I was forbidden to enter Ukraine because of my previous show on the disputed island of Crimea. With the intervention of the president, I was able to get to Ukraine," Nwapa initially said. He later altered the post on December 16 acknowledging the entry ban but omitted the reference to Zelenskiy allegedly having helped him. "Meeting Ukrainian President...Zelensky," Nwapa said. "I was banned entering Ukraine because of my previous show in the Crimea peninsula...Ukrainians don't like it.... It's just not easy or possible for me and many people to know that entering Crimea then you are breaking Ukrainian law. Many foreigners won't know this." Russia seized Crimea in 2014 after which Kyiv started banning people entry into the country if they travel to the peninsula illegally -- namely by not entering through Ukrainian territory or receiving permission to enter from a different port entry. While in Kyiv, Nwapa performed for a New Year's show with the comedy troupe that Zelenskiy led before becoming president. The head of Ukraine's Border Service, Serhiy Deyneko, on January 5 said Nwapa entered Ukraine legally and that Zelenskiy didn't intervene in the matter. With reporting by Ukrayinska Pravda If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit The U.S. has "reached out to the North Koreans" to ask it to resume denuclearization talks, according to a senior White House official on Friday. In an interview with news website Axios, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said, "We've reached out to the North Koreans and let them know that we would like to continue the negotiations in Stockholm that were last undertaken in early October." "We've been letting them know, through various channels, that we would like to get those [negotiations] back on track and to implement [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's] commitment" to denuclearization, he added. In a statement issued Saturday, North Korea's long-time nuclear point man Kim Kye-gwan signaled a microscopic thaw, saying the regime received a birthday message for Kim Jong-un "directly through a personal letter" from U.S. President Donald Trump. O'Brien said, "All we know is we were told we were going to get a Christmas gift and the Christmas gift didn't come. And so I think that was an encouraging sign." An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD following his interview on "This Week" at RTE Headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney, Collins Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he called a general election for next month, February 8, because he wants a new government in place for a crucial EU Summit on Brexit in March. Speaking outside Government Buildings, Mr Varadkar said he had secured a deal on Brexit which would see the UK leave the EU by January 31. However, he said Brexit was not done before adding: its only half-time. The next step is to negotiate a free trade agreement between the EU including Ireland and the United Kingdom that protects our jobs, our businesses, our rural communities and our economy, he added. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin opens his party's campaign promising a "comprehensive and positive agenda". He confirms the Fianna Fail slogan is again 'An Ireland For All' #GE20 pic.twitter.com/gynIoI9TwO Hugh O'Connell (@oconnellhugh) January 14, 2020 There exists now a window of opportunity to hold a general election and to have a new Government in place before the next European Council meeting in March with a strong mandate to focus on these negotiations into the summer and autumn, he added. The EU Summit is to be held on March 26 and 27. Mr Varadkar said holding a vote in April or May would mean parties would be effectively entering into a 3-4 month election campaign. During this time theres a risk that difficult decisions would be deferred and irresponsible promises made. That would not be in the interests of our country, he said. Mr Varadkar said he decided on a Saturday, February 8th polling day to alleviate the pressure on parents seeking to vote and to allow people who live away from their constituencies return home to cast their ballot. I do so knowing the inconvenience to families of a polling day on a weekday during school term - time off work, lost income, increased childcare costs. I also want to make it easier for students and those working away from home to cast their votes, he said. He said he knew people were frustrated with the slow progress his Government has made in the areas on housing and health. Mr Varadkar said he shared that frustration and looked forward to sharing his election manifesto plans which will focus on home ownership and universal healthcare. The Taoiseach said he was beginning to make real headway on climate action and the environment. Were no longer a laggard but we are still far from being a leader, he added. He also said he hoped to help families who are struggling with the cost of living. Many people dont feel the strength of our economy in their pockets and they dont see it in their payslips or in their towns and parishes. We have a plan for fairer taxes for future jobs and for rural Ireland - to put that right, he added. Mr Varadkar arrived at Aras an Uachtarain shortly before 2pm where he requested the dissolution of the 32nd Dail. President Michael D Higgins signed the Proclamation of Dissolution allowing the general election to officially begin. Meanwhile, speaking at Leinster House before the election was formally announced, Micheal Martin said the campaign will be "neck-and-neck" and rejected the suggestion that he is in the lead at this point. "I don't accept anything of the sort. I'm a very humble man, as you know, but as far as I'm concerned, it's very competitive," the Fianna Fail leader said. "I think it's neck-and-neck. If I'm honest, and I think there's a lot of competitive electoral battles in the different constituencies and that will be will be an important influence if you like will be determined on the outcome of the election." Mr Martin said he would "love" a TV debate and signaled a preference to debate the Taoiseach. "I would prefer a one to one and there may be other debating formats as well," he said. He also said it was a vital election with the Irish people facing enormous challenges. He said there are serious crises in housing and health. Things are simply not working in this country in so many areas, he added. He also highlighted issues with the cost of living pointing to rent, childcare and insurance costs. He promised Fianna Fail will put forward a very comprehensive, positive agenda in the election. Mr Martin said: it clearly is time for a change in government to one that will really focus on tangible and credible improvements in health, housing and reducing the cost of living. He criticised the governments handling of the construction of the National Childrens Hospital and National Broadband Plan amid cost overruns in both projects. He said people are angry adding young people cant aspire to home ownership and are finding difficult to pay rent. He claimed the Fine Gael-led government havent delivered and that is why we need a change. Mr Martin responded to Fine Gaels slogan A Future To Look Forward To claiming it reveals the essence of Mr Varadkars party and everything is away into the future. He said people in an Emergency Department today cant wait for Fine Gaels future. He claimed Fine Gael has made many peoples future difficult and uncertain and cited the number of homeless children. He added: Im not so sure that Fine Gaels version of the future is something that the Irish people will necessarily look forward to. Mr Martin said: I think there will be a certain sort of shiver all over the country when they contemplate the prospect of a Fine Gael future. Mr Martins party is sticking with his An Ireland For All slogan which he argued is more of a philosophy. The Taoiseachs plan to hold the vote on a Saturday will be a surprise to his Fine Gael colleagues as most ministers believed he would hold the election on either Friday, February 7th or 14th. Mr Varadkar is expected to travel to Aras an Uachtarain later today and seek the permission of President Michael D Higgins to end the 32nd Dail and trigger a general election. This means the election will officially start this afternoon with candidates facing a three and a half week campaign before polling day. Mr Varadkar this afternoon kicked off his campaign on social media, posting a video online showcasing his time as Taoiseach. It opens with international news broadcasters saying his name and a caption that claims he "secured a deal to protect Ireland's interests" in the Brexit talks. It also highlights falls in unemployment and Fine Gael's promised income tax cuts. It has a clip of Mr Varadkar on the Late Late Show in 2018 saying 20,000 homes were built that year while conceding "it's not enough" and highlights the Rebuilding Ireland plan. Mr Varadkar's video also references the same-sex marriage and abortion referendums. And it includes a line form his speech the day he was elected Fine Gael leader when he said: "I think if my election has shown anything if is that prejudice has no hold on this republic." Mr Varadkar's election team appeared to steal a march on its rivals on Tuesday morning with posters erected in parts of Dublin West. Sinn Fein's candidate in the constituency, councillor Paul Donnelly, posted a picture of posters being put up on lampposts on the Navan Road. He wrote on Twitter: "The Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar team putting up posters before the Dail has been dissolved." The Taoiseach's spokesman said the early erection of posters was a matter for Fine Gael. On Sunday, Mr Varadkar confirmed that he had decided on an election date, but he said "protocol" meant he was not announcing it yet. Last week, he said the election will be held when "its the right time for the country". "When you're in politics, you always have to be prepared for an election, at the same time you can always be better prepared for election but that's not what matters. What matters is when it's the right time for the country," he said. However, he did say he would be holding a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, today, and that the Dail would return the following day. Meanwhile, it has emerged that Fine Gael general election candidates have been asked to sign a party pledge confirming there is nothing in their past life they have not revealed which could bring the party into disrepute. At a parliamentary party meeting last week, candidates signed an amended pledge confirming they had revealed any matter, including views they may have held, which could be a breach of Fine Gaels ethos and principles. It follows a number of controversies involving previous candidates, including Maria Bailey and Verona Murphy. The candidates were asked to confirm they had no pending prosecutions or prior convictions other than minor road traffic offences which resulted in fines of less than 500. They pledged they had revealed any Revenue Commissioner, Work Place Relations, Labour Court or Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement judgments made against them. Any civil litigation taken against them or their companies was also to be revealed to the party general secretary. In the aftermath of the Maria Bailey controversy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would be instructing all election candidates to reveal any involvement in legal proceedings. He said he would also introduce a new party pledge which all candidates would be required to sign. The pledge was updated this month and given to candidates last week when they met in Dublin to discuss the forthcoming general election. It also emerged yesterday Mr Martin has signed up to a televised head-to-head election debate with the Taoiseach on Virgin Media. However, Mr Varadkar has yet to confirm he will take on the Fianna Fail leader in the debate being proposed by the station. The Taoiseach's spokesperson said Mr Varadkar was looking forward to debating Mr Martin, but would consider all debates based on their merit. RTE has yet to decide if it will hold a head-to-head debate featuring the leaders of the two main parties. Meanwhile, former Fine Gael election candidate Verona Murphy has confirmed she is set to run as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming general election. Ms Murphy confirmed to Independent.ie that she will mount a fresh bid for the Dail. Her entry into the race will cause a headache for Fine Gael in the south east constituency where its two incumbent TDs, Paul Kehoe and Michael DArcy, are battling for re-election. Meanwhile, Disability Minister Finian McGrath has made the shock decision not to run in the general election. Mr McGrath has been a TD since 2002 and has run in six Dail elections. In a statement, Mr McGrath said he had given the matter "careful consideration" and said stepping down was the right decision for himself and his family. "I am far from retiring and will remain involved in political activism, supporting disability issues," he said. "I hope to spend some time encouraging the 13pc of Irelands population who have some form of disability to get involved in politics at a local or nation level," he added. He was first elected to the Dail in the then Dublin North Central constituency in 2002 after failing to get elected on two previous elections. He was re-elected in the three following elections. Mr McGrath has long been an advocate for people with disabilities before he entered politics and campaigned tirelessly on their behalf on becoming a TD. M eghan did not join in with talks about her and Prince Harry's future in the royal family. There has been speculation about whether Meghan, who is in Canada, participated in Mondays royal summit by telephone. A source said: In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasnt necessary for the duchess to join. Prince Harry met with the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge for face-to-face talks on Monday at Sandringham, the Queen's private Norfolk estate. Queen announces 'period of transition' for Harry and Meghan In her first public comments since Meghan and Harry released their bombshell statement last week the head of state also expressed her regret at the Sussexes wish to step back as senior royals. But she said her family respect and understand their wishes for more independence while still remaining a valued part of the monarchy. TODO: define component type apester There will now be a "transition period" in which Meghan and Harry split their time between the UK and Canada. The move has raised questions over the costs of the couples security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill. Canadas prime minister Justin Trudeau was asked during an interview with Global News on Monday whether Canadian taxpayers would have to pay. He replied: That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on. Were not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. PGU | Enquiron We feel strongly that partnering with Enquiron will provide our policyholders with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions that mitigate the risk of costly litigation. 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ABOUT PGU: Professional Governmental Underwriters, Inc. is a full-service risk management company dedicated to assisting public, educational and non-profit entities in the management of their professional liability exposures. Current operations are dedicated to underwriting and marketing Public Officials Liability, Law Enforcement Liability and Educators Liability insurance. We provide state-of-the-art professional underwriting management and loss control advisory services on behalf of our designated carriers. ABOUT ENQUIRON Enquiron, http://www.enquiron.com, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, provides consultative business solutions to employers in all 50 states, across various industries, sectors and sizes. Since 1996, Enquiron has revolutionized the way that services impacting Human Resources, Employment Law, Healthcare, Retirement, Cyber Security and more are delivered to and utilized by employers. Enquiron has locations across the United States and is a trusted partner to organizations who need specific answers to specific questions. https://www.linkedin.com/company/enquiron Satya Nadella was asked about the contentious issue of CAA which grants citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Microsoft's Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella on Monday voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is sad. Nadella who was asked about the contentious issue of CAA which grants citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan said he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Satya Nadella was quoted as saying by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of New York-based BuzzFeed News. In a statement issued by Microsoft India, Nadella said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. "I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large". Contentious Citizenship Act On Friday, the Citizenship Amendment Act finally came to into effect. In a gazette notification, the Union home ministry stated that the act under which non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be given Indian citizenship, will come into force from January 10. According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the act in different parts of the country. Those who are opposed to the legislation are saying that it is for the first time that India will grant citizenship on the basis of religion which violates the basic tenets of the countrys constitution. However, the government and ruling BJP has been defending the act saying that the minority groups from the three countries have no other option but to come India when they face religious persecution there. The home ministry, however, is yet to frame the rules for the act. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. If someone has a dream, a passion, and a desire, I want to help them bring that to light, she said. I try to take the obstacles away to allow any student to fulfill exactly what they want to do with music in our world. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam speaks in her weekly press conference in Hong Kong on Jan. 14, 2020. (Bill Cox/The Epoch Times) Hong Kong Leader Refuses to Explain Denying Entry to Human Rights Watch Director Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has refused to provide details behind her governments decision to block the director of an international Human Rights Group from entering the city. Human Rights Watch (HRW) executive director Kenneth Roth was denied entry into Hong Kong on Jan. 12. He was set to announce the release of the organizations annual human rights report in the city. This disappointing action is yet another sign that Beijing is tightening its oppressive grip on Hong Kong and further restricting the limited freedom Hong Kong people enjoy under one country, two systems, Roth said in a statement. Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry, said it was Chinas sovereign right to decide who should be granted entry in a daily press conference on Jan. 13. Without naming the HRW directly, Shuang also accused NGOs of inciting violence and supporting rioters in Hong Kong. We will not comment on individual cases. The immigration authorities will deal with each case, based on the existing legislation and existing immigration policies taking into account the actual circumstances of the case, Lam said in her weekly press conference when asked whether the decision to deny Roths entry was a political one. HRW has been critical of Hong Kong authorities over its proposed extradition laws that triggered mass protests in June. In an August statement, HRW condemned Hong Kong police for using excessive force against protesters. In another statement in December, HRW pointed out how journalists were being targeted by police, and that the Hong Kong authorities were limiting some protests by denying permits. Chinas Mysterious Pneumonia Also at the press conference, Lam commented on the pneumonia outbreak in China that has Hong Kong people concerned about spread of the disease. Lam said that Hong Kong has sent a delegation to Wuhan, the Chinese city that reported an outbreak of a new strain of pneumonia. On Jan. 11, Chinese authorities released the complete genetic sequence of the coronavirus affecting patients in Wuhan. Lam added that the delegation is expected to return to Hong Kong this evening, and that she would provide further updates after a scheduled meeting with local health experts tomorrow. While there have been people with pneumonia-like symptoms in Hong Kong, Lam said that no cases in Hong Kong have been linked to the Wuhan virus. One reporter, referring to a confirmed case of the new virus in Thailand, asked Lam: Do you think it is a bit suspicious when China said no cases have been reported in other provinces? Lam replied that China was working with the World Health Organization, and was communicating with Hong Kong on this issue. Beyond that, it is not for me to comment on how another authority has been dealing with the situation in their justification, Lam said. Backlog in Courts On Jan. 13, Hong Kongs Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma announced the creation of a task force to look into how best and how expeditiously to deal with the large backlog in cases due to the ongoing pro-democracy protests, according to local media RTHK. Ma suggested that extra measures be introduced, including the extension of judges sitting hours. Since June, when mass protests broke out in Hong Kong over a now fully-withdrawn extradition bill, local police have arrested over 6,000 people. Lam said during the press conference that she was extremely grateful to the judiciary for devising various means in an effort to speed up the processing of cases. Taiwan Election Result Ignored Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens landslide victory in the Jan. 11 presidential election was conspicuously absent from Lams comments. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, numerous U.S. lawmakers, and many other governments, including Japan, the European Union, and Canada, have all congratulated Tsai on her reelection. In doing so, they were accused by Shuang the next day of violating the one-China principle. Shuang had claimed on Jan. 12 that Taiwans election was a sub-national affair in China. Many Hongkongers traveled to Taiwan to witness the democratic election. According to Hong Kongs mini constitution, Hongkongers do not vote directly for their top leader, the chief executive. Universal suffrage has been one of the key demands of the on-going protests. At a rally supporting Tsai and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on Jan. 11, two Hongkongers shared with The Epoch Times about their trip to Taiwan. Justin, a 24-year-old college student, said that Tsais victory would likely put some pressure on the Hong Kong government to allow for democratic elections in the city. Another Hongkonger, Tony, 30, explained his support for Tsai. Unlike Carrie Lam who called us rioters, Tsai knows that we are working hard to safeguard our freedom, the accountant said. 1.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The fact that Donald Trump ordered Soleimanis killing seven months ago takes us into criminal territory that also ought to be impeachable. Theres nothing new about Trump breaking the law, or committing crimes when we consider every time he obstructed justice and tried to intimidate witnesses. This, however, is the first time were aware of Trump ordering the death of a senior government official in another country. This is one of those moments when it really isnt about how bad Soleimani was. It is, to paraphrase Speaker Pelosi, all about how good we are. Im reminded of when Republicans obsessed over Hillary Clintons emails. The shifting standards for Republicans and Democrats couldnt have been more striking than Trump condemning Hillary as a threat to national security while bragging that he wouldnt lose a single vote if he killed someone on Fifth Avenue. Lock her up became the favorite chant of Trump supporters including Mike Flynn, now awaiting sentencing for actual crimes. Now Trump is in the business of ordering hits on senior officials of hostile foreign governments. Again, this is not about who they are. This is about who we are. More specifically, this is about what the Trumps are trying to turn us into. When the news of Soleimanis killing broke, Trump and his surrogates claimed the kill had to be done because Soleimani was an imminent threat before Trump said he could still order Soleimanis death even if he wasnt an imminent threat. The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was eminent or not, & was my team in agreement, Trump tweeted Monday morning, incorrectly spelling imminent. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Initially, the imminent threat standard was used to justify the fact that while Trump told Lindsey Graham and a few of his guests at Mar-a-Lago, he didnt bother to inform Congress. The imminent threat standard, if applicable, would have exempt any president, which includes Trump, from informing Congress before the fact. Of course, it didnt take long before the truth came out. Trump really didnt inform Congress because he doesnt like the Democratic Party, which he tries to debase by calling it the Democrat Party. He also doesnt like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because shes a strong woman who held him accountable for other misbehaviors and is receptive to doing it again if or when warranted. He also reached into his bag of misogynistic tricks claiming that he withheld the info from Congress because members who have been privy to the nations biggest secrets for decades dont know how to keep a secret. In short, Trump tried to justify his violation of constitutional law of the worlds only remaining superpower on arguments you would expect to hear in junior high school. While his argument and behavior is juvenile, Trump is rapidly climbing the mountain of criminal behavior. He graduated from crimes against humanity. Among his skills are family separation, kiddy cages and family concentration camps. Despite failing the course on deporting children receiving medical treatment that their lives depend on, Trump excelled at deporting people who won their cases in immigration court. Now he has moved on to ordering hits on political opponents without accountability. We just learned that Trump ordered Soleimanis hit seven months ago, completely destroying what was left of his already debunked story regarding the Soleiman killing. Now Trump is saying, he doesnt need to bother with the same standard every other president followed and the implication is that he can order the death of any person on the planet just because he feels like it. And this is where I ask, what does this say about the Republicans who are defending him? It says that he could kill on Fifth Avenue or anywhere else in the world and they would still defend him. It says that theyve sold out every value Republicans used to say they were about for membership in the cult of Trump. Theyve abandoned the Republican governed by representative democracy in favor of a blood thirsty and power hungry cult of personality. The GOP no longer believes in anything resembling co-equal branches of government. Now they bow to their dear leader and after suffering the humiliation of his wrath simply say Please sir, I want more. On the plus side, theyve made voting in the general election easier than it ever was. Voters need only ask if they want a blood thirsty king or a president for the people. If only this was just about partisanship. Its not. Its about Americas soul and its about the souls of every American. Who you vote for in 2020 not only says something about America, it also says something about you. The Rhythm Section is finally set for release this month after a year-long delay. And Blake Lively has been sharing behind-the-scenes snaps of herself as self-destructive heroine Stephanie Patrick, who is hell-bent on avenging the death of her family. The 32-year-old actress looked unrecognisable in a series of images posted on her Instagram account on Monday, stirring up excitement about the upcoming drama. Transformation: Blake Lively has been sharing behind-the-scenes snaps of herself as self-destructive heroine Stephanie Patrick in The Rhythm Section Blake is seen modelling a mesh bra and a long auburn wig styled in retro waves, a slick of berry lipstick on her lips. Another dramatically different look for the role sees Blake don a short, dark blonde wig and undergo a serious makeunder. Crediting make-up artist Vivian Baker for the transformation, which included eye bags and acne scarring, she joked, 'Facetune broke'. In The Rhythm Section, Blake portrays a woman seeking revenge on the people who orchestrated a plane crash which killed her family. 'Facetune broke': The 32-year-old actress looked unrecognisable in a series of images posted on her Instagram account on Monday, stirring up excitement about the upcoming drama Chameleon character: Blake is seen modelling a mesh bra and a long auburn wig styled in retro waves, a slick of berry lipstick on her lips The actress stars alongside Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown in the film, which has been directed by Reed Morano and written by Mark Burnell. Although the suspense thriller was filmed in Dublin, the movie set is decorated to look like London with additional filming locations in Spain. Paramount Pictures released a statement in December 2017 saying that filming had been temporarily suspended as Blake sustained an injury to her hand while shooting, but production would resume as soon as possible. She was spotted back at work in January 2018, but needed a second hand surgery which caused the film to be delayed. Gritty role: In The Rhythm Section, Blake portrays a woman seeking revenge on the people who orchestrated a plane crash which killed her family Making an impression: In the trailer for the film, Blake is shown wearing the same long red wig and black lingerie set During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Morano said Lively was doing well, but there were issues. 'The problem is that normally, that kind of an injury, you would have 4 to 6 weeks of rehab and then you would wear a splint. We have to go into stunts, so it's very complicated,' she said. The release date has been delayed three times, but fans can finally see the movie from January 31. In cinemas soon: The release date has been delayed three times, but fans can finally see the movie from January 31 What is happening is sad: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella voices concern over CAA International oi-Madhuri Adnal New York, Jan 14: Microsoft's Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella on Monday voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. His comments came while speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in Manhattan where he was asked about the contentious issue of CAA which grants citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Opposition's resolution against CAA must have made Pak happy: BJP "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Nadella was quoted as saying by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of New York-based BuzzFeed News. By popular demand, here's the verbate pic.twitter.com/I8YcMDJsf8 Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 Later, in a statement tweeted by Microsoft India from its official handle, Nadella said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. "I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large". Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 The Centre last week issued a gazette notification announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11. According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 due to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the Act in different parts of the country. In UP, at least 19 persons were killed in anti-CAA protests. Jay Gems, a subsidiary of Renaissance Global, said on Tuesday it has signed an agreement with Lao Feng Xiang (LFX), one of the largest Chinese jewellery retailers, to launch Enchanted Disney Fine Jewellery in Mainland China. The launch into China, the world's second biggest jewellery market, is a significant milestone for the Renaissance Global strategy of geographic diversification. "The increased distribution for the Enchanted Disney Fine Jewellery brand also represents significant growth for Renaissance's branded jewellery segment," it said in a statement. Headquartered in Shanghai province, LFX has 166 years of continuous operation and annual revenue of more than 6.5 billion dollars. It operates over 3,700 stores worldwide. "We are honoured to partner with a retailer which has the sterling reputation and impressive market reach of LFX," said Sumit Shah, Vice Chairman of Renaissance Global Ltd. "The Enchanted Disney Fine Jewellery brand will now be available to consumers throughout China. This will further increase the geographic diversification of our sales and decrease the importance and the risks associated with any individual market." According to IBIS World Industry Research, China's jewellery market is estimated to be worth 118 billion dollars with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7 per cent from 2014 to 2019. Enchanted Disney Fine Jewellery features Disney Princess inspired engagement rings, earrings and pendants. Disney Consumer Products is the biggest licensing company in the world with 2018 global sales of 59 billion dollars, including 5.5 billion dollars for the Disney Princess brand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ST. LOUIS - A lawsuit filed by a Fox News contributor accuses St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner of violating Missouris open records law. KMOV-TV reported that John Solomons lawsuit filed Friday alleges that Gardners office failed to respond to records requests that he made in July. Solomon sought records for contacts between Gardner, her staff, and people connected to the 2018 investigation of then-Gov. Eric Greitens. The lawsuit says failure to provide the records is a violation of the Missouri Sunshine Law. Gardner, a Democrat, initiated an investigation of the Republican governor in early 2018. Greitens was charged with invasion of privacy for allegedly taking a compromising photo of a woman during an extra-marital affair. The charge was eventually dropped but Greitens resigned in June 2018. Solomon, a former reporter for The Associated Press and The Washington Post, now reports for his own website. MAG Development, the real estate arm of the MAG Holding Group, has confirmed that all of its current and future projects and plans will be in line with the UAEs year of getting ready for the next 50 years plan in 2020. MAG Development is adopting a long-term strategy based on innovation and creativity to set new standards of development and modernisation in the UAE real estate sector as one of the pillars of the country's economic diversification strategy. That will put in practice by providing exceptional ideas, quality projects and innovative and unprecedented methods of payment in the market. The Mag City project, located in the city of Mohammed bin Rashid in the Maidan District 7, the cornerstone of which was recently laid, is one of the most important of these current projects that are in line with the vision of the wise leadership of the new UAE 50 years plan . The project, with investments of about Dh2 billion ($400 million), is expected to be completed between 2022 and 2024. In November, the company launched its innovative programme "Naam Dubai", with a package of facilities and easy payment choices that allow customers to own homes that suit their needs and their ability to meet obligations. The Naam Dubai programme included attractive payment plans up to 24 years, fully compatible with the requirements of the market. The various aspects of the programme were well-studied to ensure social and financial sustainability, and put them up with effective service fees and rewarding returns. Talal Moafak Al-Gaddah, senior executive vice president of MAG Development, said: Getting ready for the next 50 years represents a major platform from which the United Arab Emirates aims to enhance its competitiveness in all economic sectors, to commence a new era the goal of which is leadership and exclusivity regionally and internationally. MAG development is committed, as part of its long-term strategy, to keep pace with the rapid and continuous development movement within the UAE. Al-Gaddah added that the new 50 years plan is the largest catalyst for all UAE economic sectors and is one of the most important reasons why (Mag Development) is successful, due to the country's openness to the highest international standards with the construction and urbanization movement .That strengthened the company's ability to grow and succeed. The UAE is our state, our community and our school in the fields of economy and global relations. The visions of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, may Allah bless them, are the basis of our success. Al-Gaddah noted that MAG Group, the parent company of MAG Development, is considered one of the UAE oldest companies that has its roots in the history of the country. It started its activities in the seventies of the last century by participating actively in the formation of UAE honourable present and eagerly looks forward to participating strongly in a brighter future. He pointed out that the new Mag City project is a new addition to the real estate market in the region that may enhance the competitiveness of the Emirate of Dubai .The project aims at opening new markets by attracting new categories of buyers and expanding the targeted group of investors. It embraces a model city with integrated services and facilities designed to provide a sustainable social environment for the residents .It reduces the need to move to secure living requirements. The project was designed according to latest standards that ensure the best use of the spaces and reduce the cost of service fees and operational costs, which enhances the investment returns for our customers, he said. TradeArabia News Service Leaders of three European powers on Sunday expressed continued support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, rebuffing an explicit call by President Donald Trump last week to abandon the troubled accord. The Europeans signaled that they could soon invoke a dispute resolution mechanism under the accord after a series of steps by Iran to reduce its commitments to the deal to protest the resumption of harsh economic sanctions imposed after the Trump administration quit the deal in 2018. The European rejection of the American presidential demand marked the latest sign of a deepening transatlantic rift on Iran, as European hopes that it could broker some sort of US-Iran detente to get through the 2020 US election year without a new Middle East conflict fade. This has been exacerbated by differing Trump administration and European assessments of recent protests in Iran, including those expressing anger at the government in Tehran in the wake of Iran's admission that it accidentally shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 people aboard. Trump on Sunday newly expressed indifference to the prospect of Iran coming back to the negotiating table, amid what analysts believe may be an informal Trump administration assessment that the recent Iran protests that started in the fall and resumed in smaller numbers over the downed Ukrainian flight pose more of a threat to regime stability than the Europeans who have embassies on the ground in Iran assess. National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran choked off, will force them to negotiate, Trump tweeted Sunday night. Actually, I couldnt care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and dont kill your protesters. Trump, in remarks last Wednesday on his decision to kill Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport Jan. 3, explicitly called on the remaining parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to abandon the deal. The very defective JCPOA expires shortly anyway, and gives Iran a clear and quick path to nuclear breakout, Trump said. The time has come for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality. They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal - or JCPOA - and we must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place. The leaders of Britain, France and Germany issued a statement Sunday rejecting Trumps call to pull the plug on the Iran deal, albeit without naming him, and expressing regret at the US administrations decision to quit the JCPOA. Today, our message is clear: we remain committed to the JCPOA and to preserving it; we urge Iran to reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement and return to full compliance; we call on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation; and we remain ready to engage with Iran on this agenda in order to preserve the stability of the region, the leaders of the UK, France and Germany said in the joint statement. France, the UK and Germany also known as the E3 will continue to push for a diplomatic solution, believing that the Trump administrations pressure-only approach toward Iran will fail to achieve the changes they all seek in Irans behavior, a French diplomat told Al-Monitor. Pressure and coercion-only will fail, the French diplomat, speaking not for attribution, said. Pressure plus realistic engagement may succeed. We will continue to push for a diplomatic solution and for our four pillars approach: 1) keeping the JCPOA (because there is nothing to replace it at this stage) 2) long-term issues related to the nukes 3) missiles 4) regional destabilization, he said, adding they will do so in parallel, since negotiating with Iran on all the issues at once as part of a package can only fail. The Europeans preferred to work with the United States to achieve some kind of JCPOA-plus, but after the Trump speech last week, That is simply off the table, said Markus Kaim, a German foreign policy scholar serving as a visiting fellow at the German Marshall Foundation. We have to be realistic here. Germany, France, the UK desperately want to sustain the deal, but from what we heard, there is no movement on the US side, Kaim told Al-Monitor. He said they may therefore adopt a policy of privately considering the JCPOA dysfunctional and dormant, but useful to preserve, to see if it could be revived after this year's US presidential election. If Trump wins reelection, then it becomes evident that the JCPOA as we know it cannot continue to be the point of reference for the European Iran policy, Kaim said. France tried to follow up on intensive efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to broker a Trump meeting or phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly in September, but found the Trump administration reassessing its interest in possible negotiations amid Iranian anti-government protests in the fall, said Rob Malley, a National Security Council Middle East coordinator during the Barack Obama administration. Macron tried [to revive the de-escalation talks] by dispatching Foreign Minister [Jean-Yves] Le Drian, but my understanding is it never got anywhere, Malley, now the head of the International Crisis Group, told a small group of journalists Jan. 6. The protests in Iran changed Trumps view. He decided, why throw the Iranians a lifeline when they are weaker. They changed Trumps appetite for a deal. On Dec. 7, Trump had praised Swiss-brokered negotiations that led to a US-Iran prisoner swap. Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation, he tweeted. See, we can make a deal together! But he reacted harshly to the Dec. 27 killing of an Iraqi American civilian contractor and wounding of several US troops in a rocket attack at the K1 military base near Kirkuk, Iraq, ordering Dec. 29 airstrikes that killed 25 members of the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah Iraqi militia. When that generated violent protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad on Jan. 31, Trump reportedly approved a military option to kill Soleimani. This will not be a Benghazi, Trump vowed to reporters at a New Years Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, shortly before Soleimani was killed. Hopes for a European-mediated deal to get the United States and Iran back to the table have faded, but perhaps not closed off entirely, amid Iranian retrenchment following the US killing of Soleimani, said former State Department Iran nuclear deal implementation team official Richard Johnson. I would say, even a couple months ago, I had slightly more hope that there may be a little bit of a window for something diplomatic, Johnson, who served for the first 18 months of the Trump administration trying to negotiate a US-E3 deal on Iran and now works for the nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative. He told Al-Monitor in an interview, The Macron plan was still very much on the table, up and until the Soleimani attack. I am not sure it is thrown off the table, but it is obviously a lot harder, Johnson said. I do not think it was the end of the line, and was hearing through channels, that there was interest on both sides in something. The beauty of that is it would have allowed both sides to take a win. Trump to say he increased pressure and got the Iranians to come back to the table and do talks on things more than what Obama did Persian Gulf regional issues and also the future of the JCPOA. The Iranians to say, we resisted and basically, we are just going back to what we agreed and sanctions relief. Now, my concern is that the politics in Iran are almost worse than in the US, Johnson said. You have this cadre of people hanging their hat on JCPOA albeit more quietly than before." But he said the Soleimani killing has unified the Iranian population against compromise with the United States. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, was even more pessimistic about prospects for US-Iran diplomacy after the US killing of Soleimani. The door to diplomacy has been shut as a result of what happened, Vaez told Al-Monitor. I think it is no longer conceivable that Rouhani would be willing to meet with president who has ordered killing of [Soleimani]. It is also impossible to imagine that President Trump would be willing to offer Iran significant and meaningful sanctions relief in an election year. That basically means we are locked into a cycle of escalation unless a mediator can manage to convince both sides that a cease-fire is better than continuation of the status quo, Vaez said. While the prospect for a Macron-type grand political breakthrough has faded, the Europeans feel little choice but to try to shuttle back and forth between the United States and Iran to try to prevent a new round of escalation, and to try to provide cooling off periods after each round of escalation that occurs, said Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy head of the Middle East at the European Council on Foreign Relations. I think a lot of Europeans are scrambling to see what they can do, but it feels as if they have tested and tried every avenue of influence and exhausted a lot of the path that existed, Geranmayeh told Al-Monitor. But I do think it is encouraging that, despite huge amount of pressure from the US on the Europeans the Europeans are sticking to the position that they are not going to join the US maximum pressure campaign, while I think they are definitely encouraging Iran to entertain diplomacy. I dont see now the Iranians being able to enter into very significant negotiations with the Americans until November, Geranmayeh said, referring to the month of the US presidential elections. I do think that still the Rouhani government would entertain some sort of negotiations with the US side, but for a lot of the [Iranian] leadership, that prospect is now close to zero, she said. If [Trump] is reelected in November, in Iran, there is going to be some hard thinking, a) can we manage this turbulent relationship with the United States for another four years, and b) do they need to find a serious diplomatic path with the Americans, particularly as the economic situation will worsen the longer this embargo is in place, Geranmayeh said. I have doubts about the Iranians making significant concessions without the US also making significant concessions. Libreville, Gabon (PANA) - Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has brought together the country's main religious authorities to discuss social issues with them, including the health and education sectors, an official statement reported on Tuesday Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 12:32 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c322125d9 1 Entertainment Semesta,documentary,climate-change,nicholas-saputra,mandy-marahimin Free An environmental documentary titled Semesta (Universe) is set to be screened in a limited number of Indonesian theaters starting from Jan. 30. Directed by Chairun Nissa and produced by actor Nicholas Saputra and Mandy Marahimin, the documentary follows seven people who hail from different provinces in Indonesia -- Aceh, West Kalimantan, Yogyakarta, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua and Jakarta -- as they try to reduce global warming effects based on their respective religions, faiths and cultures. In Papua, for instance, the film takes viewers to Kapatcol village where the locals practice a tradition named Sasi that aims to preserve natural resources by protecting the area from exploitation. Meanwhile in Bali, the documentary discusses Nyepi (Day of Silence) and how it contributes to mitigating climate change effects. By displaying stories from different provinces in Indonesia, this film broadens our knowledge and inspires us to do something no matter how small it is, Nicholas said as quoted by Antara news agency. Mandy added that the film was created in such a way as to make it enjoyable to watch. Wed like to break the stereotype that says documentaries are boring, Mandy said. Thats why we added different touches to Semesta. Our background in fiction films also helped. Nominated in the Best Documentary category at the 2019 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), the film had its world premiere in November at the 2019 SUNCINE Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain. (wir/kes) One of the greatest problems in the textile industry is the excessive consumption of water. Taking on the challenge of shifting towards responsible processes, Tejidos Royo has been working in collaboration with Gaston Systems Inc. and Indigo Mill Designs (IMD) on its pioneering Dry Indigo technology. This has allowed it to eliminate the use of water 100% from the indigo thread dyeing process, which is an important milestone in the textile industry. Jose Rafael Royo, member of board, explains that, "At Tejidos Royo we are acutely aware of the impact we have on the environment and we have been working to make good our commitment to our surroundings and to meet the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the stakeholders in each industry have to play a leading role in creating a landscape for change, so we decided to develop Dry Indigo, which opens up a fantastic path for the whole textile industry towards sustainability." To achieve these aims and to spread its values, Tejidos Royo created the One Million Liters initiative, an international campaign that offered users from around the globe the chance to nominate a charitable cause to receive the donation of the one million liters saved using the Dry Indigo technology. Following the panel's deliberation and vote, made up of outstanding professionals, the winning charitable cause was Chakaka Primary School, run by the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle. The project aims to build a well and installing a pump that ensures a permanent supply of drinking water at the school. As a result, they will have all the water needed for drinking and cooking, as well as to clean the installations, thereby improving hygiene and sanitation which is necessary in order to prevent the spread of diseases. So, Tejidos Royo hopes that this first call for a Sustainable Denim Revolution is just the beginning of a long process moving towards being an ethical industry. Join the Sustainable Denim Revolution! www.onemillionliters.com SOURCE One Million Liters Related Links http://www.onemillionliters.com (As delivered) Good afternoon. I am looking forward to meeting with the EU Foreign Ministers and to discuss with them the situation in the Middle East, which is of course important for all of us. Let me start by expressing my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their loved ones in the terrible plane crash outside Tehran. This is a tragedy. And it is important that we are able to establish all the facts. Therefore we need a thorough and transparent investigation. And I call on Iran to fully participate and contribute to a transparent thorough investigation. Over the past 48 hours, we have seen some reduction in tensions in the region. We need to build on that and to further de-escalate. And to further reduce tensions. It is in nobodys interest to have a new conflict in the Middle East. Let me just briefly mention three urgent challenges we all have to face. We need to continue to support Iraq. Both the EU and NATO are members of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh. We have personnel on the ground, and both the Coalition and NATO have suspended training and capacity building in Iraq for security reasons. I spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Al Mahdi this week. And I told him that we are committed to restart training as soon as possible. But then we have to make sure that the conditions on the ground permit us to do so. We need to understand that the fight against Daesh is not over. We have made enormous progress, but Daesh can return, ISIS can come back. And the best weapon, the best tool we have in the fight against international terrorism is to train local forces to fight international terrorism. And thats exactly what we do in Iraq and thats the reason why our cooperation with Iraq is so important. And thirdly, we have to stand together. North America and Europe, we can achieve a lot when we stand together, as we have done in the fight against ISIS, liberating all the territory they controlled, liberating millions of people. And therefore we need to stand together as we now continue to fight international terrorism. And I spoke with President Trump this week. He called on NATO, on all of us to do more in the fight against international terrorism. And we are looking into what more we can do because international terrorism is a threat to all of us. Question: Did NATOs new drone capture any images of a missile attack against the Ukrainian plane? Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: So I will not go into details about our intelligence. But what I can say is that we have no reason to not believe the reports we have seen from different NATO Allied capitals. And they have expressed concern about information indicating that the plane may have been downed by Iranian air defence systems. Thats exactly why we need a thorough investigation. Thats exactly why we need to establish all the facts. And thats exactly why it is important that we have full cooperation from the Iranian side in such an investigation. Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: And question over there. Question: Secretary General, yes, thank you very much. Secretary General, Im just wondering, if the Turkish has the right to ask military help from NATO in Libya as a member, and do you have any comment to say about one of the members breaking a united Im talking about Turkey breaking a United Nations resolution by sending the troops there? Jens Stoltenberg: There has been no call for a NATO military role. What Allies have agreed previously is that we are ready to do capacity-building for the UN-recognised, internationally recognised government in Libya. My main message and NATOs main message is that we support the UN-led efforts to find a political peaceful solution to the conflict in Libya. Thats important for the people in Libya, but also, of course, important for all its neighbours, including NATO and European Union members. Oana Lungescu: A question over here. Question: As you mentioned, President Trump wants to do more NATO in Middle East. Could you tell me more detail? What are you going to do more in Middle East, especially in Iraq, or the other part [inaudible]. Jens Stoltenberg: NATO has a wide range of capabilities, and we have shown throughout our history that we can do many different things, from diplomatic efforts, political efforts, capacity-building, military operations. So, of course, we have a wide range of tools. I think its a bit too early now to conclude. We already do a lot in the fight against international terrorism. We have our Mission in Afghanistan where we train, assist and advise the Afghan security forces in fighting international terrorism. We have our presence in Iraq where we train Iraqi security forces, helping them to fight ISIS. We also do capacity-building, meaning helping to build the defence and security institutions. And then we also work with other countries in the region, including countries like Jordan and Tunisia. We work with them on issues like intelligence, special operation forces, capacity-building. And on Monday, the King of Jordan will come to NATO and we will sit down and discuss with him how we can further strengthen our cooperation, because it is a fight which is important for all of us, the countries in the region and all NATO allies. And then, it is very important to remember that this is not decisions NATO can just make alone. We are working with countries in the region. So when we do training in Iraq, we do that by invitation from the Iraqi government. When we work in Jordan and Tunisia, we do that after we have agreed with those countries how we can work together. And of course, also thats the same in Afghanistan. So this is not only about what NATO wants to do, but also what countries in the region want us to do together with them. Oana Lungescu: Thank you very much. Jens Stoltenberg: Thank you. PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 10:01:01 SATO Corporation, Media release 14 January 2020 at 11:00 One of Finland's leading rental housing providers, SATO is having new privately financed rental homes and owner-occupied homes constructed on a seafront site with good access to transport and services. Construction begins this year and the homes will be ready for moving into in November 2021. SATO signed a contract with Peab Oy on the construction of Asunto Oy Sompasaaren Priki housing company on 13 January 2020. To be built on a site owned by the company, the property will have 57 apartments, of which 41 will be rental homes and 16 will be sold.The construction of the Kalasatama district now continues in the Sompasaari area and also on the other side of Itavayla road in Verkkosaari. Soon to provide homes for 3,000 people, the construction of the seaside residential area on Sompasaari island is well underway in response to major demand for apartments with good access to transport connections and services and close to Helsinki's city centre. We believe theres demand for modern homes by the sea, says SATO Executive Vice President for Investments Antti Aarnio. The construction of the Sompasaaren Priki property begins in January 2020 and residents will be able to move into their new homes in November 2021. Sompasaari is an island that will be surrounded by canals in the south and north and by the sea on the eastern, southern and western sides. The area has great public transport connections: The Kalasatama metro station and bus links are within walking distance from the Sompasaari area. Once completed, the coming tram line to Pasila and the tram services to Hakaniemi and Laajasalo via the new bridge connections will improve the areas transport connections even further. For more information please contact: SATO Corporation, Antti Aarnio, Executive Vice President, Investments, phone: +358 40 164 7052, antti.aarnio@sato.fi SATO is one of Finland's leading rental housing providers. SATO aims to offer a comprehensive choice of rental housing and an excellent customer experience. At year-end 2018 SATO owned around 25,900 apartments in Finland's largest growth centres and in St. Petersburg. We promote sustainable development and initiative through our operations and work in open interaction with our stakeholders to generate added value. We operate profitably and with a long-term view. We increase the value of our housing stock through investments, divestments and repairs. The SATO Group's net sales in 2018 were EUR 290 million, operating profit EUR 273 million and profit before taxes EUR 231 million. The value of SATO's investment properties was roughly EUR 3.9 billion. Harris County Democrats and faith leaders called on Republican Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday to reverse his decision taking Texas out of the federal refugee resettlement program, saying it went against his Catholic faith and the spirit of not only the state, but the country. The governors move made Texas the first and only state so far to stop accepting refugees. Forty-two states, including 17 led by Republican governors, have agreed to continue taking in refugees as part of a new Trump administration requirement that state and local authorities opt into the federal program. The other eight have until Jan. 21 to decide. This is not a Democrat versus Republican issue. Its not an immigrant versus native-born issue it is not a religious versus secular issue, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo during a press conference with elected officials and leaders of refugee resettlement organizations. We cannot turn our backs to the most vulnerable facing the most difficult conditions imaginable. The new veto power for states and cities, required by an executive order President Donald Trump issued in September, is unprecedented in decades of U.S. resettlement. It comes as the White House has slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country to a record low of 18,000 for 2020 down from 30,000 in 2019 and an average of 102,000 annually during the programs peak under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Abbotts spokesman, John Wittman, defended the decision in a statement earlier this week, saying it will not prevent any refugee from coming to America. Since 2010, more refugees have been sent to Texas than any other state, Abbott wrote in his letter Friday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. At the same time, the governor wrote, the state has been the focus of a surge of immigrants crossing the southern border. The state and nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless indeed, all Texans, the governor wrote. On Tuesday, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said Abbott was wrongly conflating refugee resettlement, which involves an extensive State Department vetting process that can last three years, and migrants coming across the southern border to ask for asylum. Both numbers have dropped dramatically and this year only about 2,000 refugees were expected in Texas, compared to 7,800 admitted during the last year of President Barack Obamas administration in 2016. Garcia noted that the federal government fully funds the initial resettlement of refugees and that the state pays no direct costs. This is a reprehensible decision, Garcia said. State Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat who represents southwest Houston where many refugees are initially housed, said the governors choice went against his Catholic faith. Gov. Abbott had the choice to live as a Christian and follow what Christ said and commanded and he chose the opposite, he said. Opting out of the federal program means funding wont be given to local organizations to resettle refugees in Texas, said Kimberly Haynes, a regional refugee coordinator with the South Texas Office of Refugees. She said Abbotts decision does not prevent refugees from moving here later, but meant the state would no longer receiving funding to help them integrate, including to find jobs and learn English. Most refugees coming to Houston are joining relatives likely will continue to come here no matter where they are settled, Haynes said. If someone is resettled here and the next day they want to come to this great state, they can take the bus and come to Texas, said Ali Al Sudani, who came here as a refugee from Iraq a decade ago and is now senior vice president for programs at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. Several national resettlement organizations have sued the federal government over the Trump administrations requirement for state and local consent, arguing that it violates a federal statute giving the executive branch near unilateral power over immigration. A judge could rule as soon as this week on the issue and temporarily halt the consent requirement, which would make Abbotts decision moot for now. Mayors and county leaders of all Texas biggest cities including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin sent letters opting in to resettling refugees, but the governors decision supersedes their wishes. This is sending the wrong message and history will judge us, Al Sudani said. lomi.kriel@chron.com Announcements continue to pour in of high-tech migrations breaking new ground here as a hotbed for growth, placing SEO in Colorado Springs firmly on the map. SEOblog.com, a fast-growing website providing the latest SEO news, tips and resources and helping business owners connect with leading SEO agencies, has released its exclusive 2020 ratings naming the best SEO companies in Colorado. SEOblog analysts determined the 15 best SEO companies in Denver and Colorado Springs based on dozens of key quantitative and qualitative factors. SEOblog industry experts examined each digital marketing agencys website, industry experience, market presence, client list, portfolio, expert certifications and authorship among other factors in its ranking system. SEOblog has provided an in-depth view of companies in a particular city or focus area on various directory pages to help business owners find the expert help they need to grow. This was a new, free offering added by SEOblog earlier this year. Colorado has several of the nations top SEO agencies that provide a very competitive digital marketing landscape. In addition to the yearly 2% average growth we've been experiencing for the last 20 years, Colorado Springs has fully embraced digital marketing, emphasizing SEO as a mainstay for our industries key marketing efforts, said Mike Tortorice, Infront Webworks marketing director. What makes us unique is the richness of new talent and niche-based markets that we've seen emerge here seeking a better climate and quality of life. On that basis, announcements continue to pour in of high-tech migrations breaking new ground here as a hotbed for growth, placing SEO in Colorado Springs firmly on the map. Denver has also become a very competitive SEO market with an influx of new agencies. With the boom of people moving to Colorado, we've increased our talent pool of people with technical expertise in SEO so you can actually build relationships between local businesses and SEO agencies, said Courtney Miller, a Sr. Lead Digital Strategist at Fruition. There is a plethora of digital marketing agencies popping up in Denver in the past few years so it forces SEOs to stay abreast in the ever-changing landscape of organic search. SEOblog.com rankings are updated regularly as the market shifts and new players emerge. SEOblog.com has published more than 1,500 agency listings with more added every day. There is no fee to participate, and the website welcomes all qualified agencies to apply. SEOblog leaders lists below recognize the best SEO agencies in Colorado: SEOblog.coms 15 Best SEO Companies in Denver in 2020: 51blocks, NEWMEDIA, Volume Nine, Buhv Designs, Kern Media, Clicta Digital, Location3, AdVision Marketing, Denverdata Web, Annabel Media, Doxa Digital, SPROUT Content, Fruition, Campfire Digital and Relish Studio. Link: https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/denver/ SEOblog.coms 15 Best SEO Companies in Colorado Springs in 2020: Infront Webworks, MR and MRS Leads, Newell Ledbetter Advertising, Engine 23, UZU Media, Pagecafe Internet Consulting, Creative Online Services, Guardian Solutions, Fairlane Web Consulting, Engine-ius Marketing, 3GEngagement, First Light Design, Fusion Marketing Partners, Net5 Marketing and Monopolists Law Firm SEO Experts. Link: https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/colorado-springs/ About SEOblog.com SEOblog.com is a leading thought leadership site with a rich history of publishing educational and informative articles about SEO and digital marketing topics. In early 2019, SEOblog.com answered the call from buyers of digital marketing services that lacked unbiased, informative online resources and launched a comprehensive directory to highlight the best SEO companies in the United States. SEOblogs mission is to connect businesses with qualified digital marketing agencies while also offering further SEO education, best practices and industry trends. SEOblog.com is a one-stop shop for educational SEO and digital marketing content, research, ratings and reviews for the best agencies in each local market across the United States. The website will be increasing its coverage of agencies in North America and accepting more guest posts in the coming months. Contact SEOblog if youre interested in getting involved. In addition to tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, droughts, floods, landslides, wars and lethal epidemics, there is another major misfortune that can hit a country and that has nothing to do with nature or geology: mass emigration for political reasons. And that is what has happened in Cuba since 1959. Therefore, as year 62 of Castroism gets underway, once again the usual question arises: how many Cubans will emigrate in 2020? Is it normal for a country to suffer a perennial exodus of its citizens to corners all over the world because in their homeland the doors to progress are closed, and they are denied the right to a better and dignified life? Can one honestly defend socialism, which denies these universal rights, and forces millions of its nationals to emigrate? Such is Cuba, due to a pair of Marxist-Leninist brothers who seized power in the middle of the last century, and refused to ever relinquish it. Official Cuban data indicates that from the Crisis de los Balseros (Rafter Crisis) in 1994 until 2015 some 660,000 Cubans emigrated, but experts consider believe that the figure actually ascends to one million people. That is, the Cuban diaspora currently totals over two million emigrants, meaning that 18% of Cuba's total population has left it. While the Trump Administration has made it harder to emigrate to the US, the massive departure of Cubans to other countries, and even to the US, continues. This is, without any doubt, a scourge that plagues Cuban society. As Marti brilliantly observed: "when citizens are forced to leave, it is their rulers who ought to." Among other things, what the country is constantly losing its most valuable asset: its human resources. If there were no Communism in Cuba not as many Cubans would have emigrated, including many of its most educated and highly trained people: engineers, architects, professors, doctors, scientists, economists, experts of all kinds, artists, journalists, intellectuals, senior executives and thousands of businesspeople with a broad range of know-how. Today, those who emigrate are young people who make up the economically active population (EAP), the driving force that makes the world go around. Without the "socialist revolution," Cuba today would have some 17 to 18 million citizens. In 1958 Chile had approximately the same population as Cuba. Today it lists 19 million people. Without the Castros, Cuba's EAP would number three or four million more people, producing and consuming, its Gross Domestic Product would be seven or eight times higher, and its level of socioeconomic development would be among the highest in Latin America, as in 1958. The dictatorship's propaganda, faithful to Goebbels' principle in Nazi Germany of constantly repeating a lie until it becomes "true", has made the majority of those who have emigrated in the last 40 years state (and believe) that they left Cuba for economic reasons, and the regime argues that Cuban emigration is the same as that from any Third World country. False. Cuba is very poor today, but who is responsible for that poverty, and the permanent economic crisis that fuels emigration? The reasons for emigration would be economic if Cuba were a country with a market economy, as in the rest of the Third World, from which millions of people do emigrate due to a lack of opportunities. On the island, however, there is no opportunity because there is no free enterprise. The State owns everything. Therefore, it is directly responsible for the country's economic disaster and absence of opportunities, and not capitalism, which simply does not exist in the country. To site an example ... if India had lost 18% of its total population (1.376 billion inhabitants at the beginning of 2020) to emigration, 247 million Indians would have dispersed across the planet. That colossal figure could actually be a reality if there were a Communist dictatorship in India. And there is the difference with Cuba, an eminently political one. Cuba once attracted immigrants Cuba, prosperous before 1959, was just the opposite: a magnet drawing immigrants from all over the world. When it proclaimed independence in 1902 its population stood at 1.6 million. By 1930 1.3 million immigrants had reached the island, according to the former Ministry of Finance. In just six years, between 1924 and 1930, 261,587 immigrants arrived. In 1919 the island had a population of 2.8 million, according to that year's census. That is, its population had almost doubled in 17 years. In just 28 years Cuba attracted 774,123 Spaniards, 190,046 Haitians and 120,046 Jamaicans (these last two groups, mainly to work on its sugar cane plantations, as Cuba was already the world's largest sugar producer). There also arrived 34,462 Americans, 19,769 Brits, 13,930 Puerto Ricans, 12,926 Chinese, 10,428 Italians, 10,305 Syrians, 8,895 Poles, 6,632 Turks, 6,222 French, 4,850 Russians, 3,726 Germans and 3,569 Greeks. They all came as part of the economic boom sweeping the island, whether as investors, businesspeople, professionals or employees. The population grew rapidly, and in 1931 Cuba had a population of 3.9 million, up 1.1 million in just 12 years. Between 1940 and 1950 Cuba exported 50% of all the sugar marketed in the world. The sugar boom ran parallel to the gradual development of the entire national economy. In addition to immigrants from the aforementioned nations, more arrived: Lebanese, Palestinians, Jews, Romanians, Hungarians, Filipinos and Mexicans (especially from the Yucatan). In 1958 there were 12,000 applications at the Cuban Embassy in Rome from Italians eager to emigrate. There was no reason to emigrate from Cuba. Domestic and foreign capital investments were flowing. There were obvious socioeconomic advances. Fidel and Raul Castro, however, managed to seize power and impose Communism. Today the nation is, pitifully, falling apart, in ruins. Before they were sad to leave, now they are eager to do so Memorably, Fidel Castro once shouted at those he called "worms": "Let them go, we don't need them ..." Ironically, it is those same "stateless" people, at whom mobs sent by the regime threw rotten eggs, who today sustain Cuba's decrepit economy through their remittances, packages and trips to the island, worth some 7 billion dollars (in 2018), a figure higher than that confiscated from the doctors it exploits abroad, as if they were state property, and tripling gross revenue from tourism. There is a phenomenon that clearly illustrates this drama: during the first waves of emigrants in the 60s, Cubans went away dejected, harboring fond memories and nostalgia of having lived, before 1959, in a country that was on the rise, with its strengths and weaknesses, but with economic freedom, even under Batista's repressive military dictatorship. In contrast, those who have emigrated in the last three decades leave upbeat, hopeful. They harbor memories of an impoverished and highly repressed country. There is nothing for them to miss, so they just want to forget. And that is sad. How many Cubans will emigrate in 2020? No one knows. What is known is that the exodus of Cubans will continue until more pressure is placed on the military gerontocracy that rules the country, it is driven from power, and the constrained power of the Cuban people is finally unleashed. New Yorkers have long shared apartments in order to afford the citys famously high rents. This, of course, often entails hunting down an apartment with a real estate agent and paying a brokers fee, plus a hefty deposit then furnishing the place, lining up roommates and getting electricity and internet service up and running. For several years, co-living companies have been popping up, providing a fast, streamlined alternative in the form of fully furnished, move-in-ready rooms in shared apartments. Lately the trickle of co-living activity has become a torrent. Homegrown companies are expanding into new neighborhoods. Brands that have built up their businesses elsewhere are planting their flags here. And even traditional real estate companies are getting into the act. No one wants to be left behind, said Matthew Polci, a managing director at Mission Capital Advisors, which has been financing an increasing number of co-living projects. Canadian volunteers to head to Australia next week to help rescue animals, Jan. 10 This article about Canadian volunteers headed to Australia to rescue creatures trapped and fleeing wildfires brought me happiness, joy and renewed faith in mankind. In view of all of the dreadful and heartbreaking news about the wildfires in Australia, this column brought at least a little hope. While there are numerous teams evacuating and helping people, there are fewer dealing with the absolute horror of animal terror, devastation and death, and it makes my heart sing that volunteers from Kelowna, Calgary and Kitchener are willing to travel such long distances to help these poor creatures. My Canadian pride overflowed when I read the story. I believe reverence for all life is very important and these volunteers indicate strongly their commitment to this philosophy. Were I younger, I would be honoured to join such a mission. MBABANE - The arrest and subsequent prosecution of a mentally unstable man might come at a heavy price for the Eswatini Government. This is so because the father of the patient is now suing the State for over E6 million. The patient, who had escaped from the National Psychiatric Hospital, was arrested and consequently sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of a fine by the magistrates court. This was after he was found guilty of having stolen a kombi he found idling at Mahhala Complex in Matsapha. In the particulars of claim, the plaintiff (father) claimed that despite the police and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) having been notified that his son had escaped from the National Psychiatric Hospital, they allegedly proceeded to unlawfully arrest and prosecute him. After the patients conviction and sentencing by the magistrate, the matter was then taken to the High Court for a review. Judge Nkosinathi Maseko, who heard the review application, found that the detention of the patient was unlawful and further ordered that he should be released from custody forthwith. Custody The patient had already spent 15 months behind bars when the court ordered his release from custody. The name of the patient and that of his father, who is the plaintiff in the matter, will not be mentioned as sickness remains confidential between a doctor and a patient. In his particulars of claim, the plaintiff narrated that on or about April 19, 2016, his son was diagnosed with a mental issue that allegedly rendered him incapable of managing his affairs. He related to the court that on December 8, 2017, his son escaped from the National Psychiatric Hospital. According to the plaintiff, following his sons escape from the hospital, he ran an advert on national radio and in the Times of Eswatini, appealing to members of the public to assist in locating the patient. He alleged that the National Psychiatric Hospital also notified the police about the escape of his son. Despite that the police had been notified that the patient had absconded from the National Psychiatric Hospital, they unlawfully arrested him (son) on December 16, 2017 for having stolen a kombi which he found idling and he drove it away at Mahhala Complex, submitted the plaintiff. The father informed the court that when the law enforcers arrested his son, they were acting within the course and scope of their employment with the Eswatini Government. Prosecuted He argued that despite the police and the DPP allegedly observing that his son was mentally unstable and not fit for trial, he was prosecuted by the Crown and sentenced to four years without an option of a fine. As a result of the unlawful conduct of the police and the DPP, my son was unlawfully detained by the Correctional Services from December 16, 2017 until he was released through a court order by the High Court on March 25, 2019 under Case No. 82/2019, contended the father. He highlighted that the High Court held that the prosecution of his son was unlawful and ordered that he should be released from custody forthwith. According to the plaintiff, at the Correctional Services, his son was handcuffed as a result of his mental illness and his hands were allegedly permanently damaged. These are allegations contained in particulars of claim whose veracity is still to be tested in court. The Eswatini Government is therefore liable to the plaintiff in the sum of E6 050 000, which despite lawful demand, the defendant (Eswatini Government) has failed and/or neglected or refused to pay same thereof, read part of the particulars of claim. The matter is still pending in court and appearing for the plaintiff are lawyers from Robinson Bertram in Mbabane. Parisian metro lines were nearly all running on Monday, but only during peak hours, ensuring another day of frustrating travels for those in the capital as the nationwide strike continues with more woes expected as it enters its 41st day on Tuesday. Despite small improvements to the flow of public transportation in Paris, the regional transport company RATP asked commuters to find alternative means of getting around as the trains, trams and buses continue to be jammed with people. National rail operator SNCF announced that eight of ten high-speed TGV train were operating, but regional trains still remain affected providing more intermittent service. It also added that the number striking staffers had fallen to 4.3 percent; the lowest rate since the strike began on 5 December. Pivot age Over the weekend, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that he would drop plans for a pivot age that would raise the official age for a full pension from 62 to 64; a major point of contention by many of the unions. President Emmanuel Macron applauded that move calling it a constructive and responsible compromise, as did the more moderate union the CFDT. But the more hardline unions of CGT, FO and Solidaires were not impressed by that change, and have called for another major demonstration on Thursday. "When you can't convince with ideas you use good old-fashioned methods like repression," said CGT leader Philippe Martinez as he denounced Philippe's comments. He described the concession announced by the premier as no more than a "smokescreen to make us work longer." 42 existing pensions "The end of the pivot age does not mean the end of the strike," said Laurent Beranger, head of the CFDT in an interview with RTL Radio. "We are far from being at the end of this story on the universal system for pensions and we will need to keep up the pressure," added Berger. Central to the strike is the reform of the current 42 pension plans to be made into one universal system. The strike has continued to spread outside the transportation sector, with lawyers and staff at the Paris Opera joining in the movement. Photo from a tweet showing lawyers from the Order of Lawyers in Lyon striking on Monday. The first performance of 2020 set for Saturday at the Paris Garnier was cancelled. French climber Alain Robert, known as France's "Spiderman," made his own contribution to support the protests on Monday by climbing up a towering skyscraper just outside Paris in the La Defense business district. "I'm 57, so technically not far from retirement. And climbing is the only way I make money," Robert said before being detained after his illicit 52-minute climb. "Will I have to keep climbing solo until I'm 64? Or even 67?" he added. Joseph "Joe" Baldo, 83, of Port Republic, MD passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Mary, four children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. After serving 27 years as an US Air Force Bandsman, and retiring as a Master Sergeant, Joe performed Taps more times than he could ever count. During his time with the Air Force Ceremonial Band in Washington, DC, he spent many days at Arlington National Cemetery performing Taps. He continued performing Taps for many years all across the State of Maryland at veteran's gravesites into his 80's. Born and raised on the "Lower Eastside" of New York City, Joe took up the trumpet at around age 14. His mother made sure he got a good one, as she purchased his very first one at the famous Wurlitzer Music Store in New York City. After graduating from The Manhattan High School of Aviation, Joe enlisted in the Air Force in 1955. His trumpet talent was noted and after basic training he began his many year career as an Air Force Bandsman. In "retirement", Joe began his association with The Maryland National Guard performing Taps as part of gravesite ceremonial requirements for Armed Forces Veterans in Maryland. Some days he played Taps for as many as three funerals. A professional musician, who continued to serve his country in a most honorable, dignified and essential way! Family invites friends to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 105 Vianney Lane, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, on Thursday, January 16 from 11:30 am until start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 1 pm. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SERV), which is in the consumer services business, and is based in United States, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to US$56.90 at one point, and dropping to the lows of US$33.98. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether ServiceMaster Global Holdings's current trading price of US$37.16 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at ServiceMaster Global Holdingss outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. See our latest analysis for ServiceMaster Global Holdings Is ServiceMaster Global Holdings still cheap? Good news, investors! ServiceMaster Global Holdings is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is $56.29, but it is currently trading at US$37.16 on the share market, meaning that there is still an opportunity to buy now. ServiceMaster Global Holdingss share price also seems relatively stable compared to the rest of the market, as indicated by its low beta. If you believe the share price should eventually reach its true value, a low beta could suggest it is unlikely to rapidly do so anytime soon, and once its there, it may be hard to fall back down into an attractive buying range. What kind of growth will ServiceMaster Global Holdings generate? NYSE:SERV Past and Future Earnings, January 14th 2020 Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. ServiceMaster Global Holdingss revenue growth are expected to be in the teens in the upcoming years, indicating a solid future ahead. Unless expenses grow at the same level, or higher, this top-line growth should lead to robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since SERV is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on SERV for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its prosperous future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy SERV. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed buy. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on ServiceMaster Global Holdings. You can find everything you need to know about ServiceMaster Global Holdings in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in ServiceMaster Global Holdings, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A Cambodian passenger has had a bag containing valuable items which were left on a Vietnam Airlines flight returned. A Cambodian passenger (left) has had a bag containing valuable items which were left on a Vietnam Airlines flight returned. The cabin crew of flight VN522 from Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai on January 4 found a bag left at a business class seat of a female Cambodian woman after all the passengers had left. Checking the bag they found some valuable jewellery including diamond rings and a watch. A diamond ring A watch The cabin crew reported the findings but it took time for Vietnam Airlines staff to contact the passenger as she had left to another city and did not have a mobile phone number. Vietnam Airlines finally contacted the passenger and returned her the bag when she came to check in for a Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City flight on January 11. The passenger was happy to receive her lost bag and sent her sincere thanks to Vietnam Airlines staff. This is not the first case in which passengers have had valuables returned. In 2018, the chief attendant of a Vietnam Airlines flight returned USD13,000 to a passenger, and a male attendant also returned a wallet containing VND30 million and some personal papers to another passenger. Dtinews Taxi driver returns wallet to foreign passenger A Mai Linh Taxi Company driver returned a wallet left in his car after a trip in the northern province of Ninh Binh. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Chinese device-maker Xiaomi launched the Redmi K30 5G alongside a 4G version of the phone in December 2019. The Redmi K30 5G has recently been certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Beyond the BIS certification (Model number M2001G7AI), discounts on the Redmi K20 and K20 Pro also indicate an imminent launch of the Redmi K30 5G in India. The Redmi K20 and K20 Pro already received price cuts towards the end of 2019, but Xiaomi is offering a flat Rs 2,000 discount to customers purchasing the handsets via SBI credit cards. The offer is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and Mi.com. This will take the price of the Redmi K20 to as low as Rs 17,999, while the Pro variant will be available for as little as Rs 22,999. The offer on the Redmi K20 series will end on January 17. The Redmi K20 and K20 Pro offer top-of-the-line specs like an FHD+ Super AMOLED display, formidable triple-camera setup and a 4,000 mAh battery. Moreover, the Redmi K20 offers a premium mid-tier chipset while the Pro version of the device gets a flagship-grade SoC. The BIS certification, coupled with the price cut makes a strong case for the imminent arrival of the Redmi K30 5G. Although India is still behind in terms of 5G adoption, launching a 5G device wont make much of a difference as it will offer 4G connectivity and offer a future-proof solution for consumers. The Redmi K30 5G is the 5G successor to the vanilla Redmi K20 and arrives with a ton of improvements over its predecessor, including a bigger battery, higher refresh rate display, faster charging, a more powerful chipset and a quad-camera setup with a better primary sensor. The Redmi K30 series also opts for a punch-hole notch over the pop-up selfie camera on its predecessor. Xiaomi is also expected to launch the 4G Redmi K30 variant in India alongside its 5G counterpart. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Here are some stocks that are in the news: Results: IndusInd Bank, Wipro, Bandhan Bank, Chadha Papers, Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacom, TV18 Broadcast, Shiva Cement and Network 18 Media & Investments are among the companies that will release their quarterly earnings today. December CPI at 7.35 percent versus 5.54 percent, MoM Religare Enterprises: Ashish Kacholia bought 40,00,000 shares of Religare Enterprises through a bulk deal on NSE for Rs 17.6 crore. Delta Corp: Q3 profit grew 9 percent to Rs 55 cr, revenue remained unchanged at Rs 205.1 cr, margin dipped 320bps YoY. IRCTC: Railway Ministry gave approval to IRCTC to operate Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express. Edelweiss Financial Services received a communication from the office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to represent and appear before them on January 15, 2020 Infosys: The company partnered with France-based GEFCO to support its digital transformation. Lakshmi Vilas Bank: D Krishnakumar, Vice President, Risk Department took charge as the Chief Risk Officer. Indag Rubber: ICRA reaffirmed the long-term rating of A and short-term A1 to the company's LOC, with a stable outlook. Allahabad Bank: The bank has revised downward the MCLR by 05 basis points (bps) for one month MCLR tenor. Birla Precision Tech: The company's board will meet on January 14 to consider and approve the preferential issue of shares. Nila Infrastructures: Brickwork Ratings India has reaffirmed the bank loan rating for bank facilities of the company. Next Mediaworks: The company reported a loss of Rs 3.66 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, against the profit of Rs 21 lakh reported in the same quarter of the previous year. Jaiprakash Power Ventures - ICICI Bank withdraws application filed with NCLT for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process Syndicate Bank cuts lending rate by 20-35 bps across 4 tenors Videocon Industries - Meeting of the consolidated Committee of Creditors (CoC) to be held on January 15 NMDC - Execute mining lease agreements and its registration with Government of Chhattisgarh through District Collector Dantewada Manappuram Finance raises USD 300 million by allotment of fixed-rate senior secured notes Aster DM - Record date for buyback is January 24 ICICI Bank seeks recovery of amounts from Chanda Kochhar - PTI Ms. Gardner has been at war with much of the St. Louis police force and the local legal establishment since she was elected in 2016, two years after nearby Ferguson, Mo., erupted in protest over a killing by a police officer. The St. Louis police force is mistrusted by many in the African-American community, which makes up half the citys population. She took several steps to make the Police Department more accountable, including creating a list of more than 50 officers who could not bring cases for prosecution to her office because of concerns over their credibility. She also indicted the states governor at the time, Eric Greitens, who had been a rising star in national Republican politics. The business manager of the local police union, Jeff Roorda, has called for Ms. Gardners indictment, and he recently went on a radio show to suggest that she be removed from office by force or by choice. A special prosecutor, Jerry Carmody, began investigating Ms. Gardner in 2018 after Mr. Greitenss lawyers accused her of allowing the perjury of a former F.B.I. agent whom she hired to investigate the governor. Ms. Gardner has said that she did nothing wrong, and that she corrected the former agents errors as soon as she learned about them. She later dismissed the case against Mr. Greitens. In an interview, Ms. Gardner said the lawsuit was about making sure she was allowed to implement the platform she was elected on. Were not going to let fear and injustice stop the reforms that are needed, she said. This is also about the continuing attacks on progressive prosecutors, not just in St. Louis, but around this country. BISHKEK -- Police in Bishkek have detained four men suspected of assaulting Bolot Temirov, the editor in chief of Kyrgyz investigative website FactCheck. The Interior Ministry said that the suspects, whose identities were not disclosed, were detained on January 14 and charged with assault and robbery. According to the ministry, the suspects were between the ages of 26 and 28. Temirov was attacked near his website's office in Bishkek on January 9. The assailants took his mobile phone away. The United States and several media-freedom watchdogs have called on Kyrgyz authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the case. In December, the FactCheck website was hacked along with sites of several online news resources that used FactCheck's material. FactCheck mainly investigates corruption among state officials. Temirov's site and open-source investigative organization Bellingcat recently probed Raimbek Matraimov, the former deputy chief of Kyrgyz customs, and his relatives, who are at the center of an alleged corruption scandal involving the funneling of close to a billion dollars out of Kyrgyzstan. Market surveillance units last year cracked a number of major counterfeit rings countrywide as the fight against trade frauds took place on a scale never seen before, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said. Tay Ninh Province's office of the National Steering Committee to fight smuggling, commercial frauds and counterfeit goods destroyed nearly 352,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes with well-known brand names that were seized by various provincial authorities since the middle of 2018. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tan He was speaking on Monday at a meeting to review 2019 tasks of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance in Hanoi. According to the report from the directorate, last year, 90,000 violations were discovered, and VND500 billion (US$21.6 million) in confiscated goods and administrative fines were contributed to the State budget. Deputy PM Binh praised the directorate efforts which included the capture of two containers holding a large amount of frozen animal innards with questionable origins in Hanoi on December 30, inspections into several well-known clothing stores fraudulent practice of putting Made in Viet Nam tags on Chinese-made items, or the break-ups of a large-scale sugar smuggling ring in An Giang and neighbouring localities. Aside from the achievements, Deputy PM Binh has emphasised several weaknesses the market surveillance force need improve. The professional capacity of surveillance staff remains uneven and there is definitely a small group of officials lacking in responsibility and showing signs of cover-ups, who have been dealt with, Binh said. The directorates human resources as well as its infrastructure and equipment remains insufficient, which hampers the efforts in fighting counterfeit products and trade frauds, Binh said, adding that improvements must also be made quickly to market surveillance-related legal documents to appropriately respond to ever-changing real-life situation. The directorate will need to be more prepared and better itself against the complicated developments of trade frauds, fake goods and food safety violations in 2020, Binh said. Market surveillance authorities must be categorically resolute in removing from its force any official or staff who transgresses against the law, commits bureaucratic harassments while on duty or fails to complete their missions, Binh said, ordering a construction of a strong, corruption-free market surveillance force. He asked the Directorate to follow orders from the Government, Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee to fight smuggling, commercial frauds and counterfeit goods (National Committee 389) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to effectively deal with these issues, in order to create favourable conditions for businesses and better protect consumers interests. Market surveillance units were also told to co-operate with local governments as well as the police, customs and tax authorities, border guards to fight against low-quality products, trade of forbidden products and food safety violation cases, the Deputy PM said. Application of information technology and robust co-operation with international partners should also be a focus in the new era, Binh said. Deputy PM Binh has assigned the Government Office to compile the directorates proposals on the support it needs to function better including partial retention of the revenues from administrative fines issued, support from local governments to facilitate the construction of local market surveillance units, and use of vehicles with priority badges and forward to relevant authorities. VNS HCM City looks for solutions in fight against counterfeit goods, smuggling Fake and low-quality goods and knock-offs are increasing relentlessly in HCM City and can only be prevented through combined efforts by both authorities and businesses, a seminar heard on Wednesday. President Trump isnt George W. Bush. That should be obvious to everyone by now, but his critics and even some of his supporters immediately acted as if it were 2003 on the cusp of the Iraq War when Trump took out Iranian Quds Force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq. Lord Krishna tells me daily in my dreams that Ill establish Ram Rajya in UP after polls: Akhilesh Yadav Get out, You could be from BJP, RSS: Akhilesh to doctor while meeting patients in Kannauj India oi-PTI Kannauj, Jan 14: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has been caught on video lashing out at a doctor at a government hospital, saying he could be from the RSS or the BJP and asking him to "get out of here". The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who visited victims of a bus tragedy at the hospital, is in the purported video enquiring about the arrangements for the injured patients and reacting angrily when a doctor intervenes. "You need not say anything as you are a government servant. I know what the government is... you cannot take the government''s side, you are a very junior official. You could be from RSS, you could be from BJP, but you cannot say anything on what he (a patient''s kin) is telling me and explain things to me." Yadav further told the doctor, "Step back... step further back. Get out of here, leave," while discussing with the people there the number of those who died in the mishap. In the video that has gone viral on social media, Yadav also asks about the native district of the doctor who is the hospital''s emergency medical officer, and bystanders are heard telling him that he is from Gorakhpur which is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath''s home district. To this, Yadav remarks, "This explains why he is taking sides". The doctor, D S Mishra, later said he was merely trying to tell the former chief minister that the cheque of compensation has been given to the victims'' families. "I was there because I was the attending officer. When a patient''s family members made a claim that they did not receive their compensation, I tried to clarify that they have received the compensation cheque," Mishra said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 17:49 [IST] After more than 20 years of attempts, the U.S. Army is now equipping infantrymen with a sophisticated sighting system that allows them to accurately shoot around corners without exposing themselves to enemy fire. But this futuristic capability, some say, may come at the cost of proficiency and could even result in more friendly-fire casualties. Using a technology known as Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA), soldiers can see their weapon sight reticle wirelessly transmitted from a new thermal sight on the M4A1 carbine into their thermally enhanced night vision goggles, allowing them to see and quickly shoot enemy targets -- day or night, from the hip or lying behind cover and shooting over a wall. "It's hard to express how much of a game-changing technology this is for our soldiers on the battlefield," Brig. Gen. Anthony Potts, commander of Program Executive Office Soldier, said during a recent interview. Army officials promise the RTA technology has performed well in soldier testing. But military experts warn that if the service isn't careful, it could lead to an overreliance on technology, degrading critical marksmanship skills over time and increasing the risks of fratricide that come with ambiguity in thermal-spectrum detection. Related: Army: New Wireless Sight Offers Leap-Ahead for Night Marksmanship More and more challenges like this are likely to arise as the Army's extensive modernization effort begins to yield new capabilities that rely on advanced technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality to enhance soldier performance on the battlefield, they said. "I think when new technologies come in, they enable people to do things that they weren't able to do before and to do current tasks more easily with less intent -- you don't have to concentrate as much," said Dakota Wood, a senior research fellow for Defense Programs at The Heritage Foundation. "Overreliance on technology can lead to lack of discipline and a lack of understanding of the fundamentals and skills that are needed when the technology isn't there to help you out." A Long Way from Land Warrior Army weapons officials have been trying to give soldiers the ability to shoot around corners since the late 1990s with Land Warrior, a program that relied on a wearable computer and advanced navigation and communications gear to give soldiers more situational awareness. The system allowed soldiers to see around corners with a weapon-mounted thermal camera that fed into a helmet-mounted heads-up display. Soldiers ultimately rejected it, however, because it relied on a tangle of bulky connecting cables that became snag hazards and restricted mobility. In 2015, PEO Soldier officials unveiled a new take on this concept that eliminated bulky connector cables. Using a new Family of Weapon Sights-Individual (FWS-I), soldiers can wirelessly transmit their sight reticle into the wide display screen of the new helmet-mounted Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B) and quickly fire at enemy targets. Last September, the Army conducted a small fielding of the FWS-I and ENVG-B, along with other equipment at Fort Riley, Kansas, making the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team the first unit in the service to receive Rapid Target Acquisition. During testing, PEO Soldier officials saw a dramatic improvement in marksmanship when National Guard troops first shot with current optics and then used the Rapid Target Acquisition technology, Potts said. "We went up to New Hampshire and we were working with the National Guard up there, and we put them through a stress shoot. ... And after they [had] been through a rigorous field exercise and they shot 40 targets," he said. "And on average, when we put them through that, they hit 17 out of 40. They were winded and people don't realize ... when you put people under simulated combat situations, shooting a target ain't as easy as people think it is." After a couple of hours of training with the FWS-I and the ENVG-B, the soldiers showed marked improvement, hitting an average of 34 out of 40 targets after doing another rigorous fire-and-maneuver exercise, Potts said. "It was a fire-and-maneuver exercise. It was up in the snow at night in New Hampshire, and you are talking about guys that are knocking down targets at over 200 meters at night, doing hip shots with this," he said. "You don't have to put the buttstock into your shoulder. He can stand behind a building; he can lay behind some rocks, put a weapon over his head and still engage targets." Technology Can't Replace Marksmanship Fundamentals This worries experts in the special operations world, because it goes against the fundamentals of marksmanship that have always been critical to engaging the enemy. "You don't have the body behind the gun absorbing and managing recoil in the traditional manner that we teach soldiers how to control and manage recoil," said a former Army special operations forces soldier with expertise in small arms, visual augmentation systems and acquisition. "Firing a single round is one thing, but being able to control the weapon ... to be able to fire two or three or four rapid shots to ensure incapacitation of the threat is greatly diminished." In a real combat situation, the soldier using this technology will be "swinging the weapon around in a non-intuitive manner ... until something that is hot zigzags across the field of view. And then he zigs the gun back, finds the heated thing, stabilizes the gun enough to break a single shot and then shoots the target," according to the former SOF soldier, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. "So, everything that we teach them about daytime marksmanship, other than trigger control, is thrown out of the window." Wood, who is a retired Marine officer, said the military has to guard against becoming overconfident in technology and continue to train on proven marksmanship techniques. "I think that is really a danger, and it calls upon the Army and possibly the Marine Corps or others who start using these sorts of things to absolutely be rigid in ensuring discipline that marksmanship fundamentals are learned to begin with and then practiced on a regular basis, so that you can go analog and use the mechanical skills needed -- sight picture, trigger control, breathing," Wood said. "When you bring in these super sophisticated sighting systems ... and you are just looking through a lens and wherever your weapon is pointing you see the dot, well what happens when that systems fails? Do you know how to go to iron sights? Do you know how to compensate for environmental factors that your computer mechanism might not be picking up?" he asked. Potts told Military.com that he is confident that the Army will continue to train soldiers on time-tested marksmanship skills such as shooting with backup iron sights. "One of the big debates in the Army for years is, we give the premier equipment that exists to who -- our special operators, who are our best trained people in the world," Potts said. "If you are going to put two people into combat, the 19-year old private or the 29-year-old sergeant ... to make it fair, you probably want to give the young guy all this new technology because he is not as skilled as this other guy." The Thermal Blob and the Risks of Fratricide Another potential minefield involved with this new sighting technology could emerge if soldiers begin relying too much on thermal signatures to identify targets, experts said, which can lead to fratricide. Beyond 100 yards, human targets can look like heated blobs through thermal devices, making it impossible to differentiate between friend and foe, the SOF source said. The Army's new ENVG-B can fuse both the infrared image intensification of traditional night vision and thermal into one image to get the best of both technologies, Army officials say. "I think that thermal fusion is extremely effective; it eliminates some of the fratricide risks that come with thermal," the former SOF soldier said. "Now it becomes a training issue ... how rapidly can you fade between more thermal and less thermal. "If you have the thermal cranked up in order to identify heat signatures, that overlay thermal image in the ENVG-B is going to reduce your ability to see clarity and definition in the image intensification, IR spectrum." If soldiers have their thermal set to high, they won't be able to see "patterns of uniforms, curvature of the magazine on the rifle or whatever you are using to decide that it is an enemy combatant, not one of my fellow soldiers," he said. Soldiers and leaders in armored units don't have the same problem because enemy tanks and vehicles can be easier to identify under thermal optics. "When you're trying to find a tank at two kilometers and then be able to see, based off exhaust plume locations, what that vehicle is -- thermal helps you," the former SOF soldier said. "But human beings don't have telltale signatures of three road wheels and an exhaust pipe and the rear right thing that glows in this manner. "Thermal gives you a bunch of capabilities, but it has its limitations, which is why I am encouraged about fusion," he said. "I think that fusion is the future. I just don't believe that digital fusion is where it needs to be right now from a technology standpoint." The Army did not respond to a Military.com inquiry specifically about fratricide concerns with the new system. The service is just beginning to produce more mature technologies as a result of the ambitious modernization effort it launched in 2017. It plans to field optionally manned robotic combat vehicles and new unmanned systems to send into the fray before risking its manned assets. To be effective, Army leaders that they will have to rely on some level of artificial intelligence to enhance battlefield decision-making -- a prospect that some in the community warn could lead to deadly mistakes and unintended collateral damage if safeguards aren't in place. The ENVG-B portion of Rapid Target Acquisition is a short-term capability that Army officials plan to begin trading in in 2021 for the new Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), an advanced Microsoft technology that relies on augmented reality to allow soldiers see a constant feed of battlefield information into special combat glasses, in addition to the sight reticle. Time will tell if the Army can deliver on its promises and transition to new technology and advanced capabilities in a way that mitigates risks and maintains soldiers' proficiency. Despite the concerns over RTA, Wood said it could be an effective battlefield tool. "On the good side, more of your force could be more effective because you are not having to rely on everybody having extraordinary marksmanship skills," he said. "When everything is working, you are pointing the weapon, you are seeing where the dot is, and everybody is able to deliver fairly effective fire. That would be great, and I think that is where the proponents of something like this are going." Potts said he is confident that the technologies such as RTA and IVAS will become more and more advanced with each new upgrade. "People look at us and [think], 'Why can't you guys figure this out.' I want to say, 'Do you want to talk about the history of the smartphone and four decades ago what that looked like and how many of you have forgotten that you used to carry yours in the trunk of your car in a case,'" he said. "If we had done it by the normal military acquisition system, we would have canceled the program three times," Potts said. "But the reality is no one will give up their smartphones. We are going to have a great product for our soldiers, and it's going to get better every time. We just have to have the tactical patience to get there." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: This Wearable Device Could Replace Sand Tables for Soldiers Hungary reports H5N8 bird flu in turkey farm The latest bird flu outbreak in Europe was found at a turkey farm in northwest Hungary, according to Hungary's National Food Chain Safety Authority (NEBIH), reported Reuters. The NEBIH said all 50,000 birds on the farm will be culled and transport restrictions will be imposed as part of precautionary measures to halt the spread of the infection. The affected turkey farm will receive compensation from the state. The NEBIH also said the virus strain is similar to the one that affected Hungary in 2016 and has confirmed that all Hungarian poultry products remain safe to consume. The authority added that the H5N8 strain had not infected any humans so far. The latest case follows a string of H5N8 bird flu cases in Slovakia and Poland. - Reuters Despite the magmatic eruption on early Monday local time, some people defied the evacuation order and chose to stay at their homes. One of them is Andy Pesigan, who lives near the volcano. Citing his father's tale who survived the 1965 eruption unscathed, he said that he was confident that he will survive this one too because the eruption is "not disastrous" and is mostly just "dust and mud". Some residents at the Taal remained to take care of their livelihood. Arnold Patino, a caretaker of a fish pond in Sampaloc, Talisay City, said that once the rescuers came, he will send his children with them while he will stay to oversee his fish pens. The experts said that everyone must stay out of the 14-kilometer radius from Taal's crater. However, some non-residents flocked around the volcanos to witness the eruption. Emma Magid, who traveled from Quezon City, said that it was her first time to see a volcanic eruption so she'd like to see it up close. She also brought her entire family with her. Since the eruption began, the estimated livestock and crop damage are around 75 million (around $1.5 million), with the coffee as the most affected commodity. Classes in all levels on various provinces and cities in Luzon are still suspended, but the government offices, except on Batangas, have resumed. The province of Batangas is currently under a state of calamity. READ MORE: Taal Volcano: Steam Blast Could Be A Sign of 'Major Eruption' Tsunami Warning Winchelle Ian Sevilla, PHIVOLCS' supervising research specialist, said that the volcanic activity intensifies swiftly and that's why the cooperation of the residents is a must. Local geohazard agency previously warned that at least 132 barangays (the smallest political district in the Philippines similar to a village) are susceptible to a base surge -- a very turbulent and fast flow of lava and volcanic ash that squirts from the base of a volcano. Since the Taal volcano is situated in the middle of a land, 132 barangays are also at risk of getting hit by a tsunami. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday local time that he will survey the affected areas through a helicopter. Former presidential aide now Senator Christopher "Bong" Go claimed that the doctor has advised Duterte to halt the plan because of health risk. However, the 74-year old president made light of it and even joked that he will "pee on the volcano". The president also assured that his subordinates, including the military and marines, are already moving to assist. He also promised that victims will receive financial support from the government. He also warned the government workers not to use the calamity budget on fraudulent conduct because it is "intended for the public.'' Overpriced face mask? The surging demand for N95 respirator face mask has led to business owners taking advantage of it. From the previous 30 ($0.60), it went up to 500 ($10) a piece. Some people hoard it and sell it online at a way higher price. This angered the public, especially the online community who called these people "greedy", "selfish" and "will have a special place in hell". The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry warned that they will not hesitate to file criminal charges against these business entities who have "unreasonably increased" their price for gas masks for and "capitalizing on the consumers' urgent need". Pres. Duterte announced that he will implement a price cap for face masks. He also warned the hoarder that he will send his people to raid their store. Lastly, the President announced that they will be distributing face masks for free. The Iranian government is considering the possibility of the expulsion of UK Ambassador Robert Macaire after his participation in Tehran protests, ISNA reported referring to an official representative of country's judiciary. According to the representative, proceeding from the international law such people are considered undesirable persons, and Iranian people expect him to be expelled from the country, the international community also requires this, RIA Novosti reported. The Iranian agency Tasnim earlier reported that UK Ambassador was detained, but later the diplomat was released. Iranian media said the ambassador allegedly attended Saturdays protests in Tehran and was involved in organizing, inciting, and leading some radical actions. The Ukrainian plane crashed shortly after departing from Tehran airport on Wednesday morning, leaving 176 people killed. The Iranian military said that the Ukrainian Boeing was shot down by accident, the human factor was to blam. NIAMEY, Niger Nigers president has fired the armys chief of staff after attacks against security forces have killed at least 174 security force members since December. President Issoufou Mahamadous action on Monday came after the death toll from an attack by Islamic extremists on Nigers military last week rose to at least 89, making it the most deadly attack of its kind in years in the West African nation. The fatalities from the attack Thursday rose dramatically from the 25 soldiers that the government initially said were killed last week. In addition to the soldiers killed in that attack on the Chinagrodrar Advanced Military post near the border with Mali, at least 77 extremists were killed by Nigers army and its foreign allies, most notably France and the United States, according to a statement issued by the government. Three days of national mourning began Monday, the government said. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Mohamed will be replaced by Brig-Gen. Salifou Modi, who was the military attache for Niger in Germany, a presidential statement said Monday. Mahamadou also dismissed the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense and the Chief of Land Staff. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Thursdays attack, but it bore the hallmarks of an Islamic State-linked group that said it was behind the December ambush near the town of Inates that killed 71 soldiers and was previously the most deadly attack of its kind in Niger in years. The government calls on the population to be more vigilant, more serene and united, and reaffirms its determination to continue the fight against terrorism until the final victory, the government statement said. Dalatou Mamane is an Associated Press writer. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Treshawn Boyd, a 19-year-old Boston man, was identified as the victim of a fatal double shooting in Dorchester on Saturday that left another person injured. Police responded shortly before 8:30 p.m. to a report that two people were shot near 51 Washington St., the Boston Police Department said in a statement. Two men suffering from gunshot wounds were located by officers and taken to an area hospital, where Boyd was pronounced dead, the statement said. The second man who was shot is expected to live, police said. The Boston Police Department has urged anyone with information about the double shooting to contact homicide detectives at (617) 343-4470. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 1 (800) 494-TIPS or text the word TIP to 27463. Welcome to the Trump Bench, a series where Slate analyzes a Trump judges recent work. At an unusually rapid clip, Trump has so far successfully appointed two Supreme Court justices, 50 appeals court judges, and 133 district court judges during his presidency. Trump judges tend to be different than appointees by past presidents of both parties. Many are quite young, some are openly partisan, others are patently unqualified. The judges will likely be Trumps most enduring impact on our nation, which is why we are choosing to spotlight their work. Advertisement The third installment is about Amy Coney Barrett, Trumps rumored pick if he gets the chance to appoint another Supreme Court justice. The Judge: Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Barrett was confirmed to a lifetime appointment on the 7th Circuit on Oct. 31, 2017; today, she is one of four Donald Trump appointees on that court. She previously clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia and taught at Notre Dame Law School, her alma mater. Like most of Donald Trumps appeals court nominees, Barrett is a member of the Federalist Society. Trump has indicated that he plans to nominate Barrett to the next vacancy on the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Age: 47 The Decision: Barretts troubling dissent in the 2019 case McCottrell v. White signaled her eagerness to weaken constitutional protections for inmates injured by prison guards. The case involved two men, John McCottrell and Dustin Clay, who were eating lunch in a prison dining hall when a scuffle broke out between two inmates. Nearby guards quickly separated and subdued the individuals. While they cuffed both men, two other guards stationed in a tower fired buckshot that seriously harmed McCottrell and Clay, who were not involved in the fight. They sued, alleging an infringement of their Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. Advertisement Advertisement The 7th Circuit ruled, over Barretts dissent, that the case could proceed to trial. Judge Ilana Rovner, a George H.W. Bush appointee, wrote the majority opinion highlighting the guards shifting accounts of the incident: They claimed to have fired during the dispute, but video evidence proved the fight was over when they intervened. It was also genuinely unclear whether the guards intended to shoot the inmates. When firing a warning shot, guards are supposed to aim at a shot box to avoid injury. But these guards may have aimed directly into the crowd. Surveying this evidence, Rovner held that a reasonable jury could hold that the guards acted maliciously and sadistically in violation of the Eighth Amendment and allowed the case to go to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Barretts dissent seemed to begin with a conclusionthe guards should not have to face trialand work backward from there. She argued that the inmates had produced no evidence that the officers shot into the crowd, ignoring the evidence of the buckshot that tore through their bodies. And she blithely dismissed evidence that the officers lied in their affidavits about the direction of the shots. Moreover, Barrett refused to recognize that the guards decision to fire away from the shot box could raise an inference of bad faith. Advertisement Advertisement The Precedent: Her credulous defense of the guards led the majority to warn that, under her theory, a guard could blindly unload a shotgun above a crowd of bystanders with impunity because making contact is not a certainty. Barretts position would raise the already-high bar that prisoners must clear to vindicate their constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement The Record: Barretts zeal to protect these guards from consequences reflects a broader deference toward government officials seeking to convict, punish, or deport vulnerable people. The 7th Circuit was already dominated by Republican appointees when she joined; just two of its eleven active judges were appointed by Democrats. Still, Barrett has consistently found her colleagues to be insufficiently conservative. Advertisement Advertisement In Sims v. Hyatte, for instance, Barrett dissented from an opinion by Judge William Joseph Bauer, a Gerald Ford appointee. She voted to uphold the conviction of Mack Sims, who was found guilty of attempted murder on the basis of eyewitness testimony secretly procured through hypnosis. Prosecutors withheld evidence that this witnessthe victim, and only person who could identify the shooterwas hypnotized before trial to enhance his recollection. There is a very good chance that this hypnosis led to Sims wrongful conviction, a conviction that Barrett would uphold. In Schmidt v. Foster, Barrett wrote (again in dissent) that a criminal defendant did not have a right to counsel when a judge grilled him on the details of his crimeeven though the resulting testimony led to his conviction for first-degree homicide. Advertisement Barrett consistently rules against immigrants seeking relief from deportation. In Alvarenga-Flores v. Sessions, she wrote a 21 opinion permitting the deportation of an immigrant to El Salvador, where he may be tortured and killed by gangs, because of inconsistencies in his testimony. (The dissent rightly deemed these inconsistencies, which included the precise placement of passengers in a car, trivial.) In Yafai v. Pompeo, Barrett wrote another 21 opinion approving the denial of a visa to the Yemeni wife of a U.S. citizeneven though, as the dissent put it, the consular officer may have merely relied on a stereotypical assumption that Yeminis commit crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Judge Kenneth Ripple, a Reagan appointee, dissented from Barretts decision. When the full court refused to rehear the case, three other dissenters wrote that Barretts opinion constituted a dangerous abdication of judicial responsibility that would let immigration officials deny visas on the basis of impermissible bias. And in Ramos v. Barr, Barrett cast the deciding vote permitting the deportation of a lawful permanent resident who resided in the U.S. for 30 years, even thoughas the dissent pointed outthe law banishing him may violate equal protection. Advertisement If Barrett has little sympathy for most powerless people, there is one class she favors: individuals convicted of a felony who seek to possess firearms. She wrote a dissent in Kanter v. Barr arguing that neither states nor the federal government may permanently disarm nonviolent felons. (The majority, which rejected her view, was made up of Judges Joel Flaum and Kenneth Ripple, both Reagan appointees.) Barretts lengthy dissent was larded with historical references and jabs at other judges for treating the Second Amendment as a second-class right. She proposed a strict new framework for analyzing the right to bear arms that would make it substantially harder for the government to prevent certain people from possessing firearms. It was an obvious audition for the Supreme Courtevery applicant for the next vacancy has written similar encomia to a turbocharged Second Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On abortion, Barrett is reliably conservative. She joined a dissent suggesting that states may prohibit women from terminating a pregnancy because of the fetus race, sex, or disability. That opinion, written by the conservative Judge Frank Easterbrook, posed a challenge to the constitutional right of abortion access, suggesting that states may enact total bans on pre-viable abortions in contradiction of Supreme Court precedent. (Easterbrook echoed Justice Clarence Thomas false claim that women who terminate a pregnancy due to fetal abnormalities are using abortion to promote eugenic goals.) Barrett also voted to vacate a decision that wouldve forced minors to notify their parents before undergoing an abortion under all circumstances, a direct violation of Supreme Court precedent. Advertisement Advertisement The vote: Dianne Feinstein, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, all but ensured Barretts confirmation when she quipped that the dogma lives loudly within you during her confirmation hearing. This strange and inappropriate comment instantly became a rallying cry for the religious right. The Senate confirmed her by a vote of 55 to 43, with three Democrats Indianas Joe Donnelly, Virginias Tim Kaine, and West Virginias Joe Manchinvoting in her favor. (Donnelly later lost his seat.) Every Republican voted for Barrett. Advertisement Advertisement Although Barrett is often a dissenting voice today, she could soon have an opportunity to turn her views into the law of the land. According to Axios, Trump has said that he is saving Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should she retire under his presidency. On Jan. 10, Sarah Isgur wrote in the Dispatch that Barrett is still Trumps favorite, noting that she has name ID and conservative rock star status. If Ginsburg steps down before Trump leaves office, there is an excellent chance that Barrettwho has spent her career opposing the very principles of justice and equality for which Ginsburg standswill be our next Supreme Court justice. ALBANY, Ore. Albany Police are seeking the publics help finding a woman who went missing around Christmas. A family member reached out to police on Jan. 8, saying they hadnt heard from Tiffany Lazon, 37, since Dec. 25, 2019, police said. Authorities were unable to contact Lazon at her home in the 2600 block of SE 16th Avenue. The day after she was reported missing, at about 1:30 a.m., police reached out to Craig Lazon, her estranged husband, in Albany. Police said he told them he didnt know where Lazon was and said she was moving to Washington. Lazon was entered into the Law Enforcement Data System as a missing person. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has blonde hair, blue eyes and wears glasses, police said. The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, contact detectives at 541-917-7680. The meeting in Abu Dhabi between the Indonesian president and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was decisive. About US$ 12.6 billion in Gulf money will go to the energy sector. Indonesias new capital could be included. Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews/Agencies) The United Arab Emirates is prepared to invest US$ 22.8 billion in Indonesia through the latters sovereign wealth fund, including nearly a dozen deals in trade, energy and infrastructure, the Indonesian government announced today. The meeting in Abu Dhabi over the weekend between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, (pictured) was the clincher. Widodo, who began his second term in October, wants to boost foreign investment to create jobs and foster growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy. About US$ 12.6 billion is part of an agreement between Indonesia's state energy firm Pertamina and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to build a petrochemical plant in West Java, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry reported. Other investments involve ports, renewable energy and agriculture. Indonesian authorities said that investments in Indonesia's planned new capital in Kutai Kartanegara Regency (East Kalimantan) could occur through the sovereign fund. Sheikh Zayed was asked to be an advisor for the development of the new capital. Indonesias Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan noted that the crown prince also expressed interest in investing in the development of Aceh, a province on Sumatra Island with special status that includes the enforcement of Islamic Law (Sharia). A police officer and army reservist has spoken about the loss of his uncle and cousin, who died fighting the Kangaroo Island bushfire. Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his Adelaide plastic surgeon son Clayton, 43, were killed by the 'unstoppable' fire on January 4. The pair were using their farm truck and a trailer with a water tank to help others battle the fires when their vehicle was engulfed by flames. Army reservist Kynan Lang has spoken about the loss of his uncle and cousin, who died fighting the Kangaroo Island bushfire (pictured making a memorial for them) Lieutenant Lang and his colleagues on Tuesday put up two small crosses with his uncle and cousin's names near where they died Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his Adelaide plastic surgeon son Clayton, 43, were killed by the 'unstoppable' fire on January 4 Dick's nephew Kynan Lang said their vehicle broke down and they were overrun. He knew they were gone as soon as he saw a photo of the burned out car. Soon after he was told of their deaths, the army called him to ask if he could help with bushfire relief on the island. 'My wife was sitting next to me at the time and she said 'go for it',' he said. 'The rest is history. We came as quick as we could and we started helping.' Lieutenant Lang and his colleagues on Tuesday put up two small crosses with his uncle and cousin's names near where they died. 'This was their passion. They had a hobby farm here. They loved coming here and being a part of the island,' he said. 'Clarrie and Dick were trying to help the local community, doing everything they could. Lang said their vehicle broke down and they were overrun. He knew they were gone as soon as he saw a photo of the burned out car Lieutenant Lang also fought back tears as he told of meeting a friend of his uncle at the airport, the pair sharing a silent moment He has been on the island for several days in a logistics role, helping those impacted by the devastating fire get whatever they need 'So I felt I had to come here and pick up that baton. To carry on helping the community. 'At the earliest time I could, I said I would like to come and be a part of this.' Lieutenant Lang also fought back tears as he told of meeting a friend of his uncle at the airport, the pair sharing a silent moment. 'He didn't have to say anything. He came up to me, he saw my name and he extended his hand and we shook hands,' he said. 'Without a word spoken, we looked at each other, we nodded our heads and we had to walk away. 'That was amazing.' He said of his uncle (pictured) and cousin: 'This was their passion. They had a hobby farm here. They loved coming here and being a part of the island' Lieutenant Lang has been on the island for several days in a logistics role, helping those impacted by the devastating fire get whatever they need. He was among the first defence force personnel to arrive after the fire roared through the western third of Kangaroo Island, burning through most of the prized Flinders Chase National Park and threatening the central town of Parndana. The number of defence force personnel on Kangaroo Island continues to grow with much of their work centred on recovery. They have helped restore water supplies to local communities and have worked with farmers to bury the more than 100,000 head of livestock lost in the blaze. They have also helped with firefighting efforts, bringing in heavy machinery to bolster containment lines and have brought vets to care for injured wildlife. Thats what might be in store on Saturday when the fourth annual Womens March takes place in Washington, D.C.. The Washington Post says that only about 4,500 women have indicated on Facebook that they will attend. The organizers say they expect 10,000 participants. It wasnt always like this. The day after President Trumps inauguration, hundreds of thousands marched in protest in Washington (an event I covered for Power Line). Taking into account the thousands of marches nationwide, the Post claims that this was the largest single-day protest in American history. It calls the Womens March organization the beating heart of the anti-Trump movement. Why, four years later, does the organization barely have a pulse? The Post suggests burnout, but that seems more like a label than a genuine explanation. Perhaps outrage at Trump has diminished in spite of non-stop efforts by the Post and other media outlets to gin it up. Certainly, the dire warnings that fueled the January 2017 protests, and induced so many women to wear pussy hats (the Post discreetly refers to them as pink hats in its article), havent come to pass. Women are as free today as they were three years ago. And they are doing better economically, both in absolute terms and in comparison to men. This doesnt mean that the women who marched in 2017 are going to vote for Trump, but it may mean they lack incentive to waste a day converging in downtown D.C. But theres more to the demise of the march. The organization behind it has been plagued by national controversies, financial mismanagement, accusations of anti-Semitism, and a reputation for being unwilling to play nice with others. That diagnosis is from the Washington Post. Oh dear! The matter of anti-Semitism surely is playing a significant role, given the number of Jewish women who participated in the original march. The Post confirms this: Jewish women, in particular, fled the organization en masse after its former co-chairs were accused of making anti-Semitic remarks and aligning themselves with the Nation of Islam and its longtime leader, Louis Farrakhan. Calls for board members to resign were met with little response. Guila Franklin Siegel, associate director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said the inaction was disrespectful to Jewish women who were concerned about the direction of the group. Disrespect seems like the least of the problem. A Jew would have to be truly self-hating to want anything to do with an outfit whose then-leaders (Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, and Bob Bland) made anti-Semitic remarks and/or aligned themselves with Louis Farrakhan. Leaders of this years event say they are planning small-scale events in the days leading up to the march. It looks like the march itself will be a small-scale event. T he government is in talks over a new law banning terrorist propaganda in the wake of the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack, the Home Secretary has said. The ringleader of the atrocity, Khuram Butt, had accessed a vast amount of extremist material prior to the attack, including Islamic State videos and martyrdom clips. This was known to security services in 2016 when it emerged in a fraud investigation but Butt did not face prosecution. In his report into the terrorist attack, chief coroner Mark Lucraft QC called for a new law banning material which glorifies or encourages terrorism. Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said today the government is looking with senior anti-terror officers into a possible gap in the current legislation which needs filling, aimed at stopping would-be terrorists being radicalised by online propaganda. The government accepts this recommendation and is currently considering the necessity for a further offence of possessing the most serious extremist material which glorifies or encourages terrorism, she said, in her formal response to the coroner. Our operational partners must have the tools and powers they require to tackle terrorism. The government notes the chief coroners comments regarding the evidence at the inquests, the existence of the offence for a person in possession of a prohibited image of a child, and the perception that the lack of a comparative counter-terrorism offence may sometimes prevent counter terrorism policing from taking disruptive action. Butt, 27, along with Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, drove a rented van across London Bridge on the evening of June 3, 2017, aiming to hit as many pedestrians as possible, before marauding on foot through Borough Market stabbing people at random. The British Vehicle Rental Leasing Aassociation (BVRLA) agreed in principle to the coroners call for a new national automatic system for cross-checking vehicle rentals with suspected extremists, but warned the cost of any system should not place a disproportionate burden on the rental sector. Advanced packaging technologies use an integrated circuit (IC), which is encapsulated in a supporting case that prevents physical damage and corrosion of the metallic parts. This case is called as package that supports electrical contacts connected to the device to a circuit board. Advanced packaging manufacturers produce various types of ICs according to the requirements in the packaging. The type of package used depends upon different parameters such as size, power dissipation, field-operating conditions, and its cost. Global Advanced Packaging Technologies Market: Growth Factors The global demand for advanced packaging technologies is largely fulfilled by the manufacturers present in major countries of Europe and North American regions. It has been noticed that the consumers in these regions have shown great interest in the adoption of products with advanced packaging technologies. Request Report For Sample: Furthermore, in recent years, the packaging industry has witnessed a tremendous increase in demand for different products due to a change in consumer habits and the introduction of new & innovative products embedded with advanced packaging technologies. Companies are investing heavily in research and development activities to develop products with distinguishable characteristics. 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Global food and beverages companies are showing immense interest in adopting packaging solutions with advanced packaging technologies.These aforementioned factors are likely to drive the growth of advanced packaging technologies market over the next few years. Request Report For Sample: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/sample/172 The advanced packaging technologies market has been segmented as follows - By Technology Active Packaging Active Packaging Systems Oxygen Scavengers Moisture Scavengers / Absorbers Ethylene Absorbers Active Releasing Systems Antioxidant Releasers Carbon Dioxide Emitters Modified Atmosphere Packaging Temperature Control Packaging Anti-Corrosion Films Smart and Intelligent Packaging TTI Tags & Labels Freshness Indicators Oxygen and CO2 Indicators RFID Others Make an inquiry before Buying: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/enquiry/172 By End Use Food Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Fruits & Vegetables Ready to Eat Meals Dairy Foods Bakery & Confectionary Frozen Foods Cereals Beverages Alcoholic Beverages Non-Alcoholic Beverages Pharmaceuticals Industrial & Chemicals Cosmetics & Personal Care Agriculture Others By Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific (APAC) Middle East & Africa (MEA) The North American region accounts for the largest market share in terms of production of packaging products, with advanced packaging technologies, in both categories i.e. active and smart & intelligent packaging. The U.S. is expected to account for the largest market share in the North American advanced packaging technologies market. However, Canada is expected to witness higher CAGR value of 7.2% during the forecast period. European region occupies the second spot in the global advanced packaging technologies market in terms of both revenue generation and consumption. Germany and Italy are the main production hubs for products embedded with advanced packaging technologies in Europe. Both of these countries export a large proportion of its production to the U.S., China, ASEAN, India, Korea, and Japan. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan accounts for the second largest market share due to the high consumption of the products with advanced packaging technologies in the country. A large number of advanced packaging manufacturers have already established a good presence in the Japanese market. However, the demand for advanced packaging technologies in Japan is increasing but at a slower rate than other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Major technology providers such as EVRYTHNG Limited, Selinko SA, Digimarc Corporation, Prime Vision AG, and Waterio Ltd. are collaborating with packaging companies in the region to develop products with advanced packaging technologies and leverage opportunities generated from the high demand for such packaging solutions in the region. Some of the key players in the global advanced packaging technologies market include PakSense, Inc, Landec Corporation, Sealed Air Corporation, Bemis Company, Inc, Crown Holdings, Inc., Amcor Limited, 3M Company, Timestrip UK Ltd., Cryolog SA, Vitsab International AB, Varcode, Ltd., LCR Hallcrest LLC.:, Thin Film Electronics ASA, CCL Industries Inc., Temptime Corporation, Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Coveris Holdings SA, and others. Full View of Report Description: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/advanced-packaging-technologies-market At least 78 children in war-torn Yemen have died from dengue-related illnesses, Save the Children said Tuesday, warning of an epidemic. "Seventy-eight children under 16 have already died in the outbreak of dengue-related illness in Yemen, with more than 52,000 suspected cases being recorded across the country," the aid group said in a statement. It added this "could signal the start of an epidemic". Save the Children said that a total of 192 people have died in Yemen last year from dengue-related illnesses -- most cases reported in the port cities of Hodeida and Aden. "Hodeida has the second highest death rate in the country with 62 adult and children deaths in 2019. We have never seen anything like this before," said Save the Children's field coordinator in Yemen, Mariam Aldogani, herself recovering from dengue fever. "More than 40 of our staff including their families have been affected by the fever." According to the Red Cross in November, Yemen was already grappling with an epidemic of the viral disease, which is trasmitted by several species of mosquito that breed in stagnant water. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions pushed to the brink of famine since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened against Iran-aligned Shiite rebels in 2015. It has generated what the United Nations has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Search Keywords: Short link: An Ethiopian airliner was diverted to Addis Ababa Airport after colliding with a swarm of locust midair. The plane, Boeing 737-700, registration ET-ALN performing flight ET-363 was flying from Djibouti to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, The Standard reported. As it was approaching Dire Dawa for a landing, the aircraft initially flew through a small number of locusts, Aero-News, a multi-channel aviation digital hub reported. The crew decided to approach Dire Dawa with caution since the locusts were not enough to prevent them from approaching the airport. Few moments later, the plane hit a larger swarm with some locust trapped in the engine and others hit the windshield which impacted and reduced visibility from the cockpit window. According to simplyflying.com, the pilot tried in scant success to clean the screen using wipers. No casualties were reported and the Dire Dawa bound passengers had another flight. The number of girls getting enrolled in is higher than boys in the age group of 4-8 years, according to the 14th Annual Status of Report (ASER) launched on Tuesday. The ASER for 2019 is based on a survey conducted in 26 districts across 24 states in India, covering over 36,000 children in the age group of 4-8 years. "Gender gaps are visible even among young children with more girls than boys enrolled in government institutions and more boys than girls enrolled in private institutions," the report said. According to the report, among 4-5 year old children, 56.8 per cent girls and 50.4 per cent boys are enrolled in or pre-schools while 43.2 per cent girls and 49.6 per cent boys are enrolled in private pre-schools or schools. "The gap in enrolment between boys and girls is larger among 6-8 year olds, with 61.1 per cent of all girls versus 52.1 per cent of all boys in this age group going to a government institution," it added. For 40 years, Carrot-Top Industries has been a trusted industry leader providing institutions and businesses with patriotic and customized solutions while bringing communities together. Carrot-Top has gained expertise in the industry by listening to what its customers unique needs are and providing them with specific solutions. Looking towards our future, Carrot-Top will continue to focus on solution-based products that bring people together while operating collaboratively so we can consistently meet or exceed our goals, said Liz Morris, CEO and President. Carrot-Top Founder Dwight Morris stepped into the flag industry in 1980 with a passion to build a company dedicated to customer service and providing the highest quality products. He established Carrot-Top as a mail-order company based out of his family home in Oak Park, Illinois. For the first seven years, Dwight grew the companys reputation and filled every position needed to see it flourish. In 1987, the Morris family relocated to North Carolina to set up their growing business in Hillsborough, and within a year, hired its first employee who later retired in 2014 after 25 years of service. The company has continued to thrive due to the hard work, values, and passion shared by one man and all of his employees. The values that Carrot-Top was founded on are the reasons why our customers are so loyal to our company, said Dwight. We have always been about putting the customers needs above our bottom line. We are not about selling. We are about serving the customer which is a win-win for both of us. In August 2019, Carrot-Top Industries transitioned to the next generation when Dwights daughter Liz Morris became President and CEO. Dwight has continued working at Carrot-Top as an Advisor to the CEO. In 2020, Im encouraging every Carrot-Top employee to embody our new company motto Go MAD Go Make A Difference, said Liz Morris. Its about doing right by the customer and being engaging, authentic, and having integrity while working with our customers to solve problems. Leading Carrot-Top Industries towards the future, her primary goal is to provide solutions through customer support by focusing on five core pillars: 1. EXPERTISE: Serving customers by sharing its industry expertise 2. FLEXIBILITY: Making it easy for customers to do business with Carrot-Top 3. INNOVATION: Providing expansive product solutions for customers 4. INVESTMENT: Identifying products to suit customers needs and budget 5. DEDICATION: Helping customers make a difference in their communities with product solutions Carrot-Top Industries plans to continue providing organizations across America with high-quality products that help display a message or pride through patriotic and customized solutions. Carrot-Top knows that 40 years in business would not have happened without all of its loyal customers. Carrot-Tops Customer Care Professionals believe in making a difference by engaging with their customers, sharing their expertise, and empowering customers to make the best product choices for their needs. Carrot-Top believes in doing right by the customer and looks forward to serving as a trusted partner in the industry for many years to come. ### About Carrot-Top Industries Carrot-Top Industries, family owned and located in Hillsborough, N.C., is a trusted industry leader providing institutions and businesses with custom and patriotic solutions since 1980. As one of the largest, independent flag dealers in America, Carrot-Top offers additional product solutions for schools, government agencies, institutions, and businesses across the United States. Carrot-Top continues to succeed by providing the highest quality products, a dedication to learning about customers needs, and unmatched flexibility in their shopping experience. Man Sentenced to over 26 Years in Prison for Multistate Drug Trafficking Fresno, California - Joseph Vasquez Jr., 32, of Modesto, was sentenced last week to 26 years and eight months in prison for an operation that distributed methamphetamine from Modesto to Juneau, Alaska, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, Vasquez was part of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Central Valley, Alaska, and Tacoma, Washington between Jan. 1, 2015, and April 11, 2018. As a result of the year-long investigation, 45 pounds of methamphetamine, 4 pounds of heroin and 3 pounds of cocaine were seized. On Oct. 3, 2019, after a three-day trial, a federal jury in Fresno found Vasquez guilty of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Five co-defendants charged on April 5, 2018, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Alecia Trapps, 56, of Manteca, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, 2020. Jimmy Brantley, 42, of Manteca, was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2019, to 10 years in prison. On Oct. 21, 2019, Carmen Conejo, 53, of Long Beach, was sentenced to five years of probation; Ernest Westley, 62, of Modesto, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison; and Sheena Taylor, 41, of Modesto, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, Modesto Police Department, Manteca Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office, Whatcom County Sheriffs Department (Washington), Pierce County Sheriffs Department (Washington), and Juneau Police Department (Alaska). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie L. Alsworth and Laurel J. Montoya are prosecuting the case. Dance Theater of Harlem will receive a $4 million gift from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the organization announced on Tuesday. The companys board of directors will also raise $1 million as part of a matching grant agreement with the Mellon Foundation, for a total infusion of $5 million. Virginia Johnson, a founding member of Dance Theater of Harlem who was named artistic director in 2009, said the gift would go toward increasing the size of the company from 18 to 20 dancers, supplementing the organizations lean staff and further encouraging the development of works by women and people of color. In a statement, Elizabeth Alexander, the Mellon Foundations president, said the Foundation enthusiastically offers its support to Dance Theater of Harlems visionary leaders as they guide the company to a bright and flourishing future. Dance Theater of Harlem was founded by the New York City Ballet star Arthur Mitchell in 1969 to increase opportunities for dancers of color in the ballet world. By 2004, it employed 44 dancers, but all were laid off that year when it was announced that the company was more than $2 million in debt. The bleeding was stanched, and by 2009, Laveen Naidu, the organizations executive director at the time, reported that the debt had been reduced by more than half. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened to teach a lesson to the commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar if he does not stop his assault on GNA of Lubya, based in Tripoli, TASS reported. "Turkey is carefully watching the steps by legitimate Libyan authorities and allies of General Khalifa Haftar. If the strikes on positions of the legitimate Libyan authorities resume, Turkey is ready to teach a lesson to Haftar," Erdogan said. Erdogan also stated that Haftar first accepted the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Libya, and then fled from Moscow, where talks were held with the GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj. "We made major efforts in the framework of an initiative launched by Turkey and Russia. Yesterday at talks in Moscow the Tripoli-based government showed a constructive stance, but then coup-plotter Haftar refused to sign a ceasefire deal. At first he agreed, but then he ran away from Moscow," Erdogan told the Turkish parliament on Tuesday. The results of the ceasefire talks in Libya held in Moscow will be one of the topics of the upcoming conference in Berlin, Erdogan added. "On Sunday, Berlin will host a summit where leaders will discuss this matter [the Moscow talks on Libya TASS]. A number of other counties, including the United States, will participate in the conference at a lower level. We have informed all interested parties that Tunisia and Qatar also need to be present at the negotiating table, however, we did not get the desired result," the Turkish president pointed out. Within the initiative proposed by the presidents of Russia and Turkey on January 12 a ceasefire regime entered into force in Libya, between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli led by Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Representatives of the parties arrived on January 13 in Moscow for talks, following which GNA representatives signed a ceasefire. Haftar took a break to study the deal, but later, as the Arab media reported, left Moscow without signing the document. Armed clashes resumed on January 14 in the south of Tripoli. LNA issued a statement declaring readiness and determination to achieve victory. News Sacramento, California - The Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field Office announces the extradition of Jose Cruz Naranjo Silva, 77, from Mexico. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Department arrested Silva for committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child under the age of 14 and he was charged by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office on July 20, 2006. Silva fled while on bail. The FBI obtained a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on May 9, 2008, at the request of the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department. The Mexican government recently located and arrested Silva in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Mexican authorities detained him on August 19, 2019, pending extradition to the United States. FBI agents escorted Silva from Mexico to Sacramento on January 3, 2020, and remanded him to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department for transport to the Sacramento County Jail. The FBI Sacramento Field Office and FBI Legal Attache in Mexico City, INTERPOL in Mexico City, Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, and the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office all worked collaboratively to facilitate Silvas arrest and extradition. Silvas return was funded by the United States Governments Project Welcome Home, which provides funding to assist in the transportation of federal fugitives to the United States. The dismissal of a juror Tuesday delayed the start of the murder retrial of a San Antonian accused of fatally shooting a man during a fight at a West Side store parking lot in 2017. Nathan Knowles first proceedings ended in a mistrial in July after a Bexar County jury could not unanimously decide on whether he was guilty of murder in the death of 40-year-old Michael Berlanga. On Monday, prosecutors and Knowles defense chose a panel and the retrial was to begin Tuesday morning. Just as Judge Lori Valenzuela was to bring the panel in to begin hearing testimony, an undisclosed problem with a juror halted the trial. After the juror was released from duty, prosecutors and defense attorneys interviewed and selected a replacement from another set of prospective panelists. The completed jury panel began hearing testimony around 3:30 p.m. in the 437th state District Court. Testimony is expected to resume Wednesday morning. On ExpressNews.com: Split jury forces mistrial in fatal shooting of San Antonio man at West Side convenience store In Knowles first trial in July, witness testimony established that Berlanga and his friend, Robert Lopez, were driven to a convenience store in the 1600 block of North Zarzamora near Culebra on Oct. 7, 2017. It was there that they encountered Knowles. Berlanga and Knowles spoke briefly, Lopez said, before Knowles punched Berlanga in the face. As the men fought, the brawl moved into the street. Lopez said he tried to get between the men, but someone hit him on the back of the leg with a crowbar. Moments later, Knowles allegedly went to his car, grabbed a gun, and shot Berlanga, who died at the scene. San Antonio police were called to the store on a call for an active shooting around 6:45 p.m. When they arrived, they found Berlanga face down on the street. He had been shot multiple times, including once in the head. Prosecutors Stacy Harrington and Jason Garrahan argued that a witness saw Knowles shoot Berlanga. Defense attorneys Dan Rodriguez and Loraine Efron told jurors eyewitnesses only identified the shooter as African-American but never were able to clearly describe the shooter except for skin color. After the mistrial was declared, Knowles case was placed back on the docket. If convicted, Knowles, 36, faces up to life in prison. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:22:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the Southeast Asian nation is highly expected to start a new era of the long-lasting China-Myanmar "Paukphaw" -- or fraternal -- friendship. BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Every morning, trucks carrying dozens of tons of crabs and other aquatic products rumble from Myanmar through the Wanding border crossing to a Chinese fish market nearby before being distributed to seafood lovers across southern China. The Wanding fish market, now complete with a trading building, inspection facilities, walk-in freezers and sewage treatment systems, is a far cry from the crowded, dirty and smelly space it used to be, and bears ample witness to the thriving trade between the two neighboring countries. Further expansion has been planned, and traders there now have more reason to be optimistic about the future. Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the Southeast Asian nation is highly expected to start a new era of the long-lasting China-Myanmar "Paukphaw" -- or fraternal -- friendship. Workers sort crabs imported from Myanmar at a market in Ruili City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 5, 2019.(Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) SHARED FUTURE The visit, which comes on Friday and Saturday at the invitation of Myanmar President U Win Myint, is not only Xi's first overseas trip this year, but the first to the Asian neighbor by a Chinese president after an interval of 19 years. The fact that this year marks the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties also endows the tour with unique significance. During Xi's visit, the two sides will work toward further enriching their relationship, strive toward building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and embark on a new era of bilateral ties, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Xi is scheduled to attend a series of state events held by his Myanmar counterpart, hold talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and attend a bilateral cooperation document exchange ceremony and a banquet held by Suu Kyi. Xi will also meet with Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing, and exchange views with the leaders of Myanmar's parliament and political parties. The two sides will issue a joint statement. Over the past seven decades, the two countries have expanded bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual assistance, and have set a model of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. In recent years, China and Myanmar have maintained good momentum for high-level contact. Xi has met on several occasions with Myanmar's leaders, with important consensus reached on further advancing bilateral relations in the new era. Xi's visit means valuable help and support to Myanmar and its people, which is of extraordinary significance to both countries, said Myanmar Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, adding the visit will mark an important chapter in the history of Myanmar-China friendship. BRI COOPERATION The two sides are expected to deepen high-quality cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and promote the development of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, bolstering connectivity to the benefit of both peoples. Myanmar has been an active partner in BRI cooperation, with Suu Kyi chairing a steering committee established by Myanmar's government related to the BRI. Trade is expanding. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade reached 13.54 billion U.S. dollars in the first nine months of 2019, an increase of 17.9 percent from the same period in 2018. Chinese farmer Yukan who sells vegetables at a market in Myanmar, queues to leave a border crossing in Menghai county, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Since 2001, the two countries have taken turns hosting a border economic and trade fair each year, promoting bilateral cooperation in such areas as tourism, agriculture and logistics. The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and other major cooperation projects have boosted Myanmar's employment and economic development, and greatly elevated living standards. An employee from Myanmar works at a motorbike factory in China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Dehong Area in Dehong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) U Khin Maung Lynn, joint secretary of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said his country's participation in the BRI will strengthen cooperation between Myanmar and various countries, and create opportunities in trade, investment and infrastructure construction. China is the world's second largest economy and has gained rich development experience from its reform and opening up policy, from which Myanmar can draw inspiration, said Win Tin, editor-in-chief of Myanmar's Northern Light Journal. "Bilateral cooperation is good for tranquility and prosperity," and can contribute to the development of both countries, Win Tin said. GROWING FRIENDSHIP During his stay, Xi will also join Myanmar leaders in a series of 70th-anniversary celebrations and the launching ceremony of the China-Myanmar Culture and Tourism Year program. Such events are aimed at further expanding people-to-people exchanges and consolidating public support for the development of bilateral friendship. As neighboring countries, China and Myanmar share a border of around 2,200 km and have a long history of people-to-people exchanges. The two countries have started co-producing a documentary titled "Drink from the Same River" to tell stories of their cultural cooperation and friendship. During their thousands of years of exchanges, the Chinese and Myanmar people have forged a "Paukphaw" friendship, a fraternal bond that has strengthened with time. An employee from Myanmar works at a clothing company in China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Dehong Area in Dehong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) In recent years, bilateral cooperation and exchanges have put increasing focus on improving people's well-being, with major China-Myanmar construction projects involving dozens of schools and Chinese medical institutions providing free treatment in Myanmar. China's Yunnan Province, where the Wanding fish market is located, has provided Myanmar with technical assistance in high-yield corn and rice as well as personnel training in agriculture. The boom of people-to-people exchanges has greatly strengthened the friendship between the two peoples, said Yang Guoying, an associate professor in the Myanmar language at Peking University. An employee from Myanmar works in a restaurant in Jinghong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) And the friendly relationship between China and Myanmar, added Yang, will in turn help promote regional peace and stability. Enditem (Xinhua reporters Che Hongliang in Yangon; Chang Tiantong, Sun Yi and Zhuang Beining in Beijing; and Li Huaiyan and Liu Xinyu in Kunming also contributed to the story.) (Video reporters Yang Muyuan, Sun Min, Wang An Haowei, Yao Bing; Video editor Liu Ruoshi) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:39:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's traffic police will take a series of new measures to provide more convenient traffic management services, the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday. The traffic management division under the ministry will issue digital certifications of vehicle inspection to replace the paper stickers that are currently required to be put on the cars. The program will be piloted in 16 cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Urumqi starting from March 1. The police will also extend three pilot programs that have proven feasible to cover the entire country. One of the programs is to issue traffic safety information, such as real-time reports of road accidents and obstructions on roads, via navigation systems. The program will be implemented nationwide by the end of March. Gov. Phil Murphy will use part of his State of the State address Tuesday to introduce a new plan to help New Jerseyans find jobs and make sure the state and is workforce is prepared for another economic recession, NJ Advance Media has learned. The initiative is simply called Jobs NJ," according to an excerpt of the speech, which the Democratic governor will deliver at 3 p.m. at the Statehouse in Trenton. While details have not yet been revealed, Murphy will say the mission is to better align our education system to meet the future needs of both employers and workers, and do better at matching our workers with potential employers," Murphy will say in his address. The governor will say New Jersey lagged coming out of the 2008 recession because we were stuck in an old-fashioned belief that when a job is lost in a recession, all a worker has to do is wait things out and get it back once the economy recovers. Many of the jobs lost never returned, and more workers were left without the skills necessary for the new jobs that beckoned, Murphys speech says. We will not repeat this mistake. We will make New Jersey a national leader in welcoming and maintaining the jobs of tomorrow. Murphy has directed the state Jobs and Economy Opportunity Council to create the initiative. The program will create job training to learn skills as employers evolve with new technologies and new economic realities, according to the speech. It will also close longstanding structural and racial equity gaps that have kept some of our residents from job training and skills development including those from underserved communities, new immigrants, and former prisoners, according to the speech. Its the latest program Murphy has introduced to encourage students and workers to enter what he calls the innovation economy jobs that involve science and technology. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Today: At the heart of the impeachment is a request made by President Trump that Ukraine investigate ties between the Bidens and an energy company called Burisma. Now, new reporting from The Times suggests that Russian hackers may be trying to fulfill that request. Its Wednesday, January 15. Nicole Perlroth, tell me what happened the other day. nicole perlroth So, Ive been covering cyber security at The Times for about eight years, and I had been working on a story for a couple months about threats to the 2020 election. And as part of that story, Id been speaking to a source of mine. His name is Oren Falkowitz. He is a former analyst at the National Security Agency, and now he runs a Silicon Valley company that blocks phishing attacks. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. nicole perlroth And hes been working with a lot of the Democratic candidates for 2020, and hed given me an interesting number in the course of that reporting, which was that already the Democratic frontrunners for 2020 have been getting an average of something like 1,000 phishing attempts in the last couple months. michael barbaro Wow. nicole perlroth Right. Its a huge number. And so I gave him a call to just do some basic fact checking as we were going to print, and I happened to catch him at an interesting time. And he said, you know what? I actually think I might have something bigger for you. Can I call you back later? michael barbaro [LAUGHS] Thats a very juicy little tease for a source to give a reporter. nicole perlroth Right. michael barbaro So what do you do? nicole perlroth Hey, Oren. oren falkowitz Hey, Nicole. Hows it going? nicole perlroth Good. How are you? oren falkowitz Im great. nicole perlroth I call him back. nicole perlroth So lets start from the top. nicole perlroth And he starts to tell me the full story. [music] nicole perlroth So, starting about New Years Eve, he was actually at Disney World with his kids, and he was in line for the teacups ride, as he tells it. michael barbaro Naturally. nicole perlroth And someone on his team sends him a Slack message. oren falkowitz And it said, I found a bunch of Russian phishing attacks going after Ukrainians targeting natural gas. nicole perlroth There is an active Russian phishing campaign against some companies in Ukraine. oren falkowitz You know, its pretty boring, run of the mill, but Im going to keep tabs on it, and if they swing more towards U.S. targets, you know, we can spend some extra time looking at it. nicole perlroth Couple days later, a different person on their team was giving a presentation about threats to the oil and gas industry, and took a little bit of a closer look at what these attacks against Ukraine were all about. oren falkowitz And she started to notice after a little digging that all three gas companies that had been found were related to this company Burisma. nicole perlroth They were all subsidiaries of Burisma. michael barbaro Hmm, the company at the center of the Trump impeachment inquiry and the company on which Hunter Biden sat on the board. nicole perlroth Right. So, Orens team takes a close look at these attacks, and they find out that these are pretty sophisticated phishing attacks, for one. oren falkowitz In this case, what the Russians were doing is setting up fake websites to look exactly like Burisma Holdings companys websites, so that when a user visited them, they wouldnt really know the difference. nicole perlroth Theyve taken something like, KUBgas.com.ua and just disposed of the .ua, so these employees are looking at the website address, and why should they even assume that their company doesnt own the .com domain? oren falkowitz That would allow them, you know, in some of these websites, to ask for usernames and passwords. And once those are given away, they can go and do other things like access their emails, start sending emails on their behalf, and going further into their networks, probably to achieve some goal that we dont understand yet. nicole perlroth So, what they saw was that people were indeed accessing these fake login pages. nicole perlroth O.K. And do we know how successful these attacks have been? oren falkowitz The attacks have been successful. nicole perlroth And giving away their usernames and passwords. oren falkowitz What theyve accomplished is yet to be determined. nicole perlroth We dont know what happens after that. Orens team cant say whether they got any emails at all, whether they got any material that would be embarrassing to Joe Biden or his son. But whats clear is they successfully got in. So on its face, this would not actually be that weird. Ukraine is known as sort of Russias test kitchen for hacking and cyberattacks. Its basically been under constant attack since before 2014. But when they started unwinding some of these campaigns back, there were two things that stood out. One, this isnt some random Russian cyber criminal group. This is Fancy Bear, the name of the group that private security researchers give to the G.R.U., Russias main intelligence directorate the same group that hit John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, back in 2016. michael barbaro Wow. So the same group is doing the attack on Burisma? nicole perlroth Exactly. The other thing that was interesting was the timing. When Orens team went back and looked at the timestamps, this was early November. And you have to remember where we were in early November. The private testimony of the impeachment witnesses before the House Intelligence Committee had just wrapped up and we were about to start the public hearings. michael barbaro So, this division of the G.R.U. is targeting Burisma at the very same moment when Burisma is suddenly at the center of the national conversation in the impeachment process. nicole perlroth Exactly. Here we are again. oren falkowitz Given that were so close to the first votes being cast in the elections. nicole perlroth With an election year coming up. oren falkowitz This is starting to look more like the pattern that we have seen in 2016. nicole perlroth With a Russian hack of a sensitive Democratic target. michael barbaro So Nicole, as he is telling you this, what are you thinking? nicole perlroth Im thinking this is 2016 all over again. So, I had been told that we were going to see a lot of foreign interference in this election. Not just from Russia, but because Russia had offered a playbook for interference for every other country that had any other incentive to influence the 2020 election, we were told we were going to be getting hit from all sides. But, I had fully expected that perhaps because Russian tactics and techniques had been spilled over the Mueller report and in private security intelligence assessments, that we would see something more sophisticated. But, when Oren was describing this, it was a cookie cutter repeat of what happened to John Podesta back in 2016. michael barbaro Right. Who would use the exact same technique twice? nicole perlroth Apparently, the G.R.U. does. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. Nicole, you said you were talking to Oren as part of your reporting on what to expect from Russia in 2020. But, as youve observed, this story that he told you, it sounds like theyre up to the exact same thing as they were in 2016. Why would that be, given that they were caught in the sense that the U.S. understands what they did in 2016 why would they just use the same tactics in 2020? nicole perlroth Because it still works. People will still click on these links. People will still turn over their passwords. We know people wont turn on this thing called two-factor authentication to make sure people cant just hack into their computers from a strange location. And, we also know that the outcome can be the same. We know that in 2016 archived recording Breaking tonight. Less than two weeks until election day, and hacked emails from the account of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta, are raising new questions about Mrs. Clinton and her candidacy. nicole perlroth When Russian hackers and trolls dumped John Podestas emails and emails at the D.N.C., people devoured them. archived recording After thousands of leaked emails showed Democratic Party officials possibly plotting against Bernie Sanders in his race against Hillary Clinton. nicole perlroth People wanted to believe that the race was fixed for Hillary Clinton from the beginning. archived recording 1 They planned this. They set it up. They didnt give us a chance. archived recording 2 They came together pretty much to shut Bernie out. I mean, its pretty obvious. nicole perlroth And, what they did was, they looked in those emails for any evidence of that, and we got to a place where the Russians successfully sowed American discord. archived recording (bernie sanders) And we have got to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. [BOOING] nicole perlroth They basically poured fuel on the fire. And when you think about where we are in 2020, theres no evidence to suggest that the outcome wouldnt be the exact same. When you think about what President Trump was saying last summer into the fall archived recording (donald trump) Uh, they should investigate the Bidens, because how does a company thats newly formed nicole perlroth that Burisma was corrupt. archived recording (donald trump) That was a crooked deal, 100%. nicole perlroth That there was widespread corruption in Ukraine that he wanted investigated. archived recording (donald trump) Uh, Ukraine is known as a very, very corrupt place, and they know that. nicole perlroth And you think about what Russian hackers could potentially get from getting inside Burismas systems. They might not necessarily find anything that is an exhibit A of corruption. But if you selectively leaked emails out of context, itd be very easy in the current media climate and the current partisan climate for people to once again devour those emails and find whatever it is they want to find. michael barbaro There doesnt have to be all that much there there for it to effectively sow discord? nicole perlroth Exactly. michael barbaro Nicole, does the fact that the Russians are doing this in pretty much the exact same way as they did in 2016 suggest something about how the United States responded last time, if Russia feels empowered to pretty much do the same thing again? nicole perlroth Well, I think it tells us that they didnt feel much pain from the Mueller report and sanctions, and from the indictments against Russian hackers and trolls. I mean, you have to remember that even after the American intelligence community concluded that Russian hackers and trolls had interfered in the 2016 election. archived recording (donald trump) I dont think anybody knows it was Russia that broke into the D.N.C. Shes saying Russia, Russia, Russia, but I dont maybe it was. I mean, it could be Russia, but it could also be China. It could also be lots of other people. It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds, OK? nicole perlroth The president was still blaming a 400-pound guy sitting on his bed. archived recording (donald trump) You dont know who broke in to D.N.C.. nicole perlroth In Helsinki, the president said archived recording (donald trump) People came to me. Dan Coats came to me, and some others. They said they think its Russia. I have President Putin. He just said its not Russia. I will say this, I dont see any reason why it would be. nicole perlroth I dont know why it would have been Russia. And more recently archived recording Today was their first time meeting face-to-face since the release of the Mueller report. nicole perlroth When a reporter asked Trump at a press conference. archived recording Mr. President, will you tell Russia not to meddle in the 2020 election? nicole perlroth Will you tell Vladimir Putin not to interfere in 2020? archived recording And you can even see it right there, Mr. Trump wagging his finger at Putin, all with a smile. nicole perlroth Trump wagged his finger jovially and said, dont interfere in 2020. There has been no repercussions for Russian interference in 2016, at least not enough to keep them from doing the same thing all over again in 2020. michael barbaro And of course, the president is now also advancing the theory that it was Ukraine and not Russia that interfered in 2016. nicole perlroth Right, which further absolves Russia from its interference in 2016, and is at the heart of the conspiracy theory thats gotten Trump impeached in the first place. michael barbaro Right. nicole perlroth So thats the bad news, but it actually gets worse. If you remember back in 2016, the D.N.C. was actually hacked by two groups of Russian hackers. The first was Fancy Bear, which we have now talked about. The other was another Russian intelligence group called Cozy Bear. michael barbaro Right. nicole perlroth And what we now know from our reporting over the last six months is that, well, Fancy Bears continued on with these very obvious phishing campaigns and is really up to its old tricks. Cozy Bear, the other group that hacked the D.N.C. back in 2016, has actually dropped off the radar. So about six months ago, researchers I talked to had been following them, and all of a sudden they sort of up and abandoned their hacking infrastructure. They switched out email accounts that were being monitored by the private sector and intelligence officials. Theyre now using things like secure, anonymous email accounts that make it much harder for intelligence agencies and private researchers to track their communications. michael barbaro Hmm. So theyve kind of gone dark. nicole perlroth Exactly. And it gets a little scarier. archived recording Cyber criminals are holding entire American cities, towns, and counties hostage, and theyre doing it with computer viruses called ransomware. nicole perlroth So, one of the things thats just been happening separately from any of these Russian campaigns over the last year is that American cities and towns have been getting hit with a record number of ransomware attacks. So, these are attacks when cyber criminals usually looking for a profit infect their computer systems, hold their data hostage until they pay a ransom. michael barbaro Right. This happened in Baltimore, for example. nicole perlroth Baltimore. archived recording The assault causing police emails to go down, as did the Board of Elections. nicole perlroth Atlanta. archived recording The F.B.I. is investigating a cyberattack on the city of Atlanta. The so-called ransomware attack on the citys computer network triggered outages across several departments. nicole perlroth New Orleans. archived recording The city of New Orleans crippled after a cyberattack. Websites down. Phones unanswered. The mayor declaring a state of emergency as local and federal officials work to figure out whos behind the hack and how much damage has been done. [music] nicole perlroth And what I learned in the course of my reporting over the last couple months is that there is a question at the Homeland Security Department and among the intelligence community about whether these were just run-of-the-mill ransomware attacks, or whether there was a G.R.U. component. And the fear is that the attacks might actually just be decoys for some more nefarious sleuthing of these local elections systems. michael barbaro Wow. nicole perlroth Now, they have not concluded that this is the case, but this is something that the Department of Homeland Security is investigating. And, I think whether or not they conclude that there was some G.R.U. component here, what those ransomware attacks showed us is that American towns and cities are still so vulnerable to the type of attack that could really influence the vote on election day. michael barbaro Can you help us understand what that might look like? nicole perlroth So, one scenario is, they change the votes. They hack into the actual ballot machines themselves and change peoples votes without anyones knowledge. The other thing is that they could actually keep people from voting. They could hack into the software companies that make the software thats used to check people in at the polls. Someone shows up on election day and theyre told, youre not registered to vote, or it looks like youve already voted. That would essentially be something like digital disenfranchisement. And heres the thing. Back in 2016, Russia actually hacked into a software company that provided the poll check-in systems. When people showed up in Durham, North Carolina on election day, which is a reliably blue county in an otherwise swing state to vote, there were a lot of people who were kept from voting that day. And they were told, it looks like youre not registered to vote, even though they were standing there with their registration cards. They were told they had to go to a different location. Some were told that they had already voted. And the county actually had to go to print paper. And it cast a lot of doubt that perhaps Russia actually had succeeded in hacking it in a way to keep people from voting in this blue county. And it took three years. It was only last week O.K., were less than a year away from the next election its only last week that investigators at the Department of Homeland Security concluded that, actually, Russia had not hacked into the system that Durham used, that it looks like technical misconfiguration errors were to blame. And a lot of people weve talked to have said, maybe thats just the point. Russia doesnt necessarily have to hack the election to throw the outcome into doubt. Maybe making Americans question the final outcome of a presidential election is all it needs to do to undermine faith in our democracy. michael barbaro So youre saying that, yes, Russia is doing the same thing that it did in 2016 now. Its also doing more, possibly. We dont know what Cozy Bear is up to, and we suspect that Russia may be pursuing this new attack on the election systems themselves. nicole perlroth Thats right, Michael. So let me paint a picture. This would be the worst case scenario that American officials are worried about. One, Russia repeats the 2016 playbook, which it looks like theyre beginning to do. They hacked into Burisma. Lets say they end up dumping emails that are embarrassing to Joe Biden or his son, and we see a repeat of what we saw with John Podesta and Hillary Clinton in 2016. And then, lets say they add this new prong, O.K.? Which is the possibility that Russia may hack into the election itself. Were now in a moment where our faith in institutions is at an all-time low, and that is where you get to the true nightmare scenario for 2020. michael barbaro Nicole, thank you. nicole perlroth Thank you so much. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording Youre going to be a juror in the trial in the Senate thats about to start. Do you worry President Trump will be emboldened by acquittal? archived recording (amy klobuchar) No. When I look at what the issue is, its whether or not were going to be able to have witnesses. Weve asked for only four people as witnesses, and if our Republican colleagues wont allow those witnesses, they may as well give the president a crown and a scepter. They may as well make him king. And last time I checked michael barbaro In the seventh Democratic debate, held on the eve of an impeachment trial in the Senate, the three senators in the race, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders said they would temporarily return to Washington to act as jurors in the case. archived recording (elizabeth warren) Some things are more important than politics. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. It says that no one is above the law. That includes the President of the United States. If we have an impeachment trial, I will be there because it is my responsibility. michael barbaro Much of the debate focused on foreign policy, with many of the candidates calling for restraint in the U.S. approach to Iran, and expressing a reluctance to enter into a new military conflict in the Middle East. But in perhaps the debates most tense moment archived recording Senator Sanders, Senator Warren confirmed in a statement, that in 2018 you told her that you did not believe that a woman could win the election. Why did you say that? michael barbaro Moderators pressed Senator Sanders about the claim made by Senator Warren that Sanders had told her a woman could not be elected president. archived recording (bernie sanders) Well, as a matter of fact, I didnt say it. michael barbaro A claim that Sanders has denied. archived recording (bernie sanders) Anybody knows me knows that its incomprehensible that I would think that a woman could not be President of the United States. Go to YouTube today. michael barbaro Warren, however, stood by the claim. archived recording (elizabeth warren) Look, this question about whether or not a woman can be president has been raised, and its time for us to attack it head on. And I think the best way to talk about who can win, is by looking at peoples winning record. Look at the men on this stage. Collectively, they have lost 10 elections. The only people on this stage who have won every single election that theyve been in are the women, Amy and me. archived recording So true. So true. [APPLAUSE] [music] michael barbaro 'The results show that he is the best person to manage individuals in the party.' Vikram Gopal reports. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo For 76-year-old B S Yediyurappa, the recent by-elections in Karnataka came as a massive boost as it helped shore up his government -- the second time he has had to reach a majority in this manner -- and thwart threats of a change in power. The by-elections to 15 seats, held on December 5, were necessitated after 17 MLAs from the previous Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition government resigned, ensuring its demise. The MLAs were subsequently disqualified for their efforts. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 12 seats, riding on the personal appeal of the dissidents from the Congress and JD-S. Indeed, there are many aspects of this victory that will cheer the BJP. First, the fact that the Opposition parties will have to accept that the BJP will rule for the remaining three-and-a-half years of the term of the assembly, unless it implodes. Second, the party has shown that its bet on the former dissidents was well placed -- it had fielded the rebels in 13 seats and won 11. Third, as BJP leaders have argued, the results appear to show that voters condoned the method used to bring down the previous regime. Fourth, the victory in the KR Pete assembly seat in Mandya district was the first time the party won in the district, which is dominated by the landed Vokkaliga caste, which until recently was believed to have predominantly supported the JD-S. The Mandya victory seems all the more impressive if one keeps in mind that the party supported Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who defeated former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil in a high-stakes battle in the Lok Sabha polls, which it swept in the state, winning 25 of the 28 seats. The victory also bucked historical trends. For instance, it won 80 per cent of the seats in the by-polls. Between 2008 and 2013, the first time the party came to power independently in the state, it won only seven of the 13 by-elections or 54 per cent. In fact, 27 by-polls have been held in the past 20 years in Karnataka, and the ruling party has won 16 of these, or 59 per cent. Crucially, for Yediyurappa, the victories appear to reiterate his continued dominance in the party's state unit, freeing him from the central leadership's hold. This was a perception the Opposition highlighted repeatedly in the run-up to the by-polls when they criticised the BJP central leadership for not granting Yediyurappa an audience. And yet, even at this moment, challenges remain. For one, the threat of dissidence that racked his tenure between 2008 and 2011 remains. This was also on show in the by-elections. Though the BJP was able to neutralise dissidence within its ranks when it decided to field the rebels, it failed to do so in the Hosakote seat. There its former candidate Sharath Bachegowda, son of BJP MP B N Bachegowda, contested as an Independent and defeated new entrant M T B Nagaraj, the state's richest candidate. Even elsewhere, it was only able to prevent similar rebellions, thanks to Yediyurappa's intervention. Added to this is the resentment arising from the chief minister's assurance to the rebels of inducting the victors into the state cabinet. Second, the BJP's campaign relied in part on highlighting this as Yediyurappa's last tenure in power -- it has already broken its 75-year retirement rule for him. Though the strategy worked this time, it has limited rewards, as former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, who has banked on the 'last election' bounce many times, can testify. Third, the growing influence of Yediyurappa's younger son, B Y Vijayendra, has remained a contentious issue. These issues have gone on the backburner after Vijayendra scripted the KR Pete victory, but can resurface. A senior BJP leader, who is a cabinet minister, said there was already resentment that Vijayendra was interfering in the functioning of various departments. "Obviously, this will increase now that he has managed a victory," the leader said. Finally, these victories need to be viewed from a historical perspective. Of the 23 by-polls held in the state between 2000 and 2017, a year before the last assembly election, the ruling party won 13 seats. However, 11 of these seats were won by other parties in subsequent assembly elections, according to Election Commission data. Political analyst Narendar Pani, faculty at the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Advanced Studies, cautioned against reading too much into the victory. "If the by-elections prove anything, it is that the individual trumps the party in Karnataka's politics. This is borne out by the fact that the majority of those who switched parties won." The other takeaway, Pani said, was Yediyurappa had stamped his authority in Karnataka, amid alleged attempts to sideline him. "The results show that he is the best person to manage individuals in the party," he added. Recovering from a shoulder injury, the precocious Prithvi Shaw could make it to New Zealand, his hopes brightened after what he termed a "superb net session". With the Indian selectors yet to name the ODI and Test squads for the tour of New Zealand, all is still not lost for the 20-year-old Shaw. He was in sparkling touch since returning from his eight-month doping ban, but a shoulder injury on the opening day of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka cut short his run, ruling him out of India A's two practice matches in New Zealand. However, his net session has sent a positive signal. "My favourite sound. The sound when the ball hits the middle of my bat. Superb net sessions going on," Shaw tweeted alongside a video of the session. He was seen driving, cutting and flicking with ease. Shaw had hurt his left shoulder while trying to save an overthrow during Mumbai's the match against Karnataka at the Bandra Kurla Complex. He was expected to figure in India A's two practice games during the New Zealand tour. The selectors will be keen to see if Shaw will be available for the Test series in New Zealand. The first Test will get underway on February 21 at the Basin Reserve in Hamilton and the second match is scheduled to be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, starting February 29. The selectors are to make the team announcement on January 19. In the first Ranji match against Baroda, he scored 202 and 66. Prior to that, he amassed runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he would be willing to work on a "Trump deal" to replace an international treaty designed to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement," Johnson said of the 2015 nuclear deal that he and other European powers have been trying to salvage after Washington pulled out. He added: "If we are going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal. "That's what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward." Britain, France and Germany have been trying to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which curbed Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump pulled out the United States in 2018, and Tehran has subsequently wound down its compliance. "From the American perspective it's a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by (former) President Obama," Johnson said. "From their point of view it has many, many faults." He added: "President Trump is a great deal-maker -- by his own account and many others. Let's work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead." Last week, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Iran's non-compliance had become "so acute" that European powers were looking at taking action. "We want to see Iran come back to full compliance and we will be looking at all measures including potentially triggering the DRM (dispute resolution mechanism)," he said. The mechanism could ultimately lead to the UN Security Council reimposing sanctions on Iran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian embassy in Antananarivo handed over as many as 100,000 academic textbooks on behalf of the Indian government to Madagascar here on Tuesday for the development of higher education and research in the East African country. The books were handed over by Indian ambassador Abhay Kumar to the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research Blanche Nirina Richard at an event held at the Ministry headquarters here. Published by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi, the books are on 37 separate titles on Mathematics, Accountancy and Business Studies, Science, and English language. Total Cost of Books in India is Rs.7,677,600, equivalent to USD 108,000. This supply of books by Government of India has been done in accordance with the announcement made by the President Ram Nath Kovind during his visit to the African country in 2018. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador said that India is committed to partner with Madagascar to fulfil the vision of President Andry Rajoelina and his government for the emergence of Madagascar. The donations would be instrumental in the development of higher education and research in Madagascar. These books will be used in the universities and in Institute of Science and Technologies, National Centers of Researches and to National Center of Teaching of English Language or CNELA. The Minister of Higher Education extended her gratitude to the Indian government for its support and for the continuation of partnership and cooperation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GREENFIELD, Ind., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 1,172 acres of farmland and commercial/industrial property in Hancock County, just outside Indianapolis, will be offered in 24 tracts at auction March 4. The property will be marketed through a partnership of Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company and Cushman & Wakefield. The land adjoins the City of Greenfield at Meridian Road, just off U.S. 40, and includes more than 800 acres of cropland, as well as several buildings suitable for commercial or industrial use. "The current owner determined this property doesn't fit with their needs, so they decided to sell it at auction," said R.D. Schrader, president of the Columbia City-based auction company. "We will offer the property in tracts, with farmland and commercial/industrial tracts offered separately. Bidders will be allowed to combine tracts to purchase just the parts that interest them," he said. Schrader said the company's marketing efforts will target farmers, investors, 1031 tax exchange buyers, and developers at a local, regional and national level. "The main tract is a square mile, with frontage on four roads, so this will be attractive to a wide range of bidders," he said. Schrader and Cushman & Wakefield personnel will be available to accommodate inspections for qualified bidders before the auction. Individuals seeking additional information may call 800-451-2709 or visit www.schraderauction.com . Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company, based in Columbia City, Indiana, is a leading auctioneer of farmland, commercial and industrial land, and other assets. Cushman & Wakefield is a global commercial real estate services firm. For more information: Carl Carter, 205-910-1952 SOURCE Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company Related Links http://www.schraderauction.com SEATTLE, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines announced today the promotion of four highly experienced leaders who will emphasize the importance of providing remarkable guest experiences and creating continued future growth for the company. Effective immediately, Sangita Woerner has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing and guest experience; Charu Jain has been promoted to a new role as senior vice president of merchandising and innovation; and Vikram Baskaran will succeed Jain as the vice president of information technology services. Additionally, Kyle Levine has been promoted to senior vice president of legal and general counsel. Woerner's elevated role provides an opportunity to continue broadening her focus on ensuring excellence in the end-to-end guest experience, and to continue growing the Alaska brand and loyalty as the company grows. She joined Alaska in 2015 and led the company's 2016 brand relaunch, the onboard product and service redefinition through the integration with Virgin America, and creating new uniforms in partnership with frontline teams. "During Sangita's five years with us, she has built a strong marketing organization and led Alaska's move to a single brand with the acquisition of Virgin America, including the consolidation of two loyalty programs and upgrading our onboard product for a modern West Coast vibe and fresh local flavor," said Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "She's a leader who has insatiable drive to take care of our guests and build a powerful brand." In her new role as senior vice president of merchandising and innovation, Jain will work closely with the commercial business, operating divisions and technology teams to implement solutions enabling the company to continue to deliver an excellent experience for guests and employees. She has more than 25 years of experience as a senior technology executive. She joined Alaska in 2017 as vice president of information technology services and chief information officer. "Charu will drive and advance our legacy of innovation," said Harrison. "She's a proven technology leader who integrated hundreds of systems through the acquisition of Virgin America. Her responsibilities include driving both employee and guest-facing innovation along with taking Alaska to the next level with merchandising our products and services, and managing our ever-evolving distribution channels." Baskaran takes the helm of information technology services as vice president. Along with Jain, he led the IT team through the complexities of integration with Virgin America with near flawless execution. Vikram leads a world-class IT operation that's at the foundation of Alaska consistently receiving high rankings in airline customer satisfaction. He joined the company in 2013 as a managing director of technology. "Vikram's in-depth knowledge of our technology environment and his proven commitment to delivering great technology to our employees and guests make him perfectly suited for this role," said Brandon Pedersen, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "I'm confident that Vikram will be an exceptional leader for our IT organization." As the senior vice president of legal and general counsel, chief ethics and compliance officer and corporate secretary, Levine heads Alaska Air Group's team of legal, governance and compliance professionals; supports board of directors' activities and shareholder services; and sits on the company's executive committee. He joined the company in 2006. "Kyle has served Alaska extremely well as general counsel over the years," said Brad Tilden, chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group. "In addition to critical counsel through our merger with Virgin America, he has built out a strong legal team, strengthened our ethics and compliance program, and served as a company-wide champion for diversity and inclusion. He has earned this promotion and we're all glad to see it happening." Alaska Airlines and its regional partners fly 46 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations with an average of 1,300 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners, guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for 12 consecutive years from 2008 to 2019. Learn about Alaska's award-winning service at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). SOURCE Alaska Airlines It's a huge topic. Yet Kennedy, the youngest daughter of the late Robert Kennedy, compressing two years' worth of events, handles it just about perfectly. Her interviews are drawn mostly from U.S. military officials up and down the food chain, working as helicopter pilots, or as those working under (or near) Graham Martin, the U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam from 1973 to 1975. It's a cliche to single out a true-life historical figure as "Shakespearean." Yet in Martin's maddening delays, his inability or unwillingness to respond quickly to the steady advances of the North Vietnamese Army, a tragic, all-too-human folly of a character emerges. All four Atlantic premiers are keen to see NB Power and Quebec work together to build new transmission lines through New Brunswick, says Premier Blaine Higgs. Higgs says all the premiers taking part in the annual meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers which he attended by videoconference after his flight was cancelled endorsed the agreement announced last Friday. "It was seen as a win with all of the provinces because they wanted this infrastructure upgrade," he said. Higgs said greater transmission capacity could allow hydroelectric power from Quebec to replace power now generated at NB Power's Belledune and Coleson Cove generating stations, if no alternatives can be found by 2030. Belledune now burns coal, which Ottawa wants phased out in the next decade, and Coleson Cove runs on the coldest days of the year on fuel oil. Both are carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels. "It is an option that provides for Belledune in 2030 and also looking at Coleson Cove down the road in 2030," Higgs said. Ed Hunter/CBC It will also allow Quebec to sell electricity via New Brunswick into Nova Scotia, which has four coal-fired plants. Another scenario will see power from dams in Labrador, including Muskrat Falls, transmitted through Quebec and New Brunswick into the United States via NB Power's links to the New England power grid. Meanwhile, New Brunswick would be able to collect tolls on the power moving through the province. "Increasing the capability of our transmission system is a benefit to all of us," Higgs said. Quebec Premier Francois Legault told reporters in St. John's that his province has a surplus of hydroelectricity that it's willing to sell to other provinces now burning fossil fuels to generate power. "It's a good way to replace this energy [with] clean energy especially in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia," Legault said. Environment and Climate Change Canada "It's clear that we have right now some capacity and we can add to this capacity. So why don't we work together on a plan, a complete plan to serve 100 per cent of clean energy to all our provinces?" Story continues In a pair of tweets, New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon applauded the plan in sweeping terms. "Today, the four Atlantic Premiers took the first essential step toward creating a renewable energy future for our region, by agreeing to create a regional grid that would move hydroelectricity from Labrador and Quebec to the Maritimes," he said. "This will make it easier to replace dirty coal and costly nuclear with renewable power, but we must have a plan to roll out wind, solar and more of our own hydroelectricity here at home." But Higgs said that he foresees nuclear power, including from the proposed small modular reactors proposed by two Saint John companies, also being available to other provinces via the beefed-up grid. Paul Daly/THE CANADIAN PRESS The agreement on transmission links goes beyond connections that would be built at the Quebec border and would see "significant" new lines built through all of New Brunswick, Higgs said. The heads of NB Power and Hydro-Quebec will work over the next four to six months on developing a specific proposal that will be presented to the federal government for funding. The premier said the project should be eligible for federal funding under Ottawa's green infrastructure program, which federal documents say is aimed in part at "new renewable electricity and transmission projects." Ottawa's help? "It fits the federal program directly, really," Higgs said. Last Friday, NB Power CEO Gaetan Thomas said federal subsidies would create a risk of the United States launching some form of trade retaliation. Canadian energy sent to the U.S. now crosses the border tax-free and tariff-free. Higgs said he was aware of the concern but said it may be possible to avoid U.S. trade measures because the primary impetus for the upgrade is domestic. "We need this upgrade just to get power from Quebec coming into Nova Scotia, so that part of it is an internal Canadian solution," he said. NB Power and Hydro-Quebec announced two other agreements Friday. One will see the Quebec utility advise NB Power on refurbishing the Mactaquac Dam, and the other will see NB Power buying more electricity from Hydro-Quebec over the next two decades. January 14, 2020 is the last day for Microsoft supporting Windows 7. In March 2019, Microsoft announced that it would withdraw support for its over-a-decade-old operating system. Users have been advised to upgrade to Windows 10 for reviving timely security updates. Twitter users took their fair share in bidding farewell to Windows 7, one of the most popular operating systems in the world that reportedly is still installed on nearly a third of PCs. i feel like missing the most dependable close friend today, miss you so much with all of our memories growing up together #Windows7 pic.twitter.com/x9l7lFlQXD Sajeetharan (@kokkisajee) January 14, 2020 Here is how the Twitterati reacted to Microsoft killing support for the Windows 7 operating system. Today Is The Saddest day in History of Windows 7 Users#RipWindows7 #Windows7 Press F To pay Respect pic.twitter.com/Ru49LlVBfe SpectralDesigns (@SpectralDNZ) January 14, 2020 Was not prepared for that one, damn you 2020, #Windows7 pic.twitter.com/UXthdTaH0w Ulisezzz (@ulisezzz) January 14, 2020 Just realized tomorrow is the last day of support for my jacket What do I do?#Windows7 pic.twitter.com/UZaslwTiGE Steven Yarnot (@YarnoSG) January 14, 2020 Keep in mind that Windows 7 will not stop working on your PC or laptop. Microsoft's withdrawal of support for the OS would mean that users will, henceforth, not receive any security update or patch to protect their device from any kind of malware. Microsoft is allowing genuine Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. In case you are among those who are still on Windows 7 or later, here is how you can officially upgrade to Windows 10 for free Three EU countries on Tuesday launched a process charging Iran with failing to observe the terms of the 2015 deal curtailing its nuclear programme, a move that sparked anger and threats from Tehran at a time of intensifying tensions. Russia also condemned the European move, warning it risked causing a new escalation. Britain, France and Germany insisted they remained committed to the agreement, which has already been severely tested by the US exit from the accord in 2018. But even as their statement was released, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated he might prefer a comprehensive accord negotiated with US President Donald Trump instead of the 2015 deal.- The decision to begin the so-called dispute mechanism process comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following the killing of top commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike, and the admission by Tehran days later that it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner. The foreign ministers of the three European nations said Iran had been progressively scaling back its commitments under the deal since May last year. We have therefore been left with no choice, given Irans actions, to begin the dispute process, their statement said. In Moscow, the foreign ministry said it saw no reason for such a move. We do not rule out that the thoughtless actions of the Europeans could lead to a new escalation around the Iranian nuclear accord, it said in a statement. Accept the consequences The 2015 nuclear deal signed in Vienna known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) has a provision that allows a party to claim significant non-compliance by another party before a joint commission. If the issue is not resolved by the commission, it then goes to an advisory board and eventually to the UN Security Council, which could reimpose sanctions. The first meeting of the process set to include the European nations, Iran and the other parties to the deal, China and Russia would take place in Austria by the end of the month, a diplomatic source told AFP in Vienna. Iran had intensified sensitive activities to enrich uranium, which can be used to make a nuclear weapon, in response to Trumps pulling out of the deal. Its latest step in January to forgo the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment prompted the Europeans to trigger the mechanism. But Tehran lashed out at the European countries and appeared to threaten unspecified retaliation. Of course, if the Europeans seek to abuse (this process), they must also be prepared to accept the consequences, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Back to full compliance But the three powers said they once again express our commitment to the deal and expressed determination to work with all participants to preserve it. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPoA, they said. The accord aimed to restrict Irans nuclear ambitions, which Western powers feared were aimed at developing weapons, in return for sanctions relief. The three countries said they would not join a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran championed by Trump. But Johnson said he would be willing to work on a Trump deal to replace the JCPoA, which was negotiated by the administration of former president Barack Obama. Thats what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward, Johnson said, noting that from the American perspective it (the 2015 deal) is a flawed agreement. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab denied that Johnsons remarks represented a shift, saying London backed the nuclear deal while also wanting a wider pact that would go beyond Irans atomic drive to cover all contentious issues. Resume diplomatic effort The European Unions diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said it was more important than ever to save the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal in light of the ongoing dangerous escalations in the Middle East. He emphasised that the aim of the dispute mechanism was not to reimpose sanctions. Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the pro-American shah. Iran has vowed retribution over the United States killing of Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. And while Irans attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation, Iranian forces mistakenly shot down over a Tehran suburb a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Analysts said launching the deals dispute resolution mechanism gave Europe the advantage of taking control of the process, but warned that the move could also backfire. Ellie Geranmayeh, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP that the triggering of the process set in motion a new phase. The greatest risk now was that Iran could respond to this pressure tactic by speeding up its nuclear programme or even leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which would be a major turning point, Geranmayeh said. SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP With more than 14 million acres in Australia blackened by bushfires, climate change is a glaring threat to Australians and to the standing of their prime minister, Scott Morrison. Distressed residents in fire-ravaged towns have rebuffed his handshakes and heckled his entourage. The nations capital, Canberra, rang in 2020 with the worlds worst air quality. Beach evacuations of stranded residents cornered between flames and sea now rank as Australias largest-ever peacetime maritime rescue operation. U.S. firefighters feel kinship with their Australian brothers and sisters, and more than 100 have been dispatched to battle the blazes Down Under. While Americans are no strangers to wildfires, Washington would do well to note how Australias climate policies are entwined with this current crisis. In 2000, an Australian parliamentary committee report acknowledged the countrys per capita carbon emissions were the highest in the world and highlighted the countrys acute climatic vulnerability. A 2013 report by the Climate Council, an independent Australian nonprofit, pointed to the increasing likelihood of high fire danger weather due to spiking temperatures, drought conditions and longer and more frequent heat waves. And in a November poll, 60% of Australians said they believed the country should be doing more to combat climate change. But Australias reigning politicians have been deaf to these signals. Greg Mullins, a former fire commissioner in the Australian state of New South Wales, recently told National Public Radio that the national government has been missing in action in terms of leadership and that Morrison does not have his finger on the pulse of the nation. Morrison gleefully wielded a fist-sized chunk of coal on the floor of Parliament in 2017. A year and a half later, his right-wing party incensed over proposed legislation that would have instituted energy sector emissions targets ousted his predecessor and made fossil-fuel-friendly Morrison head of state. Australian journalist Hugh Riminton has lamented the coal lobbys grip on Canberra, calling his country a burning nation led by cowards. Tasmanian novelist Richard Flanagan compared the rabid bushfires to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster another environmental catastrophe that foretold the demise of the existing, untenable political order and likened Morrison and his criminal course of inaction to the decadent and disconnected Roman emperor Nero, who is famously said to have played a fiddle while flames leveled most of ancient Rome. These domestic denunciations square with the persistent criticism of Australia from its regional neighbors. Pacific island countries are markedly vulnerable to climate change on account of sea level rise, ecosystem collapse due to ocean acidification and coral bleaching, and saltwater contamination of freshwater wells. Enele Sopoaga, former prime minister of Tuvalu in Polynesia, scoffed at Canberras highly publicized Pacific Step-Up diplomatic initiative, which offers generous infrastructure financing, a work-visa program and new undersea communications cables while you keep pouring your coal emissions into the atmosphere and drowning my people into the water. An official in Palau, 600 miles east of the Philippines, called Australia an abusive spouse that provides aid for climate mitigation projects while refusing to adopt meaningful emissions reductions. Prior to the annual conclave of leaders at last years Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu, Rev. James Bhagwan pointedly reminded Australias prime minister that he is setting foot in a country that could soon be under water. The headline on his Sydney Morning Herald commentary said it all: A climate plea to Scott Morrison from a churchman of the Pacifics sinking nations. No leader who claims Christian morality can allow this conduct on their watch, Bhagwan wrote. Present U.S. policy could benefit from such soul-searching. The White Houses abandonment of emissions targets and combative legal action against states such as California that pursue their own fuel efficiency requirements or carbon cap-and-trade programs demonstrate either complete obliviousness or categorical insensitivity to those affected by climate change. For Morrison, the wrath of a traumatized Australian electorate may become evident at the ballot box. In the United States, legislators who acquiesce to how the Trump administration is undermining the 2015 Paris climate agreement and discouraging state-level climate initiatives could find themselves indicted during campaign season and punished at the polls for their dereliction and inaction. Climate policy negligence will also undermine U.S. relations with Pacific island states. Morrisons utterly tone deaf defense of robust coal exports during the most recent Pacific Islands Forum meant Australia upset its friends, opened the door further to China, and trashed its global reputation, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wrote last fall. American climate policy requires a course correction, or its only a matter of time until the U.S. is pilloried in the strategically essential Pacific, leaving an influence vacuum for opportunistic Beijing. China is all too happy to tout itself as one of the first countries to sign the Paris agreement and to reiterate its pledge of stabilizing its carbon emissions over the next decade. A heart-wrenching image of a charred juvenile kangaroo trapped against barbed wire captured the devastation of Australias bushfires and the bitterness of climate inaction. Distraught onlookers around the world took note. We can only hope that U.S. leaders did too. Evan Karlik is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and an affiliate at Georgetown Universitys Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies. In 2018 he served as a defense fellow in the House of Representatives. Love 0 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 While he didn't get any Oscar love for his performance in Ford V Ferrari, Christian Bale was on daddy duty on Monday. The 45 year old actor was spotted out in Los Angeles with his five year old son Joseph on Monday. Bale was not nominated for his performance as Ken Miles in Ford V Ferrari, despite getting nominated for a Golden Globe earlier this month. Daddy duty: While he didn't get any Oscar love for his performance in Ford V Ferrari, Christian Bale was on daddy duty on Monday Bale stepped out with a black button down dress shirt with blue pants and brown shoes as he stepped out with his son. He was also wearing a pair of black sunglasses with a backpack strapped to his back while holding his son's black coat. His son was wearing a white shirt with black sleeves and grey sweats with brown shoes as he walked out with his dad. Christian's look: Bale stepped out with a black button down dress shirt with blue pants and brown shoes as he stepped out with his son Bale was one of the more notable Oscar snubs when the nominations were announced, after his Golden Globe nomination. His movie Ford V Ferrari was nominated for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. Bale has one Oscar win, for The Fighter in 2011, with three other nominations, for American Hustle in 2014, The Big Short in 2016 and Vice in 2018. Oscar nominations: His movie Ford V Ferrari was nominated for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing Ford V Ferrari is based on the true story of the Ford auto company bringing on legendary vehicle designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Bale) to put together a car to stop Ferrari's dominance at the 24 Hours at LeMans race. The result of their collaboration was the legendary car the Ford GT40, which won the 1966 LeMans race, ending Ferrari's streak of six wins in a row. Ford V Ferrari also stars Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca, Tracy Letts as Henry Ford II and Caitriona Balfe as Ken's wife Mollie. True story: Ford V Ferrari is based on the true story of the Ford auto company bringing on legendary vehicle designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Bale) to put together a car to stop Ferrari's dominance at the 24 Hours at LeMans race Bale recently made headlines by signing on to star in an unspecified role in Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder. The British-born actor married Sandra "Sibi" Blazic in 2000 and the couple have two kids together. Their daughter Emmaline was born in 2005 and their son Joseph was born in 2014. Carina Press, Harlequins digital-first romance imprint, plans to launch Carina Adores, a line of contemporary and classic LGBTQ+ romance tales with characters drawn from throughout the spectrum of LGBTQ+ communities. The new line will debut in June 2020 during Pride Month. The launch of Carina Adores also marks the 10th anniversary of Carina Press. The new romance line will debut with two titles in June and then publish one title a month. Carina Adores titles will be released in e-book and mass market paperback formats. Titles will range from 55,000 to 65,000 words. Carina Press senior editor Kerri Buckley emphasized that the new romance line will be inclusive and feature classic storylines crafted for LGBTQ+ romance fans: Our launch authors have delivered fresh, authentic takes on the small-town reunion romance, the buddy road trip that turns into love, the May-December trope and so much more, she said. The first two Adores titles are The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron, a female/female romance between millenial neighbors in a small town; and The Hideaway Inn by Philip William Stover, a male/male romance between a big time businessman and the now grown-up farm boy who broke his heart in years past. In July Carina Adores will publish Just Like That by Cole McCade, a male/male May-December romance between a psychology instructor and a former student. August will bring Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters (a 2019 RITA Award-winner), a female frenemies-to-lovers romance set during a snowy road trip to Quebec. Carina Adores is accepting agented and unagented submissions. For more information visit the Carina Press website. Harlequin v-p of editorial Dianne Moggy said, Were excited to begin this inclusive romance line and look forward to bringing more stories that reflect the wonderfully diverse romance reading community. Corrections: the term "queer" for LGBTQ communities was removed from an earlier version of this story; Carina Adores is an LGBTQ+ romance line and not an imprint. Khiron the only LP with a 2019 quota that authorizes the Company to manufacture high-THC whole plant extract and produce customized medical cannabis prescriptions for domestic use 56.5 tons, or 21.84% of global supply of high THC medical cannabis for commercial and scientific purposes assigned to Colombia for 2020 by International Narcotics Control Board ("INCB"), the entity responsible for the implementation of the United Nations drug conventions for 2020 by International Narcotics Control Board ("INCB"), the entity responsible for the implementation of the United Nations drug conventions This permit represents the highest annual cannabis quota in Colombian history, and the world's second largest allocations for 2020, based on a total global quota of 258 tons allocated by INCB Guarantees commercial and scientific production of medical cannabis in Colombia for 2020 for 2020 Authorization for domestic and export purposes supports the Company strategy, following commercial quotas allocated to Khiron by the Colombian Technical Quotas Group ("TQG") INCB allocation allows the country to apply for additional commercial quotas during 2020, should demand exceed initial projections TORONTO, Dec. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQB: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America, welcomes the Colombian government's announcement that the country has been awarded a record high quota of 21.84% of worldwide high -THC for commercial and scientific purposes. The quota, which is awarded by the International Narcotics Control Board ("INCB"), an independent body for the implementation of the United Nations Drug Convention, affirms Colombia's role as one of the most important supply sources for the licensed global cannabis economy. Established in 1961, the INCB, who's members are made up of global government agencies and representatives of the World Health Organization, plays an important role in monitoring enforcement of restrictions on narcotics and psychotropics and in deciding which jurisdictions should be regulated. The quota allocation of 56.5 tons of dry flower for Colombia in 2020, affirms that the international community governing legalized narcotics recognizes the important work of the Colombia government in establishing an effective regulatory framework to support national and worldwide cannabis demand. Juan Diego Alvarez, Khiron Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, stated "As the only company with an authorized high-THC quota for cultivation in 2019 to meet the needs of patients in Colombia, we welcome the INCB announcement and congratulate the Government of Colombia on the achievement. The 2020 quota guarantees access to new medical products that can transform patients' lives." Khiron Life Sciences is currently the only cannabis company in Colombia with an allocation of quota to manufacture psychoactive medical cannabis for commercial domestic purposes, and one of the few companies also authorized to meet export demand. As previously announced, the authorization is a result of commercial quotas allocated to Khiron by the Colombian Technical Quotas Group ("TQG"), which permit the Company to cultivate and commercialize up to 560 kg or approximately, 65,000 units of psychoactive, high-THC cannabis in 2019. As of April 2019, Khiron has applied for additional commercial quotas for high-THC cannabis for 2020. TQG decisions on commercial quotas for the year are anticipated to be announced by February 2020. About Khiron Life Sciences Corp. Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated cannabis company in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in Latin America and is fully licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) medical cannabis. The company delivers best in class regulatory compliance, has the first approved set of CBD cosmetic products on shelf in Colombia, and is currently facilitating testing to meet and surpass all license requirements for commercial cannabis derived products. With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. Cautionary Notes Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. United States Disclaimer This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Further information in respect of the Company can be found at www.khiron.ca. SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp. For further information: Investor Contacts: Chris Naprawa, President, T: +1 (416) 705-1144, E: [email protected]; Media Contact: Jon Packer, Vice President, Communications, T: +1 (416) 543-9179, E: [email protected] Related Links https://www.khiron.ca/en/home LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.8% from forecast period 2019 to 2026 and expected to reach the market value of over US$ 840.5 Mn by 2026. Free Download Sample Report Pages for Better Understanding@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/1662 In 2018, North America held the major share of the global Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid market and the region is also anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period from 2019 to 2026. The presence of major players in the market such as Abbott, Pfizer, Revlon, and Estee Lauder are supporting the growth. In addition, the presence of advanced technology and the strong foothold of the healthcare industry is propelling the market value. Also, the presence of potential customers for personal care products due to changing lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits is further supporting the regional market growth. Moreover, The 110th American Cancer Research Association Annual Conference (AACR 2018) presented the research results of various domestic companies where Koguryo Hospital and Bioleaders' team have introduced the phase 2 clinical trial using poly gamma glutamic acid (-PGA) in patients with cervical epithelial tumor 1 (CIN 1) associated with PD-1 / PD-L1 tumor expression. Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid is likely to exhibit promising growth over the forecast timeframe in the healthcare sector owing to its unique characteristics. The increasing usage of -PGA in nutrition supplements because they facilitate calcium absorption and can improve osteoporosis conditions. In Medical treatment, it is used as a controlled release drug carrier as well as medical bondage due to its biocompatibility particularly in carrying the drug in cancer and gene therapy. View Detail Information with Complete TOC@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/gamma-polyglutamic-acid-market The Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid market is also expected to experience considerable growth in water and wastewater treatment due to increasing water pollution and rising demand globally for the treatment of the same. -PGA possesses a heavy metal absorbent property which helps in the removal of heavy metals and radionuclide from water is pushing the demand in the segment. The -PGA is a biopolymer flocculant that is a substitute for polyacrylamide or PAC is wastewater treatment is further accelerating the segment market growth. Some of the leading competitors are AkzoNobel, Shandong Freda Biotechnology, Spec-Chem Industry, BCR-Bio Component Research, Grant Industrie, Nippon Poly-Glu, Lubon Biology, Zytex, and Freda Biotech. Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid companies have announced mergers and acquisitions to expand their position in the Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid industry. Major players are also moving into new regions or advanced technologies. The major players were involved in adoption of different strategies including mergers and acquisition, partnerships, and new product development. Browse More Chemicals and Materials Industry Research Reports@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/industry-categories/chemicals-and-materials Some of the key observations regarding Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid industry include: In 2017, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has launched low sodium food products which are listed under the Japanese Society of Hypertension containing polyglutamic acid. A Japanese brand Gold Yumehada is manufactured with all-natural products. The president Igarashi has researched the natural skincare aesthetics and found that the -PGA has a triple moisturizing function and based on the report he has invented the first generation of BB cream in 2019. In 2015, Good Mind Korea has exhibited positive growth as a cosmetic raw material company with specialized technology despite the recession in the cosmetic industry. The CEO of Good Mind Korea, Mr. Song Ki-seok founded the company in 1999 and evolved as a specialized raw materials manufacturer, which includes gamma PGA, pullulan, hydrolite pentylene glycol, natural bisabolo, natural preservative, and nano peptide. In 2019, Cult Beauty has launched the PGA serum (The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid) in 12.99. Polyglutamic Acid makes a film on the skin that stops water to evaporate which makes it a preferable choice over others. Agricultural -polyglutamic acid can be produced with the Crude extract of glutamic acid after isoelectric crystallization (CEGA) and chicken manure also Monosodium glutamate waste liquor can be used for the economical production of -polyglutamic acid. The researchers are focused on making potential efforts for the development of nanoparticles based on biodegradable polymer poly-gamma-glutamic acid (-PGA) which can be used as a vector for effective and safe cancer therapy. This is possible due to the associated properties of -PGA including low toxicity, and biocompatibility with tissue and cells among others. Request for Customization@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/1662 The report is readily available and can be dispatched immediately after payment confirmation. Buy this premium research report@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/1662 If you would like to place an order or have any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@acumenresearchandconsulting.com | +1 407 915 4157 OR +1 408 900 9135 For Latest Update Follow Us: https://twitter.com/AcumenRC https://www.facebook.com/acumenresearchandconsulting PDX Sliders | Photo: Aurelio J./Yelp Wondering where to find the best food trucks near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable food trucks in Portland, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges. 1. PDX Sliders Photo: Marc F./Yelp Topping the list is PDX Sliders. Located at 1605 S.E. Bybee Blvd. in Sellwood-Moreland, the food truck, which offers burgers, sandwiches and more, is the highest-rated cheap food truck in Portland, boasting 4.5 stars out of 727 reviews on Yelp. The eatery, which was established in 2014, operates two trucks and dishes up sandwiches, fries and salads. Specialty sandwiches include the Sellwood with beef, bacon, Beecher's aged cheddar, caramelized onions, butter lettuce and aioli on brioche, as well as the St. John's with marinated portabella, roasted romas, herbed goat cheese and baby arugula on ciabatta. 2. Caspian Kabob Next up is Boise's Caspian Kabob, situated at 4237 N. Mississippi Ave. (between Southwest Alder and 10th Avenue). With five stars out of 187 reviews on Yelp, the food truck and Persian/Iranian spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an affordable option. The food truck serves up grilled kebabs with saffron rice, as well as warm pita and salads. 3. MF Tasty Photo: Nyla P./Yelp Boise's MF Tasty, located at 3927 N. Williams Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable Mexican food truck five stars out of 158 reviews. The former Phoenix pop-up serves Southwest-inspired dishes from scratch, including paella with chipotle sofrito, Oaxacan cheese quesadillas and brunch burritos with eggs, pinto beans, spiced potatoes, Oaxacan cheese, sour cream and salsa. 4. Tehuana Oaxacan Cuisine Photo: Kim G./Yelp Over in Overlook, check out Tehuana Oaxacan Cuisine, which has earned five stars out of 158 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the food truck and Mexican spot by heading over to 1331 N. Killingsworth St. Its offerings include burritos, tacos, tortas and entomatadas made with corn tortillas topped with tomato sauce, cabbage, cilantro, onions, cheese and sour cream. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Iran's judiciary has announced it has arrested "some individuals" in connection with the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner that claimed the lives of all 176 people aboard. Without providing additional details, Judiciary spokesperson Gholamhossein Esmaili said that "extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested", Al Jazeera reported. After the initial denial, Iran on Saturday admitted that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had shot down the plane in a "disastrous mistake" Iran's delayed acknowledgement on the same had triggered protests in Tehran and elsewhere by small groups of people, who directed their anger towards senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, amid allegations of being misled. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities in Butler County are searching for a man with a medical condition who was reported missing, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers said Monday. Harley Scott Knight, 26, has a condition that causes him to get disorganized and not realize what he is doing, according to Central Alabama Crime Stoppers. Knight, who was last seen Wednesday night by his mother at his home in Greenville, does not have a cell phone and was last seen traveling on foot. The 26-year-old man called his mother Friday from Hollywood Feeds in Montgomery but hasnt been heard from since. Anyone with information on Knights whereabouts was asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP or download the P3-tips app. Since September, Australian bushfires have ravaged more than 17 million acres in what experts are calling the worst fire season in decades. Its estimated that 27 people and more than 1 billion animals have died. As Australians grapple with the falloutdisplacement and homelessness, choking smoke, missing loved onesthe rest of the world looks on with horror. Online, people are sharing heartbreaking photographs that capture the damage: rivers of fire, burnt koalas, the silhouette of a kangaroo amid a burning home. Advertisement People around the world are opening their wallets to support firefighters and survivors. A Facebook fundraising campaign created by Australian comedian Celeste Barber has raised more than $34 million to support firefighters, and celebrities and billionaires have also pledged small fortunes to firefighting and recovery efforts. On Instagram, several accounts have posted pledges to donate a dollar per like, comment, or share, amassing millions of engagements and followers in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is many of those accounts are fake. Where theres tragedy, there are scammers looking to take advantage of the ensuing goodwill. But, luckily, there are also eagle-eyed web denizens eager to set the record straight. The Instagram account @exposinginstascams has been among the most diligent bullshit-detectors, investigating shady Instagram campaigns and laying out evidence for whether accounts are legit or bogus. Over the past week, the account has identified and publicized several questionable accounts looking to capitalize on the Australia disaster. Advertisement Advertisement When theres a major disaster in the news, the scam machine runs into overdrive. For example, an account called @australiasafety posted that it would donate $1 for each like it received on a post, and claimed that it was partnered with National Geographic. As of Wednesday, the account had more than 45,000 followers. But after Nico, who runs @exposinginstascams, contacted Nat Geo directly, he discovered it was not partnered with @australiasafety and wrote a post in ExposingInstaScams questioning the accounts validity. That same day, @australiasafety was taken down. I contacted the accounts creator viahow else?Instagram DM. Nico, who says he is a 15-year-old living in San Diego, responded almost immediately. He says that so far, three of the accounts hes reported on have been taken down@australiasafety, @prayforstraya, and @thewildfund, and hes investigating a fourth, @plantatreeco. Instagram can be super profitable when it comes to ads and selling accounts, he says. People use emotional tactics to get people to follow them, then they can easily make a big buck off of this exploitation of global issues. Alongside the manipulative accounts are those that actually follow through on their donation pledges, and Nico has posted about that, too; one brand appears to really have donated $5,000 for 5,000 shares. Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, those big bucks are actual moneyfor instance, the Washington Post reported on a video of a kangaroo that went viral after it was reposted by an Instagram account claiming it was a clip from the recent fires. That account has since been deleted, but previously the account was selling merchandise, and the virality of the video, it seemed, helped direct potential customers to its wares. @Plantatreeco, Nico says, also sells productsthe featured item on its website is a simple bead bracelet on sale for $19.95, marked down from $29.95. The account, which has more than 500,000 followers, has been in use since at least May 2019, based on posts its tagged in, many of which warn followers that the account is a scam. It previously talked about planting trees in the U.S. by the end of 2019, but I havent seen evidence of that happening. (I reached out to the account via Instagram as well as through its website, but received no response.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other cases, the potential payoff for a scam account is just clout. Users might simply get a thrill out of seeing their own post go viral, or, in some cases, they might amass enough followers that their accounts become profitable enough to sell. There are websites like Insta$ale or FameSwap where users with several thousand followers can put their accounts up for sale, then allowing the buyer to change the username and repurpose the account, with a built-in audience included. While its difficult to know for sure, it appears that @australiasafety could have been one such account. Nico points out that the account was originally created in February 2018, long before the Australian fires struck, so the account surely had some other focus originally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kinds of scams run rampant on Instagram. Most of the shady accounts Nico finds are run-of-the-mill like and share scamsfor instance, one account posted a photoshopped image that appeared to be a conversation in which Kylie Jenner said shed go to a fans birthday party if her sister got 3 million likes, while another claimed to be a North Face model recruitment account. Nico says that a questionable post claiming that each like would result in one piece of trash being removed from the ocean inspired him to start his scam-exposing account. I was browsing some Instagram stories and saw that this post had taken the stories of nearly every one of my friends, he says. I looked at it and was baffled at how obviously fake this was. Advertisement But when theres a major disaster in the news, the scam machine runs into overdrive. New accounts (or old ones, repurposed for whatever new disaster has occurred) pop up, and reporting them to Instagram can be like whack-a-mole; in spending just two minutes scrolling through posts with the hashtag #prayforaustralia, I found at least three more sketchy-looking accounts claiming to donate up to $10 per like. A rash of fake donation accounts also followed the Amazon wildfire disaster and the Sudan crisis, and I asked Nico why these scams take off. People want to help but they want someone else to do it for them, he says. They want to feel like they are contributing to the world. Unfortunately, those good intentions dont necessarily translate into actual help. If youd like to support Australian fire recovery efforts, the Better Business Bureau has posted tips for identifying reputable organizations for donations, and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, home to firefighters actively fighting the blaze, is also taking donations. Additionally, the New South Wales Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is taking donations and posting on Instagram about its efforts to rescue animals in the fires path, in case you feel truly compelled to like and share something on Instagram. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the U.S. Military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner Reuters Senate Democrats on Tuesday said they have enough votes to pass a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's ability to take military action on Iran without congressional approval. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who introduced the resolution, said four GOP senators have declared their support for the measure. Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Todd Young of Indiana will vote in favor of the measure in the GOP-controlled Senate, Kaine said. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia on Tuesday said he has enough votes to pass his resolution to limit President Donald Trump's ability to take military action against Iran without congressional approval. Kaine told reporters "I've got 51 declared votes" on a revised version of the war powers resolution he's introduced in 2020 amid heightened tensions with Iran that sparked fears of war. The Virginia senator said Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Todd Young of Indiana will vote in favor of the measure in the GOP-controlled Senate. "There are a number of other Republicans looking at it," Kaine said. "We now have the 51 votes we need." Young on Tuesday said he did not support the first draft but would vote for the amended version of the measure. "It's important that Congress at this time affirm our Article I responsibilities, so long as we don't undermine the president's Article II responsibilities, that's all the Kaine resolution says," Young said, per Politico. Article I gives the Congress the power to declare war, while Article II establishes the president as the commander-in-chief, an authority that gives them wide latitude to manage the conduct of war. The timing on the vote for the resolution is still up in the air, particularly with an impending Senate impeachment trial for Trump. Story continues Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told he believed a majority of senators would vote to approve the resolution, as he called Trump's foreign policy "impulsive, erratic, egotistical, and often reckless." "We will work out the timing," Schumer said. "We have to figure out how it intersects with impeachment but we believe this resolution is the right way to go." Last week, the Democratic-controlled House passed a resolution to bar Trump from taking military action against Iran without congressional authorization, but it was a concurrent resolution and does not require the president's signature. Republicans have dismissed the House war powers resolution as non-binding and symbolic. In early January, Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iran's most important military leader, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iran retaliated with a missile attack on US and coalition forces in Iraq, but no US forces were killed and the two countries have since moved away from a wider conflict. The Trump administration has offered inconsistent justifications for the deadly Soleimani strike, which also killed a powerful Iraqi militia leader, which have raised questions among lawmakers surrounding the necessity of the order and whether the administration had carefully considered how this targeted killing could instigate a major conflict with Iran. In April, Trump vetoed a bipartisan resolution that aimed to end US involvement in the Saudi Arabia-led war in Yemen. It was the first war powers resolution to pass with bipartisan support but Congress ultimately lacked the votes to override Trump's veto. "This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future," Trump said at the time. Read the original article on Business Insider New Delhi: Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Left leaders over amended Citizenship Act, Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Tuesday said that he will send an Italian translated copy of CAA to Rahul Gandhi and a Chinese one to leaders of Left parties if they have not understood its provisions properly. Earlier, Babul had mounted scathing attack on the Opposition parties over Citizenship Amendment Act (CCA) and accused them of spreading false propaganda about the new law and creating anarchy in the country. Addressing a pro-CAA rally organized by the BJP in this south Odisha city in Ganjam district, the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest said the amended citizenship law passed in Parliament is not aimed at snatching away citizenship of anybody in the country. On the other hand, it seeks to provide citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have been victims of persecution and atrocities in these nations, he said. Accusing the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Left parties of misleading people on the CAA, the Union Minister said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had tendered apologies before the people several times with folded hands for telling lies in the run up to the last general election. Now also Rahul Gandhi is telling lies about the CAA, Supriyo, a Lok Sabha member from Asansol in West Bengal, said. Emphasising that Indian culture believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and giving respect to the guests,he said We have to give shelter to the minorities, who came from Islamic countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, in a dignified manner by giving them citizenship. Also Read: 'Mamata Banerjee Is Like Lankini': Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Says Bengal CM Has 'Traits Of Demon' The CAA will in no way affect members of minority communities living in our country, Supriyo said adding it will not snatch away citizenship of any Indian. He said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 had also advocated giving citizenship to the Bangladeshis, who came to India after getting raw deal in the neighbouring country. Both Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru had also considered giving citizenship to people who came to India after facing religious persecution abroad and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step to protect the neglected people, he said. Also Read: On Satya Nadella's CAA Remark, BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi Says 'How Literate Need To Be Educated' Speaking on the occasion, BJP vice president and former MP Baijayant Panda said Mahatma Gandhi had favoured giving proper dignity to the minorities in the country and to those who came to India from the neighboring countries. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following the assurances father of the nation had given to the minorities. Earlier, the BJP leaders and activists, including the union minister, took part in a rally and went round the main streets of the city before reaching the meeting venue near Ramalingam tank road. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD following his interview on "This Week" at RTE Headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney, Collins Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to dissolve the Dail today after briefing his Cabinet ministers and call a general election for February 7th. Mr Varadkar is expected to travel to Aras an Uachtarain later today and seek the permission of President Michael D Higgins to end the 32nd Dail and trigger General Election 2020. Senior sources in Government indicated the Taoiseach was preparing to call the general election today with most ministers still believing February 7th will be polling day. However, Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone said before the Cabinet meeting that she believed the election would be on February 14, St Valentines Day. Expand Close Business before pleasure: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meets British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast. The new generation of voters is most adversely affected by the housing crisis. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Business before pleasure: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meets British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast. The new generation of voters is most adversely affected by the housing crisis. Photo: Reuters Health Minister Simon Harris said anyone who claims to know when the election date would be "bluffing". Mr Varadkar met his ministers this morning to brief them on his plans for an election date. One minister attending the meeting said their "gut" was telling them the election would be called today. Another government source said they believed the election would be called today. Gov. Phil Murphy will stand before 120 New Jersey lawmakers Tuesday and call on the states elected officials to change the culture of Trenton during his second State of the State address. The speech, required by the state constitution, is an opportunity for governors to take a victory lap on their perceived accomplishments while also laying out their governing vision for the coming year. The address is to a joint session of the state Legislature, with all 120 lawmakers from the Assembly and Senate expected to attend at the Statehouse in Trenton. Plan to hear Murphy, a progressive Democrat, tout accomplishments that include signing a law to gradually increase New Jerseys minimum wage to $15 an hour, restoring funding for Planned Parenthood, signing sweeping equal pay and gun-control laws, and introducing a plan for the state to get 100 percent of its power from clean sources by 2050. As far as new material, the governor will talk about the need to change the culture in Trenton. Hell advocate for ethics reforms and the need to change New Jersey politics treatment of women, according to the source. Sexual harassment against women is again a topic in Trenton after a top state senator announced plans to form an ad hoc committee to change the toxic culture that women face in New Jersey politics" in response to an NJ Advance Media report detailing the sexual harassment, groping and sexual assault of women working in state and local politics. While ethics and systemic change will be new threads in his speech, its unclear if the governor will announce plans to push for specific legislation in this area. The governor will continue to push for a millionaires tax. MORE INFO: WHEN IS MURPHYS SPEECH? 3 p.m. Eastern Time. WHERE IS IT? The state Assembly chambers at the Statehouse in Trenton. HOW CAN I WATCH? You can catch the speech live on NJTV and News 12. The event will also be live-streamed on NJ.coms Facebook page. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Teresa Yovela Tio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 11:30 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3220fa72 1 Art & Culture student,Terartai,special-needs,scarf Free Imagine Stephen Hawking, Amanda Maringka said, describing the designers behind Terartai, a scarf business she recently launched. The 27-year-old Bentley University graduate described Terartai as a social company, its scarf collections cocreated by people with special needs. These children have a big will, but I felt like they are sort of stuck in their own body. Amanda told The Jakarta Post the story of how back in late 2018, she asked the question, Whats next? after working in a market research company for five years. I always told myself that I have to start something but did not specifically know what to do. I just followed the path and it led me to this work. I enjoyed it, but then I was stuck in my comfort zone, she said. Her realization prompted her to take a three-month sabbatical, during which she spent time exploring art hobbies and volunteering for social causes. One day, Amanda and her cousin decided to collaborate with painting event management company Bartega and hold an activity for students of Kyriakon School and Therapy Center, an educational center for children with special needs managed by parents of a friend. The event was basically card painting. We helped them paint on cards and canvas, and the students were so happy that the school asked us to come back several times, she recalled, her eyes lighting up. After a while, the students started to open up to me. Most students participating in these activities are either on the severe end of the autism spectrum or have down syndrome or cerebral palsy. Many are over the age of 20 and have graduated from the school, but they keep coming back because its hard for them to find jobs because of their limited communication abilities and the lack of proper infrastructure for them. They felt like they had failed and that they had no purpose in life. Sometimes, they felt like they had disappointed their parents. They want to do something for a living, but how? They couldnt earn money. They understand that they have these conditions, Amanda revealed, before adding, I did not know that they can communicate that deeply, have a will that big or express themselves that far. Looking at the stack of paintings, untouched and piling up, Amanda thought of a way to turn them into a source of income. She decided to print the paintings into scarves and sell them. I set a theme and then talked to the students about it. Amanda Maringka poses during an interview with "The Jakarta Post" on Monday. (JP/Teresa Yovela) Read also: Its 'deviation' and mental disability': Some Indonesian institutions put ban on LGBT applicants Pointing to Terartais latest Christmas collection, Terang, as an example, Amanda explained how she interviewed the students with the help of an iPad or communication boards. We asked the students, When you think of a Christmas wish, what comes to your mind? And then they would answer, Oh on Christmas, I think of my family, I think of the Christmas tree or I think of the New Years celebrations. I tried to summarize [their answers] by compiling a top-five and then illustrated each wish into a basic sketch, Amanda said, showing several simple sketches she made that will be colored and modified by the students to their preferences. "Im trying to help them express the emotions that are stuck inside them. I listen to them and express [their thoughts] for them in the form of art. And then I transform that into something wearable and sellable. Using the communication board, Amanda demonstrated her methods. I would ask, Gerry, what color do you want? He would point to the letters K U N [spelling out kuning] and I ask, Yellow? Then he would point to Yes or No. Often, she or one of the teachers would hold their hands as they color. One time, Amanda interviewed a student regarding his Christmas wish, she was taken aback by his answer. Hes in a wheelchair, he can barely even move his hands. But his Christmas wish was to see his older sister able to walk again, as at that time, her feet were swollen, she recalled the heart-warming moment. Amanda would then bring the paintings home, scan them and edit the image to clear out certain lines and emphasize the colors for textile printing. Terartais first collection, titled Sahabat, was launched in September 2019 and was received positively, its long scarves sold out within the first 24 hours. Never underestimate the power of ibu-ibu [mothers], she said with a laugh. Now, four months after the first launch through social media, word of mouth and a few bazaars, Terartai has sold over 300 scarves more than Amandas expectations. The square scarves are sold for Rp 350,000 (US$25.17) per piece and the long scarves are Rp 300,000 apiece. Twenty percent of the revenue will go to the designers, Amanda said. Terartai motivates them in the sense that it gives them a purpose. They want to feel like they belong, that they contribute to their parents and the community. Now, through this platform, aside from its commission solely, to see that their work is turned into something concrete and wearable, it really brings them joy. As for the parents, Terartais activities also provide platforms for families to gather and create artworks together. A lot of students stay that they are lonely. Most of their parents are working really hard to provide for them, as taking care of children of special needs can be costly, whereas the children spend most of their time at school, she explained. I think its very human for parents, even those whose children are normal, to underestimate them and say things like I dont think my child can do it. For parents of these children, they often think, If my child can survive alone, I am already more than grateful. But Terartai made them feel proud of their children. Many of them might have felt stuck and confused about whats next for their child. Id like to think that Terartai gives them a glimmer of hope. For now, Amanda is focused on forming a team for her small business because she can barely catch up with the demand by working alone. She is also exploring options to create other sellable pieces aside from scarves. I thought of corporate merchandises or eco-bags for the nonplastic movement, she explained. Perhaps my [goal] this year is to communicate my mission more. I hope for the customers to go beyond just feeling good but to also understand more about this community. Although, of course, we wont deny aiming for profit, too. But the more profitable Terartai becomes, the more we need to give out, to share the blessings to the people we are fighting for, the people with special needs and the ones around us. Talking about the meaning of the brands name, Amanda recalled a phrase she believes in. Something that is meaningful doesnt just fall from the sky, she said. I read about the terartai [lotus] somewhere and found out that they grow in the mud. Theyre a symbol of struggle and darkness, but even in times of darkness, they can grow into something nice, they grow into a flower. I think the lotus symbolizes these kids and life in general. Wed have to struggle first, face a lot of challenges and then it becomes something meaningful. (kes) __________ The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. Cork can breathe easy after a spike in readings, but theres no room for complacency when it comes to air quality, writes Eoin English. They'd been quietly tracking air pollution in Cork quietly since June when suddenly, on a cold night in early December, the little devices made headlines around the world. As temperatures, dropped on Leeside on the evening of Monday, December 2, household fires were lit and as the evening wore on, weather conditions combined with the citys unique topography to trap smoke in the river valley which runs west-east between the citys bridges. The silent network of 12PurpleAir devices which have been monitored since June by a team of experts in Cork City Council and UCC sent their air pollution data via wifi to the PurpleAir website, which is visible to the world. They identified a significant spike in harmful invisible PM2.5 particles in the air that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and which have been linked to premature death. The devices gave Cork an Air Quality Index (AQI) rating of 156 more than double the AQI rating for London and more than triple the rating for Rome at the time. It was this pollution spike that made the headlines around the world, prompting calls for the introduction of flood-alert style air-quality warnings, as well as nd for suggestions that we end our romantic association with the open fire and consider the introduction of no-burn nights when certain weather conditions result in a ban on the burning of certain solid fuels. Kevin Ryan, an executive scientist at Cork City Council whos involved in the PurpleAir pilot project, said while the pollution spike was concerning, it must be viewed in context. The levels were probably no worse than any other large urban area in Ireland that night and made headlines simply because the data is now being recorded in such detail in Cork by the PurpleAir network, he said. In general, Corks air quality is very good in comparison to other large urban centres, he said. That assertion is backed by the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Air Quality Bulletin for November. The daily limit for PM10 is 50ug/metre cubed. The limit is deemed breached if more than 35 exceedances occur during the year. The EPA data shows one of its hi-tech monitoring stations in Blanchardstown had by the end of last November breached that limit 11 times so far this year, a unit at Davitt Road in Dublin 2 recorded 15 breaches, while a unit at Ringsend recorded 12 breaches. Its station in Enniscorthy Town recorded 12 breaches. By contrast, an EPA unit on Corks South Link Roadrecorded eight breaches, mostly due to emissions from traffic, a unit at Cork Institute of Technology recorded three breaches, while one in Heatherton Park, near Tramore Valley Park, and another in Cobh, have yet to record a breach of the limits this year. Mr Ryan said that data shows that if other Irish towns or cities were measuring air pollution in as much detail as Cork is now through the PurpleAirnetwork, they would most likely have shown spikes in the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 on December 2 also. John Sodeau, emeritus professor of chemistry at UCC and a lead researcher at UCCs Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry (Crac), has been a vocal campaigner on this issue for years. He said while the Cork air pollution spike made headlines, it should not come as a surprise given that EPA data earlier this year which showed that pollution had breached safe levels more often in 2019 this year than in the whole of 2018 at most Irish air quality monitoring stations managed by the EPA. By the middle of the year 2019, the EPA said figures showed there were 84 air-pollution breaches at its stations across the State in the first five months of this year compared to just 17 in the whole of 2018. Twelve of those breaches were in Enniscorthy alone. Prof Sodeau described Enniscorthy as rapidly becoming the New Delhi of Ireland and said the trends show the need for urgent action. The problem with the actions which this, or any Government, must take to combat the twin threats from air pollution and its partner, climate change, is that big changes in our lifestyles will have to take place, he said. The answer is, unfortunately, higher taxes and closing down Moneypoint power station and driving electric cars and banning coal burning. That will hurt us all. Although we know the dangers associated with air pollution because it attacks every cell in our bodies as well as destroying ecosystems, we simply do not want to carry the pain. The ban on the marketing, sale, and distribution of bituminous fuel the smoky coal ban was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved effective in reducing smoke and sulphur dioxide levels and was duly extended. It now applies in 26 cities and towns. EPA data shows the level PM10 in these areas is lower than in towns where the ban does not apply. Experts believe that around 350 premature deaths a year have been averted in Dublin since its introduction thats almost 10,000 lives in total. In 2012, the Air Pollution Act was updated to include a ban on the burning of smoky coal and other prohibited fuels in all smoky coal ban low smoke zones (LSZs) to complement the ban on the marketing, sale, and distribution of those fuels in those areas. It meant that even smoky fuels bought elsewhere cannot now be burned in an LSZ. But in reality, enforcing a ban on the burning in an LSZ of smoky coal bought outside the zone is almost impossible to enforce, the authorities accept. And its impossible to prevent smoke from outside an LSZ from drifting into the zone and affecting that area. Prof Sodeau said there have been a few trans-boundary incidents which can contribute to Irelands rising air pollution trends. Air pollution knows no country boundaries. It is not Brexit, with customs borders being required, he said. It is not true to say we need more research done in assessing sources. In Ireland, burning coal of all types, wood, and peat add large amounts of particulate to the air. The Department of Environment should start by signing the nationwide smoky coal ban immediately. The health of Irish citizens and climate change come first, not legal niceties. While the Crac lab Crac has helped raise public awareness of air quality in Ireland, and now in greater detail in Cork City, air pollution has been monitored in the city since the 1980s. Until June, it was monitored using four hi-tech units, which cost around 20,000 each, at UCCs Distillery Fields, at CIT, and in and around Tramore Valley Park, while work is also underway to identify a suitable location on a busy road artery for a new roadside monitor. They all feed detailed air pollution information into the EPAs national air monitoring system. But on foot of requests from city councillors for a more detailed analysis of the citys air quality, the council teamed up with Crac the CRAC lab to identify a cost-effective solution. They rolled out a network of the US-made PurpleAir devices which went life in June. Costing about $300 each, and about the same size as a 33cl drinks can, each device can be bolted to the side of a building and plugged into a power source quickly and easily. They use a laser to monitor air pollution and feed their data via wifi to the PurpleAir network. Twelve were installed initially, but three more are poised to go live, extending the monitoring network to Glanmire, Blarney, and Ballincollig all of which fall within the extended city boundary. Their locations and data is publicly accessible via the purple air website. Rob Bateman, a landfill gas technician with the city council, summed it up nicely. Its like the Google of air quality monitoring, he said. It is the first network of its kind and is providing the most detailed picture of air pollution ever in any Irish city. Dr Ryan said while these devices are not as accurate as of the larger, more expensive, real-time reference units, they do provide indicative results which will help the city prepare an air-quality plan. But should we be considering wearing surgical masks, like citizens in Delhi or Toyko? Not just yet, Dr Ryan says. Anyone attending a barbecue would be exposed to more pollutants than what we experienced in Cork on December 2, he said. However, But both he and Prof Sodeau agree that the upward trend in national air pollution data shows that urgent action is needed to deal with the problem. Dr Ryan says the PurpleAir data will help inform the development of public policy, while Prof Sodeau says it is clear that our mindset must change to one that is more appropriate to a wartime setting. In past wars, the public has been taxed, gone hungry and accepted discomfort, he said. Make no mistake we are in World War III now. Its not against another country or aliens from Mars. It is against Earths defensive response to our technological progress. Action must be taken, there is no doubt about that. Voting for peacetime governance is not appropriate these days. We must now pay for our inactions over the past 70 years since the last World War. And we need to start now. Despite the legal difficulties around enforcement, efforts are being taken to identify and penalise households for air pollution breaches. Figures from Cork City Council show that it has undertaken 85 inspections to ensure compliance since 2015, and has secured six successful prosecutions in relation to smoky coal offences. In Guinea, two protesters have been shot dead by security forces on the first day of open-ended protests against President Alpha Condes plan to amend the constitution to stay in power. Several members of the coalition of politicians and activists that called the demonstrations were arrested, the BBC reported. According to the British broadcaster, one protester a student was killed in the capital, Conakry. A second youth died in the northern city of Labe. Conakry, the capital city of the West-African nation, was largely deserted on Monday, with businesses, schools and markets staying closed. Guineas president, Alpha Conde, has been in power since the countrys first democratic elections in 2010, winning a second five-year term four years ago. Under the constitution, a president can serve two five-year terms. But ahead of next years election, government officials and allies of Conde have been dropping hints about amending the constitution or writing a new one to let him stand again. Condes opponents fear a new constitution could be used as a reset button on his presidency, allowing Conde to run again like other African leaders who have amended or changed constitutions in recent years to stay in power. The government has said it would investigate the deaths during the protests, which opposition leaders and residents said were caused by security forces opening fire on demonstrators. Figures indicate State use of spying laws fell after a landmark High Court judgment, but their use as an intelligence tool continues, say Security Correspondent Cormac OKeeffe. ON the face of it, official figures show that the States use of controversial spying laws has dropped dramatically during the last year. If the figures for the first nine months of 2019 are extrapolated for the full year, it would indicate a fall of about 60% in use of the powers. But when additional figures are added in, they would suggest the reduction is around 36%. Either way, it is still a significant drop and one that gardai and legal experts predicted following a landmark High Court judgment in December 2018. The contested powers, covered in the Communication (Retention of Data) Act 2011, allow gardai and other agencies to access private communication data of people from mobile phone and internet providers. The data does not include content of conversations or messages, but covers the traffic data, including logs of phone calls and texts, duration and location of calls, as well as internet records such as IP address, email address, and credit card information. The act sets out that the data can be sought for the investigation of serious crime (by gardai, Revenue, and An Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission); security of the State (gardai and Defence Forces); and saving human life (gardai). The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission also has the power (for serious crime), but has never used it. THE STATS Figures relating to the 2011 act, provided by the Department of Justice, show: The total number of disclosures fell from 13,879 in 2018 to 4,274 by the end of September 2019; Disclosure to gardai went from 13,545 to 4,047; Defence Forces from 288 to 227; Revenue from 23 to 0; and Gsoc from 23 to 0; If the 4,274 figure is extrapolated to the rest of the year, it would indicate a total of around 5,700 disclosures would be made. That would be a reduction of 59% on 2018. In addition, the depart-ment said a further 2,404 subscriber disclosures (name and address of registered mobile phone users) were given to gardai in the year to September under separate legislation the Data Protection Act 2018. Before 2019, these figures were included in the total figures, meaning that a total of 6,678 disclosures were made to September 2019. Again, if extrapolated for the rest of 2019, it would indicate around 8,900 disclosures for the full year. That would suggest a final reduction in disclosures of 36% on 2018. There is no breakdown in any of the figures as to how many relate to investigation of serious crime, security of the State or saving of human life. It is clear that disclosures in relation to serious crime dropped to zero for both Revenue and Gsoc. Usage by the Defence Forces on national security grounds, although down on 2018, has not significantly changed. THE LAW The High Court ruling followed a succession of European court judgments and domestic inquiries, all undermining the law in this area. The judgment found that the 2011 act provided for a general and indiscriminate system for retaining data and that this breached EU human rights laws. Mr Justice Tony OConnor said his ruling related to telephone records and the investigation of serious crime meaning it excluded internet records and the two other bases for seeking communication data, the security of the State and the saving of human life. He further ruled that the act contravened EU law by not requiring judicial approval to access the data (with the legislation merely requiring internal, senior approval) and that there were no legislative guarantees against abuse. His judgment, stemming from a case taken by convicted murderer Graham Dwyer, followed two key rulings in the EU Court of Justice, the first resulting from a case taken by Digital Rights Ireland. Graham Dwyer That judgment, in 2014, found that the 2006 EU Data Retention Directive, upon which the 2011 act is based, was incompatible with the EUs Charter on Fundamental Rights, and was invalid. In December 2016, a second ECJ case ruling (Tele2) found that EU law did apply to domestic legislation in this area and prohibited general and indiscriminate retention of data. In October 2017, the Government published the report of Mr Justice John Murray on the law on data retention. The former chief justice said much of the data retention system in Ireland was precluded by EU law and said the Tele2 ruling sweeps the ground from under the mass surveillance system in Ireland. He said it may no longer be lawful to compel service providers to retain indiscriminate communication data, and said agencies should consider to what extent if at all they should continue using the act. Coinciding with the report, the Government published its draft bill to deal with the various issues, but Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said gardai and other agencies would continue in certain circumstances to seek the data under the act. The Oireachtas Justice Committee examined the matter at the end of 2017 and published a report in January 2018, calling for substantial amendments to the draft bill. In October 2018, the judge tasked with overseeing the operation of the system, Ms Justice Marie Baker, said there was an urgency in bringing in the legislation. Last July, the current judge overseeing the system, Mr Justice Charles Meenan, said he had been told by senior officers that failure to update the laws was having a detrimental impact on investigations. The State is currently appealing the High Court decision in the Supreme Court. It argued that the ruling has implications well beyond Dwyers case, with enormous adverse consequences for the investigation and prosecution of serious crime generally. The interpretation of various ECJ decisions was disputed between the two sides in the States appeal. REACTION Associate professor at UCD School of Law, TJ McIntyre, who is also chair of Digital Rights Ireland, said the scale of continuing usage is astonishing. He said it showed contempt for the law given the High Court ruling, Mr Justice Murrays report, and the two rulings from the ECJ. The High Court ruling was limited to serious crime, but European law also includes national security, said Prof McIntyre. The Tele 2 Watson case made it clear that the whole retention scheme is illegal, that you cant retain data on an indiscriminate basis and [it] must be targeted, except in emergency cases to save life. European law is also clear that you need a prior decision by a judge or equivalent body before accessing data, again except in emergencies to save life. Tele2 made it clear that European judgments are binding on member states and the Irish State has failed to respect that by continued use of the 2011 act, he added. At the Oireachtas hearings in 2017 the department said it was drafting legislation because the current law didnt comply with Tele 2, but it continued on regardless, using the 2011 act. He said that after the High Court judgment it was clear gardai were keen to continue using the act in serious crime cases. Id be stunned if they werent still using it for serious crime, he said. He said the figures showed Garda usage had gone down, but pointed out that it was still being used: They have continued to use it as an intelligence tool, not an evidential tool, as they know it would be inadmissible. Im not saying you can legally do that, but it would not emerge unless you enter it as evidence in court. Prof McIntyre said the department had told the Oireachtas hearings in late 2017 that the new General Scheme of the Communication (Retention of Data) Bill 2017 would comply with the ECJ rulings. That was two years ago and there has not been a peep since from Justice, he said. If Graham Dwyer succeeds in his challenge, now appealed to the Supreme Court, it will be down to successive failures of the ministers of justice to react to warnings going back many years. In response to queries on the status of the new bill, the department said Ireland and other member states had intervened in a number of significant cases before the ECJ on data retention. Oral hearings on these cases had recently been heard. There is ongoing contact between the Garda authorities, the department, and the Attorney Generals office to consider the implications of the earlier courts decisions in relation to data retention and the drafting of legislation to give effect to the requirements of those judgments, it said. An American man who was imprisoned in Egypt for the past six years on what he claimed were false charges has died following a long hunger strike. Dual Egyptian-American citizen Moustafa Kassem, a 54-year-old taxi cab driver from New York, passed away due to a heart failure from his hunger strike on Monday, the State Department announced. He was arrested in Cairo on August 14, 2013 during a bloody crackdown following the Arab Spring military takeover led by current president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, accused of participating in an anti-government protest. However, Kassem claims he was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and wasn't affiliated with the protests. He passed away on Monday, four days after he refused to consume any liquids at his high-security Tora prison and was transported to a hospital. He suffered from diabetes and a heart complication that likely went untreated at the prison. Kassem is survived by his two children and wife. Kassem's case was one of the top focuses of the Trump administration, championed by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Moustafa Kassem, 54, who has been imprisoned in Egypt for the last six years passed away due to a heart failure from his hunger strike on Monday. He was a dual Egyptian-American citizen and a taxi driver based in New York He passed away on Monday, four days after he refused to consume any liquids at his high-security Tora prison and was transported to a hospital. He suffered from diabetes and a heart complication that likely went untreated at the prison. Kassem is survived by his two children and wife In August 2013 Kassem's family said he stepped out to exchange money and shop when security officials detained him, accusing him of participating in protests against the military takeover, according to one of Kassem's lawyers Praveen Madhiraju. However, Kassem insisted that he was not linked to any opposition political groups and claimed he was wrongfully detained. He said Egyptian soldiers grabbed his American passport and threw it on the ground. He was arrested the night before he was set to return to the US. 'Moustafa was as apolitical as it gets. He was just a bystander who got picked up - wrong place, wrong time. It's ridiculous that he has died,' Mohamed Soltan, an Egyptian-American human rights campaigners who spent four months behind bars with Kassem and was released in 2015, said to the New York Times. In September 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail in a mass trial with more than 700 co-defendants. In the prison Kassem was trapped thousands of miles away from his family and his diabetes and heart ailment were largely untreated. Kassem is believed to have started this hunger strike in September 2018 following his conviction, refusing to consume solid foods. He had embarked on hunger strikes before this as well. On Friday he refused to take liquids and was shortly after transported to a hospital in central Cairo. He passed away Monday in the late afternoon, Soltan said. 'A diabetic with a heart condition, prison officials limited access to necessary medications and medical care for the entirety of his (Kassems) detention. He remained in pretrial detention for over five years,' Pretrial Rights International's statement said. Kassem's case was one of the top focuses of the Trump administration, championed by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In September 2018 during a trip to Cairo, Pence brought up Kassem's case with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power with the 2013 military coup d'etat Rep Ted Deutch said he was 'greatly saddened' and 'disturbed' by Kassem's death 'Pompeo must remind Egypt that military aid is legally tied to releasing prisoners, including at least 6 US citizens,' Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said Monday 'The Egyptian foreign ministry informed the family around three hours ago that Kassem has died. The authorities did not provide any reasons for his death, which is always the case in such incidents,' a source close to the family said to ABC News Monday. In February 2019 Kassem's sister said he was dying because of his hunger strike. Kassem pleaded with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to help free him in letters. 'Dear President Trump: As an American beginning the hunger strike that could leave my two young children without a father and make my wife a widow, I pray that you secure my freedom,' he wrote in one letter. 'Like you, Im from New York,' another letter addressed to Trump said. 'I am going on hunger strike knowing full well that I may not survive it. I am putting my life in your hands.' In September 2018 during a trip to Cairo, Pence brought up Kassem's case with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power with the 2013 military coup d'etat. He also brought up the case of Ahmed Etiwy, another American imprisoned in Egypt. El-Sisi promised to give 'very serious attention' to the case, Pence relayed to reporters. 'I told him we'd like to see those American citizens restored to their families and restored to our country,' Pence said. Just last month Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised Kassem's case up in a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. A senior State Department official said it's 'still premature to talk about' US punishment or response against Egypt for Kassem's death. 'We are really concerned about this, and we're going to talk about it,' the source said. According to the State Department there are still 'several' other US citizens detained in Egypt though an official number as not been released. Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's toppled president Mohamed Morsi pictured demonstrating in the streets of Cairo on August 23, 2013 Kassem spent five long years in jail after he was arrested in 2013. Finally in September 2018 he was sentenced to 15 years in jail, triggering his hunger strike. He was held at the high-security Tora prison in Cairo (pictured above) Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said there are at least six. 'Pompeo must remind Egypt that military aid is legally tied to releasing prisoners, including at least 6 US citizens,' he tweeted Monday. 'I am deeply saddened to learn today the death of U.S. citizen Moustafa Kassem whod been imprisoned in Egypt,' assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs with the State Department David Schenker said during a Mondays news briefing. 'His death in custody was needless, tragic and avoidable.' Kassem is the first of these American prisoners to die in Egyptian custody. Egypt is the second-biggest recipient of US military aid after Israel, raking in a $1.3billion a year. Trump has been vocal of his support of el-Sisi, even calling him 'my favorite dictator', even though his government has led the harshest crackdown on freedom of speech and political opposition in decades. Egypt is notorious for its brutal treatment of its political prisoners, where inmates are often given the medical care they need and there are accusations of torture. Last year in June ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi died after he collapsed during his court hearing. His family accused authorities of denying him proper medical access. They said he fainted twice and experienced a diabetic coma in 2017. 'The death of former President Morsi strikes some frightening parallels with Mustafa's case. Mustafa is also being housed at Scorpion prison within Tora Prison Complex. He also has a heart condition and diabetes and is subject to similarly neglectful medical treatment,' Madhiraju said at the time of Morsi's death. Keith Fitton created the first civilian air show company in Australia and was creator and member of the first civilian professional aerobatic team. Keith Fitton standing in cockpit of a DHC1 Chipmunk. Keith Anthony Fitton spent the first years of his life at Kogarah, within an extended family and not far from Sydneys Kingsford Smith Aerodrome. His father, also Keith, who had received his wings at Mascot, joined the RAAF in 1941 and the family moved to Wagga Wagga 10 months later. In 1943, Keith snr requested an operational posting and so they returned to Kogarah. The following year, flying with RAAF 31Beaufighter Squadron and on his first deployment, Keith snr was killed at Roti Island, Timor. Keith jnr was a boarder at the William Thompson Masonic School from 1947 to 1951. He likened it to a concentration camp "without the armed guards" but said that it taught him to be resilient and resourceful. At Westmead Junior High he was class captain and selected in the gymnastics team to represent NSW. He's the AFL legend who has been making headlines in the jungle on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia. And Billy Brownless sent Twitter into a meltdown during Monday's episode due to his bizarre pronunciation of the word 'minion'. While speaking to his campmates from a podium, the 52-year-old read aloud the rules of a challenge involving 'masters' and 'minions'. Baffling: Billy Brownless (centre, on the podium) sent Twitter into a meltdown during Monday's episode of I'm a Celebrity due to his bizarre pronunciation of the word 'minion' But Billy clearly didn't know how to pronounce 'minion', instead saying it in a French accent that baffled both his campmates and viewers at home. 'Why does Billy say minion like filet mignon?' one fan asked, while another simply tweeted: 'Billy... "mignon" haha.' As the retired Geelong star wrapped up his announcement, the other contestants cheered before someone quietly said: 'A minion... is a servant?' Hilarious: Billy clearly didn't know how to pronounce 'minion', instead saying it in a French accent that baffled both his campmates and viewers at home Oh la la! Fans on Twitter were amused that Billy pronounced minion like 'filet mignon' New arrival Cosentino then explained the word's meaning, saying: '[It's] someone to run around after you to look after you.' Last week, Billy confided in his co-star Rhonda Burchmore about his split from ex-wife Nicky, who left him in 2015 for his best friend Garry Lyon. 'It was public, very public. Front pages and all that,' he said. 'We had separated which surprised a few. Well she left me, really. She just fell out of love, which happens, you know?' Hmm! As the retired Geelong star wrapped up his speech, the other contestants cheered before someone quietly said: 'A minion... is a servant?' Pictured: Charlotte Crosby Thanks, buddy! New arrival Cosentino had to translate on Billy's behalf, telling the other campers that a minion is 'someone [who] runs around after you' He added: 'I didn't expect it. You think she'll come back and all that, but she didn't. So that was a good kick in the guts. She's shacked up with one of my good mates and he's in the media too.' Billy and Garry had been friends for 15 years and worked together on Channel Nine's AFL Footy Show between 2009 and 2015. 'But it's been four years now so you get through it, you know?' Billy continued. 'I reckon it takes you two years when you split, when you bounce back and to be yourself [again].' Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget, Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), in a 2018 photo. (Astrid Riecken/Getty Images) USMCA Clears Key Senate Hurdle, Will Likely See Final Vote This Week The bill that seeks to overhaul U.S. trade relations with Mexico and Canada passed a key hurdle in the Senate on Jan. 14 and will likely be brought to a vote before the Senate impeachment trial against President Donald Trump. The Senate Budget Committee voted to approve the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA) that is designed to boost economic growth by modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It was previously approved by the Senate Finance Committee and by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee before it was referred to other committees and subcommittees. This is a modern trade deal built to work for modern businesses, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), the chairman of the budget committee, said in a statement. For many industries like agriculture, machinery, and minerals, this deal would help create and maintain quality jobs in Wyoming while fostering new innovation and fairer trade across the board. Hours after the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the deal will likely be brought to a vote this week. We are, it looks like, going to be able to process the USMCA here in the Senate this week, McConnell told reporters in Washington. That will be good news for the Senate and for the country, and something I think we have broad bipartisan agreement on. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) previously said the upper chamber may pass the trade deal this week before senators turn their attention to the impeachment trial. The Senate Appropriations Committee also scheduled a vote for USMCA on Jan. 15, which would clear the way for a final Senate vote on Jan. 16. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced that a vote to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate would be held Jan. 15, setting up the possibility for the trial to start next week. The Democratic-controlled House passed USMCA on Dec. 19, 2019, in a 38541 vote, a day after voting to impeach President Donald Trump in a sharply partisan vote. Democrats said they made substantial changes to the deal, including strengthening enforcement. Earlier in January, USMCA was approved by the Senate Finance Committee. USMCA will bring much-needed certainty and real benefits to Americas farmers, workers, and businesses. Farmers are getting better and more reliable market access, which farmers badly need. Workers will see thousands of new jobs, particularly in high-wage manufacturing industries. Businesses will have an agreement that reflects the realities of modern commerce, including for the $1.3 trillion U.S. digital economy, Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said at the time. January 14 : The movie Jai Mummy Di marks the comeback of veterans, Poonam Dhillon and Supriya Pathak. The actresses who are playing the pivotal characters in the movie were seen celebrating Lohri with the cast of Jai Mummy Di. Poonam Dhillon recollecting her childhood memories said, "I am born and brought up in Chandigarh. People out there would sing song 'Sunder Mundri' and ask 20 paise or one rupee from each and every house. Whatever money we collected on Lohri from people, was like a treasure for us. This is a special memory which is close to my heart. On contrary, actress Supriya Pathak as a Maharashtrian didn't have any such memories attached with the festival. But the actress expressed saying that, she, after getting married into a Punjabi family realized the importance of Lohri. She believes that Lohri is a valuable festival, especially for farmers. Along with the actors director Navjit Gulati too was seen celebrating the festival. 'Jai Mummy Di' is an upcoming romantic, comedy film. It is scheduled to release on 17 January 2020. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2020) - DigiGeoData Inc. would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth Table 2 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 19 - Monday January 20, 2020. The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the bellwether of the junior mining market for the last twenty-five years. It is the number one source of information for investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of the natural resource industry. Each year, the VRIC hosts over 60 keynote speakers, 350 exhibiting companies and 9000 investors. Investment thought leaders and wealth influencers provide our audiences with valuable insights. C-suite company executives covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector as well as metals, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies are available to speak one on one. This is a must-attend for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information: DigiGeoData Inc. Glen Jones 403 651 3086 glenj@digigeodata.com digigeodata.com Sign up for THE CITY Scoop, our daily newsletter where we send you stories like this first thing in the morning. The citys three library systems, CUNY, 157 community-based organizations, labor unions, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council are all betting $40 million on the House in an unprecedented push to get all New Yorkers counted in the 2020 Census. At stake is everything from federal funds for the city to grocery inventories to perhaps Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seat in Congress. It marks the biggest investment of any U.S. city, according to a letter signed by de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Julie Menin, the citys 2020 Census director, among others. The majority of these funds will be dedicated specifically to education and outreach efforts, the letter said. We are proud to partner with these organizations to bring the census to the doorstep of every single New Yorker and get a complete count. An Aggressive Sprint The effort, announced just under 60 days before the Census March 12 launch, will rely on targeted outreach in communities that have historically been undercounted, aggressive media outreach and the deployment of new technologies, officials said. The federal government is estimating that in cities like New York, that our numbers are going to fall, Menin told THE CITY. We have to double down, we have to prove them wrong. Were New Yorkers, and we have to remember that were in a nationwide competition, she added. So to the extent that New Yorkers do not answer the Census, that means we will will lose funding for our local public schools, or public housing, or senior centers, Headstart programs. The collaborative effort represents a huge short-term mobilization, said Jeffrey Wice, senior fellow at New York Law School and leader of its Census and Redistricting Institute. Strategizing a program down to the community block level is unique, he added. We havent seen anything like this in the country. And I certainly hope it is successful. The plan includes a $3 million commitment to community and ethnic media advertising, the first time an investment of this size is being made, Menin said. What were focused on is making sure that were reaching every single community across New York City in a multitude of different ways, she said. In addition to TV, digital, and print ads, New Yorkers should expect to see subway and bus ads, public service announcements with celebrities, and social media outreach, she said. We certainly understand that in a city as diverse, and as complex, and as broad as New York, we need to do that, Menin added. A Backseat So Far Still, some critics say that on a statewide level, New York is running behind in mobilizing for the once-a-decade count. California, which has twice the population of New York, is planning to spend as much as $150 million on Census outreach. New York State plans to put out $60 million. Of that, a $20 million pool is supposed to be available to localities, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to announce how much will go where. New York State has really taken the back seat, said Wennie Chin, senior manager of civic engagement at the New York Immigration Coalition, one of the citys community partners. If any part of our state has an undercount, then we will suffer, she added. At risk for New York City is close to an estimated $6 billion in federal funding money for services like Medicaid, public housing, the foster care system and school lunches. Politicians throughout New York also have vested interest in an accurate count. The lines of their districts could shift following the Census. Due to population decline, New York is already expected to lose one seat in the House of Representatives, a December estimate of the states population from Election Data Services suggested. The political consulting firm previously predicted that two seats would be in jeopardy. A review last year by THE CITY, building on data and analysis by The Texas Tribune, suggests Ocasio-Cortez Queens-and-Bronx district could be particularly vulnerable to undercount. Thats because a little over a quarter of those living there are non-citizens a higher percentage than any other congressional district in the state. An undercount could even bring private sector consequences in the retail industry, said Andrew Reamer, research professor at George Washington Universitys Institute of Public Policy. If a population is undercounted there may be fewer goods and services out there for them to purchase, said Reamer, who studies the public and private sectors use of Census data. For example, he noted, If a neighborhood in Queens undercounts the number of poor people, then a new Target in Queens may not carry products poor people can afford, because Target doesnt know they are there. Participation is Key Factors from beyond New York could dampen participation in the Census, experts agreed. President Donald Trumps foiled bid to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census will still have a chilling effect among immigrant New Yorkers, Census experts predicted. They said the move could discourage some from participating out of concern over the government targeting immigrants. Apprehension affects whether vulnerable populations respond to the Census, New York Citys Complete Count plan acknowledges. Overcoming this apprehension requires culturally and linguistically sound messaging around the importance of the census and mitigating the fears felt by communities. Yet, even getting the message out requires overcoming certain barriers. Because the Census is being offered as an option online for the first time, one of those barriers is access to the internet. The digital divide is pervasive, the citys plan notes. Nearly 30% of city households across the boroughs lack broadband access, according to a recent report by City Comptroller Scott Stringer. Thats a significant hurdle, said Meeta Anand, a Census 2020 senior fellow at the New York Immigration Coalition. Even if you decide you want to complete the Census, she said, then its like, How do I do that? Part of the citys challenge is letting people without online access know they can complete the survey by phone, or wait for a paper form. The citys plan also encourages participation through public libraries, and includes an investment of $1.4 million to help more than 100 branches in historically undercounted locations to deal with translation and other needs. Laptops and tablets will be available for those interested in completing the Census at a library. They really came to us and treated it like a partnership, said Anand of city officials. To me, the very fact that you have a government agency leaning in and saying, We really want to be partners and we want to do this together shows they recognize the importance of the effort. Want to republish this story? See our republication guidelines. SUPPORT THE CITY You just finished reading another story from THE CITY. We need your help to make THE CITY all it can be. Please consider joining us as a member today. DONATE TODAY! For many years, people have commented on the seemingly-incongruous alliance between radical Muslims and Communists. In fact, however, there is no mystery: both are hostile to the values of advanced Western civilization and yearn for tyrannies that are not, in practice, particularly different from one another. Thus, while millions of Iranians are celebrating the demise of terrorist leader Qasem Soleimani, we shouldnt be surprised that Venezuelas Maduro regime is officially mourning him. Irans FARS news service writes: The Venezuelan government offered condolences to the people of Iran for the assassination of Irans top general by a US airstrike in Baghdad and praised Irans resistance with this poster. From left to right, the poster pictures Hugo Chavez, Simon Bolivar, Soleimani, Che Guevara and Fidel Castro: The translation is: Faces, times and countries change, but the goal is the same. I couldnt have said it better myself. One is struck by the fact that American liberals, like Venezuelan Communists, venerate or at least respect Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez. (We can leave Bolivar out of it for now.) One of these days, will woke American students walk around with pictures of Soleimani on their t-shirts? I wouldnt rule it out. Guevara was just as bigoted and homicidal, if nowhere near as effective, as Soleimani. On Monday students in several universities in Tehran and Isfahan held rallies and chanted slogans against the Basij militia and the clerical regime for a third day. In a video showing a rally at Isfahan Industrial University students chant: "Execution and imprisonment no longer scare us" and "Get lost Basiji". Referring to the many highly-educated passengers who were killed in the Ukrainian airline downed by an IRGC missile on Wednesday last week, the protesting students at Sharif Industrial University in Tehran were chanting slogans against clerics ruling the country. The United States warned Iran against firing at protesters. The State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told Radio Farda Washington is watching how the Islamic Republic conducts itself in the face of popular protests. "We want the regime to know that the United States is watching, that the world is watching, and that we are going to shine a very, very big light on any abuse by the regime to their own people. We are not going to tolerate killing innocent protesters. [U.S. President Donald] President Trump was very clear about that over the weekend," Ortagus said on January 13. "The Iranian people have been lied to by their own government for at least three or four days before they finally admitted, before they were caught red-handed and had to admit that they were actually responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner." Protest at Isfahan's Industrial University on January 13. According to some reports, security and intelligence agents were calling hundreds of students in Isfahan Sunday evening and threatening them not to continue the protests. According to social media users, dozens of protesters were arrested on Sunday in various cities including Tehran, Babol, Kermanshah, Amol and Tabriz where 10 students were arrested on Sunday but were freed later. For a second day in a row, thousands of protesters chanted slogans Sunday against the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard in Tehran and several other Iranian. Riot police fired tear gas at protesters in many places including a few underground stations in Tehran. Protesters' slogans on Sunday were markedly aimed at Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard which under international pressure had to accept responsibility for downing the Ukrainian airliner but blamed it on "human error". On Sunday students at Beheshti University refused to stampede on U.S. and Israeli flags, while booing a handful of students belonging to Basij militia who stepped on the flags. Protest at Tehran's Sharif Industrial University on January 13 In a tweet Monday afternoon Internet watchdog Netblocks said a drop in internet connectivity was registered at Sharif University in Tehran from 11:50 UTC where students have been protesting, but national connectivity remains stable despite sporadic disruptions on third day of #Iran protests. Some Iranian social media users have also reported loss of mobile internet connection. The protests in Tehran started Saturday evening following a vigil held at Amir Kabir University for the 176 victims of the Ukrainian passenger jet including dozens of students and academics on their way to Canada via Ukraine. The vigil soon turned into anti-government demonstrations demanding regime change. Since Saturday demonstrators have also rallied in several other cities including Mashhad, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Rasht, Isfahan, Shiraz, Qazvin, Ahwaz, Yazd, Shiraz, Semnan and Amol. The Ukrainian plane was targeted a few hours after Iran's missile attack on two bases in Iraq and only after three days of international and domestic pressure the Revolutionary Guard accepted the responsibility for downing the plane. It appears that the protest demonstrations that shook Iran in mid-November are making a comeback with a renewed rigor. However, the riot police appear to be more reserved after reportedly killing up to 1,500 demonstrators in the previous round of the protests. No deaths were reported so far on Saturday and Sunday. Tuesdays Democratic presidential debate is the first of 2020 and the last before the Iowa caucuses. Six US Democratic presidential hopefuls will take the stage at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday night for the seventh of 10 planned debates. The debate, hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register newspaper, is set to begin at 8pm local time (02:00 GMT on Wednesday). It is the last before the all-important Iowa caucuses on February 3, making it arguably the most important night of the primary season so far. The latest polls from the state, most notably a Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom released on Friday, shocked many observers by showing Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead for the first time. Some 20 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers said Sanders was their first choice in the race. A subsequent poll released on Monday, however, had Biden ahead of Sanders by six points. The voting in Iowa, the first of the 2020 election year, plays an outsized role in the selection of nominees for president. Every Democrat in history who won both Iowa and New Hampshire, which holds the nations first primary election (as opposed to a caucus) on February 11, went on to become the nominee. A win in Iowa would give Sanders a big boost as he moves on to New Hampshire. As the six Democrats prepare to take the stage, heres all you need to know: 1. Which candidates will be on stage? What threshold did they have to meet? Six of the 12 Democratic candidates still vying for the nomination will be on stage in Des Moines, with Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden at its centre. Other participants include billionaire Tom Steyer, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar. The number of participants has narrowed considerably since the debates began in June, when they had to be spread out over two nights to accommodate all the candidates. Some in the progressive wings of the party believe it has narrowed too much Tuesdays debate will be the first all-white debate because New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, businessman Andrew Yang, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick failed to meet the threshold for participation. On Monday, Booker announced that he was ending his campaign. To qualify, the candidates needed to receive at least 5 percent support in at least four Democratic National Committee-approved national or early-voting-state (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada) polls, or 7 percent in two early state polls. The candidates also required donations from at least 225,000 individual donors and a minimum of 1,000 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. 2. Which candidates will not be on stage? In addition to Patrick and Yang, US Senator Michael Bennet, former US Congressman John Delaney, US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg failed to qualify for the January debate. Bloomberg, a late addition to the race, is not accepting donations to his unconventional campaign. He has opted to eschew retail campaigning in early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire and instead spend hundreds of millions on advertising with an eye towards coming out ahead on Super Tuesday in March, when 13 states all hold primaries on the same day. 3. What issues will likely come up? Iran The debate comes less than two weeks after President Donald Trump ordered the US killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soliemani in Iraq. That drone strike prompted Iran to attack two Iraqi bases housing US troops a week ago. There were no casualties. Trump has since been criticised for his stated justification for ordering Soleimanis killing. The Trump administration maintains Soliemani was planning imminent attacks against US forces, but conflicting information and a lack of publicly released intelligence has Democrats and some Republicans demanding more answers. Expect US foreign policy in the Middle East, especially in regards to Iran, to come up on Tuesday night. The candidates will likely hammer Trump for his handling of the escalating tensions with Iran and parrot recent polls showing that most Americans feel the world is less safe because of the US presidents actions. Iraq Iraq is likely to be a headache for Biden. His challengers have criticised the former senator for supporting military action in Iraq following the September 11, 2011, attacks in the United States. Sanders and Buttigieg have both stepped up their attacks on Biden on the issue, the latter calling the vote one of the worst foreign policy decisions of his lifetime. Expect Biden to try and fend off the criticism by championing his eight years of foreign policy experience while vice president. Impeachment With a House vote expected on Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a full trial, the six Democrats will probably not be able to avoid the topic. Whether they linger on it or not remains to be seen. National polls suggest that the topic is not changing any voters minds about the president. Healthcare The bread-and-butter issue of healthcare in America is almost certain to come up. Warren has backed off her support for a government-run healthcare system slightly since taking some heat on the topic earlier, but Sanderss recent surge in the polls may have her rethinking that retreat. Their more moderate challengers are likely to continue calling the progressive plans for Medicare-for-all unworkable and political suicide in the general election. Sanders v Warren The progressive wing of the Democratic party, personified by Warren and Sanders, has so far avoided open squabbling, but that changed this week when the Sanders campaign suggested that Warren is an elitist candidate and someone leaked details of a private conversation between the two candidates in which Sanders is alleged to have said a woman cant win the nomination. Sanders initially denied making the remark, and Warrens camp at first declined to comment. But following multiple media reports, Warren said in a statement on Monday night that among the topics the pair discussed in a two-hour meeting in December 2018 was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. Warren said she thought a woman could win. He disagreed, she said in the statement. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry, she added. More fireworks between the two tonight could come up. 4. What about Trump? Trump will head to the critical battleground state of Wisconsin for a campaign rally on Tuesday night. Trumps event in Milwaukee is scheduled to kick off one hour before the Democratic debate in Des Moines. During previous debates, the president often called the Democratic candidates boring and continued to criticise the media. 5. When is the next debate? The eighth Democratic debate is scheduled for February 7, just four days before the New Hampshire primary, in fittingly Manchester, New Hampshire. Atlanta [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): Delta Airlines will contribute USD 250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate disaster response and humanitarian relief to those affected by devastating bushfires raging across Australia for months. "The record-breaking bushfires have been devastating for many Australians, and Delta has partnered with the American Red Cross and the Australian Red Cross to target resources to help provide immediate assistance to those areas hardest hit," said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement. Delta customers can support the disaster relief efforts in Australia by donating through a Delta-branded microsite in partnership with the American Red Cross, who is working with the Australian Red Cross. Customers also can donate miles to the American Red Cross through SkyWish, the charitable arm of Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program. It allows Delta and its SkyMiles members to donate miles to charitable organisations worldwide. Delta also has a seat on the Corporate Advisory Council of the American Red Cross and supports Red Cross agencies in Brazil, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and the UK The devastating Australian bushfires raging parts of Australia for months have claimed the lives of over 25 people and destroyed over 2000 homes. (ANI) Jun Veneracion, a journalist for GMA Network, was covering the Traslacion 2020 procession in Manila on January 9, when Brigadier General Nolasco Bathan assaulted him and grabbed his phone. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemn the incident and urge the Philippine National Police to investigate and impose the appropriate sanctions against Bathan. Veneracion was covering the Traslacion, an annual religious procession, when he witnessed a group of police officers attacking a devotee and started to record the incident on his phone. While recording the incident, his phone was suddenly taken by a police officer who he later confirmed to be General Bathan. When confronted, Veneracion said the general threatened to take away his handheld radio as well. Bathan eventually returned back the journalists phone, claiming that he did not know he was a reporter. However, Veneracion checked his phone's gallery and found the video was deleted. When he asked Bathan why it had been erased, the general denied the accusation. Fortunately, when the journalist checked again, he found the file in the recently deleted folder of his phone. The day after the incident, Bathan apologised to Veneracion in a press conference at Kamuning Police Station 10. He said that the incident was a misunderstanding and that he believed the reporter posed a threat. Bathan also sent a private apology to Veneracion through a text message. In a statement, GMA said they hope the incident will not happen again. NUJP said, What Bathan did was not just an assault on press freedom. NUJP went on to say if unpunished, it can only add to the worsening impunity that has marked the general breakdown of the rule of law in this country. We demand that the Philippine National Police mount a swift and impartial investigation into this incident and impose the appropriate sanctions against Brig. Gen. Bathan. IFJ said: "We urge the authorities to conduct an independent investigation into Brig. Gen. Bathan. The declining press freedom and culture of impunity continues to obstruct journalists from carrying out their work. We request the police to review their conduct to ensure journalists are safe in the field covering stories and that authorities protect them, not harass them. Victorias preparation and response to this summers devastating fires will be the focus of a $2.55 million inquiry as the state continues grappling with the bushfire crisis. The states emergency management watchdog will conduct the wide-ranging review examining fire preparation, evacuation planning and practices, and relief and recovery efforts. The Andrews government has commissioned Inspector-General for Emergency Management Tony Pearce to carry out the probe while 16 bushfires are still burning. He will also look at the efficacy of the state-of-disaster declaration, and Commonwealth assistance and resources provided to Victoria. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunniva Inc. ("Sunniva" or the "Company") (CSE:SNN) (OTCQB:SNNVF), announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, CP Logistics, LLC ("CPL"), has filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration ("Motion") in California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles (the "Court"), seeking to compel Sunniva Production Campus, LLC ("SPCL") to arbitrate its claim that CPL breached the payment terms of an Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated August 11, 2019 (the "Note") and to stay the Court action SPCL commenced on December 11, 2019 with respect to the Note. Through the filing of the Motion, CPL has asked the Court to restrain SPCL from attempting to avoid the Arbitration process. The hearing on the Motion is currently set for May 28, 2020. The Company also is continuing to assert its rights under the build to suit lease agreement dated October 20, 2017, (the "Lease") with SPCL for the construction of the Sunniva California Campus in Cathedral City, California. On December 23, 2019, the Company submitted a Demand for Arbitration and Notice of Claims with JAMS, the world's largest private alternative dispute resolution provider, to initiate the arbitration process pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of the Lease agreement for the property located at 69375 Ramon Road, Cathedral City, California. SPCL is an independent entity related to Barker Pacific Group, Inc. In addition, Todd Patrick, a board director, has resigned from the Sunniva Board of Directors effective January 13, 2020. "On behalf of our board of directors, I thank Todd for his service and contributions to Sunniva and wish him well in all his future endeavors," stated Dr. Anthony Holler, Chairman & CEO of Sunniva Inc. For more information about the Company please visit: www.sunniva.com. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, statements regarding Sunniva's operations and growth opportunities and CPL's filing of a Motion to Compel Arbitration and the uncertainty regarding the future outcome of the Arbitration process, are "forward-looking information or statements". Forward-looking information or 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 statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Sunniva has made numerous assumptions including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in the Sunniva's continuous disclosure documents available on www.sedar.com. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. Although Sunniva has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information or statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those 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 forward-looking information or statements. Sunniva assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law. Company Contacts: Sunniva Inc. Sunniva Investor Relations Dr. Anthony Holler Rob Knowles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer VP Corporate Development Phone: (866) 786-6482 Phone: (587) 430-0680 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Sunniva Inc. Related Links http://www.sunniva.com A father of four who was spotted by gardai 'glassing' a man in the face has avoided a jail term. Damien Mitchell (32) narrowly missed John Walsh's eye when he hit him in the face with a pint glass after the victim tried to intervene in an argument Mitchell was having with his wife. Mr Walsh suffered scarring as a result but told a court he didn't want to see his attacker sent to jail. Mitchell was immediately arrested following the incident. He later acknowledged in an interview that he had been in a fight but said he had no other memory of what had happened due to the amount of alcohol he had to drink. He took full responsibility for his actions after the garda recounted what he had witnessed from his unmarked patrol car. Detective Garda Nathan McKenna agreed with Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Mr Walsh stated in his victim impact statement that he was picking glass out of his face for days after the attack. He said he didn't want to see Mitchell serve a custodial sentence and suggested instead that the man do a course to help with his excessive drinking. He said he may have thought differently about the case if he had lost his eye in the attack. Mitchell, of St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Parkgate Street, Dublin, on June 25, 2017. He had no previous convictions. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three-year sentence which she suspended in full on various conditions including that Mitchell remain sober over the course of those three years. She said Mitchell had narrowly missed Mr Walsh's eye and the victim had been left with significant scarring around his eye socket and cheek bone. The judge noted from Mr Walsh's victim impact statement that he did not wish Mitchell to go to jail and described the victim as being "extremely magnanimous". "It is evident that alcohol played a significant role in the commission of the offence. He was in a highly charged and aggressive state when the unfortunate injured party intervened in a domestic dispute," Judge Greally said. Counselling She accepted that Mitchell has not had any alcohol since the assault and has attended counselling. She noted a letter of apology he wrote to the victim and the fact that he had 3,000 in court as "a concrete expression of his remorse". Judge Greally said that if the injuries had "even been slightly more serious", she would have had no option but to imprison Mitchell. She said Mr Walsh had "escaped the potentially dire consequences" of Mitchell's actions. Det Gda McKenna agreed with Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, that the 3,000 his client had for Mr Walsh would be a considerable sum of money for him. Mr Le Vert said his client was the father of four young children who has been with his wife for 17 years. He is currently working as a tiler. Counsel said his client had written a letter of apology to the victim and a probation report put him at a low risk of re-offending after concluding that he had learned "a salutatory lesson". GARY, Ind. - Police fatally shot a suspect Monday after he opened fire and injured two members of a SWAT team who stormed a Gary, Indiana, apartment complex seeking to apprehend him, authorities said. Gary Police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said the officers were shot while assisting the Merrillville Police Department with an investigation at the complex. Westerfield said the suspect targeted by the investigation barricaded himself in a residence. After two hours of negotiation, the Gary SWAT team sought to enter the residence and the suspect opened fire, striking the two officers. An officer returned fire, killing the shooter. Westerfield says Cpl. James Nielsen, a 17-year-old veteran, was shot in the chest, with the bullet deflected by his protective vest, and once in the arm. Cpl. John Artibey, a 14-year- veteran, took shrapnel to the chin and abdomen. Both were being treated and reported in stable condition. Authorities havent identified the dead suspect, described as a man in his 20s. A 40-year-old Thai woman, who reportedly came to India from Thailand in October 2018, was found dead in her rented apartment in Tajganj, Agra, on Tuesday. Police said that a suicide note had been recovered from her apartment in which the victim, identified as Unchalee Kasi, expressed discontent with life due to loneliness and joblessness. She also mentioned being without a family in that note, said police. Police said the victim used to work at a spa but was rendered jobless after the centre closed. Her body was sent for post-mortem examination, said Tajganj police. Reportedly, Unchalees body was discovered after her neighbours got apprehensive, noticing no activity or movement in her apartment for two days. The woman had been residing in Agra for two years. She was working here at a spa centre but became jobless later. She used to live alone in her apartment, said Rajeev Kumar, sub-inspector, Tourism Police Station. He said the police were writing to the Thai embassy to get in contact with the victims family. The police are still probing the exact reason behind the womans death but, prima facie, it appears she consumed poison. Nose bleeding was noticed when the body was found lying on a bed in her flat. The autopsy report will help us get the exact details and the reason of her death, said Kumar. Police said the deceased had written I love you Agra in her suicide note. She also expressed the wish to be cremated and her ashes to be immersed in the Yamuna, said Kumar. Big quote: By leveraging our high-performance AMD EPYC server processors, the Atos supercomputer can enable significant improvements in weather forecasting, helping to increase the accuracy of weather predictions around the world, said Forrest Norrod, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Data Center and Embedded Solutions Business Group. The real-time data powered by AMD EPYC and delivered by the supercomputer at ECMWF has the potential to decrease the impact of severe weather events on peoples lives. AMD and Atos have issued joint press releases announcing a partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to power its new meteorological supercomputer. Once operational in 2021, the new supercomputer will allow the ECMWF to run predictions at a higher resolution of around 10km. The new supercomputer will be based on Atos' BullSequana XH2000 high-performance computing platform. The BullSequana XH2000 is a highly scalable, exascale-ready platform that succeeds the original BullSequana X1000. Outside of AMD's 64-core/128-thread Epyc 7742 and Mellanox 200 Gigabit HDR InfiniBand interconnects, there aren't any more specifics regarding the configuration. However, the BullSequana XH2000 42U cabinet is capable of accommodating up to 32 direct liquid-cooled 1U blades. The 1U blades are configurable with 3 compute nodes, and currently support AMD's Epyc 7002, Intel's second generation of scalable Xeon processors (Cascade Lake), Nvidia's Volta V100, and Cavium's ThunderX2 Arm-based chip. Once deployed, the new supercomputer will be among the most potent meteorological supercomputers in the world, supporting hundreds of researchers from over 30 countries across Europe. Specifically, it should improve the ability for medium and long-range weather forecasting, as well as anticipating severe weather events and intensity. The new Atmos supercomputer will be built and installed at the ECMWF data center in Bologna, Italy, in 2020. The system is expected to be in service sometime in 2021. This is another important supercomputing win for AMD, with Epyc chips recently landing in Archer 2, the new supercomputer belonging to United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI). HURON COUNTY The local unit for the Civil Air Patrol, MI 300 Huron Composite Squadron will host an open house on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Huron County Airport in Bad Axe. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with Huron Composite Squadron Commander, First Lieutenant Michael F. Lupinski and Colonel Curtis J. Boehmer. Lupinski is an active member of the State Defense Force, who saw a need for CAP in the community. Along with help from Boehmer and other area military officials, Lupinski saw to it that the local CAP charter was established. Boehmer is a lifelong member of CAP, serving as a member-at-large on the CAP Board of Governors. Boehmer was commander of the Michigan Wing from July 26, 2014 to Sept. 10, 2018. He also served two terms as vice commander and as chief of staff. We will be presenting available opportunities and services provided to community, Boehmer said. Anyone over the age of 12 can apply. Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the CAP is composed of community volunteers responsible for carrying out emergency services and nationwide disaster relief efforts. The Bad Axe squadron offers youth cadet programs, aerospace education and emergency response training. Its cadets meet an average of two and a half hours per week and one weekend every month. Through CAP training, cadets learn to fly, hike, camp, lead and improve overall physical fitness. They are invited to attend leadership encampments, career academies and other special activities during the summer months. Cadets have the opportunity to gain natural leadership responsibilities at the local and state levels, Boehmer said. They have the ability to choose areas they want to train in, such as emergency services, communications and drones. There are opportunities to attend activities throughout the country. Scholarships are available, going through the programs." The CAP educates its members, as well as the general public on aviation. Public education is offered through workshops at schools and various aviation events. Cadets may attend flight academies, model rocketry, RC airplanes, and orientation flights. The origins of Civil Air Patrol date back to 1936, when World War I aviator and director of aeronautics Gill Robb Wilson envisioned the civilian assembly of aviators. The CAP was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, as a means to mobilize the nations civilian aviation resources for national defense service. Evolving into a leading public service organization, it continues to carry out emergency service missions. Today, the Michigan Wing alone is made up of eight groups, 35 squadrons, four flights and more than 1,300 members who devote their efforts to promoting aerospace education and shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. Boehmer added that a certain level of commitment and hard work is expected in order to maintain membership. "Cadets must maintain ownership in order to achieve benefits," Boehmer said. All CAP cadets are trained to meet the compliance standards of the National Incident Management System of the US Department of Homeland Security. The MI 300 Huron Composite Squadron open house is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Huron County Airport at 352 Thompson Road, Bad Axe. If you have any questions or would like to attend a meeting, please call First Lieutenant Michael F. Lupinski at 989-963-0132. For more information, visit the squadrons Facebook page. The countrywide anti-CAA protests are a 'conspiracy' hatched from afar by those resentful of a united and grand India and these are being aided by a 'crooked' opposition, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath alleged on Tuesday. Gaya: The countrywide anti-CAA protests are a "conspiracy" hatched from afar by those resentful of a united and grand India and these are being aided by a "crooked" opposition, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath alleged on Tuesday. Addressing a rally organized by the BJP in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which was passed less than two months ago, the firebrand BJP leader charged that those opposing the legislation were committing the "paap" (sin) of working against national interests. Sushil Kumar Modi (Bihar deputy chief minister) and Sanjay Jaiswal (state BJP chief) have articulated very well how the CAA is about granting citizenship to persecuted refugees and not about taking it away from anybody, he said. "For taking such a step, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah deserve acclaim. Instead they are being attacked", Yogi lamented. "Protests are taking place across the country and a 'kutil' (crooked) Opposition is adding fuel to the fire. But the people of the country need to understand that it is a conspiracy hatched from afar. "The strings are being pulled by those who are resentful of 'Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat' (united India, grand India) which is becoming a reality under Modi", he claimed. Seeking to underscore that the Modi government did not discriminate against people on the basis of their religious identity, Yogi asked so many people have benefitted from the welfare schemes like Ujjwala Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. "Was anybody asked, before being included as a beneficiary, as to what is his or her religion or caste?" he remarked. But those feeling threatened by the new India keep looking for an opportunity to thwart Modis efforts to build Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat, he said. "This new India does not cower, like the Congress did, before Pakistans atomic power. "The neighbouring country is today fearful that it may end up losing even the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, after the Article 370, which Jawaharlal Nehru wrongly introduced, was abrogated", the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, evoking wild applause. The monk-turned-politician, who also heads the Gorakhnath Temple, began his speech recalling his spiritual ancestors deep links with Gaya and the ancient links between eastern Uttar Pradesh and this central Bihar town pointing out that Lord Buddha came from Kapilavastu situated in Siddharthnagar district in the adjoining state and attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. In the town after which a reserved Lok Sabha constituency is also named, Yogi appealed to Dalits reverence for BR Ambedkar. "The revolutionary-turned-freedom fighter Sri Aurobindo had said that the biggest virtue, in current times is to work for national interest and the biggest sin is to work against it. The Opposition is committing a paap (sin). To understand this, you should take the contrasting examples of Ambedkar and Jogendra Nath Mandal", Yogi said. "Ambedkar remained loyal to his country while Mandal fell for Jinnahs designs, helped the creation of Pakistan and became a minister in that country. "While Ambedkar is a revered figure, Mandal felt so stifled in Pakistan that within a decade he resigned and came to Kolkata where he spent his last years living a life of anonymity. Let it be known to whoever works against national interests shall be condemned to a similar fate", he added. He said while coming to the venue he was bemused to see posters put up on the walls by the RJD-Congress combine opposing CAA in the name of the Constitution. "A party which had strangled the Constitution by imposing the Emergency has the audacity to do so", Yogi said taking a swipe at the grand old party. The Congress always surrendered before those who ran their "shops of fatwas" and expected the country to be run as per their decrees and not the Constitution. They never cared for the humiliation faced by Muslim women because of triple talaq and it required a Narendra Modi to illegalize this practice, he said. "Congress, similarly, played a scare-monger on Ram temple issue, claiming blood will be spilled on the streets if the matter was taken to its logical conclusion. Now it has been settled once and for all and on this auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti I declare that Ayodhya in my state will soon be ready with a Ram Mandir", he added. Before ending his speech, Yogi said he would like to underscore the need for the society at large to be on guard against "deplorable attempts" (kutsit cheshtaein) to mislead the nation on CAA. He exhorted those gathered at the programme to fan out and tell the people that this law is about granting citizenship and not taking it away and that it has nothing to do with NRC. NRC was an exercise that took place in Assam, upon the Supreme Courts direction, the UP CM added. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Tejashwi Yadav is scheduled to attend a dharna against CAA in the evening here at Shanti Bagh, barely a km away from Gandhi Maidanm, the venue of Yogi's function. As part of the BJP's nationwide pro-CAA campaign, party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address a rally in Vaishali on coming Thursday. Amazon and Google are deemed to be more trustworthy than 'America's most trusted man', according to a new report. Market research firm, Morning Consult, has revealed the most trusted brands in the US, with the tech giants beating well-known actor Tom Hanks. The data is based on online surveys conducted for nearly 2,000 brands over two months, with an average of 16,700 interviews per brand. During the survey, participants were asked 'How much do you trust each brand to do what is right?' and given the options of 'a lot,' 'some,' 'not much,' 'not at all,' or 'don't know.' Scroll down for video Market research firm, Morning Consult, has revealed the most trusted brands in the US, with the tech giants beating well-known actor Tom Hanks. The data is based on online surveys conducted for nearly 2,000 brands over two months, with an average of 16,700 interviews per brand 'It's no secret that trust is key to brand success,' Morning Consult CEO Michael Ramlet said in a statement. 'In today's climate, every single day presents leaders with the opportunity to cultivate reliability a key driver of trust.' The top trusted brand was found to be 'Your primary doctor' with 50 percent of participants noting this option. Then came the military, followed by Amazon, Google and extreme weather warnings. Also to make the list is Donald Trump with 20 percent and Warren Buffet trailed behind with 16 percent. During the survey, participants were asked 'How much do you trust each brand to do what is right?' and given the options of 'a lot,' 'some,' 'not much,' 'not at all,' or 'don't know.' Amazon is trusted by 39 percent of Americans Amazon and Google are deemed to be more trustworthy than 'America's most trusted man' - Tom Hanks (pictured) The firm also found that those deemed 'Gen z' (those born between 1995 and 2015) leaned more towards tech companies, ranking Google, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and Playstation at the top. Older consumers, approximately 42 percent, deemed the United State Postal Service to be the most trustworthy. They also voted for the United Parcel Service, Hershey, the Weather Channel, and Cheerios. The firm also found that those who fall in Gen z (those born between 1995 and 2015) leaned more towards tech companies, ranking Google, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and Playstation at the top Older consumers, approximately 42 percent, deemed the United State Postal Service to be the most trustworthy. They then voted for the United Parcel Service, Hershey, the Weather Channel, and Cheerios Distrust is particularly high when it comes to institutions and major concentrations of power,' the report writes. 'Young Americans are generally more skeptical of brands, and put greater emphasis on ethical matters.' The issues the younger generation are more likely to emphasize are having strong values, treating employees well, producing products ethically and not discriminating workers. Morning Consult shared that most Americans 'give individual brands the benefit of the doubt'. Growers are concerned the government wants to use a heavy hand that could result in many crops failing required tests and being destroyed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency writing the rules, estimates 20% of hemp lots would fail under the proposed regulations. Their business is to support farmers and not punish farmers and the rules as they're written right now punish farmers, said Dove Oldham, who last year grew an acre (0.40 hectares) of hemp on her family farm in Grants Pass. There's just a lot of confusion, and people are just looking for leadership. 1930 saw the quiet conclusion of a remarkable era. The tiny population of St. Kilda, an isolated Scottish archipelago, decided to end their thousand-year tenure as the most remote community in Britain and move to the mainland. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll describe the remarkable life they'd shared on the island and the reasons they chose to leave. We'll also track a stork to Sudan and puzzle over the uses of tea trays. Show notes Please support us on Patreon! LISTEN Washington President Donald Trump says the Senate should simply dismiss the impeachment case against him, an extraordinary suggestion as the House prepares to transmit the charges to the chamber for the historic trial. The Republican president is giving mixed messages ahead of the House's landmark vote that will launch the Senate proceedings in a matter of days, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. Trump faces charges that he abused power by pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress. First, Trump was suggesting his own ideas for trial witnesses, then he said almost the opposite Sunday by tweeting that the trial shouldn't happen at all. "Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial" over charges he calls a hoax, Trump tweeted, "rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree!" The idea of dismissing the charges against Trump is as unusual as it is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signed on to an outlier proposal circulating last week among conservative senators, but he does not have enough support in the Republican-held chamber to actually do it. It would require a rare rules change similar to the approach McConnell used for Supreme Court confirmations. Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Sunday that senators will "pay a price" if they block new witness testimony with a trial that Americans perceive as a "cover-up" for Trump's actions. "It's about a fair trial," Pelosi told ABC's "This Week." "The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable." She said, "Now the ball is in their court to either do that or pay a price." Voters are divided over impeachment, largely along the nation's deeply partisan lines, and the trial is becoming a high-stakes undertaking at the start of a presidential election year. A House vote to transmit the articles to the Senate will bring to a close a standoff between Pelosi and McConnell over the rules for the trial. The House voted to impeach Trump last month. Yet ending one showdown merely starts another across the Capitol as the parties try to set the terms of debate over high crimes and misdemeanors. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Democrats want new testimony, particularly from former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has indicated he will defy Trump's orders and appear if subpoenaed. Trump doesn't want his brash former aide to testify. Republican allies led by McConnell, R-Ky., are ready to deliver swift acquittal without new testimony. Trump first said Sunday it's Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff who should both testify, which would be unlikely. The president said he shouldn't have to carry the "stigma" of impeachment because he's done nothing wrong. Pelosi said the House vote last month means Trump will be "impeached forever" and "for life." McConnell is reluctant to enter a divisive Senate debate over witnesses that could split his party and prolong a trial that is already expected to consume weeks of floor time. He is seeking a speedy acquittal and has proposed a process similar to the presidential impeachment trial of Bill Clinton in 1999, which would start the proceedings and then vote later on hearing new testimony. One leading Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, has already predicted that the trial would end "in a matter of days." Los Angeles, Jan 14 : Filmmaker Taika Waititi says actor Michael Fassbender should stop doing dramas because he is so funny and so good at improvising. Waititi has earned two Oscar nominations this year -- Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture -- for his film "Jojo Rabbit". He has completed production on his next feature "Next Goal Wins" and will soon start work on "Thor: Love And Thunder". "With the 'Thor' film, I can't share much, for obvious reasons. We're going to be writing all the way up until we shoot, and then throughout the shoot. But with 'Next Goal Wins', it's one of the happiest shoots I've ever been on. It's a 99 per cent Polynesian cast. Michael Fassbender is a comic revelation," Waititi told deadline.com. "I think he should just stop doing dramas from now on because he's so funny, and so good at improvising. To me, it was a real revelation," he added. For Waititi, getting six Oscar nods for "Jojo Rabbit" is like a full-circle moment. The director was first nominated back in 2005 for his short film "Two Cars, One Night". He lost that Oscar. "Losing to Andrea Arnold, it took me probably 13 years just to get over that. Because what she did to me back then, it was disrespectful. Although 'Wasp' was an incredible short film, she didn't need to do that. And look at me now, Andrea," the director joked, adding: "I played the long game, man. I played the long game." Based on the novel "Caging Skies" by author Christine Leunens, "Jojo Rabbit" is about a lonely German boy named Jojo and how his world view changes when he finds out that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. The anti-hate satire brings forward the vivid imagination of Jojo, and his experiences through fantasy and his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler. Waititi will be seen playing the role of imaginary friend, Hitler. The Fox Searchlight film, which had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, will release in India on January 31. Waititi says getting Oscar nods is also a vindication of the creative risks he took with "Jojo Rabbit". "I never wanted to make something that was very easy, because for me, if it's too easy, then what's the point?. Sometimes people say, 'Oh, it's divisive,' but where I come from, 'divisive' is not a swear word. It's a means to create discussion," he said. Along with Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, "Jojo Rabbit" will also compete at the Oscars in the categories of Film Editing, Costume Design, Production Design and Supporting Actress. Jammehs political party releases several audio recordings where self-exiled former president says he is returning. The Gambias longtime leader Yahya Jammeh, who fled into exile three years ago after an election loss, has announced plans to return to the West African nation where human rights activists say he ordered the killings of political opponents during his rule. Over the weekend, the deputy spokesman for Jammehs political party released several audio recordings of conversations between Jammeh and a top party official to the media. I am coming back. They said they drove me out of the country. Apart from Allah [God], nobody can take me out of the Gambia, Jammeh is heard saying. The recordings could not be independently verified, and it was not clear when they had been made. Jammehs two-decade-long rule was marked by arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, according to rights activists. Along with political opponents, Jammeh also targeted journalists and members of the LGBT community. While the former leader has not been charged with a crime, witnesses have testified before an ongoing Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, some saying they had carried out summary executions at his direction. 190723053809495 Authorities also have suggested Jammeh could face economic crimes for pillaging state coffers before he fled into exile in Equatorial Guinea in January 2017. He stole an estimated $1bn during his rule, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Equatorial Guinea, led by the same president for more than 40 years, is unlikely to extradite Jammeh. It is unclear what measures Gambian authorities would take if Jammeh voluntarily returned home. Dou Sannoh, an adviser to Gambian President Adama Barrow, said on Sunday that he was unaware of any ongoing negotiations over Jammehs possible return. But he said the former leader would be welcome to appear before the commission that has been investigating alleged abuses during his rule. He is a citizen. He has every right to stay in his hometown and go and answer to the law, Sannoh said. Remedy to victims The audio recordings prompted outcry from the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, which said the government should arrest Jammeh if he sets foot in the country. Former President Yahya Jammehs rule in the Gambia was a tyrannical and brutal dictatorship, said Sheriff Kijera, the organisations chairman. He is a fugitive from justice and a subject of serious allegations of human rights violations. Kijera said: If former president Jammeh is authorised to return to the Gambia without being arrested, charged and prosecuted for his crimes or transferred to another state for him to face justice, it would be a big failure on the part of the government of the Gambia to uphold its duty to the people of Gambia, as well as its international obligation to provide an effective remedy to victims. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology dismissed as hoax some online reports that Mayon Volcano has also started acting up alongside Taal Volcano's unrest. The agency clarified on Tuesday that Mt. Mayon is not on the verge of erupting, a message wrongly claimed on social media. Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said Mayon Volcano has been on alert level 2 since March 2018. "Huwag na po nating isama 'yun sa mga kasalukuyang nag-a-activate (na bulkan), para lang maliwanag," Solidum said in a media briefing. Located in Albay province over 300 kilometers southeast of Manila, the Mayon Volcano is known for its perfect cone-shaped structure. The volcano has been showing a "moderate level of unrest" for nearly two years now, with a six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone hoisted in the area. It was last seen spewing lava in January 2018, with ash plumes going as high as three kilometers from Mayon's mouth. TIMELINE: The Mayon eruption Some social media posts made it look like Mayon's alert level 2 had just been hoisted, sowing fear that multiple volcano eruptions are threatening Luzon. Taal Volcano remains under alert level 4, with Phivolcs warning that a hazardous eruption may occur within hours or days. Residents within a 14-kilometer radius from Taal's caldera have been evacuated as the volcano continues to spew ash and magma, and causes earthquakes and fissures in nearby towns and cities. Solidum also clarified that Taal would only be placed on alert level 5 once the disastrous eruption takes place. Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief MaritoBornas said that while activity on Taal's surface has simmered down, it did not lessen the chances of a violent explosion. YEREVAN. MPs from the opposition Bright Armenia faction in the National Assembly (NA) met with Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan at the NA today. "During the meeting we discussed the changes being carried out in the Defense Ministry, as well as agenda issues for future reforms," Edmon Marukyan, the head of Bright Armenia, wrote on Facebook. We also discussed a number of issues related to Armenia's internal and external challenges. Davit Tonoyan answered the faction MPs' questions. Bright Armenia faction had already met with Acting Chief of Police Arman Sargsyan, and Acting Director of the National Security Service Eduard Martirosyan. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is dropping its designation of China as a currency manipulator in advance of the signing Wednesday of a Phase 1 U.S.-China trade agreement. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this April 25, 2018, file photo, attendees visit the Ford booth during Auto China 2018 show held in Beijing, China. ChinaAos government says it will postpone planned punitive tariffs on U.S.-made automobiles and other goods following an interim trade deal with Washington. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019Aos announcement came after Washington agreed to postpone a planned tariff hike on $160 billion of Chinese goods and to cut in half penalties that already were imposed. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is dropping its designation of China as a currency manipulator in advance of the signing Wednesday of a Phase 1 U.S.-China trade agreement. The preliminary pact that the two sides are set to sign this week includes a section that's intended to prevent China from manipulating its currency to gain trade advantages. The action announced Monday comes five months after the Trump administration had branded China a currency manipulator the first time that any country had been so named since 1994 during the Clinton administration. Even while removing China from its currency black list, the Treasury Department does name China as one of 10 countries it says require placement on a watch list that will mean their currency practices will be closely monitored. In addition to China, the countries on that list are Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the administration had dropped Chinas designation as a currency manipulator because of commitments in the Phase 1 trade agreement that President Donald Trump is to sign with China on Wednesday at the White House. China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability, Mnuchin said in a statement accompanying the currency report. Some critics of China's trade practices criticized the administration's decision Monday. China is a currency manipulator that is a fact, said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader in the Senate. When it comes to the president's stance on China, Americans are getting a lot of show and very little results.' The Treasury Department is required to report to Congress twice a year in April and October on whether any countries are manipulating their currencies to gain unfair trade advantages against U.S. businesses and workers. When a country manipulates its currency to keep it artificially low, its goods become comparatively less expensive overseas and other countries' goods become relatively more expensive. The new report is technically three months late, apparently because the Trump administration had delayed its release until it had achieved the currency Phase 1 commitments from China. The initial decision to brand China as a manipulator had come in a surprise announcement in August, reversing a Treasury finding in May that no country was manipulating its currency. The United States had not put any country on the manipulation blacklist since the Clinton administration branded China a manipulator 26 years ago. Trump had long accused China of manipulating its currency, even though most independent experts concluded that Beijing had stopped doing so years ago. The designation was largely symbolic. It obliged the United States to enter into negotiations to resolve the currency problem that could ultimately lead to the imposition of economic sanctions such as higher tariffs on Chinese goods something the Trump administration was already doing in its tit-for-tat trade war with China. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Trump is scheduled to sign the Phase 1 agreement on Wednesday after which administration officials said the text of the deal will be made public. In a fact sheet on the deal released Dec. 13, the administration said the agreement would address "unfair currency practices by requiring high-standard commitments to refrain from competitive devaluations and targeting of exchange rates." The signing of the Phase 1 agreement caps a rocky two-years of trade conflict between the two nations in which punitive tariffs were imposed on billions of dollars of products from each nation. The battle escalated uncertainty and caused businesses to pull back on their investments, slowing global growth. It also roiled financial markets with fears that the trade war could become serious enough to push the U.S. economy into a recession. ___ AP Economics Writer Paul Wiseman contributed to this report. - The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] A woman in Oklahoma was arrested on Sunday after police say she attacked a nail salon employee who wasnt speaking English. The nail salon in Oklahoma City was just about to close when Candace Muzny, 43, a regular at the establishment, walked in for a mani-pedi, KWTV reported. Muzny was acting odd before becoming aggressive during the pedicure, employee Tiffany Nguyen told the outlet. Candace Muzny, 43, was arrested after Oklahoma police say she attacked a nail salon worker for not speaking English. Nguyen was speaking with her boss in Vietnamese about her paycheck at Creative Nail when Muzny yelled at them to stop speaking the language before slapping Nguyen in the face, according to an affidavit. Police say Muzny continued to yell and cuss at Nguyen before pulling out a black pocket knife and waiving it around Nguyens face and neck, the affidavit says. Muzny also told Nguyen she was going to kill her family before punching her in the face, police say. An employee was able to call 911 and told dispatchers: We have a belligerent customer thats, like, going nuts in here and we need her out ASAP. She just slapped me in the face, KFOR reported. When police arrived at the scene and tried to arrest Muzny, she fought back as her dog pulled on the arresting officers boot, the affidavit says. When the officer turned toward the dog, Muzny slashed his ear with the pocket knife, police say. The officer eventually got away from Muzny and was able to arrest her, the affidavit says. Muzny faces a number of charges including aggravated assault and battery, police say. As a veteran thrift-shop peruser, Jill Zdunich knows that when you see something you love hanging on the rack, youd better grab it. Come back a day later and chances are itll be gone. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. As a veteran thrift-shop peruser, Jill Zdunich knows that when you see something you love hanging on the rack, youd better grab it. Come back a day later and chances are itll be gone. So, when a prime piece of real estate opened up in the Exchange District last month, Zdunich who owns Shop Take Care, an Osborne Village consignment boutique knew she had to pounce In March, shell open up her stores second location, in the McDermot Avenue storefront that until December housed Tiny Feast, a stationery and gift shop. "Weve been looking for about a year, and Ive kept my ear to the ground," she said Monday. "We realized weve been growing to the point where we needed a little more space." Since Zdunich opened the Osborne store nearly three years ago, Shop Take Care has become a go-to spot to find some of the best hand-picked, preworn clothing in the city, and its resonated with consumers looking to divest from fast-fashion trends and spend their money in a more sustainable way. In 2017, the shop began with about 25 consigners; now, the network has grown to about 600, meaning the small Osborne location has more clothing than it can possibly display at once. The way the model works is customers bring various clothing pieces to Zdunich and her staff. If they think the items have resale potential, they put them out on the floor for customers to try and, hopefully, buy. Consigners get a percentage of the sale price in credit. If the items arent accepted, they give customers the option to keep them or, in a nod to Zdunichs social consciousness, allow the shop to donate them to charities such as the Main Street Project, Rainbow Resource Centre or Klinic. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "When I opened three years ago, my core mandate was giving back to the community," Zdunich said. Another unique aspect of the shop which also sells home goods, stationery and apothecary items is that it does not organize its clothing according to gender norms. There are no mens or womens sections, just one clothing section; instead of separating clothes according to a male-female binary, the shop sorts them by colour. When it opens in the Exchange, Shop Take Care will be a block away from Vantage Vintage Boutique, another clothing store where customers wont find a mens or womens section. Zdunich said she was aware of the current concerns some small-business owners in the Exchange have been airing, including a lack of consultation on parking and bike-lane layout. Ultimately, she said the opportunity to move in was one too good to pass up. "Its a good time for us to make a move like this," she said. ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca As part of its strategy to expand its scripted footprint in the region and help drive an ambition forward to produce more bold local drama, Fremantle has appointed Manuel Marti to the newly created position of head of scripted development, Latin America. An experienced and creative development executive with a strong cultural understanding of the region, Marti was formerly head of development and international business at Polka, one of Latin Americas leading scripted production companies. Before his role at Polka, Marti spent eight years at Turner International working as the LatAm region's original production director.Based in Mexico City in his new role, Marti will report to Coty Cagliolo, Fremantles head of production, Latin America, and will be responsible for developing Fremantles drama slate in the region, securing and delivering commissions and ultimately building Fremantles scripted business in Latin America.Its a privilege to join a company like Fremantle at such an evolutionary moment in our industry, Marti (pictured) remarked. Latin-American storytelling has a unique voice and a bourgeoning track record which, with a content powerhouse like Fremantle behind it, will thrive even further.The move comes as Fremantle grows its company activity in Latin America with investments and partnerships in the region. The producer recently acquired a 25% stake in The Immigrant, the independent production company owned by Camila Jimenez-Villa and Silvana Aguirre, secured a partnership with unscripted Brazilian prodco Mixer Films and hold a first-look deal with Oscar award-winning Fabula, with whom Fremantle co-produced La Jauria. A 44-year-old Japanese billionaire looking for a 'life partner' with whom he can share SpaceX's round trip to the Moon! If you are looking for a relationship, which potentially involves a date on the Moon, this may be your lucky chance. A 44-year-old Japanese billionaire looking for a 'life partner' with whom he can share SpaceX's round trip to the Moon! Yusaku Maezawa is the founder of Japan's largest online clothing retailer Zozo who purchased Space's first tourist ticket to the Moon in 2018. Now, he wants to take with him a girlfriend who has a 'bright personality' and 'wants world peace,' Mashable notes. Maezawa has opened worldwide applications for the role of his 'life partner'. Single women aged 20 can fill-up the form online. The fashion entrepreneur expects to find his true love by the end of March, leaving three years for the relationship before the 2023 trip to the Moon. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Pacific Ventures Group, Inc. (OTC PINK:PACV), a food and beverage holding company specializing in the distribution of consumer food, beverage and alcohol-related products, today announced the expansion of its geographic reach for both San Diego Farmers Outlet ("SDFO") and Seaport Meat Company ("SMC"). Due to a recent uptick in demand for fresh high-quality produce in the San Diego area, in addition to the increase in capacity as a result of the acquisition of SMC, SDFO has been able to double its distribution reach from roughly 25 miles to a 50-mile radius. Additionally, as a result of the synergies realized through the business relationship with SDFO, SMC has also been able to expand its distribution reach from approximately 75 miles to a 100-mile radius. Ms. Shannon Masjedi, Pacific Venture Group's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "While we enter 2020 with a larger customer base, expanded range of products, an expanded network of retail and institutional accounts and an expected annual revenue base of $33 million, our team has decided now is a prudent time to expand our geographic reach for both San Diego Farmers Outlet and Seaport Meat Company. This is just one idea we have identified to accelerate our revenue growth in 2020, which is a top priority for our Company." About Pacific Ventures Group, Inc. Pacific Ventures Group, Inc. (OTC: PACV) is focused on expansion within the consumer products, food, beverage and alcohol-related industries. For more information on PACV, please visit www.pacvgroup.com. (You need to be at least 21 years of age (legal age to consume alcohol) to visit the section of the web site dedicated to SnoBar.) Safe Harbor Statement Forward-Looking Statement: This press release may contain certain 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. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which include but are not limited to, the inability of the company to obtain financing sufficient to maintain its operations and execute its acquisition strategy; the inherent uncertainties associated with smaller reporting companies; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors Contact: ir@pacvgroup.com SOURCE: Pacific Ventures Group, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/573013/Pacific-Ventures-Group-Expands-its-Food-Distribution-Geographic-Reach-to-Open-New-Markets-and-Accelerate-Revenue-Growth Councillors have approved plans to build a McDonald's drive-thru in Rutland - the last county in England without one (file photo) Councillors have approved plans to build a McDonald's drive-thru in Rutland - the last county in England without a branch of the fast food chain. A planning application for the restaurant north of Oakham town centre triggered more than 50 objections, including claims the 'unsightly' development would increase litter, impact other traders and undermine 'The Rutland Brand'. Others opposed to the drive-thru, which would create around 65 jobs, voiced fears it will increase anti-social behaviour and devalue local houses. A mother who attended a planning committee meeting on Tuesday said she opposed the plans 'purely for who they are and what they stand for'. But Edward Baines, the chair of Rutland County Council's planning committee, told members of the public the issue was 'one of land usage and not the grounds of the applicant'. The planning application was recommended for approval in a report which was presented to Rutland County Council's planning committee on Tuesday evening - with councillors eventually giving it the go-ahead after an hour's worth of debate. The report, which said 23 submissions had been received in support of the application, states: 'The design and layout of the proposal is appropriate in the area. 'Natural and neutral colours and materials will be used on the building and the size and design of the building would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area or the amenities of nearby residential properties. 'The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant.' The planning application (pictured) was recommended for approval in a report which was presented to Rutland County Council's planning committee on Tuesday evening - with councillors eventually giving it the go-ahead after an hour's worth of debate McDonald's staged a consultation event in Oakham in May last year, which was attended by almost 400 people. The chain's plans to develop the 'wasteland' site off Lands End Way include a 6.75 metre-high sign, odour control measures, and patrols to collect litter in the local area. The successful applicant, Martin Cuthbert, who will become the manager of the franchise, said he was 'confident now is the right time to open a restaurant' in Oakham, describing the fast food chain as 'safe and family-friendly'. Mr Cuthbert said he was expecting the restaurant to attract customers from 'both Oakham and passing traffic - and particularly people visiting Rutland Water'. In a submission included in the planning officer's report, Oakham In Bloom's chairman said the all-volunteer charity felt obliged to object to the application on the terms the application had set out. Commenting on the original planning application, the group's submission stated: 'In our opinion the landscaping would create a stark and ugly environment for people that would be incongruous with its surroundings. 'It would have a negative effect on the town. Such eye-sores, once built will be there for decades.' McDonald's has agreed to use stone on parts of the exterior of the single-storey drive-thru, as well as khaki green, timber-effect aluminium to achieve a 'subtle natural feel' to the building. It comes after Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland complained the chain 'does not serve local food'. Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland (pictured with Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner) says she does not want McDonald's opening in her title county because the chain 'does not serve local food' She told Good Morning Britain earlier today: 'My issue with McDonald's is they don't do locally sourced food. 'They should serve up pheasant burgers and nuggets. A pheasant is the cheapest food at all. If you bought a pheasant off me it would cost you nothing, I would give it to you. 'If McDonald's served pheasants I would be happy with the junk food outlet as long as they use county side people.' She debated the opening of the restaurant with Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, who is backing the chain's new Rutland venture. The Duchess told Good Morning Britain: 'If McDonald's served pheasants I would be happy with the junk food outlet as long as they use county side people' Local David Taylor, 39, said: 'For years we've proudly boasted that we're the only county in England without a McDonald's. 'It a shame the council have bowed to the big corporations. It doesn't suit our town and our way of living. 'I guarantee once it opens, we'll have a KFC and a Burger King next. I worry for our children's health as a result.' Robert Kent, also of Oakham, said: 'I think in an area of outstanding natural beauty and a traditional market town adopting the banality of the golden arches would a sad day. 'Fast food of poor quality leading to inevitable litter in the surrounding area is not what we need. 'Even if it creates a few jobs for school kids.' A third - called Miss M Brookes - added: 'Rutland is the only county that doesn't have any main brand fast food restaurants. 'And I honestly think that's one of loveliest facts about our county. 'Our high street has been noticeably struggling recently and with the introduction of a McDonald's I strongly believe that this would cause further hospitality collapses around the town. 'Within the younger generations, McDonald's is a widely known meeting place for modified cars to then go on and perform street races and the location is almost perfect for it.' If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Former justice minister Dolores Delgado. Kike Para The Spanish governments proposal to appoint Dolores Delgado as the new prosecutor general has been met with concern by several legal associations, which see it as an attempt by the newly confirmed prime minister, Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE), to keep public prosecutors in check. But the nomination was applauded by progressive associations, which do not see any problem with the fact that Delgado served as justice minister under Sanchez until last Friday, when she was replaced as part of the prime ministers new Cabinet appointments. There is only one precedent in Spains modern democratic history of a former minister transitioning directly to prosecutor general: Javier Moscoso in 1986, under the PSOE administration of Felipe Gonzalez. Political interference The largest of the prosecutors associations, the conservative Asociacion de Fiscales, said that the nomination is proof that the executive wants to subjugate the public prosecution services. Cristina Dexeus, president of the association, said she was astounded by a decision that confuses citizens because it makes it look like there is political interference. The designation destroys all appearances of impartiality Jorge Fernandez Vaquero, AJFV In a release, this group expressed unease and concern at the image of politicization and lack of independence and impartiality that is being conveyed by placing a person who has been the justice minister until just a few hours ago at the top of the prosecution services. And the judges association Asociacion de Jueces Francisco de Vitoria (AJFV) called the decision unprecedented and detrimental. The groups spokesperson, Jorge Fernandez Vaquero, said the designation destroys all appearances of impartiality in any future decisions made by the Spanish prosecution services. Almost any initiative of relevance in the serious matters that lie in the immediate political future will come under question because of the inevitable shadow of partiality, he warned, alluding to pending legal issues in connection with the 2017 failed secession attempt by Catalan separatists. But Delgados ties to the Sanchez administration do not represent an obstacle to the judges association Juezas y Jueces para la Democracia. Its spokesperson, Ignacio Gonzalez Vega, underscored Delgados long career as a prosecutor herself, and said everyone should wait and see how she acts in her new position before reaching any conclusions. And the progressive prosecutors association Union Progresista de Fiscales (UPF) which Delgado has belonged to said its members are convinced that she will act in the best interests of justice and with complete independence. Catalonia and Franco Delgado initially joined Sanchezs team in June 2018, when the latter reached power through a no-confidence vote against Mariano Rajoy of the Popular Party (PP). She was an independent at the time of her appointment, but has held a seat in Congress as a PSOE representative since May of last year. Delgado will act in the best interests of justice and with complete independence, according to the prosecutor association UPF While Delgado was justice minister, the Solicitor Generals Office, which represents the state in the courts and answers to the Justice Ministry, clashed with the prosecutors involved in the Supreme Court case against 12 leaders of the breakaway bid. While the public prosecutors under then-Prosecutor General Maria Jose Segarra charged the defendants with rebellion, the Solicitor General brought lesser charges of sedition. The issue of Catalonia will continue to rank high on the new executives agenda after Sanchez committed to talks between the central and Catalan governments to discuss the political conflict in the northeastern region. This pledge secured endorsement for his investiture bid by the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), a separatist party whose leader Oriol Junqueras was tried and convicted of sedition by the Supreme Court last year. The political fate of Junqueras and two other secessionist leaders, Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comin, have been the subject of a prolonged legal wrangle that has taken on an international dimension after the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a decision that has enabled the latter two to take up seats in the EU Parliament. Besides the Catalan separatists trial, another issue that attracted heavy media attention during Delgados time at the Justice Ministry was the exhumation of the body of Francisco Franco from the Valley of the Fallen, where Delgado acted as a notary for the state to certify the transfer of the late dictators remains. English version by Susana Urra. CODY, Wyo. A Montana food distributor reached a settlement with a former Wyoming Highway Patrol officer stemming from a 2015 collision that forced the trooper into medical retirement from field duty. Sysco Montana notified a U.S. judge on Dec. 23 that the case involving Rodney Miears was settled, the Cody Enterprise reported Monday. Terms of the settlement are confidential. Miears sued Sysco Montana for negligence after he was left with lifelong injuries from the crash near Yellowstone Valley Inn in Wapiti, officials said. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 in federal court for more than $75,000 in damages. It alleged permanent loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and debilitating pain. The lawsuit also named Miears' wife Marian as a co-plaintiff asserting emotional loss suffered from her husband's injuries. Rodney Miears declined to comment. Miears was travelling in his patrol car when he noticed semi-tractor truck driver James Friede making a left turn in front of him, authorities said. noting that neither had a chance to avoid a collision. Freide was not named as a defendant in the case, but Sysco Montana asserted he was at fault during the accident, officials said. "Sysco denies that it was the cause of the accident," Sysco attorney Jeff Meyer said. Miears's attorneys argued that Sysco had orchestrated a company culture that prioritized urgency over safety. Friede acknowledged he was behind schedule the day he hit Miears, officials said. Friede received a $65 failure-to-yield ticket and was fired a few months after the incident, officials said. Miears still works for the department as a tow and recovery coordinator, officials said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Skin rashes, difficulty breathing, blurry vision and hair loss. Those are some of the issues thousands of Delta Air Lines flight attendants have reportedly dealt with since the company switched their uniforms nearly two years ago. At first, many of the workers quietly coped seeing doctors, visiting urgent care during their layovers and wearing a protective base layer between their skin and the uniforms. But as symptoms worsened, many say they couldnt perform their jobs. Eventually, the workers started talking to one another about their personal health problems and noticed striking similarities. A year after the new uniform line launched, Delta workers filed the first class action lawsuit in a New York district court against the clothing manufacturer, Lands End of Dodgeville, Wis. Then, two weeks ago on New Years Eve, the second class action lawsuit was filed by 536 Delta workers, who provided details about the adverse health conditions theyve experienced since donning Deltas new threads. The vast majority of the plaintiffs are flight attendants, but several gate agents, cargo workers and Sky Club employees also have joined the suit. As of November, about 3,000 flight attendants have formally reported adverse health effects attributed to the uniforms, Delta said. The issue is a hot one that intersects a unionization effort of Delta flight attendants and is drawing comparisons to nearly identical situations recently experienced at American and Alaska Airlines. It also highlights a relatively new field of medicine for lower-exposure hazards in the workplace that are increasingly difficult to pinpoint and trace as the global clothing supply chain expands farther from home. Much fanfare In May 2018, Atlanta-based Delta threw glitzy runway shows at several of its largest hubs, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, to promote the launch of its new uniforms. The garments, imagined by celebrity designer Zac Posen and manufactured by Lands End, were to be worn by about 64,000 of its employees, from flight attendants to ramp workers. The uniforms at issue here have been in use for nearly two years, have been extensively tested multiple times by independent laboratories and have been found both safe and fit for their purpose, Lands End said in a statement. Because this matter is in litigation, we regret that we cannot comment further. A few years before Delta introduced new uniforms, American and Alaska had rolled out new uniforms by manufacturer Twin Hill that thousands of flight attendants alleged caused a number of illnesses, from severe hives to respiratory problems. After lengthy battles with both companies, workers at both American and Alaska will soon be wearing new uniforms again that they hope dont cause the same reactions. Deltas workers saw what happened at those airlines and assumed their rollout would go smoother, believing Delta was the best U.S. airline. However one flight attendant one of several who spoke last week on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation said about a year ago she started developing severe hives during work trips. She later started experiencing heart palpitations and hair loss, which, she said, looks like male patterned baldness. Thats when the flight attendant, in her 30s, knew she had to get out of the uniforms. At first, she said, the company made it extremely difficult to win approval to wear an alternative uniform. It was really convoluted and unfair in how they were applying these rules. At first they approved me for an alternative uniform, then they retracted that, the flight attendant said. Now that this has happened, the trust between the company and the flight attendants is completely destroyed. Some colleagues were approved with just a doctors note, while others were told they would need to have an independent medical review by one of Deltas approved doctors. Some had to undergo a patch test where clothing materials are applied to the skin and if a reaction did not immediately occur, the workers were denied alternative uniforms. Others slogged through workers compensation claims, many of which were also denied. On Nov. 12 Delta executives sent a memo to its flight attendants and airport customer service agents with results of a toxicology study commissioned by the airline. The memo concluded the toxicology study confirms that the uniforms are not the cause of skin and respiratory health reactions and maintained the need for those with symptoms to continue jumping through medical hoops. On Nov. 25, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA the union trying to organize Deltas flight attendant labor group announced it was commissioning its own toxicology study on the uniforms. The next day, Delta informed its employees wearing alternative uniforms that they were extending approvals to wear their alternatives, called black and whites, for another year. Delta said it decided to simplify the process based on employee feedback. We havent made any conclusions (on the root cause) and we are trying to get to the bottom of the situation, said Delta spokeswoman Gina Laughlin. Since August, the number of flight attendants approved to wear the alternatives has increased from a few hundred to about 1,000, and the airline dropped its additional medical exam requirements in late November, Laughlin said. Complex supply chain Before Alaska flight attendants started reporting adverse health effects in 2011, the union had never seen anything like this before, said Sara Nelson, president of AFA International. In the past few decades, the clothing supply chain has become far less centralized, she said. In 1991, 56% of the clothing sold in the United States was made domestically, compared with just 3% in 2018, according to data from the American Apparel & Footwear Association. Judith Anderson, AFAs industrial hygienist, said fabrics might be sourced in one country and assembled in another before being shipped to the United States. Chemicals with specific purposes could be added anywhere along the way. For workers who travel for a living, it makes sense that attributes like antimicrobial, stain- and wrinkle-resistance would be desired, Anderson said. The problem, she believes, is that chemical compounds added to the fabrics to elicit those attributes are interacting in a negative way, causing these health issues. The challenge for individuals experiencing these lower-level exposures at work is identifying the chemical culprit. Zeke McKinney, a Twin Cities-based doctor at HealthPartners specializing in occupational medicine, has seen around 50 Delta flight attendants with conditions possibly linked to the uniforms, ranging from rashes to vocal cord impairment to flu-like symptoms. Whereas medical toxicologists treat patients with immediate and life-threatening poisons, he focuses more on environmental toxicology, which studies people exposed to toxins over time. McKinney read the full toxicology report from Seattle-based Intertox, the firm Delta hired to study the uniforms. I think it was a thorough study, but not perfect. To say youve tested for every possible thing is just not possible, he said. We make hundreds of thousands of chemicals every day and we have data on a very small percentage on it. The medical literature is not comprehensive. There are a lot of aspects of our immune systems we as doctors dont yet fully understand. According to the class action suit, none of the more than 500 plaintiffs experienced any adverse health effects wearing the old uniforms. 2020 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Significant moves in the global snacking sector this week include an acquisition by Hain Celestial Group of Thats How We Roll, the producer and marketer of... Read More The 2019 ASEAN New Media & New Technology Workshop training was recently held by Peoples Daily in Chengdu and Beijing. During the training, journalists from ASEAN countries visited Chengdu International Railway Port Exhibition Center, Peoples Daily, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, Confucius Institute Headquarters and JD.com to gain an insight into the development of the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) and the positive results that Chinese major media agencies and internet technology companies have achieved through the application of technology. During their visit, foreign journalists engaged in a lively discussion with the staff of Chengdu International Railway Port Exhibition Center in front of the route map of China-Europe Railway Express. The number of international train services from Chengdu boosted from 31 in 2013 to 2,619 in 2018, which includes 1,591 China-Europe Railway Express freight trains. By the end of October 2019, an estimated total of nearly 20, 000 Railway Express freight trains have been put into service. There are 7 international railways and 5 international sea-rail combined transport routes connecting 14 domestics and 25 overseas cities in Eurasia, benefiting more countries and regions from the BRI. The activity also focused on sharing Chinas experiences in the development of its new media technologies. Various technologies including big data, cloud storage and AI have been widely applied in Chinas new media industry, actively promoting the diverse spread of news reports. (Written by Hailin Wang, translated by Xiaolin Wang) File image of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad Malaysia is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against "wrong things" even if it costs his country financially. India, the world's biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the world's second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia. The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathir's criticism of India's new religion-based citizenship law. The 94-year-old premier, whose outspoken nature has soured ties with both India and Saudi Arabia in recent months, earlier accused India of invading the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. As Malaysian palm refiners stare at a massive loss of business, Mahathir said his government would find a solution. "We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it," he told reporters. "If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people." The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery was down 0.9% in afternoon trade. Reuters reported on Monday the Indian government had informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil. Indian traders are instead buying Indonesian crude palm oil at a premium of $10 tonne over Malaysian prices. India's foreign ministry said on Thursday the palm curbs were not country specific but that "for any commercial trading, the status of relationship between any two countries" is something a business would consider. India was Malaysia's biggest buyer of palm oil in 2019, with 4.4 million tonnes of purchases. In 2020, purchases could fall below 1 million tonnes if relations don't improve, Indian traders say. To make up for the potential loss, Malaysian officials say they are trying to sell more to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan. But replacing the top buyer won't be easy, and that's why the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, whose members include palm workers, has urged the two countries to talk things out. "We wish to implore upon both governments to use all possible diplomatic channels to resolve this issue putting aside any personal or diplomatic ego," it said in a statement. Malaysia's Primary Industries Ministry, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is engaging with its Indian counterparts to try and sort out the issue, according to a Malaysian government source aware of the discussions. He declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. The ministries could not immediately be reached for comment. TOWAMENCIN Dr. Mayank Amin, Montgomery Countys self-proclaimed "Superman" pharmacist, broke out his signature costume Sunday as about 1,600 people got a COVID-19 booster shot during a clinic at North Penn High School. Skippack Pharmacy, of Schwenksville, hosted the booster clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the high school, 1340 S. Valley Forge Road. Amin said... Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy has confirmed he will run in the expected General Election. The Monaghan father of five said on Tuesday he would be seeking the nomination for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency if Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calls the election for February 8, as expected. Mr Carthys name will go before a reconvened constituency convention to take place on Thursday evening in the Hotel Errigal, Cootehill. Mr Carthy, who was re-elected to the European Parliament last May, will be vying for the seat vacated by Sinn Fein colleague Caoimhghin O Caolain, who confirmed last year he would not stand again. A wee announcement: I will be asking the people of Cavan Monagan to elect me to the Dail. This election is an opportunity to end the rip-off of Irish families and the neglect of our communities by Fianna Fail & Fine Gael. Its time for change - its time for Sinn Fein! pic.twitter.com/pHG3dnbLhS Matt Carthy TD (@mattcarthy) January 14, 2020 The party will be putting forward two candidates for the four-seat Cavan-Monaghan constituency, with Pauline Tully expected to run alongside Mr Carthy. Caoimhghin O Caolain has been an outstanding representative for Cavan-Monaghan and a pivotal and important leader within Sinn Fein, especially since his election to the Dail in 1997, Mr Carthy said. In the first instance I want to ensure that his legacy of hard work and dedication to the people of this constituency is maintained following his planned retirement from elected office. I also believe that further delivery for these counties requires strengthened republican representation in Leinster House and that requires two Sinn Fein TDs to be returned. I am hopeful that this Thursday Sinn Fein members will re-affirm their decision to allow Pauline and I to contest the General Election. I want to be one of two Sinn Fein TDs, alongside Pauline Tully, representing the great communities of Cavan-Monaghan and North Meath, and I will leave no stone unturned in that bidMatt Carthy I am a proud Monaghan man I can think of no greater honour than to be elected to the Dail by the people of my home constituency. Monaghan is a great county, but we have been let down by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments. Those parties have failed miserably; they have decimated our hospital and local health services, they have refused to provide the necessary investment in jobs and infrastructure and they have allowed our families to struggle while they play their games in the Dail without adopting the policies necessary to address the crises they have created in our public services and in rural communities. I want to be one of two Sinn Fein TDs, alongside Pauline Tully, representing the great communities of Cavan-Monaghan and North Meath, and I will leave no stone unturned in that bid. From my period as a councillor, as a MEP and as a community activist I believe I have proven myself to be a hard worker with the experience, energy and commitment that will allow the voters of Cavan-Monaghan to entrust me with the mandate to now represent them in Leinster House. Ms Tully, a history teacher, who has more than 13 years experience as a local councillor for the party, is the former wife of convicted garda killer, Pearse McAuley. Ms Tully, who has two children, was attacked by her former husband with a steak knife at her home on Christmas Eve 2014. She has previously said that Sinn Fein have given her their full support regarding her family commitments. Party president Mary Lou McDonald appointed Donegal TD Pearse Doherty as Sinn Feins director of elections on Tuesday. The Cavan-Monaghan constituencys three other seats are filled by two Fianna Fai TDs and Fine Gaels Minister for Business Heather Humphries. One person died after an explosion on Tuesday at a chemical factory in northeastern Spain that was most likely caused by a chemical accident, local media said, citing rescue services, Trend reports citing Reuters. The person was killed when a building collapsed as a consequence of the shockwave generated by the explosion in Tarragona province, media including La Vanguardia and El Pais newspapers said on their websites. Another person was missing, TVE broadcaster said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs office said he was in touch with Catalan authorities and that Madrid was ready to provide the necessary support due to this serious event, which has caused several injuries and substantial material damage. A spokesman in Catalonias rescue services, which provides rescue services and disaster relief in the region, confirmed someone had died in a nearby building that collapsed, adding that it could not confirm yet if this was linked directly to the explosion or fire. Unknown ancient viruses up to 15,000 years old have been discovered lurking in prehistoric ice atop the Tibetan plateau. Scientists extracted two lumps of ice from a glacier and found a total of 33 pathogens frozen inside, with 28 of them never seen before by humans. Researchers say global warming is threatening to melt the world's glaciers and that under a 'worst-case scenario' the viruses could be released into the atmosphere. Soaring temperatures have the ability to discharge the viruses en-masse into a world that has no immunity against them. The potency of these viruses is unknown, with some potentially lethal and others likely harmless. Scroll down for video Scientists extracted two lumps of ice from a glacier atop the Tibetan plateau (pictured) and found a total of 33 pathogens frozen inside, with 28 of them never seen before by humans Scientists from the US and China drilled down 165ft (50 meters) into the Tibetan plateau glacier to investigate any pathogens entombed within. A five-year project allowed them to ensure they were detecting ancient viruses and not just picking up contamination from the modern world. Removing the ice's top layer (0.5cm) with a bandsaw and washing it with ethanol and water ensured it was free from contamination. They tested their procedure on artificial ice cores before applying it to the two ice cores in the study. The team of academics then applied genetic and microbiology techniques to record all the DNA in the two ice cores they obtained. 'This is an exciting new area of research for us,' co-author Lonnie Thompson told Vice. Writing in their paper, published online in the pre-print journal bioRxiv, the researchers write: 'Glacier ice harbors diverse microbes, yet the associated viruses and their impacts on ice microbiomes have been unexplored.' Although the researchers refused to comment on their research as it has yet to be peer-reviewed they write that there is a great deal of interest in studying extinct viruses stored in glaciers. However, this may be impossible as soaring temperatures around the world trigger glacial melting, destroying all records of the ancient microbial life trapped within. Driven by climate change, the rate of ice thawing out in frozen regions is a concern for the scientists. Scientists studying viruses trapped in Tibetan plateau (pictured) glaciers believe soaring global temperatures have the ability to discharge the viruses en-masse into a world that has no immunity against them WHAT WAS THE 2016 ANTHRAX OUTBREAK? In 2016, more than 2,300 reindeer died of Anthrax. A heatwave fuelled the disease. Temperatures soared to 35C and thawed out the ice. Russia was forced to dens in troops trained for biological warfare to help deal with the emergency. Eight people were confirmed as infected with anthrax, which can be fatal, and dozens more underwent tests to ensure they were not infected. Natalya Khlopunova, told Tass news agency that about 50 children were among the 90 people in hospital. "We decided to do checks on all the reindeer herders' children, even if they show no signs of illness," she said. Anthrax is potentially-deadly and caused by the spores of bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It can survive in harsh climates and has been weaponised by several countries. The disease can be contracted by touching, inhaling or swallowing spores, which can lie dormant in water and soil for years. Advertisement They write: 'At a minimum, this could lead to the loss of microbial and viral archives that could be diagnostic and informative of past Earth climate regimes; however, in a worst-case scenario, this ice melt could release pathogens into the environment.' Scott Rogers, a professor at Bowling Green State University penned a book on the potential of dormant microbes in glaciers being released. He believes that it could trigger an incurable plague that has the potential to sweep across the world, infecting humans with no immunity to the disease. Professor Rogers writes in his book, titled Defrosting Ancient Microbes: Emerging Genomes in a Warmer World: 'The dangers encased in ice are real, and with the increases in melting of the ice worldwide, the risks from the release of pathogenic microbes also are increasing.' A long-dormant microbe has already been released from ice as in 2016 an anthrax outbreak in Serbia was traced back to ancient permathrost thawing. More than 2,300 reindeer died in the outbreak, in the Yamalo-Nenets region of Siberia with families evacuated from the region and troops brought in to contain the disease's spread. Eight people were confirmed as infected with anthrax, which can be fatal, and dozens more underwent tests to ensure they were not infected. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:13:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARBIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iconic tractor Liang Jun died Tuesday in northeast China. She was 90 years old. Liang died of illness at around 1 p.m. in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province. Liang was the first female tractor driver of New China. Her image was featured on the one-yuan note of the third set of the Chinese currency renminbi. Liang was born into an impoverished family in Heilongjiang's Mingshui County in 1930. At age 17, she was admitted to a teachers' college. In 1948, Liang became the only female student of a training class for tractor drivers. After graduation, she joined a national campaign to develop the "great northern wilderness", where she worked with a sense of perseverance and dedication. Liang joined the Communist Party of China in October 1949, the month when Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China. In June 1950, authorities set up the country's first female tractor team named in honor of her. Liang's whole life was connected with agriculture and machinery. Textbooks included her stories, and filmmakers shot movies about her. In 1962, her image was printed on the one-yuan note of the renminbi, which featured a smiling Liang holding a steering wheel with her hair flowing in the wind. Liang was among the first group of China's national model workers and has been hailed as one of the most influential model workers in China since 1949. She was elected a national lawmaker for four times. She retired in 1990 from the position of chief engineer of the Harbin municipal bureau of agricultural machines. "The tractor driver on the one-yuan note was created based on my image," she said. "It's a symbol of the women of New China." An American Medical Response ambulance heads west on Boulder Street from Memorial Hospital. Colorado Springs has a 40-year partnership with AMR. US imposes sanctions on seven pro-government politicians Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 January 2020 1:18 AM The US has imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelan politicians it says helped President Nicolas Maduro wrest control of the country's congress, called the National Assembly. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday the measures freeze any US assets of those targeted. The sanctions also prohibit Americans from doing business with them. Among those targeted are government-backed Luis Parra, Adolfo Superlano and Negal Morales. Parra has categorically rejected the US move, saying it was unacceptable for foreign nations to meddle in the Venezuelan National Assembly's actions. "Treasury has designated seven corrupt National Assembly officials who, at the bidding of Maduro, attempted to block the democratic process in Venezuela," Mnuchin said in a statement. "These and other designated officials can have sanctions removed if they side with the people of Venezuela and Juan Guaido as their legitimate leader," he said. Washington backs the country's opposition figure Juan Guaido who declared himself interim president last January. Caracas blames the US for the political crisis in the country, saying Guaido is Washington's puppet. Last week, Maduro slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a "failed clown," after the US official congratulated Guaido for claiming reelection as "parliament speaker." In a state TV address on January 7, Maduro described Guaido's swearing-in ceremony as "a show" and said the US President Donald Trump's administration "is going to continue failing and failing and failing and Mike Pompeo will continue to stage the show, the clowning." The US State Department had also earlier threatened Caracas that if Guaido were arrested, Washington would take measures "that go much further" than those already adopted against the Venezuelan government, including even harsher economic sanctions. Parra was sworn in as the new speaker of Venezuela's National Assembly on January 5 as security forces prevented Guaido and allied lawmakers from entering the building. Guaido was seen clashing with security forces to enter the parliament. He was also shown attempting to climb over the railing around the National Assembly premises to gain entry as police officers pushed him back with riot shields. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys study group on criminal justice policy meets for the last time on Tuesday to discuss its findings about how to improve the states violent, crowded, and understaffed prisons. Ivey set up the study group after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged in April that Alabama prisons were in violation of the Constitution because of a failure to protect prisoners from violence and sexual abuse. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Champ Lyons chairs the group, which includes Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn, about a half-dozen state lawmakers, and others. The group has visited two prisons and heard presentations on prison staffing, sentencing, recidivism, prison education programs, the need for better facilities, and other issues that could be up for debate when the Legislature starts its session Feb. 4. Violence has continued to plague the prison system since the DOJ report. Advocacy groups calling for safer prisons, who include former inmates and relatives of inmates, will hold a rally before Tuesdays study group meeting and will march from the Alabama Department of Corrections offices to the State House. The groups, including Alabamians for Fair Justice, have spoken out and demanded answers at previous study group meetings. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, a member of the study group and sponsor of a major justice criminal reform bill that passed in 2015, said he expects to see proposals on programs to reduce recidivism; diversion programs and prison alternatives; increased oversight of conditions and incidents inside prisons; improved care for prisoners with mental illness; and possibly reconsideration of long sentences for some nonviolent offenders under the Habitual Offender Act. Ward said the Legislature will have to increase funding for prisons. None of this is going to be free, Ward said. Lawmakers increased funding for prisons this year by $40 million, to $517 million. Much of the increase was to boost the hiring and retention of correctional officers with higher pay and bonuses. A severe shortage of correctional officers and overcrowding exacerbated the problems of violence in prisons, the DOJ said in its report in April. Aside from the DOJ report, the Alabama Department of Corrections is under a federal court order to add about 2,000 correctional officers over the next few years. That order came in a federal lawsuit in which the judge found mental health care for prisoners was "horrendously inadequate." Ward said members of the study group have met recently with Ivey. Despite the longstanding problems, Ward said he is optimistic because of what he said is the bipartisan work on the study group. I have been pleased with how both sides of the aisle have actually come together, Ward said. The Ivey administration is pursuing a plan for three new mens prisons that would be financed, built and owned by private developers. The state would lease and operate the prisons. Some of the existing mens prisons would close. ADOC Commissioner Dunn and other advocates of the plan said the new facilities would be more suitable to education and rehabilitation programs and would be safer. Bud Light Seltzer is here. Anheuser-Busch InBevs latest product debuted nationwide Jan. 13. Made exclusively at Anheuser-Busch InBevs brewery in Baldwinsville, BL Seltzer s a local(ish) Central New York product making a national buzz. Its available in four flavors: black cherry, lemon lime, strawberry and mango. Each 12-ounce can is 100 calories, 5% alcohol and less than one gram of sugar. Heres the biggest question: Is it any good, and how does it compare to White Claw, the current biggest seller in the rapidly growing hard seltzer market? We pitted Bud Light Seltzer against White Claw in a head-to-head taste test to find the best. Three of the four varieties were made by both brands. We also compared Bud Lights strawberry to White Claws raspberry. The ads for Bud Light Seltzer take place in the mythical town of Seltzer, Pennsylvania, which has put the actual, unrelated Village of Seltzer in Schuylkill County in the spotlight. The judges: syracuse.com | The Post-Standard food and dining writer Jacob Pucci; beer, wine and spirits writer Don Cazentre; features writer Charlie Miller and multimedia journalist Katrina Tulloch. Which seltzers shined, and which seltzers fizzled flat? Heres our review: Mango Mango: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: This seltzer had a rounded, full fruit flavoreven if it didnt taste a whole lot like mango. Why didnt they just call it Bud Light Seltzer Peach?" judge Katrina Tulloch asked. Shes right, it really does taste more like peach. White Claw: The flavor was described as crisp and clean, while others called it hollow and thin. To its credit, it was more easily identifiable as mango. Verdict: Despite its fruit mix-up, we largely prefered the flavor of the Bud Light by a 3-to-1 vote. Winner: Bud Light Lime Lemon Lime: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: The Bud Light seltzers each have less than one gram of sugar per can, while White Claw has two grams per can. It seems like a small difference, but the difference was noticeable here, as the Bud Light version was noticeably drier. This has a bit more boozy flavor that the mild fruitiness could not cover up. White Claw: Maybe it was the sugar, but for whatever reason, this seltzer seemed juicier than the other. "I typically like it drier, but this is the one exception. Judge Charlie Miller thought it was too sweet, comparing it to a dry version of 7Up. Verdict: The extra gram of sugar won out, as we picked White Claw over Bud Light 3-to-1. Winner: White Claw Behind the scenes: Bud Light Seltzer launches at Anheuser-Busch brewery in Baldwinsville Black Cherry Black Cherry: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light: When it comes to cherry-flavored beverages, theres really just one question: does it taste like cough syrup? In the case of the Bud Light Seltzer, the answer is a definitive no. Theres a ton of cherry flavor on the nose, with a fruit flavor thats neither bitter and harsh nor syrupy sweet. Judge Charlie Miller compared the flavor to the Luxardo cherries in his Manhattan. Indeed a premium experience. White Claw: Take everything we just said for the Bud Light Seltzer and the opposite is true for the White Claw. The judges described it as medicinal and fake and it lacked the pleasant fruity aromas of the Bud Light. Verdict: This one was easy. Winner: Bud Light Strawberry/Raspberry Raspberry/Strawberry: Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Bud Light strawberry: While not a perfect pairing, these two were similar enough to compare. And to our collective surprise, this was all four judges favorite overall seltzer. Despite using just natural flavors, they were somehow able to mimic the flavor of a whole strawberrybright, clean and refreshing and tasting nothing like those strawberry bonbon candies found strictly in the home of grandparents. " It reminds me of those freeze-dried strawberries youd get in astronaut food packs as a kid," judge Katrina Tulloch said. Bud Light hit a home run with this drink, judge Charlie Miller said. Its like you went into a strawberry patch and picked a berry, judge Don Cazentre added. White Claw raspberry: This is a perfectly fine beverage, but after drinking the Bud Light strawberry, everything is going to be a letdown. Like White Claws mango flavor, the raspberry flavor was a bit thin and artificial. Verdict: An imperfect comparison, but a clear winner. Winner: Bud Light Bud Light Seltzer vs. White Claw. (Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com)Jacob Pucci Overall: The judges were unanimous in our ranking of the four Bud Light Seltzers: Strawberry Mango Black Cherry Lemon Lime As for the overall champ, the winning seltzer was clear. Bud Light Seltzer takes the crown. Grand champion: Bud Light Seltzer Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (17) BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Island University announced today a $2 million gift from the 2007 Forbes Entrepreneur of the Year Clint Severson and Conni Ahart for the new College of Veterinary Medicine, opening Fall 2020. The donation will establish the Veterinary Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management Center, located within the College of Veterinary Medicine. The College of Veterinary Medicine will be one of only four veterinary programs in the Northeast, joining the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University and Tufts University. "Conni and I are dedicated to the expansion of higher veterinary learning and medical advancement in the veterinary field," said Clint Severson. "The Veterinary Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management Center will enable LIU's College of Veterinary Medicine faculty to create new paths and fresh solutions in veterinary education, and provide students with real-world experience along with traditional classroom training." As members of the Council of Advisors for the new College of Veterinary Medicine, Clint Severson and Conni Ahart are noted philanthropists dedicated to animals, and the entrepreneurship training that is much needed in veterinary medicine. Mr. Severson was the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Northern California-based Abaxis, a cutting edge medical devices company that enables physicians and veterinarians to respond to the health needs of their clients at the point-of-care. The Veterinary Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management Center will focus on Entrepreneurship and Management, supporting LIU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students who are interested in veterinary concept/product development and clinic management. The Center will engage students across multiple disciplines including management and business, and offer students Veterinary Entrepreneurship and Management scholarships and fellowships. "Clint Severson and Conni Ahart's partnership with LIU's College of Veterinary Medicine exemplifies their deep commitment toward pioneering research and animal care," said Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, President of Long Island University. "We are grateful for their generous gift that will give LIU the resources to be at the forefront of veterinary education." The College has secured partnerships with more than 50 affiliates, including primary care and specialty clinics, zoos, research laboratories and shelters, where students will gain real world experience in surgery, diagnostic support, intensive care and other areas critical for successful veterinary practice. At full enrollment, the veterinary school will serve 400 students, with 100 in each graduating class. "Mr. Severson and Ms. Ahart's support of LIU's College of Veterinary Medicine will allow students the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial initiatives designed to move concepts from theory to practice, as well as create partnerships with industry and venture capitalists," stated Dr. Randy Burd, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo awarded LIU $12 million as part of New York State's investment in transformational local health care initiatives, helping to establish Long Island as a biotechnology research corridor. "Clint Severson and Conni Ahart's gift allows us the opportunity to expand on our commitment to prepare a globally competent, practice-ready, entrepreneurial veterinary workforce capable of addressing current and future needs of animal health," added Dr. Carmen Fuentealba, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Learning financial aspects connected to veterinary training is critical. LIU College of Veterinary Medicine students will correspondingly receive training in financial management and business practice in the curriculum, and through mentoring via the new center." For more information, please visit www.liu.edu/vetmed. About Long Island University (LIU) LIU, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU offers more than 320 academic programs, with a network of over 265,000 alumni including industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. LIU's renowned faculty, innovation in engaged learning, and strong career outcomes distinguish LIU as a leader among the nation's most respected universities. Visit liu.edu for more information. SOURCE Long Island University Related Links https://www.liu.edu Related Gunfire erupts at two bases of feared Sudan security agency The prime minister of Sudan's transitional government sought to reassure his jittery country on Tuesday after quelling a brief armed mutiny from within the state's security apparatus. Sudan's intelligence agency said rogue officers fired live rounds into the air to express "their objections'' to unfair severance pay and demand better financial compensation. The statement on Twitter said the dispute was related to the reorganization of the country's security apparatus amid an ongoing transitional period. The burst of unrest highlighted the fragility of Sudan's path to democracy. A sweeping protest movement ousted longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April, and led to the creation of a joint military-civilian government. It's pledged to hold elections in three years. In order to revive the country's battered economy, the transitional government is looking to slash military spending by making peace with various rebel groups and reorganizing its security forces. "The events that occurred today are under control,'' tweeted Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, a former World Bank economist. "We renew our confidence in the armed forces to contain the situation.'' Gunfire erupted in the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and the western city of Obeid, according to the country's information minister, Faisal Mohamed Salah. In a televised address, he called on "rebellious forces'' to hand over their weapons. There were no reports of casualties among security forces or civilians, Salah added. As Khartoum's international airport was shut down and videos on social media showed security units out in force across the city, Hamdok promised the government would honor the "goals of the revolution.'' The Sudanese Professionals Association, a protest group that spearheaded the uprising against al-Bashir, urged people to stay indoors until the disturbance was settled. The group said it rejected "any attempt to foment chaos, intimidate citizens and deploy weapons,'' and demanded immediate state intervention. Later Tuesday, the powerful deputy chief of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council held a hastily convened press conference to address the unrest. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo said he blamed the head of the intelligence service for failing to confiscate dismissed officers's weapons and deliver their severance pay on time. Search Keywords: Short link: China and Pakistan on Tuesday concluded a nine-day mega naval exercise during which they carried out advance-level joint drills and naval maneuvers in the North Arabian Sea. The sixth 'Sea Guardians' exercise took place in the midst of heightened tension between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. Key platforms of both China and Pakistan, including submarines, destroyers and frigates, were part of the exercise. Deputy Commander of Southern Theatre Command People's Liberation Army (Navy), Vice Admiral Dong Jun was chief guest at the closing ceremony at the Karachi Naval Dockyard. Commander of Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq was also present, Pakistan Navy said in a statement. During the exercise, Pakistan Navy and PLA (Navy) Flotilla comprising naval platforms and assets along with Marines Corps Detachments carried out advance level joint drills and naval maneuvers in North Arabian Sea. The harbour and sea activities of the exercise were also witnessed by senior officials from both the navies. Exercise Sea Guardians-2020 spanning over nine days was designed to share professional experiences on contemporary and non-traditional threats as well as to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability between the two navies. Addressing the ceremony, Vice Admiral expressed satisfaction over the "mutually benefiting and professionally rewarding conduct of the exercise". Deputy Commander of Southern Theatre Command PLA, Vice Admiral Dong hoped that the exercise will further enhance bilateral relationships and cooperation in general and navies in particular. India had deployed its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea at the time China and Pakistan were holding the nine-day mega naval exercise in the region, a move seen as New Delhi sending a clear signal to its two neighbours. China has been expanding its presence in the North Arabian Sea and is developing Pakistan's deep water Gwadar port in the region. Gwadar is being connected through the over USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to China's Xinjiang province, providing a key land route to China to access the warm waters of Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea provides entry to the Indian Ocean where China has built a logistics base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. In September, the Indian Navy drove out a Chinese PLA ship from India's Exclusive Economic Zone and had warned that such activities will be dealt with sternly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] VarioPrint i-series from Canon Completes 250 Customer Installations MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., joins its colleagues from Canon Europe in the announcement of more than 250 worldwide installations of the VarioPrint i-series. The sheetfed inkjet color production press offers a cutting-edge solution in the printing of large volumes of high-quality direct mail, transactional communications, marketing collateral, books, magazines, and manuals. Launched to the market in August 2015, the VarioPrint i-series, and its newer model the VarioPrint i-series+, help professional printers to increase the productivity of short-run operations while aiding in business growth through such offerings as application diversity, production efficiency, and cost effectiveness. The multifaceted press offers established B3 sheetfed inkjet solutions, serving to bridge the speed and capacity gap between high-end, toner-based cutsheet printers and entry-level continuous feed inkjet presses. Goodway Group of Massachusetts was the first commercial printer in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area to install a VarioPrint i300 inkjet press. With a philosophy built upon identifying industry trends and integrating the latest technology and solutions to address customers' evolving business needs, Goodway Group experienced the advantages of the press immediately. "It has brought great value to our business and our customers in a short time," said Mike Jenoski, president and CEO of Goodway Group. "The feedback from our customers on the quality of the prints has been overwhelmingly positive, and our capacity to print a high volume of impressions has increased dramatically. We've been able to shift work from our toner devices to the VarioPrint i300 and saved a significant amount on operating costs." Goodway Group isn't alone in reaping the benefits of the VarioPrint i300. Independently-owned Digital Express was founded on the vision of supplying a new look to short run commercial printing. The La Vista, Nebraska-based company, which was founded in 2005, provides business-to-business clients, graphic artists, and traditional offset printers a full-service catalog of digital production, including commercial and corporate printing, bindery, finishing, and mail services. "In the first few months that we utilized the VarioPrint i300, we saw more volume every week, and started operating the press around 16 hours a day," said Sean Graveline, CEO/President, Digital Express. "The VarioPrint i300 has also given us the ability to offer a better solution to those of our customers who want the look of offset but find the cost prohibitive. We have shifted much of our current offset business to the device, saving our customers money, as well as taken on net-new business in this area. Adding the VarioPrint i300 to our fleet was part of our growth plan to take us to the higher level of operation we've achieved today, and it is enabling us to better serve our customers and stay at the forefront of printing technology." Among the numerous benefits users have experienced with the VarioPrint i-series is an increase in productivity with the capability of printing more than 400,000 A4 images a day. Users have also witnessed exceptional uptime of more than 90 percent at twice the speed of similar devices. The implementation of iQuarius technologies helps print providers in handling new and more diverse applications, ensuring the reliability of the VarioPrint i-series for fast, uninterrupted production. Additionally, the VarioPrint i-series links with complex information systems and finishing solutions from third party providers to provide a more robust offering to customers. "The print market is constantly evolving, compelling print providers to keep pace in a never-ending race against technological advances," said Peter Kowalczuk, president of Canon Solutions America. "The VarioPrint i-series offers a tangible solution and an attractive alternative between higher-cost, less flexible inkjet web presses and lower-speed, toner-based cutsheet printers. We're pleased to celebrate, alongside Canon Europe, its global success with our customers." About Canon Solutions America, Inc. Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes discover ways to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, NY and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com. Editorial Contact: Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Stephanie Caro csa.canon.com 631-330-4432 For sales info/customer support: [email protected] 1-844-443-INFO (4636) Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. 2020 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varioprint-i-series-from-canon-completes-250-customer-installations-300986942.html SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Boorara Infill Drilling Delivers Excellent Results Perth, Jan 14, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) ("Horizon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce excellent reverse circulation ("RC") drilling results from the 100% owned Boorara gold project located 10km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1*).In the December Quarter 2019, the Company completed 18,000m of infill Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling on 4m x 10m (south) and 5m x 10m (north) drill spacing to a maximum depth of 54m at the Royal (southern stockwork), Crown Jewel (central) and Regal (northern stockwork) deposits (Figures and 2*).Project Summary and GeologyThe Boorara gold project is located on granted Mining Leases 1km southwest of the Nimbus site where established offices are connected to mains power and a production water supply from the Stoneville bore field.The deposit is hosted in a typical quartz dolerite comprising a sheeted quartz vein array system with bounding shear zones and late stage cross faults. Mineralisation occurs as:1. northwest dipping sheeted and stockwork quartz-carbonate vein arrays within the quartz dolerite host rocks2. Steeply dipping zones along sheared geological contacts trending to the north-northwestA significant amount of RC and diamond drilling has been completed at Boorara over the last 10 years with the project hosting a current Mineral Resource Estimate totalling 16.45Mt grading 0.96g/t Au for 507,000oz at a 0.5g/t Au cut-off grade.Gold mineralisation is associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite with alteration halos of iron carbonate, sericite and bleaching. The current resource covers a strike length of over 1.8km and widths of over 250m and remains open along strike to the south and north and at depth.A small scale trial pit to 20m depth was mined in the Royal area at Boorara in 2016, with ore up to 15m wide mined on 2.5m high flitches. A close spaced grade control program undertaken prior to mining yielded planned trial pit grades well above the global resource grade of 1g/t. Ore mined from the trial pit was processed at FMR Investments' Greenfields Mill in Coolgardie which reconciled at 30,239 tonnes at 1.73g/t of high grade ore, with an additional 13,095 tonnes at 0.68g/t of low grade still stockpiled at Boorara.Depth of weathering can vary from less than 10m in the northern area and over 60m in the southern area. The ore is free milling with gold recoveries > 90% with a high gravity recoverable component as demonstrated through extensive metallurgical test work and trial mining and ore processing.The aim of the current grade control program was to further test the grade uplift potential on a larger scale and enable a new geological model to be compiled for mine optimisation, design and economic analysis. In addition, the data will be used to update the global resource model as part of the Feasibility Study underway for the larger scale development to underpin a standalone processing facility at Boorara or collaboration with neighbouring companies.The results received from the Royal deposit (Figures 2 - 7*) have demonstrated this potential with excellent widths intercepted across the mineralised system at higher grades than expected and consistent with the previous infill drilling program and subsequent mine and mill reconciliation. The drilling intercepted both the NNW striking main zone and multiple flat lying vein sets which can significantly improve the grade and mineable ounces per vertical metre.Results from the Regal and Crown Jewel deposits are expected in coming weeks ahead of the compilation of an updated geological model for mine optimisation, design and economic assessment. The aim is to generate three starter pits across the project for mining and toll milling in 2020.Next StepsOn receipt of all assay data and validation in coming weeks, the results will be used to compile an independent geological model for Boorara Stage 1 comprising all three deposits. The model will be generated by BM Geological Services Pty Ltd, a local geological consultant who has significant experience in the region and with this style of mineralisation. On completion of the model, a mine optimisation and design will be undertaken across three starter pits to generate a mining inventory for mine scheduling and economic evaluation.Significant metallurgical test work has been completed and previous mining and milling data demonstrated expected gold recoveries of >91% with a high gravity recovery component.Discussions with mining, haulage and toll milling contractors are well advanced and all statutory approvals have been submitted to meet the Company's objective to be mining at Boorara in the June Quarter 2020 and toll milling in the September Quarter 2020.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. A male tiger noses the bloodied carcass of its latest kill in a Thai national park, extraordinary footage conservationists are hailing as a rare spot of good for the endangered big cats. The species has teetered on the brink of extinction across the Mekong region due to deforestation and demand for its striking pelts and body parts in traditional medicine. But a pocket of forest split between Thailand and Myanmar -- known as the Dawna Tenasserim -- has become a holdout for the big cat. Sightings of wild tigers are rare, but Thailand remains "one of the last strongholds" for them in Southeast Asia, WWF said Monday. Camera traps placed in Thailand's Mae Wong National Park in western Kamphaeng Phet province captured in late December a tiger circling a dead wild gaur, known to be the world's largest bovine. "Even for tigers, killing a gaur is not an easy task," WWF-Thailand's Rungnapa Phoonjampa said, explaining the existence of large forest prey is a good sign for the health and survival of the area's tigers. WWF has been tracking the tiger -- named "MKM8" -- since 2014. Over the course of two weeks, the tiger returned to the gaur to feed. The national park is a part of Thailand's tiger recovery plan, which includes trying to increase the population of large prey like gaur and sambar. The park sits within the 18 million-hectare Dawna Tenasserim, which WWF says houses about eight different cat species that range from vulnerable to critically endangered. Other rare species recorded there include the Asiatic golden cat and the leopard cat. WWF estimates about 180-220 tigers survive in Dawna Tenasserim, considered a sizable population with less than 4,000 remaining in the wild globally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Its North vs. South in the Adirondacks, with two neighboring counties squaring off over the future of a long-contested rail line. On Monday, Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Shaun Gillilland blasted his counterparts in neighboring Warren County over their recent move toward abandonment of the 40 mile line of unused railroad tracks between Hadley and North Creek. They did not have any desire to work with us, Gillilland said. This thing from Warren County came out of the blue. Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore, though, said they had been discussing their plans and had previously worked to try and get an operator for their stretch of tracks. "We spoke with potential freight haulers and passenger rail businesses going back to the summer of 2018, and we spent the majority of 2019 on an RFP to lease/sell the corridor to freight and/or passenger service providers," said Moore. And RFP is a request for proposal from companies that might want to use the tracks. Warren County moves to abandon railroad tracks Rail biking is latest chapter in the saga of Adirondack railways development Complete Times Union transportation coverage He also stressed that an application to federal regulators to abandon the line hasn't yet been made and that Warren County officials are open to ideas for using the track. "We are not going to rush into the abandonment application. Were going to look before we leap and make sure we have a full and complete understanding of the process before it is initiated," Moore said, Noting that they are paying for maintenance on the dormant stretch of track, Warren County Legislature members in December voted to seek permission from the federal Surface Transportation Board to begin the process of abandonment. That, in turn, renewed calls by some to eventually tear up the tracks and build a recreational rail-trail for hiking biking or snowmobiling along the corridor. Losing those tracks, however, would foreclose the possibility of using them to haul mine tailings from Tawahus, which is the site of a former iron and titanium ore near Newcomb in Essex County, just north of Warren County. The mining stopped in the 1980s. But an excavation company, Mitchell Stone Products, sells the mine tailings as aggregate and construction gravel, which is currently shipped by truck. They want to find a rail carrier to haul the material more efficiently. While the Hadley-to-North Creek stretch of the rail line is controlled by Warren County, Essexs objections could slow or complicate the process for abandonment. Thats because the STB considers proposals for using a line to haul freight before giving any final abandonment approval. Gillillands remarks mark the latest chapter in the years-long saga of efforts to alternately keep the rail lines open with freight and tourist excursions or turn them into a recreational trail. They also come as Essex County at the end of December filed its second objection to a 2018 abandonment request, by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The agency in September 2018 filed to close the nearly 30 mile stretch from North Creek to Tawahus through "adverse abandonment. Those tracks are controlled by the Iowa Pacific rail company, which had earlier used the Tawahus area to store unused empty oil tankers. The tanker storage angered both environmentalists and tourism operators who noted that the tracks were in the state-protected Adirondack Forest Preserve. They said the move was akin to placing a miles-long junkyard in the middle of a wilderness park. Yielding to public pressure, Iowa Pacific eventually removed the tanker cars and the company has since gone into receivership amid a series of financial woes and bankruptcy filings. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. But the states abandonment request has remained in place. Now Essex County wants that request to be put on hold until Iowa Pacifics financial problems are sorted out with federal authorities. The Essex County Board of Supervisors hereby requests that the STB place these proceedings in abeyance pending the outcome of bankruptcy proceedings, the countys request reads. Essex Rail Line by rkarlin on Scribd Essex County and the state also have differing views on whether keeping the tracks open for freight is a realistic option. There is no present or prospective need for freight service on the Line, contends part of the states 2018 abandonment request. It goes on to say the Line was constructed as private industrial track on State-owned, constitutionally-protected wildlands to serve a mining concern that no longer exists and in response to wartime exigencies now long past, (the titanium was used in warships during World War II). Essex County, though, says it is still working to bring in a freight hauler for Tahawus, as well as the Barton garnet mine to the south. They say that with decades worth of aggregate and stone at Tahawus using a train rather than trucks to haul the material would create less road traffic and is environmentally friendlier. The value we place on keeping the Sanford Lake Branch as an approved rail line makes both environmental and economic sense, Essex County said in 2018. Sanford Lake is the name of the North Creek-to-Tahawus stretch. While it hasnt seen freight for years, the line from Saratoga Springs to North Creek has been used for tourist excursions and to bring skiers to the nearby Gore Mountain ski area. That ended in 2018, however amid financial difficulties. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recruited and trained 3,456 National Youth Service Corps members and students of Bayero University, Kano, for the rerun elections. The INEC Resident Electoral commissioner in Kano, Riskuwa Arabu-Shehu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a stakeholders meeting with political party leaders, security agencies and media. Mr Arabu-Shehu, a professor of biochemistry, said the rerun elections would be conducted in sixty registration areas across nine local government areas of the state. According to him, the elections affected 414,923 registered voters in 864 polling units and voting units. He said the INEC national headquarters would deploy collation officers, while the staff of the state office of the commission, would serve as supervisory presiding officers. He, however, said as part of proactive measure, no NYSC member will be posted to Bebeji local government area to serve as ad-hoc staff. It could be recalled that in 2019, residents of Bebeji local government accused a corps member of allegedly beating a boy to death. Mr Arabu-Shehu said the commission has been (meeting) with all relevant security agencies to provide adequate security for the rerun elections in the affected local government areas. They have assured us of their readiness in ensuring a safe and conducive environment for the conduct of the rerun elections. The commission has therefore decided that, henceforth it will not allow violence mar the credibility of our elections, therefore elections will be suspended in the event of threat to the safety of voters, personnel and materials, Mr Arabu-Shehu said. The resident electoral commissioner revealed that the commission has commenced distribution of non-sensitive materials to the affected local government areas. In his remarks, the Kano State commissioner of police, Habu Sani, assured the readiness to promptly respond to any security challenge. He threatened to decisively deal with those found to create havoc or mar the electoral processes. Background The court of appeal, Kaduna, at various sittings, nullified the election of former house leader, Alhassan Doguwa (Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency) and former chairman, house committee on appropriation, Abdulmumin Kofa (Kiru/Bebeji) and ordered for reruns. Other areas affected include two polling units in Kumbotso federal constituency and 12 polling units in four other state constituencies of Bunkure, Madobi, Minjibir and Rogo local government areas. S tormzy is set to win over new fans on the other side of the Atlantic after he performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The British rapper, 26, treated viewers to a rendition of Crown from his second album Heavy is The Head in his first ever US TV appearance. Stormzy was also photographed hugging fans as he arrived at the NBC Studios in the iconic Rockefeller Plaza building. He was joined by a full choir and a live band for the special performance, which was met with cheers from the audience. Debut: Stormzy was praised for his first US TV performance Twitter users praised the star for his incredible rendition of the track. The star also attended a special event for the US launch of Heavy Is The Head in New York, where he was joined by rappers including Casanova and DJ Whoo Kid. Last week, the rapper landed the number one spot in both the UK single and album charts, with Own It, his collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy, and with Heavy Is The Head. Stormzy, real name Michael Omari Jr, said he was so grateful to his fans as he celebrated the landmark achievement, telling Official Charts: Anyone who listens to me, supports, buys my music, streams my music or comes to my shows, you lot have changed my life. Words arent enough, but thank you. The grime star hit the headlines earlier this month when he became embroiled in a feud with fellow rapper Wiley, who took aim at Stormzy for his collaborations with Sheeran. After Wiley called him out with diss track Eediyat Skengman (Stormzy Send), he hit back with Disappointed. The Taal volcano eruption has turned parts of the Philippines gray with ash, as ensuing earthquakes continue and the threat of a bigger explosion remains. What's happening: The threat level of an imminent hazardous eruption remained at 4 out of 5 Thursday, per the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, which urged people to "guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall." The Philippine Seismic Network has recorded over 500 quakes since the first eruption Sunday. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Satellite imagery of the erupting volcano, which shot gray ash plumes almost a half mile into the air on Thursday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology. Photo: Planet Labs Inc Locals wait to be rescued from on Luzon Island, where the Taal volcano is located, in Batangas province, south of Manila. Photo: George Calvelo/NurPhoto via Getty Images White steam from the Taal volcano is seen as wind blows with the mountain covered in mud and ash from the eruption, in Laurel, Batangas province. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images About 53,000 people have found shelter in public evacuation centers after four days of volcano activity, but some people refuse to leave. Photo: Alejandro Ernesto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Motorists cross a bridge partially blocked by trees fallen by volcanic ash from the volcano's eruption in Laurel, Batangas province. Photo: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images Residents evacuate from their home at the foot of the Taal volcano, as seen from Tanauan town in Batangas province, south of Manila. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images Residents who fled the volcano's eruption arrive at an evacuation center in Santo Tomas, Batangas province. Photo: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images The scene in Talisay town, Batangas province. The eruption has caused over $11 million in damage to crops, Reuters reports. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images A resident cleans mud and ash from his outrigger canoe near the volcano. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images Cows covered in volcanic ash are brought to safer ground in Balete, Batangas province. Photo: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images A fisherman wades with his nets in the waters of Taal Lake. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images A resident uses a shovel to clear mud and ash in Tanauan town, Batangas province. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images People who returned to their houses on the volcanic island to rescue their livestock and recover treasured possessions before fleeing. Photo: Joel Mataro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images A youth living at the foot of the Taal volcano rides an outrigger canoe. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images Evacuees from who live near the volcano after being transferred to Tanauan City's Gym 2. Photo: Joel Mataro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Go deeper: Taal volcano in Philippines erupting and triggering earthquakes Global trade is likely to recover somewhat this year following a tumultuous 2019, which was marked by an escalating trade war between the United States and China, according to William Fung Kwok-lun, chairman of global supply chain manager Li & Fung. Speaking on a trade finance panel at the Asian Financial Forum on Monday, Fung said he was optimistic about this year because "we couldn't have a more horrible year than last year" and there was increasing clarity about the relationship between the world's two largest economies following a phase one trade deal between the countries, which is expected to be signed this week. "In my 40-year career in global trade, I have not seen a moment in time other than when China entered the world in 1979, where there's more disruption to the existing trade flows," Fung said. "I would say we are in an environment of rewiring all of the supply chains." The US and China have been locked in a trade war for 18 months, with US President Donald Trump aggressively using tariffs to try to force Beijing to change decades of industrial and trade policies. China has responded with its own tariffs. The uncertainty about trade policies and rising protectionism around the globe has led companies to delay investment and shift some production out of China in hopes of avoiding a tariff hit. However, optimism was growing that some of that uncertainty will be removed as China and the US prepare to sign their deal this week. Fung said the rewiring of the global supply chain had shifted production out of China to Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa, creating a US$1 trillion opportunity for trade finance. Bill Winters, chief executive of Standard Chartered bank, said the shifting geopolitical landscape was forcing companies across a variety of sectors to contemplate hedges to deal with uncertainty in trade. Story continues The US-China trade tensions over the past year have raised the possibility "sector by sector that conventional or historic supply providers will not be available", Winters said. "That provides challenges to people in all parts of the supply chain." At the same time, Fung, the Li & Fung chairman, said there remained a gap in the availability of financing for trade. He said the gap stemmed from increased capital requirements for banks under Basel III rules, which were adopted following the global financial crisis to improve the banking sector's ability to weather times of financial stress. The rules have made trade financing more expensive for end users, and harder for banks to lend for trade, Fung said. "Trade finance, I feel, is less risky. It's shorter term. It's very different from normal lending," he added. "Global trade is good for the world and I think that should be addressed." Bill Winters, chief executive of Standard Chartered bank, at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong on Monday. Photo: Bloomberg alt=Bill Winters, chief executive of Standard Chartered bank, at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong on Monday. Photo: Bloomberg Winters, the Standard Chartered CEO, said banks were facing relentless pressures on margins when it comes to trade finance, but also capital requirements have made it much more expensive to hold trade finance assets, particularly those classified as high-risk. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. UPDATE: 6:36 AM TUESDAY Police say William Mesa, 86, has been found safe. Sgt. Sharon Ross said in a release, At approximately 6:20 a.m. on Tuesday, William Mesa was located by the Manchester Police Department. He was in his vehicle and appeared to be unharmed. The Westport Police Department would like to thank the community for their vigilance during this investigation. EARLIER STORY WESTPORT Police are looking for an 86-year-old man who went missing Monday morning. William Mesa, 86, stands approximately 510 and has a thin build, gray hair and brown eyes, Lt. Jillian Cabana said in a release. He was last seen at approximately 10:45 a.m. Monday, Cabana said. Mesa was last seen wearing a khaki colored jacket with brown or gray trousers and dress shoes. He carries a small portable oxygen tank, Cabana said. He is believed to be operating a gray/silver 2005 Toyota Camry bearing Connecticut registration 287TKT. Mesa may be disoriented, Cabana said. Anyone who has seen or spoken to Mesa since 10:45 a.m. is asked to contact the Westport Police Department at (203) 341-6000, Cabana said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com The United States has imposed sanctions on Moldovan businessman and former official Vladimir Plahotniuc because of "significant corruption," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2020) The United States has imposed sanctions on Moldovan businessman and former official Vladimir Plahotniuc because of "significant corruption," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday. "Today, I am designating former Moldovan official and oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc due to his involvement in significant corruption," Pompeo said. "In his official capacity, Plahotniuc was involved in corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova." Last June, Plahotniuc stepped down as chairman of the once ruling pro-European Union Democratic Party amid the political crisis in the country. Pompeo said the measure sends a strong signal that the United States does not tolerate corruption and stands with the people of Moldova in their fight against it. "The Department will continue to use these authorities to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally," Pompeo said. The designation makes Plahotniuc and his immediate family members ineligible to obtain visas to visit the United States. The State Department also designated Plahotniuc's wife, Oxana Childescu, and their minor son, Timofei. Probusinessbank seeks to recover $32.6 mln from ex-CEO of collector agency RIA Novosti, Maksim Blinov 14:45 14/01/2020 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) Russias Probusinessbank has turned to the Moscow Commercial Court seeking to recover over 2 billion rubles (about $32.5 million) from ex-CEO of Life collector agency Sergey Kalachev, sentenced earlier to 6.5 years in prison for embezzlement of banks funds, according to the court materials. Yet in October 2015, the Moscow Commercial Court declared Probusinessbank, the leading financial structure of the Life Group, bankrupt, thus satisfying a claim of Russias Central Bank. In February 2016, a court ruled to detain several Probusinessbank ex-top managers charged with embezzlement of about 2.5 billion rubles (circa $41 million) owned by the banks clients, among them former vice-president of business development of the bank Vyacheslav Kazantsev, Sergey Kalachev, Nikolay Alekseyev, Marina Krylova, and entrepreneur Oksana Kravchenko. In April 2017, a court sentenced ex-head of corporate finances department of Probusinessbank Nikolay Alekseyev to 4 years in prison in relation to the case. His case was reviewed separately because he had admitted his guilt. According to investigators, the defendants conspired to embezzle funds belonging to Probusinessbank. Accomplices are believed to be unidentified managers and employees of the bank. They allegedly used their office positions to enroll their subordinates, employees of the financial group Life, and heads of sham companies. As a result, Russias Investigative Committee said, fly-by-night companies had been given clearly unrecoverable loans, which were later converted in U.S. dollars and transferred abroad. Although such loans were formally proper, the Committee noted, the documents contained false data. In 2019, Kazantsev was sentenced to 7 years in a penal colony and fined 800,000 rubles ($13,000); Kalachev was sent behind bars for 6.5 years; ex-head of a bank department Kyrill Artemov was sentenced to 5 years in a penal colony. Russias Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) informed in March 2017 that inspection of Probusinessbank assets revealed a 68.5 billion rubles (about $1 billion) shortfall, which DIA sought to recover from the banks ex-managers. According to the DIA, the banks bankruptcy examination revealed that Probusinessbank top managers funneled fluid assets out of the organization by lending companies, which did not carry on business consistent with credit levels and did not have their own property and corresponding incomes. Moreover, the bank management did not take measures to prevent the financial organizations bankruptcy. Ahead of the 2020 Academy Awards, Vulture is revisiting the endings of this year's Best Picture nominees. The director explains his coda: I thought it was being real and honest with the audience. Photo: Neon This article was originally published in 2019. We are republishing the piece ahead of the 2020 Academy Awards, during which Parasite will compete in the Best Picture field, among other categories. Bong Joon-ho movies tend to end where they begin: The detective in Memories of Murder returns to the ditch where he discovers one of the serial killers first victims; the titular mother in Mother dances, her arms swaying like wheatgrass; the little girl Mija returns to the countryside after saving her pet from a slaughterhouse in Okja. The world appears unchanged, but they are no longer the same. Instead, theres a disquieting dread. Despite the unspeakable horrors each character has witnessed, the world still spins, impassive and unmoved by the preceding events. As with many of his films, Bong Joon-ho has his eye on the superstructure that binds society together and continues to grind down the bones of its protagonists long after the final frame. Parasite, Bongs latest, gut-twisting, Cannes Awardwinning film, is no different. Just as he called Snowpiercer his film about class revolution set in a dystopia his hallway movie, he has called Parasite his stairway movie. It is an upstairs-downstairs film that explores every available rung on the ladder of class aspirationalism. The movie starts in the half-basement apartment of the Kim family, with windows that barely peer above the ground. Half-basements are distinctively Korean spaces in urban centers like Seoul, and while the Kim house is firmly below ground, it still wants to believe its above the ground. Their home is an architectural purgatory that just meets the threshold of acceptable living and a fitting reflection of their psychological states: mean, but still hopeful. In the opening scene, the family son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-sik) hunts for a Wi-Fi signal to leech off while the rest of his family folds pizza boxes for cash. They let the smoke from the public fumigation into their apartment for some free disinfectant. Theyre scrabbling to survive, but catch a lucky break when Ki-woo scores a job tutoring the daughter of the wealthy Park family, Da-hae. The fun of the beginning of the film comes from watching Ki-woo and the rest of the family infiltrate the Park house as individual workers pretending to only know each other through vague networks: Ki-jung (Park So-dam) becomes an art therapist to the young boy Da-song, Chung-sook the mother (Jang Hye-jin) as the Parks housekeeper, and Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) the father as their driver. In the age of extreme wealth disparity, the Kims striving and scheming is thoroughly relatable: After all, who wouldnt suck on the teat of the rich if given the chance? Then, as with so many of Bongs films, theres a moment about a third of the way through when the bottom drops out and Parasite morphs into something else. A story about two homes the upstairs family and the downstairs reveals yet another lurking underneath. The original housekeeper Mun-kwang (Lee Jeong-eun) returns and confesses that her husband, Kun-sae, has been stowed away in a secret bunker underneath the Park house for four years. The Kims are shocked by the state of his living conditions. When Mun-kwang begs the Kim mother to allow her husband to continue hiding there, she calls Chung-sook older sister and says that they are both neighbors in need. Chung-sook huffily refuses both labels. How could the Kims even compare to this lowlife who has been subsisting off the runoff of a wealthy family? Its quite cruel and sad, but I thought it was being real and honest with the audience. Instead, the two families fight for their place at the trough. Temporarily the Kims win out, trapping Mun-kwang and her husband, Kun-sae, in the bunker. That is, until the Kims are asked to sacrifice a weekend off to throw a birthday party for the Parks baby boy. In the final act, Bong carefully constructs the Parks carefree spontaneity onto the backs of the Kims. During the festivities, Kun-sae, the mad, entrapped husband, emerges from the bunker and stabs Ki-jung, creating total pandemonium. The Park child faints, and his parents demand the father, Ki-taek, drive them to the hospital, even as his own daughter is bleeding to death. That moment clarifies what they should have known all along: that their lives are still constrained by servitude, and that they work merely at the whims of their employer. So Ki-taek stabs the wealthy Park patriarch and runs away. The coda of the film was the second epiphany Bong had while working on the script. (The first was the very idea of a third family hidden underneath the house.) He was waiting at a crosswalk in Vancouver when he suddenly realized how to end the movie after a sensational, bloody climax: The father would become the new resident in the bunker, hiding from the police in the last place theyd look to find him. The Parks would move out, only to be replaced by a German family. The particularities may have changed, but everyones station has remained the same. There would always be another wealthy person to live upstairs, just as there would be another poor person positioned beneath them. The film ends with Ki-woo narrating the aftermath: He awakens in the hospital from head injuries only to have his Miranda rights read to him. Hes charged and on probation with his mother; his sister, Ki-jung, has died; their father long disappeared and his whereabouts unknown. On a hunch, Ki-woo hikes a mountainside that overlooks the Park house where he notices a flicker of light that registers as Morse code. His father, using a method Kun-sae perfected, is tapping out a message to him. The film ends with Ki-woo writing a reply. As he speaks in a voice-over, we see his fantasy take shape: He has a plan. Hes going to go to college, and get a job, and make a lot of money. Hes going to make so much money that one day hell be able to buy the house himself, and all his father will have to do is go up the stairs and walk out into the sun. Parasites penultimate shot is swathed in fantasy: father and son hugging on the bright, green lawn of the Park house that is now rightfully theirs. Bong could have ended the film on that note of dreamlike ambiguity, but instead he returns to the half-basement where the movie started, descending from the cramped window space down to Ki-woo writing the letter to his father. There is no mistaking what the reality is. His desire to continue striving is Sisyphean and is the boulder that will eventually crush him. Hope is the emotional parasite in the film: the thing that keeps us going but sucks our marrow dry. Its a surefire kill, Bong tells me about the final shot. During our few days together in Los Angeles, we discussed the many filmmaking choices he made for Parasite, including the ending. Hes using a Korean phrase () that essentially describes the final gunshot you take to make sure someone is good and dead. Imagine an action flick where a trained soldier shoots down an enemy and then walks up to their body and shoots them once more in the head. Thats the surefire kill. The ultimate insurance. And thats what he wanted the ending to do. Im not making a documentary or propaganda here. Its not about telling you how to change the world. Maybe if the movie ended where they hug and fades out, the audience can imagine, Oh, its impossible to buy that house, but the camera goes down to that half-basement, he says. Its quite cruel and sad, but I thought it was being real and honest with the audience. You know and I know we all know that this kid isnt going to be able to buy that house. I just felt that frankness was right for the film, even though its sad. Bong Joon-hos worldview comes through most clearly in his endings: clear, bleak, and unrelenting. While his films arent necessarily autobiographical, they are personal in the sense that what he wants the audience to feel is the same dread, terror, and anxiety that he feels about the world: the impending climate catastrophe, human-rights abuses, and the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. The detail in Snowpiercer of the small children being used as labor to keep the engine running, for instance, was inspired by news of child-labor practices. Parasite, too, took some inspiration from the Papin sisters, two live-in maids who killed their employers in 1930s France. The horrors in his films often mirror what he sees in the world. There are people who are fighting hard to change society. I like those people, and Im always rooting for them, but making the audience feel something naked and raw is one of the greatest powers of cinema, he says. Im not making a documentary or propaganda here. Its not about telling you how to change the world or how you should act because something is bad, but rather showing you the terrible, explosive weight of reality. Thats what I believe is the beauty of cinema. 17.11 - "In the Wind Written by Scott Williams Directed by Rocky Carroll Reviewed by KathM And so we come to the final episode of Ziva! Did anyone else bake cookies? Gibbs is a wreck about Phin. Not having killed Sahar, necessarily, but about how Phin will handle it and what will eventually happen to him. When Phin asked if he could live with Gibbs my heart ached a little, particularly when Gibbs says, Well see. Phin has experienced Well see enough to know that its parent-speak for No, and he is even more unhappy. I am totally there with him. While Gibbs is sprawled on the couch trying to emotionally regroup and Phin is upstairs in the guest room, both Ziva and Sloane call Gibbs to see whether he needs company or not. He tells Ziva to stay away but lets Sloane come over. Shes just outside, so traffic isnt a problem. They talk a bit and then go up to see Phin. Note: I dont have a lot of use for Sloane overall, but she is a therapist and Im thinking Phin needs one right about now. Problem is, Phins not there! After looking around GIbbs house they run across the street to Sahars, where they find Phins bedroom trashed and a note telling nobody to look for him. From that moment until the end of the episode, Gibbs seems to be running on fear and rage. He has no patience with people who try to comfort him and little patience for stupid questions like what Phin was last seen wearing. He is able to talk to one of Phins friends to find out that Phin had offered to buy his bike for $14. His friend loaned him the bike, though, and now the crew knows that hes on a bike instead of being a kid walking along the street. But things still arent moving fast enough. In the bullpen Gibbs kicks a trash can and I thought for sure it would end in broken computer screens and a possible printer fire, but he manages to keep control as he goes down to the morgue to be angry down there for awhile. Hes just about to head out again when Torres throws caution to the wind and tells Gibbs that hes going with him to help find Phin or Gibbs can just fire him then and there. Gibbs and Torres have an epic shouting match that I think will end in a big ugly fight in the morgue. Fortunately, Jimmy is a medical professional and should be able to handle some basic first aid. But Gibbs is thinking clearly enough that he knows Torres would be an asset and why: Torres once helped break up a child trafficking ring, so he has a soft spot for lost children. Enough said? Torres and Gibbs balance each other well; one goes a little batshit and the other calms him down. Then the other can go batshit while the other one calms him down. Rinse and repeat. Ziva pops up now and then to help out, and since shes just as mission-oriented as Tprres and Papa Bear Gibbs it could get scary if anyone gets in their way. While Gibbs, Torres and Ziva are shouting at everyone they can find who either came across Phin or may know where he might be (Ziva doesnt yell, she just uses that spooky, low tone she has), Sloane slips upstairs to see what Leon can find out about Phins past. And what a past he finds. It looks like young Fahim, aka Phineaus (Sarah/Sahar has no idea how to name children), was born in the prison after Sahars brief relationship, or something, with one of the prison guards two years into her sentence. Fahim was placed in an orphanage in Aleppo after he was born, then transferred to the US and ended up in foster care in Philadelphia. Im honestly surprised that Phin is her child; I thought for sure she might have just chosen an orphan at random and lied. Then again, Im still not entirely sure why she wanted him in the first place. When Sahar manages to escape she kills Fahims father on the way out just like a praying mantis, which makes perfect sense to me based on what we know about her. But while her sperm donor was a mere prison guard his brother, Hassan Sayegh, is a Lybian gangster with cash to burn. Anyone who brings him his nephew will receive a $1 million. Now, who do we know whos slimy enough to kidnap a recently-orphaned child and try to force him to get on a plane so he can live out his life as a virtual prisoner to a complete stranger in Libya? Its Victor, the creepy club owner. I knew he was featured too much in the last episode to not be involved in this one! While Gibbs, Torres, Ziva and Bishop (who magically appeared out of nowhere) rush to the airport Victor is in line with Fahim, forcing him to be quiet and trying to cover up anything the boy may do to make TSA to question their fake father/son bond. Hes got to play it carefully; he only has to get Phin/Farhim from DC to Toronto to Cairo without any problems and then hell get paid. Piece of cake, right? Um, no. Because Victor isnt all that bright, and he underestimated the one person who was a real danger to his plan. Not Gibbs, or Torres, or Ziva. He underestimated Phin. Because Phin is an awesome little spy-in-training, a rock star at manipulation who thinks fast on his feet. He knows where he wants to go and does what he needs to get there. First, he borrows a friends bike to disguise himself, then he cons a woman at the bus station to buy him a ticket to Philly. THEN, after hes taken from the bus station, hes got what he may need to set himself free. See, Phin is a smart kid, and he knows a thing or two about the world. So when he sets off the alarm while walking through security and TSA finds a knife in his boot, Phin/Fahim looks innocently up at Victor and tells the TSA folks that his dad gave it for him carry. This gives Gibbs, Ziva, Torres and Bishop time to get to the gate, and for Phin to reunite with Gibbs while Victor is being watched by some TSA folks. Bishop and Torres take control of the prisoner and Ellie gives Victor a nice right cross. But why was Phineaus carrying a knife with him, Gibbs asks. Because its Rule 9, Phin reminds him. And I just lose it. Earlier in the episode Phin/Fahim was talking about his aunt and uncle; Sloane finds out that theyre the foster family that he lived with in Philadelphia. His mother said they didnt want him, but since shes dead and he doesnt think he can live with Gibbs he thought hes head over to Philly to see them anyway. But theres no need: Sloane has magically brought them from PA to just outside of Interrogation Lite. There are tears and hugs and Fahim/Phin theyre all overjoyed. You can already see how this will end. But what about Ziva? Zivas whole purpose in this episode seems to be a really long goodbye as she hangs around the Navy Yard to see if Tony texts her back to say he likes her. Sorry! That he loves her and can come home. Because Im sure hes never said that before. She sent him a text telling him that he and Talli were safe, but he didnt tell her to come home. Whatever, Ziva, just go already. She is wasting screen time; we know how this will end, so lets end it, shall we? And finally the text does come, and Ziva gathers everyone to say goodbye. Gibbs reminds her that they are always there for her, just as they would have been had she or Tony told him years ago that she was alive. She hugs Jimmy and calls him the Navy Yard secret keeper, throws a little French talkin at Kasie (who reciprocates), tells Torres to tell Bishop how he feels and reminds Bishop that Odette is ready and waiting for her whenever she's ready. Oh, no. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. There is no ODETTE, okay, Ziva? Do not go filling Ellies head with that nonsense. And Bishop, step away from the whole mess that is the ex-CIA employee. You are smarter than that, better than that. You have nothing to prove. And then Ziva slips into the elevator and is gone, hopefully for the foreseeable future. So, thoughts? Why wasnt there a goodbye scene between and Phin/Fahim? Because I hope that Gibbs will have the boy in his life, either visiting him in Philadelphia or spending time with Gibbs. And Id like some of the time in DC to be on camera. I have no idea who/when/if hell be adopted, but it will be interesting to see how that shakes out. Will we get to see Gibbs process any of the loss he no doubt feels for Phin? Maybe. Hes got Sloane and Dr. Grace, after all. Will we see Uncle Hassan at some point? I think so, if not this season maybe next. Will Ellie take lessons from Odette? I think she will, but I dont understand why. Will Ziva be able to stay in the slow lane for the rest of her life? I know shes got some serious anxiety issues, but I wouldnt be surprised if she managed to get herself involved in something again. But we dont need to see that. Best if she stays gone.She is questioning herself, but thats a good thing She could have had everything she wanted so much sooner when Tony found her and shed let him calls Gibbs. But Tony is happy to have her back, we guess, for however long it lasts. Only when the US reckons with a legacy of slavery and genocide of the lands Indigenous can it begin to act honourably. For my people, the Oceti Sakowin (Great Sioux Nation), honour is a key component of who we are. It is so important to us that it is one of our core values. One would think that this is an ideal we share with the settler government of the United States based on how they speak of it. Throughout its comparatively short history as a nation, American leaders have extolled honour often; honour to duty, honour to country, honour to God. Yet time and again, the US has shown that its claim to honour, more often than not, is not supported by actions. A common refrain in Indian country is Honour the Treaties. We say it because the US government has breached every treaty they have forged with sovereign Native nations, despite its own constitution proclaiming that Treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land. Instead of honouring its agreements on a nation-to-nation basis, the US used them as a ruse to steal our lands and in furtherance of the genocide colonial invaders committed against North Americas original inhabitants. The Lakota of the Great Sioux Nation know this well. In the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, the US promised us the Black Hills of South Dakota in exchange for peace, after we defeated them during Red Clouds War. Khe Sapa, the Black Hills, are not just our ancestral homelands. They are full of sacred sites and landmarks that are thousands of years old. The birthplace of the Lakota, Wind Cave, is in the Black Hills. Our ancestors have held ceremonies there for millennia, and we continue to do so to this day. As our elders say, it is the heart of everything. The US soon proved to us that its word was mud. In 1874, an expedition led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer (yes, him) trespassed into the Black Hills. They found gold. When the Lakota refused to sell the Black Hills, the US and its agents breached the Fort Laramie Treaty to steal the land, gold, and its additional mineral riches like silver and uranium. By the end of 1965, 31,207,892 oz (884,729 kg) of gold had been taken from the Black Hills. In todays market, that translates to about $50bn worth. Meanwhile, Lakota reservations are among the poorest in the US. Fifty-four percent of Lakota who live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation live below the poverty line. On the nearby Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, about 44 percent of residents are living in poverty. Imposed poverty has caused untold suffering among the Lakota people. In US vs Sioux Nation of Indians, the US Supreme Court held that the Black Hills were wrongfully taken from the Oceti Sakowin. But they are still drilling for gold. In the Supreme Court ruling, they ordered that just compensation should be paid to the Oceti Sakowin. We do not accept those terms because our sacred Black Hills are not for sale. Instead, the US should honour the Fort Laramie treaty by returning the Black Hills to the Lakota, along with paying out a settlement for the minerals settler corporations have extracted without our consent. In pursuit of gold, uranium, and other Black Hills minerals, these corporations have caused long-term environmental damage. Treaties aside, the US also revealed their true character to the Oceti Sakowin when they awarded medals of honour to soldiers who slaughtered more than 300 Lakota at Wounded Knee. I think most people would agree that chasing down unarmed women and children in the dead of winter to murder them, then posing with their naked, frozen corpses beside their mass grave, is hardly honourable. Do not tell us that such disreputable actions were left in a history long past, either not when the US awarded a medal to a navy captain responsible for killing nearly 300 Iranian civilians aboard a passenger jet in 1988, or when the US Empire refuses to stop occupying Iraq when the countrys parliament explicitly asked them to leave. Speaking of which, is it honourable for the president of the US to commit an act of war by having a senior military leader of another sovereign country assassinated, unprovoked? Does an honourable man threaten to commit war crimes by destroying cultural sites that are a part of our collective human history? Perhaps a man with a record of lying as a matter of practice and who shirked military service to his country as a means of hiding from battle does not understand what honour means. Honour has value beyond morality. Those with no honour, command no respect. When one lacks honour and integrity, it shows weakness and an inability to produce results. When we act honourably in a consistent fashion, our word is law. It grants one inherent authority and every act of honour affirms it. There are honourable men and women in the US, but when we do not hold our elected leaders accountable for their shameful actions in our name, it only contributes to the countrys colonial legacy of dishonour that began with the breaking of treaties, the enslavement of black people and the genocide of the lands Indigenous. I still hold out hope that the US can do better. Be honest with itself and its history. Fulfil its obligations. Attain true equality for all. Honour the treaties. Act in accordance with its own constitution and laws, as well as international law. For the people. We, the people. Wowauoniha. Honour. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The Kerala government has moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which grants Indian citizenship to minorities from three countries - Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. In the petition, the Kerala government stated that the act violates "Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India" and is violative of the basic structure principle of secularism as well. First state to move SC against CAA With this, the Kerala government becomes the first state government to move the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Act, to which several states have raised objections. Kerala was also the first state assembly to move a resolution against CAA. Article 14 promises Right to Equality to all while Article 21 says "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law" and Article 25 says "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience". Kerala govt's argument The Kerala government's petition argues that CAA is discriminatory because it covers only a class of minorities from a class of countries sharing borders with India and to which and from there have been trans-border migration. It further says that CAA covers certain religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and overlooks other reportedly persecuted religious minorities and sects such as Ahmaddiyas, Shias and Hazaras. READ | Mamata deplores BJP WB president's 'shot like dogs' comment about anti-CAA agitators Earlier this month, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote letters to his counterparts in 11 states asking them to consider passing a similar resolution like that of his state. Vijayan had written to the Chief Ministers, "People from various cross-sections of the society irrespective of any difference they might have, need to stand united in preserving the basic tenets of our polity which form the cornerstone of Indian democracy." READ | Satya Nadella expresses dismay over CAA; sparks off heated debate on social media At least 60 petitions filed by individuals and political parties challenging the validity of CAA are pending before the top court and are likely to be heard on January 22. There were protests in Kerala last month against the CAA, with several hundred people coming out in Kochi and Kozhikode, demanding the scrapping of the new law. The protesters said the act is divisive and discriminatory in nature and was aimed at polarising the society. READ | Oppn resolution against CAA must have gladdened Pak's heart: BJP READ | 'My hope is for an India where...': Nadella issues statement on CAA amid controversy January 12, Ukrainian Police detained a group of killers suspected of killing Donbas veteran Amina Okueva. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov reported it on his Facebook. According to him, the detainees DNA coincided with the DNA on the weapons thrown at the site of the murder of Okueva. At the same time, the prosecutor's office noted that the detainees have conducted another two contract murders, committed in September 2016 and in January 2019. We will talk about the details of the detention. Murder: brief facts The murder of Okueva occurred on the evening of October 30, 2017. A car of Okueva and her husband Adam Osmaev was shelled near the village of Hlevakha, near Kyiv. Okueva received five bullet wounds, including headshots, and Osmayev was wounded in the leg. The criminals threw weapons on the spot. Who is Amina Okueva? Amina Okueva was born on June 5, 1983, in Odesa. At birth, she was given the name Anastasia. According to Okueva, her father was a Chechen, but he died a long time ago and she did not know him. At the age of 17, Okueva married a Chechen and converted to Islam, participated in the Second Chechen War on the side of Ichkeria. Open source In 2003, she returned to Ukraine and entered the Odesa National Medical University. After graduation, she worked as an intern in a city clinical hospital. Participated in Euromaidan, and later in Donbas war, including in the fighting in Debaltseve. Who is Adam Osmaev? Okuevas husband is also a Donbas veteran. After the death of Isa Munaev replaced him as commander of the battalion named after Dzhokhar Dudaev. Adam Osmaev, Amina Okueva islam.in.ua In 2012, he was detained in Odesa on suspicion of organizing an assassination attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Details of the detention of murder suspects In addition to reports of the detention of a group of suspects, the Interior Minister also posted a video. The video shows the process of detaining one of the suspects. In addition, on the same day, January 12, head of the National Police Ihor Klymenko announced that the detainee, whom minister Avakov spoke about, is the alleged organizer of the murder of Okueva. He also confirmed that other members of a group of seven were currently detained. "The group consisted of seven people, some of whom were suspected of two murders in September 2019. Today, investigators detained the organizer of the assassination of Amina Okueva and attempted murder of her husband Adam. The detained man is also a member of this criminal group," Klymenko noted. The police are checking the involvement of the group in other crimes. What do we know about the detainee? The police have not yet revealed the identity of the detainee. However, the media have already put forward their versions. According to the Strana.ua outlet, the detainee is a citizen of Ukraine born in 1964, Ihor Redkin. He is now going along with accomplices in another criminal proceeding, and during the investigation, it turned out that his DNA coincided with the DNA left on the weapon from which Okueva was killed. Redkin and members of his group, according to the publication, are suspected of two murders. We are talking about the murder in 2016 of the head of Caparol Ukraine Pavlo Zmozhny and the murder of the head of the advertising and rental department of the Kyiv metro Pavlo Milenky. What's next? January 13, law enforcement officers held a briefing. "Yesterday we had a suspect, organizer, an accomplice in the commission of this murder. He is reasonably suspected, now he is being suspected of having committed this crime," Andriy Nebytov, head of the National Police in the Kyiv region, said. At the same time, at a briefing, it was reported that the suspect does not admit his guilt. Nebytov also stated that the investigation believes that Okuevas murder could have been ordered. The bilateral trade between India and China declined by about USD three billion last year while India's trade deficit continues to be high amounting to $56.77 billion as both countries experienced economic slowdown. The trade figures released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on Tuesday projected the total trade in Chinese currency RMB-Yuan terms registered a marginal increase of 1.6 per cent year on year but in dollar terms it was down by about $3 billion. GACC Vice Minister Zou Zhiwu, who released the annual trade figures to the media, said China-India bilateral trade totalled to 639.52 billion yuan (about $92.68) which is 1.6 per cent increase year on year. China's exports to India increased by 2.1 per cent last year totalling to 515.63 billion yuan while India's imports to China decreased by 0.2 per cent totalling to 123.89 billion yuan, he said. The trade deficit for India in 2019 was $391.74 billion yuan, he said. However, in dollar terms the trade has declined. The bilateral trade in 2018 totalled to $95.7 billion raising hopes of India-China trade touching the landmark $100 billion in 2019. But the total trade amounted to $92.68 billion last year about $3 billion less than 2018. The Chinese exports in dollar terms to India last year amounted to $74.72 billion compared to $76.87 in 2018. India's exports to China amounted to $17.95 billion against $18.83 billion last year. In the face of slacking trade, the trade deficit also declined from $58.04 in 2018 to $56.77 billion. The declining trade was largely attributed to the slowdown of the economies of the two countries. According to the figures posted on the website of the Indian Embassy here, from January to November 2019 the total trade between the two neighbours in the 11 months last year was declined by 3.72 per cent amounting to $84.32 and the trade deficit for the 11 months stood at $51.68. Trade deficit has become a major irritant in India-China bilateral relations figuring high in the bilateral discourse. India has been demanding China to open up its IT and pharmaceutical sectors to enable it to increase its exports. While China continue to promise to address the concerns, the two countries discussed initiatives in this regard at various levels last year. The issue figured in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their 2nd informal summit at Mamallapuram in October last year where the two leaders have agreed to set up new mechanism led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua to discuss trade, investment and services. The meeting under the new mechanism was expected to held this year. Highlighting India's concerns over the trade deficit, a note posted on the Indian Embassy here said while flourishing trade has brought with it all the advantages, it has also led to the biggest single trade deficit we are running with any country. Our trade deficit concerns are two-pronged. One is the actual size of the deficit. Two is the fact that the imbalance has continuously been widening year after year to reach $58.04 billion in 2018," it said. The note also said growth in bilateral investment has not kept pace with the expansion in trading volumes between the two countries. "While both countries have emerged as top investment destinations for the rest of the world, mutual investment flows are yet to catch up. According to the Ministry of Commerce of China, Chinese investments in India between January-September 2019 were to the tune of $0.19 billion and cumulative Chinese investment in India till the end of September 2019 amounted to $5.08 billion. Cumulative Indian investment in China until September 2019 is $0.92 billion, it said. However, these figures do not capture investment routed through third countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. especially in sectors such as start-ups etc. which has seen significant growth in Chinese investment," it said. 3 weeks before Iowa caucus, candidates' closing arguments come into focus originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Sen. Amy Klobuchar's campaign manager said aptly that the start of the closing stretch begins on the debate stage Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate, the first in the new year and the last before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3, will be a chance for the top-tier Democratic presidential primary candidates to both reset their campaigns and present their closing salvos. Over the weekend, voters across the state saw a preview of where the campaigns are headed over these last few weeks. MORE: Despite Castro's endorsement of Warren, some of his supporters have splintered Former Vice President Joe Biden doubled down on his White House experience. According to his campaign, his new campaign ad launched last Friday was designed to again make the argument that Biden is the best candidate to be commander in chief on day one, because of his unmatched foreign policy credentials. The campaign has retooled previous ads to include the recent events unfolding between the United States and Iran. His team argued the missile strikes launched by Iran against U.S. forces in Iraq demonstrated the need for someone tested like Biden. "People coming home to Joe, as we get closer and it gets more serious and the world gets more dangerous, this is the candidate that at least my friends are gravitating toward," Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller told reporters and volunteers Monday at a campaign stop after endorsing Biden. Miller added that he planned to work as a surrogate for Biden in the state in the run up to caucus day. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders stand onstage before the start of the debate at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, on Dec. 19, 2019. (Mike Blake/Reuters, File) Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign over the weekend balked at the idea that foreign policy is one of Biden's strengths. "He has experience making all the wrong choices, when he was in position to make those choices," one Sanders' staffer told ABC News off the cuff at an event in Iowa. Story continues "Unlike 23 of his Senate colleagues who got it right, Biden made explicitly clear that he was voting for war [in Iraq in 2003], and even after the war started, he boasted that he didn't regret it. Bernie Sanders saw the same information and had the judgment to vote against the Iraq War. That's the kind of commander in chief we need," Sanders campaign wrote in a formal statement, previewing a line of attack the senator will likely continue on the debate stage against the former vice president. MORE: Warren says Sanders told her a woman couldn't defeat Trump In the closing weeks before Iowa, Sanders has been driving home his "Medicare for All" health care proposal. At most events these days, he has taken time to open up the floor and ask people in his audience to tell the room exactly how much they currently pay in premiums, deductibles and copays. He has then explained, bit by bit, the math and taxes in his proposal. Sanders has taken considerable heat from his primary opponents about his proposal, which would fundamentally reshape health insurance in America and dramatically expand the size of the federal government. By walking through the costs people are currently paying for health care, Sanders has attempted to make the argument -- room by room -- that while his plan would be expensive for tax payers, the current system is expensive for Americans, too. "It's playing offense by playing defense," Bill Neidhardt, Sanders' deputy state director for Iowa, told ABC News. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks with a potential caucus-goer during a stop at a campaign field office, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Patrick Semansky/AP) Transitioning in the new year, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has put a new emphasis on party unity in her stump speeches, as has her surrogates. "We cannot nominate someone who takes big chunks of the Democratic coalition for granted," Warren told reporters Sunday. "We need someone who will bring our party together. We need someone who will excite every part of the Democratic Party, someone who will -- who will be there. Someone that every Democrat can believe in." MORE: Sen. Cory Booker suspends presidential campaign Her Iowa campaign team confirmed that a unity message is part of the strategy in the final weeks. "She can bring this party together. She can unify Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in November of 2020, so that we have a new president with a stronger America, a better America -- America where all of us can succeed. That depends on you," former Housing Secretary Julian Castro said, introducing Warren on Sunday after recently endorsing her upon dropping out of the race. The unity message comes with the gloves now off between Warren and Sanders -- the two top progressive contenders who've held an armistice throughout the primary thus far. No longer. The two have been forced to contend with brewing friction, underscoring how party unity may still be far on the horizon. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks during a town hall, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Perry, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP) According to Warren's campaign, the senator also plans to hammer home the idea that all of her policy proposals have one core theme: fighting corruption. There has been considerable buzz on the ground in Iowa that Klobuchar, the Minnesota senator, may be a dark horse in the caucus. At her events over the weekend, she reiterated her Midwest roots. "At the end of the day, people of Iowa are going to want to see someone who reminds them of someone who could represent the state of Iowa, which is the senator from next door: Amy," Justin Buoen, Klobuchar's campaign manager told ABC News Sunday. ABC News' Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report. Ali Mamlouk, special security adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, reportedly met with Turkey's intelligence chief Hakan Fidan in Moscow Jan. 13. According to Syrian state-run media, at the trilateral meeting mediated by Russia, the Syrians demanded Turkey respect Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity in full and immediately withdraw its forces. The Syrians also allegedly demanded Ankara honor the Sochi agreement signed in September 2018, which would entail the freeing of Idlib from terrorists and heavy arms as well as "unblocking the highways Aleppo-Latakia (M4) and Aleppo-Hama (M5)." The high-level Turkish delegation, which included Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, arrived in Moscow for discussions on the two key international crises that engaged both Russia and Turkey Libya and Syria. The fact that critical intra-Libyan talks took place in the Russian capital on the same day diverted, perhaps not coincidentally, most of the attention from the Syrian angle. Yet the top Turkish officials made the unlikely decision to meet with Syrian colleagues in Moscow, only to have the latter lecture them about their key divergences. The official Syrian media failed to mention that the parties engaged on other, more significant issues, one of which was likely an elaboration of the new Adana agreement to help both address the Kurdish issue in northeastern Syria. But some remarkable developments between Turkey, Syria and Russia have indeed occurred on other fronts. First, a cease-fire came into effect in the Idlib de-escalation zone at midnight Jan. 12. Russia also suspended its airstrikes in Idlib. The truce must have been agreed on by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their talks in Istanbul Jan. 8. Moreover, the Russian leader may have deemed it necessary to discuss the issue with Bashar al-Assad during his Damascus visit on the Orthodox Christmas Day, Jan. 7, before departing for Istanbul. Any cessation of a campaign in Idlib is a sensitive issue for the Syrian regime, which brings to the fore Damascus inability to conduct military operations and regain control over every inch of Syrian land on its own, and its need for direct Russian assistance in both matters. Every delay in progress on the ground thus points to the regimes military dependence on Moscow amid Damascus recent efforts to display its autonomy in military matters. The outcome of the recent campaign in the Syrian northeast fell short of Assads expectations. Damascus failed to reestablish control over the territories held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The failure can be attributed to Washingtons change of heart, as it decided not to withdraw its troops and retained its military presence in northeastern Syria. As a result, it disincentivized the SDF at least for the time being from discussing the conditions for transferring its forces and territories to Damascus protection. They only allowed a limited number of the regimes forces and the Russian military police into the border zone under the Sochi memorandum signed in October 2019. Therefore, the new phase of the offensive, codenamed Dawn of Idlib, which was launched Dec. 19 against terrorist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian opposition, was expected to bring reputational gains to Assad. A resounding military victory in Idlib should have compensated for the dubious success in terms of the outcome in the northeast. At the height of the military operation Dec. 24, the Syrian Armys General Staff released a statement claiming that 40 settlements in the Idlib province had been taken by Damascus. The takeover of Jarjanaz was the greatest achievement. The government troops reached as far as the outskirts of Maarat al-Numan, a symbol of the Syrian revolution and the oppositions stronghold. The town, located on the M5 highway, is also strategically important. Control of the town paves the way for further advances along the motorway toward Saraqib and full control over this artery. However, the cease-fire agreements between Moscow and Ankara effectively thwarted the headway of Assads forces and prevented them from entering Maarat al-Numan, which was portrayed as the major target of the offensive. Thus, another phase of the operation in Idlib ended with a limited, tactical military success for Damascus, just like previous operations. The Syrian regime may therefore be frustrated that the unblocking of the M4 and M5 highways if not the complete resolution of the Idlib issue has been delayed again. However, Damascus has to realize that its forces and the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are not the only ones that deserve credit for the successful advance. In fact, Turkey just stood by and did not assist the Syrian opposition in preventing Assads offensive. Its Operation Peace Spring could not have taken place absent a cease-fire deal secured by Moscow and Damascus. Consequently, one cannot rule out that Ankara, having achieved its goals in northeastern Syria, offered Damascus a chance to establish control over another part of the Idlib de-escalation zone. All the more so because fighters of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) turned out to be sought-after on a different front, in Libya. SNA units were deployed to Tripoli to reinforce the forces of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, of the Government of National Accord, in their fight for the Libyan capital. Yet the Syrian regimes advance deep into Idlib, including the capture of Maarat al-Numan, was not on Turkeys list. The operation ended on the formal pretext of a new wave of Syrian refugees at the Turkish border and Ankaras concern about the situation. At the same time, Moscow and Ankara must have agreed to the Idlib cease-fire in a single package with their joint initiative to cease hostilities in Libya, which was announced at the Putin-Erdogan meeting in Istanbul. Nevertheless, the Idlib truce is a temporary solution. Despite Russias success in convincing Assad of its expediency, a longer respite looks out of the question. A source in the Syrian military told Al-Monitor that the 25-day cease-fire deal may be extended if Idlib sees the problem of radicals solved and other rebel groups cut their ties with HTS and join the [SNA]. On paper when it comes to the moderate opposition factions on the ground, including the National Liberation Front everybody is formally part of the SNA since October 2019. In reality, nothing has been done to integrate those opposition groups into the SNA. Specifically, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th legions, four new corps supposed to join the first three legions in the areas of Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch, have yet to be formed. Moreover, the Idlib territories where the moderate opposition operates are de facto ruled by the HTS civilian administration, the so-called Syrian Salvation Government. Therefore, the replacement of the Salvation Government with local opposition councils must be another condition that could separate the moderate opposition from the radicals. Obviously, it may cause another military escalation between HTS and the moderate opposition in Idlib. It remains to be seen whether Turkey and the SNA are up to it. A pilot working with budget carrier IndiGo has been de-rostered after a complaint from a woman who said her 75-year-old wheelchair-bound mother was abused by him. Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Puri took note of 50-year-old Supriya Nairs tweets and said that the airline has de-rostered the pilot. I requested my office to contact @IndiGo6E as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms @SupriyaUnniNair about the pilots behaviour with her & her 75 yr old mother in need of wheelchair assistance. The airline has informed @MoCA_GoI that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry, Puri said on Twitter. He attached Ms Nairs tweet for reference. I requested my office to contact @IndiGo6E as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms @SupriyaUnniNair about the pilot's behaviour with her & her 75 yr old mother in need of wheelchair assistance. The airline has informed @MoCA_GoI that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry https://t.co/NVkjr6ubti Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) January 14, 2020 Earlier, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had said it will investigate the incident which happened on IndiGo flight 6E 806 from Chennai to Bengaluru on Monday night. The ordeal started, according to Ms Nair, when she asked for the pre-booked wheelchair for her mother. Her tweet read: Why am I tweeting at 2:15 am? Because my mom was literally shaking by the time we got home. She had her meds and now she is mortified that Jayakrishna (the pilot) will carry out his threats and harm me. .@IndiGo6E Why am I tweeting at 2:15 am? Because my mom was literally shaking by the time we got home. She had her meds and now she is mortified that Jayakrishna will carry out his threats and harm me. #RahulBhatia #MDamodaran #PallaviShardulShroff #RakeshGangwal SunTweets (@SupriyaUnniNair) January 13, 2020 The woman and her daughter were returning from a funeral in Chennai and said they had a comfortable journey until the flight landed and other passengers disembarked. Since they had pre-booked a wheelchair they waited for assistance from the crew. When help was not forthcoming, they tried to alert the crew by ringing the assistance bell. She then walked up to one of the crew members who said that the mother cannot be provided with a wheelchair. When I pointed out that the boarding pass mentioned a wheelchair, the captain came barging out and yelled at me for pressing the assistance button and annoying him and his crew. How dare you call her Veena, he asked me, referring to the flight attendant whose name tag carried the name. Taken aback, I told him not to yell at me and then he started threatening me. At this time, the wheelchair guys arrived and the pilot pointed at my mother and said youre not going anywhere. He stopped the ground staff from taking my mother out of the aircraft threatening us that he will ensure we are detained and spend a night in jail, Nair said in a series of tweets. She also said that her worried mother requested the captain to not be rude, to which he replied that his job was to fly and not be polite to passengers. The pilot told us that we had paid a piddly Rs 2000 and that we didnt own the aircraft. He also said that he will make sure that I am barred from flying. He then threatened that he will not fly the onwards flight to Goa until my mother and me are put in jail, Nair said in a tweet. The flight, which was scheduled to land at 8.30 pm, arrived around 9.10 pm. The two were later helped by the ground staff of the airline who brought a wheelchair up the ladder and took them to the connecting bus to the airport terminal building. The captain tried to obstruct the bus, said Nair, who filed a complaint at the terminal before leaving the airport premises as her mother was not feeling well. She alleged that none of the other crew onboard 6E 806 intervened or helped them. She thanked the Bengaluru airport staff and officials from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). These staff members protected us from the pilot. Once we reached the arrival lounge, we were held back again as Capt. Jayakrishna stood there ranting that we are not slaves, threatening me with dire consequences if I post about this incident on social media, said Nair. A 19-year-old black woman has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Vancouver Spirit Halloween Superstore, contending an employee wrongly accused her of shoplifting last year when she was walking toward a cash register to pay for the bunny ears she had placed on her head. The employee refused to allow Elizabeth Ofuasia of Vancouver to pay for the bunny ears and insisted that she and her friend leave the store, the suit alleges. The teenager protested, offered to show the employee her see-through purse or submit to a search to prove she hadnt stolen anything, according to her suit. Her friend made the same offer, but the staff insisted they leave. Ofuasia walked out of the store and called Vancouver police. When an officer arrived, Spirit Halloween staff did not seek to press charges against the 19-year-old but claimed to have video footage showing her or her friend shoplifting from the store, the suit says. The store refused to show the video to Ofuasia or her friend or to police when they arrived, according to the suit. Instead, Spirit Halloween had police cite Ofuasia for criminal trespass, barring her from the store for one year. Representatives from Spencer Spirit Holdings and Spirit Halloween stores didnt respond to messages for comment. Ofuasia and her friend had been in the Vancouver Plaza store two times earlier that day, Oct. 18. Initially, they were shopping for a body suit and left when they couldnt find one they liked and went to Target. After leaving Target, they returned to the Halloween store and Ofusasia bought a choker necklace. They then went to Party City to shop for additional items for their costumes and returned a third time to the Halloween store, when Ofuasia selected bunny ears, according to the suit. Because of the misconduct, false accusations, consumer racial profiling, threats, criminal trespass warning, and other unlawful and discriminatory actions by Defendants, what should have been a positive and enjoyable shopping experience for Plaintiff was instead a humiliating, frightening, and traumatic event, Ofuasias lawyers Rick Klingbeil and Efrem B. Lawrence wrote in the suit. The suit alleges the store engaged in racial discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit seeks up to $150,000 in noneconomic damages for the depression and embarrassment Ofuasia suffered as a result. The Vancouver woman is now fearful of entering retail stores because of potential racial animus, profiling or unfounded accusations, her lawyers wrote. The suit also seeks up to $5,000 in economic damages and unspecified punitive damages. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page Youths must work for uplift of women, water and rivers, said waterman of India Rajendra Singh while addressing the gathering in the 23rd National Youth Festival at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan here on Monday. Winner of Magsaysay Award Rajendra Singh is known for his work to revive water bodies and rivers . Speaking on the occasion Singh said, There are 65 crore youths in the country and the onus of keeping India young is on them. In the 21st century we are struggling with climate change. To become a superpower we will have to respect water, women and rivers. Saving water for future generations is the biggest challenge for us. One should understand the power of nature. He said, One must understand the need of five basic elements: water, fire , space , air and earth , which make the world. Padma Shri awardee Arunima Sinha also addressed the youths. She said ,Self confidence and determination are the keys to achieve ones desired goal. Sinha is a mountaineer and sportswoman who lost a limb in a train accident. She is the worlds first female amputee to scale Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro (South Africa), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Kosciusko (Australia), Mount Aconcagua (South America), Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia) and Mount Vinson. She said that when she met with an accident, the goal was not in her leg but in her heart and mind and that is why she could achieve it. So become mentally tough and work hard to achieve your goal, she said. Vacation Bar | Photo: Jen L./Yelp Looking to try the best cocktail bars in town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top cocktail bars in Santa Ana, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to achieve your dreams. Shoppers in the Santa Ana area historically spend more in the winter at bars and lounges than any other season of the year, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a software provider that helps small businesses manage online reviews. The average amount spent per customer transaction at Santa Ana-area bars and lounges grew to $36 for the metro area in the winter of last year, 3% higher than the average for the rest of the year. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1. Mix Mix Kitchen Bar Photo: Jen L./Yelp First on the list is Mix Mix Kitchen Bar. Located at 300 N. Main St. downtown, the cocktail bar and modern European spot, which offers tapas and more, is the highest-rated cocktail bar in Santa Ana, boasting 4.5 stars out of 521 reviews on Yelp. 2. Vacation Bar Photo: Jen L./Yelp Next up is downtown's Vacation Bar, situated at 204 W. Fourth St. With 4.5 stars out of 302 reviews on Yelp, the cocktail bar has proven to be a local favorite. 3. El Mercado Modern Cuisine Photo: Archel A./Yelp Lacy's El Mercado Modern Cuisine, located at 301 N. Spurgeon St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cocktail bar and Mexican spot, which offers tapas and more, four stars out of 274 reviews. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Maharashtra minister Bacchu Kadu on Tuesday said the state government would bring in rules if needed to ensure students are not made to take part in political events organised in schools. On January 10, Shree Dayanand Balak, Balika Vidyalaya and Junior College, which is run by the Arya Samaj, had organised an hour-long programme on a public ground next to the school campus. Local BJP leaders interacted with school students from classes VIII-X and first and second-year students of junior college to "spread awareness and correct misinformation" about CAA. Kadu is minister of state for OBC and women and child development in the state. Speaking to reporters, Kadu said, "Schoolchildren should not be dragged into political issues. If someone is found doing so, it will invite government action. If needed, we will form regulations for it." Earlier in the day, Minister Varsha Gaikwad said a notice has been issued cautioning schools to keep students away from political events. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The wintry winds of late 2019 brought a lot of speculation about the next and penultimate novel in George R.R. Martins A Song of Ice and Fire series but nothing resembling a release date. Rather than sit around waiting on Martin, with the help of Houston booksellers Ive instead assembled a book preview for 2020 that, hopefully, deals with titles that are more reliably confirmed for release. This year starts off with a kick. Jeanine Cummins American Dirt arrives with blurbs from Stephen King and several booksellers testifying to its gripping pacing. And I found it to be as billed: an on-the-pulse novel about a mother and her son on the run from a Mexican cartel. The book opens with devastating violent outburst, and Cummins doesnt let her foot off the gas until the story is told. I did not breathe for the whole first chapter, says Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston. The run for the border is hellish, and the timeliness of the border situation makes it a must-read. The book, out Jan. 21, is taut and timely and will likely pepper best-of-2020 lists 11 months from now. Koehler is also keen on Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore, due March 31. I loved every page, she says. Set in West Texas during the oil booms and busts of the 70s, its the women who bear the brunt of the brutality of the culture. These characters and their intertwined stories will work a way into your heart. Its the mythic Texas that we think we know. Another January release of note is Long Bright River." Liz Moores fourth novel touches on the opioid epidemic in her tale of two sisters whose paths diverge greatly from childhood. Its also a gripping piece of fiction that drew a lot of buzz weeks before release. The list below is hardly exhaustive. But it represents a few urgent, weird and promising titles for the first half of 2020. Publication dates are subject to change. January Hitting a Straight Lick With a Crooked Stick, Zora Neale Hurston: Nothing in this new story anthology is technically previously unpublished, but it does rescue eight stories that had been published decades ago in anthologies and then largely forgotten. The 21 stories collected represent broad thematic content mined by Hurston in Harlem in the mid 1920s. A Long Petal of the Sea, Isabel Allende: This piece of historical fiction starts after the fall of the Spanish government in the 1930s and charts the journey of a widow and her spouses brother as they try to start a new life in Chile. Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn: Pulitzer-winning husband-wife team dive into struggling small towns in America revealing systems and programs that have failed. But true to the title, there are some optimistic glimmers here. Theyll appear at Congregation Emanu El on Jan. 16 with the Progressive Forum. Me & Mr. Cigar, Gibby Haynes: If youre wondering what the Dallas native and Butthole Surfers frontman has been doing lately, well, hes written a darkly funny YA novel about a troubled teen and his supernatural dog. Zed, Joanna Kavenna: A colossal tech corporation with tendrils in life, the economy and politics, and a predictive algorithm set this dystopian story into motion. What could go wrong? The Conference of Birds, Ransom Riggs: The fifth book in Riggs Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series finds hero Jacob having dispatched his enemies with a wide open future ahead of him. Hell make an appearance at the Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands on Jan. 19. February The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, Erik Larson: The subject hardly matters. Larsons storytelling gifts his sense of pacing, his ability to convey historical detail and characters are without peer. The Big Goodbye, Sam Wasson: The Fosse biographer tells the story of the making of Chinatown, one of the greatest films of all time, and one with ageless allegorical offerings. Apeirogon, Colum McCann: The National Book Award winner for Let the Great World Spin, tells a story of two fathers one Palestinian, the other Israeli both suffer familial losses that bring them together. In Print Houston brings him to the Alley Theatre for a reading on April 27 with Hilary St. John Mandel. March The Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich: National Book Award-winner Erdrich based this novel on the life of her grandfather, whose fight for Native American lands spanned from North Dakota to Washington, D.C. In Print Houston brings her to the Alley Theatre for a reading on March 9. Deacon King Kong, James McBride: This novel is McBrides first since he won the National Book Award seven years ago. It is set in a Brooklyn housing project like the one where he was raised, as he tells the story of a bumbling old church deacon who shoots a drug dealer from multiple perspectives. Death in Mud Lick: A True Story of Corporate Pill Pushers in Small Town America, Eric Eyre: A terrific reporter, Eyre found himself at an epicenter for the opioid crisis while working at the Charleston Gazette-Mail in West Virginia. He deservedly won a Pulitzer for his work, and here shares a story of a woman moved to fight back after her brothers death. The Mirror and the Light, Hilary Mantel: Mantels narrative about the life of Thomas Cromwell has thus far resulted in two deeply researched and gorgeously told novels. She concludes his life story and her trilogy with this volume, which considering Cromwells bio wont likely end well. The Glass Hotel, Emily St. John Mandel: Two seemingly disparate stories are tied together, one involving a woman who disappears at sea, the other involving a Ponzi scheme in New York. In Print Houston brings her to the Alley Theatre for a reading on April 27 with Colum McCann. My Dark Vanessa, Kate Elizabeth Russell: Gillian Flynn raved about this novel that jumps between 2000, when its narrator was a teen having an affair with a 40-something teacher and 17 years later when hes been accused of sexual abuse. April How Much of These Hills Is Gold, C Pam Zhang: Two orphaned children of immigrants set out to bury their father in this bracing story about identity, home and family. Afterlife, Julia Alvarez: The first adult novel by Alvarez in 15 years tells the story of a writer and college professor who in a short span loses a husband and sister and then finds a desperate stranger on her doorstep. What Is the Grass: Walt Whitman in My Life, Mark Doty: The deep feeling and deeply expressive poet Doty braids memoir, biography and criticism into a fascinating account of his relationship to the storied poet and his work. The Machine Never Blinks: A Graphic History of Spying and Surveillance, Ivan Greenberg, writer, with Everett Patterson and Joe Canlas artists: An unnerving history compressed and illustrated. May Dirt: Adventures, with Family, in the Kitchens of Lyon, Looking for the Origins of French Cooking, Bill Buford: Admittedly the rambling title reads like a chapter. But as he proved with Heat, Buford has a gift for describing the beauty and chaos of a kitchen. June The Folly and the Glory: America, Russia, and Political Warfare: 1945-2020, Tim Weiner: Check the years in the title just in case you thought the Cold War had ended. This is by the author of the authoritative CIA history Legacy of Ashes. July Transcendent Kingdom, Yaa Gyasi: A neuroscience PhD candidate chooses her path because her family Ghanian immigrants living in Alabama struggle with addiction and depression. Dec. 31 At 2:15 a.m., Officer Younger initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling more than 100 mph in the 2200 block of IH 610 southbound. During the traffic stop investigation it was determined the driver was driving while intoxicated. The driver was placed into custody and transported to the Bellaire Jail and processed without incident. Sergeant Hollie and Corporal Clawson assisted with this investigation. Between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) stole the victims vehicle which was parked on the second floor of the parking garage at 6330 West Loop South. At 8:41 p.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to a major accident in the 6700 block of IH 610 northbound with a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, Officers made contact with both parties involved. The owner of the burning vehicle appeared to be intoxicated due to having red glossy eyes, slurred speech, unsteady on her feet and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath and/or person. Upon further investigation, the suspect was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. While being placed in a patrol vehicle, one officer was kicked numerous times by the suspect as she fought to get out of custody. Officers J. Clisham, J. Trujillo, Corporal D. Clawson and Sgt. D. Hollie assisted with this case. At 10:58 a.m., Officer Jenkins was dispatched to meet the reportee concerning two vehicles being broken into in the 5100 block of Grand Lake Street. The reportee stated the vehicles were parked in the driveway on Dec. 25, 2019, and when she came to the house on Dec. 31, 2019, she found the car doors ajar. The reportee notified the victim who is out of town. The victim advised the reportee she wanted a police report of the incident. Jan. 1 At 4:54 p.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department lobby in reference to a minor accident in which the at fault party left the scene of the accident before providing their information in the 5600 block of IH 610 northbound. At 1:49 a.m., Bellaire Officers were dispatched to the 4600 block of Oleander Street for an ex-boyfriend on the property who wasnt supposed to be there. Upon arrival Officers contacted the defendant and the complainant in this case. During the investigation it was determined the defendant was intoxicated in a public place and further had sent intimate photographs of the complainant to her family several months ago without her effective consent. The defendant was placed in custody and charged with unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material. Sergeant D. Hollie, Officer D. Guerra, and Officer T. Younger assisted in this case. At 4:40 a.m., Officers were dispatched to a burglary of a motor vehicle in progress in the 4400 block of Lafayette Street. Upon arrival in the area a suspect was detained. During the course of the investigation it was determined the defendant had rummaged through at least two vehicles and possibly stole loose change. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary of a motor vehicle. Sergeant Hollie and Officer Younger assisted in this case. Jan. 2 At 2:10 a.m., Officer Bellard was dispatched to a theft in progress call at 4439 Bissonnet St. An unknown suspect entered the store and took beer without paying for it. At 2:32 a.m., Officers were dispatched to 5859 Bissonnet St. in regards to an alarm. Upon arrival, Officer Schwausch observed a white pickup truck inside the store. Upon further investigation, it was determined nothing was stolen and the suspects immediately fled the scene after crashing the truck into the store. Officers Schwausch, Bellard, Clisham and Corporal Clawson assisted with this case. Jan. 3 At 12:38 a.m., Officer Bailey was dispatched to 5133 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a robbery. Officer Bailey arrived on location at approximately 0042 hours and met with the victim. The victim stated a customer he was transporting assaulted him after a verbal altercation and attempted to steal his vehicle. Both suspects were located by responding officers and arrested. Officers Ortega, Guerra, and Sgt. D. Hollie assisted in this case. At 12L45 p.m., Officer H. Lopez was dispatched to 6575 West Loop South in reference to a theft. The victim stated an unknown person entered his office and removed an envelope which was inside a filing cabinet drawer. The theft happened sometime between Dec. 24, 2019, and Jan. 3. At 10:35 p.m., Officer Marcotte made contact with two males sitting in a vehicle in front of a closed business at 5821 Bissonnet St. The driver was found to be in possession of a fraudulent social security card and Alien ID card. He was arrested and charged with 2 counts of felony tampering with a government instrument. Jan. 4 At 9:34 a.m., Officer Baylis was flagged down by the reportee in reference to possible fraud in the 5400 block of Bellaire Blvd. Upon further investigation the case was determined to be forgery. Officer Baylis gathered the information for this report. There is no suspect information at this time. At 2:12 p.m., Officer Andrade was dispatched to the 4600 block of Oleander Street in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Andrade made contact with the victim who stated on Jan. 4 between 12:15 and 2:09 p.m., an unknown suspect broke the front right window of his vehicle and stole cash from the center console after leaving Bank of America. At 2:37 p.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to the 5200 block of Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary of a habitation. Officer Norman made contact with the victim who advised an unknown person entered their partially opened garage and stole a leaf blower and a power washer. At 6:12 p.m., reporting officer Sgt D Kerr, was dispatched to 5134 Spruce St. in reference to an aggravated robbery that had just occurred. Kerr made contact with a store employees who stated a tall black male had come into the store, pulled a gun, and demanded the money from the registers. The suspect was described as a black male wearing black hat, black jacket, and black pants. The suspect then fled west on foot. At 5:43 p.m., Officer D. Norman observed a White Nissan van in the area of 4500 Bissonnet St. with a dealer paper license plate which did not return to any vehicle. Upon further investigation, the driver was arrested for fail to identify to a police officer - fugitive. At 10:35 p.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop on a 2001 Chevy Suburban for failure to maintain a single lane of traffic and over correcting in the 5900 block of IH 610 northbound. The driver was found to show signs of intoxication, he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). At 12:07 a.m., Officer Younger initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple traffic violations in the 5000 block of Westpark. During the traffic stop investigation it was determined the driver was driving while intoxicated. The driver was arrested for DWI 2nd and processed without incident. Corporal Clawson and Officer Guerra assisted with this investigation. Jan. 5 At 3:27 a.m., Officer Schwausch was patrolling the 7800 block of IH610 SB when he observed a vehicle fail to maintain a single lane, impede traffic, and swerving within its own lane. Officer Schwausch initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the operator of the vehicle. Further investigation found the driver to be driving while intoxicated. The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and transported to the Bellaire Jail without incident. At 11:48 p.m., Bellaire Police Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop on a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta for speeding and failure to signal several lane changes in the 7600 block of IH 610 northbound. One of the passengers provided a false name and was arrested for failure to identify to police. Plans to buy a Tesla have helped a Parkdale man get a front-yard parking spot over the protests of City of Toronto officials and his local councillor. That councillor, Gord Perks, is worried others could follow suit, even if they end up parking gas guzzlers in the legalized spot rather than the promised electric vehicle, and he is trying to find a way to plug the loophole. A Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) panel late last month overruled the city committee of adjustments refusal to give Gregory Pechersky permission to construct a parking pad in his Springhurst Avenue yard as part of a home renovation. Applications for such pads have long been banned in downtown wards over environmental concerns the removal of trees and concerns that hard pads increase stormwater runoff and the amount of sewage that can flow into Lake Ontario when the citys sewer system gets overwhelmed. Arguing for Pechersky, planner Tyler Grinyer told TLAB his appeal was driven by a desire to own an electric car. A parking pad would let him install an external charging station complete with permeable parking stones and no damage to any trees, he told the panel. Panel chair Ted Yao was convinced the committee of adjustments refusal conflicts with City of Toronto initiatives aimed at reducing Torontos greenhouse gas emissions, including the citys stated desire to get motorists into zero-emission vehicles. This application highlights a legislative and policy gap in that the process for seeking a parking pad has not caught up to climate change imperatives, Yao wrote. I hope that this decision, which details the arduous and expensive steps a Toronto homeowner must take if she or he wishes to become part of the solution, can inform the dialogue and assist in closing that gap. In an interview Monday, Grinyer said Pechersky told him he had test-driven a Tesla and planned to buy one if he is allowed to install the parking spot and charger. He was trying to be green but got caught in the citys rules on parking pads, said Grinyer, a partner in Bousfields Inc., adding its the first appeal in which he has raised the charger rationale. Were caught in the middle of the transition from one kind of vehicle to another and this decision is acknowledging that. The TLAB decision notes city initiatives, including the TransformTO plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, note the value of electric mobility over internal combustion energy. Last week, after the release of the ruling, the city issued a proposed plan to jump-start the adoption of electric vehicles. The plan, approved by the infrastructure and environment committee and headed for full city council, includes ambitious targets for Torontonians switching to electric cars. They include encouraging a dramatic rise in public charging stations and a pilot project to install chargers on some city streets. To reach a goal of full adoption by 2050, Toronto has to find a way to let garage orphans homeowners without driveways and residents of highrises charge vehicles at home, the plan says. But Perks, who was a Greenpeace campaigner before entering politics, says hell fight to stop other residents following Pecherskys lead. He didnt get an approval for an electric car. He got an approval for a parking pad, Perks (Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park) said in an interview. Hes found a loophole to get around the moratorium on parking pads in all the downtown wards. The city has no mechanism to tell you what kind of vehicle you need to park on our pad or in your garage or anywhere else. A number of us on (city) council are aware of this issue, weve raised it with city staff and were looking at ways to plug the loophole. Perks added that hes skeptical that even if such applicants do buy electric cars it will help Toronto significantly reduce harmful emissions. No one has shown me the (research) that its better to spend public money getting people into electric cars rather than buying everyone a bicycle and giving them a free transit pass, he said, also expressing doubts about Torontos ability to handle dramatically increased electrical demand. City transportation staff are reviewing the TLAB decision and its implications. Staff are not aware of any other examples where a parking pad has been approved based on the desire for an electric charger, city spokesperson Ellen Leesti said. On January 18, 2020, an impressive lineup of speakers and performers unite to kick-off Womens March San Francisco at City Hall Plaza, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King during his birthday weekend with a peaceful demonstration of solidarity and action. The rally kicks off at 11:00 a.m., with programming to follow at 11:30 a.m., where the Schuyler Sisters and the cast of HAMILTON will perform, designed to remind the crowd of our countrys spirit of resistance and action. Our communities are under fire - or suffering from actual fire - throughout our country and across the globe, says Sophia Andary, chair of Womens March San Francisco. This dynamic set of speakers will drive home this years theme of #TOGETHERWERISE!, showing how any issue of social justice impacts all of our work for social justice. This years speakers are leaders and defenders of human rights, promoting a society in which women are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments. The March and Rally are both family-friendly events planned and run by an all-volunteer staff and as such, volunteers are needed! To sign up to voIunteer, please use the form here. The team recommends public transit as the best way to get to and from the event, with detailed routes and other logistical information available at: https://womensmarchsf.org/logistics Rally Speakers: (alphabetized by last name) Dalila Adofo, Community Organizer & Bayview Hunters Point Community Air Monitoring Project Coordinator Dalila grew up as a resident of East Palo Alto, California and started organizing at the age of 12 when she joined Youth United for Community Action. She has worked with the California Fund for Youth Organizing (CFYO) and helped coordinate and strategize a way for the California Student and Youth Bill of Rights to be passed. She was a member of Greenactions Board or Directors for several years and is now the lead coordinator for the Bayview Hunters Point Community Air Monitoring Project. London Breed, 45th Mayor of City and County of San Francisco London Breed previously served as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Acting Mayor, leading San Francisco following the tragic passing of Mayor Edwin Lee. She is the first African-American woman and only second woman to serve as Mayor. London first won election to the Board of Supervisors in November 2012. In January of 2015, her colleagues elected her President of the Board. She was re-elected as District 5 Supervisor in November 2016 and unanimously re-elected as Board President two months later. Carmen Chu, Assessor-Recorder, The City and County of San Francisco Carmen Chu was appointed by late Mayor Edwin M. Lee to serve as San Francisco Assessor in 2013 before she was re-elected in November 2014 and again in 2018. Since taking office, Carmen has the distinction of being the only Asian American female Assessor in all 58 of Californias counties. Malia Cohen, Chair, Board of Equalization, 2nd District Malia M. Cohen serves as a Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), Californias elected tax commission. Elected in November 2018, she is the first African-American woman to serve on the Board. In January 2019, her BOE Board Member colleagues unanimously selected her to serve as Chair of the Board. Kimberly Ellis, Activist and Womens March San Francisco MC for 2020 Named the most powerful unelected person in California Democratic politics by the Sacramento Bee, Kimberly Ellis has helped shape the landscape of progressive and grassroots politics in California and beyond. For nearly a decade, Kimberly led Emerge California (the states most effective training program for Democratic women who run for office) with incredible success, growing what had been a regional training program into a statewide electoral powerhouse for Democratic women. Kaye Foster, Board Director, Glide Kaye Foster is a growth leader, business builder, philanthropist, mother and woman of faith, whose life purpose is to give voice to the voiceless. Kaye is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Stanford Health Care, recently joined the Board of Directors of Valley Care, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of Agios Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the fields of cancer metabolism and rare genetic disorders of metabolism. Kathy Gin, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Immigrants Rising Kathy Gin is the Cofounder & Executive Director of Immigrants Rising, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that supports and advocates for undocumented young people to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community. For more than 20 years, Katharine has worked to enhance arts and education opportunities for low-income and minority youth. She has developed innovative programs in schools, housing projects, and detention facilities. Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage, Co-Founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. After 9/11, together with displaced World Trade Center workers, she co-founded ROC, which now has more than 30,000 worker members. Rabia Keeble, Founder, Qalbu Maryam Womens Mosque Rabia Keeble is a graduate from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley with a Masters degree in Social Change, and Religious Leadership, Islamic Studies and African Church. Rabia is the founder of Qalbu Maryam Womens Mosque, which opened in 2017 at Starr King School of the Ministry. Rabia is a writer, speaker, and poet and social activist for the cause of womens rights, immigrant rights and the rights of Black Americans. Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis was sworn in as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 7th, 2019. She is the first woman elected Lt. Governor of California. From 2010 to 2013, Kounalakis served as President Barack Obamas Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Kounalakis was the first Greek-American woman and at age 43 one of Americas youngest to serve as U.S. Ambassador. Latanya Mapp Frett, President and CEO, Global Fund for Women Latanya Mapp Frett is President and CEO of Global Fund for Women, one of the worlds leading foundations for gender justice. Global Fund for Women has fueled feminist movements across the world for over 30 years, putting resources directly in the hands of courageous activists who are working to end oppressive policies and change entrenched norms. Teresa Mejia, Executive Director, The Womens Building Teresa Mejia is a community activist, feminist, single mother, Puerto Rican and the Executive Director of The Womens Building, which stands in the heart of the Mission District brilliantly painted with a mural dedicated to women, Maestrapeace. Laura Millar, Disability Rights and Queer Rights Advocate Laura Millar is a blind outspoken disability rights and queer rights advocate who is deeply committed to advancing the field of sexual health promotion for people with disabilities. With Masters degrees in Public Health and Sexuality Studies, Laura conducts research that examines how blind and visually impaired people learn about and navigate the world of dating, sex and intimate relationships. Toni Newman, Author Toni is the author of the 2011 memoir I Rise-The Transformation of Toni Newman discussing her 25 year difficult transition. The memoir was nominated in 2012 in two categories for the Lambda Literary Awards, honored in 2012 by Wake Forest University for Faces of Courage, and has been featured in the Advocate, Huffington Post and Ebony magazine. Kanyon Sayers-Roods, Activist, artist, educator Mutsun Ohlone and Chumash Native American Kanyon Sayers-Roods (Coyote Woman) art is a sincere expression of her Native heritage. Kanyons visual descriptions are always based on nature and the natural world. Dedicated and active in the Native Community, Kanyon provides leadership, serving as an artist, poet, activist, student and teacher for up and coming scholars ready to challenge their creative paths and remind people what it means to decolonize. Tiffany Shlain, Filmmaker Honored by Newsweek as one of the Women Shaping the 21st Century, Tiffany Shlain is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder of The Webby Awards and author of the best-selling book 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day A Week. Tiffanys films and work have received over 80 awards and distinctions including being selected for the Albert Einstein Foundation Genius:100 Visions of the Future. Her films include her award-winning films for Planned Parenthood: Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness and Unstoppable and 50/50: The 10,000 year history of women and power. Noemi Aidee Tungui, Member, Idle No More S.F Noemi Aidee Tungui is a young, indigenous woman with Purepecha roots, born in Parangaricutiro, Michoacan, Mexico. She is a member of the multigenerational, indigenous women-led organization, Idle No More S.F. Bay. Noemi began her early activism while living in Los Angeles, where she graduated from Cal State University, Northridge. Noemi has advocated for strong environmental, immigrant and indigenous rights, healthcare, economic and other social justice issues throughout the state and the country. Shannon Watts, Founder, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in Americathe nations largest grassroots gun violence prevention group, with chapters in all 50 states and a powerful network of volunteers and survivors that has successfully effected change at the local, state and national level. Robin Wilson-Beattie, Speaker, Writer, Advocate Robin Wilson-Beattie is a speaker, writer, and advocate for disability and sexuality as well as one of the first people to talk about disability, sexuality, and marketing to adult product retailers and manufacturers. She combines years of personal experience with medically sound research to provide a unique perspective on how life and identity impacts one's sexual expression. Her speaking engagements include multiple keynotes and panels, including three consecutive years speaking at the Adult Video News convention in Las Vegas. Marithza Quiroz, Immigrants Rising Marithza Quiroz is a graphic artist currently majoring in American Studies at UC Berkeley. She was born in Sonora, Mexico and migrated to the United States at the age of seventeen with her parents. She learned English and graphic design through community adult programs in Los Angeles. Marithza plans to pursue an advanced degree in art education. She loves drawing, conversing with friends over coffee, and exploring the city on public transportation. We are making every effort to ensure accessibility for both the Rally and March. We will have an accessibility area in front of the stage and ASL interpreters on the stage. In an effort to make the march accessible to all, we have secured a trolley for those with mobility issues. There are limited seats and we ask for your assistance in assuring transport for those who are truly in need. All passengers must be registered and checked in on Saturday between 11 and 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Grove and Polk. After the Rally, the March will commence at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at Embarcadero. Womens March San Francisco is a 501c3 organization supported entirely by donations, which can be made at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NjgxNTA= For more information about ADA registration and how to participate, as a partner or otherwise, click here. FOR MEDIA: B-roll and images from previous marches, impact statements for 2019 and other materials are available. Please register for press credentials for access to on-site press facilities. For interviews or to register as press, please contact: womensmarch@thekeypr.com CPI General Secretary D Raja on Tuesday, January 14, accused BJP of having no "rational argument" to counter the opposition over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). According to him, "The Opposition parties are taking up genuine issues." Raja said, "It is not just the opposition parties, the people are raising the issue across the country and BJP has no answer. The Prime Minister has no answer, moreover, the Home Minister does not have an answer. They resort to abuses and taking Pakistan's name, it will make Pakistan happy." Calling CAA unconstitutional, D Raja said, "The answer to the argument is an argument. BJP can not justify it, RSS can not justify it and that is the point to be admitted. Opposition parties are demanding that CAA must be repealed." Congress allies skip meeting on CAA Several leaders of the Congress, along with 19 other opposition parties held a meeting on Monday in order to corner the government over CAA and NRC. However, Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress, Mayawati's BSP, Samajwadi Party and DMK were among the notable absentees in the meeting that was held to deliberate a counter CAA strategy. Taking a jibe at it, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the "parties stand exposed as Congress' allies kept away from the meeting. He said, "CAA is a chance to expose the barbaric treatment of minorities in Pakistan." Read: BIG: Kerala government challenges CAA in Supreme Court, becomes first state to do so Read: Satya Nadella's CAA view 'example of how literate need to be educated': BJP's Lekhi Unrest over CAA across the country The Citizenship Act was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 9 and then by the Rajya Sabha on December 11. The Act seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Huge unrest broke out across the country after the bill was passed and ended up taking a violent turn. The protests initially erupted across Assam, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, following the violence at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi where over 50 students were detained by police during the protests. Read: JNU violence: CPI leader D Raja questions Delhi Police over its inaction Read: CPI data shows higher consumer inflation rates pegged at 7.35% in Dec against 5.54% in Nov (With ANI inputs) Srinagar, Jan 14 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police has denied that Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh, who was nabbed with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Naveed Babu on Saturday, was awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs as has been reported by some sections of the media. In a series of tweets, the J&K Police said: "It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J&K State on Independence Day 2018." The police said that the medal was awarded to him for his participation in countering a fidayeen attack by terrorists at the district police lines in Pulwama on August 25-26, 2017, when he was posted as a DSP in the district police lines, Pulwama. The police has advised the media persons "to avoid speculative stories not based on facts". A section of the media had reported that Singh was awarded the presidential award for gallantry last year. In another tweet, the police said: "Jammu and Kashmir Police is known for its professionalism & doesn't spare anyone including its own cadres if found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct. "We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case, where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone. "A special investigation team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police is handling interrogation of the arrested accused officer and the terrorists, which would probe his criminal conduct in the instant case and his involvement in any such criminal acts in the past," the tweet said. Davinder Singh is being interrogated for his role in helping terrorist Naveed Babu to escape from Kashmir to Pakistan. Singh is also being investigated for sheltering the top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, who was involved in the killing of non-local truck drivers and labourers, and forcing a shutdown in south Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Depok mayor says that he also wants to rehabilitate victims in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Indonesias human rights commission on Tuesday condemned plans by a mayor to launch raids directed at the LGBT community in his city, after an Indonesian citizen was convicted in Britain of sexually assaulting 48 men. Described by a prosecutor as the most prolific rapist in British legal history, Indonesian student Reynhard Sinaga last month was convicted of 136 rapes against the men, whom he drugged, and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years. The mayor of Depok, Mohammad Idris, plans to enlist public order officers to raid residences of members of the LGBT community, according to a statement posted last week on the citys official website. Homosexuality is not regulated by law in Indonesia, except in Aceh province where Islamic law bans same-sex relations. But the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation has seen a rise in hostility towards the LGBT community. The raids increase the risk of persecution and other law-defying acts, the head of National Commission on Human Rights, Beka Ulung Hapsara, told Reuters. The commission has also written to the Depok government. Idris did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. In the statement, Idris also said the town would establish a rehabilitative centre to assist victims in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. The Sinaga case has received widespread coverage in Indonesia and left many in the already vulnerable LGBT community feeling even more under fire. Dede Oetomo, an Indonesian LGBT activist, said the community was braced for hysteria over the Sinaga case. A 22-year-old Indonesian student living in Depok, who identifies as bisexual and declined to be identified, slammed the move, saying it violates private spaces and was a waste of money. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesians who understand the term LGBT feel threatened by the community and believe their religion forbids same-sex relations, according to a 2018 survey. Arus Pelangi, an LGBT advocacy group, reported in September more than 1,800 cases of persecution of gay Indonesians between 2006 and 2017. Prayagraj: In a first of its kind attack, crude bombs were hurled at a school bus in Prayagraj on Monday evening, leaving two students injured. According to reports, the school bus was targeted when it was taking students of a public school back home in the afternoon on Monday (January 13). There were over 20 students on the bus when two unidentified men intercepted the vehicle and then hurled a crude bomb at it near Habusa turn, in the Sarayinayat police station, in trans-Ganga area. The explosion shattered the window panes of the bus and left students on board crying for help. As the bus stopped, the students ran out, leaving their belongings. The injured students have been identified as Mridul Kushwaha and Tushar. Mradul, a student of class 9 has sustained injuries on his right palm while Tushar also sustained minor injuries. SSP (Allahabad) Satyarth Anirudh Pankaj said accused had stopped the bus on the pretext of having a conversation with one of the students sitting inside. "Police have been looking for CCTV footage to ascertain the identities of the accused. A police team has also been constituted to identify and arrest the accused. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:05:21|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena (L) shakes hands with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) in Colombo on Jan. 14, 2020. Sri Lanka and Russia on Tuesday agreed to actively engage in regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and increase bilateral trade between the two countries to 700 million U.S. dollars from the existing 400 million dollars. (Photo by A.Hapuarachchi/Xinhua) COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and Russia on Tuesday agreed to actively engage in regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and increase bilateral trade between the two countries to 700 million U.S. dollars from the existing 400 million dollars. Following bilateral discussions held between Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Colombo, the two ministers also agreed to enhance cooperation in several fields including tourism, food economy, fisheries, education, trade and investment, as well as security and defense. Minister Gunawardena said that Russia is Sri Lanka's 15th largest export destination and the 24th largest import origin country. "Today we had an excellent meeting where we renewed our commitment to further consolidate and transform our bilateral cooperation into a viable, results oriented and mutually beneficial partnership," Gunawardena said. "The two sides recognized the threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism, illicit drugs trafficking and other transnational organized crimes to national, regional and international security and agreed to continue our cooperation to pursue shared solutions and exchange best practices," the minister added. Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had been providing Sri Lanka cooperation in defense and several other sectors and and it will continue to do so. "Sri Lankan military will be assisted to improve its defense capacity, while we will also look at strengthening our bilateral ties in various other sectors," Lavrov said. Lavrov arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday on a two-day official visit and was accompanied by a 42-member delegation. It seems Felicity Huffman's daughters won't be punished for their parents' mistakes. Huffman's 19-year-old daughter, Sophia Macy, has nabbed a leading role in an upcoming episode of Jordan Peele's "Twilight Zone" series on CBS. The episode, "Among the Untrodden," will air during the show's second season, but the specific release date has not yet been announced. The news comes just shy of three months after her mom was released from prison after pleading guilty in a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme. Sophia graduated from high school in June, a few months after the initial story broke but before her mom's trial and sentencing. It has not been confirmed whether she's currently enrolled in any university program. Above: Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy and their daughters in January 2019. Credit: Getty The fraud at the center of the criminal allegations was related to Sophia's SAT test: Huffman admitted in court that she paid $15,000 in order to boost Sophia's score by an estimated 400 points. "Shameless" actor William H. Macy, her husband and Sophia's father, was not charged as there was no clear evidence of illicit activity on his end. It's unclear how acutely aware he was of the plan, but Sophia allegedly had no idea about the scheme. Sophia also has a younger sister, 17-year-old Georgia, who plans to attend Vassar College next year, according to her Instagram bio. Back in August, Georgia posted a photo tribute to her sister for her birthday, writing that her older sibling is a "kind and generous" person: "You forgive and you love without expectation," she wrote. "No matter what I always know that you have my back." Ivan Nova, once one of the New York Yankees most promising pitching prospects, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB Networks Jon Heyman. Nova spent 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, making a career-high 34 starts and matching his personal-best with 187 innings pitched. The 33-year-old Nova made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2010. In more than seven seasons with New York, Nova went 53-39 with a 4.41 ERA. The Yankees traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 for a player to be named later. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, PrimeSport One of those players ended up being pitcher Stephen Tarpley, who was designated for assignment Saturday to make room for outfielder Brett Gardner on the 40-man roster, per Yankees PR: The New York Yankees announced today that they have re-signed OF Brett Gardner to a one-year contract for the 2020 season, with a club option for 2021. Gardner, 36, hit .251/.325/.503 (123-for-491) with 86 runs, 26 doubles, 7 triples, 28 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 52 walks and 10 stolen bases over 141 games in 2019, setting career highs in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. He played in at least 140 games for the seventh consecutive season (2013-19), one of four Major Leaguers to accomplish the feat. He and Los Angeles-ALs Mike Trout are the only two players to reach 80 runs scored in each of the last seven seasons. On April 17, 2019, he hit a seventh-inning grand slam vs. Boston for his 100th career home run, becoming the fourth Yankee all-time to reach the milestone with a grand slam. In 1,499 career games over 12 Major League seasons (2008-19), Gardner owns a .260 (1,355-for-5,220) batting average with 876 runs, 230 doubles, 68 triples, 124 home runs, 524 runs batted in, 613 walks and a .342 on-base percentage. An AL All-Star in 2015, his next Major League appearance would make him the 18th player to play in 1,500 games for the Yankees. Along with Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, he is one of only five players drafted and signed by the Yankees to collect at least 1,000 hits with the club, and one of only seven to hit 100 home runs in pinstripes. Gardners 267 career stolen bases rank third on the Yankees all-time list, trailing only Derek Jeter (358) and Rickey Henderson (326). A native of Holly Hill, S.C., and an alum of the College of Charleston, Gardner is the longest-tenured current Yankees player, having been drafted by the club in the third round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft prior to making his Major League debut in 2008. He is one of only 10 players to play for the same team in each of the last 12 seasons (2008-19), joining Ryan Braun (MIL), Miguel Cabrera (DET), Alex Gordon (KC), Felix Hernandez (SEA), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Yadier Molina (STL), Dustin Pedroia (BOS), Joey Votto (CIN) and Ryan Zimmerman (WSH). He would be the 19th Yankee to play for the club in at least 13 consecutive seasons. In both 2016 and 2017, Gardner was the Yankees nominee for Major League Baseballs Roberto Clemente Award. To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Stephen Tarpley was designated for assignment. Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook. (Newser) As Chinese officials landed in Washington on Monday to sign a trade deal, the US presented them with a concession. The US no longer considers China a currency manipulator. The label was put in place last summer after President Trump accused the government of weakening its currency for an unfair trade advantage, making its goods cheaper to sell overseas, the New York Times reports. "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The decision came in a semiannual currency report from the Treasury Department. No countries merit the "manipulator" label, as defined by Congress, the report said. story continues below The trade agreement is scheduled to be signed Wednesday. One expert said China indeed is not manipulating its currency, per the Washington Post, "so it would have been inconsistent for the US to sign the deal and continue to call China a manipulator." Many members of both parties in Congress agree that China should still bear the label, and there was criticism of the change on Monday. "Just because we're negotiating a trade deal doesn't mean we should ignore Communist China's bad acts," Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican, tweeted. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said, "Unfortunately, President Trump would rather cave to President Xi than stay tough on China." (Compensating US farmers for their losses has cost billions.) A young aspiring model who tried to sell her sister's designer items in a bid to fund her ice habit has been released from jail after spending nearly two months behind bars. Maddison Gorman, 24, pleaded guilty to multiple theft charges in November after she was caught breaking into her sister's Airbnb rental in Kingston Beach, Tasmania. Gorman, who was under the influence of the drug at the time, managed to make her way inside by climbing through a bedroom window located in the back of the property, a court heard. The Blackmans Bay woman targeted items of luxury, getting away with a haul worth $4,350, that included a Louis Vuitton handbag and scarf, a Tiffany bracelet, and Christian Dior makeup pallet, The Mercury reported. Maddison Gorman, 24, broke into her sister's Airbnb rental in Kingston Beach, Tasmania, in November, stealing multiple designer items including Louis Vuitton handbag and scarf, a Tiffany bracelet, and Christian Dior makeup pallet (stock image) Gorman had reportedly intended to sell her sister's belongings but was arrested after a witness reported the burglary to police who found her fingerprints at the scene. The incident occurred while she had already been on bail for a robbery a month earlier, for which she served as the getaway driver for two teens who targeted a Carlton home. When police examined her mobile phone for evidence they found messages sent from Gorman saying, 'we better make some money today,' the court heard. She was charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of stealing, one count of attempted stealing, breach of bail, trespassing and possessing a controlled drug. Gorman was jailed on November 20, serving a total of 54 days before being freed on Monday. During her appearance at Hobart Magistrates court, Magistrate Michael Daly reprimanded the woman for stealing from her own family just to 'feed' her drug addiction. 'That's an indication of just how low things have become in your life,' he said. Gorman's lawyer Robert Fisher told the court her drug use had reached a troubling point after losing her job. The woman was released but must now adhere to a curfew. SPRINGFIELD To strengthen efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is sponsoring legislation urging the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Gender-based violence is a public health issue and affects millions of men and women across the United States, said Stuart. Those seeking to escape a dangerous relationship deserve legal protections so they can build a life away from their abuser. Tehran, Jan 14 : An Iranian judiciary spokesman said here on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic has arrested some people related to the January 8 "unintentional" downing of a Ukrainian airliner that killed all the 176 people on board. "So far, comprehensive investigations have been carried out from the relevant people, and every day until late night, the expert teams of the Judiciary are busy interrogating, investigating and collecting documents," Xinhua news agency reported citing Gholamhossein Esmailias saying the the media. He said that the black box of the plane has been sent to France to be decoded. In reading the data on the black box, Iranian and Ukrainian experts will be participated. The data to be extracted from the black box will help "significantly" to the investigation process, he said. He noted that "the Judiciary is after unearthing the fact and practicing justice". The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight PS75 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all the 176 people on board. Three days later, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps admitted that one of its missiles had downed the Kiev-bound plane due to "human error" and mistaking it for a US cruise missile. Lithium nitride is a well-known positive pre-lithiation additive that can be used to compensate for the irreversible lithium loss that occurs on the negative side during the first charge, thereby increasing the specific energy of the energy storage device. However, in the electrode manufacturing process, lithium nitride would react with the most commonly used solvent, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile (ACN) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC). The side reactions make it difficult to manufacture the lithium nitride containing electrode in scale. In this work, it was found that N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) can be used as a homogenizing solvent to prepare a stable lithium nitride-containing slurry and electrode. Then the problem is solved. The electrode can realize pre-lithiation of the lithium ion supercapacitor negative electrode, greatly improve the specific energy of the device, and maintain excellent rate performance and cycle stability. The energy retention remains 90% after 10,000 cycles. This technology is expected to find application in other battery systems with low initial efficiency in anode (hard carbon, silicon, etc.) This work was reported in Science Bulletin, entitled "DMF stabilized Li3N slurry for manufacturing self-prelithiatable lithium-ion capacitor" by Prof. Zhang Hongzhang and Li Xianfeng's group in Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The researchers studied the common polar solvents and found that the presence of -H is the main factor affecting the instability of the solvent on the surface of lithium nitride. ### The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51673199 and 51677176), Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015148), Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy (DNL180307), Innovation Foundation of Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ZZBS201615 and ZZBS201708), and Dalian Science and Technology Star Program (2016RQ026). See the article: Cuilian Liu, Tianyu Li, Hongzhang Zhang, Zihan Song, Chao Qu, Guangjin Hou, Huamin Zhang, Chuanfa Ni, Xianfeng Li. DMF stabilized Li3N slurry for manufacturing self-prelithiatable lithium-ion capacitors. Science Bulletin, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.11.014 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2019.11.014 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 16:48:37|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- "Dolittle," an American fantasy adventure film starring Robert Downey Jr., is set to land in Chinese theaters on Feb. 21, Universal Pictures announced Tuesday via its Weibo account. Based on the character Doctor Dolittle created by English author Hugh Lofting in his 1920s children's books, the comedy film revolves around Dolittle, who is forced to set sail on an adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure when the young queen falls ill. In the film, Dolittle regains his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures. Also known as "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle," the film is directed by Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning screenplay writer of the 2000 film "Traffic." File image US President Donald Trump could visit India in February with both sides reportedly discussing possible dates. This would be the first time Trump visits India as the US President. There has been no official confirmation about this from either side so far. This comes at a time when the Centre is facing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and a proposed pan-India National Register of Citizen (NRC) and also amid concerns expressed by US lawmakers over the situation in Kashmir. The Union Territory has been under a security lock down since August, when Article 370 that gave special status was abrogated. India and the US are expected to sign a trade deal pending since 2018. Reports suggest that India is also hoping for Trump to revoke cancellation of India's "Generalized System of Preference (GSP)" status. Trump is also reportedly keen on visiting India in the early part of this year, before the US presidential election in November. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. However, the timing of Trumps visit would depend on the duration of the US Senate impeachment trial, which is expected to begin this week. The trial is to determine if Trump should be removed from office. India had invited Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US in June 2017. This invitation was later converted into an invite for the 2019 Republic Day parade. However, Trump had turned down the invitation citing scheduling constraints and the dates clashing with the annual State of the Union address. The last time a US president visited India was Barack Obama in 2015. He was also the first US President to attend Indias Republic Day parade. Len Johnson, who was credited with reclaiming pieces of the World War II Maine Flyer aircraft. The plane was named in honor of Maine Township High School (now Maine East) after the school sold enough war bonds to fund its construction. John Murphy of the Park Ridge Historical Society said discussions have taken place regarding how the pieces might be displayed by the society. Two Katyusha rockets on Tuesday hit a military base housing US troops near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said. The attack took place in the evening when the two rockets landed on the al-Taji military base, around 20 km from Baghdad, where some US troops are stationed, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. There was no immediate reports about casualties, the official added. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a few days after Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iraqi Iran-backed Shiite militia Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, said the Iranian initial response to the killing of an Iranian military leader was done and it is time for Iraq to respond to the US airstrike. Al-Khazali's threat came after Iran fired ballistic missiles on Wednesday on two military bases housing US troops in Iraq's western province of Anbar and near the city of Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. On January 3, a US drone attacked a convoy near Baghdad International Airport, killing Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. More than 5,000 US troops are deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battle against Islamic State militants. Mumbai is a sensational city. Indias economic capital, the home base of Bollywood, is a food-loving metropolis, offering a pleasing, intense mixture of stimuli. There is always something around the corner to experience, eat, or drink in Mumbai. The beverage of choice here is not coffee, but chai. The tapri chaiwallah (chai vendor) is as prevalent here as a bagel shop is in New York City or palm trees are in Hollywood. Sold in tiny 7mL cups and consumed multiple times a day, the chaiwallahs job never ends. Chai (as many westerners now know) is generally prepared using black tea, sugar, and one of several spices, including saffron, ginger, and lemongrass. Each chaiwallah prides themselves on their technique and produces several hundred liters of the stuff daily for the insatiable thirst of the Mumbaikar. Mumbais first real exposure to espresso-based beverages was in 1996, when the national chain Cafe Coffee Day, or CCD, opened its bright interiors to the country. A menu of espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and sweetened espresso beverages, iced and cold was offered up in a stylish, comfortable setting. A big hit among students and urban professionals, the chain capitalized on sugary-sweet beverages presented in kitschy cups. Today, the big green giant Starbucks has also found its niche in Mumbai as it increases locations and tests the limits of expensive coffee. A testament to the wealth and spending habits of Mumbai is that a cup of coffee costs more at a Starbucks in India than it does anywhere in the world. And its profitability is growing. The Third Wave initially hit Mumbai in 2009 when theindianbean.co and Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters started selling their ethically sourced coffee beans from single farms across southern Indian states. South India is the prevalent grower of coffee in India. Baba Budan, a Sufi saint, is said to have smuggled seven coffee beans to India in the 16th century and planted them in what is today known as Chikmagalur. Today, Mumbais coffee scene is an amalgamation of hungry entrepreneurs and self-taught or professionally trained coffee enthusiasts. Some are trying to expand their presence overseas, while others are consciously choosing to remain local. For lovers of coffee, all this means is something that can be best phrased using a Hindi colloquialism: picture abhi baki hainthe show is just getting started. Lets dive in. Kalopsia Artisan Coffee Co-founder Aasma Khan is a passionate barista trainer with five years of coffee experience. Today, along with wildlife researcher Prakash Borana, shes created a bright, fun, and quaint space to exhibit some of the finest Indian coffees. Focused on microlots and rare varieties, Kalopsia is the newest cafe on this list, but if youre a true speciality coffee lover, the first sip will be enough to convince you that its by far one of the best coffee shops in Mumbai today. They face some stiff competition with some major chain coffee and tea shops situated right next to them, but their moderate pricing and exemplary service are getting them noticedand fast. One of the two shops in the country using Sanremo espresso machines, theyre pulling the most consistent shots of coffee Ive had the pleasure of tasting in a decade. Definitely try the microlot Tattvamasi for a bright, juicy and creamy mouthfeel of pomegranate, jackfruit, and orange rind. Khan and Boranas attention to detail can be found in the beautifully hand-painted decor and most definitely in every single coffee they serve. KC Roasters Founded by a trio, now the show is run entirely run by one man: Australia native Shannon DSouza. DSouzas grandfather owns and runs a coffee farm in South India and has been consistently delivering speciality coffee to Australia and other countries for decades. Combining the family tradition of coffee and his love for the Sydney coffee culture, DSouza is making just more than amazing flat whites in Mumbai. Inside his cozy Chium Village cafe, youll find a complete black interior with a majestic Probat 150 taking up most of the space. Initially, customers would put their coffee cups to rest inside the cooling tray of the Probat, leading DSouza to innovate an actual tabletop for the machine. You can sip an Amrut-cask-aged pour-over from the Kelagur Estate or have it as a honey-processed dark roast, served on the actual roaster! Their Maravullah espresso is to date one of the most flavorful espressos Ive had in Mumbaiby a long kilometer. The small cafe gets busy with regulars chatting away with each other as well as the baristas. The local expat community and older native residents have welcomed KC Roasters with open arms into their Mumbai. Blue Tokai Coffee Everything about Blue Tokai Coffee fits right in with what youd expect from a modern speciality coffee shop. Subdued colors, easy-going vibes, and a happy mingling of coffee driven people. A small shelf offers a variety of manual brewing equipment and accessories along with roast-date-printed coffee bags. Founders Matt Chitharanjan and Namrata Asthana started Blue Tokai as an e-commerce platform, selling coffee beans and equipment online before opening their cafe. (They also feature some of the best sesame seed bagels in Mumbai.) Blue Tokai roasts its own coffees, sourced ethically from farms across India. They also work closely with some small farmers to ensure fair prices and try to get as involved in the harvesting process as possible. Try the Vienna Roast pour-over or request a Silver Oaks blend as an AeroPress if youre longing for floral, raisin, and nut tasting notes. The shop is always filled with a smattering of TV and film personalities, directors, and aspiring screenwriters due to several film offices in the neighborhood. The shop is also a stones throw away from the recently cleaned up Versova Beach, giving you a perfect excuse to grab a coffee on the go. Blue Tokai Coffee has multiple locations around Mumbai. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook Twitter , and Instagram Bombay Island Coffee Roasters Opened in 2018 Bombay Island Coffee Roasters offers superior coffee in an industrial warehouse setting. Cofounder Rupal Jain, a chartered accountant by profession, fell in love with coffee while studying for her accounting exams. So much so that she decided to leap to Singapore to obtain her SCA certification for coffee roasting. The first thing she did after returning was to buy a Probat 150 and start roasting. Today, Bombay Island supplies coffee to cruise ships, restaurants, and small coffee shops around the country. Located in Malad, Bombay Island Coffee Roasters resembles a hipster cafe that youd find in any nook of the world. A wide variety of coffee paraphernalia adorns its neatly organized shelves. Coffee decals are stuck onto the walls, a Nuova Simonelli espresso machine tops the bar, and the star of the shop is the roaster, positioned for all to marvel at. An ode to the spices of India, their signature spiced iced latte features freshly ground star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined to make a delicious coffee experience. Dhaval Mehta is a digital marketing consultant based in Mumbai, India. This is Dhaval Mehtas first feature for Sprudge. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the victims of the Ukrainian jetliner shot down by a missile that killed 176 people including 57 Canadians would be alive right now if tensions had not escalated in the region. Trudeau has been careful to avoid blaming U.S. President Donald Trump for the deaths of the passengers after Trump ordered the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Irans top general, in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad. If there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families. This is something that happens when you have conflict and the war. Innocents bear the brunt of it, Trudeau said in an interview with Global News Television. Some Canadians including a leading corporate leader in the country blame Trump in part for the deaths. Trudeau has spoken to Trump. Ive talked about the tremendous grief and loss that Canadians are feeling and the need for clear answers on how this happened and how were going to make sure it never happens again, Trudeau said. Trudeau added that he would have obviously liked a warning before Trump ordered the killing of the Iranian general. Canada has troops in Iraq as part of a NATO training mission. Trudeau said is there is anger directed at Iran. There is a demand for justice. And that is entirely, entirely to be expected and should be heeded very carefully by the Iranian government, Trudeau said. Canadas Transportation Safety Board, meanwhile, said Monday that Iranian officials have invited it to participate in analysis of the voice and flight data recorders from the Ukrainian jetliner. TSB Chair Kathy Fox said Iran has invited the agency to take part as an observer for the download and analysis of the black boxes wherever and whenever that takes place, and the agency hopes to play a larger role. We are working very hard to build trust daily in order for us to brought in, Fox said. Canadas role is evolving. It remains to be seen how far that will go. Natacha Van Themsche, the director of investigations, said Canadian experts also have been invited to inspect the wreckage and the crash site an unusual step since the plane was not produced in Canada and the crash did not occur in Canada. Two Canadian investigators have obtained visas to travel to Iran and a second team with expertise in recorder download and analysis will be sent. The crash early Wednesday killed everyone on board, mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians. After initially pointing to a technical failure and insisting the armed forces were not to blame, Iranian authorities on Saturday admitted accidentally shooting it down in the face of mounting evidence and accusations by Western leaders. Van Themsche said the agency also will investigate why Iranian airspace was not closed to civilian traffic when Iran launched attacks on Iraqi military bases. Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012, but Trudeau and Canadas foreign minister have been in touch with their Iranian counterparts since the plane was shot down. Iran downed the flight as it braced for possible American retaliation after firing ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq housing U.S. forces. The missile attack, which caused no U.S. casualties, was a response to the killing of Irans top general. Trudeau has called the downing a Canadian tragedy because 138 of the passengers were headed for Canada. They included students, newlyweds, doctors and parents. The youngest was a 1-year-old girl. Canadas foreign minister and envoys and from other countries who had victims in the crash were scheduled to meet in London on Thursday to share information. The crash included citizens from Iran, Sweden, Afghanistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Germany. ROSEBURG, Ore. New statistics released by the State of Oregon show that there were more than 700 reported cases of human trafficking in in the last year with 16 of them in Douglas County. The statistics were released by the Oregon Department of Justice and the Department of Human Services. It says the data was reported from October 2018 to October 2019 from 18 out of Oregons 36 counties. RELATED: Report finds nearly 750 human trafficking victims in Oregon over one year period The Douglas County Human Trafficking Task Force is a group that advocates for survivors and educates the community about the signs of human trafficking. Members of the task force say the numbers shown on the new statistics dont represent all of the cases that went unreported last year. Fifty percent or more of our unidentified victims are trafficked through family members, said Marion Pearson, the violence prevention specialist for the task force. So through someone who theyre close to in that respect. The statistics also say Lane County has 120 reported cases in the last year. Pearson said victims dont normally self-identify themselves. However, she said by educating the community about how to recognize the signs, it may encourage them to come forward. The Douglas County Human Trafficking Task Forces next event is the Teens, Trafficking and Online Predators presentation on Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Winston Community Center. "Bill is a tremendous asset to the Office of General Counsel, and is committed to providing advice and counsel to all levels of the credit union. His knowledge and experience in litigation, intellectual property, corporate governance, member issues, regulatory interpretation, labor and employment and matters involving subsidiaries is unmatched, and I'm proud to announce his promotion," said Lind. Heyer previously held the positions of director, assistant general counsel and vice president, associate general counsel during his eight years at PenFed. Prior to joining PenFed, Heyer worked as in-house counsel for two companies specializing in consumer financial transactions. Heyer earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor of Arts from Randolph-Macon College. About PenFed Credit Union Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 1.8 million members worldwide with $25 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services. Our mission is to empower members of our community to achieve their financial well-being. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. SOURCE PenFed Credit Union Related Links http://www.PenFed.org YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. From 1988 the third wave of pogroms against Armenians (after 1905 and 1918 Armenian pogroms) broke out in Baku. In just two years the Armenian community of Baku and surrounding towns, of about 250 thousand in number, was forcibly deported. As of January 1990, approximately 30 thousand Armenians were left in the city. Most of them were old, lonely or sick and either didnt want to or just couldnt flee from Baku. The wave of hatred against Armenians started from the beginning of 1990.The new wave of massacres of the Armenian population reached its culmination on January 13-19, 1990. The number of people killed during the pogroms and in the aftermath, as a result of traumas and diseases, is up to 500 people. The exact number of victims of the pogroms remains unknown till now. Azerbaijan has not yet evaluated the pogroms from its political and legal aspects which has led to other racist and xenophobic acts by Azerbaijani authorities and strengthened Armenophobia in the country. Under International law, the brutal crimes committed by the authorities of Soviet Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Popular Front opposition movement against the Armenian population fall under the classification of crimes against humanity. It is evidenced by numerous corroborations and resolutions of international organizations that have condemned these crimes. The pogroms of Armenians in Baku were publicly denounced by American congressmen, the European Parliament and other international organizations. On January 18, 1990, a group of US senators sent a letter to Mikhail Gorbachev expressing concern about the pogroms of Armenians in Baku. In February, 2002, Bill Frelick, the head of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, presented a report in the Justice Committee of the U.S. Congress, stating that in December of 2002, 2000 ethnic Armenians deported from Baku lived in Moscow, saying they were evacuated from Baku following the anti-Armenian pogroms in January 1990. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce was joined by fellow Committee colleague Brad Sherman and Representatives Tony Cardenas, Anna Eshoo and Katherine Clark in condemnation of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Baku, Kirovabad and Sumgait in March, 2014. Brad Sherman stated: The Sumgait Pogroms were the beginning of an escalation of violence against the Armenian minority, with a wave of anti-Armenian violence spreading to Kirovabad in November 1988 and Baku in January 1990, which culminated in the forcible expulsion of 390,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan and the 1991-94 war over Artsakh (the former Nagorno Karabakh). In 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, a number of U.S. Congressmen including Adam Schiff and David Cicilline offered strong condemnations of the Azerbaijani massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad. In his statement Senator Gary Peters notes: The massacres of Armenians did not stop in Sumgait but were followed in other Azerbaijani towns such as Kirovabad in November 1988 and the capital Baku in January 1990. The European Parliament has condemned the pogroms of Armenians in Azerbaijan three times in various resolutions. The resolution of 7 July 1988 states whereas the deteriorating political situation, which has led to anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait and serious acts of violence in Baku, is in itself a threat to the safety of the Armenians living in Azerbaijan. It should be noted that the European Parliament, taking into account the pogroms of the Armenians, expressed its support for the demand of the Armenian minority for reunification with the Socialist Republic of Armenia. The European Parliament also called upon the Soviet authorities to ensure the safety of the 500 000 Armenians currently living in Soviet Azerbaijan and to ensure that those found guilty of having incited or taken part in the pogroms against the Armenians are punished according to Soviet law. On January 18, 1990, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Armenia, calling on the European Council and the European Commission to stand up for the Armenians before the government of the USSR. The EP called on the Commission and Council to make representations to the Soviet authorities with a view to ensuring that they order full and immediate lifting of the blockade imposed on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the circumstances surrounding the pogroms perpetrated against the Armenians, in particular in Sumgait and Kirovabad, Azerbaijan, are brought fully to light. The resolution of the European Parliament of March 14, 1991, stated that the 300 thousand Armenians who have fled from Azerbaijan (Baku and Sumgait massacres) to Armenia are in a state of complete destitution and require urgent aid. These crimes, due to their significance and great public danger, are also subject to the International criminal court in The Hague. The international community must give a proper political and legal assessment to the Armenian pogroms, thus, expressing the essence of the concept of punishment, in order to prevent such crimes from happening in the future. The organizers and perpetrators of the pogroms have not yet been brought to justice, thus unleashing the hands of the regime in Baku, which is ready to repeat such crimes. Azerbaijan continues to pursue discriminatory and xenophobic policies which were reflected in 2004, during the training courses organized by NATO in Hungary when Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan was axed, while asleep, by his fellow participant, Azerbaijani Lieutenant Ramil Safarov who is currently considered as hero in Azerbaijan, as well as in the case of torture and brutal murder of civilians in Talish village in April, 2016. Vanuhi Karapetyan CNN Philippines (Metro Manila, January 14) People over Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon will have cloudy skies and rains with plumes due to Taal Volcanos continuous eruptions, an official from the state weather bureau said Tuesday. The rains may possibly cause reduced visibility conditions and mudflow, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in an update on Tuesday. But PAGASA's weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio also said these rains may wash away the ash in the areas affected by the volcanic activity which has been going on since Sunday afternoon. Aurelio also said winds from Tagaytay are now heading towards the provinces of Quezon, Rizal and Aurora, which means these areas could be reached by Taal Volcano's volcanic ash -- an irritant to the eyes and lungs. On Sunday, gusts from the north brought ashfall in parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila and Calabarzon, prompting local governments to suspend classes. Meanwhile, light rains may prevail over Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region due to the northeast monsoon. The low pressure area inside PAGASAs monitoring area, last seen 670 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar is also forecasted to weaken any time Tuesday. PAGASA forecaster Meno Mendoza added in a briefing that they are not expecting new weather system in the next two to three days. Redondo Beach, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - SECFilings.com, a leading financial news and information portal offering free real time public company filing alerts, announces the publication of an article discussing Colombia's efforts to establish hemp and cannabis production businesses as a means to develop communities ravaged by decades of war and poverty. One World Pharma (OTCQB: OWPC) was recently awarded an exclusive opportunity to partner with these communities through a government-backed program. CAPTION: One World Pharma Greenhouse To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6091/51440_f11a79f9b4a08a55_001full.jpg Colombia has a long history of occupation, upheaval, and conflict. From the Spanish conquistadors through the independence movement, from Marxist rebels through drug cartels, war and oppression have been fairly consistent themes for the last 500 years or so. In the last 10 to 15 years, however, the country and its government seem to have turned a corner. There is a peace agreement with the guerilla movement and the government is spearheading reparations for victims of decades of conflict. There is a renewed focus on human rights. Colombia actually suggested, in 2011, the creation of global Sustainable Development Goals. Those goals were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. In 2016, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As part of the Colombian government's efforts to improve conditions in struggling communities across the country, it has partnered with FEDECORE to fund and create an industrial hemp company that hopes to provide jobs and income to people who have long been suffering. FEDECORE is a non-governmental federation of regional and local municipal leaders focused on sustainable empowerment and enrichment of municipalities. FEDECORE partners with all manner of corporations, government entities, and educational organizations to achieve its goals. For the industrial hemp project, it reviewed many applicants before announcing a partnership with One World Pharma Inc. (OTCQB: OWPC) for the execution of its ambitious plan. Power to the People, Without the Guns Colcannapy S.A.S. is the resulting company. One World Pharma owns 51% of its shares, and FEDECORE owns 49%. The company's mission is to grow and sell high-quality industrial hemp in select communities across Colombia, in line with FEDECORE's and the government's goal of sustainable development and empowerment of impoverished populations. Under the agreement, OWP provides its hemp genetics and cultivation expertise to farmers and communities through FEDECORE's network. Funding is provided by the federal government. OWP then has the option of purchasing up to 50% of the harvested hemp with the intent of selling it internationally. FEDECORE will purchase the remaining hemp for domestic supply. One World Pharma is already established in Colombia, working with two indigenous populations on the cultivation, processing, and sale of non-psychoactive hemp and cannabis. OWP planted its first Colombian crops in 2018, recently completed a 120,000 s.f. greenhouse there, is building out a GMP-certified extraction and processing facility, holds a variety of licenses with the federal government, and has 25 government-registered cannabis/hemp strains (and counting). With many companies looking to Colombia for cannabis and hemp production, in line with the government's stated goal of becoming a major exporter to the tune of $6 billion annually, one might wonder why OWP was awarded the contract. It might have something to do with the company's commitment to and track record of partnering with indigenous peoples. "It is a great tribute to our reputation in Colombia that we have been selected to partner with FEDECORE," stated Brian Moore, President, One World Pharma. "Our Company's initiatives include partnering with local farmers and indigenous people in a mutually beneficial way. Our partnership with FEDECORE is expected to allow us to do this on a large scale," added Moore. CAPTION: One World Pharma CEO Craig Ellins with local representative To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6091/51440_f11a79f9b4a08a55_002full.jpg OWP's Model Along with a focus on creating sustainable and responsible business with local populations, One World Pharma has created a forward-thinking futures program that could change the way cannabis and its derivatives are traded globally. In essence, the company sees that cannabis derivatives, the building blocks of next-generation products like medicinal creams and edibles, are in essence commodities and should be treated as such. A major part of the commodities markets is futures contracts, wherein producers and buyers of commodities such as wheat, oil, and gold agree upon a date and price for the future purchase of the commodity. The system reduces risk and allows for certainty in planning on both ends of the deal. For cannabis and hemp, OWP will commit cultivation space to plants grown to specific customer requirements, promising to deliver the plant material or extracts to the customer at an agreed upon price. OWP and its farmers will know there is a buyer for its crops, and the customer knows it will be receiving goods that meet its requirements on a fixed date at a fixed cost. Everybody wins. One World Pharma, through its majority ownership of Colcannapy and in conjunction with the federally subsidized FEDECORE program, now has the opportunity to spread that model across Colombia's recovering landscape. Rather than employing the common resource- and wealth-extraction models of many Western corporations operating in less developed nations, OWP is embracing the Colombian commitment to empowering the very people that have been historically oppressed. It's a story that bears following. The company anticipates its first major harvest within the month, and looks to test its export model with its first international sales in Q1 2020. Look for those and other developments as One World Pharma, in concert with the people of Colombia, implements its vision of a robust, socially and environmentally responsible economic engine that can drive real change via cannabis and hemp production. 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Paul Archie 406-862-2242 parchie@tdmfinancial.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51440 Washington (AFP) - Apple and the US government are at loggerheads for the second time in four years over unlocking iPhones connected to a mass shooting, reviving debate over law enforcement access to encrypted devices. Attorney General Bill Barr said Monday that Apple failed to provide "substantive assistance" in unlocking two iPhones in the investigation into the December shooting deaths of three US sailors at a Florida naval station, which he called an "act of terrorism." Apple disputed Barr's claim, while arguing against the idea of "backdoors" for law enforcement to access its encrypted smartphones. "We reject the characterization that Apple has not provided substantive assistance in the Pensacola investigation," the company said in a statement. "Our responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing." Late on Tuesday, President Donald Trump weighed in on Twitter, saying the government was helping Apple on trade issues "yet they refuse to unlock phones used by killers, drug dealers and other violent criminal elements." "They will have to step up to the plate and help our great Country, NOW!" he added. The standoff highlighted the debate between law enforcement and the tech sector about encryption -- a key way to protect the privacy of digital communications, but which can also make investigations difficult, even with a court order. The latest battle is similar to the dispute between Apple and the US Justice Department after the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, when the iPhone maker rejected a request to develop software to break into the shooter's iPhone. That fight ended in 2016 when the government paid an outside party a reported $1 million for a tool that circumvented Apple's iPhone encryption. Barr last year called on Facebook to allow authorities to circumvent encryption to fight extremism, child pornography and other crimes. The social network has said it would move ahead with strong encryption for its messaging applications. Story continues - Opening wrong doors? Digital rights activists argue that any privileged access for law enforcement would weaken security and make it easier for hackers and authoritarian governments to intercept messages. "We have always maintained there is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys," Apple's statement said. "Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers." Apple and others argue that digital "breadcrumbs" make it increasingly easy to track people, even without breaking into personal devices. The government's latest demand "is dangerous and unconstitutional, and would weaken the security of millions of iPhones," Jennifer Granick of the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement. "Strong encryption enables religious minorities facing genocide, like the Uighurs in China, and journalists investigating powerful drug cartels in Mexico, to communicate safely." Granick added that Apple cannot allow the FBI access to encrypted communications "without also providing it to authoritarian foreign governments and weakening our defenses against criminals and hackers." Kurt Opsahl of the Electronic Frontier Foundation echoed that sentiment, saying Apple "is right to provide strong security" for its devices. "The AG (attorney general) requesting Apple re-engineer its phones to break that security is a poor security trade-off, and imperils millions of innocent people around the globe," Opsahl tweeted. James Lewis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, said he believes it's possible to allow law enforcement access without sacrificing encryption. "You're not weakening encryption, you're making it so it's not end-to-end," Lewis told AFP. "It means that there's a third party who can look at it under appropriate authority." But Lewis said he does not expect either side to come out a winner in the battle, and that US officials will likely find another outside party to crack the two iPhones belonging to the shooter, Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamran, who died in the attack. "It's a repeat of the movie we saw in San Bernardino," he said. "It's going to be harder because Apple probably fixed the trick that worked in San Bernardino." Russian tourist in coma after Patong hotel four-storey fall PHUKET: A 23-year-old Russian tourist remains unconscious in the ICU at Vachira Phuket Hospital after falling from the fourth floor of a hotel in Patong on Sunday morning (Jan 12). patongRussianpolice By The Phuket News Tuesday 14 January 2020, 09:32AM Police inspect room at the hotel in Patong where Mr Solovev was staying. photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Nareupon Taewlae of the Patong Police said that the man, Daniil Solovev, was in a serious but stable condition. Police were called to the hotel, on Nanai Rd, at 11am, but by the time officers arrived Mr Solovev had already been rushed to hospital, Capt Nareupon explained. Rescue workers confirmed that Mr Solovev was unconscious at the scene and had suffered a broken right arm in the fall. He was taken to Patong Hospital, but later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, Capt Nareupon added. Officers went to see Mr Solovev at the hospital yesterday (Jan 13), Capt Nareupon said. He remains in a stable condition in the ICU, but he has still not regained consciousness, he noted. I do not have any further details of his injuries, Capt Nareupon added. I dont know how this incident happened. I have confirmed through hotel CCTV that he was alone in the room at the time, Capt Nareupon, who is tasked with investigating the fall, told The Phuket News. I found some pieces of dried plant in his hotel room which might be marijuana. It was on the floor inside the room, and a beer bottle was on the balcony floor. All pieces of the dried plant have been sent to the Phuket Forensic Science Office to identify, and I have informed Phuket Immigration, he added. Capt Nareupon said at this stage his officers had no more leads to follow to understand what had led to Mr Solovev falling from his hotel balcony. When he makes a full recovery from his injuries, then I will question him about it, Capt Nareupon said. Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub Masonic Public School, Vasant Kunj, celebrated its annual day function with enthusiasm. The entire school helped ensure the success of this event. The triumph was made possible by the efforts of principal Neelam Kumar. The panel of dignitaries included chief guest Bali, school chairman AK Sharma, CBSE regional officer Inderjeet Singh and high commissioner of Zambia, Judith KK Kangoma. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp and Ganesh vandana. The props and costumes added colour to the occasion. The play Ashoka drew loud applause. It depicted the life of King Ashoka and his compassion. The play also had musical elements to bring melody. A tabla performance was given by students which mesmerised the audience. Parents were impressed by the performance showcased by students. The principal read out the annual report. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony. Students were honoured for excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. The chief guest said it was a spectacular show and expressed happiness at being a part of the annual day celebrations. The chairman congratulated the entire team for the hard work which made the event a success. He said students should be imparted not just an academic education, but also a sense of values. School manager MK Mahajan thanked the dignitaries and parents as well as the teachers and the principal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON But Taiwan is not. It has existed as a self-ruled island since 1949. China has repeatedly vowed to take control of Taiwan, by force if necessary, and Xi has set 2049, the centenary of the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China, as a deadline for what he calls reunification (though Taiwan has never been part of the Peoples Republic). A Marine was in contact with someone in Haiti and was carrying forged military orders when he landed in the Port-au-Prince airport with guns, ammunition and body armor, federal prosecutors charge in a new indictment. Airport security in Haiti arrested Jacques Yves Sebastien Duroseau when he landed in the country on Nov. 12 on a commercial flight with boxes of guns and ammunition, according to court filings. Federal investigators said Duroseau, an enlisted active-duty Marine and native of Haiti, had a colonels uniform with his name on it in his luggage and forged military orders that identified him as a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. Duroseau was brought back to the United States in December and is being held without bail, according to federal court records filed with the Eastern District of North Carolina. Wants to become President of Haiti The Marine reportedly told U.S. investigators that he wanted to help train Haitian security forces. According to the new indictment, Duroseau had been in contact with an unnamed person in Haiti since at least April 2019 about returning to Haiti to help train police with hopes of becoming president of the troubled Caribbean country. A person listed only as a known individual told investigators Duroseau wanted to help Haiti and wants to become President of Haiti, according to court filings. Federal court filings describe this person as an individual known to the Grand Jury in Haiti, but do not give any additional details. In early November, federal prosecutors say, Duroseau told this unnamed person about his plan to bring guns into the county. Haiti is under a U.S. arms embargo. This photo of the weapons brought into Haiti by Jacques Yves Duroseau was circulated on social media after Duroseaus arrest in Port-au-Prince Tuesday after arriving aboard an American Airlines flight from Miami. Two police officials confirmed that the photos are from the incident. When Duroseau boarded an American Airlines flight in New Bern, North Carolina, he disclosed to the airline he was carrying five handguns, three military-style rifles and ammunition in his checked baggage, according to court filings. Haitian customs officials said they became suspicious when they saw the three black cases, two of which were long. Most often the cases mean guns are inside, the Miami Herald reported. Story continues Duroseau, a firearms instructor with the Marines, said he picked every gun so he could train Haitis security forces, according to court filings. The new indictment said he wanted to train police, but older court filings said he planned to train the military. Interviewed by U.S. agents after his arrest in Haiti, Duroseau said he knew what he was bringing in was illegal, according to court records. This photo of the weapons brought into Haiti by Jacques Yves Duroseau was circulated on social media after Duroseaus arrest in Port-au-Prince Tuesday after arriving aboard an American Airlines flight from Miami. Two police officials confirmed that the photos are from the incident. Duroseau told investigators with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services that getting arrested was part of his plan to gain a platform to make a statement in Haiti, the indictment said. I know why I brought (the guns), he told the federal agents, the indictment said. Its still a part of the attention I need. He told them he wanted to wear the uniform of the military thats been established and defeat the thugs that have been creating a little bit of part of the instability in Haiti, according to the indictment. Duroseau is scheduled to appear in federal court in Raleigh for an arraignment in March. His new charges include gun smuggling, violating the arms embargo on Haiti and impersonating an officer of the United States. Duroseau is represented by Edward Gray, a federal public defender. Gray did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges. New Delhi, Jan 14 : In a powerful campaign video for an online beauty store, acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal - who has inspired the recent Bollywood release 'Chhapaak' - gives out the message that she is not defined by make-up. Nykaa's campaign #WhatMakesYouBeautiful features Laxmi in a video that, at first, shows her dressing up and applying make-up. It stops mid-way to say that Laxmi didn't feel herself in make-up, and wanted to remain as she is in a world that stresses too much on 'looking' beautiful. The film with a surprise twist challenges the beauty standards women grow accustomed to all their lives. "The physical expectations that come with the beauty standards we are used to, are sometimes exhausting. Women often end up feeling terrible about themselves, surrounded by a world of filters and social media perfection they could never live up to," the brand said in a statement. The fierce activist, who suffered burns on her face due to acid being thrown on her by a man, and her tireless efforts over the years has actually helped restrict the casual sale of acid in the country and has made the prosecution of acid attack cases easier to pursue. Urging women everywhere to "be their own kind of beautiful", the campaign questions and redefines the perceptions of beauty that women have been conditioned to live with. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text ALTON To help connect residents with unclaimed property or cash owed to them, state Reps. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, and Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, are teaming with Illinois State Treasurers office I-Cash events. Bristow and Crowe will host an event noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Roxana Public Library, 200 N. Central Ave., Roxana. Stuart will host an event 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 24, at the Caseyville Public Library. The Toronto Homeless Memorial will mark a grim milestone this week during a ceremony to remember men and women who died homeless, by adding them to a list that for the first time includes more than 1,000 names. Memorial services take place on the second Tuesday of each month at the Church of the Holy Trinity, in a small square just west of the Eaton Centre and next to a wood and glass memorial built in 2001. Two of the men to be added to its list died on New Years Day, one of a suspected overdose outside the church. At last count, organizers told the Star the list numbered 1,002 lives lost. At this memorial, as they do each time, music will be played, poetry will be read aloud, friends and community members will be encouraged to speak, and the ceremony will conclude with a communal meal inside the church. We want it to be a space where people can grieve. Being able to grieve well is really important for all of us. That is a huge piece of why we try to give names and talk about peoples stories ... we want to acknowledge the whole person, said Greg Cook, an outreach worker with Sanctuary Toronto. The other part is to bear witness, to say this is happening in our city. Conventional burials can include enormous costs, said Cook, and friends may be unable to travel or simply unaware of the persons death. What is documented at the church is derived from word of mouth and numbers released by the city, and it falls short of a comprehensive count. The list includes men and women who died in emergency shelters, or on the street, or from any of the many dangers tied to a lack of stable housing and poverty, including violence, addiction, suicide, untreated mental and physical health issues, exposure and neglect. These are real people with real lives and so we try to put in their real names. But there are lots of situations where the city has stats on people who have died in the emergency shelter system that we dont have information on, said Cook, explaining why unidentified people are listed as John or Jane Doe. Nicknames are used or swapped out with John or Jane Doe if family asks, Cook said. Advocates want the city to declare an emergency and open at least 2,000 new emergency shelter beds. That would build on existing direction from council that the city create 1,000 new beds, a move Mayor John Tory voted against in December 2017 at council before releasing an open letter signalling council would reopen the debate after people were unable to access shelter during a brutal cold snap. Tory supported the expedited creation of 1,000 new beds as part of the 2018 budget approved that February, but according to the 2020 budget launched on Friday, only 601 new beds had been created in 2019, with only 143 more planned for 2020. Mary-Anne Bedard, general manager of the citys shelter, support and housing administration division, said the city has secured the properties required for 780 of those 1,000 emergency beds and the bulk of them will be opened by the end of the year. This means purchased, leased, they are our buildings, Bedard told the Star. We are on a good track. Bedard said the city is working on new design standards that will build in the plumbing and infrastructure to allow emergency shelter spaces to be converted to supportive housing as needed. The standards are being refined, but are being applied to any new builds or renovations of existing shelters, she said. Asked about the memorial, Bedard said it serves as an important reminder of the people we are serving and the sad reality of what happens to people on the margins and motivates her to think beyond just emergency solutions but towards the longer upstream changes the city wants to make. Cook said the new beds will save lives, but the reality is the city needs to find new and aggressive ways to build more supportive and affordable housing. Toronto Public Health only began tracking deaths tied to homeless in January 2017, following a Star investigation that found Ontario municipalities failed to track those deaths in a comprehensive way, if at all. Prior to that, the only official counts in Toronto were for those using the emergency shelter system. During 2017, 101 deaths were recorded, followed by 93 in 2018, according to city reports. During the first six months of 2019, 57 deaths were reported by the city, about a third of them women. The memorial was the vision of late Bonnie Briggs, who Cook said had wanted the memorial to be at City Hall. Prior to that, advocates would march to city hall after each death but, street nurse Cathy Crowe told the Star, but the number of them made that impossible. The vast majority of these deaths were preventable, stated Crowe in a news release. I consider the inaction by all three levels of government criminally negligent. Last year the memorial was redesigned. The pages used to lay flat. Now people can flip through sheets of names dating back to 1985. Correction Jan. 16, 2020 The graphic for deaths in 2000s was edited from a previous version. Justin Erin Mazzitellis surname was misspelled New Delhi, Jan 14 : The government is considering a proposal to extend further incentives to salaried taxpayers in the upcoming budget. The Finance Ministry may allow individual taxpayers to pay a lower flat rate of tax if they forego all exemptions. The new structure would be similar to tax rates proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman late last year where the base corporate tax rate was reduced to 22 per cent from 30 per cent for companies that agreed to forgo all exemptions and incentives. The tax was kept at even lower rate of 15 per cent for new manufacturing companies. "After tax sops for corporates last year, the government is looking at ways to incentivise the individual taxpayers that form a major source of revenue for the Centre. While major changes in tax slabs could wait for some time, a scheme similar to the one implemented for the corporate sector is being examined for individuals too," said a source privy to discussions on the issue in the government. At present while individual income upto Rs 2.5 lakh per annum is exempt from tax, a 5 per cent tax is levied for income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. A higher 20 per cent slab is for income between Rs 5 lakh and 10 lakh while a 30 per tax rate is applicable for income above Rs 10 lakh. In addition, the government also levies a surcharge in slabs on super rich for income above Rs 50 lakh. The source said that though there is broad understanding on implementing a flat income tax rate for individuals, discussions is still going on its quantum and how it could fit a tax structure that has three to four different slabs. Tax experts who did not want to be named on the issue told IANS that the government could look at a flat rate somewhere in between the 5 and 30 per cent income tax rates. The ideal would be around 15-18 per cent rate that would be lower than the peak rate of 30 per cent and the second rate of 20 per cent. Also, the new lower flat rate of tax may be applicable only for annual income of upto Rs 50 lakh. Sources said that a higher flat rate is also being looked at for the super rich but discussions on this have remained inconclusive. At present, an individual can save upto Rs 1.5 lakh per annum under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act by making investments in insurance plans and few other specified instruments including buying a pension plan run under the NPS. An additional self contribution (up to Rs 50,000) under section 80CCD (1B) is available as NPS tax benefit. In addition, there are deductions for contributing towards paying premium for health insurance and for paying installment for homes bought on loans. While the flat rate of tax may be attractive to a certain category of taxpayers that want a higher share of their monthly earnings in hand, experts say the move could also dissuade people from increasing their contributions towards savings. India's household savings has dropped to 17.2 per cent level in 2017-18 from 23.6 per cent in 2011-12. Data for FY 19 is not available. Higher domestic savings is crucial to mobilise funds for investments in the economy. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) The Federal Government will continue to implement game-changing infrastructure projects around the country to connect the nations economic zones and drive economic development, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The Vice President further noted that most of the signature projects of the administration, including the Lagos-Kano Rail, Mambilla Hydro Plant, Second Niger Bridge, amongst others would be completed during the second term of the Buhari administration. Mr Osinbajo stated this in Kano on Monday during a one-day working visit to the State to commission some infrastructural projects by the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje administration. Speaking at an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders at Government House in Kano, Vice President noted that one of our signature projects is the Lagos-Kano rail, which has gone now as far as Abeokuta, and we are hoping that we will be able to complete the Lagos-Kano rail in the shortest possible time. We expect that the infrastructure projects of the Federal Government, including the Mambilla Hydropower plant, the Second Niger Bridge and several others will be completed in our second term. We hope we are able to complete as many as possible before the end of our term. Speaking further on the position of the Federal Government in providing the necessary infrastructure to drive economic development, Mr Osinbajo said infrastructure was central to the agenda of the Buhari administration in all sectors. There is no question at all that for President Muhammadu Buhari, infrastructure is key. Infrastructure is key to anything that we intend to do. It is key to resolving most of the pending issues that confront our country, especially the economic issues. We need to be able to connect the economic zones of Nigeria. We need to be able to connect the South, the South-South, the South-East, the South-West to the North. All the zones of this country have to be connected in order to realise the economic objectives that we set for ourselves. In a few years, as a matter of fact, in two budget circles, we invested about N2.7 trillion on capital alone, which is the highest in the history of the country despite the fact that we are earning almost 60% less than previous governments. Mr Osinbajo also said addressing the poverty concern in the country remains one of the major issues adding that the Federal Government under President Buhari is focused and committed to reversing the situation significantly. Referring to Governor Ganduje who had spoken earlier on the same subject, the VP observed that poverty, as the governor pointed out, remains one of the major issues that confront our people. And the President again on June 12, made the declaration that it is the intention of our government to take 10 million people out of poverty every year till the next decade, that is taking 100 million people in ten years, out of poverty. READ ALSO: Now, that may sound ambitious but I must say to you that we are extremely committed towards achieving it and we are extremely focused. This explains why it is that we launched the Social Investment Programmes. Any country of our size that does not have a social investment programme or establish a social safety net for its people will be acting irresponsibly. That is the reason why we launched the programme. While commending the Kano State government for taking the lead in providing game-changing infrastructural projects and the enabling environment necessary for the economic development of the State, especially in health, education and other sectors, the Vice President assured Governor Ganduje of the Federal Governments continuous support for states that are complementing national efforts at tackling poverty, providing access to education and health, amongst others. At the ground-breaking foundation laying ceremony for the Cancer Treatment Centre at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Prof. Osinbajo commended the state government for taking the lead in aligning to the national cancer control plan of the Federal Government. In his remark, Governor Ganduje thanked the Vice President for the honour of visiting the State to commission the projects and announced the establishment of the special fund to cater for the needs of indigent patients desirous of treatment at the cancer treatment centre, when completed. Projects commissioned by the Vice President in the State include the Aminu Dantata flyover of over 2km, at the Murtala Muhammad Way, and the Tijjani Hashim Galadima Kano underpass way, in Kofar Ruwa. Mr Osinbajo also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Sheikh Qariballah Nasuru Kabara flyover, in Shahuci. While in Kano, the VP visited the National Monuments and Museum in Kano with selected school children from the State, where he and the children were conducted round the monument which used to be the palace of the Emir of Kano. One hundred Irish children have been sent to England over the past three years to be assessed at a clinic caught in a controversy over fast-tracking gender transition. The Tavistock Clinic in London, the main gender clinic for children in Ireland and England, is under the spotlight after the resignation of whistle-blowing clinicians who claim children were being incorrectly diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The most recent figures released from the English clinic's Gender Identity Development Services show that 38 Irish children attended their service from June 2017 to June 2018, while 35 children were referred the previous year. Since 2010, 117 boys and girls from Ireland have been referred to the specialist NHS clinic in London which treats transgender children; and in the past three years there has been a sharp rise in referrals of children feeling unhappy about their biological sex. The children, aged eight to 17, are initially psychologically assessed in the Tavistock Clinic in the UK while treatment, which can involve puberty blockers in some cases, is now mainly carried out in the Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin. Consultant Psychotherapist Marcus Evans, one of the former governors of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, resigned over concerns that the youth gender clinic was too quick to give children and young people gender reassignment treatment. Dr Evans, who had a 34-year association with the trust, said he believed the clinic needed oversight from an independent body. "I do not have confidence, and that's why I resigned, that the trust is taking the necessary steps to make sure that children are being adequately cared for," he said. He added that staff in the Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Services were raising concerns that there was "not enough of a thorough investigation of what was wrong with these kids" and that they were "being fast-tracked". Children can be treated with hormone blockers to stop puberty and from the age of 16 cross-sex hormones of either oestrogen or testosterone can be prescribed which will cause some irreversible changes to the body. "There's pressure to come down all the time, younger and younger. Why can't we stop hormone development that comes with adolescence earlier and earlier?" said Dr Evans. He said people find it difficult to speak out because of the fear of being accused of being transphobic. "It's tyrannised by the fear of being accused of being transphobic. "I'm not transphobic," said Dr Evans. "I'm standing up for what I think is good medical practice." The Tavistock Clinic said in a statement that it provided a highly specialised service for children and adolescents who were experiencing gender dysphoria or who needed support to explore their gender identity. "We do this by fostering recognition and non-judgemental acceptance of diversity in gender identities and gender expression; providing support, advice and treatment to assist in reducing emotional, behavioural, and relationship difficulties and their effects; offering options for physical interventions as appropriate, and working with local services to prevent mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, self-harm and suicidal thoughts." In a statement released yesterday, the HSE said: "This service is currently accessed through the Treatment Abroad Scheme. "The HSE has worked with the leading clinicians in Ireland and representatives of the transgender community to develop an agreed model of care. "We now have a planned and funded commitment to have the services delivered by a full staff team based in Ireland and we are currently recruiting in that regard." The statement added: "Tavistock, a public service of the UK National Health Service, have provided a service in Ireland for young people for a number of years. "They are supporting us to transition this service to Irish clinicians." After Amazon announced its Great Indian Sale for this year, Flipkart has announced its Republic Day Sale is scheduled from January 19th to 22nd, same day as Amazon sale. The company has partnered with ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank to offer 10% instant discount on ICICI Credit Cards and Kotak Debit and Credit cards. Other offers include, No cost EMI on Credit cards, Exchange offer on Mobiles, TVs, Appliances, Laptops and more.Flipkart Plus customers get early access to the sale on January 18th at 8PM. Flipkart offers pre-booking offers that lets customers get products at lower prices if you pay advance. During the sale it will offer Block Buster deals every 8 hours, Rush Hours extra discounts till 2AM, extra 15% off as a part of price crash, up to 80% off on electronics and accessories, Thin and Light Laptops from Rs. 31,990, up to 50% off on Smartwatches, up to 75% off on TVs and appliances, up to 80% off on Flipkart brands and lots more. You can check out more details about Flipkart Republic Day sale here. Ryanair says could start getting Boeing 737 MAX by April FILE PHOTO: An aerial photo shows Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at Boeing facilities at the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake By Isla Binnie MADRID (Reuters) - Ryanair could receive its first deliveries of up to 10 grounded 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing by April, Chief Marketing Officer Kenny Jacobs said on Tuesday, but cautioned the timing was dependent on regulators. That is earlier than indicated by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary this month when he said the airline might not receive its first 737 MAX until October. The 737 MAX, Boeing's fastest-selling aircraft, has not flown since last March following two crashes which claimed 346 lives. Ryanair has up to 210 of the planes on order, but none in service. "We now think we will get it in March or April this year, looks more like April than March, and we think we will get up to 10 MAX aircraft," Jacobs told a news conference in Madrid. "It could still mean less than ten and the date could still change ... It has been a moving feast and the dates have slipped up to now for the past months," Jacobs said, adding all European airlines' orders were in the hands of regulators. "We still think the MAX is a great aircraft. Our focus, their (Boeing's) focus now is just to get the MAX flying." Ryanair last month cut its passenger traffic forecast for the year to March 31, 2021, to 156 million from 157 million after scrapping some planned summer operations due to the MAX delays. That forecast was based on Ryanair receiving 10 MAX aircraft in time for the summer season. It previously cut expectations to 20 from the 60 originally scheduled. However, the airline has also since raised its profit forecast for the year to the end of March 2020 after a better-than-expected performance over Christmas and New Year. (Writing by Padraic Halpin in Dublin; Editing by Mark Potter) Authorities in the western port city of Sekondi-Takoradi have cut building permit fees by 30 percent for projects that are certified with IFCs EDGE. The Mayor of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), the Honorable Anthony K.K. Sam, announced that city authorities have also directed that all projects of the local authority must conform to the EDGE standard, which is a minimum of 20 percent savings in energy, water and embodied energy in materials. This includes schools, hospital clinics, retail buildings, and offices. The move will help to improve the thermal comfort of buildings in the countrys oil-rich city, which is characterised by high temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. The policy was developed to enhance peoples lives while lessening pressure on natural resources. On December 4, an event was held at the forecourt of Atlantic Tower in Airport Square in Accra, the first EDGE-certified building in Ghana, to convene stakeholders and celebrate the successes of those who have already adopted EDGE. At the event, STMA Mayor Anthony Sam announced the 30 percent cut in building permit fees for all EDGE-certified projects going forward. He said, Ghanas oil production in commercial quantities in the Western Region, coupled with the expansion of Takoradi Harbour, has set the city of Sekondi-Takoradi on an economic development path. Such growth must be carefully managed to ensure the sustainable use of limited resources. The STMA must play a decisive role in managing energy and water use as the city develops. To walk this narrative, the twin city instituted a reduction in building permit fees for all projects that are EDGE certified. The intention is to encourage resource-efficient development. STMA Mayor Anthony Sam explained a caveat has been introduced to ensure all developments in the area meet green building requirements as contained in the Ghana Building Code. To redevelop and revitalize Sekondi-Takoradi, all building replacement and renovation must meet green requirements as stipulated in the Ghana Building Code, stated Anthony Sam. This will not only save the government the cost of on-going infrastructure but will also reduce the carbon footprint in the city since the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions comes from the energy used in residential and commercial buildings, as well as transportation. Anthony Sam also announced that the STMA was working with IFC in building competence in green buildings with the introduction of Development Control Week to encourage the re-shaping of housing markets through more sustainable design practices. Anthony Sam commended IFC and its partners for introducing EDGE. He said that EDGE provides the quickest and easiest financial calculator for assessing the cost-effectiveness of green buildings, as well as making it faster and easier than ever before to certify green. Funding for EDGE has been provided by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland, among other donors. Washington: Sikhs in the US will be counted as a separate ethnic group in the 2020 census, an organisation of the minority community said on Tuesday, describing it as a milestone. President of the Sikh Society of San Diego Baljeet Singh said that the Sikh community's efforts have come to fruition. "This has paved the way forward nationally not only for the Sikh community but also for other ethnicities in the United States," he said. Describing this as a milestone, the United Sikhs said that this will be the first time the minority group will be counted and coded in the decennial US Census. A delegation of the United Sikhs has had several meetings with the US Census in the recent past with the last one being in San Diego on January 6. "It's clear that a separate code is needed to ensure an accurate count of Sikhs in the United States, recognising a unique identity," said US Census Deputy Director Ron Jarmin. "Working with United Sikhs, we understand how this change affects the national Sikh community, leading us to add this code for the 2020 Census," said Shagufta Ahmed with the Census Bureau and Office of Management Budget. According to the United Sikhs, the current estimates of Sikhs living in the US are at 1 million. Sikhs meet the criteria for representation in the US Census as a distinct ethnic group and have a distinct unified appearance, culture, language, food and history. The United Sikhs has advocated for the separate coding for more than two decades and filed commentary with the US Federal Register advocating for Sikhs to be added as an ethnic group, in large part, so that action can be taken to address major Sikh issues such as bullying, intimidation and hate crimes against the community. "With the 2020 census approaching, many historically undercoded communities will be at-risk for being under-counted and under-served," said Ruben Singh, United Sikhs Census Manager "We look forward to collaborating with our census partners and other Sikh organisations and institutions to address the unanticipated challenges of the 2020 Census," he said. Meanwhile, the Sikh Coalition has partnered with the Census Bureau for the 2020 census. This is because Sikhs have traditionally been a 'hard to count' population in the United States, said Satjeet Kaur, Sikh Coalition executive director. "Our community matters, and we want to make sure that Sikh families are appropriately counted and accurately resourced wherever they are across our country," she said. I did what should have been done for 20 years, Trump says Trump, during a press briefing from the White House on Monday, said that his administration has been totally consistent regarding the intelligence behind the killing of Qasem Soleimani. President Donald Trump fueled controversy on Monday over his decision to kill Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani by saying it doesnt really matter whether Soleimani posed an imminent threat to the United States. "HE HAD A HORRIBLE PAST" The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was imminent or not, & was my team in agreement, Trump wrote on Twitter. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Democrats, who are trying to pass legislation to rein in Trumps ability to wage war on Iran without lawmakers approval, have sharply disagreed. "WE KILLED THE NUMBER-ONE TERRORIST" During a press briefing from the White House, he also hailed intelligence behind the killing of Qasem Soleimani. We killed the number-one terrorist in the world (Soleimani) an it should have been done 20 years ago he said. Since confirming Soleimani was killed by a US air strike in Baghdad, administration officials have said they acted because of an imminent risk of attacks on American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. The House voted nearly along party lines last week to pass a war powers resolution that would force the president to seek congressional approval for further military action against Iran. Last week Trump posited in an interview that Iran had been poised to attack four American embassies before Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike on Jan. 3. But on Sunday US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he did not see specific evidence that Iran was planning an attack. Armenia's Special Investigation Service summoned President of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan to an interview yesterday. In an interview with Tert.am, he refused to provide details about the reason why he had been summoned. "A part of the preliminary investigation is confidential, while another partI shouldnt say anything in this stage. I would like to know who told you about these investigative actions because all this has to remain confidential," Tovmasyan said. President of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan is charged with misuse of official powers that has negligently caused grave consequences. Winnipeg's paramedics and firefighters responded to 41 incidents involving cannabis edibles in 2019, nearly double the number from the year before. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg's paramedics and firefighters responded to 41 incidents involving cannabis edibles in 2019, nearly double the number from the year before. According to data shared by the city, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service recorded 22 incidents in which cannabis edibles were a patient's chief complaint in 2018. Almost all incidents in both years involved just one patient, but a single incident in each year involved two patients. "While we are unable to confirm the reason for the increase from 2018 to 2019, one potential reason may be the patients' willingness to disclose using the drug now that it is legal," wrote a city spokesperson in an emailed statement. True incident numbers might actually be higher because a patient's chief complaint may be reported as a symptom of what they're feeling (shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, etc.), noted the spokesperson. Government-regulated cannabis edibles started arriving at licensed Manitoba cannabis stores in December, although they've been widely available on the illicit market for years. In 2020, the WFPS had responded to two edibles-related incidents as of Jan. 10. The data provided by WFPS does not reveal the ages of the patients nor the outcomes of their cases. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical director for population and public health with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, warned against inferring a trend from two years of data. "Is it just a one-year spike that will come back down again? Is it by chance or is there truly an increase that's related to the legalization (of cannabis)?" she said. "I would question whether it reflects a true increase, or does it reflect more peoples' willingness to disclose that they used a legal substance, compared to when it was illegal." Even if the rate of emergency incidents related to cannabis edibles in Winnipeg is truly on the rise, Reimer said it wouldn't be surprising. "Because that's what we saw in Colorado and Washington after they legalized (non-medical cannabis). An increased use in emergency services was something that we were hoping wouldn't occur, but certainly recognizing might." Edibles officially became legal to seel in licensed stores last month. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files) Although the increase in emergency calls related to cannabis edibles might seem alarming, "It's still fairly small numbers for the population of Winnipeg," said Lynda Balneaves, associate professor of nursing with the University of Manitoba and deputy director of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids research group. Like Reimer and the city spokesperson, Balneaves said the increase could be related to increased disclosure of cannabis use following legalization. She said it's also possible it was driven by increased interest in cannabis surrounding legalization in October 2018. "We saw blogs on how to cook with cannabis, how to bake with cannabis, and so we may have seen more individuals that were aware of these products and were interested in trying them," she said. Regardless of the cause, Balneaves said the numbers demonstrate the importance of public education around safely consuming cannabis-infused food. "I think for people that are naive to them, they often don't understand how cannabis impacts us when it's ingested, it's different than when we consume it through an inhaled route," she said. "So, for example, people don't realize that you should wait between 60 to 90 minutes between (doses) of edibles to see what the effect is." The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, which regulates retail cannabis stores, has been running a campaign since November about cannabis edibles, advising people who use them to choose small doses, wait up to two hours to feel the effects, and avoid mixing ingested cannabis with alcohol. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Balneaves points out the number of emergency calls related to other controlled substances might put the edibles figure into context. According to a 2019 report from Global News, the WFPS received 5,894 calls for service in 2018 related to alcohol, and 1,166 calls related to methamphetamine. Going forward, Balneaves said it's worth tracking whether the year-over-year increase in emergency calls related to cannabis edibles holds steady. "I guess my question would be, is this a blip statistically following legalization, and will we see a trend in the future where it goes back to a baseline," she said. "We see that in certain jurisdictions in the United States... We need to follow this over time, and if we continue to see this rising, then we need to better address our education campaigns." solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sol_israel For years, the humble meat pie, the Chiko roll and hamburger with beetroot have vied for the coveted title of Australia's national dish. But now, meals like grilled barramundi, laksa soup and spaghetti alle vongole are overtaking these Australian classics in popularity, according to esteemed chefs. The Australian palate has become more accustomed to exotic flavours, especially from Asian cuisines, thanks to an increasingly multicultural society. The humble meat pie with tomato sauce (pictured) is being replaced by a variety of multicultural dishes, according to esteemed chefs Five celebrity chefs had very different opinions about what the modern Australian national dish was when they spoke to Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food. Thai chef Joe Kitsana, who runs Joe's Table in the trendy Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst, said that Pad Thai was Australia's favourite meal. 'Today Australians love all kinds of noodle dishes, such as pho, ramen and laksa,' he told the publication. 'Today Australians love all kinds of noodle dishes, such as pho, ramen and laksa,' Thai chef Joe Kitsana said. Pictured: laksa noodle soup with prawns Poll What is Australia's current national dish? Meat pie Pad Thai Grilled barramundi Roast lamb There isn't one What is Australia's current national dish? Meat pie 24 votes Pad Thai 0 votes Grilled barramundi 4 votes Roast lamb 8 votes There isn't one 13 votes Now share your opinion Meanwhile, celebrity chef Janni Kyritsis said slow-roasted lamb is the new national dish thanks to the influence of Greek cuisine on the Australian palate. Italian-born chef Lucio Galletto, who runs Lucio's in Sydney's Paddington, said the humble 'spag bol' was slowly being replaced by a more luxurious pasta dish. He said said spaghetti alle vongole, which is Italian for spaghetti with clams, 'might be' overtaking spaghetti bolognese in popularity. Saudi Arabian chef Ashraf Saleh, who runs Coya in northern Sydney, said roast dinner and chicken parma were popular when he moved to Australia in the 80's. 'In 2019, barbecue would be the national dish at home. When eating out, it would be barramundi with condiments,' he said. Italian-born chef Lucio Galletto, who runs Lucio's, said the humble 'spag bol' was being replaced by spaghetti alle vongole (pictured), which is Italian for spaghetti with clams By contrast, three-hatted restaurant chef Stephanie Alexander said it was pointless trying to pin point Australia's current national dish. 'The national dish now? Impossible concept. Even the least knowledgeable home cook is surrounded by versions of national dishes wherever they buy their food sushi, pasta, falafel, pho, spring rolls, samosas, curry,' she said. The fact that the chefs were not able to reach a consensus, suggest that Australia does not have a single national dish but rather, multiple different dishes. A 17-year-old Pakistani boy was on Tuesday repatriated to the neighbouring nation where he will reunite with his family after almost two years when he inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory in 2018. After he was released from a juvenile home in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Tuesday morning, Mubashar Bilal, a resident of border village Wazirpur of Pakistan's Kasur district, was taken to the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar for handing him over to Pakistani authorities, officials said. Bilal, who is also known as Mubarak, was handed over to the Pakistani Rangers by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at around 1:30 pm, they said. He crossed over to Pakistan on the basis of the 'Emergency Travel Certificate' issued by the Pakistan High Commission. Talking to reporters at Attari in Amritsar, Bilal said he was "very happy" to return to his family in Pakistan. "I am very happy today (to return home)," said an elated Bilal. He also praised Indian authorities for treating him well and said that he was indebted for that. Bilal said he had left home in a huff following a fight with his family members. "There was a bit of a fight at home and I left it in anger. I could not come to know (entering India) and then I was caught by the BSF personnel," Bilal said, adding that he spent almost 20-22 months here. "I have a mother, brother and sister there (in Pakistan)," he replied to a question. Asked whether he will come to India again if he gets a visa, he replied, "surely." Earlier during the day,Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia said Bilal was released from a juvenile home at 7 am on Tuesday. An order pertaining to his release from the Centre was received five to six days back, Kalia told PTI. He had been kept in juvenile home in Hoshiarpur after he was held by the Border Security Force in February 2018. Bilal had inadvertently entered Indian territory. He was held from Khemkaran village of Punjab's Tarn Taran district and was later booked under the relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. He was acquitted of all charges by the Juvenile Justice Board in September 2018. Hailing from a poor family, his father Mohammad Akbar was reportedly a daily wager in Pakistan and was longing to have a glimpse of his son ever since he left home. Bilal's father reportedly had even raised the demand for repatriation of his son in the Pakistani media. Later, various social activists in India had launched a campaign for the release of Bilal and his repatriation to Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Mark Hamill has publicly announced he is deleting his Facebook account, accusing CEO Mark Zuckerberg of favoring 'profit' over 'truthfulness.' While not stated specifically, Hamill is likely referring to the company's hands-off approach to fact-checking politicians' comments and its refusal to put an outright ban on political advertising. Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars', made the announcement to his 3.6 million followers on Twitter, and his post has since been retweeted over 20,000 times. Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars', has publicly announced he is deleting Facebook to protest the company's political advertising controversies He wrote: 'So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my Facebook account. 'I know this is a big 'Who Cares?' for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night. #PatriotismOverProfits.' Hamill's post triggered a flood of replies, with many lauding his decision to use his celebrity platform to make a statement about honesty in politics. 'Facebook, pay attention. You've lost the man who played Luke Skywalker,' one fan commented. 'The only thing worse than that is maybe Santa Claus telling you to feck off. Might be time to rethink things.' Other Twitter users were more skeptical of his decision, pointing out that Facebook doesn't solve the problem of fake news. 'Giving up Facebook doesn't solve the problem,' the Twitter user replied to Hamill. 'Fake news is everywhere. What happens next? Give up the internet?' Actor Mark Hamill announced he is deleting Facebook. His post triggered a flood of replies, with many lauding his decision to use his celebrity platform to make a statement about honesty in politics Facebook this month enacted a new ban on posts or ads that interfere with people taking part in the US census, which will have an online participation option this year. The ban includes the posting of misleading information about when and how to participate, who can participate and what happens when people do. The census interference policy forbids deception about when or how to take part in the US census, or the significance of participating, according to the California-based internet titan. Facebook, criticized for its hands-off policy on misleading comments from politicians, said it would not allow political actors to post false information about the census, in a policy similar to theirs on 'voter interference.' Facebook is continuing to resist pressure to ban political ads outright. Instead, it is announcing much more limited 'transparency features' that aim to give users slightly more control over how many political ads they see and to make its online library of political ads easier to use. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook has been criticized for its hands-off policy on filtering out misleading comments from politicians and for spreading disinformation Since last fall, Facebook has insisted that it won't fact-check political ads, a move that critics say gives politicians license to lie in ads that can't be easily monitored by outsiders. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly argued that 'political speech is important' and that Facebook doesn't want to interfere with it. Online platforms face the challenge of stopping an avalanche of disinformation while remaining open to political debate and free speech. Google recently placed restrictions on how advertisers can target specific groups of voters, while clarifying its policy by indicating it does not allow 'false claims' in advertising, political or otherwise. Twitter has banned most kinds of political ads to steer clear of checking the veracity of claims by politicians, but some analysts say the ban ends up helping incumbents and well-financed candidates. Machu Picchu is the most iconic site from the Inca empire that ruled much of western South America in the 15th and 16th centuries AFP/Cris BOURONCLE "The six tourists are being detained and investigated by the public ministry for the alleged crime against cultural heritage," Cusco regional police chief Wilbert Leyva said on Monday, quoted by the local Andina news agency. The tourists were arrested on Sunday (Jan 12) after park rangers and police found them in a restricted area of the Temple of the Sun, an important site at the Inca citadel. Leyva said authorities had come across a "fracture" in a piece of stone that had "broken off a wall and caused a crack in the floor". Cultural authorities from Cusco, the region where Machu Picchu is located, said feces were found in the Temple of the Sun. The group was made up of one French, two Brazilians, two Argentines and a Chilean, according to police. They face at least four years in prison if found guilty of damaging Peru's heritage. Several parts of the semicircular Temple of the Sun are off limits to tourists for preservation reasons. Worshipers at the temple would make offerings to the sun, which was considered the most important deity in the Inca empire as well as other pre-Inca civilizations in the Andean region. The Machu Picchu estate - which includes three distinct areas for agriculture, housing and religious ceremonies - is the most iconic site from the Inca empire that ruled a large swathe of western South America for 100 years before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Machu Picchu, which means "old mountain" in the Quechua language indigenous to the area, is at the top of a lush mountain and was built during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438-1471). It lies around 100 km from the Andean city of Cusco, the old Inca capital in southeastern Peru. The site was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. Isle of Wight County, Virginia, is accepting proposals from agencies that can devise a marketing plan for its annual County Fair. A district court in Beijing on Tuesday made a limited award in favor of the wife of high-profile rights lawyer Xie Yanyi against the landlord who evicted her family last year under huge pressure from the police, RFA has learned. The hearing for the lawsuit filed by Yuan Shanshan opened in the Miyun District People's Court in a suburb of Beijing, at 10.00 a.m., with judges deciding the process would continue in spite of the defendant's absence. Yuan said the landlord had called her at the weekend, asking to settle out of court, and saying she had evicted Yuan and her family at the request of the Miyuan urban management police, or "chengguan." But the judge denied Yuan's request to have the local chengguan added to the case as a defendant, she said. The judge also rejected witness testimony provided by Yuan, although video footage was allowed. The judge found that Yuan was entitled to the reimbursement of rent monies paid in advance, but not for the recovery of personal items lost in the forced eviction process. Yuan was also ordered to pay costs, she told RFA after the case was wrapped up. "The landlord, the defendant, didn't show up today," Yuan said. "I told the judge that the landlord called me two days ago to try to settle, and said that it was the police who wouldn't let him rent the place to us," she said. "The court let the police station very obviously off the hook, and didn't force the landlord to appear," Yuan said. "If I had had no video evidence, he wouldn't have even [ordered my rent repayed]." "All of this persecution stems from the fact that the human rights lawyers [detained, questioned and jailed] since July 2015 have stuck to their principles," she said. "I don't even want to think about how bad it could get in future: I have to just carry on." Nationwide crackdown A nationwide police operation under the administration of President Xi Jinping has targeted more than 300 lawyers, law firms, and related activists for questioning, detention, imprisonment, debarring, and travel bans since it launched in July 2015. Li Wenzu, whose lawyer husband Wang Quanzhang was jailed in the crackdown after spending years in pretrial detention, said she has also been targeted for eviction after police put pressure on her landlord. "Our family also experienced persecution in the form of forcible relocation after July 2015," Li told RFA. "The authorities target the families of dissidents and prisoners of conscience for eviction. It's a very common method, which is aimed at causing huge psychological pressure and trouble for us." Beijing-based rights activist Ye Jinghuan agreed, saying the authorities were acting in a criminal manner. "They have used such methods in all of the July 2015 cases to perpetrate violence against family members [of rights lawyers]," Ye said. "It is appalling and criminal behavior." 'Disciplinary violations' Xie Yanyi was among hundreds of lawyers and associated rights activists detained during a nationwide police operation targeting the legal profession since July 2015. He was later accused of "disciplinary violations" by a government-backed regulatory body, which has stripped a number of prominent rights lawyers of their livelihood by denying their licenses since the crackdown began. Xie had earlier written to President Xi Jinping and other members of the all-powerful Politburo standing committee calling for an amnesty for political prisoners and democratic reforms. He has said he believes a democratic future is the only viable one for China. He told RFA in a Jan. 6 interview that Xi has continued to expand the reach of government power into every area of people's lives, citing the recent criminal detention of Shanghai-based legal adviser and rights activist Hao Jinsong on charges of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used by the ruling Chinese Communist Party to target peaceful critics of the government. "Vested interests are getting more and more powerful, and it is getting harder and harder to restrain the financial and political elite using the law," Xie said. "This has been going on for more than a decade now, both at the local level and in the central government." "There has been a huge swing to the [Maoist] left, including ever-stricter internet controls and censorship, across the whole political spectrum," he said. Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. She's one of the many celebrities a part of the ever-growing Bachelor Nation. And January Jones tripped into new territory in her fandom when Bachelor vet Nick Viall 'slid into her DMs' after she complained about him online. The 42-year-old actress revealed to Dax Shepherd on his Armchair Expert podcast that she received a little more than she bargained for when she went on a rant about the notorious villain from a myriad of Bachelor-related programming, only for Nick to reach out directly and spark a match. Bachelor Nation: January Jones tripped into new territory in her fandom when Bachelor vet Nick Viall 'slid into her DMs' after she complained about him online; seen in September January admitted she was a big fan of the show, but not Nick, and complained about his appearances on talk shows only for the Wisconsin native to show up in her private messages. 'Nick slid into my DMs, and he's like, "I'm so sorry that your perception of me is so negative, I'd love to take you out to coffee and see if I could change your mind,"' she said. 'And I squealed. 'I was like, "I hate that guy!" but my sister was like, "If you don't go you will forever regret it." So I agreed to go on a date with him or to drinks, or whatever.' The Mad Men star was simply starstruck upon meeting the reality star after years of watching him on television. Hello there: The 42-year-old actress revealed to Dax Shepherd on his Armchair Expert podcas t that she received a little more than she bargained for when she went on a rant about the notorious villain from a myriad of Bachelor-related programming, only for Nick to reach out directly and spark a match 'As I met him I was rounding the corner and I saw him, and he has a very distinct walk, and I had this instinct to run up to him and wrap my legs around his waist, you know like they do? [But] I stopped myself,' she said 'As I met him I was rounding the corner and I saw him, and he has a very distinct walk, and I had this instinct to run up to him and wrap my legs around his waist, you know like they do? [But] I stopped myself,' she said. While January noted that the date was 'good,' she could barely stray away from Bachelor news and wanted to 'grill him about the show.' She added that they went on 'a couple of dates,' but stopped in her tracks before revealing any more information about their short-lived relationship. 'The thing that attracted me to Nick was that he seemed I mean, he was cast as the quote-unquote villain, but he had a bit of a brain, so there was something else there,' January said. 'That's all we were talking about, really. But I got a lot of juicy inside stuff.' January wasn't the only Hollywood star that Nick previously dated as Rachel Bilson also made the roster last year. Lucky in love: January wasn't the only Hollywood star that Nick previously dated as Rachel Bilson also made the roster last year; seen at the Golden Globe Awards In the past: Nick first starred on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette in 2014 and made it all the way to the final rose ceremony before Andi chose Josh Murray While making an appearance on Brad Goreski's new podcast, Viall revealed he and Rachel (who also claims to be a part of the Bachelor Nation) had dinner and hung out, but nothing formed more seriously. Nick first starred on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette in 2014 and made it all the way to the final rose ceremony before Andi chose Josh Murray. He vied for Kaitlyn Bristowe's heart on the next season of The Bachelorette, and, once again made it to the end, only for Kaitlyn to give her rose to Shawn Booth. Viall turned to Bachelor in Paradise for another chance at love, but couldn't propose to Jen Saviano at the end because he wasn't in love. It wasn't over for Nick though, as he was asked to be The Bachelor for the 21st season of the dating show. At the end of the production in 2016, he proposed to Vanessa Grimaldi, but their relationship ran its course and they broke up before wedding bells rang. HP Engage One Prime Android Terminal with nClose Module containing MagTek eDynamo We wanted a solution that would meet our high standards MagTek, a global leader in retail electronic payments and security technology, announced today a partnership with nCLOSE, Inc. a custom designer and manufacturer of Point of Sale (POS) protective enclosures and mounting solutions that house and protect tablets and mobile credit card readers. HP, a leader in point-of-sale solutions, worked with nCLOSE, to create a revolutionary credit card attachment module enabling EMV payments at the Point of Sale on the HP Engage One Prime Android terminals for retail, hospitality, health care, restaurants and more. This credit card attachment module by HP, nCLOSE and MagTek, allows parties to accept card payments in any vertical. The MagTek eDynamo is a secure card reader authenticator that accepts magnetic stripe and EMV chip cards. It connects via USB or Bluetooth LE and can be used in a countertop mount, as a mobile handheld device, or built into a custom surround like the nCLOSE custom solution. eDynamo is L3 certified through MagTeks Magensa Services to industry leading processors, making implementation of payment solutions and applications faster. Merchants need more versatile solutions than ever before, said John Arato, Vice President and General Manager of MagTek Retail Solutions. Thats why MagTek engineers our products to meet the latest in payment trends and processor certifications. Now, with the addition of the MagTek, nCLOSE and HP Partnership, we believe we have created a simple and easy turn-key solution that utilizes the very best technology the industry has to offer, combined with major processor certifications. nCLOSE specializes in taking two existing devices and hardening them to function as if they were built as one. This provides entire custom solutions, module add-ons, custom charging circuits, and docking stations, making your ideas work. We were looking for a reader that was secure and reliable, Jimmy Durham, President of nCLOSE said. We wanted a solution that would meet our high standards, deliver a small footprint, and work with the existing certified processors. We needed a provider who could stand-up to the rigors of the HP environment and found MagTek met these needs. HP Engage One Prime works for both employee and customer facing environments making it an ideal solution when flexibility and scalability are required. The integration of a secure card reader authenticator makes it more attractive to a larger merchant market and more importantly offers PCI compliant devices. HP Engage One Prime and the nCLOSE module, using the MagTek eDynamo, are available in Black or White and the SKU is NCL-HPENAGE-EDY. To learn more about MagTek, visit http://www.magtek.com or stop by Booth #5473 at the NRF Convention and Expo 2019, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY, January 12 - 14. To learn more about nCLOSE visit http://posenclosures.com. To learn more about HPs retail products, please visit https://www8.hp.com/us/en/solutions/pos-systems.html. About MagTek Since 1972, MagTek has been a leading manufacturer of electronic devices and systems for the reliable issuance, reading, transmission and security of cards, checks, PINs and other identification documents. Leading with innovation and engineering excellence, MagTek is known for quality and dependability. Its products include secure card readers, check scanners, PIN pads and distributed credential issuing systems. These products are used worldwide by financial institutions, retailers, hotels, law enforcement agencies and other organizations to provide secure and efficient electronic payment and identification transactions. Today, MagTek continues to innovate with the development of a new generation of security centric products secured by MagneSafe. By leveraging strong encryption, secure tokenization, real time authentication and dynamic payment card data, MagneSafe products enable users to assess and validate the trustworthiness of credentials used for online identification, payment processing, and other high-value electronic transactions. MagTek is based in Seal Beach, California and has sales offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, with independent distributors in over 40 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.magtek.com. About nClose nCLOSE is a technology company that designs, prototypes and manufactures tablet POS enclosures, mounts, charging circuits, custom cable harnesses and accessories for any business looking to accept payments or utilize mobile devices. nCLOSE custom designs, streamline and enhance functionality between two or more devices to help them function as one. nCLOSE uses customer specific tablet models and payment devices (EMV, Chip + MSR, MSR, NFC, etc), barcode scanners and more all while creating a sexy, sleek and functional solution or modular design for our customers needs. nCLOSE offer rapid design, prototyping and manufacturing in CNC, plastic injection and electrical engineering including custom charging circuits and adapters. At nCLOSE, we make your dreams a reality by using the existing infrastructure you have (tablet, reader, processor, etc.) and creating a solution to meet those specific needs; plus when combined with our other modular products enabling the ability to make complete solutions quickly, easily and less expensive. Private labeling and custom colors are available. Jimmy Durham, President nCLOSE, Inc. jdurham@posenclosures.com ### Katyusha rockets targeted an Iraqi airbase north of Baghdad hosting US-led coalition forces, the Iraqi military said on Tuesday, in the latest attack on installations where American troops are deployed. The statement from Iraq's military did not say how many rockets had hit Camp Taji but reported that there were no casualties. Search Keywords: Short link: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise are aimed at "dividing" the country on communal lines, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha said on Monday. He claimed Mahatma Gandhi, if he were alive today, would have led an agitation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking "communal" decisions. Sinha, who was in the city as part of his Gandhi Shanti Yatra, demanded scrapping of the CAA, which aims to give Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. "Several state governments want the CAA repealed and the NRC exercise dropped. The CAA should be repealed as it is aimed at dividing the country on communal lines. We do not want another division of the country," he said. "We remained silent despite the Modi government destroying the cabinet system, ordering demonetisation, introducing GST hurriedly. "But after the CAA and NRC, there is need for the youth to raise their anger on issues that will weaken the country," the former BJP leader claimed. "If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have led an agitation against Modi because the government is taking decisionson communal lines," he said. "Members of the Muslim community are proud of holding the tricolour in their hands. And it was Babasaheb Ambedkar who drafted the Constitution and made India a secular country. "We will not allow the hidden agenda of Modi behind the CAA and NRC to succeed," the bureaucrat-turned-politician asserted. Speaking on other issues, Sinha questioned Modi for not inviting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for a pre-budget meeting. Former Lok Sabha MP and Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha and ex-Gujarat chief minister Suresh Mehta were present on the occasion. The 3,000-km-long yatra, which started in Mumbai on January 9, will cover Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana before before culminating at Raj Ghat in Delhi on January 30, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary. The march has been organised to demand repeal of the CAA, a judicial inquiry into "state-sponsored violence" such as the January 5 attack on JNU students and assurance from the Centre in Parliament that there will be no nationwide NRC. New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): A fire broke out at a footwear manufacturing unit at Lawrence Road in north-west Delhi on Tuesday. Twenty-six fire tenders were rushed to the site. More details are awaited. Earlier on January 11, two persons were injured in the blaze that broke out at a shoe factory in west Delhi's Mayapuri Phase 2. (ANI) GLENDALE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union invites college-bound students in Los Angeles County to submit an application for its annual College Scholarship Program. Through the program, California Credit Union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities, giving back to others through service and volunteer work. "We're committed to helping our next generation of leaders pursue their educational dreams, and encourage local students to apply for one of our scholarships," said California Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "We know that affording the cost of higher education can be difficult, and we hope our scholarships make the path to college a little easier." Los Angeles area college-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission. Interested students can find more information and apply online at ccu.com/scholarship2020. Online applications will be accepted through March 16, 2020. Recipients will be announced on April 6, 2020. The California Credit Union Annual College Scholarship program was created in 2005 to recognize outstanding students within local communities. Each year, the credit union awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to students in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties. Since the creation of the program, the credit union has awarded more than $315,000 in scholarships. About California Credit Union California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Visit ccu.com for more information, or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @CaliforniaCreditUnion. SOURCE California Credit Union Related Links http://www.ccu.com Iran Veep terms US exit from region as real revenge IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Monday that US exit from the region would be the real revenge on their criminal acts especially assassination of the IRGC Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani. Jahangiri made the remarks Monday in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis. He noted that Western countries and especially the US unnecessary interventions have resulted in insecurity and instability in the region. US has committed big crimes in the region and especially in Iraq and Syria by creating terrorist groups like ISIS. Jahangiri went on to say that the US out of its arrogant nature assassinated General Soleimani but a wave of solidarity was created among Islamic countries in the region and the regional people sympathized with Iran. Jahangiri described Iranians' massive turnout in General Soleimani funeral processions an unprecedented happening. Iranian nations' hatred against US is now more than ever, he reiterated. Jahangiri appreciated Muslims states in the region for their message of condolences and their sympathy. Elsewhere in his remarks, Jahangiri underlined that Iran supports Syrian territorial integrity and sovereignty for establishing peace and stability. He also expressed the hope the crisis in Idlib to be solved soon. Tehran is interested in developing economic cooperation with Damascus, he said stressing the importance of implementing agreements. He noted that Iranian private sector companies are willing to participate in reconstruction of Syria. Larijani underlined accelerating banking ties between Iran and Syria. The Syrian prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, and Defense Minister Ali Ayyoyb. The Syrian delegation is in Tehran to discuss the recent developments in the region, especially the assassination of commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani and Iran's response to it. 9376**1430 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thomas Minar, the president of Indianas Franklin College, has been fired after he was arrested over the weekend for sex crimes. Minar was arrested in Wisconsin, the college said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, for use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime, child enticement, and expose a child to harmful materials/narrations. The school said it was alerted to Minars arrest through an email from the Sturgeon Bay Police Department in Wisconsin, who did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Minar was released from custody on bond, subject to no direct contact with minors unless supervised and not to use social media, the colleges statement said. The school, which lies about 25 miles south of Indianapolis, is launching an investigation into Minars conduct as president of the liberal arts college and said its board of trustees has been left stunned at the news. While there are systems already in place, additional resources will be engaged to continue to provide our students a safe, confidential means to report incidents of inappropriate behavior, the statement said. Franklin College | Twitter RELATED: New Documentary Examines Alleged Child Sex Abuse Within Jehovahs Witnesses The college said Minars arrest was the first such incident the board has been made aware of regarding Dr. Minar. Minar was already set to step down at the end of the 2019 to 2020 academic year, it was announced in June 2019. Dean and Provost Lori Schroeder will act as interim president while the board works on appointing an acting president, which it said should happen early this week. Chair of Franklins board of trustees Jim Due said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the community is deeply shocked and gravely concerned by Minars arrest. RELATED VIDEO: Man Robbed Philadelphia Pharmacy, Told Clerk Im Sorry, I Have a Sick Child Story continues The safety of our campus community especially our students is always our first priority, he said. We are deeply shocked and gravely concerned by the reported behavior of Dr. Minar that led to his arrest in Wisconsin, and we will continue to cooperate fully with authorities. As in other times of difficulty during the colleges 186-year history, our community will come together in support of one another as we continue to educate the innovative leaders of our future. Minar could not be immediately reached by PEOPLE, but said in a statement to the Indianapolis Business Journal that he very much regret[s] the circumstances which led the college to terminate our relationship. My years at Franklin have been very rewarding and I am extraordinarily grateful to so many staff and faculty who have worked hard with me to advance the college in these challenging times for higher education, he continued, making no reference to his arrest. I wish nothing but the best for Franklin College and for the people who make it the wonderful institution it has become. By PTI NEW DELHI: India's flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue, began on Tuesday with seven former heads of state or government sharing their perspectives on challenges facing the world, including the US-Iran tensions, Afghan peace initiatives and climate change. During the inaugural session, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Danish PM and ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said he would like to see a global alliance of democracies to stand up to oppressive rulers and regimes and India could play an important role in such a coalition. "India can play an important role in this. I am an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's participation in this alliance is important," he said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue but had to call off his four-day visit due to devastating bushfires in several parts of his country, sent a video message for the dialogue. In his message, Morrison said India is and will remain the "strategic lynchpin" in the Indo-Pacific. "The term Indo-Pacific reflects the recognition that India's power and purpose will be vitally important to the region and to resolving and supporting shared security challenges. India has taken on an increasingly active role in the Indian Ocean," he said. Prime Minister Modi after the event tweeted, "Attended the @raisinadialogue in New Delhi. Over the years, this has emerged as a vibrant forum for discussing important global and strategic issues. I also had the opportunity to meet leaders who are great friends of our nation." Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said "Indian foreign policy seeks to achieve -- a focus on key challenges, broad engagement with many parties, and managing, if not leveraging, global contradictions." "Advancing our interests in a multipolar world and contributing to global good is what it is all about," he said. During the inaugural session here, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, Rasmussen, former Bhutanese premier Tshering Tobgay and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, discussed global challenges. Important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in the modern world, climate change, were part of the discussion. During the inaugural session, the spiralling US-Iran tensions following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike were also discussed. Without a change in the government of Iran, peace in the Middle East is not possible, former Canadian PM Harper said. "Climate change cannot be tackled through targets. We need zero-emission technology and development," Harper said. Former Afghan President Karzai said Americans must realise they can't force others to follow their line. "They couldn't do it with Afghans, how can they do it with Iran?" he said, adding that wisdom must prevail and that wisdom must come from US. Discussing the challenge of climate change, former New Zealand premier Clark said achieving zero carbon is important to combat climate change, but it is important to get national consensus on achieving this target. Tobgay said he was a believer in multilateralism, but the UN Security Council had failed on climate change. Talking about prospects of peace in Afghanistan, Karzai hoped for intra-Afghan dialogue between the government and the Taliban. "We're optimistic about peace, we are Afghans," he asserted. Harper said one of the great challenges that liberal democracies are facing is coping with political protests in their own countries which have arisen primarily as a combination of new technology, the uneven distribution of organisation and rise of nationalism. "I think these are things creative leaders will learn to accommodate. I think the great strength of liberal democracies is that they are often wrong but over time correct their errors," he said on being asked about whether the trans-atlantic liberal order he had envisioned was fraying. Talking about India, Harper hailed Prime Minister Modi's leadership, saying India will be a country that is self-defined. "India is not going to be a bastion of Western liberals. Under the current Government identity is coming back in a big way," he said. Jaishankar, in his remarks, said five years ago, Prime Minister "gave us a challenge" and it was his view that as a rising power, India should not just be participating in global conversations organized by others, but it was important that it creates its own platforms, organize discourses and shape narratives. "Five years later, I can state with some confidence that we have delivered to a great measure on those expectations," he said. The fifth edition of the prestigious Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, will bring together 700 international participants from over a 100 countries, in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. The three-day conference will see the participation of 12 foreign ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the EU. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif's participation assumes significance as it comes following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. TORONTO - The Australian bushfire season had already started when Joe Pickerill booked his flight to the country, but he had hoped things would have settled down by New Year's Eve when he was set to arrive. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Smoke from wildfires shrouds a road near Moruya, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. The Australian bushfire season had already started when Joe Pickerill booked his flight to the country, but he had hoped they would have settled down by New Year's Eve when he was set to arrive.Instead, the fires intensified and the death toll mounted, while some families were forced to take refuge on beaches as the sky glowed in an eerie red haze. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Rick Rycroft TORONTO - The Australian bushfire season had already started when Joe Pickerill booked his flight to the country, but he had hoped things would have settled down by New Year's Eve when he was set to arrive. Instead, the fires intensified and the death toll mounted, while some families were forced to take refuge on beaches as the sky glowed in an eerie red haze. Pickerill wondered if he should cancel his trip, but friends in the country assured him that the cities and places he had planned to visit were safe. So, like most people with trips planned to Australia, including athletes currently qualifying for next week's Australian Open in Melbourne, he went anyway. "I had just finished four or five years of a job where my best holiday was an extended long weekend, so I had looked forward to getting as far away as I could from Ottawa winter," Pickerill said, speaking from Sydney. He said he's still walking out and about all day, but that he does feel some effects from the haze by the end. "If I'm out all day, by the end of the day I do notice my nose is running or my eyes are watering." Canadian tour operators who specialize in the region say that despite some complications, they haven't had any cancellations because of the intense wildfire season that has so far killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes, and burnt an area almost the size of the island of Newfoundland. "There's so many areas that are not affected, where people can still experience the Australian hospitality and whatnot," said Lise Knowles at Ottawa-based Aussie Travel. "It is devastating for sure, but some of the tour operator and suppliers are pretty well begging please don't cancel." Knowles said that rather than cancelling, some have postponed their trip, while most travellers have been able to stick with their existing plans, especially if it's focused around the major cities. "For now it's just a matter of reworking some of the itineraries, and avoiding the danger zone or the fire zones." Dianne Hall at Edmonton-based GoWalkabout Travel Ltd. said that their clients haven't had to change their trips, since the most destructive fires have been in areas that foreign tourists don't visit as much. "The area that the main bushfire is in is an Australian tourism area, it's not an international tourism area. The area at the bottom of Australia is where we go as locals." She said that even in popular areas like Kangaroo Island near Adelaide, the effects are localized. The island lost some 40 per cent of its forest, but the east side where most of the tourists normally go wasn't hit. "We're still open for business, we need the tourism," she said. Tourism Australia said in a statement that its sympathies go out to the families and communities impacted, while noting that tourism operators still need support. "Whilst bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and most tourism businesses are still open. It is more important than ever that we rally around our communities and the tourism sector who may have been impacted." About 192,500 Canadians travelled to Australia for the year up to last September, up about 10 per cent from a year earlier. Overall, there were about 9.4 million visitors globally to Australia for the year, spending about $40 billion. The Government of Canada notes in its travel advisory that air quality could have an impact on people with respiratory issues, and to exercise a high degree of caution in areas affected by bushfires. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Hall said that people with respiratory issues might want to bring a mask, but that the air quality situation, along with the fires themselves, can change rapidly. "It's a very fluid thinga real watch and see," she said. Pickerill said that while he's getting along fine, the destruction going on in the country is disheartening. "I do love Australia, it's not my first time here. So it's nice to be back. It is at the same time, really unfortunate you're on vacation in a place where, as the stories have been told, half a billion flora and fauna wiped out," said Pickerill. "It puts a little bit of a pall over it for sure. But I'm fine, it's the folks out there that you think about." This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 14, 2020. (Picture credit: Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Mohan Meakin, the maker of the popular brand of rum "Old Monk", has submitted its papers with the Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE) to re-list on the exchanges. A source told Moneycontrol, "In the next two to three months, the procedures towards re-listing will be complete." The 163-year-old company looks to return to the capital markets 16 years after it had de-listed its equity shares from the Delhi and Calcutta stock exchanges. Another source told Moneycontrol, "The company had applied to re-list on the NSE last year, but after the exchange raised some concerns, the company did not get back to them with answers." The firm, which is the oldest liquor brewing company in India, had a paid-up capital of Rs 4.25 crore, reserve and reserves and surpluses of Rs 27.01 crore at the time of de-listing in 2003. In FY 2019, the company's net profit stood at Rs 33 crore and total debt was at Rs 11 crore as compared to about Rs 30 crore in the previous year. The company's net worth in FY 19 was at Rs 92 crore, higher than Rs 58 crore seen in the previous year. The company's "Old Monk" brand has a seen a loyal customer base, and although the liquor business was impacted by a ban from a few state governments in the last few years, the consumption of liquor has increased significantly. In FY19, the alcohol segment grew 46 percent. Old Monk contributes nearly 80 percent of the total sales for Mohan Meakin and in FY19 the contribution from Old Monk itself would be approximately Rs 758.3 crore. Aside from Old Monk, Mohan Meakin's other popular brands include Old Monk Rum Supreme, Old Monk Peach Rum, Colonels Special Whisky, Solan Gold Indian Single Malt Whisky, O M 10000 Super Beer and Lion Beer. They are exported to 13 countries that include U.A.E., Qatar, Singapore, Germany, USA, and Hong Kong among others. Twitter has come under fire after embarrassing footage of Prince Harry touting Meghan Markle for Disney voiceover work has been taken down. The Duke of Sussex collared the company's CEO Bob Iger and advertised his ex-actress partner's 'interest' in doing the roles during a Lion King premiere in July. During the hushed conversation, caught by a fan and which resurfaced at the weekend, the Prince gestures to Meghan and says: 'You do know she does voiceovers?' There was anger when footage of the Prince and Iger was being pulled down from Twitter - although it emerged that this was as a result of a copyright complaint Iger can be heard replying: 'Ah, I did not know that.' Harry then responds: 'You seem surprised. She's really interested.' The Disney chief then says: 'We'd love to try. That's a great idea.' There was anger when footage of the Prince and Iger was being pulled down from Twitter - although it emerged that this was as a result of a copyright complaint. The video had been distributed by Getty, but it is understood that they were not the source of the copyright claim. Some social media users who had shared the clip no longer have the video on their feeds, with it instead saying: 'Video not displayed. 'This video has been removed in response to a report from the copyright holder.' Another shared post said: 'This media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner.' Twitter users questioned the company over why their posts had been removed. One wrote: 'They are trying to take down this video of Prince Harry asking the CEO of Disney to give Meghan a job! Be a shame if this went viral. Pls do not RT.' Another posted: 'Would be a shame if this clip went viral even though they're trying to take it down...' The Duke of Sussex collared the company's CEO Bob Iger and advertised his ex-actress partner's 'interest' in doing the roles during a Lion King premiere in July Twitter users questioned the social media company over why their posts had been removed One woman wrote: 'It disappeared as I was watching the Prince Harry/ Megan video where he is asking and telling the Disney head that she does voice overs and would like a job etc.,. They have taken all videos down.' And another added: 'This video was removed but I had it saved. Recording resurfaces of #princeharry talking to #disney to lock in a deal for #MeghanMarkel months ago. #MEGXIT was in the works for a bit.' A Twitter spokesman said: 'Per our copyright policy, we respond to valid copyright complaints sent to us by a copyright owner or their authorized representatives.' It was revealed by the Times on Saturday that Meghan has signed a voiceover deal with the Walt Disney in exchange for a donation to Elephants Without Borders, a wildlife charity that helps to track and protect the animals from poachers. The star-studded premiere last summer raised funds for Harry's conservation projects in Africa, particularly raising awareness of the dwindling numbers of lions in Kenya. Alongside a raft of celebrities including Beyonce and Elton John, the Duke and Duchess attended the event in their capacity as senior Royals, a position they are poised to renounce. Meghan recorded the voiceover before the royal couple left for their six-week Christmas break to Canada in a 10.7million mansion on Vancouver Island. The couple - pictured outside Canada House in London last week - have yet to say exactly how they will meet their ambition to 'become financially independent' Friends say Meghan is keen to try her hand at directing too, as she wants to keep close ties with the film industry but doesn't want to have her face on the big screen again just yet. Yet branching into voiceovers could be a hint towards how the couple become 'financially independent' when they cut ties with the Royal Family. Experts said becoming a brand ambassador for a global giant such as Apple could earn the couple tens of millions annually. A nine-figure sum each year $100million would add up to $1billion (760million) over a decade. The couple have yet to say exactly how they will meet their ambition to 'become financially independent'. But their unique stellar cachet blending blue blood and Hollywood royalty could net them huge amounts. The Queen yesterday made the historic announcement that Harry and Meghan would step back as senior Royals and split their time between Canada and the UK in an agreement to be finalised within days. Her Majesty made clear her deep disappointment at the couple's decision to quit their Royal duties and said there will be 'a transition period' while the final settlement between the Family and the Duke and Duchess is hammered out. Over the summer, China took concrete steps to devalue its currency, the yuan or renminbi (RMB), and those moves left the RMB at its weakest level against the dollar in over 11 years, the Treasury said. However, it more recently was strengthened to 6.93 to the dollar and the Treasury said the trade pact addresses currency issues. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 18:09:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Intra-Libyan talks mediated by Russia and Turkey reached no settlement on Monday, though efforts to reach a deal will be continued, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. "We will continue efforts in this direction. So far, the final result has not been achieved," Lavrov said during a news conference broadcast directly from Colombo by the Russian Foreign Ministry, following talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena. Earlier this month, the leaders of Turkey and Russia put forth a Libya ceasefire initiative, which the conflicting parties accepted while also agreeing to hold talks in Moscow. The hours-long talks ended late Monday without a ceasefire agreement being signed by both sides. Lavrov said the head of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Serraj, and its foreign minister Mohamed Taher Siala signed the draft, but Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, asked for an extra day and left Moscow without signing it. Russia is working to ensure that all parties involved in the Libya conflict show responsibility for the fate of their country, he added. Mizoram will celebrate Chapchar Kut, the biggest and most important festival of the Mizos, on March 6, an official statement said on Tuesday. The meeting of Chapchar Kut organizing committee held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Zoramthanga decided that the festival will be a two-day event. While March 5 will be celebrated as pre-festival, which would be graced by Art and Culture Minister R Lalzirliana as "Kut Pa" or the "father of the festival", the grand celebration will take place on March 6, where that place would be taken by Zoramthanga, the statement said. "Promotion of Mizos' culture and moral code" has been chosen as the theme for this year Chapchar Kut. The festival will be celebrated with cultural fervour and gaiety in all parts of the state and the grand celebration will be held at the Assam Rifles ground here. The organizing committee also decided to invite diplomats from countries such as the USA, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Korea, Japan, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Israel besides leaders of different tribes of Mizo from different parts of the world, the statement said. Exhibition of painting, photo, handloom and handicraft will be held in different places in Aizawl as part of the celebration while a food court will be set up at the venue of the main celebration. Chapchar Kut is a spring festival celebrated usually in March after completion of the Jhum cultivation. Jhum cultivation, also known as the slash and burn agriculture, is the process of growing crops by first clearing the land of trees and vegetation and burning them thereafter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Grenadier Guard Kristopher James-Merrill outside Kingston Crown Court, south west London, where he is on trial alongside Marlon Wright: PA Two soldiers from the famous military regiment that guards the Queen took part in a string of armed robberies across south London, a court has heard. Grenadier Guards Kristopher James-Merrill, 20, and Dillon Sharpe, 23 along with friend Marlon Wright, 25 - are alleged to have raided seven convenience stores with a BB gun across a three-day spree in July 2018. Their regiment is one of the most senior in the British Army with soldiers recognised by the scarlet tunic and bearskin uniforms they wear while on ceremonial duty at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Sharpe, disguised in black clothing, a hood, gloves and a mask, threatened shopkeepers with a BB handgun and demanded they hand over cash. Mr James-Merrill s accused of supplying the weapon, using his Mercedes A-Class as a getaway car, and conducting reconnaissance with Mr Wright. Kingston Crown Court heard one shopkeeper feared he would be shot and killed, while another was left bloodied with wounds to his head. But four of the attempted raids failed and Sharpe left empty-handed after workers fought back. Mr James-Merrill, a serving soldier from Brixton, southwest London, arrived at court on Monday with a military medal pinned to his dark blue suit, which he wore with a white shirt, striped tie and glasses. He and Mr Wright, from Mitcham, also in southwest London, deny four attempted robberies, three robberies and seven counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Sharpe, from Dulwich, southeast London, has previously pleaded guilty to all of the 14 charges and is not standing trial, the jury was told. Prosecutor Fraser Coxhill said: "He therefore admits being the male who entered the shops wielding a handgun. "There is no dispute these defendants are known to each other. "Mr Sharpe and Mr James-Merrill were at the time serving guardsmen in the British Army and Mr James-Merrill is a serving Grenadier Guard. "Marlon Wright was good friends with them both." Story continues The court heard four shops were targeted between roughly 11pm on 24 July and the early hours of the following day, while another three attempts were made within an hour on 26 July. In the first incident Sharpe carrying a BB gun and dressed in black with his face covered by a mask made off with around 1,000 from a till after a scuffle which left his victim with head and facial injuries. A weapon matching the description of the one used, with blood matching the shopkeepers DNA, was later found at Mr James-Merrills home. But Sharpe failed to leave with any money on three of his attempts including one raid in which he pointed the weapon at a 15-year-old boy and told his mother to give him money from a till. The police probe involved a search of the Lille Barracks in Aldershot, while investigators linked Mr James-Merrill's car to the crime, the court heard. Other evidence of his and Wright's involvement is said to come from CCTV footage and the location data of their mobile phones. Mr James-Merrill and Mr Wright admit to being present at some of the scenes but claim they did not knowingly participate in the robberies, which they say were carried out by Sharpe alone. But Mr Coxhill said: "While they may not have entered the shop or physically carried the gun, the law states they may be guilty of the crime even if it was carried out by another person." He added: "In this case the prosecution allege that Mr James-Merrill and Mr Wright knowingly played crucial roles in these offences." Read more Royal Guards play Bohemian Rhapsody outside Buckingham palace Drive-by shooting leaves 12-year-old boy injured (@ChaudhryMAli88) Conakry, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jan, 2020 ) :Protesters burned down two police stations in central Guinea on Tuesday, witnesses and the government said, in fresh confrontation with the government in the West African country. In unrest over suspicions that President Alpha Conde wants to prolong his rule via constitutional change, protesters pelted the police stations in the city of Pita with stones before burning them down, according to the security ministry. Hundreds of thousands of Guineans have been protesting since mid-October over concerns that Conde intends to use a constitutional reform to seek a third term in office. Some 20 civilians and one gendarme have been killed since the protests began, according to an AFP tally, while scores have been arrested. But protest organisers have raised the stakes by urging people, starting from this week, to take part in huge and open-ended demonstrations throughout the country. Two protesters died on Monday, at the outset of this new protest wave. On Tuesday, protesters in the central city of Pita hurled stones at a police and a gendarmerie station, a Guinea security ministry statement said. They then looted them and burned them down. Several hundreds of people "took advantage of the situation to steal guns and food supplies, including sacks of rice," a witness to the events, who requested to remain anonymous, told AFP. Clashes also broke out in other cities on Tuesday, the security ministry said, including in Lelouma, in the north, where a police officer was shot and two gendarmes were wounded by stones. There were scuffles between protesters and police officers in the capital Conakry on Tuesday too, an AFP journalist said. However, schools and businesses in the city, which had closed on Monday, were beginning to open again on Tuesday. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an alliance of opposition groups behind the demonstrations, has called for peaceful protests. Conde, 81, has neither confirmed nor denied the claim that he put forward a draft constitution last month intending to keep himself in office for a third term. The current constitution in the former French colony stipulates two presidential terms. Exposed: The Church's Darkest Secret Rating: Silent Witness Rating: Wherever you turned, things were grim. Channel Four featured real footage of graphic mortuary scenes as the body of a retired teacher was exhumed in Catching A Killer. A corpse crawling with maggots was dragged from a ditch on Silent Witness (of which more in a moment). More gruesome still, Cold Feet's larky fiftysomethings the television equivalent of the undead were back for a 304th series on ITV. There wasn't much light relief either in a probe into how devious Bishop Peter Ball was able to keep his dog collar after being cautioned for sexually abusing novice monks, on Exposed: The Church's Darkest Secret (BBC2). All in all, the telly was less fun than an evening spent in a leaking caravan with the lights out, eating Spam and cold beans, to a soundtrack of Morrissey singing Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now. The show probedo how devious Bishop Peter Ball was able to keep his dog collar after being cautioned for sexually abusing novice monks Why do TV execs schedule all this for the second Monday in January, when they know everyone is skint, tired and fed up? It's sadistic. The documentary about the predatory Ball, who wheedled and bullied young men into submission at his 'spiritual retreats', pulled few punches. One of his victims, now middle-aged, commented at the start of the programme: 'How rotten and corrupt and even evil the pervading culture and leadership of the Church of England is.' The Church was accused of a cover-up, going all the way to Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, who first heard stories of Ball's abuses in the early Nineties and did nothing about it. The BBC's righteous indignation at this would be more convincing if Broadcasting House bosses had not obstinately shut their ears in this same era to rumours of sex attacks on children by some of their best-known presenters, most seriously Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. The nearest the producers came to acknowledging that parallels exist between the BBC and the Church was a recording from the archives of a prime-time interview with the smooth-talking bishop. We saw Terry Wogan, on his teatime chatshow in the Eighties, introducing Ball to applause. But the excerpt included just one brief question, and both snippets lasted less than ten seconds. I would have liked to see the whole interview: it might have given us an indication of how the bishop looked when he was exerting his charm. Drunken mayhem of the night: Joining the long-suffering Thai tourist police on Busted In Bangkok (C5), cameras saw bloody fights, robberies and open prostitution. It's billed as a holiday paradise but Thailand looks more like hell on earth. Advertisement Instead, we watched re-enactments of his interrogations by police, with Donald Sumpter playing the cleric. Usually, true crime documentaries use unfamiliar actors: picking a well-known star from Game Of Thrones and Les Miserables was a strange and distracting choice. Police interrogations and everything else were carried out by crime's greatest multi-tasker, Nikki Alexander in Silent Witness (BBC1). Dr Nikki (Emilia Fox) isn't just a pathologist: her duties included visiting parents to tell them their son's body had been found and briefing a team of detectives on their duties. She still found time to counsel a copper with marital problems. But her colleague, forensics expert Jack (David Caves), easily outpaced her quizzing witnesses, chasing and arresting suspects, and even turning up at one place with a search warrant. Jack Of All Trades, indeed. Still, this was a well-paced episode, with plenty of twists. To keep characters up to speed with the plot, tellies were left blaring wherever they went, screening news bulletins. One farmer came back to an empty house, to find he'd left BBC News 24 on all day. Instead of being cross with himself at the waste of electricity, he watched the headlines and went off to burn some evidence. There's a handy tip if you've got a guilty conscience: always have the TV on. PORTLAND The town has taken two steps towards reclamation and potential development of the Brownstone Avenue riverfront property. During a recent special meeting, the Board of Selectman approved an assistance agreement resolution that will enable the town to access a $750,000 state grant. The grant, from the Department of Economic and Community Development, will be used to clean-up, or remediate, the 5.4-acre parcel the town purchased in September. The property is the site of the former Connecticut Tar & Asphalt Co. plant. A portion of the property contains oil and other petroleum product contamination. The town paid $380,000 to acquire the property. The purchase was overwhelming approved in a town-wide referendum, by a vote of 329 to 70. The state DECD is providing the grant money as part of statewide initiative to remediate so-called brownfield sites and return them to the tax rolls. First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said she has seen evidence of the success of that effort in portions of the Naugatuck Valley. She told the selectmen she had attended a meeting last week during which DECD Commissioner David Lehman said the state is moving aggressively to expand the brownfield restoration program statewide. Having approved the agreement with a near-unanimous vote (Selectman Edward J. Sharr was at another meeting), the selectmen then agreed to appoint 23 residents to a focus group. The group will weigh options for the three parcels of land that make up the property, while also reporting back to residents on the progress of the remediation. The focus group contains a pretty wide swath of residents, according to Bransfield. They include, among others, Sharon Peters, the chairwoman of the Board of Education; former Selectwoman Kitch Breen Czernicki and former Selectman Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, as well as nurses, a marine specialist, a licensed landscape engineer, and several environmentalists. The list also includes one resident who opposed buying the property but who now wants to be involved in determining how best to use it, Bransfield to the selectmen. There have been any number of suggestions for the property, including using a portion for parking for the adjacent Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park, and leasing or selling a parcel that could then be used to open a riverfront restaurant/cafe. Bransfield said it is her hope that the focus group will serve a multitude of functions, including getting feedback from providing information to town officials and residents about the progress of the project. They can begin discussion about the future will hold, accept dissenting information, and review planning and zoning regulations to give them some ideas of what can and cannot be done, Bransfield told the selectmen. I want this project to succeed, she added, noting the riverfront property project could be a model for another brownfield project. A further project might include something perhaps we can work with our neighbors on, she suggested. This would not quite be a building committee, Bransfield said. Its main function would be gathering information. The one thing I find challenging is theres not just one way to remediate that land, Deputy First Selectman Ralph R. Zampano said. Amy Vaillancourt, a licensed environmental professional, is and has been working with the town on the project since the beginning. She has suggested if a portion of the property were to be used for parking, it would not require the same level of remediation that other ideas might require. Vaillancourt does believe the entire perimeter of the property should be thoroughly cleaned, Bransfield told the selectmen. Vaillancourt, who did not attend the selectmens meeting, also cautioned that portions of the property fall within 100- and 500-year floodplains. The focus group to hold its first meeting on Jan. 29, Bransfield said Monday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 15:31:37|Editor: Liu Video Player Close Porcelain designer Wu Anran checks the products designed by her which features the Chinese Year of the Rat in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, Jan. 8, 2020. Jingdezhen, also known as the "Capital of Porcelain", is famous for its elaborate ceramic craftsmanship which requires an extremely complicated production process. In the past, many young, competent and ambitious porcelain designers could create good designs but had difficulty in independently completing production and sales. On the other hand, traditional enterprises that could do production and sales lacked new designs. Jingdezhen explored effective ways of bringing together young designers with local large state-owned enterprises to benefit both sides. Young designers provide new designs and the companies provide loans and modernized production line. All products are tagged with the brands of both the manufacturer and the designer. At present, more than 200 porcelain designer brands are achieving mutual benefits with enterprises in this way. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) A Department of Health official on Tuesday appealed to those in Metro Manila to stop hoarding N95 face masks as they are no longer affected by Taal Volcano's ashfall. DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Francia Laxamana said those in Metro Manila and Central Luzon can opt to use regular surgical masks or damp towels. She added people in Metro Manila started "panic buying," which led to depleted stocks and overpricing of the N95 masks. "Dito hindi naman po gaano katindi ang ashfall. Nag-panic lang talaga ang mga tao noong nagbilihan ng N95. Kaya, sad to say, nagkawalaan ng stocks iyong mga dapat bibigyan natin ng N95, doon nagkulang," she said in a media briefing. [Translation: Here the ashfall is not too serious. People just panicked and bought N95. So, sad to say, the stocks were depleted for those who should be given N95.] State volcanologists also said there has been no recorded ashfall in Metro Manila since Monday. They noted that the winds are starting to move southwest, meaning the volcanic ash might be blown towards Laguna and Quezon. With the low stocks, Laxamana said the N95 masks should be reserved for the thousands of directly-hit residents. She added they have made emergency purchases, but the supply isn't enough. "Huwag tayong mag-panic. Huwag tayong mag-N95 dito sa Metro Manila. Ibigay po muna natin sa ating kababayan dito sa areas ng Batangas and Cavite... Quezon and Laguna mangangailangan na din," she said. [Translation: Let us not panic. Let's not use N95 here in Metro Manila. Let's give that to our countrymen in the Batangas and Cavite areas...Quezon and Laguna will also need that.] Health officials also said people can use surgical masks with a layer of moist cloth on it as a substitute for N95 masks. They also said that cloths, diapers, bras and panties may also be used as substitutes as long as they are layered with a moist cloth. Aside from ordinary people who started hoarding masks, Laxamana said they have also discovered drugstores that are hoarding amid the high demand. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he would talk to health officials about setting a price cap for face masks amid reports of overpricing. Brazilian exports to Arab countries reached $12.197 billion in 2019, registering a growth of 6.3 per cent compared to figures in 2018, according to data from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The latest numbers reflect the continuously growing trade relations between the country and the region. The value of the UAEs imports from Brazil last year hit the $2.21-billion mark at 2.77 million tonnes, while Saudi Arabia purchased 3.48 million tonnes of goods worth $2.04 billion, said a statement from the company. Egypt and Oman bought 6.78 million tonnes of products amounting to $1.83 billion and 10.81 million tonnes of goods worth $937.58 million, respectively. The top Brazilian products exported to Arab countries during the period were poultry; cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose; iron ores and concentrates; bovine meat; maize (corn); tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles; gold (including gold plated with platinum); soya beans; coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; petroleum oil and oil obtained from bituminous minerals; and motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for passenger transport. In 2019, the total Brazilian chicken meat exported to the Arab world was valued at $2.38 billion at 1.49 million tonnes. The bulk of the product, which amounted to $790.63 million, went to Saudi Arabia at 469.76 thousand tonnes, followed by the UAE ($561.19 million, 342.21 thousand tonnes) and Kuwait ($177.43 million, 114.76 thousand tonnes). For bovine meat, the Arab world imported a total of $1.17 billion at 354.5 thousand tonnes. The biggest importer during the year was Egypt at 162.66 thousand tons valued $476.69 million, followed by the UAE at 71.40 thousand tonnes worth $259.58 million (the imported value of bovine meat was 93 per cent higher than in 2018) and Saudi Arabia at 42.1 thousand tonnes worth $142.20 million. Rubens Hannun, president of ABCC, said: The 2019 figures are a testament anew to the great trade ties between Brazil and the Arab region. Over the past years, we have witnessed uninterrupted growth in their export and import activities and we expect this trend to continue into 2020 and beyond - riding high on the success brought forth by their shared commitment to sustaining a more productive trade partnership. The figures reveal the high global demand for Brazilian beef, which is known for its quality and excellence. As the Arab region continues to buy Brazilian products in the coming years, the South American nation is also doing the same. We see reinforced relations between them as Brazil expands its reach in the region along with other global markets, Hannun added. The total Brazilian imports from Arab countries reached $6.99 billion at 17.29 million tonnes in 2019. Its top imported items from the Arab countries were mineral fuels; mineral oils; bituminous substances and mineral waxes; fertilizers; plastic; salt and sulphur; earth and stone; plastering materials, lime, and cement; organic chemicals; and fish, crustaceans and mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates, it added. TradeArabia News Service Following demands put forward by protesting students groups, Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday cancelled the ongoing semester examinations until further notice. The new dates will be announced after a discussion, said the university. The announcement came after hundreds of students gathered outside the vice-chancellors office on Monday mainly demanding registration of First Information Report (FIR) after police attacked students inside the campus on December 15. They also demanded that the examination be rescheduled. On Monday, V-C Najma Akhtar assured students that the process of registering the FIR would start soon, but did not commit to a deadline. The call for protest was given by the Jamia Coordination Committee, which has representatives of various students outfits and has been managing the protests outside the campus against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Explaining the reason behind their demands, JCC member and undergraduate student Al-Amin Kabir said, The examination schedule was scattered. In order to ensure normal functioning of the campus, we wanted the exams conducted on time. However, by creating a schedule where one department would have their exam on a certain day, and other departments on some other day, the administration was trying to ensure that students werent united in their protests against the CAA. Students have also demanded a written assurance from vice-chancellor (VC) Najma Akhtar that the university administration must register FIR against Delhi Police through the magistrate before January 16. The university later said it would explore the possibility of moving court for the registration of FIR in the 15th December 2019 police brutality in university library case at the earliest. Jamia will also have its Executive Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss various issues including the re-scheduling of exams and the legal options before it to register the FIR. The university said they had made efforts to register an FIR against unidentified police personnel in this regard. The university has already followed all possible steps for the registration of FIR. It has given its complaint to SHO Jamia Nagar and its copy to CP Delhi and DCP South East. The university has also written to Joint CP Southern Range and DCP Crime for the registration of FIR earlier, Ahmad Azeen, the universitys media coordinator, said. While students support the ongoing protests outside the university, many have also raised concerns over the delay in examinations. Sadaf Jamil, a postgraduate student, said, All of us support the protests and many want to give their examinations as well as join protests. The delay in examination has been a cause of worry. The new semester will start late due to the delay and hence we will have less time to complete our syllabus and academic work. On December 15, the protests against Citizenship Law Amendment (CAA) took a violent turn after protesters clashed with Delhi Police in New Friends Colony area. In the chaos that ensued, the university said around 200 students were injured as cops entered the Jamia libraries, damaged university property, and beat students and guards. While Delhi Police said their personnel had entered campus while chasing violent protesters, they denied allegations of entering the library or vandalisation. Students have also called for a SIT inquiry into the alleged police excesses on campus and a written assurance that petition will be filed for the three students who were framed by the Delhi Police in the case. Akhtar also said that safety measures on campus were increased following the violence and efforts are being made to ensure students feel safe on campus. Meanwhile, the university said that a second team from National Human Rights Commission is scheduled to visit campus on Tuesday as a part of its inquiry into police action against students. The team is likely to record the statement of the victim students. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer and unusually common in Arizona, where residents are exposed to higher-than-average amounts of ultraviolet radiation. However, Northern Arizona University scientists believe the formula for a combination of melanoma-fighting drugs is within reach. Matthew Salanga, an assistant professor in NAU's Department of Biological Sciences, is leading an 18-month project funded through a Flinn Foundation grant of $100,000. His team, which includes experts in experimental biology, computational systems biology and translational medicine, will study melanoma tumors on zebrafish, a small minnow-sized fish that has 70 percent of the same genes that are found in humans. Physiologically, zebrafish also have pigment cells in their skin, called melanocytes, which give them their stripes and their name. In humans, these cells are responsible for creating a tan when exposed to the sun, and if dysregulated can give rise to melanoma. The majority of melanoma skin cancers are the result of a specific mutation in the BRAF gene (BRAF V600E). BRAF is a type of enzyme known as a protein kinase that adds a phosphate group to other proteins in cell signaling pathways. For this project, zebrafish that express the human form of mutated BRAF are employed to test strategies for treating melanoma. Fish don't often get cancer, but in the lab, we can engineer fish to contain human genes that we know are associated with cancer. Essentially, it's a way to use non-human vertebrates as though they were human. We call this humanization." Matthew Salanga, an expert in cell and developmental biology Currently there are about 30 zebrafish carrying the BRAF V600E human oncogene in Salanga's lab that have visible melanoma tumors, and that number will grow as the study progresses. Activated BRAF acts to promote cell growth and proliferation. Salanga explains that the V600E mutation of BRAF leaves it stuck in the "on" position. This can result in unrestricted cell growth and proliferation. Drugs have been developed that specifically target and suppress tumor cells that have aberrant BRAF kinase activity. These drugs are in a class of drug called protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), and are currently used clinically. However, not all patients respond and many relapse after a few months of therapy. Researchers try to predict best drug combinations for inhibiting kinase activity Salanga believes that there is a combination and dosage of PKIs recognizing distinct conformations of the BRAF kinase that can shut down the misfiring proteins and kill tumor cells dependent on oncogenic BRAF activity. "The crux of the project is trying to predict which set of currently available drugs will work the best at inhibiting BRAF's ability to turn things on inappropriately," he said. "Molecular profiling of tumor cells might be used to guide the drug selection for individual patients." Critical to the NAU-based pilot project team is Richard Posner, a professor in NAU's Department of Biological Sciences, and William Hlavacek, a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Posner and Hlavacek are computational systems biologists who have developed mathematical models for predicting optimal strategies to target mutations in BRAF. In recent work, they and their collaborators predicted that two-drug combinations will be able to effectively suppress mutant BRAF (V600E) signaling. These predictions were validated in melanoma cell lines. The researchers are leveraging this computation pipeline to predict therapeutic responses to novel combinations of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs in humanized zebrafish harboring melanoma skin cancer. Also involved in the project is Haiyong Han, a scientist in the Molecular Medicine Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). His specialty is pancreatic cancer, which could potentially be treated using similar therapeutic strategies that are being proposed for melanoma. The researchers, including undergraduate and graduate students, will be adding various combinations of inhibitors to see if they can find combinations that are most effective in targeting mutated RAF proteins. Salanga says taking the melanoma-fighting research from the lab to medical facilities could happen quickly, as 150 PKIs are already in various stages of safety testing, and many are approved by the FDA. "TGen and its partners can carry out these PKI clinical trials fairly routinely through its patient network and its scientists, who assist in these human studies. We could see humans receiving treatments like this within the next year or two," he said. Although early detection of melanoma contributes to an 89 percent five-year survival rate, metastatic melanoma is often lethal, with a less than 20 percent survival rate. Have you been eager to see how Citigroup C performed in Q4 in comparison with the market expectations? Lets quickly scan through the key facts from this New York-based money center banks earnings release this morning: An Earnings Beat Citigroup came out with adjusted earnings per share of $1.90, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.82. Rise in revenues were partially offset by higher operating expenses. How Was the Estimate Revision Trend? You should note that the earnings estimate for Citigroup depicted neutral stance prior to the earnings release. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained stable over the last seven days. Also, Citigroup has an impressive earnings surprise history. Before posting earnings beat in Q4, the company also delivered positive surprises in the prior four quarters. Overall, the company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 3.2% in the trailing four quarters. Citigroup Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Revenue Came In Better than Expected Citigroups revenues of $18.4 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.7 billion. Moreover, revenues grew 7% year over year. Key Takeaways Net income stood at $5 billion, up 15% from the prior year quarter. Cost of credit rose 15% year over year to $2.2 billion. Fixed income markets revenues jumped 49% year over year to $2.9 billion Equity markets revenues of $516 million declined 23% from the prior-year quarter Investment banking revenues grew 6% year over year to $1.4 billion Returned $6.2 billion to shareholders as common stock repurchases and dividends during the quarter. What Zacks Rank Says The estimate revisions that we discussed earlier have driven a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Citigroup. However, since the latest earnings performance is yet to be reflected in the estimate revisions, the rank is subject to change. While things apparently look favorable, it all depends on what sense the just-released report makes to the analysts. (You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.) How the Market Reacted So Far Following the earnings release, Citigroup shares were up nearly 1% in the pre-trading session. This is in sync with to what the stock witnessed in the prior-days session. Clearly, the initial reaction shows that the investors have considered the results in their favor. However, the full-sessions price movement may indicate a different picture. Check back later for our full write up on this Citigroup earnings report! Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> Click to get this free report Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. LONDON/KAMPALA The UK government has extended a $200m (about UGX735b) loan to the Ugandan government to help improve basic infrastructure in Kampala Investment Business Park, Namanve in Mukono District. The funding was announced on Sunday, January 12, 2020, by the UK Minister for Africa, Mr Andrew Stephenson, during the commissioning of the project. We have a deep commitment to bring sustainable growth. Uganda has long been an important sustainable partner to the UK and we have priorities for both governments, jobs and prosperity for all our people, Mr Stephenson said. On its [Uganda] path to middle-income status, we understand the importance of developing infrastructure and strengthening Ugandas manufacturing base. That is why I am delighted to be here at this grounding breaking event for construction of the infrastructure of this industrial park, he added. The State Minister for Investment and Privatisation Ms Evelyn Anite said the money will be paid back using taxpayers money. The government will use the money to set tarmac the roads in the industrial park, build bridges, put up solar lighting, a water reservoir, a sewerage network and waste treatment system. Ms Anite said the infrastructure will enable ministry of Finance to take action on non-compliant investors who take up land for investment in the industrial park but dont start work within the stipulated 18 months. Development period is only 18 months. If you dont develop the land, we withdraw it but that has been hard for us because every time we have wanted to withdraw it they [investors] would tell us, you have not done your part which is the infrastructure Ms Anite said. Related The global neuroendoscopy devices market is expected to grow by USD 127.37 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of close to 7% during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to several factors such as the increasing prevalence of neurology conditions and rising number of new product launches. Furthermore, the growing number of strategic alliances will also drive the neuroendoscopy devices market during the forecast period. Request a free sample report This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005574/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global neuroendoscopy devices market 2020-2024 (Photo: Business Wire) Read the 145-page report with TOC on "Neuroendoscopy Devices market research report by Product (Rigid and semi-rigid endoscopes, and Flexible endoscopes), Geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024". https://www.technavio.com/report/neuroendoscopy-devices-market-industry-analysis Neuroendoscopy Devices Market ProductOutlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024) Rigid and semi-rigid endoscopes Flexible endoscopes Rigid and semi-rigid endoscopes were the largest neuroendoscopy devices product segment in the market during 2019. This was due to their light weight property, which helps in easy placement of ventricular shunt catheters. Rigid endoscopes provide a clear image and better resolution in comparison to other types of endoscopes. Moreover, vendors are investing in the development of imaging systems to enhance the surgical outcomes of minimally invasive surgeries performed for the treatment of neurology conditions such as brain tumor and hydrocephalus. This will further drive the growth of rigid and semi-rigid endoscopes segment during the forecast period. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Neuroendoscopy Devices Market Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024) Asia Europe North America ROW North America was the largest geographic segment in 2019, followed by Europe, Asia, and ROW, respectively. The region is anticipated to dominate the market over the forecast period due to an increase in investments in neurology-specialized hospitals and clinics and expansion of neurological institutes in North American countries. Furthermore, hospitals are forming partnerships with imaging device manufacturers to provide training to healthcare providers. All these factors will contribute to the dominance of North America throughout the forecast period. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Major Five Neuroendoscopy Devices Companies: Ackermann Instrumente GmbH Ackermann Instrumente GmbH is headquartered in Germany and operates the business under various segments such as Arthroscopy, Bronchoscopy, Diflex Systems, and Others. The company offers a spinal endoscope with the Ackermann Plus telescope, 58-6750 spinal endoscope. adeor medical AG adeor medical AG is headquartered in Germany and offers products through the following business units: Neuro/Microsurgery, Gynecology, and Vascular Surgery. The company offers an ingenious device, Zeppelin, which is used for neuroendoscopic indications, intraventricular processes, arachnoidal cysts and cystic cerebral tumors, and other conditions. B. Braun Melsungen AG B. Braun Melsungen AG is headquartered in Germany and operates under various business segments, namely B. Braun Hospital Care, B. Braun Aesculap, B. Braun Out Patient Market, and B. Braun Avitum. The company offers MINOP and PAEDISCOPE. Clarus Medical LLC Clarus Medical LLC is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business segments: Airway, Spine, Inspection, and Neuro. The company offers a flexible fiberoptic endoscope, Clarus 3000N, which is used to access and visualize nerves, neural tissues, and the surrounding tissues. KARL STORZ SE Co. KG KARL STORZ SE Co. KG is headquartered in Germany and offers products through the following business segments: Human medicine, Industrial, Veterinary medicine, and Service. The company offers an endoscopic system, LOTTA system, which is used for intracranial interventions in adults and children. Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005574/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: https://www.technavio.com Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the Google I/O keynote session at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California on May 7, 2019. Alphabet's Google on Tuesday said it plans to acquire Pointy, an Irish retail start-up that helps traditional brick and mortar retailers list inventory online, for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks, Google said in a press release. Retailers use Pointy's software to automatically track store inventory. That information is then displayed on Google's "see what's in store" section, and on a Pointy page, so customers can find specific items that are in-stock near them. "Over the past several years we've developed a very close partnership with Google," Pointy founders Marks Cummins and Charles Bibby said in a release. "It became clear that we shared the same vision of how technology can improve local retail businesses." Pointy has raised $19 million so far in venture capital, the company disclosed in July 2018. "By joining forces, we will be able to help people discover local stores and products on a much larger scale," the Pointy founders wrote. "We think this is the right way to accomplish what we set out to do to bring the world's retailers online and give them the tools they need to thrive." [January 14, 2020] BJ's Charitable Foundation Donates $50,000 to Support the Capital Area Food Bank's School Pantry Program BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ), a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States, today announced a $50,000 donation to the Capital Area Food Bank, a Feeding America member food bank. The donation from the BJ's Charitable Foundation is part of the retailer's initiative to help end hunger in the Washington metro area. "BJ's is dedicated to nourishing our communities and helping families thrive by improving access to basic essentials including fresh, nutritious food," said Kirk Saville, executive director, BJ's Charitable Foundation. "We're thrilled to donate $50,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank to support its school pantry program. This grant will help increase access and feed more families in food insecure communities." BJ's grant to the Capital Area Food Bank is part of its recent $1 million donation to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The donation will support programs that expand direct access to food, including the School Pantry, mobile market and BackPack programs. With these programs, families facing food insecurity will be able to more easily access fresh, nutritious food to help put meals on the table. "We all know it' incredibly hard to learn or thrive without enough nutritious food," said Radha Muthiah, President and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. "The hard reality is that nearly 400,000 people throughout the Washington metro area struggle to get the food they need, and one-third of those are children. We're so pleased that, with BJ's generous support, we'll be able to increase the amount of fresh, healthy food that we deliver to kids and families in need through our free school-based markets." The Capital Area Food Bank is the anchor of the hunger relief infrastructure in the region, providing more than 30 million meals to people in communities across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. But the organization doesn't stop there - it provides long-term solutions to hunger, addressing the root causes by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs and healthcare. BJ's grant marks the third yearly $1 million donation to the Feeding America network from the BJ's Charitable Foundation. Since 2011, BJ's has provided ongoing support to the Feeding America network through the BJ's Charitable Foundation and BJ's Feeding Communities program, helping local food banks successfully expand their programs to reach wider audiences. BJ's Feeding Communities program is a food rescue partnership, where the company donates all unsold perishable food to Feeding America member food banks in its footprint, helping to get wholesome food onto the plates of more families. To date, BJ's has donated more than 100 million pounds of food including meat, produce, dairy and bakery items - which equals more than 84 million meals* - to Feeding America member food banks. To learn more about BJ's Wholesale Club, visit BJs.com. *Based on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, a meal is equal to 1.2 pounds of food and grocery product. About BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's Wholesale Club is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 219 clubs and 144 BJ's Gas locations in 17 states. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BJ). About Capital Area Food Bank The Capital Area Food Bank works to address hunger today and create brighter futures tomorrow for nearly half a million people across the region experiencing food insecurity. As the anchor in the area's hunger relief infrastructure, we provide over 30 million meals to people in need each year by supplying food to 450+ nonprofit organizations, including Martha's Table, SOME - So Others Might Eat, DC Central Kitchen, Food for Others, Manna, and others. Through these partnerships, the food bank supports 10 percent of our region's mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and grandparents. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005125/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Fares was killed by gunmen in Kafranbel in 2018. But his message has resonated with Syrian artists in exile, including a new generation that has found a creative haven in Berlin. One of them is 28-year-old comedian Firas Alshater. Alshater was studying to be an actor in Damascus when the uprising began. After participating in demonstrations and filming the protests and the governments crackdown, he was arrested and tortured by Assads secret police. During the nine months he spent in jail unable to contact his family, who didnt know his whereabouts he would pass the time by making jokes and pulling pranks on new detainees. There was nothing else to do, he said. We just sat there and didnt know when they would call us and torture us, or what would happen next. Laughing was a way of fighting against the things we couldnt change. MELBOURNE, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jan. 14, 2020 Teleperformance, the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management and the trusted provider of digital integrated business services, today announced that Frost & Sullivan has positioned Teleperformance as a Champion to support clients in Australia in the Australian Contact Centre Outsourcing Market Frost IQ report. The Frost IQ (Industry Quotient) report aims to provide a balanced assessment of the leading industry participants. The matrix comprises a mix of quantitative and qualitative evaluations. We are excited to partner with companies in Australia to enable interactions that are simpler, faster, safer, and more cost-effective for their customers, said Brian Johnson, CEO, Teleperformance English World. We are proud to be recognized for our capabilities to support the Australia market. With 24 years of continued excellence and leadership in the Philippines and 47,000 people in 21 locations and work-at-home programs, Teleperformance in the Philippines offers clients in Australia diversified strategies that provide flexibility and scalable customer management support to help them grow their business. According to Frost & Sullivan, Teleperformance is sustaining its prime position with new contract wins and expansion in digital solutions. For example, Teleperformances Intelenet acquisition is enabling the company to broaden its capabilities in back-office services, digital integrated business services, analytics, and automation. Frost & Sullivan further outlined Teleperformances strengths for supporting clients in Australia: A high-tech, high-touch strategy leveraging technology innovation and digital transformation to support the human experience. Global market leader in the contact center outsourcing industry, stimulating growth in its Australian operations through expansions of its Digital Integrated Business Services, covering end-to-end outsourcing of client processes. Pursuing global consistency through development of several award-winning processes and tools including the Teleperformance Operational Processes and Standards (TOPS), Baseline Enterprise Standard for Teleperformance (BEST), Contact Center Management System (CCMS), and security practices including Global Essential Security Policies (GESP). Focus on rigorous compliance, privacy, and security built around a robust framework to proactively identify and mitigate data breaches and combat fraud is a competitive differentiator among outsourcers. Large regional team to support clients in Australia. Continued success with telco, media, and retail sector customers focusing on technology-enabled transformation services. Story continues A copy of the Frost & Sullivan report is available for view here. ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: ROCH.PA Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management, serves as a strategic partner to the worlds largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting & analytics, digital integrated business service solutions and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are reliable, flexible and intelligent. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale. The Groups 300,000 employees, spread across nearly 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2018, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 4,441 million (US$5,256 million, based on 1 = $1.18). For further information, please visit the Teleperformance website at teleperformance.com. Amit Shankardass Teleperformance 16154738196 amit.shankardass@teleperformance.com Terming DySP Davinder Singh, arrested in the company of two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, a "black sheep", J&K LG G C Murmu's Advisor Farooq Khan on Tuesday said the credit to identify and nab him goes to the police which has a history of making thousands of sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He said the operations against terrorists would continue till the menace is finished from the Union Territory. Police had arrested Singh at Mir Bazar in Kulgam district of south Kashmir along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. "In any organisation there is a black sheep and he was the one in the police. The credit goes to the police for identifying this black sheep and unveil the conspiracy (which he was hatching with terrorists)," Khan, a retired IPS officer who was instrumental in breaking the backbone of militancy in the 1990s, told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. He refused to divulge details of the ongoing investigation in the case but said the case would be probed from all angles. "The investigation into the case is continuing and all aspects will be looked into," he said, adding "I will not like to speak on details of the investigation so far". On political reactions to the arrest, he said, "I would not like to comment on them but such incidents, which have a direct bearing on the security, should not be made a political issue." Responding to a question about the impact of Singh's arrest on the image of the police force, Khan pointed out that even the people who nabbed the DySP were policemen. "It (the arrest of DySP) will have no bearing on the image of police. The uniform of police is full of the blood of its martyrs. Thousands have sacrificed their lives and so one black sheep or one rotten fish cannot contaminate the police pond," he said. He said the operation against terrorists is continuing and in the past, at least six terrorists were killed. "I do not go in the number game (how many terrorists are still active) but a strict vigil is being maintained on militants and operations to nab or neutralise them are on. They will continue till terrorism is finished," Khan said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Dogra Front (SSDF) activists led by its president Ashok Gupta staged a demonstration against the arrested officer here and demanded capital punishment for him. "There should be a speedy trial in the case through a fast-track court and the culprits including the officer should be handed over death sentence," said Gupta. He said Singh had brought a bad name to the police force which has made numerous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism over the past 30 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Belle Meade Family Dentistry Treat Bruxism and TMJ Disorder in Nashville, TN The doctors work closely with the patient to create a unique night guard that is designed specifically for each patients mouth to improve comfort while being worn. Belle Meade Family Dentistry helps patients ease jaw pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, in Nashville, TN by offering customized treatment solutions. Jaw pain and related discomfort of the mouth or face is often caused by bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ disorder. The experienced dentists at Belle Meade Family Dentistry offer patients suffering from these conditions night guards to prevent bruxism and dental work to adjust malocclusion for TMJ disorder. The most common causes of jaw pain typically stem from TMJ disorder or bruxism. When the muscle that connects the jaw to the skull becomes damaged, overworked or inflamed, stiffness and soreness often develop. This muscle and area of the face is the temporomandibular joint and is responsible for the jaw function. Patients with TMJ disorder can experience sharp pain, soreness of the jaw and even lockjaw, which can severely impact their lifestyle. Bruxism is when teeth grind together during stress or while patients sleep. Over time, this grinding can cause teeth to chip, crack and become worn down, as well as lead to soreness of the face. At Belle Meade Family Dentistry, Drs. James Pace Sr., Temp Sullivan and James Pace Jr. offer leading treatment solutions for those with TMJ disorder and bruxism. One of the most common and minimally invasive solutions for TMJ disorder and bruxism is a custom fit night guard. Night guards are worn at night while the patient sleeps and cover the teeth. When grinding or clenching occurs, the night guard protects the teeth from damage. The doctors work closely with the patient to create a unique night guard that is designed specifically for each patients mouth to improve comfort while being worn. With the night guard, patients often experience an alleviation of their bruxism or TMJ disorder symptoms. For patients that experience severe jaw pain that is unrelated to bruxism, jaw alignment treatments are available to prevent malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. With specialized dental work, Drs. Pace, Sullivan and Pace can realign the jaw to improve the bite and relieve pressure on the jaw joints. When teeth come together properly, the jaw has less adjustments to make. In some cases, this treatment involves gently filing down teeth that connect at improper positions, while other cases may require orthodontics to realign the bite to proper position. Depending on a patients condition, the practice offers Invisalign and traditional braces for tooth alignment. Patients who suffer from jaw pain or who have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder or bruxism in Nashville, TN are encouraged to contact Belle Meade Family Dentistry to treat their symptoms. Appointments can be made by visiting http://www.bellemeadedental.com or calling 615-298-2030. About the Dentists Belle Meade Family Dentistry serves the Nashville, TN area with full-service family dentistry, for 35 years running. Dr. James Pace Sr. has served as a Chairman of the Nashville Dental Society and as a delegate to the Tennessee Dental Association. He was a 2015 Patients Choice Award Winner, has consistently received recognition by the Tennessee Dental Association for his hours of continuing education, and has led and participated in multiple dental and medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Temp Sullivan earned his fellow in laser dentistry at World Clinical Laser Institute and serves as a delegate for the Tennessee Dental Association and as a member of the Peer Review committee for TennCare. Dr. James Pace Jr. received the 2011 Tennessee Dental Associations Ace Award. The team at Belle Meade Family Dentistry strives to provide the finest quality dental care for patients in a warm, caring, and clean environment. They execute the most advanced dental care with every service, including teeth-in-a-day dental implants, Invisalign, the Pinhole Surgical Technique and laser dentistry. To learn more about the dentists at Belle Meade Family Dentistry and the services they offer visit http://www.bellemeadedental.com or call 615-298-2030. Military strongman Khalifa Haftar's reluctance to sign up to a Turkish-Russian orchestrated ceasefire accord underlines the complexity of Libya's conflict and pressures exerted by key foreign players, analysts say. He left Moscow on Tuesday without signing a permanent truce aimed at ending nine months of fighting against the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj. His abrupt departure was a setback for an international diplomatic push, after Sarraj had signed up to halting Haftar's offensive to seize Tripoli from the GNA. For Emad Badi of the Washington-based Middle East Institute, there are two plausible explanations for Haftar walking away. "Either he didn't sign because he personally decided not regardless of the consequences, or... one of his backers guaranteed him support even if he did not sign". Abdelqader el-Rehebi, a Libyan political analyst, said the motivation for Haftar to hold off on signing a definitive ceasefire deal was clear. "Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Cairo and Paris, the direct or indirect supporters of his military campaign... were not agreed" on the deal. "This makes his refusal logical." Rehebi said Haftar's foreign backers had pressed him to keep up the Tripoli offensive "and, in return, (they pledged) to keep up their political and military support". Egypt, for example, a regional rival of Turkey which opposes Ankara's support for the GNA, "rejects any consensus or reconciliation between the two camps that would permit a Turkish presence on the Libyan scene", Rehebi said. Peter Millett, a former British ambassador to Libya, tweeted that Haftar's stand was a signal that the general and his backers "still think he can win militarily". - 'Very expensive price' - But Mohamed Eljarh, another Libyan analyst, tweeted that Haftar had come under "enormous pressure" to sign. "Once again, Haftar proves he is not bound by the wishes of his backers & those that sympathize with him. Not #Cairo, not #AbuDhabi, and not #Moscow. #Libya," Eljarh wrote. A former US special envoy to Libya, Jonathan M. Winer, said the strongman's actions were true to form. "That has been what I have both observed & been told by senior foreign officials of states that supported him in the past. A dictator is beholden to no one," he tweeted. Critics accuse Haftar of aiming to install a new dictatorship in Libya, which has been in chaos ever since the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted with fury to Haftar's walkout. "We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country's legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya," he said. The general, who supports an administration based in eastern Libya, set his sights on Tripoli last April after conquering much of the south, in part by rallying powerful local tribes. For Federica Saini Fasanotti of the Brookings Institution, "the price of this siege (of Tripoli) is also very expensive for Haftar." He "sees himself indebted to foreign countries that have supported him, but above all to the inhabitants" of eastern Libya. "Families who lost their children in this war operation await a clear response from Haftar that can only end with victory, at least on paper. Without that, it will be very difficult" for him, she said. Other analysts speculated that a secret annex to the ceasefire accord between Moscow and Ankara could explain Haftar's opposition. "Possibly, the two countries might have some 'under the table' deal for a possible new political lineup in Libya," Claudia Gazzini of the International Crisis Group told AFP. Singapore loves Chinese New Year more than Christmas: Google insights Being one of the most important festivals in the Singapore calendar, the Chinese New Year is one occasion that Singaporeans take very seriously. In fact, the emphasis Singaporeans place on honouring the traditions of Chinese New Year even surpasses other markets with similar populations of ethnic Chinese. Photo: Connected to India According to insights from search giant Google, the search volume of CNY-related queries in Singapore last year is twice that of Malaysias. It is also 40 per cent more than Hong Kong, whose population is made up of 92 per cent Chinese. In fact, Singaporeans love Chinese New Year even more than Christmas and are spending 2.5 times more than the popular 11.11 Global Shopping Festival. Table: Google A festival steeped in tradition with precious moments that bring families and friends together, Chinese New Year surpasses Christmas as the most searched festive moment in Singapore. Two thirds of Singaporeans turned to Google and YouTube as early as six weeks before the occasion to draw inspiration and make plans in advance. The number of searches has also increased 27 per cent year-on-year. More digitally-savvy Singaporeans are going online for ideas and inspiration such as reunion dinner recipes, or fashion inspiration for visitations. Table: Google Apart from finding things to buy on Search, Singaporeans are increasingly looking to YouTube to find CNY content. Watchtime for prime Chinese-language content grew by 91% year-on-year. To date, the platform has more than 104 million minutes of CNY content offering a plethora of videos including festive songs, skits, and tutorials. Google noted that brands are leveraging this trend by creating videos that capture the spirit of togetherness, and tutorials which introduce new products and recipes. Some of the top feel good videos from 2019 include Singtels poignant short film, titled From Ma, With Love, or Yeos CNYs video. NTUC Fairprice also invited Chef Eric to teach a unique dish for customers and the audience to try their hands at during the festive season. Singaporeans care deeply about Chinese New Year," said Melissa Lee, Sector Lead for Finance, Government and Retail, Google Singapore. "As consumers spend more time searching and watching videos online, free tools such as Google My Business, Google Trends and YouTube can help businesses and SMEs better anticipate what matters to their customers during the busy festive season. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated newly elected Croatian President Zoran Milanovic. I cordially congratulate you upon your election as the president of the Republic of Croatia, President Aliyev said. I am pleased with the present level of relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia, the Azerbaijani president added. I believe the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our countries will develop and broaden further in line with the interests of our peoples. I wish you strong health, happiness and success in your endeavors for the sake of prosperity of the friendly people of Croatia, President Aliyev added. ---- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz She has been travelling the world after her split from DJ Chris Martinez. And Demi Rose showed off her hourglass physique wearing nothing but a pair of ripped jeans as she went topless on Laguna Beach in California on Tuesday. The Birmingham-born beauty, 24, posted a story of herself twirling around on the beach as she held her hands over her bare chest. Sultry: Demi Rose showed off her hourglass physique wearing nothing but a pair of ripped jeans as she went topless on Laguna Beach in California on Tuesday She flaunted her enviable curves in the tight ripped jeans that hugged her frame as she span around for the camera. She then posted a pic to her Instagram feed that showed her sitting with her perky assets held in her hands and wearing the same pair of jeans, she captioned it: 'A handful.' She wore her chestnut locks loose and swept to one side with a full face of makeup despite being at the beach. Revealing: The Birmingham-born beauty, 24, posted a story of herself twirling around on the beach as she held her hands over her bare chest The influencer has been documenting her sunny travels in the US with a series of sultry bikini pics. These steamy snaps come after a candid Instragram post that saw Demi reflect on her 2019. Revealing that 2019 had been both the 'hardest', yet also 'best' year of her life, she penned: 'Wow what a year. It definitely has been the hardest year of my life but the also the best year of my life. Sexy: She wore her chestnut locks loose and swept to one side with a full face of makeup despite being at the beach 'Im proud of myself for getting through the hurdles Ive faced and the growth that Ive experienced. Im ready to say goodbye to 2019 and Im SO excited for whats to come in this new year. 'I wish you all an amazing 2020 filled with lots of blessings and love. Thank you for all your support, always. Love you guys!' Before LA Demi was in Mexico, and before that she enjoyed a break in Jordan, Sri Panwa Phuket and Las Vegas. Dare to bare: Later in the day Demi went topless again as she posed with a sparkling hat that covered her eyes Cheeky: The influencer appeared in full glam as she uploaded the story showcasing her ample cleavage Demi also saw her career surge in 2019 as she booked several high profile modelling gigs, and launched a swimwear collection with Oh Polly. However, Demi also struggled with an intense loss last year, announcing the death of her mother Christine Mawby who passed away aged 64 in July. The tragedy came just eight months after her beloved father Barrie died in October 2018. Finance Minister Conor Murphy has said he will be "picking up quickly" on business rates after a revaluation created the prospect of rising rates for many firms. Reval2020, which reviewed rateable values for around 74,000 businesses, resulted in the rateable values of some independent shops increasing by 40%. Other businesses such as bars saw their rateable values increase three-fold, which is likely to translate into increases in their rates bills. A consultation which closed in November has also looked into wider reform of the system. Writing in today's Business Telegraph, Retail NI chief Glyn Roberts says: "We no longer have a rates crisis - it is now an emergency and Conor Murphy must take immediate action to save jobs and businesses. "Do Land and Property Services (LPS) actually have any idea of the impact this revaluation will have on independent retailers and the thousands of jobs they support?" But the new minister said: "This is something I'll be picking up quickly. I'm committed to creating a rating system which is fair and helps businesses grow and prosper." He added that officials were looking at "working up" options after analysing the responses received to the consultation. CHICAGO Citing the departures of two state lawmakers who resigned their seats while under federal scrutiny, Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza is pitching a plan to prevent lawmakers from drawing a state paycheck after officially leaving office. One of the cases involves Sen. Martin Sandoval who resigned his seat effective Jan. 1 but is being paid through the end of the month. Despite resigning on the first day of this month, my office must still pay him for the entire month. Thats ridiculous, Mendoza said in a statement Monday. I can think of no other enterprise that pays an ex-employee for work they never performed. Each of these lawmakers left under a cloud but stayed just long enough -- the first of the month -- to collect an exit bonus from state taxpayers for a months pay for no work. Under Mendozas plan, lawmakers who resign their seats in the Illinois General Assembly before the end of their term would not be paid for days they dont work. Separately, Mendoza wants to pay legislators twice a month, as other state employees and constitutional officers are, rather than once a month. Sen. Cristina Castro, a Democrat from Elgin, plans to sponsor a bill on the issue. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers agriculture chief resigns over rape in Champaign email, governors office says Gov. J.B. Pritzkers top agriculture official resigned this weekend after the administration learned he had knowledge of a July 2012 email in which a powerful lobbyist and close confidant of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan sought leniency for a state worker who he said had kept his mouth shut about the rape in Champaign. This is a glaring loophole that has been exploited far too many times at the taxpayers expense, and Im sick of it," Castro said in a statement. "It needs to be closed. The departures of Sandoval and former state Rep. Luis Arroyo, both caught up in a sweeping federal corruption investigation, prompted the proposal, according to Mendozas office. Arroyo resigned his seat Nov. 1, one week after he was arrested on a federal bribery charge. Arroyo was accused of paying a bribe to a state senator in exchange for support of a gambling bill that would have benefited one of Arroyos lobbying clients. Arroyo became eligible Dec. 1 for a monthly pension payment of roughly $3,950 based on nearly 14 years in the House. He would lose his pension if convicted of the bribery charge. Federal agents searched Sandovals Springfield office Sept. 24, removing electronic devices and documents. According to a search warrant, federal agents were looking for a wide array of information involving lobbyists, gambling interests, a red-light camera company and transportation and construction companies. Soon after agents raided Sandovals office, followed federal law enforcement actions in three suburban towns in Sandovals Senate district, in Lyons, McCook and Summit. Sandoval submitted his resignation letter in late November, with a Jan. 1, 2020, effective date. Sandoval was paid $5,788.66 in December, and will draw the same amount this month, according to the state comptrollers office. Ethics reform proposals figured prominently during the General Assemblys fall veto session, in the wake of the Sandoval and Arroyo allegations. The legislature in November approved what lawmakers on both sides of the aisle characterized as a small step toward fixing the states ethics laws. With bipartisan votes in both chambers, lawmakers approved a measure requiring state lobbyists to disclose more information publicly and create a combined online database for information on lobbyists, campaign contributions and annual statements of economic interest by public officials. Another measure lawmakers approved late last year created a 16-member commission to recommend additional changes to state ethics laws. That panel is slated to hold its second meeting in Chicago this week, while lawmakers return to Springfield on Jan. 28. 15 new Illinois laws for 2020 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The trade ministry is eager to make use of the Gossor Initiative to increase Egyptian exports to the African market, especially from the SME sector, the trade minister said Egypts Minister of the Public Business Sector Hisham Tawfik has announced that his ministry will launch an online platform for selling Egyptian products in Africa, offering Egyptian products in an electronic catalogue. Tawfiks statements came during a meeting held on Tuesday with Minister of Trade and Industry Niven Gamei to discuss cooperation between the two ministries on increasing Egyptian exports to African markets as part of the Gossor Initiative, which aims to boost Egypts external trade. Tawfik said that the Gossor Initiative provides an integrated chain of transport and logistics services introduced by Gossor subsidiaries. Gamei said that the trade ministry coordinates with all concerned ministries to increase productivity, boost Egyptian exports to global markets, and provide job opportunities for young people. The trade ministry is eager to make use of the Gossor Initiative to increase Egyptian exports to the African market, especially from the SME sector, Gamei said. Search Keywords: Short link: At least 170 students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have lodged complaints with the legal desk set up at the university following the violence of December 15 on campus claiming Delhi Police is refusing to listen to their grievances. Students of the law course started the legal desk after the December 15 violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Sharjeel Ahmed, who heads the desk, told PTI, "We have so far received 170 complaints from the students who faced violence, harassment and abuse on the day of the incident. As Delhi Police refused our complaints directly, we set up this desk to compile all the complaints and take them to the NHRC and later to the court with the help of senior advocates." She also said that if the NHRC after its inquiry does not provide justice, they will demand a separate investigation based on these testimonies. Sharjeel claimed that the students who "faced police atrocity and whose complaints weren't accepted at police stations have lost faith in Delhi Police" and want a "neutral platform that would listen to them and help them get justice". Among those who gave their testimonies to the legal desk is Mohd Anas, a PG student of electrical engineering, who claims he was chased and beaten up by police. "A peaceful protest was going on December 15, when police teams reached and started tear gas shelling. I ran away and hid inside a generator room near Gate no 3. The policemen broke the gate and barged inside," he alleged, adding the students were beaten with batons. "The policemen also told us to go to Pakistan," Anas also claimed. Huda, an MA journalism student, who also lodged a complaint alleged, "I was in the campus and making placards on CAA. We were near the main gate when the violence began. I ran away and hid in the washroom and for an hour, I heard firing of shots. When we came out, the police started harassing, made us sit on the floor and began questioning. The police harassed many female students." According to Sharjeel, students are given a form to fill in their basic details and register complaints for assault/grievous hurt/violence, harassment/outrage of modesty and criminal intimidation under sections 324, 509, 354 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code. The students have been attaching their written testimonies with the complaint forms, she added. Another girl student who claimed she faced harassment on the campus alleged, "The policemen were even trying to manhandle girls and students were dealt with as if they are criminals or terrorists. The students were abused with cuss words. I have registered my complaint under Section 354 of the IPC." Senior advocates Indira Jaising, Collin Gonsalves, Salman Khurshid and Sanjay Hegde have been representing the Jamia students in court. Advocate Nabila Hasan from Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) said, "We met the students admitted at the hospital and recorded their testimonies. We compiled the documents and I filed a petition with two other women who were victims of the violence. We have been seeing the testimonies that they have been filing with the legal desk. We will be further helping them to fight in the courts and get justice." The testimonies collected at the legal desk have also come to the notice of the NHRC which have begun recording statements of Jamia students on the December 15 violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trump Authorised Killing of Soleimani in June - Reports Sputnik News 16:58 13.01.2020 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump approved the assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani seven months ago, NBC News reported on Monday, citing five current and former senior administration officials. The president first issued the directive to kill Soleimani in June, after Iran shot down a US drone, the report said. The order authorised the assassination in response to any Iranian attacks resulted in the death of American citizens, the report said, adding that Trump's directive came with the condition that he would have the final authority to sign off on the operation. Trump gave his final approval for the assassination after the storming of the embassy in Baghdad on 31 December, according to the report. The reported timing of the presidential order appears to undermine Trump's assertion that he authorised the assassination after learning that Soleimani was planning "imminent" attacks on US embassies in the Middle East. The United States killed Soleimani and Iraqi Shiite militia leader Abu Mahdi Muhandis in an operation on 3 January near the Baghdad International airport. Just a week before the assassination, the United States blamed the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia for an attack on a US military base near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk that killed a US contractor on 27 December. The US retaliated by striking Kataib Hezbollah's forces in Iraq and Syria, killing about two dozen of its fighters. That retaliatory operation, in turn, triggered protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad on 31 December during which demonstrators stormed the facility and set fire to its outer perimeter. The United States then blamed Soleimani for orchestrating the protests at the embassy. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address I was angry as the visuals streamed in of protesters sloganeering Jinnah Wali Azadi at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi on January 10. I wanted them evicted if need be with police action. Jinnah brand of freedom means another division of the country and I was surprised that the Amit Shah controlled Delhi Police did nothing, reeling under public pressure on JNU violence perhaps. But then I thought my anger missed a larger picture. Nehrus brand of secularism is facing its final fracture in India. And Shaheen Bagh is symptomatic of that. An Ostrich is known to bury its head when faced with danger. That Nehruvian secularism has been Ostrich like in its handling of the Indian States relationship with its minorities has been proved every day past month of protests around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). I encountered a polite rebuff, short of questioning my secular credentials from a liberal friend when I underscored the Muslim nature of the protests in my earlier piece on the subject. A few days later came the tweetstorm of Shehla Rashid, a self-proclaimed left leader who does not forget to don the hijab in her Kashmir appearances. Till recently a toast of the secular-liberal set, she asked them to go to hell if they could not accept the essentially Muslim nature of the CAA protests that she saw as an assertion of Muslim identity. READ| Trump Pulled Back As America Stood in Splendid Isolation on Iran Over the next fortnight, Rashids sentiments have been reiterated by activists and journalists who have been mostly packaged as cardinals of (Nehruvian) secularism by the same liberal set whom Rashid was publicly taking on. Seema Chisti of The Indian Express termed the protests this time as unique for the ability of the Muslim to find a political and assertive vocabulary in which others could participate based on their personal or political persuasion. Protests across the country reported use of Islamic imagery and slogans like Allahu Akbar and La Ilaha Illaha prompting even the likes of Shashi Tharoor (do they come more secular then him?) to ask for moderation. Writing in The Indian Express again, Irena Akbar, a former journalist and now a Lucknow based entrepreneur, objected to Tharoor along the lines of Rashid asking why Muslims should always strategize to uphold the idea of India by secularising protests or even polls. The mask is off. Nehruvian secularism provided a tenuous arrangement where a great mass of Muslims got to live in an island within the Republic, untouched with the needs of multicultural assimilation. That untouched island is, unfortunately, Akbars idea of India. And what Akbar calls strategizing to uphold this idea of India got reduced to voting for Nehrus party the Congress. In return, Muslims got a veto on anything that would have constitutional progressivism written on it beginning with the Code Bills. Post-December 6, 1992, that contract broke between Muslims and the Congress, and the strategizing became voting to whichever party provided continuity of that protective cover from the needs of acculturation that should have been a natural part of post-independence nation-building. READ| The Nehru in JNU That youngsters Ladida Farzana and Aysha Renna became the symbol of Muslim resistance is deeply troubling at many levels. Enough literature has emerged to show that their world view derives exclusively from Islam. The secularism of the Indian State for them is only a shield to remain on that island provided by Nehru. If the shield waivers, like it, seems to with CAA in their opinion, then Islam in danger becomes their natural cover. And remember both Farzana and Renna are not a product of Narendra Modis Gujarat, imagined as an exclusive Hindu Rashtra, but come from that utopia of secularism called Kerala where BJP and RSS might be a century away from power! My friend who admonished me for calling the protests Muslim also took umbrage at putting the blame entirely on Nehru and absolving Modi. I correct that impression here. Nehru grappled with the Muslim question with his heart and mind in the right place till the time his personal ambition got the better of him. Freedom literature shows even he was developing fatigue on the issue as revealed by VP Menons letter to Sardar Patel of May 10, 1947. As the Constitutional Advisor to Louis Mountbatten and two viceroys before him Menon was in the thick of negotiations for the transfer of power. He writes that Pandit Nehru while discussing a proposal to be put before the Cabinet Mission at Shimla, clearly stated that there should be no provision, either in the Act or in the Instrument of Instructions, for the representation of minorities in the Executive Council. Nehru asserted that while it was not the intention of the Congress to down any minority, he would not like any imposition in this respect. This was amid some very difficult discussions on the partition of the country. The atmosphere had been completely vitiated in the aftermath of the Direct-Action Day, and as the results of 1946 elections showed (and I wrote about it in my last piece), a majority of Muslims of India had thrown its lot with Jinnah and the Muslim League. Clearly, even Nehru was coming to his wits end in dealing with the question. READ| Are CAA Protests Proof Of Failure of Nehru's Secularism? Chisti picked up a speech by Maulana Azad which he gave from the pulpit of Jama Masjid in 1947, to underscore how the Muslim relationship with India goes back to the time of Prophet, and that Azad wanted the Muslims of India to stay and own the country, and not leave, because nobody could make them flee. In the same speech, Azad also spoke of how the Muslims of India had made wrong choices as a build up to independence and freedom, making them equally responsible for their plight. I called you and you cut off my tongueI took up my pen and you lopped off my handI wanted to walk and move and you tripped my footMy lapels cry because your impudent hands have ripped themif you live with fear now, it is just retribution for your past deeds, Azad told the crowd. A pained Azad was clearly admonishing the Muslims of India to have thrown their lot with Jinnah instead of him. In India Wins Freedom his autobiographical account that appeared posthumously, Azad wrote, It is one of the greatest frauds on people to suggest that religious affinity can unite areas which are geographically, linguistically and culturally differentHistory is proof that after the first few decades Islam was not able to unite all the Muslim countries into one State on the basis of Islam alone. Mecca born Azad was, of course, indicating the futility of the concept of Ummah. It is one of the many ironies of the freedom struggle that it was Azad who was originally called the Quaid-e-Azam in 1921 before the title permanently went to Jinnah. A century later, it is Jinnah who remains attractive to Ladida and Aysha, and not Azad. All the more reason why Jinnah Wali Azadi moment at Shaheen Bagh rankles. If even the likes of Chisti quote Azad selectively, and Deepika Padukone cannot be truthful in her reproduction of a real-life incident, we know the distance we have to travel before the Muslims of India see in CAA, both an opportunity to benchmark treatment of minorities and hold a mirror to Pakistan. The CAA protests are an inflection point in the Indian Muslims relationship with the Indian State. The missing empathy for the persecuted refugees in Muslim protests is a marker of an urgent need for a new secularism construct that integrates rather than providing islands of autonomy in lieu of votes and a veto. READ| Gandhian Modi? Let's Look At Some Detail (The views and opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts, analysis, assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Republic TV/ Republic World/ ARG Outlier Media Pvt. Ltd.) ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: Turkmenistans Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov met with Regional Coordinator for Central Asia of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Dmitry Godunov in Ashgabat to discuss the issue of the stages of the country's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trend reports referring to Turkmenistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The parties also discussed promotion of investments, modernizing the customs service, transport and logistics sectors, the ministry said. In recent years, Turkmenistan has been implementing a number of measures in cooperation with international structures to improve legislation and simplify trade procedures with a focus on WTO mechanisms. A government commission was also created for this purpose. After admission to WTO, the state will have preferential treatment by all international organizations, and economic benefits will be provided. The accession to WTO will also facilitate the development of those areas in which Turkmenistan is the most competitive in world markets. In particular, these are hydrocarbon resources, which are now estimated at 71.2 billion tons of oil equivalent. At the same time, Turkmenistan's energy strategy is not limited to oil and gas exports. The construction of new gas and oil processing production facilities is the priority component of the national energy strategy. WASHINGTON - A brief, one-sided battle of the sexes broke out Tuesday night in Iowa as Bernie Sanders strenuously denied ever telling Elizabeth Warren that a woman couldn't be elected president of the United States and the senator from Massachusetts promptly contradicted him. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at a climate rally with the Sunrise Movement at The Graduate Hotel, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Bernie Sanders, the gesticulating, septegenarian senator with the mad-scientist hair and fixation with Canada's universal health-care system, seems to have caught the attention of Democrats in Iowa, as well as a certain U.S. president. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Andrew Harnik WASHINGTON - A brief, one-sided battle of the sexes broke out Tuesday night in Iowa as Bernie Sanders strenuously denied ever telling Elizabeth Warren that a woman couldn't be elected president of the United States and the senator from Massachusetts promptly contradicted him. The confrontation, which came during the last Democratic presidential debate before next month's Iowa caucuses, brought to a head a controversy fuelled by reports accusing the independent Vermont senator of making the remark during a private meeting with his fellow progressive in 2018. It has also threatened to rupture the long-standing non-aggression pact between the two left-leaning presidential hopefuls, who understand the importance of not splitting the vote among progressive Democrats. "Anybody who knows me knows that it's incomprehensible that I would think that a woman could not be president of the United States," Sanders said in response to a question from CNN moderator Abby Phillip. "In 2015, I deferred, in fact, to Sen. Warren; there was a movement to draft Sen. Warren to run for president, and you know what, I stayed back. Sen. Warren decided not to run, and I did run afterwards." Phillip, however, was having none of it. "What did you think when Sen. Sanders told you that a woman could not win election?" she asked Warren, prompting a rueful smile from Sanders. "I disagreed," Warren replied, describing Sanders as a friend as she briefly showed solidarity with a rival on the other side of the stage, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. "Look at the men on this stage. Collectively, they have lost 10 elections. The only people on this stage who have won every single election they have been in are the women, Amy and me." The crowd erupted, making for a dynamic and electric moment that both Warren and Klobuchar were anxious to capitalize on especially given the premium that Democrat supporters place on choosing the nominee best positioned to defeat Donald Trump. "The real danger that we face as Democrats is picking a candidate who can't pull our party together, or someone who takes for granted big parts of the Democratic constituency. We need a candidate who will excite all parts of the Democratic party, bring everyone in, and give everyone a Democrat to believe in." It was a perfect segue for Klobuchar, whose status as a moderate is considered one of her biggest advantages. "I have won in the reddest of districts, I have won in the suburban areas, in the rural areas I have brought people with me," she said. "Every single person I have beaten, my Republican opponents, have gotten out of politics for good, and I think that sounds pretty good with the guy we have in the White House right now." Sanders, the gesticulating septuagenarian who, like Warren, champions a big-ticket Medicare-for-all program, entered Tuesday's debate as a narrow front-runner, according to one key Iowa poll. The Des Moines Register/CNN poll put Warren three points back. Pete Buttigieg, the upstart mayor of South Bend, Ind., found himself in third place, followed by former vice-president Joe Biden, the moderate widely seen by many as the party's best chance to win the White House. But there have been clear signs Sanders, who has recently been out-fundraising his Democratic rivals, would be a preferred foil for Trump, whose recent rallies and frequent tweets have been mentioning the independent senator from Vermont more and more. "Should he actually become the nominee, I think that it would definitely change the national conversation significantly," said Capri Cafaro, a politics lecturer at American University in Washington and the former Democratic leader of the Ohio State Senate. "If indeed a Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren becomes the nominee, does that mean that the nation is more ready than we thought for these progressive policies? Or does it mean that they think these people can beat Donald Trump?" If nothing else, the poll makes one thing clear it's tight at the top in the Hawkeye State. But in the event either one were to find their way to the White House, health-care policy experts scoff at the idea that Americans might someday see a true Medicare-for-all system that would be the envy of their Canadian neighbours. "American health-care financing is such a convoluted mess that we're not going to be tipping over to a fully funded federal system," said Dr. Allen Zagoren, a professor of public administration at Drake University. Nor would Congress ever go for such a big-ticket item, he added. "It's virtually unthinkable that that could happen." Sanders and Warren also disagree over the best way to finance their respective plans, which carry pulse-quickening 10-year price tags of between $20 trillion and $30 trillion. Warren would implement what she calls an employer Medicare contribution to generate some $8.8 trillion in the first decade. Sanders, fearing such a levy would cripple job growth, prefers his 7.5 per cent payroll tax, designed to hit higher earners harder than lower-income employees. The debate illustrates another a fundamental difference between the U.S. and Canada, a country where the sanctity of universal health care makes it a subject political leaders would rather avoid. In American politics, it's a mandatory talking point, Zagoren noted. "I look at that stuff and I go, 'Really? That's crazy talk.'" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2020. With the death of General Soleimani and Iran's subsequent "saving face" retaliation, many pundits and commentators have expressed fear of an escalation of violence between the U.S. and Iran, something that could even mount into a third world war. Considering that those pushing this narrative also happen to push the narrative that Trump is a fascist dictator, Obama's foreign policy was beyond reproach, and the current impeachment is completely legitimate, it's safe to assume that these critics are mistaken. Trump is unlikely to start a war with Iran; he has no reason to do so, nor does anyone want this of him. The real thing to fear is the opposite scenario: Trump calls it a day after killing Soleimani and pulls troops out of Iraq and Syria. Many prominent conservatives have argued elsewhere that Americans should take this opportunity to the leave the region altogether. They argue that continued American involvement could well lead to an escalation of violence, but also that it has failed in its mission to promote peace and progress in the region. Furthermore, they point out how the U.S. presence has provided a cover and scapegoat for theocratic regimes trying to stay in power. Therefore, they conclude that if the Americans left now, Iraq, Iran, and neighboring countries would finally deal with their own problems, have less reason for aggression toward one another, and have some kind of stability. And if things destabilize even more, the U.S. could at least not take blame for it anymore. Even if some of the people making this case credit themselves as "realists," there is nothing realistic about this prediction. Rather, history strongly suggests that leaving the region altogether in response to Iranian threats and Iraqi protests would embolden bad actors; leave a power vacuum; and, yes, escalate violence in the region. If Obama's foreign policy failures taught us anything, it is that pulling out troops in Iraq and complying with the wishes of theocrats in Iran only makes things worse: it leads to massive terror groups like ISIS; it encourages Iran intervening in places like Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq; and it leaves the U.S. and its allies ever more vulnerable to terrorist strikes. True, sending pallets of cash to Iran didn't help, either, but the first step was military withdrawal. It is almost certain that this would happen again if Trump withdrew American forces. Iranians would turn Iraq into a proxy state, continue funding terrorist groups in adjacent countries, launch various attacks against American ships and Saudi oil fields, and resume their work on developing nuclear weapons. Indeed, as Rep. Dan Crenshaw put it, Iranian leaders are "experts at creating chaos." Meanwhile, the severe regression and repression of autocrats and theocrats would continue past the point any reform, and every remaining Christian and other religious minority would be persecuted into oblivion. Something else to consider, in light of the new wave of protests erupting all over the country this past week, is the real possibility of the Iranian regime imploding under the pressure of economic sanctions and civil unrest. Besides killing so many American and Iraqi soldiers, Soleimani was also busy killing many Iranians who have been rioting all over the country last year. Contrary to the belief that the ayatollah and his henchmen are popular with the people, many are eager to overthrow them and have been for a long time. That does not necessarily mean that Americans should try to arm rebel factions as they did in Syria, but they can at least disarm the leadership and diminish the damage they inflict. Furthermore, whether Iran crumbles from within or remains in power, the U.S. has good reason for containment. Like communism, political Islam is a seductive ideology that has the power to ruin thriving countries. People tend to forget that Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon were once civilized places with educated, diverse populations before they fell under radical Islamists just as they forget that Cuba and Venezuela were among the richest countries in the Americas before they became communist dictatorships. At this point, many will object that the U.S. may have to stay in Iraq for a long time if the U.S. hopes to keep the peace and contain Iranian influence and aggression. This is true. Americans may well have to stay for decades, just as they have in Japan, Germany, and South Korea. These examples, all formerly fascist dictatorships, should give hope to those despairing the potential of Iraq or Iran. The counter-examples of South Vietnam and North Korea should also serve as a warning of what happens when Americans leave too soon. For the time being, these reasons should be sufficient to stay in the region and continue putting pressure on Iran, which is what Trump indicated he would do in his address to the nation. However, there are still strong contingents that will press for complete military withdrawal: libertarian non-interventionists on the right and Trump-resistors on the left. Considering the bias and misinformation that dominates commentary on the Left, there isn't much of a point in taking their contentions seriously. They have already shown themselves willing to repeatedly defend murderous dictators and terrorists for the sake of defying the president. Answering the arguments from libertarians, though, is the necessary task of those who support Trump and the idea of Pax Americana. To the idea that "It's none of America's business what other countries do and never has been," they must show that it actually is America's business. With great power comes great responsibility, and this is all the more so for a superpower like the U.S. To shirk this responsibility is not only unwise, but un-Christian. The moment its leaders act like Pontius Pilate and wash their hands of this responsibility or like Cain, who rejected responsibility altogether, innocent people die, genocides occur, and enemies eventually come to harm Americans with greater force. That doesn't mean anyone will be happy about Americans taking care of the world quite the opposite. Nevertheless, it is the right thing to do, and Americans would do well to follow Trump's example right now and ignore what the world might think. Others can say what they want because it doesn't matter. We do what have to. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Sales in the residential real estate segment declined 30 per cent during the October-December quarter on a year-on-year basis across nine major cities in the country, a PropTiger report said on Tuesday. A total of 64,034 homes were sold across nine key markets during the third quarter of the financial year 2019-20. "Housing sales in India's nine key property markets fell 30 per cent annually during the October-December quarter despite the government launching several measures in the recent past to revive buyer sentiment. As against 91,464 units sold during the quarter last year, only 64,034 homes were sold across the nine markets in Q3 this year," it said. Mumbai contributed nearly 40 per cent to the overall sales numbers during the period under review, as per the report. "What points towards a nation-wide phenomenon, sales declined across all these markets, with Bengaluru, popularly known as India's Silicon Valley, registering a 50 per cent fall in sales numbers." For the period, April-December 2019-20, sales at 2,28,220 units fell by 13 per cent, compared to 2,63,294 units last year. New project launches in India's nine key residential markets continued to decline, falling 44 per cent year-on-year to 41,133 units during the October-Decmber quarter, primarily on liquidity concerns, the report said. "Only 41,133 units were launched in Q3 FY20, as against 73,226 units in the corresponding period last fiscal, the report shows. New launches fell across markets, with Kolkata and Gurugram seeing the biggest fall, at 79 and 74 per cent, respectively," it said. Nearly 40 per cent of new launches were concentrated in India's financial capital Mumbai. Affordable housing continued to dominate launches, with 52 per cent units launched in this segment across the major cities. Compared to the first nine months (April-December) of the previous financial year, launches declined by 32 per cent during the same period in the current fiscal. While 2,15,596 units were launched between April and December in the previous year, 1,45,852 units were launched during the same period this year, it added. The cities covered under the survey were Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai (including Navi Mumbai and Thane), Pune and Noida, including Greater Noida and the Yamuna Expressway. Several funding opportunities lined up for local projects this year (ANSA) - Rome, January 14 - Premier Giuseppe Conte said during a visit to Cairo on Tuesday that the Berlin conference on Libya "will take place next Sunday unless something unexpected happens". "The invitation from Chancellor (Angela) Merkel has just arrived," he added. The conference has been thrown into doubt by the fact that Eastern Libyan strongman, General Khalifa Haftar, left Moscow without signing the ceasefire agreement with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj. "The fact that the agreement was not signed, that the Haftar side did not sign it, should not distract us," said Conte. "The important thing is that there is an effective ceasefire". Conte did not rule out the deployment of Italian troops in Libya. "We don't exclude this possibility," he said. "We will not send any of our young people unless it is in a situation of security and with a clear mandate". SARASOTA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2020 / The Caribbean is one of the world's most attractive tourist destinations, renowned for its crystalline waters, sandy beaches, vibrant cultures, sunny weather, and welcoming residents. But the region is also one of the world's hardest-hit by hurricanes each year. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew, the first Category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Felix in 2007 and deadliest since Stan in 2005, pelted The Bahamas. It ravaged the region, causing extensive damage to several islands and killing or injuring hundreds. Niclas "Nick" Herle, philanthropist and aviator, donated $25 thousand and helicopters to help Bahamian communities recover from the disaster. When Hurricane Matthew hit, Bahamians were still recovering from Hurricane Joaquin which had wreaked havoc less than a year before. In Haiti, where many residents were still recuperating from the 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew took 546 lives. The hurricane also disrupted telecommunications and destroyed land and structures. Most homes on Grand Bahama in the townships Eight Mile Rock and Holmes Rock were damaged. Niclas Herle donated the funds of $25,000 through two charitable organizations that provided food, supplies, and helicopters to communities. He was awarded a Presidential Letter of Appreciation (PLOA) from President Trump in 2017 in gratitude for his effort. Niclas Herle has long been looking for ways to use his talent and passion for the good of society. At age 16, he founded his first company specializing in mobile radio services. His objective was to make professional-grade radio communication accessible and affordable for all people and lower-income firms. His interest in radio communication quickly transitioned into his pursuit of aviation, a field he has been dedicated to since 2007. Whether it's disaster relief, environmental conservation, or search and rescue efforts, Nick Herle is constantly looking for ways to apply his passion for aviation to helping individuals, businesses, and communities to make the world a safer and better place. He also endeavors to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts through speaking engagements for schools and youth programs and is the author of the instructional book, "Pilots Handbook - Robinson R22 Beta and Beta II: Information for pilots and student pilots flying and going to fly the Robinson R22." Learn more about Nick Herle via his website: https://nickherle.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickherle/ CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572938/Niclas-Herle-Donates-25000-for-Hurricane-Relief Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:02:40|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Most of the capital goods monitored by the government posted lower prices in the first 10 days of January compared with the previous 10 days, official data showed Tuesday. Of the 50 major goods monitored by the government, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some chemicals, 24 saw their prices decline during the period, 19 posted higher prices and seven saw their prices unchanged, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The price of live pigs increased 6.4 percent while that of liquefied natural gas went down 7.5 percent, showed the data. The reading, released every 10 days, is based on a survey of nearly 1,700 wholesalers and distributors in 24 provincial-level regions. She's been socializing a lot lately with her good friends and former co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow. And on Monday, Courteney Cox enjoyed another night out, this time with pal Jennifer Meyer. The two were snapped sitting courtside at Staples Center where they watched the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Game night: Courteney Cox was snapped sitting courtside at Staples Center with pal Jennifer Meyer to watch the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night Cox, 55, was dressed in a cream knit sweater and white jeans along with white trainers. Her dark hair was loose with a center parting and she sported hoop earrings and black spectacles. Meyer, 42, is the ex-wife of actor Tobey Maguire and has her own jewelry design company, and counts a number of celebrities as friends. She provided a contrast to Cox with a black sweater and blue jeans tucked into knee-high black boots. Casual style: Cox, 55, was dressed in a cream knit sweater and white jeans. Her dark hair was loose with a center parting and she sported hoop earrings and black spectacles Good connections: Meyer, 42, is the ex-wife of actor Tobey Maguire and has her own jewelry design company, and counts a number of celebrities as friends On Friday night, Cox had gone out to dinner with Aniston, just a couple of days after the duo were seen enjoying a leisurely four-hour meal with Meyer and Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson. Fans of the hit NBC sitcom Friends are excitedly awaiting more developments on plans for a reunion special. In November, The Hollywood Reporter said that an unscripted Friends show could be in the works to air on the new subscription streaming service HBO Max. The news came shortly after Aniston broke the Internet on October 15 by joining Instagram and sharing as her first post a selfie with Cox, Kudrow, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc. 'the girls': Cox has been spending time lately with her Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow. The trio have remained close after finding fame together on the hit NBC sitcom For decades, people have considered the average human body temperature to be 98.6 F, or 37 degrees Celsius. However, a new study published January 7, 2020, in the journal eLife indicates this may no longer be the norm and the researchers suggest a reason for their observed drop in average temperature. Image Credit: Anita van den Broek / Shutterstock From where did 98.6 F come? In 1851, a German physician named Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich, who had an amazing eye for detail and a passion for research collected literally millions of temperature readings from about 2,500 patients in Leipzig, Germany. He screened healthy and sick patients alike, and observed how temperatures fluctuated in health and sickness, as well as with body weight, height, age and between the sexes. Astonishingly accurate, his work led to the establishment of 98.6 F as the official human body temperature in a healthy individual. Even now, the temperature is among the basic parameters recorded by physicians as part of a fundamental health assessment. Currently it is established that the body temperature can change by 0.5 F (0.2 degrees Celsius) over a single day. Older people generally have a lower temperature than younger, and men than women, though female temperatures vary with the time of month as well. Of course, physical exertion, the weather conditions, and the food eaten, all have significant influences on the body temperature. However, the reason for the bodys efforts to keep the temperature at about 98.6 F is part of the homeostatic mechanism. In other words, the body is constantly and actively seeking to keep the life processes that are running in the background to maintain the hugely complex chemistry and biology of life, as well as to deny access to fungi. This keeps the organs of the body and the chemical processes in stable operation. The study The new study shows that this ideal temperature sought by the human physiology may have shifted away from 98.6 F. In fact, since the 19th century, the average American has had a steady drop in the body temperature by about 0.05 F (0.02 C) per decade. Thus, for those who were born in the early years of the 21st century, the average body temperature is about 1.06 F (0.58 C) lower than those in the corresponding years of the 19th century. For women, the gap is about 0.58 F (0.32 C). To nail down the change, the current study retrieved data from multiple sources, including the American Civil War, the 1970s and the early years of this century. Armed with all this information, the researchers separated the temperature readings for analysis. They had over 670,000 measurements at the end! As they classified the readings, they found that the average temperature was going down steadily over the years. They wondered if the improved sensitivity of the thermometers in use in later years might possibly account for this. To exclude this, they looked at the set of data from the Civil War period, where the same group was being monitored for decades, probably with the same kind of thermometers. They found the same tendency to cooling, though the thermometers being used by the three groups were widely different. The conclusion they drew was that human beings have changed their physiological functioning over time, and part of that is a colder body temperature. An English study in 2017 based on 35,000 subjects, in whom the temperature was measured about 250,000 times, also showed a decrease in the average from 98.6F, at about 97.88 F or 36.6 degrees Celsius. The explanation The researchers admit that they dont yet know much about how this very slow cooling down will affect human health or lifespan. However, says Parsonnet, this trend plays a significant part in a larger pattern: modern humans are not so vulnerable to infections as our forefathers were in the days of Wunderlich. Researcher Dr. Julie Parsonnet thinks she knows the reason why. She has specialized for years in the study of the organism Helicobacter, which colonizes the human stomach. While normally harmless, it can also cause esophageal, gastric and intestinal ulcers. However, the current trend in Helicobacter infections shows a steady decline. Says Parsonnet, I became aware, because I worked on it for 30 years, that that organism is disappearing from populations in the United States. In the 1800s, she points out, people were constantly being attacked by malaria, wounds and injuries, tuberculosis, dental infections and dysentery, in an unending succession for the most part. This would lead to a lot of inflammatory processes going on over the average humans lifespan. This in turn results in a higher level of cytokines, or inflammatory cell signaling molecules. These cause an enhanced rate of metabolism, that makes the body hotter. On the other hand, infectious disease plays a much more minor part in todays disease spectrum. Advances in potable water availability and quality, coupled with immunization and antibiotics, have caused many such infectious conditions to come under control. This would inevitably lead to a significant change in the functioning of the human body over the decades. Another factor they suggest is the modern access to effective temperature regulatory devices such as fans, air conditioners and the like. As a result, they say, humans no longer need to make much effort to keep themselves balanced with respect to body temperature. In the US, notes Parsonnet, Its always 70 F (21.1 C) in our houses. However, this doesnt hold good in the vast majority of the earths peoples. The study says that there may be a large range of body temperatures that are normal for the healthy body, depending on the place where people stay. In Pakistan, for instance, the average temperature is still about 98.6 F, as studied in 2008. On the other hand, there is no obvious correlation between a temperature rise and body functioning. Parsonnet acknowledges that cooling might alter the way micro-organisms live and operate, but there is no data on this question right now. On the macroscopic human scale, health status changes are shown only by radical shifts in body temperature such as a fever or hypothermia. Admittedly descending into the realm of speculation, Parsonnet goes on to hint that as medicine continues to find new and better ways to manage inflammatory and infectious conditions, the average body temperature may keep falling as the lifespan becomes longer. Calling the body temperature "a marker of inflammatory state, she says, If you can take the temperature of a population, you might be able to predict their life expectancy, she says, sharing her expectation that someday, both life expectancy and body temperature will likely level off and remain consistent into the future. On the other hand, there might not be a real healthy number for individual temperatures. If you feel hotter than usual, and your temperature is above 100.4 F, you might think you were feverish, but otherwise, fluctuations in temperature arent really abnormal. Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Krutoy said that the republic now considers all alternative oil suppliers, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. "The government continues to work out alternative oil supply scheme, all possible options are being explored. We have sent corresponding proposals. All the commercial services of our plants, of the Belarusian Oil Company, are in negotiations on an ongoing basis," he said, adding that Minsk expects to find alternative routes in the near future. In addition to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Belarus has also sent proposals to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states. "We are now dealing with this issue," Dmitry Krutoy assured. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Belarus finds it inappropriate to pay high premiums to Russian oil companies. "We still maintain the position that in the context of the tax maneuver and the annual increase in the cost of oil for Belarus by reducing the customs duty, it makes no sense to pay a premium to Russian oil companies in the amount agreed in 2011," he pointed out. Head of the 'Caspian Barrel' Center for Oil Research Ilham Shaban, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that it is not about the supply of Azerbaijani oil to Belarus, but about cooperation with the Azerbaijani supplier, the State Oil Company SOCAR. He recalled that earlier Minsk had already bought oil from Azerbaijan. "A few years ago, the Odessa-Brody pipelines, which are interconnected with Druzhba, and the railway route were used for this. But Minsk did not buy the Azeri Light brand, it was just delivered by SOCAR Trading," the expert explained. Ilham Shaban also drew attention to the fact that it is not profitable for Belarus to buy Azerbaijani oil because of its high price. "Azeri Light is too expensive for Belarus: since the beginning of October, its price per barrel at world markets is $4-5 higher than Brent... A statement on negotiations with Azerbaijan indicates only a desire to work with SOCAR Trading," the expert concluded. A driver has narrowly escaped an SUV blockade set up by a Mexican cartel on the US border. The footage shows the motorist arriving at an intersection in Nuevo Laredo, in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, only to find it blocked with SUVs. Hooded men, believed to be members of the Cartel Del Noreste, stand around the car and knock on the windows, forcing the driver to quickly reverse. A driver pulls up to a set of traffic lights in the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo to find a blockade set up by a cartel The driver and passenger can be heard speaking in English as they try to engineer an escape from the highly dangerous situation. After they reverse, an SUV chases them before another drives in front of them to block them in. Meanwhile members of the cartel who are on foot try to chase down the worried US citizens. But the driver expertly maneuvers around the SUV in its way, mounting the sidewalk as it drives around the cartel to safety. The driver and passenger can be heard speaking in English as they try to engineer an escape from the highly dangerous situation Members of the cartel who are on foot try to chase down the car while others try to block them in Nuevo Laredo has seen a number of recent shootouts and kidnappings as drug cartels compete to control the drug trade into the US on the border town. The town on the banks of the Rio Grande opposite the Texas city of Laredo is a lucrative drug corridor to the US because of the large quantity of trucks passing through the area, and the multiple ports of entry. It is the base of the infamous cartel Los Zetas, regarded as one of Mexico's most dangerous. The Cartel Del Noreste which is seen in the video recorded on January 3 is a splinter group from Los Zetas. The Orioles announced today that righty Eric Hanhold was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers. He had recently been designated for assignment but did not draw interest from other organizations. Hanhold already moved once via the waiver wire in recent months, when the Baltimore org claimed him last fall from the Mets. No doubt the Os knew all along there may be a need for the roster spot, but felt thered be a chance of stashing Hanhold if he cleared waivers. Now, the 26-year-old University of Florida product will head to camp with a tougher path to the active roster. But he should have his chances in a wide-open Orioles pen situation. Hanhold has only three big league appearances under his belt. The reliever has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in forty frames at the Double-A level but has not found as much success at the highest level of the minors. In 67 2/3 innings at Triple-A over the past two seasons, he carries a 5.32 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. Libby Andrews new fantasy fiction that features the world of wolves, incorporated with the topic of mental illness such as anxiety and depression, is set to entertain the readers, as well as promote mental health awareness. Andrews has been mesmerized with wolves, and finds them interesting and mysterious. Her creative juices were flowing frantically and she felt that the only way to get rid of these ideas is to write them down. This is how she molded A Reason for Being (published by AuthorHouse UK). Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Sora Sakurai finds herself gifted with the ability to turn into a wolf. Her primary mission is to bring peace between man and wolf, who have been fighting for ages. While striving to achieve this, Sora is also struggling because of her anxiety, depression and recurring suicidal thoughts. How would she overcome these challenges to eventually become a beacon of hope? Andrews, herself, has been struggling with these illness. She hopes that through her book, she can develop awareness on these issues and that people who are suffering the same will soon overcome these challenges. For more information on the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en-gb/bookstore/bookdetails/803495-a-reason-for-being. A Reason for Being By Libby Andrews Softcover | 6x9 in | 176 pages | ISBN 9781728396736 E-Book | 176 pages | ISBN 9781728396729 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0800 047 8203. A plan to cut police and fire services to tens of thousands of residents living west of Mobiles city limits will be discussed slightly less than two months after annexation hopes for that same area were defeated. The future of public safety services for the so-called police jurisdiction a 1-1/2-to-3-mile area outside the citys municipal boundaries, which currently receives city police and fire services will be the subject of scrutiny and discussions for the next several weeks. Perhaps the most crucial of those meetings will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mobiles Government Plaza. A Mobile City Council committee, headed by Councilwoman Bess Rich, will examine a police jurisdiction pull-out at that meeting. The council is expected to vote on the proposal in early February. My goal (Tuesday) is to allow people to have an opportunity to address the committee and provide information (i.e., documents, presentations) both pro and con on rolling back the police jurisdiction, said Rich, in an email to AL.com. County, city dispute The Mobile County Commission: Connie Hudson, left; President Jerry Carl, center; and Merceria Ludgood, right. (AL.com file)bn One thing likely to continue during the meeting is the division between the city and county over their interpretation of the costs associated with the plan. City officials believe that a move to withdraw police and fire services to the area west of Mobiles city limits will save $12 million to $14 million annually. County officials dispute some of the city figures. One key concern is the citys estimate that supplying public services within the police jurisdiction costs $26.6 million annually. County Commissioner Connie Hudson said that she isnt convinced the city is losing the amount of money it claims, and she is hopeful that the city administration can produce details accounting for its estimates. She said that the countys finance director will be at the meeting to make a presentation. Commissioner Jerry Carl said the city also may not be factoring in tax revenues received from online purchases by residents west of the city limits. That is a young (demographic) out there and I would venture to say that 50-60% of their Christmas was bought on the Internet, said Carl. Hudson said that if the city is arguing that it needs to move more of its police and fire resources into the inner city, then a more detailed discussion about the logistics of such a move ought to be presented. If they move the resources back into the city, those services have to be replaced, said Hudson. That cannot be done in a year or two. That has to be phased in. We are talking police and fire protection services. For the county to step in and figure out a resolution to replace those services will take some time. Mobile City Councilman Joel Daves, who proposed the rollback of the police jurisdiction, said he hopes for a full and robust penetrating discussion will take place during the committee meeting. I think we need to get the facts out there, said Daves, noting that the biggest dispute between the city and county is over how much money is spent by the city within the area. I hope we get to the point where the county and city agree or get close to agreement on how much is spent out there, said Daves. Strategic plan Hudson, meanwhile, said she believes the city should consider a long-term strategic plan to address growth. I dont understand what the long-term objective of the city is here, said Hudson. What is the plan? Is this part of a bigger plan? If not, then maybe there needs to be a bigger plan in place. If the city is to grow, lets map out a way for it to happen. Over three decades, the city is gradually losing population. Huntsville is making moves in terms of population. Indeed, the citys population has dwindled to where Mobile is now the fourth-largest city in Alabama behind Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery. An annexation proposal would have made Mobile, at least temporarily, the second-largest city in Mobile. That plan, however, was defeated in November by a razor-thin 4-3 council vote. That vote would have allowed 13,000 residents west of Mobiles city limits to vote on whether they wanted to be added into the city. Daves, who said he would favor a long-term strategic plan, said there has to be a solution to the current problems. He said if the strategic plan is shorthand for annexation, he said, weve tried that and it hasnt been successful. Daves said his proposal is about closing a fund gap that is costing the city millions of dollars each year. There are three possible solutions to closing that gap, he said. The best of everyone concerned in the police jurisdiction is annexation. But that doesnt appear to be in the cards right now. The worst possible solution is for the citizens of Mobile to continue to provide millions of dollars of unreimbursed first responder service. Any solutions between those two, Im open to it. Meanwhile, the city of Semmes continues along its aggressive annexation push. The city of more than 5,200 residents added portions of five more unincorporated Mobile County streets to its citys boundaries on Monday. Carl said the latest annexations underscore the activity hes seen from Semmes recently. The city has boosted its public services in recent years and currently staffs a full-time fire department with three stations and 25 employees. The new full-time, professional fire squad phased-out a volunteer department that was assembled when the city was incorporated in 2011. I keep saying that Semmes has it figure out, Carl said. Semmes will be a very large city the way the city of Mobile is going. Wing Commander Kuldeep Waghela and dentist Chandresh Shukla, who were nabbed for posing as Home Minister Amit Shah and his assistant and calling up Governor Lalji Tandon to seek help for Shukla's appointment as vice-chancellor, were on Monday remanded in police custody for three more days. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force officials have arrived in Bhopal to make enquiries about Wing Commander Waghela's involvement in the case. The STF is maintaining a discreet silence on the issue. The two are being grilled in police custody, said Superintendent of Police Special Task Force (STF) Rajesh Bhadoria. Waghela impersonated as Amit Shah and recommended Shukla's name to the Governor for the post of vice-chancellor of the Jabalpur-based Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU), he said. Both the accused were in the age group of 35 to 40 years, he said, adding that Baghela worked as the aide-de-camp (ADC) to former MP Governor Ramnaresh Yadav for three years. Other crimes of facilitating work fraudulently have so far not been revealed in the investigations. But nothing could be ruled out at the moment, said Bhadoria. He said Chandresh became friends with Kuldeep Waghela during his visits at the Governor house when Waghela was posted as ADC. Waghela was later posted at Air Force Headquarters. After Chandresh applied for the post of Vice Chancellor he contacted Waghela and they hatched the plan to contact to contact Governor Tandon. The Facebook of Chandresh is filled with photographs with leaders of political parties and he is currently working as professor with a private dental college. Dublin, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market: Focus on Application, Approach, Type, Line of Therapy, Treatment Strategy, Country Data (15 Countries), and Competitive Landscape - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global neoantigen cancer vaccine industry analysis projects the market to grow at a significant CAGR of 34.69% during the forecast period, 2023-2030. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market is expected to generate $227.1 million revenue in 2023, owing to the expected launch of first neoantigen vaccine Tedopi in the market. Further, the market is forecast to generate $1,826.1 million revenue by 2030. Market Dynamics Market Drivers Increasing Global Prevalence of Cancers Increase in Adoption of Personalized Medicine to Tailor Patient's Treatment on an Individual Level Significant External Funding for Executing Research and Development Exercise Market Restraints Higher Cost of Personalized Cancer Vaccines Hurdles in Clinical Development and Optimization Process Uncertain Reimbursement Scenario Payer Uncertainty and Outcome-Based Pricing High Capital Requirement Hampering the Expansion of Global Reach Market Opportunities Treatment Gaps Reduced Turnaround Time and Cost Partnerships and Collaboration Between Various Healthcare Stakeholders Data Analytics Expert Quote The real issues with neovaccines are higher cost, turn-around times, and limited efficacy. The cost and time to manufacture have come down in the last four years and as technology improves it will come down more. Scope of the Market Intelligence The neoantigen cancer vaccine market report provides a holistic view of the market in terms of various factors influencing it, including reported clinical findings, financing and partnership opportunities, expected market and current clinical landscape. The scope of this report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the products expected to be allied with the oncology market. In addition, the study also includes exhaustive information on the unmet needs, perception on the new products, competitive landscape, market share of key players, growth potential of each underlying sub-segment, and company, as well as other vital information with respect to the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market. Market Segmentation The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of approach) is further segmented into personalized and off-the-shelf neovaccines. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of disease/application) is segmented into hematological malignancies, gynecological cancer, urinary system cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, solid tumor, prostate, head and neck, and brain cancer. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of neovaccine type) is segmented into RNA vaccine, peptide vaccine, dendritic cell vaccine, lipid vaccine, and yeast-based vaccine. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of line of therapy) is segmented into first, second and later lines therapy. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of therapy type) is segmented into mono/combination approaches. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market (on the basis of ROA) is segmented into intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administrations. Pipeline Segmentation The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of approach) into personalized and off-the-shelf neovaccines. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of disease/application) into hematological malignancies, gynecological cancer, urinary system cancers, melanoma, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, lung cancers, solid tumors, prostate, head and neck, and brain cancer. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of neovaccine type) into RNA vaccine, peptide vaccine, dendritic cell vaccine, lipid vaccine, and yeast-based vaccine. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of neovaccine delivery vehicle) into lipid-based, protein-based delivery, viral, bacteria-based delivery approaches. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of line of therapy) into first, second, and later lines therapy. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of product type) into self-originator and in-licensed products. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of developmental phase) into Phase I, II, and III. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of therapy type) into mono/combination approaches. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of ROA) into intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administrations. The emerging neoantigen cancer vaccines are segmented (on the basis of vaccination type) into preventive and therapeutic neovaccines. Key Companies in the Market The key manufacturers who have been contributing significantly to the neoantigen cancer vaccine market include Roche, Medimmune, Moderna Therapeutics/Merck (in 50-50 Joint venture), Advaxis, Agenus, Genocea, Gritstone Oncology, Neon Therapeutics, Nouscom, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Immunovative Therapeutics, Medigene, Vaccibody, Brightpath Biotherapeutics, Geneos Therapeutics, among others. Companies Profiled Moderna Therapeutics F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. AstraZeneca plc Agenus OSE Immunotherapeutics Advaxis Medigene Neon Therapeutics Genocea Biosciences Immunovative Therapies Gritstone Oncology Nouscom NantBioScience Immunovaccine BioLineRx Key Questions Answered in This Report What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? How is each segment expected to grow in the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market during the forecast period and what is the estimated revenue to be generated by each of the segments by the end of 2030? What are the key developmental strategies which are implemented by the major players in order to sustain in the competitive market? What are the expected key regulatory implications in the developed and developing regions for the neoantigen cancer vaccines? Who are the leading players with significant offerings to the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What is the expected market dominance for each of these leading players? What is the expected compound growth rate to be witnessed by the leading players in the market during the forecast period 2023-2030? What are the key applications in global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What are the major segments of these applications? Which are the dominant disease types to which the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market caters? Which oncology specialty is expected to hold the maximum market share during the forecast period (2023-2030) ? What is the scope of the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest-of-the-World? For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ezu4 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. The dark, dated original kitchen in the 1888 Queen Anne/Stick Style house was a nonstarter for the new owners. So they added a large addition with a 21st-century interior that matched the house's exterior. Read more Cindy MacLeod and her husband, Doug Harnsberger, are both historic preservation experts, but that didnt mean they agreed about buying the house in Swarthmore. Harnsberger , an architect, loved the lines and bones of the 1888 Queen Anne/Stick Style house, one of the first built in the borough, but to say that his wife was unimpressed would be an understatement. Im just not a Victorian person, said MacLeod, superintendent of Independence National Historic Park and an admirer of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. She was particularly turned off by the kitchen, due both to its small size and the fact that it had no view of the spacious yard and its large ash trees. A nonstarter, Harnsberger admitted. But, like Harnsberger, she was sold on the Swarthmore community as a place to live and raise their two children. So the elements of a settlement were there: The deal Cindy and I made that day, Harnsberger recalled, was that we could lop off the dark and dated kitchen and start over. Thats the secret to what made this house enjoyable. Thus began a project that took eight years from the time they moved there in 2007. The kitchen was hardly the only problem. The whole house needed major rehabilitation, Harnsberger said, including the outdated and dangerous knob-and-tube wiring. It needed extensive electrical and plumbing upgrades and good insulation, he said. Weve worked on every wall and floor and ceiling since then. We went into it with our eyes open. A craftsman and furniture builder as well as an architect, Harnsberger did all the finish work himself, blending the 19th and 21st centuries into a virtually seamless web. We followed the same architectural vocabulary of the Victorian era for the restoration work, he said, and tried to complement it for the design of the new rear addition. On the second floor, there was one original small bath serving four bedrooms. That was the standard in the 1880s, Harnsberger said. So he added a generous master bath/walk-in closet on the second floor, a full bath to serve the third floor, and a half-bath for guests on the first floor. The parlor, the usual gathering place for Victorian families, was kept intact but for a lesser role, such as book club meetings and family gatherings around the Christmas tree. The key to the project, of course, was the kitchen: Essentially, we sleep in our bedroom and live in our kitchen, Harnsberger said. He constructed a rear addition on the house, installing a bank of windows so the morning sunlight can pour in. The striking countertop is carved from a granite called Waterfall, imported from a single quarry in Brazil. A small couch against the kitchen serves as MacLeods designated reading space. During the evening and when the kids were home from school, the parents would interact with them while they were doing their homework on the counter. The house has five active bedrooms plus Harnsbergers office and is 3,600 square feet. Harnsberger said he picked up his craftsmans skills from his father, who liked to build furniture when he was growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the time, he also was developing an interest in architectural history and knew California couldnt offer him enough of that. So he enrolled in graduate school in architectural history at the University of Virginia, where he met MacLeod, who was in the same program. But their coming together as a couple took almost twice as long as the rehabilitation project. MacLeod, a native of Charlottesville, Va., who has spent her entire career with the National Park Service, became supervisor of the Richmond National Battlefield Park before moving to her job in Philadelphia. Harnsbergers architectural work, which was in Richmond, included reviewing building renovations to qualify them for possible Virginia state historic tax credits. MacLeod also was certifying historic tax credits projects in the 1990s, but at the federal level. So we maintained a professional rapport for about 15 years before we had our first date, Harnsberger said. Now, in addition to finishing the last of their home renovation projects, the couple are enjoying the small, friendly town atmosphere of Swarthmore, sometimes from the front porch, where socializing with neighbors and passersby does indeed evoke a 19th-century feel. Harnsberger said Swarthmore is a landscaped bubble. The couple particularly like its full canopy of trees and flanking sidewalks. The whole town is an arboretum, Harnsberger said, especially when spring arrives. Its a great place to wander year-round. Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com President Donald Trump said Monday "it doesn't really matter" if Iran's top general was plotting attacks on Americans at the time of his death. Trump's about-face contradicts his and his administration's repeated assertions that the president only ordered the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani to prevent the Iranian Quds Force general from carrying out "imminent" attacks on American troops and diplomats in the Middle East. "The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' or not, & was my team in agreement," Trump tweeted. "The answer to both is a strong YES, but it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" The mixed signals from Trump comes as his Cabinet officials keep contradicting each other while giving justifications for the Jan. 3 airstrike that killed Soleimani outside a Baghdad airport. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday he had seen no intelligence to back up the president's claim a few days earlier that the "imminent" attacks Soleimani was allegedly planning targeted four U.S. embassies. ADVERTISEMENT Former U.S. officials say they can think of no scenario under which a president would be privy to military intelligence that a defense secretary did not know of. "Unless standard operating procedures for sharing intelligence in the USG have changed radically since the time I served in the Obama administration, there is no way that the president, but not the secretary of defense, would have this kind of intel. No way," tweeted Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, said last week he didn't know "exactly where" or "exactly when" Soleimani was going to strike, only to backtrack and claim he was definitely targeting American embassies. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have said Trump administration officials did not provide sufficient explanations in classified briefings last week as to why the U.S. needed to kill Soleimani, who effectively served as Iran's second-in-command directly under the supreme leader. Previous American presidents have had the opportunity to kill Soleimani but opted against it, reasoning his death could spark all-out war in the Middle East. Soleimani was considered responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American forces and allies. Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have reached a fever pitch in the past few days. In a tragic development, Iran admitted over the weekend that it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane after firing a volley of ballistic missiles at U.S. military bases in Iraq last week in retaliation for Soleimani's killing. All 176 people on board the plane died, including dozens of Iranians. Hundreds of enraged Iranians have taken to the streets of Tehran to protest the regime in the wake of the accidental strike, and Trump cheered them on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT "Wow! The wonderful Iranian protesters refused to step on, or in any way denigrate, our Great American Flag," Trump tweeted in apparent reference to news footage of protesters. "It was put on the street in order for them to trample it, and they walked around it instead. Big progress!" ___ (c)2020 New York Daily News Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Britain's 24 million adult gamblers will not be able to use credit cards to gamble under a new rule designed to prevent consumers from building up too much debt. The Gambling Commission said on Tuesday the ban, which comes into effect on April 14 2020, will apply to all online and offline gambling products apart from 'non-remote lotteries' - lotteries where payment is made face-to-face. Research by the commission classes 22% of online gamblers who use credit cards as "problem gamblers." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Lyfebulb and Helsinn Announce 11 Finalists for the Third Annual Lyfebulb-Helsinn Cancer Innovation Summit & Award The Award recognizes Patient Entrepreneurs demonstrating outstanding innovations which advance solutions in the prevention, management or care of cancer MONACO, PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO, AND NEW YORK, NY, USA, January 14, 2020: Lyfebulb, a patient empowerment platform that connects patients with industry to support user-driven innovation toward solutions in chronic disease, and Helsinn, a Swiss pharmaceutical group focused on building quality cancer care, announce the 11 Patient Entrepreneurs chosen as finalists for the Lyfebulb-Helsinn Cancer Innovation Summit & Award to be held on January 30, 2020. The following inspirational finalists represent companies that have been founded by cancer patients, cancer survivors or those with loved ones affected by cancer: Alexander Borve, PhD of First Derm Jakub Chudik of ConquerX Russell LaMontagne of Boston Immune Technologies and Therapeutics Robert Manning of CureMatch Gilles Pages, PhD of InfAngioPharma ystein Rekdal, PhD of Lytix Biopharma Maya Said, ScD of Outcomes4Me Niranjan Sardesai, PhD of Geneos Therapeutics Cesare Spadoni, PhD of Oncoheroes Biosciences Michael Stein, PhD of Valo Therapeutics Valerie Vanhooren, PhD of ONA Therapeutics The finalists will compete for a chance to win one of two $25,000 awards, which recognize outstanding Patient Entrepreneurs building groundbreaking companies to advance the prevention, diagnosis, management or care of cancer. The primary award is the Lyfebulb-Helsinn Cancer Innovation Award, and the additional award is the Squinto-LePera Award by Lyfebulb, generously donated by Dr. Stephen Squinto, Executive Partner at OrbiMed and Co-Founder of Alexion, and Denise LePera. The pitch session will be held at the Summit where a jury of experts will select the ultimate winners. The expert jury include new and returning judges: Carolyn R. "Bo" Aldige, Founder and CEO at Prevent Cancer Foundation Kimberly Irvine, Patient Ambassador Hans Mies, PhD, Partner, Value Chain Management at KPMG Professor Patrick Rampal, MD, President at Scientific Center of Monaco Dennis Urbaniak, Executive Vice President Digital Health at Orexo "At Lyfebulb, we believe patients can be innovators. Each of these chosen Patient Entrepreneurs inspires our community, as they have recognized the burdens of living with their chronic disease - or caring for a loved one with a chronic disease - and have turned those insights into business solutions to help members of the community live their daily lives more fully. We applaud each and every Patient Entrepreneur who applied to our Challenge, and we look forward to the interactive, collaborative sessions we will spend with our teams, jury and finalists to reduce the burden of living with cancer,"said Dr. Karin Hehenberger, CEO and Founder of Lyfebulb. Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Vice Chairman and CEO, said,"Patient-driven research and innovation has proven itself invaluable as it offers a unique understanding of what it means to live with a chronic illness. At Helsinn, we are delighted to continue to support this initiative, as improving the quality of life for those affected by cancer is a cause that remains a key focus for Helsinn. We look forward to meeting with each of the finalists during the summit and wish them all the best of luck." About Lyfebulb Lyfebulb is a chronic disease-focused, patient empowerment platform that connects patients and industry to support user-driven innovation. Grounded with its strong foundation in diabetes, the company has expanded disease states covered into cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, mental illness, migraine and transplantation. See www.lyfebulb.com , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , Lyfebulb LinkedIn , and Karin Hehenberger LinkedIn . About the Helsinn Group Helsinn is a privately-owned pharmaceutical group with an extensive portfolio of marketed cancer care products and a robust drug development pipeline. Since 1976, Helsinn has been improving the everyday lives of patients, guided by core family values of respect, integrity and quality. The Group works across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and nutritional supplements and has expertise in research, development, manufacture and the commercialization of therapeutic and supportive care products for cancer, pain and inflammation and gastroenterology. In 2016, Helsinn created the Helsinn Investment Fund to support early-stage investment opportunities in areas of unmet patient need. The company is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with operating subsidiaries in Switzerland, Ireland, the U.S., Monaco and China, as well as a product presence in approximately 190 countries globally. To learn more about Helsinn Group please visit www.helsinn.com About Helsinn Investment Fund S.A., SICAR The Helsinn Investment Fund is focused on investments in areas of high unmet patient need. Backed by the Helsinn Group, and guided by Helsinn's core values of quality, integrity and respect, Helsinn Investment Fund aims to help companies with innovative technologies to transform new ideas into commercial solutions with the potential to impact health-related quality of life of patients. Drawing on Helsinn's over 40 years of investment into research and development and commercial expertise, the investment fund selects companies with technologies in a range of areas including cancer therapeutics and diagnostics, cancer supportive care, metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, and dermatology conditions. For more information, visit www.helsinninvestmentfund.com About Helsinn International Services sarl Helsinn International Services sarl is the Helsinn subsidiary which provides a range of advisory services and strategic activities to the Group and its specific companies. In particular, it acts as the advisory company to Helsinn Investment Fund. For more information: Helsinn Group Media Contact Paola Bonvicini Group Head of Communication Lugano, Switzerland Tel: +41 For more information, please visit www.helsinn.com and follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Vimeo . ST PAUL With the first day of the 2020 legislative session less than one month away, Republican and Democratic lawmakers of Minnesota's divided government have begun declaring their battles. At a Monday, Jan. 13, news conference, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, released Senate Republicans' priorities come Feb. 11: passing a bonding bill, lowering taxes and prescription costs, incentivizing school choice, moving the state toward cleaner energy and more. 2020's legislative makeup will remain the same as last year's Republicans controlling the Senate, and Democrats the House and governor's office. Gazelka said Monday that "where we disagree, we disagree passionately," but "we've managed to work together and actually get a lot done." The largest battle will be on 2020's bonding package , and both sides are already poised to fight. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has released three of his four-part bonding proposal , which is set to total near $2 billion. Gazelka again on Monday cautioned against a bonding bill over $1 billion, and said Republicans will be prioritizing wastewater infrastructure, state-operated higher education buildings and roads and bridges. On taxes, Gazelka reiterated his support of 2019's middle-class income tax cut, but said more needs to be done. With Minnesota to see a $1.3 billion surplus in the 2020-21 biennium, Gazelka said taxpayers "deserve some back" primarily senior citizens. Gazelka pushed again to eliminate income taxes on Social Security benefits. ADVERTISEMENT To address the rising costs of prescription drugs, Gazelka said he'd like to look into drug reimportation in an effort to offer Minnesotans comparable drug prices as to Canadians. And specifically on insulin, he said there is "not much in the way" before Republicans and Democrats finally reach an agreement, possibly by the first week of session. For education, Gazelka said the Legislature needs to encourage school choice, "so we're not just doing the same 'ol same 'ol and expecting different results." While Gazelka said cleaner energy is a priority for Minnesota, he said 100% renewable energy is not reliable or affordable enough. Instead, Republicans are pushing for a "diverse energy portfolio," including nuclear, hydropower and coal as well as renewables. Democrats were quick to take shots at Senate Republicans' list of priorities. In an afternoon statement, Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said that Republicans have been blocking progress for Minnesotans. "Theyve refused time and again to even give important bills a public hearing. Proposals that could increase access to affordable health care, help students succeed in school, make our communities safer, and ensure Minnesota workers have access to paid family and medical leave have been ignored by Senate Republicans," he said. On the House side, Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said in a news release that Senate Republicans are "failing on the issues Minnesotans care most about." House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, said Senate Republicans "should come to the table to work with Democrats for progress on the things Minnesotans value." "Instead, they are proposing tax giveaways for the wealthy while draining funding from our public schools, neglecting our roads and bridges, and failing to truly address high prescription drug costs," he said. Boris Johnson has admitted the chances of a US intelligence officials wife returning to the UK to face justice over the death of Harry Dunn are very low. The government has attempted to have Anne Sacoolas, who claimed diplomatic immunity and fled to the US after her collision with the teenage motorcyclist outside RAF Croughton in August, extradited. But the US State Department branded the extradition request highly inappropriate on Friday. Speaking this morning on BBC Breakfast, the prime minister said: I think that its right that we made the appeal for extradition. But he added: I think the chances of America actually responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. Boris Johnson has admitted the chances of Anne Sacoolas returning to the UK over Harry Dunn's death are low Thats not what they do. But the spokesman for the Dunn family said there is no doubt in his mind that Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Harry Dunn was 17 when he died after his motorbike crashed into a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on 27 August last year. The base hosts a US Air Force communications station. Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an American intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity and went back to the US after the crash. The Home Office attempted to extradite her on Friday after she was charged with causing Harry Dunns death by dangerous driving. But the US State Department has said that requesting extradition for Mrs Sacoolas is highly inappropriate and would be an abuse. RAF Croughton, near where Harry Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike was involved in a head-on collision in August (PA) Reacting to the prime ministers comments from Denver in the US, the Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said: I do not know what is in the prime ministers mind in making those comments because the parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him but we expect to do so within the next few days. Certainly, if he is basing those comments on what is currently emanating from Washington he may well be right. Harrys family will as always take things one step at a time and will not prejudge the outcome of the process but as I have stated many times publicly, my analysis of the prospects of success are diametrically opposed to Mr Johnsons given my detailed discussions with officials both in London and Washington. Story continues Spokesman for Harry Dunn's family Radd Seiger reacted from the US (PA) If that is what transpires, the campaign will swing into action deploying a number of measures including blockading the bases and will sit down with British officials to discuss what they will do, not only on Harrys familys behalf, but the whole nations, to ensure that justice is done and that no-one ever suffers the same fate as Harry. That is not a sustainable position and I have made that crystal clear to the government and the point has been taken on board. But we will take one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Unlike the prime minister, there is no doubt in my mind. Mrs Sacoolas lawyer Amy Jeffress has said her client will not return voluntarily to the UK to face a potential jail sentence and described the incident as a terrible but unintentional accident. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- A concrete block was thrown through the window of a Cork City centre pub in the course of a burglary, it was alleged today. It was also alleged that the culprit did some drinking when he was in the pub in the early hours of the morning and took a few bottles of spirits with him when he left. Rodney Haynes, aged 50, who is living at Cork Simon Community, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court today. He applied for bail, but Judge Mary Cashin remanded him in custody until January 21 to allow time for the prosecution to obtain instructions from the Director Department of Public Prosecutions. Garda Mairead OSullivan said theblock was thrown in the early hours of November 8, 2019, when the pub was unoccupied. As well as damage caused by the block, Garda OSullivan alleged, further damage was caused inside. It was alleged that CCTV footage showed a man drinking in the premises and taking alcohol with him when he left. Garda OSullivans objection to bail was based on the seriousness of the charge and garda concerns that Mr Haynes would not show up in court if granted bail. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said Mr Haynes had a drink problem but that this had stabilised recently and, after a period spent living at home, he was now being accommodated at Simon. Sgt Gearoid Davis asked if the defendants drink problem persisted. Mr Haynes replied: I am seeking help at the moment. I will obey any court conditions if I am given bail. Judge Cashin said Mr Haynes housing was subject to him not being drunk. I have no evidence he has done anything to ensure that, she said. It is quite a serious charge. Mr Haynes is charged with burglary at The Linen Weaver, Careys Lane, Cork. The charge states that, on November 18, he entered the building as a trespasser and committed the offence of theft. The second charge under the Criminal Damage Act is one of causing damage to five electronic cash registers inside the premises to the value of 225, and damage to glazing of 625. After almost two decades of silence in the aftermath of its civil war (1975-2002), the Angolan government on 10 December 2019 changed its course by launching a Reconciliation Plan in Memory of Victims of the Armed Conflicts in Angola. Why was this plan established and how likely is it that this new approach will contribute to the healing of open wounds and genuine reconciliation? Straight after its war of independence against the Portuguese colonizer, Angola went through a devastating civil war between 1975 and 2002. What could be characterized as a proxy Cold-War in the 1970s and 1980s, turned in the 1990s into a greed based war over the control of natural resources. During the conflict numerous war crimes, and arguably also crimes against humanity, were committed; an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people died as a consequence of the war; the country was infected with landmines and much of its infrastructure was destroyed. Ever since the end of the civil war, the governments approach regarding the past has been to forgive and forget and to focus on the future. This approach was already rooted in the 2002 general blanket amnesty, agreed upon by the warring factions soon after the killing of the main opposition faction leader Jonas Savimbi, which marked the end of the civil war in 2002. The Peace Agreement called upon parties in the spirit of National Reconciliation [to] forgive and forget the offences resulting from the Angolan conflict and face the future with tolerance and trust. High oil prices and Chinas eagerness to provide funds in exchange for oil immediately after the war tamed Western calls for more democratization, economic reform and anti-corruption activities vis-a-vis the Angolan regime. As Professor of the international politics of Africa at the University of Oxford Soares de Oliveira argues, this gave the governing MPLA party a degree of autonomy from both external and internal (non-elite) pressures almost unique in contemporary African states. The May 27 movement brakes the silence To understand the recent launch of the Reconciliation Plan one has to go back in time, to 27 May 1977. On that day, nearly two years after Angola gained independence from Portugal, the initially Marxist and later socialist MPLA government party responded violently to an alleged coup attempt against its leadership. During this event generally referred to as a limpeza (the clean-up) thousands of persons were massacred or maltreated. Much of the persistent trauma of the 27 de Maio is caused by fact that this violence was primarily an internal purge within the MPLA with arbitrary arrests and killings whereby the bodies of the executed were not returned to their families for burial. It is commonly said that afterwards there was no family left in Angola that had not somehow been affected by the purges. For years different interest groups, such as the Fundacao 27 de Maio, had called for attention for these atrocities. During former MPLA president Dos Santos authoritarian regime (1979-2017) there was little to no political space to bring up the trauma of May 27. This has changed with the coming into office of the new president, Joao Lourenco, in 2017. JLo, as he is commonly referred to, exhibits a different, more transparent and visible leadership style. He also made adherence to international human rights standards one of his focal points. With the changing of power and the new focus of the government voices from the past spoke up again. From 2018 onwards the M27 association an organisation uniting orphans resulting from the May 27 purge was created, urging the Angolan government to shed light on one of the darkest and most traumatizing phases of Angolas post-independence history and restore the lost dignity and good names to the victims and their families of this tragic occurrence. The ensuing debate resulted in a presidential decree issued on 16 May 2019 in which president Lourenco created an inter-ministerial reconciliation commission with the assignment to develop an action plan to honor the victims of political conflicts during the civil war. From forget and forgive to embrace and forgive Although the open wound of 27 de Maio and the pressure exerted by its orphans and affected families was an important catalyst for the creation of the reconciliation plan, the commissions tasks were not restricted to this particular event. In the presidential decree the commission was given the explicit mandate to address concerns of all victims of political conflicts that occurred between 1975-2002, the entire timespan of the Angolan civil war. It therefore potentially concerns all former warring factions and their actions during the 27 year-long conflict. The approach of the presidential decree is rooted in a series of principles such as reconciliation, historicity, forgiveness and material truth. It seems to be at least partially inspired by the African Unions Policy on Transitional Justice. The commission is composed of representatives of various ministries, including the ministries of Defence and Internal Affairs, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Homeland, Mass Media and Security Services. It is chaired by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queiroz. This composition seems to be at odds with the objective of national reconciliation, as all ministers belong to the MPLA party that has ruled Angola since 1975. Yet, the commission is also expected to consult with representatives of political parties with parliamentary seats, recognized religious authorities, reputable civil society organisations and other entities whose goals contribute to the achievements of its goals. The commission was assigned to prepare and submit for approval by the President a series of actions with a view to paying tribute to the memory of victims of the internal conflicts. The overall objective of these actions is to cure the psychological wounds of families and to regenerate the spirit of brotherhood among the Angolans through forgiveness and national reconciliation. The presidential decree identified three broadly described areas: 1) to propose appropriate mechanisms to identify and communicate with families and legal or natural entities with an interest in the matter and obtain the cooperation expected of them; 2) to make suggestions on how the Angolan state should pay dignified tribute to citizens who are victims of political conflicts and; 3) to work with the appropriate institutions to draw up the projects and budgets for the construction of a monument and acts of homage. All these goals, promoted through a Facebook Campaign and website under the slogan Embrace and Forgive, have to be realized before 3 July 2021. What about truth and accountability? As a civil society representative who has addressed the reconciliation commission explained to us, the presidential elections have been scheduled for 2022. Having a finished product by 2021, well in advance of the elections, could play out well for the current President. However it is questionable if the commission will tame newly emerging demands for transitional justice. Last November Edgar Valles, brother of Sita Valles, a political activist who was presumably tortured and killed in 1977, already indicated that he would not settle for memorialization and reconciliation alone. There can only be true reconciliation and forgiveness if there is a clarification of what happened, if those responsible for the killing are identified () and if those who forgive know that those who are being forgiven have remorse, he wrote. How the commission will deal with such concrete calls for truth and accountability remains to be seen. Similar calls for truth seeking have since been voiced in relation to atrocities committed within and by UNITA, the main armed group that opposed the MPLA during the civil war. Angolas lid of Pandoras Box has opened and it is not likely to close soon. There's more bad news about the flu. Apparently, the main strain of flu that's circulating doesn't exactly match what's in this year's flu shot. Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says children are particularly susceptible to Influenza B/Victoria and that this year's flu vaccine isn't a very good match for it. Fauci says even though it's not a good match for B/Victoria -- a flu shot can still save a child's life. According to CDC data released last week, if your child is exposed to B/Victoria, there's a 58-percent chance that their flu shot will be well matched to protect against it. Fauci says the vaccine is, however, a "really good match" for the H1N1 strain. He's spearheading an effort to develop a universal flu vaccine that would theoretically cover every strain of the flu over multiple flu seasons. The CDC reports that 32 children have died from the flu this season. They play a mother and daughter on longtime sitcom Mom. And Allison Janney proved that her relationship with Anna Faris is definitely close-knit and maternal. The 60-year-old actress confirmed that her 43-year-old co-star is engaged to cinematographer Michael Barrett after months of speculation. Close: Allison Janney confirmed Anna Faris (pictured together in March 2018) is engaged to cinematographer Michael Barrett after months of speculation Loved up: The 43-year-old actress and 49-year-old cinematographer pictured out in LA back in September Janney was at the Troop Zero premiere at Pacific Theatres at The Grove in Los Angeles on Monday when she told UsWeekly: 'I know shes been engaged for a long time. 'I kept it very quiet, Ill have you know! So, I celebrated with them a long time ago.' She also explained that she had no idea an engagement was in the card for Faris and 49-year-old Barrett. Janney, who wore a chic suit and Sylva & Cie jewelry, said: 'I didnt know he was going to propose, but I saw the ring one day. 'I know shes been engaged for a long time': Janney was at the Troop Zero premiere at Pacific Theatres at The Grove in Los Angeles on Monday when she revealed the news to UsWeekly 'I went into her room to work on lines [for the show], and then I was like, "What is that ring on your finger?" I think she was waiting for everyone to notice. "Oh, thats it," and then yeah, it was fun.' Anna set of a swirl of engagement rumors back in November when she was spotted with a huge diamond on her left hand ring finger. Later that month she confirmed to TMZ that she is going to marry Michael but shared that they are not yet prepared for the wedding. Her engagement came five months after her ex-husband Chris Pratt married Arnold Schwarzenegger's daughter Katherine in Montecito. Simply stunning: Anna (seen in May 2018) set of a swirl of engagement rumors back in November when she was spotted with a huge diamond on her left hand ring finger Former flame: Anna married Chris Pratt in 2009 before he was the global action star he is now and the pair of them share a seven-year-old son named Jack, the family are seen together in April 2017 Their wedding venue was San Ysidro Ranch, where Vivien Leigh married Laurence Olivier and Neil Armstrong tied the knot with his second wife Carol Knight. On her mother Maria Shriver's side, Katherine is the grand-niece of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who honeymooned there with Jacqueline Kennedy. Anna married Chris in 2009 before he was the global action star he is now and the pair of them share a seven-year-old son named Jack. They announced their separation in August 2017 and Anna started dating Michael sometime in the autumn of that year. Michael was working as the cinematographer of a remake of the 1987 movie Overboard starring Anna. The film released in 2018 but was shot in 2017 and was reportedly what brought them together. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be hamstrung with strict rules to prevent them from cashing in on their royal titles as they move to become 'financially independent', insiders revealed today. After two hours of talks between the Queen and Princes Charles, William and Harry at Sandringham on Monday, Her Majesty allowed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to quit their Royal roles. In a historic statement she said: 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.' It appears to give the couple licence to pursue private commercial deals, with experts predicting their global brand could be worth an eye-watering 400million. But aides continuing to work around the clock to thrash out a viable funding blueprint are expected to clamp down on Harry and Meghan using their titles to line their pockets. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be hamstrung with strict rules to prevent them from cashing in on their royal titles as they move to become 'financially independent', insiders revealed last night The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving tonight) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal with Meghan 'dialling in' to support her husband from Canada One figure told the Daily Mail's Richard Kay: 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example. No one wants to see the Sussexes' name on a tub of margarine.' This was a deliberate nod to what happened in the aftermath of Diana's death when her memorial fund began endorsing cash-raising schemes that appalled the public. Harry may not also be able to rely on the bank of Dad to prop him up, with sources close to Prince Charles claiming he is not prepared to foot the bill of his youngest son's new lifestyle. Harry and Meghan currently get 2million a year from the Prince of Wales' Sovereign Grant fund. The first-in-line has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate when he uproots to North America. A friend says: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' Aides were today believed to have laid bare the punitive taxes Harry could face if he presses ahead with his plan to move to Canada. Prince Harry (pictured leaving today), Prince William and Prince Charles have left Sandringham tonight in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Queen (pictured attending church at Sandringham on Sunday), made clear her deep disappointment at Harry and Meghan's decision to quit in a statement released tonight But the pair are already millionaires. Their joint wealth is estimated to be around 18million, according to writer David McClure, who has investigated royal finances. Harry inherited nearly 7 million from his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, but this will have grown with investment, and he is also thought to have had an inheritance from the Queen Mother, so is believed to have around 10-15 million. The duchess, said to be worth 2-3 million, pocketed a reported 333,000 per season for six runs of the legal drama Suits, as well as earning an income from feature films and fashion collections. In a glimpse at what the couple's new 'financially independent' role could be, Meghan brokered a voiceover deal with Disney before going on her Christmas break to Canada. After her one-to-one with Harry - followed by two hours of 'calm' discussions with him, Charles and William - Her Majesty agreed to a 'transition period' where the Duke and Duchess would wind down their Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. The Queen's statement in full this evening after a day of showdown talks to decide the futures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The Queen, who is desperate to chart a way out of the crisis raging through the Family ranks, has ordered courtiers to double down efforts to develops blueprint for the Sussexes future, to be completed within days. WASHINGTON The theory was born last Thursday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, where President Donald Trump stood before men in hard hats and orange construction vests for an environmental announcement and offered a fresh rationale for his controversial order to kill a top Iranian general. They were looking to blow up our embassy, Trump said, referring to the heavily-secured Baghdad facility that had become a magnet for protesters. Later that night, at a raucous campaign rally in Ohio, Trump added to his story. The Iranians, he claimed, were not only planning to attack the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, but also an undisclosed number of embassies in other countries. And then Trump fleshed out his claim even further. "I can reveal I believe it probably would've been four embassies," he said in an interview Friday with Fox News Channel. Based on what is known so far, Trumps statement was at best an unfounded theory and at worst a falsehood. At each turn in the commander in chiefs rapidly-evolving narrative of why he authorized the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iranian Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the machinery of government scrambled to adapt and respond. The result is a credibility crisis for an administration that has long struggled to communicate factual information to the public. At a perilous moment for the nations security, with the United States at the brink of war with Iran, Trump is unable to rely on trustworthiness to justify his decision to take out Soleimani, both because of his lengthy record of exaggerations and lies and because of his ever-shifting rationales. In a rare public break with the president, Defense Secretary Mark Esper acknowledged Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he had not reviewed any such evidence of a plot to attack four U.S. embassies as Trump had suggested. Though he did not directly contradict Trump, Esper's assessment was at odds with that of the president. Inside the Pentagon and elsewhere in the government, there was skepticism about the president's claim, as well as about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement that the threat from Soleimani was "imminent" and that hundreds of American lives were at risk. One senior administration official said the remarks from both men were unnecessary distractions from what many officials believed was a defensible policy decision. Almost immediately, other U.S. officials said privately that Pompeo was overstating the intelligence, portraying it as specific enough to say when the strike was going to happen. U.S. officials, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence, have said that Trump administration officials believed that Soleimani intended to escalate hostilities toward U.S. interests in the Middle East, to include possible attacks on diplomatic and military facilities. This "stream" of intelligence, however, was not so specific that it let officials know when and where Soleimani intended to strike, officials said. Despite Trump's claim that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was one of four facilities under attack, some embassy officials there said they did not receive an alert commensurate to the threat Trump described, said people familiar with the situation, who were not authorized to comment publicly. When officials in Washington or in a diplomatic outpost receive specific credible information about threats to an embassy, warnings are typically sent to the U.S. personnel in the post to be vigilant and take precautions. If they had knowledge of an imminent threat, then you wouldve expected them to notify people, said Ronald Neumann, the president of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a retired career Foreign Service officer. Following the killing of Soleimani and Irans public vows to take vengeance, U.S. personnel in the region were on edge and asking questions to colleagues about information related to emerging threats. Some who never received any information about such specific threats were angered and confused when Trump later claimed that the Baghdad embassy would have been attacked, when they had received no such information, said the people familiar with the situation. Pompeo pushed back Monday against the charge that a notification was not sent, but he did not specify when or how it was transmitted. "They were not only notified but we took extensive action to do everything we could that they were safe and secure," Pompeo said on Fox News. A State Department spokesman said Washington sent out a "worldwide security warning to every embassy alerting them of potential escalation with Iran," but did not say when that alert was sent. The spokesman said that after the U.S. military killed two dozen members of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq and Syria on Dec. 29, every regional security officer and embassy in the region knew of the potential escalation threat that could be imposed on them. But there is no indication that embassy employees were warned of a credible threat to the embassy, and the State Department did not respond to questions about whether the embassy in Baghdad took other measures that are typical when a specific threat is uncovered. With the question of imminence dogging the administration's public defense of the Soleimani strike, other senior administration officials have shifted to vouching for the quality of the intelligence itself, rather than what it said about timing or particular targets. None of them has backed up Trump's claim that four embassies were being targeted. Even if evidence of Trump's claim exists, there was no interagency process or decision made to release such information or for the president to say what he said, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss sensitive matters. Attorney General William Barr was the latest to weigh in on the intelligence Monday and portrayed it as alarming but also general in nature. "I'm not going to get into the specific intelligence. I believe there was intelligence of imminent attack," Barr said, noting that he was consulted before the strike. "But I do believe that this concept of imminence is something of a red herring. I think when you're dealing with a situation where you already have attacks underway, you have a campaign that involves repeated attacks on American targets, I don't think there's a requirement, frankly, for, you know, knowing the exact time and place of the next attack." Trump tweeted Monday that the future attack by Soleimani was imminent but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Esper and O'Brien have described the intelligence about Soleimani's plotting as "exquisite," a term of art that implies specific knowledge about Soleimani's intentions. The term exquisite is often used to describe satellites and other technical collection methods designed to intercept a target's communications or track his movements. Esper said this intelligence was only shared with a handful of lawmakers, known as the Gang of Eight, who are routinely privy to highly-classified and sensitive intelligence that is not shared with all members of Congress. O'Brien, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," also described the intelligence as "exquisite," but he broadened the aperture of the threat beyond embassies. "The intelligence showed that they were looking at U.S. facilities throughout the region, and that they wanted to inflict casualties on American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, as well as diplomats," he said. O'Brien spoke of the intelligence as a "stream" that had to be restricted to a small number of people. "I'd love to have the intelligence out there now," he said. ". . . But the president's interpretation of that intelligence is very consistent with it." Subtly, the national security adviser was acknowledging what other U.S. officials have privately said about Trump's statements: The president is giving his opinion about the intelligence, which doesn't necessarily match that of the intelligence community or individual analysts in the government. A former senior White House official offered another possibility: that one of Trump's advisers speculated about possible attacks on embassies in a briefing with the president. "I don't believe he would have simply, out of thin air, came up with that unless he was actually told something like that," said the former official. "I'm sure someone told him that that was a possibility, and that stuck in his head." Added John McLaughlin, a former acting CIA director, "It's not inconsistent with [Trump's] record of making something up when he doesn't have the specifics." Opinions aside, some lawmakers have said that what limited information the administration has shared has not made the case for a military strike. There was no discussion in the Gang of Eight briefings that these are the four embassies that are being targeted, and we have exquisite intelligence that shows these are the specific targets, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said on Face the Nation. Therefore, Schiff suggested, when you hear the president out there on Fox, he is fudging the intelligence. Officials have also spent recent days trying to temper expectations now that Soliemani is dead. Killing the Iranian general, some said, may have disrupted his current plotting, but it didn't eliminate the threat. When CIA Director Gina Haspel was asked to weigh in on a potential strike on Soleimani, she did not expressly advocate for it. Rather, Haspel said the risk of not acting was greater than the risk of acting, officials familiar with her remarks have said. At the root of Trump's claim about four embassies is his obsession with avoiding a repeat of the 2011 attack on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, as he watched protesters swarm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad late last month. Trump asked about embassy security on several occasions, according to a senior administration official, and has been determined to make sure no embassy was compromised and has wanted the military to take out anyone who broached one. This was the antiBenghazi, Trump crowed before his rally crowd in Toledo last week. We did it exactly the opposite of Benghazi, where they got there so late. All they saw when they got there days later were burning embers from days before. Its all they saw. We got there very early. We saw what was happening. I saw what was happening. I said whats that all about? And that was going to be another Benghazi had they broken through the final panels of glass. President Donald Trump listens as Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt speaks on proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Associated Press The White House expects several Republican senators to join Democrats in calling for witnesses in President Donald Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, CBS News reported. The report said senior White House officials expect at least four Republican senators, likely more, to break ranks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the issue. Republicans have only a three-seat majority in the upper chamber, and if four or more GOP senators join Democrats in calling for witnesses, McConnell would likely be forced to cave on the matter. The names White House officials threw out included Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Cory Gardner of Colorado. If McConnell gives in to demands to call witnesses, it would dramatically alter the stakes of Trump's trial by forcing top executive-branch officials who have so far refused to testify to reveal what they know to the public about the president's efforts to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The White House expects several Republican senators to join Democrats in calling for witnesses in President Donald Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, CBS News reported. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi withheld the two articles of impeachment against Trump while Democrats and Republicans fought over the terms of a trial, including over whether to call witnesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last week that the Senate would move forward with a trial without deciding on the question and instead address it once the trial starts, similar to the process that was set during former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial in the 1990s. But last week, GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine told Maine's Bangor Daily News she was working with a "fairly small group" of fellow Republican senators to ensure witnesses are called in Trump's trial. Story continues "We should be completely open to calling witnesses," Collins said on Friday, according to the Bangor Daily News. "I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement on how to proceed with the trial that will allow the opportunity for both the House and the president's counsel if they choose to do so." CBS News reported that White House officials believed at least four Republicans, likely more, would vote to call witnesses. The names the officials threw out included Collins, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Cory Gardner of Colorado. Officials told CBS they were also bracing for Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee to break ranks. The GOP has only a three-seat majority in the upper chamber. If four or more Republican senators call for witnesses, it's likely McConnell would be forced to cave and give in to the demands. Such a development could dramatically change the stakes of the president's trial and force key officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and former national security adviser John Bolton to testify before Congress and the public about their knowledge of Trump's efforts to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election. After McConnell announced last week that the Republican-controlled upper chamber would not immediately commit to calling witnesses, Pelosi said she would transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate this week. But the House speaker's move to withhold the articles in the first place appears to have paid off at least in part by spurring moderate and vulnerable Republican senators to publicly break with McConnell. Democrats also notched another victory when Bolton announced he would be willing to testify in Trump's trial, ratcheting up the pressure on McConnell to agree to call witnesses. The two articles of impeachment against the president relate to his efforts to strong-arm Ukraine into delivering political dirt on one of his 2020 rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, while Trump withheld vital military aid and a White House meeting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky desperately wanted. Trump's actions came to light in a whistleblower complaint that an anonymous US intelligence official filed in August. At the center of the complaint was a July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelensky in which Trump repeatedly pressured Zelensky to investigate the Bidens and look into a bogus conspiracy theory suggesting that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US election. The White House released a memo of the phone call that confirmed the whistleblower's main allegation. But subsequent testimony from nonpartisan career national-security and foreign-service officers showed that the phone call was just one data point in a monthslong campaign by Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to force Ukraine to accede to his demands. Gordon Sondland, the US's ambassador to the European Union, testified that "everyone was in the loop" on Trump's efforts, including Bolton, Pompeo, Mulvaney, and other top brass at the White House and across federal agencies. Read the original article on Business Insider (L-R) Democratic presidential hopefuls billionaire-philanthropist Tom Steyer, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar stand on stage ahead of the seventh Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register at the Drake University campus in Des Moines, Iowa on January 14, 2020. The 2020 Democratic presidential contenders took the stage together Tuesday for the final time before nominating contests start. A largely cordial primary race has turned more adversarial in recent days with less than three weeks to go until the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, the first time a state will award delegates in 2020. Tuesday's Democratic debate, hosted by the Des Moines Register and CNN, took place at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. As debate qualifying standards get tougher and more candidates drop out of the race, the number of participants has dwindled. Only six Democratic candidates took the stage together Tuesday in a field that has skewed older and whiter as it narrows. Former Vice President Joe Biden Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. The contenders first faced nearly 30 minutes of questions about their credentials to handle the rising specter of war in the Middle East following the U.S. killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani, earlier this month. Candidates have tried to leverage their foreign policy records to garner support amid the sharpened focus on Iran. Sanders highlighted his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and push last year to stop U.S. support for a Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. Biden, meanwhile, said he worked during the Obama administration to end the Iraq War while admitting it was a "mistake" to authorize the use of military force in the country when he was in the Senate. Sanders defended his decision as a House member to vote for a military force authorization in Afghanistan, and again attempted to distance his record on Iraq from Biden's. "I took to the floor, I did everything I could to prevent that war. Joe saw it differently," he said. Klobuchar, asked whether she would remove forces from the Middle East, said she would "leave some troops there." Warren, meanwhile, contended that "we need to get our combat troops out." Buttigieg, an Afghanistan veteran, criticized the president for sending more troops to the region. The candidates were asked about whether they would meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, as President Donald Trump did. In Iowa, a state walloped by the president's trade war with China, the rivals also sparred over their records on trade. Sanders and Warren debated the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a revised North American trade deal that the U.S. expects to ratify this week. Sanders argued it did not go far enough to address climate change, and said "we can do much better than a Trump-led trade deal." Warren said farmers in Iowa "are hurting" and highlighted improvements on the North American Free Trade Agreement. Sanders also contrasted his opposition to NAFTA and the Obama-era Trans-Pacific Partnership from Biden's support for both trade pacts, saying the two candidates have a "fundamental disagreement." Tensions among the top candidates escalated in the days before the debate. Warren said Monday that Sanders told her during a 2018 meeting that a woman could not win the presidential election. Asked about the remark during the debate, Sanders responded, "I didn't say it." Warren appeared to acknowledge that her rival did say it, but added that "Bernie is my friend and I am not here to try to fight with Bernie." She then highlighted that she and Klobuchar have won all of their elections while the men on the stage have lost 10 elections combined. Recent Iowa polls have found four Democrats have a realistic shot at winning the most delegates in the first-in-the-nation caucuses. Biden has 20.7% of support, about even with Sanders at 20.3%, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average. Buttigieg and Warren follow at 18.7% and 16%, respectively. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Avalanche hits J&K, 8 killed, 1 missing India oi-Mousumi Dash Srinagar, Jan 14: Three soldiers killed, one missing and five other civilians were killed in separate incidents of the avalanche that hit the army post in Jammu and Kashmir's Machil sector on Tuesday. The defence sources said three soldiers were killed and another was missing after an avalanche hit an Army post in Machil sector along the LoC on Tuesday. Five soldiers were trapped under the avalanche. Efforts are on to trace one missing soldier. According to PTI, the Army launched rescue operations and traced four of the soldiers. While three of them were declared dead, another was injured and is being treated at a local military facility, the sources said. Earlier, Indian Army Havildar Rajendra Singh Negi, who is a resident of Dehradun allegedly slipped in the snow at Gulmarg, Jammu, and Kashmir, during duty and reached Pakistan border. J&K: Army Jawans hit by Avalanche in Kupwara district JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News In December another avalanche hit in the Tangdhar region of Jammu & Kashmir's Kupwara district. Another avalanche struck a village in Gagangir area of Ganderbal district in which five civilians were killed while four others were rescued, police said. The avalanche struck on Monday night when the five civilians were passing by the area, they said. The bodies of the five have been recovered, as per PTI. [January 14, 2020] Exploring the future of smart living: Skyworth Group's full lineup debuts at CES 2020 LAS VEGAS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyworth, a leader in smart appliances and information technology, unveiled its smart home system and full lineup of new smart household appliances at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which opened on January 7 in Las Vegas. The Skyworth Q91 8K Ultra HD TV and W81 Wallpaper OLED TV series, showcased to the world for the first time on January 5, led the lineup in Skyworth's exhibition area at the event. The Q91 series is currently drawing the industry's attention with its highly versatile configuration that not only supports 120FPS 8K for a higher definition picture but also comes equipped with an 8K IPS hard screen allowing wider viewing angles as well as a faster response that delivers a consistent and clear image quality from any angle. In addition, the series features one of the world's most powerful TV chips, the MediaTek S900C TV SoC with support for 8K resolution, enabling smoother and faster processing and parsing of images. With Wallpaper OLED design and a split structure that seamlessly attaches to the wall and is only 4.6mm width at its slimmest point, the W81 series redefines wallpaper-thin TV products. Furthermore, Skyworth also debuted its lineup of new models including transparent OLEDs, alongside swivel and frame models, as well as an aesthetic solution that the company has dubbed the "Suzhou Chinese Circle TV", among others with unique and ornamental features converting the television set into apiece of furniture that fits in with the entire interior design of the home where the unit is being installed. Skyworth's kitchen appliances exhibition area has also drawn substantial attention. As Skyworth's new blockbuster for 2020, the Skyworth hanging range hood with AI-enhanced thin screen also debuted, offering easy access to recipes through a 13" smart screen and a built-in cloud voice interaction control system that plays music and video, truly achieving the AI interaction of smart kitchen appliances. Skyworth's smart lighting area at CES also surprised visitors with the OLED table lamp. OLED lighting has the distinguishing characteristic of being harmless to the eyes, making the technology the most recommended light source for reading. Interconnecting with the Skyworth smart home system, the OLED table lamp's adjustable head is easily moved to place the light source into the most suitable position for reading, while the simple design of the body also complements the entire home environment. The Smart Vehicle Experience Zone was also crowded with visitors, with the 7" LCD screen, 9" streaming rearview mirror with center console alongside other intelligent automotive accessories attracting much attention. Skyworth has already partnered with more than a dozen carmakers, including Geely, Renault, Brilliance Auto, Beijing Hyundai and Borgward, to provide matching parts and accessories in line with the technical characteristics and test requirements of each automobile make and model. On display in Skyworth's VR area was an end-to-end 8K VR live streaming solution, with multi-camera arbitrary switching, and the ability to add text, voice and special effects as well as other features that meet the 8K VR live streaming requirements for game events. Skyworth VR has put in place a special VR content production team to create a series of proprietary 8K VR dramas and, in 2020, plans to launch more than 100 hours of 8K videos featuring China's most famous tourism attractions as well as 15 8K VR short plays to meet content needs across the industry. In the age of interconnection, the smart home system is quickly evolving into a necessity for every home, with broader market prospects for 2020. Skyworth, with its smart screen as the medium and smart control technology as the core, has built a smart home system that truly differentiates itself from its rivals by delivering what shoppers have come to expect in the new year. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exploring-the-future-of-smart-living-skyworth-groups-full-lineup-debuts-at-ces-2020-300986281.html SOURCE Skyworth [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Kitco News) Gold is not likely to fall sharply below the $1,550 an ounce level even though the U.S.-Iran tensions are easing and investors are embracing risk-on sentiment, according to TD Securities. While we see gold as a somewhat crowded trade, with spec long exposure still near extreme levels, it is unlikely that the yellow metal will fall sharply. Indeed, we expect firm support in a relatively narrow range between $1,515-1,550/ oz owing to the fact that there is depth of recent exposure at these levels, strategists at TD Securities wrote on Monday. Gold rose to seven-year highs of around $1,611 an ounce last week as tensions between the U.S. and Iran reached their highest point following the U.S. killing of the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Irans missile attack near U.S. troops in Iraq. But given that the Iranian retaliation was limited in scope and it did not result in any U.S. casualties, the concern that a mutually destructive cycle of tit-for-tat military actions, which could significantly disrupt global crude oil supply, dissipated. As tensions eased gold prices dropped as much as $71 /oz from the recent peak, to trade near $1,550/oz currently, the strategists said. The $1,600 an ounce level is not out of reach for gold going forward as there are fundamental drivers supporting the yellow metal long-term. The uncertain macroeconomic environment, strong central bank buying and somewhat lower volatility which should keep CTAs maintaining their long tilt which should also serve to prevent a rout, the bank added. Since we project gold to hit $1,650/oz sometime in the second half of 2020, any correction is seen as an opportunity to enter a long position. Some other primary gold drivers include consistently weak manufacturing data and a possible re-escalation of the U.S.-Iran tensions. We see committed long positions between $1,515-$1,550/oz, with option strikes being supportive near those levels, which imply that something relatively drastic would need to occur for these support levels to be broken, the strategists said. TD Securities expects gold to go higher as the U.S. presidential election gets closer. "Gold prices will trade north of $1,650/oz by late-2020 due a low rate environment, record debt, U.S. election risks as we get closer to November along with insurance buying by central banks, portfolio managers and individuals, the bank said. In an effort to improve and simplify the family-building journey for our patients, WIN is harnessing technology that enables our clinical care management to deliver better outcomes, while also lowering cost says Peter Nieves, Chief Commercial Officer with WINFertility. WINFertility (WIN), the nations leading fertility benefits management company, has launched an enhanced digital user experience with robust new features to its newly designed mobile app. WINs new mobile app provides a more intuitive patient experience and a successful pathway to pregnancy and lower costs. The new app, which further delivers on WINs Family-First approach, features virtual nurse consultations with WINs world-class clinical care management team, a personalized benefits center, robust fertility education content and enhanced digital fertility tracking tools to reduce stress and simplify the patient experience. WINFertility is known for its experienced nurse care managers who accompany patients and their partners on their fertility journey. By assessing each patients needs, WINs nurse care management team eliminates unnecessary treatments and expenditures, which ultimately lowers costs and helps alleviate the stress and anxieties that surround the infertility journey. The enhanced app gives patients the same expertise in a real-time, virtual setting. In an effort to improve and simplify the family-building journey for our patients, WIN is harnessing technology that enables our clinical care management to deliver better outcomes, while also lowering cost, says Peter Nieves, Chief Commercial Officer with WINFertility. We continue to innovate, constantly improving the fertility journey for our patients and the enrollment and claims tracking process for our employer clients. We are thrilled to introduce our new mobile-centric user experience. The enhanced mobile app features also include: Video Nurse Consultations Patients now have the ability to connect with WINFertilitys world-class fertility nurse care managers through video chat directly from their mobile device. Connecting face-to-face with a fertility nurse promotes trust and education, leading to better outcomes. Mobile Appointment Scheduling WINs new virtual interface allows patients to schedule appointments for both video and phone consultations from their mobile device, saving valuable time for patients on the go. Personalized Mobile Benefits Center Employees utilizing select WIN benefit programs, through their Employer, can now unlock access to a range of new mobile features from tracking claims through a mobile accumulator tool, to personalized patient ID cards, to enhanced find-a-doctor search tools, complete with Google Maps integration. WINs mobile experience makes understanding your family-building benefits simple. Deep and Rich Family-Building Content WINs mobile users can now educate themselves on many different fertility and family-building topics by browsing through its rich, easy-to-find family-building content. From the basics of fertility in the Fertility 101 library, to more specific topics like male factor infertility. Enhanced Fertility Tracking Tools & Calendar Delivered through a modern user interface, WIN patients can track their fertility and ovulation to optimize their chances of getting pregnant. WINs mobile fertility tracking tool includes features to take notes and set alerts and reminders. In addition, the tool gives patients the ability to share their personalized cycle tracking calendar with a partner or doctor. For more than 20 years, WIN has been a trusted leader in managing family-building benefits. The company is continuously enhancing its technology-enabled clinical care management and remains committed to its innovative approach to family-building benefit solutions that improve patient access to the best doctors, technology and emotional support. For more information on WINFertility visit: http://www.winfertility.com Download the app on iPhone or Android. About WINFertility WINFertility is the nations leading family-building and fertility benefit management company, providing comprehensive solutions for employers, health plans and consumers. From fertility management, including medical treatment, pharmacy and genetics to surrogacy and adoption, WINFertility has helped more than 100,000 families by providing access to the best doctors, technology, and support. WIN works with the nations leading reproductive endocrinologists and integrates with national and regional insurance carriers, as well as the nations largest pharmacy benefit managers, to deliver the most advanced and effective fertility treatments and family-building solutions. WIN Nurse Care Managers navigate patients through the often-complex process, providing clinical oversight, emotional support, advocacy, and education throughout the journey. Patients and clients that utilize WINs program see higher pregnancy rates, fewer multiple gestations, more efficient Rx utilization, and lower costs. WINFertility is a privately held company located in Greenwich, CT. China on Tuesday said that the move by the US to drop the currency manipulator tag against its name was in line with facts and the consensus of the international community. Soon after the announcement, the Chinese currency, the yuan, soared on Tuesday morning, days ahead of the two countries signing the phase 1 deal to resolve a tit-for-tat trade war. Vice premier Liu He, who was heading the trade talk negotiations for China, is in Washington to sign the deal. Beijing didnt release any additional information about the expected trade deal with the Chinese foreign ministry directing queries to the commerce ministry. For specific questions about the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations and the first-phase economic and trade agreements, I suggest you ask the Ministry of Commerce. In addition, please be patient, the situation may become clearer in two days, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at the regular ministry briefing on Tuesday. On Monday night, Washington dropped the designation of China as a currency manipulator, following the release of a report from the US Treasury Department. In its semi-annual report on macroeconomic and foreign exchange policies of major trading partners of the US, the Treasury Department said no major US trading partner at this time met the relevant legislative criteria for currency manipulation. Noting that the department assessed developments over the last several months with China and its currency practices, US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability. China is not an exchange rate manipulator. The latest conclusion of the US is in line with the facts and the consensus of the international community, spokesperson Geng said on the development. A recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment concluded that the level of the RMB exchange rate is generally in line with economic fundamentals, and objectively denied that China is a currency manipulator, Geng added. China is a responsible big country. We have repeatedly reiterated that we will not engage in competitive currency devaluation and do not use the exchange rate as a tool to deal with external disturbances such as trade disputes. Geng said that China will unswervingly deepen the reform of the exchange rate marketisation, continue to improve the managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand, adjust with reference to a basket of currencies, and keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level. In August, a sharp escalation of the China-US trade war sank the yuan under the key 7-per-dollar level for the first time since the 2008-09 global financial crisis. According to the nationalistic tabloid Global Times, following the currencys plunge, the US Treasury labeled China a currency manipulator, drawing criticism from Beijing and international institutions with observers believing that the Trump administration used the currency manipulator label as a political tool to gain leverage in the trade talks. E Zhihuan, chief economist at Bank of China (Hong Kong), said that the US removal of the label for China is a result of the smooth progress toward the first phase of trade deal between the two countries. The yuans value is decided by market supply and demand. Its fluctuation is normal market reactions. The yuan experienced a complete fluctuation cycle after returning to above 7 again, she told the tabloid. Meanwhile, a social media account linked to the Chinese government has issued a note of caution on the trade deal by saying that the trade war is not over yet and that it is just the first round of a game. Taoran Notes, affiliated with the official Economic Daily, said the deal is just the first step to solve a problem. We must bear in mind that the trade war is not over yet - the US hasnt revoked all its tariffs on China and China is still implementing its retaliatory measures. There are still many uncertainties down the road. "While I'm encouraged that college affordability remains an important part of the national economic debate, the reality is that paying for college is about more than tuition," said Michael E. Hansen, CEO, Cengage. "New models like Cengage Unlimited, the industry's first all-access subscription for textbooks and course materials, are making an impact, yet too many students still face obstacles when trying to access and pay for college. "That's why we will be offering students an eTextbook option within Cengage Unlimited. It is designed to support students who need additional options that fit their learning needs and budgets, yet don't need a full Cengage Unlimited subscription that includes online homework access codes. And it's accessed via the subscription model that students have overwhelmingly embraced in other areas of their lives," Hansen continued. In addition to the ebooks and other tools, those who prefer print can order up to four print textbook rentals for $7.99 each with free shipping. Students may upgrade to a full Cengage Unlimited subscription that includes online homework access codes/courseware. Since commercial availability in August 2018, Cengage Unlimited has seen rapid adoption by students and colleges, with more than two million subscriptions sold. Students have saved $125 million using the subscription to date. These savings are expected to grow to $160 million by the end of the current school year. A survey conducted by Morning Consult found that after tuition, paying for textbooks and course materials is the biggest source of financial stress for students. In addition, almost three-quarters of students prefer access to ownership when it comes to their learning materials. "We work very closely with faculty to understand what they and their students need. And overwhelmingly what we've heard is that they want a variety of options for their students," said Fernando Bleichmar, EVP and General Manager of Higher Education and Skills, Cengage. "While some companies are limiting format and access options, Cengage is expanding them. We will continue to be the partner that delivers what our customers want." Starting this month, students can also access all of their Cengage etextbooks offline via the free Cengage Mobile App. Available on iOS and Android devices, the app provides offline e-reader capabilities, allowing students to download entire eTextbooks to their smartphone. Once downloaded, students can highlight, make notes, search and bookmark the reading material, regardless of whether they are connected to the internet or working offline. In addition to e-reader capabilities, the Cengage Mobile app provides organizational tools, study materials and push notifications to help students stay on track. Students can see which courses use Cengage at their institution via an interactive Savings Map. For more information about Cengage Unlimited eTextbooks, visit: www.cengage.com/unlimited/etextbooks. About Cengage Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Media Contact: Kristina Massari, Cengage 203-965-8694, [email protected] SOURCE Cengage Related Links http://www.cengage.com Foreigners from Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Japan at the International Kite festival at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Monday. Due to poor winds, most big kites failed to fly properly while the smaller ones soared high. (S. Surender Reddy) Hyderabad: The International Kite and Sweet Festival started at the Secunderabad Parade Ground for Sankranti, with some new additions. The festival this year has an exhibition of weapons of the police and competitions in local games like golilu, goti billa, sack race and tyre race. For the kite enthusiasts, there was some disappointment. Though there were kiting experts from about 15 countries including South Korea, Ukraine and Indonesia, the lack of breeze let them down. These kites are very heavy and they need a stiff breeze to fly but the weather is not favourable, said a local kite flyer from Kohinoor Kite Club in the city. There were some night kite flyers from Singapore who would fly their kites using a battery. Competitions for local traditional games were also set up in the Gymkhana Ground as a part of the festival. There were, however, not many participants. Tourism officials said the competitions would be held at Parade Grounds itself instead of Gymkhana Ground. The state police distributed their own kites to the public. The display of sniffer dogs that trace explosives and narcotics attracted the attention of many. In the stalls, the polices canine team of German Shepherd, labrador and golden retriever were displayed, which are deployed during VIP movement and during major investigations. Nineteen kinds of weapons that are being used by police were also on display. There were about 500 participants at the sweets festival, with participants from West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha among others. Officials like ministers Srinivas Goud and Srinivas Yadav were at the festival as also tourism secretary Burra Venkatesham and police commissioner Anjani Kumar. It has now been confirmed that we will be going to the polls on February 8. The rumours began late last Thursday - according to one Cabinet source, the initially preferred date of February 14 was scrapped because of the inevitable 'Valentine's Day massacre' headlines which would run in the media, while the following Friday, February 21, sees most schools on a mid-term break. At the heart of the decision is the need to avoid the proposed vote of no confidence in Health Minister Simon Harris. Regardless of the date, we're looking at an election which sees the sitting government placed in a rather unenviable position. On one level, it can reasonably argue that it was the party which dragged this country back from an abyss which had been created by Fianna Fail. It will be understandably eager to remind voters that it was the safe hands at the tiller when it looked like the country was about to be drowned by the choppy international financial waters. Indeed, if you wear a Fine Gael hat then you could reasonably argue that it has done a remarkable job under extreme conditions; conditions which, arguably, no other ruling party has ever had to face. Through that lens, senior Fine Gael policy-makers must feel that the Irish are an ungrateful and unforgiving lot. After all, job numbers are up, the economy is doing better than it has done for a decade, and the Exchequer has more funds coming into it than at any time for years. In fact, under different circumstances, Fine Gael could have been a guaranteed bet for a hat trick of consecutive election victories - no mean feat for any party in a country which likes to change things up every now and then. But while Leo Varadkar et al might be quick to point to all the good that has happened on their watch, they remain remarkably tone deaf as to why this administration has become increasingly loathed by many ordinary people. There are several reasons for this, and all of them are far more important than the usual voter fatigue which occurs when a party has been in power for so long. The most important impediment to this current government's survival is quite a simple one - the lived experience of the voters and the bitterness many of them feel. The Taoiseach can point to the improvements that have occurred under his tenure, but they are improvements which remain illusory to many people. Loudly proclaiming that the economy is in fine fettle as we enter the Roaring Twenties doesn't mean anything to patients forced to spend days on a trolley while they wait for that increasingly elusive hospital bed. Trumpeting the fact that job numbers have increased doesn't cut much hay with people who find themselves in low-paying, gig-economy jobs. While they might have the opportunity to work more hours to earn a little bit more money, they know they will never be able to take even a tentative first step on the housing ladder. In fact, many of Fine Gael's biggest boasts in the run-up to the election will be precisely the things that annoy the ordinary voter. A healthier economy means nothing to people who have seen no discernible improvement in their own lives and, ultimately, we all vote on the basis of our own experiences. It's all well and good for Simon Harris to say that the trolley crisis is merely 'one metric' when appraising his job, but even his use of the word 'metric' was a reminder to many people of just how out of touch this current Cabinet appears to be. The 'posh boys' jibe at Fine Gael used to seem rather unfair, but it doesn't seem that way now. There has been a striking lack of empathy from senior ministers. We have an administration which has consistently failed to communicate with the people and, for a doctor-turned-politician, Mr Varadkar's bedside manner remains truly woeful. The economy is meant to work for the citizens, not the other way around, and the 10,000 homeless people, and the cascade of catastrophes in the health service give the lie to Fine Gael's comforting myth that we have turned the corner. The farcical and astonishingly badly handled controversy over the now 'deferred' commemorations for the RIC - a complex and thorny historical issue - also gave the impression that the current government is glib and insincere. In other times, most voters would have decided that enough is enough and now is the moment to give someone else a chance. But is the average punter prepared to forgive Fianna Fail's role in this country's ruination? Micheal Martin will certainly hope so, and if he has any chance of avoiding the indignity of being the first Fianna Fail leader to fail to be Taoiseach, he will desperately try to focus on the current problems while avoiding any talk of the calamitous mistakes of his own party. In fact, Fine Gael's best electoral hopes rest with the fact that it is not Fianna Fail and it will be focusing on two core issues - bigging-up the economy and reminding people of the depression of a decade ago. But there is a whole new generation of voters for whom the crash is but a childhood memory - and they are the generation most adversely affected by the current housing crisis. These are the new voters who will be more inclined to give Fianna Fail a pass for its sins of the past as they seek to punish Fine Gael for its sins of today. There is something disconcertingly technocratic about this government. That may have come to good use with its reasonably adroit handling of the Brexit crisis, but for many Irish people that still remains an issue largely theoretical and removed from their day-to-day existence. As a people, we need this election. The paralysis in the Dail under the last few years of Confidence and Supply may have been a necessary by-product of trying to face a big international crisis but it has also imbued many people with an unfortunate degree of cynicism about our politicians. Every vote in every election is precious, but the electorate has to decide whether its desire to punish the incumbents means opening the doors for a likely Fianna Fail/Green coalition, with all the extra taxes that will entail. Neither option is particularly appealing. Which is why this election will truly be a case of business before pleasure. PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 10:48:01 Ryland Sandford Consultants Says Tencent Recent Rally Is Worth Over $108 Billion Media Relations: Harry Hoffer, harry.hoffer@rylandsandford.com www.rylandsandford.com, +886 2 7737 443, 7F No. 415 Section 4 Xinyi Road, Daan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. Researchers and analysts from Taipei wealth management company, Ryland Sandford Consultants have recently commented on Tencent Holdings Ltd, the Chinese multinational tech company who has seen a recent rally in its share price. Tencent Holdings Ltd has recently seen a spike within its share price gaining over 27% since an October low. Analysts at Ryland Sandford Consultants have said that it equates to around $108 billion U.S. Dollars adding to its total market capitalization. The companys share price reached over HK$400 Hong Kong Dollars on Monday, which was the first time since 2018. Tencent has become one of Asias most prominent investment companies, with over 50 analysts who are tracked by Bloombergs online platform, it showed that they were all bullish without a single short recommendation. We see a significant rally in Tencent due to its revised earnings outlook, which are showing some influential key numbers, with its existing businesses outperforming and new businesses hitting the ground running, commented David Williamson, Director of Institutional Trading at Ryland Sandford Consultants. Ryland Sandford Consultants had noted that the companys revenue from its PUBG mobile was the highest recorded worldwide, additionally it had most downloads globally in 2019. The companys recent hit title Call of Duty broke into the top ten for 2019. Tencent Holdings Ltd rallied over 1.6% on Tuesday with block trades totalling over one million shares. Most analysts view this as shareholders profit-taking; however, shares remain overbought toward levels not seen since 2017, added Mr. Tony Wallace, Director of Private Clients at Ryland Sandford Consultants. Tencent Holdings Ltd remains bullish to investors with a series of further new initiatives such as a new way to monetize WeChat, the companys most popular social networking application. About Ryland Sandford Consultants At Ryland Sandford Consultants, we safeguard the future for individuals, families and entrepreneurs by offering well-researched, intelligent investment and financial planning solutions in both advanced and emerging markets. Our boutique practice boasts a diverse team of investment professionals with a broad range of expertise that spans capital markets, wealth management, fund management and securities trading. All possess a deep and intimate understanding of the nuances that characterize the global financial markets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005 The French Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain recently organised a special ceremony to honour the sixth batch of graduates from of the French Arabian Business School (Fabs) in the Arabian Gulf University (AGU). In the ceremony, graduation certificates issued by ESSEC Business School in France were handed over to the graduates of the Master in Business Administration programme in fabs. Attending the ceremony were the French Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Ms. Cecile Longe, AGU President Dr. Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al Ohaly, Cultural Attache at the French Embassy in Bahrain Mr. Emmanuel Mayer, AGU Deputy President Khalid Saeed Tabbara, ESSEC Business School Dean Prof. Thomas Jeanjean, Fabs Director Dr Arnaud Lacheret and Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) Acting CEO Mr. Ali Al Baqali, in addition to representatives of Saudi Aramco, Al Kifah Holding, Sadara Chemical Company, Midal Cables Bahrain and Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company (Garmco). HE the Ambassador welcomed in his speech the strategic partnership and academic cooperation between AGU and ESSEC Business School, which is one of the leading international universities in the field of business management. He also underlined the success of this fruitful partnership between both institutions, at the same time she praised the increasing number of students from the different states of the GCC region enrolling in the joint programme offered by Fabs and ESSEC. HE Mr. Longe also appreciated in his address the trust of establishments of the public and private sectors in GCC states, supporting its employees by enrolling them into the programme. He valued the proactive participation of Alba by enrolling its employees in Fabs Master of Business Administration programme. On his part, Dr Al Ohaly expressed thanks and appreciation to the French Embassy in the Kingdom for receiving and honouring 23 graduates of the programme. He commented: The graduates now have remarkable scientific and academic strength that has been built up through hard work and diligence for many years. Much of this strength comes from the support offered by the respected French Government, which is an integral component of the success of the MBA programme. We look forward for more productive partnerships with French educational establishments, with the support of the French Government. As for Mr. Jeanjean, he mentioned during his speech that the levels of students is fully in line with the standards required by ESSEC, and expressed real satisfaction by acknowledging the diversity of the backgrounds of students, who come from different sectors and different countries. Mr. Al Baqali underscored the positive impact the programme has on developing employees administrative and leadership skills. He also praised the constructive role played by Fabs in developing employees knowledge and skills. Since its establishment in 2007, Fabs has continued to promote human resource skills and develop education, research and expertise in the various areas of management, business administration and finance, which are of particular relevance to the GCC region. CIS Training Prepares Graduates for Lucrative, Exciting Careers Computer Information Systems (CIS) is a growing Information Technology (IT) discipline with many entry-level jobs for graduates. The field also has an excellent long-term outlook. For example, the demand for Computer and Information Systems Managers is likely to grow 12 percent between 2016-2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Thats a faster growth rate than the average for all occupations. So, a CIS degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College can offer a high-earning, satisfying long-term career. Kalamazoo Valley has been preparing students for careers in CIS for decades and more exciting courses will soon be offered. Beginning in 2020, Kalamazoo Valley will offer a new Python Programming course and Programming logic course that will meet on Saturdays. In the fall 2020 a new Web Application programming course and Certified Ethical Hacker course will be added. Kalamazoo Valleys CIS graduates are employed in excellent paying careers at Bronson Healthcare, KalamazooRESA, Van Buren County IT Services, and at other area businesses. CIS instructor Christine Gearig explained that computer technology is a vast field with many disciplines and sub-disciplines. Students often struggle to understand what a Computer Information Systems degree means for them, Gearig said. Its easy to confuse Computer Science and Computer Information Systems degrees. Gearig explained that a Computer Science (CS) degree is intended for students who want to pursue hard core computer programming. Students learn to build software. The emphasis is on math and problem-solving for software creation, Gearig said. However, in real-world environments, most companies dont develop their software. They purchase ready-made applications from vendors and then customize them for their business requirements. The business of choosing the right software and customization requires less computer programming skills and more understanding of business needs. Computer Information Systems curriculums are designed to teach students how to use the right technology effectively for businesses. Computer Information Systems majors learn about topics like system analysis, information architecture, information organization and management, and business consulting. CIS professionals help businesses choose the right technology. Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduate Jennifer Lim needed a career change. After more than eight years of raising her children and earning a degree in Spanish and international business, Lim wanted to do something different. Lim said she loved solving puzzles, and putting broken things back together. So, she decided a career in computers and information sciences might be a great fit. After a year of training, testing and course work at Kalamazoo Valley, Lim said, she was quickly hired as a technology site coordinator, helping multiple schools throughout southwest Michigan keep their technology and computer systems up and running. "I couldn't do my job without that training," Lim said. "The program really sets up for a global certification. So anyone can get that certification, and then you can use it anywhere in the world. It's the same one the U.S. government uses for all of their training. So, I like to tell all the students that I've spoken with, if you get the certification - as long as you get a visa - you can work anywhere in the world the government will let you. For More Information Linda Depta, Director of Marketing and Director of the KVCC Foundation and Director of Development ldepta@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4821 Our institutions are venerable, I think thats the right word, because they are revered over many, many years by a succession of alumni who come to love our universities and what they provide, Simmons testified during a recent federal trial that scrutinized Harvard admissions. It is entirely appropriate for them to believe that it would be wonderful if their children could also enjoy the same benefits that they enjoyed as students. Appointment 14 January 2020 He was previously the hotel's resident manager, a post he has been in since 2010. Drummond first joined InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong in 2004 as executive chef and was promoted to director of F&B in 2006. The Scot's hospitality experience spans 20 years across three continents - Asia, Australia and the Middle East. During this career, Drummond has been the executive chef and developed F&B concepts for hotels such as Shangri-La Taipei, Hayman Island Resort Australia, and InterContinental Bahrain. A whisky aficionado, Drummond is also the whisky ambassador of the hotel. He is the founder of the first-ever Hong Kong Whisky Festival, which is famed as the largest whisky event in Hong Kong. The event, celebrating its fifth edition, features over 1,100 different whisky expressions from around the globe, alongside an array of over 30 masterclasses. Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine Juris Poikans, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk, and Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki have visited the Joint Forces Operation area in Donbas. The delegation of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of Estonia, Latvia and Poland, as well as the military chaplains of Latvia, arrived in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. The purpose of the visit is to familiarize with the ongoing situation in eastern Ukraine and to provide humanitarian assistance, in particular, clothing and equipment for medical institutions. It is very important now to show the world the real situation in order to prove the aggression of the Russian Federation and our desire for peace, said Assistant Commander of the Joint Forces Dmytro Borodavko, the press service of the JFO Headquarters reports. Ukraine wants to restore peace within the framework of agreements in the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group, the Assistant Commander added. ol Catwoman reunites with an old flame (and meets a new mystery man) as Tini Howard takes over DC ongoing comic Catwoman returns to Gotham City, with a nod to Les Miserables A former Harvard law professor, has released more policy proposals than any other candidate, including an ultramillionaire tax on assets above $50 million. From the December debate: On Pete Buttigieg: Look, the mayor wants billionaires to pay one tuition for their own kids. I want a billionaire to pay enough to cover tuition for all of our kids. National polling average: 16% Warren 0% 30% He welcomed his second child and first with girlfriend Katie McCreath, 35, in November. And Jeremy McConnell, 30, has already set up an Instagram account for his two-month-old baby daughter Storm with lots of sweet snaps and updates about the youngster. The page, which is called Storm McConnell with heart emojis on it, has an adorable photo of Storm wrapped in a white towel as its profile picture. Sweet: Jeremy McConnell, 30, has already set up an Instagram account for his two-month-old baby daughter Storm with lots of sweet snaps and updates about the youngster While the bio reads: 'The sun always shines after the Storm, here is my page to brighten up your day. 'This page is run by storms mummy & daddy for her,' followed by heart emojis. The account, which was set up only three days ago, already has 34 photos of Storm with her parents all with a black-and-white filter. Newborn: He welcomed his second child and first with girlfriend Katie McCreath, 35, in November So cute: The page, which is called Storm McConnell with heart emojis on it, has an adorable photo of Storm wrapped in a white towel as its profile picture Storm's page also has several sweet quotes in pink, with one reading: 'You're my definition of perfect,' and another: 'I love you... more than you'll ever know.' Jeremy has already been promoting the account on his own Instagram by tagging the page in all his photos of Storm. While the Celebrity Big Brother star's girlfriend Katie shared a screenshot of Storm's account to her own grid, admitting they just 'couldn't resist' setting up a page. She penned: 'Just couldnt resist, so many pictures of her to share .... so we made her own page - lost of pictures and videos to go on her own dedicated page [heart emojis] @stormmcconnell7.' Proud parents: The Celebrity Big Brother star's girlfriend Katie shared a screenshot of Storm's account to her own grid, admitting they just 'couldn't resist' setting up a page Loved-up: The Irish model delightedly announced he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child together in July In addition to his child with his lawyer partner, 35, Jeremy also has a son from his previous relationship with Stephanie Davis, Caben Albi, three, who he admitted he doesn't have a relationship with. The dad told MailOnline in October: 'I'm not removing myself and forgetting about having a son. I'm a very loving father.' He also revealed that he's found it difficult to be accepted back into society after being imprisoned for five weeks in 2017. Smitten: Jeremy first met solicitor Katie in August 2017 when she represented the TV personality during his trial for assaulting former girlfriend Stephanie, 26, and the pair moved in together eight months later Jeremy explained: 'A lot of people say I don't care about my child because I'm moving on but what options was I left with? I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. 'People say to me "Why are you acting like you have just one child?" But there's a time and a place.' The Irish model delightedly announced he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child together in July. Jeremy first met solicitor Katie in August 2017 when she represented the TV personality during his trial for assaulting former girlfriend Stephanie, 26, and the pair moved in together eight months later. WASHINGTON - The theory was born last Thursday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, where President Donald Trump stood before men in hard hats and orange construction vests for an environmental announcement and offered a fresh rationale for his controversial order to kill a top Iranian general. "They were looking to blow up our embassy," Trump said, referring to the heavily-secured Baghdad facility that had become a magnet for protesters. Later that night, at a raucous campaign rally in Ohio, Trump added to his story. The Iranians, he claimed, were not only planning to attack the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, but also an undisclosed number of embassies in other countries. And then Trump fleshed out his claim even further. "I can reveal I believe it probably would've been four embassies," he said in an interview Friday with Fox News Channel. Based on what is known so far, Trump's statement was at best an unfounded theory and at worst a falsehood. At each turn in the commander in chief's rapidly-evolving narrative of why he authorized the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iranian Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the machinery of government scrambled to adapt and respond. The result is a credibility crisis for an administration that has long struggled to communicate factual information to the public. At a perilous moment for the nation's security, with the United States at the brink of war with Iran, Trump is unable to rely on trustworthiness to justify his decision to take out Soleimani, both because of his lengthy record of exaggerations and lies and because of his ever-shifting rationales. In a rare public break with the president, Defense Secretary Mark Esper acknowledged Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he had not reviewed any such evidence of a plot to attack four U.S. embassies as Trump had suggested. Though he did not directly contradict Trump, Esper's assessment was at odds with that of the president. Inside the Pentagon and elsewhere in the government, there was skepticism about the president's claim, as well as about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement that the threat from Soleimani was "imminent" and that hundreds of American lives were at risk. One senior administration official said the remarks from both men were unnecessary distractions from what many officials believed was a defensible policy decision. Almost immediately, other U.S. officials said privately that Pompeo was overstating the intelligence, portraying it as specific enough to say when the strike was going to happen. U.S. officials, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence, have said that Trump administration officials believed that Soleimani intended to escalate hostilities toward U.S. interests in the Middle East, to include possible attacks on diplomatic and military facilities. This "stream" of intelligence, however, was not so specific that it let officials know when and where Soleimani intended to strike, officials said. Despite Trump's claim that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was one of four facilities under attack, some embassy officials there said they did not receive an alert commensurate to the threat Trump described, said people familiar with the situation, who were not authorized to comment publicly. When officials in Washington or in a diplomatic outpost receive specific credible information about threats to an embassy, warnings are typically sent to the U.S. personnel in the post to be vigilant and take precautions. "If they had knowledge of an imminent threat, then you would've expected them to notify people," said Ronald Neumann, the president of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a retired career Foreign Service officer. Following the killing of Soleimani and Iran's public vows to take vengeance, U.S. personnel in the region were on edge and asking questions to colleagues about information related to emerging threats. Some who never received any information about such specific threats were angered and confused when Trump later claimed that the Baghdad embassy would have been attacked, when they had received no such information, said the people familiar with the situation. Pompeo pushed back Monday against the charge that a notification was not sent, but he did not specify when or how it was transmitted. "They were not only notified but we took extensive action to do everything we could that they were safe and secure," Pompeo said on Fox News. A State Department spokesman said Washington sent out a "worldwide security warning to every embassy alerting them of potential escalation with Iran," but did not say when that alert was sent. The spokesman said that after the U.S. military killed two dozen members of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq and Syria on Dec. 29, "every" regional security officer "and embassy in the region knew of the potential escalation threat that could be imposed on them." But there is no indication that embassy employees were warned of a credible threat to the embassy, and the State Department did not respond to questions about whether the embassy in Baghdad took other measures that are typical when a specific threat is uncovered. With the question of imminence dogging the administration's public defense of the Soleimani strike, other senior administration officials have shifted to vouching for the quality of the intelligence itself, rather than what it said about timing or particular targets. None of them has backed up Trump's claim that four embassies were being targeted. Even if evidence of Trump's claim exists, there was no interagency process or decision made to release such information or for the president to say what he said, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss sensitive matters. Attorney General William Barr was the latest to weigh in on the intelligence Monday and portrayed it as alarming but also general in nature. "I'm not going to get into the specific intelligence. I believe there was intelligence of imminent attack," Barr said, noting that he was consulted before the strike. "But I do believe that this concept of imminence is something of a red herring. I think when you're dealing with a situation where you already have attacks underway, you have a campaign that involves repeated attacks on American targets, I don't think there's a requirement, frankly, for, you know, knowing the exact time and place of the next attack." Trump tweeted Monday that "the future attack" by Soleimani was imminent - "but it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" Esper and O'Brien have described the intelligence about Soleimani's plotting as "exquisite," a term of art that implies specific knowledge about Soleimani's intentions. The term exquisite is often used to describe satellites and other technical collection methods designed to intercept a target's communications or track his movements. Esper said this intelligence was only shared with a handful of lawmakers, known as the Gang of Eight, who are routinely privy to highly-classified and sensitive intelligence that is not shared with all members of Congress. O'Brien, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," also described the intelligence as "exquisite," but he broadened the aperture of the threat beyond embassies. "The intelligence showed that they were looking at U.S. facilities throughout the region, and that they wanted to inflict casualties on American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, as well as diplomats," he said. O'Brien spoke of the intelligence as a "stream" that had to be restricted to a small number of people. "I'd love to have the intelligence out there now," he said. ". . . But the president's interpretation of that intelligence is very consistent with it." Subtly, the national security adviser was acknowledging what other U.S. officials have privately said about Trump's statements: The president is giving his opinion about the intelligence, which doesn't necessarily match that of the intelligence community or individual analysts in the government. A former senior White House official offered another possibility: that one of Trump's advisers speculated about possible attacks on embassies in a briefing with the president. "I don't believe he would have simply, out of thin air, came up with that unless he was actually told something like that," said the former official. "I'm sure someone told him that that was a possibility, and that stuck in his head." Added John McLaughlin, a former acting CIA director, "It's not inconsistent with [Trump's] record of making something up when he doesn't have the specifics." Opinions aside, some lawmakers have said that what limited information the administration has shared has not made the case for a military strike. "There was no discussion in the Gang of Eight briefings that these are the four embassies that are being targeted, and we have exquisite intelligence that shows these are the specific targets," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said on "Face the Nation." Therefore, Schiff suggested, "when you hear the president out there on Fox, he is fudging the intelligence." Officials have also spent recent days trying to temper expectations now that Soliemani is dead. Killing the Iranian general, some said, may have disrupted his current plotting, but it didn't eliminate the threat. When CIA Director Gina Haspel was asked to weigh in on a potential strike on Soleimani, she did not expressly advocate for it. Rather, Haspel said the risk of not acting was greater than the risk of acting, officials familiar with her remarks have said. At the root of Trump's claim about four embassies is his obsession with avoiding a repeat of the 2011 attack on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, as he watched protesters swarm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad late last month. Trump asked about embassy security on several occasions, according to a senior administration official, and has been determined to make sure no embassy was compromised and has wanted the military to take out anyone who broached one. "This was the anti-Benghazi," Trump crowed before his rally crowd in Toledo last week. "We did it exactly the opposite of Benghazi, where they got there so late. All they saw when they got there days later were burning embers from days before. It's all they saw. We got there very early. We saw what was happening. I saw what was happening. I said what's that all about? And that was going to be another Benghazi had they broken through the final panels of glass." A man accused of trying to snatch a woman's handbag allegedly told police "her son stroked me", the High Court heard today. Prosecutors claimed Dylan Logan went to seize her belongings last week as she walked along a north Belfast street. The 23-year-old, of Tynan Drive in Newtownabbey, faces charges of attempted robbery and possessing a prohibited weapon - namely a Taser stun gun. Crown lawyer Breige Gilmore said an unknown man approached the victim at York Street on January 7. As they passed each other he pulled the woman's handbag, causing her to fall onto her knees. However, she managed to keep hold of it until a passing police patrol pursued the would-be robber, according to the prosecution. Ms Gilmore claimed the man discarded a Taser before officers caught up and identified him as Logan. "After he was arrested he stated 'Her son stroked me'," she added. Defence counsel Sean Mullan said his client has chronic drug problems. But Logan's bid to secure bail was put on hold until a separate case is dealt with. Adjourning the application, Lord Justice McCloskey said it would ensure no obstruction to those proceedings. A Marshall County man was arrested Monday on charges that included sexual abuse. Marshall County Sheriffs Deputies, U.S. Marshals and Huntsville Police K-9 units said they went to a house on Shirt Tail Bend Road after a grand jury indicted Edward Lewis Cox. As law enforcement approached, deputies said Cox fled into a wooded area behind the house. Officers and K-9 chased the suspect and Cox emerged from the woods and was taken into custody without incident. Cox, 31, was taken to Marshall County Jail on charges of burglary in the first degree, burglary in the second degree, sexual abuse in the first degree and resisting arrest. He is being held on $17,500 bond. Updated at 4:22 p.m. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Cox was accused for sexual contact with a minor. The sheriffs office later determined the victim is an adult. Bengaluru, Jan 14 : Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank Chairman K. Ramakrishna has blamed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the imbroglio and said he could return the depositors' money the next day the regulator withdrew the business restrictive order. "The RBI restricted the bank to allow only Rs 35,000 withdrawal. We are following the RBI rules. If tomorrow itself the RBI revokes restrictions, we are ready to return full deposits to customers," Ramakrishna told depositors with folded hands. Hundreds of Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank depositors on Tuesday showed up to withdraw the Rs 35,000 allowed by the RBI. Anxious depositors formed a serpentine queue in front of the bank. The RBI has asked the cooperative bank to disburse only Rs 35,000 after adjusting any liability the customers owed to the bank. "A sum not exceeding Rs 35,000 of the total balance in every savings or current account or any other deposit account by whatever name called may be allowed to be withdrawn by a depositor," said the bank sharing the RBI order though text message to customers. The RBI also ordered that whatever liability a depositor was having to the bank in any manner, either as a borrower or surety, that amount might be adjusted first to the relevant borrower accounts. The RBI instructions, issued by Chief General Manager Yogesh Dayal under sections 35 A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, said the cooperative bank should not, without prior approval of the RBI in writing, grant or renew loans and advances, make investment, borrow funds or accept fresh deposits from January 10, 2020. On Monday, amid dramatic scenes and pandemonium at the Sri Guru Narasimha Kalyanamandira auditorium in Basavanagudi, near Ramakrishna Muth on Bull Road, the bank's chairman claimed that the bank was not facing any cash crunch. "We gave only 54 per cent deposits as loans, balance 42 per cent deposits are in cash, which the bank can return as soon as the RBI revokes restrictions," said Ramakrishna addressing hundreds of worried customers. Bengaluru South Lok Sabha member Tejasvi Surya also assured depositors about the safety of their money. "I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank not to panic. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is apprised of the matter," tweeted Surya. He said Sitharaman is personally monitoring the crisis. "She has assured the government will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern," said Surya. The bank also publicised a letter from Surya, in which he said a group of depositors and bank authorities met him at 11.30 p.m. on Saturday. "Surya spoke to Sitharaman on Sunday and apprised her of the situation. The Finance Minister, after speaking with the RBI Governor and other authorities assured Surya that the government will do everything in its capacity to protect the depositors' interests and the bank's long-term interests," said the letter from Surya's office. According to the missive, Surya spoke to Sitharaman thrice on Monday who promised to safeguard the depositors, including senior citizens. After addressing the worried customers on Monday evening, the police saved Ramakrishna by locking him in a room as anxious depositors outside demanded return of money. Though he had to be protected, at one time during his explanation, many depositors clapped for a point he made in Kannada. The bank's website featured several pictures felicitating Ramakrishna, including a testimonial by former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachaliah. At the end of FY19, the bank had a paid-up capital of Rs 70 crore, total deposits of Rs 2,291 crore, loan and advances of Rs 1,687 crore, investments of Rs 593 crore and 0.5 per cent non-performing assets. Other financial details include total business value of Rs 3,979 crore, working capital of Rs 2,507 crore, gross income of Rs 261 crore, total expenditure of Rs 200 crore, gross profit of Rs 60 crore, provisions and reserves of Rs 5 crore, net profit of Rs 36 crore and a net worth of Rs 155 crore among others. The bank also showcased photographs of a few awards it won and talked about new launches such as mobile and internet banking, RTGS and NEFT transaction, availability of personalised branded chip-based debit card, text message alerts and multiple other schemes. The bank's head office is in Basavanagudi, and branches at Kanakapura Road, Poorna Prajna Layout, Kengeri, Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Vidyaranyapura, BTM Layout and Rajainagar in Bengaluru. Ramakrishna has convened another meeting with depositors at the National College ground on January 19. By PTI NEW DELHI: The ABVP on Monday accused the Left-leaning student organisations of being involved in the January 5 violence at the JNU campus and released eight videos in support of its claims, demanding a detailed investigation into the matter. In one of the eight videos of the violence, CPI leader D Raja's daughter Aparajitha is purportedly seen walking with a stick in her hand, ABVP state secretary Siddharth Yadav said. However, Annie Raja, a CPI leader and mother of Aparajitha, said the ABVP is "spreading lies" to divert the attention from the mass attack on JNU campus. Yadav said in the videos, Left-wing activists and students are purportedly seen wearing mufflers masking their faces, collecting sticks, rods and other material for the attack. He claimed that JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh and its former joint secretary Amutha Jayadeep were purportedly seen in the videos entering the Periyar hostel with sticks. "The Delhi Police has already shown the attackers were from the Left groups. We have exposed the Left-wingers, communists who pre-planned this attack. I want to name a prominent name here and that is CPI leader D Raja's daughter Aparajitha. In one video, we have found her with the attackers walking with a stick in her hand and after a few steps of her walk, the stick from her hand fell down," he alleged. At a press conference here, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that students from Left-leaning groups have been attacking others since October 28, 2019. Denying all the accusations, Annie Raja said, "If they have any proofs against anyone, they should submit it to the Delhi Police. They are spreading lies to divert the attention from the crimes of their (ABVP) mass attack on JNU campus. They still have not been able to collect any evidence against Kanhaiya Kumar?"We had a march at that time and we were walking. When the stones started being pelted, me and Aparajitha (Raja) saw that students were scared and started running. One of the students had picked up a stick in self-defence and I had snatched the stick from him and thrown it away," she added. The ABVP state secretary said Shubhkerti, Valentina and Shambhavi Jha were among the JNU students who were beaten up by the attackers in front of the Periyar hostel. He also named students who were allegedly involved in vandalising the server room at JNU. "The ABVP activists have been attacked in Periyar, Mahi Mandvi and Sabarmati hostels. They have had held teachers captive, forcefully made hostel warden resign, vandalised Swami Vivekanand's statue in the university, thrashed people and forcibly made students quit exams," Yadav claimed. "The issue is that these attackers want to disrupt all education activities in JNU for six months. When education activities will stop, their narrative that the youth has left colleges to protest on road, suffering with unemployment, and are suffering and being mistreated in this country will succeed. If students go to classrooms, how will they get support of crowd? They are even thrashing students who want to study and give exams," he added. Reacting to the allegations levelled by the ABVP, former JNUSU joint secretary Jayadeep said the RSS-affiliated student organisation is trying to build a narrative about it being a clash. "I cautioned them against countering force by force. The ABVP is trying to character assassinate somebody. They have no evidence that they were beaten up. What are they trying to prove by showing an eight-second video? The ABVP is trying to build a narrative about it being a clash and the January 5 incident was a one-sided attack by them," Jayadeep added. Talking about two ABVP members -- Vikas Patel and Yogendra Bhardwaj -- who have been named as suspects by the Delhi Police in the January 5 violence, Yadav said their involvement should be investigated. "We were the first ones to probe on that group before police. The Delhi Police has found one of them as a WhatsApp group admin and another in a picture with a stick. We want a detailed investigation of that photo. As far as the WhatsApp group is concerned, we ourselves want a proper investigation. We want to know when he left the group and who all participated and messaged in the group," he said. Countering the Left groups' claim that injured students couldn't have been attackers, the ABVP state secretary asked if Left-wing students were the only victims, how did 11 ABVP members land in trauma centre of AIIMS? ABVP leader Nidhi Tripathi said, "Today, JNU faces disgrace because of those who indulged in Naxalism on the campus. It faces disgrace because of those who shouted slogans in support of fragmenting the country at the Sabarmati dhaba on February 9, 2016. Students like us have to bow our heads in shame because of them. Women from different faiths wore Hijab to take part in a sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday against what they claimed was "singling out of Muslim women" by police during recent protests in the national capital. The demonstration -- 'Azad women for Azadi' saw women of different faiths coming together to express solidarity with the protesters. Iqra Raza, a Delhi University student, who organised the protest, said, "My cousin was singled out by police during a citizens' march held last week. A policeman punched her in the chest. We are protesting against the targeting of Muslim women by the forces. It constitutes a hate crime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aphria (NASDAQ:APHA) couldn't make it three in a row. The Canadian cannabis producer posted better-than-expected results in its previous two quarterly updates. But it was a different story when it announced fiscal 2020 second-quarter results before the market opened on Tuesday. Many investors focused on Aphria's revenue miss. The company reported net revenue of 120.6 million Canadian dollars, well below the CA$130.4 million analysts expected. However, there were at least five things in Aphria's Q2 update that were more important than the revenue miss. 1. No more "interim" CEO Irwin Simon has been Aphria's chairman of the board since December 2018. He has also served as the company's interim CEO since February 2019. Now, the "interim" label has been removed from Simon's title. Aphria announced that Simon is the company's permanent CEO. This comes as no big surprise: Aphria has turned things around significantly as Simon led the company in moving past allegations of overpaying for Latin American acquisitions in a transaction that benefited key insiders. 2. Germany continues to be Aphria's center of gravity Aphria's revenue fell in Q2 by 4% from the prior quarter. The company said that it was due to lower distribution revenue from CC Pharma, the German medical cannabis distributor that Aphria acquired early last year. Aphria stated that this lower distribution revenue was "associated with the change in the German government's medical reimbursement model and seasonality in CC Pharma." The key takeaway, though, is that Germany continues to be the new center of gravity for Aphria. CC Pharma distribution revenue in Q2 was CA$86.4 million -- nearly 72% of the company's total net revenue. As Germany goes, so goes Aphria, at least for now. 3. Supply couldn't keep up with demand There was an intriguing statement buried in Aphria's Q2 results press release: "Customer demand exceeded the Company's supply capabilities in the second quarter." In the previous quarter, some of Aphria's rivals experienced the opposite scenario with products being returned. Aphria said that the supply-demand imbalance was caused by the timing of receiving a license for its Aphria Diamond facility. As a result, the company had to buy wholesale cannabis products from other licensed producers to bolster its own capacity. While Aphria's margin was lower for the sales of these products, the company also sold fewer wholesale products to other companies, thereby achieving higher gross margins overall. 4. What's behind the swing to a loss Aphria posted a nice profit of CA$16.4 million, or CA$0.07 per share, in the first quarter. However, the company reported a net loss of CA$7.9 million, or CA$0.03 per share, in the second quarter. What happened? The lower revenue was one key factor. But Aphria also spent significantly more on share-based compensation (up CA$2.6 million from Q1) and selling, marketing, and promotion (up CA$4.4 million from Q1). Combined with smaller increases in other expenses, these were enough to swing Aphria to a loss after two quarters of profitability. The company did, however, post positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of CA$1.9 million. 5. Why 2020 guidance was lowered Probably the biggest story in Aphria's Q2 update was that the company lowered its full-year fiscal 2020 outlook. Aphria now projects net revenue will be between CA$575 million and CA$625 million with adjusted EBITDA between CA$35 million and CA$42 million. The company's previous guidance was for 2020 net revenue of between CA$650 million and CA$700 million with adjusted EBITDA between CA$88 million and CA$95 million. Aphria said the reasons for the lower guidance included a slower-than-expected rollout of new retail stores in Ontario, Alberta's temporary ban on vaping products, higher costs from buying from third parties due to the timing of receiving a license for its Aphria Diamond facility, and CC Pharma's slower growth stemming from Germany's medical reimbursement model changes. Looking ahead It's easy to miss the forest for the trees with any company's quarterly update. This wasn't a great quarter for Aphria, but it wasn't a horrible one either. And while Aphria's streak of beating investors' expectations came to an end, the company's growth prospects certainly haven't. All Canadian marijuana stocks, including Aphria, will benefit from the expansion of the retail infrastructure in Ontario. Sure, it's not coming as quickly as companies or investors would like, but it's coming. Aphria and its peers will also see higher revenue as the Cannabis 2.0 market for cannabis derivatives market takes off. Aphria's future could very well be better than its present. DES MOINES After spending the past nine years in leadership, including four as Speaker of the House, Linda Upmeyer thought stepping down might be bittersweet. Im like not feeling it, she said moments before the 2020 session of the Iowa Legislature got underway Monday. I thought I might feel regretful. Not yet. Upmeyer announced in September that she would step down as speaker and not seek a tenth term this year. She formally resigned Monday, making way for the election of New Hartford Republican Pat Grassley as speaker for the remainder of the session. She called her three sessions as speaker a tremendous honor and expressed pride in what the GOP-controlled House has accomplished. Upmeyer still has some ideas she would like to see become law and pledged her support to Grassley and new House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, her support. Ill try very hard not to give unwanted advice, but be available if they need anything, she said. If they ever need help counting 51, Im here. Although she has enjoyed her time as speaker, Upmeyer said she is looking forward to some relief from the time commitments it involved. It feels nice not to be figuring out how to schedule all the things that you need to be attending, she said. Now, in the morning, the first thing I'll do is decide where to have lunch. Always a conservative, Upmeyer plans to continue to use her Madam Speaker note cards because they are too expensive to throw away. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Insurance broker Brown & Brown announced the appointment of P. Barrett Brown as an executive vice president and president of the companys retail business. Most recently, Brown served as a senior vice president and a regional president in the retail segment. He joined the company in 2000 and has served in various roles, including executive vice president and leader of the Tampa, Florida office, leader and a producer in the Orange, California retail office, and a producer in the Phoenix, Arizona retail office. He has also overseen aspects of the companys training program offering technical and sales courses for new producers, office leaders and other groups within the organization. Attorney General William Barr has called on Apple to help unlock two iPhones used by a Saudi military trainee who opened-fire at a U.S. naval base last month, killing three and injuring eight others. Barr made the request during a press conference on Monday while announcing the findings of the criminal investigation into the Dec. 6 shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. We have asked Apple for their help in unlocking the shooters iPhones. So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance, Barr said. This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that investigators be able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause. We call on Apple and other technology companies to help us find a solution so that we can better protect the lives of Americans and prevent future attacks, he added. The shooter, Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, open-fired at the naval base in an attack that lasted for about 15 minutes before he was fatally shot by police during a gunfight. Alshamrani was a flight student at Pensacola, where members of foreign militaries are routinely trained by the United States. During the exchange of fire, Alshamrani disengaged long enough to place one of the phones on the floor and shoot a single round into the device, Barr said. He added that the other phone was also damaged. Barr said experts at the FBI crime lab were able to fix both of the damaged phones so they are operational but have not been able to unlock the password-protected and encrypted phones. The attorney general says it is important to obtain access to the phones in order to find out with whom the shooter was communicating and the content of his conversations prior to the attack. Federal officials are calling the Dec. 6 shooting an act of terrorism. They say investigators found evidence that Alshamrani was motivated by jihadist ideology, including a social media message posted on Sept. 11 last year, stating, The countdown has begun, and other anti-American, anti-Israel, and jihadi messages on social media, as recent as two hours before his attack. Alshamrani also visited the 911 Memorial in New York City during the Thanksgiving weekend. Investigators say they are still continuing their probe and are looking for evidence of co-conspirators in the attack. Justice Department officials said Apple has provided timely and substantial assistance to other parts of the criminal investigation such as responding to warrants issued to iCloud accounts. However, they added that Apple has not indicated they are willing to assist the FBI in gaining access to the phones after the bureau asked the company for help. Last week, FBI general counsel Dana Boente sent a letter to Apple asking the company to assist with unlocking the phones. Boente told the company that the investigation was a high-priority national security matter, reported the Associated Press. Apple did not immediately respond to our request to comment, but in a statement to the news wire last week, Apple said, We have the greatest respect for law enforcement and have always worked cooperatively to help in their investigations. When the FBI requested information from us relating to this case a month ago we gave them all of the data in our possession and we will continue to support them with the data we have available. This case is the latest standoff between the government and big tech on the extent companies have to comply with government requests to assist with unlocking encrypted devices or social media accounts in investigations. In 2015, the Justice Department sued Apple after it resisted government efforts to gain access to an iPhone belonging to the shooter in San Bernardino, California, who killed 14 people in a terrorist attack. The FBI put a hold on the court order after it found another way to get into the phone. From The Epoch Times Curious just how far your dollar goes in San Antonio? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to locating affordable apartments in San Antonio if you've got up to $900/month earmarked for your rent. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 7035 Pickwell Drive (Highland Hills) Listed at $801/month, this 517-square-foot studio apartment is located at 7035 Pickwell Drive. In the unit, you can expect carpeted floors and a dishwasher. Building amenities include a swimming pool and garage parking. Pet owners, take heed: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area requires a car for most errands, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 11300 Expo Blvd. (Vance Jackson) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 11300 Expo Blvd. It's also listed for $801/month for its 667 square feet. Building amenities include a gym and garage parking. The unit also has a walk-in closet and a dishwasher. Pet lovers are in luck: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 1300 Patricia Drive Here's a 717-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1300 Patricia Drive that's going for $804/month. In the apartment, the listing promises a dishwasher and a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting. Pet owners, take heed: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is moderately walkable, is very bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 4634 N. Loop 1604 West Finally, check out this 601-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's located at 4634 N. Loop 1604 W. It's also listed for $804/month. The building has garage parking. In the apartment, you can expect a walk-in closet and a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting. Pet lovers are in luck: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Walk Score indicates that this location requires a car for most errands, is somewhat bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in San Antonio. This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, if youre an agent or a broker, read on for real estate marketing ideas to promote your local listing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. HomeServe Japan Corporation ("HomeServe Japan"), a joint venture between HomeServe plc and Mitsubishi Corporation, has signed its first utility partnership with Chugoku Electric and began test marketing with homeowners today. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005349/en/ HomeServe plc: First Utility Partnership in Japan (Photo: Business Wire) Two products are being marketed to Japanese homeowners combined electrical wiring and air-conditioning cover; and comprehensive plumbing cover. As in HomeServe's other geographies, these products are designed to meet the needs of homeowners who wish to avoid the unplanned cost and inconvenience of an unexpected home repair. The business model being deployed is similar to HomeServe's successful Membership model in the UK, France, Spain and North America. In return for signing up to an exclusive, long term affinity partnership with HomeServe Japan, Chugoku Electric earns a commission on every sale and renewal. HomeServe Japan is responsible for marketing and service to homeowners, and has partnered with local providers to fulfil the service. Products are fully underwritten by a local insurance provider. H Stephen Phillips, Global CEO of International Business Development, said: "We are delighted with the reception our service proposition has received from Japanese utilities. The newly de-regulated gas and electricity sector is looking for new ways to deliver value to its customers, and HomeServe has a tried and tested model to help them do so. Chugoku Electric is a significant player in the sector, serving 2.9 million households in Western Japan, and is one of the principal electricity suppliers to Japan's 53 million households. "The fact that we have started marketing in Japan after less than a year is testament to the strength of the joint venture between HomeServe and Mitsubishi Corporation. Mitsubishi Corporation's strong commercial relationships with the Japanese utility sector have accelerated our progress, and the combined team is looking forward to delivering an exemplary new service to the Japanese market." About HomeServe HomeServe is an international home repairs and improvements business which provides people with access to tradespeople and technology to make home repairs and improvements easy. HomeServe is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a market capitalisation of 4.3 billion. ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005349/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries: Tulchan Group Martin Robinson Lisa Jarrett-Kerr homeserve@tulchangroup.com +44 207 353 4200 HomeServe Investor Relations Miriam McKay Group Communications and IR Director miriam.mckay@homeserve.com +44 7795 062564 Guwahati: In what is said to be BJPs stand on CAA, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswas Sarma said it neither violates nor dilutes the Assam Accord, but is aimed at resolving one of the many unresolved issues which were not addressed when it was signed. Sarma also claimed that if the previous census data is any indicator, the Hindu Bengali population was not a threat to the Assamese language. Speaking on behalf of the ruling party in the Assembly, Sarma said that there were many wrong notions regarding 1971 as the cut-off date while in reality, Clause 5 of the Assam Accord mentions that all persons who came to Assam prior to January 1, 1966, including those amongst them whose name appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections, shall be regularised and that for purposes of detection and deletion of foreigners, January 1, 1966 shall be the base date and year. Stating that the Assam Accord was not an all-encompassing document, and even the NRC update was not part of the Assam Accord, Sarma said, The idea of updating the NRC evolved as a concept post-Assam Accord. It was one of the unresolved issues of the Assam Accord. He said the accord was silent on issues like status of children of the post-1971 illegal immigrants. Similarly, the Accord spoke about giving considerations to the difficulties regarding the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act, 1983, not about repealing or scrapping of that legislation, he said. He said the Assam Accord failed to resolve the issue of differentiating between economic migrants and those who have entered the country on account of religious persecution. NEW YORK (AP) Abby Huntsman, a panelist on ABC's daytime talk show The View, said Monday she's leaving to help run her father's campaign for governor of Utah and spend more time with her family. Huntsman joined the show in September 2018 and her departure will leave Meghan McCain as the show's only real conservative voice. While The View features celebrity guests, it is becoming best known for its fiery political talk and is an important stop for presidential candidates looking to reach an audience dominated by women. Jon Huntsman announced in November that he would be seeking a third term as Utah governor, although he hasn't done that job for a decade. He's spent time as U.S. ambassador to Russia in the interim. He asked his daughter to be a senior adviser to the campaign. I told my dad, if The View taught me anything, it taught me how to fight, Huntsman said. Her last day will be Friday. Father Brian D'Arcy is made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Fr Brian DArcy was awarded an OBE on Tuesday by Prince William in a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The priest was joined by two of his sisters and a brother in law at the private ceremony in London. An OBE is the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award. It acknowledges contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations and public service. The priest was recognised for his services to cross-community relations in Northern Ireland. He said that Prince William spoke to each recipient of the award for about two minutes about their work without notes to hand. He chatted about my work and he was anxious to know if the situation in Northern Ireland was changing and he had hope for the future, Fr DArcy said. He was very nice and in good form, with all the difficulties going on. The ceremony had a good-feel factor and it wasnt political, it was about recognising the good work of the recipients, all of which I felt were far more worthy than me to receive the OBE, he added. He said that he received a tour of the palace afterwards. The ceremony was about an hour and a half and there was a reception afterwards. We were shown around the palace and it was great to see it, its not something that youll see very often. I was very honoured to receive the award and it was a very pleasant, warm day. It was about all of the good work and the good deeds of others and not about politics, but about recognising the good work and the progression of the community, he added. Fr DArcy, who lives in Fermanagh and will soon be serving as a priest for half a century, added that he was going to celebrate with a fish and chip dinner this evening in London. Im off for a meal with my family now, fish and chips will do me and if the craic is good, there might even be a small steak, he laughed. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a colourable legislation, the Kerala government said in a petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the amended law. Kerala has now become the first state to move the top court in the backdrop of nationwide protests against the religion-based CAA. The court is already seized of the matter with more than 60 petitions challenging the law. A hearing on the matter is scheduled on January 22. "...in as much as there is a constitutional prohibition to make the said legislation in violation of the secular nature of the Constitution; but despite the same, the Legislature has enacted it. The same is the case with the Impugned Passport Rules and the Impugned Foreign Order Amendments," said the petition. The Left-led Kerala government in the petition termed the new law violative of several Articles in the Constitution, which include the Right to Equality, and cited that this law is against the basic principles of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. The state government in its petition said the grouping of three countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, is not founded on any rational principle justifying separate special treatment for the irrationally chosen class of religious minorities facing persecution on the basis of religion there. The Kerala government urged the apex court to pass a judgement declaring the law to be ultra vires the Constitution and void. The state government has also challenged the validity of changes made in 2015 to the Passport law and the Foreigners (Amendment) Order. The state government said the CAA violates the Constitutional provisions and strikes at the root of India's secular and democratic principles. These apart, the recent resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly against the CAA was also attached to the petition. Meanwhile, a plea has also been filed in the SC seeking directions to declare the CAA constitutional and also the Election Commission to identify and take stern action against the political parties spreading false rumours in the country. The PIL, filed by Mumbai-based Puneet Kaur Dhanda through lawyer Vineet Dhanda, is the first in the apex court supporting the Centre's legislation and sought a direction to declare the CAA as "constitutional" saying that this law should be implemented by the states aggressively. The law provides citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who had come into the country from three countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - on or before December 31, 2014. On December 18, a bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant refused to grant a stay on the implementation of the law and listed the matter for further hearing in January. The court issued notice to the Centre. All the matters will be heard together by the apex court on January 22. The state government urged the apex court to pass a judgment and decree declaring that the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (Act 47 of 2019) is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution as well as violative of the basic structure, principle of secularism enshrined therein. Over the past few years, one of the premier universities in India, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has been called a hotbed of anti-nationals by the members of the right-wing ruling party. The university has been continuously attacked for its vocal stance on the activities of the ruling disposition. For the past one month, the university has become a hotbed for protests after a fee hike proposal with the students demanding a rollback. Just a few days ago, the students were viciously attacked by masked goons armed with rods and lathis who entered the university campus and launched an attack, severely injuring many. However, moving aside from protests, in the recently declared results for the UPSC Indian Economic Services or IES examinations 2019, 18 out of 32 candidates are JNU alumni. ANI Yashaswini Saraswat, is among the top 10 and has scored 8th rank in the examination. Restoring the belief in the academic quality and excellence of the varsity, the topper, Yashaswini Saraswat met the Vice Chancellor, M Jagadesh Kumar at his office yesterday. "We are all very happy. 18 JNU students cleared the exam this year. I feel fortunate and proud to have been a part of JNU and achieved this, Saraswat spoke on the success of JNU students. Commenting the recent incidents, Saraswat said, It hurts when something bad is said about JNU but we should take it as a challenge to show that there's a good side to it too." JNU has been marred in controversies due to ongoing month-long protests between the students and university administration. Delhi Police is probing the attack on the university. In the wake of the recent events, JNUTA (Teachers Association) and students both have boycotted the classes of the winter session that resumes yesterday. WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from Texas will have an opportunity this week to talk with three NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website. NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Jessica Meir and Drew Morgan will answer questions from students from Fort Worth Academy at 10:25 a.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 16. The downlink will be the highlight of the school's space week, where students engage in interactive learning experiences focusing on the International Space Station. The event will be held at Fort Worth Academy, 7301 Dutch Branch Road, Fort Worth. Media interested in covering the event should contact Laura Rivera at [email protected] or 817-370-1191. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. For almost 20 years, astronauts have continuously lived and work on the space station, testing technologies, performing science and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through NASA's Artemis program, the agency will send the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers the Artemis Generation ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery. Follow America's Moon to Mars exploration at: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars Follow NASA astronauts on social media at: https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) manifesto for the 2020 Assembly elections, likely to be released by weekend and focus on water, pollution and traffic management, is being eagerly awaited. The AAP, which claims to have fulfilled all the promises made in the 70-point manifesto of 2015, has set up a three-member drafting committee, comprising Lok Sabha candidate Atishi as the chairperson and Ajoy Kumar and Jasmine Shah as members. According to a party leader, the manifesto will focus on the issues related to the common man. "To tell you in one line, the manifesto will list the works we are planning to do in the next five years," the party leader said. The manifesto drafting committee has compiled the suggestions gathered at the townhall meetings, organised by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, door-to-door campaigns and public interactions. Among the top suggestions, the leader said, was a demand for improvement in the city's cleanliness, which is otherwise the municipal corporation's job. "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been heading the the municipal corporations for the last 15 years. But people are unhappy with the waste management and are demanding that we take some steps." Similarly, the party has also received several requests for better traffic management. "Although the two are not under the city government, we are exploring what can be done about them," the AAP leader said. Air and water pollution were the two other major issues we would be addressing in the next five years, the AAP leader said and added, the party was focusing on as many issues of the common man as it possible. The piped water is also likely to figure in the manifesto. "Although we have increased the supply of piped water, it's yet to be 100 per cent and that will be our aim," the leader said. The Chief Minister has already announced that the AAP, if re-elected, would make bus rides free for students. The AAP is also expected to continue with old schemes. "People will get free water up to 20,000 litres and free electricity up to 200 units. The public buses will also continue to be free for women." While Oxford-educated Atishi has played an important role in the education sector reforms, Ajoy Kumar is a former Lok Sabha members and IPS officer. Jasmine Shah, an alumnus of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and also a Nehru Fulbright Scholar, has a decade of experience of working on urban governance and policy issues. Both Atishi and Shah have been advising the Delhi government and the party expects to get their "expert opinion". The 70-member Delhi Assembly will go to polls on February 8 and results will be out on February 11. In 2015, the AAP created a record by winning 67 of the 70 seats. Out of all decisions Queen Elizabeth II made over the past decades, only one wrong move stood out after it made Her Majesty struggle. Within the 67 years of ruling the British monarchy, the current longest-reigning monarch also faced downs, too, which overshadowed everything she did well at. From formerly being known as the "cold Queen" for keeping her distance from the public to almost getting shot by the royal guards after failing to ring them about his "midnight walk," Queen Elizabeth II surely got over those things already. However, there is one thing she will always feel regret about. Queen Elizabeth II's Biggest Mistake In July 2017, Her Royal Highness allowed Charles, Prince of Wales and Andrew, Duke of York to remove her most trusted aide, Sir Christopher Geidt -- or Lord Geidt as what the royals called him before. Lord Geidt, before leaving the palace, worked as Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary for 10 years and deputy private secretary prior to that. Most royal watchers thought that he deserved the position since he was known to be that staff who made the royal family members listen to him. "While we never comment on the confidential employment details of individuals, it was previously announced in July that Sir Christopher Geidt is stepping down after 10 years as private secretary," the Royal Household said in a statement back then. What the media called a "power struggle" came when Lord Geidt raised his concerns after Prince Charles unrolled his plans to gain a greater role before he becomes a King. The Duke of York helped the heir-to-the-throne kick the Private Secretary out of the palace since "he shared a great dislike to him as much as Prince Charles did." What made Prince Andrew shower him more with anger was the fact that Lord Geidt caused him to be removed from the U.K.'s trade envoy in 2011. The decision came after the royal family discovered his friendship with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein for the first time. Moreover, the private secretary also reportedly got "too much controlling" of Prince Andrew's expenditure. What Happened After Lord Geidt's Departure Royal watchers cannot do anything but wonder how much regret Queen Elizabeth II must felt for not doing a step in preventing her secretary from walking out of the office. Since his exit, The Queen reportedly appeared weaker that she can no longer be firm enough to control her family. The recent events proved that the 93-year-old monarch lacks something. From Prince Philip's accident to royal rifts, the Queen surely had enough headaches from the past year. Unfortunately for her, it does not stop there. Recently, the members of the royal family -- particularly Princess Anne and Prince Edward -- voiced their concerns to the top advisor who replaced Lord Geidt, Edward Young. A source from the Royal Household told The Times, "All the guns are blazing at Edward Young. He has not geared up the system to protect the monarch. Very senior members of the royal family think he should go." The choice of Young as a replacement has came back to bite the Queen. Now, the Royal family members cannot do anything but to think of the "what ifs." Dramatic police bodycam footage shows the moment a drugs gang were arrested at gunpoint after a man was stabbed to death in a county lines turf war revenge attack. Heavily armed officers are filmed drawing their weapons on three men and a teenager inside a BMW after Wesley Adyinka was knifed through the heart in Maidstone, Kent. The footage shows Kevin Roach, 40, Rodney Harris, 38, Julian Grant, 28, and 18-year-old Alfie Caparn with their hands in the air as police aimed their guns at the car when it was pulled over in Bromley, south east London. Roach was jailed for life for a minimum of 27 years for murdering Mr Adyinka, 37, in February last year, but refused to leave his cell to face sentencing. Heavily armed officers were filmed drawing their weapons on three men and a teenager inside a BMW after Wesley Adyinka, pictured with girlfriend Amanda Francis, was knifed through the heart in Maidstone, Kent It emerged he had threatened to kill fellow gang member Grant in the court cells, telling him: 'I am going to kill you in prison on CCTV and then write: 'Guilty' on the walls in your blood.' Harris, Grant, and Alife were all convicted of Adyinka's manslaughter. Harris was jailed for 18 years, Grant for 20 years and Caparn, who sobbed in the dock when the verdicts were announced, was also locked up for 18 years. The fatal stabbing of Mr Adyinka was carried out as part of a 'takeover bid' after masked members of one drugs network operating in Maidstone, Kent, robbed street runner or 'shotter' Caparn, then aged 17, while armed with machetes. The financial rewards of supplying the market with crack cocaine and heroin was said to be as much as 2,000 a day. Heavily armed officers are filmed drawing their weapons on three men and a teenager inside a BMW after Wesley Adyinka was knifed through the heart in Maidstone, Kent The clip shows the police following the BMW before they were arrested in Bromley, south east London Those from the Micky Line network believed Mr Adyinka and his girlfriend Amanda Francis, 29, had been involved in setting up the robbery by those running the Benny Banks Line and so headed down from their 'territory' in London seeking 'cruel and deliberate' retribution. Mr Adyinka was knifed to his chest as he lay on the ground outside his home in the town centre shortly after midnight on February 10 last year. Ms Francis, known as Pepa, was also stabbed in the leg as she bravely tried to fight off his attackers, Maidstone Crown Court heard. The pair had been lured back from a shop to their block of flats in Knightrider Street by Grant. The footage shows Kevin Roach, 40, Rodney Harris, 38, Julian Grant, 28, and 18-year-old Alfie Caparn inside the vehicle as it is pulled over In an 11-minute phone call and calling himself 'Uncle', he boasted to Ms Francis of having 'taken over Maidstone' and 'everyone had to do what he said'. During that call Mr Adyinka and his girlfriend were approached by Roach and Caparn, with Grant then giving the order to attack. He later gave a startling insight into his attitude to dealing drugs and to his customers when he told the jury it was their choice, adding 'I don't see the point in killing them. They are killing themselves'. All four defendants, described by the prosecution as having 'supreme arrogance and belief in their own power', had denied both murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter in respect of Mr Adyinka. Roach, of South Croydon was also unanimously convicted of wounding Ms Francis and possessing an offensive weapon. Kevin Roach (left) was jailed for life for a minimum of 27 years for murdering Mr Adyinka. Rodney Harris (right) convicted of manslaughter, was jailed for 18 years Harris, of Croydon, and Grant, of Mitcham, Surrey, were found guilty by a majority verdict of 11-1 of the same wounding offence. Caparn, from Streatham, south London, and who sobbed in the dock as the verdicts were announced, was cleared of both wounding Ms Francis with intent and the alternative, less serious charge of wounding. The jury of eight men and four women deliberated for just under 13 hours. Roach refused to leave his court cell to hear the verdicts and to be sentenced, despite Judge Adele Williams ordering him to do so. 'It is terribly important he is sentenced in public so that everyone can see justice is being done,' she had told the court. Jailing the defendants, with the three in the dock wearing handcuffs, she said: 'All four of you travelled from south London to Maidstone with a plan. Julian Grant (left) was jailed for 20 years and Alfie Caparn (right) who sobbed in the dock when the verdicts were announced, was also locked up for 18 years 'That plan had two purposes. The first was to exact revenge on those you considered responsible for the robbery on Alfie Caparn, and the second purpose was to establish control over the drugs supply in Maidstone and over drug users.' Describing Roach as a ruthless, violent criminal with no conscience, she added he had 'executed the plan without mercy' and while 'eaten up with anger over the loss of his drugs'. 'You were absolutely determined to teach those responsible for the robbery a lesson, a lesson they would never forget,' said Judge Williams. Grant was said to have played a leading role, having also 'groomed and exploited' Caparn, and believed in his own 'invincibility'. Harris, who was not a drug dealer, had been recruited to act as their getaway driver but 'knew exactly what the trip involved', said the judge. She added that Caparn's direct participation in the fatal attack 'outweighed' the sentencing discount the court was expected to give in light of his age and immaturity. 'You had been a naive and somewhat vulnerable young man but you were groomed by Grant and Roach and became corrupted by them until you were willingly involving yourself in the drugs supply,' Judge Williams told the teenager. 'You were so anxious to please them that you participated in the attack.' She also told Roach that he would have to serve the minimum term before applying for parole but may never be released. At the start of their trial in November, prosecutor Richard Barraclough QC said those responsible for attacking Mr Adyinka had wanted to warn any rivals that they were 'not to be messed with'. CCTV footage shows the four men entering a flat on the night Mr Adyinka was murdered 'This is all to do with drug dealing, the expansion of drug-dealing territories and the desire for power and control in Maidstone by London drug dealers,' Mr Barraclough told the jury. 'The gang believed that Mr Adyinka had been involved in setting up the robbery. By acting as they did, the message would go out that they were not to be messed with and that they were taking over Maidstone.' Mr Adyinka and Ms Francis were attacked outside their flat in Chaucer House - a converted building once home to the probation service. He and Ms Francis, themselves recovering addicts, were living in temporary accommodation at the time and due to move into a permanent flat the next day. The couple and Caparn had been in the home of another resident, an addict, two nights earlier when the teenager was robbed of cash, drugs worth 2,000 and 'customer' details and had his cheek slashed. The court was told Mr Adyinka was stabbed 'on instruction' from Grant and after Caparn, just inches away, had stopped him from fleeing. It was alleged the teen then tried to hold Ms Francis back as she intervened. Both the 'violent and gratuitous' attacks were captured on CCTV. Roach and Caparn fled as soon as Ms Francis had also been knifed. Although only Roach wielded the knife, the prosecutor said his three co-defendants were 'part and parcel' of the fatal attack by 'arranging, organising and enticing' before heading back together to London in a car driven by Harris. However, they were arrested en route by armed police. The court heard all four had shared an intention that night to cause 'at least really serious harm' to Mr Adyinka and Ms Francis. 'When Caparn and Roach got out of that car in the atmosphere of anger, all of them intended serious harm to the objects of their vengeful anger,' said Mr Barraclough. 'They did not just intend some minor violence which would make them guilty of manslaughter. They intended more. 'Just as the Benny Banks gang members had machetes, this gang, the Micky Line, was intent on establishing and maintaining control over the Maidstone drug market so that the message would be spelt out loud and clear that they were in charge. 'When Roach plunged that knife into Mr Adyinka's chest he can only have intended to kill him. 'The others played their part in planning, driving, by their presence supporting and encouraging, by luring the victims to the scene, preventing the victim's escape, remaining at the scene ready to drive the killers away, with the intention that the victim be at least seriously injured if not killed.' Grant admitted that he contemplated 'some violence' that night when he gave the order for Mr Adyinka to be assaulted. He had also been heard in the run-up to the brutal killing to say he was wearing his 'moody' trainers and was 'ready to get blood on them'. Mr Barraclough said Grant's remark about drug users 'killing themselves' demonstrated his 'devastating lack of compassion'. He added that his claim he only supplied cocaine to 'happy people at parties' was 'baloney'. 'The defendants are drug dealers or, in the case of Harris, closely associated with drug dealers,' the prosecutor told the court. 'They care not for their customers and consider themselves to be untouchable even when arrested by armed police. 'They possess a supreme arrogance and belief in their own power.' Roach, Harris and Grant all have criminal records for violence, with previous convictions for drug offences, assault, robbery, wounding with intent and affray between them. Ms Francis, who gave evidence during the trial, was said by Mr Barraclough to have tried to prevent the attack on her partner of 10 years 'like a lioness protecting her cub'. She cried as she recalled Mr Adyinka, who was knifed after falling over, telling her 'Pep, babe, quick call me an ambulance 'cos I've been stabbed in the heart'. An hysterical Ms Francis tried to stem the blood flow with his scarf and gave him CPR until paramedics arrived. The court heard however that Ms Francis had not seen the knife and thought the blow to her leg was a punch. 'Whether Wesley Adyinka and Amanda Francis played one drugs line off against another, whether or not they were involved in the robbery of Alfie Caparn, Amanda Francis was courageous beyond measure,' said the prosecutor. In her victim impact statement read out in court, Ms Francis said she and Mr Adyinka had been 'so excited at having a fresh start'. 'This sadness and loss has extended beyond me. It has hit his and my kids hard. I have had to find the strength to support them as well as myself after losing my partner and soul mate,' she wrote. Mr Adynika's mother, Adebola, described herself as 'broken in every sense of the word' in her statement. The nurse wrote: 'My son was victim to a terrible disease, the disease of addiction. No matter how he lived his life, he didn't deserve this. No one does. 'He was trying to turn his life around, to be a better man.' If you thought Coca Cola Vanilla was weird soft drink, the flavors developed by Shizuoka Prefecture-based company Kimura Beverage will probably blow your mind. When it comes to new and completely unexplored soft drink flavors, Kimura Beverage is considered somewhat of a pioneer in Japan. Remember, this is the same country where limited edition flavors for popular soft drinks like sakura Pepsi or Coca Cola Apple are pretty much the norm. What sets Kimura apart from any other drinks company is the originality of their flavors, which range from pickled plums to fish eggs and potato chips. Curry cola, melon bread cola, or even eel cola are just some of the crazy flavors Kimura launched on the market over years. And theres more to these treats than the name and fancy label, According to Nippon TV, the company spends up to a year developing a flavors. For example, for their latest creation a soft drink that reportedly tastes like spicy mentaiko (salted and spiced fish eggs) Kimura mixologists spent a year trying to get the flavor just right and eliminate the off-putting fish flavor. Kimura Beverage has a portfolio of more than 100 soft drinks, many of which consist of unusual flavors. The companys strategy is to produce as many flavors as possible, to appeal to a wider audience, and the weird flavors have their own part to play in this. Kimura says many of its unusual flavors are bought by tourists as souvenirs, and that the drinks are sometimes hits in regions where the recipes they are based on are popular. For example, the company chose to market its spicy mentaiko drink in Fukuoka, where the salted and spiced fish eggs are very popular. The popular soft drinks company also exports to 40 different countries, including the U.S. and Australia. Russian military intelligence agents reportedly hacked subsidiaries of Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian gas company at the center of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The successful hacking attempts against the company, where former vice president Joe Biden's son Hunter served on the board, reportedly began in early November. It was around the same time the US House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry sparked by allegations that Trump tried to coerce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating the Biden family's ties to Burisma, the New York Times reported Monday. Security experts told the Times it is not yet clear what the hackers found or what they were specifically searching for. However, they said the timing and scale of the attacks suggest that the Russians may have been digging for dirt on the Bidens. Russian military intelligence agents reportedly hacked subsidiaries of Burisima Holdings, the Ukrainian gas company at the center of impeachment proceedings against President Trump The successful hacking attempts against the company, where former vice president Joe Biden's son Hunter served on the board, reportedly began in early November as the US House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry over allegations that Trump tried to coerce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (above together) into investigating the Biden family's ties to Burisma, the New York Times reported Monday Former vice president Joe Biden's son Hunter (above together) served on the board of Burisma The hackers are believed to work for a military intelligence unit formerly known as the GRU and for private researchers under the alias 'Fancy Bear'. They allegedly used phishing emails designed to steal usernames and passwords, Silicon Valley security firm Area 1, which detected the hacking on December 31, told the Times. The hackers apparently spammed Burisma employees with the emails designed to look like they were coming from the company and set up fake websites that mimicked sign-in pages for Burisma subsidiaries. Area 1 - which uses a network of web sensors around the globe to detect phishing attacks - said some of the employees fell for the scheme and provided their login credentials, giving the hackers access to one of Burisma's servers. The firm discovered the GRU phishing campaign on Ukrainian companies on December 31 and later determined that the targets were all subsidiaries of Burisma. The targets included KUB-Gas, Aldea, Esko-Pivnich, Nadragas, Tehnocom-Service and Pari - as well as Kvartal 95, a Ukrainian television production company founded by Ukrainian President Zelensky. The attack on Kvartal 95 appeared to have been aimed at emails for the company's chief, Ivan Bakanov, whom Zelensky appointed as the head of Ukraine's Security Service last June. Area 1 co-founder Oren Falkowitz, who previously served at the National Security Agency, said the firm uncovered the attacks through a combination of internet service providers frequently used by GRU's hackers, rare web traffic patterns and techniques used in previous attacks. 'The Burisma hack is a cookie-cutter GRU campaign,' Falkowitz told the Times. 'Russian hackers, as sophisticated as they are, also tend to be lazy. They use what works. And in this, they were successful.' The Biden campaign responded to reports of Russia's efforts to hack Burisma by saying that it highlight's Trump's apparent willingness to rely on foreign governments for his own political gain. Trump is pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2019 The apparent hacks bear striking similarity to Russia's hacking of emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential election. 'The timing of the Russian campaign mirrors the GRU hacks we saw in 2016 against the D.N.C. and [Clinton campaign chairman] John Podesta,' Falkowitz said. 'Once again, they are stealing email credentials, in what we can only assume is a repeat of Russian interference in the last election.' Seven GRU officers were indicted by the US Justice Department in 2018. An American security official said the attacks on Burisma appeared to be linked to efforts by Russian spies in the Ukraine to uncover embarrassing intel on the Bidens. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the spies have been searching for emails, financial records and legal documents housed by Burisma and sources in the Ukrainian government. Trump is also accused trying to withhold nearly $400million in US military assistance from the Ukraine in exchange for promises from officials there to investigate the Biden family over the summer Trump is also accused of trying to dig up dirt on the Bidens over the summer, when he allegedly withheld nearly $400million in US military assistance from the Ukraine in exchange for promises from officials there to investigate the family. Trump denies the charges and Republicans point out the money has been sent to the Ukraine. Democrats counter it was sent only after a whistleblower revealed the contents of a call Trump had with Ukrainian President Zelensky in July. Trump said his call was 'perfect.' The Bidens say they did not wrong doing in their work in the Ukraine but Trump has used their work to make them a political target. Hunter Biden stepped down from the board of Burisma, where he'd sat since 2014, last year after continual questions about his role there. He told ABC News in October that he exercised poor judgment in his business deals with the Ukraine but emphasized he did nothing wrong. 'In retrospect, look, I think that it was poor judgment on my part. Is that I think that it was poor judgment because I don't believe now, when I look back on it - I know that there was - did nothing wrong at all,' he said. Additionally, Trump and his allies have charged that Joe Biden - in his time as vice president - urged the Ukraine to dismiss a top prosecutor who was investigating corruption to the benefit of his son's company. Joe Biden denies this and points out he urged the prosecutor to be dismissed for not doing enough to combat corruption. He also noted he was following US and international policy in doing so. Hunter Biden told ABC News he never spoke with his father about his business dealings with Burisma and noted 'there's been a lot of misinformation about me.' The Bidens have never been charged with any wrong doing in regards to their work in the Ukraine. Trump and his allies have charged that Joe Biden - in his time as vice president - urged the Ukraine to dismiss a top prosecutor who was investigating corruption to the benefit of his son Hunter's company. The Biden campaign has accused political opponents of making that suggestion because they fear the former VP (above on January 7) can beat Trump in 2020 The Biden campaign responded to reports of Russia's efforts to hack Burisma by saying that it highlight's Trump's apparent willingness to rely on foreign governments for his own political gain and that it was an indication of the 2020 Democratic presidential frontrunner's political strength. 'Donald Trump tried to coerce Ukraine into lying about Joe Biden and a major bipartisan, international anti-corruption victory because he recognized that he cant beat the vice president,' Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said. 'Now we know that Vladimir Putin also sees Joe Biden as a threat. 'Any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections.' SHANGHAI, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Acorn Digital Services, a division of Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), today announced that its client, NikkieTutorials, has come out as transgender. Acorn Digital Services represents NikkieTutorials in China. In a message to her followers on social media, Nikkie said, "I am sharing this with you because I feel free enough now for you to truly follow my journey. Not the power of makeup but the power of me. The power of you, just like me. You get to write your own story. Live your life. Live it without any restrictions. You can be you. You are in charge of how you want to live your life. Guys, we're in 2020, and if there ever was a time, the time is right now." In the wake of her announcement, she has been flooded with broad support from celebrities and brands all around the world, including superstars Ariana Grande, Karlie Kloss, and others. "Our client, the award-winning beauty sensation NikkieTutorials, has officially come out to the world as transgender, and millions of followers in China and around the world are throwing their support behind Nikkie. Acorn Digital Services is honored to represent such a brave individual with such a powerful message," said Mr. Jacob A. Fisch, CEO and President of Acorn International. NikkieTutorials is the social media name of Dutch makeup artist Nikkie de Jager, best known for the "Power of Makeup" tutorials available on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. NikkieTutorials has over 12 million subscribers and collaborations with celebrities and brands including Kim Kardashian West, Drew Barrymore, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Maybelline and OFRA Cosmetics. About Acorn International, Inc. Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. For more information visit www.acorninternationalgroup.com. Acorn Digital Services is a division within Acorn International. For more information visit www.acorn-e.com. Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "future," "going forward," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "target," "will," "potential," and similar statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Acorn's control, which may cause actual results, performance, actions, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Investor Contacts: Contact: Compass Investor Relations Ms. Elaine Ketchmere, CFA Phone: +1-310-528-3031 Email: [email protected] Acorn Digital Services Contact: Contact: Int. Business Development & Senior Account Manager Mr. CK Chiu Phone: +13817593384 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Acorn International, Inc. Related Links www.acorninternationalgroup.com The Scenic City Womens Network Marketplace Luncheon will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 from noon-1 p.m. at the Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St., and will feature speaker Fara Cecil, program coordinator at Helen Ross McNabb Center. Ms. Cecil, came to the United States as a student in 1990. She received her bachelors degree in family science from Montreat Anderson College, NC, and went to Regent University of Virginia to earn her masters of counseling. She moved to Atlanta and began working in her field, counseling patients at Emory Hospital, as the chaplain. While there, she met her husband, David Cecil, and moved to Chattanooga, after getting married in 1997. She continued her career in counseling working as a trauma counselor. She said she considers this most rewarding because of her passion for helping women in her community. She also started a rape crisis center and sewing center in Pakistan, in order to help give a second chance to women in poverty. Ms. Cecil also has two teenage boys, Joshua and Jonathan, who are in a college and high school. Ms. Cecil was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in January 2017 at the age of 47. She had the tumor removed surgically in February 2017, and started chemo. Her treatment consisted of weekly chemo doses for six months, after which she received five weeks of radiation. She lost her hair, eyelashes and eyebrows due to the chemo; however, she did not lose hope or faith. In fact, she said since God has brought healing in her life, her wish and desire is to share Christ with others through her personal testimony. "Join SCWN as Ms. Cecil shares her inspirational story that will encourage and strengthen your faith," organizers said. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 21 at noon. Make reservations at reservations@scwn.org, or by calling 423-698-6262. Cost is $20. See Full Image Gallery >> A section of Toyota's display at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon is split into two parts: Modellista on one side and TRD on the other. Between these two sub-brands, riding the dividing line, is the Ambivalent RD Prius PHV Concept, which made its global debut at the show. This is no accident, it's a nod to the car's personality and name. The Ambivalent RD, which is based on a Prius Prime (Prius PHV in other markets), represents the first time Modellista, a styling house that focuses on custom exterior accessories, and TRD, Toyota's in-house performance shop, have come together on a project. The Ambivalent RD has added style features from Modellista, as well as improved driving dynamics, thanks to TRD. We're guessing (repeat: guessing) it's called the Ambivalent because Toyota, or the car, or whoever was putting the car together couldn't pick just one, so it's both. There is very little information on the concept, but much of the body has been visually altered. Although the Prius maintains its chunky shape, it has completely redesigned front and rear fascias, and the blacked-out top gives it a different presence. The Ambivalent also has a full aerodynamic body kit with a front splitter (that can also shift down), side skirts, and a diffuser. Rear tail fins heavily pronounce the taillights, and a spine starts at the back of the roof and runs down the butt. For added effect, the Ambivalent comes to life with accent lighting on the front intake areas, near the wheel arches, and on the star-designed wheels. With no specs on the vehicle, it's hard to glean what TRD has done with it. It appears to be lowered, which means the suspension could have been toyed with. The new wheels also present the opportunity for a brake upgrade, as well. Beyond that, it's tough to say. Check out the wild-style design in the promotional video and show video below. Dear Editor: Imagine, if you will, as Rod Serling used to say, young school children walking out of the driveway and down a completely dark road with no sidewalk, shoulder or streetlights, and then standing at dark corners as cars speed by on their way to work. This is not The Twilight Zone, but the reality for many of us who live in rural areas. Fortunately when, daylight saving time arrives, there is some predawn light to help everyone see these children on their way to school. Now our state senator, James Skoufis, wants to eliminate this by abolishing daylight saving savings because it is nothing short of annoying. People are tired of the sun setting before they even leave work. (Sen. Skoufis pushes move to end daylight saving time in New York state, Jan. 11, 2020.) Look, I get it. It is a bit depressing when its suddenly dark at 5 p.m. But Senator, Im sorry its so annoying, but I guess you just have to choose what you want drivers to be able to see in winter: a nice sunset after work or our schoolchildren walking along dark roads and standing at bus stops in the early morning. Mark Rust New Paltz, N.Y. January 14 : Bollywood actors Sonnalli Seygall and Sunny Singh who are busy promoting their film 'Jai Mummy Di' were seen celebrating Lohri with their reel mom's (Supriya Pathak and Poonam Dhillon). The actors shared their memories mentioning Lohri as the festival about burning the negativity. The actors in their colorful outfits were seen celebrating Lohri in Hindu traditional way. They lit the bonfire and danced around with the drummers playing drums in the background. Rejoicing each and every moment, actors shared their excitement and memories attached to the festival. Poonam Dhillon recollecting her childhood memories said, "I am born and brought up in Chandigarh. People out there would sing song 'Sunder Mundri' and ask 20 paise or one rupee from each and every house. Whatever money we collected on Lohri from people, was like a treasure for us." Sunny too shared his childhood memories saying, "As you all know Lohri is celebrated in evening. But I was so excited about the festival, that I would take the money from my mom in the morning only. Later, with my friends I would go out and enjoy eating at restaurant. For me the special thing about Lohri is that only in this festival we get to eat Revdi (made of Til and Jaggery)." Sonnalli expressing her memories said, "After coming to Mumbai this is my first Lohri and I am very excited to celebrate this festival here. It was my mom who introduced me about this festival. I have a very special memory of my childhood. To celebrate this festival, my mom would keep the old kadai (frying pan) specially for it. In the evening we used to lit the bonfire and keep the kadai on it. To celebrate the theme of harvesting we used to put popcorn in it." On contrary, actress Supriya Pathak as a Maharashtrian didn't had any such memories attached with the festival. But the actress expressed saying that, she after getting married into a punjabi family realised the importance of Lohri. She believes that Lohri is an important festival, especially for farmers. Along with the actors director Navjit Gulati too was seen celebrating the festival. 'Jai Mummy Di' is an upcoming romantic, comedy film. It is scheduled to release on 17 January 2020. Trump assembles impeachment legal team as Senate trial nears originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President Donald Trump has closely consulted with aides about the makeup of the team tasked with defending him in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, according to sources familiar with the matter. The team is expected to be led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, along with the president's personal attorney, Jay Sekulow. Cipollone's deputies, Pat Philbin and Mike Purpura are expected to have a role as well. PHOTO: White House Counsel Pat Cipollone exits the Capitol after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Dec. 12, 2019 in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) The legal defense the White House will present is significant. Because the White House chose not to participate in the Houses impeachment investigation, it will be the first time we hear the presidents attorneys formally defend him against charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, mounting an argument for why he should not be removed from office. MORE: House to vote Wednesday on sending Trump impeachment articles to Senate While its not immediately clear what strategy the legal team will seek to employ to adhere to the president's demands of a trial that would support his claims of no wrongdoing, a central argument will be that the president did nothing illegal. The unknown factor here is whether a handful of the presidents staunchest allies in the House will be part of the defense team on the Senate floor. Republican Reps. Jim Jordan, John Ratcliffe and Doug Collins have spent hours prepping at the White House with members of the counsels office, according to sources familiar with the meetings. It would be Trump and his attorneys preference to include them for a number of reasons. PHOTO: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan speaks in National Harbor, Md., Feb. 28, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) The House members would be used in what sources have described as a support role to counter the arguments made by the House impeachment managers those yet-to-be-named members who will present the House case to remove the president from office. Sources say their firsthand knowledge of the evidence and various closed-door depositions is advantageous to the defense. Jordan and Ratcliffe attended nearly every closed-door deposition during the House impeachment investigation. Story continues But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators have made clear to the White House they are opposed to the idea and have been lobbying the president against it. MORE: Trump's impeachment trial: How we got here, what happens next and what to watch And one of Trumps top allies in the Senate, Sen. Lindsey Graham said he didnt think it was wise to have House members defending the president during the trial. GOP Sen. John Cornyn also said he would advise the president against it, telling ABC News that its better to start fresh in the Senate because the House impeachment inquiry was a little bit of a circus and I dont think the Senate trial will be anything like that, which is fine with me. But, Cornyn said, thats really up to the president. I mean if he wants to, listen, I would respect that choice. After the articles of impeachment are transmitted, the Senate formally informs the president there will be a trial and what day it will start. The legal team is expected to be made public once the White House formally responds. PHOTO: Rudy Giuliani, an attorney for President Donald Trump, speaks at the Iran Freedom Convention for Human Rights and democracy at the Grand Hyatt, May 5, 2018, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) The presidents personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, has privately urged the president that he wants to be part of the defense in the trial, according to sources, and publicly told reporters earlier this month that hed like to prosecute the case himself. However, thats unlikely. People close to Trump have urged against this, as Giuliani is a focus of the impeachment probe for the work he did as it relates to Ukraine. A key question looming over the trial is to what extent the president will seek to influence the proceedings and limit witnesses who have direct knowledge of events at the center of the inquiry. PHOTO: President Donald Trump talks to reporters before departing from the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 13, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) Trump has previously said that he would like witnesses like acting White House Chief of Staff Mike Mulvaney and former National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify in the Senate trial, but more recently has indicted he would block any witnesses from discussing events that took place during their time at the White House. Well, I think you have to for the sake of the office, Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in an interview when asked if hed invoke executive privilege over witnesses such as Bolton. McConnell has made clear he sees no need for witnesses, but there is pressure -- even from some Republicans -- to hear from those with direct knowledge of the presidents dealings with Ukraine who were told not to cooperate with the House investigation, and Bolton has said hes willing to testify should the Senate issue him a subpoena. White House officials are growing increasingly concerned that at least four Republican senators will agree to Democrats demands to call high-profile witnesses who may bolster some of the underlying details that House Democrats claim proves that the president's conduct was impeachable. ABC News' Mariam Khan contributed to this report. Google on Tuesday celebrated the 101st birth anniversary of noted Urdu poet and writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi with a doodle. The doodle features Azmi wearing a white shirt and standing in front of a mic, reciting. Azmi was born on January 14, 1919, as Sayyid Athar Hussein Rizvi in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. He is remembered for bringing Urdu literature to Indian films. Azmi's first poems collection, Jhankar, was published in 1943 and they are known for their brilliant imagery. His work in films includes working as a writer, lyricist and actor. Azmi wrote his first lyrics for the film Buzdil (1951) and his greatest feat as a writer was Chetan Anand's Heer Raanjha (1970). Live TV He was the recipient of Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award and National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1970). Besides these, he was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award (1975) for Urdu for his collection Awaara Sajde, Special Award of Maharashtra Urdu Academy, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Lotus Award from the Afro-Asian Writers' Association, and President's Award for national integration. In 1998, Government of Maharashtra conferred the Jyaneshwara Award on him. He was also honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2002) for lifetime achievement. In 2000, he was conferred the first Millennium Award by the Government of Delhi and the Delhi Urdu Academy. He has also been honoured with a doctorate from Vishva Bharati University, Santiniketan. The Government has also named a road on his name in the Rama Krishna Puram in New Delhi and in Hyderabad. The government has also inaugurated a train named "Kaifiyat Express" which runs from his hometown Azamgarh to Old Delhi Azmi died on May 10, 2002, at the age of 83. His autobiography is included in a collection of his works, Aaj Ke Prashid Shayar: Kaifi Azmi. Owners of Googles Nest smart home camera are being targeted in a sextortion campaign that threatens to leak compromising footage if a ransom is not paid. The perpetrators claim to have footage of the victim having sex, obtained through Googles indoor camera, which lets homeowners keep tabs on their houses remotely via their smartphones. The scammers then threaten to upload the footage to porn sites within a week if the victim doesnt pay 500 euros (428) in Bitcoin. The campaign was detected by cyber security company Mimecast, which has gone on to trace almost 1,700 sextortion emails, mainly directed at people in the US. Mimecast told MailOnline that scammers dont have any compromising footage obtained from Nest devices, and that they are merely praying on peoples fears about the vulnerability of smart devices to steal money. Google's nest camera was found to contain several vulnerabilities that opened the camera up to attack and 'complete takeover.' HOW DOES THE GOOGLE NEST SEXTORTION SCAM WORK? Victims receive an initial email saying we have nude videos of you. It then gives an email username and password for the victim to log in to and tells then to open an email with subject tagged READ ME. In that email, a bright red screen appears with dummy shots of the interior of a house, obtained from a Nest camera. Text below says: We have pornographic type home videos of you already recorded and we intend publishing them all over the internet. At the bottom of this message, victims are told to send an email to a hacked Gmail account. A reply to that email instructs victims to log in to yet another email account. Inside this account, in an email under the subject Instructions, victims are told how to pay the Bitcoin ransom. The convoluted method is to help the perpetrators cover their tracks. Advertisement The scam email could initially enter the inbox of someone who doesn't even own a Nest camera. 'Were not saying that theyve hacked Nest cameras; its not really about Nest theyre just making use of that, Mimecast head of data science overwatch Kiri Addison told MailOnline. 'It could have been any IoT camera-type device that theyve used.' The scammers claim that they will release the footage unless the victim pays a ransom demand, in an unusual process that involves logging into two separate email accounts. The whole process is an attempt to obscure the origin of the scam emails and other details that could possibly identify those responsible. 'Sextortion campaigns are nothing new we see numerous email based campaigns claiming to have hacked a victims laptop and recorded them through their webcam, usually they demand a ransom to be paid in bitcoin and contain a link to a bitcoin wallet,' said Addison. 'This campaign was more complex, featuring a number of additional steps and elements. 'The additional steps make it harder to detect and track the campaign.' Usually, a scammer email will link to payment options, such as a Bitcoin wallet. But in this case, the first email does not say what the hackers want just that they have the footage. The scamming process starts by telling email recipients to log in to another email entirely 'Imagine what we have seen you do,' the scam message warns, which comes with a still of a random home to 'scare' the recipient Victims are then given an email address and password to log in to an external email account Inside this separate account is an email with a link to a site that contains footage downloaded from the Nest site although this is not footage taken from the device of the victim in question and is just random shots of a home's interior with the Nest logo in the corner. Victims are then directed to another email inbox entirely, where they are told the footage will be posted on public porn websites within one week if the ransom demand of 500 euros is not paid via Bitcoin. You will have only ONE WEEK to load your Bitcoin wallet and to submit your Bitcoin wallet access information and then you can get on with your life, the email says. In another option as stipulated by the scammers, victims must buy $600-worth of gift cards redeemable on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, eBay and others, including US retail stores Best Buy and Target. In the final part of the process, the last scam message email says supposed videos of victims will be viewable publicly on 'iStripper XXX Porn' if they do not pay up with Bitcoin or gift cards They are then told to type out all the gift card PIN numbers and send them by email with photos of the back of each gift card suggesting these particular scammers may be happy with funds for their weekly shop. Addison emphasised that blackmailers do not have genuine footage of their victims, and that such emails can be safely ignored. 1,687 of these emails were sent to recipients in the US between January 2 to January 3 last year. Mimecast cant estimate the number of successful attempts, however. We think its highly likely that these could have been sent to more people, so we cant say if those sent to people outside of Mimecast were successful or not, said Addison. She added that the publics fears about the vulnerability of smart devices are actually working to the advantage of scammers of this particular campaign. This fear tends to make them believe the criminals could have accessed camera footage of them, making them more likely to follow the steps and pay the ransom. However, smart home device owners are advised to keep pressure on manufacturers to install stronger security on their devices, which can be accessed due to vulnerabilities. Anything connected to the internet from your home has the potential of being viewed by cyber criminals, so we have to put as many extra layers of protection in place to reduce this risk, said Jake Moore, specialist at internet security company ESET. Many IoT devices lack basic security and usually the responsibility of security lies with the user to set up and control. Seeing extortion linked to home security cameras may make you think twice about having such devices, when sensitive moments may be captured and placed on the cloud. Last year, researchers at Cisco Talos discovered eight different bugs in the Nest camera that would allow hackers to take it offline or steal its data. Google released its Nest Hub Max security camera, with an in-built screen for video-chatting, last September. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed strengthening checks and oversight over the exercise of power as he demanded consistency in full and strict governance over the Party. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC held in Beijing on Monday. He also stressed upholding and improving the Party and state supervisory systems, adding that the efforts would ensure the Party's line and policies be faithfully followed and provide a strong guarantee to securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI. Historic and groundbreaking achievements have been made in ensuring full and strict governance over the Party with all-around and profound influence, thanks to efforts made in this regard with unprecedented bravery and resolve since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said. The Party has explored a successful way to solve its own problems while staying in power for a long time and avoid history's cycle of rising and falling, and has established a set of effective systems for supervising power and enforcing disciplines and laws, he said. Xi stressed enhanced political oversight to ensure the implementation of institutions, calling for particular efforts to step up supervision regarding the tasks of securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the battle against poverty. He underscored efforts to ensure that the power is exercised in a fair, law-based and clean manner. Xi stressed solving prominent issues that are strongly concerned about by people in poverty-stricken areas and that undermine the people's interests and targeting the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism in targeted poverty alleviation. Greater efforts should be made to address "minor corruption" in areas related to people's livelihood, "protection umbrellas" that shelter gang crimes and "stumbling blocks" to the implementation of policies designed to benefit the people, he said. Xi ordered continuous efforts to crack down on corrupt officials from low-level "flies" to high-ranking "tigers." He called on Party members to be soberly aware of the grave, complex, long-term and onerous nature of the anti-corruption fight. Xi stressed severely punishing those corrupt ones who showed no signs of restraint after the 18th CPC National Congress and the corruption issues that seriously hindered the implementation of the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies or damaged the very foundation of the Party's governance. Tough steps should be taken to address corruption behind various risks, combat graft in the financial sector and state-owned enterprises, strengthen the administration of state resources and assets and fight corruption hidden in local government debt risks, Xi said. Efforts are needed to investigate and punish insurance fraud in medical institutions, improve the supervision system for overseas state-owned assets and strengthen oversight over leading officials at all levels, Xi said. Xi demanded to push forward a coordinated system under which officials don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption. Xi said Party and state oversight systems must be improved and the disciplinary inspection and supervision system must be reformed in a coordinated manner. Intraparty oversight should take the leading role, Xi said, while stressing the coordination of oversight by people's congresses, democratic oversight, administrative oversight, judicial oversight, auditing oversight, accounting oversight, statistics oversight, public oversight and oversight through public opinion. While presiding over the meeting, Zhao said that Xi's speech is of great guiding significance in deepening the full and strict governance over the Party. Party organizations at all levels, Party members and officials should follow Xi's instruction, as well as consolidate and develop the sweeping victory in the fight against corruption, said Zhao. The Wall Street Journal reports that a 25-year-old Japanese woman was asked to take a preganancy test before she could board a plane to the US territory Saipan, an island in the Pacific. Hong Kong Express Airways told the Wall Street Journal that the test was in response to "concerns raised by authorities in Saipan," which has become a birth tourism destination. In 2018, more tourists than residents gave birth in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where Saipan is the largest island and where some pregnant women are traveling to so that their children are eligible for US citizenship. The Japanese woman was not pregnant and said so on a check-in questionnaire, but airline staff had her sign a permission form for women observed to resemble a pregnant woman. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Pregnancy test Hollis Johnson/INSIDER In November, 25-year-old Japanese citizen Midori Nishida was checking into a flight to Saipan, a US island in the Pacific, where she was going to visit her parents. She wasn't pregnant, and said so on a check-in questionnaire, but airline staff made her take a pregnancy test anyways before she was allowed to board. The Wall Street Journal reports that Nishida was asked to give permission to an authorized medical provider to conduct a "fit-to-fly" assessment, and the form said it was for women who had a body size or shape resembling a pregnant woman. Nishida told the Wall Street Journal it was "very humiliating and frustrating" to be escorted to a public restroom where she was handed a strip to urinate on. She did not test positive and was able to board the flight. Hong Kong Express Airways said the test was in response to "concerns raised by authorities in Saipan," where birth tourism resulted in more tourists giving birth there than residents in 2018. Saipan Wikimedia Commons/P. Miller Some pregnant women are specifically giving birth in Saipan so that their children are eligible for US citizenship. Many of the tourists giving birth in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where Saipan is the largest island, are from China. Story continues Chinese citizens can visit the Northern Marianas without a visa the only US soil they can do so on and 575 Chinese tourists gave birth there in 2018, up from 12 in 2009, the year the China visa-waiver program meant to encourage tourism was introduced. While it isn't illegal for pregnant women to travel to the US or give birth in the country or its territories, immigration authorities can send back tourists who lie about their purpose of travel or are intending to have a medical procedure. The financial burden then falls on the airlines, which are required to take back passengers who are denied entry. Hong Kong Express Airways further specified that the pregnancy test was "to help ensure US immigration laws were not being undermined." However, the airline has suspended the practice and apologized to passengers who were affected. Authorities of the Northern Marianas have asked airlines to "reinforce pre-screening measures," but have not specifically asked that pregnancy tests be administered. Related Video: Doctors Debunk the 25 Biggest Pregnancy Myths Read the original article on Insider Its no surprise that President Trumps military strike against Irans top terrorist leader drew a negative reaction from New Mexicos two senators. Whats escaped notice is the role Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich played in enabling the Iranian aggression that finally prompted U.S. retaliation. Both senators supported President Obamas Iran nuclear deal in 2015. Heinrich in particular was one of the agreements most outspoken supporters. Neither senator objected when the agreement bypassed the Senate ratification thats customary for treaties. Whether the agreement slowed Irans nuclear weapons program is debatable. Whats indisputable is that lifting economic sanctions enabled Iran to finance unprecedented aggression throughout the Middle East. Instead of using its new-found wealth to help its citizens, Iran backed a genocidal regime in Syria, started a proxy war in Yemen, developed long-range missiles, supplied weapons for repeated attacks on Israel and attacked American forces in Iraq. Our senators support for lifting sanctions allowed Iran to buy those weapons and pay those fighters. The agreement our senators supported did not make Americans safer. Iran has continued to seize American hostages. Iran developed the improvised explosive devices that have accounted for most U.S. casualties in the Middle East, and those casualties continued to mount after the nuclear deal was signed. Im sure our senators supported the nuclear deal with the best of intentions and did not anticipate its consequences. Yet they have been silent as Iran went on a rampage. Udall and Heinrich justifiably condemned Saudi Arabia for killing a journalist but ignored the dozens of journalists killed in Iran. Now they are blaming Trump, not Iran, for conflict in the Middle East. Perhaps they do not take Iranian chants of Death to America as personally as the rest of us. Our senators and the rest of us certainly should hold President Trump accountable for the success or failure of his foreign policy. But members of Congress are accountable for their actions as well. Udall and Heinrich supported lifting sanctions and have refused to criticize Irans subsequent aggression. I do not expect them to admit that their actions have had consequences, but perhaps they will think about this the next time they visit a veterans hospital. A B&B worker sexually assaulted two female visitors after switching off CCTV cameras and letting himself into their rooms. One victim thought her husband was touching her as she slept but she woke to find his back turned and John Guntipilli-Souriappan standing at the end of their bed. Just minutes earlier, the 35-year-old had assaulted another guest after letting himself into her room and turning off the lights. One victim thought her husband was touching her as she slept but she woke to find his back turned and John Guntipilli-Souriappan (pictured) standing at the end of their bed Leeds Crown Court heard the ordeals were described as 'like something that happens on TV and in the films' and 'the stuff of nightmares'. Prosecutor Clare Walsh said the married couple booked a room in Avalon Guest House in Woodhouse, Leeds, as they were attending the Rod Stewart concert in First Direct Arena on December 11 last year and paid Guntipilli-Souriappan 50 for the room on arrival. She said the couple returned to the hotel at around 1.15am the following morning before having sex and falling asleep. The woman, who was only wearing a vest top and a bra and laying on her side, woke up to someone rubbing her back and thought it was her husband. Ms Walsh said: 'She then felt something at her feet. In a sleepy state, she thought it was her dog as she has a dog at home. 'She kicked her legs out and got up and went to the bathroom. She did not turn the light on.' The woman got back into bed and briefly went back to sleep on her side. She was awoken by someone rubbing her back and touching her vagina. Again, she thought it was her husband but when the hands turned her onto her back she saw her husband laying with his back to her. Ms Walsh said: 'Of course she knew at that stage that it could not be him. She woke up [her husband] and he was able to turn the light switch on. 'When the light went on, she saw a male standing at the end of the bed.' Guntipilli-Souriappan ran from the room with the couple chasing after him. They lost him but he returned to the room and asked them what the problem was. He said he would ring the manager but the woman's husband said he was ringing the police. Police were called and advised the couple to stay in their room with the door locked. Guntipilli-Souriappan went outside and called the manager who came to the room but the couple refused to let him in. Police arrived and found the defendant in his room, which was beside the dining room. That afternoon, another guest contacted police and told them that Guntipilli-Souriappan had sexually assaulted her. Just minutes earlier, the 35-year-old had assaulted another guest at the Avalon Guest House after letting himself into her room and turning off the lights The woman said she had booked a room in the guest house and returned from her work's Christmas party at about 1.30am. There was a problem with the key and she rang the manager who told her someone would let her in. Guntipilli-Souriappan let her in before knocking on the door of her room. When she opened the door, no one was there so she closed it. There was another knock at the door and this time Guntipilli-Souriappan was there, speaking broken English and asking her about shouting and arguing. The woman told him her boyfriend was not with her so the noise had not been coming from her room. Guntipilli-Souriappan put his arm around her, hugged her, kissed her cheek and then kissed her neck. He told her he would return to the room but she told him not to. A few minutes later, the door was unlocked with a key, Guntipilli-Souriappan entered the room and he turned off the lights. The woman used the torch on her phone to illuminate the room and Guntipilli-Souriappan approached her and touched her right thigh. His arm also brushed past her chest. She then told him to leave, which he did, and she left the guest house to stay with a friend. CCTV footage from the hotel showed Guntipilli-Souriappan walking around the guest house but the cameras were turned off between 2.05am and around 3.30am. The court was told Guntipilli-Souriappan then targeted the married woman as his 'appetite had not been satisfied'. Guntipilli-Souriappan pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. He has two previous convictions for battery and breaching a restraining order in relation to his wife. Laura Addy, mitigating, said her client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She said Guntipilli-Souriappan, his wife and his children left India after he suffered a religiously-aggravated assault and he may have to apply for asylum to avoid being deported after serving his sentence. He was jailed for three years and eight months. Det Insp James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID, said: 'The two victims in these incidents have been left understandably traumatised by what Guntipilli-Souriappan did to them. 'They would have rightfully had an expectation of privacy and security in their rooms as guests at these premises but he completely abused his position of trust to commit these offences against them for his own gratification. 'We hope the fact he has now had to answer for his actions will help to provide some degree of comfort and reassurance to them and assist their recovery from what was clearly a very disturbing experience.' Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working with the nations largest nuclear power plant to reduce water use and costs to generate electric power. The researchers have developed a model to track the water and gauge water quality at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, near Phoenix, which converts heat from nuclear reactions into electricity. We are looking at how much water they are using, the chemicals being used in the treatment and the cost, said Bobby Middleton, a nuclear engineer at Sandia. We are trying to help them make adjustments to save money and water. Reducing water use is important because more than 40% of all the water used in the countrys power plants is for cooling. Its even more critical at Palo Verde, which is in an area where water is scarce. The Arizona Legislature adopted a drought contingency plan last year that trimmed the states annual allotment of Colorado River water by about 7% to maintain levels in river reservoirs, and lawmakers have expressed concern about overpumping of water and depletion of aquifers. Palo Verdes cooling water is treated wastewater, which is becoming increasingly expensive as other customers who are willing to pay higher prices for water emerge. To curb rising costs, operators want to reduce the plants water use by about 9 million gallons a day, the researchers said. To evaluate different emerging technologies, Middleton developed software that combines the physics of the cooling process such as fluid flow, heat transfer, atmospheric evaporation and water treatment with the financial impact of different solutions. Sometimes, a certain technology saves a plant money through increased efficiency; other times, reductions in water use deliver overall cost savings, they said. The wastewater that arrives at Palo Verde contains silica, calcium, magnesium and phosphate ions. These salts concentrate as the cooling water evaporates in the cooling system, possibly forming new minerals that might clog the cooling towers. Currently, operators add lime, soda ash and acid to the wastewater before it enters the cooling tower to reduce mineral formation. The model is being used to identify less expensive ways to remove ions at different points in the cooling cycle. Middleton and Sandia chemist Patrick Brady believe their analysis can also be applied at nuclear plants across the country. Palo Verde is in the hottest, driest part of the U.S., Middleton said. If we can be successful there, it can be successful in other places. Its a great test place. Brady said that even though power plants in the East have more access to water through rivers and lakes, water usage is still an issue there. The Environmental Protection Agency has regulations that restrict the water they can use, he said. The researchers believe that analysis could be used to save water at these power plants, too, whether they run on coal, natural gas or nuclear energy. Middleton and Brady said they intend to consult with other power plants during the process. The researchers have also redesigned and patented an air cooling system to make waterless cooling more energy-efficient and possible over a wider range of operating conditions, and believe that can be part of the solution at Palo Verde. Palo Verde is committed to providing part of the funding, Middleton said. If the Department of Energy approves funding, Brady said, the prototype could be operational in a little more than two years, and the system itself by the mid-2020s. New Mexico has a significant stake in Palo Verde. Public Service Company of New Mexico owns 288 megawatts of the electricity generated by the plant, and it leases another 114 MW. El Paso Electric also owns 15.8% of Palo Verdes generation. Qasem Soleimani was a "monster" and the world's No. 1 terrorist to President Donald Trump, but in Tehran he was the revered holder of Iran's version of the Medal of Honor. Now he has been posthumously awarded Syria's highest military honor, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported. In death, Soleimani, a major general and head of Iran's Quds Force since 1998, also has apparently received a promotion. Iran's official media now refer to him at "Lt. Gen. Soleimani." In March 2019, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini presented Soleimani with the Order of Zulfiqar, Iran's highest military honor, as a champion of the Islamic revolution of 1979 and defender of the nation at home and abroad. Related: Hezbollah Says Payback for US Strike Has Just Begun Khameini told Soleimani at the time that he prayed for God to reward his life with martyrdom, but "of course, not any time soon," adding that Iran "needs him for years to come," according to state media. The 62-year-old Soleimani, killed by a Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike at Baghdad's International Airport, was also awarded Syria's top military honor Monday in a presentation in Tehran, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported. "Awarding this medal reveals the Syrian president's deep affection for General Soleimani and for his brothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis said as he presented the medal, on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Tasnim reported. The award was not named, but the Library of Congress lists the military award believed to be Syria's highest as the "Order of Military Honor," according to the website GlobalSecurity.org. Syria's Assad has credited Soleimani with crucial support for propping up his regime against rebel forces in the form of arms and fighters from Iranian-backed Hezbollah militias in Lebanon. While revered at home, Soleimani was particularly despised by the U.S. military as the architect of the campaign to use explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, in roadside bombs that killed hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Read More: Army Prepares to Send First SFAB to the Pacific New Delhi, Jan 14 : Union Budget 20-21 is likely to cut the import duty on gold from the current 12.5 per cent with a view to push exports of jewellery despite the reduction likely affecting the current account deficit, people in the know of matters said. India is the largest importer of gold and gold imported is used to meet the demand of the jewellery industry. Gems and jewellery exports declined about 1.5 per cent to $20.5 billion in April-November this fiscal. The country's gold imports dipped about 3 per cent in value terms to $32.8 billion in 2018-19. But less gold import helped the CAD narrow to 0.9 per cent of gross domestic product or $6.3 billion in July-September, 2019-20 from 2.9 per cent or $19 billion in same period last year, according to the Reserve Bank of India data. India imports 800-900 tonne of gold annually. What will be the exact cut in import duty is difficult to say, but it is expected to be cut, but a cut is probably inevitable looking at weak exports. Indian jewelleries are in good demand abroad, the urgency is to boost exports where we have strength, said the sources. Gold imports in December declined sharply to 39 tonne, from 152 tonne in November. India's gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit, fell about 7 per cent to $20.57 billion during April-November period of the ongoing financial year, according to the Commerce Ministry data. As per government data, India's gold imports fell about 7 per cent to $20.57 billion during April-November period of the ongoing financial year. The commerce ministry data said Imports of the yellow metal stood at $22.16 billion in the same period of 2018-19. Commerce Ministry in its 20-21 Budget proposals, has already urged the Finance Ministry to consider a significant reduction in the import duty on gold. In the last Budget, the government had increased the import duty on the yellow metal to 12.5 percent. The gems and jewellery export industry has sought reduction in the import duty to 4 per cent in the budget, which is scheduled on February 1. The current fiscal budget hiked import duty on gold to 12.5 per cent from 10 per cent making the gold dearer in the domestic market and had also increased the possibility of increasing entry of gold in the country through the illegal route. Recently in wake of the Iran US conflict the gold prices in India had touched Rs 42,000 per 10 gram which now have settled to 40,940. Before the hike in import duty in current fiscal gold attracted an import duty of 10 per cent and GST of 3 per cent, which means the total tax incidence is 13 per cent. Post increase in import duty the tax incidence went up to 15 per cent which lessened the demand for the buyers. US denounces avoidable death of Moustafa Kassem, who was held since 2013 over alleged participation in Rabaa sit-in. Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem has died after more than six years in custody in Egypt, according to officials. Egypts attorney general said in a statement that the dual citizenship holder died in a hospital in Cairo on Monday, a day after being transferred there from prison. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. According to Kassems daughter, Dima, his health deteriorated after launching a hunger strike inside the prison to protest against his arrest during a 2013 crackdown by security forces against supporters of former President Mohamed Morsi after the army toppled him. Kassem had long insisted he was falsely charged and had no links to any opposition groups. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dima alleged that her father had suffered from a case of intentional medical negligence, which led to his death. She also said that Kassem was first imprisoned for a period of five years without being formally charged. Kassem had reportedly been on a liquid-only hunger strike since being convicted in September 2018 and four days ago ceased drinking fluids. The United States confirmed his death and said it would continue to raise concerns over Egypts human rights record, which rights groups have repeatedly criticised over the governments treatment of political detainees, dissidents, journalists and human rights defenders. I am deeply saddened to learn today the death of US citizen Moustafa Kassem whod been imprisoned in Egypt, the US assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, told a State Department briefing on Monday. His death in custody was needless, tragic and avoidable, Schenker said. I will continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity. Commenting on the news, US Senator Chris Murphy said in a Twitter post that Kassem should have never been detained. [Mike] Pompeo must remind Egypt that military aid is legally tied to releasing prisoners, including at least 6 US citizens, Murphy said, referring to the US secretary of state. Egypt has long enjoyed military and economic aid from other countries, including the US. Sahar Aziz, a professor at Rutgers University, said Kassems death was just another tragic one among political prisoners in Egypt. The fact that a person would rather starve to death than stay in an Egyptian prison, speaks volumes of just how horrendous the conditions are in those prisons, Aziz told Al Jazeera. I think the fact that he was an Egyptian American also speaks to [US President] Trumps dehumanisation of Arabs and Muslims, and so one wonders if he had been of American or European decent, Trump and Bennett would be more aggressiv, she added. Find out why According to reports, Washington previously pressured Egypt into releasing Aya Hijazi, a dual US-Egyptian citizen, who was acquitted in 2017 after nearly three years of detention over accusations related to running a foundation dedicated to helping street children. At the time of her arrest, local human rights groups said the charges were fabricated and part of a crackdown by the Egyptian government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on civil society groups. Hijazi wrote on Twitter late on Monday that Kassem had died from a strike. She called on US President Donald Trump to find out why and how he died, and to ask about the others in Sisis prisons. Qassem is undergoing a second autopsy. Thanks to all who pressured. @realDonaldTrump couldnt save his life, but I hope he works to find out why&how he died &ask about the others in Sisis prisons inclusion Reem & Ola ElQaradawi pic.twitter.com/8EcZFnKyPo Aya Hijazi (@_AyaHijazi_) January 14, 2020 Kassem was sentenced to prison over the sit-in at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters the single most deadly incident in unrest that followed the 2011 popular uprising that toppled Egypts longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. The sentencing, which included jail terms for more than 600 others, concluded a mass trial of people accused of murder and inciting violence during the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest. In 2018, US-based rights group Human Rights Watch called for an international inquiry into the deadly crackdown, saying that Egyptian authorities had failed to investigate or prosecute a single member of the security forces responsible for the assault. The bloody dispersal came weeks after Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was overthrown following mass protests against his one-year rule. Egypts government said many demonstrators were armed and 43 police officers were killed. Aside from the mass convictions, an Egyptian court in July 2018 sentenced 75 people to death for participating in the protest. Rights activists say el-Sisi has overseen an unprecedented crackdown on freedoms in Egypt since first taking power in 2013 and then winning elections in 2014. El-Sisi and his backers say the measures are needed to keep Egypt stable and to counter threats from armed groups. The Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps has rescued six seriously ill tourists who were stranded during a trek on the Zanskar river in Ladakh after multiple search and rescue columns were launched. The group of tourists were stranded in bad weather whi Image Source: IANS News The Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps has rescued six seriously ill tourists who were stranded during a trek on the Zanskar river in Ladakh after multiple search and rescue columns were launched. The group of tourists were stranded in bad weather whi Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Jan 14 : The Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps has rescued six seriously ill tourists who were stranded during a trek on the Zanskar river in Ladakh after multiple search and rescue columns were launched. The group of tourists were stranded in bad weather while undertaking the annual 'Chaddar Trek' on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh. Responding swiftly to request received from the Union Territory administration, columns were launched from two directions to reach the tourists who were stuck at Niraq village along the Zanskar River. Helicopters of the Army Aviation were also pressed into service for the purpose. Despite the inclement weather and narrow valleys of the Zanskar river, helicopters of the Army Aviation managed to land at a makeshift helipad in Niraq and inducted a column of Army personnel to coordinate the rescue operations. An Army Medical Officer was also inducted to provide immediate medical aid to the tourists. Medicines, emergency rations and warm clothing was also inducted by the helicopters. Six seriously ill tourists, who were suffering from effects of frostbite and High Altitude Pulmonary Odema (HAPO) were evacuated by the helicopters to the Army medical facility in Leh. Chaddar Trek is an annual winter event in Ladakh popular amongst tourists wherein trek is undertaken on the frozen Zanskar River over a period of four to five days, staging halts in between. Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, can be seen in a newly-revealed picture grinning with Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner after a lawyer says he handed a 'trove' of information to Democratic investigators. Joseph A. Bondy, who represents Parnas and handed over digital information belonging to Parnas to the House Intelligence Committee after getting the consent of a federal judge, has been posting a skein of photos online that show Parnas hobnobing with powerful Trump allies. In the latest image, obtained by the DailyBeast and later published by Bondy, he can be seen grinning while standing between Jared and Ivanka. CNN identified the location of the event as the Trump Townhouse, located inside Trump's luxury Washington, D.C. hotel. Lev Parnas (center), poses with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, at a locale identified as the Trump Townhouse inside the Trump hotel in Washington, D.C. It's likely not the only time Parnas was there. He was also photographed with Trump there at an America First Action event in April 2018 wearing a different tie. Federal authorities charge Parnas and associate Igor Fruman with allegedly using a straw donor to make illegal contributions to the pro-Trump super PAC. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Bondy posted a montage of photos of his client, set to the tune of rapper M.C. Hammer's 'Can't Touch This.' Later, Bondy posted still more images to the tune of 'We are Family,' by Sister Sledge. It includes the Ivanka and Jared photo, this time adding a different image featuring Donald Trump, Jr. wearing a tuxedo and a red tie. Another shot shows Trump about to shake hands with Parnas in front of a Christmas tree, perhaps at a White House Christmas party. Another image from the same room shows Parnas (wearing a different tie) with the president Bondy tagged his post with the slogan 'Call the witnesses,' in reference to impeachment. He is believed to be seeking beneficial treatment for his client in exchange for cooperation SEATMATES? One image shows place cards for Parnas next to Trump at an event Parnas attorney posted a series of smiling photos with Trump family members set to the tune of 'We are Family' Jared Kushner also appears with Parnas and Donald Trump, Jr. in this photo GRILLING: A menu lists a wedge salad and a 'Presidential Cheeseburger' Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas has handed over information from his iPhone to investigators with the House Intelligence Committee One new picture shows Parnas with Trump son Eric Trump, a top Trump Organization executive Parnas lawyer Joseph Bondy touted the information handoff on Twitter Trump son Eric Trump is also featured in a shot with Parnas. Other images Other Parnas with Rep. Steve Scalise and Kevin McCarthy, who have been loyal Trump defenders in Congress. '#Whodat, @SteveScalise?' Bondy posted, referencing the House Minority Whip. An image of an embellished personal menu shows a place setting for a 'Mr. Lev Parnas.' It includes a wedge salad and a 'presidential cheeseburger.' Another image shows a Lev Parnas place card placed next to one that says 'President Donald Trump,' although it wasn't immediately known whether the two men actually sat next to each other at the event. Bondy posted the montage with the hashtags #LetLevSpeak and #LevRemembers, tagging Trump, Giuliani, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Sen. Charles Schumer. Parnas has handed over a 'trove' of information to the Democratic-run House Intelligence Committee, Bondy says. Parnas, who featured prominently in the House Democratic impeachment inquiry, has digital information he wants to share, having obtained a green light from a judge. 'After our trip to DC, we worked through the night providing a trove of Lev Parnas WhatsApp messages, text messages & imagesnot under protective orderto [the committee], detailing interactions with a number of individuals relevant to the impeachment inquiry,' wrote Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy. A federal district judge granted Bondy's motion to modify a protective order and provide discovery information to the committee, which oversaw the impeachment inquiry which resulted in the House voting out two articles of impeachment against Trump. The efforts by Bondy to assist congressional investigators could be an effort to demonstrate his client's utility as a potential witness in the Southern District of New York, where he is being prosecuted. A House subpoena requested Parnas provide 'all documents and communications' regarding Giuliani and Trump. He has been cooperating with investigators. Still unclear is how if at all the information might feature in a Senate impeachment trial. Bondy has tagged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic leader Sen. Charles Schumer in his latest post. I think that people have this idea that all the regions are going to fill all these gaps, said Okpara Rice, chief executive of Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids and a member of the state board overseeing the childrens mental health system. It may not actually work that way in application. The reality is none of us know, but we do know there has to be more money in the system. Core services are covered, but Rice said the current system setup means children who fall in gaps in coverage including children not covered by Medicaid and whose insurance does not cover mental health services they need ends up with the regions to supplement. Both Rice and Mathis, who also is a member of the Childrens Behavioral Health System State Board, stated that a challenge facing the regions is a disparity in the levies in each region, as some counties are unable to raise their property taxes. Thats the dilemma because every county, and therefore every region, is going to be a little bit different because their levees are all different, Rice said. So some areas may have more money to invest in mental health and some may not have any. Turkeys Erdogan criticises breakdown in talks, says Ankara will teach Haftar a lesson if he resumes Tripoli push. Libyas renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing an agreement that would have formalised a tentative ceasefire in the war-wracked country, according to Russias foreign ministry. After hours of negotiations brokered by Russia and Turkey, Haftar on Monday evening asked until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). But Haftar, whose eastern-based forces launched an offensive to seize the GNAs base of Tripoli in April, left Moscow without signing the deal drafted at the indirect talks, Russias foreign ministry was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Tuesday. Libyan sources confirmed Haftars departure. The draft [agreement] ignores many of the Libyan armys demands, Haftar was quoted as saying by the Al Arabiya television network. The talks in the Russian capital were held a day after a fragile ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey came into force in Libya. The negotiations did not include the warring sides meeting face to face, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday there was progress and that Haftar viewed the ceasefire document positively. On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would teach Haftar a lesson if he resumed his offensive on Tripoli. We will not hesitate to teach a lesson to the putchist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the countrys legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya, Erdogan said during a meeting of his ruling AK Party. Erdogan last week announced that Turkey had begun deploying troops to Libya after the Turkish parliament ratified two agreemend signed with GNA head al-Sarraj relating to martime border demarcation and enhanced security cooperation. Berlin summit It is unclear where the developments in Moscow leave a peace summit scheduled to take place in Germanys capital, Berlin, on Sunday. The conference, part of UN Special Envoy Ghassan Salames efforts to bring an end to the conflict, has been postponed several times due to continued fighting along Tripolis southern outskirts. On Tuesday, the eastern-based forces under Haftars command posted on their official Facebook page that they were ready and determined to achieve victory in their months-long campaign to seize the capital from the GNA. The GNA has documented several violations by Haftars forces overnight and one pro-government fighter was killed by a sniper, according to a government spokesperson, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, said. Military sources have stated that they documented deployment, regrouping and repositioning in several axis by Haftars forces building trust between the rival factions is going to be a tough task. Tarik Yousef, director of the Brookings Institutions Doha Center, said the Berlin talks now depended on Haftars next move. The talks are in jeopardy and in fact, the next potential reversal on the ground could be one that sets back Russia and Turkish diplomacy and provide a big opportunity and a test in my view for Turkeys commitment to defending the government in Tripoli, Yousef told Al Jazeera. Yousef said Haftars decision to opt out of the ceasefire agreement was puzzling and could be explained in part by the diverging interests of his many backers. Haftar enjoys the backing of several states besides Russia. These include, among others, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The speculation in Libya and abroad is that given that Haftar is not accountable to anyone in Libya, his external sponsors, other than Russia, have put pressure on him to delay, postpone or try to make gains within the ceasefire agreement. The oil-rich country has been marred by instability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. It has since been split between two rival administrations based in the countrys east and west amid a conflict drawing increasing involvement from foreign powers. According to the latest UN tally, more than 280 civilians and roughly 2,000 fighters have been killed since Haftar launched his offensive in April. An estimated 146,000 Libyans have been displaced. Efforts to demobilise and reintegrate fighters that helped topple Gaddafi into the formal security apparatus have largely failed. LAS VEGAS At last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, vendors and public officials discussed how smart city design could be made more inclusive and equitable and truly place citizens first.The issue was a central topic of discussion in a panel session titled "The Reality of Smart City DevelopmentIf technology does not serve us and amplify our lives, then obviously we are not doing our jobs, said Omar Khan, of Magic Leap, an augmented reality startup.Inclusion, typically defined as design that considers people with a disability or some other disadvantage, seeks to create platforms and services that are universally accessible, according to Deloitte Examples discussed at the session included a successful partnership made by mobile navigation system company Wayfindr and Google to help blind people navigate the London subway system using Bluetooth.However, the boundaries of this model were also tested, with audience members asking panelists about two of the biggest barriers to equitable design: inequality and homelessness.Christopher Clark, the mayor of Harvey, Ill., asked the panelists what could be done to advance smart city initiatives for communities like his own."Many of the cities in America are smaller cities. They're not larger cities," he said. "How can small cities invest in smart city solutions when they don't necessarily have the capital?"Indeed, studies have shown that smart city development takes place largely in affluent communities , where the poor are frequently sidelined or pushed out by gentrification and high living standards. Communities with less disposable budgetary cash, meanwhile, have little way to take advantage of these technological advances.Public-private partnerships are really what we are looking into," Clark said later, speaking with, while noting that those partnerships are difficult to come by because Harvey, unlike a city like Los Angeles or Seoul, South Korea, has a population of some 25,000, a 22 percent unemployment rate and severe budgetary shortfalls. "Companies typically will not [partner with us] because we dont have enough data to use, he said.Laura Schewel, of StreetLight Data, offered that some strategies have allowed cities to work together with their metropolitan planning organizations to seek smart solutions; and others have created regional user groups that can share best practices and purchase vendor solutions together.StreetLight Data, which was founded in 2011, has assisted a number of cities develop with its traffic metrics and data visualization applications, but Schewel said that vendors should work harder to make affordable solutions for smaller communities."It is incumbent on smart city vendors like us to have products that don't just work for Seoul and New York and London," Schewel added. "We've been working very hard on that."Another audience member pointed out that while free Wi-Fi is great if you have a smartphone, it does little for people who don't: "When I think of inclusiveness I think of the homeless population and I wonder about smart city solutions for them?" the audience member asked.This question was fielded by speaker Park Won-soon, the mayor of one of the smartest cities in the world: Seoul, South Korea.Park himself noted the problem of inequality in South Korea, pointing out that many cities in his country "try to be a smart city, but many of them don't have the resources." Inequality between communities has kept pace with economic change and urbanization, something borne out by studies of income distribution One partial solution has been the creation of the Smart Cities Association , an international consortium of communities that, among other things, work together to develop funding opportunities for smart city development, Park said.Smaller cities have sometimes managed to rise to the top of the smart city ranks, but those communities are typically more affluent and have more disposable budgetary cash to play with.Clark said that in looking for future smart opportunities, his community would continue to be creative with the tools at their disposal.We just fly by the seat of our pants to do the best we can with what weve got, he said. FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE: GFF), announced today that it has been awarded first place in the United States Navy's Marine Air/Ground Task Force, Unmanned Aerial System, Expeditionary (MUX) Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Payload prize challenge with its submission of a MOSAIC Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) based radar. The prize challenge was established as an innovative solution to deliver the MUX to the Marines sooner, while providing the best performance per dollar of investment. MOSAIC is an innovative and advanced multi-function radar system, with a tile based design allowing for multiple independent radar apertures to be installed on the MUX aircraft. Each aperture is independently controlled and can perform multiple mode operations simultaneously through use of its true dual beam technology. MOSAIC completed more than 60 hours of flight time on fixed-and rotary-wing aircraft. "The MOSAIC AESA radar system being named the first place winner marks a significant milestone and confirms the high level of innovation and performance achieved," says Kevin McSweeney, President, Telephonics Corporation. "The MOSAIC represents the next evolution of radar technology under development by our engineering team and further demonstrates it is capable of meeting today's demanding mission challenges and future requirements." For more information about Telephonics and its advanced surveillance capabilities, please contact Kimberly Chernick at [email protected] or visit www.telephonics.com. About Telephonics Telephonics, founded in 1933, is recognized globally as a leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions that are deployed across a wide range of land, sea and air applications. Telephonics designs, develops, manufactures and provides logistical support and lifecycle sustainment services to defense, aerospace and commercial customers worldwide. Visit us at www.telephonics.com or on our social media channels: Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn About Griffon Corporation Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. In order to further diversify, Griffon also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital. Griffon currently conducts its operations through three reportable segments: Consumer and Professional Products ("CPP") conducts its operations through The AMES Companies, Inc. (" AMES "). Founded in 1774, AMES is the leading North American manufacturer and a global provider of branded consumer and professional tools and products for home storage and organization, landscaping, and enhancing outdoor lifestyles. CPP sells products globally through a portfolio of leading brands including True Temper, AMES , and ClosetMaid. conducts its operations through The Companies, Inc. (" "). Founded in 1774, is the leading North American manufacturer and a global provider of branded consumer and professional tools and products for home storage and organization, landscaping, and enhancing outdoor lifestyles. CPP sells products globally through a portfolio of leading brands including True Temper, , and ClosetMaid. Home and Building Products ("HBP") conducts its operations through Clopay Corporation ("Clopay"). Founded in 1964, Clopay is the largest manufacturer and marketer of garage doors and rolling steel doors in North America . Sectional garage doors are sold to residential and commercial customers through professional dealers and leading home center retail chains throughout North America under the Clopay, Ideal, and Holmes brands. Rolling steel door and grille products designed for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail use are sold under the CornellCookson brand. conducts its operations through Clopay Corporation ("Clopay"). Founded in 1964, Clopay is the largest manufacturer and marketer of garage doors and rolling steel doors in . Sectional garage doors are sold to residential and commercial customers through professional dealers and leading home center retail chains throughout under the Clopay, Ideal, and Holmes brands. Rolling steel door and grille products designed for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail use are sold under the CornellCookson brand. Defense Electronics conducts its operations through Telephonics Corporation, founded in 1933, a globally recognized leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions for defense, aerospace and commercial customers. For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at www.griffon.com. Company Contact : Investor Relations Contact : Brian G. Harris Michael Callahan SVP & Chief Financial Officer Managing Director Griffon Corporation ICR Inc. (212) 957-5000 (203) 682-8311 Forward-Looking Statements "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Information concerning risks and uncertainties that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statements are set forth in Griffon Corporation's filings with the SEC. The company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 2020 Telephonics Corporation. 815 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies. SOURCE Telephonics Corporation Related Links http://www.telephonics.com ICICI Bank has filed a civil recovery suit against former Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar for the recovery of Rs 12 crore that she had received as bonus and other benefits during her tenure. Kochhar's counsel Vikram Nankani along with Sujay Kantawala informed the court that the bank has initiated a civil suit that could further complicate the case. The bank had said on Monday that Kochhar had entered into an agreement with the lender that allowed them to seek return of the variable pay in case of integrity breach. "The petitioner's conduct has caused substantial embarrassment to the bank and all the stake-holders, and has led to irreparable reputational loss to the bank," the ICICI peition said. Abhijit Joshi-led law firm Veritas Legal filed the civil suit on January 10. Meanwhile, Kochhar filed a case against the bank seeking time to file her response in reply to ICICI Bank, as mentioned in a report in The Economic Times. Kochhar had filed a case against ICICI Bank for terminating her employment after it accepted her request for early retirement. The division bench allowed a week's time and had adjourned the case to January 20. ICICI Bank had responded to a case filed by Kochhar stating that it is a private bank administered by a board of directors and that Kochhar's plea is not maintainable. The bank had said that Kochhar's termination was due to lack of disclosures. It said that she showed lack of diligence with respect to annual disclosures. Chanda Kochhar is accused of playing a role in granting out-of-turn loans of Rs 3,250 crore to Videocon Group, benefitting her husband Deepak Kochhar. The Enforcement Directorate is probing the case against Kochhar for sanctioning the loans. Her husband's company allegedly received kickbacks from Videocon in lieu of the loans from ICICI Bank. Also read: ICICI Bank approaches Bombay HC, seeks to recover bonuses from Chanda Kochhar Also read: Reserve Bank defends its nod for Chanda Kochhar's sacking from ICICI Bank WILLIAMSPORT A Dauphin County man is facing a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence after pleading guilty in U.S. Middle District Court to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Travis Keyon Jones Jr., 21, of Oberlin, entered the plea Monday and also agreed to forfeit a .380 caliber pistol seized when he was arrested in Harrisburg on Feb. 8, 2018. Jones was one of two men in a vehicle that tried to elude police but was involved in an accident, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin said. He then fled on foot but was captured, she said. Besides the pistol, police found six bundles of heroin on him, she said. Additional grams of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana were found in the vehicle, she said. Jones is awaiting trial in Dauphin County on charges from the same incident, court records state. He was denied bail on those charges. Judge Matthew W. Brann ordered his continued detention. Federal charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin and fentanyl are to be dismissed when he is sentenced. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. -- Recent John Beauge stories on PennLive Pa. appellate court affirms double-homicide conviction, two life sentences 18-year-old from Dauphin County killed in ATV crash Owner offering reward to find person who fatally shot his 19-year-old horse Trump rally vendor can hit 'campaign trail again after sentenced to time served Man will not face death penalty if found guilty of killing girlfriends young daughter: DA Northcentral Pa. bus demonstration project proceeding despite firing of transit systems GM [January 14, 2020] Bulletin from MAG Interactive's Annual General Meeting STOCKHOLM, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, 14 January 2020, MAG Interactive AB (publ) held its Annual General Meeting with Birgitta Stymne Goransson as chairman. The Annual General Meeting revolved upon, inter alia, the following: Adoption of balance sheets and income statements The Annual General Meeting adopted the parent company's income statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet for MAG Interactive for the financial year 2018/2019. Allocation of profit or loss The Annual General Meeting resolved to allocate the company's loss in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal. Board of Directors The board members and the CEO were discharged from liability for the financial year 2018/2019. The Annual General Meeting resolved that the number of board members shall be six and re-elected the board members Daniel Hasselberg, Teemu Huuhtanen, Birgitta Stymne Goransson, Andras Vajlok and Taina Malen, and resolved to elect Asbjrn Sndergaard as new board member. Birgitta Stymne Goransson was elected as chairman of the board of directors. Fees to the Board of Directors The Annual General Meeting resolved that fees amounting to SEK 400,000 shall be paid to the chairman of the Board of Directors and that fees amounting to SEK 200,000 shall be paid to each of the other board members not employed by the company. Auditors The Annual General Meeting resolved that the registered auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AB shall be re-elected as the company's auditor for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. Guidelines for remuneration for the CEO and executive management The Annual General Meeting approved the Board of Directors' proposal regarding guidelines for remuneration for the CEO and executive management in accordance with the proposal presented in the notice of the Annual General Meeting. Authority for the board of directors to issue new shares The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to grant the Board of Directors the authority, on one or more occasions for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, to issue new shares, either applying or disapplying the shareholders' pre-emption rights. The number of shares issued by virtue of the authority may not exceed an increase of ten (10) percent of the share capital based on the total share capital of the company on the date of the Annual General Meeting 2020. If the Board of Directors resolves to issue new shares disapplying the shareholders' pre-emption rights, the reason for this must be to implement an acquisition agreement, or, alternatively, to procure capital for such acquisition. Adoption of a long-term employee stock option program and resolution regarding an issue of warrants and transfer of shares and/or warrants The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to implement a long-term employee stock option program for employees of MAG interactive. In order to enable the company's delivery of shares under the employee stock option program the Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the board of directors' proposal, to issue not more than 586,426 warrants in two series to a wholly owned subsidiary of MAG Interactive, and to approve that the subsidiary transfers shares and/or warrants to the participants of the employee stock option program in connection with exercise of the employee stock options. Since the warrants are intended to secure delivery of shares in the employee stock option program as well as enable the participants' choice between cash exercise or cashless exercise, the subsidiary will not exercise more than 293,213 warrants (of either series), which corresponds to the maximum number of employee stock options in the employee stock option program. Adoption of a long-term warrant program and resolution regarding an issue of warrants The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to implement a long-term warrant program for certain members of the executive management of MAG Interactive. In order to enable the company's delivery of shares under the warrant program the Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to issue not more than 233,213 warrants to the participants in the warrant program. The Board of DirectorsMAG Interactive AB (publ) For additional information, please contact: Daniel Hasselberg, CEO +46-(0)8-644-35-40 [email protected] Magnus Wiklander, CFO +46-(0)8-644-35-40 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/mag-interactive/r/bulletin-from-mag-interactive-s-annual-general-meeting,c3006243 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/16579/3006243/1173999.pdf Release [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A group of four cheer with their drinks at a pub in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 2020. The three people with beer do not drive while the one with the bottled water drives a motorbike. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Diep. With stringent penalties imposed for driving under the influence, Vietnamese are coming up with safer ways to enjoy a tipple without a stumble. Tran Minh, 25, gave his wife the key to their motorbike. Hed just had a few beers with his friends. A week after the Law on Preventing Alcohol's Harmful Effects took effect on January 1, it was the second time that Minh had sent an sos to his wife, Nguyen Thi Hoa. Minh, a resident of Hanoi's Hoang Mai District, said he was not an alcoholic, but does go out with friends and have a few drinks every now and then. Previously, he and his friends gave no second thought to driving home on their own, but the doubling of penalties by the new law has forced a rethink. Under the new law, any driver with alcohol on his or her breath faces fines of VND400,000-600,000 ($17-26) if caught driving bicycles or electric motorbikes. For motorcyclists drivers, the fines are VND6-8 million, and cars, VND30-40 million. All drivers could have their licenses revoked for 22-24 months. "Since the beginning of the year, I have promised my wife to take a cab home after drinking. In case she joins me, she drives," Minh said. The couple have also reached an agreement that Hoa will charge her husband the same amount he would pay a ride-hailing service. "Ive got VND60,000 ($2.60) so far and hes safe from the fines," she said. Weekdays dry days Nguyen Van Lam, 40, and his colleagues have decided to move all of their pub time from weekdays, after work, to the weekend, and call a cab instead of driving their own motorbikes. Nguyen Tien Dung, 38, a businessman from Nam Tu Liem District, has also chosen to take the taxi route. A businessman, Dung said most of his deals are struck amidst drinking sessions, and he is yet to come up with a better solution than taxis. He has thought about buying a device to check the alcohol level himself but he is not sure about the quality and prices of products he has seen on the market. Sober realizations Along with his friends and colleagues, Truong Ba Ngoc, 38, of Ha Dong District had a big drinking party on the last day of 2019, not only to say goodbye to the old year but to enjoy themselves thoroughly before the new law took effect. Then, for the entire day of January 1, he did not dare to go outside on any vehicle. The day after, he decided to call in sick and stay at home, feeling that his breath still reeked of alcohol. Realizing what drinking too much can do to his sick leave, which is limited to just 12 days a year, Ngoc said he has forced himself to reduce the number of time he goes out to have a drink. Ever since the new year, he has gone to the pub just once. His earlier habit was to go drinking every two days. Ngoc also ordered a type of tea from China thats said to be a hangover remedy which can also quickly reduce the alcohol content in the body. It turned out that all the advertising about the tea was just hype. "I had as much as one liter of that tea, but my breath still stayed the same, smelling of alcohol," he complained. One of his drinking buddies had a different experience. He switched from driving his car to a motorbike so that he could walk it when he saw cops on the street. One day, the friend got quite drunk and fell with the motorbike. "My friend ended up getting hurt and his motorbike got some scratches, too." Nguyen Minh Duc, 35, of Thanh Xuan District said he had lost a friend just over a year ago to drunk driving. "He died on Christmas Eve. He drank with some customers in Saigon and got into an accident when returning from the party, driving when he was drunk." Duc has taken the new regulation seriously and found others wanting to do the same. He has set up a group on social media to connect those who need to go out for a drinks and get a safe drive home. The group now has more than 2,000 members and so far, around 100 drives have been made by sober drivers to carry members home after drinking. Pham Lan Huong, 25, of Ba Dinh District said she has a few drinks five-six times per week, not because she is addicted, just to relax her mind. However, for the past ten days, she has not visited any bar or pub. She has chosen to have her drinks at home. On days she needs an outdoor vibe, Huong ensures she only returns home at around 1-2 a.m., to avoid police patrols. Police across the country have handled 3,785 cases of drunk driving in less than a fortnight this year, collecting fines of VND12.5 billion (almost $540,000) under the new law. A boy plays on a phone after the flood in Bekasi, Indonesia, on 3 January 2020. Photo: Sijori Images / Barcroft Media / Getty Images 9 January 2020 (The Economist) It was like the end of the world, says Nurhayati, dabbing her eyes with the hem of her hijab. On December 31st swollen clouds emptied over Indonesias capital, dumping 377 millimetres of rain in one day. That is the most since records began in 1886, according to the state weather agency. The river near Nurhayatis home in an eastern suburb of Jakarta burst its banks, overturning vehicles parked alongside. Within hours the water had risen nearly eight metres, engulfing one-storey houses. Nurhayatis neighbour, Pudji, says she had to wait for 22 hours before she could be rescued from her roof. Heavy rains overwhelm Jakarta almost every year. But this flood was easily the worst for a decade. It submerged a dozen districts in greater Jakarta, many of which had never previously been inundated, and caused landslides. At least 67 people are dead: some drowned, some died of hypothermia or were electrocuted. Nearly 400,000 people abandoned their homes and sought refuge in shelters. Problems that have plagued Jakarta for decades exacerbated the disaster. Upgrades to the sewer system have not kept pace with the relentless expansion of the city. Sewers and rivers are often clogged with silt and rubbish. A woman reacts as she wades through flood water in Jakarta on 4 January 2020. Photo: AP Limited availability of tap water means that about two-fifths of Jakartans rely on wells. Sucking so much liquid out of the ground is making the whole city sink. Forty percent of it is already below sea level, and some districts are subsiding by 25cm each year. Pumps are supposed to carry floodwaters out of low-lying areas and into Jakarta Bay, explains Leonard Simanjuntak of Greenpeace Indonesia. But last week most of them broke. Why? They were submerged by floodwater, according to an official from the Water Resources Agency. Climate change compounds all this. Extreme rainstorms will become more frequent and intense as temperatures continue to rise (a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture). Indonesia emits more greenhouse gases than most other countries, primarily because of the way it manages land. Indonesian farmers burn forests to make way for palm oil and other plantations, releasing huge amounts of carbon in the process. Creating tillable land by drying out peat bogs has much the same effect, and makes wildfires more likely. The country is also undertaking a vast programme of electrification that requires the construction of many new coal-fired power stations, the dirtiest kind of generators. [more] Flooding in Jakarta is the worst for over a decade 66 People Have Died in Indonesias Devastating Floods. Heres What to Know By Hillary Leung 8 January 2020 (TIME) The death toll from severe flooding in and around the Indonesian capital of Jakarta has risen to 66 as parts of the country continue to reel from heavy rain that began on New Years Eve. Landslides and flash floods have displaced more than 36,000 in Jakarta and the nearby provinces of West Java and Banten, according to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA). These are the worst floods Indonesia has seen since 2013, when at least 29 people died in the aftermath of torrential rains. The disaster, experts say, underscores the impacts of climate change in a country with a capital city that is sinking so quickly that officials are working to move it to another island. The floods are also threatening to exacerbate the already severe wealth inequality that plagues the Southeast Asian nation. With more rainfall expected over the coming weeks, heres what to know about deadly floods in Jakarta. [] A young boy sits on a chair in a flooded neighborhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, 2 January 2020. Severe flooding in the capital as residents celebrated the new year has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands, the countrys disaster management agency said. Photo: Dita Alangkara / AP Photo How does climate change fit into the conversation? Experts say the devastating floods are a reminder that the worlds fourth-most populous country is highly vulnerable to climate change, which many blame for the severe downpours and extreme dryness that comes after a bout of heavy rain. Certain areas of North Jakarta are sinking by 6 to 10 inches a year, according to the World Bank, and could fall up to 16 feet below sea level by 2025. Excessive extraction of groundwater for daily use is responsible for the fate of the city, which is home to 9.6 million. Indonesia announced last August that it would move its capital to the island of Borneo as overcrowding and pollution in Jakarta worsens. Sutanudjaja, director of the Jakarta-based Urban Studies Center, criticizes the countrys leaders for inaction. They know the crisis, but do not address it properly, she says. As the flood disaster threatens to persist, environmental groups are calling on leaders to face the challenge at hand and avert similar tragedies in the future. Aerial view of the pristine swimming pool at Jakartas Shangri-la Hotel, virtually untouched by flooding as the adjacent kampong or village was submerged in muddy floodwaters on 31 December 2019. Photo: Sakinah Ummu Haniy / Twitter What do the floods say about inequality in Indonesia? The floods, which have disproportionately affected the poor in Indonesia, have ignited conversation about the nations income disparity. Indonesia has the sixth greatest wealth inequality in the world, according to Oxfam. Less developed districts that were badly hit by the floods in and outside Jakarta, where poorer families tend to live, lack access to infrastructure such as decent roads and electricity, the NGO reports. This makes them more susceptible when weather tragedies strike. A photo on Twitter posted a day after the downpour had many commenting on how the floods laid the countrys inequality bare: the aerial shot shows the pristine swimming pool at Jakartas Shangri-la Hotel virtually untouched as the kampongor villagejust adjacent was submerged in muddy floodwaters. [more] 66 People Have Died in Indonesias Devastating Floods. Heres What to Know Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:52:02|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investments are fueling east Africa's economic growth, an analyst said on Tuesday. Judd Murigi, head of research of ICEA LION Asset Management, told Xinhua in Nairobi that as economic growth in China slows down, Chinese investors are seeking new markets with high potential for growth. "For the past five years, Chinese investments have been one of the major reasons why east African economies are performing better than other nations in sub-Saharan Africa," Murigi said during the release of the ICEA LION's Quarter one 2020 Economic Outlook. He said that a lot of economic growth in the East African region has been driven by public infrastructure investments. The analyst observed that the east African region has benefited from new roads, rail and energy facilities that have helped to make the economies competitive. Murigi revealed that Chinese investors that have set up manufacturing plants in the region have boosted national productive capacity as well as created numerous employment opportunities for local people. He added that in 2020 most countries in east Africa are expected to post an average growth rate of above six percent. As Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia and Burundi are expected to hold elections in 2020. "How the elections are handled will determine the economic growth of East Africa," he said. Responders involved in the clean-up after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre towers have a much greater risk of getting leukaemia, a study has found. Police officers, firefighters and construction workers who inhaled toxic fumes at Ground Zero are 40 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with the form of blood cancer than the average person. Dust and debris from jet fuel, as well as asbestos, cements and glass shards from the collapsing towers have all been shown to be carcinogenic. Responders inhaled these cancer-causing airborne particles day in, day out from the tragedy on September 11, 2001, until the recovery work ended in June 2002. Responders involved in the clean-up after 9/11 have a significantly greater risk of developing leukaemia, a study has found (a firefighter breaks down after the World Trade Center buildings collapsed) A fiery blasts rocks the south tower of the World Trade Center as a hijacked plane crashes into it The dust and debris from jet fuel, asbestos, cements and glass shards from the collapsing towers have all been shown to be carcinogenic Responders breathed in these cancer-causing airborne particles day in, day out from the tragedy on September 11, 2001, until the recovery work ended in June 2002 Previous studies have shown responders are at a higher risk of breast, bladder and skin cancer. But the latest research, by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, is the first to find a link to leukaemia. The scientists scoured the medical records of 28,729 responders mostly men with an average age of 38. They tracked them from 2002 to 2013. They found 1,072 cancers in 999 responders, with prostate, thyroid and leukaemia being the main culprits. The rescue workers were at a nine per cent increased risk of developing cancer, compared to the general population. Among the patients, they were twice as likely to have the disease in their thyroid compared to anywhere else. Responders had a 40 per cent increased risk of leukaemia and 25 per cent for prostate, the data also showed. Researchers did not find a clear link between length of time spent at Ground Zero where the twin towers stood before the devastating terrorist attack that killed almost 3,000 people in the development of certain cancers. But they said in-depth records were not kept at the time, meaning they could not accurately track this link. Previous studies have shown responders were at a higher risk of breast, bladder and skin cancer (New York City police officers gather at the wreckage) But the latest research, by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, is the first to find a link to leukaemia (fire and rescue workers search through the rubble) An aerial view shows only a small portion of the devastation caused by the towers collapsing Co-lead study author Professor Susan Teitelbaum said: This study showed increased incidence of several cancer types compared to previously conducted studies with shorter follow-up periods. 'Because of the long latency period of many types of cancer, it is possible increased rates of other cancers, as well as World Trade Center exposure health issues, may emerge after longer periods of study.' The findings were reported in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum. There are 76,904 responders enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which monitors and treats people who helped after the tragedy. Cancers have been reported in 10,649 responders, including 362 cases of leukemia. More than 2,270 responders have died from cancer and other illnesses caused by exposure to the toxic fumes. Close Trump's defence secretary Mark Esper admits he 'didn't see' evidence of imminent threat from Iran Donald Trump has been accused of engaging in hate speech against an entire religion after retweeting a meme of senior Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in Muslim dress as press secretary Stephanie Grisham explained he posted it to attack the opposition for almost taking the side of terrorists in the Iran crisis. A US cybersecurity firm has meanwhile alleged that Russian military agents successfully hacked Ukrainian gas company Burisma at the heart of the impeachment inquiry over its ties to Hunter Biden, son of Mr Trumps leading 2020 opponent Joe Biden suggesting it attempted to steal emails with a view to again influencing an American presidential election. On impeachment, Republicans in the Senate appear to be backing down from the idea of dismissing the two articles against the president outright after admitting they do not have the votes to see through such a controversial move. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell instead has announced that the Senate will plan to begin the president's impeachment trial on 21 January, provided that House Democrats send articles of impeachment and assign case managers to the Senate proceedings on Wednesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not get assurance from the Republican leader who has previously gloated about his coordination with the White House and pledged support for dismissing the articles outright. Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Show all 26 1 /26 Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Donald Trump Accused of abusing his office by pressing the Ukrainian president in a July phone call to help dig up dirt on Joe Biden, who may be his Democratic rival in the 2020 election. He also believes that Hillary Clintons deleted emails - a key factor in the 2016 election - may be in Ukraine, although it is not clear why. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Whistleblower Believed to be a CIA agent who spent time at the White House, his complaint was largely based on second and third-hand accounts from worried White House staff. Although this is not unusual for such complaints, Trump and his supporters have seized on it to imply that his information is not reliable. Expected to give evidence to Congress voluntarily and in secret. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Second Whistleblower The lawyer for the first intelligence whistleblower is also representing a second whistleblower regarding the President's actions. Attorney Mark Zaid said that he and other lawyers on his team are now representing the second person, who is said to work in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge that supports claims made by the first whistleblower and has spoken to the intelligence community's inspector general. The second whistleblower has not yet filed their own complaint, but does not need to to be considered an official whistleblower. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rudy Giuliani Former mayor of New York, whose management of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 won him worldwide praise. As Trumps personal attorney he has been trying to find compromising material about the presidents enemies in Ukraine in what some have termed a shadow foreign policy. In a series of eccentric TV appearances he has claimed that the US state department asked him to get involved. Giuliani insists that he is fighting corruption on Trumps behalf and has called himself a hero. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Volodymyr Zelensky The newly elected Ukrainian president - a former comic actor best known for playing a man who becomes president by accident - is seen frantically agreeing with Trump in the partial transcript of their July phone call released by the White House. With a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of his country, and the Crimea region seized by Vladimir Putin in 2014, Zelensky will have been eager to please his American counterpart, who had suspended vital military aid before their phone conversation. He says there was no pressure on him from Trump to do him the favour he was asked for. Zelensky appeared at an awkward press conference with Trump in New York during the United Nations general assembly, looking particularly uncomfortable when the American suggested he take part in talks with Putin. AFP/Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pence The vice-president was not on the controversial July call to the Ukrainian president but did get a read-out later. However, Trump announced that Pence had had one or two phone conversations of a similar nature, dragging him into the crisis. Pence himself denies any knowledge of any wrongdoing and has insisted that there is no issue with Trumps actions. It has been speculated that Trump involved Pence as an insurance policy - if both are removed from power the presidency would go to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican would allow. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rick Perry Trump reportedly told a meeting of Republicans that he made the controversial call to the Ukrainian president at the urging of his own energy secretary, Rick Perry, and that he didnt even want to. The president apparently said that Perry wanted him to talk about liquefied natural gas - although there is no mention of it in the partial transcript of the phone call released by the White House. It is thought that Perry will step down from his role at the end of the year. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Joe Biden The former vice-president is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination, which would make him Trumps opponent in the 2020 election. Trump says that Biden pressured Ukraine to sack a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that Bidens son Hunter was on the board of, refusing to release US aid until this was done. However, pressure to fire the prosecutor came on a wide front from western countries. It is also believed that the investigation into the company, Burisma, had long been dormant. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Hunter Biden Joe Bidens son has been accused of corruption by the president because of his business dealings in Ukraine and China. However, Trump has yet to produce any evidence of corruption and Bidens lawyer insists he has done nothing wrong. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Barr The attorney-general, who proved his loyalty to Trump with his handling of the Mueller report, was mentioned in the Ukraine call as someone president Volodymyr Zelensky should talk to about following up Trumps preoccupations with the Bidens and the Clinton emails. Nancy Pelosi has accused Barr of being part of a cover-up of a cover-up. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pompeo The secretary of state initially implied he knew little about the Ukraine phone call - but it later emerged that he was listening in at the time. He has since suggested that asking foreign leaders for favours is simply how international politics works. Gordon Sondland testified that Pompeo was "in the loop" and knew what was happening in Ukraine. Pompeo has been criticised for not standing up for diplomats under his command when they were publicly criticised by the president. AFP via Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Nancy Pelosi The Democratic Speaker of the House had long resisted calls from within her own party to back a formal impeachment process against the president, apparently fearing a backlash from voters. On September 24, amid reports of the Ukraine call and the day before the White House released a partial transcript of it, she relented and announced an inquiry, saying: The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Adam Schiff Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, one of the three committees leading the inquiry. He was criticized by Republicans for giving what he called a parody of the Ukraine phone call during a hearing, with Trump and others saying he had been pretending that his damning characterisation was a verbatim reading of the phone call. He has also been criticised for claiming that his committee had had no contact with the whistleblower, only for it to emerge that the intelligence agent had contacted a staff member on the committee for guidance before filing the complaint. The Washington Post awarded Schiff a four Pinocchios rating, its worst rating for a dishonest statement. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman Florida-based businessmen and Republican donors Lev Parnas (pictured with Rudy Giuliani) and Igor Fruman were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on 9 October. Separately the Associated Press has reported that they were both involved in efforts to replace the management of Ukraine's gas company, Naftogaz, with new bosses who would steer lucrative contracts towards companies controlled by Trump allies. There is no suggestion of any criminal activity in these efforts. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Taylor The most senior US diplomat in Ukraine and the former ambassador there. As one of the first two witnesses in the public impeachment hearings, Taylor dropped an early bombshell by revealing that one of his staff later identified as diplomat David Holmes overheard a phone conversation in which Donald Trump could be heard asking about investigations the very day after asking the Ukrainian president to investigate his political enemies. Taylor expressed his concern at reported plans to withhold US aid in return for political smears against Trumps opponents, saying: It's one thing to try to leverage a meeting in the White House. It's another thing, I thought, to leverage security assistance -- security assistance to a country at war, dependent on both the security assistance and the demonstration of support." Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal George Kent A state department official who appeared alongside William Taylor wearing a bow tie that was later mocked by the president. He accused Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps personal lawyer, of leading a campaign of lies against Marie Yovanovitch, who was forced out of her job as US ambassador to Ukraine for apparently standing in the way of efforts to smear Democrats. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Marie Yovanovitch One of the most striking witnesses to give evidence at the public hearings, the former US ambassador to Ukraine received a rare round of applause as she left the committee room after testifying. Canadian-born Yovanovitch was attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump while she was actually testifying, giving Democrats the chance to ask her to respond. She said she found the attack very intimidating. Trump had already threatened her in his 25 July phone call to the Ukrainian president saying: Shes going to go through some things. Yovanovitch said she was shocked, appalled and devastated by the threat and by the way she was forced out of her job without explanation. REUTERS Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Alexander Vindman A decorated Iraq War veteran and an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Lt Col Vindman began his evidence with an eye-catching statement about the freedoms America afforded him and his family to speak truth to power without fear of punishment. One of the few witnesses to have actually listened to Trumps 25 July call with the Ukrainian president, he said he found the conversation so inappropriate that he was compelled to report it to the White House counsel. Trump later mocked him for wearing his military uniform and insisting on being addressed by his rank. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Jennifer Williams A state department official acting as a Russia expert for vice-president Mike Pence, Ms Williams also listened in on the 25 July phone call. She testified that she found it unusual because it focused on domestic politics in terms of Trump asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponents. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Kurt Volker The former special envoy to Ukraine was one of the few people giving evidence who was on the Republican witness list although what he had to say may not have been too helpful to their cause. He dismissed the idea that Joe Biden had done anything corrupt, a theory spun without evidence by the president and his allies. He said that he thought the US should be supporting Ukraines reforms and that the scheme to find dirt on Democrats did not serve the national interest. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Tim Morrison An expert on the National Security Council and another witness on the Republican list. He testified that he did not think the president had done anything illegal but admitted that he feared it would create a political storm if it became public. He said he believed the moving the record of the controversial 25 July phone call to a top security server had been an innocent mistake. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Gordon Sondland In explosive testimony, one of the men at the centre of the scandal got right to the point in his opening testimony: Was there a quid pro quo? Yes, said the US ambassador to the EU who was a prime mover in efforts in Ukraine to link the release of military aid with investigations into the presidents political opponents. He said that everyone knew what was going on, implicating vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The effect of his evidence is perhaps best illustrated by the reaction of Mr Trump who went from calling Sondland a great American a few weeks earlier to claiming that he barely knew him. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Laura Cooper A Pentagon official, Cooper said Ukrainian officials knew that US aid was being withheld before it became public knowledge in August undermining a Republican argument that there cant have been a quid pro quo between aid and investigations if the Ukrainians didnt know that aid was being withheld. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Hale The third most senior official at the state department. Hale testified about the treatment of Marie Yovanovitch and the smear campaign that culminated in her being recalled from her posting as US ambassador to Ukraine. He said: I believe that she should have been able to stay at post and continue to do the outstanding work. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Fiona Hill Arguably the most confident and self-possessed of the witnesses in the public hearings phase, the Durham-born former NSC Russia expert began by warning Republicans not to keep repeating Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories. In a distinctive northeastern English accent, Dr Hill went on to describe how she had argued with Gordon Sondland about his interference in Ukraine matters until she realised that while she and her colleagues were focused on national security, Sondland was being involved in a domestic political errand. She said: I did say to him, Ambassador Sondland, Gordon, this is going to blow up. And here we are. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Holmes The Ukraine-based diplomat described being in a restaurant in Kiev with Gordon Sondland while the latter phoned Donald Trump. Holmes said he could hear the president on the other end of the line because his voice was so loud and distinctive and because Sondland had to hold the phone away from his ear asking about the investigations and whether the Ukrainian president would cooperate. REUTERS Mr McConnell also did not say whether the Senate will bring up witnesses or evidence for the trial, saying instead he'll determine whether to do that "at the appropriate time". Speaker Pelosi said a Senate dismissal of the charges against the president amounts to a "pure political cover-up". Meanwhile, Democrats are pressuring the White House to release billions of dollars in aid to Puerto Rico, still suffering from 2017 hurricanes in addition to the ongoing earthquakes that have displaced thousands of people, as reports emerge that the president is considering diverting billions from the Pentagon to pay for his US-Mexico border wall. Democrats also announced an investigation into the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" anti-immigration measure at the border, which "has morphed into a policy whereby refugees and asylum seekers are being kept in Mexico indefinitely and without due process or access to counsel". Follow live coverage as it happened: ALBANY U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has joined the chorus of New York Republicans who are calling for changes to the state's newly enacted criminal justice reforms, which even some state Democratic leaders acknowledge needs tweaks. Stefanik on Monday announced her co-sponsorship of legislation that would direct the Government Accountability Office to assess how individuals on pre-trial release programs are monitored at the federal, state and local levels and ensure communities are not being put at risk. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill to address dangerous bail reform policies that continue to put our communities at risk, Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said in a statement. This legislation will require an assessment of failed bail reform laws exactly like the one that Gov. (Andrew M.) Cuomo has implemented in New York, which has had significant impacts in the North Country and put many communities at risk. I stand united with local law enforcement and various members of our communities against these harmful bail reform policies and look forward to working with my colleagues to moving this legislation forward, Stefanik said. It's unclear if Stefanik's measure will develop any momentum in her Democrat-controlled chamber. Republican state lawmakers have railed against New Yorks bail reforms since they passed last April, but have made it a key focus as they enter the 2020 legislative session and election cycle. Just two days before the start of session, state GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy held a news conference at the Capitol where he called the changes "an assault on civilized society and called for its immediate repeal. That same day Stefanik held a roundtable event on mental health in law enforcement in which she briefly touched on those reforms, calling them fundamentally flawed. The changes that went into effect Jan. 1 included the elimination of cash bail and pretrial detention for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. With Democrats in control of state government, Republicans will face an uphill battle in getting liberal lawmakers to consider changes. However, Cuomo as well as state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have already acknowledged adjustments may be needed. Stewart-Cousins said they would not rush to make changes because of fear-mongering, but want to ensure the reforms are doing what was intended. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. We don't want to criminalize poverty, she said recently. We do not want to continue a system that everybody agrees is broken without making changes." Cuomo recently called the new statutes a work in progress, and noted there are "consequences that we have to adjust for." In his State of the State address, he called for a new domestic terrorism criminal charge in the wake of an anti-Semitic attack in Rockland County earlier this month in which five people were stabbed at a rabbis home during a Hanukkah celebration. State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, a Bronx Democrat and staunch supporter of the bail reform measures, is less supportive of acting early to roll back the reforms. Shrewsbury defender Aaron Pierre lashed home an 89th minute winner to sink Bristol City and book the League One side a lucrative FA Cup fourth round clash with Liverpool. Pierre let fly from 25 yards with a low shot that crept inside visiting keeper Daniel Bentleys left-hand post and sparked wild celebrations at the New Meadow. The visitors had come close to grabbing the lead in the 22nd minute when Nathan Baker struck the base of the post with a downward header. Tottenham booked a fourth round trip to Southampton after surviving a late scare in a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough. Jose Mourinhos men looked set to cruise to victory after Giovani Lo Celso took advantage of an error by Boro keeper Tomas Mejias to put his side in front after just two minutes. Erik Lamela slid home Spurs second with just 15 minutes on the clock and it looked like being a long night for Jonathan Woodgates side. Lamela helped Spurs through. However Boro were vastly improved in the second half and gave Mourinho some nervy moments after George Saville reduced the deficit seven minutes from time. Under-fire Brazilian striker Joelinton scored his second Newcastle goal as the injury-hit Magpies strolled to a 4-1 replay win over Rochdale. Steve Bruces men were home and dry inside the opening half-hour after an Eoghan OConnell own goal followed by strikes from Matty Longstaff and Miguel Almiron. Joelinton ended his 20-match goal drought with a second half effort before the League One visitors grabbed a late consolation through Jordan Williams. Max Biamou scored twice and Josh Pask also netted as Coventry beat Bristol Rovers 3-0 to set up an intriguing fourth round clash at home to their current landlords Birmingham. Goals from Lucas Boye and Jordan Obita earned Reading a 2-0 replay win at Blackpool and a fourth round meeting with the winners of Wednesdays replay between Carlisle and Cardiff. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Amid the much-hyped visit of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to India, traders across 300 cities in the country would stage protests against his arrival under the aegis of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Wednesday. In a media briefing here on Tuesday, Praveen Khandelwal, the Secretary General of CAIT, reiterated that around seven crore traders and their families have been "extremely adversely affected due to the predatory and malafide business practices of Amazon and Flipkart". Khandelwal also claimed that Amazon and Flipkart have caused huge GST and Income Tax revenue loss to the government and CAIT will soon meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and urged her to institute a investigation into avoidance of GST and Income Tax liability on both Amazon and Flipkart. "The visit of Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder tomorrow to India will be greeted with strong protest from traders across Country in about 300 cities. The protest at New Delhi will be held at Jantar Mantar," the CAIT statement said. The organisation has been protesting for long against what its calls the 'deep' discounting practices of e-commerce majors, among other issues. On Monday, fair market watchdog, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an enquiry into the operations of both Amazon and Flipkart on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-up with preferred sellers. Finding merits in the allegations, the Commission has asked its Director General (DG) to complete the investigation in 60 days from the receipt of the order. Khandelwal said that order of CCI is given under section 26(1) of the Competition Act and since it is not appealable, there is no scope left for Amazon & Flipkart to avoid the investigation. Commenting upon the statements of both Amazon and Flipkart that they are complying with FDI policy, he said that they should specify how they are able to give huge discounts. Both the e-commerce majors on Monday reiterated their stand that they have complied with the laws. "We welcome the opportunity to address allegations made about Amazon. We are confident in our compliance, and will cooperate fully with CCI," said an Amazon India spokesperson. A Flipkart spokesperson said: "We are currently reviewing the document. The Flipkart group is fully compliant with all applicable laws and FDI regulations. We take pride in democratising e-commerce in India and giving market access to lakhs of MSMEs, sellers, artisans and small businesses, making quality and affordable goods available to consumers through our transparent and efficient marketplace while creating lakhs of jobs." Six tribal infants have died at a state-run hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol on the intervening night of 13 and 14 January, a senior official said Shahdol: Six tribal infants have died at a state-run hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol on the intervening night of 13 and 14 January, a senior official said on Tuesday. A probe has been ordered by Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Tulsi Silawat. "The infants, some of them one-day-old and others two-and-a-half-months-old, died on the intervening night of 13 and 14 January," said Dr Rajesh Pande, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Kushabhau Thakre district hospital. The exact cause of their death will be known after investigation, he said. "The infants were admitted in the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital in a serious condition, and efforts to save them proved futile," he added. Dr Pande also said that authorities are also probing whether there is any negligence on part of the hospital staff. Four of the six deceased were identified as Shyam Narayan Kol, Suraj Baiga, Anjali Baiga and Subhash Baiga. State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Kamleshwar Patel also visited the hospital to take stock of the situation. "A high-level team will probe the incident and submit its report soon, based on which action will be taken against concerned staff," he said. One of the main parallels Inskeep draws with the present involves the political and media landscapes. Fremont preceded Lincoln as the nations first Republican presidential candidate, at a time of rapidly improving information-sharing. Without technology, his enormous renown might not have been possible in his lifetime. But the new telegraph suddenly allowed news of his exploits to spread, and made possible both mythmaking and savage political smearing. This book makes clear that running for president was at least as ugly in 1856 as it is today. In fact, the single bravest thing Fremont ever did may have been to refuse to hide his Catholicism at a time when American nativism and anti-immigrant prejudice could have sunk him. Image Steve Inskeep Credit... Mike Morgan/NPR One problem Inskeep faces is the unappetizing nature of the people he writes about. Jessie was a flat-out bigot, and not shy about it. (Fleas swarmed there, she said about San Francisco, as they do wherever the Spanish language is spoken.) John lived during a time when Native Americans were defined as the whites trying to drive out immigrants, and he had been involved with Andrew Jacksons Trail of Tears exile of the Cherokee. (Inskeep, co-host of NPRs Morning Edition, is also the author of Jacksonland.) When it came to separating California from its Spanish and Indian residents, Fremont had no qualms. And as the Civil War loomed, with Fremont transformed into a cautious politician, his record on slavery was mixed. Inskeep contends that the Fremonts embraced nativism when it was convenient. They pursued a morally perilous course, crafting words and deeds to win over bigots while trying not to taint themselves, he writes, about Fremonts California senatorial campaign in the early 1850s. They tried using sleight of hand to enlist prejudiced voters in an essentially progressive cause. This is so iffy that stories in this very book contradict it. But during his 1856 presidential campaign Fremont had the help and endorsement not only of Lincoln but also of Frederick Douglass, whose canny political instincts led him to find a waffler like Fremont more viable than an outspoken abolitionist who could never win. Right antislavery action is that which deals the severest deadliest blow upon slavery that can be given at that particular time, Douglasss endorsement went. It didnt help. In a three-way race, the Democrat James Buchanan sailed to victory over both Fremont and the Know-Nothing candidate, the former president Millard Fillmore. Not long afterward, the Supreme Court handed down the Dred Scott decision: a reminder of our nation at its worst. Regardless of where your sympathies lie regarding the slippery Fremonts, theres no denying the new importance Inskeep has given them. He digs as deeply as he can into Jessie, who wrote impassioned love letters to John but spent most of her life a continent away from him, and John, who couldnt even get his name straight until adulthood. (He was the illegitimate son of Charles Fremon, a French teacher. The t and the accent were his own inventions, after some characteristic hemming and hawing.) Its not Inskeeps fault that Fremont was stuffy, indecisive, not very quotable and driven by self-interest. Case in point: He refused orders to leave California because he wanted to buy beachfront property there. MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine government will take over the capital's water distribution services if the two largest water firms refuse to accept the terms of new contracts that will be offered to them, the presidential spokesman said on Tuesday. Maynilad Water Services Inc and Manila Water Co Inc serve a combined 16 million customers under 25-year concession deals signed in 1997, but President Rodrigo Duterte labelled the agreements "onerous and disadvantageous" for ratepayers. The firebrand leader in December ordered criminal charges filed against the two companies, including their billionaire owners. Earlier that month, they had won arbitration cases in Singapore against the government. "The chief executive is giving the water concessionaires the option of accepting the new contracts minus the onerous provisions without any guarantee of not being criminally prosecuted together with those who conspired to craft the very onerous contracts," Salvador Panelo, Duterte's spokesman, told a news conference. "Should Maynilad and Manila Water refuse to accept the new agreements, the president will order the cancellation of their present water contracts, order the nationalisation of water services in their respective areas of operation," Panelo said. Manila Water and Maynilad did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The market cheered the news that the two firms would be allowed to continue to operate if they adhered to the government's conditions. Manila Water, which fell as much as 73% and lost as much as $556 million in market value last month, rallied nearly 15% on Tuesday after the announcement, while parent firm Ayala Corp, which shed up to $875 million in market capitalisation, gained 1.5%. Maynilad owners Metro Pacific Investments Corp and DMCI Holdings Inc, rose 3.2% and 3.9%, respectively, on Tuesday. The two firms collectively lost as much as $1.45 billion in market value after Duterte's criticism. Story continues Last month, the state water regulator cancelled a 15-year extension of the water utilities' concession after pressure from Duterte. The existing concessions will expire in 2022. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore last month ordered the Philippine government to pay Manila Water 7.4 billion pesos ($145.55 million) to recoup foregone revenues from rate increases that were rejected by regulators. Maynilad won a separate arbitration last year. The companies had said they would forfeit any damage claims to avoid angering the president, who enjoys high public approval ratings. ($1 = 50.84 Philippine pesos) (Reporting by Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE The legislative session is a week away, but New Mexico lawmakers are already scrutinizing budget documents and preparing to work over the weekend. The House Appropriations and Finance Committee where the state budget starts its journey has scheduled hearings for more than 50 state agencies this week, and some members will meet Saturday to go over special budget requests. The Senate Rules Committee, in a rare move, also held confirmation hearings last week to help prepare for the appointment of new state officials and board members. Its all part of an accelerated schedule for the 2020 session, for which lawmakers will convene for 30 days, starting Tuesday. The Legislature meets twice as long for 60 days during odd-numbered years. Adopting a budget is at the top of this years agenda. The pre-session work is incredibly necessary, said Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, a Gallup Democrat and chairwoman of the House appropriations committee. We would not make our deadline if we didnt start early. By rule, the House aims to send a budget proposal to the Senate by the halfway point of the session, or a little over two weeks after opening day. Rep. Randal Crowder, R-Clovis, said he and other members of the appropriations committee are going agency by agency this week to compare dueling recommendations submitted by the governor and the Legislative Finance Committee, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that meets between sessions. Its imperative to do that, said Crowder of the early start. The two budget recommendations overlap for the most part, but with substantial discrepancies on college financial aid and spending on early childhood programs. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing $35 million for a new scholarship program aimed at making college essentially tuition-free for New Mexico residents, in addition to increased spending on a child care assistance program. Altogether, the governor is recommending about $7.7 billion in sustained spending next year, an increase of about 8.4%. The Legislative Finance Committee is recommending $7.5 billion. An oil boom in southeastern New Mexico has propelled state revenue to record highs, allowing the state to increase spending. The work to reconcile the budget differences has already begun. The House appropriations committee met all day Monday in a committee room filled with state officials and lobbyists. The meetings will continue through Saturday. On the other side of the Roundhouse, the Senate Finance Committee starts its meetings Wednesday. The Senate Rules Committee, meanwhile, held confirmation hearings for more than a dozen new appointees last week to state boards and commissions. Final Senate approval is still needed, but the hearings give the Senate a head start. Its important we get our work done whenever we can get it done, said Sen. Jeff Steinborn, a Las Cruces Democrat and vice chairman of the Rules Committee. At least four Cabinet secretaries and State Police Chief Tim Johnson will be up for confirmation this session, too. They are Ryan Stewart of Public Education, Elizabeth Groginsky of Early Childhood Education and Care, Katrina Hotrum-Lopez of Aging and Long-Term Services, and Alisha Tafoya Lucero of Corrections. They can continue running their state departments with confirmation pending, although they must step down if theyre rejected by the Senate. In even-numbered years when some or all legislators are on the ballot New Mexicos shorter sessions are generally limited to budget and revenue proposals, although the governor is empowered to add other items to the agenda. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat in her second year as governor, is expected to add a variety of topics to this years session, including legalization of recreational marijuana; a red flag law, allowing the temporary seizure of guns from people deemed an immediate threat; and overhauling the pension system for state employees. Boris Johnson hit back at the US over the its opposition to Chinese tech giant Huawei being involved in the UK's 5G network today, demanding Washington 'tell us what the alternative is'. In a blunt message to Donald Trump's administration, the Prime Minister said he did not want to compromise on security but insisted that Britain 'deserved the best technology'. It comes after US officials last night issued an extraordinary warning to Britain, insisting it would be 'madness' to allow the Chinese firm to build the UK's 5G phone network. They argue that allowing the firm - connected to thew communist state's military - was a major security risk that could jeopardise intelligence sharing between the close transatlantic allies. Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning Mr Johnson said: 'I have talked about infrastructure and technology. We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. 'Now, if people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us which is the alternative. 'On the other hand, let's be clear, I don't, as the UK Prime Minister, want to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to co-operate with Five Eyes intelligence.' In an astonishing swipe at Donald Trump's administration, the Prime Minister said he did not want to compromise on security but insisted that Britain 'deserved the best technology' A decision on 5G is expected later this month during a meeting of the National Security Council, with Huawei involvement a possibility A decision on 5G is expected later this month during a meeting of the National Security Council. The PM will be given two options block Huawei entirely, or allow it access to 'non-core kit' only such as antennae. US officials last night warned Britain could see its 'sovereignty under threat'. They also said the UK's intelligence-sharing relationship with America could be cut off. President Donald Trump is said to be 'concerned' about the prospect of Britain using Huawei because he 'doesn't want anything to come between' him and Boris Johnson. President Donald Trump is said to be 'concerned' about the prospect of Britain using Huawei because he 'doesn't want anything to come between' him and Boris Johnson British officials have raised concerns that blocking Huawei could lead to higher bills for consumers and delay the introduction of 5G. Nevertheless, six US officials, including deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, flew to the UK yesterday. The team was sent to lobby the Government, believing there is still time to persuade Mr Johnson to block Huawei. In a briefing following talks with Cabinet ministers, one official said it would 'be nothing less than madness to allow Huawei to get into next generation tele- communication networks and vacuum up personal data'. Victor Zhang, the vice president of Huawei, said: 'Huawei has worked with the UK's telecoms companies for 15 years and looks forward to supplying the best technologies that help companies like BT and Vodafone fulfill the government's commitment to make gigabit broadband available to all. 'We are confident that the UK Government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations. 'Two UK parliamentary committees concluded there is no technical reason to ban us from supplying 5G equipment and this week the Head of MI5 said, there is ''no reason to think'' the UK's intelligence-sharing relationship with the US would be harmed if Britain continued to use Huawei technology.' "I don't think there is anything that the budget can do that will immediately solve the problem that the industry is facing which is slowdown and lack of growth. In my view, the Budget was never a problem in the first place. Business sentiment has been done for the past one-and-a-half years," said Bajaj. Speaking to the media on sidelines of launching the electric Chetak Bajaj, he stated that the upcoming Union Budget wont fix the issues plaguing the industry unless issues of over regulation is tended to. Two-wheeler sales have been hit the most due to the slowdown, recording a dip of 14.19 percent to 18.56 million units in 2019 as compared to 21.64 million units in 2018, as per data supplied by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). "There are multiple reasons for it but in my view the single most important reason or something that is responsible for the state of affairs is over regulation. It is over regulation that is killing the industry. All this started in September 2018 in terms of insurance cost where several thousand rupees of increase was imposed on the customer followed by change in safety norms where ABS and CBS that was imposed and now BSVI," added Bajaj.The six-fold hike in insurance premium for third party covers hit the two wheeler segment dearly when premium costs jumped 356 percent to Rs 3285 from Rs 720 for budget motorcycles powered by a 100cc engines. Bikes above 150cc but below 350cc have seen premiums jump to Rs 5453. Above 350cc the same has jumped to Rs 13034. Likewise the mandatory upgradation to new braking system norms antilock braking system and combined braking system pushed up the costs further in April 2019. "So, within a period of less than a year a typical 150cc motorcycle that costs about Rs 70,000, paying another Rs 15,000 is huge. A manufacturer struggles to improve productivity and reduce cost to keep his price increase as close to zero as possible but inevitably he has to pass on 3-4 percent every year. But instead of that it is 20 or 30 percent increase," added Bajaj. The implementation of Bharat Stage VI emission norms from April 1 would shoot up the prices further. Some of Bajajs rivals like Hero, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki have rolled out BSVI compliant vehicles with a price hike of Rs 7,000. Bajaj will start rolling off BSVI vehicles in the next few days. "It would be politically incorrect to say that BSVi is not the right route but in my view getting rid of old vehicles would have been much more effective than squeezing the last bit of emission from BSIV vehicle. But instead of that we are going to implement BSVI and impose another Rs 8,000-10,000 Increase. Some of the BS VI two wheelers launched are priced Rs 7,000-18,000. "In a one- and- a- half year, prices of two-wheelers will have gone up by 30 percent. To me this is the hard and tangible issue. Nobody's wallet will grow by 30 percent in 18 months. Now does the government have the humility to reflect and roll back some of this (hike)? Can they be pragmatic and just like on EVs where they have brought down the GST to 5 percent from 12 percent they bring down the GST on internal combustion engine vehicle to 18 percent from 28 percent for a period of time till growth returns?" added Bajaj. Parts of Australia are littered with animal carcasses as wildfires continue to devastate the country, an animal charity has said. I can barely describe it, says Evan Quartermain from Humane Society International. In some places you cant walk 10 metres without coming across another carcass. The charity has rescued animals on Kangaroo Island suffering from burns, smoke inhalation and mental trauma, as well as building food and water stations for unharmed animals. The island famous for its natural wildlife is utterly scorched with charred animal bodies everywhere, according to the Humane Society International CEO. At one area, which was badly burned a week ago, the scenes were nothing short of apocalyptic, Erica Martin said. Animals rescued during Australia fires Show all 25 1 /25 Animals rescued during Australia fires Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala rescued at a burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide AAP Image/Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter Pat Smith pouring water onto a possum's feet with burns from fires on the outskirts of the town of Tumbarumba in New South Wales Greenpeace Australia-Pacific/AFP Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Grey-headed Flying Fox bats prepared for a feeding at the Uralla, Australia, home of Jackie Maisey, a volunteer with Northern Tableands Wildlife Carers. The bats are swaddled in flannel wraps similar to those being made by thousands of crafters worldwide who are using their sewing, knitting and crocheting skills to make items for wildlife injured in the Australian brush fires Jackie Maisey/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires Sara Tilling takes care of a young injured Kangaroo which she and her partner Gary Henderson are nursing back to health in Cobargo EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan holds a baby Koala she just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Images Animals rescued during Australia fires Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Fire-impacted, orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys are seen at the property of WIRES Carers Kevin and Lorita Clapson in East Lynne, South of Sydney EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala receives water from a cyclist during a severe heatwave that hit the region, in Adelaide Instagram/BIKEBUG2019 via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned Flying-Fox is fed at the property of WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator, Janet Jones, in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan checks an injured Koala she had just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A wallabie eating a carrot dropped by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife services over the bushfire affected areas along the South Coast for wallabies NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Animals rescued during Australia fires A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires Gary Henderson holds the young injured kangaroo he and his partner are nursing back to health EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala drinks water offered from a bottle by a firefighter during bushfires in Cudlee Creek, south Australia Oakbank Balhannah CFS via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid South Coast wombat coordinator Tony De La Fosse with two orphaned pouch-rescued Wombats at his property in Malua Bay EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Qantas, an orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey whose feet were burned in recent bushfires, is held by WIRES Carer Kevin Clapson at his property in East Lynne EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Various completed animal pouches for animals affected by Australia bushfires hang on clothing racks in Regents Park, Queensland Kim Simeon via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey hangs in a makeshift pouch at the property of WIRES EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island, South Australia Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator Janet Jones weighs a rescued Grey-Headed Flying-Fox at her home in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A weary kangaroo shelters on a patch of green grass surrounded by burnt bushland along the Princes Highway near in Milton Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Various animal wraps for bats affected by bushfires Simone Watts via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires A staff member moving a rescued koala to a temporary shelter at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney Taronga Zoo/AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley AFP via Getty Images There we only found one living koala amongst thousands of bodies of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and birds. Conservationists have warned Australias worst ever wildfire season which is expected to continue for several months has already devastated the countrys wildlife. Experts have estimated over one billion animals have been killed in blazes which have ravaged the country since September. Some species may already gone extinct as a result of the wildfires, according to a leaked report. Around 25,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island half of its original population are believed to have died, according to World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). As many as one third of Australias koalas may have been lost in the fires, the conservation group said. WWF fears the disasters could lead to local extinctions and threaten the survival of some species, such as the glossy black-cockatoo and a knee-high kangaroo known as the long-footed potoroo. Sussan Ley, the countrys environment minister, said there will be a review into whether certain koala populations now classify as endangered, according to Reuters. The government has released $50m (27m) fund for emergency wildlife and habitat recovery to support animal rescue and plan ahead to protect environments, the Department of the Environment and Energy has said. Scientists have warned devastating bushfires could become normal if the threat of climate change is not adequately addressed. So far, millions of acres of land has burned in the blazes raging through Australia, which have killed 28 people and torched thousands of homes. Additional reporting by agencies Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 01:40:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The all new 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is unveiled during the 2019 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview at McCormick Place in Chicago, the United States, on Feb. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Joel Lerner) In Volkswagen's largest single market China, deliveries increased by 1.7 percent to 3,163,200 vehicles, despite a declining overall market, according to the German car manufacturer. BERLIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Volkswagen brand delivered 6,278,300 vehicles worldwide in 2019, an increase of 0.5 percent compared with the previous year, the German car manufacturer announced on Monday. In Volkswagen's largest single market China, deliveries increased by 1.7 percent to 3,163,200 vehicles, despite a declining overall market, according to Volkswagen. "In 2019, we significantly strengthened our global market position with considerable gains in market shares," said Volkswagen Sales Board Member Juergen Stackmann. A Jetta car with a brandnew Volkswagen logo is on display during the 18th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China, April 16, 2019.(Xinhua/Fang Zhe) In China, the new sub-brand JETTA had delivered 43,000 vehicles to customers since its launch in September 2019, making it the "most successful new brand in China in recent years", according to Volkswagen. In the last month of the year, Volkswagen brand had even achieved an increase of 22.2 percent in China and sold 354,200 vehicles, which was more than half of all vehicles delivered worldwide in December. Globally, Volkswagen brand recorded a significant growth in sales of electrically powered vehicles. The number of electrified vehicles delivered in 2019 rose by around 60 percent to more than 80,000 units, according to the German car manufacturer. In Europe, the Volkswagen brand delivered a total of 1,763,800 vehicles in 2019, an increase of 0.9 percent, according to Volkswagen. In the domestic market of Germany, where 569,900 vehicles were handed over to customers, growth was "even more pronounced" at 5.3 percent, Volkswagen announced. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the alleged negligence of doctors at a government hospital in Koderma where they allegedly kept an elderly accident victim waiting till his relatives reached from neighbouring Bihar. It took the Koderma district police two days to find out a relative of the patient and his family members complained that he did not get any treatment during this period. The chief minister took exception to the conduct of the management of the Koderma Sadar Hospital where 60-year-old Bihar resident, Shatrughan Sao, was admitted with a fractured leg following a road accident. Sao, who was at the Koderma hospital since the mishap took place 14 days ago, was referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here on Tuesday following the instruction of Soren. Instead of giving him priority treatment, the hospital waited for his relatives to reach there, the chief minister said after receiving a complaint from the patient's family. "This attitude has been there for the last few years. Instead of taking the responsibility to solve the problem - every officer wants to shift it. This is really sad, but the situation will change now. This attitude will no longer be tolerated," Soren said in a tweet. In a tweet, Soren directed the management of all (government) hospitals to treat patients with sensitivity. "The police has the responsibility to locate relatives of unknown issues while doctors should focus on the treatment of the patients," Soren said in his tweet. Soren asked the RIMS management to treat Sao and asked Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray to arrange for sending him to his home at Ekangar Sarai of Bihar's Nalanda district after treatment. Sources in the Koderma hospital said, after the police took Sao to the facility 14 days ago, the elderly man could not properly tell anything about himself. The police found out a nephew of his after two days and he started staying with him, sources said. They also claimed that the Koderma hospital also lacked the specialist orthopaedic required to treat Sao. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DEAR ABBY: I am a 25-year-old college student on the verge of graduation. Over the past three months, I have been dating a slightly younger man (he's 21). We get along well, and I thoroughly enjoy his company. He has never been anything but kind and supportive. My parents have an issue with the match. My boyfriend is Latino, born and raised in a South American country. He speaks and understands English well, although speaking it does make him a little nervous. I speak Spanish fluently, so when we talk to each other, he speaks in Spanish and I speak in English, and we have no problem communicating. My parents think that relationships (especially marriages) are already hard enough, and adding cultural differences to the equation is a dangerous gamble for my future happiness. They strongly oppose my continuing my relationship with him. Do you think their argument is valid? I've looked up statistics that say marriages between a Latino man and white woman are the most likely to end in divorce (not that I'm thinking of marrying him any time soon, but one of my future goals is to be in a happy marriage, and I realize that you marry who you date). The idea of ending a relationship with someone I adore based on statistics is upsetting to me. I'd really appreciate your thoughts. -- GROWN-UP IN UTAH DEAR GROWN-UP: You have been dating this man for only three months. By the age of 25, the decision about whom you decide to EVENTUALLY marry should be yours, not your parents', regardless of how well-meaning they are. Do not let statistics rule your life because there are always exceptions. Let this play out, and you will have your answer. DEAR ABBY: My husband finds fault and makes negative comments about almost everything. He rarely talks to me about anything. I am not happy with my life with him. I feel there is so much I want to do and explore. He is content to stay at home, watch TV and occasionally do little projects around the house. Then it is time for TV again. We are both retired. My adult kids and my grandchildren are my whole life. We are all very close. My husband, on the other hand, rarely talks to or calls his kids, even though I encourage him to. One child no longer even speaks to him. Another one lives too far away to see him (a 10-hour drive), which is his reason for not visiting him. With no friends and very little family contact, I feel I am all he has. I want to run away, but if I do, he'd be heartbroken. Sad to say, I wouldn't even miss him. What should I do? -- UNFULFILLED IN OHIO DEAR UNFULFILLED: Has your husband always been this way? If the answer is no, he may be depressed, which is something that should be discussed with his doctor. I don't think you should leave him -- immediately. If you want to travel and have the means to do so, travel with some friends. The only thing you should NOT do is permit yourself to become isolated because your husband is so closed off. DEAR ABBY: I have been a widow for three years. Sixteen years ago, my husband and I built a modest -- but nice -- home and worked very hard to pay off the mortgage early. I am constantly asked if I am going to stay in my home or if I plan to sell it. I have no intention of moving at this time or in the near future, if at all. Is there a good answer to give people when they keep asking this question? Do they think I am not capable of living in a house by myself? Any suggestions will be appreciated. -- HAPPY AT HOME DEAR HAPPY: When someone asks that question, rather than become defensive, say, "Why do you ask?" Then let the person explain the reason behind it. Instead of implying that you are no longer capable of living alone, the questioner may be considering making an offer to buy it from you. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 35 years. For the last seven years, we have been separated. He treated me badly, and finally, I refused to take it, so I left him. I moved out, bought a car and bought a home, all on my own. I'm proud of myself. We have tried marriage counseling, but I felt like we were just going through the motions. He has pressured me in the past about getting back together, but I know he will go right back to his old behavior. My question is, when is it time to get a divorce? I'm confused about just being separated because it makes me feel I'm in limbo. -- IN-BETWEEN IN COLORADO DEAR IN-BETWEEN: You ARE in limbo. You tried marriage counseling; it didn't help you trust that your husband wouldn't continue to abuse you. Call a lawyer. After seven years (!) of separation, the time to formally untie the knot is now. DEAR ABBY: I have been trying to deal with this on my own for a long time. I have been "crushing" on a man of my faith for a couple of years, and it never seems to subside. We are both married to others, seemingly happily. I like his wife very much, and I would never want to hurt her. I think he is a wonderful human being, and he has said as much to me. We would never entertain the idea of an affair. From my standpoint, I don't know what to do. Do you have any suggestions? I try to give my own husband lots of love. -- TORN BETWEEN TWO IN MONTANA DEAR TORN: Do nothing about this crush. Continue giving your husband lots of love, attention and appreciation. Crushes are normal. Sometimes they serve as reminders that we are still alive. As long as they remain "unfertilized romances," they harm no one. You have a mutual admiration society because you both deserve it and have nothing to feel guilty about. DEAR ABBY: Is there any way to stop charities from sending all of this "free stuff"? When I donate to charity, I intend for my contribution to be used to help someone in need. Instead, I am subjected to all kinds of things in my mailbox. I have received money, postage stamps, greeting cards, notepads and enough mailing labels to far outlast me! I have now decided that any charity that sends me merchandise or any other "freebie" will be taken off my donation list. I hate to write bona fide charities off my list, but it has become ridiculous. -- WASTEFUL IN WASHINGTON DEAR WASTEFUL: You are not the only person to complain about this. I receive many letters from equally frustrated readers about it. Before donating to any charity, go online and check out charitynavigator.org. If you do, it will give you insight into where your money goes -- including how much of their revenue is spent on salaries and "overhead." Just because you receive notepads, mailing labels and calendars does NOT mean you are obligated to send money. Please remember that. DEAR ABBY: At 18, I married my high school sweetheart. After 20 years of marriage and four wonderful children, my husband decided the grass was greener elsewhere, and we divorced. He paid no attention to my children or my grandchildren when they were young. He has since remarried, has a child with his current wife and acts like he's Father of the Year. Last weekend one of my grandchildren got married. My blowhard of an ex brought a picture of himself, my son, my grandson and my great-granddaughter saying he'd had this picture taken of four generations of the family. He never mentioned that if it hadn't been for ME giving birth to our children, none of them would have even been there. Am I overly sensitive to feel like a second-class citizen when we attend a family function? Must I continue to say nothing, or speak up? How do others handle this situation? -- CLUELESS IN THE EAST DEAR CLUELESS: They handle it by choosing their battles carefully. I think it's important that you ask yourself why anything your ex says would make you feel like a second-class citizen. He appears to have moved on with his life more quickly than you have moved on with yours. Concentrate your efforts on expanding your horizons -- your interests and friendships -- and you will find anything he might say will be far less important to you. Trust me on that. DEAR ABBY: I'm a public school teacher with a word of advice to parents who wonder why their children misbehave, argue with them and act out with attention-getting behaviors: PUT DOWN YOUR CELLPHONES AND PAY ATTENTION TO THEM! I just finished a parent-teacher conference with a mother whose children argue, pout and scream when she tells them to do something at home. Her children are not disabled, nor do they demonstrate these behaviors in my classroom. Abby, during the entire meeting, that woman texted on her phone. How rude! The next time I meet with someone who pulls that, I'll ask if she (or he) would like to suspend the meeting until their pressing business (pun intended) is finished. Maybe the parent needs to be embarrassed in order to realize how inappropriate texting or talking on the phone is when she (or he) is face-to-face with another person unless the other person says it's OK. -- HAS TO VENT DEAR VENT: Vent away. I agree that what the mother did was disrespectful. It prevented you from effectively giving her information about her child that she needed to know. As great a benefit as technology has been to society, it appears to also be a double-edged sword. By that I mean, while it fosters communication, it has kept parents from bonding with their toddlers and young people from learning to effectively communicate with each other face-to-face. The ultimate result of this is yet to be determined, but I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of people finding a balance so they can form healthy relationships. I hope your letter will serve as a wake-up call to someone who needs a reminder. DEAR ABBY: My 40-year-old son has been in a volatile on-again, off-again relationship with a woman who has physically and emotionally abused him repeatedly. He's an Iraq War veteran with issues of his own, including a previous marriage and messy divorce from a narcissistic woman. They share custody of two grade school-age children. The current woman has grown children, plus a pre-teen boy (with issues also). The last time they split up, my husband made it clear that she would never be welcome in our home again because of her violent temper. We don't condone that behavior. Our son has now decided he thinks he "loves her." He wants us to give our blessing, including having her in our home and being one big happy family. We are sure this "reunion" will come with her assurances that she has changed, and it will never happen again. Abby, we want our son to be happy, but we recognize that a leopard doesn't change her spots. We also don't want our young grandchildren in a toxic environment again. What should we do? Please don't tell me he needs to go to counseling because he says he is. Help! -- SEEING CLEARLY IN NEW YORK DEAR SEEING: When you stated that your son is asking you for your blessing, including having this woman in your home and being one big happy family, did he mean LIVING there with you? If that's not the case, you can bless it, but your answer should be no if it means they will live under your roof. It would be healthier for all of you if they have living arrangements of their own. That way, you can see her only when she is on her good behavior, and if she backslides, the drama won't be in your home. The added bonus is that your son will have a refuge if he needs it. (I'd give anything to know how his therapist views this.) DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been together for 30 years, married for 20. We have two sons living at home, a 20-year-old who works full-time and a 17-year-old who is graduating from high school in the spring. I have been offered a transfer to Australia by my employer -- a transfer I had asked for. When we discussed it in the past, everyone was all for it. My oldest can likely stay with the multinational hotel chain he works for now, and I can get my youngest a decent career in my field of work as there is a tremendous shortage of skilled labor in Australia. Now my wife tells me she can't leave her family, especially her father, who has Parkinson's. I have told her she can expect to return every summer to our condo on the beach and an additional two trips per year. Abby, I thought our vows meant we would be together forever, wherever. My employer will soon begin the process of opening the Australian office, a process I will be part of and likely train the new hire. I am bitter and resentful toward my wife, and it is affecting my attitude toward her. I love her, but I am struggling to get over the fact she is denying me a very lucrative opportunity. Advice? -- LOSING OUT IN CANADA DEAR LOSING OUT: It's time for you and your wife to put your heads together and work out a solution. By that I mean you should accept the lucrative business opportunity you have been offered, AND your wife can take care of her father as long as she needs to. Unless his condition is critical, she can visit you and your sons periodically so it shouldn't put too much strain on your marriage. I hope you will consider it because the kind of resentment you are feeling now can destroy a marriage. DEAR ABBY: I moved in with my boyfriend, "Greg," three years ago into the tiny but very economical house he rents. It's cheaper than all other rentals in our area and allows us to save for a home of our own one day. However, after many months, I have discovered to my dismay that our landlord is the mother of his ex-girlfriend. And the ex is acting manager of the property we live on! This means that, for as long as I've lived here, Greg's ex and her mom have been in frequent contact with him and are an inescapable part of our lives. Greg gets along fine with them and doesn't want to move because of high rents elsewhere, but I'm very uncomfortable with the awkwardness of our living situation. Am I being too sensitive, or should my boyfriend never have lived there in the first place? -- UNCOMFORTABLE IN MICHIGAN DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: Now, now ... let's keep our eye on the goal line. Your boyfriend's objective (and yours) is to save enough money to eventually own a place of your own. His ex and her mother are a means to an end. It would be a big mistake not to recognize that they could be charging far more for your lodgings. Concentrate on that and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. DEAR ABBY: I recently hosted a large family for a week in our home. On our last day together, the mother asked if she could run "a quick load" of laundry. I said OK, figuring she might be running low on unmentionables. Abby, she did FIVE large loads of laundry and spent half of our last day together folding everything up and packing their bags for home. I wouldn't deny anyone a quick load, but I think she took advantage of me. I was very disappointed that our last day together was wasted doing laundry. Is this a "thing" now? Your thoughts, please. -- HUNG OUT TO DRY IN ARIZONA DEAR HUNG OUT: You were trying to be helpful, and the woman did take advantage of your generosity by mischaracterizing her intentions. If, however, you had other plans for the last morning of the visit, when you saw her start her second (or third) load, you should have spoken up and drawn the line. DEAR ABBY: I am in a 14-year marriage, but there has always been another woman, "Emily," I have thought about almost daily the whole time. My wife and I have just turned 40. We have no kids, but we have a dog. I always thought I would want kids, and we tried half-heartedly, but there is no real intimacy to this day. I kiss her goodbye in the morning and, for years, that's been it. Emily is all in on a relationship with me still to this day. We had a great relationship with great sex, and I miss all of that. I'm struggling about the right thing to do, partly because I know the pain this will cause. My wife and I still have good times together with friends, but when we're home, it's like we're just best friends with no benefits. One of the last times we had sex, she ended it abruptly. The flame I felt for her is gone. I feel like I should go the other direction because she wants kids and still loves me deeply after all these years. Please advise. -- WRESTLING WITH IT IN WISCONSIN DEAR WRESTLING: Clearly you have never stopped talking to Emily. Quit "wrestling" and talk with your WIFE. She may have ended your last sexual encounter because it was physically painful or because she no longer feels emotionally connected to you. The person who can help you determine what to do next is the woman to whom you are married. Whether this marriage is salvageable is debatable, but this I do know: A healthy marriage takes TWO committed individuals, and in this case, one of them (you) has been missing in action. DEAR ABBY: I am an older woman who finally got fed up with my husband's cellphone addiction. Since he would no longer speak to me but spent all his time scrolling on his device, I went out and bought a realistic-looking baby doll. When he pulled out his cell, I pulled out my doll. I talked to it, fiddled with its buttons and carried it everywhere. He finally yelled at me, "It's not real!" to which I replied, "It's real; it's just not alive. LIKE YOUR CELLPHONE." This final scene was played out in the dining room of our country club, which was filled with members. The phone and "baby" stayed in the car after that. We laugh about it now, and she's resting comfortably in her carrier, just in case she's ever needed again. -- THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS DEAR THOUGHT: I hesitate to endorse implied threats in marital disagreements, but your solution worked -- brilliantly. So who am I to argue with success? Congratulations! DEAR ABBY: What is your opinion about elderly parents who no longer drive having to pay their children to drive them to appointments, grocery, etc.? Think of all the times parents drove them when they were growing up. -- RETURNING THE FAVOR DEAR RETURNING THE FAVOR: Most adult children with a memory would never dream of asking to be paid for driving their elderly parents. A child who would do this must be desperate for money. In my opinion, because they are paying for it anyway, the parents should make other arrangements for transportation. DEAR ABBY: My husband loaned a "dear friend" some money a year ago. She has yet to pay back a penny. When I ask him about it, he gets mad and tells me it's none of my business. I have hinted to her about some large bills that we have to pay, to no avail. Other than that, my husband and I have a great marriage and love each other very much. I just don't like her taking advantage of his generosity. I know taking care of his friends gives him pleasure, but he has been burned before and I can see it happening again. I find it hard to ignore. What do I do? -- SICK OF IT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DEAR SICK OF IT: I wish you had mentioned whether you work and the money your soft-touch hubby gave his friend was partly earned by you. If that's the case, I don't blame you for being upset. While I'm not sure you can prevent your husband from doing this, I do think you are within your rights to insist that before he does it he discuss it with you. If he will do that, perhaps the two of you can find an alternative for the person other than giving out money. DEAR ABBY: My son passed away unexpectedly a little over eight years ago. He was 21. At the time, he had been dating a very nice young lady. We kept in touch for a while after the funeral -- letters and emails mostly, as I had moved out of state -- but things gradually tapered off. I have been able to keep somewhat informed about her life because of the magic of social media and mutual friends she shared with my son who still contact me occasionally. I recently learned she's being married within the next two weeks. I am wondering if it would be wrong or weird of me to send a congratulatory card to the happy couple. I wish only continued happiness for her and her future husband. -- WISHING HAPPINESS DEAR WISHING: I see nothing wrong or weird about sending her a nice card, and when you do, be sure to tell her not only that you wish her a happy future, but also that she will always have a special place in your heart. DEAR ABBY: Would it be appropriate for someone to tell someone else's children to stop doing something dangerous if the parent is not around? I'm talking about kids holding scissors the wrong way or running with them, pushing others, etc. My children are in their teens now and know that such behavior is wrong. If it were the other way around, I would be grateful if someone cared enough to tell my kids that a behavior is wrong and/or dangerous. -- GLAD IN THE MIDWEST DEAR GLAD: How else would the children know if they weren't warned? To speak up would be an act of kindness, particularly if they were doing something that could cause harm to themselves or others. DEAR ABBY: What is the etiquette when eating at a restaurant where a piano player is performing? I don't mean the "bar scene"-type piano player who wants the crowd to sing along, but more of a mid- to upscale type of place. There's a restaurant like this in my town -- the only one with a piano. On one special occasion when we were there, the piano player was playing "Misty" and a woman sitting nearby with her party wanted to make herself heard over him. She began talking very loudly to her group while he was playing the song. I thought it was tacky, and if I had been sitting near her, I would have shushed her up. Isn't it polite to wait until the piano player is finished before talking loudly at your table? Whatever happened to behaving with a little class in restaurants? -- DEANNA IN OKLAHOMA DEAR DEANNA: The musician in that restaurant was there to provide mood music for the diners. If they chose to talk while he was playing, it was their privilege. The woman may have raised her voice because someone in her party had a hearing problem. For you to have taken it upon yourself to "shush her up" would have been rude, and for your sake, I'm glad you refrained from doing it. DEAR ABBY: Am I overreacting to my husband's request that I take down photos of my mom and grandparents when his mom visits? They are displayed in our guest bedroom. I think his request was rude. I wonder if his mother even cares or if he just feels guilty. It's my house, too. -- RELUCTANT IN TEXAS DEAR RELUCTANT: Rather than remove your family photos, why not compromise by adding a couple of pictures of your husband's mother, too? I'm sure she would be pleased to see them. Problem solved. DEAR ABBY: I have a crush on a guy I work with. I'm 19, and he's 26. He has a kid, which actually doesn't bother me. I love kids and have taken care of them most of my life. My problem is he has this ex who wants to get back together with him. They broke up because she was staying out all night and cheating. He used to flirt with me and text me all the time and offer me his hoodie. Now she's sort of back in the picture and he ignores me and doesn't return my texts. But when we see each other he starts flirting again, and we just click. We make sense. I guess my question is, should I tell him how I feel before it's too late or just keep it to myself? Should I risk everything and go for it? -- UNCERTAIN IN NEW YORK DEAR UNCERTAIN: Announce your feelings for the guy if you wish, but do not expect him to drop everything and rush to you. If he were interested in more than a workplace flirtation, he would be paying the same kind of attention to you that he did before. Because he isn't, you need to understand that he and his ex obviously have some unfinished business together, regardless of her history of infidelity. Set your sights on someone else. DEAR ABBY: All my mom does is talk about work. If we are having a conversation, she links every topic to her work and her co-workers. It is alienating my sister and me. When we tell her things about our kids -- her grandkids -- she still relates it to work. Another thing: She's constantly on her tablet for work or on Facebook. I live seven hours away from her. When we make the drive down, I don't want to watch her on her tablet. If we try to confront her on anything, all she does is cry. Mom and I had a good relationship before she took that job. Now she's so negative that it's difficult to want to talk to her. Where do I even start? -- MISSING HER WHILE SHE'S HERE DEAR MISSING: Rather than "confront" your mother, ask her what may have changed in her life since she took that job. Her focus may have shifted because that's the center of her activity. Conversations are two-way, and this may be all she feels she has to contribute on her end. As to her "hiding" behind Facebook rather than carry on a conversation with you, like many people, she may have become addicted to it and unable to tear herself away. However, you will never know unless you ask her calmly. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 China Relations Stumble after Beijing Skeptic Wins Reelection in Taiwan By Ralph Jennings January 13, 2020 Taiwan's ever-testy relations with China stumbled again after a Beijing skeptic was reelected to the presidency and her party grabbed a legislative majority Saturday, but analysts and officials in Taipei say this dip won't go as deep as others. A day after President Tsai Ing-wen won with more than 8.1 million votes and a 57% majority, China's official Xinhua News Agency called the outcome "a development that deeply worries people who hope for peace" and slung charged language at the reelected leader. "Tsai and the DPP used dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature," the commentary said, referring to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. This language hearkens back to the harsh words China used after Tsai won her first election in 2016. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan but Tsai rejects the Beijing government's condition for dialogue that both sides belong under one flag. The two sides have been separately ruled since the 1940s. China followed up from 2016 through 2019 by passing military planes near the island, cutting back on Taiwan-bound tourism and persuading seven countries to drop recognition of the Taipei government. Shallow dip Tsai anticipated more pressure from China in a speech Saturday but said she would try not to exacerbate it. "Pressure from China will continue to exist and could even become heavier," Tsai told a news conference. Facing China's threats, she said, "We will stick with our non-provocative, non-adventurist attitude to do our utmost in ensuring peace and stability between the two sides." Some scholars believe China expects calm in relations with Taiwan because Tsai no longer needs to flex muscle against Beijing. Tsai's campaign focused voter attention on China's aim of ruling Taiwan the way it now governs Hong Kong a setup that has sparked mass protests in the former British colony since June. "I don't think China will ever back off," said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington. But Chinese officials hope eventually to start dialogue, she said. For the immediate aftermath of the election, "it is in the mainland's interest not to overplay it," Sun said. Will not get worse' Tsai will be president for the next four years, while the ruling party will hold a majority in parliament with 61 of 113 seats. China's reaction is just verbal, not a prelude to new actions against Taiwan, said Wang Ching-Hsing, assistant political science professor at National Cheng Kung University. But formal talks never held under Tsai to date are unlikely to take place, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping will insist on his goal of ruling Taiwan, an idea that most Taiwanese have said in surveys over the past year they reject. Tsai backs that majority. The president called Saturday for "parity:" in relations, meaning "neither side denies the fact of the other's existence." "I wouldn't think cross-Strait relations will not get worse over the coming months, but they won't get any better," Wang said. "If you want Xi Jinping to take back 'one country, two systems', I think that's of utmost difficulty," he said. In January a year ago, the Chinese president gave a speech advocating that China rule Taiwan under a "one country, two systems" model that's supposed to allow a measure of local autonomy. Beijing has ruled Hong Kong that way since 1997. Tsai suggested Saturday the two sides set up communications if China respects the will of Taiwanese people for autonomy. China, for its part, omitted Taiwan from a late 2019 new year's speech on its governance of Hong Kong, Sun noted. Beijing authorities are still focused on an unresolved Hong Kong protest situation, Wang added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MONTREAL - Questions about how and when planes are permitted to fly have been raised in the aftermath of the deadly crash of a Ukrainian airliner near Tehran last week that killed all 176 people on board. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An Air Canada plane flies underneath dark clouds illuminated by some sun rays above Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Some experts say the Iran plane crash points to a glaring gap in rules around flight security, with states lacking incentives to close their own airspace and global agencies lacking the authority to preempt future tragedies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa via AP MONTREAL - Questions about how and when planes are permitted to fly have been raised in the aftermath of the deadly crash of a Ukrainian airliner near Tehran last week that killed all 176 people on board. Experts say the crash, which happened after the plane was hit by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, points to a glaring gap in rules around flight security, with countries sometimes failing to close their own airspace amid a lack of authority by global agencies. Transport Canada said last week that Canadian carriers were complying with U.S.-led restrictions on commercial flights in Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran affecting the region. But not all countries' aviation agencies instructed their carriers to steer clear, and Iran failed to ban civilian travel even as its military was on high alert. Countries often hesitate to shut down their airspace due to the economic and political turbulence it can create, says Michael Bociurkiw, who was an observer for Ukraine's investigation into the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight in 2014. "Closing your airspace is quite extreme. It scares people away. It scares away business investment, especially tourism," Bociurkiw said. "Sometimes these things can be politically sensitive and they draw too much attention." Other problems can result from leaving security alerts in state hands. During unrest in eastern Ukraine in 2014, the country raised its minimum safe altitude to 32,000 feet as a precautionary measure. Three days later, a missile shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, killing all 298 people on board. States' civil aviation bodies are responsible for shutting down their airspace and instructing domestic airlines to avoid foreign skies in the event of danger, such as military conflict or natural disasters. However, the passenger planes that took off from Tehran's airport shortly after an Iranian missile strike against two military bases in Iraq where U.S. forces are stationed had received no security warnings from Iran. Aerospace consultant Ross Aimer is calling for a more active role by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a Montreal-based United Nations agency, which he deems "slow to respond" and lacking in teeth. "We're doing a terrible job of protecting our passengers and crews worldwide," Aimer said. ICAO says it issues advisories only in disputes over airspace control or military conflicts where "the command-and-control structure has been impaired" and the state is unable to send one out. "ICAO, which just about every country and airline is a signatory to, should take over and do a better job of warning people any time theres hostilities," Aimer said. "When there's hostilities, immediately close the airspace to everybody." The agency rejected the idea that UN member states would support stricter rules or an encroachment on their sovereignty, citing protocols in its founding document. "It's the sovereign nation-states...who are very realistically and logically, I think, expected to monitor and assess and publish any risks that they're aware of that may be occurring in their territories relevant to civil aviation operations," ICAO chief spokesman Anthony Philbin said. States are ultimately responsible for notifying other countries and airlines about conflict zones and other flight hazards, with no heads-up to ICAO required, he said. Elaine Parker, vice-president of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators, sympathizes with state reluctance to wall off airspace. "You're shutting down blood flow, basically, into your country," she said. Parker supports the hard limits on ICAO's authority, saying that "it can't be ... an enforcement agency" but acknowledging there may be room for a broader mandate. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "They do have that capability of basically issuing some kind of warning. They normally don't do that," she added, "but there's nothing wrong with ICAO issuing some sort of an advisory that is worldwide." Canadian air-crash investigators are being given access to the wreckage of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 and have been tapped to help unlock the contents of the data recorders from the plane. The Canadian Press has independently confirmed at least 86 victims with ties to Canada, many of them students and professors returning after spending the December break visiting relatives in Iran. Iran announced several arrests in the in the wake of the fatal crash. At least four large passenger jets have been shot down over the past 32 years, resulting the deaths of more than 1,000 passengers and crew. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2020. EU nations prompt a mechanism bringing closer the potential collapse of the deal and the reimposition of UN sanctions France, Britain and Germany have formally triggered the dispute mechanism in Irans nuclear deal with world powers, the strongest step they have taken so far to enforce the agreement that requires Iran to curb its nuclear programme. The European powers, all signatories to the nuclear deal, said on Tuesday they took the step to avoid a crisis over nuclear proliferation being added to an escalating confrontation in the Middle East. In a statement, they said they still want the deal to succeed, and were not joining a maximum pressure campaign against Iran by the United States, which abandoned the deal in 2018 and has reimposed sanctions. After months of announcing gradual steps to reduce compliance, Iran said on January 6 it would scrap all limits on enriching uranium, but would continue cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog. Here is how the dispute resolution process, which could take up to 65 days to play out unless extended by consensus, works: Step 1 If any party to the nuclear deal believes another party is not upholding their commitments, they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission, whose members are Iran, Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and the European Union. (The United States was a member before it withdrew from the deal.) The Joint Commission would then have 15 days to resolve the issue, unless it agrees by consensus to extend the time period. Step 2 If any party believes the matter has not been resolved after that first step, they can refer it to the foreign ministers of the parties to the deal. The ministers would have 15 days to resolve the issue, unless they agree by consensus to extend the time period. In parallel with or in lieu of consideration by foreign ministers, the complaining party or the party accused of non-compliance could also ask for the issue be looked at by a three-member advisory board. The participants to the dispute would each appoint a member and the third member would be independent. The advisory board must provide a non-binding opinion within 15 days. 180508105047809 Step 3 If the issue is not resolved during the initial 30-day process, the Joint Commission has five days to consider any advisory board opinion in a bid to settle the dispute. Step 4 If the complaining party is not satisfied after this and considers the matter to constitute significant non-performance, they could treat the unresolved issue as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part. They could also notify the 15-member UN Security Council that the issue constitutes significant non-performance. In the notification, the party must describe the good-faith efforts made to exhaust the Joint Commission dispute resolution process. Step 5 Once the complaining party notifies the Security Council, the body must vote within 30 days on a resolution to continue Irans sanctions relief. A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Russia, China, Britain or France to pass. Step 6 If such a resolution has not been adopted within 30 days, the sanctions in all previous UN resolutions would be reimposed referred to as snapback unless the council decided otherwise. If the previous sanctions are reimposed they would not apply retroactively to contracts Iran signed. By PTI CHENNAI: The DMK on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress on CAA, NRC and NPR since its party chief MK Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. A day after avoiding participating in the meet for showcasing opposition unity, the DMK was also non-committal on restoration of ties with its old ally, notwithstanding the regret reportedly expressed by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief KS Alagiri. "We did not take part in the meeting since our chief was accused of violating coalition dharma," senior leader T R Baalu said here. The party did not participate in the meeting at Delhi on Monday since it was felt that TNCC president Alagiri's recent statement was an "accusation against party chief M K Stalin," Baalu, also a Lok Sabha MP, said. On January 10, Alagiri had said that Congress was not alloted a fair number of posts of local bodies chiefs by the lead partner DMK and this went against "coalition dharma". Speaking to reporters here, Baalu said he felt that Alagiri could have avoided issuing the statement. Asked if the ties with Congress have now returned to its "old status," (since Alagiri has reportedly expressed regret and met party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard) Baalu was non-committal. He said: "Time will tell whether it has returned to the old (normality indicating bonhomie) status or not; why are you concerned?" Wondering whether the press was a doing post-mortem of the issue, he said his party felt that Alagiri issuing a statement on the matter was not correct. "Only this much we can tell you now," he added. A community center in Manzanita will hold a public vigil Wednesday night for the two children who were swept out to sea in the nearby Falcon Cove community. The Hoffman Center for the Arts, 594 Laneda Ave., will host a Vigil of Compassion and Mourning from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday. Lola Stiles, 7, died Saturday afternoon and her brother, William, 4, is still missing. Their father, Jeremy Stiles, 47, was recovering from hypothermia at Seaside Hospital, the family said in a statement Monday. They were walking on an off-beach trail when they were hit by a sneaker wave, family said. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with funeral expenses, as well as grief and trauma support. We are heartbroken, we are truly heartbroken, said Claudia Johnson, an officiant who will lead Wednesdays vigil. Though the Stiles family was not from the close knit coastal community, the area was grieving. I went over to the (Manzanita) Deli, and people were standing in there crying, Johnson said. This could have been anybody. These were children. Johnson has lived on the Oregon Coast since the 1970s. Shes officiated local funerals and helped lead a series of talks at the Hoffman Center for the Arts on death and dying. The word got out very quickly that this had happened, Johnson said. We have friends that live in Falcon Cove, so theyre mourning in a particular, local kind of way. People are reaching out, asking what people know and what are we going to do? Well theres nothing we can do, except be together. Since the vigil is inside, attendees are asked to use battery lit candles, flashlights or cell phones. Let us open our hearts together to recognize the loss of young lives, to mourn, and to acknowledge, through our compassion, the sorrows of the family and all of us affected by this tragedy, reads an announcement for the event. After a few brief words offered by a memorial celebrant, we will illuminate the darkened room with gentle light, gather in silence, and then raise the lights in conclusion. Within an hour of the vigil announcement, Johnson said shed gotten four calls about it. Our people need a place to acknowledge what happened and grieve, she said. Were all in it together. I dont know how many people will show up to this, but I bet its going to fill the Hoffman Center. -- Samantha Swindler; sswindler@oregonian.com; @editorswindler Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The Galaxy Note 9 is one of the first smartphones to receive One UI 2.0. The Note 9 started life on Samsung Experience 9.1, the company's version of Android 8.1 Oreo, before graduating to Android 9.0 Pie courtesy of One UI. Samsung finished its beta programme for the device at the turn of the year, culminating in the company bringing its beta testers onto a stable One 2.0 update. The South Korean company tends to only offer two OS upgrades for its devices, so One UI 2.0 is likely the end of the road for the Note 9. At any rate, Samsung started the One UI 2.0 rollout for the Note 9 in Germany, with the company then moving onto the likes of India. Now, UK-based devices should be eligible to upgrade to One UI 2.0, which will arrive as an OTA update. The initial stable build should carry the identifier DSLA or DSLB, depending on the version that you own. The build is approximately a 1.9 GB download regardless of region or variant though, and contains the 1 December 2019 security patch. The move to Android 10 is the first feature update that the Note 9 has received since last January, and contains the following changes: They're expecting their first child together in just six weeks. And ahead of their new arrival, former Married At First Sight star Cyrell Paule has paid tribute to her other half, Eden Dally, in a touching post on Instagram. The 30-year-old wrote: 'Counted down the New Year with you, and now we're counting down the days until we become parents.' Not long now! Ahead of their new arrival, former Married At First Sight star Cyrell Paule (right) has paid tribute to her other half, Eden Dally (left), in an emotional post on Instagram 'You're the reason why Panadol was invented, and the definition next to migraine. But I love you,' she concluded. The accompanying photo showed the couple kissing against the backdrop of Sydney's annual fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Cyrell finished off her tribute with the hashtags #SoonToBeParents and #LittleDally. On the way! Cyrell and Eden are expecting their first child in just six weeks' time Last year was a rocky time for the couple, who briefly ended their romance in October before reuniting months later. The duo broke their silence on their reconciliation in December while enjoying a date night in Crows Nest. 'We're having a baby together and at the end of the day, first and foremost our priority is our son and we always want to be a family,' Cyrell told Daily Mail Australia. Stronger than ever: Last year was a rocky time for the couple, who briefly ended their romance in October before reuniting months later Eden, 27, who appeared on Love Island Australia two years ago, added: 'It just happened one night and it was very unexpected. 'I want our son to be in a happy family... it's not long now, only two months, it's just flown [by].' The lovebirds hosted a gender reveal party earlier this year, where it was confirmed they were expecting a baby boy. A deputy for the Saunders County Sheriffs Office was recognized as the top law enforcement officer of the year by the American Legion Auxiliary. Chris Lichtenberg was named the 2019 Nebraska American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year at its Mid-Year Conference in Kearney on Saturday. Receiving this award from the Legion is very humbling to me, Lichtenberg said. Im sure that there are several officers across the state that probably have done things that deserve it as well, and to be the one out of however many nominees they had and being the one that was chosen means a lot to me. The SCSO was also recognized with the award in 2015, with Sergeant Joe Smaus, then a deputy, said Chief Deputy Kyle Coughlin. Were very proud that somebody from our office was recognized and awarded, he said. The American Legion is just a great partner with law enforcement. The award recognizes those who have exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected of his/her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement, according to its application form. Coughlin said Lichtenberg is a great representative of the department and thoroughly met all of the awards requirements. He is a very proactive officer and he strives, like a lot of our deputies do, to be engaged with the community and to be a very well-rounded officer, he said. And this year, with some of the different things that he was involved in, off-duty as well as on-duty, it made him a great candidate for this officer of the year award. Lichtenberg started in law enforcement in 2001, working as a deputy for the Dodge County Sheriffs Office before joining the SCSO as part time in 2006. I always wanted to work in the county that I lived and serve the citizens in the county where I reside, he said. And then looking to the future, I wanted to work myself up some ranks in the sheriffs office and see what happened down the road. Additionally, Lichtenberg is assistant chief of Cedar Bluffs Fire and Rescue, where he has volunteered for 25 years. He is also village chairman in Cedar Bluffs and chief of police for the Cedar Bluffs Police Department. Some of Lichtenbergs efforts the past year include assisting a deputy in arresting an intoxicated individual while off-duty, volunteering during the search of a missing female and using his personal drone to apprehend two burglary suspects. This type of award reaffirms the reason that I wanted to get into law enforcement and the reasons that I enjoy being part of the fire department in Cedar Bluffs as well, as far as serving people and helping out people in the worst time of their life, possibly, he said. So an award like this, it just reaffirms the reasons that I originally got into it, and it makes a person feel good that youre recognized for some of those efforts. Both Lichtenberg and Coughlin said that with law enforcement, they arent looking for rewards for their work. Getting into law enforcement, you dont do this job for the awards or the recognition, Coughlin said. But its nice to see when different affiliations do recognize those different things. Coughlin said he was proud of not only Lichtenberg, but all of the deputies at the sheriffs office. They do an excellent job, and in this day and age, law enforcement is a difficult career, he said. Were very thankful for all the deputies we have and all their hard work and dedication. Like Coughlin, Lichtenberg said he also appreciated the other deputies that work side-by-side with him. One person cant make a department successful or not successful, he said. Its a team effort. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Over the past weeks, the Australian Greens have sought to capitalise on widespread anger over the failure of successive governments to put in place any measures to mitigate the impact of catastrophic bushfires that have hit broad swathes of the country. The fires have claimed 28 lives, destroyed more than 2,100 houses and laid waste to millions of hectares of bush and pastoral land. They have exposed the immense gulf between the official political establishment and the corporate elite it represents, and millions of ordinary people who have been left to respond to the disaster on their own. Prominent Greens parliamentarians have denounced Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose indifference to the plight of bushfire victims has made him the central target of popular anger. They have sought to burnish their credentials as environmentalists who have warned of the impact of global warming for many years. At the same time, the Greens have been careful not to go too far. When they have addressed rallies organised by high school and university students and environmental activists, Greens representatives have sought to channel anger behind the very parliamentary set-up responsible for the crisis. Far from calling for Morrisons resignation, the Greens have suggested a means for him divert widespread public opposition into safe channels. The party initiated the call for a Royal Commission into the fire crisis at the beginning of the year. This lifeline was quickly picked up by Morrison and senior government figures, who stated that they would consider convening a commission as part of their response to the disaster. Royal Commissions are a standard means used by governments to defuse anger over contentious issues, including official wrongdoing and illegality. Such commissions invariably drag on interminably, before whitewashing authorities and issuing toothless recommendations that governments are free to ignore. Most strikingly, the Greens have made virtually no criticism of opposition Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese. Labor has played a central role in seeking to prevent opposition to the Morrison government from getting out of hand. Albanese has for months made only the most tepid criticisms of the government, while insisting on the need for national unity. A clear political chain of command has emerged. While the government has responded with unconcealed indifference to the fire crisis, Labor has sought to dampen down popular anger. In this it has received political support from the Greens. In this way, all of the official parties have sought to ensure that the immense social anger brought to the surface by the fires does not threaten the parliamentary set-up. The Greens cynical maneuvering reflects its character as a pro-capitalist party with a core constituency among the affluent sections of the upper middle-class. During a federal election last May characterised by mass hostility to all of the major parties, the Greens publicly campaigned for closer collaboration with Labor and advocated the formation of a coalition government. The Greens have used the fire crisis to intensify their overtures to Labor, and to promote their previous record in propping up a right-wing, pro-business Labor government. Adam Bandt, the partys only MP in the federal House of Representatives, has repeatedly hailed the record of the minority Labor government of Julia Gillard, which was kept in office by the Greens between 2010 and 2013. Earlier this month, Bandt tweeted: A few short years ago, Australia had world-leading climate laws thanks to Greens, Labor & independents. Bandt was referring to the Gillard governments carbon tax. At a rally on the weekend in Melbourne, he also hailed the legislation, expressing hope that Albanese was in the midst of an epiphany that would see him emulate Gillards stance. The presentation of the carbon tax as a silver bullet that addressed climate change is a sham. It exposes the fact that the Greens, for all of their rhetoric about the environment and global warming, accept the framework of the profit system which is responsible for the crisis. In reality, as the WSWS noted when the measure came into effect in 2012: [C]ontrary to Gillards claims, carbon emissions in Australia are set to increase under the new tax regime. According to the governments own figures, national emissions will rise from 582 million tonnes to 621 million tonnes by 2020. A nominal 5 percent reduction in emissions will be registered via the purchase of dubious carbon credits on the global market that supposedly represent emissions-reducing schemes in other countries (see: The Labor-Greens carbon tax hoax). The passage of the tax had been advocated by key sections of big business. It was seen as the first step in a shift towards further measures, taxing the consumption of ordinary people, and the establishment of an emissions trading scheme, similar to those established in Europe. Such schemes, involving the purchasing and trading of credits for emissions, have done nothing to reduce global carbon outputs and have created a lucrative financial market characterised by speculation and dubious business practices. The Greens promotion of this pro-business agenda went hand in hand with its tacit support for Gillards entire regressive agenda. Her de facto Labor-Greens government aligned Australia with a massive military build-up directed against China and intensified the assault on fundamental democratic rights, including by supporting the US-led vendetta against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over his exposure of Washingtons war crimes and global diplomatic intrigues. The carbon tax was one prong of a series of big business policies. These included forcing 100,000 single parents off their benefits and onto the poverty-level Newstart unemployment allowance, stripping many of them of hundreds of dollars per week. Gillards government opened up the education and health sectors to the market to an unprecedented extent, and did nothing to expand national disaster relief measures. The governments woefully inadequate response to the 2011 Queensland floods provided just a pittance of assistance to the tens of thousands left destitute by the disaster. The government placed the military in charge of the response, in a bid to intimidate popular anger, and greenlighted the refusal of insurance companies to assist those whose homes had been destroyed. The Greens pro-business record at the federal level has been replicated by its support for right-wing state governments, including an administration in Tasmania that sought to close dozens of schools and sack thousands of public sector workers. This austerity agenda, imposed by every government over the past 30 years, has resulted in a deepening social crisis that is greatly intensifying the hardship caused by the fires. On the issue of the environment, the Greens have promoted, not only the carbon tax and emissions trading schemes, but also the worthless calls for carbon reductions made at a host of international summits. Even the woefully inadequate measures decided upon at such gatherings are routinely ignored by governments around the world, including in Australia. As the Socialist Equality Party alone has insisted, addressing the environmental crisis, and defending the social and democratic rights of the working class, is possible only through the revolutionary, socialist reorganisation of society on a world scale. The banks and the corporations must be placed under public ownership and democratic workers control. The vast resources created by the international working class must be harnessed on a global scale to resolve the climate crisis, and to meet pressing social needs, not private profit. Altech Completes Drilling Campaign at Kerrigan Project Perth, Jan 14, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Chemicals Limited ( ASX:ATC ) ( FRA:A3Y ) is pleased to announce that it has completed a drilling program at its 100% owned Kerrigan kaolin project in Western Australia.The Kerrigan project is located 20kms south of the central wheat belt town of Hyden, Western Australia and covers an area of approximately 230km2. The drilling program consisted of 27 air core holes for a total of 765 metres. All holes were drilled vertically with average hole depth of 28 metres; samples were collected at one-metre intervals.Whilst Altech's flagship Meckering kaolin deposit will provide feedstock for its Johor HPA plant, Kerrigan hosts a high quality kaolin deposit. The completed drilling program is expected to enable the Company to update the Kerrigan mineral resource estimate and assist it in determining the next steps for the project.The Kerrigan project was initially identified as containing high quality kaolin in 1992 by Graphite Holdings Pty Ltd which subsequently drilled the project area, as did CRA Exploration Pty Ltd (CRAE). At Kerrigan, kaolin forms part of an unusually thick and well-developed weathering profile and is found under overburden of laterite and mottled clays, with overburden thickness ranging from 1 to 12m. Since 1995 the only significant exploration conducted at Kerrigan was the bulk sample and evaluation of ~6 tonnes of kaolin (from two test pits) and the processing of samples from the pits. Also, in 2011 the Company announced an initial JORC inferred kaolin mineral resource of 85Mt at an ISO brightness of 85.1% for Kerrigan (refer ASX Announcement dated 24 August 2011 for complete details).The current drill program is expected to enable the Company to update the 2011 resource estimate in accordance with JORC (2012).To view tables and figures, please visit:About Altech Chemicals Ltd Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al2O3) through the construction and operation of a 4,500tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the Company's 100%-owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and shipped to Malaysia. HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market. Renee Sans Souci held her medicine pipe close to her that night and prayed. Her four children lay sleeping nearby in the Omaha motel room. A few hours before, the Omaha Native woman had fled the home she shared with her four children, mother, brother and nieces and nephews. Now she and her children had nowhere to go and no money. She began questioning whether their lives were worth living. That was one of the hardest nights I ever experienced, the 57-year-old poet and activist told a gathering of more than 30 people at the Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday night. Omaha poet and activist Renee Sans Souci speaks at a vigil for her niece, Ashlea Aldrich, at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk They had fled Sans Souci's abusive brother, who had once again lost his temper and began screaming at her children for not sharing a toy with his own children. Sans Souci had decided it was time to leave, again. She shared her story at a vigil held to honor her 29-year-old niece, Ashlea Aldrich , whose body was found in a field last week on her northeast Nebraska reservation. Aldrich and her family had expressed concerns about domestic violence to Omaha tribal leaders before her death. But tribal leaders failed to take meaningful action on those concerns, Sans Souci said. Tribal and federal authorities are investigating Aldrichs death. Ashlea Aldrich is seen in a photo on social media. In a post on social media, Aldrich's mother blamed the death on domestic violence, an act committed by someone known to the family and to local law enforcement. In a later post on Facebook, Alyssa Aldrich described finding her sisters lifeless and naked body in a field near a creek. She said she laid her coat over her sisters body and began calling for help. My heart is broken for her beautiful baby boys! She loved them and would do anything for them! Alyssa Aldrich wrote. I want Justice for Ashlea. As of Monday, a GoFundMe set up by Alyssa Aldrich for her family and her sisters two sons had raised nearly $5,000. Candlelight vigils were held in Macy, Nebraska, and Lincoln last week, and Aldrichs funeral was held Saturday in Macy. In a press release, the Omaha Tribal Council expressed grief and condolences to Aldrichs family. "The Omaha Tribe has suffered a tragic loss on the Omaha Reservation. We are so saddened to hear the passing of Ashlea Aldrich, an Omaha Tribal member and previous employee of Omaha Tribe," the statement read. "Ashlea was so sweet and kind, and always had a warm, welcoming attitude. On behalf of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, we are sending our greatest sympathies and condolences to the family of Ashlea, and all affected by her passing." In Nebraska, state leaders took steps last year to address the spate of missing and murdered indigenous women affecting their state and country. The states Legislature passed a bill that requires the Nebraska State Patrol to study ways to improve the gathering of data related to missing Native women in Nebraska and a legislative task force was established to ensure the bill is implemented properly. Rallies, conferences and new funding for domestic violence programs to tribes, including funds for the Ponca and Winnebago tribes, have also provided hope that meaningful steps are being taken to reduce the number of Native women who are murdered or disappear each year. At Saturday nights vigil in Lincoln , nearly a dozen women and men shared stories of abuse and tears and expressed hope that steps might be taken to end the violence committed against Native women. A red dress can be seen at a vigil for Ashlea Aldrich held at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk Three red dresses hung above the circle of people, and seven red, wooden figures of women with feathers in their hair rested on a table nearby. A woman named Natalie shared her story of being sexually assaulted by someone she thought was a friend. She said people who are abused are often good at hiding their bruises and scars. When they do turn for help, nobody believes them, she said. Winnebago activist Michelle Free-LaMere speaks at a vigil for Ashlea Aldrich at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk Winnebago activist Michelle Free-LaMere said it is important to provide training to women. Were going to have to have those self-defense classes, those situational awareness classes, she said. Colette Yellow Robe, chairwoman of the Native American Womens Nebraska Task Force , said it also is important that Native people stop blaming victims of domestic violence, something she has already seen some people do to Ashlea Aldrich. We cant do that anymore, Yellow Robe said. Those days are done. Colette Yellow Robe, chairwoman of the Native American Womens Nebraska Task Force, speaks at a vigil for Ashlea Aldrich at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk Elizabeth Weidner, missing and murdered indigenous women coordinator for the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs , shared her own story of abuse. She said a former boyfriend once threatened to kill himself in front of her using her own gun. She got a protection order against him, which he violated, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. Weidner said she decided to leave and attend law school. She is now a second-year law student and is working to get policies in place to prevent the murder and abuse of Native women. She said she is currently trying to gather accurate data about how many Native women are missing in Nebraska. She asked those gathered at Saturdays vigil to let her know if they knew of any missing women who havent been reported to the police. If anyone knows someone who is missing and a report wasnt filed or police didnt care, let me know, she said. I want everyone to be accounted for. Figures of Native women can be seen during a vigil held for Ashlea Aldrich at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk Sans Souci said its important to understand that even when people seem respectable and kind, they still may be hiding a violent side. She said the night she fled her home that she shared with her brother and mother she had come home to find her two boys running from the house. Sans Souci went inside the house to find her brother, still fuming. You have not taught them anything! he yelled at her. They dont share. He told her that her boys refused to share a toy with his own children. He attacked her spiritual beliefs, saying she was a hypocrite for not teaching her children to share. Winnebago activist Michelle Free-LaMere, left, and her daughter Tyler LaMere listen to people speaking at a vigil in honor of Ashlea Aldrich, held, at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk It wasnt the first time her brother had lost his temper, but this time, he had gone too far, Sans Souci said. With her children crying, she decided she had to leave. She loaded up her children, and drove to Omaha. With very little money and no place else to go, Sans Souci prayed that night. And she began to despair. She asked her creator why no one wanted her or her children and began to question whether it might be better if they were all dead. Her 10-year-old daughter heard her praying and chastised her mother. Mom, please dont think that way, she said. Winnebago activist Michelle Free-LaMere speaks at a vigil for Ashlea Aldrich at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk As dawn finally broke after that long night, Sans Souci began trying to think of where she and her children might go. She decided to take them to a sundance. She spent the next day preparing for the ceremony and the two days after that sundancing. I prayed for my kids, and I prayed for a home, she said. When she was finished, a niece who lived in Lincoln offered to let her and her kids stay with her for three weeks until they were able to get housing. She said she hasnt spoken to her brother for a long time but has found peace now that she and her children have their own home and dont have to fear angering him. Now I can let it go, she said. Now my healing begins. A red dress can be seen at a vigil for Ashlea Aldrich at the Lincoln Indian Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 11, 2020. Photo by Kevin Abourezk Omaha Tribe and Ashlea Aldrich In addition to issuing statements about the death of Ashlea Aldrich, the Omaha Tribe offered counseling and participated in vigils over the last week. Today, we filled with grief as a community. When our community hurts, we all hurt. May Wakonda give strength in this... Posted by Omaha Tribe of Nebraska on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Posted by Omaha Tribe of Nebraska on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Due to the tragic circumstances that have occurred in the community, the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Centers... Posted by Omaha Tribe of Nebraska on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Join the Conversation Related Stories Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 07:43:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUATEMALA CITY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Guatemala's president-elect Alejandro Giammattei on Monday said criminal groups have threatened to kill him during his inauguration ceremony on Tuesday. At a press conference, Giammattei said security has been stepped up due to the death threats, which authorities traced to a prison. "We have requested international assistance from an international police agency," said Giammattei, adding "several telephone calls were detected from inside a prison, where they put a green light, as the gang members say, on my head for tomorrow." The presidential handover from outgoing Jimmy Morales to Giammattei is scheduled to take place at the National Theater in the capital at 2 p.m. local time (2000 GMT). Giammattei pledged to crack down on crime once in office, saying "we are going to go after all types of criminals so we can live like Guatemalans want to live." Newspapers on Tuesday, January 14, painted a picture of discord between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, a situation made worse following launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report. Form One admission, which kicked off on Monday, January 13, and lecturers' strike expected to take off on Monday, January 20, are among headlines given prominence in the dailies. READ ALSO: Credit Transfer to degrees via prior qualifications Newspapers paint a picture of discord between Uhuru and his Ruto. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Picha za mwanafunzi aliyewasili shuleni akiwa na boksi na sabuni zawasikitisha Wakenya 1. Daily Nation Activist Okiya Omtatah has moved to court to contest President Uhuru's decision to extend term of the 14-member team charged with implementation of the BBI report. According to Omtatah, the move by the Head of State shows that he is determined to bulldoze the referendum agenda. The activist argues that recommendations of the report could be endorsed by Parliament since the President enjoys the advantage of majority in both the National Assembly and Senate. He holds that the President's failure to consider the Parliamentary approach shows he is abusing power. Omtatah wants a fresh team with fresh ideas given the BBI task. Photo: Daily Nation. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Ethiopian passenger plane forced to divert after flying into swarm of locusts 2. Taifa Leo Deported lawyer Miguna Miguna has claimed that the government has plans to end his life. Miguna, whose attempt to jet back to the country from Canada last week hit a snag, now says he can not even reveal his current location and place of residence as he feels state agents are hunting him. The lawyer has also decried the high cost of living in Europe adding that he has sunk about KSh 3 million attempting to get back to the country. A Nairobi court has issued at least three orders for the government to facilitate his unconditional return but this has not been honoured. Miguna has claimed the government has plans to end his life. Photo: Taifa Leo. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Lulu Hassan discloses challenges she faces while working alongside hubby daily 3. People Daily Deputy President William Ruto is depicted as a man under siege following his apparent fallout with President Uhuru and sustained attacks from leaders allied to ODM leader Raila Odinga. Section of political pundits argues that the DP could be forced to announce a divorce with Uhuru. This, however, is not possible since Ruto needs to stay in Jubilee Party to cement his bid to succeed the President in 2022. Other thinkers say Ruto can not fall out and this may award him the advantage of sympathy from his troubles and sour relationship with the Head of State who until now, has not revealed whom he deems fit to replace him. READ ALSO: Baringo dancing kids join boarding school in Nyahururu 4. The Star Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has declared his bid to vie for presidency after end of President Uhuru's tenure in 2022. Wa Iria said he was ripe to launch campaigns against political heavyweights like DP Ruto who is also interested in ascending to State House. According to the governor, he was the only county boss from Mount Kenya region who managed to be reelected. This, he said, positioned him as a person with strong political support. Wa Iria praised himself for being the only governor from Mount Kenya who was reelected. Photo: The Star. Source: UGC 5. The Standard The daily reports that a decision by Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi to recall staff suspended by Governor Mike Sonko has met headwinds after bribery allegations emerged. It is claimed that some of the officials suspended by Sonko bribed section of MCAs and the Speaker's office for them to be reinstated. Speaker Elachi said the allegations were serious and urged officials privy to the matter to volunteer information to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC). When Elachi directed that staff who are not embroiled in graft cases to resume duty, she said the move was aimed at firming up service delivery after a court barred Sonko from accessing office. Speaker Elachi said the allegations were serious and needed to be probed closely. Photo: The Standard. Source: UGC Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Please cut off this breast - Sharon Atieno | Tuko TV | My Story. Source: TUKO.co.ke President Uhuru Kenyatta has this morning announced a surprise cabinet reshuffle. The president addressed the nation from State House Mombasa, where he has been since breaking for Christmas. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has been shown the door, coming at the height of the locust menace that is threatening Kenyas food security. Defense secretary Rachel Omamo will now be in charge of the foreign affairs docket, swapping places with Monica Juma. Trade and Industrialisation cabinet secretary Peter Munya takes over from Kiunjuri in the agriculture docket. Health secretary Sicily Kariuki has been moved to the water and irrigation ministry, taking over from Simon Chelugui who has been moved to the labour docket. New faces in the cabinet include politician Mutahi Kagwe who is now in charge of health and Betty Maina who is taking over trade. Betty Maina has been the Principal Secretary at State Department of East African Affairs. Acting Treasury secretary Ukur Yatani has also been confirmed for the position. The Egyptian military has said a pilot was killed when an air force fighter jet crashed during training on Tuesday, according to a statement. The jet crashed during training at a practice area, the statement said. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Last month, an Egyptian fighter jet crashed due to a technical malfunction during a training sortie. The pilot managed to safely parachute to the ground. Search Keywords: Short link: Over the weekend, I saw a ton of "Bloomberg for president" TV ads. They were good and probably very expensive. On the ground in Texas, Mr. Bloomberg got off to an unimpressive start. In fact, 45 people showed up to hear the New Yorker, according to news reports: Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg claims he is ready to spend more than $1 billion in an effort to oust President Trump, but money may not be bringing supporters to his campaign. Just 45 people showed up to Bloomberg's latest rally with TV star Judge Judy Sheindlin in Texas on Saturday, according to the New York Post. "Unlike everyone else in this race, I think what's important is beating Donald Trump," Bloomberg told the sparse crowd of fewer than 50 people in San Antonio. Bloomberg, 77, has eschewed tradition by entering the race late, forgoing attempts to make the debate stage, spending big out of his personal account, and focusing on the later states in an attempt to gain the 2020 nomination. To be fair, maybe they will come later. Or maybe everyone down in San Antonio was caught up in the Texans-Chiefs game. Who knows for sure? The bottom line is that money is not buying much of a following. Mr. Bloomberg's problem is that he can buy the nomination and end up with a very unhappy convention. Do we really think Senator Sanders is going to turn around and tell his supporters to join the Bloomberg line? I don't think so. Mr. Bloomberg would be a bigger factor if he ran as an independent and avoid the crazy left-wing corner holding the Democrats hostage. He will never make that corner happy, no matter how hard he tries to buy them off or dumps on President Trump. In the meantime, millions of dollars got 45 followers in Texas. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. The National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will stage nine concerts centered around compositions by Beethoven as part of its annual "Piano Virtuosos" series to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the German composer's birth. At a press conference on Monday, Liu Xiaolong, associate professor at China's Central Conservatory of Music, said the concerts will offer a good opportunity for audiences to feel the enduring charm of Beethoven's music, which is full of extraordinary rhythmic vitality and huge emotional power. Chinese pianist Yin Chengzong will play Beethoven's Sonata Appassionata at the opening performance of this year's Piano Virtuosos. "In 1959, I played the sonata at a competition in Vienna. Over the past 61 years, every performance has refined my understanding of the work," Yin said. Starting on Tuesday, 15 piano masters from around the world, including Chinese pianists Lang Lang and Chen Sa, French classical pianist Philippe Entremont and Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, will present 16 concerts during the Piano Virtuosos series. Initiated in 2011, the NCPA has invited over 90 world-class pianists to present musical pieces from a range of different genres at its Piano Virtuosos event. Zhang Siyao, who oversees the musical event, said, "In recent years, the concerts have been gradually extending beyond classical piano music to include diverse elements, so as to serve the interests of audiences from various walks of life." Bridget Anne Kelly, who was deputy chief of staff for Gov. Chris Christie, was resentenced to 13 months in prison following an appeal. J Read more Bridget Anne Kelly, who was a top aide to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, denounced him as a coward and vowed to keep a spotlight on him as she was sentenced on Wednesday to 13 months in prison for her role in the Bridgegate scandal. Mr. Christie, you are a bully, and the days of you calling me a liar and destroying my life are over, Kelly, 46, said outside the federal courthouse in Newark, N.J. The truth will be heard and for the former governor, that truth will be unescapable, regardless of lucrative television deals or even future campaigns, she continued, adding that Christie was responsible for the infamous 2013 traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge. I plan to make sure of that. That Kelly was sentenced to prison came as little surprise shed already been sentenced once, but an appeals court ruling necessitated a new hearing. Yet her remarks to reporters on Wednesday were striking, given how little she has said publicly in the nearly four years since she was indicted. A federal jury in 2016 found Kelly, once the governors deputy chief of staff, and another former Christie aide guilty of conspiracy and other crimes in connection to the September 2013 plot to cause days of massive traffic jams near the bridge to New York City. Emails, text messages, and witness testimony showed that Christie allies wanted to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, Bergen County, because he had refused to endorse Christies reelection campaign. Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee, Kelly wrote in an August 2013 email to David Wildstein, who was a Christie ally and top official at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Got it, he replied. Prosecutors said Kelly, Wildstein, and Port Authority official Bill Baroni conspired to reduce the number of local access lanes available to commuters approaching the bridge from Fort Lee from three to one. They covered up the scheme by promoting it as a traffic study, prosecutors said. At trial, Kelly testified that she believed that the lane closings were part of a legitimate traffic study. Kelly told jurors that she had informed Christie weeks ahead of time that the study could create tremendous traffic problems for commuters, but he approved it anyway. Her defense team hardly had kind words for Christie at trial. But on Wednesday, she unloaded on the former governor and questioned how he and his closest associates escape[d] justice. Chris Christie was allowed without rebuttal from anyone to say out of one side of his mouth that I was a low-level staffer, a woman only good enough to plan menus and invite people to events, then say out of the other side of his mouth that I was somehow powerful [enough] to shut down the George Washington Bridge, Kelly said, reading from a statement. There is only one person," she said. "Only one. And he was powerful enough to approve this act. Christie, a Republican who served two terms, has maintained that he neither knew about nor authorized the plot. In his 2019 book, Let Me Finish, Christie muses that then-U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman pursued the case as a kind of audition for a prospective Hillary Clinton administration. Kelly was initially sentenced to 18 months in prison. An appeals court panel tossed a couple of the convictions, leading to her resentencing on Wednesday before District Judge Susan D. Wigenton. Kelly is appealing her case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her codefendant at trial, Baroni, was resentenced in February to 18 months in prison. Kelly, a divorced mother of four, mentioned each of her children in her statement. She also said the case had shaken my faith in our system of justice and called it a miscarriage of justice, pointing again to the former governor. The fact that I am on these steps in place of others from the Christie administration and the governor himself does not prove my guilt. It only proves that justice is not blind, she said. It has favorites. It misses the mark. It misses the truth. And it picks winners and losers that are sometimes beyond anyones control. Kellys lawyer, Michael Critchley Sr., said she would seek to remain free on bail pending appeal. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Kelly said family and friends had discussed with Washington contacts the prospect of a pardon from President Donald Trump, but she did not elaborate. While I would accept a pardon, no question, its not something that I am orchestrating the efforts for, she told the newspaper. A drought-ravaged town has run out of water just weeks after a Chinese company was given the go-ahead to run a commercial water extraction facility in the region. Stanthorpe in Queensland's Southern Downs is now fully dependent on 42 truckloads of water a day brought in from a dam 60km to the north. The local dam for the town of 5,000 people has dipped to just 11 per cent of capacity, with those living in Stanthorpe limited to 80 litres of water per person a day. Scroll down for video The receding and severely parched Storm King Dam is pictured near Stanthorpe. The town's council has now been forced to truck in 42 truckloads of water a day from a dam 60km to the north Southern Downs Regional Council tightened the water restrictions last month just one day after approving the development of a mining operation 40km away at the Queensland border town of Cherrabah. The 'full-time water carting' from Connolly Dam consists of 1.3 megalitres per day and mayor Tracy Dobie said the operation is the biggest of its kind by an Australian local government. 'We've now commenced full trucking of water. There's 14 trucks doing three trips a day,' she said. 'Council promised the community we would not run out of water. 'The initial stages of water carting went extremely well and without incident. We will now move to full-time water carting to provide water to the Stanthorpe Region.' Remaining local reserves will be kept back for emergency use. Despite the water importation, the 80-litre restriction will remain in place - four times less than the average individual water consumption of 340 litres per day according to Riverina Water. Cr Dobie said further measures to maintain the water supply could involve a pipeline to Toowoomba and Warwick - to the north of Stanthorpe. The desperate situation in the state's south-east was further highlighted last year when a struggling Stanthorpe farmer was robbed of 70,000 litres of drinking water by his neighbour. Andrew Todd, 61, had thieves target his Stanthorpe property in Queensland's south-east three times over five months, stealing a mass amount of water. Despite the new water importation, an 80-litre water restriction per person per day will remain in place for Stanthorpe residents (an earlier and more lenient 100-litre restriction in the town in October) Mr Todd told the Courier Mail he had installed a new water tank and shipped water in about five months ago. While he is not angry at the neighbours, he said he feels sympathetic for them and would have happily helped them out if they were desperate. 'It's just very sad. You've got to lock your gates now,' Mr Todd said. A Chinese company was last month granted the go-ahead to run a commercial water extraction facility in the drought-ravaged region of southern Queensland (the parched Storm King Dam is pictured near Stanthorpe in the area in October) Then in mid-December, the Southern Downs Regional Council approved the development of the mining operation about 40km away at Cherrabah on the border with New South Wales. In a cruel twist, those living in Stanthorpe and Warwick to the north saw their water restrictions cut to 80 litres per person just one day after the water mining approval. The council has told its ratepayers the restriction translates to no more than 90 seconds of shower time using a non-water efficient shower head. Those living near the site set to be mined by Joyful View, which is owned by two Chinese investors, hit out at the council decision given the region's dwindling supplies. The council has told its ratepayers that new restriction translates to no more than 90 seconds of shower time using a non-water efficient shower head 'I don't understand how it is allowed to happen,' one resident told The Guardian. 'If that water drains away from the shallow aquifers, it affects our long-term viability.' The company plan to transport the water to a Gold Coast bottling plant, according to council documents. The council are reportedly aware of land owners shipping water outside of the region, according to local newspaper the Southern Free Times. An aerial view of a dried up dam at Cottonvale apple orchard, outside drought-ravaged Stanthorpe. The jarring image was selected as one of the Best of the Year News images for 2019 But the region's deputy mayor said they were powerless to intervene and could not regulate extraction by private companies. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Joyful View and Southern Downs Regional Council for comment. Last month, Stanthorpe received 200,000 litres of water and 130 tonnes tonnes of hay bales in a huge emergency supply package from Australia's Muslim community. The delivery was organised by Muslim Aid Australia drawing on donations from thousands of individuals and companies across the country. 'There are cattle dying, horses dying or they have to be sold because they don't have any hay bales to eat or water to drink,' MAA spokesman Riyaad Ally said. Jubilant locals were seen welcoming the delivery trucks as they arrived and rushing to help unload the hay bales from trailers. WASHINGTON It may have been the biggest traffic court case ever to be heard. More than six years after the scheme of Jersey-style retribution that became known as Bridgegate caused massive traffic problems, the high-stakes corruption case had its day of reckoning Tuesday before the U.S. Supreme Court. At least six of the nine justices appeared openly skeptical over whether the 2013 incident orchestrated by former officials of the Christie administration was a federal crime, as they peppered the government and defense attorneys with questions. I dont see how this case works, said Justice Stephen Breyer, in remarking that what happened at the bridge may not have been a good thing to do, but questioning if it was a crime. Chief Justice John Roberts asked Eric J. Feigin, who argued the case for the Justice Departments Office of the Solicitor General, how Bridgegate could be an issue of taking public resources for personal use, under the federal statute used to prosecute the case. Your theory is that by the actions in this case, they have commandeered the lanes on the expressway, said Roberts. But he noted that, the lanes were Still being used for public purposes, and not for private use. The case has national implications because if reversed, it could further limit the ability of federal prosecutors to prosecute public corruption. Bridget Anne Kelly, 47, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Chris Christie, and Bill Baroni, 48, the one-time deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were found guilty in November 2016 of fraud and conspiracy, in connection with their roles in the closure of local access lanes from Fort Lee to the bridge. The plan was designed to back up traffic deep into the town to punish a local mayor. Feigin told the court that Kelly and Baronis action in the case were fraud in just the same way that it would be fraud for someone with no connection to the Port Authority to impersonate Port Authority supervisors and order Port Authority employees to realign Port Authority lanes. He said it was no different than someone pretending to be a taxicab companys dispatcher and ordering the cabs and the drivers to go wherever the fraudster pleases. They dont get a free pass simply because Baroni worked for the Port Authority when the evidence showed that he didnt have the power to direct these resources in this way without telling the lie, he told the justices. And they dont get a free pass simply because their motive happened to be political. However, Justice Samuel Alito, the only justice from New Jersey, suggested he was troubled by the governments argument that Baroni was not authorized to make changes to the bridge access lanes. Ive read these jury instructions several times. Theres nothing in there that would alert a jury, a juror, to the obligation to find that Baroni was unauthorized, said Alito. The court, meanwhile, raised issues of the defense as well. Youve said that if the resources were diverted to private use, then the prosecution would be okay. But why isnt it a private use to benefit defendants politically? asked Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of Kellys attorney, Yaakov Roth. He responded that while the allegation in the case was that the motive was political, that did not mean the reallocation of the bridge lanes was used for private benefit. Its not, Roth said. the typical case in which the government has prosecuted property fraud against a public official is where the official lies to take property from the government for his own use. Roth said if a mayor orders a snow removal crew already plowing public roads to plow his street first, that is not obtaining property by fraud because that is an allocation of resources to a public use. Justice Elena Kagan questioned that point. Im sorry, I thought the scheme was to make life difficult for Fort Lee, Kagan said to Roth. If that was the scheme, and you defrauded the use of government property to accomplish your goal, why is that any different than taking the maintenance worker to plow your road, your private street? The attorney said that was not what the federal property fraud statute is concerned with. The federal property fraud statute is concerned with cheating the government out of its property rights. And thats just not what we have here, he said. Kagan did not appear entirely convinced. My problem is I can see a headline that would say its okay for officials to use government public money in a way that is plainly unauthorized, not just in its motives but in its end use, the justice said. Prosecutors argued that Kelly and Baroni wielded the George Washington Bridge like a cudgel, deliberately creating massive gridlock in the streets of Fort Lee around the approach to the bridge for no other purpose than to send a clear message to a mayor who wasnt willing to play ball during the re-election campaign of Christie. The idea to shut down the local access lanes at the George Washington Bridge was hatched after Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democratic, backed off an expected endorsement of Christie, a Republican, during the governors 2013 re-election campaign. The plan was conceived by David Wildstein, a political appointee to the Port Authority, who said he came up with of shutting down the bridge lanes to put pressure on Sokolich. It was then set in motion after Kelly sent a now-infamous time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee email to Wildstein. The message was later pointed to by prosecutors as the smoking gun in the case, and became a key piece of evidence used against her. Kelly was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison. Baroni received an 18-month prison term. The two now are free on bail pending the courts decision. Wildstein, who pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy, testified against the two and was sentenced to probation. Christie was never charged with any wrongdoing and has steadfastly denied knowing about the plan. Curiously, Christie himself was at the Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, to the surprise of many, and sat just in front of Kelly with his wife, Mary Pat. He quickly disappeared after the arguments concluded. The arguments before the high court on Tuesday did not focus on whether Kelly or Baroni participated in the traffic scheme. The question on the table was simply whether under the statute, a public official can defraud the government of its property by advancing a public policy reason for a decision that was not her subjective real reason for making the decision. In other words, if a pubic official lies about why they did something, are they defrauding the government? The court in recent years has dealt prosecutors several major setbacks in the Justice Departments sometimes aggressive approach to political prosecutions. Most notably was the courts decision in the case of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell. The Supreme Court in 2016 threw out the conviction of McDonnell on charges he accepted $175,000 in cash and gifts from a Richmond businessman while arranging meetings for him with state officials. The court ruled that the former governors activities on behalf of his patron were not considered official acts, and said despite the nature of the charges, prosecutors needed to show a direct quid pro quo that the official did something in his official capacity in return for the gifts. That very much was on the minds of the justices during the arguments, referring to the governments claim of misusing Port Authority resources as taking the property of the government. There is no deprivation of honest services that does not require somebody in the government to spend some time or use some paper or use a telephone in order to achieve that dishonest thing, observed Breyer. If youre going to count that as property, well, fine, you could do it, I guess under some statute, but if you do it under this statute, this statute then prohibits the taking of dishonest services, exactly what the court has held it doesnt do. Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni embrace outside the Supreme Court after they talked to the media after their lawyers presented arguments. Lawyers for Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni will be making their final appeal before the US Supreme Court, seeking to overturn their convictions in the Bridgegate scandal. Tuesday, January 14, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media Following the arguments, both Kelly and Baroni spoke briefly outside the Supreme Court. Today is about hope and about justice, said Kelly. "I remain optimistic that both triumph. Noting the presence of Christie in the courtroom, Kelly, who has not spoken to the governor since she was fired after the Bridgegate case broke, said only, I hope he had a harder time seeing me than I did seeing him. Baroni, who did not answer questions, said he was grateful the justices were paying attention to his case. So unconvinced that the high court would take up the matter, Baroni had reported to federal prison before the justices agreed to hear his appeal. I never dreamed the Supreme Court would agree to hear our case, he said. Baronis attorney Michael Levy, after the oral arguments, commented that "there is a clear distinction between politics and crime, but lines are being blurred. He said he was optimistic the court would reverse conviction. Asked if he got any indication of which way the justices were leaning by their questions, Roth said only, We dont make predictions. READ THE SUPREME COURTS ORAL ARGUMENT ON BRIDGEGATE Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Police has initiated the process of clearing a road in Delhi, which was blocked by people protesting for a month against the amended citizenship law, officials said on Tuesday. The move came after the Delhi High Court directed the police to look into the traffic restrictions on the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch. "The police has initiated the process of clearing a road at Shaheeen Bagh near Jamia Milia Islamia. "The police is following the policy of persuasion rather than force to clear the busy arterial road," a government official said. Many people in South Delhi were inconvenienced due to the closure of the road as it snapped a direct link with satellite town Noida. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the city police to look into traffic restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed for nearly a month due to protests against the Act, while keeping in mind the larger public interest. Meanwhile, the police has examined eight suspects, including Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Aishee Ghosh, for their alleged involvement in the violence at the premier institute, the official said. Officials also said that police will talk to traders body, religious leaders and community elders to end the blockade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:09:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government has asked UN teams for help in obtaining face masks to protect against volcanic dust and gases from the erupting Taal volcano near Manila, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that more than 350 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded near Taal as of Tuesday with more than 38,000 people having been relocated to over 200 evacuation centers, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The UN is concerned about warnings issued by the authorities that the current volcanic activity could last days, months or even years," Dujarric said. Teams from the United Nations are visiting evacuation centers and supporting authorities by reviewing their needs, he said. The total population within the 14-km danger zone radius is estimated at nearly 500,000 people, the OCHA said. In addition to the masks formally requested by the government are nonfood items, including hygiene/dignity kits, and portable toilets for evacuation centers. The volcano, about 70 km south of Manila, erupted on Sunday, sending out an ash plume 10-15 km high, the OCHA said. Widespread ashfall was recorded in several locations, including the cities of Manila and Quezon. Lashing out at the BJP for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), West Bengal Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged it is a "ploy" to take away citizenship from those who hold it legally and give it to foreigners who have funded the saffron party. Banerjee, who is a strident critic of the BJP and has opposed the contentious piece of legislation from the beginning, said those helping the party get foreign funds and turn black money into white are being given citizenship. "Is this Act a ploy to take away the citizenship of those legal citizens and giving it to those foreigners who have funded the BJP ?" she said speaking from the dharna manch of the Trinamool Congress Chatra Parishad, her party's student wing against the CAA, here. Apparently referring to the killing of Bengali labourers at Kulgam in Kashmir by terrorists in October 2019, the TMC supremo said the people of other states face no threats and are safe in Bengal. She hit out at the BJP saying, "Do they (BJP) have any understanding with Pakistan or are they brand ambassadors of Pakistan". "We know how to respect our guests, we even show courtsey to our enemies, but that doesn't mean our party leaders won't be allowed to enter Jammu, Guhawati and JNU," Banerjee said seemingly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Kolkata and the turning away of TMC delegations from various places. She had met Modi at the Raj Bhavan during the prime minister's visit and was seen sharing the stage with him at a function, which drew flak from the opposition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) You are here: China Authorities have made major progress in the battles against poverty, pollution and major financial risks in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In 2019, Xinjiang lifted 12 counties out of poverty, bringing down the poverty rate from 6.1 percent in 2018 to 1.2 percent last year. The last batch of 9,355 families living in dangerous houses have moved into brand-new homes. Meanwhile, Xinjiang's environment is improving. Last year, authorities banned high-polluting, high-energy-consuming and high-discharging companies from operating in the region. Last year, average good-air days increased 1.5 percent year on year in major cities and the proportion of quality river water was up 1.2 percent. In 2019, local governments reported zero illegal borrowed loans, effectively reining in financial risks. The government also encouraged credit support for brick-and-mortar businesses. Advertisement A Philippine volcano was trembling and spewing out fountains of lava again today as thousands fled their homes amid warnings of a bigger and more dangerous eruption which could leave them stranded for months. Plumes of steam were pouring out of the volcano today after villages in the Philippines were blanketed in ash when the volcano exploded into life on Sunday. Nearly 40,000 people have evacuated the area so far but thousands more are refusing to leave, defying the warnings of disaster agencies who say a further 'explosive eruption' could be imminent. Experts say Taal's eruptions can last for several months, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of people in limbo for months with their homes under threat from the volcano. Dozens of volcanic tremors today have added to the region's woes and were were felt as far as in Tagaytay city, a popular tourist destination 20 miles away. People living along Taal lake catch fish today with the erupting volcano in the background at what is usually a tourist spot Plumes of steam were pouring out of the volcano today as thousands fled their homes amid warnings of a bigger and more dangerous eruption which could leave them stranded for months Dead trees near Taal's crater are seen covered in volcanic ash today as the volcano continued to belch out lava and ash A fisherman paddles as the Taal Volcano continues to erupt in Talisay today, with a possible greater eruption yet to come Red-hot lava gushed out of a Philippine volcano on the picturesque island where the alert level is at its second-highest A column of ash and lava surrounds the crater of Taal after the volcano exploded into life on Sunday Ash spews into the air from the volcano yesterday following an eruption which has forced thousands of people to evacuate A worker carries a fallen branch in a resort blanketed with volcanic ash in Talisay today, with authorities warning that the Taal volcano could continue spewing lava and ash for weeks - leaving thousands in limbo A motorist examines his Jeep today after it was covered in volcanic ash during the eruption in the Philippines which is spewing lava half a mile high and constantly trembling with earthquakes A ferris wheel is covered with volcanic ash in a park in Tagaytay City, with the surrounding trees also affected by the eruption A family in a van crosses a damaged road caused by volcanic tremors following an eruption of Taal volcano two days ago The crater of the volcano, which lies in the middle of a picturesque lake, blasted into life with towering clouds of ash and jets of red-hot lava on Sunday, forcing those living around the mountain south of Manila to rush to safety. Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 40 miles to the north, closed the country's main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ash fall eased. The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days. Many people abandoned livestock and pets as well as homes full of belongings after authorities sounded an alert warning that an 'explosive eruption' could come imminently. 'We left everything apart from what we're wearing,' said Robert Cadiz, a 47-year-old fisherman among some 30,000 who took refuge in shelters. 'We were terrified.' Gerald Aseoche, 30, who left with his four young children and a few possessions, has missed work to stay with them as the volcano belches out lava and earthquakes tied to the eruption rattle the region. 'I am hoping this won't go on too long because I will lose my job if I can't report to work immediately,' he said at an evacuation centre. 'I can't leave them... family first,' he said as he cradled one of his children. Leila de Castro carries a statue of the baby Jesus which she recovered from the house of her sister as she walks on a road covered with volcanic ash in Boso-Boso today A resident cleans his roof today after it was damaged by volcanic ash in Boso-Boso, in Batangas province in the Philippines Residents on a motorcycle - one of them wearing a face mask and reflective glasses - evacuate from a village in Batangas A swimming pool is filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in a closed park in Tagaytay City following the volcano blast People carry piglets rescued from across the lake as Taal volcano continues to spew ash behind them, as seen from Talisay Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said urged people to obey evacuation orders, saying the possibility of an explosive eruption was 'high'. 'We urge people living in the danger zone to evacuate and follow evacuation orders issued by the authorities, he said. 'Bring your animals and livestock to evacuation centres if you must. The Philippine Red Cross is working round the clock to assess and meet the needs of affected communities.' Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' - a zone of intense seismic activity. The Taal eruption has been putting on a stunning and terrifying display, with lightning crackling through its ash cloud in a poorly understood phenomenon that has been attributed to static electricity. Renato Solidum, head of the Philippines' seismological agency, said Taal's previous eruptions have lasted months so it was impossible to predict an end to the current activity. However, he said the alert warning of a potentially catastrophic 'explosive eruption' may remain in place for weeks, depending on developments. A resident with a shovel inspects the damage at a house destroyed by volcanic ash in Boso-Boso, Batangas province The logo of a McDonald's restaurant in Tagaytay City is seen splattered with mud from volcanic ash on Tuesday A man clears his roof of volcanic ash at Boso-Boso today, with the volcano spewing lava half a mile high and trembling with earthquakes constantly Three of the carriages and the ticket booth of the ferris wheel in a park in Tagaytay City, which was left covered in ash Solidum, the seismology chief, also warned residents from returning to high-risk villages based on perceptions that the eruption was easing. He warned of pyroclastic flows, super-heated material from the volcano that can travel at great speed and incinerate anything in its path. 'We have a protocol of waiting for several days, sometimes two weeks, to make sure that indeed... volcano activity has essentially stopped,' he said. Ninoy Aquino International Airport resumed reduced operations on Monday and was gradually recovering on Tuesday, but a backlog of cancelled flights resulted in ongoing pain for travellers. Taal's last eruption was in 1977, but it has a long history of activity. In 1965 the volcano, which is a popular tourist attraction set in a picturesque lake, killed some 200 people. The country's most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, about 100 kilometres northwest of Manila, which killed more than 800 people. Volunteers and residents living at the foot of Taal volcano unload livestock after rescuing them from their homes and transporting them to Balete Residents remove volcanic ash from their roofs in Boso-Boso after the neighbourhood was covered in volcanic ash Volunteers provide free medical examinations inside an evacuation center in Santo Tomas today following the eruption Volcanic tremors have added to residents' woes, including here in Lemery where a road has been badly damaged Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk has instructed Head of the State Agency of Forest Resources Andriy Zablotsky to launch the on-line platform for the word market in the near future. "From February 1, we should fundamentally change the rules of the market. Wood should be sold through competitive procedures, and direct contracts should be relegated to the history books," Honcharuk said during a meeting with the representatives of the territorial bodies of the State Forest Resources Agency in Kyiv on Tuesday. Honcharuk tasked Zablotsky with ensuring the launch online (wood selling) platforms from February 1. "This is a guideline, we are not tied to a specific date, but we hope that in the near future, literally over the next weeks, the situation will fundamentally change," Honcharuk said. He said that the critical task for him was to ensure a centralized wood sales system. "From February 1, ensure the transition of all households to the work taking into account the centralized wood sales system," the prime minister said. Moreover, Honcharuk asked Zablotsky to reshuffle personnel in the agency, leaving only honest employees. Remote target locking and a remote command to launch missiles are also possible from the territory of the country of origin, that is, from Russia, an expert said. Moscow was interested in the crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane in the Middle East and had technology to remotely interfere with the operation of the Russian-made Tor missile launcher, Ukrainian defense experts say. "Russia was interested in the crash of the Ukrainian aircraft in the Middle East, given the subsequent ensuing between the U.S. and Iran and its influence on the hydrocarbon market, because oil prices are critical for Russia today. After three series of unsuccessful attacks by Iran on U.S. objects, Russia needed a new escalation to hit NATO as much as possible, including Canada, so a passenger plane downing was a great instrument. It was also convenient from the perspective of a hybrid component, because it was Iran who formally brought down the airliner. Iran's relations with the West are deteriorating oil prices are rising, the logistics of oil supplies are being hindered to the U.S., the EU, and Saudi Arabia in the first place, while demand for Russian oil is increasing accordingly. Given the decline in Western investment in the Russian economy, it is also an instrument of coercion to invest 'if you can't take it through pipelines, build tankers for us'," Ukrainian military expert Yuriy Kolesnikov told Guildhall. "Russian intelligence has deeply penetrated the IRGC with human assets. While we have no knowledge as for the exact modification of the TOR launcher involved, Russia was technologically able to remotely interfere with the system's operation. It is possible that the crew at the scene did not interfere with the launcher's work at all and whatever their actions, the system made that strike. Remote target locking and a remote command to launch missiles are also possible from the territory of the country of origin, that is, from Russia. I remind you that they once 'landed' a Polish plane beyond the runway, and that was back in 2010," the expert notes. Read alsoIran says some people arrested for their role in Ukrainian plane crash Reuters The possibility of remote interference in the work of TOR AA system in Iran is also confirmed by military observer with Defense Express, ex-spokesman for Ukroboronprom Oleh Katkov, who noted that since the day the plane was downed, Russia had been carrying out a systemic information campaign to rule out own involvement in the crash. "There are different modifications to the Tor AA launcher, but starting from the M1 model, they can operate as part of a united air defense system. That is, there is a special system allowing for remote control of air defense systems, including the Tor M-1. And if it was this modification that was in service with the IRGC, it was actually possible. The Tor launcher was developed in the late 1980's precisely as a system for intercepting cruise and anti-ship missiles. The system's coverage and response time are minimal because the missile reaches the target within seconds, so to minimize time costs, everything is done automatically. One of Tor's developers in an interview said about the system that 'we bring down everything that is moving.' Unfortunately, they did bring down everything they could reach. The information that Russian experts were considering the possibility of servicing Tor launchers in Iran dates back to 2015," said Oleh Katkov. Read alsoThink tank points to Tor launcher's failure to identify PS752 as civilian aircraft "It is worth noting that as soon as Russia became aware of the crash, it launched a systemic information campaign to rule out own involvement. Reports were consistently spun claiming that the plane could not be brought down but rather crashed due to technical reasons. But when world powers who have intelligence at their disposal, in particular the U.S., announced they had evidence about the crash, Iran was forced to admit its involvement and seemed to do so without Russia's approval. The article on Wikipedia about the Tor AA system was tailored to remove precisely the information about the possibility of automatic missile launches, at the same time adding a notion about the 'need for an operator's participation', which wasn't there before. The very launcher had earlier been advertised by the Russians as the one able to automatically hit targets in a special automatic mode," the observer noted. According to The Telegraph, tensions between the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spilled into a public plane when the president's office accused the elite forces of misleading them about a Ukrainian plane crash. Against the background of protests ongoing in Iran for the third day already in the aftermath of the Ukrainian Boeing downing, allies of Hassan Rouhani, the democratically elected president, are channeling public anger onto their hawkish rivals from the IRGC. Russia-linked cyber-espionage group hacked the Ukrainian energy company Burisma at the center of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump. The Russian cyberspie s , operating under Russias GRU military intelligence agency (aka Fancy Bear) carried out a spear-phishing campaign in November aimed at accessing the email of Burisma Holdings employees. The attack was detailed by California-based cybersecurity firm Area 1 Security in a report. This report details an ongoing Russian government phishing campaign targeting the email credentials of employees at Burisma Holdings and its subsidiaries and partners. The campaign against the Ukranian oil & gas company was launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Army or GRU. reads the report published by Area 1 Security. Phishing for credentials allows cyber actors to gain control of an organizations internal systems by utilizing trusted access methods (e.g.: valid usernames and passwords) in order to observe or to take further action. Once credentials are phished, attackers are able to operate covertly within an organization in pursuit of their goal. In December President Trump was facing an impeachment trial over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. and its relationship with the former board member Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden. Russian military cyberspies were gathering information by hacking the Ukrainian gas company. The timing of the GRUs campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the specter that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections, continues the Area 1 report. It is not clear which information the hackers have accessed, experts believe Russian spies were searching for potentially embarrassing material on the rival Biden and his son. In July 2019, a phone call from Trump to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asking him to investigate the Bidens and Burisma. Burisma hired the Bidens son while his father was vice president and leading the Obama administrations Ukraine policy . Donald Trump tried to coerce Ukraine into lying about Joe Biden and a major bipartisan, international anti-corruption victory because he recognized that he cant beat the vice president, said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the Biden campaign. states the NYT. Now we know that Vladimir Putin also sees Joe Biden as a threat, Mr. Bates added. Any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections. The scheme was similar to the one allegedly adopted by Russian intelligence ahead of the Presidential election in 2016, when the cyberspies hackerd emails from Hillary Clintons campaign and used an army of trolls to spread propaganda and misinformation. According to Area 1s report, the GRU spies hacked the servers of Burisma Holdings. In this campaign, the GRU combined several different authenticity techniques to compromise the targeted network, such as Domain-based authenticity, Business process and application authenticity, and Partner and supply chain authenticity. Since 2016, the GRU has consistently used an assembly line process to acquire and set up infrastructure for their phishing campaigns. Area 1 Security has correlated this campaign against Burisma Holdings with specific tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used exclusively by the GRU in phishing for credentials. continues the report.Repeatedly, the GRU uses Ititch , NameSilo, and NameCheap for domain registration; MivoCloud and M247 as Internet Service Providers; Yandex for MX record assignment; and a consistent pattern of lookalike domains. Trump is expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs Bronze President, hacking) Book Excerpt August 1947 Kill the Kafirs, burn them alive. No Hindu or Sikh should be spared . . . Hate-filled directives echoed in the Valley as young and old Muslim men ran through the narrow streets of Tadali village in Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, with naked, bloodstained swords in their hands. The village was to become part of Pakistan post Partition. The vicious venom being spewed by the local mullahs had brainwashed the Muslim youth almost overnight and filled them with hatred towards communities of other religions. With no regulatory body to be afraid of, the fundamentalists went on killing sprees with full gusto. It was as if some evil force had swished a magic wand and turned friends and immediate neighbours into arch-enemies. They sprinted out of their homes like pit bulls freed from chains and filled the Valley with the blood of innocents, leaving a burning trail of houses in their wake. They marched on to the streets like wild beasts, displaying human skulls as trophies on the tips of their spears and swords. The Sikhs provoked the ire of the fundamentalists even more. Being entrepreneurs, they had earned respect and jealousy in equal proportions. Despite being limited in number, they dominated all of Punjab and firmly held the purse strings of the important businesses. Even though Muslims benefited the most from their entrepreneurial skills, they remained discontent. They had been waiting for an opportunity to strike back. The word Jihad acquired a new meaning. Instead of being a spiritual struggle to overcome ego, greed and lust, it was wrongly interpreted as the Prophets directive to wage wars against non-Muslims and used to justify the killing of innocent people. One Sikh family that suffered the most at their hands was that of Balwant Singh. Being the eldest of four brothers, Balwant had successfully expanded the business and taken it to great heights. Nearly one-third of the village population was under his direct or indirect employment. His palatial home was famously known as Sardar House, and he was treated no less than a king. He was a large-hearted man and gave soft loans to anyone in distress without discriminating on the basis of caste or creed, or worrying about returns. Spiritually inclined, Balwant donated a fixed percentage of his income to noble causes every month and took good care of anyone who knocked on his door. Yet, the Muslim clergy nursed a serious grudge against him. His big white house stood out like a sore thumb primarily for one reason his school for the underprivileged. Balwant enjoyed generous patronage of the local British administrators and, as a result, was permitted to run a prominent girls only school in the Valley. The school encouraged poor children, including Muslim girls, to study free of cost which became a bone of contention for the religious leaders who were of the opinion that educating Muslim girls was against the teachings of the Quran. However, over a period of time, the school gained a name for its good governance, discipline and education. Despite being located in a Muslim area, it boasted a high percentage of Muslim students, which the fundamentalists found difficult to digest, and thus they opposed it vehemently. But the wealthy and powerful Balwant brushed their objections aside each time and kept them at a safe distance. They were enraged by the snub but also scared to stand up to the powerful sardar and hence sulked in isolation. The British administration was uncompromising when it came to rules. Punishments for disobedience and violence were severe and dispensed quickly. Hence, whenever the pitch of their murmur rose above the acceptable decibel level, Balwant reminded them of the Riot Act. But his trust in the British administration was his undoing. He was unaware of the level of hatred that was brewing in the minds of the imams, moulvis and other fundamentalists. The sudden announcement of Partition brought all these feelings to the fore, and without the British police to regulate the town, they wreaked vengeance. Their leaders used loudspeakers in masjids to spew hatred. The volcano of hate exploded and the burning lava flowed in the direction of the Sardar House. It took Balwant by complete surprise and engulfed his entire family. This was hard for Balwant to digest. Even in his wildest dreams, he had not imagined that his own Muslim friends, especially those who had taken umpteen favours and had sworn by him, would lead a riotous mob in the direction of his house. They were holding weapons, hurling abuses and baying for his blood. On 23 July last year, the Supreme Court had cracked its whip on errant builders for breaching the trust of homebuyers, ordered cancellation of Amrapali Groups registration under real estate law RERA and ousted it from its prime properties in the NCR by nixing the land leases. New Delhi: The Supreme Court asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 13 January to attach Indian properties of JP Morgan, which engaged in a transaction with the now-defunct Amrapali Group to allegedly siphon off homebuyers money in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and FDI norms. The ED said it had prima facie found violations of FEMA norms by the US-based JP Morgan and that a complaint in this regard was lodged. The Supreme Court also allowed the ED to take into custody the defunct groups CMD, Anil Kumar Sharma, and two other directors, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar, who are behind bars on the top courts order, for interrogation as regards alleged money laundering offenses. It said the Central agency could take them into custody immediately and once their interrogation was over, they could be sent back to a prison in New Delhi. According to the share subscription agreement between JP Morgan and Amrapali Group, the US-based firm had invested Rs 85 crore on 20 October 2010 to have a preferential claim on profits in the ratio of 75 percent to JP Morgan and 25 percent to the promoters of Amrapali Homes Project Private Limited and Ultra Home. Later, the same number of shares was bought back from JP Morgan for Rs 140 crore by two companiesM/s Neelkanth and M/s Rudrakshaowned by a peon and an office boy of Amrapalis statutory auditor Anil Mittal. A Bench of justices Arun Mishra and UU Lalit was told by ED Joint Director Rajeshwar Singh, who is supervising the probe against JP Morgan, that the MNC remitted the money back to the United States. They [JP Morgan] have a lot of properties in India. We want you to attach their office or corporate properties of a like amount. Then they will come running to us and we will see to it, the Bench said. Singh said the adjudication process against the firm had begun in accordance with law. On 2 December 2019, the ED had informed the top court that it had prima facie found evidence of violation of FEMA by the multi-national firm and recorded the statements of the country head of the company with regard to dealings with the Amrapali Group. It had said though the investigation was underway, prima facie it appeared that there were also violations of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and that appropriate actions were being taken. The apex court had then directed the ED that the investigation should be carried out impartially, properly and expeditiously within a period of three months. On 23 July last year, the Supreme Court had cracked its whip on errant builders for breaching the trust of homebuyers, ordered cancellation of Amrapali Groups registration under real estate law RERA and ousted it from its prime properties in the NCR by nixing the land leases. It had ordered a probe by the ED into allegations of money laundering and to look into the charge of FEMA violation by JP Morgan. The money of the home buyers has been diverted. The directors diverted the money by the creation of dummy companies, realising professional fees, creating bogus bills, selling flats at an undervalued price, payment of excessive brokerage etc. They obtained investment from JP Morgan in violation of FEMA and FDI norms, the top court had said. It had said the equity shares of the group were purchased at an exorbitant price to suit the requirements of JP Morgan and the Amrapali Zodiac Developers Pvt. Ltd. had diverted homebuyers funds. The shares were overvalued for making payments to JP Morgan. It was adopted as a device for siphoning off the money of the home buyers to foreign countries, the top court had said as it accepted the reports of forensic auditors. It had also noted that the shares of Amrapali Zodiac from JP Morgan were ultimately purchased for Rs 140 crore by M/s Neelkanth and M/s Rudraksha, shell companies owned by a peon and an office boy respectively. The transactions of Amrapali Zodiac Developers Pvt. Ltd. with JP Morgan were clearly in order to avoid the provisions of the Companies Act, it had said. The Supreme Court had said it was apparent that M/s Rudraksha was created for money laundering as its two directors and shareholders had no income The average receipt amount of foreign patients in Ukrainian clinics in 2019 increased from $2,000-2,500 to almost $2,800, Vice President of the Ukrainian Association of Medical Tourism (UAMT) Ihor Torsky has said. "According to our annual research, this indicator is growing. In 2019, the average check of one foreign medical tourist was about $2,800. It is possible that in 2020 this figure will be even higher," he said at a press conference devoted to the Global Medical Tourism Forum Healthcare Travel Forum 2020, which will be held in Kyiv city and Lviv region April 22-25, 2020. At the same time, Torsky said that the development of high-tech medical technologies and innovative treatment methods contributed to the increase in the average check of foreign patients. At the same time, according to him, the increase in the average check was also influenced by the pricing policy of the clinics. "This is an increase in prices. We do not always agree and discuss the feasibility of such an increase with clinics. I want to advise the representatives of the clinics to be careful with the pricing policy, since we are in a highly competitive world of medical tourism," he said. At the same time, Torsky said that the average check of foreign patients in Ukrainian clinics differs by region. "In Kyiv, the average check is about $3,240, in Lviv this amount is lower, because the structure of the provision of services differs from region to region," he said. According to him, in the country's clinics reproductive medicine and cell technology are the most developed. "These industries are high-tech, they require fairly accurate laboratory equipment and highly qualified specialists. Ukraine in these two areas is one of the world's leaders," he said. At the same time, Torsky said in other areas of medical tourism, in particular in dentists, rehabilitation, oncology, the flow of medical tourists is based on a "very balanced pricing policy for clinics", as well as on the absence of a so-called "waiting list" for getting consultations with specialty physicians. "To get an appointment with a specialty physician at home by the insured person, he needs to wait long enough. This is one of the reasons why patients choose Ukraine," the vice president of the UAMT said. In turn, President of the UAMT and President of the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC) Violetta Yanyshevska added that foreign patients can receive high-tech treatment in Ukrainian clinics using cyberknife, gamma knife, and da Vinci robot technologies. "There are already expensive procedures in Ukraine, for which patients were to travel abroad. Now there are these technologies and this high-tech equipment, and clinics can provide such services, including to foreign patients," she said. At the same time, Yanyshevska expressed the opinion that for the development of medical tourism Ukraine should resolve a number of problems, in particular, related to visa issues for foreign patients, and also introduce the concept of "medical tourism" in the legislative field. "There are working groups so that the parliament of this convocation can develop and adopt a law on medical tourism," she said. According to GHTC estimates, the global market for tourism segments related to health care is estimated at $439 billion. According to international experts, its constant growth of 10-20% is expected in the next 10 years. Every year, 3-4% of the world's population will travel abroad for treatment and rehabilitation. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. If youre wondering what sort of leaps in technology laptops are likely to make in 2020, we have some clues. Based on the next generation of laptopsmany of which were introduced at the recent CESwere soon going to see models with bigger screens, models that fold in half like the Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone, and models with nice-to-have add-ons, such as Tile tracker integration (so you can find your device if you misplace it) and hardware-based kill switches for built-in microphones and webcams. Well almost certainly see advances in performance, too, thanks to increased competition between Intel and AMD in the processor market and the benefits of the new 5G wireless and WiFi 6 standards. Heres a quick summary of things were looking forward to evaluating in the 2020 laptops. Folding Screens Last fall, Microsoft announced that in 2020 it would release a laptop with a folding screen. Known as the Surface Neo, it has a display similar to the one on Samsungs Galaxy Fold smartphone. In the next few months, expect to see more manufacturers embrace that idea. Dell has a model called the Duet in the works, though its still more of a concept than an actual product at this stage. And at CES, Lenovo unveiled the 13.3-inch ThinkPad X1 Fold, which will be released midyear at a hefty starting price of $2,500. The company claims the folding design will help people more easily take notes, annotate presentations, and multitasksay, booking a flight on one side of the display with a calendar open for reference on the other. Lenovo also has developed a laptopknown as the ThinkBook Plusthat features an e-Ink display on the exterior of the lid (similar to what youd find in an Amazon Kindle e-reader) in addition to the main display. Why would you want such a thing? Lenovo says youll be able to view select notificationsthink calendar alerts and the likeon it and could, if you wanted, read e-books there, as well. (Asus and HP have also experimented in recent months with small secondary displays for content such as notifications.) Story continues At the very least, this new take on laptop design wont cost much more than an ordinary laptop, with Lenovo pegging the price of the ThinkBook Plus at $1,200 for the March release. More Efficient Processing Power While Acer, Dell, and HP unveiled laptops featuring Intels latest laptop processors (known as Ice Lake) at CES, Asus charted a new course, using an AMD Ryzen processor to power a new gaming model known as the Zephyrus G14. The processor, part of AMDs new Ryzen 4000 line, is physically smaller than its earlier processors, which could lead to even thinner laptop designs. Theyre also more power-efficient, which leads to better battery life. Asus claims the Zephyrus G14 delivers 10 hours of battery life. That doesnt rank among the best laptops in that regard, but for gaming laptops, which tend to be power hogs, its impressive. The Ryzen 4000 processors also have six to eight cores; that helps with tasks like rendering high-resolution video. By contrast, most Intel Ice Lake processors have four. Its safe to say Intel now has serious competition in the laptop market, which ultimately means better processors at better pricesregardless of who makes them. The Benefits of 5G and WiFi 6 In 2019, consumers got their first taste of 5G, the next-generation wireless standard that, among other things, promises speeds that will allow you to download a full movie in as little as 5 seconds. And while 5G is nowhere near as ubiquitous as 4G LTE, laptop manufacturers are already gearing up for the leap in technology. Dell, HP, and Lenovo will release 5G laptops this year. The Dell and HP modelsin the Latitude (shown below) and EliteBook lines, respectivelyuse traditional Intel processors. Both are due out this spring. Lenovos 5G-compatible Flex 5G is a 2-in-1 convertible with a Snapdragon processor made by Qualcomm. Weve tested a few laptops powered by Qualcomm processors, and theyve had decent battery life but less-than-stellar performance. When the new Lenovo is released this spring at a price of $1,500, well send it through our testing protocol and let you know how things shake out. Dell, HP, and Lenovo plan to release laptops that support the new WiFi 6 standard this year, too. The benefit there is better speed and reliability. WiFi 6 routers are currently making their way onto store shelves (we have three in our ratings) and Linksys, Netgear, and TP-Link unveiled models that will support this latest standard at CES. Internet service providers are also beginning to embrace WiFi 6, with Comcast saying at CES that it will have a WiFi 6 router for its subscribers later this year, though no exact date was given. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2020, Consumer Reports, Inc. Rain and storms are likely to bring significant relief to bushfire-affected areas over the weekend, while the NSW government is looking to ensure that the state's drinking water is protected from ash and debris. Showers and storms are expected from Wednesday due to a deepening inland trough drawing humid air across eastern Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Rain falls last week on the burnt landscape lining Benalong Road, south of Nowra. Credit:AAP "Over the last week we've seen a real shift in the weather pattern," said meteorologist Sarah Scully. "From the hot and dry conditions that we, unfortunately, became all too familiar with over the last few months, to much more humid conditions." Key figures in the world of Scotch whisky are travelling to the US to hold crunch talks with policymakers amid fears the Trump administration could hike tariffs on imports of single malts even higher. In October, the US started imposing a 25 per cent duty on imports of Scotch whisky and liqueurs, after over two decades of tariff-free trading. The Office of the US Trade Representative is currently mulling over the current tariff rates, leaving the Scotch whisky sector concerned they could be pushed up further. Tough tariffs: In October, Trump's administration started imposing a 25% duty on imports of Scotch whisky and liqueurs Meetings have been arranged with senior representatives from the US departments of trade, commerce and agriculture, aiming to pile the pressure on Trump's administration for the removal of whisky from the trade dispute. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already vowed to remove tariffs on US whiskey once the UK leaves the EU. Karen Betts, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, will travel to Washington DC this week to meet key stakeholders to discuss the import tariffs. 'There's real concern about a rise in tariffs on Scotch whisky - a further rise could be devastating to distillers', Betts told the Press Association. Betts added: 'We will speak to the US Government and urge them to lift the tariffs altogether - all the tariffs are doing is damaging the sector on both sides. 'Tariffs on whisky products also has an impact on the American economy. 'Price rises impact sales, which impacts on investment and jobs, and also has an effect on taxes.' Promises: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already vowed to remove tariffs on US whiskey once the UK leaves the EU Big bucks: Single malt exports across the pond are worth more than 1billion every year The Scotch Whisky Association has raised fears that the tariffs will lead to a reduction in spirits crossing the Atlantic, putting jobs and investment at risk. Single malt exports across the pond are worth more than 1billion every year and the country is the industry's most valuable market. Rates on Scotch account for 62 per cent of the total UK tariff bill, according to the whisky body. In October, the US revealed it would impose $7.5billion, or 6.1billion, of tariffs on exports from the EU including scotch whisky, French wine and cheese and aircraft in retaliation for subsidies given to the aerospace group Airbus after a World Trade Organization ruling. A Department for International Trade spokeswoman said: 'Retaliatory tariffs cause harm to British businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. 'This completely contradicts the more open business environment we are trying to create after Brexit and we have raised the issue at the highest levels of the US administration.' Meanwhile, Scotland's Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay, said he was very concerned about the tariff saga. What has happened? Here is the Scotch Whisky Association's overview into when and how these tariffs came about: 'On 18 October 2019, an advalorem import tariff of 25 per cent on all single malt Scotch whisky and Scotch whisky liqueurs entering the US came into effect. 'Scotch is now caught up in a multi-dimensional trade dispute between the US and the EU. 'A 25 per cent EU tariff has applied on US whiskys since July 2018 despite our vocal opposition and calls for this to be removed. This will have contributed to the US decision. 'The US is the single largest market for Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The value of US imports in 2018 was $516.5million.' He told BBC Good Morning Scotland: 'I'm incredibly concerned because it will impact severely, and I think possibly already is, on our exports of whisky and other products to the USA. 'We've tried to engage with the UK Government on this matter. It is of profound concern that the situation might get worse because of the actions of the US administration. 'We want to see that this trade war, if you like, is removed so that it doesn't continue to damage Scotland's economy which it feels as if has been disproportionately targeted by the US administration and that is a matter for the UK Government.' Asked what the UK Government has been saying, he replied: 'They tell us, obviously, that they have been trying to apply pressure on the US administration to have this issue resolved which then relates to matters in relation to the EU and the US view on trade subsidies elsewhere.' After news of the 25 per cent tariff on single malt Scotch whisky broke, the SWA said it expected to see exports to the US drop by as much as 20 per cent over the next year. A 14-year-old girl who said she tried to report her father's physical abuse for years installed secret cameras to record him headbutting her and threatening to cut her dog's throat. Damon Becnel, 47, was charged on January 2 with child and animal cruelty after his daughter gave authorities the video evidence of the abuse that occurred in the Destin, Florida home. Police said the footage the teen handed over showed Becnel in a bedroom with his daughter and two dogs. He could be heard screaming about one of the dogs not obeying him as the girl sat on a chair on the other side of the room. Damon Becnel, 47, was charged on January 2 with child and animal cruelty after his daughter gave authorities the video evidence of the abuse that occurred in the Destin, Florida home Becnel was filmed striking the dog before pulling out what police said was a knife and threatening to slit the animal's throat. Becnol has been charged with one count of child abuse and one count of animal cruelty. Becnol, who was released on bond, is scheduled to face court on February 4 'I will cut this f***ing dog's eyeballs out, I'll f***king do it,' he yelled. The teen screamed and lunged at Becnel when he suddenly grabbed the dog by the neck and threw it to the ground. Becnel is accused of then grabbing the teen by the hair. The footage later showed Becnel screaming into the girl's face as she was backed up against a wall trying to shield the two dogs. He was filmed headbutting the teen, causing her to strike her head against the wall with a loud thud. 'I know more than you do. Stop thinking you know everything,' he yelled as he headbutted her. The teen screamed back: 'Why are so you abusive to me?' The girl's mother, who does not have custody of the teenager, said her daughter had been trying to report the physical abuse for several years but authorities didn't believe her. Police said the footage the teen handed over showed Becnel in a bedroom with his daughter and two dogs. He could be heard screaming at her before pulling her hair and headbutting her The footage later showed Becnel screaming into the girl's face as she was backed up against a wall trying to shield the two dogs 'Nothing was done. Nothing has ever been done to help my daughter,' her mother told NBC15. 'She absolutely knew that something bad was going to happen and nobody would believe her unless she had that on film.' It is not clear why the mother does not have custody of the girl. The mother said the girl came up with the plan to install the cameras so she would have video evidence. 'She is one strong and one smart little girl and I couldn't be more proud of her,' the mother said. Becnol is said to be a prominent local business owner. His last business was listed as ABC Resorts in Destin. He has been charged with one count of child abuse and one count of animal cruelty. Becnol, who was released on bond, is scheduled to face court on February 4. MALLACOOTA, Australia Flying with gut-churning force over miles of charred bush land, the military plane had a vital load to deliver: 500 gallons of fuel, to help power a town cut off from the world. On the ground below, residents had become desperate for the suddenly scarce resource, and some were taking their frustration out on gas station attendants forced to ration it. With the only road in or out blocked for two weeks by fallen and smoldering trees, the usually laid-back beach town, Mallacoota, had grown tense with the hardships that come with isolation. People are starting to get angry and frustrated with the lack of supplies, being stuck here and the power is still off, said Tracey Hargreaves, the owner of a cafe on the main street. To keep business going, she has had to serve long-life milk and carefully preserve her pastries. Its surreal, she said. Police have arrested the grandfather of an 11-year-old boy who murdered his schoolteacher and injured six others before shooting himself dead. The arrest occurred hours after state officials in the Mexican province of Coahuila said the guns used in the attack belonged to Jose Angel Ramos' grandfather. State prosecutors said he was being held in prison in the city of Torreon, where last Friday morning's shooting took place, on suspicion of homicide by omission. The 58-year-old, who has not been fully named, has been warned he could face a prison sentence of up to 35 years if convicted. File photo of Miguel Cervantes School in Torreon where a pupil shot dead his teacher before killing himself Friday Shocking photos from the scene showed the student's body next to that of his female teacher with a handgun on the floor between the boy's knees Maria Medina, a teacher at private school in Mexico, was killed by one of her students. She confronted Jose Angel Ramos, who was holding two guns, after the boy had asked her for permission to go to the bathroom to change his pants. A parent lauded her actions and said Medina's heroic actions prevented the tragedy from being worse State General Attorney General Marquez Guevara, confirming the arrest, said: 'We are accusing him in some way of the homicide of the teacher who lost her life, on the basis there was omission in his negligence in having firearms in a private home where a minor was living. 'The information we have is that the grandfather was the reference, the person who was in charge of the home.' Coahuila state governor Miguel Angel Riquelme said after the private school shooting at Colegio Cervantes in Torreon, a city of just under 700,000 inhabitants in north-east Mexico, that Ramos could have been influenced by a video game called Natural Selection. It subsequently emerged the child gunman was dressed in the same clothes worn by Eric Harris when he murdered 12 students and one teacher with Dylan Klebold at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Jose Angel Ramos (pictured in the left image), the 11-year-old boy who shot dead a teacher and then killed himself at a school in Mexico , appeared to be dressed in the same clothes that Eric Harris, one of the teen killers, wore in the Columbine 1999 massacre. Harris (pictured left in the right image) was portrayed in the documentary film 'Zero Hour' Paramedics carry one of the injured victims out of the school in Torreon, Mexico The Torreon shooting occurred when Ramos' teacher Maria Assaf Medina went to look for him after he asked for permission to go to to the toilet and failed to return 15 minutes later. The school teacher was laid to rest on Sunday. Initial reports after the shooting pointed to the gunman being just eight before city mayor Jorge Zermeno confirmed he was a sixth-form primary school pupil aged 11. Five pupils and another teacher, 40-year-old PE teacher Aldo Omar Saldivar, were wounded. Most of the injured have already been released from hospital. In the aftermath of the shooting local authorities said Ramos had not shown any outward signs of any problems, but investigators are now pointing to behaviour influenced by an 'absence of values and lack of attention.' By Express News Service BENGALURU: A number of protests were staged against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the city on Monday, particularly against inaction by the Karnataka police in suspending the Mangaluru Police Commissioner. The protesters demanded that action be taken against the police officer as it was under his watch that two civilians were killed in police firing during the anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru last month. Speaking on the Act, Lubna Siraj, vice-president of National Womens Front, said it was not well thought of and was rather a hush-hush thing. One community is definitely targeted. It is our choice to stay in the country. And regardless of caste or religion, we are all equal here, she told TNIE. Hundreds of people took part in the protest. Protests were also conducted under the banner of Karavali Okkuta at Town Hall, and others were held at Old Madras Road and KR Puram. VICTORIA - Premier John Horgan says he is excited by the prospect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle calling British Columbia their part-time home. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Premier John Horgan holds his first press conference of the year as he comments on various questions from the media in the Press Gallery at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, January 13, 2020. Horgan says he is excited by the prospect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle calling British Columbia their part-time home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA - Premier John Horgan says he is excited by the prospect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle calling British Columbia their part-time home. He had a light-hearted conversation about the couple with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, he said during a news conference in Victoria. "We're both kind of giddy about it. Canada is a cool place to be. We are all pretty happy about that as Canadians." The Queen said Monday there will be a period of transition to sort things out on the couple's future roles as members of the Royal Family during which Meghan and Harry will spend time in both Canada and the United Kingdom. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family,'' the Queen said in a statement. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.'' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent the holidays at a secluded beachfront villa near Victoria, where they were seen exploring the community. "And the fact that they felt comfortable here speaks to us as a society and that gives us a reason to pat ourselves on our back," Horgan said. "That we are good and kind people who don't want to intrude in the lives of famous people. We're excited when we see them but leave them be." He took "comfort" watching the response of residents of Vancouver Island who "bumped" into the family but largely left them alone, Horgan said. "The paparazzi weren't here. You as a media group left them alone," he said. "You talked to people who bumped into them on the trail and it was a curiosity and a bit of a delight for British Columbians to say, 'oh good, they came here because they felt safe.' " He hasn't "given a lot of thought" to the costs of the family putting down roots in the province, if B.C. is where they choose to spend their time in Canada, he said. "I'm sure there are people working on that right now," he said. "And I may have more to say on that should the royals choose to put down roots in British Columbia." The Prime Minister's Office wouldn't comment on potential costs of the couple living in Canada. In Toronto, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said there had been no discussions about who would cover the couple's security costs. Horgan joked he may be able to find some work for the couple, should the family choose to settle down in Victoria. "I'm sure I could find something for Harry to do," he said with a smile. "The film industry is booming in British Columbia so I'm sure Meghan could get on with ... maybe Riverdale who knows," Horgan said with a laugh. "She'd be good." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2020. Delhi Police will try and persuade protesters against the citizenship act at Shaheen Bagh to call off their agitation, sources in the government said on Tuesday. Sources said the force, which received criticism for its highhandedness after violence in Jamia Millia Islamia university, has been asked to use dialogue to end the impasse at Shaheen Bagh in south Delhi. The police, sources added, have started contacting key influencers to end the protest which has forced commuters to take different routes every day for the last one month after the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch was shut due to protests. ALSO WATCH | Shaheen Baghs women continue anti-CAA protest: Gauging Delhi poll impact Earlier in the day, Delhi High Court asked the police to take action in accordance with the law in a time-bound manner while disposing of a plea seeking the reopening of the stretch. The court said that authorities must take a decision keeping in mind the larger public interest and the issue of maintaining law and order situation. The stretch in south Delhi, which connects Delhi, Faridabad in Haryana and Noida in Uttar Pradesh, was closed on December 15, 2019, due to ongoing protests against Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizen (NRC). 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. UPDATE (9:36 a.m.): A juvenile has been charged with manslaughter in Tuesday's deadly shooting at Bellaire High School. ORIGINAL STORY: Two people were taken into custody Tuesday night related to the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old student at Bellaire High School, according to the City of Bellaire and Houston ISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. In a statement Tuesday night, Bellaire police said they apprehended the pair at about 7:30 p.m. but did not release any additional details. Their relationship to the victim is unclear. Later Tuesday night, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office is pursuing charges against the unnamed shooter. Bellaire Mayor Andrew S. Friedberg struck a somber note in a lengthy statement, saying: School is supposed to be a safe place, but our very basic sense of security now gives way to worry. We owe it to our children to find some way to restore it MORE ON BELLAIRE SHOOTING: Despite tragedy, Bellaire HS staff returns to work today Lathan initially said Bellaire High would reopen on Wednesday with additional security and grief counselors, but the district later said classes would be canceled. Staff was asked to report to the campus Wednesday and students are expected back Thursday. A 17-year-old who attends Bellaire said he did not hear the gunshot but saw his classmates rush out of the school around 4 p.m., just before dismissal. He said the victim was involved in the schools JROTC program. Footage from TV station KHOU showed an ambulance leaving the school around 4 p.m. as throngs of students and teachers watched from the sidewalk. Scanner traffic indicated the student was shot in the chest and taken to Ben Taub hospital. An hour after the shooting, the City of Bellaire warned residents in a tweet to avoid the area and remain indoors. Bellaire police confirmed it was not an active shooter situation. Confusion about what happened dominated conversations outside the school Tuesday evening as some parents and students waited to hear more details from district staff and police. At about 6:30 p.m., Lathan came out of the school surrounded by police to give a briefing but did not answer questions about the ongoing search for a suspect or offer more details other than that the student died. Our hearts go out to the students family, friends, classmates and the students here at Bellaire High School, Lathan said. She did not say where on campus the shooting occurred. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: Texas gun debate is rekindled after second mass shooting of Sept. 2019, only on HoustonChronicle.com The lack of information frustrated Jonasu Wagstaff, a parent at the school. She pelted Lathan with questions as superintendent walked back inside the school. I have two children that come to this school, she yelled. I need to know theyre going to be safe! Lathan did not respond. Wagstaff said the shooting illustrates the reality that students have to face in an era where school shootings dominate national headlines several times a year. My daughter is sitting at home, and shes really upset and terrified, because this is her worst nightmare come true, she said, adding, We dont have to live like this in our society. Swati Narayan, who also stood outside Bellaire High on Tuesday evening, said she and her two kids graduated from the school. She now works as a liaison for Moms Demand Action and said the shooting demonstrates the need for more gun safety legislation. Were not doing enough, she said. If this keeps happening, were not doing enough. I cant rest. In a statement, Houston ISD officials said the Bellaire Police Department would conduct the investigation. Before the arrests, helicopters and drones surveyed the area around the high school, which falls in a large concentration of residential homes. Bellaire serves 3,450 students in the southwest Houston-area city, and is the largest high school in Houston ISD. The school reported two incidents of students using or possessing firearms during the 2018-19 school year, and Principal Michael McDonough sent a message to parents in October 2019 about an incident involving a handgun on campus. SANTE FE SHOOTING: Accused Santa Fe shooter transferred to mental health facility in Vernon Also on Tuesday, a 17-year-old was shot in the leg in Gulfton, less than two miles away from Bellaire High School. That teenager was expected to survive. Tuesdays shooting at Bellaire High marked the first time someone was shot at a local school since Oct. 10, 2019, when a student was shot and injured at Houston ISDs Westbury High School after school hours. Houston ISD called that case an isolated incident and that the student survived. On Nov. 13, 2018, 18-year-old Lamar High School student Delindsey Dwayne Mack was shot and killed near that campus in a targeted gang-related shooting. A 15-year-old classmate walking next to him was grazed by a bullet along her arm. The deadliest K-12 school shooting in Texas history happened in May 2018 at Santa Fe High School, located about 45 minutes south of Houston. Rhonda Hart, whose daughter Kimberly Vaughan was among the 10 killed in the massacre, expressed her outrage about the Bellaire High shooting on Twitter. Two (expletive) weeks into 2020 and weve succeeded in our first school shooting, Hart tweeted. Way to go, Texas. Mayor Sylvester Turner also issued a statement saying the city was both shocked and heartbroken that a 16-year-old student at Bellaire High School was shot and killed on campus Tuesday afternoon. A learning environment is the last place where young people should feel unsafe and in fear of their lives. Yet gun violence continues to disrupt schools and destroy families across the country. shelby.webb@chron.com julian.gill@chron.com jacob.carpenter@chron.com New Delhi, Jan 14 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is unlikely to meet e-commerce major Amazon's global CEO Jeff Bezos, who is visiting India. According to sources, the minister's office has not given any appointment to Bezos. There were speculations that Amazon's CEO might meet the minister here on Wednesday, but the sources rebutted these claims. The e-commerce player has come under investigations on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-up with preferred sellers, in India. It had faced similar investigations in the EU and the US. On Monday, in a major setback ahead of Bezos' India visit, fair market watchdog, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an enquiry into the operations of both Amazon and Flipkart on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-up with preferred sellers. Finding merit in the allegations leveled by traders' body Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, the Commission asked its Director General (DG) to complete the investigation in 60 days from the receipt of the order. Meanwhile, traders across 300 cities of the country have planned to hold protests under the aegis of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) during Bezos' visit. Ocean, New Jersey, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auto protection plans, also known as Extended Auto Warranty, provide coverage for different parts of your vehicle. Normally, auto protection companies offer a number of plans for customers to choose from. Depending on the nature and the state of your vehicle and also how you use it, you may settle for one or other of these plans. The primary reason why people opt for auto protection plans is that they save car-owners significant amounts of money by way of repair costs. If your car breaks down and if the breakdown is caused by a covered component, then the repair costs will be paid by your car insurance. Why Do You Need an Auto Protection Plan? Let's have a look at average car maintenance and repair costs in the U.S. as detailed in the Consumer Reports website. According to their findings, average repair and maintenance costs are: - Less than $900 for a one-year-old vehicle - About $1,800 for a three-year-old vehicle - About $3,800 for a five-year-old vehicle - About $5,400 for an eight-year-old vehicle (Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership/) Now, let's compare it with the average cost of a vehicle protection plan. According to a report by Endurance, an auto protection plan costs a car-owner $300-$700 annually. Of course, there are different variables at work here including the age of the car, the value of the vehicle, the usage it receives and obviously, the type of plan you decide to settle for. Now, doing simple math here will tell you that you stand to benefit from an auto coverage. Keep it in mind however that not all repairs are covered by auto plans. For example, even the most extensive coverage plans offered by leading car insurance companies do not provide cover for components such as tires, paint, brake, exhaust systems, shocks, batteries, and basic wear and tear systems such as upholstery, light bulbs, etc. This means that you need to research your car well before you choose your auto protection plan. So, acquaint yourself well with your car model and get to know its 'track record. For example, what components of the model are most prone to break down against systems that are good at holding up over time. This will give you a good idea about the plans that will be most beneficial for you. Liberty Auto Protection There are a number of auto protection companies that provide reliable service to its customers. Liberty Auto Protection is one of them. The company offers six different vehicle coverage for its customers. You can choose their Basic Plan (most suitable for older vehicles) that will cover the engine of your vehicle; the mid-way Powertrain Plan will cover the drive axles, transmission, seals and gaskets, transfer case and the engine; or, you may go for their most comprehensive Elite Exclusionary Plan. The last plan will not only cover all the important components of your vehicle but will also provide protection for high-tech electrical appliances and luxury items such as air conditioning and others. For details on all Liberty Auto Protection plans, please visit: http://www.libertyautoprotect.com/plans Also, all auto plans from the company include several benefits such as roadside assistance, lockout assistance, car rental, trip interruption protection, and nationwide coverage. The last one is especially important since it allows you to get your car repaired from any licensed car repair shop or auto dealership facility located in Canada and the U.S. Why we mention this is that with many auto insurance companies, you will need to have your car repaired by a specific service provider. You will face no such restrictions with Liberty Auto Protection. Finally, the company also provides top-notch customer service. Existing customers can reach a company rep for any assistance they need at the Liberty Auto Protection phone number 800-599-9557. Also, call the same number for price quotes and free counsel on auto plans. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Tamilla Mammadova - Trend: An incident occurred on Georgian- Azerbaijani border on Jan.14, which was suppressed as a result of operative measures taken by border guards of the two countries. The employees of the Border Police of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs detained Georgian citizen G.I. on the undefined section of Georgian-Azerbaijani land border for illegal purchase-keeping and carrying of firearm as well as for the attempt to take a hostage, Trend reports with reference to a message released by the ministry. On January 14 of the current year, Georgian citizen G.I. was in the border zone. Under the pressure of the firearm and hand grenade, he forced Georgian border guard to start movement to the direction of the undefined section of the state border. During the incident detainee made several gunshots. As a result of the operative and effective measures taken by the Border Police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the situation was quickly dissolved. At this moment the incident is thoroughly suppressed, reads the message. No other details of the incident have been reported. The ministry said that investigation is in progress under the article 236, III and IV parts and article 144, II part, sub-paragraph H envisaged by the Criminal Code of Georgia. Ministry of Internal Affairs has already expressed gratitude towards Azerbaijani colleagues for the effective cooperation during the aforementioned incident. [January 14, 2020] First Responder Completes Initial Public Offering and Lists on the CSE /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - First Responder Technologies Inc. ("First Responder" or the "Company") (CSE:WPN), a developer of WiFi-based technologies to detect and deter mass shooting and terror attacks involving concealed weapons, is pleased to announce that it has completed its initial public offering (the "Offering") of 13,974,186 units (each a "Unit") issued at a price of $0.35 per Unit. The Offering generated aggregate gross proceeds of $4,890,965.10 pursuant to a prospectus dated November 14, 2019 (the "Prospectus"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant being a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.50 per Common Share for a period of twenty-four months from today's date. The Warrants are issued pursuant to a warrant indenture dated January 14, 2020 between the Company and its warrant agent, Computershare Trust Company, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Common Shares were listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the trading symbol "WPN" on January 13, 2020 and are expected to commence trading on January 16, 2020. PI Financial Corp. (the "Agent") acted as the exclusive agent for the Offering. In consideration for the services provided to the Company, the Agent received a cash fee and a corporate finance. In addition, the Company issued non-transferable purchase warrants entiting the Agent and members of its selling group to subscribe for an aggregate of 1,117,934 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.50 per Common Share until January 13, 2022. The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering in furtherance of its business objectives as outlined in the Prospectus. A copy of the Prospectus is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Robert F. Delamar" Robert F. Delamar, CEO About First Responder Technologies Inc. First Responder Technologies Inc. (the "Company") is a technology development company that commercializes academic and internally developed intellectual property for use in the public safety market. The Company is developing a WiFi-based technology, based in part, on academic research licensed from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey ("Rutgers") that can be used to detect concealed weapons. The Company's threat detection technology line of business was created to capture a significant portion of the global weapons detection systems market, and in particular, the global perimeter security detection market. In the Company's view, WiFi-based threat detection technology may be utilized by a wide range of facilities, including schools, places of worship, shopping centres and theatres, to not only make their premises secure, but also reduce their cost of security, from the interior of a facility to the perimeter. For more information visit: www.firstrespondertech.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"), including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the use of the proceeds of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. 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. SOURCE First Responder Technologies Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Thiruvananthapuram, January 14 : Opposition UDF has come out against the state election commissions decision to use the 2015 voters list as the database for the forthcoming local body elections. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in New Delhi that if needed, the opposition UDF would move court against the election panels decision. Chennithala told reporters that updating the 2015 list by adding 40 lakh new voters would be an uphill task and put the public to unnecessary hardship. The state election commission the other day confirmed that it was going ahead with the decision to use the 2015 list as the database. It had reasoned that using the voters list compiled for the 2019 lok sabha polls as the database for the upcoming local body polls was not feasible. Ward-based voters list was required for the three-tier local body polls since elections were held to various wards. For lok sabha elections, voters list was based on the assembly constituency level. Opposition UDF had expressed reservations about using the voters list of 2015 compiled during the last local body polls. They alleged that using the same list would pave way for ineligible names getting included in the list. Even names of those who passed away since 2015 could figure in the list, they had warned. The ruling LDF had also shared the oppositions concerns over the state election commissions decision to use the 2015 voters list instead of the 2019 lok sabha list for the upcoming local body polls. However, the LDF government has now accepted the election panels decision to go ahead with the 2015 list. Minister for local self-government A C Moideen said that the election commissions decision was final and binding and that the state government would go along with it. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Electronic prescribing (E-Prescribing system/e-Rx) is the form of electronically generated medical prescription used widely for the sharing of data and information between prescriber, pharmacy and dispenser. E-Prescribing system facilities the practitioner to generate a new prescription electronically whenever treatment error occurs during healthcare operations. E-Prescribing system offers extensive range of applications. It provides comprehensive form of medical data, ensures all security checks and patents identification. It offers complete privacy to the disease information and patients identification with present and historical data. Based on the different product type the global e-prescribing market can be broadly classified as, stand-alone systems, and integrated systems. Based on the different components of electronics prescribing the global e-prescribing market can be segmented as software and hardware (including access devices, peripherals, servers, storage devices, and networking devices) and services (including consulting, implementation services, post-sale & maintenance and training services). On the bases of mode of the delivery of the e-prescription the global e-prescription market can be classified as on premise, web-based and cloud. Further, based on the end user application the market can be segmented as hospitals and office-based physicians. Request for Report Sample: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/sample/163 The global e- prescription market is predominantly driven by the increasing adoption of e-prescription in healthcare systems. It offers cost benefits over the conventional prescription market in longer run while ensuring quality healthcare services to patients at minimized treatments and adverse drug errors. Moreover the various government initiatives such as American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in 2009 for the advancement of the Healthcare IT, and HITECH Act is driving the demand of e-Prescribing systems in North America. High initial cost of the electronics prescription systems is one of the major challenge for the growth of the market especially in the cost conscious developing countries of Asia Pacific region. Moreover the lack of interest towards the technology, by the physician especially in developing countries is also restraining the growth of this market. Request for Report More Information@ http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/enquiry/163 Europe was the largest market of e-prescription in 2013, followed by North America and Asia Pacific region. The market of e-prescription in Middle East, and Africa are in nascent stage. Asia Pacific and North America are two of the fastest growing market of the E-prescription. Country wise, U.S. is the largest market of e-prescription in North America. Germany, Italy, and Spain are some of the major market of e-prescription in Europe. In Asia Pacific, China, Japan, and India are fastest growing market of e-prescription attributed mainly to the strengthening healthcare services and advancement of the information technology in this region. Major Competitors: The global e-prescription market is dominated by Bioclinica, Inc., Bizmatics Inc., CRF Health, DATARAK International, Inc., eResearch Technology, Inc., Some of the top competitors in the global clinical trial management system market are e-MDs, Inc., iMedX, Inc., Practice Fusion, Inc., SureScripts-RxHub, LLC, eClinicalWorks, LLC, and Quality System, Inc. Full View of Report Description: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/e-prescribing-e-rx-market Japan Data Japan remains the worst performer for labor productivity among Group of Seven nations. Japan ranks twenty-first for labor productivity among the 36 nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the Japan Productivity Centers International Comparison of Labor Productivity report. Based on OECD data, the report found that Japans per-hour labor productivity in 2018 was $46.8 (equivalent in purchasing power to 4,744); this is less than half the $102.3 level in Ireland and roughly 60% the $74.7 level in the United States. The government has raised work-style reform as a key task and aimed to lift productivity, but Japan has continued to be dead last among Group of Seven nations since 1970, when survey records were first available. Japans per-hour and per-capita labor productivity are both just over 60% the level in the United States. The gap separating the two countries has been steadily widening, as compared to the roughly 70% in 2000 and 65% in 2010. Japan has managed to shorten its excessively long working hours, which have been viewed as a symbol of inefficiency, thanks in part to the work-style reforms promoted by the government. The annual working-hour average fell from 1,821 hours in 2000 to 1,680 in 2018, which is over 100 hours fewer than the 1,786-hour average in the United States for that same year. However, Japans economic growth rate has continued to lag behind that of the United States, so the gap for per-hour labor productivity has widened. (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo Pixta.) Shortly after the Supreme Court dismissed curative petitions of the two death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, victim's mother Asha Devi said that it is a big day for her but added that the "biggest day" will be January 22 when convicts will be hanged. "This is a big day for me. I had been struggling for the last 7 years. But the biggest day will be 22nd January when they (convicts) will be hanged," Asha Devi told ANI while flashing victory signs. A five-judge Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan heard the petitions filed by Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh. The duo had moved the curative petitions in the top court after a Delhi court issued death warrants in their names for their hanging on January 22. Besides them, two other convicts named Pawan and Akshay are also slated to be executed on the same day at 7 am in Delhi's Tihar Jail premises. They were convicted and sentenced to death for raping a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in the capital on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012. The victim, who was later given the name Nirbhaya, had succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Singapore where she had been airlifted for medical treatment. After the rejection of pleas, the convicts are legally bound to move a mercy petition before the President, who has the power to commute it to life imprisonment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mayor Pete, as he likes to be called, who has led the cry that Iran's shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner using a Russian missile is somehow the fault of an American president, Donald J. Trump, is among those who say it was "collateral damage" resulting from Trump trashing the flawed and unworkable Iran nuclear deal and his zapping of terrorist Quds Force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Knowing that Democrats obey Rahm Emanuel's famous observation that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste, Mayor Pete wasted no time attaching his name to the slander that the 176 innocents aboard the Ukrainian plane would be alive today were it not for Donald Trump's insistence that Iran not get a nuclear weapon with which to annihilate the Jewish state of Israel: Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg suggested Thursday that the United States bears some of the blame for the Iranian military shooting down a commercial airliner while it was at the same time firing ballistic missiles at an Iraqi military base that houses American troops. "Innocent civilians are now dead because they were caught in the middle of an unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat," Buttigieg tweeted. "My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all 176 souls lost aboard this flight." Buttigieg may not have noticed, but there was no tit-for-tat that fateful night. Iran was shooting ballistic missiles at an American base in Iraq. President Trump withheld returning fire. Soleimani was already dead, and if Buttigieg thinks the death of the terrorist responsible for the killing and maiming of thousands of American soldiers and other personnel was unwanted and unnecessary, then add that to the list of reasons he is not quailed to be president. Soleimani was illegally in Iraq to oversee the storming of the American embassy there, and possibly others elsewhere, with the result being another 1979 hostage situation or another Benghazi. No, Mayor Pete, Trump saved many Americans that night and quite possibly the state of Israel by showing he means business, has thought the consequences through, and is not daunted by the Iranians. Iran bears sole responsibility for the deaths of those 176 innocents, just as Iran bears sole responsibility for the public hanging of gays, which Mayor Pete and his fellow Democrats seem to have no problem with. While you obsessed over Trump bringing on World War III by killing the world's most dangerous terrorist, the Jerusalem Post reported on the evil that is Iran: The Islamic Republic of Iran publicly hanged a 31-year-old Iranian man after he was found guilty of charges related to violations of Iran's anti-gay laws, according to the state-controlled Iranian Students' News Agency. The unidentified man was hanged on January 10 in the southwestern city of Kazeroon based on criminal violations of "lavat-e be onf" sexual intercourse between two men, as well as kidnapping charges, according to ISNA. Iran's radical sharia law system prescribes the death penalty for gay sex[.] ... "The LGBT community in Iran has lived in terror for the last 40 years," said Alireza Nader, CEO of Washington, DC-based research and advocacy organization New Iran. "Next time Foreign Minister Zarif speaks in Washington, the host and audience should ask him why his regime is one of the top executioner of gays in the world." Iran's mullah regime executed "between 4,000 and 6,000 gays and lesbians" since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Iran can do no wrong even if it goes against Democrats' core principles, if you can say they have any. Mayor Pete is openly gay. The irony here is that if he were running for president of Iran and not the United States he would most likely be hanged before the second presidential debate. His silence is so remarkable since he is such a fierce advocate for the rights of the LGBTQXYZ community or whatever the politically correct identification is these days. Buttigieg, an Episcopalian whose church ordains gay and lesbian priests, has lectured Christians on their alleged hypocrisy and intolerance for opposing abortion on demand and gay "marriage" and believing homosexuality is a sin. Some Catholics have been referred to as "cafeteria Catholics" for picking and choosing which doctrines to obey. Episcopalian Pete must read his Bible through the distortion of a funhouse mirror, at least according to his evangelical brother-in-law's comments to the Washington Examiner: The evangelical brother-in-law of Pete Buttigieg called on him to "repent" for using the Bible to justify late-term abortion and claimed the presidential candidate is "weaponizing" Christian teachings to promote a false religion. Pastor Rhyan Glezman, 34, who serves a church in small-town Michigan, told the Washington Examiner that he was very alarmed by Buttigieg's claim that the Bible teaches life does not begin until a baby first draws breath. During a wide-ranging Friday interview on the radio show The Breakfast Club, Buttigieg, 37, scolded Republicans for their views on abortion, saying, "Right now, they hold everybody in line with this one piece of doctrine about abortion, which is obviously a tough issue for a lot of people to think through morally. Then again, there's a lot of parts of the Bible that talk about how life begins with breath. So even that is something we can interpret differently." C'mon, Pete Jesus said, "I am the Truth." There are no different interpretations here to justify abortion-on-demand. When Mary, carrying Jesus, met with Elizabeth, carrying John the Baptist, Elizabeth's baby, Scripture says, leapt in her womb. Evangelist and humanitarian Franklin Graham holds the traditional Christian belief that homosexuality is a sin and that Christians are supposed to love the sinner but not the sin. He also believes that God does not put people into the wrong bodies. Graham said in a tweet: Mayor Buttigieg says he's a gay Christian. As a Christian I believe the Bible which defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized. The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman not two men, not two women. Again, Buttigieg's evangelical brother-in-law has a few words on Pete's moral origami: Glezman, who is the elder brother of the South Bend, Indiana, mayor's husband [sic], Chasten, 30, believes Buttigieg's continual use of Christian terminology to defend his liberal policies is an attempt "to seem appealing to the evangelical community," while also falling in line with the dictates of the Democratic Party. "I think he's just going along with the agenda of the Democratic Party: that if you want to be a Democrat, you have to be pro-choice." ... "What we see is a modern-day Pharisee," said Glezman, referencing the 1st-century Jewish sect that was notorious for demanding its followers adhere to an exhaustive list of trivial laws to earn God's favor. "Buttigieg is a person who's making up their own rules and regulations and, basically, if we don't celebrate and endorse their interpretation of Scripture, our religion is fallible. And that's just not true." Certainly, Christians do not stage public hangings of gays as Iran did just as it was shooting down the Ukrainian airliner. Pete condemns one but not another. Was that hanging also Trump's fault or merely another sign of the true nature of the regime that kills Americans and wants to nuke Israel? Yet Buttigieg has no criticisms of Islam, sharia law, or Iran. For your second honeymoon, Mayor Pete, I would not suggest Tehran. Daniel John Sobieski is a former editorial writer for Investor's Business Daily and freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. The daily protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in the city may be largely peaceful, but it is taking a hidden toll on the police staff, senior officers said. Long hours on watch coupled with angry protesters lambasting police for violence against dissenters in other parts of the country, plus rising temperatures have been fraying the tempers of police, and in some cases, flattening their resolve. The situation was borne home when a constable on duty at Town Hall where CAA rallies are held every day, collapsed due to dehydration. The constable was rushed to a hospital and has since made a complete recovery, a senior police officer said. The incident, however, shows the difficulties faced by staff, police said. We are making the best of the situation. Fortunately, there have been no untoward incidents in the city and this has managed to keep a stressful situation on an even keel, clarified Deputy Commissioner of Police for central zone, Chetan Singh Rathore. Rathore, however, conceded that the daily protests have stretched the police thin. These protests are, in many cases, preventing police from carrying out their regular duties. Sometimes, police can only attend to criminal complaints early in the mornings or in the evenings, he said. Many police personnel explained how they have had to maintain stringent on-duty times, sometimes starting at 6 am and ending late into the night. The worst affected is the S J Park Police Station which has to mount all-day standing patrols at Town Hall, with its full complement of staff. Some of the other stations have the ability to maintain shifts, but S J Park Police Station, which is bearing the brunt of rally monitoring, does not have this option, Rathore clarified. Police have taken steps to ensure that on-duty staff are able to take short breaks and are hydrated regularly. Police have also erected a large tent for shelter in the concrete driveway of Town Hall which is devoid of trees. History is filled with tales of bravery and glory from battles throughout the ages: Waterloo, Gettysburg, D-Day, and... Jared's Epic NERF Battle? Okay, so maybe you won't find it in the history books. But this war between foam blaster armies can be found in the Guinness Book of World Record under "Largest Toy Pistol Fight". If you long for days of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with your brothers-in-arms vanquishing the enemy with colorful sponges, fret not, your moment of glory is here. The 5th annual Jared's Epic NERF Battle will be held Saturday, March 21st, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. PHOTOS: Toys R Us returns to Houston with more interactive store "When I created the epic Nerf battle in 2016 my intention was to break a Guinness world record and raise some money for charity," said Jared Guynes, founder and organizer. "The event has grown and grown and now is definitively the largest organized NERF event of any kind in the world." Guynes said In 2019 the event attracted attendees from 33 states and six countries. But Texans still represent more than 80% of the players. Contestants will actually battle on the same field as the Dallas Cowboys. Players attending the event will get a ticket for a Self Guided Stadium Tour, letting them roam around the stadium and check out areas like the locker rooms and cheerleader areas. NERF warriors will also participate in a four-hour series of battles, armed with their own unmodified NERF blaster and ammo. Apparently the weaponry has evolved since most of us played with them as kids, so be prepared to be attacked with sponge-throwing bows, bazookas, elite, vortex, zombie, ultra, etc. Players will also get a chance to purchase NERF merchandise and collectibles, and meet NERF YouTube celebrities (yes, they do exist). If you're ready to get your NERF on, admission is $32. Attendance will be capped at 4,000. To sign-up, click here. Danny Hermosillo is the Digital News Editor for Chron.com | Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @Dannyherm1| Email him at Danny.Hermosillo@chron.com Key Companies Covered in Paints and Coatings Market are PPG Industries, Inc., Axalta Coating Systems, Nippon and Kansai (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.), AkzoNobel, Kwality Paints and coatings Pvt. Ltd. (KPCPL), Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Jotun, & more. PUNE, India, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Paints and Coatings Market size is projected to reach$236.1 billion by the end of 2026. According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled "Paints & Coatings Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Resin (Epoxy, Acrylic, Polyester, Alkyd, PU, and Others), By Technology (Waterborne, Solvent Borne, Powder Coating, and Others) By Application (Architectural, Automotive OEM, Marine, Coil, General Industries, Protective Coatings, Automotive Refinish, Industrial Wood, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026," the market size was $146.5 billion in 2018. Driven by the huge demand for the product across diverse industries, the market will exhibit a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, 2019-2026. Paints and coatings are widely used across diverse industries. The product is used in interior as well as exterior parts of all infrastructures. The demand for these products has risen dramatically in recent years. Advances in paints and coating manufacturing methods have emerged in favor of market growth. The growing construction industry in several countries across the world will aid the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. Increasing use of the product in public infrastructure projects, coupled with the efforts put in by governments will contribute to the growth of the market. To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, Click Here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 List of the companies that are operating in the Paints and Coatings Market are: PPG Industries, Inc. Axalta Coating Systems Nippon and Kansai (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.) (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.) AkzoNobel Kwality Paints and coatings Pvt. Ltd. (KPCPL) Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited NIPSEA GROUP The Sherwin-Williams Company Jotun Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. RPM International Inc. TIKKURILA OYJ S K Kaken Co., Ltd Dunn-Edwards Corporation Get Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 The report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the global Paints and Coatings Market in recent years. It highlights major industry developments and gauges the impact of these developments on the market. It analyzes key aspects of the market, with primary focus on leading products, major applications, and leading companies. The competitive landscape has been discussed in detail. Additionally, the report provides forecast values for the market for the period of 2019-2026. Factual figures are obtained through trusted sources. The data provided in this report is gathered through opinions and interviews of world leaders and experienced market research professional. Increasing Number of Company Mergers to Aid Growth Among all factors that have contributed to the growth of the market, mergers and acquisitions have had the highest impact. The increasing number of company mergers and collaborations has, in turn, created several opportunities for the companies operating in the market. In October 2019, Berger Paints completed the acquisition of STP Ltd., a company engaged in the manufacturing of construction material. Through this acquisition, the company will enhance its business across several regions. The report highlights major company mergers of recent times and gauges their impact on the global market. Asia Pacific Accounted for the Largest Market Share; Presence of Several Large Scale Companies to Aid Growth The report analyzes the ongoing Paints and Coatings Market trends across major regions including North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. As of 2018, the market in Asia Pacific accounted for the highest market share and is projected to grow considerably in the coming years. The rapidly rising construction industries in developing as well as developed countries such as India, Japan, and China will aid the growth of the market in this region. Besides Asia Pacific, the Paints and Coatings Market in North America will exhibit considerable CAGR in the coming years, due to the increasing use of paints and coatings in improving old infrastructures. As of 2018, the market in North America was worth USD 23.8 billion. Order a Single User License Copy: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/101947 Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Emerging Trends in Global Market Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Key developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Collaboration, Partnership, and Joint Venture Paints & Coatings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Resin Key Findings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Resin Epoxy Acrylic Polyester Alkyd Polyurethane (PU) Others TOC Continued! Request for Customization https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/paints-and-coatings-market-101947 Key Industry Developments: April 2019: PPG completed the acquisition of Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, a company engaged in manufacturing of coating material. February 2019: AkzoNobel launched a new facility for the production of powdered coatings. The company has invested an estimated 9 million in this facility. Have a Look at Related Market Insights: Paints and Coatings Additives Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Dispersing Agent, Rheology Agent, Leveling Agent, Anti-foaming Agent, Adhesion Promoting Agent, and Others), By Application (Automotive, Architectural, Wood, Industrial, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Food Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Materials (Glass, Metal, Paper & Paperboard, Wood, and Plastics [Polypropylene, Polyethylene, PET, and Others]), By Product (Rigid, Semi-Rigid, and Flexible) By Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy Products, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Sauces, Dressings and Condiments, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Chromium Oxide Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Pigment Grade, Metallurgical Grade, Refractory Grade, Chemical Grade), By Application (Paints & Coatings, Ceramic, Metallurgy, Rubber, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Lubricants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Automotive, Industrial, Marine Oil and Process Oils), By Grade (Mineral, Synthetic and Semi-synthetic), By Application (Automotive, Industrial and Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Metalworking Fluids Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Function (Neat Cutting Oils, Water Cutting Oils, Corrosion Preventive Oils and Others), By Type (Mineral, Synthetic and Bio-based), By Application (Construction, Electrical & Power, Agriculture, Automotive & Transportation, Telecommunication and Healthcare), and by End-use Industry (Metal Fabrication, Transportation Equipment, Machinery and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Polyethylene (PE) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), By End User (Packaging, Automotive, Infrastructure & Construction, Consumer Goods/Lifestyle, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Electrical & Electronics, Agriculture, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Polypropylene (PP) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Homopolymer, Copolymer), By End User (Packaging, Automotive, Infrastructure & Construction, Consumer Goods/Lifestyle, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Electrical & Electronics, Agriculture, Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Polymer Foam Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Polyurethane (PU), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Others), By Application (Automotive, Building & Construction, Packaging, Furniture, Appliances, Apparel and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Polyurethane (PU) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Rigid Foam, Flexible Foam, Molded Foam, Elastomers, Adhesives & Sealants, Coatings, and Others), By Application (Furniture, Construction, Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, Packaging, Footwear, and Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Ceramics Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Traditional, Advanced), By Application (Tiles, Sanitary Wares, Abrasives, Pottery, Bricks & Pipes, Others), By End-Use Industry (Building & Construction, Industrial, Medical, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights, we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US :+1-424-253-0390 UK: +44-2071-939123 APAC: +91-744-740-1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Fortune Business Insights Linkedin | Twitter | Blogs Read Press Release: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/press-release/paints-and-coatings-market-9506 Anaklia Consortium will be fined $ 115000, Infrastructure Ministry says - GeorgianJournal A deaf Lloyds Bank apprentice pocketed 22,700 in public funds meant for sign language services, a court heard. Dominic Olanya, 32, was given a Department for Work and Pensions Access to Work grant to help him in his job. But Olanya, above, of Hammersmith, did not pay for the sign language interpreters and instead spent the money on Apple products and his daily living, Croydon crown court was told. Olanya admitted benefit fraud and was sentenced last week to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months. Krueger: With some care over the years, the old family barn keeps standing Wales-based bakery Ridiculously Rich By Alana has unveiled new display units. It has rolled out new floor standing display units with national convenience chain Nisa in 500 of the retailers stores across the UK. The display units will hold a selection of the bakerys most loved pre-packaged products, including its new Three Slice Boxes in Caramel comprising salted caramel slice, creme brulee brownie and millionaires brownie with Belgian chocolate & caramel; and Traditional comprising gooey chocolate brownie, Belgian chocolate rocky road and sticky toffee flapjack. The success of its self-serve retail unit, launched in early 2019, led to the decision, said the company. I am very excited to be able to offer customers even more pre-packaged products from our range and to provide retailers the perfect way to display them, said Alana Spencer, director at Ridiculously Rich By Alana. The company also revealed it had plans to install further display units across the UK, after a lot of interest from other suppliers. Founder and winner of 2016s The Apprentice, Alana Spencer bought Lord Sugar out of the cake business in September last year. In October 2019, Ridiculously Rich officially moved into its first purpose-built bakery in Spencers home town of Aberystwyth, Wales. How could a Bloomberg nomination possibly happen, given that he has not appeared in the debates and isnt competing in the early states? The recent rise of Sanders in the polls points to the most likely scenario. Bloombergs best hope is for one of the strong progressives Sanders or Warren to win both Iowa and New Hampshire. Even better for Bloomberg would be if Sanders and Warren finish one-two in both states. The relative moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar would then be damaged. But there would still be many moderate Democratic voters anxious about beating Trump and looking for a candidate. And Bloomberg has some advantages. He is one of the few candidates in the race to have held a major executive post in government. He also has shown arguably the strongest commitment to fighting climate change, as New York magazines Jonathan Chait in a piece titled Maybe Nominating Bloomberg for President Isnt a Crazy Idea points out. In The Washington Post this week, John Ellis, formerly of The Boston Globe and Fox News, predicted: Democrats across the country will soon find themselves with a newfound appreciation for the virtues of one Mike Bloomberg. Bloomberg is going to spend an astronomical amount of money on this race. Probably at least $1 billion. Maybe twice that. Possibly even more. Numbers like that upend every model of every presidential race in history. He can buy every news adjacency on cable and local television stations from now until November and not make a dent in his net worth. If Democrats nominate anyone besides Bloomberg, they will be outspent in the general election by 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1. If they nominate Bloomberg, he will outspend Trump at least 5 to 1 and dramatically improve the partys chances of winning seats at every level of governance. I dont think this scenario is as likely as Ellis does, and Im troubled by the notion of a candidate spending so much of his own money to win the presidency buying the election, as Warren has said. But in a race as uncertain as this one, I agree that Bloomberg has a shot. For more Are Sanders and Warren really less electable than, say, Biden or Klobuchar? Yes, I think so; moderates historically do better than strong liberals or conservatives. But the gap is probably smaller than many people believe. Regardless of who the Democratic nominee is, most voters have already made up their mind, and those on both sides will be very motivated in 2020. I certainly can imagine a President Warren or President Sanders in January 2021. Another plausible scenario is much simpler: Biden wins Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and quickly takes command of the race. Cory Bookers exit yesterday may have made this more likely. At the time Biden entered the race, Harris and Booker seemed like the most obvious possibilities who could cut into Bidens black support, Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia writes. Now theyre both out. My colleague Michelle Goldberg makes a case for Warren: Im not going to argue that Warren has the best chance of winning in 2020; I have no idea who does. What I will argue is that she has the best chance of bringing the Democratic Party together. Warrens increasingly explicit argument that she is the unity candidate is correct. Voxs Matt Yglesias on Sanders: He has a plausible electability case, hes been a pragmatic and reasonably effective legislator, and his nomination is, by far, the best way to put toxic infighting to rest and bring the rising cohort of left-wing young people into the tent for both the 2020 campaign and the long-term future. If you are not a subscriber to this newsletter, you can subscribe here. You can also join me on Twitter (@DLeonhardt) and Facebook. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. The final average salary of police officers and firefighters hired after that date serves as the basis for calculating monthly and annual pension payments at the end of a career. A calculation in the new law now will be based on the highest four out of the last five years rather than the highest eight of the last 10. The media is all aflutter about a report saying the Russian military has been attempting to hack Burisma. It's unclear to me and to the media whether this is a newsworthy story or just the same old news we've seen since 1921, about Russia spying on and making trouble for the West and its allies. For the media, though, any story that can impugn Trump is headline stuff, and that fact is on perfect display in the media's reporting about the suspected hacking. Here are the facts: the Russian military has apparently tried to hack Burisma's computers. That's it. That's everything the media know, as can be seen from this New York Times article: It is not yet clear what the hackers found, or precisely what they were searching for. On the basis of known facts, this is a story that ought not to have been published at all or, at the very least, should deserve a single paragraph on the last page of the main section. But that's not how the Times is spinning it. Instead, for the Times, this is just more evidence that (a) Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election (never mind that Obama and Hillary had the slobbering love affair with Putin) and (b) that Trump coerced the Ukrainian president into investigating Burisma. Regarding the first point, the one about Russia collusion, keep in mind as you read the following the fact that the Times knows absolutely nothing other than that there apparently was a hacking attempt. Nevertheless, it manages to spin out a whole saga: But the experts say the timing and scale of the attacks suggest that the Russians could be searching for potentially embarrassing material on the Bidens the same kind of information that Mr. Trump wanted from Ukraine when he pressed for an investigation of the Bidens and Burisma, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment. The Russian tactics are strikingly similar to what American intelligence agencies say was Russia's hacking of emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential campaign. In that case, once they had the emails, the Russians used trolls to spread and spin the material, and built an echo chamber to widen its effect. There's no news in the above paragraphs. They are just a rehash of past facts and supposition to explain why Hillary Clinton, one of the most unappealing and corrupt people ever to run for office, lost in 2016. (I can say those things because I'm not pretending to be an objective news outlet.) And what about maligning Trump specifically? Well, keep in mind that when it comes to the Ukraine affair, on the one hand, we have a third-party whistleblower contending that people told him through the grapevine that Trump engaged in a quid pro quo with President Zelensky namely, money for dirt about Biden. On the other hand, we have an actual transcript, which shows that Trump never made such a quid pro quo offer, nor did he in any way say, "You get your money if I get my dirt." We also know that after satisfying himself that Zelensky was working to fight corruption, Trump released the money, no dirt required. But those facts don't stop the Times from spinning a mere accusation against Trump as if it's news. This is the first sentence in the article (emphasis mine): With President Trump facing an impeachment trial over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his son Hunter Biden, Russian military hackers have been boring into the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the affair, according to security experts. Nor is the Times the only media outlet to engage in this kind of dishonesty. The Washington Post begins its article by writing, "Russian military spies have hacked a Ukrainian gas company that is at the heart of an impeachment trial of President Trump, who sought last year to pressure Ukraine to investigate the company and its links to Joe Biden's son[.]" (Emphasis mine.) We can expect that, as this nothing story about Burisma spreads, the narrative will continue to accuse Trump of actions totally belied by evidence, with only opinion and hearsay to support them. That the media are biased is not the issue. The issue is that they pretend that they are not biased. America's media are a modern Augean stable, and they badly need to be cleaned out. ISRO Chairman, on Tuesday, said that he sought to build stations in outer space and explore human space flight further after the successful completion of Gaganyaan mission. Gaganyaan is India's first manned mission that would take three Indian astronauts to space for a minimum of seven days. The project is set for 2022 launch. When completed, this would make India the fourth nation to send a human to space after the United States, Russia and China. "We willl sustain that with more (human spaceflight) missions. Then we will have our space station," Sivan told ET. As per the daily, ISRO has designed an autonomous 3.7 tonne spacecraft to carry a three-member crew to space, however, the number of astronauts may reduce to one for the project. Meanwhile, India will be sending a humanoid, that will have systems that simulate human functions into space-the first of the two unmanned missions - using its powerful rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII. There will be another unmanned mission before the Gaganyaan, later this year. ISRO will carry six micro-gravity experiments in the crew capsule during these two unmanned mission. ISRO will also be launching dedicated two communication satellites- Indian data relay satellite system (IDRSS), to ensure that the astronauts remain in constant touch with the ISRO scientists throughout the mission. Moreover, India, on June 27, 2019, signed a contract with a Russian company for selection support, medical examination and space training of Indian astronauts for the 'Gaganyaan'. The spacesuits for the astronauts will also be stitched in Russia, Sivan added. The government has approved a budget of Rs 10,000 crore for Gaganyaan mission. So far, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian astronaut to go to space on a Russian rocket in 1984. Also read: Chandrayaan-2: Orbiter doing well but no contact with Vikram lander; next priority Gaganyaan, says ISRO chief Also read: Astronauts on Gaganyaan most likely to be pilots, hints ISRO Last year, U.S. taxpayers filed their first returns under the new tax law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was touted as the largest tax overhaul in 30 years, but the Trump tax cuts were a mixed bag for some households. While the standard deduction nearly doubled and the child tax credit increased, many other deductions and credits were eliminated. "It was a little hard to see how it was all going to play (out)," says Bill Smith, managing director of accounting firm CBIZ MHM's National Tax Office. However, this year shouldn't have the same uncertainty, since most tax provisions will remain the same from 2018 to 2019. [See: 9 Year-End Tax Tips for Investors.] While some crucial tax breaks might return after portions of the tax law expire in 2025, here are 12 tax deductions that disappeared and won't be available this spring: -- The standard $6,350 deduction. -- Personal exemptions. -- Unlimited state and local tax deductions. -- A $1 million mortgage interest deduction. -- An unrestricted deduction for home equity loan interest. -- Deductions for unreimbursed employee expenses. -- Miscellaneous itemized deductions. -- A deduction for moving expenses. -- Unrestricted casualty loss deduction. -- Alimony deduction. -- Deductions for certain school donations. -- Charitable donation deductions for some taxpayers. 1. The Standard $6,350 Deduction Some of the best news from the tax reform law was an increase in the standard deduction. While single taxpayers were only eligible for a $6,350 standard deduction in 2017, that amount nearly doubled in the 2018 tax year to $12,000. For 2019 filings, the standard deduction for individuals is increasing even further to $12,200. Married couples will get a standard deduction of $24,400 when they file tax forms this spring, and head of household filers are entitled to deduct $18,350. The new standard deductions mean fewer people are filing itemized deductions. "The hurdle to benefit from itemizing is much higher," says Justin D. Smith, financial advisor with advisory firm Savant Capital Management in Phoenix. Unless someone is a homeowner with significant mortgage interest, a standard deduction will likely result in greater tax savings compared to itemizing. Story continues 2. Personal Exemptions The increased standard deduction was welcome news for many households, but there was a trade-off. "You lost your personal exemptions," Bill Smith says. While not technically a deduction, the exemption allowed taxpayers to subtract $4,050 from their taxable income for each dependent they claimed, so eliminating it is a significant loss for families. The increased standard deduction helps soften the blow of losing personal exemptions, but it might not make up for it entirely. 3. Unlimited State and Local Tax Deductions State and local taxes have long been one of the largest write-offs for those who itemize deductions. Known by the acronym SALT, they can still be deducted but are capped at $10,000 per year. The limit is particularly detrimental to those living in states like California and New York, which both have above-average state income tax and property tax rates. Some states tried challenging the cap in court, but those cases have been unsuccessful as have other attempts by states to preserve an increased deduction for their residents. "The IRS has eliminated the attempts for workarounds," Bill Smith says. High-income earners who saw their SALT deduction curtailed might still come out ahead under the Trump tax cuts though. "Many of them benefited from the new, lower tax brackets in 2018, so the impact to their total taxes was limited," says Will Heil, tax specialist at Klauenberg Retirement Solutions in Laurel, Maryland. 4. A $1 Million Mortgage Interest Deduction Another change that disproportionately affects those living in states such as California and New York is the restriction on the amount of mortgage interest that can be deducted. In 2017, married taxpayers could deduct interest on a mortgage of up to $1 million. Starting with the 2018 tax year, only interest on mortgage values of up to $750,000 are deductible. [See: 14 Important Personal Finance Dates to Mark on Your Calendar.] 5. An Unrestricted Deduction for Home Equity Loan Interest The new tax law also eliminates the unlimited interest deduction for both new and existing home equity loans. Homeowners used to be able to deduct interest for loans taken out for any purpose, such as debt consolidation or travel. Now, only interest on home equity loans used to make home improvements are eligible for a deduction. Plus, the combined total of the first mortgage and home equity loan can't exceed $750,000 for married couples filing jointly. 6. Deductions for Unreimbursed Employee Expenses Workers who made unreimbursed purchases related to their job were able to deduct any amount that exceeded 2% of their adjusted gross income in 2017. However, taxpayers won't see that deduction available on their 2019 tax return. To compensate for the loss of the deduction, Heil recommends workers negotiate for reimbursement from their employers instead. 7. Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Unreimbursed work expenses is just one of several miscellaneous itemized deductions that have been disallowed under the new law. Other disappearing miscellaneous deductions include fees for financial services, costs related to tax preparation services, investment fees, professional dues and a long list of other previously approved items. "The trend we're seeing is that people might see if they are eligible to be an independent contractor," says David Flores Wilson , a senior wealth advisor with New York City-based Watts Capital Partners and editor of Planning to Wealth, a financial website. Those who are independent contractors can deduct many of these items as business expenses on Schedule C. However, the IRS has specific rules about who qualifies as an independent contractor, and these workers also must pay self-employment taxes. Check with a tax professional for details and to determine what makes the most financial sense for your situation. 8. A Deduction for Moving Expenses If you relocated for a new job last year, forget about deducting your moving expenses from your 2019 taxes. The deduction has been eliminated for virtually all workers. Only military members who are required to move for a new assignment qualify for the deduction now. 9. The Unrestricted Casualty Loss Deduction Beginning in 2018, only those in presidentially designated disaster zones can deduct casualty losses on their tax forms. That means, for example, if your house burns down but insurance doesn't cover all your costs, you can't write off the loss from your federal taxes. [See: Love and Money: 8 Signs You're Financially Compatible. ] 10. Alimony Deduction In the past, couples could set up alimony agreements that would allow the person making payments to deduct that money from their federal taxes. While those with divorce agreements finalized before Dec. 31, 2018 can continue to deduct alimony payments, that won't be an option for anyone whose separation was completed after that date. Under the new tax law, alimony is no longer considered taxable income by the recipient, so not only is it not deductible by the payee, but people can no longer deduct any legal fees related to setting up an alimony agreement. "It means, overall, divorce is more expensive for a household," Wilson says. Those who divorced in 2019 may want to look for another way to compensate a spouse, such as through the gift of an IRA, in order to avoid non-deductible alimony. 11. Deductions for Certain School Donations Some colleges and universities have required alumni to make donations before they are able to purchase season tickets. Prior to 2018, those donations were tax-deductible. However, donations tied to the right to purchase tickets are not deductible in 2019. 12. Charitable Donation Deductions for Some Taxpayers Deductions for charitable gifts haven't been eliminated, but they have become harder for people to claim. With the increase in the standard deduction, fewer taxpayers are itemizing, which is the only way to get this write-off. "People are losing the benefit of their charitable deductions," Justin D. Smith says. Those who don't have enough deductions to warrant itemizing on an annual basis may want to think strategically about their donations. One option would be to bunch donations into a single year rather than spreading gifts over multiple years. Another is to create a donor-advised fund. This will allow you to make a large, deductible contribution in one year but then dole out charitable gifts from the fund over several years. More From US News & World Report Though the Sundance Film Festivals 2020 edition is over, acquisitions are still underway. Some are the hottest films arrived at the festival with distribution already in hand. IndieWire has compiled all of the acquisitions so far and will continue to update the list as the festival unfolds and more buys come in. Netflix, which dominated this years Oscar nominations, is the distributor that came to the festival with the most titles including the high-profile Taylor Swift documentary Miss Americana from director Lana Wilson and Sundance regular Dee Rees latest effort, the Anne Hathaway-starring The Last Thing He Wanted. More from IndieWire Heres everything thats been picked up, with more to unfold in the coming days. Title: Surge Section: World Cinema Dramatic Competition Buyer: FilmRise Aneil Karias feature directorial debut stars Ben Whishaw as a man who, over the course of 24 hours in London, goes on a bold and reckless journey of self-liberation. Whishaw earned a special jury award for acting for his role. Title: Wander Darkly Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Buyer: Lionsgate Tara Mieles drama follows a couple (Sienna Miller and Diego Luna) who, after a tragic accident, are forced into a disorienting and surreal journey of reliving fond recollections and reckoning with the overwhelming truths of their present circumstances. Title: The Dissident Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: Briarcliff Entertainment Oscar-winner Bryan Fogel (Icarus) directs a film that unearths secrets surrounding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia. Briarcliff is planning a theatrical and VOD release in late 2020 to coincide with the two-year anniversary of Khashoggis government-ordered murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Story continues Title: Tesla Section: Premieres Buyer: IFC Films Ethan Hawke stars as inventor Nikola Tesla in a film directed by Michael Almereyda that follows Teslas contentious relationship with Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan). Title: Possessor Section: World Cinema Dramatic Competition Buyer: Neon Brandon Cronenbergs sci-fi thriller follows an agent working for a secretive organization that uses brain implants to inhabit other peoples bodies, driving them to commit assassinations for high-paying clients. The cast includes Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Tuppence Middleton, Sean Bean, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Title: Relic Section: Midnight Buyer: IFC Midnight For her debut feature, Natalie Erika James directs Emily Mortimer, Bella Heathcote, and Robyn Nevin in a haunted-house movie where the environment is as frightening as the terror of facing a deteriorating loved one. Title: Epicentro Section: World Cinema Documentary Competition Buyer: Kino Lorber Hubert Saupers exploration of contemporary perspectives from Cuba illustrates how the island nation is partially frozen in time in the post-colonial era. Title: Time Section: US Documentary Competition Buyer: Amazon Garrett Bradleys documentary centers around Fox Rich and her quest to get her husband out of prison while raising her family. It uses a combination of new footage and diary-style home videos from Rich to paint a poetic portrait of the effects of incarceration on one family. Title: Spaceship Earth Section: US Documentary Competition Buyer: Neon Matt Wolfs documentary uses archive material and new interviews with biospherians, some of the people who in 1991 built an enormous replica of Earths ecosystem called called Biosphere 2. Title: The Glorias Section: Premieres Buyer: LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions Writer-director Julie Taymor (Frida, Across the Universe) offers a non-tradition biopic on feminist icon Gloria Steinem with a cast playing the journalist and activist at four different points in her life: the youngest Gloria is played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong (It Chapter Two), teenage Gloria by Lulu Wilson (Annabelle: Creation), young adult Gloria by Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), and the 40-plus Gloria by Julianne Moore. The cast is rounded out by Bette Midler as Womens Movement leader Bella Abzug and Janelle Monae as Ms. magazine co-founder Dorothy Pitman Hughes Title: Save Yourselves! Section: US Dramatic Competition Buyer: Bleecker Street From writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, a story about a hip Brooklyn couple (John Reynolds and Sunita Mani) who seek refuge from technology during a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin, where they are shielded from knowledge of an alien attack. Title: Shirley Section: US Dramatic Competition Buyer: Neon Josephine Deckers film follows a young couple who move in with author Shirley Jackson (Elisabeth Moss) and find themselves in the midst of drama that inspires Jacksons next novel. Title: Kajillionaire Section: Premieres Buyer: Focus Features Produced by Plan B and Annapurna, writer/director Miranda Julys first film since 2011s The Future centers on a family of con artists (Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins) whove spent 26 years training their only daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) to grift at every opportunity. But when a charming stranger (Gina Rodriguez) enters their fray, Old Dolios (Wood) world is shaken. Title: Sylvies Love Section: US Dramatic Competition Buyer: Amazon Writer-director Eugene Ashes film follows an aspiring TV producer and a musician whose paths cross once again years after they share a summer romance. Theyre forced to choose what matters most. Title: The 40-Year-Old Version Section: US Dramatic Competition Buyer: Netflix Writer-director-producer Radha Blanks feature debut follows a down-on-her-luck New York playwright (Blank) who decides to salvage her artistic voice by becoming a rapper and recording a mixtape at age 40. Title: Assassins Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: Magnolia Pictures In Malaysia, the strange murder of North Korean royal family member Kim Jong-nam sets off a global investigation. At the center of the story, two women are on trial for the murder. Are they assassins or pawns in a political game? Title: Siempre, Luis Section: Special Events Buyer: HBO First-time filmmaker John James film is an inspiring portrait of Luis A. Miranda, Jr., a Puerto Rican migrant who helped shape New York politics for over three decades. Title: The Fight Section: US Documentary Competition Buyer: Magnolia Pictures and Topic Studios Elyse Steinberg, Joshua Kriegman, and Eli Despres look at a team of ACLU lawyers battling President Donald Trumps policies such as the so-called Muslim ban. Title: I Carry You With Me Section: NEXT Buyer: Sony Pictures Classics and Stage 6 Films After falling for a man and consequently being forbidden from seeing his son, a Mexican chef crosses the border to advance his career with the promise he will return in this gay love story from Jesus Camp director Heidi Ewing. Title: Identifying Features (Sin Senas Particulares) Section: World Dramatic Competition Buyer: Kino Lorber Fernanda Valadez feature debut follows a mothers journey as she searches for her son who disappeared en route to the US border. Title: Boys State Section: US Documentary Competition Buyer: Apple, with theatrical release from A24 Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, who produced the Moss-directed North Dakota oil fields documentary The Overnighters together (with Moss directing), offers a look at a one session of a long-running youth leadership program centered around mock elections and subsequent governing. Title: The Truffle Hunters Section: World Cinema Documentary Competition Buyer: Sony Pictures Classics Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaws unusual story of elderly men in the Italian forests of Northern Italy on a quest to find the white Alba truffle. Title: Herself Section: Premieres Buyer: Amazon Studios Mama Mia! director Phyllida Lloyds Irish drama follows a woman who rebuilds a future away from her abusive ex-husband by constructing her dream house. Title: Uncle Frank Section: Premieres Buyer: Amazon Studios Alan Ball, screenwriter of American Beauty, directs this 1970s-set road movie starring Sophia Lillis and Paul Bettany. Title: Ironbark Section: Premieres Buyer: Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions Ironbark tells the true-life story of British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is tasked by his country to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis, working with British intelligence agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright) and Emily Brosnahans Emily Donovan. Title: The Night House Section: Midnight Buyer: Searchlight Pictures Rebecca Hall stars as a widow who begins to uncover her recently deceased husbands disturbing secrets. Title: Palm Springs Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Buyer: Neon/Hulu, around $15 million After carefree Nyles (Andy Samberg) and reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated after they are unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other. Sambergs enough of a familiar face to make this accessible comedy appeal to buyers seeking lighthearted material. Title: His House Section: Midnight Buyer: Netflix Remi Weekes film focuses on a young refugee couple who, after their escape from war-torn Sudan, struggle to adjust to a small town in England that has an evil lurking beneath the surface. Title: Mucho Mucho Amor Section: U.S. Documentary Competition Buyer: Netflix Directors Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort) explore the story of Walter Mercado, the iconic Puerto Rican astrologer who was watched daily by 120 million people, including his sudden disappearance from public life in 2007. Title: Charm City Kings Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Buyer: Sony Pictures Classics Inspired by Lotfy Nathans 2013 documentary of the same name, Angel Manuel Sotos narrative take follows 14-year-old Mouse (Jahi DiAllo Winston, The Upside) in his bid to join Baltimores Midnight Clique, a group of dirtbike riders who rule the streets. Midnights leader, Blax (Meek Mill, in his feature film debut) takes the teenager under his wing and Mouse finds himself torn between a straight life and one filled with money and violence. The screenplay is by Sherman Payne, with a story by Chris Boyd, Kirk Sullivan, and Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins. SPC announced it acquired the film in December and plans to release it in select theaters April 10 before a wide release the following week. Title: Never Rarely Sometimes Always Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Buyer: Focus Features Pastels Adele Romanski, who produced 2017 Best Picture winner Moonlight, was among the producers of this intimate portrait of two teenage girls in rural Pennsylvania. The pair make a trek across state lines to New York after one of them unintentionally becomes pregnant. Riley Keough and Taylour Paige appear in Zola by Janicza Bravo, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Anna Kooris.All photos are copyrighted and may be used by press only for the purpose of news or editorial coverage of Sundance Institute programs. Photos must be accompanied by a credit to the photographer and/or 'Courtesy of Sundance Institute.' Unauthorized use, alteration, reproduction or sale of logos and/or photos is strictly prohibited. Zola Title: Zola Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Buyer: A24 Director Janicza Bravo (Lemon) returns to Sundance with a film adaptation of an infamous 148-tweet Twitter thread. The film tells the story of two women (Taylour Paige and Riley Keough) who bond over their hoeism and embark on an ill-fated trip from Detroit to Florida. Title: Crip Camp Section: U.S. Documentary Competition Buyer: Netflix Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrechts film explores a ramshackle summer camp for disabled teenagers that helped ignite a landmark movement. Title: Dick Johnson Is Dead Section: U.S. Documentary Competition Buyer: Netflix Kirsten Johnsons inventive portrait seeks a way to keep her 86-year-old father alive forever using the tools of her trade and her familys dark humor to stage fantasies of death and beyond as part of a familys reckoning with death. Title: Welcome to Chechnya Section: U.S. Documentary Competition Buyer: HBO Director David Frances investigation into a group of activists risking peril to confront anti-LGBTQ policies in Chechnya uses unfettered access and protection of subjects anonymity to help expose an under-reported atrocity. Title: Into the Deep Section: World Cinema Documentary Competition Buyer: Netflix What started as a documentary of amateur inventor Peter Madsen turned into something else after Madsen murdered Kim Wall aboard his homemade submarine. Downhill Downhill Title: Downhill Section: Premieres Buyer: Fox Searchlight Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell star in this English-language remake of the Force Majeure. Like the Swedish original, directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (The Way, Way Back) explore one couples marital tension after barely escaping an avalanche during a ski vacation. Title: Dream Horse Section: Premieres Buyer: Bleecker Street Toni Collette stars as a cleaner who, along with a bartender (Damian Lewis) decide on a whim to breed a race horse in their Welsh village. As the horse rises through the ranks, Jan and her community are pitted against the racing elite in the film from Welsh director Euros Lyn. Title: The Last Thing He Wanted Section: Premieres Buyer: Netflix Dee Rees (Mudbound) directs Anne Hathaway, Willem Dafoe, and Ben Affleck in an adaptation by the Joan Didion book of the same name. The film follows a Washington, D.C. journalist who finds herself wrapped up in the very story shes trying to break. Title: Lost Girls Section: Premieres Buyer: Netflix Based on a true story, the first narrative film from documentarian Liz Garbus (The Fourth Estate) centers around a womans (Amy Ryan) quest to find her missing daughter in a tony Long Island community. Her search brings her attention to over a dozen murdered sex workers. Title: Promising Young Woman Section: Premieres Buyer: Focus Features Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton star in Killing Eve showrunner Emerald Fennells look into the life of a, yes, promising young woman whose life is turned upside down. That leads her to live a double life by night and right the wrongs of the past in this revenge thriller. Title: Sergio Section: Premieres Buyer: Netflix After directing the 2009 documentary of the same name, Greg Barker delivers a scripted take on the story of top UN diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, whose life hangs in the balance during a treacherous mission following the US invasion of Iraq. Wagner Moura, Ana de Armas, Garret Dillahunt, Will Dalton, Bradley Whitford, and Brian F. OByrne star in the film with a screenplay from Dallas Buyers Club Oscar winner Craig Borten. Wendy Title: Wendy Section: Premieres Buyer: Fox Searchlight In a re-imagining of Peter Pan from Beasts of the Southern Wild director Benh Zeitlin, Wendy is lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued and she must fight to save her family, freedom, and the spirit of youth from the peril of growing up. Title: The Go-Gos Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: Showtime From Alison Ellwood (American Jihad), an examination of the first all-female band to play their instruments, write their songs, and have a No. 1 album featuring candid testimonies from band members and others. Title: Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: HBO Documentary Films Known for his work on behind-the-scenes documentaries, director Laurent Bouzereau turns his lens to the story of Natalie Wood, who drowned in 1981, with a focus on the unique perspective of Woods daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and others who knew the Rebel Without a Cause actress. Title: Miss Americana Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: Netflix After Tiller Emmy winner Lana Wilson directs an inside look at a transformational period in Taylor Swifts life as she learns to embrace her role as songwriter and performer and harnessing the full power of her voice as a woman. Title: Rebuilding Paradise Section: Documentary Premieres Buyer: National Geographic Documentary Films From director Ron Howard, the documentary unfolds during the year after the most destructive wildfire in California history as the people of the town of Paradise rebuild their lives. Title: Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Section: Kids Buyer: Disney+ Tom McCarthy, director of Best Picture-winner Spotlight, turns to family fare with an adaptation of the kids book by the same name. The film follows Timmy Failure and his 1,500-pound polar bear partner as they operate a Portland detective agency. Launch Gallery: Sundance 2020 Lineup Gallery: New Films From Festival Favorites and Many More Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NCUA officials are refusing to discuss reports that they are preparing to auction off as many as 3,500 taxi medallions that were used as collateral for loans. Crains New York Business, citing anonymous sources, last week reported that the agency was getting ready to auction off taxi medallions from New York City and Chicago. In the past, NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood said the agency was attempting to work with taxi drivers who were hit hard by declines in business. He added that effort had to be balanced with the need to maintain the Share Insurance Fund. New York Credit Union Association President William Mellin and Democratic members of Congress also had urged the NCUA to be flexible in negotiating with drivers. Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM is planning to divest Equatorial Guinea oil properties, per the country's minister of mines and hydrocarbons, H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima. These assets are likely to be acquired by companies from Russia, the United Kingdom and Equatorial Guinea. The assets to be sold include ExxonMobils operating stake at the Zafiro oil field. Notably, the field produces 90,000 barrels per day, which constitutes a significant portion of the countrys total production. The company is currently providing information to potential acquirers. The divestment move is not expected to affect the largest publicly-traded U.S. energy companys exploration activities in the country. Similarly, Chevron Corp. CVX, Marathon Oil Corp. MRO and Occidental Petroleum Corp. OXY are exiting African properties to reduce exposure to riskier assets. While the U.S. companies are trying to withdraw from African properties, Russian companies are looking to increase their footprint in the continent. This divestment will likely boost ExxonMobils campaign to get rid of non-core assets, while streamlining its portfolio. Per reports from last November, ExxonMobil is looking to divest around $25 billion of hydrocarbon assets through 2025 in order to focus on more profitable projects. The assets to be sold which are located in Asia, Africa and Europe are expected to increase competitiveness of the companys portfolio. Its latest reported divestment program targets $15-billion asset sell-off by 2021. This will likely help the company to finance growth projects in Guyana, Brazil and U.S shale plays. Per reports, ExxonMobil recently considered leaving the Romanian Neptun Deep offshore project, which is located in the Black Sea. The project partnered by Romanian OMV Petrom has been delayed due to the failure of obtaining timely regulatory approvals. Price Performance & Zacks Rank Story continues ExxonMobil has lost 2.5% in the past year compared with 4.2% decline of the industry it belongs to. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: A day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed his opinion against to the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed by the Indian government last month, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday termed his remark as a perfect example of how the literate people even need to be educated on the Centre's initiatives. "How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ?," she tweeted. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 At a time when the country is witnessing protests over the new citizenship law passed by the Centre last year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday termed the situation in the country as bad. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith tweeted quoting Nadella (However, the verbate posted by Smith did not contain the word sad, it reads bad..). Microsoft later posted another statement where Nadella said : "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, this is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds." "Im the shaped by Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," he said. The Indian government passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on Dec 11. It came to force on Jan 10. The CAA will grant citizenship to all non-Muslim refugees who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before 2015. India has witnessed massive protests against the bill since 2019. PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 15:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 437 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 STEUBENVILLE, OH / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Jefferson County, Ohio, once a leading center of the Industrial Revolution, became something of a dark horse in the oil and gas industry.Early in the development of Ohio's Utica Shale -- a territory of underlying land rich in oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids -- drillers targeted many of Ohio's northeastern and southeastern counties, but largely ignored Jefferson County. Straddling both the northern and southern parts of the Utica, Jefferson County's vast quantity of oil and gas assets were finally realized in recent years.The middleman is now the front man: substantial growth in the sector has positioned Jefferson County as the sixth highest producer in the area, with 229 permitted sites and five of the top ten natural gas wells in Ohio. Today, the oil and gas industry plays a vital role in strengthening the local community.The rural landscape of Jefferson County was forever transformed by the discovery of energy reserves in the Utica Shale land. A lot of that land belongs to proud landowners who allow oil and gas development companies, which provide services from exploration to development, to lease their land and secure underground mineral rights. Landowners receive royalty payments and in exchange allow the operators to drill for oil and gas."The symbiotic relationship between local landowners and drilling operators has created a synergy between economy and community in Jefferson County," said Andrew Plesich, a local landman for Halo Land Management. "Investments from the oil and gas industry have helped our county stay thriving, offering those who grew up here the chance to make a living here." As a landman, Andrew Plesich serves as a critical liaison between landowners and oil and gas development companies, helping to create beneficial partnerships for landowners and the community, not just simple transactions."For many landowners, signing bonuses and royalty payments received from oil and gas leases are lucrative enterprises, helping protect our home from rural stagnation," noted Plesich. "For the community, signing bonuses, royalty payments, tax revenues, and the creation of jobs have all supported economic growth. With a prosperous industry to build around, local businesses thrive and new establishments arrive." The origin of this economic growth is the relationship established between landowners and the oil and gas companies. Andrew facilitates, manages, and maintains these relationships. Having grown up in Jefferson County, his work as a landman is more than a career, it's a reflection of his care and commitment to the place he calls home.For more information, please reach out to Isys Caffey-Horne at isys.caffeyhorne@stripereputation.com SOURCE: Andrew Plesich Irans judiciary on Tuesday announced arrests in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet flying out of Tehran while the countrys president called for a special court to examine the 8 January crash, in which all 176 passengers and crew perished. At a regular weekly press briefing, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told assembled reporters that an unspecified number of people had been detained over the downing of the Boeing 737-800, shot down in a missile strike by military personnel who allegedly mistook it for an incoming United States cruise missile. We will investigate the causes and direct impact of the incident, Mr Esmaili told reporters We will investigate the extent to which US warmongering caused this event. Several people have been detained and the investigation continues. But in comments broadcast on state television, Irans president Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday called for a special judicial panel that included tens of experts to investigate the incident, a proposal that would potentially bypass or supplant the hardline judiciary. I want officials to give people explanations regarding this, the whole process from the morning of Wednesday when the incident happened until the Friday evening when the Supreme National Security Council held an emergency meeting, he said in a speech broadcast on state television. Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Show all 23 1 /23 Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather in front of Amir Kabir University AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranians demonstrate following a tribute for the victims of the Ukraine Boeing 737 crash in front of the Amirkabir University in the capital Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police dispersed students chanting "radical" slogans during a gathering in Tehran to honour the 176 people killed when an airliner was mistakenly shot down AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University - People hold flowers as tear gas fired by police rises Online videos purported to show that Iranian security forces fired both live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the Islamic Republic's initial denial that it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University AFP correspondents said hundreds of students had gathered early in the evening to pay respects to those killed in the air disaster ISNA/AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian protester prepares to throw a tear gas canister back at police AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University A protester confronts an Iranian police officer AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranian police officers take position while protesters gathe AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University Iranians light candles for victims EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Anti-government protest at Amirkabir University EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran People burn British and Israeli flags during a protest in front of the British embassy, in Tehran. Hundreds of Iranian hardliners gathered for a protest against Britain, a day after the UK ambassador to Iran Robert Macaire was detained after attending a a vigil for the victims of Ukraine passenger jet EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protestBritish embassy protest in Tehran Chanting "Death to Britain", up to 200 protesters rallied outside the mission a day after the brief arrest of British ambassador Rob Macaire AFP via Getty Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran AFP via Getty Images Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west AP Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west British embassy protest in Tehran EPA Protests in Iran over downing of plane and tensions with the west Protesters chant slogans while holding up posters of Gen. Qassem Soleimani during a demonstration in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. AP After days of denials, Iran on Saturday admitted it was behind the downing of the jet, which came after Iranians fired a barrage of missiles at American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the US assassination of Revolutionary commander Qassem Soleimaini. While the judiciary spokesman did not disclose any details about those detained, Mr Rouhani insisted that he would not allow underlings to shoulder the blame for the disaster. A single individual cannot be blamed, said Mr Rouhani. Its not just the one who pressed the button, but rather there are others, and I want this matter to be explained to people honestly. Irans admission triggered several days of street protests in Tehran, the Iranian capital, and other cities in the country as well as widespread outrage across the political spectrum. The downing of the jet has added to pressures on the Iranian regime amid a campaign of maximum pressure launched by the United States administration of Donald Trump. Ukrainian leaders and Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, has said he expected financial compensation for the dozens of their nationals aboard the flight. But in an interview late Monday, Mr Trudeau also blamed the US for the incident. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families, he said in a television interview, specifying tensions in the region that are brought about by US actions. Despite calls for transparency and apparent willingness to admit responsibility for the disaster, Iranian officials also continued to try to deflect attention from their culpability in the crime. Mr Esmaeili on Tuesday called for the expulsion of UK ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire, who was briefly detained on Saturday after he attended a vigil for the victims of the plane crash that turned into an anti-government protest. We as the judiciary and the legal community believe that this person is an undesirable element and there is a protocol in place for handling undesirable elements, he was quoted as saying. Even as the Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami voiced regret for the incident, a hardline group released a video showing a hypothetical trial of an Iranian soldier who mistook an incoming US cruise missile that kills 1,000 people at an airport for a passenger jet, and declined to open fire. Werent you informed... that Americans had threatened to bomb 52 important Iranian sites? the interrogator asks the soldier. Yes, he replies. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is likely to begin on January 21, a historic event likely to highlight divisions in the American political system and society as a whole. McConnell, a senior Republican and vocal supporter of the president, on January 14 said some preliminary steps must still be taken, such as the official swearing-in of senators for the case, before the trial can begin. He made the comments shortly after Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives said a vote would be held on January 15 in that chamber to decide whether to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Pelosi on January 14 met with House Democrats about the next steps in the bid to have Trump removed from office on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. "The American people deserves the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial," she said in a statement. "The House will now proceed with a vote on transmitting the articles of impeachment and naming impeachment managers on Wednesday, January 15. The president and the senators will be held accountable." The House, which has the sole power to impeach a president, is likely to approve the motion to send the case to the Senate, given the lower houses Democratic majority. However, the Senate is controlled by Republicans, meaning that acquittal is almost assured as it would take a two-thirds majority to convict and remove the president from office. The Republicans have 53 seats in the chamber. The House impeached Trump last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the following investigation. Trump has called the process a sham, while many Republicans in the Senate have already indicated their support for the president. Two previous presidential cases have gone to the Senate for trial. President Andrew Johnson was acquitted in 1868 and Bill Clinton was cleared in 1999 following Senate trials. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters The solution to this looming standoff in the United Kingdom is obvious Scotland needs to move to Canada. Less than a day after Harry and Meghan won approval to break away from their royal life in the U.K. on Monday, Scotland was summarily denied its chance to stretch its dreams of independence from mother England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson quashed Scotlands aspirations for a new referendum in a breezy, one-page note early on Tuesday. Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade, with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the U.K., Johnson said in his note to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He said hed carefully considered the idea over the past few weeks since Sturgeon formally asked, but ultimately decided that since Scotland voted in 2014 to stay in the United Kingdom, he was holding them to that decision. Its worth noting that the Queen didnt apply the same logic to her own deliberations on family independence this week. She didnt tell Harry and Meghan that they were stuck with the country where they were married in royal style less than two years ago. Instead, in her own, one-page missive, the Queen declared: Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Heres where we are, then, in Britains several, concurrently running independence sagas over these past few years: referendums (Brexit, Scottish independence) last forever; centuries-old royal obligations, not so much. The logic linking these contradictory decisions revolves around populism, which is proving to be a stronger force than rules, duties or obligations in Britain, yes, but also in the United States, where Donald Trumps impeachment drama is a daily tug-of-war between populism and the law. As anyone who has watched all three Netflix seasons so far of The Crown can tell you, the story of the royals over the 20th century was the tension between popular will and age-old tradition. The Queen, who has presided over this rich history, knows better than most how tradition has crumbled and adapted in the face of what the public wants or expects. Harry and Meghans decision to live part of their lives in Canada, as part-time royalty, follows that evolution in the monarchy. Refusing them independence would have cost the monarchy dearly in popular currency. The situation in Scotland is not that clear, for either side of the independence question. What Johnson has effectively told Scotland this week is that his popular will a majority government, elected in December is more powerful than any simmering desires for independence in Scotland. Well see about that. I grew up with a Glasgow-born dad, and learned early that its not a great idea to tell a Scot what they cannot do. Theres a whole wing in Scotlands national museum devoted to what the Scots invented when thwarted by the odds against them. (Basically, Western civilization.) While its been a few years since I covered the last Scots referendum in 2014, I predict that Johnson telling them they cant have another vote may galvanize the desire to have one. Scotland, alas, cant do what Meghan and Harry did spend a Christmas holiday in Canada and then unilaterally announce plans to cut some ties to Britain. But the Scottish nationalist forces will be trying to harness the same forces of populism in days and months ahead to cast Boris Johnson and the U.K. as the ancient, rules-bound institutions that need to change. Meanwhile, where Canada stands in all of this leaving-staying turmoil in Britain is intriguing beyond being Harry and Meghans new part-time home. The breakaway royals havent publicly discussed why they like Canada so much, but some of it must surely be based on the privacy they were accorded when they spent their recent holiday here. As the Victoria Times-Colonist noted, when finally disclosing that the royals had been spending time there, many people in Victoria were aware that Harry and Meghan were in their midst, but chose not to make a big, public deal of it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government like to say (rightly) that Canada remains a country committed to law and the rules-based order. Not the centuries-old rules of the monarchy, perhaps, but clearly some rules of privacy. So amid all the populism sweeping the globe, this could be our new brand. Canada home to independent-minded people who value their privacy. It might even lure Scotland here, which wouldnt be the worst thing in the world. Susan Delacourt is the Stars Ottawa bureau chief and a columnist covering national politics. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @susandelacourt Read more about: Retailer, Tesco, is seeking planning permission for new cafe developments at their shopping centres in Celbridge and Maynooth. An application to build a new cafe in the car park at the Celbridge store is at pre-validation stage. The retailer, who got planning permission for a 4,467 sqm store and seven retail units from a 2005 planning permission, wants to build a 232 sqm cafe in the car parking. Currently, one cafe, Halo, operates from one of the units in the Celbridge centre, which is located at the corner of Shackleton and Maynooth roads. SEE ALSO: Almost 20,000 in grants at Men Shed groups in north Kildare Tesco wants to provide food and drink for sale on and off the premises on a 0.1419ha site. The plan includes external seating and six bicycle parking spaces. A bin store, hard and soft landscaping and a new pedestrian crossing are also listed in the application. The pre validation application was made on January 8 last. SEE ALSO: more Kildare stories But no documents had been lodged at the time of publication by us, on January 14. Submissions are due from the public on February 11. Almost at the same time, Tesco applied, also on January 8, to extend its cafe (to 283 sqm) at its store in the Carton Retail Park in Maynooth. Public submissions on that application must reach Kildare County Council by February 11 and a decision is due by March 3. On January 10 last, the retailer got permission to extend the cafe at Monread Shopping Centre, Naas. ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In 1962, Verda Mae Freedom Welcome was a civil rights pioneer, a teacher and the first black woman in the country elected to a state senate. On Monday night, she became the first black person to have her portrait hung in a chamber of the Maryland State House. Her likeness replaced a 115-year-old canvas depicting a white man - and former governor - who was born when slavery was still legal and had been honored for overseeing construction of the Senate chamber. Welcome, who represented Baltimore, fought for interracial marriage, equal pay for women, banning harassment of welfare recipients, and barring racial discrimination in public places. Her daughter, Mary Sue Welcome, attended the portrait unveiling, and recalled spending time with her mother around the Senate chambers more than half a century ago. She started to thank the 47 senators, but had to stop to gather herself. "This," she said, pausing. "This is amazing." "The public display of portraits is meaningful," state archivist Timothy Baker said during the ceremony. "The images have an importance that transcends the painted canvas." The portrait hanging was the latest in a spate of changes to modernize an institution steeped in history. The General Assembly's new, younger and more diverse leaders have, among other things, added more restrooms for female lawmakers and put more people of color into the highest positions of power. Change is stirring across the Potomac River in Virginia as well. There, a new Democratic majority chose the first female House speaker and the first female and first African American Senate president pro tempore. On Thursday, Virginia House Democrats changed the pronouns in their governance rules from the masculine to the feminine. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, who took over the chamber's top job less than a week ago, made hanging Welcome's portrait on the back wall of the Senate one of his first official acts. One of 16 children, Welcome spent 25 years in the legislature, surviving an assasination attempt in 1964. She died in 1990, at age 83. Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, said a group of eighth graders from his district toured the State House four years ago and later wrote him letters asking why there was no one on the walls who looked like them. He read aloud a passage from one girl: "Not to see myself in the history of Maryland made me sad." Ferguson also replaced a second portrait of another long-ago governor with a youthful portrayal of Ferguson's predecessor, Senate President Emeritus Mike Miller, whose 33-year tenure makes him the nation's longest-serving state senate president. The portraits of former governors Edwin Warfield and John Walter Smith will be taken down and cleaned before getting new homes in the state's collection, Baker said. Miller, a renowned political strategist who stepped down amid a battle with cancer to become a rank-and-file senator, was surprised by the portrait and tearfully thanked the chamber. Characteristically, he also made a humorous quip. "I'm going to be on my good behavior, aren't I?" Miller said. "Because I'm going to be to looking down on me." Advertisement One person has died and at least eight people have been injured following an explosion at a petrochemical plant in Spain today, officials have said. The blast, which broke just after 6.40pm local time today, occurred at a chemical plant in the Tarragona province of northeast Spain, and is most likely as a result of a chemical accident, Catalonia's civil defence agency said. The Civil Protection agency in the Catalonia region called the blast a 'chemical accident' and warned people in parts of the city of 800,000 and in nearby towns to refrain from going outside as a precaution. They also confirmed two people, thought to be workers at the chemical plant, had been badly injured after suffering serious burns. Following the explosion, around 29 emergency vehicles rushed to the scene to help tackle the blaze and the Catalan fire brigade said the injured people were being attended to by the emergency services. The person who died was trapped in a flat in the neighbourhood of Torreforta near the industrial estate which neighbours said had collapsed after the building was shaken by the blasts. One person has died and at eight people have been injured after a fire broke out on Tuesday at a chemical factory in the Tarragona province of northeast Spain just after 6.40pm today The fire, which left plumes of smoke in the air, was most likely as a result of a chemical accident, Catalonia's civil defence agency said Plumes of smoke were seen rising into the air following the chemical explosion at the industrial hub in northeastern Spain Officials said one of the casualties was 'critical' and described another as 'serious', saying five of the eight people hurt had suffered minor injuries. The main explosion at the plant is understood to have affected an ethylene oxide tank at the IQOXE plant. The petrochemical company boasts on its website of being the only producer of ethylene oxide in Spain, used to make products including detergents. Catalan Interior Minister Miguel Buch, who confirmed the death and an injury toll of eight, said authorities had not ruled out the possibility the missing worker could have left the site unharmed. Mr Buch said the smoke from the resulting fire was not toxic but he also advised residents to remain inside. Following the incident, videos circulating online, including one captured by a CCTV camera near the scene, showed a large mushroom cloud emerging above the factory and the aftermath of the blast. A local resident named only as Ines told radio station Cadena Ser: 'The sky turned a colour between white and blue. There was a horrible light. 'Then a black plume of smoke appeared with a really strong smell and firefighters and ambulances began to arrive. 'I ran home and closed all my doors and pulled down the blinds.' Initially 300,000 people had been urged to stay indoors as a precaution but residents of only two areas near to the city of Tarragona - La Canonja and Vilaseca - are now being asked to make sure they remain in their homes with their windows and doors closed. The civil defence agency advised people nearby to stay inside with doors and windows shut as a precaution, but added: 'There is no evidence of a toxic cloud.' Smoke continues to rise into the air at a petrochemical industrial park in Tarragona, Spain, on January 14 following a chemical explosion Smoke fills the air at the petrochemical industrial park in Tarragona as the authorities tells locals to stay indoors and keep their windows shut After the explosion, which broke just after 6.40pm today local residents were told to stay inside their homes and the train service near the plant has been suspended Large clouds of smoke rise into the the sky following a chemical explosion in Tarragona, Spain, at 6.40pm on January 14 The emergency services dressed in protective clothing rush to the scene following an explosion at a chemical factory in Tarragona, Spain Although firefighters said the fire caused by the explosion was under control, the blaze is expected to continue until the early hours of tomorrow morning. Catalan president Quim Torra said: 'I would like to send my condolences to the family of the person who died as a result of this accident. 'We would also like to send a message of tranquility to the population because no toxic agent has been detected in the air.' Local trains between Tarragona and neighbouring Port Aventura were suspended on police orders, the train operator Rodalies said, while the regional transport authority said some roads had been closed. Tarragona is located 115 kilometers (71 miles) southwest of Barcelona, the regional capital of Spain's Catalonia region. Since 2015, the city has housed a 1,200-hectare (2,965-acre) 'chemical hub,' ChemMed, that was described as the largest of its kind in southern Europe. The government said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had been in contact with the regional president of Catalonia, Quim Torra to inquire about the blast and offer any help needed. Tuesday's explosion comes just over a month after a blaze at a solvent and industrial residues recycling plant in the northeastern town of Montornes del Valles on December 11. Firefighters work at the scene of an explosion at a petrochemical plant in Spain today as thousands of locals in the city are told to stay indoors Emergency services rush to the scene after the explosion at the chemical factory in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain Smoke continues to rise into the night sky after the fire, which is most likely as a result of a chemical accident, broke just after 6.40pm local time today Flames and smoke rise into the sky after a fire, most likely as result of a chemical accident, breaks out at factory in Tarragona province of northeast Spain OWNOprah Winfrey has decided to cut ties with the filmmakers behind a documentary about the women who've accused music mogul Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Winfrey says she will no longer serve as an executive producer on the project. I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on The Untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary and it will not air on Apple TV+," Winfrey said in her statement. "First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard." But, she continued, "In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision." Winfrey called the filmmakers "talented," adding that she had "great respect for their mission," but didn't think the film was ready for its Sundance Film Festival premiere later this month, so she subsequently decided it was "best to step aside." "I will be working with Times Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment, she added. Oprah's announcement comes after the media mogul was recently called out by 50 Cent for targeting black men. In a recent Instagram post, 50 claimed that Winfrey seemed to have a vendetta against black men, referencing her involvement in both the upcoming Simmons doc and her controversial special, After Neverland, which featured Michael Jackson abuse accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe The Beverly Hills City Council has voted to move ahead with a possible lawsuit against election officials responsible for the new Los Angeles County voting equipment which will debut in the March 3 primary. The new machines are digital, and there are concerns that voters will vote without seeing all the candidates. Already there are huge changes in store for Angelenos voting in-person when vote centers start opening Feb. 22 -- from where and when to vote to a new, high-tech way to cast a ballot. Electronic ballot marking devices developed by Los Angeles County will be the default option in all 1,000 new vote centers, replacing the familiar old InkaVote System. The new devices include touch screens to mark voter selections, which are then printed onto a paper ballot that will be collected and tallied by election officials. Now, with voting fast approaching, local governments and campaigns are familiarizing themselves with the new system. And many don't like what they see. March 3 will be the first time Beverly Hills syncs up its city council elections with statewide races in even-numbered years -- 2020 being such a year -- to comply with a recent law aimed at boosting voter participation in local contests. Councilmember Julian Gold, who's running for re-election, says the way the tablet computers on L.A.'s new devices display candidates in each race is "flawed" and could potentially change the outcome of important elections. He and fellow city officials and staff got a preview of the ballot marking machines when the Beverly Hills City Clerk showed them photos a few weeks ago. The issue? When a race appears on the ballot marking devices, only the first four candidates fit on the first screen. To see more choices, a voter has to hit a button marked "MORE" to choose from the next four contenders. "But there's also a button that says 'NEXT,'" Gold said. "And if you hit 'NEXT' instead of 'MORE,' you're done, you move on to the next race." He called this a design flaw because a voter can skip ahead in the ballot without seeing the full list of candidates. L.A.'s Registrar Recorder's office tweaked the visibility of the "more" button after feedback from a series of mock elections last fall. Then you make all your selections for each race. Found myself not reading the instructions on the screen as closely as I do my absentee paper ballot, especially when it comes to scrolling for more options or making more than one choice in any given race. pic.twitter.com/b3LtyvKtSK Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) September 29, 2019 The county added a pulsating yellow ring around "MORE" and a gradient effect to draw attention to the candidate options further down the ballot, and plans to hang signage and train election workers to inform voters. "The data from the Pilot Election are compelling evidence that voters recognize and respond to the "MORE" button utility," Dean Logan, L.A.'s Registrar-Recorder, said in a Dec. 19 report to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Gold, an anesthesiologist first elected to the Beverly Hills city council in 2011, says the setup still clearly disadvantages anyone listed after the first four candidates on the ballot. His name is fifth -- based on a random drawing -- but he says the issue is bigger than his own reelection bid. "What if the frontrunners in the presidential race are not on the first page?" He said. "The county spent a fortune on this system and they missed this simple thing." On January 9, the three members of the Beverly Hills City Council who are not running for reelection voted to file a lawsuit against Los Angeles County and the Secretary of State, "if we have to," according to Gold. He added that other Los Angeles County cities and city organizations are also exploring legal options. "This just doesn't work," he said. The California Secretary of State's office declined to comment, citing the fact that the new voting system in L.A. is still in the process of state certification, and a policy of not commenting on pending litigation. [9:35 AM Wednesday: This story was updated with a response from the Secretary of State.] LAist has also reached out to the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder's office for comment. Vietnams net crude oil imports in 2019 reached 3.64 million tonnes, up from 1.3 million tonnes a year earlier, governments customs data released on Monday showed. The countrys crude oil imports during the year rose 47.1% to 7.616 million tonnes, while is crude oil exports edged up 0.4% to 3.976 million tonnes, the Customs Department said in a statement. Vietnams imports of petroleum products in 2019 fell 14.2% to 9.798 million tonnes, the department said. Its petroleum products exports fell 0.4% to 3.108 million tonnes. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Libya ratcheted up on Tuesday as Russia claimed that the warring factions had agreed to maintain a fragile ceasefire and Germany announced an international summit on the crisis this Sunday. Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar left talks in Moscow on Tuesday without signing a permanent truce aimed at ending nine months of fighting, though Russia claimed he agreed to maintain the current ceasefire. Berlin then announced it had invited both sides of the Libyan conflict to talks with 11 countries and several international organisations on Sunday. Haftar and his allies were in Moscow on Monday for discussions with the United Nations-recognised government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj that is based in Tripoli. The meetings raised hopes of an end to the latest fighting to wrack Libya since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi. But Haftar's abrupt departure from Moscow marked a setback. Playing down the blow, Russia's defence ministry said Haftar had asked for two days to consider the deal, stressing that a shaky ceasefire established at the weekend would continue. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also promised to "pursue efforts" to mediate. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted angrily, warning that "we will not hesitate to teach the putschist Haftar a deserved lesson ... if he continues his attacks on Libya's legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya". Erdogan said the issue would be discussed in Berlin on Sunday by European, North African and Middle Eastern countries as well as the the UN, the EU, the African Union and the Arab League. "The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later unfortunately he left Moscow, he fled Moscow," Erdogan said, while praising "positive" talks. Berlin summit Anxious to calm flaring tempers, Berlin called a UN-sponsored summit of 11 countries -- including the USA, Russia, China and Turkey. It remained unclear whether Haftar and Sarraj would also attend, though Berlin said both had been invited. According to a source close to the discussions, a key aim of the summit will be to help Libya "sort out its problems without foreign influence". Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- following years of turbulence since the 2011 killing of Kadhafi. Sarraj's government has been under attack since April from forces loyal to Haftar, who is based in the east of the oil-rich North African country with his own loyalist politicians. Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced, according to the United Nations. The clashes have also spurred a growing exodus of migrants from Libya, though nearly 1,000 intercepted at sea have been forced to return this year, according to the UN. Both sides in Libya's conflict agreed to a ceasefire Sunday to end nine months of fighting, but eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar on a Moscow visit refused to sign it. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) Putin and Erdogan made a joint call for a ceasefire, which started early Sunday and was welcomed by the UN. Putin later Monday discussed the talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Turkey and Russia's diplomatic initiative came despite the countries being seen as supporting opposing sides. Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA in January in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. The GNA has signed agreements with Ankara assigning Turkey rights over a vast area of the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean, in a deal denounced by France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus. Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces, which are also supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt -- all regional rivals of Turkey. Several hundred Russian mercenaries are reportedly in Libya, but Putin stressed they are not in Moscow's pay. National working president of the BJP J P Nadda would be holding meetings with state leaders of the party here for the first time on Wednesday after a Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government came to power in Maharashtra. Nadda arrived here on Tuesday night. The BJP, which had won 122 seats on its own in 2014, bagged 105 seats in alliance with the Shiv Sena in the 2019 state elections. However, the Sena severed its ties with the BJP and formed government in alliance with the NCP and Congress. For the first time after the government formation a senior leader of the party would be holding a meeting with state BJP leaders. Post elections, senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse openly blamed former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his close associates for the party's disappointing performance. Several sitting and former ministers including Khadse had been denied ticket in the polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) January 14-17 in Miami, FL TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, today announced its participation as an exhibitor at the Future of Education Technology (FETC) in Miami, Florida. The 40th Annual event has gathered the most dynamic and creative education professionals from around the world for an intensive, highly collaborative exploration of new technologies, best practices and pressing issues. Its impact has been felt by thousands of districts, schools, educators - and ultimately students. Galaxy will be located at Booth 3100 in the Exhibor Hall. Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "While this is a tradeshow we have attended for the past several years, we are extra excited this year because of our expanded suite of in-school interactive technology products. Specifically, this is our first end user conference where we will have the Intercomm, paging, and security products in the Galaxy booth. It is a great opportunity for us to show the product line expansion to our end user community." Each year, FETC is tailored to the needs of an increasingly technology-driven education community - and 2020 will be no exception. The 40th National Future of Education Technology Conference features industry experts and unrivaled agenda content, an Expo Hall filled with the latest and greatest solutions, and a community of thousands eager to network with like-minded peers. School and district administrators, classroom teachers, IT professionals, special education directors, curriculum and media specialists, and other educators with roles or interest in ed tech, attend FETC year after year to find the professional learning, technology solutions and connections they need to transform learning in and out of the classroom. Join them for four days of collaboration, innovation and learning, and discover new ways to spark change with technology. For additional information, please visit: https://www.fetc.org About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors Contact: IR@GalaxyNext.us Phone: 888-859-1274 SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572985/Galaxy-Next-Generation-to-Highlight-its-Intercomm-Paging-and-Security-Products-at-the-Future-of-Education-Technology-Conference Property bosses have predicted the market will bounce back this year as the shape of Britain's exit from the EU becomes clearer. The founder of Galliard Homes and the Crown Estate's investment chief both predicted the London market in particular had bottomed-out after a recent period of decline. And estate agent Savills issued a bullish trading update, saying that last month's decisive Tory election victory had restored confidence and brought back overseas investors. Property boost: Estate agents and builders are confident the market will bounce back this year Stephen Conway, Galliard's executive chairman, who is worth 338million, told trade publication Estates Gazette: 'London always bounces. 'I have never known it not to, and we are just beginning to bounce.' And in separate comments to the magazine, Crown Estate investment officer Paul Clark said London had 'trodden water since the referendum' but he expected that trend to 'reverse and the pricing gap between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin to narrow'. 'Almost whatever the landscape post-Brexit, there is a considerable upside to the London office market and its fundamentals remain strong,' Clark added. Savills told investors that it expects its annual results in March to be at the upper end of expectations. The United States Justice Department on Monday sent 21 Saudi military cadres home following a probe into a deadly shooting at a Florida Naval base carried out by a Saudi pilot. In a statement, Attorney General William Barr said that 21 cadres were disenrolled from training programs in the US after learning that they possessed some "derogatory material." Barr said the investigation found that 17 of the 21 Saudi members had "social media containing some jihadi or anti-American content. However, there was no evidence of any affiliation or involvement with any terrorist activity or group." He noted that 15 individuals (including some of the 17 just mentioned) had had "some kind of contact with child pornography. While one of these individuals had a significant number of such images, all the rest had one or two images, in most cases posted in a chat room by someone else or received over social media," adding that prosecutors could not execute the trainees under American law. According to sources the expelled Saudi officers aren't accused of being a part of Alshamrani's plan, but have been linked to other extremist movements. "However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and the 21 cadets have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the US military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia (later today)," the statement stressed. In December 2019, second lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, opened fire at an air station killing three US sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans. "This was an act of terrorism," Barr said in the investigation. "The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology as he had posted a message on social media on Sept. 11 of last year that said: 'the countdown has begun.' Over Thanksgiving weekend, he visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. He also posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media, and did so two hours before his attack at the naval base," the attorney general added. Saudis have received training at the Pensacola site since the 1970s. As of early December, there were 852 Saudis in the US for Pentagon-sponsored training related to security cooperation, representing 16 per cent of the 5,181 students from 153 countries in these programs, the Defence Department spokesman Chris Garver said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CAIRO - A provisional cease-fire reached two days ago between Libya's warring factions appeared to unravel on Tuesday, as eastern commander Khalifa Hifter abruptly left Moscow without signing the agreement. In Libya's capital, Tripoli, reports emerged of clashes erupting in several neighborhoods, potentially complicating mediation efforts to achieve a lasting peace. The North African oil producer has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 ouster and death of longtime ruler Moammar Gaddafi. In April, Hifter's forces launched a surprise offensive in an effort to topple the U.N.-installed Government of National Accord in Tripoli. On Monday, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj signed the cease-fire agreement drafted by Russia and Turkey. But Hifter, who is aligned with a rival government in eastern Libya, had asked for until Tuesday morning to make his decision, according to Russia's state-operated Tass news agency. By early Tuesday, however, reports emerged that Hifter had left Moscow without signing the document. The collapse of the cease-fire effort is a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and their aspirations of becoming the main power brokers in Libya. For Putin, who supports Hifter, and Erdogan, who backs the GNA, a cessation of hostilities in Libya would deepen their countries' influence in North Africa and across the Middle East. Both Moscow and Ankara also stand to gain from oil and construction contracts in Libya, worth billions of dollars. On Tuesday, a frustrated Erdogan did not mince his words. Speaking to members of his party in Ankara, he said that both Turkey and the Tripoli government had shown a "constructive attitude" in the peace initiative. "We stood behind our promise, but putschist Hifter left the table," Erdogan said. "These conditions show his real face. We were not at all surprised that he rejected the cease-fire." Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, told reporters in Ankara that "if Hifter continues like this, then there will be no point for the Berlin process," referring to a peace summit scheduled for Sunday in the German city to which both sides in the Libyan conflict have been invited. Russian officials, however, were reluctant to declare the mediation a failure. "We will continue our efforts on this track, because no definitive result has been achieved so far," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Sri Lanka. Alexei Chepa, a Russian senator and deputy chairman of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee, downplayed Hifter's refusal to sign the agreement. "This is not a failure; it does not mean that the talks have been unsuccessful," Chepa told the Russian news agency Interfax. "The fact that the sides have held negotiations is important, considering that dialogue is the only way to decide anything and to achieve a result."Further talks between the two sides are possible, he added. It was unclear why Hifter declined to sign the pact. One reason may be that it did not include a deadline for the disbanding of the disparate militias aligned with the GNA, according to a Libyan military official cited by Interfax. Hifter has claimed that his Tripoli offensive is partly intended to "cleanse" the capital of those militias, which he describes as terrorist and criminal groups. Hifter is also backed by powerful regional players, especially the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which view Libya as significant to their own strategic and economic interests. "Competing theories why Haftar didn't sign," tweeted Wolfram Lacher, a Libya expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. "For some, he has too many masters to answer to. For others, he refuses to do what his masters want. The answer may be both: having multiple backers allows Haftar to play them against each other." Nevertheless, European and United Nations officials expressed hope Tuesday that the cease-fire agreement could be salvaged. As of late Tuesday, the Berlin summit was still scheduled to be held next week. The U.N. mission in Libya on Tuesday urged both sides to adhere to the cease-fire and give the diplomatic efforts a chance "for the sake of the civilian population in Tripoli, the hundreds of thousands who fled their homes and the 116,000 children who are unable to go to their classes." - - - The Washington Post Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and Isabelle Khurshudyan in Moscow contributed to this report. Cumberland County will continue to be open to international refugee resettlement, the county commissioners affirmed Monday, following a Trump administration directive last year that would allow local governments to turn them away. The county commissioners unanimously signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirming the countys consent to initial refugee resettlement under President Trumps September 2019 executive order, which instructed the U.S. State Department to stop coordinating resettlement unless both the state and locality of refugee arrival consent to the refugees being there. The Trump order was panned by refugee advocates as serving only to create additional red tape for refugees who have already been federally approved to immigrate; a court challenge is underway. At Mondays meeting, the commissioners heard from both resettlement agencies and refugees themselves, who said they were not contrary to some stereotypes and misperceptions coming into the area unauthorized. These are people who are coming legally, they have been going through a whole process and are approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as other cooperating federal agencies, said Omar Aden, a Somali refugee who lives in Cumberland County. The process isnt easy. It took Aden seven years of interviews, background investigations, and approvals to finally immigrate along with his disabled brother, he said. He hasnt seen his mother in 14 years, he said. Im trying to petition for her to reunite with me here in the U.S., Aden said. But, guess what, she wont be able to do that if Cumberland County says we dont allow refugees to continue [to resettle]. They are thoroughly vetted, more than any other foreigner entering the United States, said Sheila Mastropietro, with Church World Service, a nonprofit agency that receives approval and funding from the federal government to resettle refugees. Bethany Christian Services and Catholic Charities also resettle refugees in central Pennsylvania, Mastropietro said, and the three agencies have been working together to secure approval from local governments in central Pennsylvania since the Trump order. Aden also said that refugees economic impact is a major positive for the area. Through the public-private partnership between the federal government and agencies like CWS, refugees receive three months of financial assistance and job search support following arrival in the U.S. After that, they are on their own. We dont depend on government benefits, contrary to some public perception, Aden said. You should be able to get a job as soon as you get your Social Security number. After initial resettlement, refugees are free to move within the United States. But central Pennsylvanias low unemployment and plentiful warehouse jobs make the area attractive for refugees trying to get back on their feet, Aden said, and help move the regions economy forward by contributing to its chronically short labor pool. Gary Eichelberger I really appreciate you gentlemen being here today, county Commissioner Gary Eichelberger told Aden and other Somali refugees who attended Mondays meeting. Its really important in the current political climate that we get facts, because theres a lot of confusion between issues. Eichelberger said he understood the Trump administrations interest in getting local opinion, given that a sudden population influx can have an impact on public services, particularly schools. Mechanicsburg Area School District, which covers Mechanicsburg and Upper Allen Township, has seen the impact of enrollment growth, although not exclusively due to Somali immigration. But were also a prosperous community. We can afford to absorb that, and other communities might not be able to, Eichelberger said. Most folks in Cumberland County, when they understand the facts, are in agreement that this is a very good thing. At the state level, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter of consent for resettlement in October. By Zack Hoopes, The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. (TNS) The South Korean president speaks at the New Year's press conference. His government's push for cooperation with the North has made little progress because of sanctions from the United Nations Security Council. But if the Kim Jong-un regime takes "substantial" steps towards denuclearization, the international community should enact corresponding measures. Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Expanding cooperation between the two Koreas can encourage international support for the progressive withdrawal of some sanctions against Pyongyang, said South Korean President Moon Jae-in during the press conference earlier this year, in which he clarified that Seoul will not stand by while waiting for the talks between the North and the United States to bear fruit. The president explained that if the Kim Jong-un regime takes "substantial" steps towards denuclearization, the international community should take corresponding measures, even withdrawing sanctions. Moon reports that Washington and Pyongyang have reached an agreement in this regard, but the issue is the scope of sanctions to be eased or lifted and the preconditions for this to happen. The South Korean leader claimed that his government's push for cooperation with the North made little progress, due to the sanctions of the United Nations Security Council. However, there are some inter-Korean projects that are not subject to them, such as tours on Mount Kumgang on the north east coast which are currently suspended. Moon has already made various proposals to improve relations between the two Koreas and create conditions for leader Kim Jong-un to visit the South. The South Korean president also said that Washington must present "new ideas" if it wants to break the deadlock in denuclearization talks in close collaboration with Seoul; but there is not much time left, as the presidential election of November 2020 is approaching in the United States. Answering a question about China, Moon said that Beijing's role is crucial for a resolution of the nuclear issue in North Korea. The president asked for continued Chinese "help" until the complete denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace. Burger King jokingly offered Prince Harry a job offer, just days after the British royal and his wife Meghan announced that they intended to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family." "@ harry, this royal family offers part-time positions," Burger King representatives wrote on Twitter. Earlier, Meghan Markle has reportedly signed a voiceover deal with Disney. "Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as... Maryland and Virginia in recent years have been reluctant to increase subsidies. In 2018, both states initially balked at a plan to expand rush-hour service, offer customers a flat weekend fare and extend the service of some rail lines because it pushed them over an agreed upon 3 percent limit in how much subsidies can grow year over year. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has also complained that the state spends too much on transit rather than roads, and Maryland delayed contributing its full subsidy last year until several financial questions over usage and audits had been resolved. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought central financial assistance, statehood for Puducherry and waiver of legacy loan among other demands. The Puducherry Chief Minister met Shah in New Delhi earlier today. Other demands include financial assistance for release of 7th central pay commission arrears, an annual increase of financial assistance to 10 per cent every year and others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK upstream Morocco-focused Sound Energy said it was cleared to build and operate a 120-km gas pipeline in eastern Morocco. The company made the announcement after receiving the environmental impact assessment approval from the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mines and Environment. The pipeline will help channel gas from Tendrara to the already existing Gazoduc Maghreb Europe connecting Algeria to Europe via Morocco. In October, Sound Energy signed a gas supply deal with Moroccos ONEE, state-owned power company. Under the deal, the UK company will commercialize the gas found in the Tendrara permit where it holds 47.5% alongside Schumberger which has 27.5% direct interest and the states hydrocarbons agency (ONHYM) with 25%. The company also confirmed plans to go ahead with the sale of a substantial stake of its Morocco operations. The Company continues to work on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer funding solution for the infrastructure at the Tendrara Concession in parallel with progressing the previously announced proposed sale of a substantial stake in the Companys Eastern Morocco Portfolio, it said. As someone who believes Donald Trump poses a fundamental threat to liberal democracy in the United States and globally, it pains me to say anything positive about him. But I must concede that Trumps Iran policy is far more likely to succeed than that of any of previous American administration. While discussing Trumps successes, we should not mince words on his significant mistakes. First, his travel ban is both immoral and counterproductive. While many Iranian officials and their families travel freely to America on previously obtained passports, ordinary people are unable to visit family or go to U.S. schools. Second, some of Trumps financial sanctions on Iran are so broad that they impede the import of medicines (themselves exempt from sanctions). The Iranian regimes corruption and mismanagement cause the medicine shortage, but sanctions exacerbate the problem. Third, Trumps recent threat to bomb Irans cultural sites was nothing short of a threatened war crime. Yet while Trump may have gotten those things wrong, he seems to have intuitively grasped certain key truths about dealing with Iran that other presidents missed. The first is that the West has used an entirely incorrect analytical framework for two decades in interpreting Iran. While Barack Obamas team tried to distinguish between moderates and hardliners in Irans regime, Trump has recognized that these distinctions are insignificant. There has been as much corruption, internal repression and external mayhem under moderate President Rouhani as there was under hardline Ahmadinejad. Notwithstanding their differences, these factions remain loyal to Irans theocratic structure. Trying to choose between them allows Irans regime to play for time. Instead, Trump has so far rightly targeted Irans entire regime. Trumps second insight is that, for all its bluffs and blusters, Irans regime ultimately responds to sticks not carrots. Trump demonstrated this in April 2019 when he designated Irans notorious Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. Pundits predicted violence, but none occurred. And none has come in the wake of the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani, the monstrous Qods Force commander. Iran promised hard revenge and many analysts predicted unprecedented attacks. But it quickly became obvious that Iran would not retaliate strongly. It responded only symbolically (shooting a few ineffective rockets at a base housing American troops in Iraq) and with criminal incompetence (downing a Ukrainian plane full of civilians, including many Canadians). Iran may yet use some proxies to attack American interests, but Trump demonstrated that the Iranian regime is a paper tiger. Again, contrast this approach with Obamas: having rewarded Iran with a windfall, both in cash and sanctions relief, did Obama persuade Tehran to improve its behaviour? To the contrary, Iran funded and orchestrated even more gruesome violence in Syria and Iraq. Observing American weakness in Obamas failure to enforce his red line in Syria, Iranian leaders knew they had nothing to fear. Finally, for all his shortcomings, Trump supports Irans citizens fighting their repressive government. In 2009, millions took to Irans streets in protest and chanted Obama, youre either with [the regime] or with us. Obama remained silent, effectively signalling that he was with the regime. Trump, on the other hand, has been outspoken on protests in 2017, in 2019, and most recently in a series of well-received Persian-language tweets as Iranians protest the murderous downing of the civilian airliner. As noted, Trumps efforts here are undercut by policies like the travel ban. And yet, to the extent rhetoric and framing matters in politics, Trump has adopted the correct ones. Trump is unpredictable and this may all come to naught. He supports strongmen all over the world and, just as he seemed to do with North Korea, might change course on Iran rapidly. But for the time being Trumps Iran policy has been consistent, coherent and robust. It would be unfair if we allow our disagreements with him on other matters to cloud our judgment on this one. Because, as the old saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Kaveh Shahrooz is a lawyer and human rights activist. He is a former senior policy adviser on human rights to Global Affairs Canada and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institutes Centre for Advancing Canadas Interests Abroad. Read more about: The screams came from next door, at first. A few moments later, just after midnight on May 30, 1907, firemen lounging in their San Jose firehouse were jolted by a ghastly sight: Frank Boronda, a fellow firefighter, standing in the doorway, screaming uncontrollably. Boronda lived next door, and his convenient commute turned into a crucial source of medical attention that night. He was covered in blood, and the firemen soon discovered why. His penis had been cut off. The firemen rushed Boronda to a nearby Red Cross hospital, perhaps just missing the woman who fled from the house next door. Dressed like a man, she slipped into the dark. --- Long before Lorena Bobbitt became a national punchline, the Bay Area had Bertha Boronda. Bertha was Franks second wife, and perhaps he thought this marriage would be more peaceful than his first. His first wife, Serena, married him around Christmas in 1890. Less than three years later, she made the local news for attempting to kill herself by drinking chloroform. When asked why she did it, Serena said Frank was physically abusive. Recently, hed abandoned his wife and step-daughter altogether. The pair were granted a divorce in 1895 and six years later on Christmas Day Frank married Bertha Zettle. Not much is known about Bertha. Census records show she was born in Minnesota to German immigrant parents. The 1900 census lists her residence as a boarding house in Snohomish, Wash., working at a laundry. In the next year, she must have met Frank. She was 24 when they married in 1901. Franks given name was Mario Narcisso Boronda and much more is known about him. His great-great-grandfather was one of the first teachers in San Francisco and helped build the Presidio in the late 1700s. The Boronda family grew and spread, settling all over the nascent Bay Area. Frank, it seems, wasnt one of the familys more illustrious members. After his divorce, he made headlines for another scandal. In February 1907, he and another fire captain were arrested on suspicion of committing election fraud. They were questioned and released, but Frank worried he hadn't escaped charges. On May 29, he took Bertha to the theater. According to her later court testimony, it was the first time theyd spoken in two weeks. The second Mrs. Boronda found about as much marital bliss as the first: Bertha said theyd been married just over a year when she began to suspect he was stepping out on her. For six months, Bertha lived alone in San Francisco, working as a saleswoman at the Emporium. Frank wrote letters, begging her to reconcile, but, when she did, she said things werent much better. Frank would disappear for weeks at a time, and Berthas only recourse was to walk next door to the firehouse and beg him to talk. He ignored her. That night at the theater, Frank told Bertha he suspected he was about to be re-arrested for vote buying. Perhaps he thought it would be best to reconcile with his wife before a potential court case. Or perhaps he was just lonely. Bertha told the court that after they went home, she tearfully asked if he still loved her. He swore he did and then he asked for sex. At that point, Bertha claimed she blacked out. Testimony from police and firemen fills in the gaps. After Frank fell asleep that night, Bertha found his straight razor. Then, she tiptoed back to bed and sliced off his penis. In the melee, Bertha switched into a disguise, donning her brothers suit for her getaway. Bertha admitted shed worn it frequently she was surveilling her husband to determine where he went after work. She guessed shed slept one, maybe two, hours a night for the past few weeks. She wasn't on the lam for long; police found her a few hours later, still dressed as a man. According to Bertha, she remembered nothing of the maiming. She only recalled waking up in the San Jose city jail. A police officer asked if she wanted something to eat. She requested coffee. When police asked her what had happened, Bertha said she was convinced Frank was about to leave her and move to Mexico. And, she said, she wasnt sorry. San Quentin State Prison --- Her 1908 trial was a sensation, covered by just about every newspaper in the Bay Area. Bertha stood accused of mayhem, defined by state law as any person who unlawfully and maliciously deprives a human being of a member of his body or renders it useless, or cuts or disables the tongue, or puts out an eye, or slits the tongue, nose, ear or lip. Several witnesses testified Bertha made repeated threats of violence against her husband if she caught him cheating again. One said Bertha declared she would blow his head off. She sat calmly for the duration of the trial, accompanied at times by her family. While she shows the effects of her incarceration and the loss of sleep, she does not seem to be nervous, the San Jose Times Star wrote. At one point, Bertha testified she found letters from multiple women in Franks possession. One, interestingly, was from Lillian Doane, the daughter of his first wife. More about their relationship isnt known, but Bertha's testimony seems to imply their correspondence was romantic in nature. Regardless of the scene of marital discord Bertha presented, one thing was undeniable: Shed done the deed. The jury deliberated only a few hours before returning a guilty verdict. --- Bertha was sentenced to five years in San Quentin, which at that time still housed female inmates. (California wouldnt have a dedicated womens prison until the 1930s.) Her incarceration was a quiet one, at least according to the papers. Sometimes her family came to visit and, at some point, she and Frank divorced. Both married again, Frank in Monterey County and Bertha in Los Angeles. Frank died in 1940 at the age of 76. Bertha died 10 years later; she was 72. Neither, it seems, ever had children. All that now remains of Bertha Boronda are her mugshots from the day she was booked at San Quentin. In them, she has a soft, almost knowing, smile. Dr. Lotan is one of the most prolific researchers on urologic oncology internationally, and has invaluable experience working in bladder cancer research and treatments, said Ilan Uchitel, CEO of CAPS Medical. Dr. Yair Lotan and Dr. Zohar Dotan to Support Clinical Strategy and Regulatory Pathway Development of the First Minimally Invasive Cold Plasma Cancer Treatment PlatformSan Francisco, CA (UroToday.com) -- CAPS Medical, developer of a highly selective and minimally invasive cold plasma device for cancer treatment, announced the appointment of Dr. Yair Lotan and Dr. Zohar Dotan to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The two key opinion leaders in the field of urologic oncology will support CAPS in developing its first clinical indication towards achieving regulatory clearance in the U.S. market.CAPS Medicals platform is designed to treat solid tumors through minimally invasive procedures, attacking cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Originally developed in the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in collaboration with Rambam Health Care Campus, the companys Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) device is the first tool to be small enough to enable CAP treatment internally. The companys first indication is in bladder cancer treatment but could be applied in the future for a variety of tumor types including lung, pancreatic, liver and brain cancer.Dr. Yair Lotan serves as chief of urologic oncology and professor of urology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is also the medical director for the urology clinic at both UT Southwestern and Parkland Health and Hospital System. Dr. Lotan has published hundreds of research articles and book chapters on urologic care and treatment and serves as an editorial reviewer for medical periodicals including the Journal of Urology, European Urology, Urologic Oncology, and The British Journal of Urology International.CAPS Medical is a company which presents a new and exciting platform for highly selective treatment of solid tumors, and specifically for the treatment of bladder cancer, which has the highest recurrence rate of any cancer due to high rates of residual tumors left in current treatments, said Dr. Lotan. I am excited to work together with the CAPS team to improve the way we approach bladder cancer treatment.Dr. Zohar Dotan is the head of urologic oncology services at Sheba Medical Center, specializing in complex oncology of kidney, prostate, urinary and testicular cancers. He is the head of the Israeli Uro-oncology Society and serves as assistant professor at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. Dr. Dotan has published 60 papers in urology and serves as an editorial reviewer for medical periodicals including the Journal of Urology, European Urology, and The Scandinavian Journal of Urology. Dr. Dotan will advise on CAPS Medicals clinical study in Israel, working with the Ministry of Health to establish Sheba Medical Center as the first clinical site. Dr. Dotan will be the first to use the device when the clinical trial is established.I am excited to work closely with Ilan and his team to establish Sheba as the first clinical site for trialing the CAPS technology. While the concept of applying cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been proven for mostly superficial tumors, this will be the first time CAP will treat bladder cancer through a minimally invasive procedure, explained Dr. Dotan. This presents a new hope for the treatment of bladder cancer, and potentially many solid tumor types in the future.Dr. Dotan has made Sheba Medical Center the most prolific center in Israel in bladder cancer research. With these giants on our SAB, CAPS is poised to make major strides in our clinical strategy and execution through 2020.CAPS Medical has created a highly selective Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) cancer treatment device, able to treat a wide range of solid tumors without impacting surrounding tissue. CAPS Medical addresses the $100 billion oncology market and is currently undergoing initial indication for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC), the highest cost per patient cancer type. Operating under MEDX Xelerator, CAPS Medical is backed by Boston Scientific, MEDX VenturesSource: 2020. Capsmedical.Com. Monica Villagomez, 27, and her husband, Edgar, welcomed their new daughter, Zoe, born at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2020, at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. The Buckeye couple, who have two other daughters, are thrilled with the addition to the family. Zoe is likely the first baby born in the new decade in Phoenix. Parents who bought Infants' Tylenol in the past six years could get money back from a $6.3 million lawsuit settlement with Johnson & Johnson. The medicine's packaging, which features a picture of a mother holding her baby and a label that says "infants," misleads consumers into thinking Infants' Tylenol is specially formulated for infants, the class-action lawsuit argued. In reality, the bottle contains the same concentration of liquid acetaminophen as Children's Tylenol, but often at a higher price, according to the lawsuit. However, Infants' Tylenol includes a syringe to administer a safe dose of the liquid medicine to an infant, which Children's Tylenol does not include, making the two products different, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. said. The company denied that it deceived anyone, but agreed to pay up to $6.3 million to consumers who purchased the medicine from Oct. 3, 2014, to Jan. 6, 2020, to settle the lawsuit. The company also agreed to clarify on the packaging of Infants' Tylenol that the medicine contains the same concentration of liquid acetaminophen as Children's Tylenol. Chick-fil-A freebie: How to get free chicken nuggets or new Kale Crunch Side with app Ask HR: Help! My co-worker wont stop talking Can I get money? Yes, you can receive payment if you: Purchased Infants' Tylenol for personal or household use between Oct. 3, 2014 and Jan. 6, 2020. Submit a claim form by April 13, 2020. Submit only one claim form per household. How big will my payment be? If you submit proof of purchase, you can claim $2.15 for every one-ounce and two-ounce bottle of Infants' Tylenol you purchased. There is no limit. If you do not have proof of purchase to submit, you can claim up to seven bottles, or $15.05. What proof do I need? If you make a claim without proof of purchase, your reimbursement is limited to seven bottles, or $15.05. If you make a claim with proof of purchase, your claim will receive priority and the number of bottles you can claim is unlimited. You may submit receipts, rewards records, card records or other documents that indicate the product purchased, product size, date of purchase and quantity purchased. Story continues How do I submit a claim? You can file a claim online at: http://www.infantstylenolsettlement.com/media/2489651/v5_jhe_claim_121719_final.pdf or request a claim form by calling 1-866-458-2108. When will I receive payment? It could take a year or more, according to the settlement. Where can I get more information? Visit the settlement website at http://www.infantstylenolsettlement.com/frequently-asked-questions.aspx or call 1-866-458-2108. Consumer reporter Rebekah L. Sanders investigates issues of fraud and abuse involving businesses, health-care entities and government agencies. Contact her at rsanders@azcentral.com or follow her on Twitter at @RebekahLSanders. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to get money from $6.3 million Infants' Tylenol settlement By Andrew Osborn and Ayman al-Warfalli MOSCOW/BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's warring leaders made some progress at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday but failed to agree on an open-ended ceasefire to end a nine-month war over the capital Tripoli. In talks that lasted about eight hours, mediators Russia and Turkey urged the rivals to sign a binding truce and pave the way for a settlement that would stabilise the North African country mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Fayez al-Serraj, who heads Libya's Tripoli-based internationally recognised government which has struggled to fend off an offensive by the eastern based Libya National Army (LNA) faction, signed the ceasefire agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. "Today we can report that some progress was made," Lavrov told reporters at the elegant 19th century Moscow mansion where the talks were held. But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said LNA commander Khalifa Haftar had asked for until Tuesday morning to make up his mind on the ceasefire. In a sign the LNA might continue its offensive, it said on an official website that it was "ready and determined" to achieve victory. It gave no details, but another website close to the force said Haftar will not sign the ceasefire proposal. Pro-LNA channels said Haftar had already left Moscow. Pro-LNA social media posts have called to stage a rally to support Haftar on Tuesday in the main eastern city of Benghazi. The Russo-Turkish push, which involved laborious indirect contacts between the two Libyan delegations, is the latest attempt to end chaos in the the oil-producing country. Russia's TASS news agency reported that Serraj had refused to engage in direct talks with Haftar, forcing Russian and Turkish diplomats to act as go-betweens. The two men last met in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 before talks broke down over a power-sharing deal and Haftar moved his troops on Tripoli in April, expanding his control beyond the east and south. Story continues Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Ankara, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country was working to ensure a ceasefire in Libya becomes permanent. He said he hoped the Moscow talks would form the basis of discussions at a summit in Berlin on Sunday, which he said he would attend with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she planned to host such a summit after holding talks with Putin. TRIPOLI Turkey backs Haftar's rival, Serraj, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside Haftar's LNA forces, which are also backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan. The Tripoli war has wrecked Libya's economy and risks disrupting oil production and triggering flows of African migrants trying to reach Europe by boats with the help of smugglers exploiting the chaos. The Moscow talks come after a ceasefire, initiated by Turkey and Russia, saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes on Sunday, though both factions accused each other of violating that truce as skirmishes continued around Tripoli. Reuters journalists in Tripoli said it was quiet in the centre on Monday and that they could hear no clashes or shelling. But late at night more shelling could be heard. Mitiga airport, the capital's only functioning airport, had resumed operations, a Reuters witness said. Flights were suspended earlier this month due to rockets falling nearby. Haftar's troops have not been able to breach Tripoli's defences but have in recent weeks made some small progress with help from Russian mercenaries, residents say. That has pushed Turkey, which has business interests in the country, to deploy soldiers to Libya to help the Tripoli government. (Additional reporting by Alexander Marrow, Polina Ivanova and Anton Kolodazhnyy in Moscow, Andreas Rinke in Berlin, by Ulf Laessing and Aidan Lewis, by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay in Ankara and by Ahmed Elumami in Tripoli, Writing by Andrew Osborn and Ulf Laessing, Editing by William Maclean, Timothy Heritage and Himani Sarkar) London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed confidence on Tuesday that the divided royals would overcome their problems after the queen reluctantly gave her blessing for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to step back from duties. Following a family meeting over the future of her grandson and his American wife, Queen Elizabeth issued a rare, highly personal statement agreeing to the change and saying final decisions should be worked out soon. "I am a massive fan certainly of the queen and of the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country," Johnson told BBC television. "I am absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out, and you know what I think they are probably going to be able to sort it out easier without any particular commentary from me about this." According to Niti Aayog, the education budget will go up to 6 per cent of the GDP by 2022. Daruwala said that the government need to invest in education, but create an enabling environment for the private sector. (Representational image) BENGALURU: At a time when the economy is struggling with low growth and high unemployment rate, which has surged to 6.1 per cent, industry experts are pinning their hopes on Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharamans budget on February 1. Last year, Union minister Prakash Javadekar had said that the governments expenditure on education had gone up from 3.8 per cent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2014 to 4.6 per cent during the NDA rule. According to Niti Aayog, the education budget will go up to 6 per cent of the GDP by 2022. Mr Manek Daruvala, founder & director, TIME, said that GDP growth is vital for job creation. If Indias demographic dividend has to pay off, we will have to create adequate job opportunities for our youth, he said. He expected the government to increase allocations to all spheres of education with a special focus on primary education. The World Bank in 2013 said that the government spending on education by both central and state governments in India is 3.8 per cent of GDP which is lesser than the world average of about 4.7 per cent in the same year. It is not just about the quantum of money deployed, it is also about how it is utilised. Aggressive and effective ways to improve the quality of teaching, particularly in schools, need to be formulated. Teaching, as a profession, needs to be made worthwhile for those with academic excellence, he added. Mr Daruwala said that the government need to invest in education, but create an enabling environment for the private sector. This is essential for attracting both financial capital and quality brainpower that our education sector so badly needs, he said. Protesters stared down Iranian riot police in at least two cities as demonstrations over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane entered a third day, the New York Times reports. Driving the news: Amid the protests, Iranian authorities announced the arrests of "some individuals" over the crash without specifying who or how many and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for the creation of a special court regarding the incident, per the AP. Human rights groups believe Iranian forces killed hundreds of people protesting increased oil prices in November. Now, images shared online appear to show security forces using live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas on activists calling for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's resignation after the government admitted to accidentally shooting down the Ukrainian jet, killing 176 people. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Riot police use water cannon on protesters at Amir Kabir University. Demonstrations are being held outside universities in Tehran and the city of Isfahan, per the NYT. Photo: AFP via Getty Images A man confronts riot police at Amir Kabir University. Protesters say officials issued "misleading statements" over the Ukrainian jet crash, per AP, which reports a government spokesman said: "We did not lie." Photo: AFP via Getty Images A protester holds a placard stating in Farsi "Your mistake was unintentional, your lie was intentional" during a demonstration outside Amir Kabir University. Photo: STR/AFP via Getty Images Riot police stand guard as protesters gather in front of Amir Kabir University. Al Jazeera reports protesters chanted slogans including "Clerics get lost!" Photo: STR/AFP via Getty Images Protesters hold hands outside Amir Kabir University. Photo: STR/AFP via Getty Images A protester holds an image of a Ukraine International Airlines plane crash victim during a demonstration in front of Amir Kabir University. Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images Go deeper: Iran escalation ends in tragedy and outrage With its flaky baguette, pickled vegetables, various meats, herbs, and spices, the banh mi might just be the simplest fusion food we can eat. A combination of French and Vietnamese cuisines, the banh mi sandwich fled from Saigon to California after the Vietnam war ended. From there, it reached the far corners of America, with sandwich shops catering to this humble food now in many U.S. cities. The simple ingredients are tied to the history of Vietnam. The French arrived in Vietnam as missionaries in the 17th century, which resulted in a 30-year conquest. The federation of Indochina was formed in 1887, and along with it came French culinary influence even though the banh mi would not be created for around 70 more years. Even with French colonists in Vietnam, the two culinary worlds did not meet. They were kept mostly separate, and the French looked down on colonists who ate Vietnamese food and vice versa. That all ended at the outbreak of World War I, when the French colonial government forced resident Germans from Indochina. This may seem unrelated to the cuisine, except the two largest import companies were German-owned, and their departure left warehouses full of perishables. The French turned to the Vietnamese to find new customers, and the two culinary worlds collided. Bread, pate, cold meats, and seasoning sauces were suddenly affordable for the Vietnamese and they are all important ingredients in todays banh mi. Upon the partition of 1954, migrants from North Vietnam flooded South Vietnam, forever changing Saigons cuisine. It was after this that the first banh mi sandwiches were sold in small food shops and street carts an affordable breakfast and midday meal for the working classes. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the banh mi made its way to the U.S. with refugees, many of whom quickly opened Vietnamese eateries to serve fellow refugees and the curious American. The somewhat recent popularity of food trucks has helped the banh mi travel the country. The traditional Banh Mi sandwich The traditional banh mi begins with the bread, which looks like a traditional French baguette, but is not quite the same. The crusty exterior of a traditional baguette covers a very chewy interior. The bread used for the banh mi has the same crusty crunch on the outside, but because of the rice flour used in the bread-making, the interior is softer and closer to our Americanised French bread texture. Between the baguette lays any variety of meats, from grilled chicken or roasted pork to pate or cold cuts. Sardines and headcheese have also been included. Piled high on the meat is pickled daikon radish and carrot, along with cucumber slices and chili pepper. A healthy handful of cilantro leaves top all of the glory. A dash of Maggi sauce and a spoonful of mayonnaise pull the flavors together. Maggi sauce is a seasoning used similarly to soy or Worcestershire sauce. It was invented in Switzerland and introduced in Germany. The flavor mimics a combination of celery and fennel, and is used in many cuisines. Building your own banh mi is as easy as following the ingredient list. While obtaining the perfect bread might pose challenging, lightly toasting a traditional baguette is a fine substitute. Thinly sliced grilled chicken or pulled pork are both succulent protein choices. A quick pickle of radish red if daikon is not available and carrot is simple. Cucumbers and cilantro are readily available at the supermarket, and Maggi seasoning sauce can be purchased locally at our international grocers. Once you have all of the ingredients, you can begin building your new adventure in this humble Vietnamese sandwich. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at the launch of the partys General Election campaign in 2016. Photo: Steve Humphreys SLOGAN wars have broken out on the first day of the election campaign as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail rubbished each others message to the electorate and Sinn Fein hit out at both rival parties. Fine Gaels effort A Future to Look Forward to emerged online earlier today, including in a video posted by Leo Varadkar showcasing his work as Taoiseach. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin confirmed his partys message remains An Ireland for all the key phrase on which it fought the 2016 election - while insisting it was more of a philosophy than a slogan. He claimed that the kind of future offered by Fine Gael would make people shiver and Mr Varadkar's party had made many peoples future difficult and uncertain and citing the number of homeless children. Fine Gael minister John Paul Phelan later hit back claiming Fianna Fail is the same old party with the same old rehashed slogan. Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald hit out at both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail for sloganeering, while refusing to divulge what her partys main theme will be. Expand Close Fine Gael election slogan 2020, Emer Higgins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fine Gael election slogan 2020, Emer Higgins Fine Gael claims to be the best team for Brexit and that they will offer a better deal for families and fairer taxes. Real climate action and more frontline Gardai are also among key promises. Read More The party is set to pledge income tax cuts and a 5-per-week rise in the State pension if it is returned to office. Announcing that he was calling the election Mr Varadkar said he knows there is frustration at the slow progress the government has made in housing and health. He also said: Many people dont feel the strength of our economy in their pockets and they dont see it in their payslips or in their towns and parishes. "We have a plan for fairer taxes for future jobs and for rural Ireland - to put that right." Elsewhere Mr Martin said people are angry over crises in health and housing and it clearly is time for a change in government. He said a Fianna Fail government would really focus on tangible and credible improvements in health, housing and reducing the cost of living in areas like insurance, childcare and education costs. He promised Fianna Fail will put forward a very comprehensive, positive agenda in terms of dealing with these issues in the election. Our philiosphy, slogan is An Ireland for All. Thats our commitment and thats what were going to deliver in terms of policies during this campaign and in the aftermath of this general election. Mr Martin claimed Fine Gaels slogan reveals the essence of Mr Varadkars party which he argued was everything is away into the future. He added that people in an Emergency Department today cant wait for Fine Gaels future. Junior minister Mr Phelan picked up on Fianna Fails insistence that An Ireland for All is a philosophy rather than a slogan claiming: Voters are well aware of what the partys true philosophy is: Playing fast and loose with the economy and forcing thousands of young people to emigrate. Minister Phelan claimed Fianna Fail has not presented clear policies and is an empty vessel devoid of ideas. Ms McDonald said the election isnt about sloganeering, rather it is an opportunity for change. She claimed Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would "defend the status quo" while Sinn Fein would stand up for communities, families and workers. Among Sinn Feins promises are that theyll deliver a council house building programme and bring in a rent freeze. Expand Close Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald giving her keynote speech during her party's ard fheis at the Millennium Forum in Derry, Saturday November 16, 2019. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald giving her keynote speech during her party's ard fheis at the Millennium Forum in Derry, Saturday November 16, 2019. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire She promised to bring the age for qualification for the State pension back to 65 and recruit more nurses and Gardai. Read More Ms McDonald also said the party would make "preparations for building that new Ireland that is only around the corner, a United Ireland". Asked about Fine Gaels slogan about the future, Ms McDonald claimed: I think most people are dealing with the entrails of Fine Gaels past and their past performance. She added: I think it is very difficult to convince us or anybody else that Fianna Fail or Fine Gael will do anything differently than they have done before. She said Sinn Fein will have themes when asked about its slogan. But she refused to be drawn on what the main theme will be saying: It's not about slogans, it's about policy, it's about content and it's about change. Fine Gaels ill-fated Lets Keep the Recovery Going was very poorly received in many parts of the country during the 2016 election. It showed the importance of such messages as voters go to the polls. Mr Varadkar will be hoping A Future to Look Forward to will hit home with voters on this occasion and return him to office. Mumbai / Delhi: A BJP leaders book, which equated Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has snowballed into a major controversy in Maharashtra. The Congress announced an agitation and police complaints have also been filed against the author of the book in several parts of the state. Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi, written by BJP leader Jai Bhagwan Goyal was released at an event held at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. Since then, the BJP is facing flak from all quarters. In Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have criticised the book. Congress workers will take out a protest march at every district headquarters on Tuesday against the book, Maharashtra Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat told reporters on Monday evening. The BJP, which came to power by seeking votes in the name of the Chhatrapati, is now trying to compare Shivaji Maharaj with Narendra Modi. Earlier too, BJP leaders Ajaykumar Bisht (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) and Vijay Goyal had tried to compare Modi with Shivaji. The Congress will stage agitations against the BJP, which is insulting Chhatrapati time and again, Mr Thorat said. Late in the night, the BJP on Monday said the author had withdrawn the publication as it sought to defuse the raging controversy. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said, The BJP has nothing to do with the book which was brought by Jai Bhagwan Goyal (author) in his personal capacity. He has also apologised for hurting sentiments of people in Maharashtra and outside. He has withdrawn the book. This should put the controversy to rest. Mr Goyal said that he was willing to revise those parts of the book to which Opposition leaders have objected. I only wanted to tell readers as to how Modi like Shivaji has worked to take everyone along. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump needs Mitch McConnell more than ever. With Trump finally facing his impeachment trial, this promises to be a defining moment for both men. They started their relationship unevenly three years ago when Trump stunned Washington with his sweep to power but have since fallen into an easy partnership that will be put to its biggest test. The leader of the Republican-majority Senate has already put his imprint on virtually every aspect of the upcoming trial. He corralled the GOP senators behind his strategy to brush back Democratic demands for new witnesses and testimony. McConnell and Senate Republicans are now trying to decide whether to include a motion to simply dismiss the charges against Trump outright, as the president wants, even though they dont have the votes to pass it. The Kentucky Republican is working hand in hand with the White House. He doesnt pretend to be an impartial arbiter. The House has done enough damage, McConnell said Monday as he opened the chamber. The Senate is ready to fulfil our duty. As the Senate is about to convene for the landmark undertaking, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, perhaps no one is more important to Trumps defence than the Republican leader. The Democratic-run House is set to vote Wednesday to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Trump faces two charges approved by the House. First, that he abused power by pushing Ukraine to investigate his Democratic political rival Joe Biden, holding back U.S. military funds as leverage. And second, that he then obstructed Congress by blocking witnesses and testimony in the House probe. The challenge for McConnell will be to balance Trumps appetite for full vindication, accompanied by humiliation of Democrats, with a more measured trial that fits the legal expectations of the Constitution and wont expose Senate Republicans to a spectacle that could hurt them in elections. The president and Senator McConnell have learned to trust each others judgment, said Josh Holmes, a former top McConnell aide who remains close to him. Theyve been through an awful lot over three years. Republicans hold the majority in the Senate, 53-47, and there is nowhere near the 67 votes needed for Trumps removal. The president has sent mixed messages about what he wants in a trial first suggesting calling witnesses, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff and the still anonymous government whistleblower, whose complaint about Trumps July phone call with Ukraines president sparked the impeachment inquiry. But over the weekend Trump said the Senate should simply dismiss the case against him, rather than legitimize the House charges by sending them for trial. It was an extraordinary suggestion that is now under consideration. As Pelosi prepared to release her hold on the charges, Trump tweeted yet again on Monday that the House impeachment inquiry was the most unfair witch-hunt in the history of Congress! Making it personal, McConnell is calling the holdup Pelosis one-woman blockade. The president continues to review his options, according to one senior White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The person described the presidents talk of dismissal as simply covering the possibilities as the White House continues to work closely with Republicans on Capitol Hill. Simply dismissing the charges against Trump is unlikely, though Republicans are circulating a proposed resolution. McConnell, who has gained Trumps trust in Senate matters, now needs to deliver. The two sparred early in Trumps presidency, most sharply when McConnells Senate GOP was unable to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a signature Trump campaign promise. But once the GOP leader muscled through the confirmations of Trumps Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the relationship warmed. The two men talk regularly. McConnells proximity to Trump helps him back home, where he is up for reelection in the Bluegrass State this year alongside Trump. His likely Democratic opponent will be former Marine Corps officer Amy McGrath, who flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the House launched the impeachment inquiry, McConnell was able to convince Trump not to tweet against Senate Republicans who showed signs of straying and instead focus attention on the House. McConnells goal during the House proceeding was to create a party-line outcome that would diminish the case as it came to the Senate, Holmes said. The groundwork for the Senate trial was laid months ago as McConnell built GOP support for modeling it partly on rules devised for President Bill Clintons impeachment trial in 1999. That would mean starting the proceedings and voting only later on hearing new testimony. That allowed McConnell to turn back Democrats demands for new testimony, particularly from former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has indicated he will defy Trumps orders and appear if subpoenaed. Democrats still hope to force votes on Bolton and other witnesses they say can provide new evidence for the case against Trump. McConnell is trying to prevent any votes that will prolong the trial and split his party, particularly vulnerable senators up for reelection in 2020. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Monday that failing to call new witnesses and testimony would turn the Senate trial into a farce. One Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, is working with GOP colleagues on a process that would allow them to hear more testimony, as Democrats want. McConnell is trying to give her and the others room to see if they can make a deal, according to a person familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it. Trump has yet to decide on his legal team and whether it will grow to include some of his fiercest defenders from the ranks of House Republicans. Alan Dershowitz, a former Harvard University professor whom the president is considering adding to his defence team, said Trump has a good team with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and personal attorney Jay Sekulow. Dershowitz said Monday that no final decision had been made by the president. Trump is scheduled to attend the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, early next week just as the Senate trial is expected to get underway in Washington. The opening will be in McConnells hands. ___ Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Jill Colvin, Darlene Superville, Aamer Madhani and Andrew Taylor contributed to this report. The Kenneth Pettine Scholarship Program is open to students enrolled at a college or university in the United States or Canada FORT COLLINS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Kenneth Pettine is proud to officially launch his Scholarship Program to help students fund their education. The scholarship program offers one scholarship of $3,000 and two additional scholarships of $1,000 each. Students in the U.S. or Canada currently enrolled at a college or university are invited to apply. The Kenneth Pettine Scholarship Program is now officially accepting applications. The deadline to apply is March 8, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Dr. Kenneth Pettine, MD is a serial entrepreneur with 30 years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon. He has an extensive background in spinal surgery, research, and rehabilitation. He is also the author of over 40 research publications. Applicants must write a 500-word essay that explains what program the applicant is studying, what type of career they hope to obtain in the future, and why they should be considered for this opportunity. Applicants are also encouraged to detail their level of need as well as their work and volunteer experience. Applicants must also submit a letter of acceptance or another form of proof of current enrolment at a college or university in order to be eligible for this opportunity. The selection committee of the Kenneth Pettine Scholarship Program thanks all applicants for their submissions. Only the successful applicants will be contacted. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.kennethpettinescholarship.com/ About Kenneth Pettine Dr. Kenneth Pettine is a serial entrepreneur and published clinical researcher with over 30 years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon. He holds a medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed his master's degree in orthopedic surgery and residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1991, Dr. Pettine founded the Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine. Kenneth Pettine is also the founder of Paisley Laboratories and the co-founder of the Society for Ambulatory Spine Surgery. In addition, he co-invented the Prestige cervical artificial disc and the Maverick Artificial Disc. Dr. Pettine is the principal investigator of 18 FDA studies involving non-fusion implants, biologics, and stem cells. He holds the only two issued U.S. patents for performing stem cell joint and spinal injections and currently has 21 additional patents pending for bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell applications. Contact: Kenneth Pettine https://www.kenneth-pettine.com/ apply@kennethpettinescholarship.com SOURCE: Kenneth Pettine View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/573014/Kenneth-Pettine-Officially-Launches-Scholarship-Program Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts are increasingly common among New Jersey teens. Now, schools might have a chance to identify students who need help sooner rather than later. New Jersey is one step away from universal depression screening in grades 7 through 12 following approval Monday by the state Senate and Assembly. Both houses passed a bill mandating annual depression screening in public schools, and it now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy to either sign or veto. As long as parents consent, students would complete a computerized screening survey at school, and the district would notify parents if their child has been flagged for signs of depression. The screening results are not a formal diagnosis. Schools would advise parents they should share the results with their childs doctor. If a young person is experiencing feelings of sadness and hopelessness caused by depression, those feelings wont simply go away," said Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, who sponsored the bill. Depression is an illness, not a phase. The bill passed 25-14 in the Senate and 69-4-1 in the Assembly. Though still rare, suicide has increased among young people both in New Jersey and nationwide. The number of suicides among 10 to 24 year olds increased 56% between 2007 and 2017, according to federal data. In 2017, New Jersey documented 100 suicides in the 15- to 24-year-old age group, its highest total since the 1990s. An NJ Advance Media investigation published in October found tens of thousands of New Jersey students attend schools without the recommended number of counselors, and mental health treatment remains inaccessible or unaffordable for many families. The typical teenager with clinical depression goes several years before symptoms appear and treatment begins, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Lawmakers hope to change that. We have heard the news stories about kids who have taken their own lives because their anguish was so great they felt there was no other way out, said Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-Burlington. We must be more proactive so that we are not simply reacting to tragedies, but preventing them before they take place. Its unclear how much the screenings would cost. The state departments of Health and Education would be required to set standards for what screening tool should be used and other protocol for implementing the law. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. ISTANBUL - Iran said Tuesday that arrests have been made in connection with the downing of a Ukrainian airliner by mistake, as the president called for a special court to investigate the crash that set off days of anti-government protests. Gholamhossein Esmaili, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary, said Tuesday that "some individuals" have been arrested over the past three days after "extensive investigations," but he did not provide any details about the identities of the suspects or say how many people have been detained. An Iranian air defense battery shot down the plane last week, killing all 176 people on board during a hair-trigger standoff with the United States after a U.S. drone strike killed Iran's powerful Quds Force commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, earlier this month. Tehran retaliated last Wednesday, firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles at facilities in Iraq hosting U.S. troops. In the hours after those attacks, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 with a surface-to-air missile. It later blamed the strike on "human error." Listed among the dead were 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, including the crew. Most, if not all, of the Canadians were reported to be of Iranian origin or dual nationals. Iranian officials initially denied reports that the plane was brought down, but they admitted Saturday that the Revolutionary Guard, which maintains military bases in the area of the crash, shot it down by mistake. Over the next few days, protests flared on the streets of Tehran and other cities, led by students criticizing the missile strike and the initial denials. They chanted rare denunciations of Iran's leadership, putting the government on the defensive. The protests continued Tuesday. Videos posted on social media showed dozens of students gathered at the University of Tehran. "Without honor. Without honor," they chanted. "Our hands are empty. Put away your baton!" In a speech Tuesday, President Hassan Rouhani addressed the crash at length, calling for a special court "with a high-ranking judge and dozens of experts" to investigate. "This is not a normal case, and the whole world will follow the case in our court," he said, according to a transcript of his remarks posted on his official website. "Our people know that this accident was the result of an error and mistake, but who was involved and what circumstances led to the accident?" he said. His remarks appeared to cast blame partly on the United States, which he said had "inflamed the atmosphere and made the situation abnormal, threatened and took our loved ones from us." "All of this is true, but it does not mean that we should not address all the root causes of the incident," he added. "It is not just the one who pressed the button, but rather there are others, and I want this matter to be explained to people honestly." Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Rouhani also appeared to fault military leaders for waiting days to announce that the plane had been shot down, and he urged the authorities "to explain to the public the whole process." Rouhani has no control over the judiciary or the military, both of which are under the direct supervision of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "It is very important for our people that whoever, at any level, was to blame should be introduced and whoever is to be punished, should be punished," Rouhani said. "The most important thing is that people have to be sure that such incidents will not happen again." - - - The Washington Post's Erin Cunningham contributed to this report. Ashameera Aiyappan By Express News Service Santosh Sivan speaks of cinematography like one would about poetry. He calls himself natures student and speaks of how the world wakes up to monochromes in the morning, and soft light slowly waking up colours in the air. The day, he says, holds the Navarasas for us. Sunlight even dictates architecture and it is beautiful to be a student of that. Santoshs work has shown that he tries to recreate these observations in films. To an extent, he says with a smile. Everything with life has a mystery to it. I try to create a blend of darkness and light to see if theres mystery in the frame, says the veteran cinematographer, who is the first Indian to be part of the coveted the American Society of Cinematographers. NOT A REVIEW | Why the 'Thalaiva' experience of 'Darbar' mattered more than the film One might think that for someone who sees such philosophy in art, commercial cinema might not be the best fit. But Santosh Sivan refutes that with a diverse body of work. His last film, for example, is Darbar in which he collaborated with Murugadoss and Rajinikanth. He treated faces as landscapes here, he says. If you are going to film anything, there should be something from your perspective. Excerpts follow: The last time you worked with Rajinikanth was Thalapathi (1991). How have you evolved as a technician in this time? We only look at the perspective provided by a film. Thalapathi had more scope for nature in its cinematography; Darbar meanwhile has an urban setting and is the story of a cop, a baaad cop. (laughs). The visual possibilities are limited here. But then, I figured we would treat Rajini sirs face as a landscape. With the help of makeup and costumes, we lit him to make him look like he did when he was younger. If you had done Darbar back then, would you have approached it the same way? If its the same story, there is only one way to go about it. You cant work independently of it. This is a film Murugadoss had discussed with me when we were making Thuppakki. He has wanted to work with Rajinikanth for more than a decade, and we decided that when it happens, I would shoot the film. It was a commitment I enjoyed making in order to get to work with Rajini sir. Shooting Darbar was like watching it in a theatre because the sets were full of cheering and whistling fans. (smiles) Rajini sir has a presence that radiates on screen; if he is in the frame, you would look at him. With Thalapathi, we were obsessed with the metaphor in the film, but here, we wanted to make Rajini look younger. This could be done on account of Rajinis energy, which defies his age. He has always been charming, now hes even more so. After the shoot, he would walk to the vanity in the same way that he would have earlier done for a shot. INTERVIEW | AR Murugadoss says 'Petta' was instrumental in 'Darbar' getting made The tone and style of the film get conceived over multiple discussions with the director. How were those conversations with Murugadoss? Darbar was shot in Bombay, which is full of colours, lights, and neon. So we wanted to bring that in. Even in the railway station fight, we made sure it was a vibrant place as we also have a song going on in the background. We put Rajinikanth through all kinds of moods, in various parts of the film. If you see it carefully, he goes through an array of colours or hues. It isnt very deliberate but it is definitely there. You have said that big commercial films serve to have you do experimental films. Initially, when I started, I used to work only with newcomers. You would imbibe their energy, and learn from them. When you make a film with stars, theres a formula to it. It doesnt get experimental. So when this helps me do what I want to, I am happy. It isnt always the script, its also the people. Agreeing to do a film is a commitment and it is better when you know the people you are comfortable with. It is about diversifying your roster, and not just pick films for the money. 'Darbar' review: An enthusiastic Rajinikanth propels this passable bad cop film What do you enjoy about commercial cinema? Commercial cinema touches peoples lives again and again. For example, the songs are engrossing. You film a song and it gets played after ten years. Our songs are beyond language. When Arriflex interviewed me, they wanted Chaiyya Chaiyya in that video. Chaiyya Chaiyya has strangely inspired Dancer in the Dark if you look at it. Music, like feature films, has great recall value. I think I love that; when you see it, you remember everything. You worked through the transformation from film to digital. How do you perceive the shift? When I used to sketch, it was considered original. When photography came, the original was a negative. And when it was digitised, it became a copy. In the sense, it was a lamp that was lighting another one. I was prepared for it. Film had more adventure to it. But the truth is, no matter the technology, the sensibilities dont change. It has to have roots in your culture in your handicrafts and visual arts. Those make us what we are. It is like how you get the best fish curry at a fishermans house because the fish is fresh. When you film something, you should be able to smell it. Why do our films struggle to find global acclaim? Some say we need to give them what they understand, and others feel we should present stories that are unapologetically about us. I was invited to be part of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) because they found my work to be diverse and different. We have our own way of decorative arts. They love it and thats what they look for from India. Here, people think it is a compliment when someone says our film looks like a Hollywood one. I think thats ridiculous. Europes filmmaking is almost wiped out because of Hollywood. But we have retained our individuality. A famous journalist from Longford was sent to jail by the Military Tribunal that pontificated over Irish judicial matters around the war years. His name was Joseph Dennigan and his crime was that he refused to reveal the sources from which he derived an important political story. In contrast to Irish law, an American journalist was recently freed on appeal for the same misdemeanor; he refused to reveal confidential matters supplied to him by the organisation known as the Black Panthers. Another contrast again was that of the jailing of the BBC man Bernard Falk for refusing to identify his interviewee as an IRA man. Northern Ireland justice was diminished by that decision. Again this week the citadel of the press is being assaulted by representatives of so-called democracy. An Irish political magazine This Week obtained exclusive information on certain activities just prior and eventually leading up to the Arms Trial. Last week the Dail Committee set up to investigate the Funds for the North demanded that the editor should make the material he had gathered available to them. Legally the Irish courts can arraign pressmen for keeping their guarantees to their sources, in fact, the Irish courts can arraign priests on the same count because the law here does not yet recognise the inviolability of the confessional. Fine Gael general election candidates have been asked to sign a party pledge confirming there is nothing in their past life they have not revealed which could bring the party into disrepute. At a parliamentary party meeting last week, candidates signed an amended pledge confirming they had revealed any matter, including views they may have held, which could be a breach of Fine Gaels ethos and principles. It follows a number of controversies involving previous candidates, including Maria Bailey and Verona Murphy. The candidates were asked to confirm they had no pending prosecutions or prior convictions other than minor road traffic offences which resulted in fines of less than 500. They pledged they had revealed any Revenue Commissioner, Work Place Relations, Labour Court or Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement judgments made against them. Any civil litigation taken against them or their companies was also to be revealed to the party general secretary. In the aftermath of the Maria Bailey controversy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would be instructing all election candidates to reveal any involvement in legal proceedings. He said he would also introduce a new party pledge which all candidates would be required to sign. The pledge was updated this month and given to candidates last week when they met in Dublin to discuss the forthcoming general election. Yesterday, the Taoiseach was still refusing to reveal the election date which he is expected to name in the coming days. Party colleagues are expecting him to announce it before Thursday to allow him the option of calling the election between February 7 and 14. Mr Varadkar is due to discuss the election with Cabinet ministers this morning before meeting with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and other party leaders. However, last night ministers were suggesting the Taoiseach may not tell them the election date but rather inform them of how he plans to announce it. Mr Martin launched a scathing attack on the Taoiseach and Fine Gael yesterday over their record on housing and health while in Government. Speaking on RTE Radio One, he said Fine Gael had "not prioritised health" while in Government for the past nine years and said the party was putting forward budgets that "don't reflect reality". He also said the housing crisis was a "desperate indictment" on Fine Gael's ability to "get things done" and said some in the party turned their noses up at the idea of social housing. Mr Martin also claimed the Taoiseach told him during their talks on the election date that he was not sure he could rely on Ms Bailey's support if a no-confidence motion was tabled against Health Minister Simon Harris. On Twitter, Mr Harris hit back at the Fianna Fail leader, asking: "Who is this new politician/agent of change", before adding: "Oh he's not new. "He was in the cabinet that left the country bust. He was the minister for foreign affairs who lost the EU referendum. He was the minister for health who set up the HSE." Mr Martin's colleagues in turn targeted the Health Minister online with Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne saying: "Simon, please get off Twitter and get back to work. "There are hundreds of people waiting on trolleys, kids being denied chemo (chemotherapy) and operations not being done." Debates Mr Varadkar was in Northern Ireland meeting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the newly restored power-sharing executive when the political fighting broke out. Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday Mr Martin has signed up to a televised head-to-head election debate with the Taoiseach on Virgin Media. However, Mr Varadkar has yet to confirm he will take on the Fianna Fail leader in the debate being proposed by the station. The Taoiseach's spokesperson said Mr Varadkar was looking forward to debating Mr Martin, but would consider all debates based on their merit. RTE has yet to decide if it will hold a head-to-head debate featuring the leaders of the two main parties. How literate need to be educated: BJP MP hits back on Satya Nadella's remarks India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 14: Taking on Microsoft's Indian-born CEO Satya Nadella over his remarks on the Citizenship Amendment Act, BJP MP Meenakashi Lekhi on Tuesday said it is the "perfect example" of how the literate need to be educated. Responding to a question by BuzzFeed on the CAA, Nadella was quoted as saying that what is happening in the country is "sad" and "just bad". Speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in New York, he also said he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India create the next unicorn in India. What is happening is sad: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella voices concern over CAA "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example," Lekhi said on Twitter in response, and also posted Nadella's statement issued by Microsoft India. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News "Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA?" she went on to say. After the BuzzFeed tweet quoting Nadella, Microsoft India issued a statement in which its CEO said every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. "And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," Nadella said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Nairobi, January 14, 2020 Ugandan police should drop all charges against journalist Willy Tamale and cease harassing reporters for their political coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 6, police in central Ugandas Wakiso district detained four journalists who were covering a planned political event by opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, according to news reports and Facebook posts by Robert Ssempala, the executive director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, a local press rights group. Police released three of the journalists later that day without charge, but detained Tamale, a reporter with the Luganda-language television station BBS Terefayina and a contributor to the Tamie Imagez YouTube page, until the following evening at the nearby Kasangati police station, according to Tamale and Ssempala, both of whom spoke to CPJ via messaging app. BBS Terefayina is associated with the Kingdom of Buganda, a sub-national kingdom in central Uganda, according to the kingdoms website, and Tamie Imagez is a privately owned outlet that publishes content supportive of Bobi Wine, according to CPJs review of its programming. Ssempala told CPJ that police initially claimed that they were holding Tamale on charges of incitement. On January 7, authorities charged Tamale with disturbance and obstruction, and released him on police bond pending investigation, though they did not cite a specific law that hes alleged to have broken, according to Tamale and a police document reviewed by CPJ. Police requested Tamale check in at the Kasangati station on January 13; when he did, they asked that he return on January 20, Tamale and Ssempala said. On January 8, government security personnel in Lira, in northern Uganda, barred journalists from covering another of Bobi Wines planned public meetings and forcibly deleted pictures taken by two reporters, Denis Okello of Voice of Lango FM and Bismark Olang of Unity FM, according to the journalists, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Arresting and harassing journalists who cover opposition events robs the Ugandan public of its right to stay informed about democratic processes in the country, said CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. Police should immediately drop any charges against Willy Tamale, and security personnel should provide public guarantees that journalists covering opposition politicians can do so safely. The January 6 and 8 events were part of a planned series of public consultations that Bobi Wine announced as part of his run for president in Ugandas 2021 elections, according to news reports. Police have repeatedly disrupted and stopped the meetings from taking place, according to those reports. The other journalists arrested alongside Tamale on January 6 included Ssematimba Bwejire, a senior reporter with the privately owned Radio Simba, and Edward Kisekka, a video journalist with the privately owned broadcaster NBS TV, both of whom were detained for about an hour and then released without charge, the journalists told CPJ via messaging app. Officers in plainclothes questioned Kisekka about why he had been filming them and forced him to delete footage that he had recorded, Kisekka told CPJ via messaging app. He said that one of the officers claimed that journalists were paid to fuel instability. Because the officers were not wearing uniforms, he said he did not know what agency or police department they were from. Police in Wakiso also arrested and briefly detained Arnold Sseremba, a reporter with NTV Uganda, according to a Facebook post by the station and a report by its sister publication, the Daily Monitor newspaper. At the Bobi Wine event at the Pacific Grand Hotel in Lira on January 8, military officers approached Okello and Olang, asked why they were taking pictures, and confiscated their phones and Olangs motorbike, the journalists told CPJ. Later that day, when Okello and Olang went to retrieve their gear, officers forced them to unlock their phones and deleted photos they had taken of the venue, the journalists said. In a separate incident on January 8, police officers at a checkpoint outside Lira stopped a group of reporters from several media houses who had travelled from the capital, Kampala, to cover Bobi Wines events, and told them to report to the nearest police station, according to a report by the Daily Monitor. The journalists abandoned their van and travelled by motorbike taxi to cover the event, according to Olang and Okello, who met the journalists at the event. Peter Nkulega, the regional police commander with jurisdiction over Lira, referred CPJ to Uganda national police spokesperson Fred Enanga for comment. Enanga did not answer phone calls or respond to text messages sent by CPJ asking for comment on the incidents in both Lira and Wakiso. Military spokesperson Richard Karemire, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview, said that no reports had been filed to the army about any incidents involving journalists in Lira. He said any reports would be investigated if they were filed. In May 2019, Ugandas broadcasting regulator ordered 13 local stations to suspend staffers in connection with their coverage of Bobi Wine, and in September 2018 police arrested at least eight journalists covering the politician, according to CPJ reporting from the time. (Alliance News) - PureCircle Ltd on Tuesday said an audit of its belated financial 2019 results are still ongoing. In addition, the Stevia sweetener producer proposed three new directors to add to its board during its February annual general meeting. PureCircle, whose shares are suspended from trading because it is yet to publish its results for the year to June 30, 2019, said a shareholder motion in relation to the annual report will be put to shareholders no later than 90 days following its February 10 AGM. The company also proposed adding Sridhar Krishnan, Lai Hock Meng and Olivier Maes to its board. PureCircle shareholders will vote on whether to add the trio to the company's board during the AGM. PureCircle said: "Sridhar Krishnan is currently serving in an advisory capacity to organizations covering a cross section of industries. His 44 years of global experience extends to various industries such as the textile and agri-commodity industries." Hock Meng previously served on the PureCircle board as a non-executive director between June 2008 and March 2017, the company said. Maes has held various roles with French food products firm Danone SA, PureCircle said, including a stint as the head of its biscuits and snack unit in the southeast Asia region. PureCircle Chair John Slosar said: "The existing directors have considered and assessed the proposed directors and believe that the board will continue to maintain a balance of knowledge and skills. Your board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of all the resolutions including resolutions to elect the proposed directors, to be put forth at the coming AGM." By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Grindr, Tinder and OkCupid are all sharing user's personal data with thousands of advertising partners, including information about their sexuality and location, according to a new study. The popular dating apps are said to be handing over the sensitive details to around 100 other businesses, a Norwegian consumer group said Tuesday. Grindr, which markets itself as the 'world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people,' shares the GPS data, IP addresses, ages and genders of its users, a report by The Norwegian Consumer Council found. According to the government-funded non-profit organisation, the sharing of this data implicitly discloses users' sexual orientations and in some cases drug use. Tinder is also accused of sharing user data with at least 45 companies owned by the Match Group, which operates a dating website of the same name. The study also found that OkCupid shares information from users' personal profiles related to sexuality, drug use and political views with an analytics company, while Tinder shares location and age with marketing firms. Other apps, including Qibla Finder, which orients Muslims towards Mecca for prayer, Clue and MyDays used for monitoring fertility periods, Virtual makeup app Perfect 365 and the children's app My Talking Tom 2 were also criticized. The report, titled 'Out of Control', examines the collection and use of personal data by 10 popular apps and concludes that the advertising industry is 'systematically breaking the law' in the country. Popular dating apps like Grindr and OkCupid share personal data about users, including their location and sexuality, with about 100 other businesses, a Norwegian consumer group say The study also found that OkCupid shares information from users' personal profiles related to sexuality, drug use and political views with an analytics company, while the dating app Tinder shares location and age with marketing firms 'Sharing location data for gay people can be risky in certain extreme circumstances,' Norway's data protection commissioner Bjorn Erik Thon, said in a statement. 'There are still some who do not want to be open about their orientation, and there are many countries in the world where being gay carries great risks.' In the US consumer groups have written to regulators asking them to look into whether the apps have broken any federal and state laws there. They wrote: 'All of these apps are available to users in the US and many of the companies involved are headquartered in the US.' The California Consumer Privacy Act, a law which took effect January 1 to be enforced July 1, gives consumers control over the personal information companies collect, store and often share with other enterprises. It aims to protect consumers from having their information sold without their knowledge or consent and was modeled on the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation, which took effect in May 2018. 'Consumers have no meaningful ways to resist or otherwise protect themselves from the effects of profiling (including) different forms of discrimination and exclusion,' a statement from the NCC said. Users 'have no way of knowing which entities process their data and how to stop them,' the report added. The NCC lodged complaints against Grindr and five of its partners with Norway's data protection agency. Director of digital policy Finn Myrstad said: 'These practices are out of control and in breach of European data protection legislation.' 'It is impossible for users to control this because the terms and conditions are really long and impossible to understand,' he added. Grindr, which is owned by Chinese gaming company Beijing Kunlun Tech, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Match Group, which owns OkCupid and Tinder, said in a statement that it used third party providers to assist its services but only shared information deemed necessary to operate its platforms, in line with the applicable laws The Match Group, which owns OkCupid and Tinder, said in a statement that it used third party providers to assist its services but only shared information deemed necessary to operate its platforms, in line with the applicable laws. 'Privacy is at the core of our business,' the company said. Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny over data privacy, fueled by 2018's Cambridge Analytica scandal in which tens of millions of Facebook profiles were harvested without their users' consent. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented in 2018, heavily restricts companies' ability to process and share personal information without users' consent, with hefty fines for firms that break the rules. CHICAGO Gov. J.B. Pritzkers top agriculture official resigned this weekend after the administration learned he had knowledge of a July 2012 email in which a powerful lobbyist and close confidant of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan sought leniency for a state worker who he said had kept his mouth shut about the rape in Champaign. Pritzker was disturbed that John Sullivan, a former longtime state senator from Rushville in western Illinois, became aware of the existence of the July 31, 2012, email contemporaneously, and did not handle it appropriately, including not alerting the inspector general or other authorities, Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in a statement Monday. The governors office asked for Sullivans resignation, which he gave, Pritzkers office said. Sullivan, who did not seek reelection in 2016 and joined the Pritzker administration last year, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The email in question, first reported last week by WBEZ, was sent by Mike McClain, a former lobbyist for ComEd and a close adviser to Madigan, to two officials in the administration of then-Gov. Pat Quinn. McClain sought leniency for Forrest Ashby, a longtime state worker who was facing a disciplinary hearing. The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that investigators are examining whether the rape in Champaign remark referred to a man who sexually assaulted a young girl after being released early from prison. A source told the Tribune investigators are looking at the case of Scott Wayne Thompson, who is being held at a state facility for sex crime offenders in Rushville. Thompson received early release from prison in May 2010 and then was charged with and convicted of sex abuse in February 2011, records show. When Thompson went to the Rushville facility, Asbhy was working there as a hospital manager, according to McClain's email to state officials. Director Sullivan had a long and productive public service career as a state senator, and the governor is grateful for his willingness to serve in the administration. Director Sullivan put together an outstanding team at the Department of Agriculture, and as a result, the departments work thrived, Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in the statement. In a statement first reported by WBEZ, the former ag director said the inquiry from Pritzkers general counsel led him to a review of my own personal emails from that same period of time. My search discovered a forwarded copy of McClains July 31, 2012, email reported by WBEZ. I shared this information with Governor Pritzkers general counsel, he said in the statement. Sullivan said summer 2012 was a stressful time as he was in the middle of a re-election campaign and preparing for cancer surgery in Baltimore. I was already well aware of McClains efforts to keep me informed of his advocacy on behalf of Ashby, and l simply did not read the entire forwarded email, he said. Had I read the email thoroughly, my reaction would have been disgust and I would have immediately notified proper authorities. Nevertheless, the email was in my inbox and not reading the entire email led to my failure to immediately respond as I would have. Bottom line, I accept responsibility for what was truly an unintentional oversight and the subsequent inaction. Sullivan served as majority caucus whip under former Senate President Emil Jones Jr. and as assistant majority leader during the presidency of John Cullerton, whose successor is scheduled to be chosen this Sunday. Pritzkers office said the information relayed by Sullivan was forwarded to investigators. The governors general counsel has shared all of the information she learned from Director Sullivan with the Office of the Executive Inspector General and offered to share this information with all law enforcement agencies looking into this situation. The administration will continue to assist in the ongoing investigation, Bittner said. Jeremy Flynn, who served as Sullivans chief of staff, was appointed by Pritzker on Monday afternoon as his former bosss interim successor. Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report. 15 new Illinois laws for 2020 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Although Apple turned down a request by U.S. Attorney General William Barr to unlock two iPhones used by a terrorist suspect in a recent deadly shooting, the FBI appears to already have the tools needed to access the smartphones. Apple rejected a request from Barr to help unlock two iPhones used by the shooter, 21-year-old Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani. He is believed to have acted alone when he shot and killed three service members and wounded several others at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. last month. Alshamrani, a member of the Saudi Air Force and an aviation student at the base, was shot dead on the scene by police. The back-and-forth between Apple and the Department of Justice is the latest scuffle involving the company's privacy stance and government efforts to get around that it. A search warrant, first discovered by Forbes, indicated the FBI already has the blackbox technology necessary to crack password-protected smart phones. According to that warrant, FBI investigators in Ohio last year used technology from Atlanta-based Grayshift to access a locked iPhone 11 Pro Max, which belonged to Baris Ali Koch. Koch was accused of helping his brother, who'd been convicted of a hate crime, flee the country. Atlanta-based Grayshift is one of two companies that claimed it could thwart Apple iPhone passcode security through brute-force attacks. The other is Israeli-based Cellebrite. Both companies claimed they could get around iPhone security through brute-force attacks and full file-system extraction, or a physical extraction or full file system (File-Based Encryption) extraction on many high-end Android device. Cellebrites UFED Cloud Analyzer tool can purportedly unlock, decrypt and extract phone data, including real-time mobile data call logs, contacts, calendar, SMS, MMS, media files, apps data, chats, passwords, according a document obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). Grayshifts GrayKey blackbox could apparently unlock an iPhone in about two hours if the owner used a four-digit passcode and in about three days or longer if a six-digit passcode was used. In 2018, Apple said it was able to resecure its iPhone against Grayshift's GrayKey blackbox through an iOS update. The FBI warrant, however, indicates that update may not have been as succesful as Apple hoped. Regardless, the government still appears to prefer that Apple simply put a backdoor in its platform for law enforcement to access during criminal investigations. If the government succeeds in forcing Apple to subvert iPhone security, corporate IT managers will be put in a sticky situation, said Alan Butler, general counsel for EPIC. That's because most employees either use smartphones under "bring your own device" (BYOD) policies or rely on company devices to conduct business and transfer sensitive information, whether its communications or data schematics. "That's a lot of sensitive information that may be privileged, that may be trade secrets or covered by [International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)] so [it's] things you have a legal obligation to protect," Butler said. "So companies also need assurances that the hardware theyre deploying is secure. If the government is ordering the company to introduce flaws into the security of the hardware or software ... it could compromise that corporate data." Apple disputed Barr's claim that it hadnt given substantative assistance in the investigation, noting it provided access to the cloud service used to back up data on Alshamranis phones. Our responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing, Apple said. Within hours of the FBI's first request on December 6th, we produced a wide variety of information associated with the investigation. From December 7th through the 14th, we received six additional legal requests and in response provided information including iCloud backups, account information and transactional data for multiple accounts. In fact, Apple appears to have acquiesced to an FBI request that it kill plans to let iPhone owners fully encrypt data backups to its iCloud service. The proposed change to its data backup policy, now two years old, was reported this week. As for its stance against backdoors, Apple said: "We have always maintained there is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys. Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers. Today, law enforcement has access to more data than ever before in history, so Americans do not have to choose between weakening encryption and solving investigations. We feel strongly encryption is vital to protecting our country and our users' data." Kurt Opsahl, deputy executive director of the non-profit digital rights advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Apple is right to provide strong security to its users, requiring a passcode or biometrics to unlock their smartphones. The Attorney Generals request that Apple re-engineer its phones to break that security imperils millions of innocent Americans and others around the globe, and is a poor trade-off for security policy, Opsahl said. Vladimir Katalov, CEO of Russian forensic tech provider ElcomSoft, called Barr's request unrealistic because Apple cant technically unlock iPhones because of file-based encryption and secure enclave technology; it boots up separately from iOS and runs its own microkernel not directly accessible by the iPhone operating system. Of course, it is technically possible to add backdoors, implement escrow keys and things like that. But first, one cannot legally regulate the technology - secure communication channels and [secure data storage] will still remain and no government can force any person not to use the encryption, or use only a certified one, Katalov said via email. Second, such backdoors will be exploited by criminals now or later. The consequences may be catastrophic. By including a method to unlock smartphones at will, Apple would be opening up all of its smartphones to potential attacks by any bad actor, Katalov said. The latest request by the Justice Department is part of an ongoing struggle between law enforcement and Apple. In 2016, the Justice Department, backed by a federal court injunction, ordered Apple to unlock the iPhone of Syed Rizwan Farook, a suspect in the San Bernadino terrorist attack, in December of that year. At the time, Apple CEO Tim Cook said his company couldnt give the FBI any more help, claimed that utilizing the law justifying the courts order was unprecedented and again refused to help unlock the iPhone. Treatment for breast cancer commonly includes radiation therapy, which offers good chances of success but comes with a serious long-term side effect: toxicity due to radiation that reaches the heart, causing DNA damage in healthy heart cells. Over time, this can lead to heart disease and eventually heart failure. A new study conducted by researchers in the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences suggests that a preventive solution may lie in the biological clock, the built-in time-keeping mechanism that keeps us on a 24-hour cycle of rest and activity and regulates a wide variety of processes in our bodies. Published in the FASEB Journal, their study used a rodent model to determine whether the biological clock is involved in heart toxicity from radiation therapy and could be used as part of a strategy to reduce this toxicity. Their findings showed that after receiving a dose of radiation to the heart, mice with disrupted biological clocks had significantly worse heart function than control mice. In addition, the researchers demonstrated that a protein known as Bmal1--which drives 24-hour rhythms in the expression of many genes--plays an important role in protecting the heart from radiation-related damage. Our findings suggest that Bmal1 serves as a biomarker for the susceptibility to radiation-induced DNA damage to the heart." Shobhan Gaddameedhi, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the study's senior author Though more research is needed, the researchers are hopeful that their discovery could someday be used to improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients. Panshak Dakup--the study's first author and a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences student--said their finding holds promise for personalized medicine. "For example, in breast cancer patients who have a long history of working night shifts, the expression of biological clock proteins such as Bmal1 may be compromised, and it could be that radiation therapy is not the best option for them." Gaddameedhi added that it could also be used to optimize the timing of radiation therapy so it is provided when a patient's Bmal1 level offers the greatest level of protection from heart damage. That timing may vary depending on a person's chronotype--whether they are early birds or night owls--as well as on other factors that influence the status of the master biological clock, such as shiftwork or frequent travel across time zones. Dakup conducted the experiments for the study as part of a predoctoral fellowship supported by the American Heart Association. Additional major support for the study came from the National Institutes of Health. In the study's main experiment, Dakup looked at the heart function of two groups of mice with disrupted clocks, as compared to that of control mice. One group had a genetic mutation that eliminated Per1 and Per2--two genes that control the body's master biological clock. The second group were wild-type mice that were put on a simulated rotating shift schedule in which light-dark cycles were reversed weekly, throwing off their clocks. The control group consisted of wild-type mice with healthy biological clocks that were on a simulated day shift schedule. All mice received radiation treatment to the chest that included all of the heart. Collaborating with assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and cardiovascular biology expert Zhaokang Cheng, Dakup used ultrasound echocardiography technology to compare heart function among the three groups, both prior to and up to six weeks after radiation treatment. In clock-disrupted mice, the heart's ability to pump blood out and into circulation was compromised due to a loss of elasticity in the heart ventricle. Those mice also had more heart scar tissue than control mice. Additional analyses focused on determining a potential relationship with the biological clock protein Bmal1. The researchers showed that Bmal1 levels across 24 hours were significantly lower in clock-disrupted mice versus control mice and peaked at a later time. They also found that higher levels of Bmal1 were associated with lower DNA damage levels, and vice versa. Finally, the researchers found that Bmal1 interacts with the BRCA1, BRCA2, and ATM genes, three DNA damage response genes they said are important in fighting against radiation-induced DNA damage and cell death. "When Bmal1 binds to these genes, it is potentially trying to elevate or activate their function against the collateral damage caused by radiation therapy," Gaddameedhi said. The researchers' next step is to test their hypothesis in a cancer model. This will help them pin down the exact mechanism by which the biological clock protects the heart from radiation damage. They could then use this knowledge to develop new treatment strategies to minimize heart damage while maximizing the ability to kill tumor cells. Any such strategies would first need to be tested in clinical trials before they could be adopted. Located on a 569-acre land between the beautiful Salton Sea and Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Titan Solar 1 Project will be comprised of over 260,000 panels and will generate over 218,000 MWhs of renewable energy each year, which is enough to power over 26,900 homes annually. The project is anticipated to be operational in Q4 2020. In attendance for the ceremony were District Representative from State Senator Ben Hueso Office John Garcia, Field Representative from Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia Office Iveth Diaz, Imperial County Supervisor Ray Castillo, Deputy CEO Esperanza Colio Warren, Director of Planning & Development Services Jim Minnick, Director of Public Works John Gay, Director of Workforce & Economic Development Office Priscilla Avendano Lopez, Imperial Irrigation District Board Directors Alex Cardenas and James C. Hanks, Morgan Stanley Executive Director Ali Yazdi, Climate Action Campaign Climate Justice Advocate Jose Trinidad Castaneda and CNBM Triumph Science & Technology Group Co. CFO and VP Mr. Tang Liwei and many other esteemed guests. "At Sunpin Solar, we care deeply about our communities and environment. Titan Solar 1 is another project we will work closely with Imperial County and IID on. We are committed to providing our best expertise to build this project and more in the future," said Tom Li, CEO and President of Sunpin Solar. "I am super excited about this project," said Director Cardenas from Imperial Irrigation District. "Sunpin is actually providing the gold standard when it comes to this type of project. As a public utility, it is our job to do our part to make a difference at home and for the greater good." "We have been in solar development since 2012. Of all the projects that have been built since then, this project is one of the most beneficial to the County of Imperial. I want to thank Sunpin for choosing the Valley," commented Imperial County Supervisor Ray Castillo. Titan Solar 1 Project is interconnected to the grid of Imperial Irrigation District and has a greenhouse gas (GHG) equivalency of offsetting over 154,300 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Titan Solar 1 project will create over 400 green jobs during peak construction. A signing ceremony followed unveiling the next large solar project Sunpin Solar will build with its partner CNBM a 120+ MW solar project in California. Sunpin Solar also announced its recent certification as a Green Business by the City of Irvine Green Business Program as part of the California Green Business Network. This recognition signifies that we are conducting our business using strategies aimed at improving employee wellness and productivity, energy savings, water efficiency, resource stewardship and reducing CO2 emissions. About Sunpin Solar Established in 2012 and ranked as a 2018 Top 5 Solar Developer and 2019 Top 3 Solar Developer in the United States by Solar Power World, Sunpin Solar is a leading solar energy development company that acquires, develops and finances utility-scale solar projects in the US. Headquartered in Irvine California, Sunpin Solar provides solar energy project development expertise with regional offices and personnel in Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, Texas, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Sunpin Solar has established prosperous relationships with corporate energy buyers, landowners, housing authorities, municipalities, electric utilities and financiers. To learn more, visit sunpinsolar.us and follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. PRESS CONTACT Sunpin Solar Sunny Xing 714-975-0306 [email protected] SOURCE Sunpin Solar Related Links http://www.sunpinsolar.us Jewellery firm Divine Solitaires on Tuesday launched an e-commerce platform for selling its range of solitaire jewellery and diamonds. The products will be priced in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 80 lakh and will be delivered to about 27,000 city pin codes across the country, the company said in a statement. Divine Solitaries founder and Managing Director Jignesh Mehta said solitaire shopping has been made hassle-free with the launch of the platform. Buyers will able to choose solitaires right from 0.10 carat to 2.99 carat in different shapes and colour range, he added. The company, established in 2006, has presence in 160 stores across 82 cities in India and has also reached out to consumers in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives on January 14 will decide when to transmit the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, the legislative chambers speaker, Nancy Pelosi (Democrat-California), has said. Speaking on an ABC news program on January 12, Pelosi said a vote will take place on the timing of sending formal charges of impeachment to the Senate for a trial and naming of trial managers in the House who will act as prosecutors during the judicial proceedings. The rules of the Senate trial remain unsettled, including the naming of additional witnesses to testify. However, Trump is expected to be acquitted of charges that he abused the power of his office for personal gain and then obstructed Congress. Democrats in the House accuse Trump of prodding Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden who is seen as a potential competitor in this years presidential election. Trump had withheld nearly $400 million in military aid for Kyiv while asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys administration to pursue investigations into Biden and his son Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm. Trump is accused of obstructing Congress by withholding documents that the House had requested during the fact-finding phase of the impeachment inquiry. He also allegedly blocked the testimony of administration officials and agencies during the impeachment inquiry. Trumps fellow Republicans who control the Senate by a margin of 53-47 are expected to acquit him. The president has insisted he has done nothing wrong and dismissed the impeachment inquiry as a hoax and a witch hunt. It will be the third impeachment trial in U.S. history. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP RTHK: Queen agrees to Harry and Meghan 'stepping back' Britain's Queen Elizabeth has to grant Prince Harry and and his wife Meghan their wish for a more independent life, allowing them to move part-time to Canada while remaining firmly in the House of Windsor. The British monarch said that a summit of senior royals on Monday was constructive, and that it had been agreed that there will be a period of transition' in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time in Canada and the UK." The meeting at the queen's Sandringham estate in eastern England marked the first face-to-face talks with Harry since he and Meghan unveiled their plan to step back from their royal roles. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family,'' the queen said in a statement. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.'' Buckingham Palace said a range of possibilities would be discussed, but the queen was determined to resolve the situation within days, not weeks." Buckingham Palace stressed, however, that any decision will take time to be implemented." A key issue is precisely what it means for a royal to be financially independent, and what they can do to make money. Other royals who have ventured into the world of commerce have found it complicated. Prince Andrew, for example, has come under intense scrutiny over his relationship with the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew relinquished royal duties and patronages after a woman said Epstein trafficked her into having sex with the prince when she was just 17. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also face questions on paying for taxpayer-funded security. Home Secretary Priti Patel refused to comment, but said safety was a priority. There were signs earlier in the day that the House of Windsor had moved to unite. Princes William and Harry issued a joint statement criticising a newspaper article on the severe strain in their relationship, calling the story offensive and potentially harmful as they embark on talks regarding the future of the British monarchy. Though the statement didn't name the newspaper, the Times of London had a front page story about the crisis in which a source alleged that Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by the bullying attitude from" William. The joint statement insisted that the story was false.' For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful, the statement said. (AP) This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the start of the new year, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation's leading certifying organization for pharmacy technicians, has implemented new eligibility requirements and an updated Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) for its Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Program. The 2020 changes are based on data generated by PTCB's most recent pharmacy Job Task Analysis, reflecting input from more than 40,000 technicians across practice settings, and guidance from the pharmacy community, including employers, educators, and organizations. "PTCB is focused solely on advancing medication safety, and we rely on data and input from pharmacy professionals to guide the direction of our program updates," said PTCB Executive Director and CEO William Schimmel. "With the 2020 changes, PTCB reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that PTCB's CPhT Program advances patient care. Pharmacists can trust that technicians who earn PTCB credentials have demonstrated current knowledge that is critical to performing their jobs safely in today's pharmacy workplace." The 2020 modifications now in effect require aspiring CPhTs to either complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or have equivalent work experience before they take the PTCE. More than 1,400 PTCB-recognized programs are now available, including all pharmacy technician programs accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), as well as non-accredited programs that comply with PTCB's curriculum requirements. "PTCB's new requirement for completion of recognized education and training strengthens patient care and advances medication safety in pharmacy. It ensures that PTCB CPhTs are held to a consistent and rigorous professional standard," said Nicole Barriera, CPhT, Pharmacy Technician Department Chair and Program Director at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, CO. "The role of the technician is critical to safe pharmacy practice. The 2020 requirements will help ensure competency and accuracy in skills and tasks that directly affect patients." The alternate work experience eligibility pathway is available to experienced technicians who are not in a position to enroll in education/training. They must complete at least 500 work hours and fulfill certain knowledge requirements before applying for certification. The content of the updated PTCE reflects data on roles and responsibilities collected from the Job Task Analysis. Instead of the previous exam's nine knowledge domains, the new PTCE categorizes knowledge into four domains: medications, federal requirements, patient safety and quality assurance, and order entry and processing. The new requirements and modifications to the PTCE are part of a suite of PTCB initiatives that also include new credential programs for CPhTs in advanced roles. "PTCB's CPhT Certification is fundamental across practice settings and is also the foundation for those who choose to advance their careers," said Schimmel. In 2019, PTCB introduced Assessment-Based Certificate Programs in Technician Product Verification (TPV) and Medication History, and this year plans to launch three more -- Hazardous Drug Management, Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention, and Billing and Reimbursement -- for a total of five. Active CPhTs who complete at least four certificates, including TPV and/or Medication History, or three certificates and PTCB's Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Certification, and have 3 years of work experience, will be eligible to earn an Advanced CPhT Certification (CPhT-Adv) in the future. "Building a career ladder for pharmacy technicians is part of advancing safety and patient care," said Schimmel. "Recognizing CPhTs for their advanced responsibilities rewards their dedication to patient care, and reinforces efficiency and safe medication practices." https://www.ptcb.org/news/new-year-new-requirements-ptcb-launches-new-certification-requirements-and-updated-exam PTCB is proud to be the nation's leading pharmacy technician certifying body. PTCB holds medication safety paramount through rigorous programs to certify technicians qualified to support pharmacists and patient care teams in all practice settings. PTCB's Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Program, offered since 1995, is the foundation for all PTCB credentials. PTCB offers the Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Certification Program, launched in 2017, and began introducing a series of Assessment-Based Certificate Programs in 2019. Founded in 1995, PTCB serves more than 288,000 active PTCB CPhTs and CSPTs, and many thousands within pharmacy technician stakeholder organizations. ptcb.org SOURCE Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Related Links https://www.ptcb.org Dividend paying stocks like Shanghai Prime Machinery Company Limited (HKG:2345) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments. A high yield and a long history of paying dividends is an appealing combination for Shanghai Prime Machinery. It would not be a surprise to discover that many investors buy it for the dividends. There are a few simple ways to reduce the risks of buying Shanghai Prime Machinery for its dividend, and we'll go through these below. Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Shanghai Prime Machinery! SEHK:2345 Historical Dividend Yield, January 14th 2020 Payout ratios Companies (usually) pay dividends out of their earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, the dividend might have to be cut. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. Shanghai Prime Machinery paid out 31% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. This is a medium payout level that leaves enough capital in the business to fund opportunities that might arise, while also rewarding shareholders. One of the risks is that management reinvests the retained capital poorly instead of paying a higher dividend. In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Shanghai Prime Machinery paid out 0.005% of its free cash flow as dividends last year, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is sustainable. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously. Story continues Is Shanghai Prime Machinery's Balance Sheet Risky? As Shanghai Prime Machinery has a meaningful amount of debt, we need to check its balance sheet to see if the company might have debt risks. A rough way to check this is with these two simple ratios: a) net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and b) net interest cover. Net debt to EBITDA measures total debt load relative to company earnings (lower = less debt), while net interest cover measures the ability to pay interest on the debt (higher = greater ability to pay interest costs). Shanghai Prime Machinery has net debt of 1.88 times its EBITDA, which is generally an okay level of debt for most companies. Net interest cover can be calculated by dividing earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) by the company's net interest expense. Interest cover of 3.07 times its interest expense is starting to become a concern for Shanghai Prime Machinery, and be aware that lenders may place additional restrictions on the company as well. We update our data on Shanghai Prime Machinery every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here. Dividend Volatility From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. Shanghai Prime Machinery has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was CN0.048 in 2010, compared to CN0.041 last year. The dividend has shrunk at around 1.6% a year during that period. Shanghai Prime Machinery's dividend has been cut sharply at least once, so it hasn't fallen by 1.6% every year, but this is a decent approximation of the long term change. We struggle to make a case for buying Shanghai Prime Machinery for its dividend, given that payments have shrunk over the past ten years. Dividend Growth Potential Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. It's good to see Shanghai Prime Machinery has been growing its earnings per share at 24% a year over the past five years. Earnings per share have rocketed in recent times, and we like that the company is retaining more than half of its earnings to reinvest. However, always remember that very few companies can grow at double digit rates forever. We'd also point out that Shanghai Prime Machinery issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Regularly issuing new shares can be detrimental - it's hard to grow dividends per share when new shares are regularly being created. Conclusion To summarise, shareholders should always check that Shanghai Prime Machinery's dividends are affordable, that its dividend payments are relatively stable, and that it has decent prospects for growing its earnings and dividend. First, we like that the company's dividend payments appear well covered, although the retained capital also needs to be effectively reinvested. We were also glad to see it growing earnings, but it was concerning to see the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Overall we think Shanghai Prime Machinery scores well on our analysis. It's not quite perfect, but we'd definitely be keen to take a closer look. You can also discover whether shareholders are aligned with insider interests by checking our visualisation of insider shareholdings and trades in Shanghai Prime Machinery stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our curated list of dividend stocks with a yield above 3%. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A Michigan college president with a background in increasing enrollment and building partnerships with corporations will become the new leader of Rosemont College, school officials announced Tuesday. Jayson Boyers, 48, has been president of Cleary University, a business school in Howell, Mich., for the last four years. He becomes the first male to lead Rosemont, a small Catholic liberal arts college and an all-women school until 2009 in its nearly 100-year history. He begins in July, replacing Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, who will retire this summer. READ MORE: Longtime Rosemont College president Sharon Latchaw Hirsh to retire next year This is a dream of mine, to lead an institution like Rosemont, said Boyers, who is Catholic and attended Catholic colleges for his graduate work. Work is a way we express our faith, our core values. He comes to Rosemont at a time when colleges nationally have been struggling to meet enrollment targets, amid a decline in high school graduates. With an undergraduate and graduate enrollment of 945 and a $20 million endowment, Rosemont in recent years reset its tuition to attract more middle-class students this year, its $19,500 and sought to appeal to a wider pool by scrapping a requirement that students submit standardized test scores. At Cleary, Boyers focused on creating partnerships with corporations, including one with TEAM Schostak, a regional restaurant company, that gave its workers free tuition to Cleary programs. Creating such partnerships is key to a colleges success, he said, noting the boom in nontraditional students beyond the typical 18-to-22-year-old range. Under Boyers leadership, enrollment grew from 693 in 2016-17 to 858 in 2018-19, a 24% increase. A college has to focus on the unique value it brings and find ways to extend that value proposition to other populations, he said. Rosemont has been adding partnerships and growing programs for professional and graduate students, which have about the same enrollment as Rosemonts traditional undergraduates. Boyers said he hopes to further that work. READ MORE: Enrollment rises at Rosemont after tuition price cut I will definitely be looking to work with corporations and work in communities to help train and meet skills gaps, he said. Boyers grew up in Defiance, Ohio, and didnt start out to be an academic. He became a youth minister out of high school. Then he decided to go to college, the first in his family to do so. He has degrees from the University of Indianapolis, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Creighton University, and also has a background in online education. Before coming to Cleary, he served as vice president and managing director of continuing professional studies, national online division, for Champlain College in Vermont. He also previously worked at Harrison College in Indiana for eight years and helped a foundation form a school for kids with word processing difficulties. READ MORE: More local colleges are slashing SAT requirement Maria Feeley, chair of Rosemonts board of trustees, said Boyers passion for Rosemonts mission, experience as a first-generation college student, proven track record as a college president, and inspiring personality attracted the board. He understands its not business as usual in todays challenging higher education environment, she said, which gave the board confidence. We dont want him to feel tied down by any of the traditional thought processes that 15 or 20 years ago might shape what a president does, said Feeley, vice president, general counsel, and secretary of the University of Hartford. Boyers wife, Mandy, is a dragon boat racer, a hobby that has taken the couple around the world for competitions. She also works remotely as a contract employee on a survey conducted by Bryn Mawr College. Shes never set foot on Bryn Mawrs campus, but she probably will now, given its proximity to Rosemont. (Photo : Moribus Trailer) Sony finally dropped the trailer to Morbius, their next superhero movie based on the Marvel anti-hero of the same name. And we finally get confirmation that it's connected to Sony's Spiderman. For those who don't know him, Morbius first appeared as one of Spiderman's rogues. However, Marvel eventually developed him to be his own anti-hero, sometimes clashing with the friendly neighborhood webslinger, sometimes fighting alongside him. In his original origin story, Michael Morbius was a sickly child with a rare blood disease. However, he was also gifted with immense intelligence, allowing him to win several prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize. However, he was always dissatisfied with his figure and went out to search for a cure, eventually ingesting vampire bat DNA that gave him vampire-like powers. Morbius' superpowers include echolocation, pretty much like bats, increased physical strength and regeneration, heightened night vision, and reflexes. However, since he isn't a true vampire, he doesn't inherit the weaknesses of the species, such as apprehension to daylight. He does, however, suffer from the same-blood craze that requires him to feast on blood - Human blood, to be more exact. Meet the Cast and Crew Playing the titular character is Jared Leto, who is known as one of the actors who played the Joker in Suicide Squad. Leto is joined by Matt Smith (best known as his role in Doctor Who), who plays Loxias Crown, Morbius's friend, who suffers from the same blood disease. Adjria Arjona, Jared Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Al Madrigal also join the crew. Michael Keaton is also part of the cast, further cementing the connection of Morbius with the Spiderman film verse. The film is directed by Swedish director Daniel Espinosa, who directed the sci-fi horror film Life in 2017. Veteran English cinematographer and BAFTA Award winner Oliver Wood, who is known for his work in Die Hard 2 and the Bourne series, joins as the film's cinematographer. Fellow Swede Jon Ekstrand, who previously worked with Daniel Espinosa, composes the film's soundtrack. Crossover from another Universe While Morbius isn't exactly a Marvel Studios production, the connection between the second revamped universe of Sony's Spiderman and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in undeniable. Michael Keaton's appearance (who we assume will still play The Vulture) in Morbius's recent trailer shows that the film is indeed connected to the new Spiderman. The trailer also shows, in one scene, a poster of Spiderman with a 'murderer' written as graffiti over it. This is a reference to the ending of Spiderman: Homecoming, where (spoiler alert), Mysterio, right before his death, released an edited video to J. Jonah Jameson where Spiderman is framed to be responsible for the death of Mysterio. It will be interesting to see how Sony plans to further develop its own cinematic universe based on Marvel's properties. Marvel has already announced that they plan to reboot Blade, and it would be interesting to see how the Dhampir vampire hunter interacts with a pseudo-vampire. Morbius joins Venom in Sony's Marvel Universe, with other characters such as Nightwatch, Kraven the Hunter, Black Cat, and The Sinister Six currently in development. SEE ALSO: 'Venom' Is Breaking Box-Office Records Despite Bad Reviews 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Islamabad, Jan 14 : At least 70 people were killed in snowfall and rain-related incidents in Pakistan over the last three days, while the number of injured was estimated to be 29, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Tuesday. An increase in the death toll is anticipated by the authority, reports Dawn news. According to the NDMA, rains in Balochistan have claimed 15 lives and have injured 11 others. At least 55 deaths and 12 injured have been reported in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. In Neelam valley, 19 people have died in an avalanche while 10 others were still missing. According to the NDMA, four injured have been rescued while work is currently under way to rescue the remaining people. Major thoroughfares in Balochistan, including Bolan Road, Khanozai Road and Quetta-Chaman Road have been closed for the time being, the NDMA, adding that the most snowfall recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was at Lowari Approach Road at a whopping 23 inches. On Monday, avalanches, landslides and other rain-related incidents claimed at least 21 lives and left scores of others injured as most parts of the country remained in the grip of a strong westerly weather system that entered Balochistan in the early hours of Saturday morning. Relief, Disaster and Civil Defence Secretary Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri told Dawn news that heavy snowfall and rains had blocked several arteries in high altitude areas. "Neelum Valley Road, Leepa Valley Road, Chikar-Bagh Road, Bagh-Lasdana Road, Mehmood Galli-Abbaspur Road and Tain Dhalkot Road were all closed for traffic," he said. People, particularly tourists, have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound and landslide-prone areas during the prevailing weather conditions. Trade between China and South Asia is expected to expand again in 2020 after falling last year, with China and India committed to bolstering flows within the two fast-growing regions, BlueWater Reporting says Trade volume between the worlds fastest-growing regions, East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, fell last year, although a recovery is in sight with the two dominant economies, China and India, seeking to strengthen trade ties. Citing data from Chinas General Administration of Customs, Jacksonville-based Bluewater Reporting said that Chinas merchandise exports to the subcontinent countries have climbed even though overall volume of goods traded between the two traders over the first 11 months of last year declined. China imported $19.3bn of goods from the countries in the Indian subcontinent during the first 11 months of 2019, down 5.3% from the same period in 2018, China customs data showed. Its merchandise imports from the region were likewise 5.3% lower year on year in November, but its exports to the region rose by 0.3%. BlueWater Reporting defines the Indian subcontinent as the region comprising seven countries Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus landlocked Bhutan and Nepal. The research firm flagged high-level political dialogues between China and India pledging collaboration on manufacturing and developing Chinas information technology and pharmaceutical sectors as an upside for Asia-Indian subcontinent trade. India has notably increased shipments of seafood and other refrigerated products to China recently, Bluewater noted, drawing from Maersks India Trade Report for the third quarter of 2019. Chinas announced duty reduction on seafood has also bolstered bilateral trade in this area, Maersk said. China and India have separately sought to boost trade with other neighbouring countries within the larger Asia and subcontinent regions. A revised trade agreement between China and Pakistan concluded in April called for a gradual increase in zero-tariff products traded between the two countries. Both parties will implement a 20% reduction in taxes on other products that account for 5% of their respective tax lines, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in a December statement. India has also secured assurance from Indonesia to slash tariffs on certain reefer and agriculture products, Maersk said in its quarterly India Trade Report. Maersk is one of five carriers to have deployed the most capacity on the Asia-Indian subcontinent trade. The four others are MSC, ONE, Evergreen and Cosco, BlueWater Reporting said. Twenty-five carriers active on this trade offered 56 services sailing from Asia to the subcontinent and 55 services sailing in the other direction, data from the research firm showed. First published on www.lloydslist.com UPites need to brace for another wet spell this week, especially on Thursday, said the weatherman on Tuesday. According to met director JP Gupta, the forthcoming spell would be due to two successive western disturbances. A fresh western disturbance with its induced cyclonic circulation is very likely to affect plains of Uttar Pradesh from Wednesday to Friday (January 15-17) with its peak activity on Thursday (January 16). Prior to this, isolated to scattered rainfall will start from the early hours of Wednesday due to the effect of the present western disturbance, said Gupta. According to the met, east and west UP may experience rain/ thundershowers at isolated places from the early hours of Wednesday. A warning has been issued regarding rain/ thundershowers with lightening and hail at isolated places in many districts of west UP, including Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnore, Meerut and Baghpat, said Gupta. He said that the Thursday forecast for east UP mentioned rain/ thundershowers as very likely at many places. There is a warning of moderate to heavy rain / thundershowers with lightening and hail in some areas of Bahraich, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Basti and Ambedkar Nagar districts, said the met director. The forecast for west UP mentions rain/thundershowers as very likely at most places. The met department has issued warning of heavy rain /thundershowers with lightening and hail very likely in some areas in Muzaffarnagar, Bijnore, Saharanpur, Shamli, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budhh Nagar, JP Nagar, Moradabad and Bulandshahr districts. On Friday, the met predicts rain/ thundershowers at many places in east UP and rain/thundershowers very likely in a few places over the western part of the state. The weatherman has also issued a warning of cold day conditions as very likely at isolated places over east Uttar Pradesh. A warning of thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and hail at isolated places over the state has also been issued. 176 FETO terror suspects arrested The arrest warrants were issued after suspects were found to have communicated with members of the terror group by payphone. Turkish police on Tuesday arrested at least 151 people for suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup, security sources said. The arrests came after the country's prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 237 suspects. PROSECUTORS ISSUED ARREST WARRANTS FOR 237 PEOPLE The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in the western province of Izmir issued warrants for 108 serving soldiers, including a lieutenant pilot and four district gendarmerie commanders as well as 68 former soldiers who either retired, resigned or were expelled. Izmir-based anti-terror operations were launched simultaneously in 49 provinces and so far, 115 suspects were arrested by Turkish police forces. Separately, prosecutors in the capital Ankara issued arrest warrants for 31 suspects for their alleged links to the FETO infiltration into the armed forces. So far, police arrested 22 suspects in Ankara-based operations. Meanwhile, arrest warrant were also issued by prosecutors in Konya for 30 suspects, including 24 on active-duty soldiers, and 14 suspects were arrested in simultaneous operations across 20 provinces. Two years ago, Harmony Lloyds son came home from school and insisted she make sure there was money in his lunch account. The urgency in his tone concerned her, but what he said when she asked why he was worried about it concerned her more - that day, hed watched a cafeteria worker throw out another students meal because they didnt have enough money to pay for it. She started doing her own research and brought the issue up with her sons school district, Grand Blanc Community Schools. While her district ultimately amended its school lunch policies, Lloyd said she wants to make sure other students around the state dont experience similar incidents that could shame them or cause them to go hungry. Its very easy for us to think, That wouldnt happen to my kid,' she said. In this day and age, when kids have so many challenges at school...this is something where we can really effect change and take any negativity out of the equation. The incident Lloyds son witnessed inspired an ongoing effort in the Michigan legislature that would prevent school officials from addressing school lunch debt directly with a student unless necessary. Sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, Senate Bill 668 would require schools to provide a USDA-reimbursable meal to students with lunch debt unless they have written permission from the parents not to do so. Its a reintroduction of legislation from last session. Scchool officials would be prohibited from discussing outstanding meal debts with a student unless multiple attempts to contact the parents have been unsuccessful or adopting policies that could publicly identify a students situation to their peers, such as throwing out their meal if they cant pay, requiring them to wear a wristband, perform chores or eat a different type of meal. If passed, the bill would also explicitly authorize school districts to accept philanthropic donations for paying off school lunch debt. Some Michigan residents have previously launched fundraising campaigns to pay for outstanding lunch debt in their communities. Ananich, a former teacher, said in a statement students shouldnt have to go hungry or be shamed for not having enough money in their lunch account. For some kids, lunch is the only certain meal of the day," he said. "No child should go hungry at school, and my goal is to equip school districts with better options for dealing with lunch debt. Ananich said providing USDA-reimbursable meals and accepting philanthropic donations could help school districts shoulder school lunch debt without students feeling the effects. Lets agree to make sure kids are fed first, and let the schools and parents work out the details later," he said. The bill was referred to the Senate Education Committee and would need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become law. New Delhi: Corporate leaders on Monday sought initiatives to support job creation besides enhanced spending on infrastructure and policies for agricultural sector as part of their Budget 2020 wishlist. While participating in a debate during a book launch here, TVS Group Chairman Venu Srinivasan sought more focus on job creation in the Budget next month. Business Leaders' Wishlist Similarly, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of DCM Shriram Ajay S Shriram urged the government to focus on agriculture sector, while Hero Enterprise Chairman Sunil Kant Munjal stressed on enhancing spending on infrastructure. The three business leaders were part of a discussion at the launch of the book The Making of HERO written by Sunil Kant Munjal. The book was unveiled by former prime minister Manmohan Singh. One of the most important issues is job creation...the most fundamental drive has to be growth with jobs, Srinivasan said. Shriram urged the government to focus on agriculture sector. I hope in this budget there should be a focus towards taking care of agriculture sector...which is suffering a lot somehow the policies are not moving in terms of governance in terms of coordinating with the states. I think a GST kind of a body is required to get all agri ministers involved to take joint decisions for implementation..., Shriram said. Munjal said he would like the government to spend more on the infrastructure sector. I would like to see slippage in fisc (fiscal deficit) and that slippage going towards seriously benefitting infrastructure sector, he noted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will Present the Union Budget for 2020-21 in the Parliament on February 1. The father of a mine worker who died in a horrific workplace accident has demanded answers about the disaster that killed his 'best friend' Tyre fitter Donald Rabbitt, 33, died after becoming trapped under a heavy low-loader trailer at Curragh Coal Mine in central Queensland on Sunday. Donald's father Robin Rabbitt revealed on Tuesday that he is struggling to get answers about what caused the accident that killed his son. The father of mine worker Donald Rabbitt, who died in a horrific accident on the job, has demanded answers about the disaster that killed his 'best friend'. Pictured: Donald in Thailand 'I want to know what happened to my son, and I seem to be having a lot of trouble to find out,' Mr Rabbitt told The Courier Mail. Donald's workday was was coming to an end when he was reportedly crushed by a low-loader truck while changing its tyre at 4.30pm on Sunday. The tyre fitter could not be saved despite his co-workers' desperate attempts to pull him free from under the heavy-duty truck. What exactly caused the low-loader to fatally crush the tyre fitter remains unknown. Donald (pictured) was crushed to death by a low-loader trailer while changing a tyre. His father Robin Rabbitt said he is 'having a lot of trouble' finding out what caused the accident Devastated by his son's death, Mr Rabbitt said he had lost his 'best friend'. 'Donny was the most kind considerate person; he was honest, he started working at 15-years-old fitting tyres, he loved work and he worked hard,' he said. The distraught father said his son had saved up $200,000 on the job, which he planned to use to buy a house with his girlfriend before his life was cut short. 'I said to him on Sunday (last week) when he left here "when are you going to give me some grandchildren, Don?" and he said "we've got to get our house first",' he said. Donald' day's work was coming to an end when he was reportedly crushed at Curragh Coal Mine (pictured). He had saved $200,000 from the job to buy a house with his girlfriend A spokesman for Coronado Global Resources, owner of Curragh Coal Mine, told Daily Mail Australia that operations have been suspended as Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigates the tragedy. 'Workers are being progressively briefed on the incident as they arrive on site to commence their shifts and the company has made counselling services available,' the spokesperson said. 'Coronado and Theiss extend their deepest sympathies to the family of the individual and all those affected by this tragic event.' The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union will conduct an independent investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Five mine workers in Queensland during 2019 alone, bringing the total of fatalities in the state's mining industry to eight over the past two years. MBABANE Electricity supply concerns play a pivotal role in the growth of the economy and government is engaging Australia and Germany for a remedy. The magnitude of how essential it is for a country to have a reliable power system, is evident in that the World Bank cut its economic growth forecast for South Africa to below 1 per cent for 2020 due to electricity supply concerns. To discard such a possibility on the country, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade has engaged a number of investors working on various projects in the energy sector to supply the local grid. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, said there were ongoing projects and a few feasibility studies in the solar, biomass and hydro energy space all driven by the private sector. The government is also currently doing a feasibility study on a potential thermal power station with assistance from the Taiwanese government. However, we are also aggressively focusing on supporting private projects that will allow Eswatini to export energy to SA in the near future. Khumalo said to facilitate this, government moved quickly in the last year to sign an Inter-governmental MoU with South Africa that would make it possible for the country to export energy to that republic. Prior to this MoU being signed, Khumalo said, such projects werent possible. The minister further said there were two companies, one Australian and another German, who were already at advanced stages of signing off-take agreements with Eskom. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy have been working to support these companies through their investment journey to ensure they get all the government support to make their projects successful. Khumalo said the common unveiling of entrepreneurs whose projects always fell through was history. I am confident that the investors that Ive referred to above have no funding issues. Through EIPA we now ensure that projects that we support have a proper business case and sources of funding. He said the main issue has been the lack of an intergovernmental MoU that would allow the country to export energy to South Africa. Khumalo said now that this issue was resolved, these projects would succeed. Also, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, emphasised on his Cabinet colleagues assertion. He said there has been investment into the energy space recently with new hydro and solar capacity being installed. Regulator The energy regulator has also recently put out a request for bids to install an additional 40MW of solar power plants. As far as I know this is now in the final stage and the final award should be made soon, Rijkenberg said. He further said this process of going out for bids would continue to bolster the countrys power supply. Rijkenberg said the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) had done a great job of generally keeping the lights on while managing cuts from ESKOM. Plans by the Trump administration to open national forests and grasslands in Texas to new rounds of oil and gas drilling are renewing the debate over the role climate change should play in permitting energy projects and raising questions of whether the presidents admitted climate skepticism is skewing agency decisions that should be based on science. Environmentalists are accusing the administration of committing another act of climate censorship after a U.S. Forest Service administrator allegedly directed agency employees to remove references to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions from proposals to open national forests and grasslands in Texas to new rounds of oil and natural gas drilling. The agency, which is seeking to end an Obama-era moratorium on new drilling on those lands, denies the allegations. The Trump administration proposes to lease large areas of Sam Houston National Forest, Davy Crockett National Forest, Angelina National Forest, Sabine National Forest, Caddo National Grasslands and LBJ National Grasslands to oil and natural gas companies. The forests and grasslands cover parts of Haynesvlle shale in East Texas and the Barnett shale in North Texas, where companies have drilled oil and gas wells for decades. Environmentalists contend that a draft notice seeking public comment on the proposal mentioned the need to address new greenhouse gas science and climate trends in the analysis and management direction. That notice, which was posted by the U.S. Forest Service to a federal website on Aug. 26, was replaced the next day with a version without references to greenhouse gases and climate change. An email, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the Center for Biological Diversity described an unnamed deputy director ordering agency employees to remove all references to climate change and greenhouse gases from the notice. The deputy who is reviewing the (notice of intent) requested every reference to climate and greenhouse gases be removed, a Forest Service employee helping to prepare the notice wrote in the email. The Center for Biological Diversity, based in Tuscon, Ariz., interpreted that sentence as agency administrators trying to steer discussions surrounding the proposed drilling away from the climate change debate. This is another example of climate censorship that weve been seeing as a pattern under the Trump administration, said Taylor McKinnon, senior lands campaigner for the environmental advocacy group. On HoustonChronicle.com: Trump administration plans to open national forests in Texas to more oil and gas drilling Misharacterized Agency officials said the email cited by environmentalists as proof of so-called censorship mischaracterized the request made by the deputy director who reviewed the notice. The email, a spokesperson said, was only seeking to have the notice edited for clarity and brevity, not to make it conform with any policies associated with oil and gas development or climate. Numerous other editorial changes not related to greenhouse gasses or climate were also made between the draft and final notices for clarity and brevity, the spokesperson said. But suspicions that federal agencies are downplaying or burying climate concerns have been fueled by a president who has called climate change a hoax and dismissed a 2018 report by his own administration that reached dire conclusions that accelerating climate change would result in more wildfires, flooding and other catastrophes. The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University in New York has documented at least 184 incidents in which the Trump administration has taken out references to climate change from government websites or publications. The law schools Climate Deregulation Tracker identified another 133 incidents in which he administration scaled back or eliminated federal regulations and efforts to combat climate change. The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group headquartered in New York, has found similar results in its tracking. Unfortunately, weve seen repeated attempts across the system to eliminate consideration of climate change, said Bobby McEnaney, a senior deputy director with the National Resources Defense Council. Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox How to and whether to account for climate change in environmental regulation remains a controversial issue. Earlier this month, the administration proposed revamping the National Environmental Policy Act to relieve federal agencies from considering climate change while reviewing the environmental impact of energy, highway and other projects a proposal strongly condemned by environmentalists. Last year, a dispute over how to account for climate change at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which was then split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, delayed decisions on liquefied natural gas projects along the Gulf Coast. Commissioners reached a compromise to detail greenhouse gas emissions from the projects, but stopped short of determining whether those emissions would contribute to global warming. Now, the Sierra Club and several other opponents are challenging FERCs approval last year of three proposed liquefied natural gas export terminals at the Port of Brownsville, arguing, in part, that the commission failed to consider the terminals combined impact on climate change. Traditionally, regulators have reviewed projects individually, focusing on the local impact on the environment and public health. But bringing climate change into the mix requires regulators to take a global outlook and consider the cumulative impact of oil and gas projects on greenhouse gas emissions, said Daniel Cohan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University. Climate change is the single greatest environmental challenge that we face at this time, so it should be considered in any environmental assessments that are used to prepare permits, Cohan said. However, climate impacts are a tricky thing to assess, because an individual project will have only a negligible impact globally, so projects need to be looked at on aggregate basis to gauge their impacts. Legal Battle: Permit fight looms over LNG export terminals in Brownsville As part of its overall efforts to boost domestic oil and gas production and exports, the Trump administration wants to reopen the lands for drilling. If approved, the U.S. Forest Service estimates that 1,500 new wells on the lands would produce more than 68 million barrels of oil and more than 4.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas over a 20-year period. Requiring more than 5 billion gallons of water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations, the wells also would produce more than 32 billion gallons of wastewater that would need to be recycled or injected underground at facilities known as saltwater disposal sites. During upcoming public comment periods, opponents of the East Texas drilling projects plan to raise concerns about the effects on water and the habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and the potential to cause earthquakes. More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com Oil and gas industry advocates argue that the federally managed forests and grasslands in Texas already have oil and natural gas activity, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which they contend is safe and regulated. Data from federal agencies tell a clear story we are producing more oil and gas than ever before while keeping greenhouse gas emissions in check, Texans for Natural Gas spokeswoman Elizabeth Caldwell said. Efforts like this by the Center for Biological Diversity demonstrate that environmental activists are making a last ditch attempt to distract the public from that data, simply because it tells a story they dont like. Environmentalists say they remain puzzled by the hard-line ideological stance on climate change taken by the Trump administration, noting that more than 200 projects that acknowledged climate change were ultimately approved by the Obama administration from 2014 to 2016. The Trump administrations rollback of environmental regulations and retreat from policies aimed at slowing the rapid advance of climate change could provide benefits and boost profits to the oil and gas industry in the short term, said Cohan, the Rice professor. But in the longer term, he added, the actions applauded today by the industry might erode its position as addressing climate change gains urgency. All this nihilism and wiping away of regulations is going to make it harder for the oil and gas industry to have a seat at the table when the issue gets taken more seriously, Cohan said. This story has been updated and expanded. sergio.chapa@chron.com @SergioChapa on Twitter Lawyer Sandeep Kumar Gupta sought a reply from Habib within seven days and asked him to publish an apology, warning him of strict legal action if not done so. Aligarh: An advocate practicing in the Aligarh Civil Court on Tuesday sent a notice to historian Irfan Habib for allegedly taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a speech at the Aligarh Muslim University. In a notice to Habib, lawyer Sandeep Kumar Gupta said that a speech delivered by the historian at the Aligarh Muslim University on Monday was "against the unity and diversity of India and it also challenges sovereignty". Pointing out at Habib's speech, Gupta in the notice said: "You advised Amit Shah to remove Shah from his name as it is a Persian word, you said RSS was formed to attack Muslims, you blamed Hindutva idealogue Veer Savarkar of dividing the nation despite the fact that two-nation theory was propounded by Jinnah, you ridiculed the use of Gandhi's spectacles in government's Swachhata Abhiyan." In the notice, the advocate said he has taken cognisance of Habib's "poisonous statements" from various newspapers. He sought a reply from Habib within seven days and asked him to publish an apology, warning him of strict legal action if not done so. The historian's alleged remarks come in the wake of the controversy over the new citizenship law, which has come into force last week. Dubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has enabled the public to design and propose new bus routes via RTA Dubai smart app. The initiative aims to engage the public in the integration of the public transport network in the emirate and tailor it to the needs of a growing number of users flocking to Dubai from all corners of the globe. This initiative is in line with RTAs efforts to keep pace with the latest trends of the industry and play a pioneering role in the region. We are focusing on leveraging public transport services, considering it a key tool of driving the development of the Emirate. We have added a new feature to RTA Dubai app so that we can benefit from the public feedback in upgrading the public bus network, said Adel Shakeri, director of Planning and Business Development at RTAs Public Transport Agency. This initiative is based on benefiting from public transport riders in opening or modifying bus routes, besides obtaining votes on proposals before adopting them. Such an approach is bound to raise customers satisfaction and happiness rating, and increase bus ridership. The initiative proved a hit with app users and clocked an immense 3003 interactions up to now, and about 2590 proposals have been submitted for new bus routes. 413 voters supported the opening a bus route from Al Qusais to Al Maktoum International Airport, and about 265 were voted for this new route. Furthermore, 148 users voted for opening Gold Souq-JAFZA bus route. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) praised the initiative, considering it the first of its kind in the region, and among the first worldwide in delivering such a service by a public entity, added Shakri. TradeArabia News Service (ANSA) - Rome, January 13 - Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited ANSA's headquarters in Rome's Via della Dataria on Tuesday as the agency celebrates its 75th anniversary. Italy's top news agency started transmitting on January 15, 1945. ANSA, whose headquarters are just a few steps away from the presidential palace, il Palazzo del Quirinale, is a cooperative made up of the publishers of Italy's top daily newspapers. The head of State was received by ANSA President Giulio Anselmi, Editor-in-chief Luigi Contu and Chief Executive Stefano De Alessandri. He met the members of the board and visited a small exhibition on transmission equipment, starting from those used in the early post-war period, documenting how technology has speeded up the broadcasting of news over the decades. Mattarella was also set to visit the agency's newsroom to meet ANSA's reporters. Press Trust of India Health warnings were issued after a thick haze from the bushfires in Victoria descended on Melbourne Tuesday morning, reducing the air quality in the Australian city to the "worst in the world". Melbourne's air quality went down overnight to "hazardous" due to bushfire smoke. Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton said, "I think overnight for Melbourne it did reach the worst in the world." Sutton said warmer temperatures would help lift "particulate matter" that had resulted in the poor air quality. He warned that people might experience a worsening cough and a dry nose and throat. "For those vulnerable groups over 65s, under 15s, pregnant women and people with existing lung/heart disease or diabetes we are saying avoid exposure to the smoke by staying indoors and limiting physical activity," he said. According to the Environmental Protection Authority's AirWatch website, the air quality in Melbourne was "very poor'' and visibility down to 900 metres in some parts of inner Melbourne Tuesday morning. Sixteen fires were still burning and 1.4 million hectares have been destroyed across Victoria. The entire state was choking under a blanket of bushfire smoke, including Geelong town, the Latrobe Valley, Central Victoria, Gippsland and the North Central regions, considered to have "hazardous" air quality at 7 am (local time). In Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD), the smoke was measured at "hazardous" levels between 12 am and 4 am (local time). While heart and respiratory patients were being told to keep safe, the healthy were being warned to stay inside. ABC report said several outdoor suburban swimming pools were shut down and horse races at Werribee suburb were also cancelled. Australian Open organisers also temporarily suspended qualifying matches and player practice sessions for Tuesday morning. Sutton said people in East Gippsland and the state's north-east, where poor to hazardous air quality is likely to remain for some time, should try to let fresh air into their homes when possible. "When conditions are good that's the time to open doors and windows to air your house, to get the smoke out and then when the air quality's poor, close doors and windows, stay inside, minimise your activity," he said. An eco-scientist living in the Russian wilderness has revealed why he's set himself the seemingly impossible mission of recreating the eco-system of the last Ice Age in a bid to halt climate change. Nikita Zimov, 37, welcomes Ben Fogle to his extraordinary research station, visited by scientists from all around the world, in the mosquito-infested far northeast of Siberia, in tonight's New Lives in the Wild on Channel 5. In the 9pm show, the former maths student explains he moved from the city to Siberia with his then girlfriend Anastasia, 21, after his father, Sergey, asked him to help with his scientific experiment, which he hoped would stop the thawing of permafrost. Now a father-of-three daughters, 'workaholic' Nikita has dedicated his life to recreating an ancient eco-system, which ended around 11,700 years ago, by cutting down 'useless' trees and shipping animals into the remote part of Siberia where the station is based. He works with his father, who calls him a 'superhuman' with a 'supergoal.' In tonight's episode of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, the adventurer meets with Siberian scientists Nikita (centre) and Sergey Zimov (right), who have dedicated their life to combating the thawing of permafrost, a frozen layer of soil under the surface of the earth which could accelerate climate change by releasing green gases into the atmosphere During the show he explains to Ben that permafrost contains carbon that, if released into the air, could at least equal the carbon production of the whole of the United-States. He makes the revelations as the two men are visiting a cave lined with permafrost, which he jokingly calls the 'the fridge'. 'This is permafrost and this is kind of the most dangerous part of it,' he tells Ben, pointing to a grey-ish dusty patch of wall. 'You see those little tiny roots? They're about 20,000 year old. Year by year they've created huge storage of carbon,' he goes on. Nikita lives with his wife, three daughters and parents in a science station in Siberia. The scientists believes that the key to stropping permafrost from thawing is to cut down trees and replace them with grassland Sergey (pictured with granddaughter Sasha) was one of the first scientists to alert the world to the dangers of permafrost 'They're not dangerous now, they're frozen, but with climate change, permafrost is getting warmer and warmer and warmer, and in some point it's already starting to thaw.' 'And when these roots thaw, they will start releasing green gases like methane, that will go into the atmosphere and further advance global warming,' he explains to Ben. Nikita's father was one of the first geo-physicists to alert the world to the dangers of permafrost thawing, and the son, whom Ben describes as a 'bear of a man,' has vowed to help the cause. Nikita's believes that the arrivals of humans in Siberia thousands of years ago destroyed the initial eco-system and drove away the wildlife. He plans to slow and eventually stop permafrost thawing by recreating this eco-system, which involves cutting down trees and growing grassland. WHAT IS PERMAFROST AND WHAT HAPPENS IF IT MELTS? Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer below the Earth's surface found in Arctic regions such as Alaska, Siberia and Canada. It typically consists of soil, gravel and sand bound together by ice, and is classified as ground that has remained below 0C (32F) for at least two years. It is estimated 1,500 billion tons of carbon is stored in the world's permafrost - more than twice the amount found in the atmosphere. The carbon comes in the form of ancient vegetation and soil that has remained frozen for millennia. If global warming were to melt the world's permafrost, it could release thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Because some permafrost regions have stayed frozen for thousands of years, it is of particular interest for scientists. Ancient remains found in permafrost are among the most complete ever found because the ice stops organic matter from decomposing. A number of 2,500-year-old bodies buried in Siberia by a group of nomads known as the Scythians have been found with their tattooed skin still intact. A baby mammoth corpse uncovered on Russia's Arctic coast in 2010 still sported clumps of its hair despite being more than 39,000 years old. Permafrost is also used in the study of Earth's geological history as soil and minerals buried deep in Arctic regions for thousands of years can be dug up and studied today. Advertisement While some might find the idea of combating climate change by cutting down trees incongruous, Nikita explains the trees currently populating Siberia are not good for the eco-system and not good for the environment. He compares the Siberian forest by the science station to a 'desert,' because of the absence of wildlife - bar thousands of mosquitoes - and the fact that only one type of trees and bushes exists. While he says that 'not all trees are bad,' he adds that these trees needs to be cut down and replaced in order to restore Siberian's initial eco-system. Without this balance, he goes on, 'in a century, our eco-system will have gone to s***.' In order to reverse the damages of human life on Siberia, the father-of-three manages a 140 square kilometre park - a sort of wildlife reserve where he's had cows shipped and grasslands planted to recreate the lost eco-system. Ben is amazed by the extraordinary family who welcome him into their home. Pictured during a farewell barbecue He spends most of his days on the structure, biting into the titanic task he's carved for himself, but in spite of his determination, Nikita himself does not know whether he will be successful. 'There's not a lot of knowledge on how to revive an eco-system,' he admits, as he and Ben and him visit the park. And while he is adamant that he has to try to undertake this feat, he adds his 'two steps forward three steps back' kind of approach requires a lot of his time. However, the scientist remains optimistic and tells Ben: 'Every years the changes do happen and I'm slowly progressing towards the right direction. 'You got to start with something and if you don't start no one will. You gotta try,' he says. Anastasia, a city girl who blindly followed Nikita into the Siberian wilderness after they met at university, is the station's accountant and looks after their three daughters when her husband is working, which is often. Nikita, Ben says, is nowhere near the cliched representation or scientists as 'geeky' and thin. He is impressed by the 'bear of a man' who minds 140 square kilometres of land in his eco-system experiment But in spite of the wilderness' challenges, the mother-of-three does not regret her decision. 'I was that much in love, it wasn't difficult,' she tells Ben when he asks her whether transitioning to wild life was a hurdle. 'Now I love it, and it's much better for me than city life.' Nikita agrees, saying he doesn't care for city life, which made him feel like a 'piece of sand' and 'drop in the ocean.' Ben is amazed by the 'pretty extraordinary family' who lives in a house near the station and braves -40 temperatures during winter. Nikita admits the living conditions of Siberia can make it difficult to thrive there. 'It's kind of a hard enthronement, it's dangerous, there's been several cases where I thought "oh, we might not get out of this situation,"' he says candidly. 'You gonna live on the station and it's gonna be alright, but then you get out of the station in the woods and it's -40, that's a totally different story,' he adds. 'I really hope what I'm doing here is something meaningful here,' he says. Ben Fogle: New Lives into the Wild airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. On Monday morning, the Missouri State Highway Patrol recovered the body of a Washington County woman who had been reported missing Sunday afternoon. Amy L. Strauser, 38, Cadet, was reported missing about 3 p.m. Sunday. She was last seen when she left her sister's home off Route F in Washington County and was heading to her home. According to the patrol crash report, it appeared Strausers southbound 2000 Buick Park Avenue had traveled off the road at Route F and Stavern Road and struck a tree. The vehicle rolled over into a creek and became partially submerged, resulting in Strauser drowning. Her vehicle was found early Monday morning. At 7:48 a.m. Monday morning, Strauser was pronounced dead on the scene by Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen. Strauser was transported to the Washington County Morgue by Washington County EMS. Strauser was listed as wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Mark Marberry is a reporter for the Farmington Press and Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3629, or at mmarberry@farmingtonpressonline.com Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 64 Angry 3 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A US base in Iraq which also houses 200 British personnel was targeted in a missile strike on Tuesday night. No coalition troops were injured in the Soviet-made Katyusha rocket attack on Camp Taji north of Baghdad. 'No Coalition troops were affected by this small attack at Taji Base,' coalition military spokesman Colonel Myles Caggins III said in a tweet. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike but the same rockets were used in attack on Sunday night at another US base. A file photo of US soldiers walking around the Taji base complex which is a training camp for Iraqi troops and also houses British personnel and other coalition forces There have been a string of attacks in recent months on US personnel in Iraq which have been attributed to the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah faction of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) (stock image) Four members of the Iraqi military were wounded in the eight-missile strike on Balad air base around 50 miles north of Baghdad. The attacks come a week after Iran targeted two US bases in Iraq. No troops were hurt in those revenge strikes for America's killing of Tehran's highest ranking general Qassem Soleimani. His assassination had been preceded by a string of attacks in recent months on US personnel in Iraq which have been attributed to the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah faction of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Joint Base Balad in Iraq. Seven mortar bombs fell on Sunday inside the air base and four Iraqi soldiers were wounded in the attack, two military sources told Reuters When Soleimani was killed on January 3 he was riding out of Baghdad International Airport in a convoy with members of the PMF. In the wake of his death the PMF has made furious calls for US troops to withdraw from Iraq and passed a resolution to that effect through the parliament in Baghdad. Iran's limited retaliatory strikes appeared to be mainly a show of force, and deescalated tensions that still threaten to turn Iraq into a proxy battlefield. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO. Strategic Investment by La Mancha of C$11.2 million / 6.4 million Approval of a waiver of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code Proposed Five for One Share Consolidation and Notice of General Meeting DIDCOT, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS & TSX-V: ALTS), the Africa focused project and royalty generator, announces that a General Meeting of its shareholders will be held on Tuesday, 18 February 2020. The General Meeting is being convened to allow shareholders to approve matters related to the proposed strategic investment by La Mancha Holding S.a r.l. ("La Mancha") in the Company and a five to one consolidation of the Company's share capital. Highlights: Investment by La Mancha to raise C$11.18M / 6.45M subject to shareholder approval La Mancha will own approximately 36.9% of Altus on Completion Strategic investment to accelerate exploration and growth of project and royalty portfolio Potential for business synergies to create new project acquisition opportunities Deal will represent La Mancha's first external investment in the listed exploration sector Company proposes to undertake five into one share consolidation General Meeting of shareholders to be held on 18 February 2020 Steve Poulton, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are delighted to announce the publication of our circular in connection with the proposed C$11.2 million / 6.6 million strategic investment in Altus by La Mancha, a pre-eminent Africa-focused mining investment group with an outstanding track record in deal selection and value creation. The deal will provide Altus with a substantial and robust treasury, following our recently completed C$4.2 million / 2.4 million non-brokered private placement. We expect the La Mancha transaction will prove transformative for Altus, providing the capital and expertise to fast track our project and royalty generation activities, as well as unlocking new external growth opportunities. The deal, which includes a two year equity lock up, also represents a strong endorsement of the Altus team, portfolio and business model. We look forward to the General Meeting on 18th February 2020 and to updating shareholders thereafter. "More broadly we look forward to an exciting year ahead for the Company. Altus has assembled and is continuing to aggressively grow a strong and diversified portfolio of high quality and strategically located gold and base metal projects and royalty interests across Africa. We have also established a strong shareholder base comprising institutions, family offices and private investors who share our vision and the Board takes this opportunity to thank them for their continued support". Capitalized terms in this announcement are defined at the end of the announcement. La Mancha Strategic Investment As announced by the Company on 5 November 2019 and 5 December 2019, La Mancha will conditionally subscribe for 124,229,389 new Ordinary Shares ("La Mancha Shares") in the Company at a price of C$0.09 per share ("La Mancha Investment") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11,180,645 (approximately 6,459,928). On Completion, La Mancha will own approximately 36.92 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital (on the basis that no further Ordinary Shares are issued between the date of this announcement and Admission). Since the La Mancha Investment will, upon its Completion, result in La Mancha owning more than 30 per cent. of the total voting rights of the Company, Completion is conditional on the Panel waiving the obligation of La Mancha (and any persons acting in concert with it) to make a general offer to Shareholders under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code. The Panel has agreed to a waiver of the obligations under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code (commonly referred to as a "Whitewash"), subject to the Whitewash Resolution being approved on a poll at the General Meeting by Independent Shareholders holding, in aggregate, a simple majority of the votes cast on the Independent Shares. Since the La Mancha Investment will, upon its Completion, result in La Mancha owning more than 20 per cent. of the total voting rights of the Company and thereby becoming a Control Person, Completion is also conditional on the approval of Disinterested Shareholders. Share Consolidation In addition, the Company is also proposing to undertake a share consolidation, by way of one Consolidated Ordinary Share for every five Existing Ordinary Shares, effective at the Share Consolidation Record Date. General Meeting In order for the La Mancha Investment and the Share Consolidation to proceed, the Resolutions must be duly passed at the General Meeting. Accordingly, the General Meeting is being convened commencing at 3.00 p.m. (London time) on Tuesday, 18 February 2020, notice of which is set out at the end of this announcement. A circular will be sent to shareholders shortly setting out the proposals and convening the General Meeting. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement. No Offer or Solicitation This Announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation to any person to purchase or subscribe for Shares or any other securities or engage in any form of investment activity. This Announcement is restricted and is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in, into or within the United States of America its territories and possessions, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (collectively, the "United States"), Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. This Announcement is also being released in Canada as part of the Company' continuous disclosure record. This Announcement is directed only at persons in member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA") who are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended from time to time (the "Prospectus Regulation"), ("Qualified Investors"). In addition, in the United Kingdom, this Announcement and any offer if made subsequently is directed only at Qualified Investors, who are also (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "Investment Professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2) of the Order or (iii) other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This Announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in any member state of the European Economic Area, by any person who is not a Qualified Investor (ii) in the UK, by any person who is not a Relevant Person. For further information you are invited to visit the Company's website www.altus-strategies.com or contact: Altus Strategies Plc Steven Poulton, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 1235 511 767 E: info@altus-strategies.com SP Angel (Nominated Adviser) Richard Morrison / Soltan Tagiev Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 SP Angel (Broker) Abigail Wayne / Richard Parlons Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0471 Blytheweigh (Financial PR) Tim Blythe / Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204 About Altus Strategies Plc Altus is a London (AIM: ALS) and Toronto (TSX-V: ALTS) listed project and royalty generator in the mining sector with a focus on Africa. Our team creates value by making mineral discoveries across multiple licences. We enter joint ventures with respected groups and our partners earn interest in these discoveries by advancing them toward production. Project milestone payments we receive are reinvested to extend our portfolio, accelerating our growth. The portfolio model reduces risk as our interests are diversified by commodity and by country. The royalties generated from our portfolio of projects are designed to yield sustainable long-term income. We engage constructively with all our stakeholders, working diligently to minimise our environmental impact and to promote positive economic and social outcomes in the communities where we operate. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information included in this Announcement, including information relating to future financial or operating performance and other statements that express the expectations of the Directors or estimates of future performance constitute "forward-looking statements". These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include without limitation the completion of planned expenditures, the ability to complete exploration programmes on schedule and the success of exploration programmes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date of this Announcement and the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. The forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement are made as at the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or any forward-looking statements contained in any other announcements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law or regulations. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else (including the recipients of this announcement) as nominated adviser and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP or for advising any other person in relation to the matters described in this announcement. SOURCE: Altus Strategies PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572996/Notice-of-General-Meeting Olmsted County and an Olmsted County Adult Detention Center correctional officer are being sued by a Burnsville man who alleges he was tased in the head and denied seizure medication during his 10-month incarceration at the jail. Kaiser Faisal Nur filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Minnesota in August 2019 against Elizabeth Sanders, in her individual as well as her official capacity, and Olmsted County. The complaint states that Sanders was employed as a "corrections officer working in the ADC." The complaints stem from incidents in 2017 and 2018 when Nur was being held at the ADC for a 10-month period awaiting trial for an Olmsted County case. The complaint alleges that in October 2017, Nur was assaulted by another detainee. "As soon as the assault began, Sanders, without warning, fired a Taser at Nur, deliberately, intentionally, and with malice striking him on the right side of his head where he had previously suffered a serious gunshot wound," the complaint reads. As a result, Nur suffered a grand mal seizure and was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys. Nur suffers from severe epilepsy and was prescribed medication to be taken three times a day, every day by doctors at the Mayo Clinic. The complaint states that Nurs epilepsy is a direct result of previously receiving gunshot to the right side of his head. ADVERTISEMENT In its answer, filed on Jan. 6, the county admitted that Sanders fired a Taser at Nur at the time of the incident without warning and that one of the probes struck Nur in the head but denied that it was done "with malice," according to the answer filed on Jan. 6. While at the hospital, Nur told a physician that officials at the ADC would not allow him to take any medication. "To Nur, the physician appeared horrified when told about the medieval practice of the ADC," the complaint states. The countys answer also denies "intentionally, deliberately, and/or maliciously depriving (Nur) of daily medication or otherwise failing to meet his medical needs." The lawsuit alleges that by being tased in the head, against the jails own policies and procedures, Nurs 14th Amendment right was violated. The county denied there was conduct on the part of the county or Sanders that constituted a violation of any right recognized under the 14th Amendment. It is also alleged that Nurs Eighth Amendment was violated by the jails failure to provide adequate medical care. The county denied that there was conduct that constituted cruel and unusual punishment or subjected Nur to "actual harm." Nur is asking for "an amount in excess of $75,000 together with his attorney fees, perverdict interest, costs, and disbursements." The county requested a jury trial. ADVERTISEMENT Nur is being represented by attorney William L. French. Sanders and the county are being represented by attorney Gregory J. Griffiths. The assassination of Ukrainian combat veteran, medic and volunteer Amina Okueva could be a case of contract kill. Andriy Nebytov, the Head of the National Police in Kyiv region reported that on a briefing. "We believe this crime was a contract-style assassination", he claimed. The official added that a group of hired guns may be involved in this particular case. 'Currently, the investigation team looks into the activity of this group not only in Ukraine but also abroad, including the EU member countries. Thus, I hope that with the aid of Western partners we will manage to get the information about the way the money was passed, who was the contractor and why this happened", Nebytov said. Speaking about the lines of inquiry and possible contractors, he said: "Speaking briefly, there are such inquiries, but I can't tell any more details". The murder of Amina Okueva occurred in the Kyiv region on October 20, 2017; she and her husband were attacked from an ambush. The shooter used an assault rifle of a 5.45-mm caliber. Okueva took a bullet to the head, while Osmaev sustained a leg wound and survived the attack. The woman of Ukrainian origin, Okueva was a Muslim; she was buried in Dnipro city, according to the Muslim traditions. On January 12, 2020, Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov claimed that the law enforcers detained a group of killers suspected in Okueva's murder. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Monday ordered a probe into the series of questions on the Bhil tribe asked in the state Public Service Commission examination conducted on Sunday. Talking to Twitter, the Chief Minister condemned the incident and said those guilty should be punished. "I have received a lot of complaints about the questions asked about the Bhil tribe in the Madhya Pradesh State Service Examination 2019 conducted by Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission on January 12, 2020. Orders have been issued to probe the matter," he tweeted. Nath said that he had a special connection with the community and that his government was committed to their upliftment. "Those responsible for this condemnable act should be punished to ensure that something like this is not repeated in the future. In my lifetime, I have always respected and honoured tribals and Bhils," he said in a subsequent tweet. Reportedly in the question paper, the Bhil tribe was described as criminal-minded and immoral. "I have done several works for the betterment and uplift of this category. I have had a special connection with this section since the beginning. My government is also committed to their uplift and has been continuously working for them," Nath tweeted. Madhya Pradesh BJP president Rakesh Singh also condemned the incident and trained guns at the Congress-led state government saying "It is highly condemnable to call the Bhil community criminal". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The movie "The Man Standing Next" directed by Woo Min-ho released posters featuring the five main characters of the film. In their appearances, each one reflected their roles perfectly. Showbox has unveiled the posters on January 14th. All the posters, in particular, gave off a retro look that looked like it was taken and printed in 1979. Lee Byung-hun plays the role of Kim Gyu-Pyeong who is the head of the Central Intelligence Agency which reigned over the constitution. On the left side of the image, it shows Kwak Do-won who plays the role of Park Yong-gak who is taking an oath at the US House of Representatives hearing. On the right side, it features actor Lee Seong-min who plays the role of "President Park." Lastly, Kim So-jin plays the role of the lobbyist Deborah Sim who first appeared through this poster. Deborah Sim in the poster is attending an American embassy party to show her relaxed attitude. Her character is the one who looks after Park Yong-gak while ruling the US Congress. She is a key figure in the changing relations of characters in "The Man Standing Next." Lee Hee-jun plays the role of Kwak Sang-Cheon who is the presidential head of defense. The poster shows Kwak Sang-Cheon standing proudly. It is predicted that he will have a tight and fierce competition with Kim Gyu-pyeong. "The Man Standing Nex" is based on the story of the 40 days before the assassination of the president of the Republic of Korea in 1979. It deals with the most dramatic moments of Korea's modern and contemporary history. It will be released on the 22nd and is gaining a lot of anticipation from the viewers. Lebanon Police Chief Frank Stevenson believes that euthanizing a dog should be a step of last resort for communities. That belief led him to request changes to the City of Lebanons dangerous dog ordinance providing his department and the Municipal Court more flexibility in handling these cases. That ordinance was discussed and then unanimously approved in the Jan. 8 public session of the Lebanon City Council. Stevenson said the existing ordinance gave him very little discretion in handling these cases and it provided the Municipal Court with even less. There were some things within that ordinance that I just didnt feel necessary or right, Stevenson said. In particular, he didnt support the strict requirement of euthanasia in cases where a dog may have been provoked or protecting its own space. A cat jumps into a back yard, gets killed by a dog, that dog could be declared dangerous and be required to be put down, Stevenson said. I wanted to have a little bit more oversight and review of whether or not this dog is deserving of euthanization, or not. Lebanon City Attorney Tre Kennedy said the ordinance also makes the Municipal Court the venue for all hearings and appeals in these cases. These were fairly minor amendments but thats going to make the chiefs job, not necessarily easier, but probably more appropriate, where appeals are going to spend more time with the judge and not with the chief, Kennedy said. Stevenson said that in the past he has attempted to mediate civil solutions between parties in some of these cases in order to avoid euthanizing a dog. Where those efforts failed, the strict letter of the law provided few other options for resolving the matter. Councilor Jason Bolen asked how many of these cases the Lebanon police handle each year. Stevenson said there perhaps six cases a year, on average. The changes will not eliminate euthanasia as an option, when necessary. There are those cases, too, where we have those dogs that, unfortunately, need to be euthanized to prevent liability to the city, Stevenson said. But many cases are more complex and involve dogs in unusual situations or who acted out of character. I wish I could find some other alternative rather than to euthanize a dog who was being a dog and just needs to be under some more guidance, Stevenson said. Councilor Karin Stauder supported the ordinance and as a retired police officer said she has been involved in cases exactly like those described by the chief. I think this is a really great addition to the city ordinance, Stauder said. In other actions on Wednesday, the council: Amended its floodplain ordinance within the development code to bring it in compliance with revised federal requirements. The city has to make these changes in order for homeowners in these areas to be eligible for flood insurance, said Community Development Director Kelly Hart. Revised its public notification requirements within the development code. The city will no longer provide notice through the newspaper of pending quasi-judicial hearings of the planning department or city council. Hart said those who live near the properties involved in these hearings will continue to be notified. The councils next session will be held at noon Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Santiam Travel Station to discuss the recruitment of a new city manager. Bolen, the council president, led the Jan. 8 meeting in the absence of Mayor Paul Aziz, who is recovering from spinal surgery. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. President Trump is expected to become the third president tried on impeachment articles as soon as this week. Its yet to be determined whether it will be the first such proceeding that is virtually unrecognizable as a trial. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, facing diminishing leverage over the party opposite and growing dissent within her own including from a fellow San Francisco Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein is expected to send the articles to the Senate for trial this week. Delaying them for nearly a month did not force Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to abandon his effort to avoid calling witnesses; he appears to have the votes to leave the question unanswered until the trial is under way. But Pelosis clock management did make McConnells position more precarious. The delay provided time for a court ruling that led former national security adviser John Bolton, one of several senior officials who cooperated with Trumps stonewalling of the House impeachment inquiry, to announce that he is willing to testify before the Senate. That means that when McConnell tries to hold his narrow majority together behind a hear-no-evil strategy, he will have to persuade his colleagues to ignore a firsthand witness to the presidents plot to force Ukraine to smear his political enemies one with unimpeachable conservative bona fides. Pelosis maneuver also allowed for the emergence of emails from another potential witness, White House Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffey, that tie the withholding of Ukraines military aid to Trump himself and to the timing of his infamous July phone call with his counterpart in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelensky. Acceding to the majority leaders cover-up will require Republican senators to ignore not only these developments but also the general understanding of what constitutes a trial. Consider the Justice Departments helpful guide to Justice 101: During trial, the prosecutor uses witnesses and evidence to prove to the jury that the defendant committed the crime(s). The defendant ... also tells his side of the story using witnesses and evidence. As recent events have made clear, impeachment trials are unlike other trials. The jury is a political body with no hope of impartiality, and the defendant is subject to removal from office, not loss of liberty or property. The Constitution nevertheless directs the Senate to try all Impeachments, and witnesses have participated in every impeachment trial the chamber has conducted. As Noah Bookbinder of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington noted recently in the Washington Post, that includes not only the two previous presidential impeachments but all 15 complete Senate impeachment trials to date, most of which concerned federal judges. The Senate heard from three witnesses in the trial of Bill Clinton, none of whom had testified before the House, and 41 in the case against Andrew Johnson. Even Trump seemed to be on board with this precedent until recently, at one point presenting his own bizarre list of potential witnesses, among them House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, the Los Angeles-area Democrat who led the impeachment inquiry. On Sunday, however, he appeared to oppose any trial whatsoever, calling for an outright dismissal by the Senate. Trump and McConnell are at odds with voters, 66% of whom want to hear from Bolton, according to Quinnipiac University poll results released Monday, including 39% of Republicans and 71% of independents. Senators who support a fact-free show trial will do so in defiance of the people and the Constitution. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. Matt Smith: After two wasted decades, it is for the Conservatives to deliver the devolution dividend to Wales Matt Smith was the Parliamentary candidate for Cardiff West in the 2017 General Election and has stood for the Welsh Assembly. He currently works as a lawyer and writes regularly about Welsh politics here. The devolution dividend promised Wales is two decades overdue. By the 2021 Senedd elections, Welsh Labour will have controlled devolved government for nearly a quarter of a century. But a Welsh Conservative Government wiould be able to draw a line under Labours two wasted decades, revive Welsh devolution, and deliver for the people of Wales. Welsh devolution was carried on hopes for a tangible devolution dividend. Welsh Government would improve public services. Structural economic problems and shortcomings in infrastructure would be addressed, narrowing the gap between Wales and the rest of the UK. Former Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies, promised a new democracy, more bipartisan, and less given to one party government than Westminster. This dividend has not materialized. Five out of Wales seven health boards are in some form of government intervention including special measures at the highest. Rhodri Morgans policy of clear red water between Cardiff Bay and Westminster led to a lost generation of state school pupils. There is no evidence of materially improved economic performance. Infrastructure development suffers as the decision to scrap the M4 Relief Road shows. And devolved politics remains a minority sport with a marked lack of pluralism. Yet it is not devolution that has failed Wales. Rather it is Welsh Labour that has failed Welsh devolution. Welsh Labour resisted an influx of talent at the time of devolution, rejecting a former Chief Executive of the Welsh Development Agency and a leader of a miners cooperative as candidates, instead rewarding loyal members of the tribe. Unprepared for power, Welsh Labour AMs have too often run governments with L-plates. Devolution is a golden opportunity to innovate. Instead Cardiff Universitys Professor Kevin Morgan attributes a cowed culture in Wales institutions to Welsh Labours intolerance of constructive challenge. This chilling effect makes it harder to disseminate good practice and call out laggards, stifling devolutions laboratories of democracy with tried, tested and failed managerialism. Fortunately, Wales political landscape is changing. The challenges to Welsh Labour in their post-industrial, working class heartlands fall thick and fast. In June 2016, Wales voted Leave, despite Carwyn Jones instructions. In April 2017 a shock Welsh Political Barometer poll initially placed Welsh Tories on 40 per cent . And in December 2019 Labours red walls finally crumbled. Labour has held a majority of Welsh Parliamentary seats since 1922. Hitherto they have avoided the fate of Scottish Labour in part due to the fashioning of a distinctive Welsh identity. Both Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones successfully distanced Welsh Labour from Blairism and Corbynism. Under Mark Drakeford, Welsh Labour is in harmony with Islington. Over his twelve month leadership, the Brexit Party won in 19 out of 22 Welsh local authority areas in Mays Euro elections. Labour nearly lost their deposit in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election. And in December, Welsh Tories turfed out Labour MPs in Ynys Mon, Vale of Clwyd, Clwyd South, Delyn, Wrexham and Bridgend. The Cardiff Cobynista thinks there was nothing wrong with the basic message of their General Election campaign calling for Labours next leader to retain our best ideas from the last two manifestos. Consequently last years Conservative gains may now portend wider political change. The 2021 Senedd elections are an historic opportunity for Paul Davies to lead the first Welsh Conservative Government since the dawn of devolution. Since 2010, Conservatives have burnished their devolutionary credentials turning Labours executive body corporate into a legislature. Their Wales Acts increased the range of devolved policy areas and furnished a stable devolution settlement. Labour Governments tried to merge the territorial departments and Lord Hain was simultaneously Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland. Conservative Welsh Secretaries have dedicatedly held their roles independently of other territorial portfolios. As Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns negotiated the 120 for every 100 spent in England that Cardiff Metropolitan Universitys devolution expert, Gerry Holtham, called a very fair settlement. Conservatives have brought the Welsh block grant to a record high level. Wales is now the UKs first Growth Deal Nation. The Marches Growth Deal, North Wales Growth Deal, the Mid-Wales Growth Deal, and the Western Gateway, go a long way in levelling up Wales regional economies. Abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges, our Manifesto pledge to ensure the delivery of an M4 Relief Road, and finance for a West Wales Parkway rail station, are big-ticket infrastructure developments. Paul Davies stands for empowering people, boosting localism, promoting accountability, supporting businesses and a strong Wales. There must be constructive challenge to Welsh Government even when they control the purse strings. His Cabinet will devolve as much power as possible to communities in direct contrast to Welsh Labour Governments that instinctively centralise power so devolution does not stop at Cardiff Bay. Investing in local economies with Seaside Towns and Market Towns funds empowering communities will rebalance the Cardiff-centric outlook of Welsh Government. They will use the power of devolution to unleash Wales potential, tackling housing shortages, supporting affordable rents, re-introducing right-to-buy, and scrapping Wales Land Transaction Tax for first time buyers. Wales is overdue the devolution dividend it was promised at the end of the last century. It will fall to the first Welsh Conservative Government in Cardiff Bay to deliver on the peoples priorities and revive devolution. SAN DIEGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union invites college-bound students in San Diego County to submit an application for its annual College Scholarship Program. Through the program, North Island Credit Union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities, giving back to others through service and volunteer work. "We're committed to helping our next generation of leaders pursue their educational dreams, and encourage local students to apply for one of our scholarships," said California Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "We know that affording the cost of higher education can be difficult, and we hope our scholarships make the path to college a little easier." San Diego area college-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission. Interested students can find more information and apply online at northisland.ccu.com/scholarship2020. Online applications will be accepted through March 16, 2020. Recipients will be announced on April 6, 2020. The credit union's annual College Scholarship Program was created in 2005 to recognize outstanding students within local communities. Each year, the credit union awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to students in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties. Since the creation of the program, the credit union has awarded more than $315,000 in scholarships. About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu. SOURCE North Island Credit Union Related Links http://northisland.ccu.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 06:00:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- With more than 20 million arrivals in 2019, Croatia recorded new growth in the tourism industry, data presented here on Tuesday by Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli found. According to the eVisitor tourist check-in and check-out system, there were 20.7 million arrivals last year, five percent more than in 2018, as well as 108.6 million overnight stays (a two percent growth). The number of foreign tourists grew by four percent, or 18.3 million, while there were nine percent more domestic tourists year-on-year. "Another record tourist year in terms of arrivals and overnight stays is behind us, but the more important is that we are recording an increase in tourism revenues and tourists spending," the minister said at a press conference. He noted that tourists in Croatia spent an average of 97 euros (107 U.S. dollars) per day, which is 20 percent more than in 2017. Cappelli explained that this is a reflection of a better tourist offer in Croatia and investments in accommodation capacities. The ministry has started to draft a new strategy of tourism development, which will focus on sustainable and responsible tourism based on quality and added value. "Within the Croatian presidency of the EU Council we will advocate sustainable and responsible management in the tourism sector and for the sake of better visibility in a long-haul market we will propose an establishment of the European tourism brand for joint promotion of member states," the minister said. In 2019, the top three destinations in Croatia were Dubrovnik, with 4.4 million overnight stays; Rovinj with 4 million overnight stays; and Porec with 3.5 million overnight stays. Istria is the most popular county with 28.7 million overnight stays, Split-Dalmatia County comes second with 20.5 million and the third is Kvarner in the northern Adriatic with 19.3 million. Most foreign tourists came from Germany, Slovenia, and Austria in 2019. Croatia, a southeastern European country, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Its economy is heavily dependent on the tourism industry which has an almost 20 percent share in the country's gross domestic product (GDP). MBABANE The wife of the Zionist priest who was arrested for allegedly subjecting his three daughters to sexual abuse is said to have watched helplessly as the former reportedly conducted nefarious acts on the children in front of her. This was disclosed by the police in an affidavit where they are vigorously opposing the priest bail application. The wife is said to have approached the clergyman on several occasions, lodging her disapproval of the children to bathing him. In a statement she recorded with the police, she disclosed that she further volunteered to bathe her husband (accused) but he allegedly refused and instead demanded that the children should bathe him and further brush his private parts while she (wife) watched in shock. According to the investigator of the case, Thando Dlamini of Buhleni Police Post, he informed the court that it would not be in the interest of justice to release the accused from custody. He informed the court that there was evidence that some of the priests relatives tried to talk to him to desist from sexually abusing the children but he allegedly continued until one of them fell pregnant. Evidence May I further state that there is evidence of the accused persons wife who witnessed the accused being bathed naked by his own children on several occasions and when she complained about that, it fell on deaf ears as he never stopped, contended the police officer. He further pointed out that the witnesses, including the wife, had recorded statements with the police and were willing to testify against the accused as the abuse on the children happened for a long period of time. May I state that there is a likelihood that the accused may attempt to evade trial once released on bail when looking at the nature and gravity of the charges preferred against him, submitted the police officer. The law enforcer went on to tell the court that the evidence against the accused was cogent and reliable as it was obtained from family members. According to Dlamini (police officer), this might induce the priest to evade trial. I submit that the accused might attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses once released on bail as some of the survivors are his biological children whom they stay together with in one homestead, contended Dlamini. He further pointed out that these children were born out of wedlock and had no other place to go as they grew up staying with their father. He averred that there was a likelihood that the release of the accused might disturb the public order or undermine public peace in the community. According to the police officer, the community where the incident happened was baying for the priests blood as they had already burnt his consultation room and the incident was reported by the Times of Eswatini. Dlamini also disclosed that the survivor, in counts one and five, had now moved from the area to Mbabane where the accused claimed he relocated to. She (survivor) will not be at ease to know that her father has also moved to Mbabane as she will not know what he will do if they accidentally meet. Influence I aver that it is not necessary for the accused to personally influence the survivors as he can influence them through his associates since he knows a lot of people who were consulting with him as a traditional healer, submitted the investigator. The priest (52) is alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with his three daughters over a period of seven years. He has been charged with nine counts under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018. According to the charge sheet, *Logo allegedly had unlawful and unprotected sexual intercourse with his three daughters who are now aged 24, 21 and 18. All the nine counts are accompanied by aggravating factors in that he exposed his children to sexually transmitted illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. He is said to have also inflicted physical and lifetime mental trauma on his daughters. It is alleged that none of the sisters reported the incidents which are said to have gone on for several years, in fear of suffering consequences. The Zionist priest allegedly used to force his children to bathe him. After bathing, he would allegedly then order the daughters to apply lotion on his body and get him ready for the day. Meanwhile, in his application for bail, the priest alleged that his brother teamed up with his daughters against him and his wife. Marriage He told the court that his brother and daughters allegedly disapproved of his marriage to his current wife. The accused, who is represented by Nhlanhla Ginindza of N.E. Ginindza Attorneys, alleged that his daughters accused their stepmother of ill-treating them. They accused me of taking my wifes side when she reprimanded them, the priest alleged. He implored the court to grant him bail. Logo submitted that it would not be in the interest of justice to refuse him bail. He said at the time of his arrest on December 29, 2019, he was suffering from an ailment for which he required traditional medicine since western medicine could not cure his sickness. I have to take traditional medicine for the ailment. Unfortunately I am not allowed to bring my medicine inside the prison neither is traditional medicine offered there. The bail application is still pending in court and appearing for the Crown is Beauty Fakudze from the chamber of the director of public prosecutions. *Not real name to protect survivors With India restricting the import of refined palm oil that has hit Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday said he was concerned about it but that would not stop him from speaking against New Delhi's recent actions. Last week, India imposed restrictions on imports of refined palm oil and palmolein in the backdrop of adverse remarks by Mahathir on the new citizenship law and the Kashmir issue. Mahathir said Malaysia may now need to find another solution after the boycott of its palm oil by Indian palm oil refiners and traders. "We're concerned of course, because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand, we need to be frank and when something goes wrong, we need to say it," he was quoted as saying by The Star online. "If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money, then a lot of things will go wrong," he told reporters after speaking at a function here. With India being the largest importer of Malaysian palm oil, Mahathir said there was a need to find a solution for the problem of India snubbing Malaysian palm oil. "The fact is what's happening in India today is causing a lot of unhappiness among the people there, and the whole world feels that it is wrong to discriminate against others," he said. The Star online report also quoted Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok dismissing reports that India was boycotting Malaysian palm oil. Kok on Monday said it was understood from discussions that Indian palm oil buyers wanted Malaysia to increase its export of crude palm oil and reduce the export of refined palm oil. India, the world's largest importer of vegetable oils, buys nearly 15 million tonnes annually. Of this, palm oil comprises 9 million tonnes and the rest 6 million tonnes is soybean and sunflower oil. Indonesia and Malaysia are the two countries which supply palm oil to India. Malaysia produces 19 million tonnes of palm oil in a year, while Indonesia produces 43 million tonnes, according to trade data. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has appealed to Chief Justice of India S A Bobde to take cognizance of the alleged police brutalities during recent protests against the CAA and the NRC in various parts of the country. Zafarul Islam Khan, DMC chairman, in a letter to the CJI, said police behaviour in various states has been "highly objectionable" during the protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Khan in his January 10 letter has attached a list of 87 instances of "police brutality" against protesters in UP, Karnataka, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia's catastrophic bushfires and the smoke haze blanketing major cities have sparked concerns among international students, presenting a risk for an industry that has become the country's third most valuable export. The healthy environment and lifestyle offered by Australia has become a competitive edge in attracting overseas students, and figures in the international education sector believe the unprecedented bushfire crisis could have a damaging and long-term effect. Commuters in Melbourne confront severe smoke haze on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Universities, other education providers, and federal and state governments have mobilised to address concerns about safety and health implications of the disastrous summer, and the international education sector wants a marketing campaign to safeguard Australia's reputation. Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, said providers and governments had been collaborating and were battling online misinformation exacerbating international concerns. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until January 14, 2020 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (NYSE: AFI), if they purchased the Companys securities between March 6, 2018 and November 4, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Armstrong and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-afi/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by January 14, 2020 . About the Lawsuit Armstrong and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On November 5, 2019, pre-market, the Company disclosed a range of negative financial information including 3Q2019 net sales of $165.6 million, a nearly 21% decline year-over-year, a net loss of $31.4 million, and a cut to its full year 2019 guidance for adjusted EBITDA from prior range of $46 million to $54 million to a range of $20 million to $25 million. On this news, the price of Armstrongs shares plummeted. The case is Chupa v. Armstrong Flooring, Inc., 2:19-cv-09840. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Flash Nearly 50,000 people living near a volcano on an island close to the Philippine capital have heeded official warning to evacuate as fears of an eruption grew, officials said on Monday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology increased the alert level for Taal Volcano in Talisay town in Batangas, approximately 66 km south of Manila, on Sunday to 4 on a scale of 5, indicating an increased prospect of a hazardous eruption "within hours to days." Level 4 means a hazardous eruption is in progress. The volcanic institute declared a permanent danger zone within Taal volcano's 14-km radius as the volcano spewed lava and ashes. Volcano institute head Renato Solidum said the restive volcano spewed fountains of red-hot lava and massive ash flumes before dawn on Monday. He said the institute has recorded a total of 52 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region as of 12:49 a.m. on Monday. "Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," Solidum said. Mayor Gerry Natanuan of Talisay town in Batangas province said 45,000 people living near Taal volcano, a popular tourist spot, were evacuated Sunday night. He said that a few villagers who stayed to watch over their homes will eventually be forced to evacuate. Batangas province Vice Governor Mark Leviste said there are 12 towns around the volcano but the towns of Talisay, Agoncillo, and Laurel towns are high-risk areas. The towns and Taal Volcano island is home to farmers, fishermen and tourist guides. Leviste said there was zero visibility in some areas because of the thick ashfall on Sunday night. Some roads are covered with up to two inches of mud, he added. Local television footage showed villagers covered in volcanic ash evacuated to safer ground overnight. People living in high-risk towns near the volcano donned masks for safety. The institute said explosion of fine, dense ash drifted in many areas in provinces south and north of Manila. "Fine ashfall can cause irritation and breathing problems especially among the elderly and children and it is particularly dangerous to the health," the institute warned. In addition, it said that "areas of ashfall have also experienced sulfurous smell which can also cause irritation." The institute urged the affected residents to wear facemasks or damp cloth or towel, warning of the effects of "heavy and prolonged ash fall." "Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution as ash can cause poor visibility and, when wet, can make roads slippery," the institute said. Civil aviation authorities have also advised aircraft to avoid airspace around Taal Volcano "as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards to aircraft." The Manila International Airport Authorities shut down the operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday following the eruption, resulting in the cancellation of international and domestic flights. Thousands of passengers have been stranded as a result. The eruption also forced the government to cancel classes in the provinces blanketed by volcanic ash, including Metro Manila. Visits to the 2,500-hectare crater island, a major tourist draw, were banned as the institute declared the entire island a permanent danger zone and should not be settled. Taal is one of the most unstable of the country's 24 known active volcanos with 34 recorded eruptions. DENVER, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Healthcare Staffing (Freedom), a rapid response healthcare staffing agency that provides experienced, high-quality nurses, allied professionals and clinical practitioners, announced today the expansion of its offerings to include advance practice recruitment. With the addition of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, Freedom will fill a growing demand to provide essential staffing for hospitals and clinics, including urgent care and retail clinics. "Since 2005, Freedom has established a proven business model to meet nurse and allied staffing demands. Our ability to quickly provide premium care for short- or long-term assignments made our entry into advance practice recruitment a natural fit," said Todd Wecker, Freedom's vice president of sales and recruiting. In addition to targeting staffing at hospitals, Freedom plans to address a growing demand for non-hospital settings such as physician practices, pharmacy clinics and urgent care facilities. Non-hospital medical settings are a vital part of the overall continuum of care, with approximately 89 million patient visits each year and an $18 billion segment of the industry today. The number of retail-based clinics has climbed rapidly since its inception. This increase is not expected to slow down as need for urgent care centers is fueled by convenience, cost control and the rise of patients without a primary care physician. "The environments in which people seek healthcare is quickly changing and there are simply not enough workers in the medical field who want permanent positions to meet clinic and urgent care facility needs," said Susan Whitman, co-founder and COO of Freedom Healthcare Staffing. "We understand that the gig economy is here to stay, and we will continue to stress our industry leading salaries, flexibility and personalized schedules." For more information about staffing advance practice providers, please contact Freedom Healthcare at 866-463-0385 or visit https://www.freedomhcs.com/advanced-practice-travel-jobs/. About Freedom Healthcare Staffing Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Denver, Freedom Healthcare Staffing (Freedom) provides experienced high-quality nurses, allied professionals and advance practice providers to healthcare facilities across the nation. In 2019, Freedom was ranked 1,746 on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list , which honors America's fastest-growing private companies, on the strength of a three-year revenue growth of 232%. Freedom has the firsthand expertise to rapidly meet staffing demands and provide premium care for short- or long-term assignments, allowing facilities to quickly adapt to changing healthcare environments. For more information about Freedom Healthcare Staffing, visit www.freedomhcs.com. SOURCE Freedom Healthcare Staffing Related Links https://www.freedomhcs.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Avidian Gold Corp. ("Avidian" or the "Company") (TSX-V:AVG), an exploration Company with key assets in Alaska, Nevada and Newfoundland & Labrador, is pleased to announce its participation in the following conferences. Vancouver Resource Investment Conference to be held January 19 th and 20 th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Avidian Gold will be in booth 538 and is scheduled to present at 2:10 pm on January 20 th in Workshop 1. to be held January 19 and 20 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Avidian Gold will be in and is scheduled to present at 2:10 pm on January 20 in Workshop 1. AME Round Up 2020 to be held January 20th to the 23rd at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Avidian Gold will be in booth 727 January 22nd and 23rd. Interested parties are encouraged to drop by the booth and meet the team and learn more about the projects. Alternately, if you prefer to schedule a meeting, please contact Bonnie Hughes at bhughes@avidiangold.com or Steve Roebuck at sroebuck@avidiangold.com. About Avidian Gold Corp. Avidian brings a disciplined and veteran team of project managers together with a regional scale advanced stage gold-copper exploration portfolio in Alaska. Avidian's Golden Zone project also hosts a NI 43-101 Indicated gold resource of 267,400 ounces (4,187,000 tonnes at 1.99 g/t Au) plus an Inferred gold resource of 35,900 ounces (1,353,000 tonnes at 0.83 g/t Au). Additional projects include the Amanita gold property which is adjacent to Kinross Gold's Fort Knox gold mine in Alaska and the Jungo gold/copper property in Nevada. Avidian is the majority owner of High Tide Resources, a private company, that owns the base metal Strickland Property, the Black Raven gold property and an option on the Labrador West Iron Ore property, all located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Avidian is focused on and committed to the development of advanced stage mineral projects throughout first world mining friendly jurisdictions using industry best practices combined with a strong social license from local communities. Further details on the Corporation and the individual projects, including the NI 43-101 Technical report on the Golden Zone property, can be found on the Corporation's website at www.avidiangold.com. For further information, please contact: Bonnie Hughes, Manager Investor Relations Mobile: +44 7538 296674 Email: info@avidiangold.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 news release. Forward-looking information This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "may," "could," "would," "will," or "plan". 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, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company'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 the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities law. SOURCE: Avidian Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572896/Avidian-Gold-to-Attend-Vancouver-Conferences-January-19th--23rd-2020 A government employee cannot be removed from service merely by saying that he has been convicted in a criminal case, the Allahabad High Court ruled on Tuesday Justice S P Kesharwani stated this while quashing an order of senior Superintendent of Police of Jhansi sacking petitioner Ram Kisan, a police constable, from his post. The SSP had, through an order dated December 17, 2008, removed Kisan, saying he was convinced and awarded life imprisonment by Additional Session Judge, Jhansi in a criminal case. The petitioner had moved the court on the grounds that he has been granted bail and order of sentence has been stayed by the high court on his appeal. The high court was of the view that whenever a government servant is convicted of a criminal offence, the appropriate authority has to consider the role of the employee in the case and then decide the penalty. After hearing the counsel for the parties, the court said that order of removal was silent on this matter. The court directed to the SSP Jhansi to reconsider the case of petitioner and to pass a fresh order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] Atlantic Metro Continues to Surge in the IaaS Marketplace PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic Metro , a leading provider of fully managed IT Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions, today announced its expanded footprint in 2019, along with its plans for continued growth and expansion in 2020. Fueled by new customers and client expansion, Atlantic Metro has established new network Points of Presence (PoPs) and Internet Data Centers (IDCs) both domestically and overseas. Strategic new international expansion locations include: Auckland, New Zealand Singapore Sydney, Australia Frankfurt, Germany Moscow, Russia Tokyo, Japan London, United Kingdom In addition to the global expansion, Atlantic Metro also expanded its domestic footprint with new network PoPs in Seattle, Boston, and Philadelphia. Atlantic Metro now manages over 60+ network Points of Presence across major metropolitan cties worldwide. Atlantic Metros secure Internet data centers and PoPs prioritize performance and security, allowing businesses to seamlessly connect with their customers all around the world. We are extremely proud of the Companys continued growth and expansion in 2019, explains Matt Lombardi, CEO of Atlantic Metro. This is the result of a dedicated, experienced and hardworking team that delivers best-in-class solutions and support to our customers. We are also very excited about our near-term opportunities for 2020 that should continue our expansion and growth throughout the coming year. Combining secure data center hosting with high-speed network connectivity gives Atlantic Metro customers the simplicity and benefits of one partner, one contract, and one dedicated support team. In 2019 many of its customers took advantage of that benefit, migrating from colocation to a hybrid of colocation and cloud. Atlantic Metros cloud hosting platform provides a seamless path for its customers to move to a virtualized, hosted platform without costly, upfront hardware costs. The expansions in 2019 and their planned further growth throughout 2020 will add diversity, resilience, scalability and flexibility to Atlantic Metros already robust service portfolio. About Atlantic Metro Communications Atlantic Metro offers high-speed network services, including connectivity to all public cloud platforms, cloud hosting and colocation in over 40 global data centers. For over 20 years, Atlantic Metro has designed, built, and run IT infrastructure solutions for Fortune 100 Enterprises and mid-size businesses worldwide. Whatever the scale or scope of your next IT project, Atlantic Metro has the bandwidth, secure data centers, and the expertise to deliver world-class IT infrastructure service. Contact us at 212-792-9950 or contact us through our website at atlanticmetro.net to get started today. Contact Information Steve Oakie Vice President, Sales and Marketing [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys decision to step down as senior royals became inevitable as the couple increasingly felt ostracized from the family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement on Wednesday announcing their intent to carve out a progressive new role within this institution however, the public announcement came with little formal warning and left senior royals hurt, something that was so avoidable, a royal source says. But in this weeks cover story, a family friend tells PEOPLE that the couple felt they had no choice but to manage things the way they did, even as they went against the familys never complain, never explain mantra. This is not how they wanted to handle this, but Meghan and Harrys hand was forced, says the friend. There is so much bad blood in that family its toxic. The friend adds, If relationships had been better, things would have been different. RELATED: Queen Elizabeth Speaks Out on Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Departure After 90-Minute Family Summit Some of the division between Prince Harry and Prince William can be traced back to the early days of Harry and Meghans romance, when, sources say, William cautioned Harry about moving too fast. Harry opened up about his relationship with his brother in the ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, saying: Inevitably stuff happens. But were brothers, well always be brothers. Were certainly on different paths at the moment. In the same documentary, Meghan told interviewer and longtime pal of Harry Tom Bradby that not many people have asked if she was doing okay and insiders say the comment was a thinly veiled reference to her in-laws. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry The negative press they endured and Meghans outsider status as a biracial American left her deeply, deeply hurt, says a source close to the royal household and feeling unsupported by the royal family. Story continues Meghan and Harry didnt feel they got enough comfort or solace from them, says the source. Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Stephen Pond/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth called Prince Harry, Prince William and their father Prince Charles to come together for a meeting on the matter at her Sandringham home on Monday. Following the 90-minute summit, she released a remarkably personal statement. RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Will Spend Time in Canada and U.K. During Period of Transition PA Wire/PA Images Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family, the Queen said. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the U.K. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. Cant get enough of PEOPLEs Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Royal historian and biographer of the Queen Robert Lacey tells PEOPLE: It was incredibly personal. I cant recall a royal statement where one gets the sense so much of the Queen herself speaking. Using phrases like my family and I is very moving. It clearly shows her wish to resolve everything. Adds Ingrid Seward, another biographer of the Queen: Its deliberately very vague and doesnt tell us much apart from Harry and Meghan have won the first round. Ive never seen a statement like that in 30 years. It was very personal and sounds very sad. Davinder Singh, the Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Superintendent of Police arrested for links with terrorists has not been awarded any gallantry or Presidents medal for meritorious services, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Tuesday. The statement was designed to fact-check reports that the police officer, who had been associated with counter-terror operations for a large part of his career, had been awarded the Centres gallantry medal. DSP Davinder Singh, J&K Police said in a string of tweets, was awarded the state governments gallantry medal last year for his role in countering a suicide attack by terrorists at the Pulwama district police lines on 25 August 2017. ALSO WATCH: On The Record | Davinder Singhs arrest and how it changes how Afzal is viewed DSP Singh, who was posted at the anti-hijacking cell of the police attached to the Srinagar airport, was then serving at the Pulwama district police lines. Singh was arrested on Saturday on a charge of terror links after the state police intercepted his car on the national highway and arrested him along with two terrorists travelling with him. Singh is also being investigated for sheltering the top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, who was involved in the killing of non-local truck drivers and labourers, and forcing a shutdown in south Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Singh joined the force in 1990 as a sub-inspector and moved up the ranks, mostly spending his career spanning roughly three decades in sensitive posts. While many have suggested that the arrest could hurt the image of Kashmir police, former Jammu and Kashmir police chief Kuldeep Khoda underlined that the police caught its officer meant that no one could doubt the police force. In Tuesdays bunch of tweets, the Jammu Kashmir Police stressed the same point. Jammu Kashmir Police is known for its professionalism and doesnt spare anyone including its own cadres if found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct, the police said. We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone, it said. A special investigation team is handling the interrogation of DSP Davinder Singh along with central intelligence agencies to ascertain his role in terror operations. There have also been indications that the police would also look into his conduct in previous cases. New Delhi, Jan 14 : A team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here on Tuesday started recording testimonies of the students, who were victims of the alleged police brutality on Jamia Millia Islamia campus on December 15. After recording his testimony, Mustafa Mojib, a M.A. student, told IANS, "After detaining us from the campus, they took us to gate No. 7 of the university near the metro pillar and started thrashing us. They were also hurling communal abuses, like 'Kalma padh lo saalon'." Narrating his ordeal, Mojib said, "On December 15, I was in the library. Around 5.25 p.m, I could hear the sound of tear gas shells being fired inside the library. After that the police entered the library, began to beat everyone." "After we were detained, they told us that we were being taking to Holy Family hospital for first aid. But they took us to the New Friends Colony police station. We were not even given water to drink. We were not allowed to meet lawyers." A 4-member NHRC team, headed by a DSP, visited the campus and recorded statement of students who either hurt or witnessed the police brutality in the library. Of the 40 students present, 25 gave their version of the incident in writing to the NHRC team. Before written statements, the team interacted with them when they narrated the police action. The team will record the statement of the remaining students, employees and security personnel of the university on Wednesday. Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more Consumers are on social media constantly, scrolling through posts from both friends and brands. Many have begun clicking on some of those brand posts and making purchases. Social commerce is becoming increasingly popular for brands, noted Darin Archer, chief strategy officer at Elastic Path. Even when the transaction itself may be happening outside the app, theres a much smaller gap between discovery and purchase, he told the E-Commerce Times. It makes it easy for shoppers to transact when theyre already thinking about your ad, Archer said. A social commerce strategy can be more effective than counting on the shopper to remember the ad or the product later when theyre shopping in-store, he added. Youre streamlining the shopping process for consumers by making browsing and transacting more connected in many cases, drastically reducing the time between the peak of purchase intent and the ability to complete a transaction, said Archer. In essence, people live on social media, so its a relatively small step to shop there as well. Social media has always been an important gateway to making purchase decisions, observed Liz Cole, group director for social strategy at Digitas. Research has shown that more than half of consumers have purchased a product after seeing it recommended by someone they follow on social channels, and nearly 75 percent have purchased a product after first seeing it in a brands own social post, she told the E-Commerce Times. As consumers become more comfortable with the idea of social commerce, social media platforms are adapting. Social platforms are building out more and better commerce functionality, from shoppable tags to product catalog-enabled ads to transactional chatbots, said Cole. A D V E R T I S E M E N T As the path from post to purchase shortens, peoples openness to discovering new products and buying them directly through social channels has also expanded to include categories of products like mattresses or prescription medications that previously werent commonly purchased online at all, she noted. Social Commerce Success Successful social commerce relies on creating a sense of continuity across all the various channels consumers use to interact with a brand. To succeed in selling through social media, brands will need to figure out how to effectively integrate the social commerce experience with existing touchpoints, like mobile and Web, said Elastic Paths Archer. They should also ensure that the brand experience within an app is specifically tailored to that touchpoint. The checkout experience for social commerce should be relevant to that context rather than just a desktop experience repurposed for social, he advised. The customer shouldnt notice any change to their experience as they move through the purchase journey. Social commerce also relies on a sense of loyalty thats built up over time and place between brands and their customers, and so its important that the products people buy through social media are competitively priced and of reliable quality, according to Mousumi Behari, digital strategy practice lead at Avionos. Given the visual nature of social media, small format videos are becoming increasingly popular to create a storyline and impact the brand, she the E-Commerce Times. Influencers often play a big role in the success of social media commerce, since they serve as a kind of conduit between the world of shopping and the world of social media connectivity. They already have a likability factor, and customers will trust what they are selling, said Behari. Brands are having success with this approach, such as Nike with Kobe Bryant, or Puma with Selena Gomez. Ultimately, social commerce is all about communication. Creating a two-way conversation on social media is also improving customer retention. We see massive brands like Target servicing their customers in the comment section and meeting the user where they are, explained Behari. Retailers should allocate money to market in these platforms, she recommended. The interactions on social media feel personalized, and since the customer is able to curate their feed, chances are they are seeing sponsored ads to similar products of people they already follow. The Evolution of Social Commerce Social commerce is evolving continually, as it capitalizes on new platforms and methodologies. Social commerce is going to grow, and its obvious therell become more ways to instantly buy, noted Amelia Neate, senior manager at Influencer Matchmaker. I predict more social feeds will be integrated on websites, she told the E-Commerce Times. For example, DFS has begun introducing integrated Instagram feeds on their website, which helps show their products in situ. Encouraging a purchase, buyers can see how a piece is styled and how it may look and feel in their homes. Brands selling via social media need to find new ways to connect with customers, suggested Rachael Samuels, manager for social media at Sprout Social. As social commerce continues to grow, brands will need to humanize themselves by creating content their audience can relate to and identify with, she told the E-Commerce Times. In the year ahead, I expect to see more e-commerce brands leveraging micro-influencer partnerships, integrating social shopping experiences across multiple platforms, and finding creative ways to empower audiences to sell for them, such as turning honest customer feedback into distributable content. Social commerce gradually might expand beyond simple purchases to include larger ones, as consumers become more comfortable with the idea of buying through their social media feeds. As Gen Z gains purchasing power and the platforms themselves improve commerce capability, we will see growth here, predicted Brian Walker, chief strategy officer at Bloomreach. Certainly we will likely see these platforms continue to grow in influence over shopping and buying, including in high-consideration categories like real estate, he told the E-Commerce Times. For example, in the future, we could see real estate listings on Snapchats Snap Map feature. Another development will be smoother checkouts. We may see mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Venmo integrate directly into social media apps to reduce friction even further, said Walker. More in-app transactions are on the horizon. I see the in-app transaction experience as the next step for social commerce, said Archer. Linking to an external e-commerce site begins to monetize the browsing experience, but its not as seamless as it could be. To create that ease-of-purchase, brands will need to move the actual transaction into the social app. We already see this with Instagrams Checkout function, and this will cause a ripple effect with other brands making the move to support in-app transactions. As social commerce evolves, it will be important for brands to understand that they must offer consumers full shopping experiences, even when the consumers are clicking and buying on the go, Archer said. A brands future social commerce experience will need to communicate with all other commerce touchpoints, like the Web store, to facilitate seamless transactions, he said. Otherwise, youll lose shopper engagement. Shahdol/Satna : , Jan 14 IANS) Eight infants, newborn to two-and-a-half-month old, died in the last 12 hours -- six in the government Kushabhau Thakre district hospital and two in Birsinghpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, a senior official official of health department said on Tuesday. Chief Minister Kamal Nath asked health minister Tulsi Silawat to look into the matter. Silawat has ordered a probe into the incident. He sent condolences to the families. Kushabhau Hospital is one of the biggest district hospitals in Jabalpur division. There has been an angry outburst among the bereaved families since the tragedy. District collector Lalit Kumar Dahima has constituted a committee to investigate the causes. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Kamleshwar Patel reached Shahdol District Hospital on Tuesday morning after the death of six children. He met the families of the children and expressed condolences to the family and directed the collector to investigate the incident. The kids in Shahdol who died the intervening night of January 13-14 are mostly tribal. They were admitted to Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital in serious condition. Four of them were identified as Shyam Narayan Kol, Suraj Baiga, Anjali Baiga and Subhash Baiga, Chauth Kumari and Phoolmati. The authorities are investigating if there was negligence in treating them on the part of the staff on duty. Preliminary investigations suggested that all six cases in Satna were caused by pneumonia. Two newborns under the age of one month died after vaccination at Anganwadi centre in Koneita village in Veerasinghpur area of Satna district. Five other children were seriously ill. Reports said when the kids were taken seriously ill after vaccination they were moved to hospital in Birsinghpur. The post-mortem reports said two deaths had occurred due to clotting of milk in trachea. After the incident on Monday, the District Collector and the police reached the spot and assured the angry families to get the matter inquired. Muslim activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied has started promoting products on social media as she carves out a new career as an influencer. The 28-year-old Sudanese-Australian writer has been building her profile and gaining publicity since fleeing Australia for London in 2017. And as Ms Abdel-Magied's popularity has grown, her Instagram account has started to be filled with 'paid partnerships'. Scroll down for video Muslim activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied (pictured) has been gaining more notoriety since she fled Australia for London in 2017. And since Ms Abdel-Magied's popularity has grown, her Instagram account has started to be filled with 'paid partnerships' On Wednesday she posted an image where she stood in front of a movie poster for 'Bombshell'. The post was paid for by LionsgateUK On Wednesday she posted an image of herself standing in front of a movie poster for the film Bombshell. In the post she raved about 'powerful performances' while saying the movie, about the Fox News sexual harassment scandal 'speaks to how the patriarchy can make us complicit'. The post was a promotion paid for by film company Lionsgate UK and even featured #ad at the end of the caption. Fashion brands, including luxury women's designers ESCADA and Bella Singleton, have also paid the former engineer to promote their products. Influencers can command huge figures for beaming brands and products to their followers. It's not clear how much Ms Abdel-Magied has received for her posts, but she could charge between $300 and $600 as she has more than 45,000 followers. The former Queensland Young Australian of the Year has seen her life turn around since moving overseas. The young woman, who was born in Sudan but raised in Brisbane, left Australia after sparking outrage when she used Anzac Day as a chance to tweet about refugee camps. 'Lest we forget (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine)', Ms Abdel-Magied wrote on April 25, 2017. Her news program was axed from the ABC network and she then moved to London after widespread fury over her controversial tweet. The 28-year-old moved to the UK in mid 2017 in the wake of a series of controversies, including a controversial tweet Controversial Muslim activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied (pictured) called 2017 a 'traumatic' year 'And you wonder why you are so despised in this country,' one person responded. 'Based in UK, great, stay there and let us poor Aussies live in our ignorance without your arrogant anti-Aussie culture rants,' another person said. Ms Abdel-Magied, who worked as an engineer before entering the media industry, apologised for the tweet. However, on Remembrance Day just seven months later, the Muslim activist was again slammed for a similar post: '#LestWeForget (Manus)'. Last year she then brought up the decisive tweet again. She later called 2017 a 'traumatic' year and even compared Australia to an abusive boyfriend, SBS reported. Muslim activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied (pictured) has announced her engagement more than a year after she fled to London following backlash over her controversial Anzac Day comments The 28-year-old Sudanese-born writer flashed her diamond ring (pictured) in a post on Instagram on Tuesday. 'He put a ring on it!' she wrote in the caption from a pool in Marrakesh, Morocco She said the backlash she received caused her to feel 'betrayed by my own country' and claimed nobody would hire her as a result of her controversial post. Claiming she felt isolated after the onslaught of criticism, Ms Abdel-Magied announced in July 2017 she would embark on a new chapter of her life in London saying it was part of the 'Aussie rite of passage'. Ms Abdel-Magied moved to England capital in September 2017 and is currently still living in the UK. During her time abroad she has become engaged. She flashed her diamond ring in a post on Instagram in November last year. 'He put a ring on it!' she wrote in the caption from a pool in Marrakesh, Morocco. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Abdel-Magied and her team for comment. A Philadelphia woman reconnected with a South Jersey man at their high school reunion in early 2018 and began dating him, only to lose thousands of dollars to him in an investment scheme, authorities said. The man, Jeffrey Jasner of Mount Laurel, was indicted Thursday on charges that he scammed the victim out of $77,000 under the guise her money was going to a business that educates inner-city students. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced the grand jurys decision in a statement to the media Monday. Jasner allegedly called the phony business Cities of a Million Lights and told the victim the mayors of Philly and Camden supported it. He said the business would officially launch at the Made in America festival, held annually since 2012 in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She thought there would be a launch of lanterns into the air on both sides of the Delaware River, and that companies sponsoring the event would pay back her investment. The scheme began to fall apart around fall 2018 when the woman asked Jasner to make good on a "guarantee that he would pay her back with interest if the companies did not pay. Jasner also tricked the woman into donating to fictitious travel agencies called Love Traveling and Club Card, Coffina wrote. Jasner will face an arraignment in Superior Court in Mount Holly. Coffina said the case was assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Margaux Loures and credited Mount Laurel police Detective Aaron Harty for investigating. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Representative Image Sumanth Raman For the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case the wait for release just got longer. Hereon, a release might be much harder too. On January 7, their hopes were dashed when the Centre informed the Madras High Court that it was against their release. The convicts hopes were raised in September 2018, when the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution for their release, and the state government forwarded the same to the Governor for assent. Over the last year the Tamil Nadu government has made periodic efforts to remind the Governor of this pending file but Raj Bhavan has only said that the matter was under consideration. With the Centre telling the court that any leniency towards the seven, who had involvement in the death of 15 persons including former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, would set a bad precedent, and embolden other accused in similar heinous crimes to plead for early release, the issue seems to have been laid to rest, at least for the immediate future. In April 2018 the Union home ministry had informed the Supreme Court that it was against their release. In that sense the January 7 submission to the high court was a mere reaffirmation of the Centres stand on the issue. Surprisingly this news hardly caused any flutter in the political circles in the state. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had been pushing for the release of the convicts, did not say very much and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which after the demise of J Jayalalithaa has lost its enthusiasm for their release stayed silent. It was, however, this AIADMK government under Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami that got the resolution passed in the assembly. The smaller parties made some noise, but that was it. The convicts have already spent 29 years in jail and those pushing the case for their release say that with their sentences having been commuted to life imprisonment, they have served their terms. However, there is the legal issue that in cases where a death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment, would it mean a regular life term of a minimum of 14 years in jail with remission thereafter at the discretion of the government, or an imprisonment for the life of the convict without remission? In February 2014, and again in March 2016, then CM Jayalalithaa made attempts to get the convicts released. These proposals were shot down by the Centre. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress oppose the release of the assassins, though the Congress says that they will abide by whatever the court or the Governor decides. The families of some of those killed with Rajiv Gandhi in the blast have also been vehemently opposed to the release of the convicts. Political parties in the state, by and large though, support the call for the release of the seven convicts. The Centre in its response to the court also spoke of the international ramifications of the case. With four out of the seven convicts, Sriharan alias Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar being Sri Lankan citizens there would also have been the issue of whether they were to be repatriated if they were released. The other three, Nalini, Ravichandran and Perarivalan are Indian citizens. Among the seven, Perarivalans case calls for a review the most. His crime was that he bought batteries that were used to detonate the bomb that killed Rajiv Gandhi. However, he has claimed that he did not know the purpose for which he was asked to buy the batteries and officers who were formerly with the SIT have spoken about their doubts on the veracity of the SIT claim that he was indeed aware. In late 2017, former Supreme Court Judge KT Thomas, who was one of the judges on the bench that delivered the verdict in the case, said there were errors in the investigation of the charges against Perarivalan. However, the case to free Perarivalan has to a large extent been botched by those political parties and activists claiming to speak in his name. By clubbing his case with the other six about whose guilt there is no element of doubt, they may have significantly reduced Perarivalan's chances of being released. There is also the matter of whether with the case having been referred to the Governor, who under Article 161 has discretionary powers to pardon the prisoners, does the Centre have any role to play in the matter. Some voices in the Opposition are of the view that the state should move the courts against the Governor for not signing the filebut, given the nature of the relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP that appears most unlikely. The matter will now come up for hearing in the Madras High Court on January 28 where the state government will reply to the Centre's submission on the issue. Eventually the ball is in the state governments court. If it does not push hard for their release the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi case could soon be commencing their fourth decade in prison. The logo of OYO, India's largest and fastest-growing hotel chain, installed on a hotel building is pictured in an alley in New Delhi By Sachin Ravikumar and Maria Ponnezhath BENGALURU (Reuters) - SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels and Homes is laying off hundreds of employees in India, according to a source and an internal memo seen by Reuters, as the loss-making hotel chain cuts costs in pursuit of profits. The move is part of a larger priority to drive profitability and sustainable growth, following a cash-guzzling expansion spree that took Oyo to dozens of new markets including China and the United States, an email from Chief Executive Ritesh Agarwal to Oyo employees on Monday showed. "Some roles at OYO will become redundant as we further drive tech-enabled synergy, enhanced efficiency and remove duplication of effort across businesses or geographies," Agarwal wrote. "As a result, we are asking some of our impacted colleagues to move to a new career outside of OYO." The email did not disclose the number of layoffs. However, a person briefed on the matter said the layoffs impact more than 1,000 employees in India across senior, mid-level and junior positions. Four Oyo employees in the Indian cities of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and the company's headquarters in Gurugram confirmed that employees were being asked to leave. Local media have reported that Oyo was laying off anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 employees in the country. An Oyo representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The cost-cutting effort comes as Oyo's biggest investor SoftBank faces setbacks in some of its marquee investments, such as office-sharing startup WeWork, which it is bailing out after a failed public listing. Other investments by the Japanese technology giant, including Uber, have also seen their valuations drop sharply. Oyo, founded by Agarwal in 2013, has in particular been hit by a volley of unfavourable headlines in recent months. It faces a growing backlash from several of its hotel partners, while internal projections have shown that Oyo may not make a profit in its two biggest markets until 2022, even as losses spiral. Oyo's rapid growth was fueled in part by questionable practices, that included giving free lodging to police to deter trouble over illegal rooms, the New York Times reported https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/technology/oyo-softbank-india.html this month. Story continues "We take all the allegations very seriously and are looking into each and every one," Agarwal wrote in Monday's email. He also said the company would focus on "profitable locations and buildings, and avoid growth that dilutes our margins" and that Oyo would work to "further reduce operating costs." (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Chandini Monnappa; Editing by Anil D'Silva) Two episodes into The Bachelor prove this may actually be the most dramatic season yet. Pilot, Peter Weber, had his hands full (literally) in the last episode. Ex-girlfriend and former Bachelorette, Hannah Brown, showed up two separate times during the premiere. The other contestants were less than thrilled to see the pageant queen seemingly still vying for Webers heart. That said, fans are taking Hannah B. to Twitter jail for doing this one prohibited thing. Hannah Browns pageant history is ingrained in her Hannah Brown and Adrienne Bailon attend The 2020 InStyle And Warner Bros. 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for InStyle If you didnt catch Hannah Browns season of The Bachelorette, you might not be familiar with her lengthy pageant history. She began competing at age 15 around the Alabama area (where shes from). Hannah B. placed first-runner up in Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen 2010, followed by Miss Alabama Teen USA 2011. From there, the pageants became bigger. Hannah B. garnered the Miss Tuscaloosa crown in 2012. She went on to compete for Miss Alabama but didnt make the cut. Hannah B. eventually took a break to attend the University of Alabama. However, she never left the sparkly gowns and bright, white smile too far behind. In 2017, Hannah B. tried her hand at Miss Alabama again, but she still didnt place. In 2018, she tried again and made it, competing in Miss USA thereafter. Hannah B. keeps her pageant past close, even throughout her reign as The Bachelorette. You can take the sparkly gown out of the girl, but you cant take the girl out of the sparkly gown. Fans are ticked at what happened with Hannah B. and Weber When you enter into a reality dating competition on TV, you cant expect things to flow normally. Weber may have tried to move one from his past with Hannah B., but she had other plans. A dramatic ending to the premiere carried over into the beginning of the second episode. Hannah B. and Weber tortured themselves with another will-we-wont-we, leaving the other contestants in the dust. Hannah B. debated on staying in the house to compete for Webers heart. She admitted part of her cared for him and wondered what if, but in the end, Weber said he couldnt do it and left Hannah B. to tend o the other women. Needless to say, the cringe-worthy scenario had fans screaming at their TVs for Hannah B. to let Weber find his own path without her. Still, she let him with one final memory that many immediately condemned. Reactions to the situation prove Hannahs parting gift is the worst Thanks to Hannah B.s pageant past, the girl loves one thing that most consider a biohazard. All that time Weber and Hannah B. hid away talking (and Hannah B. crying), her dress assaulted the entire area, including Weber. Fans are not cool with it. Did anyone else notice ALL THE GLITTER HANNAH GOT ON PILOT PETE, one fan tweeted. CanNOT get over the glitter on Peters hair/beard/suit after emotionally explaining to the girls about his conversation with Hannah, another added. Another viewer said, Hannah B so wearing that glitter dress to deliberately cuddle with Peter and leave glitter all over him so the other girls see it is a POWER MOVE if I ever did see one. It didnt end there. The comments, GIFs, and photos dragging Hannah B. for a) wearing a glitter dress and b) getting it all over Pilot Pete has America livid. While Hannah B. ultimately went home, she was sure to leave Weber with the worst parting gift in history. We all know that once something is glittered, its glittered forever. Thanks a lot, Hannah B. The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has disclosed that the King James Bible which many Christians make use of... Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has disclosed that the King James Bible which many Christians make use of, was not accurately written. The clergyman in an article shared on social media opined that the King James Version is similar to a version of one of many sides of an argument. Omokri further described people who say King James Version was good enough for the early church, as ignorants, adding that KJV was established in 1611, more than 1500 years after the early church. He also said it is not funny that many people think that Peter, John, and Paul, among other Apostles, wrote the KJV. He wrote, One of the biggest mistake Christians make is to think that the King James Version of The Bible is an exact or evening equivalent translation of the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Scriptures. Not true. Not true at all. The King James Version is similar to a version of one of many sides of an argument. When people argue, they tell their own side of what transpired. As an independent and objective bystander, you will be foolish if you hear only one side of the argument and conclude based on that. Sadly, that is what many people do with the King James Version. And this has led to a situation where their faith is built on lies, half truths and inadvertent errors by the translators. There are actually people who have said, If King James Version was good enough for the early church, it is good enough for me!. Such is the ignorance of many so called Christians that they are unaware that the KJV was established in 1611, more than 1500 years after the early church. Many people you know, actually think that Peter, John and Paul, among with many of the Apostles, wrote the KJV. I am not joking. Omokri who said he had previously dealt with the issue at length, but he will be talking about it again because it takes several dose of medicament to cure some diseases. So let me give this another go, he said. One of the Scriptural verses that the KJV got either deliberately or inadvertently wrong is Isaiah 45:11 which reads in that version as follows: Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. Based on that, many genuine believers have been commanding God. Let me put it this way, it is actually stupid to command God. And the original Hebrew Scriptures never said such. The truth, which is clear if you read the original Hebrew, or even if you read the preceding and succeeding verses, is that God speaking through Isaiah was showing disappointment in people who were questioning His judgment. The preceding verse (Isaiah 45:10) says: Woe to the one who says to a father, What have you begotten? or to a mother, What have you brought to b The truth, which is clear if you read the original Hebrew, or even if you read the preceding and succeeding verses, is that God speaking through Isaiah was showing disappointment in people who were questioning His judgment. The preceding verse (Isaiah 45:10) says: Woe to the one who says to a father, What have you begotten? or to a mother, What have you brought to birth? The verse before that (Isaiah 45:9) says: Does the clay say to the potter, What are you making? Does your work say, The potter has no hands? Now think. After giving out such warnings as was given in verses 9 and 10, why would God now ask His creations, you and I, to command Him about the work of His hands? The answer is that He did not. Almost every other translation gives the right translation to Isaiah 45:11. I will give four below and you can compare them with the KJV: This is what the LORD says the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?-NIV Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?-ESV This is what the LORD says the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? There are two verses in the King James Version which have always troubled me and made me question my faith as a youth. Those verses are 2 Kings 2:23-24 which read: And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth litt. A billionaire forced to pay 337million to his wife in Britain's biggest ever divorce payout is back in the High Court again with his ex-spouse over the children's charity they set up. Sir Chris Hohn - who donated 200,000 to climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion - and Jamie Cooper are in a dispute over the Children's Investment Fund Foundation they founded together in 2002. The row centres on whether the foundation, which has assets of more than 3billion, should make a grant of more than 270million to a similar charity, Big Win Philanthropy, set up by Ms Cooper after the divorce. Five Supreme Court justices began analysing the case at a Supreme Court hearing in London today after Ms Cooper asked judges to overturn a previous Court of Appeal ruling. In 2017 a High Court judge ordered a third member of the foundation, Marko Lehtimaki, to approve the grant, after Sir Chris and Ms Cooper recused themselves from voting on the plans. But in 2018 that decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Sir Christopher Hohn (pictured) and ex Jamie Cooper are in a dispute over the Children's Investment Fund Foundation they founded together in 2002 Sir Hohn and Ms Cooper divorced in 2014 which saw the billionaire ordered to hand about a third of a 1billion fortune - 337 million - to his wife after a trial in the Family Division of the High Court. After their divorce in 2014 it made their 3billion charitable foundation difficult to manage together and the warring former couple are now involved in the new extraordinary legal row after Ms Cooper set up the charity. Justices were told that Sir Chris and Ms Cooper set up the foundation nearly 20 years ago in a bid to improve the lives of children in developing countries. Sir Chris and Ms Cooper had agreed that, in exchange for the grant to Big Win Philanthropy, she would resign as a member and trustee of the foundation. But both had recused themselves from voting on the proposal. Jamie Cooper (pictured at a previous court hearing) won 337million from her former husband in a divorce battle, Britain's biggest ever payout Justices have been asked to decide whether a judge can tell the third foundation member, Mr Lehtimaki, how to vote. A judge who initially analysed the dispute in the High Court in London decided that the grant would be in the foundation's best interests and ordered Dr Lehtimaki to vote to approve it. But Dr Lehtimaki, backed by Sir Chris, mounted a successful challenge to that decision. Court of Appeal judges ruled after a hearing in London that a judge could not direct Dr Lehtimaki 'on how he should exercise his powers'. Ms Cooper has now asked Supreme Court justices to overturn the ruling by the Court of Appeal judges. Sir Chris Hohn has been ranked in the top ten of the world's highest earning hedge fund managers and he set up The Children's Investment Fund Management, or TCI, in 2003. He was ranked as the 125th-richest person in the UK with a 1.2bn personal fortune on this years Sunday Times Rich List. He was caught up in the row over the privatisation of Royal Mail after it emerged TCI made a huge profit buying and then selling shares for a profit fanning the flames in the row over whether the Government had sold the company too cheaply. The couple who had homes in London, the United States and the West Indies had fought over assets totalling more than 700million at the High Court before a judge finally settled on the staggering sum. The couple's long-running divorce case bordered on farce at times with Sir Chris accusing his ex-wife of seeking maintenance payments for a dog that never existed. They married in Washington DC in 1995 and had four children, including triplets, before divorcing in April 2013. The hearing is due to end on Wednesday and justices are expected to deliver a ruling later in the year. In October it emerged that through his charity The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation, and through his own personal wealth, he donated 200,000 after claiming there was an urgent need for people to wake up to climate change. Around 50,000 of the donation came from his own pocket, while the rest came from his charity. He said: 'I recently gave them 50,000 because humanity is aggressively destroying the world with climate change and there is an urgent need for us all to wake up to this fact.' An independent councillor has been accused of twice assaulting a female police officer. As well as being charged with two counts of assaulting the officer on September 30 last year, 61-year-old Henry Reilly was also charged with resisting the female constable, resisting a male constable and causing criminal damage to a police radio and ear piece on the same date. Reilly, from the Ballynahatten Road in Kilkeel and who sits in Newry and Mourne District Council as an independent councillor, did not attend Newry Magistrates Court where a prosecuting lawyer told the court that body cam footage had been served on the defence. District Judge Eamon King adjourned the case for two weeks for attitude". Although he now sits as an independent, Mr Reilly has previously served on the council as a member of the UUP, the DUP and most recently UKIP but had to resign from the party as his job with a charity did not allow him to align with any political party. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tor Vergata University Hospital ("Tor Vergata") and Indivumed GmbH ("Indivumed") today announced that they have entered into a collaboration in the field of personalized oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, Indivumed will analyze a comprehensive multi-omics profile including genomics (WGS), transcriptomics, proteomics and phosphoproteomics from selected Tor Vergata cases. This information, together with other cases already existing in Indivumed's IndivuType database, will be used to discover new mechanisms and biomarkers in cancer. "We are very excited with this collaboration. Having access to this multi-omics profile will allow us to understand better the disease and develop research projects that can have an impact in the way we treat patients in the future," said Dr. Gerry Melino, Principal Investigator and Head of Biochemistry at Tor Vergata University. "The future requires international cooperation involving not only local Hospitals like Tor Vergata and San Carlo Nancy, but worldwide hospitals and research centres," said Orazio Schillaci, Rector at Tor Vergata University. The generalization of genomics-based approaches in cancer research and clinical practice represented a great advancement towards personalized medicine in recent years, but it has also shown its limitations. "Genomics only" can't explain the differences in disease progression and patient response to certain drugs, and therefore multi-omics approaches based in systems biology are being increasingly used by researchers to identify molecular patterns associated with disease. "We continue the ambitious expansion of our global clinical network, and today we are thrilled to announce this agreement with Tor Vergata University Hospital, our first clinical partner in Italy," said Dr. Hartmut Juhl, CEO of Indivumed. "We are looking forward to enriching the IndivuType database with their contribution, especially in the field of liver and pancreatic cancers, where there is an urgent need for better diagnosis and treatment." Within the scope of the agreement, researchers at Tor Vergata University Hospital will also be able to leverage Indivumed's advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence capabilities for specific projects. About IndivuType IndivuType, a Business Unit of Indivumed, offers the world's first true multi-omics database for individualized cancer therapy, analyzing the highest quality cancer biospecimens to generate the most comprehensive dataset available today, including genomics (WGS), transcriptomics, proteomics, phosphoproteomics and clinical and outcome information. This platform enables novel discoveries in cancer biology for the post-genomics era. Indivumed is deeply committed to the quality of the IndivuType ecosystem along every step of the process, starting with stringent SOP-driven sample collection procedures combined with thorough validation of clinical information and data integrity. IndivuType's powerful database and Artificial Intelligence tools can forge a path to accelerate clinical trials, enable robust protocol design, and generate insights for precision oncology treatment and improved patient outcomes. About Tor Vergata University Hospital The University of Rome "Tor Vergata", beside teaching to 34,000 students, hosts one of the most modern hospitals in Italy as well as competitive cancer research centres. In addition, the research and clinical activities of the University of Rome Tor Vergata are exerted in Partners Hospitals within the Rome region, including San Carlo di Nancy, IDI-IRCCS, Ospedale Bambino Gesu'-IRCCS, Istituto S. Lucia-IRCCS, Policlinico Casilino, Regina Elena IRE-IRCCS, S. Raffaele Pisana-IRCCS, Istututo Spallanzani-IRCCS. In particular, the University hosts the Torvergata Oncoscience Research (TOR), a multi-faculty research facility focused on cancer research, with the mission to identify specific, early markers of cancer and explore new therapeutic targets. Only a global understanding of the molecular origins of cancer disorders can deliver this mission, rapidly and with better chances of success. Therefore, Indivumed, in conjunction with the University of Rome Tor Vergata, TOR, and its Partner Hospitals is pleased to launch a strong new partnership aimed at establishing a worldwide multi-omics database for individualized cancer therapy. Media Contact: Patrick Renegar W: 703-519-1600 Ext. 104 [email protected] SOURCE Indivumed China wants to use the commissioning of its 'biggest and most powerful destroyer' to prevent the United State from undermining its 'core interests', an expert claims. The official delivery of the Nanchang, the country's first Type 055 guided missile destroyer, is meant to deter the Americans, he says. The ceremony is an attempt from Beijing to 'demonstrate its sufficient political will and military capability to the U.S. Government, especially under the present Trump Administration', the Asia-based researcher adds. The message from Beijing is that 'any effort to undermine or subvert Beijing's "core interests" concerning territorial and sovereignty issues - such as the case of Taiwan, and the South China Sea - could be met with military response.' The Nanchang, China's first Type 055 guided missile destroyer, was commissioned to the navy of People's Liberation Army Sunday morning in the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao The ceremony is an attempt from Beijing to 'demonstrate its sufficient political will and military capability to the U.S. Government, especially under the present Trump Administration', an Asia-based researcher claims. Pictured, U.S. President Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017 The Nanchang, a domestically built 10,000-ton-class surface warship, was commissioned to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Sunday in the eastern port city of Qingdao, according to the Chinese state media. The event reflects the extant rivalry between Beijing and Washington which has escalated in recent times, according to Collin Koh, a research fellow and maritime security expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Mr Koh believes that Beijing hopes to use the ceremony to impress upon its perceived aggressors and show off its growing naval might. Tensions between the world's two biggest economies have risen quickly due to a series of diplomatic spats, including the U.S.-China trade war, Washington's spy allegations against Chinese telecom giant Huawei and the perceived 'meddling' from America in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The Nanchang also went into active service on the same day when the U.S. expressed its support for the re-elected Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who won in a landslide on the back of a message of standing up to Beijing. China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong (pictured), went into active service on December 17 and is stationed in the city of Sanya in southern China on the edge of the South China Sea Mr Koh believes that Beijing intends to use the ship's commissioning to accumulate more military strength to pursue its interests, including those concerning its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. The research fellow told MailOnline in an email interview: 'The usual narrative is that Beijing doesn't wish for war but would fight and win one if compelled into one. 'In other words, the Type-055 is meant for most part to deter: be it Taiwan's "secessionists" or the Americans who may come to the aid of Taiwan and other countries with whom China has outstanding territorial and sovereignty disputes.' In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, William Brent Christensen (right), director of the American Institute in Taiwan meets with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (left) in the Presidential Office in Taipei on January 12 after Tsai's landslide re-election victory The Chinese navy is growing faster than any other major fleet. The country has been investing heavily on building a 'deep blue water' naval force capable of operating globally, and the official delivery of the Nanchang is a step forward in the ambitious military plan, according to Chinese state media Global Times. The vessel could signal Beijing's efforts of increasing its military firepower further from its shores and into the western Pacific. Mr Koh points out that the commissioning of the Nanchang signifies that Chinese navy's carrier capability is taking shape. 'A carrier capability requires not only the carrier itself but also a robust, multi-layered set of defence and strike as well as afloat support elements,' he explained. The Type 055 Nanchang destroyer is expected to form a battle group with either of the country's two aircraft carriers, reported Global Times, quoting Chinese experts. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered service in September, 2012, and is based in Qingdao, the same city as the Nanchang. Its second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, went into active service on December 17 and is stationed in the city of Sanya on the edge of the South China Sea. The country is said to be building a third aircraft carrier, which would be equipped with a flat-top flight deck and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system. The Type-901 fleet replenishment ship (pictured) is by far the largest such ship ever inducted and the 'linchpin' of afloat support of the Chinese navy's carrier battle group, the expert says In 2017, the PLA already commissioned the Type-901 fleet replenishment ship. Mr Koh says the vessel is by far the largest such ship ever inducted and the 'linchpin' of afloat support of the PLA's carrier battle group. The commissioning of the Nanchang - being the lead ship of the class - is 'significant if seen in this context'. 'The ship epitomises the "Chinese dream" touted by President Xi Jinping, which envisages a wealthy nation with a strong military,' he added. 'The other dimension to consider is to see this destroyer as a projection of China's growing stature - diplomatic, economic, military and technological - in the face of perceived U.S.-led containment scheme in the minds of the Chinese policy elites.' The Nanchang measures 180 metres (590 feet) in length and 20 metres (66 feet) in width. It has a displacement of more than 10,000 tons and is equipped with 112 vertical launch missile cells capable of launching a combination of surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, land-attack missiles and anti-submarine missiles, reported Global Times, citing media reports. A Beijing-based naval expert told the newspaper that the 'versatile' Type 055 could not only serve as a powerful escort to aircraft carriers but also lead a task group without a carrier and conduct a wide range of missions. The Chinese navy is undergoing 'comprehensive training' aimed at forming operational capability for the Nanchang and merging the warship into its combat system, the vessel's Captain, Zhou Minghui, told state broadcaster CCTV. The Nanchang was launched on June 28, 2017, and flaunted at a maritime parade on April 23 last year in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese navy. The Canadian government sent out an incident alert for a nuclear plant near Toronto on Sunday, urging residents in the vicinity of the Pickering nuclear power plant to ask the local media for more information. As it turns out, the alert had been sent in error. The alert stated that an incident occurred at the Pickering plant, but that no release of radioactive material had been detected, CNN said. The alert added that local residents did not need to take any protective action. "There has been NO abnormal release of radioactivity from the station and emergency staff are responding to the situation. People near the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station DO NOT need to take any protective actions at this time," the original alert read. Soon enough it became clear there had been no incident at all. Ontario Power Generation first tweeted that the alert had been sent in error, and then issued an official statement. OPG has a sophisticated and robust notification process in place that we would immediately follow in the unlikely event of an incident at the station. I want to assure the public that there was no incident at the station, and the plant is operating as designed, the utilitys Chief Nuclear Officer said in the statement. The Ontario government admitted it had made a mistake in sending out the alert. The Solicitor General of the province, Sylvia Jones, said she had ordered a full investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, CBC released an overview of how Ontario would react in a real emergency situation involving a nuclear incident. The procedure involves PG informing all governments within 15 minutes of the incident and passing the buck to Emergency Management Ontario, which would apply the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Keeping the Cate School pool clean: The Emmett Horowitz Aquatic Centers concrete cistern waterproofed with PENETRON ADMIX helps clean the water from both the 25 m and warm-up pools every day. Recent tests have shown that PENETRON ADMIX can add up to 60+ years to the lifespan of concrete, thanks to low permeability, low shrinkage, self-healing capabilities and the resistance to chemical attack in exposed environments, such as the Cate School application, before the onset of corrosion. The Aquatic Center upgrade (new cistern and support building) to the Cate School in Carpinteria (CA) was completed in January 2020. Penetron provided the key waterproofing technology to ensure durable concrete structures. Founded in 1910, the Cate School is a four-year, coed high school in Carpinteria, Southern California. Highly selective, the school offers 280 boarding/day students a rigorous college preparatory academic curriculum. 60% of the schools most recent graduating class attend the 25 top-ranked colleges and universities in the country (18% at Ivy League schools and/or Stanford). Business Insider ranked Cate School as the 16th best private school in the nation. Seeking More Environmental Compatibility In 2010, the Cate Schools Emmett Horowitz Aquatic Center including a 25 m pool and a warm-up pool was inaugurated. Recent upgrades to the LEED-certified Center included a support building housing a microturbine and water treatment cistern. The 60kW microturbine provides heat and power to the pool, saving the school over $46,000 annually in energy costs. The concrete cistern is used to clean the backwash from both swimming pools every day. Swimming pools use a strong chlorine solution to sanitize the water. However, if the water is released into the environment, even very low levels of chlorine can kill fish and other aquatic organisms in lakes and streams, and also upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in a septic system or wastewater treatment plant. This means the wastewater must be neutralized before it can be discharged, explains Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. The operators at the Cate School use a vitamin C dechlorination process that is completely non-toxic. In addition, once placed in water, vitamin C degrades completely in a day or two. Looking for Chemical Protection and Waterproofing During the design phase of the project, the engineer at Hartigal/Foley, the project contractor, contacted Penetron for a possible concrete waterproofing and protection solution for the support building and cistern project. PENETRON ADMIX treated concrete was suggested as the ideal solution to provide the concrete with the required chemical protection and waterproofing needed without the use of traditional membrane or coating systems. PENETRON ADMIX SB (Soluble Bags) was used. The convenience and ease of use of the unique, pre-measured soluble bags for PENETRON ADMIX help ensure the correct dosage for any mix design. CEMEX in Santa Barbara easily and quickly added the admixture; the soluble bags dissolve quickly and completely during mixing. The contractor also saved time and money with PENETRON ADMIX by avoiding the labor-intensive application of any type of coating on the cistern that was initially considered, adds Christopher Chen. Extending Concrete Lifetime PENETRON ADMIX is a hydrophilic concrete admixture that reacts with moisture and concrete minerals to form crystals in the micro-cracks and voids of the concrete. Because new crystals form whenever new moisture enters, the concrete acquires a permanent self-healing capability that seals any newly-formed micro-cracks. Recent tests have shown that PENETRON ADMIX can add up to 60+ years to the lifespan of concrete, thanks to low permeability, low shrinkage, self-healing capabilities and the resistance to chemical attack in exposed environments, such as the Cate School application, before the onset of corrosion, concludes Christopher Chen. The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels. For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700. Settling the issue of jurisdiction, motor accident claims tribunal, Mohali, has ruled that claim petition can be filed within the jurisdiction of a court where the insurance firm of the vehicle that causes the accident is running its business. The accident claims tribunal, presided over by Rajnish Garg, had ruled this while disposing of a petition filed by the kin of a factory supervisor hailing from Kangra working in Ludhiana, who was killed in an accident in 2019 in Theog. The claim was filed by 42-year-old Sanjay Ranas kin, on account of his death on June 11, 2019. The deceased had been working as supervisor with SS Food Industries, Ludhiana. The accident claims tribunal had directed National Insurance Company Limited (which has its office in phase 5, Mohali), car driver Rasal Singh and owner of car Atush Sharma(both from Kangra) to jointly and severally pay a compensation of 9.60 lakh along with 9% interest to kin of Rana. During the hearing of the claim petition, the insurance company had sought dismissal of the claim, arguing that claimants and respondents No.1 and 2 are residents of Kangra district (HP) and no insurance policy had been issued in Mohali in respect of the vehicle. The insurance company had argued that the accident had also occurred within jurisdiction of police station Theog, district Shimla, while the claim was filed in Mohali without any jurisdiction. Dismissing the argument, the accident claims tribunal reiterated, the insurance company has its branch office in Mohali and is running its business here. The claim petition can be filed within jurisdiction of a court where the insurance company of the offending vehicle (vehicle involved in accident) is running its business. The accident took place owing to negligence of the driver in which Rana was travelling: petition As per the claim petitionon June 11, 2019, Sanjay Rana and his colleague was coming from Nerwa to Sainj, wherein Rasal Singh the vehicle driver was speeding. At about 9.30 pm when they reached near Pujeli village on bypass road leading from Kargoli Nala to Deha in Himachal Pradesh, the driver lost control over the car due to which the car fell into a ditch and all persons sustained serious injuries. Rana suffered grievous injuries on his head and other parts of his body and died on the spot. Ranas body was taken to civil hospital, Theog where a postmortem was done and a case was registered under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A IPC with Theog police station against Rasal Singh. Mechanical fault led to accident: Driver, owner of vehicle The driver Rasal Singh and owner of car, Atush Sharma, both from Kangra said the claim petition was filed to grab money from them. They said the accident took place due to a mechanical fault in the car and there was no negligence on Rasal Singhs part. To this, the tribunal responded, saying, This fact could have been proved only by Rasal Singh but he never stepped into the witness box to claim that the accident did not take place due to his rash driving. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By PTI NEW YORK: Microsoft's Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella on Monday voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. His comments came while speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in Manhattan where he was asked about the contentious issue of CAA which grants citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. "I think what is happening is sad. It's just bad. I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Nadella was quoted as saying by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of New York-based BuzzFeed News. In a statement issued by Microsoft India, Nadella said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds." "I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large". The Centre last week issued a gazette notification announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11. According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 due to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the Act in different parts of the country. In UP, at least 19 persons were killed in anti-CAA protests. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse man is in critical condition Monday after he was stabbed on the citys North Side, police said. The 25-year-old man was stabbed in the 100 block of Lawrence St. Someone then drove him a short distance to the Tops grocery store parking lot at 700 First North St., city police spokesman Officer Joseph Commisso said. Syracuse police said they were dispatched to the Tops parking lot at 12:59 p.m. American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance crews treated the victim in the grocery store parking lot, then took him to a Syracuse hospital, Commisso said. The stabbing victim was in critical, but stable condition Monday afternoon, Commisso said. The investigation is active and ongoing, he said. Syracuse police have not yet released any suspect information, but ask anyone with information about the stabbing to call them at (315) 442-5222. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. In brief: Although E3 is still an exciting event for many, it has lost a bit of its luster in recent years. This is due in no small part to major companies like EA and Sony opting to pull out of the latest conventions, choosing instead to host their own separate conferences. Sony began this trend by skipping E3 2019, and for better or worse, they'll be doing so again this year. We reported on rumors of this decision yesterday, but it wasn't until today that Sony officially confirmed it to the world. According to the company, the reason for its latest move is that the "vision" of E3 2020 does not align with its own internal plans. "After thorough evaluation SIE has decided not to participate in E3 2020," a Sony spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz in a statement. "We have great respect for the ESA as an organization, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year." Although not unprecedented, this news is still somewhat surprising. Sony lost relatively little by skipping E3 last year, but this year, they have the PlayStation 5's release to worry about. By skipping E3 again, Sony is giving up quite a bit of marketing visibility to its chief competitor, Microsoft, who will almost certainly be at the event. Tens of thousands, if not millions of consumers tune in to watch E3 every year, making it the perfect venue for a company like Sony to reveal its latest major projects. Still, it doesn't seem concerned, and one could argue that Sony (and the PlayStation brand as a whole) is large enough now not to need the help of E3. At any rate, Sony's spokesperson had a few other interesting quotes to share. "We will build upon our global events strategy in 2020 by participating in hundreds of consumer events across the globe," the spokesperson said. "Our focus is on making sure fans feel part of the PlayStation family and have access to play their favorite content. We have a fantastic line up of titles coming to PlayStation 4, and with the upcoming launch of PlayStation 5, we are truly looking forward to a year of celebration with our fans." This individual's statement does read a bit like PR fluff, but some useful information can still be gleaned from it. The bit about Sony's plans to participate in "hundreds of consumer events" across the globe is particularly interesting. That statement implies that the company's PS5 marketing plans will be far bigger in scope than E3 alone, but it fails to mention what "events" Sony is planning to become involved with. Aside from E3, some other notable gaming-oriented trade shows include Gamescom, PAX East, South, and West, Dreamhack, the Tokyo Game Show. It's unclear whether Sony will show up at these events, but we look forward to finding out as 2020 progresses. Protesters raise five demands gestures during a rally in Hong Kong, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (PHOTO: AP Photo/Vincent Yu) By Denise Wee (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs protests are spurring more asset managers from the city to ask about opening offices in Singapore, according to consultants. While the unrest isnt the only factor, the development adds to signs that Singapore is picking up business in part due to the protests. The list includes a private equity gathering thats shifting to Singapore this year, family office advisers getting calls about clients looking into the logistics for moves and Hong Kong parents eyeing Singapore schools. Global valuation and corporate finance advisor Duff & Phelps has seen a rise in applications from Hong Kong asset managers to open offices in Singapore and apply to do regulated business, according to Sin Yee Koh, director of compliance & regulatory consulting. Law firm Shook Lin & Bok LLP has seen a surge in enquiries and actual instructions from Hong Kong firms looking to set up fund management companies in Singapore since August, according to Tan Woon Hum, partner & head of trust, asset & wealth management practice. We have not seen a sudden surge of interest of this nature from one particular city except during the global financial crisis, said Tan, who has almost two decades of specialized funds management practice in Singapore. Protests in Hong Kong have dragged on for more than six months, with violent clashes between the protesters and police fueling uncertainty over the citys future. Hong Kongs government forecasts that the economy contracted 1.3% in 2019. Any acceleration in asset managers actually moving some of their business from Hong Kong could add to the economic woes. To be sure, many of the steps are preliminary and any actual shifts of business or staff to Singapore could require more time to acquire licenses. And even before the protests, there had been interest in Singapore from funds in various cities for a variety of reasons, according to market watchers. In the past half year, the total number of fund management companies licensed and registered by the MAS grew by almost 9% from 820 as at 31 May 2019 to 892 as at 8 Jan 2020, a spokesperson for the Monetary Authority of Singapore said. This compared with 780 managers as of Dec. 31, 2018, the spokesperson added. Story continues Contingency Plans When it comes to the Hong Kong firms that are looking to set up offices in recent months, they are generally of the size where they would look to have another office in Asia, but the protests are an added impetus, according to Duff & Phelps. The protests are a factor that accelerates the decision to open a Singapore office but are not the sole driver of Hong Kong firms applying to do regulated business in Singapore, said Koh. Hong Kong funds are putting contingency plans in place and some of them have asked their staff to spend time in Singapore during crazy weeks to minimize disruption, according to Benjamin Quinlan, chief executive officer of financial services consultancy Quinlan & Associates in Hong Kong. While a Singapore minister warned last year that Hong Kong-like protests could easily happen in his country if the government is complacent, public demonstrations are rare in the city-state. Under restrictive laws, cause-related gatherings are illegal without a police permit and participants are subject to fines without it. A big question for Hong Kong involves its regulatory future after 2047, when the system under which China allows the city a high degree of autonomy is due to expire. While Hong Kong is a free-wheeling capitalist city, the Chinese government has long kept a tight grip on money flowing in and out of the country. If fund managers or investors perceive a change in the rule of law in Hong Kong or increase of regulatory pressure, it might create uncertainty and fear, said Tan at Shook Lin & Bok. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Shevlin Sebastian By Express News Service It is a November morning. Photographer Thomas Vijayan is lying on the ice at a penguin colony in Antarctica. Several feet away, an Emperor Penguin and his wife stand behind a baby penguin, their beaks almost touching as they look down on their newly-hatched baby. The moments last just a few seconds, but Thomas is able to capture it. I knew those were rare shots, he says on call while vacationing in Mexico. After the female penguin lays an egg, she immediately leaves in search of food and stays away for the next two months. During that time, the male balances the egg on its feet and covers it with a brood poucha layer of feathered skin. When the mother returns, she feeds the chick by regurgitating the food stored in its stomach. Soon, the father goes out for food. It is quite rare to get three of them together. The shot is unique, says Thomas, who uses a Nikon D5 camera. Last month, out of 2,000 entries worldwide, the judges at the Bird Photographer of the Year conducted by the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers picked Thomas picture named My family for the first prize. Incidentally, this is not his first win. Over the course of his two-decade career, Thomas has won over a thousand medals. But the Antarctica assignment was not an easy one. He flew from southern Chile to the Union Glacier Camp, a distance of 2,500 km. From there, he took a Twin-Otter plane and landed on sea ice in the Weddell Sea. Going to the penguin colony was difficult, says the Kottayam-born photographer. It took me eight hours of walking in soft snow to cover 14km. You are knee-deep in snow. But when he reached the colony, the penguins showed no fear. It was their first time around humans, so they were curious and friendly, says Thomas. Though many of them tried coming close, I kept my distance. I didnt want to infect them with germs I may be carrying, he said. On his third visit to Antarctica, Thomas got to see the effects of global warming first-hand. Each time I visit, the glaciers would have melted up to 500m. Many of the ice sheets have vanished, says Thomas, implying an impending disaster. We have destroyed the planet. It is too late for any course correction. All we can do is try and slow down the process. Soon, it might get too hot for humans to live here, he says. Nevertheless, Thomas, an architect, is doing his bit to preserve the planet by taking beautiful pictures of everything we are endangering. He has clicked photos of the critically endangered crested black macaque on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia. He has also spent months in Siberia to capture Amur leopards, the rarest cat in the world. They are critically endangered and less than 40 of them are believed to be left in the world, he says. (CNN) The first votes of the 2020 Democratic nominating contest are just weeks away, and 12 Democrats are trying to get ahead in a crowded primary field. Here's an updated look at who's in and who's out. We're going to keep updating this list through the campaign season as candidates announce their intentions or drop their bids. For the latest 2020 election news, check out CNN's full coverage. Announced campaigns Sen. Michael Bennet AGE: 54 STATE: Colorado KNOWN FOR: Bennet, the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools, was forced to hold off on entering the race following a diagnosis and subsequent treatment of prostate cancer in April. Having served in the Senate since 2009, Bennet has pitched himself in pre-campaign appearances and speeches as a pragmatic lawmaker who has a progressive voting record. Former Vice President Joe Biden AGE: 76 STATE: Delaware KNOWN FOR: Biden's long-anticipated announcement marks his third presidential campaign after he passed on a 2016 run. His name recognition, decades of experience and ties to former President Barack Obama are seen as his greatest assets. But his track record on -- and public response to -- making some women uncomfortable with his behavior could be an obstacle to gaining modern voters, some of whom may also think that the party needs new, more diverse representation. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg AGE: 77 STATE: New York KNOWN FOR: The former New York mayor officially entered the race on November 24, saying that his campaign was aimed squarely at defeating Trump. He has portrayed himself as a moderate against progressive projects such as "Medicare for All" but with extensive experience and campaign funds to put toward key Democratic issues such as climate change and gun control. Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg AGE: 37 STATE: Indiana KNOWN FOR: Known locally in South Bend, Indiana, as "Mayor Pete," Buttigieg served as a naval officer in Afghanistan. Buttigieg, though a long shot, would be the youngest and first married gay president if elected. He would also be the first candidate to go from the mayor's office to the presidency. Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney AGE: 56 STATE: Maryland KNOWN FOR: A self-made businessman, Delaney at one point was the youngest CEO on the New York Stock Exchange. Delaney has been running the longest he declared his candidacy in July 2017 but is still working to gain name recognition. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard AGE: 38 STATE: Hawaii KNOWN FOR: Gabbard is the first American Samoan and the first Hindu member of Congress, and brings her experience as an Iraq War veteran to the House Armed Services Committee. But she will have to overcome obstacles both old and new, including recent internal campaign turmoil and her controversial secret meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017. Sen. Amy Klobuchar AGE: 59 STATE: Minnesota KNOWN FOR: Klobuchar announced her run outdoors as it snowed, which she tied to her commitment to a "homegrown" campaign with "grit." The Minnesota moderate is looking to work across the aisle and win back fellow working class midwesterners. Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick AGE: 63 STATE: Massachusetts KNOWN FOR: Patrick announced a late-entry to the race in November 2019, reversing a previous decision to stay out of the running. Patrick began his public service career in 1994 when he served as US assistant attorney general for the civil rights division in the Clinton administration. Following his stint at the Justice Department, Patrick held several jobs in the private sector before becoming the first African American governor of Massachusetts in 2006. He was reelected in 2010. Sen. Bernie Sanders AGE: 77 STATE: Vermont KNOWN FOR: Sanders' democratic socialist platform gained significant traction during the 2016 primaries, when the independent senator who caucuses with Democrats ran against Hillary Clinton. His policy agenda includes various progressive proposals, many of which have been embraced by the Democratic Party, like expanding health care, broadening the social safety net and making higher education free. Billionaire Tom Steyer AGE: 62 STATE: California KNOWN FOR: Steyer, whose net worth reached $1.6 billion this year according to Forbes, has operated as a funding force in Democratic politics in recent years, bankrolling candidates and organizations that promote liberal causes, including the impeachment of Trump. The 2018 House races marked the third consecutive election cycle in which Steyer spent more than $100 million supporting Democratic candidates. Sen. Elizabeth Warren AGE: 70 STATE: Massachusetts KNOWN FOR: Warren was appointed as assistant to President Barack Obama and special adviser to the Treasury secretary in order to launch the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She was also appointed to a congressional oversight panel overseeing the $700 billion Trouble Assets Relief Program that was passed in response to the 2008 financial crisis. Businessman Andrew Yang AGE: 44 STATE: New York KNOWN FOR: Yang is an entrepreneur who launched Venture for America, a fellowship program that aims to connect recent grads with startups. He wants to give all Americans a universal basic income of $1,000 per month to address economic inequality. Dropped out Sen. Cory Booker AGE: 50 STATE: New Jersey KNOWN FOR: Booker, who gained national recognition during his tenure as Newark's mayor before being elected to the US Senate, ran for president aiming to restore a sense of community and mend the moral fabric of America. But his fundraising paled in comparison to that of the top-tier Democratic candidates, limiting his capacity to expand his campaign team and advertise on television. He ended his campaign on January 13, 2020. Gov. Steve Bullock AGE: 53 STATE: Montana (Dropped out December 2, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Bullock, who served as Montana's attorney general before being elected governor in 2012, failed to convince the party's base that the best way to defeat Trump was by nominating someone who can win in a red state. Bullock, who is term-limited as governor, will not take on Republican Sen. Steve Daines in 2020, his spokeswoman said. Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro AGE: 44 STATE: Texas (Dropped out January 2, 2019) KNOWN FOR: The son of a Chicana activist, Castro served as mayor of San Antonio in 2009 and served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration. The only Latino in the 2020 field, Castro ran an unabashedly progressive campaign over the last year, staking out left positions on issues like immigration, housing and policing. But the former secretary failed to gain traction in the large field of Democratic candidates and struggled to raise enough money to stay solvent. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio AGE: 58 STATE: New York (dropped out September 20, 2019) KNOWN FOR: The two-term New York mayor has enjoyed success on several largely progressive issues such as universal pre-K, raising the minimum wage and a low murder rate during his tenure. But he failed to resonate in the polls and was criticized for neglecting his duties as mayor to run for president, most notably during a brief blackout in Manhattan in July which happened when he was campaigning in Iowa. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand AGE: 52 STATE: New York (dropped out August 28, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Gillibrand, who centered her campaign on women's equality, ended her White House bid in late August as she was on the cusp of failing to qualify for the third Democratic primary debate. Her campaign saw her embrace increasingly progressive stances on immigration and gun control that ran counter to positions she had held when running for the House. Despite Gillibrand's high profile position, she failed to break out from the crowded primary field, with her campaign polling under 1% nationally when she exited the race. Sen. Kamala Harris AGE: 54 STATE: California (dropped out December 3, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Harris, a former California state attorney general and the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, held progressive stances supporting "Medicare for All" and marijuana legalization. The senator, who struggled to energize her campaign in recent months, acknowledged that she was forced to unexpectedly drop out because of money. "I'm not a billionaire. I can't fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it's become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete," she said. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper AGE: 67 STATE: Colorado (dropped out August 15, 2019) KNOWN FOR: As the head of Colorado from 2011 to 2019, Hickenlooper helped steer the state through several tragedies, including the 2012 shooting in a movie theater in Aurora that left 12 people dead and catastrophic wildfires and floods in 2013. Hickenlooper, who framed his candidacy around stemming the leftward lurch of the Democratic Party, dropped out in mid-August and launched his Senate campaign. Gov. Jay Inslee AGE: 68 STATE: Washington (dropped out August 21, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Inslee, who has held elected office for much of the last three decades, has been an outspoken progressive executive since he became governor in 2013. He has been a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, including suing the President after he tried to ban immigration from several Muslim-majority countries. Inslee dropped out as it appeared he wouldn't make the stage for the third round of debates. A day after he exited the 2020 race, Inslee announced he would seek a third term as Washington's governor. Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam AGE: 45 (dropped out November 20, 2019) STATE: Florida KNOWN FOR: The child of Jamaican immigrants, Messam is a first-generation American and first black mayor of Miramar. His campaign held progressive views on guns, immigration and the environment. He was part of a group that sued the state of Florida in 2018 over a law that restricted his ability to create municipal gun regulations after he wanted a new amphitheater in his city to be a "gun-free venue." Despite failing to gain traction in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Messam said, "my state of Florida will be ground zero and I intend to be a factor to mobilize our state for the Democratic Party nominee." Rep. Seth Moulton AGE: 40 STATE: Massachusetts (dropped out August 23, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Moulton, a Marine veteran and three-term congressman, raised his national profile after trying and failing to prevent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from reclaiming the speaker's gavel. He later voted for her after Democrats retook the House last year. Moulton's run for president lasted four months and ended in August after he failed to gain traction or make the Democratic debates. He plans to run for reelection to Congress and relaunch a PAC that aims to elect Democrats with service backgrounds. Former congressional candidate Richard Ojeda AGE: 48 STATE: West Virginia (dropped out January 25, 2019) KNOWN FOR: A former Army paratrooper, Ojeda served for 24 years, earning the rank of major and serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A 2016 Trump voter, he focused on school finance reform and issues facing the middle class before dropping out of the race in late January. Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke AGE: 46 STATE: Texas (dropped out November 1, 2019) KNOWN FOR: O'Rourke ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 2018 while serving his third term in the House. In August 2019, he took nearly two weeks off to be in his hometown of El Paso following a mass shooting that left 22 dead. The shooting led O'Rourke to call for a mandatory buyback of assault-style rifles, declaring during the third Democratic presidential debate, "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47." O'Rourke's poor fundraising played a key role in his decision to exit the presidential race, aides familiar with his decision to drop out said. O'Rourke told supporters in an email that he will not run for office next year. Rep. Tim Ryan AGE: 46 STATE: Ohio (dropped out October 24, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Ryan, whose district includes Youngstown, Ohio, entered the presidential race as a long-shot candidate with less name recognition than most candidates and a far smaller political network. He dropped out in late October after failing to gain momentum and announced he would run for reelection to the House of Representatives. He has become most known in Democratic circles for his opposition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi retaining her leadership positions, though he later voted for her when Democrats elected her speaker earlier this year. Former Rep. Joe Sestak AGE: 67 STATE: Pennsylvania (dropped out December 1, 2019) KNOWN FOR: Sestak, who ascended to become a 3-star admiral in the US Navy during a 31-year military career prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2006, entered an already-crowded Democratic primary field in June hoping to leverage his naval career into a successful presidential campaign. He represented Pennsylvania's 7th District until mounting a pair of ultimately unsuccessful campaigns for the Senate in 2010 and 2016, respectively. Rep. Eric Swalwell AGE: 38 STATE: California (dropped out July 8, 2019) KNOWN FOR: The Democrat who represents California's 15th Congressional District entered the race as a long-shot candidate in a crowded field. A frequent critic of the Trump administration, Swalwell raised his profile by becoming a staple on cable television. He focused on combating gun violence, and traveled to Iowa in December with Cameron Kasky, who's a survivor of the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and a co-founder of March for Our Lives. Spiritual author Marianne Williamson AGE: 67 STATE: Texas KNOWN FOR: Williamson is best known for being a spiritual counselor to Oprah Winfrey and has written several best-selling books, including her debut "A Return to Love." She called for "a moral and spiritual awakening in the country" with her campaign, but acknowledged on January 10, 2020, that her effort will "not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate our conversation any more than it is now." Decided not to run Former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (took herself out of consideration on August 13, 2019) AGE: 45 STATE: Georgia KNOWN FOR: Abrams became a national figure in 2018 during her unsuccessful run for governor of Georgia. Despite publicly mulling a 2020 bid for months -- she told CNN in May "I'll probably jump in myself" if voter suppression isn't a top issue -- Abrams ultimately ruled out a presidential campaign to focus on her national "voter protection" program. Sen. Sherrod Brown (took himself out of consideration on March 7, 2019) AGE: 66 STATE: Ohio KNOWN FOR: A liberal populist, Brown won three terms in Ohio, a state that has been trending Republican in recent years. Brown would've offered Democrats a candidate who could reconnect with voters in the Midwest. Before deciding not to run, he had embarked on a "listening tour" that included stops in the four key early voting states in the 2020 primary. Former Attorney General Eric Holder (took himself out of consideration on March 4, 2019) AGE: 68 STATE: New York KNOWN FOR: Holder served as President Barack Obama's attorney general until 2015. Holder had told several Democrats -- and "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert -- that he was "interested" in pursuing the nomination, but ultimately he opted not to launch a campaign. Former Secretary of State John Kerry (took himself out of consideration on June 10, 2019) AGE: 75 STATE: Massachusetts KNOWN FOR: Kerry served on the Cabinet during President Barack Obama's second term. Prior to that, he spent 28 years representing Massachusetts in the Senate, and was the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee. During an interview with Sky News, he ruled out another presidential run, saying he was "delighted" that Biden had gotten into the 2020 race. Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (took himself out of consideration on April 17, 2019) AGE: 62 STATE: Virginia KNOWN FOR: McAuliffe previously served as governor of Virginia and chairman of the Democratic National Committee and has an extensive fundraising network. He opted instead to help coordinate the campaigns of Virginia's local and national Democratic lawmakers "to make sure that we are blue" for 2020. Sen. Jeff Merkley (took himself out of consideration on March 5, 2019) AGE: 62 STATE: Oregon KNOWN FOR: Merkley, the junior senator from Oregon, has focused on holding the Trump administration accountable on immigration policy, specifically family separations at the southern border. He opted in March to devote himself to his Senate re-election campaign over the next two years. UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect CNN's official tally of the 14 major Democratic candidates running for their party's nomination for president. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has launched an electronic operation centre using artificial intelligence. Representatives press the button to launch the Vietnam Buddhist Sanghas electronic operation centre. Photo thanhtra.com.vn Speaking at the launching ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, deputy chairman and general secretary of the VBS, said that the centres foundation was in response to the development of e-Government. The system would help connect the VBS with ministries, sectors, provinces and cities, and improve the VBSs work effectiveness, he said. Most Venerable Thien said that the electronic operation centre applies the most modern information technology in the world and artificial intelligence. The connection was not only towards Vietnamese monks, nuns and Buddhists, but also with the world, he said. The VBS applied science in management and operation, and it confirmed that science, Industry 4.0 and technology contained Buddhisms teaching. VNS Hanoi ceremony to hand over offerings from Thai King A Kathina (robe offering) ceremony was jointly hosted by the Thai Embassy in Vietnam, the Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) at Hoang An pagoda in Hanoi on October 21. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Traffic Simulation Systems Market estimated to grow at a higher CAGR by the completion of the forecast period. Simulation of transport or else the traffic simulation systems is arterial routes, the calculated demonstrating of transportation systems, for example, downtown grid systems, principal routes, roundabouts, freeway junctions etc. with the help of computer software for superior design, operation and help of the transport organizations. In the environment of the U.S.A and China business war and an international financial ambiguity and instability, it will take a vast impact on this market. Due to the go-slow in the development of the global economy, the industry of Traffic Simulation Systems has as well suffered a definite waves. In spite of that has upheld a comparatively hopeful development, during the previous some years. Classification The global Traffic Simulation Systems market can be classified by Application, Type and Region. By Application, it can be classified as Air & Oceanic Transport, Rail Transport, and Ground & Roadway Transport. By Type, it can be classified as Traffic Planning Simulation, Mesoscopic Simulation, Macroscopic Simulation, and Microscopic Simulation. Download PDF to know more details about "Global Traffic Simulation Systems Market" Report 2023. Regional Lookout By Region the global Traffic Simulation Systems market can be classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to occupy the additional shares during the subsequent years. This will be done particularly in China. Likewise rapidly developing India and the nations of Southeast Asia region too contribute in the development of the market, in Asia Pacific. The European region too expected to perform the significant part in the development of the global market. The U.S.A. in North America region, is predicted to perform the vital role which cannot be overlooked. To some extent ups and downs from the U.S.A., may possibly disturb the growth inclination of the Traffic Simulation Systems. Companies Some of the important companies for Traffic Simulation Systems Market are: INRO, Traffic ware, Tran soft, PTV Group, FlexSim, Nexus Telecom, Emulogix, INCONTROL, ATRiCS, Simio, Aim sun, Fujitsu, Adacel, ITS, Any Logic. In the context of China-US trade war and global economic volatility and uncertainty, it will have a big influence on this market. Traffic Simulation Systems Report by Material, Application, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023 is a professional and comprehensive research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China). The report firstly introduced the Traffic Simulation Systems basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis. Access 152 page research report with TOC on "Global Traffic Simulation Systems Market" available with Radiant Insights, Inc. @: https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-traffic-simulation-systems-market-research-report-2019-2023 Browse reports of similar category available with Radiant Insights, Inc.: RFID Tag Market EHR Software Market Electronic Health Records Market Surge Protection Devices (SPD) Market About Radiant Insights, Inc.: At Radiant Insights, we work with the aim to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Our representatives strive to understand diverse client requirements and cater to the same with the most innovative and functional solutions. Contact: Michelle Thoras. Corporate Sales Specialist Radiant Insights, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0054 Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744 Email: sales@radiantinsights.com Web: https://www.radiantinsights.com Blog: https://radiantinsightsinc.blogspot.com/ Politician or not? We hear some people say they like Donald Trump because he is not a politician. Well, is he? Or isnt he? I believe it all depends on how you view a politician. There are basically two ways. If you believe a politician is in it to represent all the people within his or her jurisdiction and actually cares about those people, then I would agree Trump is not a politician. However, if you believe a politician is in it strictly for himself or herself and mainly cares about money and power, then I would argue that Trump is most definitely a politician. David J. Smith, Bulverde Driving Miss Warren Julian Castro dropped out of the presidential race because nobody had an interest in him, yet the Express-News keeps writing about him. Now, he is endorsing Sen. Elizabeth Warren. I hope Warren picks Castro for vice president. Then I know for sure Donald Trump will win again. I guess she needs someone to drive her around. Rick Martinez On ExpressNews.com: Julian Castro endorses Warren for president Plan doesnt add up Re: Put aquifer protection over transit, Another View, Jan. 3: Susan Hughes was exactly right about transferring the one-eighth-cent sales tax from the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, or EAPP, to VIA. The EAPP is vital protection for the source of San Antonios water supply and is halfway done with its mission over the recharge zone. Even if SAWS has other sources available, such as Vista Ridge, the Edwards Aquifer will always provide San Antonios best and cheapest water supply. It is the reason the city exists. The EAPP is unique in San Antonio history in that it is scientifically directed, efficiently run and exceptionally successful. Why would we jeopardize that? To send that money to VIA for an ill-defined gargantuan project has error written all over it. ConnectSA wants $1.3 billion in the first five years, going up to $3.1 billion. The one-eighth-cent sales tax raises about $20 million a year (after five years, it equals only $100 million) less than one-tenth of what ConnectSA claims it needs, and ConnectSA has identified no other source of funding (other than the Hail Mary hope for unidentified federal grant money). Why trade a focused, important and efficient program for one that is nebulous and obviously doomed to fail from resource starvation? When it comes to prioritizing this important public trade-off, let the people vote! Benjamin Youngblood III A mud brick house owned by Evan Harris where he is preparing to minimize fire impact at Burragate, Australia, last Friday as a nearby fire threatens the area. Read more Bush fires have been raging in Australia for months now. At least 25 people are dead. News about the impact on wildlife is devastating. Residents have been forced to flee to beaches or even ships offshore to find safety. But tourism officials in Australia, the worlds sixth-largest country, insist that it is still open for business and that plenty of places that have been spared are eager to welcome visitors. Whilst bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and most tourism businesses are still open, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in a statement. It is more important than ever that we rally around our communities and the tourism sector who may have been impacted. With that in mind, these are some questions potential visitors might have as they consider traveling to Australia. Is it safe to visit Australia? So long as visitors avoid the wildfire areas and stay aware of air quality if they have health conditions that make them especially sensitive to smoke they should be safe. Many of the destinations most frequently visited cities are free of fires, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. International airports are operating normally, according to tourism officials. In a statement Friday, Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham challenged misinformation online and in some media that "exaggerates the geographical reach of these tragic bushfires." "I urge people with a booking or considering travel to ensure they have the facts and don't compound the harm to tourism operators by unnecessarily staying away," he said. Whats the best way to stay updated about where the dangers are? Tourism Australia has an information page that shows many of the country's most popular sites for international visitors as well as their status. On Friday, it showed a partial impact in the Blue Mountains and South Coast in New South Wales; smoke haze impact in Canberra; impact in South Australia's Kangaroo Island and in East Gippsland and Upper Murray in Victoria. The site includes links to regional tourism sites for more-detailed information, as well as regional emergency or fire service sites. Are cruise ships still going to Australia? Most major cruise destinations are not in dangerous areas, though five itineraries so far have been adjusted to avoid a couple of regional ports. "To date, only minor changes have been necessary to a small number of cruises visiting specific locations in south-eastern Australia," Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association managing director for Australasia, said in a statement. "The country's major cities and the majority of its coastline remain open to visitors and most cruises are continuing unaffected and as scheduled." He said cruise lines have been monitoring the situation closely in case other changes are needed. Does Australia even want tourists right now? Absolutely. "The best way to support Australia, Australian communities, and the tourism sector is to keep visiting," Tourism Australia says on its website. "If you cannot travel to an affected area due to bushfires, one of the many ways to help includes rescheduling instead of canceling a planned trip to support the communities in the coming months." Jarryd Salem, the Sydney-based co-founder of adventure travel blog Nomadasaurus, said in an email that anyone who is considering a visit should realize that the "vast majority" of the country is unaffected by the disaster. Any potential visitors should also understand that Australia desperately needs tourism now in light of this disaster. While certain regions will be impacted for most of the summer Southern Hemisphere seasons are the opposite of ours, remember there are a plethora of other destinations to explore, all as beautiful and welcoming as ever, he said. Many communities rely heavily on tourism to boost local economies, and by choosing to visit you will help directly contribute to the recovery. Officials are thinking about the long term as well. Winchester said in his statement that the affected regions would again become safe destinations when they recover in the months or years ahead. Australias fire-affected areas will rebuild and Im confident travelers from across the globe, including from the U.S. will continue to visit, not only to support the recovery of these regions but because they will continue to be world-class tourism destinations, he said. What is the U.S. government telling its citizens about travel to Australia? The U.S. Embassy in Australia warned tourists to leave the South Coast of New South Wales on Jan. 2 after local authorities ordered a "tourist leave zone." Last week, the State Department raised the travel advisory for Australia to Level 2, warning Americans to exercise increased caution because of the fires. "Tourists should consider postponing their trip to affected areas until the danger of natural disaster has passed," the update said, adding that fires could continue through March or April. It also noted that smoke was causing poor air quality "even in areas not directly affected by bushfires." The Wednesday update got some negative attention in Australia, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation describing it as a "tourism blow." Friday, an update removed some of that language for reasons that were not immediately clear. But the advisory still kept the Level 2 status and urged Americans to have evacuation plans that do not rely on assistance from the U.S. government. The message also includes links to fire and emergency services, and suggests travelers check the air quality for their destination. "Consider postponing your travel plans to areas where air quality is significantly affected by bushfire conditions," it says. What can visitors do to help? What is life like for locals right now?icials are asking potential donors to send cash rather than clothes, food, or other goods. The paper put together a roundup of fundraising efforts for specific needs including firefighters in New South Wales and Victoria; hunger relief; fire victims, and several wildlife organizations. What is life like for locals right now? Experiences are vastly different depending on where people live, of course. Some residents have lost loved ones; others have lost their homes. Even in areas like Sydney that aren't directly affected by fires, a reminder of the blaze lingers. Lindsay Buckley, a Sydney resident who wrote about the fires on her Frugal Frolicker blog, said in an email that air quality has been terrible. "Some mornings I wake up and my apartment smells like bushfire," she said. "Some days it's so hazy from the smoke you can barely see the horizon." Still, said Salem, the reality of the disaster weighs heavily on locals, even if they aren't in any danger. Every single Australian is feeling the emotional strain of these fires, even those not directly affected by them, but it is not changing who we are as people, he wrote. Any traveler who decides to come and support our communities in the coming months and years will be welcomed with open arms and heartfelt appreciation. A 69-year-old woman riding an e-scooter Monday collided with a cement mixer, leaving the woman with life-threatening injuries. The crash happened at the intersection of Bay Street and the Embarcadero, according to the Chronicle, just one block from where pedicab operator Kevin Manning, 66, was struck and killed by a Honda Civic in 2018. It has not been made public what type of e-scooter the woman was riding. ALSO: California voters may consider mandate to end homelessness E-scooter injuries are on the rise in the U.S. According to a recent study, scooter-related injuries to people aged 18 to 34 increased by 185 percent nationwide and hospitalizations increased by 354 percent from 2014 to 2018. The overall number of scooter-related injuries for all age groups grew by 222 percent, accounting for more than 39,000 injuries. About two-thirds of the injured were men and nearly one-third of all injuries were to the head. Across the Bay Area, scooter use has been booming, with Oakland allowing permits for 3,500 of the devices and San Francisco allowing 3,250. Tessa McLean is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her at tessa.mclean@sfgate.com or follow her on Twitter @mcleantessa. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) at a press conference in the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Biden Should Suspend Campaign During Senate Impeachment Trial: McCarthy Citing the collusion between the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016, the top Republican in the House on Jan. 14 called for former Vice President Joe Biden to not campaign during the upcoming Senate impeachment trial. If theres anyone who gained from this, itd be anybody whos running for president thats not in the U.S. Senate, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said at a press conference on Jan. 14. The senators running for president will no longer have a voice, McCarthy said, because senators running for president will miss time on the campaign trail to attend the trial. He suggested the DNC ask those who are not senators to not campaign while the others cannot. He then referenced what happened in 2016, saying that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was cheated. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks to guests during a campaign stop at Berg Middle School in Newton, Iowa, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Former DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) resigned in the summer of 2016 after leaked emails showed the committee colluding with Clintons campaign. In one email, Wasserman Schultz said Sanders, an independent who identifies as a socialist, has never been a member of the Democratic Party and has no understanding of what we do. He isnt going to be president, she wrote in another email. In other emails, committee officials discussed how Sanderss atheism could be used against him. It may make no difference but for KY and WA can we get someone to ask his belief, Brad Marshall, former chief financial officer of the committee, wrote. He had skated on having a Jewish heritage. I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist. Another official floated building a narrative about Sanders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at a press conference in the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Wondering if theres a good Bernie narrative for a story which is that Bernie never ever had his act together, that his campaign was a mess, former committee national press secretary Mark Paustenbach wrote. Because of what happened, the DNC removed superdelegates from the first round of voting for 2020. That meant Sanders had a chance to win the nominationbut not now that Nancy Pelosi has held these documents, McCarthy said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has held the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump for more than three weeks, delaying a Senate impeachment trial. The trial will now start just weeks before the Iowa caucus, costing Democratic contenders valuable time in the field. McCarthy then called on Biden to make a pledge to not campaign while Bernie Sanders cannot after what the Democrat National Committee has done to his campaign a few short years ago. Emails to Bidens campaign and Sanderss office werent immediately returned. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden visits a campaign field office in in Waterloo, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo) Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), when asked if House Democrats could handle the situation so that each candidate gets treated fairly, told reporters, We will not take political advice from Kevin McCarthy. I think that the senators running for president are perfectly clear where their oath of office isits to the Constitution. They will be there, Vice Chair Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said. Senators running for president have voiced concern about missing time on the campaign trail to attend the trial. Before he suspended his campaign this week, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said it would be a big blow to his campaign, adding, If this trial lasts two weeks, that is literally dozens of events we wont be able to do. Sens. Sanders, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) are still running for the Democratic nomination. A number of other contenders besides Biden arent in the Senate, including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Jan. 12, Bennet said the trial is going to be disruptive. And theres nothing I can do about it. So I choose not to worry about it. We have, all of us, a constitutional responsibility that we have to fulfill, here. And I take my oath seriously, he said. The city has shut down the street and sidewalk in front of the historic Thomas Scott Memorial Orange Hall building in Winnipegs downtown Exchange District due to an unspecified structural problem caused by renovations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The city has shut down the street and sidewalk in front of the historic Thomas Scott Memorial Orange Hall building in Winnipegs downtown Exchange District due to an unspecified structural problem caused by renovations. Late Friday afternoon the city announced it was completely closing the southbound side of Princess Street between Pacific Avenue and Ross Avenue due to "the unsafe condition of an area building," but didnt specify the building. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The city has shut down the southbound side of Princess Street between Pacific Avenue and Ross Avenue due to an unexpected structural event during renovations of the Thomas Scott Memorial Orange Hall building, right. On Monday, a city spokesperson confirmed to the Free Press that the closure is the result of "an unexpected structural event during renovations" at 216 Princess Street. "As a precaution of public safety, the stretch of road and sidewalk adjacent to the building has been closed until further notice," wrote the spokesperson. "The City is now working with the building owner and developer on options for remediation. Theres no timeline available as of yet for remediation of the building." Gordon Goldsborough, president of the Manitoba Historical Society, said he toured the building about a month ago and felt it shift while he was inside. "I was walking and the apartment is shifting and I thought, is it safe to be in here? Im just a little worried that if the building suddenly decides to go while Im here, Im gone," he said during a phone interview Monday. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Some of the cracks in the buildling are large enough to fit a hand inside. Goldsborough said the building previously had scaffolding set up around its perimeter while crews worked inside. Now, he pointed out large cracks are blooming on the exterior, large enough to fit his hand inside. The hall was built in 1903 and has municipal heritage status, having been the original headquarters of the Orange Order of Manitoba, a fraternal group that Goldsborough described as being pro-Protestant and anti-Catholic. "There was a very large mural inside, because their patron sort of saint is William of Orange, who was a prince in the Netherlands back in the 1700s," Goldsborough said. "Hes well known for... basically a battle between the Protestant army and the Catholic army. The Protestants won and ever since, theyve sort of lorded it over the Catholics, like We won the battle. So every one of these Orange lodges has a big mural showing William of Orange riding a big stallion and charging into battle," he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Cracks are visible on the exterior of the Thomas Scott Memorial Hall building in Winnipeg on Monday. "So there was a beautiful mural inside this hall and one of the parts of the deal is they were supposed to preserve that mural for its historical value." Thomas Scott was an Irish Protestant immigrant who was killed by firing squad in 1870 during the Red River Resistance for, among other crimes, slandering Louis Riel. Goldsborough suspects the whole building may have to be torn down, as repairs could cost millions. jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca Drugs were seized following searches of three properties A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a search of three properties in Londonderry on Tuesday. Suspected Class A and Class B drugs, drug paraphernalia, fireworks and 3,000 in cash were seized during the searches in Strathfoyle in the city. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rowland said: "As part of the searches a man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and other offences. "He has been released on bail pending further enquiries." Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe We're apparently even more in love with ourselves than usual this year. The Oscar nominations are out, and this year's nine Best Picture nominees include three heavily Los Angeles-based stories. L.A. and Hollywood often show up on screen, but with filmmakers often making efforts to not just tell Los Angeles stories, it's notable to see more of those being told at the Academy-nominee level this year. Here are some of the on-screen L.A. specifics you'll find in three of this year's most critically acclaimed films. FORD V FERRARI Matt Damon and Christian Bale in Ford v Ferrari. (Merrick Morton) Ford v Ferrari has a globe-spanning story of the battle between Ford and Ferrari, with races around the world, but its real-life main characters were based in Los Angeles. Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, was a Le Mans champion who went on to design cars -- and sell them here in L.A. His Shelby American would build high performance parts and sell modified cars, based out of Venice during the time of the film. Test driver Ken Miles, played by Christian Bale, worked with Shelby testing prototypes at LAX. One of the other iconic locations you'll spot in the film comes in the movie's post-Le Mans coda, as Miles crashes while testing a car at the Riverside International Raceway. And while the movie heads to international competitions, culminating in France's famed Le Mans 24-hour competition, there's another reason the movie may feel local -- those locations were all recreated and shot here in Southern California. That includes everything from a downtown L.A. steel factory doubling for a Ford plant to Santa Clarita's Agua Dulce Airpark being used to stage the Le Mans race. You can see Ford v Ferrari cars at the Petersen Automotive Museum through this weekend. They're also hosting a Ford v Ferrari-themed panel during the Petersen's All-American Car Cruise-in on Jan. 26, featuring the author of the book that inspired the movie, Ken Miles' son, and Carroll Shelby's grandson. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD Pussycat Theatre -- A recreation on the Hollywood Boulevard set of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. (Else Duff) The most obviously L.A. movie of the bunch (the title's a clue), director Quentin Tarantino set about recreating 1960s Hollywood to give his movie the period authenticity that he wanted. The movie follows an actor and his stuntman, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, loosely inspired by the relationship by Burt Reynolds and his own stuntman. It also follows Margot Robbie's Sharon Tate, playing with the reality around her own fate at the hands of the Manson Family. So that the film's protagonists could cruise Hollywood Boulevard, the filmmakers brought back the rainbow exterior of 1969's Aquarius Theater, turned the ArcLight's Cinerama dome back to its vintage appearance, and more. They even brought back some of the seedier side of Hollywood -- the Hologram USA Theater turned back into the Pussycat Theater, which showed adult films at the time. They also had to completely shut down Hollywood Boulevard to capture some of the film's iconic shots -- made possible with the help of Tarantino making the pitch to local stakeholders. Other changes included the restaurant interiors, which served as virtual time machines. Musso & Frank's was repainted to get it just right, and El Coyote got a touchup. El Coyote's a key part of the movie's real world history, as it's where Sharon Tate had her last meal. The movie's SoCal locales also include Hollywood studios, the Playboy Mansion, the Manson Family's Spahn Ranch, and the Hollywood Hills homes where the movie's big finale takes place. MARRIAGE STORY A still from Marriage Story. (Wilson Webb) Marriage Story is the one film here set in the modern day. It follows Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) as they go through a divorce, starting in New York before Nicole decides to move out West. Rather than big iconic locations, this movie's L.A. scenes are set more around suburban homes. Nicole moves out to L.A. from New York after being offered a role in a TV pilot, living with her mother in West Hollywood and bringing the couple's son with her. Charlie ventures out to L.A. to be closer to their son and make the case for custody, initially visiting before renting an apartment. The film's conflict is driven by the lawyers each character hires in Los Angeles. It's an intimate story, with L.A. life playing an increasingly large role as the film progresses. Keep an eye out for the very L.A. take on Halloween, and finding where exactly to take L.A. kids trick-or-treating. Ford v Ferrari is in theaters now. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is available on home video. Marriage Story is available on Netflix. Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae arrives at her office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday morning./ Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong President Moon Jae-in indicated he will speed up efforts to complete the much-touted reform of the prosecution. Moon sided with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Tuesday, who has been engaged in a high-profile dispute with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, showing his determination to accelerate prosecutorial reform. Speaking at a nationally televised press conference, Moon said, "The prosecution has the right to investigate, but the justice minister and president have the right to appoint the people to carry out the investigation. Just as the chief prosecutor's right should be respected, so should the president's and minister's rights." Moon's open support for Choo is expected to widen the gap between the prosecution and Cheong Wa Dae over investigations into Moon's close aides. Also commenting on a recent rift between Yoon and Choo over the prosecutorial reassignment, Moon again supported Choo. "The minister gave the chief prosecutor the opportunity to express his opinion. It is highly inappropriate for the top prosecutor to ask the minister first to present the list of prosecutors to be reassigned." Concerns over the Chinese beef market are emerging as a glut of forward-bought beef looks set to curb prices for the first few months of the year. It's understood that Irish and international exporters have had to drop their prices for the first quarter of 2020 by as much as 30pc amid fears that orders of commodity cuts, which were sought in the last quarter of 2019, could be cancelled. Padraig Brennan of Bord Bia said there is still strong growth in the Chinese market, where imports are up 40-50pc depending on the meat, and that 2020 will see further growth. However, he said extra stock in the market at the back end of 2019 may lead to a 'correction' in the market. "This has seen prices correct themselves," he said, and it may take a couple of months to clear. However, he said the increase in import demand should continue. Mark Goodman, Managing Director, ABP International, said at a macro level, demand for beef in China is up 50pc year on year, which is positive, but the value of same has come back by around 25pc since Quarter Four of 2019. "Value added foodservice/retail clients are a better option for Ireland as opposed to commodity trading like the South Americans if we want long-term value. The plan for Ireland should be to 'proceed with caution'," he said. Hong Kong, which saw the value of exports of Irish beef fall by 17pc to 70m, is described as a "disaster" as political unrest continues in the city. Meanwhile, it is understood that talk of a downturn in the Chinese market prompted a very defensive response from meat industry representatives at last week's Beef Taskforce meeting. It was pointed out to the farm organisations that China was still a "developing market" and would take time to bed down. However, concerns have been expressed by farmer representatives regarding the long-term benefits of the Chinese market. "If China isn't returning a decent price now when it's at its lowest in terms of domestic protein production, then what is the likelihood of it paying strong beef prices in the future?" one farm leader said to the Farming Independent. Pork output The loss of around half of China's sow herd to African Swine Flu and the consequent reduction in domestic pork output means the country will have to import close to 18m tonnes of protein this year. China's 'backyard' producers, who account for 73pc of total Chinese pigmeat production, according to Rabobank, are set to be effectively wiped out in the restructuring of pigmeat production that will take place. Predictions are that African Swine Fever will overwhelm the outlook for 2020, with growth expected to continue. According to Bord Bia there is an opportunity for other meats as some consumption change will be permanent as habits form. But it warned that short-term volatility in China is a reality. The emphasis for Irish beef, it says, will be to grow a preference for Irish grass-fed beef with trade and consumers. [January 13, 2020] Nestle & Kidswant DSCC Launch BEIJING, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the fastest-ever changing speed of the Chinese Marketplace, precipitated by the behaviors of Consumers & Shoppers changing to "digitalization", "diversification" and "speediness", it has become critical for FMCG Companies to develop highly Innovative Technologies & Solutions. In the spirit of driving Consumer & Customer-centricity, Nestle GCR Supply Chain is leading with breakthrough Digital Supply Chain Capabilities in China. Recently, Nestle built a Smart "Digital Supply Chain Center (DSCC)" successfully and launched in Beijing with the witness from one of its business partners Kidswant, the well-known company in maternal and infant industry. Digital Supply Chain Center (DSCC) is a data and technology integrated smart Digital Supply Chain Center, providing a Real-time and end to end visibility through entire value chain. The Flow of Data, Information & Intelligence become visible in order to detect demand signals, triggering effective & on-time actions, therefore responding to the needs of consumers, shoppers & customers. Rashid Qureshi, CEO of Nestle GCR gave high recognition of the DSCC launch, "When we talk about how we ensure our mission right products at right time, right place with right freshness and win more consumers in China Market, the important thing is to connect various of data from any part of our organization or from outside customers. DSCC is a good start to the Digital Enterprise journey and it offers much more big opportunities for us to get more consumers to buy more Nestle products." Tony Domingo, SVP Supply chain, GCR said in the ceremony, "Nestle is driving end to end visibility from farm to fork, optimizing the entire value chain to enable growth by data-driven smart supply chain and provide the high-quality Nestle product to our customer and consumer. With DSCC, there's Real-time OLA, OLF, OSA, OSF, In-store Availability, Market Penetration & end2end Transparency of Inventories. This is the first ever in Nestle China and the whole Nestle world. Considering DSCC's critical ability to enable business Growth, Nestle GCR did create a new chapter of Customer/Consumer-centricity." Muhammad Zahid, SVP NBE, GCR who led this DSCC development shared his insight on the DSCC project, "World outside is rapidly embracing technology. Data is becoming the most important asset of any Company. Effective use of Technology and Data is what matters. We have used state of the art technology, set of algorithms and user friendly visuals and reporting techniques for the development of DSCC. In Supply Chain speed is the essence, this is what DSCC will help for faster action and reaction while responding to the volatile demand of a very dynamic market. Full end to end visibility to serve our Customers in a fastest and most cost effective manner is where DSCC will bring a competitive advantage to our Businesses." DSCC was highly recognized by its users as well. Tina Wei, Head of COC/CFSC GCR, whose Team was executing the E2E DSCC project added that, "To enable FMCG companies win in the future, we have to build up a customer and consumer centric Supply Chain and be data transparent to accelerate the products and service reach to consumers. DSCC at Nestle is build based on the need to run the business more effectively with clear visibility of the entire value chain. The E2E visibility from downstream to upstream Supply Chain (Collaborative Forecasting and Planning, Order Fulfillment, Inventory Management, Logistics Efficiency and Leveraged Resource) enables win-win between Retailer and Supplier in marketplace". Jeffrey Zhao, Head of Sales, NiN Mainland has high praises for the launch of Nestle DSCC. "DSCC can help us get real time data of every stores, enable sales, marketing and Supply Chain cooperation, enhancing the speed of reaction in the marketplace. By using DSCC, we can explore more opportunities with Kidswant to enable our business growth!" DSCC is a significant milestone to both Supplier and Retailer in terms of connecting data end to end value chain, improving operation efficiency with more cost-effective ways and leading the digitalization in Industry. Nestle will continuously and innovatively be centric at customers and consumers to provide right Nestle product at right place at right time with right freshness. ### Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200113/2690502-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200113/2690502-1-b Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200113/2690502-1-c SOURCE Nestle (China) Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] French energy giant Total SA's India head Alexis Thelemaque has been appointed as a director on the Board of billionaire Gautam Adani's gas retailing firm Adani Gas Ltd. The appointment follows Total buying a 37.4 per cent stake in Adani Gas Ltd - the firm that retails gas to automobiles and households for an estimated Rs 5,700 crore. "The Board of Directors of the company have, by way of circular resolution passed on January 14, 2020, appointed Alexis Thelemaque as an Additional Director (Non-Executive, Non-Independent)," Adani Gas said in a regulatory filing. Thelemaque, who joined Total Group in France in 1993, is Chairman and Managing Director of Total Oil India Pvt Ltd. Total, which in August 2018 exited a JV with Royal Dutch Shell in a 5 million tonne liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Hazira in Gujarat, had in October last year announced the acquisition of the stake in Adani Gas. This followed by a 50:50 joint venture the two had agreed upon in October 2018 for two LNG import terminals of Adani on the east and west coast of India as well as for setting up of 1,500 petrol pumps in the country over 10 years. The French firm is the latest energy major seeking to expand its presence in India, which is the world's third-largest and the fastest-growing energy consumer. In August 2019, Reliance Industries said Saudi Arabian Oil Co will buy 20 per cent of its oil-to-chemical business at an enterprise value of USD 75 billion. As part of the deal, Total will first make an open offer to buy a 25.2 per cent stake in Adani Gas. Depending upon the success in the open offer, it will buy a stake from Adani to take its holding to 37.4 per cent in the company. Adani family holds a 74.8 per cent stake in Adani Gas and will dilute shares to the public to bring down its holding to 37.4 per cent - at par with Total. Adani family will sell some stake in the open market to meet the listing norm of keeping public holding at 25 per cent. Adani Total joint venture (JV), where the two groups hold 50 per cent stake each, is building a 5 million tonne LNG import terminal at Dhamra in Odisha and will potentially hold a 25 to 50 per cent interest in Gujarat government's Mundra import facility. This JV would also supply 3 million tonnes per annum of LNG to India and Bangladesh. Adani Gas, wherein Total and Adani would hold 37.4 per cent stake each, is targeting to set up 1,500 CNG stations to retail gas to automobiles and piped cooking gas to 6 million households. It will also set up 1,500 petrol pumps over 10 years. As part of this partnership, Total will bring its LNG and retail expertise and will supply LNG to Adani Gas. Total and Adani will also establish a joint venture to market LNG in India and Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fury also reflected broader grievances over an economy that has suffered under sanctions that President Trump imposed after he pulled the United States out of a multilateral accord designed to check Irans nuclear program. Irans hard-line leaders know that a war with the United States could profoundly worsen joblessness and economic anxiety and perhaps threaten their political legitimacy. But experts said some of those hard-liners may see war with the United States as a means of jump-starting Irans so-called resistance economy, and of stoking the nationalist anger that has helped to keep them in power. Related: For President Trump, who as a presidential candidate criticized Americas wars in the Middle East, the specter of conflict with Iran threatens to alienate voters who see the Republican Party as indifferent to the human cost of war. Go deeper: Our reporter spoke with American military personnel who witnessed Irans attack last week on U.S. forces stationed at Iraqi military bases, a retaliation for President Trumps decision to kill a top Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani. Plus: Kimia Alizadeh, the only female athlete to win an Olympic medal for Iran, announced over the weekend that she had defected from the country because of its hypocrisy, lies, injustice and flattery. OTTAWA - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have discussed the need to "punish" the Iranians responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner near Tehran last week that killed 176 people. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 photo, rescue workers search the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran. Canadian investigators are getting their first chance to visit the crash site outside of Tehran today, as part of an international team looking into the sequence of events that ended with a jet from Ukraine being shot out of the sky. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ebrahim Noroozi OTTAWA - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have discussed the need to "punish" the Iranians responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner near Tehran last week that killed 176 people. Zelensky was describing his latest conversation with Trudeau in a Twitter posting, hours after Iran announced arrests in the fatal crash. It came as Canada, Ukraine and their international allies prepared for a meeting on Thursday to push Iran for justice for the families of the people aboard the plane shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. "Our Ukrainian experts and diplomats are ready to collaborate closely with our Canadian counterparts in Tehran. I confirmed this to @JustinTrudeau once more. We will also co-ordinate efforts to punish those responsible for this tragedy," Zelensky wrote. Zelensky and Trudeau also discussed "further co-ordination of efforts to ensure proper international legal liability of those responsible for the plane crash," according to a more detailed Ukrainian government account of their call their third in a week. Trudeau asked Zelensky for assistance in dealing with Iranian authorities on the identification of the bodies of crash victims, including Canadian citizens, the readout said. "Ukrainian experts and diplomats are ready to fully assist Canadian counterparts in Tehran," Zelensky told Trudeau, according to the readout. Trudeau's office, in its summary of the call, said the two "underscored the need for a full, complete and credible investigation with international participation" to provide "answers, accountability and justice that all those affected by this tragedy deserve." The victims included 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians and nationals of Sweden, Afghanistan and Germany. The Canadian government has said 138 of the passengers were bound for Canada. The Canadian Press has independently confirmed at least 86 victims with ties to Canada, many of them students and professors returning after spending the December break visiting relatives in Iran. There were few details of the specific charges announced Tuesday by an Iranian judiciary spokesman. The announcement followed a surge of angry protests in Iran over the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines plane, and after Iran denied for three days that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had shot it down. "The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts," President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised address to the Iranian people. "This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court." Rouhani called the incident "a painful and unforgivable" mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case "by all means." Global Affairs Canada said Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will attend Thursday's meeting in London of the International Co-ordination and Response Group for families of victims of Flight PS752 "to achieve closure, accountability, transparency and justice including compensation for the families and loved ones of the victims." Representatives of Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan and Britain are to be at the meeting at Canada's high commission. "Together, we will continue to expect and demand full co-operation and accountability from Iranian authorities. Our priority remains ensuring support of the families and loved ones of the victims," Champagne said in a statement. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer issued a series of tweets Tuesday calling on the Liberals to label Iran's Revolutionary Guards a terrorist entity, demand Iran compensate victims, repatriate remains, and impose sanctions if Iran didn't fully co-operate in the international crash investigation. Scheer called his requests "an appropriate and measured response." "Immediate action is necessary. The Iranian regime can not get a free pass after killing 57 Canadians," Scheer wrote, noting Trudeau had briefed him on the situation. Iran's civil aviation authority said on its website that Canadian investigators had their first visit to the crash site outside of Tehran on Tuesday afternoon, as part of an international team looking into the sequence of events that ended with the plane hitting the ground in flames. The aircraft was shot down hours after Iran launched missiles against two military bases in Iraq where U.S. forces, and also some Canadians, are stationed. The New York Times reported Tuesday that security camera footage shows that two missiles hit the plane about 30 seconds apart. The new video fills a gap about why the plane's transponder stopped working seconds before it was hit by a second missile. The strikes against the military bases in Iraq were in retaliation for a targeted drone strike on Jan. 3 by the U.S. that killed Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani, the head of its elite Quds Force. And that strike was partly in response to the death of a U.S. military contractor, who was killed in a rocket attack in northern Iraq Dec. 27 that U.S. authorities say was launched by an Iran-backed militia. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. On Capitol Hill in Washington, where Republican and Democrat lawmakers have been sparring for days over whether the strike against Soleimani was justified, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the notion that the U.S. or President Donald Trump should bear any blame for the downing of the jet. "President Trump's national instinct is to put America first; some of those on the other side of the aisle, their instinct is to blame America first," the Republican congressman told a news conference Tuesday. "There is no blame here for America. America stood up once again to restore freedom. Iran went past a red line they had not gone before, killing a U.S. citizen. Iran shot down a commercial innocent airliner. There is no doubt where the blame lies." In a Global News interview Monday, Trudeau said had it not been for the recently elevated tensions in the Middle East, "those Canadians would be right now home with their families." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2020. With files from The Associated Press, James McCarten in Washington and Jordan Press in Ottawa Sen. Elizabeth Warren pledged Tuesday that as president she'd take a crack at the $1.6 trillion in U.S. student loan debt 'on day one.' In a Medium post, the 2020 hopeful outlined how she planned to use executive action to start chipping away at the school debt held by 42 million Americans. In the essay, Warren explained that the Department of Education 'already has broad legal authority to cancel student debt' and she would order the Secretary of Education to do so in accordance with the plan she released last year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced Tuesday she planned to use executive power to cut America's student loan debt 'on day one' should she be elected president Sen. Elizabeth Warren had rolled out a student loan plan last year that linked debt relief to income. She said Tuesday she'd order the Secretary of Education to put it into action In April 2019, Warren introduced a plan that linked debt relief with income. Her plan would cancel $50,000 in student debt for every person with a household income under $100,000 per year. It would also assist Americans with debt whose incomes are between $100,000 and $250,000. Americans making above $250,000 would get no help with their loans under Warren's plan. 'Ill also direct the Secretary of Education to use every existing authority available to rein in the for-profit college industry, crack down on predatory student lending, and combat the racial disparities in our higher education system,' she said in her Medium post Tuesday. Warren has made it a trademark of her campaign to present intricate policy plans to the public. Until recently, she hasn't participated in the rough-and-tumble brand of politics commonly associated with President Trump. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is one of only six Democratic hopefuls who qualified for the Democrats' January debate, taking place later Tuesday in Des Moines, Iowa Sen. Elizabeth Warren (right) is captured campaigning alongside former 2020 hopeful Julian Castro (right), who dropped out of the race earlier this month and quickly endorsed the Massachusetts senator But she did tussle with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg on the December debate state over Buttigieg's willingness to hold high-dollar fundraisers, calling him out for holding an event in a Napa Valley 'wine cave.' And this week it leaked to CNN that during a private meeting with Sen. Bernie Sanders, as they discussed their pursuits of the presidency, Sanders suggested to Warren that a woman couldn't win against Trump. Warren confirmed on-the-record Monday night that Sanders made the comment in December 2018. She went on to announce her presidential run on New Year's Eve.' 'I thought a woman could win; he disagreed,' Warren said in the statement. Sanders and his advisers said her account was false. 'What I did say that night was Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist, and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could,' Sanders responded. Warren and Sanders are among the six Democratic candidates who qualified for Tuesday night's Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa, where the first caucuses in the nation will take place in under three weeks. Wadi Al-dawasir, Jan 14 : Mathieu Serradori of SRT Racing won the eighth stage of 2020 Dakar Rally in cars, beating Toyota's Fernando Alonso. The Frenchman, who claimed his maiden stage victory at this year's edition of the race -- held for the first time in Saudi Arabia -- was four minutes and four seconds faster than Alonso on Monday, reports Efe news. "I am absolutely delighted. It is a wonderful story," said Serradori, dedicating his victory to Portuguese motorcycle racer Paulo Goncalves, who died Sunday in an accident during stage seven of bikes. Alonso said he is "happy to complete the day without any issues. It was a beautiful stage, quite fast with a lot of dunes, so it was good. "I think the dunes are harder than tracks, but for whatever reason I feel more comfortable...I am enjoying so far this second week of the Dakar," the two-time Formula One champion added. Argentine X-raid driver Orlando Terranova came third, followed by South Africa's Giniel De Villiers and Saudi Yazeed al-Rajhi, respectively. Meanwhile, Spanish Mini driver Carlos Sainz crossed the finish line 15th to be behind Alonso for the first time in this year's race. Although he was 19 minutes and 15 seconds off the pace, Sainz held onto the top spot in the general rankings of the Dakar car race. The eighth stage of the rally in the bikes and quads categories initially scheduled for Monday was cancelled following the death of Goncalves. This marked the first death of a Dakar Rally participant in five years. The last fatality was Polish motorcyclist Michal Hernik, who died of dehydration. North Korea took up around the lion's share or 40 minutes of a 75-minute phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month. A source said the phone conference on Dec. 21 took place partly because North Korea warned of a possible "Christmas gift" in early December, saying the Trump administration was running out of time to salvage nuclear negotiations. Trump called Abe before the Japanese leader left for a trilateral meeting with the leaders of South Korea and China to seek his advice in dealing with the North. Abe apparently advised Trump that it was important to take pre-emptive steps against a North Korean provocation. He proposed a unified hardline stance against the North by the U.S. and Japan. The two countries reportedly considered a strong response in case North Korea did resort to a provocation. Abe asked Trump to take tough steps even if the North test-fired a short or mid-range missile that is not capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. At the time, the White House issued a statement saying it agreed to "continue close communication and coordination" in case of a North Korean threat. Abe said after the telephone call that he and Trump agreed to "coordinate closely" on steps to deal with a North Korean provocation. The two leaders have held 14 summits and spoke over the telephone 33 times so far, compared to just a handful between Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is on the face of it rather more affected by any North Korean threat. This is not the first time that Trump turned to Abe for advice on how to deal with North Korea. Washington and Tokyo have become even closer in their coordinated efforts to deal with North Korea after South Korea threatened to terminate a bilateral intelligence-sharing pact with Japan last year. U.S.-South Korea relations, on the other hand, are showing signs of strain. National security adviser Chung Eui-yong said Friday, "President Trump made well-wishing remarks about [Kim's] birthday and asked Moon to deliver his message to [Kim]." But North Korean's chief nuclear envoy Kim Kye-gwan shot back saying, "South Korea, not a member of the U.S. clan, went so frivolous as to convey the greetings from the U.S. president. It seems it still has lingering hope for playing the role of 'mediator' in the [North Korea]-U.S. relations." Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha left for the U.S. on Monday to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday. Kang told reporters before departing that she intends to discuss South Korea's possible deployment of troops to U.S. military adventures in the Strait of Hormuz. (Natural News) The desperation that is sweeping through the streets of socialist Venezuela is starting to infect the liberal-run cities within the United States. San Francisco, for example, is so suppressed by liberal policies; non-profits are now turning parking lots into homeless camps. The common cause: The lefts socialist economic policies are punishing the working and Middle class, squelching opportunity, entrepreneurship and free market incentives that could lift people out of poverty. In the past year in San Francisco, the number of people living homeless out of their vehicles has increased 45 percent. An estimated 1,700 people live out of their vehicles in the city now. The city has set up a pilot program to accommodate some of them. In order to clear RVs out of residential neighborhoods, a parking lot has been set up to contain a small fraction of the homeless population. The pilot program will allow thirty vehicles to park there over the next ninety days. The parking lot will include amenities such as portable toilets, portable showers, and case managers. The pilot program will be set up near the Balboa Park Bay Area Rapid transit station. The case managers will refer some people to shelters and help others find addiction treatment and mental health care. Cities run by Leftists are high-crime suicide cities, full of desperate, homeless people San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge is patrolled by five officers who have one job to identify and stop the dozens of people who commit suicide off the bridge each year. The city is currently constructing a suicide safety net under the bridge to catch the most desperate people. Sponsored solution from the Health Ranger Store: The Big Berkey water filter removes almost 100% of all contaminants using only the power of gravity (no electricity needed, works completely off-grid). Widely consider the ultimate "survival" water filter, the Big Berkey is made of stainless steel and has been laboratory verified for high-efficiency removal of heavy metals by CWC Labs, with tests personally conducted by Mike Adams. Explore more here. The overall homeless population in San Francisco has grown 17 percent over the past two years. The mayor of San Francisco plans to add 1,000 new shelter beds to accommodate the citys growing homeless population. The city is slowly turning into Venezuela, where drug addiction runs rampant, where gangs rule the streets, where people go hungry and defecate on the streets. Socialist policies have created income inequality, driving the middle and working class into poverty. These liberal policies have choked the entrepreneurial spirit out, while emboldening the most desperate behaviors. The Left promise progress with their new tax programs, but their incessant taxes only stifle the productive members of society, ultimately emboldening Third World helplessness, drug addiction, and disease, right inside the most prosperous Nation in the world! It doesnt matter if the government promises health care to everyone, including illegal aliens; it doesnt matter if the progressives want to double the minimum wage or make education free; in the end their socialist policies will destroy the economic structure, replacing opportunity and free will with suppression, subservience, and desperation. The Left welcomes illegal immigration, and San Francisco is a sanctuary city, where there is no rule of law. San Franciscos streets are filled with drug paraphernalia and helpless individuals who arent allowed to defend themselves against the rising crime syndicate. All liberal-run cities are headed in this direction. If Washington D.C. is hijacked by the same decrepit mentalities in the future, then Americas entire economic structure will be put at risk the rule of law breaking down, with violent criminals and drug dealers running the streets. If Venezuelas socialist collapse isnt a strong enough warning, then Americans should heed the warning signs developing within the liberal-run cities throughout the United States. The Left, lacking any real principles or sanity, is slowly descending America into chaos, homelessness and drug addiction. Sources include: Breitbart.com NewsTarget.com NaturalNews.com The Labour Party has said it will tackle wasteful public spending as it said voters want responsible management of public money. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar travelled to Aras an Uachtarain on Tuesday afternoon to seek the dissolution of the Dail after calling a General Election on February 8. Labour Party party leader Brendan Howlin said he hopes to deliver a critical mass of TDs to the next Dail. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins following his request to dissolve the 32nd Dail (Damien Eagers/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins following his request to dissolve the 32nd Dail (Damien Eagers/PA) Speaking at the partys first election press conference in Dublin on Tuesday, he said the party is running 31 candidates and hopes to return a significant cohort of Labour TDs. Mr Howlin said the party will seek to tackle wasteful government spending if it is elected. It follows controversy over the rising cost of building a new national childrens hospital in Dublin and the roll-out of a national broadband plan which have both gone hundreds of millions of euro over budget. He said: We need to channel public money to where it makes a difference and to stop waste. I think people are really annoyed when they see billions of euro being wasted on a broadband plan that seems seems to be a blank cheque of three billion euro, when you can do it in Northern Ireland for half that price. We desperately need a childrens hospital but do we we need the most expensive hospital on the planet? I think people want responsible management, but they want quality public services and they know Labour has traditionally done that. While Sinn Fein returned to powersharing government in Northern Ireland this week, Mr Howlin echoed pledges from other political parties Fianna Fail and Fine Gael that they would not do business with Sinn Fein if it is elected to Government. He said: I have said in the past that I worked with Sinn Fein on policy platforms throughout this Dail. There are very good people working with very good policy platforms on a variety of issues and we worked with them on the housing alliance and elsewhere. I dont think that the democratic leadership that we see in the Dail is actually the final arbiter of Sinn Fein. I think that there are other controlling forces that would cause problems to a party in government. That would cause me anxiety to be honest with you. Mr Howlin refused to be drawn on whether he would step aside as leader if Labour is not successful in this election. He said: Of course (there) should be generational change, but we also need experience. I think one of the things people look at with some of the newer ministers is that their lack of experience screams out. We have a team of 31 candidates and we will combine youth and vitality with experience and proven competence. I think you need all those things to make a real difference. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global surgical staplers market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8.16% during the forecast period 2019 to 2026. Global surgical staplers market is poised to reach the market value of around US$7,761.09 Mn by 2026. Free Download Sample Report Pages for Better [email protected] https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/1658 North America has the highest share in the market due to the application of advanced technologies and non-invasive methods in the growing number of total surgeries performed. Other than that highest obesity rate in this region, the presence of major players and FDA approval for non-invasive surgeries are other factors which drive the market of surgical stapler in this region. The United States has seen a rapid increase in the number of diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular problems and different types of cancer, contributing to an increase in the number of surgeries, both open and minimally invasive. The increase in minimally invasive surgeries for chronic diseases has contributed to the growth of the market for surgical staplers. With the current improvement in minimally invasive surgeries, specialized devices are made for laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgeries, which include the application of surgical stapling devices. It has become mandatory for surgeons to have prerequisite knowledge of stapling devices. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is expected to have the highest CAGR in the coming years due to the presence of large cases of surgeries in economies such as India, China, and Japan. Surgical staplers were classified under drugs and were regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act in India due to growing demand and use in 2011. This, in turn, provided strict regulations for the manufacturing and distribution of surgical staplers. View Detail Information with Complete [email protected] https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/surgical-staplers-market The manual surgical stapler segment is dominating the market, yet the powered stapling device is expected to have a higher CAGR due to increasing demand and rising frequency of surgeries. These powered devices help doctors to solve the problem of fatigue that may be caused due to high procedure volume in emergency wards.This segment's growth is due to the wide range of benefits associated with powered staplers, such as ease of use, reduced risk of complications such as blood loss / leakage, shorter operational time, and lower hospital costs compared to manual staplers. In the type segment, the disposable segment is expected to have a high CAGR over the forecast period due to increasing concerns about communicable infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages the use of disposable devices and gives protocols to stop the spread of pathogens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also provided some measures to confirm that set protocols for sterilization of medical devices are strictly followed which propels the disposable segment of the surgical stapler market.Surgical staplers for disposal are tools of one-time use, often made of plastic. It is not possible to sterilize and recycle these machines. Disposal staplers are favoured because they reduce the risk of surgical contamination, which eventually improves the quality of the operation. In addition, it is possible to prevent the spread of infectious diseases from the patient to the medical personnel in the surgical stapler.In addition, the sterilization of the complex procedure of the reusable devices requires proper care and maintenance. This single factor was the key driver of the market and helped the disposal of surgical staplers to hold a large share. Related Reports Oculoplastic Surgery Market - The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.82% from 2019 to 2026 and expected to reach the market value of around US$ 10,686.6 Mn by 2026. - The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.82% from 2019 to 2026 and expected to reach the market value of around by 2026. Ultrasound Equipment Market - The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.3% from 2019 to 2026 and expected to reach the market value of around US$ 10 Bn by 2026. - The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.3% from 2019 to 2026 and expected to reach the market value of around by 2026. Inhalable Drugs Market - The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.4% from 2019 to 2026 and projected to reach the market value of around US$ 41.5Bn by 2026. The market for surgical staplers is fuelled by the superior quality of surgical staplers, technological advancements, product approvals and their application in a variety of fields. For example, in April 2017, Ethicon US LLC received 510(K) approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for ECHELON Circular Powered Stapler to reduce complications in colorectal, gastric and thoracic cancer surgery. One of the recent advances in metal and absorbable skin staplers is expected to create tremendous opportunities for market players studied in the coming years. Some of the leading competitors are Medtronic PLC, Ethicon (J&J), B. Braun Melsungen AG, 3M Company, ConMed Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Purple Surgical Inc., Intuitive Surgical Inc., Welfare Medical Ltd., Reach surgical Inc., Grena Ltd., Dextera Surgical Inc., and Frankenman International. Some of the key observations regarding global surgical staplersmarket include: In November 2018 , Ethicon introduced a range of products that comprise ECHELON FLEX GST System, HARMONIC HD 1000i Shears energy device, Surgical SNoW Absorbable Hemostat for hemostasis & tissue adherence and STRATAFIX Knotless Tissue Control for suturing in its bariatric revision surgical solutions. , Ethicon introduced a range of products that comprise ECHELON FLEX GST System, HARMONIC HD 1000i Shears energy device, Surgical SNoW Absorbable Hemostat for hemostasis & tissue adherence and STRATAFIX Knotless Tissue Control for suturing in its bariatric revision surgical solutions. On 26 September 2017 , Purple Surgical opened its new upgraded and refurbished tauton production and distribution facility. , Purple Surgical opened its new upgraded and refurbished tauton production and distribution facility. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a Medtronic product that decreases the rate of infection in patients who receive certain implanted medical devices is among the top medical innovation for 2020. Request for [email protected] https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/1658 The report is readily available and can be dispatched immediately after payment confirmation. Buy this premium research [email protected] https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/1658 If you would like to place an order or have any questions, please feel free to contact at [email protected] | +1-407-915-4157 OR +1-408-900-9135 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. Among the industries served include aerospace and defense, information and communication technology (ICT), semiconductor and electronics, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, advanced materials, banking, finance services and insurance (BFSI), and others. Our collective industry experience of over 100 years has helped us to offer appropriate market information and our global reach and regional connects ensures appropriate insights into regional markets to guarantee apt delivery of information. Our regional market intelligence helps our clients to identify potential opportunities and develop growth strategies across regions and countries. Our services are geared towards offering best market research to our clients. Contact Us: Mr. Frank Wilson Acumen Research and Consulting 17890, Castleton St #218, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 United States Tel: +1-407-915-4157 OR +1-408-900-9135 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com SOURCE Acumen Research and Consulting I began walking in 1991 from Bombay. I spent about two years on my journey across India. Almost 30 years later, I find myself in the unlikely position of being able to give a theological lesson to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party in India. Sometimes, a long walk is all it takes to clear the mind. A few thousand miles across India and a myriad experiences later, I can attest to that. I began walking in 1991 from Bombay. I spent about two years on my journey across India though not all of it exclusively on foot. Almost 30 years later, I find myself in the unlikely position of being able to give a theological lesson to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party in India. In 1991, I was a young sub-editor at the Times of India. I showed promise and perhaps could have made a career there. The trouble was, journalism did not interest me. The breathless coverage of interminable political wrangles and the low quality of intellectual discourse dismayed me. Naked political ambition and public immorality of political leaders was analysed, dissected and sought to be understood, normalising it in the pages of newspapers. The national resolve I found in reading Nehru, Gandhi or even business leaders such as the Tatas and Birlas was completely missing. The Armed Forces interested me, but I was afraid I could find the discipline constricting. I was a young rebel, and I guess I badly needed heroes. In Vivekananda, I found mine. I bought and read his complete works, though haphazardly. A few months after I began walking, I became a sadhu of the Vairagi sect. The man who inspired me to do so was the Swami, who was certainly the first English-educated man to study all the main Hindu scriptures in Sanskrit. More so, his intellect and training enabled him to synthesise their teachings into a cogent narrative that could be understood by the layman. He made the scriptures accessible to ordinary people like me. Ironically, if Swami Vivekananda were alive today, he would completely disapprove of Hindutva (Hinduness), or at least the BJPs interpretation of it. Vivekananda was an Advaitin, or a practitioner of a monistic system of philosophy (espousing Oneness) that does not believe in idols, formal worship, outer marks or objects of piety. He declares again and again that the goal of Hinduism is self-realisation, or the first-hand experience of the divine. The Hindu religion does not consist in struggles and attempts to believe a doctrine or dogma but in being and becoming, he told his Chicago audience in 1893. It is doubtful that he would have favoured a Rama temple at Ayodhya. It is true Vivekananda was fiercely proud of Hinduism but it was not of its superstitions or regressive practices. In fact, he was part of the Bengal Renaissance of the 1800s which began with the Brahmo Samaj and reached back into Hindu scripture for support to combat superstition and backward practices like sati and dowry. The Swami was deeply interested in the sciences and mathematics. Science, he declared during the same address, is nothing but the finding of unity. He also made the momentous claim that the goal of physics, for instance, was to discover one energy of which all others are but manifestations. During subsequent visits, the Swami met the great inventor and mathematician Nikola Tesla in an attempt to prove Advaita (or non-dualism) mathematically. Mr Tesla thinks he can demonstrate mathematically that force and matter are reducible to potential energy. I am to go and see him next week to get mathematical demonstration. (If he is able to do so) Vedantic cosmology will be placed on the surest of foundations, Vivekananda wrote to a British admirer late in 1895. The attempt failed because, though Tesla grasped that mass must decrease as speed increased, he thought the one converted into the other, instead of both being identical in some unknown way, as different expressions of one reality. It was not until Albert Einsteins paper on relativity in 1905 that this startling concept found scientific expression. In Hinduism it was spirituality and metaphysics the Swami celebrated. Crucially, Vivekanandas guru, Ramakrishna, whom the Swami worshipped as God Incarnate, openly declared that all revealed religions such as Islam and Christianity were true, and valid something that is diametrically opposed to Hindutva. Guru Ramakrishnas stand on the validity of all religions is a theme that runs through Indian history. But Ramakrishna reformulated the idea in a unique way. One was in the globalism he brought into it. Ramakrishna trained Vivekananda, beginning from when he was a young student, with the express mission to disseminate his teachings to the whole world. So Ramakrishnas audience was not just Indian, or Hindu alone. The second point of his Guru Ramakrishnas uniqueness lay in how arrived at his notion of the validity of all religions. He did this through personal sadhana (or religious effort) prescribed by religions other than Hinduism. He declared that all religions lead to the same God. Ramakrishna said he was initiated into Islam in 1866 and prayed to Allah, and gave up visits to his beloved Kali temple. After three days, I saw the vision of a radiant figure, approaching and merging in me, he said. It was thought the figure was Prophet Mohammad. Vivekananda shared this global outlook. He was far from regressive. He never wanted to take India back to a golden age. He wanted India to instead embrace the scientific future with confidence. In fact, he advised Parsi industrialist JRD Tata whom he met aboard a ship from Japan to Canada to set up scientific institutions in India. When Tata wrote to the Swami to propose the Indian Institute of Science, Vivekananda was effusive in praise. We are not aware of any project at once so opportune and far-reaching ever mooted in India, the Swami wrote in an article in his magazine Prabuddha Bharata. In fact, even verses in the Bhagavad Gita, Indias most sacred single text, can be interpreted to mean that all religions are valid as different paths to suit diverse human temperaments. However, it is important to understand how validity of all religions differs from equality of all religions a right first legislated by the Americans. The United States only recognises the right to freely practise religion. It does not declare that all religions are valid paths to the same God. Instead, the US Constitution closely holds to Judeo-Christian values at its core. The Indian Constitution stuck to Indias civilisational character by choosing not to be Hindu". It is a matter of historical record that Hindu India gave refuge to all persecuted people in the world, beginning with the Jews, early Christians, Persians, Ahmadiyyas, Bahais and various others, including Tibetans in 1959. After Partition, when over one million died in Hindu-Muslim riots, it would have been far easier to declare India a country for Hindus but this never tempted the founders. Hindu philosophy had its origins in the Vedas, the most authoritative texts in Hinduism. The Puranas, which are the legends of the many Gods in the Indian pantheon, occupy a lower place. The ruling BJP partys Hindutva ideology is based on one among the many Puranas Ramayana. By a fortuitous coincidence, on one fine December afternoon in 1991, a few days after I began walking from Bombay, I met LK Advani, then one of only two BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha. He was going in the opposite direction, in his soon to become famous Rath Yatra, which began the BJPs rise. I was a journalist walking down the lonely state highway with a rucksack on my back. I must have cut a strange figure. I wonder if he remembers me. Advani was keen to impress upon me the crowds he was drawing on his journey to a disputed temple site where the Rama temple once stood. Even he had no clue what a powerful issue he had found. I wished him luck and continued down the state road towards Navsari, Gujarat. After all, I had a mind to clear. Boris Johnson accused Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP of overseeing a 'lost decade' in Scotland while chasing the dream of independence today, as he rejected her calls for a new referendum. The Prime Minister told the Cabinet this morning that he had an 'optimistic vision' for Scotland within the UK. He received 'full support' for a letter he sent to Ms Sturgeon, insisting he will not authorise another vote north of the border. In the message he said all sides had agreed to 'respect' the 2014 result and it was a 'once in a generation' decision. After the meeting with senior ministers his official spokesman told reporters: 'The Prime Minister said this government has an optimistic vision for Scotland and our whole country in 2020, investing in levelling up in every part of the UK. 'He said we do not want the 2020s in Scotland to repeat the SNPs previous lost decade when Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs were left behind because of their campaign to separate the United Kingdom.' After the letter was sent, Ms Sturgeon shot back that the premier was 'terrified of Scotland's right to choose', saying the refusal would only 'fuel support' for independence. The response came despite Nicola Sturgeon demanding that she be allowed to hold a referendum on splitting up the UK In a letter to the SNP leader, the PM insisted he will not authorise another vote north of the border Ms Sturgeon shot back that the premier was 'terrified of Scotland's right to choose', saying the refusal would only 'fuel support' for independence The spat came after Ms Sturgeon demanded that she be allowed to hold a referendum on splitting up the UK. The First Minister claims that her party's strong showing in the general election proved that she has a mandate to put the question again. 'I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums,' Mr Johnson wrote. Mr Johnson said he had 'carefully considered' the case she had made for powers to be transferred to Holyrood that would allow it to hold a vote on Scotland's future. But he said both she and her predecessor Alex Salmond had made a 'personal promise' that the referendum in 2014 was a 'once in generation' event. The PM said: 'The UK Government will continue to uphold the democratic decision of the Scottish people and the promise that you made to them. 'For that reason I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums.' Mr Johnson said: 'Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade, with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK. 'It is time that we all worked to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together and unleash the potential of this great country.' An FIR has been filed against a doctor and the hospital administration (Photo Credit: Image by Engin Akyurt on Pixabay) Farrukhabad: In a tragic incident, a newborn baby was allegedly dragged out of an operation theatre of a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad and killed by a stray dog, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place at Akash Ganga Hospital on Monday. The baby's mother, Kanchan, was admitted to the hospital earlier in the day, they said. Kanchan's family alleged that they were never showed the baby boy and he was dragged out of the operation theatre and killed by a stray dog owing to complete negligence on the part of hospital staff, the police said. An FIR has been filed against a doctor and the hospital administration on a complaint by Kanchan's husband, Ravi, they said. Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Misra said a probe is underway and "action will be taken on the basis of the investigation report". On Monday night, Chief Medical Officer Dr Chandra Shekhar and City Magistrate Sunil Kumar Singh visited the hospital and sealed it, the police said. CCTV camera recordings have also been seized, they said. The hospital administration rejected the allegations levelled by Kanchan's family and claimed that her baby was stillborn. Larijani: US criminal assassination empowers 'Resistance' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Monday that the US criminal assassination resulted in empowering 'Resistance Front'. Speaking in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis, Larijani said Iran-Syria relations have always been strategic. He noted that Americans were aimed at weakening Resistance Axis by assassinating IRGC Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani. Of course they made mistake since assassination turned out to be an important international issue and Trump regretted, he reiterated. Referring to ratification of the plan to expel US forces from Iraq by Iraqi parliament, Larijani said all these measures were regarded as slaps in US face. He called for developing regional and military cooperation among regional states to prevent Zionists' atrocity. Meanwhile, Khamis said that Syrian government and people will stand by Iran in all challenges. Syrian together with all states with independent sovereignty believes that Iran has the right to defend itself against conspiracies and aggressions, he said. Referring to the important messages conveyed by Iran's opposite stance against war, he said it warned arrogant countries to end the selfishness. It has also a message for neighbors that Iran is a powerful and capable country and is able to stand against aggressions and conspiracies, Khamis said. Iran's confrontation indicated that General Soleimani's martyrdom will reinforce Resistance and will make the nations more united to clean the region from terrorists and the US in particular, said the Syrian premier. 9376**1430 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address [January 14, 2020] A Recent Peer-reviewed Article Reveals a New Spinal Surgery Technique Based on Carevature's Cutting-edge Dreal Technology TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Carevature Medical, Inc. announces a new article that has just been published at the International Journal of Spine Surgery, discussing a Modified Transforaminal Thoracic Interbody Fusion Approach. The authors present a new technique for posterior unilateral thoracic discectomy, facilitated by the Dreal, "a novel, curved, shielded, high-speed device"; Introducing the Dreal ventrally to the dural sac allows removal of calcified and soft disc fragments without relying on forceful manual maneuvers and avoiding manipulation of the spinal cord, resulting in a "safer treatment for thoracic disc herniations, reducing complication rates and improving patient outcome." The technique was developed by neurosurgeon Ely Ashkenazi, MD, at the Assuta Medical Center (Tel Aviv, Israel) in the past 5 years and has become a standard for treating such pathologies in transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion procedures (TTIF) as described in the article, as well as in more common transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures (TLIF). Says orthopedic spine surgeon and lead author Michael Millgram, MD: "The Dreal curved high speed drill has proved a valuable addition to my clinical practice. I allows quick and thorough evacuation of disc material in TLIF procedures providing a large clean bony surface for fusion while reducing operating time. My impression is that TLIF procedures performed with the Dreal exhibit a considerably more robust anterior fusion than those procedures where disc space preparation was performed in the standard manual manner." Dennis Farrell, President for Carevature Medical, Inc. comments: "This article presents one example of how Carevature technology has the potential to reduce the morbidity associated with spinal procedures. Our company is laser focused on improving outcomes through novel technology which is designed to safely, efficiently, and effectively remove pathology while retaining structural anatomy and minimizing the collateral damage often associated with spine surgery. We are committed to modernizing the tools that are available for decompression, many of which have not changed in decades. Carevature continues to research, develop, and launch solutions that advance the art of the decompression through our family of sterile packed, single-use, curved at the tip, shielded, and high speed bone cutting technology, and are looking forward to additional publications that share the benefits of our growing experience in cervical (ACDF, ACCF, and foraminotomy) and lumbar (foraminotomy, osteophyte removal) procedures." To date, Carevature Medical's Dreal technology has assisted surgeons in over 1,500 cases, both non-fusion and fusion. The company's highly targeted approach has it working with medical systems and surgeons located across the US, in Chicago, Boston, Dallas, southern California, Michigan, North Carolina, and Florida, with plans to expand throughout 2020. ABOUT CAREVATURE Carevature Medical Ltd. a privately held medical device company headquartered in Rehovot, Israel, is dedicated to developing advanced orthopedic surgery solutions that minimize trauma, resulting in long-lasting improved patient outcomes. Media contact : Robert W. Cook, VP Marketing & Sales Carevature Medical, Inc. M: 260-417-1643 E: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-recent-peer-reviewed-article-reveals-a-new-spinal-surgery-technique-based-on-carevatures-cutting-edge-dreal-technology-300986444.html SOURCE Carevature Medical [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Pipeline 14 January 2020 Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its 15th hotel in Istanbul with the signing of Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurt. Active in several important cities in Turkey, the Hotel Apartment project will be located in one of the most rapidly growing areas of Istanbul. The new Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurt plays a key role in the hotel group's growth in the Turkish market. The Esenyurt county is the preferred district of Istanbul with its modern structures and vibrant population. The city is also home to a range of companies and offers plenty of office space. Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurtis expected to open in the third quarter of 2022 making it the group's 3rd Radisson branded property and Radisson Hotel Group's15th hotel in Istanbul. The Hotel Apartments will be the perfect place for business travelers and leisure guests seeking the best possible hotel experience in Istanbul. The project will be spanning an area more than 27 thousand square meters and will be serving 240 hotel apartments.Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurt Turkeywill also offer meeting rooms, lounge areas, ball rooms, and an all-day dining restaurant. Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurtwill be the first internationally branded upscale hotel in the area that strengthens the brand awareness of the Radisson Hotel Group. Leisure travelers can enjoy the nearby attractions such as Aqua Club Dolphin (5km), Buyukcekmece Grand Aqua Marine (8km), Istanbul Aquarium (12km). Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): BJP leaders and workers on Tuesday took out a march in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) here. The party leaders and workers were holding placards in support of the CAA. Later addressing the gathering, former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Nirmal Singh said the CAA was passed in the parliament but some opposition parties were trying to create confusion. "The Congress and Communist parties have created confusion and doing politics based on religion. I have full belief that people have understood the CAA and it is clear to them who is creating confusion," he said. (ANI) The people who tried to help a koala before it died from minor burns in a bushfire may have done more harm than good, a wildlife shelter has revealed. Many animals have perished in the flames as a result of the bushfires, while others will die of starvation after their habitats were completely decimated. Experts have said a billion animals have died this bushfire season, and the loss of native wildlife has not only devastated Australia, but the world. Animalia Wildlife Shelter, in Frankston in Melbournes southeast, provides a temporary home for wildlife that needs care and it has now warned peoples kindness and compassion towards koalas are ultimately killing them. It is estimated more than a billion animals have died this bushfire season, however a simple act is killing koalas, according to a wildlife shelter. Nathan Edwards/Getty Images With all the Facebook posts about wonderful people caring for wildlife amidst the fire and heat disasters over these past weeks a silent tragedy is happening, the certified wildlife shelter wrote on Facebook. Koala's are DYING because people are trying their best to help but don't understand how a koala actually drinks. The shelter explained Arnie, a little koala from a town just north of Bairnsdale, survived the heat and the fires, and minor burns to his hands and feet were healing. But he later died after he was fed the wrong way. When an animal is first offered water they do want to drink it, Michelle Thomas, one of the co-founders of Animalia Wildlife Shelter, told Yahoo News Australia. Thousands of koalas are feared to have died in a wildfire-ravaged areas, and many are dying from being fed water the wrong way. Source: Oakbank Balhannah CFS via AP, File They want to really want to try and drink it fast, but its really important at that point in time that they drink it slowly. Ms Thomas said when wildlife carers are offering water to koalas in times of crisis, it is usually out of a 3mm syringe, just to wet their mouth. He survived losing his mum and the loss of his home, the shelter said. He was found by some very caring people who did what any human would do when they find a distressed animal, and offered him a drink from their bottle of water. The kind people who found the koala, and many people across the country who have been snapped giving water to koalas from bottles, didnt realise this is actually very dangerous for koalas. Story continues When a Koala holds it head up and takes in too much water, it can easily get in to their lungs and cause Aspiration Pneumonia, which is usually fatal, the Facebook said, stating this is what happened to Arnie. Arnie the koala survived the bushfires, but died later after he was fed water the wrong way. Source: Supplied/Animalia Wildlife Shelter Ms Thomas told Yahoo News Australia just one drop of water on their lungs can drown them. Koalas get most of their water through the gum leaves they feast on, and on the rare occasion they drink water, the koala does so with their face down, lapping up small amounts with their tongue. How to give koalas water safely Animalia Wildlife Shelter is urging people who want to help Australias famed animals to be aware of how koalas hydrate. If you find a Koala in need of help in the heat or in a fire zone, please DO NOT OFFER IT WATER BY TIPPING IT FROM A BOTTLE OR CUP INTO THEIR MOUTHS AND NEVER FORCE A KOALA TO DRINK, Animalia Wildlife Shelter said. Instead, place a bowl of water on the ground, or use something that can act as a bowl like a hat, helmet or cup so the koala can lap up the water, face down, at a pace which is safe for them. The shelter also encourages people to take koalas who are injured to their nearest shelter, if it is safe to catch a potentially injured or burnt koala in a blanket. If a koala is resisting, do not pick it up despite being cute and cuddly, koalas can cause nasty injuries. AAnimalia Wildlife Shelter is urging people to know the proper way to give koalas water. Source: Supplied/Animalia Wildlife Shelter If it is not safe to help the koala, take note of the location and pass on the details to shelter. Animalia Wildlife Shelter is urging people to educate their friends, or people on social media, suggesting if you see a video or photo of someone pouring water in a koalas mouth online to say something. Comment on it saying: PLEASE DO NOT GIVE KOALAS WATER BY POURING IT. JUST LET THEM LAP AT THEIR OWN PACE. IF IT GETS IN THEIR LUNGS IT COULD KILL THEM. Just like humans, bushfires are extremely stressful for koalas. Animalia Wildlife Shelter is urging people to remember koalas are nocturnal and live in trees, so if you see a koala sitting on the ground during the day, call a wildlife rescue organisation. They are usually very stressed if they are at the point of allowing human interaction, so please do not try and take selfies with the animal as you are just causing continued stress, Animalia Wildlife Shelter said. Ms Thomas said the whole point of the Facebook post was not to shame anyone, but to raise awareness. The most important thing is the message gets out there, just to do it the right way, she said, adding it isnt just Animalia Wildlife Shelter trying to raise awareness about this. Ms Thomas said carers across Victoria have been aware of, and speaking about this for a while now. Its not just Animalia Wildlife Shelter making noise about this, with Aussie TV vet Dr Chris Brown posting about the issue on Instagram on Thursday. While it might look great on the gram, offering a koala a drink from a bottle isnt without risks, Dr Brown wrote to his Instagram. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Students from various departments of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) staged a silent protest outside the main building of the SPPU against the Pune police for allegedly manhandling students during a protest against the Earn and Learn scheme on January 12, also inside the SPPU. At least 25 students, girls and boys, began the protest on Monday, January 13, at 4pm. The students sat there, through the night, non-stop till 6.30 pm on Tuesday, when SPPU registrar Prafulla Pawar finally met the protesting students and gave them a letter the SPPU has sent to the Pune police demanding an inquiry into the issue. On Sunday, we students, who are working under the SPPUs Earn and Learn scheme, took out a protest on campus, the same day state higher education minister Uday Samant visited the SPPU for official meetings. The police involved with the ministers security allegedly manhandled students who were protesting peacefully. Moreover, male policemen pulled at the female students as there were no women policemen. Our demand is that SPPU take up this issue with the Pune police and an enquiry be initiated, said Snehal Bhosale, one of the protesting students. Prafulla Pawar, in the SPPU letter to the Pune police commissioner, said We had received a written letter from students about police allegedly manhandled some of the students during Sundays Earn and learn scheme protest. SPPU administration has taken notice of this protest and the sentiments of students are serious. So considering their demand, we request Pune police to do an enquiry about this issues and take necessary action. But the tariffs that remain in place will still cover the same $360 billion in Chinese goods that the administration taxed before the signing. Nearly two-thirds of everything Americans buy from China will be tariffed, compared with less than 1 percent before Trump began his anti-China campaign, according to calculations by economist Chad P. Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. ST. PAUL Trista MatasCastillo teared up a bit at this weeks Ramsey County commissioners meeting when talking about callers telling her she was "unchristian" for wanting more refugees to resettle near her. "Which I find absurd. Jesus was a refugee. Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt," said Commissioner MatasCastillo, who identified herself as a woman of strong faith. "This is a loaves and fishes sort of experience." As of last year, Ramsey County accepted 71 percent of the refugees who have resettled in Minnesota. Compare that to Hennepin Countys 12 percent, and the rest of the counties in single-digits, if any at all, county officials noted. On Tuesday, in response to a federal mandate requiring them to acknowledge whether they wanted more refugees, the county board unanimously voted that yes, they did. MatasCastillo, whose district contains more refugees than any other in the state, brought the motion forward. ADVERTISEMENT But board chair Toni Carter quickly spoke in favor of the resolution. "A community where all are valued and thrive truly means all, " Carter said. Added Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, "Unless you are Native American and indigenous to this country, somewhere along the way, your ancestors were welcomed. Maybe not in a good way." County staff came forward as well: Policy and planning director Elizabeth Tolzmann noted that her family were refugees, and "Weve given (back) twenty-fold in the last four decades." Last year, the city of St. Paul approved a formal statement saying they would accept and welcome more refugees. Still, the number of refugees coming into the country next year will likely shrink. There is a federal cap of 18,000 refugees this year, compared to a cap of 30,000 last year, which was reached in the third quarter. County Manager Ryan OConnor pointed out that according to Minnesotas demographer, "We are reliant at this point on foreign-born populations to fuel the growth in Ramsey County." In a 2015 St. Paul Pioneer Press report on the states aging population, state demographer Susan Brower noted that Midwestern states have tended in recent years to lose more people than they gain with the bulk of those moving out being young. ADVERTISEMENT Starting in 2002, Minnesotas "net domestic migration" the number of people who move here from other states, minus those who move away turned negative, and has remained that way. But due to "international migration" people moving here from other countries the states population has actually increased on the whole. Earlier this month, Beltrami County commissioners became the first in the state to vote against allowing refugees to be placed there. In contrast, a growing number of other Minnesota counties have voted to accept those displaced by war, persecution or natural disasters. For instance, in another vote Tuesday at the far north end of the state, Cook Countys board unanimously approved refugee resettlement there. Other counties have voted to delay the decision. The votes are in reaction to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in September, which requires states and counties to inform the U.S. State Department in writing whether they consent to receiving refugees from the federal resettlement program. Local resettlement groups have until the end of January to send their own placement plans to the State Department. ADVERTISEMENT Gov. Tim Walz sent a letter to the feds last month saying yes, Minnesota consented. The satisfaction of my patients will always be the measure of my success as a dentist. I am always honored to receive the Top Patient Rated Dentist award from Find Local Doctors, says Dr. Dan Myers of The Dentist Centers. The Dentist Centers is located at 3070 Windward Plaza in Alpharetta, GA. Find Local Doctors recently honored this thriving practice as a 2020 Top Patient Rated Alpharetta Dentist. Superior ratings and reviews have awarded this well-respected dental practice this recognition. Find Local Doctors is a trusted online directory helping consumers easily locate qualified and reputable physicians and dentists in their area. The Dentist Centers Alpharetta clinic is a friendly, full-service family dental practice with a mission to provide the highest standard of dental care in a comfortable environment. Dr. Dan Myers leads the talented team of dental professionals and is expertly trained in multiple facets of dentistry. The Dentist Centers treats patients of all ages and uses the most cutting-edge technology available in modern dentistry. Dr. Myers takes pride in bringing you state-of-the-art specialized and comprehensive general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in a modern and welcoming office. He provides an expansive menu of additional services, including dental implants, bone grafting, Invisalign, Snap-On Smile, laser dentistry and dermal fillers. With an artistic eye, extensive training and experience, Dr. Myers is well-respected for his talent for reconstructing smiles to be aesthetic and fully functional. The satisfaction of my patients will always be the measure of my success as a dentist. I am always honored to receive the Top Patient Rated Dentist award from Find Local Doctors, says Dr. Dan Myers of The Dentist Centers. More About Dan Myers, DMD: Dr. Myers received his dental degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Prior to his dental education, he attended Murray State University for his undergraduate studies, which he accomplished in three years and was awarded early acceptance into dental school. Dr. Myers believes in staying at the forefront of dental technology, his passion for the art of dentistry guides him in transforming countless smiles. He continuously participates in continuing education courses, including the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Dr. Myers professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Northern Dental District Society, Hinman Dental Society and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The practices Alpharetta and Sandy Springs offices are accepting new patients. For more information about Dr. Dan Myers or services at The Dentist Centers in Alpharetta, please visit http://www.thedentistcenters.com or call (678) 825-6805. Private jet startup Airly says inquiries in December increased 35 per cent on last year as flight disruptions, some of which are a result of the bushfire smoke haze in capital cities, played havoc with business executives' schedules. Luke Hampshire, Airly's co-founder and chief executive, said the startup, which is aimed at business travellers, was taking advantage of a drop in flights arriving on time on the busy Melbourne to Sydney route. Figures from the federal government's Airline On Time Performance report from November shows 51 per cent of Melbourne to Sydney flights arrived on time, down 5 to 7 per cent on previous months. Alexander Robinson and Luke Hampshire are the founders of private jet startup Airly. "Airly is finally a real alternative for the airlines on the Melbourne and Sydney routes and they do a lot of the marketing for us with their unreliability," Mr Hampshire said. Nimish Sawant We have been hearing about the benefits of blockchain technology for the last few years. Even at the central government level, blockchain has got a vote of confidence. But when it comes to actual blockchain-technology based implementations in the public sector, we more often than not, tend to draw a blank. As of November 2019, we are still in the process of coming up with a strategy for national-level use of blockchain technology. Andhra Pradesh is one of the few states that is using a blockchain-backed land registration process. One of the tech innovations that really put blockchain on the map for most of us, is cryptocurrency. Given the reservations against crypto-assets, cryptocurrency never got a chance to take off in India. However, the underlying blockchain technology is something that has piqued the interest of many banks in India. With global consultancy firm, PwC betting on India becoming a leader in blockchain tech with the right amount of government participation, banks don't seem to want to be left behind. (Also read: Understanding blockchain technology and its implications on the future of transactions) Eleven of India's largest banks including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, RBL Bank and South Indian Bank, have launched a first of its kind blockchain-linked loan system in India for small and medium enterprises. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and IndusInd Bank are involved in this consortium as outside members. In the first phase of this network, the banks set up a live network for supply-chain vendors across India to register themselves and digitally record all their transactions. The blockchain system which the 11 banks above are running is managed by IBM. We spoke to IBM's Blockchain leader for India and South Asia, Jitan Chandanani, who is responsible for helping clients enable the capability and strengths of blockchain in their current environment to drive business growth and future opportunities. IBM was recently associated with developing the world's largest telecom blockchain in India to manage unwanted calls and unsolicited commercial communications. Edited excerpts from the interaction follow. tech2: IBM is working with 11 of India's banks to develop a blockchain-linked loan system. Could you tell me how this works? Jitan Chandanani (JC): Each of these banks was already working on some sort of blockchain solution for their own use. But instead of working in silos when it came to applications which involved banks working together, such as loans or trade finance, it was decided that there needs to be a consortium with a common blockchain solution. We identified 11 banks who agreed to identify a systematic issue and build a solution. We digitised the entire process and then approached the regulator with this solution. As long as the control and governance requirements of the regulator are met, we started testing the use cases involving these banks. The details of the use case and its implications are the intellectual property of the banks. I am not at the liberty to share information on it. However, the initiative by itself is a marquee initiative and it is very encouraging to see the banks coming together to reshape the architecture of Indias banking system. The banks also realise that certain systemic problems may be better solved by collaboration than by mere siloed solutions. tech2: Also, how does this work under RBI regulations? What are the kind of regulatory challenges when it comes to implementing something like this? JC: RBI has taken an active step in laying clear guidelines in what will not be permitted and the economic reasons behind the same. At the same time, they have been quite encouraging in taking regular meetings with banks, IT firms, startups and provide guidance in what could be permissible. They have also gone ahead and established a sandbox for service providers and banks to run test pilots. At this stage, I think this is the best that can be expected. The regulator is open to the ideas of BFSI companies running pilots and presenting them with the study to enable them to build regulations. I believe that is a logical way to build regulations. tech2: India's banking sector recently moved on to core-banking solutions. Don't you think involving blockchain in this sector is too early for its time? How do you plan to train the staff working on these systems? JC: The blockchain adoption has just started while core banking solutions have been serving banks now for over two decades. They are focused primarily on meeting the technology requirements inside the bank and not necessarily the banks clients and ecosystem. The ideal blockchain solution needs to cater to an ecosystem that means it should serve as a ledger for the bank, the supplier, the manufacturer, the logistics firm, the warehouse firm and all other participants in a supply chain ecosystem. None of those participants other than the bank, need or have a core banking system. Blockchain aims to solve a trust and transparency problem across the ecosystem which a centralised, single owned system cannot provide. I do not believe that it is too early for its time the adoption of technology is based on how efficiently one can solve a problem and the ease of use of the solution. If those two aspects are kept in focus during solution design, adoption can be expedited with appropriate education and knowledge sharing. tech2: In India, we keep hearing from the government that they are keen to pilot and eventually implement blockchain across multiple sectors. What according to you are the challenges facing the implementation of the technology in public sectors at the moment? JC: Education and awareness. Cryptocurrencies are the best and worst thing that happened for blockchain. While it made blockchain a business term, it also aligned the use of blockchain solely with cryptocurrencies. The delays in adoption require organisations like IBM to educate and debunk the myth that you need a cryptocurrency to run a blockchain public sector initiative. Secondly, the approach should focus on the problem and not the solution. This requires multiple organisations with contrasting priorities to come together and form a symbiotic solution. The due diligence on the use case is more important than the technology development if done incorrectly or using poor data the project can unravel pretty quickly. tech2: Considering IBM Blockchain is what one would call a Permissioned Blockchain, would IBM only be working with private industries and clients or are you open to working on government projects as well? JC: Permissioned Blockchain does not indicate that only private players can be involved. A permissioned blockchain signifies the existence of a governance mechanism that enables ecosystem players to conduct transactions that meet the required business criteria. This governance role can be played either by business entities or government entities. IBM is already working with several state and central governments to establish public service utilities in areas of land registrations, ID management and microfinance. tech2: One of the IBM Blockchain principles states: Permissioned doesnt mean private. Could you elaborate on that? JC: To support an enterprise-grade platform aligned with the regulatory and fiduciary responsibilities of its participants, enterprise blockchains must be designed around the principle of permissioned and trusted access. Though anonymous public blockchains afford a number of powerful capabilities, they are not suitable for most enterprises, particularly those in regulated industries. Most organisations need to know who theyre conducting business with and that no illegal activity is being transacted over the network. However, this is not to say that enterprise blockchains must be private; instead, they should be permissioned. They may be open to anyone willing to register and cryptographically validate their identity. Common identity standards can help streamline access across multiple blockchain networks using the same set of verified credentials. Example: Sovrin, a digital identity management network and Stellar, a decentralised global payment platform, are examples of public, yet permissioned blockchain networks. TradeLens, a supply chain management platform built atop Hyperledger Fabric, is another example of a permissioned blockchain that grants participants visibility into who their network peers are. tech2: Apart from Banking, which other sectors is IBM implementing blockchain technology in India? JC: In telecom industry with the Do Not Disturb platform to save you from pesky marketing calls. Supply Chain Transparency, Agriculture transparency are other areas where IBM Blockchain is used. tech2: Could you tell me, in brief, the different areas or verticals that are using IBM Blockchain globally JC: Financial Services Trade Finance We.Trade Financial Services Bank Guarantees ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac Financial Services Supply Chain Financing, Dealer Financing Mahindra, IPDC, Union Bank Philippines Telecom DND Regulation India Telecom players Food Manufacturing and packaging companies Traceability and Provenance Food Trust International Trade and Logistics Documentation and Container Management - Tradelens KYC and Identity Management Secure Key, Sovereign Identity Project Apple hit back at US Attorney General William Barr who accused the company of refusing to provide 'substantive assistance' with unlocking two iPhones used by a gunman who carried out a mass shooting at a Florida military base in December. Barr demanded that Apple unlock the two cellphones belonging to Mohammed Alshamrani, who killed three American sailors and injured eight others. The attorney general made the high profile request during a Monday afternoon press conference where he branded the attack an 'act of terrorism'. Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters were killed in the attack when Saudi military trainee Alshamrani opened fire in a classroom at the US Naval Air Station in Pensacola on December 6. Alshamrani, 21, who was training to be a naval flight officer, was then killed in a shoot-out with police. Following Barr's remarks, Apple said it rejected 'the characterization that Apple has not provided substantive assistance' in the investigation into the shooting. Apple did not say that it would unlock the phones, instead the company doubled-down on its stance on privacy. Scroll down for video US Attorney General William Barr on Monday demanded that Apple unlock two cellphones used by a gunman who carried out a mass shooting at a Florida military base in December In its statement, Apple said it responded to all queries from law enforcement officials and turned over all information that it had access to. The company said it received the first inquiry on January 6 but was not notified of a second iPhone until January 8. It also said its engineering teams 'recently had a call to provide additional technical assistance' to the FBI. Investigators have been unable to access the two devices - an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 5 - because they are locked and encrypted, according to a letter from the FBI's general counsel, Dana Boente. Barr's latest appeal for Apple's cooperation marked an escalation of the Justice Department's ongoing fight with the tech giant over the balance between personal privacy and public safety. Three American sailors were killed and eight other people were wounded when Saudi military trainee Mohammed Alshamrani (pictured) opened fire in a classroom at the US Naval Air Station in Pensacola on December 6 'This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that the public be able to get access to digital evidence,' Barr said, accusing Apple of providing no 'substantive assistance'. The attorney general indicated that he intends to use the Alshamrani case to push for a solution to the DOJ's struggle to get around Apple security features. 'We don't want to get into a world where we have to spend months and even years exhausting efforts when lives are in the balance,' he said. 'We should be able to get in when we have a warrant that establishes that criminal activity is underway.' FBI officials obtained court authorization to search the phones but have failed to gain access by guessing the passwords, Boente said. At least one of the phones was shot by a sheriff's deputy during the attack, but investigators believe they may still be able to extract data from the device, according to a person familiar with the matter. Sources close to Apple told the New York Times that the company will not back down from its unequivocal support of impossible-to-crack encryption. Apple has long touted security as a major feature of its phones and in 2014 began building encryption into devices that can only be unlocked with a password or fingerprint reader. Apple said that even the company is unable to bypass the security. The company has said that obtaining data from phones would require it to build a backdoor, which would set a dangerous precedent for user privacy and security.. Apple executives have warned that gaining access to one phone would compromise the security of all devices because law enforcement would demand to use the back door excessively. Earlier this week, the FBI asked Apple to help extract data from two iPhones that belonged to the gunman. Investigators have been unable to access the two devices - an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 5 (pictured) - because they are locked and encrypted Barr indicated that he intends to use the Alshamrani case to push for a solution to the DOJ's struggle to get around Apple security features Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have accused Apple of providing a safe haven for criminals. Officials have managed to get around Apple's resistance in the past - most notably while investigating a terrorist attack that left 14 people dead in San Bernardino, California, in late 2015. Apple defied a court order to assist the FBI in its efforts to search an iPhone belonging to the suspect - sparking the public safety vs user privacy debate. The immediate dispute was resolved when the FBI found a private company to bypass the encryption. The over-arching debate, however, was escalated as Apple worked to ensure that neither the government nor private contractors would be able to gain access to devices in the future. In the Alshamrani case, DOJ officials say that they need access to the gunman's phones to see data and messages from encrypted apps like Signal or WhatsApp and determine whether he had discussed his plans with others at the base and if he was acting alone. At Monday's press conference Barr said that Alshamrani was motivated by 'jihadist ideology' and had posted anti-American, anti-Israeli and jihadist messages on social media. Some of those messages were shared within hours of the shooting. On September 11 of last year, Alshamrani allegedly posted a message which read: 'The countdown has begun.' Barr added that Alshamrani also visited the New York City memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks days before the shooting. The attack brought fresh complications to US-Saudi relations at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival. Police tape is pictured at the Pensacola Naval Air Station after Alshamrani opened fire in a classroom on December 6, killing three American sailors and wounding eight others Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham (left); Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson (center); and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters (right) were killed in the attack Fran Bitter, a volunteer with the Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia, salutes a group of sailors as they enter a funeral service for Walters at the Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, on December 19, 2019 But according to Barr, Saudi Arabia provided 'complete and total support' to the American investigation of the incident. The attorney general also announced that the United States is removing 21 Saudi military students from a training program and sending them back to Saudi Arabia following the investigation. Fifteen of the 21 cadets had contact with child pornography and possessed jihadist or anti-American material, Barr said. Of the 21 cadets, 17 had social media profiles containing jihadi or anti-American content. None of the cadets are accused of having advanced knowledge of the shooting. It was not immediately clear on what grounds the students were being removed from the program, though the official said they were not suspected of having played any role in the attack. Officials have said Alshamrani hosted a party before the shooting, where he and others watched videos of mass shootings. The gunman, who used a Glock 9 mm weapon that had been purchased legally in Florida, had also apparently taken to Twitter before the shooting to criticize US support of Israel and accuse America of being anti-Muslim, another US official said last month. There are currently about 850 Saudi students in the United States for military training. Saudi Arabia Defense Attache Major General Fawaz Al Fawaz, his Embassy staff and other officials arrive to meet with the Saudi students who remain restricted to the Naval Air Station Pensacola base by their Saudi commanding officer on December 9 Alshamrani was on the base as part of a US Navy training program designed to foster links with foreign allies. He had started training in the US in 2017 and had been in the Pensacola area for the past 18 months, authorities said. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, said that Alshamrani 'had a deep-seated hatred for the United States'. 'For us to be bringing in these foreign nationals, you have to take precautions. Bringing in people from Saudi Arabia - we need to be on guard against that,' the governor added. Alshamrani was one of about 200 foreigners at the Pensacola base and thousands around the US who participate in military training, a program that US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said was 'very important to our national security'. The December shooting raised questions about how well international military students are screened before they attend training at American bases. Some lawmakers, including a top Republican ally of President Donald Trump, have called for Saudi Arabia to be suspended from the American military training program. Trump called for the program to be reviewed. But Sen Lindsey Graham, R-SC, said the program needed to be reevaluated after the attack. A Saudi commanding officer had ordered all students from the country to remain at one location at the base after the attack. National security adviser Robert O'Brien said in an interview on Fox News that the shooting 'showed that there had been errors in the way that we vetted' the students. The actions being taken by the Justice Department and Defense Department to remove the Saudi students are to 'protect our service men and women,' he said. Gladys Bourdain, a longtime copy editor at The New York Times who helped kick-start the writing career of her son Anthony, the chef who became a world-famous memoirist and television host, died on Friday at a hospice facility in the Bronx. She was 85. Her son Christopher confirmed the death. He said she had been in failing health for some time. Ms. Bourdain began her career at The Times in 1984 and worked there until 2008, developing a reputation as a strict grammarian on the culture and metropolitan desks. She also wrote for outlets like Opera News, Musical America and The Times. She profiled Julia Child for The Times in 1978 after a visit to Ms. Child's home in Southern France, describing her kitchen as organized clutter. Anthony Bourdain became a hard-living chef, and in the late 1990s he wrote an article chronicling the seamier secrets of life in the restaurant business. He was struggling to publish it in 1999 when Ms. Bourdain mentioned to him that she knew a Times reporter, Esther Fein, who was married to David Remnick, the newly minted editor of The New Yorker magazine. Liberal Publishing House publishes and distributes books Vietnams government does not wants its citizens to read. Hanoi, Vietnam Inside a cramped room in a secret and temporary location in northern Vietnam, a printer whirs to life, spitting out sheets of paper covered in text. Neat piles are stacked on nearby tables and a man wearing an air respirator places one of them into a machine that cuts and binds the pages to a cover. The dampness in the room has caused the paper to crease. This isnt good, said the editor in chief of Vietnams Nha Xuat Ban Tu Do Liberal Publishing House as he flipped through the newly-printed book. In Vietnam, as in the former Soviet Union, such publications are known as Samizdat the illegal copying and distribution of books and are banned by the government as anti-state activity. Under Article 117 of Vietnams criminal code, anyone involved in Samizdat risks a jail term of 20 years. The Liberal Publishing House editor prefers not to share their name. The publishing house was founded last February in Ho Chi Minh City by a group of dissidents as a direct challenge to the governments control of the industry and to bring the non-fiction work of Vietnams growing crop of dissident writers to the nations readers. Every printing house in Vietnam is controlled by the government. We had to buy our own printing press to do it clandestinely, said Tran Ha, Liberal Publishing Houses founding member, who asks that we use a pseudonym to protect their identity. Immediately after the press was set up, Ha had to move it from Vietnams largest city to an undisclosed location due to pressure from police trying to shut it down and arrest them. Were unable to stay anywhere for a long period of time or our work may be revealed. If were discovered even the community will be at risk, added Ha. Dangerous and damaging The government has long censored and controls its media and publishing industries and imposed tight restrictions on them. Liberal Publishing House has published dissident author Pham Doan Trangs latest books Politics of a Police State and Non Violent Protest. [Adam Bemma/Al Jazeera] The Law on Publishing prohibits propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the spread of reactionary ideology and the disclosure of secrets of the [Communist] Party, State, military, defence, economics, or external relations. Liberal Publishing House has published 11 books from eight authors during the past year on politically sensitive topics including Chinas role in Vietnam and controversial legislation on Special Economic Zones. It has also released a legal handbook for jailed activists. It is the first Samizdat in Vietnam to launch a website and Facebook page. We have tens of thousands of readers despite police repression and state censorship, Ha said. Many of them are members of the Communist Party. There is no way to verify these claims, but in October, Vietnamese authorities cracked down on Liberal Publishing House, its distribution network and readers. In November, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released a joint statement calling for an end to the intimidation and harassment of people either associated with the publishers activities or trying to obtain copies of Samizdat books. By printing books they can make independent information look professional and legitimate to readers. If (readers) can hold it in their hands they trust it more. Trinh Huu Long, co-founder, Legal Initiatives for Vietnam. According to Amnesty Internationals Vietnam campaign team, police have questioned nearly 100 people for either owning or reading books printed by Liberal Publishing House. They know how dangerous and damaging [Samizdat publishing] is to their regime, said Trinh Huu Long, a democracy activist and co-founder of Legal Initiatives for Vietnam. By printing books, they can make independent information look professional and legitimate to readers. If they can hold it in their hands they trust it more. Its valuable. Clandestine network Walking along popular bookshop-lined streets in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi it is easy to find and buy copies of Western and Vietnamese literature banned by the government since reunification in 1975. While some illegal books are smuggled into the country, most are photocopied versions of the originals. But finding Samizdat books written by Vietnamese authors in Vietnam itself is difficult so press freedom activists have started a support network to help keep Liberal Publishing House operational. Supporters help ship books within the country. Readers across Vietnam place an order and decide a location from which to collect the books which are delivered by motorbike-taxi drivers rather like ordering food online. A lot of those shipping our books have been trapped by police officers pretending to be readers interested in buying copies. They order a book from us online and set a place and time to have the book delivered to them, said Ha. Weve had two of our staff arrested and one was forced to confess. A Samizdat book from Vietnams Liberal Publishing House whose readers are mainly from the countrys remote and poorer areas [Adam Bemma/Al Jazeera] Liberal Publishing House has begun to distribute digital versions of their most popular books to help pay for the costs associated with publishing physical copies. Pushing boundaries Nguyen Quang A, 73, has been challenging state censorship under his SOS Squared Library for 20 years. He has published dozens of banned books in physical and e-book format and was the inspiration behind the Liberal Publishing Houses Samizdat operation. I gave up printing paper books, Quang A said. My objective is not to be a hero fighting against the corrupt censorship system. Its just to discuss ideas. Ha said the feedback its Vietnamese readers give Liberal Publishing House reflects the hunger people have to know more about public policy in Vietnam. I think Liberal Publishing House is pushing the boundaries, said Dinh Thao, a 28-year-old activist living in Hanoi. In the past, [Samizdat] publishers would rather print translated books, but now they publish books from Vietnamese authors inside the country. These are the kinds of books I like to read. Bestselling copies of dissident author Pham Doan Trangs latest books Politics of a Police State and Non Violent Protest sit on the table at Liberal Publishing Houses Samizdat printing facility. While Hong Kongs protests have continued into their eighth month, books on the subject are scarce in Vietnamese. Liberal Publishing Houses next release will shine a light on anti-China protests in Hong Kong and those that took place inside Vietnam in June 2018 the biggest protests since the end of the Vietnam War. Weve had a lot of interest from Vietnamese readers about the Hong Kong protests, said Nguyen. Our readers are coming from some of the most remote and poorest areas of the country. New Delhi, January 14: Amazon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Bezos on Tuesday arrived in India on an official visit. After landing in the national capital, he visited Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. After paying tribute to Indian independence icon, Bezos took to Twitter to describe Gandhi as someone "who truly changed the world". Jeff Bezos Tops The Chart of Richest Persons on New Year's Day, Bill Gates Trails at 2nd, Mukesh Ambani 14th. "Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. 'Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.' - Mahatma Gandhi," Bezos posted on social media, while also sharing the clip of him at the Raj Ghat. Watch Video of Jeff Bezos Paying Tribute at Raj Ghat Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/xDXAT9cBgf Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) January 14, 2020 Bezos, who is narrowly ahead of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in terms of the world's richest person, has arrived India to further his business prospects. He is expected to hold an array of meetings with leaders of India Inc. All eyes are set on his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Amazon chief also has an evening scheduled with the Bollywood on Thursday. Members of the Indian film fraternity are expected to attend the casual event being planned by his staff at a plush hotel in Mumbai. Noted music composer AR Rahman is scheduled to perform for the gathering. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have decided to stage protests at 300 locations across 15 countries against Bezos' visit to India. The demonstrations are aimed at shedding light over the adverse impact left by Amazon on Indian retailers. Since the boom of online consumer industry in India, primarily led by Amazon and Flipkart, retailers have recorded a considerable slump in sales. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2020 10:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The headlines should warm the cockles of Prime Minister Modis heart. Now watch Narendra Modi smiling. Or is he laughing, chortling gleefully maybe? Lets say he appears to be vicariously pleased, for good reasons, perhaps. Look. Women, some in their 80s, many Muslim but a lot many of different beliefs and non-beliefs too, are braving Delhis freezing cold. They are holding daily vigil come night or day at Shaheen Bagh, standing up for the constitution, speaking up for the young and old killed in different parts of the country in protests against a draconian and communal citizenship law. They are intensely hurt by injustices inflicted on Kashmiris. They keep their eyes peeled as others sleep, against stealthy encroachments by the rulers on their dream of a syncretic India, which Gandhi and Nehru raised them to dream about. They seem ready to make the sacrifices that outraged students across the country are prepared to make, as they once did in the Freedom Movement. They believe they are winning, and they are indeed an inspiration for the honest fight at hand. And what are the opposition parties doing? The headlines should warm the cockles of Prime Minister Modis heart. Mayawati accuses the Congress of betrayal and says the party had poached her MLAs in Rajasthan on two occasions. Aishe Ghosh, brave student leader of JNU, meanwhile, got a few stitches on her bloodied head when fascist goons raided the Jawaharlal Nehru University. What is the opposition doing? Not long ago, Rohit Vemula died in Hyderabad after being hounded by the same goons who were backed by the same right-wing establishment. What did the opposition do? So what has changed since the fractious parties were roundly defeated in May last year for the second time in a row? The Dalit Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Aam Aadmi Party will not be attending the opposition meet convened by the Congress to decide on a joint strategy on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens. Thats what the news item says. Shiv Sena, the Congress ally in Maharashtra, has also said it wouldnt take part in the meet. There are two elephants in the room the left and the Congress. The left can live with Udhav Thackeray sending the Shiv Sena a whole list of democratic ideas to pursue but it cannot tolerate Mamata Banerjee. Visit any Marxist library and figure out the bizarre logic. Ironically, no one knows the history of Nazi Germany better than the left. The Congress cannot live without seeing itself as the leader of the opposition. P. Chidambaram was barely out from jail when he spelt out the caveat. The opposition should unite, but the Congress must lead. If not? Suffer fascism? The Congress might remember that the man who led them to freedom never sought office or power. The left might do what it does best write a common minimum plan to involve the lowest common denominator. The Congress could push from behind if that is the only way the opposition cart can move. It needs to allay Mayawatis fears, and help Arvind Kejriwal critically defeat the BJP in Delhi next month. The battle to save Indias democracy from being shredded requires a focused strategy to funnel the already unleashed energy. It has to tap into every ounce of courage on offer. Without a coordinated plan the mighty courage and furious energy on display in different parts of the country could add up to a pitiable defeat regardless of Priyanka Gandhis heroic scooter ride through police barricades. Old examples of grit are too old. The anti-Vietnam war campaign is cited. True, the students uprising in America and Europe did shore it up. But it would perhaps not have fetched victory or any peace against the mighty American military but for a couple of intrepid journalists who demolished Richard Nixon, meanwhile, in another theatre of battle, with the Watergate episode. Even the committed Daniel Ellsberg with The Pentagon Papers expose got protected by the Watergate demise of Nixon. Julian Assange in comparison has had to struggle, as has Edward Snowden. When did we last hear of Mordechai Vanunu, blindsided by the harsh Israeli state for his heroic revelations of Israels nuclear arsenal? The steel frame of the Tudeh Party whose cadres had penetrated the deep state of the Shah and its extensive machinery of coercion overthrew the invincible emperor of Iran. For this, the party cadres marshalled their resources with care and preferred to keep things couched in quiet confidence. They harnessed the energies of the mullahs who were otherwise a chaotic lot. The Tudeh overthrew the Shah but failed to carry the clergy and suffered complete decimation. Indias right-wing Hindus have absorbed this lesson from Iran after failing to capture total power by infiltrating the JP movement. Pakistans democracy needed a dictators air crash to survive. What is Indias opposition counting on? Indian democracy can yet be saved with only a spoonful of unadulterated selflessness. The women in Shaheen Bagh believe so. By arrangement with Dawn A gunshot and the subsequent police lights and sirens drew curious neighbors to the streets of their quiet Brooklyn neighborhood on Monday night. As they emerged from their homes, they saw a dead dog on the pavement, covered by a white sheet. The dogs owner was standing nearby, as was the off-duty Secret Service agent who had shot the animal. The agent told police officers that the dog had charged at him, he had reached for his firearm and he had fired once, striking the animal and killing it. Even as details of the confrontation remained unclear on Tuesday, neighbors and others were stunned and appalled that a chance street encounter with a pet would end in its death. I cant think of any dog that is so menacing that I feel I would need to have a firearm to protect myself, said Walker Blankinship, who manages a stable near the site of the shooting. The split between the palace on the one side and Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on the other is a degrading spectacle. The media is awash in largely hostile commentary on how a couple whose marriageinvolving an American of dual heritagecould have catapulted the monarchy into the 21st century, turned out to be a match between selfish ingrates who have placed the queen in a terrible situation. Mondays meeting at Sandringham between Harry, the queen, Prince Charles and Prince William ended with an announcement that the monarch was supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life, and that a period of transition would now begin. This statement will resolve nothing fundamental. The royal family remains so bitterly divided that the future survival of the monarchy has been placed in question. Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry (London, England, UK) Harry and Meghan have presented a catalogue of grievances, some overt and some hinted, to justify their decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family. These are centred on their treatment by a venal media, both intrusive and covertly racist towards Meghan Markle, and suggestions that relations with Prince William, Kate and other family members are toxic. After declaring earlier that he would not see his wife treated like his mother, Harry has decided he is no longer prepared to continue in his assigned role. This appears to be based on calculations that the financial rewards for doing so pale in comparison with the money to be made free from the restraints placed on the commercial activities of senior royals. The couples website, sussexroyal.com, features an explanation of their supposed efforts to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, which stresses a determination to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. What this means in practice is to partly privatise their royal role to cash in on the Sussex Royal brand. Harrys and Meghans assets for potential employers/investors are listed as promoting communities in all formsof people, geographies, ethnicity, gender and varied socio-economic groups, with Meghan having the added mission of the Empowerment of Women and Girls. On funding, the couple will work to become financially independent, by which they specify only ceasing to make claims on the Sovereign Grantmoney from the state they complain covers just five percent of costs for The Duke and Duchess. They will retain their monies from Prince Charless 1 billion Duchy of Cornwall private estate, which funds the other 95 percent of their activities, at a cost of 5 million. They also want to retain access to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor as their UK base, renovated last year at a cost to the taxpayer of 2.4 million, and for the state to continue to provide security in the UK and their new adoptive home, Canada. International travel will also be paid by the statea package worth well over 1 million per annum. This nominal financial independence leaves the Sussexes free to spread their commercial wings. The couple patented Sussex Royal in the UK last June, across 100 items including books, calendars, notepads, clothing, charitable fundraising and campaigning. They are now seeking to register the brand as a global trademark. Estimates of what can be earned vary widely, from 500,000 a year to 500 million. US speaking engagements alone can bring in $500,000 at a time. Meghan can renew her endorsements of clothing lines and has already agreed to a voice-over for a Disney cartoon, initially for charity. Comparisons have been made between Harry and Edward VIII and between Meghan and Wallis Simpson. On its face, the present crisis does not measure up to the gravity of the 1936 abdication crisis. Harry is only sixth in line to the throne and would always have had to accept the role of spare to the heir, William. Meghan may, like Wallis Simpson, be an American divorcee, but she was baptised into the Church of England by the Archbishop of Canterbury and married Harry at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. Most importantly, Simpson was a Nazi spy who played to Edwards own sympathies for Hitler, threatening to discredit a monarchy that had expressed support for the Nazis throughout the 1930s and forcing his replacement by his younger brother, George VI. Nevertheless, however mundane the immediate issues involved appear, the decision by the Sussexes brings to a head long-standing and unresolved tensions stretching back to the death of Harrys mother, Diana, in August 1997 in Paris. She died in a car crash while being chased by the press following her bitter divorce from Charles. These tensions almost tore the firm apart. Today they re-emerge amid a more general crisis, not only of the royal family, but of every major institution of the British state. After her marriage to Charles in 1981, Diana was meant to provide a touch of glamour to the tired institution of the monarchy in a bid to appeal to the Thatcherite yuppie climate of the time. In return, she was supposed to stay silent as the Prince of Wales continued his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. This plan backfired because Diana was able to exploit her connections with the newly dominant super-rich layers associated with globalisation to challenge the power of the monarchy as the embodiment of hereditary privilege, which the nouveau riche viewed with disdain. She also used the media to cultivate popular support by exploiting confused hostility towards the establishment. Dianas death heralded a protracted political rescue operation that began under Labours Tony Blair, but which seemed truly effective only when Dianas eldest son, William, married the commoner Kate Middleton in 2011 and then produced an heir, George, in 2013. The more problematic Harry was recast as a global philanthropist after earlier disgracing himself by dressing up as a Nazi while partying, and making racist comments during service in the armed forces. His marriage to Markle was meant to bury this troubled past and allow the monarchy to proceed as a popular entity. This would hopefully enable the queen, now 93, to give way to her 71-year-old son Charles for a brief interlude before William assumed the throne. These plans were already in trouble before Harry sought to break free from the House of Windsor using his and Meghans contacts with the global elite, including the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey in the US. Their recent announcement came only months after Harrys uncle, Prince Andrew, was forced to step down from official duties over his links to billionaire sex offender and trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The American financier allegedly procured underage girls for the Prince and other celebrities before his suspicious death in a New York prison cell in August last year. The essential function of the royal family as the representative of UK state power has made its grasping members particularly susceptible to the siren call of a global elite whose wealth dwarfs their own. In the latest Sunday Times Rich List of the wealthiest 1,000 UK residents, for example, the queen is ranked at just 356. But the far-reaching economic and social changes associated with globalisation have also torn the ground from beneath many other state institutions. Not for nothing has the pun Megxit been coined in the media. Amid the raging conflict between rival imperialist powers for control of global markets and resources, Britain has been plunged into an historic crisis of class rule over leaving the European Union and orienting, like Harry and Meghan, to the United States. In the process, the United Kingdom over which the queen supposedly reigns also faces breakup, with Scottish nationalism threatening the Act of Union and a return to civil war for Irish unification a real possibility. The Labour Party, that other great mechanism for safeguarding capitalism, is facing collapse. The more fundamental threat to the royal familys survival at present finds no political expression: a growing social polarisation that is fuelling an eruption of class struggle that can sweep away not only the monarchy, but also the entire apparatus of bourgeois rule it embodies. Support for the monarchy is already tenuous and might not long survive the thrones present occupant. The obscene money-grubbing of Harry and Meghan and the mudslinging on all sides will only feed the growing alienation of millions towards the parasitic elite that dictates social life, including those who dress themselves in ermine cloaks, toytown military uniforms, crowns and tiaras. The ED has recovered documents related to "investments" in Dubai and Bangladesh after it carried out searches at a dozen premises linked to an alleged cattle smuggler operating along the Indo-Bangla border and other places here, the agency said on Tuesday. The federal probe agency also seized about Rs 13.5 lakh cash after this action that was carried out under the provision of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). "Searches were conducted on the basis of certain specific inputs that three brothers of the JHM group -- Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Mohammad Humayun Kabir and Mohammad Mehedi Hasanin -- in association with infamous hawala operator Md Enamul Haque and other cash peddlers were involved in suspicious unaccounted cash transactions," the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement. It added that these alleged illicit transactions of the accused were with some overseas-based people and relate to the "business of cattle, export of rice and onions", among others. "Incriminating documents highlighting the modus operandi of hawala were found. Transactions and investments in Dubai and Bangladesh-based companies have also been recovered," the agency said. "The documents reveal that the accused have paid as well as received huge compensatory payments on production of certain currency notes," the agency said without elaborating. The raids were carried out at 12 locations, including Bentinck Street, Atghara, MG Road, Tagore and Clive Row in the West Bengal capital, and some nearby places. Two premises were found locked, which have been sealed and will be searched later, it said. Haque, the main accused in the case, was arrested in March, 2018 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged bribery case involving a BSF Commandant. Border Security Force (BSF) officer J D Mathew was posted in Murshidabad district of West Bengal as the commander of its 83rd battalion and was arrested by the CBI with unexplained cash worth over Rs 45 lakh in December, 2017 while de-boarding a train in Kerala. This money is alleged to be the proceeds of crime of cattle smuggling that is rampant along the India-Bangladesh border. Haque is also stated to be operating in Murshidabad. Hawala pertains to the transfer and movement of money by skirting the banking channels and dealings of dirty funds is largely done in cash or through layered remittances. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States Supreme Court building is seen in Washington on Dec. 24, 2018. (Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images) Pension Plan Members Argue Before Supreme Court About Right to Sue for Risky Investments WASHINGTONDefined benefit plan participants should be allowed to sue plan administrators for fiduciary breaches even when the retirement plan is overfunded and participants have not lost money, a lawyer for participants told the Supreme Court. A company retirement plan is said to be overfunded when its assets exceed its liabilities, allowing the surplus funds to be used to cover current and future retirements. Oral arguments in the case, cited as Thole v. U.S. Bank, were heard by the Supreme Court on Jan. 13. Some business advocates view the Thole case as an opportunity for the Supreme Court to curb perceived lawsuit abuses by the plaintiffs bar, while investors say they deserve to be treated fairly by plan administrators. The Trump administration weighed in on behalf of the investors. Petitioners James J. Thole and Sherry Smith claim the bank violated its fiduciary duties when it plowed the assets of the U.S. Bancorp Pension Plan into high-risk equity investments, which led to huge theoretical losses that the bank should be forced to repay. According to the petitioners, the 2008 market crash reduced the value of the plans assets by $1.1 billion, which they say was $748 million more of a dip than the plan would have suffered if its investments had been more diverse. This left the plan underfunded, capable of covering only 84 percent of its liabilities. U.S. Bank kicked in $339 million, returning the plan to a surplus position. The trial court and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals found for the bank, holding that the pension plan had bounced back and returned to financial soundness. Because the plan participants didnt actually lose money, they lacked standing to sue. The Trump administration didnt buy into that line of reasoning. The government maintains that any breach of a fiduciary duty is reason enough to allow plan participants to ask the courts for an injunction. Pensions plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a very involved, detailed statute that establishes standards used by the lions share of retirement and health care plans. The plan participants attorney, Peter K. Stris, said his clients have an equitable interest in the assets of a plan, and therefore it makes sense they should be allowed to sue when an ERISA violation in claimed. We allege that the trustees, through disloyalty and imprudence, caused the trust to lose $750 million, Stris told the justices. My clients have a right to loyal stewardship of their retirement savings. When respondents engaged in self-dealing, my clients suffered a concrete injury. On behalf of the bank, attorney Joseph R. Palmore said the petitioners have no legal standing because the bank made them whole by injecting $339 million into the plan. Like all plaintiffs in federal court, those with ERISA claims must demonstrate injury. Neither petitioner here can do that. Palmore said that whether the Supreme Court rules in favor of or against the petitioners, it is undisputed that those payments will be exactly the same every month for the rest of their lives, not one penny less. If the benefits were linked to the value of the plan, they would have standing, but these are fixed payments. Federal courts are not available to adjudicate claims like this that do not matter to the plaintiffs. Whether viewed as a matter of Article III [of the Constitution] or statutory standing, none of petitioners arguments solve that fundamental problem with their case, he said. Justice Elena Kagan said Palmores argument falls apart under ERISA. Congress gave all of the beneficiaries and participants an equitable interest in the integrity of the trust when it passed ERISA. Justice Brett Kavanaugh told Sopan Joshi of the U.S. solicitor generals office that its difficult to rule that the participants have standing because it is 99.9 percent certain they will receive the benefits promised them, but trust law supports their right to litigate. I think its a close case, Kavanaugh said. Thole v. U.S. Bank is the third case involving ERISA that the Supreme Court docketed for its current term, which began in October 2019. As The Epoch Times previously reported, in Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee v. Sulyma, the justices seemed unreceptive to arguments Dec. 4 by retirement plan managers that a six-year limitation for plan participants to sue over mishandling investments should be halved if participants had actual knowledge of the misbehavior complained of sooner. In Retirement Plans Committee of IBM v. Jander, a lawyer for IBM employees who invested in company stock told the justices Nov. 6 that under ERISA, the employees should be able to sue managers of the companys retirement fund in stock-drop litigation for not disclosing that the companys microelectronics business was overvalued. In each case the bundles were handed over to the police, who yesterday said that they had got to the bottom of the 26,000 (30,000) enigma (stock photo) Bundles of 2,000 (2,300) in cash found by residents of a former pit village were secretly left there by two "Good Samaritans" who had received "unexpected windfalls", police have said. From 2014 to November 2019, 13 packages of 20 notes were discovered in plain sight in the streets of Blackhall Colliery in Co Durham, north England. In each case the bundles were handed over to the police, who yesterday said that they had got to the bottom of the 26,000 (30,000) enigma. A spokesman said that two generous individuals with an "emotional connection" to the village had wanted to give something back, after receiving "unexpected windfalls". The spokesman added that the individuals had come forward but have both chosen to remain anonymous. Detective Constable John Forster said: "I'm really pleased we can now definitively rule out the money being linked to any crime. All the previous bundles have been returned to the finder." New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking cancellation of bail granted by a trial court to businessman Ratul Puri in the AgustaWestland money laundering case. Puri is the nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. A special CBI court had recently granted bail to Puri on a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and two sureties of the like amount. While granting bail to Puri, the trial court had directed him to not tamper with evidence, and to not contact or influence any witness connected to the case. He was also directed to join the investigation as and when called by the Investigating Officer. Puri is under the scanner for allegedly receiving kickbacks in the AgustaWestland chopper scam. The ED recently had filed a supplementary prosecution complaint against Puri and Jaspreet Ahuja in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. In 2014, India had scrapped a contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 VVIP choppers to the Indian Air Force, over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of kickbacks worth Rs 423 crore being paid to secure the deal. (ANI) SAN DIEGO Jan. 13, 2020 California Kansas Morneau Shepell November 2019 California $5.2 million University of California Lynelle Lynch San Diego Lauri Miville Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As mental-health issues ranging from stress, depression and anxiety to crisis situations continue to rise on U.S. college campuses, Bellus Academy is launching a Student Assistance Program at itsandacademies. In partnership with, a leading provider of technology-enabled human resources services, the Bellus Academy Student Assistance Program provides 24-hour, 7-days a week telephone and web access along with face-to-face counseling sessions for Bellus Academy students.The Student Assistance Program addresses a sharp increase in depression and anxiety reported by students across the nation. Areport in University Business magazine noted the percentage of college students with previous diagnoses or treatments for depression increased from approximately 9% in 2009 to more than 20% in 2019. Last year,passed a budget allocatingfor improving mental health services in thesystem. Beyond serious mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, everyday stresses can hinder a student's ability to perform well in school. The Student Assistance Program at Bellus Academy aims to mitigate concerns before they reach a level that prompts a student to leave school.The program was inspired by, owner of Bellus Academy. "We realized we had an assistance program for our employees, but no such resource existed for students," Lynch said. "This program is all about helping the student address a concern before it becomes a crisis that preempts a student's education and ultimately achieving their career goal." The confidential support services are provided at no cost and can help students address a range of emotional and relational challenges including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and support for child/elder care. The program also provides tools to strengthen relationships and improve communication and work toward life goals.The services are introduced to students during orientation. "Thecommunity has many resources in place to assist with crisis situations, but our goal is to help students cope with issues before they become a crisis," says, director of people and culture at Bellus Academy.worked to develop a program based on the success of its existing employee assistance program, LifeWorks, as well as its domestic and international student support programs that was tailored to the needs of Bellus Academy's student population. "In today's increasingly fast-paced world, it can be challenging to practice self-care while balancing responsibilities at work and obligations at home," says Miville. "This program helps to address the challenge."About Bellus Academy: Honored with the Intercoiffure Mondial Best Continental Academy award in 2015, Bellus Academy is an award-winning beauty and wellness institution dedicated to graduating career-ready professionals. Bellus Academy continues to partner with the highest caliber of experts, product lines and equipment manufacturers, raising the bar for educational training worldwide. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at bellusacademy.edu/about/consumer-information-disclosures.Aboutis the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that delivers an integrated approach to well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing everything our clients need to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement and benefits consulting, actuarial and investment services.employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries.is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.SOURCE Bellus Academy There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day. Russia's hybrid military forces on Monday mounted six attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Read alsoUkraine reports four enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 12 "The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire six times on January 13," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 14, 2020. The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the villages of Vasylivka, Zaitseve, Luhanske, Orikhove, Novotoshkivske, and Novoluhanske. There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day. From 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on Tuesday, January 14, Russian-led forces were observing the ceasefire. She is enjoying a well-deserved break with her family in Noosa, Queensland. And Rebecca Judd was the picture of holiday bliss on Wednesday, as she doted over her three-year-old son Darcy at the beach. The mother-of-four, 36, showcased her lithe frame in a black bikini as she wrapped her arms around her little boy. Good vibes: Rebecca Judd was the picture of holiday bliss on Wednesday, as she doted over her three-year-old son Darcy at the beach in Noosa, Queensland The AFL WAG accessorised with cat-eye sunglasses and proudly flashed her diamond engagement ring from husband Chris. She styled her brunette hair loosely, and highlighted her naturally striking facial features with a light application of makeup. Rebecca captioned the post with the hashtag #ThisIsDarcy, clarifying that the boy in the photo is Darcy rather than his identical twin brother, Tom. Family getaway: Rebecca is currently soaking up the sun in Noosa with her husband, Chris, and their four children: Oscar, eight, Billie, five, and twins Darcy and Tom (all pictured) Rebecca's friend Nadia Bartel commented below the post, 'Suns out,' to which she jokingly replied: 'Nope - just a good brightening filter.' The Postcards host is currently soaking up the sun in Noosa with her husband, Chris, and their four children: Oscar, eight, Billie, five, and twins Darcy and Tom. The Sunshine Coast hotspot has been a popular holiday destination for the Judd family over the years. If it ain't broke! The Sunshine Coast hotspot has been a popular holiday destination for the Judd family over the years. Pictured: Rebecca with her twin sons Former Carlton captain Chris even proposed to his wife in Noosa in 2009. Rebecca previously wrote on her blog: '[My family and I] often get the guilts about not spreading our holiday love to other destinations. 'But whenever we do try somewhere new, we are always disappointed because they are never as good as Noosa.' Channing Tatum and Jessie J have sparked speculation they are back together. The pair, who split up last month, were reportedly spotted together in Los Angeles over the weekend in a high-end furniture store, despite trying to go unseen. The source told E! News: 'They were both dressed down in sweats and trying to be low-key. No PDA but both were in great moods and together the whole time while giving their opinions on different items.' On again? Channing Tatum and Jessie J have sparked speculation they are back together. Seen here in March 2019 It's believed Channing and Jessie - who had been dating for just over a year - decided to go their separate ways because they were struggling to make their long-distance relationship work due to their globe-trotting and highly-demanding careers. A source said recently: 'He [Channing] is super busy with his career, as a dad and will be travelling a lot in the coming months. He has a world awaiting him and is trying to manage how busy he is which isn't easy.' Meanwhile, Jessie, 31, recently shut down a media outlet that reported a cryptic Instagram post had been referring to Channing, when it was actually a tribute to her late bodyguard, Dave. Missing you: The pair, who split up last month, were reportedly spotted together in Los Angeles over the weekend in a high-end furniture store, despite trying to go unseen The Price Tag hitmaker wrote: 'The songstress got REAL about her best friend she lost this time last year. Lying isn't journalism. They taught you that right?' It was recently claimed the Magic Mike actor had turned to a dating app in search of a new romance, joining the private, membership-based app Raya. An insider said: 'He's been on Raya for a few weeks. He would love to be dating someone and is not shy about it. Happier times: It's believed Channing and Jessie - who had been dating for just over a year - decided to go their separate ways because they were struggling to make their long-distance relationship work due to their globe-trotting and highly-demanding careers 'He wants to have fun again and he doesn't care if he meets someone online, a set up or just walking down the street.' The Hollywood star apparently decided to turn to the app on the recommendation of a friend. The source shared: 'A friend suggested Raya and he felt like he had nothing to lose by joining.' The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, have stated that the Biafran war would have been averted if the Federal Government had complied with the Aburi Accord. The BNYL blamed the inability of the former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon to implement the Aburi agreement and his refusal to stop the killing of Easterners as remote cause of the war. Addressing newsmen today in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, the Chief Press Secretary of BNYL, Richard Odung accused Western elites of misleading Gowon, "the westerners contributed immensely to the war. It would have been averted but they misled Gowon to reject what he accepted before the then Ghanaian Head of State, Lt. General Joe Ankrah, and other world observers. I think that war would'nt have occured if the Aburi agreement was implemented" He said that "some people of the Niger Delta who were used as instrument to frustrate the Government of the east are today clamouring for what was agreed in Aburi". Odung was reacting to the 50 years anniversary of the Biafran war which claimed the lives of over 3 million Easterners. He debunked claims that it was the first coup resulted to the war, "I don't believe it because the first coup, yes an Igboman from Delta State was the leader of the coup but there are some other persons in the North and West that were part of that coup as history recorded. Even though the Easterners controlled the Nigerian Army then, they were not happy with the way the Prime Minister went about his appointments and policy making without consulting the ceremonial President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe". He recalled the Kano riot in 1956 during the constitutional conference. The BNYL Spokesman said that the killing of Easterners did not start immediately after the first coup. He advised Buhari government not to repeat the mistakes of Gowon by thinking that the use of force will end the demands for a sovereign state of Biafra. A 22-year-old wanted on three warrants wasnt about to go easily to jail. Instead, the suspect, identified as Robert Logsdon of Pittsburgh, kicked out a window of a constables vehicle, dove out of the car and ran off Monday night, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Logsdon was able to pull a Houdini, despite being handcuffed from behind, managing to maneuver his hands to the front and bust the window and dove out of the vehicle, officials told the newspaper. He ran off at the intersection of Fort Pitt Boulevard and Stanwix Street downtown shortly before 6:30 p.m. Monday, the Allegheny County Sheriffs Office told the newspaper. Alas, however, his escape was short-lived. The Post-Gazette reports the baby-faced fugitive was re-arrested only hours later, around 1 a.m. this morning. Police found him at his girlfriends home. The girlfriend, Shania Steinmetz, 23, was also arrested on charges of hindering apprehension and disorderly conduct, the Post-Gazette reports, adding: The warrants against Logsdon are for probation violations stemming from incidents in 2016, 2017 and 2019. He had pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing, theft and resisting arrests in those cases, according to authorities. Additional charges from the short-lived escape are expected to be added to the list. READ MORE: Helicopters swarm over Pittsburgh as Jason Momoa movie films action sequences Suspect, age 41, sought in rape of 13-year-old Pa. girl: state cops 2 babysitting teen girls behind video of vaping 2-year-old: cops Pa. brothers die within hours of each other of broken heart Pa. man broke infants legs while changing diapers: cops Pa. teaching aide canned for drinking Yuengling in classroom Pa. woman accused of leaving 3 pets to starve to death after moving from apartment Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Farooq Khan on Tuesday described the arrested Jammu and Kashmir police DySP Davinder Singh as "black sheep" and lauded the police for nabbing him. "Every organisation has a black sheep and he (Davinder Singh) was a black sheep too. However, credit goes to Jammu and Kashmir police who identified him, caught him and exposed the conspiracies being hatched by him," Khan told reporters here. "It is unfortunate that political parties are doing on matters which are directly related to the security of India," he said. Jammu and Kashmir police intercepted a vehicle on Sunday and arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Davinder Singh along with two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists while they were travelling together. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 2.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) won his Senate seat after Russian hackers attacked 4 Florida counties in 2018. Now, he is praising Trumps innocence in the Ukraine scandal. Here is Scott on CNBC calling the House impeachment of Trump a circus and a sham, while adding, For the Democrats, they dont prove anything except Trumps innocent. I mean hes the only guy thats transparent. He released the transcript. Video: Such a shame that Nancy Pelosi is taking America down the road of impeachment just because she hates @realDonaldTrump! pic.twitter.com/WFtW4FbdwE Team Trump (Text FIRST to 88022) (@TeamTrump) January 14, 2020 Rick Scott appears to have won his Senate seat by 0.25% with the help of Russian hackers. The Tampa Bay Times reported in July 2019: The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released a heavily redacted 67-page report that appears to include new information about efforts by Russian hackers to probe and target elections networks in Florida including the FBIs suspicions in 2018 that, in fact, four-county elections systems had been hacked rather than two. The report, which speculates that hackers carried out cyber reconnaissance missions across all 50 states, details attempts by the Russian intelligence GRU syndicate to probe elections systems in Illinois and 20 other unnamed states. It specifically discusses those efforts in Illinois and an unnamed State 2, where details about meetings and cybersecurity efforts appear to mostly jibe with whats previously been disclosed about the election system hacking attempts in Florida. Russian hackers compromised voting systems in four Florida counties in an election that Rick Scott just happened to squeak out a victory. Now as a Senator, Scott is proclaiming Trump innocent of impeachable offenses and trying to keep the president who Russia built in power. Scotts comments go beyond partisanship to reveal the depth of corruption and Russia rot in the Republican Party. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook At the invitation of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended a meeting of the EU Working Party on Customs Union (Customs Union Group - CUG), held on 10 January 2020 in Brussels, Belgium to present the WCOs outlook for 2020. Croatia shared its priorities, as encapsulated in the motto A strong Europe in a world of challenges, and promised to focus on maintaining an influential Europe. After congratulating Croatia on taking over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time, Dr. Mikuriya went on to outline the WCOs strategic projects to envision and design the future of Customs, including the Environmental Scan and work to assess the use of disruptive technologies and data analytics tools. In this connection, he stressed the importance of communication for positioning Customs as a major player along the global supply chain. Secretary General Mikuriya explained the current status of WCO instruments, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, E-Commerce Package and the Harmonized System, as well as the implementation aspects of various WCO tools, including those for performance measurement. He provided insights into the WCOs related work programmes and elaborated on the Organizations theme for 2020: "Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet. This theme was being backed up by tangible actions, such as environmental operations addressing illegal waste and wildlife trafficking. Mr. Stephen Quest, Director-General of the European Commissions Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), also outlined the main issues to be addressed by the EU in order to bolster the Customs Union and take it to the next level. Its work programme covered: Protection, including a review of the Risk Management Strategy and EU-level data analytical capabilities; Compliance, with a focus on Single Window legislation, the role of E-Commerce platforms and AEOs; and Governance, through the rollout of IT systems and performance measurement tools. He welcomed the fact that the WCOs priorities were closely aligned with those of the EU, including the European Green Deal. Secretary General Mikuriya concluded by thanking the Croatian Presidency for the opportunity to address the CUG, in what had now become a tradition at its first meeting every year. Nissan has said it is in no way not considering the dissolution of its alliance with Renault, which was shaken even further by the dramatic escape of former chairman Carlos Ghosn from a trial in Japan. The alliance is the source of Nissans competitiveness, the Yokohama-based company said in a statement, pushing back against reports that its executives have looked at the possibility of breaking with the global carmaking partnership. Through the alliance, to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, Nissan will look to continue delivering win-win results for all member companies. The future of the alliance, created two decades ago when Renault took a stake in a near-bankrupt Nissan and which added Mitsubishi Motors in 2016, was thrown into question over the past year after Mr Ghosns arrest. The executive, who was detained in November 2018 and fled at the end of December to escape trial in Japan on charges of financial crimes, played a pivotal role in keeping the alliance together. In a news conference last week, the first since Mr Ghosns escape to Lebanon, the former chief executive of Nissan and Renault trashed the recent performance of the carmakers. Indeed, the two have struggled financially their shares were the worst performers among major carmakers last year and have been drifting apart at a time when the costs of electrification and autonomous driving are pressuring firms to team up or consolidate. It is unclear how feasible any separation would be, given that Renault holds 43% of Nissans shares as its biggest shareholder, while Nissan owns 15% of Renault its French partner. Even so, Nissan is believed to have been exploring the pros and cons of sustaining the alliance, particularly when it comes to engineering and technology-sharing. Those studies pre-date Mr Ghosns escape from Japan and were preliminary, according to sources. The discussion over the future of the alliance underscores the fragile state of the relationship between the Japanese and French car giants after the arrest and later escape of Mr Ghosn, who balanced the worlds largest automotive alliance for years. The board governing the alliance agreed in November to work to significantly enhance and accelerate the operational efficiency of the alliance for the benefit of the member companies, including action plans to maximise the contribution of the alliance to each companys strategic plans and operating profit, Nissan said in its statement. - Bloomberg After showing his US passport, the soldiers beat and detained him, later transferring him to law enforcement officials who continued this harsh treatment, the group said in a statement, adding that Kassem was diabetic and had a heart condition, but was provided with limited access to medications and medical care during his detention. What would be the best way to grab attention on social media where attention span is low and theres a premium on humour? The three major political parties fighting for Delhi seems to have found an answer in memes. As the race for Delhi heats up, political parties have taken to memes to target their opponents and even hit back at them with the AAP, BJP and the Congress indulging in some banter. Several of the memes have common templates from morphed screen grabs of popular Bollywood movies to edited clips of television advertisements. The latest is one centred on a screengrab of the Shahrukh Khan and Kajol-starrer Baazigar of 1993. On Friday, AAPs Twitter handle posted a sequence in the movie that had both Khan and Kajol with their co-star Siddharth Ray who had a gloomy expression. The party compared Khan to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Kajol as the city and Ray as BJP Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari. This is one of our best memes so far. The expressions of the characters in the photograph said it all Kejriwal will win Delhi just as Shahrukh Khan won Kajols adoration in the movie. Tiwari ji would keep staring gloomily, said Abhijeet Dipke, a 23-year-old media studies graduate from Pune who is behind many such memes in the AAPs current campaign. Not to be outdone, the BJP responded with the plot of the movie: SRK (Khan) was a manipulative villain in the movie who was plotting against Kajol and her family. He killed Kajols sister. And, in the end, he got killed for his sins. Same fate awaits Kejriwal in Delhi! Congress joined in, inserting a cut-out image of actor Ajay Devgn into the meme and depicting him as Congress through texts. The suggestion was clear Devgn and Kajol are married in real life and apparently, so are Delhi and Congress. Together, the campaign is an attempt to grab the youth pie Delhi has 13.7 million voters, out of which 3.1 million are between 18 and 30 years old. Mobile internet penetration is much intense currently than what it was five years ago. Every second person in the city has a smart phone. The campaign has to be intense on social media, said Rahul Sharma, Delhi Congresss social media chief. The campaign doesnt stop with the parties, several followers respond with their own version of the memes. The official response from the party handle was drafted by our quick response team that focusses on social media. The other memes that followed were by supporters who shared the images in personal capacity, said Punit Agarwal, the BJP Delhi units social media head. The AAP in Delhi had stepped into the meme campaign around Christmas and so far they have done memes based on screen grabs from movies such as Nayak (2001), Main Hoon Na (2004) and Gully Boy (2019), among others. While BJP did not officially respond to the Nayak meme, a BJP supporter did. We never endorsed our supporters meme in that case. But decided that we too should begin responding and creating our own memes while at the same time making sure that the fight is professional and not hurt sentiments, he said. The Congress stepped into the meme scene in response to an AAP post last week an edited version of a cement advertisement. The Congresss response was a similar advertisement on a popular wall paint brand. Maintaining similar templates contributes to a tit-for-tat impact. This trend will continue as long as the meme battle continues, said Sharma. Not all memes have been ignored by authorities. On Monday, the chief election officer of Delhi issued notices to both the AAP and the BJP to the AAP for an edited video featuring Manoj Tiwari and to the BJP for a parody video titled Paap Ki Adaalat. Any form of communication that has the power to amplify and be recirculated is high in terms of currency. Memes are one such example. In political campaigns, memes have the power to compress information in a form that is easy to consume. It has elements of humour and satire. And they can amplify messages effectively, said Santosh Desai, brand consultant and columnist. This is like a war on social media. We are creating more memes for the coming days. This war will continue, said Rahul Sharma. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged the ex-servicemen to take advantage of the state governments schemes to help the society as a whole. Patnaik said this while addressing a gathering on the occasion of "Veterans Day". "I appeal to the veterans to take advantage of various schemes being offered by the government of Odisha so that they can contribute to society as well as make their own lives better", he said. Calling the ex-servicemen and veterans as "extra ordinary" community, Patnaik praised the veterans selfless service to the nation at the prime of their age and sacrifices for ensuring the nations sovereignty and integrity. This day has rightly been dedicated to Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Independent India, who is a guiding beacon for serving as well as veteran soldiers, the chief minister said. Patnaik also commended the contributions of 120 Infantry Battalion for the extraordinary relief work done in the aftermath of cyclone Fani The chief minister also paid floral tributes at the martyrs memorial and felicitated widows of veterans on the occasion. He said the state government is committed for the welfare of ex-servicemen and make use of their rich potential in the service of the nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Green Dot Corporation (NYSE: GDOT) investors who have suffered losses in excess of $100,000 to submit their losses now to learn if they qualify to recover their investment losses. The February 17, 2020 lead plaintiff deadline in a securities fraud class action that has been filed against the company and senior executives is fast approaching. Class Period: May 9, 2018 Nov. 7, 2019 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Feb. 17, 2020 Sign Up Now: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/GDOT Contact An Attorney Immediately: GDOT@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Green Dot Corporation (GDOT) Securities Class Action: The Complaint alleges Defendants misled investors concerning Green Dots business and operations. More specifically, according to the Complaint, Green Dot, CEO Steven W. Streit, and CFO Mark Shifke misrepresented and concealed that: (1) Green Dots strategy to attract high-value long-term customers was at the expense of one and done customers; (2) Green Dots one and done customers represented a significant source of revenues in its legacy segment; and, (3) consequently, Green Dots business strategy was self-sabotaging. The truth about Green Dots failed business strategy was revealed over a series of disclosures beginning on Feb. 21, 2019, when Green Dot reported poor FY 2018 financial results, which drove the price of Green Dot shares down about 10% that day. Then, on May 9, 2019, the Company disappointed investors when it slashed earnings guidance and announced it would be dramatically increasing spending on technology and marketing to attract new users. This news caused a massive 26% drop in Green Dots share price. On Aug. 8, 2019, Green Dot announced another guidance reduction due to a steep decline in legacy prepaid card product line and the Companys delay in launching its newest BaaS product. This news caused Green Dots shares to plummet another 42%. On Nov. 7, 2019, CEO Streit blamed disappointing financial results for the third fiscal quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2019 on the continuing year-over-year decline of accounts in its active consumer business approximating 620,000 and revealed these were mostly one-time use accounts. This news caused Green Dots shares to plummet over 18% on Nov. 8, 2019. Most recently, on Dec. 18, 2019, Defendants announced that CEO Streit and CFO Shifke would be leaving their positions effective Dec. 31, 2019. This news drove the price of Green Dot shares down as much as 15% during intraday trading that day and prompted certain analysts to issue sell ratings. If you invested in Green Dot between May 9, 2018 and Nov. 7, 2019 (the Class Period) and suffered significant losses, you may qualify to be a lead plaintiff one who selects and oversees the attorneys prosecuting the case. Contact Hagens Berman immediately for more information about the case and being a lead plaintiff. Were focused on investors losses and proving Defendants misled investors about Green Dots growth prospects, asset quality, and existing account metrics, said Hagens Berman partner Reed Kathrein. If you purchased shares of GDOT and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman . Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Green Dot should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email GDOT@hbsslaw.com . About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com . For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw . Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The European Union (EU) will provide Mali with about 325 million CFA francs for the rehabilitation of its Cultural Heritage and Safeguarding of the Ancient Manuscripts, according to a protocol signed with the Malian ministry of culture Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. According to this study, the Global First Aid Kit Packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period 2026. Growing adoption of first aid kit packaging in the automotive industry and rising awareness about health and the need for immediate treatment in case of uncertainties at the workplace are the factors boosting the growth of the market. First aid kit packaging is used as a unitizing container for first aid accessories or supplies which are necessary during medical emergencies that occur at workplaces while traveling, or during sporting. First aid kit packaging is designed on the basis of portability and mounting requirements. First aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment that is used to give medical treatment. Based on the Material type, the Boxes segment is due to are still popular among manufacturers for first aid kit packaging as compared to bags or pouches. The United States-based health care solutions provider, 19Labs, developed a smart first aid kit packaging box. By geography, North America is predicted to contribute notably towards the first aid kit packaging, and subject to stringent worker safety regulations by various regulatory bodies such as OSHA and the growth in demand for medical kits from individual consumers for household applications and travel in the region. Request for Report Sample: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/sample/154 Based on regions, the global first aid kit packaging market can be divided into five main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America is anticipated to contribute notably towards the first aid kit packaging market share in the coming years, subject to introduction of stringent worker safety regulations by various regulatory bodies such as OSHA and the rise in demand for medical kits from individual consumers for household applications and travel in the region. Furthermore, Chinese and Indian governments have set regulations for safety, health, and environment at the workplace, which are anticipated to boost the demand for workplace first aid kit packaging in the APAC. This, in turn, will steer the growth of first aid kit packaging market in the Asia Pacific Zone. The key players of first aid kit packaging market are Crownhill Packaging, A2B Plastics Ltd., First Aid Supplies Pte Ltd., The Durham Manufacturing Company, Reliance Medical Ltd., Gaggione, Fieldtex Products Inc. Certified Safety Manufacturing Inc., SYSPAL Ltd, Acme United Corporation (First Aid Only Inc.), Honeywell Industrial Safety USA Inc., Masune First Aid, Inc., Crest Medical Ltd. Cintas Corporation, Lifeline First Aid LLC, and Medline Industries Inc. Request for Report More Information@ http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/enquiry/154 Products Covered: Mounted Portable Material Types Covered: Fabric Plastic Glass Metal Packagings Covered: Backpack Bags Boxes Cabinet End Users Covered: Automotive Commercial (Offices) Industrial Military Sports Residential Purposes Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Full View of Report Description: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/first-aid-kit-packaging-market James Farrar, 51, pictured outside Southwark Crown Court yesterday, faces two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker A taxi union chairman has appeared in court accused of assaulting two police officers with the sound of a megaphone. James Farrar, 51, faces two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker after he allegedly used a megaphone near to two police officers during a demonstration on March 4, 2019. He is expected to argue that sound waves do not count as physical force and therefore the use of the megaphone could not be assault by beating. Farrar, the chairman of the United Private Hire Drivers' branch of the IWGB union, was part of a union demonstration against the congestion charge in Parliament Square when he used a megaphone near to Police Sergeant James Lewis and Pc Ann Spinks. Prosecutor Terence Woods told Southwark Crown Court: 'The defendant, it is alleged, used a loudhailer or megaphone in close proximity to police officers. 'There are two complainants who say their hearing was affected. 'He accepts using the megaphone and I think accepts that everything was in very close proximity given the nature of what was taking place, namely a demo by private hire drivers against the congestion charge.' The IWGB union, which mostly represents precarious workers in the gig economy, continues to fundraise for Farrar's legal costs. Farrar, from Hampshire, denies the two charges of assault. Farrar (fourth left) is joined by supportive fellow Uber drivers, outside Southwark Crown Court As the Long Beach Unified School District commits to keeping classes in-person, the city a new testing site opens for LBUSD employees and students only. The city is also ramping up its own testing efforts with a new 3,000-person per... Advertisement A series of stunning portraits of indigenous tribes around the globe has been released by a British photographer to highlight the threats they face in the modern world. Jimmy Nelson, 52, captures the raw, natural beauty of tribespeople adorned in traditional dress, many with elaborate face paint and extraordinary headdresses. Nelson travelled across Kenya, Ecuador, Thailand, Sudan, China and Papua New Guinea for the project. He said: 'I think it's amazing how close you can get to people without talking to them. 'We speak different languages but that doesn't seem to matter. We are all the same. 'It's about being open to the world, with no judgement, no basis and nothing but love for other places and other human beings.' A woman from the Zapotec tribe in Mexico (left) which dates back to around 2,500BC and was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. The Zapotecs were once one of the most important civilizations in the region. Today around a million people belong to this cultural group. Pictured right is a woman from the Marquesas Island tribe of Northern French Polynesia. The constantly warring tribes are said to have sometimes cannibalised their enemies in the past A woman from the Muchimba tribe in Angola (left), a semi-nomadic people, living mainly in Angola's border area with Namibia, on the dry Kaokoveld Plateau in the Cunene region. On the right is a female member of the Huli tribe in Papua New Guinea who wears a thick net of fabric and her face is painted white; the people fight over territory and pigs and are known to take great effort with their costumes to terrify the enemy A man from the Huli Wigman tribe in Papua New Guinea (pictured left) where tribal fighting over territory and pigs is still common and warriors use elaborate face paint and costumes to strike terror into their enemies. Abril Martinez Hernandez, from the Chichimeca Jonaz tribe in Mexico, is pictured right. Her tribe was part of an alliance that fought and won the Chichimeca War (1550-1590) against the Spanish colonial invaders A man from the Kazakh tribe in Mongolia, a semi-nomadic people who populated the mountains and valleys between Siberia and the Black Sea. The ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that modern Kazakhs still practice and believe in cults of the sky, ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits Women from the Mir tribe in India. Many of the women of the Mir community live in the north-western state of Gujarat, a dry, barren province bordering Pakistan. Like many other nomads in India, they are now settled. This mainly Muslim group wear self-embroidered jewellery and intricate, hand-made clothing and line their eyes with charcoal. A girl from the The Longhorn Miao tribe in China (left) who wear impressive headpieces made by wrapping woollen strands around a large horn-shaped wooden comb. The headpieces were originally made from the hair of ancestors in order to keep them close. On the right is a woman from the nomadic Wodaabe tribe in Chad who belong to the Fulani ethnic group distributed across at least ten North African countries A member of the Sadhus tribe in India (pictured left). Sadhus (meaning 'good men') are devout Hindus who wear orange clothes representing the colour of the fire in which they have burn all their possessions to be symbolically reborn into a new life as a sadhu. A boy from the Bardi tribe in Australia (right) who live in harmony with the nearby ocean, which provides them with a variety of foods Wen Yunqing (left) from the Langde Miao tribe in China who are known for their extravagant silver jewellery which is a display of wealth but also warn to offer protection against evil spirits. The headpiece alone can take several months to make. On the right is a man from the southern Chinese Biasha Miao tribe in Guiyang province where a small number of extremely remote and traditional villages can be found A man from the Q'eros tribe in Peru (left), the last Inca community in the country living in Qochamoqo, almost 4,400 metres above sea level. Pictured right is a woman from the nomadic Wodaabe tribe in Chad who belong to the Fulani ethnic group distributed across at least ten North African countries Members of the Marquesas Island tribe of Northern French Polynesia. The constantly warring tribes are said to have sometimes cannibalised their enemies in ancient times A boy from the Korafe tribe in Papua New Guinea who love singing and dancing and adorn themselves with feathers, face paint and necklaces A girl (left) from the Marquesas Island tribe of Northern French Polynesia which was devastated by European invaders mainly due to diseases such as smallpox which wiped out 98 per cent of the population. Sonam Choden (pictured right) is from the Buddhist Sharchop tribe in Bhutan, an Indo-Mongoloid people who comprise most of the population of eastern Bhutan A girl from the nomadic Wodaabe tribe in Chad (left) who belong to the Fulani ethnic group distributed across at least ten North African countries. Jan Erke (right) is from the Kazakh tribe in Mongolia, a semi-nomadic people who populated the mountains and valleys between Siberia and the Black Sea. The ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that modern Kazakhs still practice and believe in cults of the sky, ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits Members of the Kazakh tribe in Mongolia, a semi-nomadic people who populated the mountains and valleys between Siberia and the Black Sea. The ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that modern Kazakhs still practice and believe in cults of the sky, ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits A woman (left) from the Mwila tribe in Angola, a farming culture who keep animals such as fowls, goat and cattle. Pictured right is a man from the Kazakh tribe in Mongolia, a semi-nomadic people who still practice the ancient art of eagle hunting A man from the Kaluli tribe in the rain forests of Papua New Guinea (right). The tribe lives closely with nature and names are given to individual trees and streams as if they were people. On the right is a man from the Korafe tribe, also in Papua New Guinea, who love singing and dancing and adorn themselves with flowers, feathers, face paint and necklaces Diana Angela Martinez (left) from the Chichimeca Jonaz tribe in Mexico. The tribe was part of an alliance that fought and won the Chichimeca War (1550-1590) against the Spanish colonial invaders. Pictured right is a man from the Kaluli tribe in the rain forests of Papua new Guinea who live closely with nature and give names to individual trees and streams as if they were people Jose Javier Martinez Lopez (left) from the Chichimeca Jonaz tribe in Mexico. The tribe was part of an alliance that fought and won the Chichimeca War (1550-1590) against the Spanish colonial invaders. Tehuanas (right) is from the Oaxaca tribe in Mexico which dates back to 2,000BC. Her people still make up 48 per cent of the population in the region MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Having a conviction expunged from a criminal record can make a significant improvement in a persons quality of life, which is why several Muskegon organizations are teaching people how to do just that. A special clinic to help file for expungement will be from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the downtown office of West Michigan Works!, 316 Morris Ave. Having convictions set aside offers greater opportunities for individuals to gain training, employment and housing, which changes their financial and mental outlook, said Kathy Rohlman, talent solutions manager for West Michigan Works! People with up to two misdemeanor convictions can apply to have one or both expunged from their records. Those with one felony and up to two misdemeanor convictions can file to have the felony expunged from their record. To qualify for expungement of Michigan convictions, at least five years must have passed since the date of conviction, release from incarceration or discharge of probation or parole, depending on whichever occurred most recently. There are exceptions, including felonies related to such traffic offenses as drunk driving, felonies punishable up to life in prison, child abuse, possession or manufacture of child porn, criminal sexual assault and those with felony and misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Assistance in determining if a conviction qualifies for expungement will be provided at Thursdays clinic. Those who are able to have a conviction set aside are 11 percent more likely to be employed and see a 22 percent increase in income, according to a working paper by researchers at the University of Michigan. Expungement means the conviction will no longer appear on an individuals criminal background check. The clinic is a combined effort of West Michigan Works!, the Muskegon County Public Defenders Office, Talent 2025, the Black Womens Caucus and Goodwill. Volunteer attorneys will be on hand to assist participants prepare to petition the court. Those interested in attending are asked to register in advance online at bit.ly/Muskegon-Expungement. The first 100 registered participants will receive a free Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) report. Other attendees will need to bring $10 for the ICHAT fee, payable by cash or credit card. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Swiss newspaper Berner Zeitung has published an article about the velvet, non-violent, popular revolution of Armenia headlined Armenia enjoys the harvests of the revolution. ARMENPRESS reports the article notes that the Armenian PM has struggled against corruption and for democracy for nearly 1.5 years and he has all chances to record success. The author notes that the revolution took place after former President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan tried to take the countrys leadership for the 3rd time by initiating constitutional changes. It resulted in 100 thousand people taking the streets, a process that was later named velvet revolution. The power of the protesters was so huge that Sargsyan had no other opportunity but to resign, while the leader of the revolution Nikol Pashinyan assumed the office. One year later his political force received 70% of the votes in the parliamentary elections. Following that Pashinyan has been trying to fight against corruption which led Armenia to a new era, while Serzh Sargsyan is facing imprisonment. In December criminal charges were pressed against him for embezzlement. Sargsyan is not the only president to be criminally persecuted. 2ns President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan is already in jail, reads the article. Referring to the neighboring countries of Armenia, the author notes that Armenia is surrounded by 2 hostile countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan led by corrupt authoritarian individuals. During these years many Armenians have left the country and send money to their relatives from abroad. Pashinyan has one major achievement following his victory in the elections he stands firm on ground due to unshakable support of the people, reads the Swiss newspaper. Berner Zeitung newspaper also referred to the economic and social condition of Armenia, noting that serious improvements have taken place. According to the World Bank, Armenia has also improved its investment environment. The Government makes investments into infrastructures, strategic roads are being constructed, reads the newspaper, adding that the salaries of servicemen and doctors have increased and pensions will be increased soon. But not everyone feels the changes resulted by the revolution. The peoples expectations are much higher, but the situation of the country improves step by step, reads the article. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Mumbai, Jan 14 : Marking a significant milestone, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will launch on Wednesday the first girder for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) mega project, officials said here on Tuesday. Thackeray, along with top officials of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and others, will launch the girder at the Mumbai-end of MTHL in Sewri. The girder, weighing 1,000 tonnes, will be set off by a launching girder with a capacity of 1,400 tonnes, and mark the erection of the first span in the MTHL. The MTHL, the second road link cutting through the Arabian Sea in the island city's eastern coast to join the mainland between Sewri and Chirle respectively, is expected to be completed by 2022. Estimated to cost Rs 18,000-crore, work on the six-lane plus two emergency lanes, 27-metre-wide bridge project began in April 2018 and will attract over 70,000 vehicles plying on it daily when thrown open to traffic. The total bridge will be 22 kms long with 15.5 kms running in the sea, with interchanges on both sides, making it the longest sea-bridge in India, and second after the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra Worli Sea Link, which is now being extended upto Andheri. Financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the MTHL will be connected to the new international airport coming up in Navi Mumbai and the country's first expressway, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. With around 19 percent financial progress achieved, the project is being executed in three packages by three contractors with one intelligent transport system since March 2018. The MMRDA will install 'noise' and 'vision' barriers on a 6-km stretch of the MTHL, first to block the view of the sensitive BARC nuclear complex and the other to protect the movement of flamingos and other migratory birds at the Sewri mudflats, besides silence zones on both sides. The work of piling and pier construction is currently underway along with constructing a temporary bridge with casting of segments. Conceived over 45 years ago, the project was finally cleared by then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in 2012 and after securing all clearances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for MTHL in December 2016. Kettl, a Japanese green tea specialist that imports directly from farms in Japan, has been tucked away in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, since 2016. Now, the owners, Zach Mangan and his wife, Minami Mangan, have opened a Manhattan branch with a some new features, notably precisely brewed teas to stay or to go, which they do not offer at the Brooklyn shop. In NoHo, theyre serving tea-based ice cream made for Kettl by Il Laboratorio del Gelato. Tea utensils, some fashioned by Ms. Mangan, a potter, are available, though the selection is smaller than what they sell in Brooklyn and online. Mr. Mangan, a tea lover, started working for the Ito-En company in New York, then went to Japan and eventually started his own business. Bowery Market, 348 Bowery (Great Jones Street), kettl.co. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif will arrive here on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India in midst of spiralling tension between Iran and the US. On Wednesday, Zarif will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides delivering a lecture at the Raisina Dialogue, the External Affairs Ministrys flagship annual conference. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Zarif on Thursday morning over breakfast, according to the ministry. In the meeting both ministers are expected to deliberate on fast escalating tensions between Iran and the US over killing of a top Iranian military commander by the US in a drone attack. On Thursday afternoon, Zarif will travel to Mumbai where he will interact with a group of businesses leaders. He will conclude his India visit on Friday, according to the MEA. The visit by the Iranian foreign minister assumes significance as it is taking place when the global focus has been on Iran and the US over the confrontation following killing of Maj Gen Soleimani. India has been maintaining that it would like the situation to de-escalate as soon as possible and the country has been in touch with key players including Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar as it has important interests in the region. Maj Gen Soleimani, the head of Irans elite al-Quds force was killed when a US drone fired missiles on his convoy in Iraq on January 3. Last week, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces are stationed in Iraq. Soleimanis killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. India has strategic interests in the Gulf region which is a key source of the countrys energy security. Von der Leyen calls for action on climate change European Commission president wants Green Deal put into place (ANSAmed) - STRASBOURG, JANUARY 14 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen encouraged action on climate change during a speech at the European Parliament plenary session. "The six months of the Croatian presidency will be crucial also for the climate and ecological transition: we no longer need to speak about urgency or the obligation to act, not any more, because we must take action and put into place our Green Deal for Europe, the work to do it starts today," von der Leyen said. "After this debate, the college will discuss investment plans for the Green Deal and the mechanisms for the right transition, a mechanism that will give priority to the regions that will face this challenge to a greater extent and will have to make enormous efforts," she said.(ANSAmed). EAST CHICAGO The Common Council voted Monday night to override a mayoral veto and bring back the firefighter's preferred work schedule. The 7-1 vote brought applause from a room full of East Chicago Professional Firefighters Local 365 members who had been rallying outside city hall, as they have for the last month, to end the swing shifts Mayor Anthony Copeland imposed on them beginning Dec. 7. All four newly-elected council members, attending their first official meeting Monday, joined with four reelected council members to form a super majority that overcame Copelands refusal to sign an ordinance to bring the old schedule back as the law of the city. But this labor dispute hasnt been extinguished yet. Carla Morgan, an attorney for the mayor, told council members the mayor would be declaring an emergency and ordering the fire chief to keep the swing shift in place. Morgan said the council's ordinance to roll back the swing shift was void because it violates state law which gives the executive power of setting work schedules for the city fire and police department employees solely to the the mayor and his department chiefs. Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday clarified that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh, who was arrested a few days ago, have not been awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). "It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J & K State on Independence Day 2018," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet. "For his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwahma on 25/26 Aug 2017 when he was posted there as DySP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts," it continued. The force said it is known for its professionalism and doesn't spare anyone "including its own cadre if found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct." "We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone," the Police said. The Police said a special investigation team is handling the interrogation of the "arrested accused officer and the terrorists which would probe his criminal conduct in the instant case and his involvement in any such criminal acts in the past." On January 12, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that during an operation in Sophian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants. Vijay Kumar, Inspector General (IG) of Police had said, "Yesterday, during an operation in Sophian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants, while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the Highway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadas prime minister has said there is still much to be discussed about the costs of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moving to the country. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to step back from their roles as senior royals, become financially independent and live part of the year in North America. However, questions have been raised over who would foot the round-the-clock security bill for the couple and their eight-month-old son. When asked whether Canadian taxpayers would have to fork out, the prime minister Justin Trudeau said there are still lots of discussions to have. He told Global News: That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on. Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down Show all 20 1 /20 Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down July 2016 Meghan and Harry met through mutual friends in London in July 2016 when one of the former-actor's confidants, Markus Anderson, reportedly introduced them. Anderson is linked with private members club Soho House, of which Harry is a member, but it wasn't until months after the initial London meeting that their burgeoning romance made headlines. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down November 2016 Photographs of the couple together were published in the press, showing them on holidays, at friend's weddings and eating out in London making the news. But it was by way of an unprecedented statement that their relationship was officially announced. Kensington Palace, writing on behalf of Harry, stated that the harassment being experienced by Meghan and her family, saying a line had been crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment, the statement continued, citing "sexism" and "racism". "He knows commentators will say this is the price she has to pay and that this is all part of the game. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game - it is her life and his," the statement read. "He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done." Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down October 2017 In October 2017, Meghan conducted her first public interview since news of the relationship emerged with Vanity Fair, in which she opened up about what it is like to date a member of the royal family. It has its challenges, and it comes in wavessome days it can feel more challenging than others, she told the publication. And right out of the gate it was surprising the way things changed. But I still have this support system all around me, and, of course, my boyfriends support. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down November 2017 The couple announced their engagement in November and were interviewed by the BBC's Mishal Hussain at their home, Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor, about the news. During the interview, Harry opened up about how much he enjoyed being with someone from outside his inner circle. "It was hugely refreshing," he said before discussing the trip they took to Botswana together shortly after meeting. "To be able to start almost afresh right from the beginning in getting to know each other step by step and then taking that huge leap of only two dates and then going effectively on holiday together in the middle of nowhere and 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 proposed to Meghan with a custom ring made by court jewellers Cleave and Company using one diamond sourced from Botswana and two smaller stones from Princess Diana's collection. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down December 2017 Princess Michael of Kent apologised for wearing a racist broach to the Queen's Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, that was also attended by Meghan and was her first Christmas with the royal family. The princess, who is married to the Queen's cousin, was pictured wearing a prominent piece of "blackamoor" jewellery pinned to her coat as she arrived at the annual royal family gathering. The princess was widely condemned for wearing the "blatantly racist" piece to the Palace and a spokesperson for the royal said she was very sorry and distressed that it had caused offence. They added that the brooch was a gift and has been worn many times before. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down May 2018 On 19 May, Meghan and Harry married at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. The bride and groom continued to defy convention at the wedding by putting a modern spin on everything from the cake to ceremony itself. The couple chose Reverend Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, to deliver a powerful sermon about love. The joyous day was somewhat dampened after it was revealed that Thomas Markle Sr, Meghan's father, would not be there to walk her down the aisle. Instead, Meghan walked herself down the aisle until she was joined by Prince Charles, who gave her away. In an interview with TMZ, Meghan's father admitted to conspiring with a photographer to pose for staged paparazzi photos. As a result of his admission, he felt it would be best to not walk her down the aisle because he didn't want to embarrass the royal family or his daughter. He also shared that he had suffered a heart attack six days prior due to the stresses of the situation. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down October 2018 Since their wedding, speculation had been mounting that Meghan and Harry were expecting their first child but confirmation didn't come until 15 October, just as the couple were about to kick off their autumn tour of Australasia. Kensington Palace announced that the newlyweds were very pleased to be expecting a baby in the spring of 2019. Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019, the palace said in a statement. Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public. However, some people accused the royal couple of insensitivity over the decision to reveal the news during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down October 2018 - March 2019 During her pregnancy Meghan, like many prospective mothers, would cradle her bump or place her hand on her stomach during public events. But the royal mother was criticised with some saying she was doing it for photo opportunities. Meanwhile conspiracy theorists took to Twitter with hashtags like #Megxit and #DuchessofDeception, claiming that Meghan was not pregnant and had been strapping on a pillow or a bespoke prosthetic. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down May 2019 On 6 May 2019, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at the Portland Hospital in London after Meghan went into labour in the early hours of the morning. The birth was a break from tradition with previous royals, including the Duchess of Cambridge, who have previously used the Lindo Wing at St Marys Hospital in London to give birth. Meghan also chose not to pose for an '"on the steps" moment after leaving hospital like other royal mothers. Instead, the duke and duchess presented baby Archie to the world at a press briefing at St Georges Hall at Windsor Castle. The couple later revealed they chose not to use the courtesy title Earl Dumbarton, which Archie was allowed to use, nor to style him Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, opting for Master instead. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down May 2019 Danny Baker was fired by the BBC after tweeting about the royal baby using a photo of a chimpanzee. The former BBC Radio 5 Live host was criticised for the post, which he shared moments after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. The tweet featured a black-and-white photograph of a couple holding hands with a chimp dressed in a suit alongside the caption: Royal baby leaves hospital. Baker swiftly removed the post after receiving backlash from Twitter users who branded it as racist due to Meghan's mixed-heritage. The 61-year-old later apologised, writing: Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased. Soon as those good enough to point out its possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And thats it. Now stand by for sweary football tweets. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down June 2019 The BBC showed a comedy programme, Tonight With Vladimir Putin, which portrayed the Duchess of Sussex saying Stay the f*** out of my trailer or Ill cut you, Kate. Both episodes of the programme included a feature entitled "Meghan Markles Royal Sparkle". In one episode The Duchess of Sussex's character was asked what makes her angry. The character replied with an anecdote about the Duchess of Cambridge asking to borrow her hairbrush. I say no because thats gross and then I leave my room and come back and I can tell shes used my hairbrush anyway because its covered in skanky hair thats going grey and I say, Stay the f*** out of my trailer or Ill cut you, Kate, she yelled. The show also made fun of the Duchesss relationship with her father, Thomas Markle. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down June 2019 In June 2019 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received criticism after it was revealed that their home was renovated with 2.4m of taxpayer-funded costs. Frogmore Cottage in Windsor was turned into a single property for Harry and Meghan, from five separate homes. While the couple, who moved from Kensington Palace in April before the birth of their son Archie, paid for any upgraded fixtures and fittings themselves, royal accounts showed that the public fund met the cost of replacing heating, electric, gas and water main systems, as well as replacing ceiling beams and floor joists. Frogmore Cottage is owned by the Crown Estate and was a gift to the couple from the Queen, who was kept updated on the work. It had not been the subject of work for some years, and had already been earmarked for renovation. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down July 2019 Meghan and Harry chose to christen Archie at an intimate ceremony attended by close family. Royal baptisms are traditionally private but the couple went one step further by going against convention and deciding not to announce Archies godparents. "The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private," a statement from Buckingham Palace read. Speculation remained rife as to who had been named the godparents of Meghan and Prince Harry's son, with contenders including media mogul Oprah Winfrey, fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney and Hollywood actor George Clooney. The duke and duchess' decision sparked huge criticism among royal watchers. They have to give the public something, wrote one person on Twitter. We are paying them and it feels like they do not care about the public. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down August 2019 Harry and Meghan were heavily criticised for using private jets to go on holiday with Archie to the south of France. Many people accused the couple of hypocrisy given their staunch views on environmentalism. It came after two other European trips, including one to Ibiza for Meghans birthday and another to Sicily where Harry flew to discuss climate change at a conference. Harry later defended the use of the transport by claiming it was to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, Sir Elton John publicly defended the couple. Speaking in Amsterdam for a new flying scheme, Harry said: "I came here by commercial. I spend 99 per cent of my life travelling the world by commercial. Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe. It's genuinely as simple as that." Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down August 2019 Prince William and Harry had been at the centre of rift rumours for months, ever since it emerged that the Sussexes were moving to Windsor. In August, the speculation came to a head with royal sources and experts claiming the brothers have drifted apart. Appearing on Channel 5s documentary William & Harry: Princes At War? royal expert and editor of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward said: I would think it might bother William a little bit, because he might see the way that Harry and Meghan do things as being detrimental to the business of the monarchy as a whole. Seward added that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were surprised by Harry and Meghan's whirlwind romance, saying: "It was all so quick that William and Kate didn't have a moment to get to know Meghan because Harry hardly knew Meghan. "And of course William and Kate would have quite naturally thought 'oh she's been married before, she's older than Harry, I hope she's going to make him happy'. Anyone would think that." Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down September 2019 In August it was announced that Meghan Markle was to guest-edit the September issue of British Vogue magazine. The cover of the special edition featured a grid of 15 women selected as Forces for Change and articles inside that had been commissioned by the duchess. While the response was largely positive, some people criticised her choice of women, which did not include the Queen, and questioned whether or not a member of the royal family should edit a magazine, despite several others having done so before. I feel like I need to bring a bit of reality to the situation. We're talking about Vogue magazine. Probably the most elite, expensive, snobby, fashion-dominated, skinny-dominated magazine in the entire world. This is not some great mainstream force for good. This is a magazine for the elite. Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe also took aim for picking political stars, saying: Royals have not only got to keep out of politics but they have got to be seen to keep out of politics. British Vogue/Peter Lindbergh Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down October 2019 In October 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in an ITV documentary about their royal tour to southern Africa. In Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, Harry opened up about his aversion to paparazzi and confessed that he and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, are on different paths, fuelling speculation that the two have grown apart. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex revealed she had been struggling with criticisms in the media, telling ITVs Tom Bradby that she was not really okay. Bradby later said that the couple seemed vulnerable and bruised during the filming and revealed he knew that things werent entirely rosy for the couple ahead of filming. The reality I found was just a couple that seemed a bit bruised and vulnerable, Bradby told Good Morning America. That was the story I found and it seemed the right journalistic thing to do, to try and tell that story as empathetically as I could. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down October 2019 Following the ITV documentary, Meghan and Harry issued an official statement, in which the duke said he could no longer be a "silent witness" to Meghan's "private suffering". There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face as so many of you can relate to I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been," the statement read. In the same statement, it was confirmed that Meghan had filed a claim against Associated Newspapers "over the intrusive and unlawful publication of a private letter written by the Duchess of Sussex, which is part of a campaign by this media group to publish false and deliberately derogatory stories about her, as well as her husband." The proceedings in the Chancery Division of the High Court related to the unlawful publication of a private letter from Meghan to her father. Getty Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down December 2019 In December, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their first Christmas card with their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor. The seven-month-old took centre stage in the black-and-white photograph, staring right down the camera lens while his parents laugh behind him with a Christmas tree in the background. While many royal fans were overjoyed by the image, others accused Meghan of using Photoshop to sharpen her own face so it would stand out more. Meghans close friends, Janina Gavankar, who captured the photo, spoke out to defend the couple on Instagram, writing: So proud to have taken the Christmas photo for one of my best friends and her family." She also clarified that the photo had not been edited. The couple enjoy a six-week break in Canada with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. Sussexroyal/Instagram Everything that led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down January 2020 Meghan and Harry are pictured at Canada House in London to thank the Canadian high commission for their warm hospitality following their trip over Christmas. One day later, on Wednesday 8 January, rumours about the couple possibly moving to Canada begin to surface, which Buckingham Palace initially refused to deny. At 6pm on Wednesday evening, Meghan and Harry announce their decision to relinquish their roles as senior members of the royal family in an Instagram post on @SussexRoyal. Their statement is followed by one from Buckingham Palace describing discussions regarding the move as being at an early stage. It is later understood that the couple did not consult any members of the royal family prior to releasing their statement and the mood at Buckingham Palace was one of disappointment. Getty Were not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. Mr Trudeau said the federal Canadian government had not been involved up until this point about what the couples move to the country would involve. He added: There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pictured during the Trooping of the Colour to mark the Queens birthday, 8 June, 2019. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty) We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well. Harry and Meghan spent a six-week holiday at a waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia over the festive period. The duchess lived and worked in Toronto, Canadas largest city, during her time starring in popular US drama Suits, and knows the country well having lived there for seven years. The Queen called Harry, his brother Prince William and their father Prince Charles to a crisis meeting on Monday at her private Sandringham estate in Norfolk to discuss the couples future roles. It came after Harry and Meghan released a bombshell statement outlining their plans, without telling the monarch or any other senior royals first. The Queen released a statement after the meeting, in which she gave her backing to the couples new independent life away from full-time royal duties and revealed they would begin a transition period splitting their time between the UK and Canada. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family, the Queen said. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. In his first sit-down interview of 2020, prime minister Boris Johnson said he was absolutely confident the royal family could resolve the crisis. He said: My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan, like most of our viewers, of the Queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country. Im absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out. Additional reporting by Press Association. Seth Martin Emery, 29, allegedly raped a woman in 2016. That was the same year he was charged with assaulting both an officer and attacking his pregnant wife within hours of each other. Defense attorney Steven Brown had filed a motion contesting the way Emery had been taken into custody, claiming the warrant was not justified because of the lack of probable cause. Chattanooga detective Tyrone Williams took the witness stand to share his side of the story. He told Criminal Court Judge Tom Greenholtz he was in the room when Judge Poole signed the warrant. He also said he took DNA swabs from Emerys mouth and shipped them off for testing. According to attorney Brown, he did not have a problem with how the warrant was obtained. Rather, he did not believe there was a reason to issue the warrant at the time it was issued. The warrant is insufficient because probable cause was not found by the magistrate, said attorney Brown, who told Judge Greenholtz it was a purely technical issue, as they were not challenging the probable cause in fact. Prosecutor Jason Demastus said the state was prepared to file a DNA sample, saying it would be remedial and something they often do in sexual assault cases. Judge Greenholtz then put the motion under advisement, and then set a plea deadline. I am putting the plea deadline off, but Judge Greenholtz also added, I would not like to continue litigation in such an old case. Judge Greenholtz then set the plea deadline for May 19, and told Emery that unless the state dropped the case, he would either plead guilty or finalize a trial date. Emery also has another charge hanging over his head after he allegedly attacked a man with a sledgehammer a few days ago. Police said when the victim awoke, his wallet containing cash and credit cards was missing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called the Raisina Dialogue -- India's annual global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics - as a 'vibrant forum' for discussing important global and strategic issues. "Attended the @raisinadialogue in New Delhi. Over the years, this has emerged as a vibrant forum for discussing important global and strategic issues. I also had the opportunity to meet leaders who are great friends of our nation," the Prime Minister tweeted. The fifth edition of Raisina Dialogue kicked off here on Tuesday. The inaugural session of the flagship conference, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, was addressed by the Prime Minister. World leaders participating in the Dialogue hailed Modi's leadership and vision with respect to a range of global issues. Former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he would like to see India as a "strong component of the global alliance of democracies" and appreciate Prime Minister Modi's leadership in that respect. Harper said that India would not become a "bastion of western liberals" and under the current government, its identity is "coming back in a big way". "I think the reality of the increasingly multi-polar world will be that there is not a simple answer to that. But a big part of the answer in the future will be a role played by India. If I can pay tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi here I think it will be the kind of India that Prime Minister Modi's vision is creating," Harper said. "I am not just talking about the energetic domestic reforms, but very much a country that is self-defined and aspires to be a global cooperative partner, but at the same time will be very much Indian. India is not going to be a bastion of western liberalism," he added. The mega-event is a result of India's contribution to global efforts to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability to a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades. The three-day conclave brings together 700 international participants, of which 40 per cent of the speakers will be women, emphasising India's commitment to gender equality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson suggested his government may be ready to allow Huawei Technologies Co. to supply at least some equipment for its 5G broadband networks even in the face of strong pressure for a ban from the U.S. The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology, Johnson said when asked about Huawei in a BBC TV interview on Tuesday. We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. If people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us whats the alternative. The U.K. for months has been debating how much, if any, access to grant Huawei to its broadband market in the future amid the suggestion the U.S. may be more wary of sharing intelligence if it uses Chinese equipment. Senior U.S. officials visited London on Monday with a last-ditch plea that the U.K. should bar Huawei from providing the kit, warning again that intelligence-sharing could be at risk. Supporters argue that the companys equipment can be used in non-core areas in a way that keeps the networks secure. But the U.S. warns that the effects of the leap to 5G technology are so poorly understood that the safest and best solution is to keep the Chinese company out altogether. The U.S. delegation, led by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger and including officials from the State Department, argued that there was no way the U.K. could mitigate the security risks from such a network, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Johnson on Monday showed hes alive to the U.S. concerns. Prejudicing Security Lets be clear, I dont want as U.K. prime minister, to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to cooperate with Five Eyes intelligence partners, he said, a reference to the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As some Huawei gear has already been installed, companies warn that a full ban would delay the roll-out of 5G and cost hundreds of millions of pounds. It would also potentially put into doubt Johnsons pledge to deliver 5G to most of the country by 2027. U.K. newspapers reported Monday that Pottingers team had handed Johnsons government a dossier of evidence against Huawei. Earlier: MI5 Chief Expects U.S.-U.K. Ties Not to Weaken From Huawei Tech But it may not impress. Speaking in September on condition of anonymity, British intelligence officers said there was nothing the U.S. knew about the company that Britain did not. Andrew Parker, the head of the domestic Security Service MI5, told the Financial Times this month that he had no reason to believe intelligence-sharing with the U.S. would be harmed by a decision to allow Huawei in. Johnsons spokesman on Monday told reporters that a decision would come in due course. The U.S. believes that with the general election out of the way, it is imminent. The road to a U.K. decision has been long and controversial. Some officials have pushed for tough restrictions as a result of concerns over foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, while others said this would saddle the telecommunications industry with extra costs and delay technological upgrades. So-called 5G, which stands for fifth-generation wireless technology, promises speeds as much as 100-times faster than current 4G networks, potentially unlocking new technologies, including automated factories. Huawei has become a lightning rod for tensions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and security policy as Washington threatens reprisals against any governments that allow Chinese equipment to form part of the crucial ultra-fast networks. Of the so-called Five-Eyes intelligence-sharing nations, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. have effectively banned the company, while Canada and U.K. have not so-far followed suit. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A woman charged with killing a former Arkansas state lawmaker faced new charges Tuesday alleging that she asked fellow inmates to kill the victims ex-husband. Rebecca Lynn ODonnell, who has pleaded not guilty to capital murder in the killing of former state Sen. Linda Collins, was charged with two counts of criminal solicitation to commit capital murder and two counts of criminal solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence. Four inmates told State Police that ODonnell had talked with them about killing Collins ex-husband, Phil Smith, and arranging to have the death look like suicide, according to an affidavit filed Tuesday. ODonnell also talked with inmates about blowing up her vehicle, which is being held at the Randolph County jail, to destroy any evidence that may be in the vehicle, the affidavit states. One inmate said ODonnell told her that Phil Smith needed to be killed and a suicide note was to be left so the charges would be dropped off her, according to the affidavit. Three inmates said ODonnell told them they could take a bag of gold and silver at Phil Smiths home as payment. Another inmate gave the investigator handwritten suicide notes she said ODonnell had written, the affidavit said. Two inmates said ODonnell also sought the killing of the prosecutor who had been handling her case, while another said she wanted Smiths current wife killed to make it look like she was in the process of leaving Smith, according to the affidavit. That prosecutor unexpectedly recused himself from the case late last year. One inmate told investigators ODonnell also wanted her to kill a judge who had initially presided over her case before recusing last summer. Lee Short, ODonnells attorney, denied the claims and questioned whether the inmates were accusing his client in the hopes of striking deals in their own cases. This happens so incredibly often on homicide cases with any level of publicity, he said. A hearing date had not been set yet for ODonnell on the new charges. Collins, who went by Collins-Smith in the Legislature, was found dead June 4 outside her home in Pocahontas, which is about 130 miles (210 kilometres) northeast of Little Rock. ODonnell is scheduled to go to trial in October. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty. Police have said Collins was stabbed to death and ODonnell was captured on video removing security cameras inside the former lawmakers home. ___ Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter: https:twitter.com/ademillo Libyan coastguards intercepted the refugees and migrants and took them to detention centres, says the UN. Almost 1,000 refugees and migrants have been intercepted at sea and returned to war-ravaged Libya this year already, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). At least 953 migrants, among them 136 women and 85 children, have been returned to Libyan shores in the first two weeks of 2020, IOM spokesperson Safa Msehli said on Tuesday. Libya, a large oil producer, has been engulfed in chaos since 2011 when longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in an uprising. It is now split between two rival administrations: the internationally backed Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the House of Representatives allied to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA). The IOM said most of the refugees and migrants were disembarked in Tripoli and all were taken to detention centres. About 4,500 people are currently held in official detention centres across Libya. Thousands more are held in prisons run by armed groups. Both types are said to be overcrowded with unhygienic and inhumane conditions, with abuse and violence rampant. There is a shortage of food and drinking water, but an abundance of torture and forced labour. The conditions in these centres are crazy, Alkaol, 17, a migrant from The Gambia, told Al Jazeera. Sometimes you get food, sometimes you dont. If they give you bread, you eat half and save half. You dont know when you will eat next. If you dont have money, your only way out is either escaping or death. If they catch people running away, they shoot at you. They may shoot you in the leg, they may shoot you in the head. The detention centres are not safe from the conflict either. One in the eastern Tripoli suburb of Tajoura was bombed last year, killing at least 50 migrants and refugees and wounding more than 130. On Monday, al-Sarraj and Haftar were in Moscow for talks that raised hopes of an end to the latest fighting. However, Haftar left the Russian capital on Tuesday without signing the agreement, leaving the future of a fragile truce brokered by Russia and Turkey uncertain. Any escalation in fighting is going to put all civilians, including migrants, at even greater risk, IOMs Msehli told Al Jazeera. Detained migrants are especially vulnerable and are at heightened risk as some of the detention centres are in proximity to clashes. Ending detention in Libya and the adoption of alternative solutions that safeguard lives are of utmost urgency. The situation in Libya for people that find themselves in areas of active conflicts is already very difficult, and if the fighting were to escalate it would get significantly worse. More than 12,000 refugees and migrants have died making the crossing from Libya to Europe since 2016 [Faras Ghani/Al Jazeera] Libya acts as a major gateway for African migrants hoping to reach Europe. There are more than 636,000 migrants currently in Libya, according to IOM. But the conflict in the country drives these people to the sea in the hope of reaching Europe, across one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Since 2016, almost 12,000 refugees and migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe. Nearly 9,000 people were intercepted by the Libyan coastguard last year. We see that people are making this sea journey multiple times. If they get intercepted and brought back, they will repeat the cycle, Nicholas Romaniuk, a search-and-rescue coordinator onboard the migrant rescue vessel the Ocean Viking, told Al Jazeera. We know this journey can be deadly the first time, but the fact they would risk it again tells you what its like in Libya. A 2018 UN report highlighted that migrants are subjected to unimaginable horrors from the time they enter Libya, during their stay, and in their attempts to cross the Mediterranean, if they make it that far. Denmark's Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod arrived on a two-day visit to attend the Raisina Dialogue-- India's annual global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics -- here on Wednesday. The visiting dignitary will be meeting with members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and paying a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. He is also scheduled to meet Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the evening. On Thursday, Kofod will address the Raisina Dialogue 2020 and meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over dinner. He will be completing his visit on Friday. The flagship conference jointly organised by the MEA and the Observer Research Foundation has been India's contribution to global efforts to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability in a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades. The three-day conclave will bring together 700 international participants, of which 40 per cent of the speakers will be women, emphasising India's commitment to gender equality. Along with the participation of 12 foreign ministers, including the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the European Union, the Security Adviser (NSA) of Afghanistan, the Deputy NSA of the United States and several other ministers of state will also present their ideas. The inaugural session of the mega-event that kicked off today was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other visiting leaders will also share their views on important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, the role of technology in the modern world, climate change and counter-terrorism. Over the course of two days thereafter (on January15-16), intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars - the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, the debate on the global trading architecture, the role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, the global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace, according to a statement by the MEA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jan. 14 Democratic Presidential Debate in Des Moines, Iowa, will be the last significant chance for the candidates to impress voters before Iowans take a stand in their caucuses. The debate, the seventh this election cycle, will be particularly crucial for Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) who have been trailing in third and fourth place in recent national polls. It will also provide a chance for the billionaire hedge fund manager and environmental activist Tom Steyer, as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to make their case. Their poll performances, however, make their bids a long shot. None of the other candidates cleared the more stringent qualification criteria for the debate. Buttigieg, former naval intelligence officer and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, competes for the more moderate faction of the Democratic Party with former Vice President Joe Biden. Warren, former law school professor, competes with Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind-Vt.) for the further left, progressive faction of the party. The Iowa caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 3, are a traditional litmus test for the viability of presidential candidates. Biden, Sanders, Warren, and Buttigieg have all shown strong numbers in Iowa polls at some point, particularly Buttigieg, who peaked at 26 percent, leading the pack in a mid-November Iowa State University (ISU) poll. Recently, however, his numbers have started to slip. Warren had her golden era among Iowans in October, reaching 28 percent in an ISU poll, but has since fallen behind the other three candidates. National Polls In national polls, Warren and Buttigieg have fallen behind further, according to records kept by RealClearPolitics. Biden seems to be firming up his front leading status, and Sanders is appearing to be his main rival, said Spencer Kimball, assistant professor and director of Emerson College Polling, in an email to The Epoch Times. Warren seems to have slipped with younger voters, which has benefited Sanders and also Andrew Yang, he added. Buttigieg is going to have to do very well in Iowa and New Hampshire for a major bounce as he is struggling in national polls and in almost every state poll outside Iowa and New Hampshire. Both Warren and Buttigieg also have trouble attracting minority voters. Warren polled at 11 percent among blacks and Hispanics in the recent Morning Consult poll (pdf). Buttigieg was at 4 percent and dropping among Hispanics, and among blacks, his numbers werent even worth mentioning for the pollster. Biden did the best among blacks with 42 percent support, while Sanders did the best among Hispanics with 36 percent. The mechanism of the Iowa caucuses may give an advantage to Sanders. As the process works, the caucus-goers who pick a candidate with less than 15 percent support in their precinct need to pick again. Warren has oscillated around 16 percent in recent Iowa polls. If she fails to clear the 15 percent bar, her supporters may switch to Sanders, giving him a major boost. Money In fundraising, Sanders led the pack with nearly $70 million raised and almost $34 million on hand, the 2019 third-quarter numbers show, according to Ballotpedia. Second in line was Warren, with over $60 million raised and close to $26 million on hand. Buttigieg raised more than $52 million and had over $23 million on hand. Steyer pulled in nearly $50 million but had only $2.6 million on hand, while Biden raised almost $34 million and had $9 million on hand. Narrowing Field The Democratic National Committee has set more strict rules for the Iowa debate, and only six candidates made the cut, down from seven in the prior debate. Sen. Corey Booker (D-N.J.) quit the race on Jan. 13, citing a lack of funds. He also failed to clear the needed level of support in the polls to qualify for the debate. Former New York City mayor and gun control activist billionaire Michael Bloomberg managed to collect high-enough poll numbers but failed to gather the requisite 225,000 donors sufficiently distributed in at least 20 states. Bloomberg only joined the race in November. The other candidates, including entrepreneur and lawyer Andrew Yang and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), failed to meet both criteria. Bloomberg and Klobachur are the alternatives to Biden but need Biden to slip to gain, Kimball said. The field is closed off by former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, Sen. Michael Bennet, author and activist Marianne Williamson, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Seventeen candidates have so far dropped out. Debates The debate will be moderated by CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip and chief politics reporter at the Des Moines Register, Brianne Pfannenstiel. Democrats plan to have 12 debates in total. The eighth is scheduled on Feb. 7 in Manchester, New Hampshire, before the states Feb. 11 primary. The ninth is on Feb. 19 in Las Vegas before the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses. The tenth is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Charleston, South Carolina, before the states Feb. 29 primary. The dates of the other two debates havent been announced yet. Viewership for the debates has been dropping, with the last one watched live on television by less than 6.2 million people, down from the more than 18 million who tuned in for the second night of the first debate on June 27, according to The Hollywood Reporter. From The Epoch Times Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 (9:39 am) - Score 532 Buckinghamshire-based UK business ISP MLL Telecom has announced that their long standing CEO, Gary Marven, is to retire after 10 years in the job and hand over to new boss Shaun Ledgerwood. Gary will however remain a Director of the business. The new CEO, Shaun, is said to have worked in the telecoms sector for 20 years, growing a variety of technology businesses across the UK, Europe, Asia and North America, most recently as CEO of a London-based IT managed services provider. During his career Shaun has worked for Cable & Wireless, KPNQwest, Sprint, NextiraOne and most recently Niu Solutions as CEO. Shaun Ledgerwood said: Im delighted to be taking over at MLL Telecom. Under Garys leadership, the business has pivoted from its microwave technology roots, to become a highly respected, specialised and valued partner for both public sector organisations and mobile operators. MLL Telecom can be extremely proud of the leadership position it has built in fibre connectivity. The business will continue to invest in product and service innovation to add further value to new and existing customers. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 14:59 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3221a22d 1 Science & Tech Netflix,telkom,Telkomsel,indihome,Communications-and-Information-Ministry Free In response to claims on social media that some people could access Netflix through cellular provider Telkomsel and internet service provider Indihome, state-owned Telkom group has reiterated that the popular streaming platform is still blocked on its services. "That information is not true. Currently Netflix cannot be accessed on Indihome or Telomsel," Telkom Indonesia's vice president of corporate communication Arif Prabowo said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com. Several Twitter users posted screenshots that appeared to show them accessing Netflix through the providers on Sunday night, but many Telkomsel and Indihome users said they were still unable to access the website. "We are currently conducting consolidation at the operational level to recheck all Telkom Group networks, because company policy about restricting access to Netflix has not changed," Arif said. A similar incident also occurred on January 2019, with some Telkomsel and Indihome customers temporarily getting access to Netflix. Since 2016, Netflix has been blocked by cellular and internet service providers belonging to Telkom group, including Telkomsel, IndiHome and Wifi.id. To justify the block, Telkom has contended that Netflix has not yet fully complied with Indonesian regulations regarding media content. Read also: 'OK, boomer': Netizens bemoan generational gap in Netflix controversy Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate recently said that Netflix and Telkom should resolve the issue "business to business." Leigh Wong, Netflix's head of corporate communications for Southeast Asia, said that the streaming site was still in discussions with Telkom. "We are still communicating with them. I can't publicize [the results] yet," he said. The Education and Culture Ministry recently announced a US$1 million partnership with Netflix to train local scriptwriters. (kmt) As protests against the amended Citizenship Act continue across the country, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday termed the emerging situation as 'sad'. A day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella termed situation surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act as "sad", his company on Tuesday issued a far subtler statement on the contentious Act, that conveyed his optimism for an immigrant in India who could benefit the society and economy. Commenting on the pressing need to protect national security, Nadella said that every country is bound to define borders and set an immigration policy accordingly. He further said that being shaped by an Indian heritage and in view of his immigrant experience in the United States, he hopes to see an India where immigrants can strive for ambitious endeavours benefiting "Indian society and the economy at large". "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. Im shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the US. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefiting Indian society and the economy at large, said the statement issued by Nadella. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 As protests against the amended CAA continue across the country, Nadella on Monday termed the situation as "sad." "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Nadella, speaking to editors at a Microsoft event said, reported Buzzfeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith. Asked Microsoft CEO @satyanadella about India's new Citizenship Act. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys" cc @PranavDixit Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 Historian Ramchandra Guha, who has opposed the new citizenship law, welcomed Nadella's remarks. I am glad Satya Nadella has said what he has. I wish that one of our own IT czars had the courage and wisdom to say this first. Or to say it even now. https://t.co/KsKbDUtMQk Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 13, 2020 Author Sadanand Dhume also shared his thoughts: Im somewhat surprised that Satya Nadella touched this issue, but not at all surprised that he disapproves of Indias citizenship law. A successful firm like Microsoft is built on the principle of treating all people equally regardless of their faith. https://t.co/wcqspaZp4C Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) January 13, 2020 The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by Parliament on 11 December. According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till 31 December, 2014, due to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. Protests have broken out against the CAA across the country, with those opposing the law contending that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along withe the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is intended to target the Muslim community in India. With inputs from PTI The construction of Falcon Dam some 70 years ago subsequently drowned much of Zapata Countys then-living history. The lake swallowed up the original cities of Zapata, Lopeno and Falcon. Residents, many begrudgingly, were moved out of the floodplain into new towns with the same names. READ MORE: Search for Laredo city manager continues as final candidates named by city One village upriver evaded this fate. San Ygnacio was likewise scheduled to be purchased and abandoned by the federal government, but hundreds of residents protested, arguing that the town was sitting far enough above the floodplain and that they did not need to relocate. San Ygnacio was allowed to stay; the area escaped condemnation and is currently home to a rare pristine example of the vernacular Mexican architecture that defined the area, the Trevino-Uribe Rancho. This is the oldest settlement in Zapata County. Decades later, San Ygnacio is again at risk of federal condemnation as the Trump administration moves quickly to build a border wall through this section of South Texas. Starting next month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expecting to begin requesting the right of entry from potentially affected landowners in Zapata County in order to conduct surveys for the wall, a CBP official told the Laredo Morning Times this week. A border wall in Zapata County is funded through the budget Congress approved in December. CBP is planning to build north of Falcon Lake, which has an expansive floodplain due to its large and plentiful arroyos, or creeks, which hug neighborhoods near Zapatas county seat. The lake and its floodplain are overseen by both the U.S. and Mexico through the International Boundary & Water Commission. For any future planning of new border barrier within the Falcon Lake floodplain, CBP would conduct a hydraulic and hydrologic analysis and coordinate with the International Boundary Water Commission, the CBP official said in a statement. Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell said he met with Border Patrol agents this week who mentioned that the Falcon Lake area is not in play for border wall construction. Its a big natural barrier, and it would be very difficult to draw a straight line because of all the creeks and coves, Rathmell said. He was told that the area would be secured through additional technology and cameras a kind of virtual wall that Laredos elected officials once hoped would be a possible alternative in the Gateway City as well. This news came as a big relief to Rathmell. Zapata does not have an international bridge, and natural gas production, once the center of the countys economy, has fallen dramatically over the last 10 years. The bass fishers who visit the lake have been holding up the countys economy, Rathmell said. READ MORE: Laredo city council considers bond election on November ballot I dont want to even think of not having access to the lake like we do right now, he said. Above the lake But for landowners in Zapata County north of Falcon Lake, the border wall now poses a very real threat. Elsa Hulls home is a couple miles south of San Ygnacio on three acres of land about 150 yards from the river. She raised her daughters here and owns a bunch of cats and dogs. It has been her home for 17 years. She is a plaintiff in the Rio Grande International Study Centers lawsuit against the national emergency that President Trump declared last year, which allowed him to transfer money from the military to afford wall construction. However, the money now being utilized to plan a wall in Zapata County was allocated by Congress; its indisputable. The only thing between Hulls home and the Rio Grande is the floodplain. She worries this means her property is in jeopardy. I cant imagine where theyre going to put this thing, she said. ... Its just mind-boggling that this is actually an option the government is considering. Its just infuriating. San Ygnacio sits atop a small escarpment that drops to the floodplain and the Rio Grande. This vega area behind the town has been outfitted into a popular bird sanctuary which is owned by Zapata County. County Commissioner Olga Elizondo said it sounds incredible, but people come to San Ygnacio from all over the world to catch a glimpse of birds such as the white-collared seedeater, a species rarely seen in the United States but for the northern banks of the Rio Grande. Like a hunter can sit in a blind for hours during deer season, birders will perch on the sanctuarys elevated platform to wait for the seedeater, Elizondo said. Theres a beautiful view of the river there too, she said. The few tourists we get here will go away if we have that wall built here, the commissioner said. ... Im not pro-Trump or anti-Trump, Im just against the wall. It will hurt San Ygnacio. Plus, this is a historical town, Elizondo said. The wall will create a totally different environment, and will make San Ygnacio look like a war zone, she said. She and volunteers will often go to the sanctuary to feed the birds, sometimes alone, Elizondo said. She does not feel in danger here. READ MORE: Webb County Judge serves as Martin HS teacher for a day The government is supposed to be here to take care of us. They need to really come and see. Do we need this or not? Are we asking for it or not? she said. Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com Props to New York state Assembly Republicans for deciding that Minority Leader Brian Kolbs run-in with the law made him unfit to lead their conference. Congratulations to Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, who was chosen unanimously to replace Kolb. The GOPs decisiveness puts to shame Assembly Democrats who stood by their disgraced leader, former Speaker Sheldon Silver, until the public outcry became too loud to ignore. To be clear, both Kolb and Silver were entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. That is a separate issue from whether they should be allowed to continue in their positions of political power and influence. The accusations against Kolb and Silver also are on vastly different planes. Silver was accused, and subsequently convicted, of betraying the public trust. He used his high office as Assembly Speaker to obtain millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks disguised as legitimate income. Kolbs alleged infraction was personal. He was charged with driving while intoxicated on New Years Eve after he crashed his state-owned vehicle into a ditch outside his home in suburban Rochester. Kolb later tested at twice the legal limit for alcohol. He also initially blamed the accident on his wife, which was a lie. Initially, only one Assembly Republican, Kieran Lalor of the Hudson Valley, called on Kolb to resign his leadership post. Many others, including Barclay, thought they owed Kolb a chance to explain his actions to the conference when the Legislature reconvened Jan. 8. Thankfully, they thought better of it. In a stunning and swift turnabout, Kolb resigned as minority leader on Jan. 3. Barclay was elected to replace him on Jan. 7. Republicans in the Legislature are gearing up to fight for changes to the bail reform package enacted last year by Albanys new Democratic majority. Many GOP lawmakers saw the legal cloud over Kolb as undercutting their moral standing. Republicans, outnumbered 105-42 in the chamber, already have a tough time being heard in the chamber without such distractions. The job of Assembly minority leader is a stiff (and thankless) challenge. Barclay relishes it. The lawyer is serving his ninth term in the Legislature, where he is known as an able lawmaker, a good listener and a man who commands the respect of his colleagues. Its also good for Central New York when one of its own holds any leadership role in state government. Barclay is the first minority leader from here in 115 years. We wish him well in his new role. Meanwhile, Kolbs accident brings to light a little-known perk of legislative leadership positions: take-home cars. Kolb was driving a $43,000 luxury SUV paid for by state taxpayers. Barclay has a take-home vehicle, too. He should send a message by giving it up -- and urging his fellow legislative leaders to do the same. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at mmorelli@syracuse.com Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. With the passage of Proposal 3 in 2018, Michigan is seeing a significant increase in voters taking advantage of voting by absent voter ballots. In Ingham County, we have held three elections under the new law, and now know firsthand of the need for updates in Michigan Election Law and Bureau of Elections promulgated rules and required procedures as a result. In November of 2015, there were 4,668 absentee ballots cast in the local City of Lansing election out of a total of 10,476, or 44.56%. In the November 2019 election, the number leapt to 8,691 absentee ballots cast from a total of 13,195, or 65.87%. Thats an 86.18% increase in the number of absentee ballots cast. In the August primaries of 2015 and 2019, there was a similarly large, 68.94% increase in the number of absentee ballots cast in Lansing. I expect that when no-reason absentee ballots are available for the 2020 Presidential elections, local clerks will see similar or even greater jumps in absentee voting. County Clerks are charged with the programming of the computers (tabulators) that ballots are fed through and receive unofficial election night results to post for the community and report to the Michigan Bureau of Elections. Due to the anticipated increase in absentee voting and the volume of ballots cast being much higher in the Presidential elections, I envision a serious problem looming that will be detrimental to the efficacy and accuracy of election day reporting. As such, I would like to bring awareness to a solution that would correct this problem before it comes to be: Give local clerks the needed flexibility to begin feeding absentee ballots through the tabulator the Monday before Election Day. This can be done safely and securely, as evidenced in other states. Under current law, local (city and township) clerks are prohibited from opening absent voter ballot envelopes and feeding ballots through the tabulator until the polls officially open on Election Day. Forcing them to wait when the number of absentee ballots nearly doubles will lead to our local clerks not being able to process all of the ballots by the time the polls close. If forced to rush to get them done, it may lead to human error, which would be incredibly harmful to the public trust in our election administration. I therefore request that the Legislature give local clerks the ability to begin processing ballots the day before Election Day. I am confident that this may be done in a safe and secure fashion, just as it has been done in other states like Ohio and Minnesota, that allow for processing before Election Day. The Bureau of Elections can provide guidance and rules to local clerks for the sequestration of poll workers who are processing absent voter ballots. Tabulators must be specifically programmed to not tabulate the results until after the polls close, and other measures can be implemented to continue to protect the secrecy of the vote and results. As County Clerk, I know how anxious candidates, members of the press, and the public are to get unofficial election night results, as County Clerks are often the ones fielding the calls as soon as the polls close on Election Night. If the Legislature fails to act, clerks will be forced to explain why unofficial election results are not available from some jurisdictions until the day after the election, or, perhaps even longer. I am concerned that this delay may result in a decrease in voter confidence. Legislative leaders have introduced some legislation geared toward helping on Election Day, but assigning more voters to a precinct and allowing for more flexibility when deciding the location of a polling location is merely window dressing and will not offer significant relief with the tabulation of ballots, especially if most of said ballots come in as absent voter ballots. At this time, the Legislature is refusing to tackle the important issue of early tabulation. Election officials need more flexibility to get ballots counted as it takes time for the machines to scan and tabulate ballots. 2020 will be an incredibly busy election year, with many proposals and candidates on each ballot. A long and double-sided ballot will take more time to process, not to mention if ballots become two pages. The voters of Michigan made their will known in 2018. They want us to make it easier to register and easier to vote. It is up to the local and county clerks from both sides of the aisle to implement the voters will, while providing timely and accurate results. If the Legislature fails to act, they will endanger local clerks ability to provide timely results. I call on the Legislature to pass legislation immediately that allows local clerks to begin feeding ballots into the tabulator the day before Election Day so that they may be processed efficiently. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: World Banks recent Global Economic Prospects report not only focuses on economic prospects but it is also based on the analysis of the actual trends taking place in recent years across the world, including in Uzbekistan, World Banks representative told Trend in an interview. Recently Trend reported that in Global Economic Prospects report it was stated that WB predicted Uzbekistan's GDP growth of 5.7 percent for 2020 and 6 percent for 2021-2022, which is the highest indicator for Central Asian. The countrys GDP grew by 5.1 percent in 2018 and 5.5 percent in 2019. For comparison, in Russia, GDP grew by 2.3 percent in 2018 and around 1 percent in 2019. In Kazakhstan, GDP grew by 4.1 percent in 2018 and about the same rate in 2019, the official stated. Unlike economies of Russia and many other states, whose economies are driven equally by consumption and investment (that grow at slow rates), Uzbekistans economic growth is driven mostly by investment that expanding by high rate. Total investment in fixed capital in the country grew in real terms by 18 percent in 2018 and by 23 percent in 2019. Private consumption grew by 4 percent in 2018 and an estimated 5 percent in 2019. This is much higher than in most other states in the Europe and Central Asia region. For example, in Russia, investment grew by just 0.8 percent in 2018, and consumption grew by 1.8 percent in 2018. In 2019, both consumption and investment in this country are expected to grow by about 1 percent each, the representative stated. In Kazakhstan, investment grew by 2.4 percent in 2018 and 4.3 percent in 2019, and consumption grew by 2.1 percent in 2018 and by 2.7 percent in 2019. High investment growth in Uzbekistan has brought the share of investment to GDP in Uzbekistan to 26 percent of GDP in 2018 and an estimated 31 percent of GDP in 2019. For example, in Russia, the share of investment in GDP was 22.7 percent in 2018 and 23 percent in 2019. We forecast that inflation will go down in Uzbekistan in 2020-21, which is good for consumption and investment growth. It is expected the country will continue its market-oriented reforms that improve the business climate and stimulating private investment growth, including foreign direct investment, the representative stressed. The official noted that Uzbekistan will expand the non-commodity production and exports, e.g. in textile, processed food, chemical industry (e.g. fertilizers, plastics) and machinery products (e.g. cars, trucks, buses, home appliances), as well as agriculture (fresh fruits and vegetables) and services (e.g. tourism, transport, ICT, etc.). As a result, GDP growth is set to accelerate to 5.7 percent in 2020. The representative added that although international commodity prices will be subdued, Uzbekistan gold export (about 1/4 of total export in 2018) is expected to stay high and expand as world price on gold is projected to stay high in 2020-21. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri A group of Russian hackers tried to hack the Kvartal 95 website. The attack occurred on New Year's Eve, according to the New York Times. The article says phishing campaigns by Russian military intelligence units (belonging to GRU, the foreign military-intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) against Ukrainian companies were discovered by the American cybersecurity firm Area 1. "The phishing attack on Kvartal 95 appears to have been aimed at digging up email correspondence for the company's chief, Ivan Bakanov, whom Mr. Zelensky appointed as the head of Ukraine's Security Service last June," the NYT article said. Other hacker targets included KUB-Gas, Aldea, Esko-Pivnich, Nadragas, Tehnocom-Service and Pari. All of them are subsidiaries of Burisma Holdings, which turned out to be at the center of the scandal that caused the launch of the impeachment procedure of U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier it was reported that in early November, Russian military hackers attempted to hack into the site of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where the son of ex-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter was a member of the board. Joe Biden is a candidate in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. "It is not yet clear what the hackers found, or precisely what they were searching for. But the experts say the timing and scale of the attacks suggest that the Russians could be searching for potentially embarrassing material on the Bidens the same kind of information that Mr. Trump wanted from Ukraine when he pressed for an investigation of the Bidens and Burisma, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment," the article, published on Monday, said. It is noted that the tactics of Russian hackers are "strikingly similar" to what U.S. intelligence agencies say about hacking into Russia the emails of campaign chairman Hillary Clinton and the National Committee of the Democratic Party during the 2016 presidential campaign. "The Russian attacks on Burisma appear to be running parallel to an effort by Russian spies in Ukraine to dig up information in the analog world that could embarrass the Bidens, according to an American security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. The spies, the official said, are trying to penetrate Burisma and working sources in the Ukrainian government in search of emails, financial records and legal documents," the article said. As reported, the U.S. House of Representatives an impeachment process against U.S. President Donald Trump on September 24, 2019 after an American informant expressed concern about Trump's telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25 this year. During the conversation, Trump called on Zelensky to start an investigation against former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections from Ukraine. At the end of last year, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached Trump for abuse of power and attempting to obstruct the investigation by the U.S. Congress. It is expected that in January this year, the Senate will decide whether Trump should be removed from office. Boris Johnson denied that his visit to Belfast yesterday was a publicity stunt. Speaking in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings, the Prime Minister said he could see "the hand of the future beckoning us all forward". The Prime Minister arrived at Stormont Castle alongside Secretary of State Julian Smith as Storm Brendan began to batter Belfast. After meeting with DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein's northern leader Michelle O'Neill for talks, Mr Johnson was asked by this newspaper if his visit was a photo opportunity and a publicity stunt. Mr Johnson described the question as a "little bit harsh". He said he was very happy to be in Belfast as it was important for the UK Government to show how strongly it supports the responsibilities being taken by local politicians in signing the deal to restore the power-sharing Executive. "It's also an opportunity for us to underscore how strongly we will support leaders here in Northern Ireland and how much work we will do to underpin the United Kingdom and to support our United Kingdom," he added. The Government made a series of financial promises as part of efforts to get the New Decade, New Approach agreement over the line. It was hoped the Prime Minister would announce the details of those commitments but Mr Johnson would not be drawn into revealing specific figures when pressed. "It's about leadership, it's about getting the public the services they need, particularly in healthcare," he said. "It hasn't been very easy over the last few years but they now have politicians who are making themselves accountable." Describing yesterday as a good day for the country and for the people of Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson said he had positive discussions with Mrs Foster and Mrs O'Neill about their plans for the future. He added that the willingness of the DUP and Sinn Fein to trust each other and set aside their differences was "absolutely commendable and was wonderful to see". "Now is the chance for the Government, the Executive and the Assembly of Northern Ireland to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and to deliver on the priorities of the people, and that is, above all, improving healthcare, making sure we have fantastic schools and making sure our streets are safe," the PM said. "I was able to tell the Executive a little bit about our priorities as a UK, as a United Kingdom government, investing record sums, as you know, in health, putting huge amounts into education and crime fighting as well. Of course there was a certain amount of, as you can imagine, a certain amount of conversation about funding and were we going to be supportive. "Yes of course we're going to be supportive, but the point I want to make is that it's not just about money, it's about leadership and what's so great about today is, as I say, that Northern Ireland politicians have put aside their differences, stepped up to the plate and shown leadership and that is a fine thing and the right thing." Mr Johnson finished by saying that the future of Northern Ireland will be a "very bright future indeed" but that will only come with goodwill, compromise and hard work on all sides". He also touched on Tony Blair's famous 'hand of history' remark, which the then Labour PM made in the aftermath of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Mr Johnson said: "Never mind the hand of history on my shoulder, I see the hand of history. No, the hand of the future beckoning us all forward." Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:27:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HARBIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese customs have arrested seven suspects for smuggling 82 kg of gold worth about 25 million yuan (3.6 million U.S. dollars) since December last year, according to local authorities. The customs in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, received a tip-off in early December that a gang based in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, had been smuggling gold beyond the border from Harbin. In a joint operation, customs in both cities launched two separate raids to capture the suspects, with 22 kg of gold seized. The case is under further investigation. (As delivered) So, your Majesty, Welcome to NATO, its a great honour and pleasure to have you here again. And I really appreciate the close partnership between Jordan and NATO and your strong commitment and your strong leadership. Jordan and NATO have been working together for more than 25 years. And we appreciate your contribution to our missions and operations in Afghanistan, in Bosnia and elsewhere. And also that fact that we are training more together, working more together. Thats good for NATO and hopefully also good for Jordan. And I think all the turmoil we see in the region, you are an island of stability in that region and you have been at the forefront fighting terrorism and therefore we think that the partnership between Jordan and NATO is even more important now because the fight against Daesh is not over and therefore we have to stand together. Once again, welcome. Ibrahim Babaginda, former military president, says only a stupid soldier will think of coup, explaining that the era of such is over. ... Ibrahim Babaginda, former military president, says only a stupid soldier will think of coup, explaining that the era of such is over. In an interview with Channels Television, he said a lot has been done to get the ideology out of the heads of soldiers because it is no longer acceptable. I can tell you no that only a stupid soldier will think of a coup detat because this is outside their head, it is no longer in their psyche, it is no longer acceptable in Africa and in the world generally, so he is intelligent enough to know that if he stages a coup, the country will be ostracised in the world community of nations, there can be an uprising in your own country, so its no longer fashionable, he said. Babaginda also said his generation would use everything possible to make sure that the country remains united. You cannot convince me that this country should break; I wouldnt talk to you for a long time because I know people died trying to keep the country one, so my generation will insist this country remains one, he said. There are 200 million people in this country and there are some people in my generation and the one after mine, who will always believe in this country and those generations, will move this country towards the required objective. He stressed that his generation saw the unity of the country as an article of faith amongst and they dont plan to see the country go through another civil war. The former military president said for the country to move forward, the selection of leaders is very critical. The whole thing depends on the leadership selection; one of the things I would have loved to see is if you want to pick a leader, you should be able to access his thought about the country, the unity, he will not jeopardize it, try to use everything within his powers legitimately to make sure that the country remains one, he said. Our selection of leadership is the most important thing; political, military and economic leadership. Once this is strong, and everybody in this sector believes in this country, I think we wont have a problem. Hon Anthony Abayifaa Karbo 14.01.2020 LISTEN The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Anthony Abayifaa Karbo, has issued a clarion call to all Ghanaians, especially the youth and women, to actively support President Akufo-Addo to win a second term in order to continue with his policies and programmes that are reducing the suffering of Ghanaians. Hon Karbo, who is also the MP for Lawra, is convinced that President Akufo-Addo is a visionary, bold, courageous leader and is one of the most consistent politicians he has ever known. Speaking at a Town hall meeting organised by the USA branch of the NPP in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday 11th January, 2020, Hon Karbo praised President Akufo-Addo for thinking of the next generation, not the next elections, in the kind of policies he is implementing. We have a President who is not thinking about elections tomorrow. President Akufo-Addo is putting in place generational legacies that many young people will grow one day to see. That is the type of President we have. How can we even think of (former President) John Mahama, NDC, Asiedu Nketiah back running this country again? 2020 is a clarion call for not only US chapters, but all chapters across the world and all those in Ghana, particularly the youth. This election is our election. Akufo-Addo has done all that he can do for us. This election in 2020 is our election. We must win this election because 2016 means nothing without 2020. We must see the full length of the Akufo-Addo programme and policies. Alluding to what made him buy into the Akufo-Addo vision, Hon Karbo revealed: Those of us who worked very closely with him knew that he had this burning desire, this plan, this dream, that he wanted the Ghanaian people to give him the opportunity to implement The things he is doing today are things he said in 2008. Many people have forgotten. Akufo-Addo is one of the most consistent politicians I have seen, known or worked with. I asked him sometime back, in 2007, when we had 17 people contesting to be flagbearer of the NPP, why he wanted to be President, and that answer alone kept me committed to the cause. He said, he never understood why children born in the south of Ghana and those born in the north do not have equal opportunities. That struck me. And it is true. The difference between the time it took to produce a graduate from the north and one from the south was about hundred years. Akufo-Addo said all he wanted to do, was to bridge the divide between the north and the south. I am from the north, born and bred there, and I know that access to education is a very big deal. Akufo-Addo said the only way to bridge the gap is to declare free senior high school education in Ghana. And today the world is applauding him, because by that singular decision, what we see today is inclusive education. No one left behind. He continued, For me, that has been the turning point in my young political career having worked with Akufo-Addo, and I am happy that I am seeing with my eyes, these policies rolled out by his government. And it is not just political talk. This is a man who means his words, and when he says it, it means he is convinced about a conviction, and he will stick by it. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was Guest of Honour at the event, outlined a tall list of achievements chalked by the three year old Akufo-Addo government, and urged the diaspora to continue supporting the President's vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid. She's expecting her second child with her fiance Dane Goodson. And Casey Batchelor was spotted stepping out in a form-fitting grey dress in London on Tuesday, just days before her due date. The 35-year-old TV personality highlighted her baby bump in her casual grey knit as she ran errands. Not long to go! Casey Batchelor was spotted stepping out in a form-fitting grey dress in London on Tuesday, just days before her due date Casey opted for comfort in a pair of flat boots and added a pair of leggings for extra warmth. The former Celebrity Big Brother star carried her essentials in a brown suede satchel, worn slung over her left shoulder. The Yoga Blitz founder opted for a natural look, going make-up free and wearing her dark hair down loose. Last week, the former glamour model showed off her huge bump and joked she should 'serve an eviction notice' to her unborn child as she awaits her arrival. Embracing a casual look: The 35-year-old TV personality highlighted her baby bump in her casual grey knit as she ran errands In the relaxed photo, Casey wore a fitted top which she had rolled up to reveal the bump, while her brunette tresses were swept sideways away from her face. She wrote in a caption that there was 'no more room' in her belly for her baby, with around a fortnight to go before she reaches her due date. Casey wrote: 'I mean surely there is no more room in my belly for this baby to grow anymore literally I could pop! 'I would like to serve you your eviction notice but you seem too sung as a bug in there little one'. Final countdown: Last week, the former glamour model showed off her huge bump and joked she should 'serve an eviction notice' to her unborn child as she awaits its arrival Candid: Casey donned a cardigan and tracksuit bottoms as she showed off her belly and told followers she could 'literally pop' 'P.S its not a great photo, Ive not done my hair and no make up because quite frankly, I cant be bothered! 'Womens bodies are just incredible, they amaze me everyday #notlongnow #pregnancyupdate #38weeks #pregnantbelly #readytopop,' she added. Casey's post comes after she spent some quality time with her daughter Florence on Thursday ahead of becoming a mum for the second time. The Celebrity Big Brother star took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of herself cuddling Florence, 20 months, as she displayed her growing baby bump in a crop top and open blue cardigan. Sweet: Casey's post comes after she spent some quality time with her daughter Florence, 20 months, on Sunday The yoga fanatic penned a heartfelt caption next to the snap as she revealed that she was cherishing the last few days 'just them' before she welcomes her second daughter later this month. Casey said: 'We wont have many more of these hugs with you on my big round belly and your sister inside. Soon your little sister will be here with us and we can all hug together [heart emojis]. 'Cherishing these last days just us #notlongnow #babyonbaby #pregnantbellybump #38weeks #twoprincesses.' Casey also took to her Instagram stories to reveal that she has been suffering with pregnancy insomnia and credited a mug of Ovaltine for helping her 'sleep like a baby'. The former glamour model is currently 38 weeks pregnant with her second child, and is due to give birth later this month. Casey, who is mother to daughter Florence with fiance Dane Goodson, recently confessed that she is expecting to give birth early. Taking to Instagram last month, she penned: '35+ weeks pregnant. So many people are having their babies early, I wonder if this little Princess will come early. 'So excited to see what she's going to look like. Florence is the double of Dane, so be nice if this Princess is a mini me.' Radiant: Casey also took to her Instagram stories to reveal that she has been suffering with pregnancy insomnia and credited a mug of Ovaltine for helping her 'sleep like a baby' She confessed she is hoping her newborn will 'sleep through the night straight away' as she admits she knows every baby is 'completely different'. She added: 'As much as I'm more prepared this time coming, I'm sure it will still be a completely different new journey. Fingers crossed she'll sleep through the night straight away. We can only dream.' Casey and Dane won't be stopping there when they welcome their baby girl in 2020, and plan to carry on trying until they have a son. The couple have been together for almost three years and announced their engagement in February 2018. Adelaide police officer and army reservist Kynan Lang has spoken about the loss of his uncle and cousin, who died fighting the Kangaroo Island bushfire, and how he didn't hesitate to "pick up that baton" and answer the call for help. Lieutenant Lang has been on the island for several days in a logistics role, helping those impacted by the devastating fire get whatever they need. He was among the first defence force personnel to arrive after the fire roared through the western third of Kangaroo Island, burning through most of the prized Flinders Chase National Park and threatening the central town of Parndana. Kynan Lang, along with another army reservist, place a memorial on Kangaroo Island for Clayton and Dick Lang. Source: AAP It was in that major escalation that well-known outback pilot Dick Lang and his 43-year-old son, Adelaide plastic surgeon Clayton, were killed as they tried to return to the family's property. The pair had been helping others battle the fires when their vehicle was engulfed by flames. Lt Lang said his uncle and cousin were passionate about Kangaroo Island, owning a hobby farm in the area. "Clarrie and Dick were trying to help the local community, doing everything they could. They loved coming here and being a part of the island, he said. Outback pilot Dick Lang (left) and his son, Adelaide plastic surgeon Clayton Lang (right), were killed as they tried to return to the family's property on Kangaroo Island. Source: Dick Lang's Adventures/9News "So I felt I had to come here and pick up that baton. To carry on helping the community, Lt Lang said. "At the earliest time I could, I said I would like to come and be a part of this." The number of defence force personnel on Kangaroo Island continues to grow with much of their work centred on recovery. They have helped restore water supplies to local communities and have worked with farmers to bury the more than 100,000 head of livestock lost in the blaze. They have also helped with firefighting efforts, bringing in heavy machinery to bolster containment lines and have brought vets to care for injured wildlife. Lt Lang said it was not long after he heard of the death of his uncle and cousin that the first calls came for reservists to "step up". A memorial for Clayton and Richard on the Kangaroo Island. Source: AAP Lieutenant Lang (left and right) at the memorial. He bows his head as he pays his respects. Source: AAP "My wife was sitting next to me at the time and she said 'go for it'," he said. Story continues "The rest is history. We came as quick as we could and we started helping." He also fought back tears as he told of meeting a friend of his uncle at the airport. "He didn't have to say anything. He came up to me, he saw my name and he extended his hand and we shook hands," Lt Lang said. The pair shared a silent moment. "Without a word spoken, we looked at each other, we nodded our heads and we had to walk away, "That was amazing," Lt Lang said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Ivanka Trump dressed modestly in a '70s-inspired monogrammed suit and matching turtleneck to meet with public officials and human trafficking survivors in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday. The first daughter looked sleek in a $295 blazer, $99.50 top, and $149.50 pants that were all pieces from the actress Zendaya's collection with Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy x Zendaya. Ivanka, 38, wore her blonde bob in a bun at the nape of her neck with tendrils framing her face. She topped off her look with gold hoop earrings and black patent leather pumps. Visit: Ivanka Trump, 38, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday to meet with human trafficking survivors as part of the Trump administration's anti-trafficking efforts Outfit: The first daughter wore a $295 blazer, $99.50 top, and $149.50 pants from the actress Zendaya's collection with Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy x Zendaya Her tailored blazer and flared dress pants were a part of the Tommy x Zendaya Spring/Summer 2019 collection, which was the duo's first of two collaborations. Zendaya, 23, sported the same monogrammed pantsuit when she took the stage at the runway show that took place in March. Ivanka opted to wear the trendy suit when she traveled to Atlanta during human trafficking awareness month to tour facilities that help survivors. The White House senior adviser took to Instagram Stories to promote the visit, which was a part of the Trump administration's efforts to combat human trafficking. 'An estimated 12,400 sex trafficking transactions take place in Atlanta each month,' she wrote. 'This morning I will visit two safe havens that provide women with the opportunity for rescue, restoration, and a chance to start a new life. Next up: Ivanka announced on Tuesday that the White House will be hosting a summit on human trafficking on January 31 Next up: Ivanka wrote about her visit on her Instagram Stories and later announced that the White House will be hosting a summit on human trafficking on January 31 'I look forward to hearing from survivors and counselors and learning from their stories and experiences.' She was joined by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty Kemp, the co-chair of the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education Commission (GRACE). Composed of public officials, law enforcement, for-profit and non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, and experts, the GRACE Commission was created to combat human trafficking in Georgia. U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and other Trump administration officials were also in Atlanta to tour the safe havens and take part in a roundtable discussion about anti-trafficking initiatives. The group visited City of Refuge, a safe house near downtown Atlanta, and Wellspring Living's Womens Academy, a non-profit that provides specialized recovery service programs to survivors of human trafficking. Same look: Zendaya, 23, sported the same monogrammed pantsuit when she took the stage at the Tommy x Zendaya runway show that took place in March While at Wellspring Living, they listened to the stories of several survivors, including a woman named Andrea who went on to become a director of a residential program at the organization that helped her turn her life around. 'You really represent resilience and strength on a level we will never know,' Ivanka told one woman who testified, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The first daughter also said the Trump administration is 'committed to bringing the full force and weight of the U.S. government to solve the horrific problem of trafficking in persons.' Ivanka announced on Tuesday that the White House will be hosting a summit on human trafficking. 'On Jan 31st, @WhiteHouse will host a Summit on Human Trafficking w/ state, local and tribal leaders, survivors, NGOs and employers to find new ways to combat this evil industry,' she tweeted. 'We are committed to rescuing victims, supporting survivors and putting traffickers behind bars.' Islamabad, Jan 14 : Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that 'external elements' are behind the turbulence in the tribal areas of northwestern Pakistan. These tribal districts were formerly part of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and were later merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Like the Sindhi nationalists of Sindh and the Baloch community of Balochistan, the people of the Pashtun community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa raised their voice against the policies of the government, which they perceive to be against them. But a report published in the Pakistani media said that the Prime Minister has said that whatever disturbance is there in this area, external elements are behind it. Khan said "the government is fully aware of the attempts by some external elements to spread unrest in the FATA areas and it will defeat the conspiracies of these elements with the help of locals". Imran said this in a meeting while reviewing the development projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and especially the FATA areas in the east. He said that in order to thwart the conspiracy of outsiders, it is necessary to inform the people of the area about what steps are being taken to solve their problems and which development projects are being worked on. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday suggested that the U.S. shares some blame for Irans shooting down of a commercial jet last week since the incident occurred during a period of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families, Trudeau said during an interview with Global News TV. On January 2 the U.S. killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike at Iraqs Baghdad International Airport. Several days later Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. positions in Iraq, but then accidentally shot down a civilian passenger plane en route to Ukraine. The Iranian military said the plane was mistaken for an enemy target. Most of the passengers were Iranian or Canadian citizens. Trudeau said Canada was not informed ahead of time of the U.S. strike, but that he would have preferred advance notice. The U.S. makes its determinations, Trudeau said. We attempt to work as an international community on big issues. But sometimes countries take actions without informing their allies. On Thursday, South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg also appeared to suggest the U.S. was partly responsible for the crash. Innocent civilians are now dead because they were caught in the middle of an unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat, Buttigieg wrote in a Twitter post. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. President Trump ordered the strike on Soleimani after several days of pressure on American personnel and positions Iraq. An Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, killed an American contractor on December 27 and injured four other Americans, in response to which the U.S. ordered airstrikes targeting militia members. The group proceeded to lead several days of protests effectively besieging the American embassy in Baghdad. More from National Review Chennai: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said respect for all religions was inherent "in the Indian blood" and asserted secularism does not mean 'insult' or appeasement of one particular faith. For a long time, India has sheltered persecuted persons and given refuge to many, Naidu said at a recent event in Chennai to mark the centenary of Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam, a Tamil monthly of Sri Ramakrishna Math. Speaking on the occasion coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Naidu said people should forever remember him and propogate his teachings and preachings "which are eternal for the betterment of mankind." Hailing the guru as a "great saint, teacher and social reformer," he said Swami Vivekananda played a major role in introducing Hinduism to the West. "He was a social reformer and was against religious dogmas and believed in the uplift of humanity irrespective of caste or creed and emphasised that spiritualism is important for the survival of mankind," Naidu said. "Swami Vivekananda stressed on the importance of spirituality. India, in a way is the spiritual guru for the entire world. People look to India for solace, guidance and spiritualism," he added. Quoting from Vivekananda, he said the Swamiji was proud that he belonged to a religion "that has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance." "...the only religion which says all religions are true. That is the greatness, that is the beauty of this religion (Hinduism)," he said. Swami Vivekananda also said he belonged to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all nations of the earth, Naidu said. "Now also we are ready to accept those who are persecuted though some people are trying to make it controversial and all," he said in an apparent reference to the opposition to the NDA government's controversial Citizenship Amendment Act. "That is our culture, our heritage. This is what our forefathers have told us," the Vice President added. The CAA envisages providing Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Today there was more than ever a need to bring down the walls that create differences among the people and "we follow sarvadharma samabhavana," or respect for all religions, he said. "It is there in our Indian blood. People now talk about secularism, constitution. Constitution came later, but the Indian blood- sarvadharma samabhavana-- respect for all religions (existed already)," Naidu said. From time immemorial, people have come from outside and have been given shelter, he said, adding different religions also came to India and were respected "because we believe every religion is important and sarvadharma samabhavana is the essence of our civilisation." Without naming anyone, he said some people had some kind of an "allergy" towards the word Hindu. "There are some people in this country who have some allergy towards this word called Hindu. We can't help them and they have got every right to have that view. But they are not right," he said. On the International Yoga Day, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made efforts to take it to the UN following which it was now being practiced in many countries. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 06:01:09|Editor: zyl Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hit back at British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday after he rejected paving the way for a new independence referendum for Scotland. Prime Minister Johnson has written to the Scottish National Party l(SNP) leader saying that she and her predecessor Alex Salmond had made a personal promise that the first referendum in 2014 would be a once-in-a-generation vote. Scottish voters backed remaining as part of the UK by 55 to 45 in the 2014 referendum. "I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums," Johnson said. He said a further independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade. "It is time we all worked together to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together and unleash the potential of this great country," Johnson told Sturgeon. In Edinburgh, Sturgeon said Johnson's formal refusal of her request for a referendum to be held later this year was predictable but also unsustainable and self-defeating. She insisted that Scotland will have the right to choose. Responding to Johnson's letter, Sturgeon said: "They know that given the choice the overwhelming likelihood is that people will choose the positive option of independence." "It is not politically sustainable for any Westminster Government to stand in the way of the right of the people of Scotland to decide their own future and to seek to block the clear democratic mandate for an independence referendum," she added. Sturgeon said she would set out the SNP administration's next move later this month and it would also ask the Scottish Parliament to endorse Scotland's right to choose. Sturgeon's renewed demand for a fresh independence referendum was given a boost when the SNP made significant gains in last month's general election. The party won 48 of Scotland's 59 seats at Westminster. Last month an opinion poll published in The Times showed support for Scottish independence had fallen. The new YouGov poll suggested 56 percent of respondents would say no to Scotland breaking away from the UK, with 44 percent wanting the split. A previous YouGov poll carried out for The Times last September showed 49 percent in favor of independence and 51 percent against. The latest figure shows more people are opposed to Scotland going it alone than in the 2014 referendum. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thycotic, provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions to more than 10,000 organizations, including 25 of the Fortune 100, today announced a landmark year for the company, with amplified customer satisfaction, delivery of three new PAM products and noteworthy industry recognition. Following a 45 percent year-over-year sales growth from 2017 to 2018, Thycotic surged to 50 percent from 2018 to 2019. Demonstrating the company's continued global growth, 330 new customers joined Thycotic's family in Q4 and 1,100 total joined during 2019. "2019 was a banner year for Thycotic in terms of financial growth, but more importantly, in customer success and product innovation," said James Legg, President and CEO at Thycotic. "We are very proud of our ability to satisfy customers which all stems from the best PAM products available on the market and a team of cybersecurity professionals dedicated to customer success. Enterprise-class customers are choosing Thycotic and many are switching from legacy incumbents because they recognize our products do a superior job of securing their data, infrastructure and users." Thycotic's innovative solution, cloud leadership and outstanding customer service propelled the company to widespread success. As the company continued to build on its premium PAM solutions, Thycotic successfully launched new features to help customers better integrate with DevOps workflows and macOS ; earned major industry certifications such as ISO 27001 and recognition from esteemed analyst firms, Gartner and Kuppinger Cole . Key highlights for 2019 include: Heading to RSA Conference, February 24 28, 2020, in San Francisco? Visit Thycotic booth #655 in the South Hall and you could #DriveAwayFromRSA in the CEO's Jeep! Not attending? Join the conversation virtually with Thycotic CISO, Terence Jackson, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. (PT), as he participates in the live video panel, " The Changing Face of Compromise ," presented by BrightTALK. About Thycotic Thycotic is the leading provider of cloud-ready privilege management solutions. Thycotic's security tools empower over 10,000 organizations, from small businesses to the Fortune 100, to limit privileged account risk, implement least privilege policies, control applications, and demonstrate compliance. Thycotic makes enterprise-level privilege management accessible for everyone by eliminating dependency on overly complex security tools and prioritizing productivity, flexibility and control. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Thycotic operates worldwide with offices in the UK and Australia. For further information, please contact: Steve Kahan Jacqueline Velasco Thycotic Lumina Communications T: 202-802-9399 T: 408-680-0564 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] SOURCE Thycotic Canadian taxpayers reportedly to fund Meghan and Harry's security bill. Source: Getty Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reportedly offered to fund the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs 1 million (AU$1.9 million) annual bill if they were to move to Canada. According to the Evening Standard, Trudeau said there are still some discussions to be had about the details of Meghan and Harrys move, but it has been reported the prime minister agrees that half of the couples million-dollar security bill will be paid for by Canadian taxpayers. But while Trudeau has reportedly privately promised the Queen that the Duke and Duchess safety would not be jeopardised while they reside in Canada, a poll conducted in August 2017 found Canadian taxpayers arent too keen on supporting the monarchy. In fact, the poll found 41 per cent of Canadians wanted to abolish the monarchy following the death or abdication of the Queen, and the director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Aaron Wudrick, also raised concerns about the footing the bill. I dont think its reasonable to expect us to pay for everything the way we do for a royal visit, Wudrick said. If theyre going to make Canada a second home, a good step in the right direction would be to pay for at least part of it, and not rely on taxpayers to fund their entire lifestyle. Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau today revealed the federal government had not yet decided if it would help cover the security costs associated with the move. "No, we haven't spent any time thinking about this issue," Morneau told CBC. "We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role. We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time." The news follows the Queens statement released today, which revealed there was some work to be done in regards to Meghan and Harrys plans to split from the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives, the Queen stated. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. Story continues These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. What is a security bill? Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, property and tech news. Beijings iconic Summer Palace tourist resort is the home of a huge new ice rink thats opened just ahead of the Winter Olympics. The rink measures 300,000 square meters and consists of two areas designed for different types of activities. The city has opened seven municipal ice rinks and four snow resorts to the public. Since 2014, ice and snow activities in municipal parks have attracted nearly 2 million visitors, according to the Beijing Municipal Administration Center for Parks Jan 11, 2022 07:26 PM A South Sudanese refugee waits for a food distribution at Al-Nimir camp in Sudan, August 2017. UNHCR/Petterik Wiggers UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for increased support for Sudan with the launch of a new funding appeal that seeks US$477 million to help over 900,000 refugees in the country together with nearly a quarter million of their Sudanese hosts in the coming year. The Sudan Refugee Response Plan, launched in Khartoum this morning, foresees humanitarian activities by UNHCR with over 30 other partners. Sudan has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers but also struggles with its own internal displacement, while facing a severe economic crisis. Our call comes at a time when the country is going through a historical political transition, and requires international solidarity to achieve peace and stability. The largest group of refugees hosted in Sudan are South Sudanese with some 840,000 seeking shelter in the country since 2013. Resources are also needed for other refugees from nine countries who have sought safety from violence and persecution. In the meantime, Sudan also continues to receive new refugees. In Darfur, an ongoing influx of CAR refugees into remote parts of South and Central Darfur States has seen the number of refugees swell from just over 5,000 to nearly 17,000 in three months since September 2019. Refugees in Sudan live in over 130 locations across the countrys 18 States. About 70 per cent live outside of camps in villages, towns and settlements. The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers in Sudan face high levels of poverty, limited access to livelihood opportunities, and are hosted in some of the poorest regions of the country, where host communities are also struggling. While refugees often benefit from generous support provided by host communities, the ongoing economic crisis in Sudan has exacerbated the situation as local resources remain scarce. UNHCR is also part of inter-agency humanitarian efforts to assist some 1.9 million internally displaced people inside Sudan, leading on protection and working on displaced peoples rights, emergency shelter and relief distributions. Since last year, the transitional government has facilitated the delivery of aid to areas which were out of reach to humanitarians previously including in parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile and Darfurs Jebel Marra. Years of conflict and unrest have also displaced more than 600,000 Sudanese as refugees in neighbouring countries - including over 300,000 refugees from Darfur in in eastern Chad. Since a Tripartite Agreement between the Government of Sudan, Chad and UNHCR signed in May 2017, nearly 4,000 Sudanese refugees have chosen to return home. More are expected to return this year. In 2019, UNHCR operation in Sudan remained one of the most under resourced with only 32 per cent funds being available out of the needed US$269 million. For more information on this topic, please contact: Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - StrikePoint Gold Inc. (TSXV: SKP) (OTCQB: STKXF) ("StrikePoint" or the "Company") announces that the company has signed a definitive agreement dated January 13, 2020, with Sitka Gold with respect to the acquisition by Sitka of 100 per cent of StrikePoint's Mahtin property. The property is located approximately 40km northwest of the town of Mayo in the central Yukon Territory. The terms of the transaction set out in the definitive agreement include: Sitka Gold will acquire 100 per cent of the property; Sitka Gold will issue two million common shares to StrikePoint; StrikePoint will retain a 1 per cent net smelter return royalty, which can be purchased for an additional cash payment of $1-million. StrikePoint CEO Shawn Khunkhun commented: "The Mahtin transaction will provide StrikePoint with a significant share position in Sitka and a royalty on the Mahtin property. This will provide StrikePoint shareholders with exposure not only to the exploration upside at Mahtin, but to Sitka's entire project portfolio, which include the Burro Creek Gold-Silver Deposit in Arizona, the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and the RC Gold Property in the Yukon. Sitka's has a strong technical team, good share structure with significant ownership by management and have demonstrated an ability to finance operations." About StrikePoint StrikePoint Gold is a gold exploration company focused on building high-grade precious metals resources in Canada. The company controls two advanced stage exploration assets in BC's Golden Triangle. The past-producing high-grade silver Porter Project and the high-grade gold property Willoughby, which is adjacent to Red Mountain. The company also owns a portfolio of gold properties in the Yukon. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF STRIKEPOINT GOLD INC. "Shawn Khunkhun" Shawn Khunkhun Chief Executive Officer and Director Statements in this release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please contact StrikePoint Gold Inc. Shawn Khunkhun, CEO and Director T: (604) 602-1440 E: sk@strikepointgold.com W: www.strikepointgold.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51444 Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the rights situation in Russia "continued to deteriorate" last year and it slammed Moscow for its crackdown on activism in the country, saying authorities relied on repression and showcase prosecutions to help silence dissent. The New York-based rights watchdog on January 14 also assailed China for its attacks on human rights and its efforts to export such behavior, and it took issue with U.S. President Donald Trump, grouping him among leaders it says are unwilling to promote human rights in their foreign policy. The comments come from HRWs 652-page World Report 2020, which surveyed the human rights situation in nearly 100 countries. It was the 30th annual edition of the influential report by the rights watchdog. In its review of Russia, HRW said that with few exceptions, authorities responded to rising civic activism with bans, repressive laws, and showcase prosecutions in 2019. Record numbers of people protested the groundless exclusion of opposition candidates from a local election in Moscow, and authorities responded with an overwhelming show of force, detentions, and rushed criminal prosecutions, it said. Over the summer, demonstrations were held in Moscow and other Russian cities in protest over authorities' refusal to allow independent and opposition candidates to get on the ballot for local elections. The protests soon grew to voice discontent with Russias broader political system. The report also criticized the efforts by the government to restrict online speech, suffocate nongovernmental organizations, and pursue an intimidation campaign against individuals for allegedly defying the law banning undesirable foreign organizations. It said that "torture and other ill-treatment" remained widespread, especially in pretrial detention and prisons, but it said authorities often deny that such activities take place and do not prosecute those responsible. Amid the protests and dissent, polls in Russia indicate trust in President Vladimir Putin has slipped from the extreme highs of previous years, even though he does remain popular and overwhelmingly won an election for a fourth term as president in 2018. Kenneth Roth, HRW's executive director, also pointed to other threats to human rights, including in Syria, where he said forces from Russia and the Syrian government blatantly disregard the international rules designed to spare civilians, including the prohibitions against attacking civilians and bombing hospitals. Russia, along with Iran, has provided crucial support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in a civil war that has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions since it began with a crackdown on antigovernment protesters in March 2011. A key focus of the HRW 2020 review was what the rights watchdog called Chinas intense attack on the global system for defending human rights. Roth said, Decades of progress that have allowed people around the world to speak freely, live without fear of arbitrary imprisonment and torture, and enjoy other human rights are at risk. He said the Chinese government has created a vast surveillance state at home in its effort to achieve total social control. He added, though, that it is now increasingly using its economic and diplomatic might to fend off global efforts abroad to hold it to account for its repression. Beijing has long suppressed domestic critics, Roth said. Now the Chinese government is trying to extend that censorship to the rest of the world. HRW also cited what it called the encroachment on Hong Kongs limited freedoms under one country, two systems. Hundreds of thousands of people have joined in street protests against Beijings efforts to stifle dissent in the city, which is part of China but was guaranteed a great deal of autonomy for 50 years through a deal with Britain in 1997, when it handed the territory to Beijing. The report also assailed Chinese authorities in Xinjiang Province, where they have created a a nightmarish surveillance system to control millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims, arbitrarily detaining 1 million people for forced political indoctrination. He urged the global community to band together to create a meaningful check on repression and to counter Beijings attacks. The HRW chief, however, expressed disappointment with some world leaders, saying that an "inhospitable terrain for human rights is aiding the Chinese governments attack. A growing number of governments that previously could be relied on at least some of the time to promote human rights in their foreign policy now have leaders, such as United States President Donald Trump, who are unwilling to do so, he said. A 35-year-old man from Rajasthan was arrested by Indore Police on Tuesday for allegedly posing as a police officer and trying to extort Rs 10 lakh from local BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. Suresh Ghanchi, the accused, is suspected to be involved in similar crimes in other states too, the police said. Superintendent of Police Suraj Verma said that Ghanchi called Vijawargiya and introduced himself as city Superintendent of Police (East) Mohammad Yusuf Qureshi. He allegedly asked the MLA to transfer Rs 10 lakh to a a certain account. On the Truecaller app, the number showed as registered under the name "SP Indore". After Vijayvargiya filed a complaint with the police, the number was traced to Ghanchi and he was arrested from the city. Investigation revealed that Ghanchi, a class 8 pass- out, had cheated several people in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other states, sometimes posing as a top police or government officer or a judge or a public representative, Verma said. He was also found to be good at mimicking voices, the police officer said, adding that further probe was on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has proclaimed 2020 the year of the teacher. And its starting off with a massive, statewide teacher protest. Thousands of teachers, parents, and other supporters are expected to rally in Tallahassee on Mondaydespite threats from the state that participating teachers could lose their jobs. Teachers took personal days to protest at the state capitol the day before the legislative session starts to call for higher pay and more school funding. The Florida Education Association has proposed a $24 billion investment in public schools over 10 years. FEA President Fed Ingram said in an interview that the money would give every public school employee a 10 percent raise, and would also provide more resources for schools, including for programs like band, art, and drama. Teachers are advocating for students, he said. They want everything thats necessary for student success. The average teacher salary in Florida is about $48,400 , according to the National Education Associationwell below the national average of $61,730. And according to Education Week data thats adjusted for regional cost differences , Floridas per-pupil spending is $9,764. The national average is $12,756. The states teachers union has said teachers feel unappreciated and fed up with these conditions. Florida started the school year with about 3,500 teaching vacancies. DeSantis, a Republican who has embraced several controversial education policies such as a state voucher program for middle-income families, has proposed raising the minimum teacher salary to $47,500, and implementing a new $300 million performance-based bonus program for teachers and principals. The proposed program would give bigger bonuses to teachers and principals who work at high-poverty schools. Bonuses are also based, at least partially, on gains that schools make in the states A-F school grading calculation. Ingram said teachers are unhappy with both of those proposals, especially since the bonuses are tied to student test scores. Raising the minimum salary disadvantages veteran teachers, he said. They would be left to fight over this bonus scheme as it relates to teachers, which is patently unfair. An Illegal Strike? In Polk County, the seventh largest school district in the state, about 600 teachers initially said they would be absent from work for the rally. But as the date drew closer, another 1,000 teachers took personal days. Jacqueline Byrd, the districts superintendent, said in a statement that she was unprepared to handle such high volume of teacher absences, and reached out to state leaders for help. The Florida Department of Education responded with a strongly worded letter. The proposed failure to report represents a lack of commitment and focus on what is most importantthe educational success of Polk County students, wrote Matthew Mears, the general counsel for the department. "[A] concerted failure to report for duty constitutes an illegal strike under Florida law. When teachers collectively decide not to show up for work on a specific day, children suffer as learning slows or even stops altogether. Teachers who do not report for duty could be terminated, ... subject to reemployment upon particular significant limitations, Mears wrote. And the local teachers union could receive an up to $20,000 fine or have its certification as the bargaining agent revoked or suspended. Stephanie Yocum, the president of the Polk Education Association, posted on Facebook that teachers who had not yet RSVPed for the bus ride to Tallahassee should report to work on Monday. It is important that the public message remain about what our students need to be successful, and we must not allow the commissioner to turn this into a distraction, Yocum wrote. On Sunday evening, the school district posted on Facebook that 1,500 teachers would be absentslightly lower than previously expected. The district will keep schools open through a combination of substitute teachers and district staff. Ingram called the departments letter an intimidation tactic. Teachers are taking a personal day allowed in their contract and going back to work on Tuesday, so this doesnt qualify as a strike, he said. Instead, teachers are exercising their rights as citizens, parents, grandparents, and professionals. This is no field trip for folks, Ingram said. This is businessunfortunately, that they have to conduct on behalf of themselves. Florida teachers are the latest to stage a statewide protest on a workday, following teachers in North Carolina, South Carolina , Oregon , and Indiana last year. Top image: Thousands rallied and marched to the Florida Historic Capitol to demand more money for public schools Jan. 13 in Tallahassee, Fla. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via AP Bottom: Fedrick Ingram, president of the Florida Education Association, speaks to the crowd of thousands gathered in front of the Florida Historic Capitol. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via AP Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday clarified that NRC will not be implemented in the state. There is no question of implementing NRC in Bihar. The exercise was confined to Assam as part of the accord signed by Rajiv Gandhi government. I dont think there is any need to implement NRC anywhere else in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also clarified about the issue, said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar has been facing flak from the Opposition in Bihar for extending support to Citizenship Act in the Parliament. While speaking on the issue, he said that he was also willing to have a debate on various issues including CAA in the Assembly. Sources said that questions were also raised because most of his party leaders spoke openly about the issue but Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had been silent. His remarks on the issue of NRC may cause unease among few BJP leaders who have been urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah to implement the exercise in other parts of the country including Bihar. He made these statements during the special session of the Assembly which was convened on Monday to ratify the Constitution amendment bill which proposes to extend SC/ST quota in Parliament and state Assembly for another ten years. During his speech, he also emphasised the need for the caste-based census in the country. He said, caste-based census has not been done since 1930. Demand regarding the issue was also raised in 2010 but data collected were never released. JD(U) which supported the new citizenship law in the Parliament has been worried after political leaders including several from his party opposed the CAA and NRC. Two prominent JD(U) leaders Prashant Kishor and Pavan Verma have been urging the Chief Minister not to implement the exercise in Bihar. Although Sony isnt attending E3 this year, it has its own events moving right along into 2020. And it begins with a month-long one kicking off this month in New York City. Experience PlayStation is set to take place in the Sony Square space. During this time, attendees will be able to stop by between 12:00PM and 7:00PM EDT each day to experience events revolving around 25 Years of Play for the PlayStation brand. Though the company didnt reveal any schedule with the event, seen below, it does include a collection of titles on PS4 and PSVR. More than likely, its an anniversary style event with games that are already out, as theres no mention of new content from 2020 releases like The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima. The details and the image come from Sonys page, which notes that the event is, for the most part, a way to pay tribute to PlayStations legacy. But theres one thing to take note of when it ends. Experience PlayStation (not to be confused with PlayStation Experience, by the way), is set to end around Feb. 14. And there have been rumors that Sony would host a presentation for the PlayStation 5 sometime in February. Nothings confirmed, but keep in mind that the company hosted an event for the PlayStation 4 back in February 2013 in New York City. Check out the replay below if youre feeling nostalgic. For now, those interested in attending and seeing what Sony has to offer definitely make some time to stop by Sony Square. Check out this link for directions on how to stop by. As a nonimmigrant, Jeanine Cummins was reluctant at first to write an entire novel from the perspective of Mexican migrants, for fear of getting it wrong, or appearing to be opportunistically seizing on a humanitarian crisis. During one of many harrowing moments in Jeanine Cummins new novel, American Dirt, the protagonist, a bookstore owner named Lydia, has a jarring realization. Lydia and her 8-year-old son, Luca, are fleeing from their home in Acapulco, Mexico, after hit men from a drug cartel killed 16 members of their family. Traumatized and desperate, Lydia hatches a risky escape plan: She and Luca will disguise themselves as migrants and attempt to cross the border into Arizona. As she researches what they will need to survive the journey, it dawns on Lydia that she and Luca arent pretending. They are actual migrants. All her life shes pitied those poor people, Cummins writes. Shes wondered with the sort of detached fascination of the comfortable elite, how dire the conditions of their lives must be wherever they come from, that this is the better option. The characters insight is a deliberate provocation by the author, who wants readers to reckon with the humanitarian cost of Americas broken immigration policies. Its a story that I think is at too comfortable a remove from the citizens of this country right now, Cummins, 45, said in an interview on a frigid, snowy day last month. This really is a tragedy of our making on our southern border. We are absolutely responsible for all of these deaths. This blood is on our hands. Whether or not it succeeds in reshaping readers views, American Dirt which chronicles Lydia and Lucas grueling and treacherous journey of more than 1,000 miles seems poised to become one of this years biggest breakout works of fiction. The novel, which comes out Jan. 21 with a hefty first printing of half a million copies, set off a bidding war between nine publishers and sold to Flatiron Books in a seven-figure deal. It received ecstatic advance reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus, which called it intensely suspenseful and deeply humane. Blockbuster authors like Stephen King and John Grisham have heaped praise on the book, and Cummins received support from prominent Mexican American and Latina authors, including Erika Sanchez, Reyna Grande and Julia Alvarez, who predicted the book would change hearts and transform policies. Sandra Cisneros, the author of the best-selling novel The House on Mango Street, said she hoped that American Dirt could help highlight the obstacles migrants face, particularly for American readers who might otherwise be indifferent to the subject. Its written in a form that will engage people, not just the choir, but people who might think differently, Cisneros said. Were always looking for the great American story, and this is the great story of the Americas, at a time in which borders are blurred. American Dirt has also generated criticism. Some authors have questioned whether Cummins, who grew up in Maryland in a working-class family and identifies as white and Latina, succeeded in her effort to write from the perspective of Mexican migrants and accurately convey their experiences. In a withering review on the site Tropics of Meta, poet and writer Myriam Gurba wrote that American Dirt was full of cliches and stereotypes about Mexico, depicting it as a lawless, violent country overrun by drug cartels and corruption. This is like a Trumpian fantasy of what Mexico is, and we dont need any more Trumpian fantasies, Gurba said in an interview. Its even more noxious because its masquerading as a piece of progressive literature. Mexican American writer and translator David Bowles echoed those views and called American Dirt appropriating and inaccurate. At a time when Mexico and the Mexican American community are reviled in this country as they havent been in decades, to elevate this inauthentic book written by someone outside our community is to slap our collective face, he said in an email. Gurba and other writers of Mexican heritage have also criticized Cummins for drawing on works about Mexico and migrants by other authors, including Sonia Nazario and Luis Alberto Urrea. In a note at the end of American Dirt, Cummins acknowledges her debt to those writers and others whose work shaped her understanding of Mexico and the issues that migrants face. Cummins researched the novel during trips to Mexico and by conducting interviews on both sides of the border. She spoke with people whose families had been torn apart by deportations, lawyers who work with unaccompanied minors, migrants in shelters in Tijuana and human-rights activists documenting abuses. Still, she concedes that she is an imperfect messenger for a story about migrants. As a nonimmigrant, she was reluctant at first to write an entire novel from the perspective of Mexican migrants, for fear of getting it wrong, or appearing to be opportunistically seizing on a humanitarian crisis. It still nags at her, even as the publication day approaches. I dont know if Im the right person to tell this story, Cummins said during an interview at her home overlooking the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York, where she lives with her husband, a flooring contractor, and their two daughters. In her authors note, Cummins, whose paternal grandmother came from Puerto Rico, describes her fear that her privilege would make me blind to certain truths and says she wished that someone slightly browner than me would write it. But she insists that writers from all backgrounds should not shy away from a subject that has become so central, and polarizing, in American politics and culture. I do think that the conversation about cultural appropriation is incredibly important, but I also think that there is a danger sometimes of going too far toward silencing people, she said. Everyone should be engaged in telling these stories, with tremendous care and sensitivity. Fiction in particular, Cummins said, has the potential to broaden and deepen readers understanding of an issue that many Americans are only peripherally engaged with, if at all. We are telling these stories in our culture very superficially, she said. Theres the narrative from the right, which is that these people are like an invading mob of criminals, and then from the left, the narrative is, Oh, these poor people, these impoverished people, they need our help, we must save them. And theres this huge gap in the middle where their humanity should be. Cummins was born in Rota, Spain, where her father was stationed in the Navy, and grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She studied English and communications at Towson University, then spent two years in Belfast, Ireland, where she worked as a bartender and wrote terrible poetry. After moving back to the United States, she found work in the paperback sales department at Penguin. While she was working there, she published her first book, A Rip in Heaven, about a tragedy that struck her family in 1991, when her brother and two female cousins were attacked on a bridge in St. Louis by a group of men. The men raped her cousins and forced them off the bridge, killing them. Her brother, Tom, was also forced to jump off but survived. Years later, he asked Cummins to write a book with him. He backed out of the project, leaving Cummins, who was 16 when her cousins were killed, as the sole author. Researching and writing about the crimes was daunting, Cummins said There were a lot of details I didnt want to know but it brought some relief and helped her learn how to write about trauma in a way that didnt feel gratuitous or sensational. Those themes, and a desire to take stories away from the perpetrators and give them to the survivors, shaped her next two books, the novels The Outside Boy and The Crooked Branch. She began researching a novel about immigration seven years ago, envisioning it with a diverse cast of characters: border patrol agents, American citizens living near the southern border, families that had been separated by deportation and undocumented migrants. But the narrative never cohered, and Cummins couldnt escape the feeling that she was avoiding the crux of the story. Then, shortly before the 2016 presidential election, she experienced another family tragedy when her father died suddenly from a heart attack. She spent months in mourning, unable to write. One day, she pulled out her laptop and wrote the opening of American Dirt, a scene where Luca and Lydia narrowly survive the gunfire that kills Lucas father, a journalist who wrote about drug cartels, and 15 other relatives. She finished a draft in less than a year, and sold the novel in the spring of 2018. In the time Cummins spent researching and writing, the humanitarian crisis on the southern border only grew more dire, and the political debate became even more charged. As she prepares to promote American Dirt on a cross-country book tour, with appearances in 40 cities in 26 states, Cummins is trying to avoid talking about the story in ways that might seem partisan, and to steer clear of terms like illegal and undocumented. All fiction, all good fiction, can potentially dismantle some of the problematic language that serves often as barriers to meaningful conversation, she said. We dont have to choose a label for Lydia and Luca. Theyre people. Alexandra Alter c.2020 The New York Times Company [January 13, 2020] Breakthrough ID-Cap System from etectRx Selected to Measure Adherence to HIV Treatment in New University of Colorado Study GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- etectRx, Inc. (etectRx), a privately-held digital health company, today announced the ID-Cap System is being utilized in a clinical study of 180 patients to create a reliable record of adherence for over 20,000 doses of HIV medication. This collaborative research program will further advance the company's novel digital medicine platform for use in HIV treatment and prevention. This study, conducted at The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Principal Investigator, Dr. Jose Castillo-Mancilla, has enrolled its first group of patients. The ID-Cap System will objectively measure adherence to once-daily HIV treatment with three multi-drug combination products over an extended duration of 16 weeks. Medication adherence will be correlated with drug levels in the blood and viral load to evaluate pharmacokinetics and patient outcomes associated with these life-saving medications. The ID-Cap System was selected over other adherence monitoring approaches for its best-in-class ability to reliably confirm medication ingestion and objectively report time of dosing for researchers to accurately measure and report medication adherence. "In our study, the ID-Cap System will allow us to objectively and reliably quantify medication ingestions in HIV treatment. This will help us establish expected drug concentrations in the blood for specific adherence patterns in persons living with HIV based on real-world use," said Dr. Jose Castillo-Mancilla, MD, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "We believe this is a very innovative way to perform pharmacokinetic studies in which adherence is critical to understanding drug concentrations and drug response." The University of Colorado study is part of a growing network of programs demonstrating the ID-Cap System's ability to measure adherence in HIV therapy. In 2019, etectRx, in partnership with the Brigham and Women's Hospital, The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health, and Gilead Sciences, initiated a clinical study to understand how adherence can be increased among populations at risk fo HIV infection. "We are honored and humbled that our company's ID-Cap technology continues to be chosen to assist distinguished organizations in advancing life-saving therapy for persons living with HIV and optimizing HIV preventive therapy," said Harry J. Travis, President and CEO of etectRx. "We are looking forward to seeing how our technology will shed new light on medication use and add to the body of evidence supporting improved medication adherence." The announcement of this study coincides with other notable milestones, as etectRx is also pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company two new patents: U.S. Patent 10,517,508 B2 for an "ingestible bio-telemetry communication network and associated systems" and U.S. Patent 10,521,561 B1 for an "electronic compliance system and associated methods." etectRx retains exclusive worldwide rights to this patented proprietary technology for its ingestible electronic system for recording, tracking, and improving a patient's adherence to medications, as well as its advanced in-body communication network. "These additional patents complement a growing portfolio of intellectual property that will help further position etectRx as the market leader in ingestion tracking technology," said Travis. "We are eager to get our ID-Cap technology in the hands of more researchers and healthcare professionals, and milestones such as these are integral to making our unique system for tracking ingestions and measuring adherence readily available to benefit patients worldwide. 2020 is already shaping up to be a monumental year for etectRx." Harry Travis will be attending and presenting at the Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. Please contact Evelyn Warren [[email protected]] to discuss scheduling availability. About etectRx etectRx is a privately held digital health company seeking to advance patient medication adherence and improve ingestion tracking technology. The company's flagship product, the ID-Cap System, is an ingestible event marker comprised of a gelatin capsule containing an ingestible sensor that transmits signals to a wearable reader, which sends the data to a smartphone-based app and secure cloud-based server to enable reliable tracking of ingestion events. To learn more about etectRx, visit https://etectrx.com/ . ID-Cap System Indications for Use The FDA-cleared, ID-Cap System consists of a wearable reader for ambulatory recording of events signaled by swallowing the ID-Capsule, which contains the ID-Tag, an ingestible sensor. The ID-Cap System is intended to log, track, and trend intake times and enables unattended data collection for clinical applications. The ID-Cap System may be used in any instance where quantifiable analysis of ingestion events, including events signaled by the co-incidence with or co-ingestion with the ID-Capsule, is desirable. NIH Acknowledgement The NIH-sponsored clinical study described in this press release was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number R01AI145453. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. CONTACT: Evelyn Warren Findsome & Winmore (704) 488-7690 [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breakthrough-id-cap-system-from-etectrx-selected-to-measure-adherence-to-hiv-treatment-in-new-university-of-colorado-study-300985892.html SOURCE etectRx, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Mark Croce took up flying for personal reasons. But his passion for flight, and his willingness to share it with others, made him the envy of fellow flyers and helped capture stirring images of his community. Croce, 58, and friend Michael Capriotto died Thursday night when the helicopter Croce was piloting crashed into the backyard of a house in Silver Spring Township, Pa. Longtime friend and fellow developer Anthony Kissling, who said he was "devastated" by the news of Croce's death, said he rode with Croce in his helicopter several times. Kissling, a pilot himself who flew planes for 35 years, said Croce was "very careful" in the cockpit, and was not one to take risks. Croce told Buffalo Rising in 2008 that he accumulated about 300 flight hours a year in a plane and helicopter he owned at the time. "He was a very good pilot, very careful to get his pre-flight stuff completely," Kissling said. "Im amazed. It must have been a mechanical failure." Mark Croce pilots a helicopter over Western New York in 2009. This is not the helicopter he was in Thursday night. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News, file) There was no distress call from the helicopter before the fatal crash. No one on the ground was hurt. Kissling recalled one time that Croce was in Albany with his plane and had planned to fly down to White Plains to visit Kissling. However, Croce canceled because of icing conditions. "He wasnt the kind of guy to fly in bad weather," Kissling said. James Sandoro, a good friend of Croce's, said he flew with him "easily 100 times." "He is the best pilot I ever flew with," said Sandoro, a local business owner and executive director of the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum. "He was the most conscientious, no-nonsense pilot." In early 2008, around the time Croce turned 47, a News reporter asked him if he had his midlife crisis yet. "Probably. I took up aviation when I was 42, a newfound hobby that I sunk my life into for a while. I'm very deep into it. It's something I do three or four times a week fly. I bought myself a plane and a helicopter. I do it because it takes my mind off my day-to-day work and life. It gives me a mental escape because I have to focus on the tasks at hand." In the same interview, he was asked if he was a risk taker. "It depends," he said. "In business absolutely. Do I gamble? No. Some people look at my businesses as big gambles. I look at it as a no-brainer. Is aviation risky? I guess so, but I control that risk." In an interview with The News in 2010, he described flying with his family in his helicopter, including with his then-10-month-old son, Dominic. "I took (Dominic) up for the first time and he loved it," he said at the time. "He fell asleep like he does in the back of a car." By Aaron Besecker, The Buffalo News, N.Y. (TNS) This article originally appeared on ConservativeHome on January 6th 2014 almost exactly five years ago. We republish it in honour of Sir Roger. Some time ago I got together with Rodney Leach, Gwythian Prins and a few others to discuss the question what exactly do conservatives believe, and how do their beliefs apply in our present context. After a few attempts at drafting a short statement of principles we put the matter on hold for a while. But then, exasperated by the level of debate within the Conservative Party, and by the empty progressivism constantly forced upon David Cameron by Nick Clegg, I composed a manifesto out of the fragments. Here it is. I present it under my own name since only I take responsibility for it. But I acknowledge the great help and inspiration of Rodney Leach and Gwythian Prins, and also other friends with whom I have discussed these issues. A shorter version of the manifesto has already appeared in The Spectator, but this fuller text represents the position that I and many others hold, and which I believe to be the heart of the conservative worldview for us, here, now. I still cherish the hope that something like this position will animate the decisions of some future Conservative government. Conservatives believe that our identities and values are formed through our relations with other people, and not through our relation with the State. Our rights and responsibilities as individuals are informed by customs that have stood the test of time and have been protected by the rule of law. In the modern world the States role is inevitably extensive, but Conservatives believe its reach should always be subject to challenge. It is therefore time to reaffirm the fundamental axiom of conservatism, which is that the State is not an end but a means. Civil society is the end, and the State is the means to protect it. The social world emerges through free association, rooted in friendship and community life. And the customs and institutions that we cherish have grown from below, by the invisible hand of cooperation. They have rarely been imposed from above by the work of politics, the role of which is to reconcile our many aims, and not to dictate or control them. Conservatives believe in respect for individual freedom and for the agreements, customs and institutions that flow from it. Justice means ensuring that the obligations that arise naturally between free and accountable agents obtain the recognition and protection that they need. This does not mean that the less advantaged members of society should be abandoned to their fate; it means that the taxes used to support them should be justly raised and efficiently distributed. According to many on the Left people possess social and economic rights regardless of how they have conducted their lives. Increasingly these human rights are not confined to negative freedoms, such as the rights to life, limb and the pursuit of happiness as advocated in the American Declaration of Independence, but include positive claims, such as the right to housing, health-care and welfare benefits. The ever-expanding grant of these entitlements is administered by national and international courts without regard to their cost. And the growing injustice, both to honest taxpayers and to the future generations who must meet the cost of our present extravagance, is justified in the name of social justice. Conservatives believe that it is time to move back to a more natural form of justice, which rewards responsible behaviour and upholds the free agreements on which a healthy civil society depends. By thwarting reform of a skewed voting system and endowing the Scots with two votes one to govern themselves, the other to outvote the English the Left has made it all but impossible for the Conservative Party to achieve the kind of majorities that enabled it to revive individual enterprise and national pride in the 1980s. And by opening our borders to immigration without limit as to numbers or quality New Labour has planted the seeds of a social fragmentation that has poisoned debate and made patriotism of the traditional kind a fruitless exercise in nostalgia. In these circumstances we need to rethink the principles that should guide our policies. And we need to embed, within those principles, the complementary aspirations of both sides of the conservative temperament Burkes vision of a social order based on continuity and the rule of law; and Robert Peels and Margaret Thatchers belief in free trade and greater liberty for those who seek to better themselves and their families. We believe that the following principles should form the foundation of a modern Conservative policy. 1. The Nation State is the sole vehicle for democratic legitimacy. New Labour sought to weaken the nation externally and divide it internally externally by its unquestioning acceptance of the primacy of EU supranational authority, internally by indiscriminate immigration and class warfare, which were at the top of the domestic agenda in the time of Blair and Brown. We need to remind the people that as the most elected party in history the Conservatives are dedicated to forging a new unity for our country, one that will integrate all our communities into a shared national idea. 2. Civil society depends upon a common loyalty and a territorial law, and these cannot be achieved or retained without borders. Immigration must therefore be controlled and contained. Although free movement of people was in the Treaty that the electorate endorsed 40 years ago, and although our present anxieties are shared on the Continent, it is not enough to rely on hopes of renegotiation. We have in the last resort to be prepared to challenge, or defy, the Treaty in the national interest. With its open welfare system, its universal language, its relative wealth and its carefully defended freedoms our country is the preferred destination of Europes new wave of migrants. Our services and infrastructure are being stretched to breaking point, and our legal and political culture is at risk from communities who cannot or will not endorse it. If we do not take the need for restraint as our starting point we forfeit the right to call ourselves One Nation Conservatives. 3. The nation state requires the sovereignty of Parliament. The right to vote out our rulers and to change our law is the premise of democratic politics. We willingly sacrifice some independence to conduct international trade and to use the worlds sea, air and wireless lanes. But whenever possible our law should be made in Westminster, or in the common-law courts of our kingdom not by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels nor by courts of European judges. Our taxes too should be fixed by our elected representatives in a sovereign Parliament. 4. As believers in civil society conservatives must protect the institutions and customs that turn human animals into responsible citizens. Ours is a tolerant society, in which liberty is extended to a variety of religions, world-views, and forms of domestic life. But, as Locke argued three centuries ago, liberty is threatened by licence: liberty is founded on personal responsibility and a respect for others, whereas licence is a way of exploiting others for purely personal gain. Liberty therefore depends on the values that protect individuals from chaotic personal lives and which cherish the integrity of the home, in the face of the many threats to it. A conservative policy should reward stable households. It should not reward, through the welfare system, the kind of fecklessness that has become so widespread. We must protect children from the predatory culture that has grown through the Internet, and an attempt must be made to tackle pornography, and the attitude to human relationships that is fostered by it. 5. We must make the environment, the countryside, and the settled communities of our nation into priorities of government. Conservatism is a philosophy of inheritance and stewardship; it does not squander resources but conserves and enhances them. Environmental politics therefore needs to be rescued from the phoney expertise of the scare-mongers and from the top-down manipulation of the activists. Properly understood, environmental protection is not a left-wing but a conservative cause. 6. The State should not be permitted to confiscate the work of civil society. Through quangos and official bodies the State has been amplified under New Labour to the point of swallowing private initiatives and distorting the long-established charitable instinct of our citizens, improperly using tax money to create sock puppet charities and quangos that lobby for New Labour policies. Civil society must be freed from the regulations and the officialdom that make volunteering difficult. 7. Freeing civil society must go hand in hand with encouraging small businesses and economic initiatives. The regulations that make it difficult for people to help their neighbours also make it difficult for them to help themselves. In this sense the old conservative call to roll back the frontiers of the state is as valid today as it ever was. Left-wing thinkers often caricature the conservative position as one that advocates the free market at all costs, introducing competition and the profit motive even into the most sacred precincts of communal life. Adam Smith and David Hume made clear, however, that the market, which is the only known solution to the problem of economic coordination, itself depends upon the kind of moral order that arises from below, as people take responsibility for their lives, learn to honour their agreements and live in justice and charity with their neighbours. 8. Education must reflect the real interest of future generations. A conservative policy must therefore free education from all the non-educational purposes to which it has been subjected, so that schools, colleges and universities can offer opportunities suited to the needs of all children. We should free schools from the dead hand of the bureaucrats, and remake education as a contract between the teacher and the parents of the child. There is a vast knowledge bank contained in the brains of older people, and it must be made easier for them to enter the teaching profession, so as to pass on their knowledge to those who seek to acquire it. 9. Law and order must regain their place at the centre of political thinking. We have too many laws, too loosely applied. The safety of citizens, and their freedom to go about their business undisturbed, must be a priority. The police force should be an integral part of the local community, inspiring trust in the law-abiding citizen and fear in the criminal. Likewise our armed forces should return to governance by Queens regulations and be allowed to create the spectrum of forces required by the defence of the nation and its interests. 10. Conservatives should advocate a cultural policy that reaffirms our national heritage and values. Such a policy should acquaint the people of this country with the institutions, traditions and achievements of which they can be proud. We need to change cultural direction, away from self-denigration towards a cheerful and confident reassertion of the national idea. Those ten principles seem to us to be straightforward common sense, and would have the support of the vast majority of our people once explained to them. The time has come for the Conservative Party to recognise this, to adopt those principles as its message, and to present that message confidently to the people. HOUSTON - (Jan. 14, 2020) - Intentional defects in batteries have given Rice University scientists a window into the hazards of pushing lithium-ion cells too far. New simulations by Rice materials scientist Ming Tang and graduate student Kaiqi Yang, detailed in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, shows too much stress in widely used lithium iron phosphate cathodes can open cracks and quickly degrade batteries. The work extends recent Rice research that demonstrated how putting defects in particles that make up the cathode could improve battery performance by up to two orders of magnitude by helping lithium move more efficiently. But the lab's subsequent modeling study revealed a caveat. Under the pressure of rapid charging and discharging, defect-laden cathodes risk fracture. "The conventional picture is that lithium moves uniformly into the cathode, with a lithium-rich region that expands smoothly into the cathode's center," said Tang, an assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice's Brown School of Engineering. But X-ray images taken at another lab showed something else. "They saw a fingerlike boundary between the lithium-rich and lithium-poor regions, almost like when you inject water into oil," he said. "Our question was, what causes this?" The root of the problem appears to be that stress destabilizes the initially flat boundary and causes it to become wavy, Tang said. The change in the boundary shape further increases the stress level and triggers crack formation. The study by Tang's group shows that such instability can be increased by a common type of defect in battery compounds called antisites, where iron atoms occupy spots in the crystal where lithium atoms should be. "Antisites can be a good thing, as we showed in the last paper, because they accelerate the lithium intercalation kinetics," Tang said, "But here we show a countereffect: Too many antisites in the particles encourage the moving interface to become unstable and therefore generate more stress." Tang believes there's a sweet spot for the number of antisites in a cathode: enough to enhance performance but too few to promote instability. "You want to have a suitable level of defects, and it will require some trial and error to figure out how to reach the right amount through annealing the particles," he said. "We think our new predictions might be useful to experimentalists." ### The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supported the research. Simulations were performed on supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas and DOE's National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. Read the abstract at https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/ta/c9ta11697d#!divAbstract. This news release can be found online at https://news.rice.edu/2020/01/14/not-so-fast-some-batteries-can-be-pushed-too-far/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. Video: https://youtu.be/SnguPqdx4FA A 3D model by Rice University materials scientists shows the phase evolution of a delithiating lithium iron phosphate cathode undergoing rapid discharge. The "fingerlike" shape adds stress to the system that researchers suspect can lead to cracks in the cathode that degrade the battery. (Credit: Mesoscale Materials Science Group/Rice University) Images for download: https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/01/0121_BATTERY-1-WEB.jpg At left, a 3D model by Rice University materials scientists shows a phase boundary as a delithiating lithium iron phosphate cathode undergoes rapid discharge. At right, a cross-section shows the "fingerlike" boundary between iron phosphate (blue) and lithium (red). Rice engineers found that too many intentional defects intended to make batteries better can in fact degrade their performance and endurance. (Credit: Mesoscale Materials Science Group/Rice University) https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/01/0121_BATTERY-2-WEB.jpg Rice graduate student Kaiqi Yang, left, and materials scientist Ming Tang determined that the fast charge and discharge of some lithium-ion batteries with intentional defects degrades their performance and endurance. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Related materials: Detours may make batteries better: http://news.rice.edu/2019/12/09/detours-may-make-batteries-better-2/ Mesoscale Materials Science Group: http://tanggroup.rice.edu/research/ Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering: https://msne.rice.edu George R. Brown School of Engineering: https://engineering.rice.edu Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Jeff Falk 713-348-6775 jfalk@rice.edu Mike Williams 713-348-6728 mikewilliams@rice.edu New Delhi, Jan 14 : while a section of students and teachers are demanding his resignation, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar told IANS, here on Tuesday, that he was being targeted for attempting to restore discipline. The Vice-Chancellor blamed a section of teachers for opposing him because they were told to follow rules and abide by the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. "In every institute a professor is supposed to apply for leave before going abroad. But here rules are not followed. When I asked them to apply for leave, it annoyed them," the former the IIT-Delhi professor said when asked what split the campus in two sections during his tenure. "The teachers skipped the campus when they didn't have lectures. The UGC guidelines state they have to be in the university for at least 5 hours a day. I stopped that. I introduced the biometric system for attendance, which was opposed by this section of teachers and some students," the V-C said. According to Kumar, this section of teachers and students is trying to derail peace on campus to target him. The Vice-Chancellor appealed them to stop "unjustified protest" and return to campus. "Teachers should teach and students carry on with their studies. Let us be part of the university's forward march." "We have considered all their demands. The utility charges for students have been waived, and room rent reduced by 50 per cent for general and by 75 per cent for BPL (below poverty line) category students. "The protest now is nothing but an attempt to derail campus normalcy," Kumar said. The JNU has been in the news for some time. It hit the headlines on January 5 when several masked persons assaulted students and teachers with iron rods and sticks. After investigation, the Delhi Police named 9 students as suspects, which included JNUSU president-elect Aishe Ghosh. (Rohan Agarwal can be contacted at Rohan.a@ians.in ) (New York, NY - January 14, 2020) - Responders who worked at the World Trade Center site after the attacks on September 11, 2001, have an increased overall cancer incidence compared to the general population, particularly in thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and, for the first time ever reported, leukemia, according to a Mount Sinai study published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum in January. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center, 50,000 workers were involved in rescue and recovery, with many of them caught directly in the dust cloud from the collapsing towers. From then until cleanup of the site ended in June 2002, workers were potentially exposed to an array of toxins later shown to cause adverse health effects, including cancer. This study examined cancer incidence in responders including law enforcement, construction, and telecommunications workers, and found an increased overall cancer incidence, with the greatest elevation in thyroid cancer. It is the first to show an increase in leukemia, which is known to occur after exposure to occupational carcinogens, including benzene fuel and other sources that existed at the World Trade Center site, in some cases at low levels of exposure and with a latency of several years from exposure. Researchers also found that neither the length of time that first responders and recovery workers worked on the World Trade Center site, nor the intensity of their exposure, had any bearing on the development of the elevated cancers. However, some risk factors--such as responders' age on September 11, their gender, and whether they were smokers at the time--were associated with increased cancer risk, underlining the need for continued surveillance of World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers. "This study showed increased incidence of several cancer types compared to previously conducted studies with shorter follow-up periods," said Susan Teitelbaum, PhD, Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and one of the lead authors. "Because of the long latency period of many types of cancer, it is possible that increased rates of other cancers, as well as World Trade Center exposure health issues, may emerge after longer periods of study." Researchers studied post-September 11 cancer incidence among 28,729 rescue and recovery workers via cancer registry data from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina from 2002 through 2013. Although the incidence of certain cancers, such as lung, was not elevated in this study's findings, researchers believe that may be due to the long time periods over which these cancers develop. ### This work was supported by contract 200-2017-93325 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics in the 2019-2020 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 12th nationally for Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai West are ranked 23rd nationally for Nephrology and 25th for Diabetes/Endocrinology, and Mount Sinai South Nassau is ranked 35th nationally for Urology. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai South Nassau are ranked regionally. For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Fire breaks out at footwear manufacturing factory at Delhi's Lawrence road India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 14: A major fire broke out on Tuesday morning at a footwear manufacturing unit at the Lawrence Road in New Delhi.The incident took place around 9:30 in the morning. So far, no casualty has been reported. According to reports, 26 fire tenders have reached the spot and are trying to douse the fire. The fire department, quoted by news agency PTI, said that they received a call about the fire at 9:46 am and 26 fire tenders have been rushed to the site. Fire breaks out at civic-run waste treatment plant in Goa; no casualty JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News The fire incident comes nearly a month after the huge fire at Anaj Mandi that killed as many as 43 people and injured over a dozen. It took over 150 firefighters nearly five hours to douse the blaze. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 12:40 [IST] West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar invited on Monday West Bengal chief minister and leaders of all the legislature parties for a meeting at his office on January 17, to discuss the two bills that have been cleared by the Assembly and were awaiting his approval. @MamataOfficial. I have invited leaders of the Legislature Parties in the Legislative Assembly on 17.1.2020 at 12 noon at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata as regards pendency of West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019 and West Bengal State Commission for SC and ST Bill, 2019, Dhankar said in a Twitter post, accompanied with a three-page letter. In the letter, Dhankhar elaborated on his points of concerns, saying: In spite of repeated serious efforts at my end, the requisite information is not forthcoming and that has resulted in further appropriate consideration of the Bill in terms of the Constitution. The two bills in question were passed by the Assembly on August 30 last year. In another tweet, he said: @MamataOfficial The step has been taken for this meeting as on one hand the inputs are not being made available and on the other hand, total factually untenable information is being put in public domain both at the level of the Assembly as also the State Government. CPI(M)s Sujan Chakraborty, who along with Congresss Abdul Mannan had brought up discrepancies in the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill to the governors notice in September, said he would be unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement. We have no reservation in meeting the governor but I will be in Kerala on that day, he said. Mannan, too, said he would be in New Delhi on that day. The governors move, inviting all-party meeting to discuss a Bill, is not unconstitutional but unprecedented. We dont think it is right to take one unprecedented step after another. In any case, we dont want to do anything that could widen the rift between the government and the governor. So, we will discuss it within our party, Mannan said. Revolutionary Socialist Partys Biswanath Chowdhury said a decision about attending the meeting would be taken at the Left Front level. I personally would not be able to make it to the meet due to my poor health, Chowdhury said. Manoj Tigga, leader of BJPs legislative party, said he would readily accept the invitation once he received it. TMC did not respond to repeated attempts to seek comments. Constitution expert Subhas Kashyap said the governors move was unusual but not unconstitutional. It is unusual for a governor to call all party meetings to discuss a Bill passed by the legislature. But he is within his legal rights to withhold giving his signature to the Bill. He can also send it to the Centre for its consideration..., he said. Barrister Anindya Mitra, former advocate general of West Bengal, said: If the governor is not satisfied with any bill he can ask the ruling party for clarifications. If he is still not satisfied he can send it back to the assembly. But if the assembly sends it back, he is bound to sign it. According to the Economist Magazine, The new scramble for Africa, is now being led by a new generation of Africans determined to make a difference through technological innovations and the development of enterprise and markets". Many pan-Africanists ascribe that the Africa we want can only be built by Africans in partnerships with countries and investors who also believe in this paradigm for change. It is in vain of this that Nana Amo Kantinkrau has decided to contribute his quota to the development of Ghana by helping to tell the African story particularly that of Ghana in the positive light. According to Nana Kantinkrau, his dream is to help revamp the society where people can be able to fend for themselves and be self-independent. This is the more reason why he continues to call on investors and other well-meaning individuals who can afford, to come out in their numbers to change the narrative of most Ghanaians by assisting in making sure the less endowed are not left out in the socio-economic activities in the society. Nana Amo Kantinkrau known in real life as Mr. James Carl Kennedy has been in Ghana since 1999 and has been making a lot of business progress for his KnB Company - Ghana. The company is into products such as floor cleaners, liquid Soap, bleach, hand sanitizers, hardware, transport, restaurants and many more. On the philanthropic front, Nana Kantinkrau's company, KnB spearheaded in Ghana by the indefatigable and innovative young man, Williams Aboagye, has furnished the Hwidiem Methodist School computer laboratory with ten set of modern computers. Through Mr. Aboagye's instrumentality, the school can now boast of 30litre poly tank for storage of water. The company also painted the various blocks of the school as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, thanks to the abled leadership of Mr Williams Aboagye. Nana Kantinkrau and his KnB Company has also been supporting less endowed parents financially to purchase uniforms, textbooks among other learning materials for their wards. Speaking to Daniel Kaku, Nana Kantinkrau believes developing nations cannot thrive in the global economy without a global-collective mindset. And he is, therefore appealing to investors to turn to Africa particularly Ghana to transact business in order to create a sustainable upward trajectory in Africa's economic growth as most African leaders are now throwing their nets wider and increasingly courting entrepreneurs and the private sector in general for partnerships in development. KnB Company envisages opening up its tentacles in Ghana to recruit more people particularly the youth in order for them to also enjoy a decent living in life. Earning a nomination for Oscars 2020, the Brazilian documentary The Edge of Democracy, has once again opened the table for discussion about the polarization of the Latin America country's politics, according to an article by Latino Rebels. In the documentary exposing the issues surrounding the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff, 36-year-old filmmaker Petra Costa gives her perspective on Brazil's democracy and the risks faced by the country after the abrupt end of the reign of leftist Workers' Party with the impeachment of Brazil's first female president. When Rousseff was removed from office in 2016, she was replaced by her conservative vice president, Michel Temer. In 2018, far-right Jair Bolsonaro won the presidency defeating the Workers' Party candidate. Leftist politicians said the documentary's nomination to Oscars 2020 is an affirmation of their interpretation of Rousseff's impeachment as a soft coup, as suggested by the director. Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who was recently released from jail pending appeal of his corruption conviction, praised Costa on Twitter for "the seriousness in which she narrated this important time of our history." Lula da Silva was Rousseff's mentor. "Truth will prevail," he posted. Meanwhile, conservatives slammed the director and questioned film's accuracy. They also insisted Rousseff deserved to be removed from office for manipulating budget figures. "Congratulations to filmmaker Petra Costa on her nomination for best fiction and fantasy," the Brazilian Social Democracy Party said on Twitter. Said part was instrumental in Rousseff's impeachment. In an interview with local newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, Roberto Alvim, Bolsonaro's secretary of culture, said Costa's documentary is nothing but fiction and that the Hollywood recognition such proves that the culture wars are being waged across countries. In her social media channels, Costa said that the documentary was an imperative "in a time where the far right is spreading like an epidemic." "We are in ecstasy for @TheAcademy's recognition of the urgency of ours #TheEdgeOfDemocracy. In a time in which the far right is spreading like an epidemic, we hope our film can help us understand how crucial it is to protect our democracies. Long live Brazilian cinema!" the director wrote. The Edge of Democracy competes with other documentaries namely, American Factory, The Cave, For Sama and Honeyland. Winners will be announced at the awarding ceremony in Los Angeles on February 9. Said documentary is the only Latin American work nominated in Oscars 2020. It seems the Academy has looked over Latino artists this year. According to an article by BBC, 2020 is not a good year for diversity in the top categories. In the best director category, the South Korean director Bong Joon Ho was the only non-white nominated for his comedy thriller, Parasite. Moreover, there were no women nominated in the best director category, not even Greta Gerwig, whose screenplay Little Women was nominated for best picture. Even Golden Globes and Baftas were a snub towards women directors this year. "What makes it so shocking is that I've seen more inspiring films made by women in 2019 that in any other year that I've been a critic," Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, chief film critic for Metro said in an interview. In the acting categories, Cynthia Erivo was the only non-white nominee who is up for best actress for playing the title role in Harriet. According to the Academy, they had taken steps to have a more diverse membership in 2016 after the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag sparked in Oscars 2015 and 2016, criticizing the Academy for having no non-white nominees in the acting categories. Following the announcement of the 2020 nominees, many users have been tweeting the hashtag again as a sign of protest. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys today published a study commissioned by her Department, which examines the economic impact on Ireland of a potential EU-UK Free Trade Agreement. The Political Declaration sets out the intent of both the EU and UK to negotiate a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement to replace the current economic relationship. At this point, the Government says it represents the best indication of what a future EU-UK FTA will look like. Previous analysis published by the Department in 2018 found that the economic impact on Ireland of a worst-case Brexit scenario - trading with the UK based on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules - would reduce Irelands projected annual growth rate and result in GDP being approximately 7% lower in 2030 (i.e. the economy would still grow albeit at a slower rate). Taking the parameters of the revised Political Declaration, this study points to a reduction in GDP of between 3.2% and 3.9% in 2030. Effectively this reduces the level of harm on the Irish economy by half. The Minister says businesses can choose from various supports including grants and mentoring programmes through the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, as well as the 300m Brexit Loan Scheme, the 300m Future Growth Loan Scheme, customs training initiatives, and the Rescue and Restructuring Scheme. Launching the report, the Minister said, "We have always known that Brexit in any form will have a negative impact on Ireland. Nevertheless, its important to say that it will not cause a contraction in the economy. The economy will still grow but our estimates show that it will grow 3.2% - 3.9% less than it would have done if Brexit had not occurred." She added, "It would be a mistake to underestimate how challenging that process will be, so I am strongly encouraging businesses to continue with their preparations in the coming period. There is nothing good in Brexit for Ireland so I would urge firms to take full advantage of Government supports." Source: www.businessworld.ie Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, EPS is a leading environmental and industrial services provider with 17 branches across the eastern United States and national coverage through its National Accounts model. EPS offers a comprehensive suite of essential and highly complementary services, including waste disposal, spill response, industrial maintenance, vacuum truck, tank cleaning, geological, high vacuum extraction, and other specialty services. These high-quality services have positioned EPS as a valued partner to a diverse group of premier retail, environmental, manufacturing, energy, transportation/logistics, construction, utilities/telecom, and other attractive end markets. The transaction allows MEG to extend its network of specialty environmental and industrial services to a national scale with exposure to a diverse customer base. About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, capital markets, financial restructurings, valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, and San Diego. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Related Links http://www.bglco.com BAD AXE The Huron County Health Department has passed along some advice from the Department of Homeland Security on how to deal with a terrorist threat. They come as Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin following the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Qaseem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, and the subsequent rise in tensions between the U.S. and Iran. At this time, there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland, Wolf said in a statement. The Department issued this bulletin to inform, share protective measures, and reassure the American public, state and local governments, and private sector partners that the Department of Homeland Security is actively monitoring and preparing for any specific, credible threat, should one arise. The Department of Homeland Security has issued the following tips: Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Report suspicious activity or information about a threat, including online activity, to fusion centers and FBIs Field Offices. Learn how to recognize signs of pre-operational planning associated with terrorism or other criminal activity. Be prepared for cyber disruptions, suspicious emails, and network delays. Be responsible for your personal safety. Know where emergency exits and security personnel are located. Carry emergency contact and specials needs information with you. Implement basic cyber hygiene practices such as effecting data backups and employing multi-factor authentication. Connect, plan, train, and report to prepare businesses and employees. The U.S. Government will provide additional information about any emerging threats. The public is encouraged to listen to local law enforcement and public safety officials. We urge Americans to continue to travel, attend public events, and freely associate with others but remain vigilant and aware of surroundings. Katie Alexander, the emergency preparedness coordinator with the health department, said the possibility of any such terrorist attack happening in the Thumb is extremely unlikely, but feels that this info is good for the public to know after seeing it in the Michigan Health Alert Network. In any disaster, public health plays a huge role, Alexander said, commenting that the health department has plans in place with emergency management for any such disaster or terrorist attack involving mass casualties, biological attacks or chemical weapons. Alexander also said that while they would work with local enforcement if such an attack were to occur, they have different objectives and goals in such a situation. More information is available at www.dhs.gov/advisories. On the eve of the war that would cost the lives of more than one million British military personnel, change the path of the empire, and reshape the skylines of cities from London to Glasgow, people across the U.K. opened up their diaries and sat down to write. Founded in January 1937 as an anthropology of ourselves, the project known as Mass Observation was meant to record the mundane details of British life across every level of class and location. The three founders recruited low-paid researchers through a letter announcing the project in the New Statesman. These observers were tasked with recording the publics behavior in places like pubs and war memorials, as well as peoples attitudes about topics as varied as football pools, eating and facial hair. The founders of Mass Observation couldnt have known when they started the project that theyd soon be uniquely positioned to capture the hopes and fears of a nation at war. By the end of the summer of 1939, however, it was clear that Britain was on the brink of war with Germany. World War II wasnt only fought on the battlefields of Europe, but also on the Home Front, and the stories of those who stayed behind in Britain live on in vivid detail thanks to the diaries produced as part of Mass Observation. The hundreds of unpaid volunteers who participated filled out a series of questionnaires and made regular diary entries. They wrote about the intimate details of their lives as well as their thoughts and feelings about the world around them. How much of their lives the diarists left behind varies wildly. Some wrote regularly, while others only stuck with the project for a few weeks. The result is an intimate portrait of British life that is also completely individual. It is the personal accounts that will always fascinate us most, Simon Garfield wrote in the introduction of his book We Are At War: The Remarkable Diaries of Five Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times, which used the Mass Observation archive at the University of Sussex to follow five diarists throughout the early years of World War II. Story continues The diaries window onto the war began even before the battles did. With hindsight, its surprising that, up to the deadline for him to withdraw his troops from Poland, not everyone was convinced that Hitler would actually provoke another war. Yet on Sept. 3, 1939, Tilly Rice wrote, I myself have felt all along that war would be possibly be averted at the last momentI havent felt swayed by the alternate waves of pessimism and optimism that affect those around me. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter Rice, who would have to evacuate her home in Surrey for Cornwall, wrote again after Prime Minister Neville Chamberlains radio announcement announcing that Britain was at war. She wrote that the national anthem followed Chamberlain, and her family all sat in silence before retreating to their own rooms, no doubt stunned at the news. Ellen Porter, an evacuation officer based in London, wrote about an air-raid siren that sounded over the capital the day of the declaration: I go to the basement, where I have previously been working with four others. Some of us try on our gas masks and adjust strapsWe sit there keeping perhaps rather self-consciously calm and cheerful. Despite the initial efforts to prepare Britain for attack, the period until spring of 1940 has become known as the Phoney War because little seemed to happen before Hitlers blitzkrieg across Europe. It is no surprise then that the diarists spend time detailing domestic matters. We learn about the rules and regulations forcing people to carry their gas masks with them everywhereand how many adults began to leave them behind when the feared Luftwaffe bombers didnt immediately appear. Some diarists wrote about the difficulties of making their way in the dark of the blackout, a ban on all light pollution to try to deter those elusive air raids. Christopher Tomlin, a paper salesman from Lancashire, wrote about the short-lived attempt by the government to shut down movie theaters at the beginning of the war. BOREDOM! he wrote in all capitals. (This is the same man who, on April 8, 1940, wrote Hooray, the war begins at last! about the British navys attempts to push back German ships off the coast of Norway.) Taken together, the Mass Observation diaries give a good sense of the pendulum of public opinion. If one were to delve into the archive, held by the University of Sussex, it would be possible to track the fortunes of Britain throughout the war. When Germany launched the months-long bombing campaign on London and other cities that would be known as the Blitz, in 1940 and 1941, a freelance writer from Slough named Maggie Joy Blunt wrote, Raids on London every night. Homes destroyed, death to hundreds. The city in flames. Yet she added, There is something in the Britisher when his life, his heritage or whatever is threatened which refuses to be beaten, or perhaps its the refusal to accept the idea of defeat. It was this attitude that carried people through six long years of war until Victory in Europeor V-EDay on May 8, 1945. With the war officially over, one diarist recorded seeing signs in shop windows advertising goods like batteries that had become particularly hard to come by during the war, and the ration on petrol began to ease. However, some like George Taylor, an accountant in Sheffield, remained skeptical. On May 9, 1945, one day after the war officially ended, he took down his blackout curtains and packed them away in the loft ready for the next war. If we do leave this house before then, they will go along with the fixtures, Taylor wrote. I hope, however, that we shall be able to forget their existence. Julia Kelly is the author of the novel The Whispers of War, available now from Gallery Books. National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo has appealed to the federal and state governments as well as other institutions to stop clampdown on journalists while discharging their duties. He also urged them to ensure speedy release of all the journalists in their custody. Comrade Chris made the appeal yesterday when he led a delegation of National, Zonal and State officials of the NUJ on a courtesy call on the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur at the Government House Maiduguri, said , I want to appreciate the good working relationship between the Borno state government and working journalists in the state. I want to call on the federal and other state governments to emulate Borno Democracy cannot thrive without press freedom. NUJ will not tolerate clamp down on its members by security agencies like the detention of our colleagues in Cross river, Imo and other places. I want to appeal to the Federal and state governments to release all journalists in their detention , Isiguzo said. He commended Borno State Government for its developmental strides despite the insurgency, saying, we appreciate the Borno State government for massive investment on education through Mega schools, state University, as well as road network and housing reconstruction." " There is no better investment than investing on education and the future of the state. Borno is one of the best states in Nigeria in terms of investing on education,Chris said. He said , I am in Borno to visit my members . I have been moving from council to council and chapel to chapel. I commend the working journalists in the state for good reportage and professionalism.". Responding, the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur said , the Borno state government has been enjoying good working relationship with the working journalists in the state. Despite the insurgency, journalists in Borno State are doing their Job professionally and with responsibility. We are proud of them. If I am to score them, I will give them a higher grade and that is why the state government has been relating and supoortting the media in the state, Kadafur said.. He also called on the media to sensitize the general public on the counter insergrncy fight and rebuilding process of the government and the need for the youths to key into the state government youths empowerment and job creation policies. The NUJ President also visited the University of Maiduguri, Correspondents' Chapel Office, FRCN, Peace FM station, BRTV Chapel and NTA Chapel among other places within the state capital and interacted with the members. American model Taylor Hill attends a Boohoo tea party at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, US. Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images for Boohoo.com Online fashion group Boohoo (BOO.L) has overtaken the value of high street stalwart Marks & Spencer (MKS.L), yet another sign of the symbolic changing of the guard in retail. Shares in Boohoo rose 5% on Tuesday after the company said it didnt suffer a Christmas slowdown experienced by rivals and upgraded sales forecasts. The share price rise means Boohoo was worth just shy of 3.9bn by Tuesday lunchtime. Marks & Spencer, meanwhile, was valued at 3.7bn. The British favourite lost 10% of its value last week after reporting disappointing Christmas sales performance. Boohoo and Marks & Spencer's contrasting share price action over the last four trading sessions. Photo: Yahoo Finance UK Boohoos rise and Marks & Spencers fall highlights the seismic changes in retail over the last two decades. Marks & Spencer, founded in 1884, is one of Britains most iconic retailers but has struggled to adapt to changing tastes and shopping habits over the last decade. Boohoo, meanwhile, was only founded in 2006 but has ridden a wave of online shopping and fast fashion that has propelled it into becoming one of the fastest-growing British companies on the stock market. Boohoo said Tuesday sales jumped 44% in the four months to 31 December, rising to 473.7m ($614m). Revenue rose across all brands and geographies. Boohoo targets millennials and Gen Z shoppers under its Boohoo, Nasty Gal, and PrettyLittleThing brands, and last year acquired Karen Millen and Coast as part of a push to target an older market. I am delighted to report the group has enjoyed record trading in the last four months of 2019, chief executive John Lyttle said in a statement. All of our brands have performed exceptionally well and delivered strong market share gains. Struggling to adapt: An exterior view of Marks & Spencer in central London. Photo: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Sales rose by 44% in the 10 months to 31 December and Boohoo said full-year sales growth was now expected to be between 40% and 42%. Investors had previously been told to expect growth of 33% to 38%. The retailer said earnings margins could also come in slightly better than expected. This is another excellent trading quarter for the company, Greg Lawless and Clive Black, retail analysts at Shore Capital, wrote in an investment note Tuesday morning. All the brands continue to develop at pace. The Groups marketing campaigns continue to clearly resonate with young customers as they fully utilise social media and other mediums. Boohoos strong Christmas performance stands in contrast to challenges faced by other retailers over the crucial festive period. Superdry (SDRY.L) and Joules (JOUL.L) both issued profit warnings last week and department store John Lewis said it may have to cut staff bonuses for the first time since 1953 after poor Christmas trading. A long-awaited report into allegations of Russian interference in British democracy will be published 'in weeks', Boris Johnson announced today. But the Prime Minister insisted 'people will be disappointed' when they read the document as he suggested its findings are mundane. The government's apparent refusal to publish the report dominated much of the 2019 general election campaign. Mr Johnson was repeatedly accused by his political opponents of sitting on the report and preventing it from being released in the run up to polling day on December 12. The report is the result of an 18 month investigation conducted by parliament's cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee. Mr Johnson was asked about the report during an appearance on the BBC Breakfast programme this morning and he replied: 'It will be published in weeks. Boris Johnson told BBC Breakfast a report into alleged Russian interference in UK democracy will be published 'in weeks' 'I happened to have read it. After all that clamour in the election campaign, I think people will be disappointed.' The decision not to publish the report on potential Russian meddling was repeatedly raised during the election campaign. But at the time the PM dismissed the claim that it had been deliberately held back to avoid embarrassment. He said: 'There is absolutely no evidence that I know of to show any interference in any British electoral event.' He continued: 'And the reason I won't [publish it now] is I see no reason, or if I decided not to ages ago, is because I see no reason to interfere with the normal timetable... just because an election is going on.' Mr Johnson said the idea that Russia had interfered in previous democratic events in the UK was 'complete Bermuda Triangle stuff'. He added: 'As is the suggestion that the referendum... was somehow false, not fair, wrong and should now be cancelled.' The chairman of the ISC Dominic Grieve claimed the report was sent to the PM for approval on October 17. Ministers have always insisted that the apparent delay in publication is just down to normal processes being followed. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Popular anger swelled Monday in Iran over the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian jetliner and the government's attempt to conceal its role in the tragedy, as online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. Iranians, already suffering under crippling U.S. sanctions, expressed shock and outrage over the plane crash that killed scores of young people. They also decried the misleading statements from top officials, who only admitted responsibility three days later in the face of mounting evidence. The country began last week engulfed in mourning after a U.S. drone strike killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led Iran's regional military interventions. Then on Jan. 8, it responded with a ballistic missile attack on two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq, although there were no casualties. Hours after that barrage, as it braced for a U.S. counterattack that never came, Iranian forces accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines jetliner, killing all 176 people aboard shortly after it took off from Tehran for Kyiv. For a growing number of critics from ordinary citizens to notable athletes and artists the events have revealed a government that is incapable of following through on its incendiary rhetoric and willing to mislead its own people about a national tragedy in order to avoid embarrassment. Those sentiments first boiled over late Saturday, shortly after the Revolutionary Guard admitted to shooting the plane down by mistake. A candlelight vigil at a university rapidly turned into an anti-government demonstration. "They are lying that our enemy is America! Our enemy is right here!" students shouted. On Sunday night, protesters massed in Tehran's Azadi, or Freedom, Square. Videos sent to the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran and later verified by The Associated Press show a crowd of demonstrators near Azadi Square fleeing as a tear gas canister lands among them. People cough and sputter while trying to escape the fumes, with one woman calling out in Farsi: "They fired tear gas at people! Azadi Square! Death to the dictator!" Another video shows a woman being carried away in the aftermath of the violence, a trail of blood visible on the ground. Those around her cry out that she has been shot in the leg. "Oh my God, she's bleeding nonstop!" one person shouts. Another shouts: "Bandage it!" Photos and video after the incident show pools of blood on the sidewalk. Tehran's police chief, Gen. Hossein Rahimi, later denied that his officers opened fire. "Police treated people who had gathered with patience and tolerance," Iranian media quoted Rahimi as saying. "Police did not shoot in the gatherings since broad-mindedness and restraint has been the agenda of the police forces of the capital." The semi-official Fars news agency reported that police had "shot tear gas in some areas." Fars, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard, carried videos purportedly shot Sunday night showing demonstrators chanting: "We are children of war. Fight with us, we will fight back." Another Fars video showed demonstrators in Tehran tearing down a poster of Soleimani. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. On Sunday, authorities deployed forces across Tehran police, members of the Revolutionary Guard on motorcycles and plainclothes security men. The heavy security presence continued into Monday, when protests were largely confined to universities and there were no reports of clashes. President Donald Trump has openly encouraged the demonstrators, even tweeting messages of support in Farsi and warning the government not to fire on them. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted that "we are following the protests in Tehran very attentively," adding that Iranians "have a right to free expression without repression and persecution." But earlier, larger waves of protests going back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution have been crushed by security forces. Amnesty International says more than 300 people were killed in November during days of protests sparked by an increase in gasoline prices. Most of the people aboard the Ukraine International Airlines jet were Iranians and Iranian-Canadians. For three days, Iranian officials ruled out any attack on the plane, suggesting the crash of Flight 752 was caused by a technical failure. Only on Saturday did authorities acknowledge shooting it down, as evidence mounted and after Western leaders accused Iran of culpability. Several activists in Ukraine rallied in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kyiv on Monday, expressing solidarity with protesters and condemning Iran's "dictatorship." The European Union's aviation agency has since advised carriers against overflight of Iran "at all altitudes" until further notice. Several airlines have already canceled flights to and from Iran and rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace. Ali Rabiei, a government spokesman, insisted Iran's civilian officials learned only on Friday that the Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane. The Guard answers directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The point is that we did not lie," Rabiei said. He went on to blame the U.S. for "spreading the shadow of war over Iran." Ebrahim Raisi, the head of Iran's judiciary, issued a warning to protesters, saying "the agents of America and agents of foreign countries" want to use anger over Flight 752 to "compromise" Iran's security. Iran often blames anti-government protests on foreign conspiracies. Photo: Flickr: George Hagan A Kansas man has asked an Iowa judge to let him engage in a sword fight with his ex-wife and her attorney so that he can rend their souls from their bodies. David Ostrom, 40, of Paola, Kansas, said in a Jan. 3 court filing that his former wife, Bridgette Ostrom, 38, of Harlan, Iowa, and her attorney, Matthew Hudson, had destroyed (him) legally. The Ostroms have been embroiled in disputes over custody and visitation issues and property tax payments. The judge had the power to let the parties resolve our disputes on the field of battle, legally," David Ostrom said, adding in his filing that trial by combat "has never been explicitly banned or restricted as a right in these United States." He also asked the judge for 12 weeks' time so he could secure Japanese samurai swords. His motion filed in Shelby County District Court stemmed from his frustrations with his ex-wife's attorney, Ostrom told The Des Moines Register. "I think I've met Mr. Hudson's absurdity with my own absurdity," Ostrom said, adding that his former wife could choose Hudson to act as her champion. Hudson argued in his legal response that because a duel could end in death, "such ramifications likely outweigh those of property tax and custody issues." Hudson asked the judge to reject the request for trial by combat. Judge Craig Dreismeier said in his own filing Monday that he won't be issuing a decisions anytime soon, citing irregularities with both sides' motions and responses. Until the proper procedural steps to initiate a court proceeding are followed, this court will take no further action concerning any motion, objection or petition filed by either party at this time, the judge said. Photo: Unsplash Hiring for registered nurses in Fresno is going strong. Employers in the industry posted 32 new jobs over the past week, and 388 in the last month, more than for any other job category in the area, according to ZipRecruiter, a leading online employment marketplace. Local registered nurse also came in sixth in terms of local employers adding new jobs by occupation. In the past month, 14 companies listed open jobs for Fresno-based workers in the industry. Top companies seeking local registered nurses include Nomad Health, One Staff Medical and HC Solutions Group, which "specializes in the recruitment and permanent placement of professionals in the health care industry," according to a recent job listing posted by the company. This story was created automatically using local jobs data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The year 2020 is all about a new awakening, at least that's what the stars have in store for us. And since we are all concerned about love, our careers, and money, we decided to let you in on what the planets have in store for every sign in the Zodiac. Scroll below to find out: 1. Aries. Career and money: Your struggle in the professional realm and in money matters has been quite real past few years because Pluto and Saturn were dominating your career zone immensely. But 2020 brings great news as Jupiter, the planet of good luck and fortune will influence your horoscope, making your work-life lit. The money will be erratic so start building financial back-up plans asap. Love: You will be giving priority to deeper connections, Aries. If you're single, you will be attracted to people who intend to reveal their real and honest self to you. If you are in a relationship, be prepared for lower romantic energy around May 13 to June 25, as love ruling Venus goes retrograde into Gemini. You will be ready to celebrate love around July 23 when singles will meet interesting people and those with their partners will fall in love deeper. During the end of the year, as Mars shifts houses, you will be reaching out to old flames, so be careful who you bring back into your life. 2. Taurus. Career and money: Listen up Taurus, things could really change for you on the professional front. This is because the creative and innovative Uranus is making a rare circuit that happens every 80 years through Taurus from March 6 to April 2026, making it hard to stick to a 9-5 desk job. Now is the best time to be seeking out your entrepreneurial side as success will back all your decisions. Love: Taurus, in 2020 you are all about being responsible and getting things done, so naturally, you will find yourself getting attracted to those who are responsible and have their life in order. Pluto, the love-ruling planet spends 2020 in Capricorn, nudging you to spend quality time with people who have mastered the art of stability. If you are in a relationship, you may consider taking things to the next level. This could mean you would want to move in together or through marriage focus on building a future together. 3. Gemini. Career and money: 2020 is the year you should make bolder money moves, Gemini. Now that you have saved up and worked for years, it's time to put that hard-earned cash to good use. earn about investing, talk to people and get to know more innovative ways of spending money that promise greater returns, like buying property. Love: Get over twinning in 2020, Gemini. This year instead of sticking to your usual dating preferences focus on spending time with those potential partners who are complete opposites. Because nobody wants to date someone who is exactly like themselves. Coupled gems need to focus on renewing the love in their relationships by planning romantic getaways, dinner dates or more innovative ways of spending one-on-one time with your lover. 4. Cancer. Career and money: You will be insanely forthcoming on the professional front for quite a while this year, Cancer. All the way from now until the end of June 2020. This is because of Mars, the planet of passion will be residing in your career zone. Now is a good time to start working on projects, pitches or seeking new jobs as you will literally be given what you are brave enough to ask for. But remember, Mars, brings with it certain aggressive energies so ensure that you avoid any arguments n the workplace as they won't end well. Also, remember to back down if people don't listen to you. They'll get around. Love: 2020 will be a hell-lot lighter for single crabs. You are ready to put your playful and kind spirit out there which will automatically get a lot of people interested. Your ease and ability to build bonds will help you relate to others effortlessly. Don't run behind defining a relationship before May 10 as that's when you will be seeking your sold feet into the ground. This year, you will be attracted to those who are making the world a better place. So if you meet a lot of those, embrace them. 5. Leo. Career and money: Ambition with a cause is central to your career ambitions in 2020, Leo. Uranus is all set to enter your career zone for seven years on March 6th. While there will a few professional ups and downs if you stay true to your work ethic and are ready to put in the hard work, you'll be great. Out of the blue, you might be offered a leadership position that you might feel you are not prepared for. But worry not, take it up as you will be learning on the job. Love: This year Leo's you should focus on learning to readjust your ideas of romance. You make people feel safe and comfortable and that's why you become quite in demand on the dating scene, especially for those seeking comfort and love. If you are single, you might be attracted to someone who motivates you to seek your spiritual side. For partnered Leo's, you need to let your partner step up and support their inner transformation. 6. Virgo. Career and money: Your creativity is out of control, thanks to Jupiters synergies. Since the luck planet will be on your side from December 2019, you have the chance to turn your fabulous ideas into a lot of money. However, after May as Venus will retrograde in your professional sphere, it's advised to not take up any new jobs. During this time you must clear any debts as Mars brings money matters forward. Love: This year you are ready to say goodbye to drama and find yourself building an appetite for a mature and stable relationship. Coupled Virgos can prepare themselves for the next big step that could mean a live-in relationship first and marriage later. With Jupiter occupying your domestic-zone, investments ade as a couple or pair could prove to be insanely powerful and successful, at the same time. 7. Libra. Career and money: You can and shall have it all in 2020, Libra as you will be deeply inspired to turn your dreams into reality. Whatever you seek, you will get provided you are ready to work away for it. By the summer, you will be assembling your dream team or being part of one as your passion can only be fulfilled when individuals as amazing and dedicated as you come together. 2020 allows you to mix your passion with what you love, so step up and go rule the world. Love: In 2020, it's quite possible that an ex-partner might resurface and occupy a prominent position in your life when you least expect it. This year you are encouraged to be wise when taking the call of whether seeking someone new and dating them or running back to the comforts only an ex-lover can provide. 8. Scorpio. Career and Money: The planets are creating one of your most driven years, Scorpio. They are pushing you towards new heights of ambition and it's high time you start working to support what the planets have planned for you. You need to establish strict discipline to guard yourself against the retrograde that will be in your house from September through November. Love: We need to call for an intervention in 2020, Scorpio. Especially your prevailing thoughts about love and sex. This means refreshed thoughts on how you plan to get a hold of your desire because you have shown time and again that you are your own worst enemy in the love department. Start trusting yourself and the universe and you will get the perfect lover and relationship. 9. Sagittarius. Career and money: After an expensive and lavish 2019, Sagittarius, it's time to focus on building your empire and saving your cash. Opt-in for more nights in the office, working, instead of jetting for those vacations. Trust us and become a conservative for this year at least. Love: 2020 promises to be quite a sexy year for you, Sagittarius. Starting in early July, Mars is all set to move into your romance house, where he will make you appear extremely irresistible. So get ready to receive a lot of attention. But amidst all of that, remember to stay humble because 2020 will end and we don't want karma to haunt us down later. 10. Capricorn. Career and money: Your five-year financial plan needs a review and an update, as Jupiter will bring forward your more extravagant side. So start saving up and become more careful with your money. Be aware, you have been warned in advance. Love: This year, self-care isn't just a priority for you Capricorn but a need of the hour. You are advised by the planets to fall in love with yourself before you want to love and get loved back in return. Whether you are single or committed, loving yourself is paramount. 11. Aquarius. Career and money: The stars will compel you to live your most extraordinary professional life ever. This also means no more outdated or mediocre approaches to your work and career will sustain. Think out of the box, unleash your creative energy and set out to fulfill your dreams. The universe is on your side. Love: Communication is integral to any relationship and that's where you need to build your skills in 2020. If you don't communicate your feelings and desires, you will never get a new relationship off the ground or even sustain a current one. Learning to be assertive and speaking your mind in a manner that is understood perfectly by your partner is the key to a sound and stable love life, this year. 12. Pisces. Career and money: Jupiter advances all the fame and fortune to your dreams and long-term goals all year long. And naturally, the opportunities are endless, Pisces. So make greater use of them. Love: You are one of the most romantic signs of the zodiac but you need to learn an important love lesson: in order to love another, you need to learn to love yourself first. Stop settling for relationships that don't feed your soul. You need to make wise love decisions and invest in someone who makes this world a better place for you, your mind and your body. Set up something permanent, these flings aren't doing you or them any good. All creatives have been designed by Sahil Kedia for Indiatimes. Kevin Foley In 1983, I was an account supervisor in Burson-Marstellers Los Angeles office, having transferred there from New York a year earlier. One afternoon, I learned Harold Burson would be visiting the next day. We had a particularly difficult client we were working with at the time, one with a tough story to tell. I was asked to set up a meeting so Harold could discuss the issues wed encountered. I was thrilled. Id met Harold in New York and spoken to him there on several occasions, but this was entirely new, so I called the client and asked if I could bring him over the next day. As you might imagine, the client was surprised and pleased that a legend in the PR industry would take time out of his busy schedule to discuss the account. I was at the office bright and early the next morning and it was a good thing, too, because thats when Harold showed up. The general manager took him around the office to meet our PR team and our counterparts on the advertising side. Then it was off to meet the client. As we drove to Burbank, Harold was full of questions about my time in Los Angeles, how my accounts were faring, and what was up with the client we were meeting. I explained it was a group of PR executives representing various television studios engaged in a financial tussle with the networks. Hearing Harold would be there, the group enthusiastically greeted him when we arrived and we discussed the communications challenges wed encountered representing the studios. I learned that day Harold was a great listener. Rather than think of responses to what he was hearing, Harold absorbed what the clients had to say, nodded and listened some more. Toward the end of the meeting he made several cogent suggestions, told the clients he would huddle with our team back at the office and I would come back with new recommendations. We stopped for lunch on the way back to the office and Harold offered insights that had never occurred to me about the clients and their pain points. I took notes as we ate and thanked him for his thoughts and ideas. That was Harold Burson. He had time for somebody like me, a lowly account supervisor stationed in one of the firms outposts. I know many of my B-M colleagues had similar experiences with Harold. I left the agency a year later to join Ketchum in Chicago, but never forgot this kind man of good humor, integrity and wisdom who meant so much to so many of us as a mentor and friend. Harold will be missed. *** Kevin Foley owns KEF Media in Atlanta. Reporting from that festival for The Times, Larry Rohter said the film was received so warmly that some enthusiastic French critics have already begun talking about Mr. Lee as a black Woody Allen, perhaps because of his sense of humor and his loving treatment of New York City. Do The Right Thing appeared in the festivals main competition in 1989, and many critics felt it should have won the Palme dOr, the festivals top prize. (In 2017, Lee told the audience at a charity gala in Cannes that he hadbeen robbed when the prize was given instead to Steven Soderbergh for Sex, Lies and Videotape.) Lee has returned to Cannes many times since then, but he has never won the Palme dOr. He came closest in 2018, when his film BlacKkKlansman based on the real story of a black detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s won the Grand Prix, the festivals second-highest honor. BlacKkKlansman was widely seen as a comeback for Lee. The director made headlines at the festival not just for the movie, but for a furious, expletive-filled news conference in which he criticized President Trump and accused him of stoking racial tensions in the United States. To me the Cannes Film Festival (besides being the most important film festival in the world no disrespect to anybody) has had a great impact on my film career, Lee said in his statement. You could easily say Cannes changed the trajectory of who I became in world cinema. The front-runner for the Ontario Liberal leadership says patients would be treated better if his party topples Premier Doug Fords Progressive Conservatives in the 2022 election. Steven Del Duca, a former minister in premier Kathleen Wynnes government, promised to introduce a patients bill of rights should the Liberals take power again in two years. Its time to give patients the power, said Del Duca, adding a bill of rights would guarantee timely access to a health-care practitioner for all Ontarians, timely access to emergency care, timely access to specialist care, access to mental health and addictions care, access to your own medical records and more. We have a shortage of front-line workers, its imperative we implement the right funding priorities to truly impact health outcomes, he said. We need truly integrated care that puts patients at the centre. Doug Fords solutions to health-care has been slogans. There is no plan to better quality of care in Ontario from the Progressive Conservatives. The Liberals will choose their next leader at a delegated convention in Mississauga on March 7. Delegate selection votes will be held Feb. 8-9 in ridings across the province. Some 2,500 delegates will be eligible to cast ballots for the new leader. The Liberals had governed Ontario for almost 15 years until Fords Tories won a landslide in 2018, reducing the Grits to a tiny rump without official status in the legislature. Despite that, recent public opinion polls show them in a statistical tie with the governing party and ahead of the NDP, who are the official opposition. Also in the running are: Liberal MPPs Michael Coteau and Mitzie Hunter, who are both former Wynne ministers; ex-candidates Kate Graham and Alvin Tedjo; and Ottawa lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth. Del Duca said he would appoint a new patient ombudsman for the province, reviving a post that has been moribund for almost two years. Health Minister Christine Elliott served as Wynnes patient ombudsman before stepping down to return to electoral politics in early 2018. Even though Elliott has been in charge of the health ministry since June 2018, her former job has sat vacant. The Liberal leadership hopeful said such an ombudsman would work with a once again independent Health Quality Ontario to ensure that patients rights in the bill are being guaranteed. As well, Del Duca would work with the public and private sector on computer and phone apps to enable more timely access to health services and improve existing digital portals. A Liberal administration would make it easier for people to access their personal health records digitally, so all you need is a password and an internet connection. Your health records would travel with you when you transition from one care setting to another, said Del Duca. His bill of rights would ensure that patients get access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner within 24 to 48 hours regardless of where they live in Ontario as well as guarantee timely treatment in emergency rooms. Finally, there would be wait-time guarantees for seeing a specialist and getting surgery. Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Human remains were found inside a vacant apartment by Fairbanks police officers searching for a missing person. Officers on Sunday night searched for a person reported missing last week, the department said in a press released. Officers drove to an apartment complex in an east Fairbanks neighbourhood and were given consent to search an empty apartment. They found a body inside. The body could not immediately be identified. The remains were to be sent to the state medical examiners office in Anchorage for identification. The military has failed to meet deadlines set by Congress for rulings on veterans' requests to correct records blocking them from receiving benefits, according to a federal class-action lawsuit filed last month. The suit brought by the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) charges that delays in processing the requests by the Boards for Correction of Military Records of the service branches amount to a denial of the due process rights of thousands of veterans. In an interview and in statements, Bart Stichman, executive director of NVLSP, said that rulings on "lifetime benefits" for disability and retirement are at stake in the lawsuit, which names Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett and acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly as defendants. "Veterans who seek a correction of an erroneous less-than-honorable discharge or a wrongful denial of disability retirement benefits are paying a high price for the ongoing delays at the Correction Boards," he said. Related: VA Plans to Resolve all 'Legacy Appeals' by the End of 2022 The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 16, seeks to compel the "timely final decisions" of the Corrections Boards and gives the defendants until mid-February to respond, Stichman said. Congress in 1998 set deadlines of 10 months for decisions from the Corrections Boards on 90% of existing requests for review, and 18 months for the remaining 10%, but the boards have routinely blown past the deadlines, the suit charges. At a 2018 hearing of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, service representatives acknowledged the backlogs but said they couldn't clear them up without additional resources. John A. Fedrigo, director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency, testified that Air Force Corrections Boards were reviewing only about 2% of the 15,000 applications received annually within the 10-month deadline. Robert Woods, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, testified at the 2018 hearing that his service received about 12,000 requests for review annually but was adjudicating only 68% of them within the 18-month deadline. The suit was filed on behalf of Walter Calhoun of Georgia, an honorably discharged Army veteran, and unidentified veteran "John Doe" of Kansas, also an honorably discharged Army veteran who served in the military police in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star. After leaving the service, Calhoun applied for Combat-Related Special Compensation due to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and headache disorder associated with PTSD, as well as right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis. His requests were denied. In 2016, Calhoun made a final request to the Army and has been waiting nearly 36 months, or twice the 18-month deadline, for an answer, according to the suit. Doe experienced PTSD symptoms that led to his medical separation from the Army, which denied him disability retirement benefits, according to the suit. In July 2017, Doe requested a correction of his records to enable him to collect disability but has yet to receive a ruling from the Army Corrections Board, the suit states. Stichman said the class-action suit represents a mix of veterans either requesting upgrades of discharges to entitle them to benefits or requests from honorably discharged veterans for corrections to their records. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Read more: Pensacola Shooter Visited 9/11 Memorial Before Rampage, US Attorney General Says Pointy helps consumers find out what products are in stock in stores near them. Photo: Pointy Google (GOOG) on Tuesday announced that it is acquiring Pointy, an Irish start-up that helps local retailers compete with Amazon (AMZN), for an undisclosed sum. The company was valued at more than $80m (60.8m) following its most recent funding round in July 2018, and sold for a higher sum, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the acquisition price. Pointys device allows consumers to see what products are available in stores near them, and is used by thousands of independent retailers across the world. Google has long been committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive in the online world, said Googles Peter Chane on Tuesday, noting that displaying inventory information was one of the challenges faced by small merchants. READ MORE: How an Irish startup is helping local retailers tackle Amazon Today, were excited to share that weve entered into an agreement to acquire Pointy, a company based in Dublin, Ireland that has helped thousands of local retailers bring their product inventory online. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the coming weeks, he said. Frontline Ventures, a Dublin-based venture capital firm, was the earliest investor in the start-up, which was founded by CEO Mark Cummins and Charles Bibby. The start-up has raised more than $18m in total since it was founded, including from other firms such as Polaris Partners and Vulcan Ventures. A series of angel investors, including Wordpress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and former Irish rugby player Jamie Heaslip, also invested in the company. Retailers plug Pointys device, which costs $899 in the US, into their existing point-of-sale system. Pointy automatically creates a website for retailers that lists all of the products that they sell. This ensures that search results for local retailers are shown alongside those from e-commerce giants like Amazon. Story continues We felt that it was crazy that you could find basically nearly any product online, but more often than not you wouldnt know whats in a store down the road from you, co-founder Charles Bibby told Yahoo Finance in 2018. Other solutions typically centre around helping retailers actually sell goods online. But the reality of selling stuff online is that it can actually be pretty tough, and brick-and-mortar retailers more often than not dont have the resources or time to do that properly, Bibby said. READ MORE: The start-up helping local retailers tackle Amazon is now in 1% of US stores The simplest idea in our eyes was to get them found online for the product searches but then to drive that consumer into the local store. The service works with point-of-sale systems from new operators such as Clover and Square, and Pointy also supports several other systems. The company said in 2018 that it hoped to be in 6% of US retailers by the end of 2019, and noted it had consistently seen month-on-month growth of 15%. But Pointy announced in September 2019 that, while it had reached 10% of retailers within certain sectors, it was only in around 1% of US stores overall. This is the second company that Cummins, the CEO, has sold to Google, following the 2010 acquisition of his visual search engine, Plink, by the tech giant. A WSWS reporting team visited the town of Kinglake, 50 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, Victoria, last Thursday, to speak with residents about their experiences since the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. On February 7, 2009, a devastating fire swept through the state of Victoria killing 173 people, including 23 children, incinerating 300,000 hectares and destroying more than two thousand homes. Kinglake was among the worst impacted towns. Belle Belle, a mother of two young children who is currently unemployed, had moved to Kinglake in 2001 from Warrandyte, in Melbournes outer east, because she could not afford soaring rental prices in the city. Her youngest son, who was 12-years-old at the time, lost eight friends in the fire. We lost his swimming teacher, girls at the supermarket, horse-riding teachers, scoutsleaders and kids, Belle said. Belles own house was not destroyed in the fire, which meant she was able to open up her home to seven families who lived in her backyard for two months after the fire. We got some caravans and things brought uphelp and assistance for everyone, she said. Its scary now seeing other people having to experience it in the ongoing bushfires across the country, she stated, and its hard because it brings back our own post-traumatic stress disorder. As in 2009, the bushfires that began last December have laid bare the indifference, contempt and hostility of the political establishment and the ruling class towards ordinary people, both in its failure to prepare for the fires and in its policies toward the victims. More than 2,100 homes have been destroyed. The majority of those made homeless are either uninsured or underinsured. They will either be unable to rebuild their homes or will be saddled with debt for years or decades to come. Ten years after the fires in Kinglake, Belle explained, insufficient government support has meant that many people have still been unable to rebuild their homes. Belle explained: Its left to people to say; well, we can build half a house, because we cant build a whole one. Thats why a lot of people are living in sheds. She added that a lot of us cant work because we are so traumatized from the fire. While the government initially provided access to mental health programs, they were cut off after six months. For many people, particularly mothers who lost children, it has taken years for mental health issues to emerge. People need support, Belle said. You cant focus on anything. And you feel bad if youve survived, you feel bad if youve got a home. State governments use the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) as a measure of a buildings potential exposure to fire. In 2009, Belles house had a BAL of 12.5, which is low. Since then, she said, because of adjacent council-owned bush that has continued to grow, her BAL has risen to 29. A higher BAL score means that residents must build to a higher standard, involving higher costs for materials, with little-to-no government assistance. Belle said that she would have to spend an additional $100,000 to make necessary changes to reduce the fire risk to her property. The 2009 fire in Kinglake started due to poorly maintained above-ground powerlines, privately owned by SP AusNet, now AusNet Services. Belle said she had received $25,000 in compensation for property damage, and $123,000 to compensate for the future impacts of the fire. A portion of this, however, was taxed by the government, and Centrelink [the government social security provider] took twenty-something thousand dollars from my payout because they had paid me between the fires and the compensation payout. That money is meant to be for our future. Thats meant to be for us to rebuild and create something for our future. Its a group of people, its the corpus, the group of people at the higher end of society, hanging out at the [government] lodge, who make these decisions, Belle said. Scott Morrison is the fall guy. I dont like how they dont speak for us. They speak for that tiny, little percentile and then tell us its what we want. Mick Mick moved to Kinglake in 2014, buying a 5.5 acre farm where he now grows fruits and vegetables. He said of the current fires that the government should think, not when something happens, but before it is happening. Now it is too late! Whos going to stop these fires? Lives are lost. Thousands of houses destroyed. Ive never heard of anything like this before in my life. And who knows how far we can go like this. He said the recent drought has been a worrying sign and that the government should have been more prepared. They knew the fire season would start soon and everything is dry. Its one thing to lose billions of dollars, but how many lives? One life is worth more than anything. I dont care which party they are fromLabor, Liberal, whateverthese politicians only look after their pockets. Dave Dave, from the Melbourne suburb of Diamond Creek, 23 kilometres northeast of the city, said he has been riding his bike through the Kinglake area for decades. Coming up here since Black Saturday, he said nobody has learned a thingespecially the government. Its all money and economics. It loses me, Im speechless. We went through all of this. I lost mates. He added that governments need to do more to get rid of the fuel thats on the ground. You dont have to get rid of it all, but the stuff thats going to go up in flames, especially in conditions like this. But nothing gets done, they just talk and take your money. The politicians dont care. All theyre worried about is getting in at the next election. We come last. We are the people they are supposed to be governing for, but they let us burn. And then there are arguments about whose fault it is. Just look after the country for us. Democratic legislative leaders, who have a veto-proof majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, have vowed to pass the overhaul and promised no traditional taxes increases to pay for it. But they so far have not presented a comprehensive plan to pay the tab in the long term. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), speaks on the Senate floor, at the Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 19, 2019. (Senate TV via AP) McConnell Voices Opposition to War Powers Resolution Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he opposes the war powers resolution that was introduced into the Senate by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) earlier this month. I expect the Senate will soon debate Senator Kaines war powers resolution. McConnell said from Senate floor in Washington on Monday. Ill strongly oppose the resolution and I would urge all our colleagues to consider what message the Senate should send to Iran and the world. For years now, I have wanted the Senate to on the record about military presence in Syria and Iraq. Im glad my Democratic colleagues will finally be interested in having that discussion rather than ducking it, McConnell continued. I dont believe the blunt instrument of the war powers resolution is an acceptable substitute for the studied oversight the Senate can exercise through hearings, resolutions, and more tailored legislation. So I will strongly oppose the resolution, and I would urge all our colleagues to consider what message the Senate should send to Iran and the world at the very moment that Americas actions are challenging the calculus in Tehran for the better. We appear to have restored a measure of deterrence in the Middle East, so lets not screw it up. McConnell has praised the President Donald Trump-ordered air strike of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was responsible for killing of hundreds of Americans. McConnell called Soleimani Irans chief terrorist and said that thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to celebrate Soleimanis death, condemn the regimes domestic oppression, and call for regime change in Iran. President Donald Trump speaks about the situation with Iran in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington on Jan. 8, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) A man holds a picture of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Iranian Revolutionary Guards Major General Qassem Soleimani (L) during a demonstration in Tehran on Jan. 3, 2020. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images) McConnell said that its the Senates responsibility to weigh in on foreign policy but took issue with some of his colleagues, who have denounced practically every move that Trump has made, including the recent series of actions in the Middle East. He said his Democratic colleagues who praised President Barack Obamas intervention in Libya have criticized Trump for similar actions in Iraq. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) later took the floor, urging support for Kaines resolution. The Senate must not allow the president to proceed unchecked, he said, accusing Trumps foreign policy of being erratic. The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution, according to Kaine. It also requires any hostilities with Iran to be authorized by Congress, though it contains an exception for defending from an imminent attack. The non-binding resolution passed the House last week. Kaine said during a Sunday appearance on CBSs Face the Nation that evidence presented to lawmakers in classified briefings as rationale in taking out Soleimani was far short of imminent threat. A president can act unilaterally to stop- defend against an ongoing attack or an imminent threat. But if its more than that, its supposed to be for Congress, because Congress will have this debate in a way that the American public will be informed of the stakes. And then if we debate and vote at the end of the day then its fair to ask our men and women in uniform to risk their lives and health, Kaine said. But if were not willing to do that, or if the president tries to rush to war and escalate, then you run the risk of making mistakes that are just so fatal in their consequences you can hardly ever, you know, undo them. New Delhi: With a little over three weeks to go for the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday named candidates for all 70 seats in the national capital. The party has dropped 15 legislators and fielded 24 new faces to contest the February 8 Assembly polls. Besides replacing 15 sitting MLAs, the party has fielded new candidates for four seats held by the Opposition BJP and five seats that fell vacant after the AAP MLAs defected. The party, which won 67 of the 70 seats in the last Assembly polls, named Mr Kejriwal as its candidate from New Delhi, his deputy Manish Sisodia from Patparganj, ministers Satyendra Jain from Shakurbasti, Gopal Rai from Babarpur, Imran Hussain from Ballimaran, Rajinder Pal Gautam from Seemapuri and Kailash Gehlot from Najafgarh. Senior AAP leaders Atishi, Dilip Pandey and Raghav Chaddha, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, will fight the Assembly polls from Kalkaji, Timarpur and Rajender Nagar seats respectively. The party has also increased the number of women candidates from six to eight for the coming polls. Soon after the official announcement, which came on the day the Election Commission issued a notification for the Delhi polls, Mr Kejriwal tweeted: Best wishes to all. Dont be complacent. Work very hard. People have lot of faith in the AAP and you. God bless. The party also tweeted: We congratulate all candidates and wish them all the best to establish high levels of trust and integrity within their constituency. Even before the list was officially announced, Badarpur legislator N.D. Sharma, who was dropped, fired the first shot in the afternoon, accusing Mr Kejriwal of selling tickets and betraying voters. He was replaced by former Congress leader Ram Singh Netaji, who joined the AAP along with four others on Monday. Mr Singh has twice won the Assembly polls one as an independent candidate and once on the Bahujan Samaj party ticket. By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/01/13 On January 13th sources close to actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young confirmed that the celebrity couple had taken their children on vacation to Hawaii. More details were not forthcoming, but an online commenter has claimed to have seen the family on a flight on January 7th. Advertisement January 7th was the same day that threats were made against actor Joo Jin-mo regarding his hacked mobile phone. Images related to the hack were released online on the 10th. The timing of the vacation appears to be a coincidence, their current whereabouts is only a public issue because Jang Dong-gun is the celebrity aside from Joo Jin-mo who appears most frequently in the mobile phone leaks. Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young were married in May of 2010 and have two children - a son and a daughter. Released texts concerning Joo Jin-mo and Jang Dong-gun do not paint the two in an overly flattering light, but they provide no evidence that the two have done anything illegal. Neither have they been authenticated. Joo Jin-mo's agency is currently promising legal action against the hacker/leaker. Written by William Schwartz Meghan Markle didnt end up calling in to the royal family talks at Sandringham Estate on Monday, palace officials confirmed to multiplesources. Meghan, who flew back to Canada to be with her son, Archie, was reportedly going to dial in to the meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and Princes Charles, William and Harry, her husband. In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasnt necessary, Buckingham Palace officials said in a statement. Last Wednesday, Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing they were going to step back as senior members of the royal family. They also expressed their desire to become financially independent, divide their time between the U.K. and North America and rework their relationship with the media. Their initial announcement reportedly took the royal family by surprise, and Buckingham Palace put out a terse statement only a few hours later. Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage, the palace said in its Jan. 8 statement. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through. However, the queen released a statement of support for the couple shortly after Mondays talks ended. Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family, Her Majesty said. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family, she went on. Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018. (Chris Radburn / Reuters) The queen said there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK, and spoke of Meghan and Harrys desire to become financially independent. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and... Continue reading on HuffPost Punjab govt rejected Nawaz Sharif request of bail extension LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday (Jan 14) rejected the Nawazs request of bail extension, a day after, the picture of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs supreme leader, Nawaz Sharif, in which he along with some of his family members are enjoying tea at cafe in London, went viral on social media. The Punjab government has raised several objections to a medical report attached with an appeal of former premier Nawaz Sharif. Thereby, the government has opposed stay of Mr Sharif in London for medical treatment, and the home department has ordered the former premier to send his latest medical report. A medical board formed to consider the matter will then review the report and the decision to extend Mr Sharifs bail will be taken in accordance. It was declared by the IHC that unless the provincial government decides the matter while taking up the application, and Sharifs bail would remain intact until it is decided otherwise by the provincial authorities. According to the order of the court, Mr Sharif may apply for the extension of bail to the Punjab government. The court had directed Mr Sharif to apply to the Punjab government for further relief under Section 401(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrCP), 1898. Where is your hijab? Nigerians on the social media have teased Khadija Yusra, Emir Muhammadu Sanusis daughter and called out Muslim Ri... Where is your hijab? Nigerians on the social media have teased Khadija Yusra, Emir Muhammadu Sanusis daughter and called out Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) after a photograph emerged in which she is shown having a handshake with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Kano. In the photograph, the Emir appears to introduce his beautiful daughter to Osinbajo who was on a visit to Kano on Monday. She wears a simple scarf on her hair and she does not wear the hand socks, common with Muslim ladies, who want to avoid shaking mens hands. Why is the Revered daughter of the GREAT EMIR OF KANO holding so tightly to an infidel? On top of that, shes not wearing hijab to cover that sexy neck of hers. This is unacceptable MURIC where at thou?, shoots a Nigerian commenter on the social media platform, Nairaland. MURIC the emirs daughter is not putting on a hijab and she is shaking not just a man but a pastor is it not haram for a woman to shake a man in Islam. There is even sharia law in Kano state o This is unacceptable, another Nigerian identified as Vicdom, writes with a sting of sarcasm. That handshake is golden to her and any ELEHA(one in harem) will go any length to have it, writes yet another commenter, who shows some empathy to Khadijah. Khadija in 2018 graduated from the American University of France, with a degree in journalism and creative writing. She also bagged departmental honours in creative writing. Emir Sanusi was at the graduation ceremony. Khadija is no stranger to some public controversy. In 2015, she blasted blogger Linda Ikeji for publishing her photograph and accused her of violating her privacy. Cabinet member and disabilities minister Finian McGrath has announced he will not seek re-election. The Independent Alliance member released a statement this morning, following an announcement to Cabinet that the election will be held on Saturday, February 8. In a statement, he said: I wish to announce that I will not be standing in the forthcoming general election for the 33 Dail. I have given this matter careful consideration and believe this is the correct decision for my family and me. I am far from retiring and will remain involved in political activism, supporting disability issues. I hope to spend time encouraging some of the 13% of Ireland's population who have some form of disability to get involved in politics at a local or national level. Mr McGrath had said in recent days that he was 50/50 about whether to seek re-election. A strong advocate for people with disabilities and special needs, he argued at Cabinet for funding for the sector in recent years as a super-junior minister in the coalition. He was also a member of the Independent Alliance, the group led by Transport Minister Shane Ross. However, with a decision by junior OPW minister Kevin Boxer Moran to not campaign in the election under the alliance banner and with speculation that Waterford TD and junior minister John Halligan may not seek re-election, Mr Ross may be the only member of the alliance going into the 2020 general election campaign. Mr McGrath took the fifth seat in the Dublin Bay North constituency beating Labour's Aodhan O Riordain to the final seat. - Additional reporting Digital Desk In his Facebook post, Mandla district collector Jagdish Jatia has registered his opposition to CAA and National Register of Citizenship, inviting criticism from several quarters including Opposition BJP who described it as violation of Civil Service Rules. Bhopal: An IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre is likely to face disciplinary action for posting anti-Citizenship Amendment Act comments in social media. In his Facebook post, Mandla district collector Jagdish Jatia has registered his opposition to CAA and National Register of Citizenship, inviting criticism from several quarters including Opposition BJP who described it as violation of Civil Service Rules. The comment posted on January 8 by him said he was aware of how to follow his conscience and he did not support CAA and NRC. The babu, however, deleted the post when it snowballed into a controversy. The IAS officer has violated All India Civil Service Rules by opposing CAA which has been passed in the Parliament. We will take up the matter with the Centre for action, state BJP president Rakesh Singh said here on Monday. Indicating trouble ahead for the district collector, state public health engineering minister Sukhdev Panse said the matter had come to notice of the state government. The state government is examining the issue, he added. The bureaucrat had even responded to criticism to his post. An Upstate New York nursing home has been cited, but not fined, after a patients granddaughter was horrified to learn that maggots were discovered in a wound on her 89-year-old grandmothers leg and foot. Krysten Schmidt told The Buffalo News that an aide pulled her aside when she was visiting her grandmother, Mary Ellen Sharp, in September at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Batavia, NY. The aide told her about the maggots in the wound. If not for the aide, she says, she may have never found out about the infestation nor an earlier incident which had happened four days prior to her visit. Schmidt says she confronted two nurses about it, and they tried to downplay the problem. The 59 best nursing homes in Upstate NY, ranked for 2020 They proceeded to tell me the maggots were in her shoe and not her sock, she told the News. "I mean, does it really matter? Are maggots supposed to be anywhere? They were trying to downplay it. Schmidt filed a complaint with the New York Department of Health the same day. The department investigated in October, and found evidence of a inadequate pest control program, flies in residents rooms, a dining room, the main kitchen and elsewhere. They also found doors left ajar and window screens improperly installed, leaving spaces for pests to enter the building. In regard to the specific incident with the maggots in Sharps wound, the state found that the doctor treating the wound failed to dress it, and that it remained open for five to nine hours" after treatment. Officials then failed to notify relatives or physicians about the maggots, and the state found a general breakdown in communication among staff. 3 Central New York facilities on secret list of troubled nursing homes The state cited Premier Genesee, and required them to implement a plan of correction to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future, but no fines were issued. However, the state has fined the same facility $12,000 for different violations since 2017, according to the Buffalo News. Sharps family moved her to a different nursing home, and filed a lawsuit against Premier Genesee in December. The nursing home did not return the Buffalo News request for comment, citing the pending lawsuit, but they did ban the licensed practical nurse who first discovered the maggots from working there again. The facility claims she failed to notify a nursing supervisor, but in the states investigation, the licensed practical nurse said otherwise. She told investigators that not only did she record the maggots in Sharps file, but also informed a registered nurse, and tried numerous times to contact a supervisor who could not be reached. That same supervisor said her phone was not working that day. Dean P. Smith, an attorney for Sharp, told the News he thinks the facility is trying to turn this licensed practical nurse into a scapegoat. The whole event when you look at the details of the states investigation is as nauseating as it is shocking to the conscience, Smith told the paper. The excuses are absurd." The lawsuit says Premier was in reckless disregard of the rights and safety of the patient, who was damaged by the deprivation of her dignity," according to The Daily News. The nursing home has 30 days to respond to the suit, which was filed on December 19. The suit seeks non-specific punitive damages. The 5th Rushan International Oyster Culture Festival opened on Jan. 11 in Rushan city of east China's Shandong province, attracting entrepreneurs and tourists from all over the country. A series of gourmet display and tasting activities, as well as business promotion events was held on the opening day. Rushan, taking advantage of the fact it embraces 199 kilometers of coastline, is known as one of the best areas for oysters in China, producing high-quality oysters. At the first China (Rushan) International Oyster Forum held from April 21 to 23 in 2019 in the cities of Qingdao and Rushan, Gong Bengao, mayor of the latter, said the city's oyster products attracts customers from home and abroad with an annual output of 300,000 tons from more than 5,000 hectares of oyster farms. Last year, Rushan city signed a framework agreement on high-end development of the oyster industry with the World Oyster Society. In the same year, it hosted the 8th International Oyster Proseminar, attracting more than 300 industry experts and entrepreneurs both domestic and foreign, including those from South Korea, the UK and the United States, to visit the city for academic research and business cooperation. By the end of last year, the city's water area devoted to oyster cultivation reached 200,000 mu (about 13,333.33 hectares), and its annual output of over 300,000 tons produced revenue of 2.4 billion yuan ($348.21 million), all ranking first among county-level units in China. In 2019, Katsuyoshi Mori, president of the World Oyster Society, visited the city of Rushan checking on its development of an oyster industry chain, and saying that the local oysters met the international standard and could be supplied to the international market as a high-end product. Hackettstown police charged a 15-year-old boy on Monday in the Jan. 3 burglary of a gas station in town, according to a news release from police. The teenager from Washington Township, Morris County, allegedly broke into Express Mart at 321 Mountain Ave. about 2:16 a.m. Jan. 3. He was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and theft and released pending a court appearance, police said. Investigators shared surveillance video of the break-in on social media as they worked to identify the burglar. He could be seen using a hammer to break the glass on the front door to gain access to the convenience store and steal cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to police. "The Hackettstown Police Department would like to thank everyone who came forward with information regarding this incident," police Sgt. Darren Tynan said in the news release Tuesday. Police were continuing to try to identify the burglar in a similar smash-and-grab Dec. 22 at the BP Gas Station, 17 Route 57 in town, Tynan confirmed. In that incident, a rock was used to smash a window, and the perpetrator stole cigarettes before fleeing, police had said. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam, center, signs agreements to make sure the company-launched anti-corruption committee functions, independently, during the signing event held in its main technology compound in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. On Kim's left is Samsung Electronics president Kim Hyun-seok and to his right is the company's mobile boss Ko Dong-jin, Monday. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Top management at Samsung Electronics vowed to properly and independently operate the newly-launched anti-corruption committee. Just a few days after the company named former Supreme Court Justice, Kim Ji-hyung, as leader of the commission, top Samsung executives signed the agreement to fight corruption, monitor and eradicate all illegal activities. The event was held at Samsung's main technology compound in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam and two company co-CEOs including its consumer electronics chief Kim Hyun-seok and mobile boss Ko Dong-jin attended the event. "We arranged the event to send a clear message to Samsung employees that there can be no compromise for any illegal activities. Therefore, all paid Samsung employees should comply with a set of guidelines as part of the transparency principle," Samsung Electronics said in a press release. "No decisions or activities that go against the company-set principles and relevant laws will be permitted," it added. The agreements include the specifics which mandate employees at Samsung Electronics and other affiliates comply with relevant laws and company principles and report breaches of the law to the committee if any allegations concern anyone in a top management role. But the agreements neither stated who will be held accountable for any wrongdoings nor how protection will be provided to whistleblowers. Top management at Samsung's other affiliates Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDS and Samsung C&T joined the move. Also, top management at Samsung SDI, Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance will receive an official mandate. The seven Samsung affiliates will cooperate with the committee on various aspects to make sure the body operates effectively. As Samsung leader Lee Jae-yong's trial approaches, the committee chief told reporters that the body will look "very closely" into a wide range of issues affecting the group's transparency including corruption, labor issues and even management succession, with greater independence and autonomy. The committee chief clarified he will do this as the group leader Lee gave him "full authorization" to proceed with committee-set tasks. As the crucial April general election nears, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Cheong Wa Dae aides were supporting the company's investment plans partly because economic initiatives are a key focus of President Moon Jae-in. The President visited Samsung facilities two times and congratulated the company on its efforts to move forward with investment plans. It remains to be seen whether the launch of the committee will satisfy the local judge who asked the Samsung leader to come up with detailed plans to improve the company's management transparency and to show how it will be free from any external political influence. But Samsung said the committee comprises seven members including two from civic groups, two from academia and one from Samsung Electronics former Samsung's communications chief Rhee In-yong. Sources inside Samsung said the company would review possibilities to help the committee access Samsung's internal documents if necessary, and added issues and concerns such as no legal binding authority under the Commercial Act would be addressed, thoughtfully and properly. Bronchiolitis, a lung infection that is one of the most common reasons for hospitalizations in young children, is most prevalent during the winter months and is usually treated with albuterol delivered via inhalers, despite evidence showing no benefit in most patients. A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) redesigned the hospital's standard treatment for the infection and reduced albuterol use without compromising care. The research was published in the December issue of Pediatrics. Given the frequency of albuterol usage and the drug's potential side effects, we wanted to improve the value of the medical care provided to children with bronchiolitis and searched for ways to reduce use. We set out to revise our treatment plan, or clinical pathway, to reflect the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines and educate clinicians about the recommended changes." Michelle Dunn, M.D., attending physician in general pediatrics at CHOP and lead author of the study The AAP updated its bronchiolitis guidelines in 2014, recommending against the use of bronchodilators like albuterol in typical patients with bronchiolitis. To bring its clinical practice in line with those recommendations, the CHOP team used a multidisciplinary approach -- with a goal of reducing the use of albuterol for bronchiolitis in infants in both emergency department and inpatient settings. To do so, the team modified emergency department and inpatient treatment plans to state explicitly that bronchodilators were not recommended for infants with a typical presentation of bronchiolitis, which involves symptoms of a viral upper respiratory infection that progress to the lower respiratory tract. The team also educated nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians on the new guidelines and modified the electronic health record system, creating a "do not order" option that stated bronchodilators were not recommended for routine use. After implementing the new protocols, albuterol use in infants with bronchiolitis declined from 43% to 20% in the emergency department and from 18% to 11% in inpatient settings, which prevented more than 600 infants from receiving an unnecessary treatment. The team measured patient admission rates, length of stay and revisit rates and found the reduced albuterol use did not impact those metrics. The study period covered October 2014 through March 2017, which included three winter seasons. During that time, CHOP had 5,115 emergency department visits and 1,948 hospitalizations for bronchiolitis. Of those, 3,834 emergency department visits and 1,119 inpatient hospitalizations were included in the study. "The methods used in this study can be applied to other diagnoses where there is potential overuse of testing and interventions," said Joseph J. Zorc, MD, MSCE, attending physician in emergency medicine at CHOP and senior author of the study. "The next step for improving bronchiolitis care at CHOP is focusing on the use of the high-flow nasal cannula, an emerging therapy for infants with severe bronchiolitis." Reuters US government officials presented the British government with new evidence on Monday about the risks of including Huawei equipment in future 5G mobile networks, branding it "madness", The Guardian newspaper reported. Officials from both countries and the telecoms industry met on Monday ahead of Britain's decision, expected later this month, on whether to deploy technology from the Chinese company. The United States is trying to persuade Britain not to use Huawei's equipment over what Washington says are security risks. (Also read: US officials to visit Britain to convince them not to use Huawei equipment for 5G network) "Senior US officials told a group of reporters that using Huawei technology for 5G in the UK would be 'an act of madness' shortly after presenting a dossier of new evidence to ministers," The Guardian's defence and security editor said on Twitter. (Also read: Senators want us to stop sharing intelligence with countries using Huawei 5G tech) SANDRINGHAM: Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan`s wish for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors. Harry and his American actress wife will now begin a "period of transition" that will see them split their time between Britain and Canada as they also seek a lifestyle less encumbered by royal duties and to end their reliance on public funding. It comes after what the 93-year-old queen described as "very constructive discussions" between herself, Harry, his elder brother Prince William and his father and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, at the monarch`s rural Sandringham estate in eastern England. A final decision on the future of the couple, officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be determined in days, she said in a statement. Live TV "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family," Elizabeth said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." The statement was highly unusual both in its informal tone and its personal nature, addressing the couple by name rather than by their titles. Meghan, who is currently in Canada with their infant son Archie, had been expected to join Monday`s discussion by telephone. The royal crisis was triggered when Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, publicly announced last week that they wished to step back from royal duties and spend more time in North America. Although there had been initial discussions about their future, neither the queen nor Charles were consulted beforehand, a step seen as hurtful and premature by a family whose roots go back through a thousand years of European history It also exposed suspected divisions in the Windsor family and prompted soul-searching over what it means to be royal in the 21st century. "NEW ROLE" Harry and Meghan say they want a "progressive" new role for themselves and financial independence. As one of the world`s most glamorous couples, they have also made clear that they were struggling with the intense media scrutiny. Last year, they announced legal action against a British tabloid, and Harry said papers had been bullying his wife in a way reminiscent of the hounding his mother Princess Diana had suffered before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. But it is unclear how they will pull off a partial pullback from royal roles - which some media have dubbed "Megxit" in a play on Britain`s tortuous Brexit departure from the European Union - or who will pay for a transatlantic lifestyle. Currently, they are mainly funded by money from Prince Charles`s Duchy of Cornwall estate as their royal roles have precluded them seeking personal incomes. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the queen said in her statement. Canada`s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said most Canadians are very supportive of having the royals in the country. "But how that looks and what kind of costs is involved, there is still lots of discussions to have," Trudeau told Global News in a television interview. There are no provisions in Canada`s Citizenship Act that confer Canadian citizenship status to members of the royal family by virtue of their status as a member of the monarchy, Canada`s immigration department said in an emailed statement. To become legal permanent residents of Canada, they would need to apply through normal immigration processes, the statement added. Prince Charles, 71, has long sought a leaner royal family, but it is unclear how Harry and Meghan would fit into that model - especially if they essentially become Hollywood superstars. In trying to resolve the crisis, the most powerful members of the so-called royal "Firm" are aware that the final outcome could shape the monarchy`s future. Elizabeth has served the country loyally since ascending the throne in 1952, earning the respect and admiration of most Britons, including many republicans, but the family has also sometimes faced accusations of being aloof and out of touch. The breakdown in royal relations has dominated the British media for days, with newspapers running a host of stories, based on quotes from unidentified royal insiders, about a split between Harry and William, the Duke of Cambridge, and anger at the top of the family amid suspicion of leaks and ostracism. In a sign of the tensions, Harry and William issued a rare public statement on Monday to denounce a report by the Times newspaper based on an unnamed source which said Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by "a bullying attitude" from William who had not been welcoming to Meghan. "FALSE" "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge," the statement said. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The furore over the couple, who married in May 2018 in a glittering ceremony watched by millions round the world, comes after a tough 2019 for the royal family. Prince Andrew`s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came under uncomfortable scrutiny while the queen`s husband, Prince Philip, 98, received a police warning over a car crash. Skytec, LLC, a Tennessee-based provider of Unmanned Aerial Systems, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems technologies, has earned the designation of being an Esri Silver Partner. Headquartered in Redwoods, Ca., Esri is the proprietor of the worlds most powerful mapping and spatial analytics software. Through this new partnership, Skytec clients across the globe will gain access to ESRI GIS resources for their mapping and spatial analysis needs, said officials. "This enhanced partnership is something were extremely proud of, said Skytec Chief Executive Officer Bill Rogers. Having access to Esris first-class technology is something our clients expect, yet very few vendors in our sector are able to supply with the same level of experience and expertise. In an emerging industry such as ours, everyone is looking to partner with entities who they can trust and who can deliver the best services. In 2018, we became the first UAS provider to earn ARGUSs Platinum safety rating. That, coupled with our new partnership with Esri, allows our clients to know theyre enjoying the benefits of unrivaled technology from a company that puts best practices first. Founded in 2015, Skytec introduced a new tagline in 2018 Acquire, Analyze, Inform that speaks to the three pillars of their service offerings. By tethering industry-leading imaging and remote sensing technology to their UAS fleet, they are able to acquire robust, high-resolution data on behalf of their clients. After the Skytec team analyzes that data with leading-edge GIS resources, they are able to inform their clients decision-making processes. Since our founding, weve put an immense amount of emphasis on providing our clients with the best information possible, so they can make the best decisions regarding their major projects, said Skytec Chief Technology Officer Andy Carroll. By teaming with Esri as a Silver Partner, we are able to produce and deliver pristine data analysis results. This brings increased confidence to our clients consequential decisions and workflows. BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Keith Ablow has teamed up with Jack Cunningham, a Marine who served in Vietnam, to develop a television series based on the Marine Corp's Combined Action Program (CAP). CAP was a fascinating program that placed Marines inside peasant farming villages, where they lived with residents 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Many CAP Marines have long hoped that their storiesincluding the complex relationships they forged with their South Vietnamese hostswould be told. CAP Marines Surrender Was Not An Option About the Combined Action Program CAP was sometimes called "A Peace Corp with Rifles." The assignment was an amazing opportunity to live in an entirely different culture and be accepted into that culture. Incredibly strong bonds formed between villagers and Marines. But the assignment was also extremely hazardous because the North Vietnamese wanted to obliterate villages that hosted CAP Marines and because any resident of the friendly village might still be a Communist sympathizer quite willing to kill a Marine. Generally, just 11 Marines and one Navy Corpsman lived day in and day out with thousands of villagers. According to William Nimmo, who serves on the Board of Directors of the CAP Unit Veterans Association, "The Marines of CAP loved their villages and protected them fiercely. They were regularly in harm's way, and many gave their lives to fight for the freedom of the villagers to grow their rice in peace, without brutal taxation by the Viet Cong. A television series would be a great opportunity to tell the stories of how the Marines fought the village rice wars." About Jack Cunningham Mr. Cunningham has devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to describing the highs and lows of life as a CAP Marine, even creating a website that does a very good job of sharing his experiences. A television series would be a natural next step. "The story of the CAP Marines shows how Marines became fixtures in the lives of South Vietnamese men, women and children, about whom they cared very deeply, while they risked their lives to battle the Communist North Vietnamese," Cunningham said. "A television series on CAP Marines is an opportunity to tell the real story of the Vietnam War. We were there to help the oppressed and all of us CAP Marines are proud of our service," Nimmo added. Media Inquiries: Keith Ablow 978.462.1125 [email protected] SOURCE Keith Ablow, MD Related Links http://www.keithablow.com/ U.S. soldiers and journalists inspect the rubble at a site of Iranian bombing, Al Asad air base in Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) Photos Show Damage Irans Missiles Did to Base Housing US Troops We Could Feel the Shock Wave American troops in Iraq have revealed more details about the missile barrage from Iran last week as photographers captured workers trying to clean up the debris. No American soldiers were killed or wounded, U.S. officials have said, but Col. Myles Caggins, a spokesman at the base, told The Associated Press that some troops were treated for concussions from the explosions. The reason why we pushed it at 2330 is because at that point in time all indications pointed to something coming, she told reporters touring the base. Worst case scenariowe were told was its probably going to be a missile attack. So we were informed of that. According to photos captured by the AP, several sections of the Al Asad base appeared to have been utterly devastated. The missiles destroyed several buildings that house soldiers, and a missile hit an area where six drones were parked. No damage to the drones was done, Caggins said. A U.S. soldier stands at a site of Iranian bombing, in Al Asad air base in Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) The Iranian missiles began slamming into the airbase at around 1:30 a.m. local time, officials said. The base received a notification that the missiles were fired into Iraq due to early warning systems, which were touted by President Donald Trump in a speech the following day. We could feel the shock wave and when the impact hit, the bunker doors sunk in, said Air Force Lt. Col. Staci Coleman, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. My personal opinion is that they really wanted to target our [air] assets and if they so happened to kill Americans in the process, that was OK with them. U.S. Soldiers walk past damage at a site of Iranian bombing at Al Asad air base in Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) U.S. soldiers and journalists inspect the rubble at a site of Iranian bombing, in Al Asad air base in Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) After the first boom, I was confused and so I stuck my head out to see what it was, said Capt. Jeffrey Hansen, reported the AP. The second boom blew a bunch of debris on my face. American officers on the base told the newspaper that they had received information Iran was poised to attack for the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3. U.S. soldiers and journalists inspect the rubble at a site of Iranian bombing, in Al Asad air base in Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) Lt. Col. Antoinette Chase told the news agency that soldiers conducted a drill a week prior to the Iranian attack. I had zero casualties and everybody is alive to tell the tale. So as far as Im concerned, I couldnt be happier and I couldnt be prouder of the actions that the soldiers and the coalition forces took that night, she said. Some Iranian officials said the missile attack wasnt intended to kill anyone. But that claim was dismissed by those on base. Youre in a region that is full of conflict, said First Sergeant Larry Jackson, according to the Journal, in disputing Irans claims. Over the weekend, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, said the missile strikes were not really to kill enemy soldiers. That was not important. Award-winning documentarians Barbara Attie (left) and Jane Goldwater talk about their latest work, which spotlights the plight of women too poor to afford an abortion. Read more In 1976, Henry J. Hyde, then a Republican congressman from Illinois, argued that federal Medicaid funds should not pay for abortion. It was just three years after Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that made abortion access a constitutional right. Hyde knew that banning funding would affect low-income women. Mr. Chairman, we cannot save the unborn children of the rich, Hyde said in a C-SPAN clip. Thank God, we can save some of the children of the poor. The federal government and 33 states, including Pennsylvania, now prohibit Medicaid from covering abortion except in cases of rape or incest, or to save the womans life. Polls show that 57% of Americans support the Hyde Amendment. But what often is overlooked is the fact that the ban places an outsize burden on women who are already struggling, especially African American women. That aspect is concisely captured in Abortion Helpline: This Is Lisa, a new documentary by award-winning filmmakers Barbara Attie, Janet Goldwater, and Mike Attie that will be previewed at the Sundance Film Festival starting onFriday. It shows counselors at the Womens Medical Fund Philadelphias version of similar charities that dot the country responding to calls from women and teens too poor to afford roughly $400 to end a pregnancy. At 13 minutes, Helpline is the shortest documentary Attie and Goldwater have made in their four decades of exploring complex health and social justice issues facing women. Helpline returns to the bitterly divisive issue that inspired four of their earlier documentaries, including Motherless: A Legacy of Loss From Illegal Abortion and Rosita, about the struggle to get an abortion for a 9-year-old girl raped in Costa Rica. The filmmakers, interviewed on Monday at Goldwaters home in Philadelphias Fairmount neighborhood, said that they were inspired by the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, who switched from a pro-abortion-rights stance to antiabortion. We wanted to do something that speaks to the political moment and that we could do quickly, Goldwater said. Little did we know it would take as long to make as a feature-length film. While the new film is unabashedly pro-choice (and already bringing donations to the Womens Medical Fund), it is not a polemic. It intersperses archival footage of congressional debate over the Hyde Amendment including Hydes remark about rich and poor women with calls to the helpline. The film doesnt mention it, but the Womens Medical Fund last year tallied 4,050 callers and provided 3,280 of them most already mothers with an average of $131 to pay for an abortion. Some callers must be turned away because the counselors, who all go by the name Lisa, have a fixed amount of money, not specified in the film, to give away each shift. A woman with three children, a clerical job, and relatives who refuse to help her says she has only $125 in savings. That leaves $275, which is more than we can cover today, the counselor gently tells her. Originally, Attie said, we thought wed just have the counselors voices and show them typing on a computer screen, but we quickly decided we needed to hear the womens voices. That meant hiring a lawyer to develop an informed-consent process to preserve callers confidentiality if they agreed to participate, and assure them that funding would not be affected if they didnt. Goldwater, 69, who is a past member of the Medical Funds board, and Attie, 71, a former Planned Parenthood board member, were toying with retirement after making BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez, their acclaimed 2016 commemoration of the Philadelphia poet, educator, mother, and activist. They were tired of chasing grants and distribution opportunities. They managed to do the latest project for about $17,500 modest even for a pair used to shoestring budgets thanks to labor donated by Atties son, Mike, the University of the Arts film program director, and his students. A graduate of Stanford Universitys documentary filmmaking program, Mike Attie became obsessed with editing Helpline to convey the small scale of the womens immediate financial needs and the precariousness of their situations. One caller is a diabetic mother who lost her job as a power company tree-trimmer. Another, who is living on disability insurance in a domestic-abuse shelter with her two children, faces a higher cost for the abortion if she goes another week. Sometimes, when you give to a good cause, you feel like your donation doesnt really have an impact, Mike Attie said. But with the helpline, you see that giving just $25 can make a real difference to a woman. In rare cases, callers with public insurance or no health insurance need a costly, late-term, hospital abortion because of a fetal defect. The films final vignette involves a woman whose fetus lacks most of his brain, a birth defect called anencephaly. The operation costs $3,000. I dont have that much, the woman says, crying. They said if I keep him in my stomach, hes going to die anyway. All three filmmakers have received funding in the past from the Sundance Documentary Fund, but the coveted, prestigious honor of having work screened at the festival has eluded them until now. Helpline is an official selection of the 2020 festival. Sundance is opening so many doors for us. Film festivals all over the world are soliciting us, rather than us soliciting them, Goldwater said. The documentary will also be screened by the Womens Medical Fund on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Philadelphia Free Library to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade a decision now considered to be at risk because of Trumps Supreme Court appointments. Around 1 in 4 adults in the US live with some form of disability. To help uplift their quality of life, there are laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aim to make more services available to these individuals. These services include websites and mobile applications, which must ensure that their content and functionalities are accessible to everyone. Healthcare organizations, in particular, must be among those leading the charge to make the web accessible. Considering how they serve many people with disabilities, it is critical for these organizations' websites to have features that would allow these users to access their digital channels without difficulty. But for this to be possible, websites must adhere to the Web Content Guidelines (WCAG) - a set of standards that, when followed, would make certain that these pages can be properly processed by all user agents and assistive devices. However, compliance with the WCAG can be challenging even with skilled developers. Each site element must be reviewed to check if it complies with the guidelines. All issues that are discovered in these audits must then be fixed. Additional QA testing must also be done to guarantee that nothing breaks when these changes are applied. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key technology that can allow site owners to address all accessibility issues easily and conveniently. "For most of us, the internet has become an integral part of doing things. However, people with disabilities have been left out of this digital revolution. Most websites and apps, including those from healthcare providers, still don't follow web standards that make it possible for assistive technologies to properly process information. To be fair, applying these standards can be quite challenging especially for smaller organizations and site owners. It's tedious and complicated work. So, to make it easy for them, we must be able to leverage technologies like AI to automate the process," notes Shir Ekerling , CEO of web accessibility solution accessiBe. Why Web Accessibility Matters, Especially to Healthcare Organizations In a study by accessiBe of more than 10 million web pages, most websites fail to fully comply with the WCAG. Because of this widespread lack of support, 70 percent of disabled Americans say that they don't go online on a daily basis. They effectively miss out on the conveniences offered by the internet. The percentage of web accessibility failures by type of feature, according to accessiBe's 10 million web pages study. Interestingly, healthcare websites are among those that have been falling short in implementing web accessibility. This can be quite disappointing since people would expect that healthcare organizations should be the ones promoting accessibility as part of their mission to provide an essential service. Recently, several cases have even been filed in federal court against healthcare organizations whose websites have failed to comply with the ADA and the WCAG. Companies like WellPoint, HCA Holdings, and Tenet Healthcare, are all facing litigation since their websites aren't usable to those with visual and motor impairments. People with disabilities have a disposable income of $490 billion in the US alone. Compliance would allow companies to tap into a significant but underserved market. Applying web accessibility standards also provides several tangential benefits for organizations. To start, accessibility improves a website's usability. Compliant websites typically have better user experiences since their pages are designed to be navigable and their content is easy to understand. In addition, applying accessibility standards can help deliver better optimization and performance which can improve sites' search rankings and visibility. On the flipside, overlooking web accessibility can have negative consequences for organizations and site owners. Considering the ADA, non-compliance can result in lawsuits and hefty fines and penalties. Facing such lawsuits are not only costly financially but it can also cause irreparable damage to reputation. Healthcare Websites Be ADA Compliant To comply with the ADA and WCAG, healthcare organizations must commit to undertake a full audit of their content and code to see the areas in which they fail. This can be a very tedious process when done manually especially if the website has hundreds or even thousands of pages of content. Healthcare websites typically feature a variety of features and functionalities. They contain essential information about their facilities and services, educational materials in the form of blogs, articles, and videos concerning medical conditions and outpatient care, and directories of healthcare providers by specialization and location. For these to be accessible, images must have the necessary "alt texts" that would enable screen readers to describe these images to blind users. Video content requires closed captioning. Long portions of texts may also need summaries and language translations especially if they contain highly technical information and jargon. However, accessibility audits and compliance reworks can take months to accomplish. They are also usually done by high-skilled developers which demand a premium for their services. This is where AI, as a technology, proves to be beneficial since it can automate all these tasks. Using AI, accessibility platforms can automatically check all the lines of code and content of websites to spot all non-compliant elements. It can then even instantly perform the necessary corrections by automatically inserting the necessary tags. Using image recognition, AI can readily insert accurate alt texts and descriptions. Speech recognition can automatically provide closed captions and subtitles. Natural language processing capabilities allow AI to generate accurate summaries and translations. AI can also determine if all pages, menus, and buttons are functional and navigable. Since these are all done by computers, an AI-powered platform can help healthcare websites achieve full ADA and WCAG compliance within days. Once integrated, these tools can even automatically apply these standards to any new content that gets added. "What we love about AI is that it can easily detect and address accessibility issues. What used to take weeks and months now only takes hours and days. The quicker turnaround time needed to convert websites not only means reduced costs for site owners but also minimal exposure to potential ADA lawsuits," Ekerling added. The internet has become increasingly important in today's world. Everyone must have equal access to these services that the internet can provide. This is why it's critical for organizations and companies that provide essential services like healthcare to make their websites accessible. Various solutions have emerged to help these websites adhere to the WCAG and comply with laws like the ADA. With these cost-effective tools, healthcare organizations have very little excuse not to work on accessibility. They can now do their part to create an inclusive internet. "Ultimately, providing accessibility shouldn't just be about widening a customer base or avoiding suit. It's about doing the right thing - something that healthcare organizations should always do. The internet is supposed to bring people together and this involves including everyone especially people with disabilities," Ekerling concluded. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Description GIS - 14 January, 2020: The Passenger Information System (PIS) aiming to provide citizens with reliable information about specific bus routes and bus schedules along the corridor Curepipe-Floreal to Port Louis, was launched, yesterday, on a pilot basis , at Le Labourdonnais Hotel, Port Louis by the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Mr Alan Ganoo. On that occasion, a mobile application, maubis was also launched to enable passengers to access through their mobile phones real time information on the departure, arrival and movement of buses along a particular route. The Passenger Information System (PIS) aiming The PIS consists of a GPS Tracking System in buses and a main server housed at the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA) which provides interconnectivity with buses equipped with the GPS and digital boards installed at specific modern bus shelters and in mobile/web applications. Some 34 digital boards have been installed on specific modern bus shelters falling in this corridor which will be mainly served by National Transport Corporation, United Bus Service and Rose-Hill Transport buses. The NLTA will soon proceed with the second phase of the project, that is, the monitoring of idling by bus crew, over speeding, harsh braking and sudden accelerating of buses, amongst others. It is expected that in the future all buses be fitted with these GPS devices and thus be connected to the system. In his address, Minister Ganoo, recalled that the PIS project is the result of a study carried out by the PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2017 on the reengineering of land transport sector in Mauritius. whereby an integrated bus management system was proposed. Thereafter, the NLTA, he indicated, embarked on the PIS project in view to better serve commuters through the digital display of travel information as well as to make the land transport sector more vibrant and responsive to customers. Bus transport, he recalled, is one of the oldest and most common mode of transportation adding that the PIS will indeed enhance the public transport system in the country. He stressed on the need to adapt and adopt new technologies in order to modernise the transportation system and to make it more efficient. The PIS, he said is central to Governments quest thriving to provide citizens with high quality living environment and consequently, it is investing heavily in both quality and capacity of the public transport system to promote a more affordable, reliable and safer public transport. Minister Ganoo further pointed out that system integration is fundamental in the pursue of growth in the public transport sector. Government, he indicated is planning to have a holistic and fully integrated public transport system that will contribute to a sustainable mode of transportation. The Road Transport Commissioner, Dr K. Reesaul, said that the NLTA is aiming to integrating the PIS with the Metro Express project. He also spoke of the multiple advantages of the mobile application maubis which will ease the lives of the citizens in terms of more choices, better time management, security, and traffic facilitation. Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak took part in the meetings of the NATO Military Committee at the level of chiefs of general staffs on Tuesday, January 14, the General Staff reported on its Facebook page. "Chief of the General Staff - Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Ruslan_Khomchak participated in the meetings of the NATO 182nd Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense Session in a format with the operational partners of the NATO Resolute Support Mission (Afghanistan) in Brussels, Belgium, on January 14," it said. Also, during his visit to NATO Headquarters, Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak met with the Chiefs of Defense Staff of the United Kingdom and Romania and the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of Lithuania and Poland. "It was about deepening the military dialogue between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the armies of NATO member states, as well as discussing current aspects of military cooperation," the General Staff added. The day before, the Chief of General Staff - Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine visited NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, where he met with NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir James Everard (UK). Meghan did not dial into royal crisis talks with Queen, source says (CNN) Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, did not dial into the crisis meeting called by Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, a royal source told CNN Tuesday. She had been expected to call in to the meeting with the Queen and Princes Charles, William and Harry about the Sussexes' decision to step back from senior royal duties. In the end, the Sussexes decided it was not necessary for her to join the discussion, the source said. The meeting was held at the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, some 100 miles north of London, and Meghan is currently in Canada, with the couple's baby son Archie. In a statement issued after the meeting, the Queen said the family would have preferred the couple to "remain full-time working members of the royal family," but that they "respect and understand" Harry and Meghan's "wish to live a more independent life." The Queen has agreed to a "period of transition" while details of their new role are hammered out, the family announced. Harry and Meghan will spend time in both the UK and Canada during this period. The couple revealed last week that they wish to step down as senior British royals and live part-time in North America. The Queen said she had agreed that Harry and Meghan could split their time between the UK and Canada but that "complex matters" would have to be resolved. The monarch added that she had ordered final plans to be drawn up in the next few days. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a local television station Monday that discussions are ongoing over who will pay the costs of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security for their proposed new life in the country. Trudeau said "there is a general feeling of appreciation for the Sussexes" in Canada, but talks continue as to the exact arrangements. CAMILLUS, N.Y. -- Four teenagers are in police custody after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle Monday night, Camillus Police Chief Thomas Winn said. The 17-year-old driver and three 15-year-old passengers -- along with a fourth passenger whos still on the run -- were spotted at about 8:15 p.m. in a stolen vehicle at Camillus Commons, Winn said. Hours earlier, Camillus police responded to a larceny complaint at the Walmart Supercenter, at 5399 W. Genesee St., in Camillus. The suspects entered a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen, and fled the area, Winn said. Police couldnt find the vehicle at the time. But after someone spotted the stolen vehicle at a nearby fast food restaurant later Monday, police returned and saw the vehicle. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver and four passengers fled from police, Winn said. Police pursued the vehicle as it traveled along West Genesee Street, from Camillus to the town of Geddes, and then headed down several side streets. The driver eventually crashed into a shed at Harborbrook Apartments, 811 Fay Road in Geddes. The shed and stolen vehicle had very minor damage, Winn said. Thats when the driver and four passengers jumped out of the stolen vehicle and ran. Camillus, Geddes and Solvay police departments, state police, and Onondaga County sheriffs deputies helped look for the suspects. The sheriffs Air-1 helicopter and a K-9 unit also helped search the area. A sheriffs patrol unit took one of the occupants into custody in the area of Grand Ave. Air-1 tracked three others to a shed on Velasko Road, Winn said. A sheriffs K-9 unit then took those three suspects into custody. No one was injured during the pursuit or arrests, Winn said. One suspect remains at large, he said. The 17-year-old driver and three 15-year-old passengers were turned over to New York State Police, who are investigating the stolen vehicle case, Winn said. Camillus police say traffic related charges are still pending. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. MONTGOMERY, Ala., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- All babies need "language nutrition." It's just as important as food nutrition, and it has the proven ability to determine the best possible path to success for every child no matter where they live or their families' economic challenges. The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) launched this week the "Feed Me Words" campaign, which is focused on spreading awareness on what adults can and must do right now to help every child in Alabama get the language nutrition they need for healthy brain development. It's much easier than people realize; it costs nothing, can be given anytime and anywhere, and is a gift of joy and quality time for the adults, too. "The first five years of a child's life are the most critical years for their brain development; it's when 95% of brain development occurs, and also when the unused brain cells get 'pruned'," explained APC Executive Director Gail Piggott. "Research shows that when adults have frequent, rich conversations with children during this very crucial time, they are helping determine how ready they will be for success in school and in life." The campaign, which launched its social media messaging in early December, is set to continue through the first quarter of 2020. Visitors of FeedMeWords.org gain access to all of the free resources provided by the APC and Talk With Me Baby, a program of the Georgia Department of Public Health. "Alabama is taking a strong lead investing in early childhood development and education," said Governor Kay Ivey in a recent statement. "I'm excited to support the Feed Me Words campaign, and I encourage all Alabamians to tap into these resources and learn more about supporting every single child's foundational brain development. "Our children will be charged with leading our state and will need to enter the workforce fully prepared for success; when we do everything that we can to ensure their best possible start in life, we also ensure a prosperous future for Alabama," said Governor Ivey. The APC has partnered with the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Georgia Department of Public Health to bring the expertise and resources of the Talk With Me Baby initiative to the state of Alabama. The online resources are free and provide many engaging and fun ways adults can talk, read and sing with the babies and toddlers in their lives. "Children's lives can be changed if they are engaged from birth in rich conversation with adults," said DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. "The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is thrilled to be a part of this exciting work to help ensure that all babies hear lots of loving words every day. "We know that children need healthy food to grow; and research tells us that reading, singing, and talking to children is just as important to their growth," Commissioner Buckner explained. "The 'Language Nutrition' they receive from parents and caregivers is essential to their future development and success in school." The multimedia campaign, incorporating social media, broadcast and print, and the website FeedMeWords.org, is an effort to reach everyone in Alabama who interacts with children under the age of five, whether in their own families, in their community, or in a professional capacity. The message is simple: talk, read and sing WITH infants and toddlers, interacting with them using every-day language, eye contact, body language, and most importantly allowing children time to respond back to them, even if just through "coos," gestures and eye movements. Related information for child care professionals: The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) partnered earlier this year with the Atlanta Speech School's Cox Campus to bring Read Right from the Start a free, online professional development program to anyone in Alabama working with children from birth to pre-k, who wishes to enhance their skills to help children develop strong language and literacy skills. More information about the program and how to register can be found at AlabamaPartnershipforChildren.org/ourwork/rrfts. Talk With Me Baby and Read Right from the Start are generously supported through funding from the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health, and by private funding from the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, the Protective Life Foundation and the PNC Foundation. The Alabama Partnership for Children is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for Alabama's children from birth to 5 years of age. This public-private partnership focuses on finding ways to use the state's limited resources most efficiently to ensure that every Alabama child will have the opportunity to succeed in life. For more information, visit AlabamaPartnershipforChildren.org. SOURCE Alabama Partnership for Children While TelcoBridges and all the SBC companies that matter will be exhibiting at ITEXPO Feb 11-14 in Fort Lauderdale, FL we wanted to let you know, in addition, this company is hosting their own educational event. It is not affiliated with the event but as a community service, we wanted to let you know this awesome content is available for you while you are in Florida. Here is the complete list of training and workshops at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW. Please let us know if you have one you would like us to add. Back to the TelcoBridges: Their in-depth Training Seminar helps Attendees Master ProSBC and FreeSBCs Functionality while also Enhancing the Performance of their Networks. It takes place at the General Provision FATVillage tech office complex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is designed to help TelcoBridges resellers, partners, system integrators and end-customers master SBC concepts and become experts on installing and configuring both FreeSBC and ProSBC. It also features tips that help attendees leverage ProSBCs enhanced capabilities to more effectively monitor and troubleshoot their networks. TelcoBridges Chief Marketing Officer Alan Percy Weve designed these training seminars to help our customers become more self-sufficient with our SBCs and leverage them in a manner that helps them vastly improve the performance of their networks, said TelcoBridges Chief Marketing Officer Alan Percy. By scheduling the training adjacent to the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW events, we hope to provide a broad educational experience for participants. Course content is tailored to those responsible for provisioning, configuring and managing voice network operations in both service provider and enterprise networks. By attending this training seminar, attendees will learn: Platform and performance planning Installation procedures License management Configuration and various use cases Network diagnostic tools Support resources. The ProSBC training helps TelcoBridges customers in a variety of ways. New users will get several hours of face-to-face support to discuss their actual implementation, to make sure theyve configured their SBCs in an optimal fashion. More experienced users will learn how to exploit new features and become more self-sufficient. Regardless of each persons level of expertise at the beginning of the event, everyone will leave the training with new ideas for leveraging ProSBC in a more strategic fashion. Part of the value for attending the training session is the luncheon and cocktail hour networking opportunities that are built into the schedule. These opportunities enable attendees to discuss their specific implementations with TelcoBridges trainers, meet industry peers, discuss common experiences, and potentially learn how others are addressing issues that may be similar to theirs. The event takes place next to (and is scheduled immediately prior to) ITEXPO, which makes it convenient for participants to add this stay in Fort Lauderdale to their ITEXPO itinerary. The cost of the two-day training course is $350 USD per person, which includes lunch and various reception breaks. The venue, which is located in the heart of Fort Lauderdales art & tech district (at 525 NW 1st Avenue) is well known for its coffee baristas and its wide variety of craft beers. Please note this event is designed to provide a hands-on experience for every attendee. Space is limited, and the event is expected to sell out. Recent training events have sold out in a matter of days. Register. FreeSBC can be used by end-users at no cost. ProSBC adds carrier-grade features including high-availability, encryption, and media manipulation capabilities with support and maintenance all for a $1/session/year subscription. Both FreeSBC and ProSBC operate on any combination of VMware, KVM/OpenStack, Amazon/AWS, Microsoft Azure and bare metal servers as well as a VNF on dedicated network devices. To date, more than 10 million sessions have been downloaded by thousands of customers in more than 100 countries around the globe. See the only UCaaS, CPaaS and Collaboration vendors that matter at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW: Amazon, Cisco, Google, IBM, 88, ClearlyIP, Avaya, Vonage, 88, Comcast Business, BlueJeans, CoreDial, Dell, Edify, Epygi, FreeSWITCH, Grandstream, Granite, Intrado, Frontier Business, Fujitsu, Jenne, West, Konftel, Intelisys, Martello, NetSapiens, OOMA, Oracle, OpenVox, Peerless Network, Phone Sentry, Phone.com, Poly, QuestBlue, RingByName, Sangoma, SingTel, Spracht, Spectrum, Sprint, Tallac, Tech Data, Telarus, TelcoBridges, TCG, Teledynamics, Teli, Telinta, Telispire, Telstra, Unified Office, Vital PBX, VoIP Supply, Voxbone, VoIP.MS, Windstream, XCALY, XORCOM, Yealink, Yubox, and ZYCOO. Full List. Join others with $8.5B+ in IT buying power who plan 2020 budgets! Including 3,000+ resellers! A unique experience with a collocated Future of Work Expo, SD-WAN Expo, and MSP Expo Feb 12-14, 2020, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Register now. Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has granted tax exemption to "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior", a biographical period movie. The film is produced by Ajay Devgan who also plays the title role of Subedar Tanhaji Malusare. "The film has been granted tax exemption in view of the story of the film that highlights the sacrifice and valour of Tanhaji and is an inspiration for the young generations," said the government spokesman. He said that Ajay Devgan had requested the chief minister to grant tax exemption to the film. However, Meghna Gulzar's film on acid attack survivors 'Chhapaak', released simultaneously with 'Tanhaji', has not been given tax exemption despite requests from acid attack survivors. 'Chhapaak', in which Deepika Padukone plays the lead role and is also the producer, has apparently fallen out of favour of the ruling BJP after Deepika Padukone visited the agitating students in JNU in Delhi last week. 'Chhapaak' has been granted tax exemption in Congress-ruled states including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is heading to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of earthquakes. The Democrat's office says he plans to travel to Puerto Rico Tuesday and Wednesday. The ground in southwest Puerto Rico has been shaking since Dec. 28 with hundreds of small earthquakes. Recent quakes have toppled homes and schools. The director of Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority has ordered the temporary closure of the companys largest plant, which crews had been inspecting for damage caused by earlier quakes. Cuomo said New York has been sending state power authority officials to assist in recovery efforts. (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 12:30:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 932 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (OTCQX:LXRP)(CSE:LXX) (the "Company" or "Lexaria"), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, announces that it has reached a definitive agreement to provide its patented DehydraTECHTM technology to Cannadips CBD, the Original Smokeless CBD Dip Brand.Cannadips CBD is America's leading and oldest oral pouch, similar to a Snus pouch, formulated with CBD from American hemp. Each tin of Cannadips contains 15 pouches with 10mg of hemp-derived CBD per pouch, no tobacco and no nicotine, and only natural sweeteners. Lexaria, already established as the leader in the CBD oral delivery, has been working with the Boldt Runners team behind the scenes to elevate the product experience.Lexaria's DehydraTECH technology is perfectly suited to improve the dipping experience through its fast-acting, high absorption technology that improves the consumer experience. Because Cannadips uses terpene-rich multi spectrum oils as base ingredients, DehydraTECH is able to reduce throat irritation normally associated with some terpenes. Inferior products try to get around this problem by utilizing less efficacious CBD isolate without terpenes that lack the entourage effect derived from multi-spectrum oils.From Humboldt County, California, Case Mandel Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Boldt Runners Corporation said "In our quest to create the ultimate smokeless, oral cannabinoid experience for our customers, we found that the DehydraTECH technology solves many challenges and propels the product forward as we pioneer this product category. Through our strong distribution partnership with Kretek International, and our family of strategic retail partners including Sheetz, Kwiktrip, and Circle K we are stoked for the DehydraTECH technology to shine through our tins.The Cannadips brand is widely distributed: "We are currently in process of rolling out our tins nationally with Circle K and are in approximately 5,000 stores in the United States with additional distribution in Europe with our partnership with Spectrum Leaf," continued Mandel. "We are currently in process of launching in Circle K Stores nationally and are excited to work with all of our trade partners as we begin to place the technology into production." "Lexaria is very happy to be working with Cannadips to create next-generation dipping products demonstrably better than any competitor product in the world today," said Chris Bunka, Chief Executive Officer of Lexaria Bioscience Corp. "We feel that with our technology, and our team backing the Boldt Runners (Cannadips), we can continue to push the boundaries of the category in partnership even further." From Richmond, Virginia, Board Member of Lexaria & Advisor to The Boldt Runners Corporation, Brian Quigley said "This combination of superior science from Lexaria and a unique and strong branded proposition that Cannadips offers with its CBD pouch platform is a winning combination We are excited to be developing a category of products with best in class science to provide adult consumers the simple choice of a better product and a better alternative to tobacco and nicotine." Lexaria and Cannadips CBD are presenting "The Cannadips Hoop House Experience" at the 2020 Tobacco Plus Expo (Booth #6162) in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 29 - 30. The experience includes an authentic Hoop House, multiple performances by Deejay Theory a pioneer at the forefront of the global "Tropical Bass" movement, and the debut of new Cannadips flavors Wintergreen, Mango, and "The Humboldt Collection" a unique twist on traditional "straight" dip flavors utilizing Terpenes.The licensing agreement provided by Lexaria grants Cannadips CBD exclusive rights for the US market for 10 years; a renewal option for an additional 5 years; an option to expand the licence to Europe, Mexico and/or Canada; and contains minimum performance provisions in order to maintain exclusivity.About Cannadips CBD, manufactured by The Boldt Runners CorporationCannadips CBD is based in the heart of Humboldt County, California, home of the traditional Cannabis industry in the US, and built on the same values of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation that have made the region world-famous. Born in 2016 in California's recreational market, Cannadips is paving the way as one of the most effective methods of smokeless cannabinoid dosing with the Original Smokeless CBD Cannabis Dip Pouch, and the Original Hemp CBD Dip Pouch. Cannadips CBD is distributed in select North American and European markets. For further information please check out www.cannadipsCBD.com and www.cannadips.com For regular updates, connect with Cannadips on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cannadipsCBD/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cannadipsCBD/ and on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtrunners About LexariaLexaria Bioscience Corp. is a global innovator in drug delivery platforms. Its patented DehydraTECH drug delivery technology changes the way Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients enter the bloodstream, promoting healthier ingestion methods, lower overall dosing and higher effectiveness for lipophilic active molecules. DehydraTECH increases bio-absorption; reduces time of onset; and masks unwanted tastes for orally administered bioactive molecules including cannabinoids, vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nicotine and other molecules. Lexaria has licensed DehydraTECH to multiple companies in the cannabis industry for use in cannabinoid beverages, edibles and oral products; and to a world-leading tobacco producer for the development of smokeless, oral-based nicotine products. Lexaria operates a licensed in-house research laboratory and holds a robust intellectual property portfolio with 16 patents granted and over 60 patents pending worldwide.For regular updates, connect with Lexaria on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/lexariacorp) and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lexariabioscience/ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Lexaria Bioscience Corp.Chris Bunka, CEO(250) 765-6424OrNetworkNewsWire (NNW)Boldt Runners CorporationCase Mandel, CEO+1 (833)-GO-BOLDThello@ cannadips.com In his recent letter, Stanley Heller mislabeled Zionism as a product of the late 19th century. In fact Jews have been yearning to return to their indigenous homeland, Israel, since the Roman diaspora for centuries, ending every years Seder with next year in Jerusalem! and regularly including this aspiration in Yom Kippur services. Furthermore Heller seems only to oppose Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, and not any other national liberation movement. Singling out Zionism in this way for such criticism meets the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance criteria for anti-Semitism. One of Rupert Murdochs sons has lashed out at the coverage of Australias wildfires in news outlets owned by his fathers companies. In an extraordinary statement hitting out at climate change denialism, James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn criticised both News Corp and Fox News. Kathryn and James views on climate are well established, and their frustration with some of the News Corp and Fox coverage of the topic is also well known, the couples spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They are particularly disappointed with the ongoing denial among the news outlets in Australia given obvious evidence to the contrary. Rupert Murdoch and his elder son Lachlan chair both News Corp and Fox Corporation. Lachlan is also chief executive of the latter, parent to the right-leaning Fox News Channel beloved by Donald Trump. Animals rescued during Australia fires Show all 25 1 /25 Animals rescued during Australia fires Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala rescued at a burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide AAP Image/Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter Pat Smith pouring water onto a possum's feet with burns from fires on the outskirts of the town of Tumbarumba in New South Wales Greenpeace Australia-Pacific/AFP Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Grey-headed Flying Fox bats prepared for a feeding at the Uralla, Australia, home of Jackie Maisey, a volunteer with Northern Tableands Wildlife Carers. The bats are swaddled in flannel wraps similar to those being made by thousands of crafters worldwide who are using their sewing, knitting and crocheting skills to make items for wildlife injured in the Australian brush fires Jackie Maisey/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires Sara Tilling takes care of a young injured Kangaroo which she and her partner Gary Henderson are nursing back to health in Cobargo EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan holds a baby Koala she just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Images Animals rescued during Australia fires Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Fire-impacted, orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys are seen at the property of WIRES Carers Kevin and Lorita Clapson in East Lynne, South of Sydney EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala receives water from a cyclist during a severe heatwave that hit the region, in Adelaide Instagram/BIKEBUG2019 via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned Flying-Fox is fed at the property of WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator, Janet Jones, in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan checks an injured Koala she had just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A wallabie eating a carrot dropped by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife services over the bushfire affected areas along the South Coast for wallabies NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Animals rescued during Australia fires A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires Gary Henderson holds the young injured kangaroo he and his partner are nursing back to health EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala drinks water offered from a bottle by a firefighter during bushfires in Cudlee Creek, south Australia Oakbank Balhannah CFS via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid South Coast wombat coordinator Tony De La Fosse with two orphaned pouch-rescued Wombats at his property in Malua Bay EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Qantas, an orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey whose feet were burned in recent bushfires, is held by WIRES Carer Kevin Clapson at his property in East Lynne EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Various completed animal pouches for animals affected by Australia bushfires hang on clothing racks in Regents Park, Queensland Kim Simeon via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey hangs in a makeshift pouch at the property of WIRES EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island, South Australia Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator Janet Jones weighs a rescued Grey-Headed Flying-Fox at her home in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A weary kangaroo shelters on a patch of green grass surrounded by burnt bushland along the Princes Highway near in Milton Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Various animal wraps for bats affected by bushfires Simone Watts via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires A staff member moving a rescued koala to a temporary shelter at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney Taronga Zoo/AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley AFP via Getty Images The climate comments come just days after a News Corp employee quit over the firms coverage of climate change and the devastating wildfires, writing in an all-staff email that it had instituted a misinformation campaign. The companys outlets had tried to divert attention away from the real issue which is climate change to rather focus on arson, finance manager Emily Townsend claimed, as she urged bosses to reconsider how information was published in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun. News Corps executive chair, Michael Miller, said he stood by its coverage of the bush blazes that have killed 28 people and hundreds of millions of animals. Humane Society International workers have told of animal bodies everywhere in the wake of the fires. I can barely describe it, said one. In some places, you cant walk 10 metres without coming across another carcass. The effects are so severe that Nasa said it believed smoke created by the fires could eventually pass all the way around the planet, coming back to blight Australia once again. The detritus being pumped into the atmosphere has caused breathing problems for players at the Australian Open qualifying event, leading one to retire after collapsing during a coughing fit. On Tuesday, the UKs Met Office warned that the situation in Australia could become the worlds new normal if global temperatures continue to rise. A review of 57 scientific studies published in the last seven years found that climate change had led to an increase in the frequency and severity of so-called fire weather periods with a high risk of fire owing to a combination of hotter temperatures, low humidity, low rainfall and strong winds. The World Meteorological Organisation warned that warming is set to reach between 3C and 5C above pre-industrial levels this century. Additional reporting by Reuters The Emir of Nasarawa, Ibrahim Usman-Jibril, has lauded a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Ari, for paying WAEC fees for 2,428 indigent public secondary school students in his constituency, totalling N33.9 million. Mr Usman-Jibril gave the commendation on Tuesday while Mr Ari, representing Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to his palace in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State. The first class traditional ruler said that the gesture was noble, considering the importance of education to societal development. He also thanked the lawmaker for paying N100,000 to each of the 18 students from the constituency studying Nursing and Midwifery in order to reduce the burden of school fees on their parents/guardians. Mr Usman-Jibril, who noted that the health and physical wellbeing of the people was critical to the development of the country, said that every effort geared towards building human capacity in that direction deserved commendation. I want to commend you for giving adequate attention to the education sector by paying WAEC fees of students of our constituency. I also want to thank you for giving money to those studying Nursing and Midwifery in order to reduce the burden of school fees on their parents, he said. The royal father prayed and wished the lawmaker well in the discharge of his duties to his constituents. Earlier, Mr Ari told the emir that the visit was to seek for his royal blessings and supports to enable him succeed in the task ahead. I am also here to inform you that I have presented cheques of N33,992,000 to principals of public secondary schools of my constituency as SSCE fees for 2,428 SSS III students. I have paid N14,000 each as part of my determination to assist their parents in the payment of the WAEC fees, considering the importance of education to societal development. In the 2019 session, I also paid N100,000 each to the 18 students studying Nursing and Midwifery to complement their parents and governments investment in their education, the lawmaker said. He assured the monarch and the people of his constituency of his continued desire to fulfil his campaign promises through execution of people-oriented programmes. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iya Hassan, Nasarawa West APC Zonal Chairman as well as Douglas Otaru and Isaiah Agah, the state APC Publicity Secretary and Welfare Secretary respectively, among others were on the lawmakers entourage. (NAN) Medak (Telangana) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of terming the Indian National flag as "inauspicious". "I want to ask BJP, isn't it true that when the tricolour was declared as the national flag of India, the RSS organiser had written that the tricolours flag was inauspicious? I dare them to refute this fact. I will show evidence and prove otherwise," Owaisi said at a public meeting here. He said that the BJP and Congress had accused him of being afraid of them. "We recently held a 'Tiranga rally' and more than one lakh people participated in it. They wanted to protect the soul of this country with the rally. When BJP and Congress leaders saw this rally, they said Owaisi has picked up the national flag because he is scared of them," Owaisi said. "I would like to say that their thinking is wrong... I am telling them the baton is ours, flag is ours and so is the nation. We had to pick up the Tiranga because those who held the flag before had Tiranga in their hands but Godse on their mind," he added. Campaigning for the upcoming municipal elections in the state, Owaisi said that Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis will suffer the most if National Register of Citizenship is implemented. "When the Citizenship Amendment Bill was introduced in the Parliament, I was the one who had considered it as black law and torn a copy of the bill in the House. This law will grant citizenship based on the religion of an individual. We cannot accept it," Owaisi said. He advocated that people should view the newly amended citizenship law along with the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). "If NPR is implemented then NRC will also happen. NPR and NRC are twins if one of them starts the other will too. There is no difference between those two. It is not mandatory that these should be together, but they want to implement both," he said. Owaisi also dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce that the NRC will not be implemented as long as he is the prime minister. "He won't do it," he added. AIMIM has fielded four candidates from Medak district from ward number 7, 11, 12 and 25 for the upcoming municipal elections for which voting will take place on January 22. (ANI) Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. Its Wag the Dog season in Washington again. In the wake of President Donald Trumps decision to kill Iranian general Qassem Soleimani earlier this month, the title of Barry Levinsons 1997 dark political comedy has been invoked in dozens of articles suggesting that Trump fomented a military crisis in order to distract from his ongoing impeachment. The notion got an added boost last week thanks to a Wall Street Journal story reporting that Trump told associates he was under pressure to deal with Gen. Soleimani from GOP senators he views as important supporters in his coming impeachment trial. Advertisement The phrase tail wagging the dog predated the movie, but it took on its current specific meaning in the political lexiconconcocting a national security crisis to distract from a domestic scandaljust months after it was released, when Bill Clinton ordered strikes on alleged al-Qaida targets in Sudan and Afghanistan in the midst of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. (Making things worse, the Sudan strike turned out to have been based on questionable intelligence.) Clinton would be accused of wagging the dog again as the impeachment saga wore on, with the 1998 bombing campaign in Iraq and then NATOs 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo war. George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Trumpon earlier occasions as well as this onehave all been accused of wagging the dog at various points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Gaslight, The Manchurian Candidate, or The Ugly American, Wag the Dog birthed a concept that has taken on a political afterlife independent from the work it was originally associated with. But I was curious how the actual film held up, more than two decades and a thousand political lifetimes after it came out. It mostly does, but in other respects, reality has become far darker and more absurd than its makers could have ever imagined. To briefly recap, the film begins with a fictional president (hes never named and his face is never shown, but they might has well have just called him Will Blinton) being accused of sexual misconduct with a visiting Girl Scout in the Oval Office, with just days to go in a close reelection fight. A shadowy political fixer (Robert De Niro) and a White House aide (Anne Heche) enlist the help of a legendary Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman) to concoct a fake war to distract the American public until Election Day. The team invents a fake national security crisis involving the nonexistent B-3 bomber, a plot by Albanian terrorists to smuggle a nuclear weapon into the U.S., and later a hostage crisis involving a U.S. special forces operator caught behind enemy lines in Albania. Advertisement Advertisement Why Albania?, Heche wonders early on. What did they ever do to us? What did they ever do for us? quips De Niro. Pushed along by David Mamets snappy dialogue, the action unfolds at a rapid clip, with the pace and structure of a heist movie as the main characters assemble a team of oddballs to pull off the big job. Hoffman was clearly having a blast playing a character widely thought to be based on the late Godfather producer Robert Evans. De Niros unbreakable deadpan kicked off his unlikely turn-of-the-century run as a comedy star. The stacked supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson, William H. Macy, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson (!), and a very early performance by Kirsten Dunst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its all still a lot of fun, and the satire still has bite. While it will be forever linked to the Lewinsky era in the popular imagination, it seems intended more as a response to the government media manipulationand mass public jingoismof the first Gulf War, the first major U.S. conflict of the cable era. Much of it also feels quite prophetic. Twenty years before #MeToo, Wag the Dog depicts the extreme lengths to which powerful men (and some women) will go to protect even more powerful men from sexual misconduct allegations. (Hoffman himself has faced multiple such allegations, though his lawyer denies them.) A scene in which the characters debate whether a Tostitos bag should be replaced with a white or calico kitten in footage of Dunst posing as an Albanian refugee predicts how digital image manipulation would transform political propaganda. And Learys Fad King character would be more than at home in a contemporary sendup of the corporate manipulation of meme culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wag the Dog is also spot-on in showing the evermore chummy relationship between liberal Hollywood and the military-industrial complex. It anticipated the Bush administrations use of marketing ideas and lingo in the rollout of the Iraq war. (From a marketing point of view, you dont introduce new products in August, White House chief of staff Andrew Card infamously said about their strategy to confront Saddam Hussein in 2002a line that might have felt heavy-handed in this movie.) Like EdTV and The Truman Show, which came out around the same time, it presages the rise of reality TVin this case the unholy fusion it would form with politics. De Niro and Hoffmans hijinks are hard to watch today without thinking of a certain Hollywood player turned far-right political impresario, not to mention a certain reality star turned president. Advertisement Advertisement Like all conspiracy movies, this one assumes a stunning level of competence from political leaders. But while, in an era whose defining Hollywood depiction of the presidency was Bill Pullman fighting aliens, Wag the Dog felt like a poison-tipped political satire, today, several aspects of it feel almost idealistic. The main one is that it never seems to occur to anyone in the film that rather than their complicated, secretive effort to sell the public on a fake war, it might be easier just to launch a real one. (In what may be the films most dated line, Heche suggests they cant afford an actual military action.) This is where the alleged real-world incidences of wagging the dog depart most dramatically from the film: They all involved not faking a war but actually killing people. Advertisement Advertisement And like all conspiracy movies, this one assumes a stunning level of competence from political leaders. The notion the White House would be able to pull off a cover-up on this scale feels almost comforting amid the sheer level of confusion and halfhearted justifications on display in Americas most recent military crisis. Ultimately, Wag the Dogs premise makes much more sense in a nation at peace. U.S. troops have now been deployed in combat for 18 years, and while military crises do occasionally make news, as one did this month, they are quickly subsumed back into the churn of the news cycle and viewed by most Americans through the prism of partisan politics. If Trump really was hoping his Iran gambit would make impeachment disappear or meaningfully shift his poll numbers, hes probably already disappointed with the results. The notion that Americans would be so galvanized by a military crisis that they would come together and forget about day-to-day partisan politics feels as dated today as Wag the Dogs satire of a bigwig Hollywood producer as a flamboyant wannabe auteur rather than a bean-counting intellectual property manager. In todays America, war isnt an Oscar-chasing prestige picture like the kind Hoffmans character is known for. Its a franchise. PITTSBURGH, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Compassionate Certification Centers, a medical cannabis healthcare system, in collaboration with Affinity Bio Partners, a Clinical Research Organization (CRO), and AI Health Outcomes, CannaBot, are pleased to announce the conclusion and publication of a medical marijuana-focused observational study in Pennsylvania. Whitepaper and author companies This research evaluates thousands of subjects who are current or past participants in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program who were asked to answer a variety of questions based on their first-hand experience. Independently, Compassionate Certification Centers and Affinity Bio Partners designed the patient questionnaire, which was released to the patients through the CannaBot. Patients provided their feedback on varying parameters with results indicating 99.62% of patients surveyed were able to reduce symptoms using medical cannabis and 63.73% of patients stating that they were able to identify the strain that is most effective for their needs. Other parameters patients were surveyed about included (but are not limited to): demographics, product selection and use, preferred route of administration, cost assessment, and dispensary experience. "The goal of this retrospective Pennsylvania patient data collection analysis was to gather information, from a patient-based perspective, regarding the Pennsylvania State Medical Marijuana program from its inception through late 2019. This information and data, provided directly by the patients the state medical marijuana program is serving, is paramount to the program's continued success and growth," cites the paper's authors, Dr. Bryan Doner (CCC) and Christina DiArcangelo (ABP). Results of this study will be published and available for download at https://bit.ly/3a7Z3ik https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/pammj-whitepaper/. About Affinity Bio Partners and AI Health Outcomes (CannaBot): Affinity Bio Partners, headquartered in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, with an office in Campbell, California, is a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) that provides best-in-class services while maintaining a personal approach. ABP works within the traditional biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries as well as medical cannabis and CBD industries. www.AffinityBioPartners.com AI Health Outcomes is an artificial intelligence technology company that has developed the first AI Bots; CannaBot, DrBot, an AI Patient Recruitment tool to assist with clinical research enrollment and other software offerings. Cannabot.ai About Compassionate Certification Centers: Compassionate Certification Centers is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has 10 medical cannabis offices throughout the state of Pennsylvania. CCC operates as a medical cannabis healthcare network, providing not only medical marijuana certifications and patient support services, but also actively participating in medical cannabis-related research and having their own line of medical-grade CBD products. To date, CCC has provided evaluations and continued treatment services to over 20,000 medical cannabis patients in the state of Pennsylvania. www.CompassionateCertificationCenters.com www.CCCregister.com Read the results of our patient-based research study at https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/pammj-whitepaper/. Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Media Contact: Melissa Rigby [email protected] 888-316-9085 | 412-519-5976 Related Images pa-medical-marijuana-patients.jpg PA Medical Marijuana Patients Whitepaper and author companies Related Links Whitepaper Download SOURCE Compassionate Certification Centers Related Links http://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com Dont you dare touch my pension. Its the one message that is resounding loud and clear as Premier Jason Kenney seeks to make Alberta more independent of the federal government. As Neil Rudiger told a public meeting in Edmonton: Keep your hands off my CPP. I wouldnt trust the UCP government with the proceeds from a bingo let alone my retirement. Like Rudiger, most Albertans are not interested in giving up CPP in favour of taking their chances with a provincial pension plan, one of Kenneys suggestions for getting a better deal for Alberta. They especially dont want anyone fiddling with their pension when Albertas economy is as rocky as it is now. In order to bolster his case for such Alberta breakaways Kenney established the Fair Deal Panel whose nine members include former Reform leader Preston Manning, three UCP MLAs and one former PC MLA. Only three of the nine are women. The panel has been conducting public hearings across the province since early December. The agenda has been carefully crafted to include only discussion points designated by the government. Any discussion of the recent budget, which has upset many because of cuts to health, education and social services, is verboten. Creating an Alberta pension plan is one of the discussion points. Others include a provincial revenue agency that would collect provincial and federal taxes; a provincial police force instead of the RCMP; opting out of federal cost-sharing programs with full compensation; and Alberta representation at international treaty negotiations. It was anticipated that the hearings would become a platform for Albertans so frustrated by the results of the federal election, which saw the Liberals returned to power, that they want Alberta to go it alone. And those Albertans have certainly been out in full force. We dont need to subsidize pensions of other Canadians, a man in Calgary told the crowd of about 350. We need to turn off the taps until Elizabeth May gets a job as a pipeline layer. In Fort McMurray, the centre of oil sands operations, Martin Pallard told about 100 people: Do we control our own destiny in Alberta or are we controlled by someone else? I believe we dont fundamentally control our own destiny and Canada is likely just too flawed. Even though the equalization formula is not on the agenda, some have called for an immediate referendum that would sort out, and possibly restrict, Albertas contributions to the rest of the country. But despite the open anger and frustration on the part of many mostly older men there is considerable pushback from people alarmed at the thought of Alberta building a firewall around itself and weakening ties with the rest of the country. In Lethbridge, retired teacher Greg Hales said he was surprised at the variety of views expressed given that southern Alberta is a kind of hotbed for conservatism. Hales also made it clear the idea of Alberta creating its own pension plan should be taken off the table. It makes no sense financially, it would cost us a fortune compared to what we would get out of it, he said. In Edmonton, about half the speakers were concerned about the combative nature of the panel. I think we are on the wrong track, said one speaker who noted that other provinces that had fallen on hard times have not reacted so dramatically. Several people cheered. In Calgary, by my count, about two-thirds of the speakers supported one or more of the points put forward for discussion by the government. As for that idea about Alberta creating its own pension plan: A recent Nanos poll found that in the Prairie provinces where Conservatives swamped Liberal candidates Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba 55.2 per cent opposed such a move. Jason Kenney might have to rethink that one. Exploiting peoples anger and frustration over the economic troubles that have beset Alberta may score political points. But threatening to fiddle with hard-earned pension funds on which so many people depend is a risk most people arent prepared to take, especially during hard economic times. GS Gillian Steward is a Calgary-based writer and freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Twitter: @GillianSteward is a Calgary-based writer and freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Twitter: @GillianSteward Read more about: Measles, mumps, malaria and smallpox 'are there to regulate the world population', according to TV presenter and environmentalist Chris Packham. Packham, known for hosting children's television programme The Really Wild Show in the 1980s and '90s, made the comment in a Radio Times interview. He said the world's human population is rising too fast and damaging the environment. Packham said he didn't want children to suffer or to die from curable diseases but he said 'every organism has a role to play'. He added that blaming families in Africa, which traditionally have more children than those in the West, for increasing the population and damaging the environment was unfair. Instead, he said, its the consumer habits of wealthier countries which are doing the damage to the environment. Packham, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire (CBE) last year for his services to nature conservation, said that an increasing global population leads to a `vicious cycle of harm to the environment Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, Packham said rising global population leads to a 'vicious cycle' of an increase in consumption and climate change and a loss of wildlife. He added that while he does not want to undo medical advances, people need to face up to their consequences. Packham said: 'I ask, very candidly, what do you think smallpox, measles, mumps and malaria are for? Every organism has a role to play. 'Quite frankly, they are there to regulate our population.' The TV presenter has previously joined the Extinction Rebellion environment protests in London AVERAGE AMERICAN PRODUCES 581 TIMES AS MUCH CO2 AS BURUNDI CITIZEN US citizens each produce as much carbon emissions as 581 people in the East African Republic of Burundi, a climate report revealed in August. The assessment conducted by UK charity Christian Aid highlighted the unbalanced impact of climate change on global food security. Nations like Burundi, the Congo and Madagascar are being hit with the hardest impacts despite being the least responsible for causing climate change. In contrast, countries responsible for blocking the adoption of climate science findings at UN meetings are among the largest contributors to global warming. These include Saudi Arabia, the US and Russia but Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are also big carbon dioxide emitters. Saudi Arabia, the US and Russia contribute 19.4, 15.7 and 12.3 tonnes of CO2 per person, respectively. The country most vulnerable to climate change damaging the food sources was the Republic of Burundi, in East Africa which was also the country with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions per person, at only 0.027 tonnes. This meant that one average individual from Saudi Arabia, the US or Russia produced as much carbon dioxide as 719, 581 or 454 Burundians, respectively. Meanwhile in the UK, an average Briton is responsible for the same level of CO2 emissions as 212 Burundians (5.73 tonnes). Advertisement Packham's comments come as the last two years have seen deadly surges in measles cases all over the world. In 2018 more than 140,000 people died of the killer infection in an 'unprecedented crisis' which saw 9,769,400 people catch the infection. Almost half of all the cases worldwide were diagnosed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Somalia and Ukraine. And towards the end of last year, the Pacific island Samoa declared a state of emergency because a measles outbreak started in a population where only one in three people had been vaccinated. The government managed to give the jab to 60 per cent of the country's population around 120,000 people in just three weeks to stop the crisis. Lack of vaccination is a growing concern around the world as conspiracy theories circulate online and generations which have never seen the diseases are complacent about getting their children immunised. Packham added: 'I don't want children to suffer to die of malaria if there is a cure. But there's no reason why we shouldn't analyse this from a biological perspective. 'The only reason we don't is a prejudice and a fear of even talking about it.' The discussion around limiting the global population is 'dogged by eugenics', he said, because 'raising the subject means making choices about which humans should be allowed to live'. He added: 'Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing these issues, very often the finger is pointed at sub-Saharan Africa because that's where the human population is growing most rapidly. 'You can't point the finger at large families of poor black children as being the problem. At this point we are the problem. 'We are the principle consumers and the onus is on us to cut back to balance their increase, and they are quite rightly able to aspire to that increase.' Packham spoke to the Radio Times about his new documentary (Radio Times/PA) Packham, who has previously joined the Extinction Rebellion protests in London, was speaking ahead of the airing of his new BBC programme 7.7 Billion People And Counting. The show looks at the impact of a growing population and asks 'whether the Earth can sustain predictions of 10 billion people by 2050', according to the BBC. 7.7 Billion People And Counting airs at 9pm on January 21 on BBC Two. A federal appeals court has revived the deportation challenge of a Northern California man who fled Guatemala after two relatives were murdered and his family was threatened, then learned that his 9-year-old nephew in Guatemala had been attacked with pliers by two men who repeated the threats. Immigration courts had upheld deportation orders against Rey Abednego De Leon-De Leon, rejecting his claim that he faced certain death if returned to Guatemala. De Leon, his stepfather and his uncle, David, encouraged Guatemalan police to investigate a man named Ricardo Gandini for torturing and killing another of De Leons uncles, who had come to his home to collect payment for the sale of an encyclopedia. Gandini was convicted of murder in 2000 and vowed in court to arrange the deaths of his victims family. De Leons stepfather was stabbed to death in 2002 while driving a taxi, and De Leon said his mother and sisters soon started getting phone calls threatening to kill anyone who spoke up. He fled to the United States in 2006, then learned in 2011 that his uncle David had been shot and killed in his woodworking shop, and the uncles son shot and wounded. And in 2016, he said, his 9-year-old nephew was attacked by two men who slashed the boys nose with a pair of pliers and told him they were coming after De Leon and his brother, the boys father. Immigration judges ruled that De Leon had failed to show the attacks and threats were connected to Gandini, who is still in prison. They noted that De Leon had not been attacked while in Guatemala. But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said Monday that the assault on De Leons nephew was new evidence that justified reopening his case. The 2-1 ruling was signed by Judge William Fletcher and U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson of Los Angeles, temporarily assigned to the appeals court. Both were appointed by President Bill Clinton. In dissent, Judge Eric Miller, an appointee of President Trump, said immigration courts were entitled to conclude that the new evidence did not meet the demanding standard required to reopen a deportation case. De Leon, who served in the Guatemalan army, now lives in Northern California with his wife, also from Guatemala, and their three children, who are U.S. citizens, and works as a concrete finisher. His lawyer, Charles Bonneau, asked that his hometown not be identified for safety reasons. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Requests to reopen such cases to consider new evidence are rarely granted, so were absolutely thrilled for the chance to continue the fight, Bonneau said. He said the attack on De Leons nephew showed that the threat was ongoing, and since hes been out of the country for so long, it showed that the threat was against him. In court filings, Bonneau said the killers of De Leons stepfather and his uncle David had left the scene without taking anything, showing that their motive was vengeance, not robbery. He is not the victim of random acts in the name of violence, or monetary gain; the perpetrators know who he is and are coming for him, Bonneau told the court. That they are willing to mutilate the face of an innocent child to convey a threat shows that these attackers are truly dangerous. If (De Leon) returns to Guatemala, he will likely be killed. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The Prime Minister has been urged to consign his "la-la land" plan for a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland to the dustbin and instead prioritise other infrastructure projects. Deirdre Heenan, a professor at Ulster University, on Tuesday branded Boris Johnson's proposal an "absurd idea" that was "logistically, economically and politically a non-starter". Her intervention came as Dr John McKinley, senior lecturer in environmental engineering at Queen's University Belfast, said the scheme - estimated by some experts to cost at least 15bn - would not likely be the most effective use of public money. Read More The academics spoke out after leading economist Dr Esmond Birnie said Stormont needed a cash injection of 5bn - around three times less the amount estimated to construct the bridge - to get Northern Ireland up and running again. The claims came as the Executive faced up to a growing crisis over an expected shortfall in funding from Westminster. Mr Johnson has long been a vocal supporter of a bridge across the Irish Sea and raised the idea publicly last Autumn. When recently asked by Ian Paisley about whether or not he supported the scheme, the Prime Minister said, "Watch this space". Professor Heenan, however, insisted it would be "ludicrous" for the Conservative Party leader to persist with the project when local public services are "decayed and stagnating". "Neither viable, nor desirable, it is nonsensical to even be discussing (a bridge) at a time when our infrastructure is woefully inadequate," she said. "It is in dire need of upgrade and modernisation. "We need a high-speed rail link from Derry to Belfast and improved infrastructure will be an important facilitator for comprehensive health and social care reform." "Engineers and experts have already dismissed it as ludicrous idea. "Why on earth would anyone entertain such an idea? "It is a fantasy that should be dismissed once and for all. "It is a la-la land idea when public services are decayed and stagnating." Dr McKinley, meanwhile, warned that even if the project got off the ground, he would be "very, very surprised if the benefits outweighed the costs". He pointed out that the estimated 15bn cost equated to almost 10,000 for every person in Northern Ireland. "Without having done the figures, I would expect that it (the bridge) is not a good use of that amount of money," Dr McKinley explained. "When Dublin looked at making a link between Wales and Ireland, (they found) it would cost considerably more than the Eurotunnel and generate a lot less benefits." Dr McKinley stressed that even in the long term the project would be unlikely to recoup its capital investment. "I would be very surprised if that were the case," he said. "It would partly displace some existing traffic by taking some of the traffic away from the ferries. We would have to account for that. "It would have to generate a lot more additional traffic between the two areas in order to make it worthwhile." If the bridge is given the green light, it would likely be established between Larne and Portpatrick or the Mull of Kintyre and Torr Head. Regardless of the route, the government would spend "quite a lot of money" just working out the cost, according to Dr McKinley. "The costings for HS2 (the planned high-speed railway link which in its first phase will connect London and Birmingham), which were fully worked out when the project was approved, are currently nearly twice the original costings," he said. "I would prioritise other infrastructure. I would be encouraging them (Stormont) to look at support for electrical vehicles, the rail network and the main trunk network of the roads, in that order. "The rail and trunk network would both be about improving connectivity to the major urban areas and across the border into the Republic. "For a lot of the routes you more or less have to go into Belfast and then out again. It would stop that being required." The Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg had a phone call on Wednesday (8 January 2020) with US President Donald Trump on developments in the Middle East. They discussed the situation in the region and NATO's role. The President asked the Secretary General for NATO to become more involved in the Middle East. They agreed that NATO could contribute more to regional stability and the fight against international terrorism. They also agreed to stay in close contact on the issue. NATO plays a key role in the fight against international terrorism, including through training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa Central, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo is seriously advocating for Four More Years for His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government to continue its development agenda " There is no doubt that His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government has performed better within the last three years and therefore deserves to be given four more years to do more for the people. The evidence are there for everyone to see and feel it. People are feeling the real impact of the Free SHS policy, Planting For Food and Jobs, Planting For Export and Rural Development (PERD), NABCO, Regular payment of Teacher Trainees and Nurses Allowance, reduction of Water and Electricity tariffs among others Apart from that construction of Classroom Blocks, Market centers, construction of Road Network, provision of potable drinking water, One District One Factory, One Village One Dam as well as modern toilet facilities are there for people to see for themselves" Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo stated these when he joined some Communities in the Gomoa Central District to climax their annual Akwambo Festival at the weekend. Addressing separate durbar organized by the chiefs and people of Gomoa Dahom, Gomoa Abaasa and Gomoa Aboso respectively, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo lauded the people for their communal spirit adding it had supplemented Assembly's development efforts. " In collaboration with Deputy Minister for Land and Natural Resources, Hon. Naana Eyiah who is also the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, we have been able to support every community under taking self-help projects in the District. Apart from providing social amenities like construction of Classroom Blocks, Market centers, CHPS Compound, modern toilet facilities and mechanised boreholes among others for various Communities, we have supplied trips of Sand, bags of Cement, iron rods and roofing materials for early completion of the projects. It is Worthy to note that almost all the Communities are taking various self-help projects to supplement the Assembly and for that matter the central government This show the level of confidence people have in His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government looking at is unprecedented achievements over the past three years Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo accompanied by Hon. Kweku Nyarko Koomson, Former Presiding Member for Gomoa Central District Assembly, Mr. George Obeng, Gomoa Central NPP Deputy Organizer, Hon. Fifi Duncan, Assembly Member-Elect for Gomoa Afransi Electoral Area and Madam Esi Hammond, a Leading Member of the NPP and other Constituency Executives, the DCE called on the people to vote massively for Nana Addo and Hon. Naana Eyiah to continue their selfless sacrifice towards the well-being of the citizenry. " Let me use this opportunity to thank Nananom and the good people in the Gomoa Central District for acknowledging efforts being made to improve their standard of living. Our constant interactions with Nananom clearly shows that they appreciate whatever we are doing as Government to better the lot of the people. On behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government, I like to assure you that your encouragement has ginger us to do more for the people. That explains why we should give Nana Addo and NPP Four More Years to Do More" Hon Benjamin Kojo Otoo concluded by urging the youth to take advantage of the various policies and intervention like Free SHS, Scholarship for Tertiary students in Educational institutions to better their lives. He also cautioned them to desist from all forms of political violence in the wake of the December 7, Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. Assembly Member-Elect for Aboso Electoral Area, Hon. Isaac Gyesi Korsah commenced DCE for Gomoa Central, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo as well as the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Naana Eyiah for spearheading infrastructure Development projects in Gomoa Aboso and it's surrounding Communities. He specifically mentioned provision of a Market center at Aboso to boost economic activities, Nurse's quarters for the local CHPS Compound and construction of Classroom Blocks for schools in Gomoa Aboso. Hon. Korsah thanked Hon. Naana Eyiah for sponsoring Free Eyes Screening for over 800 people some of which were operated and giving spectacles Free of charge. The Queen Mother of Gomoa Dahom, Nana Esifua appealed to the Gomoa Central District Assembly through the DCE and Member of Parliament to ensure reshaping of the road linking the community to Gomoa Achiase to enhance smooth transportation of goods and services. In Canada, the downing of Flight 752 triggered waves of grief and anger, followed by watching and waiting. In Iran, the fallout is taking a far more dramatic course as people take to the streets, fanning speculation of regime change in a country that has defied predictions for decades. With protests spreading to at least a dozen cities, Canadians may wonder if the aftermath will push Iran to the edge. Will we, by our involuntary sacrifice, be the unwitting agents of regime change? The iron grip of Irans theocracy runs deep thanks not only to its network of mosques and militias, but the money that knits it all together. The clerical establishment and its close allies are heavily invested in every aspect of Iranian life, and they will fight to the death to protect their livelihoods. Ever since the U.S. embassy hostage crisis in 1979, and the terrorist attacks Tehran fomented against soft targets around the world, the foreign image of Iran has been of an outlier and outlaw nation. But Iran sees itself as a great civilization and erstwhile Safavid empire, a Persian military dynasty with an enduring cultural legacy. Todays Persians are more prone to see themselves as victims rather than perpetrators. On my past assignments to Iran, I almost always heard the pre-eminent refrain of Irans victimhood the 1953 Western-backed coup that displaced its democratic government and installed the Shahs rule; and Western sympathy for Saddam Hussein when his Iraqi forces launched a brutal eight-year war against them. When President Donald Trump boasted that the U.S. had killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, and then tweeted that 52 Iranian sites were targeted for retaliation, including those of cultural significance, Irans President Hassan Rouhani tweeted back at him: Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290. #IR655. Rouhanis numerical reference was to another catastrophic downing of a civilian airliner in the fog of war, when the American missile cruiser USS Vincennes blew up Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 people on board in 1988, never forgotten by Iranians. But Irans president lost that trump card last week when his own Revolutionary Guards shot down Flight 752, a plane filled mostly with his own people and our own people. Irans government was no longer victim but victimizer. Iranians who have long chafed under repression were suddenly joined by sympathizers of the regime who had suddenly lost faith in their countrys enduring narrative. Their anger was directed not merely at the powerful Revolutionary Guards who mistakenly targeted a civilian airliner, nor solely at the authorities who recklessly kept Tehrans airspace open to civil aviation after launching a missile attack against U.S. forces based in Iraq as their air defences were on hair trigger alert, but most especially at the political leadership that denied the reality of what happened for three days despite the obvious evidence. They knew the truth from the start, but have lived a lie for so long. Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has relied on guerrilla forces notably their secretive Quds Force and the proxy fighters in Lebanons Hezbollah to aggressively wage asymmetrical warfare across the Middle East and the world, while deceptively playing the victim card. But the latest deception has yielded the greatest disruption. With so many once again demonstrating in the streets, the regime will stop at nothing to crush the dissent, for it has too much to lose. Human rights groups say as many as 1,500 civilians were shot dead in economic protests late last year. In 2009, the government cracked down violently against unarmed democracy rights activists who dreamed of a so-called Persian Awakening after a disputed presidential election. The cycle of repression continues because so many people have a vested interest in the regimes resurgence. Defeating the power structure is so difficult because it is so dispersed spread between Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini, the Guardian Council that advises him, the Revolutionary Guard that answers to him, the basij militia that obeys him, the armed forces, the majlis of legislators, the presidency, the rival security services, and the Expediency Council that brokers power. Above it all are the bonyads, semi-private foundations that acquired the deposed Shahs assets and whose glorified slush funds account for a major part of the economys cash flow, lubricating the regimes loyalists. Like repressive regimes elsewhere, Iran is no pushover. When I covered the early stirrings of democracy in the late 1990s under then-president Mohammad Khatami, the prospect of incremental change held promise; the nuclear deal brokered more recently by Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama (with assistance from Canada), might have returned Iran to the path of engagement, or at least denuclearization. Now, the violent regime change that many outsiders hope for remains a remote prospect and an explosive one. It would not only be disruptive, but destructive more likely to create chaos than lead to liberation. Read more about: I honestly think he peaked a little bit too early, unfortunately, and people are kind of having buyers remorse, the Democratic county chair said of Buttigieg. The second-guessing is starting. I think a big part of it is foreign policy, which is now becoming a huge issue in this election, which none of us expected. And that does play to Joe Bidens strength, and in many ways they are in the same lane. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, N.Y. -- A Sullivan County coyote hunting/trapping contest next month could be for headed for a record number of participants with some $10,000 in cash and prizes offered. The last couple of years weve increased our prizes, said Jack Danchak, president of the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs of Sullivan County. Last year, we had 644 participants. This year, were looking for over 700, he said. Were a little ahead of where we were (registration-wise) this time last year." The three-day competition, set for Feb. 7-9, will be headquartered at the White Sulphur Springs Fire House. The contest is open to coyote hunters across the state, along those from six counties in Pennsylvania (Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Lackawanna, Monroe and Tioga). Among the prizes offered will be a $2,000 check for the hunter who turns in the heaviest coyote. Hunters will also be awarded $80 for each coyote weighed in. Animal rights advocates, who decline to respond to requests from NYup.com for comment, in recent weeks have started online petitions and peppered local officials in Hancock, N.Y. and Whitney Point with phone calls and emails condemning coyote hunters there. The Hancock contest, which was sponsored by the Hancock Fire Department, was cancelled. The Whitney Point contest, scheduled for this weekend, is still on. We get that every year. It doesnt stop us from doing it, Danchak said. These anti-hunters, animal lovers dont understand. We have a coyote problem. Their population is exploding, You have coyotes in places where theyve never been before. Theyre taking out small game, taking our domestic small dogs and cats. Its a serious problem. Danchak said last year a woman from California informed him she had organized a petition effort against the Sullivan County contest that gathered 80,000 signatures. We paid no attention and never heard anything else, he said. The entry fee is $35. Other cash awards this year in the Sullivan County competition will include $500 for the second heaviest coyote and $250 for the third heaviest coyote weighed. In addition, there will be a $200 prize for the heaviest coyote weighed each day; $100 to a heaviest coyote turned in by a youth hunter (ages 12-15) and $100 to the heaviest coyote turned in by a female hunter. In addition, the contest end ends with a roast beef dinner at the fire house, that includes drinks (beer and soda). Contestants will also be eligible for additional prizes and a free, $5 ticket for a gun raffle. The same will be offered to guests of the hunters who just attend the dinner. The cost for those who just attend the banquet will be $25, Dancheck said. And were expecting loads of guests, he said. The weigh-ins will be held at the White Sulphur Springs Fire House on Route 52 in Sullivan County. According to the contest regulations: We suggest all coyotes be brought in on the day of the kill for weigh-in. If taken after weigh-in hours keep coyote warm. All coyotes will be body temperature tested. A temperature above l00 degrees or below 68 degrees is a disqualification. Use whatever means necessary to keep the body temp above 68 degrees. Wrap the coyote in bags, tarps, blankets or put in Ice chests & don't expose the coyote to the elements before weigh-in. The rules are a guard against a contestant entering a coyote taken outside of the tournament dates. Coyotes are not native to this state. The first one was sighted in this state in 1926, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The coyote hunting season is the longest hunting season in the state (Oct. 1 to March 29) with no daily bag limits. Although they are legal, the DEC, does not endorse or sponsor competitive hunting events. Some state lawmakers have proposed laws banning such competitions. Proceeds from the Sullivan County coyote hunt will go toward a wide variety of Federations activities, Danchak said, including paying for fishing derbies and sending youngsters to the state Department of Environmental Conservations summer camp. Everything we make will go back into the community, he said. Danchak pointed out that New York is not unique in offering competitive coyote hunts. Pennsylvania has 28 (contests) scheduled for this winter, he said. For more on the contest, see the Federations website at sportsmensfederation.com. MORE: And we wont be shut down:' As one competitive coyote hunt is cancelled, another is quickly announced DEC enacts updated regulations for the feeding of deer and moose 12 great Upstate NY outdoors shows you wont want to miss this winter LONGi, a leading global solar technology company, has been selected as the PV sponsor for the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai UAE. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) awarded LONGi "PV Sponsor for China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai UAE" at a launch ceremony held at the Pusen Hotel, said a statement. Fang Ke, deputy director of the World Expo Affairs Office of The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Li Wenxue, Vice President of LONGi Group, Chen Pengfei, general manager of LONGi New Energy, Wang Yingge, head of global marketing, LONGi Solar, and over 80 journalists from the Chinese mainstream media joined the launch and witnessed this important moment for LONGi. Fang Ke, deputy director of the World Expo Affairs Office of The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said: The China Pavilion was named 'Huaxia Light'. Its appearance is designed with traditional Chinese lanterns, symbolizing 'Brightness and Future'. The photovoltaic industry has become a 'national business card' of China, leading in all aspects such as scale, application, technology, and cost. LONGi, as the leader of China's photovoltaic industry, will shine," Ke added. Li Wenxue, vice president of LONGi Group, said: We believe our partnership with the China Pavilion in Dubai Expo 2020 will have a positive effect on the entire industry and deepen the understanding of new energy represented by photovoltaics in society. Today, LONGi takes the mission of 'promoting the global energy transition' and actively innovates new products. LONGi has always focused on the technological innovation to promote the revolution and development of the entire photovoltaic industry, and actively develops business and cooperation on a global scale. According to the company, LONGi's innovative "photovoltaic floor tiles" made of high-efficiency monocrystalline modules will also be unveiled at the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai UAE. Chen Pengfei, general manager of LONGi New Energy, said: We will make efforts to provide the world's leading integrated photovoltaic energy solution for the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai UAE. With the innovative 'photovoltaic floor tile' modules, the photovoltaic system and the design concept of 'Huaxia Light' are highly integrated, and the photovoltaic road that combines technology, beauty and fashion will also be presented on the world stage, Pengfei added. TradeArabia News Service Photo: Contributed Jordan Camille and his horse were hit by a train near Kamloops on Sunday morning, leaving him seriously injured and the horse dead. According to the GoFundMe summary, Jordan was searching for some horses that were called into the band office as 'in distress'. He found one of the horses, and he was riding his horse, whose name was Rory. He was hit by the train shortly afterwards. Rory was hit entirely, which threw Jordan to safety. The entire story is on the GoFundMe page, which has already reached over $1000 as of the publishing of this article. To read the full story and to donate, you can click here. It also challenged the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules 2016 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order 2016 being unconstitutional. New Delhi: The Kerala government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, describing it as a colou-rable legislation violative of the basic structure principle of secularism in the Constitution. Kerala, which has beco-me the first state to challenge the CAA in court, has sought a declaration that the CAA is ultra vires of the Constitution, being violative of Article 14 (equality for before the law), Article 21 (right to life) and Article 25 (right to freedom of religion) as well as violative of the basic structure. Besides challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA, Kerala has also challenged the amendment to the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules 2015 and Foreigners (Amend-ment) Order 2015, contending that they too are in the teeth of Article 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. It also challenged the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules 2016 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order 2016 being unconstitutional. Kerala has joined more than 60 petitioners who are already before the court challenging the CAA and the 2015 and 2016 amendments to the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules, and Foreigners (Amendment) Order. The CAA and amendments to the Passport (Entry to India) Amend-ment Rules and Foreig-ners (Amendment) Order, Kerala has contended, is a colourable legislation and the grant of citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, Budd-hists and Jains facing persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh is not founded on any rationale principle justifying special treatment. There is no rationale in not extending the rights conferred to a class of minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangla-desh to religious minorities belonging to... Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, says the petition by the Kerala government. Saying the classification of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh was without any rationale or any standard principles, Kerala has claimed that the entire exercise was manifestly arbitrary and violates Article 14 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court had on December 18 sought the response of the Centre on a batch of petitions that challenged the constitutional validity of the CAA that provides for the grant of Indian citizenship to illegal migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian faiths, barring only Muslims. The court will hold a further hearing on January 22, when it would also consider the plea for a stay on the citizenship law, which was described by the petitioner as contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. The Centre has opposed any stay on the controversial law contending the statute under challenge cannot be stalled as there was an assumption of constitutionality in favour of the statute passed by Parliament. Broadly, the petitioners opposed to the CAA have contended that it was contrary to secularism, which is a part of the Preamble of the Constitution, violative of fundamental rights guaranteeing equality before the law (Article 14), prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, language, colour (Article 15) and the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Rakhine Village Chiefs Tell Myanmar Leader They'll Quit Unless Colleague's Death is Investigated 2020-01-13 -- Dozens of village administrators in western Myanmar's war-torn Rakhine state have threatened to resign if Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi does not order an investigation into the death of one of their colleagues killed by government troops, the community heads said Monday. The 68 village chiefs from Minbya township sent a written appeal to the state counselor, military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and deputy parliamentary speaker Aye Thar Aung to look into the death of Nyan Thein, the head of Satetaya village, and to seek justice for him. The village heads said they sent their appeal directly to Aung San Suu Kyi because they trust her. "With regard to the murder of village head Nyan Thein, we believe that Mother Suu can resolve this problem," a village administrator said. "We trust her." "If she cannot bring justice to this case, all 68 village heads will be at the risk of succumbing to the same fate," he added. "We are trapped between two armed forces. So we have agreed to resign if things do not go well." A Myanmar soldier reportedly arrested Nyan Thein at his home on Dec. 13 while he was meeting with a Buddhist monk and 20-some villagers congregated near a bonfire in his compound, according to residents. The villagers told RFA's Myanmar Service in an earlier report that soldiers hit Nyan Thein on his head with a rifle butt, then shot and killed him. A 39-year-old mother from the village was also shot and killed in the same incident. "Military troops entered the village, and a soldier fired a shot into the air in front of the village head's home," said a second administrator who requested anonymity for fear of his safety. Three other soldiers followed and shouted at the residents sitting by the bonfire not to run away or else they would shoot and kill them, he said. The soldiers then ordered them to place their cellphones on the ground. "Then they started shooting," he said. The first village head, who also did not want to provide his name, said, "I heard the military enter the village and started beating Nyan Thein as soon as they found him inside his home." A third village leader who declined to give his name out of fear for his safety echoed the sentiment. "Our lives are at risk," he said. "We don't know when we will be murdered like Nyan Thein." 'Terrorizing the population' Dozens of civilians, including village administrators, have died in an escalated conflict between Myanmar forces and the rebel Arakan Army (AA), which is fighting for greater autonomy in northern Rakhine state. Both sides have detained and interrogated villagers who they believe may be assisting the enemy, and have blamed the other for killings. RFA could not reach President's Office spokesman Zaw Htay for comment on the appeal letter. AA spokesman Khine Thukha pointed to repeated incidents where village heads and civilians were killed by Myanmar soldiers in the state, and said that Aung San Suu Kyi should do something to stop it. "The Myanmar military has been terrorizing the civilian population," he said. "A Nobel Peace Prize laureate like Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi and her government should be able to prevent that." "We want to send a clear message that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government are responsible for all the atrocities and war crimes committed by the Myanmar military." Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said that the army conducts investigations of killings whenever it receives an appeal letter. "I don't know if we have received that letter or not," he said. "We have made announcements with regard to these incidents." "These village heads should be more honest," he added. "What I mean is they need to tell the truth. As for us, we conduct investigations upon the receipt of appeal letters." A Dec. 13 announcement by the military said it was responding to the shooting of Nyan Thein and another village head, Kyaw Aye Maung. Some residents who managed to escape arrest that night said earlier that Kyaw Aye Maung was killed as Myanmar soldiers took residents away from the village. So far, the military has arrested seven villagers it says are connected to the incident. Village administrators are government employees assigned to their posts by the General Administration Department, the country's administrative backbone that acts as the civil service for Myanmar's 14 state and regional governments and provides the administration for its districts and townships. The department was under the Ministry of Home Affairs until December 2018, but then was transferred to the Ministry of the Office of the Union Government under the administration of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government. Envoy meets with ethnic armies Meanwhile, a Chinese special envoy has pressed leaders of two rebel ethnic armies in Myanmar to reduce their offensives and engage in peace talks with government forces, as Beijing continues to try to influence the direction of armed conflict in war-torn Kachin and Rakhine states ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Sun Guoxiang, special envoy for Asian affairs from China's foreign ministry, met on Jan. 10 with the commanders of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the AA at KIA headquarters in the town of Laiza in northern Myanmar's Kachin state to try to persuade the armies to take measures to end instability in the border regions. Both ethnic armies are members of the Northern Alliance of four rebel militaries that have joined forces to launch coordinated attacks against government forces. China has been increasingly concerned about armed conflicts in northern and western Myanmar disrupting various infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asia nation under Xi's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and wants to ensure they are not jeopardized. Sun has expressed Beijing's official displeasure with the fighting and encouraged ethnic armies fighting Myanmar troops in border areas to meet with peace negotiators and agree to bilateral cease-fires with the government military. His latest effort comes before Xi's state visit to Myanmar on Jan. 17-18. "When our leaders met with Sun Guoxiang in Laiza, he said that the Chinese government is assisting the Myanmar government with the peace talks," AA spokesman Khine Thukha told RFA's Myanmar Service. "So, he has encouraged all parties to resolve the issue at the negotiation table in a peaceful way." But he stressed that the ruling civilian government and the national military need to do more on their end to stop the fighting and initiate the next moves in the country's faltering peace process to ends decades of civil wars and forge a democratic federal union. "In order to keep holding the peace talks, the Myanmar government and the military should change their hostile attitudes," Khine Thukha said. "Especially, both the government and the military should give up the belief that they can win in any way by the excessive use of force. They should find a common ground by settling differences in a peaceful manner." RFA could not reach Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun or Colonel Win Zaw Oo, spokesman for the Myanmar's military's Western Command, for comment. Reported by Moe Myint, Phyu Phyu Khine, and Nayrein Kyaw for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The importance of data gathering and storage has never been more critical in the country. Today, the subject of digitization has been given a big push as Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia embarks upon a campaign to reduce the human interface in public institutions. Of course, that is a sure way of reducing the incidence of corruption. The ongoing capture of the data of the citizens of this country by the National Identification Authority (NIA) towards the issuance of Ghana Card is inching towards its March deadline. Important state assignments such as this must be time-bound. This gives it the sense of urgency required to push those assigned the task to do even more. President Akufo-Addo's call on the NIA last week to ensure that they meet the March deadline is definitely in order. For the first time in the annals of this country, we are getting closer to having a national database of citizens which would leverage national development in myriads ways. This is a decade of data and indeed digitization. Crime management, electoral roll management and development are but some of the areas the country stands to gain when a credible database is created. Acquiring such a database is one thing and ensuring its integrity constitutes a different thing entirely. Ghana is today embroiled in a net of political cacophony as some politicians try futilely to stop the process of compiling an up-to-date voters' register. These are persons who are neither interested in data management nor its integrity and would rather antiquated makeshift register of names of persons lacking in integrity are presented as voters' register. The reason for the disagreement is not far-fetched. While some politicians stand to gain from a flawed voters' register and would prefer maintaining the status quo, their counterparts on the other side of the aisle obsessed with a credible database periodically updated demand the compilation of a replacement. The latter, of course, are database cherishers who appreciate its roll in such critical subjects as election management. The work of the NIA is as crucial and data driven as the Electoral Commission's (EC). Both are charged with ensuring that veracity cuts across their assignments in the area database management. A database full of discrepancies and untruths such as the capture of foreigners' data and treating them as citizens would definitely affect the purpose for which the data is gathered and stored. Development would be impacted negatively and veracious outcome of elections impossible to come by the fallouts from which are too palpable to be elaborated here. New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday clarified that DSP Davinder Singh was not awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Union Home Ministry. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service was by the erstwhile J&K state, on Independence Day 2018, Jammu and Kashmir police said. In a series of tweets, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said: It is to clarify that DySP Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile JK State on Independence Day 2018. The police said that the medal was awarded to him for his participation in countering a fidayeen attack by terrorists at the district police lines in Pulwama on August 25-26, 2017, when he was posted as a DSP in the district police lines, Pulwama. The police has advised the media persons to avoid speculative stories not based on facts. In another tweet, the police said: Jammu and Kashmir Police is known for its professionalism doesnt spare anyone including its own cadres if found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct. We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case, where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone. A special investigation team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police is handling interrogation of the arrested accused officer and the terrorists, which would probe his criminal conduct in the instant case and his involvement in any such criminal acts in the past, the tweet said. Also Read: Had Davinder Singh Been Davinder Khan.: Why Adhir Ranjan Wants Fresh Pulwama Probe Davinder Singh was on Monday suspended as it emerged that he had sheltered three terrorists, arrested along with him, at his residence here right next to the Army's XV corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment, officials said. Singh, who was decorated with President Police Medal about four months ago, continued to be grilled by a team of police and intelligence investigators. His office at Srinagar airport, where he was posted as deputy superintendent of police in the anti-hijacking squad, was sealed, they said. Piecing together the chain of events, the officials said the two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf -- were taken to the officer's home on Friday by a lawyer Irfan, who the police said was an overground worker for terror groups. Singh reported absent from duty on Saturday, the day he was apprehended by a team of policemen along with the other three at Mir Bazar on the national highway. The DySP had applied for leave from Sunday till Thursday, they said. Police had carried out searches at his residence here and seized two pistols and an AK rifle beside a large quantity of ammunition. Singh, whose name had been cleared for promotion as superintendent of police, is also likely to lose the gallantry medal that was awarded to him last year, the officials said. Also Read: Why Do You Want To Give Clean Chit To Pakistan: BJP On Congress's Demand For Fresh Pulwama Probe The DySP is deemed to have been suspended after having completed 48 hours in police custody, they said quoting service rules. On Sunday evening, his office at the Srinagar airport, where he was posted as DySP in the anti-hijacking unit, was sealed so that no evidence could be tampered with, the officials said. Singh was arrested at a checkpoint on a national highway by a team of policemen, who were following the case after intelligence inputs suggested that Naveed Baba was being moved out of the valley. Caught on the wrong side of the law, all excuses by Singh failed to enthuse police officers who effected his arrest and carried out a search at his residence in Srinagar where he had kept Naveed and his associate Altaf, a recent joinee in the banned terror outfit, the officials said. Initially, he repeatedly claimed that he was trying to win the confidence of the terrorists to catch a 'bigger fish' but could not substantiate the reasons for not following due protocol. Singh's arrest may have affected the image of Jammu and Kashmir Police but former director general of police Kuldeep Khoda lauded the police force for not hesitating even once in arresting their senior officer. "It is the JKP which has caught its own officer. They laid the trap as they do for other terrorists and managed to arrest the DySp. No one can cast any doubt on the police force which has been rendering service to the nation especially during the last 30 years of militancy in the valley," Khoda said. (With Agency Inputs) Ambassadors to the United Nations of both the U.S. and Iran defended the recent attacks as "self-defense" in a letter to the 15-member Security Council. Both representatives justified the actions under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The article details the members' right to self-defense against armed attacks. It also requires the members to report any such measures to the Security Council immediately. What Happened The U.S. killed Iranian military general Qassem Soleimani, the head of the country's elite Quds Force, in three airstrikes near the Baghdad International Airport earlier this month. Iran retaliated by launching more than a dozen ballistic missiles targeting U.S. airbases in Iraq. No American casualties were reported from the attacks. What The US Said The U.S. strikes against Soleimani, and another set of strikes at bases controlled by Iran-backed Shia militia Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria took place in response to "an escalating series of armed attacks in recent months by [Iran] and Iran-supported militias on U.S. forces and interests in the Middle East," Ambassador Kelly Craft said in the letter seen by Reuters. U.S. wanted to deter Iran or its allied militias from conducting or supporting any further attacks against the U.S., Kelly wrote. The ambassador assured the country's willingness to negotiate with Iran and prevent further "endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime," Reuters reported. Kelly warned that the U.S. is prepared to take any further action to protect its troops or other interests in the region. What Iran Said Iran Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi similarly defended the country's actions, according to Reuters, saying that it doesn't seek "escalation or war." Ravanchi described Iranian strikes as "measured and proportionate military response," Reuters reported. "The operation was precise and targeted military objectives, thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area," Ravanchi said, adding that Iran has full respect for Iraqi sovereignty. Story continues Why It Matters The letter comes as President Donald Trump signaled that the U.S. wants to pursue de-escalation of the situation, while he continued to threaten Iran with economic sanctions against any aggravation. Trump previously threatened to attack key Iranian cultural sites ahead of Iran's retaliation, but later backtracked the statement after the Pentagon said it would constitute a war crime. 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. COMMACK, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- School trips present unique opportunities to create lasting memories. As it is often said, "seeing something a hundred times is not as good as living it once. On a trip, students will see new sites, meet new people, and get to experience things they never otherwise would have. One of the greatest gifts a teacher can give a student is a lasting, educational memory. There are many things educators can do to make an effort to help students remember their trips. Agency for student trips for high school students , Fantastic Tours, shares four ways to help students remember their trip. Take a lot of pictures and videos. Students will be so busy in the moment that they may forget to take pictures. Even if they do take pictures, they won't be able to get themselves in the picture. If teachers and chaperones take pictures, they will be able to capture students in the moment. Even better than photos, videos will help students remember not only the sights, but the sounds and full memories of a trip. Have them journal each day of the trip. Tell students to bring a notebook or tablet to the trip so they can journal at the end of each day. This way, they can write down in detail what happened while it is fresh in their memories. Detailed journaling also helps them share the experience with family and friends when they return home. A travel journal can be on paper or digital. Allowing students to create a travel blog about their trip will create a timeless (and hard to misplace) record of this special time. Teach them about the destination ahead of time. It's important to prepare students for their trip by teaching them about it ahead of time. That way, they are already familiar with the basics and can have it solidified in their memory. Also, they will be paying more attention to the specifics of the tours and activities rather than trying to acquire basic knowledge about where they are. Encourage students to ask questions. Encourage students to ask questions during tours, when sightseeing, and at all points during the trip (so long as they are not disrespecting someone else's speaking time), to help them fully comprehend what they are learning. This will help them better absorb the information in a way that makes sense for them, so they will better remember it in a more personal way. These are just a few tips for helping your students remember their trip. Remember, a well-planned trip is a memorable one, so be sure to get the help of student trip planning experts for your upcoming trip! About Fantastic Tours Fantastic Tours is a national tour company creating customized tour experiences for schools across America. Founded in 1984 a WBE certified agency, the Fantastic Tours team is experienced, passionate, and proud of their unique approach to educational travel. Their mission is to assist you in creating an enriching experience outside the classroom with travel, with a dedicated 24/7 client service approach. SOURCE Fantastic Tours & Travel Hamza Saleem stared out at the mostly empty tables inside the Subway he manages at Hudson Mall. Only a handful of customers walked through the white-tiled halls of the Jersey City mall on Friday and they were nearly outnumbered by the patrolling security guards. Theres nobody in the mall on Friday," he said, gesturing to the vacant hallway. "Its supposed to be really busy. The malls vendors are struggling with an almost invisible menace: an infestation of gnats caused by a broken sewer pipe. Though harmless, these tiny insects are having an outsize impact on the vendors bottom line, they say. Amir Saad, an employee at Father Yostos Gift Shop, said he sprays the shop with Raid every day just for me, just to work." A smoking stick of incense on the checkout counter did not fully mask the chemical smell. Next to the counter, a glowing insect trap buzzed. Saad said he emptied the dead flies out four or five times every day. Day by day it becomes more and more, he told the Jersey Journal. It became terrible. Vendors say the gnats have infested the mall for several months. The insects have driven away customers, and as a result, business has dropped precipitously, some said. As soon as me and my friends walked in, I had a fly, flying around me, one person wrote on Yelp. "And theyre not big ones, theyre little fruit flies, but still nasty. Urban Edge Properties, the real estate company that owns Hudson Mall, told The Jersey Journal in an email that a leaking sewer pipe has brought on the bugs. We immediately took action to uncover and replace the broken section of pipe. We worked closely with both the Jersey City and Hudson County health departments, seeking their guidance and assistance, and are continuing to follow all of their recommendations, Urban Edges vice president of asset management Bassam Mhich said in an email. Significant positive results have been achieved and we will continue all remediation efforts until conditions at the center are returned to normal. Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the city health department has been involved since Dec. 30. Health officials coordinated with mall management to rectify the issue using specific traps that were determined to be the most effective and safest solution, Wallace-Scalcione said in a statement. Health officials are monitoring the establishments on a daily basis. The manager of a gift shop called Good Fortune, who declined to be named, said that customers had stopped coming to his store, complaining about the bugs. In early January, Jersey City health inspectors ordered him to turn off ornamental fountains that he sold and remove potted bamboo plants from his store. The inspectors told him that they were exacerbating the problem, the manager said. Ive been selling plants for 20 years, he told the Jersey Journal, adding that the flies had only been around for a few months. When the inspectors came back four days later, after the plants had been removed, they issued another Good Fortune employee a court summons on the grounds that she had interfered with a health officer, a penalty the manager said was unwarranted. Its not our fault," he said. "We suffer for months already. Urban Edge has conducted one-on-one meetings and provided regular updates to mall vendors, the statement added. We would like to thank our tenants for their support, patience, and accommodating our repeated inspections. And of course, thank our customers for their understanding and loyalty, Mhich said. But Ibrahim Hesham, who works at a mens clothing store at the mall, said the flies have driven away customers. Bad business, bad, bad, bad, he said. Nobody come now. If you look outside, nobody is walking. On Friday, some businesses were closed, and those that remained open were almost completely empty. Vendors were divided on whether or not things had gotten better since repair work on the pipe began. And the damage may have already been done. Juan A. Martinez, who owns the restaurant Pizza Palace, said that with the decreased sales, he wasnt sure he would be able to keep the business open. We have no money to pay the rent, he said. What can I do? GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tengasco, Inc. (NYSE American: TGC) today announced that its Board of Directors has commenced a process to explore potential transactions or combinations in order to maximize shareholder value. These alternatives may include continuing as a standalone public company, going private, acquiring businesses within or outside of the energy industry, and other business combinations. The Board has retained Roth Capital Partners, LLC as its financial advisor in connection with the process of reviewing potential transactions. Tengasco is an oil and gas exploration and production company with conventional oil producing assets primarily located in the Central Kansas Uplift, Kansas. In 2018, the Company sold non-core methane facility assets in Carter Valley, Tennessee to focus on its existing oil properties. Currently Tengasco, has no outstanding bank debt, maintains a positive working capital position, and has a neutral to positive monthly EBITDA. "Despite navigating challenging oil markets, Tengasco has carefully maintained its national exchange listing and a clean balance sheet. These characteristics make Tengasco a prime candidate for businesses seeking to go public that may not have a traditional IPO route available to them," stated Michael J. Rugen, Tengasco's Chief Executive Officer. "While there appear to be larger public vehicles (for example, special purpose acquisition companies [SPACs]) with larger transaction thresholds, we continue to believe there is a gap in access for small and medium-sized businesses that have a desire to go public. We believe Tengasco should explore options to possibly meet this need." Alexander M. Montano, Managing Director of the Energy Investment Banking Team at Roth Capital Partners said "Tengasco has set itself apart from its peers by being a good steward of capital in a period of highly-levered balance sheets, but most importantly, maintaining its value as a solid, listed, publicly reporting issuer. Tengasco has a platform that should be able to raise institutional capital with the right identified acquisition." There can be no assurance that the Company's review process will result in any successful transaction or other outcome. The Company does not intend to comment further publicly or publicly discuss the review process unless and until its Board of Directors has approved a definitive transaction, or otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or is required by law. To inquire more about this process please contact Roth Capital Partners at [email protected] Forward-looking statements made in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ from anticipated results, including risks associated with the timing and development of the Company's reserves and projects, risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, risks associated with the review of business combination alternatives, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SOURCE Tengasco, Inc. Related Links http://www.tengasco.com Dear Ajman Beach Hotel, We wrote this for trip advisor, but we want to get it also directly to the Hotel. So many times people only talk about how bad things were and never about the good. My wife and I would like to thank all the hard working staff that the hotel has. I am a retired chef and Food Service Director, I want special thanks to go to the food service of the Hotel, the food was fantastic. We also had a young man who kept our room clean and he was a perfect gentleman and very pleasant the whole time we were there We had the best time of our lives and we travel extensively Thank you again! Where to begin? Room 412, sea side, my wife and I, and no preconceived expectations. Small hotel, first hotel built in Ajman, location is on the beach and you can literally walk to anything worth seeing. The hotel has a shuttle bus to take you to Dubai and it runs everyday. They are well staffed in all departments and the employees are fantastic. The sea is crystal clear all the time, we were there for two weeks and even though it rained three times and stormed, never did the sea cloud up with debris and seaweed. We like to snorkel and basically did that everyday. Only one day was too bad to swim, due to high winds. Food was perfection. They serve fish and a very good whiting fish everyday. Unlike hotels that serve chicken as the main daily dish, they served fish everyday. Chicken as a secondary and beef as a secondary also everyday. I ate so much fish, I though I would burst.it was fried, baked, steamed, sauced, garlic covered, grilled and several other ways. They served rice, potatoes, pastas, many types of vegetables, fruit salads, beans of many types and on and on. They had many types of cold salads from egg salad, tuna salad, Greek salad, lettuce salad, to Caesar salad. They served beef grilled steak, grilled chicken steaks, fried chicken, beef stew, chicken stew, fried egg plane, I mean they served everything and everything was delicious. But; if you love desserts? They only have homemade custards, ice cream and fruit salad. We do not eat dessert so it never mattered. If you must have an endless display of desserts, then dont go to this hotel. No desserts to speak of All other food is endless and delicious and as there were many families, I saw the kids eating happily with all the variety available. Not to mention I gained a kilo in weight during my two weeks. There was just too much food, too good and it was endless. Be alert to the fact that you will basically drink only water, hot tea and coffee. No sodas, no beer no nothing, unless you buy and again, this was not an issue for us. There were downsides as with everywhere. The nightlife is noisy until early morning. Not just our hotel, but all the hotels around would party until 3 am. Out hotel has what they call the Lawn and we got to watch many young childrens birthday parties. The hotel is run by Indians and thus we had much opportunities to see Indian parties and Arab parties. Thus the noise was outweighed with seeing how cultures partied. I can tell you that men dance with men and they can really dance up a storm. I am going to write to the home office of this hotel and tell them how great things were. So many times all we hear is the bad and while we had a few issues, such as one rotten employee and some neighboring rooms smoking in a non smoking floor. In noway does a rotten apple spoil the whole basket and that is what needs to be remembered Oh my wife wanted me to remind everyone to go see the Ajman Museum it is about a 800 meter walk from the hotel and worth spending a few hours at. You will learn a bunch about Ajman and its beginnings Ajman may be the poorest of the UAE, but far from the least of the UAE. Also spend a day shopping with the locals, you will find that the prices are fantastic and you might have to struggle to get it all home. I have missed many things, but I already wrote a book as a comment My wife and I loved Ajman Beach Hotel and Ajman is a jewel. **** Svetlana Prostova & Kyle Keeton Room 412 This is the letter above I sent to the home office of the Ajman Beach Hotel Ajman Beach Hotel WtR Senator Todd Young (R., Ind.) announced on Tuesday that he would support a resolution to curb President Trumps power to make war on Iran without Congressional authorization. Young is the third Republican Senator to support the resolution, which was authored by Senator Tim Kaine (D., Va.). Democrats will need four Republicans to vote for the resolution in order to gain the majority required to pass it. Kaine tweaked the original resolution to make it more palatable for Republicans, eliminating a section that Republicans and some Democrats deemed too critical of President Trump. I will be supporting, shall we call it, Kaine 2.0., the newer Kaine language, should I have an opportunity to vote on it, Young said in comments reported by The Hill. Senators Rand Paul (R., Ky.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah) have both previously expressed support for the War Powers resolution. Paul and Lee confirmed their support after a classified briefing on the U.S. airstrike that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of governmentto come in and tell us that we cant debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran, Lee fumed to reporters after the briefing. Its un-American. Its unconstitutional. And its wrong. And I hope and expect that they will show more deference to their limited power in the future. The House on Thursday passed a separate War Powers resolution sponsored by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.). The vote fell mostly along party lines, although Representative Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.), a staunch Trump ally, raised eyebrows by urging fellow Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution. More from National Review Shia cleric and political leader calls on Iraqis to unite for peaceful march against presence of US troops. Iraqs populist Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has called for a million-man march against the presence of United States troops in Iraq just days after the countrys parliament voted to expel foreign troops from Iraq. The skies, land and sovereignty of Iraq are being violated every day by occupying forces, Sadr, who also leads the Sairoon political bloc, wrote on Twitter. He told Iraqis to hold a million-man, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations, without specifying a date or location for the march. On January 5, Iraqs parliament passed a resolution that called on the government to expel foreign troops and cancel its request for assistance from the US-led coalition that had been working with Baghdad to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group. Around 5,000 US troops are left in Iraq most of them soldiers who came to Iraq in an advisory capacity to help the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), an umbrella group of mostly Iran-backed Shia paramilitary groups, from 2014 to 2017 in their fight against ISIL. The parliament vote came after US air strikes killed Irans General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis just outside Baghdad International Airport in a move ordered by US President Donald Trump. Sadr condemned parliaments resolution as a weak response, saying the move fell short of an appropriate reaction to recent developments in Iraq and calling on armed groups in Iraq to unite. In a letter to parliament read out by a supporter at the time, Sadr listed a number of demands, including the immediate cancellation of the security agreement with the US, closure of the US embassy, expulsion of US troops in a humiliating manner, and the criminalisation of communication with the US government. On Monday, Sadr held a meeting with leaders of several armed groups within the PMF in the Iranian city of Qom. The meeting was also attended by Kataib Hezbollah, the Iraqi armed group whose 25 fighters were killed when the US launched air strikes against it on December 30, 2019, in response to the killing of a US civilian contractor two days earlier. It also included Asaib Ahl al-Haq, the Shia armed group led by Qais al-Khazali, who was blacklisted by the US over his alleged role in killings of demonstrators in Iraq. Nasser al-Shammari, deputy secretary-general of the Hezbollah al-Naujabaa Brigades, another group that attended the meeting in Qom, said in a statement that discussions revolved around the creation of a united resistance and ways to dislodge US and other foreign troops from Iraq. To all Iraqis Commenting on the call, Amir al-Kanani, a leader within the Sadrist Movement, which was founded by Sadr, said the proposed march aims to push the government towards taking a quick action following the parliament vote. After the parliament voted to expel foreign troops, a timeline for them to move should be set, Kanani told Al Jazeera. The call for a march is aimed at all Iraqis in order to increase the pressure on the Iraqi government. According to Kanani and a media representative within the PMF, the march may be held this Friday, but details of the demonstration are yet to be confirmed. Coordination committees across Iraq will be responsible for finalising when and where the march will be held, said Kanani. It might be just in Baghdad or across several major cities. Shia groups support Mohamed Mohi, spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah, confirmed with Al Jazeera that the group supported Sadrs calls, adding that the march might be held in Baghdads Tahrir Square due its symbolic significance. Also adding another voice to the call, Jawad al-Talabawi, spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq armed group, told Al Jazeera that the group march aims to bring together all Iraqis to condemn US presence in Iraq. Naeem al-Aboudi, a member of the Sadiqoon parliamentary bloc, the political arm of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, called on Iraqis to unite and join the march, writing on Twitter. 200105150709628 Akram al-Kaabi, leader Hezballah al-Naujabaa Brigades, supported Sadrs calls. This is in support of the million-man march which Sayid Muqtada al-Sadr has called for. We call on our people, who reject humiliation and subjugation, to take part [in the march] raising the moto No to US presence, and standing united under the Iraqi flag, Kaabi wrote on Twitter. Protesters reject call But in Baghdads Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement in the capital, demonstrators rejected Sadrs calls on Tuesday, saying they want escalating tensions between Iran and the US to be moved out of the country. We reject these calls [for the march] because they have nothing to do with our demands, a 20-year-old university student, Jaber al-Khalili, told Al Jazeera from the protests roundabout. We are not interested in Sadrs calls or those of any other political leader. We want them [political leaders] all gone. Ali Khraybit, a 27-year-old filmmaker and protester, agreed. This call is specific to supporters and member of the Shia armed and political groups. These calls have nothing to do with our demands as protesters, said Khraybit. The Sadrists among us might join the march, but the protest movement as a whole wont. We just want Iran and the US to take their battle away from here [Iraq], he added. 200108194618643 Protests in Baghdad and in Iraqs mainly Shia south have continued since last October to demand a complete overhaul of the political system, which demonstrators see as corrupt, sectarian and denying Iraqis their basic rights. Since the recent escalations between the US and Iran, the protest movement has been adamant about staying away from tensions unfolding on Iraqi soil, with recent chants calling for Iraq to be spared from the conflict between Iran and the US. Iraq has been in political deadlock since the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in November and since parliamentary blocs are unable to agree on a candidate to form a new government. At least 470 people were killed and 20,000 injured in a heavy-handed crackdown on protesters by security forces. Activists and journalists have also been targeted, with many reporting a campaign of intimidation, abductions and killings. With additional reporting by Abdallah al-Salam in Baghdad Trumps numerous character flaws, such as his grandiosity, his lack of interest in the truth, his impulsiveness, his habitual lashing out at critics, have elicited boatloads of disapproving commentary. Its disturbing to see someone so emotional and undisciplined in charge of anything, let alone the United States. Rather than offer yet more armchair analysis, it might be productive to ask a different question: why hasnt Trump been an abject failure? There are plenty of rich heirs who blow their inheritance or run the family business into the ground pretty quickly and have to knuckle down to a much more modest lifestyle. Trumps lack of discipline has arguably cost him. The noise regularly made about his business bankruptcies is wildly exaggerated. Most of Trumps bankruptcies were of casinos, and most of those took place in the nasty 1991-1992 recession. He was one of only two major New York City developers not to have to give meaningful equity in some of their properties in that downturn. He even managed to keep Mar-a-Lago and persuaded his lenders to let him keep enough cash to preserve a pretty flashy lifestyle because he was able to persuade them that preserving his brand name was key to the performance of Trump-branded assets. The idea that Trump couldnt borrow after his early 1990s casino bankruptcies is also false. As Francine McKenna pointed out in 2017 in Donald Trump has had no trouble getting big loans at competitive rates: The MarketWatch analysis shows a variety of lenders, all big banks or listed specialized finance companies like Ladder Capital, that have provided lots of money to Trump over the years in the forms of short-, medium- and long-term loans and at competitive rates, whether fixed or variable. The Treasury yield that matches the term of the loan is the closest starting benchmark for Trump-sized commercial real estate loans, said Robert Thesman, a certified public accountant in Washington state who specializes in real estate tax issues. The 10-year Treasury swap rate is also used and tracks the bonds closely, according to one expert. Trumps outstanding loans were granted at rates between 2 points over and under the matching Treasury-yield benchmark at inception. Thats despite the well-documented record of bankruptcy filings that dot Trumps history of casino investment. The flip side is that its not hard to make the case that Trumps self-indulgent style has cost him in monetary terms. His contemporary Steve Ross of The Related Companies who started out in real estate as a tax lawyer putting together Section 8 housing deals, didnt have a big stake like Trump did to start his empire. Ross did have industrialist and philanthropist Max Fisher as his uncle and role model, but there is no evidence that Fisher staked Ross beyond paying for his education. Ross has an estimated net worth of $7.6 billion versus Trumps $3.1 billion. Despite Trumps heat-seeking-missile affinity for the limelight, we only get snippets of how he has managed his business, like his litigiousness and breaking of labor laws. Yet hes kept his team together and is pretty underleveraged for a real estate owner. The area where we have a better view of how Trump operates is via his negotiating, where is astonishingly transgressive. He goes out of his way to be inconsistent, unpredictable, and will even trash prior commitments, which is usually toxic, since it telegraphs bad faith. How does this make any sense? One way to think of it is that Trump is effectively screening for weak negotiating counterparties. Think of his approach as analogous to the Nigerian scam letters and the many variants you get in your inbox. They are so patently fake that one wonders why the fraudsters bother sending them. But investigators figured that mystery out. From the Atlantic in 2012: Everyone knows that Nigerian scam e-mails, with their exaggerated stories of moneys tied up in foreign accounts and collapsed national economies, sound totally absurd, but according to research from Microsoft, thats on purpose. As a savvy Internet user you probably think youd never fall for the obvious trickery, but thats the point. Savvy users are not the scammers target audience, [Cormac] Herley notes. Rather, the creators of these e-mails are targeting people who would believe the sort of tales these scams involve.: Our analysis suggests that is an advantage to the attacker, not a disadvantage. Since his attack has a low density of victims the Nigerian scammer has an over-riding need to reduce false positives. By sending an email that repels all but the most gullible the scammer gets the most promising marks to self-select, and tilts the true to false positive ratio in his favor. Who would want to get in a business relationship with a guy who makes clear early on that he might pull the rug out from under you? Most people would steer clear. So Trumps style, even if he adopted it out of deep-seated emotional needs, has the effect of pre-selecting for weak, desperate counterparties. It can also pull in people who think they can out-smart Trump and shysters who identify with him, as well as those who are prepared to deal with the headaches (for instance, the the business relationship is circumscribed and a decent contract will limit the downside). Mind you, it is more common than you think for businesses to seek out needy business partners. For instance, back in the day when General Electric was a significant player in venture capital, it would draw out its investment commitment process. The point was to ascertain if the entrepreneurs had any other prospects; they wouldnt tolerate GEs leisurely process if they did. By the time GE was sure it was the only game in town, it would cram down the principals on price and other terms. There are many variants of this playbook, such as how Walmart treats suppliers. Trump has become so habituated to this mode of operating that he often launches into negotiations determined to establish that he had the dominant position when that is far from clear, witness the ongoing China trade row. Trump did in theory hold a powerful weapon in his ability to impose tariffs on China. But they are a blunt weapon, with significant blowback to the US. Even though China had a glass jaw in terms of damage to its economy (there were signs of stress, such as companies greatly stretching out when they paid their bills), Trump could not tolerate much of a stock market downdraft, nor could he play a long-term game. Another aspect of Trumps erraticness is making sudden shifts, or what we have called gaslighting. Hell suddenly and radically change his rhetoric, even praise someone he demonized. That if nothing else again is a power play, to try to maintain his position as driving the pacing and content of the negotiations, which again is meant to position his counterparty as in a weaker position, of having to react to his moves, even if that amounts to identifying them as noise. It is a watered-down form of a cult strategy called love bombing (remember that Trump has been described as often being very charming in first meetings, only to cut down the person he met in a matter of days). Voters have seen another face of Trumps imperative to find or create weakness: that of his uncanny ability to hit opponents weak spots in ways that get them off balance, such as the way he was able to rope a dope Warren over her Cherokee ancestry claims. The foregoing isnt to suggest that Trumps approach is optimal. Far from it. But it does work in the sense of achieving certain results that are important to Trump, of having him appear to be in charge of the action, getting his business counterparts on the back foot. That means Trump is implicitly seeing these encounters primarily in win-lose terms, rather than win-win. No wonder he has little appetite for international organizations. You have to give in order to get. George Nader, a key witness in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing child pornography and bringing a 14-year-old to the United States for sex, the Washington Post reports. The backdrop: The Lebanese-American businessman came under scrutiny in the Mueller probe for acting as a conduit between Trump advisers and various Middle Eastern interests, including Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. Nader helped set up up a controversial meeting in the Seychelles in January 2017 between informal Trump adviser Erik Prince and a Russian official close to Vladimir Putin. He also orchestrated an August 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between Prince, Donald Trump Jr. and Israeli social media specialist Joel Zamel, who reportedly pitched the Trump campaign on a multimillion-dollar social media manipulation scheme. Nader was indicted in December on campaign finance charges for allegedly using straw donors to conceal contributions to Hillary Clinton, per Politico. Driving the news: Nader pleaded guilty to possessing pornography that was discovered when the Mueller team's agents were looking through his phone. The imagery was handed over to the FBI. Nader is also alleged to have taken a child from the Czech Republic to his home in Washington in 2000. He was charged in 2003 in the Czech Republic for sexual contact with a minor boy and was sentenced to a year in prison. Nader had already been convicted of transporting child pornography in 1991. Go deeper: Read excerpts about Nader from the Mueller report San Francisco, CA., January 14, 2020--- PLOS today announced that PLOS ONE will soon offer a new preregistration article type, Registered Reports. Registered Reports enable researchers to document and receive expert peer review feedback on their study design and proposed methods, before beginning their investigation. PLOS ONE will peer review and publish the authors' initial study proposal as well as the complete research article resulting in two stages of independent publications. The first stage is the Registered Report Protocol. This new publication type describes the proposed rationale, methodology, and any ethical approvals needed for the work. We'll peer review this initial phase of research to ensure the study's scientific rigor and that the planned research will meet PLOS ONE's publication criteria. If accepted, authors proceed to their investigation with the promise that their subsequent work describing the full study and all of its findings, will be accepted and published by PLOS ONE as a linked Research Article, provided that the authors adhere to the initial study design and conduct experiments to PLOS ONE's standards of rigor. Since both stages will be individually peer-reviewed, each decision letter, with referee comments, will be eligible for published peer review history. The two published outputs will also be crosslinked on our site, providing readers a full picture of the study's progression --- from its inception to the results. Registered Reports are a Natural Fit for PLOS ONE's Mission PLOS ONE aims to publish all valid research. Registered Reports help us deliver on that mission with increased clarity for prospective authors, and greater peer review transparency, earlier in the research process. 1. Registered Reports combat publication bias. PLOS ONE does not assess work on the grounds of novelty or impact, so that authors can publish all important work, including negative results. But the Registered Reports format goes one step further and explicitly provides a framework for an outcome-neutral assessment and promise to publish verified, negative results right from the outset. 2. The review of the research protocol improves the robustness of a study and facilitates reproducibility. Registered reports enable researchers to get earlier feedback and the opportunity to collaboratively craft the best study design possible before conducting their experiments. Moreover, the second stage of assessment focuses solely on the study's thoroughness and rigor. 3. Authors receive greater clarity, earlier in the research process, which can speed up publication of the full paper. PLOS ONE promises to publish a study if the accepted protocol is followed, so there are no moving goal posts for authors during the review process. Because the approach has already been reviewed by other experts, we save frustration that authors can experience in the final peer review process, where, after years of work, additional major changes are requested and there is a lack of clarity as to which journal might publish the results. Transparency and Credit We strive to be transparent about research projects from the start. Having the protocol as a separate publication item fosters this transparency by revealing earlier stages of the research process. That transparency, in turn, provides additional options for author and reviewer credit. Authors receive credit for the publication of the Registered Report Protocol, as well as the final Registered Report. Given that many scientific studies span years of research, the potential for earlier credit and a guaranteed second publication--especially for Early Career Researchers--can be a turning point for career advancement or funding applications. We also encourage the parallel deposition of the Registered Reports Protocol with the Center of Open Science Registry. Published peer review history will be an available option for authors at both stages of peer review. Reviewers' expert feedback will be critical in shaping the study protocol as well as verifying the final work;, by choosing to publish this assessment, authors can provide a more complete picture of the research process and provide additional opportunities for reviewers to receive credit for their work. ### Taking a strong stance against the arrest of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, a Delhi court on Tuesday questioned Delhi Police's investigation into the case and questioned their investigation that led to the arrest of Azad. 'You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan,' judge Kamini Lau told the Delhi Police over its action against protesters agitating against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. Taking a strong stance against the arrest of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, a Tiz Hazari sessions judge in Delhi questioned the police's investigation into the case that led to the arrest of Azad. "You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan," judge Kamini Lau told the Delhi Police over its action against protesters agitating against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. According to Live Law, Lau further questioned the "objectionable statements" on the basis of which the Delhi Police made the arrests. "Where is the illegality? Tell me about the law. What has investigation shown?" the judge asked. Azad sought bail in a local court on Monday in connection with the violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Daryaganj area, claiming that police invoked "boilerplate" charges against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. Currently in judicial custody, Azad claimed that he has been falsely implicated as the allegations levelled against him in the FIR were not only "ill founded", also "improbable". The bail plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, alleged that no specific incriminating role has been attributed to Azad in the FIR, of which the contents were "vague" and based on "conjectures and surmises". It said he was at all times demonstrably making efforts to maintain peace. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on 20 December, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on 9 January. Judge Lau asks Prosecutor -I want you to show me under which law is it prohibited for someone to prohibit outside religious places?@BhimArmyChief Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 14, 2020 Judg Lau- Do you think our Delhi police is so backward that they have no recorded evidence? In small matters Delhi police have recorded evidence why not in this incident?@BhimArmyChief Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 14, 2020 During the bail plea hearing on Tuesday, judge Lau asked the prosecutor, "I want you to show me under which law is it prohibited for someone to prohibit outside religious places?" The judge also raised questions on the investigation that is being followed. "Do you think our Delhi Police is so backward that they have no recorded evidence? In small matters Delhi Police have recorded evidence why not in this incident," the judge noted. Pracha informed the court that the FIR mentioned the charges against Azad in Uttar Pradesh. When judge Lau asked the prosecutor about those charges, the prosecutor pleaded ignorance and said that "he will find out." Judge expressed surprise at the fact that the prosecutor was not aware of the charges. "Where is the violence? What is wrong with any of these posts? Who says you cannot protest..have you read the constitution?"Judge Kamini Lau asks the Public Prosecutor.@BhimArmyChief Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 14, 2020 The public prosecutor opposed the bail application saying that the Bhim Army chief had incited violence through his social media posts. The prosecutor initially refused to share the posts with Pracha but the judged directed him to share the "alleged objectionable posts" unless any privilege is claimed. The prosecutor then read out some of the posts that Azad shared. Noting that the posts speak of Azad's call to protest and stage dharna near Jama Masjid to oppose the CAA and the NRC, the judge asked, "What is wrong with dharna? What is wrong with protesting? It is one's constitutional right to protest." Azad's bail plea filed on Monday said that he was willing to fully cooperate with the investigation in the case and would not tamper with any evidence or influence any witnesses. Taking note of the charges levelled against Azad, the judge asked the public prosecutor to show Azad's lawyer (Pracha) the problematic posts, "unless there's reasoned show of privilege." Pracha informed the court about the charges regarding Saharanpur. Judge Lau said she wanted a copy of the Saharanpur FIR regarding the charges to which the prosecutor said that Azad was on bail on all other matters. Pracha urged the court to give bail to Azad since the prosecutor has "conceded that Azad was arrested because he was out on bail in other cases and no case has been made out in this case to arrest him." While the public prosecutor claimed that "there are 'drone footages' of the alleged inflammatory speeches made by Azad", Pracha rersponded to those charges saying "Azad was only reading Constitution and talking about CAA-NRC." Judge Lau said that "Pracha is right" in saying that Azad "is a lawyer and lawyers have been leaders because they are well read. Maybe Azad needs to read more, he may be an Ambedkarite, but maybe he has his heart in the right place, but he isn't able to express it correctly." Azad's bail plea, filed through advocates OP Bharti and Jatin Bhatt, alleged, "Accused has been falsely implicated in the present case as the allegations levelled against him in the FIR are not only ill founded but also improbable and cannot bring home the charges mentioned in it... Further, the contents of the FIR are vague and based on conjectures and surmises." The bail plea claimed that charging him with being a part of an unlawful assembly was "erroneous", as at no point of time during the alleged incident did the police authorities declare the peaceful protestors to be an unlawful assembly. "No motive has been attributed to the accused in the present FIR, and all charges have been added mechanically... Charging the accused with being a part of an unlawful assembly is erroneous, as at no point of time during the alleged incident did the police authorities declare, announce, or proclaim the peaceful protestors to be an unlawful assembly, and nor were any warnings issued or announced in this regard. "It may also be considered that all the material witnesses of the incident are police officials, and therefore it is further unlikely that any witness tampering will be attempted by any individual, especially the accused in the present application," the bail plea said. Judge Lau was in news in 2017 after a bench of Justice Valmiki J Mehta and Justice Indermeet Kaur of the Delhi High Court initiated criminal contempt charges against her after she made "judicial improper remarks" against a sitting Delhi High Court judge. Lau was additional district judge in 2017. Additional District Judge at Tis Hazari, judge Lau had written four applications to the high court, asking the court to delete certain adverse remarks and observations made by the judge of the Delhi High Court against her after matters dealt by her was brought before the higher court. However, the two judge bench of the Delhi High Court considering those applications noted that the remarks made by the judge of the high court were like judicial comments and hence cannot be omitted. But the court took strong offence to the allegations and language used by Lau. With inputs from agencies Iran administration denies spreading misinformtion on plane crash Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 12:10 PM The Iranian administration has denied spreading misinformation following the crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran last week. A Ukraine International Airlines jetliner crashes a few minutes after take-off from Tehran to Kiev early Wednesday, killing all 176 crew members and passengers. In their initial reactions to the incident, Iranian officials attributed the crash to technical failure and dismissed the possibility of the plane having been shot down by missiles. However, after conducting thorough investigations, Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces released a statement on Saturday, acknowledging that the Ukrainian plane had been brought down by missiles fired "unintentionally" due to "human error." The discrepancy between the initial accounts and the subsequent investigations gave rise to a wave of public anger, with some accusing government officials of seeking to cover up the truth. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Ali Rabiei, the administration's spokesman, said, "As a matter of fact, we did not lie. Lying means conscious and deliberate falsification of the truth. Such a thing never took place." Elaborating on his own statements on Thursday during which he ruled out any likelihood that the aircraft had been downed by a missile, Rabiei said those remarks were made "based on information available to the administration at the time, which rejected the role of any missile" as the cause of the crash. None of the administration officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, were aware of the cause of the crash until Friday evening, when the administration was provided with the findings of an investigation by General Staff of the Armed Forces, he explained. Head of the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, explained that the operator in charge had identified what his air defense system had detected as an incoming cruise missile. He then "took the wrong decision" in a "ten-second" time span after a failure in the communication network prevented him from obtaining permission for the launch. The Islamic Republic's Armed Forces were on the highest level of alert at the time of the incident after President Donald Trump had threatened to strike 52 targets inside Iran, if the country attempted to avenge the US assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, in Baghdad. Rabiei said as soon as President Rouhani ascertained what had caused the crash, he ordered that the public be informed accordingly. He also commended the General Staff of the Armed Forces' statement as an "honest and responsible" admission of liability for the incident. "This is a good start," he said, expressing confidence that the incident will continue to be addressed in a transparent way until all matters are resolved. Rabiei also said Iran needed to take all technical precautions to "reduce the likelihood of human errors to zero." The spokesman, meanwhile, drew attention to the "root cause" of the tragedy, namely "the US regime's cowardly assassination of General Soleimani that raised the specter of war over our country and [thus] imposed heavy psychological pressure on our society." He also noted that "the incidence of a single error" should not call into question all the sacrifices and endeavors exerted by the country's defense forces. Trump shedding 'crocodile tears' for Iran Rabiei also condemned Trump's recent Persian-language tweets, in which he alleged solidarity with the Iranian people. He noted that the US President was the very person who ordered the assassination of the country's most revered general, threatened to target scores of Iranian sites, and had already done much in the way of limiting Iranians' sustenance by subjecting them to draconian sanctions. UK envoy's conduct 'unacceptable' The official finally addressed British Ambassador Robert Macaire's recent participation in an illegal protest rally in Tehran and his filming of the event that led to his brief detention by security forces. He described the envoy's behavior as "unprofessional and unacceptable" which was beyond the scope of an ambassador's diplomatic duties. Macaire was summoned to the Foreign Ministry over his conduct, Rabiei said, advising Britain's government to stay out of Iran's internal affairs given the "unfavorable history" of its interference in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PORTLAND, Ore. - Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. PORTLAND, Ore. - Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations. Licenses for hemp cultivation topped a half-million acres (200,000 hectares) last year, more than 450% above 2018 levels, so there's intense interest in the rules the U.S. government is creating. Critical comments on the draft have poured in from hemp farmers, processors, retailers and state governments. Growers are concerned the government wants to use a heavy hand that could result in many crops failing required tests and being destroyed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency writing the rules, estimates 20% of hemp lots would fail under the proposed regulations. Their business is to support farmers and not punish farmers and the rules as they're written right now punish farmers, said Dove Oldham, who last year grew an acre (0.40 hectares) of hemp on her family farm in Grants Pass. There's just a lot of confusion, and people are just looking for leadership. The USDA did not respond to the criticism but has taken the unusual step of extending the public comment period by a month, until Jan. 29. The agency told The Associated Press it will analyze information from this year's growing season before releasing its final rules, which would take effect in 2021. Agricultural officials in states that run pilot hemp cultivation programs under an earlier federal provision are weighing in with formal letters to the USDA. There are 46 states where hemp is legal, and Im going to say that every single state has raised concerns to us about something within the rule. They might be coming from different perspectives, but every state has raised concerns, said Aline DeLucia, director of public policy for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Most of the anxiety involves how the federal government plans to test for THC, the high-inducing compound found in marijuana and hemp, both cannabis plants. The federal government and most states consider plants with tiny amounts 0.3% or less to be hemp. Anything above that is marijuana and illegal under federal law. Yet another cannabis compound has fueled the explosion in hemp cultivation. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is marketed as a health and wellness aid and infused in everything from food and drinks to lotions, toothpaste and pet treats. Many have credited CBD with helping ease pain, increase sleep and reduce anxiety. But scientists caution not enough is known about its health effects, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year targeted nearly two dozen companies for making CBD health claims. Still, the CBD market is increasing at a triple-digit rate and could have $20 billion in sales by 2024, according to a recent study by BDS Analytics, a marketing analysis firm that tracks cannabis industry trends. About 80% of the 18,000 farmers licensed for hemp cultivation are in the CBD market, said Eric Steenstra, president of the advocacy group Vote Hemp. The remaining 20% grow hemp for its fiber, used in everything from fabric to construction materials, or its grain, which is added to health foods. But hemp is a notoriously fickle crop. Conditions such as sunlight, moisture and soil composition determine its ratio of THC to CBD. Choosing the right harvesting window is critical to ensuring it stays within acceptable THC levels. Under the draft USDA rules, farmers have no wiggle room. They must harvest within 15 days of testing their crop for THC, and the samples must be sent to a lab certified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Samples must be from the top of the plant, where THC levels are highest, and the final measurement must include not just THC, but also THCA, a nonpsychoactive component. Crops that test above 0.3% for the two combined must be destroyed. Growers with crops above 0.5% would be considered in negligent violation," and those with repeated violations could be suspended from farming hemp. In addition, a pilot program for federal crop insurance that would be available to hemp growers in some states specifies that crops lost because of high THC levels won't be covered. Those provisions are causing alarm among growers and states with pilot hemp programs allowed under the 2014 Farm Bill. Some states allow THC levels above 0.3%, and not all include THCA in that calculation. Many permit more harvesting time for growers after THC testing. Farmers are lobbying for a 1% THC limit and a 30-day harvest window to give them more flexibility while remaining well under THC levels that can get people high. The draft regulations don't "seem to be informed by the reality of the crop," said Jesse Richardson, who with his brother sells CBD-infused teas and capsules under the brand The Brothers Apothecary. If no one can produce (federally) compliant hemp flower, then there will be no CBD oil on the market." Growers are also worried about the proposed rule requiring that all THC testing be done in a DEA-certified lab because there are so few of them. Some states have only one, which would serve hundreds of growers in a short harvest window. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Samantha Ford, a third-generation farmer in North Carolina, waited two weeks to get back THC results from a lab last fall and then spent 45 days harvesting her 1 acre (0.40 hectares) of hemp by hand. The 15-day window thats not feasible, and that was on a small scale," she said. I cant imagine farmers who have acres and acres and acres of it. Concerns also have emerged about the workload the draft rules would place on states. Many do random sampling for THC levels, but the USDA would require five samples from every hemp lot a burden for state agricultural departments, said DeLucia, of the national ag agencies group. If federal rules are too onerous and expensive, some states might drop their hemp programs. In those cases, farmers would have to apply for licenses with the USDA, and at this stage it's unclear how U.S. officials would manage or pay for a nationwide licensing program, DeLucia said. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the USDA must approve state plans for hemp programs. Louisiana, Ohio and New Jersey last month were the first to get the green light but those plans might need to be reworked after final rules are written. What we dont want to see is states having to write their rules and then have to change the rules again and rewrite them after 2021, said Steenstra, of Vote Hemp. Prince Harry is likely to receive a handout from Prince Charles's 1.2billion Duchy of Cornwall coffers despite warnings that resources are not unlimited. Charles gives his youngest son 2.3million-a-year from the profits of his estate, slightly less than his older brother William, and also bankrolled much of his wedding, which was estimated at up to 30million. But a friend of Charles has told The Daily Mail's editor-at-large Richard Kay, 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' It has also been claimed that Charles has had to top-up Harry's funds to the tune of hundreds of thousands to support his son's blossoming family and Harry's income now eclipses that of his elder brother, rising over 3million. Prince Harry is still likely to receive a handout from Prince Charles's 1.2billion Duchy of Cornwall coffers despite warnings that resources are not unlimited (pictured: Prince Charles in 2015) On Monday the father and son, along with the Queen and Prince William, met to begin the first stage of thrashing out the details of Prince Harry's abdication. Harry and Meghan have claimed that they can be financially independent but, at least for the short-term, the Sussexes are still expected to rely on Prince Charles' estate. Beyond the 'transition period' - as it was referred to by Her Majesty - little is known of how the couple's fiscal liberty will operate on paper. Further talks are required to thrash out the details, though these are likely to involve officials rather than a family committee. The Sussexes declared last week they no longer need any of 82million-a-year Sovereign Grant - the money taxpayers allocated by the Queen to fund the royal family. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London last week. It is not clear how they will become financially independent, Prince Harry currently receives an estimated 2.3million from his father's coffers They claim this is just five per cent of their funding and has been spent specifically on official office expenses. But they also get public money for travel for official engagements here and abroad. If they are travelling further afield, this could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. Their website states for the first time that 95 per cent of their annual funding comes from the Duchy of Cornwall. But it is not clear how long Charles will continue paying out. The Queen has ordered staff to find a solution 'within days' to the remaining sticking points, including the couple's future funding, which is expected to impose rigid rules on their commercial activities. One figure said: 'There will be strict instructions on branding, for example. No one wants to see the Sussexes' name on a tub of margarine.' Harry and Meghan have several multiple strands of income and significant personal wealth but while they have quit as frontline royals they will still receive large amounts of cash from the taxpayer including travel, security and from Prince Charles' royal estate Harry is believed to have asked his 93-year-old grandmother, father and brother to agree to let them keep their royal titles and carry out royal duties for Her Majesty around the globe while living in Canada or the US and claimed they want 'financial independence' to earn their own money using the Sussex brand. The Queen has been leaning heavily on her husband for support - and Philip, who has lived in a cottage off the Sandringham estate since retiring from public life in 2017, has been staying in the main house with the Queen since the crisis broke. Philip was reportedly 'spitting blood' with anger when he found out last Wednesday and yelled at his aides: 'What the hell are they playing at?' A grim-faced Prince Philip leaves Sandringham today with a female companion driving where his wife the Queen, who has been using him as a sounding board, will try to avert crisis and keep Prince Harry in the royal family Meghan reportedly told Harry she must step away from the royal family just 20 months after marrying into it, partly blaming his older brother, and according to the newspaper told her husband over Christmas: 'It's not working for me'. But hitting back Harry and William said on Monday: 'Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge', adding: 'For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful'. Who pays for Meghan and Harry's lifestyle - and how much money do they have? Sovereign Grant No one knows how much the grant is worth to Harry and Meghan because it is not published in the Queen's accounts - but some estimates have placed it at around 2million. The 82million pot also covers travel costs for royal duties are also covered by the grant. On the royal register, which reveals all claims over 15,000, there are three claims by the couple totalling 130,000. The 2.4million refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage was also paid for by this pot. More works are pencilled in Windsor Castle's five-year plan meaning costs could reach 3million. Home Office The government department covers Harry, Meghan and Archie's 24/7 Met police security - estimated at 600,000-a-year. With overtime, travel and accommodation expenses this would likely reach 1million. Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall estate Harry receives up to 2.3million annually from his father's royal estate. Plus several millions more from Charles' own private wealth, according to the Evening Standard. Personal wealth Harry inherited around 20million from his mother, Princess Diana, who died when he was 12. The Queen Mother also left him up to 7million. Much of his cash is tied up in trust funds with some of the money kept from him until his 40th birthday Meghan has a personal fortune of 4million, mainly from her acting work and property in Canada. She also earned six-figures each year from blogging, fashion and modelling. Advertisement Monday's unprecedented Royal parley culminated with a 5pm statement from the Palace, in which the Queen gave Harry and Meghan the green light to press ahead with plans to go their own way. The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The prominent civil Rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has voted to petition the Holy see in the Vatican city in Rome, president of the United States of America (USA) in the White House to ask the two global leaders to compel the Kaduna state governor Malam Nassir El Rufai, and president Muhammadu Buhari to stop the siege and systematic genocidal killings of Christians in the Christian dominated heartland of southern Kaduna state. In a media statement issued jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, said HURIWA has also decided to call the attention of Pope Francis and president Donald Trump of the United States of America concerning the spate of well-coordinated armed invasions of churches and Christian dormitories by suspected armed Islamists and bandits who have made Kaduna state the epicenter of these extensively coordinated attacks against Christians. The Rights group said it has told the World leaders that both the Kaduna state political authority and the Presidency of Nigeria are treating with levity the grave threats of extinctions and genocide that Christians are subjected to in Kaduna state. The Rights group also stated that the gross disrespect for Federal character principle in Kaduna state which culminated in the emergence of a governor; deputy governor and State House of Assembly speaker of Kaduna who are all Moslems thereby consigning millions of Christians to the inglorious position of second class citizens is the canon fodder for the spiraling armed attacks by armed Islamists masquerading as herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits who have in the past one year or more specifically targeted Christian communities and schools in Kaduna state. "On the last count virtually all major Christian denominations in Kaduna State have witnessed dozens of attacks just as dozens of pastors have died in the cause of these targeted armed invasions and kidnapping. We are not accusing the Kaduna state government of involvements but we are worried about the conspiratorial silence to these series of attacks." We have consistently asked the politicians of Kaduna state to respect section 14(3) of the constitution which obliges the appointments of all ethno-religious community members into strategic offices but in 2019 election, the governor made sure only Moslems are railroaded into the offices of governor, deputy and even the office of speaker of the Kaduna state House of Assembly is occupied by a Moslem. This is the fuel that has ignited widespread mistreatment of Christians. The incessant attacks by armed Islamists targeting only pastors; Christian schools and clerics of Christian denomination have become a national emergency. Since Nigerian State and the Kaduna state government are not treating these threats as a national emergency we have decided to let the World know the true state of things and we are happy that some organizations have made similar findings. Section 14(3) (4) of the Constitution provides thus: The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies. The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the Federation. "Sadly, the Kaduna state government and the office of the Nigerian President are deeply entrenched in the selective appointments of mostly Moslems as holders of virtually all strategic positions thus neglecting the other key constituents who are Christians and atheists including worshippers of African traditional religion. The recent kidnapping of senior seminarians of the Catholic Church in Kaduna state is one of such widespread well-coordinated attacks. The Four seminarians, between the ages of 18 and 23, were abducted Wednesday night recently from their seminary in Kaduna, in northwestern Nigeria. Pius Kanwai, 19; Peter Umenukor, 23; Stephen Amos, 23; and Michael Nnadi, 18, were taken from Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, around 10:30 pm on Jan. 8 by gunmen. Police are searching for the four young men. HURIWA is hereby endorsing the position that the security situation in Nigeria is appalling, Thomas as was observed by Heine-Geldern, executive president of ACN International, who reportedly correctly that Criminal gangs are further exploiting the chaotic situation and making matters still worse. HURIWA accepts the comparison he drew about the situation in Nigeria to that of Iraq prior to the Islamic State's invasion: this scholar stated that already at that stage, Christians were being abducted, robbed and murdered because there was no protection by the state. This must not be allowed to happen to the Christians of Nigeria. The government must act now, before it is too late. HURIWA lamented that since the gunmen, disguised in military camouflage, broke through the fence surrounding the seminarians' living quarters and began shooting sporadically. They stole laptops and phones before kidnapping the four young men. But the nation's heads of security forces have yet to make concerted efforts to retrieve these Senior Seminarians from their kidnappers who are armed Islamists. This story originally appeared on KCRA. PLACERVILLE, Calif. An 11-year-old boy who disappeared Saturday was found dead, the Placerville Police Department announced Sunday. His death is deemed suspicious, according to police. Roman Anthony Lopez was last seen Saturday morning at his home on Coloma Street. Last night, right after the sun went down, some of the employees that work with the dad thats involved brought a flyer by, telling us about the missing 11-year-old boy, said Ed, a neighbor who asked KCRA 3 not to use his last name. Saturday was the first time Ed heard about Roman. That was followed up by a visit from some of the officers with the Placerville Police Department, he said. Ed helped investigators search his property for the boy. Officers returned a few hours later, Ed said. About 11 p.m., the police officers came back and wanted to go back into that property, Ed said. I got up, again, and helped them get through the fence. Police are releasing few details about the circumstances surrounding Roman's death, including who found the boy, where or at what time. At this time, were conducting an investigation into his suspicious death, said Sgt. John Meuser. Neighbors watched from their yards as detectives collected evidence over the weekend. Its so sad, said Jordyn Gilmore, who lives next door. Who wouldve thought your next-door neighbor? Things happen, and its just crazy. Gilmore said the boys family had moved in a little over a month ago. They have little kids, too, she said. Completely normal. They play out in the front yard. There was nothing weird going on. Roman's death has shaken the tight-knit foothills town. Tom Piper did not know the family, but he left flowers near the boys house Sunday night. Nobody wants to see this happen in any town, nowhere, Piper said. Its terrifying, its horrible. Dozens of strangers, like Gaie Cox, helped with the search for Roman on Saturday. Im a school bus driver, and all of our kids are our kids. If it was my child, I would hope that everybody would get out, she said. I care 'cause every child counts. Every child counts. It takes a village. Anyone with information regarding Roman's death is encouraged to call Detective Luke Gadow at 530-642-5210. No other information was released. Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP Photo) House Minority Leader Unveils Resolution in Support of Iranian Protesters A resolution in support of the protesters in Iran was unveiled by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) late Monday. The resolution will be brought to the full House for a vote as soon as this week, McCarthy said. The people of the United States support freedom and democracy, and we will always stand beside those who seek it, he said in a statement. The resolution condemns the government of Iran for killing hundreds of protesters last year when they protested the countrys leadership. It also noted that the government admitted shooting down a Ukrainian airline days after initially saying it had not shot it down. All 176 people on board, including dozens of Iranians and Canadians, were killed. A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to protest in support of the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters) The resolution then notes that Iran arrested the British Ambassador to Iran after he attended a vigil for the victims of the downed flight. He was released hours later. On Jan. 11, protesters across Iran gathered to denounce the countrys leaders, angry that Irans military shot down the plane. Protesters tore down posters of General Qassem Soleimani, who was recently killed by a U.S. airstrike, and chanted slogans including clerics get lost! Video footage circulating online appeared to show Iranian security forces firing at protesters, and one video showed a woman being carried away leaving a trail of blood on the ground as people shouted that she was shot. The House of Representatives, the resolution states, condemns the government of Iran for killing approximately 1,500 Iranian citizens who were protesting their government and for shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and for repeatedly lying to its people and to the world about its responsibility for the downing of the plane. The people of the United States support freedom and democracy, and we will always stand beside those who seek it. Here is the full text of my resolution supporting the protestors in Iran. I expect the full House to vote on it this week. pic.twitter.com/nFk25Gjj4P Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 14, 2020 The resolution calls on the government not to use violence against protesters and to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The government should support the protesters and their demands for accountability. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican, praised McCarthy for the resolution. I hope Speaker Pelosi will reconsider her confusion from Sundays show and decide to cosponsor this resolution and make it truly bipartisan, he said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), asked about whether she supported the protesters on ABCs This Week, responded: The protesters are protesting, as I understand it, this brand of protesters, about the fact that that plane went down. And many students were on that plane. And these are largely students in the street. Theyre calling out the regime for lying. Theyre saying death to Khomeini as well, host George Stephanopoulos, the former Bill Clinton aide, told her. Yes. Well, whatever it is. But the fact is this, there were protesters in the streets before against the regime. After the taking out of Soleimani, there were protesters in the street, joined together, as you know, against us. That wasnt good. Taking down this plane is a terrible, terrible tragedy. And they should be held accountable for letting commercial flights go at a time that was so, so dangerous, she said. But there are different reasons why people are in the street. Of course we would love to see the aspirations of the people of Iran realized with a better situation there, but we shouldnt escalate the situation unless every other remedy is exhausted, she said. A musician has pleaded for the safe return of her favourite instrument after thieves ransacked her home and stole her 30,000 bassoon. Francesca Carpos-Young said her Fox 601 bassoon was among several valuables including laptops and a TV stolen in the 'horrendous' incident. A second black bassoon she uses for teaching, with 'Kilburn School' scratched on the side, was also taken during the raid on the 60-year-old's home in North Finchley, north-west London on November 21. Pictured: Francesca Carpos-Young with her bassoon which has been stolen in a raid of her home. She is pictured, right, after winning a payout from the Royal Academy for wrongful dismissal The former Royal Academy of Music lecturer made headlines last year when she was awarded more than 180,000 by an employment tribunal which ruled she was wrongly dismissed after referring to violinists as 'gypos.' Francesca has owned the bassoons since the nineties and has used them throughout her career, with performances including playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow. She said: 'My work is playing in orchestras and I cannot work without my bassoon. It is a devastating loss as it is the tool of my trade. 'Although it would cost 30,000 to buy a new bassoon, I suspect that it is worthless to a thief, because it is such a small and specialised market.' Police confirmed that they are still investigating the burglary but no arrests have been made. Francesca Carpos-Young pictured with Welsh singing legend Sir Tom Jones She added: 'Although I have been kindly lent a bassoon from Howarth's of London, my bassoon was customised over the years, it is unique, and it was like my best friend. I would consider paying a reward for its safe return.' Another professional musician, Stephen Morris, was reunited with a 310-year-old violin in November after it was stolen when he left it on a train. The instrument, worth 250,000, was returned in a hand-over in a car park under the watchful eyes of police officers after the 51-year-old begged for it to be given back. The 59-year-old had been working at the London-based Academy for two months before she was dismissed after sending lecture notes to students containing comments some of them found offensive. She was awarded 180,000 after being wrongfully dismissed. Her sacking came after students complained about language used in a note sent to 800 of them. Prof Francesca Carpos-Young sent notes to students to 'point out what they might expect in the 'real world'. She said the orchestra might be referred to as 'the boys', the brass section were 'pub-goers'. She also described the string section as 'pond life' who were tea drinkers. The internationally renowned bassoonist, 59, was fired within 24 hours after her comments were shared on social media. A tribunal later ruled that her comments were taken out of context after the professor explained that she was referring to derogatory terms musicians are referred to. The comments sent some students into meltdown with one describing them as 'shameful stereotyping - descriptions of sexism and racism which are not acceptable under any circumstances.' The student said the term 'gypos' is 'categorically racist'. He said describing the orchestra as 'the boys', suggested that orchestras are only made up of males - which is 'extremely damaging', especially with regard to the current global climate on issues of sexism.' A man in Iowa was arrested yesterday after police say he beat up a fellow movie-goer for using a phone during a film back in September. On Sept. 10, Nicholas Glasgow, 34, was in an Iowa City showing of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when he saw something he didnt like: another patron using a phone, according to an arrest affidavit. Before the late-night showing, Glasgow a local yoga teacher asked theater staff to have a chat with a man who was using a phone, the affidavit said. Police say Glasgow told theater staff they needed to take care of it or he would. Nicholas Glasgow, 34, was arrested in Iowa on Friday after police say he beat up a fellow move-goer for using a phone during a film back in September. When the movie was over, Glasgow approached the man and demanded he apologize for ruining the film, police say. While the man was still sitting, Glasgow punched him in the face and a fight ensued, according to the affidavit. At one point, the man ended up on the ground with Glasgow repeatedly kicking him, police say. The man suffered a cut to his head, swelling and broken eyeglasses, according to the affidavit. Staff told police that Glasgow is a regular at the theater and comes in most Tuesday nights. Glasgow also describes himself as a movie theater glutton on his profile page at a Pilates studio where he teaches. Glasgow was arrested on Jan. 13 and charged with criminal mischief and assault causing bodily injury, both misdemeanors, according to jail records. Photo: Patrick Tomasso/Unsplash Missed the most recent top news in Detroit? Read on for everything you need to know. Toyota recalls nearly 700K vehicles to fix faulty fuel pumps Toyota is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the fuel pumps can fail and cause engines to stall. That can increase the risk of a crash. Read the full story on KGET - TV 17 Bakersfield. Detroit auto show to open with street festival in June The Motor Bella European festival will take place June 5-8 on Broadway next to the Detroit Opera House and will feature more than 100 Italian and British vehicles representing 12 brands, including Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. Read the full story on The Detroit News. Detroit-linked 'The Irishman,' 'Ford v Ferrari' earn love from 2020 Oscar nominations "The Irishman" and "Ford v Ferrari" pull in multiple Oscar nominations that will put Detroit themes on the map for the 2020 Academy Awards. Read the full story on Detroit Free Press. 'Check out' new mobile library The Detroit Public Library has retooled its bookmobile, modernizing it to match the expanded services of its library branches. Read the full story on CBS Detroit. Lions hire Cory Undlin as defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is reaching back to his New England Patriots roots for the Detroit Lions' new defensive coordinator. Read the full story on Detroit Free Press. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Days after Deepika Padukone's JNU visit created a furor on social media, affecting the release of her film Chhapaak, Director Meghna Gulzar explained the need to separate the personal from the professional. YouTube Actor Deepika Padukones decision to visit JNU to express solidarity with students who had been attacked was a personal one, Chhapaak director Meghna Gulzar said on Monday. The filmmaker also urged the audience to divert the lens and to look at the reason behind making the film based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Chhapaak, which stars Deepika in the main role, catapulted to national headlines after the Bollywood A-lister showed up at a public meeting on the campus three days before the release of the film. Agencies She did not speak but stood silently behind student leaders. The actor, who also turned producer with the film, was both lauded and trolled for her visit to the varsity. BCCL We have to be able to separate between personal and professional. What somebody does in their personal life and what they have done as a professional in a film needs to be looked at separately, Meghna told PTI, commenting on Deepikas much-discussed visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University. While they are trying to separate the lens of personal and professional if one can slightly divert the lens back to the reason why we made the film and what we are trying to talk about and bring to light... I think it is important, she added. AFP Chhapaak released on January 10 along with Ajay Devgn-starrer period drama Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. Chhapaak also features Vikrant Massey and Madhurjeet Sarghi. The heartbroken mother of an eleven-year-old girl who was killed in a tragic car crash in Dublin has paid tribute to her - while her husband and second daughter remain injured in hospital. Ashley Bombita, from Ongar in west Dublin, was a passenger in the car driven by her father Billy when it crashed into a pillar on the Lower Lucan Road at 11.30am on Saturday. She was rushed to Temple Street Children's Hospital with her seven-year-old sister April while their dad was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. Ashley's injuries were critical, while the injuries of her sister and father were described as serious, but not life threatening. Fatal The 11-year-old's mother, Rowena, kept a bedside vigil over the weekend but her injuries were to prove fatal. In a moving tribute to her little girl, Rowena talked about how she had been an inspiration, a mentor, and an advocate during her short life. "Ashley Bombita, Anak ko, I thank God for 11 wonderful and meaningful years spent with you," she said. Anak ko translates as 'my child' in the native Tagalog language of the Philippines where the Bombita family are originally from. "Those days when you inspired me to be grateful even for the littlest and simplest blessings in life. "Nothing compared to you giving me hugs and kisses when I am down. You loved kissing and clinging onto me. I felt so much compassion from you," Rowena added. "You reminded me not to hold grudges and to just enjoy and celebrate life. You lived your days so bright. You loved being alive and just being with the moment. Yes, anak ko...You were full of gratitude and love. "Your smile was contagious. You loved people. And people loved you. You touched so many lives especially me and your dad. You were April's advocate. You were her mentor. You were an inspiration, my Ashleytot. "You love the Lord and accepted him as your God and Saviour. I would say you have more joy now with our Creator," Rowena wrote. "Sorry anak, It hurts so bad now.....It is just to soon, anak.... Reality hits so bad. It has been a pleasure and honor to be your mom. Till we meet again my tweeny," she concluded. Rowena updated her social media timeline to include photographs of her family. Inquiries The Bombita family are originally from the Philippines but have been living in Ongar for a number of years. Rowena works as a nurse, while her husband Billy has worked as a photographer. Gardai are carrying out inquiries into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. Ashley is believed to have been sitting on a booster seat in the rear of the car when the crash happened. The road was closed for some time to facilitate emergency services and Garda crash scene investigators. Ashley's death brings to seven the number of people killed on Irish roads this month. Three drivers, two pedestrians and a motorcyclist have also died in incidents around the country since the beginning of the year. Libya's Haftar rejects signing ceasefire deal Russian and Turkish joint cease-fire talks to end Libya's civil war appeared to collapse after Khalifa Haftar left Moscow without signing the agreement. Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement drafted at talks in Russia on Monday, the TASS news agency cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. "THE DEAL DID NOT INCLUDE A DEADLINE FOR DISBANDING GOVERNMENT FORCES" Haftar had asked for until Tuesday morning to make up his mind on the deal after indirect talks with his rival, Fayez al-Serraj, who heads Libyas Tripoli-based internationally recognized government, Turkeys foreign minister said. His failure to sign the agreement at talks mediated by Turkey and Russia may complicate a diplomatic effort to stabilize the situation in Libya which has been mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she planned to host a summit on Libya on Sunday with the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Italy. Serraj, whose forces have struggled to halt an assault on Tripoli by Haftars LNA, signed the ceasefire agreement after talks that lasted about eight hours, Lavrov said on Monday. Haftar declined to sign the ceasefire deal because it did not include a deadline for disbanding government forces, the Interfax news agency cited a Libyan military source as saying. A suspect in the killing of a Deliveroo rider stabbed to death in Finsbury Park may have fled to Austria, according to police. Takieddine Boudhane, who also worked for Uber Eats, was involved in a fatal road rage confrontation with a van driver in north London on January 3. He had been riding his motorcycle before a disagreement with the driver of a white VW Caddy panel-type van. The driver is believed to have stabbed him to death. Detectives have not named the fugitive, though said he may have fled to Austria the morning after the killing. Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli, police commander for Islington, the London borough where the killing took place, told the Islington Tribune: There is a person of interest who we believe flew to Austria. Im confident this investigation will come to a conclusion. A spokesman for Scotland Yard told the Standard there was information to suggest the suspect flew to Austria shortly after the incident. The fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Mr Boudhane, an Algerian national who had been living in the UK for about three years, sparked the Metropolitan Polices first murder investigation of 2020. Officers were called to reports of a man stabbed in Lennox Road at about 6.50pm on January 3. London Ambulance Service also attended the scene. Mr Boudhane was pronounced dead at 7.42pm. At least nine people have been killed after a bus carrying passengers on a stretch of busy street was swallowed by a sinkhole in the rush hour yesterday evening in a Chinese city, the local authority has said. Another 16 people were injured in the accident and were treated in hospitals in Xining, western China's Qinghai Province, the government announced. Officials said earlier today that they were still looking for the 10 people who remained missing. The collapse left an 80-square-metre (860-square-foot) pit in the street outside a hospital. Rescuers are seen preparing to lift a bus out of a sinkhole after a stretch of busy road collapsed in China. At least nine people have been killed after the vehicle was swallowed in Xining Bystanders are seen watching as the bus is lifted out of the 860-square-foot pit in Xining. Another 16 people were injured and were treated in hospitals in the provincial capital As of 10pm local time today - more than 27 hours after the accident took place - rescuers had found nine bodies and were verifying their identities. In a press conference this morning, the city's officials said more than 1,000 police and firefighting officers were involved in the rescue efforts, and more than 30 vehicles had been dispatched to the scene to assist the operation. Ten people remained missing and 16 injured victims were hospitalised and in stable condition, officials claimed. The authority said it was investigating the cause of the accident. The authority said more than 1,000 police and firefighting officers were involved in the rescue efforts, and more than 30 vehicles had been dispatched to the scene to assist the operation Surveillance footage shows passengers queuing to board the bus before the road collapses The vehicle in China then plunges into a sinkhole, sending onlookers fleeing for their lives The accident took place at around 5:30pm local time in front of a bus stop on the South Avenue in the Chengzhong District, the Xining government said in a press conference yesterday. Footage released by Chinese media showed the bus plunging into the ground as the road underneath it suddenly gave way. It also captured a nearby utility post being brought down by the collapse and residents fleeing for their lives. A separate clip purported to show the vehicle exploding in the sinkhole in front of screaming onlookers, but the authority did not commented on the suspected blast. A young boy was hailed as a hero in the country after he reportedly saved a few victims including a baby from being swallowed by the sinkhole - despite falling into the pit and getting injured himself. A boy (circled, left) was hailed as a hero after he reportedly saved a few victims including a baby from being swallowed by the sinkhole - despite falling into the pit and getting injured himself. Footage (right) shows the child, dressed in yellow, being brought to an ambulance His brave actions were captured by surveillance footage, which showed him squatting by the edge of the sinkhole, allegedly trying to retrieve a baby. He was said to be rescued and given medical assistance. A GIF shared on social media by various media, including state newspaper Global Times, shows the child, dressed in yellow, being brought to an ambulance. Footage released by media also purports to show the vehicle exploding in the sinkhole in front of screaming onlookers, but the authority has not commented on the suspected blast The sinkhole opened up when the No. 17 bus was waiting for passengers to board. Eyewitnesses claimed to see passengers and passersby plunging into the cavity, but the government did not react to the allegations. Journalists from China News reported to see shattered glass, wires and a suspected broken water pipe in the sinkhole. Xining has a population of around 2.4 million and is the capital of Qinghai Province in western China. The incident took place in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in western China The city's government said that the province's governor as well as the city's Mayor and Communist Party Secretary arrived at the scene immediately to deal with the aftermath. The accident occurred just a month after a huge sinkhole opened up in the middle of a thoroughfare in another major Chinese city, Guangzhou, killing three people. The sinkhole measured as deep as 38 metres (124 feet) and swallowed a cleaning truck and a bike, reported state media. Local Guangzhou authority said the accident was caused by the construction of a subway line. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg won his first endorsement from a member of Congress on Monday with the backing of fellow New Yorker U.S. Representative Max Rose. Rose is a veteran who was elected in 2018 to represent parts of New York City including Staten Island, typically a Republican stronghold that voted for President Donald Trump in 2016 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg won his first endorsement from a member of Congress on Monday with the backing of fellow New Yorker U.S. Representative Max Rose. Rose is a veteran who was elected in 2018 to represent parts of New York City including Staten Island, typically a Republican stronghold that voted for President Donald Trump in 2016. Rose said Bloomberg took over as mayor of New York City in 2002 as it was still reeling from the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and brought it "back to life." "Mayor Bloomberg's even keeled and visionary leadership is what we need to reduce the chaos, partisanship and hyper-vitriol that has overtaken Washington," Rose said in a statement issued by Bloomberg's campaign. "Rather than submit to another stage of politics as usual, we must be bold and unifying in taking on the huge challenges we face as a nation," the statement added. In backing billionaire Bloomberg, a former Republican, Rose distanced himself from the high-profile liberals among those at the top of the pack of Democrats hoping to take on Trump in November, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Rose represents one of 31 congressional districts that voted for Republican Trump in 2016, but were won by Democrats two years later. Republicans are hoping to take back those seats in the November election. The congressman's Washington office did not immediately return a request for comment. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bill Berkrot) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The report indicates that before he died, the victim told police he was involved in a transaction with two other people through the front drivers side window, and one of the people pulled out a pistol and shot him in the head. P atients should not be prescribed melatonin for jet lag on the NHS, a new expert review has concluded. In the study published in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, researchers said the treatment should be added to the list of treatments which are not routinely funded by the NHS, as it's a condition which clears up on its own within a few days and there is little evidence to suggest that prescription melatonin makes a significant difference to symptom relief. Jet lag can occur when crossing time zones too quickly for your body clock to adjust, and is more often worse when flying eastwards. It may result in poor sleep, fatigue, brain fog and gut issues, or what some have described as "gut lag". Melatonin meanwhile is a hormone which the body produces naturally predominantly at nighttime and is believed to play an important role in regulating the circadian rhythm or sleep/wake cycle. According to the NHS, melatonin is typically used to treat sleep problems in over 55s and sometimes in children. In 2019 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) licensed two melatonin products for short-term jet-lag treatment in the UK and it is currently available on prescription only. It has been licensed for the treatment of jet lag in the EU for the last decade and so the manufacturer was not required to provide new data for UK approval, the authors note. A meta-analysis of data from four studies suggests melatonin does appear to reduce symptoms, albeit not entirely. People using melatonin ranked their jet lag severity 27 out of 100 while those who took a placebo rated theirs 45 out of 100. But review co-author Dr David Phizackerley said there is still "lots of unanswered questions about [melatonin for jet lag]," in a linked podcast. Reported side effects of use include drowsiness and sleepiness, headache, dizziness and disorientation and it may increase seizure frequency in people who have epilepsy and is not recommended for those with autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile co-author Dr James Cave also raised concerns that people could start to overuse melatonin for general insomnia. "I have concerns also perhaps that you will get licence creep, and that it will be used for people with sleep problems in general, and it's not really a good way of dealing with those," he said in the podcast. The authors conclude: "Since jet lag is a self-limiting short term problem and there is limited published evidence of the benefit of melatonin on symptoms, we do not think that it is appropriate for such a product to be made available through the National Health Service. So, can the Irish farmer and the Green Party ever be friends? It's worth asking now because there is a good chance that Eamon Ryan and Greens will figure in whatever coalition emerges from the imminent general election. Dail arithmetic will dictate everything, but both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are ready talk coalition with the Green Party if needs be. Now, before we go any further, let this writer put all cards on the table face up. Last time the Green Party were in government, from 2007 until 2011, I worked as a press adviser assigned to them. I like and respect many of their politicians, in the same way I do with people across most parties, but I have never been a Green Party member or activist. That coalition ended in calamity, mainly due to the global economic collapse and Ireland's bad positioning as it hit. The Green Party were wiped off the electoral map, losing all six Dail seats, and they were reduced to three local councillors. Eamon Ryan took the party leadership and they hung in for a long journey back. There were small revivals in the 2014 local elections and the return of two TDs in the last Dail election in February 2016. Then there were big local council gains last May with 49 councillors; they elected two Euro MEPs; and they won their first ever Dail by-election in Dublin Fingal on November 29 last. If current opinion polls are borne out, in the general election they could have between half a dozen and a dozen TDs next month. Eamon Ryan could in fact be Tanaiste. But at all events they would have a big say in shaping the new Programme for Government. And it is true that many in Irish farming would not like a lot of the ideas the Green Party would bring to such government negotiations. A sideways glance at the interview today from their agriculture spokesperson, Senator Pippa Hackett, will tell you that. But three key points are worth bearing in mind here. Most important is that, while the agriculture section of the Green Party's election manifesto may be rather alarming for farmers, ultimately it is the Programme for Government which will count. Hardline In those kind of negotiations nobody gets everything they want. And it is clear that either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail would take a particularly hardline stance when coalition talks hit the agriculture section. The Green Party is more likely to trade here for concessions on more urban issues. Second point is that much of what Senator Hackett outlines is in line with the general direction of the EU CAP reforms. The policy is headed for more green-friendly policies aimed at protecting biodiversity and tackling global warming. The focus is also switching to quality and niche products over sheer volume. Third and most important point is that it is worth doing more than just taking a sideways glance at what Ms Hackett has to say. Sure, it is about change to a whole range of things which are long-established in farmer thinking, especially since Ireland joined the EU in 1973. Yet, a deal of what she has to say is producer-centred. And we know the current regime is often unjust to producers. In sum, farmers and Greens will remain unlikely friends. But they don't have to be mortal enemies. John Downing is political correspondent of the Irish Independent. From 2007 until 2011 he was a press adviser to the Green Party in coalition with Fianna Fail. An extraordinary situation has developed in Iran where public anger against the American drone attack to kill Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani turned into resentment against the government after the admission that a soldier had brought down an Ukrainian airliner by firing a missile. The internal unrest, with students protesting the death of their young colleagues heading to Canada for higher studies, led to a show of force in which some protesters were even shot in the back. A contrite Revolutionary Guards chief apologised profusely for the human error which killed 176 passengers. However, as the protesters look inwards seeking answers, the fear is that unrest may embolden those pressing to confront the US, still seen as the cause for Irans troubles. This isnt the first time a passenger aircraft has become unfortunate collateral damage in US-Iran confrontations over the years. The US brought down an Iranian aircraft in 1988. The qualitative difference between then and now is that the US and Iran are barely back from the brink of war, even after Donald Trumps statement acknowledged Iran was not seeking to escalate hostilities any further. A volley of eight rockets was still fired on Sunday at bases in Iraq from where most American troops have been relocated after weeks of tension. What adds doses of anxiety to the Gulf situation is the rockets and mortar fire on Iran-US bases, that could lead to a return of confrontation, despite Irans deadlier missile attacks having come after early warning. Internal compulsions may be holding back President Trump as the Democrats try to restrict his military manoeuvres with Iran. History records that itching for war has served US Presidents seeking a second term very well, which is why offering to mediate between Mr Trump and Ayatollah Khamenei might be futile now, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more than willing to play peacemaker. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that the victims on a Ukraine International Airlines plane that was shot down over Tehran last week would still be alive if not for heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Early last Wednesday, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. This was in response to President Trump authorizing an airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Just a few hours after the Iranian retaliatory strikes, Iran's military accidently shot down the Ukrainian plane, killing all 176 passengers and crew. Of the victims, 57 were Canadians. After initial denials, the Iranian government acknowledged this weekend that it had made a "disastrous mistake." "I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Trudeau told Global News TV. The U.S. did not tell Canada in advance it was planning on targeting Soleimani, and Trudeau said "obviously" he would have liked advance notice. "The U.S. makes its determinations," he added. "We attempt to work as an international community on big issues. But sometimes countries take actions without informing their allies." More stories from theweek.com Ken Jennings is officially Jeopardy!'s Greatest of All Time Former mafia prosecutor: It sounds like Trump associates were plotting 'a mob hit' against Marie Yovanovitch Elizabeth Warren gleefully reminds male candidates how many elections they've lost A Boston police officer pleaded not guilty in Suffolk Superior Court Tuesday to charges that he mailed a fake citation and a threatening letter to a motorist he says cut him off on Interstate 93, according to the Boston Globe. Christopher Curtis is being charged with forgery, uttering a false report by a public employee, witness intimidation, misleading an investigation and unlawfully obtaining CORI in connection with the incident, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys office. He is ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the victim. Curtis allegedly sent the fake $790 ticket and the note after the encounter with the driver on March 1, 2019, the Globe reports. Try fighting this I dare you! the note read, according to the Globe. What happens when you try and run an officers truck off the road on 93S. Hope it was worth it. See you in court. In a statement, Suffolk County DA Rachel Rollins said Curtis actions amounted to an abuse of power. These allegations outline an abuse of power by an individual responsible for protecting the public and upholding the law," Rollins said. The communitys relationship with members of law enforcement relies on trust, and actions like these harm the ability of every member of law enforcement to effectively perform their vital duties. The Management of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board has commiserated with the families of a dead staff member, Mrs Otun Madinat Abosede. Mrs Otun, until her demise, was a Senior Teaching staff of the Board, attached to Community Primary School 1, Olopomewa. She was en route to Abuja from Ibadan, for a workshop organised by the United Nations Childrens Fund with her colleague, Mrs Adedeji of Bako Community Primary School, Ido when they were involved in a ghastly motor accident. The Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, revealed that, while Mrs Adedeji survived the accident but sustained injuries, Mrs. Otun did not survive it. The incident is very unfortunate, he said. She would be sorely missed in the teaching service of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, especially for her disciplined lifestyle and dedication to duty, he added. He prayed that the Almighty God grants the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort her family. The chairman said, The State government has made arrangements to bring the late Mrs Otuns body back to Ibadan, while Oyo State Government is ensuring that Mrs Adedeji, who was severely injured, undergoes proper treatment. Shipping containers sit stacked at Qingdao Port after snow on February 14, 2019 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. China's dollar-denominated exports and imports were both higher in December, Reuters reported citing data from the General Administration of Customs. In December, dollar-denominated exports rose 7.6% on-year, against a 1.3% drop in November. December imports were 16.3% higher than year ago, Reuters reported citing data from the Chinese customs. Economists polled by Reuters had expected dollar-denominated exports to rise 3.2% on-year and imports to rise 9.6% in the same period. December trade surplus was $46.79 billion, against an expected $48 billion. The better-than-expected trade data was "more a reflection of base and price effects than of current strength," said Julian Evans-Pritchard and Martin Rasmussen, China economists at Capital Economics, referring to higher import prices. In December China's trade surplus with the U.S. was $23.18 billion down from $24.6 billion in November. Mark Dycio, Nicholsons attorney, has said Crabbe, Nicholson and some friends had gone out for dinner earlier that evening, before returning to Nicholsons Ashburn home. Nicholson later told Crabbes brother that some people were playing video games on the lower level of his home when Crabbe went upstairs to use the bathroom, according to Crabbes family. SAN FRANCISCO As winter approached last fall, a group of Oakland mothers grew desperate. Rent was too high, commutes to their jobs were long and they needed a place where their children could stay warm. They found refuge in a vacant 3-bedroom, one-bathroom, 1,400-square-foot home that had been bought at auction earlier in the year by an out-of-town real estate firm. The women, known by the group they since founded, Moms 4 Housing, claimed they were exercising their human right to shelter. The real estate company said they were illegal squatters and asked city officials to remove them. A months-long standoff that has come to encapsulate the region's growing affordable crisis came to a head Tuesday when law enforcement used a battering ram to enter the property and force the protesters out. After the pre-dawn showdown was over, four people were sent to jail for resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the home during the police action. Dominique Walker, 34, who helped found Moms 4 Housing after moving into the Oakland home with other mothers and their children in November, was not arrested because she was taping an early morning interview with Democracy Now. She abruptly left the set after hearing that deputies were at the house. "I'm angry because my sisters and our supporters are in handcuffs right now, all because we have the right to housing," Walker told reporters shortly after the incident. "This moment is just beginning. We see what we're up against, but we also see what they're afraid of, because we mobilized 300 people in 15 minutes." Those arrested included Moms 4 Housing co-founders Misty Cross, 38, and Tolani King, 46, as well as a man who was at the house at the time, Jesse Turner, 26. Another man, Walter Baker, 48, confronted law enforcement and also was arrested outside the house, according to Alameda County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ray Kelly. Story continues The owner of the Oakland home is Wedgewood Incorporated of Redondo Beach, a real estate agency located just outside of Los Angeles. Its website describes the firm as a "leading acquirer of distressed residential real estate." According to Redfin, the Magnolia street home has an estimated value of $573,000. Wedgewood bought the property in a foreclosure sale last summer for $501,000. Wedgewood spokesperson Sam Singer said the company "is pleased the illegal occupation of its Oakland home has ended peacefully. That is what the company has sought since the start. The solution to Oaklands housing crisis is not the redistribution of citizens homes through illegal break-ins and seizures by squatters." Singer said Wedgewood plans to renovate the home with the help of a local non-profit, Shelter 37, which provides employment opportunities to at-risk youth. Profits from the home's sale to a first-time homeowner will be split with the non-profit, the company said. There are more than 6,000 vacant houses in the Oakland area, according to the Census Bureau. The homeless population in Alameda County, just across the bay from San Francisco, has doubled to 8,000 since 2013. California is the midst of a dire housing crisis that is forcing even those who have jobs to leave the state to make ends meet. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that he was undertaking a statewide tour to promote a series of state-led housing initiatives. Roughly a quarter of the nation's homeless population some 140,000 people now call California home. California Gov. Gavin Newsom meets with constituents during his homelessness tour in Grass Valley, east of the state capital of Sacramento. Walker and her fellow mothers occupied the home after being unable to find affordable housing while facing long commutes to their jobs ahead of the winter season. Their actions caught the attention of local politicians, activists and residents, many of them frustrated by the lack of progress to help area homeless residents. Not long after the mothers took over the house, they were served with an eviction notice for illegally occupying the residence. Moms 4 Housing appealed the eviction and a county judge agreed to hear the case at the end of December. "This is truly a battle of a Goliath corporation that has been profiting off the foreclosure crisis, and that has meant it is driving displacement, homelessness and gentrification in places like West Oakland," Oakland Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas said at a press conference on Dec. 30. "That is in the face of what these moms are doing." Then last week Alameda County Judge Patrick McKinney ruled that Walker and her fellow mothers had no valid claim on the property, clearing the way for the sheriff's action. At around 5:15 a.m. local time, a contingent of officers that included a small tactical unit and a ballistic vehicle arrived at the home, where they found the front door was heavily barricaded, according to spokesperson Kelly. A battering ram was employed to break down the door. Inside were the three people who were arrested. Children had been sent away earlier in the day after word of the imminent eviction spread. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, left, talks with Misty Cross, center, Tolani King, center right, and Sharena Thomas, right, all from the group Moms 4 Housing, at a rally outside of City Hall in Oakland, California, on Jan. 7. Cross and King were among those arrested Tuesday after police officers came to evict them from the vacant house they have been living in since November. While Twitter comments suggested that law enforcement displayed weapons in the encounter, Kelly says he "didn't see anyone pull a gun out," adding that the individuals inside the home "indicated to us that they would not comply but also not resist." After the arrests, the door at 2938 Magnolia was boarded back up, returning it to the same state in which it was found by the Oakland mothers months before. Those working with Moms 4 Housing say the fight to provide housing for the less fortunate will go on. "This is never just about one house, it's about bring to life atrocities going on in places like Oakland where thousands are on streets while homes lie empty," says Merika Reagan, a member of the Alliance for Californians for Community Empowerment, a non-profit that has been working to support Moms 4 Housing in its legal fight. Reagan says the organization plans to urge the city of Oakland to use eminent domain to take over vacant properties and provide them to the homeless. "It's about asserting our human right to shelter and prioritizing that over profit," she says. Follow USA TODAY national correspondent Marco della Cava: @marcodellacava This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Affordable housing: Oakland moms protesting homeless crisis arrested Jolt, an education startup that describes itself as an alternative to traditional MBA courses, has raised $14.1 million in Series A funding. The round is led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Hillsven Capital and Octopus Ventures. It brings Jolts total funding to $23.3 million in three years. The company plans to use the additional capital to continue expansion across the U.K. and Israel, and to enter the U.S. with a first campus in Manhattan. It currently operates three sites in London (Shoreditch, Soho and Liverpool Street), claiming to have more students than London Business School, and seven across Israel. "Higher education is in a bubble in which trillions is being invested in something that works for a small minority of people," says Jolt co-founder and CEO Roei Deutsch. "A staggering $2.3 trillion a year is invested into higher education despite the fact that data shows 79% of graduates dont believe its working as it should... At Jolt, were creating a high-end, in-person, widely global and affordable higher education platform that people can actually see as an alternative to traditional higher education." Jolt says its business courses are aimed at professionals with undergraduate degrees and at least two years work experience, or three years experience without a degree, who have typically reached a point in their career when they want up-skill in order to move up the career ladder or move into a new industry, but don't want to put their life on hold to re-enter education. With Jolt, students only accumulate (and pay for) the classes they need to build their own diploma, and if they dont want to complete the full program, they dont have to. Operating on a monthly rolling basis, courses can be "paused," too, so as to make them manageable, both financially and in terms of time management. "Students sign up for lessons via the Jolt app and attend these lessons at their nearest campus," explains Deutsch. "Lessons are offered outside of traditional working hours, largely in the evening, to help people study alongside their day job. Once theyve completed a lesson/section, they are given a qualification that can be used straightaway, or put towards part of a wider diploma. These lessons and workshops revolve around practical application of the skills, debates and discussions, role-playing and other interactive tasks." Story continues Deutsch describes Jolt's instructors as "highly skilled professionals who are currently working for some of the worlds biggest and most innovative companies," including Google, Netflix, TrustLab and others. "This ensures our curriculum is as up-to-date and as relevant as possible," he says. "We have a thorough streaming process for hiring lecturers so we only use the very best talent, and at the end of each lesson, students rate the content and delivery to create a constant feedback loop that ensures quality and value for money for our students." Price is another area where Jolt wants to put pressure on traditional higher education. It says that a Jolt "NAMBA" (Not an MBA) program, for example, costs 175 a month, or 4,500 in total, which it claims is more than six times cheaper than traditional U.K. MBAs, which, unsubsidised, cost on average 30,000. "This is before you factor in the loss of earnings caused by traditional, inflexible two or one-year courses," says the company. Adds the Jolt CEO: "During our time in the Israeli Defense Forces, we were astonished at how regular people could be turned into intelligence officers within months, demonstrating that the military and other government organisations are effective at training people while the rest of the population is seemingly suffering from education that's not always good enough. This led us to question why traditional, centuries-old private and government-led educational institutions seem to struggle to achieve such results, which motivated us to build an alternative higher education option." During the four-month legislative session that began Wednesday, you can bet 100 lawmakers will haggle over taxing and spending, lowering the cost of health care and educating the states children. Yet they inevitably will talk about how best to educate other peoples children. Alex Burness of The Denver Post was the first to report last month on a proposed bill to mandate Colorado schools teach about genocide and holocaust . Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Democrat from Commerce City and former director of the Holocaust Awareness Institute at the University of Denver, told Burness she plans to carry the bill with Democratic Rep. Emily Sirota of Denver. The Jewish Holocaust, of course, comes first to mind, but the lessons could extend to the Armenian genocide and the fate of Native Americans. My friend Simon Maghakyan flagged the legislation to my attention. A college educator who previously worked for Amnesty International as a human rights specialist, Maghakyan is an Armenian immigrant who is running for House District 7 in Denver this year. A grassroots organizer in the Western U.S. for the Armenian National Committee of America, Simon was my main point of contact, along with former Republican state Rep. Cole Wist, in 2018 when the Legislature renamed a portion of Arapahoe Road the Sardarapat Armenian Memorial Highway to honor a critical but nearly forgotten World War I battle. Educating our youth about the dangers of bullying, dehumanization, racism and unchecked government power is a public safety issue, which is why all middle and high public schools in Colorado should teach about the worst crime under international law genocide, he told me. History and math tell me Democrats, if they stick together, can pass it, without the help of Republicans. Republicans have crossed over these issues before, but education advocates from both parties are tiring of adding to a struggling state curriculum. Last year Democrats passed House Bill 1192 to provide more teaching on the history, culture and social contributions of Native Americans, Latinos, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and the LGBTQ communities. The bill, which picked up a few Republican votes, was sponsored by Reps. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez of Denver and Bri Buentello of Pueblo with Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver. Also last year, lawmakers passed and Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1110 to help school kids spot fake news, essentially. The bill was a half-step, as new government programs go. The bill told the state commissioner of education to appoint a committee and set aside about $20,000 to pay for some research. The result of that studying and deliberating is to inform the next steps. The legislation was introduced in the House by freshman Rep. Lisa Cutter of Littleton and carried in the Senate by one of the Legislatures strongest education advocates, Sen. Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood. I believe in the power of honest, fair and ethical communications, Cutter said on the House floor last April when she pitched the bill. As a society our decisions are only as good as the information we take in to form our opinions. Its vital for kids to recognize the difference between when theyre being informed and when theyre being manipulated, she said. Theyre constantly inundated with information, and we must prepare them to deal with this, Cutter said. I agree with that. If I could dance the Stanky Leg in the town square to make it so, I would. My Stanky Leg is terrible. I would do a lot more than that to impress upon children the depravity of holocausts. Last session Republican Rep. Jim Wilson got up and spoke on the media literacy bill, and it continues to complicate my thinking, however. Ive followed Wilson around the school buildings in Salida where he was a principal and superintendent. Ive seen with my own eyes how faculty and parents hover around him. Ive heard about the children he continues to mentor, including local boys who are fatherless who are lucky to have Big Jim to teach them to fish, hunt and treat others squarely. These are our students, he said after nodding to Colorados low assessment scores on reading, writing and math, much less getting ahead in science, technology and engineering, the way kids in Canada are. More than half of Colorados eighth-graders arent proficient in English, basically nouns, verbs and punctuation, before asking them to assess the differences between Fox News and CNN, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton or a meme versus a study. Were talking about adding curriculum at a time our students are struggling, Wilson argued in vain, before the bill passed the House on a party-line vote. Hardly a demagogue on education Capitol insiders know Wilson is the father of the Democratic governors full-day kindergarten initiative he agrees media literacy would be good for students, but itd be good if they pulled the word media up on their screen and they were able to read it. Wilson continued, Where is the outrage in this chamber that our students are performing miserably on those assessments? Quit putting extra things on our educators and let them teach kids how to read and write, do math and understand social studies. The difference is as tangible as what you have and what you want. More than 1,000 of Australia's rudest, quirkiest and strangest place names have been plotted on a hilarious map. Places such as Lovely Bottom, Bulls**t Hill, Pisspot Creek and Peculiar Knob are just some Australian locations that actually exist. The Marvellous Map of Actual Australian Place Names - created by Strumpshaw, Tincleton & Giggleswick describes the places 'as classy from afar but it's very far from classy up close'. 'Featuring over 1,000 of the funniest, rudest and quirkiest - and 100 per cent authentic - Aussie towns, streets, mountains, lakes and all manner of geographic features whose names may cause your older relatives to spit out their tea violently,' a description on the website reads. Wonglepong is a rural locality in the Scenic Rim Region of Queensland, Australia Mt Blowhard is located in in South Western Victoria, Australia Queensland is filled with some of the 'rudest' names from Bootie Island, Bushy Island and Booby Island. Tasmania is home to a number of outrageous place names like Lovely Bottom, Pisspot Creek, Prickly Bottom, Guys Dirty Hole and Ding Dong Rainforest. Other parts of Australia are home to equally hilarious names including Peculiar Knob in South Australia, Big Knob Waterhole in Northern Territory and The Boobs in NSW. The new map shows 1,000 of Australias funniest, rudest and quirkiest place names that are simply quite hard to believe Hell Hole Track in Queensland. Humphrey Butler, the founder of the company, said the idea came to him when he was driving around the UK Humphrey Butler, the founder of the company, said the idea came to him when he was driving around the UK in an old car and noticed all the funny names. 'When you're travelling like that, you look at map and road signs and notice all these funny sounding place names,' he told the BBC. He then decided to make it his mission to find out how many other places have weird and unusual places. At the time of creation, he said Queensland 'definitely has a huge variety of place names funny, rude, quirky, miserable-sounding the full range'. 'There are a lot of Knobs in Australia,' he said. 'There are hundreds and hundreds of Knobs all over Australia but there is one called Prominent Nob in South Australia and that does make us laugh.' Much has been done to combat bullying since Tyler Clementi, 18, of Ridgewood took his life in September 2010 after being cyberbullied as a freshman at Rutgers University. But theres still a long way to go, Jane Clementi, Tylers mother, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., said Monday during a press conference at the Ridgewood YMCA. Too many of our children are bullied right now, online and at schools," Gottheimer said, and far too many, like Tyler, may not see a solution. "Its up to us to help them. About 20% of children will be bullied online or in school, Gottheimer said. And more than 70% of children say theyve witnessed bullying in their schools. Only about 20 to 30% of those who are bullied notify an adult, he said. And the Centers for Disease Control this past fall reported a 56% increase in suicides for those aged 10 to 24 between 2007 and 2017, Gottheimer said. Stuart Green, of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness, said bullying is caused by a modeling of behavior, inaction when bullying occurs or the culture of the institutions where the bullying takes place. New Jersey is regarded as a leader for these issues, partly because weve enacted the strongest anti-bullying legislation in the country or at least it was when we developed it and when it was passed, Green said. At this point, more attention and more strengthening is needed because kids are still being hurt and occasionally dying related to this issue, he said. The Congressman announced a five-point anti-bullying action plan that includes establishing a New Jersey anti-bullying task force that Clementi will chair. I always like to make it very clear that all bullying incidents do not end with these same tragic outcomes, she said of her youngest childs death. But, unfortunately, all bullying hurts at the time. And they often leave long lasting physical and emotional scars. Gottheimers plan also includes co-sponsoring several pieces of legislation. Dannys Law, named after Daniel Fitzpatrick, 13, of Staten Island, who died by suicide in 2016, would establish a national anti-bullying roundtable to study bullying in schools, how best to combat it, how to educate school officials to better recognize it and help parents see the early warning signs, Gottheimer said. Hes also co-sponsoring the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act. It will require colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to enact policies that prohibit the harassment of students by other students, faculty and staff based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. Tylers story reminds us that bullying does not stop at the walls to our K to 12 schools, Gottheimer said. The bill explicitly prohibits cyberbullying and will also create a competitive grant program to help institutions invest, expand, initiate and improve programs that prevent bullying, that provide counseling to students and that educate students and faculty on ways to prevent harassment, he said. One of the problems associated with bullying, Gottheimer said, is that schools may not be properly reporting bullying incidents for fear of being viewed negatively as a district. We shouldnt punish the schools for taking count and taking proactive steps, Gottheimer said. Without this data we wont know where the problems are and we wont know what needs to change. Therefore, he is also co-sponsoring the Safe Schools Improvements Act. It requires schools receiving federal aid to ensure their codes of conduct specifically prohibit bullying and harassment and to include bullying and harassment data in their statewide assessment reporting. Lastly, Gottheimers action plan calls on social media companies to redouble their effort to protect children on their platforms, he said. By staying up-to-date with new-age cyberbullies what theyre saying, what theyre doing and how theyre doing it -- social media companies will be able to address harassing content more immediately, Gottheimer said. Facebook photo of Tyler Clementi. Tyler Clementis 2010 suicide, which occurred after his roommate at Rutgers filmed him kissing another man and spread the video on social media, brought national attention to cyberbullying. Jane Clementi also announced her own initiative at the press conference Monday, through the Tyler Clementi Foundation, to encourage people to be Upstanders. An Upstander is someone who treats everyone with empathy and respect and kindness and when they see someone being targeted or humiliated they reach out and interrupt or intervene," she said. The Upstander should report the behavior to a trusted adult and reach out to the target to make sure they know theyre safe and not alone. I think thats a key component and it wouldve been hugely different in Tylers story, she said. The Foundation hopes to spread the Upstander message to 1 million people by the fall of 2020, which is the 10th anniversary of Tylers death. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into a management agreement with KL Midtown Sdn. Bhd., a joint venture company by Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad (Hap Seng) and TTDI KL Metropolis Sdn. Bhd., to develop a new 450-room Hyatt Regency branded hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Set to be completed in 2024, the new hotel will mark the return of the Hyatt Regency brand to Kuala Lumpur. For leisure and business travellers visiting the Malaysian capital, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur will deliver energising experiences and a stress-free environment that embodies the Hyatt Regency brand ethos. Guests will enjoy seamless, intuitive service alongside refreshing food and beverage concepts and flexible spaces suited for work, collaboration or relaxation. We are excited to be working with KL Midtown Sdn. Bhd. on the development of Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur and to be bringing the Hyatt Regency brand back to the energetic capital city of Malaysia, said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. This will be our second collaboration with Hap Seng in Malaysia after we recently announced our plans for the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. We are grateful for Hap Sengs continued trust and are delighted to be part of these very exciting milestones and new experiences in Malaysia. Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur will be a state-of-the-art property designed by internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma. When completed, the hotel will offer four food and beverage concepts including two bars, a market cafe, and a Japanese restaurant. It will also feature an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and Regency Club an exclusive lounge offering a relaxed environment to work, meet and socialise for club level guests. For meetings and events, the hotel will also include 21,528-sq-ft of flexible space, including a 10,764-sq-ft ballroom, making it the ideal setting for any occasion. The hotel will be situated just north of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), the third largest Mice venue in Southeast Asia and the largest trade and exhibition centre in Malaysia. With a direct connection to Mitec, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur will be easily accessible for business travelers who are visiting the meeting venue. The venue is located just five miles northwest of Kuala Lumpurs city center, and 37 miles from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In addition to being a prominent hotel for us in Malaysia, the introduction of Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur will bring awareness to the Hyatt Regency brand in the wider region, said Patrick Finn, senior vice president real estate & development, Asia-Pacific for Hyatt. The new hotel is part of our strategy to grow Hyatts brand presence in Malaysia, building upon the five hotels that currently operate in the region. Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur will add to Hap Sengs hotel development efforts with Hyatt in Malaysia, complementing the recently announced Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, said Dato Jorgen Bornhoft, chairman of Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad. We chose Hyatt for this project because of our excellent past experience working together, paired with the hotel companys established leadership reputation in the hospitality industry. We will work closely with Hyatt and Kengo Kuma to create a standout Hyatt Regency property that reflects all the elements that has made the brand a preferred choice for both business and leisure travellers over the years. - TradeArabia News Service Leading Israeli politician Merav Michaeli has said fugitive teacher Malka Leifer should stand trial in Australia to face child abuse charges. The 52-year-old is facing 74 charges of rape and child sexual assault of three female students during her time at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel school in Elsternwick, in Melbourne's inner suburbs. In 2008, as the allegations surfaced, the Israeli-born woman left the school and returned to her birth country. Leading Israeli politician Merav Michaeli has said fugitive teacher Malka Leifer (pictured) should stand trial in Australia to face child abuse charges Ms Michaeli (pictured) told News Corp Australia the legal process in this case has been 'outrageously slow' She was arrested in 2014 in Israel before she was released in 2016 over mental health concerns. Leifer was then rearrested in 2018 after a video was shown to the court claimed she was not ill. Ms Michaeli told News Corp Australia the legal process in this case has been 'outrageously slow'. 'There is an agreement between the two countries, two democracies and one should stand trial for what they are accused of and hopefully justice will be done swiftly. I don't see any reason for a delay,' she said. Part of the anger around the trial stems from allegations that Yaakov Litzman, who was acting as the country's health minister, impeded with Leifer's psychiatric reports to delay the case. Mr Litzman has strongly denied the allegations, with his office saying he has helped the country 'without discrimination' and 'according to the law'. Leifer is facing 74 charges of rape and child sexual assault of three female students during her time at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel school in Elsternwick, in Melbourne's inner suburbs TIMELINE OF MALKA LEIFER Leifer faces 74 counts of sexual assault related to accusations brought forward by three female students who say they were abused while she was a teacher and principal at the ultra-Orthodox religious school they attended in Melbourne. In 2008, as the allegations surfaced, the Israeli-born Leifer left the school in Australia and returned to Israel. After Australia filed an extradition request, Leifer was put under house arrest in 2014 and underwent the beginnings of an extradition process. But that ended in 2016 when a mental health evaluation determined she wasn't fit to stand trial. Leifer was again arrested in early 2018 after police found evidence that she had faked her mental incompetence. The court asked for another psychological review, whose findings were announced last week. Source: Associated Press Advertisement His office said they were confident there was nothing 'defect' about his actions and justice will be served in this matter. 'There is so much opposition and so much rage towards the Minister of Health, who according to the suspicion unlawfully used his power to prevent a trial of Malka Leifer,' Ms Michaeli said. 'I do hope, in the name of many Israelis, the majority, I would say, that this delay would be over as soon as possible and justice will be done.' She said the ultra-orthodox community has disproportionate power in Israel and there has been a political misuse of it. Leifer's case was due to return to court at 10.30pm AEDT on Tuesday and she is expected to be declared fit for an extradition trial. She has tried to avoid an extradition trial, according to prosecutors. A push was expected to set a hearing date in order to bring the trial to a close. BRIDGEPORT A Stratford man, who told family members he would do anything to protect his niece, is facing 25 years in prison for fatally shooting her. Michael Buddha Catchings, 23, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Earl Richards to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and first-degree assault on Monday as he was about to go to trial. Asked by the judge if he agreed with the allegations against him, Catchings looked down and simply answered, Yes. Supervisory Assistant States Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. told the judge that under the plea bargain he had agreed to reduce the charges from murder and attempted murder. He said the victims family did not want Catchings prosecuted for homicide. Catchings faces 25 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and a concurrent 20-year term on the assault charge when he is sentenced March 13. Catchings is accused of fatally shooting 27-year-old Raenetta Catchings, the mother of two small children, in front of her Stratford home in the early morning hours of Aug. 13, 2017, and wounding her boyfriend, Marc Elliott, of Bridgeport. Police responding to a call of gunshots at the North Avenue home said they found Raenetta Catchings lying in the street surrounded by family members with a gunshot wound in her chest. She was pronounced dead at Bridgeport Hospital. Elliot was found a short distance away suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, police said. From the start police said the large group of family at the scene refused to talk to investigators. Officers learned from other witnesses that the Catchings family had been holding a birthday party. During the party, Raenetta Catchings and Elliott had walked out to the street to have an argument, police said. At some point, police said, several people from the birthday party walked over to the arguing couple and the situation escalated. Police said witnesses told them a male voice was heard yelling, Ill shoot your whole family. Ill shoot this whole block, and then another voice responded, Buddha, Buddha, no! Witnesses then heard two gunshots and Michael Catchings ran one way and Elliot ran another way, police said. Police said another witness told them Michael and Raenetta Catchings were very close, like brother and sister, and that Michael Catchings intervened to protect his niece but accidentally shot her. B ig Ben will remain silent for Brexit after it was revealed a symbolic bong to mark the occasion could cost up to half a million pounds. The House of Commons Commission discussed the idea at a meeting on Monday, but it was ruled out over both financial and logistical issues. Having the clock strike the hour that the UK leaves the European Union would cost 500,000 up from the an original estimate of 120,000, the Telegraph reported. The expanded budget stems from the need to put in and remove a temporary floor in order to ring the bell in the tower, which is currently undergoing renovation works. A source told The Daily Telegraph: "No-one in the meeting thought it was worth spending 500,000 on having Big Ben strike the hour on one occasion. "When you consider what else that money could be spent on, it's very hard to make an argument in favour of it." Big Ben is silenced for four years 1 /10 Big Ben is silenced for four years Big Ben is to be silenced today for the next four years AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio A row has broken out about the silencing of the bells Rex Workers installed scaffolding as the major restoration was beginning Rex Big Ben will fall silent at midday Jeremy Selwyn Tourists gathered to hear the bell silence for the last time in several years Jeremy Selwyn Workers erect scaffolding around Big Ben's tower Jeremy Selwyn The bells were silenced to protect workers' hearing Jeremy Selwyn Tourists take a selfie in front of Big Ben's tower AP Another source reportedly said there wasn't enough time to plan for the bell to ring, saying the project team would need "at least two weeks" to prepare. Conservative MP Mark Francois told the paper he was "very disappointed" with the commission's decision. "I've already offered to go up Big Ben myself, ably assisted by [European Scrutiny Committee chair] Bill Cash, to ring the bell myself to save money," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 06:15:10|Editor: zyl Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched airstrikes on the T-4 air base in the central Syrian province of Homs on Tuesday, but causing no major damages. The Israeli warplanes fired several missiles on the base, most of which were intercepted by the Syrian air defense forces. Four missiles hit the base, the Syrian army said in a statement. The attack was carried out from the direction of the al-Tanf area in southeastern Syria, where a U.S. base is located, the statement added. Meanwhile, a military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the four missiles destroyed a number of vehicles in the base, but none of the warplanes there were hit. He said that no human casualties were recorded after the strike. The attack is the latest in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting military sites in Syria, which Israel usually claims as the positions of Iranian-backed fighters. This attack is the first of its kind following the U.S. assassination of the Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq earlier this month. The president of protest-hit Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, plans to outlaw "hate speech" that has proliferated on social networks in recent months, his office said Monday. Tebboune asked Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad to draft a bill "criminalising all forms of racism ... and hate speech in the country," according to a statement published by the official APS press agency. The new initiative follows "an upsurge in hate speech and incitement," the presidential statement said. Algerian social networks have become a battleground for rival political camps after they gave rise to the popular "Hirak" protest movement that in April ended the 20-year reign of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The tone became more aggressive in the run-up to a December 12 presidential election, held in the face of strong opposition from the protest movement which saw the polls as an attempt by the establishment to consolidate its power. All five candidates who ran in the poll had links to Bouteflika, with Tebboune having served as one of his prime ministers. Official turnout was less than 40 percent. The law would allow authorities "to confront those who exploit the freedom and peaceful nature of Hirak" by brandishing "slogans that undermine national cohesion," the statement said. The initiative has sparked fierce debate on social media between those who back it and those who see it as an unneccessary measure, with some wary that it could give wide scope to crack down on legitimate protest. The planned law stipulates that "everyone is called upon to comply with the Constitution and laws of the Republic, in particular respect for... the Nation state and its values... as well as the symbols of the state." Nearly a year after the launch of the popular movement, its activists continue to demand an end to the governing system in place since the country's independence from France in 1962. Possible serial killer was behind teen's 1976 rape, murder: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A teenage girl's murder from 1976 has now been solved thanks to DNA and genetic genealogy and investigators believe her murderer was a serial killer. On the night of Jan. 12, 1976, 16-year-old Pamela Maurer left a friend's house in Illinois and walked to get a soft drink. She was never heard from again, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. The next morning, the teenager was found raped and strangled to death on the side of a road in Lisle, Illinois, Berlin said. "For 44 years her murder remained a mystery," Berlin said at a news conference on Monday. PHOTO: Pamela Maurer in an undated photo. (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office) The first turn in the case came in 2001 when "biological evidence" was collected from Maurer's body, Berlin said. A DNA profile was recovered from her suspected killer, and that was entered into the law enforcement database CODIS -- but there were no hits, he said. The big break in the case was then in 2019, when investigators turned to the novel technique of genetic genealogy. MORE: Son's former football coach arrested for mom's 1981 murder Genetic genealogy compares unknown DNA evidence from a crime scene to public genealogy databases, which are populated by the DNA of family members who voluntarily upload their DNA. Genetic genealogy has been called a "game-changer" in cracking cold cases. Since the arrest of the suspected "Golden State Killer" in April 2018, about 100 suspects have been identified through the technology, according to Parabon NanoLabs Chief Genetic Genealogist CeCe Moore, who worked on the Maurer case. Investigators traced Maurer's unknown killer's family tree and identified Bruce Lindahl as a possible suspect, Berlin said. Lindahl died in 1981 at the age of 29, when he apparently accidentally slashed himself while stabbing an 18-year-old man to death, Berlin said. In November 2019, Lindahls body was exhumed and his DNA was found to be a match to the suspect DNA on Maurer's body, Berlin said. Story continues PHOTO: Bruce Lindahl is pictured in a photo from 1976 in Lisle, Ill. (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office) Shortly before the holidays, detectives flew to visit Maurer's family to tell her father and brother the identity of her suspected killer, Berlin said. "We finally put a name and face to this monster," Lisle Police Det. Chris Loudon said Monday. But Maurer was not Lindahl's first victim. Loudon said he suspects Lindahl was a serial killer. In 1980, Lindahl allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted Debra Colliander, forcing her into his car and taking her to his house in Aurora, Illinois, where he allegedly threatened her with a gun and took nude photos of her, said Berlin. Colliander managed to escape by fleeing naked to a nearby home, said Berlin. MORE: Man arrested in intern's 1980 cold case rape, murder thanks to DNA match Lindahl was charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape and deviant sexual assault. He was released on bail pending trial, said Berlin. Later that year, Lindahl allegedly told a friend that "a girl had pressed charges against him for rape, and that if the girl did not appear in court, he would get out of it," Berlin said. On Oct. 7, 1980 -- two weeks before the trial was set to start -- Colliander disappeared, Berlin said. MORE: Genetic genealogy identifies suspect in teens' 1982 double murder: Family 'had lost hope' Later on, "the friend of Lindahl reported that Lindahl offered him $2,000, a handgun, whiskey and pills to get rid of the victim," Berlin said. But the case against Lindahl had already been dismissed, he said. PHOTO: DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin announces that the 1976 murder of sixteen-year-old Pamela Maurer has been solved, Jan. 13, 2020, in Wheaton, Ill. (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office) In 1982, Colliander's body was found buried in a shallow grave in Oswego Township, Illinois, and her death was ruled a homicide, Berlin said. By that time, Lindahl was already dead, he said. Numerous photos of young women were found in Lindahl's home after his death, including photos of a woman last seen alive in 1979, Berlin said. Lindahls DNA is now being used to investigate unsolved cases, Berlin said in a statement Monday. Berlin said, "I urge anyone with any information about Bruce Lindahl, any crimes involving Bruce Lindahl or any possible victims of Bruce Lindahl to please contact us via our tip line at 630-407-8107 or Detective Chris Loudon of the Lisle Police Department at 630-271-4252. There is no tendency to subordinate the interest of citizens or go against their interest. The people simply expressed their concerns that the decision-makers probably hadnt taken into consideration or hadnt explored in detail. Now this ruckus served as another opportunity to raise the issue on the closure of the maternity hospital in Yeghvard. This is what governor of Kotayk Province Romanos Petrosyan told reporters today. The plenipotentiary body of the sector is the Ministry of Healthcare which forms the budget and develops a policy, and the governor of the particular province introduces the policy in the province and manages medical institutions subordinate to the province such as Nairi Medical Center. We hadnt received a decision on terminating state funding for the maternity ward of Nairi Medical Center. Our colleagues at the ministry had simply told us that they were drafting this policy for implementation based on the facts that the minister had already reported, the governor said. Petrosyan said on January 8 he had sent an official letter to Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan to revisit the decision on dissolving several maternity hospitals in Armenias provinces. I expressed my concerns and presented the facts and told him that the maternity hospital of the medical center in Yeghvard is different from other maternity hospitals in the sense that, compared with 2018, in 2019, there was a growth of births. Romanos Petrosyan personally thinks the maternity hospital in Yeghvard needs to operate and be re-equipped with new equipment and be renovated. The maternity hospital will remain open. Currently, we state that the maternity hospital needs to record 150 births. In two to three days, the government will be presented with all the arguments that the governors of other provinces and I made. I hope we solve the issue related to the maternity hospital in Yeghvard. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reached the fifth position in the world and is first in the Arab world in providing humanitarian assistance, according to statistics published yesterday on the United Nations Financial Tracking Platform (FTS). The Kingdom's global assistance amounted to USD 1,281,000,000, which represents 5.5% of the total amount of humanitarian aid provided worldwide. The Kingdom also topped the list of donors to Yemen at USD 1,216,000,000, an amount which represents 31.3% of the total aid provided to the Yemen in 2019. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on this remarkable achievement. Dr. Al Rabeeah affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been able to provide such extensive humanitarian support to those in need thanks to the ongoing commitment by the Kingdom's leadership to alleviating suffering around the world. He added that Islamic values dictate such generosity, and that the leadership reflects these values in their commitment to supporting people in need worldwide. KSrelief registers, documents and maintains full details about the Kingdom's humanitarian assistance and funding on the UN's Financial Tracking System (FTS) coordinating with all relevant authorities to ensure that all aid is documented and reported in a timely manner to achieve full transparency. SOURCE King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre This had a downside, and before long you saw or heard stories of rich young men they were always young men acting like the cretin on Billions. (These bromakase patrons must be the reason Nakazawas chefs and servers now warn you at the start of the meal to eat every piece in one bite, and never to top sushi with pickled ginger.) Before Nakazawa, the best omakase meals were typically served inside restaurants that did most of their trade in a la carte sushi; after Nakazawa, one dedicated omakase parlor after another opened up, and like Nakazawa, many of them were inspired less by Japanese customs than by modern New York stagecraft. That a 21-piece dinner at the counter cost $150 seemed like a deal even in 2013. Today, dinner at the counter is still $150, and its $30 less in the dining room, although there are some new efforts to upsell. As the cost of other omakase meals has gone up to $400 or more, holding the cost steady is an achievement. Its even more impressive because some parts of the experience have been upgraded. Originally the front door opened directly into the skinny room that holds the sushi counter. In 2015, Sushi Nakazawa took over the space next door on Commerce Street, and now you enter through a lounge where, if you are early for your reservation, you may bide your time perching on a small beige tuffet or leaning against the bar while putting away a glass of Champagne. If your destination is the dining room, youll find that the chairs there have been replaced with cushier ones. Reservations, which used to be harder to find than West Village street parking, are plentiful now that the restaurant has added lunch service and stays open seven days a week instead of five. This is a net gain for patrons, but it comes at a cost. Mr. Nakazawa can no longer work every shift, as he once did. When hes absent, it doesnt much change the dining-room experience. But the counter is far more interesting when he is behind it. To keep up with the increased traffic, Mr. Nakazawa has made his production line more efficient. Rather than slicing each piece of fish to order, chefs do it before each seating begins. This gives you less to watch, but it speeds up the meal and doesnt seem to harm the sushi much, with one exception. One of my strongest impressions from the restaurants early days is the flavor of the live shrimp the same ones Mr. Nakazawa liked to launch at unsuspecting customers before killing them, shelling them and laying them over a parcel of warm rice. Each time I ate one, I felt the room spin. The lusterless, pre-killed spot prawns Ive had there recently were no substitute at all. I doubt advance slicing was the reason the scallop with yuzukosho on its underside, like a concealed weapon, seemed less vividly seasoned than it used to be. Nor did it have anything to do with whats happened to the tamago, which used to be a kind of whipped custard with a haunting savory finish and is now more like a blandly sweet yellow spongecake. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. It has been exactly 30 years since the last massacres of Armenians in Baku. In early January of 1990, the rallies taking place in the Soviet Azerbaijani capital city of Baku were being held with Death to Armenians, Glory to Sumgait Heroes, Long live Baku without Armenians chants and hate speech towards the Armenians who had been living in the city for centuries. After the rallies organized by the Azerbaijani Popular Front opposition movement, the Azerbaijanis began a premeditated attack on the last representatives of the Armenian community, with complete disregard to age or gender. The perpetrators had maps with the exact locations and addresses of Armenians. Soviet officials who during those days were dispatched to Baku at the orders of Soviet Union leader M. Gorbachev later gave detailed descriptions of the inhumane actions, violence, cruelty and murders during the massacres of Armenians in Baku. These officials include USSR Supreme Soviet representative Yevgeny Primakov, USSR Interior Minister Vadym Bakatin, as well as Major General Alexander Lebed the then-commander of the USSR Armed Forces 106th Airborne Division, who himself witnessed the massacres. During closed sessions of the 3rd sitting of the USSR Supreme Soviets 12th convocation, V. Bakatins speech clearly shows that the massacres of the Armenians was premeditated and planned. the mass pogroms began on January 13th and 14th. The pogroms began unexpectedly, but they were well organized. The [Azerbaijani mob] was given the addresses of Armenians in advance: the Azerbaijani crowd of 5000 started moving towards the Armenians homes to kill and loot the Armenian population of the city. In this situation it was difficult to do anything, especially if we take into account the fact that the interior troops actions were being blocked with the fact that the culprits were using women and children as human shield. During the same session, Y. Primakovs speech reveals the nature of the atrocities committed by Azerbaijanis. We were witnessing how in the situation, when the wild anti-Armenian pogroms caused numerous human deaths, tens of thousands of Armenians were deprived from their homes and expelled from the republic in few days. Being well aware of the massacres of Armenians in Baku, even during the active phase of the pogroms from January 13th to January 19th when Armenians were being murdered and tortured in broad daylight, the USSR leadership wasnt hurrying to intervene, despite the fact that sufficient numbers of USSR interior troops were in Baku, which were capable of rapidly restoring law and order. Gorbachev declared a state of emergency in Baku only on January 19th, when the Soviet government was jeopardized. The massacres of Armenians in 1990 werent the first one and showed in a clear manner that impunity leads to new crimes. The first mass and organized massacres of Armenians in the present-day Azerbaijani capital were committed 115 years ago, in 1905, when hundreds of Armenians were murdered, and their homes and factories were destroyed. The pogroms continued in September-November 1918, claiming the lives of more than 20,000 Armenians. The massacres in the beginning and end of the 20th century have virtually an identical signature people were being killed only because they were Armenians. Russian Major General Alexander Lebed wrote in his Za Derjavu Obidno book that Armenians were being caught and mortally battered, at the same time they would also batter the Jews, Ossetians Georgians, everyone who to some extent resembled Armenians. They would beat them, as they say, by looking at their faces and not passports. They were looting and destroying apartments and stores, all small stores belonging to Armenians. The same was happening during the 1918 pogroms. During that time, the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armys East group, German Lt. Colonel Paraken noted in a report dated 26.09.1918 to Lt. General Von Seeckt : At the presence of other witnesses a German told me that together with the Nuri Pashas adjutant they had entered a home where 13 Georgians were indiscriminately killed. When he drew the attention on the fact that the victims are Georgian, i.e. people under the auspices of Germans, the adjutant of Nuri shrugged and said: They were simply mistaken for Armenians. The same happened in the January pogroms: people were being murdered for being Armenian or looking like them. Armenophobia and racist policy is still on the agenda in Azerbaijan even a century later, proved by the glorification of Ramil Safarov, the murderer of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan during a NATO training course in 2004 in Hungary who killed the Armenian officer with an axe while the latter was asleep; the elderly civilians in the village of Talish in Artsakh who were murdered and mutilated during the 2016 Azerbaijani offensive; the state-sanctioned discrimination and other similar steps against anyone having an Armenian surname. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday talked to the Special Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdur Rahman and urged him to take back his resignation which was made in the wake of the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill in parliament. Rahman had resigned from his post in December 2019 in protest against the passage of the bill. In an open letter, Rahman had said that Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 was against the basic features of the Constitution. He had condemned the bill passed by parliament last month. "As (a step of) civil disobedience, I have decided not to continue in the service and thus not to attend office from tomorrow. I am quitting the service finally. I say sorry to those who want me to continue in the service and give justice to the deprived people," Rahman had said. He had also requested the people belonging to the poor and weaker sections such as SCs and STs besides Muslims to oppose the bill in a "democratic manner" as it was going to harm them "the most". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sharp decline in GDP in FY20 will shrink job creation in India, leading to at least 16 lakh fewer government and low-paying jobs in the financial year. The slow pace of growth will have a direct impact on payroll creation as labour remittances are declining, says an SBI Ecowrap report. As per the EPFO data, India created 89.7 lakh new payrolls in FY19. But this year's numbers could be around 15.8 lakh lower, says the report. "Even in the NPS (National Pension System) category, state and the central government could create close to 39,000 jobs less in FY20. This could result in 16 lakh lesser payrolls in FY20 than in FY19," says the report. The Indian economy is expected to expand at 5 per cent (SBI's estimate is 4.6 per cent) in FY20, compared to 6.8 per cent in FY19, the report said. There's also evidence of a decline in remittances by labourers in India in the last one year. "These migrants have been making significant financial contributions to their families in their places of origin. The remittance data shows a decline in remittances in states like Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan Odisha & UP," Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economic adviser, SBI, said in its report. Also read: 'Remains to be seen if we have bottomed out': SBI report on GDP growth slowdown The report says the stagnant productivity growth remained at 9.4-9.9 per cent in the last five years, which has manifested in low wage growth. "In the absence of commensurate productivity and wage gains, we must strive to improve the quality of jobs offered," the report added. According to the 2011 Census, migrant labourers constituted 37.5 per cent of the total population of India. Migrants make significant contributions to the national economy by providing human capital in sectors such as textiles, hospitality, construction, mining, brick-making and small industries. "To look at such a trend, we looked at a sample of data on remittances by migrant labourers to selected states in the last 1 year. The data shows a decline in remittances," says the report. The first advance estimates released by the Central Statistics Office has pegged India's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5 per cent for the financial year 2019-20. The Reserve Bank of India in its last bi-monthly monetary policy review had also lowered the GDP forecast to 5 per cent. Unemployment has become a big concern for the Modi government. India's unemployment rate increased to 7.7 per cent in December 2019, slightly higher than 7.48 per cent reported in the previous month, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said. Six out of India's 10 states with the highest unemployment rate are either ruled by the BJP or it is an alliance partner with regional parties. Tripura, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh witnessed highest unemployment levels of more than 20 per cent, while Karnataka and Assam reported the lowest unemployment rate of 0.9 per cent each. Also read: SBI lowers GDP estimates for FY20 to 4.6% from 5% Democrats are demanding Donald Trump's administration "immediately" release billions of dollars in congressionally approved aid to Puerto Rico in the wake of devastating and ongoing earthquakes and aftershocks that have destroyed hundreds of homes and left two-thirds of the island without electricity. Earthquakes began rocking the island in late December, kicking off thousands of tremors, including the biggest quake to hit the island in a century, and killing at least one person and causing more than $110m in damages. The quakes have rocked the island so intensely that Nasa researchers say the damage is visible from space. Puerto Rico is still waiting on billions in federal funding after 2017's catastrophic hurricanes, during which more than 3,000 people were killed in the storm and its aftermath and which left more than 1.5m people without power. In a letter to the president sent on Monday, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velazquez demanded answers from Mr Trump, who they urged to direct his Federal Emergency Management Agency to "fully extend federal resources under the most expansive reading of the disaster declaration" that the president issued on 7 January. Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Show all 20 1 /20 Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Crew chief Kenney shelters under the blade of an HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit preparing to take off during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Isla Grande, Puerto Rico, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico An HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit takes off behind Crew Chief Alexander Blake and his fellow soldiers during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Morovis, October 5, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Crew member Bynum stands in tropical rain as a HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit prepares to take off during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Isla Grande, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot Chris Greenway receives a hug from a woman thanking him for water as he works with the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Verde de Comerio, October 7, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico A man carries a case of water away from an HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter after soldiers working with 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit dropped off relief supplies during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Jayuya, October 5, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Crew chief Alexander Blake from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit loads water into a helicopter during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Isla Grande, October 5, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Residents wait for soldiers in UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade to deliver food and water during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in San Lorenzo Reuters Bringing aid to Puerto Rico An HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit lands in a field to avoid lightning during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Manati, October 5, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Residents hold their hands aloft to signal that they need water as UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade fly past during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, near Ciales, October 7, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Tropical rain splashes on a runway as HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit wait for weather to clear during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Isla Grande, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Pilot Eldwin Bocanegra Torres speaks with residents isolated by landslides in the mountains after unloading water and food from a helicopter during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, near Utuado, October 10, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Residents stand in front of wind-damaged trees as they wait for soldiers in UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade to deliver food and water during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in San Lorenzo, October 7, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico The contents of a home are seen from the air during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria near Utuado, October 10, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Thomas looks out of the window of an HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit, loaded with relief supplies, during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria in Isla Grande, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico A message written on the rooftop is seen from the air during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria near Humacao, October 10, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico A HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit lands in a field during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria in San Sebastian, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Sergeant First Class Eladio Tirado, who is from Puerto Rico, looks for a landing spot for a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade, during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria near Ciales, October 7, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Boys carry water away from an HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter after soldiers working with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit dropped off relief supplies during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Jayuya, October 5, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Sergeant First Class Eladio Tirado from the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade, who is from Puerto Rico, speaks with residents as he helps during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in San Lorenzo, October 7, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Bringing aid to Puerto Rico Residents peek through a fence at helicopters from 101st Airborne Division's "Dustoff" unit that had parked in a locked field during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, in Lares, October 6, 2017 Reuters/Lucas Jackson Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the administration's "ongoing withholding of funds appropriated by Congress to Puerto Rico is illegal". Ms Pelosi's remarks followed reports that a power plant was damaged by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the island on 7 January, among a string of tremors that continue to shake the island. Ms Velazquez, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress, joined Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several other Democrats in a letter to US Housing Secretary Ben Carson pleading for the "immediate and urgent" publication of materials for the release of $8.3b in grants earmarked for the island's recovery following Hurricane Maria's devastation. In their letter to the president, Democrats said "it is unconscionable" that the "people of Puerto Rico have been dealing with hundreds of earthquakes and aftershocks just two years after being ravaged by Hurricane Maria while tens of thousands of people are still living under tarp roofs". The letter said residents are being forced to "resort to sleeping in roofless shelters due to the fear of being buried in their own homes" after another quake. Roughly 70 percent of the island was built before earthquake-resistant building codes had been established. "Let us be clear", the letter reads. "Postponing the disbursement of this vital assistance any longer in the face of the humanitarian needs of Puerto Rico is simply shameful." The Trump administration has released only $1.5 billion of a nearly $10 billion aid package and has refused to release the remainder despite the island's years-long humanitarian crisis. Last year, he called the island "one of the most corrupt places on earth" and said the congressionally approved aid was sent to "crooked pols". Meanwhile, the administration is planning to divert more than $7 billion in defence funding for construction of a border wall on the US-Mexico border, raising his budget for the project by five times the amount that Congress had authorised in its 2020 budget package. [January 14, 2020] Wipro Limited Announces Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2019 Under IFRS Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) today announced financial results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for its quarter ended December 31, 2019. Highlights of the Results Results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2019: Gross Revenue was Rs 154.7 billion ($2.2 billion 1 ), an increase of 2.7% YoY ), an increase of 2.7% YoY IT Services Segment Revenue was at $2,094.8 million, a sequential growth of 2.2% Non-GAAP 2 constant currency IT Services Segment Revenue increased by 1.8% QoQ constant currency IT Services Segment Revenue increased by 1.8% QoQ IT Services Operating Margin 3 for the quarter was at 18.4%, an increase of 0.3% QoQ for the quarter was at 18.4%, an increase of 0.3% QoQ Net Income for the quarter was Rs 24.6 billion ($344 million 1 ), a decrease of 2.2% YoY ), a decrease of 2.2% YoY EPS for the quarter was Rs 4.3 ($0.06 1 ) per share and grew 3.2% YoY ) per share and grew 3.2% YoY Wipro declared an interim dividend of Rs 1 ($0.0141) per equity share/ADS Performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 Abidali Z. Neemuchwala, CEO and Managing Director said, "We have delivered a good quarter with secular growth across all business units, geographies and practices. We remain focused on deepening our customer relationships, converting our funnel and winning large deals." Jatin Dalal, Chief Financial Officer said, "We expanded operating margins by 0.3% aided by a favorable movement in the currency. Further, we generated strong operating cash flows led by disciplined execution at 124% of our Net Income." Outlook for the quarter ending March 31, 2020 We expect Revenue from our IT Services business to be in the range of $2,095 million to $2,137 million*. This translates to a sequential growth of 0.0% to 2.0%. * Outlook is based on the following exchange rates: GBP/USD at 1.30, Euro/USD at 1.11, AUD/USD at 0.68, USD/INR at 71.28 and USD/CAD at 1.32 IT Services Wipro continued its momentum in winning large deals globally as described below: Wipro has secured a multi-year managed IT services contract from a leading airport in the Middle East wherein Wipro will leverage its strong domain expertise, digital transformation & innovation capabilities and integrated service delivery model to transform the airport's IT operations Wipro has won a large strategic deal from a leading European manufacturer of hi-tech components for the automotive industry to consolidate, standardize, and automate their IT operations globally. The engagement will drive operational excellence, enhance user experience and foster innovation. This will be done leveraging the hyper-automation capabilities of Wipro HOLMES, Wipro's global delivery model and strong domain & digital expertise Wipro has been awarded a strategic multi-year cyber governance, cloud and infrastructure services transformation engagement by Olympus, a global medtech company headquartered in Japan Wipro has won a multi-year managed services contract from a leading UK-headquartered construction company to run and transform their entire IT operations and enhance user experience A multinational food and drink processing conglomerate has awarded its Platform and Cloud Services contract with Wipro to transform their operations and ensure next-generation service readiness Digital & Cloud Application Services Highlights We continue to see increasing traction in digital oriented deals as illustrated below: Wipro has secured a contract from one of the largest US-based integrated healthcare delivery systems to bolster enterprise security and operations, leveraging Wipro's Security Intelligence as a Service (SIaaS) managed services A US-based healthcare company has awarded Wipro a contract to streamline their enterprise operations and deploy new technologies to enable rapid growth, leveraging Topcoder A European start-up has awarded Wipro Digital a multi-year, multi-million-dollar strategic contract to develop and run a new-age payment and loyalty solution for the hospitality, travel and retail industry, leveraging Topcoder Wipro has secured a strategic contract from a global supplier of semiconductors and infrastructure software products to accelerate their product development A multinational financial services company has awarded Wipro Digital a contract to reimagine and redesign its investment platform Analyst Accolades and Awards Wipro positioned as a Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Application Testing Services, Worldwide, Gunjan Gupta et al., 25 Nov 2019 Wipro positioned as a Leader in IDC MarketScape Worldwide Business Process Outsourcing for AML and KYC 2019 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US44398519, December 2019) Wipro recognized as a Leader and Star Performer by Everest Group in Enterprise Blockchain services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2020 Wipro recognized as a Leader and Star Performer by Everest Group in Application Transformation Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2020 Wipro recognized as a Leader and Star Performer in Everest Group Application and Digital Services in Capital Markets - Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2020 Disclaimer: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. IT Products IT Products Segment Revenue for the quarter was Rs 2.6 billion ($36.1 million 1 ). ). IT Products Segment Results for the quarter was a loss of Rs 0.14 billion ($1.96 million1). India State Run Enterprises (ISRE) India SRE Segment Revenue for the quarter was Rs 1.8 billion ($25.9 million 1 ). ). India SRE Segment Results for the quarter was a loss of Rs 0.53 billion ($7.4 million1). Please refer the table at the end for reconciliation between IFRS IT Services Revenue and IT Services Revenue on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. About Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K. Such non-GAAP financial measures are measures of our historical or future performance, financial position or cash flows that are adjusted to exclude or include amounts that are excluded or included, as the case may be, from the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. The tables at the end provide IT Services Revenue on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by translating IT Services Revenue from the current reporting period into U.S. dollars based on the currency conversion rate in effect for the prior reporting period. We refer to growth rates in constant currency so that business results may be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance. Further, in the normal course of business, we may divest a portion of our business which may not be strategic. We refer to the growth rates in both reported and constant currency adjusting for such divestments in order to represent the comparable growth rates. This non-GAAP financial measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition to this non-GAAP measure, the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure should be carefully evaluated. Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, prepared under IFRS, along with individual business segment reports, are available in the Investors section of our website www.wipro.com Quarterly Conference Call We will hold an earnings conference call today at 7:15 p.m. Indian Standard Time (8:45 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss our performance for the quarter. The audio from the conference call will be available online through a web-cast and can be accessed at the following link- https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=WIPRO2010114. An audio recording of the management discussions and the question and answer session will be available online and will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.wipro.com About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 175,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro's beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro's control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro's growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. For the convenience of the readers, the amounts in Indian Rupees in this release have been translated into United States Dollars at the certified foreign exchange rate of US$1 = Rs 71.36, as published by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on December 31, 2019. However, the realized exchange rate in our IT Services business segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 was US$1= Rs 72.09 Constant currency revenue for a period is the product of volumes in that period times the average actual exchange rate of the corresponding comparative period IT Services Operating Margin refers to Segment Results Total as reflected in IFRS financials WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) As at March 31, 2019 As at December 31, 2019 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions Refer footnote 1 ASSETS Goodwill 116,980 123,706 1,734 Intangible assets 13,762 14,632 205 Property, plant and equipment 70,601 78,552 1,101 Right-of-use assets - 15,706 220 Financial assets Derivative assets 173 - - Investments 6,916 9,045 127 Trade receivables 4,373 4,373 61 Other financial assets 5,146 4,790 67 Investments accounted for using the equity method 1,235 1,291 18 Deferred tax assets 5,604 5,943 83 Non-current tax assets 20,603 12,412 174 Other non-current assets 15,872 11,652 163 Total non-current assets 261,265 282,102 3,953 Inventories 3,951 2,063 29 Financial assets Derivative assets 4,931 1,352 19 Investments 220,716 164,256 2,302 Cash and cash equivalents 158,529 186,637 2,615 Trade receivables 100,489 100,622 1,410 Unbilled receivables 22,880 24,663 346 Other financial assets 14,611 9,538 134 Contract assets 15,038 14,553 204 Current tax assets 7,435 3,459 48 Other current assets 23,086 21,999 308 571,666 529,142 7,415 Assets held for sale 240 - - Total current assets 571,906 529,142 7,415 TOTAL ASSETS 833,171 811,244 11,368 EQUITY Share capital 12,068 11,426 160 Securities premium reserve 533 1,179 17 Retained earnings 534,700 503,167 7,051 Share-based payment reserve 2,617 2,203 31 Other components of equity 18,198 21,679 304 Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company 568,116 539,654 7,563 Non-controlling interest 2,637 1,580 22 TOTAL EQUITY 570,753 541,234 7,585 LIABILITIES Financial liabilities Long - term loans and borrowings 28,368 22,299 312 Derivative liabilities - 4 Lease liabilities - 10,632 149 Other financial liabilities - 5 - Deferred tax liabilities 3,417 3,522 49 Non-current tax liabilities 11,023 11,549 162 Other non-current liabilities 5,258 6,152 86 Provisions 2 2 - Total non-current liabilities 48,068 54,165 758 Financial liabilities Loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts 71,099 72,380 1,014 Derivative liabilities 1,310 1,573 22 Trade payables and accrued expenses 88,304 80,570 1,130 Lease liabilities - 6,389 90 Other financial liabilities 644 604 8 Contract liabilities 24,768 21,153 296 Current tax liabilities 9,541 13,903 195 Other current liabilities 18,046 18,749 263 Provisions 638 524 7 Total current liabilities 214,350 215,845 3,025 TOTAL LIABILITIES 262,418 270,010 3,783 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 833,171 811,244 11,368 WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) Three months ended December 31, Nine months ended December 31, 2018 2019 2019 2018 2019 2019 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions Refer footnote 1 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions Refer footnote 1 Revenues 150,595 154,705 2,168 435,782 453,122 6,350 Cost of revenues (103,971) (109,673) (1,537) (306,091) (321,952) (4,512) Gross profit 46,624 45,032 631 129,691 131,170 1,838 Selling and marketing expenses (11,889) (11,030) (154) (33,516) (32,612) (457) General and administrative expenses (6,978) (7,496) (105) (29,282) (22,142) (310) Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net 911 727 10 2,899 2,176 30 Other operating income - - - 2,798 749 10 Results from operating activities 28,668 27,233 382 72,590 79,341 1,111 Finance expenses (1,627) (1,844) (26) (4,845) (5,675) (80) Finance and other income 5,362 5,370 75 15,695 19,174 269 Share of net profit /(loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 7 34 - (26) 16 - Profit before tax 32,410 30,793 431 83,414 92,856 1,300 Income tax expense (6,966) (6,164) (86) (18,178) (18,594) (261) Profit for the period 25,444 24,629 345 65,236 74,262 1,039 Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Company 25,103 24,558 344 65,198 73,958 1,035 Non-controlling interest 341 71 1 38 304 4 Profit for the period 25,444 24,629 345 65,236 74,262 1,039 Earnings per equity share: Attributable to equity share holders of the Company Basic 4.18 4.31 0.06 10.86 12.58 0.18 Diluted 4.17 4.30 0.06 10.83 12.55 0.18 Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share Basic 6,006,062,585 5,692,132,118 5,692,132,118 6,006,193,456 5,879,588,157 5,879,588,157 Diluted 6,020,671,301 5,703,265,041 5,703,265,041 6,020,140,129 5,892,966,906 5,892,966,906 Particulars Three months ended Nine months ended Year ended December 31, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 March 31, 2019 Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Revenue IT Services BFSI 46,612 45,760 45,979 137,767 129,219 175,262 Health BU 19,799 18,981 19,241 57,651 55,793 75,081 CBU 25,443 23,530 22,875 71,339 65,646 89,313 ENU 19,553 18,888 18,996 56,873 54,202 72,830 TECH 18,584 19,148 19,104 56,392 58,189 76,591 MFG 12,450 11,886 11,981 35,672 34,945 46,496 COMM 8,565 8,368 8,480 25,387 24,394 32,680 Total of IT Services 151,006 146,561 146,656 441,081 422,388 568,253 IT Products 2,576 3,233 3,145 8,218 9,553 12,312 ISRE 1,847 2,069 1,713 6,059 6,757 8,544 Reconciling Items 3 (16) (8) (60) (17) (49) Total Revenue 155,432 151,847 151,506 455,298 438,681 589,060 Other operating Income IT Services - 50 - 749 2,798 4,344 Total Other Operating Income - 50 - 749 2,798 4,344 Segment Result IT Services BFSI 8,246 8,407 9,095 25,988 24,182 33,831 Health BU 3,186 2,863 1,973 8,978 6,698 8,638 CBU 4,725 3,952 5,291 12,183 12,112 16,828 ENU 3,130 3,084 3,613 8,410 4,294 7,081 TECH 3,256 3,624 4,177 10,406 12,885 15,916 MFG 2,385 2,439 2,391 6,916 6,065 8,327 COMM 1,444 1,044 1,578 4,006 3,411 4,396 Unallocated 1,360 1,044 976 3,124 1,981 3,142 Other Operating Income - 50 - 749 2,798 4,344 Total of IT Services 27,732 26,507 29,094 80,760 74,426 102,503 IT Products (140) 149 212 (398) (954) (1,047) ISRE (528) (177) (686) (1,341) (1,054) (1,829) Reconciling Items 169 256 48 320 172 283 Total 27,233 26,735 28,668 79,341 72,590 99,910 Finance Expense (1,844) (2,247) (1,627) (5,675) (4,845) (7,375) Finance and Other Income 5,370 6,857 5,362 19,174 15,695 22,923 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 34 (2) 7 16 (26) (43) Profit before tax 30,793 31,343 32,410 92,856 83,414 115,415 The Company is organized into the following operating segments: IT Services, IT Products and India State Run Enterprise segment (ISRE). IT Services: The IT Services segment primarily consists of IT Service offerings to customers organized by industry verticals. The industry verticals are as follows: Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Health Business unit (Health BU), Consumer Business unit (CBU), Energy, Natural Resources & Utilities (ENU), Manufacturing (MFG), Technology (TECH) and Communications (COMM). Key service offerings to customers includes software application development and maintenance, research and development services for hardware and software design, business application services, analytics, consulting, infrastructure outsourcing services and business process services. IT Products: The Company is a value-added reseller of desktops, servers, notebooks, storage products, networking solutions and packaged software for leading international brands. In certain total outsourcing contracts of the IT Services segment, the Company delivers hardware, software products and other related deliverables. Revenue relating to the above items is reported as revenue from the sale of IT Products. India State Run Enterprise segment (ISRE): This segment consists of IT Services offerings to entities/ departments owned or controlled by Government of India and/ or any State Governments Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue to IT Services Revenue as per IFRS ($MN) Three Months ended December 31, 2019 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,094.8 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ (9.1 ) Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue based on $ 2,085.7 previous quarter exchange rates Three Months ended December 31, 2019 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,094.8 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ 8.4 Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue based on $ 2,103.2 exchange rates of comparable period in previous year View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005552/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] India had last week restricted refined palm oil imports from Malaysia over Kuala Lumpur's stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is concerned about Indias new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against wrong things even if it costs his country financially. India, the worlds biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the worlds second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia. The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathirs criticism of Indias new religion-based citizenship law. The 94-year-old premier, whose outspoken nature has soured ties with both India and Saudi Arabia in recent months, earlier accused India of "invading" the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. As Malaysian palm refiners stare at a massive loss of business, Mahathir said his government would find a solution. We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it, he told reporters. If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people. The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery was down 0.9 percent in afternoon trade. Reuters reported on Monday the Indian government had informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil. Indian traders are instead buying Indonesian crude palm oil at a premium of $10 tonne over Malaysian prices. Indias foreign ministry said on Thursday the palm curbs were not country specific but that for any commercial trading, the status of relationship between any two countries is something a business would consider. India was Malaysias biggest buyer of palm oil in 2019, with 4.4 million tonnes of purchases. In 2020, purchases could fall below 1 million tonnes if relations dont improve, Indian traders say. To make up for the potential loss, Malaysian officials say they are trying to sell more to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan. But replacing the top buyer wont be easy, and thats why the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, whose members include palm workers, has urged the two countries to talk things out. We wish to implore upon both governments to use all possible diplomatic channels to resolve this issue putting aside any personal or diplomatic ego, it said in a statement. Malaysias Primary Industries Ministry, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is engaging with its Indian counterparts to try and sort out the issue, according to a Malaysian government source aware of the discussions. He declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. The ministries could not immediately be reached for comment. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:20:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution to enlarge an advisory body of its Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee). The resolution decides to increase the membership of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) from 16 to 21, beginning from Jan. 1, 2021. The resolution assigns five seats each to the regional groups of Africa and the Asia-Pacific; four each to Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western European and other states; three to Eastern Europe. The contentious draft resolution was adopted 120-48 with four abstentions, as orally amended. The Russian oral amendment to the draft increases the number of seats for Eastern Europe from two to three. The ACABQ is responsible for expert examination of the program budget of the United Nations. Its members, including at least three financial experts of recognized standing, are elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years, on the basis of broad geographical representation. Members serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of member states. The ACABQ holds three sessions a year with total meeting time between nine and 10 months per year. Japan asked for the postponement of the vote, citing the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. Japan's motion was rejected in a recorded vote by the assembly. Croatia, on behalf of the European Union, then put forward an oral amendment to the draft resolution, referring the enlargement of the ACABQ to the Fifth Committee. The United States and some other Western countries voiced support for the EU amendment, which was rejected in a recorded vote by the assembly. The wall being built around Mieu Mon military airport, the topic of lingering dispute in Dong Tam Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress. Hanoi police caught in deadly clash last week burned to death after falling into a deep hole, a deputy minister says. The Ministry of Public Security had deployed its personnel and entered Dong Tam Commune in Hanoi suburbs at 4 a.m. last Thursday to "promptly protect the people" from threats made by protestors, deputy minister Luong Tam Quang told the press Tuesday. He was referring to the clash that took place in Dong Tam Commune, My Duc District, 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital. The ministry said it left three police officers and a civilian dead. Security in Dong Tam had become particularly "complicated" since July 2017 after local government inspectors announced that a disputed land area in Dong Tam had always belonged to the military and continued work on the Mieu Mon military airport, Quang said. He said a "consensus" group headed by Le Dinh Kinh, who died in Thursdays clash, protested the conclusions, declaring they were "ready to sacrifice, shed blood to preserve land, and oppose the construction of fences" at the airport. Kinh, 84, has been determined to be the mastermind behind the acts of causing disturbance and resisting the authorities over the long-standing land dispute. On December 31, some units of the Ministry of National Defense, in collaboration with local authorities, began building a fence for the Mieu Mon airport, which covers more than 236 hectares in communes of: My Luong, Tran Phu, Dong Lac in Chuong My District and Dong Tam in My Duc District. To oppose this, some people in the "consensus group" in Dong Tam Commune stopped the truck carrying materials to the site, Quang said. He said the protestors took off their clothes and stood naked in the middle of the road. They set up tents, sent people to guard the door of Mieu Mon training area, threatened to bomb the Mieu Mon petrol station and communal chairmans home, and also threatened to kidnap the elderly and children. Starting in the small hours of Thursday morning, police officers set up security points around Dong Tam as construction of the fence continued. The deputy minister said that while on duty at the gate of Hoanh village, three grenades, Molotov cocktails and knives were lobbed or thrown at police officers. When the police gave chase, more than 20 people ran into the adjacent houses of Kinh and his relatives, and began throwing gasoline bottles from the second and third floors. While a group of three policemen headed by Colonel Nguyen Huy Thinh chased the protestors, they fell into a four-meter-hole without cover and were doused with gasoline and burned to death under Kinhs directions, the ministry officially announced. Quang said authorities were forced to "suppress and fire warning shots." In half an hour, police forces arrested more than 30 protestors and seized eight grenades, 38 petrol bombs, 12 iron rods, three boxes of flares, an electric gun, a sword and a hammer. Kinh threw a grenade that did not explode, while one that he held in his other hand did, killing him, Quang said. No update has been released about a person injured in the clash. Explaining the reason for deploying troops in the early morning, Quang said that the initial goal was to ensure safety of local residents and provide security as the fence was being built around the military airport. But when the protestors threatened extreme violence and arson, the police had to set up security points, preventing people from carrying weapons into the area. The ministry is cooperating with relevant agencies to find out the source of weapons and explosives that protestors managed to compile, Quang said. Hanoi police have launched criminal investigations against 20 people for murder following last Thursdays clash. Two others have been arrested and placed under criminal investigation for resisting law enforcement officers. Some of the arrested have allegedly admitted that the plan to attack police had been prepared beforehand under the guidance of Kinh. According to the authorities, the Dong Tam dispute had been lingering for years and came to a boil in February 2017, when military-owned telecom giant Viettel started work on a defense project in the area. While villagers said it was their agricultural land on which they had paid taxes and other dues, officials insisted that the land belonged to the military. In mid-April 2017, Hanoi police detained four people from Dong Tam for allegedly breaking land-use regulations. Upset villagers then took 38 police officers and government officials hostage in a communal house to protest work on the military airport. The standoff was resolved a week later, when Hanoi Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung visited the village and negotiated with the locals to obtain the release of the officials. In early July 2017, local government inspectors announced that the land in Dong Tam has always belonged to the military. The inspectors also asked Hanoi police to work with the defense ministry to punish individuals for wrongful management and use of military land. The inspectors conclusions were not accepted by those involved in the dispute. CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Low-income residents of Broward County in South Florida will have additional affordable housing options in 2021. The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale (HACFL) will revitalize Suncrest Court a 66-unit public housing community, by replacing it with 116 new, modern and affordable apartment units. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank's, Commercial Real Estate business provided a $16 million construction loan and the Community Capital Group provided $12.6 million in low income housing tax credits to the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority to finance the redevelopment. The project also received a State Apartment Incentive Loan ("SAIL") from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The project involves the demolition of the existing buildings, which were built in 1962, containing 66 units of public housing. The new Suncrest Court will include seven buildings in a combination of two- and three-story buildings totaling 116-units serving households with a range of incomes including 12 units for residents who earn less than 30% of the area's median income and 104 units for residents making up to 60% of the area's median income. During construction, current residents were offered vouchers to nearby affordable housing communities. Upon completion, existing residents will have the right to return to the community and live in the new, modern units. "Suncrest Court is a new affordable housing development that will address the shortage of quality affordable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families in Broward County," said Nathan Perlmutter, Vice President, Commercial Real Estate at TD Bank. "We are proud to be the financial institution for organizations like the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale that are working hard to break the cycle of poverty and to provide clean, safe and affordable housing for those most in need." The new property is conveniently located near Interstate 95, local retailers and grocers. With a spacious location, Suncrest Court will have easy access to public transportation, and residents will have ample parking spaces. "TD Bank's funding of the Suncrest Court development supports our mission to increase housing opportunities for low-income residents of Broward County," said Tam English, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale. "This project is replacing a dilapidated community with 116 modern, clean units where residents will feel empowered to contribute to society and their communities." The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale has been committed to providing affordable rental housing to the residents of Broward County, South Florida since 1938. TD Bank creates strong relationships with customers by understanding their industry and their business. This project reinforces TD Bank's The Ready Commitment , a multi-year program designed to open doors for a more inclusive tomorrow through community giving in four areas financial security, vibrant planet, connected communities and better health. 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.td.com/us . 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". SOURCE TD Bank Related Links http://www.TDBank.com SPRINGFIELD - One day after delivering her daughter, Leylis Hardy, at Baystate Medical Center, Migdalis Miranda received an unexpected visitor bearing an equally unexpected baby gift. State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg popped into Mirandas room on the maternity floor at Baystate to present her with the first $50 toward Leyliss college fund. You and your baby are one of the first babies that are going to have a seeded college account, Goldberg said as Miranda reacted with surprise. The money is part of the BabySteps Savings Plan, a new statewide program that provides a $50 deposit into a college savings account for every child born or adopted after Jan. 1. Goldberg was in Springfield Tuesday to help promote the program. Goldberg and Bob Hildreth, Baystate was the first area hospital where Goldberg stopped in to tout the program. After a brief sweep through the maternity ward, she sat down for a round-table discussion with Baystate officials and hospital staff about the future of the program. Accompanying her was Robert Hildreth, founder of Inversant, a Boston financial investment company that aids low- to moderate-income families in affording college. Hildreth has donated the money to cover the first year, or some 6,000 children or the equivalent of $300,000. The idea behind BabySteps is simple. Studies show that young children who have college savings accounts are statistically more likely to go to college, and also as likely not to graduate college with crippling levels of student loan debt. Each child born or adopted since the new year is eligible to receive a $50 deposit from the treasurers office into a new U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan account. Parents or guardians of newborns or adopted children have a year to open a U.Fund account to receive the deposit. BabySteps aims to start the process off by providing the seed money for families of newborns who to build college funds for their children. Fifty dollars isnt that much when compared with the average college tuition but it is a start. And the program is called BabySteps. What this does is it begins the aspirations, it begins the savings,Goldberg said. This is a win-win for the families but also for Massachusetts, she said. More people going to college or vocational colleges provides the state with a highly-educated, skilled workforce that is critical to having a productive economy, she said. Im very excited about the program, she said. And then when you see these beautiful babies and their families, and theyre all so excited by all this, it makes my day. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, said the families of all babies born at Baystate will receive information about BabySteps. And because the first days after childbirth are such a hectic time for parents, Baystate will see to it that information is also provided to area pediatricians, who will remind them of the program. He said he was pleased the Goldberg had decided to include Baystate in her BabySteps promotion tour. We basically have 4,500 deliveries a year at Baystate, and were also the high-risk pregnancy center for all of Western Massachusetts as well as the neonatal (intensive care unit), so if youre looking for new babies, this is a good place to look, he said. Whenever a statewide program starts up and they decide to have a kickoff here in Springfield, its a good day. A man confessed to stealing three phones from a beauty palour in Nairobis CBD, saying the phones were carelessly kept. Police alleged that Peter Wekesa committed the offense on November 12 at a beauty and massage parlor in Dubai Mall along Ronald Ngala Street. He reportedly made away with Tecno Spark2, Con 11 and Phantom phones belonging to Angelina Wavinya, Mary Akeyo and Rosemary Njuguna. A Makadara court further heard that Wekesa checked into the parlor and requested for a pedicure. At some point Wekesa excused himself to go answer to a call of nature, unknown to the three, he had picked their phones which were lying on a shelve and vanished, reads court papers. The victims reported the theft to police and after a while Wekesa was spotted within the area, prompting the ladies to make a citizens arrest, SDE reports. A remorseful Wekesa told the court he also stole sandals belonging to the beauty shop. He asked the court to pardon him, saying he regrets the offense. The phones were carelessly kept, tempting me to steal. I nonetheless regret the offense and beg for leniency, he said. I even stole sandals in the shop leaving behind my shoes, Wekesa confessed. The court directed that a probation report on his social lifestyle be made by the probation office to help the court determine an appropriate sentence for the first time offender. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), extends his Spring Festival greetings to military veterans and retired officers when attending a gala held by the CMC for retired military officers of Beijing-based troops in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang) BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday extended his Spring Festival greetings to military veterans and retired officers. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), extended the greetings when attending a gala held by the CMC for retired military officers of Beijing-based troops. Together with the veterans, Xi looked back on the major achievements made by the Party, the country and the military in 2019. The military veterans and retired officers vowed to rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and implement Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military. They expressed readiness to make new contributions to realizing the 2020 goal for the building of national defense and the armed forces and to securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. EUGENE, Ore. -- If you've ever thought about a job in construction but you don't know how to start, here you go. Build Oregon is the name of an initiative launched by the Associated General Contractors offering everything you need to know about apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs and construction jobs. It's also looking to change attitudes toward skilled jobs. On their website, you'll find information on dozens of jobs, everything from carpenters to mechanics to crane operators. Aaron Bouchane of AGC says there's unlimited opportunities for skilled workers, and it's a great time for young people to get into the trades. "These jobs pay incredibly well and they offer amazing benefits," said Bouchane. "They offer opportunities for advancement that aren't in other occupations." According to the Build Oregon website, the average construction worker in Oregon makes $58,000 a year. They are also forecasting a 17% job growth over the next 10 years. Jurors on Tuesday heard descriptions of a chaotic scene that erupted in a courtroom holding area in 2018 in which an enraged defendant was shot twice with a Taser and nearly took a gun from a bailiff. The trial of David M. Murphy, 33, began Tuesday morning. He is charged with three counts of assault of a public servant and one count of attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer, according to court records. Murphy was about to stand trial in the 399th state District Court on March 12, 2018, on family violence charges when he apparently became aggravated while in court. In an effort to calm him, bailiffs took him to a holding cell outside of the courtroom. Once in the holding area, bailiffs attempted to handcuff him, but Murphy lost control. He allegedly began swinging his fists, using a handcuff like a brass knuckle on one fist, and hit, shoved and punched deputies with his other hand. During the melee, Murphy and three officers became entangled. Hes going for the gun! Hes going for the gun! bailiff Will Huffmeyer told the jury as he described how Murphy ended up behind him, placed his hand on Huffmeyers service weapon and tried to remove it from the holster. I feel my whole body pulled up off the ground, he told the panel. It ultimately occurred to me that he was escalating his use of force into deadly force. Banging and shouting noises at times occur in court, but the 2018 incident drew the attention of everyone in the courtroom because this time it didnt stop, said Daryl Harris, deputy chief of the trial division for the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. Harris at the time was a prosecutor assigned to the 399th and was set to argue Murphys case. He testified that as the banging noises continued, he heard a bailiff yell, Hes going for the gun! Hes got my gun! and courtroom staff in the area near the judges bench and gallery area headed for the exit door and the security alarm was engaged, he said. Prosecutor Lindsey Shaw, who along with Austin Stout is arguing the case, told the panel in her opening statement that Murphy put everyone in the courthouse in danger that day when he assaulted, punched and tried to take weapons from the bailiffs. It could have been you, it could have been any of us endangered, she told the panel. Albert Perez, a roving bailiff not assigned to a court, told the panel that he, Huffmeyer and another bailiff, Brian Stanford, at one point were on top of him, trying to restrain him to stop the threat, as the fight in the holding cell continued. He was 100 percent adrenaline, punching, swinging his arms, we couldnt control him. He said one of the deputies put Murphy in a headlock and the group of officers which grew to about seven in the end were able to retrain him after he fell face first on the floor. Photographs of the holding cell showed Murphy being held down by officers in a pool of blood. Other pictures depicted injuries the deputies received in the fight. Murphy and several of the deputies were treated by EMS for injuries. Defense attorneys Jim Oltersdorf and Dustin Kolodziej did not give an opening statement, but Oltersdorf in his cross-examinations of witnesses hinted that Murphy suffers from a medical condition that could have caused his outburst. Oltersdorf asked Perez if Murphy told him he was claustrophobic. Yes, he replied, I thought he was making it up. Perez told the panel the holding areas are small, and can only accommodate four people. He added the bailiffs were not notified beforehand about a medical condition or Murphys claustrophobia. The case is being heard in the 186th state District Court, Judge Jefferson Moore presiding. If convicted, Murphy faces up to 20 years in prison. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 But with the 2020 Geneva Motor Show already profiling on the horizon, we are now presented with rumors about a Koenigsegg Jesko -based concept car slated to make an appearance in March. Its purpose? At this point, rather unclear, but it could involve reaching or breaking the 500 kph or 310 mph speed barrier. Koenigsegg-related bits of news are a rare occurrence on the internet, unless the Swedish carmaker really has something to communicate. In fact, since Christian von Koenigsegg announced that Koenigsegg appointed Alexander Sasha Selipanov as its Head of Design, theres been complete radio silence. According to The Supercar Blog, Koenigseggs stand at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show will feature a so-called Mission 500 prototype based on the Jesko. Its purpose is to spearhead the Swedish carmakers attempt to hit and go beyond the 500 kilometers per hour (310.6 miles per hour) threshold - hence the name. The outlet also mentions that the concept could be based on the Jesko, which would be understandable since it picks up where the Agera RS left off with an impressive track-focused design (yet still road legal) and top-shelf performance. The information makes sense competition-wise, too. Bugatti hit 304.77 miles per hour (490.4 kilometers per hour) with the Chiron Super Sport 300+ at Ehra Lessein in September 2019, and it is hard to believe that Koenigsegg will let that feat slip. So, with the Jesko, the Swedish supercar maker has a potent platform to build on. The Jesko features outstanding aerodynamics that can add in up to 1,000 kilograms (220 pounds) of downforce when needed. It is also powered by a newly-designed twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 good for as much as 1,600 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque on E85 biofuel twinned to the fancy nine-speed, dual-clutch Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission. 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko specifications Engine twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 Horsepower 1280 HP @ 8,500 RPM/ 1,600 HP on E85 fuel Torque 1,106 LB-FT Transmission nine-speed, dual-clutch Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission Top Speed +300 mph 0 to 60 mph 2.5 seconds We cant tell you for sure how Koenigsegg will tweak the Jesko for the attempt, but body mods and better streamlining are a must. But to find out the specifics, well have to wait and see if the report is accurate. Koenigsegg and Speed Record Attempts Koenigsegg likes its speed records. Moreover, the maker has an affinity for those that also include bringing the car to a halt after hitting the target velocity. Back in September 11, the Agera R set a new world record for the 0-300-0 kilometers per hour (186.4 miles per hour) run with a time of 21.19 seconds. The record stood until June 2015, when factory driver Robert Serwanski completed the same run at Koenigseggs test track in Angelholm behind the wheel of a Koenigsegg One:1. He was clocked in at 17.95 seconds, a 3.24-second improvement over the Agera Rs run. Two years later, Koenigsegg went back at it. In October 2017, Niklas Lilja drove the Agera RS on an airfield in Vandel, Denmark from zero to 400 kilometers per hour (248.5 miles per hour) and then back to a standstill in 36.44 seconds. In this context, is Koenigsegg shooting for a 0-500-0 kilometers per hour run with this allegedly modded Jesko? It could very well be, but well let time tell us more, since the upcoming Geneva Motor Show is not that far away. Well keep you posted as more info surfaces on this topic. Illustrations: Koenigsegg Zero, Luca Menicacci on Behance Source: The Supercar Blog It can be a challenge to say the Lords Prayer sincerely these days. Living in a modern industrialized society where food is processed, packaged, and abundant, do we honestly desire daily bread? If you set out to craft a prayer at odds with contemporary Western values, you could not do much better than the Lords Prayer. The seven petitions that Jesus taught his disciples to pray (Matt. 6:913) run against the grain of our culture at every turn. Its strange to plead Thy kingdom come while living in a country that long ago rejected monarchy in favor of popular sovereignty. Its dissonant to confess Thy will be done in an age that celebrates autonomy and self-determination. Jesus confronts us with a subsistence prayer in a culture of affluence, a commitment to forgiveness in the face of outraged polarization, and preservation from temptation in a landscape defined by desire and indulgence. The Lords Prayer challenges our notions of whats truly desirable; and thats precisely the reason we need it so desperately. In The Lords Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father, Wesley Hill walks us through the seven petitions, inviting us to discover the meaning, vitality, and relevance of each phrase. Any author writing on an ancient prayer may feel pressure to unearth some previously undiscovered truth, but Hill offers a fresh reading that feels less like an archaeological dig than a tour through a living cathedral in which he himself worships. His approach emphasizes the One revealed through the prayerJesus Christ. Jesus embodies and enacts the prayer He taught His followers to pray, Hill writes. Each petition of the Lords ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. WILLIAMS BAY Originally one people, or a collection of closely related bands, the ethnic identities of the Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatomi developed after the Anishinaabe (an autonym for a group of culturally related indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States) reached Michilimackinac (a region around the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan) on their journey westward from the Atlantic coast. Using the Midewiwin (birch bark) scrolls, Potawatomi elder Shup-Shewana dated the formation of the Council of Three Fires to 796 A.D. at Michilimackinac. It is likely they fled west due to warfare waged by more aggressive neighboring tribes. Longing for a more serene existence, they settled on the lake today known as Geneva sometime during the 18th century. At the Council, the Ojibwe were referred to as the Older Brother, the Odawa as the Middle Brother, and the Potawatomi as the Younger Brother. Accordingly, when mentioned in this specific order, Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, it is an indicator that it is implying The Council of Three Fires. In the three Anishinaabe nations, the Ojibwa are the keepers of the faith, the Odawa are the keepers of trade, and the Potawatomi are the keepers of the fire. Chief Big Foot and his Potawatomi people loved the region around Geneva Lake or Kishwauketoe the Potawatomi name meaning clear water. The area was abundant with natural resources: game, fur-bearing animals, fish, waterfowl, plant life, and fertile land for growing beans, squash, and tobacco. Hard maple sap produced a coarse sugar. The Potawatomi women harvested roots and tubers from the many marshes and swamps that once encompassed the area that is now Williams Bay. Nuts, wild plumbs, berries, grapes, and cherries were plentiful. The women wove reeds and grasses into mats. As was common with other forest dwellers, the Potawatomi lived in semi-permanent lodges called wigwams. Grass and reed mats were used for the walls and large slabs of bark from whole trees for the roof. The Potawatomi lived at three locations along the shores of the lake: at the head of the lake (Fontana), a second location near the northwest corner of the northern bay (Williams Bay), and at the foot of the lake (Lake Geneva). The site of Williams Bay had been one of the favorite camps of Chief Big Foot, who had his main or royal residence and council pole at what is now Fontana. A well-defined trail followed the banks of the lake between Big Foots camps, and other trails led to favorite hunting and fishing spots. While plans were under way for the 1936 Walworth County centennial celebration, Chief Clearwater, great-grandson of Chief Big Foot, related stories about Chief Big Foot to listeners. In Clearwaters words: Chief Big Foot must have been a hard character to deal with, as extracts of history indicate. He was in favor of Black Hawk in the Black Hawk War. An early visitor (Juliette Kinzie) to Geneva Lake described Chief Big Foot as, a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a countenance bloated by intemperance, and with a sinister, unpleasant expression. I do not deny or doubt that he and his band took part in the Fort Dearborn Massacre that occurred on August 15, 1812. History tells us that the Lake Geneva Indians lingered around after getting their annuities from the Indian agent. Their suspicious behavior alarmed the Fort Dearborn residents. Big Foots wife died around 1808 or 1809, leaving four children two boys and two little girls. Knowing the two girls were too small for him to take care of, he gave them to his mother-in-law. He hunted up his in-laws in Canada, left the two little girls there, and returned to Wisconsin with the boys. One of the two little girls that he left in (the) charge of his mother-in-law was my grandmother, Kitchi-gray or Big Woman. I saw my grandmother 21 years ago, and she was then 114 years old. She died shortly after that. It is believed Chief Big Foot was born between the late 1780s and early 1790s. His original Potawatomi name was Oginouy Tigo (which means holder or possessor of a long stick) The story of how Big Foot got his name was told to me by my grandfather. Big Foot was a nickname given to him by his associates early in his life. They were celebrating over a victory, and they were dancing, and he probably made himself more conspicuous than the rest. He was dancing in the clay. The wet clay stuck to his moccasins, which appeared to increase their size. The other men called him big feet, and from that time, he was called Big Foot. He carried that name and used it as legal afterwards. It was probably easier to pronounce, and shorter than his right name, which was Maumksuck. On the afternoon of Sept. 21, 1833, several thousand braves and their families, dressed in their finest, were encamped on every available spot surrounding the settlement at the mouth of the river overlooking Fort Dearborn (Chicago). Some 20 to 30 Chieftains representing the various tribes of the Potawatomi spent several days in negotiations with representatives of the government at a Grand Council at Fort Dearborn. As a result of the council, the 30 Chieftains agreed to give up the land on which they lived some million acres within three years and in exchange were to receive an equal amount of land in Kansas. In exchange, the U.S. government agreed to transport them and pay all costs for the trip and to support them for one year after their arrival. Nearly $1 million was to be dispersed in various ways for their benefit. They were to receive the annual sum of $16,000 for 20 years, in addition to mills, blacksmith shops, physicians, the promotion of education, domestic arts, and other contributions that civilization could provide. Chief Big Foot had a prominent part in the Council and signed the treaty giving up his land on Geneva Lake. Before they left the Grand Council, some $83,000 in goods and $50,000 in silver coins were dispersed to the various tribes in attendance. The final scene at the Grand Council was a great war dance, in which some 800 took part. In a piece titled, Chicagos Last Great War Dance, the Chicago Tribune later described the dance as follows: The warriors armed with tomahawks and war clubs gathered on the north side of the river, east of the present State Street and west of the Lake House, a hotel which was at the northeast corner of Rush and Water Streets. All the Indians were naked, except for a strip of cloth around the loins. Their bodies were covered over with a great variety of brilliant paints. On their faces, they seemed to have their art of hideous decoration: foreheads, cheeks, and noses painted with curved stripes of red and vermillion, and edged with black points, giving the appearance of a horrid grin. Their long, coarse black hair was gathered into scalp locks on the top of their heads and decorated with a profusion of hawk and eagle feathers, some of which were strung together extending down the back nearly to the ground. The procession was led by what answered for a band of music, which created a discordant din of hideous noises produced by beating on hollow vessels and sticks and clubs together. The Indians advanced, not with a regular march but a continual dance. The dance consisted of leaps and spasmodic steps, now forward, then backward or sideways, with the whole body distorted into every imaginable position, most generally stooping forward with head and face thrown back, the back arched down, with first one foot thrown forward and then withdrawn, and the other similarly thrust out and back, the dancer frequently squatting quite to the ground, and all with lightning-like movements. It was estimated some 500 Potawatomis were living around Geneva Lake when they left for Kansas in the fall of 1836. Before leaving for the long trek to the west, Chief Big Foot visited the burial place of his wives and children at Williams Bay (their deaths were possibly caused by a whooping cough epidemic which had ravaged the tribe earlier that year). Likewise, he had placed his arm around the Council Pole at Fontana and taken a long last look at the lake and the coffin of his son in the treetop overlooking the fishing grounds. Then, after stopping for a word of farewell with Mrs. Van Slyke and commending the care of the treetop grave to her, Big Foot led his tribe over the hills toward the long trail to Kansas. Not much is known about Chief Big Foot after he left for Kansas, but it is thought his band of Potawatomi settled in western Iowa. Michelle Bie Love is a member of the Williams Bay Historical Society and co-author of A Pictorial History of Williams Bay, Wisconsin On Beautiful Geneva Lake. Her innate goodness and passion for both the specialty of long-term care and the thousands of residents shes served over the past 40+ years is remarkable. As part of its continued work to recognize wound care professionals who dedicate themselves to improving patient care and outcomes, HMP, a leading healthcare event and education company, today announced that Karen L Kennedy-Evans will receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at HMPs Post-Acute Care Symposium (PACS). PACS will be held May 15-16, 2020 and is co-located with the 33rd annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC)/Wound Healing Society (WHS) meeting, May 13-17, in San Diego, California. Established by a group of volunteer wound care professionals, the peer recognition award honors a wound care specialist who has dedicated his/her career to caring for elderly residents within post-acute care settings. Karen L. Kennedy-Evans, RN, FNP, APRN-BC, is President of KL Kennedy LLC. She has been a nurse for more than 50 years, a nurse practitioner for 46 years, and has more than 45 years of experience working in long-term care. In 1974, she became the first family nurse practitioner in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1983, she started one of the first wound care teams in long-term care while working at the Byron Health Center, a 500-bed long term care facility in Fort Wayne. During this time, Kennedy-Evans discovered a particular phenomenon that occurs before death that became known as the Kennedy Terminal Ulcer, leading to her authorship of the Kennedy Terminal Ulcer guide and fostering a new understanding about end-of-life care and clinical liability issues. Kennedy-Evans has served on numerous industry boards, including the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP, now known as the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel - NPIAP), the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC), the For Recognition of the Adult Immobilized Life (FRAIL), and Skin Changes At Lifes End (SCALE). She has published numerous articles and book chapters, and has lectured extensively throughout the world. When we considered the list of candidates for the PACS Lifetime Achievement Award, Karen Kennedy-Evans name was at the top, said Diane Krasner, PhD, RN, FAAN, co-chair for the symposium. Karen is uniquely deserving to become the inaugural recipient in light of an outstanding career dedicated to compassionate wound caring for elderly populations residing in long-term care facilities. When I joined HMP in 1991 and first became involved in the field, Karen was someone who was always available to answer questions and provide the guidance that contributed to my understanding of wound care, said Peter Norris, senior vice president, HMP. Her innate goodness and passion for both the specialty of long-term care and the thousands of residents shes served over the past 40+ years is remarkable. The 33rd annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC)/Wound Healing Society (WHS) meeting is the largest wound care gathering in the world. To learn more, visit, pacsymposium.com and sawcspring.com. About HMP HMP is the force behind Healthcare Made Practicaland is a multichannel leader in healthcare events and education, with a mission to improve patient care. The company produces accredited medical education events and clinically relevant, evidence-based content for the global healthcare community across a range of therapeutic areas. Its brands include Consultant360, the year-round, award-winning platform relied upon by primary care providers and other specialists; Psych Congress, the largest independent mental health meeting in the U.S.; EMS World Expo, North America's largest EMT and paramedic event; and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpglobal.com. It's one of the many limited series projects currently cooking at Disney Plus destined for their Marvel rubric of streaming content. But Falcon And The Winter Soldier, centered on Marvel Cinematic Universe characters played by actors Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, respectively, is not getting off to the best start as planned this year, due to acts of god. Shooting for the series has been temporarily postponed after a series of major earthquakes struck Puerto Rico, where the show was set to begin filming this month, Variety reports. Delayed: Falcon And The Winter Soldier, centered on Marvel Cinematic Universe characters played by actors Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, is having its shoot postponed On January 7, Puerto Rico was rocked by a strong 6.4 magnitude quake, only to be revisited by another 5.9 magnitude temblor four days later. The quakes come a little over two years after Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, devastated the island, and from which the unincorporated U.S. territory has had continued difficulty recovering. The Marvel series was supposed to film on the island for a number of weeks starting this month, but plans for that shoot are now canceled. Production woes: Shooting for the series has been temporarily postponed after a series of major earthquakes struck Puerto Rico, where the show was set to begin filming this month No word yet on whether the delay in production will ultimately effect the release date of the show, which has been slated for late 2020. Falcon And The Winter Soldier joins other series stemming from the wildly successful suite of Marvel's blockbuster films, branded the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU), which began with 2008's Iron Man and culminated, for now, with last year's Avengers: Endgame. Those shows are Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Loki, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, and WandaVision. Shaking: On January 7, Puerto Rico was rocked by a strong 6.4 magnitude quake, only to be revisited by another 5.9 magnitude temblor four days later Buddies: The actors, seen on Stan's Instagram, are set to pick up the mantle of Captain America after Chris Evans' departure in Avengers: Endgame Returning along with Mackie and Stan are Daniel Bruhl, reprising his role as Zemo, and Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter. Wyatt Russell will also costar, as US agent John Walker. Falcon And The Winter Soldier, executive produced by MCU chief and mastermind Kevin Feige, will reportedly consist of six episodes. Baddie: Returning for the series along with Mackie and Stan are Daniel Bruhl, reprising his role as Zemo France is to deploy an additional 220 troops to the Sahel to try to quell a spike in terrorist violence that has dented the credibility of its 4,500-strong Barkhane force and fuelled anti-French sentiment. The leaders of the G5 Sahel countries at the summit in Pau said they welcomed the support. President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania put on a display of unity at the summit in the southern French city on Monday, as they moved to find common ground in the battle against insurgents in the Sahel and debunk myths about France's presence in the region. The summit was called in response to growing hostility in West Africa towards the former colonial power, for failing to restore stability in the restive Sahel. Macron said he wanted "clarity" from his West African partners about whether they wanted France's presence or not, and had warned he could withdraw French troops without a clear political commitment from them. After a two-hour meeting behind closed doors, the situation had been clarified, he said. "The Pau summit is a turning point in our military strategy," declared the French leader during a press conference at Pau castle, hours after presiding over a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial for several French soldiers who died in Mali last November. The increasing number of casualties on both sides has spurred French and African forces to unite under a new command structure, known as the Coalition for the Sahel, which will include France's 4,500-man operation Barkhane and the 5,000 strong G5 force of West African nations. Another 220 French troops will be sent to give fresh momentum to the push against fighters linked to the al-Qaeda and Islamic State terror groups, with more European special forces expected to join in the coming months, Macron added. African sovereignty "French troops are in the Sahel to enable West African leaders to fully assume their sovereignty," insisted the 42-year-old leader, in response to allegations that France was pursuing a neo-colonial approach. Story continues Counterterrorist activities are spread across the five Sahel countries, but the future focus will be on three of the most dangerous zones bordering Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. "The priority is Islamic State in the Grand Sahara," Macron continued. He also called on Barkhane and G5 forces to strengthen the development side of their operation to regain the trust of civilians. The Sahel, a semi-arid region just below the Sahara desert has been gripped by insecurity since 2012, when Tuareg rebels tried to seize control of northern Mali, prompting Paris to intervene through its operation Serval. French troops were hailed as heroes in 2013 for helping to prevent the insurgency from reaching the capital Bamako. Seven years on, the security situation has deteriorated. A suspected jihadist attack on a Nigerian army base on Thursday that killed 89 soldiers was just the latest reminder of the persistent terror threat. And many wonder if the presence of outside forces has not made it worse. Anti-French protests Earlier on Monday, several members of the African diaspora demonstrated outside Pau police station, echoing similar anti-French protests in the Sahel, to urge French authorities to end "their occupation." "There is no ambiguity on the part of G5 countries about whether international forces should remain in the Sahel," Mali's Foreign Affairs minister Tiebile Drame told RFI. "They are here because we asked them to come." Publicly, G5 leaders were more cautious in their statements. Burkina Faso, which holds the regional group's rotating presidency, called for better military results to reassure local populations. The other four G5 leaders declined from taking questions at Monday's press conference, careful not to upset voters unhappy with the presence of the former colonial power. The Pau summit was intended to identify a common enemy and map out new milestones to measure quantifiable military results. The new Coalition for the Sahel will put an emphasis on greater intelligence-sharing, which according to Burkina Faso leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore is the "key" to achieving military success. A question mark hangs over the engagement of the United States, which has threatened to wind down its military operations in West Africa, potentially depriving Barkhane forces of vital intelligence, logistical and drone support. The first measure of the summit's success will be in June at the next G5 meeting in Mauritania, where Macron has promised to present "tangible results". Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has cancelled this morning's meeting of Fine Gael ministers and brought Cabinet forward to 9am, fuelling fresh speculation the Dail could be dissolved today. Normally, Mr Varadkar convenes a meeting of his party's ministers before Cabinet in order to discuss strategy and agree plans before discussions with independent ministers. However, with the near certainty of the Dail being dissolved this week, the move to bring the Cabinet meeting forward from its normal 10.30am start was last night seen as significant. There was a sense among some Fine Gael ministers that Mr Varadkar would not wish to go into the Dail and take several hours of grief from opposition TDs, who can now numerically defeat the Government, even if Fianna Fail TDs abstain. The news of the cancellation of the meeting comes after Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the Taoiseach told him he cannot guarantee all of his own TDs will continue to vote for him. Mr Varadkar reportedly told Mr Martin that he wasnt confident of the vote of Maria Bailey, in the event of a vote of no confidence in Health Minister Simon Harris. The two men are due to meet again this week ahead of the expcThe loss of three TDs in recent times had really put the Taoiseach in some difficulty Mr Martin said. He said to us that he wasnt sure of some of his own people, the Fianna Fail leader said.Mr Martin said that in the last four years Fianna Fail had honoured the Confidence and Supply Agreement and that no one can question Fianna Fails bona fides. Were Mr Varadkar not to dissolve the Dail today, there was a strong sense within Fine Gael he would go to Aras an Uachtarain on Thursday, following the State visit of new European Commission President Ursula Von den Leyen on Wednesday, paving the way for an election on Friday February 7th or one week later on St Valentine's Day. Should the election happen on either of those days, it emerged that thousands of voters face being excluded from the vote, as updates to the register only take effect from February 15th. Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee Sean Fleming has said he wants the Dail to pass a measure this week to ensure all these voters are on the register in time for an election. Mr Fleming is calling for the Dail to address the matter before it is dissolved this week. As bombs go off around her a baby girl sits quietly staring at her mother, no fear, no tears, this is life as usual for civilians living in war-torn Syria. Sama, I know you understand whats happening. I can see it in your eyes. You never cry like a normal baby would. Thats what breaks my heart, said Waad al-Kateab in a voiceover portion of her documentary film For Sama, which was nominated Monday for an Academy Award in the Documentary Film category. Directed by al-Kateab and Edward Watts this film made by a young Syrian mother for her daughter, aired on Frontline in November 2019. The feature documentary is from Channel 4 News and ITN Productions for Channel 4 and Frontline, a PBS series produced out of WGBH/Boston. Raney Aronson-Rath, executive producer for Frontline, said she met al-Kateab during an Emmy Awards show where the filmmaker and journalist was being honored for her news coverage of the crisis in Syria. I was a long time fan of her news coverage, even though I had never seen her face since she had to hide it while reporting out of Syria, but when I found out she had almost 500 hours of footage of her life I knew we had something unique," she said. The footage which spans from 2012-2016 included everything from al-Kateab filming her fellow students peacefully protesting on campus in the city of Aleppo to interviewing a young doctor who she fell in love with over the course of several years. She filmed their marriage and moving into their first home. She filmed her reaction as she found out she was pregnant, she filmed the birth of their daughter Sama in a makeshift hospital all in the context of daily bombings, bloodshed and death during the Syrian Civil War. You dont expect to fall so deeply for all of the characters because you are in the middle of this brutal conflict zone, but you find yourself not only relating to them but caring deeply about whether they are going to survive, Aronson-Rath said. Beyond personal interviews and footage of protests and bombings on the ground al-Kateab also set up shots on building rooftops that showed wider angles of the city all with little equipment and no film crew to support her. She would set up the shots. She was a very hands on director who never had a professional film team that came in to help her. She is self taught and she is also brilliant. The way she was able to compose these shots and capture Aleppo that is all Waad. That was her vision and she made it happen, Aronson-Rath said. The film includes unfiltered footage of military brutality, dead civilians, families rushing their loved ones to the hospital where al-Kateab and her husband lived and worked. She even filmed reactions of children being told their siblings had been killed, but there are also many moments of laughter and beauty. In one scene al-Kateab films her friend receiving a persimmon from her husband. She is overjoyed and hugs the rare fresh fruit. You would think I bought her a rose, her husband says to the camera. In another sweet and harrowing moment al-Kateab, her husband and their daughter reenter Aleppo after leaving the city to see al-Kateabs ailing father. She films them under the cover of darkness through a narrow path as bombs go off the in the background. As Sama begins to cry the group sings her a lullaby and when they arrive Aleppo everyone rushed to see the baby, a symbol of hope for the struggling families still living in the city. Eventually the city is forced to evacuate, all of which al-Kateab films. She and her family now live in London but she continues to bring attention to the conflict in Syria. Frontline is now working on a story out of Idlib, another city in Syria where civilians are being bombed, Aronson-Rath said. Syria is a story that Fronline has been long committed to. One of my priorities as executive director is to tell stories out of Syria, but none have been as unique as Waads," she said. We had told stories from the conflict zone and women were characters or victims in those stories, but here we have someone telling her own story about her own family. Her voice is something that is wholly unique coming out of such a brutal conflict zone and it is done so well, with so much heart and so much intelligence. The film has has been nominated for 50 awards including winning Best Feature at the International Documentary Association Awards; the Prix Lil dOr for Best Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival; the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival; and the Special Jury Prize International Feature Documentary at Hot Docs. For all of us who have done multiple films out of Syria our hope is to have people watch the film and understand what is happening there. This is an ongoing crisis and the film shows that this is real and its happening to real people you could care about. Most importantly hospitals are continuing to be bombed there. The people that are being killed and targeted are civilians inside hospitals, they are children. These are innocent people being killed and we should care about that." The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9, and air on ABC. The states agriculture director has resigned at the request of Gov. J.B. Pritzker for failing to disclose contents of a 2012 email that pointed to the possible cover-up of a rape in Champaign and government ghost workers, the governors office said Monday. John Sullivan, a Democratic state senator from 2003 to 2017 who became ag director last year, knew about the July 2012 email contemporaneously but did not disclose its contents to state investigators, Pritzkers office said. The email in question was uncovered last week in an open records request by WBEZ-FM radio station in Chicago. It was sent by Michael McClain a former lobbyist for the public utility ComEd and a close confidant of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan to two high-ranking members of then-Gov. Pat Quinns staff seeking leniency for a state employee facing disciplinary action. He has kept his mouth shut on Jones ghost workers, the rape in Champaign and other items. He is loyal to the administration, McClain said of the employee in the email obtained by WBEZ. There were no other details regarding the possible cover-ups, and it is unclear who Jones is pertaining to the ghost workers. Pritzkers office has forwarded the matter to the Office of the Executive Inspector General. The Illinois State Police and Office of the Attorney General also are working with the Champaign County states attorney on the matter. Pritzkers office said he sought and accepted Sullivans resignation during the weekend when new information came to light. Director Sullivan had a long and productive public service career as a state senator, and the governor is grateful for his willingness to serve in the administration. Director Sullivan put together an outstanding team at the Department of Agriculture, and as a result, the departments work thrived, Pritzker Communications Director Emily Bittner wrote in the statement. However, the governor holds all state employees to the highest ethical standards, and the governor requested the directors resignation because he is disturbed that then-Senator Sullivan became aware of the existence of the July 31, 2012, email contemporaneously, and did not handle it appropriately, including not alerting the inspector general or other authorities. The employee referenced in McClains 2012 email was Forrest Ashby of Quincy, who was a constituent of Sullivans 47th Senate district at the time. McClains home in Quincy was raided by FBI agents in May as part of a wide-ranging probe of several Statehouse insiders. WBEZ reported Monday that Sullivan was contacted by Pritzkers general counsel about a document that mentioned his name that was sought by WBEZ in a pending open-records request. Lines were busy when Capitol News Illinois tried to contact Sullivans residence Monday. In a statement first reported by WBEZ, however, the former ag director said the inquiry from Pritzkers general counsel led him to a review of my own personal emails from that same period of time. My search discovered a forwarded copy of McClains July 31, 2012, email reported by WBEZ. I shared this information with Governor Pritzkers general counsel, he said in the statement. Sullivan said summer 2012 was a stressful time as he was in the middle of a re-election campaign and preparing for cancer surgery in Baltimore. I was already well aware of McClains efforts to keep me informed of his advocacy on behalf of Ashby, and l simply did not read the entire forwarded email, he said. Had I read the email thoroughly, my reaction would have been disgust and I would have immediately notified proper authorities. Nevertheless, the email was in my inbox and not reading the entire email led to my failure to immediately respond as I would have. Bottom line, I accept responsibility for what was truly an unintentional oversight and the subsequent inaction. Sullivan served as majority caucus whip under former Senate President Emil Jones Jr. and as assistant majority leader during the presidency of John Cullerton, whose successor is scheduled to be chosen Sunday. From January through April he served as the states ag director in an acting capacity after receiving the appointment from Pritzker. On April 12, he was unanimously and officially approved for the post by the Senate Executive Appointments Committee. Pritzkers office said the information relayed by Sullivan was forwarded to investigators. The governors general counsel has shared all of the information she learned from Director Sullivan with the Office of the Executive Inspector General and offered to share this information with all law enforcement agencies looking into this situation. The administration will continue to assist in the ongoing investigation, Bittner wrote. Jeremy Flynn, who served as Sullivans chief of staff, was appointed by Pritzker as his former bosss interim successor. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said he saw no indication whatsoever that the jury found Baroni lacked the authority to order the change in traffic patterns. Justice Stephen G. Breyer, who seemed perhaps the most skeptical of the governments case, noted that the defense wanted jurors to be instructed that officials could not be convicted if they were acting within their authority, but that a lower court declined to do so. Feigin said such an instruction might have been confusing. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Hong Kong-based diamond merchant Girish Kadel and three senior officials of the Customs department in Mumbai, including former commissioner Vinay Brij Singh, for allegedly overvaluing imported diamonds as part of what it terms a trade-based money laundering operation. Trade-based money laundering is the process of disguising the proceeds of crime and moving value through the use of trade transactions in an attempt to legitimise their illicit origins, mainly through the misrepresentation of the price, quantity or quality of imports or exports. The agency has been probing several diamond merchants, including Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, for over two years now. In the latest FIR, the CBI has alleged that Kadel received 5,599 carats of rough diamonds overvalued at over Rs 156 crore instead of Rs 1 crore with the intention of facilitating money laundering. The overvaluation by Kadel was previously being examined by the Directorate of Revenue of Intelligence (DRI), after which the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) decided to hand over the case to the CBI. Along with Kadel, the CBI has named Vinay Brij Singh, posted as commissioner airport (special cargo) Mumbai when the alleged irregularities took place in 2018, deputy commissioner (imports) Chandravanshi Y Manikanhaiya and deputy commissioner (special intelligence and investigation branch) Ashiquzzaman in the FIR. A sanction under Section 17A was duly taken before registering a case against the Customs officials, the agency said. Ten other people and three companies were also named as accused by the agency in its FIR registered last week. A CBI official said Girish Kadel is based in Hong Kong and reportedly runs diamond business in Antwerp, Mumbai, Chennai and Hong Kong. Kadel conspired to import rough diamonds at highly exaggerated value with a view to siphoning/remitting the excess foreign exchange overseas to cover the differential cost of other imports, as well as park money abroad for unlawful activities, according to the CBI FIR. The agency will get a Look out Notice issued for Kadel at airports and entry exit points, which is a procedure in such matters, said the official quoted above. Girish Kadel, who runs a company called Diamond Vault NV and a blog named Diamond Circle, told HT from Belgium, I am a Belgium national. I left India in 2002 and have no business there. I dont know why the CBI has filed a case against me. They should have at least checked with me if I have any business there (India). I have come to India probably five times in the last 10 years and last time I visited was in 2017. I have never met any Customs officials in my life because I have no diamond business in India. According to the company website, Diamond Vault NV is a global diamond trading and full-service sales entity, with more than 400 clients in Antwerp itself. Founded on an impressive, international trading network, Diamond Vault NV focuses on polished diamonds trading, providing two-way quotes on almost any stone in stock, it adds. We are a company with business worth Rs 250 crore and 90% of our business is in Europe. Our India sales are very small but I have no company in India or Hong Kong. We just made one export transaction in India to Antique Exim Pvt Ltd for which we have to collect $230,000 from it and the person is not paying. The agency claimed in its FIR that Kadel was a beneficiary of Antigue Exim. The CBI refused to comment on the case. Microsoft's Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella on Monday voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. His comments came while speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in Manhattan where he was asked about the contentious issue of CAA which grants citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Nadella was quoted as saying by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of New York-based BuzzFeed News. In a statement issued by Microsoft India, Nadella said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. "Im shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large". The Centre last week issued a gazette notification announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11. According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 due to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the Act in different parts of the country. In UP, at least 19 persons were killed in anti-CAA protests. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 15 2020 Ahoy, general: Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (center) salutes a guard of honor as his French counterpart Florence Parly (right) looks on, ahead of bilateral talks in Paris on Monday. (Courtesy of Indonesian Embassy to France) Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly on Monday, as the two countries aim to strike a defense cooperation deal this year. Prabowo visited Parly at the French Defense Ministry in Paris on Monday during which the two ministers discussed steps to strengthen bilateral defense ties and efforts to help advance Indonesia's defense industry. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 Piramal Enterprises rose 1.93% to 1464 after preferential allotment of 1.16 lakh compulsorily converted debentures (CCDs) to Canada-based Caisse De Depot Et Placement Du Quebec. Piramal Enterprises issued 1.16 lakh compulsorily converted debentures (CCDs) to Canadian pension fund manager Caisse de d et placement du Quec (CDPQ) on 19 December 2019, which has increased its total diluted shareholding from 3.68% to 8.99%. The announcement was made after trading hours yesterday, 13 January 2020. In December 2019, Piramal Enterprises raised Rs 1,750 crore through a preferential allotment of CCDs to CDPQ. The CCDs carry a coupon of 9.28% per annum and can be converted at any time within 18 months from the date of allotment. If not converted earlier, the CCDs shall compulsorily covert into equity shares at the end of 18 months. The CCDs are convertible into equity shares in the ratio of 1:100 (1 CCD shall be converted into 100 equity shares). Upon conversion, the Canadian pension fund's stake in the Ajay Piramal's company would increase to 8.99% from 3.68%. Caisse De Depot Et Placement Du Quebec was established in 1965. Today, it manages funds worth more than CAD 325 billion across 41 public and parapublic organizations; investing mainly in pension and insurance schemes. Piramal Enterprises (PEL) is one of India's largest diversified companies, with a presence in financial services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare insights & analytics. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large group of people gathered at a West Oakland home on Monday to support homeless mothers who occupied the home nearly two months ago but now face eviction because a judge ruled they have no valid claim of possession. Among those who spoke outside the home at 2929 Magnolia St. in support of mothers Dominique Walker, 34, and Sameerah Karim, 41, and the others at the house was Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan, who said she will fight to get the Council to buy empty homes to house the homeless. Walker and Karim and four other women, who are with a group called Moms 4 Housing, moved into the house on Nov. 18, saying they want to call attention to Oakland's homelessness crisis and to vacant, investor-owned homes in the city. But Alameda County Superior Court Judge Patrick McKinney ruled on Friday that the mothers have no valid claim of possession to the house. McKinney's ruling means that the mothers face eviction from the house by the end of this week. Eviction orders in Alameda County are enforced by the sheriff's office. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to speak in San Francisco on Monday afternoon during a visit to the Bay Area. Following a morning discussion at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, Pompeo will participate in a sold-out conversation organized by the Commonwealth Club. During the chat, Pompeo is expected to "discuss current foreign policy challenges and issues with economic security." CEO of Silicon Valley Leadership Group Carl Gaurdino will host the conversation. The event, happening at 4 p.m. at the Commonwealth Club's Taube Family Auditorium at 110 The Embarcadero, will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS-8QEjg82U. Following the conversation, Pompeo will reportedly head to a dinner in the city with leaders from the tech industry. The second homicide in as many days was reported in Hayward early Monday morning, police said. Officers responded at about 12:30 a.m. to a report of gunshots heard in the 22000 block of Alice Street. The victim, a man whose name hasn't been released, was taken to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to police. No arrest has been made and no suspect information was immediately available in connection with the fatal shooting. The killing comes less than 24 hours after Hayward's first homicide of 2020. A man was found shot shortly after 5:20 a.m. Sunday in the 1800 block of Osage Avenue and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. There is no information at this point connecting the two homicides, according to police. Police have arrested two people, including a minor, in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman in San Francisco's Tenderloin earlier this month. On Jan. 5, officers found 32-year-old Emma Hunt of San Francisco suffering from a gunshot wound on the sidewalk near Larkin and O'Farrell streets. Hunt was taken to a hospital, where she died, police said. Officers with the Police Department's Narcotics Detail were able to arrest 18-year-old Kevin Figueroa around 10:30 a.m. Friday near Eddy Street and Van Ness Avenue. He was booked into custody on suspicion of conspiracy and homicide, police said. Later that day, officers located the second suspect, a 17-year-old boy, as they served a search warrant at an apartment in the 600 block of Mission Bay Boulevard, according to police. The Solano County Coroner's office has identified a driver who died in a solo vehicle crash off of Interstate Highway 80 in west Vacaville Saturday evening as Adam Stubbs, 39, of Fairfield. Stubbs was driving an Infiniti west on Highway 80 just east of the Cherry Glen Road off-ramp around 6:20 p.m. when the car went off the right shoulder and slammed into a tree, the California Highway Patrol said. Stubbs, the only one in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m., according to the coroner's office. A man fatally struck by a car in Sunnyvale last week has been identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office as 47-year-old David Green. Green was hit while walking in the intersection of El Camino Real and Helen Avenue at about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to the city's Department of Public Safety. He was taken to a hospital but died there. The driver of the car stopped at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and is not suspected of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, public safety officials said. The Concord City Council is set to discuss Tuesday a study that offers suggested improvements on three major local streets, including Willow Pass Road, a main thoroughfare in the city. The three-phase Complete Streets Feasibility Study was compiled with the help of a $177,060 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant in December 2017. The study includes data gathering, public input, and technical analysis into the development of complete street design concepts for portions of Willow Pass Road, Cowell Road and Galindo Street. The Kincade Fire and evacuations and four PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs last fall cost Sonoma County $725 million in economic losses, according to a report to the county's Board of Supervisors. The report by the Moody's Analytics research company said the fire and the evacuation of residents between Oct. 23 and Nov. 6 cost $620 million in losses, about 2 percent of the county's total economic output, and the power shutoffs between Oct. 9 and Nov. 20 cost $105 million -- between 0.33 and 1 percent of the economic output. The Kincade Fire that started northeast of Geyserville near The Geysers geothermal complex burned 77,758 acres and destroyed 374 structures, 174 of them residences. Sixty structures were damaged, 35 of them residential. Almost 195,000 residents, or 39 percent of the county's population, were affected by the four power shutoffs, and the average resident was disrupted by any single shutoff for 2.5 days, according to the Moody's Analytics report. Sonoma County officials said 185,000 residents were evacuated during the Kincade Fire. Criminals purporting to be PG&E employees are targeting North Bay and Northern California counties in a telephone scam, the utility said Monday. The callers threaten to shut off power if a cash payment is not made immediately on a utility bill with a cash card, PG&E said. The bogus calls have doubled in the past year. Petaluma police on Friday also warned PG&E customers about the scam. Most of the incidents reported to PG&E happened in Marin, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino and Humboldt counties, according to PG&E. The scam calls also are becoming more detailed. The caller uses specific names of customers and guesses the general amount of money the customer owes. They also disguise their true phone number with a caller ID that says "PG&E" or "Pacific Gas and Electric," according to the utility. PG&E does not ask for personal information or a credit card or checking account number over the phone, and anyone who did provide one to a scam caller should report it to their financial company and law enforcement. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Ive experienced the power of incredible unity as people of all ages from different religions and ethnicities come together for the basic human right to exist. In 1933, over nine million Jews lived in Europe, working hard and raising families in the harsh reality of the worldwide economic depression. By May of 1945, the number alarmingly fell to three million. Following Adolf Hitlers appointment as German chancellor on January 30, 1933, the road from persecution to genocide was paved with the lives of six million Jewish men, women, and children. That the Third Reich and their collaborators had murdered two-thirds of the population of European Jews as part of a systematic Final Solution was horrific that a nation of people and much of the world for that matter stood by silently while the atrocities were being committed was incomprehensible. As the horrifying images of what the Allied troops discovered when they entered the concentration camps began to spread throughout the world, it became a time of collective mourning. Yet living amongst the stench of death and destruction, amongst the piles of corpses, bones, and human ashes, soldiers also found thousands of survivorsJews and non-Jews alikesuffering from starvation, disease, and memories that would leave a genetic footprint and pass between generations. For those who survived the Holocaust, the journey to rebuild their lives was daunting; it was also a testimony to the power of faith, and the strength of spirit. The March of Life began as an initiative of Jobst and Charlotte Bittner and the Evangelical Free TOS Ministries in Tubingen, Germany, as a German-Christian response to the Holocaust. Together with descendants of members of the German armed forces, police, and the SS (Nazi political soldiers), they organized memorial and reconciliation marches in locations significant to the Holocaust in Europe, as well as in locations around the world. The March of Life was brought to the US in 2007, giving birth to March of Remembrance. Since then, Marches of Remembrance are being held around the world in more than 20 nations and over 400 cities and towns and have grown to become a worldwide movement. As organizations around the country partner with March of Remembrance, people from all walks of life come together with a common goal; to remember the Holocaust, stand against anti-Semitism and hate, and reconcile with the Jewish community during the month of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). A time when tens of thousands of people around the world join together with one voiceone heartand one collective goal; to honor, educate, remember, and engage. March of Remembrance Dallas is the local chapter of this international organization, partnering with Hillel and several other departments from SMU. We invite you to join the march on Sunday, April 19, 2020, as we come together on the campus of Southern Methodist University to host this powerful, often life-changing event. The day will include a ceremony, music, a peaceful march around campus, and a closing ceremony with dignitaries, World War II Veterans, Holocaust survivors, and repentant Nazi descendants. March of Remembrance is not a political statement, a rally, or a publicity stunt. We march to honor the Holocaust survivors and their descendants and let their voices be heard and their stories told. It is not a platform for publicity to promote an agenda on the part of any person or organization and is no platform for proselytizing. We march to remember those who were lost and those who were brave enough to stand up against the horror, raise their voices, and act. We march to educate a generation that despite the overwhelming documentation of the reality of the Holocaust, there are many who deny it even happened or claim that the reports were exaggerated. And we march to engage with our local communities as we take to the streets in peaceful assembly, and collectively raise our voices against todays antisemitism, hatred and any form of racism, motivating people all over the globe to take a stand and speak out. Ive experienced the power of incredible unity as people of all ages from different religions and ethnicities come together for the basic human right to exist, said Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, Author, Hebraic Theologian, and Executive Director of the Dallas chapter of March of Remembrance. Were also excited to be offering several scholarships, within participating departments, to current SMU students who take part in this event, she added. We invite individuals, families, congregations, clubs, bible study groups, home groups and communities to join the event as we raise our voices together for remembrance, reconciliation, and friendship. A special day that will change the way you view tradition, history, and the power of the human spirit. Save-the Date Sunday, April 19, 2020 The Mack Ballroom at Southern Methodist University (SMU) 3300 Dyer Street Dallas, TX 75205 Check-in starts at 1:00 PM, and the event is from 2:00 - 5:00 PM To register and get more information and ways you can donate, visit: https://thebethanycenter.org/2020-march-of-remembrance-dallas (Bloomberg) -- Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here. Londons Heathrow airport has deployed a system designed to block drones entering its airspace following a string of recent attempts that threatened Europes busiest travel hub. The airport, classified as a flight restriction zone by authorities, is now using a product manufactured by Frances Thales SA to detect and identify drones. The French company declined Tuesday to detail the contracts value or the precise specification being used at Heathrow. Illegal drones are a growing problem for airports, utilities and factories. While their use is often meant to be disruptive -- when used for example by activists -- or for surveillance, they have recently been used in destructive attacks in Saudi Arabia. Companies like Thales have sought to increase their use beyond military solutions to seize market opportunities. Heathrow chose a holographic radar system developed by Aveillant Ltd., a Cambridge, England company acquired by Thales in 2017. Its technology is now part of the French defense contractors anti-drone solution, EagleShield. The radar system is also used at Pariss Charles de Gaulle airport. It can detect drones as far as 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away in all directions, according to Aveillants website. Appropriate countermeasures can then be deployed. Representatives for Thales wouldnt say what Heathrow planned to use as a countermeasure, but said drone-disabling technology was not part of its contract with the airport. A spokesman for Heathrow declined to comment. Away from transit hubs, common solutions include the use of radio waves to jam the signal used by a pilot to control a drone, or take over control of the unit. Other methods include dispatching eagles or giant nets to pull craft out of the sky. In September, police in London arrested two people outside the perimeter of Heathrow after climate protesters attempted to close it with illegal drone flights. Campaigners said at least one craft was successfully launched, though departures and arrivals did continue. In Dec. 2018, flights at Gatwick airport were halted for more than a 24 hours during pre-Christmas high season following reports of drone sightings close to its runway. Story continues Read More: Drone Industry Fears Political Attack After Gatwick Shutdown To contact the reporter on this story: Helene Fouquet in Paris at hfouquet1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Nate Lanxon, Amy Thomson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker Special Briefing David Schenker, Assistant Secretary Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs January 13, 2020 ASSISTANT SECRETARY SCHENKER: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It's been an eventful couple of weeks here since I last visited the bullpen. Before I start, let me just make a brief statement. I'm deeply saddened to learn today of the death of U.S. citizen Moustafa Kassem, who had been imprisoned in Egypt since 2013. His death in custody was needless, tragic, and avoidable. We send our sincere condolences to Mr. Kassem's wife and family at this painful time. I'll continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity, as will the entire team at the Department of State. So last week, I traveled to Iraq and the UAE to discuss Iran's attacks on the coalition facilities in Iraq and our defensive actions to protect American coalition lives. In Erbil, I met with several leaders of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. In the UAE, I was able to meet by chance with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Halbusi, who happened to be there, and UAE Minister of State Anwar Gargash. In each of my meetings in Erbil, I thanked our Iraqi Kurdish partners for their steadfast support, and I made clear that the U.S. does not seek war and remains committed to de-escalation. My counterparts and I discussed strengthening our relationship with Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan region specifically. We are proud of our partnership with the Iraqi Kurds and believe it is central to achieving many of our goals in the Middle East. Our conversations were about building on the strategic partnership we've had with Iraq's Kurds going back to 1991. I emphasized that the coalition military presence in Iraq was solely aimed at continuing the fight against ISIS and training the Iraqi security forces to be prepared and well positioned to take on any lethal threat. On this point, I want to condemn the attack on Balad Air Base yesterday, which left several Iraqis critically injured. The Government of Iraq must hold these Iraq Iran-aligned proxies accountable. I also discussed the reform process and their and the legitimate demands in the face of Iran-ordered attempts to suppress peaceful protests throughout lethal through lethal violence. The U.S. consulate general in Erbil and the U.S. embassy in Baghdad are still under heightened alert, but our diplomats are as committed as ever to build upon the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Iraq. I want to echo Embassy Baghdad's condemnation of the assassination of Dijlah TV correspondent Ahmed Abdul Samad and cameraman Safaa Ghali in Basra on Friday during the peaceful protests. The ongoing assassinations, kidnappings, harassment, and intimidation of members of the press, social media activists, and pro-reform activists in Iraq by armed groups cannot continue to go unpunished. The Iraqi Government is responsible for upholding the right of freedom of expression, protecting journalists, and ensuring that peaceful activists can practice their democratic rights without fear of reprisal. This can only happen if the perpetrators are found and brought to justice. Speaking of freedom of expression, we are closely monitoring the protests in Iran. The Iranian people suffered under the corruption and incompetence of the revolutionary regime for 40 years. The tragic downing of the Ukrainian plane is the most the latest example of this incompetence, incompetence that is fed by the theocracy's warped, revolutionary ideology which prioritizes violence, terror, and threats and devaluates humanity. The United States supports the Iranian people, who, like the rest of the world, want their leaders to stop spending money and resources on terrorism and nuclear ambitions. The U.S. calls on the regime not to use violence on peaceful protestors or restrict communications, closing the internet as they have done repeatedly. The Iranian people deserves better deserve better, and we stand with them. As President Trump said to the Iranian people on Wednesday, in what I believe was the most tweeted Farsi tweet in the history MS ORTAGUS: The tweet was this weekend. ASSISTANT SECRETARY SCHENKER: The tweet was this weekend? MS ORTAGUS: Yeah. ASSISTANT SECRETARY SCHENKER: Okay, so it's not that, then. Never mind. "We want you to have a future and a great future one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home, and harmony with the nations of the world. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all [those] who seek [peace]." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two new sunspots have ended a long period of relative quiet on the surface of our blazing host star, heralding the start of a new 11-year cycle of sunspot activity resulting in sometimes dramatic space weather that could disrupt communications and power grids here on Earth. The two new sunspots, designated as NOAA 2753 and 2754, were seen on Dec. 24 by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory a satellite that monitors the exterior and interior of the sun from a geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles (more than 35,000 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. These are the first significant sunspots seen since November 2019 and indicate the onset of a new sunspot cycle known as Solar Cycle 25, or SC25 that is expected to reach a new peak of magnetic activity in about five years. Related: Spaced Out! 101 Astronomy Images That Will Blow Your Mind The instruments on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory can reveal the intense magnetic fields generated by the sun that tangle as it rotates. (Image credit: NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory) Visible sunspots are caused by magnetic disturbances in the sun that displace its bright outer layer and reveal the slightly cooler (and darker) interior layers, usually for a few days but sometimes for several weeks. They can vary in size, but are usually vast often much larger than the entire Earth. "The sun was spotless from Nov. 14 until Dec. 23," said Jan Janssens, a communications specialist with the Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence in Brussels, Belgium, which coordinates studies of the sun. "This 40-days stretch of spotless days is the longest in more than 20 years," he told Live Science in an email The instruments onboard NASA's orbiting Solar Dynamics Observatory captured imagery of the two sunspots from the new sunspot cycle on Dec. 24 one in the sun's northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere, shown here circled in red. (Image credit: NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory) Such prolonged periods without sunspots usually happen around the time of what's called the "solar minimum" the time of lowest sunspot activity between two solar cycles , Janssens said. Though scientists won't have enough data for another six months to declare the start of a new sunspot cycle, "This seems to indicate that SC25 is gradually shaping up and that we are [at] or have passed the solar cycle minimum," Janssens said. Sunspot cycles The 11-year sunspot cycles are caused by the sun's rotation in space, according to NASA . As the star rotates roughly once every 27 days, its material acts like a fluid, so that its equator rotates much faster than its poles do. That makes the sun's powerful magnetic fields become progressively more "tangled" and its sunspots and other magnetic activity more violent until the entire star reverses its magnetic polarity (sort of like electric charge, but in this case, the state is either north or south). That's a bit as if the Earth switched its north and its south magnetic poles every few years. Sunspots from the new cycle SC25 will occur with reversed polarity closer to the poles of the sun, while sunspots from the old cycle SC24 can still occur near the sun's equator. (Image credit: Jan Janssens/STCE) The sun's change in polarity causes its magnetic activity and its sunspots to eventually die down, resulting in a solar minimum. But the sun's rotating magnetic field slowly gets tangled again, and the sunspot cycle begins anew. Sunspots from the new and old cycles can overlap by months or even years, Janssens said, but the new ones can be distinguished as members of the new SC25 cycle by their magnetic polarity the reverse of the old SC24 cycle. The new spots also occurred at a relatively high latitude in the northern and southern hemispheres of the sun between 25 and 30 degrees from the equator while sunspots of the old cycle popped up within a few degrees of the equator, he said. The SC25 cycle is now expected to reach a peak in about 2024, before declining to a new minimum in about 2031, according to a prediction by the Space Weather Prediction Center . But "certainly in 2020 there are still many spotless days ahead and solar activity will remain very-low to low," Janssens said. The new sunspots were mapped in late December by NASA's orbiting Solar Dynamics Observatory, which uses a combination of instruments to study the sun. (Image credit: NASA) Solar minimum When the new sunspot cycle reaches its peak, the increased magnetic activity of the sun could have significant effects here on Earth. Large and complex sunspots can result in eruptions of radiation from the solar surface, known as solar flares; in powerful emissions of solar material known as proton storms; and in vast, dense clouds of energetic particles known as coronal mass ejections. A close-up of one of the new sunspot regions on the sun one of the first seen after a string of 40 "spotless" days that may correspond to the solar minimum between two 11-year sunspot cycles. (Image credit: NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory) All three types of events can result in disruption to our communications, aircraft navigation and power grids , said solar physicist Dean Pesnell of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the project scientist for the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The charged particle from proton storms and coronal mass ejections can also create vivid auroras above the Earth. Satellites in low-Earth orbits can suffer increased drag when the outer layers of the atmosphere are heated by solar activity, which can result in their orbits decaying more quickly; an increase in solar radiation can affect astronauts outside the Earth's protective magnetic field. "All these things are what we see as space weather effects ," Pesnell told Live Science: "harming our satellites, radiation doses to astronauts, satellite drag all the effects that we worry about from the sun." Originally published on Live Science. The Canadian prime minister thanked the Ukrainian leader for his efforts to ensure access to the scene of the tragedy for Canadian experts. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau had a third phone conversation discussing the crash of the Ukrainian passenger plane flight PS752 in Iran. The Canadian prime minister thanked the Ukrainian leader for his efforts to ensure access to the scene of the tragedy for Canadian experts, according to the President's Office press service. Justin Trudeau asked for Volodymyr Zelensky's assistance in dialogue with the Iranian authorities as regards the identification of the bodies of the victims, including Canadian nationals. Volodymyr Zelensky commended the involvement of Canada's representatives in the investigation. "Ukrainian experts and diplomats are ready to fully assist Canadian counterparts in Tehran," Volodymyr Zelensky stressed, reiterating willingness to provide logistical assistance in returning the bodies of Canadian citizens to Canada after the completion of formalities in Iran. Read alsoUkraine may initiate UN Security Council meeting over downing of PS752 in Iran The interlocutors stand for further coordination of efforts to ensure proper international legal liability of those responsible for the plane crash. The report says Zelensky and Trudeau look forward to the constructive work of a coordination and response group led by foreign ministers of countries whose citizens were killed in a disaster. The group will meet on January 16 in London. In this context, the parties stressed the importance of developing an algorithm to prevent such tragedies in the future. The two leaders expressed hope for further cooperation and exchange of information on the investigation of the disaster, in particular in interaction with Iran. A mother has been sexually assaulted in her driveway while putting out her rubbish bins as her two young children slept inside the house. Police said the woman was outside her Murray Bridge home, 73km south-east of Adelaide, at 12.30am on January 7 when she was attacked from behind. The offender ran off when a second man called out to him, fleeing north on Joyce Street. South Australia Police have released CCTV footage of four men seen walking on Joyce Street last Tuesday around the time a woman was sexually assaulted A police hunt is now underway to catch the offender who is described as average height and build. Police wish to speak with four men captured on CCTV walking north along Joyce Street around the time of the attack. Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Tomkins said footage also showed several vehicles in the area at the time of the offence. Anyone who may have been driving in the vicinity of Joyce Street or Swanport Road around the time of the attack is urged to check their dashcam footage. Sergeant Tomkins said the victim was traumatised but 'fairing well' considering the circumstances. 'There are ongoing concerns for her well-being which we're monitoring and managing' he said at a press conference this week,' he said. Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Tomkins (pictured) has asked for anyone with information to come forward He said police had received an anonymous call through Crime Stoppers which was quite 'promising' and asked the person to call back to provide their contact details. 'They have provided information that will assist the investigation,' he said. The suspect was wearing a white hooded jumper and dark shiny parachute or nylon pants with a single white stripe down each of the pant legs. The hood was pulled up, possibly over a cap. 'The clothes are quite distinctive and I do believe someone in Murray Bridge would know someone who wears that clothing,' Sgt Tomkins said. SPRINGFIELD  City Councilors once again Monday voiced opposition to the MassDOTs plans for Springfields The X intersection with an override of Mayor Domenic J. Sarnos veto. The council sent to committee Monday a measure that could override Sarnos veto of a council resolution passed in December that sought to protect mature street trees near the i ntersection. Christopher Cignoli, the city public works director said Monday night that he wants a chance in the committee meeting to fully explain the project and its merits. Right now Im having to work with MassDOT because they see this project as not having the support of the city of Springfield, Cignoli said. I dont want to risk an $11 million project. Councilor Jesse Lederman asked why the state was interpreting the councils concerns about the project as hostility. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's $11.3 million reconstruction plan is set to begin in 2024. It would, in the city council's words, substantially widen Sumner Avenue west from Lenox Street to Churchill Street,and from Ventura Avenue to Pomona Street eastbound by about 5 feet on each side of Sumner. The X is a busy intersection known for frequent, but low-sopped and thus low -injury, crashes. Councilors want to save the neighborhood's mature trees and want the project redesigned to take up less land. But Sarno has said the councils order, passed unanimously in early December, could push the project back a number of years, or plain just lose this state funding. The state plans to begin construction in in 2024. MassDOT plans to reconstruct the intersection of Belmont Avenue, Sumner Avenue and Dickinson Street with a realignment and mini-roundabouts. MassDOT expects to use streetscaping to improve pedestrian safety. The plan calls for multi-use paths to connect The X intersection with Forest Park via Cliftwood Street and Trafton Street, according to MassDOT. Councilor Kateri Walsh said the neighbors are not opposed to change. But they are opposed to changes that will impact the character of their neighborhood and negativly impacting the park, Walsh said. [January 14, 2020] The largest B2B consumer electronics trade show in Latin America will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in July 2020 15th Eletrolar Show & Latin American Electronics will occupy 100% of the venue and receive more than 300 international exhibitors SAO PAULO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The trade show is celebrating its fifteenth year with a special event, which will occupy 36,000 sqm, the entire area of the Transamerica Expo Center. The fair will exhibit products with state-of-the-art technology, and all categories of consumer electronics. "Products are increasingly connected and the trade show is going to bring together buyers and sellers, optimizing their time and accelerating business between the industry and retailers," said Carlos Clur, president of Grupo Eletrolar, and the event's creator. The 15th Eletrolar Show & Latin American Electronics will host 29,000 visitors, and it will provide the latest news on televisions, smartphones , smart houses, audio , refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers, premium blenders, robotic vacuum cleaners, well-being, personal care, bicycles, smartwatches, domestic appliances, and gaming products. It will be held from July 13 to 16, at the Transamerica Expo Center, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2020, the trade show will have more than 300 international exhibitors and a Latin American contingent, with specialists rom the research company GfK, which will present on trends and the potential of the Brazilian, Argentine, Colombian, Peruvian and Chilean markets. It will be a comprehensive overview that will be of interest for both, those already doing business and those wishing to introduce their products into the region. In 2019, there were many well-known brands at the Eletrolar Show. Among them were LG Electronics, Semp TCL, Panasonic, Positivo Tecnologia, Xiaomi, Mondial Eletrodomesticos, Multilaser, DJI, Atlas Eletrodomesticos, Mueller, Caloi, Elgin, Lenoxx, Alfacomex, Bedinsat, Elsys, Lehmox, Inova, Brinox, I-Robot, and Frahm. Credentials and more information can be found at latinamericanelectronics.com Electronics Home & Mobile in Miami 2021 From May 11 to 13, 2021, Grupo Eletrolar will organize the first Electronics Home & Mobile Miami show, the city's first exclusively consumer electronics trade show that is focused on the markets in Central America and main distributors and importers of Latin America. The objective is to promote international business, particularly exports from companies that seek direct contact with large networks in the region. The event will also have workshops. Electronics Home in Argentina 2020 The third edition of Electronics Home will be held in Buenos Aires from July 20 to 22, 2020, in Centro Costa Salguero. It is the largest trade fair in Argentina, combining consumer electronics, domestic home appliances, small appliances as well as mobile phones category, LED and lighting, computers and accessories. In 2019, the show hosted more than 300 domestic and international brands, as well as a congress focused on new technologies. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-largest-b2b-consumer-electronics-trade-show-in-latin-america-will-take-place-in-sao-paulo-brazil-in-july-2020-300986623.html SOURCE Eletrolar News [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] SACRAMENTO A bill to ban operations that change the genitalia of young intersex children died Monday in the state Legislature after facing strong opposition from medical groups. The Senate Business and Professions Committee rejected SB201 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, citing concerns that the types of surgeries it would have prohibited were too broad. Sen. Steve Glazer, the Orinda Democrat who chairs the committee, said the legislation was a missed opportunity. He said he supported the goal of stopping doctors from assigning a sex to children with ambiguous genitalia, but he was uncomfortable banning other operations that fell under the bills definition of intersex. The bill failed to take into account all the children who have had that procedure done where it has enhanced their well-being, he said. Intersex people are born with a sex anatomy that doesnt fit the typical definition of male or female. Advocates say it is not uncommon about 1.7% of babies are intersex, according to the United Nations but that too many doctors treat it as an abnormality that must be quickly fixed. Wieners bill would have banned doctors from performing surgeries or other medical interventions to change the sex characteristics of an intersex child younger than 6, unless an operation was medically necessary. Supporters argued that the early surgeries are based on an antiquated view of gender, and that intersex people should be allowed to know what they are getting into before they are subjected to operations that carry the risk of medical complications, sterilization and psychological damage. Wiener said amendments proposed by the committee would have removed conditions, such as an enlarged clitoris or a urethra opening in the wrong place, that account for most of the people considered intersex. Although doctors may assume they are making cosmetic fixes, Wiener said, many of those people later identify with a gender that is different from how their sex organs present. Im not going to advance a bill that sets a horrific precedent for the vast majority of intersex peoples rights, Wiener said. He added that he plans to pursue his proposal again in the future. Members of the committee also objected to the age limit of 6, which Wiener did not include in an earlier version of the measure but added last week. Wiener said he struggled to find the right balance between ensuring patients can give consent and not forcing them to wait until adulthood for surgery they want. He said children as young as 6 could voice their own opinions about their gender to their parents, who would retain the ultimate decision about whether to operate while their children are minors. But several legislators expressed skepticism that 6-year-olds could fully understand the issues. Physicians groups, including the California Medical Association and the California Urological Association, opposed the measure, which they called government interference in a decision that should to be left to young patients parents and doctors. It takes away the ability to have conversations about things and present options and inform the family members, Hillary Copp, a pediatric urologist at UCSF Medical Center, told the committee. I have extreme concern that if we legislate this issue, that there are going to be a generation of children who suffer profound consequences that were unaware of. The committee vote came three days after the California Medical Association dropped $50,000 into an independent committee to support Glazers re-election. Glazer said he had no knowledge of the committee, which cannot legally coordinate with a candidate. Anthony York, a spokesman for the association, said the money is part of a campaign backed by health groups that will include more contributions to other candidates. He said it was totally unrelated to the vote and said any suggestion otherwise was ridiculous. When are we supposed to do it? The elections in March, York said. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff (Newser) The US Justice Department has charged a former Virginia college student with calling in fake emergencies to prompt law enforcement responses, in coordination with a group the FBI labelled as sympathetic to neo-Nazi ideology, the AP reports. John William Kirby Kelley, 19, was charged last week with conspiracy to make threats. He's accused of being part of a network that "shared racist views" and had a "particular disdain for African Americans and Jewish people," targeting such individuals in so-called swatting attacks coordinated in online chatrooms, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed Friday. Swatting is a practice in which fake emergencies are called in to authorities to draw a large law enforcement response. story continues below The affidavit also said the group maintained a list of victims on a site called Doxbin, which hosts the personal information of journalists, government officials, and company executives, news outlets reported. An investigation into Kelley began in November 2018, when he was linked to a bomb threat at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Authorities later connected the group Kelley is accused of being a part of to another November 2018 bomb threat, this time at the predominantly African American Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria. The church was evacuated by police during evening services. The group is also linked to similar calls in the Alexandria area as well as hundreds of others across the US, the UK, and Canada, the documents allege. (Read more swatting stories.) Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. DETROIT, MI A Detroit man is free after serving nearly 30 years in prison for an attack on a woman he claims he did not commit. On Monday, Jan. 13, a judge dismissed the 1991 conviction of 62-year-old Gerry Thomas, for an attack on a Detroit woman in a car. Thomas was convicted of assault and attempted murder in 1991 and sentenced to a minimum of 50 years in prison. The Associated Press reports that Thomas was helped by law schools in Michigan and New York, and has long maintained his innocence. The conviction integrity unit in the Wayne County prosecutors office agreed that his conviction should be set aside. Police had no physical evidence against him or any other witnesses, according to the Innocence Project. TRIA is more than doubling its office space in the Boston Innovation Design Building to accommodate its 50+ employees and to leave room for future new hires. TRIA has taken an additional adjacent space to its existing for 11,700 SF on the third floor to support its continued growth. "In just five years, we have established TRIA as one of the leading lab design firms in the Greater Boston area and this is due, in large part, to our outstanding employees," said Sherwood Butler, co-founder and managing principal of TRIA. "We strive to provide superior design and client service on every project and are excited to welcome these 12 new employees to the TRIA team." With over 150 science and technology projects in its portfolio, TRIA has worked on both new construction and renovation projects such as a 200,000 SF Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) mRNA clinical manufacturing facility for biotechnology company, Moderna Therapeutics 50,000 SF Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery (G2D2) for Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo -based Eisai Co., Ltd. -based Eisai Co., Ltd. 108,000 SF cGMP development and manufacturing facility in Waltham, Mass. for ElevateBio About TRIA TRIA is a full-service architecture firm that values client relationships above all. The firm's principal-driven approach puts our leadership team at the table with client decision-makers, working together to envision success, solve problems and deliver exceptional results. Visit us on the web at https://tria.design and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. SOURCE TRIA Related Links https://tria.design ASP - America's Swimming Pool Company Ranked Top Pool Company by Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Its very satisfying to see our franchise owners being recognized for their efforts and continuing our companys mission to create superior value for pool customers in all that we do by leveraging technology, superior knowledge, higher standards, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. ASP Americas Swimming Pool Company, a national swimming pool service franchise, recently ranked No. 84 in Entrepreneur magazines Franchise 500. Placement in the Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, with more than 1,100 companies vying for a spot - making it one of the most competitive rankings ever. This years ranking is our best yet, said Stewart C. Vernon, Founder and CEO of Americas Swimming Pool Company. Its very satisfying to see our franchise owners being recognized for their efforts and continuing our companys mission to create superior value for pool customers in all that we do by leveraging technology, superior knowledge, higher standards, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Since 2002, ASP has successfully set a higher standard of performance and stability to what has been a fragmented, unreliable industry. Pool owners choose ASP for affordable, reliable, and knowledgeable service they can trust, worry-free. With 115 franchise owners operating in over 310 territories, the companys experienced professionals service more than 420 million gallons of water each week. ASP made a significant improvement in rankings, moving up the list 208 spots from its ranking in 2019, breaking company records by this inclusion in the top 100 franchise category. With all its awards, honors, and recognition, ASP continues to prove that it dominates the swimming pool maintenance industry in every category. In addition to their overall placement of No. 84 in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, ASP was also ranked No. 1 in Pool Maintenance for the 6th consecutive year. "The 500 companies on this list all have something in common: They understand what consumers want now, says Entrepreneur editor in chief Jason Feifer. They may be an upstart in a brand-new category, or they may be a brand like Dunkin thats ranked highly on our list for decades. But either way, making our list means theyre forward-thinking, nimble, and closely in touch with their customers needsbecause in an ever-changing business environment, thats what a franchise must do to thrive." Over its 41 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. ASPs position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500 ranks ASP on the list for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. ASP is currently looking for qualified individuals who are ready to dive into a successful swimming pool service franchise opportunity. The company has regularly been featured as a best franchise to buy and publicly recognized for its leadership, performance, and growth. Franchise opportunities are available in markets throughout the United States. For more information and to find an open ASP market by state, visit aspfranchising.com/available-territories or call 855-979-7665. To view Americas Swimming Pool Company in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2020 issue of Entrepreneur. About ASP ASP - Americas Swimming Pool Company is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers over 310 locations operated by 115 franchise owners across the nation. For more information on ASPs swimming pool franchise opportunities, visit ASPfranchising.com. For more information on Americas Swimming Pool Company, visit ASPpoolco.com or find us on Facebook @asppoolco. About Authority Brands Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the parent company of seven leading home service franchisors, America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky electric, Mosquito Squad, and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1675 locations operated by 920 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. Dubai: Iran said on Tuesday it had arrested an undisclosed number of suspects accused of a role in shooting down a Ukrainian airliner, as anti-government demonstrations triggered by the disaster entered a fourth day. Wednesday's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, killing all 176 people on board, has led to one of the greatest public challenges to Iran's clerical rulers since they came to power in the Islamic Revolution of 1979. After days of denying blame, Iran acknowledged on Saturday that it had shot down the plane during a state of high alert, hours after it had fired missiles at US targets in Iraq to retaliate for the killing of Iran's most powerful military commander. Protesters, with students at the forefront, have held demonstrations against the establishment since Saturday, some met by a violent police crackdown. The Westpac bank is offering to pay off the mortgages of country bushfire survivors for a year. Australia's second biggest bank has also announced it will refrain from foreclosing on farms in affected bushfire areas for three years. It has vowed to spare its owner-occupier borrowers who had lost their home from having to repay their mortgage for a year. The Westpac bank is offering to pay off the mortgages of country bushfire survivors for a year (pictured is a burnt Mazda6 wagon outside a house at Rosedale on the NSW South Coast) How is Westpac proposing to help? Westpac to service mortgage repayments of up to $1,200 a month for owner-occupiers who had lost their home It has vowed to refrain from foreclosing on farms in bushfire-affected areas for three years Interest-free home loans for customers to cover the gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding cost Source: Westpac media release, January 13, 2020 Advertisement If their principal place of residence had burnt down, Westpac has vowed it would service the repayments until the beginning of 2021 for up to $1,200 a month. That amount, however, would only cover homes worth less than $300,000, which means the policy would only fully benefit homeowners in some regional areas of Australia. The Westpac policy would be more likely to help people in the Victorian East Gippsland town of Mallacoota, where about 100 homes were lost during the New Year blaze. But the offer to repay $1,200 a month would be insufficient for much of the New South Wales South Coast, where median house prices are dearer. At Malua Bay, south of Batemans Bay, where 40 homes were lost in early January, homes typically sell for $500,000, which means repayments amount to more than $2,000 a month, CoreLogic data showed. Australia's second biggest bank has also announced it will refrain from foreclosing on farms in affected bushfire areas for three years (pictured are Kangaroo Island residents Bonnie Morris and her sister Raemi Morris watching bushfires from the edge of their family farm) Westpac's Bushfire Recovery Support Package also includes interest-free loans for customers to cover the gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding costs, as part of a $250million package. The bank is also offering up to $2,000 in emergency cash grants for customers with bushfire-damaged or destroyed homes as part of a $3million package. Westpac's acting chief executive Peter King said Westpac was committed to aiding community recovery and helping its customers. 'These initiatives are designed to provide practical, on the ground support for our customers, our people and for those who are caring for affected communities,' he said in a statement on Monday. 'In times of such unprecedented devastation, we want customers and communities to know we're here to help alleviate financial concerns so they can rebuild their lives, homes and businesses.' Like the other major banks, Westpac is trying to improve its public image after its practices were exposed by former High Court justice Kenneth Hayne's banking royal commission. Westpac's acting chief executive Peter King said Westpac was committed to aiding community recovery and helping its customers (pictured are horse running from bushfires at Bilpin in the Blue Mountains) Good Morning America With less than 10 months until the 2022 midterm elections, President Joe Biden heads to Georgia on Tuesday to make his biggest push yet for national voting rights bills and is expected to call for changes to the Senate's filibuster rules in order to get them passed. Echoing his impassioned address on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection when he blamed former President Donald Trump and his supporters for holding a "dagger at the throat of democracy," Biden's remarks in Atlanta are expected to be a "forceful" call to action to protect voting rights. "The president will forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American rights: the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election that is not tainted by partisan manipulation," White House press secretary Jen Psaki previewed in her press briefing Tuesday. Statistically, the global authority on health issues known as the World Health Organization (WHO) has released a highly frightening but realistic rate of suicides committed by members of the global humanity per annum. It says that close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide the World Health Organisation observed succinctly, is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout the lifespan. It reckons that effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. There are indications that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally. Suicide is a global phenomenon; in fact, 79% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2016. Suicide accounted for 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 18th leading cause of death in 2016, so says the global agency on health matters also known as World Health organization in its website just visited by this writer. I must state that although the fact remains that suicide is a worldwide trend, but for us in Nigeria just like in other African nations, the death of someone is a huge loss not just to the immediate family but to the society and the nation at large. Given the African set up of the typical family tree, members of a given family belong to both the nuclear and the extended family units. So the matter of suicidal demise of any member brings about phenomenal amount of sorrows to a greater percentage of people in Nigeria. However, due to a number of factors not unrelated with psychological, emotional, financial and sociological factors, a lot of young Nigerians have fallen into the traps of suicide in the last couple of years particularly in the last one year. Around June of last year, Samuel Elias, 25, a final year student of Department of Religion and Culture, University of Nigeria Nsukka allegedly committed suicide by drinking sniper. The mother of the deceased, Mrs. Kate Elias a staff of the university, told the News agency of Nigeria that the unfortunate incident happened on Monday June 17, around 5.30pm in her house at Justina Eze Street Nsukka. Elias said she came back from work on that fateful day and discovered that the mood of her first child was bad and he was staggering when he came to collect a bottle of coke from the fridge I followed him immediately to his room and started talking to him but he could not respond and when I looked closely, I discovered that his teeth had tightened up. As I looked around, I saw an empty sniper bottle; at this point I raised alarm and my other children rushed to the room and we tried to give him red oil but his tightened teeth did not allow the oil to enter his mouth, she said. According to her, he was rushed to the hospital, where he eventually died. We immediately rushed him to Faith Foundation Hospital, Nsukka and were later referred to Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, where he eventually died. The mother of seven said her son could have died of depression, noting that he had been lamenting his inability to graduate from UNN because of his final year project, which he has been working on. I know two things he usually complained, his inability to graduate from UNN since 2016 because of the project that he has not finished as his classmates have all gone for their National Youth Service Corps. Also, how his fathers family in Ihechiowa in Arochukwu Local Government of Abia State abandoned us since their father died. Whenever he complained of these things, I usually advised him to trust God, who is capable of solving every problem. I do not know why he will go to this extent of committing suicide. I have seven children and he was my first child. It is still like a dream to me that my first son and first child has died, she said in tears. Reacting to this incident, Prof. Tagbo Ugwu, the Head of Department of Religion and Culture in UNN, said somebody called him and told him about the unfortunate incident. I received the news with shock and surprise. I will find out from his supervisor what is wrong from the project that has stopped him from graduating, he said. When contacted Mr Ebere Amaraizu, the Police Public Relations Office, in Enugu State, confirmed the incident and said police would investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The police is aware of Samuel Elias death. He was a final year student of the Department of Religion and Culture in UNN, who committed suicide on Monday by drinking sniper. Police will investigate circumstances surrounding the death, he said. It would be recalled that barely five weeks after Chukwuemeka Akachi, a 400-level student of Department of English and Literary Studies in UNN ended his own life after taking a bottle of sniper. In August of last year, from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), came the story that the school community was thrown into mourning mood following the death of a final year student, Opeyemi Dara. The deceased was said to be a student of Faculty of Arts, Department of English Language, who allegedly committed suicide after taking a suspected dose of lethal substance popularly known as sniper. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that she allegedly took her life following her poor academic performance, although the details of the incident were still sketchy. The media stated that the authority of the institution confirmed that the deceased committed suicide following depression occasioned by poor academic records. Daras academic records obtained by a journalist who worked on the story for one of the National dailies indicated that she had five outstanding courses and 12 Special Electives. Also the Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju confirmed the incident and promised that the institution would investigate and make its findings public. Olarewaju appealed to students not to contemplate committing suicide because of poor academic performance. We sympathize with the parents and guardian of the deceased known as Dara. We just want our students and young ones to know that depression is not a thing they should encourage, no matter the situation or circumstance they find themselves. Some people in the past have passed through the same situation and circumstances and came out clean. Now, suicide can never be an option and people, especially the young ones who believe that taking their own lives is an act of gallantry should know that it is not. We want to appeal to students, particularly OAU students to take things easy. Any child that fails; that is why the university says you can rerun a course, you can resit a course. People out there also face challenges and when you are in school, failure or repetition of a course or particular subject is also part of the challenges students must face. The university will get to the root of the incident and get back to the public, Olarewaju said. Just before this case, there was another story from Edo state. That was precisely at the Faculty of Arts, University of Benin, UNIBEN, main campus came the heartbreaking story that a final-year student jumped from the second floor of one of the hostels and died. The deceased male student, whose identity is still unknown as at press time, committed suicide after failing his examinations, which made him suffer depression for failure to graduate. The next case is that of a girl that reportedly took her life following a break up of a relationship and this also happened at the University of Benin like the aforementioned the deceased was a three hundred level student. The corpse of Miss Christabell Omoremime Buoro, aged 21, a 300-level student of the department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin (UNIBEN), was discovered in her hostel flat at Plot 4 Uwaifo lane, Newton street, Ekosodin area, behind the university fence, so reports the newspapers. Miss Christabell reportedly was discovered after she allegedly took some deadly substance to end her life. It was gathered that the undergraduate linked her suicide to her breakup with her boyfriend. The media states that an empty sachet of Klin detergent was found in the spot where she took her life. According to the source of the media information, A small girl of that age will take her life all because of one boy. The policemen that came to evacuate the body were very angry after reading out loud the note she dropped. Thank God that she even dropped a note, if not the roommates would have been in hot soup, because investigation would have began from that point. As are with all cases of suicide, the police officers in this case situated at the Ugbowo police station have invited two person for questioning over the content of the letter. It was rumoured that the deceased Christabel mixed the deadly insecticide, popularly called Sniper with Sprite drink, and reportedly left a suicide note where she stated that she was about taking her life because the guy she loved didnt love her in return after her boyfriend broke up with her. Sadly, the year 2020 has also seen another case of suicide by a youngster and in this developing story we were told that the girl stated that she was depressed and that she no longer find life attractive. The Enugu State Police Command only at the weekend confirmed that a serving National Youth Service Corp member in Enugu State, Miss Bolufemi Princess Motunrayo, has committed suicide. It was gathered that Miss Motunrayo, a Batch C corps member serving in Girls Secondary School, Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State took her life on Friday, January 10, 2020, when she allegedly drank a substance suspected to be sniper. The Corp member hailed from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State and a graduate of Banking and Finance from Prince Abubakar Audu University formally called Kogi State University was reported to have taken two bottles of snipers. One of the media reporters who worked on this emerging story said it was learnt that she had before committing suicide dropped a short note that read, I did this because I see nothing worth living for in this world. Confirming the alleged suicide is the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, who described the incident as unfortunate. Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police in a text message to the Punch newspaper correspondent said, The incident has to do with the taking of sniper insecticide by one Bolufemi Moturayo Yetunde, a female corper from Kogi State but, doing her service with Girls High School, Ibeagwa-Aka, Igboeze South L.G.A on 10/1/2020. She was later rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed her dead, he said. In the version written by The Guardian, one of the friends of this absolutely beautiful graduate and a serving member of the National Youth Service scheme (NYSC) raised alarm that there is need for a thorough investigation of what triggered the suicide because in the thinking of this person, the girl who killed herslf allegedly was having a swell time and was not known to have any case of depression or loneliness. From all these and many other stories of suicide and suspected suicides especially the cases of suicide by Students, there is a glaring evidence of a lacuna fundamentally in the administration of these tertiary institutions. These cases of students killing themselves due to frustrations attendant with their inability to successfully graduate could be tackled if these schools can set up functional mechanisms for looking into all cases related to inability or otherwise of their students to graduate. There has to be a system in place to seamlessly monitor and ensure that the process of writing and supervision of projects of students are transparent and open to such an extent that no single person should become the last hope of any strident from graduation. The schools should have a reporting mechanisms whereby cases relating to inability to pass these projects and graduate are looked into by dedicated members of staff who should play the role of arbitrators for the students. The school system in Nigeria is too commercially oriented to an extent that Students are put under intense pressure to raise money from all means possible to bribe lecturers marking their papers to enable them graduate and most of these students who cant raise money to pay their ways are left with no option than to be sexually abused by some professionally incompetent lecturers. The University and tertiary institutions must be made to put on a human and humane face even as there has to be a system in place to give access to students to step up and dialogue with dedicated teachers who would offer counselling and also hear cases related to frustrations witnessed at any stage of their educational journeys. The school must be prepared to vote cash to cater for this sort of important human relationship Counseling mechanisms to stave off the rising cases of suicide. The school must not be all about profitability. The Nigerian police and other relevant law enforcement agencies like NAFDAC must monitor the activities of traders who deal in chemical and drugs related products such as snipers with a view to ascertaining identities of buyers and the use to which these products would be put into. There is also the need for state governments and the Federal government to embark on deliberate but massive public enlightenment programmes to warn youngsters to choose life over death and to resolutely beat back all suicidal tendencies through the cocktails of effective means of communication and getting counseling service from toll free lines that should be publicized for all Nigerians to be conversant with. For instance, the European Council on Human Rights has successfully repealed the death penalty because of the overwhelming rating of Right to life in Europe. In Article 2 of the European wide laws on human rights, it is legally provided that: Everyones right to life shall be protected by law. This right is one of the most important of the Convention since without the right to life it is impossible to enjoy the other rights. No one shall be condemned to death penalty or executed. The abolition of death penalty is consecrated by Article 1 of Protocol No. 6. The Nigerian Constitution in Section 33(1) provides that Everyone has a right to life. *Emmanuel Onwubiko is the Head of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria. Cabinet Minister in Maharashtra government Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said that the work on an 11 km route of Nagpur Metro has been completed and soon it will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. "Nagpur Metro's Lokmanya Nagar to Seetabaldi, an 11 km stretch work is completed and it will be soon inaugurated by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray," Shinde said in a statement. To take a view of all Metro related works across Maharashtra a review meeting was conducted by minister Ekanath Shinde in Mantralaya today. The statement said that it was informed in the meeting that a complete 32.50 km stretch of Pune Metro will be functional by 2022. Minister Shinde has asked officials to complete the work before time. Shinde also said that Saint Tukaram Nagar to Fugewadi route to start functioning from April in Pune. This is complete five km stretch and Minister Ekanath Shinde has directed to complete the work by end of March to open it for passengers by the end of April. Likewise, he has also directed to complete the work of other phases between Vanaz to Ramwadi a 5 km stretch by end of June and make it functional for people by July. Also, the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Thane metro project will be finalised and approved by the state government by February, the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) How to spot a heat stroke; Dos and don'ts during heat wave Heat wave unlikely in Delhi for another week: IMD Weather report: Heat wave likely for two days over east, central India, says IMD Oops! Bihar DM orders closure of school due to 'heat wave' amid cold wave conditions India oi-Madhuri Adnal Patna, Jan 14: Cold wave conditions intensified on Tuesday with widespread rain in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and in few places across Bihar with dense fog, the District Magistrate of Gopalganj asked schools to remain closed owing to 'heat wave' instead of cold wave. India Meteorological Depart (IMD) had also issued a warning for cold day conditions in certain places in the state. Arshad Aziz had issued an application that read that schools are going to be closed because of the 'heatwave' instead of a coldwave. JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News 'Whereas, it has been made to appear to me that due to continuing heatwave weather in the district, health and life of children are at risk'. The order further reads, 'Therefore, I, Arsad Aziz, District Magistrate, Gopalganj under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, do hereby prohibit the academic activities of all Private and Government Schools from January 13 up to January 14 in class I to VIII'. However, teachers of Gopalganj District are angry with the circular of the DM and have demanded action. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh is reeling under cold weather conditions from the past few days. Dense fog has enveloped several regions in the state even as the minimum temperature plummeted to 7 degrees Celsius. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 14:39 [IST] A therapist at a private high school in Paramus had a sexual relationship with a student, including inviting the victim to her Washington Township house several times for sexual activity, officials alleged Tuesday. On Friday, Tara Cardinale, 39, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement. Cardinale was a primary therapist at a private high school, the statement said. The prosecutors office declined to identify the school that employed Cardinale. Court records identified the school as New Alliance Academy, and that two of the alleged encounters occurred at Cardinales home. Paramus police were first tipped off to the allegations on Dec. 29, when they were told that Cardinale had been in a sexual relationship with a student under the age of 18, the statement said. As of Tuesday afternoon, Cardinale was being held in the Bergen County Jail, jail records show. She is scheduled for a first appearance in court on Wednesday. Messages seeking comment from New Alliance administrators Tuesday afternoon were not immediately returned. Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 03:21:21|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2020 shows a poster of the Year of the Rat stamp sheet at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), at the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The sheet, which was officially issued on Friday, consists of 10 stamps of a denomination of 1.20 U.S. dollars each, with the UN logo on the left and a paper-cut image of the rat on the right, as the Chinese lunar year for 2020 is the Year of the Rat. The rat sits in gold-colored flowers against a red background -- the two traditional colors for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, the most important holiday for Chinese around the world. This year's Spring Festival falls on Jan. 25. The tab of the stamp and background design feature artwork designed by Yin Huili of China, said the UNPA. This is UNPA's 11th sheet issued for its Lunar New Year stamp series. A store in Dublin is celebrating today after they sold a winning 1m EuroMillions ticket in Friday's draw. The Quick Pick ticket scooped the prize by having the winning code in the Ireland Only Raffle. The ticket was sold at the Centra store on Main Street in Blackrock last Friday, the day of the draw. The Ireland Only Raffle winning code found on the winning EuroMillions ticket is IHNR69611. Store owner Jim Kenny said he plans to celebrate the win by sharing his winning bonus with all of the staff members. "There is a massive buzz about the store this morning and we certainly sent chins wagging when we popped open the bubbly on the main street this morning," he said. "Its a very community orientated store so were getting a lot of customers coming into us today to enquire about the 1m prize. "Weve been in business in the centre of the town since 1997 and this is our biggest National Lottery prize to date." A National Lottery spokesperson added: "If you are the winner of the Ireland Only Raffle prize of 1 million, be sure to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe and contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 01 836 4444 and we will make arrangements for you to come to the Winners Room and collect your prize." There was no winner of the 84m jackpot on Friday, which now rolls to 90m this Tuesday. LONDON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SHL, the world's leading talent innovation company, received high praise for its translation technology and advanced localization at this year's Europe-Association of Test Publishers (E-ATP) conference in Madrid. SHL's research and localization consultants met with industry peers to present on the company's culture-first approach to assessment development and localization, including how SHL utilizes the latest advancements in translation artificial intelligence to boost expertise and world-class approach. "SHL has set up an in-house test localization initiative with a strong focus on source translatability," said Steve Dept, Founding Partner of cApStAn, a linguistic quality control agency specializing in assessment translations. "This awareness is often missing in testing organizations that go multilingual. Congratulations for giving so much attention to test localization and source optimization this is truly a commendable effort." Conference attendees emphasized the uniqueness of SHL's global appeal. While many assessment providers realize the importance of offering assessments that perform in an equivalent manner across multiple languages, few are able to deliver the systematic product development and localization processes on the same scale as SHL. "Employers in over 60 countries rely on SHL tools to help make their people decisions, and they trust that the research-based insights that SHL provides are still meaningful in their culture and in their language," says Dr. Ken Lahti, SHL's Chief Science and Innovation Officer. "It's great to be able to share SHL's standards and practices with the global professional community at events like E-ATP, and we are grateful to receive such positive feedback. SHL invests in industry-leading localization capabilities because higher quality helps our customers win." About SHL SHL exists to help you win. At a time of unprecedented change, we provide deep people insights to predict and drive performance. Our world-class talent solutions empower leaders and their teams to make unbiased decisions throughout the employee journey. With 40+ years of talent expertise, cutting-edge assessment science and more than 45 billion data points, we have an unparalleled view of the workforce. SHL partners with organizations of all sizes from start-ups to multinational firms worldwide to deliver proven business results from people investments. www.shl.com Contact Kristina Iniguez [email protected] SOURCE SHL Related Links http://www.shl.com MOGADISHU, Somalia, 13 January, 2020 Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) stands in solidarity with local journalists and media houses in Galmudug who on Sunday evening 12 January, protested against the increasing pressure and blockage against independent journalists covering Galmudug State election in Dhusamareb. The journalists who announced their frustrations at a news conference said they were barred from accessing and filming the hall where the selection of the Galmudug State Assembly took place on Friday 10 January by senior officials of Galmudugs Technical State Formation Committee which is a Federal Government-appointed body in charge of the Galmudug State elections. Journalists also said a media officer from Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of the Federal Government was tasked to record footage from the hall where the list of the new regional assembly members was presented. Later the OPM officer sent pre-edited clips to the newsrooms. This has been ongoing since the start of the Galmudug election and it is becoming even worse, said journalist Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow All the local journalists have now decided to suspend work due to the obstruction we face. SJS stands in solidarity with journalists in Galmudug who complained about the endless climate of intimidation and obstructions against journalists. There could not be a democratic election without free media, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary-General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. We call Galmudugs Technical State Formation Committee and other relevant authorities to allow journalists to independently cover this crucial local election. We also remind journalists to ensure appropriate journalistic ethics during elections, Mr. Mumin adds. Separately, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of Horn Cable TV editor, Abdikadir Saleban Asayr (Coday) from prison in Hargeisa on Sunday 12 January 2020, after Horn Cable TV management paid off six million Somaliland shilling (US$700) in exchange for a one year prison term and a fine, according to Hassan Galaydh and Abdikadir Coday himself. The journalist was arrested on 18 November, 2019. On Saturday 11 January, Marodi Jeh Regional Court handed down one year sentence and a fine of three million shilling for a news report on 2 November, 2019 about an air safety related incident involving Flydubai , a UAE-owned airline which reportedly complained against the services at Hargeisas Egal International Airport. Military garb maestro Stan Ray looks to the archives to inspire this naval overshirt, resulting in a piece that gives off utilitarian style by the boatload. Its handcrafted in Portugal using pure cotton and cut to a boxy fit. To finish, a subtle pop gold is worked into the chest with the labels signature woven tab. 100% Cotton Button Closure 2 Chest Pockets Woven Brand Tab Made in Portugal A former forensic officer has told the Claremont serial killings trial DNA technology was 'very much in its infancy' in the 1990s and forensic officers did not consider they could potentially contaminate a crime scene. Ex-Telstra technician Bradley Robert Edwards, 51, is on trial in the Western Australia Supreme Court accused of murdering secretary Sarah Spiers, 18, childcare worker Jane Rimmer, 23, and solicitor Ciara Glennon, 27, in 1996 and 1997. Former sergeant Barry Mott testified on Tuesday, saying there was no written protocol at the time to ensure forensic officers wore personal protection equipment at crime scenes. Scroll down for video Former Telstra technician and confessed rapist Bradley Robert Edwards, 51, is fighting allegations he killed three women Edawrds is accused of murdering secretary Sarah Spiers (left), 18, childcare worker Jane Rimmer (centre), 23, and solicitor Ciara Glennon (right), 27, in 1996 and 1997. He agreed officers often wore gloves to protect themselves and prevent leaving behind fingerprints. Defence counsel Paul Yovich asked: 'You certainly weren't thinking you could contaminate something without even touching it?' Mr Mott replied: 'Definitely not.' He said he arrived at Ms Rimmer's Wellard crime scene in August 1996 in a white station wagon, and wore disposable forensic overalls and gloves. Prosecutors allege fibres found on Ms Rimmer match a station wagon that Edwards had access to via Telstra. Mr Mott also said Ms Rimmer's body was not visible from the roadway, which contradicted the evidence of some other officers who said they did not need to enter the bushes to see part of her body. He earlier admitted he may have inadvertently brushed against Ms Rimmer's body while photographing the site. In April 1997, Mr Mott attended Ms Glennon's dumping site in Eglinton bushland where he collected evidence and helped move the body. Asked whether he may have stepped on Ms Glennon's hair or body, Mr Mott replied: 'I honestly can't recall ... trying to move a deceased body is quite difficult, especially one in that condition. You're trying to protect the body as much as you can and trying to be respectful.' Sergeant Mark Harbridge, who was a senior constable in 1996, said he wore gloves, a mask and overalls during Ms Rimmer's two post mortem examinations, but did not get closer than 40cm from the body to photograph her. He had also attended the dumping site, saying his job was mostly to hold up a light, and he did not wear gloves or touch Ms Rimmer. The defence argues contamination may be an issue in the case, which relies heavily on DNA and fibre evidence. Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Sunny skies. Becoming windy late. High around 35F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 28F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of $11.12 billion last year, widening from a surplus of $6.8 billion in 2018, customs data released on Monday showed, with smartphones, garments and electronic home appliances among the largest export earners. Exports in 2019 rose 8.4% to $264.189 billion, while imports rose 6.8% to $253.071 billion, the Customs Department said in a statement. Key imports were electronics and machinery, the department said. Vietnams exports of smartphones and spare parts, mostly produced by Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), rose 4.4% last year to $51.38 billion, the data showed. In December, Vietnams exports fell 1.0% from November to $22.56 billion, while imports were up 4.5% at $22.30 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $259 million. The General Statistics Office late last month forecast the 2019 trade surplus at $9.94 billion, and Decembers trade deficit at $1 billion. Mondays data also showed Vietnams trade surplus with the United States, Vietnams largest export market, widened to $46.98 billion last year from $34.87 billion a year earlier. Vietnam is at risk of being labeled a currency manipulator by the U.S. because of its trade surplus with the U.S., a highly positive current account balance and because its central bank has been quite active in terms of net foreign exchange purchases. Vietnam has been seeking to import more U.S. goods to help narrow the trade gap following threats by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on its products amid the Sino-U.S. trade war. Vietnams trade deficit with China rose to $34.04 billion last year from $24.15 billion a year earlier. Vietnam relies on China, its largest trading partner, for materials and equipment for its labor-intensive manufacturing. The largest political party in America is the None of the Above Party, which garners more support than either the Democrats or the Republicans: that means that motivating eligible voters to go to the polls matters more than anything else when it comes to determining the outcome of federal elections. By far the largest group of eligible voters in the None of the Above Party is young people, and Bernie Sanders polls higher among young eligible voters than any other candidate, by a huge margin. In 2016, Sanders commanded more support from young voters than Clinton and Trump combined. Since then, Sanders has only increased his support among young potential voters even as younger voters have, in turn, increased their turnout. In the 2018 midterms, turnout from young people flipped many seats, and the organizations that represent young people are predicting even bigger turnouts in 2020. One of these organizations, the Dream Defenders Fight PAC, sums up the power of Sanders: "Bernie is not our political savior. It is the movement behind him that will change this country. We are not electing a savior; we are electing a political opponent who we will hold accountable to meet our demands." This represents an important contrast with Obama in 2008: Obama was a once-in-a-generation orator whose soaring rhetoric inspired a movement that changed the voter turnout numbers and took him into office. But Obama was deeply mistrustful of political movements and literally switched off the servers that ran his grassroots organizer network when he took office. By contrast, Sanders is a perfectly competent orator, but what distinguishes him is the movement that supports him the people who are there because of what Sanders stands for, not because of how he talks. As FDR told Black rights activists when he was elected, "I want to do it, now make me do it." Sanders' movement is the group that can make him do it. I am a donor to both the Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren campaigns. I have given more money to the Sanders campaign. Sanders's youth support also has implications for the general election. Though young voters don't historically turn out in high numbers, at least not compared with seniors (the Biden bloc), outrage over Trump could change things. The U.S. Census found that for the midterm elections in 2018, voter turnout among adults ages 18 to 29 increased by 14 points over 2014. Party leaders may indeed be worried about Sanders's winning the nomination, as a recent report by the Associated Press suggested. But if they want to avoid reviving the enthusiasm gap that helped cost Clinton the election in 2016, they may want to pay attention to what young voters say they want. Bernie Sanders Is Building a Youth Firewall [Sarah Jones/New York Magazine] (Image: Paige Bollman, CC BY) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to avalanches at different parts of the union territory. Nine people, including four soldiers, were killed and several others injured in three avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir since Monday night, police and defence sources said. In his message, the Lt Governor prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families. Murmu directed the administration to provide best medical treatment to the injured and wished a speedy recovery to them, an official spokesperson said. An avalanche hit an Army post in Machil sector along the Line of Control on Tuesday, trapping five soldiers. A rescue operation was launched and four soldiers were traced. While three of them were declared dead, another was injured and undergoing treatment at a local military facility, the sources said, adding efforts are on to trace the missing soldier. Another avalanche struck a village in Gagangir area of Ganderbal district on Monday night in which five civilians were killed while four others rescued, police said. In the third incident, a 29-year-old BSF jawan was killed and six others were rescued after an avalanche hit their post along the LoC in Kashmir's Naugam sector at 8:30 pm on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CAIRO - Sudans main intelligence agency said late Tuesday it has succeeded in quelling an armed mutiny over severance pay from within its ranks. Sudans General Intelligence Service said the rebellious former members of its forces had been convinced through negotiations to hand over their weapons. The statement came hours after the sounds of renewed heavy artillery fire could be heard in central Khartoum, according to several witnesses. The capitals airport remained shut down overnight. Throughout the day, rogue intelligence officers fired live rounds into the air to express their objections to what they considered unfair severance benefits and to demand better financial compensation, according to the agency. It said the dispute stemmed from the reorganization of the countrys security apparatus amid an ongoing transitional period. The prime minister of Sudans transitional government sought to reassure his jittery country. The events that occurred today are under control, tweeted Abdallah Hamdok, a former World Bank economist. We renew our confidence in the armed forces to contain the situation. The burst of unrest highlighted the fragility of Sudans path to democracy. A sweeping protest movement ousted longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April, and led to the creation of a joint military-civilian government that has promised to hold elections in three years. While the government has worked to dismantle some remnants of al-Bashirs regime, officials with close ties to the disgraced ruler sit on the Sovereign Council. In order to revive the countrys battered economy, the transitional government is looking to slash military spending by making peace with various rebel groups and reorganizing its security forces. Scattered gunfire broke out in the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and the western city of Obeid, said the countrys information minister, Faisal Mohamed Salah. In a televised address, he appealed to rebellious forces to hand over their weapons. There were no reports of casualties among security forces or civilians, Salah added. As videos on social media showed armed clashes and security units out in force across the city, the government scrambled to restore calm. The powerful deputy chief of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council held a hastily convened press conference to address the unrest. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo said he blamed the intelligence agency for failing to disarm officers who had been dismissed and to deliver their severance pay on time. He accused notorious former intelligence chief Salah Gosh of trying to stir a revolt in the agency. Gosh could not be immediately reached for comment. The airport authority in neighbouring Egypt said it had suspended all flights to Sudan. The Sudanese Professionals Association, a protest group that spearheaded the uprising against al-Bashir, urged people to stay indoors until the disturbance was settled. The group said it rejected any attempt to foment chaos, intimidate citizens and deploy weapons, and demanded immediate state intervention. Dagalo is a commander from Darfur whose paramilitary units, known as the Rapid Support Forces, have spent years suppressing insurgencies under al-Bashirs rule. The brutal campaigns have drawn accusations of war crimes. Peace negotiations with rebel groups in Sudans far-flung, restive provinces have made only halting progress. But in a major symbolic step, Hamdok embarked on a peace mission with U.N. officials to a rebel stronghold last week. It was unclear how Tuesdays dispute over pay would affect the reorganization of forces or the peace negotiations. Hamdok had said last summer that the government hopes for a peace dividend that would bring the military budget down from 70-80% of state spending to no more than 20%, with the rest devoted to economic development. A former Nigerian military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, has criticised the recent setting up of the South-west regional security initiative, Amotekun, saying it is not sustainable. Mr Babangida also dismissed the current governments claim of curbing the insurgency in the North-east. Amotekun was set up by the South-west governors to combat the security menace in the region. Not sustainable Mr Babangida commended the initiative but faulted its sustainability even though many Nigerians have said the initiative is an appropriate solution to the countrys security challenges. He said the governors may not be able to foot the needed expenses for this new security outfit on the long run. They must equip them, you must pay them salaries. You must give them all the welfare they need. That is going to be a problem for the states. Where will they get the money to foot those bills? If they have succeeded in convincing the federal government to put out some part of the revenue for the purposes of that, I can understand that, but if they take it on themselves, it is going to be a problem, the ex-military president said Monday night during an interview programme, Newsnight, on Channels Television. He described the initiative as an overstretch of security functions and suggested the revitalisation of the existing security forces in the country. READ ALSO: What we need to do is to have a closer look. We have a lot of security outfits; we have the army, the mobile police, the National Defence security, we have a whole load of them. I think they should be assigned specific responsibilities to lessen the financial burden this initiative would cost the government of the states in the long run, Mr Babangida, who annulled the June 12, 1993, presidential poll, said. Insurgency Mr Babangida also dismissed the federal governments claim of winning the war against insurgency as he quoted the recent complaints of a governor from the region. I think a lot needs to be done, quite frankly, because if what we read in the papers or listen to on radio are true, there are still some challenges in most of these areas assumed to be security stabilised. What they need to do is to get a lot of intelligence information. It looks to me that there are people who are thinking for the insurgents. We need to find out who are thinking for them, who are leading them, and who are supplying them weapons and ammunition to put a stop to this. That is probably the way I assess it, Mr Babangida said. Nigerias unity Mr Babangida, in the same interview, said Nigeria has done well even though its choice of leadership in this democratic dispensation still left much to be desired. He said Nigerians need a reorientation of what politics is, to be able to select leaders beyond political or ethnic affiliations. The unity we sowed from fighting to remain united, we didnt do much in trying to get people to indoctrinate them through political interactions. So, the moment we reintroduced politics, the first thing that came to our mind was what political parties or political system used to be before the civil war. We saw that as a starting point, and once we see that we could hardly change it, he said. Mr Babangida said for Nigeria to remain united, Nigerians must ensure the selection of leaders with convincing visions for the masses at different levels of governance. The whole thing depends on the leadership selection; one of the things I would have loved to see is if you want to pick a leader, you should be able to assess his thoughts about the country, the unity, (that) he will not jeopardise it, try to use everything within his powers legitimately to make sure that the country remains one. Our selection of leadership is the most important thing; political, military and economic leadership. Once this is strong, and everybody in this sector believes in this country, I think we wont have a problem, he said. No fear of coup He also dismissed the possibility of soldiers staging another coup d etat in Nigeria. It is no longer in their psyche, it is no longer acceptable in Africa and in the world generally, so he (soldier) is intelligent enough to know that if he stages a coup, the country will be ostracised in the community of nations, there can be an uprising in your own country, so its no longer fashionable. He also noted how different military leaders keyed into their predecessors vision to actualise some of the military legacies seen today. He said this was unlike how democratic governments quickly abandon their predecessors policies even if it suits the interest of the people on the altar of political or ethnic affiliations. Advertisements He cited how his administration actualised Muritalas Muhammeds vision of making a neutral ground like Abuja the capital of the country to foster unity. They've been enjoying some well-deserved time away from their busy schedules with a refreshing holiday in St. Barts. And Vogue Williams and husband Spencer Matthews finally ended their Caribbean trip on Monday as they were pictured boarding a private jet with their 15-month-old son Theodore. The Irish DJ, 34, displayed her sensational figure in a black crop top as she cradled her sweet toddler while making her way to the fancy aircraft with her loved ones. Heading home: Vogue Williams and husband Spencer Matthews boarded a private jet in St. Barts with their 15-month-old son Theodore on Monday (pictured with Spencer's mum Jane) Catching the eye, the Jump star sported a pair of floral-print palazzo trousers and black flip-flops. The host shielded her eyes from the sun in a pair of square-framed shades and carried Theodore's essentials in a baby bag by TIBA + MARL, while her tresses were worn in a straight fashion. Former MIC star Spencer, 31, was every inch the gentleman as he lugged his little family's suitcases onto the small plane. Off they go: The Irish DJ, 34, displayed her sensational figure in a black crop top as she cradled her sweet toddler while making her way to the fancy aircraft with her loved ones Fun-filled: They've been enjoying some well-deserved time away from their busy schedules with a refreshing holiday in the Caribbean island Earlier in the month, the doting mother revealed her son had to have his nail bed sewn back in after it fell out when he pulled a bench onto his big toe. The TV presenter shared the news with fans accompanied by a sweet snap of her little one with his bandaged foot on show. Of what happened, she explained: 'Lots of you are asking about his toe, well Theodore loves running around and grabbing everything and the other day he pulled a bench on top of his big toe. 'His nail bed came out and had to be sewn back in but he is all good and his stitches come out in a week. I know hes my child but I honestly cant handle how CUTE he is!!! Look at him.' Injured: Earlier in the month, the doting mother revealed her son had to have his nail bed sewn back in after it fell out when he pulled a bench onto his big toe Despite his injury, Vogue's little one appeared to be in good spirits as he sat with one leg raised on a bench. During her scenic trip, Vogue hit out at Khloe Kardashian for promoting flat tummy tea on her Instagram by telling fans: 'The only way to lose weight is to eat more healthy food and train'. As an advocate for working out and clean eating, the fitness fanatic branded Khloe, 35, 'disgraceful' after the reality star uploaded a sponsored post, promising her followers a slimmer figure if you use the shake. In the scathing post, Vogue wrote: 'Flat tummy shakes DO NOT WORK! This all done for money, please don't believe it. Happy family: The pair have been documenting their trip on social media (pictured on Christmas Day) 'The only way to lose weight is to eat more healthy food and train. Shame on you @khloekardashian you know this is b******t.' Vogue continued: 'I'm actually a big Kardashian fan but I think what they sell sometimes is disgraceful. Money isn't everything, they have a huge platform and shouldn't be pushing ridiculous products on people who trust them. 'Instagram has now become a part of my job too and it annoys me when I see anyone being dishonest or selling something they know is awful. I wouldn't do it because it's lying to people! 'I personally buy a lot of things I see on Insta but I'd hate to be duped for the sake of quick buck! (Euro/ Pound)'. Calling her out: On Thursday the fitness fanatic branded Khloe, 35, 'disgraceful' after the reality star uploaded a sponsored post Tore Bempasciuto, from Ferndale in Perth An Australian tradesman has been arrested in Bali for allegedly bashing a taxi driver. Tore Bempasciuto, from Ferndale in Perth, allegedly punched Saiful Nurokhim at a taxi rank outside the LXXY Bar in Kuta at 4.15am on Tuesday. The 23-year-old mechanical fitter is said to have run away before hiding in a minimart where he was arrested. Bempasciuto was partying at Bounty nightclub when he lost his iPhone 11, he told officers. He apparently thought the taxi driver looked like someone who was following him. According to a police report, he headbutted the taxi driver and snatched his Samsung phone. The taxi driver gave chase before a scuffle allegedly broke out. The police report, seen by 7News, says: 'The victim tried to chase the perpetrator who grabbed his mobile phone. 'However the perpetrator doesn't give the mobile phone back. 'He suddenly, it is alleged, hit the victim's mouth and eye, causing the victim to fall down onto the pedestrian strip.' Bempasciuto then allegedly ran away, fearing the taxi driver's friends would retaliate, before he was detained. Mr Nurokhim was allegedly left with a bloody nose and mouth and pain at the back of his head from hitting the ground. Police will decided whether to charge Bempasciuto on Wednesday. Press Release January 14, 2020 Gatchalian: Kuwaiti government should be held accountable for the fate of slain OFW Jeanelyn Villavende Senator Win Gatchalian castigated the Kuwaiti government for failing to fulfill its promise of providing better labor conditions and to ensure the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Gulf country. Gatchalian cited reports he's been receiving on the case of OFW Jeanelyn Villevende who died in December last year. "Kinukuha ang kanilang passport. They are scattered all over the place. They are not protected by employers or corporations, underpaid and, they complain of delayed salaries", said Gatchalian. "I think the fact will state that there was bad faith, in behalf of the Kuwaiti government and in behalf of the investigators, and with this we have to make sure that the lives of our OFWs in Kuwait are all protected and that mechanisms are in place for their well-being," Gatchalian added. The Philippines and Kuwait signed an agreement in May 2018 on labor reforms which covers both skilled Filipino workers and Filipino household service workers. The MOA stated that employers cannot confiscate the passports and other travel documents of Filipino workers and that they must be allowed to use their phones. The agreement also covers repatriation of distressed OFWs in need of assistance, activation of a 24/7 hotline for them, and creation of a special police unit that would assist the Philippine embassy in rescue operations for OFWs. The lawmaker stressed that it is high time to stop these occurrences from happening again and supports call to implement total ban for Filipino household service workers to Kuwait since they are the most vulnerable among workers deployed in the area. Gatchalian said that skilled workers are normally protected by their corporations and they go through formal channels but household service workers normally process their papers under the radar. For the lawmaker, the next move should be to summon the Kuwaiti Ambassador in the Philippines amid doubts on the real cause of death of Villavende, insisting that Kuwait's report is nothing but "garbage". "This is an insult to our government, an insult to our country and, insult to Filipino people especially to the OFWs who've been toiling almost blood, sweat and, tears in the Middle East. This is a very serious matter and we demand justice, we demand the truth and, this is not how countries and friends treat each other by giving fake reports", Gatchalian stressed. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) autopsy report shows that Villavende was sexually abused and physically maltreated while Kuwaiti forensic doctors said Villavende died of physical injuries. Another Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis died in Kuwait in April 2018 whose body was found in a freezer. Police are appealing to members of the public for footage of an out of control gathering north of Perth on Monday. Officers were called to Hillarys marina about 3.40pm with reports a group of youths were causing a disturbance. The youths threw bottles at police and police vehicles, with seven arrested. Anyone with footage of the incident is asked to contact police. Over ninety percent children in the age group of 4-8 are enrolled in some type of educational institution while the number of girls getting enrolled in government schools is higher than boys, according to the 14th Annual Status of Report (ASER) launched on Tuesday. The ASER for 2019 is based on a survey conducted in 26 districts across 24 states in India, covering over 36,000 children in the age group of 4-8 years. "More than 90 pc of children in the 4-8 age group are enrolled in some type of educational institution. This proportion increases with age, from 91.3 pc of all 4-year-olds to 99.5 pc of all 8-year-olds in sampled districts," the report said. However, children of the same age vary enormously in terms of where they are enrolled. "For example, at age 5, 70 per cent children are in anganwadis or pre-primary classes, but 21.6 per cent are already enrolled in class 1. At age 6, 32.8 pc children are in anganwadis or pre-primary classes, while 46.4 pc are in class 1, and 18.7 pc are in class 2 or higher," it said. "Gender gaps are visible even among young children with more girls than boys enrolled in government institutions and more boys than girls enrolled in private institutions," the report added. According to the report, among 4-5 year old children, 56.8 per cent girls and 50.4 per cent boys are enrolled in government schools or pre-schools while 43.2 per cent girls and 49.6 per cent boys are enrolled in private pre-schools or schools. "The gap in enrolment between boys and girls is larger among 6-8 year olds, with 61.1 per cent of all girls versus 52.1 per cent of all boys in this age group," it said. The survey found that older students do better in terms of performance on cognitive, early language, early numeracy and social and emotional learning. 50 per cent of the children whose mothers have done eight years or less schooling ended up in anganwadis or government school, whereas those mothers who has studied beyond elementary stages are more likely to enrol their wards in private schools. "At age 5, what we offer to and expect from children varies enormously across the country depending on state norms for entry to school. As a result, what a 5-year-old is doing depends largely on where she lives. For example, in Thrissur, Kerala, 89.9 per cent of 5-year-olds are in a pre-primary grade and almost all the rest are in class 1. "But in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, just 65.8 pc are in pre-school, 9.8 pc are in class 1, and 16 per cent are in class 2. On the other hand, in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, 47.7 pc are in pre-school, 40.5 pc are in class 1, and 4.1 pc are in class 2," the report said. Noting that anganwadis cater to large proportions of children well before they can enter pre-primary grades, the report recommended that the "already significant scale of this network can be leveraged to reach those children who remain unreached. At the same time, the ability of these centres to implement appropriate school readiness activities for 3 and 4-year-olds needs to be strengthened". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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Nicholas Glasgow, 34, was taken into police custody for assault causing bodily injury after an incident at the Marcus Sycamore Cinema in Iowa City, in September. According to a police report obtained by Smoking Gun, Glasgow became annoyed with a fellow moviegoer before the film began and demanded staff to speak with the victim about his phone usage. Employees at Marcus Sycamore Cinema reported Glasgow saying, 'to take care of it or he would,' but no altercations were reported during the film's screening. However, Glasgow approached the victim and his friend after the movie to demand an apology for 'ruining the film for him.' Before the victim could respond, Glasgow, who's six-feet-tall and 230 pounds, unleashed a thrashing on the man. 'Before he could reaction, [Glasgow] began striking him in the face with a closed-hand fist. The victim and [Glasgow] began to fighting, the victim ended up on the ground, and [Glasgow] starting kicking the victim,' the police report says. Authorities say Glasgow (pictured) punched the victim in the face and kicked him during a fight after a screening of Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood The victim walked away with a cut on his head, soreness, swelling and redness in the face. His eyeglasses were also broke during the assault. Theater staff identified Glasgow as a 'a regular who attends most Tuesday nights.' Although the assault occurred five months ago, an arrest warrant for Glasgow was issued Friday. Glasgow was released from police custody on Monday morning from the Johnson County jail, where he was booked on misdemeanor charges. In an online profile for Rivercity Pilates center, Glasgow says he was drawn to yoga 'in 2010 as a mode of therapy' and his guilty pleasure is 'movie theater gluttony.' "Major Tool's array structures will literally serve as the foundation upon which we build the U.S. Navy's most advanced radars," said Paul Ferraro, vice president of Raytheon's Seapower Capability Systems business. "Our team of industry-leading partners is ready to deliver SPY-6's unmatched, multi-mission capability to the surface fleet." Since its inception in January 2014, the Raytheon-led SPY-6 program has met all 20 milestones, ahead of or on schedule. The radar has a track record of performance, demonstrating its multi-mission capabilities against an array of single and multiple, simultaneous targets throughout the Navy's extensive testing program. AN/SPY-6(V) remains on schedule for delivery to the first DDG 51 Flight III, the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). The first delivery of AN/SPY-6(V)2 to LHA 8, the USS Bougainville, an America Class Amphibious Assault Ship, is on plan for 2021. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. Media Contact Ian Davis +1.978.284.9579 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com The British royal family is currently trying to figure out the next steps following the Sussexes shocking resignation last week. In case you arent sure whats going on Duchess Meghan Markle and Prince Harry dropped a bombshell when they announced they would be stepping aside as senior members of the royal family. The duo also announced that they would be splitting their time between the U.K. and North America and that they would essentially be living life on their own terms from here on out. Many royal fans had suspected something like this was amiss, however, they were still taken aback but the sudden announcement. The royals apparently had no clue it was coming. In fact, when Prince Harry tried to give Queen Elizabeth II a heads-up, he was denied access to his grandmother. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are done with royal life From the constant scrutiny to the bullying, racism, and sexism Markle and Prince Harry have had to endure a lot of abuse from the British press and public. Deciding that its no way to live or raise a family, the duo is stepping away. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, the Sussexes said in a statement. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. This nearly broke the internet. Prince Harry was blocked from speaking with his grandmother about his resignation Though Prince Harry and Markles plan seems drastic, the pair did discuss it with the royal family prior to the holidays. They were told to come up with a plan. The Sussexes did just that and submitted the plan to Prince Charles. The Prince of Wales then told his son that he needed more time to consider the plan. At that point, Prince Harry tried to go directly to the queen with the plan. Though the queen initially agreed to a meeting, Prince Charles and palace courtiers apparnely blocked the meeting. Ultimately, the prince felt like he could not wait for the sake of his wifes mental well-being. The statement was rushed out and part of the reason for that is that Harry knew he needed to take swift action, an insider told The Sun. Meghan has not settled in the U.K. and he knows that and wants her to be happyHe feared staying in the U.K. too long would lead to Meghan having a meltdown. The British royal family is currently carving out a plan for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry It seems that Markle and Prince Harrys announcement has forced the royals to act quickly. Though the duchess has fled the hysteria and the brutal British press for Canada to be with her infant-son, Archie Harrison and her loved ones, Prince Harry is currently at the queens Sandrigum estate hammering out a plan. In addition to the Duke of Sussex and the queen Prince William and Prince Charles are also present at this meeting with Markle joining on the phone. Following a series of meetings and consultations across the last few days, there is a range of possibilities for the family to review which take into account the thinking the Sussexes outlined earlier in the week, a royal source told People. As we have said previously, making a change to the working life and role of the monarchy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex requires complex and thoughtful discussions. Next steps will be agreed at the meeting. The request for this to be resolved at pace is still Her Majestys wish. The aim remains days not weeks. There is genuine agreement and understanding that any decision will take time to be implemented. Now a Tiranga Yatra by AAP: This time in Punjab Delhi Assembly Election 2020: New faces expected in AAP, Atishi may contest from Kalkaji India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 14: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party is likely to add new faces in the candidate list for the 2020 Assembly elections. Atishi Marlena is likely to be fielded from Kalkaji constituency while Raghav Chaddha may contest from Rajendra Nagar. According to reports, the party has dropped seven sitting MLAs, and the number could go up when the final list is out. Many fresh faces are likely to get ticket. Delhi Assembly Elections: BJP ally LJP to fight on all seats Nominations for the high-stakes Delhi elections will begin today as the Election Commission is set to issue the notification for the February 8 polls. Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly promises to be a triangular contest with the AAP hoping to retain power on the plank of development and the BJP and the Congress determined to put up a spirited challenge. Above, the LoveBuzz from Screaming O, a display for Doc Johnson's Bloom line, and new items in Slquid's T Collection. Photos by Rick Garcia BURBANK, Calif.The January edition of the semi-annual ANME Founders Show kicked off Sunday with vendors showcasing their plans for 2020. CalExotics reps had plenty to crow about, as the manufacturer and its sister company, Jopen, announced several new releases and ranges. Among the biggest announcements was a deal CalExotics inked with Scala to become the North and South American distributor of Private Tubes. The strokers have plastic cases and come in six SKUs for the Private Tubesbased on the anatomy of European stars Shona River, Jolee Love, Alexa Tomas and Tarra White (the latter with both vaginal and anal strokers)and six To-Go models. The To-Go SKUs feature vaginal, anal and oral openings. The range also includes a Turbo Stroker. CalExotics is releasing Private Tubes, with masturbators aimed at fans of European adult stars. The big news from Jopen is the upcoming release of the Starstruck line. The line has four pieces in some really cute and functional shapes, and are named Affair, Romance, Fling and Fantasy, explained Nichole Grossman, director of marketing for CalExotics. Each piece comes with seven vibration patterns and five speeds for each pattern. The massagers have glitter accents at the base and the display stand also has glitter accents to draw in customers attention. Hidden Pleasures is another new products line coming soon from CalExotics. Is it a pen? Is it lip gloss or lipstick? Its actually a powerful vibe in a slender case, Grossman said. The slender metal vibe comes with a magnetic charging base and is available in red, gold or black. The Glam bullet vibe promises fierce power in its oversized body. Available in four colors, the Glam will retail for $49.99. Also coming is the Link Up collection of gender-neutral rings, two of which deliver vibration patterns and a third that boasts a thumping feature. Some popular ranges are getting additions soon, too: Mini Marvels has two new items coming soon; California Dreamin will soon get the Valley Vamp, Laguna Beach Lover and Newport Beach Babe; and French Kiss will see the addition of two new items. The Shameless is being billed as a sex machine that fits in your hand. Available in single-shaft and dual-stimulator versions, the Shameless stimulators thrust up to 850 times per minute. Lube Tubes also got an update with new colors. The Lube Tubes and Ultimate Douche items are consistent best sellers for us, Grossman said. They now come in new colors for a little bit of an update: blue, purple and orange. Also getting a lot of buzz in the booth is the Naughty Bits range, a fun collection of products developed for a younger demographic. With products names such as Fuck You, Fuck Me, Bad Bitch and more, the vibes feature fun graphics and unique decorative patterns and really capture attention on shelves. CalExotics CEO shows off promotional material for the Naughty Bits line. The Screaming O booth showcased the LoveBuzz vibrator, and even offered a photo booth area for attendees to get a snap with the street art-inspired graphics of the vibe. The art is from James Goldcrown; his bleeding heart motif, said Screaming Os Hui Newnham. The bleeding hearts are meant to convey a positive attitude toward intimacy, Newnham said, with can be seen as a bit of a pivot for Screaming O, traditionally known for fun and whimsy. But the concept is in line with our ethos, he said. That intimacy can be fun, exciting and inviting. Also new in the booth is the latest version of the companys popular rechargeable panty vibe, now with a silicone wrist strap for the remote control. Also, Newnham said, the remote is compatible with all other remote-controlled Screaming O products. In the Sliquid booth, reps showed off the newest items in the collaboration between the lubricants manufacturer and trans activist Buck Angel. The T Collection is not just about sexuality and sexual wellness products, but also grooming products specific for the trans mans body, explained Erik Vasquez, Sliquids marketing director. The range now includes a T Wash, a vaginal-friendly wash formulated for those who who are using more testosterone during tradition, and even a beard oil for those who develop and need to care for facial hair. Many people who are transitioning consider it a badge of honor when they start growing facial hair, Vasquez said. This product helps them care for that new hair growth and keep it neat and conditioned. We really consider ourselves lucky enough to be able to work with Buck, who is such a profound voice for the trans community, said Sliquid expert Michelle Marcus. And we are honored that he chose us as a partner to help carry his mission and vision through. In the NS Novelties booth, reps were busy showing off the new Stardust range to buyers and attendees. The anal plugs and bullet vibeswith names like Charm and Poshsparkle and shine thanks to tiny Swarovski crystals in the pieces. Stardust products come in white, blue, pink and black. Rear Assets is another new range coming soon from NS Novelties. The anal plugs are chrome-plated so they have a cosmic rainbow effect or stunning metallic rose gold look, and colorful Swarovski crystals in the bases really catch the light for more fun. System JO has new flavored arousal gels coming soon: the Sweet Berry Heat, a water-based kissable formal with strawberry flavoring; and Mint Chi Chill, also water-based and kissable, with a rolling sensation. Also new are the 2toTango kits, which pair a warming lubricant for one partner and a tinging lubricant for the other that are meant to help increase orgasm satisfaction for both. Additionally, new flavors were announced for the Gelato line, which lets users Become the Dessert: White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle and Decadent Double Chocolate. Doc Johnson was also a major presence on the show floor in the main ballroom, and welcoming its newest production partner, Motorbunny. Reps from both companies were on hand to debut the Vac-U-Lock Sex Machine. The piece combines the powerful ride-on vibrator from Motorbunny, with the always-popular Vac-U-Lock system of dildos. Motorbunny and Doc Johnson collaborated on the Vac-U-Lock Sex Machine. Along the new machine, attendees were treated to a wall of strokers from the Man Squeeze and Main Squeeze collections. New performers and social media stars molded for the lines include Chad Whitethe first straight male performer molded for the Man Squeeze lineand Karlee Redd, star of Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta and resident certified sexologist for the manufacturer. We also used some existing molds from previous strokers to create new Main Squeeze strokers, explained Megan Adams of Doc Johnson. New versions include Jenna Jameson, Julia Ann and Cherie DeVille. Also attracting attention in the manufactures booth is Bloom, a new intimate body pump. Available in purple and teal, the Bloom comes with various attachments to stimulate different parts of the body. There is one for the clitoris, two for the vulva and one for the nipples, but they can be used on any area of anyones body, explained Ryann Brooks, marketing coordinator for Doc Johnson. Bloom comes with seven suction patterns and seven vibration patterns, which can be used separately or in a number of combinations, The Good Head range will get a new pack of three warming glides in Watermelon, Strawberry and Cotton Candy. There are also a Slick Head Glide and two new party kits coming soon to the line, too. Also expanding is the iVibe collection. The iQuiver is a simple pen-looking shaft that comes with six head attachments. Brooks noted the design of the head attachments allow the iQuiver to be waterproof. Additionally, the massager set comes in new colors of red and blue. ANME continues through today in Burbank, Calif. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi met Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and conveyed India's condolences over the demise of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, one of the longest-serving rulers in the Gulf region and a close friend of New Delhi. Naqvi, who is leading India's delegation to Oman to convey condolences, also handed over to Sultan Haitham a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India on Monday observed a day of state mourning over the death of Qaboos. He died on Friday at the age of 79. "Met Oman's HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Muscat, conveyed condolences on passing away of HM Sultan Qaboos on behalf of President of India, Prime Minister Modi, government and people of India. Also handed over personal letter from PM Narendra Modi," Naqvi tweeted. Qaboos, who wrested power in 1970 and led Oman's rapid growth and development, was widely respected globally for his vision for the Gulf region. "In the passing away of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos the world has suffered an irreparable loss of a visionary leader and statesman who not only led his nation towards remarkable progress and prosperity but also was a beacon of peace for our region and the world," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had congratulated Sayyid Haitham on taking over as as the new sultan of Oman. In 2016, Emanuel bypassed the Police Boards three finalists and had the City Council pass a special ordinance to allow him to hire Johnson as his superintendent, though he didnt apply for the job. Lightfoot, who was Police Board president at that time, has pledged to make her selection based on the boards finalists. 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 situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border will be discussed today by the delegations led by Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Jenish Razakov and Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Azim Ibrohim. The talks are held after gunshots were fired along the border on the night of January 10. Both sides blamed the attack on each other. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the village of Somoniyon, on the border between Tajikistan's Isfara district and Kyrgyzstan's Batken region. At night, unidentified people threw stones at several cars and a Kyrgyz man's house, while while border guards on their way to the house came under fire from small-caliber hunting rifles. According to the Kyrgyz border agency, they were fired from Tajik territory. The residents of a village in the Batken district were evacuated. According to Dushanbe, the incident was provoked by the Kyrgyz side. The Tajik border troops say that the car of an employee of Isfaras internal affairs department was fired from Kyrgyz territory at night. Both sides report that the investigation was initiated by the law enforcement agencies. The Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border occasionally becomes a zone of conflict between the local population or the two countries' border guards. The main reason is non-delimited sections, because of which it is impossible to determine where the state border between states is. The situation on the border was discussed in the telephone conversation between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who spoke out in favor of good-neighborly relations between the two peoples. "There has always been centuries-old friendship between the Kyrgyz and Tajiks. We should not allow escalation of the situation on the border. Unfortunately, the border conflicts frequented lately. Another incident occurred on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border yesterday," Sooronbai Jeenbekov said. He also underlined importance of work with population of border areas to prevent recurrence of border incidents. The Kyrgyz leader believes that those responsible should be punished. At the same time, Jeenbekov also spoke for acceleration of delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. In a recent statement on this subject, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov proposed a territorial exchange to Tajikistan, but it seems that the Tajik authorities are in no hurry to accept this offer. All negotiations on this issue are held strictly behind closed doors. Both sides say they are committed to a diplomatic solution to this problem. Director General of the Analytical Center 'Strategy East-West' Dmitry Orlov told Vestnik Kavkaza that the problem is that of the 971-km border dividing Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, only 583 km are delimited and demarcated. The remainder is a disputed territory. Such sites are mainly located in areas where the Leilek and Batken areas of the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan have borders with Tajikistan( Bobojon, Ghafurov and Isfara districts). Conflicts over water, pasture and land conflicts often take place there. It comes down to bloodshed. In disputes on the division of the border, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan rely on maps of different years of the Soviet period. Kyrgyzstan - on documents of 1955-1958, adopted on the basis of the work of deputies of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz SSR and the Tajik SSR. Tajikistan - on documents of 1924. "Until the parties find a compromise on this issue, conflicts will continue. But the negotiations are proceeding extremely slowly. The reason for this is the reluctance or inability to negotiate," the expert believes. On Tuesday, negotiations will continue at the level of deputy prime ministers. According to the press service of the Kyrguz Government, the delegation included the heads of the General Prosecutor's Office, the State Committee for National Security, the State Border Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and employees of other competent bodies. It is assumed that Tajikistan will be represented by a similar composition. "During the talks, the sides will discuss the measures for stabilization of the border situation, strengthening of border security, preventive measures to avoid recurrence of border incidents, stepped up efforts on delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border," the press service of the Kyrgyz government noted. According to a witness reports, the situation in the border villages of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is stable. The border guards of the two countries beefed-up security. Police officers and local government departments are patrolling settlements. They also undertake public outreach efforts on friendship, good neighborliness and how to respond to acts of aggression by residents of the adjacent territory. In the past several weeks, more than half a dozen US lawmakers have come out in support of India's position on Kashmir. Almost all of them have spoken on the floor of the House of Representatives. Washington: The situation in Kashmir violates human rights, a US Congresswoman has said, as she joined as cosponsors to a resolution urging India to end restrictions on communications and mass detentions in the newly-created Union Territory. The resolution No 745 that was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2019 by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal now has 36 cosponsors, of whom two are Republicans and 34 from the opposition Democratic party. "The situation in Kashmir violates human rights. Thousands have been detained unjustly and millions are without access to the internet and telephones," Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said in a tweet Monday night. "That's why I signed onto House Resolution 745 so the United States can let the world know we will not stand by while these violations happen," she said. Dingell represents 12th Congressional District of Michigan. The Congressional resolution is currently before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action. Congressman Brad Sherman said he looks forward to getting US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster's report on his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir. "I expect the report to indicate what restrictions the Ambassador faced, in particularly, whether or not the Ambassador was able to visit detainees. The visit and report are valuable only to the extent of the access given," Sherman wrote on twitter. A group of 15 envoys, including Juster, visited Jammu and Kashmir last week where they interacted with select political representatives, civil society members as well as the military top brass. Internet services, landline and mobile phones were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on 4 August, a day before the Centre's announcement to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divide it into two union territories. Though most services, except mobile internet, were restored in Jammu within a week, Kashmir saw landlines and post-paid services being restored in phases. However, internet continues to remain barred in the entire Valley except for some government offices, hospitals and business establishments. Pre-paid mobile services too are yet to be restored in Kashmir. Mobile internet services were restored in Kargil district of Ladakh after remaining suspended for 145 days. The visit by the envoys of 15 nations was the second one of a foreign delegation to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 provisions on 5 August, 2019. Earlier, Delhi-based think tank International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies took 23 EU MPs on a two-day visit to assess the situation in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign urging Indian Americans to reach out to their representatives Congressmen and Senators to appraise them about the improving situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the atrocities against Kashmiri Hindus in the past. In the past several weeks, more than half a dozen US lawmakers have come out in support of India's position on Kashmir. Almost all of them have spoken on the floor of the House of Representatives. Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania last week said that he stands with India in its aspiration to provide equal economic, social, and political opportunities to all citizens. "As part of this pursuit, two-thirds of the Indian Parliament voted last year to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir. This vote allowed the government of India to address the stagnant economy and high youth unemployment plaguing the region by providing economic opportunity and sound governance," he said. "The residents of Jammu and Kashmir have battled economic depression and forces of extremism and radicalisation for too long. The regional stability now provided by government will give residents of Jammu and Kashmir a better way forward and hope for the future," Perry added. Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo on Tuesday said Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone meeting a specific group of students on the JNU campus and "ignoring" others in the midst of promotion of her film "Chhapaak", has "not gone down well" with some people. Supriyo said the names of some members of the group the actor had met with, have now surfaced as accused (in connection with the violence in the varsity). Addressing reporters, the BJP leader also slammed the trolls for making derogatory remarks against the actor over her visit. Ahead of the release of her film "Chhapaak", Padukone visited the JNU on January 7 to express solidarity with students who were attacked by masked assailants two days earlier. The visit triggered a backlash from many netizens. Addressing a press conference in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, Supriyo also accused Opposition parties of spreading a "false propaganda" about the new law. Responding to a query on Padukone getting trolled on social media, the MoS for Forest and Environment said, "I am a big admirer of Deepika Padukone. Even I have named my younger daughter as 'Naina' after Padukone's character in her film 'Yeh Jawani hai Deewani'. "Nowadays people write and speak anything even if it is abusive on social media Deepika's visit to JNU and meeting those, whose names are now being surfaced as accused (in connection with the violence in the university), and not meeting the other groups did not go down well with some people," he said. The BJP MP from West Bengal also said that people did not like Padukone meeting only a specific group in the JNU in the midst of promotion of her film. "...Despite that if anyone abuses or uses harsh words (against her on the issue), I condemned them. Use of any kind of abusive word at any forum should not be done," he said. Reiterating the party line on the new citizenship law, Supriyo said the legislation is not aimed at snatching away citizenship of people in the country. He said Opposition parties like the TMC, the Congress and the Left are spreading "falsehood" over the CAA for political reasons. Earlier, addressing a pro-CAA rally of the BJP in Durg, Supriyo said, "An Italian translation of the new citizenship law will be sent to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chinese one to leaders of the Left parties, if they have not understand its provisions properly". He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified all doubts of all parties on the CAA in Parliament before it was passed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Emmanuel Macron and five African leaders agreed that French troops would remain in the Sahel region to fight against Islamist militants and sending of additional 220 French troops to the region. President Macron has received the heads of state of the countries forming the G5-Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) in Pau on Monday to discuss anti-terrorism strategies in the fragile region. President Emmanuel Macron had warned that France could withdraw its troops in the region where violent groups affiliated with the Islamic State and Al Qaeda are operating, because of the increasing criticism in some of the Sahel countries and repeated calls for the French to leave for failing to halt recurring massacres of local armies troops. But on Monday, the leaders of five West and Central African countries agreed that France should not go anywhere and President Macron pledged to send an additional 220 French troops to the region, adding to the force of 4,500 already there. The leaders of Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad have expressed their desire to pursue Frances military commitment in the Sahel, they said in a joint statement. They called on other European countries to join Frances lonely struggle in the region and expressed gratitude for the tactical support of the United States, which has also been threatening to withdraw forces from the region. The West African countries pledged Monday to work more closely together and with the French to concentrate forces in the dangerous three-border region shared by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and focus on the regional affiliates of the Islamic State. In addition to the French and five African leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki, and President of the European Council Charles Michel attended the Monday summit. The summit seeks to define actions and clear obstacles in the fight against terrorism, a scourge responsible for the deaths of hundreds of military personnel and civilians in recent months. Emmanuel Macron and other authorities consider the French military presence in the Sahel, through Operation Barkhane, a way of protecting France and Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:57:18|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SUVA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Police Force will work in collaboration with the Online Safety Commission following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to track online bullying and abuse cases. The MoU will enable the Fijian police to proceed with the prosecution of any case that has been referred to by the Online Safety Commission under the Online Safety Act 2018. Two crimes that are listed under the Online Safety Act are online bullying and abuse where someone is emotionally harmed or distressed in any way that has been caused by electronic communication and also the sharing of images and videos. Commissioner of the Online Safety Commission Anne Dunn said earlier that out of about 90 Fijians who committed suicide in 2017, several cases were due to something they had seen or read about themselves on social media. Fiji's Online Safety Commission is working towards building relationship with key organizations in a bid to prevent suicides. Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made a plea in July last year for people to report cyber bullying. With over 100 reports received by Online Safety Commission from schools alone in 2018, Bainimarama said he is aware of the increase in cases where women are being bullied online and exposed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:12:06|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2020 shows the visiting vessel of China Coast Guard (CCG) 5204 at Pier 15 in Manila, the Philippines, Jan. 14, 2020. The vessel of the CCG is paying an official visit to the Philippines for the first time, aiming to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on maritime law enforcement of the two countries. Coded 5204, the visiting CCG ship arrived at the port in Manila on Tuesday morning to begin its four-day friendly visit. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) MANILA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A vessel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) is paying an official visit to the Philippines for the first time, aiming to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on maritime law enforcement of the two countries. Coded 5204, the visiting CCG ship arrived at the port in Manila on Tuesday morning to begin its four-day friendly visit. At the ceremony held at the port, the CCG vessel received warm welcome. The CCG delegation donated its on-board supplies such as rice, flour, oil and food packs at the ceremony to evacuees affected by recent Taal's volcanic eruption to help them cope with the disaster. The third meeting of the Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) between the CCG and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would be held here from Tuesday to Thursday, the CCG said, adding that at the meeting, the two sides will exchange views on issues of maritime law enforcement and other common concerns. During the visit, the coast guards from both sides will complete a series of scheduled tasks, including a joint patrol, maritime search and rescue exercise, the PCG added. Moreover, the two sides will also jointly organize a series of activities such as sport games and deck reception. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Retno LP Marsudi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14 2020 As President Joko Jokowi Widodo arrived on Sunday in Abu Dhabi on an official visit, we are witnessing how the two nations shared vision for moderation and sustainable energy is taking their bilateral relations to a new era. President Jokowi is in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to repay the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in July 2019 and to deliver a keynote speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Conducted amid ongoing tensions in the region, the Presidents visit gives fresh impetus to cooperation over confrontation, dialogues over conflict and peace and security over instability. President Jokowi seems to underline the need for the international community to redouble its efforts for peace and security in the Middle East. When peace and stability are in place, developments and prosperity follow. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 With his thumbs in his pockets, Wilson Gavin stood at the front of the crowd, leading a videotaped chant that would quickly go viral: "Drag queens are not for kids." As the president of a conservative group at his Australian university, the 21-year-old had steered protesters into a public library in Brisbane, where they barged into a room full of families attending "Drag Queen Story Time." Inside, the group faced off with a sequined, costumed performer who had been reading from a children's book. Kids in the audience asked what was happening. Parents called the police, and a handful filmed the confrontation. As their videos spread across social media, politicians chimed in - most of them condemning the protest as a hateful act. The next day, Gavin, who was openly gay, took his own life. Sky News Australia That rapid succession of events has turned a young man's death into an emotional and political controversy in Australia's third-largest city and across the country: Some have pointed to an overwhelming "social media mob" that came after Gavin. Others have talked about disproportionately high rates of suicide among LGBTQ youth, or a culture they say lacks acceptance. Others still have insisted that it is inappropriate to make any kind of political statements at all. "To me, this incident transcends politics. It is about humanity, and about recognizing that everybody has it," Johnny Valkyrie, one of the drag queens at the library event, said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I only wish I could tell him I love and support him." In recent years, Gavin had emerged as a young voice for conservatism in Australian politics. Despite his sexual orientation, he opposed same-sex marriage and actively campaigned against the issue in 2017, when it went up for a national referendum. In 2018, he defended the role of the British monarchy on "Outsiders," a political talk show whose hosts have described themselves as "Trump's Aussie mates." "I'm a lover of all things traditional. I'm a lover of all things beautiful," he said on the show. "And there's nothing more traditional in this country than the monarchy." Satyajeet Marrar, a fellow member of the Australian Monarchist League, said Gavin was an "outspoken young man with a good heart." "Despite holding opinions that some people disagree with strongly, he would defend them with conviction," Marrar wrote on Facebook. "Brave and admirable traits while most of us in this generation spend years obsessing over what others think of us." At the University of Queensland, Gavin became president of the school's Liberal National Club, which branded itself as the local chapter of Australia's right-wing political party. Although the national organization disaffiliated itself from the university club in December, members maintained ties with at least one member of Parliament and sought out opportunities for political action. On Sunday, their venue was the local public library, and their target was a drag queen reading a children's book. Much like in the United States, the queens' family-friendly recitations - meant to foster free expression and tolerance toward LGBTQ people - have emerged as a cultural point of tension. In Brisbane, however, the city council had voted to sponsor a drag queen story time. So Gavin and the UQ Liberal National Club organized a protest to "defend LNP values against a corrosive gender ideology," the club wrote on its Facebook page, according to ABC Australia. "This event is designed to indoctrinate and sexualise young children. Our kids deserve better than this! Why is this moral filth being paid for by the taxpayer?" the post stated. (As of early Tuesday, the group's page appeared to have been deleted, and the club did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.) One mother at the event, Jenny Griffin, said one of her children, who are 6 and 8, started to cry out of fear and confusion in response to the "harassing and kind of threatening" protesters, she told ABC. Many elected officials and commentators seemed to agree with her. As videos of the confrontation spread across social media, politicians on the left and right criticized the fiery protest, calling the students "bigots," "homophobes" and "bullies." Trevor Evans, an openly gay lawmaker from Brisbane, condemned them as "ratbags." Online, Gavin defended himself and the action, saying it was part of the LNP's fight against "politically correct rubbish." But even LNP politicians distanced themselves from the demonstration. On Monday, less than a day later, police told Australian media that Gavin had taken his own life. Various corners of Australian society, which had already fiercely debated the protest, interpreted his death as radically different kinds of tragedies. George Christensen, a conservative member of Parliament, used it as an opportunity to attack "broken" social media networks and announce he would be deleting his Twitter account. He said "Twitter keyboard warriors [had piled] on an individual for a political protest." Mark Robinson, another right-wing politician and the sponsor of the UQ club, said Gavin was "treated terribly for "taking a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation." For other Australians, however, Gavin's death was instead a sign of the mental health issues affecting LGBTQ youth - and the homophobia some of them said was instilled and spread by those on the Australian right. Drew Pavlou, a friend of Gavin's at UQ, remembered him as a "very decent and kind person" who may have also been coping with such issues. "He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain," Pavlou wrote on Twitter. "Today is a reminder of all we must do to affirm to young marginalized Australians the intrinsic worth and value of their lives." Valkyrie, the 23-year-old drag queen, told The Post that while Gavin's death should transcend politics, the influence of certain political views - namely, those like Christensen's - had left a noticeable mark on the situation. The drag queen and activist said he himself had attempted suicide 13 times during his adolescence while coming out and coming to terms with his identity: He is both transgender and gay, he said. "Wilson may have contributed to the incident, which harmed myself and others, but I forgive him," Valkyrie said, tearing up on the phone, "and I understand that he was troubled. . . . I only wish I could tell him I love and support him." On social media, he offered him up a message anyway. "What you did on Sunday was unacceptable," Valkyrie wrote. "Who you were was not." There is a larger conspiracy behind Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Davinder Singh's arrest, the Congress alleged on Tuesday, asking the prime minister and the home minister to order a thorough probe. The Opposition claimed that Singh "cannot be a standalone carrier", with the Congress's leader in LoK Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, saying the question will now arise who were the real culprits behind the last year Pulwama attack. Taking a swipe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Partys ideological mentor, Chowdhury said had police officer Davinder Singh been "Davinder Khan", the reaction of the "troll regiment of the RSS" would have been different. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "There is a larger conspiracy. At whose instance was Davinder Singh acting and bringing terrorists to Delhi, as reported." "Are there any people who are in the echelons of power who are involved with him (Singh). Is there a larger conspiracy? Is he only a pawn or a carrier in the larger conspiracy that is unleashed?" he asked. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. Surjewala said these are questions that prime minister and the home minister need to answer, as Davinder Singh "cannot be a standalone carrier". The Congress spokesperson said Modi and Shah should take note of this entire issue and carry out a thorough investigation into the entire episode. He also asked who Singh was, who was he linked to and what connection he has with the Hizbul Mujahideen and other terrorist groups. "I find this story preposterous and I find his explanation hogwash," he said. "For how long has he been acting as a conduit for JK terrorists and other terror factories. Was Davinder Singh connected to the 2001 Parliament attack. What is Davinder Singh's connection with the Pulwama attack, where he was posted as DSP, and 42 of our soldiers lost their lives," the Congress leader asked. "What is this conspiracy is what the nation wants to know," Surjewala asked, alleging that Singh was the same officer who was posted in Pulwama when the attack happened. He also asked as to where did the RDX in Pulwama attack come from. "Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan ,the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed and religion," Chowdhury said on Twitter. The Congress leader also said now, the question will arise who were the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack. The terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead on February 14 last year. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he said. "Now, question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," Chowdhury said. Advertisement The Australian Defence Force has flown in bales of hay to bushfire-ravaged farmers on Kangaroo Island to feed livestock. Two army CH-47 Chinooks from the 5th Aviation Regiment were pictured soaring through plumes of smoke as personnel visited remote farms on Monday. Fires continue to burn across the island, with 210,000 hectares of land already scorched. Four soldiers wrestled a bundle of hay as they moved it into position on a bush-fire ravaged Kangaroo Island farm on Monday Soldiers worked together to unload large loads of animal fodder and shoved the bundles across the ground into rows. The Australian Defence Force on Sunday confirmed plans to expand its presence to help with the clean-up and recovery. 'They will operate for a couple of days to provide additional reach to enable us to provide supplies in the remoter parts of the island, principally delivering fodder and other supplies,' Chief of joint operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said. A photo taken from one of the army CH-47 Chinooks shows the other aircraft metres ahead wading through plumes of smoke Travel restrictions have been lifted on the island, but Country Fire Service incident controller Ian Tanner said non-essential travel should be avoided. 'If you do need to come here to support relatives and friends, then it's OK to come,' he said. 'But if you don't need to come to Kangaroo Island at this point in time, then please give us a bit longer to get this sorted.' Australian Army CH-47 Chinooks from the 5th Aviation Regiment deliver hay bales to remote bushfire-affected farms on Kangaroo Island on January 13 Residents on the island have been told expect further danger the next two weeks, with conditions expected to deteriorate on Thursday. 'The CFS advises everyone on Kangaroo Island to be vigilant tomorrow as there may be an escalation in fire activity,' South Australia CFS said. 'Please monitor your local environment and be aware that fire conditions will be constantly changing throughout the day.' The blaze has destroyed 65 homes and hundreds more buildings on the island. Satellite photos captured the enormous scale of the devastating bushfires on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia on January 9 Flare-ups across the Kangaroo Island bushfire are expected to continue for up to two weeks, as fire crews battle to bring it fully under control. A koala is seen on Kangaroo Island The CFS said it is still burning in various spots along the 120-kilometre eastern flank. Almost 400 firefighters have been deployed on the island with 83 fire trucks supported by 130 farm fire units. Five water-bombing aircraft are also being used with four observation aircraft helping target their efforts. CFS chief officer Mark Jones said crew rotations were continuing to ensure the wellbeing of personnel. The blaze has already burnt through 210,000 hectares inside a 588-kilometre perimeter, destroying 65 homes and hundreds more buildings. A dead koala is seen on Kangaroo Island 'We're trying to rotate crews as much as possible, but to their credit, people keep putting their hand up and volunteering to go,' he said. At this time I'm not concerned. We've got lots of resources on the island. 'But, of course, I'm sensitive to the demands that have been placed against these volunteers.' Cooler conditions across the fire zone in the coming days are expected to give the CFS a better chance to deal with the areas of most concern including Stokes Bay, Cygnet River, Vivonne Bay, Seal Bay, Seddon and Birchmore. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:44:37|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 14, 2020. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte agreed on Tuesday to intensify joint efforts aiming at a political solution to the Libyan crisis. (MENA via Xinhua) CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte agreed on Tuesday to intensify joint efforts aiming at a political solution to the Libyan crisis. During a meeting in Cairo, both leaders discussed the Libyan issue and emphasized support for a political settlement to the conflict in order to restore the country's stability and maintain its territorial integrity and resources, Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said in a statement. Libya has been locked in a civil war since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow that intra-Libyan talks mediated by Russia and Turkey reached no settlement on Monday, though efforts to reach a deal will be continued. Lavrov said the head of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez al-Serraj and his foreign minister Mohamed Taher Siala signed a cease-fire draft, but Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, asked for an extra day and left Moscow without signing it. Earlier this month, the leaders of Turkey and Russia put forth a Libya cease-fire initiative, which the conflicting parties accepted while also agreeing to hold talks in Moscow. Meanwhile, Sisi appreciated the close relations that bring Italy and Egypt together. He stressed the need to enhance the existing bilateral coordination and cooperation to address many regional challenges in the Mediterranean region. For his part, Conte affirmed the Italian government's keenness to strengthen and advance relations with Egypt. He stressed the necessity to continue coordination on regional issues of common concern, especially in light of the pivotal role played by Egypt as a basic pillar for security and stability in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region. Over 102 million people underwent passport control on the Ukrainian border in 2019. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has reported a decrease in passenger traffic on the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation by almost 10% in 2019 from 2018. "Over 11 million people were registered at this border section in 2018 against fewer than 10 million in 2019. In particular, 7 million Ukrainians crossed the border with Russia (800,000 down year-on-year)," the agency's press service said. The number of citizens who crossed the border with Belarus (by 9%) and Moldova (by 6.1%) also significantly decreased in 2019. Read alsoCrimea occupying authorities claim 6.5 million tourists visit peninsula in 2019 In general, Ukrainian border guards handled a record number of citizens over 102 million people underwent passport control on the Ukrainian border in 2019. The agency says more and more travelers, both going to Ukraine and abroad, prefer air transport. In particular, over 20.6 million people crossed the Ukrainian border by plane in 2019, which was 23% higher than in 2018 (16.7 million people). The share of Ukrainians among travelers who chose air transport increased even more, namely by over 30% (from 11.6 million people in 2018 to 15.1 million people in 2019). In addition, almost 400,000 people crossed the Ukrainian border by sea in 2019. Although this indicator is insignificant in the total passenger flow, but compared with 2018, it increased by 11.5%, the report said. "As for the checkpoints at land border sections, passenger traffic with the European Union in 2019 remained at the level of 2018. Last year, over 36.7 million people crossed the border of Ukraine with the EU countries," it said. (Bloomberg) -- Prosus NV hasnt lost its appetite for food delivery, even after the e-commerce giant was defeated in a grueling $8 billion bidding war for U.K. firm Just Eat Plc. Takeaway.com NV last week declared victory in the battle for Just Eat, saying investors holding 80.4% of the shares had formally backed its all-stock bid and rejected a cash offer from Prosus. But the Naspers Ltd.- controlled company has alternative targets to pursue, according to head of ventures and food, Larry Illg. We continue to look at lots of different options in this space, Illg said in a phone interview. Prosus -- spun off by South African parent Naspers in September -- has targeted food delivery as a key market for investment as more people opt to order in meals rather than cook. The company also has stakes in Delivery Hero in Germany and Indias Swiggy alongside a controlling stake in iFood in Brazil. One option for further expansion could even see Amsterdam-based Prosus going back to the negotiating table with Takeaway, which is based in the same city. The new owner of Just Eat has said it will consider selling the British firms 33% stake in iFood, in which Prosus is the majority shareholder. Prosus would consider buying more of the Brazilian firm, though an additional investment would have to make financial sense and wont be something that we would do at all costs, Illg said. Its strictly about the financials because it wouldnt change anything about how we help manage the business, he added. Illgs comments come as food-delivery companies race to consolidate to withstand fierce competition from firms such as Uber Technologies Inc.s Uber Eats and myriad other apps. Takeaways new combined company, listed in London, will become one of Europes largest food-delivery operations after the deal is completed. Grubhub Inc. last week said it unequivocally isnt running a sale process, denying reports in The Wall Street Journal and New York Post that the U.S. firm is on the auction block. Meanwhile, Amazon.com Inc.s attempt to purchase a minority stake in British food delivery startup Deliveroo has run into unexpected scrutiny from U.K. antitrust regulators whove opened an in-depth investigation into the deal. Story continues Asked about Grubhub or Deliveroo as possible investment targets, Illg declined to comment, but added Prosus isnt fixated on pursuing deals in a specific location. Were not looking to color in white spaces on the map. Its very opportunistic, he said. To contact the reporter on this story: Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, John Bowker For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. By Mark Hosenball and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will withdraw 21 cadets receiving military training in the United States following a U.S. investigation into a Saudi officer's fatal shooting of three Americans at a Florida naval base that U.S By Mark Hosenball and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will withdraw 21 cadets receiving military training in the United States following a U.S. investigation into a Saudi officer's fatal shooting of three Americans at a Florida naval base that U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Monday branded an act of terrorism. The Dec. 6 attack further complicated U.S.-Saudi relations at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival. A deputy sheriff shot dead the gunman, Saudi Air Force Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, in the Pensacola, Florida, incident. Barr provided previously undisclosed details about Alshamrani's actions before the shooting. Barr said 21 Saudi cadets were "disenrolled from their training curriculum" in the U.S. military and would leave the United States later on Monday after an investigation showed they either had child pornography or social media accounts containing Islamic extremist or anti-American content. Barr indicated that it was Saudi Arabia that withdrew the cadets, rather than the United States formally expelling them, and said the Saudi authorities told him they would consider filing criminal charges against them. A Justice Department official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said U.S. officials agreed with the decision to withdraw them. During a news conference, Barr - the top U.S. law enforcement official - said there was no evidence that Alshamrani received assistance from other Saudi trainees or that any of them had knowledge in advance of the attack. Three American sailors were killed and eight other people were wounded in the attack at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. "This was an act of terrorism," Barr said. "The evidence showed that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology. During the course of the investigation, we learned that the shooter posted a message on Sept. 11 of this year stating, 'The countdown has begun.'" Barr added that Alshamrani also visited the New York City memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - carried out by Saudi hijackers for the Islamist militant group al Qaeda - and posted anti-American, anti-Israeli and jihadi messages on social media, including two hours before the attack. Apple Inc has not been helpful to date in working with the FBI to get Alshamrani's two cellphones unlocked, Barr said. He said the FBI largely had exhausted its own efforts to unlock the phone. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. The company has previously said that it gave the FBI all of the data in our possession. Barr said one Saudi individual had "a significant number" of child pornography images, while 14 others "had one or two images, in most cases posted in a chat room by someone else or received over social media." A total of 17 - including some of those with child pornography images - had social media accounts containing some jihadi or anti-American content, Barr said. The "derogatory information" fell short of the standard for triggering U.S. criminal charges, Barr said. 'CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER' "However, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Royal Saudi Air Force and in the Royal Navy," Barr said. Saudi Arabia gave "complete and total support" in the U.S. counter-terrorism investigation and ordered all Saudi trainees to cooperate, Barr said, adding that the kingdom has given assurances that it would return for trial any of the 21 if U.S. prosecutors decide to charge them in connection with this counterterrorism investigation. The U.S. military relationship with Saudi Arabia has come under heightened scrutiny in the U.S. Congress over the war in Yemen and Saudi Arabia's killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. President Donald Trump has expressed doubts about a CIA assessment that Prince Mohammed ordered the killing of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and a critic of the crown prince, and argued that Washington must not risk its alliance with Riyadh, the cornerstone of U.S. security policy in the Gulf and regarded as a regional counterweight to Iran. The Pensacola attack prompted the Pentagon to halt operational training for some 850 visiting Saudi military personnel as part of a "safety stand-down" in the aftermath of the shooting. The Pentagon said on Dec. 19 that it had found "no information indicating an immediate threat" after reviewing the visiting Saudis following the shooting. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Mark Hosenball and Lisa Lambert; additional reporting by Stephen Nellis; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Howard Goller and Sonya Hepinstall) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Taking on Microsoft's Indian-born CEO over his remarks on the Citizenship Amendment Act, BJP MP Meenakashi Lekhi on Tuesday said it is the "perfect example" of how the literate need to be educated. Responding to a question by BuzzFeed on the CAA, Nadella was quoted as saying that what is happening in the country is "sad" and "just bad". Speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in New York, he also said he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India create the next unicorn in India. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example," Lekhi said on Twitter in response, and also posted Nadella's statement issued by "Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA?" she went on to say. After the BuzzFeed tweet quoting Nadella, issued a statement in which its CEO said every country will and should define its borders, protect security and set immigration policy accordingly. "And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," Nadella said. The world's biggest investment manager BlackRock has said it will sell-off shares in coal firms and other major polluters as it called for a 'fundamental reshaping of finance' to tackle climate change. Chief executive Larry Fink warned company boards they must step up efforts to counter climate change in his annual letter to business bosses. Fink said they need to act or will face increased wrath from investors concerned about how unsustainable business practices might cut their future wealth. Laurence 'Larry' Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, during a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos He said BlackRock itself, which looks after $7trillion (5.4trillion) of clients' money, will exit investments that present 'high sustainability-related risk', including thermal coal producers. Fink's intervention comes at a time when City firms are increasingly facing pressure to do more to combat climate change. Large asset managers such as BlackRock own vast quantities of shares and therefore have a great deal of leverage over companies, including fossil fuel producers. However BlackRock and investment heavyweight peers such as Vanguard and State Street have been criticised for not doing enough to guide the firms they invest in up until now. 'We don't yet know which predictions about climate change will be most accurate nor what effects we have failed to consider,' Fink stated in the letter. 'But there is no denying the direction we are heading. 'Every government, company and shareholder must confront climate change.' BlackRock, which looks after $7trillion of clients' money, will exit investments that present 'high sustainability-related risk' He went on the say that questions around climate change are driving 'a profound reassessment of risk and asset values'. 'In the near future and sooner than most anticipate there will be a significant reallocation of capital.' Fink added. The letter also specifically aligned BlackRock with the goals set out in the 2016 Paris climate agreement despite this not being the official policy of its home nation the United States, which under President Donald Trump has backed away from the accord. ST. LOUIS Lawyers for a weekly newspaper in Arkansas and state officials there will be in a federal appeals court in St. Louis on Wednesday in a case that could challenge state laws restricting boycotts of Israel and better define whether boycotts are constitutionally protected. At issue is a 2017 Arkansas law that requires groups contracting with the state to certify that theyre not engaging in any practice that amounts to a boycott of Israel, and wouldnt for the life of any contract. After a state technical college required the certification in October 2018 from the Arkansas Times, CEO Alan Leveritt refused and the paper sued. The paper previously had dozens of small contracts each year with the college allowing the school to place advertisements. ACLU lawyers and others representing the newspaper said in legal filings that the law violates the First Amendment by making contracts conditional on constitutionally protected political expression or association, writing that under a lower court ruling, government officials of all political stripes will have a free hand to suppress disfavored boycotts based on nothing more than ideological hostility. Care home residents who pay their own bills are now being charged 250 a week more than those whose fees are funded by the state, a report has found. In 30 areas of England, councils pay care home operators less than 500 a week to house those who need their bills covered because they have few savings or assets of their own. The figure means that those paying their own bills in many cases homeowners forced to sell their house to do so are typically paying 125 a week to subsidise those unable to cover their costs. Care home residents who pay their own bills are now being charged 250 a week more than those whose fees are funded by the state, a report has found (stock image) The analysis, by independent care home owners group Care England, comes as Boris Johnsons government has promised to end the scandal which sees people who have paid mortgages having to sell their homes to pay for care rather than pass them on to their families. The Daily Mail is campaigning for an urgent solution to the social care crisis, particularly for thousands with dementia who are bearing the brunt of it. Care England found that there are 30 councils paying less than 500 a week for each resident they support which works out at 2.97 an hour for 24-hour care. This compares with the weekly cost of operating an economically run home of between 623 and 726 a week, depending on the standard of accommodation and the number of residents with dementia who will need extra care, it said. In 30 areas of England, councils pay care home operators less than 500 a week to house those who need their bills covered because they have few savings or assets of their own (stock image) The figures mean that a typical self-funder in one of the 30 areas who will, according to industry analysts, face bills of 750 a week or above will be paying 250 a week or a third more than councils pay for state-funded residents. Of this, at least 125 will be used as a subsidy to compensate the home for low council fees. Foreign aid cash could fix care crisis The boss of a leading care home operator wants Britains huge foreign aid budget diverted to fund social care. Robert Kilgour, chairman of Renaissance Care, said many aid projects were mis-uses of taxpayers money. He said it was wrong that Britain was handing 151million a year to China and India while social care was in crisis. Mr Kilgour called for an end to the law which requires the Government to spend an arbitrary 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. He said the Department for International Development has an embarrassment of riches more money to spend but ever fewer poverty-stricken people to spend it on. By contrast, he said the number of care home beds was declining at an accelerating rate and care homes closing. He added: Here is a way to help save our NHS and social care system while restoring sanity to our aid budget if only there were politicians brave enough. Boris Johnson has promised to solve the care crisis but not revealed his plan. Advertisement Local authorities social services departments, which pay for about 137,000 people without savings or assets, were typically paying just over 550 a week for a place in 2018, says healthcare observer Laing Buisson. It is widely believed that councils may often use bulk-buying powers to force care home operators to accept low fees. Care Englands chief Professor Martin Green said: It is unacceptable that independent care homes must restrict the pay and conditions of their staff and subsidise care which councils underfund. Ultimately, independent care homes may close with the terrible consequences for residents forced to find new homes and staff losing their jobs. Its report added that some of the low-paying councils were making an exception for care homes they themselves run by paying higher fees to them. For the past 25 years, care home charges have been means- tested. Anyone who has property and savings worth more than 23,250 must pay their own way. Those with assets of between 23,250 and 14,250 must pay a share of care home bills, while those with less than 14,250 are entirely funded by their councils social services. Owners of a home are required to sell it to pay the bills when they run out of cash savings. Mr Johnsons government has pledged to put together a cross-party consensus on social care reform within its first 100 days. Google Chrome will begin making drastic changes to its cookie policy that prevent companies from sleuthing on users' web history. The company says throughout the next two years, it will phase out use of third-party cookies - a type of digital trail - that many companies use to monitor users' journey across the web for the purposes of online advertising. While Google announced it's intention to phase out web-tracking in a blog post in August, this is the first time that the search giant has given a timeline for its initiative. The implications for both users and companies that may rely on web-data for revenue are huge given Google Chrome's predominance. According to CNET, Chrome now accounts for 64 percent of all web activity. Google recently announced that it is attempting to provide users more privacy while also continuing to use their information to target ads in August and has now provided a timeline of two years for the change 'After initial dialogue with the web community, we are confident that with continued iteration and feedback, privacy-preserving and open-standard mechanisms like the Privacy Sandbox can sustain a healthy, ad-supported web in a way that will render third-party cookies obsolete,' wrote Google in a recent blog post. 'Once these approaches have addressed the needs of users, publishers, and advertisers, and we have developed the tools to mitigate workarounds, we plan to phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome. Our intention is to do this within two years.' Though this step helps safeguard privacy of users against third-party companies, it doesn't, however, change Google's own stake in hoovering loads of web data for its own profit. The search giant has given no indication that it will substantively change its own policies. A timeline for Google's shift away from third-party cookies follows up on a set of 'Privacy Sandbox' initiatives outlined in August that aimed to create 'open standards' that equalize the balance of targeted advertising and user privacy - the former of which Google says has steadily grown counter to people's interest. Among the major issues for denizens of the internet, says Google, is the 'large scale blocking of cookies' - essentially a granular trail of one's internet usage - which has led to some unintended side-effects. Google wants to give users more privacy while still supporting ad revenue - both for itself and the publishers who rely on the platform for their audiences While blocking cookies has become an increasingly popular method of regaining privacy among some users and has arisen as a selling point for Chrome's competitors like Mozilla Firefox, it has also given rise to alternative methods of web tracking like 'fingerprinting.' This method of web-monitoring uses more covert information to monitor user habits, including tracking device, fonts, and other data points to generate a unique identifier. In addition to steering companies away from invasive practices, Google will also further define its own importance and power within the targeted advertising market. By stepping in as a mediator of privacy practices Google likely hopes to appease users both regulators and users who have called for more standards while setting a tone in the world of browsing and data that's conducive to itself and the businesses it relies on for revenue. A couple from England are in custody after appearing at Derry Magistrate's Court on drug supply charges. Husband and wife, Ricki (28) and Shannon Davies (24), from Circular Road in Birmingham, faced a total of 16 drug related charges. They were both charged with three counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs between 1 October 2018 and 8 January last. They were also charged with conspiracy to supply drugs conspiracy to possess drugs and being concerned in the supply of drugs again on the same dates. The couple were also charged with possessing class A, B and C drugs. Defence solicitor for Ricki Davies, Paddy MacDermott, asked had his client made full admissions and was told he had. There were no bail applications and both were remanded in custody to appear again on 27 January next. Meanwhile, at the same court a man with an address in Birmingham was remanded in custody charged with a series of drug supply offences. Nadeem Yasin (38), of Hodge Hill Road, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs on dates between 1 May 2018 and 8 January 8 last. He was also charged concealing criminal, converting and possessing criminal property on the same dates. He was refused bail and was remanded in custody to appear again on 6 February next. Credit Suisse thinks these stocks could be this decade's tech winners Published Tue, Jan 14 2020 3:21 PM EST Updated Tue, Jan 14 2020 3:21 PM EST A landlord refused to rent a room to a Gambian student after saying it was 'only for Europeans' because African cooking 'makes the house smell'. Ebrima Mboob messaged Elina Vimbsone on Facebook to arrange to view a double room in central London. Ms Vimbsone was initially enthusiastic but then changed her mind after realising where he was from, according to screengrabs of the exchange. Ebrima Mboob messaged Elina Vimbsone (pictured) on Facebook to arrange to view a double room in central London The 24-year-old performing arts student told Sun Online: 'I was completely shocked at the landlord's response and I still am today. 'Growing up in England, I've experienced all types of racism, but this was the first time that I've experienced something this absurd.' Mr Mboob, who studies at University of the Arts London and is originally from Gambia, said the exchange had made him self-conscious about cooking African food in case his housemates held similar attitudes. Mr Mboob (pictured), who studies at University of the Arts London, said the exchange had made him self-conscious about cooking African food in case his housemates held similar attitudes Refusing to rent a property due to a person's race is against the law because it breaches section 12 of the Equality Act 2010. The exchange began with Mr Mboob asking if he could arrange a viewing, to which Ms Vimbsone replied, 'Sure, I do views today from now till 7pm will [sic] be brilliant if you could make a time.' The exchange ended with Mr Mboob (pictured) calling the landlord 'racist' and asking her not to message him again But she then added: 'Oh, just seen your profile, it's for European people only. Sorry mate...' The angry student hit back: 'That's the worst thing I ever heard'. Ms Vimbsone then said: 'We are not racist... we have friends from Nigeria and all the house smells when they cook.' The exchange ended with Mr Mboob calling the landlord 'racist' and asking her not to message him again. In 2017, a multi-millionaire Kent landlord prompted outcry after advising letting agents: 'No coloured people because of the curry smell at the end of the tenancy.' The case of Fergus Wilson, 71, led to a ruling by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that landlords could not discriminate against ethnic minorities. In a separate incident, Wilson was convicted of racially abusing a traffic warden and handed a 12-month community order. He was caught on camera saying: 'Do you even speak English? Take your stupid f****** f***y back to your own place where you came from.' Wilson and his wife Judith bought their first buy-to-let home in 1986 and at one point had around 750. Ms Vimbsone refused to comment when approached by The Sun. Emirates Islamic, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE, has contributed Dh2 million ($544,000) to Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). The contribution, which is provided through Emirates Islamics Charity Fund, will be used to help the University launch its first mobile clinic, Wellness on Wheels.' Awatif Al Harmoodi, general manager, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic, said: As a bank that has always been a pillar of the community and is committed to supporting the UAEs healthcare industry, we are delighted to contribute to MBRU as they launch Wellness on Wheels'. Through this contribution, we aim to provide high-quality healthcare services to people living in areas where medical facilities are inaccessible and further contribute to building a stronger, healthier and happier community. Dr Amer Mohammad Al Zarooni, deputy vice chancellor for Administration and Professional Services at MBRU, said: Wellness on Wheels is a highly regarded initiative by MBRU and we are happy to have a strong partnership with Emirates Islamic, which enabled us to bring this initiative to a larger section of the population. In line with our values of giving and excellence, and our vision to serve humanity by helping build healthy and fit communities, we are excited to work on this project and bring this mobile clinic to communities to get easy access to wellness facilities. TradeArabia News Service By the end of 2019, more than 1,000 Vietnamese nurses received training and worked in Germany while being greatly appreciated by the German side, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Illustrative image As Germany is facing rapid population aging, its government set the target of training and recruiting 8,000 13,000 nurses between now and 2021 at home or those from abroad, including Vietnam. The new Immigration Law which will officially be put into effect from March 1, 2020, will allow German businesses to accept workers from countries outside the European Union (EU) in afew particular fields including: construction, electricity, mechanics, agriculture, medical and nursing staff. It is expected that in 2020, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will reach an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency of Germany on sending skilled workers from Vietnam to work in 12-13 sectors in Germany. 2019 was the fourth year Vietnam had more than 120,000 workers applying theirtrades overseas. Currently, there are 650,000 Vietnamese workers in more than 40 countries and territories in 30 different areas. Nhan Dan Doctors, nurses welcome Tet in hospital Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time for families to get together and celebrate up and down Vietnam, but not for medical workers. Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussexs recent bombshell announcement about stepping back as senior members of the royal family almost crashed the internet and caused a frenzy among royal experts and fans alike. Even those who thought this day might come couldnt have predicted when it would actually happen. After several days of everyone wondering what now, Queen Elizabeth II ordered that Prince Charles and Prince William meet with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to discuss the issue further. Following that meeting, Her Majesty released a statement supporting the couples decision. But still, so many questions remain and many are curious about if Meghan and Harry will even show up at large royal events anymore or will just do their own thing away from the limelight. (L): Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS WPA Pool/Getty Images, (R): Princess Beatrice of York | Gareth Fuller WPA Pool/Getty Images Claims they do not want to attend Princess Beatrices wedding We know one major royal affair coming up is the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusons oldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, but there have been rumblings that Harry and Meghan want to avoid that event. Reports have swirled for some time that Beatrice is not a fan of Harrys wife. Those rumors gained steam after Meghan stole a bit of the princess sister Eugenies thunder the day of her wedding to Jack Brookbank. Multiple media outlets reported that on the day Meghan chose to tell some members of the royal family who did not yet know about her pregnancy that she and Harry were expecting. The move was said to have angered Beatrice. And something that reportedly angered Meghan was Prince Andrews disastrous BBC interview. Given the fact that the retired actress has been a champion for womens rights and empowerment, what Andrew is accused of is believed to really bother her. Can Harry and Meghan skip the affair now? Whether or not Meghan and Harry are senior royals at the time Beatrice ties the knot has nothing to do with whether they will be at the wedding. Prince Harry and Beatrice are first cousins and she was at his wedding so even if there was some kind of rift between the princess and the Sussexes they would still be invited. If they are not there, that would be Meghan and Harrys choice. The palace has yet to announce an exact date for Beatrice and Mozzis big day but there have been reports that it will take place in early June. Since there hasnt been an official word about the timeframe in which the duke and duchess plan on residing in the U.K. and when they will be in Canada, theyre probably in no rush to RSVP to Beas wedding. On the one hand, royal fans think the couple will definitely attend to dispel rumors that theres any bad blood. On the other hand, Harry and Meghan could choose not to make an appearance so they dont cause a distraction on Beatrices special day. However, there will be no avoiding the distraction of the princess father that day. Read more: Will Princess Beatrice Postpone Her Wedding Following Prince Andrews Disastrous TV Interview? No country takes a lenient view of illegal immigration of economic opportunists, least of all the US where Satya Nadella resides. The controversy over Microsoft CEO Satya Nadellas statement tells us everything that we need to know about the campaign surrounding the amendment to Indias Citizenship Act. It tells us that even knowledgeable individuals in this case the top honcho of one of worlds biggest tech companies have poor information on the topic, and that their views are not any clearer than the misinformed protestor on the street. Nadella believes that Indias flawed citizenship law might make it difficult for an immigrant to become a successful entrepreneur or high-profile CEO of a multinational firm. This is an unfounded fear based on incomplete understanding of the issue. In reality, nothing stops a Bangladeshi immigrant to come to India and become the next CEO of Infosys or create a successful startup. Certainly not CAA that does not interfere with Indias citizenship laws, but only fast-tracks citizenship for a group of religiously persecuted people from neighbouring Islamic nations who have taken refuge in India. The controversy also reflects poorly on the media and exposes its propensity to run sensationalist campaigns bordering on fake news. Nadellas comments were taken out context to completely strip those of any nuance, and then entire news cycles were spawned based on those edited remarks. Commentators added their two bits of partisan positioning to make it a full-blown controversy. Truth, as always, was lost in translation. It was a tweet by the editor of an American media outlet that triggered the latest row. Ben Smith claimed that during a conversation with editors, the CEO of Microsoft Corporation has said that whats happening in India over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is sad... Its just bad Asked Microsoft CEO @satyanadella about India's new Citizenship Act. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys" cc @PranavDixit Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 That was all that was needed for commenters to weigh in, based purely on what their understanding is about Nadellas reported comments. Im somewhat surprised that Satya Nadella touched this issue, but not at all surprised that he disapproves of Indias citizenship law. A successful firm like Microsoft is built on the principle of treating all people equally regardless of their faith. https://t.co/wcqspaZp4C Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) January 13, 2020 WSJ columnist and author Sadanand Dhume claimed Nadella disapproves of Indias citizenship law. Does he? In a subsequent tweet, Smith, the editor of Buzzfeed, posted what he claimed was the verbatim conversation that took place between Nadella and editors in Manhattan, US. By popular demand, here's the verbate pic.twitter.com/I8YcMDJsf8 Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 This tweet added a new dimension. On a question whether he has any views on CAA, Nadella is quoted to have said (if reported accurately): I think what is happening is sad, primarily as sort of someone who grew up there, I feel, and in fact quite frankly, now being informed, shaped by the two amazing American things that Ive observed which is both, its technology reaching me where I was growing up and its immigration policy and even a story like mine being possible in a country like this I think its just bad...If anything, I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India, or becomes the CEO of Infosys, that should be the aspiration, if I had to sort of mirror what happened to me in the US, I hope thats what happens in India. And then he went on to add, Im not saying that any country doesnt and should not care about its own national security, borders do exist and theyre real and people will think about it, after all immigration is an issue in this country, its an issue in Europe and its an issue in India, but the approach that one takes to deal with what is immigration, who are immigrants and minority groups, that sensibility. He then goes on to applaud the debate over the act in India. We see that Nadellas comments, taken in entirety, is nuanced. He acknowledges the need to balance immigration policy and liberal outlook, the reality of it as an issue and places weight on national security and a nations sovereign choices while also expressing fears that CAA might interfere with the dreams of an immigrant. This nuance was missing from the debate over his reported comments based on which narratives were shaped in India. In a subsequent statement, Microsofts Indian arm released a statement trying to tone down the tenor and thrust of CEOs comments in an obvious attempt to calm frayed nerves and settle the controversy. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 Microsofts aim at damage control is evident where Nadellas comments have been sanitized to the point of irrelevance where he speaks about every countrys right to defend its borders and develop immigration policies in accord with its own sensibilities. Nadella, who grew up in Hyderabad, ends by saying that he hopes an immigrant in India may be given the chance to explore those options. As an immigrant in the US who made it big, Nadellas sentiments are understandable. It is natural that he would like India to give those opportunities to its immigrants that he benefitted from as a migrant to the US. It is debatable, however, whether he has been properly briefed on this issue. If one were to go by reporting on CAA by American mainstream media, there is very little chance of it. US liberal medias reporting on India has mostly been a confirmation of its own ideological bias against the elected government. Nadella was presumably talking about legal migration to India. No country takes a lenient view of illegal immigration of economic opportunists, least of all the US where Nadella resides. Donald Trump rose to power as 45th POTUS based on his campaign against illegal immigration from Mexico, and he has since made building the wall his top priority. Nadella might know that Americas Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA) penalizes undocumented immigrants who commit crimes in the US or stay beyond statutorily defined periods of time. The Act makes it possible for the US government to deport undocumented immigrants. Needless to say, Nadella like many of his peers such as Sundar Pichai of Google or Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, entered the US legally. We may safely assume, therefore, that the Microsoft Corp CEO was talking about legal migration while expressing his sadness over the turn of events in India. It would comfort Nadella to know that CAA makes no changes in Indias existing citizenship laws. Any immigrant from anywhere in the world, including a Muslim from Bangladesh, may apply for Indian citizenship and can contribute greatly to Indias economic development or cultural enlightenment as an Indian citizen. The confusion over this is purely due to a misinformation campaign. As lawyer Kartikeya Tanna has written in Firstpost, the only thing CAA does, is enlist specific categories of people (six religious minorities) from specific countries (three neighbouring nations of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh) as historically persecuted groups similar to the Lautenberg Amendment obviating the need for them to meet the individual demonstration requirement. In addition, the CAA fast-tracks the amount of time these specific categories need to physically be in India in order to be eligible to apply for Indian citizenship. Interestingly, Americas Lautenberg and Specter Amendment seeks to give persecuted refugees a faster avenue to citizenship. It was first enacted in 1990 to facilitate resettlement of Jews from the former Soviet Union, a move that came as a relief for tens of thousands of Jews. In 2004, the Lautenberg Amendment was amended to add a new provision called Specter Amendment that brought into its ambit persecuted religious minorities in other countries such as Jews, Christians, and Bahais from Iran (specifically religious minorities) for whom less evidence would be needed to prove refugee status. One hopes Nadella would have no objection to the CAA that merely accords a similar status to religiously persecuted people from Indias neighbouring Islamic nations by creating positive discrimination to give them some extra benefits. Nadellas comments show the depth of the misinformation campaign around the very humane legislation. Historian Ramachandra Guha, a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government, castigated Indian IT czars for not joining the chorus with Nadella. I am glad Satya Nadella has said what he has. I wish that one of our own IT czars had the courage and wisdom to say this first. Or to say it even now. https://t.co/KsKbDUtMQk Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 13, 2020 Maybe they are better informed than the Microsoft chief? A kind-hearted Brisbane mum is offering to ship her entire family home to give to bushfire victims. Stephanie Michelle, who has a son, Hudson, three, has even offered to move the home, which is made up of two separate flats, interstate to New South Wales or Victoria. Almost 2,000 homes have been destroyed in this season's bushfire crisis, with the majority being in NSW. So when Ms Michelle and her fiancee Nathan Gill planned to demolish the Camp Hill home, they knew it could be put to better use. Mother-of-one Stephanie Michelle (pictured) explained she and her fiancee planned to demolish the home, but now hopes to donate it The impressive Brisbane property (pictured) is made up of two large apartments, but will not come furnished For the mammoth task, the house (pictured) will have to be transported in chunks on a lorry 'How can we give it away to a family that have lost their home in the recent fires?' she asked. 'We don't want anything for the house but will be incredibly sad (and feel stupidly selfish) if we just knock it down when there are so many people in need of somewhere to live.' She was soon inundated with ideas on how to transport the house for another family to live in. It is currently in Camp Hill in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane and consists of two apartments - a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom. It is made up of two separate flats (pictured, the living room of flat two), with Ms Michelle willing to ship it interstatre Both apartments will not be furnished, but will be donated to families in need. (Pictured, the living room of flat one) The apartments (pictured) will be sure to be an amazing gift for a family who lost their homes to the bushfires They were soon contacted by a fire chief from the Blue Mountains area of NSW, who is helping them with the logistics of such a big move. The anonymous fire chief is helping to nominate a family who need the house, after the Blue Mountains area was ravaged by the Gospers Mountain mega-blaze. The mammoth effort will involve taking the house apart into transportable chunks and loading it on lorries - after it is treated for asbestos. 'We had a conversation about how we would feel selfish if we demolished the house. You see all of this devastation and naturally it pushes you to help,' she told 10 Daily. The kitchen of one of the apartments (pictured) will hopefully soon be in use to a family in need Ms Michelle admitted that moving the home (pictured) would be a huge task but she wanted to help those in need 'It seems like a big task and it will take a little longer than we hoped, but we have to remember that someone else doesn't have somewhere to live. 'Take the time and take the effort.' It comes as firefighters were given hope by this week's weather forecast which predicts heavy downpours in New South Wales and rain in Victoria - although there will be no relief for Kangaroo Island. The Bureau of Meteorology published a map which shows rain forecast for almost the whole of NSW in the next seven days. The bedroom of one of the apartments (pictured) will soon be the welcome home of a bushfire victim The apartments (pictured) will need an asbestos clean before being taken apart and loaded onto lorries The map was re-tweeted by the state's Rural Fire Service with the caption: 'If this rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed.' An easing of conditions meant firefighters were finally able to control the Gospers Mountain fire in the Blue Mountains. It has burned for two-and-a-half months northwest of Sydney, destroying more than 512,000 hectares across the Lithgow, Hawkesbury, Hunter Valley, Cudgegong, Blue Mountains and Central Coast local government areas. Demolishing the house would have cost Ms Michelle around $20,000, money she now intends to spend 'to help get this house to someone who needs it'. Stephanie Michelle (pictured, left) and her fiancee Nathan Gill (right) said they wanted to do anything they could to help Warring South Sudanese parties credit Pope Francis's tireless efforts and prayers for peace in making a joint-Declaration happen. The Agreement was mediated by the Saint Egidio Community here in Rome. By Linda Bordoni The Rome Declaration signed on Monday by South Sudan government representatives and the countrys Opposition Movements (SSOMA) is a concrete and constructive sign of hope in the nations troubled journey to peace and stability. In the Declaration, the parties, who have set January 15th as the day in which a new ceasefire is to take effect, say they have been humbled and deeply motivated by the relentless spiritual and moral appeal for peace, reconciliation and fraternity by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Church leaders. Pope Francis Pope Francis has been tireless in pushing for peace in the worlds newest nation, even personally hosting its warring leaders in the Vatican last April. Speaking to Vatican Radio immediately after the signing of the Agreement, the representative of the leadership Council of SSOMA, Pa'gan Amum Okiech, said that he could feel the very presence of the Pope in the room as the Agreement was being discussed, and that his influence has been decisive: It is very big. Here, today, we are responding to his humility to his love for the people of South Sudan and tireless effort to appeal to us to bring peace and end this war. As you can hear from both sides we are responding to that appeal, to that love and to that humility which actually has made us ashamed: how can we not bring peace if the peace pushes us to? And this is our peace. And who is fighting this war is South Sudanese among themselves. That is really his influence. I believe he was in the room. He was nudging us in the room while we were talking. Tackling the root causes of the conflict Okiech explained that for the first time the root causes of the civil conflict in Sudan have been addressed, thanks also to the positive and free environment offered by the Saint Egidio Community that allowed those involved to tackle a series of fundamental issues without pressure or prejudice. Saint Egidio offered us a very good environment, no prejudices whatsoever for the parties to discuss the real issues. () We signed this Rome Declaration because the government of South Sudan accepted to discuss the root causes of the problem. Without discussing the root causes of any problem you dont solve the problems. He explained that the aim is now to find solutions to crucial questions regarding elections, boundaries, good governance, accountability for crimes committed, transparency in the management of resources in the country, fighting corruption all issues, he said, that were not sufficiently addressed in the 2018 Agreement. Responding to a question on why his delegation did not sign the 2018 Agreement in Khartoum, Okiech said those issues were mentioned but were not dealt with effectively. He also said he felt the Sudan government was imposing its own agenda on the parties so that an agreement could be reached in a hurry regarding Jubas oil resources. The coming months will see the implementation of a Saint Egidio Community programme for the negotiators to continue to pave the way to lasting peace. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size You're allowed to cry, Dad," Kylee Brooks whispers to her father. Around them lies the melted, mangled wreckage of a life. A motorcycle so precious it was kept inside and under a cover; the banjo, piano, guitars that had a whole room dedicated to them; the old cars arrayed up the hillside out the back; the solar panels and batteries that kept this idiosyncratic dwelling off the grid: all are now ash. A plastic wheelbarrow, on the other hand, a pushbike and the asparagus patch came through virtually unscathed. "Forty years of collecting ..." says Mark Brooks, 60, trailing off. Eventually he does shed tears. Kylee wipes them away. Dozens of houses have been lost in the massive complex of fires that have ripped through the upper reaches of the Murray River in NSW's far south and Victoria's north, but Mark Brooks lost more than most. Over 37 years in the Upper Thowgla valley, he built this house by hand, as well as another down the hill where his brother lived. Both are now gone. He is sleeping on a blow-up mattress under the stars. Like everyone, he is vowing to rebuild. "Rock and steel, that's all that survived," he says to himself. "Next time it will be rock and steel." Mark Brooks at the wreckage of his house in the Upper Towgla valley. Credit:Eddie Jim Advertisement In the teeth of the fires Bushfire doesn't respect borders. Two massive blazes that ignited in NSW on New Year's Eve and January 4 jumped state lines into Victoria and are threatening to spread further. A third to the east is even bigger and is burning deep into the hills of the Kosciuszko mountains. More to the south are putting Victoria's alpine landscapes to the torch. Australia's iconic high country is ablaze. This summer, neither the beach nor the mountains is safe. Each of the alpine fires remains out of control and without rain, Australia's burning season threatens to drag into January and then Victoria's historically most dangerous month, February. The massive high country blazes are threatening to join up on one of the extreme days to come. Upper Murray Country Fire Authority incident controller Jon Rofe said this week that, when fires join, "you get a fairly dramatic increase in fire behaviour ... there's more pre-heating, more fuel burning and at a faster rate". University of Melbourne fire expert Dr Thomas Duff is more philosophical. Hundreds of thousands of hectares were already burning in the heavily forested but lightly populated mountains, he said, and they were heading east towards the plains south of Canberra. "Whether the fires merge or don't is largely academic," he says. On the quiet days the big tree stumps just keep smouldering, waiting to be whipped back into life by resurgent heat and wind. Advertisement Loading On the ground the people living in the teeth of these monstrous blazes were this week feeling a mixture of stoicism and defiance. Even now, though, some are angry that the NSW versus Victoria mentality that built Australian railway lines with different gauges for more than a century still seems to prevail, even in the midst of disaster. There is plenty of fodder here for Prime Minister Scott Morrison's federal inquiry or royal commission. Across state lines Sandi Grieve is a nurse and the chief executive of the Walwa Bush Nursing Centre. She has spent 31 years in the border area and stayed behind through the recent order to evacuate. She says the frustrations of working across two states has been exacerbated by the bushfire emergency. "Who'd have thought we had federation?" Victorian nurse Sandi Grieve at the Jingellic showground in NSW. Credit:Eddie Jim Walwa, Victoria, is just five kilometres across a bridge from Jingellic, NSW. But if a person rings an ambulance on the NSW side, the closest nurse (her) is often not notified. Help is sent instead from a NSW town that is 40 to 50 kilometres away. It can mean a delay of an hour or more, "the difference between life and death," she says. Advertisement Her practice is funded by the Victorian government to serve only the people on her side of the river even though, in reality, there are hundreds more in need on the NSW side. She ignores all that. "We've just taken it upon ourselves to come over," she says. We meet her in Jingellic, NSW. In recent days she has seen patients - mostly farmers who run dairies or cattle farms - nursing injuries but afraid to seek medical help in case they are sent a long way away for treatment and not allowed back through road blocks. "We crash-tackle them in the community centres with broken ribs, skin contusions. They are nursing their injuries hoping to escape notice so they can go home and keep working," she says. "We consider them to be part of our catchment". At the height of the bushfire emergency, the NSW Rural Fire Service Fires Near Me app which many were relying on, showed nothing on the Victorian side of the border, even after the fire had jumped the river near Jingellic. That has now been rectified for this region at least. People evacuated in Victoria were paid up to $1960 by the state government, in NSW they got nothing. Sarah Whiteley at her farm in Greg Greg. Credit:Eddie Jim Sarah Whiteley is a former Dubai-based film producer who fell in love with a farmer and moved to Greg Greg (NSW). She has strong opinions on evacuations ("All the wives and the kids left and instead of two people to defend, you had just one person") and the ban on private backburning ("We all just want to set fire to our properties now"). She, like others, is furious with Telstra for a lack of phone coverage. "On New Year's Eve we had to walk to a high spot and get one bar, and then had relatives screenshoting the fire app for us." Advertisement Jingellic's local volunteer fire captain Alby Maras feels the same way. "We can't organise crews because no-one has a phone. For me it's been nearly impossible." He says Telstra was warned six months ago but did nothing. A Telstra spokesman says the company is "making every resource available to respond to this unprecedented event and to get communities reconnected as quickly as possible". There had been "critical damage to infrastructure including towers", mostly because of lack of power. He cites distance and terrain as issues in providing services in Jingellic and Greg Greg. Alby Maras, Jingellic fire captain. Credit:Eddie Jim Whiteley is working with a group called Upper Murray Inc., to try to rebrand and promote this region for tourism. The sales pitch includes the beauty of the natural environment. Part of their mission, she says, is to try to break down the boundaries between the two states. "We're all part of the same community," she says. "Tooma (NSW) people shop in Corryong (Victoria) ... this campaign is about uniting the whole area and working out what positive changes we want to see." Meanwhile she worries about fire - the farmers running on empty and burying stock; the children who were evacuated and will return to be traumatised by a blackened landscape. Advertisement A Winnipeg School Division trustee says the provincial government has been dragging its feet on dealing with lead contamination at Weston School because the children who go there come from poor families. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Winnipeg School Division trustee says the provincial government has been dragging its feet on dealing with lead contamination at Weston School because the children who go there come from poor families. School trustee Jennifer Chen called on the provincial government to immediately release a newly minted report on lead contamination at the schools grass field at a division board meeting Monday. Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg School Division Trustee Jennifer Chen says action is needed. The students have not had consistent access to the field since the fall of 2018 following media reports the provincial government had commissioned testing that found lead concentrations in the soil higher than acceptable levels. "We are at a critical time to take action now to make sure our kids have access to a playing field in September 2020 when they start a new school year," Chen said. "No government has been taking action on this issue and I do think theres an issue here of class discrimination." The province has soil reports dating back to 1976 that show elevated lead levels in soil around the Weston area. Earlier this year, the province confirmed no money is earmarked in the budget for soil remediation in Weston. Chen says the province received a new report on possible solutions to the ongoing issue in November but has not shared it with the school division or affected families. April Roller, who has two children enrolled at Weston School, says she agrees with Chen the socioeconomic background of the families whose children go there is affecting how the province is dealing with the issue. "The children are not getting their time outside that they need, which means theyre more restless in class. Generally, after lunchtime they have 15, 20, 25 minutes to go out and play, but they have to do that inside," said Roller, who also serves on the schools parent council. "I believe that because we have a lower income area that were not being noticed as much." Since the fall of 2018, the school has been erecting fencing around the field in the summer, barring access. Come winter when the ground freezes, the fencing comes down and children are able to play on the field again. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. But Roller said by the time the fence is taken down its often too cold for the children to consistently go out and play. She added the students should have the same access to a grass field as those at any other school. Chen says shes hopeful the issue can be solved by September, but the time to act is now. She said two years to solve the problem when the province has been aware of it for decades is more than enough time. "I represent Weston and also Centennial west which is low-income areas, working class neighbourhoods. Weston area especially has a high percentage of Indigenous and newcomer families," Chen said. "That makes me ask if this issue happens at another school in a more affluent community would it be taking this long to solve the problem? I do think its class discrimination here, its one of the factors." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said Tuesday that he's secured the 51 Senate votes needed to pass a revised version of his war powers resolution, which would require President Trump to seek approval from Congress before taking further military action against Iran, per the AP. Why it matters: The bipartisan resolution, which has the backing of Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), illustrates the degree to which the Trump administration's actions against Iran have tested the president's Republican allies. The big picture: The House already passed a separate war powers resolution last week, but its version did not have the force of law. Republicans who support curbing Trump's military powers criticized House Democrats for not putting forth a binding resolution that would go to the president's desk for a signature. "This is a statement of the Congress of the United States," Speaker Pelosi said at the time. "I will not have that statement diminished by having the president veto it or not." The Senate resolution would likely be passed by the House and vetoed by the president. It's unlikely that either chamber would have the two-thirds majority necessary to override the veto. What to watch: The Senate could vote as soon as next week on the measure, according to Kaine. Go deeper: House passes war powers resolution condemning military action against Iran The Punjab government will go by the will of the state assembly on the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register, an official statement said. This was decided here on Tuesday evening by Punjab ministers during an informal discussion after a Cabinet meeting, the statement read. "The ministers also expressed concern over the implications of the blatantly unconstitutional and divisive CAA, NRC and NPR," the statement said. They also expressed alarm over the violence that had erupted across the country over the issues, which, according to them, "threatened to rip apart the secular fabric of the nation". "The ministers were of the view that the matter was bound to be raised during the two-day session of the assembly on January 16-17 and it was unanimously decided that the government should accept the will of the House," the statement said. The Cabinet also agreed with the chief minister's views that the CAA, especially when coupled with the the NRC and NPR, violated the preamble to the Indian Constitution. Punjab's Advocate General Atul Nanda also presented the legal perspective on the matter before the ministers. The government will construct a strategy to deal with the issue in accordance with the recommendation of the House, the statement read. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had recently said his government would not allow the implementation of "brazenly divisive CAA Act". The Punjab CM had said neither he nor the Congress was against granting citizenship to the minorities persecuted on the basis of religion but they were completely opposed to the "discrimination in the CAA against certain religious communities, including Muslims". The Kerala Assembly had recently passed a resolution demanding the scrapping of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, becoming the first state in the country to do so. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Appeal launched over refusal of plans to create firing range at Wrexham farm This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2020 An appeal has been launched after plans to run a firing range from a farm in Wrexham were rejected over noise concerns. The owner of Lodge Farm in Commonwood, near Holt, entered a retrospective planning application last year to host a rifle shooting range in association with an existing gun shop at the site. The facility had already been open since March 2018, but needed consent from Wrexham Council to continue operating. However, the proposals were refused by planning committee members in June following complaints about the disturbance to neighbours, while a separate application for a clay pigeon range was turned down for similar reasons. Mr JF Tomlinson, who owns the farm, has now launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have both decisions overturned. It comes after representatives acting on his behalf claimed shooting activities were appropriate in a rural area. In a statement, Suzanne Tucker from FDC Mandby Bowdler solicitors, said: In refusing permission for the rifle application, the committee went against the recommendation of their professional officers. The refusal reason pertaining to noise refers to the frequency of gunshots as being of constant source of irritation. The committee in reaching this conclusion failed to have proper regard to the expert evidence submitted for the applicant and failed to consider appropriate conditions that would mitigate the impact. The provision of clay pigeon and rifle shooting facilities complements the existing Field and Falcon business operating at the property and are appropriate in this rural location. They will support the gunsmith activity, whilst also providing an outdoor recreation use for the local and wider community. The council carried out noise tests near the farm in April 2019 following complaints raised by residents. Environmental health officer Andrew Jordan said one of the gunshots recorded outside a neighbours property was loud enough to make him jump. He concluded the shooting would cause a nuisance if allowed to continue uncontrolled. But Ms Tucker said it would not have been possible for him to identify the source of the noise. The appeal will be heard by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date. *Picture Planning Documents By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme) Instagram users are finding themselves unable to login to the app after an apparent error. They are instead shown a message and told they are unable to get into the account. "Oops, an error occurred," reads one of the messages. Another is more confusing, and shows "error" in large text alongside the words "challenge_required". There appears to be no obvious fix for the problem. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. 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The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty But it appears to only be affecting a limited number of users. Many people appear to be able to get on the app as normal, even after logging out. Over summer, Instagram suffered a major outage that also took down Facebook and WhatsApp. The latest issue appears to be relatively minor, affecting only a limited number of users and only when they attempt to login. Panaji, Jan 14 : India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru didn't care for Goa and its liberation from Portuguese was delayed by 14 years, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said at an Indian Army awareness event here on Tuesday. "I feel, then Prime Minister Nehru was responsible for Goa getting its freedom 14 years after the country's Independence. If he had political will, really cared for Goans, he would have got Goa free from the Portuguese rule early," Sawant said. "Forget 1947, he should have at least thought about us (Goa) in 1950. Why did we have to suffer the Portuguese rule more," the Chief Minister said. Goa was liberated by the armed forces after 451 years of the Portuguese colonial rule in 1961. Betty Pat Gatliff, a forensic sculptor who helped law enforcement identify scores of people who had gone missing or been murdered by deftly reconstructing their faces, died on Jan. 5 in a hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 89. Her nephew James Gatliff said the cause was complications of a stroke. Ms. Gatliffs artistic skills and intimate understanding of facial architecture led many police departments, coroners and medical examiners to send her the skulls of people whose faces had decomposed or been rendered unrecognizable by acts of violence. Ms. Gatliff advanced the niche field of facial reconstruction well before the advent of modern forensics and television shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Over more than 40 years, first as a government employee and then as a freelancer, she sculpted about 300 faces and produced an estimated 70 percent rate of identification, according to her records. Betty Pats influence was broad and far-reaching, Steve Johnson, a past president of the International Association for Identification, a forensic sciences organization, said by email. Im not sure I could say she was the best, but she was at the top of the discipline as far as knowledge and experience are concerned. French energy major Total will move its finance department back to Paris from London due to Britain's impending exit from the European Union, and also to reduce costs, the firms Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said on Tuesday. The blue chip company caused an uproar in France when it decided in 2013 to move the 70-strong department from its Paris headquarters to London. "We have just decided to bring it back to Paris. There is Brexit at play ... and then there is a question of costs," Pouyanne told a Euronext conference, answering questions about the attractiveness of Paris as a destination for business. Companies are making final preparations as Britain is poised to officially leave the European Union on January 31. New Delhi: The BJP hit back at the Congress for demanding fresh probe into the February 14 Pulwama attack on Tuesday. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the Congress is unnecessarily trying to link religion with the terror probe against decorated Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Davinder Singh. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday had raised concern over the bigger security issue. Chowdhury had said that the chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we cannot afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish. Congress coined saffron terror The kind of behaviour the Congress party has shown today deserves a democratic surgical strike. They're appeasing Pakistan everyday. The BJP condemns the statement of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, LOP of Congress and Randeep Surjewala, the head of media, Patra said. Congress has time and again found religion in terror. They coined the terms Saffron Terror and Hindu terrorism. At the behest of Sonia Gandhi, they had coined the term 'Saffron Terror', Patra added. Why do you want to give clean chit to Pakistan, do you have any doubt as to who carried out the Pulwama attack, Patra asked. Challenging interim Congress chief, Patra said that Sonia Gandhi should say on camera that she doesnt trust the Indian Army. Congress had done the same after 26/11. Sonia Gandhi had sent Digvijay Singh to blame the RSS for the attacks, Patra added. Davinder Singh: From protector to terror mastermind On Monday, senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer Davinder Singh, who was arrested along with two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf and an overground worker at a checkpoint on a national highway by a team of policemen, was suspended from the services. It has emerged that Singh had sheltered three terrorists, arrested along with him, at his residence in Srinagar right next to the Army's XV corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment. Singh, who was decorated with President Police Medal about four months ago, continued to be grilled by a team of police and intelligence investigators. His office at Srinagar airport, where he was posted as deputy superintendent of police in the anti-hijacking squad, was sealed, they said. Singh reported absent from duty on Saturday, the day he was apprehended by a team of policemen along with the other three at Mir Bazar on the national highway. The DySP had applied for leave from Sunday till Thursday, they said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Gaia Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:GMC)(OTCQB:RGDCF)(FSE:R9G) is pleased to announce the appointment of R. Todd Hanas to the Board of Directors. Mr. Todd Hanas is a marketing and communications/sales specialist with 24 years' experience in all aspects of business communications, corporate Identity, corporate finance and investor relations/ consulting for both private and public companies. He has proven resource, oil and gas E & P expertise with significant experience and success in start-up, early-stage junior resource companies. Mr. Hanas is currently President & CEO of Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd. Further, the Company has granted an aggregate of 675,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to officers, directors and consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable at $0.09 per share for a period of three years from the date of grant. The Options have been granted under and are governed by the terms of the Company's incentive stock option plan. About Gaia Metals Corp. Gaia Metals Corp is a junior mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and advancing strategic and prospective properties that position it strongly for the worlds continuing shift to high tech and green technologies including base and precious metals, and lithium. The Company's primary assets are the wholly owned Corvette Property and the FCI Property (held under Option from O3 Mining, a recent spin-out from Osisko Mining, for a 75% interest) located in the James Bay Region of Quebec. The properties are contiguous and host significant gold-copper-silver-lithium potential highlighted by the Golden Gap Prospect with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 10.5 g/t Au over 7 m in drill hole, the Elsass and Lorraine prospects with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in surface sample, and the CV1 Pegmatite Prospect with 2.28% Li2O over 6 m in channel. In addition, the Company holds the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC, the Golden Silica Property, BC, and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada. For further information, please contact Adrian Lamoureux, President & CEO at Tel: 778-945-2950, E-mail: adrian@92resources.com or visit www.gaiametalscorp.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "ADRIAN LAMOUREUX" Adrian Lamoureux, President & CEO 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. Forward Looking Statements: Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Gaia Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572930/Gaia-Metals-Corp-Appoints-Todd-Hanas-to-the-Board A painting thought to be the work of a famed Renaissance artist has been uncovered beneath centuries of dirt on the wall of a cathedral in Vienna, Austria. Found in St Stephen's Cathedral, the large wall painting was discovered on a wall that now sits above the cathedral's gift shop. Experts said the painting, which depicts Saints Catherine and Margaret, is the work of German artist Albrecht Durer. Durer worked as a theorist of the German Renaissance and also produced many prints. The painting (pictured above) was discovered at St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria The huge wall painting was found above the gift shops at the Catherdral and experts had to wipe them of dust Albrecht Durer (self portrait above) lived in Nuremberg, Germany and was famous for his paint making The Nuremberg artist established his reputation across Europe when he was in his twenties, due to his high-quality woodcut prints. According to Austria's Federal Monuments Office, the newly discovered paintings are thought to date back to the 16th Century, The Art Newspaper reported. The painting was found in the 'bishop's gate' area of the cathedral and the Monuments Office said the 'artistic quality suggests a great master', after it announced the discovery last week. In order to work out the origins of the piece, experts removed a 'centuries-old veil of dirt' from the paintings, it was then they discovered that it had been created by Durer. The painting is located in a part of the cathedral known as the 'bishop's gate'. The artist was famed for his wall paintings The paintings were found in St Stephen's Cathedral (pictured above). Durer is believed to have visited on his way to see a friend Durer grew up in Nuremberg and the discovery of the painting could shed light on the life of the painter, as there is currently no historical records which state he had visited Vienna. Who was Albrecht Durer? As newly discovered wall paintings in Vienna are revealed as the work of Albrecht Durer, we take a look at the German artist. Durer was born in 1471 in the city of Nuremberg, Germany. He was a skilled painter and writer, but his most renowned talent was that of print making. Durer apprenticed with his father and with local painter Michael Wolgemut. Durer is best known for revolutionising paint making and making it an independent art form. His most famous works include: The Apocalypse, The Large Woodcut Passion cycle and the Life of the Virgin. His talents earned his the friendship of some of the most influential people in German society. He was an official court artist to Maxmilian I and his successor Charles V. The artist also painted a range of self portraits before his death in 1528. Advertisement Erwin Pokorny, a Durer specialist said: 'The question is not whether, but when Durer was in Vienna,' he said, citing the mural's 'virtuoso brushwork.' 'In Joachim Sandrart's biography of Albrecht Durer, Emperor Maximilian I orders the artist to 'mark something great on the wall',' art historian Michael Rainer told the BDA. 'We could now have found the location of this anecdote, which until now was misunderstood as mere legend.' Once research from the mural has been conducted, a report will be published by the Monuments Office in the Austrian Journal for Art and Monument Conservation. It was previously thought that Durer had only made one set of wall paintings. These consisted of a decoration for the great hall of Nuremberg town hall which he had designed in 1521. Despite the fact he designed the painting, the work was actually carried out by his assistants. In 1630 it was painted over and all traces of his work were destroyed when a bombing hit in 1945. Even though experts believe the works in Vienna are that of Durer's, it is not yet clear if he just commissioned them, or if he actually painted them himself. Pokorny had initially believed it was the work of one of his assistants, but after continuous research. now firmly believes that it is the work of Durer himself. It is thought that in 1505, Durer had stopped of in Vienna, while on his way from Nuremberg to Venice. One reason for his visit to Vienna, although there is no official documentation to prove this - could be to do with his friendship with scholar Conrad Celtis, who lived in the capital from 1497 until his death in 1508. It is thought Celtis is shown in Durer's 1508 painting of The Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand, which currently sits in the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, BPB UW Management Ltd (BPBUW) has launched an underwriting agency focused on nurturing individual MGA businesses. Its executive team is led by Chairman Jonathan Palmer-Brown, CEO John Holm, COO Margaret Ryan and Executive Director Robin Blunt. BPBUWs business strategy is to build out a number of specialist niche MGA subsidiaries, with the key underwriters in each holding a meaningful equity stake in their own MGA business. BPBUW said there is an absolute focus on recruiting only the highest performing underwriters with a first-class track record of profitability and strong market following. BPBUW said it has an active pipeline of high-quality MGA businesses and anticipates it will make further announcements of new MGAs in the coming months. Asta Underwriting Management Ltd will provide operational services to BPBUW, with Marsh providing broking for the business. David Ashby Underwriting Ltd. (DAU), a buy-out of an equine book from MS Amlin, is the first MGA BPBUW has brought to the market. Led by David Ashby, one of the markets leading bloodstock and equestrian underwriters, it is a Lloyds coverholder with capacity provided by Lloyds insurers MS Amlin and Hiscox. David Ashby Underwriting started underwriting on Jan. 1, 2020. It is an exciting time to be building an insurance business focused around high quality underwriting talent with an outstanding track record, commented Palmer-Brown. As market conditions firm, the opportunities are substantial for underwriters with the right skills, experience and distribution network. BPBUW has a strong pipeline and we are looking forward to seeing other excellent underwriters start up and build their business under the BPBUW umbrella in the coming months, he added. We are proud to be supporting David Ashby Underwriting Ltd as our first MGA, David has an excellent business, and I am confident that he will be successful right from the start. The launch of DAU by London-based re/insurer MS Amlin was announced on Jan. 13. DAUs capacity is provided 50:50 by MS Amlin and Hiscox. In 2020, its first year of underwriting, DAU expects its GWP to total approximately 25 million ($32.5 million). Source: BPB UW Management Ltd. Related: Topics InsurTech Underwriting Insurance Wholesale Startups L.A. City Fire says 2 classes were outside when liquid jet fuel rained down on them from the sky shortly before noon Pacific time. BREAKING NEWS: Delta Airlines flight 89 from Los Angeles to Shanghai was nearing LAX in an emergency landing sequence when it dumped fuel on a school playground, and the kids and teachers who were outside. Authorities say 17 children and 9 adults were treated for minor injuries. The FAA has declared an emergency. Delta says the jet experienced an engine issue requiring return to LAX. Plane landed safely after the emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight. As of 130PM Pacific time, LA County Fire Department said, "Patient count updated to 17 children, 9 adults. All minor injuries with no transports to local hospital from school. There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL." Parents are asked to refer to the school for plans to pick up their child. UPDATE*** Patient count updated to 17 children, 9 adults. All minor injuries w/ no transports to local hospital from school. There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL. Refer to school regarding plans for child pick-up. #LACoFD L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 14, 2020 Video below from eyewitness @SujeyHernandez. Delta Airlines told reporters within an hour of the disaster, "Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX. The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight." LOS ANGELES TIMES: An airplane returning to Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning dropped jet fuel onto a school playground, striking several students at Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy, officials said. Delta Flight 89 had taken off from LAX with 149 passengers on board and was en route to Shanghai when it turned around and headed back to the L.A. airport. "Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX," Delta spokesperson Adrian Gee said. "The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight." The Los Angeles County Fire Department said that more than 70 firefighters and paramedics are at the school assessing multiple patients. Los Angeles City Fire is also at the scene. Here's the flight map via @stiles. Delta Flight 89 took off from LAX, en route to Shanghai, before quickly turning around and dropping jet fuel over an elementary school https://t.co/G5duAwBV2V pic.twitter.com/UV2UbbaSeh Colleen Shalby (@CShalby) January 14, 2020 From the @FAANews: "Delta Air Lines Flight 89 declared an emergency after departing from LAX, returned to the airport and landed without incident. The FAA is aware of and looking into reports that children at a school east of LAX are being treated for fuel exposure." https://t.co/JX9KTwvy3O Elly Yu (@ellywyu) January 14, 2020 Video of the fuel dump, reported to be @Delta flight #89 LAX to Shanghai, had to return to LAX after engine issue. https://t.co/XReWLQg9Cm Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug) January 14, 2020 Shortly before this plane landed at LAX, it dumped what's believed to be fuel on an elementary school playground, hitting several students. LA County Fire said 70+ are on scene assessing multiple patients https://t.co/G5duAwTvUt pic.twitter.com/LsJaAOTfpg Colleen Shalby (@CShalby) January 14, 2020 Aircraft fuel reportedly dumped on school kids. Delta flight 89 was dumping fuel earlier when diverting back to LAX. @KNX1070 https://t.co/MeFh0uSD8O Mike Simpson (@KNXSimpson) January 14, 2020 Park Ridge has had a red-light camera on westbound Oakton Street at Northwest Highway for the last 10 years. The city has a contract with RedSpeed, a company that maintains the camera, submits violations to the police department and collects payments for violations. The current contract ends this year and it will be up to the City Council to decide if it should be renewed, said Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski. Queen Elizabeth has released a statement regarding Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from the position of senior royals. In response to the Prince and his wife's shock announcement, the Queen gave her aides a 72-hour ultimatum and also called for a family meeting that would be attended by most of the members of the senior royalty. Queen wishes Prince Harry would have stayed According to the statement released by the Queen, the royal family (including the Queen) are very supportive of the decision made by Prince Harry and Meghan. The Queen added that she fully understands the desires of the pair to create a new life and respects their desire to become financially independent. Prince Harry and Meghan announced their decision on Instagram on Wednesday and have also expressed desires to not be reliant of public funds anymore. Harry's American-born wife Meghan returned to Canada before the royal family meet but reports have suggested that she attended via conference call. In her shocking statement, while the Queen has agreed to the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan she also announced a period of transition where the couple will have to divide their time between the UK and Canada. One of the most telling revelations made in the Queen's statement was the despite wishing Prince Harry and Meghan the best for the future and agreeing to their demands the Queen clearly stated that she and the remaining members of the royal family would have greatly preferred if Prince Harry and Meghan had remained 'full-time working members of the royal family'. BREAKING: STATEMENT FROM THE QUEEN pic.twitter.com/Fe6KCXTKqk Dan Wootton (@danwootton) January 13, 2020 Read: Queen Agrees On 'transition'; Lets Harry & Meghan Move Part-time To Canada Read: UK Minister Dismisses Racism Against Meghan Markle Ahead Of Queen's Crisis Talks Local media has reported that the Queen has asked Prince Harry and Meghan not to issue a public statement just yet, she wants them to work out their financial, logistics, and public-relations strategy before issuing a public statement. Since coming into the limelight after her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan has reportedly had to deal with sometimes racist press coverage and media outlets have suggested that it was Meghan's inability to properly adjust to the UK that forced the Prince to make such an announcement. The Queen and her younger grandson have had a close relationship as reported by local media. According to the information provided on the Buckingham Palace website, Prince Harry served ten years in the Army and undertook two tours of Afghanistan. The Prince continues to work towards helping fellow servicemen and helping wounded vets adjust to life after service. Read: Did Elton John Know About Prince Harry-Meghan Markle's Royal Exit Before The Queen? Read: Liberal National Club President Who Protested Against Drag Queens Dies (With inputs from Agencies) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 18:28:52|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Private firms overtook foreign-funded enterprises as the biggest contributor of China's foreign trade for the first time in 2019, customs data showed Tuesday. The aggregate imports and exports generated by China's private firms went up 11.4 percent year on year to 13.48 trillion yuan (about 1.95 trillion U.S. dollars). The number accounted for 42.7 percent of the country's total, up 3.1 percentage points from 2018, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). In breakdown, private firms' exports rose by 13 percent to 8.9 trillion yuan, taking up 51.6 percent of China's total exports in 2019, while their imports expanded by 8.4 percent to 4.58 trillion yuan, making up 32 percent of the country's total imports. Foreign-invested companies took up 39.9 percent of China's foreign trade, with the trade volume falling 3.2 percent to 12.57 trillion yuan. Compared to the previous year, more private firms engaged in foreign trade in 2019, Zou Zhiwu, vice minister of the GAC, said at a press conference. The number of private enterprises with foreign trade transactions reached 406,000 in 2019, up 8.7 percent from one year earlier, he said. Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative and their comparative advantages in costs, private companies in the central and western regions of China outperformed their peers on the east coast, Zou noted. The foreign trade generated by private firms in central and western areas surged 28.3 percent and 22.4 percent, respectively, 19.5 percentage points and 13.6 percentage points higher than that of the eastern region. Private firms also showed a growing ability to tap emerging markets, Zou said. For instance, private firms' exports to ASEAN countries, Latin America and Africa rose 25.6 percent, 11.4 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively, outpacing the national average growth in these markets. Despite over 20,000 peacekeepers and special counter-terrorism troops operating in Mali and neighboring countries, the casualties keep increasing. While the concentration of most of these forces in northern Mali has pushed a lot of the Islamic terrorists activity to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, Islamic and tribal violence related deaths in those three countries were at least 4,000 in 2019. Nearly half those deaths were in Burkina Faso, a huge increase from 80 in 2016. The dead include security forces, Islamic terrorists and civilians, which often means local armed defense groups. In Mali, the violence is now concentrated in Central Mali (the Mopti, one of Malis ten regions) where 74 percent of the 1,500 2019 deaths took place. The rest were in Moptis northeast neighbor (Gao region) where ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is most active. The situation in Mopti is worse than it appears because in the adjacent Sahel province of Burkina Faso there were 918 deaths in 2019. The two provinces can blame it on Islamic terror groups using the two provinces for their drug/people smuggling operation (north to the Mediterranean coast) which is so lucrative that it has expanded, at least in Mopti and Sahel provinces, to include extortion and all manner of criminal activity. At the center of all this violence and cash producing activity are Fulani tribesmen who are numerous (20 million in all) throughout a belt of territory stretching from are Mopti province, through Sahel province then through southern Niger into northern Nigeria. The Fulani are herders, aggressive, Moslem and very active when it comes to religious (Islamic terror) and tribal violence. Once the Fulani adopted Islamic terrorism they became major players in local Islamic terrorist activity. Before that, the Tuareg (who are ethnically related to the North African Berbers) of northern Mali were at the heart of new Islamic terrorist activity up there a decade ago. The Fulani, further south, are more numerous because the Tuareg are on the edge of the Sahara Desert while most of the Fulani are in or near the Niger River Valley. Its not just the Fulani. As with the radical Tuaregs up north, these two groups provided the core leadership to form a larger Islamic terror group that attracted a wide variety of recruits from ethnic groups throughout the Sahel and adjacent areas to the south and even North Africa. At the core of all this violence is the drug money made by moving South American cocaine and locally produced hashish north to more lucrative markets. The most violent groups dominate this business and over the last few decades those have become Islamic terrorists. The Tuareg based Islamic terrorists were bad enough but the more numerous Fulani led groups further south are a larger problem and France has agreed to provide 220 more troops to the existing 5,000 local G5 force and 4,500 French counterterror troops to create a combined force of nearly 10,000 troops, backed by air power and modern weapons and intelligence collecting capabilities. This would be a combined French/G5 force that would act as a single organization to destroy or cripple major Islamic terrorist threats throughout the Sahel. Currently the 4,500 well equipped French troops operating mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and have proved the most successful at finding and killing Islamic terrorist leaders as well as key logistics (cash and supplies) and training centers the Islamic terrorists require to manage and sustain their combat and administrative manpower. The enemy is a large, dispersed and fanatic organization that combines religious fanatic violence with entrepreneurial activity (to raise money) to become a major disruptive faction in the areas where they operate. The Second Act While the 2013 French counterterrorism operation in the north initially drove thousands of Islamic terrorists into neighboring countries, many slowly returned. But many did not and thats when the Islamic terror problem in Burkina Faso went from troublesome to terrible, aided by a new government that was less effective dealing with it. Burkina Faso still hosts over 30,000 refugees from Mali, in addition to 500,000 more, most of them locals displaced by the growing Islamic terrorist violence. These refugee camps often serve as a sanctuary for Mali Islamic terrorists, as long as they do not attract attention in the camp. Thats one reason many countries dont like to host refugees from a nation that has a serious Islamic terrorist problem. Central Mali, where the borders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso meet, has become a hotspot for Islamic terrorist activity for the last few years. Burkina Faso is, like Mali, landlocked and has 17 million people (about 20 percent more than Mali). Burkina Faso also lacks the troublesome Tuareg/Arab minority in the north. Because Burkina Faso is south of Mali it also lacks the semi-desert terrain common northern Mali. That is where the Malian Tuareg/Arab minority lives. Burkina Faso also has more religious diversity with a quarter of the population being Christian and 60 percent Moslem. Moreover, the Moslem population consists of several different schools of Islam, some of them quite hostile to Sunni Islamic terrorism as practiced by al Qaeda and ISIL. In contrast, Niger and Mauritania are almost all Moslem and have always been the home for some Islamic conservatives who were not satisfied unless their neighbors also adopted Islamic conservatism. The religious pluralism in Burkina Faso helps restrict the Islamic terrorist activity to one area, but that is adjacent to central Mali and provides a handy sanctuary for Mali Islamic terror groups. The Mali army has suffered the heaviest casualties with 140 dead during the last four months of 2019. Civilian casualties have also been heavy, nearly 2,000 so far in 2019, in the area where most of the fighting has been (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso). The violence is concentrated where the borders of these three nations meet. Then there is ISIL, which gets a lot of publicity but is a minor part of the problem in Malia and the Sahel. Since 2018 ISIL has had two provinces in central Africa. The smaller one was ISGS (Islamic State in Greater Sahara) which showed up in 2018. ISGS is currently active in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. This is the group that has been under heavy attack for most of 2019. The main reason for that is the ISIL strategy of inflicting lots of casualties on the Mali army to destroy soldier morale and willingness to fight or even remain in the military. This is not a new tactic and the battles with ISIL up north are something of a bloody endurance contest. The other, slightly older and larger, ISIL province was ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). ISWAP was actually a faction of the Nigerian Boko Haram Islamic terrorists who had been around since 2004. ISWAP personnel are mostly in northeastern Nigeria as well as smaller numbers in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon. ISWAP seems to be expanding, apparently by incorporating groups outside Nigeria. ISGS and ISWAP do not appear to work together except when it comes to Internet media activities, where ISWAP will mention ISGS accomplishments. Lately, ISWAP announcements rarely mention ISGS and attribute attacks in ISGS territory as the work of ISWAP. It is unclear what this means because there has been no announcement of any merger. The operating areas of ISGS and ISWAP are about 2,000 kilometers from each other. Another factor is the frequent cooperation between al Qaeda and ISIL groups in Mali and surrounding countries. ISIL does not have effective central authority at the moment, with the senior leadership still dispersed and on the run from recent defeats in eastern Syria and western Iraq. It is often difficult, at first, to determine which faction of Boko Haram made an attack. Ultimately one of the factions will take credit. ISWAP is usually quicker to do so and has a much more efficient media operation than most Africa-based Islamic terror groups. Recently ISIL has been the most active in carrying out major attacks but is still not the major player in Mali. That would be JNIM, the local al Qaeda operation, which is mainly taking care of business while ISIL takes the heat. This is typical ISIL behavior, which has always been more into violence than the business of maintaining operations. Thats why al Qaeda survives and thrives while ISIL attracts the more violent Islamic terrorists who prefer to take more risks and casualties. This grabs more headlines, which is one reason for these suicidal tactics. It helps with recruiting but not so much with fundraising. ISIL factions tend to live more by foraging and robbery. A key reason for Mali and its neighbors attracting so much Islamic terrorist activity is money. Mali has one of the most corrupt governments in the region and that is one reason why the primary drug/people smuggling routes to the Mediterranean coast run through Mali. This not only enriches local officials but also funds many of the local Islamic terrorist groups. Most of these Islamic terrorist factions would not exist except for the income provided from drug and people smuggling. Drug gangs are unpopular with most Malians because the presence of those drugs, even though most are just passing through to more lucrative markets in Europe, cause a growing number of local addicts. This sort of thing tears families apart and ensures that these highly effective drugs will always be seen as a major threat, as are the locals who transport and distribute them. The people smuggling also can get pretty ugly because it sometimes involves slavery and prostitution. Nigerian investigators, seeking information on what was happening to the thousands of Nigerian teenage girls and young women who disappear each year, found that many of them who do not remain in northeastern Nigeria, enslaved by Boko Haram Islamic terrorists or are tempted by the promise of a job overseas, end up in one form of bondage or another. Many are sold into prostitution or slavery elsewhere in Africa, including Mali. The Nigerian investigators have traced hundreds of Nigerian victims to the Mali border where they are forced into prostitution or outright slavery, usually with the help of local Islamic terror groups who, like most Islamic fundamentalists, still believe in the practice of slavery. Those that become prostitutes are often allowed to buy their way out of that after a few years but at that point are on their own and too ashamed to try and go home. Many of these women are sold into slavery elsewhere in the region. January 13, 2020: French and African officials met, in France, to work out how to create and run a larger and more effective joint French/G5 counterterr0r force. This was done but there remained the problem with the Americans planning to withdraw most of their forces from Africa. The Americans provide a lot of essential logistic and intelligence collecting services for the Sahel counterterror operations. France said it would seek to persuade the Americans to stick around until the Sahel Islamic terrorist crises was brought under control. . The G5 Sahel Joint Force was a good idea but France has always wanted to expand it. The G5 Force was organized in 2018 to deal with transnational Islamic terrorist organizations. G5 was a consortium of five Sahel (the semi-desert area stretching across Africa from Senegal to Somalia) nations; Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Each contributed troops best able to deal with Islamic terrorism and G5 operated throughout the Sahel region as needed. By 2019 G5 forces were spending more time in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali is still the most troublesome Sahel nation but also has the most outside assistance, including a peacekeeping force along with a separate French counter-terror force that also covers much of the Sahel along with the G5 force. The Mali contingent of the G5 is considered the least capable and that has to be taken into account while the training program for the Mali military slowly improves the quality of leadership and troop reliability. With Mali secured by all these foreign troops, the G5 has been able to deal with Islamic terror problems elsewhere, especially Burkina Faso and Niger. The G5 force consists of 5,000 soldiers and police that are stationed in three operational areas along with troops familiar with local conditions. Thus Sahel East consists of troops from Chad and Niger. Sahel Central is staffed by troops from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso while Sahel West uses troops from Mali and Mauritania. What G5 could not do was replace a lack of security forces in one of its member nations. Burkina Faso is the best example of this because after a new government took power in 2014, the internal intelligence and security forces were reorganized and became much less effective. Islamic terrorists took note and established themselves in the part of Burkina Faso adjacent to Mali. As a result that part of Burkina Faso has seen an increasing amount of Islamic terrorist activity since 2015. France offered to take the lead in raising more money to expand (as much as double) the size of the G5 Force but it was soon realized that it was easier to find the money than to find the qualified troops. Then there is the chronic corruption in African countries. Mali is still one of the most corrupt nations in the region. Thats the main reason for all the Islamic terrorist activity being centered on Mali. January 9, 2020: In the north, near Kidal, fifteen mortar shells fired at a peacekeeper base left 18 peacekeepers and two civilians wounded. JNIM was suspected. In neighboring Niger, about 11 kilometers from the border, ISIL forces attacked an army base and were repulsed after losing more than 60 men. The defending soldiers lost 25 men. This attack led to the Niger government replacing the senior army leadership. January 6, 2020: In central Mali (Alatona, 80 kilometers from the Mauritania border), an army convoy was hit by a roadside bomb, which destroyed four vehicles and killed five soldiers. Some of the Islamic terrorists who set off the bomb were killed or wounded when they fired on the convoy after the bomb went off and surviving soldiers fired back. January 5, 2020: In central Mali (the Ouagadou forest), a French-led force, with lots of air support, conducted three counter-terror raids over the last 16 days. At least fifty Islamic terrorists were killed or captured. December 24, 2019: In the north, across the border in Burkina Faso, two ISIL operations left 11 soldiers and 35 civilians dead. December 22, 2019: In central Mali, a French Reaper UAV used missiles to kill seven Islamic terrorists. This was the first time France has used armed UAVs to attack ground targets. France has been using RQ-9 Reaper UAVs in Mali since late 2013. Earlier in 2013, France decided to buy two RQ-9s and by the middle of the year had upped the order to a dozen. This was with the understanding that one or two would be available for French use in Mali before the end of the year. This was less of a problem than it appears because the U.S. had already (since January 2013) been operating RQ-9s in neighboring Niger and the British have their own RQ-9 operations center, where satellite links allow UAV operators to control RQ-9s anywhere on the planet, in Britain that could be used to quickly train French operators. Facilities were also available in the United States, which is where RQ-9 ground crews are trained. The U.S. delivered on its end of the deal and France got its operators and ground support personnel up to speed on time. At the time two French Harfang UAVs were present in Mali, operating from neighboring Niger, along with some American RQ-9s. The Harfang is based on an Israeli design and is similar to the 1.1 ton U.S. Predator. The larger RQ-9 weighs 4.6 tons. France currently has eleven RQ-9s. One was lost to an accident and the others are being upgraded to handle Hellfire laser-guided missiles and a French made smart bomb. Obviously at least one of the upgraded Reapers was available by the end of 2019. The upgrade program is expected to be completed by 2021. The upgrade costs about a million dollars per UAV and includes software and hardware modifications. France continues to use its Reapers mainly for surveillance and reconnaissance. Finding Islamic terrorists is a difficult job but with the Reapers, it is possible to follow up on any leads obtained by informants or other information sources and confirm when the suspected Islamic terrorists actually are. The seeking and finding Islamic terrorists is not glamorous work but it is the main reason the French counter-terror forces keep finding Islamic terrorist leaders or large concentrations of Islamic terrorists to attack. With armed UAVs, it is now possible to hit elusive targets before they evade the surveillance. This has happened regularly since 2013 and despite political resistance to armed UAVs, the losses suffered by French troops in Mali eventually made armed UAVs more acceptable. December 10, 2019: In the north, across the border in Niger, ISIL forces attacked an army base, killing at least 70 soldiers. A highly agitated man has been dramatically arrested in Melbourne's CBD after he jumped the counter of a busy bank after being refused money. Heavily armed police officers descended on the ANZ bank on the corner of Collins and Queen streets in the heart of Melbourne just before 11am on Tuesday. In wild scenes in the smoke-filled city, people wearing gas masks walked by as police wrestled the man to the footpath. Scroll down for video Police tackle a 41-year old man to the footpath as he shouts for help Paramedics needed to sedate the man before he could be moved to an ambulance A witness told Daily Mail Australia she was inside the bank when the man 'went off his head'. 'He went off when he found out that he didn't have any money in his account,' the witness said. 'He was shouting and screaming. He left and then came back again.' The witness said the angry customer then jumped the bank counter when staff refused to hand him over any money. 'They just scattered and called security,' she said. The witness claimed the man phoned police himself as security staff scurried to catch him. Outside, cuffed and placed on the ground, the man pleaded with police to go inside the bank and get his money. 'I've done nothing wrong,' he shouted. The man claimed his banking details had been stolen and staff refused to assist him. But as police waited for paramedics to arrive, the man became more agitated. 'They're going to murder me. Help,' he shouted as police took him to ground. "There is a man in the tower with a gun.' Up to a dozen police attended the scene where the man was placed on busy Collins Street until he was wrestled up the stairs off the bank off the busy footpath Melburnians walk by as police deal with the screaming and out-of-control man who earlier allegedly jumped over a bank counter As fire-choked Melburnians walked past the scene wearing gas masks due to the smoke, police attempted to subdue the out-of-control-man. Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia the man was a well-known on the streets of Melbourne. But the disturbing incident continued to play out for up to 45 minutes before shocked passers-by. 'I see him up there. He's going to shoot me,' the man shouted as police tried to move him off the street. 'You set me up,' he shouted. 'There is a guy up there in the tower.' The ugly incident continued on the stairs of the ANZ bank for up to another 20 minutes, off busy Collins Street, as the man continued to beg and scream for help. 'Someone call the police. The real police,' he shouted. 'But don't call 000.' 'Film it everybody,' he yelled. As police tried to calm the man down, he became more and more agitated, telling police he could not breathe. The man gasped and choked for air in a dramatic display as people walked by. When he was eventually taken away, the man shouted out that paramedics were injecting him with something. As he was dragged onto the stretcher, the man continued to scream, despite appearing to be gagged. A police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the 41-year-old man was arrested and transported to hospital for assessment. Elizabeth Warren said on Tuesday that, if elected president, on day one in office she would direct the Department of Education to begin canceling the bulk of Americas student debt without waiting for legislation from Congress, a dramatic promise that could thrust loan forgiveness into the center of the Democratic primarys policy debates. Warren previously released a plan to cancel up to $50,000 of student loan debt for households that make $100,000 or less, and smaller amounts for higher earners, as part of a broader effort to reform higher education that would also eliminate tuition at public colleges. That proposal was silent on whether she would wait for congressional authority, and it has always been doubtful whether moderate Democratic lawmakers in Washington would go along with either idea. In a blog post published Tuesday, she said her administration would act on its own to reduce what borrowers owe. The Department of Education already has broad legal authority to cancel student debt, and we cant afford to wait for Congress to act, she wrote. So I will start to use existing laws on day one of my presidency to implement my student loan debt cancellation plan that offers relief to 42 million Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warren says that she would wipe away debts using the Department of Educations power to compromise and modify outstanding loans, which gives the department the authority to forgive some or all of a borrowers balance. Its typically brought up in the context of students who were defrauded by their schools, such as those who attended predatory for-profit institutions. But left-wing academics have lately argued that an ambitious White House could use the same tool to enact a mass student debt jubilee. A group of attorneys from the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, including the director of its Project on Predatory Student Lending, have provided Warren with a six-page letter arguing that her plan would be legal. Advertisement My guess is that well see some fairly intense debate about whether thats really the case in the coming months. Any plan to unilaterally forgive debt would also almost certainly face opposition, and potential lawsuits, from the loan servicing companies that the federal government contracts with to collect loans, and that could see much of their business evaporate in the event of jubilee. But even leaving aside the legal issues, Warrens new promise radically changes the politics of student debt forgiveness. What once might have seemed like a somewhat unrealistic proposal meant to energize left-wing voters and demonstrate Warrens commitment to address student debt has now become a central promise for her campaign. That could give her a boost in the primary, given that Democratic voters generally support debt forgiveness, but may be more controversial in the general election. In a weird way, its a bit like the progressive equivalent of Trumps Muslim banan aggressive, dramatic vow to carry out a marquee policy proposal using administrative authority that revs up the candidates base, and that they would have little political choice but to follow through on once in office. (To be extra clear, Im not equating the two on the merits, just the politics. Warrens plan is not a racist sop to anti-Muslim hysteria.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One fairly obvious question Warrens new plan raises is what happens if she begins forgiving debt and Congress doesnt move to change our current system of paying for college? Will the Department of Education just continually issue student loans, then cancel them? That would create some perverse incentives for people to borrow for school when they otherwise might not. (Though one could maybe think about it as a roundabout approach to guaranteeing free college, for at least a few years.) It would also somewhat undermine some of the philosophical argument for debt forgiveness, which is that it makes victims of our current higher-ed system whole en route to a future where college is permanently tuition-free. Here, you just get the forgiveness with no reforms.Then again, the weird side effects might force Congress to take action, rather than let a President Elizabeth Warren act unilaterally. (Theres also the question of how Republicans will react. Could they use a move like Warrens to justify ending the entire federal student loan program, or partially privatize it again? Possibly!) Advertisement Advertisement So what now? Given that Bernie Sanders has his own, more expansive debt forgiveness planunlike Warren, he has promised to cancel all outstanding loansit seems pretty likely that he will follow her lead and promise to do it on executive authority alone. Either way, by putting it on her day one agenda, Warren is now making loan forgiveness a central topic in the Democratic primary, which has already seen a few skirmishes between the leftist and moderate wings over the value of free college. Some of the ensuing argument will likely focus on the price tag: Warrens campaign had previously estimated that her full plan would cost the government $650 billion, but the reality is that nobody has a reliable estimate of how forgiveness would affect the budget. You can also expect to hear some candidates question the wisdom of forgiving the debt of college graduates en masse while people who never went to school still struggle financially. If its not guaranteed to be part of a larger overhaul of higher education, Im not sure theres a good answer for that. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Madras High Court judge Anitha Sumanth on Monday recused herself from hearing the plea moved by Karti Chidambaram and his wife seeking to stall the proceeding before the special court pertaining to the case filed by the Income Tax department in the alleged non-disclosure of income by the duo to a tune of Rs 6.38 crore. The judge decided that the documents seized from Advantage Strategic Private Limited was the basis for the cases against the petitioners, as was claimed by counsels for the I-T department M Sheela and N Baskar. As justice Anitha Sumanth had represented the company when she was an advocate, the counsels submitted that it would not be appropriate for her to hear the current plea. Judge Sumanth recused and directed the registry to forward the plea to the Chief Justice for posting before another court. With the attempts to stall the case failing, senior advocate KTS Tulsi appearing for the petitioners immediately made an urgent mention before Justice P Rajamanickam, few minutes before lunch and sought for an urgent hearing of another plea moved by Karti in the same case. The judge accepted to hear the plea post lunch. Advocates Baskar and Sheela objected to the hearing. The crime numbers mentioned by the petitioners are incorrect. They require to be rectified first. Moreover, the cases are not pending before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate court at Egmore as claimed. They are pending before the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs, the counsels said. Recording the submissions of the counsels, the judge wondered how the plea can be heard by him as he is not the portfolio judge. To this, senior counsel Nalini Chidambaram submitted that they made a representation before the Chief Justice who had, in turn, directed the registry to list the matter before this court. If so where is the order passed by the Chief Justice. Without such order how can I entertain the plea? There is no note from the office of the Chief Justice. The petition has been listed before this court since you made an urgent mention before lunch. I was not aware of the facts of the case. That apart, standing counsels for the department are raising several objections which requires to be rectified, Justice Rajamanickam said. The court then directed the registry to post the matter before the Chief Justice to decide the further course of the hearing. The senior advocates before the closing hours on Monday made a mention before the Chief Justice and sought for an hearing of the case on Monday ( January 20), a day before the special court for MPs and MLAs is scheduled to hear the plea. DUBAI: Iran said on Tuesday it had arrested people accused of a role in shooting down a Ukrainian airliner and had also detained 30 people involved in protests that have swept the nation for four days since the military belatedly admitted its error. Wednesday`s shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, killing all 176 people aboard, has led to one of the biggest public challenges to the Islamic Republic`s clerical rulers since they took power four decades ago. President Hassan Rouhani promised a thorough investigation into the "unforgivable error" of shooting down the plane, in an address on Tuesday. It was the latest in a series of apologies by the leadership that has done little to quell public anger. Britain, France and Germany also increased diplomatic pressure on Iran, launching a dispute mechanism to challenge Tehran for breaching limits on its nuclear programme under an agreement which Washington abandoned in 2018. Tehran has faced an escalating confrontation with the West and a wave of unrest since the United States killed Iran`s most powerful military commander in a drone strike on January 3. Iran shot down the plane on Wednesday when its military was on high alert, hours after firing missiles at US targets in Iraq. It admitted the mistake on Saturday after days of denials. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said some of those accused of having a role in the plane disaster had been arrested, although he did not say how many or identify them. Since the official admission, protesters, many of them students, have held daily demonstrations, chanting "Clerics get lost!" and calling for the removal of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in power for more than 30 years. Police have responded to some protests with a violent crackdown, video posts on social media showed, with police beating protesters with batons, wounded people being carried, pools of blood on the streets and the sound of gunfire. A video to emerge on Tuesday showed an officer using an electric baton to shock a man as he writhed on the ground. Iran`s police have denied firing at protesters and said officers were ordered to act with restraint. The judiciary said 30 people had been detained in the unrest but said the authorities would show tolerance towards "legal protests". `WHERE IS JUSTICE?` Protests on Tuesday appeared peaceful, with scores gathering at two Tehran universities. "Where is justice?" some shouted. The extent of the unrest is difficult to assess because of limits on independent reporting. Demonstrations tend to gather momentum into the night. The domestic unrest triggered by the plane crash comes just two months after the most violent crackdown on protests since the revolution. The authorities killed hundreds of people to put down an uprising last November when demonstrators torched banks and petrol stations. Adding to international tensions, the judiciary spokesman branded Britain`s ambassador an "undesirable element", after he was briefly detained on Saturday, accused of inciting protests. The ambassador said he had been attending a vigil for victims. London said it had not been notified of any move to expel its envoy, Rob Macaire, and said such a step would be regrettable. Iran`s Foreign Ministry, rather than the judiciary, would be responsible for any decision to expel him. London hosts a meeting on Thursday for Canada, Ukraine, Britain and other nations who had citizens on the plane. Ukraine said the gathering would consider legal action against Tehran. Rouhani said the government would be accountable to Iranians and those nations who lost citizens. Most of those on board the flight were Iranians or dual nationals. The disaster and subsequent unrest comes amid one of the biggest escalations between Tehran and Washington since 1979. Missiles launched at a US base in Iraq killed an American contractor in December, an attack Washington blamed on an Iran-backed group. Confrontation eventually led to the US drone strike on January 3 that killed Qassem Soleimani, architect of Iran`s regional network of proxy militias. Iran`s government was already reeling from the reimposition of sanctions by the United States, which quit an agreement with world powers under which Tehran would secure sanctions relief in return for scaling back its nuclear programme. Since Washington withdrew, Tehran has stepped back from its nuclear commitments and has said it would no longer recognise limits on enriching uranium. After months of threatening to act, European signatories to the deal, France, Britain and Germany, activated the agreement`s dispute mechanism on Tuesday. Iran dismissed the "completely passive action" of the Europeans and said it wants constructive steps to save the nuclear deal. Elsewhere in the Middle East, where Iran has wielded influence through a network of allied movements and proxies, governments that include powerful Iran-sponsored armed factions have faced months of hostile demonstrations in Lebanon and Iraq. Scott Hapgood, the Connecticut father charged with manslaughter over the death of an Anguillan hotel worker last April, is suing the resort where the incident took place claiming it was negligent for the employee to have ever been hired. Hapgood, 44, and hotel worker Kenny Mitchel, 27, got into a deadly fight in Hapgood's family's room at the Malliouhana Resort which resulted in Mitchel's death. Hapgood and his family say Mitchel arrived unannounced under the pretense of offering to fix the sink in their bathroom. They say the young Caribbean worker produced a knife once inside the room and that Hapgood fought him to protect his wife, son and two daughters. A toxicology report has since revealed that Mitchel was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol at the time. He had previously been arrested in Anguilla on rape charges. Hapgood was charged with manslaughter and is awaiting trial on the island. Scott Hapgood is awaiting trial on manslaughter charges for the death of Kenny Mitchel in April this year On Monday, he filed a lawsuit against Auberge Resorts - which owns the hotel - saying it was their fault Mitchel was even there on the day he died. They say that he should have been fired over his previous arrest on rape charges and that it was the resort's fault he was on the premises and around children and families. 'Auberge Resorts failed to ensure the safety and protection of its hotel guests, the Hapgood family. 'As a result, Auberge Resorts should be held responsible for the harm that the Hapgood family has suffered,' it said. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit against Auberge Resorts - which owns the Malliouhana Resort (above) - saying it was their fault Mitchel was even there on the day he died Auberge Resorts did not immediately respond to the lawsuit on Monday. The lawsuit was filed in Californian court. Not only does it accuse Auberge of negligence for having Mitchel on the premises, it also accuses the resort of putting guests at risk of contracting 'HIV and/or other diseases' because, it claims, Mitchel was a drug user. 'Given that Mitchel was both a known drug-user and an accused rapist, fear of transmission of serious diseases, including HIV, was a legitimate fear supported by medical evidence. Scott Hapgood is shown in an image taken after his fight with Mitchel 'Auberge and its employees acted with reckless disregard of the probability that Scott would suffer emotional distress and mental suffering, knowing that Scott was present when the conduct occurred,' it reads. The lawsuit says that the prosecution against Hapgood has been unjust. 'To plaintiff Scott Hapgood, the 45-year-old husband of Kallie and father of Ryan, Hope, and Winn, the Auberge way means something different,' it says, invoking the hotel's slogan. 'It means getting attacked at knifepoint by a high, intoxicated 27-year-old hotel employee, being viciously stabbed, clawed, bitten, and beaten fearing for his life and his family. It means getting charged with a frivolous criminal prosecution, thrown in jail without just cause, risking being killed because the attackers relatives worked there, and fighting against extradition. 'And it means getting suspended from his job, enduring ongoing trauma and hardship, and being forced to defend a lawsuit by the representatives of his attacker. To plaintiffs Ryan and Hope Hapgood, it means fearing your father is about to be killed by a hotel employee and fearing for your own life. 'For Scott and the entire Hapgood family, the Plaintiffs here, Auberges dream vacation is a nightmare that does not end,' the lawsuit reads. Mitchel's family deny that he was drunk or high and say he was an upstanding man. The local community in Anguilla have been outraged by the fact that Hapgood was granted bail and say he should have been forced to wait for trial in jail. Hapgood hired a private security detail to accompany him on his trips back to the island because of the growing anger towards the case. He has asked for a swift trial and says local prosecutors are delaying it. London: Prince Harry is expected to join wife Meghan Markle and their eight-month-old son Archie in Canada by the end of this week after crisis talks with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II concluded "constructively". The 93-year-old monarch agreed to a transition period for the royal couple as the finer details of their semi-independent role are worked out in the coming days. In the interim, the couple will be dividing their time between their home at Frogmore Cottage in south-east England and a mansion on Vancouver Island in Canada. "I think they'll sort it out all the easier without any commentary from me," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday when asked about the future security and other arrangements that need to be worked out for the royal couple. Johnson's remarks came as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said further talks are still required over who pays for the heavy security detail required for Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, when they are in Canada. "I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have," he told Canadian TV. Security requirements and the financial implications of the unprecedented split within the top rung of the UK royal family will be at the heart of the details yet to be worked out. Meanwhile, with a rare personalised and informal statement repeatedly referring to her "family", the Queen appears keen to ensure unity within her household as best as possible. Her message of support to Harry and Meghan was tinged with sadness as the statement made reference to her desire for the couple to remain full-time working members of the royal family but added that their wish to live a more independent life was understandable. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the statement notes after what the Queen described as "very constructive" discussions on Monday involving her grandsons Harry and William as well as their father Prince Charles. Meghan had been expected to join by phone from Canada but royal aides confirmed that there had been no need for that in the end. Some reports indicate that Harry spent a considerable time alone with his grandmother to explain his side of things before the other members of the family joined the discussions. The urgent talks at Sandringham were convened by the Queen after Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, went public with their plans for a "progressive new role" within the royal protocol last week. The final draft for their new roles worked out by royal aides is expected to prove a blueprint for the future generations of Britain's royal household. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, his brother William, the Duke of Cambridge, and their father Charles, the Prince of Wales, had all been invited to the emergency meeting at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. It was the first time the monarch came face-to-face with Harry since the Sussex crisis exploded to determine the couple's future roles and decide if they will retain their royal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry, Meghan Criticised after Royal Crisis Summit Prince Harry and Meghan faced fresh criticism on Tuesday in the wake an emergency royal meeting to discuss their shock announcement to step back from frontline royal duties. British newspapers raked over Tuesday's meeting at which Queen Elizabeth II agreed to allow the young couple to split their time between Canada and the UK until a solution was found. "It means only one thing -- Harry and Meghan have won!" royal commentator Philip Dampier wrote in the Daily Express. "They metaphorically held a gun to her head and she has given in." The Sun tabloid's editorial said: "Our Queen's surrender to the petulant, selfish demands of Harry and Meghan may prove the biggest mistake of her reign. "This couple have simply raised the bar for self-obsessed, arrogant entitlement." The Daily Mirror said the monarch "displayed a selflessness sadly lacking from the way Harry and Meghan have disrespectfully treated her". The Daily Telegraph called the decision "The Queen's reluctant farewell". The final decisions on the couple's future will be thrashed out in the coming days. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, unilaterally announced last week they were stepping back as senior royals and wanted financial independence from the monarchy. The pair, who have a baby son, Archie, have hinted in recent months at their unhappiness about life in the public eye and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he understood their concerns. "I am a massive fan... of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country," he told BBC television. "I'm absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out." [January 14, 2020] Napier Park Promotes Nadja Marcoz to Partner Napier Park Global Capital ("Napier Park"), an alternative asset management platform with more than $14 billion in assets under management, today announced that Nadja Marcoz was named a Partner of the firm. Marcoz is based in Napier Park's New York office. "Nadja is a true culture carrier at Napier Park and we could not be more enthusiastic to call her a Partner," said Jim O'Brien, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Napier Park. "Her tireless work ethic, ability to continuously adapt and long-standing institutional relationships have contributed meaningfully to the growth and diversification of our alternative credit platform." Jonathan Dorfman, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Napier Park, added, "In addition to Nadja's ability to develop and expand mandates from sophisticated public pension plans and other institutional investors, she is a true ambassador for the industry as a whole both internally and externally and always leads by example. We look forward to her continued success." Marcoz said, "I am honored to serve as a part of this close-knit, collaborative team that has worked tirelessly each day o build Napier Park into what it is today-one of the leading, credit-focused investment platforms in the market. Working collaboratively with our talented investment team, we are not only able to grow the firm, but most importantly we are able to meet the investment objectives of our clients." Marcoz has more than 25 years of institutional sales and marketing experience. Prior to becoming a Partner at Napier Park, Marcoz was a Managing Director and Senior Relationship Manager responsible for covering large public pension plans and insurance clients and she will continue as a senior leader on the client services team. Marcoz is also the founder of the Napier Park Women's Network which hosts events, offers mentorship and encourages the efforts and inclusion of women in the structured credit industry. Prior to Napier Park, Marcoz worked as an institutional and Ultra-High-Net-Worth coverage officer at Wachovia Securities and the Citi Investment Bank. She started her career at Citi in Sydney (Australia) where she was recruited as a management associate. Marcoz holds an MBA (cum laude) from Neuchatel University in Switzerland. About Napier Park Global Capital Napier Park Global Capital is an alternative asset management firm with more than $14 billion in assets under management. The firm offers a diversified product mix including hedge funds, private investments, CLOs and structured credit to large, sophisticated institutional investors. Napier Park Global Capital has offices in New York, London and Switzerland. For more information visit www.napierparkglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005577/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A teenage boy has been sent to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus after he failed a lunchtime drugs test ordered by a judge, having come before the court for continuous breaches of bail conditions. The 15-year-old, who lives in a West Cork town, had been placed on strict bail conditions including a nightly curfew when he appeared before the district court on November 28 last. But Judge James McNulty heard that he has been missing from his home on a spate of occasions recently as gardai checked to see whether he was adhering to those conditions. The judge also heard the boy had gone missing from his home address for four days at one point. The arresting Garda said he had arrested the youth on foot of a bench warrant and brought him before the court in Skibbereen. Sgt Paul Kelly told the judge that there had been continuous breaches of the curfew which meant the boy should be at home between 9pm and 7am. The conditions had been relaxed temporarily over Christmas to facilitate a visit to see relatives but Sgt Kelly said when Gardai checked at his home at 10.40pm on December 30, there was no answer. Between January 1 and January 5 the teenager left his home for four days, Sgt Kelly said. Then when Gardai checked at 2.30am on January 5 there was no answer. On January 7 he did not return home until 5am, and on January 8 he was not there when Gardai checked at his home at 9.15pm and again at 10.20pm. Sgt Kelly also said that the teenager was to sign on daily at his local Garda station, but had not done so since New Years Eve. The boys solicitor, Ray Hennessy, said he had been aware of the situation following discussions with a probation officer. Judge McNulty said: If he is to be released on bail it will be on the basis of random oral drug fluid testing. He then ordered a test to be conducted over the next hour, at a Garda station. The judge was told the boy's mother was not available and he asked the probation officer in court to check on the availability of a remand bed at Oberstown, indicating that the boy was likely to be sent there. After a break for lunch Sgt Kelly said the boy had tested positive for cannabis. He said the state was objecting to bail and seeking a remand in custody, while Mr Hennessy said he knew the probation officer was also keen to have the breaches of bail terms addressed. Judge McNulty said: In view of the repeated, continuous and continuing breaches of curfew and having regard to the oral fluid drug testing done during lunchtime, this 15-year-old should be remanded to Oberstown. The Judge also directed that a psychological assessment be carried out but that it does not need to be ready by the time the teenager next appears before court. The boy was remanded in custody to appear before Clonakilty District Court on January 21. The teenager is currently facing a number of charges, including in relation to an assault on another young person. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the police to summon all the members of the two WhatsApp groups linked to violence on the campus on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The high court order came on a petition by three JNU professors who were injured in the January 5 attack. Ameet Parameswaran, professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Atul Sood, professor at Centre for Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, and Shukla Vinayak Sawant, a Professor at School of Arts and Aesthetics said in their petition that the attacks were premeditated and coordinated, planning for which had been done on various WhatsApp groups. Two such groups - Friends of RSS and Unity against Left - were used to mobilise the protesters, the professors said their petition. Also Watch l We stand with you: Shashi Tharoor extends support to students protesting at JNU The petition further said that after the violence, highly disturbing videos and screenshots emerged across media and social media, in particular on WhatsApp, that further point to the premeditated nature and conspiratorial nature of the attack. The Delhi High Court directed WhatsApp and Google to preserve the data according to their policies. Replying to the court, the counsel representing WhatsApp said that the company doesnt save the messages on its server and that those can be availed only through the members. The court was informed that according to a Madras High Court judgment, WhatsApp would give only the metadata including the last IP address from where it can be used. After this argument, the court asked the police to summon all the members of the two WhatsApp groups and seize their phones. It also asked Google to give the data available to them on their drive after the counsel said that they will provide all the data that is available to them. Appearing for the Delhi Police, its standing counsel, advocate Rahul Mehra, informed the court that they had already asked the University to preserve the data of all the 135 CCTVs. He said that notices have already been sent to WhatsApp also to provide the data. The court had on Monday issued notices to WhatsApp, Google and Apple seeking their responses on the petition filed by the three professors. The Uttar Pradesh government has identified nearly 32,000 refugees, who have migrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as part of its exercise to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, state minister Shrikant Sharma said on Monday. The data shared by senior government officials does indicate that nearly 32,000 refugees have so far been identified across the state. Obviously, since its a work-in-progress as district magistrates are carrying out surveys, this isnt the final figure and even as I speak to you the list and the numbers would be getting updated, Sharma told HT over the phone. The government wasnt hurrying through the process and wanted to ensure complete accuracy in the identification process, he added. Physical verification is being carried out. We are committed to ensuring that persecuted minorities in the three?Muslim majority countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are given citizenship, the state minister added. Awanish Awasthi, additional chief secretary, home, also confirmed that the identification exercise was underway. As of now, phase I of the process of identifying the migrants is underway. They would subsequently be made to fill up a form as part of the verification exercise. Utmost care is being taken to ensure accuracy, he said. CAA, which received Parliament approval on December 11, fast-tracks the citizenship process for refugees of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Jain and Buddhist faiths who entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh before 2015. Sharma said, See, since its an ongoing exercise, the numbers could definitely go up. But at this point in time, there is no point in expecting specific data from any district. We will share the final figure too as and when its ready. A news channel had quoted a senior government official from Pilibhit as saying that about 37,000 refugees, who had migrated from Bangladesh, were identified. The minister also attributed violent protests against the amended citizenship law to the Oppositions misinformation campaign. Reacting to the reports, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said: Our party has already made its stand clear on such issues. Such steps are BJPs ploy to divert public attention from the governments failure. Your company culture is the heart and soul of your organization, and it can mean the difference between dazzling success and dramatic failure. Over the past three years, I have personally read one book a week. This is a big time commitment but well worth it. Since committing to reading a book a week, I have gotten to know a lot of the authors on a personal level. I've compiled a list of some of the top reads over the past six months that have helped me grow my calendar app. I've used their advice and it's worked. If youre in need of some new ideas for engaging your team, improving communication and achieving better results overall, the books on this list will inspire and motivate you to make changes in your leadership style and organizational structure. 1. Elevate by Robert Glazer In this national bestseller, author Robert Glazer provides an inspiring read about how you can bring out the best in yourself as well as those around you. Building on the power of a positive focus and his thought leadership as a visionary in the business world, he includes real-life lessons from numerous individuals. The primary aim of the book is not to just help elevate readers to achieve individual sense. Instead, Glazer goes much deeper than that. He examines how spirituality, emotional intelligence and intellectual ability provide pathways toward becoming a better person and igniting the best in those around you. As a result, he delivers the recipe for happiness, joy and satisfaction in work and life. Related: 4 Reasons Empathy Is Good for Business 2. Mean People Suck: How Empathy Leads to Bigger Profits and a Better Life by Michael Brenner In Mean People Suck, author Michael Brenner challenges the idea that leaders must be mean in order to be authoritative and an effective manager. Instead, he introduces the idea of using empathy to connect and communicate better with your employees. When employee engagement is low in the workplace, poor management and lack of leadership are often to blame. Negativity in company culture, poor relationships with co-workers and a boss whos just plain mean will lead to unhappy employees, worse performance and lower profits. Brenner uses his own experiences and challenges from his career as a corporate sales and marketing executive alongside proven research to create a guide to developing empathy in the workplace. It all comes together to better engage employees and enjoy a more meaningful career. 3. You Dont Have to be Ruthless to Win: The Art of Badass Selfless Service by Jonathan Keyser Jonathan Keyser is out to prove that you dont have to be all about yourself in business but instead can excel by taking a selfless approach to servicing customers. If you doubt his claim, then youll definitely need to read this book. Keyser shares how he had a job he hated in commercial real estate brokerage and how it turned him into the worst version of himself. From there, he explains how he decided to reinvent himself as a selfless leader. As a result, his brokerage firm achieved eight figures. Related: 8 Proven Ways to Make Money in Real Estate Keyser walks you through the transformation process in mindset, perspective and action to explain how you can become a selfless servant and leader of a company who is focused on others. Beyond business, he explains how you can be selfless in all aspects of your life without being taken advantage of or losing your own identity. 4. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Dont by Simon Sinek In this follow-up to Start With Why, Sinek explores what makes a great leader and why strong leadership is the key to a happy team and a successful business. The title of the book comes from a conversation Sinek had with a Marine Corps general when he observed the most senior individuals taking their seats to eat only when the more junior Marines had already been served. This rule extended far beyond the dining hall on the battlefield, leaders are expected and prepared to sacrifice their own conveniences for the good of their team. The book continues with examples from outside of the military, to businesses across several different industries. The most successful workplaces are built on great relationships and trust between leaders and their teams. If youre looking for how to improve your leadership skills beyond management tips and theory, Leaders Eat Last delves into human emotions and biology, and why its so important to create a circle of safety for your team to give them the confidence to flourish. 5. Non-Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future by Rohit Bhargava Every business leader wishes he or she could predict the future. You cant, unfortunately, but you can catch a glimpse of it through Rohit Bhargavas Non-Obvious Megatrends. The latest installment in the Non-Obvious Trends series, Bhargavas book explores topics ranging from gender identity to technological backlash. For each trend, Bhargava provides suggestions on how companies can capitalize. How does Bhargava spot tomorrows trends before others do? Bhargava draws insights from conversations with senior executives, students and everyone in between. Having founded Influential Marketing Group, he spends his workdays advising CMOs and his remaining hours as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Bhargavas Global Marketing in The Age of Social Media course is overbooked each year, while his Non-Obvious Public Speaking and Pitching class informs the universitys Executive MBA program. 6. Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live by Laszlo Bock Google is not only one of the worlds most successful companies, but its also one of the most sought-after places to work. Google is famous for its employee perks like free gourmet food and innovative working environments, but is there more to the organizations success? Who better to give away the secrets to Googles success than one of its insiders? Author Laszlo Bock was the Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google a job role that entailed being in charge of attracting and retaining Googlers, and making Google win the title of Best Company to Work for more than 30 times around the world. Related: Three Things to Learn From Googles Workplace Culture Work Rules! provides powerful insights into how organizations can attract talent, develop their people, improve communication, and boost motivation in the workplace. One example of Googles innovative approach: managers arent responsible for hiring, firing or salary increases. Instead, these decisions are made by peer groups or independent teams. 7. An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization by Lisa Laskow Lahey and Robert Kegan Your organization is only as good as the people in it. This book explores what can happen when companies invest in their culture and every one of their people, not just those with obvious potential. After investigating three leading companies identified as Deliberately Developmental Organizations, or those at which development is built-in to daily working life and culture rather than reserved for one-off training programs, the book presents several ways in which your own organization can model this highly successful approach. The winning formula includes providing a safe and supportive environment for growth, making sure each individual identifies their own growing edge and building development into your organizations daily routines and procedures. 8. Radical Candor: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean by Kim Scott Along the same lines of reducing aggression in your management style for better results, Radical Candor provides you with advice on how to be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity. This book advises leaders to move from a position of control to one of collaboration, building a supportive feedback loop thats designed to deliver better results and invest in employee development. Radical candor boils down to two key concepts: care about your people on a personal level and challenge them directly. Beyond this, Scott identifies three key principles for managers to build better relationships with their employees: make it personal, get stuff done and understand why it matters. 9. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain Good management is all about helping every member of your team to reach their full potential. Sometimes those with the most potential arent the ones self-promoting their skills and vying for your attention, but the quiet individuals who remain in the background. In Quiet, Cain takes us on a journey inside the mind of an introvert and shows us how much theyre often undervalued in the workplace and elsewhere. With examples of some highly successful introverts, she identifies some common traits of this personality type, and how they can be recognized. This is not just a book written for introverts (although if you class yourself as one, youll find much value in it.) Leaders and managers can also learn how to get the most from their most introverted employees and understand that working in a team isnt always the way to get the best out of everyone. 10. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh Online retailer Zappos has featured as an example of excellent workplace culture in many other books, so there should be no surprise in seeing a book written by Zappos CEO in this list. In Delivering Happiness, Hsieh reveals the secrets of an organization thats not only hugely financially successful (Zappos was bought out by Amazon in a deal worth $1.2 billion), but also frequently named as one of the best companies to work for. The company culture of Zappos not only had the effect of creating a workforce of incredibly engaged and happy employees, but this also translated to amazing customer service and happy customers. Zappos is a great example of how to achieve success by aiming to make those around you happier rather than more productive. 11. Brave New Work: Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization? by Aaron Dignan Aaron Dignan, founder of New York-based consulting company The Ready, distills his years of experience working for companies including Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and Airbnb in Brave New Work, demonstrating how organizational change can lead to massive results. The book lays out an inspirational blueprint for the future of work and encourages the reader to abandon old and inefficient ways of working to discover the true potential of your people and business. The theory laid out in Brave New Work is backed up with fascinating examples of organizations that have embraced change: a bank that abandoned traditional budgeting went on to outperform its competitors for years to come, and a business that canceled a monthly meeting saved an estimated $3 million a year. 12. Shut Up and Listen!: Hard Business Truths That Will Help You Succeed by Tilman Fertitta and Jim Gray Also known as the Billion Dollar Buyer, author Tilman Fertitta is an entrepreneur who turned one restaurant into a global hospitality empire worth billions. Now, hes sharing how you can do the same with your business in this actionable book. Over the course of 30 years in business, Fertitta has gone through the challenges and failures to get to the successes. Whats gotten him through are a set of principles that he has adhered to and that have shapes his company, which includes Landrys Seafood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Mortons Steakhouse, The Chart House, Rainforest Cafe and more than forty restaurant concepts as well as five Golden Nugget Casinos. Plus, Fertitta is the sole owner of the NBAs Houston Rockets. The book will teach you six key action items. 13. What '80s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today's Workplace: 10 More Iconic Movies, Even More Totally Awesome Business Lessons by Chris Clews and Diane Franklin This newly released sequel continues to explore more about how the pop culture of the 1980s impact our business culture today. While it may be hard to imagine that a decade that had such questionable taste in fashion could teach us anything, fortunately its not about the clothes but more about the 1980s movies. Besides providing a nostalgic look back at some of the most iconic movies in history, the book is chock-full of movie quotes, scenes and more that relate to the workplace and how we interact and understand each other. If you are a movie nut and a business owner or leader, youll enjoy this books references to movies like The Outsiders, The Princess Bride, Caddyshack and more. Even if you didnt grow up in the 1980s, this books lessons about human nature will resonate with you. 14. Culture Is the Bass: 7 Steps to Creating High Performing Teams by Gerald J. Leonard Music already serves as a relatable metaphor for so many things in life, so it makes sense that this newly released book uses music to explain how to develop high performing teams for your company. Leonard sees the creation of high-performing teams has the pathway to an effective project management culture that delivers a symphony of balance, unified vision and harmony for an organization. He shares seven key principles based on his experience as a professional musician, culture change expert, and certified Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP). The seven-step process includes tips on enhancing leadership skills, thriving in a difficult workplace, eliciting productive feedback from others and reclaiming your time from tasks that otherwise waste that valuable resource. 15. Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform For Change by Marc Benioff and Monica Langley Written by the founder and co-CEO of Salesforce, this new New York Times bestseller guides you through the ways you should proactively seek out change as your primary business purpose and vehicle for innovation and growth. Besides change, the visionary Benioff explains how values need to define your business culture because these are what shape your business purpose. To explain what he means, Benioff provides a behind-the-scenes look at Salesforce and its core values, which include trust, customer success, innovation and equality. He goes through each value to illustrate how it is a clear component to the organizations culture and how it drives the change necessary to keep the company relevant and competitive. Related: 3 Steps to a Successful International Expansion 5 Ways To Reverse The Toxic Workplace Culture Of Cannabis The Future Of Work Is From Anywhere, at Anytime Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who is worth a whopping $117 billion, is being trolled heavily on Twitter for pledging to donate a pittance in comparison to other tycoons and celebrities. Bezos took to Instagram on January 12 to announce that he will be donating $6,90,000 to a wildlife recovery organisation in connection with the Australian bushfire relief efforts. He had written in the social media post: Our hearts go out to all Australians as they cope with these devastating bushfires. Amazon is donating 1 million AU dollars in needed provisions and services. Find more about it and learn how customers can help as well. Social media users were quick to shame him on Twitter, stating that he earns the sum he has donated in less than 5 minutes. Some even drew a comparison between him and rock band Metallica and other famous entities that are worth much less than him and yet donated a far greater amount. Facebook promised relief of $1.25 million, while Metallica pledged $750,000 and American socialite Kylie Jenner donated $1 million. Let's put this in perspective . Nick Cave donated $500,000 and Jeff Bezos donated $690,000 pic.twitter.com/dYAltFe0OW Ryan (@daftpuck) January 12, 2020 I don't know how much has been raised total for Australia, but let's go over-the-top and assume $10 billion has been raised worldwide (which is way, way more than the probable figure). If Jeff Bezos personally matched this, he would still have $100 billion. Think about that. Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) January 12, 2020 This is how much money #JeffBezos makes in 3 minutes. https://t.co/HL9dYadpVQ Peter Daou (@peterdaou) January 12, 2020 Lol. Metallica gave $750,000. https://t.co/l45HkUKhIK Thick Cave & the Bad Tweets (@TimDuffy) January 12, 2020 This may sound horrible, but $690,000 is a pittance for #JeffBezos. Thats like me putting $2 into the Salvation Army bucket. Cheap billionaire. Samia Ali Salama (@SamiaAliSalama) January 13, 2020 Jeff Bezos donated three minutes of his day pic.twitter.com/H9IzpdixUc The Serfs (@theserfstv) January 13, 2020 Instagram model Kaylen Ward reportedly raised double the amount ($1 million) by just offering to send her nude photos to those can prove that they have contributed to the cause with financial aid.Bushfires have been raging in Australia since September and has burnt down more than 80,000 square km of forest land, killing 28 people and around one billion wild animals. Exhausted firefighters have spent months battling deadly blazes to save homes and wildlife. And now, in perhaps the most Aussie gesture possible, a petrol company is offering free pies to heroic emergency service workers. United Petroleum said emergency workers and volunteers will be treated to a free pie and a bottle of water when they visit its service stations across Victoria and New South Wales. Brave volunteers will receive a Pie Face pie, including its iconic chunky steak or chicken and mushroom. Scroll down for video Firies and volunteers can get a free Pie Face pie (pictured) if they pop into several United Petroleum service stations across NSW and Victoria Firies across NSW and Victoria (pictured) have been working hard for months to control the bushfires devastating Australia The company said it was making the gesture to say 'thank you' for the emergency teams' 'immense sacrifice'. Where can I get a free pie? Free Pie Face pies and 600ml bottles of water can be claimed by volunteers and emergency service workers at United Petroleum stations in: Victoria Bairnsdale Sale NSW Kambah Junee Kempsey North Richmond Nowra Wagga Wagga Wilberforce Wodonga West Wodonga Advertisement 'We are deeply saddened by the sheer loss this country is feeling right now,' the company said. 'To those fighting for people they will never meet, in conditions we cant even imagine, thank you. Your sacrifice is immense, and your actions the embodiment of all that is great about our country. 'To our emergency services personnel, we cant thank you enough. Volunteers and workers will get a free pie and a 600ml bottle of water at two sites in Victoria, Bairnsdale and Sale. This is in addition to the NSW sites of Kambah, Junee, Kempsey, North Richmond, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Wilberforce, Wodonga and West Wodonga. A bottle of water, but no pie, can be redeemed at a further three sites in Victoria, Bairnsdale Main Street, Lakes Entrance and Sale South. In NSW, a free bottle of water can be found at Cobargo, Dorrigo, Lismore, Marangaroo, Ourimbah, Pambula and Tomerong. United Petroleum has also donated $1,000,000 to the National Bushfire Disaster Appeal. Emergency service workers can tuck into a free Pie Face pie (pictured) at several United Petroleum service stations It is one of many kind-hearted gestures being made to support firefighters across Australia. In a touching act which drew praise from around the world, the local owners of an Indian restaurant have provided thousands of free meals to those caught up in the bushfires in Gippsland, Victoria. Kanwaljit Singh and his wife Kamaljit Kaur own the Desi Grill in Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria where fires have destroyed homes and resulted in one death. The food is being handed to those living in temporary shelters by a team from Melbourne charity Sikh Volunteers Australia (pictured) Along with their staff, they have been cooking curry and rice which is being handed out by Melbourne charity Sikh Volunteers Australia to those living in temporary shelter. Mr Singh, who has lived in the area for six years, said he felt he had a 'duty' to help his fellow Australians. 'It's terrible out there. People are severely affected and they need food and shelter. It's our duty to serve them when they need us the most,' he told SBS Punjabi. Mohanlal, the complete actor of Malayalam cinema is currently busy with the shooting of Ram, the highly anticipated upcoming project. Ram, which marks the second collaboration of Mohanlal and director Jeethu Joseph, is reportedly getting a new addition to its star cast. As per the latest updates, Mamangam fame actress Prachi Tehlan is all set to join the project. Prachi Tehlan had recently visited the sets of Ram in Mumbai and clicked a picture with Mohanlal, which she posted on her official social media pages. 'Well! This will always be memorable until my last breath! Meeting another legend of the Indian film industry @mohanlal #Lalettan. He is full of life. Very sweet and charming and very adorable. We couldn't speak at length but the little interaction I had he told me 'he saw Mamangam and suggested my name for Ram' which is a huge compliment and motivation for me. For everyone who has been asking me if I am doing the film. I have not yet confirmed. I will be going through the script and will take a call. But one thing is for sure.. that it's an adorable lovable team and I would love to work with them' wrote Prachi. However, the latest updates suggest that Prachi Tehlan has already signed the dotted line. The Mamangam actress is not playing the female lead in the movie but is appearing in a pivotal role. The team is expected to make an official announcement on the same very soon. Trisha Krishnan, the popular actress appears as the female lead opposite Mohanlal in Ram. Indrajith Sukumaran, Bollywood actor Adil Hussain, Sai Kumar, Siddique, Kalabhavan Shahjohn, Liyona Lishoy, etc. essay the supporting roles in the movie. Ram, which is jointly produced by Abhishek Films and Passion Studios has been slated to hit the theatres as an Onam 2020 release. Also Read: Ram: The Mohanlal-Jeethu Joseph Project Starts Rolling! General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Madhav on Tuesday said that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is meant to provide shelter to refugees, and is perfectly constitutional. "The Act is meant to provide shelter and support to refugees. The Opposition is acting against the very character of this country. We have always given shelter to refugees and that misinformation is being spread in the country," Ram Madhav said during a press conference here. He also outlined that large number of citizens were supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act. "People in huge numbers are showing their support to CAA since we started dispelling rumours and spreading the truth about the Act. We have their support, the Opposition is indulging in violence and many other activities and we will tell people the truth," he added. "We are confident, whatever we have done is perfectly legal, and as per Constitution," Ram Madhav responded to a query on Kerala government's step to move Supreme Court against Citizenship Amendment Act. Earlier today, the Kerala government moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act, saying, the Act is against the basic principle of secularism. Supreme Court had said on Friday that it will hear all petitions related to CAA on January 22. Protests erupted across the country after the CAA was passed by Parliament in December last year. The Act grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kolkata, Jan 15 : Even as two police complaints were lodged on Tuesday against BJP West Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh for his threat to "beat up" and "shoot' " anti-CAA protesters, the leader remained unmoved, as he alleged that the state has emerged as "hub of anti-nationals" during the Trinamool Congress rule. The first complaint was registered in Ranaghat police station of Nadia district by a Trinamool Congress worker Krishnendu Banerjee, who alleged that Ghosh was inciting communal passion. The second complaint was filed at Habra police station of 24 Parganas North district by another Trinamool worker. State food and supplies minister and party's district president Jyotipriyo Mullick said the complaint was being "treated as an FIR". "Lot of people are apprehensive that Dilip Ghosh could kill or shoot them. So the the complaint was filed," Mullick said. Meanwhile, speaking at a programme in Kharagpur of Midnapore West district, Ghosh said there has been collapse of law and order in most districts. Ghosh won the Lok Sabha election from Midnapore seat. "Under Trinamool rule, Bengal has become a hub of anti-nationals. It is a safe haven for terrorists and enemies of the state," he alleged. He said the situation has deteriorated with the Trinamool extending patronage to such people. Addressing a party rally on Sunday in Ranaghat, about 80 km from Kolkata, Ghosh went ballistic saying the governments in BJP-ruled Assam, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have shot dead "like dogs" those protesting against the new Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Alleging there were one crore infiltrators in the state, Ghosh accused them of destroying public property worth Rs 500-600 crore during the violent protests against the CAA last month. "This (violence) happened because there was neither any baton charge, nor firing, nor was any FIR filed. Why? Didi's (elder sister - as Mamata Banerjee is popularly called) police did not arrest anybody... because they vote for her." He then referred to the three states ruled by the BJP. "In Assam, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, our governments have shot dead these devils like dogs. They were taken elsewhere and then again cases were filed against them. They will come here, eat, stay, and then destroy property, do they think this is their zamindari?" He said once a BJP government was installed in Bengal: "We will hit them with sticks, shoot them, and also send them to jail. Our governments have done exactly that. Mamata Banerjee doesn't have the guts to do anything." Suspected gunmen have abducted two teachers Dada Okuns and Esther Alabi in Avbiosi community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Chairman of the local government council, Frank Ilaboya, who confirmed the incident at Avbiosi on Tuesday, said Mr Okuns, the NUT Chairman in the area, and Mrs Alabi were abducted on Monday. Mr Ilaboya said the abductors stormed the school premises of Obi Primary School, Obi Camp, at about 10.30 a.m. and ordered six teachers in the school to follow them after shooting sporadically. Four of the six teachers escaped while the gunmen succeeded in taking the two away, he said. The council chairman however expressed hope that the victims would be released. All efforts are being made to have the teachers released unhurt. We are on top of the situation and there is hope that they will be out in no distant time. We will step up the search this morning and no stone will be left unturned until the victims are rescued unhurt, he said. The police and education authorities in the state are yet to react to the development. (NAN) Vijayawada: The BJP and the Jana Sena have reached a broad understanding to work together on issues concerning the people of Andhra Pradesh indicating a re-alignment in state politics. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between BJP working president J.P. Nadda and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan at New Delhi on Monday. BJPs senior leaders and general secretary (organisation) V.L. Santosh and Mr Kalyans close aide Nadendla Manohar were also present. Earlier, Mr Kalyan met Mr Santosh and a few important RSS leaders in the national capital. Sources said a delegation of BJP central leaders would visit state in next few days and make a formal announcement in this regard. The central team will also provide a direction to its state leaders vis-a-vis relations with the Jana Sena. The two parties have already been fighting, though separately, against Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys decision to shift the capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam. While it is not yet known if there would be a poll pact between the two parties for the ensuing local body elections, leaders from both the parties indicated that much larger goals would be worked out and electoral understanding is just part of it. Sources said the think tank of the Jana Sena has been working on the tie-up with the BJP for the last four months. A series of meetings were held by party leaders, some even in the absence of Mr Kalyan, in which it was decided to approach the BJP central leadership and start working together from now itself. Two former IPS officers were said to have taken the initiative to get the Jana Sena and the BJP to join hands. The state units of Sangh Parivar also did not raise any objections over the political understanding, while they vehemently opposed admitting the Telugu Desam back to its fold, sources added. By PTI NEW DELHI: A woman passenger has claimed that she was threatened by an IndiGo pilot with jail after she asked for a wheelchair for her mother in the plane at Bengaluru airport, with Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri saying the airline has "off-rostered" the pilot. Supriya Unni Nair, who had asked for a wheelchair for her 75-year-old mother, after landing in Bengaluru on Monday night, alleged in multiple tweets that the pilot had misbehaved and threatened her with the jail. Puri said on Twitter, "I requested my office to contact IndiGo as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms Supriya Unni Nair about the pilot's behaviour with her & her 75-year-old mother in need of wheelchair assistance." "The airline has informed Ministry of Civil Aviation that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry," he added. Reacting to the matter, IndiGo told PTI that the issue is under internal review and necessary action will be taken. Narrating the incident on Twitter, Nair said when the Chennai-Bengaluru flight landed at the airport at 9.15 pm on Monday, she asked the flight crew to provide a wheelchair for her mother, as it was requested at the time of booking the ticket. The cabin crew, according to Nair, said that they do not have access to the wheelchair. Nair said she showed the ticket where it was printed that she has availed wheelchair services and at that moment, one of the pilots named "Jayakrishna" starting yelling at her and her mother for annoying him and the plane's crew. Nair, who is an independent journalist, claimed that when the wheelchair was then brought to take her mother at the Bengaluru airport, "Jayakrishna" prevented the 75-year-old to be taken from the plane. She stated that the pilot then threatened to get them detained and make them spend a night in jail. "I'll get my CEO to make sure you spend a night in jail, 'we' will teach you some manners," the pilot said, according to Nair. When Nair said that the pilot cannot issue such threats, "Jayakrishna" reportedly said, "Yes, I will threaten you. I am a captain. You can't touch us." Nair claimed that the pilot said she has paid "piddly" Rs 2,000 and she does not own the aircraft. "I will make sure you are barred from the skies," the pilot said, according to Nair. She said that the pilot also threatened her of dire consequences if she wrote about this episode on social media. When the two passengers were leaving the arrival lounge of Bengaluru airport at night, the pilot said there will be an FIR filed against Nair and her mother. Nair said her mother was shaking by the time they reached home. She said that her mother is afraid that the pilot would be carrying out his threats against them. According to a source privy to the development, the pilot's name is "Jayakrishnan" and the airline is investigating the matter. When asked about specific queries regarding the alleged misbehavior of "Jayakrishnan" on Monday night, IndiGo told PTI, "We are aware of the complaint raised by a passenger on flight 6E 806 flying from Chennai to Bangalore last night. The matter is under internal review and necessary action will be taken." IndiGo said it is very cognizant of the needs of its customers and it is its "constant endeavour" to provide a "courteous and hassle-free experience" to its passengers. "Our customer relations team has been in touch with the customer to ensure that her concern is understood well, and to help avoid any such experiences in the future," the airline explained. Ryanair has said it could receive its first deliveries of up to 10 grounded 737-Max aircraft from Boeing by April. The airlines' chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs made the claim, but cautioned the timing was dependent on regulators. That is earlier than indicated by Ryanair boss Michael OLeary this month when he said the airline might not receive its first 737-Max until October. The 737-Max, Boeings fastest-selling aircraft, has not flown since last March following two crashes which claimed 346 lives. Ryanair has up to 210 of the planes on order, but none in service. We now think we will get it in March or April this year, looks more like April than March, and we think we will get up to 10 Max aircraft, Mr Jacobs told a news conference in Madrid. It could still mean less than ten and the date could still change ... It has been a moving feast and the dates have slipped up to now for the past months, Mr Jacobs said, adding all European airlines orders were in the hands of regulators. We still think the Max is a great aircraft. Our focus, their [Boeings] focus now is just to get the Max flying. Ryanair last month cut its passenger traffic forecast for the year to the end of March 2021, to 156 million from 157 million after scrapping some planned summer operations due to the Max delays. That forecast was based on Ryanair receiving 10 Max aircraft in time for the summer season. It previously cut expectations to 20 from the 60 originally scheduled. However, the airline has also since raised its profit forecast for the year to the end of March 2020 after a better-than-expected performance over Christmas and New Year. -Reuters A prolonged state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion -- or burnout -- is associated with a potentially deadly heart rhythm disturbance, according to a study which may lead to new interventions to reduce workplace stress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this type of vital exhaustion, called burnout, is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The researchers, including those from the University of Southern California in the US, said burnout differs from depression, which is generally characterised by low mood, guilt, and poor self-esteem. As part of the study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the scientists surveyed more than 11,000 middle and older-aged adults for the presence of exhaustion, anger, antidepressant use, and poor social support. They followed the subjects for a period of about 25 years for the development of atrial fibrillation -- an irregular, rapid heart rate which may increase the risk of strokes, heart failure, and other cardiac complications. According to the study's findings, participants with the highest levels of burnout were at a 20 per cent higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation over the course of follow-up, compared to those with little to no evidence of vital exhaustion. "Vital exhaustion is associated with increased inflammation and heightened activation of the body's physiologic stress response," said study co-author Parveen K. Garg of the University of Southern California. "When these two things are chronically triggered that can have serious and damaging effects on the heart tissue, which could then eventually lead to the development of this arrhythmia," Garg added. However, the study did not find any associations between anger, antidepressant use, or poor social support, and the development of atrial fibrillation. "The findings for anger and social support are consistent with prior research, but two previous studies did find a significant association between antidepressant use and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Clearly, more work still needs to be done," Garg said. While earlier studies had shown the ink between vital exhaustion and heart disease like cardiac arrest and stroke, the current study revealed that burnout may also increase one's risk of developing irregular heartbeats. "The importance of avoiding exhaustion through careful attention to, and management of, personal stress levels as a way to help preserve overall cardiovascular health cannot be overstated," Garg said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A teenager has been arrested after a woman was injured in one of several crashes involving a suspected stolen car on the northside of Cork city earlier. The incidents occurred in the Blackpool area around midday today. A car being driven by a male in his mid-teens was involved in a number of road traffic collisions close to Blackpool Shopping Centre around 12 midday. The car he was driving is believed to have been stolen earlier this morning from the Shandon St area of the city. A woman received non-life threatening injuries as a result of one of the collisions and has been brought to Cork University Hospital. A young man was seen fleeing the scene shortly after the crashes. Garda have now confirmed that a male juvenile in his mid teens was arrested a short time later and is currently being detained at Mayfield Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. "Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have camera footage of the incident to contact them," a spokesman said. "If anyone in the area notices any damage caused to their vehicle that they believe was caused as a result of this incident they are asked to contact Watercourse Road Garda Station on 021-4558260." WASHINGTON - Top Senate Republicans on Monday rejected President Donald Trump's call for outright dismissal of the impeachment charges against him, but continued to grapple with the shape of the Senate trial that could begin as soon as this week. Most Senate Republicans are eager to stage a trial that ends with Trump's acquittal and vindication on charges that he abused the power of his office in his dealings with Ukraine and obstructed a subsequent investigation in the House. But over the weekend, Trump urged the Senate simply to dismiss the charges against him - without hearing arguments from House prosecutors or his own legal team. On Monday, senior Republicans said immediate dismissal could not win approval in the chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-seat majority. And even some staunch Trump allies argued that the president's legacy would benefit from a robust trial. "I don't think there's any interest on our side of dismissing," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., the fourth-ranking GOP senator. "Certainly, there aren't 51 votes for a motion to dismiss." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said that he wants the trial - only the third impeachment of a president in U.S. history - to follow the format used 21 years ago in the trial of President Bill Clinton. In that case, the Senate approved a resolution that would have allowed the Senate to vote to dismiss the charges. But senior Republicans signaled Monday that they are not inclined to include such a provision in the resolution that will kick off Trump's trial, perhaps as soon as Thursday. "I think the only reason it would be in there is if there's just some argument for consistency," Blunt said. Another GOP senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss legislation that is not yet public, also said the inclusion of a provision to dismiss is unlikely. Republicans were maneuvering behind the scenes about the vexing issue of witnesses as former national security adviser John Bolton said last week that he would be willing to testify if he receives a Senate subpoena. Still, Trump, in a tweet Sunday that he also re-upped on Monday, made clear that he was still pressing for the Senate to dismiss the charges. "Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, 'no pressure' Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree!" he wrote. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said during a Fox News interview that while Trump is seeking a dismissal "because he did nothing wrong," if he faces a Senate trial, "he does want it to be fair, which is all he deserves." Meanwhile, a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss strategy, said the White House wants the dismissal option "available to the president" and not necessarily tucked into the organizing resolution. The official also noted that a motion to dismiss could come later in the trial, once the senators have had ample time to digest opening arguments and ask questions. Any senator can move to dismiss the charges, as long as it is done in writing. Trump has been eager to use the Senate trial on the campaign trail as evidence that he has done nothing wrong and that his impeachment by the House was a political "witch hunt" by Democrats. The House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has held the two articles of impeachment as she sought concessions from McConnell on witnesses. He refused to budge and Pelosi relented last week, signaling that the House would vote this week to approve a slate of impeachment managers who will deliver the articles to the Senate and prosecute the case against Trump. Senate Republicans, most of whom are prepared not to convict Trump on the two charges, believe a vote to acquit will provide a more emphatic statement to rebut the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges he faces over his demands that Ukraine launch investigations that would benefit him politically. For that reason, McConnell has long preferred a vote to acquit Trump, rather than a vote to dismiss that has a higher likelihood of failure on the Senate floor - a view echoed Monday by his closest allies and rank-and-file senators. Several closely watched Republican senators said Monday that they would reject immediate dismissal of the charges against Trump, including Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Susan Collins, R-Maine,. "My understanding is most Republicans wanted to have a full trial and then have a vote on acquittal or a conviction, which is at a 67-vote threshold," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Chatter about dismissing the charges began to ramp up last week after Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a measure to alter Senate rules to allow for dismissing articles of impeachment, but only if the House had failed to transmit them to the Senate within 25 calendar days. McConnell announced last week that he had the votes to proceed with Trump's impeachment trial without support from Democrats and within the parameters that he sought: hours of opening statements for both the House managers, and Trump's defense team, as well as a period for questioning from senators. No Republicans signaled dissent from that strategy last week. As Senate GOP leaders work to finalize the resolution that would establish Trump's trial, they also began contending with a growing chorus of Republican senators who could be influential swing votes on procedural matters on the question of witnesses. One of them, Collins, said last week that she has spoken with a small circle of Republican senators to ensure that the process for Trump hews as closely to the structure that Clinton was granted during his trial. On Monday, Collins explained that her negotiations are not about "specific witnesses" getting called but are merely an attempt to make sure that no senator could short circuit the trial without first letting all 100 senators vote on whether to call additional witnesses. Other like-minded senators on Monday echoed Collins's view. "I am working to make sure that we will have a process so that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information," which could include witnesses, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Romney said Monday that he plans to vote against early motions by Democrats for witnesses before opening arguments, but that later in the trial "I presume I'll be voting in favor of hearing from John Bolton perhaps among others. That could change depending on what happens in the ensuing days and during those arguments but I'm not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments." Senior Republicans stressed Monday that such a vote would likely occur, with Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., telling reporters: "I don't think there's any question that there'll probably be that vote at some point in the process." "I think we should hear the case. We have a constitutional duty to do that," Alexander said. "That means to me, number one, hear the arguments. Number two, to ask our questions. Number three, to be guaranteed the right to vote on whether we need additional evidence following hearing the case. Evidence could be witnesses, it could be documents." - - - The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey, Rachael Bade and Paul Kane contributed to this report. Queen Elizabeth is reportedly disappointed with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their shocking announcement. In what has been dubbed #Megxit, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, revealed that they no longer want to be senior members of the royal family and will be living North America for part of the year. The announcement completely blindsided members of the royal family, and Queen Elizabeth despite her outward showing of support is reportedly ready to hand out some punishment after Harry blatantly disobeyed her orders. Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Harry tried to meet with Queen Elizabeth Harry allegedly requested to meet with Queen Elizabeth at her Sandringham estate prior to the big announcement. At the time, Her Majesty reportedly told Harry that he should avoid making any decisions before they had a chance to talk. According to Page Six, Prince Charles also warned the Sussexes not to announce anything until they had Queen Elizabeths blessing, especially when it comes to their future in the monarchy. Despite the multiple warnings, Prince Harry and Meghan went rogue and posted their shocking announcement on Instagram. They did, however, reach out to Prince William before they shared it but they only gave him a ten-minute head start. A source claims that the announcement hurt Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family, all of whom are very disappointed with Harry and Meghan. The insider also says that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be facing consequences for their actions which does not sound good. Harry and Meghan will be punished for this, the source dished. Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markles decision The insider added that Harry talked to Charles prior to the holidays. Harry allegedly asked permission to spend more time away from the U.K. but did not say anything about leaving the royal family. Charles told Harry that he needed to take time and iron out the details in his plan. In response, Harry sent him a proposal at the start of January, but the Prince of Wales was still not satisfied. Harrys father wanted him to think about the implications of his decision to spend time away from the U.K. When Harry asked to meet with Queen Elizabeth upon his return from Canada, he was told the same thing. But instead of following the advice of Queen Elizabeth and Charles, Harry and Meghan decided to make their decision public knowledge. As a result, the insider says that the royals felt disrespected by the announcement and thought it was shocking behavior. The way they made this announcement showed little or no respect to the Queen or the Prince of Wales who have given a lifetime of service to the Crown, the source stated. It is shocking, just shocking behavior. How mad is Queen Elizabeth? Queen Elizabeth has not said anything about Harry and Meghan stepping down. Inside sources, however, claim that Her Majesty is furious with the couple and is angrier than she was with Prince Andrews recent scandal. The Queen will be feeling very let down and very angry, Dickie Arbiter, a former spokesperson for the royals, shared. Probably more angry than she felt after Andrews car-crash interview last year. Andrew found himself in the hot seat last year after he was accused of sleeping with one of Jeffrey Epsteins sex slaves. Prince Andrew denied the allegations and attempted to clear the air in an interview. The move completely backfired on Andrew, who failed to defend his connection to Epstein. He eventually stepped down from his royal post and has been in hiding ever since. If Queen Elizabeth is angrier with Harry and Meghan than she is with Andrew, then it is probably because the couple did not consult her prior to the announcement. If Queen Elizabeth feels that way, it is no mystery why she wants Harry and Meghan punished. Fans react to #Megxit The Sussexes have received a moderate amount of support over the past few days, with their loyal followers wishing them the best in their endeavors. But a good portion of royal watchers have heavily criticized them for stepping down. After the couple wished Kate Middleton a happy birthday on social media, for example, fans slammed the couple for trying to get the best of both worlds. This is very good from Brendan O'Neill on #Megxit: "What it fundamentally reveals is the incompatibility of the modern culture of narcissism with the values of duty, loyalty and self-negation traditionally associated with royal life." https://t.co/1xaWTfgsTP James Morrow (@pwafork) January 9, 2020 Dear Harry, dear Meghan, why dont you withdraw completely? Give up your titles and work like all other normal people! You cannot do what you want and still ask the taxpayer for money! Its so disrespectful to the family, dont spit on the hand that feeds you!!! one fan wrote. Queen Elizabeth met with Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Prince William with Meghan reportedly joining via phone to see exactly where the family goes from here. After the meeting, Queen Elizabeth issued a statement saying she is supportive of their decision and has agreed to a period of transition. The Administration and Research Assistant at the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations, Marla Teixeira, outlines the offices activities during 2019 and looks ahead to a busy 2020. 2019 was a very busy year for the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations (ACOUN). Two new staff joined our team, and we participated in a number of high-level events at the UN in New York and Geneva. We made strategic partnerships with UN member states and agencies, and partnered with like-minded organisations who are working towards our same objective: a more just and peaceful world. As we reflect on 2019 and look ahead to what 2020 has in store, we are excited to build on our learnings and successes to have even greater impact in the years to come. Building on the great success of the Anglican Communion delegation to the UNs 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW63) in March 2019 (read the report here), we are pushing forward with our planning for the 64th Session to take place in March. A delegation of eight women from around the Communion will travel to New York to attend the UNCSW64 to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Shortly following the UNCSW, the ACOUN team attended the 18th Session of the UNs Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII18) in April 2019, during which we focused our attention on learning from the conference in order to effectively participate this year, when a delegation drawn from the Anglican Indigenous Network (AIN) will attend the 19th Session of the Forum. Under the theme of Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16, UNPFII19 promises to be a significant opportunity to lift up the voices of indigenous Anglicans. During July 2019, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was held, and the ACOUN participated by submitting a strong statement on environmental justice, advocating particularly for those suffering from climate-induced displacement. We continued to champion these issues into September, at the UN General Assembly and during the Climate Action Summit. We will continue this push for climate and environmental justice in 2020. Preparations are already underway for the 26th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), the major UN climate summit which will be hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. We look forward to ensuring a strong Anglican presence at the conference that reflects our determination to live out the fifth Mark of Mission: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. And thats not all! We will closely monitor the work of the Human Rights Council and work alongside provinces to identify key areas and opportunities for engagement; we will celebrate 35 years since the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations received our UN accreditation; the 2020 Lambeth Conference will provide an opportunity for ACOUN staff to hear from and engage with bishops and spouses from around the Communion; five years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, we will push forward on a Communion-wide strategy for SDG engagement; and our team will continue working to ensure that the remarkable work taking place across the regions, provinces, dioceses and agencies of the Anglican Communion is recognised and celebrated by the UN. Last year taught us that we need to keep pushing for Anglican voices to be heard at the UN on issues of peace, justice, sustainable development and climate change, among others. As we look forward to the rest of 2020 and the opportunities it will bring, we are excited to continue serving the Anglican Communion and to lift up the life and work of the church from all corners of the world. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon EcoDiesel the most capable, fuel-efficient and highest torque-rated Wrangler ever has been named FOUR WHEELER "2020 SUV of the Year." The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading off-road enthusiast publication. "The Wrangler is a truly exceptional machine both on- and off-road, and the new-for-2020 EcoDiesel engine option complements the outstanding JL platform," said FOUR WHEELER Editor Ken Brubaker. "The EcoDiesel's power and efficiency raise the bar for the already incomparable 4x4, making it even more extraordinary." Over the course of a week, FOUR WHEELER's judges conducted a variety of tests spanning more than 1,000 miles of varied terrain that included pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks, mud and snow. A loose-dirt hillclimb and water crossings were included in testing as well. Night driving was also integrated into the competition to gauge each vehicle's lighting equipment. Judges included staff from various 4x4 media brands, including FOUR WHEELER, 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD, and JP MAGAZINE. "Jeep proves once again that it is listening to its customers, this time delivering the much anticipated diesel-powered Wrangler," said MOTORTREND GROUP Content Director Sean P. Holman. "With no trade-offs in the capability or the experience demanded by enthusiasts and adventurers alike, the impressively efficient Wrangler EcoDiesel makes sense for your daily commute now, too." Wrangler EcoDiesel models feature the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine, rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, with engine stop-start (ESS) technology standard. Wrangler EcoDiesel models are rated at 29 miles per gallon (mpg) highway, 22 mpg city and 25 mpg combined. To handle greater torque loads, the EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a newly added TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts and the on- and off-road rigors of Jeep Wrangler duty. There are more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy, performance and 4x4 capability. "Our customers have been asking for a Wrangler with unmatched fuel economy, incredible driving range and the legendary off-road capability they've rightly come to expect, and our new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon EcoDiesel delivers on that ask and then some," said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand FCA North America. "I've even driven the new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon EcoDiesel on the Rubicon Trail and can attest that our customers knew exactly what they were asking for: the perfect combination of off-road capability, fun-to-drive on-road performance and 29 mpg." FOUR WHEELER's SUV of the Year award event now in its 47th consecutive year is an invitation-only competition that is only open to all-new or significantly revised SUVs for the upcoming model year. Jeep Wrangler The iconic Jeep Wrangler the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world delivers unmatched off-road capability and is produced with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience. Powertrain options include a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 with engine stop-start (ESS), 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with ESS, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with ESS and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, solid axles, electronic lockers and is one of the few SUVs to offer a six-speed manual transmission in addition to its available eight-speed automatic. About FOUR WHEELER Whether you're looking for the scoop on the latest off-roadcapable vehicles straight from the factory floor or want to see what others have done to their rides, find the latest tech and keep up with emerging trends from across the off-road world with FOUR WHEELER, the world's leading 4x4 authority. FOUR WHEELER provides two annual awards, the SUV of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year. The Four Wheeler Network features off-road and 4x4 content from JP MAGAZINE, 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD, and FOUR WHEELER. About Jeep Brand Built on more than 75 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by global automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. For more information regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com. Follow Jeep and FCA US news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com Jeep brand: www.jeep.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep or https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep or www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica SOURCE FCA Related Links http://www.fcagroup.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 17:48 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c322208bd 1 Business Luhut-Binsar-Pandjaitan,central-sulawesi,UAE,investment,crown-prince Free A senior Indonesian minister has offered Mori territory in Central Sulawesi province as a potential investment for Emirate of Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. "The crown prince asked for an island with cool air and nice beaches. He really wants to invest there. We offered Mori land, said Coordinating Maritime and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on Monday as reported by antaranews.com. Minister Luhut neither specified the lands location Central Sulawesi has a Mori Atas and North Mori district, both of which are landlocked nor did he specify what the prince wanted to invest in. The phrase Mori land hints at the provinces native Mori inhabitants. Both Mori districts are located in North Morowali regency, whose biggest industries are agriculture, mining and construction. The industries respectively contributed 34.2, 26.4 and 20.7 percent to the regencys Rp 9.17 trillion ($672.1 million) economy in 2017. Luhut was one of several ministers who accompanied President Joko Jokowi Widodo to Abu Dhabi, UAE, for a two-day official visit that ended Monday. The visits purpose was attracting more Middle Eastern investment to Indonesia. During the visit, Indonesian companies secured US$6.8 billion from UAE investors for 11 business projects, most of which relate to the energy sector. The investment represents one-third of the total $22.8 billion needed to finance the projects. Jokowi has also asked Bin Zayed to join the steering committee of Indonesia's planned new capital city, Luhut said. The crown prince's position has not been determined yet. New Delhi: One of the anthems of the Modi government in its second term has been to disinvest the cash guzzling airline Air India (AI). The government has almost turned this proposed disinvestment into a war cry, asserting at every opportunity that it intends to sell off the airline and that this signals its commitment to bold reforms. It is another matter that the first such attempt at AI selloff in the same governments first term had bombed not a single bidder had evinced any interest in buying AI then. The eagerness to show governments firm intent to disinvest Air India probably led Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Puri to assert in Parliament recently that Air India will be shut down if not sold earlier, causing widespread unease. Since then, many stakeholders (including employees and the management) have been fighting rumours of a shutdown and have been assuring creditors and others that the airline is still operational. The enthusiasm of the government functionaries over AI sale is welcome, of course, even when it is sometimes over the top. But the contradictions inherent to the process of yet another attempt at disinvestment are of little help. The latest flip flop comes in the form of intransigence of the civil aviation ministry over relaxing the 49% cap for foreign airlines to invest in Indian carriers. According to media reports, the ministry has declined to amend the FDI rules, which mandate that a foreign carrier wanting to invest in an Indian airline can pick up no more than 49% equity stake and must also comply with the substantial ownership and effective control norms. These norms mandate that not only should the airline being acquired by the foreign carrier continue to operate from India, its key personnel should be Indians and Indians should hold majority equity. Industry watchers and some people associated with the AI sale process say such continuing restrictions on foreign carriers mean any interested ones wouldnt get majority control of Air India and this single fact would severely limit the options for the government, once the sale process starts. The government is sending contradictory signals. Only an airline company will likely be interested to invest in an Indian airline. And if this potential investor has to make a robust business of the acquired airline, then this investor would like to own majority stake in Air India. There are airlines in other countries where the nationals do not hold majority so relaxation of FDI cap for foreign airlines wouldnt be a first anyway, said a former bureaucrat associated with civil aviation policy. It is interesting to see that during the Budget speech last year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had asserted that FDI norms would be relaxed in the civil aviation sector and this had led many to believe that the FDI cap on foreign airlines may be relaxed. Several times since that Budget speech, unnamed senior government functionaries have been saying that such a relaxation could be considered. So the latest indication of no rethink on foreign airline investment makes it clear that either the government is willing to go through the motions of another sale without being particularly concerned of its success or it has already identified a buyer for Air India. Dhiraj Mathur, former partner at PwC, said any such relaxation would require changes in the FDI policy as well as relevant CARs (civil aviation requirements). But without those changes, the government will have limited options in Indian companies that have the deep pockets to become a 51% Indian partner to a foreign airline for bidding for Air India. Take for example the recent reports of Gulf carrier Etihad being interested in bidding for AI. If the airline was to place a bid, it would now have to mandatorily rope in an Indian partner and agree to the majority ownership and control by that Indian partner in Air India. But Kapil Kaul, CEO & Director of CAPA South Asia, does not think raising FDI limit beyond 49% is either feasible or permissible because of the SOEC clause. Hence, this is an unnecessary debate. India can have 100% FDI only in domestic (operations) like Australia but airlines would need to have separate AOPs (air operator permits) for domestic and International. This will also require a separate policy and legal framework. CAPA had earlier urged the government to allow foreign airlines to participate in Air India disinvestment, saying Global carriers should be permitted to invest up to 49% as per the FDI norms for the sector. No major Indian corporation from outside of aviation will invest in such a complex project without an experienced strategic partner. Allowing foreign airlines to participate will increase the number of interested bidders and the valuation. Why the governments flip-flop over easing restrictions on foreign carriers assumes significance can also be seen in the context of Air Indias financial situation on date. It has been desperately short of cash for much of this fiscal as the government has been reluctant to pump more money into this loss-making behemoth. But severe cash shortage has impacted the airlines operations. CAPA said earlier that cash shortage at Air India has meant up to 26 of its aircraft are currently grounded (which at one stage had reached 32 aircraft). The government needs to provide Air India with $300-400 million (Rs 2100 to 2800 crore) of funds to ensure that all of its fleet continues to fly, which will improve its financial performance. Some funding has since come in but the airline is still struggling to meet its expenses. An airline source had earlier said that dues to vendors and creditors till now this fiscal have already crossed the Rs 8000 crore mark. Not only is day-to-day operation a struggle, Air Indias finances seem to only worsen with each year. In 2018-19 (the latest available financial data), AI reported an increase of over Rs 3,000 crore in annual losses to post its highest ever net loss of Rs 8,474.8 crore. This meant AI lost almost Rs 23 crore each day of FY 19 this is the highest loss since the two erstwhile airlines were merged to form the present entity in 2007. The net loss for FY18 was Rs 5,348 crore. Also, according to the airlines auditors, the accumulated losses now stand at a whopping Rs 62,694 crore. AIs current liabilities exceeded its current assets by Rs 65,245.87 crore as on March 31 this year. Total debt on its books on that date was Rs 58,255.9 crore. And not only is the airline sinking deeper into losses, its subsidiaries are also not in the pink of health. As of March this year, Air India had five subsidiaries: AI Express, Alliance Air (domestic low cost), Hotel Corporation of India, Air India Air Transport Services (wholly owned ground handling arm), Air India Engineering Services and AISATS (ground handling joint venture with SATS of Singapore). During 2018-19, four of these six subsidiaries also reported losses; small profits accrued only from the two ground handling arms. With such precarious finances of Air India, reluctance of large Indian business houses to come forward and the governments intransigence over foreign airline restrictions, any sale of Air India may become a tough call again. A volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava, ash and steam and trembled constantly Tuesday on the third day of an eruption that could portend a much bigger and dangerous eruption, officials warned as tens of thousands of people fled ash-blanketed villages Tagaytay: A volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava, ash and steam and trembled constantly Tuesday on the third day of an eruption that could portend a much bigger and dangerous eruption, officials warned as tens of thousands of people fled ash-blanketed villages in the danger zone. The continuing restiveness of the Taal volcano after it rumbled to life Sunday indicates magma may still be rising to the crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. It raised the alert level to 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days. Level 5, the highest, means such an eruption is underway. The volcano was spurting fountains of red-hot lava 500 meters (1,640 feet) into the sky with dark-gray plumes of ash-laden steam that reached 2 kilometers (more than 1 mile) high. The massive volcanic column at times flashed with streaks of lightning. More than 200 earthquakes have been detected in and around Taal, 81 of which were felt with varying intensities. Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity, the volcanology institute said. The picturesque volcano in the middle of a lake in Batangas province south of Manila rumbled to life Sunday in a powerful explosion that blasted a 15-kilometer (9-mile) column of ash, steam and pebbles into the sky. Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north, closed the country's main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ashfall eased. The governments disaster-response agency counted more than 30,400 evacuees in Batangas and nearby Cavite provinces. Officials expected the number to swell. Government work was suspended and schools closed in a wide swath of towns and cities, including Manila, because of the health risks from the ash. The eruption has not directly caused deaths or major damage. The death of a driver in a crash on an ash-covered road was linked to slippery conditions. The small island where the 1,020-foot (311-meter) volcano lies has long been designated a permanent danger zone, though fishing villages have long existed there. Those villages were all evacuated, though volcanology officials have called for a total evacuation of endangered communities within a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) radius of Taal. Taal's last disastrous eruption, in 1965, killed hundreds of people. It is the second-most restive of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where most of the world's seismic activity occurs. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people. A man was allegedly stabbed and beaten with a hammer before being thrown off a first-floor balcony, the High Court has been told. Prosecutors said he sustained head injuries, knife wounds and a punctured lung in the attack at his flat in Newry. Details emerged as a 16-year-old boy charged with his attempted murder was granted bail. The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, also faces counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and having a Class B drug. Police discovered the injured man lying under a first floor balcony at the property on Cleary Crescent in the early hours of May 29 last year. Blood was dripping onto the ground from the flat above, the court heard. Briege Glmore, prosecuting, said the man claimed the teenage defendant, another youth and an older man jointly assaulted him when a drink-fuelled row erupted at his home. One of the trio stabbed him with a steak knife while the other two repeatedly beat him with a hammer and a knife, it was alleged. Ms Gilmore submitted: "All three males that he named lifted him by the legs and threw him from the first floor balcony onto a concrete path below, a distance of some 15 feet." According to the prosecution the assailants headed downstairs to continue the attack, with a wheel brace being produced and waved about in front of witnesses. One of them allegedly threw a knife into undergrowth as they tried to escape from police called to the scene. The court was told the alleged victim also suffered cracked ribs, lacerations and stab wounds to his shoulder and buttock. During the hearing it emerged that the 16-year-old accused had been on bail, but was returned to custody for breaching a no-alcohol condition at his children's home. Concerns were expressed for the safety of both him and the general public due to the circumstances of the case. Ms Gilmore contended that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs when arrested, and spoke of previously having injected cocaine. At one stage the youth also lived with an uncle addicted to heroin at an address where needles and other associated paraphernalia were discovered, she added. Defence counsel described the allegations against his client as "very unsavoury". He argued, however, that the teenager had foolishly breached bail conditions without committing any further offences. Granting bail once more, Lord Justice McCloskey warned the accused he is in "the last chance saloon", The judge ordered him to abide by all the rules of the children's home and imposed a ban on entering Newry. In the next 1218 months, States Newsroom, a nonprofit company that supports a group of state capital-based, independent newsrooms, will expand to cover up to 20 more states, executives tell Axios. Why it matters: Its efforts are the latest in a string of investments into revitalizing coverage of state governments across the country. Coverage of local government and state municipalities has been hit particularly hard in the local news crisis. Between 2003 and 2014, there was a 35% drop in statehouse reporting specifically. Details: On Tuesday, States Newsroom, which is backed by non-disclosed donors, will launch its newest local outfit in Minneapolis called the Minnesota Reformer, led by J. Patrick Coolican, who recently left the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Other states that the company is looking to expand to include Louisiana, Tennessee, Kansas, New Hampshire and Montana, says Chris Fitzsimon, director and publisher of States Newsroom. "Our funding model is a bit different than traditional for-profit and even nonprofit media outlets. All of our work is free," says Fitzsimon. "We will never put content behind a paywall or create a roadblock to readers like a subscription service for premium content. We don't run ads of any kind." By the numbers: To date, States Newsroom has opened 14 news operations in states including Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, Maine and Maryland. The entire company employs nearly 60 reporters and editors. By the end of 2020, they plan to have more than 80 on staff between state capitals and its D.C. office. Each newsroom has three to four reporters and editors. Between the lines: Most of the reporters and editors hired to work at States Newsroom outlets are veterans of the local paper from that particular city. For example, States Newsroom launched the Iowa Capital Dispatch last week, led by veteran Iowa journalist Kathie Obradovich, formerly the politics editor of the Des Moines Register, where she had been for the past 16 years. The big picture: There's a lot of nonprofit and philanthropic interest in journalism right now, particularly targeted toward state capitals. AP and Report for America announced last month that they would place 14 reporters in state legislatures across the country. ProPublica said in 2018 that it would expand its Local Reporting Network to focus on accountability journalism on state governments and state politics. Yes, but: As a nonprofit, Fitzsimon says States Newsroom "doesn't accept corporate donations or underwriting, just philanthropic donations." While Axios research has verified that the websites run by States Newsroom are indeed independent, Fitzsimon won't disclose who the company's donors are. Go deeper: Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that States Newsroom will expand to cover up to 20 states (not at least 20 new states). By PTI ISLAMABAD: Avalanches and landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and incessant rain across Pakistan have left nearly 75 people, including women and children, dead and over 40 injured, media reports said on Tuesday. Harsh weather conditions continue across Pakistan over the last three days, bringing normal life to a halt as road transport and communication remain severely affected. About 75 people have died across the country after a severe cold wave brought life to a standstill in numerous areas, The Express Tribune reported. At least 57 people were killed and many others reported missing after avalanches hit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the last 24 hours, the report quoted a senior government officials as saying. In Balochistan, 17 people were killed in rain and snowfall-related incidents across the province, it said. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, 41 people have been injured while 35 houses destroyed in the country due to inclement weather conditions. Hundreds of passengers, including women and children, were stuck in harsh weather on Monday as a massive snowstorm wreaked havoc in different parts of Balochistan. On Monday, the media reports said at least 14 people, including women and children, were killed and over a dozen injured in several parts of Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province. Relief, disaster and civil defence secretary Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri told Dawn newspaper that heavy snowfall and rains have blocked several roads in high altitude areas. Due to heavy snowfall on Khojak Top, the communication lines between Ziarat and Quetta have been severely affected. The Quetta-Chaman highway was also closed for traffic, he said. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Karakoram highway was closed due to landsliding in the Pattan area of Lower Kohistan, while Chitral district was cut-off from the rest of the province due to heavy snowfall, he said. Upper parts of the province Malakand and Hazara divisions received heavy snowfall, leading to the closure of main roads. Six people were injured and four houses collapsed in the rain-related incidents across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the officials said. Heavy rain has caused flooding in low-lying areas of Sialkot, Gujrat and some other cities in the largest province of Punjab, the report said. Fuel dumped by an airliner making an emergency return to Los Angeles International Airport due to an engine problem fell onto three schools, causing minor irritation to 40 children and adults, officials said. The incident occurred around noon in the Cudahy area of south-eastern Los Angeles County, about 13 miles east of the airport. Los Angeles Unified School District police Sgt Rudy Perez said 28 students and adults were affected at Park Avenue Elementary and 12 others at 93rd Street Elementary, but none needed to be taken to hospitals. Expand Close Firefighter/paramedics walk between a group of ambulances parked by Park Avenue Elementary School (Scott Varley/The Orange County Register via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Firefighter/paramedics walk between a group of ambulances parked by Park Avenue Elementary School (Scott Varley/The Orange County Register via AP) Jordan High was also affected but no one was treated there, he said. Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Henry Narvaez said the fuel had dissipated by the time it reached the ground but the children and adults could smell it. Mr Narvaez said the patients complained of mild skin irritation and were treated with soap and water. There were no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Expand Close Parents and children leave Park Avenue Elementary after jet fuel fell on the school in Cudahy (Scott Varley/The Orange County Register via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Parents and children leave Park Avenue Elementary after jet fuel fell on the school in Cudahy (Scott Varley/The Orange County Register via AP) The school district said in a statement that paramedics were immediately called to treat anyone complaining of skin irritation or breathing problems and that its environmental health and safety office also responded. Park Avenue sixth-grader Diego Martinez said he and his classmates were outside for physical education class when they saw the plane flying low overhead. It was very close, he said. Shortly afterwards the air filled with the pungent odour of fuel. It was very strong, the odour, the 12-year-old said. Diego was not doused but some of his friends complained that their skin was itching. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 89 heading to Shanghai, China, declared an emergency after leaving Los Angeles International Airport, returned and landed without incident. The FAA said it was looking into the reports of schoolchildren being affected. Delta Air Lines said in a statement that Flight 89 experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX. The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight. The FlightAware websites track of the flight showed the jet took off over the ocean and made an immediate turn back towards land and circled back over Southern California to approach the airport from the east. BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Back by popular demand, Alignable's Small Businessperson Of The Year Contest launches today, searching for Main Street's unsung heroes the leaders who help drive the success of their entire small business communities. Alignable.com , the largest referral network for small businesses with 4.5 million members, introduced the contest last year, sorting through 30,000+ nominations, likes, votes, and comments to arrive at nearly 2,400 local winners elected by their peers across the U.S. and Canada. This year's competition promises to be even more robust, as engagement among Alignable's membership has skyrocketed since early 2019. In fact, members just broke an annual record for the total number of referrals exchanged -- a whopping 358 million. "Last year, this contest created a truly awesome frenzy of praise among small businesspeople in their communities, giving them the chance to thank peers publicly for helping them in good times and bad," said Eric Groves, Alignable's Co-Founder and CEO. "We expect even more well-deserved shout-outs for small businesspeople everywhere this year." Contest criteria focuses on honoring local leaders who've not only succeeded in their own businesses, but have actively helped peers thrive via recommendations, referrals, mentorship, and advice ultimately demonstrating a strong desire to elevate their entire local business economy. The Call for Nominations phase runs until March 20, 2020 at midnight ET. During this phase, not only are small businesspeople in N. America encouraged to nominate their most-esteemed peers, they'll have the chance to "like," share, and comment on their favorite contestants. The more Alignable "likes" individuals accumulate, the better their chances to advance to the next round. "In addition to local recognition from their peers, last year's winners benefited from increased visibility, credibility, media buzz, and business referrals," added Venkat Krishnamurthy, Alignable's Co-Founder and President. "So it's no surprise that there's a lot of pent up demand for 2020's friendly albeit intense competition." Alignable members can participate in the contest by clicking here or they can go to their community forums. Small businesspeople who aren't on Alignable yet can sign up for free at Alignable.com . Any contest questions or media inquiries should go to Chuck Casto at [email protected]. SOURCE Alignable Related Links http://www.alignable.com Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more After 10 years of fully supporting Windows 7, Microsoft ended its official support for the out-of-date Windows operating system on Tuesday. The popular classic Windows 7 OS still runs on some 200 million PCs around the globe, according to industry estimates. Users include small business owners, some larger companies, and hordes of consumers holding onto aging personal computers. Microsoft committed to providing 10 years of product support when it released Windows 7 in 2009. The companys focus now is on supporting technologies that provide new user experiences, it said. Microsoft has recommended that Windows 7 users move to Windows 10 prior to the end of support. Those that failed to heed the companys warning will become part of a very large attack vector for hackers, malware, viruses and spyware. This end-of-life date is well known to hackers, and they are armed and ready to exploit, said Kate Donofrio, payment card industry technical lead and manager of Schellman & Company. Windows 7 Pro and Enterprise users can purchase extended security update support for three years from Microsoft. Windows 7 Home editions and Ultimate editions are not eligible for extended support, she told TechNewsWorld. Much like mobile devices using the Windows Mobile or Windows CE operating system, a PC/laptop/terminal using Windows 7 will not just stop working the day that the OS end of life begins, noted Brian Harvey, lead systems engineer at Barcoding. However, the end of support does mean users no longer will get support, security updates or bug fixes for Windows 7, he told TechNewsWorld. Continuing to use Widows 7 can put your data and potentially your customers data at risk. Must Do Something PCs running Windows 7 probably will not become victims of attacks overnight, but the risk is not IF but WHEN malware, spyware, or viruses will find an opening into any particular unprotected computer. Of course, Microsoft wants lingering Windows 7 users to upgrade to Microsoft 10. For those with computers no older than four years, a software upgrade can be applied. For older computers, a new purchase is the easiest and fastest way to avoid security risks and issues related to loss of support for Windows 7. Purchasing a new PC will not be necessary if your existing system meets a baseline configuration, said Banish Angural, owner of Social Media Fellow. A D V E R T I S E M E N T That baseline configuration includes a 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC (System on Chip) with at least 1 gigabyte RAM for 32-bit or 2 GB RAM for 64-bit computers, he told TechNewsWorld. The system should have 16 GB of hard drive space for the 32-bit OS version and 20 GB of storage space for the 64-bit OS version. Also needed is a DirectX 9 or later graphics card with WDDM 1.0 driver and a screen display capable of 800600 pixels. If the hardware is not compatible with Windows 10, another option is to repurpose the older hardware by installing a Linux distribution as an alternative to Windows 7, Barcodingss Harvey suggested. The Linux operating system offers distribution options targeting Windows users and enterprise operations. The cost to download a complete Linux OS is free, and many Linux OS developers offer paid support options similar to what is available for Microsoft Windows 10. Thousands of software applications that run on Linux also are free to download. Tools such as WINE let users run must-have Windows programs on the Linux platform. Upgrade for Free Upgrading to Windows 10 is the most convenient step for users who want to continue using Windows on their computers, said Kenny Trinh, managing editor of Netbooknews. The upgrade process is very easy, and you get to keep all your files in most cases. That solution has two hurdles, though, he told TechNewsWorld. Your device has to meet the spec requirements to be able to run Windows 10, and you have to buy a Windows 10 license, which costs US$119. For those whose specs arent adequate or who dont want to shell out for a license, installing a Linux OS is your best bet, Trinh said. Linux is free to use, so you wont have to shell out a dime to use it. Plus, a number of Linux distros are specifically designed to run on older computers, so hardware wont be a concern. Early on, Microsoft provided free upgrades to Windows 10. All you needed was a computer running an earlier version of Microsoft Windows and a product code number to qualify. That free offer officially ended a few years ago. However, its still possible to get a free Windows 10 upgrade using the Windows Media Creation Tool. This upgrade isnt meant for the general consumer, but it works for many nonetheless. First, you must download the upgrade on the computer still running Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. Second, go to the Microsoft page to download the Windows Media Creation Tool. On that page, select the option to upgrade. Then enter your Windows 7 or Windows 8 license key. A D V E R T I S E M E N T If you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can update only to the Windows 10 Home version. With a Windows 7 or Windows 8 Pro product key, you can update only to Windows 10 Pro. The free upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Whats the Risk? The main reason to stop using Windows 7 is the security risk. That risk may be minor in the short term, but the longer you use the now-unprotected Windows 7, the higher your chances grow for trouble. Microsoft will not provide security updates or fixes. You also will not get technical support for any issues. This leaves your computer at greater risk of being hit with viruses and worse. Zero-day attacks get a lot of attention. The majority of vulnerabilities that get exploited by hackers are well known and have patches readily available to fix them, noted Kevin Landt, vice president of product management at Cygilant. These patches no longer will be freely available, and hackers will be developing and sharing exploits, he told TechNewsWorld. I believe the hardest hit with the end of extended support will be the home consumer users and business owners not keeping up with current threats, Schellman & Companys Donofrio said. Those who cannot afford to upgrade their systems or buy new systems to replace old Windows 7 systems will be at the highest risk, she warned. There is also a chance, even with Microsoft popping up warnings on end-user systems, that some consumers will not understand what all of this entails or take the threat seriously. These will also be the types of users who will not understand techniques to try and mitigate risks when new vulnerabilities are found and likely a high target for attackers, Donofrio added. Outdated systems are major targets for attackers who are well aware of the upcoming end of support dates, she noted. That is especially the case for an operating system like Windows 7, which has large mainstream use by both businesses and consumer home users. You can purchase a Windows 10 upgrade if you want to start with a fresh installation. On the Microsoft download page, download a disc image (ISO file) that can be used to install or reinstall Windows 10. The image also can be used to create installation media using a USB flash drive or DVD. What Else to Do If you are unable to upgrade or purchase extended security updates for Windows 7, you should take steps to reduce the attack surface of these systems. For example, disable all ports and protocols except those required for business reasons, suggested Cygilants Landt. If possible, isolate the servers on separate network segments from those that have direct access to the Internet. The remaining risks should be documented and given a priority level for future remediation, he said. Microsoft gave plenty of notice about the impending end of support, said Satnam Narang, senior research engineer at Tenable. Larger businesses likely have the infrastructure to migrate their systems, but smaller organizations may not have the necessary resources to prepare for the switch, he told TechNewsWorld, so those companies should take the following measures to protect themselves: Rely on endpoint detection and antivirus software to detect known threats; Implement email protection, as threats can often come in the form of emails and can slip through the cracks of email filters; and Enforce security awareness training for all employees. Isolation and Layer Are Key To the maximum extent possible, those continuing to use Windows 7 should try to isolate or segment the machines with the unsupported (outdated) software or OS. This obviously can be a challenge in many cases, given that if an organization has a requirement to keep using the unsupported software or OS, then that would imply some level of criticality to that device, observed Troy Gill, manager of security research at AppRiver. So naturally, there may be limitations on just how isolated it can be while still performing its critical role. Always practice least privilege. And in a case like this, the importance of least privilege is amplified, he told TechNewsWorld. Another way of bolstering Windows 7 from outside attacks is to take a defense-in-depth approach by adding security layers to help reduce risk with the unsupported system, Gill added. This should include the use of both network and personal firewalls, as well as placing the high-risk devices behind added hardware such as IPS. Another consideration is to make sure you have uninstalled all unnecessary software and disabled unneeded services on these devices. This is always a best practice, but it can become even more important on a system relying on an unsupported OS or other outdated software, he said. Business Risks Intensify Even if you or your company no longer run Windows 7, businesses and others who still use the obsolete operating system could endanger your privacy. Consumers need to practice safe computing even if they run Windows 10, macOS or the Linux OS. Organizations that continue running Windows 7 not only put their company and staff data at risk, but also that of their suppliers, partners and customers, because security patches no longer will be available, said Ken Galvin, senior product manager at Quest Software. Many businesses are still running Windows 7 because they have been slow to act, hadnt seen it as a priority, or thought of it as too much of a daunting challenge to upgrade all their systems. Daunting as it may be, we are now at the stage where the best option is to upgrade, he told TechNewsWorld. However, if businesses cannot and have made arrangements with Microsoft to pay for continued Windows 7 patching support, it is critical that they make sure their patch management system will be able to apply them, Galvin added. It is not an impossible task, however. IT teams can and should be taking advantage of automation tools to assist with the migration and invest in ongoing endpoint management to make sure that these systems are continually up to date without the team needing to break their backs, he said. Businesses should prioritize gaining visibility over all their systems so they can be 100 percent sure that each one is secure. No Recourse, No Safety The obvious risk is that Windows 7 systems no longer will receive patches from Microsoft. That means if a new vulnerability is discovered in Windows 7, all Windows 7 systems will be at risk for exploitation from malicious attackers, warned Mehul Revankar, director of product management at SaltStack. Going forward, Windows 7 systems will become ripe targets for attackers to exploit, he told TechNewsWorld. When the next major Windows 7 vulnerability strikes, these would be the systems attackers would go after first, own them very quickly, and cause business disruption. So, what should Windows 7 users do? Get an accurate inventory of all their assets and identify all Windows 7 systems in their organization, suggested Revanker. They also should stop procrastinating and take action. Upgrade those assets to Windows 10 or later. If you cant upgrade for one reason or another, get them off the Internet at the very least, and add mitigating controls so that only authorized users have access to them, Revanker said. The most likely problem is that systems will not be updated or will be slow to update and the longer the wait, the higher the risk that this results in a costly attack. A Ray of Hope, Perhaps Windows 7 will keep working come Jan. 15. Nothing will change overnight, said Chris Morales, head of security analytics at Vectra. It is true that Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to attack. That is the expectation. But I dont think the actual impact will be catastrophic, he told TechNewsWorld. For home users who want to cling onto Windows 7 for whatever reasons, many of the potential problems could be mitigated using other tools and methods, like VPN, encryption, security software, and a good secure home router, Morales noted. Many enterprises simply will sign up for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates for the next three years of coverage, which will protect against anything deemed critical or important. Not much will change in the attack landscape for enterprises with the Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. Most major apps like Google Chrome browser will also continue to be supported with updates for all users, said Morales. For everyone else, an update to Windows 10 or a move to another supported OS should already have happened, he added. An unsupported operating system never should be used for public-facing Internet use, like browsing the Web or handling email, he added. It is bad practice. A Common Problem Thomas G. Plante, professor of psychology at Santa Clara University, has been concerned about loss of support for Windows 7 on his own laptop. Long story short, the universitys IT department recommended that he invest in a new computer with Windows 10, he told TechNewsWorld. That seems crazy from my point of view, as my computer is only 5-1/2 years old and works fine but that is what IT here suggests, Plante said. Like many users, Plante relies on his employers IT department for help. The universitys IT staff claims that the hassles involved in upgrading make getting a new computer a better and more cost-effective option. Plus, the university will only service computers that are four years old or less to boot, he lamented. Seems nutty but hey . All of this is true, but it does not mean that we should not address all the root causes of the incident, he added. It is not just the one who pressed the button, but rather there are others, and I want this matter to be explained to people honestly. Demand for meat substitutes will only continue to rise as 5% of global consumers now identify as flexitarian, the same amount that claim to be vegetarian. This shows the intent that these consumers now have to take charge of and label their lifestyle choices, as well as the conscious effort they are making to eat less meat, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Jenny Questier, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: An active role in seriously changing consumption habits is being taken by both consumers and brands alike. In order to maintain this momentum, brands and manufacturers are being forced to consider meat substitutes that really challenge consumer perceptions of the category. These substitutes are the result of heavy technical advancement and investment in order to truly imitate the characteristics of meat products. Impossible Foods will continue to lead the market in meat substitutes with the launch of its new plant-based pork. With pork being the most widely consumed meat in the world, this new launch is vital in the companys mission to change the way we eat. The Silicone Valley based company unveiled their plant-based innovation at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas and under the increasingly popular Veganuary, a period that is seeing many consumers and brands alike promoting the trial and awareness of a plan-based lifestyle. Questier continues: Although launching primarily in the US, the plant-based pork meat could potentially have a huge impact in China, the country that consumes more pork than any other. Impossible Foods has also developed a ground pork variant that can be used as a substitute in many dishes, ensuring that their product can be easily adapted to different consumer requirements. In another Veganuary product promotion, McDonalds launched its Vegan Dipper Meal at the start of the year which suffered some backlash. The dippers, which usually contain chicken, instead comprised red pepper, pesto and split peas. Some consumers have been vocal about their disappointment that the dippers did not contain a meat substitute. Questier concludes: BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The new year is positioned to be a little bit brighter for teachers and their students. New educational crowdfunding platform KulaCrate announced that they are matching contributions, dollar for dollar, to help teachers receive much-needed school supplies for their classrooms. The donation match is ongoing through January 31, 2020, and it's designed to take some of the stress off parents and teachers in ensuring each student has what they need to succeed in the classroom. Investing in the Spirit of Giving Though most parents and teachers stock up during back-to-school shopping sales, the reality is that teachers are purchasing supplies for their students year-round. Many items that students need, such as glue, crayons, and pencils, are depleted before the end of the school year, and teachers often struggle to keep a healthy inventory of these and other items so that no student will go without. Traditionally, many teachers dip into their own pockets to provide students with much-needed school supplies. According to research, the average teacher spends as much as $740 per year on classroom itemsa sum that most teachers feel is high but necessary. In response, KulaCrate has launched a thoughtfully designed "give back" program that will match every $1 contributed to helping teachers stock their classrooms through January 31, 2020. The offer is available to new members. Teachers can register their classroom with KulaCrate, then ask family, friends, coworkers, parents of their students, and others to contribute toward their account. The company will then deposit the matched donations and apply them to a KulaCrate subscription. By matching donor contributions, KulaCrate is hoping to offset how much teachers have to personally invest in the items their students use every day. KulaCrate developed its crowdfunding platform to combat issues related to purchasing school supplies for teachers and parents alike. Through KulaCrate, teachers can sign up their classrooms to receive monthly shipments of school supplies funded by themselves, parents, friends, communities, and anonymous angels. Each subscription is tailored by grade level and consists of an ever-changing assortment of items, including common tools like pens, pencils, and art supplies, along with consumables like hand sanitizers, wet wipes, and tissues. The company delivers crates every month directly to the teacher's classroom, removing the time investment of shopping in person. KulaCrate's mission is threefold: To reduce the out-of-pocket costs of school supplies for teachers. To refresh each classroom's stock of commonly used school supplies throughout the year. To remove the need for parents and teachers to shop for supplies in person. The KulaCrate platform is now live, allowing registrations to the secure platform. During this time, early adopters' feedback will help shape the national release in Q3 of 2020. The Company has partnered with veteran marketing and technology agency, SilverTech, based out of Manchester, New Hampshire. About KulaCrate KulaCrate is an emerging company, inspired to develop technology solutions for teachers and their tireless mission to deliver quality education to children. By creating online tools that reduce the reliance on personal contributions by educators to adequately outfit classrooms, KulaCrate helps teachers refocus that time where it is desperately needed on educating children. KulaCrate is based in Boca Raton, Florida, and was founded by Vaughan Dugan & Shawn Rudnick. The Company has a foundation of successful entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries that want to build an organization that truly gives back and provides a fantastic service to a group of professionals we are all passionate about, Teachers. For more information, visit www.kulacrate.com. CONTACT: Vaughan Dugan (561) 463-5797 [email protected] SOURCE KulaCrate In the light of the protests held by students of Aligarh Muslim University against the amended Citizenship Act condemning the alleged assault by UP Police to control the law and order situation during the protests, Uttar Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Raghuraj Singh has made a controversial statement that he would bury alive those who raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "You will take tax money for your university and raise slogans against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi? I will bury you alive," Singh said while addressing a public gathering organized in support of the amended Citizenship Act. READ | Odisha: BJP Youth Wing Forms Human Chain In Support Of CAA Over the ongoing protests across the nation where students gherao the Vice-Chancellors of the universities causing a ruckus and stopping the process of the education, the UP minister said that those who cause unrest would not be spared. He also spoke about the riots in the state during anti-CAA protests stating that the majority of the people are peace-loving with less than one per cent of the people being criminal-minded. "I want to tell the (Aligarh) Muslim University that the Muslims in Aligarh are very peace-loving. However, if you Gherao our officials and Muslim brothers, we will beat you. We will not leave anyone," Singh said. READ | Oppn Resolution Against CAA Must Have Gladdened Pak's Heart: BJP Reiterating the Center's stand of implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country, he said that people have the right to stay in the country, but "this is not a Dharamshala" implying that outsiders infiltrating illegally will be detained. The UP minister also expressed his opinion over Pakistan and China, stating that the Centre will not bow down to any act of the neighbours that goes against the nation. "If Pakistan raises its eyes, it will not be seen on the map. If China bats an eye, we will respond to its bullets with bullets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not scared of anyone," he said. READ | Mamata Deplores BJP WB President's 'shot Like Dogs' Comment About Anti-CAA Agitators BJP's Dilip Ghosh says those damaging public property will be shot Another BJP leader, from West Bengal, had made a statement on similar lines sparking a controversy. West Bengal BJP state president Dilip Ghosh had said those who damage public property in the state under the garb of protests will be shot down, drawing flak from other political parties in West Bengal. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of not taking action against those who damaged public property during the violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act, and called vandalisers her voters. "Who do they think the public property that they are destroying belongs to? Their father? Public property belongs to the taxpayers. You (Mamata) do not say anything because they are your voters. In Assam and Uttar Pradesh, our government has shot these people like dogs," Ghosh said. READ | 'No Illegal Immigrant Should Stay In India',says Baba Ramdev On Implementation Of CAA, NRC Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud welcomed students back to campus today for the first day of classes since last years tumultuous fall semester. Syverud dedicated his annual winter speech toward outlining the universitys plans to tackle issues of prejudice and fear among students from marginalized communities. Last semester, the campus was shaken by a series of racist, anti-Semitic incidents that included multiple instances of hateful graffiti. Students held a sit-in and protested the culture at SU. A group going by #NotAgainSU called for Syverud and other administrators resignations. The group, before taking a break over the holidays, announced a deadline of Jan. 13 for Syverud and others to resign. Yet, no mention of any resignations were made on the first day of classes this semester. The day appeared to pass without any protests at all. No demonstrations were held outside Dineen Hall, the law school building where the chancellor spoke Monday. Security was posted around the building, and there were no disruptions during the chancellors speech. The #NotAgainSU Instagram and Twitter feeds, where the group frequently shared information last semester, remained silent -- except for a live feed of Syveruds speech from the Instagram account. Bea Gonzalez, vice president for community engagement and special assistant to the chancellor, opened the event by asking community members to listen to the chancellor. She said the university supported every individuals right to discourse, but hoped there was also a time for listening. Syverud got straight to the point during his remarks. He referenced the hard time the university experienced in the fall semester, thanked everyone who helped the university work through it, and condemned hate and racism on campus. I believe we have arrived at another key moment of challenge at Syracuse, Syverud said. He said that despite differences of opinion and contrasting beliefs, he thought what would unite the campus during this time is an aspiration to become a world-class model of an academic powerhouse that truly embraces, welcomes and values all people. Syverud said it would take hours to spell out the more than 50 promises the administration has made to students to improve the climate on campus. Instead, he highlighted a smaller number of initiatives, including increased focus on hiring diverse faculty members and newly dedicated space for student groups, particularly those that represent marginalized communities. Syverud said SU has allocated an additional $5.6 million toward addressing issues of diversity and inclusion. He noted SU has hired 68 tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the last year, making it one of the most committed universities in the country to tenured jobs. SU has also increased security on campus, with a focus on hiring people of color and who represent various groups. The Board of Trustees at SU is also tackling these issues. They formed a group of advisers to guide SU leadership to make the university the most welcoming campus it can be. Syverud in his speech emphasized the solid financial footing the university currently has to be able to tackle these issues. Syracuse University is in a stronger financial position that its ever been," Syverud said. He noted SU has secured donations totaling $800 million toward its fundraising goal of $1.5 billion. Syverud said that should give the community confidence that the university can accomplish its lofty goals, even those as challenging as fighting prejudice, racism and anti-Semitism. We can seize this moment to become better, and a model for the world," Syverud said. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government, education and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. YEREVAN. The Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia has not launched a criminal case on the basis of a report by Davit Khazhakyan, head of the opposition Luys faction in the Yerevan Council of Elders, and on the grounds of absence of corpus delicti. Speaking to Armenian News-NEWS.am, Khazhakyan said that they are inclined to appeal, and are currently in respective discussions. "The impression is that the SIS does its best to avoid finding corpus delicti," Khazhakyan said. "But it failed so much that there are absurd wordings that will be surfaced in more detail in the near future." On December 28 last year, Davit Khazhakyan submitted a report to the Prosecutor's Generals Office alleging Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan of exceeding his respective power and committing official fraud. Washington The United States will send 21 Saudi military trainees back to the Gulf kingdom after an investigation into the fatal shooting of three American sailors last month, the Justice Department announced Monday. The 21, who the investigation found possessed jihadist material and child pornography, have been expelled from their air force training at a Florida military base, said Attorney General Bill Barr. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and the 21 cadets have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the US military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia later today," Barr said. Barr called the December 6 shooting by Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani an "act of terrorism." "The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology," he said. Alshamrani killed three US sailors and wounded eight other people in a classroom building at the Pensacola Naval Air Station before being shot dead by police. Barr said Alshamrani had posted a message on social media on September 11, 2019 saying "the countdown has begun," in addition to several other anti-US, anti-Israel, and jihadist messages. Barr also stressed that the Saudi government and the other Saudis in the training program cooperated fully with the investigation into the shooting, which threatened a decades-old military training program crucial to the US-Saudi relationship. Lawrence Chia is the CEO of Pico Far East Holdings Limited (HKG:752). This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at companies of similar size. Then we'll look at a snap shot of the business growth. Third, we'll reflect on the total return to shareholders over three years, as a second measure of business performance. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO. Check out our latest analysis for Pico Far East Holdings How Does Lawrence Chia's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? Our data indicates that Pico Far East Holdings Limited is worth HK$3.0b, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as HK$15m for the year to October 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at HK$6.8m. When we examined a selection of companies with market caps ranging from HK$1.6b to HK$6.2b, we found the median CEO total compensation was HK$2.6m. It would therefore appear that Pico Far East Holdings Limited pays Lawrence Chia more than the median CEO remuneration at companies of a similar size, in the same market. However, this fact alone doesn't mean the remuneration is too high. We can better assess whether the pay is overly generous by looking into the underlying business performance. You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Pico Far East Holdings has changed over time. SEHK:752 CEO Compensation, January 14th 2020 Is Pico Far East Holdings Limited Growing? Over the last three years Pico Far East Holdings Limited has shrunk its earnings per share by an average of 4.3% per year (measured with a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 5.6% over the last year. Few shareholders would be pleased to read that earnings per share are lower over three years. And the modest revenue growth over 12 months isn't much comfort against the reduced earnings per share. These factors suggest that the business performance wouldn't really justify a high pay packet for the CEO. Shareholders might be interested in this free visualization of analyst forecasts. Story continues Has Pico Far East Holdings Limited Been A Good Investment? Pico Far East Holdings Limited has not done too badly by shareholders, with a total return of 8.7%, over three years. But they probably don't want to see the CEO paid more than is normal for companies around the same size. In Summary... We compared total CEO remuneration at Pico Far East Holdings Limited with the amount paid at companies with a similar market capitalization. As discussed above, we discovered that the company pays more than the median of that group. We think many shareholders would be underwhelmed with the business growth over the last three years. While shareholder returns are acceptable, they don't delight. So we doubt many shareholders would consider the CEO pay to be particularly modest! If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at Pico Far East Holdings. Arguably, business quality is much more important than CEO compensation levels. So check out this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Eight of the 16 winners of the 2020 duPont-Columbia University Awards for outstanding non-print journalism were brought to us by public media. Six of the eight appeared on PBS. Public media outlets dont have the resources of commercial media. But thank goodness they do have a commitment to serving the public. Let me start with the duPont winners seen on PBS. Silver Batons were earned by: PBS NewsHour for Inside Yemen, about the effects of that countrys violent strife on men, women and especially children. Frontline and ProPublica for Documenting Hate, about our countrys shadowy white-supremacist movement. Frontline and PBS for The Facebook Dilemma, about the social media giants emergence as a platform for political disinformation. POV and American Documentary Inc. for The Apology, about the comfort women enslaved by Japanese forces during World War II. POV for Dark Money, about the influence of corporate millions on American politics. WETA, McGee Media and Inkwell Films for Reconstruction: America after the Civil War, about post-slavery segregation. The two other award-winning public media projects were podcasts digital audio files that can be downloaded from the internet. Silver Batons were earned by: APM Reports for In the Dark, Season Two, about the case of a death-row inmate whose conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court. Michigan Radio and NPR for Believed, about bringing Olympics gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to justice for sexual abuse over 20 years. Now on to commercial media. Silver Batons were earned by: CBS Newss 60 Minutes for On the Border, about the separation of migrant parents from their children at the Mexican border. CNN for The Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, about the murder of a Saudi journalist who had criticized his countrys crown prince. Netflix for Leading Edge, about the loose regulation of medical devices. MSNBC for Bag Man, a podcast hosted by Rachel Maddow about government corruption that culminated in the resignation of Spiro Agnew, Richard Nixons vice president. As for local commercial outlets: KARE-11 in Minneapolis earned two Silver Batons one for a report on a struggling elementary school and the other for a report on lax treatment of veterans by the Veterans Administration. WKBW-TV in Buffalo, N.Y., earned a Silver Baton for an investigation of alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests and the cover-up policy of the diocese. WSOC-TV in Charlotte, N.C., earned a Silver Baton for persistent reporting about a suspicious U.S. House election in the state. The duPont Awards are named for the late Alfred I. duPont of the chemical duPonts, who owned small newspapers in Delaware. The awards are administered by the Columbia Journalism School, my alma mater. Paul Janensch, of Bridgeport, was a newspaper editor and taught journalism at Quinnipiac University. Email: paul.janensch@quinnipiac.edu. Director Christophe Ruggia detained for questioning following allegations by actress Adele Haenel. A French filmmaker is being held in custody while authorities investigate accusations that he sexually abused a child actress when she was between 12 and 15 years old. Director Christophe Ruggia was detained for questioning on Tuesday, based on allegations last year by actress Adele Haenel, according to the Paris prosecutors office. Haenel, 31, lodged a formal complaint against Ruggia in November after accusing him of sexually harassing her. The French actress said in an interview that month that Ruggia touched her inappropriately during and after filming, Les Diables, in the early 2000s. Ruggia has denied the allegations. He faces potential charges of sexual harassment and sexual assault of a minor by a person of authority, according to the prosecutors office. 200106180822464 Star of historic drama, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Haenel said she did not file a complaint sooner because she had no faith in the justice system. She slammed the contempt with which the judicial system treats women. However, prosecutors opened an investigation of their own accord and Haenel eventually did file a complaint. Haenel said also that Ruggias public denials had made her determined to obtain, through judicial means, the status of a victim. Haenel has won support from some of the top names of French cinema including the actress Marion Cotillard, who hailed her for breaking a silence that was so heavy. The French film establishment has been rocked by rape accusations against directors Roman Polanski and Luc Besson. Earlier this month, Frances culture minister said that writer Gabriel Matzneff, accused of raping and seducing children, should be stripped of a special state pension. Government scales back medical and psychiatric support for refugees to prove to an increasingly hostile public that it is on their side. Greece is toughening its stance on asylum seekers, taking away their rights to healthcare and social security payments. It is a reflection of the tension between Greek society and refugees. In the second of a series of reports on the main overland route from Greece to Croatia, Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee went to a Greek village where refugees growing sense of isolation is having tragic consequences. Opposition United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was arrested on Tuesday for alleged interference with judiciary, police said, days after the discovery of controversial telephone conversations, video clips and CDs from his residence. The arrest came following a directive by the Attorney General to the police's Colombo Crime Division to arrest Ramanayake following the revelations in his taped conversations with a few judges. Ramanayake's private conversations with key investigators and judges which he himself had recorded came to light last week when he was arrested for possessing an unlicensed weapon. Later, the police said over 1000 recordings of Ramanayake's telephone conversations were found with incriminating evidence on his attempt to influence judgements against political opponents between 2005 and 2019. Attorney General's office said Ramanayake was to be arrested for offences committed in terms of article 111C (2) of the Constitution for interference with the functions of the judges. The Judicial authorities were bracing to record statements from the judges who had been heard having discussed court cases with Ramanayake. The UNP announced earlier in the day that Ramanayake's party membership had been temporarily suspended. We did suspend his membership pending the working committee approval," UNP general secretary Akila Kariywasam said. The government has called for an extensive probes on Ramanayake tapes claiming that they bore evidence to the previous government's witch hunt against them when in opposition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London, Jan 14 : British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he hoped and was also "confident" of secure a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with the European Union (EU). Johnson made the remarks during a visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency Addressing concerns over possible checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea after Brexit, Johnson told reporters: "I cannot see any circumstances whatever in which there would be any need for checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. "The only circumstances in which you could imagine the need for checks coming from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, as I have explained before, is if those goods were going on in to Ireland, and we had not secured -- which I hope and am confident we will -- a zero-tariff, zero-quota agreement with our friends and partners in the EU. "There are plenty of protections for Northern Irish business, farmers and others." Johnson's visit came three days after Northern Ireland's two major parties, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein, agreed on a draft deal to restore a power-sharing government, breaking a three-year political deadlock in the region. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein received Johnson at the door of Stormont, seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Praising politicians for their willingness to set aside differences, Johnson said that "now is the chance for the government and Executive to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and to deliver on the priorities for the people". In a statement prior to his visit, Johnson hailed the deal as "historic". "This is an historic time for the people of Northern Ireland. After three years, Stormont is open for business again with an Executive who can now move forward with improving people's lives and delivering for all communities in Northern Ireland," the statement added. Models hold glasses of limited edition Macallan whisky during its launch at a hotel in central Seoul last March. / Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han Edrington Korea to withdraw its Korean branch By Kim Jae-heun Edrington Korea, one of the leading whisky distributors in the country, has decided to leave amid continued sluggish sales. Sources said Edrington recently told its Korean branch of the decision. The branch also ended its contract with employees. Edrington Korea said it is meeting employees to discuss severance payments and compensation for the sudden notification. "The closure of Edrington Korea isn't something new as the whisky industry has been suffering from continued restructuring for nearly a decade," an industry official said. "But the closure is viewed as quite symbolic as Edrington Korea owns a number of steady selling premium Scotch whiskies like The Macallan." Edrington Korea's flagship products are premium single-malt whiskies like The Macallan, Highland Park and the Glenrothes. The Macallan is well regarded as a competitive brand in terms of recognition. Attention is now on which distributor will secure an "exclusive sales contract" for The Macallan. Another issue is how the closure will affect the domestic whisky industry. Hit by slow demand, South Korea's leading whisky distributors have seen a rapid deterioration of their balance sheets. The situation is the same for the country's top two whisky importers Diageo Korea and Pernod Ricard Korea. Pernod Ricard Korea reported an operating loss of 7.4 billion won ($6.4 million) for the period July 2017 to June 2018. Its sales remained virtually unchanged on the previous period at 103.7 billion won. "The competition in the Korean market is very fierce but it is an important market," a Pernod Ricard Korea official said. "We have been continuously investing here to keep the momentum of the business alive. We are moving forward with plans to make the overall business structure more efficient." Sector leader Diageo Korea stopped production at its factory in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, last June after 29 years of operation. It had been making Smirnoff vodka to export and Windsor whiskey to deliver to the Army. Diageo Korea's operating profit reached 109.5 billion won in 2011 but fell below 100 billion won in 2013. In 2018, profit was only 37.2 billion won. Industry officials said the structural slowdown in the local whisky industry is mostly due to the introduction of the anti-bribery and graft act that passed the National Assembly in March 2015. South Korean beverage makers are responding to the downturn with aggressive marketing campaigns for their flagship products. The top two Oriental Brewery Co. and HiteJinro said they would lower the price of some of their products. "Due to the tax reform, we have raised the price for alcohol in bottles and draft beers while lowering those sold in cans," a HiteJinro official said. Cross-Straits situation needs pragmatism Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/1/13 20:33:40 Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen won by a landslide in the island's regional leadership elections, and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took more than half of the "legislative" seats. We should interpret Taiwan's public opinion objectively to make sure our overall understanding of the Taiwan society is accurate. What Tsai and the DPP advocated most in the elections were repulsion of the Chinese mainland and rejection of the reunification. The election result shows that most people in Taiwan approve the political path based on such perceptions. In the current international context and the island's internal environment with the DPP in power, it is very hard to change such an ideology in Taiwan. Most voters supported the DPP, but this does not mean they are in favor of "Taiwan independence." "Taiwan independence" is impossible and it means unbearable risks to the island. This is a basic consensus of most people in Taiwan. Over the past few decades, the mainland has been developing rapidly and the cross-Straits power structure has been reshaped. Cross-Straits exchanges have increased, and economic and cultural integration has become a major trend. The real political theme across the Taiwan Straits has transited from opposing independence to promoting reunification. Taiwan authorities have taken some petty actions. This is a hasty resistance to such a trend. China's neighboring countries and regions have complicated feelings about its rise. In Taiwan, such feelings may become more prominent. The victory of Tsai and the DPP reflects some people's rising anxiety in the face of the mainland's rise. They are worried that the mainland's influence will influence the Straits even without reunification. The DPP has been instigating people's concerns over the political complexity brought by cross-Straits integration. It is true that the DPP is misleading Taiwan society, and that the US and Western forces are helping the DPP do so. In fact, the US has always been interfering in Taiwan's regional elections, but Taiwan society has never regarded US intervention as a major problem. After Tsai was reelected, some internal and external misinterpretations aimed at the mainland have emerged. And while integration across the Straits will be complicated, the general trend of closer cross-Straits ties cannot be reversed. Former Taiwan regional leader Lee Teng-hui created the Taiwan Straits crisis in 1996. When Chen Shui-bian was in office, relations across the Straits also went through massive changes. Yet, has the general trend of integration between the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan been reversed? Have the two sides drifted from each other? The struggle across the Taiwan Straits will continue. Since it is not exclusive interactions between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, and the US has forcefully intervened in it, the long-term strife is one of the most complicated problems in global geopolitical games. Who is elected is not a decisive factor in the struggle, yet it may influence the scenarios in the next phase. For the Chinese mainland, the most important thing will always be our strength and readiness. The election result is more of a test of the mainland's ability to cope with the changes. Eventually, cross-Straits reunification will be led by the Chinese mainland. Positive changes on Taiwan need to be started by the mainland. To finally achieve cross-Straits reunification, we need the determination and endurance to bear more pressure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The bilateral trade in 2018 totalled to $95.7 billion raising hopes of India-China trade touching the landmark $100 billion in 2019. Beijing: The bilateral trade between India and China declined by about $3 billion last year while India's trade deficit continues to be high amounting to $56.77 billion as both countries experienced economic slowdown. The trade figures released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on Tuesday projected the total trade in Chinese currency RMB-Yuan terms registered a marginal increase of 1.6 percent year on year but in dollar terms it was down by about $3 billion. GACC Vice Minister Zou Zhiwu, who released the annual trade figures to the media, said China-India bilateral trade totalled to 639.52 billion yuan (about $92.68) which is 1.6 percent increase year on year. China's exports to India increased by 2.1 percent last year totalling to 515.63 billion yuan while India's imports to China decreased by 0.2 percent totalling to 123.89 billion yuan, he said. The trade deficit for India in 2019 was $391.74 billion yuan, he said. However, in dollar terms the trade has declined. The bilateral trade in 2018 totalled to $95.7 billion raising hopes of India-China trade touching the landmark $100 billion in 2019. But the total trade amounted to $92.68 billion last year about $3 billion less than 2018. The Chinese exports in dollar terms to India last year amounted to $74.72 billion as compared to $76.87 in 2018. India's exports to China amounted to $17.95 billion against $18.83 billion last year. In the face of slacking trade, the trade deficit also declined from $58.04 in 2018 to $56.77 billion. The declining trade was largely attributed to the slowdown of the economies of the two countries. According to the figures posted on the website of the Indian Embassy here, from January to November 2019 the total trade between the two neighbours in the 11 months last year was declined by 3.72 percent amounting to $84.32 and the trade deficit for the 11 months stood at $51.68. Trade deficit has become a major irritant in India-China bilateral relations figuring high in the bilateral discourse. India has been demanding China to open up its IT and pharmaceutical sectors to enable it to increase its exports. While China continues to promise to address the concerns, the two countries discussed initiatives in this regard at various levels last year. The issue figured in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their 2nd informal summit at Mamallapuram in October last year where the two leaders have agreed to set up new mechanism led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua to discuss trade, investment and services. The meeting under the new mechanism was expected to hold this year. Highlighting India's concerns over the trade deficit, a note posted on the Indian Embassy here said while flourishing trade has brought with it all the advantages, it has also led to the biggest single trade deficit we are running with any country. Our trade deficit concerns are two-pronged. One is the actual size of the deficit. Two is the fact that the imbalance has continuously been widening year after year to reach $58.04 billion in 2018," it said. The note also said, growth in bilateral investment has not kept pace with the expansion in trading volumes between the two countries. "While both countries have emerged as top investment destinations for the rest of the world, mutual investment flows are yet to catch up. According to the Ministry of Commerce of China, Chinese investments in India between January-September 2019 were to the tune of $0.19 billion and cumulative Chinese investment in India till the end of September 2019 amounted to $5.08 billion. Cumulative Indian investment in China until September 2019 is $0.92 billion, it said. However, these figures do not capture investment routed through third countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. especially in sectors such as start-ups etc. which has seen significant growth in Chinese investment," it said. Divi Dive Bonaire New Dive Operations Manager - James Helliwell James Helliwell is a great leader with plenty of experience in the diving industry, plus he has great customer service skills and tons of knowledge, so we cant wait to see what fresh ideas and initiatives he comes up with to add even more excitement to our already vast list of offerings. Divi Dive Bonaire, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casinos PADI 5-Star SSI dive facility, is thrilled to welcome James Helliwell to the team as the new Dive Operations Manager starting January 2020. Helliwell is no stranger to the sea hes been diving for the past 28 years and has 10 years of experience working in the diving industry. Hailing from South Africa, Helliwell started diving nearly three decades ago and quickly fell in love with the sport and started diving all over the world, encountering all sorts of sea creatures, including sharks, seals, sea horses and a variety of fish species. Having visited Bonaire many times for diving holidays, Helliwell says the decision to take the helm at Divi Dive Bonaire was an easy one. I have been traveling to Bonaire as a holiday diver for years and know the islands dive sites very well. Of course, as with most, Bonaire found its way into my heart. Bonaire is voted the best shore diving destination in the world year after year, and I couldnt agree more, said Helliwell. The ease of diving, the freedom of shore diving, the health of the reefscape and the variety of fish are far superior to any other location I have visited. But it is more than that; Bonaire is clean, beautiful and full of adventurous spirit and friendly people. So when my wife and I decided to move to the Caribbean, Bonaire was the logical choice for us. Helliwell has a strong management and technical background having worked as a projects manager, small business owner, technical servicing manager, divemaster trainer, scuba technician and mechanical engineer. He was also an avid recreational and commercial fisherman and spent time building, repairing and refurbishing boats in Africa. With over 13 PADI certifications and technical training in a variety of areas, Helliwell is the perfect fit for the job. At Divi Flamingo, he will be involved in all aspects of Divi Dive Bonaires dive operation, including managing staff, training divers, overseeing maintenance, running the dive shop, enhancing customer service and working with individual divers and groups to ensure that a once in a lifetime dive holiday is truly the most perfect that it can be. Were excited to welcome James Helliwell to the team, said Celine Van Meer, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casinos General Manager. He is a great leader with plenty of experience in the diving industry, plus he has great customer service skills and tons of knowledge, so we cant wait to see what fresh ideas and initiatives he comes up with to add even more excitement to our already vast list of offerings. In addition, Divi Flamingo is wrapping up its highly-anticipated studio renovations. The popular rooms have been remodeled from top to bottom with new appliances, furnishings, bathroom fixtures and fittings, electronics and more. The outside of our studio buildings is also being refreshed with a sleek and modern look. Additional enhancements include enlarged living spaces that allow guests to eat in air-conditioned comfort around an indoor dining table and an open balcony that provides great views of Bonaires stunning sunsets. Its been an award-winning year for Divi Dive Bonaire and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, with four awards between the two from Scuba Diving Magazine's 27th Annual 2020 Readers Choice Awards. Our resort and dive operation head into 2020 with new leadership, completely renovated studio units, improvements to the grounds throughout the resort and a new Executive Chef to enhance the culinary experience, said Marco Galaverna, Divi Resorts President & COO. We continue to be 100% committed to focusing on green initiatives and working with the island of Bonaire to ensure we maintain its pristine environment. About Divi Resorts Divi Resorts is the vacation expert of the Caribbean, with a collection of seven premium resorts spanning the five stunning Caribbean islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484 or visit http://www.diviresorts.com. Photos of Dive Operations Manager James Helliwell https://bit.ly/38Suo8k Photos Divi Flamingos Renovated Studios https://bit.ly/2PY9cFc Divi Resorts Photos/Videos/Logos http://www.diviresorts.com/portal.htm Boris Johnson has said the chances of the US handing over Anne Sacoolas, the woman suspected of causing Harry Dunn's death in a car crash, are "very low". However, the prime minister has said his government has made an extradition request and will "make every effort" to secure justice for the teenager's family. Sacoolas left the UK after the car she was driving hit Mr Dunn's motorbike outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Johnson was pressed on whether Sacoolas would be forced to return to the UK. He said: "I think it's right that we have made the appeal and I have to be clear, I think the chances of America responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. It's just not what they do, but we will continue to make every effort we can." In December, Sacoolas was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with death by dangerous driving. But the US has maintained that Sacoolas had immunity at the time of the incident and that extraditing her "would establish an extraordinarily troubling precedent". Responding to the PM, Radd Seiger, the Dunn family spokesman, said: "I do not know what is in the prime minister's mind in making those comments because the parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him - but we expect to do so within the next few days. "Certainly, if he is basing those comments on what is currently emanating from Washington he may well be right." But he added that "my analysis of the prospects of success are diametrically opposed to Mr Johnson's", following discussions. He said: "But we will take one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Unlike the prime minister, there is no doubt in my mind." Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Johnson said he is "absolutely confident" that the Royal Family will resolve the issues surrounding Harry and Meghan stepping back - and would do so "much more easily without running commentary from politicians". Story continues Asked about whether media intrusion was a factor, Mr Johnson said: "Everybody has got an opinion but it doesn't mean the problem is helped by politicians weighing in." The prime minister also declined to answer questions about whether race had played a part in the coverage of Meghan joining the Royal Family. On Brexit, Mr Johnson said it was "very likely" that there would be a trade deal by the end of the year, adding later that it was "epically likely". However, he warned the government would have to prepare for a scenario where a deal is not reached. Mr Johnson added that the UK would rediscover how it built itself up, saying: "Free trade has done more to lift billions of people out of poverty than anything else and that is why I believe in it. "We can do fantastic deals not just with the EU but with countries around the world and that work begins on 1 February." On whether Big Ben should chime at 11pm when the UK leaves the EU, he said the "bongs" would cost 500,000, so they would be costly. He said: "We are working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong. I haven't quite worked it out. "But Big Ben is being refurbished and they seem to have taken the clapper away so we need to restore it, but that is expensive." Asked about whether he would be a different Boris Johnson in 2020 - and stop stunts where he is a "submarine lurking below the surface" - he said: "The submarine is crashing through the iceberg. Here I am right now. "I want to be as available as I possibly can. But I do believe in cabinet government. "I want them to be leading. For example, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland did a good work in getting Stormont up and running." The prime minister said the NHS was "our number one priority". Mr Johnson claimed he would fund the NHS with the "biggest ever cash injection" and promised "50,000 more nurses" - a number which was repeatedly said to be incorrect during the election campaign because it includes retention of current nurses who may have left. He said: "We will build new hospitals, we will do upgrades. This is a massive project which requires a revolution in the way we do medical care and social care." Mr Johnson also said his proposal on social care would be brought forward, and claimed that governments have been shirking this issue for 30 years. He said it would be done "in this parliament", but refused to specify when - later clarifying he would bring a plan this year and carry it out by the end of his five-year term. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker On Flybe, the prime minister said it was not for government to step in and save businesses in trouble, but he did see the importance of the network in regional connectivity. Mr Johnson said they were "working very hard but there are limits commercially to what a government can do". He added: "But we will ensure there is regional connectivity that this country needs. "That is part of our agenda of uniting and levelling up. We don't have good enough infrastructure. "People don't feel they have a chance to get to the opportunity areas." The prime minister was also asked about Huawei's potential involvement in the UK's 5G infrastructure, after the US reportedly warned that using the Chinese company's technology would be "nothing short of madness". He said: "The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology. "We want to put in gigabit broadband, but if people oppose one brand or another then they have to tell us what's the alternative. "I don't want as the UK prime minister to put in any infrastructure that would compromise our security or ability to co-operate with Five Eyes intelligence." Mr Johnson was also asked when the Russia report would be released, which investigated the country's interference in UK politics. He said: "I don't know when it will be published but there's no reason it shouldn't be. "I happen to have read it, and I think after all that clamour in the election campaign people will be disappointed." Brian Cox has recalled an encounter with Princess Margaret (AP) Veteran actor Brian Cox has claimed he was touched up by Princess Margaret when he was just 23. The 73-year-old Succession star recalled how he met the Queens sister who died aged 71 in 2002 50 years ago when she came to see a play he was appearing in on the London stage. Cox told the Guardian: When I was a young actor I was touched up by Princess Margaret. Read more: Brian Cox urges action on new Scottish film studio He went on: I was at the Royal Court. I was doing a play with Alan Bates and it was my 23rd birthday and Id been given a red shirt from Lindsay Anderson. Id just washed my hair so I was sort of glistening and I walked in and was introduced to her. She put her fingers on my shirt, and said, This is a lovely shirt. And she started to run her fingers down the inside of my shirt. And I went, Uh oh! What do you do when youre being touched up by a royal? The Scottish actor revealed he excused himself and the encounter came to a natural end. Princess Margaret talking to actors at the Royal Court Theatre in 1964 (Getty Images) But he said of the late Countess of Snowden: She was an extraordinary creature. Princess Margaret was married to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon between 1960 and 1978. Read more: Hollywood actor Brian Cox calls for second Scottish independence referendum Cox admitted he is a big fan of The Crown, which saw Helena Bonham Carter star as Princess Margaret in the latest series of the Netflix show about the British royal family. He compared the show to heroin, adding he was completely hooked by it. Cox recently won Best Actor in a television drama at the Golden Globes for his performance in HBO drama Succession, about a dysfunctional wealthy family who own an international media empire. Italy to celebrate "Father of the Italian language" in 2021. Italy will mark the 700th anniversary of the death of the mediaeval poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, known as the Father of the Italian language, with a programme of commemorative events in 2021. Born in Florence in 1265, Dante wrote his verses in the vernacular, opting for Tuscan dialect in an era when poetry was generally composed in Latin, meaning it was only read by the most educated readers. Luca Signorelli, portrait of Dante. Fresco (1500-1504), Cappella della Madonna di S. Brizio, Duomo of Orvieto. Dante's unorthodox approach is credited with making literature accessible to the public, as well as paving the way for important Italian writers such as Petrarch and Boccaccio. Dante also had a profound influence on Western art through his depictions of Hell, Purgatory and Heaven.Dante is best known for his poetic trilogy La Divina Commedia, or The Divine Comedy, which made an indelible impression on both literature and theology. The poet died in 1321, aged 56, while in exile in Ravenna, where his tomb can be visited today at the Basilica di S. Francesco. Domenico di Michelino, Dante e il suo poema, 1465. Fresco, Cattedrale di S. Maria del Fiore, Florence. Dante's anniversary programme will take place mainly in Ravenna, with events also expected to take place in 70 Italian towns and villages connected to the poet either through his writings or personal life. To keep up to date with events as they are announced see Dante2021 website.Cover image: Sandro Botticelli, Dante Alighieri. To have started an international volunteering organisation at the age of 22 is a pretty unbelievable achievement, but thats exactly what Laura Robinson did. Shes 23 now and back in Wanaka for her first Christmas home in three years. Robinsons spent the last five years volunteering in the Ugandan village of Kkoba, not to mention balancing law school at the University of Canterbury. Its been a whirlwind few years, but Laura Robinson is just getting started. Robinson was raised in Timaru with two loving parents and a very close family. She looked up to her family as role models, with her father and grandfather running the local Rotary Club. When she was 11, Robinsons father passed away from terminal cancer, but not before writing her a series of letters that were put away for special occasions in her life. Theyve been a real guide in my life and an inspiration to keep dreaming big, Robinson said of his continual influence. Her first real stint at volunteering was at age 18, for a small Ugandan organisation called Hope Line which was sent volunteers via a larger American organisation. Robinson was shocked at the exploitation of smaller grass-roots, not-for-profits by bigger organisations sending volunteers, which failed to focus on developing local organisations and projects and rather on charging large programme fees to cover administration costs. Purpose Projects, her volunteering organisation, was born out of a wish to help support Hope Line without the exploitative nature of larger companies. Robinson goes to Kkoba three times a year; two months before and after Christmas over university break and one month mid year, always trying to work around exams and classes. Finding a balance with university was tough especially because I knew this was what I wanted to be doing but also needed to finish my qualifications. So I had to continuously prioritise and it meant dropping things out of my life to make room for what was important, Robinson confessed. If studying, researching, volunteering and setting up your own organisation didnt sound busy enough, Robinson also works part time as all of her work and travel is self-funded. In 2018 Robinsons Purpose Projects lead over 30 students from New Zealand to Uganda to build a primary school. Every member self-funded their travel alongside the money needed for the project, which was implemented by Hope Line and overseen by a community board of Kkoba. The project was a success, and the school currently has over 200 enrolments for next year with a capacity for 2000. Robinson said, The volunteers were so hard working, open to learning and growing. It was incredible to see them work throughout the year on fundraising for the community and the next generation of children, and help Hope Line bring that project to life. Recently, Robinson was recognized as a finalist for the 2019 Women of Influence awards which she calls an honour but admits its hard being recognised individually though when there has been so many people coming together to bring the organisation to fruition. Going forwards, Robinson hopes to continue her work in Kkoba as well as develop a local arm of the organisation in New Zealand to support other young people interested in not-for-profit and social justice entrepreneurship. Although shes just gotten back to Wanaka, Robinson is off again next week to Uganda, but hopes to enjoy Wanaka life properly when she moves back in February. Robinson wants to give a shout-out to her incredible team here and in Uganda. Particularly Stuart, Alice and Stef who are grinding to prepare for our trip leaving in a week. If youre interested in getting involved, Robinson says Purpose Projects are always looking for volunteers and donations to help continue the work they do. Millions of years ago, our chimpanzee ancestors sacrificed the left side of their brain. They lost a tremendous amount of short-term memory space. But in return they got the power of speech. This cognitive trade-off was put forward in a seminal essay by George A Miller of Harvard University in 1956. It was called: The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information. Miller had worked out that every animal had a limited amount of brain power. So, every new evolutionary skill such as speech had a cost somewhere else in the brain. Decades of studies have shown that chimpanzees still retain much greater short-term memory ability than humans. (Aside from some people with brain disabilities, such as Dustin Hoffmans character in the film Rain Man.) But, as it turned out, the ability to communicate better ended up being a pretty good deal for mankind. The unbelievable amount of data now at our fingertips This new power of coordination allowed complex group decision-making through speech and was vital for our rise to the top of the food tree. We developed traditions of storytelling, to pass down the most important pieces of wisdom through the generations, ensuring our progress continued through ever-increasing knowledge. These days we use technology. And that, perhaps, is a growing problem You see, we live in a world chock-full of information. But we havent yet developed sufficient techniques to deal with the unbelievable amount of data now at our fingertips. Not all information is good either. Some is fake news, some is propaganda, and some is too complex for us to comprehend. So, we look for easy hacks to make quick judgements on things. The Nobel Prize winning psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman call these hacks, heuristics. Theyre quick and dirty shortcuts we use to process new information and make faster decisions. Heuristics are good for life or death decisions such as is that animal dangerous, but not so good for understanding the causes of the current bushfires. Unfortunately, what worked well in simpler times is less likely to work as well in this more complex age. We need to develop new frameworks to make complex decisions as a society. Which leads us to the next frontier of decision-making What if we let artificial intelligence (AI) call the shots? What if, in the future, we outsource our decision-making to computers? This isnt as far-fetched an idea as you might first think. After all, you already outsource a lot of your memory function to computers. Think about it You dont remember peoples phone numbers anymore; theyre all stored on your smartphone. You might keep an online diary to organise your work day rather than trying to remember everything. You probably look up a lot of things you might once have tried to memorise. Whether thats investing in a stock, finding a new recipe for dinner, or deciding who to date, technology is part of your process. The fact is, you dont think twice about using the fantastic memory power of computers to store your information, rather than rely on the less efficient grey matter between your ears. Like it or not, youre already part machine! The next step is obvious To give your machines the power to make certain decisions for you too. This works on an individual level, but also at a wider level too. Would you trust an AI-powered computer over a politician for instance? Perhaps, not such a crazy notion Now, some people dismiss AI as a sci-fi fantasy. But the fact is were fast moving to a future where were taking the power of decision-making out of human hands. Its already happening. Self-driving cars are one visible example. Most think of self-driving cars as just doing the necessary calculations to drive safely. A mechanical operation of complex maths. But its much more than that Imagine for example, theres an accident, your tyre blows at speed, and your self-driving car has to make a decision. It can decide to drive into a lamp post and probably kill youor alternatively to mow down a group of pedestrians on the pathway. How would an AI decide this? Would it change its decision if the pedestrians were kids? What would you do? There are no easy answers to this. Just like there are no easy answers to many questions in life. But what were increasingly finding is that machines can make smarter decisions than us. Big business is taking note of AI Hacker Noon reported recently: The introduction of AI by 2030 will boost worldwide GDP by 14%, or approximately $15.7 trillion, according to PwC. They note that this is more than the current total industrial output of China and India combined. According to the results of a study by Teradata, the vast majority of large companies (80%) are investing in artificial intelligence technologies, and according to forecasts from Gartner, by 2020 they will be present in almost all new software products and services. The investing industry is an early user of such technologies. Sophisticated algorithms that learn by themselves already manage billions of dollars. And venture capitalists are using AI to sort through start-up opportunities. Medical research, military use, software creation, logistics, and even the legal industry are all huge areas for AI decision-making in the future. This throws up some deep questions for humanity. After all, if we havent got control over our memories, and we no longer make decisions, what even are we? Will the liberation of such concepts free up our brains to pick up new capabilities? Capabilities as big as the move to speech was millions of years ago? Do we become gods? Is that the big twist? We exist for a blink of an eye in order to create something better, then fade into the myths of time? A scary thought perhaps But it seems to be the world thats coming. This much is clear AI could be the most important exponential trend in the world right now. Both for you as an investor, and for you as a human. Its not some sci-fi wet dream. Its a coming reality. Pay close attention Good investing, Ryan Dinse, Editor, Money Morning PS: We believe these rapid fire market opportunities are a fantastic way to grow your wealth. Which is why youll find us talking about the big trends that can uncover them. If that is something up your investment alley, then click here to learn more. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:38:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close VILNIUS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian parliament failed on Tuesday to reject President Gitanas Nauseda's veto on reducing the existing election threshold to 3 percent for political parties and to 5 percent for party coalition. The ruling coalition had to secure 71 votes in order to overturn the veto, but failed just one vote short. 70 MPs voted in favor of rejecting the veto, 51 voted against and 2 abstained. The outcome of the vote means that during the next parliamentary elections, which will take place on October 11, 2020, the existing law will be applied and political parties will have to surpass at least 5 percent threshold, while party coalition lists will have to receive at least 7 percent of votes in order to win seats in the parliament. Povilas Maciulis, the president's adviser, said during parliamentary debates before the ballot that lowering the electoral threshold would result in the parliament's fragmentation, making it harder to form the ruling coalition and bringing instability to both the parliament and the government. Meanwhile, the ruling Farmers and Greens Union leader Ramunas Karbauskis earlier claimed that lower electoral threshold would ensure more democracy in Lithuania. The proposal by Lithuania's ruling parties to lower the existing election threshold was backed by the parliament on December 10, last year. President Nauseda later in December refused to sign the law and sent it back for deliberation at the parliament. Peel police are investigating after a body was found in Brampton Monday evening. Police received a call just before 6 p.m., where they located a body at Nexus Avenue and Fogal Road, they tweeted on Monday evening. They also confirmed the body was found outdoors as there was high police presence in the area. Nexus Avenue was closed between Ebenezer and Fogal roads Monday night. Police are considering the death suspicious and are treating it as a homicide investigation, but believe there is no threat to public safety. Investigators are seeking witnesses or anyone with surveillance video of the incident. Anyone with information can contact police at 905-453-2121, ext. 3205. Tips can also be left anonymously with Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-877-222-8477 (TIPS) or peelcrimestoppers.ca. With files from the Brampton Guardian Osobe Waberi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @OsobeWaberi Read more about: Expulsion from region, best revenge for US acts of crime: Iran VP Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 3:43 PM Iran's First Vice President Is'haq Jahangiri says the best revenge for the United States' criminal act in assassinating top Iranian general, Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, is the expulsion of all American forces from the West Asia region. Jahangiri made the remarks in a Monday meeting with the visiting Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in Tehran, adding, "Unwarranted interference of Western countries, the US in particular, is the cause of insecurity and instability in the region." The Iranian VP added, "The United States has committed grave crimes across the region, especially in Iraq and Syria, through formation of such terrorist groups as Daesh." A US drone carried out an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport early on January 3, assassinating Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), as well as eight other people. Both commanders were admired by Muslim nations for their great acts to eliminate the US-sponsored Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria. Jahangiri hailed the huge turnout of the Iranian nation in Soleimani's funeral processions as an "unprecedented event in history" and said Iranians now hate the US moves more than ever before. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic will continue to stand by the Syrian government and nation and go on with its support for the Arab state, saying, "Iran supports Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty in order to establish stability and tranquility" in that country. The Iranian first vice president expressed Tehran's interest in developing economic relations with Syria and stressed the importance of implementing agreements signed between the two countries during his visit to Damascus. He said Iran's private sector is eager to play an active role in the reconstruction of Syria, expressing hope that positive steps would be taken this year in this regard. During Jahangiri's trip to Damascus in January 2019, Iran and Syria signed 11 agreements, including a "long-term strategic economic cooperation" deal, in a sign of changing winds in the Middle East which is shaping up to new realities. The Syrian prime minister said at that time that his country and Iran signed a "unique" and "historic" agreement which includes industry, trade and agriculture, calling it "a message to the world on the reality of Syrian-Iranian cooperation." Soleimani's assassination sign of US plot to stoke war in region: Khamis The Syrian prime minister, for his part, said the assassination of top Iranian general showed that the US is hatching plots to impose war on regional countries, adding that the bitter event was the outcome of US acts of aggression in the region. Khamis added, "Syria emphasizes the Islamic Republic's right to defend itself against enemies' acts of aggression and we declare our solidarity with our brethren in the Islamic Republic of Iran." He noted that regional nations would always remember Lt. Gen. Soleimani's great efforts in his fight against terrorism, saying that Syria believes that the US is the main protagonist in the assassination of the top Iranian general and subsequent developments. Khamis said the US is incessantly planning to attack regional countries, noting, "We must maintain an adequate degree of readiness and boost our coordination and collaboration, because expansion of bilateral cooperation can play a deterrent role against the US plots." Syria is trying to resist the enemies' plots through defensive, economic, military and diplomatic plans, the premier said, adding that his country will achieve final victory only through support of Iran and friendly countries in the region. Khamis also said the assassinated Iranian general was posthumously awarded Syria's highest medal of honor by the Arab country's President Bashar al-Assad, which shows his high respect for Soleimani. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thailand reports first SARS-like coronavirus case outside China Thailand on Wednesday (8 January) reported that a Chinese traveler has been diagnosed with mild pneumonia, later confirmed to have been caused by the so-called novel coronavirus, in signs that the new SARS-like virus that has already given rise to 41 pneumonia-like cases and one death in China, might have spread beyond Chinas borders. Conn-young, a Chinese tourist in Thailand is the first confirmed case of the new pneumonia virus outside China, according to the South China Morning Post, adding that the female tourist from Wuhan has been receiving treatment at a hospital near Bangkok since last week. Thai health authorities said in a statement that the traveler was confirmed to have the virus on Sunday,... but she's feeling better and is ready to return home. The authorities added they are confident they can control the situation. According to the report, 16 people who were sitting near the patient on the same flight were examined,... and their results all came up negative. It's the first time the virus has been confirmed outside China, UN and Thai officials said on Monday. The outbreak has caused alarm because of the link with SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2002-2003. The UN health agency (WHO) confirmed that the outbreak in the city of Wuhan was caused by a previously unknown type of corona virus, a broad family ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like SARS. Authorities in Wuhan said a seafood market in the city was the center of the outbreak. It was closed on 1 January. There is so far no indication of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Scientists in Hong Kong's Department of Health said on Saturday that genetic sequencing of the virus from a Wuhan patient, published online by a Chinese expert, indicated it was 80 percent similar to SARS found in bats. WHO said on Monday it was not surprising that the virus had spread beyond China and added that it might soon convene an emergency meeting on the new virus. - . , . . . WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has shifted its approach for addressing California's homelessness crisis, seeking to work more cooperatively with local leaders, according to three officials with knowledge of internal planning. This is a sharp contrast to the president's approach in the fall, which included multiple presidential broadsides aimed at California politicians. Advisers to President Donald Trump met on Jan. 3 at the White House to discuss the issue. Administration officials now hope to work closely with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, D. They are considering whether to send hundreds of federal workers and additional money for services if a deal can be reached, one official said. After the president had threatened to intervene in California, Congress in December approved new restrictions on how the administration could use certain homelessness funds. Attorneys with the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are reviewing that language, and it is not clear whether it would complicate the administration's efforts to address the situation in California, officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about internal planning matters. The White House strategy comes after Trump spent months castigating California's Democratic officials for the state's growing homeless population. The president's insistence since last summer that advisers do something about the "disgusting" problem of homelessness in major U.S. cities spurred a prolonged effort to find solutions across several federal agencies. Homelessness in the United States rose for a third straight year in 2019, federal officials said in December, primarily because of the continued increase in California. In the fall, White House officials were considering action to force homeless people in California cities into federal encampments, and officials from multiple federal agencies toured an abandoned Federal Aviation Administration site as a potential place to relocate people. "The president has never been looking for a takeover from the federal government," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. "The president has seen a problem state and local leadership have failed to deal with and asked the team to prepare options for his consideration." Congress included restrictive new language in a year-end spending package that sets parameters for a pot of funding related to addressing homelessness. Administration officials previously thought they had wide discretion to spend these funds, according to one person with knowledge of internal planning. Also, the Supreme Court decided in December not to take up a lower court's ruling protecting homeless people from prosecution for sleeping outdoors. A favorable ruling from the Supreme Court could have made it easier to enact administration plans to use law enforcement to address homelessness. Trump said last week on Twitter that the federal government would help cities combat homelessness if they ask for help "politely." That marked a shift in tone from September, when Trump told reporters about California's homelessness crisis: "We're looking at it, and we'll be doing something about it." The administration's position appears to lower the chances the White House defies the wishes of state and local officials in implementing its own homelessness initiatives. Garcetti and HUD Secretary Ben Carson in recent days discussed working together on providing federal help for the city's homeless population, as well as the possible provision of federal facilities, according to a person familiar with the conversation. The conversation was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. The officials have exchanged letters, and Carson and Garcetti are expected to meet in Washington this month when Garcetti attends a conference of mayors, the person said. Details of the potential collaboration remain vague, and no plans have been finalized. HUD's homeless count in California was 22.5 percent higher than nine years ago. More for you Deputies evict squatting Oakland moms in pre-dawn raid Congressional negotiators put language in the $1.4 trillion appropriations package intended to limit the wide discretion administration officials could have had to spend that money, according to two people with knowledge of the drafting process. The legislation also states that the administration must "receive prior written approval" from House and Senate appropriators before using certain recaptured funding of these grants for other purposes. The Supreme Court also said in December it would not review a lower-court decision protecting homeless people from being ticketed for sleeping outdoors if no other shelter is available. A reversal of the lower court could have paved the way for some of the administration's more aggressive plans, housing experts said. Several months ago, Trump was struck by conservative television coverage of conditions in Los Angeles's Skid Row area and wanted the needles, cardboard boxes and trash to be cleaned up, according to a senior administration official. Trump was confounded that there were restrictions that prevented the federal government from taking over, the person said. His focus on the homelessness problem in California also presents an opportunity to try to embarrass House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Trump has talked less about the homeless crisis in recent weeks, focusing instead on his impeachment and conflict in the Middle East. Three days after the White House meeting this month, Trump wrote on Twitter that the homelessness crisis "is a state and local problem, not a federal problem," but that the federal government could help. "If however, the city or state in question is willing to acknowledge responsibility, and politely asks for help from the Federal Government, we will very seriously consider getting involved in order to make those poorly run Democrat Cities Great Again!" Trump tweeted. Trump officials have pointed to rising homelessness in major California cities, but critics said the effort represented a political attempt by the president to embarrass his Democratic rivals in the state. The Washington Post reported in September that administration officials were considering razing tent camps for the homeless, creating temporary facilities and refurbishing government facilities. The Trump administration may have already taken actions that have exacerbated the problem, critics allege, such as tightening immigrants' eligibility for federal assistance, which risks putting more families on the streets, said David Garcia, policy director at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California at Berkeley. Trump has blamed Democratic politicians for allowing homelessness to grow in cities they control. "We can't let Los Angeles, San Francisco and numerous other cities destroy themselves by allowing what's happening," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One in September. The total value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Japan reached Dh481.34 billion ($130.8 billion) over the past 10 years from 2009 to 2019, a media report said. These statistics highlight the growing trade and economic relations between the two countries, with the value of their overall trade in the first half of 2019 reaching Dh26 billion, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing statistics from the Ministry of Economy. The mutual visits between their leadership of both countries, which led to the signing of 24 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) helped advance their relations to the level of strategic relations in 2018. According to official records from the ministry and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FSCA), Japan is one of UAEs leading trading partners, with the value of their non-oil trade reaching Dh54.46 billion in 2018 while Japan's investment in the UAE amounts to Dh14.3 billion. These investments have played a key role in strengthening the economic and trade relations between the two countries. Japanese investments in the UAE are concentrated in the sectors of technology, renewable energy, transportation, healthcare, wholesale and retail trade, and the production of polyethylene and polypropylene. The UAE is among the top five oil exporters to Japan, and its non-oil exports include copper and aluminium. The UAEs attractive investment environment has led to the presence of over 10,000 Japanese companies, agencies and brands, including 88 companies, 207 registered commercial agencies and 9,792 registered Japanese brands. The number of Japanese tourists visiting the UAE reached over 70,000 in 2017 while the number of Emiratis travelling to Japan as tourists has witnessed continuous growth, especially after were exempted from requiring pre-entry visas in 2017. There is nothing wrong with taking sexual stimulants, but may be it is wise to stick to those meant exclusively for humans. A man has been hospitalized for a 'three-day' erection, because he took a sexual stimulant 'used for breeding bulls', in Mexico. CEN The unnamed man received urgent surgery at Specialist Hospital 270 in the US-Mexico border city of Reynosa, after he checked in with the persistent condition. Peruvian newspaper La Republica reported that the man took the drugs as he was planning to have intercourse with a 30-year-old woman. Representative Image/YouTube A doctor told the newspaper, He was hospitalized in the Specialised Hospital 270 of the city of Reynosa. He had taken a sexual stimulant which he had bought in Veracruz, used by farmers in that region to invigorate bulls for insemination. The man travelled all the way to Veracruz, in east Mexico, to buy the stimulant used for cattle. A surgery was performed on the man to help his long situation, however there are no updates on that yet. Representative Image/YouTube Was the man unable to find any human stimulants? Whatever happened to the good old viagra, in his neighborhood? If you are not gonna do it like a bull, why take the drugs meant for one? Following state Sen. Velmanette Montgomerys announcement on Saturday that she is not seeking reelection and is throwing her support in the race for her seat to Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright, voters will in the 25th state Senate District which stretches across a swath of western and Central Brooklyn from Boerum Hill to Bedford-Stuyvesant and down to Red Hook and Sunset Park will have to decide what sort of change they want. There is the type favored by the party establishment, which joined Montgomery on Jan. 11 in announcing its support of Wright as her successor. Then there is choice offered by public school teacher Jabari Brisport, a DSA-backed challenger who is aiming to push Senate Democrats further to the left on issues like housing. A third candidate, former Montgomery staffer Jason Salmon, is competing with Brisport for the progressive mantle. The open race to replace Montgomery will be a purer test of the voters preferences for old school liberalism versus democratic socialists, compared to other 2020 races featuring DSA-backed candidates in New York City. The Senate race is the only election where a democratic socialist is running for an open seat in the state Legislature, which means the election wont hinge on anti-incumbent sentiment. The race also provides an opportunity for the far left to consolidate its influence on state government by giving it leverage within a possible post-2020 Democratic supermajority in the state Senate. With Montgomery retiring, the Democratic primary is becoming a referendum on very different visions for the Democratic Party in New York. The dividing line already appears to run through issues like real estate donation, rent control and newly-implemented criminal justice reforms. I think its going to not be about personality, Democratic consultant Lupe Todd-Medina said of the campaign. Its going to be policy and ideology. After Montgomery first won election in 1984 as a primary challenger with the backing of the head of the legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus at the time, then-Assemblyman Al Vann, she has become known as a reliable liberal vote who is nonetheless willing to work with ideological rivals. She lists Raise the Age the law passed in a 2017 budget deal with state Senate Republicans and the Cuomo administration that removed 16- and 17-year-olds from adult jails and prisons among her greatest accomplishments. The fact that she did this as a black woman in a chamber dominated for decades by the GOP attests to her ability to get things done, while still championing liberal causes, according to Vann. She is probably one of the most effective legislators we have had, Vann said at the Jan. 11 event. How politically astute can she be? Montgomery said she decided to back Wright as her replacement because of the two-term lawmakers experience in elected office and a desire to maintain continuity within the district. Wrights relationships with the political establishment was reflected by the endorsements received on Jan. 11 from Brooklyn lawmakers, including state Sen. Kevin Parker, Assemblywoman Richardson, Assemblyman N. Nick Perry as well as state Sen. John Liu of Queens. Wright advocates for a centrist approach to politics that contrasts greatly with the progressive wing of the party. She is open to taking campaign donations from the real estate industry and other political interests that are anathema to some left-leaning voters. I dont have any problem with people taking money from wherever, she told City & State. She opposes a good cause eviction bill that would limit rent increases for tenants across the state because she says it would place too many restrictions on building owners. Her willingness to consider changes to the newly-implemented limits on cash bail is another example. I dont think its a foregone conclusion that its done, she said. While her positions are broadly liberal she supports single-payer healthcare at the state level, for example they arent as radical as the politics promoted by the DSA and some other lefty insurgent grassroots groups, such as Justice Democrats. But rather than attack her by painting her as a tool of big business and the political establishment, a strategy that DSA-backed candidates have used in other races, Brisport who previously ran as a Green Party candidate against City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo in 2017 declined to comment on her entrance into the race. His campaign released a statement on Jan. 11 touting how its volunteers have knocked on 5,000 doors in the district. Hundreds of volunteers will help him reach the number of voters he would need to win a Democratic primary for the state Senate, the statement claimed. Results from 2018 suggest that a candidate for state Senate would need about 20,000 or so voters in a Democratic primary. For now at least, his campaign is focusing more on messaging that emphasizes grassroots politics than a direct challenge to an establishment favorite. The Prospect Heights native also has deep roots in the community, which will allow him to avoid accusations of being a newcomer with few ties to the district he wants to represent an issue for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Sen. Julia Salazar in their races. Ocasio-Cortez and Salazar won their races to a substantial degree because of the disproportionate support in gentrifying areas of Western Queens and North Brooklyn. The DSA bases tendency towards being younger and whiter than the electorate as a whole also extends to the volunteer base that powers grassroots organizing. The 25th State Senate District includes gentrifying neighborhoods like Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, where a leftist insurgent could expect to do relatively well. But there are also minority-heavy pockets throughout the district where Wright might be expected to have deeper support, including large public housing complexes and sections of eastern Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy. The district overall has a higher percentage of black voters and slightly higher median household income than the rest of Brooklyn. These communities have changed dramatically over the last 15 years, said Democratic political consultant Evan Stavisky. The old guard is not necessarily more conservative, but it tends to be more traditionally African American and older and the progressives tend to be younger and newer to the community. The race for the open Senate seat which also creates an open race for Wrights Assembly seat in Brooklyn though is different from the other DSA-backed challenges in Legislature races this year, which are all for Assembly seats, both because of its stature and that it now lacks an incumbent. State Senate districts have about twice as many people as those in the Assembly. A senator tends to have more legislative sway because there are both fewer members in the chamber and more funding for staff to carry out a members legislative agenda. With Democrats aiming for a super-majority in the state Senate after the 2020 elections, the presence of two avowed socialists in Salazar and Brisport could mean the difference between Democrats having the 42 votes they would need to overcome a gubernatorial veto. This would give the DSA a type of legislative leverage they would not have in the Assembly even if they had all four of their Assembly candidates win this year. But first, theyve got to beat the establishment again. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday notifying him of two flash drives containing additional evidence related to the impeachment inquiry, which was obtained from indicted Giuliani associate Lev Parnas. Why it matters: As Axios' Alayna Treene reported earlier today, a public release of some or all of these materials could give Democrats new ammunition to argue that the White House must turn over more information and allow new testimony from witnesses. The big picture: The Soviet-born Parnas helped connect Rudy Giuliani to Ukrainian officials while the pair were engaged in a campaign to pressure Ukraine to investigate President Trump's political opponents. The records transmitted by Schiff include communications between Parnas and Giuliani, as well as text messages in Russian that show Parnas was in contact with key Ukrainian figures caught up in the Trump-Ukraine scandal, such as former prosecutors Viktor Shokin and Yuriy Lutsenko. Lutsenko and Shokin helped spread the unsubstantiated allegations that former Vice President Joe Biden attempted to interfere in a Ukrainian investigation into the gas company Burisma, where his son Hunter sat on the board of directors. Read the annotated evidence. Read the attachments. Read the letter from Schiff. BT's email appears to have stopped working properly, with a flurry of users unable to see their messages. The company's official Twitter feed apologised to affected customers and asked them to take a series of steps to try and get their inboxes working again. There were a few reports of problems with BT phone and internet connections, but the vast majority of issues appeared to be related to email. Users said that when they went to sign in through BT's webmail client, they were unable to login, despite apparently being connected and entering the right information. The official BT account replied to affected users asking them to clear their cache and cookies before trying again, which seemed to fix the issue for at least some people. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty Others reported that the issue appeared to resolve itself over the day. Recommended BT Sport retains Champions League rights until 2024 Tracking site Down Detector showed a vast number of reports coming from all across the UK. While it indicated that there was also issues with internet service, that appeared to be the result of users who were complaining their email had broken being wrongly classified. Before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube made their entry in the media market, the PatnaDaily had already registered its presence in... The head of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday told VOA Khmer that the long-awaited Kem Sokha treason trial will take three months to complete, with the court holding two hearings every week. The trial for opposition leader Kem Sokha will commence on Wednesday and while a schedule for the trial only lists January 15 and 16 for hearings, Phnom Penh Municipal Court President Taing Sunlay said that the trial was an important story and would need three months to finish. Since it is an important story, so we plan to have up to three months of trial. We plan to choose Wednesday and Thursday every week, Taing Sunlay said. The prolonged trial would take it past the February 12 deadline for the European Commission to submit its final report on whether to suspend the Everything But Arms trade preferences. The release of Kem Sokha and reinstatement of the CNRP have been flagged as major concerns by the economic bloc. Taing Sunlay was responding to questions from VOA Khmer reporters inquiring about why independent journalists were not being allowed to register for the January 15 hearing, with court officials giving preference to embassies and members of small political parties. Court officials on Tuesday said at least 20 seats had been assigned to embassies in the courtroom that holds at least 30 people. However, officials are providing conflicting information about the attendees at the court. Maybe there are no journalists, said Taing Sunlay. They are full already. We have no choice. Chan Chen, part of Kem Sokhas legal team, said they were unaware of how long the trial would take and were focused on preparing for hearings on Wednesday and Thursday. Justice Ministry spokesperson Chin Malin did not respond to requests for comment. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Tuesday arrived in India on a three-day visit to attend the fifth edition of the Raisina Dialogue which kicked off in Delhi today. Zarif will pay a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2020. He is also slated to visit Mumbai wherein he will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The visit by the Iranian Foreign Minister comes at a time when the global attention is focused on the simmering tensions in the Middle East post the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by a Pentagon-ordered drone attack in Baghdad earlier this month. India has maintained that it would like the situation to de-escalate as soon as possible and the country has been in touch with key players including Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar as it has important interests in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Monday confirmed the death of Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem in a prison in Egypt where he had been in custody since 2013, and vowed to continue raising concerns over Cairos human rights record. Egypts state prosecutor said Kassem died in a Cairo hospital on Monday, saying in a statement an autopsy had been ordered to determine the cause of death. The prosecutor said Kassem had been transferred on Sunday from a jail hospital to the Cairo university hospital. Kassem, who had been on a liquid-only hunger strike to protest his conviction, stopped taking liquids last Thursday, rights group Pretrial Rights International said in a statement. The group, which said it was representing Kassem and his family, also said that Kassem died on Monday in a hospital. I am deeply saddened to learn today the death of U.S. citizen Moustafa Kassem whod been imprisoned in Egypt, the U.S. assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs, David Schenker, told a State Department briefing. His death in custody was needless, tragic and avoidable, Schenker said. I will continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity. Kassem was sentenced to prison in September 2018, along with dozens others, over a 2013 sit-in that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters. The sentencing, which included jail terms for more than 600 others, concluded a mass trial of people accused of murder and inciting violence during the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest at Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo. Washington is Cairos closest Western ally and one of its top aid donors. Rights activists say President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has overseen an unprecedented crackdown on freedoms in Egypt since he took power in 2014. Sisi and his backers say the measures are needed to keep Egypt stable and to counter threats from Islamist militants. Rabaa square was the single most deadly incident in unrest that followed the 2011 popular uprising that toppled Egypts longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. (REUTERS) For the security of its personnel, NATO has temporarily suspended its training activities in Iraq, given the recent violence there. Iraqis seem divided over what that will mean for their safety. The United States on Jan. 3 assassinated Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and the deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in a drone attack near the Baghdad airport. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at military bases in Iraq where US troops are stationed. There are also mass protests taking place in Iran and Iraq. The NATO announcement raised concerns among some Iraqis that the United States and its allies would withdraw from Iraq, which would allow Iran to increase its influence. On the other hand, Iraq's parliament voted Jan. 5 to end the foreign military presence in Iraq. Some NATO troops are being relocated within Iraq, and some to other countries. However, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said training of Iraqi security forces will resume when the situation is deemed safe enough. Also, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Jan. 6 that the Pentagon has no plans to leave Iraq, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is not willing to bow to Iraqi demands to withdraw its troops. The United States instead is only willing to discuss force reconfiguration with the Iraqis, and a greater contribution by NATO forces. Addressing the potential significance of a NATO withdrawal, Iraqi military expert Fadel Abu Raghif told Al-Monitor that NATO's move is not of paramount importance because NATOs role in Iraq has become modest, even as far as training is concerned." He said, "There are common tasks in exchanging information between NATO and the Iraqi authorities, but the alliance benefits the most from the information provided by the Iraqi intelligence services on terrorists. Asked about Iraqs weapons supply, Raghif said, Iraq can diversify its sources away from NATO. Iraq actually acquired Russian Mi-25 and Mi-28 helicopters after the US refused to equip it with Apache aircraft, and found an alternative to the US Viper system F-16s, which NATO refused to provide. Asked whether it would be possible to dispense with the training provided by NATO, Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf spokesman for Iraq's commander in chief, caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi told Al-Monitor, The work of the international alliance forces will be limited to advice, armament and training, while the armed forces will withdraw from Iraq. Hisham al-Hashemi, a researcher at al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, spoke with Al-Monitor about the importance of NATO forces staying in Iraq for both Iraq and the US, and said, Washington is counting on this presence to block the land route from Tehran to Beirut. Also, if US forces and their allies in NATO and the West stay in Iraq, they would be helping in harnessing terrorist groups in both Iraq and neighboring countries. At the political level, Hashemi said, NATO imposes the authority of the US axis on the tools of power in Iraq. He added, Iraqi interests are linked to the NATO influence and its securing of economic aid as well as weapons to the army. Ahmed al-Sharifi, a military analyst and former member of the United Iraqi Alliance, said security arrangements with the United States "have nothing to do with NATO decisions. Even if Iraq officially decides to expel all forces, including NATO, from Iraq, the Iraqi decision would not be binding because NATO troops were deployed based on an international decision that was made after Iraq was found to be a threat to peace and security due to continued Islamic State activity, he told Al-Monitor. Current developments show that Shiite political parties known for their pro-Iranian stances are pushing for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, including those of NATO. Parliament member Hussein al-Aqabi told Al-Monitor, "Security forces have acquired the power and tools to respond to foreign threats and enhance internal security. This means that no foreign forces are needed inside the country. Fatah Alliance leader Hadi al-Amiri agreed with that assessment, announcing Jan. 6, "The armed forces are capable of maintaining the security of the country following the withdrawal of foreign forces. Yet if NATO forces withdraw from Iraq, the country will face its toughest political and security conditions since 2003, when the US invaded. This is especially true as US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Iraq than those imposed on Iran. If that happens, Baghdad might need to turn to Tehran, with the support of Iraq's pro-Iran political forces. The assassinations of Muhandis and Soleimani will continue to have repercussions for Iraqs relations not only with the United States, but with others in the West as well. On Jan. 5, the German army suspended operations aimed at replacing soldiers participating in the global coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq. On Jan. 6, Britain announced it was reducing the number of employees in its embassies in Iran and Iraq. Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany and the UK condemned the [Iranian] attacks that targeted the foreign forces in Iraq" after the assassinations. This leaves Iraq to deal, once again, with the specter of violence and issues of safety. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Toyota and Lexus are recalling about 1.8 million vehicles from the 2013 through 2019 model years because their fuel pump could stop working, which could lead to a sudden stall or hesitation while driving. The problem increases the risk of a crash, especially when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed. Some of these vehicles are being added to an existing recall that was already announced in January. If a fuel pump fails, a driver may notice that the vehicles engine starts running rough and that warning lights may appear on the dashboard. The engine might not restart if it stalls. Currently, there is no remedy for this recall. A spokesperson for Toyota, which is also the parent company of Lexus, told Consumer Reports that the automaker does not know when a recall will be available, but that it is investigating the issue. When asked by CR, Toyota would neither confirm nor deny that there have been crashes or injuries related to this problem. The Details Vehicles Recalled 2013 through 2015 Lexus LS 460 sedans 2013 through 2014 Lexus GS 350 sedans 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUVs and Lexus IS-F sedans 2014 and 2015 Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser; Lexus GX 460, and Lexus LX 570 SUVs 2014 and 2015 Lexus IS350 sedans 2015 Lexus NX 200t SUVs and RC 350 coupes 2017 Lexus IS 200t sedans and RC 200t coupes 2017 and 2019 Toyota Sienna minivans and Lexus RX 350 SUVs 2018 Lexus GS 300 sedans 2018 and 2019 Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Lexus ES 350, Lexus GS 350, Lexus IS 300, Lexus LS 500, Lexus LS500h, and Lexus IS 350 sedans 2018 and 2019 Toyota Highlander and Sequoia SUVs and Tacoma and Tundra trucks 2018 and 2019 Lexus LC 500, LC 500h, RC 300, and RC350 coupes and RX 350L SUVs The problem: A faulty fuel pump may stop working, which could cause the vehicle to stall. Story continues The fix: Toyota does not currently have a fix for this issue. How to contact the manufacturer: Toyota will notify owners of affected vehicles by mid-March. Owners can also contact Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331 or Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987. Toyota's own numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles. NHTSA campaign number: 20V012 Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSAs website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed. If you plug your cars 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSAs website and a recall doesnt appear, it means your vehicle doesnt currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has been recalled. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2020, Consumer Reports, Inc. There are many who would have loved a chance to get to know rap icon Tupac Shakur. But actor Will Smith admits his jealousy of the late Tupac's friendship with the actor's now wife Jada Pinkett Smith kept him from getting close to the late rap icon. 'That was a huge regret of mine. I couldn't handle it,' the 51-year-old actor told The Breakfast Club on Monday. Pinkett Smith and Tupac were friends dating back to their days as young students at Baltimore School For The Arts. The truth of the matter: Will Smith, 51, says jealousy of Tupac Shakur's relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith kept him from getting close to the late rap icon 'F*** yeah, that was in the early days,' he said. 'That was a big regret for me, too, because I could never open up to interact with Pac.' Smith, who first crossed paths with Jada filming the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1994, said that while he knew there wasn't any romantic entanglement between Tupac and Jada, he couldn't help suspecting otherwise. 'They never had a sexual relationship,' he said, 'but now they had come into that age where that was a possibility and Jada was with me.' The father-of-three - to Jaden, 21, Willow, 19, with wife Jada, 48; and son Trey, 27, with ex Sheree Zampino, 52 - said that Jada 'just loved' Shakur, but the circumstances in the situation weren't conducive for a friendship between the men. Misguided: Smith said of Tupac and Jada's relationship, 'They never had a sexual relationship, but now they had come into that age where that was a possibility and Jada was with me' Bond: Jada and Tupac were friends dating back to their days as students at Baltimore School for the Arts. They posed with a pal in 1994 'He was the image of perfection, but she was with the Fresh Prince, so it was, like, we were in the room together a couple times, I couldn't speak to him,' Smith explained. 'He wasn't going to speak to me if I wasn't going to speak to him.' Jada, speaking with Howard Stern in 2015, opened up about the lack of romantic chemistry she shared with Tupac, as she said she had a better 'understanding of what that was between' she and Tupac, who was fatally shot in Las Vegas in 1996. 'When you have two young people that have very strong feelings, but there was no physical chemistry between us at all, and it wasn't even just for me! It was him too,' she said. 'There was a time when I was like, 'Just kiss me! Let's just see how this goes.' 'And when I tell you it had to be the most disgusting kiss for us both. The only way I can put it is, the higher power just did not want that.' Smith stars in Bad Boys For Life, as he again joins forces alongside Martin Lawrence for another installment in the crime series. It hits theaters January 17. Conflict: Smith said of Tupac, 'He was the image of perfection, but she was with the Fresh Prince' A Florida man who used stolen identities and phony ATM cards in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to fleece ATMs of nearly $175,000 was sentenced to serve three years in federal prison Tuesday. Dean Emmanuel Colin, 27, of Miami, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence after previously pleading guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges. Colin will be on federal probation for three years. Restitution will be determined at a later date, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Rhode Island. Authorities said Colin, in a span of two days, conducted more than 100 ATM cash-out scheme transactions in May 2019. The transactions were both in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Colin was arrested outside a Santander Bank branch office by Seekonk, Massachusetts Police on May 23, 2019, after bank security officials notified the United States Secret Service that they were monitoring live video of an individual making repeated fraudulent withdrawals of large sums of cash using multiple cards. The Secret Service notified Seekonk police. Officers headed to the bank and detained Colin. An investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Seekonk and Warwick Police Departments determined that Colin and others encoded blank ATM cards with individuals personal identifying and account information stolen during a data breach, authorities said. The account holders had large or no limits on ATM cash withdrawals. Colin headed to Boston and rented a hotel room in Foxborough on May 22, 2019 then spent the next two days driving around southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Colin stopped at ATMs and tried to use the phony cards 173 times. He attempted to steal nearly $290,000 but ended up stealing $174,660 after only 112 of the transactions worked. Authorities said when Colin was arrested, he had nine ATM cards on him. From inside his vehicle, law enforcement seized additional bank cards and a hotel room plastic key card, authorities said. A court-authorized search of Colins hotel room resulted in the seizure of a sweatshirt Colin is seen on surveillance video wearing while visiting some of the ATMs, two bank cards, and $65,920 in cash. U.S Postal inspectors and Secret Service agents obtained a search warrant for a package sent by Colin from Warwick, Rhode Island, to his residence in Miami. The package contained a cereal box. Several plastic bags were inside the box. The bags contained $48,500 in cash and had the name of a co-conspirator. The worlds biggest fund manager, BlackRock, said on Tuesday it is making sustainability and transparency the center of its investment strategy as it expects investment risks presented by climate change to speed up a significant reallocation of capital. BlackRock will exit thermal coal producers, make sustainability the key part of risk management and building portfolios, and launch exchange traded funds (ETFs) that screen fossil fuels, among other measures, to show clients that bit is taking their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns into account. Investors are increasingly reckoning with these questions and recognizing that climate risk is investment risk. Indeed, climate change is almost invariably the top issue that clients around the world raise with BlackRock, the asset managers chairman and CEO Larry Fink said in a letter to CEOs. In the near future and sooner than most anticipate there will be a significant reallocation of capital, Fink said. Yet, BlackRocks passive index-tracking funds cannot divest shares of companies that are found to not have met the new standards, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Mark Gilbert says. Some asset managers, including BlackRock, continue to draw criticism from climate activists for their lack of support for climate resolutions and for siding with the oil and gas industry. Related: SUVs Not EVs: The Electric Car Boom Hits A Snag A recent report from non-profit organization Majority Action found that BlackRock backed just five out of 41 climate-critical resolutions at shareholders meetings in 2019. BlackRock and Vanguard were called out in the report because they were also more likely to support management at these fossil fuel intensive companies than they did across U.S. equities overall. Extinction Rebellion was quick to comment on BlackRocks announcement that it would put sustainability at the center of its investment strategy. BlackRock remains waist-deep in fossil fuel investments and the worlds top backer of companies that destroy the Amazon rainforest and ignore the rights of indigenous people. BlackRock can rest assured that we will continue to pile on the pressure until they act to protect our children and the natural world, Extinction Rebellion said in a statement. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: As Sex Education returns to Netflix, the cast tell Shilpa Ganatra how they support the frank and non-preachy approach to the themes in the show. They dont make school dramas like they used to, and thank goodness for that. While the shows of yore clunkily took on new topics like Drugs (verdict: just say no!) and Sex (verdict: be safe!), like everything between now and then, the kids of today have upgraded to something far more sophisticated, as shown with Netflix's hit drama Sex Education. Enter frank conversations about masturbation, a grappling of sexualities, and awkwardness that comes with parents who are more sexually liberal than their children, as played out by the main character of OtisMilburn, played by Asa Butterfield, and his mother Jean, Gillian Anderson of The X Files fame. Even with its odd setting of rural Wales with American High School-isms shoehorned in, so realistic are these adolescents of all shapes, sizes and persuasions that the first season, which debuted last year, became a runaway success. We were actually in New York promoting the first season when it came out, says Butterfield. We kept getting news articles and nice reviews popping up on our phone and by the time we got back home, it was this huge thing. Thats what we wanted, but I dont think we expected it to have such a connection around the world, and for everyone to be so positive about it. Coming back for season two, it weirdly didnt feel like wed been gone for very long at all. It felt like a summer holiday, and Im actually back in school. Speaking to Butterfield in London just ahead of the second seasons launch, youd hardly recognise him as Otis, the awkward MoordaleSecondary pupil who, in his side hustle as an unofficial sex counsellor, helps his fellow pupils with questions about their out-of-control hormones, the advice for which he gleams from his sex counsellor mother, rather than his own virginal experience. Butterfield is dressed in a funky monochrome shirt, with round glasses obscuring the blue eyes that shine bright in the show. Hes much more confident too, perhaps related to his age as hes 22, rather than a teen, although when I was 16, I was also quite mature just from having grown up in a quite adult industry, he says, referring to his past roles as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and in Martin Scorseses Hugo. Buoyed by the current success, the stories in Sex Education are ramped up this season to be extra real and extra daring. Mimi Keene in Sex Education. Theres a mass panic as a chlamydia outbreak besiegesMoordale. Theres so many intersecting love triangles youd think it was a maths class. In different ways, Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and Anwar (Chaneil Kular) deal with the pressure of performance. The parents have their own issues too. And theres plenty of, lets just say, self-discovery. Its a hoot and a half, with a subtle message that we all bleed red and it would be surprising if even the adult viewers didnt learn something new about the complicated world of s.e.x. Sex is not something that should be seen as dirty or be kept a secret, because its a part of life, Butterfield says. Its literally the reason why were all here. So the more we can normalise sex and everything that comes along with it, the more we can discuss it honestly and frankly. Its so easy to get caught up in the climate we live in, with things like social media, porn, and toxic masculinity. FEMALE EXPERIENCE That it speaks to todays audience explains its appeal across countries. Certainly, in Ireland, where sex education classes are cringey or basic in differing measures, the show helps make sense of the real world of idiosyncratic relationships, physicalities and friendships. I think a show like this does a good job of getting through to teenagers, making them laugh, while also educating them in a non-preachy and non-typical educational way, says Butterfield. Emma Mackey in Sex Education. For this series, writer and creator Laurie Nunn delves deeper into the female experience, with storylines that vary in their weightiness, from achieving sexual gratification to the fallout of assault. It results in some powerful scenes, particularly an episode in which the lady-pupils of the show are held back together, in a Breakfast Club-esque manner. Sisterhood, empowerment and bonding are definitely things I take away from this season, says Emma Mackey, who plays the troubled outsider Maeve. Its very rare to see lots of strong, female, very different young women in one same room together and see what happens. Its quite magical. It felt almost quite historical afterwards when we had time to think about it. SERIOUS WORK Are the more serious storylines this time around added a layer of pressure on the young actors? Im not going speak for everyone, but I tend not to think about the responsibility and pressure because were just were doing our job, says Mackey. Were like interpreters, and its not down to just us we play a part in something has been written and created by someone else, and directed by other people. Its a group effort. "We are certainly the faces of it, and theres some pressure that comes with that but only afterwards, when you have the time to sit with yourself and reflect. Added to that, Patricia Allison, who plays Otis supercool girlfriend Ola in the show, notes that the issues raised should start the ball rolling in the viewers minds, rather than act as the beginning, middle and end. The brilliant thing about Sex Education is that it gives you the responsibility as the viewer to learn and to grow, she says. When we say it empowers people, its hopefully empowering you enough that you feel responsible for your actions too it should continue. It should be like, this is how we change society, as a conversation between us and the audience. It bodes well for the show that theyve struck the right tone for this conversation, and with unfinished business at the end of this series, another one looks to be on the cards. What can we expect in the future? In the words of Ncuti Gatwa, who plays Otiss best friend Eric, the hope is to continue spreading a message of empowerment and accept-yourself-ness. And we couldnt ask for more than that. Sex Education series 2 airs fromFriday, January 17 on Netflix. By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 14, 2020 | 05:58 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY A weekend crash in McCracken County led to drug charges for the driver. According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Office, the accident happened around 11:30 pm Saturday in the 4400 block of Hardmoney Road. While speaking to the driver, 24-year-old Christian Childress of Paducah, a deputy allegedly saw suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Childress was placed under arrest and transported to the McCracken County Regional Jail. Once at the jail, deputy jailers reportedly found an additional controlled substance hidden in Childress's clothing. Childress is charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance, promoting contraband and tampering with physical evidence. The Green Party, buoyed by strong showings in European and local elections, as well as the recent by-elections, are tipped to make big gains as the general election looms. Many commentators feel that the Greens could well be kingmakers when it comes to forming a government, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail already courting them. However, the main parties' historical bases in rural communities may be somewhat uneasy with such a marriage. The Green Party's leaders have indicated strongly that they will draw up tough red lines, and impose strong preconditions, before going into coalition with any party. A clear message emanating from the party's think-in in Cork prior to Christmas was that if the next government involved the Greens, it must be prepared to tackle climate change immediately. Messages such as this have left a sense among some that the green tide might be looking to submerge the farming sector. However, Pippa Hackett, the Green Party's agriculture spokesperson, insisted that this was not the case. "The Green Party is not advocating shutting down all farming," she stressed. "It's unfortunate that the media mainly cover only the extremes when environmental issues are debated. "The extreme vegan versus the extreme farmer who wants to do what he likes on his land - that might make for a bit of craic on the radio or telly, but it's not solving anything. The Green Party are trying to bridge some of those gaps." So what are the Green Party's priorities relating to agriculture, and should farmers be concerned? Shift away from beef and dairy The Green Party believe the agricultural sector needs to diversify away from its focus on beef and dairy. "We are so ingrained in what we are doing, it's very hard to see a different future for agriculture in Ireland," Hackett said. "Farmers need to embrace some sort of transition at least at this stage. "It's not an anti-beef or cow thing, but financially it's not paying. Even the top beef farmers are losing money, and dairy farmers have to work enormous hours to eke out a living. "The bottom line on the Green Party's vision for agriculture is that we have to embrace nature in everything that we do rather than trying to manipulate it." Read More Focus on quality over scale The Green Party supports "a refocus of the dairy and meat sector on quality production over scale of output", and advocates measures that support high-quality meat and dairy production. It is calling for the promotion of Ireland as a producer of grass-fed-only meat and dairy products, with a significant increase in native breed types and quality. "A huge amount of grain is imported to support concentrate feeding," Hackett said, noting that this was not serving our tillage farmers very well. She wants to see the tillage sector moving to growing grains for human consumption and highlighted initiatives in other countries where farmers are incentivised to have fully grass-fed livestock production. In practice, Hackett said farmers would get a premium for such a product funded by public money. "Ideally, we consumers would see the value of this and pay for it but we are now in the situation where we bred generations of people who are accustomed to cheap food," she said. Increase in organics If they get into government, the Green Party will be looking to increase the supports provided to organic farming across all sectors, particularly horticulture, and it supports increasing the area of land farmed organically to 20pc by 2030. "We are only putting 10m in organics at the moment. It's pathetic when you see 300m going into the genomics programme. "This is something the Green Party will want to see happen," Hackett said. CAP reform The Greens support the redirection of CAP and national funding towards farm practices which lower carbon emissions, enhance biodiversity and the wider environment, and towards measures to support and enable farmers to scale back their dependency on livestock overall. In terms of specific policy, Hackett said the Green Party will definitely look to shift funding from Pillar 1 (direct payments) to Pillar 2. "We want to see results-based payments. Currently, farmers are paid regardless. We are putting piles of sand in the corner of a field but no one is checking if there are any bees in them," she said. "For us, the CAP is not just about giving money out. We are contributors to the EU budget now. It's our own money. It's not a free ball of money from the EU anymore." The Green Party is looking to expand the definition of 'Greening Measures' to include issues such as stocking density, biodiversity support, carbon sequestration measures, and soil management. It also wants to reform direct payments to focus on these issues exclusively while transforming any other capital payments to tax rebate schemes or similar equal. Food Wise 2020 The Greens believe that the national agricultural strategies of the last two governments - Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025 - have been disastrous for the agriculture sector. "We want the current strategy to be completely revised. It doesn't serve anyone, bar the multinational sector," Hackett said. "Who says we have to hit these production targets? Are the primary producers benefiting - because without them there is no food industry. "We need to focus on adding value to our products rather than pure production targets. Focus on food, not the commodity." Read More Scrap Green Diesel If they get into government, the Green Party would look to scrap the green/marked diesel regime in favour of a tax rebate payable to farmers. "It's not about getting rid of green diesel," Hackett said, suggesting that the policy is purely to address the smuggling of the fuel and its links to criminality as well as such activities environmental consequences. End to the Badger cull The Greens are against the culling of badgers. "We don't believe culling has made a difference," Hackett said, adding that cattle movement is never factored in, which she said is huge transmitter of TB. "We need to look at biosecurity. At the end of the day, it's bovine TB the badgers carry, not badger or deer TB." COLONIE Tamar Gil nods knowingly when she hears about New Yorks Rust Belt, the moniker used to describe parts of upstate where much of the old industry has faded and the population isnt far behind. Nor is she surprised to hear about the panoply of community organizations as well as local and state government agencies working to reverse the trend by developing new industries and making parts of upstate the kind of place where young people want to stay after college and where others might to move to. Shes working on a similar dynamic in Israels Negev region, where policymakers also are trying to bring in more people, attract talented young workers and spur innovative industries that will someday replace the aging factories found there. Located in the south of Israel, the Negev, also known as the Negev Desert, hasnt seen the boom times that the nations center the triangle defined by Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem has experienced. Those areas, with a wealth of high tech research and development have helped the state of Israel become known as Startup Nation. That boom, though, has largely bypassed the Negev in the south as well as the Galilee region to Israels north. That geographical dynamic is similar to New York where so much of the states business and entrepreneurial nerve center is in New York City or surrounding areas. There are a lot of parallels to be drawn from this, Gil said of comparisons with upstate and even the Capital Region, where part of the challenge is attracting the kind of people who can work in todays high tech growth sectors. Gil, who is deputy CEO of Eretz Ir which means Country, City recently came to the Capital Region to work on fundraising for the nonprofits that support her efforts. Eretz Ir, which could be described as part Israeli chamber of commerce and part social service group, promotes business development and community resilience in the Negev and Galilee. It works with two major nonprofit organizations, the Jewish National Fund-USA and the Lauder Employment Center. The organization has set up a system that provides career guidance and resources to people living in the Negev or Galilee and those who may want to move there. Gil came to her job in a round-about way. The daughter of an Israeli diplomat, she grew up in Norway and New York, which explains her familiarity with the Empire State. She served in the Israeli Air Force where she commanded a unit of air-picture operators, which she said are similar to air traffic controllers who work in combat situations spotting enemy drones and aircraft. She saw action in the 2006 Lebanon War, where in response to rocket attacks Israeli forces went after Hezbollah cells in Lebanon. Much of her time was spent in an underground bunker in northern Israel but she said the experience galvanized her sense of being an Israeli, especially after growing up abroad. The upstate-Negev comparison has its limits, of course. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. For one thing, Israel is roughly the size of New Jersey, the U.S.s fourth-smallest state by area. And there is a uniquely Middle Eastern mix of cultures and groups, especially in the Negev where native-born Israelis live with Russian-Jewish emigres, retirees and Bedouins. But as in upstate, Gil and others say the relatively wide open spaces in Negev and Galilee provide an affordable alternative to the Tel Aviv-Haifa-Jerusalem region which has sky-high housing costs. Its already too crowded, she said of the triangle. The government has pitched in to help develop the Negev, with the Israeli Defense Forces moving some of their computer operations there and with Ben Gurion University, a major school, located in Beersheba, that largest city in Negev. The university is affiliated with a high-tech park, which sounds like some of the academia-industry partnerships in Capital Region involving schools such as SUNY Poly and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Theres been criticism that efforts to populate the Negev and Galilee areas could displace the Arabs who also live there. But the business development efforts are aimed at Jews and Arabs alike, said Gil. For example, her organization has been working to help get Arab women working in the digital marketing field in Galilee. And the Lauder Center is setting up co-working spaces to aid people looking to start new businesses. Moreover, the need for workers is high no matter who they are. Gil said there are currently about 4,000 unfilled industrial jobs in the Galilee region alone. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU U.S. conflict with Iran: What you need to read Heres what you need to know to understand what this moment means in U.S.-Iran relations. What happened: President Trump ordered a drone strike near the Baghdad airport, killing Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Irans most powerful military commander and leader of its special-operations forces abroad. Who was Soleimani: As the leader of the Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force, Soleimani was key in supporting and coordinating with Irans allies across the region, especially in Iraq. Soleimanis influence was imprinted on various Shiite militias that fought U.S. troops. How we got here: Tensions had been escalating between Iran and the United States since Trump pulled out of an Obama-era nuclear deal, and they spiked shortly before the airstrike. The strikes that killed Soleimani were carried out after the death of a U.S. contractor in a rocket attack against a military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, that the United States blamed on Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia. What happens next: Iran responded to Soleimanis death by launching missile strikes at two bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq. No casualties were reported. In an address to the nation, Trump announced that new sanctions will be imposed on Tehran. Ask a question: What do you want to know about the strike and its aftermath? Submit a question or read previous Q&As with Post reporters. DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For six years in a row, Working Solutions, a leader in on-demand contact center solutions, continues to be among FlexJobs' Top 100 Companies with Remote Jobsplacing #5 in the 2020 analysis of more than 54,000 businesses in its database. Companies that made this year's list had the most remote-friendly jobs posted there in 2019. This recognition also marks the fifth straight year that Working Solutions, a woman-owned business, earned a spot in the Top 10 companies named by this expert in the gig-economy workforce. The Dallas-based, customer-care companywith contact center agents in the United States and Canadaalso placed #5 in 2019, #10 in 2018, #7 in 2017 and #9 in 2016 in the rankings. FlexJobs first recognized Working Solutions in 2015. Kim Houlne, Working Solutions chief executive and founder, welcomed the news, saying: "Industry demand for workforce flexibility is validated time and again by FlexJobs. The virtual business model gives our clients the scalability they need and provides workers the freedom to apply their skills whenever and wherever, a great benefit to both." The 2020 rankings come at a time when the U.S. is experiencing a nearly 50-year low in unemployment, with companies across many industries competing for qualified help. According to Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of FlexJobs: "The most notable change we've seen over the past year is not so much the growth in the sheer volume of remote job listings, but the growth in the variety of remote job titles these companies are seeking to hire." Sutton believes the expanding scope "is ultimately fantastic news for remote job seekers across all career fields and levels." Ranking high among on-demand providers in the consumer services, travel and healthcare industries, Working Solutions understands client requirements for a fluid workforce, one that ramps up for business cycles or seasonal demands and scales down as needed. With more than 20 years in contact center outsourcing, Houlne believes independent workers, enabled by mobile technology, are modernizing business. "With its great versatility and responsiveness, there's no denying that on-demand is finding its rightful place, a most productive place, in companies today." About Working Solutions With 23 years of success, Working Solutions is a recognized leader in onshore, on-demand contact center solutions. Its remote workforce includes sales, customer care and technical expertswith more than 150,000 registered agents in the United States and Canada. They deliver fast-flex business process outsourcing (BPO) services for clients and their customers across diverse industries, such as consumer services, healthcare, retail, travel and hospitality. Media Contact: Springfield Lewis [email protected] SOURCE Working Solutions Related Links https://workingsolutions.com/ The former LNP member for Ryan, Jane Prentice, is in the running to take the Brisbane council seat occupied by Kate Richards, who has been stripped of her party endorsement and referred to the corruption watchdog. A spokesman for the LNP said preselection for Pullenvale Ward would take place on Wednesday, January 22, with Ms Prentice challenged by communications and marketing director Greg Adermann. Jane Prentice delivers her valedictory speech at Parliament in April 2019, warning of "ambition, treachery and lies" in politics. Credit:AAP/Lukas Coch The LNP referred Cr Richards to the Crime and Corruption Commission in December and refused to elaborate on the allegations. She strongly refuted the allegations and engaged lawyer Terry O'Gorman to represent her. Plans to build a new $8 billion refinery in Mexico got a boost from the Chinese government. During a Monday morning event in Mexico City, China's ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao announced that the Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, or IDBC, would invest $600 million into the Dos Bocas Refinery. Already under construction in the southern coastal state of Tabasco, the refinery project is designed to process 340,000 barrels of heavy crude oil per day into gasoline, diesel and other products. Mexico: AMLO takes nationalist tone on energy during first 100 days in office The refinery project is considered by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador as the crown jewel of his administration's energy policy, which seeks to boost domestic production of crude oil and end dependence on imported refined products, which mostly come from Texas or Louisiana. China's investment also comes at a time when Mexico's state-run oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, has endured billions of dollars of losses over the past years, ruining its credit ratings and ability to attract foreign capital. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox Tony Payan, an expert on Mexico's energy policy with Rice University's Baker Institute, said many doubt the refinery project's chances of success. Based on the construction other refineries around the world, many believe that completing the Dos Bocas project by its stated goal of 2023 and for $8 billlion is unrealistic. It remains unclear what will happen if the refinery defaults on the $600 million loan from China but Payan said the investment comes a time when the relationship between the United States and Mexico has been set adrift. "This is not a financial opportunity for China, this is a political opportunity," Payan said. Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com By Express News Service The countrys largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), in its efforts to become a serious utility vehicle player, completed a major milestone on Monday with its top-selling SUV Vitara Brezza crossing the 5 lakh unit sales mark in just 47 months since its launch. Brezza is currently priced in the range of Rs 7.63 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and Rs 10.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). MSIL has achieved the mark even though it is yet to launch a petrol option for the highly popular model. According to sales data, Brezza has consistently managed to maintain average monthly sales of around 10,000 units despite facing strong competition from the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Tata Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport. While Hyundais 2019 debutant Venue dominated the market for a while, Brezza snatched back the top position in the sub compact UV segment in December with a huge margin. MSIL had sold 13,658 units of the Brezza in December 2019, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 41 per cent as against 9,667 units of the model sold in the same month last year. In comparison, Hyundai sold 9,521 units of the Venue in the same month. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), MSIL, said that the Brezza, designed and developed by the team at Maruti Suzuki using Suzuki core technology, has struck the right chord with Indian customers. Five lakh unit sales in just 47 months is testimony of the customers increasing preference for stylish and feature-packed compact SUVs. We are confident that Vitara Brezza will continue to win hearts of customers across India, Srivastava said. Going forward, MSIL is expected to launch the facelifted version of the Brezza during the upcoming Auto Expo in February this year. According to reports, the SUV will be equipped with a 1.5-litre K15 Smart Hybrid petrol engine, the same unit that powers Marutis sedan Ciaz. The unit churns out 105 hp and 138 Nm of torque. At present, Brezza is powered by the BS4-compliant, 4-cylinder, 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine that delivers 89 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. MSIL had earlier stated that it would stop selling diesel-powered vehicles once the BS-VI emission regime comes into effect from April 1, 2020. Brezza, along with the Ertiga, S-Cross and XL-6, also helped MSIL reduce the impact of the demand slowdown faced by the auto sector. While the companys mini segment fell 41.3 per cent year-on-year in the April-December period to 178,404 units, the fall in sales of UVs was just 5.2 per cent during the same period. Last month, Maruti had registered a 17.7 per cent rise in demand for its UVs. Design-wise, Maruti claims that Brezza is the first vehicle to bring in concepts like a dual colour scheme, floating roof and a SMART PLAY infotainment system to compact SUVs. Brezza complies with advanced safety regulations, including pedestrian safety. The compact SUV comes loaded with new safety features comprising dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, high-speed warning alert, ISOFIX child restraint system, reverse parking sensors and front seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters, features which are standard across all variants, MSIL said. Rs 7.63-10.4 L is the current price range of the available variants of the Brezza (ex-showroom) 13,658 units of the Vitara Brezza were sold in the month of December 2019 alone Under the hood At present, Brezza is powered by the BS4-compliant, 4-cylinder, 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine that delivers 89 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. MSIL had earlier stated that it would stop selling diesel-powered vehicles once the BS-VI emission regime comes into effect from April 1, 2020. Going forward, MSIL is expected to launch the facelifted version of the Vitarra Brezza during the upcoming Auto Expo in February. HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwes finance minister maintained on Monday that the countrys economy would grow 3% this year despite poor rains that have hurt some crops and persistent power cuts that have hit mines and industry. The southern African nation is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a decade, compounded by shortages of foreign exchange, fuel and power as well as a drought last year that has left half the population in need of food aid. Mthuli Ncube told reporters in the capital that he felt the government undervalued the contribution of the informal sector to the economy. Less than 20% of the working population hold formal jobs. Ncube said in November the economy, which contracted by 6.5% in 2019, would this year rebound as from agriculture and mining output improved. But many economic analysts expect the economy to worsen. We have our own projection of 3%, so you can see that generally there is a feeling that this will be a better year. So we are sticking to our 3% rate of growth, Ncube said in comments broadcast by a local radio station after a meeting with Chinese officials. There is always more activity in the economy than we think. The United Nations has warned that Zimbabwe faced another poor harvest this year because of patchy rains. Ncube has said the government will spend $133 million this year on subsidies for maize meal to keep the price of the most consumed food affordable. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe, editing by Larry King) ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The U.S. Justice Department has charged a former Virginia college student with calling in fake emergencies to prompt law enforcement responses, in co-ordination with a group the FBI labelled as sympathetic to neo-Nazi ideology. John William Kirby Kelley, 19, was charged last week with conspiracy to make threats. Hes accused of being part of a network that shared racist views and had a particular disdain for African Americans and Jewish people, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed Friday. It says the group targeted such people in so-called swatting attacks co-ordinated in online chatrooms. Swatting is a practice in which fake emergencies are called in to authorities to draw a large law enforcement response. The affidavit also said the group maintained a list of victims on a site called Doxbin, which hosts the personal information of journalists, government officials and company executives, news outlets reported. An investigation into Kelley began in November 2018, when Old Dominion University in Norfolk received a call that someone armed with an AR-15 had hidden pipe bombs on campus. Police received a call hours later from someone with a similar voice who said he had dialed accidentally. Police and FBI investigators compared the voices on both calls and investigators matched email accounts and phone numbers connecting Kelley to the calls, the documents detailed. He was later expelled from Old Dominion as he faced unrelated state drug charges. Authorities later linked the group Kelley is accused of being a part of to another November 2018 bomb threat, this time at the predominantly African American Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria. The church was evacuated by police during evening services. The group is also linked to similar calls in the Alexandria area as well as hundreds of others across the U.S., United Kingdom and Canada, the documents allege. During a court appearance Friday, Kelleys public defender didnt comment on the allegations, The Washington Post reported. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday, WTTG-TV says. Saratoga Springs Police Department Unlicensed Operation: Dustin Quiron, 35, of Galway was arrested at 6:13 p.m. on Jan. 13 following a traffic stop on Union Avenue and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle third degree, a misdemeanor. Criminal Trespass: Nathan Suprenant, 33. was arrested at 9 p.m. on Jan. 10 on South Federal Street and charged with criminal trespass second degree: entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling, a misdemeanor. DWI, Unlicensed Operation: Joseph Sims, 51, of Middle Grove was arrested at 2:42 a.m. on Jan. 11 on Henry Street and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle first degree and driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction within ten years, both felonies. DWI: Donald Hoffman, 48, of Schuylerville was arrested at 4:06 a.m. on Jan. 11 following a traffic stop on Lake and Weibel Avenues and charged with driving while intoxicated: first offense, and aggravated driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .18 percent or more, with no priors, both misdemeanors. Unlicensed Operation: Jordyn Kelly, 25, of Malta was arrested at 12:55 a.m. on Jan. 8 following a traffic stop on South Broadway and charged with a suspended registration, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle third degree, both misdemeanors. DWI: Jennifer Ferriss, 47, of Schuylerville was arrested at 11:13 a.m. following a traffic stop on Washington Street and charged with driving while intoxicated: first offense and driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .8 percent: first offense, both misdemeanors. Drug Possession: Joshua Smith, 38, of Schenectady was arrested at 2:13 a.m. on Jan. 12 on Spring and Henry Streets and charged with criminal possession a controlled substance seventh degree, a misdemeanor. Theresa M. Waltz, 71, Bismarck, passed away Jan. 12, 2020, at a Bismarck hospital. Mass of Christian burial will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. Josh Waltz and Rev. Justin Waltz as celebrants. Burial will be at St. Marys Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with a rosary/parish vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Theresa Margaret Waltz was born Dec. 29, 1948, across the Canadian border in the small town of Altona, Manitoba. The daughter of Florian and Mary Krause, she was raised and educated in Neche, a small town in the far corner of northeast North Dakota. Theresa graduated from Neche public high school in 1966 and from North Dakota State University in 1970, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish education. On Dec. 21, 1970, Theresa was united in the Catholic sacrament of matrimony to Herb Waltz in Neche at Nereus and Achilleus Roman Catholic Church by Fr. Patrick Duffy. They made their home in Thief River Falls, Minn., where Theresa taught at Thief River Falls Public School. In 1971, they moved to Fargo where Theresa worked at St. Anthony Catholic School. On Aug. 16, 1976, they welcomed their firstborn son, Justin Patrick Waltz, into the world and on Nov. 11, 1979, they welcomed their second son, Joshua Karol Waltz. Theresa left work at this time that she might stay home to be a mother to her sons. In 1980, Herb and Theresa moved to Bismarck. Theresa continued to stay home with her sons until Joshua entered the first grade. In 1986, Theresa went to work for Mandan Public schools teaching Spanish until she retired in 2011 after 33 years of teaching. Theresa enjoyed a long and successful teaching career positively affecting the lives of thousands of her students and being the only teacher to have been nominated by her students for the Crystal Apple award. Theresa also managed her own piano studio, The Waltzing Keys, where she taught hundreds of piano students for over 30 years. Theresas life was centered on three primary aspects. First was her faith in Jesus and the practice of this faith in the Roman Catholic Church. She attended daily mass almost every day of her life from second grade on. Her father Florian would take her when she was little and she continued this practice for the rest of her life. She was devout to the sacrament of confession and believed in the Catholic faith with all her heart. It was first and foremost the most important element of her life. In the latter years of her life, she was devoutly committed to the daily Holy hour in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. She also loved the Divine Mercy and the Rosary. Second was Theresas love and dedication for her two sons which in her own words were, the love of her life. She raised her sons with tremendous love, loyalty, and affection. She also went to great lengths to bring them up to love Jesus and the Catholic Church. Due to her efforts and the grace of almighty God both of her sons became priests. She will be forever missed and deeply cherished by her two sons, Fr. Justin Waltz and Fr. Josh Waltz, and her husband Herb of 49 years. We love you Theresa/mom and we will see you in the Kingdom of God. The third aspect was that of teaching both in schools and her piano studio. She loved to teach, and she loved her students and approached both with great love, dedication, and inspiration. Theresa is survived by her husband, Herb Waltz; two sons, Fr. Justin Waltz and Fr. Josh Waltz; sister, Patty (Marvin) Miller; brother, Tim (Janet) Krause; and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Diocese of Bismarck Office of Vocations; P.O. Box 1137, Bismarck ND, 58502. Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the guestbook and share memories with her family. Burma Myanmar Military, AA Swap Blame for Civilian Deaths in Chin State The body of the schoolteacher from Se Phalaung village / Khumi Media Group YANGONThe Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) have denied responsibility for the deaths of three civilians killed last week in Chin States Paletwa Township. According to local residents, a teacher from Se Phalaung Village and two civilians from Kyet U Wa Village in Paletwa were abducted by a group of men last Tuesday and the three were found dead on Friday with their hands tied and knife wounds in a forest a little over 3 kilometers from urban Paletwa. The Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (KACC), a local civil society organization, said in a statement on Friday that the three were abducted by AA fighters. Two days later, the AA released a statement denying responsibility for their deaths and accusing the Myanmar military of being responsible for the killings. The same day, the Myanmar military responded that the three were killed by the AA. All the villagers know [that the three were abducted by the AA]. The AAs accusation is baseless. They arrested the three while they were sitting in their house around 8 p.m. on Jan. 7. Everyone knows it was the AA, said military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun. The AA said the places where the civilians were abducted and killed are under the control of the Myanmar militarys Paletwa operations command and Light Infantry Battalion 289, and that AA fighters cannot enter the area. Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun responded that the ethnic armed group even carries out attacks near civilian areas in Mrauk-U and Minbya townships. The entire village knows that the AA is responsible. But the AA is shifting the blame onto others. As I have said, they are the most cowardly group among ethnic armed organizations. They dont admit what they do and also torture civilians, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. AA information officer U Khaing Thukha said the Myanmar military is trying to use the murder of the three civilians for political advantage. The Bamar army killed them and their propagandists talk like they were killed by the AA, said U Khaing Thukha. We guess they are using dirty tricks to set us up before the visit of the Chinese president, he added. The place where the civilians were murdered is near the back of the military headquarters that commands around 27 battalions and is surrounded by military outposts and artillery, according to U Khaing Thukha. The AA has also accused the KACC of supporting the Myanmar military. The KACC also said in its statement that the AA fighters beat several civilians and attempted to rape an ethnic Khumi woman in Paletwas Kye Lei Village last Wednesday. The AA confessed to beating the civilians but denied the sexual assault. U Khaing Thukha said soldiers involved in the beating have been punished. When asked by The Irrawaddy about the AAs response, KACC spokesperson U Saw Mya said, We cant respond for the time being. We have yet to conduct meetings. U Khaing Thukha said that in cases of abuse by AA soldiers, civilians can file complaints via the groups website, arakanarmy.net. Last year, the Myanmar military said AA fighters were abusing civilians while disguised as Myanmar military soldiers. The military urged civilians to file complaints with nearby military officers in cases of abuse. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: Rakhine Baby Shot Dead by Myanmar Soldiers: Father AA Soldiers Beat Civilians After Attempted Rape in Myanmars Chin State Taang Rights Group Blames Myanmar Military for Targeting Civilians The Queen has visited Canada more than 20 times (Fiona Hanson/PA) The British royals have a strong bond with Canada, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will live, in part, as they transition into their new lives. The Queen is monarch of the Commonwealth realm and it has been her most frequent overseas destination. She has visited more than 20 times, including a trip as a princess. Her planned visit in 1951 was postponed when George VI underwent an operation but eventually Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh flew to Montreal in October the same year. Expand Close Covered with blankets during a snowstorm, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh watch a stampede rodeo in Calgary, Alberta, in 1951 (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Covered with blankets during a snowstorm, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh watch a stampede rodeo in Calgary, Alberta, in 1951 (PA) By the time they returned nearly six weeks later, they had covered nearly 16,500 miles in Canada and the United States. It was during this tour that they were photographed in check shirts taking part in a square dance at Government House in Ottawa. Expand Close Princess Elizabeth square dancing at the Governor Generals residence in Ottawa. Philip (right) is in a check shirt (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Princess Elizabeth square dancing at the Governor Generals residence in Ottawa. Philip (right) is in a check shirt (PA) The Queen, who uses her outfits as a diplomatic tool, channelled the red and white colours of the Canadian flag on her official tours. She even picked jewellery to reflect her affection for the nation, wearing her maple leaf brooch many times. The diamond piece set in platinum shaped as the national symbol of Canada has been worn by a succession of royal women, from the Queen Mother through to the Duchess of Cambridge. Expand Close The Queen in the colours of the Canadian flag speaking to the crowds on Canada Day in Ottawa in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen in the colours of the Canadian flag speaking to the crowds on Canada Day in Ottawa in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA) It was a gift from King George VI to his wife Queen Elizabeth, who later became known as the Queen Mother, to mark their visit to Canada in 1939 the first tour of the country by a reigning monarch. First worn during the royal couples Atlantic crossing in the liner Empress of Australia, it was featured by Queen Elizabeth throughout the trip. Her daughter Princess Elizabeth was loaned the iconic piece for her first visit to Canada in 1951 and, after she inherited it, she lent the brooch to the Duchess of Cornwall for her inaugural trip to the Commonwealth country in 2009, and also to the Duchess of Cambridge. Expand Close Princess Elizabeth, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall wearing the maple leaf brooch (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Princess Elizabeth, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall wearing the maple leaf brooch (PA) Canada has long been viewed as a welcoming destination for royal newbies. Kate and the Duke of Cambridge went there for their first joint official overseas trip following their wedding in 2011. More than 1,400 journalists and photographers from across the globe covered the trip, which saw the couple criss-cross the country as they travelled to seven cities over nine days. Expand Close Kate during her visit to the Canadian Museum of Civilisation in Gatineau, Quebec (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kate during her visit to the Canadian Museum of Civilisation in Gatineau, Quebec (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) Kate followed the Queens lead by wearing the national colours in tribute on Canada Day, with maple leaf adornments on her hat. Thousands of Canadians flocked to Ottawa for their arrival. The future King and Queen of Canada also took part in a dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island and wore 10-gallon cowboy hats as they opened the Calgary Stampede rodeo. Expand Close William celebrates winning a dragon boat race across a lake in Dalvey by-the Sea, on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada (John Stillwell/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp William celebrates winning a dragon boat race across a lake in Dalvey by-the Sea, on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada (John Stillwell/PA) The Cambridges were back charming Canada again in 2016 when William and Kate brought along Prince George and Princess Charlotte for their first official tour as a family of four. Highlights included a childrens tea party where one-year-old Charlotte was heard saying her first public words including Pop and Dada. William said at the time: We feel very lucky to have been able to introduce George and Charlotte to Canada. This country will play a big part in the lives of our children and we have created such happy memories for our family during this visit. Now with Harry and Meghan setting up home in Canada and the UK, it raises the prospect of whether royals on official tours to the country will also travel to see the Sussexes. Expand Close The Cambridges at a party for military families at Government House in Victoria in 2016 (Chris Jackson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Cambridges at a party for military families at Government House in Victoria in 2016 (Chris Jackson/PA) Prince Andrew, now the Duke of York, studied at Gordonstoun in Scotland but also spent six months overseas at Lakefield College School in Ontario as part of an exchange scheme. William and Harry visited Vancouver as teenagers in 1998 with their father the Prince of Wales. The brothers also joined their parents in Canada in 1991, visiting among other places Niagara Falls with the Princess of Wales. Expand Close The Princess of Wales with William and Harry at Niagara Falls, Canada, in 1991 (Martin Keene/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Princess of Wales with William and Harry at Niagara Falls, Canada, in 1991 (Martin Keene/PA) Philip was in Canada in 1969 when he delivered a classic gaffe, saying: I declare this thing open, whatever it is. Charles, who will one day be King of Canada, has visited the country 18 times. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has his own links to the monarchy. Expand Close Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Yui Mok/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Yui Mok/PA) As a young child in the 1970s, Mr Trudeau met the Queen several times through his father, Pierre Trudeau, who was one of Canadas longest-serving prime ministers. He revealed in an interview in 2013: There were lunch hours where I wouldnt eat at school because we had to rush home to have lunch with the Queen. Meghan lived in Toronto while filming US legal drama Suits and Harry and his future wife made their first official public appearance together in the city in September 2017 at the Invictus Games. Talks to end Libya's civil war broke down after the commander leading the monthslong assault on the capital left without signing a proposed truce agreement, throwing open the door to a possible renewal of fighting and deeper foreign intervention. A diplomatic flurry went into high gear. Talks co-sponsor Russia said commander Khalifa Haftar, only left Moscow to consult with backers, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced an international conference on Libya would go ahead on Sunday as announced. But the president of Turkey, which joined with Russia to broker the negotiations in Moscow, had more menacing words for the recalictrant Haftar, whose militia is allied with one of Libya's two rival governments. "If attacks on the legitimate government of Libya continue, we will never refrain from teaching a lesson to Haftar," Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan told members of his ruling AK Party. Erdogan, who supports Libya's internationally recognized administration, also threw down the gauntlet to Haftar's backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding he act to nail down the truce. "We did our part, it is up to Putin and his team now," he said. The collapse of talks, which took place as a provisional cease-fire was shakily holding around the capital, Tripoli, was the latest in a long list of failed attempts to secure agreement between the country's warring parties. That may help to explain the lack of an impact on oil markets, even though Libya holds Africa's largest proven crude reserves. Benchmark Brent crude was trading up 1% in London on Tuesday, after falling 1.2% the previous day, as tension surrounding the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran eased. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that Haftar "welcomed" the draft agreement signed by the United Nations-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, but took two days to discuss it with allied tribes before signing it. An agreement in principle was reached to extend the temporary cease-fire that took effect over the weekend, the statement said. It wasn't clear what Haftar objected to, but Sarraj had demanded that he retreat to lines his forces held before the offensive on Tripoli began nine months ago. Russia and Turkey, which had assumed increasingly assertive roles in the Libyan conflict as they jockey for influence in the Mediterranean, had brought Libya's feuding leaders to the talks after concluding the intervention was too costly. Russian mercenaries back Haftar's forces, as do Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Former colonial power Italy also has a military training mission numbering several hundred troops, and on Tuesday, its premier didn't rule out enlarging it. Turkish soldiers are training forces loyal to Sarraj, and Turkish-backed Syrian rebels have also joined the fray. There has been no immediate signal from Russia that it would withdraw support from Haftar following his rejection of the proposed accord. Speaking in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, Lavrov said Moscow and Ankara "will continue our efforts" to secure an agreement. Russia and Turkey pushed the fighting parties to accept the cease-fire as Libya endured its worst violence since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of Moammar Gadhafi, which ushered in years of instability that divided the country between rival administrations. Haftar is a former Gadhafi-era military officer who later fell out with the autocratic leader and went into exile in the U.S. He returned to Libya after the start of the uprising and in 2014 launched a military campaign with the declared aim of routing Islamist extremists in the country's east. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. His Libyan National Army then moved on to take control of key oil facilities and gained an upper hand in Libya's south before moving on Tripoli, seeking to oust the prime minister, whose government has struggled to assert itself over much of the country. Haftar launched the offensive on Tripoli, which has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced tens of thousands, as the UN was laying the ground for a political conference to unite the country. Russian government adviser Vitaly Naumkin said Haftar's rejection of the deal "is not a total collapse." Both sides are interested in going to the Berlin conference "with as strong a position as possible," state news service RIA Novosti cited him as saying. The meeting in Berlin is meant to secure an agreement to keep foreign powers out of the conflict. Invitations have been sent out to the warring leaders, their backers and international groupings including the UN, the German government press office said. Libya is a gateway for migrants destined for Europe, so the European Union is desperate for a settlement to help ease political tensions across the bloc over rising anti-immigrant sentiment. - - - Bloomberg's Mohammed Abdusamee, Salma El Wardany, Henry Meyer and Firat Kozok contributed. A teenager locked up for buying a knife that killed schoolboy Yousef Makki has asked the High Court to protect his identity because he is suffering from stress and fears a 'trial by social media' if his name gets out. Yousef Makki, a 17-year-old who had won a scholarship to the prestigious 12,000-a-year Manchester Grammar School, was knifed in the heart by his friend, Joshua Molnar, now 18, during a fight in Hale Barns, Cheshire, on March 2 2019. Molnar was cleared of murder and manslaughter following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court in July, telling the jury he acted in self-defence after Yousef pulled a knife on him. He admitted possessing a knife and perverting the course of justice by initially lying to police about what had happened, and was given 16 months in custody. Molnar stood trial alongside a 17-year-old known as 'Boy B', who was cleared of perverting the course of justice. Yousef Makki, a 17-year-old who had won a scholarship to the prestigious 12,000-a-year Manchester Grammar School, was knifed in the heart by his friend, Joshua Molnar, now 18, during a fight in Hale Barns, Cheshire, on March 2 2019 Boy B admitted possession of a flick knife, which Manchester Crown Court heard he had bought online under a false name, and was given a four-month detention order. The teenager, whose anonymity automatically expires when he turns 18 later this month, now wants the High Court to protect his identity until November 2021. Today, counsel for the youth told the High Court that the 17 year old, suffers post traumatic stress and anxiety and fears 'trial by social media' if his name is made public. The school also fears that if revealed he was there, the new intake might drop dramatically and their allocated budget would fall. Adam Wolanski QC, for the anonymous boy, said the school is desperate to keep the youth's name hidden until he finishes his education as he was turned down by 12 schools after his release. He said: 'The family applied for him to join sixth form, saying we have a moral responsibility to help rehabilitate him. The completion of his A levels would help get his life back on track. Today, counsel for the youth told the High Court that the 17 year old, suffers post traumatic stress and anxiety and fears 'trial by social media' if his name is made public 'Twelve schools turned him down. It wasn't anything to do with his academic capabilities or a lack of extracurricular activities as he has a strong sporting career. 'It's because of his particular background as Boy B.' Mr Wolanski quoted the school, which was not named: 'It is apparent he was traumatised by Yousef Makki's death and deeply regrets his association with these events. 'He has been given a single point of contact, his academic progress is regularly reviewed, and we've restricted knowledge to the absolute minimum number of people. 'His teachers and classmates know nothing about his criminal record or his association with the death of Yousef Makki. 'His reputation is so far unblemished and we see he is no risk to our community.' Mr Wolanski said the school felt exposing the boy would 'critically undermine his progress' and he would become an 'object of suspicion'. He quoted the school report: 'It seems very likely to us this hostility would tear apart this fragile rehabilitation process and it would be certain he would fail entirely'. The school also said it would cause difficulty for the current student body. They said: 'There are students who would be highly suspicious of a convicted criminal being in their midst. 'We believe vulnerable members of the student body would become very anxious, especially after the inevitable trial by social media that would follow by the heightened publicity. 'Keeping his name private until he has left school would be the most appropriate course of action.' The school also said: 'The heightened media interest would unfortunately also coincide with the timing of an open evening. 'We would see a drop of applications which would have an impact on school budget. 'We would have to keep his place under close review and may be unable to continue giving him a place at the school. 'We have lived up to our moral responsibility and believe extending his anonymity is the fairest thing to do for him and to the student body at large.' Mr Wolanski has said his client already suffers from poor mental health and this would deteriorate if he was ostracised from his classmates. He said: 'Ostracism would cause him serious problems. He used to be a sociable gregarious boy but now he spends his time isolated from others. 'If he is identified, it would have a serious impact on his mental state. 'He spends most of his life studying, focusing on getting his A levels and going to university. 'He would try to continue but would struggle if the anonymity order was rescinded. 'His studies are a lifeline for this boy. He's thrown himself into it.' Mr Wolanski added: 'His paranoia is getting to him. He's scared he'll be rejected again. 'He's worried about his identity being revealed. 'He will be so anxious that he won't be able to continue. 'Revealing his identity will trigger his PTSD and worsen his anxiety problems. It would be best for his mental wellbeing to keep his identity secret until he finishes.' Mr Wolanski also criticised media reporting of the case that suggested both boys, the 17-year-old and Molnar, had escaped long prison sentences. He said he also feared that a BBC film about the death of Yousef may also drum up more publicity in the case. He said: 'It's obvious there's not only a widespread misunderstanding of my client's role in the death but there's an appetite to name and shame him as soon as they can. 'It's just not going to fade away.' The hearing continues. Victoria Agoglia, 15, died after being injected with heroin (GMP) In 2003, a 15-year-old girl in Manchester died after being injected with heroin. Victoria Agoglias death was the tragic culmination of 18 months of her telling authorities she was being repeatedly abused, raped and plied with drugs by predatory paedophiles. Now, a startling review into Victorias death has been published. It outlines how her abuse was allowed to happen by officials and police who worked in a culture willing to turn a blind eye to gangs of predominantly Asian men roaming parts of Manchester for years and abusing dozens of victims. The full scale of the abuse is laid bare in the wide-ranging report commissioned by the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, but it is the death of Victoria which ultimately sparked concern. Little action was taken to stop the abuse, despite her telling carers she was being sexually assaulted and given drugs. Agoglia was repeatedly threatened and assaulted The report details how she was repeatedly threatened, assaulted, returned intoxicated and in distress, gave information that she was involved in sexual exploitation, alleged rape and sexual assault requiring medical attention, became involved in the criminal justice system and had several pregnancy scares, Manchester City Council found in 2004, the year after she died. Operation Augusta, which investigated the grooming and abuse of vulnerable girls in care, was launched after her death in 2003 but shelved two years later. The review into that operation, released on Tuesday, has heavily criticised the failures of police and local authorities in how they dealt with Manchesters child exploitation. It reveals how Victorias vulnerability in care allowed her to be abused by older men, while little action to stop the abuse appears to have been taken. Greater Manchester Police has been criticised in the 145-page report (PA) A troubled childhood The report details how Victoria was put into care by her mother when she was eight years old. After her mother died and a foster placement broke down, she was regularly moved between placements. Story continues By April 2002 when she was 13 concerns about her truancy, drug taking, theft and what was being referred to as prostitution (a term now replaced with the phrase child sexual exploitation) meant she was recognised as being at risk. Residential care staff complained about her boyfriend who they referred to as her pimp supplying her with drugs when he visited her. The unnamed man referred to in the report as Nominal Q was said to have been in his mid-20s but no attempt was made to verify his age. Victoria was reported missing at least 136 times between February and September 2002, and nearly every time she returned she was thought to have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs. On no less than 16 occasions, residential staff became aware Victoria was worried for her safety because of threats and incidents from inside or outside the residential unit in that same period. This was known to both police and social services. Manchester City Council was criticised in the review for its care in the early 2000s (Google Maps) Nominal Q After a spell in a secure unit, Victoria got back in touch with Nominal Q, and their relationship appears to have been condoned by social services, the report states. He visited her placement under supervision but no attempts by Manchester City Council or Greater Manchester Police (GMP) seem to have been made to find out who he was. Nominal Q took Victoria to one of his relatives homes in March 2003. After being collected by residential staff, she said she had been raped. She was examined by a forensic medical examiner the next day but the doctor was not made aware of the sexual exploitation and drug abuse, the report states. Victoria was moved between placements but concerns about her prostitution and drug-taking remained. In July 2003, Victoria told her social worker she was using heroin daily and was being injected by an older man for favours. A week later she told her drugs worker about the heroin but no investigation was started. She was moved to another residential unit in Greater Manchester. It is difficult to understand why this information was not immediately relayed to the police and why the threat of significant harm was not addressed, the report states. Child sexual exploitation in Manchester took centre stage today (PA) Victoria and her drugs worker agreed she would smoke heroin in future, rather than inject it. Two months later, she visited the home of a 50-year-old Asian man, who injected her with heroin. She died in hospital five days afterwards, on 29 September 2003. The man not named in the report admitted two offences of injecting Victoria with a noxious substance and was given three and a half years imprisonment. He was cleared of manslaughter in 2004. The aftermath A Manchester City Council report in 2004 found her extreme level of vulnerability was exacerbated by contact with dangerous adults, drug misuse and involvement in sexual exploitation. While not disagreeing with these observations, we would go further, todays review said. Manchester City Council had parental responsibility for Victoria throughout this difficult period and due to poor professional practice and an absence of the most basic statutory child protection processes failed to protect her. Manchester City Councils review in 2004 recommended that police be informed in every occasion a criminal offence is alleged to have happened to a child. The report, commissioned by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, has called on him to meet with police and Manchester City Council (PA Images) It also recommended that a joint police and social services investigation should take place when evidence of a child being involved in commercial sexual exploitation is uncovered, even when the child refuses to submit a complaint. In 2007, the Manchester Evening News reported a coroners verdict into her death. The coroner found that despite Victorias tendency to abscond from care, drink alcohol, abuse drugs, mix with inappropriate individuals and provide sexual favours, these acts would not in my view amount to a real and immediate risk to life. The coroner said the council had not breached its protective duties or committed gross failure to meet Victorias needs. He ruled that Victoria had died of opiate toxicity in circumstances where she was a vulnerable young person and following her unlawful administration of heroin. Coroners findings The review states the team remains concerned as to how the coroner at the inquest reached the conclusions he did in light of the information the review has considered. It adds that the coroners decision to describe Victoria as having a tendency to provide sexual favours... significantly underplays the coercion and control Victoria was subject to. The review also states that because Victorias social worker was told about her being injected with heroin for favours in July 2003, it is difficult to understand how the coroner concluded that: No inferences can be made that the events from the 24 September were reasonably foreseeable. Victoria's death sparked a police operation into child abuse in Manchester (PA) It adds: Furthermore, having considered both the harrowing experience in public care in Manchester of Victoria and of many of her contemporaries in our sample, we cannot understand how the coroner felt able to conclude his remarks with the following statement: It is absolutely essential also that the public remain confident about the quality of care and support afforded to children cared for within the child protection system. The review says: We cannot offer any assurance that the majority of the children in the care of Manchester City Council in our sample were adequately protected from child sexual exploitation and that these risks were appropriately dealt with by both Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council. Future of Victorias case There is no evidence any investigation was launched into the men who sexually exploited Victoria, the review adds. It also states: (Victorias) exposure to sexual exploitation by adult males was known to police and social services and, despite the risk of significant harm caused by the men who were sexually exploiting her, statutory child protection procedures, which should have been deployed to protect her, were not utilised and the strategies put in place to protect Victoria were wholly inadequate. Victorias family have called for her abuse to be investigated since she died. In 2014, Victorias grandmother Joan Agoglia told ITV: These men are still walking about. She needs to be put to rest and I hope if anyone is watching and they do know something, even if it's the smallest thing, to come forward so that social services will know there's a lot of people that still know they never helped these young girls. The report also included quotes from then-GMP chief constable Sir Peter Fahy, who said he would be quite happy to look at the case again. Former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Peter Fahy (PA) However, the Operation Augusta review team was told in 2018 that the remarks were a suggestion, not a commitment to review the case. He later emailed the team in September 2019 to say: My response indicated that I was open to review any case including this one and that I believed that the television company or the family had new evidence or representations to make to me or to the review. I cannot recall who was the detective who would have been with me at the time of the interview but again I would have believed that they would have ensured that the matter was followed up. I am very sorry that Victorias family have not had justice in this case. I had no reason to be defensive about this case. I was very open at the time about the failings of GMP in these cases and the failings in the wider system. I put very considerable resources into the investigation of CSE [child sexual exploitation] and the review of past cases at a time of overall declining budgets. The review has called for Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham to discuss how to bring people that appeared to be a risk to children in 2004 to justice. It also urges for an investigation addressing sexual exploitation in the care system rather than individual complaints. Anything less would risk repeating the mistakes of the past and not give the survivors the justice they deserve, the report concludes. Manchester City Council responds Manchester City Council said in a statement that its approach to child sexual exploitation is strengthened significantly from 15 years ago. Joanne Roney OBE, chief executive of Manchester City Council, said: This report makes for painful reading. We recognise that some of the social work practice and management oversight around 15 years ago fell far below the high standards we now expect. We are deeply sorry that not enough was done to protect our children at the time. While we cannot change the past we have learned from it and will continue to do so to ensure that no stone is left unturned in tackling this abhorrent crime. GMPs assistant chief constable Mabs Hussain, the head of specialist crime, said: We have been reviewing all the information available and now a full investigation has been launched. To date, this investigation has resulted in one man being arrested and another interviewed under caution in September 2019 in connection with the abuse of Victoria Agoglia. The men have been released under investigation and we have provided an update to Victorias grandmother on the progress of our enquiries. This remains an ongoing investigation and I would encourage anyone who was involved in the original operation as a victim, potential victim or witness to please come forward and contact us so that we and partner agencies can provide you with any support we can. 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. WASHINGTON, DCThree weeks from the launch of primary season that will choose the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, the ballot question has been well-established: Who can beat Donald Trump? The question is clear; the answer less so, though the available options are becoming clearer. A candidates electability is always a concern, but this year it has taken on a new urgency for the party and for many disaffected Republicans offering advice and support to their rivals surpassing the considerations of policy and character that so often dominate debates. A poll conducted by Ipsos for the website FiveThirtyEight published this week shows two-thirds of primary voters say ability to beat Donald Trump is more important a consideration for them than shared stances on issues. The field of candidates has narrowed considerably in the past month, leaving five contenders with a shot at winning, who represent two different strategies for beating Trump. One train of thought is that you promise a return to normal with minimal drama. The thinking is that Trump, despite the feverish support of a substantial following, is unpopular. More than 50 per cent of the population disapproves of him, consistently. The job of the candidate, then, is to not do anything that would scare away centrist swing voters and disaffected Republicans. Joe Biden, the former vice-president who has led polls consistently (if not commandingly) since the start of the campaign, is the standard-bearer for this position: he has promised a return to bipartisanship and civility and the normal that prevailed in Washington throughout his long career in politics. Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who has strong support in the two earliest states to vote, offers much the same message in a fresh-faced package. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and ninth-richest person in the United States who is not contesting the earliest states at all, is also pitching a moderate position, alongside a heap of his own money to spend on the election (more on that later). In the other corner are the fighters. Those who think that the best way to beat Trump is to fire up the Democratic base and inspire new voters (especially young ones) with a strong progressive alternative to both Trumpism and to politics as usual. Socialized medicine and more taxes on the rich, for instance. Bernie Sanders, the senator from Vermont and self-proclaimed socialist who ran against Hillary Clinton for the nomination in 2016 has re-emerged as the candidate to beat on this side. He has a young and devoted legion of followers who donate lots of money in small increments. Elizabeth Warren, the senator from Massachusetts who prides herself on having a detailed plan for everything and on taking endless selfies with her rally attendees, is jockeying with Sanders. The rest of the candidates are more or less out of the running Amy Klobuchar gets more love from the press predicting her imminent ascension than from polls of voters; Andrew Yang exudes likable competence and ideas but hasnt fired up enough people; and Tom Steyer, another billionaire philanthropist in the race, seems unlikely to break through. Upsets are possible, but one involving these candidates seems less probable with every day that passes. It seems likely that the field will winnow out further over the coming weeks to one candidate representing each of these approaches. The party will then decide between them. Bidens strength in primary polling has so far been in Nevada and (especially) South Carolina, which vote after Iowa and New Hampshire, where he has less support. A strong showing by Biden in the two earlier states could give him the appearance of inevitability. But more than for Biden, the paths of Sanders to some extent, and those of Warren and Buttigieg in particular, likely depend on strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, which could give them the bump associated with winners and set them up as the Biden alternative going into delegate-rich Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 primaries and caucuses will be held on the same day. Thats also when Bloombergs long-shot hopes enter the picture: he has spent heavily ($200 million on advertising so far) in the Super Tuesday states and in general-election battlegrounds, betting on becoming a clarifying alternative if the race remains scrambled at that point. Hes said he will spend as much as $1 billion of his own money to defeat Trump and adds hes willing to spend that money no matter who wins the Democratic nomination. That may be part of one answer to how to beat Trump. The rest of the answer is still up for debate, and will go a long way to determining who is the right person to try to do it. Read more about: The Pima Air & Space Museum has just unveiled their freshly refurbished Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII. The museum had previously displayed the fighter wearing the markings of a 257 Squadron Hurricane Mk.I, RAF serial V6864, flown by the legendary Battle of Britain ace Robert Stanford Tuck. However, this restoration took place back in the 1980s, an amalgam of five different Canadian-built Mk.XII airframes of unverified identity. The aircraft has been on display for decades now, and the museum felt she needed sprucing up, so they decided to take this opportunity to refinish her in markings more appropriate to a Hurricane Mk.II (which Canadian-built Mk.XIIs more closely resemble). They found the perfect markings to replicate in Hurricane Mk.II BG974, a 33 Squadron RAF example which saw combat in the North African desert. BG974s regular pilot during this time was Wing Commander Lance Wade, a Texan serving within the RAF. Interestingly, Wade is credited with at least 23 aerial victories, making him the highest scoring American pilot who never actually served in his own nations military. Wade joined the RAF in Canada during late 1940 a route which a number of other American pilots took in joining the fight against the Nazi juggernaut before the United States officially entered WWII. In 1941, Wade sailed aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, and ferried Hawker Hurricanes from her deck to Malta in the heroic struggle to save the island nation from being overrun. Malta, in the Mediterranean sea just off the Italian island of Sicily, was of vital strategic importance to the Allies and Axis alike, as it commanded access to the North African theatre. Axis forces had a stranglehold on the islands supply route, and launched daily bombing raids in an attempt to force the nations capitulation. Thankfully, Malta was able to hold on just long enough but it was a close-run thing. Maltas survival was due to the fortitude of her people, the extraordinary bravery of the merchant mariners whose near-suicidal maritime supply missions so often ended before they reached their destination, and of course to the small band of RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots on Malta with their motley collection of antiquated aircraft. Of the fighter pilots who survived the Siege of Malta, several became multiple aces, such as the Canadian Buzz Burling, and South African Pat Pattle, but sadly, their names and heroics are largely unknown these days. Wade sailed for Egypt to join 33 Squadron in September, 1941. He flew support missions during Operation Crusader, the effort by the British Eighth Army to oust Germanys Afrika Korps (commanded by the legendary General Erwin Rommel) from North East Africa. The assault began on November 18th, 1941, and Wade was in the thick of the action, gaining ace status less than a week after entering combat. Perhaps his most daring feat came on December 2nd, when his Hurricane went down behind enemy lines due to damage inflicted by debris from a German bomber he had just shot down. Wade crossed more than 25 miles of desert on foot to reach safety! His squadron upgraded to Hurricane Mk.IIs in April, 1942, and this is when his association with BG974 began. His victory tally had reached 13 by September that year. Interestingly, the RAF then assigned Wade represent them at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. He took part in flight evaluations here to help the British select new aircraft for combat service. Following his time in the USA, Wade returned to North Africa to take command of 145 Squadron, now on Supermarine Spitfires. He continued to add to his combat tally. By May, 1943, 145 Squadron moved from Libya to take part in the invasion of Italy. Here they continued to enjoy success, and by the time Wade turned over command of 145 Squadron oddly enough, to another American RAF pilot, Squadron Leader Oliver C. Kallio he now had 23 confirmed victories. In his move from 145 Squadron, Lance Wade was promoted to Wing Commander, a role which saw him leave combat to take charge of flying training for the RAFs Desert Air Force. Sadly, while on a training flight on January 12th, 1944 reportedly in Spitfire Mk.Vc JK603 Wades aircraft rolled hard to port shortly after taking off from Amendola, near Foggia, Italy. The Texan died in the ensuing crash. Wing Commander Lance Wade is almost unknown in the USA today, partly because he was flying in the RAF, but his 23 victories in the North African campaign would surely have made him a household name had he been flying over Europe. This is why the Pima Air & Space Museums choice to honor Wade by refurbishing their Hurricane to represent an example he flew in the North African desert is so important. Interestingly, Wing Commander Wade has a Tucson, Arizona connection too. While he was born in Texas, he began learning to fly in Tucson during 1933, when he was just 17. Hopefully more people will now learn of his name, and about his exploits. We congratulate the Pima Air & Space Museum on their fine efforts! ALPENA, MI A Catholic school custodian accused of possessing child pornography led police to additional materials, allegedly admitted they were his, and then entered a not-guilty plea on Monday. Christopher Olsen, 45,of Alpena, was arraigned Monday, Jan. 13, on two counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and one count of using a computer to commit a crime, both felonies punishable by up to 10 years, The Alpena News reports. Olsen was a custodial employee of All Saints Catholic School and St. Annes Catholic Church, both in Alpena, until his arrest and subsequent termination on Friday, Jan. 10, the report said. Olsen was allegedly in possession of perhaps thousands of sexually abusive photos and videos of children - from infant to teenage, according to a news release from Michigan State Police. Troopers seized several electronic storage devices during a search of Olsens home and workplace. Investigators found, potentially, several thousand suspected child sexually abusive images and videos on the devices. In addition, Olsen led them to a storage building where more images were discovered, The Alpena News reports. Olsen admitted to police that the photos were his, according to Alpena County Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski. The search was the culmination of an investigation by the MSP Computer Crime Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children in Traverse City, police said. The investigation stemmed from a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Olsen is being held in Alpena County Jail on a $100,000 bond. The bond was reduced from $250,000 after defense attorney Roger Bauer argued that he isnt a flight risk, the report said. During his argument for a lower bond, the attorney said, He knows what hes done. Hes not going to do anything more. READ MORE: Murder, cannibalism case leaves small Michigan town reeling Body found near home southwest of Ann Arbor Michigan man who shot, killed fellow hunter gets 5 years in prison M en are more emotional in the workplace than women, a new study has found. Men are twice as likely to get emotional because their "ideas weren't heard" or because they "were criticised", the survey found. They are almost three times more likely to experience an emotional event because a project went over budget, missed a deadline or got cancelled. Some 2,250 UK workers and managers were surveyed by UK job board Totaljobs about their emotions the workplace. Men "are more emotional in the workplace than women" / PA Wire/PA Images Although it found men are more emotional in the workplace, the study found the way men display emotions is often very different from their female colleagues. It found that, while men are twice as likely to shout or even quit their jobs because of their emotions, women are more than twice as likely to cry at work, with 41 per cent of women saying that they have cried in the workplace compared with 20 per cent of men. Millennials are the most likely to face emotional challenges at work as figures reveal theyre the age group most likely to experience sadness (91 per cent), anger (91 per cent) and disgust (80 per cent) in the workplace. Bu the study found the most common cause behind any workplace emotion was found not to be work, it was colleagues. In short, it is people not the projects that trigger outbursts, with one in three emotional events caused by a colleague, compared to only two in 10 caused by a task. A man in the workplace / PA "Men and women are socialised to display emotions differently, especially at work," said Terri Simpkin, a senior lecturer in leadership and corporate education at Anglia Ruskin University. "Men are more likely to report experiencing emotions associated with power, such as anger or pride. In fact, emotions and power are inextricably linked. Not being heard is congruent with lacking in status. "Similarly, sadness is associated with a lack of power in social settings such as the workplace," she added. How we react in the workplace is tightly bound to our notions of professionalism, capability and status, researchers said. And almost 60 per cent of employees said they did not feel like could freely express certain emotions they have felt at work. A third said they concealed their real emotions with "a positive face" at work. This could be to do with workplace culture as 30 per cent of line managers said they consider the expression of emotions at work to be a sign of weakness, and more than half of workers believe emotions should be completely suppressed in a professional context. Workplaces are environments of social expectations, Ms Simpkin said. There are display rules associated with when, where and how much emotion can be shared and by whom. This is one reason why people will suppress their emotions in the workplace: they fear being judged. One in 10 employees felt emotional at work because they had been a victim of workplace bullying and six in 10 said they had a colleague they considered to be a work enemy. Although, it is not all doom and gloom as 91 per cent of workers said that joy was the key emotion they experienced while at work over the course of their careers. Minister of Finance to hold pre-budget consultations in Vancouver Media advisory Minister of Finance Bill Morneau will hold consultations for Budget 2020 at a roundtable with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. The Minister will discuss the governments priorities: fighting climate change, growing the economy and strengthening the middle class, continuing the work towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and keeping Canadians safe and healthy. January 14, 2020 Minister of Finance Bill Morneau will hold consultations for Budget 2020 at a roundtable with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. The Minister will discuss the governments priorities: fighting climate change, growing the economy and strengthening the middle class, continuing the work towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and keeping Canadians safe and healthy. A media availability will follow. Date Wednesday, January 15 Time (local) 2:45 p.m. Location Squamish Boardroom KPMG Vancouver 777 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, B.C. Contacts Media may contact: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Finance pierre-olivier.herbert@canada.ca 613-369-5696 Media Relations Department of Finance Canada fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca 613-369-4000 Stay connected Twitter: @financecanada RSS Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Saudi Arabia's King Salman held talks on January 12, local time. (Photo by Jiji Press) By Chen Yang Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed held talks on January 13, local time, reported Japans Jiji Press. The two sides agreed to work together to maintain stability and security of navigation in the Middle East, and had the intention of expanding their cooperation beyond the energy sector. Next Shinzo Abe will visit the UAE and Oman in the hope of mitigating the regional tension through dialogue. As an important energy supplier, a peaceful and stable Middle East is of great importance for the world, especially for Japan that has a small territory and limited resources. According to the Energy White Paper 2019 published by the Japanese government, 87.3% of its petroleum import comes from the Middle East. Although Japan has tried to diversify its energy import in recent years, it will continue to rely on Middle Easts energy supply in the short term, and the region will remain its main source of petroleum import. Any tiny change in the Middle East will have butterfly effects on Japan that is thousands of miles away. Therefore, Shinzo Abe decided to pay a visit to the Middle East despite the long distance and assigned its Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF) to safeguard the security of navigation in sea areas of the region, so as to guarantee stable petroleum supply for Japan. Of course Abe also had a mind to enhance Japans influence and shape its major-country image in the region. Nevertheless, the tension in the Middle East, known as a powder keg in the international community, involves not only the US-Iran conflict and complex regional conflicts, but also more deep-rooted issues such as bullying, military interference and confrontation between different religious factions. They cannot be resolved by Japan, a country out of the region, on its own. Tokyo has been trying to play the "coordinator" amid the US-Iran strain, but its diplomatic efforts are anything but successful so far. Japan has a diplomatic relation with Iran for more than 90 years and has been Americas ally for more than half a century, which does make it well-positioned to mediate between the two countries. However, Japan didnt criticize the US when it killed Irans Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of IRGC's al-Quds Forces, or censure Iran after it revenged the US by shooting missiles at its military bases. The silence indicated its awkward position between the two conflicting countries. Given the sizzling situation in the Middle East, there is very little that Japan can do despite Abes ambition to achieve some kind of diplomatic reconciliation, and its unlikely that he will be able to convince the concerned parties to change their stances. In fact, the key to resolving the Middle East crisis is respecting the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, adhering to a political resolution based on facts, practicing multilateralism and fostering a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable regional security architecture. In comparison, its easy to imagine how difficult it would be to get Washington to change its maximal pressure policy on Iran and give up its unilateral stance. Disclaimer: This article is originally published on haiwainet.cn, which is the website of Overseas Edition of the People's Daily. The article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Moving is a lot more than getting your stuff from point A to point B. It's a major life event. Without proper planning, a move can squeeze your savings -- and challenge your sanity. To help keep costs and headaches to a minimum, get organized early. Follow this checklist of moving tips to help make your relocation go as smoothly as possible: 1. Save Before You Go. Even when the military or another employer covers some costs, moving expenses can set you back thousands of dollars. Shipping charges, personal travel costs, temporary housing expenses and start-up fees at your new residence can add up. So, as soon as you know you're going to move, figure out your out-of-pocket costs. Then, set aside some cash each month for the move. 2. Do It Yourself? If you're in the military, you usually can choose whether to let a military moving contractor pack and transport your belongings, or manage the move on your own. Formerly called a DITY move, this option is now referred to as a "Personally Procured Move." The government will pay an incentive to service members who move themselves. 3. Look for Work. While you may have a career waiting for you, don't assume that your spouse will easily find a new job. Start reviewing the job boards and calling on personal contacts before you go. 4. Buying or Selling a Home? Be sure to research home values in your current community, as well as where you're moving, to get the best possible deal at both ends. Working with a trusted reliable real estate agent can help. Ask for recommendations from friends and family. 5. Set a Spending Ceiling. If you live off your post or base, you should spend only about 85% of your Basic Allowance for Housing on rent or a mortgage payment, says J.J. Montanaro, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner at USAA. Save the rest for utilities and insurance. 6. Browse Your New Community. Check out websites for your new city government, chamber of commerce, and convention and visitors bureau. Military personnel should ask about the Relocation Assistance Program, which offers detailed information about military communities worldwide. Military OneSource's Plan My Move page is a good place to start. 7. Educate Yourself on Schools. Check school schedules and enrollment requirements. Pick up school records or have them sent to the new schools. 8. Protect Your Belongings. Obtain appraisals for high-value items. Then, at least 24 hours before you release your belongings to the mover, contact your homeowners insurance or renters insurance company to ensure your possessions will be covered while in transit or storage. Make an inventory and take photos of your valuables to have a record if you need to file a claim. 9. Is Your Car Road-Ready? Take care of auto maintenance and repairs before you make a long trip. And don't forget to notify your auto insurance company of the move. 10. Move Your Money? Determine whether your current banking institution will be able to serve your needs after you relocate. Also, get familiar with any smartphone/tablet applications your bank might offer, which can keep you in the know during your move. 11. Turn It On, Turn It Off. Notify your utilities and local services of disconnect dates. Order utility services for your new address, including Internet and TV services, home phone (if you want one), electricity and natural gas. 12. Update Your Address. Fill out an online change-of-address form through the U.S. Postal Service to ensure important mail will be forwarded to your new home. Also, be sure to send your new address to friends and family, your physician, schools, magazine publishers and providers of financial services. 13. Clean Up. Properly dispose of flammables such as aerosol cans, cleaning fluids, paint, ammunition, weed killer and acids. Drain oil and gas from your lawn mower or other power equipment. Clean the refrigerator and the freezer; allow them to dry one or two days with the doors blocked open to protect your small children or pets. 14. Hold a Garage Sale. Put the extra cash toward moving expenses. Consider donating anything that isn't sold to charity -- and keep the receipts for tax deductions. 15. Save Brilliant Deductions. Some moving expenses may be tax deductible, such as those incurred through travel, a spouse's job-hunting costs and mortgage points. Look for details in IRS Publication 521 (Moving Expenses) and Publication 3 (Armed Forces Tax Guide). Create a move file to save deductible receipts and other important paperwork. 16. Pack Securely. Pack a suitcase with items you'll want to keep close or secure for the move, such as money, jewelry, medicine, books or electronics. If you are traveling by air, do not check this bag. Keep Up-to-Date for Your Next PCS Get the inside information from those who know. Get PCS help and all the news and benefits information you need delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to Military.com now.. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Amidst talk of the appointment of a new head of the Congress party in Karnataka, former state Chief Minister Siddaramiah met senior party leaders A. K. Antony and Ahmed Patel in Delhi on Tuesday. Sources said that during the meeting they discussed the current political situation in the state. The Congress was routed in the recent by-elections which paved the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to get a majority in the Karnataka Assembly. After the debacle, Siddaramaiah had resigned from the post of Leader of the Opposition. Now, the party is considering replacing current state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu, sources said, adding that D.K. Shivakumar is the frontrunner in the fray followed by M.B. Patil. Sources said that K.H. Muniappa, a senior leader of the state, has also thrown his hat into the ring while Krishna Byre Gowda is being backed by the former Chief Minister. The Karnataka Congress has been divided into camps with the anti-Siddaramaiah camp upping the ante. After the by-election results the old guard in the party wants somebody who is from a Congress background because many party cadres consider the former CM an outsider, said a source. Rural women will be encouraged to not wear "ghoonghat" when they go to cast their vote during the Panchayat elections being held in Rajasthan this month, an official said. The idea is a part of an awareness campaign that has been introduced by the Women and Child Development Department after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's call for eradicating the custom of "ghoonghat" or veil. Various activities with the involvement of district administration officials, grassroots workers, public representatives, social workers have been planned under the campaign, a senior official said. "We have introduced the campaign against the practice of 'ghoonghat' in all the districts. The chief minister has stated that the practice should be eradicated and therefore we have recently launched the campaign," P C Pawan, director (women empowerment) of the department, told PTI. Various activities are being held to motivate women to not wear "ghoonghat". Rural women are also being inspired to not wear "ghoonghat" when they go to cast their vote during the Panchayat elections this month, the official of the women empowerment, Jaipur said. Similarly, in Sikar also, officials are planning to motivate rural women to start doing away with the practice during the Panchayat elections. "Several activities have been planned under the campaign to create awareness among women and men. The practice is largely prevalent in rural areas and we will be asking them to not wear 'ghoonghat' when they go to cast vote," Anuradha Saxena, assistant director of the Women and Child Development Department-Sikar, said. "Our grassroot wokers, Sathin, along with activists, members of women self-help groups and local women are holding meetings every Friday on different issues. The issue of 'ghoonghat' is being discussed on one Friday every month," she said. Saxena informed that posters have been prepared which will be pasted in villages, and social media platforms will also be used for creating awareness. "The message of 'ghoonghat hatao' has also been clubbed with the district collector's night chaupal," she said. Gehlot has on different occasions called for eradicating the practice of 'ghoonghat', saying this was an obstacle in women empowerment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Last week, some 182,000 attendees and 4,500 exhibitors descended on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) . Outside of the new product reveals, CES can also provide an early look at many of the new technologies and behaviors that government policymakers and IT executives will need to anticipate, implement, interface with, or regulate in the near future.The Technology Policy Institute compiled an analysis of companies exhibiting at CES this year. Using this as a guide, we ranked six tech categories by number of exhibitors to provide some insight into topics public officials can expect to be dealing with in the year ahead. Top 10 Countries Represented CES also is the self-proclaimed global stage for innovation, drawing companies from over 60 nations. Despite the U.S. governments restriction of Huawei and the newly announced software export restrictions , China continues to have a large presence at CES. Deep Dive Looking at two major categories from CES this year smart home and vehicle technology heres a breakdown of the notable announcements from CES and why they are important for public officials. Smart Homes Citizen experiences with consumer technologies have historically shaped their expectations for government agencies and the smart home is where it all starts. Heres what we saw in smart home technology at CES this year: Vehicle Technology Government agencies have historically had a love hate relationship with new transportation technologies, and here are the vehicle technology trends that stood out this year at CES: Lots of new modes of mobility. There were many new modes of transportation announced that may fall into an uncertain regulatory area, similar to the challenges presented by bike-sharing and scooters. Here are a few that stood out: Updated AV guidelines were released. The Department of Transportation released its updated guidelines for autonomous vehicles. Included in this fourth revision are three core foci for the development and integration of autonomous vehicles (also outlined through its Twitter thread): Protect Users and Communities Promote Efficient Markets Facilitate Coordinated Efforts New partnerships are accelerating change. Many new transportation partnerships were announced at CES 2020, but one standout one was between Nvidia and Audi, who together seek to release a Level 4 autonomous vehicle to market in 2020. This is notable because it shows the market timelines are exponentially faster than those that the regulatory environment can keep up with. Elected officials are getting more involved in emerging tech. Elected officials and government executives are pushing to be test-beds of new transportation technologies, such as what Betsy Price, mayor of the city of Fort Worth, Texas, spoke on regarding the launch of a new Mobility Innovation Zone. Autonomous is the future of public transportation. Rather than just planning more efficient routes and apps for citizens accessing service, one CES panel discussed why government agencies should plan for the future of public transportation as being autonomous. Privacy A Final Note One of the leading trends at CES was not a product but an issue: privacy . Privacy is an increasing focus for state and local government, leading to new C-level positions and legislation to protect consumers and their data. Here are some of the notable privacy announcements from CES this year: BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. Jan. 13, 2020 January 9 Stockholm Angelica Isaksen Sweden Turkey the United States Beverly Hills Sweden the United States State of California the United States Beverly Hills /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Aarticle on Daily Mail reports on the harrowing story of 27-year-old mother andresident. Ms. Isaksen traveled fromtofor a set of procedures that are referred to as a "mommy makeover" in, which typically include breast augmentation. After the surgeries, her Turkish doctors ignored complaints of excessive chest pain following the procedure, the woman alleges. The gruesome result was that, sometime later, one implant actually protruded from her breast area, requiring immediate treatment. The woman had the implants removed but she had a harder time getting rid of a dangerous and hard to treat MRSA infection.-based plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., aka Dr. J, says that these kind of medical nightmares are all too common when people patronize cut-rate physicians in countries where regulations may be lax and corruption common.Industrialized democracies likeandare both blessed with strong legal and regulatory systems that prevent many though not all of the worst abuses, says Dr. J. For example, the matter of licensing and determining who is qualified to be a physician in theis regulated to ensure minimum levels of safety, such as preventing unqualified and poorly trained practitioners from calling themselves MDs. Of course, he adds, most patients want a lot more than the minimum when it comes to their appearance and their safety.Dr. J adds that plastic surgery, in particular, is one of the most delicate and demanding of all medical specialties. In, doctors are required to take an additional two years of specialized training before becoming plastic surgeons. Patients should be aware, however, that the same does not apply for doctors who bill themselves as cosmetic surgeons. Board certification, Dr. J adds, is an important later step that shows that surgeons have not only undergone the appropriate training but that they are able to meet the highly rigorous standards of the leading organization of plastic surgeons. The doctor strongly suggests that prospective patients only consider board-certified plastic surgeons. While money is an inevitable concern, patients should also consider the high cost and heartache involved in obtaining the kind of revision procedures required to fix botched plastic surgeries. An outstanding "one-and-done" procedure is always vastly cheaper and, obviously, a lot more satisfying. The truth of the matter, he says, is that there is no better bargain than a procedure with outstanding results; the only way to try to ensure that is by choosing a leading plastic surgeon with a first-rate track record, says Dr. J.Dr. J's qualifications as aplastic surgeon double board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery can be seen online along with testimonials and before-and-after photos. Interested readers can call (310) 228-3151.SOURCE Dr. J Plastic Surgery Cooperstreetcenter.org scored 41 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 10 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the cooperstreetcenter homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the cooperstreetcenter homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the cooperstreetcenter homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if cooperstreetcenter has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the cooperstreetcenter homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the cooperstreetcenter homepage on Twitter + the total number of cooperstreetcenter followers (if cooperstreetcenter has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE Home - cooperstreetcenter.org DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English UTF-8English DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER nginx OPERATIVE SYSTEM Type of server and offered services. The language of cooperstreetcenter.org as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Character set and language of the site. Operative System running on the server. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for cooperstreetcenter.org by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 09:06:48|Editor: Liu Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping, a joint venture between China's largest shipbuilding company China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and the U.S.-based Carnival Corporation, on Monday welcomed its newest fleet member. The 85,861-tonnage and 2,210-passenger vessel, Costa Atlantica, was inked to be transferred from Carnival Corporation's Costa Cruises to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping as a result of the strategic partnership between CSSC and Carnival established during the first China International Import Expo held in Shanghai in 2018. According to the plan, the 2,114-passenger Costa Mediterranea will also join the fleet by the end of this year, followed by six Vista vessels that will enter service starting from 2023. "The efforts are further testament to the confidence bolstered by Carnival and CSSC, and their shared vision and commitment to growing together with the domestic cruise market," said CSSC-Carnival in a press release. The global cruise industry is estimated to have seen the operation of 433 vessels carrying 28.5 million passengers in 2018. As the world's second-largest cruise market by passenger volume, Chinese travelers took 2.4 million cruise trips that same year. "We will leverage the strong capabilities and rich resources of our parent companies to build a full-fledged flagship cruise company," said Roger Chen, managing director of CSSC-Carnival. "The venture should help drive the sustained development of China's cruise industry and become a leading China-funded cruise company by optimizing its product offerings, improving its distribution systems and setting up an all-inclusive ecosystem," said Yang Guobing, chairman of CSSC-Carnival. Stacker takes a look at the best beers from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C. with the help of BeerAdvocate. From hops to citrus, malts and pale ales, whatever beer youre looking for can be found somewhere in the U.S. This article was first published on theStacker.com KNOXVILLE, Iowa Welcome to the final Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses. As a reporter for a small-town Iowa radio station, I have the best seat in the house for the caucuses. Ive seen all the candidates who have come to Iowa, most multiple times, interviewed nearly all of them, some more than once, and attended countless events. The largest, the Polk County Steak Fry in September, had over 12,000 attendees. The smallest was, um, about 10 people about a week or two ago (sorry, Marianne Williamson!). As you watch the debate on Tuesday night in Des Moines, remember that while Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Steyer and Amy Klobuchar deserve their spots, there are great candidates with lots of support who should be on that stage, too. Minimally, in terms of enthusiasm I see at his events, Andrew Yang should be debating. (The same would have held true for Cory Booker, too that he and Kamala Harris have dropped out of the race and the two billionaires are still in shows how flawed the Democratic National Committee debate criteria really are.) What really matters happens on caucus night in about three weeks on Feb. 3. The conventional wisdom is that there are three tickets to the presidential nomination out of Iowa. Thats wrong. In such a big field, there are five or six tickets out of Iowa. To say otherwise does the candidates, our remaining states and, most important, our nation a disservice. It also gives Iowa too much power. The situation on the ground here is fluid, but polls paint a fairly clear picture: a tight four-way race in Iowa with Mr. Sanders, Mr. Biden or Mr. Buttigieg on top, with Ms. Warren at their heels. (The most recent Des Moines Register poll has Mr. Sanders on top, with Ms. Warren, Mr. Buttigieg and Mr. Biden bunched close behind.) Ms. Klobuchar is slowly climbing. Mr. Booker never quite broke through, and Tulsi Gabbard hasnt been here since October. Our Iowa winters might be too much for the Hawaii congresswoman, and I cant blame her. [January 14, 2020] Latest IBD/TIPP Poll Shows Economic Optimism Holding Strong to Kick Off 2020 The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, continued to reflect positivity in January, rising 0.7% to 57.4. Despite a slight decline on the Six-Month Economic Outlook component, the index maintained its record run in positive territory, remaining above 50.0 for 40 consecutive months. An index reading below 50.0 for the IBD/TIPP indexes indicates pessimism. The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has established a strong track record of foreshadowing the confidence indicators issued later each month by the University of Michigan and The Conference Board. IBD/TIPP conducted its national telephone poll of 901 adults from January 3 - January 11, using live interviewers and both cell phone and landline numbers. The margin of error is +/-3.3 percentage points. In addition to the Economic Optimism Index, IBD/TIPP surveyed respondents on key political issues for the separate Presidential Leadership Index and National Outlook Index as well as the Financial Related Stress Index. This month, the Presidential Leadership Index rose slightly overall, from 46.2 to 46.5 -- a 0.6% increase. While President Trump's Favorability and Job Approval ratings declined, by 2.8% and 0.4% respectively, his Leadership rating offset the dip. The Leadership component rose 5.4% to reach 48.4, the component's highest reading since May 2019. The National Outlook Index increased across every component in January, yielding a reading of 49.0-- up 2.7% from December. The increase was propelled by a jump on Morals & Ethics, which rose 12.7%, from 29.2 last month to 32.9 this month. The Financial Related Stress Index hit a new record in January. This month's reading of 47.1 marked the lowest level of financial stress experienced since IBD began tracking the measure in December 2007. The index also dropped below 50.0 for the first time in five months. A reading below 50.0 on this index indicates that consumers feel less financial stress while a reading above 50.0 equals more financial stress. "This month's indexes revealed very few shaky spots," said Terry Jones, IBD's commentary editor. "Even as tensions run high with Iran, the stock market continues to perform, which has quelled potential unease. Additionally, Americans are less stressed about finances than they have been in more than a decade." The flagship IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has three key components. This month, two of the three increased. The Six-Month Economic Outlook , a measure of how consumers feel abou the economy's prospects in the next six months, declined by 3.6% after December's double-digit increase. The component remained in positive territory for a second consecutive month however with a reading of 51.1. , a measure of how consumers feel abou the economy's prospects in the next six months, declined by 3.6% after December's double-digit increase. The component remained in positive territory for a second consecutive month however with a reading of 51.1. The Personal Financial Outlook , a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, increased by 2.4% in January. It yielded a reading of 64.6 this month compared to 63.1 last month. , a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, increased by 2.4% in January. It yielded a reading of 64.6 this month compared to 63.1 last month. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary IBD/TIPP measure of views on how government economic policies are working, increased another 2.5%, moving from 55.0 in December to 56.4 in January. The Breakdown This month, 20 of 21 demographic groups - such as age, income, race and party preference - that IBD/TIPP tracks were at or above 50 on the Economic Optimism Index. That's one higher than December, four higher than November and three higher than October and September. Eleven groups rose during the month, down from 19 in December, but up from 14 in November, 12 in October, and just three groups in September. On the Economic Outlook component, 12 of the 21 groups that IBD/TIPP tracks scored in optimistic territory, versus 15 in December, six in November, one in October, three in September and 11 in August. Optimism over the economy's six-month outlook fell among all three political groups and among both investors and non-investors alike. But optimism among Independents, a key swing vote in upcoming elections, remained above 50 for a second month in a row as the election season kicks off. On the Personal Financial component, all 21 groups IBD/TIPP tracks again remained in optimistic territory, as in December, November and October. That's up from 19 in September. Seventeen groups rose, up from 14 in December and November, 12 in October and just three in September. Democrats, Republicans and Independents all increased. Just four groups fell, down from eight in December, six in November and eight in October. In September, 18 fell, and 14 fell in August, the same as in July. On the Federal Policies component, 16 of the 21 demographic groups tracked were above 50, up from 10 in November, 13 in October, 11 in September and 12 in August. This month, 19 groups rose, compared to five in November, 15 in October, six in September and four in August. ABOUT THE IBD/TIPP POLL The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index is the earliest take on consumer confidence each month and predicts with good reliability monthly changes in sentiment in well-known polls by The Conference Board and the University of Michigan. The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index is based on a survey of 900-plus adults chosen at random nationwide. The national poll is generally conducted in the first week of the month by live interviewers and both cell phone and landlines. For more information, go to www.tipponline.com. To license the IBD/TIPP Poll, please contact: [email protected]. About IBD Investor's Business Daily (IBD) is a leading financial news and research organization recognized for proprietary stock screens, comparative performance ratings and a record of identifying stock leaders as they emerge. The company takes a data-first approach to investing, educating investors about how to invest successfully using tested methods and sound research. IBD has honed its approach over the last 50 years to help investors make smarter decisions. Its stock lists have outperformed the S&P, and its presidential poll, the most accurate over the past four election cycles, was one of only two national polls to accurately predict the outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election. IBD offers a number of interactive stock research tools and provides information for investors of every level. To learn more about all that IBD has available, please visit www.investors.com. 2020 Investor's Business Daily, Inc. All rights reserved. Investor's Business Daily, IBD, CAN SLIM and their corresponding logos are registered trademarks of Investor's Business Daily, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005270/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Aprio, LLP, a nationally-recognized top 100 CPA-led business advisory firm announced today that the firm has expanded its full suite of tax compliance and specialty tax services to small to mid-market businesses in Birmingham, and across Alabama, led by John Santamour, tax partner. In 2017, Aprio combined with Yeager and Boyd in Birmingham, Alabama, a firm focused on serving national public housing authorities. While the Birmingham office will continue to serve as Aprios public housing authority center of excellence, Santamour will work closely with Aprio assurance partner, Rob Shirley who specializes in a variety of different industries, including manufacturing, retail, franchise & hospitality, construction and non-profits, to increase the firms footprint in the region. Under Santamours leadership, Aprio will expand its tax services to small to mid-market technology, real estate and manufacturing businesses, as well as non-profit organizations. Aprios comprehensive specialty tax offerings include State and Local Tax, International Tax, Tax Credits and Incentives, including the Research & Development Tax Credit, and Trusts and Estates. Santamour brings to Aprio a deep knowledge of tax provision work, as well as expertise in tax compliance and income tax accounting and reporting requirements related to business combinations, spinoffs and divestitures. Prior to joining Aprio, John worked in a national practice at KPMG serving large companies in manufacturing, financial services and insurance. Were fortunate to have such a capable leader, like John, join Aprio, said Frank Gudger, Aprios Birmingham office Managing Partner. John will be instrumental in enabling us to achieve our growth objectives in the Birmingham market as we expand our services in this region to service new sets of clients. I am excited about the opportunity to join Aprio and expand our service offerings not only in the Birmingham area but across Alabama, said Santamour. There is so much growth in our state right now and companies are facing many new tax and regulatory changes as well as additional reporting requirements. I look forward to helping clients navigate whats next, implement efficient tax planning strategies and succeed in a rapidly evolving market. For more information about Aprios full suite of business tax services, visit https://www.aprio.com/service/business-tax/ About Aprio Aprio is a premier full-service, CPA-led business advisory firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that advises clients and associates on how to achieve whats next. Aprios associates work as integrated teams across advisory, assurance, tax, outsourced accounting solutions and private client services, bringing the best thinking and personal commitment to each client. Across practices, Aprio brings together proven expertise, deep understanding and strategic foresight for industries including Manufacturing and Distribution; Non-Profit and Education; Professional Services; Real Estate and Construction; Retail, Franchise and Hospitality; and Technology and Biosciences. In 65 years, Aprio has grown to over 500 employees. To serve clients wherever life or business may take them, Aprios teams speak more than 30 languages and work with clients in over 40 countries. In addition to its Atlanta headquarters, Aprio also operates in Birmingham, Ala. and Sarasota, Fla. For more, visit https://www.aprio.com. Baba Ramdev wants Deepika Padukone to hire him as advisor who can give 'fair insight' India oi-Madhuri Adnal Indore, Jan 13: Yoga guru Ramdev on Monday said Deepika Padukone should get herself acquainted with socio-political issues in the country before taking any "big decisions" and should appoint people like him as her advisors, who will give her a "fair insight" into vital issues. Padukone has been drawing flak from right wing leaders and trolls for expressing solidarity with the students on the JNU campus in New Delhi who were protesting against the January 5 violence. "Deepika's efficiency as an actor is a different ball game. However, she should first study social, political and cultural issues and understand more about our country. After acquiring this knowledge, she should take big decisions," Ramdev told reporters in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. I feel that Deepika Padukone should have persons like Swami Ramdev for the right piece of advice, he quipped. Raghuram Rajan backs Deepika Padukone's silent protest at JNU, Lavasa's impartial duty Strongly supporting the new citizenship act, Ramdev said that even those people who do not even know the full form of the CAA are using "foul language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The prime minister and the home minister have said that the law was not meant to snatch citizenship but rather to grant it, but people are still igniting fires over it," he said. Ramdev said some people are creating chaos over the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "They are even raising slogans for 'Jinnah Wali Azadi'. Where did this slogan come from? Such protests are tarnishing the image of the country and its institutions," he alleged. Ramdev claimed two crore people are living in India illegally. "No country can be permitted to be used as a dumping yard. No illegal citizen should be allowed to live in India. If protesters opposing the proposed NRC have any alternative proposal, they should come forward with it," he said. Hailing Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Ramdev said the Indian freedom struggle was incomplete without the former. "To tarnish the whole character of a person for just one or two things is an extremely shallow act," he said. Deepika Padukone visits JNU, expresses solidarity with students after attack When asked about Congress leaders terming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Indira Gandhi, he said, "If a grandchild emerges like her grandmother, then that trait fetches glory to the entire clan, and we will welcome it". He said the Opposition should be as strong as the ruling party for making democracy robust. Ramdev demanded the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be annexed to India. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 9:12 [IST] Austria is still refusing to sign up to a key United Nations treaty recognising the rights of migrants, despite a change in government that saw the far-right replaced by the country's green party. The new government took office on 7 January this year with conservative OVP leader Sebastian Kurz in for his second stint as chancellor. Mr Kurz was previously in coalition with the far-right FPO, but has now gone into government with the Austrian Green Party following elections. The previous Austrian government rejected the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration - which recognises the rights of migrants to access basic services and be treated humanely. But it appears that the switch of the far-right for the greens has had no effect on the new government's position with regards to the compact. Recommended Sebastian Kurz declares victory in Austrian election "Austria's line on this issue will remain completely unchanged," OVP foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg told the APA news agency. Mr Schallenberg said joining the treaty was not compatible with the new coalition agreement, while a government spokesperson said Austria believed the agreement was "not a suitable instrument for solving the migration challenges". Green vice Chancellor Werner Kogler also confirmed his party would not be pushing for membership of the treaty, stating: The government program is an overall compromise." The Austrian government says the agreement does not properly distinguish between legal and illegal migration, or between economic migrants and refugees. While most countries have signed up to the pact, some states with governments particularly hostile to immigration have dropped out, including the US, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Israel, Australia and Slovakia. 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 Austria's government is being watched around the world because it is the first national coalition government between a conservative party and a green party. It is unlikely to be the last: polls in neighbouring Germany currently suggest a pact between Angela Merkel's conservatives and the German green party could be on the horizon after elections scheduled for 2021. The parties already have a history of cooperation at state level. GUATEMALA CITY - The chartered U.S. government flights land here every day or two, depositing Honduran and Salvadoran asylum seekers from the U.S. border. Many arrive with the same question: "Where are we?" For the first time ever, the United States is shipping asylum seekers who arrive at its border to a so-called safe third country to seek refuge there. The Trump administration hopes the program will serve as a model for others in the region. But during its first weeks, asylum seekers and human rights advocates say, migrants have been put on planes without being told where they were headed, and dumped here without being given basic information about what to do next. When the migrants land in Guatemala City, they're given little information about what it means to apply for asylum in one of the hemisphere's poorest countries. Those who don't immediately apply are told to leave the country in 72 hours. The form is labeled "Voluntary Return." "In the U.S., the agents told us our cases would be transferred, but they didn't say where. Then they lined us up to get on the plane," said Marta, 43, from Honduras. She sat in a migrant shelter here with her 17-year-old son, who nursed a gunshot wound in the left cheek - the work, mother and son say, of a Honduran faction of MS-13. "When we looked out the window, we were here," she said. "We thought, 'Where are we? What are we supposed to do now?'" Human rights organizations in Guatemala say they have recorded dozens of cases of asylum seekers who were misled by U.S. officials into boarding flights, and who were not informed of their asylum rights upon arrival. Of the 143 Hondurans and Salvadorans sent to Guatemala since the program began last month, only five have applied for asylum, according to the country's migration agency. Safe third country is one of the Trump administration's most dramatic initiatives to curb migration - an effort to remake the U.S. asylum system. Trump has called it "terrific for [Guatemala] and terrific for us." But the Asylum Cooperation Agreement is bringing migrants to a country unable to provide economic and physical security for its own citizens - many of whom are themselves trying to migrate. In the fiscal year 2019, Guatemala was the largest source of migrants detained at the U.S. border, at more than 264,000. The country has only a skeletal asylum program, with fewer than a dozen asylum officers. As the deal was negotiated, it drew concerns from the United Nations and human rights organizations. But its implementation, advocates say, has been worse than they feared. "It's a total disaster," said Thelma Shau, who has observed the arrival of asylum seekers at La Aurora International Airport in her role overseeing migration issues for Guatemala's human rights ombudsman. "They arrive here without being told that Guatemala is their destination," she said. "They are asked, 'Do you want refuge here or do you want to leave?' And they have literally minutes to decide without knowing anything about what that means." The Guatemalan government says it explains asylum options, and migrants are simply choosing to leave voluntarily. "Central American people are given comprehensive attention when they arrive in the country, and respect for their human rights is a priority," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala's migration agency. "The information provided is complete for them to make a decision." The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment. The United States has signed similar safe third country agreements with El Salvador and Honduras, but they have not yet been implemented. In recent days, Trump Administration officials have said they are considering sending Mexican asylum seekers to Guatemala to seek refuge there. Human rights groups in Guatemala who have observed the process say migrants here are not given key information about their options - such as what asylum in Guatemala entails, and where they would stay while being processed. Many migrants are aware that Guatemala suffers from the same gang violence and extortion that forced them from their home countries. Paula Arana observed the orientation as child protection liaison for the human rights ombudsman. "It's clear that the government is not providing enough information for asylum seekers to make a decision, especially in the three minutes they are given," she said. "Instead, they are being pushed out of the country." The U.S. had suggested it would begin the implementation of the agreement by sending single men to Guatemala. But less than a month after it began, families with young children are arriving on the charter flights. Last week, Arana said, a two-year-old arrived with flulike symptoms. Jorge, 35, his wife and two daughters, 11 and 15, landed here Thursday. A day later, they were clustered together at the Casa del Migrante, a shelter in Guatemala City, where government officials took them in a bus. They had been given the papers with 72 hours notice to leave Guatemala, and couldn't figure out what to do. The family had fled multiple threats from gangs in Honduras, which started with an interpersonal dispute between Jorge's wife and one of the gang's leaders. Jorge was certain going back meant certain death. Like Marta, Jorge did not want his last name to be published out of fear for his family's safety. "We're thinking about our options. We know we can't stay here. What would I do? Where would we stay?" he said. "Maybe we need to try to cross to the United States again." The U.N. high commissioner for Refugees is not participating in the program. But officials say they're aware of problems with its implementation. "UNHCR has a number of concerns regarding the Asylum Cooperation Agreement and its implementation," said Sibylla Brodzinsky, UNHCR's regional spokesperson for Central America and Mexico. "We have expressed these concerns to the relevant U.S. and Guatemalan authorities." Human rights advocates who have interviewed the asylum seekers, known locally as "transferidos," say many have decided their best option is to migrate again to the United States. Smugglers often offer their customers three chances to make it across the border. Migrants at the Casa del Migrante described spending a week in ICE custody in the United States, where they had intended to make their asylum claims. Many carried binders full of evidence they assumed would bolster their cases. On her phone, Marta saved a video of her son being tortured by MS-13. But in their brief conversations with U.S. immigration officials, they were told they would not be given the opportunity to apply for asylum in the United States. "We had all this information to show them," Marta said, leafing through photos of her son's scars and Honduran court documents. "They said, 'That's not going to help you here.' " In interviews with The Washington Post, some migrants said they were told vaguely that their cases were being "transferred." Others were told they were going to be returned to their countries of origin. "One agent told me, 'You're going back to Honduras,'" Marta said. But then they arrived in Guatemala City. "When we looked out the window we just assumed it was a stop," her son said. Marta believed Guatemala might be even more dangerous. They had no connection to the country and nowhere to stay beyond their first few days. When she left the migrant shelter to buy food Friday morning, she said, she stumbled upon a crime scene with a dead body a few blocks away. During their nine-day detention at an ICE facility in Texas, she said, the family shared a cell with a Guatemalan family that was fleeing violence perpetrated by a different MS-13 cell based here. "Why would they send us to a country where the same gangs are operating?" she asked. In the absence of a thorough explanation of their asylum rights in Guatemala, El Refugio de la Ninez is offering a short tutorial to the asylum seekers. So far, 45 have attended. "The Guatemalan government is completely absent in this whole process," said Leonel Dubon, the director of the U.N.-funded center. "It sends a clear message. The government isn't here to offer shelter, it's here to push people out as quickly as possible." The Trump administration negotiated the safe third country agreement last year with lame duck Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales. Guatemala's constitutional court initially blocked the deal. Then Trump threatened tariffs on the country and taxes on remittances sent home by Guatemalans living in the United States. It was eventually signed in July. President-elect Alejandro Giammattei is set to take office on Tuesday. He has raised concerns about the agreement, saying he hadn't been briefed on its details. At the signing ceremony, Trump said it would "provide safety for legitimate asylum seekers, and stop asylum fraud and abuses [of the] system." U.S. asylum officers do not vet the cases of migrants before they are sent to Guatemala. In her brief conversations with U.S. immigration agents, Marta tried to get them to look at her binder full of documents and photos. "They weren't interested," she said. "They just kept saying that your case will be transferred to an institution that can handle it." The United Nations expects the highest level of participation of the Libyan parties at an international conference in Berlin scheduled for January 19, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told a briefing on Tuesday, Trend reports citing TASS. "We would expect the highest level of participation, but I think, since the Germans are organizing, you may want to ask them, as well," Dujarric said when asked whether Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar would take part. "We, obviously, continue to urge the Libyan parties to continue to adhere to the ceasefire that was supposed to begin on 12 January," he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Filipino vocalist Marcelito Pomoy has advanced to the semifinal round of international singing competition Americas Got Talent: The Champions on Monday (Tuesday morning in Manila). Pomoy, who won the 2011 edition of Pilipinas Got Talent, earned a standing ovation from the judges after delivering a jaw-dropping performance of The Prayer with his signature dual voice. That was what I call a 10. As simple as that, Judge Simon Cowell said of Pomoy, who became known for his ability to switch from a deep baritone to a convincing female falsetto. I want to see something unique, something different, and Marcelito, you gave that to us. It was absolutely brilliant, said judge Alesha Dixon. Pomoy failed to capture from the panel a golden buzzer, which automatically qualifies a contestant to the semifinal round, but he went through to the next phase after garnering the fan vote. "Americas Got Talent: The Champions", a spin-off of the hit US talent show, brings together past contestants and winners of international Got Talent franchises. Participants from US, United Kingdom, Africa, Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Italy, Russia, Myanmar, Poland, and Norway are set to battle for the coveted crown. A Cleveland-based apartment developer with projects throughout Texas has started construction on its first mixed-income complex in Houston. The development, in which individuals with a range of incomes live in the same building, is a relatively new concept for the region. It is underway in the Hardy Yards district, a 43-acre redevelopment of Southern Pacific Railways abandoned rail yard. The 300-unit complex, called the Exchange, will have 50 percent of its units reserved for renters making between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income (or as much as $42,750), said Alastair Jenkin, vice president of development at the NRP Group. The remainder of the units will be set at market-rate rents. The lower-income demographic, Jenkin said, often includes teachers, police officers, nurses and young professionals who earn too much money to qualify for low-income housing but cant afford Houstons new apartment complexes in the urban core. Theyre just not in a place in their career where they make $100,000, Jenkin said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Freedmen's Town shotgun houses to get new life The Hardy Yards project, still in its infancy, is just north of the Central Business District near Metros Burnett Transit Center. Another mixed-income project has been built there, but eventually, the land is expected to be filled with shops, restaurants green space and additional housing. The NRP apartments are being developed in a partnership with the Houston Housing Authority. The authority will own the land, which will be exempt from taxes as long as the complex meets specific criteria. The developer has another project in the works with the authority in the East End, where it is planning a 400-unit complex for residents who earn 60 percent of the area median income, with some units set aside for those who earn 30 percent. That proposal, along with a second nearby, has touched off a debate in the area, with some residents concerned that too much low-income housing is being built there. The Hardy Yards complex is being built on 7.3 acres at 1250 Leona St. It has been designed to include three four-story residential buildings with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a combination of surface and structured parking. World Premier Investments, an investment firm based in Irvine, Calif., is an investor. Residents are expected to able to start moving in during the first quarter of 2021. The property is located within an Opportunity Zone, an area generally in need of revitalization where investors and developers who build project there can benefit from federal tax breaks. On HoustonChronicle.com: Mitchell estate sells landmark Galveston hotel properties Jenkin declined to disclose the development cost or any details on the financial structure of the deal. But he said partnering with housing agencies on mixed-income projects has allowed the company to build in areas that developers without financial incentives may deem too risky, or unproven. He cited a complex the company developed several years ago south of downtown San Antonio where no developer wanted to build. Now, he said, there are a half-dozen or so new market-rate apartment developments and new retail has opened. The whole neighborhood has turned, Jenkin said. nancy.sarnoff@chron.com twitter.com/nsarnoff YEREVAN. On January 14, Armenias Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a telephone conversation with Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi. The telephone conversation was in addition to the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in Yerevan, the Armenian Foreign Ministry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The Foreign Ministers referred to the bilateral agenda and the continuation of the high-level dialogue. The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Jordan also exchanged views on a number of regional issues. In the light of the recent developments in the Middle East, they stressed the need to ease the situation by peaceful means. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Forum in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The two Presidents agreed that Armenia and Rwanda have many commonalities, similar history and problems, both survived genocide, both are small, but strong, have many advantages which they can turn into success. The sides agreed that the two countries need to reveal each other, get acquainted with the opportunities of one another, and it is necessary to work actively on this path. The Presidents talked about the necessity of closer cooperation of successful, small countries. They attached importance to the full utilization of the existing potential in the bilateral relations. President Sarkissian said the field of e-governance, which is quite developed in Rwanda, can be a promising direction for a mutual partnership. The Armenian President invited his Rwandan partners to visit Armenia this year to attend several international conferences, such as the Armenian Summit of Minds, the 6th STARMUS international festival. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Since Dec. 1, 2016, Cheryl Butler has worked as the food banks benefits assistance coordinator. Butler said that her role is to work with individuals and families to navigate the SNAP application process. Butler said that even when shes off work, people sometimes recognize her in the grocery store and approach her with SNAP-related questions. Butler said she wants people to know that the Brazos Valley Food Bank is mobile and that those with transportation challenges still can arrange consultations with her or other personnel. Im a big-hearted person, and I feel like my role is to help people not to just give. Id rather do a hand up than a handout, because Ive found that in the last three years since Ive been here, people may come for SNAP help but also have a whole lot of other needs, Butler said. Butler said that her colleague, referral specialist Gonzales-Davis, helps area individuals connect with other nonprofits and other resources that can help them with a variety of challenges, from housing to transportation to childcare, through the food banks new Referral Partner Program. Labour leadership candidate Jess Phillips has called for a change in the partys culture after a member claimed he was subjected to anti-Semitic abuse at a local meeting. Ms Phillips responded after Alex Holmes, vice-chairman of the partys Ilford South branch in east London, tweeted about a meeting he described as the worst he had ever attended. Mr Holmes said he and another member were called agents of a foreign power after speaking against a motion attacking the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The organisation has published 10 pledges it said would end Labours problems with anti-Semitism, which were signed by leadership candidates including Rebecca Long-Bailey and Sir Keir Starmer. Tonight was the worst Labour party meeting I have ever attended. A member accused me and others of being 'agents of a foreign power' as they proposed a motion attacking the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Me and a Jewish member spoke against the motion, but the motion passed. Alex Holmes (@alexcholmes) January 13, 2020 The proposers used multiple anti-Semitic tropes to make their point that the Board of Deputies is a Tory organisation illegally interfering in the Labour leadership contest, Mr Holmes tweeted of the meeting. Racists of any kind have no place anywhere near the Labour party, nor any other mainstream political party. Sam Tarry, MP for Ilford South, said he is investigating the meeting, adding there are conflicting accounts of what happened and what was said. Ive been speaking to members this morning who were in attendance at the local ward branch meeting last night, including the two Jewish members who proposed the motion, Mr Tarry tweeted. The allegations are very serious and should be looked at carefully. If any allegation is upheld, there should be absolutely zero tolerance. 2) There are conflicting accounts of what happened and what was said. The allegations are very serious and should be looked at carefully. If any allegation is upheld, there should be absolutely zero tolerance. Sam Tarry MP (@SamTarry) January 14, 2020 Human rights barrister Adam Wagner shared Mr Holmes posts, calling them an example of how difficult it will be for any new leader to dislodge the antisemitic culture from Labour. Ms Phillips responded: Today I will seek to speak to Alex about what happened. Adam is right, this will not be easily solved but we must change culture that accepts without shame and embarrassment calling Jewish orgs, Jewish people and their allies agents of a foreign power. Its racism. Today I will seek to speak to Alex about what happened. Adam is right, this will not be easily solved but we must change culture that accepts without shame and embarrassment calling Jewish orgs, Jewish people and their allies "agents of a foreign power". It's racism. https://t.co/8lbbja6O4F Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) January 14, 2020 Following Mr Holmes tweets, the Board of Deputies responded: We are profoundly saddened to see yet another example of the hatred which has infested parts of Labour. Our sympathies are with those decent, upstanding members of the party who are determined to fight such insidious bigotry. The Labour Party has not yet responded to a request for comment by the PA news agency. Ms Phillips is one of five candidates through to the second round of the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. On Monday she told LBC she was quite tempted to quit Labour over its handling of allegations of anti-Semitism. The Birmingham Yardley MP said she wobbled the most when she saw a BBC Panorama investigation which claimed senior figures in the party had interfered in anti-Semitism investigations. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 09:39:50|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's economic powerhouse Guangdong Province estimated its GDP rose around 6.3 percent to surpass 10.5 trillion yuan (around 1.52 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2019. Ma Xingrui, governor of the province, made the announcement Tuesday when delivering a government work report at the opening of the local annual legislative session. In 1000 AD, Egyptian scientist Ibn Yunus Al-Misry laid the groundwork for much of our knowledge about astronomy and mathematics The renowned scientist Galileo used to fawn over those in power for the sake of their patronage of scientific research. The scientists of the Renaissance would dedicate their discoveries to those who sponsored them. This was embarrassing to scientists. So, Galileo decided to resort to a sole authority whom he would be fawn over for the sake of financing all his researches. In the seventeenth century, Cosimo II de' Medici became the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Italy. The de' Medici familys emblem was five balls. Galileo named the four moons revolving around Jupiter as the Medician Stars, in honour of the future patron Cosimo II de' Medici and his three brothers. Galileo said: "Behold, therefore, four stars reserved for your illustrious name... which... make their journeys and orbits with a marvellous speed around the star of Jupiter... like children of the same family... Indeed, it appears the Maker of the Stars himself, by clear arguments, admonished me to call these new planets by the illustrious name of Your Highness before all others." Cosimo II appointed Galileo the court's official philosopher and mathematician for a large salary. Thus, the eminent scientist was able to spend on his research without the need to be honey tongued to noblemen and people of wealth. I was one of those amazed by the crowd around an original copy of Galileo's book at the hall of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences. I was with Dr. Ahmed Zuwail in Madrid along with Ambassador Yasser Mourad. Dr. Zuwail gave us a general idea about the book. Galileo was a great scientist and his scientific contributions were astounding and immortal. However, one of the contributions attributed to him is not correct. A number of science historians attribute to him the invention of the clock pendulum, but most likely this invention was taken by Galileo from an Egyptian scientist, Ibn Yunus Al-Misry. In 1000 AD, Europe was outside history and Cairo was the worlds science capital. Ibn Yunus Al-Misry was the director of biggest observatory of space studies; Al-Muqattam Observatory. The outstanding Egyptian scientist Ibn Yunus Al-Misry was born in Sedfa, in Assiut governorate. His father was an eminent historian and was known for his literary salon. In this salon, Ibn Yunus met with the greatest Arab poet, Abu-Tayyeb Al-Mutanabbi, who told his father that his son would be a great astronomer. Ibn Yunus lived in the Fatimid era, and the Fatimid Caliphs sponsored his works. He produced a number of important books, but his book Al-Zij Al-Kabir, which comprises 81 chapters, was his magnum opus. Al-Zij is a Persian word that means tabulating parameters used for astronomical calculations. The famous Al-Zij, at the time, was Al-Zij Al-Mumtahan authored by Yahya Ibn Abi Mansur, which was released in Baghdad two hundred years before Ibn Yunus book. Ibn Yunus displayed, corrected and completed all the previous astronomical mathematical tables in addition to his own original contribution. In acknowledging Ibn Yunus excellence over all those who preceded and were contemporaneous to him, Gustave Le Bon wrote: Ibn Yunus wrote his famous Al-Zij Al-Kabir Al-Hakimi in Cairo and he erased from memory every previous Zij in the world. So, Ibn Yunus theories in astronomy and mathematics became the most important in centuries. Science historians have said that Ibn Yunus was the first to reach solutions to some equations in astronomy by using trigonometry. The way he facilitated mathematical calculations contributed to paving the way for the emergence of logarithms. He also succeeded in observing the solar and lunar eclipses in Cairo in 978 AD and his calculations were accurate and very close to the modern scientific level. There is a big controversy regarding the clock pendulum and science historians in the West have been divided between those who acknowledge Ibn Yunus precedence in inventing it and those who deny this and ascribe it to the West. The British historian David King held the view that Arabs did not come to know this invention except through Europeans. The French historians Jean-Etienne Montucla in his book History of Mathematics and Pierre Laplace in his book Summary of the History of Astronomy also support the theory that Europe invented the pendulum and that Ibn Yunus was not its progenitor. However, other science historians have said that Ibn Yunus preceded Galileo and the West. The British scientist Thomas Young backed this opinion in his book Lectures in Natural Philosophy and Mechanical Arts, where he says, Ibn Yunus used in 1000 AD the pendulums vibrations to measure time. The American science historian David Eugene Smith shared the same opinion and asserted in his book The History of Mathematics that the idea of the pendulum, which was attributed to Galileo, was hinted at by Ibn Yunus in Cairo. The historian Alexander von Humboldt in his book Cosmos said that using the pendulum to measure time goes back to the great astronomer Ibn Yunus in Egypt. British historian Edward Bernard, who was an Oxford professor, preceded all the aforementioned in 1684, he said: Ibn Yunus preceded us and used the clock pendulum in Cairo centuries ago. To a great extent, the Egyptian scientist Ibn Yunus contributed more than 200 Arabic words in astronomy until nowadays. Unfortunately, Ibn Yunus begat an unworthy son who sold his fathers works by the pound. Consequently, much was lost. However, what did survive placed Ibn Yunus at the top of the field of knowledge for several centuries. The son of Assiut was capable of amazing Al-Mutanabbi and the world. Perhaps Ibn Yunus was the greatest Muslim astronomer, said George Sarton. It is a pity that what remains of Ibn Yunus is a small street in Al-Waili neighbourhood in Cairo. No foundation, no forum, no award in his name Not a building, academy or complex named after him. Ibn Yunus suffered injustice twice: when his son sold his works by the pound, and when he fell victim to the Egyptian cultural institutions forgetfulness and neglect. Today, when I remember standing in long line amid the European scientific elite crowding to see Galileos book in Madrid, and when I see the non-existence of an Egyptian scientist who surpassed Galileo in theory and application, I find grievous injustice has befallen our country and our history and it is high time to correct it. Search Keywords: Short link: Armed Clashes Resume in Libya's Tripoli - Reports Sputnik News 02:33 14.01.2020(updated 03:06 14.01.2020) The news of alleged renewed skirmishes near Tripoli came hours after Libya's UN-backed prime minister, Fayez Sarraj, and the East-based Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Khalifa Haftar, ended talks in Moscow on the settlement of the Libyan crisis. According to the Al Arabiya broadcaster, gunfire was reported in the Salah al-Din and the Ain Zara areas of the Libyan capital. There have been no reports on casualties or damage. "Renewed clashes in the Saladin area south of the Libyan capital Tripoli", Al Arabiya tweeted. On Sunday, the LNA and Sarraj's Government of National Accord (GNA) announced a ceasefire, effectively halting the months-long LNA offensive to take the GNA-held capital of Tripoli. The truce reportedly appears fragile, however, as rival sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations. On Monday, leaders of the rival parties met in the Russian capital for negotiations mediated by Moscow and Ankara, discussing a draft ceasefire agreement. One of the primary aims of the Moscow talks was for both the LNA and GNA to ink the unconditional ceasefire accord that would come into effect at midnight on 12 January. Haftar requested extra time before signing the ceasefire agreement with Sarraj, and eventually left the Russian capital without approving the deal, according to a source. The draft ceasefire agreement suggested that the participants of the talks would agree to "determine a line of battle contact that ensures a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground and normalizing daily life in Tripoli and other cities". In addition, the sides should choose members for a "5+5 military commission" which would "determine the line of battle contact between the opposing sides, monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire", according to the draft agreement. Libya has been engaged in an armed conflict between two rival governments since 2011, when long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed. Libya's east is now controlled by the LNA, while the GNA has been operating in the western part. The situation has escalated over the past few months after the LNA launched a new offensive on GNA-held Tripoli, and most recently captured the coastal city of Sirte on 6 January. Turkish representatives at the Moscow talks voiced support for a ceasefire. Ankara signed a memorandum of understanding with the GNA on 27 November, later ratified by the Turkish parliament, stating that Turkish troops could be sent to Libya at the GNA's request. On December 30, the GNA requested Turkish military assistance, and six days later, Erdogan told the CNN Turk broadcaster that Turkish troops were headed for Libya. The next round of peace talks for Libya is expected to take place in Germany on 19 January. Earlier on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed in phone talks preparations for the upcoming international conference in Berlin on the Libyan settlement. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Connector fungi offer new clues to fate of nitrogen in warming tundra Like a long-distance food delivery app with no apparent highway, fungi that associate with shallow-rooted shrubs in the tundra are accessing deep stores of nitrogen being released by thawing permafrost. The findings by Northern Arizona University researchers, announced this week in New Phytologist, could change scientists' understanding of who accesses nutrients from permafrost, and how. "This just doesn't fit the paradigm of how we think these plants and their mycorrhizal partners work together," said lead author Rebecca Hewitt from the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (Ecoss) at NAU. "Previously, we thought only plants with extended root systems could access nutrients near the permafrost thaw front. But we saw that all these plants were using deep nitrogen, whether they had deep root systems or not, suggesting that mycorrhizal partners may provide access to the deep, cold permafrost table." As researchers race to better understand the carbon cycle and how a warming Arctic will affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, this discovery offers clues about where nitrogen and carbon released from thawing permafrost will go. If the burgeoning plant community in the tundra can access nitrogen as it's released from thawing permafrost, then this fungal connection to the thaw front may be helping to offset carbon losses, since more nitrogen means more plant biomass to pull down carbon from the atmosphere. In order to see which organisms were gobbling the nitrogen from the permafrost, Hewitt and her team, including senior author and Ecoss professor Michelle Mack, added an isotopic tracer, Nitrogen-15, to soil at the "thaw front," or where permafrost meets unfrozen "active layer" soil, with long needles. This nitrogen isotope is heavier than the more common Nitrogen-14, and, like food coloring dropped in a flower vase, allows researchers to watch exactly where it goes. The team waited 24 hours and then harvested the plants and sampled fungi from shrub root tips and deep active layer soils. When they sequenced fungal DNA and RNA, they could see which fungi had helped plants take up the heavy nitrogen from the permafrost table. Both shallow-rooted ericoid mycorrhizal shrubs ectomycorrhizal-aided shrubs had received nitrogen infusions from their fungal partners. Zooming out, this study could have implications for researchers and computer models that predict where nitrogen and carbon go at both regional and global levels. Hewitt said that, to date, models that account for nitrogen release from permafrost don't treat it as much of a factor at an ecosystem scale. But if all plants can tap this source, that could change. "The fact that deep nitrogen can be sucked up and retained in plant biomass, or possibly in fungal biomass, means there's less nitrogen to be swept away into rivers or as nitrous oxide," Hewitt said. For Hewitt, the next step is learning more about whether these root-associated fungi are keeping some nitrogen to themselves, and why. "How much of this nitrogen is being locked up in fungi? We need to learn this to understand how much of that nitrogen pool is available to fertilize plants in the future." This spring, Hewitt and Mack also are coordinating the launch of the Arctic Underground Network, an international research network for the synthesis of root and rhizosphere processes in cold soil ecosystems. The first meeting will take place in March during Arctic Science Summit Week in Akureyri, Iceland, with support from the International Arctic Science Committee. ### The Center for Ecosystem Science and Society at Northern Arizona University studies how ecosystems respond to and shape environmental and climate change and works to communicate those discoveries in new ways to local and global communities. Collaborating with national laboratories and state-of-the-art research facilities such as the Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Laboratory (CPSIL), Ecoss trains scientists to apply broad trans-disciplinary thinking and leading-edge methods to the pressing challenges facing Earth. Learn more at http://ecoss. nau. edu . This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (Bloomberg) -- U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials are assessing whether Russia is trying to undermine Joe Biden in its ongoing disinformation efforts with the former vice president still the front-runner in the race to challenge President Donald Trump, according to two officials familiar with the matter. The probe comes as senior U.S. officials are warning that Russias election interference in 2020 could be more brazen than in the 2016 presidential race or the 2018 midterm election. Part of the inquiry is to determine whether Russia is trying to weaken Biden by promoting controversy over his past involvement in U.S. policy toward Ukraine while his son worked for an energy company there. Trump was impeached by the House and faces a trial in the Senate over his pressure on Ukraines president to investigate Biden, the early front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, as well as an unsupported theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election. A Kremlin strategy to undermine Biden would echo its work in 2016, when American intelligence agencies found that Russia carried out a sophisticated operation to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton and ultimately help Trump, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive matter. A signature trait of Russian President Vladimir Putin is his ability to convince people of outright falsehoods, said William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, while declining to comment on whether U.S. intelligence is investigating a possible Russian campaign to undermine Biden.In America, theyre using social media and many other tools to inflame social divisions, promote conspiracy theories and sow distrust in our democracy and elections, Evanina said in a statement. As we look ahead to 2020, one thing I can guarantee is theyll keep up their influence campaigns and utilize new vectors of disinformation. Russian operations this year represent a continuation of interference in the U.S. and other countries thats been going on for years as Putin tries to undermine and destabilize western democracies, said John Demers, head of the Justice Departments national security division.I dont think we were tested in 2018 in the way that were going to be tested in 2020, Demers said, also without commenting on whether agencies are investigating if Russia is targeting Biden. Putin has scoffed at assertions of Russian interference in other nations elections. It isnt clear how far along intelligence and law enforcement officials are in probing a possible Russian disinformation drive against Biden and how formal the effort is. The Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment. Vladimir Putin has interfered in our elections before and its no surprise hes doing so again to prop up President Trump, said Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates. Its a delicate issue for U.S. agencies because they came under criticism for being too slow to react to and publicize what Russia was doing in 2016. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to discuss specifics but said its 2019 assessment of Russia still stands. Aggravating Tensions Russias social media efforts will continue to focus on aggravating social and racial tensions, undermining trust in authorities, and criticizing perceived anti-Russia politicians, according to that assessment. Moscow may employ additional influence toolkits -- such as spreading disinformation, conducting hack-and leak operations, or manipulating data -- in a more targeted fashion to influence US policy, actions and elections. Russias campaign interference in 2016 resulted in a multiagency investigation that led to a highly classified intelligence assessment, part of which was made public in January 2017. Trump has questioned the finding of Russian meddling and has asserted that government agents biased against him conducted a witch hunt into whether his campaign conspired with Russia. The potential for Russia to spread falsehoods -- and to develop increasingly sophisticated techniques to do so -- is one of the bigger concerns that U.S. officials have as the 2020 election approaches, Demers said.Its possible that you will see the creation of false documents, Demers said. They could be mixed in with real information, which would make it very difficult to discern the difference. I worry about that as the next evolution of some of their means. Officials also expect Russia to continue trying to hack organizations, release embarrassing information and carry out malign social media operations. Leading the Charge Theres a big difference in 2020 thats working to the Kremlins advantage. In 2016, Russia had to hack documents, covertly leak them and manufacture a social media operation to damage Clinton. This time around, the narrative about Biden and Ukraine is already well-publicized and being advanced by Trump, his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and the presidents Republican allies in Congress. Biden is to 2020 what Clinton was to 2016, said Clint Watts, a former FBI agent who has been tracking Russias foreign influence operations.The difference is that you have Trump in the White House who is also leading that charge and also trying to dig up dirt in Ukraine, said Watts, whos now a distinguished research fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Another difference compared to previous years is that the Kremlin is much more overt in carrying out its influence operations. Russia has been openly promoting the controversy over Biden and Ukraine, feeding information back into the U.S. where there is an audience thats receptive to it, Watts said. Russia has been using its state-run media RT and Sputnik News to selectively promote favorable and unfavorable information about presidential candidates, according to an analysis by the Foreign Policy Research Institutes Foreign Influence Election 2020. Biden received the most negative coverage by the outlets through December, according to the analysis. The references were overwhelmingly related to impeachment proceedings against Trump, his role in Ukraine as vice president and his son, Hunter, according to the analysis. Michael Bloomberg, who announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in November, also had one of the highest percentages of unfavorable coverage. Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News. Great Narrative If you want to watch and understand what they want and how they view things in the world, theyre doing it very publicly, Watts said. When you watch just how they speak publicly, theyre very clear that, yes, a second term of Trump would be great. Going all the way back to May they were talking about Biden-Ukraine very heavily, he said. Its a great narrative for them. Russia has a history of staging cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in Ukraine, where it annexed Crimea in 2014 and backs armed separatists in the eastern part of the country. The Justice Department exposed Russias interference in the 2016 election through public indictments of operatives who hacked Democratic organizations, leaked information damaging Clinton and used social media to sow divisions.A major challenge for the U.S. in 2020 will be deciding when to speak out about Russias interference. The other thing that we continue to think through is public messaging, Demers said. When you know something, when do you talk about it and how do you talk about it in a way that doesnt amplify its power? Thats just a real challenge, and its going to happen in real time. --With assistance from Jennifer Epstein. To contact the reporter on this story: Chris Strohm in Washington at cstrohm1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Kevin Whitelaw at kwhitelaw@bloomberg.net, ;Bill Faries at wfaries@bloomberg.net, Larry Liebert 2020 Bloomberg L.P. A rare complete copy of William Shakespeare's "Comedies, Histories and Tragedies", often referred to as his First Folio is headed to auction. Image Source: IANS News A rare complete copy of William Shakespeare's "Comedies, Histories and Tragedies", often referred to as his First Folio is headed to auction. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 14 : A rare complete copy of William Shakespeare's "Comedies, Histories and Tragedies", often referred to as his First Folio is headed to auction. The book is one of the only six complete copies known to be in private hands. It will go under the hammer at Christie's New York on April 24 . The First Folio, bringing together for the first time the collected plays of Shakespeare (1564-1616), ranks as the greatest work of the English language and, indeed, of world literature. Already celebrated on its first publication, it has remained a highly sought-after masterpiece over four centuries. It is estimated to sell between $4,000,000-6,000,000 (Rs 28 crore-42 crore), the auction house said. The book was published in 1623 by Shakespeare's friends and fellow actors, John Heminge and Henry Condell, who collaborated after the writer's death to compile this authoritative edition of his work. The First Folio contains 36 of Shakespeare's plays, including 18 that may have otherwise been lost forever - among the rescued works are Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, and Julius Caesar. Heminge and Condell also shaped the way the world would read Shakespeare's plays by organizing them for the first time into the categories of comedies, tragedies, and histories. The book's large size helped elevate the cultural standing of Shakespeare and drama generally, as it assumed an imposing folio format typically reserved at the time for Bibles, theology, and law books. Christie's said that it is after nearly 20 years that a complete copy of the First Folio has come to auction and will offer on sale "a well-preserved and complete copy of this monument to world literature". "This copy is especially exciting as one of the very few complete copies surviving in private hands and knowing that it was once in the hands of the great Shakespeare scholar Edmond Malone, who himself affirmed its completeness already 200 years ago," Margaret Ford, International Head of Group, Books & Manuscripts, London. The First Folio will tour several cities before its New York auction. Anthony Okolie, the man who was arrested for using a phone line which belonged to Hanan Buhari, President Muhammadu Buharis daughter has filed a case against Hanan and the Department of State Services (DSS) for N500m. Okolie spent about 15 weeks in the custody of the DSS, after being arrested in July in Asaba, Delta state, before he was released in December. Okolie through his lawyer, Tope Akinloye, in the suit filed before the federal high court in Asaba, demanded N500m from Hanan and MTN. The suit is seeking an order to compel the respondents (DSS, Hanan and MTN) jointly or severally to pay the applicant the sum of N500,000,000 only as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicants right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self-dignity. Read Also: PDP Blasts Buhari For Allowing His Daughter Use Official Presidential Jet That on December 8, 2019, at Ogbeogonogo Market, Nebu Road, Asaba, Delta State, I purchased a SIM card with Phone Number, 09035666662, for the sum of N1,000 only and I received a SIM pack with accompanying documents as a result as evidence of purchase receipt, the affidavit read in part. That in line with relevant regulations, I approached a kit operator of the 3rd respondent (MTN) named Jeff, who captured my biometric and registered the SIM card in my name and on my behalf. That in July 2019, I visited my business associate at his residence in Asaba and saw him being taken away by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS). During the process, they obtained information from him on who he communicated with last over the phone and my associate announced that it was me. That immediately afterward, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) arrested me and led me to their vehicle, asking me to keep quiet and drove me to their offices in Asaba, Delta, State. That after a while, they disclosed that my arrest was ordered by the Presidency and I had to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation on which basis they drove me to Abuja by road the following day. Okolie said the DSS labeled gonna criminal even though he tried to explain to them, how he came about the sim card. They thereafter labelled me a criminal for using a phone line that previously belonged to the 2nd respondent, he said. They also disclosed to me that the President wants to see me and my case was boldly earmarked, First Family. Based on the foregoing, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) maintained that the 2nd respondent (Hanan) must be available to clarify her allegations against me before I was allowed freedom from their facilities. That the 2nd respondent (Hanan) was contacted several times by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) but the 2nd respondent (Hanan) declined making herself available by claiming that she was busy with studies in the United Kingdom. Kathmandu will be Vistara's fifth international destination after the airline launched its global operations in August last year, the airline stated in a release. Vistara, Indias full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, on Tuesday announced the launch of daily services between Delhi and Kathmandu, starting 11 February. Commencing the new year by announcing our 5th international destination #Kathmandu! We will be operating daily direct flights to #Kathmandu from #Delhi starting 11th February 2020 with introductory return fares starting at INR 9,999/- all-in. Book now: https://t.co/Hgd2YDZQ7w pic.twitter.com/WkpCG6WjuC Vistara (@airvistara) January 14, 2020 Kathmandu will be Vistara's fifth international destination after the airline launched its global operations in August last year, the airline stated in a release. Vistara will operate daily flights between Delhi and Kathmandu and the bookings for which opened on Tuesday with introductory return fare starting at Rs 9,999. Accordingly, the flight will depart from Delhi at 2 pm and will reach Kathmandu at 4.15 pm daily. In return, the flight will depart Kathmandu at 5.15 pm and reach Delhi at 6.45 pm, according to Vistara website. "We are happy to launch services to Kathmandu. The timing could not have been any better, as Nepal recently kick-started its global tourism campaign, Visit Nepal Year 2020' and prepares to welcome two million tourists this year. "These factors make Kathmandu a promising addition to Vistara's growing network," Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said. With a vast domestic route network in India, Vistara, which recently celebrated its fifth year of domestic operations, customers can take one-stop connections to/from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune among other cities, it added. Vistara commenced its commercial operations in January 2015. The airline now connects 34 destinations, operates over 200 flights a day with a fleet of 32 Airbus A320 and 7 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. On Monday, Vistara said that it started phasing out nine Boeing 737 planes, which it had leased after the grounding of Jet Airways, from this month amid induction of the latest batch of A320 neos in the fleet. The airline is returning two of these nine leased B737 from January and the rest seven will be exited the fleet between 2022-23 as they are on long term lease. A Vistara spokesperson said that by the time Vistara phases out all these leased Boeing planes, it would induct more than 50 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft in its fleet from Airbus and Boeing additionally. With PTI inputs South Central Zone (SCR) of Indian Railways and State Bank of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for direct pickup of earnings at all 585 Railway stations over South Central Railway (SCR) Zone, according to an official statement. Under the MoU, the direct pick up of cash from all the railway stations on SCR will do away with the tedious and complex activity of movement of cash earnings through "Cash Safes" by trains. This will also enable the hassle-free collection of traffic earnings by SBI and will also increase the pace of financial transactions and digitisation of the remittance of cash earnings of the Railways. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) T he UK, France and Germany have begun proceedings against Iran after triggering a dispute mechanism in the 2015 nuclear agreement. The European move comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the west and the Islamic republic. What is the deal? The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action came about in 2015, when Western governments believed Tehran was on the brink of creating a nuclear weapon. Three European countries - the E3 of the UK, France and Germany signed the deal, along with Russia, China,the US and of course,Iran. This would attempt to ease international sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme. Boris Johnson urged Mr Trump to come up with a new plan / PA Was it successful? Iran has not developed a nuclear weapon, the key aim of the agreement. But the agreement was disrupted when the US withdrew in 2018, with President Donald Trump claiming it gave Tehran access to too much money and did not stop its "malign behaviour" in the Middle East. The US reimposed sanctions as part of Mr Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy which has hit Iran's economy. The country then stepped back from some of its commitments. What happens now? The deal has effectively been weakened after the UK, France and Germany began the dispute resolution mechanism. It was triggered by Iran declaring on January 5 that it was discarding the last component of the limitations imposed by the deal and no longer faced "any operational restrictions" on its nuclear programme. Iran video appears to show missile striking Ukrainian plane Under the dispute resolution mechanism, Tehran will be given 15 days to respond, a term which can be rolled over indefinitely - so the move is aimed at buying time to reach a diplomatic solution. Will the deal survive? The UK and its allies felt they needed to prevent the deal from becoming ineffective, by moving away from its main-purpose, to limit Tehran acquiring weapons-grade nuclear material. There is little hope in Whitehall that merely triggering the dispute process will cause an immediate change in behaviour from Tehran. The process could result in a return to the UN Security Council and the reimposition of sanctions, something the UK wants to avoid. What are the alternatives? The JCPOA is the only deal on the table and the UK and its allies have publicly confirmed their commitment to it. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported Dec. 31 that Hamas has intensified its meetings with European and US officials in a bid to break its international political isolation and open new channels of communication with the West. A meeting was held in Doha between former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and Robert Malley, president of the International Crisis Group (ICG) in Washington, who served as Middle East special adviser to President Barack Obama. This was not the first meeting between the two men. Meanwhile, Mousa Abu Marzouk, the head of Hamas international relations, held meetings with former officials from Switzerland, France and the UK. During some of the meetings, the parties discussed the possibility of future international recognition of Hamas. While some EU officials requested that Hamas maintain contact with the EU and the United States, the Palestinian Authority (PA) expressed concerns that the international community might open up to the Islamic movement, according to the Israeli broadcaster. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' international relations office, told Al-Monitor, The Doha meetings are part of frequent meetings that Hamas has been holding from time to time at various leadership levels with European and Western delegations to discuss Palestinian and regional issues, including the Gaza blockade, the Palestinian elections and the Great Return marches. Hamas has requested that those officials pressure Israel into allowing humanitarian facilities and aid into Gaza, in order to prevent the explosion of the situation. He continued, Any communication between Hamas and the international community, regardless of its level or the stakeholders involved, is aimed at breaking its political isolation and to pave the road for developing the movements international relations to serve and advance the Palestinian cause. Hamas believes the ICG can play a positive role in helping it integrate into the international system and breaking its political isolation. The ICG stated in a 2014 report that Israel's harsh policies and punitive economic measures contributed to the increased influence of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and helped advance its goal of dominating the Palestinian political scene. The report was widely disseminated among Hamas officials, who considered it the beginning of its transition from the local to the international arena, as the ICG praised the movement's strengths and pointed out the PA's failures. The ICG has since issued statements calling for dialogue with Hamas. A former ICG official told Al-Monitor, The Doha meeting with Meshaal was not the first meeting between Hamas and the ICG. These meetings take place in and outside the Palestinian territories with medium- and high-level Hamas officials to gauge their positions and policies vis-a-vis any development to convey messages to the European decision-makers. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added, Malley is more inclined toward the Democratic Party in the US, and not the current US administration that refuses to hold dialogue with Hamas and adopts the Israeli hostile stance against the Islamic movement. According to sources from within Hamas, Hamas has held additional meetings with Western ambassadors and UN envoys following the talks with Malley. The sources did not specify the exact locations or dates of the meetings. The movement, however, has to abide by the Quartets conditions, including the recognition of Israel and the renunciation of violence. These prerequisites could curb Hamas' efforts to break through into international diplomacy, not to mention the group's classification as a terrorist group by the EU and United States. Ghazi Hamad, the former undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, It is premature to speak about a political breakthrough for Hamas in the West. The many meetings I have arranged were basically with Western officials who are not part of the decision-making process. The fact that these meetings, however, have been recurring means that the international political isolation on Hamas has failed. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyehs meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul Dec. 13 is a good indication in this direction, Hamad said. The European and US dialogue with Hamas coincides with recent talks about local, regional and international efforts for a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The PAs concern to this effect is warranted, as its relations with Israel, the United States and some European countries has deteriorated, and its tensions with several Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, continue. Ghassan al-Khatib, the former Palestinian minister of planning in the PA, told Al-Monitor, The international community is trying to entice Hamas into a long-term truce with Israel in exchange for more international openness toward the movement and expanding its foreign relations. Hamas seeks to be internationally recognized as an authority in the Gaza Strip. However, it seems very far-fetched to me that the US or France would agree to start talks with Hamas without prior understanding with Israel, Khatib added. The PA has repeatedly stressed on limiting the dealing with Palestinians through it as it is the official and legitimate authority in the Palestinian territories, he concluded. General Sergey Chvarkov has been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court on charges of theft and fraud reports Baladi News. The Russian TASS news agency said that the Second Western Military Court in Russia had sentenced General Sergey Chvarkov to three years in prison on charges of stealing 400 million rublesor about 6.5 million dollars. According to the report, Chvarkov, who served as the head of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria, was accused of carrying out widespread fraud. The report said that Chvarkov, who also served as Vice President of the Military Academy of the General Staff, had concluded a contract between the academy and a major company that deals in information protectionwhich it did not nameand worked to withdraw money which should have been paid to academy staff as wages. According to the Ria Novosti agency, the general prosecutor asked the court to sentence Chvarkov to four and a half years in prison and fine him 450,000 rubles, as well as strip him of military rank, but the military court only sentenced him to three years. Chvarkov was head of the Reconciliation Center in Syria, which has been based in the Russian Hemeimeem military airbase in Lattakia since February 2016. Many questions remain about this, foremost is it true that those who lie with dogs, get fleas, as some commenters on the Hashtag Syria website put it, in response to the news, in an indication of the thievery of Assad regime officials? Or did the matter occur against the backdrop of Russias insult to Assad, the latest of which was during the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Damascus? This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Her indignation concerning slavery and racism, meshed with an admiration for James Bruce and a newfound respect for the land of Ethiopia, led author Jane Aptekar Reeve to pen Plotting to stop the British slave trade (published by AuthorHouse UK). This book is an innovative biography about an adventurous, game-changing traveler in Africa during the Wests Enlightenment period (when the American and French Revolutions occurred). James Bruce was not what he seemed to be. The author confirms this through a historical and factual account revealing that Bruce was actually an espionage agent working with a clique of powerful, mostly British, persons whose secret agenda was: to eradicate slaving. In his own day, Bruces book was laughed at and lampooned because many readers thought it silly to write, or read, a serious book about Africa especially a book expressing respect for African people, history and culture, Reeve states. [His] actual life and work [though] differ from the accounts in previous writings about him, as I have slowly discovered. Plotting to stop the British slave trade brings to light Bruces subversive mission to investigate slave trafficking across the Mediterranean and Red Sea as well as the Atlantic in order to support his friends drive to destroy the principal source of their own countrys wealth. This was achieved in 1807. Like Bruce himself, the author addresses neglected aspects of the ancient habit of slavery and the related abuse of particularly women. Furthermore, she also tackles several other subjects concerning history, culture, religion, politics and war. Reeve believes that modern readers will be glad following her detection of the truth about James Bruce, the science-minded traveler who was ahead of his time in every way. She also hopes for them to be encouraged by the success of humans ongoing drive, to this point in time, to make life more livable for everyone. Visit https://www.amazon.com/Plotting-Stop-British-Slave-Trade/dp/1728396247 to purchase a copy. Plotting to stop the British slave trade By Jane Aptekar Reeve Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 708 pages | ISBN 9781728396255 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 708 pages | ISBN 9781728396248 E-Book | 708 pages | ISBN 9781728396262 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Jane Aptekar Reeve was born in Ayrshire in Scotland in 1935. Her father was an officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. She grew up partly in India but, from the age of 10, was mostly raised by her grandparents in Scotland and in a boarding school in England. She liked to read and also was lucky. She was awarded a scholarship (an Exhibition) to St. Hildas College in Oxford, where she studied English literature and language. She went on to gain a Fulbright scholarship at Indiana University to study American literature. There, she met her husband Bernard Aptekar, a New York artist. After her career as a teacher, Reeve became an editor with the United Nations until she took early retirement. Then, she settled in Oxford and used their libraries to write her book. AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0800 047 8203. Plans for a police crackdown on the LGBT community in the Indonesian home town of British serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga were condemned by his country's human rights commission today. Mohammad Idris, the mayor of Depok, ordered raids on the homes of gay people after Sinaga, 36, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years last week for 159 sex attacks on men, mostly in Manchester. He said he wants officers to prevent 'the spread of LGBT' which he described as 'deviant behaviour' and 'strengthen families and protect the children'. Idris also described the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as 'victims' and announced setting up rehab centres to help them become straight. Human rights commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara said: 'The raids increase the risk of persecution and other law-defying acts.' Sinaga was jailed for a minimum of 30 years last week for 159 sex attacks on men, mostly straight fellow students in Manchester. Mohammad Idris, the mayor of Depok, ordered raids on the homes of gay people and announced setting up rehab centres to help them become straight Sinaga hunted for drunk young men around nightclubs near his flat in Manchester (above) The commission has also written to the local government of Depok, city within the Jakarta metropolitan area Homosexuality is not outlawed in most of Indonesia, except in Aceh province where Islamic law bans same-sex relations. But the world's largest Muslim-majority nation has seen a rise in hostility toward the LGBT community with 90 per cent of Indonesians who understand the term LGBT saying feel 'threatened' by the community and believe their religion forbids same-sex relations, according to a 2018 survey. Dede Oetomo, an Indonesian LGBT activist, said the community was braced for hysteria over the Sinaga case. A 22-year-old Indonesian student living in Depok, who identifies as bisexual and declined to be identified, slammed the mayor's move saying it 'violates private spaces' and was a waste of money. PhD student Sinaga, described by a prosecutor as 'the most prolific rapist in British legal history,' mostly targeted heterosexual students who he drugged and was convicted of 159 attacks, including 136 rapes, eight attempted rapes and 15 indecent assaults against 48 victims. Montana House on Princess Street in Manchester city centre where Sinaga operated as a serial rapist Sinaga (pictured above) posed as a Good Samaritan and would offer his victims a place to stay He also filmed some of the attacks and was convicted after four trials were held over 18 months. The Sinaga case received widespread coverage in Indonesia and left many in the already vulnerable LGBT community feeling even more under fire. Nearly Arus Pelangi, an LGBT advocacy group, reported in September more than 1,800 cases of persecution of gay Indonesians between 2006 and 2017. Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director, said: 'This latest vicious campaign against LGBTI people must stop. 'Same-sex relations are protected under international law and there can be no justification for these hateful raids. 'Criminalisation of homosexuality is discriminatory and violates the rights to private and family life, freedom of expression, and the freedom of assembly and association. 'The authorities in Indonesia repeatedly launch humiliating crackdowns on suspected same-sex activity, and misuse laws against loitering or public nuisance to harass and arrest LGBTI people. 'The Indonesian government should also repeal all laws that criminalise specific gender identities and expressions.' Last week, Sinaga's mother Normawati Depok, said she still struggles to believe her son was capable of such evil crimes. 'We are a good Christian family who do not believe in homosexuality. He is my baby,' she said. On Sunday a clubber revealed how he escaped the clutches of Sinaga after growing suspicious because the serial offender was sober at 4am. Michael Crompton, 26, had lost his friends on a night out in Manchester and went into a takeaway to ask if anyone had a phone charger he could borrow. Sinaga invited Mr Crompton to his one-bedroom flat to use his charger, but he became suspicious when the pervert twice offered him drinks despite being totally sober himself. Mr Crompton, of Whitefield, Greater Manchester, told The Sun: 'I thought he was a bit weird when he approached me. 'He seemed really sober for a guy in a takeaway at 4am offering strangers to go to his flat. The two went to his flat where Sinaga offered his potential victim a drink, which he turned down. Moment later Sinaga offered him a shot, which Mr Crompton also turned down. 'I said 'No' and then he told me that I could stay the night if I wanted to. It was at that point that I decided I needed to get the hell out of there. Fifth Nightclub on Princess Street in Manchester city centre, and formerly known as 5th Avenue. One victim had been waiting outside the club when Sinaga approached him Sinaga's mother, Normawati (left), from Depok, a city within the Jakarta metropolitan area in Indonesia, still struggles to believe her son, Reynhard Sinaga, was capable of such evil crimes. Also pictured is his father, Saibun Attorney General William Barr speaks at a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington on Jan. 13, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Barr Calls Attack on Soleimani a Legitimate Act of Self-Defense Attorney General William Barr on Monday said that the killing of the Iranian regimes top military official, Qassem Soleimani, was a legitimate act of self-defense. His remarks were made in response to a journalists question after Barr and other senior law enforcement officials announced the findings of a criminal investigation into the shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station that occurred in December 2019 killing three U.S. sailors. The journalist asked Barr to explain to those in Congress whether Soleimanis killing could be considered a constitutional strike given that, as the journalist said, obviously it was an act of war, and they [Congress] were not consulted. Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike near Baghdads international airport on Jan. 2. The Pentagon confirmed that President Donald Trump ordered the strike, which was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. Barr told the gathered press that the Department of Justice had been consulted prior to the strike and that it was his view that Trump clearly had the authority to act as he did, citing multiple reasons. We had a situation where the Iranians had already embarked on a series of escalating violent actions taken against our allies, taken against the American people, our troops, with the avowed purpose of driving us out of the Middle East, Barr said. They had attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, they had attacked oil fields in Saudi Arabia, they had attacked U.S. Bases, they had attacked our embassy, they had killed Americans. Barr said that Soleimani had planned and orchestrated the attacks. Our ability to deter attacks had obviously broken down, Barr added. The Iranians had been given a number of red lines and were crossing those lines. They obviously felt that they could attack us and continue these escalating attacks with impunity. As a result, Soleimani was clearly a legitimate target, Barr said. According to U.S. intelligence, Soleimani was also in the process of planning future attacks. We had a very brief window of time to carry out the attack when he arrived in Baghdad to plan and orchestrate follow up attacks on American interest, Barr said, adding that taking out Soleimani was was a legitimate act of self-defense because it disrupted ongoing attacks that were being conducteda campaign against the Americans. And it reestablished deterrence, it responded to attacks that had been already committed, Barr said. Our purpose and our expectation was not to trigger a broader conflict or events which spin out of control. On the contrary, we believe that the strike would restore deterrence and help avoid a continuing upward spiral of the violence. Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File) Soleimani, 62, is considered the architect behind Irans elite Quds Forcean elite external unit of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) responsible for leading Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East. The United States in April 2019 designated Irans IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The Quds (Jerusalem) Force has weaved an intricate web of influence in the region over the past several decades, including supporting various Shiite militias, the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and others. General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, the Pentagon said in a statement released soon after Soleimanis death. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week. Trump said he believed Iran had targeted American embassies prior to Soleimanis death. We will tell you, probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad, Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Friday, adding, I can reveal that I think it wouldve been four embassies. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also told reporters on Friday that attacks on U.S. embassies would have likely been a focus for Iranian assets. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told CBS on Sunday that he shared the views expressed by Trump that Iran was going to conduct attacks against additional embassies in the region. I shared that view, he said. I know other members of the national security team shared that view. Thats why I deployed thousands of American paratroopers to the Middle East to reinforce our embassy in Baghdad and other sites throughout the region, he said. Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report. For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! Google is notorious for nixing apps, services and features with little or no warning, and it appears that Guest Mode for Home and Nest devices is the latest victim. Android Police recently noticed that the Guest Mode setting, which lets visitors stream media to your supported Google devices without connecting to your Wi-Fi network, has quietly disappeared from the Device Settings menu on the Google Home app for connected Home and Nest devices. Thats the bad news. The good news: Guest Mode still works on Chromecast devices, which means your guests will still be able to cast audio and video to your Chromecast-connected TV without having to share your Wi-Fi password. Google has yet to make any official announcements about the fate of Guest Mode on its Home and Nest smart speakers, but its worth noting that the Guest Mode support pages for Home and Nest devices have disappeared, which isnt a good sign. Ben Patterson/IDG While Guest Mode has disappeared for Google Nest and Home speakers and displays, its still an option for Chromecast devices. Now, keep in mind that even with the apparent loss of Guest Mode for Google smart speakers and displays, it is still possible for your visitors to stream their music to your Google Nest and Home devices, although theyll need to be connected to your Wi-Fi network. If you enable the Let others control your cast media setting in the Google Home app for your Nest and Home speakers, theyll appear as casting options on any Chromecast-enabled apps connected to your Wi-Fi network, including those of your guests. The catch, of course, is that youll need to share your Wi-Fi password. Guest Mode works by activating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth beacons on your Chromecast that can be detected by nearby Chromecast-enabled apps, even when theyre on devices that arent connected to your Wi-Fi network. To pair with a guests device, the Chromecast generates a four-digit PIN and pumps it out via a series of short, inaudible tones. If your visitors device is in range and correctly decodes the audio signal, it will pair with the Chromecast automatically; otherwise, your guest can manually enter the PIN, which appears in the Home app as well as on the Chromecasts ambient display. Initially a Chromecast-only feature, Guest Mode eventually made its way to Home and Nest devices, although (as Android Police notes) it was never available for third-party speakers or Android TV. US President Donald Trump intends to allocate an additional $ 7.2 billion from the Pentagon for the construction of new barriers on the border with Mexico, Washington Post reported referring to construction plans received. According to the newspaper, thanks to this funding, the government will have enough money to complete about 885 miles of the new wall by the spring of 2022. If this money is allocated, the total amount of federal funds allocated for border protection will reach $ 18.4 billion, the source added. Earlier, Trump said that the entire wall with a length of 500-550 miles will be built for the next election in 2020. The Trump administration said it would take about $ 3.6 billion to build new wall from other budget items. Trump used the announcement of the state of emergency at the border, which allows you to use the funds already allocated by Congress for other purposes. Trump took unilateral steps after a series of unsuccessful attempts to get Congress to finance the construction of the wall. These disagreements led to the longest shutdown in history in December 2018 - January 2019. As a result of the last shutdown, Trump did not receive the required funds on the wall, but redistributed Pentagon funds for these purposes, despite the indignation in Congress. T he Government has announced that an agreement has been reached to keep Flybe operating. Both Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted that a deal was made with the airline's shareholders. Ms Leadsom said: "Delighted that we have reached agreement with Flybes shareholders to keep the company operating, ensuring that UK regions remain connected. "This will be welcome news for Flybes staff, customers and creditors and we will continue the hard work to ensure a sustainable future." The airline whose network includes more than half of British domestic flights outside of London, has a major presence at airports such as Aberdeen, Belfast City, Manchester and Southampton. It flies some 9 million passengers a year to 170 destinations across the continent. Flybes shareholders Connect Airways, a consortium including Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital Partners, will put in more funding as part of the agreement. Lucien Farrell, chairman of Connect Airways, said: We are very encouraged with recent developments, especially the Governments recognition of the importance of Flybe to communities and businesses across the UK and the desire to strengthen regional connectivity. "As a result, the shareholder consortium has committed to keep Flybe flying with additional funding alongside Government initiatives. And Mark Anderson, Flybes chief executive, said: Flybe is made up of an incredible team of people, serving millions of loyal customers who rely on the vital regional connectivity that we provide. "This is a positive outcome for the UK and will allow us to focus on delivering for our customers and planning for the future. Both Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, left, and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom welcomed the news / PA The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said: This is good news for 2,400 Flybe staff whose jobs are secured and regional communities who would have lost their air connectivity without Flybe. Balpa looks forward to discussing the airlines future plans in detail with management, meanwhile passengers can be confident that Flybe remains an excellent choice for regional flying. The Government is to be applauded for stepping up to the plate to help one of the few remaining independent UK airlines and a vital one at that. Mr Shapps added: "Delighted we've been able to work closely with Flybe to ensure Europes largest regional airline is able to continue connecting communities across Britain." Airline groups have long complained that the tax restricts growth. Passengers on domestic flights pay 26 pounds in tax for a return trip - or more for longer flights or those in premium cabins. The tax is expected to be worth 3.7 billion pounds to the Treasury in 2019-20. A consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital bought Flybe in February 2019. Known as Connect Airways, it paid just 2.2 million pounds for Flybe's assets but pledged to inject cash into the airline to turn it around. Flybe has struggled with a series of issues, including the weakening of the pound in light of Britain's pending departure from the European Union. The weaker pound hurts airlines like Flybe that have significant costs in dollars but take in revenue in pounds. Iranian Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday that the British ambassador to Tehran should be expelled from Iran over his alleged participation in anti-government protests. Under international law, such a person is a persona non grata, Esmaili told newsmen on Tuesday, arguing that he illegally participated in the illegal gatherings and captured videos and photos. Iranian officials arrested Robert Macaire on Saturday claiming that he participated in anti-government protests outside a university in Tehran and was detained for more than an hour. However, he was eventually released. Macaire was attending an event on Saturday, which was advertised as a vigil for the 176 people who died in Wednesdays crash of a Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737, shortly before he was arrested. He was held for three hours when he stopped at a barbershop for a haircut on his way back to the British embassy. In a tweet following his arrest, the ambassador said he was attending the vigil because it was normal to want to pay respects, adding that some of the victims were British. Irans ambassador to the UK has been summoned to the Foreign Office (FCO), following the detention of his British counterpart in Tehran last week. The FCO said the arrest of Macaire after a vigil for victims of last weeks plane crash was illegal and should be investigated. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK would demand an apology and seek assurances it will not happen again. Iranian ambassador Hamid Baeidinejad was expected to attend the FCO later. (Xinhua/NAN) For India, There Are Many Reasons to Engage Myanmar Extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other type of hazardous weather and will likely become even deadlier due to climate change. However, extreme heat does not affect all people equally. Surface temperatures in different neighborhoods within a single city can vary by a whopping 20 degrees (F), making some people more at risk of experiencing dangerous temperatures. A new study by researchers at the Science Museum of Virginia and Portland State University, with assistance from a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, is one of the first to link historical housing policies across the United States to inequitable heat exposure. "We found that those urban neighborhoods that were denied municipal services and support for home ownership during the mid-20th century now contain the hottest areas in almost every one of the 108 cities we studied," said Vivek Shandas, professor of urban studies and planning at Portland State University. "Our concern is that this systemic pattern suggests a woefully negligent planning system that hyper-privileged richer and whiter communities. As climate change brings hotter, more frequent and longer heat waves, the same historically underserved neighborhoods -- often where lower-income households and communities of color still live -- will, as a result, face the greatest impact." Jeremy Hoffman of the Science Museum of Virginia, and Nicholas Pendleton, a former student at Virginia Commonwealth University, also contributed to the study, which was published in the journal Climate on Monday, January 13th. The researchers examined the relationship between summertime surface temperatures, which were derived from satellite imagery, and historical housing policies, specifically 'redlining,' in 108 cities in the United States. Neighborhoods with less green space and more concrete and pavement are hotter on average, creating 'heat islands.' In an earlier study of Portland, Oregon, Shandas and colleagues found that lower-income households and communities of color tend to live in heat islands. They found similar effects in other cities, and they wanted to know why. To explore this question, they looked at the relationship between 'redlining' and surface heat. Beginning in the 1930s, discriminatory housing policies categorized some neighborhoods -- designated with red lines -- as too hazardous for investment. Thus, residents in 'redlined' neighborhoods were denied home loans and insurance. These areas continue to be predominantly home to lower-income communities and communities of color. While the practice of redlining was banned in 1968, this study aimed to assess the legacy effects of such policies within the context of rising temperatures. The study found formerly redlined neighborhoods are hotter than all other neighborhoods in 94% of the 108 cities studied. In particular, the researchers found that redlined neighborhoods across the country are about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, on average, than non-redlined neighborhoods. However, in some cities the differences are much more stark. For example, the cities of Portland, OR, Denver, CO and Minneapolis, MN showed the largest heat differences between redlined and non-redlined areas -- as much as 12.6 degrees Fahrenheit. "The patterns of the lowest temperatures in specific neighborhoods of a city do not occur because of circumstance or coincidence. They are a result of decades of intentional investment in parks, green spaces, trees, transportation and housing policies that provided 'cooling services,' which also coincide with being wealthier and whiter across the country," said Shandas. "We are now seeing how those policies are literally killing those most vulnerable to acute heat." "I think anyone living in these neighborhoods today will tell you that it's hot during a heat wave," said Hoffman. "But that's not really the point. They are not only experiencing hotter heat waves with their associated health risks but also potentially suffering from higher energy bills, limited access to green spaces that alleviate stress and limited economic mobility at the same time. Our study is just the first step in identifying a roadmap toward equitable climate resilience by addressing these systemic patterns in our cities." There are ways to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on potentially vulnerable populations through urban planning, and the researchers want this study to lead to changes in the way we design our cities and neighborhoods. "Having worked with dozens of cities to support the creation of heat mitigation plans, we want to recognize that all neighborhoods are not made equal," Shandas said. "Nevertheless, by recognizing and centering the historical blunders of the planning profession over the past century, such as the exclusionary housing policies of 'redlining,' we stand a better chance for reducing the public health and infrastructure impacts from a warming planet." Boris Johnson suggested his government may be ready to allow Huawei Technologies Co. to supply at least some equipment for the U.K.'s 5G broadband networks even in the face of strong pressure for a ban from the U.S. "The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology," Johnson said when asked about Huawei in a BBC TV interview on Tuesday. "We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. If people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us what's the alternative." The U.K. for months has been debating how much, if any, access to grant Huawei to its broadband market in the future amid the suggestion the U.S. may be more wary of sharing intelligence if it uses Chinese equipment. Senior U.S. officials visited London on Monday with a last-ditch plea that the U.K. should bar Huawei from providing the kit, warning again that intelligence-sharing could be at risk. Supporters argue that the company's equipment can be used in non-core areas in a way that keeps the networks secure. But the U.S. warns that the effects of the leap to 5G technology are so poorly understood that the safest and best solution is to keep the Chinese company out altogether. Huawei denies it poses a spying risk. "We are confident that the U.K. government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations," Huawei Vice President Victor Zhang said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. "Two U.K. parliamentary committees concluded there is no technical reason to ban us from supplying 5G equipment." The U.S. delegation, led by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger and including officials from the State Department, argued that there was no way the U.K. could mitigate the security risks from such a network, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Johnson showed he's alive to the U.S. concerns. Prejudicing Security "Let's be clear, I don't want as U.K. prime minister, to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to cooperate with 'Five Eyes' intelligence partners," he said, a reference to the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As some Huawei gear has already been installed, companies warn that a full ban would delay the roll-out of 5G and cost hundreds of millions of pounds. It would also potentially put into doubt Johnson's pledge to deliver 5G to most of the country by 2027. U.K. newspapers reported Monday that Pottinger's team had handed Johnson's government a "dossier" of evidence against Huawei. But it may not impress. Speaking in September on condition of anonymity, British intelligence officers said there was nothing the U.S. knew about the company that Britain did not. Andrew Parker, the head of the domestic Security Service MI5, told the Financial Times this month that he had "no reason" to believe intelligence-sharing with the U.S. would be harmed by a decision to allow Huawei in. Johnson's spokesman on Monday told reporters that a decision would come "in due course." The U.S. believes that with the general election out of the way, it is imminent. The road to a U.K. decision has been long and controversial. Some officials have pushed for tough restrictions as a result of concerns over foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, while others said this would saddle the telecommunications industry with extra costs and delay technological upgrades. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. So-called 5G, which stands for fifth-generation wireless technology, promises speeds as much as 100-times faster than current 4G networks, potentially unlocking new technologies, including automated factories. Huawei has become a lightning rod for tensions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and security policy as Washington threatens reprisals against any governments that allow Chinese equipment to form part of the crucial ultra-fast networks. Of the so-called Five-Eyes intelligence-sharing nations, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. have effectively banned the company, while Canada and U.K. have not so-far followed suit. - - - Bloomberg's Olivia Konotey-Ahulu and Thomas Penny contributed to this report. This week, Sebastian Kurz took up the job of Austrian chancellor for the second time in his remarkable career - and started an experiment that could create a template for traditional parties across Europe amid the continent's political fragmentation. Germany, in particular, should take note. The parties in the second Kurz government have no common agenda, so they've agreed to divide up ministerial portfolios so that they don't interfere with each other's attempts to keep election promises. Kurz's conservative People's Party, which won the national election last September, will govern with the fourth-place Greens. It was the least bad of several nearly unpalatable options for Kurz, whose previous coalition with the far-right Freedom Party failed miserably. He wanted neither another such alliance nor a traditional deal with the center-left Social Democratic Party - this sort of toothless "grand coalition" has had Germans groaning in disgust for the last two years. Kurz had to go with the Greens, even though, as he told the German daily Bild in his first interview after forming the coalition last week, "the Greens are a party that stands very far apart from us content-wise." Indeed, the Greens are pro-immigration while the conservatives want sharp limits on the number of newcomers. The People's Party is focused on cutting taxes while the Greens demand increases in climate-protection spending. Kurz's party attaches a high importance to security, the Greens are pacifist. And yet the two managed to work out a 326-page common program and will divide up portfolios in such a way that, at least in theory, each party can still face its voters at the next election. The Greens got the social security, health and culture portfolios - but more importantly, a new superministry of infrastructure and environment. This new entity will be responsible for setting Austria on a path toward climate neutrality by 2040, 10 years before the European Union as a whole would like to reach that goal. The Greens got to write the climate and environment part of the common program, and it includes giving Austrians the ability to travel anywhere in the country using public transportation for just 3 euros ($3.35) a day. Greens leader Werner Kogler has agreed to pursue this ambitious agenda without raising taxes; he says it can all be done by shifting the existing tax burden toward less climate-friendly activities, such as the use of diesel-guzzling SUVs. A special commission will work on changing the tax system in that way, and the infrastructure ministry will put a priority on railroads and clean public transportation when it picks projects to fund. In exchange for letting the Greens pursue their climate agenda, the People's Party got control of the economy, foreign policy and, importantly, immigration policy. Kurz doesn't try to hide that he wants to kick out all immigrants whose asylum applications are rejected and that he won't take part in any EU efforts to resettle, for example, the denizens of the overflowing refugee camps on the Greek islands. In the only concession to the Greens' pro-immigration stance, the cabinet includes a Bosnian immigrant, Alma Zadic, a Greens appointee, as justice minister. As Kurz explained to Bild, the two parties have agreed "not to negotiate minimalist compromises, but to choose a new way of cooperation - in my opinion a very modern and promising way in terms of democratic politics. We have quite deliberately defined which party should take the lead in which areas." The arrangement is designed to avoid the kind of paralysis of eternal negotiation that has struck the German government. It also relieves the parties of political responsibility for actions that their voters find distasteful: It is understood from the start that People's Party ministers will be tough on immigration and the Green ministers will do everything in their power to get Austrians to switch from cars to public transportation. The division of labor is relatively easy with the Greens because they're a party focused on a relatively narrow set of issues. The conservatives, a traditional umbrella party, essentially are letting the experts do their thing on the environment and climate - just as the voters appear to have requested by giving the Greens their best-ever election result and propelling them into a government coalition for the first time. This should be a tempting model for other European countries where climate issues top the political agenda, including the Nordics and the Netherlands. But it's especially intriguing for Germany, where the Greens are the second-most popular party after Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats. The rifts between the two political forces are quite similar to those seen in Austria. So if the Austrians manage to divide up the work of government without getting in each other's way, a similar arrangement could work for their bigger neighbor, too. More generally, in a fragmented political landscape where people increasingly vote on specific issues rather than along traditional left-right lines, it's become easier to imagine a government made up of seemingly incompatible parties that implement their separate agendas while only agreeing on basic things like the size of the budget deficit. That, of course, is an idealized picture. In practice, personality clashes and ideological red lines are likely to undermine such coexistence cabinets. For now, the Austrian coalition leaders, at least, appear to have hit it off. Kurz, who is 33 years old, praises Kogler's ability to act on his convictions and keep his word. Kogler, 58, admires Kurz's directness. Spending three months in close contact during the coalition talks appears to have forged a personal link. But even if Kurz and Kogler fail at their experiment, both deserve kudos for trying something different. There's so much disruption in European politics that business as usual is no longer an option. Someone needs to scout out workable solutions. Kurz has made a habit of it, and a few other leaders, such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and, in his own way, French President Emmanuel Macron, also are taking risks to find out what works when traditions are out the window. - - - Leonid Bershidsky is Bloomberg Opinion's Europe columnist. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. Russian military agents hacked into Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company that played a role in the scandal that sparked President Donald Trumps impeachment, according to a U.S. cybersecurity company. The agents launched a phishing campaign in early November to steal the login credentials of employees of Burisma Holdings, according to Area 1 Security, a Silicon Valley company that specializes in e-mail security. Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. vice president and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, previously served on Burismas board. It was not clear what the hackers were looking for or may have obtained, said Area 1s CEO, Oren Falkowitz, who called the findings incontrovertible and posted an eight-page report. But the timing of the operation suggests that the Russian agents could be searching for material thats damaging to the Bidens. The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December for abusing the power of his office by enlisting the Ukrainian government to investigate Burisma and Biden, a political rival, ahead of the 2020 election. A second charge accused Trump of obstructing a congressional investigation into the matter. Our report doesnt make any claims as to what the intent of the hackers were, what they might have been looking for, what they are going to do with their success. We just point out that this is a campaign thats going on, said Falkowitz, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker whose companys clients include candidates for U.S. federal elected offices. In an earlier interview, he told The Associated Press that top candidates for the U.S. presidency and House and Senate races in 2020 have in the past few months each been targeted by about a thousand phishing emails. Falkowitz did not name the candidates. Nor would he name any clients. Russian hackers from the same military intelligence unit that Area 1 said was behind the operation targeting Burisma have been indicted for hacking emails from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of Hillary Clintons campaign during the 2016 presidential race. Stolen emails were released online at the time by Russian agents and WikiLeaks in an effort to favor Trump, special counsel Robert Mueller determined in his investigation. Area 1 discovered the phishing campaign by the Russian military intelligence unit, known as the GRU, on New Years Eve, said Falkowitz, who would not discuss whom he notified prior to going public. He said he followed the industry standard process of responsible disclosure, which would include notifying Burisma. In the report, he said the GRU agents used fake, lookalike domains in the phishing campaign that were designed to mimic the sites of real Burisma subsidiaries. Falkowitz said the operation targeting Burisma involved tactics, techniques and procedures that GRU agents had used repeatedly in other phishing operations, matching several patterns that lots of independent researchers agree mimic this particular Russian actor. Area 1 says it has been tracking the Russian agents for several years. The discoverys timing just weeks before presidential primaries begin in the United States highlights the need to protect political campaigns from targeted phishing attacks, which are behind 95 percent of all information breaches, said Falkowitz. This is a real specific, timely case that has real implications, he said. To discover it and potentially get out in front of it is a significant departure from whats typical in the cyber security community, where someone just tells you, yeah, youre dead. In phishing, an attacker uses a targeted email to lure a target to a fake site that resembles a familiar one. There, unwitting victims enter their usernames and passwords, which the hackers then harvest. Phished credentials allow attackers both to rifle through a victims stored email and masquerade as that person. Area 1 said its researchers connected the phishing campaign targeting Burisma to an effort earlier last year that targeted Kvartal 95, a media organiza tion founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In this case, the Russian military agents, from a group security researchers call Fancy Bear, peppered Burisma employees with emails designed to look like internal messages. In order to detect phishing attacks, Area 1 maintains a global network of sensors designed to sniff out and block them before they reach their targets. In July, the U.S. Federal Elections Commission gave Area 1 permission to offer its services to candidates for federal elected office and political committees at the same low rates it charges non-profits. Charlotte Crosby and Ryan Gallagher's blossoming romance has been making headlines since they first arrived to the jungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! But last week, rumours surfaced that it was all a 'showmance' designed to get the couple more screen time. Now, the pair's Australian manager has slammed claims he cooked up 'a fake relationship' between the stars to get them more votes. Fake? Rumours surfaced last week the relationship between Charlotte Crosby and Ryan Gallagher was a 'showmance' after it was revealed that the pair are both represented by the same manager Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Shane Tyler Greaves, who runs the talent agency that represents both Charlotte and Ryan, said that their chemistry is 'clearly genuine'. 'Speculation that Charlotte Crosby and Ryan Gallagher are having a "showmance" is untrue and unwarranted,' Shane said. 'Charlotte and Ryan's onscreen chemistry and developing relationship is clearly genuine. Comments to the contrary are fictitious.' The real thing! Ryan and Charlotte's manager, Shane Tyler Greaves (pictured with Charlotte), told Daily Mail Australia that the relationship is 'clearly genuine' Rumours that the relationship is fake started after TV Blackbox revealed last Thursday that Charlotte and Ryan were 'keeping a secret'. 'The engaging duo has something very important in common, the same agent,' the industry website wrote. 'The romance has certainly ensured the two "celebrities" get plenty of airtime, and potentially plenty of votes from viewers eager to keep the duo together.' Heating up: On Thursdays show the couple shared a steamy kiss before spooning in bed Since they entered the jungle at the start of last week, viewers have watched on as Charlotte and Ryan had flirty encounters which culminated in the stars sharing a kiss during a late night rendezvous on Thursday. Then they shared a bed and spooned, presumably sleeping with each other for the rest of the night. The passionate scenes outraged many fans of the show who took to the the program's official Instagram page to complain about the family friendly time-slot. 'This is supposed to be a family friendly show. Not a mix between Married At First Sight and Big Brother,' vented one viewer. 'This is supposed to be a family friendly show': Outraged viewers complained on the show's Instagram page after steamy scenes of Charlotte and Ryan were shown in an early time slot But angry viewers might be relieved to see it appears the budding relationship is already starting to fizzle out. Charlotte stormed off after the couple had a lovers' tiff about a pair of socks on Sunday's episode. Just a day later, Ryan told Charlotte that he 'probably' doesn't want to have sex with her. The revelation came after the pair sat down for a chat where Charlotte said she wasn't ready for a new relationship after breaking up with ex-boyfriend Joshua Ritchie in November. Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture Vistara on Tuesday announced the launch of its services to Kathmandu, starting February 11. Kathmandu will be Vistara's fifth international destination since the launch of global operations last August, the airline said in a release. The airline will operate daily flights between Delhi and Kathmandu from February 11, the bookings for which open Tuesday, it said. "We are happy to launch services to Kathmandu. The timing could not have been any better, as Nepal recently kick-started its global tourism campaign, Visit Nepal Year 2020' and prepares to welcome two million tourists this year. "These factors make Kathmandu a promising addition to Vistara's growing network," Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said. With a vast domestic route network in India, Vistara customers can take one-stop connections to/from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune among other cities, it added. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Jenelle Evans is nothing if not unpredictable. The former Teen Mom 2 star shocked fans when she announced her separation from David Eason in October 2019. Several months later, she appeared to be thriving under the safety net of a restraining order. Now, however, everything is changing once again. The mother of three inexplicably requested that the order of protection against Eason be lifted, and the judge presiding over the case agreed. Fans are now left wondering why Evans would make such a strange decision. Some followers even think shes planning to return to Eason. Why did Jenelle Evans request the restraining order be dismissed Evans and Eason were set to face off in court on Jan. 14, to further discuss the order of protection. According to paperwork obtained by Radar Online, Evans requested to have the order of protection dismissed on Jan. 10. The court date was canceled in light of Evans decision. Evans had previously sought to have the order extended twice before her request for dismissal, according to court records. Jan. 10 was the Friday before their set court date and just one day after news broke that Eason was a wanted man. Eason was due in a Wilmington, North Carolina courthouse for illegally towing a truck, but he never appeared. A warrant was issued for his arrest. It is not known if Eason cleared up his legal issues in North Carolina, but the timing of both events is undoubtedly interesting to Teen Mom 2 fans. Are David and Jenelle getting back together? Evans decision to dismiss her petition for a restraining order seems pretty odd. In the initial documents, Evans alleged Eason acted violently towards her or her children at least 11 times. During one reported event, Evans claims that Eason locked her son, Kaiser Griffin, in a running vehicle. The incident reportedly distressed the child greatly. Jenelle Evans and David Eason Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) The decision to dismiss the order could mean several things, but most fans believe it implies that Evans is backtracking on her decision to divorce Eason. By rejecting the order of protection, Eason can now contact Evans if he wants. It also opens up the possibility of Eason seeking shared custody of the couples only child together if the divorce proceedings continue. Neither Evans nor Eason have commented on the decision, but its unlikely they will both stay quiet for long. For now, their divorce is still pending, according to Radar Online, but that could change at any moment, too. What is going on with Jenelles rumored new boyfriend? Making things a bit more complicated is the fact that Evans has been linked to a new man. Followers of the reality TV star spied Evans in the Instagram Story of Herbert Wilkinson, a 31-year-old man from Braintree, Massachusetts, in December 2019. In the video, Evans is seen walking back towards a table at a bar or restaurant. Wilkinson calls Evans babe in the exchange. Evans also liked every single one of Wilkinsons Instagram posts, leading fans to believe the pair were an item. Evans relationship status remains unknown, though. She has refused to comment on her connection to Wilkinson and has vehemently denied romance rumors ever since she left North Carolina. She had been previously tied to a Nashville-area guitarist whom she visited before separating from Eason. The stories of a romantic connection turned out to be false. The Instagram profile originally linked to Wilkinson appears to have been deleted. File image: Reuters Protests against the government in Iran, over shooting down of a passenger aircraft near Tehran airport on January 8 and for subsequently misleading the public, entered the third day on January 14. After denying it for days, Iran had on January 11 publicly acknowledged having mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian airliner with a missile. The incident had killed 176 people. First arrests made The countrys judicial spokesperson Gholamhossein Esmaili said on January 14 that the judiciary had arrested some people for their alleged role in incident. As demonstrations against the government swelled on January 13, government spokesman Ali Rabeei had said that officials had not lied to the public when they insisted the plane had crashed because of mechanical problems and that they were only giving limited information that they had. Rabeei added that President Hassan Rouhani had learned that missiles were fired at the aircraft only on January 10. Growing anger Many within political circles of Iran have said that the divide between protesting public and the countrys government had become too wide. Protesters have been demanding the government to step down. Hard-liners have also called officials to resign. At least two anchors working for the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB announced that they have resigned. Another popular presenter said that she had quit a while back having lies on behalf of the state for 13 years. It was very hard for me to believe the murdering of my countrymen, Gelare Jabbari said. Forgive me for believing it too late. I apologize for lying to you on TV for 13 years, Jabbari added. According to The New York Times, a group of filmmakers, artists and actors have also issued a joint statement saying they would skip the government-sponsored Fajr competition. There are reports of violence in some of the protests. Videos have shown protesters carrying away bleeding demonstrators as gunshots could be heard in the background. Iranian authorities have denied that security forces opened fire. Al Jazeera has reported, citing a video from inside Iran, that students on January 13 chanted slogans including "Clerics get lost!" outside universities in Isfahan and Tehran. The report adds that riot police were filmed taking positions on the streets there. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the reports. The Iranian regime continues to be under international pressure. On January 12, US President Donald Trump had tweeted : To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people! (sic) To much of the world, the protests in Hong Kong and Tehran have reflected similar frustrations of ordinary citizens over the control, repression and lack of accountability of authoritarian regimes. Reports of strong-arm tactics being used by authorities to suppress the uprisings in Tehran which flared anew after the Iranian military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 on board, amid a military operation against the United States echoed some of the bloodier confrontations in Hong Kong. A chilling 000 call recording has revealed the moment WA Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan called for assistance after witnessing a horror crash in WA's South West that claimed the life of a couple and left their four children orphaned. On Sunday afternoon, Eduardo Hernandes Pereira Rodrigues, 41, and Danielle Bileski de Mello Pimental, 37, were returning from a trip to Margaret River with their three children and Eduardos parents when their Nissan Pathfinder flipped and rolled about 100 metres on Forrest Highway. Eduardo and Danielle. Credit:Facebook The crash occurred just before 4pm near Binningup. In the triple 0 call obtained by Nine News Perth, Mr Logan told emergency services there had been "a horrendous crash" before suggesting they send a helicopter to airlift the injured. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the ex-servicemen and personnel of the Armed Forces crediting them for maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. Speaking at an event here on the fourth Armed Forces Veterans' Day, the Defence Minister said, "If India is safe today, if not only the borders but also the unity of the country is intact, the credit goes to brave people like you, the jawans of the Armed Forces." He stressed that the country understands - once a soldier, always a soldier. Singh said that he was pleased in his role as the Defence Minister. He also pointed out that while discussions regarding the creation of Chief of Defence Staff had been going on for the past 20-21 years, it is the NDA government that cleared it. "Discussions had been going on since 20-21 years that there should be a Chief of Defence Staff. But as soon as I became the Defence Minister, I discussed this with the PM. He didn't wait for even a moment and said OK to it," he said. The Defence Minister further mentioned that it was a veteran who had suggested him to take the step regarding the creation of CDS. The Defence Minister highlighted that the welfare of veterans was a priority for the Central government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inspired by a young Indian-American mother who succumbed to cancer in 2016, her parents have founded a non-profit body to bring awareness about the pain for those suffering from killer diseases like cancer. Diagnosed of terminal kidney cancer in 2015, Neha Ganju Tanna, a Kashmiri Pandit, died of cancer at the age of 33 in October 2016, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter. Her parents have set up 'Holding Hands Foundation', a non-profit organisation, inspired by Neha, an engineer by profession. The mission of the organisation is named NEHA Never Endure Hurt Alone. "No parent should go through such tragedy but Neha, the fighter refused to let her diagnosis define her," Deepak Ganju said last week on the occasion of the release of the book of his late daughter. During her illness, unknown to her family she had started penning notes for her daughter, born in 2013, sharing her views on life, family, spirituality and her own personal journey. After her death, her family stumbled on these memoirs and decided to publish it in the form of a book. The book, "Body betrayed beauty- A young mother's journey with Cancer" was released in the US last week. "This book, a compilation of her writing, is her legacy and an eternal message of courage in the times of adversity. She wanted to celebrate the memories by dancing and laughing. As she writes in the book- 'Do not know how long I have and I do not care but the show must go on'," Ganju said. "If there is one thing, we can learn from Neha's life it is- Never leave anyone alone in their times of sorrow and pain. He appealed to the audience to support the foundation with an open heart," said Chad Shaykher, a well-known cardiologist spoke about his personal experience of being Neha's 'Doctor on speed-dial', taught him much about life and purpose. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Brad Camara | Magic Correspondent | Mon, Jan 13th 4:52pm EST Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Sacramento. (Orlando Magic on Twitter) Fantasy Impact: MCW will miss his 11th consecutive game due to a shoulder injury. It has been reported that he is not close to a return and is day-to-day. His next chance to suit up will be Wednesday against the Lakers. Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., leaves the Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. A Canadian court on Monday denied a media consortium's request to broadcast a portion of hearing seeking to extradite Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou to the United States. The consortium's application, which Meng and the Attorney General of Canada opposed, sought to record and broadcast the "double criminality" portion of the proceedings set for Jan. 20, according to the ruling issued by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The consortium, consisting of 13 media organizations, says the "double criminality" portion of the proceedings will involve only a question of law, and that question will not directly engage Meng's fair trial rights since it does not pertain to her guilt or innocence. A crucial test in Canadian extradition law is "double criminality", which means conduct must be illegal in Canada as well as in the country seeking extradition. Digital Lending Platform Market to reach a market size of $11.6 billion by 2025 According to a new report Global Digital Lending Platform Market, published by KBV Research, The Global Digital Lending Platform Market size is expected to reach $11.6 billion by 2025, rising at a market growth of 20.3% CAGR during the forecast period. The advent of innovative technologies like block chain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation helps financial institutions strengthen customer data security and make paperless loan processing transparent. Digital lending innovations have revolutionized financial sector companies and helped end-use industries including banks, credit unions, and insurance firms streamline their processes and improve the quality of their services. The Solutions market dominated the Global Digital Lending Platform Market by Component 2018, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2025, growing at a CAGR of 19.2 % during the forecast period. The Services market experiencing significant growth rate CAGR of 22.4% during (2019-2025). The on-premise segment dominated the market in 2018 and over the forecast period, it is expected to see remarkable growth. The growing number of data breaches and cyber-attacks encourages financial institutions to introduce digital lending platforms on-premise to reduce cyber risk. The Cloud market is expected to witness a CAGR of 23.7% during (2019-2025). The bank segment was dominant in the market for the digital lending platform and is projected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. Dominance can be attributed to implementing digitalization and growing banks\-\- emphasis on digitizing their financial services, accompanied by strict government regulations. The Insurance Companies market is expected to witness a CAGR of 21.2% during (2019-2025). The Peer-to-Peer Lending market would witness a CAGR of 23.5% during (2019-2025). Additionally, The Credit Unions market is anticipated to witness CAGR of 21.8% during (2019-2025). The North America market dominated the Global Digital Lending Platform Market by Region 2018. The regional market for Asia Pacific is expected to achieve substantial growth over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the region\-\-s growing number of fin-tech firms. The increasing number of smartphone users and the high penetration of the region\-\-s internet users are likely to drive the region\-\-s market growth. Structural Insights: https://www.kbvresearch.com/digital-lending-platform-market/ 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 market have been discussed in the report with the elaborated company profiles of Ellie Mae, Inc., Fidelity Information Services (FIS), Inc., Fiserv, Inc., Newgen Software Technologies Limited, Pegasystems, Inc., Roostify, Inc., Sigma Infosolutions Ltd., Tavant Technologies, Inc., Wizni, Inc., Temenos AG, and Abrigo, Inc. Recent Strategies Deployed in Digital Lending Platform Market ? Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements: Sep-2019: Ellie Mae collaborated with PollyEx, Inc., a provider of SaaS solutions for mortgage industry. in this collaboration, the Loan Trading Exchange of PollyEx will be integrated with Ellie Mae\-\-s Encompass? Digital Lending Platform, through Ellie Mae\-\-s Encompass Partner Connect API technology. The integration enables the lenders in sharing data between Encompass and PollyEx\-\-s Loan Trading Exchange, maximizing efficiency at the time of loan sale process. Aug-2019: Ellie Mae teamed up with Visionet, a provider of technology services to US title, mortgage, and related industries. Under this collaboration, the VisiLoanReview platform of Visionet will be combined with Ellie Mae?s Encompass? Digital Lending Platform, using Ellie Mae?s Encompass Partner Connect. This collaboration has been made for helping the clients in simplifying the process of data extraction, stacking, and indexing so that the clients can process the mortgage loan more efficiently and grow their business. Jun-2019: Roostify came into partnership with HSBC Bank, in which HSBC launched a new mortgage platform. This mortgage solution offers the streamlined applications and fulfillment process for refinances and purchasing mortgages. The partnership is aimed at delivering a digital solution, which offers easier, faster, and less stressful loan transaction experience. May-2019: Roostify signed a new partnership with Docutech, a leading provider of document eSign, eClose and print fulfillment technology. This partnership helps the potential buyers who wish, and expect to buy a home through using automated mortgage technology. Apr-2019: Tavant announced its partnership with ServiceLink EXOS Technologies. In this partnership, the Tavant?s AI-powered digital lending platform ? VLOX will be integrated with EXOS Title, EXOS Valuations and EXOS Close for increasing the customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Mar-2019: Ellie Mae came into partnership with Tavant Technologies in order to drive the efficiency and quality in the loan origination process and providing a streamlined experience to the lenders and customers. Under this partnership, Tavant helps the lenders in accelerating the deployment, customization, and adoption of Mae Digital Lending Platform and Encompass. Also, FinXperience, the flagship product in the Tavant VLOX platform will allow the lenders in transferring the information between two systems easily. Feb-2019: Ellie Mae partnered with Capsilon, a provider of technology services in which Capsilon has joined the Integrated Partner Program of Ellie Mae. This combination allows the mortgage lenders for sharing the data between Capsilon?s solutions and Encompass? securely and more efficiently that drives the efficiency and quality at the every stage of the mortgage lifecycle. Oct-2018: Ellie Mae announced collaboration with Roostify, a digital lending solution company. In this collaboration, Roostify\-\-s platform offers the bi-directional integration with Ellie Mae?s Encompass? digital mortgage lending platform. This integration helps in passing the information between two systems easily and driving the efficiency and quality in loan origination process. Oct-2018: Tavant collaborated with Experian in order to digitize the loan origination process and creating a streamlined experience for lenders and consumers. The Experian\-\-s consumer\-\-s verified data will be integrated into Tavant\-\-s VLOX platform, allowing a more streamlined environment that helps the customers satisfy mortgage originators\-\- information needs quickly and securely. Sep-2018: Tavant teamed up with Homestar Financial Corporation in which it offers its VLOX platform to Homestar for helping it in transforming its digital mortgage experience. This transformation would be done through a seamless fusion of collaboration, lead lifecycle management, and personalized customer journeys. ? Acquisition and Mergers: Sep-2019: Temenos acquired Kony, a number 1 digital banking SaaS company. the acquisition helps Temenos in strengthening its US presence and Temenos Infinity, a digital banking product. Jul-2019: Fiserv acquired First Data Corporation in order to become the world\-\-s largest payments and financial technology Provider Company. The acquisition allows the company to better serve the clients and end-users so that they can succeed in rapidly changing world. Mar-2019: FIS signed a definitive agreement with Worldpay, a global leader in eCommerce and payments in order to merge. The combination enhances FIS\-\- capabilities by increasing its payment and acquiring offerings and increases Worldpay\-\-s distribution footprint significantly, and offers best-in-class enterprise banking, payments, capital markets, and eCommerce capabilities empowering the businesses and financial institutions. Feb-2019: Pegasystems took over Infruid Labs, a business analytics and data visualization software company. The acquisition brings enterprise class capabilities and consumer grade user interface to Pega solutions for enabling the users in better understanding and easily visualizing the Pega application to improve decision making. Dec-2018: Temenos took over Avoka, a leader in digital customer onboarding and acquisition subject to regulatory approvals. Under the acquisition, the Avoka platform will be integrated with the Temenos Digital Front Office product, for providing the banks with a comprehensive single solution for their omni-channel digital banking needs. ? Product Launches: Feb-2019: Ellie Mae launched Ellie Mae?s Encompass Digital Lending Platform. This platform helps the lenders of all sizes in originating more loans, shorten the time to close with the compliance, efficiency, & quality, and lower the origination costs. Through this platform, the company offers multi-channel opportunities for growth with innovation for helping the lenders engage with more homebuyers, boosting the loan acquisition productivity, and capitalizing on the growing HELOC demand. Feb-2019: Fiserv introduced a new approach, Mortgage Momentum, a digital-focused approach that covers each stage of mortgage lifecycle starting from application to closing. This approach has been designed for allowing the lenders in managing the complex mortgage ecosystem from end-to-end. Sep-2018: Fiserv released Originate, a suite of products that aimed at helping the credit unions and banks in delivering enhanced digital loan origination and account opening. May-2018: Pegasystems unveiled new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in the latest version of Pega Know Your Customer (KYC) and Pega Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) applications. This provides transparency and complete AI control to banks, while ensuring that the banks remain in regulatory compliance, driving the additional revenues and offering exceptional customer experience. Global Digital Lending Platform Market Segmentation By Component ? Solution Business Process Management Loan Origination Loan Management Risk & Compliance Management Lending Analytics Others ? Services Integration & Deployment Training, Education & Consulting Support & Maintenance By Deployment Type On-premise Cloud By End User Banks Insurance Companies Peer-to-Peer Lending Credit Unions Savings & Loan Associations Others By Geography North America US Canada Mexico Rest of North America Europe Germany UK France Russia Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Singapore Malaysia Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA Brazil Argentina UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Nigeria Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled Ellie Mae, Inc. Fidelity Information Services (FIS), Inc. Fiserv, Inc. Newgen Software Technologies Limited Pegasystems, Inc. Roostify, Inc. Sigma Infosolutions Ltd. Tavant Technologies, Inc. Wizni, Inc. Temenos AG Abrigo, Inc. Digital Lending Platform Market Related Reports: North America Market Europe Market Asia Pacific Market LAMEA Market European authorities are still studying a reform which will compensate unemployed workers in the country of employment rather than the country of residence. If the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission do not agree on the reform of coordination of social security systems, the measure is likely to pass. This text, which addresses many other points to be harmonised in terms of social security (long-term care, posted work, family benefits, etc.), in particular seeks to redefine unemployment benefits for cross-border workers. It will no longer be the country of residence which will bear the financial burden but the last country of employment, provided they have worked there for the last three months. For Luxembourg, which has around 46% of cross-border employees, this means that ADEM will have to process around 10,000 additional dossiers. Minister of Employment Dan Kersch said it was likely reform would come about at some point, even if an accord could not be struck at the present time. The cost of the reform, previously estimated at 60 million euros if the measures enter into force in 2021, will be evaluated again when the European Parliament and the EU Council reach an agreement on the text. CHANGES FOR CROSS-BORDER WORKERS As negotiations were unsuccessful in 2019, and assuming that the new regulation will enter into force this year, it would be applied by other Member States in 2022. Luxembourg will benefit from preferential treatment due to its labour market, which is dependent on cross-border workers, and will receive an additional transition period, postponing the compensation of cross-border workers to 2025 or even 2027. For cross-border commuters, the reform will have direct consequences: they will no longer comply with the compensation rules of their country of residence but with those of Luxembourg. The Grand Duchy grants unemployment rights for twelve months (or more depending on the age of the applicant and the length of their career) with an amount capped at 80% of the gross salary received in the last three months preceding the application (again, upward adjustments are possible). The amount of unemployment benefit cannot exceed 2.5 times the minimum social wage and decreases according to the duration of the benefit. The conditions are very different from those of neighbouring countries. Stage Gulch Road in Sonoma County is closed in both directions Monday evening so a tow truck can pull a big-rig out of the mud, according to the California Highway Patrol. The road was closed as of 4:44 p.m. north of Lakeville Highway. CHP officials said Frates Road is an alternate route. U.S. Secretary Of State Pompeo Says Iraqi Leaders Privately Want U.S. Troops By RFE/RL January 13, 2020 WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo maintains that various sectarian leaders in Iraq support the presence of U.S. forces in the country, despite public demands for them to leave. While fielding questions from students at Stanford University in California on January 13, Pompeo said a "broad spectrum" of Sunni, Kurdish, and Shi'ite leaders back U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Iraq. https://www.state.gov/the-restoration-of-deterrence-the-iranian-example/ "They won't all say so publicly, but privately, they all welcome the fact that America is still there executing its counterterror campaignand providing an opportunity for the Iraqis to gain sovereignty and independence that most Iraqis want," Pompeo alleged regarding his phone conversations with around 50 Iraqi community leaders. Iraq's parliament on January 5 adopted a resolution calling for foreign troops to leave the country in the wake of a U.S. air strike that killed a top military commander from Iran, whose influence in the country rivals that of the United States. The Iraqi government "commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting [the Islamic State (IS) extremist group] due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory," the lawmakers said in the nonbinding resolution. A U.S. drone in Iraq on January 3 killed Qasem Soleimani, who commanded the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The killing marked a significant escalation between Iran and the United States, and angered Iraq's Shi'ite majority who enjoy religious ties with Iran. The United States has some 5,000 military personnel in Iraq, mainly as advisers. Pompeo also reiterated President Donald Trump's effort to reduce the United States' presence in the region while preserving U.S. interests. "And I think we can achieve both of these goals reduce our footprint, reduce our risk, while still achieving the American objectives in the region, including in Iraq," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-secretary- of-state-pompeo-says-iraqi-leaders-privately -want-u-s-troops/30375271.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 New Delhi, Jan 14 : Incumbent Arvind Kejriwal is the choice of the majority for the Delhi Chief Minister's post in the February 8 Assembly elections. Kejriwal, who is also the Aam Aadmi Party chief, got 67.6 per cent of the votes in the IANS-CVoter Delhi poll tracker. The other option in the list was Union Minister and BJP MP Harshvardhan, who was the choice of 11.9 per cent people. The vote share percentage was in single digits for a Congress leader (1.3 per cent), other BJP leader (8.8 per cent), other AAP leader (1.4 per cent) and nine per cent for others. People were asked the question between November 11, 2019 and January 14. Barring an exception when it climbed up to 70 per cent, Kejriwal's vote share had been mostly in 60 plus per cent range. The survey's sample size was 2,326 voters, spread across in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Delhi, up to 4 p.m. on on Tuesday. Edwin Poots has been appointed Northern Ireland's new minister for farming following the absence of an Executive for the past three years. Mr Poots, who comes from a farming background, takes over the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' (DAERA) top role. It comes as Sinn Fein and the DUP struck a deal to restore Stormont's political institutions on Saturday (11 January). The Executive collapsed after then-deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, back in January 2017. Responding to the news, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said it looks forward to working with the new minister. It stressed that due to the absence of an NI Executive over the past three years, 'much-needed strategic decisions need to be made with urgency'. UFU president Ivor Ferguson said: Edwin Poots takes on the agriculture brief at a time when the industry is under extreme pressure due to three years of a political vacuum and Brexit. Decisions regarding investment, growth and key animal health issues such as the control of bovine TB, have not been taken and operational issues which the Brexit fall-out could create for our existing trading patterns with our present markets in GB, ROI and the EU, adds further complexity. The local farming industry is already beginning to experience Brexit-related change in terms of the legal basis for direct payments to NI farmers this year and we will need input from Mr Poots as DAERA minister to help us though this challenging process, Mr Ferguson said. Considerable uncertainty lies ahead for our industry, but the new minister will have our full support. Michelle McIlveen was the last person to hold the DAERA minister post, from 2016 to 2017. The Trump administration is beginning flights to central Mexico to help alleviate the rise of Mexican migrants at the southern border, after the Mexican government reportedly requested the program. This is another example of the Trump Administration working with the Government of Mexico to address the ongoing border security crisis, DHS spokeswoman Heather Swift told Fox News. Mexico has been a great partner in stopping illegal migration before they reach our border and in standing up the Migrant Protection Protocol which has allowed us to provide court dates to more than 55,000 individuals. Beginning in December, the Department of Homeland Security started flights from Tucson to Guadalajara, with the goal of two flights of 250 migrants a week by the end of January. Last month, reports showed that the number of Mexican nationals seeking asylum in the U.S. has risen dramatically over the last year, despite Central American migration numbers dropping as a result of Trumps policies. In coordination with the Mexican government, the administration has expanded its Remain in Mexico policy to keep asylum seekers from being released into the U.S. before a decision on their case. But the policy does not apply to Mexican nationals, and officials have reportedly been metering a small number of Mexican asylum seekers each day as they wait on the border. The decision to shift people further away from the border reduces the likelihood of repeat offenses, and allows asylum seekers to receive services from the Mexican government, officials said. Under Trumps policies, migration numbers have steadily declined in recent months, with 32,858 apprehensions at the border in December, down from 114,000 in May. More from National Review This domain is pending renewal or has expired. Please contact the domain provider with questions. A volcanic eruption in the Philippines has left more than 1,300 Korean tourists stranded at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport as scores of flights were grounded. Some flights to popular winter holiday destinations in Guam and Saipan have also been affected. The Taal volcano 65 km south of Manila erupted on Sunday, sending volcanic ash down on the runways of the airport and causing more than 170 flights to be canceled. Around a dozen flights to and from Korea were among them. Korean Air said six flights between Manila and Incheon were canceled, while Asiana canceled four. Budget carrier Jeju Air also canceled a flight from Incheon to Manila. Asiana had to divert some of its flights to Saipan around Japan to avoid the ash cloud, while Jeju Air canceled all of its flights between Incheon and Guam and Narita and Guam. Some 85,000 Koreans in the Philippines are also being impacted by the eruption. Although no injuries have been reported, property damage reports are flowing in. Airline industry officials are considering flying stranded tourists out through Clark Air Base north of Manila. Yesterday we learned that the Galaxy Fold Bloom was just the codename for the upcoming Samsung foldable clamshell, which will actually be called Galaxy Z Flip, starting a new product lineup. Now the highly anticipated clamshell has made its way to Chinas 3C certification database, revealing its coming with a 15W charger in the box. The device from this certification bears the SM-F700 model number which matches previous certification exploits. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip certification Its important to note that the Galaxy Z Flip will not feature the latest and greatest internal components. The device is believed to ship with last years Snapdragon 855 at the helm alongside a dual-camera setup on the outside and a 10MP selfie cam. The more interesting bit, however, is the display which will allegedly feature an Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) construction, making it the first device on the market to do so. Thats pretty much all we know at this point. There's also the rumors about the pricing which are centered around a $1,000 price tag but well just have to wait and see if that holds up. Samsung is hosting its Unpacked event on February 11 where well see the reveals of the new S20 lineup as well as the Galaxy Z Flip. Source (in Chinese) | Via Pat Riedinger was always fond of her camera, a Kodak Retina she bought in 1963 before embarking with her husband, Jim, on a seven-week road trip across the United States. She was upset when, a few years later, the camera was nowhere to be found after the couple moved to Fairfax, Va. The Trump administration has urged the US companies to ensure that their technologies do not power a truly "Orwellian surveillance state" and American principles are not sacrificed for prosperity, in a reference to China, the world's second largest economy. The US accuses China of massive theft of its technology and violation of intellectual property, an allegation Beijing denies. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a major policy speech in that was directed at China, said: "I'm not here to demand that you get out of China. In fact, it's just the opposite. We want American companies to get rich doing business there. We want you to grow jobs here in America and build your companies successfully". "We want to create conditions so that you can do so on a level-playing field, in the spirit of respect between our two nations. Indeed, that's the whole point of President Trump's trade talks," Pompeo said in his address to the Leadership Group: 'Technology and the China Security Challenge' on Monday. "At the same time, we need to make sure that our companies don't do deals that strengthen a competitor's military or tighten the regime's grip of repression in parts of that country. We need to make sure American technology doesn't power a truly Orwellian surveillance state. We need to make sure American principles aren't sacrificed for prosperity," the Secretary of State said. He told the industry that China's rampant theft of intellectual property is real and that it is not just a problem for the particular company affected. "Because that capacity to invest and create and protect those property rights underpins the entire innovation economy that we have here in the United States," the top American diplomat said. "As we stand here today, there are about a thousand open intellectual property cases with the FBI, nearly all of them somehow connected to China. But it's the application of that property that is just as troubling. There's a reason so many hackers and thieves like the APT 10 group ? are connected to the Chinese Ministry of State Security. "Under Xi Jinping, the CCP has prioritised something called 'military-civil fusion'. Many of you will know this. It's a technical term but a very simple idea. Under Chinese law, Chinese companies and researchers must I repeat, must under penalty of law, share technology with the Chinese military," Pompeo said. The goal is to ensure that the People's Liberation Army has military dominance. And the PLA's core mission is to sustain the Chinese Communist Party's grip on power that same Chinese Communist Party that has led China in an increasingly authoritarian direction and one that is increasingly repressive as well. It runs completely at odds with the tolerant views that are held here in this area and all across America, he said. "So, even if the Chinese Communist Party gives assurances about your technology being confined to peaceful uses, you should know there is enormous risk, risk to America's national security as well. This is a real problem, given that many of our most innovative companies have formed partnerships with the Chinese government and companies that are linked to it," Pompeo added. Imperial Valley News Center Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Armed Bank Robberies Los Angeles, California - A Kern County man was sentenced last week to 84 months in federal prison for robbing banks in Long Beach and San Luis Obispo County while he brandished what appeared to be a handgun at the victim tellers. Dino Tabar Trias, 45, of Bakersfield, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner. Judge Klausner also ordered Trias to pay $4,001 in restitution to the victim banks. Trias pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of armed bank robbery. Trias admitted in his plea agreement that he robbed a Comerica bank branch in downtown Long Beach on January 22, 2019. During that robbery, he displayed and brandished what appeared to be a handgun and demanded that the teller hand over the banks money. The teller, fearing for her life, handed $1,156 in cash to Trias. On December 7, 2018, Trias robbed a Rabobank in Grover Beach. During the robbery, he showed a teller what appeared to be a gun in his waistband while he demanded the teller give him all of her money. The teller gave Trias $2,350 in cash. Trias has been in federal custody since February 2019. This matter was investigated by the FBI, the Long Beach Police Department, the Grover Beach Police Department, and the Bakersfield Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Rosenbaum of the General Crimes Section. Arrested J&K cop says was working on plan to eliminate terrorists: No evidence say officials India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The top cop arrested in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror related case has not been able to provide any evidence that he was working on a plan to eliminate the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists. A senior official part of the investigation said that Singh has not been able to provide any evidence that he was working on a plan to eliminate the terrorists. His alibi is without evidence, the source told OneIndia. Police sources also said that he hadleft the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists stay at his home before leaving for Jammu. Singh is alleged to have brought Naveed Babu, Mir Irfan and Rafi Rather from Shopian to Srinagar on Friday evening. On Saturday, they set out to Jammu, from where they were planning on going to New Delhi. However before he could leave, the police arrested him sources familiar with the developments confirmed to OneIndia. JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News Singh during his interrogation claimed that he was ferrying the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to facilitate their surrender. Officials investigating him say that he had made this made claim during interrogation, but we are investigating the same further. However, sources also said that Singh was helping the terrorists cross the Banihal tunnel in lieu of money. The source also said that an amount of over Rs 10 lakh was agreed upon. Singh however denied the charge during interrogation. The source however added that Singh was not being truthful and he had no authorisation to organise a surrender. When a police party in civvies tracked and arrested J&K DSP Davinder Singh The official cited above said that they were tracking their movements from Shopian. A police party in civvies was near his residence keeping a watch over their movements. Meanwhile, he would be questioned for his alleged links with Afzal Guru. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar while confirming the arrest of Davinder Singh said that the officer would be treated like any other terrorist. He would be questioned for his links with Afzal Guru, Kumar said. He also said that another person, a lawyer by profession had also bee caught. Singh on the other hand is a decorated police officer who had served in the Special Operations Group and had earned a President's medal. In the year 2004, Afzal Guru, who was lodged in the Tihar jail had written a letter to his lawyer. In the letter he had said that Singh then posted with the J&K Police's Special Operations Group had asked him take Mohammad, a Pakistani national identified as one of those who carried out the Parliament attack to Delhi, rent a flat and purchase a car for him. Afzal had also named another officer Shanty Singh, who along with Singh allegedly tortured him at the STF camp. He further mentioned that the name of Altaf Hussain the brother in law of SSP Ashaq Hussain, who first brokered his release with Davinder Singh and took him to the DySP. Kumar said that the officer had worked in many anti-terrorist operations. He had however committed a heinous crime and hence was arrested, Vijay Kumar also said. Sources tell OneIndia that the the terrorists along with the DSP were arrested in a joint operation of the police and Army on the national highway near Mirbazar. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered in a raid at the officer's residence, the source also added. This is the first instance in which such a senior officer has been arrested along with terrorists. The arrested terrorist, Syed Naveed Baba was wanted in several cases. He was an IED expert and was wanted in the killing and attacks on truckers and locals, security officials said. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, Jan. 14 (Jiji Press)--Japanese trading house Sojitz Corp. <2768> is considering building base stations for mobile phones in Vietnam, President Masayoshi Fujimoto said in a recent interview. "We see potential demand" in Vietnam, where work by carriers to unify their base stations has not progressed, Fujimoto said. Sojitz operates such a business in Myanmar with a major Malaysian telecommunications company. "We hope to run the business in Vietnam as well," Fujimoto said. During the interview, Fujimoto also said Sojitz has secured a budget of several billion yen for investment in startups in the information technology and digital fields through a fund it established in the United States. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:04:40|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The city of Seattle in the U.S. state of Washington on Monday passed a bill to ban big companies such as Amazon from influencing local elections by making huge "political donations." Seattle City Council voted unanimously for the Clean Campaigns Act, authored by its President Lorena Gonzalez, which prohibits companies from spending money on city elections if at least 5 percent of their stock is owned by foreign investors. Seattle's home-grown tech giant Amazon, at least 9 percent of whose stock is foreign-owned, donated a record 1.5 million U.S. dollars to support its favored candidates in the city's council election in November 2019. "We have an epidemic of big money in our elections, and this step helps to address the appearance and risk of corruption in our local elections," Gonzalez said. "Essentially, this legislation closes a loophole that previously allowed foreign persons to use their ownership in a corporation to influence political activity," she added. Seattle is the largest and the second U.S. city to pass such legislation, after St. Petersburg in the state of Florida, which limited foreign corporate influence in an ordinance approved in 2017. Darbar Makers Lodge Complaint Against Illegal Telecast Apparently, Lyca productions has lodged a complaint against the television channel (Saranya TV) which had illegally aired a pirated version of the film in Madurai on January 12. PR to Rajinikanth Riaz K Ahmed shared the snapshot of the complaint (Press Release) on Twitter. Riaz K Ahmed Writes Riaz wrote, "#Darbar @LycaProductions files complaint against the @rajinikanth film being aired on Cable TV in #Madurai." - (sic). The press release states that the makers have officially filed a complaint against the said local TV channel at The Commissioner Office, Law & Order, Madurai. Producers Request Authorities To Take Necessary Action The producers are saddened by these acts and have requested the authorities to take necessary action against these culprits who are threats to the film industry. Darbar Released On January 9 For the uninitiated, the film also stars Nivetha Thomas, Sunil Shetty and Yogi Babu. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music. The film was released on January 9, 2020, coinciding with Thai Pongal. A couple seen standing next to a window display of jewellery Chow Tai Fook chain store at Mong Kok shopping mall in Hong Kong. (PHOTO: Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) By Jinshan Hong Bloomberg) -- Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd. said it plans to shut about 15 of its Hong Kong stores after their leases expire this year, in a sign that major retailers are starting to withdraw from the citys economy as anti-China protests continue. In the first significant pullback by a luxury retailer after months of fiery demonstrations that have driven tourists away, the worlds second-most valuable jewellery chain said in an emailed statement Tuesday that it will not renew the leases of a mid-teens number of stores in the year starting April. Chow Tai Fook is closing the stores because it expects macro headwinds to continue to have an impact in the next six to 12 months, it said. Besides the protests that have at times crippled the city, volatile gold prices and U.S.-China trade tensions are also weighing on the companys outlook. The company currently has 86 Chow Tai Fook retail outlets and five stores under other brands in Hong Kong. It is the second largest jeweller in the world by market value, after Tiffany & Co. The citys retail and tourism sector are poised for contraction after six months of depressed sales and a lackluster Christmas season. Hong Kong, with its zero sales tax and plush shopping malls, was previously a gateway for luxury brands to reach Chinese consumers, who were known to travel to the city with empty suitcases meant to be filled up with shopping to take home. With the number of tourists now at a record low, the first quarter of 2020 is likely to bring a reckoning for retailers: more than 5,600 retail jobs could be lost and thousands of stores shut down in the first half of 2020, according to a recent survey. Prominent restaurants and bars have also announced closure plans, while cosmetics retail chain Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd. said it was likely to shutter 30 stores in Hong Kong this year. The Lunar New Year, when spending traditionally peaks in Hong Kong amid a flood of vacationing mainlanders, will also likely not provide its usual boost. Visitor numbers plunged 53% during Christmas week compared with a year earlier, according to local media reports. Story continues Chow Tai Fook said that its store closures will mainly be located in tourist districts such as Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui and that it will continue to review store productivity and optimise its retail network in Hong Kong. The jeweller, controlled by the billionaire Cheng family, has seen same-store sales fall for three consecutive quarters in Hong Kong and Macau. Its now focused on mainland China, where it plans to add 600 new stores in the year ending March 31. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday flew a kite from a rooftop in Anand Nagar Road area here on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival. The area is part of his Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhinagar. The BJP president was seen flying a kite from the rooftop of an apartment in Kanak Kala Society alongwith his wife Sonalben Shah, Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani and state BJP youth morcha president Rutvij Patel. He also released saffron balloons in the sky. #WATCH Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah flies a kite during an #Uttarayan programme in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/cNKhQwiFnt ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020 Incidentally, the battle over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) also played out in the Ahmedabad skies on Tuesday, as kites with pro- and anti-CAA slogans faced off against each other. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 61F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A few sprinkles possible. Low around 50F. Winds light and variable. WASHINGTON - Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says shed order her secretary of education to cancel up to $50,000 in college debt for about 95% of student borrowers on her first day in office, effectively erasing outstanding loans for about 42 million Americans. The Democratic senator from Massachusetts vowed in a proposal released Tuesday to act immediately and not wait for Congress because the secretary of education already has broad authority to compromise on and modify student loans. Warren had already promised in previous plans to wipe out student loans for 42 million Americans while offering free tuition at public universities. Shes proposed a wealth tax on fortunes worth $50 million or more to pay for doing so, saying that will raise $2.75 trillion over 10 years. But those proposals would require congressional approval. Hours before a presidential debate in Iowa, which holds its lead-off caucuses on Feb. 3, Warren said shed move unilaterally to cancel debt first, then work with Capitol Hill to ensure programs to pay for it become law. Were facing a student debt crisis, and every day counts for families struggling with this burden and for our economy as a whole, Warren wrote in an online post unveiling her plan. The senator also wants to reduce backlogs so that qualifying borrowers are able to cancel loans through debt forgiveness plans that are already available. She said that could help an additional nearly 1.75 million borrowers. And Warren promised that on her first day in office, shed empower the secretary of education to limit the for-profit college industry and crack down on predatory student lending. Noting that black students default on college loans at more than twice the rate of their white counterparts, the senator said shed order the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights to investigate the core causes of and help rectify racial disparities in student borrowing. In announcing Tuesdays plan, Warrens campaign released a letter from three experts at the Legal Services Center at Harvard Law School, where Warren was a professor. They examined the authority granted by statute to the secretary of education and found what Warren was proposing to be a lawful and permissible use of the authority Congress has conferred on the department. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Shooting at Florida Naval Base in December Was 'Act of Terrorism' - US Attorney General Sputnik News 22:10 13.01.2020(updated 22:58 13.01.2020) US Attorney General William Barr told members of the press at the Department of Justice Monday that the December shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station last month was "an act of terrorism." Barr said that 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, "was motivated by jihadist ideology" when he killed three US sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans in the December 6, 2019, shooting at NAS Pensacola in Florida. The DOJ chief also noted that in the investigation that followed, 21 members of the Saudi military at the base were found to have "derogatory material" ranging from "social media containing some jihadi or anti-American content" to "some kind of contact with child pornography." "The relevant US Attorneys offices independently reviewed each of the 21 cases involving derogatory information and determined that none of them would, in the normal course, result in federal prosecution," Barr told reporters at the DOJ. "However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and the 21 cadets have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the US military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia (later today)." Two days after the shooting, the FBI said it was carrying out its investigation "with the presumption that this was an act of terrorism," Sputnik reported. A US official later said Alshamrani had organized a watch party with three other Saudi students prior to the shooting, in which they binge-watched mass shooting videos. Barr further noted the US military should improve its vetting process for foreign trainees. The attorney general also stated in other comments that he believed Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike last week outside Iraq's Baghdad International Airport, was a "legitimate military target" and that the strike was a "legitimate act of self-defense." Barr's comments mirror those of US President Donald Trump and other figures in his administration, who have claimed Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, including a US contractor who was killed in Kirkuk, Iraq, late last year by an attack, as well as that Soleimani was planning new "imminent" attacks on US forces. The same airstrike that killed Soliemani also killed leading members of the Hasht al-Shabi, Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces militia, including its commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The US has claimed the militias are under Iran's control and refers to them as "Iranian proxies." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thomas Greene, a 20-year-old New Hampshire man, was identified as the driver killed in a head-on crash on Interstate-495 in Salisbury on Monday that injured two others. The Seabrook resident was driving an Audi A4 southbound on the highway around 4:45 p.m. when, for reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the car, crossed the center median and struck a Lexus RX450 traveling northbound, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. Greene died at the scene, the statement said. The driver of the Lexus, a 38-year-old woman, was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, according to state police. The passenger in the Audi, a 22-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital for evaluation, state police said. Authorities believe the speed of the Audi was a factor in the crash, according to state police. The crash remains under investigation by state polices Troop A. UPDATE: All lanes are open at 9:58 a.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. LEONI TWP., MI Southbound U.S. 127 near Page Avenue is shut down Tuesday morning because of a crash. The crash occurred around 7:45 a.m., Jan. 14, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. A second crash on southbound U.S. 127 between Page Avenue and E. Michigan Avenue involved seven vehicles. It is unclear when the freeway will reopen. Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety responded to both scenes. Michigan State Police and Jackson Community Ambulance assisted at the scenes. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. Russian hackers were able to get into a server belonging to Burisma, the Ukrainian company at the center of President Trump's impeachment, security experts told The New York Times. The security firm Area 1, which first detected the hacking on New Year's Eve, told the Times that Russian efforts began in early November, when Trump's impeachment was all over the news. The hackers are from a Russian military intelligence unit formerly known as the GRU, and they used phishing emails that tricked users into entering their usernames and passwords, giving the hackers their login credentials. The tactics mirror the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee in 2016, Area 1 co-founder Oren Falkowitz told the Times. "The Burisma hack is a cookie-cutter GRU campaign," he said. "Russian hackers, as sophisticated as they are, also tend to be lazy. They use what works. And in this, they were successful." It is unclear what the hackers were looking for, or what they found. Hunter Biden, the son of 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden, once sat on the board of Burisma. During a July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump asked him to investigate the Bidens and Burisma, a request that ultimately triggered the events that led to his impeachment. Experts told the Times the timing of the hacking could indicate the Russians wanted to find any information about the Bidens that could be incriminating. Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told the Times that Trump "tried to coerce Ukraine into lying" about Biden because "he recognized that he can't beat the vice president," and now it's clear Russian President Vladimir Putin "also sees Joe Biden as a threat." For more on Area 1's research, visit The New York Times. More stories from theweek.com Ken Jennings is officially Jeopardy!'s Greatest of All Time How to watch tonight's Democratic debate Delta jet approaching LAX dumps fuel on playground, injuring 20 kids Images of two Apple iPhones that the Pensacola naval base shooter, Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani, tried to destroy are on display at a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington on Jan, 13, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) AG Barr Calls on Apple to Unlock iPhones Used by Pensacola Shooter Attorney General William Barr has called on Apple to help unlock two iPhones used by a Saudi military trainee who opened-fire at a U.S. naval base last month, killing three and injuring eight others. Barr made the request during a press conference on Monday while announcing the findings of the criminal investigation into the Dec. 6 shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. We have asked Apple for their help in unlocking the shooters iPhones. So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance, Barr said. This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that investigators be able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause. We call on Apple and other technology companies to help us find a solution so that we can better protect the lives of Americans and prevent future attacks, he added. Attorney General Bill Barr and justice officials hold a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington on Jan, 13, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The shooter, Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, open-fired at the naval base in an attack that lasted for about 15 minutes before he was fatally shot by police during a gunfight. Alshamrani was a flight student at Pensacola, where members of foreign militaries are routinely trained by the United States. During the exchange of fire, Alshamrani disengaged long enough to place one of the phones on the floor and shoot a single round into the device, Barr said. He added that the other phone was also damaged. Barr said experts at the FBI crime lab were able to fix both of the damaged phones so they are operational but have not been able to unlock the password-protected and encrypted phones. The attorney general says it is important to obtain access to the phones in order to find out with whom the shooter was communicating and the content of his conversations prior to the attack. Federal officials are calling the Dec. 6 shooting an act of terrorism. They say investigators found evidence that Alshamrani was motivated by jihadist ideology, including a social media message posted on Sept. 11 last year, stating, The countdown has begun, and other anti-American, anti-Israel, and jihadi messages on social media, as recent as two hours before his attack. Alshamrani also visited the 911 Memorial in New York City during the Thanksgiving weekend. Investigators say they are still continuing their probe and are looking for evidence of co-conspirators in the attack. Justice Department officials said Apple has provided timely and substantial assistance to other parts of the criminal investigation such as responding to warrants issued to iCloud accounts. However, they added that Apple has not indicated they are willing to assist the FBI in gaining access to the phones after the bureau asked the company for help. Last week, FBI general counsel Dana Boente sent a letter to Apple asking the company to assist with unlocking the phones. Boente told the company that the investigation was a high-priority national security matter, reported the Associated Press. Apple did not immediately respond to our request to comment, but in a statement to the news wire last week, Apple said, We have the greatest respect for law enforcement and have always worked cooperatively to help in their investigations. When the FBI requested information from us relating to this case a month ago we gave them all of the data in our possession and we will continue to support them with the data we have available. This case is the latest standoff between the government and big tech on the extent companies have to comply with government requests to assist with unlocking encrypted devices or social media accounts in investigations. In 2015, the Justice Department sued Apple after it resisted government efforts to gain access to an iPhone belonging to the shooter in San Bernardino, California, who killed 14 people in a terrorist attack. The FBI put a hold on the court order after it found another way to get into the phone. The Saket district court in Delhi will deliver its judgment on Tuesday in the case of alleged sexual and physical assault of several girls, most of them minors, at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur. On December 12, the court had deferred the judgment for a second time in the case till January 14 as Judge Saurabh Kulshrestha, who had conducted the trial, was on leave. Earlier in November, the court had deferred by a month till December 12 as the as the accused could not be brought to court premises from jail due to lawyers strike in all six district courts in Delhi. The court had, on March 20, 2018, framed charges against the 21 accused --nine women and 13 men --for offences of criminal conspiracy to commit rape and penetrative sexual assault against minors. The accused include employees of an NGO (Sewa Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti) run by prime accused Brajesh Thakur, who is currently lodged in Tihar central jail, and officials of Bihars department of social welfare. More than 42 minors were allegedly sexually assaulted over a period of time in the shelter home which was run by Thakurs state-funded NGO. Earlier, on February 7, 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered authorities to transfer the case from Bihar to a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) court in Saket District Court complex in Delhi. The apex court had, in June last year, granted three months to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete the probe in the case, including suspected murders, and had directed it to widen the scope to investigate the outsiders involved in the crime.It had also directed the CBI to probe the allegations of unnatural sexual assault under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in the case. Besides, it had asked the CBI to probe the offences under the Information Technology Act regarding the video recordings of the alleged assault on girls at the shelter home. The Saket court had reserved order on September 30 after final arguments by the CBI counsel. The CBI had told a special court that there was enough evidence against all the accused in the case. During the trial, counsel for the CBI told the court that the statements of minor girls, who were allegedly sexually assaulted, point to the fact that there was enough evidence against all the accused and they should be convicted. However, those accused have claimed that the CBI had not conduct a fair investigation into the case. The matter had come to light after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) submitted a report to the Bihar government on May 26, 2018, highlighting the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in the shelter home for the first time. Former Bihar social welfare minister and then JD(U) leader Manju Verma also faced flak as allegations surfaced that Thakur had links with her husband. She resigned from her post on August 8, 2018. On May 29, 2018, the state government shifted the girls from the shelter home to other protection homes. An FIR was lodged against the 11 accused in the case on May 31, 2018. The top court on August 2, 2018 had taken cognisance of the alleged sexual assaults and transferred the probe to the CBI on November 28, 2018. Recently, the CBI told the Supreme Court that it has completed its probe in all 17 cases related to sexual assault of minor children in Bihar shelter homes. The probe agency has since filed charge sheets and recommended to the Bihar government action against erring officials, including district magistrates, in 12 more cases out of the total 17, it said in an affidavit filed before the court. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Uzbekistani counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov held wide-ranging talks on Tuesday, vowing to boost bilateral trade and investment and explore possibilities for a preferential trade agreement. "Welcome FM Abdulaziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan. Comprehensive talks on our bilateral agenda. Appreciated his insights on regional issues of common concern," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Emphasising on the need to boost bilateral trade and investment, the two ministers agreed to work towards early conclusion of the feasibility study to be jointly conducted by the two sides to begin negotiations for a preferential trade agreement, the MEA said in a statement. The External Affairs minister reiterated the need for early operationalisation of the USD 200 million of Line of Credit extended by India to Uzbekistan for which Uzbek side is in the process of finalising necessary details of the identified projects, it said. Referring to the strategic partnership of the two countries, both the ministers emphasised on the need to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges and implement the agreements reached during the visits of President of Uzbekistan to India in October, 2018 and January last year, the visit of chief minister of Gujarat (October 2019) and that of Defence Minister (November 2019) to Uzbekistan. Foreign Minister Kamilov reiterated the invitation extended by President of Uzbekistan to the prime minister to visit Uzbekistan. Kamilov briefed Jaishankar on Uzbekistan's efforts to liberalise its economy, create business friendly conditions and attract foreign investment, including that from Indian companies. The ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, counter-terrorism and security, information and communication technology, development partnership and promote cultural exchanges, the statement said. Kamilov hailed the initiative of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers with the participation of Afghanistan, which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in January last year. Cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), was also discussed during the meeting, the statement said. Later in the day, Jaishankar also met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Tomas Petricek. "Good conversation with FM @edgarsrinkevics of Latvia on global issues, technology opportunities and contemporary challenges," Jaishankar tweeted "Welcomed Czech FM @TPetricek to his first #RaisinaDialogue. Confident it will inspire him to lead a broader engagement with India. Happy to renew my association with this important partnership. Have high expectations from its future," he said in another tweet. Ireland will go to the polls in an early general election on February 8, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday, hoping to capitalise on a Brexit deal and talks in Northern Ireland. "The election will be held on Saturday, February 8th," he said in a speech in Dublin, adding that he would ask President Michael Higgins to dissolve parliament. Varadkar later posted a video on Twitter outlining what he sees as his achievements in power. We've made some good progress since I've become (prime minister)" he said. But I know it's not enough, and we want to do much more.'' The election is likely to revolve around the issues of health and housing. Ireland is struggling with a housing crisis and has faced hospital overcrowding. (FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP) MOSCOW - Libyan General Khalifa Haftar left Moscow without signing the ceasefire agreement with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj, according to RIA Novosti, citing a source. Haftar said the proposed document ignored many of the requests by the Libyan National Army, said Al Arabiya. Informed Italian sources said Haftar's decision was taken in order to better study and clarify the terms of the agreement to then propose modifications. However, in leaving Moscow, Haftar didn't say when or if he would resume talks for signing the ceasefire. Sources said he would take a break in talks to discuss with countries that support him what might be acceptable terms in order to sign. This is why after leaving Moscow, Haftar was headed to a country in the Middle East where he was expected to have a series of meetings, sources said. Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, expressed doubts over the usefulness of the proposed Berlin Conference on Libya after Haftar left Moscow on Monday without signing a ceasefire. "If Haftar continues like this, the Berlin Conference will make no sense," Cavusoglu said. Cavusoglu said the lack of Haftar's signature on the ceasefire shows "who wants war and who wants peace", and said Turkey "has done its part and will continue to do so". UPDATE: Proud Boy, Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala Tiny Toese barred from Portland protests for 2 years, judge rules A right-wing activist best known for brawling amid demonstrations in Portland plans to plead guilty Tuesday for his role in a violent altercation prompted by political differences. Tusitala Tiny Toese, 23, has faced felony and misdemeanor assault charges since Multnomah County prosecutors said he and an associate, Donovan Flippo, beat a man during a June 2018 confrontation in Northeast Portland. The man, Timothy Ledwith, previously said he told investigators the pair had been shouting slogans in support of President Donald Trump as well as homophobic slurs from a pickup truck near Northeast 12th Avenue and Broadway when he yelled back at them. Toese and Flippo, both members of the Proud Boys, a right-wing fraternal organization, responded by punching Ledwith in the face, sending him to the hospital, the injured man alleged. Ledwith, a self-described anti-fascist activist, said he had attended Portland protests opposing right-wing rallies in which Toese and Flippo had been participants. Toese, a Vancouver resident, left for his hometown in American Samoa after a grand jury indicted him and Flippo in February. He was returning to the United States mainland when he was arrested Oct. 4 at the Portland International Airport. Flippo pleaded guilty over the summer to fourth-degree assault. Toese, who is 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, gained notoriety as a member of the Proud Boys as well as Patriot Prayer, another right-wing group. He served as one of Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibsons closest confidants until the duo had a falling out. In October, Toese was jailed for 10 days in Multnomah County after he violated his probation on a harassment conviction stemming from a fight at a December 2017 demonstration in downtown Portland. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. South Africa: Gauteng reopens online system for late applications The Gauteng Basic Education Department (GDE) will reopen its system for late online applications as schools open for the 2020 academic year. The online applications will open for Grade 1 and 8 admissions for 2020. The department will on 15 January 2020 open the system for late online applications, and close on 24 January 2020. Only schools with capacity will be availed in the system during this period. Applicants will provisionally be placed, until they submit documents to the school accordingly. No objections or appeals will be [considered], said Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi. According to the department, there is a total of 912 primary schools and 374 high schools with space available for late applications. In an effort to assist parents with applications, from 15 24 January, all districts will operate as walk-in centres. Lesufi advised parents who have not submitted documents to visit districts for placement. Districts are to place applicants and send parents to identified schools with available space to submit documents. Parents who need assistance are encouraged to visit the district offices, said the MEC. According to the department, the most common challenges reported at district offices include the following: follow-up on appeal outcomes; applicants requesting transfers to schools that are no longer available in the system due to capacity and relocations and placement in inner grades. On placed learners, the department said it has received and processed about 700 appeals that were compounded by the implementation of the new Admissions Regulations. All appellants should receive their responses by [today] 14 January 2019. All appeals were carefully considered and fairly adjudicated. The outcome of each appeal is based on compliance with the Admissions Regulations and availability of space at schools, said Lesufi. The MEC said the challenge for the department is capacity, with parents reluctant to accept offered spaces for different reasons. Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a certain number of learners at our schools and as such, we call upon parents to accept placement offers as these are the only spaces available at some schools, he said. Partnership with private schools To mitigate to capacity challenges, the GDE is in the final stages of finalising a partnership with Curro to accommodate learners at their schools. We are also interacting with other private schools to assist us, said Lesufi. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The r/StarWarsLeaks Subreddit is erupting with the leak of what is reportedly an early draft of the Star Wars Episode IX script, as penned by the original director and writer Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. The commenters are responding to the script breakdown below posted by Reddit user Lollifroll based upon Robert Meyer Burnett's talkthrough on his video blog. From Lollifroll's summary of "Star Wars Episode IX: Duel of the Fates": CRAWL: The iron grip of the FIRST ORDER has spread to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Only a few scattered planets remain unoccupied. Traitorous acts are punishable by death. Determined to suffocate a growing unrest, Supreme Leader KYLO REN has silenced all communication between neighboring systems. Led by GENERAL LEIA ORGANA, the Resistance has planned a secret mission to prevent their annihilation and forge a path to freedom Opens at the Kuat Shipyards (man on a mission-style) BB-8 and Rose Tico (allegedly a key character in script) are infiltrating Kuat Moon where First Order build their ships (workers are oppressed). There is an orbital ring and moon below it. Finn and Poe are there. No R2/3PO. Rey arrives. The plan: Send explosive into the power shaft that delivers raw ore into the ring. Plan goes wrong. (RBM loves dialogue at this moment.) First Order is able to contain blast. Admiral Vaughn says Resistance tactics are "pitful." Rey disguised as a Tusken Raider is revealed to have created her own weapon (a double-blade lightsaber hybrid of her staff and Luke's cracked saber). They battle and Poe, Finn, Rose, Rey, and BB-8 STEAL A STAR DESTROYER (Eclipse-class) and escape. The Knife 9 a ship containing the Knights of Ren arrives a Kuat. Ataska (?) Ren kills Admiral Vaughn for his failure. CUT TO: CORUSCANT. No longer a vibrant city. "The new structures are built atop the art deco structure of the old republic." Occupied by the First Order now (they have a citadel/palace there). Citizens are scavengers now. Hux is now CHANCELLOR HUX and is addressing Bisc Kova (traitor who helped Resist. steal Star Destroyer.) Kova is executed with a light blade guillotine. Hux and Commander Selleck have a meeting with several alien war lords (ode to ANH imperial council scene). First Order has allies. They are aware of Rey being the last Jedi. Council wants to know WHERE IS KYLO REN? He is missing. Hux only knows he has gone searching for something of great power. CUT TO: MUSTAFAR. Kylo Ren is alone, except for a Darth Maul-esque droid. He has stubble indicating search has been for a long time. Ren is being HAUNTED by Luke's force ghost. Luke: "This is where the dark path leads; an empty tomb." Kylo (retort): "Where did your path lead?" Luke is trying to convince him to go back to Leia. Kylo: "I'm going to be more powerful than any Jedieven you." In Vader's Temple, Kylo finds a Sith Holocron which reveals a hologram of Palpatine. Recording is for Vader. Palpatine has a contingency for Vader if Luke kills him. Vader is to take Luke to the Remnicore (?) System to see TOR VALUM, Master of Sith/Palpatine's Teacher. After scanning Kylo, the Holocron explodes and releases red lighting which burns Kylo, who screams. CUT TO: RESISTANCE BASE on KOR-ALAF (?). Leia is introduced as she feels what's happening to Ben. Chewbacca and Lt. Connix tell Leia that the Kuat team is back. They're shocked to see a Star Destroyer (which is landed onto the planet). Funny moment w/ Rey using Mind Trick on First Order officers who were still on the ship. Rey confides in Finn that she doesn't feel like she has what it takes to be a Jedi and can't live up to everyone's expectations. Finn asks her if she still senses Kylo. Rey confesses she's been having nightmares. Finn asks if it's Kylo. Rey says she can't explain their connection. Finn: "You have to shut him out. He can't change. It's too late." Rey: "It's never to late to change. You taught me that Finn." Resistance realizes that the Star Destroyer stills has most of it's weapons (tanks, TIEs, etc). Only missing piece is an army to use it. Rey researching the Jedi texts from Anch-To discovers that under Coruscant Jedi Temple there is a communication system (called a FORCE BEACON) from the Old Republic that can send a signal to 50 planets. They plan on using it to get allies. First Order can't stop it, since it predates Imperial tech. Rey: "Hope is all we have left." Force Ghost Luke appears as Rey trains. Luke is pushing Rey to get stronger in the Force, while he is pushing Kylo to let Ben out. Kylo makes it back to Coruscant. Face is damaged. Mandalorian armor is smelted and is been applied to his face. Confronts Hux and belittles him, saying he doesn't need titles. Rey to Luke as they train: "Balance? The dark suffocates the light, light extinguishes the dark. Over and over and over again. How is that balance in the force?" Luke: "I know that anger. My father had it too.' Rey: "So says my master and his master before him. A thousand masters so eager to tell us how to live." Rest of exchange between Rey and Luke is basically Rey trying to back away from being a Jedi (she admits she is NO ONE) and Luke trying to convince her (he says the Force is speaking to her). Back to Kylo. He and Hux continue to snipe at each other. Kylo says he's leaving again, but not before telling Hux the power he discovered will make destroying planets insignificant. Kylo's last order to Hux: "Find the Resistance, wipe them out, leave the girl to me." TEAM A (Rose, Finn, R2, 3PO): Going to Coruscant to light the beacon. TEAM B (Rey, Poe, Chewbacca): Going to a planet to find someone to help Rey figure out what she needs to do. (side: Yes, his descrp. is that vague) Kylo is going to a Sith Planet/Remnicore. EDIT: Before he leaves Coruscant, he takes Vader's mask and says he understands Vader now. Kylo: "You allowed love to cloud your judgement" and he throws Vader's mask off of a balcony and it shatters. Leia stays at the base overseeing the Resistance. Before Rey leaves, she and Leia have an exchange were Rey says she believes there's still good in Kylo. Leia is skeptical, but Rey believes in her Jedi Training. Leia: "You're not like my father or my brother. You're new. Whatever happens, remember the force choose you Rey. You're story isn't written by anyone else." RMB starts summarizing now: First Order tracks down stolen Star Destroyer to Kor-Alaf. Resistance escapes. TEAM A successfully infiltrates the Jedi Temple and turn on the beacon. Cut to different places around the galaxy receiving the signal (Bossk cameo). It is then cut off by the First Order. TEAM A then flee into the underbelly of Coruscant. TEAM B are being pursued by the Knife 9 (Knights of Ren ship) and eventually reach the planet Bonadan. Kylo reaches Remincore and confronts Tor Valum (7000 yrs old, alien of unknown origin, spindly, intense sinewy muscle very Lovecraftian). Kylo begins training with Valum. Ode to ESB Cave scene: Kylo fights Vader. Fight is brutal and Kylo loses. Bonadan: Poe takes Rey to a Seer who can pull information out of memories. The Seer pulls a star chart out of Rey's mind from her visions w/ Kylo. Knights of Ren show up and fight Rey in a lightsaber battle. She defeats them and TEAM B escapes. Both Rey and Kylo eventually get to MORTIS. Leia asks Lando if he will organize the smugglers and fight the First Order. Rose is captured and tortured by the First Order, but is able to escape. Finn/R2/3PO start a citizens uprising on Coruscant around the First Order's Citadel/Palace. Leia brings her forces to Coruscant to battle the FO. Massive space battle, ground battle (ROTJ-style you know the works lol). Chewie flies an X-Wing. Rey and Kylo battle on Mortis, using force energy that can pull from each other. At some point is revealed Kylo killed Rey's parents at the behest of Snoke. Towards the end, Luke/Obi Wan/Yoda appear as Force Ghosts to save Ben, but are unsuccessful. Ben is "extinguished." RMB seems to be at the end, so just for house keeping sake Resistance won, First Order loses. One final deet: Han Solo did appear in the script and does confront Kylo at some point. NORTHAMPTON Lorena Moreno of Springfield shook her head Tuesday at the notion that driving a car is a privilege. "It's a necessity," she said. "If my child is sick. We'll go to the doctor. If I need to get to work, I'll drive to work. You can punish me afterword. But I'm going to do it." Moreno, who didnt disclose her own immigration status, was among the immigrants, labor leaders and faith leaders gathered Tuesday at the Pioneer Valley Worker Center in Northampton supporting An Act Relative to Work and Family Mobility. Its in the Massachusetts Legislatures Transportation committee. If passed, it would make Massachusetts the 15th state making drivers licenses available to undocumented immigrants. Supporters say it would improve public safety by making sure immigrant drivers are licensed, tested, insured and identifiable. The proposed new law, Bills H.3012 and S.2061, was introduced by State Rep. Tricia Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield and other lawmakers. New York and New Jersey recently enacted legislation. The Pioneer Valley Workers Center and the new Western Mass Campaign for Business and Community Support for Drivers Licenses For All is mobilizing support for a state bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. (photo provided) Today, immigrants live in fear of being pulled over or getting in a wreck. "It can start the path to deportation," Moreno said. "Especially if you don't have the money to pay the fine. How does that make you safer?" It doesn't, said Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper. She said its vital for police to identify people at traffic stops. They cant do that if they are presented no documentation or documentation in a foreign tongue they can't understand. "You need to know who you are out there with," she said. "California enacted this and it cut down on the number of hit and runs. People are less likely to leave the scene of an accident." Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan also supports the licenses saying to deny them ignores the reality that immigrants are here and that they are driving. "We are all people," Sullivan said. "It's just a piece of paper that separates us." Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan spoke Tuesday in support of a measure that would allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licences. It was an event with law-enforcement, faith, labor and business leaders at the Pioneer Valley Workers Center in Northampton. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican ) Amherst Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone, Franklin Sheriff Christopher J. Donelan and Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington have all signed on. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Western Mass Area Labor Federation are also in support. Jeff Jones of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1459 spoke out Tuesday in support. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said he issued an executive order in 2014 ordering Holyoke police to not enforce federal civil detainer requests for holding immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally past the point they would usually be released. He said the order is even more important given President Donald Trump's hardline stance and federal immigration agent's recent history of detaining even U.S. citizens on suspicion of being in the country illegally. "That creates two systems, one for white people and one for everybody else," he said. Morse is running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives against U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. Massachusetts has 255,000 undocumented immigrants, according to labor leaders at the event. Together, they generate $8.8 billion a year for the state's economy and pay $160 million a year in state and local taxes. One immigrant speaker who declined to give his name said though a translator that inducement people grow the food, transport the food and cook the food on people's plates every day. They are in this country to work, they want to work and to raise their families in dignity, he said. Nothing more. The Pioneer Valley Worker Center has a list of 150 local businesses who have signed on with their support. The list is on its website. State Sen. Natalie Blais, D- Sunderland and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, spoke in favor of the bill Tuesday. They said state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, is also a supporter on the Transportation Committee. This would be the basic Massachusetts driver's license, not the enhanced one needed to gain access to some government buildings or to board an airliner. Douglas J. Fisher, the Episcopal bishop of Western Massachusetts, said he worked on the license issue starting n10 years ago when he was a church pastor in New York. He said besides the public safety and economic benefit, the religious reason is clear. We know that the Hebrew scriptures and New Testament are constantly telling us to welcome the stranger, Fisher said. And to love our neighbor. Elmer Wayland "Elmo" Lewis, Jr., 82, of Mechanicsville, MD departed this life on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, MD with his family by his side. Elmo was born on May 6, 1937 in Washington, D.C., to the late Elmer Wayland Lewis, Sr. and Virginia Dale (Hamilton) Lewis. Elmo enlisted in the United States Navy as a reservist but was ordered into active duty in October, 1961. He was proud of his service to his country and served for eight (8) years before coming home to raise a family. He worked at Giant Food as a Receiver for thirty-two (32) years until his retirement in 1998. Elmo was a caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family above all else. Spending time together brought him great joy. He enjoyed camping with the family, fishing on the river and spending time at the beach. Elmo was an active man who loved the outdoors and found peace in the quiet of nature. In the spring and summer, you could find him on the pitcher's mound throwing a softball. During the fall and winter, he was at the bowling alley knocking down the pins. A die-hard Washington Redskins fan, he was an usher at RFK stadium for many years and never stopped rooting for his favorite team. An avid fan of sports, he could spend hours watching the television during any season. He had a great sense of humor and was the kind of person that if you met him only one time, you would never forget him. You could always count on him to make you laugh. Elmo was a man of faith and great character but his love for his family is his greatest legacy. He left his family with many wonderful memories. He will be missed by many, but none as much as his family. Along with his wife Barbara, he is survived by his children, William "Billy" Lewis of Huntingtown, MD, James "Jimmy" Lewis of Bryans Road, MD, Shari Void of Arlington, VA and Vicki Debeltz (David) of Mechanicsville, MD; six (6) grandchildren; and two (2) great-grandchildren. Elmo is also survived by his siblings, Warren Lewis of Locust Grove, VA, Helen "Carol" Stanberry of Suitland, MD and Cynthia "Cindy" Helmer of Castle Rock, CO. Along with his parents, Elmo was preceded in death by his sons, Robert "Bobby" Lewis, and Johnny Lewis and two brothers, Richard Lewis and Russell Lewis. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a Life Celebration Visitation at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, & Crematory, Charlotte Hall. Interment will be at a later date in Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD. Democratic candidate for president, former Vice President Joe Biden makes remarks about the DNI Whistleblower Report as well as President Trumps ongoing abuse of power at the Hotel DuPont on September 24, 2019 in Wilmington, Delaware. 2020 Democratic White House hopefuls have drilled into foreign policy as U.S. tensions with Iran bubble, and a new poll suggests more primary voters put their faith in Joe Biden to navigate the crisis. About a third, or 32%, of Democratic primary voters most trust the former vice president to handle foreign relations, according to a Morning Consult survey released Monday night. Another 20% of respondents have the most confidence in Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to address the topic. Twelve percent say they don't know whom they trust to tackle foreign policy, while 11% put their faith most in Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg tied as the most trusted candidate, among 6% of respondents. Foreign policy, which generally got less attention than issues such as health care, climate change and immigration during the first year of the Democratic primary, has jumped to the top of candidates' minds following the U.S. killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani, earlier this month. Democrats who aim to challenge President Donald Trump have warned about a spiking risk of war in the Middle East following Iranian strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq and the White House's new sanctions on Tehran. The presidential hopefuls will likely stress their foreign policy credentials again at Tuesday night's primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa. The candidates will take the stage together for the final time before the state's caucuses, the first nominating contest of the year, on Feb. 3. Polls still broadly show that voters consider health care and climate change the two most important issues in the race. On health care, 29% of respondents to the poll trust Sanders the most, followed by Biden at 21%. Meanwhile, 24% of voters have the most confidence in Sanders to handle climate change, while 22% say the same about Biden. Since Soleimani's killing, Biden and Sanders in particular have tried to leverage their foreign policy credentials for support. The former vice president has touted his eight years in the Obama administration and more than three decades in the Senate, casting himself as a steadier, more experienced hand than Trump on the world stage. Sanders has highlighted his efforts to keep the U.S. out of war including his 2002 House vote against authorizing military force in Iraq. The senator has repeatedly criticized Biden for supporting the 2003 Iraq invasion, which Sanders recently called "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country." Polling also suggests Iowa voters have paid more attention to foreign policy in the weeks before the caucuses. A Monmouth University poll released Wednesday found 16% of likely caucus participants list foreign policy as one of their two most important issues in deciding which candidate to support up from 6% in an August poll. The polling outfit suggested Iran tensions drove the increased focus and that the issue could give Biden a bump in support. "Recent events in the Middle East seem to have resulted in an uptick in foreign policy concerns among Democratic caucusgoers. It's still a small number, but it could be helping Biden on the margins," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. The Morning Consult poll, taken from Jan. 10-12, surveyed 801 Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points. The Monmouth University poll, taken from Jan. 9-12, surveyed 405 Iowa voters likely to attend the Democratic caucuses, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Probation officers are failing to investigate whether dangerous offenders are lying about the risk they pose, a watchdog has said. HM Inspectorate of Probation found that newly qualified staff were being left to supervise violent criminals and sex offenders after their release from prison and lack the professional curiosity needed to protect the public. The warning comes after the London Bridge attack was launched by a terrorist convict who was supposedly being monitored by the National Probation Service (NPS). Its staff are supposed to supervise released prisoners and ensure they do not break licence conditions, commit further crimes or become a threat. Chief inspector Justin Russell said there was a risk of harm to the public if officers could not detect false compliance by convicts. London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Show all 29 1 /29 London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Bystanders and police surrounding a person at the scene of an incident on London Bridge HLOBlog/PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police and emergency services PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Armed police on London Bridge Twitter London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A bystander holding a knife after police surrounded a person at the scene HLOBlog/PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing People fleeing from Borough Market PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police during the incident Twitter London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A white truck across part of London Bridge SophK05/PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A British Transport Police officer runs after reports of an incident Getty London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Boats from the Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit patrol near the scene Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A lorry on the bridge crosses over lanes Luke Poulton via Reuters London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Members of the police and emergency services arriving at Monument tube station AFP via Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Members of the public held behind a police cordon Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police at the scene PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police evacuate people from Borough Market AP London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police surrond a part of the bridge Timothy Johnson/Twitter London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A person is assisted after falling when Police evacuated people from Borough Market AP London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing A Police Officer cordons off London Bridge Station Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Members of staff are ushered into a Fitness First gym Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing People head away from the vicinity of Borough Market PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Office workers look out of a window at a scene EPA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Men in forensics suits walk away from the site REUTERS London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing People are evacuated from London Bridge PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing ArrowontheHill/Twitter London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police at the scene of an incident on London Bridge PA London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Armed police on the scene Alexandra Carr /SWNS.COM London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Buses on London Bridge during the incident AFP via Getty Images London Bridge attack: Terror police shoot man after stabbing Police on the scene @joebxggs /SWNS.COM We need staff to demonstrate a more inquisitive approach rather than taking what theyve said on face value, he said. Rather than asking has anything changed since I saw you last? they need to take a more proactive approach to investigating whats going on behind the scenes. The watchdog said it found a lack of professional curiosity in each of the seven NPS divisions it inspected across England and Wales. Overall, five were rated as good and two London and the South East and Eastern division required improvement. The London Bridge attacker was being monitored by the Midlands division of the NPS when he stabbed two people to death on 30 November. Usman Khan, who was previously jailed over a terror plot, is believed to have complied with deradicalisation courses before his release and his attack prompted warnings that extremists were duping officials. Further fears were raised by the case of serial rapist Joseph McCann, who had already reoffended while on licence and pulled the wool over the eyes of his supervising officers, according to a judge. Weeks after he was released from prison on licence, he started a rampage of rape and kidnapping against 11 victims aged between 11 and 71. Asked whether Britain was likely to see another similar case, Mr Russell replied: If you are supervising 106,000 high risk people, these things are going to happen and the NPS is doing as much as it can to reduce that risk. The chief inspector said the horrible case was an example of broader failings in the NPS. Joseph McCann was found guilty of 37 counts relating to 11 women and children, including rape, kidnap and false imprisonment (PA) He added: It emphasises how important it is that probation gets risk management right, and that probation officers are properly supervised and are checking what has been done with regards to police and social services. Like other criminals who commit further serious offences, the handling of McCann will be reviewed but the report will not automatically be made public. Mr Russell said there was a need for discussion around publishing the document as a matter of course, adding: I think theres a strong argument to say there is a public interest in publishing the McCann review. But he also warned that the recommendations made after other cases had not always been followed, amid a lack of communication with frontline staff. Overall, the inspection found that the NPS was hampered by staff shortages, stretched middle managers and poor facilities. At the time the report was written in June, there were 615 probation officer vacancies across England and Wales, but by Tuesday the figure had risen to 653. The average caseload of probation officers interviewed in the inspection was 39, while for liaison officers the figure stood at 215. The nature of these cases means that is obviously a concern, Mr Russell said. The problem is especially acute in London and the South East. Specialist teams that supervise terrorism offenders like Khan work with counterterror police and have smaller caseloads. The report said that none of the seven NPS divisions has been fully staffed since a controversial overhaul of the system overseen by Chris Grayling in 2014. Boris Johnson denies Tory cuts played role in London Bridge terror attack They were created when the government part-privatised probation by handing the supervision of lower-risk offenders to firms called Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and leaving medium and high-risk criminals with the NPS. The government announced that it was undoing the disastrous reforms, which were blamed for putting the public at risk, last year and the NPS will take over the supervision of all offenders from 2021. Mr Russell warned that although CRC staff would be brought in, the change could increase demand. As the government recruits 20,000 police officers, that will also feed more business into the system and you will need more probation officers to deal with that, he added. Staff are under pressure and this could compromise their ability to build effective working relationships with people under supervision and to manage all cases to a consistently high standard. Mr Russell urged HM Prisons and Probation Service to increase staffing urgently, reduce workloads and improve the supervision of probation officers. He said 70 per cent of NPS staff are currently white female and called for the recruitment of more male, Bame and older probation officers to better reflect the offenders they are supervising. The report also called for the Ministry of Justice to improve contracts with maintenance firms after broken heating, poor plumbing, rat infestations and other issues forced offices and probation hostels to be closed. Justice minister, Lucy Frazer, said: We know that probation is not getting enough of the basics right thats why we are bringing all offender management back under the National Probation Service, which the independent inspectorate says is good at protecting the public. It is also clear that the workload is simply too high for many probation officers and the 800 new officers currently training to join the NPS will make a real difference. I am reassured that the chief inspector shares my confidence in the vision and leadership of the National Probation Service which will be essential to delivering these reforms. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov says the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani became the peak of the unlawful acts of the United States and was beyond the scope of law and humanity, reports RIA Novosti. Of course, what became the peak of Washingtons unlawful actions was the assassination of Iranian government official Qassem Soleimani, who was on an official visit to Iraq, and of course, this is beyond the scope of international law and simply humanity, Lavrov said. On January 3, the US murdered Soleimani in Iraq, and in response, Iran hit US military facilities in Iraq. The US government said it had murdered Soleimani because he was preparing inevitable attacks on US embassies. President Donald Trump declared that this concerned four specific embassies in unspecified countries, even though head of the Pentagon Mark Esper hasnt confirmed those statements. Total is moving its financial hub back to Paris (Total/PA) The boss of French oil giant Total has said moving the companys financial hub out of London to Paris due to Brexit is a logical decision. Patrick Pouyanne told a financial conference in the French capital: Total will bring its cash back to Paris, following up with a tweet confirming the move. Around 60 to 70 jobs will move back to the heart of Europes economic and financial system in Paris, he added. It followed a backlash in 2013 when the company first moved to London. @Total a decide de transferer sa tresorerie centrale de Londres a Paris, siege du Groupe en , decision logique compte-tenu du #Brexit. La place de #Paris est au du systeme economique et financier europeen #Europe #ChooseFrance @euronext_fr @emmanuelmacron Patrick Pouyanne (@PPouyanne) January 14, 2020 The chief executive said: We have just decided to bring it back to Paris. There is Brexit at play and then there is a question of costs. Totals move will be closely watched by British politicians and officials, keen to see what impact Brexit could have on the future of the City and its competitiveness with Paris and Frankfurt. Mr Pouyanne added that, from a legal point of view, it doesnt change much, adding: I think its good that the big European groups show their faith in Europe. The original move to London six years ago was an attempt by bosses to ensure they were close to major investors, analysts and advisers. It is the second major move out of the UK by Total, with plans announced in September to shift its 200-strong London-based energy team to Geneva in Switzerland. Mr Pouyanne has previously warned that Brexit is a fundamental mistake which would hit the UK economy. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is now giving two more years to listed companies to separate the roles of the chairperson and managing director. However, it has not specified any reason for the deferral. According to the latest gazette notification to SEBI's (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, the last dates for companies to comply is now April 1, 2022 (It was April 1, 2020 earlier). There has been considerable pushback from firms on this. According to Prime Database, 162 firms out of NSE-500 has not complied with the notification and have the same person as its Chairman, MD and CEO. Experts are of the opinion that the clause that MD should not be related to the chairperson is inconvenient for the companies. "If it was just the separation of chairman and MD then there might not have been as much resistance because in promoter-led companies the founder could have made their son or daughter the MD," Shriram Subramanian, MD of Bengaluru-based proxy advisory firm InGovern. But the concern is, says Subramanian, firms are sharing their perspective only nearer to the deadline and didn't comment on it when it was first recommended in 2018. "This makes the regulator ineffectual and gives the impression that companies can use lobbying to suit their interests," he says. He adds that it also penalises the 230 companies that are compliant with the law because some of them would have definitely changed the leadership roles after the recommendations were put forth. However, Ronesh Puri, Managing Director of Delhi-based executive search firm Executive Access says that promoter-led companies will lose their competitive advantage when the notification comes into effect. According to Deloitte's report 'From the Family to the Firm,' 85 per cent of all companies in India are family run enterprises. He says it is unfair to the person who has spent his or her whole life building the business and then has to get someone else on the Board. Promoters also want to keep the business within their family and pass it to the next generation. "It will be a disincentive for these wealth creators to grow their business and pass it on as legacy to their next generation. It should be an imperative but companies should have a choice whether they want to segregate the roles." Also Read: Wipro Q3 profit drops 3% to Rs 2,463 crore; revenue up 2.73% Also Read: Satya Nadella's CAA remarks: Meenakshi Lekhi pitches education for 'literates' Also Read: Statue of Unity gets listed among eight wonders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation A prosecutor has ruled that two Olathe police officers were justified in shooting at a pair of teenagers and wounding one of them. The Kansas City Star reports that Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Steve Howe said Monday in announcing his finding that the Olathe officers had fired in self defense in November. A news release said an officer encountered two 16-year-olds while investigating possible car burglaries. Both teens face charges in the struggle. She's reveling in new baby joy just days after giving birth to her second child. And Audrey Roloff admitted that pospartum recovery has been tough on her body in a candid post shared to Instagram Tuesday morning. The 28-year-old author was on cloud nine introducing her son to his big sister Ember while she was still in the hospital after welcoming the newest member of the family into the world. Bliss: Audrey Roloff admitted that pospartum recovery has been tough on her body in a candid post shared to Instagram Tuesday morning 'One of my favorite moments ever,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Ember meeting Bode for the first time. She is just the sweetest big sister already. We took some videos that Im sure well share in our stories soon.' Audrey gave birth to Bode on his due date, Jan. 8, with her husband, Jeremy Roloff, right by her side. 'Jer and I cant stop smiling and laughing at the things she says about him and to him,' she added. 'Shes so eager to take care of him and give him lots of lovies.' Baby! The 28-year-old author was on cloud nine introducing her son to his big sister Ember while she was still in the hospital after welcoming the newest member of the family into the world Family: Audrey gave birth to Bode on his due date, Jan. 8, with her husband, Jeremy Roloff, right by her side While all appeared well in the photos posted on social media, Audrey took a more serious tone when it came to recovery. 'Postpartum has been hard on my body, but cuddling with these precious little loves makes my heart so full,' she wrote. 'What an honor it is to be their mama.' Their baby boy weighed in at nine pounds and two ounces, and measured 21 inches long. 'Postpartum has been hard on my body, but cuddling with these precious little loves makes my heart so full,' she wrote. 'What an honor it is to be their mama' 'Jer and I cant stop smiling and laughing at the things she says about him and to him,' she added. 'Shes so eager to take care of him and give him lots of lovies' On the day the little guy was due earthside, Audrey posted a belly shot and pleaded with her son to make his grand debut. The Oregon natives told Us Weekly in April that they 'always wanted to have a big family,' but weren't putting any pressure on each other. 'We dont put a timeline or a number on it, but Lord willing, we definitely want to have more kids and well take them one at a time,' Audrey said. A former Adelaide Crows employee has admitted to child sex offences while working at the AFL club. Justin Kremmer pleaded guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to two counts of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity. The offences took place in Glenelg East between December 2018 and February 2019. Justin Kremmer (pictured) pleaded guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to two counts of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity. The 30-year-old, from Como in Western Australia, had his employment terminated once the charges were laid. The club confirmed Kremmer was an employee of the Crows and was working as a junior staffer. At the time, he was working in the membership department, Adelaide Now reported. A statement from the club said Kremmer was fired in March last year and would not make any further comment. Kremmer's bail was continued to appear in the District Court in March. Democrat Senator Cory Booker on Monday announced that he had dropped out from the 2020 presidential bid, after failing to qualify for the Democratic debate planned for Iowa the next day. According to CNN, Booker told his supporters in an email: "It was a difficult decision to make, but I got in this race to win, and I've always said I wouldn't continue if there was no longer a path to victory." The New Jersey Democrat's announcement came a day before six presidential candidates will participate in the CNN/Des Moines Register's debate in Des Moines, Iowa. He did not qualify for the event. "Our campaign has reached the point where we need more money to scale up and continue building a campaign that can win -- money we don't have, and money that is harder to raise because I won't be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington," the Senator wrote. His announcement marks another departure of a high-profile black candidate from the 2020 race. After not making the December debate, Booker criticized the rules that kept him from qualifying for the event and was outspoken about the growing lack of diversity on stage. Since launching his campaign last February, Booker struggled to raise the type of money required to support a White House bid. He was at the back of the pack in most surveys and failed to meet the polling requirements needed to participate in Tuesday's debate. Booker also failed to qualify for last month's debate and exits the race polling in low single digits in the early primary states and nationwide. In his email to supporters, Booker pledged to do everything in his power to "elect the eventual Democratic nominee for president." His campaign though says he has no immediate plans to endorse a candidate in the primary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Announcement marks another major global customer win for Getac in the automotive industry DUSSELDORF, Germany, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Getac, a leading rugged mobile computing manufacturer today announced it has been selected by the BMW Group to supply rugged mobile devices and solutions across its global network for a wide range of applications including R&D, production, warehouse logistics and workshop diagnostics. The announcement expands on an existing technology partnership between the two companies, which has seen Getac supply rugged equipment to the BMW Group for vehicle and application testing over the last six years. With the partnership renewed, Getac has received a large new order from the BMW Group for its S410, V110, F110, A140, UX10 and T800 series rugged notebooks and tablets. Rugged solutions for a range of complex requirements In order to provide solutions that meet the BMW Group's complex requirements, Getac has adapted its equipment to the individual needs of the various user groups within the company. In the area of research and development, security and the protection of sensitive data is of paramount importance. In logistics, when using the internal BVIS picking system, the Getac A140's clear, 14-inch display and optional barcode and RFID readers make recording key data simple and efficient. Every Getac notebook and tablet offers high reliability and powerful performance, allowing users to perform complex tasks as efficiently as possible. They are also from IP52 and up to IP65 rated for water and dust resistance, offering peace of mind in harsh environments and helping to meet the high quality standards of the automotive industry. Fast services at the workshop At the BMW Group, the semi-rugged S410 notebook is being used to perform international vehicle diagnostics. Key features include wireless and wired connectivity for direct access to diagnostic data and rapid vehicle tests, while Getac's LumiBond 2.0 touchscreen technology provides brilliant readability, even in direct sunlight. Four advanced touch modes (Touch/Rain, Glove or Pen) offer efficient handling of service orders, for high-quality operations and short delivery times. Industry 4.0 - Reliable and rugged computers enable digital transformation Under the key areas of "Industry 4.0" and digital transformation, Getac's rugged solutions help open up new ways of optimizing the entire value chain for automotive production. Getac: Leading competencies in the automotive industry Getac's market share in the automotive industry is growing steadily thanks to its ongoing commitment to R&D, implementation of the latest technology, comprehensive service concept, and ability to customize solutions to individual customer requirements. This is the only way to meet the high demands of the industry. "The special challenge when working with the BMW Group is the wide range of application areas the company has, each with specific equipment demands that needed to be met," explains Rick Hwang, President of Rugged & Video Solutions Business Group at Getac. "We are therefore very pleased BMW has chosen Getac solutions again, continuing the success it has already achieved in worldwide process optimization with the help of our devices." Eric Yeh, Director Sales and Operations at Getac Technology GmbH, adds: "We are very proud of the new major order from the BMW Group. This is another great success for us, especially as it is also an acknowledgement of our ongoing efforts to support our customers and meet their expectations in the best possible way." About Getac Getac Technology Corporation, a key subsidiary of MiTAC-Synnex Business Group (2018 annual revenue $38 billion USD), was established in 1989 as a joint venture with GE Aerospace to supply defense electronic products. Today, Getac's business coverage includes rugged notebooks and tablet PCs not only for the military, but also for the automotive and process industry, the police, fire departments as well as utility, manufacturing, transportation and logistics customers. For more information visit de.getac.com. 2019 Getac Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. Getac and the Getac logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Getac Technology Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1075740/Getac_BMW_Group.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1007166/Getac_Logo.jpg Bachelor star Simone Ormesher has candidly revealed her 'nightmare' morning with new daughter Gracie-Mae on Tuesday. Taking to Instagram, the 27-year-old looked exhausted as she spoke of the struggles of getting the infant to settle and sleep. 'This morning has been a f**king nightmare,' Simone said bluntly, adding that Gracie-Mae had not slept all night. 'What else can I do?' Bachelor star Simone Ormesher, 27, (pictured) has revealed 'nightmare' morning as she detailed her struggle to settle daughter Gracie-Mae to Instagram on Tuesday Panning the camera over her outfit to reveal a stain, Simone went on to detail how she spilled coffee over herself. Appearing tired, Simone went on to ask for suggestions as to how to settle her little one while detailing her own efforts. 'I've sung to her. I've rocked her. I've put her in a swinging chair. I've checked her nappy. Nothing is working. Any tips?' she asked her followers. The Melbourne-based mother-of-one went on to complain about the smoke in the air from Australia's bushfire crisis, adding she can't take the cherubic tot outside. Struggle: 'I've sung to her. I've rocked her. I've put her in a swinging chair. I've checked her nappy. Nothing is working. Any tips?' Simone said 'I can't take her for a walk because there is so much smoke in the air. It's not good for a baby,' she added, speaking about the hazardous particle-filled air. Later, Simone's morning appeared to get better as she showed her young daughter peacefully resting on her lap and finally asleep. Simone has detailed life as a new mother to her 10,000 followers, sharing updates about domestic life with the adorable baby. 'Finally got her to nap': Later, Simone (pictured) looked relieved, as a sleeping Gracie-Mae rested on her lap The Bachelor star showed herself at an F45 club last month, enjoying a workout with baby Gracie in tow. 'No excuses. Always try stay active no matter what even through tiredness, baby crying or even the hot weather getting a workout in makes you feel amazing afterwards and helps us mummas think more clearly,' she wrote. 'I've now joined @f45_training_maribyrnong to help me get to the fitness level I used to be and also so I can work out even with Gracie.' Mummy and me! Simon posed with her baby Grace-Mae at an F45 class last month So that's how she does it! Simone revealed her washboard stomach and daily workout to Instagram on last month (left), two months after giving birth to daughter Gracie-Mae Simone has made no secret of being keen to return to her pre-baby body as soon as possible, detailing a fitness regimen only three days after Gracie's birth. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'I will be taking it super easy and soaking in mum life for the next 6 weeks but focusing on clean eating and then will slowly get back into my fitness routine once my mind and body is healed.' Eight days after giving birth, she said she was 'so happy with the progress of my body', calling it 'bloody amazing how it all works'. LITTLE GODS By Meng Jin At the heart of Meng Jins ambitious debut novel, Little Gods, is a brilliant Chinese physicist named Su Lan. Having grown up in poverty, surrounded by no relatives and the everywhere smell of sewage and manure, she is bent on erasing her past. But though she is the novels center, Su Lan never tells us her struggles directly. Her teenage daughter, Liya, born in a Beijing hospital on the last day of the Tiananmen Square protests, thinks, In the universe, there exist objects that cannot be seen that assure us of their existence simply by the way they affect the behavior of nearby lesser objects. And so it is with Su Lan, whose 17-year decline from career glory to self-ruin a decline precipitated by Liyas birth is refracted through the perspectives of her friend Zhu Wen, Liya and the father Liya has never known. Raised in America, Liya feels pressure to adhere to her Chinese heritage, but not merely for a sense of belonging: I had seen what people who were from places were like, how they glittered with solidity and substance. Meeting a vision of her future self, she marvels: How attractive this person was to me, this person who, in her lifetime, filled in rootlessness with a story so deep in the mud of history it could be passed as identity as self! Image Credit... And yet, another part of Liya looks askance at these expectations, would prefer to remain untethered to China, to history. After Su Lans death, Liyas search through her mothers meticulously emptied Shanghai apartment is devastating. At first Liya feels as if shes inside some elaborate prank set up by Su Lan, whom she half expected to jump out from some corner and laugh loudly in my face. But the setup soon turns serious: In the white walls and the twin mattress on the bedroom floor, in the foldout table with a single chair, I read a challenge. I was furious, I wanted to undo her simplicity, her tracelessness, I accepted. Paskal's specialties as a tax practitioner include tax-planning, consulting, and compliance for entrepreneurial businesses as well as high net worth individuals. She also has a depth of experience with cost segregation, tax-deferred exchanges, and other tax savings vehicles. Paskal attended Furman University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She is also a graduate of Arizona State University, where she received a Master of Business Administration. She is involved in several professional and community organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Tucson Tax Study Group and a member of Next 20, a professional peer group of elite tax advisors throughout the U.S. Paskal also serves on the Board of Trustees and is the Treasurer for the Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona. About BeachFleischman PC BeachFleischman PC is one of Arizona's largest locally-owned CPA firms and a Top 200 largest CPA firm in the United States. The firm provides advisory, accounting, assurance, and tax services to businesses (U.S. and foreign-based), organizations, and individuals. BeachFleischman serves clients doing business domestically and internationally and specializes in a variety of Industry-related practice areas, including healthcare, construction, real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, high-tech, not-for-profit, and service businesses. Offices are in Tucson, AZ (headquarters), and Phoenix, AZ. Visit www.beachfleischman.com for more information. Media Contact: Heather Murray, Marketing Manager BeachFleischman PC [email protected] SOURCE BeachFleischman PC Related Links http://www.beachfleischman.com Japan's Emperor Naruhito will pay a state visit to Britain in the coming months, British officials announced on Tuesday, in the first state visit after the country leaves the European Union. Britain is set to leave the bloc on January 31 after nearly 50 years and has begun to tilt its diplomatic and economic attention more towards the rest of the world. "Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in spring 2020," said a brief statement from Buckingham Palace. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will stay at Windsor Castle, west of London. It will be the third Japanese state visit to Britain under the reign of 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, who has been on the throne since 1952. She hosted emperor Hirohito in 1971 and his eldest son emperor Akihito in 1998. Naruhito, 59, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 last year following the abdication of his father, Akihito. Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip paid a state visit to Japan in 1975. They no longer undertake long-haul travel. After Brexit, Britain will attempt to strike trade deals with countries around the world independent of the EU. For state visits, Britain summons all its traditional pomp in a bid to cement cultural, diplomatic and economic ties. Queen Elizabeth hosts guests at a castle or palace and the red-carpet visits typically involve ceremonial events, lavish banquets, cultural trips and political talks. The last state visit to Britain was made by US President Donald Trump in June last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:11:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close ABU DHABI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia will cut its emission by using more renewable energy, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman said Tuesday. "By 2030, we will be developing our gas resources. We will be a quite big (consumer) in terms of renewable (energy) use," said the minister at the Future Sustainability Summit held in Abu Dhabi. The minister added that by using more cleaner resources to generate power, the kingdom will free more oil for export. Last week, the kingdom launched the third round of its renewable energy program, which aims to add a total of 1.2 GW of solar photovoltaic power capacity to the grid. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:27:14|Editor: ZD Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- "Jojo Rabbit," an American comedy-drama featuring the signature humor and pathos of writer-director Taika Waititi, is set to hit Chinese arthouse cinemas on Feb. 12. China's Nationwide Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas made the announcement via its Weibo account Tuesday. "Jojo Rabbit" is a World War II satire that follows a German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. It was released theatrically in the United States on Oct. 18, 2019 and has been nominated in six categories for the 2020 Academy Awards. Taika Waititi, originally from New Zealand, is best known for directing the Marvel blockbuster "Thor: Ragnarok." The FTSE 100 closed up 4.75 points at 7622.35 and the pound was at $1.30 against the dollar. Gamblers will no longer be allowed to use credit cards to make bets from April 14. The Gambling Commission hopes the ban will help deal with problem gambling. The news has unsurprisingly hit shares in betting firms. Representatives from the Scottish whisky industry are heading to the USA over concerns that further tariffs will be imposed on single malts. The US government imposed a 25 per cent tax on Scotch whisky and liqueurs on October 18. Fashion retailer Boohoo experienced a 44 per cent spike in revenues over the four months to December 31, making 473.7million. Gould Paper Acquires McGrann Paper in Charlotte, North Carolina Jan. 14, 2020 - Gould Paper Corporation, a group company of Japan Pulp and Paper, operating under the group brand OVOL USA, today announced that it has acquired McGrann Paper Corporation, a merchant, distributor and converter based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. McGrann, founded in 1974, brings decades of experience bringing suppliers to markets that were uneconomical, said Michael Trachtenberg, President and CEO of JP Gould. Led by Mark Sovie in Charlotte, NC, they will continue to utilize the network of strategically located warehouses and distribution facilities that is the heart of the value proposition. Adam McGrann, President and CEO of McGrann Paper, commented, Becoming a part of OVOL USA brings the significant size and scale to grow the business beyond our traditional specialties and brings new opportunities for our suppliers, customers and employees. About OVOL USA With revenues of more than $1 billion, OVOL USA is among North America's largest distributors of printing, publishing and business papers. Clients include printers, packagers, manufacturers, corporations and governments worldwide. OVOL USA, in concert with its ultimate parent, Japan Pulp and Paper Company Limited, has offices in virtually every major city the world over. SOURCE: Gould Paper Corporation Ms. Tsai, whose party also won a legislative majority, will now be free to press on with the sensible economic reforms she pursued during her first term, which included reducing Taiwans economic dependence on China. Thanks in part to the U.S.-China trade war, Taiwanese businesses have been pulling back from the mainland and reinvesting at home or in Southeast Asia. That means that the Xi regime, which has already restricted tourism and other cross-border exchanges, has less room to pressure the Tsai government. Having flinched from the overt use of force in Hong Kong, Mr. Xi is unlikely to pursue Beijings occasional threats to invade Taiwan. ASEAN Chairmanship 2020: For a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Updated: 10:12 - 14/01/2020 , , , Advancing ASEANs contribution to maintaining regional peace, security and stability has been identified as one of five key priorities for Vietnams ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh in an article recently distributed by the Ministry of Foreign. Below is a translation of the article.As both the ASEAN Chair for 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021, Vietnam has opportunities to showcase its role in the region and the world. Prior to this years ASEAN Chairmanship, Vietnam hosted the 6ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in 1998, and presided over the 34ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC) from July 2000 to July 2001 and held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010.Since the end of 2018, Vietnam has been preparing for ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. We are seeking to add new building blocks to the ASEAN Community building, and achieve synergy between our ASEAN Chairmanship and UNSC non-permanent membership in line with the Politburos Resolution 22-NQ/TW dated 10 April 2013 on international integration, and the Secretariats Directive 25-CT/TW dated 8 August 2018 on promoting Vietnamese multilateral diplomacy.ASEAN came into being on 8 August, 1967 with the Bangkok Declaration, demonstrating its ambition for all Southeast Asian countries to work together for a region of peace, freedom and prosperity. Over the years, the dream of an ASEAN uniting the 10 Southeast Asian nations under its banner has become a reality.The ASEAN Community was formed on 31 December, 2015, gradually establishing itself as a model community: politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible. ASEAN has thus become an important partner for countries beyond the region, and a central player in various dialogue and co-operation processes.To realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Community has been striving for cohesion and consolidating its centrality in regional processes for peace, security, stability and development in Southeast Asia. The voice of the ASEAN Community is growing in importance in the evolving regional architecture and with regards to major international issues. Within the considerations of major powers, ASEAN has become a key partner for dialogue and co-operation in the region.After stepping aboard the ship that is ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam and fellow ASEAN member states have together bravely sailed through turbulent high seas. The resilience of ASEAN today bears the mark of Viet Nams tireless effort in cultivating the solidarity and unity that enabled ASEAN to surmount times of hardship and adversity. Assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship upon the 25anniversary of our membership presents us with multiple advantages and numerous challenges. Therefore, promoting vigorous emergence and sustainable development of ASEAN will be a practical contribution that Vietnam can make to the community.The world continues to witness uncertainties and increasing rivalry among major powers. ASEAN, located at the center of a vast area connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is facing novel opportunities and challenges. With a population exceeding 642 million and an area of more than 1.7 million square kilometers, ASEAN represents a market with immense potential, a dynamic economy and a bright spot in the global economy.ASEAN members have also been striving for new heights, harnessing the benefits of the fourth Industrial Revolution by adopting new technologies such as AI and cutting-edge robotics. However, the rise of protectionism and trade friction among major powers are posing challenges and hindering global trade and economic growth. At the same time, disparities in economic development among member states and demands for deeper integration in a new phase of development require suitable economic policies. Thus, ASEAN needs to maximize the opportunities, address challenges and avoid falling behind to maintain sustainable growth.By choosing the theme of 'Cohesive and Responsive' for ASEAN Vietnam 2020, we wish to highlight the decisive role of solidarity and unity in maintaining the sustainability of ASEAN.Only a cohesive and advanced ASEAN Community can effectively respond to external influences and responsiveness will allow ASEAN to strengthen its cohesion, enhancing its overall capacities. This theme is built on the previous ASEAN themes in 2019 'Advancing Partnership for Sustainability' and in 2018 'Resilience and Innovation'. It has also earned strong support from ASEAN member states and partners.Reality has proven that to persevere and respond effectively to turmoil in the region and the world, ASEAN needs to maintain solidarity and unity, bolster economic resilience, enhance its rapid responsiveness to emerging challenges, and foster innovation, initiative and reinvention to drive itself forward. Alongside reinforcing internal capacities, how to skillfully co-ordinate external relations and harness resources from our partners to serve shared interests are other puzzles that need to be addressed.To translate the theme 'Cohesive and Responsive' into reality, Vietnam has identified five key priorities for our ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, as follows.First, to advance ASEANs active role and contribution to the maintenance of regional peace, security and stability. This shall be done by consolidating ASEANs solidarity and unity, fostering stronger cohesion and mutual support among member states, improving the co-ordination of ASEAN positions in addressing regional and international issues, promoting the formulation and observance of common rules and norms of conduct in the relations among states, and thereby allowing ASEAN to respond to any threats to regional peace, security and stability.Second, to promote regional connectivity and integration, heighten our responsiveness and harness opportunities arising from the 4Industrial Revolution. This involves extensive economic integration and comprehensive connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN with its partners, and sustainable and inclusive economic, financial and social development grounded on innovation and the use of digital and novel technologies. The process would also include sustained efforts to narrow development gaps, build a quality workforce and improve social services for our citizens.Third, to foster the ASEAN sense of community and identity by cultivating a set of ASEAN shared values and instilling these values among ASEAN's people, promoting an awareness and identity of an ASEAN Community united in diversity, and popularizing the image of the ASEAN Community in the region and the world.Fourth, to advance partnerships for peace and sustainable development with countries around the world. We seek to promote ASEANs role and contributions in the international community, and expand and elevate relations with partners across the world, thereby contributing to the formulation of the new regional and global architecture and rules.To realize these targets, the fifth priority is to improve the responsiveness and operational effectiveness of ASEAN organs via institutional reforms, and adjustment, improvement and upgrade of ASEANs procedures and standards.December 2018 saw the establishment of the ASEAN 2020 National Committee. With this landmark, the preparation for our Chairmanship has progressed in all dimensions, from working agendas, protocol, communications and culture, logistics, to security and healthcare. In this endeavor, Viet Nam is enjoying the support from fellow ASEAN member states, partners and friends, and the participation of all central and local agencies and most notably the entire Vietnamese people.We are confident we will successfully fulfill our mandate as the ASEAN Chair for 2020, and contribute to ushering in a cohesive and responsive ASEAN and realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam also looks forward to strengthening relations between regional and global organizations via our concurrent capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. This would help advance ASEANs status and reinforce its centrality in the region and the world.- Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:24:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and Macao Tuesday signed a revised version of an arrangement on the mutual service of documents and obtaining evidence in handling civil and commercial cases. The revised document, which will go into effect March 1, will allow courts of the two sides to serve judicial documents and obtain evidence via an online judicial assistance platform. The construction of the platform has basically been completed. Once put into use, the platform will help save time in judicial assistance through online transmission, examination, processing and tracking. According to the revised arrangement, mutual service of documents and obtaining evidence can be carried out between Macao's Court of Final Appeal and some intermediate as well as basic courts authorized by China's Supreme People's Court (SPC). The revised document was signed in Macao by Yang Wanming, vice president of the SPC, and Macao's Secretary for Administration and Justice Cheong Weng Chon. The signing of the revised document will further increase the efficiency of judicial assistance between the mainland and Macao in handling civil and commercial cases, said Cheong. Yang called it an important measure to deepen judicial cooperation using information technology. The arrangement was initially signed in 2001. Three documents on judicial assistance between the mainland and Macao have been signed over the last 20 years since Macao's return. Celebrity chef Rachel Allen has been left with a bad taste in her mouth after a website used her image and name to sell a skincare product. The TV chef (47) criticised "ludicrous speculation" sparked by a skincare scam, which claimed that she was leaving the food industry to branch out into the beauty business. She is the latest Irish celebrity to be targeted by companies using their image to sell various products without their permission. Other well-known names who have been affected by such ads and websites include Miriam O'Callaghan, Lucy Kennedy and Pat Kenny. Last year, RTE broadcaster Ms O'Callaghan claimed she had been defamed in a series of "false" and "malicious" adverts on Facebook and told the High Court that she intended to seek damages. The ads first appeared on Facebook and Instagram in May 2018 and contained headlines wrongly suggesting she had left her job with RTE's 'Prime Time'. In the bogus website using Ms Allen's image, one article was headlined: "We say goodbye to Rachel Allen's beauty heroes - Irish celebrity chef is done with knockoffs." It attributed bogus quotes to the chef detailing her favourite beauty and make-up products. The end said: "I have decided to leave the food industry and launch my new skincare line for the women across Ireland and the world." Follow-on links bring users to a site selling the skin cream. It is understood a number of people have already fallen victim to the scam and used their credit cards to purchase the skin cream. The TV star, who married into the Ballymaloe cooking dynasty, has now moved to quash any suggestions that she is endorsing the product or is taking on a new career. She said she did not endorse the product in any shape or form and was advising anyone who came across the fake ads to report them. "I have no idea where these fake ads have come from, nor who this company is, and I can state definitively that I in no way endorse them," she told the Irish Independent. "I take very seriously any company who claims this, or any other misleading details about me, to be true. "We are trying to identify the source but encourage people not to click on these bogus ads. "If anyone has given money to this rogue company, I encourage them to report it, as we are doing ourselves. "As for my career, I can happily confirm I am not leaving the food world, it is my life's passion and I have a lot more yet ahead of me," she said. I adore teaching at the Ballymaloe Cookery School, I am planning another cookery book - watch this space - Im committed to my food page in the Sunday Independent LIFE magazine, and Im working on my new range of recipes for OBriens Sandwich cafes that will be in store very soon. SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City School Board members on Monday said there is a need to investigate a possibly troubled environment at West Middle School, given reports from teachers who have recently brought forward complaints. In board meetings, each of the seven school board members can speak on any topics they wish to share, and three addressed the vexing educational atmosphere at West Middle. Board members Dan Greenwell, Monique Scarlett and Taylor Goodvin said they've heard from teachers on problems at the school, and Greenwell said an eight-page summary compiled by teachers has very specific and concerning examples. "I would encourage the board to become engaged on this," Greenwell said. "The thing that really disappoints me is when we hear that teachers are afraid" to publicly share concerns, Goodvin said. A printed listing reportedly came out of a meeting of West Middle School teachers in December during holiday break, which was passed onto some school board members. A summary was also sent to district Superintendent Paul Gausman. SEARCH: Sioux City school salaries in 2018-19 Search our interactive database for Sioux City school district employee salaries between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The Journal obtained a copy of the eight-page listing, which in one point says "student behaviors are out of control, and contagious," as "admins (administrators) will no longer discipline" and "teachers let things slide because there is no time for all of the documentation." The summary also said the lunchroom atmosphere approximates a "war zone," there are an insufficient number of counselors, punishments aren't sufficient to match extreme student behaviors, and some parents are feared and catered to by administrators. It also says West Middle administrators pass all behavior problems to the sole person in the dean position, and contend it is too much for that employee to handle in a school with more than 900 students. Another portion says "office staff bears the brunt of parent concerns, principals won't return phone calls." Scarlett said she and school board president Jeremy Saint spoke with West Middle teachers a few days before Christmas, on the necessity "to better the climate and efficiency" for West Middle students and staff. Scarlett said she looks forward to hearing Gausman publicly address the West Middle issues in the near future. Saint spoke after Scarlett in the board member reports portion, and he did not speak about West Middle School. A few minutes later, Gausman gave his superintendent's report, and did not reference any of the previous West Middle comments made by board members in the meeting. Greenwell said it is important that "no retribution or retaliation" take place for any West Middle employee who speaks out on the issues. Look back: 11 times the Sioux City school board was in the news in 2019 From capital projects to an election that could change the complexion of the board, this was a big year for the Sioux City school board. Here' West Middle School is located on West 19th Street, and the principal for the building with grades six through eight is Scott Cole. Also at the meeting, Greenwell, who joined the school board in November after recent years of seeking expanded financial details in the budget as a private citizen, on Monday asked for expanded sorts of information be given in the finance report shared at each meeting. He said he had first requested that at the Dec. 16 board meeting. Gausman said Monday some expanded financial statistics can be provided in the finance report, once the format for best sharing that is determined. Greenwell also during a discussion on a revision to the Community Participation/Public Comment Policy said that portion should be moved from the end to the beginning of meetings. Greenwell said having public comment at the end of meetings prevents more people from sharing key items to concern. "We've done everything to reduce citizen participation. It is good to swing back to the beginning (of meetings)," he said. He added that board members should be able do to more than listen to people speaking during public comment, asserting members should have the ability to ask follow-up questions to make sure points are well understood. He said that is how public comment is handled in the Iowa City School District, and also at Sioux City Council and Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meetings. Goodvin said if Iowa City board members ask clarifying questions, that is the way the Sioux City members should handle it. A second reading of that Community Participation/Public Comment Policy will come in an upcoming school board meeting, after the district's Policy Review Committee considers the move Greenwell is seeking. Love 27 Funny 2 Wow 6 Sad 20 Angry 17 Their relationship has been going from strength to strength since meeting on the set of Stranger Things. And Charlie Heaton, 25, has shared a rare snap of him cosying up to girlfriend and co-star Natalia Dyer to celebrate her 25th birthday on Monday. Taking to Instagram to mark the special day the actor, who plays Jonathan Byers on the hit Netflix show, posted a picture of the two of them smiling together. Loved-up: Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton, 25, has shared a rare snap with his girlfriend and co-star Natalia Dyer, 25, to mark her birthday on Monday Natalia could not contain her happiness as she wrapped an arm around Charlie for the snap. The actress let her long brunette locks cascade over her shoulders as she laughed with her beau and wore a white shirt off one shoulder. Charlie also rocked a casual ensemble in a button up shirt which he paired with a silver necklace. The British star simply captioned his post with an emoji of a cake, showing that he was celebrating Natalia's birthday. Co-stars: The pair met while filming Stranger Things, where they play Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers (pictured in character during season two) Natalia and Charlie have been playing Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers on Stranger Things since it dropped its first season on Netflix in 2016. The show is now in its third series, which was released in July 2019, and is set to return for a fourth season. After months of rumors, the couple confirmed their real-life romance by attending the Fashion Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall together in December 2017. Fashionistas: The Stranger Things couple confirmed their romance in 2017 (pictured at a Dior shop launch in Paris last September) The pair were also spotted enjoying a holiday in Italy, where they were glimpsed lounging on the Amalfi Coast's Fornillo Beach. Charlie covered last year's spring issue of V Man and chatted to the magazine about the benefits of dating a co-star. He shared 'there are times when you do get stressed. So to go home with someone you work with, and say: "I think they hate me..." Theyll say: "No they dont."' Charlie went on: 'You can break the walls down with your partner. Because we work in the same industry and have had similar trajectories, weve gone through it together. Sharing that does bring you closer.' All together: Netflix's Stranger Things is now in its third series, which was released in July 2019, and is set to return for a fourth season (pictured L-R is Cara Buono, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, Millie Bobby Brown, Priah Ferguson, Carmen Cuba, Natalia, Charlie and David Harbour) He added: 'They understand something that maybe no one else would. You go into high-pressure situations together but you can share those insecurities or whatever they are. The great, happy times, too... Really f***ing sweet!' Natalia took the same view while talking to Refinery29 last summer, saying: 'Its an interesting thing to work with somebody who you go home with.' She dished: 'Its always really fun. Were really comfortable with each other, so we can play and feel more free, and we can talk about it before.' 1. Yes. The downtown area needs a good draw. Some quality taverns would be a plus. 2. Yes. Too many storefronts are vacant. Bars could help to bring in needed revenue. 3. No. Putting a number of bars downtown is just asking for trouble. Dont change things. 4.No. Several churches have located downtown. Putting bars close by would be a bad fit. 5. Unsure. It would depend on how the law is written and what standards are enacted. Vote View Results Haze over Hanoi's iconic Long Bien Bridge at 11 a.m. on December 14, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. Losses due to worsening air quality in Vietnam amounted to between $10.82-13.63 billion a year, experts told a conference Tuesday. Estimated losses, based on financial support towards lowering the mortality risk posed by air pollution, were equal to 4.45 - 5.64 percent of GDP, said Associate Professor Dinh Duc Truong, head of the National Economics Universitys Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Urban Studies. The losses range from direct one such as the cost for a health check or air purifier, to long-term damage such as fatalities due to air pollution, impact on work productivity and on Vietnam's image in the international community. Roughly 50,000 Vietnamese died per year due to air pollution, three times the number of those who succumbed to traffic accidents, he said, adding his department has been studying air pollution impacts across Vietnam for 10 years. Truong holds there are three main causes of air pollution in Vietnam. First, energy is used inefficiently. From 2006 to 2014, energy usage in Vietnam rose by 12-13 percent yearly, only to raise economic growth by 6.5 percent, which is in dire need of improvement. Second, Vietnam relies heavily on fossil fuels for thermal energy to support demand. Fossil fuel still acounts for 90 percent of fuel use in Vietnam. Particularly, coal accounts for 36 percent and the demand is increasing, the university found. Third, with low labor quality and the influence of foreign direct investments, the country has become a destination for low-paying, polluting industries from developed nations. "Vietnam has been dubbed the FDI pollution paradise," said Truong. Air pollution results from economic activity, therefore, to lower pollution, efficiently regulating the economy is vital, said Professor Tran Tho Dat, President of the National Economics University.It is a perpetual issue in Vietnams biggest cities HCMC and Hanoi, with heightened levels of pollutants and smog in recent months. Local authorities blame low air quality in both cities on construction, the growing number of private vehicles and heavy industry, including steelworks, cement factories and coal-fired plants. Vietnams GDP grew at 7.08 percent in 2018, the highest in a decade to $223.9 billion, followed by 7.02 percent in 2019. Prolonged air pollution can lower foreign companies' investment in Vietnam and cause damage worth 5 percent to the nation's GDP, said Miura Nobufumi, chairman of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam at a conference last Friday. NHRC team visits Jamia Millia, 35 to 45 students ready to record statements India oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, Jan 14: A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) visited the Jamia Millia Islamia University on Tuesday to record statements of the students who were injured during the police action on the campus last on December 2020. According to an official, around 35-40 students were present to record their statements with the NHRC today, which has deputed a team led by its SSP, Manzil Saini, to conduct an inquiry to know whether incidents in the varsity involved violation of human rights. Earlier, on December last year the Jamia Millia Islamia university had turned into a battlefield after police entered the campus and also used force, following protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, that led to violence and arson in which four DTC buses, 100 private vehicles and 10 police bikes were damaged. Hundreds of Jamia students gherao VC's office, demand registration of FIR against Delhi Police Many students alleged that the most "barbaric" attack was in the library of the varsity in which most students were injured. They alleged that the police used brutal force on them. They also alleged that RAF personnel abused and humiliated students. JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News On Monday, over hundreds of the university students gheraoed Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar's office, demanding registration of an FIR against Delhi Police in connection with last month's violence on the campus. A massive explosion has hit an industrial zone for chemicals in north-eastern Spain, leading the regional emergency services agency to warn people nearby not to go outside. A tweet by emergency services for the Catalonia region called the blast in the port city of Tarragona a chemical accident, and said no information on possible deaths or injuries was available. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The government will be barring people from returning to the island where Taal Volcano stands. Hindi na pwedeng pabalikin yung tao doon dahil if there will be another explosion that will be more violent, I think all people there will be at risk sa island, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday evening at a briefing on Taal Volcanos eruption. [Translation: People could no longer be allowed to go back there because they will be at risk if there will be another explosion there.] Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation ahead of the briefing in Batangas province. There are permanent settlements on the island, which is frequently flocked by tourists despite it being categorized as a permanent danger zone even prior to its eruption as there is a slim chance of survival for anyone who happens to be there when an eruption occurs. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga has filed a resolution calling for a probe on the response of government agencies to the eruption of Taal, including the permanent settlement on the volcano. Taal is still on Alert Level 4 on its third day of unrest as state volcanologists still warn of a more violent eruption coming soon. Authorities said all residents on the island have been evacuated, but a handful appeared to have managed to visit their houses on Tuesday to check on their belongings. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shut down a man who called her sweetie while accusing her of misquoting Swami Vivekananda in her tweet. Awake, arise, and dream no more! This is the land of dreams, where Karma Weaves unthreaded garlands with our thoughts ...Be bold, and face The Truth! Be one with it! Let visions cease... The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda IV, pp 388-89 Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 12, 2020 To celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the FM posted a quote on her official Twitter profile which read, Awake, arise, and dream no more! This is the land of dreams, where Karma. Weaves unthreaded garlands with our thoughts...Be bold, and face. The Truth! Be one with it! Let visions cease." Soon after Sitharaman posted the verse, a Twitter user named Sanjoy Ghose accused her of posting an incorrect quote. @nsitharaman quotes from the Katha Upanishad & Swamijis adoption of the saying arise awake. Sweetie its cease not until your goal is reached not dream no more; unless its Budget 2020 that you are warning us about! Ghose tweeted. @nsitharaman quotes from the Katha Upanishad & Swamijis adoption of the saying arise awake. Sweetie its cease not until your goal is reached not dream no more; unless its Budget 2020 that you are warning us about! https://t.co/piAWuwpmgy sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) January 12, 2020 Glad youre taking interest. While he is oft-quoted w/the verse from Katha Upanishad, what Ive excerpted, is from The Awakened India, written in Aug 1898 BTW, I had cited the reference below the verse itself. Pub by Advaita Ashrama if youre further interested. https://t.co/fceSBUxain Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 12, 2020 Sitharaman countered by replying, Glad youre taking interest. While he is oft-quoted w/the verse from Katha Upanishad, what Ive excerpted, is from The Awakened India, written in Aug 1898 BTW, I had cited the reference below the verse itself. Pub by Advaita Ashrama if youre further interested. Twitter users praised the manner in which Sitharaman responded to the tweet, but criticised and schooled Ghose for addressing her as sweetie'. a polite take down of an pathetic vermin is the best coup de grace. Sandeep Parekh (@SandeepParekh) January 12, 2020 "sweetie"? Seriously??! Excellent response by the FM. pic.twitter.com/S5GiJVdBgj Karthik (@beastoftraal) January 13, 2020 "Sweetie" ???? You are not only a "Struggling Lawyer" you are "Struggling Human Being" too... pic.twitter.com/8jpqDO7fvM Prabhat Yadav (@prabhatkumar76) January 12, 2020 This tweet is the reason u r a struggling lawyer. And until u learn how to talk to people, u will keep struggling. The Angry Indian (@sway_hi) January 12, 2020 1) extremely sexist to call her sweetie 2) she is quoting correctly, you have done a well, actually here. Nayanika (@nayanikaaa) January 12, 2020 On Dec. 27 at around 9:30 a.m., officers responded to the 3500 block of Dean Drive in Hyattsville for a reported shooting, Prince Georges police said in a statement. They found Deshawn Ramsey, 2o, of Cockeysville suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. US President Donald Trump has called on the Senate to simply dismiss the impeachment case against him. The extraordinary suggestion came as the House prepares to transmit the charges to the chamber for the historic trial. The Republican president is giving mixed messages ahead of the House's landmark vote that will launch the Senate proceedings in a matter of days, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. Mr Trump faces charges that he abused power by pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress. First Mr Trump was suggesting his own ideas for trial witnesses, then he said almost the opposite by tweeting that the trial shouldn't happen at all. "Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial" over charges he calls a hoax, Mr Trump tweeted, "rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree!" The idea of dismissing the charges against Mr Trump is as bizarre as it is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signed on to an outlier proposal circulating last week among conservative senators, but he does not have enough support in the Republican-held chamber to actually do it. It would require a rare rules change similar to the approach Mr McConnell used for Supreme Court confirmations. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has warned that senators will "pay a price" if they block new witness testimony with a trial that Americans perceive as a "cover-up" for Mr Trump's actions. "It's about a fair trial," Ms Pelosi told ABC's 'This Week'. "The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable. "Now the ball is in their court to either do that or pay a price," she added. Voters are divided over impeachment largely along the nation's deeply partisan lines and the trial is becoming a high-stakes undertaking at the start of a presidential election year. A House vote to transmit the articles to the Senate will bring to a close a stand-off between Ms Pelosi and Mr McConnell over the rules for the trial. The House voted to impeach Mr Trump last month. Yet ending one showdown merely starts another across the Capitol as the parties try to set the terms of debate over high crimes and misdemeanours. Democrats want new testimony, particularly from former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has indicated he will defy Mr Trump's orders and appear if subpoenaed. Mr Trump doesn't want his brash former aide to testify. Republican allies led by Mr McConnell are ready to deliver swift acquittal without new testimony. Mr Trump first said on Sunday it's Ms Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff who should both testify, which would be unlikely. The president said he shouldn't have to carry the "stigma" of impeachment because he's done nothing wrong. Ms Pelosi said the House vote last month means Mr Trump will be "impeached forever" and "for life". Mr McConnell is reluctant to enter a divisive Senate debate over witnesses that could split his party and prolong a trial that is already expected to consume weeks of floor time. Patna (Bihar) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is holding talks with the Congress to forge an alliance for contesting the Delhi Assembly elections, said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav here on Tuesday. He said that the party's Delhi in-charge Manoj Jha and general secretary Qamar Alam are holding talks with the Congress to reach an agreement with respect to seat-sharing. "It would be good if we enter into an alliance with Congress in Delhi. Delhi in-charge Manoj Jha and party general secretary Qamar Alam are holding talks with Congress. We are already in alliance at the centre and in Bihar," said Yadav. "We will stake claim over the seats which we are likely to win," he added. The Model Code of Conduct came into force in Delhi on January 6 after the Election Commission of India announced that the assembly election in Delhi will be held on February 8. The counting of votes will take place on February 11. (ANI) (Natural News) The United States of America no longer has a free press as of December 2019. Press freedom was already in danger, as Mark Levin noted, as journalists became political activists in the Obama era, and feuded with the president in the Trump era. But press freedom could have thrived in a more openly partisan marketplace of ideas. In the end, press freedom was killed by the press itself, in the decision not to report the name of the so-called whistleblower in the impeachment crisis. (Article by Joel B. Pollak republished from Breitbart.com) His name which Breitbart News published after it was first revealed by RealClearInvestigations is no mystery. Apparently, his identity was the worst-kept secret in Washington, D.C. The Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) concluded in September that the whistleblower, a CIA employee, had shown political bias, and favored a rival political candidate, most likely former Vice President Joe Biden, for whom he reportedly worked. The whistleblower triggered a process that could still lead to the ouster of the president. (His own lawyer, Mark S. Zaid, called for a coup, via impeachment, in January 2017, shortly after Trump had taken office.) It would seem extraordinary for the worlds leading democracy to allow an election to be overturned based on the actions of a rogue CIA employee working with the opposition and even stranger not to be told his name. Moreover, the whistleblower himself admitted that he did not have first-hand information of the events he had described. It would seem an urgent matter of national security, and public interest, to know who was feeing him information whether it was an enemy, foreign or domestic. If the hysteria over Russian influence in the 2016 election had any useful lesson, it was that we ought to be curious about where information comes from, and why. Yet the media have not only ignored the whistleblowers name, but they have also actively suppressed it. That includes the conservative media. Earlier this year, I appeared on a morning show in Los Angeles to discuss the impeachment inquiry. The moment I mentioned the name of the whistleblower, the hosts ended the interview. The reason is twofold. First, most media outlets share the Democrats desire to be rid of Trump, and so joined them in pretending the whistleblower was protected by law. Federal law protects whistleblowers from retaliation, but they can often expect to be identified. The relevant law, the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, only prevents the ICIG from identifying the whistleblower. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, (D-CA) invented a statutory right to whistleblower anonymity that he later tacitly admitted did not exist. After insisting that the whistleblower be allowed to testify, Schiff and the Democrats reversed themselves once they were revealed to have lied to the public about their prior contact with him. That ought to have made the media more curious, not less curious, about who the whistleblower was, and what his motivations and methods had been. Schiff then made up the idea that making the whistleblowers name known would expose him to mortal danger. The media, who routinely ruin lives by publishing the names of both the guilty and the innocent, bought that line. Second, the tech companies punished news outlets that dared to publish the name of the so-called whistleblower. Though tech giants like Facebook enjoy immunity from libel lawsuits under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, they behaved as if publishing the whistleblowers name would expose them to serious legal risk. Any media outlet that wanted to share its content online in other words, any media company that wanted to stay in business had to suppress the name of the so-called whistleblower in impeachment coverage. It was a Catch-22: Facebook et al. would not allow the name until it became more widely published, but it could not become more widely published because Facebook et al. were suppressing it. The tech giants had imposed a code of censorship, and the mainstream media, supposedly so sensitive to any threat to press freedom, (mostly) willingly complied. The most consequential political fact of our lifetimes, sitting in plain view, cannot be mentioned. The press cannot fulfill the purpose for which its freedom exists: namely, to inform the citizens of a democratic republic. And unlike official government suppression, this cannot be challenged in court. It is, in a way, a more brutal form of censorship. Read more at: Breitbart.com New Delhi: A Pakistani-drone sighted near Punjab border has sent security forces into a tizzy. According to sources, a drone, suspected to have come from across the border, was spotted flying in BOP Shame Ke in Tedi Wala village in Ferozepur district in Punjab. According to sources, the drone entered the Indian border at least twice on late Monday (January 13). The second time, at around 8:48 pm, when the drone entered the Indian border, the 136 battalions of Border Security Forces (BSF) opened fire and shot it down. However, an official confirmation on the same remains awaited. Later, they alerted the Punjab Police and intelligence agencies. "A flying object was noticed here at around 8:30 last night but it's not confirmed if it was a drone. We are conducting searches in the direction where the object was spotted and coordinated operations are being carried out here," ANI quoted Banjeet Sandhu, SP Operations as saying. On being asked about the reports of BSF shooting down an unknown flying object in the region on Monday night, Sandhu denied having any information regarding the same. "We do not have any information regarding this", he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel greet each other prior to the talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Pavel Golovkin/Pool/AP Photo) German and Russian Leaders Discuss Libyan Crisis and Prospects for Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed to hold an international conference in Berlin, Germany, with both Libyan parties to resolve the crisis in Libya when meeting with Russias President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 11 to discuss the conflict in war-torn Libya. Putin supported Germanys proposal, saying, The Berlin conference needs to ensure attendance of those states that are truly determined to help resolve the Libya crisis, [and] its decisions should be negotiated in a preliminary plan with the Libyan parties. Germany plans to hold a summit aimed to achieve peace in Libya on Jan. 19, the two participants in the preparatory negotiations said on Jan.13, according to Reuters. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, third left, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, second left, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, fourth right, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, third right, attend the talks in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (Pavel Golovkin, Pool/ AP Photo) On Jan. 13, Libyas two rival leaders were in Moscow for talks jointly mediated by Russia and Turkey with a goal of bringing an end to the countrys long-running civil war. Fayez Sarraj, the head of Libyas UNrecognized government in Tripoli, and his rival Khalifa Hifter came for talks with top diplomats and military officials from Russia and Turkey. The talks were held behind closed doors, and it wasnt immediately clear whether Sarraj and Hifter will meet directly. The two mediating countries back the opposing Libyan governments. Turkey supports the Tripoli government led by Sarraj, which has faced an offensive by Hifters forces. Russia has maintained contacts with both conflicting parties in Libya. Still, the government in Tripoli has recently claimed that Russian military contractors from a Russian company connected to a Putin ally have been fighting alongside Hifter. Putin said on Jan. 11 when answering a question about private security companies in Libya: that if any Russians are fighting there, they do not represent the interests of the Russian state and do not receive any money from the Russian state. Putin noted that mercenaries were sent to Libya from Syrias rebel-held province of Idlib alongside Turkeys border, voicing hope that a lasting truce will help end the deployment of foreign fighters to Libya. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this month that his country was sending military personnel to Libya to support Sarrajs government. Sarraj visited Istanbul for talks with Erdogan on Jan. 12 before heading to Moscow. Russia and Turkey proposed a ceasefire in Libya that began on Jan. 12; however, there were immediate reports of violations by both sides. The European Union Council of foreign ministers recommended at an extraordinary meeting on Jan. 10, to avoid further uncontrolled escalation of the Libyan crisis and it gave a mandate to the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, to engage with all actors with the objective of moving towards a political solution in the framework of the Berlin Process and the UNled mediated efforts, according to a statement. A ship works offshore in the Baltic Sea on the natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 from Russia to Germany on Nov. 11, 2018. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP, file photo) Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline Merkel and Putin also discussed the efforts to complete Nord Stream 2a gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea running directly from Russias state-owned Gazprom to Germany. The United States sanctioned Russia over its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which President Donald Trump signed on Dec. 20. The measure requires administration officials to report to Congress about vessels that lay pipe at depths of 100 feet or more below sea level for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, as well as individuals who have provided such vessels or facilitated transactions to provide the vessels, opening up the individuals and companies to sanctions. The goal, according to the act, is to minimize the ability of Russia to use Nord Stream 2 as a tool of coercion and political leverage. Nord Stream 2 was initially expected to be in operation in the first half of 2020 but is now forecast to be completed by the end of the year or in the first quarter of 2021 after sanctions imposed by the United States delayed construction. Merkel said she believed the project had been legitimized by new European regulation and that Germany would continue to support its completion. European Union regulation requires that gas suppliers should not own import pipelines and that third parties should also be able to use them. The regulation takes effect in 2020. The 1,225-km pipeline under the Baltic Sea is fully owned by Russias state-owned Gazprom, which is also the gas supplier, according to EurActiv. The German parliament enacted the law in Nov. 2019 that makes Nord Stream 2 compliant with the EU regulations, because the pipeline has been being built, according to Deutsche Welle. A Swiss-based company Allseas, which was laying the pipeline has suspended its Nord Stream 2 pipelay activities due to the U.S. sanctions, according to the company website EurActiv reported citing Kommersant Daily that Putin said Russia has a pipe-laying vesselcalled Academic Cherskiyto complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. It was acquired by Gazprom in 2016, to be used as a last resort if European companies stopped working on Nord Stream 2. However, its average pipe-laying speed is slower than Allseas vessels, reported EurActiv. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. French carmaker Renault and Japanese partner Nissan Motor said their alliance was in no danger of being dissolved, denying a media report of a potential break-up that sent their shares skidding to multiyear lows, Trend with reference to Reuters reports. The alliance, which also includes Japans Mitsubishi Motors Corp, is solid, robust, everything but dead, the chairman of Renault, Jean-Philippe Senard, told Belgian newspaper LEcho. Nissan, in response to speculative international media reports, said it was in no way considering dissolving the alliance. The alliance is the source of Nissans competitiveness, the Japanese automaker said in a statement. Through the alliance, to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, Nissan will look to continue delivering win-win results for all member companies. Renault shares hit six-year lows on Monday as investors worried the French groups 20-year cost-sharing alliance with Nissan was headed for a break-up without Carlos Ghosn to hold it together. Long-standing tensions in the Franco-Japanese partnership have been heightened since Ghosns arrest in Tokyo in November 2018 on allegations of financial misconduct, which he denies. A Financial Times report on Monday that Nissan executives are making contingency plans for a split with Renault appeared to accelerate a sell-off in the French manufacturers shares. Nissan shares tumbled to their lowest in 8-1/2 years on Tuesday in Tokyo. Twelve-year-old William Leachman Jr. could barely see over the Capitol Media Center podium as he made his case for the state government to step in to help lower Pennsylvanians cost of prescription drugs like the life-saving one he takes. Since I am now a Type 1 diabetic, the one thing I need the most is insulin to stay alive," said Leachman of Mechanicsburg, wearing a black T-shirt with the message, Proud owner of a useless pancreas." My family has really good insurance so getting it is not a very big problem," he said. "But for more unfortunate people, they may not. Since they may not have good insurance, they must pay more out of pocket. But insulin costs over $700 [for a one to two month supply] and most diabetics need two types every day so they may not be able to pay for the insulin and still have money for bills and other necessities. Leachman, along with his father, came to the Capitol on Monday to add their voice with others supportive of legislation to establish what its sponsor, Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny County, described as something like a Public Utility Commission for prescriptions. His so-called Prescription Drug Affordability Act would establish an independent body to identify and study high-priced prescription drugs and set limits on what Pennsylvanians pay for them. A spokeswoman for GlaxoSmithKline, with its U.S. headquarters based in Philadelphia, declined comment about the legislation. An attempt to get a reaction from New Jersey-based Merck was unsuccessful. Frankel cited findings from the 2019 Pennsylvanian Healthcare Access Network survey that found one in five Pennsylvanians did not fill a prescription because of the cost and one in six skipped doses or cut pills in half to save money. With the cost of prescriptions rising year after year, he said it is an unsustainable and dangerous system. The high out-of-pocket costs are forcing many Pennsylvanians to take action to jeopardize their health and safety just to prolong access to their medication, he said. This problem is not limited to Pennsylvania. While Congress is slow to move on addressing the problem, Frankel pointed out 29 states have passed 47 new laws aimed at lowering prices for prescription drugs. That includes Maryland that created an independent board last year much like the one his bill would create. Pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed to set their own prices without state oversight, Frankel said. That experiment has already failed. Rep Dan Frankel, an Allegheny County Democrat, (at podium) said, Pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed to set their own prices without state oversight. The Rev. Sandy Strauss of Harrisburg spoke of how her husband Dave is dependent on a costly drug to keep his rare form of lymphoma in remission. Fortunately, she said the company that makes that drug is one that offers help to those who otherwise couldt afford it. But to maintain that arrangement for the drug manufacturer to agree to accept the $11,000 a month that their insurance company is willing to pay, they need to reapply for it every year. That requires responding to invasive questions about their income and taxes, she said. We pray hes able to continue on that drug and then he will remain in remission, Strauss said. But this is not the way things should be. We believe health care is a human right and no one should be refused care because they cant afford it. Anna Corbin, of Hanover, shared her story of suffering from Noonan Syndrome. She put off getting treatment for her symptoms because she focused on her sons health who also suffer from this genetic disorder. Then the pain and fatigue became too much for her to bear. The two infusions she received made her feel like Wonder Woman almost overnight. Then the bill for that treatment came. Her insurance company was billed over $12,000 and even though it covered much of the bill, the amount her family owed was unaffordable, she said. Now three months after my infusions, I am symptomatic again. My blood work shows my iron levels are rapidly decreasing and I will need more injections, she said. Unfortunately, that is not an option. We cant even pay for the infusions that I already had. So future infusions are out of the question. Frankel said other developed counties spend 10% of their gross domestic product, a measure of a nations economic health, on health care while in the United States, that figure is 20%. He said the difference is a lot of them have programs like this that contain the cost of prescriptions. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Sinn Fein's stance on the killing of gardai by members of the Provisional IRA is at the centre of a legal row in a defamation action being taken by Mary Lou McDonald against another TD. Fianna Fail's Declan Breathnach is being sued for damages in Dublin's High Court by the Sinn Fein leader over online comments she believes portrayed her as condoning the murders of gardai. Mr Breathnach denies defamation and claims Sinn Fein supported and continues to support the crimes of the Provisional IRA, which have included murders of gardai. But a row has erupted over the extent to which the historical connection between Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA will feature in the trial. In a pre-trial motion, Ms McDonald is seeking to strike out parts of Mr Breathnach's defence which focus on those links and, in particular, the refusal by party members to condemn the murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. The motion was briefly mentioned yesterday before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty, who adjourned the matter to Thursday. Ms McDonald's action against Louth TD Mr Breathnach centres around Twitter posts on October 11, 2018, the day a Disclosures Tribunal published its report on the treatment of a Garda whistleblower, Maurice McCabe. Ms McDonald posted a tweet saying Sgt McCabe had been "repulsively denigrated". She added: "Shame on those who set out to destroy him." Mr Breathnach responded on Twitter, asking Ms McDonald what had she had to say about Sinn Fein's "association with those involved in the murder" of three named gardai. Among those mentioned in the tweet were Garda Tony Golden, who was murdered by a dissident republican in 2015, and Sgt Patrick Morrissey, who was murdered by the INLA in 1985. In her proceedings, Ms McDonald alleged the words used by Mr Breathnach meant her sympathy for Sgt McCabe and condemnation of those who set out to destroy him was "disingenuous and insincere". She claimed his tweet meant she failed to speak out against the murders of gardai by dissident republicans and criminal gangs, and that she condoned such killings and was a hypocrite. But in defence papers, lawyers for Mr Breathnach denied his tweet was defamatory in the manner alleged. Instead they said the tweet was more likely to have meant that while Ms McDonald's support for Mr McCabe was commendable, she should also recognise and acknowledge Sinn Fein supported and continued to support the crimes of the Provisional IRA, which included the murder of gardai. In defence papers, it was claimed that at no stage had Ms McDonald acknowledged killings of gardai by the Provisionals were criminal acts of murder. Ms McDonald's legal team is now asking the High Court to strike out the alternative meaning put forward by Mr Breathnach and focus the case on what she claims his tweet meant. Ms McDonald is seeking damages, legal costs and an injunction restraining Mr Breathnach from publishing similar statements. CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rewards Network, a provider of marketing, loyalty services, dining rewards programs and financing to the restaurant industry, announced today that it has been recognized by Built In Chicago as one of the Best Places to Work and Best Midsize Companies to Work for. "We take pride in creating a culture where we give folks the opportunity to grow, learn and challenge themselves in a fast paced, growth business," said Ed Eger, CEO of Rewards Network. "Bringing together like-minded individuals passionate about seeing local restaurants succeed is what makes our DNA so unique." Built In's Best Places to Work and Best Midsize Companies to Work for in Chicago lists rate companies algorithmically based on compensation data and employer benefits, and the rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Maria Christopoulos Katris, CEO and Co-Founder of Built In, said: "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our 2020 honorees. Built In aims to change lives by connecting talented tech professionals with jobs they were born to do. These companies have become part of that mission because they stand for more than just the work they're doing. They stand for their people and purpose." ABOUT REWARDS NETWORK Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Rewards Network is a privately held fintech company powering the largest card-linked dining rewards programs in the United States and providing financial and marketing services to thousands of restaurants nationally. Since 1984, Rewards Network has offered its dining programs in partnership with major airlines, hotel chains, and other leading loyalty marketing programs in the country. Our millions of members include guests who spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually at participating restaurants and in return, earn cash back, airline miles, hotel points, college savings, fuel discounts, and retail savings. For more information, visit www.RewardsNetwork.com. ABOUT BUILT IN Working in tech is a way of life. Built In helps people live it with purpose. Across the most vibrant tech hubs in the US, Built In helps tech professionals stay on top of tech news and trends, expand their networks and carve out futures at companies they believe in. Built In attracts a niche audience of 1 million tech professionals every month and, in 2019, the company hit a milestone, serving 1,100 companies annually. Built In recently launched BuiltIn.com, a national hub for tech trend coverage and resources to help professionals grow in their careers. National Site: BuiltIn.com Local Sites: BuiltInChicago.com | BuiltInLA.com | BuiltInColorado.com | BuiltInAustin.com | BuiltInNYC.com | BuiltInBoston.com | BuiltInSeattle.com | BuiltInSF.com SOURCE Rewards Network Related Links https://www.rewardsnetwork.com Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday unveiled a plaque to set the ball rolling for an integrated beekeeping centre - a first-of-its-kind in the state funded by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The initiative in North Garo Hills, estimated to cost Rs 10 crore, has been taken up as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to to boost rural economy, a senior government official said. Modi has from time to time pitched for a sweet revolution and asked cooperatives to venture into beekeeping and seaweed farming to help farmers double their income. The Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre (IBDC), spanning over 20 acres, will provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the locals, the chief minister said. Contending that Meghalaya was one of the best regions in the country for beekeeping, in terms of availability of pasturage, he said, "We have been working with different stakeholders, with sole focus on conservation and scientific farming of the indigenous variety." At least 7,000 people have been trained in the practice of beekeeping by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE), he stated. "The state has immense beekeeping potential.... However due to lack of knowledge, the farmers have not been able to reap the optimum benefits so far," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Newser) A suspected serial killer strangled a suburban Chicago teenage girl in 1976 and likely killed another woman just days before she was to testify in court that he raped her, police said Monday. Lisle Police Detective Chris Loudon, who investigated the Jan. 1976 slaying of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer of Woodridge, said during a news conference that DNA recovered from the remains of Bruce Lindahl indicated he killed the teen, the AP reports. "I suspect him to be a serial killer," Loudon said of Lindahl, whose body was exhumed in November. The announcement came on the 44th anniversary of the day a motorist found Maurer's body by the side of a road. At the time, police concluded that her body may have been placed there by her killer to make her death look like a hit-and-run. The coroner determined she had been strangled. story continues below The case went unsolved for decades, but last year, advanced DNA testing was conducted, enabling authorities to identify Lindahl as a suspect, Loudon said. They quickly discovered that the 29-year-old Aurora resident had died during a fatal knife attack on 18-year-old Charles Huber in 1981. He apparently accidentally slashed a major artery in his own leg and bled to death. The bodies of both men were found together. At the time of his death, Lindahl was a suspect in the 1980 rape and kidnapping of Debra Colliander. Days before she was to testify at his trial, Colliander vanished and the charges were dropped. Her body was found in a shallow grave months after Lindahl's death. Authorities are now trying to determine if photographs of unidentified females that were found in Lindahl's home depict other victims. (Read more serial killer stories.) Boris Johnson today insisted the Royal Family will 'sort out' the issues over Harry and Meghan's arrangements. The PM said he is a 'massive fan' of the royals and they were a 'great asset' to the UK. But he said the family should be given space to resolve the situation without a 'running commentary' from politicians.' In his first major TV interview since the election, Mr Johnson said: 'I am a massive fan of the Queen and of the Royal Family... 'I am absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out.' In his first major TV interview since the election, Boris Johnson said he is a 'massive fan' of the Royal Family The Queen's statement in full Monday evening after a day of showdown talks to decide the futures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The Queen allowed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to quit as senior Royals following a private heart-to-heart with her grandson at yesterday's crisis summit. After a family meeting at Sandringham, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to split their time between Canada and the UK as they wind down their Royal duties. The meeting was convened in response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs bombshell demand to step back as senior royals and forge a progressive role within the monarchy. Yesterdays unprecedented meeting represented the first time that Harry, 35, had met with his closest relatives since early November, with the prince and his wife having taken a six-week break in Canada over the Christmas period. Although they arrived back only last week, Meghan, 38, has already returned to the country. Following the Sandringham head-to-head Charles, William and Harry were seen driving out of the Norfolk estate in separate cars. Then in a statement written personally by the Queen, with her closest advisers, the monarch made clear her personal sadness at the events of the last six days. Repeatedly referencing my family, she said they were entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire for a new life. But she warned that many complex issues remained to be resolved. Prince Harry (pictured leaving yesterday), Prince William and Prince Charles left Sandringham in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving last night) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal with Meghan 'dialling in' to support her husband from Canada Five people have been arrested in Limerick in connection with violent disorder earlier this month. On January 4, a number of people armed with weapons took part in an incident at Lenihan Avenue, in Prospect. A Presbyterian minister has spoken of the "tangible wave of despair" that has hit Ballymena after a series of suicides and drug-related deaths. Dr Martin McNeely from Ballykeel Church presided over the funeral of popular barman Christian Grey who took his own life last month, hours after a heartbreaking post about his mental health struggles on social media. Within days the minister had buried another young man, also aged under 30, who died following a drug overdose. Speaking of the town's pain in the wake of a series of young deaths over the last 12 months linked to mental health issues, Mr McNeely said he believes suicidal pressures and the wider use of drugs are linked. "There is often a relationship between drug use and abuse and suicide as some of those I have dealt with who have taken their own life have been on serious antidepressants or prescription medicine," he said. Read More "There is no doubt that the fragmentation of society and family break-up over generations brings about a situation in which individuals feel isolated or that they are not in relationships of trust where they can really depend on or turn to people. "Social media is also a factor in that it creates a very artificial world view and some people feel under pressure as a result." Mr McNeely, who is in his 13th year at Ballykeel Presbyterian Church, has noticed an escalation in mental health issues among young men in his area. "Although there is help out there and it is well advertised, young men in particular find it difficult to turn to someone and trust them," he said. "I think those social stabilisers that might have been in existence 50 years ago aren't there anymore in terms of trusting relationships and male role models within families, education and employment. "I don't think the situation in Ballymena is any different to other towns like Larne, Coleraine or Portadown." Mr McNeely has called for more help to tackle the under-resourcing of psychiatric care services. He added: "I have seen instances of people getting the right help at the right time from crisis response teams who find themselves under resourced. "Certainly social services are hugely under pressure in terms of money and the capacity to cope. Whenever someone takes their own life, you see the adverts for organisations like the Samaritans on social media urging people to please turn to someone and not to think that there's nobody listening. "But sadly that's not how someone feels when they are in a crisis situation and instead they feel that no one listens or understands." Mr McNeely said local churches have an important role to play in helping those in despair. "I was really personally challenged when someone said to me at the graveside of one of the young men last month that they didn't feel there was any hope in Ballymena," he said. "In my own congregation we have experienced hope and encouragement in that I have seen some people break addiction and God really turn lives around and heal relationships. "I believe that the church has a critical role to play in creating a really tangible community of trust into which friendships, accountability and a sense of fulfilment, both spiritually and relationally, can be developed. "The church also needs to be much more culturally sensitive to where people are at, which maybe we haven't always been so good at in the past. "Partly that is as a result of the Troubles where we have become very defensive and partly it's due to our conservative Northern Ireland culture." Like many politicians, Mr McNeely believes that the new Stormont Executive must prioritise mental health. He said: "The head is related to the heart so whatever policy initiatives that might be applied on the ground, they need to be holistic and encourage families to stay together. "You cannot talk about good mental health without talking about stable family environments in which children are nurtured over decades rather than dealing with young men in their mid-20s because it's too late then. We have to deal with babies in nurtured and stable family homes - that is the environment in which we will see a cultural change. "We need a commitment to long-term family and social stability because it's only when people have relationships of trust that the heart can tell the head that everything will be okay because there are good people around who care." Who to call if you need support If you or anyone close to you is affected by issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans free on 116123, or Lifeline on 080 8808 8000, who offer 24/7 phone support for those in crisis. Lifeline is also available at www.lifelinehelpline.info Children and young people can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111, or visit childline.org.uk Officials in Beijing have reiterated the "one China" principle after voters in Taiwan reelected President Tsai Ing-wen, who says Taiwan is an independent country. In a blow to the Chinese government, Tsai, 63, won a landslide victory in voting over the weekend, underscoring the island of 23 million peoples animosity toward mainland leadership similar to that in Hong Kong, which has been rocked by pro-democracy protests since last June. In a strongly worded response to Tsai's win, State Councillor Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, said on January 13 that the "one China" principle had become de facto "consensus" among the international community. "This consensus won't alter a bit because of a local election on Taiwan, and will not be shaken because of the wrong words and actions of certain Western politicians," Wang said on January 13 while on an official trip through Africa. Tsai, who often characterizes the Hong Kong protests as an example of what Chinese control over Taiwan could look like, won another four-year term by taking 57 percent of the popular vote with a record-breaking 8.2 million ballots, despite Chinese efforts to pressure Taiwanese voters into rejecting the incumbent through economic and diplomatic means. Adding to her win, Tsais Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured a majority in parliament in the vote. In a victory speech on January 11, Tsai called for talks to resume with China, but said she hoped Beijing understood Taiwan and its people would not submit to intimidation. The United States does not recognize Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. Still, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in addition to other top diplomats from Britain and Japan, have issued statements congratulating Tsai and the island's democratic elections. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters and AFP The city of Sevastopol is mentioned as a separate administrative-territorial unit of Ukraine in the finalized draft law on amendments to the Constitution regarding decentralization of power. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's permanent envoy for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korinevych has said the special status of the city of Sevastopol will remain in force in Ukrainian legislation until the Russian occupation of Crimea ends. "We remain in the position that no city in Ukraine should have a special status. But while the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are temporarily occupied territories and both are mentioned in the resolutions of international organizations, and while the status of Crimea at the level of the Constitution has not been changed, it seems appropriate, in order to maintain the constancy of Ukraine's position in the international arena, to keep the city of Sevastopol as a separate administrative-territorial unit in the Constitution of Ukraine," he wrote on Facebook. Read alsoEU, Ukraine discuss legal consequences of illegal annexation of Crimea, Sevastopol According to Korinevych, the city of Sevastopol is mentioned as a separate administrative-territorial unit of Ukraine in the finalized draft law on amendments to the Constitution regarding decentralization of power. "The relevant amendment was made at the request of the president's permanent envoy for Crimea, which was sent to the Legal Reform Commission from the head of the working group on reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories in November 2019," he added. As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, an urgent draft law on amending the Constitution of Ukraine (regarding decentralization of power). The amendments, among other things, proposed abolishing the special status of the city of Sevastopol, leaving only Crimea as a separate unit, and making the city its full-fledged component. The body of a 14-year-old boy in Ohio who has been missing since 20 December was found trapped inside a chimney in a vacant house near his family's home. Police discovered Harley Dilly's glasses and maroon jacket on the second floor of the house near a brick chimney. His body was found inside the chimney, which was no bigger than 9 inches by 13 inches between the roof and the second floor. The chimney was blocked between the first and second floors, trapping Harley between the roof and the second floor. His death appears to be an accident, according to police. No cause of death has been determined, and an autopsy is being performed by the Lucas County Coroner's Office. The family was notified on Tuesday morning. 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 Port Clinton Police Chief Robert J Hickman held back tears during a Tuesday press conference announcing the child's discovery. "I promised I would not break down today", he said. "It's not the outcome we wanted. The family has closure." The house was checked "multiple times" during canvassing in the search for the teenager but police did not go inside because there was no sign of forced entry, Chief Hickman said. Windows were locked, the door was secured and there was an unopened lock-box on the rear door, according to police. Chief Hickman said the owners of the house are remodelling the property and have used it only as a summer home. Police believe Harley used an antenna tower to get to the roof, then he climbed into the chimney. He was last seen at 6am on 20 December walking in an alley on his way to school in Port Clinton, roughly 80 miles from Cleveland. A $20,000 reward for information was announced in the days that followed his disappearance. TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the Company) (TSX: TXG) announces an updated resource estimate for the Media Luna project, which includes an Indicated resource of 2.24 million gold equivalent ounces at a gold equivalent grade of 5.55 g/t and an Inferred resource of 4.56 million gold equivalent ounces at a gold equivalent grade of 4.23 g/t. Of the gold equivalent metal inventory (comprising the Indicated and Inferred resource categories), 58% of the contained metal value is attributable to gold, 34% to copper, and 8% to silver. A breakdown of the December 2019 resource estimate by gold, silver, and copper can be found in Table 1 of this press release. Fred Stanford, President and CEO of Torex Gold, stated: The purpose of the planned 175 hole infill drill program was to upgrade approximately 13 million tonnes (25%) of the Inferred resource to the Indicated resource category. The program was successful, 166 holes were drilled, 12.6 million tonnes were upgraded, and there was a modest increase in gold equivalent grade. The learnings from the infill program, and other analyses, have led to an updated geological model, which has been applied to the area of the Inferred resource as well. This update has resulted in an increase of 5 million tonnes in the Inferred resource area, which has been offset by a loss of 8 million tonnes due to the use of a more conservative approach to smoothing the boundaries of the resource area. A drill program of 25 holes would be required to qualify these tonnes for consideration in a future resource estimate. We are in the planning stage of an additional infill drill program with a purpose of increasing the tonnes in the Indicated confidence class, so as to increase the mine life in the upcoming feasibility study. We will also consider whether it is worth drilling the 25 perimeter holes now or wait until later. Over the coming quarters we plan to continue to advance and de-risk Media Luna. With trade-off studies nearing completion and the upgraded resource in hand, we expect to complete a feasibility study in the next 12 to 14 months. On a parallel path, we have commenced the early field survey and technical study work in support of the permitting/approval process. With the confidence provided by the success of the infill drill program, part of the de-risking of the Media Luna project will be an early works program to start excavating the access tunnel to the deposit. This is a long tunnel. Getting started early, reduces the risk that this tunnel excavation could impact the schedule of commissioning Media Luna in early 2024. The current expectation is to start this excavation in H2 of this year. We expect to fund the development of Media Luna via cash flow from El Limon Guajes. Table 1: Mineral Resource Statement for Media Luna (as of December 31, 2019) Tonnes AuEq AuEq Au Au Ag Ag Cu Cu (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (%) (Mlb) Indicated 12.6 5.55 2.24 3.27 1.32 37.7 15.3 1.16 322 Inferred 33.5 4.23 4.56 2.49 2.68 23.6 25.5 0.93 686 Notes to accompany resource table: The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2019 Mineral resources are reported above a 2 g/t gold equivalent (AuEq) cut-off grade; AuEq = Au (g/t) + Cu % *(77.16/49.83) + Ag (g/t) * (0.64/49.83) The assumed mining method is from underground Mineral resources are reported using a long-term gold price of US$1,550/oz, silver price of US$20.00/oz, and copper price of US$3.50/lb Costs per tonne of mineralized material (including mining, milling, and general and administrative) used is US$75/t. Metallurgical recoveries average 85% for gold, 75% for silver and 89% for copper Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability Mineral resources are classified in accordance with applicable CIM Standards Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content Mineral resources are reported as undiluted; grades are contained grades The estimate was prepared by Dr. Lars Weiershauser, P.Geo., an employee of the Company, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 The updated mineral resource estimate for Media Luna, prepared in accordance with National Instrument (NI) 43-101, is reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t. The resource estimate considers a total of 393 drill holes (approximately 194,000 metres) of which 166 holes (approximately 70,000 metres) were drilled as part of the recent infill program, which cost approximately $15 million to complete. Comparison to the June 2015 Mineral Resource Estimate The previous mineral resource model, which had an effective date of June 23, 2015, contained 51.5 million tonnes at a gold equivalent grade of 4.48 g/t for a total of 7.42 million gold equivalent ounces. Resources were reported at a gold equivalent cutoff grade of 2.0 g/t using metal prices of $1,470 per ounce gold, $23 per ounce silver, and $3.60 per pound copper. Applying the metal prices used in the December 2019 resource to the June 2015 resource model, implies a metal inventory of 6.90 million gold equivalent ounces (48.8 million tonnes at a gold equivalent grade of 4.40 g/t). These numbers compare to the 2019 Indicated resource of 2.24 million gold equivalent ounces (12.6 million tonnes at a gold equivalent grade of 5.55 g/t) and Inferred resource of 4.56 million gold equivalent ounces (33.5 million tonnes at a gold equivalent grade of 4.23 g/t). The updated resource estimate is supported by a comprehensive 3D geological model, which has been enhanced through core logging, chemical analyses, and general geological studies completed over the last few years. The key changes relative to the prior resource estimate include a hard boundary between the mineralized exoskarn package and unmineralized footwall endoskarn, an increase in resource block size to 5 metres (sub-blocked to 2.5 metres) from 2.5 metres, as well as the definition of high-grade gold and copper-silver zones within the infill area. Decreasing the drill hole spacing in the infill area to 30 metres allowed for the classification of resources to the Indicated category. Inferred classification for the 2019 resource is predicated on 100 metre drill spacing relative to the 2015 resource estimate for which drill spacing was up to 110 metres. The impact of tighter spacing to inform the Inferred resource, in combination with more conservative smoothing along the edges of the resource envelope as well as updated geological model, resulted in a decrease of approximately 3 million tonnes of the resource model when comparing the updated resource to the previous resource using the same metal price assumptions (8 million tonne decline due to more conservative smoothing offset by a 5 million tonne increase related to previously discussed changes). Based on internal estimates, the Company believes a fair portion of the impacted tonnes from more conservative smoothing could be brought back into the Inferred resource category by completing an additional 25 drill holes. Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology The updated mineral resource estimate prepared by Torex is based on data from 393 core drill holes (approximately 194,000 metres) completed between 2012 and 2019 within the resource area. Lithological logging information as well as geochemical analyses were used to define lithological grade domains. In addition, high-grade domains for gold as well as for copper and silver were defined manually. Grades were estimated within these domains using hard boundaries. Block grades within the exoskarn domain were estimated using one-metre capped composites in a three-pass interpolation plan using inverse distance cubed (ID3) weighting. A variable anisotropy was applied to ensure that searches were following the local geology. Grade restrictions were applied where necessary to avoid high-grade samples overpowering the grade estimation. Results were evaluated onto blocks of 5.0 metres x 5.0 metres x 5.0 metres (sub-blocked to 2.5 metres x 2.5 metres x 2.5 metres) and classified as Indicated or Inferred based on drill hole spacings of 30 metres or 100 metres. Results were validated using standard validation techniques and reported above a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t gold equivalent mineral resources are generally continuous above this cut-off grade. Table 2 and 3 below illustrate the sensitivity of the Indicated and Inferred resource estimates to changes in gold equivalent cutoff grade. Table 2: Sensitivity of Media Luna Indicated resource to gold equivalent cut-off grade (base case of 2 g/t AuEq is highlighted) Cut-Off Tonnes AuEq AuEq Au Au Ag Ag Cu Cu (AuEq g/t) (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (%) (Mlb) 1.0 20.1 4.01 2.59 2.28 1.47 28.4 18.4 0.88 389 1.5 15.6 4.82 2.41 2.79 1.40 33.4 16.7 1.03 354 2.0 12.6 5.55 2.24 3.27 1.32 37.7 15.3 1.16 322 2.5 10.4 6.23 2.09 3.72 1.25 41.5 13.9 1.27 293 3.0 8.7 6.90 1.94 4.19 1.18 44.9 12.6 1.38 265 3.5 7.4 7.56 1.80 4.68 1.11 47.8 11.4 1.47 239 1) The reader is cautioned that the figures presented in this table must not be misconstrued as a mineral resource statement. The table includes all mineralized material within the solid used to identify material for Inferred Resources. Global tonnage and grades reported at a AuEq cut-off grade based on metal prices of US$1,550 per ounce of gold, US$20 per ounce of silver, and $3.50 per pound of copper and metallurgical recoveries of 85% for gold, 75% for silver, and 89% for copper. Table 3: Sensitivity of Media Luna Inferred resource to gold equivalent cut-off grade (base case of 2 g/t AuEq is highlighted) Cut-Off Tonnes AuEq AuEq Au Au Ag Ag Cu Cu (AuEq g/t) (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (g/t) (Moz) (%) (Mlb) 1.0 56.6 3.10 5.64 1.78 3.24 18.8 34.2 0.70 869 1.5 43.6 3.65 5.12 2.13 2.98 21.3 29.8 0.81 778 2.0 33.5 4.23 4.56 2.49 2.68 23.6 25.5 0.93 686 2.5 26.4 4.77 4.05 2.84 2.41 25.7 21.8 1.03 599 3.0 21.0 5.30 3.57 3.21 2.16 27.6 18.6 1.12 518 3.5 16.8 5.80 3.14 3.56 1.93 29.2 15.8 1.20 446 1) The reader is cautioned that the figures presented in this table must not be misconstrued as a mineral resource statement. The table includes all mineralized material within the solid used to identify material for Inferred Resources. Global tonnage and grades reported at a AuEq cut-off grade based on metal prices of US$1,550 per ounce of gold, US$20 per ounce of silver, and $3.50 per pound of copper and metallurgical recoveries of 85% for gold, 75% for silver, and 89% for copper. Media Luna Geology The Media Luna deposit is hosted within the Mesozoic carbonate-rich Morelos Platform, which has been intruded by Paleocene stocks, sills, and dykes of granodioritic to tonalitic composition. Skarn-hosted gold-silver-copper mineralization is developed within the sedimentary rocks along the contacts of intrusive rocks as well as within altered dykes of the skarn envelope. The main portion of this mineralized package dips to the southwest at approximately 30; in the lowest part of the known mineralization, the dip steepens to approximately 60, while the northernmost portion of the deposit dips to the north, resulting in a broadly antiform geometry of the deposit. Mineralization at Media Luna is hosted in exoskarn that developed at the contact of the intrusive granodiorite and overlying sedimentary rocks; the skarn is characterized by a mineral assemblage of pyroxene, garnet, and magnetite. Metal deposition and sulfidation occurred during retrograde alteration and is associated with a mineral assemblage comprising amphibole, phlogopite, chlorite, and calcite quartz epidote as well as variable amounts of magnetite and sulfides, primarily pyrrhotite. Quality Assurance/Quality Control All of the Media Luna analytical work (sample preparation and analyses) is performed by Bureau Veritas. Sample preparation is completed in Durango, Mexico. The gold analyses (fire assay with an atomic absorption or gravimetric finish) are completed at the laboratorys facilities in Hermosillo, while multi-element geochemical analyses are completed at their analytical facilities in Vancouver. Torex has an analytical quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program in place that includes the inclusion of approximately 5% each of certified reference materials and blanks. Blind duplicates are not included, but Torex evaluates the results of Internal Bureau Veritas laboratory duplicates. Check assays were sent to the ALS Laboratories (Australian Laboratory Services) in Hermosillo, Mexico, as part of the QA/QC program The QA/QC program as designed has been approved by ASL (Analytical Solutions Ltd) of Ontario, Canada and is currently overseen by Nicolas Landon, Chief Exploration Geologist for the Media Luna Project. Qualified Persons Except for the information contained in paragraphs two to four of this news release, Dr. Lars Weiershauser is the qualified person under NI 43-101 for the scientific and technical information contained in this news release including Tables 1 to 3. Dr. Weiershauser is a member of the Professional Geoscientists Ontario (formerly the Association of Professional Geoscientist of Ontario) (APGO#1504), has experience relevant to the style of mineralization under consideration and is an employee of Torex. Dr. Weiershauser has verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the drill results, and he consents to the inclusion in this release of said data in the form and context in which it appears. Clifford Lafleur, a qualified person under NI 43-101 and the Director Resource Management and Mine Engineering of the Company, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical data contained in the second to fourth paragraphs of this news release. About Torex Gold Resources Inc. Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Gold Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Companys principal assets are the El Limon Guajes mining complex (ELG or the ELG Mine Complex), comprising the El Limon, Guajes and El Limon Sur open pits, the El Limon Guajes underground mine including zones referred to as Sub-Sill and ELD, and the processing plant and related infrastructure, which is in the commercial production stage as of April 1, 2016, and the Media Luna deposit, which is an early stage development project, and for which the Company issued an updated preliminary economic assessment in September 2018 (the Technical Report). The property remains 75% unexplored. For further information, please contact: TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Fred Stanford President and CEO Direct: (647) 260-1502 Email: fred.stanford@torexgold.com Dan Rollins Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Direct: (647) 260-1503 Email: dan.rollins@torexgold.com CAUTIONARY NOTES Muckahi Mining System The Technical Report includes information on Muckahi. It is important to note that Muckahi is experimental in nature and has not been tested in an operating mine. Many aspects of the system are conceptual, and proof of concept has not been demonstrated. Drill and blast fundamentals, standards and best practices for underground hard rock mining are applied in the Muckahi, where applicable. The proposed application of a monorail system for underground transportation for mine development and production mining is unique to underground hard rock mining. There are existing underground hard rock mines that use a monorail system for transportation of materials and equipment, however not in the capacity described in the Technical Report. Aspects of Muckahi mining equipment are currently in the design and test stage. The mine design, equipment performance and cost estimations are conceptual in nature, and do not demonstrate technical or economic viability. The Company has completed the development and the first phase of testing the concept for the mine development and production activities and will move to optimization in 2020 to further verify the viability of Muckahi. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Notwithstanding the Company's efforts, there can be no guarantee that the Company will not face unforeseen delays or disruptions of its operations including without limitation, delays caused by blockades limiting access to the ELG Mine Complex and the Media Luna project or by blockades or trespassers impacting the Companys ability to operate. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to mineral resource estimates, information with respect to plans to complete an additional infill drilling program on the Media Luna deposit with the purpose of upgrading additional Inferred resources to the Indicated category, plans to complete an additional 25 hole drill program on the periphery of the Media Luna deposit with the purpose of qualifying approximately 8 million tonnes of material as mineral resources, plans to continue to advance the Media Luna project, plans complete trade-off studies, plans to complete a feasibility study in the next 12 to 14 months, plans to continue on a parallel path with the early field survey and technical study work in support of the permitting/approval process, plans to de-risk the Media Luna project including an early works program to start excavating the access tunnels to the deposit, the expectation that the early works program will reduce the risk that this tunnel excavation could impact the scheduled commissioning of Media Luna in early 2024 and the scheduled timing of the commissioning of Media Luna, the expectation that such excavation will commence in the second half of 2020, and the expectation that the Company will be able to fund the development of Media Luna via cash flow from El Limon Guajes. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "believes", future or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results can, "may", "could", "would", "might", "be achieved", appears or with the purpose of. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, uncertainty involving skarns deposits and the analysis and interpretation of drilling results and those risk factors identified in the Technical Report and the Companys annual information form and managements discussion and analysis. Forward-looking information are based on the assumptions set out herein and discussed in the Technical Report and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. 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, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces that it has advised teamtechnik Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH (ttMA) on the sale of a majority stake in its subsidiary teamtechnik Production Technology Sp. z o.o. (ttPT) to TDJ S.A. (TDJ), a Polish family-owned investment company. ttMA is an international market leader for production technology, assembly and functional test systems across the automotive, medical and energy industries. Its former Polish subsidiary ttPT focuses on next generation automotive assembly systems. The transaction, led by Jeff Perkins and Florian Ripperger of the Harris Williams Industrials Group, builds on the firm's experience in the industrial technology sector and automation technology in particular. "ttPT is a clear market leader in this space in Central and Eastern Europe. Over the last several years, the company has built a reputation for e-drive, autonomous driving and safety solutions serving a global, premium and luxury OEM and Tier-1 customer base," said Jeff Perkins, managing director at Harris Williams. "We are pleased to have worked with the family-owned teamtechnik group and the management team on this transaction. We wish all parties a great deal of success over the next several years." "During the last 15 years we developed ttPT into a leading provider of automated solutions in Central and Eastern Europe. We continue to believe in the capabilities and market position of ttPT and will remain a minority shareholder in the company," said Stefan Rokopf, owner and CEO of ttMA. "We would like to thank Harris Williams for their work. They did a fantastic job throughout the transaction." ttPT is one of the leading providers of automotive assembly systems for next generation automotive products in Central and Eastern Europe, offering a one-stop solution from design to after sales services. Almost 90% of the company's activities are centered on assembly systems for the production of e-mobility and autonomous driving components that are used in next generation vehicles. ttMA is one of the international market leaders for production technology, assembly and functional test systems. The company, based in Freiberg am Neckar, Germany, focuses on developing and building custom automation solutions for the automotive, energy and medical technology sectors, in which it is recognized as a technology leader with a high level of process expertise. One of its proven areas of expertise is creating assembly and test lines for electric drive units and e-mobility components. Founded in 1976, ttMA now has production sites in Germany, Poland, China and the United States. With over 1,000 employees worldwide, the systems manufacturer has a turnover exceeding 180 million. TDJ is a family-owned investment company that has completed over 30 acquisitions and focuses on actively developing its portfolio companies in Central and Eastern Europe. TDJ's key investment areas include: equity; real estate; finance; and venture capital. Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). The Harris Williams Industrials Group has experience across a variety of sectors, including advanced manufacturing; smart cities; building products; chemicals and specialty materials; environmental industrial technology; and packaging. For more information on the firm's Industrials Group and other recent transactions, visit the Industrials Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 5th Floor, 6 St. Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AE, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams Co. Ltd and Harris Williams Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. For media inquiries, please contact Katie Langemeier, associate brand manager, at +1 (804) 648-0072. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005728/en/ Contacts: Katie Langemeier, associate brand manager, +1 (804) 648-0072 New Loan Limits Blow the Roof Off Mortgages For the first time, a typical borrower in the U.S. can take out a home loan for over half a million dollars and still get the very best mortgage rates. You won't have to settle for one of the higher "jumbo" rates that come with larger loans. Because of rising home prices, loan limits for government mortgage programs have been raised or even eliminated for 2020, meaning more borrowers can get mortgage deals even if they live in pricey parts of the country. 'Conforming loan' limits are higher in 2020 Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock Buyers of higher-priced homes are finding better mortgage rates thanks to higher loan limits.. People buying higher-priced homes are finding that the limits on what are known as conforming loans have been raised for 2020 by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees the huge government-sponsored mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Lenders count on them to insure or purchase their mortgages. Fannie and Freddie back most home loans in the U.S., but they're willing to go only so far up to certain thresholds. Loans that stay within the line are called conforming loans because they conform to the government's limits. Here's how the mortgage caps have changed this year: In most U.S. counties: $510,400 in 2020 (was $484,350 in 2019). **Throughout Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: **$765,600 in 2020 (was $726,525 in 2019). In high-cost counties elsewhere: $765,600 in 2020 (was $726,525 in 2019). In some places where home prices are high but not off the charts, conforming loan limits are in between $510,400 and $765,600. For example, in San Diego, the limit is $701,500; in Sacramento, California, it's $569,250. Lenders prefer conforming loans and tend to charge higher interest for noncomforming, jumbo loans. A bank offering a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage on a conforming loan at 3.5% might have a 30-year fixed jumbo loan at 3.625%. Take a look at today's best mortgage rates where you live. FHA loan limits also are higher in 2020 Mika Heittola / Shutterstock Limit have been raised on FHA loans, which help low- and moderate-income homebuyers. The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, also guarantees mortgages, primarily when borrowers have low or moderate incomes. FHA loans are a great deal because they require smaller down payments, and you can get one even if your credit score needs work. Story continues Borrowers must pay mortgage insurance, which protects your lender in case you default on an FHA loan. The FHA also backs loans within limits which have gone up this year: In most U.S. counties: $331,760 in 2020 (was $314,827 in 2019). **Throughout Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: **$765,600 in 2020 (was $726,525 in 2019). In high-cost counties elsewhere: $1,148,400 in 2020 (was $1,089,787 in 2019). Why are the FHA loan limits for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands so high? Well, because of high construction costs of in the remote states and territories. It's expensive to get materials to those places. Use this calculator to see the kind of monthly payment you can expect from today's low mortgage rates. VA loan limits are history in 2020 Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock VA loans allow veterans to buy homes with no money down. Another popular government loan program is offered to U.S. service members, veterans and surviving spouses by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are a sweet benefit because no down payment is needed, plus they don't require mortgage insurance. VA loans have gotten even better in 2020, because there's no longer a cap on the amount that can be borrowed with no money down. At the start of the year, limits were eliminated that last year narrowed the no-down-payment offer in most parts of the U.S. to mortgages no higher than $484,350. But borrowers still have to pay the dreaded VA loan funding fee up to 3.6% of the loan amount, which can be paid in cash at closing or rolled into the loan amount. For most people, there's no getting around it. Check out today's lowest mortgage rates available where you are. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that the people of India should lead the world in finding unity in diversity rather than searching for diversity in unity. "There is diversity in the universe and we have to accept and respect it. It is the culture of this country to live with the knowledge that diversity came out of unity. We are not the ones who search for diversity in unity. We are the ones who understand that there is unity in diversity," Bhagwat said addressing a gathering here. He was attending an event to inaugurate a medical dialysis centre in the capital, which was also attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The RSS chief said that people nowadays look for how they are different from others. "Nowadays, our caste or political allegiance determine whether we are united or separated. The whole world is plagued by this wrong approach. Indians have to correct this trend," Bhagwat said. "It doesn't take long for one to become many. The universe was created on the whim of Bramha Ji. He said that he was alone and bored. So, the universe was created after a big bang and focused to create many," he added. Bhagwat said that RSS workers are always engaged in selflessly working for the welfare of society and those in need. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] CEFALY Migraine Device is Now Available in Canada Direct to Consumer CEFALY Technology is the manufacturer and now also the exclusive distributor of the CEFALY device and its accessories across the country NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ -- CEFALY Technology is pleased to announce that their latest technology for the drug-free treatment of migraines, the CEFALY DUAL device , and its accessories are now available across Canada direct to consumer. Until recently, only the original CEFALY device was available to migraineurs in Canada and it was sold via distributor. "We are excited to start the New Year on a new path," said Jennifer Trainor-McDermott, CEO with CEFALY Technology. "We are developing very focused initiatives to help migraineurs across Canada access relief and more quickly. This strategic move to relocate distribution in-house will provide more flexibility to meet our growing demand." CEFALY has rapidly become a global brand, widely recognized among the migraine community, which is estimated to be around 1 billion worldwide1. The CEFALY device is the first FDA-cleared medical technology of its kind for the treatment of migraie headaches. It is a non-invasive device placed on the forehead that uses two distinct programs (ACUTE and PREVENT) to stimulate and desensitize the area research identifies as a center for migraine pain, the Trigeminal nerve. Since CEFALY is not a drug, it can be used as a standalone option or with an existing treatment. Patients who use the device consistently show a decrease in migraine days and in intake of migraine medication. In addition to gaining access to CEFALY's latest technology, consumers in Canada will experience the company's newly refreshed brand and web presence: https://www.cefaly.com/en-ca About CEFALY Technology CEFALY Technology is a Belgium-based company, with US offices based in Wilton, Connecticut, specializing in electronics for medical applications. It has developed external cranial stimulation technology for applications in the field of neurology; in particular for treating migraines. For more information about CEFALY Technology visit: https://www.cefaly.us . For more information on purchasing CEFALY in Canada visit: https://www.cefaly.com/en-ca . Sources 1 Migraine facts. American Migraine Foundation website . Accessed January 13, 2020 Media Contact: Maria Coder [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cefaly-migraine-device-is-now-available-in-canada-direct-to-consumer-300986274.html SOURCE CEFALY Technology [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated three laboratories to test disease outbreak samples, its Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Ihekweazu, who disclosed this during a media tour of the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Gaduwa, Abuja, said the three new laboratories were at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), and the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja. He said the laboratories would provide primary testing for yellow fever, measles and rubella diseases. The teaching hospitals where these laboratories are located will provide leadership, staff, power and water supply as well as other resources they will require to function, he said. The official said that the NCDC had the mandate to lead the coordination of public health laboratories by ensuring standardisation of testing methods, quality assurance, supply chain management as well as supporting preventive and corrective maintenance. The NCDC boss said the National Reference Laboratory was working toward full accreditation to serve as a reference laboratory for yellow fever. Three years ago, this place was just an empty building, but today, a lot has been put in place and we hope to replicate this capacity across the country. We are committed to strengthening our engagement with the media and using their platforms to communicate better with Nigerians, he said. He recalled that in 2017, Nigeria recorded an outbreak of yellow fever in Kwara, 21 years after the last case had been detected in the country. Since then, we have continued to record clusters of cases across the country Also in 2019, we recorded a high incidence of measles cases across the country, especially in Borno State in the North East. Prior to 2019, we had only four laboratories in the national yellow fever, measles and rubella laboratory network located at Maitama District Hospital, FCT, Yusuf Dansoho Memorial Hospital, Kaduna, Central Public Health Laboratory, Lagos and Gombe Specialist Hospital. There was no laboratory in the South-East and South-South with this capacity, putting a strain on other regions, he recalled. He said to build Nigerias capacity in line with global standards, NCDC, with support from its partners, included the three new laboratories in the national network as part of the global laboratory network. READ ALSO: The support we provide to these laboratories is in partnership with the World Health Organisation, Resolve to Save Lives, US Centres for Disease Control, GAVI, and others. At the national level, we have continued to work closely with our sister agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre (NAVRC), toward the prevention of and response to yellow fever outbreaks, he said. Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Darlington Obaseki, in a remark, pledged commitment to ensuring that the required leadership and resources were provided to ensure full functionality of the laboratory. Also speaking, UNTH representative, Chioma Benjamin-Puja, an Assistant Director, Medical Laboratory Services, said the institution had advocated inclusion for a long period of time given the incidence of yellow fever in some parts of the South-East. The new laboratory for the South-East will greatly reduce turnaround time for testing of sample and eliminating time spent in sending samples to Lagos or FCT. We are very grateful for this opportunity and express our full and strong commitment to ensure that the laboratory serves its purpose, she said. (NAN) China's President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - His policies rejected by Taiwan voters in a landslide re-election for President Tsai Ing-wen, Chinese President Xi Jinping will most likely continue to tighten the screws on the island, with state media already floating shows of force. China took centre stage in the campaign after Xi sought in a major speech a year ago to get Taiwan to sign on to the same sort of "one country, two systems" model as Hong Kong. Tsai immediately rejected the idea. Six months later, Hong Kong erupted in anti-government protests, giving a huge boost to Tsai in her efforts to portray China as an existential threat to Taiwan's democracy and freedoms. But rather than recognise that its pressure on Taiwan had failed, Beijing's immediate reaction to the election was to double down on "one country, two systems" and say it would not change policy. "This administration of Xi Jinping, but I would say more broadly the DNA of the Communist Party, does not do well to reflect and recalibrate in a way that signals reconciliation, compromise or what they would frame as weakness," said Jude Blanchette, the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "I thoroughly expect that the conversation right now in Beijing is about turning the screws even more," Blanchette added. China says Taiwan is its territory. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name. Options for increasing pressure post-election include many of the actions China was taking before: stepped up military drills around the island or picking off more of Taiwan's 15 remaining diplomatic allies. It could also withdraw from a key trade agreement reached a decade ago. Widely read Chinese state-backed tabloid the Global Times said in a Monday editorial that military flexing may be the next step. "We need to plan to crack down on Tsai's new provocative actions, including imposing military pressure," it wrote. Story continues China already sailed its newest aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait twice in the run-up to the election, and during Tsai's first administration regularly flew bomber jets around the island. Zheng Zhenqinga Taiwan expert at Beijing's elite Tsinghua University, said China using even more military coercion against Taiwan was "a realistic thing to do". "For the mainland, 'one country, two systems' is a basic policy of the state. How can it be changed just because of one election on Taiwan?" he said. CREATING 'POISON' Since Xi took power in late 2012, he has overseen a sweeping crackdown on dissent at home, locking up political rivals in the name of fighting corruption and tightening Communist Party control at every level of society. Internationally, China has faced opprobrium for locking up Muslims in its far western region of Xinjiang as part of what it calls an anti-radicalisation programme. And in Hong Kong, Beijing has shown no sign of giving into demands for greater democracy there, and continues to face censure from Western countries for how it has dealt with the protests. This month Beijing replaced its top man in the former British colony with an official known for enforcing party discipline in coal-rich Shanxi, where corruption was once likened to cancer. Alongside strident calls to use force to take Taiwan, there has been some rare criticism on China's Twitter-like Weibo site of China's Taiwan Affairs Office's failure to win over the island. "You officials there please step down as soon as possible. From dawn to dusk you slam Taiwan, but the more you do this the more poison you create," wrote one user. The Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment on whether its head, former Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi, would be replaced in light of Tsai's huge win. One diplomatic source, familiar with policy making in China and Taiwan, said it was possible Xi was not being given the true picture of what was happening in Taiwan because officials under him were scared to report bad news. "In the current atmosphere in Beijing, who wants to be the one to tell the boss that he's on the wrong track?" the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Japanese auto giant Nissan is "in no way" planning to end its partnership with Renault, the Japanese automaker insisted Tuesday after a report suggested a divorce was possible in the wake of the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Britain's Financial Times, citing "several people with knowledge of the matter", said Monday that said senior executives at the scandal-hit firm were speeding up work on secret plans for a potential parting of ways with France's Renault. But in a statement, Nissan firmly denied the claims. "Nissan is in no way considering dissolving the alliance," the statement said. "The alliance is the source of Nissan's competitiveness," the firm said, adding that it will look to continue delivering "win-win results for all member companies." The partnership, which also includes Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, has been troubled since the shock arrest of its former chief Ghosn on charges of financial misconduct. Ghosn, who last month jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon, claims the charges against him were cooked up by disgruntled Nissan executives hoping to block his plans to more closely integrate the automaker with Renault. In a conference in Lebanon, he claimed the alliance was now on the rocks and directionless. The alliance's new chief, Jean-Dominique Senard, earlier hit back at the reports of a planned split, telling Belgian daily L'Echo the claims had "no connection to the current situation of the alliance". "The Renault-Nissan alliance is not dead! Soon we will show you why," he said in an interview published Tuesday. "I ask myself, where does this sort of information come from? I am not sure it comes from a place of goodwill," Senard said. Nissan fell nearly three percent Tuesday afternoon. The 20-year partnership between Nissan and Renault, whose alliance is based on cross-shareholdings without a joint structure, has been badly shaken by the Ghosn scandal. But Senard said the alliance was "nowhere near" the point of collapse and insisted its leaders were busy "recreating its original spirit" and planning future investments. A source close to Nissan told AFP that the leaks probably came from "a few disgruntled souls" inside the company who wanted to "vent their frustration", adding that rebuilding trust between the two firms "will take time". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement in which it condemned public glorification of individuals responsible for the murder of Jews and antisemitic ideologists in Ukraine and said that preserving the memory of the Holocaust and the battle against antisemitism are not an internal matter of any country. The Embassy of Israel in Ukraine posted the statement on Facebook on Tuesday. "Individuals responsible for the murder of Jews in the Holocaust and in pogroms, as well as antisemitic ideologists of the Ukrainian National movement have recently been subject of public glorification in Ukraine," the ministry said. It also said that "preserving the memory of the Holocaust and the battle against antisemitism including the glorification of antisemites and murderers of Jews - are not an internal matter of any country." "On the contrary, those are essential obligations and responsibilities of every Israeli diplomat. It represents a shared moral duty to Israel and its many allies across the world," reads the statement. As reported, on January 2, Polish and Israeli ambassadors to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki and Joel Lion issued a joint statement on the honoring in Ukraine on January 1 of the leaders of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The ambassadors said they considered it insulting to honor in Ukraine people who "actively promoted ethnic cleansing," adding that they expected the Kyiv city state administration and the council of the Lviv region to join "the search for the truth" in this issue. On January 8, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine told Cichocki that a public debate on internal issues of Ukrainian politics was counterproductive. On January 9, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Hennadiy Nadolenko told the Israeli Foreign Ministry, referring to the joint statement made on January 2, that Lion was conducting a counterproductive public debate on internal issues of Ukrainian politics. The Ambassador of Ukraine emphasized that the revival and preservation of the national memory of the Ukrainian people was one of the main priorities of the state policy of Ukraine. Discussions in this area should be held at the level of historians and experts. Farmers, graziers and primary producers affected by the bushfires will receive grants of up to $75,000. The money will be drawn from the $2billion bushfire recovery fund but the program will not be capped - the final outcome will depend on demand. The grants are designed to replace sheds, fences and other farming equipment damaged by the fires. Farmers, graziers and primary producers affected by the bushfires will receive grants of up to $75,000 'We need to get this cash in the hands of these producers so they can get on with the jobs that urgently need doing,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Tuesday. Farmers will not need to have their primary residence in the fire-affected area to qualify, and off-farm income will not be factored into the grants. The relief package will be in addition to support for farmers dealing with drought. Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said about 19,000 farmers, foresters and fishers had been affected by the fires. Many of them had left their properties to join volunteer brigades in fighting the fires, but were now seeking to return home. 'We need to get our farmers back to business, to growing food. It's what they want to do. It's what they like to do.' Senator McKenzie said the eligibility criteria for farmers will be 'incredibly simple' to speed up the payments. The minister warned prices for fresh food would rise as a consequences of the fires. Senator McKenzie has called on supermarkets to increase the price of milk. The prime minister welcomed news the United States had downgraded its travel advice for Australia in response to the bushfires. 'There is a bit of a false perception overseas the entire continent has been affected,' Mr Morrison said. The prime minister is meeting with business leaders on Tuesday to discuss the bushfire response. Their meeting is expected to cover areas including property loss, supply chains, staffing and customer levels. West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee has said if necessary, the upcoming Calcutta University convocation will be held without Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as he has "consistently" made statements targeting the state government. However, the higher education minister said the final decision will be taken by the varsity as it is an autonomous body. The Calcutta University convocation is scheduled to be held on January 28. The higher education department would not have, in usual situations, thought about not inviting the governor, who is the chancellor of state universities, from a programme like a convocation, Chatterjee told reporters on sidelines of an event here on Monday evening. "But, the way he has been consistently making controversial comments targeting every move of the state through his tweets does not befit his stature as governor...Hence, we may have to opt for such a step (like not inviting him to the convocation) finally," the minister said when asked whether Dhankar would be present at the convocation. Chatterjee said the final decision, however, will have to be taken by the university concerned as it is an autonomous institution."We won't interfere in what they do. Let us see," he said. On Monday, a meeting called by Dhankhar to discuss the situation in different state universities with vice chancellors and the higher education secretary could not be held at the Raj Bhavan as neither the VCs nor officials turned up. There were also reports that Dhankhar had sent back a file regarding the Calcutta University to the department recently instead of signing it as chancellor. Last year on December 24, the governor was prevented from attending the convocation of the Jadavpur University by a Trinamool Congress-controlled employees union and faced student protests, which were held on the varsity's campus. The government and the governor were also at loggerheads over certain issues since Dhankhar's visit to the Jadavpur University to 'rescue' Union Minister Babul Supriyo on September 19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury will present a talk, Votes for Women, about the 19th Amendment and the struggle as it was experienced in Connecticut Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. A representative from the Connecticut Womens Hall of Fame will speak on Votes for Women. Attari: A 17-year-old Pakistani boy, Mubshar Bilal who returned to his native place to his country via Attari land border following completion of their jail sentence, in Attari on Jan 14, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Attari: A 17-year-old Pakistani boy, Mubshar Bilal who returned to his native place to his country via Attari land border following completion of their jail sentence, in Attari on Jan 14, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Attari: A 17-year-old Pakistani boy, Mubshar Bilal who returned to his native place to his country via Attari land border following completion of their jail sentence, in Attari on Jan 14, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Attari: A 17-year-old Pakistani boy, Mubshar Bilal who returned to his native place to his country via Attari land border following completion of their jail sentence, in Attari on Jan 14, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Amritsar, Jan 14 : A 17-year-old Pakistani boy, who returned to his native place on Tuesday after languishing in a juvenile home in India for nearly two years, said he would love to come back to this country, but with a visa. Expressing gratitude to Indian officials for his safe return, Mubshar Bilal told the media ahead of his repatriation that he was excited to meet his family, comprising brothers, sisters and the mother. The boy, who was languishing in a juvenile home in Punjab's Hoshiarpur town for inadvertently crossing the international border in February 2018, was later reunited with his family. He was handed over to the Pakistan Rangers at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post between India and Pakistan, some 30 km from Amritsar. Bilal belongs to Pakistan's Kasur district. "I am thankful to Indian officials for taking care of my wellbeing and facilitating my safe return. I would love to come back to India but after getting my passport and with a visa," a visibly upbeat Bilal told the media. A case relating to his repatriation is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and is listed for the next hearing on January 15. Ahead of the hearing, the Union Home Ministry, in a communication to the juvenile home authorities, took the decision to repatriate Mubshar, popularly known as Mubarak. Legal-cum-Probation Officer Sukhjinder Singh told IANS that the boy was acquitted by the juvenile justice board on September 4, 2018. The boy said he inadvertently entered the Indian side of the border in Tarn Taran district on the night of February 27, 2018 after a dispute with his family. His house is located close to the Indian territory and there is no fencing. The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Biodun Ogunyemi, has described as untrue, reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the stoppage of salaries of lecturers who failed to register on the Integrated Payment and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). The union also said the federal government is considering its proposal of connecting the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) with IPPIS to address the peculiar cases of lecturers in the payment of salaries and other emoluments. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday afternoon, Mr Ogunyemi said he found it necessary to correct the wrong impression created by a section of the media that the meeting of ASUU with President Buhari on January 9, 2020, was called solely to discuss IPPIS which ASUU rejected, and still rejects, for sound reasons. At no point during the meeting did President Muhammadu Buhari put a closure to the ongoing discussion on ASUUs preference for the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) or directed that the salaries of ASUU members to be stopped for failure to enrol on IPPIS, he said. He said the union has always argued that IPPIS crisis cannot be resolved without paying due attention to the foundational issues of autonomy and academic freedom, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), and sustainable funding of education for the transformation of Nigeria. According to the president, some of the issues raised with the president include, ASUUs ongoing innovation of a more robust system of human resource management and compensation, called UTAS, which will address the peculiarities of universities and end inappropriate recruitments in the system. There is a need for the government to declare a Five-Year State of Emergency in the Education Sector. During this period, at least 6% of the GDP or 26% of the FGN Budget, as well as 26% of each State government budget, should be allocated to Education during this period, Mr Ogunyemi said. READ ALSO: Mr Ogunyemi said the Minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed created the wrong impression that a substantial number of ASUU members had enrolled in IPPIS in defiance of the union. However, the minister failed to provide the ratio of academic to non-academic in her questionable data, he said PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said out of the 137,016 academic and non-academic staff members of the universities, 96,090 have been enrolled in the Integrated Payment and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). She, therefore, urged ASUU to encourage the remaining 40,926 members to comply with the process. She said a desk has been opened in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for registration of university staff, assuring that peculiarity of the tertiary institutions will be accommodated. Six points ASUU discussed with FG Mr Ogunyemi said ASUU made six demands at the meeting with President Buhari including the need for appropriate officers to obey universities laws and abide by collective bargaining agreements. The second point is that there is a need for the implementation of all outstanding provisions of February 7, 2019, FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action. Thirdly, the union said there is the need to re-commence and conclude the Re-negotiation of the 2009 FGN/ ASUU Agreement, based on ILOs collective bargaining principles within the six-week timeframe originally set for it Fourthly, the need for Mr Buhari, as the Visitor to the federal universities, to constitute and activate Visitation Panels to all universities and direct that the outcomes be fully implemented. The fifth point is that government should welcome ASUUs ongoing innovation of a more robust system of human resource management and compensation, called the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), which will address the peculiarities of universities and end inappropriate recruitments in the system. Finally, the union said the government needs to declare a five-year state of emergency in the education sector. During this period, at least 6 per cent of the GDP or 26 per cent of the FGN Budget, as well as 26 per cent of each state government budget, should be allocated to education. Press Release 14 January 2020 DALLAS - Remington Hotels, a leading third-party management company, announced today that it has signed agreements to manage the Residence Inn Steamboat Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and the Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel in Tarrytown, New York. Advertisements McClurg Century Investments and Cypress 16 selected Remington Hotels to open and manage the Residence Inn Steamboat Springs, Remington's first property in Colorado. The 110-room, new build hotel in Colorado's preeminent ski town is anticipated to open in July 2020. Designed with sloped roofs to keep with the vernacular architecture theme of the town, the new property will also feature an outdoor pool, hot tub and mountain views. "It is extremely exciting to bring the Residence Inn brand to a world-class destination like Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where guests will be able to enjoy the combination of superb facilities and tranquil surroundings," says Remington Hotels President & CEO Sloan Dean. "We look forward to working with McClurg Century Investments and Cypress 16 on this outstanding hotel and leveraging Remington's experience working with Residence Inn branded hotels over the years to deliver the results we're known for." "As a longtime resident of Steamboat Springs, I believe that it is an opportune time to invest in Steamboat. Our Residence Inn branded hotel will be perfect for Steamboat and guests will love the location and the overall extended stay amenities provided. We are pleased that Remington has agreed to manage our hotel and we know with their experience and expertise that Steamboat guests will be thrilled with their stay, says Jack McClurg, founder of McClurg Century Investments." Remington Hotels has also entered into management agreement with Lixi Group to manage the 150-room Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel. The 150-room property is located 25 miles outside of New York City, in the beautiful Hudson Valley, featuring amenities such as the newly opened Oceano Tapas restaurant, featuring shareable small plates and Spanish influenced cuisine, along with an indoor pool. "We are very pleased to enter into a management agreement with Lixi Group to manage the Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel. With Remington's history of operating numerous Sheraton hotels, we see this as an opportunity to partner with Lixi Group to create additional value to the guest experience and overall operational excellence of the property," says Sloan Dean. "The Lixi Group team is very excited about our new partnership with Remington Hotels and the Sheraton Hotel Tarrytown. We interviewed and consulted with several companies, and we are very confident in Remington's ability and resources to add value to our hotel and guest experience" says Michael Percaccio, Vice President of Operations, Lixi Group. Early in December, children at Penn-Lincoln Elementary gathered in the gym to shop for a new winter coat. AccuWeather Broadcast Meteorologist Brittany Boyer recalls children at the event trying on coats and not wanting to take them off when it came time to write their name in their new jackets. "Some of these kids at this elementary school didn't have a winter coat," Boyer said. "An object many take for granted is one that others don't even have the opportunity to have." Operation Warm hosted the event to give away brand new, warm winter coats to children in need. The charity filled the gym up with tables topped with the jackets of a variety of different colors and sizes. Each of the children was able to browse the selection and choose the one they wanted to take home. Each jacket given was brand new, unlike in a coat drive where gently used jackets are donated. With AccuWeather's sponsorship, Operation Warm was able to provide enough winter coats for every child of an elementary school in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to go home with a coat free of charge. AccuWeather staff like Boyer and Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski attended the event to help distribute the coats amongst the students. AccuWeather staff visited Penn-Lincoln Elementary in December to help distribute coats for Operation Warm. (Twitter/@AliciaBettes) "I was astonished that some of these kids walked 2 miles to school," Pydynowski said. "But each kid had a smile on their face. I loved seeing how all of my fellow team members were so engaged with the kids. I looked over and saw some of my co-workers dancing with the kids and doing push-ups. They were so engaging and I think that helped the kids feel more comfortable." The event hit close to home for some of the AccuWeather staff. "I grew up in a working class household with little money to spare, sometimes having to rely on the generosity of family members for something like a new coat," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Randy Adkins said. "That's not to say that my parents weren't working hard, but life is sometimes more difficult, and being one of three boys who grew quickly and were extremely active made it even more so." Story continues Remembering generosity he and his family had received in their time of need, he wanted to pay it forward by helping out a local community in need. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP The charity was founded a little over 20 years ago. In 1998, Dick Sanford was driving through his hometown of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, when he spotted a group of children huddled together at a school bus stop one freezing December morning. Moved by the sight, he changed course, going to the department store and buying all 58 coats left in stock to distribute to children who needed them. His actions, however, have changed more than just 58 lives. The charity has since distributed more than 3 million coats to children across North America. "Many families living in poverty struggle to provide necessities like food, housing, clothing and child care. The gift of a brand new coat offers hope to both children and their parents, reminding them there are those in their community that care about their well-being and future," Operation Warm says on its site. "For some families a new coat for a growing child isn't an option," Boyer said. "I helped boys and girls pick out coats who were wearing one that they had outgrown. Some kids were walking to school in sweatshirts because their family could not afford to buy a new jacket. Some kids were fortunate enough to have a coat passed down from an older family member." In the U.S. alone, about 15 million children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold. That measures up to about 21% of all children. The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) cites that research shows the average family needs an income about twice the amount of that threshold to actually cover basic expenses. Taking this into consideration, about 43% of children live in low-income families. About 19% of children live below the poverty line in Pennsylvania, according to the NCCP. The national average of children in poor families is also 19%. "Honestly, the kids helped many of us - we gave them jackets, but they further instilled in us the sense of what life is really about - helping those less fortunate than you and making a difference in kids' lives," Pydynowski said. You can help AccuWeather and Operation Warm provide the gift of a brand new coat by donating here. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cypris, an online marketplace and search engine for patents, has officially announced a partnership with, Techolution, the #3 IT System Development company on the most recent INC 500 list. Techolution provided Cypris with engineering support and product development guidance as Cypris was taken from a transformative idea to an active platform. Cypris's core offering, ipcypris.com, was launched on October 1st of last year and is currently accessible to the public. The site has already received over 600 listed patents from 6 Universities and various research institutions. A Little About Cypris Steve Hafif, founder and CEO of Cypris, designed the platform to fill the widened gap that exists within the IP landscape. The lack of innovative tools and design-friendly platforms for marketing valuable patents within their respective fields has plagued innovation. The large majority of patents are left dormant, creating legal bottlenecks to innovation. Cypris allows patent owners, whether they be universities, individuals or organizations to release the bottleneck that their patent is enforcing, by offering their innovation for sale or license. In addition to a traditional marketplace, Cypris is actively creating mass-market tools in patent grant monitoring & analytic services to help negate the lack of transparency that exists within the patent market. Underrepresented universities & organizations can now have access to the same innovative tools that, until now, only 1% of the market controlled. Industry Pioneers at Heart Tackling this feat requires a unique set of skills in technical development, design and rapid iterations. Techolution's unique skillset in AI and data organization makes them a perfect fit for Cypris' needs. Steve Hafif comments, "Techolution's commitment to thinking 'outside-of-the-box' from the very first meeting, coupled with their unique expertise in building high-quality technology products gave me and the rest of the Cypris team confidence that we had found the right partner". He goes on to say, "As we progressed through the development stages, the synergy between our teams was evident. As two innovation-driven companies, we both understand the magnitude and potential impact of Cypris, both in and outside of the IP landscape." What's On The Horizon In the coming months, Cypris has plans to expand its current artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities on Cypris. Techolution will be collaborating closely with the Cypris team members to further enhance the platform's search engine and marketplace functionality. Furthermore, additional platform features are being developed and new technologies are being considered to boost the site's user experience and to provide patent owners and researchers with more powerful tools. Techolution's CEO and President, Luv Tulsidas, is excited for the future developments of Cypris, which are currently in the pipeline. "We have only scratched the surface on the value Cypris can deliver to its users and the platform has already generated significant traction since its October launch. We are honored to be on this journey with the Cypris team and we look forward to a fruitful technology partnership as we begin 2020." About Cypris: Cypris' core offering is ipcypris.com , an innovative platform that combines a specialized assignee and inventor search engine with a patent marketplace. Cypris combines modern techniques in design, data analytics, and machine learning to present patent listings to relevant potential buyers and licensees. Over time, Cypris intends to bring additional patent assets from the academic sector to the fore, along with patent listings supplied by leading technology companies and inventors. About Techolution: Techolution is a next-gen, business technology consultancy headquartered in New York City with offices in India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Mauritius. They specialize in building and implementing managed services and solutions for customers looking to digitally transform their business, whether they are at the beginning or further along their digital transformation journey. Our team of IT professionals possesses significant expertise in the areas of Cloud Migration and Automation, Internet of Things, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and CX/UX optimization. We apply our business and technical knowledge to help clients enhance their existing work processes and infrastructure to secure new efficiencies, boost productivity and increase company-wide cost-effectiveness. Given the current and ever-evolving digital landscape, Techolution delivers to customers both tangible business value in the present and the future. Learn more at techolution.com SOURCE Techolution Related Links https://techolution.com I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia's Charlotte Crosby was left blushing when co-star Tanya Hennessy abruptly asked her for a kiss on Monday night. While spending time at camp, the YouTube comedian, 34, informed Charlotte that she 'really wants to kiss her' as she'd like to know how her plump pout feels. The Geordie Shore star, 29, was stunned at Tanya's suggestion but eventually agreed to lock lips with the comedian. 'I really want to know how those lips feel!': I'm A Celebrity's Charlotte Crosby (pictured) was left blushing when co-star Tanya Hennessy asked her for a kiss on Monday night As the pair sat along with their co-stars Miguel Maestre and Dilruk Jayasinha, Tanya abruptly said: 'I really want to kiss your mouth.' 'You want to kiss mine?,' a stunned Charlotte questioned as Tanya explained: 'I want to know how those lips feel.' The English television personality then informed her campmates: 'Tanya actually wants to kiss us. She just said "I really want to kiss your mouth", just randomly!' Honest: While spending time together at camp, Tanya informed Charlotte she 'really wants to kiss her' as she'd like to know how her plump pout feels After much consideration, she asked her co-star: 'Do you want to feel them with your hands [instead]?' Tanya then placed her fingers on Charlotte's lip and said: 'I want to kiss them... Just like a peck. You don't have to kiss me back!' 'What about you just kiss the side?,' Charlotte suggested. Shocked:After much consideration, Charlotte asked her co-star: 'Do you want to feel them with your hands [instead]?' 'No I want to get right in,' Tanya insisted as she laughed hysterically. Charlotte eventually agreed to sharing a kiss with Tanya and asked the comedian: 'What did you think?' 'They're amazing,' Tanya claimed before confessing in a piece-to-camera: 'Those lips they're actually amazing. Ryan [Gallagher] is lucky.' During debate last week, some aldermen said there are too few tobacco shops on the South and West sides that would fork over $4,400 under Lightfoots plan for a license that would allow them simply to host people who want to smoke cannabis. And others said residents are worried the owners of marijuana dispensaries will open tobacco shops nearby that will turn into de facto party houses for people to smoke the product theyve just purchased. President Donald Trump on Monday retweeted a volley of incendiary posts accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., of downplaying protests in Iran and supporting the regime. The tweets he shared included a fake photo of Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wearing photoshopped Islamic head coverings and standing in front of the Iranian flag. "DEMOCRATS 2020" read the text below the image. Another showed a graphic picture of what appeared to be a man's body, along with the claim that Pelosi "supports this mullahs' crime." The retweets were in apparent response to Pelosi's remarks on the Sunday edition of ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Host George Stephanopoulos asked whether she supported the anti-regime protests, which erupted after Iran's military admitted, following days of denial, that it shot down a Ukrainian airliner it mistook for hostile aircraft. He also asked if it would be "a good thing if they brought the regime down." "Well, the regime - the protesters are - are protesting, as I understand it, this brand of protesters, about the fact that that plane went down," Pelosi responded. "And many students were on that plane. And these are largely students in the street. I think the Iranians should have not had commercial flights going off when there was - " Stephanopoulos cut in, noting: "They're calling out the regime for lying." The protesters who have flooded the streets since the government's Saturday admission have chanted against the country's military chiefs and its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Videos showed demonstrators fleeing tear gas and, in one instance, a woman bleeding from a leg - an injury protesters said was caused by live ammunition. Tehran's police chief denied claims that police shot at demonstrators. Previous protests have drawn an aggressive response. Security forces killed at least 200 protesters during dissent over cuts to fuel subsidies across Iran in November, rights groups said. The Trump administration has claimed the death toll was higher, at 1,500. The unrest over the downed airplane stood in contrast with widespread mourning in Iran after a U.S. drone strike killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a prominent military leader. "The fact is this, the - there were protesters in the streets before against the regime," Pelosi told Stephanopoulos. "After the taking out of Soleimani, there were protesters in the street, joined together, as you know, against us. That wasn't good. Taking down this plane is a terrible, terrible tragedy. And they should be held accountable for letting commercial flights go at a time that was so, so dangerous." "But there are different reasons why people are in the street," she added. "Of course we would love to see the aspirations of the people of Iran realized with a better situation there, but escalating the situation - unless we've exhausted every other remedy." She continued: "There are a lot of bad actors who are doing bad things and threatening bad things to us. We know that. Iran being one of them. And it being a - it's proxies doing bad things to our interests throughout the world. But how do we deal with that in a way that calms rather than escalates?" Critics, including the research arm of the Republican National Committee, seized upon her comments as a defense of the regime, despite her condemnation of the Iranian government allowing commercial air traffic and her assertion that she would love to see the Iranian people's aspirations realized. The hashtag #NancyPelosiFakeNews trended Monday on Twitter. "The Iranian people are being killed in the streets by the Islamic Republic, but Nancy Pelosi in the USA supports those who kill the Iranian people," read one tweet Trump shared. "Why?" Another one of the president's retweets was more pointed. "While the Iranian people are being killed by the mullahs in the protests, you are lying to the American people!" it said. "The real people of Iran don't want the Democrats-backed terrorists. Shame on you for playing with the blood of Iranian people." But it was the photoshopped image of Pelosi and Schumer in traditional Islamic clothing that drew some of the strongest criticism of Trump. "Why the actual hell is the president of the United States using the way I and millions of other Americans dress and the religious beliefs that We hold as a slur," asked Hend Amry, a prominent Muslim voice on Twitter. "This absolutely must be condemned by congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle." Schumer soon weighed in. "President Trump: How low can you go?" he tweeted. "Republicans: How long can you cover up for and defend the president's actions?" Millions of dollars continue to pour into LNP coffers despite fears a ban on property developer donations would put a dent in the party's election war chest. When the ban was introduced in October 2017, the LNP was forced to pay back about half a million dollars in donations from developers. Deb Frecklington would be smiling over the $1.8 millon that has been poured into her party's coffers. Credit:Jono Searle/AAP But it has still secured $1.8 million in donations since the start of the financial year. Since July 1, about 70 per cent of all declared donations to Queensland political parties went to the LNP. Two private sector lenders on Tuesday said their business was impacted due to the fallout of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in Assam last month, with the poor borrowers segment being the most hit. IndusInd Bank and Bandhan Bank, which have come out with their December quarter earnings, reported a dip in micro lending activity because of the protests and hoped that the troubles will end soon. Anti-CAA protests had engulfed large parts of Assam in the days leading to the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and after it was passed by both Houses of Parliament, as the locals feared that the law could result in a fresh influx of outsiders. "It is better to lose business temporary rather than getting hit from a long-term perspective, a senior executive from IndusInd Bank told PTI. The bank recently acquired a dedicated microlender Bharat Financial and also entered Assam market. It has a book of over Rs 53 crore in the northeastern state, the official said, adding it lent only Rs 4 lakh in the state in December. It also went slow in West Bengal, a mature market for MFIs, because of the CAA-related protests, and also due to concerns like over-borrowing and other risks perceived by the bank, the official said. If not for the issues in Assam and West Bengal, our disbursements of Rs 3,200 crore in December would have been higher by Rs 200 crore, the official said. Microlender turned universal lender Bandhan Bank also said it was impacted by the troubles in the North East, but added those were not exceptional. Its chief executive C S Ghosh said it had to make an extra provision of Rs 200 crore on small ticket loans made in Assam, clearly indicating that repayments have suffered. He said the bank has a portfolio of Rs 6,500 crore in Assam, which is 10 per cent of the overall loan portfolio, and added that impact of such an episode can last up to two months. He, however, said loan demand has not been hurt if one were to believe the bank's reports from the ground. The statements from the two banks follow similar announcements by other enterprises including Tata Group's watch making arm Titan, which last week disclosed that sales have been impacted in North East and other parts of the country due to forced store closures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The commercials were produced by Annie Delano in conjunction with NYCM Insurance's advertising agency, Overit Media and directed by Overit's own, Solomon Nero. In addition, Overit's Richard Skiermont acted as Creative Director. All of the spots feature a representative of NYCM Insurance (New York-based actor, Nico Piccardo) appearing in peoples' daily lives to hand-deliver a J.D. Power trophy, sharing the win with them as a pleasant surprise. A handful of different scenarios are featured throughout the series including: a woman ordering a meal at a drive-through restaurant, a librarian shelving books and a couple taking a leisurely jog through the suburbs. The commercials communicate a clear message ("This is for you!"), reiterating that while NYCM Insurance may be the one receiving the physical J.D. Power award, the honor of the award is a win for everyone in the NYCM Insurance ecosystem. "When we found out that we had earned the J.D. Power award for the second year in a row, we knew we had to do something special to celebrate the accomplishment and share the news with the people who made the award possible," said NYCM Insurance Vice President of Brand Management, Robert Snyder. "We're really proud of the message this series conveys, and that's why it's the largest campaign we've ever pursued at NYCM Insurance. We believe it's a story worth telling." The series was shot over the course of two days at various locations in Albany, NY. To watch the spots, click here. About NYCM. NYCM Insurance is a property and casualty insurance carrier that has been providing coverage to residents and businesses in New York since 1899. Headquartered in Edmeston, NY the company was founded in 1899 by VanNess D. Robinson under the name New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Aside from the Edmeston headquarters, NYCM Insurance has three additional offices in Sherburne, Canajoharie and Orchard Park. With a team of 800+ employees, and a network of 1,200 independent agents, NYCM Insurance is dedicated to providing superior service and a quality customer experience to their 525,000 insureds. Insurance lines include Home, Auto, Umbrella and Business. To learn more about NYCM's services, visit www.nycm.com. About J.D. Power. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. These capabilities enable J.D. Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and profitability. Established in 1968, J.D. Power has offices serving North America, South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Contact Robert Snyder, Vice President of Brand Management: (607) 965-2496, [email protected] SOURCE NYCM Insurance Related Links http://www.nycm.com A Missouri woman is dead after her boyfriend drove his truck off the road and allegedly left her to drown, according to police. On Friday evening, 20-year-old Jennelle Wulfmeier was in the passenger seat of boyfriend Cole M. McCalls 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. McCall, 21, was being following by a man he had given a fake $50 bill to while buying a car earlier that night, KSDK and KMO4 report, citing police. While speeding through the rain, McCall reportedly reached the end of a street in Elsberry but failed to stop, hitting a levee and falling into a flooded creek. As his truck sank, police believe the 21-year-old got out and told the man following him that his girlfriend was stuck, before fleeing the scene. Wulfmeier was left behind. The man in the other vehicle called for help but by the time police arrived on the scene they were unable to find the truck because the creek was too flooded. Jennelle was left in the water for over 12 hours before her body was retrieved, Wulfmeiers aunt wrote in a GoFundMe page. This was an unexpected and horrific death the family could not anticipate or prepare for. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Being left behind by her boyfriend its kind of hard to fathom that somebody, of any sort, would leave another human behind in that situation, Officer Tim Moore with the Elsberry Police Department told KDSK. Cole M. McCall The following day, authorities returned to the scene to pull the truck and Wulfmeier out. The recovery was tough because [it was] somebody that young; youre pulling them out, Moore said. McCall allegedly stole a car to flee the scene on the night of his girlfriends death. He has been charged with an accident resulting in death and the stealing of a motor vehicle. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond at Lincoln County Jail. The plane was diverted via Hawaii. (Getty) A father of five has died on an Air Canada flight bound for Australia while flying with his family. Christopher Woodgate, 38, was pronounced dead when the flight landed in Honolulu after the jet was diverted to Hawaii. Kira Paiva-Kimura, an administrative services officer for the Honolulu medical examiner's office, announced his death on Monday and said a post-mortem examination is set to be conducted. The plane had been heading for Brisbane, Australia, according to Peter Fitzpatrick, an Air Canada spokesman. The Air Canada flight had been heading for Brisbane, Australia (Getty) He would not provide details about what happened to the passenger. Out of respect for the privacy of our customers, Air Canada cannot confirm the details about the medical emergency, he said in an email. The man had been sick prior to the flight, Jessica Lani Rich of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, a nonprofit that assists visitors in distress, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: The man was traveling with five children, his wife and another family member, Ms Rich said. Her organisation also hired a nurse to care overnight for an 11-year-old passenger travelling alone. There were 257 passengers and 13 crew members on the flight. The airline provided passengers with hotel and food vouchers. The passengers left Honolulu on a different flight on Sunday. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts on Tuesday said she wouldnt wait for Congress to approve her aggressive budgetary plans to erase student debt, laying out a plan to use executive powers to provide relief to more than 40 million Americans. In a statement, Warren noted shed already proposed bold steps to broadly cancel student loan debt, provide universal tuition-free public two- and four-year college and technical school, ban for-profit colleges from receiving federal aid and help end racial disparities in college enrollment and resources." But she said were facing a student loan crisis, one thats holding back our economy and crushing millions of American families, so she plans to take advantage of the Department of Educations broad authority to end that crisis" using existing laws starting on day one of her presidency. Warren, who released the new plan the same day six Democrats are set to debate in Iowa three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, said she would direct the Education secretary to use their authority to begin to compromise and modify federal student loans consistent with my plan to cancel up to $50,000 in debt for 95% of student loan borrowers (about 42 million people)." Warrens initial $640 billion plan, paid for in part by Warrens proposed wealth tax on the richest Americans, helps borrowers earning less than $100,000, with proportionally less debt relief for anyone earning up to $250,000. Both Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have proposed canceling all student loan debt, but Warrens announcement Tuesday makes her the first candidate vowing to use executive authority to move the needle without the help of Congress. Warren noted the Higher Education Act offers student loan cancellation programs that are not being used fully to give borrowers the relief they were promised under the law, including dischargers for borrowers whose schools closed or who were defrauded by schools. The senator called for streamlined application processes, clearing out backlogged applications, using available data to match borrowers with discharge options and fixing any adverse effects of the debt on borrowers credit history. Warren also called on the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights to conduct a wide-scale investigation into the roles that colleges, state higher education systems, and the student loan industry play in contributing to racial disparities in student borrowing and student loan outcomes ... Where my administration identifies illegal discrimination, I will not hesitate to enforce the law to its fullest. Warren would also direct the Education head to restore Obama administration regulations cracking down on for-profit schools that have been rolled back by the Trump administration, targeting predatory student lending. President Donald Trumps Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has described Democratic candidates proposals as crazy. Politico reported that even House Democrats, in a higher education plan last year, pushed for free community college and new funding, but did not call for cancelling student loan debt. Rockets Fired at Military Base Housing US Soldiers in Iraq: Officials Iraqi officials said that rockets were fired at the Taji military base north of Baghdad on Jan. 14. No casualties were reported. Katyusha rockets were fired and were targeting the Taji training camp, according to an afternoon statement from the Iraqi Security Media Cell, which falls under the responsibility of the Iraqi Prime Ministers office. The statement didnt elaborate on how many rockets were fired or who was responsible. No Coalition troops were affected by this small attack at Taji Base, Col. Myles Caggins, spokesman for the U.S.-led military coalition, said in a statement. The Taji camp, located about 50 miles north of the capital, is one of several in Iraq that house U.S.-led coalition forces that were deployed to defeat the ISIS terrorist group, which had ruled over swaths of Iraq and Syria. An anonymous Iraqi army captain told the Anadolu Agency that the base had been targeted by at least two rockets. . (@SecMedCell) January 14, 2020 Tensions are high in the Middle East after the United States carried out an airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in retaliation for an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad days before. Iran then fired a barrage of missiles at Iraqi bases holding U.S. troops during the following week, after which sanctions were levied against Tehran by the White House. The latest rocket incident came just two days after an attack on the Balad Air Base in Iraq, which was condemned by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hours later. Outraged by reports of another rocket attack on an Iraqi airbase. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured and call on the Government of Iraq to hold those responsible for this attack on the Iraqi people accountable, wrote Pompeo on Twitter on Jan. 12. These continued violations of Iraqs sovereignty by groups not loyal to the Iraqi government must end. U.S. soldiers and journalists inspect the rubble at a site of Iranian bombing, at the Al Asad Air Base, Anbar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Qassim Abdul-Zahra/AP Photo) In that attack, Katyusha rockets were also launched, officials told Reuters. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told NPR on Jan. 13 that the United States has the constitutional authority to strike Iran-backed proxy militia groups in Iraq and Iran to retaliate against attacks on American forces. We hold Iran responsible for its proxies, and we will retain the right to exercise self-defense and take action where legally available and appropriate to hold those proxies accountable for their actions, Esper told NPR in an interview. Esper said the airstrike was carried out out of self-defense because Soleimani was plotting future attacks on U.S. assets. There was complete agreement based on what he had done and what he was planning to do, the broader attack that he was orchestrating in the region that would be bigger in scale and would likely result in open hostilities, that this was a compelling target to take out, Esper said. The United States is safer today than we were a few weeks ago because we eliminated the worlds foremost terrorist, Qassem Soleimani, who has the blood of hundreds of American soldiers and Marines on his hands. WASHINGTON When Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. walks out of his chambers at the Supreme Court, crosses First Street and enters the Capitol to preside over President Trumps impeachment trial, he will leave behind an institution that prides itself on reason and decorum and enter one marked by partisan warfare. The chief justices responsibilities at the trial are fluid and ill-defined, and they will probably turn out to be largely ceremonial. What is certain is that they will be full of peril for his reputation and that of his court. Its not a heavy lift, but its going to put him in a very, very unpleasant role, said Philip Bobbitt, a law professor at Columbia and an author, with Charles L. Black Jr., of Impeachment: A Handbook. Im sure hell get ulcers. That role could begin as early as Thursday when, after a monthlong delay, the House will vote to appoint a team of lawmakers, known as managers, to prosecute the case against Mr. Trump and, in a highly choreographed exchange, transmit the articles to the Senate. Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"): Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 14 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 38,638 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,552 pence 20.19 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,536 pence 19.98 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,545 pence 20.10 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 14 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 48,722 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.10 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 19.90 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.05 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 14 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 37,450 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.20 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 19.90 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.04 USD PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 27.07 USD 20.64 GBP which was calculated as of 7 January 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 205,515,350 Public Shares outstanding, or 211,177,419 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 5,441,400 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies. The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (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: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005765/en/ Contacts: Media Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk The last two decades have seen big changes in the way states and interest groups handle education policyand some of these shifts defy the growing homogeneity of national politics. Thats one big conclusion from a new working paper that uses 145,000 campaign contributions over 57,000 state elections in all 50 states to analyze the impact of new laws promoting private school choice and right-to-work laws (which ban individuals from being compelled to pay for union representation) on state political coalitions. The research does show an increasing alignment between teachers unions and Democrats, but not to the extent many might expect. And the impact of these policies on political donations may not always have the impact lawmakers intend. Shifting Alliances in State Political Parties: The Case of Education Interest Groups also finds that education politics in Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos home state of Michigan, for example, have become highly polarized along party lines as measured by new policies impacting K-12 and how political donations have shifted from 2000 to 2017. But thats not the same neat and tidy story everywhere. Another finding with potentially significant long-term implications? The number of candidates for state office getting donations from teachers unions has dropped significantly in recent years. In 2000, for example, 25 percent of those candidates got donations from teachers unions, but in 2016, that figure had dropped to 20 percent. (The paper doesnt look at whether the total amount of those contributions has risen or fallen.) The working paper, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, was authored by Leslie K. Finger, a lecturer on government and social studies at Harvard University, and Sarah Reckhow, an associate professor of political science at Michigan State University. It breaks down the source of donations into two basic camps: teachers unions, and education reform groups that advocate for school choice of different kinds and for accountability-oriented policies (although the authors note that not all of these reform groups advocate for all the same policies). It then tracks whether those donations went to Democrats or Republicans. It also highlights more-detailed data from Michigan, Tennessee, and Washington states. So what about Michigan? To illustrate how education politics in DeVos home state (which passed a right to work law in 2011 but doesnt have a private school choice law on the books) has polarized, Finger and Reckhow compared union and education reform groups donations to major-party candidates in 2000 with those in 2016. You can see the result for yourself below; unions are denoted by circles with black outlines and the letter U on the inside; education reform groups are marked by circles with gray outlines and the letter R on the inside; Democrats are denoted by black circles, Republicans by gray circles, and the arrows from groups to candidates represent those donations. You dont need to go far to find an example of Michigans polarized environment, although the one we have in mind involves public and not private school choice. Late last year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who took office in 2019, vetoed a funding increase for charter schools as part of a broad budget fight with Republicans who control the state legislatureshe did not hold up a separate spending boost for traditional public schools. Whitmer eventually signed off on the increase for charters, but not before recriminations from the states school choice community. (The paper doesnt get into detail about donations to Whitmer specifically.) But the picture is more complex elsewhere. In Washington state, for example, the study looked at 12 Democratic candidates whove had long careers in office, and found that eight of them shifted from getting only teachers union donations but no education reform donations in 2000, to getting only education reform group donations and no teachers union donations in 2016. I thought we were going to see this polarization story everywhere through the whole time period. Thats really not the case. Theres variation across states, said Finger in an interview. Part of the story as well is the simple growth in education reform groups as a counterveiling force in education politics, since they were a very small presence in 2000 compared to their position now, Finger noted. And teachers unions still contribute to Republicans at the state level despite how things have changed over the last two decades, defying what many who focus on national politics might think. Elsewhere, the passage of right-to-work laws correlates with a subsequently higher number of donations from teachers unions to candidates, suggesting a defensive response where teachers unions are doubling down and rallying in the wake of these laws, Finger said in the interview, adding that this finding surprised her. And those laws are associated with a lower number of donations from education reform groups. However, private school choice policies do the opposite. The paper finds that they lead to a higher number of donations from reform groups and a lower number of donations from teachers unions. For additional perspective on this issue, see our piece from late last year on separate research on education policy and polarization in states . Read the working paper from Finger and Reckhow below: Image: Getty Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa . The US is reaching out to leaders in the UK to try and turn its ally against using Huawei technology in non-core parts of its 5G rollout. Thats according to a recent report from the BBC, suggesting US delegates are once again presenting evidence in a bid to convince the UK that Huawei isnt safe. Specifically, US Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger is reported to have met ministers in London on January 13. The delegate is said to have brought along a dossier for the meeting, containing technical information that runs contrary to British intelligence findings. The representatives have said that utilizing Huawei equipment would be tantamount to madness. President Donald Trump has also reached out in a bid to pressure British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the source reports. Advertisement Will pressure from the US work to sway the UK on Huawei? United States officials have reportedly refused to comment on the meetings but at least some UK officials appear to be in agreement about the risks posed by Huawei. The country is, as yet, undecided on how it will proceed. Conservative MP Bob Seely has spoken out to decry the company as being part of the Chinese state rather than an independent company. The MP has reached out to Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, requesting immediate and thorough investigations regarding Huawei. In particular, Mr. Seely is concerned about whether or not Huawei is suitable to build out any part of the UK 5G networking infrastructure. The UK also runs a risk associated with international relations if a deal is struck with Huawei. Several bills within the US have been proposed that would cut intelligence-sharing ties with any nation utilizing Huawei equipment. Thats going to be a tall order to fill since Huawei is among the largest suppliers of such equipment worldwide. Advertisement Thats a position opposed by MI5 head Andrew Parker, who recently revealed he has no reason to believe that the relationship between the US and UK would change if Huawei technology were to be used. Is Huawei safe? Not all of Huaweis moves over the past year or more have worked to curry favor among its detractors. In some cases, employees of the company if not the company itself have been caught actively spying. But that hasnt been spying conducted at the bequest of its home country. Huawei has also been caught out conducting espionage of the corporate nature, rather than on an international scale involving governments. However, the Chinese tech giant has repeatedly refuted claims that it works as part of the Chinese government. Thats a sentiment that has been, at various times, backed by even US companies such as Google and Qualcomm. Advertisement In a statement released by the source, the company has said that it is a private company. Huawei also spoke to remind the UK that it has been supplying UK telecoms companies for 15 years. Thats covered everything from 3G through 4G to broadband equipment. British experts are clear our technology does not pose a security risk, the company says. She's known for her role on NBC's hit program, This is Us. But Chrissy Metz is making a name for herself in the music world after signing a record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville, hours after the song she sang in the film Breakthrough landed an Oscar nomination. The 39-year-old actress' 'lifelong dream' is coming true as she prepares to record her debut country album and she told Good Housekeeping that she's committed to the motto 'progress, not perfection' when it comes to battling weight issues. Best! Chrissy Metz is making a name for herself in the music world after signing a record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville, hours after the song she sang in the film Breakthrough landed an Oscar nomination 'To say I am excited to fulfill a lifelong dream is an understatement,' she said in a statement. 'Music has always been my first love and to be working alongside Cindy and the incomparable team at UMG is truly a gift!' Chrissy worked with UMG on the soundtrack to her movie Breakthrough, performing the song I'm Standing With You which earned songwriter Diane Warren a Best Original Song Oscar nomination this week. President of UMG Nashville, Cindy Mabe, admitted she couldn't be happier to welcome Chrissy onto the label's roster of artists, which includes Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton and Luke Bryan. Blessed: The 39-year-old actress' 'lifelong dream' is coming true as she prepares to record her debut country album and she told Good Housekeeping that she's committed to the motto 'progress, not perfection' when it comes to battling weight issues She's remained focused on living a positive lifestyle despite adversity as she detailed her battle with weight issues to Good Housekeeping. 'Ive battled weight issues, but I realize that I dont have to beat myself up if I have XYZ food,' she said. 'Instead, I change my perspective and think, "What is it that Im angry about?" since we tend to want crunchy foods when were angry or ice cream when we soothe ourselves. All these things Im just trying to be cognizant of.' The Florida-born star wore a series of show-stopping looks for the cover of the famous publication, where she delved into her positive mindset. 'So often if something isnt perfect, we go I quit! Thats not conducive to forward progress, and its really about progress, not perfection,' she said. 'If we were perfect, we wouldnt have anything to attain or achieve' 'So often if something isnt perfect, we go I quit! Thats not conducive to forward progress, and its really about progress, not perfection,' she said. 'If we were perfect, we wouldnt have anything to attain or achieve.' She also admitted that her turbulent upbringing marred with physical and emotional abuse could have steered her in a different direction, but she used her experiences to help shape her into someone others can look up to. 'I dont like to make other people feel uncomfortable, because I know what its like to be incredibly uncomfortable or picked on or bullied, and I dont ever want to hurt anyone,' Chrissy said. The United Kingdom, France and Germany announced today that they are triggering a dispute resolution mechanism (DRM) in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in response to steps by Iran to reduce its compliance with the accord. Iran's move comes in protest of the US re-imposition of crippling economic sanctions. Though the three European parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) said they are triggering the DRM in sincere hope of finding a way to preserve the agreement and stressed that they are not joining the Donald Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against Iran, analysts warned the step could ultimately hasten the deals demise. They said it risks Irans eventual decision to curtail extensive monitoring and verification of its nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and adherence to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Irans actions are inconsistent with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and have increasingly severe and non-reversible proliferation implications, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany said in the joint statement. We have therefore been left with no choice, given Irans actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments under the JCPOA and to refer this matter to the Joint Commission under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism. We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving the JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue, while preserving the agreement and remaining within its framework, the ministers said. In doing so, our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance. Iran responded by saying it sent letters last year to the coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission calling for triggering the deals dispute resolution mechanism over the 2018 US exit from the deal and re-imposition of harsh economic sanctions while Iran continued to meet its commitments. But it warned that eventual possible referral of Iran back to the UN Security Council for noncompliance would have dire consequences, and has previously hinted they could include exiting the NPT altogether. If the Europeans, instead of keeping to their commitments and making Iran benefit from the lifting of the sanctions, misuse the dispute resolution mechanism, they'll need to be prepared for the consequences that they were informed about earlier, the spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry said today, reported Iranian journalist Abas Aslani. The Europeans may be trying to salvage the deal with the step, but could end up hastening its demise and risk an Iranian backlash that could end the extensive IAEA monitoring and verification of Irans nuclear program, several analysts said they feared. By triggering the DRM the E3 might provoke a crisis that they claim they are trying to prevent unless the time and space created by intense diplomatic engagement is used to provide Iran with some economic reprieve as means of returning it into JCPOA compliance, Ali Vaez, director of Iran programs at the International Crisis Group, warned on Twitter. European companies could see this as a major juncture in Europe-Iran relations and potentially a route to UN [Security Council] and EU sanctions on Iran, disrupting ongoing/future trade, tweeted Sahil Shah, policy fellow at the pro-JCPOA European Leadership Network. And Irans adherence to the NPT and IAEA Additional Protocol alone makes the JCPOA worth preserving. The Europeans have signaled to the Iranians that they do not intend to refer the matter to the UN Security Council but to keep the dispute at the Joint Commission, which oversees implementation of the troubled accord, said Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy Middle East director at the European Council on Foreign Relations. My sense is that the Europeans very clearly messaged to the Iranians that by triggering the DRM, they do not intend to take the matter to the UN Security Council, Geranmayeh told Al-Monitor. They are trying to find a way, a new space, in which to find a political solution for this situation. My sense is the DRM is at tool for the Europeans to buy time with Washington but also signaling to Iran they dont intend to go to snapback. They are actually trying to buy time for Washington and Tehran to find a way out of this, Geranmayeh said. She added, however, that the ability of the Europeans to put anything on the table is extremely limited. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said today the step would allow the parties flexibility to control the process. Alongside our partners, we will use this to press Iran to come back into full compliance with its commitments, and honour an agreement that is in all our interests, Raab said in a statement to the House of Commons today. This process has been explicitly designed to allow participants flexibility and full control at each and every stage. Malaysia's leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim will not face charges over claims he sexually assaulted a male former aide, prosecutors said Tuesday, the latest such scandal to tarnish the veteran politician's career. Muhammed Yusoff Rawther last month accused Anwar of trying to force him to have sex and filed a police complaint, but officials said there was not enough evidence to make a criminal case. Anwar, seen as the likely successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, spent almost a decade in jail after being convicted of sodomising a young male aide, allegations that supporters say were aimed at ruining his political career. Sex between men remains illegal under colonial-era laws in the Muslim-majority country. Anwar was released from prison and pardoned in 2018 after his alliance stormed to a shock victory against a corruption-plagued coalition that had ruled the country since independence from Britain in 1957. But political tensions have escalated sharply, with Anwar's nemesis-turned-ally Mahathir refusing to say when he will hand over power, and vicious infighting erupting in his People's Justice Party (PKR). After completing investigations, the attorney-general's office said "insufficient evidence" and "contradictions of material facts" meant they would not proceed with a prosecution. "We agree with the recommendation of (the police) that the case be closed," said solicitor-general Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek in a statement. Neither Anwar -- who denied the allegations -- nor Yusoff were named in the statement but it was widely reported to refer to the case. Anwar was first thrown in jail in the 1990s after being sacked from his position in government by Mahathir, who was in his first stint as premier at the time, and their stormy relationship has loomed over Malaysian politics ever since. In 2015, he was jailed for a second time on sodomy charges and only released after last year's elections. Mahathir and Anwar reconciled ahead of the polls in a bid to oust the scandal-mired Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition of then premier Najib Razak. West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday attacked the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the state has turned into a "hub of anti-nationals" who enjoyed the "patronage" of the ruling party. The BJP chief also claimed that law and order had completely broken down in most districts of the state. "Bengal under the TMC rule in past eight years has turned into a hub of anti-nationals. It is a safe haven for terrorists and enemies of the state," he alleged. "This has happened as the TMC is giving these elements patronage in order to secure its vote bank," Ghosh said while addressing a programme at Kharagpur. Reacting to Ghosh's claim, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said, "He is under the illusion that he is the biggest patriot. But the fact is he just knows to terrorise masses. We don't need lessons from Dilip Ghosh on nationalism and patriotism,". Ghosh had kicked up a row with his remarks at a public meeting in Nadia district on Sunday where he said anti-CAA protesters were "shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states", drawing criticism from political rivals as well as his own party men. He had slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "for not opening fire and ordering lathicharge" on those destroying public property during anti-CAA protests in the state in December. "Didi's police didn't take action against those who destroyed public property as they are her voters. Our governments in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka shot these people like dogs," Ghosh had said. Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo had termed Ghosh's comments "irresponsible". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) English Lithuanian The content of the message has not changed. Attachment added. Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius AB (hereinafter the Company or ESO), identification code 304151376, registered office placed at Aguonu str. 24, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania. The total number of registered ordinary shares issued by company is 894 630 333; ISIN code LT0000130023. The Company informs that its parent company UAB Ignitis grupe informs that after consultation with the Bank of Lithuania, it discloses information that official tender circular of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius was submitted to Bank of Lithuania. It is noteworthy that this circular and the specified prices in this circular are not approved by the Bank of Lithuania yet. In the official tender circular of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius which was submitted to the Bank of Lithuania by the voluntary tender offer of UAB Ignitis Grupe, it is specified that the price to be paid for one share of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius amounts to EUR 0.880. This price is equal to the 6-month weighted average, until the day of announcement about intention to delist shares from trading on a regulated market (from 9 May 2019 until 8 November 2019 inclusive), of the stock market price which is equal to EUR 0.703 and the bonus which is equal to EUR 0.177. This bonus is paid by taking into consideration that it is intended to initiate mandatory buyout of shares of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius after implementing the official tender and for smooth implementation of the official tender. In the official tender circular it is also specified that if at the General meeting of shareholders of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius in the year 2020 the decisions will be adopted to pay dividends for the shareholders of AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius for the year 2019, UAB Ignitis Grupe, the offeror of the non-competitive mandatory tender, will pay the additional bonus for those shareholders who would sell their shares at a time of official tender offer. This bonus will be paid by UAB Ignitis Grupe as a part of whole price, which is paid for shares. The amount of this additional bonus shall be equal to the amount of dividends that such shareholder would have received in proportion to the shares he held and sold to UAB Ignitis Grupe at the time of the official tender offer, if he had been a shareholder of AB Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius on the record date of the rights of shareholders. It should be noted that this obligation of the UAB Ignitis grupe regarding payment of the additional bonus is conditional and in no way is a promise or an obligation to propose or decide to pay dividends for the year of 2019 to the shareholders of AB Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius. Also this does not mean that the management board of AB Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius has already made decisions to propose dividends to the shareholders of this company for the year of 2019. Company decisions to offer to pay or not to pay dividends to their shareholders will be made in accordance with applicable dividend policy and other legal acts and following the audit of annual financial statements for the year of 2019 of the Company. The comparisons of the prices in the official tender circular with the trading data of the ESO are provided in the annexes to this announcement. As announced earlier, now legal proceedings are taken regarding the delisting of ESO. On 6 January 2020 AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius appealed to District Court of Vilnius City regarding the 31 December 2019 decision of the Court to apply temporary protection measures and suspend the 4 December 2019 resolutions of the Extraordinary General Meeting of this company. Arturas Ketlerius, Head of public relations, arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt Attachment Hours after a U.S. drone strike killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Washington sent a message to Tehran through the Swiss Embassy urging the Iranians not to escalate. The exchange, first reported in the Wall Street Journal days later, one of several missives, was part of a longtime backchannel communication that allows the two countries to communicate in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The diplomatic communication channel between [the] U.S. and Iran that is provided by Switzerland in the framework of the protective power mandate continues to operate, a Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said in an email to Yahoo News. Switzerland confirms that several messages were transmitted through this channel. Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP (3), Getty Images (2). Switzerlands role as a diplomatic backchannel dates back to the 19th century specifically, during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Switzerland then acted as whats known as a protective power for the first time, looking after the interests of both the Kingdom of Bavaria and the Grand Duchy of Baden in France. A century and a half later, Switzerland was once again carrying out the mandate of protective power. This time, however, it was for the United States in Iran. The United States has not itself had diplomatic relations with Iran since the hostage crisis that began in 1979, when Iran declared itself an Islamic republic and a number of U.S. diplomats were taken hostage in the American Embassy. American hostages are paraded by their militant Iranian captors in Tehran in 1979. (Photo: Bettmann Archive via Getty Images) A protective power serves as a go-between for two countries that have broken off relations. The Czech Republic plays the role for the United States in Syria; Sweden, in North Korea; but it is the Swiss who are tasked with carrying out the mandate for the United States in Iran. That role has changed over the years. At present, it means trying to quietly de-escalate a tense situation between Washington and Tehran, a task in which Switzerland is backed by other, unofficial backchannels. Story continues The Swiss as protective power are arguably now in the limelight in a way they havent been since the administration of George W. Bush. In 2003, the Iranians sent a message to the Americans via the Swiss that was essentially a proposal for comprehensive talks, which would have potentially included Tehrans recognition of Israel and action against those terror groups that operate in Iran. When, four years later, the document came to light, a Bush State Department official dismissed it, saying, This document did not come through official channels but rather was a creative exercise on the part of the Swiss ambassador. John Bolton, who was at the time U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control, said years later, I read it and I said, This is Looney Tunes. He also said that he told Colin Powell, who was at the time secretary of state, to remove Tim Guldimann, a Swiss diplomat, from the position of head of the U.S. interests section at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. Guldimann transmitted the message and was accused by U.S. officials of having created it. State Department official John Bolton speaks in 2003 at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis in Washington D.C. (Photo: Joyce Naltchayan/AFP via Getty Images) In an interview with this reporter in 2018, Guldimann said he was the messenger, not the creator. He described his role in the Swiss backchannel as that of a postman delivering messages between the United States and Iran. Whenever there is something from one side, one side wants the other side to know, it uses this channel. And the mandate concerns merely being the postman, he said. President Barack Obama was later criticized for not pursuing a more comprehensive option, like the one presented in Guldimanns message, and instead focusing on the nuclear component of the relationship. At the time, though, it caused a diplomatic brouhaha, and broke the rule that protective powers should be heard and not seen. The Swiss diplomats tasked with maintaining the backchannel took a more low-key role in the years that followed. But Switzerland is not the only country to serve as a backchannel, though it is the officially recognized one. Other countries in the Middle East and Europe have played their own parts, either in setting the stage or attempting to create the conditions for U.S.-Iran deliberations. There has never been any shortage of players seeking to broker talks between the U.S. and Iran, to complement the official Swiss channel, Ambassador Bill Burns, a former deputy secretary of state, wrote in an email to Yahoo News. The Omanis played a crucial role in facilitating the quiet direct discussions that opened the door to the nuclear agreement. More recently, the French and Japanese have tried to help. Oman hosted the first talks between the United States and Iran in the discussions that preceded the nuclear deal. What Omans role will look like after the recent death of its longtime leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, is as yet unclear. His chosen successor, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, has pledged to continue friendly relations with all nations, which suggests it will continue to play a role between the United States and Iran. France is reportedly looking to take on a more prominent role in navigating the ever-choppy waters of U.S.-Iran relations. In the wake of the Soleimani killing, Macron has spoken to a large number of world leaders to try to keep the diplomatic option on the table, Benjamin Haddad, a former representative of French President Emmanuel Macrons En Marche movement, wrote in an email. He is still hoping to appeal to Trumps pragmatic business personality to broker dialogue. Besides, he continued, France is the European country with the most troops in Iraq in the coalition against ISIS, a fact that bolsters Pariss position with Trump as he asks NATO to step up against terrorism. President Hassan Rouhani, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 24, 2019. (Photo: Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Haddad, who is now at the Atlantic Council, also noted that France was acting as something of a coordinator for European countries, working with Britain and Germany in particular, to reaffirm their commitment to the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has called on European countries to join him in putting maximum pressure on Iran, while Tehran says it no longer needs to abide by any limits of the nuclear deal. France has shared U.S. concerns over Iranian destabilizing regional activities and has proposed broadening a deal to ballistic missiles, terrorism and regional interference, Haddad wrote, adding that Macron had proposed this during his April 2018 state visit to Washington one month before Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal. It could be that the latest sequence of events provides an opening for diplomacy, but that is now up to Washington and Tehran, Haddad wrote. Paris can provide a framework, but it is up to Washington and Tehran to use it. In the end, the main challenge isnt about finding a specific channel, Burns wrote, but what both sides are prepared to talk about, and whether theyre serious about deescalating. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: BJP leader Udayanraje Bhosale, who is the descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, on Tuesday said nobody in the world can be compared to the 17th century Maratha warrior king. Taking to reporters while condemning a controversial book comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the warrior king, Bhosale dared the Shiv Sena to remove the word 'Shiv' from its name, and rechristen the party as "Thackeray Sena". "Remove the word 'Shiv' from Shiv Sena and rename it as 'Thackeray Sena'. I would like to see when you change the name, how many people stand behind you," he said. The former Satara MP hit out at the Shiv Sena for seeking stand of Shivaji Maharaj's descendants on the book controversy, and asked if the Uddhav Thackeray-led party consulted them while using the word 'Shiv' in its name. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday dubbed the book "Aaj Ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi", written by BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, as "insulting", and asked the warrior king's descendants to clarify their stand and quit the BJP over the issue. "Every time, it is said that ask descendants. When the Shiv Sena was christened, when the word 'Shiv' was used, did you come and ask the descendants?" Bhosale asked. Further hitting out at Uddhav Thackeray's party, which is leading the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi alliance government in state, he asked, "Why the word 'Shiv' was removed from 'Maha Shiv Aghadi'?" 'Maha Shiv Aghadi' was the word coined by the media before the three-party alliance of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress was formalised last year. Bhosale said only Shivaji Maharaj can be called the 'Janata Raja' (king who knows everything about his people). "Calling someone 'Janata Raja' is belittling Shivaji Maharaj. Nobody in the world can be compared to Shivaji Maharaj," Bhosale said, without taking any name. Notably, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is known as the 'Janata Raja' in political circles. "There was only one 'Janata Raja' and that was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, so think before calling someone 'Janata Raja'," said Bhosale, who quit the NCP last year to join the BJP. He criticised political parties for using Chhatrapati Shivaji's name for their "convenience". "I am not singling out any party. All parties are using the name of Shivaji Maharaj conveniently and forgetting him conveniently," he said in sarcastic remarks. Bhosale advised all parties to adopt the path shown by Shivaji Maharaj. Condemning the book written by Goyal, he said, "I have heard that the book has been withdrawn." He also criticised a food brand for using the word 'Shiv' as a prefix to sell its 'vada pav' (a potato sandwich which is a popular street food in Mumbai). The book by BJP leader Goyal has created a political storm in Maharashtra, where Shivaji Maharaj is a highly revered figure. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, have criticised the book for comparing Modi with Shivaji Maharaj, calling it "insulting". BJP's Rajya Sabha member Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, who is also descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has demanded that the book be banned. BJP MLA Shivendraraje Bhosale, who is also a descendant of the Maratha warrior king and is the cousin of Udayanraje Bhosale, said it was unfortunate that some "bootlickers" were creating problem for the party's image. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR WASHINGTON - As former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, R, looked on, the Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether to overturn the convictions against two of his ex-political allies in the "Bridgegate" case, and the decision could have broad implications for how federal prosecutors pursue allegations of public corruption. The two former allies - Bridget Kelly and William E. Baroni Jr. - argue that the Justice Department reached too far in charging them with fraud for their roles in an alleged plot to back up traffic on the George Washington Bridge, the nation's busiest, as retaliation against a local mayor who declined to endorse Christie's reelection bid. They say that while the conduct alleged may have been uncouth, it was not illegal, and declaring it so would criminalize routine political dealings. The Justice Department counters that Kelly and Baroni are misstating what occurred and that the evidence was sufficient to support their convictions. The questioning Tuesday did not break down neatly along traditional ideological lines, and it was difficult to handicap what the ultimate decision might be. Some justices who asked questions of Baroni's and Kelly's attorneys also seemed critical of some of the government's arguments. Christie sat one row in front of Kelly, who has blamed the former governor for making her a scapegoat in the scandal. "He couldn't even look me in the eye. He ruined my life," Kelly said in an interview after the hearing. "He took away my job, my health insurance, everything. But I'm still standing. . . . I wasn't going to go down without a fight, and look at where we are." By prosecutors' account, Baroni and Kelly schemed in 2013 to change the traffic flow on the George Washington Bridge - which spans the Hudson River to connect northern New Jersey and Manhattan - so that vehicles would back up into Fort Lee, New Jersey, where the mayor had declined to endorse Christie. At the time, Kelly was Christie's deputy chief of staff, and Baroni was the deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The pair fabricated a traffic study, prosecutors said, and - without warning to Fort Lee - took three lanes devoted to local traffic down to one, creating massive gridlock. Both were convicted, and Baroni was ultimately sentenced to 18 months in prison, Kelly to 13. Though Christie was never charged in the case, prosecutors alleged he knew about the plot, and a key witness who admitted his role in the affair testified that Christie laughed when informed. The scandal largely dashed Christie's national political ambitions, though he has denied having knowledge of the scheme. In filings to the Supreme Court, Kelly and Baroni argued that - even if they did exactly what prosecutors allege - it could not constitute a federal crime. They argued that they were essentially convicted of lying about their true political motive for a decision. Under that reasoning, defense attorneys argued in the filings, a mayor who sent snowplows to the neighborhood of a political donor could be charged with a crime. Or, when a court found that the Trump administration gave a specious rationale for its decision to add a citizenship question to the census, it would not just have jeopardized that policy decision but also put administration officials at risk of being charged criminally. The Justice Department shot back that Kelly and Baroni lied about the traffic study so they could commandeer Port Authority resources. Specifically, the department argued, the pair cheated the Port Authority out of the thousands of dollars it paid to toll workers who would not have been working but for the scheme. Several justices seemed focused on the issue of whether Baroni, as deputy director of the Port Authority, had the authority to order the traffic realignment. Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin conceded that the convictions hinged upon Kelly and Baroni acting outside the scope of their power and needing to commit fraud to execute their scheme. He compared Kelly and Baroni to people who impersonate Port Authority supervisors. "They don't get a free pass simply because Baroni worked for the Port Authority when the evidence showed that he didn't have the power to direct these resources in this way without telling the lie," Feigin said. In pressing Baroni's lawyer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted that David Wildstein, another Port Authority official and government witness in the case, had testified about having to lie to Port Authority employees to put the plan in motion, and that it seemed Baroni at least needed the "acquiescence" of the Port Authority executive director. Did that, she asked, not indicate Baroni lacked authority? Michael Levy, Baroni's lawyer, said it did not. He said Baroni was essentially a deputy in name only though he had power equal to that of the executive director. His argument found some sympathy among the justices. Justice Samuel Alito said he saw "no indication whatsoever" that the jury found Baroni lacked the authority to order the change in traffic patterns. Justice Stephen Breyer, who seemed perhaps the most skeptical of the government's case, noted that the defense wanted jurors to be instructed that officials could not be convicted if they were acting within their authority, but that a lower court declined to do so. Feigin said such an instruction might have been confusing. Yaakov Roth, an attorney for Kelly, argued that Kelly and Baroni had simply "re-allocated the traffic lanes from one public use to another," so it was specious to suggest they had defrauded the government of its property. He said the two had made a regulatory decision, not cheated the government for personal benefit. Several justices seemed skeptical of portions of his argument. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked how use of the lanes could be considered public, when the realignment was meant to benefit Kelly and Baroni's political interests. Sotomayor said that, if she sided with Roth, she could "see a headline that would say it's OK for officials to use government public money in a way that is plainly unauthorized." Justice Elena Kagan asked whether Kelly and Baroni could have been charged if they had ordered the realignment to improve their own commutes. But Chief Justice John Roberts and Kagan also pressed the government on whether Kelly and Baroni had actually obtained property - noting that their goal was not to use toll workers. "Wasn't the commandeering here completely incidental, indeed unnecessary to the scheme being carried out?" Kagan asked. Feigin said it was not. Asked separately by Sotomayor whether Kelly and Baroni had induced traffic as they sought, "would you still have a case here?" Feigin said he would. "Although the effect was catastrophic and that was a reason why the prosecution was brought . . . they would still have committed the same crime," he said. The Supreme Court has in the past decade steadily narrowed the definition of what constitutes public corruption and could do so again in the Bridgegate case. Breyer referenced those previous decisions more than once, suggesting prosecutors' theory of the Bridgegate case seemed to be ignoring the Supreme Court precedent. In 2010, the court significantly dialed back the "honest services fraud" statute in weighing the case against former Enron chief executive Jeffrey Skilling - deciding that public corruption cases must involve bribes or kickbacks, rather than just self-dealing. In 2016, the court hamstrung public corruption prosecutors even further in overturning the convictions against former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, R. The court ruled in that instance that even in a bribery case, to be found guilty of corruption, a public official must do more than set up a meeting, call another public official or host an event as their end of a dishonest bargain. The SANA news agency said that air defences late on Tuesday thwarted an attack targeting the T4 military base. According to Syrian state-run media, drones and missiles hit the military airport, and several projectiles were downed, Trend reports citing Sputnik. Local netizens claim that unidentified jets struck several facilities at the military airport. Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least 8 missiles hit the T4 airbase, damaging several barracks and hangars. Syrian air defence reportedly intercepted six projectiles. There have been no reports of casualties or any details given on who was behind the strike on the major military installation. Israeli forces have repeatedly pounded the T4 airbase, which allegedly hosts Iranian-backed militia in Syria. Hezbollah and Iran, one of Israel's main adversaries in the region, have been supporting the Syrian government in its fight against terrorism amid the ongoing crisis. Iran has repeatedly said that its presence in Syria is coordinated with Damascus and does not have to be approved by Tel Aviv. Queensland suffered through its worst year for flu for nearly two decades in 2019, with an average of five people a week dying from the disease. Queensland Health has confirmed 264 people died as a direct result of contracting influenza in 2019, with 68,148 lab-confirmed cases of the disease officially recorded. That was an increase of over 500 per cent on the previous years total of 43 deaths, after a relatively quiet flu season in 2018. The flu season in 2017 also resulted in 260 deaths, but with a lower number of overall confirmed cases, with 56,618 that year. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 Following the conviction of Indonesian student Reynhard Sinaga for serial rapes in Manchester in the United Kingdom, the global media, including many outlets in Indonesia, have produced numerous reports about the shocking case. With the case making headlines in the country, local media observers and activists have raised concerns about the medias framing of sexual violence issues in relation to the LGBT community. Over the week, Reynhard Sinaga, a 36-year-old PhD student living in the UK was on the front pages of worldwide news outlets after he was convicted of 159 counts of rape against men in Manchester. Police believe that Reynhard attacked at least 195 men during the 2015-2017 period based on the videos he recorded during the attacks on his two iPhones. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 It has emerged that Davinder Singh had sheltered three terrorists, arrested along with him, at his residence in Srinagar right next to the Army's XV corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress party in the Lok Sabha, on Tuesday demanded fresh probe into the dastardly February 14 Pulwama terror attack. Linking the attack to the arrest of senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer Davinder Singh, Chowdhury said, question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it. Slamming the ruling party and its ideological parent RSS, Chowdhury tweeted, Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion. Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan ,the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion. (1/3) Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us,we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish, (2/3)#DavindarSingh Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it. (3/3)#DavindarSingh Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 Raising concern over the bigger security issue, Chowdhury said that the chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we cannot afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish. The Big Catch On Monday, senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer Davinder Singh, who was arrested along with two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf and an overground worker at a checkpoint on a national highway by a team of policemen, was suspended from the services. It has emerged that Singh had sheltered three terrorists, arrested along with him, at his residence in Srinagar right next to the Army's XV corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment. Singh, who was decorated with President Police Medal about four months ago, continued to be grilled by a team of police and intelligence investigators. His office at Srinagar airport, where he was posted as deputy superintendent of police in the anti-hijacking squad, was sealed, they said. The Conspiracy Piecing together the chain of events, the officials said the two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf -- were taken to the officer's home on Friday by a lawyer Irfan, who the police said was an overground worker for terror groups. Singh reported absent from duty on Saturday, the day he was apprehended by a team of policemen along with the other three at Mir Bazar on the national highway. The DySP had applied for leave from Sunday till Thursday, they said. Police had carried out searches at his residence here and seized two pistols and an AK rifle beside a large quantity of ammunition. Singh, whose name had been cleared for promotion as superintendent of police, is also likely to lose the gallantry medal that was awarded to him last year, the officials said. The DySP is deemed to have been suspended after having completed 48 hours in police custody, they said quoting service rules. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 10 community shed groups in Offaly are to benefit from a funding boost announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring. 500,000 funding will support 372 Mens and Womens Sheds to purchase equipment and carry out works. In Offaly, the groups receiving funding are: Belmont's Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase tools Birr Men's Shed Birr - 1,178 to purchase tools and equipment Edenderry Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase tools and equipment Edenderry Women's Shed - 1,178 to purchase equipment Tullamore Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase equipment Clara Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase of tools and equipment Hardy Boys Men's Shed Ballycumber - 1,178 for material to refurbish their shed Pullough Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase materials and equipment Banagher Men's Shed - 1,178 to purchase materials and equipment Kilcormac Men's Shed 1,178 to purchase supplies to build a new shed Minister Ring said: I introduced funding for Mens Sheds in 2018 in recognition of the great support that they provide to men in communities across Ireland. Since its establishment less than ten years ago, the impact of the Mens Sheds movement has been phenomenal. I have decided to extend this funding to Womens Sheds. Having witnessed the exceptionally positive impact of Mens Sheds in recent years, Ive no doubt that the emergence of Womens Sheds can only be a good thing for community life in Ireland. Im delighted that 33 Womens Shed Groups have availed of the funding on offer and I hope to see this number grow in coming years. Mens & Womens Sheds are making an invaluable contribution to community life in Ireland. They provide great support to their thousands of members and have helped tackle the problem of social isolation. In many cases, these groups have also become vital cogs in a variety of community initiatives such as the TidyTowns and local community events. This capital funding will enable individual Mens & Womens Sheds to purchase equipment or to carry out minor works to improve their premises through the provision of small grants." Minister Ring continued: A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and investment in groups like Mens & Womens sheds will be put to excellent use in local communities throughout the country. Minister Ring is confirming the recipients of this funding following an application process which was overseen by the Local Community Development Committees. The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Visit Canada House Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to take a step back from the royal family may result in the loss of their royal titles. Calls for the couple to relinquish their status as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have only grown since the couple made their announcement last week. It was a decision that, after reports of deliberation, is now publicly supported by Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty released a statement after meeting with Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles at her Sandringham Estate for a summit on Monday afternoon, saying "there will be a period of transition" for the couple in both Canada and the United Kingdom as the royal family works through these "complex matters." However, some believe that an announcement recalling Meghan and Harry's royal titles, which were bestowed on their wedding days, could be imminent. While the monarch addressed her grandson and Meghan a few times in Monday's statement, she did not refer to them by either their Sussex titles nor their HRH (His or Her Royal Highness) titles, which she has done so in the past and is standard for the crown. The decision to repeal their titles lies solely in the hands of Queen Elizabeth. Despite the couple announcing they wanted to become financially independent from the crown, it is explained on Harry and Meghan's website that they will continue to use Frogmore Cottage as their "official residence as they continue to support the monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the United Kingdom." The best photos from Meghan and Harry's royal wedding19 The Jigawa State police commissioner, Usman Gomna, said two suspects have been arrested for the alleged kidnap of Zahrau Haruna, the wife of a Jigawa lawmaker, on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mrs Haruna, the wife of Dangyatin Haruna, a member representing Miga Constituency at the state house of assembly was abducted. The police commissioner confirmed the arrest to reporters shortly after a valedictory speech to newly promoted police officers at the Police Officers Mess in Dutse. According to the police chief, the kidnappers have demanded ransom from the victims relatives, adding that the command is doing the needful to secure her release unconditionally. Effort is still on to rescue the victim as more personnel were deployed in the area to secure the release, said Mr Gomna. The police boss also urged the newly six promoted officers to redouble their efforts as much is expected from them in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities. The police commissioner urged the people of the state to report to the nearest police stations any suspicious movement in their respective locations. Editor's Note: 2020 is expected to be another year of significant uncertainty and turmoil. But the question is what asset will emerge the victor when the dust settles from the global trade war, Brexit, recession threats, negative bond yields. It's a showdown of global proportions, so don't miss all our exclusive coverage on how these factors could impact your 2020 investment decisions. Alex Balogh (Kitco News) - Last week the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame welcomed four individuals who made incredible and lasting contributions to Canadas mining industry: P. Jerry Asp, Alex G. Balogh, Hans T.F. Lundberg and Eberhard (Ebe) Scherkus. For the past 32 years, the CMHF has recognized 186 exemplary men and women who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership and inspired future generations in mining. Canadian mining leaders set the standard for the global industry and these individuals reflect the very best of mining excellence, determination and skill. The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame is proud to recognize four leaders who drove the Canadian mining industry forward and greatly contributed to Canadian society overall, says Jon Baird, Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Chair. Each of these inductees, representing different facets of our industry, is an exemplary leader who future generations can follow, while they work to grow and sustain responsible mining in Canada and beyond. The inductees P. Jerry Asp P. Jerry Asp is one of Western Canadas most prominent Indigenous leaders and a tireless advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in the mining industry. His leadership skills came to the fore in the 1980s, during a mineral exploration and mining boom in the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. Asp has focused on building bridges of understanding between the mining sector and Indigenous peoples and challenging misconceptions that hinder the reconciliation process. He has received many awards for his trailblazing role. In 2011, he was the recipient of PDACs prestigious Skookum Jim Award for his exceptional achievements and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. Alex G. Balogh Alex Balogh earned his place in a select group of industry leaders who shaped and built Noranda and Falconbridge into the most successful mining and metallurgical giants in Canadian history. Baloghs greatest contribution to the mining industry and to society was in the 1970s, with the introduction of Norandas continuous smelting and converting process at the Horne smelter in Quebec. He served as President and CEO of these companies in the 1990s through to 2003. After retirement, Balogh served the mining sector as a consultant, corporate director, mentor of young geoscientists, and strong supporter of industry associations and causes. In 2002, he received the CIM Vale Medal for Meritorious Contributions to Mining. Hans T.F. Lundberg Few people have done more to introduce science and technology to mineral exploration than Hans Lundberg, a visionary pioneer in the development and application of geophysical and geochemical methods who was the first to conduct ground geophysical surveys in Canada in the 1920s. Lundbergs greatest accomplishments were the first application of airborne geophysical methods in the 1940s, and his adaptations of geophysical instruments for use from aircraft. In the 1950s, Lundberg pioneered airborne radiometric surveying, which would prove invaluable to uranium exploration in subsequent decades. He left a legacy of discovery and innovation that was unparalleled in his lifetime, and earned him the reputation as Canadas first ambassador of exploration. Eberhard (Ebe) Scherkus The remarkable success and longevity of Agnico Eagle Mines owes much to Eberhard (Ebe) Scherkus, who joined the company as a project manager in 1985, became chief operating officer (COO) in 1998, and was president and COO from 2005 until he retired in 2012. During this period he transformed Agnico Eagle from a regional single-mine company into a top-performing global gold producer, expanding the companys LaRonde mine into a productive mine that has produced five million ounces of gold. Scherkus has received many awards and honours for his achievements, including the Viola McMillan Award from PDAC in 2000, and the Selwyn G. Blaylock Medal from CIM in 2005. About the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Founded in 1988 by the Northern Miner, the Mining Association of Canada, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, the CMHF is a charitable organization that recognizes outstanding achievement in the mining industry, celebrates individual leadership and inspires future generations in mining. Members are selected through a fair, inclusive and accessible process driven by the CMHF Board of Directors and its member associations. For more information, please visit: http://www.mininghalloffame.ca Written with material from the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Pakistan's Opposition parties have expressed reservation over a top court's decision to quash the death sentence handed out to self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case. Islamabad: Pakistan's Opposition parties have expressed reservation over a top court's decision to quash the death sentence handed out to self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case. On Monday, the Lahore High Court declared Musharraf's trial by a special court as "unconstitutional", leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the ex-Army chief. The special court in Islamabad on 17 December last year handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) expressed surprise and reservations over the judgment of the court, a national daily, Dawn, reported. A statement, issued by the PPP's central media office, said the verdict had baffled the party. "Today is an unfortunate day for the rule of law," the PPP lawmaker Nafisa Shah was quoted as saying by the report. Shah said the special court which convicted Musharraf in the high treason case last month had been constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and it consisted of judges from three high courts of the country. She was of the view that the appeal against the verdict should have been filed in the Supreme Court and not in the high court, the report said. Shah also said that killers of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had also not been arrested so far. PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan expressed reservations over the verdict. He said that despite the judgment, he would pay tribute to Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, the head of the special court, which convicted Musharraf in the case. The PML-N leader said that the whole world saw dictator Gen Musharraf" abrogating the Constitution and putting his boots on it and everyone saw the military ruler threatening and then killing Baloch nationalist leader Sardar Nawab Akbar Bugti, the report added. The PML-N government led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. Monday's ruling came in response to a petition filed by him challenging the formation of the special court for the high treason case against him. In his petition, Musharraf asked the court to set aside the special court's verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction and unconstitutional, while also seeking suspension of the verdict till a decision on his petition was made. The special court had also ordered that corpse of the former military ruler should be dragged to parliament and hang for three days if he dies before his execution. Prime Minister Imran Khan's government became furious over the ruling and said it will move to the Supreme Judicial Council to unseat the "mentally unfit" Seth, the head of the special court. Dave Arnold has been called the "mad genius" of bartenders, and Existing Conditions, his latest cocktail den in New York's Greenwich Village, doesn't disappoint: Arnold and his two co-founders went so far as to import water from Saratoga Springs, New York, to use in their Paloma cocktail. Then they re-carbonate the already sparkling water with carbon dioxide. Still, the most eye-opening feature of the menu may be the list of non-alcoholic drinks, all given the same care as the boozy ones. They use such ingredients as leatherwood honey, Mt. Olympus tea, Champagne acid, and comice pear. For a drink described as a "bougie Snapple," they mix clarified peaches, clarified lime, barley syrup, and umeboshi, or salted Japanese plums. The clarified fruit is enhanced with glycerin, which creates an alcohol-like viscosity. It takes a full day to prep the concoction. Arnold says he got interested in elevating the quality of no-alcohol drinks after hearing a bartender dismiss one he was making. "He described it as 'just a mocktail,' " Arnold says. "I hope I never treat guests with that level of disrespect." "Dry January" has gone from punchline to mantra for bars nationwide. The move to add more than a token non-alcoholic option is fueled by year-round demands for more sophisticated drinks aimed at the "sober curious," as well as a way to get bodies into bar seats during the slowest month of the year. "We've added vegan and vegetarian menus," says Clayton van Hooijdonk, food and beverage director at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. "It's the same thing in beverages." David Ozgo, chief economist at the Distilled Spirits Council of America, says January on-premise sales in 2018 accounted for less than 7% of total annual on-premise sales. January sales that year were 20% lower than the average for the other 11 months of the year, and 30% lower than in December. "On-premise sales have traditionally been weak in January, as people get back to work after the holiday season and begin to pay down holiday bills," he says. The movement has also spawned a small but notable movement involving bars that are completely alcohol-free. Getaway, a Brooklyn spot identified by a "0%" sign out front, serves an upgrade on the usual seltzers and tonics inside an Instagram-ready interior. This month, Wildcrafters, a sober bar that encourages patrons to "come and get drunk on love with us," opened its doors in Jacksonville, Florida, with kava, teas, and booze-free craft cocktails. The trend is even established in Ireland: The Virgin Mary debuted in Dublin last year. Some bars are applying a sober-sensitive approach to decor, as well. This month, Marvel Bar in Minneapolis introduced a four-month "dry" series that will run through April. In addition to non-alcoholic drinks made with such ingredients as foraged milkweed shrub and cherry juice-steeped mushrooms, the bar is retooling its interior design. Gone are the 400 display bottles of booze; in their place are books and local foliage. "The challenge of abstaining from something you love, while having bottles front and center, can be overwhelming," says Peder Schweigert, Marvel Bar's general manager. "If you walk into a bar and are presented with flowers, that is a lot more welcoming." - - - For bars that serve craft, no-proof drinks, the big question is how much to charge. As a rule of thumb, restaurants depend on alcohol to make up about 30% of sales. On one hand, bar owners note the labor and costs that customers aren't aware of, including the price of premium ingredients such as fresh juices. There's also the additional research and development that goes into creating drinks for which there are few existing recipes. Still, the majority of customers base the value of a drink on its booze, which can be less expensive than the high-end ingredients that go into a well-balanced mocktail. A bottle of Smirnoff vodka goes for less than $15; a bottle of non-alcoholic mixer Seedlip costs $36. At Existing Conditions, all drinks, boozy or not, are priced at $16. Arnold says that, instead of getting complaints, customers acknowledge how carefully their alcohol-free drinks are made. "There's always some part of those drinks that's extremely costly or hard to source," he says. "For us, the focus is on drinks that mimic the other characteristics of alcohol, meaning the mouthfeel, the textures, the sugar level." That requires equipment and techniques that entail a certain level of expertise. The Resort at Pelican Hill has three restaurants on its property in Newport Beach, California. Signature cocktails cost from $16 to $18; no-proof options cost up to $14. "If you present it nicely, with all the same things we do for cocktails, we get no push-back from guests," says beverage director van Hooijdonk. Others aim for a lower price point. Inside Manhattan's Hudson Yards, the British-influenced Queensyard has new booze-free options that include one called Bubbles for Everyone, made with homemade non-alcoholic sparkling wine, Seedlip, and kola nut syrup. (The non-alcoholic sparkling wine is made by blending tea, apple juice, and verjus, then carbonating it.) They are priced at $9, compared to $17 for signature drinks. "I want customers to come back for this cocktail experience," says beverage director Jeremy Le Blanche. "I want to make mocktails accessible for everyone." - - - Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Even as the non-alcoholic movement surges, some bars keep the drinks off their menus. Any craft bar with homemade syrups, fizzy waters, and fresh juices can conceivably whip up a no-proof drink. At this point, not putting them on the menu is often a conscious business decision. But it's less about skepticism of the trend than about bar owners reading their clientele. In New York's East Village, the Mister Paradise bar has a customer base that skews young and bar-hopping. Managing partner Will Wyatt says putting a lower-priced non-alcoholic drink on the menu would cause unnecessary confusion on busy nights. "People wouldn't even look at the header," he explains. "They would just think they were getting a cheaper cocktail." If he gets a request, though, Wyatt will create an elegant non-alcoholic drink. "I rarely charge them," he says, "because it's so rare. When it does happen, it's a nice extra thing to do for not a lot of cost to the bar." Nearby, Mace is lauded for its refined ingredients such as rectified pomegranate, pea soda, and chamomile honey shrub, but it has no booze-free drinks on the menu. "People talk about non-alcoholic drinks," says owner Nico de Soto. "But they are hard work, and the demand is very small." Sweetwater Social, a Manhattan bar with a party reputation, has also avoided booze-free drinks. "Our customers are coming in a late-night capacity," owner Justin Noel says. "Non-alcoholic cocktails are the least of their concerns." Still, he notes that demand for no-alcohol drinks has recently risen. Nor is there much demand for booze-free drinks at Glorietta, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which maintains a tight, 12-drink list. "Having just one non-alcoholic drink wouldn't suit the tastes of all the non-drinkers," observes general manager Chuck Greenwald. "You spend all this time creating a recipe that isn't used that often." Joshua Duncan, general manager of Denver tiki bar Adrift, echoes that sentiment: "We don't get a lot of requests for non-alcoholic drinks." Almost every place that doesn't list no-alcohol drinks on the menu will craft one on request. That's even true at The Grill, a landmarked bar in midtown Manhattan where the specialty is martinis. But it doesn't happen frequently, according to a bartender. Customers, he says, "want big glasses of gin." Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the people on 'Bhogi' and celebrated the festival with his family members here by lighting a bonfire on the occasion. "Celebrated Bhogi with my family members in Chennai today by lighting the 'Bhogi Manta' or a bonfire at the dawn," the Vice President tweeted. Naidu said that Bhogi is an occasion to mark a new and prosperous beginning by discarding old and derelict things. "May this day make our future as bright as the sunshine, and bring joy, prosperity and happiness into the lives of all," the Vice President said in a follow-up tweet. Bhogi celebration is marked by the customary bonfire preceding Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. Bhogi marks the beginning of the four-day Pongal festival. (ANI) Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, has revealed that former President Shehu Shagari though was a chain smoker never disrespected his office by smoking in it. The professor said this on Monday while speaking at an occasion to mark the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian civil war. Utomi said, President Shagari was a chain smoker but he never smoked in public and he respected the office of the president so much that he never smoked inside that office either. Read Also: PDP blasts Buhari, Osinbajo for not attending Shagaris funeral To smoke, President Shagari would come out. And I would come out; and Aba Dabu and I would corner him and start chatting him up. And I saw a true nationalist in that man, that history and the newspapers probably will not capture enough. On how he got a job with Shagaris government, he said,I somehow got lucky, a young fellow coming back from grad school, thinking he could change the world and then I got identified by that vice-president [late Alex Ekwueme] and one day he says to me, President Shagari, yesterday, approved for you to replace Prof. Odenigwe; and I said, what does that mean?. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - People are asking for a stronger response from the City of Lafayette about white supremacist fliers that have circulated around town. About five people spoke on behalf of the cause to the city council on Monday. About 30 people showed up to support in the audience. They speakers said they have seen KKK fliers around the city multiple times in the past few years, the most recent incident was a few weeks ago. They are asking for a formal, public condemnation of the fliers from Mayor Tony Roswarski and from the council. Shahar Zach spoke at the podium on behalf of the organization, Jewish Voice for Peace. He has lived in Lafayette for two years. He and his fellow speakers say the city has not done enough to denounce hate speech. "As a Jewish man, an immigrant, a brown man that concerns me a lot," he said. "(We want) an actual response from the city, a clear statement as well as some form of a committee." They want this committee to be comprised of city leaders, local social justice organizations and those who are actually impacted by racism. Mayor Tony Roswarski said he has advocated against racial and religious prejudice since he started as mayor. "I have said that I deplore what the KKK did and that I didn't approve of it so to say that I have not made a public statement on that, you know, I understand their passion but some of the information tonight simply wasn't accurate," he said. He said when he first started as mayor, they tried to have committees to address how institutionalized racism has a bigger impact on society, but they had to disband them due to lack of participation. He also said he, along with West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, traveled to the Indiana Statehouse last year to voice support for State Sen. Ron Alting's Biased Crimes bill, which eventually failed. Mayor Roswarski said it will take more than just a statement from him to stop acts of prejudice in the city. "I'm willing to work with them to start a new committee or expand the diversity round table, but it's going to have to take people who are willing to come month after month, year after year to do that," he said. "Government is not going to be able to solve this, we need the grassroots effort for the community as a whole to send the message," he said. Zach said Lafayette is a welcoming town, but that fighting racism is constant. "I've been welcomed by many people here that I love and cherish but there is always work to do," he said. "Fighting racism is an everyday battle. There isn't a point of post-racism, you always have to engage with it in an anti-racist fashion." Councilman Perry Brown responded after the public comment was done. He said he has received these fliers at his home, which he has lived at for nearly 40 years. He called racism a "congenital disease" during his response. He thanked those who came to the meeting to speak out, saying "silence is what feeds the beast" when it comes to the spread of racism. He affirmed that Lafayette has always had consistent rejection of white supremacy beliefs. Arce, of the 1700 block of Hazelnut Lane, will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence. He received credit for 527 days he served in the Kane County jail where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail, officials said. Advertisement Take a moment to rub your eyes in disbelief. Then allow us to reassure you that no, youre not looking at Hollywood CGI these are real photos of a mountain valley that really does exist. The images capture Switzerlands impossibly picturesque Lauterbrunnen Valley, a trough valley that contains no less than 72 waterfalls. Plus alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns. The most photographed of the waterfalls is undoubtedly the free-falling Staubbach Falls. Here water cascades dramatically almost 1,000ft from an overhanging rock face. Scroll down and behold the Alps at its most breathtaking. The Lauterbrunnen Valley, says www.myswitzerland.com, is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland At the free-falling Staubbach Falls, water plunges dramatically almost 1,000ft from an overhanging rock face Lauterbrunnen Valley is a trough valley that contains no less than 72 waterfalls The valley town of Lauterbrunnen, pictured, sits at an elevation of 795 metres (2,608ft) Heavenly: The town of Lauterbrunnen draped in sunlight one winter morning Lauterbrunnen town is linked by railway to the holiday resort of Murren, which overlooks the valley, and Interlaken Ost, the gateway to the Jungfrau Region Just up the valley from Lauterbrunnen town is the mindblowing Trummelbach Falls - which thunders down the inside of the 'Black Monk' mountain. Up to 20,000 litres of water per second cascade over 10 glacier falls from a total height of about 650ft, according to www.myswitzerland.com Vast ski areas can be reached from Lauterbrunnen, which looks like a fairy-tale village from every angle Pockets of low-lying cloud hang lazily in the valley, which looks eye-catching through every season An amazing aerial view of the village of Murren, which sits right above the valley in dramatic fashion. It's easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen The cableway from Stechelberg, which is a 3.5-mile walk along the valley floor from Lauterbrunnen. It takes visitors to the 2,971m (9,747ft) peak of the Schilthorn, famous for being the setting for 007 classic On Her Majestys Secret Service I suppose the Warren campaigns recently-released claws out nail polish merch was a sign of things to come: Proof of that nail polish, which apparently was made by Claws Out for the @ewarren campaign. #iacaucus pic.twitter.com/HsVO6VO4oM Kim Norvell (@KimNorvellDMR) January 11, 2020 (Of course, I like cats because they dont display herding behavior, and dont react well to appeals to unity, so Im not sure I understand the appeal of the merch. But I digress.) For a quite awhile, the Warren campaigns ethos was defined by plans; a series of white papers I believe over sixty released by the campaign to general applause in the political class for wonkishness. That ethos seems to have been abandoned in the wake of Warrens butchered rollout of her #MedicareForAll pay for and transition plans, which neither peeled off Sanders voters, as she surely must have hoped, nor satisfied centrist Democrats. Falling between two schools, Warren flailed. She now seems to have abandoned Im with Bernie, in favor of attacking Sanders directly, using Karl Roves classic tactic of turning an enemys strength into a weakness[1]. (For example, the Democrats nominated John Kerry in 2004 on the strength of his war record. Rove managed to turn that into a weakness by swiftboating him.) This would imply that Warren has concluded that a Sanders/Warren unity ticket is unlikely; she may also have concluded as we might speculate, given that she released a bankruptcy plan that undoes all the work on bankruptcy Biden did as a Senator, but then didnt go on to attack him that a Biden/Warren ticket might be in the cards. We shall see, I suppose. The particular Sanders strength that Warren is attacking: the volunteer operation of the Sanders campaign[2]. Here is the sequence of events: Politico released story including a script for Sanders volunteers to use, attributed (falsely) to the Sanders campaign, putatively attacking Warren. This story instantly propagated through the press, the Warren campaign signal boosted it and complained of being trashed, and then instantly fundraised off it. We see this sort of media flap often; the next step in the ritual sacrifice would be for the press to hound Sanders for an apology or clarification, and the step after that is for the press to hold him to the newly established baseline for what he must continuously abase himself for. (Matt Taibbi discusses this behavior in Hate, Inc., but doesnt give a name to the process. Oddly, this flap has not yet reached the apology stage.) The only problem arises when you actually read the original Politico story: Politicos sourcing is dubious; the problematic script was not authorized by the campaign; and the script has not been shown to be fielded, which makes Warrens initial complaint a lie (Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me). Further, her fundraising letter appeared with suspicious rapidity. So, first Ill look at the original Politico article; then, Ill look at its propagation and how the Warren campaign leveraged it; and finally Ill look at the possible effects on the Sanders campaign. Here is the original Politico story, by Alex Thompson and Holly Otterbein (Warren campaign embed): Bernie campaign slams Warren as candidate of the elite. (Note thats the sexed-up headline the editors wrote; the reporters original headline is in the URL: bernie-quietly-goes-negative-on-warren. No clicks in quietly!). Sanders campaign has begun stealthily attacking Warren as a candidate of the upper crust who could not expand the Democratic base in a general election, according to talking points his campaign is using to sway voters and obtained by POLITICO. The script instructs Sanders volunteers to tell voters leaning toward the Massachusetts senator that the people who support her are highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what and that shes bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party. I like Elizabeth Warren. [optional] the script begins. In fact, shes my second choice. But heres my concern about her. It then pivots to the criticisms of Warren. The Sanders campaign did not challenge the authenticity of the script, but it declined to comment. The Warren campaign also declined to comment. It is unclear whether the script is being used for phone calls or door knocking or both, or in which locations. (The Sanders campaign did not challenge the authenticity of the script, but it declined to comment and the Sanders campaign declined to comment have exactly the same content, logically. That but is doing a lot of work. Now, there are a few problems with Politicos story: Politico does not give the provenance of the script Politico does not show that the Sanders campaign authorized the script Politico does not show that the script was fielded One would think that RussiaGate would have taught us that single-sourced, anonymous sources should be approached with a hermeneutic of suspicion, but apparently not. Lets take each of these issues in turn. Politico does not give the provenance of the script. Here is the best explanation I have seen, which in the absence of further reporting, if that is the word I want, from Politico, Ill regard as true[. (I give it credence because the author is a member of the Kings County Democratic Committee.) Bernie Sanders volunteer hits back: Heres what actually happened. A random user whos only ever posted once before posted that document in the Sanders volunteer Slack group. A moderator promptly removed it and stated that it was NOT a campaign source. https://t.co/gt2xSvQNX5 eric isaac (@ericisaac) January 12, 2020 And: I would happily post a screen shot of the conversation in slack but then I would be violating the agreement I made with the campaign to not share screenshots from slack. They delete ANYTHING that talks about any other candidate in a negative way. eric isaac (@ericisaac) January 12, 2020 Politico does not show that the Sanders campaign authorized the script. The Politico story is utterly devoid of context. There is no institutional setting and there is no documentary matrix. The script appears, magically, and is said to be used, magically. Thats not plausible: Having worked in large campaigns this is honestly an inevitability. 1 phone script written by a phone bank organizer at the LOWEST level of the organization is not "the campaign going negative". Show me an all staff email, meeting notes, or memo / talking points. Danni Askini (@danniaskini) January 12, 2020 Politico does not show that the script was fielded. Here is the only example of the script out in the wild that I can find: i received it earlier today at my local dunkin donuts. i would say the context was "somber" jaylen brown is my son (@watchesceltics) January 12, 2020 (The Twitterer left off the \s tag.) In fact, its extremely dubious that the script would ever be fielded, since it would involve a total redirection of the Sanders volunteer operation three weeks before Iowa, akin to asking an giant container ship to turn on a dime. For the script to be fielded, the Sanders campaign would have to change all the material available to the public: Where exactly is this script being circulated? Anyone can go to the Sanders campaign site and look through the training videos callers/texters watch before volunteering. They explicitly and repeatedly stress that the focus should be on policy and to never go negative. pic.twitter.com/ahUiToRHwt SpudBoy (@JockoPotato) January 12, 2020 The Sanders campaign would have have to change all its training materials: Checked claims in Politicos Bernie Campaign Slams Warren. Mandatory training for volunteer group in story explicitly says to not say anything negative about other candidates. Must pass quiz emphasizing to NOT even contrast w/ other candidates. Pledge to not even say their name pic.twitter.com/agCnzUGzn2 Mike Prysner (@MikePrysner) January 13, 2020 The Sanders campaign would also have to change the agreement theyve made every volunteer sign. See point 3: The sanders campaign said it didnt provide this and it was posted by someone not on the campaign management team to the slack channel. Its not the real talking points heres the real agreement we all signed! pic.twitter.com/JXuHR0lmyI Not me, 1.84 million of us #NoWarOnIran (@ANTIFA_lawyer) January 13, 2020 The universal reaction I saw, from many, many Sanders volunteers, was they tell us never, ever to go negative or attack another candidate. Given the above, thats certainly reasonable. (Of course, they would say that, but I didnt see any signs of coordinated, inauthentic behavior, like similar wording, or tweets from old accounts with low follower numbers handles ending in lots of digits.) Now, I dont think its unreasonable to ask a news-gathering organization if indeed that is what Politico is to ask and answer such basic questions: What is the provenance of the script? Did the campaign authorize the script? Was the script ever deployed in the field. But they did not, and other news-gathering organizations if indeed that is what they are simply repeating Politicos story in different words. (CBS; New York Times; New York Magazine; The Week.) The coverage, such as it was, was a complete debacle, and from flagship organizations, too. So, given the initial Politico story, what did the Warren campaign do? (What they did not do: Call Warrens good friend, Bernie Sanders, and ask him to rein in a rogue volunteer.) First, the Warren campaign sent their candiate out to be, well, economical with the truth[2]. From the New York Times: I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me , Ms. Warren, of Massachusetts, said. I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction. Again, the script was posted to the campaign site by some rando and deleted, there is no evidence that the Sanders campaign approved it, and theres no evidence that the script was deployed in the field (and its highly unlikely that it could have been). Its sad that Warren chose not to apply the same critical thinking skills as a Presidential candidate that she would insist upon when grading papers from first-year Harvard students, but thats where we are. Next, the Warren campaign doubled down with a fundraising letter based on the putative script: Warren leans in w/ email from campaign manager Roger Lau w/ subject What Bernie's campaign says about you I have all the respect in the world for Bernie Sanders, but when talking about our movement, his campaign has it backwards. I hope he reconsiders what hes encouraging. pic.twitter.com/j5u6NM7vhE Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 13, 2020 It is perhaps at this point needless to say that the Warren campaign is as economical with the truth as Warren herself; there is no evidence that the Sanders campaign is instructing volunteers using the script. The timing of the mailer is also curious, since it appeared in a less than a news cycle: In case you were wondering if today's media shenanigans were an op or not, here's the proof. Mass mailers take time to write, even for email. Each contact that the campaign makes to its list costs $, so every one is measured twice and cut once, so to speak. Thread: pic.twitter.com/mHA5OEEDvA Stereotype Accuracy Denier (@ColinCoxAZ) January 13, 2020 One might almost imagine that the Warren campaign had advance notice that the Politico story was going to run. * * * Concluding, I said Id look at the implications for the Sanders campaign. Ive consistently urged that the Sanders campaign has a unique tripartite structure that makes it independent of the Democrat apparatus; (1) the Sanders campaign has its own list, (2) its own canvassing operation, and (3) its own media operation (lots and lots and lots of videos, lots and lots and lots of tweets). Those are, in other words, the three strengths of the Sanders campaign that a Karl Rove would attack (besides the candidate himself, and the donor operation that flows from the candidates ideology and list ownership). Warren (and Politico) are attacking strength #2: The canvassing operation. If they can poison the well of the Sanders door-knocking, texting, and BERN app operations with which other campaigns are not able to compete then they will do significant damage to the Sanders campaign. (A little scorched earth, perhaps; a little anti-democratic; but politics aint beanbag.) What the Sanders campaign has going for it is the volunteer troops themselves, whose physical presence and commitment may end up outweighing whatever poison is emitted by the Warren campaign and Politico; and their third strength, their independent media operation. The flap and the moral panic we are seeing now is internal to the political class (the press, the campaigns, and probably their silent partners in the intelligence community). But that political class lives in a bubble, and it may be that the Sanders media operation has already inoculated the voters, outside that bubble, against whatever messaging they can construct. We shall see! NOTE [1] For those who came in late, Karl Rove, known as Bushs brain, was a famously vile and effective Republican political operative. With his help, Bush won two terms, so pragmatically hes not a bad model to follow. From Prospect Magazine, quoting an interview with Rove by Chris Wallace of FOX: WALLACE: Youre famous in campaigns for turning your opponents strengths into weaknesses. How do you do that? ROVE: You look at what they claim to be strong on and see if they really are strong on it. And many times, what people tend to offer up as their strength turns out to be actually a weakness when you examine it further. For example, the claim by Senator Kerry in 2004 that simply because hed served in military service, which is laudable and patriotic and worthy of personal recommendation, somehow made him capable of being a strong war leader, when his views and values and approach would have been wrong in a time of WALLACE: But some would say go after their weaknesses. Why is it so effective to go after strengths? ROVE: Because again, sometimes peoples strengths turn out to be really big weaknesses. We tend to you know, people tend to sometimes in campaigns accentuate things that they think are big and important, and they exaggerate them. And more than anything else, people want authenticity and reality. People are pretty smart. They look at somebody running for office and they dont see them as all good and all bad. They see them as, you know, human beings trying to do their best.So if you exaggerate your strong points, it generally gives an opening for people to say, Well, you know what? Maybe that person really isnt somebody that deserves. [2] A oddly simultaneous second front was opened today: see here. UPDATE From the only adult writers on the block apparently, Teen Vogue, we get more from the Politico reporter on provenance Fwiw, this popular thread is not true. Attacking reporting and pushing misinformation is not just a right-wing phenomenon. I provided all the info to Bernie's camp before publishing & they didn't deny its authenticity. The doc had "Paid for by Bernie 2020"https://t.co/IAL9UXlJ8j Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 12, 2020 has begun Needless to say, its a very, very long leap from Paid for by Bernie 2020 to stealthily attacking Warren. Who signed the invoice? As a former hot-shot consultant, Ive billed for plenty of work that never saw the light of day. And its not enough to say the campaign didnt deny it. For one thing, the campaign isnt obligated to do a reporters legwork for them; for another, a campaign has a lot of people working for it, and if I worked for the campaign, Id certainly want to run the story down before saying anything. - Through the One Million Liters platform, the Spanish manufacturer Tejidos Royo is donating the financial equivalent to one million liters of water to Malawi School - The main aim of Chakaka Primary School is to improve the quality of life and education of the 1,500 children providing drinking water for the schoolchildren VALENCIA, Spain, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two months after its launch, the One Million Liters initiative, which invited people to join the Sustainable Denim Revolution, now has a beneficiary: the Chakaka Primary School in Benga, Malawi. One of the greatest problems in the textile industry is the excessive consumption of water. Taking on the challenge of shifting towards responsible processes, Tejidos Royo has been working in collaboration with Gaston Systems Inc. and Indigo Mill Designs (IMD) on its pioneering Dry Indigo technology. This has allowed it to eliminate the use of water 100% from the indigo thread dyeing process, which is an important milestone in the textile industry. Jose Rafael Royo, member of board, explains that, "At Tejidos Royo we are acutely aware of the impact we have on the environment and we have been working to make good our commitment to our surroundings and to meet the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the stakeholders in each industry have to play a leading role in creating a landscape for change, so we decided to develop Dry Indigo, which opens up a fantastic path for the whole textile industry towards sustainability." To achieve these aims and to spread its values, Tejidos Royo created the One Million Liters initiative, an international campaign that offered users from around the globe the chance to nominate a charitable cause to receive the donation of the one million liters saved using the Dry Indigo technology. Following the panel's deliberation and vote, made up of outstanding professionals, the winning charitable cause was Chakaka Primary School, run by the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle. The project aims to build a well and installing a pump that ensures a permanent supply of drinking water at the school. As a result, they will have all the water needed for drinking and cooking, as well as to clean the installations, thereby improving hygiene and sanitation which is necessary in order to prevent the spread of diseases. So, Tejidos Royo hopes that this first call for a Sustainable Denim Revolution is just the beginning of a long process moving towards being an ethical industry. Join the Sustainable Denim Revolution! www.onemillionliters.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1065027/One_Million_Liters.jpg CNOOC Limited CEO provided capital expenditure and operational plans for 2020. For the current year, the company projects net production in the range of 520-530 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), indicating growth from 2019s estimated output of 503 million BOE. CNOOC had earlier envisioned its 2019 output in the range of 480-490 million BOE. Of this years total production, about 64% will be drawn from China and 36% overseas. Estimated net production for 2021 and 2022 stands at 555 million BOE and 590 million BOE, respectively. In 2020, 10 new projects are likely to be commissioned, of which the Liza oil field phase 1 in Guyana initiated production ahead of time. The other nine projects, namely Penglai 19-3 oil field block 4 adjustment/Penglai19-9 oil field phase II, Qinhuangdao 33-1 South oil field phase I, Bozhong 19-6 gas field pilot area development project, Luda 16-3/21-2 joint development project, Nanbao 35-2 oil filed S1 area, Jinzhou 25-1 oil field 6/11 area, Liuhua 29-1 gas field development project and Liuhua 16-2 oil field/20-2 oil field joint development project in offshore China plus Buzzard oil field phase II in the UK will begin production on schedule. CNOOC Limited Price CNOOC Limited Price CNOOC Limited price | CNOOC Limited Quote In the ongoing year, the company proposes to drill 227 exploration wells and procure 3D seismic data for about 27 thousand square kilometers. Notably, this one of Chinas big three oil giants {the other two being Sinopec SNP and PetroChina PTR} projects total capital expenditures for 2020 in the range of RMB 85-RMB 95 billion. Of this, around 20%, 58% and 20% will be allocated to exploration, development and production, respectively. The capex budget hits an all-time high since 2014 and implies improvement from the projected capital budget of RMB 70-RMB 80 billion for 2019. CNOOC, which is engaged in exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas offshore China, plans to focus more on cleaner fuels like natural gas and renewables with more emphasis on offshore wind power this year. Story continues Further, the company intends to expand its oil and gas reserves as well as production, stress on development via innovative technologies and management upliftment plus ensure attractive shareholder returns. Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider CNOOC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked player in the energy space is BP Midstream Partners BPMP carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 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Click to get this free report China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report CNOOC Limited (CEO) : Free Stock Analysis Report PetroChina Company Limited (PTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report BP Midstream Partners LP (BPMP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Dong Mingzhu, Chairperson and President of Gree Electric Appliances [China Women's News] Dong Mingzhu, Chairperson and President of Gree Electric Appliances, the largest air conditioner maker in China, talked about mixed-ownership reform and entrepreneurial spirit during an interview with a group of reporters when she attended a forum about China's manufacturing sector held in its headquarters in Zhuhai, a city in South China's Guangdong Province, on December 28, 2019. When commenting on China's manufacturing sector and its development opportunities, she said it takes time, and insiders should respect reality and make down-to-earth efforts to make breakthroughs. Dong said that an entrepreneur should be patriotic, honest, creative and dedicated. At the very least, she said, when facing difficulties, entrepreneurs should stand out and try their best to come up with solutions without flinching or shouting slogans. She pointed out that talented staff are the most important factor for the development of China's manufacturing sector, saying that Gree has a group of young professionals who create wealth, develop new technologies and enable people to enjoy a better life. Gree Group, Gree Electric Appliances's state-owned parent company, sold a 15 percent stake in the subsidiary to Hillhouse Capital early November, 2019, which was considered by Dong as a move that will help the listed company develop into a real public enterprise. She said the company will deliberate on the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the development of Zhuhai City, as Zhuhai serves as a core city in the area. The city government's stake sale will help more listed companies in Zhuhai to improve their marketization and boost their growth, she noted, adding that it's not a simple transfer of state-owned shares but a move to boost the company's market competitiveness and operating efficiency. Dong said the mixed-ownership reform will not change Gree's adherence to honesty, training for employees and protection of the legitimate rights and interests of shareholders. Gree will also persist in seizing opportunities, overcoming shortcomings, and striving to meet the changing demands of consumers, she said, adding that the "internet of things" technology is such an opportunity. When answering the question about the relationship between the brand of a business and the brand of a nation, Dong said: "Once upon a time, I felt that as long as we did well, we fulfilled our responsibilities." But she realized that China should have more brands that go global and numerous brands should be developed to help China expand its presence in the international market. As Gree has grown, the company has built several national brands, which were all created by itself rather than through acquisition," she noted. "Developing our own brands is our mission and responsibilities," Dong added. In addition, according to Dong both the consumer and industrial sectors are very important for Gree; the former is the foundation of Gree while the latter is a pillar of the nation. Without high-end equipment, it is impossible to produce perfect consumer products, so Gree attaches great importance to both, she said. Gree hopes that the high-end equipment developed and manufactured by the company will also occupy an important share in the global market, like air conditioners have done, in the near future, Dong added. Dong also looked forward to achieving high-quality growth for the company and leading industrial reforms through innovation. (Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China) New Delhi One of the convicts in the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, Mukesh Singh, on Tuesday filed a mercy petition with President Ram Nath Kovind. Mukeshs mercy plea came within hours of the Supreme Court rejecting the curative petition of two convicts Mukesh and Vinay Sharma in the case on Tuesday. Convicts Vinay and Mukesh had filed the curative petition after being sentenced to death by the Apex court along with two others Pawan Gupta and Akshay Thakur. Pawan and Akshay are yet to file curative petitions before the Supreme Court. Simultaneously, Mukesh on Tuesday also moved the Delhi High Court challenging a lower courts decision to issue a death warrant for the execution of the four men at the Tihar jail complex on January 22 at 7am. In his plea before the high court, Mukesh said that his mercy plea is pending before the President and that he should be given a minimum of 14 days notice, if the petition is rejected by the President. Citing a judgment of the Supreme Court, the plea further said that the Apex court had held that there must be a minimum of 14 days notice between the communication of rejection of mercy plea and the scheduled date of execution so that a convict can avail his judicial remedies and make all final preparations. The President of India has the power to commute the death sentence awarded to a convict. The four men Pawan Gupta, Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh are on death row after being convicted in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case. The four had gangraped and assaulted a 23-year-old paramedic student inside a moving bus on December 16, 2012. The young woman died at a hospital in Singapore on December 29. A city court had on January 7 issued the death warrant for the hanging of the four men at the Tihar jail complex on January 22 at 7am. Following the courts order, jail officials have started preparation for the hanging of the four men and arranged a hangman from Uttar Pradesh prisons department. The prison authorities have also redone the gallows to ensure that the four men could be hanged simultaneously. Earlier, only two persons could be hanged at one time. Over the last two weeks, the prison officers have conducted at least three mock-hanging sessions using sandbags. This will also be the first time that four persons will be hanged at once in the country. FINANCIAL markets, some schools and offices reopened while flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport partially resumed Tuesday, January 14, as ash fall from the Taal Volcano eruption ceased in Metro Manila. The volcanos main crater, however, continued to erupt and Alert Level 4, which means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours or days, remained hoisted, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato U. Solidum, Phivolcs officer-in-charge, said it takes time for volcanic ash to travel from Taal to Metro Manila. Besides, wind direction changed and steam-laden plumes that disperse volcanic ash moved towards the southwest and west of the main crater, he said. Wala, walang ash fall (in Metro Manila). Tumigil naman yung ash fall dito (Quezon City) madaling araw eh. Kasi you need time for the ash to travel from Taal to Metro Manila, Solidum said in a press briefing Tuesday morning. Heavy ash fall was reported in the towns of Lemery, Talisay, Taal, and Cuenca, Batangas. Over 35,000 people have been evacuated from 27 cities and municipalities affected by the eruption in Batangas, the local Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said. Classes in Batangas, Cavite and some parts of Metro Manila and Calabarzon were still suspended to spare the students from the effects of the ash fall. Citing the report of the Local Disaster Risk Management Office (LDRMO) as of 11:45 p.m of Monday, January 13, the OCD-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) said a total of 35,945 persons or 7,730 families were being served in 130 evacuation centers within the province of Batangas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said there were also evacuees from the province of Cavite. The disaster council said there were no reported casualties from the calamity. Three road sections, two in Batangas and one in Cavite, were closed to traffic due to the effects of Taal's phreatic eruption. Story continues Power is still out in the cities of Tagaytay, Lipa and Tanauan as well as in the towns of Laurel, Talisay and Lemery in Batangas. The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured assistance for the affected families. In its latest bulletin on Taal Volcano, Phivolcs said the ongoing eruption of the main crater generated 500-meter tall lava fountains topped by dark gray steam-laden plumes reaching approximately two kilometers tall. Flashes of volcanic lightning were observed at the base of the degassing plumes (Tuesday) morning. New vents opened up on the northern flank where short 500-meter lava fountains, and within the main crater where steam plumes, have emanated, the agency added. The Philippine Seismic Network has recorded 212 volcanic earthquakes in Taal region as of 2 a.m. Tuesday. Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity, Phivolcs said. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 5299 tonnes/day on Monday, January 13. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the NDRRMC said a total of 604 flights have been cancelled since operations were suspended at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 12. Operations partially resumed before noon Monday, but some flights were still cancelled. As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported that 50 domestic and international flights have been cancelled. (SunStar Philippines) A candidate for the Texas legislature who was declared ineligible to run by the Harris County Republican Party will appear on the upcoming primary ballot even as party leadership maintains he should not be allowed to mount a campaign. Josh Flynn, a Republican candidate for House District 138, last month sued the Harris County Republican Party and Chairman Paul Simpson after they said Flynn could not run because he had improperly resigned his seat as a trustee for the Harris County Department of Education. In 1995, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that candidates are forbidden from running for public office while also serving in a lucrative office. However, the so-called resign to run law does not specify what does or does qualify as a lucrative office. As a trustee, Flynn made $6 a meeting. He stepped down from that position in December, though Simpson said he did not submit his resignation to the correct person and, thus, could not run on the local GOP ticket. Flynn sued, and won a temporary restraining order last month. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also weighed in on the dispute, writing in a brief that the law in Texas is clear that a candidate who effectively resigns from the conflicting office may be a candidate for the legislature. In mediation last Friday, the two sides agreed that Flynn would appear on the upcoming primary ballot. Simpson said in a statement that he challenged Flynns eligibility to protect the integrity of the ballot, and continued to dispute that Flynn should be allowed to run. As Texas law also requires, we agreed that Mr. Flynn's name will remain on the primary ballot, even though he is ineligible to run, Simpson said. An attorney for Simpson and the party echoed that. "We've left (Flynn) on the ballot because the law requires us to do so, but unless a judge rules otherwise, he's still ineligible, said Trey Trainor, an Austin-based attorney. Regardless of the outcome of the primary, lingering ambiguity about Flynns eligibility could be bad for the Republican Party, Rice University political science Professor Mark Jones said. If Flynn wins the primary, Jones said, his Democratic opponent in the general election could seek to have him declared ineligible. And they would be able to use the Republican Partys own words to bolster that claim. The Texas Supreme Court then would need to rule on whether Flynn was allowed to run, and clarify what is or is not a lucrative office. If such a decision goes against Flynn, local precinct chairs would appoint a replacement candidate, which Jones said could be seen as a subversion of the voters will. Even if a court sides with Flynn, Jones said, the legal dispute could cost valuable time, money and resources in the race for House District 138, which GOP Rep. Dwayne Bohac won by only 47 votes in 2018. Bohac announced late last year that he would not seek reelection Jared Woodfill, Simpsons predecessor as chairman who is representing Flynn, attributed the dispute to a personal, political vendetta, and accused Simpson of wasting party money and resources on personal grievances rather than spending it to defeat Democratic opponents. Flynn previously had supported Woodfill, who lost the party chairmanship to Simpson in 2014. Woodfill noted that local Republicans have suffered significant losses the last two election cycles, and said Simpson effectively was giving Democrats a win prior to votes being cast by declaring GOP candidates ineligible. Flynn will face conservative activists Lacey Hull and Claver Kamau-Imani in the GOP primary for the seat. The winner will face Akilah Bacy, Josh Wallenstein or Jenifer Rene Pool, who are on the Democratic primary ballot. Meanwhile, the Harris County Democratic Party also has dealt with its own balloting issues, including a dispute involving a criminal district judges eligibility that was settled by a judge last week. The party also announced that a candidate for Precinct 2 constable had withdrawn from the Democratic primary, but would remain on the ballot. Any votes for him, a party spokeswoman said, would not count. A day later, the party said the candidate legally could not withdraw from the race. robert.downen@chron.com Drug major Lupin's manufacturing capabilities have come under the scanner of the US drug regulator, as it has detected deficiencies across multiple sites in recent inspections. US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) last week certified two of its facilities. The USFDA announced that the inspection conducted at its Tarapur active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Maharashtra from September 16 to September 20 last year has been classified as Official Action Indicated (OAI). The regulator found three deviations from the current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. A couple of days ago, Lupin said that it had received two observations from the US health regulator following the inspection at its Nagpur manufacturing facility, one of its most modern plants. With this, at least six of Lupin's manufacturing facilities, out of its 18 units, are now short of the requisite standards prescribed by the USFDA. Of late, Indian drug firms are increasingly receiving warning letters from the USFDA. The Indian pharmaceutical companies received 19 warning letters, out of the 41 (46 per cent) issued by the Office of Manufacturing Quality of the USFDA in 2019, the most in recent years. "A PAI (Prior Approval Inspection) was carried out by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) at the company's Nagpur oral solid dosage manufacturing facility between January 6-10, 2020 and the inspection closed with two 483 observations," Lupin informed the stock exchanges. The Nagpur facility is Lupin's most modern tablet making facility, and the USFDA had conducted seven inspections at this facility. Since the manufacturing deviations at both these facilities are not a worrying factor at present and may not lead to a warning letter immediately, there needs to have more vigil on the part of the company to address the issues at its various plants, said industry observers. "We are committed to meeting the highest quality standards and are committed to full compliance with CGMP regulations at all our manufacturing facilities. We will address the observations raised by the agency satisfactorily and will submit our comprehensive response within the stipulated timeline," says Nilesh Gupta, managing director. Recently, Lupin had to sell its Japanese subsidiary Kyowa Pharmaceuticals for $300 million to reduce its debts. After completion of this deal, Lupin's net debt will come down to Rs 1,129 crore, compared to Rs 4,362 crore as on September 30, 2019. Lupin's main business in the US was undergoing pricing pressure and a big acquisition had gone wrong in the past. Commenting on the Tharapur inspection, Lupin said the inspection classification would not have an impact on disruption of supplies or the existing revenues from operations of this facility. The company is in the process of sending further updates of its corrective actions to the USFDA and is hopeful of a positive outcome. In October, Lupin had got another setback when its Unit-1 facility at Mandideep in Madhya Pradesh was slapped with a warning letter. Lupin had then said the letter was subsequent to an earlier intimation received from the USFDA in March last year, after it classified its earlier inspection with an OAI with three observations. Similarly, its Goa facility had also got an OAI. It means there are manufacturing issues that may lead to warning letter and then, if not rectified, a ban. "There are no drug master file (DMF) and abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) pending review or approval from the Mandideep unit one facility and the warning letter will not have an impact on disruption of supplies or the existing revenues from operations of this facility," Lupin had maintained. The inspection held by the USFDA at its Pithampur (Indore) Unit-2 facility in January 2019 had also saw manufacturing deviations. It was classified as Official Action Indicated (OAI). The USFDA had also classified the inspection conducted at Lupin's Somerset (New Jersey) facility in December 2018, as OAI. Also Read: Wipro Q3 profit drops 3% to Rs 2,463 crore; revenue up 2.73% Also Read: Satya Nadella's CAA remarks: Meenakshi Lekhi pitches education for 'literates' Also Read: Statue of Unity gets listed among eight wonders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Over the past year, I have visited many places. Construction of Xiong'an New Area is progressing, Tianjin Port is booming, Beijing's sub-center is thriving, grasslands in Inner Mongolia are splendid, the Hexi Corridor, after thousands of years, is teeming with new life. The winding Yellow River, where the sky is high and waters are wide, sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm; on both banks of the Huangpu River, there is plenty and prosperity, and ribbons of light shine in the night. Everything is flourishing across our motherland. I traced the routes of China's revolution to strengthen my original aspiration. From Yudu in Jiangxi province where the Red Army gathered for their Long March, to the Revolution Museum in Xinxian county in Henan province, the former capital of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui revolutionary base, from the Monument to the West Route Army in Gaotai, Gansu province, to the revolutionary memorial site in the Fragrant Hills in Beijing, all these places aroused many feelings and thoughts in my mind. Our original aspiration and mission are our inexhaustible source of motivation during our Long March of the new era. 3 1 [ Editor: WPY ] INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING AND R&D FACILITY CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF MONTREAL XNRGY Head office (CNW Group/XNRGY Climate Systems ULC) MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Cerebrus, LLC, a global private equity firm, today announced a C$75 million investment over the next three years in XNRGY Climate Systems, a newly formed HVAC engineering and manufacturing company headquartered in greater Montreal. Led by a seasoned team of executives with a combined and diverse industry experience totaling more than 200 years, XNRGY has officially launched a three-phase development project to cater to the needs of commercial and industrial customers across North America. In total, the initiative will create more than 250 new jobs and contribute significantly to the regional economy through the purchase of locally sourced goods and services. Over the span of the project, XNRGY will build a 350,000 s.f. facility on a 1.2 million s.f. site ideally located on Montreal's South Shore, near a regional airport and close to several major highways and the U.S. border. Montreal is a strategic choice for XNRGY's global headquarters, as many cloud providers have migrated to the area in recent years, attracted by optimal pricing, robust fiber-optic infrastructure, and low power rates. The facility is slated to be operational and delivering its first systems by Q4 2020. The air handling units custom designed and manufactured by XNRGY will target five key markets: hyperscale and modular data centers, healthcare facilities, clean rooms, grow-ops, and life sciences facilities. The aim of these leading-edge, sustainable solutions is to achieve the lowest power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating in the world. The XNRGY and Cerebrus management teams have been on the cutting edge of HVAC engineering and manufacturing for four decades. In their past roles, they have played a crucial part in securing many patents in air handling systems and fan design and performance. The combined value of the systems engineered, designed, and sold under their leadership surpasses US$1 billion. As a result, they have helped engineering and construction teams around the world reduce costs while meeting even the most complex requirements in air handling, air distribution, and refrigeration systems. QUOTES "Given that only 50% of the world's population is currently connected to the internet, data traffic is forecast to increase significantly over the next 10 years, reaching an estimated 200 zettabytes by 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence. This will translate to potential annual data center revenues of over US$200 billion. The introduction of the US$1.5 trillion 5G market and the complexities of cryptocurrency markets will only add to the challenge. Cerebrus sees a significant opportunity to partner with forward-looking companies to lower the energy consumption of their cooling equipment, which can account for half of a company's power expenditures. XNRGY's state-of-the-art systems will allow data centers not only to shrink their carbon footprint, but also to reduce their energy-related costs, which can represent as much as 70% of their operating budget." Wais Jalali, Chairman, Cerebrus, LLC "It's an honor and a privilege to be teaming up with Cerebrus to bring this groundbreaking project to life. XNRGY will be equipped with advanced automated and robotic assembly lines, panel foaming, and powder coat painting. We'll also be building an AMCA (Air Movement and Control Association) certified lab to ensure our products meet and exceed acoustical, vibration, and energy efficiency standards. This will be a world-class dual reverberant chamber testing facility. We are truly excited by the many R&D and vertical integration opportunities this initiative will open up for us and our customers." Sham S. Ahmed, President and General Manager, XNRGY Climate Systems Sham comes to XNRGY with almost 40 years of management experience in the North American HVAC industry. He has been the founder or co-founder of several successful greenfield projects and brought his visionary leadership to such high-profile companies as McQuay Canada (subsequently acquired by Daikin Industries), VENTROL Custom Air Handling Systems and TMI Climate Solutions Canada. ABOUT XNRGY CLIMATE SYSTEMS XNRGY Climate Systems is a privately held company which designs, engineers, and manufactures sophisticated, sustainable innovative solutions focused on reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption. Key products include large custom refrigeration and chilled water air handling units, vertical and horizontal data center units up to 600 kW, dedicated outside air systems, and energy recovery systems. ABOUT CEREBRUS, LLC Cerebrus, LLC, is a global private equity firm investing in sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, supply chain management, and the digital economy. The firm's main interest is to create innovative solutions for hyperscale data centers to leverage the significant growth in the global data center market. OFFICE 2120 Victoria Avenue Greenfield Park QC J4V 1M9 PLANT 5555 Route de l'Aeroport Saint-Hubert QC J3Y 8Y9 SOURCE XNRGY Climate Systems ULC Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Stocks in the news today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus on Tuesday's trading session based on latest news developments. Investors are also awaiting December quarter earnings that are scheduled to be released today. Companies set to announce their earnings are Wipro, Mindtree, Bandhan Bank, IndusInd Bank among others. IRCTC: The state-run company said that Ministry of Railways has given its approval to IRCTC for operating 82901/82902 Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express (6 days a week). The train will see its inaugural run on January 17, 2020 and start its commercial run from January 19, 2020. Aster DM Healthcare: The company's board has approved buyback of 57.14 lakh equity shares representing up to 1.13 % of the total paid-up equity share capital of the company at a price of Rs 210. The buyback is worth up to Rs 120 crore, being 4.69% and 5.42% of the fully paid-up equity share capital and free reserves. Tata Elxsi: Company has reported a strong quarter with a 9.7% revenue growth and 44.9% profit before tax growth on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Company's 'Transportation' business segment grew 10.4% QoQ, while its 'Healthcare' vertical grew 40.6% QoQ. Media and Communications delivered another quarter of steady growth at5.3% QoQ and its design business also showed strong growth at 9.9% QoQ. "This performance was led by strong execution and ramp-ups in large deals won in the previous quarters, along with the addition of leading customers and wins in the electric vehicles, medical devices and the OTT segments," said Manoj Raghavan, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Elxsi. First Source Solutions: Vipul Khanna has been appointed the MD and CEO of the company. Special resolution was passed with requisite majority through postal ballot in a board meeting. Edelweiss Financial: The company has received a communication from the Office of the Enforcement Directorate to represent and appear before them on January 15, 2020 and the Company shall do the needful. Cipla: The pharma major has received USFDA's nod for a drug used to treat epilepsy, Fibromyalgia & anxiety disorder. Coffee Day Enterprises, CG Power: BSE and NSE will suspend trading in shares of cafe chain operator Coffee Day Enterprises and fraud-hit CG Power and Industrial Solutions from February 3 for not complying with listing norms pertaining to submission of quarterly financial results. The exchanges said these firms have not submitted the financial results for June 2019 and September 2019 quarter and/or not paid the fine amount levied for the non-compliance, as required under the listing norms of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). However, if companies comply with the provisions of listing norms on or before January 29, trading in its securities will not be suspended, BSE and NSE said in separate circulars. Q3 Earnings: Wipro, Mindtree, Bandhan Bank, IndusInd Bank, Network 18, Tata Steel BSL, National Plastic Technologies, Shiva Cement and TV18 Broadcast are among the companies that are scheduled to post their December quarterly earnings today. An enormous sinkhole swallowed a bus and pedestrians in China, sparking an explosion, killing six people and leaving 10 more missing, state media said Tuesday. (Twitter/ screengrab) Beijing: An enormous sinkhole swallowed a bus and pedestrians in China, sparking an explosion, killing six people and leaving 10 more missing, state media said Tuesday. Footage showed people at a bus stop running from the collapsing road, as the bus -- jutting into the air -- sank halfway into the ground. #China Some onlookers were filming near the sinkhole and suddenly an explosion came from the sinkhole. pic.twitter.com/A6ESvAx8YR W. B. Yeats (@WBYeats1865) January 13, 2020 Several people disappeared into the sinkhole as it spread, including what appeared to be a child. The incident, outside a hospital, also triggered an explosion inside the hole, video showed. Search and rescue work was underway and the cause of the accident was under investigation, the state-run CCTV broadcaster said. #China A bus fell into a suddenly developed sinkhole when passengers were boarding the bus at the bus stop. Explosions and fire are visible from the sinkhole. This happened in Xining, Qinghai Province; some sources suggest 13 were injured and 2 are still missing. pic.twitter.com/ieB1TdnfvX W. B. Yeats (@WBYeats1865) January 13, 2020 The incident occurred at around 5:30 pm (0930 GMT) on Monday in Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, CCTV said, adding 16 people had been taken to hospital. Sinkholes are not unknown in China, where they are often blamed on construction works and the country's rapid pace of development. In 2016, at least three people fell into a huge sinkhole in central Henan province, which swallowed a section of road and passersby. An initial investigation showed the collapse might have been caused by water pipes buried under the road breaking up due to the rain. In 2013, five people died when a 10-metre (33-foot) wide sinkhole opened up at the gates of an industrial estate in Shenzhen. Does journeying to the moon with a rich boyfriend seem like your idea of a perfect date? You might be in luck. Recently single-again Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has come up with an innovative way to find someone special to join him on a space voyage to the moon. He will be the first civilian to fly around the moon on SpaceXs Starship rocket, the company owned by Elon Musk, and is looking for a special person to join him. The fashion mogul has launched an online appeal to find a female life partner to journey with him on SpaceXs maiden tourist voyage, reported CNN, adding that it will be trip around the moon scheduled tentatively in 2023. ALSO READ: Planning to pop the question but not sure where? Here are some travel ideas to explore when you want to propose The billionaire, who says he has been able to acquire his share of money, social status and fame, wants to restart his life at 44. As feelings of loneliness and emptiness slowly begin to surge upon me, theres one thing that I think about: Continuing to love one woman, he has confessed on the webpage (https://mz.abema.tv/en.html) dedicated to finding him his special someone. Taking to his official Twitter account, Maezawa posted about his requirement. The post also mentions that the deadline for the application is January 17. [WANTED!!!] Why not be the first woman to travel to the moon?#MZ_looking_for_love https://t.co/R5VEMXwggl pic.twitter.com/mK6fIJDeiv Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) (@yousuck2020) January 12, 2020 For those who are wondering if they should apply, Maezawas website estimates the founder of online shopping site Zozotown is around USD 2 billion (Forbes). Not only that, the entrepreneur has a passion for contemporary art, antiques, supercars, and wine and is known for purchasing J.M Basquiats painting for USD 110 million. But ladies, hold on to your horses! Maezawa is not the first person to create an elaborate social media proposal for his life partner. Filmmaker Lee Loechler recently proposed to his girlfriend Sthuthi David, a cardiologist, by creating an entire Disney movie for her. The filmmaker rented an entire cinema room and their friends and family come over before playing a recreated animated version of Sleeping Beauty, where the lead characters looked like Loechler and David, reported BBC. In the film, the filmmaker was seen popping the question - and Sleeping Beauty saying yes. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter BRANCH COUNTY The final defendant who plotted to kidnap and sexually assault a child was sentenced Monday in Branch County to a minimum of 25 years in prison. Matthew Toole, 33, of Battle Creek who was also sentenced in March 2019 in Calhoun County to a minimum of 50 years in a separate child sex case was the last of four defendants involved in the child sex abuse conspiracy ring to enter a guilty plea when he pleaded guilty Nov. 22. Toole, like the other three defendants in the case, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one felony count of conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal sexual conduct on a child under the age of 13. Toole, considered the leader of the ring, was sentenced Jan. 13 to a minimum of 25 years on the criminal sexual conduct charge and a minimum of seven years on the kidnapping charge. He will serve both sentences concurrently, meaning at the same time, Courtney Covington, spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney Generals Office confirmed with MLive. The sentence Toole was given Jan. 13 will also be served concurrently with the sentence he was given in March 2019 in Calhoun County, Covington said, meaning Toole is not receiving any additional time in prison. One of our important responsibilities as law enforcement officers is the safety and welfare of our children and residents, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a prepared statement Nov. 22 when her office and Toole reached a plea agreement. I am incredibly proud of the swift action taken by the Michigan State Police and our career prosecutors who intercepted these plans to carry out incredibly heinous crimes and prevented Michigan children from being harmed. According to an investigative report obtained by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette through a Freedom of Information Act request, in May 2018 Michigan State Police received a complaint from a witness who claimed Toole and a co-defendant, 33-year-old Talia Furman, also of Battle Creek, had child sexually abusive material on their phones, along with plans to abuse and murder a young girl. Further investigation by the state police and the attorney generals office uncovered several messages that were exchanged with another co-defendant in the case, David Bailey, 37, detailing the same plans. Evidence retrieved from the phone of Baileys girlfriend, the fourth defendant in the case, Jaime LaPoint, 20 of Athens, revealed she also engaged in these conspiracies with Toole and Furman. The four of them, according to the investigative report, met for pizza at Baileys home and laid out the plot to kidnap a child from the county fair, sexually assault and then murder that child. Bailey and Furman were each sentenced Aug. 26 and LaPoint was sentenced Sept. 23 on the same two charges Toole pleaded guilty of. All three were sentenced to a minimum of 25 years. All three of them, as well as Toole, had a charge of conspiracy to commit murder dismissed as part of plea agreements with the Attorney Generals office. Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou fired the countrys top security chiefs on Monday, in a move that sent a strong message to citizens about his handling of recent security crisis in the country. Mr Mahamodou ordered immediate replacement of the chief of army staff, Ahmed Mohamed, days after terrorists killed 89 soldiers on January 9. Local media initially reported preliminary military account as saying 25 soldiers and 63 terrorists were killed during the firefight at the forward operating base near the border with Mali. The death toll was later updated, putting military casualties at 89 while 77 terrorists were killed. The attack in Chinagodrar, in the countrys southwest, was the third targeting military asset in a month, leading to at least 160 deaths. At least 71 soldiers were reportedly killed in attacks on December 10 and 25. Terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have ramped up attacks in the Sahel in recent months, targeting mainly Niger and Burkina Faso. READ ALSO: Mr Mohamed, a lieutenant-general who has served as the countrys army chief for two years, was replaced by Salifou Modi, a major-general, Nigerien media reported. The countrys defence secretary and chief of land staff were also fired and immediately replaced, reports said. The president declared a three-day national summit before proceeding on a trip to France for a security summit. There was no immediate comment from any armed group for the attack, but it bore the markings of the Islamic State, whose Boko Haram affiliate has killed thousands of Nigerian soldiers in multiple attacks since July 2018. The high death toll of Nigerian soldiers prompted calls for President Muhammadu Buhari, who has sent condolences to Niger over the January 9 attacks, to sack military chiefs, especially army chief Tukur Buratai. However, attacks on Nigerian military bases have reduced since October 2019, prompting relief that a recent change in counter-insurgency strategy might finally see an end to the 10-year long war. Photo: Unsplash Baltimore is seeing strong demand for customer service representatives' skills. Employers in the industry posted 146 new jobs over the past week and 514 in the last month, more than for any other job category in the area, according to ZipRecruiter, a leading online employment marketplace. Local customer service representative also came in fifth in terms of local employers adding new jobs by occupation. In the past month, 38 companies listed open jobs for Baltimore-based workers in the industry. Top companies seeking local customer service representatives include Now Hiring Guaranteed Paid, Elite Maryland Marketing and Summit Retail Solutions. According to a recent job opening posted by Elite Maryland Marketing, the company "believes in creating the best environment for our team members. We know that a team that is learning and having fun will be the best team for our customers and clients alike." Jobs posted by Now Hiring Guaranteed Paid in the past month in the area also included customer relations representatives and brand ambassadors, while Elite Maryland Marketing was hiring sales associates and sales representatives, and Summit Retail Solutions sought sales representatives and managers. This story was created automatically using local jobs data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Dr. Ruth Weinstock is a pioneering physician in diabetes. She treats patients, teaches medical students, and conducts research. She is medical director of The Joslin Diabetes Center at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She was the driving force that established the center in 1995. The center has a staff of about 100 and treats as many as 250 patients each day. As a faculty member, Weinstock is chief of Upstates division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, a subspecialty of the department of internal medicine. Her research includes clinical trials now underway that could help lead to an artificial pancreas. In 2017, Weinstocks leadership was recognized with the Outstanding Physician Clinician Award by the American Diabetes Association. In 2018, she won similar recognition from the American College of Physicians for her research and service in the field of diabetes. Her work with the Veterans Administration locally and nationally contributed to the model for diabetes care the V.A. adopted nationwide. Weinstock was one of the three pioneering physicians featured in Triple Triumph. That 2017 biography told the stories of Dr. Sharon Brangman, Dr. Patricia Numann, and Weinstock. All three established breakthrough careers in Syracuse and drew international attention even though as young women they were discouraged from leadership roles in medicine. Were you in leadership roles growing up? I was not, but I did have strong influences from my parents (Mae and Irvin), who always valued education. From childhood, I always wanted to be a physician. I remember going to the public library, reading whatever I could about medicine, science, and novels about doctors. That's what I wanted to do. Back then that was not so common for a woman. I remember my guidance counselor in junior high school going around the room and asking what people want to do. I said: I want to be a doctor. He said: You can't do that because you're a girl. You can be a nurse, but you can't be a doctor. He said that right in front of the whole class and everyone agreed. You cant be a doctor, and that was that. I told my parents, and my parents said: Oh yes, you can. Don't listen to him. Work hard, and you can do it. I grew up in Queens, in New York City. I was born there and went to public schools there, Martin Van Buren High School. There were over 1,200 in my graduating class my senior year. There were triple sessions, and seniors were in the earliest session. We'd get there very early, and classes would be finished by around noon. There was no lunch period, and I had a job after school. My parents were born in the U.S., but my grandparents were immigrants. My parents were the first in their families to go to college. At that time, New York City colleges and universities were free. My father went to CCNY (City College of New York) at night. My fathers parents unfortunately died early. His father died when he was 13. His mother died when he was 16. He had three brothers who had died. He had one sister who was married. He basically lived on her couch, worked during the day, and went to CCNY at night. It took him 10 years, but he got his bachelor's degree and became a CPA, an accountant. My mom went to Brooklyn College, which at that time was also free. She became a teacher. She got her master's at CCNY. When I was in high school, they assumed I would go to Queens College, also free at the time. My guidance counselor suggested some private schools. I fell in love with one of them Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. It seemed so expensive. It was $2,400 for tuition, room, and board. My dad needed a little convincing. I got a job at a department store called B. Altman and saved $1,000 for my first-year tuition. Smith College (class of 1974) was an all-women's school. One of the things that attracted me there is that on my first visit, it was clear that women were encouraged to pursue careers, including medicine, and it was expected that you would contribute to society and engage in worthwhile endeavors. I majored in biology. I grew a lot in terms of self-esteem, learning and opening my mind to new ways of doing things. Then, I was very fortunate I was accepted into an M.D.-Ph.D. program. I was one of the first women in Columbia University's M.D.-Ph.D program. That was another life-changing experience for me. My Ph.D. advisor was a big influence. His name was Richard Axel. He was a young assistant professor at that time, and I was his first graduate student. He was brilliant, bold and not fearful of attacking big problems. Some people in research work to answer relatively small questions that feel safe. He asked: What are the important problems out there? How can we think outside of the box? He later received the Nobel Prize in Medicine. In terms of leadership, it is important to have an open mind, to listen and to be open to new ways of doing things. Dont be afraid to try something new if you believe in it and it makes sense. What other advice do you have for a leader to be effective? First of all, you need to be knowledgeable and have a vision and goals. Your goals should be realistic but aspirational. You may not be able to get there right away. But if it's worthwhile and worth doing, it's worth fighting for. Now, to reach your goal, you have to be a good listener. Have an open mind because there are going to be twists and turns and modifications needed. Someone else may have a better idea. And you might even be able to do something bigger or better than you initially thought. Or maybe it has to be done differently because there are things you didn't think of. So, get perspectives from lots of different people, be open minded about it, be willing to engage the people you need to get your goal accomplished. When I hire faculty, I don't expect everybody to do the same thing. So, I always ask: What makes you happy? What makes you enjoy work? Where's your passion? What part of endocrinology particularly interests you? Someone might tell me: I hate giving lectures before big groups. I get too nervous, and I just don't want to do that. But I'm happy to teach in small groups and have students with me when I see patients. Someone might have a passion for research. Someone else may say: I'm really not a researcher. You dont make the person who doesn't want to be a researcher do research. You say, OK, but what do you want to do? They might be a fantastic physician and they may be a fantastic teacher. Have them do that and have someone do research who really wants to do research and has a passion for it. Give everybody something they can be proud of, something they can be good at, something that suits them in terms of their personality and their personal goals. Support them so that they can thrive. Then listen to them. Have regular meetings. Ask: How can we do this better? What do you think? Do you have other ideas? As a leader, you need to work hard and set an example. You need to be respectful of people. You need to be professional and honest, so people can trust you. You have to be willing to say: I made a mistake. I thought this was going to work. It doesn't. Let's regroup. Let's go in a different direction. I think gratitude is an aspect of leadership. Tell people when you appreciate them, when they're doing a good job, when theyve made a difference. If you are leading people, meet with them regularly, ask what you can do to help them, what problems they have. Something I learned from my mom: The glass is half full, not half empty. Optimism is important for a leader. That makes you happier, and it spreads. Negativity feeds on itself, and its unpleasant for everybody. Optimism is more inspiring. It's healthier for you and for the people around you. And it is more likely to encourage teamwork, openness, and innovation. What qualities do you see in effective leaders, in leaders you admire? Sincerity. Worthwhile visions. A lot of the things I've talked about willing to be open minded. Another thing about leaders: It's not about me. Leaders are not looking for glorification. It's about what we can do. My biggest concern right now at this stage of my career is the future for my grandchildren, for the country, for the world, for this center. I want to know that we are training people, getting the right people in place so that this diabetes and endocrine center can continue to serve the community. That we are doing what is needed so that the planet will continue to exist. The best leaders leave a legacy after they step down. It's about the people they've helped, people they've trained, programs they started, contributions to their field to advance knowledge and innovation, and sustainability. There's nothing more rewarding than helping people; having someone come up to you and say, you don't remember me, but you changed my life. When you see an ineffective leader, what attributes do you see? Dishonesty. Arrogance. Impulsiveness. Making decisions based on what will help them or their friends or their family, not on what's best for the institution or the center or the community, or the majority of people. You can't be fearful to stand up for what's right. Sometimes, you know, it's easy to get intimidated. At this stage in my career, I don't. (Laughter) For young people, though, it can be hard. If you know what you're doing is right and somebody is doing something wrong, what should you do if you're the leader? Do the right thing. Tell me about a time when your leadership was tested and how you dealt with it. I think my most difficult time was when I put myself on the line about starting the Joslin Diabetes Center here. There was a lot of skepticism and a lot of opposition. Basically, if it failed, that would have been the end of my career here. (Laughter) Joslin was a new model for Upstate. What we envisioned hadnt been done before. Raising the money initially. Planning it. Assembling a multidisciplinary team. Hiring and training people to work here. It was an enormous task. I remember the day we opened in 1995. Oh my gosh. We had paper medical records back then there were no electronic records. We were still unpacking cartons of these paper charts from different locations when we opened the doors, and we were just overwhelmed with new patients. The phones were flooded. The tremendous volumes were not anticipated. Trying to satisfy the community need and making the center operations work were and continue to be challenging. We have instituted novel and innovative programs through the years and have grown our research programs in diabetes. I feel very fortunate because Upstate really allowed me to pursue this dream of establishing a diabetes and endocrine center. People in Central New York are wonderful. They really are. Its been very rewarding, and theres nothing better than to know that youve helped people. The weekly CNY Conversation" features Q&A interviews about leadership, success, and innovation. The conversations are condensed and edited. To suggest a leader for a Conversation, contact Stan Linhorst at StanLinhorst@gmail.com. Last week featured Bridget-ann Hart, former president and CEO of KPH Healthcare Services, parent company of Kinney Drugs. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global luxury goods market was sized near USD 324. 59 billion in 2018. The global luxury goods market is projected to grow with a CAGR of 2.92% during 2019-2025. Luxury goods are products that are not essential but are highly desired and associated with wealthy or affluent people. The global luxury goods market is growing due to the rising number of high net worth individuals (HNIs) in every nation, and increasing disposable income among the aspiring upper-middle-class population. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839394/?utm_source=PRN Rise in the number of high nets worth individuals' and changing lifestyles. The number of high net worth individuals is increasing in the USA, China, UK, Hong Kong, and some other emerging economies. Economic prosperity in emerging economies in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa reflect the rise in high net worth individuals as well. Moreover, Tourism drives the sales of luxury goods. Traveler's account for one-third of global sales of luxury goods. Tourists tend to buy luxury goods from abroad. There is prestige attached to buying luxury goods from fashionable cities such as London, New York, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris, Dubai and Singapore among others. In Europe, tourists account for a significant percentage of sales of luxury goods. However, rising counterfeiting affects sales and brand value. Counterfeiting affects the global luxury goods market in a big way. Luxury brands incurred loss worth nearly 30 billion due to online sales. Counterfeiting affects the brand value of luxury goods manufacturers. Fake websites similar to the branded ones draw unsuspecting consumers who look to buy branded luxury goods online are expected to hinder the growth of the global luxury goods market. Nonetheless, earlier luxury brand manufacturing companies were resistant to selling online, fearful that the internet's mass access would damage luxury brands' exclusivity. Ease of availability of luxury goods through E-commerce. Growing digitalization, the luxury goods companies are developing their own platforms to sell their products online. For this, these companies are either collaborating with multi-brand sites or developing their own platforms or both are expected to create a new opportunity for the global luxury goods market over the forecast period. On the basis of region luxury goods market categorized into North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Luxury goods saw a slightly slower growth rate in 2018 when compared with the review period CAGR in Italy, as value sales in the review period were favored by the effect of the 2015 Expo in Milan. Although still steady in 2018, international retail expenditure on luxury goods showed lower growth compared with 2017, as Italy faced higher competition as a destination for luxury tourists from countries such as France and the UK, which were finally perceived as safer after past terrorist attacks. Luxury goods in North America faced a slight current value decline, as demand shifted in multiple categories in 2018. A major theme across luxury goods is the role of the millennial population, which is soon to become the largest consuming generation, as the baby boomer generation fades. The ongoing change of the meaning of luxury in the US in recent years continued in 2018. More than ever, it is evident that quality, sustainability, and story are important in the purchasing habits of US consumers. It is estimated that Latin America will see a rise of 42 percent in the number of millionaires that call the area home by 2025. With the growth of millionaire residents bring with it the need for the luxury brands that they are accustomed to. Latin America has seen a large increase in the number of international luxury brands that are setting up shops throughout the region. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05839394/?utm_source=PRN 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 The chief executive officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, Nader Al Moayyed, received the newly appointed ambassador of Egypt to Bahrain, Yasser Mohamed Shaaban, on January 13. During the meeting, the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and further enhancing areas of cooperation between both countries across all fields, especially the tourism sector, by adopting tourism initiatives that will benefit both nations and support the national economy was discussed. In addition, the CEO of BTEA and the newly appointed ambassador reviewed BTEAs latest achievements, including the foundation stone-laying of the new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir, which upon completion will support Bahrains efforts in creating a vibrant environment conducive to attracting additional business and commercial opportunities, as well as enhance commercial collaborations with Arab and foreign countries due to the features that will be available in the new facility, in order to further strengthen the kingdoms position as the leading business and investment hub in the region. Al Maoyyed congratulated the ambassador on his new appointment and further commented: "It is with great pleasure that we receive Yasser Mohamed Shaaban. We would like to extend our congratulations to Shaaban on his new appointment as the ambassador of Egypt to Bahrain and are incredibly proud of our shared vision and joint goals which are aligned as part of our efforts to develop the tourism sector with the aim of increasing the tourism sector's contribution to the national economy and documenting the collaborations and fruitful achievements between our two countries. We would like to wish the ambassador all the success in his new role, and look forward to exploring additional bilateral initiatives in the near future." - TradeArabia News Service File image Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, on January 7, met senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. While it was unclear as to what they discussed, the meeting sparked speculation in political circles about a potential alliance between the two sides. The meeting also came days after BJP workers in Palghar reportedly put up a banner with picture of Raj along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis and other local leaders. The banner was put up as part of the campaign for the upcoming Zilla Parishad polls there. MNS is reportedly looking to shift its ideological stand to Hindutva. While Raj Thackeray started his political career from his uncle Bal Thackerays Shiv Sena a Hindutva political organisation MNS ideology since its inception only reflected Marathi asmita (pride). Reports now suggest that Raj is also planning to formalise the ideological re-branding by changing the party flag colours from saffron, blue and green to just saffron. While BJP leaders had skipped Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackerays swearing-in as the chief minister in November, Raj had attended the function held at Mumbais Shivaji Park a venue with great importance to both the Sena and MNS. Uddhavs gesture to invite Raj was largely seen as a thaw between the two Thackerays. BJP ally Republic Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A)s chief Ramdas Athawale said that the saffron party will suffer politically if it joins hands with MNS. The Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said: The Republican Party of India (A) is firmly with the BJP and the party is getting Dalit support. Hence, MNS support is not required as its politics is regional. Due to the aggressive stand taken by MNS against Hindi-speaking migrants, a national party like BJP will suffer." Raj is now expected to make a major announcement regarding MNS strategy at a party conclave on January 23 -- the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. According to reports, the MNS may now support the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed pan-India National Register of Citizen (NRC). Earlier in December, Raj had said illegal migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have settled in India deserve to be "thrown" out, claiming they pose an unnecessary burden on the country. "These migrants go and scatter all over the country. The states have to bear their loads. They take away the jobs of the local youth. Such migrants from anywhere should be driven out of the country," Raj had said while addressing the media. However, he had also questioned the manner in which CAA and NRC were going to be implemented amid reports that Aadhaar card and passport many not be valid proof of citizenship. He had also taken a jibe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for playing this game. With this one move, (CAA-NRC), all attention has been diverted from the economic crisis gripping the country." Turning 180-degrees? Raj was one of the first regional leaders to back Modi before the 2014 election. An article in the Hindustan Times suggests that Raj was hoping to ally with the BJP during the 2014 Assembly election by dumping the Sena. However, the BJP contested alone. MNS distanced itself from BJP in the subsequent five years, with Raj attacking the Modi and Fadnavis-led governments at the Centre and in the state. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Raj actively campaigned against BJP even though he did not field any candidates from his party. He lent tacit support to the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance instead. Having come under pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over a deal involving the purchase of land of a defunct textiles mill in Mumbai, Raj ran a relatively low-key campaign during the 2019 Assembly polls. Openly seeking to be a strong opposition in the state assembly, the party managed to win just one seat. With no major election happening in the near future, MNS could get space to carry out this reported manoeuvre. The next set of elections will be the local body polls in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik in 2022. MNS would be hoping to chip away some of the core Sena voters who may have been upset with their party joining hands with rivals Congress and NCP to form the state government. This could work in BJPs interest, especially where the Sena has a strong base such as western Maharashtra. Potential challenges However, such an MNS-BJP alliance may be tricky for both sides. In Maharashtras urban areas, especially in Mumbai, BJP is seen as a party close to Gujaratis and North Indians. This could also have a negative impact on BJP in other parts of the country, including Bihar, where assembly election is due for later this year. MNS on the other hand is known for its Marathi manoos (sons-of-the-soil) identity. The party could also find it difficult to convince as to why it had allied with the BJP having vehemently attacked it until very recently. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:16:22|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on late Tuesday paid a visit to a Thai hospital to see a Chinese woman who was being treated with the new coronavirus. Anutin, Dr Sukum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Public Health, and Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Ministry's Department of Disease Control, went to the airborne infection isolation room where the woman was treated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute at Bamrasnaradura Hospital in Nonthaburi Province, a province adjacent to Bangkok. Anutin said that the Chinese patient showed signs of improvement, had slept well and did not show symptoms of fever. If the Department of Medical Sciences and Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine both confirm that the Chinese patient is free of the virus, she will be discharged and will return to China, Anutin said. "We have earlier detected that three other Chinese people from Wuhan had a fever but were not infected with the new coronavirus," said Anutin, "If they recover, they will be discharged and can continue their tour in Thailand." Anutin told the Thais that there is nothing to panic about. There is neither cure nor vaccine for the disease; patients are treated according to their symptoms so that their bodies can develop immunity, said Anutin. The lady tourist from the city of Wuhan of China's Hubei province was the first person in Thailand infected with coronavirus. An ancient festival that is observed according to solar cycles, Makar Sankranti is one of the biggest celebrations in India. Dedicated to the sun god Surya, the festival sees devotees take a holy dip in rivers, which is believed to absolve them of past sins. Praying to the sun and the use of black sesame (til) and jaggery are also integral parts of the festival. A number of fairs take place in different places across India to celebrate Makar Sankranti, the most famous being the Kumbha Mela, held every 12 years at either Haridwar, Prayag (Prayagraj), Ujjain or Nashik. The Magha Mela at Prayag, the Gangasagar Mela in Bengal, the Makar Mela in Odisha, the Tusu Mela of Jharkhand and West Bengal and the Poush Mela of Shantiniketan, West Bengal are a few celebratory fairs held during Makar Sankranti. Mostly celebrated on January 14, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with different names in different states across the length and breadth of the country. Tamil Nadu: Celebrated as Pongal, it is a four-day festival which is divided into Bhogi Pandigal, Thai Pongal, Maattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Rajasthan: Known as Sakraat or Makar Sankranti, the day is celebrated with special Rajasthani delicacies and sweets such as pheeni, til-paati, gajak, kheer, ghevar, pakodi, puwa, and til-laddoo. The women of the region are supposed to gift a household object to 13 married women. People engage in kite flying as well. B01N4JL3CA, B07PNFY9S7 Uttar Pradesh: Known as Kicheri, it involves a ritual bathing, which sees millions of people gather in places like Allahabad and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Eating of sweets such as til laddoo and gur laddoo as well as wearing new clothes is an integral part of the festival. Kite flying is an inevitable part here as well. Gujarat: Uttarayan lasts for two days in India and people usually celebrate by flying kites. Undhiyu, a spicy baked mix of winter vegetables and chikkis made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery are festival dishes of the region. Uttarayan also sees the organisation of the International Kite Festival. Assam: Called Magh Bihu and Bhogali Bihu, it is marked by feasts and bonfires. The creation of makeshift huts known as Meji and Bhelaghar is an important part of the festival. People prepare the food for the feast in these temporary dwellings before burning the structures the next day. Games such as tekeli bhonga and buffalo fighting are associated with the festival. During Magh Bihu, shunga pitha, til pitha and other sweets called lashkara are made. West Bengal: Known as Sankranti and Poush Sankranti, the festival sees the use of date palm syrup or khejur gur in a variety of traditional Bengali sweets made from rice flour, coconut, and milk. It is known as pitha and the Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. In Darjeeling, it is called Magey Sakrati and is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva. Maharashtra: Celebrated for three days, where sweet dishes like halwa, puran poli and til-gur laddoos are made. The festival sees women sporting black clothes, which is otherwise barred on festival days. Karnataka: In the Suggi festival, girls wear new clothes and engage in a ritual called Ellu Birodhu. The festival also sees the display of cows and bulls in colourful costumes in open fields. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: The festival is celebrated for four days -- Bhogi, Makara Sankranti, Kanuma and Mukkanuma. On the day of Makara Sankranti, people sport new clothes and make offerings of traditional food to ancestors. They also make beautiful and ornate drawings and patterns on the ground with chalk or flour, called muggu. Kanuma sees farmers showcasing their cattle as a symbol of prosperity while Mukkunama sees farmers offering prayers to the elements. Bihar and Jharkhand: Celebrated on 14-15 January, it is called Sakraat or Khichdi as well. Delicacies that are made during this festival include chura, jaggery, sesame seeds, tilwa ect. People start their day by worshipping and putting sesame seeds into fire, followed by dahi chura, which is served with curd and red pumpkin. B071CY6D29, B07RJH9DD4 Goa: Known as Sankrant, people distribute sweets made of til and married women celebrate the 12-day Haldi Kumkum festival that begins on Makar Sankranti. The festival sees women apply turmeric and vermillion to the foreheads of other women and offer them gifts. Himachal Pradesh: In Shimla, it is celebrated as Magha Saaji. Odisha: People make makara chaula, which is a mixture of uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame, rasagola, khai/liaa and chhena puddings to offer to the gods and goddesses. Punjab: Celebrated as Maghi, it sees ritualistic bathing in a river in the early hours and the lighting of lamps. A major fair is held at Sri Muktsar Sahib celebrating the festival as well. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. The completion ceremony of the 230kV Nabar-Shwebo-Ohntaw Transmission Line and Substation Project undertaken by the State Grid Corporation of China was held in Shwebo, Sagaing Region, Myanmar on Saturday. Photos: People's Daily/Sun Guangyong U Win Khaing, union minister of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of Myanmar, Min Nai, governor of Sagaing Region, and Tan Shufu, commercial counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, attended the ceremony. China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company, a subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China, implemented the project. Construction of the $133.47 million project commenced in November 2017. Two 230 kV substations and two 230 kV double-circuit transmission lines with a total length of about 300 kilometers were newly built, starting from the Taipingjiang Hydropower Station in Kachin State and ending near Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar. The high-quality and efficient construction of the project as well as its successful coming into service has been highly recognized and appreciated by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of Myanmar. On 11th January 2020, Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and his team performed the first case in India using Coronary Shockwave Lithotripsy to open a very difficult and hard calcified blockage in a 70-year-old patient who had recently had a heart attack. Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy is a novel procedure that brings hope for those suffering from an advanced form of coronary artery disease (CAD) having angina or heart attack in which the blockage becomes very hard due to deposit of calcium. This happens in 20 per cent - 25 per cent of the patients especially those who are elderly, diabetic have chronic kidney disease, have long-standing blockages or previous bypass surgery. Previously to tackle this heavily calcified blockage there were only drills called Rotablator or ultra-high pressure balloons which are difficult to use and carry the risk of rupturing the artery. Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) system, mechanism of action and procedural overview Intravascular Lithotripsy launched by Shockwave Medical, USA is an innovative technology that generates sonic pressure waves to break up problematic calcium so that the artery can be opened with ease and blood flow restored with the placement of a stent. The therapy leverages a similar minimally invasive approach that has been embraced by physicians for decades to treat kidney stones, which are also made up of calcium. "We are happy to be the first to offer this innovative technology to the benefit of the numerous patients in India undergoing angioplasties", said Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi after he and his team performed the first case in the country. "Hardened calcified blockages are a big challenge to treat by angioplasty and stents and is getting commoner. Such blockages can now be opened with ease and safety to give patients the best results for the long term. The sonic pressure waves produced when performing Intravascular Lithotripsy gives us a novel, safe and proven treatment option to break up the calcified plaque, with potentially less risk of injury to the artery compared to other treatments", he added. Dr Jonathan Hill, Head of Department of Cardiology, King's College Hospital, London, who has the highest experience with this therapy in the world, was present with Dr Seth during the first case. "This is a path-breaking therapy which is revolutionizing the treatment of hard plaque in Coronary arteries world over and I am glad that this is now available in India to patients in India. This will bring hope for many patients whose arteries could not be opened by balloon angioplasty because of calcium build-up and were considered for Bypass Surgeries or left on medical management", said Dr Jonathan Hill. Calcium slowly develops and progresses to its hardened, bone-like state over the course of several decades of cellular growth and death in diseased plaque within the heart arteries. While it is slow to develop, its impact is immediately encountered when performing procedures in calcified lesions. The calcium's hardened structure restricts normal artery movement and makes the rigid arterial tissue resistant to traditional balloon therapies that have been designed to compress the plaque within the artery wall to restore normal blood flow. For these reasons, the presence of calcium increases the complexity of most cases and decreases the effectiveness of most treatments. "Indian is amongst the ten countries where this therapy has been launched and we are happy that Indian patients now may not need to travel abroad to get IVL", said Gurmit Singh Chugh, CEO, Translumina, partners of Shockwave Medical for India. How Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) works Intravascular Lithotripsy uses a small generator to produce therapeutic sonic pressure waves from a catheter that is threaded through the arterial system to the site of the blockage. The pressure waves pass through the soft vascular tissue, preferentially disrupting the hardened calcified plaque inside the arterial wall by creating a series of micro-fractures. After the calcium has been modified, the artery can be expanded using a low-pressure balloon and a stent, thereby enabling even historically challenging CAD patients to be treated effectively with minimal injury to the vessel. Shockwave Medical is focused on developing and commercializing products intended to transform the way calcified cardiovascular disease is treated. It aims to establish a new standard of care for medical device treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease through differentiated and proprietary local delivery of sonic pressure waves for the treatment of calcified plaque, which Shockwave Medical refers to as Intravascular Lithotripsy. IVL is a minimally invasive, easy-to-use and safe way to significantly improve patient outcomes. Translumina is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of cardiac stents and cardiovascular medical devices. Translumina Therapeutics was founded by Gurmit Singh Chugh and Punita Sharma Arora with an objective to create path-breaking technologies for providing better healthcare solutions to the physicians & patients for improving clinical outcomes for various cardiac disorders. Translumina's technologies are developed in collaboration with the German Heart Centre and are endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology. Translumina combines the best of German technology, intellectual property and high-quality standards with Indian capabilities of manufacturing innovative products at affordable prices. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Officials from Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan convened in Washington today ahead of the Jan. 15 deadline they set to reach a deal on what will be Africas largest hydropower dam. Driving the news: Ethiopia, which began construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in 2011, considers it both a major economic opportunity and a matter of national pride. It plans to start filling the dam within months. Egypt considers the dam an existential threat, as the country is facing water scarcity already and is almost entirely dependent on the Nile. It wants the dam filled much more slowly. All sides have said they want a deal this week. However, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's request yesterday that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa mediate the dispute seemed to indicate much remained to be settled. What to watch: If the dispute is not resolved by Jan. 15 the nations will have several options ... from using an international mediator to involving the heads of states, per Reuters. Diner owner Steve Kallis died in 2016 at the age of 81 with a will that directed most of his assets be passed on to a son and two granddaughters. Before that could happen, his daughter, Patricia Giddings - the mother of the granddaughters - claimed Kallis died without a will and named herself as his lone heir, and the estates administrator. She eventually plundered $166,000 of his money, and sold herself his Linden home - for $1. For her misdeeds, Giddings, 47, of Au Sable Forks, New York, was sentenced to five years in state prison Friday, the Union County Prosecutors Office announced Monday. She also has to pay $100,000 in restitution. Kallis was a diner owner, operator and chef for nearly 50 years in the Linden area after emigrating from Greece, his obituary said. Among the diners he ran were the Bayway Diner and the US 1 Diner before retiring in 2005. The prosecutors office said they started investigating Kallis estate in June 2018 at the request of the Union County Surrogates Office. (Surrogates handle wills and estates in New Jersey.) The prosecutors investigation found that after Giddings falsely claimed her father had no valid will following his Aug. 7, 2016, detectives found Kallis indeed had one drawn in 2000, which specified Giddings two granddaughters and his son receiving his money and property. Two sons predeceased Kallis, and Patricia Giddings is listed in Kallis obituary by her Greek name, Panayota Koufomichalishis.) In addition to helping herself to the money in his accounts for nearly two years, the prosecutors office said, Kallis home which she took ownership for $1 had a value of $220,000 at the time. A grand jury indicted Giddings in December 2018 of multiple counts of felony theft, misapplication of entrusted property, falsification of records and criminal contempt. She pleaded guilty in the case in November. Patricia Giddings daughter, Patricia A. Giddings, 24, is also in prison, for manslaughter in New York. The younger Patricia Giddings is serving 4 to 12 years for the death of her 2-year-old son in Au Sable Forks, New York on Aug. 9, 2016 - two days after Kallis death. The boy died after getting his neck caught in a notch at the top of a 4-foot piece of plywood that she and her then boyfriend used as a makeshift barrier to keep the toddler in his room as they watched TV, New York media reported. The boyfriend, Brandon Bushey, 27, from Linden, was also charged and pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and served a year in prison before being paroled in December 2018, records show. The Giddingses moved to Au Sable Forks - a small town about 50 miles from Canada - earlier in 2016, the elder Patricia Giddings told the Press-Republican newspaper during her daughters court proceedings. Brisbane City Council will look to the state government to cover any budget blowouts for the Brisbane Metro after the $944 million project was pushed back last year, while Labor indicated it would review the project if elected. The state government requested the council reassess a planned underground station at the Cultural Centre for the mass transit project, sparking a war of words between lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and Transport Minister Mark Bailey. Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner. Credit:Tammy Law/Fairfax Media Cr Schrinner said on Tuesday that early works had begun on the Brisbane Metro depot at Rochedale as the council continued developing a final plan for the Cultural Centre underground station. The final costs of those changes, which caused months of delays to construction, are still unknown, he said, and may not be known before the March 28 election. New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear the curative petitions filed by two Nirbhaya convicts on Tuesday. Two convicts Mukesh Singh and Vinay Kumar Sharma had filed the curative pleas after a Delhi court issued death warrants against them. A curative petition is the last legal remedy available to a convict apart from mercy plea. A five-judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan will hear the curative pleas. According to the black warrant, four convicts in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya Gang gangrape and murder case will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail. The order was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora who issued the death warrants against the four death row convicts -- Mukesh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31). The plea filed by Mukesh claimed that it was Ram Singh who was the main culprit in the case and Nirbhaya died of the wounds inflected by him. It claimed that Mukesh did not play a serious role in the incident. It also cited the numbers of rape and muder cases where Supreme Court or various High Courts have turned the death sentence into life imprisonment. The plea also said that Mukesh's case was affected by media and political pressure. It called for an open hearing of the curitive petition. News Nation has also accessed the plea filed by Vinay Kumar Sharma. In his petition, Sharma asked the top court to, allow the present curative petition and set aside the final common judgmentpass any other or further order(s) as this Honble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the present case and in the interest of justice and equityand for this act of kindness, the petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Sources said the jail authorities will approach the Uttar Pradesh prison authority asking for a hangman from Meerut to carry out the executions. The four convicts will be kept in isolated cells and will not be allowed to interact with other prisoners. Their family members, however, can visit them any time, the official said. According to an earlier report by The Indian Express, the Buxar Central Jail is ready to supply its famed "Manila" rope for the hanging of the convicts, and 10 such ropes have been readied to be supplied to the capitals Tihar Jail. The jail has expertise in making the wax-coated manila rope that it sells for Rs 180 a kg and which can easily withstand the tension caused by the fall of a person weighing up to 80 kg sent. The jail produced several kinds of ropes used with handcuffs and for pitching tents. Clothes and durries are also woven by its inmates. The jail, probably the only one in the country making manila rope, supplies several types of ropes to different jails. Roxanne Taylor Roxanne Taylor, former Accenture chief marketing and communications officer will join Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on Feb. 3 as its chief marketing and communications officer. At MSK, Taylor will be responsible for shaping and enhancing the brand and will have accountability for building its long-term equity with all stakeholders. She will lead an integrated marketing and communications function focused on helping to grow and differentiate MSKs brand presence worldwide. Since leaving Accenture in September 2018 after 23 years, Taylor has served on the board of directors at Whalar, which provides tech-driven influencer marketing solutions, as well as at Pure Storage, a provider of all-flash data hardware and software solutions; and OpenX, the worlds largest independent advertising exchange. She is also on the boards of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants, and the US chapter of press freedom organization Reporters Sans Frontieres. Zarif urges E3 to stop 20 months of bowing to US diktat Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 January 2020 1:36 AM Iran's foreign minister has urged the three European powers - France, Germany, and the UK - to stop bowing to the US' diktat and rather "must the courage" to fulfill their obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. "For 20 months, the E3-following UK appeasement policy-has bowed to US diktat. That hasn't gotten it anywhere-and it never will," Zarif said in a Monday tweet. He pointed to Europe's failure to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) following the US' withdrawal last year, and said "the E3 can save JCPOA but not by appeasing the bully and pressuring the complying party." "Rather it should muster the courage to fulfill its own obligations," Zarif said. His comments came after the leaders of Britain, France and Germany called in a joint statement on Iran to return to full compliance with their 2015 nuclear deal and reverse its countermeasures against the West's failures vis-a-vis Tehran. "It is essential that Iran return to full compliance with its commitments under the agreement," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday. The Europeans' call on Iran to fully comply with the nuclear deal stands in contrast to their failure to protect the Islamic Republic from unilateral US sanctions on Tehran after Washington abandoned the accord. Tehran has particularly been disappointed with the European trio's failure to protect its business interests under the deal after the United States' withdrawal. After patiently watching for more than a year and seeing no clear action from the other signatories of the nuclear deal, Iran invoked Articles 26 and 36 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to let go of some of the limitations put on its nuclear work. On Monday, the Iranian foreign minister also posted another tweet in criticism of the United Kingdom and its appeasement to the United States. "UK is parroting US line and blindly abetting its terrorist adventurism in our region," Zarif tweeted. "The last time UK was dragged along to infamy by the US was in Iraq war. How did that work out?" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals on Tuesday said it has divested one plot of its industrial land in Dahej, Gujarat for Rs 99 crore, as part of the strategy to divest non-core assets. "The company has divested one of its plots of industrial land in Dahej...for total transaction value of Rs 99.2 crore," the fertilisers and industrial chemicals producer said in a regulatory filing. The deed of assignment was executed last month and the transfer order from Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation has been received, the filing said. The company has received the sale consideration and paid all the related charges and its share of transfer fees, it added. The company's existing nitric acid plant is situated in Dahej where it continues to have adequate unutilised area in order to take care of any future expansion. Shares of the company were trading at Rs 114.55, up 4.47 per cent on teh BSE in morning trade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sources close to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, have disclosed that the Department is set to commission a 300-seater ultra-modern lecture theatre with office spaces for officers. According to the source, he said the SCID had recently completed the lecture theatre and office complex project which started from the scratch in July 2019 mainly for the purpose of training and retraining of Police Personnel The source hinted that the building will be commissioned tentatively on 30th of January 2019 by the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu. Another reliable source confirmed that the project was made possible by donors ranging from individuals to corporate entities as a form of social responsibility The Lecture theatre boasts of projectors for lectures and presentations, air conditioners, standby generator for constant supply of power, office spaces for officers, modern toilets for convenience. Recall that around July 2019 the SCID commissioned an ultramodern statement taking and interview room under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Officer-in-Charge of the SCID, DCP Yetunde Longe 2020: Lagos Police To Intensify Training, Re-Training of Officers Sources close to the Lagos State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (SCIID) of the Nigeria Police Force have disclosed that for 2020, the department will intensify training and re-training of Police officers in-line with the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu policies. According to a source at the SCIID, the department had completed a 300-capacity building with over ten offices and toilet facilities to facilitate the training of police personnel. "We have quite a number of personnel to add value to and make them more productive that is why the building was erected. "It boasts of a projector for lectures, air conditioners and a generator for constant supply of power," the source said. According to the source, the building would be commissioned by the end of January by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu. The source said that senior police officers from the Command as well as donors who are the major stakeholders would also be attending the commissioning of the building. "Basically, the building which started construction in July, 2019 has been duly completed. "The building will be used to enhance our training as police officers and police officers from other departments can make use of the building for lectures and trainings," the source said. We gathered that one-storey building has a huge hall filled with brand new chairs while each of the rooms at the top floor has in it inbuilt toilets with several toilets for convenience purposes. The definition of cruelty will cover a wider range of abuse, with any mistreatment leading to the death of an animal receiving a maximum three-year prison term. Gettyimagesbank South Korea said Tuesday it plans to adopt tougher regulations to prevent animal cruelty and to provide animals with a better living environment as part of efforts to improve animal welfare in the country. The set of strenghtened policies, which runs through 2024, will focus on enhancing the public's awareness of animal welfare and on improving living conditions for not only pets but also laboratory animals and livestock, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Compared to the previous five-year plan, which ran through 2019, the new blueprint will provide more details on protecting the rights of pets, in line with the rising number of South Koreans adopting them, the ministry said. More than a quarter of South Korean households had a pet as of 2019, compared with 17.4 percent of homes in 2010, according to the ministry. The country's market for pets and related business is estimated to reach 3.4 trillion won (US$2.95 billion) this year and to expand to 5.7 trillion won in 2026. Starting in 2022, prospective pet owners will only be allowed to adopt pets after completing a mandatory course in order to improve their awareness of animal rights. Information on the subject will be provided to schoolchildren. Owners of certain breeds of dog Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler and related mixed breeds will be obligated to purchase an insurance program starting next year as well. The definition of cruelty will cover a wider range of abuse, with any mistreatment leading to the death of an animal receiving a maximum three-year jail term, up from the previous two years. Pet owners will be banned from keeping dogs on a short leash at home and from confining them in rooms with limited light. The ministry said it will also set guidelines on adequate living space at animal farms this year and review the provision of incentives for facility renovation. Provincial governments will be ordered to establish guidance on rights for animals used in festivals including bull fighting. Using animals for experiments will also face tougher regulations, and violators may face a jail term of up to two years for violations, compared to the previous maximum 3 million-won fine, the ministry added. (Yonhap) HERCULES (BCN) A 15-year-old Hercules High School student was sought by police following a report of a threat against the school Monday, police said. Officers received information at about 5 a.m. about a possible threat toward the school at 1900 Refugio Valley Road in Hercules. A parent told police that her daughter had seen a Snapchat video of a person holding an AR-15-style gun and a post saying that Hercules High School students should avoid the school on the 13th, according to police. Officers received a screen shot of the gun from the girl and the boy suspected of posting the video was identified through his Snapchat account name, police said. Officers got in touch with the school before it opened and all students in middle and high school were told to call the school office if they saw the boy who posted the video. Police said officers went to the boy's home and learned that the boy and his family were out of state. Officers checked the family's home and did not find any evidence of guns. Police called the family, who were still away, and they said the video was shot at a sporting goods store that was not in California. The boy was supervised as he held the gun and the post was a poor attempt at humor, police said the family told them. Police will not be making any arrests. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Everyone wants the world to be a better place, but we can only do so much to make a change. Let us admit it, the only way we get to make a huge difference is if we either run for office, be a prominent personality, or become a viral social media personality so the majority will hear our voice. Being a politician is one of the ways to get our ideas into reality, with that kind of power, mandate and support from the people, a government-elect officer can make positive changes one step at a time. On Monday, rapper Cardi B took to social media and suddenly expressed her desire to run for a government office. "I think I want to be a politician. I really love government even tho I don't agree with (the) Government," Cardi B tweeted. In a series of Tweet, the "Bodak Yellow" rapper revealed that the out of the blue thoughts about politics suddenly went through her mind after watching war documentaries. I think I want to be a politician.I really love government even tho I dont agree with Goverment iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 Like I was watching War https://t.co/r4gwhTQkHy matter how many weapons a country have you need people ! How are you trying to go against a country and possibly start a war when this country lacks patriotism? I barely see people claiming they LOVE being American. iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 "No matter how many weapons a country have you need people! How are you trying to go against a country and possibly start a war when this country lacks patriotism? I barely see people claiming they LOVE being American," she added. The 27-year-old artist, who goes by the name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar in real life, also hinted a possible video content to explain her previous tweets further. She promised her followers to talk more about her ideas some other day. I will have to explain a lot so I will have to do a video or a live talking about it ...So imma come back to my last two tweets another day.Imma talk about it another day . iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020 I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress.I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense.I just need a couple of years of school and I can shake the table . iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 13, 2020 Her most recent politician-tweet convinces fans that she is not kidding about her idea, and it seems like she is willing to do what it takes to make it happen. "I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up, I can be part of Congress. I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense. I just need a couple of years of school and I can shake the table," Cardi B said. This is not the first time that the Bronx-born artist went on expressing her political beliefs on social media. In January 2019, she posted a 58-second video explaining the 2019 government shut down. In the video, Cardi B talked about summoning federal government workers and encouraged her followers to take action. Her video immediately went viral on social media and reached the attention of Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. Both Senators even publicly wondered if they can retweet Cardi B's video against the government. Cardi B also publicly endorsed Bernie Sanders and made a video collaboration for the latter's 2020 presidential campaign. Cardi B posted an expletive-filled Instagram video tonight slamming the government shutdown, saying she's scared and calling for some type of action to help affected workers. Some Democratic lawmakers are debating whether to share it pic.twitter.com/SLsvZVe1dH Faith M. Karimi (@FaithMKarimi) January 17, 2019 This only proves that Cardi B is not your typical rapper. In an interview with GQ Magazine in 2018, she also revealed her love for political science, government, and confessed that she is obsessed with "presidents" and to learn how the government works. Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Recognized As the Leading Franchise Opportunity in Its Industry for Fourth Consecutive Year CARROLLTON, Texas, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FASTSIGNS International, Inc. , franchisor of FASTSIGNS, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today it has been ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for the fourth consecutive year. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500 ranks FASTSIGNS as #55 the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. "This is an incredible way to mark FASTSIGNS' 35th year in business being recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for our continued position as the leader in our category. The FASTSIGNS brand has never been stronger, which is a testament to our outstanding franchisees, excellent franchise support team, strong unit-level economics, as well as the strength of our franchise opportunity," said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. FASTSIGNS reported exceptional results in 2019, including the signing of 35+ franchise agreements in the U.S and Canada. to develop new, co-branded, and conversion centers and the opening of over 30 locations. Internationally, FASTSIGNS opened its first locations in Chile, Malta, and France, and signed an additional master franchise agreement to develop centers in the Dominican Republic. This year, FASTSIGNS is aiming to sign 45+ franchise agreements and enter several new countries. In the U.S., the brand is targeting growth in markets like Michigan, Southern California, Florida, New York City, Boston and the northeast corridor. FASTSIGNS also is continuing to seek qualified candidates to grow its international footprint in target markets throughout the world, including Quebec, New Zealand, and Brazil, as well as countries throughout North Africa, Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Europe. For any existing business looking to expand into this fast-paced market, FASTSIGNS offers co-brand and conversion programs to help owners diversify their product lines and services to meet the growing demand for comprehensive signage and visual communications solutions. FASTSIGNS has helped countless owners of print shops, photography studios, camera stores, embroidery shops, and more, add a FASTSIGNS to their existing business or fully convert their store to a FASTSIGNS franchise. FASTSIGNS franchisees receive ongoing training and support to stay ahead of the competition and exceed the needs of their local business community. Both the co-brand franchise opportunity and conversion can be started with only $15,000 down on the initial franchise fee. FASTSIGNS also offers a special incentive for first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters, which includes a 50 percent reduction on the franchise fee a savings of $24,875. FASTSIGNS is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity. In 2019, Entrepreneur named FASTSIGNS one of the Top Franchises for Veterans. FASTSIGNS also was recognized as one of the top business opportunities for veterans in Franchise Business Review's 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans report. FASTSIGNS was named to the 2019 America's Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS made Franchise Direct's list of the Top 100 Franchises and ranked #2 on Franchise Gator's Top 100 list, both ranking the best franchises for 2019. Franchise Business Review has recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the "Best of the Best" for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as naming FASTSIGNS to its "Innovative Franchises" list in 2017, and its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchise lists in 2019. In 2018, Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS a "Best-in-Category" franchise. The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) awarded FASTSIGNS International, Inc. the Franchisees' Choice Designation for the seventh consecutive year for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support. About FASTSIGNS FASTSIGNS International, Inc. celebrates its 35th anniversary in business in 2020 as the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS centers in 9 countries including the United States, Canada, Chile, England, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE). FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, promote their products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points. FASTSIGNS has been ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for the past four years, a 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans by Franchise Business Review and a 2019 America's Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com . Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns , Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS . For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679). Contact: Chelsea Bear Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc. Related Links http://www.fastsigns.com SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- PatientPop, the market leader in healthcare practice growth technology, has been named to Built in LA's 2020 Best Places to Work awards list, which recognizes businesses that excel in providing employees the support they need to thrive in their careers. The list rates companies algorithmically based on compensation and employer benefits including health and wellness, financial planning and stability, flexible work environment, professional and social impact, and company perks and discounts. "We started with a team of three in 2014 and have grown to more than 500 employees today," said Alexis Kavazanjian, Vice President of People Operations at PatientPop. "Our team members are core to everything we do to help practices thrive. We're honored to be named one of the Best Places to Work in LA it reflects the care we take to support our team, knowing their happiness and well-being contribute to our success." PatientPop offers employees competitive compensation, three weeks of paid vacation, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and company-paid healthcare, dental, and vision plans. PatientPop also supports individual learning and growth by offering professional development training, resource groups, TED-like lunchtime talks, a mentorship program, and paid volunteer time off. Employee health and wellness is a top priority at PatientPop, with activities such as yoga and meditation, discounts at area fitness centers, and a dog-friendly office environment. Built in LA has also listed PatientPop as a Top Digital Tech Company for the second consecutive year. Other recent PatientPop workplace accolades include : "As PatientPop expands and ramps up product innovation, we continue to add to our team at a rapid pace," Kavazanjian said. "Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply to the open positions currently available." About PatientPop PatientPop is the leader in practice growth with the only all-in-one solution that empowers healthcare providers to improve every digital touchpoint of the patient journey. As experts in the healthcare technology space, PatientPop makes it easy for providers to promote their practice online, attract patients, and retain them for life. PatientPop was recently named to Entrepreneur magazine's annual list of the best entrepreneurial companies in America, ranking third. PatientPop was also ranked number 35 on Deloitte's Fast 500 for the fastest growing technology companies and ranked number 125 on the Inc. 500. With a commitment to continuous innovation, PatientPop helps practices attract more patients, manage their online reputation, modernize the patient experience, automate their front office, and integrate with the most widely used EMRs for a holistic approach to practice growth. For more information, visit patientpop.com. Contact Tribe Builder Media Danielle Sabrina [email protected] 929-367-8993 SOURCE PatientPop Related Links http://patientpop.com (Bloomberg) -- Huawei Technologies Co. broke into the top 10 recipients of U.S. patents last year, according to an analysis of filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the latest sign that Chinese companies are aggressive in pursuing the U.S. lead in global technology. The telecom companys 2,418 patents, along with 2,177 new patents issued to display-screen maker BOE Technology Group, help propel China into the rank of fourth-biggest recipient of U.S. patents, behind Japan and South Korea but ahead of Germany for the first time, according to the analysis by Fairview Researchs IFI Claims Patent Services.Chinas growing rapidly but theyre still way behind the U.S. in terms of patents, said Larry Cady, a senior analyst with IFI. International Business Machines Corp. retained its title of top recipient of patents for the 27th year, with a record 9,262 patents, far ahead of No. 2 Samsung Electronics Co. and No. 3 Canon Inc. Overall, the patent office issued 333,530 patents, an all-time high and a 15% jump after a decline in 2018. Cady said the increase likely reflects efforts to release a bottleneck over what can qualify for a patent, such as in the fields of artificial intelligence.AI, cloud computing, blockchain and security were among the top areas for IBM, the Armonk, New York, company said. The IBM patents reflect the work of more than 8,500 inventors over 45 states and 54 countries, the company added. While IBM may be consistently the top recipient of patents, its holdings arent the largest, IFI found. That title belongs to Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea, with Canon Inc. of Japan the second-largest corporate owner of patents. The difference, Cady said, is that IBM doesnt keep all of its patents. We really look at new patents as an indication of innovation and we regularly review and prune our patent assets, said Jason McGee, chief technology officer for IBM Cloud Platform. We may get rid of ones that we dont think are strategic or could be better served with someone else. Story continues IBM also announced that its joined the License on Transfer, or LOT, Network, which was co-founded by Red Hat Inc. IBM bought the software company for $34 billion last year. Group members pledge that all network members will get a license to any patent that ends up with whats known as a patent assertion entity, meaning a company that doesnt make products and whose sole purpose is to extract royalties from those who do. The group helps protects automakers and retailers who are just entering the technology arena thats often marked by lawsuits. If you want to be any successful company, you have to be a successful high-tech company, said Ken Seddon, head of the LOT Network. Overall, the list of top recipients is dominated by American and Asian technology companies. Behind IBM, Samsung and Canon are Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp., LG Electronics Inc. and Apple Inc. topping the list after Canon. Ford Motor Co., which broke into the top 10 last year, was just ahead of Amazon.com Inc. and then Huawei. While the numbers are small, the fastest-growing patent classifications were in the gene-splicing technology known as CRISPR, hybrid plants, 3-D printing and cancer therapies, the analysis showed. Many of the patents issued to Huawei relate to things like high-frequency transmission that are needed for the next generation of wireless technology known as 5G. President Donald Trumps administration in May moved to restrict U.S. companies from doing business with Huawei. The administration has said Huawei gear could be used for spying -- an allegation the company denied. The U.S. is kind of at a funny position with Huawei -- were threatening them with limiting access to technology and access to the markets, Cady said. At the same time, 5G is rolling out and theyre the dominant in 5G. To contact the reporters on this story: Susan Decker in Washington at sdecker1@bloomberg.net;Christopher Yasiejko in Wilmington, Delaware, at cyasiejko1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jon Morgan at jmorgan97@bloomberg.net, Elizabeth Wasserman, John Harney For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:40:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday urged the Libyan rival parties to adhere to the cease-fire announced recently in the south of the capital Tripoli. "For the sake of the civilian population in Tripoli, the hundreds of thousands who fled their homes and 116,000 children who are unable to go to their classes, UNSMIL urges the parties to continue to adhere to the announced cease-fire," UNSMIL said. UNSMIL also called on the parties to "give the ongoing diplomatic efforts an opportunity to yield a more permanent cessation of hostilities and return to the political process." The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the rival UN-backed government. The armed conflict killed and injured thousands of people, and forced more than 120,000 civilians to flee their homes. Both parties accepted a cease-fire starting from Jan. 12, which was called for by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Moscow hosted an intra-Libyan talks, sponsored by Russia and Turkey, but with no cease-fire agreement being signed on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. Lavrov said the head of the UN-backed government Fayez Serraj and foreign minister Mohamed Siala signed the draft, but Khalifa Haftar, commander of the eastern-based army, asked for an extra day and left Moscow without signing it. Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability, ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. A Brazil national held in Mumbai international airport in 2015 with 7.2 kilograms of cocaine was on Tuesday sentenced to 10 years in jail by an NDPS court here. Guilherme De Mattos was held on October 19, 2015 after he landed at Mumbai airport on an Air Emirates flight following a tip off that he was carrying drugs, an official said. Special Judge MS Mungale found him guilty under provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Eight witnesses were examined during the trial by the prosecution. The court also issued a standing non-bailable warrant and Red Corner Notice against another accused Ally Hassan Bosco. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, D.C -- After an end-of-year push in which Indian Country's legislative agenda drew widespread attention thanks to one of President Donald Trump's tweets , more pro-tribal bills are being teed up for action in the U.S. House of Representatives The House Committee on Natural Resources is meeting on Wednesday for a markup, the panel's first of the new year. The agenda for the session includes three measures affecting tribal education, tribal homelands and tribal territories. Among them is H.R.895 , the Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act. The bill corrects an oversight in existing law by providing employees of tribal grant schools with the ability to participate in federal health and life insurance programs. Teachers, administrators and staffers at Bureau of Indian Education institutions are already eligible for such benefits, as are employees of federal schools run by tribes through self-determination contracts. But tribal grant workers are not covered, so legislation is needed to "close the loophole," according to Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota). "Ensuring that children in tribal areas have access to high-quality education is one of the most critically important challenges facing out country," Johnson, who introduced H.R.895 in January 2019 in one of his first actions as a new member of Congress, said at a hearing on his bill last year. Cecelia Fire Thunder, the president of the Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition, also provided testimony at the hearing, which took place before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States . She said tribal grant schools will be able to save money by accessing federal benefit programs, a major improvement in light of historical underfunding of Indian education by the U.S. government. "This simple and clean legislative fix would directly benefit our schools," Fire Thunder, a former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe , said on July 16, 2019. She noted that the six tribal grant schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota employ more than 500 people. Fire Thunder previously testified on the measure during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs last May. The panel responded by approving S.279 , the companion version of the Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act, at a business meeting that same month. S.279 awaits further action in the U.S. Senate , which is in Republican hands. But with the markup on Wednesday, H.R.895 is one step closer to passage in the Democratic-controlled House. Students at Isna Wica Owayawa (Loneman School), a tribal grant schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. A second pro-tribal bill being marked up on Wednesday is H.R.3160 , the Blackwater Trading Post Land Transfer Act. The bill places 55.3 acres in trust for the Gila River Indian Community The land is home to former Blackwater Trading Post, where Gila River ancestors conducted business for decades. It's also contiguous to the tribe's reservation in Arizona. Usually, such acquisitions are routinely approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs but a provision in the tribe's water rights settlement requires all trust acquisitions to go through Congress. So the tribe needs the legislative branch of the U.S. government to take action. "H.R.3160 is a non-controversial, bipartisan piece of legislation that is absolutely critical for the community to be able to place these culturally significant lands into trust status and become part of the Reservation," Governor Stephen Roe Lewis said at a hearing before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples last October. The Senate version of the bill is S.2912 , which was introduced by Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs , in November. The measure awaits further consideration in the chamber. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community testifies before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States on October 16, 2019. Photo courtesy House Committee on Natural Resources Democrats The third pro-tribal bill on the markup agenda is H.R.2640 , the Buffalo Tract Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), who is one of the first two Native women in Congress , protects ancestral tribal lands from development. Specifically, the bill prevents the Bureau of Land Management from allowing sand and gravel mining on public parcels near Placitas, New Mexico. The area is already home to six such operations, with residents of nearby communities, along with the Pueblo of San Felipe and the Pueblo of Santa Ana , in opposition to further exploitation. "These parcels serve as critical connections for wildlife moving between the Sandia Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains," Haaland, who is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna , said at a hearing on her bill last September. "They also provide invaluable recreational open space in this growing area and are home to cultural resources important to neighboring Pueblos." "These lands belong to the public who should have a say in decisions that would endanger the ancestral land of nearby pueblos and the public resources of southern Sandoval county residents, said Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), a co-sponsor and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs The Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act, the Blackwater Trading Post Land Transfer Act and the Buffalo Tract Protection Act must complete a few more hurdles before they can get across the finish line in the 116th Congress. The session began in January 2019 and so far a handful of pro-tribal legislative bills -- three stand-alone plus three additional items -- have cleared both the House and the Senate and have been signed into law. The list includes S.256 , the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act. The new law -- named in honor of the late Esther Martinez , a Pueblo educator -- provides $13 million a year for Native language programs , reversing decades of federal policy in which Native peoples were discouraged or prevented from speaking their own languages. Our indigenous languages and traditions help keep our rich culture alive, but the programs that support language preservation are underfunded and often times lack funding altogether," Haaland said after S.256 became law on December 20, 2019. "Now that our bill honoring the legacy of Pueblo storyteller and self-taught linguist, Esther Martinez, is signed into law, we will move forward on important work to revitalize our languages and traditions." Another new law is S.216 , the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act. The bill compensates the Spokane Tribe for the loss of its lands to the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state. The Spokane Tribe of Indians has waited for almost 80 years to receive just and equitable compensation for the land, life, and culture they lost when the Grand Coulee Dam was constructed," said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and a former chair of the panel. "This corrects a flawed adjudication process that left the Spokane out." S.50 , the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, also made it across the finish line last month. The new law authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs to assess sanitation and safety conditions at treaty sites along the Columbia River and paves the way for the U.S. to make improvements at those sites in Washington and Oregon. "We owe better to the tribal communities in the Northwest, and the very least we can do is uphold our commitments to tribes and ensure basic sanitation and safety," said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), the sponsor of S.50, of which Cantwell was a co-sponsor. The three additional Indian Country items all happened to have been included in S.1790 , the National Defense Authorization Act. Deep within the 3,488-page package were provisions to extend federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians , based in Montana, and to place lands in trust for the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians and for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians , both based in California. Each measure had been considered independently by the House and the Senate over the last few years but all picked up steam in the current session before being included in the defense spending bill, which is considered "must pass" legislation due to its overall subject matter. The tribal provisions benefited from bipartisan support as well. Donald Trump just tweeted about Indian Country legislation for the first time in his presidency, having just signed some pro-tribal bills that had bipartisan support in Congress. "Thank YOU Indian Country for being such an IMPORTANT part of the American story!" he wrote. https://t.co/XtEZu02ay4 indianz.com (@indianz) December 27, 2019 But as 2019 was drawing to a close, it took one of Donald Trump's tweets for the general public to notice. "Thank YOU Indian Country for being such an IMPORTANT part of the American story!" the president wrote on December 29 in a post that drew more than 102,000 likes and nearly 22,000 retweets. Though "Indian Country" familiar to just about every tribal citizen and to followers of Indian policy, many on social media took issue with it. Some drew attention to the military connotations of the term, a connection notable in light of the U.S. government's history of massacres, removals and other genocidal acts carried out by armed forces. Others also wondered what took Trump so long -- the post marked the first time in nearly three years of his presidency that he talked about his role in advancing Indian Country's legislative agenda. In a thread on the social media platform , he specifically mentioned the Native languages bill, the compensation bill and federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe. "Until you refrain from using 'Pocahontas' as a divisive racial slur, you dont get to use 'Indian Country' as a gratuitous olive branch," wrote one Lakota user with a large following Until you refrain from using Pocahontas as a divisive racial slur, you dont get to use Indian Country as a gratuitous olive branch. Lakota Man (@LakotaMan1) December 28, 2019 Amid the debate, the National Congress of American Indians , the largest inter-tribal advocacy organization, took the opportunity to explain why it's acceptable to use "Indian Country" and to educate the general public about the significance of the unique legal and political relationship between tribes and Indigenous nations, a relationship that's written in the U.S. Constitution itself. "Signing these bills into law, the President affirmatively acknowledges the existing government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations, and the responsibility Congress and the Administration both have in ensuring the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the county are improved, said Kevin Allis, a citizen the Forest County Potawatomi Community who serves as NCAI's Chief Executive Officer. We only ask for what has been promised to us in Indian Country, through treaties and past legislation, and the Presidents actions recognize the debt owed to the first peoples of this country, Allis said. The Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, whose federal recognition efforts go back more than a century, will be celebrating its federal recognition on January 25 . Politicians and members of Congress, representing Democratic and Republican parties, are going to join Chairman Gerald Gray in Great Falls, Montana, for a pipe ceremony, powwow dancing and more. "I am beyond overjoyed that we are finally at this place that so many of our ancestors, family members, and friends have fought to achieve," Gray said on social media after the defense bill was signed into law on December 20. "We have restored the dignity and respect that the Little Shell Tribe deserves." H.R.297 and S.51 were the House and Senate versions, respectively, of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act. The tribe's push for legislative recognition goes back more than a decade, following an equally long fight through the federal acknowledgement process at the BIA The celebration date, location and time has been confirmed. Hope to see you there. Also there will be a pipe ceremony on Jan. 25th at 1:00pm at the LS event center... hope to see you there also. Posted by Montana Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians on Monday, January 6, 2020 A small measure of justice is also coming to the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians thanks to the inclusion of H.R.1388 , the Lytton Rancheria Homelands Act, in the defense package. The new law places about 511 acres in California in trust for the tribe, whose federal status was terminated by Congress in 1961, leaving its citizens without a home base. Ironically, the sponsor of H.R.1388 ended up voting against national defense bill. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) said the larger package included too many "bad provisions" that he attributed to Republican lawmakers and to the White House H.R.317 , the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act, also made it into the defense measure. The bill places about 1,400 acres in California in trust for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, land that will be used for housing, governmental and other purposes House Committee on Natural Resource Notice Join the Conversation TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Purple Tornado, a foresight and strategic intelligence consultancy that delivers thinktank research insights for corporate and government use, has announced a report on digital identifiers in the supply chain. Commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the report explores the current state of the supply chain, the role of digital identifiers within the ecosystem as well as how physical products are identified and how their data is shared. In its conclusion The Purple Tornado calls for the expansion of research into digital identity technologies including persistent identifiers, the development of data structure standards and harmonized global regulations. The Supply Chain and Current Trends Supply chains are complex ecosystems with many participants, including governments, transnational companies, brokers, farms and factories, in addition to middlemen and suppliers. Further complicating the chain are multinational borders, multiple jurisdictions (global, national and local) and constantly shifting politics. Many companies have dreamed of a digitized supply chain for years, however adoption and integration has been slow. Companies are using IoT sensors, data sharing models, and blockchain technologies to solve proof-of-origin and identify counterfeit products, but these have largely been conceptual or proof-of-conceptthere are no examples deployed at scale yet. "Future privacy and integrity of supply chains, including supplier and customers data, must be secured," said Heather Vescent, CEO of The Purple Tornado. "Digital identity and blockchain technology offers promising solutions to be able to securely share data that was previously unavailable. This liberates provenance data collected in the supply chain, making it securely available to end customers who increasingly choose to purchase sustainably produced products, while at the same time maintains supplier privacy." Systemic Problems in the Supply Chain Supply chain problems are global problems and the collective result of the actions of every participant of the supply chain, including end consumers who make purchase decisions based on available product data. The Purple Tornado highlights four top areas of concern for the state of the global supply chain: Numerous Jurisdictions : The lack of harmonization of local, national, and global rules increases complexity and compliance costs, and leads to slow adoption of digital standards. : The lack of harmonization of local, national, and global rules increases complexity and compliance costs, and leads to slow adoption of digital standards. Industry Collaboration : Supply chain collaboration is not about getting one industry to work together, like the financial industry developing an interoperable messaging system; it means getting all the industries, from mining to apparel to farming to pharmaceuticals, to work together and use the same set of standards. : Supply chain collaboration is not about getting one industry to work together, like the financial industry developing an interoperable messaging system; it means getting all the industries, from mining to apparel to farming to pharmaceuticals, to work together and use the same set of standards. Technology Interoperability : Without standards it is difficult to interoperate and harmonize systems, as vendors are not transparent about how their data is collected or stored, and all companies must deal with some sort of legacy technology systems. : Without standards it is difficult to interoperate and harmonize systems, as vendors are not transparent about how their data is collected or stored, and all companies must deal with some sort of legacy technology systems. Economic Problems: The Purple Tornado notes that supply chain problems occur when the market system incentivizes profit above all and does not include all costs, including market externalities, in their profit equation. Irresponsible resource consumption and a lack of accountability continue to wreak havoc on areas of the supply chain. Solving for the Future The Purple Tornado asserts that in order to address supply chain problems we must work together to upgrade the systems outlined in its report to ones that function and thrive in a digital world. It will take time and resources to correct vulnerabilities in the supply chain, and governments and companies must be committed to working together long term. Among its recommendations The Purple Tornado calls for the expansion of research into digital identity technologies including persistent identifiers, the development of data structure standards and harmonized global regulations. The report states the private sector can leverage these innovations to develop competing products, while government systems can use the same innovations for confident and secure vetting of trade passing through our borders. "If we're going to secure and authenticate the oceans of data that circulate through our global markets, we need to reinvent our classification systems," says Vescent. "We have to fundamentally shift our understanding of how data is generated, identified, stored and retrieved. And to do that, we need a new taxonomy that meshes with the latest in blockchain digital identification and encryption." The full report on 'Sensors, Identifiers and Digital Twins: Tracking Identity on the Supply Chain' can be found online at https://bit.ly/GSCreport . About The Purple Tornado The Purple Tornado is a foresight and strategic intelligence consultancy that delivers thinktank research insights for corporate and government use. In addition to winning multiple awards from the Association of Professional Futurists, The Purple Tornado produces films and has authored and co-authored multiple volumes on cyber issues and digital identity. The firm's research has been covered by the New York Times, CNN, American Banker, CNBC, Fox and the Atlantic. Learn more about The Purple Tornado, its ongoing research and future reports at: www.ThePurpleTornado.com . Follow The Purple Tornado on LinkedIn or on Twitter @purple_tornado . Media Contact Please reach out to Josh Pasqualini at [email protected] or (725) 333-6393 with any questions or inquiries. SOURCE The Purple Tornado Related Links http://www.ThePurpleTornado.com Tom Steyer, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Kamala Harris at the Ohio Democratic debate on October 15, 2019. Photo: Allison Farrand/Bloomberg via Getty Images Most weeks, New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich speaks with contributor Alex Carp about the biggest stories in politics and culture. Today, whats at stake in tonights Democratic debate, the vote to start the Senate impeachment trial, and the Trump administrations crumbling explanation for its strike killing Qasem Soleimani. After failing to qualify for tonights Democratic debate in Des Moines, Cory Booker has dropped out of the race. Who has the most at stake onstage tonight? Its the Democratic Party that has the most at stake onstage tonight as at every primary debate and its not looking good. The process has been a debacle. Politico said this morning that tonights may be the most momentous debate yet. But have any of the others been momentous? Back at the first Democratic debate in June, 18.1 million viewers tuned in. By the last debate, in December, that number had fallen by nearly two-thirds, to a new low of 6.2 million viewers. Americans are voting with their clickers. I have not been an admirer of Bookers easy-listening campaign, but it says everything you need to know about the DNCs debate criteria that he did not make it into this debate and that Tom Steyer did. So now Booker, a United States senator and former Newark mayor of actual substance and proven political chops, is out of the race altogether, and Steyer, a poseur with zero achievements and no known adherents, hobbles on, thanks to heavy self-spending on campaign ads that boosted his name recognition in two states polls. Its a joke, and the public knows it. Another joke is the focus on the caucuses in Iowa, a 91 percent white state that, like the white and unrepresentative New Hampshire primary, is another glitch in the system by which the Democrats choose a national ticket. Democrats are fond of complaining about the preposterously undemocratic math of the Electoral College and the United States Senate, where solid red states with tiny populations can hold wildly disproportionate sway in comparison to densely populated blue states like New York and California. And yet despite quadrennial efforts, the partys leaders have been ineffectual at cleaning up their own primary process, which, despite sporadic reforms, still hands over disproportionate clout to small early-voting states that look like neither America nor the partys own base. Whats really impressive this time around is that, thanks to the failed debate process, the Democrats have driven most candidates of color out of their initially diverse presidential field even before the white electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire (or any other voters, for that matter) could weigh in. That takes work. Whatever happens onstage tonight is unlikely to shake up anything, no matter how much Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren bicker over what he did or didnt say in 2018 about the electability of women. The man with the most to lose is Joe Biden, still at least the nominal front-runner, who has seized on the Iran crisis to tout his bona fides in foreign policy. Fact-checkers at the Washington Post and elsewhere have called him out for falsely claiming that he was an early opponent of the Iraq War. (He has since said he misspoke.) Biden would be well-advised to remember that Trump, too, made false boasts about his own (imaginary) early opposition to the war hardly the example he wants to follow. Biden would also be advised to look back at the Hillary Clinton campaign to see how much damage a 2002 Senate vote to authorize that war can inflict and give serious thought to how he might try to make amends for his misjudgment rather than just try to spin it. But the most important indicator of the essential irrelevance of tonights debate is provided by those who arent onstage not just Booker, but Mike Bloomberg, who also didnt qualify under the partys rules. As John Ellis wrote in the Post this week, Bloomberg has the will and wealth not just to outspend all his Democratic opponents combined but to outspend Trump by 5 to 1. There is no evidence as of now to suggest he can win the nomination (though certainly he has more of a shot than Steyer), but perhaps the most heartening thing said by any Democratic candidate so far this month was what Bloomberg told Lisa Lerer of the Times during a campaign stop in Texas. As she put it, he did not rule out spending a billion dollars of his own money on the 2020 presidential race, even if he does not win the Democratic nomination, and said he would mobilize his well-financed political operation to help Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren win in November if either is the party nominee, despite their sharp policy differences. At a time when some of his peers among Democratic elites and some anti-Trump Republicans are threatening to take a pass rather than support a Warren or Sanders ticket a sure formula for reelecting Trump and, by extension, aiding and abetting Vladimir Putin Bloomberg sounds like an adult and a patriot. Nancy Pelosi is likely sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate in the coming days, with the trial to commence next week. What should Democrats aim for if a conviction is out of the question? The best they can and should hope for is to dramatize and expose Mitch McConnells efforts to squelch evidence and testimony in a way that embarrasses Republicans facing tough reelection campaigns in purplish states, starting with Cory Gardner of Colorado and Susan Collins of Maine, a fount of hypocrisy whose every effusion of bogus piety should be video fodder for attack ads by her Democratic opponent. It remains a blight on her state that she holds a seat once held by Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican who was among the first in her party to put her country first and take on Joe McCarthy at the height of his reign of terror. Even if the defection of four GOP senators forces McConnell to allow witnesses, John Bolton included, it will not affect the overwhelming odds for acquittal. But one positive outcome may yet be Trumps own rampaging behavior, which seems to ramp up every day since the impeachment process began, reaching some new apogee (if that were possible) with his tweeting of a doctored image showing Chuck Schumer in a turban and Nancy Pelosi in a hijab. No one in America gets into his head and drives him battier than Pelosi, and one can only hope she, in league with the Houses impeachment managers, will keep finding ingenious ways to goad him as the trial proceeds. One can picture Trump wrecking some of McConnells best-laid plans to keep a decorous lid on the trial by whatever tweets he is hurling day and night from the toilet. Not to the point of changing the outcome certainly, but perhaps to the point of further endangering his own reelection campaign, not to mention Republican prospects in the Senate and House. With Defense Secretary Mark Esper saying he saw no evidence of four imminent embassy attacks and reports that Trump had brought up killing Qasem Soleimani as long ago as 2017, the administrations legal justification for its drone strike on Soleimani continues to unravel. Will it matter? Trump has literally settled that question, tweeting yesterday that the justification for killing Soleimani doesnt really matter because of his horrible past. The notion that he would ever give a truthful answer is fanciful in any case. A president who lies about everything, even the weather, is certainly going to lie about this. His declaration that four embassies were in imminent jeopardy has all the credibility of Joe McCarthys supposed head counts of Commies in the State Department back in that day. What is somewhat more shocking is that at this late date recent White House appointees like Esper and the latest national security adviser, Robert OBrien, would follow Mike Pompeos lead and throw away their own reputations for Trump. Esper may have said he saw no intelligence report backing up Trumps embassy claim, but he also gave Trump cover by saying the claim probably was true and that he had the expectation it was true. OBrien did the same, claiming that what the president said is consistent with what weve been saying. As I wrote in my recent piece on Trumps toadies, these Vichy Republicans will face an accounting with time, and if Esper and OBrien are no longer around when judgment is passed, their children and grandchildren will not be spared. Police in the northern Vietnamese province of Lang Son are hunting for a man who killed two people and injured five others after he opened fire on people inside a local house and a nearby auto shop on Monday. The gunman has been identified as Ly Van San, 50, according to the provincial Department of Police. According to preliminary information, San carried an AK-47 assault rifle to the house of Pham Van Tuy, 45, in Phu Xa Commune, Cao Loc District at around 9:00 pm on Monday. Tuy and nine other family members were having dinner in the kitchen at the time. San opened fire through the kitchen window, hitting 12-year-old Pham Thanh Phong, Tuys son, in the head and killing the boy on the spot. The other members ran away and took cover in a bathroom and behind shelves at the front of their house, where the family runs a small store. The shooter continued firing his gun at the front of the house, before heading to an auto shop owned by 43-year-old Hoang Quoc Huong, located 15 meters away. San fired about 15 shots at the facility. Huong tried to run away but was killed after getting shot in his back. The gunman eventually left the scene with his weapon. Aside from the two deceased victims, five other people were hospitalized for emergency treatment for injuries following the mass shooting. Police officers have initiated a manhunt for San, who remained at large as of Tuesday morning. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Top trade officials from the United States, Japan and the European Union will huddle in Washington on Tuesday to address non-market-oriented trade policies and subsidies by China, a day before Washington and Beijing finalize a preliminary trade deal, Trend reports citing Reuters. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met Monday with his Japanese counterpart, Hiroshi Kajiyama, and will meet for bilateral talks with EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan on Thursday, a USTR spokesman said. The meetings bookend Wednesdays signing of a Phase I trade agreement between the United States and China that is aimed at defusing an 18-month war of tit-for-tat tariffs that have roiled financial markets and dragged down global growth. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation think-tank on Monday urged all three parties to abandon their recent bilateral, non-World Trade Organization measures against each other and focus instead on building a concerted response to what it described as Chinas dangerous mercantilist practices. Without aggressive, coordinated action, leading economies in Europe, Asia and North America are likely to face a crushing wave of unfair competition and have fewer jobs as a result, the group wrote in a report released Monday. Once a nation or region loses an advanced industry to China, it will be virtually impossible to resurrect. Top economists and experts say the U.S.-China Phase 1 trade deal with China marks a positive step forward, but leaves many significant challenges to be resolved. Key issues at the heart of the bilateral dispute, including Chinas subsidies for state-owned firms, digital trade and cybersecurity, must still be addressed, but it is not clear if the phase 2 talks will make any headway before the 2020 U.S. presidential election in November. The EU and Japan share many of the United States concerns about those issues and Chinas behavior in global markets, but Tokyo and Brussels have been put on the defensive by tariffs threatened and imposed by President Donald Trump. Japan reached its own interim trade deal with the United States in September. Tensions between Washington and Brussels remain high after Washington in December threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French goods over Frances digital services tax, and to increase tariffs on an array of European goods unless the two sides can resolve a longstanding dispute over aircraft subsidies. The trilateral talks will continue talks that have been going on throughout Trumps time in office. The Japan embassy in Washington and the EU delegation had no immediate comment on the trilateral talks. Students of University of Hyderabad and Osmania University protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act on Monday. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: The police lathi-charged University of Hyderabad students at 3 am on Monday when they were protesting against the CAA at the Tolichowki crossroads and took 61 of them into preventive custody. The students had gathered at about 10 pm on Sunday, and the size of the crowd was growing. A flash mob of about 100 students and others gathered at the Tolichowki crossroads to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NCR), and National Population Register (NPA). By about 3 am on Monday, more people had joined them. They chanted slogans like, We dont accept CAA, NRC, NPR and held placards of a like kind. The police then lathi-charged and dispersed the protesters. Later, 61 students were taken into preventive custody. Those booked included socio-political activist Khaled Parveen and HCU students Sebba, Das and Namrata. The police excuse was that they caused public nuisance and inconvenience to passersby and blocked traffic towards Mehdipatnam and Raidurgam. Students who were detained were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. This was a peaceful protest. We did not create any traffic issues. Protesting is our right and I dont know why the police is unnecessarily coming up with such moves, said a protester. Inspector K. Chandra Shekar Reddy of the Golconda police said the police had booked cases of unlawful assembly, wrongfully restraining others and public nuisance. Dr Talha Fayiazuddin, state president, Students Islamic Organisation, condemned the government for trying to curb peaceful protests against the CAA-NRC-NPR. Dr Talha also questioned the detention of many students and youth while they were peacefully protesting. Ms Parveen was warned by the police at her office on Monday not to assemble and gather people. She has been active in organising midnight flash protests by women in Tolichowki and Mehdipatnam. There were two protests organised last week and a majority of the women sat till late night. This has angered the police who has now slapped cases and stopped her activities. BEIJING (AP) China on Tuesday welcomed a U.S. decision ahead of the signing of a trade deal with Beijing to drop it from a list of governments accused of manipulating the value of their currencies to gain an unfair advantage in trade. Just two days ahead of the planned signing of the interim agreement meant to help resolve a tariff war over Chinese technology and trade, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Beijing had made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation. A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, repeated an official promise not to devalue China's yuan as a weapon in trade disputes and said Beijing was committed to reforming its currency and foreign exchange rules to keep the yuan at a reasonable and balanced level. China has never been a currency manipulator. The latest conclusion of the U.S. side is in line with the facts and the consensus of the international community, Geng said. Earlier Tuesday, the government reported that Chinas global exports ended 2019 up 0.5% despite the tariff war with Washington. Exports to the United States fell 12.5% compared with 2018 to $418.5 billion following President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on Chinese goods, customs data showed Tuesday. December sales to the U.S. market contracted 14.5% from a year earlier to $34.4 billion despite the interim agreement and conciliatory comments by both sides. Still, the impact of Trumps tariff hikes in a fight over Beijing's technology ambitions and trade surplus has been smaller than forecasters expected. U.S. exports to China have fallen. Famously resilient Chinese exporters have pursued other markets, stepping up sales to Asia, Europe and Africa. China reported double-digit gains in 2019 exports to France, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Southeast Asia. Global exports rose 7.8% in December over a year earlier to $237.7 billion, rebounding from a 1.1% contraction in November. Imports surged 16.3% to $190.9 billion. Story continues Imports from the United States in 2019 fell 20.9% from a year earlier to $122.7 billion despite Beijing's December decision to lift punitive duties on soybeans the biggest American export to China and pork. Investors hope the preliminary agreement due to be signed this week in Washington will be a step toward ending the dispute threatening global economic growth. "Slow global trade will continue to challenge Chinas external outlook in the near term. But the Phase 1 trade deal with the U.S. will have a favorable impact, said Tommy Wu of Oxford Economics in a report. Under the deal, Washington postponed planned tariff hikes and Beijing agreed to buy more American farm exports. Economists warn the agreement fails to address contentious disputes that might take years to resolve. The risk of relations deteriorating again and tariffs snapping back is substantial against a background of tension and mistrust, Wu said. Forecasters cautioned that Decembers numbers were less rosy than they appeared because they benefit from the base effect of comparison with 2018's anemic trade, which was depressed by the trade war. December marked the first month since July with positive Chinese trade growth. The decision to lift punitive duties on U.S. soybeans and pork would help to ease the strain on Chinese consumers and farmers as Beijing tries to rebuild its pork industry following a disease outbreak that caused shortages and soaring prices. In December, imports of U.S. soybeans and pork increased significantly, said Zou Zhiwu, deputy director-general of the General Administration of Customs, at a news conference. Zou said imports of American-made autos, another product targeted for punitive tariffs that later were lifted, rose 50% to 23,000 vehicles. Exports to the European Union rose 6.6% to $40.1 billion. Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) - A Pakistan court on Monday annulled the death sentence handed to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, ruling a special court which found him guilty of treason last year was unconstitutional, a government prosecutor told AFP. The original ruling had marked the first time a former leader of the armed forces had faced such a sentence for treason in Pakistan, where the military maintains strong influence and senior officers are often considered immune from prosecution. It caused huge controversy, with Musharraf -- exiled in Dubai -- slamming it as a "vendetta", and the military expressing its disappointment. A High Court in the eastern city of Lahore ruled it "illegal" on Monday. "The filing of the complaint, the constitution of the court, the selection of the prosecution team are illegal, declared to be illegal... And at the end of the day the full judgment has been set aside," the prosecutor representing the government, Ishtiaq A. Khan, told AFP. "Yes, he is a free man. Right now there is no judgment against him any longer," Khan added. Musharraf's lawyer, Azhar Siddique, also told media outside the court in Lahore that it had "nullified everything". The prosecution now has the option to file a new case against Musharraf with the approval of the federal Cabinet. However Saroop Ijaz, a senior lawyer in Lahore who is not affiliated with the case, said that unless the High Court orders the government to do so in its detailed verdict, he doubts any further action will be taken. The case was initially filed by former premier Nawaz Sharif, he explained -- not the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose "political view is absolutely clear -- they don't want to pursue this case. They took a very clear position after the special court's ruling." Khan is believed to be close to the military, and several members of his government had condemned the special court's ruling when it was first announced last year. Story continues - Cigar-smoking moderate - The treason trial -- which began in 2013 and is just one of several involving Musharraf -- centred on his decision to suspend the constitution and impose emergency rule in 2007. Musharraf first took power after ousting then-premier Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999. A cigar-smoking, whisky-drinking moderate, the general became a key US ally in the "war on terror" after the September 11 attacks and escaped at least three Al-Qaeda assassination attempts during his nine years in office. His rule faced no serious challenges until he tried to sack the Supreme Court chief justice in March 2007, sparking nationwide protests and months of turmoil that led to the imposition of emergency rule. Musharraf finally resigned in August 2008 in the face of impeachment proceedings by a new governing coalition, and went briefly into exile. He returned to Pakistan in 2013 in an attempt to contest elections, but was barred from taking part in the polls and from leaving the country as a barrage of legal cases mounted. The travel ban against him was finally lifted in 2016, and he travelled to Dubai for medical treatment, where he has been ever since. Spike Lee (Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Netflix has revealed details of its 2020 slate of movie releases, and it's a star-laden affair indeed. Key among the titles is forthcoming biopic Mank, helmed by David Fincher, and focusing on Herman J. Mankiewicz and the writing of Orson Welles classic Citizen Kane. Read more: The most exciting movies coming in 2020 Shot in black and white, Gary Oldman plays the iconic writer, with a supporting cast including Amanda Seyfried, Charles Dance and Lily Collins. The screenplay has been penned by Fincher's father, Howard 'Jack' Fincher. British director Ben Wheatley will also be debuting his latest on the streaming service, an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, famously made into a movie by Hitchcock in 1940. Ben Wheatley (Credit: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) Playing the married couple at the centre of the tantalising mystery will be Call Be By Your Name's Armie Hammer and Baby Driver's Lily James. Meanwhile, veteran Oscar winner Ron Howard helms Hillbilly Elegy, adapted from J.D. Vance's memoir of the same name about an family in the Appalachians, starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close. Spike Lee's latest will come via Netflix too, Da 5 Bloods, about a group of army veterans who return to Vietnam to try and find out what happened to their squad leader and also find buried treasure. Read more: The most popular Netflix movies of 2019 Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman stars, alongside Norm Lewis and Delroy Lindo. Other highlights include Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams' comedy Eurovision, and Charlie Kaufman's road trip thriller I'm Thinking Of Ending Things, starring Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette and David Thewlis. You can check out a full round-up on this Twitter thread... Employing a maid is a pretty common practice in many Singaporean households, with many working parents needing extra help at home. Unfortunately, not all maid-employer relationships turn out well for many reasons. So what happens then when a parent has to deal with a maid attitude problem, with already so much on his/her plate? Maid Attitude Problem: Maid Gets Jail For Contaminating Familys Food An Indonesian domestic helper, Diana, has been charged guilty and sentenced to jail after a district court hearing on Monday, January 13 2020. The 30 year old, who goes by only one name, was charged with six months and seven weeks jail after pleading guilty to two counts of mischief. Diana had previously confessed about her wrongdoings to the family and they had made a police report in October 2019. The maid, hired in 2017, had intentionally mixed her own menstrual blood, urine and saliva into her employer and familys rice and drinking water in August last year. Photo: istock On why she did so, Diana believed that the family who drank the water would agree with whatever she did and would not scold her over her performance. It was said that the family did end up consuming the contaminated items. In addition, over $13,000 was stolen from the family, according to the same report. Diana had plotted to steal from her employers mother, a 67-year-old housewife. As told to District Judge Sarah Tan by the Deputy Public Prosecutor Angela Ang, Diana monitored the housewife whenever she keyed the passcode into her iPad, in hopes to get access to the safe where she kept her money. Photo: iStock She then waited until she had the chance to be alone in the housewifes bedroom where she attempted theft. The monies stolen was then passed to an unknown Indonesian woman. The cash was eventually sent back to Indonesia, Dianas home country. Story continues It was said by Deputy Public Prosecutor Angela Ang that the money was not recovered. Maid Apologised For Her Actions From the bottom of my heart Diana was remorseful about what she had done and had apologised to the family, from the bottom of my heart, reported Channel NewAsia. She also said that she had not committed any crime in Indonesia. Through the help of an interpreter, she explained that she was a divorcee and only stole because her family was experiencing some distress in Indonesia. I am staying in remand for two months and I cannot work, she had said. With her being the breadwinner, she added, she also has to support a child and an ill and aged mother. Photo: iStock Maid Attitude Problem: How Can I Tell To Avoid Complications? It can be easy to jump into conclusions about whether your maid is getting on your bad side. But on other instances, your gut feeling might be right, no matter how small that nagging thought is. Here are some common yet subtle signs you can look out for: 1) Gives vague answers to your questions Sure, some of them could be unsure. But do not dismiss your maids behaviour when he/she starts to evade your question as soon as you ask him/her about it. If he/she starts getting defensive especially if you ask for details that are necessary, that is a red flag to look out for. But always, tackle the situation with tact. 2) Refuses to accept feedback You might already be giving your maid the freedom to do things his/her own way, however, there are certain requests that should still be followed, especially when it comes to your child. If your maid refuses to compromise, and accept feedback, this signals another red flag. Reluctance to act on feedback can mean your helper is not a good collaborator. And its important to have teamwork to best care for your little one. The first few weeks were already horrible. She didnt know how to follow simple instructions, confided mum Kirsten S. on the parenting community platform, theAsianparent Community. 3) Constantly makes comments about your parenting Your maid might have a belt of experiences under him/her, but that does not give him/her the liberty to freely comment on your parenting ways. Of course, he/she is free to express his/her opinion. But in the event your maid undermines your authority and pushes his/her own beliefs about how you handle your child, that could signal future problems down the road. Jared M., an theAsianparent Community member, believes it helps to let nannies know what your expectations are right off the bat. When they dont deliver, take some time to correct them, he wrote. Source: The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia, TNP Get daily updates about our top stories when you follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/theAsianparentSG. Also READ: My Daughter Will Lose Her Memory Before Shes An Adult Experts Shock Warning For Kids And Trampolines The post Maid Jailed For Contaminating Familys Food With Menstrual Blood And Stealing appeared first on theAsianparent - Your Guide to Pregnancy, Baby & Raising Kids. Forced to import onions to check spike in prices, the Union Government now fears that the key kitchen staple may rot in godowns as states have shown little interest in buying them despite its offer to bear transportation cost. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the Centre is offering onions to states at Rs 55 per kg landed cost and is ready to bear the cost of transporting the commodity. While the Centre alone can import onions, it depends on states for retailing them to consumers. States said that by the time imported onions arrived, in the domestic market had started softening in expectation of a healthy late kharif harvest. Retail started to rise by September-end and touched a high of Rs 170 per kg in December, forcing the Union government to import onions from countries like Turkey and Egypt. In subsequent weeks, rates started to soften with the arrival of new Kharif crop in the market. "So far, we have contracted (import of) 36,000 tonnes of onion. Of which, 18,500 tonnes of shipment has reached India, but states have taken only 2,000 tonne that too after much persuasion. We are worried about its disposal because it is a perishable commodity," Paswan told reporters. "Tomorrow, someone should not go to court and say imported onions were rotting," he said. He said the Centre is offering imported onions at an average cost of Rs 55 per kg and also bearing the entire transportation cost. Despite all, the state governments are not coming forward to buy them. As per government data, retail average Rs 50 per kg in most markets. The data showed onion being priced at Rs 50 per kg in the capital but local vendors were selling it for Rs 70-80 a kg. Asked why prices are still high despite imports, Paswan said, "The imports are being done to improve the domestic supply and check prices. If state governments are not ready to take the imported onions, what can we do?" So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments have taken the imported onions. Many states have withdrawn their demand, he added. Sources said the taste of imported onions is different from the homegrown ones and consumers are not buying them when domestic onion is available at the same rate. Stating that a shipment of 5,500 tonne was cancelled before it set on sail in the absence of demand, Consumer Affairs Secretary Avinash Srivastava said 4,000 tonne of imported onions is expected to arrive in the next two days and 14,500 tonnes by the month-end. The government is importing onions through state-run trading agency MMTC. Imports are being undertaken from Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt. Onion prices shot up due to 25 per cent fall in the kharif production. Paswan also said the ministry is keeping a close watch on prices of other commodities, especially edible oils and pulses. The government will take action at appropriate time. Hong Kong: Travel authority meeting held The Travel Industry Authority, a new statutory regulatory body, held its inaugural meeting today. The authority promotes the integrity, competency and professionalism of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts through a statutory licensing and regulatory system. It also regulates shops that inbound tour groups are arranged to patronise. At the meeting, it approved agenda items relating to its work plan, governance framework, rules of procedures, declaration of interests mechanism and other corporate administrative matters. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau said the Government attaches great importance to the healthy development of Hong Kongs travel industry. The establishment of the authority marks a milestone in the industrys development. We will work closely with the authority and the trade to enhance the quality of our travel industry and promote its long-term healthy development. The authoritys Chairman Ma Ho-fai added that it will work closely with different stakeholders in setting up a new robust regulatory regime for the travel industry. The new regulatory body will commence a series of projects, including drafting subsidiary legislation and formulating licensing frameworks, directives, guidelines and codes of conduct to complete all preparations for the full implementation of the new regulatory regime in about two years. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! F lybe is the Ford Fiesta of airlines. Its not exciting. Theres no luxury. Youd never rush to tell your friends youd just got a ticket. But it goes everywhere thats local, doesnt cost too much and its really useful. Need to get from Exeter to Edinburgh? Flybe will take you there for about 50 in a couple of hours. This week, even an advanced ticket on the train costs more like 100 and the direct journey takes almost eight hours. Try flight-shaming me all you like, but its no contest. Now we know why its so cheap: you just cant keep an airline flying by giving seats away. Flybes gone through crisis after crisis, keeps cutting routes, keeps trying new plans and keeps losing money. Now its in financial trouble again and the Governments in crisis talks . It might even slash tax on tickets, or let Flybe pay its bill late sparking fury from those who say this will undermine efforts to fight climate change. The airline insists it is business as usual of course it has to but its margins are tight, the economy is going nowhere at the moment, and when the bills add up, theres no government guarantee to keep its planes flying as there is for the trains when a rail operator hits trouble. In London we are spoilt for choice with airlines, airports and rail links. Not all of Flybes routes from the capital are essential: its hard to defend the fact, given climate change, that the airline still offers to carry people each evening from City airport to Exeter. I tried this quirky route once and the train is better. Julian Glover / Daniel Hambury But not everyone wants to start their journey in London. Were hearing a lot from politicians about the need to rebalance opportunity around the country and how infrastructure can make a difference to places that have been left behind. That will ring a bit hollow if airports such as Exeter, Southampton and Birmingham lose a lot of their useful flights because Flybe stops running. Of course Easyjet and Ryanair will keep some summer routes to Malaga going but Newquay to London on a rainy Tuesday in February? Perhaps not. Whats the answer? There will never be money in running small planes between medium-sized places. Thats why British Airways gave up its services outside London years ago. Right now, the political fuss from the collapse of Flybe would be huge. So expect a fudge. Its not long until spring, when holidaymakers start spending and the airline might make some money. What about trains? If HS2 is done right, it could form the basis of a really good fast regional rail service but at the moment its too focused on carrying high-paying passengers from London. Ensuring lasting peace in Colombia Statement by Ambassador Karen Pierce at the Security Council briefing on Colombia 13 January 2020 Thank you very much, Mr President. Before I start on Colombia, let me thank you for arranging the two moments of silence and also use this occasion to pay tribute to His late Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman. Turning to Colombia, I'd like to welcome the Foreign Minister. We're very pleased to have you here, ma'am and we wish you all the best in your new role. And thank you to the Special Representative for his report and for the briefing to the Council today. We very much share your analysis of events in Colombia over the past three months. This reflects both the achievements and the challenges of implementation of the peace agreement. I'd also like, Mr President, to welcome the announcement by President Duque that he'd like the verification mission to stay in Colombia for the duration of his government. This is an important indication of the government's commitment to peace. Mr President, October saw the first local elections since the accords were reached and the first in which the FARC political party took part. Despite the concerning levels of violence during the campaign, election day showed the strength and inclusivity of Colombian democracy, with more candidates from across the political spectrum competing than ever before and the highest turnout in modern times. We were encouraged, too by the overwhelming commitment of those elected to continue along the path to peace. The newly-elected local authorities have a key role in implementation of the peace agreement, especially through the development programmes with a territorial focus. We welcome the government's support for these programmes, including through expanded financing, and encourage coordination between national, departmentaland local authorities to ensure effective implementation. However, there are some areas in which urgent efforts are necessary to preserve the gains of the past three years. Fortunately, the mechanisms to address these already exist; the challenge is to make more effective use of them. Firstly, we're deeply concerned about the persistent level of violence and threats towards human rights defenders, community leaders, including women and former FARC-EP combatants. We have highlighted this point on previous occasions, but we're concerned that the situation isn't improving despite the government's stated commitment to tackling the issue. To this end, we welcome last week's meeting of the National Commission on Security Guarantees, and we encourage full and ongoing use of this mechanism, including engagement with civil society to further implementation. We encourage prioritisation of the Action Plan of the Intersectoral Commission on Security for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders, which has the potential to transform departmental security conditions for the better. We also welcome recent steps to strengthen protection of former FARC-EP combatants, and note yesterday's announcement of an operation to thwart a plan to attack FARC political party leader Rodrigo Londono. We encourage the government to ensure the extension of protection measures to territorial areas for training and reintegration and informal settlement of former FARC-EP combatants. Secondly, we urge the Colombian government to accelerate reintegration programmes. These are crucial to maintain combatants and communities' faith in the process. Efforts should be made to ensure legal accreditation and access to income generating projects for former FARC-EP combatants living both inside and outside the former territorial areas for training and reintegration. More widely, we encourage the government to work with all stakeholders to resolve outstanding questions about the long-term status of these areas, particularly concerning the land on which they are located. Finally, in his report, Special Representative emphasises the interconnected nature of all elements of the peace process. Implementing individual components of the agreement may produce limited outputs, but the outcome of inclusive, stable and lasting peace in Colombia will not be possible unless all components progress simultaneously and in a coherent fashion. In this regard, we encourage the Colombian government to take advantage of the national dialogue process it's begun following the recent protests, to build consensus with diverse sectors and ensure implementation continues in an effective and comprehensive manner. Mr President, the United Kingdom recognises the important progress that has been achieved so far in Colombia and we look forward to continuing to support the Colombian government to ensure a lasting peace enjoyed by all. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address True Health New Mexico named a new CEO with nearly three decades of healthcare experience in New Mexico. The health insurance company announced Mark Epstein as its new Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday. Outgoing CEO Martin Hickey announced his candidacy for the New Mexico Senate District 20 seat in October, according to a news release from True Health. Hickey will serve as chairman of the companys board of directors. Epstein has nearly 30 years of experience in the medical field, including other leadership positions at True Health. Epstein developed tools that use analytics and robust care management to deliver better health outcomes for patients at lower costs, the release said. Previously, Epstein held senior leadership roles with Lovelace Health System, Presbyterian Healthcare Services and New Mexico Health Connections. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of BeWellNM and the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association. Photo taken on January 13, 2020 shows a poster of the Year of the Rat stamp sheet at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), at the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. [Xinhua/Li Muzi] UNITED NATIONS, January 13 (Xinhua) The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The sheet, which was officially issued on Friday, consists of 10 stamps of a denomination of 1.20 U.S. dollars each, with the UN logo on the left and a paper-cut image of the rat on the right, as the Chinese lunar year for 2020 is the Year of the Rat. The rat sits in gold-colored flowers against a red background the two traditional colors for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, the most important holiday for Chinese around the world. This year's Spring Festival falls on January 25. The tab of the stamp and background design feature artwork designed by Yin Huili of China, said the UNPA. This is UNPA's 11th sheet issued for its Lunar New Year stamp series. Photo taken on January 13, 2020 shows a poster of the Year of the Rat stamp sheet at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), at the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. [Xinhua/Li Muzi] Photo taken on January 13, 2020 shows the Year of the Rat stamp sheet at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), at the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. [Xinhua/Li Muzi] Photo taken on January 13, 2020 shows a poster of the Year of the Rat stamp sheet at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), at the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a special-event stamp sheet to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. [Xinhua/Li Muzi] (Source: Xinhua) WASHINGTON - House Democrats will send the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Wednesday, signaling an end to the nearly month-long standoff between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the shape of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Democrats came to the decision Tuesday in a closed-door meeting in the basement of the Capitol, according to Democratic sources. But Pelosi, D-Calif., had indicated Friday that she was ready to end the showdown. She told lawmakers she asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to write up a resolution to transmit the articles. The House will also have to vote to approve the names of the House lawmakers who will serve as "managers" in the Senate trial. They will essentially act as prosecutors to present the case to senators. Those individuals were not named Tuesday. The movement of the articles from the House to the Senate will allow the upper chamber to begin a trial to determine whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. So far, the 47 Senate Democrats are far short of the 67 votes they would need to convict; no Republican has publicly indicated they might buck their party. Pelosi had held the articles in hopes of getting more favorable terms for a Senate trial, including a commitment in advance for subpoenas of witnesses and documents. She was hoping to build pressure on McConnell, R-Ky., and his Republican colleagues. ADVERTISEMENT But Senate Republicans refused to back down from their plan to punt any decision on witnesses until after the trial gets underway, leaving Democrats with little leverage. Last week, McConnell announced that he has enough Republican votes to adopt trial rules that don't immediately allow witnesses. His plan would call for a decision to be made on whether to subpoena witnesses after opening arguments from House Democrats, acting as prosecutors, and the president's lawyers. He noted that a similar process was used during President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial. Once it became clear that McConnell wouldn't budge on witnesses, Pelosi demanded that McConnell first release the text of the rules before she would release the articles. McConnell has not done so. Democrats grew frustrated with Pelosi's approach, with several Senate Democrats arguing publicly that there was no further leverage to be had by holding the articles. They indicated that they'd rather get on with the trial. The House's vote will set up several days of proceedings between the House and Senate. That includes the movement of the articles across the length of the U.S. Capitol and the swearing in of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the senators. The presentation of the opening arguments would be expected to start a few days later. --- (c)2020 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com ADVERTISEMENT Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alphabet Inc.s Waymo took a big step forward last fall when it began ferrying riders around the Phoenix area in robotaxis without human safetydrivers. Humans have been behind the wheel for almost all of the 20 million miles of testing the company says its completed on public roads. The driverless rides in Arizona dont mean the end for Waymos human operators. Last summer, the company quietly finalized a multiyear contract with Transdev North America, which provides bus drivers, streetcar conductors and other transportation workers to airports and cities. The partnership is an acknowledgement that Waymo will be relying on test drivers for many years to come. For the foreseeable future, as we expand and are driving in some of these new areas, its critical that we have vehicle operators, said Rocky Garff, Waymos head of operations. Theyre part of the equation that gets us to fully self-driving. Rather than supply Waymo with contractors for its driving operations, the deal provides test-driving as a servicea subtle but key distinction. Transdev replaces a handful of staffing companies that have subcontracted drivers to Waymo. Under those previous arrangements, drivers could work for only two years at a time with six-month breaks between stintsa rule meant to shield Waymo from claims that it was their employer. The partnership puts more legal space between the drivers and Waymo, allowing them to stay on indefinitely, as employees of Transdev. The value of the deal in its first year is in the tens of millions of dollars, and could eventually reach nine figures, according to someone with direct knowledge who asked not to be named discussing private business details. For the new contract, Waymo required bidders to guarantee theyd hire drivers as full-time employees and to articulate a strategy for career development, according to a person familiar with the process. Were working on having a much clearer career path for these operators, Garff said. Before Transdev, the goal for many safety drivers was to get hired as a Waymo employee, also known as a white badge, before the clock ran out. Everyones dream is to become a full-time employee through Waymo, said Morgan, a 26-year-old driver who was provided by the company for an interview and who asked to be identified by only his first name. Morgan started driving for Waymo in the summer of 2018 through Adecco USA, a staffing company that supplies about 70,000 temporary workers to hospitals, warehouses, factories and call centers. Until the Transdev deal, Adecco served as Waymos chief source of drivers. Morgan said hes glad for the change to Transdev. As he approached his one-year anniversary, hed begun looking for other work. I was definitely excited because I was kind of getting to that not-quite-panic point, he said. He also said that Adecco oversold the possibility of getting hired by Waymo. I remember in my interview, they were like, Three people just got hired on full time, but they didnt mention the size of the fleet, the positions they got hired for and what kind of experience they had. Adecco, in an emailed statement, said this does not square with its policies and procedures. We are very clear that our roles at Waymo are temporary, not temp-to-hire positions, the statement said. Two former drivers who worked under Adecco told Bloomberg theyd also held out hope of direct employment at Waymo. (The drivers spoke under condition of anonymity for fear of hurting future job prospects.) But staff positions were scarce and the competition fierce. The promotion process, according to the former drivers, was opaque. Adecco managers were formally in charge of performance reviews but were rarely around. I dont think I even went to an Adecco office ever, except to turn in my badge and equipment, said one of the drivers. It was all Waymo all the time. Feedback from our associate base has been largely positive, and our employee care teams are entirely dedicated to addressing their questions, input or concerns, Adecco said in its statement. Transdevs record as an employer isnt without its own controversies. Its faced multiple strikes in recent years from unions representing workers in public transportation services it operates in the U.S., including a weeklong strike in Phoenix in 2015, where talks stalled over salary, the companys approach to benefits and its bathroom break policy. Transdev also faces several open National Labor Relations Board complaints about working conditions. In a statement provided by Waymo, Transdev North America Chief Executive Officer Yann Leriche said the partnership would create a high functioning operating environment focused on safety, quality, employee engagement and a positive customer experience. A Transdev spokesperson declined to answer additional questions. Veena Dubal, a law professor at the University of California at Hastings who specializes in gig work and the tech industry, said technology companies want to directly employ as few people as possible in part to avoid liability, a consideration thats particularly germane in a field such as autonomous vehicles, where theres inherent physical risk. If a self-driving car with a test pilot is involved in an accident, Dubal said, Waymo could argue it hired Transdev specifically for its expertise in test-driving. They could just employ everyone, protect them and say, This is the cost of doing business in the autonomous-driving world, she said. Waymo declined to comment on whether liability concerns were a factor in retaining Transdev. Despite their complaints about Adecco, the drivers who were interviewed said Waymo test-pilot gigs arent bad. Not only do I get to drive around in a cool car all day, said Morgan, Im doing something that I think is going to change the future. And its going to hopefully make roads safer for not only myself, but hopefully for my kids and for everybody elses kids. Under Adecco, pay started at about $20 per hour. Most time was spent as a passenger, being driven around the sunny Phoenix suburbs. I was telling my friends it was the greatest scam I had ever uncovered, said one former driver. It was an awful lot of money for an awful little bit of work. The greatest difficulty of the job, according to multiple former drivers, is staying alert through the dull, repetitive hours of cruising. One took breaks to do jumping jacks, rolled down the windows and turned up the radio to combat drowsiness. You really go into podcasts, said another. Still, the driver said, not everyone stayed alert all the time. We even had people eat full meals behind the wheel, which is not safe. Drivers are keenly awareof the contradiction at the heart of their jobs. The whole goal is to work to eliminate your own position, which is a really weird thing to come in every day thinking, said one former driver. Withholding the white badge is one of many ways Waymo reminds its drivers that its looking forward to the day when theyre no longer around. Both drivers and riders are instructed to keep interactions minimal. It was a very awkward experience, said a former driver. Theyre instructed not to talk to you. Theyre supposed to treat it like its a completely unmanned vehicle. You could say hi, said another. And then you would be quiet to try to simulate an actual self-driving car. Photo courtesy of Waymo. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Panaji, Jan 14 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that, in his opinion, military training should be made compulsory in the country in view of the prevailing lack of patriotism. Speaking at an awareness camp here organised by the Indian armed forces, Sawant said: "At times, one feels that military training should be compulsory." "If it is made compulsory, I am not saying it should be made compulsory, but if it happens, then such patriotistism (like that in the armed forces) will be inculcated in all Indians. There is a need for this today," he added. Sawant also linked the lack of patriotism in the country to the protests against recent legislations passed in Parliament. "We see, when the PM passes a law in the highest forum, in Parliament, it is binding on all countrymen. It is our duty to follow the law. Today, there is lack of patriotism among people, I feel," he said. Former medical school classmates of a young doctor who disappeared 30 years ago say they saw him on a remote Australian bush track eight years later. Dr Peter Coop travelled to Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island on June 5, 1989 to attend a month-long ophthalmic basic science course. The 28-year-old checked into a hostel near Dunedin Hospital, where he ate dinner with a colleague and called his wife Galina to tell her he was excited for the course and would call her the next day. But Dr Coop didn't turn up to the opening day of the course and has been missing ever since. His family believe he is dead, but police think he may have staged his own disappearance. A number of Dr Coop's friends swear they have seen him in locations in Australia and New Zealand in the years since he vanished. Dr Peter Coop was reported missing after he failed to turn up to a month-long ophthalmic basic science course in Dunedin in June 1989 Former classmates of Dr Coop, Dr Roger Halliwell and his wife Dr Elizabeth Hagen believe they saw Coop driving a 1982 Lada Niva 4WD (pictured) on a remote track in northern New South Wales in 1997. Police believe it may be a lead to finding him Dr Roger Halliwell and his wife Dr Elizabeth Hagen are former classmates of Dr Coop, with the trio attending Auckland Medical School together. The couple were driving their Toyota Prado along a dirt track at Emu Creek Park in northern New South Wales in 1997 and pulled over to let a pale yellow Lada Niva 4WD pass them on the narrow roadway. They were stunned at who they saw driving towards then, both instantly believing the man to be Dr Coop, who had been missing for eight years. 'We were certainly close enough to have that light bulb recognition,' Dr Halliwell told Stuff. 'I'm 100 per cent sure he recognised us and we certainly recognised him.' Dr Halliwell went for a walk later that day and saw the same man roasting marshmellows over a fire with his partner and two young children. Emu Creek in northern New South Wales, where Dr Halliwell and Dr Hagen believe they saw Coop At 5.30 the next morning, Dr Hagen approached the man's campsite to find that the group had packed up and left, giving the couple further suspicion that it was Dr Coop under a new identity. The couple reported the sighting to police in 2010, thirteen years after the fact, leading detectives to search registries for owners of pale yellow Lada Niva 4WDs in 1997. Former head of the Australia Lada Owners Club Bob Webb said the pale yellow colour was 'most unusual'. An ex-girlfriend of Dr Coop was certain that he had fled to Australia to start a new life. 'I have no doubt at all that Peter staged his own disappearance and moved to Australia to become an artist,' she said. Dr Coop's missing person's file is still open after thirty years. Ground reports and some recent opinion polls suggest a groundswell in favour of the AAP. Ever since the schedule for the Delhi Assembly election was announced, the citys air is full of claims and counter-claims. While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and its chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, is talking about the achievements of the government, the BJP is trying its best to puncture those assertions. Ground reports and some recent opinion polls suggest a groundswell in favour of the AAP. After a very poor performance during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it seems to have made a recovery. The BJP, which registered a massive victory in those elections winning all seven seats with 57 per cent votes, is certainly its nearest rival, but still quite a distant one. The Congress that ruled Delhi for 15 long years (1998-2013) seems to be a non-starter. Worsening its prospects, two of its prominent leaders five-time MLA from Matia Mahal Shoaib Iqbal and two-time MLA from Badarpur Ram Singh along with some councillors and local leaders shifted to the AAP ahead of the elections. While one cant deny that the mood of voters does sometimes change overnight, going by the current trend, it seems that at the moment AAP is well-placed to win the Delhi elections. Despite not performing well both in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP has remained a popular choice for running the government in the national capital. Though it could not win a majority of seats in the very first Assembly election that it contested in 2013, winning 28 seats with 29.5 per cent votes, when the Assembly elections were held again after a little over a year in 2015, we witnessed an unprecedented mandate in favour of AAP 67 of the 70 Assembly seats and a 54.3 per cent vote share. On the verge of completing its first five-year term, its eye set on another victory, the AAP has launched its campaign by highlighting the work done by its government during the last five years. Will the AAP be able to hold on to its popularity among voters? Would performance alone be enough to guarantee it another term? The BJP is likely to contest the elections on national issues highlighting its governments achievements passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), abrogation of Article 370, supporting the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and enactment of the triple talaq law. While the effects of the CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens have not been seen yet, going by how the people have voted in the last few Assembly elections, Delhi voters might just be more concerned about city-level local issues even if they voted for the BJP in large numbers only recently. In the recently-concluded Jharkhand Assembly elections, a minuscule number voted based on the Ayodhya controversy, as indicated by the post-poll survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). Economic issues played an important role in shaping the voting choices of the people of Jharkhand. The Delhi Governance Survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS indicates that almost one half of those in support with the Supreme Courts Ayodhya judgment indicated they would vote for the AAP. Similarly, more than half of those who are in complete support for the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir also seemed inclined to vote for the AAP in Delhis Assembly election. The survey data also indicates that direct benefits received by the people of Delhi through various schemes of the Delhi government might be critical in shaping their voting decision. In Haryana, just five months after the Lok Sabha elections when it secured a 58 per cent voteshare, the anti-Khattar narrative among Jats denied a majority to the BJP, forcing it to form a coalition government. Showing a similar trend, the BJPs voteshare in the 26-per-cent-adivasi-strong-Jharkhand too dropped by around 22 percentage points (from a combined vote share of 55.3 per cent of the BJP and the AJSU), compared to the Lok Sabha polls, also owing to the unpopularity of Raghubar Das, especially among adivasis. Not to forget, anti-incumbency towards the state government outweighed Narendra Modis popularity in the Assembly elections of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as well. But anti-incumbency doesnt seem to be a hurdle for the AAP. The Delhi Governance Survey suggests huge satisfaction among voters with the AAP government. The data shows AAP to be the most popular choice of the voters even among those who are completely satisfied with the performance of the central government. More than two in five among those who claimed to be completely satisfied with the last six months performance of the Modi-led-BJP reported having a strong leaning towards AAP. Besides, at a time when elections have become more about the popularity of the individual than the party, AAP scores over the BJP. The BJP does not have any leader to match the popularity of Mr Kejriwal. It might have to contest these elections with Mr Modi as the partys face. Mr Modi still remains very popular among Delhis voters, but findings of the Delhi Governance Study indicated that Mr Kejriwal trumped Mr Modi by over 10 percentage points. The survey also indicated that Delhi voters are more likely to vote on the basis of the work done by the AAP in the capital, rather than looking at the work done by Mr Modi at the Centre. While 55 per cent said they would be voting looking only at the work done by the AAP in Delhi, only 15 per cent said they would vote on the basis of the work done by Mr Modi at the Centre. Thus, even if the fight becomes one between Mr Kejriwal and Mr Modi, the former looks stronger on his own turf. Since the elections are just over three weeks away, we are yet to see how the story unfolds. However, if the AAP succeeds in keeping the narrative confined to local issues, it can certainly hope for a third term. Sanjay Kumar is a professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). Manjesh Rana is a researcher with Lokniti, a research programmme of CSDS. E mployers will rely more on creativity and fusion skills as the world of work experiences a revolution, the Lord Mayor of London has said. William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, highlighted the importance of creativity alongside technical skills in his Lord Mayors Gresham Lecture, Culture, Creativity, and the Culture Mile at Guildhall this week. He said: The world of work is experiencing a revolution. No longer do academic achievements guarantee successful employees; rather, those who have fusion skills creativity and communication, presentation and problem solving promise to deliver better business growth. The City of London relies on businesses to be able to access this type of talent to enhance economic growth and drive prosperity. Shortfalls in our education system, lack of access to the arts, and the misrepresentation of the City as a place for business and not creativity is threatening firms from attracting that talent. Because of the changing face of business, fusion skills are gaining new recognition. Twenty years ago, the largest companies in the world were from the oil and energy sector but today, they have been superseded by the tech giants of the 21st century. According to a report by the Durham Commission, creativity is not being given enough priority in schools and this is partly due to the demotion of traditionally creative and cultural subjects. And we are finding that financial-professional services firms are struggling to recruit creative and communications talent. Employees are increasingly attracted by socially purposeful organisations location plays a big part in attracting creative talentand talented people are attracted to buzzy, vibrant 24-hour places that offer a range of amenities. The hub of the UKs financial-professional services sector is situated in the City, where there are hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, and major exhibition spaces. We need to cultivate a culture of creativity within the City to entice more creative companies to locate here and thankfully, we are already making a start. "In July 2017, the City of London Corporation launched Culture Mile, along with core partners - Barbican, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London Symphony Orchestra, and Museum of London. Stretching from Farringdon to Moorgate, we are redefining the area as a major destination for culture and learning, with a particular ambition to support the development of creativity and fusion skills. We want to bring commerce and culture together here to meet the needs of business, and to build a cultural district where creative enterprises of the mid-21st century want to be. He added that the emergence of new technologies is predicted to create hundreds of new roles with technical, digital and creative skills paramount. While we cannot be certain of what the jobs of the future will look like, we can predict the skills that will be required from the workforce. Research from Deloitte has shown that those most resilient to economic shock and automation are employees who have high levels of social, creative and analytical skills. Essentially, the fusion skills. "On top of this, research from Nesta estimates that jobs requiring creative minds will grow as a percentage of the labour market by 2030. Along with those demanding organisational skills and project management. FILE PHOTO: CCTV cameras are seen installed above the logo of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) inside its headquarters in Mumbai NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's government appointed career central banker Michael Patra as one of the Reserve Bank of India's four deputy governors for a three-year term, it said in a statement on Tuesday. He will fill a vacancy left by former deputy governor Viral Acharya, who resigned last June, six months before the scheduled end of his term in office. Acharya cited personal reasons for his departure, but had previously clashed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over an erosion of the central bank's independence. He was the third key senior central bank official under the Modi government to resign, following the departures of former RBI governors Raghuram Rajan in 2016 and Urjit Patel in December 2018. Patra, currently an executive director at the RBI, had applied for a deputy govenor's post in 2017. He has been a part of the central bank's monetary policy committee since its inception, and has long been viewed as a monetary policy hawk. However, since Governor Shaktikanta Das took office in December, Patra has voted for three successive rate cuts and has said the economy needs fiscal support in the current environment. "It's an excellent decision. He is an accomplished monetary economist with not just strong academic credentials but also has rich understanding of ground level economic realities of India. This is the best choice in my opinion," said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist at L&T Financial Holdings. (Reporting by Swati Bhat and Manoj Kumar; editing by Richard Pullin) (Newser) "You're looking at a repeat, potentially, of 2016." So says New York Times journalist Matthew Rosenberg, whose reporting indicates that the same Russian hacker group that stole emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman has now hacked Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company at the heart of President Trump's impeachment saga, per CNN. California-based online security firm Area 1 says Russian military intelligence known as the GRU, including hackers using the alias "Fancy Bear," stole computer credentials from Burisma employees in a phishing scheme that began in November, as the House proceeded with public impeachment hearings. At the center of those hearings was Trump's request that Ukraine investigate Burisma and its ties to Joe Biden, whose son, Hunter, had served on Burisma's board. story continues below Area 1 cofounder Blake Darche says the firm is "100% certain" of GRU's involvement in the hack, per the BBC. While it's unclear what hackers might have found, "the timing mirrors the GRU hacks we saw in 2016 against the DNC and John Podesta," Area 1's Oren Falkowitz, a former NSA official, tells the Times. The paper cites a US security official as saying Russian spies on the ground in Ukraine have been looking to penetrate Burisma to dig up dirt on the Bidens. Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has repeatedly claimed to have found evidence of wrongdoing, though none has surfaced. A spokesman for Biden's 2020 campaign now says "any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections." (Read more hackers stories.) The U.S. Army has announced that it plans to strike deals with QinetiQ North America and Textron Systems to build versions of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). Army Combat Capability Development Command's Ground Vehicle Systems Center, along with the service's Next-Generation Combat Vehicles cross-functional team, intend to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) to QinetiQ North America to build four light versions of the RCV and to Textron to build four medium versions, according to a recent news release from the National Advanced Mobility Consortium. The Army often uses OTAs under its new acquisition reform strategy, so it can have prototypes built quickly for experimenting with new designs. If all goes well in upcoming negotiations, the service intends to award the final OTAs for both variants by mid-February, the release states. Related: Meet Ripsaw M5, Textron's Unmanned Battle Wagon The prototype RCVs will be used as part of the Army's "Robotic Campaign of Learning" in an effort to "determine the feasibility of integrating unmanned vehicles into ground combat operations," the release adds. The RCV effort is part of the Army's sweeping modernization effort, launched in 2017. The service wants to develop light, medium and heavy version of the RCV to give commanders the option of sending unmanned vehicles into combat against enemy forces. "Robots have the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct ground combat operations," Brig. Gen. Ross Coffman, director of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle cross-functional team, said in the release. "Whether that's giving increased firepower to a dismounted patrol, breaching an enemy fighting position, or providing [chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear] reconnaissance, we envision these vehicles providing commanders more time and space for decisions and reducing risk to soldiers." Following final OTA notices, QinetiQ North America and Textron's RCVs will be used in a platoon level experiment in March and a company-level experiment in late 2021, the release states. The results of the experiments, along with the findings from several virtual experiments, will "inform a decision by the Army on how to proceed" with robotic combat vehicles in 2023, according to the release. Textron, along with its subsidiaries Howe and Howe Technologies and FLiR Systems Inc., displayed the Ripsaw M5 unmanned tracked vehicle as its RCV in October at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting. QinetiQ North America teamed up with Pratt and Miller Defense to enter its Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicle (EMAV) at AUSA as well. Jeffrey Langhout, director of the Ground Vehicle Systems Center, applauded the selection of QinetiQ North America and Textron as a "testament to the dedication and passion of the Army to giving our soldiers the best capabilities possible." "This is a great day for our Army, as we make another important step in learning how we can employ robotic vehicles into our future formations," he said in the release. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: Soldiers Will Control Robotic Combat Vehicles in Upcoming Test [January 14, 2020] Geotab Achieves Unprecedented Milestone, Surpassing 2 Million Subscribers Geotab Connect 2020 - Geotab, a global leader in IoT and connected transportation, today announced it has surpassed 2 million subscribers, securing its position as the world's largest commercial telematics company. Launching its software as a service solution in 2006, the company has experienced an average annual subscriber growth rate of 40 percent over the past five years, with a 100 percent increase since Q1 2018. Geotab (News - Alert) has since become the platform of choice for businesses both large and small as well as public, private and government fleets of all sizes across the globe by focusing on a unique open platform approach that has attracted a world class partner ecosystem and integrated solutions within the Geotab Marketplace. "In February 2018, we announced that Geotab had achieved its goal of becoming the first telematics company to achieve 1 million connected vehicles built on a single, open platform. In less than two years, we have doubled that number and set a new, unprecedented milestone," said Geotab CEO Neil Cawse. "As our vehicle subscription base continues to expand around the world, we have showcased that by adhering to our founding adage of 'you can't manage what you don't measure,' our customers and the community at large are able to benefit from improved fleet management and data-driven insights to help tackle challenges around traffic safety, city planning, climate change and more." Geotab's road to 2 million subscribers at a glance: Geotab GO devices are used in over 130 countries. Geotab's ecosystem captures nearly 3 million charging events a year from electric vehicles (which is growing rapidly). Geotab customers drive an average of 585 million miles per week (that's equal to 6.3 trips to the sun). If all the vehicles in the Geotab database were lined up end-to-end (10,500mi), they would stretch from Toronto to Rio de Janeiro and back. More than 40 billion data points are collected each day from Geotab-connected vehicles around the world. News - Alert) commended the company on this unprecedented achievement: "ABI Research finds that as of January 2020, Geotab - with more than two million commercial telematics subscribers across the globe - is officially the world's largest commercial telematics company." ABI Research has been providing leading-edge research via a worldwide team of analysts focused on transformative technologies since 1990. As a proven leader in IoT and connected transportation, Geotab provides actionable insights to businesses of all sizes in order to help better manage fleets and make data-driven decisions. Geotab's key industry differentiator is its open platform solution, which promotes a network of cooperation, enabling businesses to integrate Geotab data into any system regardless of business size or operational needs. "The 'Connected Car' revolution is still in its early stages and represents a huge opportunity for the entire ecosystem. Beginning this next decade with such success calls for celebration," Cawse added. "Thanks to the hard work of our growing network of employees, partners and customers across the globe-whose passion for innovation and focus on sustainability, scalability, reliability and security has enabled us to effectively support over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million vehicles around the world. We look forward to seeing what the road to 3 million has in store." For more information, visit: www.geotab.com. About Geotab Geotab is advancing security, connecting commercial vehicles to the internet and providing web-based analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Geotab's open platform and Marketplace, offering hundreds of third-party solution options, allows both small and large businesses to automate operations by integrating vehicle data with their other data assets. As an IoT hub, the in-vehicle device provides additional functionality through IOX Add-Ons. Processing billions of data points a day, Geotab leverages data analytics and machine learning to help customers improve productivity, optimize fleets through the reduction of fuel consumption, enhance driver safety, and achieve strong compliance to regulatory changes. Geotab's products are represented and sold worldwide through Authorized Geotab Resellers. To learn more, please visit www.geotab.com and follow us @GEOTAB and on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005653/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW HAVEN A city resident will serve more than two years in federal prison on gun and drug offenses, officials announced Tuesday. Mariano Irizarry, 36, was sentenced Tuesday in New Haven federal court to serve 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham said. Court documents show that in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2019, New Haven police on a crime prevention detail on New Years Eve responded to a disturbance and report of a person with a gun in front of a Hamilton Street nightclub. At the scene, a bystander identified Irizarry as being in possession of a gun, the news release said. After ignoring various commands from officers, Irizarry opened the drivers side door of his vehicle and made furtive movements in the area of the steering wheel. He then closed the door and surrendered to officers. When officers searched the area below the steering wheel, they found a loaded .40-caliber pistol, which had been reported stolen during a residential burglary in New Haven in March 2015. Irizarry has a criminal history that includes felony drug convictions in 2000 and 2010 and a felony conviction in August 2000 on charges linked to illegal sexual contact with a minor, the news release said. On the most recent charges, Irizarry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Feb. 6, 2019. He was released on a $50,000 bond. Then, on June 17, 2019, he allegedly sold four bags of heroin some of which contained fentanyl to an individual working with law enforcement, the news release said. Irizarry has been detained since he was arrested again on June 27, 2019. On Sept. 30, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of distributing a controlled substance while on pretrial release. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underscored Romania's valued contributions to NATO in a meeting with Prime Minister Ludovic Orban at NATO Headquarters on Thursday (9 January 2020). He highlighted Romanian deployments to NATO-led missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo and to a multinational battlegroup in Poland, as well as Romania's hosting of NATO's ballistic missile site in Deveselu, its essential contributions to Black Sea security, and its commitment to spend 2 percent of GDP on defence this year. Mr. Stoltenberg and Mr. Orban also discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The Secretary General reiterated that peace and stability in the Middle East is important for all NATO Allies, and that Allies continue to consult closely in this regard. "NATO has the potential to contribute more to regional stability and the fight against international terrorism and we are looking into what more we can do," he said. Read the Secretary General's introductory remarks here. (ANSA) - Rome, January 13 - President Sergio Mattarella hailed ANSA's contribution to Italian society as he visited the news agency's headquarters for its 75th anniversary on Tuesday. "75 years show that ANSA has been an instrument for the freedom of the press and of information in our country," he said as he met reporters. Mattarella was given the first ANSA flash on his election on January 31 2015. The photo of the Italian parliament's applause for the 12th Italian president was also presented to the head of State. The president was received by ANSA President Giulio Anselmi, Editor-in-Chief Luigi Contu and Chief Executive Stefano De Alessandri. He met the members of the board and visited a small exhibition on transmission equipment, starting from those used in the early post-war period, documenting how technology has speeded up the broadcasting of news over the decades. Mattarella ended his visit by visiting the agency's newsroom to meet ANSA's reporters. Italy's top news agency started transmitting on January 15, 1945. ANSA, whose headquarters are just a few steps away from the presidential palace, il Palazzo del Quirinale, is a cooperative made up of the publishers of Italy's top daily newspapers. Fr ONeill's will consider their options after the GAAs Central Hearings Committee (CHC) upheld the suspensions which look to have ruled Billy Dunne and Mark OKeeffe out of Saturdays AIB All-Ireland Club IHC final against Tullaroan in Croke Park (6pm). The pair were sent off in the semi-final win over Tooreen of Mayo last Saturday week. Zelensky signs law to tackle raiders in agri-sector 20:30, 14.01.20 484 The Rada passed the relevant bill at second reading and as a whole on December 5. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Flackable, a national, full-service public relations agency headquartered in Philadelphia, today announces the launch of its All-Access Client Portal. The portal, available exclusively to Flackable clients, delivers unprecedented campaign access and transparency through real-time, on demand campaign metrics and status reporting. This new reporting platform is designed to empower Flackable's clients with unrivaled campaign clarity while elevating overall agency accountability. "Traditional public relations firms are notoriously opaque," said Brian Hart, founder and president of Flackable. "It's one of the biggest complaints I hear when I talk to prospective clients who have previously worked with traditional public relations firms and consultants. I believe public relations clients deserve transparency in exchange for the trust and resources they invest in an agency; that's the standard we've set with this announcement." Flackable began beta testing the All-Access Client Portal last August among the agency's existing clients. With this announcement, Flackable invites qualified financial and professional services firms in the United States to schedule a free 20-minute demo of the platform. "I've worked with multiple public relations agencies throughout my career, but Flackable stands out in showing true imagination and innovation in campaign reporting," said Joan Boykin, senior marketing consultant at Atlas Real Estate and REACTIV, both headquartered in Denver, Colorado. "With the volume of coverage and activity they drive for us, the portal has become an essential tool in keeping our marketing and leadership teams seamlessly apprised." Based in Philadelphia, Flackable represents financial and professional services firms across the United States. Hart expects the All-Access Client Portal to draw interest from businesses new to working with a public relations agency as well as those in search of better transparency, accountability, results and overall experience from an agency relationship. To schedule a free 20-minute demo of the All-Access Client Portal, please follow this link: Schedule Demo. Flackable is a national, full-service public relations agency representing financial and professional services firms. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the agency has set the standard for modern communications through its integrated approach to public relations, content development, social media and digital strategy. To learn more about Flackable, please visit flackable.com. Follow Flackable on Twitter at @flackable. Brian Hart Flackable (866) 225-0920 ext. 101 [email protected] SOURCE Flackable Related Links http://flackable.com Photo: Glacier Media Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart is accusing the Bank of Montreal of misleading police in a 911 call that led to an Indigenous man and his 12-year-old granddaughter being handcuffed last month. I felt sick when I first heard about this incident, and I find it unacceptable that the Bank of Montreal turned what should have been a positive occasion into one that reinforces our colonial past, said Stewart in a statement issued Jan. 13. I am sad for the long-term impacts this may have on the child, her family and the broader community. BMO needs to do right by this family, take full responsibility for their actions and ensure this does not happen again. Maxwell Johnson took his granddaughter to the Burrard and Dunsmuir branch Dec. 20 to open a bank account for the girl. An employee became suspicious and later asked Johnson and his granddaughter to come upstairs, where they were met by two Vancouver police officers and arrested. Bank of Montreal issued a statement via Twitter, saying the bank was reviewing what occurred, how it was handled and planned to use it as a learning opportunity. We value our long and special relationship with Indigenous communities, the tweet said. Recently, an incident occurred that does not reflect us at our best. We deeply regret this and unequivocally apologize to all. The mayor, who doubles as chairperson of the Vancouver Police Board, said the officers and Police Chief Adam Palmer have apologized for the incident. Stewart said Palmer feels as badly as I do about how the misleading information provided by BMO staff led the officers who responded to take actions they did. The VPD said in a statement to the Courier that officers were called to the bank to investigate a fraud in progress. Both individuals who were identified by the bank as suspects were initially handcuffed while officers investigated the claim, the VPD said. Officers confirmed the identity of the two individuals and confirmed that no criminal activity had occurred. The individuals were released and officers continued to complete the investigation and closed the call. The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner announced Tuesday that it has ordered the Delta Police Department to investigate the incident. South Africa: Maponya's legacy lives on through township economy Revered businessman Richard Maponya has left behind a legacy that extends well beyond the brick and mortar of his companies, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. Through his struggles and successes, he forever changed the face of business in South Africa. In return for all he gave to his people and to this country, his head was anointed with oil and his cup overflowed, said the President while delivering the eulogy at Dr Maponyas funeral. Following the passing of the doyen of black business on 6 January 2020, President Ramaphosa declared an official State funeral in honour of Maponya. The funeral service took place at the University of Johannesburgs Soweto Campus on Tuesday. Maponyas funeral service was teeming with esteemed guests, among them former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe and Mrs Motlanthe; Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, Mama Graca Machel and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. In his formative years, Maponya, a trained teacher, took up a job at a fabric and clothing store in downtown Johannesburg while awaiting a teaching assignment. It is here where he first cut his teeth as a salesman in the retail space, ultimately positioning him for opportunities in the retail supply chain. Together with his late wife, Marina, a qualified social worker who practised for a short while before joining her husband, the couple went on to establish a milk business called Dube Hygienic Shop. With businesses such as supermarkets, motor franchises, petrol stations and bottle stores, Maponya established a successful business empire. President Ramaphosa hailed Maponya as an ethical and principled businessman. He was appalled at the practices of some businesses that provided substandard services and inferior goods because the public they served were poor. He encouraged young people to be disciplined, demonstrate initiative and to be serious about training and studying, said the President. A visionary, Maponya realised a lifelong dream of establishing the largest regional mall in a township - Maponya Mall. His story is a window to the mean-spiritedness of the apartheid regime on the one hand, but a tale of triumph over adversity, on the other. He was a champion of black business. He was adamant that economic development begins in communities and saw the great potential of the township economy. Like a true entrepreneur, he could always spot an opportunity, said the President. The recipient of the Order of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in Silver for his excellent contribution to entrepreneurship despite oppressive apartheid conditions, Maponya will be laid to rest at West Park Cemetery. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Buoy Health, a Boston, MA-based health platform powered by an advanced artificial intelligence engine to provide personalized clinical support to individuals, raised (presumably approx. $5m) in funding from Cigna Ventures as part of its series B round. This funding was provided in addition to the $15m raise announced in August 2019 and brought total funding raised in Series B to approx. $20m. The round was led by Hambrecht Ducera Growth Ventures, with participation from Humana, F-Prime Capital Partners and Optum Ventures. Led by Dr. Andrew Le, CEO and Co-Founder, Buoy Health leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate real-time, high-quality and personalized care recommendations based on an individuals symptoms. Once a self-assessment is received, the companys technology provides intelligent care recommendations (e.g., virtual, in-person, emergency room visit) through an omni-channel approach tied to the severity of symptoms and follows up as necessary to help close gaps in care. FinSMEs 14/01/2020 In my blog posted in the summer of 2017, I explained the BBCs plans for local radio and the reasons for the closure of some of our medium wave transmitters - which happened in January last year. This was the first stage of putting into action a plan that the BBC originally announced in 2011. Starting in February 2020, and completing in mid-2020, we will be moving on to the next stage of the plan, closing a further 18 medium wave transmitters across England, Scotland and Wales. There is a list of services affected at the end of this blog post. My earlier blog post explained why we are closing some local medium wave transmitters, but I wanted to recap again here. The majority of radio listening in the UK - including to the BBC - is now digital, and digital listening is continuing to grow. We want to make our services available to you when and how you want them, but its also right that the BBC continues to ensure that the ways we distribute our services represent good value for money for you, the licence fee payer. The BBC is committed to a digital future for radio, and in the past few years we have funded local DAB expansion, made all local radio stations available on digital terrestrial TV (such as Freeview), and we have transformed our online and mobile offering with BBC Sounds. Together with FM (which has recently been expanded for Radio Wales), these ways of receiving our stations now make up the great majority of listening, and as a result continuing to transmit these services on medium wave would no longer represent good value for money. This change was planned as long ago as 2011, but we have taken a measured approach to implementing it to ensure that as many of you as possible have already moved on to other ways of receiving the services before we make this change. We know that the changes will impact some of you, and thats why were speaking about the plans again now. We want to make sure that people listening to these transmissions will be able to use other methods to hear the same programmes .All stations which will be affected will continue to be on FM and digital outputs (such as DAB, digital television, or online). For most people, re-tuning their radios or cars to FM or DAB is likely to be the simplest solution.You can use our Problem Assistant tool to get more information on how to access all BBC services in your area.The stations which will no longer be transmitted on MW are: Three Counties Radio (3CR)Radio MerseysideRadio NewcastleRadio Solent (for Dorset)Radio SolentRadio Cornwall Radio York In addition, the following stations will have reduced MW coverage:Radio Scotland Areas in and around both Aberdeen and Kirkcudbright Radio Wales Tywyn, Forden and Llandrindod Wells transmitter areas Radio Cumbria Areas in and around Whitehaven Radio Norfolk Does history repeat itself, or Oscars is just playing favorites all over again? Now on its 92nd year, the Academy Awards is once again getting backlash after female directors and artists of color were nowhere to be found on its list of nominations. On Monday morning, John Cho and Issa Rae presented the nominations for the said prestigious award-giving body. However, social media users start to flak online after Cho and Rae announced the list of nominations for Best Director, which include the following: Martin Scorsese for "The Irishman"; Todd Philips for "Joker"; Sam Medes for "1917"; Quentin Tarantino for "Once Upon a Time in Holywood", and; Bong Joon Ho for "Parasite." That it! Leading host Issa Rae to conclude: "Congratulations to those men," with so much shade that everyone can read between the lines. Issa's sarcasm represents a majority of the viewers who pointed out that there was no single female director on the list even if 2019 is full of applauded movies directed by women including Greta Gerwig for "Little Women" (which gets six other nominations such as Best Picture, Costume Design, Score, and Actress in Leading and Supporting Role, but not for Best Director. Come on!). Lorene Scafaria was also nominated for "Hustlers", as well as Lulu Wang for "The Farewell" (with 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating and lead role Awkwafina winning Golden Globes Best Actress), Marielle Heller for "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," Celine Sciamma for "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," and Melina Matsoukas for "Queen and Slim." Disappointed Oscars fans also emphasized that 19 out of 20 acting nominations were all white actors/actresses. Thanks to Cynthia Erivo's Best Actress nomination for her performance in the biopic film "Harriet," Oscars is saved from yet another #OscarsSoWhite movement. Aside from men and white-dominated Oscars, fans are also disappointed that the Academy Awards snubbed some of the crowd's favorite and outstanding performances. It includes Jennifer Lopez, who was snubbed to be in the list Best Supporting Actress nominees for her performance in "Hustlers." Next would be Beyonce's "Spirit" which was not included on the Oscars Best Song nominees. Beyonce wrote and performed the song Spirit for the 2020 adaptation of the film "The Lion King." Despite the billion-dollar blockbuster hit from Disney, fans were also surprised that "Frozen II" did not make it on the cut. Although "Frozen" got a nomination for Best Song for "Into the Unknown," they failed to make is to the Best Animation category -- which nominees are composed of "Toy Story 4," "Missing Link," "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World," and "I Lost My Body and Klaus." Meanwhile, reacting to fans' disappointment on Oscars' snubs, Academy governor-at-large DeVon Franklin said: "This is the up-and-down part of the work. Everyone who got nominated is completely worthy." "There's the feelings and the facts. The facts are there is progress and that progress is sustaining itself. The feelings are, with every Oscar season, there are going to be these surprises that remind us that there's still more work to be done," he added. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said military veterans had inspired the government to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff. Veterans had asked for this job to be carried out, he told ex-servicemen at an event here. The veterans are the ones who provided inspiration for this, he said. The event was also attended by the first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen M M Naravane. Rajnath Singh said Army veterans had contributed to nation-building in a big way. Your welfare is the priority for our government, he said. When I was home minister, I did for them whatever I could, he said, in an apparent reference to those who retire from paramilitary forces. He added that he was keen on doing the same now for the defence forces. The minister said the government had fulfilled the long-pending demand for one rank, one pension in the armed forces. Singh praised the defence forces for shouldering the responsibility of keeping countrymen secure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday parried questions on claims that his party used school children in an attempt to project support for the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act amid protests across the country. The BJP leader had just one response: "Maine aapko jawaab de diya hai (I have replied to your question)". He repeated that sentence 27 times, while speaking to NDTV here. Somaiya, who visited the school and met authorities, criticised the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government for the notice to the school for attempting to raise awareness among children about a law passed in Parliament. Maharashtra government's school department on Monday issued a notice to all schools in the state asking them not to use their premises for hosting any political event, a move which has invited criticism from the BJP. Sources in the department said the notice has been issued to the management of schools to ensure students are kept away from any political event. The move came after it was reported that the BJP had organised a talk on the CAA at a school in the Matunga area last week. Minister Varsha Gaikwad said the notice has been issued cautioning schools to keep students away from political events. On January 10, Shree Dayanand Balak, Balika Vidyalaya and Junior College, which is run by the Arya Samaj, had organised an hour-long programme on a public ground next to the school campus. Local BJP leaders, including corporator Nehal Shah, had interacted with school students from classes 8th to 10th and first and second-year students of the junior college to "spread awareness and correct misinformation" about CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Few know the globe's nooks and crannies more intimately than Kathryn Sullivan intrepid explorer of the sky and the sea. As an astronaut, she stepped out of the space shuttle's airlock to become the first American woman to float freely through space. She was also instrumental in the planning and launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. What motivated Sullivan wasn't a hunger for the final frontier, but a passion for Earth. After 15 years and three trips to space, she left NASA and returned to her academic roots as an oceanographer and Earth scientist. She became the chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oversaw science education at the Center of Science and Industry in Ohio and eventually served as the administrator of NOAA, where she oversaw initiatives related to Earth observation and weather forecasting. "My real roots are a fascination with the planet and how it works, and a desire to explore every facet of that I can," she said during a lecture at the Symphony Space performing arts center in New York City on Dec. 3, 2019. From linguist to scientist Sullivan was born in New Jersey but grew up in Woodland Hills, California, where her enthusiasm for adventure drove her toward linguistics. "When I was in high school," she said, "I believed my path would be best set by learning a lot of languages, and somehow that would turn into a life where people bought me airline tickets to go explore all of these places that I wanted to explore." But as a freshman at the University of California, Santa Cruz, general education requirements forced Sullivan to broaden her horizons with science classes. Despite her protests that she wanted to study languages and arts exclusively, she ended up taking earth science and oceanography. "I thought it was a terrible idea," she said, but "I lost all the arguments." Those classes introduced her to an unexpected side of science one where researchers spent much of their time not in harshly lit laboratories, but out in the field getting their hands dirty. She found that research, more than languages, could help her achieve the lifestyle she desired. "People were always buying [my professors] plane tickets to fly off to interesting places," Sullivan said. She changed her major to earth sciences at the end of her freshman year, then went on to earn a Ph.D. in geology from Dalhousie University in Canada and never looked back. Kathryn Sullivan contemplates the Earth from the space shuttle. (Image credit: NASA) From the seas to the skies During her doctoral studies, Sullivan joined multiple oceanographic expeditions to study the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and other deep-sea features. And by the time she received her degree, she had secured a fellowship offer to continue her exploration of the Atlantic in deep submersibles. But an entirely new type of research vessel also called to her. By 1978, NASA was evolving from a quasi-militaristic organization determined to win the space race into the more civilian-friendly, scientific institution it is today. Whereas previous members of the astronaut corps had come exclusively from the ranks of military test pilots, the agency had just opened its recruiting pipeline to include civilian researchers who would be needed to work on the upcoming space shuttle. Immediately after graduate school, Sullivan interviewed to become an astronaut; it was her first serious job interview, she recalled. And, at age 26, her first full-time job was as an astronaut. In the winter of 1978, Sullivan joined NASA's eighth class of astronauts, nicknamed the "Thirty-Five New Guys" (TFNG). Because astronaut recruitment was no longer restricted to Air Force pilots, the new group represented NASA's first step toward a more diverse astronaut corps, including six women, three African American men and one Asian American man all firsts for the elite cadre. "By the end of our first day, right after we'd been introduced to the public, it became clear to all of us that the simple way to describe our group was 10 interesting people and 25 standard white guys," Sullivan joked. But if any at the agency disapproved of its new recruits, they kept those thoughts to themselves. "All six of us [women] would say we got a remarkably clear runway," Sullivan said. "No one had ever seen an astronaut that looked like me, but they had always treated astronauts [with respect]." NASA astronauts (L to R) Shannon W. Lucid, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Judith A. Resnik, Anna L. Fisher and Sally K. Ride. These six women were the first official female astronaut candidates. (Image credit: NASA) For the next six years, Sullivan trained, studied and supported other missions until she reached the front of the line. Sally Ride had become the first American woman in space the year before, and in early 1984, Sullivan learned that she and Ride were scheduled for an October mission during which Sullivan was scheduled to perform a spacewalk. Colleagues excitedly congratulated Sullivan and Ride on the privileges of being the first woman spacewalker, and first woman to visit space twice, respectively. Both women, however, knew that a lot could change in 10 months. "Sally and I looked at each other and said, 'these people have not been paying attention to history,'" Sullivan said. The space race was over, but NASA's rivalry with the Soviet space program lived on. After the public announcement of Sullivan and Ride's historic flight, Soviet mission planners had plenty of time to arrange for cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya to fly her second mission and pull off a spacewalk while she was up there, beating Sullivan and Ride by three months. Being the first American woman to walk in space was more than enough for Sullivan, however. In October 1984, she flew on the space shuttle for an eight-day mission and "snuck outside on the second to last day for several hours," she recalled. Sullivan tested out new technology for refueling an orbiting satellite to extend its life span. While the demonstration was successful, the technology has yet to be put to use. Astronaut Kathryn Sullivan poses for a picture with her space suit during a 1995 shuttle mission. Sullivan was the first American woman to go on a spacewalk. (Image credit: NASA) Sullivan's work with Hubble Sullivan went on to spend more than 530 hours in space over three missions, but she views her work with the Hubble Space Telescope as one of her most lasting contributions. In 1985, a NASA supervisor told Sullivan that the large space telescope, custom designed to fit snugly into the space shuttle's cargo bay, was expected to be completely serviceable and upgradeable. It would be up to her and fellow astronaut Bruce McCandless II to oversee the development of tools and procedures needed to ensure that astronauts would be able to keep the complex machine running smoothly. The task of readying the instrument to be serviced under such restrictive conditions, Sullivan recalled, was a big one. "Imagine putting on two full-body snowmobile suites, bolting a bucket on your head and wearing heavy gloves under mittens," she said. "Now go change the spark plugs on your car." But after five years of research and countless hours of weightless practice in NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (a giant pool in Houston, Texas), a repairable Hubble was ready for launch in 1990. The deployment went smoothly although Sullivan didn't get to watch it happen because she was stuck in a windowless airlock, standing by in case an emergency spacewalk became necessary. Sullivan, who recently published a book detailing her experiences with the space telescope called "Handprints on Hubble" (MIT Press, 2019), marveled at how the twists and turns of the instrument's journey to space mirrored many parts of her own career. Since the Hubble project began five years before Sullivans birth, its almost like he's my older brother," she said. From the skies to the planet In 1993, after 15 years as one of the "Thirty-Five New Guys," Sullivan accepted a nomination from President Bill Clinton to serve as the chief scientist at NOAA, a sister agency to NASA, focusing on Earth's oceans and atmosphere. In this role, she supervised initiatives related to ocean biodiversity and climate change. She went on from there to become the president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry a science museum in Columbus, Ohio and the director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy at The Ohio State University. She returned to NOAA in 2011, nominated by former President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the agency's deputy administrator. Three years later, she became NOAA's 10th administrator, and led the organization's efforts to coordinate observations from space, land and sea to provide the best weather and climate forecasts possible. For Sullivan, this work served as a natural culmination of a life spent exploring the Earth. NOAA's niche, she said, is "to keep the pulse of the planet, to measure and monitor the things that can help us make those better decisions; and then broker, package and transmit the information to us, as a weather forecast, or to heads of state or to fishermen." Even her time off the planet was driven by a desire to better understand it. "My deepest personal motivation for even filling out the astronaut application," she said, "was that if by some miracle I beat the odds and got selected, I'd get to see the Earth with my own eyes." It's easy to imagine that seeing Earth from space would enhance the grandeur of the universe compared to the smallness of our home. But when Sullivan looked down at Earth's continents, oceans and clouds, she saw a complicated place shaped by both natural forces and the various enterprises of humanity. "Carl Sagan writes about the 'Pale Blue Dot' not my experience," she said. "I did [see] the vivid blue beach ball." Additional resources: A Lagos State Magistrates Court has dismissed a car theft charge filed by the police against hip hop artist, Adeyemi Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley. Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias made the order on Tuesday morning after receiving a settlement agreement between the complainant Mr Adelekan Ademola and the rapper and his family members charged alongside. Also Read: Naira Marley Bags Viewers Choice Award At Sound City MVP Awards Naira Marley, his two brothers Idris Fashola, 18; Babatunde Fashola, 24; and their cousin, Kunle Obere, 22 were the defendants in the case. According to reports, the rapper was absent in court, but the other defendants were in court. Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik on Tuesday, while reacting to Army Chief General MM Naravane's remark over reclaiming Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), said that government will "definitely think on the issue". "This is what their emotion is. What they are saying is not wrong. The government will definitely think on the issue (Inka toh jazba yahi hai, inka yeh bolna galat nahi hai par sarkar iss baat par nishchit taur se gaur karegi)," he said while speaking to reporters here. The Union Minister also lauded ex-servicemen for their service to the country. He also laid a wreath at Shaheed Smarak to pay homage to the fallen soldiers. On January 11, the Army Chief had said that if the Indian Army gets an order then it will take appropriate action to reclaim Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). He had pointed out that a Parliamentary resolution states that the entire Jammu and Kashmir region is a part of India. "There is a parliamentary resolution, that entire Jammu and Kashmir region is a part of India. If Parliament wants it, then that area (PoK) also should belong to us. When we get orders to that effect, we will take appropriate action," the Army chief had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tehran, Jan 14 : Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday urged the country's judiciary to form a "special court" to further investigate the "unintentional" January 8 downing of a Ukrainian airliner by an Iranian missile. "The judiciary should establish a special court with a senior judge and tens of experts. This dossier (of Ukrainian plane crash) is not a common case. The world is looking at us," Xinhua news agency quoted Rouhani as saying in a live broadcast. Rouhani expressed his satisfaction with the "straightforward" announcement of the armed forces about their "mistake" over the plane crash, saying that it was the first step and the next should also be taken to clarify the dimensions of the incident. He noted that the issue could not be blamed on a single person's error by pushing a button and hitting the plane. "There are others (involved in the incident) and I want it to be sincerely explained to the people," he stressed. The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight PS75 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all the 176 people on board. Three days later, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps admitted that one of its missiles had downed the Kiev-bound plane due to "human error" and mistaking it for a US cruise missile. The Shehenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan has "joined" the long list of Bollywood personalities who have come forward and expressed their dissent against the violence that took place in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the capital region where masked goons stormed the campus, attacked the students and vandalised the college property. The Angry Young Man, an important Bollywood figure, is a regular on Twitter and other social media platforms where he interacts with his fans and well-wishers. And, fortunately for his fans, BigB has put the online platforms to perfect use to stay vocal about issues that concern the country. Remember when he witnessed a drop in his Twitter followers and it upset him dearly? T 2599 - TWITTER ..!!!?? you reduced my number of followers .. !!??HAHAHAHAHAHAHA .. !! thats a joke .. time to get off from you .. thank you for the ride .. .. there are many 'other' fish in the sea - and a lot more exciting !! pic.twitter.com/85c15pDif4 Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 31, 2018 T 2795 - Arre yaar Twitter ji .. yaar ab toh hamare numbers badha do .. kab se itna kuch dal rahe hain .. kuch aur karna ho, number badhane ke liye to bolo .. TJKBM !!! pic.twitter.com/V5L4AMJNGq Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 4, 2018 Or when his Samsung Note 7 smartphone wouldn't charge? T 2395 -I have Samsung Note 7. Battery charge restricted to 60%. When will it allow me to go 100 ? Mr Samsung please respond ! zara jaldi ! pic.twitter.com/VVkzPqXh1j Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 30, 2016 Worse, when Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, and Preity Zinta did not return his birthday wishes, an infuriated BigB gave it back to the busy actors from his Twitter page. @AnushkaSharma .. Anushka .. this is Amitabh Bachchan @Srbachchan .. wished you on May 1st via sms .. no response .. checked they said you changed number .. sent greetings again .. love and wishes .. you looked radiant at the IPL game last night Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 2, 2018 T 640 -Preity Zinta ...!! wherever you are, since you have refused to reply to my sms .. Ha ha ..A very happy birthday .. love and happiness Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 31, 2012 Thankfully, the fire in Bachchan's tweets is only burning brighter ever since. In fact, since the horrific JNU attack on January 5th, that brought out the students and eminent personalities across the country to the streets to protest, BigB has been typing away important tweets one after another "condemning" the attack. A folded-hand emoji was posted by BigB hours after JNU attack when the actor successfully united the country to decipher his tweet. T 3602 - Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 5, 2020 BigB also used his incredible online reach to promote Himesh Reshammiya's (Jai Mata Di Let's Rock!) upcoming drama Happy Hardy and Heer. T 3603 - https://t.co/5fl849lelt "Happy Hardy & Heer" .. Himesh Reshamiya new film releasing 31st Jan 2020 .. my best wishes to you Himesh .. looking good .. Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 7, 2020 Amid the growing climate change talks, Greta Thurberg's powerful speeches and ghastly Australian bushfires, BigB gave a piece of important yet simple advice to save the planet. T 3604 - .. they discuss that plants thrive when they listen to music ... Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 8, 2020 An evening is simply bad if you don't wish others with a "Good Evening" message. Spreading happiness across. Being creative at testing times is the way to go. Powerful. T 3607 - .. the creative beauty shall ever surpass the reality .. thank you for this innovative gift pic.twitter.com/quBdGH6Wzh Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 11, 2020 Expressing gratitude to fans when others won't. Using his influence to educate the masses. Padhega India, Toh Badhega India. Staying connected is the need of the hour and that's why we need smartphones more than ever. T 3708 - .. the greatest invention of all .. CONNECT ! .. and its in your hand ever .. Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 12, 2020 An eye-opening poem by Bachchan about child and his mother, promoting love, peace and harmony. (Read between the lines) , , , , , !! , !! T 3709 - left eye pic.twitter.com/w6iqhdQjT6 Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 13, 2020 And for those pointing fingers and mocking the Khans and the Bachchans for not "speaking up" at such turbulent times when Deepika Padukone stood in solidarity with JNU students, possibly jeopardising Chhapaak's collections and reviews, here's BigB quoting his son Abhishek Bachchan's character from Guru. "Jab log tumhare khilaaf bolne lage, samajh lo tarakki kar rahe lo. (When people start speaking against you, you're doing well.)" VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Skeena Resources Limited (TSX.V:SKE)(OTCQX:SKREF) ("Skeena" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional gold-silver drill results from the 2019 Phase I surface drilling program at the Eskay Creek Project ("Eskay Creek") located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Four surface drill rigs were utilized for the 2019 Phase I program in the 21A, 21E and HW Zones to infill and upgrade areas of inferred resources to the indicated classification. Drill hole results reported in this release are from the 21A, 21E and HW Zones. Reference images are presented at the end of this release as well as on the Company's website. Phase I Eskay Creek Drilling Highlights: 10.14 g/t Au, 345 g/t Ag (14.73 g/t AuEq) over 36.85 m 21A (SK-19-170) 2.90 g/t Au, 278 g/t Ag (6.60 g/t AuEq) over 57.90 m 21A (SK-19-153) 4.14 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag (6.15 g/t AuEq) over 61.50 m 21A (SK-19-151) 7.01 g/t Au, 114 g/t Ag (8.53 g/t AuEq) over 37.89 m 21A (SK-19-160) 4.09 g/t Au, 52 g/t Ag (4.78 g/t AuEq) over 59.00 m 21A (SK-19-148) 6.34 g/t Au, 42 g/t Ag (6.91 g/t AuEq) over 34.00 m 21A (SK-19-167) 8.33 g/t Au, 51 g/t Ag (9.02 g/t AuEq) over 18.45 m 21A (SK-19-164) Gold Equivalent (AuEq) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. Reported core lengths represent 80-100% of true widths and are supported by well-defined mineralization geometries derived from historical drilling. Grade capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length weighted AuEq composites. Processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEq calculation and are disclosed at 100%. Samples below detection limit are nulled to a value of zero. 21A Zone Continues to Demonstrate Increased Grades and Widths 2019 Phase I drilling within the 21A Zone continues to return both higher Au-Ag grades and thicknesses than expected. The newest infill hole SK-19-170 intersected 10.14 g/t Au, 345 g/t Ag (14.73 g/t AuEq) over 36.85 m (refer to attached section). This drill hole was originally designed to add confidence to the inferred resources; however, the intersection has established both higher grades and greater widths than the surrounding historical drill holes. For comparison, the nearest historical drill hole CA89-078 only intersected 7.16 g/t AuEq over 16.71 m. It is also important to note that this high-grade mineralization occurs not only in the mudstone but also stratigraphically below the mudstone within intensely sheared, brecciated and hydrothermally altered rhyolites. This potentially indicates the uppermost expression of a previously unidentified synvolcanic feeder structure, which could lead to additional exploration targets. "The ongoing 2019 Phase I drilling program has been and continues to be very successful in that the Company's drill intercepts continue to predictably validate the geometries and grades defined by the historical drilling", comments Paul Geddes, the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Resource Development. "We are also quite encouraged by the improved mineralization widths and gold-silver grades as we infill and upgrade the inferred resources. The 2020 mandate to organically grow the current resource base at Eskay Creek will involve the allocation of approximately 30% of the current drill budget to exploratory step out drilling". Current Status - Eskay Creek Drilling Four ground-based drill rigs are currently on site at the Eskay Creek Project. The Company anticipates commencement of the ground based 2020 Phase I infill and exploration drilling program in February. About Skeena Skeena Resources Limited is a junior Canadian mining exploration company focused on developing prospective precious and base metal properties in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company's primary activities are the exploration and development of the past-producing Snip mine and the Eskay Creek mine. In addition, the Company has completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the GJ copper-gold porphyry project. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited, Walter Coles Jr. President & CEO Qualified Persons Exploration activities at the Eskay Creek Project are administered on site by the Company's Exploration Managers, Colin Russell, P.Geo. and Adrian Newton, P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting its exploration activities on its exploration projects. Quality Assurance - Quality Control Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples are sawn in half, labelled and bagged. The remaining drill core is subsequently securely stored on site. Numbered security tags are applied to lab shipments for chain of custody requirements. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. The QAQC program was designed and approved by Lynda Bloom, P.Geo. of Analytical Solutions Ltd., and is overseen by the Company's Qualified Person, Paul Geddes, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and Resource Development. Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry's analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed and 1kg is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100ppm are re-analyzed using a 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Analysis for silver is by 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish with a lower limit of 5ppm and upper limit of 10,000ppm. Samples with silver assays greater than 10,000ppm are re-analyzed using a gravimetric silver concentrate method. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-elemental geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and also for mercury using an aqua regia digest with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. Samples with sulfur reporting greater than 10% from the multi-element analysis are re-analyzed for total sulfur by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Table 1: Eskay Creek Project 2019 Phase I length weighted drill hole gold and silver composites: HOLE-ID FROM (m) TO (m) CORE LENGTH (m) AU (g/t) AG (g/t) AUEQ (g/t) SK-19-095 14.00 36.50 22.50 1.16 5 1.22 SK-19-096 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-097 1.91 5.30 3.39 6.67 14 6.86 SK-19-097 12.80 20.00 7.20 0.48 29 0.86 SK-19-100 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-101 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-110 26.00 43.80 17.80 1.92 30 2.32 SK-19-113 18.00 25.13 7.13 3.03 179 5.42 INCLUDING 18.00 18.67 0.67 7.74 175 10.07 SK-19-113 29.35 34.35 5.00 0.84 49 1.49 SK-19-113 38.13 50.00 11.87 2.84 26 3.19 SK-19-114 14.00 49.70 35.70 1.76 72 2.72 SK-19-114 53.00 61.95 8.95 0.93 17 1.15 SK-19-118 11.50 38.15 26.65 1.91 102 3.26 INCLUDING 18.40 19.25 0.85 4.52 807 15.28 AND 19.25 20.20 0.95 6.08 608 14.19 SK-19-118 47.03 52.00 4.97 0.72 18 0.95 SK-19-119 26.55 49.00 22.45 1.90 44 2.48 SK-19-127 42.46 47.86 5.40 1.49 164 3.68 SK-19-128 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-130 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-132 9.89 26.42 16.53 3.47 115 5.01 INCLUDING 15.57 17.00 1.43 7.71 292 11.60 AND 18.50 20.00 1.50 13.40 188 15.91 SK-19-133 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-134 0.00 5.50 5.50 1.75 11 1.90 SK-19-134 9.45 20.00 10.55 3.79 22 4.08 SK-19-135 20.00 30.56 10.56 4.21 308 8.32 INCLUDING 22.75 24.50 1.75 8.40 319 12.65 AND 24.50 26.00 1.50 13.30 420 18.90 SK-19-136 22.53 41.25 18.72 2.36 186 4.85 INCLUDING 22.53 24.42 1.89 1.04 1,010 14.51 SK-19-137 22.05 30.10 8.05 2.53 958 15.31 INCLUDING 22.05 24.00 1.95 2.43 600 10.43 AND 24.00 26.00 2.00 0.88 992 14.11 AND 26.00 28.00 2.00 1.06 1,550 21.73 AND 28.00 29.32 1.32 6.69 1,035 20.49 SK-19-138 1.60 14.55 12.95 2.03 65 2.90 INCLUDING 1.60 2.10 0.50 7.06 947 19.69 SK-19-138 22.08 39.00 16.92 1.06 38 1.57 SK-19-140 12.08 24.00 11.92 0.97 36 1.45 SK-19-141 13.10 22.50 9.40 1.94 96 3.22 INCLUDING 17.10 18.60 1.50 5.70 444 11.62 SK-19-142 8.80 27.32 18.52 2.74 168 4.98 INCLUDING 11.64 14.00 2.36 2.55 905 14.62 SK-19-143 38.00 42.61 4.61 3.75 49 4.40 INCLUDING 41.72 42.61 0.89 14.85 141 16.73 SK-19-144 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-145 25.15 40.75 15.60 1.69 49 2.35 SK-19-146 18.07 29.92 11.85 1.69 31 2.10 SK-19-147 56.50 127.50 71.00 1.55 87 2.70 INCLUDING 74.00 75.50 1.50 3.89 1,225 20.22 AND 90.50 91.25 0.75 1.51 917 13.74 SK-19-147 137.00 155.00 18.00 0.80 5 0.86 SK-19-147 161.00 166.50 5.50 0.74 5 0.80 SK-19-148 62.00 121.00 59.00 4.09 52 4.78 INCLUDING 63.50 65.00 1.50 22.60 26 22.95 AND 77.00 78.43 1.43 17.80 <5 17.80 AND 98.20 99.15 0.95 10.30 328 14.67 AND 101.25 102.00 0.75 11.65 44 12.24 AND 102.00 103.00 1.00 26.20 242 29.43 SK-19-148 135.50 153.00 17.50 1.04 8 1.14 SK-19-148 164.22 168.80 4.58 0.93 7 1.02 SK-19-148 189.80 195.20 5.40 0.67 10 0.80 SK-19-149 63.52 81.50 17.98 5.57 173 7.87 INCLUDING 63.52 65.00 1.48 12.25 19 12.50 AND 65.00 66.50 1.50 9.67 126 11.35 AND 72.00 73.50 1.50 1.77 831 12.85 AND 80.00 81.50 1.50 13.25 5 13.32 SK-19-149 85.65 104.00 18.35 1.86 27 2.22 SK-19-149 113.00 121.50 8.50 0.81 8 0.92 SK-19-149 127.50 143.00 15.50 1.44 6 1.52 SK-19-149 153.00 163.30 10.30 0.74 11 0.88 SK-19-149 180.50 186.46 5.96 0.98 9 1.09 SK-19-150 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-151 61.50 123.00 61.50 4.14 151 6.15 INCLUDING 72.00 73.50 1.50 25.60 99 26.92 AND 88.50 90.00 1.50 9.85 32 10.28 AND 96.00 97.50 1.50 9.44 677 18.47 AND 97.50 98.00 0.50 18.90 646 27.51 AND 98.00 99.00 1.00 5.12 421 10.73 AND 99.00 99.68 0.68 46.80 2,590 81.33 AND 99.68 101.00 1.32 9.28 728 18.99 AND 101.00 102.50 1.50 5.90 400 11.23 SK-19-151 136.60 162.00 25.40 1.67 17 1.90 SK-19-151 166.50 169.50 3.00 0.83 6 0.90 INCLUDING 173.50 174.50 1.00 24.50 97 25.79 SK-19-151 191.50 195.00 3.50 1.50 6 1.59 SK-19-152 56.75 97.00 40.25 2.15 91 3.36 INCLUDING 73.00 74.00 1.00 1.53 825 12.53 AND 74.00 74.63 0.63 1.44 739 11.29 SK-19-152 138.36 147.00 8.64 1.08 5 1.15 SK-19-152 176.50 182.35 5.85 0.72 10 0.85 SK-19-153 59.60 117.50 57.90 2.90 278 6.60 INCLUDING 66.00 67.50 1.50 5.90 318 10.14 AND 69.50 70.75 1.25 5.79 622 14.08 AND 70.75 72.13 1.38 7.96 734 17.75 AND 72.13 73.50 1.37 10.55 169 12.80 AND 73.50 74.50 1.00 3.91 862 15.40 AND 74.50 75.20 0.70 5.61 423 11.25 AND 81.00 82.50 1.50 9.52 442 15.41 AND 82.50 84.00 1.50 24.80 56 25.55 AND 96.80 98.15 1.35 0.75 837 11.91 AND 99.65 101.00 1.35 2.27 3,660 51.07 SK-19-153 127.00 131.50 4.50 1.04 6 1.12 SK-19-153 137.50 143.50 6.00 0.93 5 0.99 SK-19-153 191.18 197.50 6.32 0.69 6 0.77 SK-19-154 51.41 90.50 39.09 2.34 54 3.06 INCLUDING 52.25 53.70 1.45 17.85 <5 17.85 SK-19-154 134.50 142.00 7.50 0.82 5 0.88 SK-19-154 148.60 158.00 9.40 0.70 15 0.89 SK-19-154 163.55 171.70 8.15 1.29 11 1.44 SK-19-155 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-156 60.55 65.50 4.95 0.53 6 0.61 INCLUDING 57.75 58.57 0.82 18.40 474 24.72 SK-19-158 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-159 60.00 74.00 14.00 3.98 7 4.08 INCLUDING 64.50 65.30 0.80 20.30 19 20.55 SK-19-160 39.11 77.00 37.89 7.01 114 8.53 INCLUDING 44.00 45.00 1.00 14.05 <5 14.05 AND 45.00 46.00 1.00 28.40 14 28.59 AND 46.00 47.00 1.00 53.50 855 64.90 AND 47.00 47.50 0.50 42.60 200 45.27 AND 47.50 48.00 0.50 39.80 <5 39.80 AND 48.00 48.50 0.50 32.80 74 33.79 AND 48.50 49.00 0.50 41.70 193 44.27 AND 49.00 49.50 0.50 36.20 445 42.13 AND 49.50 50.00 0.50 31.50 521 38.45 AND 50.00 50.70 0.70 17.20 349 21.85 SK-19-161 46.00 65.10 19.10 7.95 25 8.28 INCLUDING 49.50 50.50 1.00 55.30 14 55.49 AND 50.50 51.50 1.00 11.35 5 11.42 AND 52.40 53.50 1.10 13.95 95 15.22 AND 53.50 54.50 1.00 26.40 209 29.19 SK-19-161 70.00 91.00 21.00 0.96 435 6.75 INCLUDING 74.00 75.00 1.00 1.12 897 13.08 AND 76.00 77.00 1.00 0.61 2,730 37.01 AND 77.00 78.00 1.00 0.36 2,020 27.29 AND 81.10 81.60 0.50 1.67 2,980 41.40 AND 82.50 83.56 1.06 3.69 960 16.49 SK-19-162 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-163 96.50 103.50 7.00 2.36 11 2.51 SK-19-164 81.47 89.50 8.03 1.68 11 1.83 SK-19-164 103.55 122.00 18.45 8.33 51 9.02 INCLUDING 105.50 106.63 1.13 10.35 <5 10.35 AND 106.63 107.25 0.62 26.40 <5 26.40 AND 107.25 107.75 0.50 26.90 <5 26.90 AND 107.75 109.00 1.25 18.65 <5 18.65 AND 109.00 110.00 1.00 14.75 <5 14.75 AND 114.00 115.00 1.00 12.30 20 12.57 AND 118.00 119.30 1.30 7.32 350 11.99 SK-19-165 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-166 103.00 117.50 14.50 2.43 51 3.11 INCLUDING 107.00 108.00 1.00 15.45 55 16.18 SK-19-167 82.00 116.00 34.00 6.34 42 6.91 INCLUDING 89.50 91.00 1.50 11.00 50 11.67 AND 91.00 92.00 1.00 26.30 77 27.33 AND 92.00 93.00 1.00 12.60 376 17.61 AND 94.50 96.00 1.50 11.65 53 12.36 AND 96.00 97.00 1.00 12.05 15 12.25 AND 97.00 98.00 1.00 14.50 30 14.90 AND 100.07 101.50 1.43 11.45 17 11.68 SK-19-168 ASSAYS PENDING SK-19-169 106.65 114.50 7.85 1.33 78 2.37 INCLUDING 108.70 109.20 0.50 1.93 1,000 15.26 SK-19-170 92.00 128.85 36.85 10.14 345 14.73 INCLUDING 92.64 93.15 0.51 18.30 28 18.67 AND 93.15 93.65 0.50 18.00 15 18.20 AND 93.65 94.65 1.00 20.40 165 22.60 AND 95.15 95.65 0.50 22.70 3,560 70.17 AND 95.65 96.38 0.73 28.70 10 28.83 AND 100.40 102.00 1.60 6.83 246 10.11 AND 106.00 107.00 1.00 25.40 190 27.93 AND 107.00 108.00 1.00 19.05 215 21.92 AND 108.00 109.50 1.50 34.60 894 46.52 AND 109.50 111.00 1.50 22.00 1,030 35.73 AND 111.00 112.50 1.50 14.40 607 22.49 AND 112.50 114.00 1.50 4.64 525 11.64 AND 114.00 115.50 1.50 5.13 979 18.18 AND 115.50 117.00 1.50 6.55 673 15.52 AND 117.00 118.50 1.50 12.20 296 16.15 AND 118.50 119.54 1.04 14.50 898 26.47 AND 119.54 121.00 1.46 15.30 364 20.15 Gold Equivalent (AuEQ) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. Reported core lengths represent 80-100% of true widths and are supported by well-defined mineralization geometries derived from historical drilling. Length weighted AuEQ composites were constrained by geological considerations. Grade capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length weighted AuEQ composites. Processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEQ calculation and are disclosed at 100%. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero. Table 2: Mine grid Phase I drill hole locations and orientations: Put those New Years resolutions on hold because, for the first time, one of Taiwans most famous street food markets is coming to Singapore. Original chefs and stall vendors from Taipei are being imported to front their wares at more than 30 stalls. Photo: Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons More than 30 stalls serving authentic and traditional food prepared by actual chefs and stall vendors from Taipeis famed Ningxia Night Market will be at the Taiwan Food Festival starting Thursday on Sentosa island. The festival will span Siloso Beach to Siloso Point through Feb. 9. Tay Kexin is among local performers set to take the stage. Photo: Tay Kexin / Facebook While visitors gorge on the delicious tastes of Taiwan, they will be entertained by a variety of performances from Friday onward. Local performers such as actor Wang Wei Liang, musician Ruth Kueo, Tay Kexin, and more will all take the stage. Find Taiwanese favorites such as Sesame Chicken and more. Photo: Apollo Entertainment Media / Facebook Ningxia Night Market is over 40 years old and serves more than 130 different and authentic Taiwanese dishes. In 2018, more than 1.8 million people visited tried its iconic Taiwanese dishes such as the Egg-Bombed Scallion Pancake, Taiwanese Oyster Omelette, Fried Chicken Cutlet, Crispy Salted Chicken, and more. For just over three weeks, Singapore has no reason to fly to Taipei when some of its most exquisite street food comes to the Lion City. Admission is free, but motorists must pay the Sentosa Island admission fee. Instead of driving by private vehicle (S$2 to S$6), walking or biking there costs nothing. Theres also the Sentosa Express monorail (S$4 one way, S$2 with eligible concession card), public bus No. 123 (bus fare) and RWS8 Sentosa bus service (S$1 round trip). Or opt for the scenic route with a cable car from Mount Faber (S$33). For more information and promotions, check out the event page. FIND IT: Asian Night Market: Taiwan Food Festival Siloso Point, Sentosa 5pm to 10:30pm, Thursday through Feb. 6 (closed Jan. 20-22) More F&B news from the Little Red Dot at Coconuts.co/Singapore. This article, Feast at Taiwans famed Ningxia Night Market when it lands in Singapore, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! A group of ten volunteer firefighters will leave Denmark this week to help battle Australia's bushfire crisis after an official Danish offer to assist was turned down. Firefighter Assistance Denmark said the volunteers will help cut down trees and clean up. 'We have now put together a strong team based on experience and training, and these people have been contacted directly,' the group said in a statement on its Facebook page. The man who organised the initial petition to come to Australia, Sren Elkrog (pictured), is among the ten firefighters who will fly out to battle the bushfires A group of ten volunteer firefighters will leave Denmark this week to assist with fighting Australia's wildfires after an official Danish offer to assist was turned down 'We cannot thank all of you enough for the great interest and all the many enrollments. We hope that later we can send more teams.' The Danish Emergency Management Agency said last week that Australian authorities had declined an offer of aid in the form of a 50-member team from Denmark. The group was then contacted by a volunteer-based organisation in Australia called BlazeAid, which said it needed help to fell trees and clear areas so people can return to their homes. More than 400 Danish firefighters had raised their hand to fight the horrific blazes alongside their counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. However, the Australian government declined the offer despite firefighters being stretched thin by the unprecedented crisis. 'We've received a warm thanks for the offer, but sending Danish firefighters here and now won't be an option,' Danish Defence Minister Trine Bramsen said in a statement. Bushfires have been raging in Australia since September, taking dozens of lives and destroying thousands of properties 'There is no desire from the Australians at the moment.' Australia's ambassador to Denmark, Mary Ellen Miller, thanked the firefighters for their offer but insisted their help was not required. Ms Miller said Australia is 'really well equipped' to deal with the situation. Daily Mail Australia asked the Home Affairs Department for more information on the reasons for the decision earlier this week. Home Affairs refused to comment on the Danish offer specifically, saying only that the government was receiving numerous offers of assistance. 'These requests are being worked through in close consultation with the states and territories to determine the best options to support our emergency service personnel and fire-affected communities,' it said. It is not clear when the volunteer group will depart for Australia. The man who organised the initial petition to come to Australia, Sren Elkrog, is among the 10 firefighters who will fly down under. He initially said the group wouldn't be able to bring their equipment and would mostly act in a support capacity. Toward the finale of Fendi's Fall 2020 men's show in Milan, a model stood still on the runway as hanging light fixtures shone bright up and down his coat, transforming it from a white base into a shade of yellow. The hi-tech display comes by way of Anrealage Creative Director Kunihiko Morinaga, who was asked by Silvia Venturini Fendi to take part in the show. Morinaga, a finalist from last year's LVMH Prize, is known for infusing advanced technological techniques with his hand-crafted designs. (He's based in Tokyo but shows his women's collections in Paris.) For this Fendi participation, Morinaga's photochromic outerwear and accessories was part of this show's overall theme of shape-shifting, transformation and, of course, technology. Speaking of yellow, the Roman house's signature shade was seen virtually everywhere: on Fendi shopping totes, box bags, baguettes, sneakers, scarves, parkas, and suits. See, below, for all the eye-catching pieces in the brand's famous yellow hue. What is truly remarkable about Mount Fanjingshan is not its appearance or religion, but the life it nurtures. Today, as the domestic ecological environment deteriorates, the natural vegetation in Mount Fanjingshan, a small "island", still remains relatively primitive, and is witness to the survival, reproduction and evolution of more than 6,000 kinds of plants and animals. On July 2, 2018, Mount Fanjingshan in Guizhou became China's 53rd world heritage. Today, the development of Guizhou evolves rapidly with each passing day, and the growth rate of tourism is over 40 percent. It is hoped that this "island" of life can be protected at the same time, so that it can remain unchanged. (photo via INSTITUTE FOR PLANETS) When they hear shelling outside their apartment in Damascus, close to the front line, Rand and Hala start to laugh. They were just talking about artillery. "Rand called a bomb and it came immediately," jokes Hala. "Call God," she tells her friend. "But God won't come," she continues, as they keep laughing. This could be a scene inside any home in the midst of the Syrian war. Instead, it is from "Your Love Is Fire," a play by Syrian author Mudar Alhaggi, which was performed in theaters across Germany and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. It is the second play that Rafat Alzakout has directed since moving to Germany in 2015 after fleeing his native Syria and spending four years in Lebanon. There is an Arabic proverb that says the worst tragedies are the ones that make you laugh. Alzakout is part of a flourishing community of Syrian artists in exile who are testing that notion. After eight years of conflict in Syria, at least half a million people have been killed and about 11 million have been forced to flee their homes. The war has devastated the country's infrastructure and economy, plunging 80% of the population into poverty. Today, President Bashar Assad has regained control of most of the country. In October, U.S. troops, who had been helping the Kurds maintain control over a section of northeast Syria, abruptly withdrew, paving the way for a Turkish military offensive - and triggering a fresh wave of mass displacement. Recently, Assad has been getting closer to seizing control of Idlib, the last rebel-held territory, causing the death and displacement of more civilians. There is, in short, no end in sight to the country's tragedy. Which is precisely why, for some Syrians, the need for laughter is unlikely to fade. Humor was a key feature of the 2011 uprisings that became known as the Arab Spring. Political satire took off as popular protests against authoritarian regimes spread across the Arab world. In Syria, for the first time in more than 40 years of dictatorial rule, protesters poured into the streets and dared to openly criticize and ridicule the regime. "The dictator was like a god. He was untouchable, you couldn't talk about him," said Alzakout. In 2011, he joined forces with other theater professionals in Damascus and formed the collective Masasit Mati. They started a puppet show called "Top Goon" that satirized Assad. In short videos published on YouTube, the puppet Beeshu, a childish but brutal dictator, participates in a "Who Wants to Kill a Million" game show; appears dressed as Dracula trying to sink his fangs into a protester's neck; and is advised by two devils who run away, scared by his plans to order the torture, rape and murder of protesters. "We wanted to destroy the wall of fear," explained Alzakout. After decades of censorship and silence, humor became liberating. But the risks of laughing at the regime were serious. In August 2011, Syria's most famous cartoonist, Ali Ferzat, was severely beaten and left for dead on a road in Damascus after publishing a cartoon lampooning the president. The regime's security forces smashed his hands as a punishment. Masasit Mati's 10 artists used puppets to protect their identities but still received warnings that they were wanted by Assad's intelligence services. With the uprising escalating into a civil war, most of the collective's members left Syria and scattered to different countries. After 35 episodes that were watched hundreds of thousands of times over a period of four years, "Top Goon" came to an end. Among the most famous activists to use humor to draw international attention to Syria's plight was Raed Fares, who inspired many with his messages of nonviolent resistance and his use of satire. His town, Kafranbel, became famous for its sharply worded protest banners. One, about the proxy war in Syria, read: "Black Friday special offer, whoever wherever you are, bring your enemy and come fight in Syria for free ... limited time offer." "Laughter helped sustain the community living on the front lines," said Syrian Palestinian activist and researcher Razan Ghazzawi, who co-founded Kafranbel's women's center. "Kafranbel's community tried to belittle the atrocities of daily life with humor in order to survive." As the war escalated and brutality fueled radicalization, Fares faced not only the danger of regime bombings and shelling, but also threats from the Islamic State and other extremist groups that started to proliferate. In 2014, after he survived an attack by Islamic State-linked gunmen that left him with a punctured lung, he often joked that he didn't really need two lungs because his nose was so big it could take in enough air. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Fares was killed by gunmen in Kafranbel in 2018. But his message has resonated with Syrian artists in exile, including a new generation that has found a creative haven in Berlin. One of them is 28-year-old comedian Firas Alshater. Alshater was studying to be an actor in Damascus when the uprising began. After participating in demonstrations and filming the protests and the government's crackdown, he was arrested and tortured by Assad's secret police. During the nine months he spent in jail - unable to contact his family, who didn't know his whereabouts - he would pass the time by making jokes and pulling pranks on new detainees. "There was nothing else to do," he said. "We just sat there and didn't know when they would call us and torture us, or what would happen next." Laughing "was a way of fighting against the things we couldn't change." When he arrived in Berlin in 2013, he started making videos with jokes about his life in Germany, the rise of the far right and what he calls Europe's "solidarity crisis." The first video he uploaded in 2016 went viral, and his YouTube videos have been watched over 2 million times. ("Make fun not war" is his motto.) He has also published two books and starred on German television. He is easily recognizable with a "freedom" tattoo on his neck and extravagantly colorful clothes. "You can sit there and be depressive and wait to die," he said, "or you can try to find something good for yourself and a way to laugh." I asked Alzakout if he can still laugh. The director paused. "Can we laugh about all this bloodshed, all this darkness around us, the torture, the misery?" he pondered. His answer was yes. He sees laughter as a way of continuing the struggle for freedom, dignity and justice. "If you use it in a smart way, humor can be stronger than tears," he said. "I will not let them make me give up. I am still making fun of all this. As artists we have no other choice." - - - Vidal is a writer in Amman, Jordan. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2020) - Meryllion Resources Corporation (CSE: MYR) ("Meryllion" or the "Corporation") announced today that the Board of Directors have approved a change in its Auditor. Effective October 30th, 2017, the Corporation's Audit Committee and its Board of Directors have accepted the resignation of McGovern Hurley LLP., (the "Former Auditor") and have appointed Clearhouse LLP Chartered Professional Accountants, formally known as SDVC LLP (the "Successor Auditor") as the Corporation's new auditor until the close of the next annual general meeting of the Corporation. The Corporation has already sent a Notice of Change of Auditor (the "Notice") to the Former Auditor and to the Successor Auditor and has received a letter from each, addressed to the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions, and stating that both the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor agree with the information contained within the Notice. The Notice, together with the two letters from the Auditors will be filed onto SEDAR accordingly. There were no disagreements or unresolved issues with the Former Auditor on any matter of audit scope or procedures, accounting principles or policies, or financial statement disclosure. It is the Corporation's opinion that there have been no "reportable events"(as defined in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligation) between the Corporation and the Former Auditor. The Corporation also announced today the resignation of Mr. Paul Haber as Interim CEO and as a Director. The Corporation has appointed Mr. Ben Gelfand as CEO and Mr. Frank Kordy as Director effective immediately. Mr. Gelfand began his career with Fidelity Investments in October of 1987 and has worked for Merrill Lynch, TD Waterhouse and others in sales, investment management, trading, private equity and investment banking roles. Mr. Gelfand earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ohio University. Mr. Kordy currently serves as a Director the Corporate Secretary and as a Director of Advantagewon Oil Corp. Since 1997, Mr. Kordy has assisted numerous publicly traded companies with their corporate communication, corporate disclosure, corporate financing, marketing and investor relations endeavors. The Corporation has also appointed Mr. Alan Grant as a Director. Mr. Grant currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Signal fire Communications. Mr. Grant brings 40 years of success and solid business experience to any business discussion or brand forum. Since 1990 Mr. Grant has serve on the Boards of both Private and Public Companies both in the For-profit and Not-for-profit Sectors of Canadian Businesses. The Corporation further announced that the Letter of Intent that the Corporation entered into with Advanced Mineral Technology Inc., ("AMT") and which the Corporation announced via press release on October 8th, 2019 has expired and that the Corporation and AMT have both decided not to proceed with the proposed transaction. For further information please contact: Mr. Ben Gelfand CEO & Director Meryllion Resources Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: ben.gelfand@gunpowdercapitalcorp.com W: www.meryllionresources.com Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Meryllion Resources Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: frank.kordy@gunpowdercapitalcorp.com W: www.meryllionresources.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 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51410 Cy-Fair ISD officially initiated their full-day pre-K program for qualifying families on Jan. 6. Although the program is in full-swing, the district is required to meet with local early childhood care providers due to beginning its full-day program later than the initial deadline of September 2019 set by Texas House Bill 3, the education reforming bill passed during the 86th legislature in 2019. (HB 3) mandated full-day pre-K so we could no longer offer a half-day program, Linda Macias, chief academic officer for Cy-Fair ISD, said during a meeting with local childhood care providers at the Instructional Support Center on Jan. 9. We have been providing a half-day program in the district for many years. Weve had an a.m. program and a p.m. program. With this bill, we can no longer offer the half-day program. It has to go to a full-day program. Students allowed in the pre-K program include English language learner students, economically disadvantaged students, homeless students, students who have had parents killed in active duty for the military or as an active police officer, and students under conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Macias said pre-K for CFISD was delayed because of the need for more staff, including 80 paraprofessionals and teachers for all 50 sites. Macias said all 56 schools will have a program, but six schools will attend the pre-K program of a nearby school instead of an on-site one. We as a district did not believe that we could implement the high-quality program that we currently have in our half-day program on a full-day basis starting in August, when we started school [fall 2019], she said. We also needed time to order all of the resources, the materials, the equipment, the technology, the furniture. We needed time to order all of that. The one thing that we already had in place was the curriculum. The meeting explained to local providers from institutions like Kids R. Kids and Learning Care Group how to become a part of the program, including what qualifications are needed. An example would be national accreditation and a three or four star rating within the Texas Rising Star System Latisha Bard with CFISD said. She said student progress will be monitored through an electronic database. Macias said the current curriculum for the pre-K program was used at other Cy-Fair schools during pilot programs for full-day pre-K. That is a curriculum that is on the (Texas Education Agency Commissioners) list, Bard said. It gives us a list of curriculums that we will choose from and we must use one of those from that list. Macias said CFISD is excited to see how their pre-K program progresses. Local childhood care providers who are interested in partnering with Cy-Fair ISD will be chosen and approved by the board of trustees at a future meeting of the board. Providers would then start their partnership during the fall 2020 semester. Applications opened Jan. 13. For more information, visit cfisd.net. chevall.pryce@chron.com BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official stressed the importance of role models in motivating officials and the general public to work hard and make accomplishments in their careers based on their individual positions. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks Monday while meeting role model Chen Junwu and a delegation giving a lecture on Chen's deeds at the Great Hall of the People. Chen, the founder of catalytic cracking engineering technology and a prestigious specialist in oil refining engineering and coal-chemical technology, was honored a "role model of the times" in October 2019 by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Huang said what Chen has done is the embodiment of the original aspiration of Chinese communists, the ethos of the Chinese nation and represents the core socialist values. Chen's virtues and dedications should be further promoted to inspire officials, the public and those working in the science and technology field to make greater contributions, Huang noted. More than 700 representatives from state-owned enterprises and all walks of life in Beijing attended the lecture. Harry Qiu began learning English as a young boy in Shanghai, China. Over the years, he became fluent, and later came to the United States for college. Qiu now attends Dickinson College in the state of Pennsylvania, where he studies international relations. There, he is learning two more languages Russian and Japanese. And through the school, he gets to talk one-on-one with native speakers on Skype. For example, when he meets with his Japanese partner, Qiu helps his partner practice English. His partner helps him practice Japanese. We call this a language exchange. Such exchanges can be one of the best ways to improve your conversation skills. Qiu says they have given him the chance to experience the difference between real life conversation and classroom learning. Colleges and universities are not the only places offering language exchanges. Today, there are many websites and apps designed to connect language learners around the world. Popular sites like Conversation Exchange, Lingo Globe, Easy Language Exchange and The Mixxer offer an almost endless number of partners to choose from. But doing an exchange without knowing what to expect can sometimes lead to wasted time. So today, we have five tips for how to have a great language exchange. Tip 1- What to ask yourself Experts say the first step is ask yourself some important questions. Todd Bryant is a language technology specialist who runs The Mixxer, a website with more than 35,000 active users. The free service began at Dickinson College. But it is meant for people around the world looking for practice partners. Bryant says the most important question to ask yourself is why you want to learn the language. People who have a serious reason for learning a language are usually more dependable exchange partners. These reasons can include, for example, moving to another country or using the language for work. Less serious reasons might be wanting to meet new people or use the language for an overseas vacation. Another question to ask yourself, Bryant says, is how much free time you really have. And then also think about how much time you're willing to spend on this so you can then find a good match. Are you willing to spend an hour or two more per week to do this? In addition, consider your preferences. Are you looking for speaking practice or do you prefer written messages? If you are seeking speaking practice, would you rather have video meetings or meet in person? Knowing your preferred method will help you choose the right website or app. Some websites, for example, list peoples cities, so you can easily make plans to meet partners in person. Others do not. Tip 2 - Find the right partner Now, you are ready for tip 2 - finding the right partner. As I said earlier, many of these websites can have hundreds of partners to choose from in the language you want to learn. So how can you limit your search? Bryant says, when reading profiles, look for some important signs. People who have been on the site and have been active and have a reason to learn the language are much more likely to be good partners than people who have been on the site for a week and dont really have their profile filled out and havent been active and are learning six languages. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is better to find at least two exchange partners. People lead busy lives and one person may not be available every week. Tip 3 - State your expectations Once you do find a person who seems like a good fit, be clear about what your expectations are in the first email. Thats tip number 3. Explain to the person things such as how long youd like meetings to be and how often youd like to meet. And, for example, if you plan to meet in person, say if you are fine with noisy places or only quieter places. Bryant says expressing expectations in advance will give the partnership a higher chance of going well. But, he notes, avoid being too rigid. For example, if youre hoping for Wednesday nights every week, youll have better luck if you state other times that also could work for you. Greg Scott is a Japanese-to-English translator based in Australia. He wrote for Lingualift.com about his early days of learning English . In the story, he noted that it was easier for him to have unplanned Skype meetings with his exchange partner because of his busy work schedule. But this plan was something both partners agreed on. Tip 4 - Come prepared Now, lets say you have secured a partner and your first meeting is in a few days. You are ready for tip 4: prepare ahead of time. Before each meeting, prepare some questions on a topic of your choice. That will give you the chance to look up related words as well as think about your own answers. Preparing topics ahead of time will also help you avoid having nothing to say at your meetings, notes Bryant. Otherwise, you might find yourself 10 minutes in and youve already gone through the What do you do for a living? and if you like to travel kind of questions and you have nothing else to say. Or, youll find that you keep talking about the same things at every meeting, which you want to avoid. Tip 5 Focus on communication Now we move to tip 5 focusing on communication. One thing to keep in mind during meetings is that the main goal is conversation practice. So i ts important to let your partner speak freely, even if they make mistakes. Bryant recommends giving only one or two corrections after each piece of dialogue. Qiu says he corrects a partner only if the person is struggling to think of a word or cannot finish a sentence. If they are trying to speak fluently, you dont really want to disturb that temposo you just definitely keep them speaking. Qui's advice to people who want to try a language exchange is simple: Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Im Alice Bryant. Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ More Tips from Experts Avoid sites that post only profiles of young, attractive people on their homepage. It may be a sign the site is more for meeting people than real language practice. Be aware that some websites are free but others charge fees to use their services. If you plan to only have online meetings, you can use a separate Skype or other video account for privacy. Agree in advance on the amount of time you will spend on each language for meetings; it is best to split the time equally. Stay in the target language during meetings. For example, if are practicing Japanese in the first half, do not use any other language. Avoid using the meetings as grammar lessons. Do not expect your partner to act like a grammar teacher. And don't forget to have fun! ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fluent - adj. able to speak a language easily and very well practice - v. to do something again and again in order to become better at it conversation - n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people app - n. a computer program that performs a special function tip - n. a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information preference - n. a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another person or thing rigid - adj. not willing to change translator - n. a person who changes words spoken or written in one language into a different language focus - v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific dialogue - n. a piece of conversation between two or more people Perched high up in the leafy branches sit some of the most magical Texas tree house retreats with breathtaking views of the Hill Country countryside below. If you want a whimsical, lofty escape far from the hectic hum of the city, weve found 10 Texas tree house rentalsfrom luxury hotels to affordable cabins. With a fresh new year underway, its a perfect getaway to recapture that childhood dream of staying in a secret, canopied tree house, hidden away from the world. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visiting the Bushehr nuclear power plant in 2015 - REX Boris Johnson has called on President Donald Trump to come up with an alternative to the Iran nuclear accord as Britain, France and Germany formally accused the Islamic Republic of non-compliance with the existing agreement. In a drastic step that could ultimately lead to the deals collapse, European signatories on Tuesday said they had "no choice" but to trigger a dispute resolution mechanism after Iran said it would ignore limitations on uranium enrichment and centrifuge research. Under the deal brokered in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed with China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US, to restrict its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Mr Trump pulled the US out and reimposed sanctions in 2018. Iran began a staged suspension of its own commitments in response in May last year, and last week announced it would no longer accept limits on its uranium enrichment. Britain, France and Germany have so far resisted US demands that they too quit the deal, insisting it is the only way to stop Iran getting a bomb. But in a remarkable change of tack, Mr Johnson on Tuesday suggested the deal could be replaced with a new one negotiated by Mr Trump. The problem with the JCPOA - this is the crucial thing, it's why there is this tension - the problem with the agreement is that from the American perspective it's a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by President Obama, he told the BBC. He said one of the problems Mr Trump had with the agreement was that it was negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, so putting in a replacement "Trump deal" would be a way out of the current crisis. Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, later expanding on Mr Johnsons point, said the current deal "is the best way to restrain Iran's nuclear ambitions" but that did not preclude looking at a broader initiative to address the UKs concerns. Story continues Mr Trump backed the call on Twitter, saying: "I agree!" Iran has previously ruled out renegotiating the 2015 deal and is unclear whether it would entertain talks on a fresh agreement with Mr Trump, who may not be in office after November's presidential elections. In a joint statement, Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, said the dispute mechanism had been triggered in an effort to buy time for the US and Iran to ease tensions. "We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving the JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue," they said. The United States said it supported the move. "We fully support the decision by the E3 to initiate the dispute resolution mechanism," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. "We believe further diplomatic and economic pressure is warranted by nations." Iran's foreign ministry accused the E3 of seeking to "abuse" the process and threatened unspecified "consequences." The move came a week after Iran announced it was suspended all limits on centrifuge installation and uranium enrichment under the JCPOA under its "fifth and final" step back from the agreement. It said it would return to full compliance with the deal if the United States lifted all sanctions and is continuing to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor its programs under the agreement. However, the Telegraph understands the E3 decided to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism last month, in response to Iran's third and fourth steps in its gradual suspension of its nuclear deal commitments. The measures included resuming research and development of centrifuges, which European governments fear will lead to irreversible technological breakthroughs and reduce the "break-out" time Iran would need to build a bomb. The dispute will now be put to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the EU, and then on to the United Nations Security Council if that commission cannot resolve it. If the Security Council does not vote within 30 days to continue sanctions relief, sanctions in place under previous UN resolutions would "snapback" into place, effectively ending the deal for good. However, E3 diplomats are understood to believe the dispute resolution period can be extended indefinitely and said they were keen to avoid it escalating to the Security Council. What's in a name? City of Winnipeg administration want members of the public to let it know. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. What's in a name? City of Winnipeg administration want members of the public to let it know. HISTORICAL RE-EVALUATIONS Several historical individuals were singled out Tuesday by Mayor Brian Bowman, who said their place in Winnipegs history needs to be re-evaluated. These historical figures were complicated men. I can understand why their reputations and actions are viewed so differently by people engaged in this discussion." Vital-Justin Grandin, a Roman Catholic bishop on the Prairies, who was canonized in 1966. Supporter of Metis rights, but also played leading role in the federal governments construction of residential schools. Commemorated with Bishop Grandin Boulevard, and St. Vital and St. Vital Shopping Centre. click to read more Several historical individuals were singled out Tuesday by Mayor Brian Bowman, who said their place in Winnipegs history needs to be re-evaluated. These historical figures were complicated men. I can understand why their reputations and actions are viewed so differently by people engaged in this discussion." Vital-Justin Grandin, a Roman Catholic bishop on the Prairies, who was canonized in 1966. Supporter of Metis rights, but also played leading role in the federal governments construction of residential schools. Commemorated with Bishop Grandin Boulevard, and St. Vital and St. Vital Shopping Centre. Garnet Joseph Wolseley, commander of the Red River Expeditionary Force in 1870 to establish Canadian sovereignty in Manitoba and what was then the Northwest Territories. Commemorated in Winnipeg with Wolseley Avenue, Wolseley School and the Wolseley neighbourhood. Edgar Dewdney, Indian commissioner and lieutenant-governor of the Northwest Territories. His policies included withholding food rations from Indigenous people to force them to settle on reserves. Commemorated in Winnipeg with a street name in Point Douglas. Donald Alexander Smith, first Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal. A British Empire businessman and philanthropist, co-founded the CPR, a governor of the Hudsons Bay Company. Bowman said Smith was frequently criticized for corruption. Commemorated in Winnipeg with Donald Street, Smith Street, and Strathcona Street. Close After Mayor Brian Bowman announced last year the city would re-evaluate how Winnipeg's landmarks are named, citing complaints about several problematic historical figures whose names grace local monuments, the public service has come back with a new policy to be discussed at the executive policy committee meeting Tuesday. "Welcoming Winnipeg: Reconciling Our History" looks at ways to name, rename or add context to current landmarks, such as Bishop Grandin Boulevard and St. Vital Centre. Both were named after Vital-Justin Grandin, who helped the federal government build residential schools that tore Indigenous families apart. Rhonda Forgues, manager of the city's Indigenous relations division, wasn't made available for an interview before the EPC policy discussion. But in the report she authored, Forgues discussed the traditional omission of Indigenous history in Winnipeg's architecture. "Indigenous peoples are the original peoples of this land and have contributed to the creation and evolution of this city. However, this is not evident in our day-to-day movement, the surroundings and the environment," the report says. "As Winnipeg has a large Indigenous population, it is extremely important that Winnipeg takes on a leadership role to resolve the absence of Indigenous history and perspective within our city." "I think what's really important is that there's the ability for many communities, and especially communities that haven't necessarily been listened to (in the past), to have a voice in this," Ry Moran said. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) Ry Moran, director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, agrees. He said he was pleased to see the public service recommend establishing a committee that consists of diverse community members to field public applications about naming or renaming local spaces. (There would be a fee attached to each application, though no cost estimates were laid out in the report.) The vetted applications would then be forwarded to EPC and city council for consideration. "I think its part of just a very healthy dialogue the city needs to have. And I think what's really important is that there's the ability for many communities, and especially communities that haven't necessarily been listened to (in the past), to have a voice in this," Moran said. Mayor launches plan to reconsider landmarks named for controversial figures Click to Expand The Wolseley neighbourhood, a street and school are named after Garnet Joseph Wolseley, commander of the Red River Expeditionary Force that suppressed the 1885 Riel uprising. (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files) Posted: 4:46 PM Jan. 29, 2019 City hall is asking Winnipeggers to help it develop a policy to deal with the monuments and place names established for historical figures once considered founding fathers but now seen through a modern lens as racists, scoundrels, con men and murderers. Mayor Brian Bowman held a news conference at city hall Tuesday to announce Welcoming Winnipeg, a local initiative to reconsider such markers in their proper historical context and in relation to how those historical figures dealt with the local Indigenous people. Read Full Story Civic administration recommended the public committee be composed of 50 per cent Indigenous and 50 per cent non-Indigenous, with an emphasis on gender balance, representation of LGBTTQ+, two-spirit and non-binary people, and inclusion of historians, archivists, researchers, elders and youth. Karine Duhamel, curator of Indigenous content at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, applauded the city for taking on such a task. While other Canadian centres, such as Victoria and Halifax, have removed monuments to historical heavyweights such as Sir John A. Macdonald and Edward Cornwallis, and American cities have grappled with the existence of monuments to Confederate heroes, she said Winnipeg seems to be taking a more proactive stance. "Theres been other places in Canada where the conversation has come to a head around a specific monument or a place where people have sort of reacted and we haven't necessarily had time to think about all the different dimensions of what commemoration should be and what it should be used for," Duhamel said. "So I think it's really positive that the city is thinking about this." Both Duhamel and Gordon Goldsborough, president of the Manitoba Historical Society, cautioned against immediately removing historical markers. "To my mind, the whole point of history is to remind you of those things so that you don't make those mistakes again," Goldsborough said. In a "What We Heard" report outlining public feedback, civic administration noted ways to provide more context to existing monuments or public spaces, such as adding plaques with more current information, rather than removing them. Download Welcoming Winnipeg: What We Heard report Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Some members of the public mentioned they werent fans of honorary names being added to current landmarks, likely because they don't have the same importance as permanent names, Goldsborough said. He urged any new committee established to do its own research as well, seeking out ways to improve Winnipeg monuments rather than waiting solely for public applicants to voice concerns. Moran underscored the "Welcoming Winnipeg" policy could open doors for the city to embrace its diversity. "We've just got this huge opportunity here to do better," he said. "To be more honest and be more open-minded, and let's see where it takes us." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu [January 14, 2020] CoreLogic Reports U.S. Overall Delinquency Rate Lowest for an October in at Least 20 Years CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released its monthly Loan Performance Insights Report. The report shows that nationally, 3.7% of mortgages were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure) in October 2019, representing a 0.4 percentage point decline in the overall delinquency rate compared with October 2018, when it was 4.1%. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005236/en/ Highest Annual Gains in Serious Delinquency Rate for Select Metropolitan Areas; CoreLogic October 2019 (Graphic: Business Wire) As of October 2019, the foreclosure inventory rate - which measures the share of mortgages in some stage of the foreclosure process - was 0.4%, down 0.1 percentage points from October 2018. The October 2019 foreclosure inventory rate tied the prior 11 months as the lowest for any month since at least January 1999. Measuring early-stage delinquency rates is important for analyzing the health of the mortgage market. To monitor mortgage performance comprehensively, CoreLogic examines all stages of delinquency, as well as transition rates, which indicate the percentage of mortgages moving from one stage of delinquency to the next. The rate for early-stage delinquencies - defined as 30 to 59 days past due - was 1.8% in October 2019, down from 1.9% in October 2018. The share of mortgages 60 to 89 days past due in October 2019 was 0.6%, down from 0.7% in October 2018. The serious delinquency rate - defined as 90 days or more past due, including loans in foreclosure - was 1.3% in October 2019, down from 1.5% in October 2018. The serious delinquency rate has remained consistent since April 2019. Since early-stage delinquencies can be volatile, CoreLogic also analyzes transition rates. The share of mortgages that transitioned from current to 30 days past due was 0.7% in October 2019, unchanged from October 2018. By comparison, in January 2007, just before the start of the financial crisis, the current-to-30-day transition rate was 1.2%, while it peaked at 2% in November 2008. "Home price growth builds homeowner equity and reduces the likelihood f a loan entering foreclosure," said Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic. "The national CoreLogic Home Price Index recorded a 3.3% annual rise in values through October 2019, and price growth was the primary driver of the $5,300 average gain in equity reported in the latest CoreLogic Home Equity Report." No states posted a year-over-year increase in the overall delinquency rate in October 2019. The states that logged the largest annual decreases included North Carolina (down 0.9 percentage points) and Mississippi (down 0.8 percentage points). Eight other states followed with annual decreases of 0.6 percentage points. In October 2019, eight metropolitan areas in the Midwest and South recorded small annual increases in overall delinquency rates. The largest annual increases in October 2019 were in the following metros: Pine Bluff, Arkansas (1.0 percentage points); Dubuque, Iowa (0.2 percentage points); and Rockford, Illinois (0.2 percentage points). Five other metros were up 0.1 percentage points: Columbus, Indiana; Kokomo, Indiana; Manhattan, Kansas; Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin; and La Crosse-Onalaska, Wisconsin-Minnesota. While the nation's serious delinquency rate remains at a 14-year low, 14 metropolitan areas recorded small annual increases in their serious delinquency rates. Metros with the largest increases were Panama City, Florida (0.4 percentage points) and Dubuque, Iowa (0.2 percentage points). The remaining 12 metro areas each logged an annual increase of 0.1 percentage point. "National foreclosure and serious delinquency rates have remained fixed at record lows for at least the last six months," said Frank Martell, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "However, as markets can be much more volatile at the metro level, both late-stage delinquencies and foreclosures have continued to increase at this level in the Midwest and Southern regions of the country." The next CoreLogic Loan Performance Insights Report will be released on February 11, 2020, featuring data for November 2019. For ongoing housing trends and data, visit the CoreLogic Insights Blog: www.corelogic.com/insights. Methodology The data in this report represents foreclosure and delinquency activity reported through October 2019. The data in this report accounts for only first liens against a property and does not include secondary liens. The delinquency, transition and foreclosure rates are measured only against homes that have an outstanding mortgage. Homes without mortgage liens are not typically subject to foreclosure and are, therefore, excluded from the analysis. Approximately one-third of homes nationally are owned outright and do not have a mortgage. CoreLogic has approximately 85% coverage of U.S. foreclosure data. Source (News - Alert): CoreLogic The data provided is for use only by the primary recipient or the primary recipient's publication or broadcast. This data may not be re-sold, republished or licensed to any other source, including publications and sources owned by the primary recipient's parent company without prior written permission from CoreLogic. Any CoreLogic data used for publication or broadcast, in whole or in part, must be sourced as coming from CoreLogic, a data and analytics company. For use with broadcast or web content, the citation must directly accompany first reference of the data. If the data is illustrated with maps, charts, graphs or other visual elements, the CoreLogic logo must be included on screen or website. For questions, analysis or interpretation of the data, contact Allyse Sanchez at [email protected]. Data provided may not be modified without the prior written permission of CoreLogic. Do not use the data in any unlawful manner. This data is compiled from public records, contributory databases and proprietary analytics, and its accuracy is dependent upon these sources. About CoreLogic CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), the leading provider of property insights and solutions, promotes a healthy housing market and thriving communities. Through its enhanced property data solutions, services and technologies, CoreLogic enables real estate professionals, financial institutions, insurance carriers, government agencies and other housing market participants to help millions of people find, acquire and protect their homes. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. CORELOGIC and the CoreLogic logo are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005236/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister, Javad Zarif on Tuesday slammed the United Kingdom over their support to the United States amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Taking to Twitter, Zarif stated that the UK was 'parroting' US lines and blamed Washington for the rise of terrorism in the region. Zarif also mentioned that the E-3 is trying to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by resorting to bullying. The E-3 comprises France, Germany, and Italy. Iranian Foreign Ministry once again condemned the regimes Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Defense Ministers unacceptable remarks on the assassination of Lt. General Soleimani and his companions by the US terrorist forces considering these remarks as the UKs participation in the crime. Diplomatic malpractice? UK is parroting US line & blindly abetting its terrorist adventurism in our region The last time UK was dragged along to infamy by the US was in Iraq war. How did that work out? Take the honorable path for a change: settle court-ordered debt to Iranians Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 13, 2020 For 20 months, the E3-following UK appeasement policy-has bowed to US diktat. That hasn't gotten it anywhere-and it never will. E3 can save JCPOA but not by appeasing the bully & pressuring the complying party Rather it should muster the courage to fulfill its own obligations. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 13, 2020 READ | Iran Foreign Affairs Minister Javad Zarif Responds To Trump's Threat With Protest Pictures On January 7, Zarif took to Twitter and responded to US President Donald Trump's threat by sharing the pictures of protests in Iran over America's threats. This name-calling came after a long stir between the two countries following the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and attacks on Green Zone in Baghdad. Javad Zarif accused the US of inciting war crimes and violating international laws in the tweet. .@realDonaldTrump threatens Iran with violations of intl law even war crimes such as use of force, disproportionate response & bombing cultural sites. Iranian people responded today. Does he still hope to frighten them? Or realize hes turned the U.S. into a #RogueRegime? pic.twitter.com/ZezR0vGiF0 Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 6, 2020 READ | UK Summons Iranian Ambassador To Convey 'strong Objections' Over Envoy's Arrest Iran's statement on UK Earlier on Monday Irans Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the UK officials anti-Iran remarks and the countrys ambassadors suspiciously illegal and unprofessional measure of participating in an internal gathering in Tehran. The statement emphasizes that the UK envoys presence in an internal gathering is Londons clear interference in Irans internal affairs contrary to principles of diplomatic relations which implies the UKs participation in the US' failed policy of maximum pressure on Iran. Referring to the British Foreign Minister's threat against Iran to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic, Zarif emphasized that any possible mistake made by the UK will face Iran's harsh and proportionate reaction and London will be responsible for the consequences. Also referring to the UK's colonial history in the Middle East, the statement adds that it is time for the UK to understand that the era of colonialism has come to end and the country's ambassadors must stop interfering in internal affairs of the countries and stop intensifying tension. The statement also emphasizes that despite having different attitudes and viewpoints Iran never accepts interference of foreign states in its internal affairs and will never forget that the UK government is a supporter of the butchers who slaughtered Yemeni children and Khashoggi. In the end, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called on the UK government to end any form of interference in Iran's internal affairs by its ambassador and warns London of continuation of interfering measures can be responded beyond just summoning the UK's envoy. READ | Iran Denies cover-up After It Confirms Ukranian Aircraft Hit By Missile READ | US Troops Clean Up Damage From Iran Missile Attack (With AP inputs: image: AP) The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it will assume the security costs associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to split their time between Canada and Britain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said. "I think that is part of the reflection that... needs to be had, and there are discussions going on," Trudeau said in an interview with Canadian television channel Global on Monday. "We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, where the dispositions are and those are decisions for them," he said. Harry and Meghan caught the world off guard last week when they announced their intention to step back from frontline royal duties. According to Trudeau, Canadians are "very supportive" of having the royal couple live in Canada, but there are still "lots of discussions to have." "We haven't spent any time thinking about this issue," said Canadian finance minister Bill Morneau, who was interviewed earlier Monday about British press reports that Trudeau had assured Queen Elizabeth II that Canada would cover security costs for Harry and Meghan. "We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role," Morneau said. British press had reported Canada would contribute USD 650,000 (500,000 pounds) per year. Canadian media have estimated that protecting the couple and their baby son Archie would cost about USD 1.3 million per year. Canadian taxpayers have traditionally contributed towards security costs when members of the Royal Family visit the country. Prince Harry and Meghan, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have said their official plan is to continue to "fully support" the queen and honour their duties to the Commonwealth and their patronages. But they want to make 2020 a transition year to carve out their new role and launch their new Sussex Royal charitable entity and seek to raise their own sources of income. On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II allowed her grandson Harry and Meghan to split their time between Canada and Britain. But she frankly admitted that the couple's decision was not welcome (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Analysis banner Business Insider Trump Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images President Donald Trump in a tweet Monday attacked Democrats and the media for scrutinizing his argument that he was justified in ordering the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani because he posed an imminent threat to US citizens. Trump tweeted that the question of whether Soleimani posed an imminent threat "doesn't really matter because of his horrible past." Legal experts say the question of whether Soleimani presented an imminent threat really does matter in deciding whether Trump had the legal grounds to order the assassination of a foreign general in another country. Some experts claim that the by ordering the killing on a flimsy legal basis Trump has set a dangerous precedent, endangering US officials abroad. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump's key argument that Iranian general Qassem Soleimani posed an imminent threat to the US was crumbling Monday, when in a classic Trumpian show of disdain for the rules he declared that it was never really that important anyway. "The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' or not, & was my team in agreement," Trump tweeted. "The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" Trump and key administration officials had for days argued that the president's decision to assassinate Soleimani by drone strike earlier in January were justified because he posed an "imminent threat" to US forces in the Middle East. But when pressed on the details, they were less than convincing. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been unable to specify a timeline for the threatened attacks in a press conference Thursday, shortly after claiming they were imminent. And in an interview with CNN Sunday Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he had seen no intelligence backing Trump's claim that four US embassies had been under threat of imminent attack. Story continues The State Department was also apparently unaware of such threats to US embassies. So why bother making the argument that Soleimani posed an imminent threat, if it never really mattered all along? The answer, legal experts say, is that it puts the Trump administration on stronger legal ground as it faces scrutiny for bypassing Congress to order the killing. Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Saturday Jan. 4, 2020. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi Writing in The Atlantic, Oona Hathaway, a professor of international law at Yale law school, had argued that the only legal route Trump could take to get round the requirement for congressional and UN Security Council approval for the military action would be to show that it was taken in self defense. "In both cases, the exception is narrow," she writes. "The threat must be so extreme and imminent that it would be unreasonable to seek the necessary approvals before taking action to defend the country." Reviewing emerging flaws in the Trump administration's arguments justifying the assassination, she wrote that: "It does not seem there was any imminent threat justifying unilateral action by the president." Gary Solis, a Marine and retired West Point professor of law, told Quartz that under laws passed after the September 11 terror attacks cited by the administration to justify killing Soleimani, the US would have to show he posed an "imminent" threat. He noted that just to show he was planning attacks would not be sufficient as Soleimani was an Iranian general, and planning attacks is just what generals do. Solis noted, however, that what is considered imminent is legally vague, with some international courts saying it could encapsulate a period of several months. mike pompeo Carlo Allegri/Reuters This, perhaps, explains Pompeo's reluctance to provide a specific timeframe while also insisting that the threat from Soleimani was "imminent." Trump seems to have rendered Pompeo's defense irrelevant Monday, but it's unclear what US lawmakers can do in face of Trump's public flouting of US and international law. The Democrat-led House could move to hold Trump accountable for the decision if it is indeed found that no "imminent" danger was posed, but in a Congress deeply divided along partisan lines it's a move that would likely run aground. For Solis, the full consequences of Trump's decision to kill the military leader of a nation with which the US is not at war in possible breach of the law sets a dangerous precedent, and one whose full ramifications have yet to be felt. "How would we feel if Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was killed on a visit to Canada in a Canadian airport?" he told Quartz. Read more: Boris Johnson calls for a 'Trump deal' to replace the Iran nuclear deal, which took 9 years to complete State Department was reportedly unaware of an 'imminent threat' to 4 US embassies, blowing a hole through Trump's claims Read the original article on Business Insider ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- James "Hondo" Geurts and Ramon Colon-Lopez are the 2020 recipients of the highest honors of the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Division of the National Defense Industrial Association, the Arlington, VA-based nonprofit defense industrial group announced Jan. 14. Geurts, who is assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, will receive the R. Lynn Rylander Award. This award is named for a Defense Department civilian and a founder of the SO/LIC Division, who was an advocate and activist for Special Operations Forces. Colon-Lopez, who is senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will receive the DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is named for retired Army Col. Albert DeProspero, who served in Special Forces and is a founding member of the SO/LIC Division, as well as supporter and advocate of the Special Operations community. "The Special Operations Forces community includes extraordinary people, making this decision a challenge every year," said Dana Hudson, SO/LIC Division chair. "Geurts and Colon-Lopez have distinguished themselves among a very special group of people. We thank them for their extraordinary contributions in their service to the warfighter, Special Operations Forces and the greater defense communities." These annual awards recognize each person's distinct contributions of lasting impact in Special Operations, low-intensity conflict and irregular warfare. These honors will be presented at the awards dinner following the 31st annual SO/LIC Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, March 31 and April 1. In his current role, Geurts oversees an annual budget of more than $60 billion and is responsible for equipping and supporting the Navy and Marine Corps. He has more than 30 years of joint acquisition experience and has served in all levels of leadership positions, including acquisition executive, program executive officer and program manager of major defense acquisition programs. Following a distinguished Air Force career, Geurts was the acquisition executive for Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In his current role, Colon-Lopez is the nation's highest ranking noncommissioned officer and the principal military adviser to the chairman on all matters of joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel. He is an Air Force pararescueman with nearly 30 years of service in positions in Europe and the Pacific, as well as Air Combat Command and Joint Special Operations Command. For more information about the 2020 SO/LIC Symposium, please go to https://www.ndia.org/events/2020/3/31/31st-annual-ndia-solic-symposium For more information on the SO/LIC Division, visit NDIA.org/Divisions/SOLIC. SOURCE NDIA Related Links http://www.ndia.org Venice has been struggling, in the (literal) wake of Novembers nearly unprecedented tidal flooding that swamped even some of its most hallowed religious and architectural sites. So for those of us who care about the worlds great cities and the civilizations theyve spawned (in the case of Venice, think of the Renaissance), it seemed like a good time to visit Venezia before perhaps it sinks into the Adriatic. (The streets were dry, in point of fact.) One is prepared for, although still overwhelmed by, the aesthetic beauty of its built environment. But who knew (at least I didnt) that its great art, music, and architecture had been made possible by what was, in the 12th through 14th centuries, a dominant military on which the city at the heart of a maritime trading empire reaching from Asia Minor to Northern Europe spent heavily? It was the combination of military strength (a great navy and innovative gunboats, particularly) that made possible the legacies we view today as the heart of great Western humanist traditions: art (Titian and Tintoretto, among so many); architecture (Palladio, whose style Thomas Jefferson revived and channeled into American landmarks); democracy (Venice was a republic governed by an elected 45-member great council); and tolerance (it incorporated ethnic and religious minorities into its borders and economy). Its a combination military strength and a thriving civilization that is important to keep in mind, particularly as Democratic candidates outdo themselves to cast the military and a healthy domestic quality of life as antagonists. Bernie Sanders, as the hard Left has always done in the post-WWII era, has made clearer than any other candidate that he views the federal budget as a zero-sum game and that more spending on the military inevitably comes at the expense of domestic needs. That theme was clear in a Vox interview in which he referred to major crisis after major crisis in affordable housing, infrastructure. I think we have to get our priorities right, and our priorities should include not spending more than the 10 next nations on earth [on defense]. As president, I would certainly look at a very different military budget. As president, he would, he pledged, not continue supplying billions of dollars of unnecessary money to the military-industrial complex. Story continues But the idea of a tradeoff between domestic prosperity and military spending a trope of the Socialist Left since its Cold War view that the Soviets should actually not be viewed as an enemy ignores lessons of history, as per Venice. For the leading city of Europe at its zenith, one that would give us republican government and Vivaldi, the military was understood not to detract from domestic prosperity, but to make it possible. The city invested heavily in a shipbuilding arsenal (incredibly, its still an Italian naval base today) and may have spent as much as 10 percent of its annual public budget on its military. (The U.S. currently spends 15 percent on defense and international security, with a far larger territory to defend than that of a small city-state.) The Venetians understood that unless the sea lanes of the Mediterranean were safe for commercial vessels, the tradeable goods of the East (Marco Polo was a Venetian) could not be brought west and north at great profit, which financed the churches and palazzos over which Western aesthetes (me included) now drool. Think here how the U.S. Navy keeps open the Strait of Hormuz based on the insight, beyond that of Venice, that free commerce for and among all nations leads to greater wealth generally. For those on the left including but hardly limited to the surging Sanders who view the military as the arm of conquest and control and the enemy of tolerance, Venice also offers a key lesson. The republics elected leaders understood that the safety its military provided also permitted it to offer a haven to minorities. Although its establishment of the worlds first Jewish ghetto (the word itself comes from Venetian dialect) would seem to indicate the opposite, in reality Venice was a refuge for Jews from the Inquisition and a magnet for others from the Levant whose language and financial skills were appreciated and permitted to flourish through participation in the economy. Jews could practice their religion openly and built glorious synagogues (some still active today), with the help of some of the same craftsmen who built the citys churches. (Because Jews were not permitted to join craft guilds!) So, memo to Sanders, Warren, and the rest: An effective, indeed far-reaching U.S. defense does not subtract from the wealth youre so eager to redistribute: Its essential to its existence. And a final note: The prime mover behind the preservation of Venice today is Save Venice an American organization. The wealth of a new, benign power saving a predecessor. More from National Review MidlandsNorth-West MEP Matt Carthy, has confirmed that he will seek the Sinn Fein nomination to contest the upcoming General Election in the Cavan Monaghan constituency. Carthys name will go before a reconvened constituency convention will take place this coming Thursday evening in the Hotel Errigal, Cootehill. Speaking today Matt Carthy said: "Caoimhghin O Caolain has been an outstanding representative for Cavan Monaghan and a pivotal and important leader within Sinn Fein, especially since his election to the Dail in 1997. In the first instance I want to ensure that his legacy of hard work and dedication to the people of this constituency is maintained following his planned retirement from elected office. But, I also believe that further delivery for these counties requires strengthened republican representation in Leinster House and that requires two Sinn Fein TDs to be returned. Previously myself and Pauline Tully were selected as candidates but that convention lapsed when Fianna Fail refused to force an election and we were instead subjected to two more years of government failures. I am hopeful that this Thursday Sinn Fein members will re-affirm their previous decision to allow Pauline & I to contest the General Election to win two seats. I am a proud Monaghan man - I can think of no greater honour than to be elected to the Dail by the people of my home constituency. Monaghan is a great county, but we have been let down by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments. Those parties have failed miserably: they have decimated our hospital and local health services, they have refused to provide the necessary investment in jobs and infrastructure and they have allowed our families to struggle while they play their games in the Dail without adopting the policies necessary to address the crises they have created in our public services and in rural communities. Our families are being ripped off with colossal insurance costs, high rents and mortgages, childcare costs and stealth charges. I believe that there is a better way - that Sinn Fein in government can and will have the courage to put families and communities before insurance companies, bankers and vulture funds. That Cavan Monaghan can receive our fair share of investment in public services, in health services, in job creation so that our young people dont constantly have to leave their home communities in search of employment. I have loved being a member of the European Parliament. I hope my record speaks for itself in terms of representation and delivery both at EU level and within each of the counties in my constituency. I am especially proud of my work in bringing the voice of the Irish people to the heart of the Brexit negotiations. But, these are important times. For the last four years we have had a Fine Gael government, propped up by Fianna Fail, that hasnt worked for the Irish people. The government expended more energy defending their decision to commemorate the RIC than they have in listening to the needs of our communities. I want to be part of that team that delivers a better, fairer, united Ireland. Of course, it will be the voters who will decide whether I can play that role. Over the coming weeks I will be asking the people of Monaghan to allow me to continue the great work of Caoimhghin O Caolain and to build on his legacy. I want to be one of two Sinn Fein TDs, alongside Pauline Tully, representing the great communities of Cavan Monaghan and North Meath, and I will leave no stone unturned in that bid. From my period as a councillor, as a MEP and as a community activist I believe I have proven myself to be a hard worker with the experience, energy and commitment that will allow the voters of Cavan Monaghan to entrust me with the mandate to now represent them in Leinster House. Govt officials raise concerns about some health cost-sharing ministries Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Officials in Washington have ordered Trinity Healthshare, which advertises itself as a Christian health cost-sharing ministry, to permanently stop insuring people in that state and pay a $150,000 fine for failing to meet the legal definition of a healthcare sharing ministry under state law. Many consumers here and in other parts of the country thought they were buying a health insurance plan, only to find out that pre-existing and chronic conditions werent covered," Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a recent statement. "That resulted in many people facing thousands of dollars of debt for medical expenses they believed would be covered. The Christian Post reached out to Trinity Healthshare for comment multiple times for this report but was repeatedly directed to an automated messaging service by representatives. Kreidler ordered Trinity Healthshare and its unlicensed insurance producer Aliera to immediately stop selling health insurance and end deceptive business practices after receiving dozens of complaints from consumers who were denied coverage when filing medical claims, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner said. Aliera and Trinity sold 3,058 policies to Washington consumers and collected $3.8 million in premiums as of June 2019. Trinity HealthShare, known formerly as Aliera Healthcare, describes itself as an administrator for one of the six companies that were accredited as Health Sharing entities under the Affordable Care Act. The other companies are: Liberty Healthshare, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, Altrua Healthshare and Christian Healthcare Ministries. According to Kreidlers office, a legal healthcare sharing ministry is a nonprofit organization whose members have a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses consistent with those beliefs. Federal and state laws require that healthcare sharing ministries be formed before Dec. 31, 1999, and their members to have been actively sharing medical costs. Trinity, however, was formed in June 2018 with no members. More than one million Americans struggling to cope with the rising cost of health insurance have joined healthcare sharing ministries, The New York Times reports, due to premiums far lower than those charged by traditional insurance policies, which must meet strict requirements, like guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, established by the ACA. The driver behind the lower premiums, however, is due to the fact that these organizations are not classified as insurance and are not legally obligated to pay medical claims. They are allowed to decline coverage to people with pre-existing illnesses and can reject treatments for specialties like mental healthcare. Nothing is guaranteed, Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, a physician who is also a financial planner in Jacksonville, Florida, told The New York Times. You have to depend on the largess of the program. The main requirement for membership is adherence to a Christian lifestyle, which comes with various requirements to prove adherence. Samaritans Ministries, based in Peoria, Illinois, requires a priest or pastor to cosign a new applicants paperwork, vouching the applicant regularly attends church, PBS reported. That form must be re-submitted annually. Christian Care Ministry, based in Melbourne, Florida, and Liberty HealthShare, headquartered in Canton, Ohio, also ask potential members to sign a statement of faith that commits the applicant to adhere to a Christian lifestyle and avoid food, behaviors or habits that produce sickness or disease. Members of Altrua HealthShare, based in Austin, Texas, are also required to abide by the biblical definition of marriage and flee fornication. In a statement to CP, Medi-Share argued that healthcare sharing ministries were never designed to act as insurance. As with any industry, there will be an occasional bad actor that reflects negatively on the whole. HCSMs were started by Christians whose motivation was to create a community of faith modeled on the early church described in Acts 2," the ministry said. "HCSMs arent designed to imitate health insurance companies; theyre designed to imitate the early church. Our community is strong and vibrant, offering an affordable option for the more than 400k Americans enrolled in Medi-Share. Since 1993, Medi-Share members have shared every eligible medical bill submitted, totaling more than $3B," the ministry continued. "While a Healthcare Sharing Ministry may not be the best fit for every individual and family, for those participating, Medi-Share is a vital, affordable and reasonable alternative with common sense limitations on pre-existing conditions and prescriptions, and considerable savings that can be used not only to pay for preventive care, but to support other endeavors that are important to them, like giving back to their community. Still, officials in other states are also ringing the alarm on Christian health cost-sharing ministries. Nevada insurance regulators warned consumers in December to beware of these plans. Open Enrollment is coming to an end on Sunday, and some consumers may find themselves pressured to enroll in health insurance before the deadline, making it easy to fall for misleading marketing practices from entities mimicking health insurance, such as plans offered by health care sharing programs or ministries, Nevada officials warned in a Dec. 13 statement. Consumers should be careful of purchasing plans from HCSMs; they may seem enticing because they may be cheap, look and sound like they are in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when in reality these plans are not even insurance products. The Texas attorney general also brought a lawsuit last summer against Aliera Healthcare, which marketed Trinitys ministry program, to stop it from offering unregulated insurance products to the public. It is going to be a rough and brutal 2020 for India as its government pushes on with its ideological agenda, and the citizens do whatever they can to protect themselves, notes Aakar Patel. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com The Citizenship Amendment Act has been notified and has become effective. The protests against it around the country have made no difference to the strong posture of the government in favour of it. The fact that it may be seen as a law that internationally indefensible and that India's foreign minister ran away from a meeting with a US Congresswoman who would grill him on it also has made no difference to the government. Yes, the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court, but unfortunately the experience of the Emergency, the Ayodhya judgment and the Kashmir issue shows us that it is easy for our judges to be aligned with the government. In the matter of Jawaharlal Nehru University, what the nation saw was visuals of an assault on young women, particularly the leader of the students association. Justice was being demanded for them. What has happened instead is that the police has named her as the culprit while more or less giving a clean chit to the assailants. The police is theoretically independent of the administration, but this is not true even in theory any longer. The police will do what the government tells them to do and since Delhi police is controlled not by the local government of Arvind Kejriwal, but the Union government of Modi, it is Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah who has approved this reversal of justice. When Jammu and Kashmir was dismembered and there was (as there remains) an even greater presence of India's security forces on the city streets, I had asked a local journalist what the strategy from Delhi was. He said that there did not appear to be anything new, but the instruction for the administration from National Security Advisory Doval was to 'be strict, be very strict' with locals. This is indeed what has come to be. The state's leadership is in jail without charge or without a crime, the citizens are pretty much in jail to, with restricted movement, no right to peaceful assembly, no access to communications and, as has been the case for many decades in that state, armed forces outside their door constantly. All this has not been accompanied by any words or actions that provide reassurance that the future will look any different for Kashmiris. What we can understand from the above is that there is a pattern to the way in which the issues of greatest concern to Indians and the world watching India are being managed by Narendra Damodardas Modi and Amit Anilchandra Shah. And that pattern is that they will not back down from pushing ahead with their ideology. If we notice what has been said by Modi and Shah on the issue of citizenship it is quite revealing. When it became clear that the protests were not going to away, Modi tried to put a pause on them by saying that a nation-wide NRC had not been discussed. He chose not to say that it would not happen. This did not bring comfort to those who were worried of a nation-wide action similar to that of Assam. However, the prime minister is not going to let it go because it is coming from an ideological belief and not any sense of political strategy or specific policy. He appears willing to absorb some damage in India's international reputation (I am quite sure that Foreign Minister Jaishankar would not have run away from that meeting without the prime minister's specific approval) in order to further the ideology. This puts us in dangerous territory for the rest of the year. From the first of April, the Modi government will send officials to all homes seeking details under the National Population Register, the first step of the National Register of Citizens. When the threat of being robbed of their citizenship and freedom comes to the doors of millions of already persecuted individuals, the reaction will be even stronger than the one we are currently seeing on the streets. And as their trauma becomes clear and is made visible, which it will, the world will not stand aside. It is possible and perhaps likely that Donald J Trump will not win re-election and it will be a Democrat who will win America's presidency later this year. If you look at the list of their candidates, it is hard to find even one who will be friendly to Modi or an India that is brutalising its own minorities. What happens then? At the moment the government thinks it has control of what is going on. In UP, the police have murdered over a dozen Muslim protestors while the Supreme Court is concerned about damage to public property; From JNU to Kashmir and elsewhere, Modi is insisting on the rights of his government over the rights of Indian citizens. And he is doing so out of a sense of anger and vengeance which is not only not in keeping with leadership, particularly of a large democracy, but also dangerous. The good thing is that he has absolutely no opposition inside his government to be concerned about. All 300 plus Lok Sabha MPs line up and applaud anything he says and does. The Supreme Court, as we have seen, need not be worried about. It is going to be a rough and brutal 2020 for India as its government pushes on with its ideological agenda, and the citizens do whatever they can to protect themselves. Aakar Patel is a writer and columnist. You can read Aakar's columns here. (Natural News) Like the other tech giants, Google has a very bad attitude towards conservative voices and, as studies have shown, uses its massive market domination as a search engine and media company to silence anyone with whom its Left-wing managers disagree. Now, the tech behemoth will have additional leverage over conservatives and other Americans with whom the company disagrees politically, socially, even culturally: Complete control over medical privacy (or lack thereof). Google now has the ability to view or analyze tens of millions of patient health records in at least three-quarters of U.S. states, and wont say what theyre doing with the data except that they want to be helpful, tweeted conservative writer Rachel Bovard, including a story from The Wall Street Journal providing the details. The story notes that about a year ago, Googles former top executive Eric Schmidt pitched the companys cloud storage technology to health data company Cerner Corp. The deal included about $250 million in discounts and incentives, according to people who are familiar with the deal. But: Google had a bigger goal in pushing for the deal than dollars and cents: a way to expand its effort to collect, analyze and aggregate health data on millions of Americans. Google representatives were vague in answering questions about how Cerners data would be used, making the health-care companys executives wary, the people say. Eventually, Cerner struck a storage deal with Amazon.com Inc. instead. Some people were incredulous and actually accused the WSJ of getting its reporting wrong. But Bovard set them straight. Get more news like this without being censored: Get the Natural News app for your mobile devices. Enjoy uncensored news, lab test results, videos, podcasts and more. Bypass all the unfair censorship by Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Get your daily news and videos directly from the source! Download here. Lets be clear that this is not confused reporting. Google is not merely storing the data. Per their own admission, they are storing, collecting, and analyzing non-anonymized, personal health data. We are way, way beyond cloud service agreements, people, Bovard said in a separate tweet. Lets be clear that this is not confused reporting. Google is not merely storing the data. Per their own admission, they are storing, collecting, and analyzing non-anonymized, personal health data. We are way, way beyond cloud service agreements, people. https://t.co/RJ4aVlRxz1 Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) January 13, 2020 We dont do anything with Google The failed effort with Cerner did not quell Googles enthusiasm for health data. Since then, the WSJ reported, Google has managed to land contracts with some of the countrys biggest hospital systems and most-renowned healthcare providers. Within the course of a couple years, Google has managed to gain the ability to view and analyze tens of millions of healthcare records in three-quarters of U.S. states (now you know why we have always opposed electronic medical records, for just this reason, among others hackers come to mind). And of course, the tech giant isnt finished nor will it be until it can access the medical records of every single American. So they can be analyzed. Now, what would Google want with so much health information? There are all kinds of possibilities and none of them good, as the WSJ notes. (Related: Doctors are FLEEING medical practice and changing careers in record numbers as health care system implodes.) The prospect of tech giants amassing huge troves of health records has raised concerns among lawmakers, patients and doctors, who fear such intimate data could be used without individuals knowledge or permission, or in ways they might not anticipate, the paper reported. Exactly. And what about the Fourth Amendment? Where is our right to be secure in our homes, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches? Or does the Fourth Amendments protections only apply to government? No, according to Cornell Law School; the Constitutions privacy provisions also form the basis for privacy law. Butno. According to the WSJ, laws passed by Congress during the dial-up age of the Internet make it legal for Google to use information it gathers from health companies for purposes beyond diagnosing illnesses, the companys stated objective. Fortunately, not all health companies are in on this. We are not actively doing anything today with Google, Kaiser Permanente Vice President Elizabeth McGlynn told the paper. We have to be very clear about who shares our values about protecting patient privacy. Not every tech company can satisfy that standard. Sources include: WSJ.com NewsTarget.com Law.Cornell.edu Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the ex-servicemen and personnel of the Armed Forces crediting them for maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. Speaking at an event here on the fourth Armed Forces Veterans' Day, the Defence Minister said, "If India is safe today, if not only the borders but also the unity of the country is intact, the credit goes to brave people like you, the jawans of the Armed Forces." He stressed that the country understands - once a soldier, always a soldier. Singh said that he was pleased in his role as the Defence Minister. He also pointed out that while discussions regarding the creation of Chief of Defence Staff had been going on for the past 20-21 years, it is the NDA government that cleared it. "Discussions had been going on since 20-21 years that there should be a Chief of Defence Staff. But as soon as I became the Defence Minister, I discussed this with the PM. He didn't wait for even a moment and said OK to it," he said. The Defence Minister further mentioned that it was a veteran who had suggested him to take the step regarding the creation of CDS. The Defence Minister highlighted that the welfare of veterans was a priority for the Central government. (ANI) Delta Airlines will contribute USD 250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate disaster response and humanitarian relief to those affected by devastating bushfires raging across Australia for months. "The record-breaking bushfires have been devastating for many Australians, and Delta has partnered with the American Red Cross and the Australian Red Cross to target resources to help provide immediate assistance to those areas hardest hit," said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement. Delta customers can support the disaster relief efforts in Australia by donating through a Delta-branded microsite in partnership with the American Red Cross, who is working with the Australian Red Cross. Customers also can donate miles to the American Red Cross through SkyWish, the charitable arm of Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program. It allows Delta and its SkyMiles members to donate miles to charitable organisations worldwide. Delta also has a seat on the Corporate Advisory Council of the American Red Cross and supports Red Cross agencies in Brazil, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and the UK The devastating Australian bushfires raging parts of Australia for months have claimed the lives of over 25 people and destroyed over 2000 homes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The House of Representatives will vote Wednesday to send a pair of articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, setting the stage for just the third trial against a U.S. president in history, several people told The Associated Press. Speaker Nancy Pelosi met privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade almost a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This is why President Trump was impeached for obstruction of Congress, and why a Senate trial with no witnesses or documents is a cover-up. #EndTheCoverUp #DefendOurDemocracy pic.twitter.com/w9Gl5VmjBu Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 14, 2020 Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case, according to one Democratic aide unauthorized to discuss the closed-door meeting. The action will launch the rare Senate proceeding, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year. The trial would begin in a matter of days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is meeting behind closed doors later Tuesday with GOP senators as they negotiate the terms of the trial. Senate Republicans are signaling they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump as he has suggested. They are considering whether to allow a vote on such a motion to dismiss and another to subpoena testimony from new witnesses. I think our members, generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss. They think both sides need to be heard, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who is part of the GOP leadership, said Monday. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe. With the impeachment trial starting in a matter of days, senators are still debating the rules of the proceedings. GOP senators are conferring privately about whether to allow a motion to dismiss the charges against the president or to call additional witnesses for testimony. Trump suggested over the weekend he might prefer simply dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to charges from the House, which he considers a hoax. Thank you to Rick Scott. This Impeachment Hoax is an outrage! https://t.co/HYfBmtYMqF Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2020 It was an extraordinary suggestion, but one being proposed by Trump allies with support from some GOP senators, including McConnell. But it is clear McConnell does not have the votes needed from his GOP majority to do that. Key Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, said they, too, would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges. Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Romney and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses. My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called, Collins said. Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run led by Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Ive said Id like to hear from John Bolton, Romney told reporters Monday. I expect that barring some kind of surprise, Ill be voting in favor of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments. Democrats have been pushing Republicans, who have the majority in the Senate, to consider new testimony, arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosis monthlong delay in transmitting the charges. McConnell drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead. Approving it will be among the first votes senators take after they are sworn as jurors by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the Court of Impeachment. Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial. He prefers to model Trumps trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clintons trial in 1999. Senators says if witnesses are allowed, some Republicans may also try to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president. Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been pursing theories about the Bidens, but other Republicans are cool to embrace his work. The claims against the Bidens are unfounded. It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump. Most Republicans appear willing to go along with McConnells plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later, rather than upfront, as Democrats want. Collins is pushing to have at least the promise of witness votes included in the organizing resolution. She and the others appear to be gathering support. Ive been working to make sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, and yes, that would include witnesses, Murkowski told reporters. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters the House vote might come Wednesday. Could be, he said. Thirty-one years ago when the Ed Tuttledesigned Phuket resort Amanpuri opened, it was with supreme reverence for nature and environment. Because that ethos is still driving the brands every movenow spanning 32 resorts in 21 countriesits recent collaborations with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma seem a completely natural fit. He is the one who said, after all, that architecture is a frame for nature. This month, the property unveils its highly curated new shopping concept, the Kuma-designed Retail Pavilion. Something that is very strong about our practice is that we tend to really honor direct links with the outside, says the star architect behind Tokyos new timber Olympic stadium. Adds Kengo Kuma & Associates studio director Balazs Bognar, The site at Amanpuri especially lays bare so many beautiful elements: water, land, air, light, and manifested in such a highly memorable impact. Our site is lushly vegetated, and our teams approach was to put the place first. Architecture is secondary, and acts as a frame or connection between people and our surroundings. Photo: Courtesy of Aman Resorts Approaching the pavilions floor-to-ceiling glass front, bamboos and coconut palms echo its verticals, "abstracted to a bar code in a lot of ways, according to Kuma, who points out its not high-tech or flashy but required plenty of engineering and structural work to appear so simple. The design and build took just more than 12 months. There was a big hint about wanting to have some complementary language with the existing roofs, says Kuma of the steeply pitched Thai-inspired structures with a leitmotif of repeated rhythms that informed his airy timber-accoutered structure, topped with large textured aluminum tiles. Repeated floating gables create a telescoped vision sans columns that has a more transparent rendition than traditional systems. I think probably the proudest point is that it fits, says Kuma. The roofs feel like they are settled in: They are connecting with the villas on the top of the hill. Story continues It is, says Bognar, a subtle choreography, but one that hopefully places emphasis on Amans carefully selected goods on display. Some of those are Lotus Arts de Vivres mythology-inflected jewelry, Alexander Lamonts parchment boxes, and limited edition pieces by Kuma, subtly arranged within different retail spaces around a central lounge where guests may sip tea. Kumas contribution is a run of 10 engraved and signed specially crafted tables, a collaboration with Germanys Eins zu Eins. This is a meditation on the capacity of wood, the hand of human technique in an age-old material, says Bognar. The composition is almost like a wood cloud or architectural latticean art piece for discerning dining rooms. Photo: Courtesy of Aman Resorts See the video. Connection to nature is a fundamentally human experience, and this is strongly evident in both the approach of Aman, and in the philosophy of our architecture, Bognar continues. We have the great pleasure of collaborating with Aman on a series of projects in parallel, of different scale and in several locations around the world. One of those, already released, is Aman Skincare packaging, curving glass bottles featuring a water transfer print that gives the appearance of carved wood. I think theres a bit of mystery when you pick it up; theres a nice weight to it, says Kuma of the elegant Japanese-inspired vessels. Sometimes architecture is too big, and smaller projects allow you to show the essence of a design philosophy very easily. aman.com Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest The UK, France and Germany have begun proceedings against Iran over breaches of its nuclear deal. But what is the row about and will the deal survive? What is the deal? The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action dates back to 2015, a time when Western governments believed Tehran was dangerously close to making a nuclear weapon. Along with Iran, signatories to the deal included three European countries the E3 of the UK, France and Germany Russia, China and the US. The agreement eased international sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear programme to ensure it was for civilian purposes, and rigorous inspections. Did it work? Iran has not developed a nuclear weapon, the scenario the international community was eager to avoid. But the agreement ran into trouble after Donald Trump withdrew in 2018, claiming predecessor Barack Obamas disastrous deal allowed Tehran access to too much cash and did nothing to stop its malign behaviour in the Middle East. The reimposition of US sanctions as part of Mr Trumps maximum pressure strategy has eroded the benefits of the deal to Irans economy, and in response Tehran has carried out a phased process of stepping back from its commitments. "Since last May, Iran has step by step reduced its compliance with critical elements of the JCPoA, leaving it a shell of an agreement." FS @DominicRaab pic.twitter.com/ZhAA6897kc Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) January 14, 2020 What happens now? While the deal is not yet dead, it has effectively been placed on life support after the E3 started the dispute resolution mechanism. This was triggered by Iran declaring on January 5 that it was discarding the last component of the limitations imposed by the deal and no longer faced any operational restrictions on its nuclear programme. Under the dispute resolution mechanism, Tehran will be given 15 days to respond, a term which can be rolled over indefinitely so the move is aimed at buying time to reach a diplomatic solution. In light of the Iranian non compliance with the nuclear agreement, Germany, France and Great Britain have triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism within the framework of the #JCPoA. joint statement of the three Foreign Ministers: https://t.co/SRmAXQ0RaF GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 14, 2020 Will the deal survive? The UK and its allies felt they had to act to prevent the deal being so badly hollowed out that it no longer fulfilled its purpose of preventing Tehran acquiring weapons-grade nuclear material. But there is little optimism in Whitehall that merely triggering the dispute process will result in an immediate change in behaviour from Tehran. Ultimately the process could result in a return to the UN Security Council and the reimposition of sanctions, although that is not what the UK wants. What are the alternatives? Right now, the JCPOA is the only deal on the table and the UK and its allies have publicly confirmed their commitment to it. But Boris Johnson has also urged Mr Trump to come up with an alternative proposal he would be willing to support, noting that one of the US presidents main objections to the deal is that it was negotiated by the predecessor he loathes. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead, Mr Johnson said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Holly Payne (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 14:10 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c322191ee 4 Health HIV,HIV-in-Indonesia,HIV-AIDS,HIV-infection,health,sex,Indonesia,children Free With 73,000 new HIV infections per year, Indonesia currently has the fourth-highest infection rate in the world, and this is probably just the tip of the iceberg. United Nations AIDS statistics indicate that only 11.37 percent of Indonesians aged 15 to 24 can correctly identify how to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. Clearly, there is a problem but the solution, however, remains murky. Sex and HIV are difficult topics to raise in a nation with no formal provisions for sex education as well as growing societal conservatism. A Jakarta-based academic from the University of Indonesias Psychology Faculty, Shahnaz Safitri, said this situation led curious children and teenagers to turn to pornography. Students as early as elementary school in rural areas today have quite easy access to pornography, she said. Because so many young Indonesians are not provided with baseline information about sex and sexual health, they also have ongoing misconceptions about HIV transmission. Annual reminder: Students hold up HIV/AIDS awareness posters in commemoration of World AIDS Day on Jl. Besar Ijen in Malang, East Java, on Dec. 1, 2019. (JP/Aman Rochman) Despite the fact that HIV is only transmitted through needle sharing or specific sexual acts, there is still widespread fear among Indonesians of contracting the virus through hugging, swimming with or sharing cutlery with an HIV-positive person. (UNAIDS/-) These attitudes and misconceptions exist not just in regular society, but even within the medical community, according to Asian studies scholar and anthropologist Sharyn Graham Davies, who also has quite literally written the book about sexuality in Indonesia. Davies describes situations where pregnant, HIV positive women have been denied hospital treatment. The doctors and the nurses refused to allow the [infected] women into the hospital, Davies said, adding that doctors and nurses often used excuses such as not wanting to be infected or not having the proper facilities to reject HIV patients. Training doctors in HIV management is often not enough to reduce the social stigma associated with the virus, according to Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI) monitoring and education officer Halimah Irna P. Even if the health practitioner is trained and is taught how to handle transwomen and people living with HIV, the people living with HIV themselves do not want to visit the health center because the neighborhood already stigmatizes people who go there, Halimah said. Experts on the topic agree that in order to overcome misunderstanding, better education is needed at each level of society. Effective sex education programs must involve family and community members, according to Ni Luh Putu Maitra Agastya, a senior researcher at the Center for Child Protection and Wellbeing (Puskapa). Sexual health intervention has to start with the family, with the parents, Agastya said. It is actually better to provide [children] with that information, instead of letting them find the information themselves. Part of enabling a community-based approach involves adopting current rhetoric and using it to show why sex and HIV education is morally good, according to Davies. Indonesia positions women as these really good, dutiful mothers. Could we position it in that in order for Indonesian mothers to be really good, they need to be able to have discussions with their children about sexuality, they need to be able to go to the doctor and ask for an STI test? Changes to the way sex and HIV are discussed and treated by society seem inevitable, and change is happening, albeit slowly. Suksma Ratri, an activist living with HIV, has borne witness to some of these. In the past 13 years that Ive been working on this issue, things are getting better, said Ratri. A lot of people, back when I was first diagnosed, they wouldnt be open about their status, but nowadays people have more courage to be open. Holly Payne traveled to Indonesia with the support of the Australian governments New Colombo Plan Mobility Program. Oman's first political transition in half a century has been marked by visits from world leaders and tributes to Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who died on Friday. Why it matters: Qaboos' cousin and successor, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, has said he'll maintain the foreign policy neutrality that's made Oman a key mediator, including between the U.S. and Iran. Qaboos, the Middle East's longest-serving ruler, named Haitham as his successor in a letter opened after his death. The choice signaled that Qaboos' priority was economic development and diversification, Neil Quilliam of Chatham House told Al Jazeera. Qaboos, a charismatic absolute ruler, was viewed as a father figure by many in Oman. His blessing for Haitham should allow for a stable transition. Flashback: "At the age of 29, with British support, [Qaboos] overthrew his father, Said bin Taimur, a reclusive and ultra-conservative ruler who banned a range of things, including listening to the radio or wearing sunglasses, and decided who could get married, be educated or leave the country," per the BBC. 2019 was a bad year for the environment with a series of incidents, including water contamination, forest fires and factory fires. Light bulb factory, mercury disseminated The warehouse containing millions of bulbs of the Hanoi-based Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC was burnt in the fire in August 2019. Head of the company admitted that a big amount of mercury leaked into the environment. The warehouse containing millions of bulbs was burnt in the fire in August 2019 The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) and other agencies took investigation over the incident and came to the conclusion that the volume of mercury disseminated into the environment could be up to 27.2 kilograms, and the mercury concentration exceeded the safety line by 10-30 times. Many families in the area had to evacuate until MONRE announced that the local environment became safe again. 2019 was a bad year for the environment with a series of incidents, including water contamination, forest fires and factory fires. The fear of mercury poisoning later settled down and the memory about the disaster finally dissipated like a cloud. The incident led to a strong determination to relocate the factory to another place. In fact, the relocation plan was initiated a long time ago but no move had been taken. Waste oil discharge affects lives of millions of people In early October 2019, the tap water had a strange smell of burnt plastic. Three barrels of waste oil were illegally discharged in Phu Minh commune (Ky Son district of Hoa Binh province). Under the rain, the oil went into the reservoir containing input water of the Song Da Water Supply Plant, which supplies water to Hanoi. On October 15, Hanoians were told not to use the contaminated water from Song Da because of high styrene concentration. The incident affected the lives of Hanoians. In the water crisis, the municipal authorities had to bring water in water tanker trucks to populous residential quarters. The Hoa Binh provincial police found three individuals who dumped waste engine oil into the Da River. One month later, Nguyen Van Ton, director of the Song Da Water Supply Company, was dismissed. Air pollution reaches alarming level Hanoi and HCM City topped the list of the localities with the worst air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) sometimes reached the dangerous level. MONRE and the Ministry of Health recommended that people restrict outdoor activities and wear protective masks when going out. Foreign fire in central region In June 2019, 45 forest fire cases were reported in the central region which burnt down 293 hectares of forests. According to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, 156 forest fire cases occurred in the first six months of the year. Trong Dat Rang Dong gives over $100,000 to rebuild houses destroyed in fire The Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC has agreed to pay more than VND2.4 billion (US$102,100) in compensation to nine families whose homes were damaged during a fire at the companys warehouse last August, an official said on Monday. After the statement by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the amended Citizenship Act, BJP leader and MP Meenakshi Lekhi has taken on the Microsoft CEO branding him a perfect example of 'how a literate needs to be educated', accusing him of getting his opinion wrong. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 READ | Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Voices Concern Over CAA Nadella while speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in Manhattan had expressed his dismay over the CAA stating 'what is happening is sad' adding that he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant become next CEO of Infosys. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," said Nadella, as per US media. Soon after that, Microsoft India issued an elaborate statement of Nadella in an attempt to clarify his stand Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 READ | 'My Hope Is For An India Where...': Nadella Issues Statement On CAA Amid Controversy "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," Nadella wrote. Nadella's statement sparks off a massive debate on social media The Microsoft CEO's statement has sparked off a massive debate over social media with a large section of people contending that he had misunderstood the provisions of the CAA. On one hand, historian Ramchandra Guha lauded Nadella for speaking his mind. He called upon leading IT giants in India to follow suit. The Microsoft CEO, however, came in for some intense scrutiny from journalist Kanchan Gupta and lawyer Kartikeya Tanna. The former clarified that the Act was meant only to expedite the citizenship procedure for persecuted minorities. Meanwhile, Tanna reminded Nadella of the Lautenberg Amendment, a law in the US that gave preference to religious minorities in the Soviet Union and Iran. READ | Satya Nadella Expresses Dismay Over CAA; Sparks Off Heated Debate On Social Media The process of implementing the amended Citizenship Act has started with Uttar Pradesh becoming the first state to start the implementation process after the center issued a gazette notification announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. READ | Huge Achievement: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Tops Businessperson Of The Year 2019 List New York, NY, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on January 13 between The Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS), a global technical community within the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and Gangwon Technopark (GWTP), a government agency within South Koreas Gangwon Province, inviting CHS to provide expert safety reviews of hydrogen fueling stations (HFS) and production facilities in South Korea. The MoU was signed by Nick Barilo, Director of the CHS, and Seong In (Steven) Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer of GWTP, at AIChEs global headquarters in New York City, and represents the latest partnership in CHSs global mission to support the safe and timely rollout of critical hydrogen infrastructure. The CHS welcomes the opportunity to support this important and timely activity and looks forward to an impactful collaboration, said Barilo. Barilo commended GWTP, responsible for the oversight of the provinces industries and technology deployment, and the people of Gangwon Province for their dedication to ensuring safety in South Koreas energy transition. He noted the significance of the investments of the South Korean government toward hydrogen fuel technologies, a critical need recently highlighted by the Hydrogen Council, a global CEO-led initiative of 60 leading energy, transport and industry companies fostering the hydrogen economy, and a strategic partner of CHS. South Korea has committed to build 310 HFS and deploy over 65,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2022. The Gangwon province alone plans to construct six hydrogen fueling stations and two hydrogen gas production facilities in 2020. It is only through these collaborative international efforts that we will enable stakeholder and public confidence and accelerate the adoption of this transformative technology, said Barilo. The CHS supports the safe advancement of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier to its global corporate partners by facilitating access to hydrogen safety experts; developing comprehensive safety guidance, outreach and education materials; and providing a forum to partner on world-wide technical solutions. In addition, CHS provides significant expertise in hydrogen safety through its Hydrogen Safety Panel resource, which has reviewed more than 350 projects with the goal of helping hydrogen industries attain a record of excellence in safety. CHS is one of several technology communities operated by AIChE that proactively shares technical and safety information and resources with diverse users. AIChE and CHS also facilitate education and consistent application of technical and safety standards through courses, conferences, publications, and online tools. To learn more about the Center for Hydrogen Safety, including membership opportunities, contact nickb@aiche.org. # # # About AIChE AIChE is a professional society of 60,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org. About Center for Hydrogen Safety Founded in 2018, the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) is a not-for-profit, non-biased, corporate membership organization that promotes the safe operation, handling, and use of hydrogen and hydrogen systems across all installations and applications. A global technical community within the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the CHS builds upon the technical expertise embodied by AIChE, its Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), and partnering organizations to identify and address concerns regarding the safe use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier, in commercial and industrial applications, and in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Visit www.aiche.org/CHS. About Gangwon Technopark The GWTP is a government agency of South Korea that is in charge of development of technologies and industries in Gangwon province in Korea. About the Hydrogen Council Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2017, the Hydrogen Council is a first-of-its-kind global CEO initiative to foster the role of hydrogen technologies in the global energy transition. The coalition of 60 members from across industry sectors and key markets collectively represents total revenues of over 2.6 trillion and close to 4.2 million jobs around the world. The Hydrogen Council helps to facilitate collaboration between key stakeholders, hosts events geared toward international advocacy, and educates the public about the power of hydrogen. To date, the Council has published three studies exploring the role of hydrogen in the energy transition and detailing a comprehensive vision of the long-term potential of hydrogen and a roadmap for deployment. To find out more, visit www.hydrogencouncil.com and follow us on Twitter @HydrogenCouncil. # # # Attachment (TNS) One Lockport City School District school board trustee is calling on the state to refund Lockport's Smart Schools funds, arguing that the state's reversal on the district's facial and object recognition software has left Lockport with a system it cannot use as it intended.In an interview with the, Kyle Lambalzer said he feels the New York State Education Department did not properly vet the district's Smart Schools Bond Act project when it initially approved the project before saying students couldn't be included in the system."What frustrates me most as a parent is, the state of New York says yes two years ago, and now it appears if they more or less say no. That's a very frustrating thing. I've always thought personally that this money could have been better spent any other number of ways," Lambalzer said. "And now, it looks as if we're not going to get even what we spent all this money ... It seems like the state is telling us that we can detect guns and sex offenders and little else."Lambalzer said if the state was concerned about the technology it should have said no when it was asked to deny or approve the SSBA project."I don't feel personally that they looked into the technology. It was supposedly cutting-edge two years ago. Who approved this? Did they understand it? And did they understand the firestorm that would come? I think Lockport would have been better off two years ago with a no from the state, rather than two years later getting a no. If we had gotten a no two years ago, we could have diverted this money somewhere else," Lambalzer said.Lambalzer, who was not a board member during the time the system was proposed, observed that other school districts are taking advantage of the technology they got from the SSBA."Williamsville, Clarence, Sweet Home they've all spent the money differently. They are all reaping the benefits of that money and my kids are not. And let me tell you, our taxes are too high not to take advantage of money like this. And it languishes in a system that's going to be put to use so differently than was advertised two years ago. And I can't tell you how frustrating that it is," Lambalzer said.Last year, Assembly Member Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, introduced a bill that would impose a moratorium on facial recognition in schools until 2022 for the state education department to further study the issue. It passed the state assembly, but the companion bill was not voted on in the senate.Lambalzer said he "fully" believes the bill will become law this year."Then we're frozen out," he added.Lambalzer would like Lockport to get a "do-over" to go toward technology that the state education department approves completely of."I don't think the students of the Lockport district should be made to pay a price because a state bureaucrat can't get the job done," Lambalzer added.Lockport's Smart School Bond Act project, which includes the controversial facial and object recognition software, was approved by the state in November 2017. But, when Lockport announced it was going to start testing the software, the state education department told Lockport it had concerns over the ability to place students in the database. This resulted in the Lockport school board changing the policy to say students will never be put in the database.The district spent $1.4 million of the $4.2 million allocated to it through the New Yorks Smart Schools Bond Act to acquire and install one the systems, one of the first of its kind in an American school. The system relies on the Aegis software suite created by Canadian-based SN Technologies.The facial recognition software works by using a database of flagged individuals and sending an alert to district personnel when a flagged person is detected on school property. The object recognition feature would reportedly detect 10 types of guns and alert certain district personnel, as well as law enforcement, if a weapon is detected. File image Delhis Tis Hazari Court on January 14 slammed the Delhi Police saying, You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan. The court was hearing a bail application filed by Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad. Judge Kamini Lau further told the public prosecutor, Even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India. According to Live Law, when the prosecutor mentioned social media posts by Azad about the protest, Judge Lau asked: "Where is the violence? What is wrong with any of these posts? Who says you cannot protest. Have you read the constitution?" Referring to the posts, Judge Lau said, "None of these are unconstitutional". The Judge adjourned the matter till 2.00 pm on January 15 and directed the police to produce all relevant materials to justify extended Azads custody. Azad had moved the court seeking bail in connection with violence during a protest the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in New Delhis Daryaganj area, claiming that police invoked "boilerplate" charges against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. The Bhim Army chief, currently in judicial custody, claimed he has been falsely implicated as the allegations levelled against him in the FIR were not only "ill founded", also "improbable". The bail plea, filed through Advocate Mehmood Pracha, alleged that no specific incriminating role has been attributed to Azad in the FIR, whose contents were "vague" and based on "conjectures and surmises". Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on December 20. The other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on January 9. Azad's plea further said he was willing to fully cooperate with the investigation in the case and would not tamper with any evidence or influence any witnesses. The court had earlier pulled up Tihar jail authorities for acting in a "callous manner" by flouting laws that safeguard a prisoner's right and asked them to ensure that Azad was treated for polycythemia, a disorder of blood thickness, and taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. It had said that despite knowing Azad's condition, he was given ordinary medical care and not the treatment needed to address his ailment. (This story will be updated when more details are available) (With inputs from PTI) On 3 December 2019, the hardline wing of the regime announced the arrest of Ali Asghar Payvandi, the head of the Red Crescent Society of Iran. The detention was carried out by the intelligence directorate of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) while he was on his way to Geneva. The arrests by the IRGC indicated that there was a factional battle between the factions in the regime especially when it became clear that Ali Asghar is the cousin of the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. In the context of a power struggle in Irans upper echelons, Payvandi is not the first official close to Hassan Rouhani who is detained by the IRGC. Earlier, Hussein Fereydoun, the brother of Rouhani, was also arrested and sentenced to five years in prison and a fee of 31 billion tomans for corruption and bribery. Prior to his arrest on 3 December, Payvandi resigned and was planning to leave the country. A few days before his resignation from the Red Crescent Society, Payvandi had also resigned from the presidency of the Tehran Medical System. He previously served as the head of Tehrans Beheshti University and the Tehran Medicals Organization. History of the affair The corruption spree in the Red Crescent was leaked as was the pretext for a feud between the factions of the regime, while Mahmoud MohammadiNasab was ousted by Ali Asghar, the secretary-general of the Red Crescent Society on 9 December 2018. Then some senior Red Crescent executives resigned. The public relations department of the Red Crescent announced that organizational upgrading was the reason for the dismissals and new appointments. But soon the reality of the corruption was revealed. Mahmoud Mohammadi-Nasib, the fired secretary-general of the Red Crescent Society, exposed everything after his dismissal. They included: A failure to approve the annual Red Crescent balance for the first time in the Red Crescents history. Granting the power of attorney for the transfer of the Iranian hospital in Dubai at a cost of several billion tomans by Payvandi. A price difference of around 8.5 million on the purchase price of the Holofiber product line. The presence of a person outside the Red Crescent who is involved in various projects, including the purchase of the Holofiber product line, the purchase of vaccine, participation in the Azgol construction project, etc. Paying over 90,000 to a consultant to register a company in Europe by the Red Crescent. Corruption of the CEO of one of the Red Crescents organizations with a member of its board of directors and the head of one of its subsidiaries and a former partner who, after entering the Red Crescent, decided to register their shares under the name of their relatives. Unofficial visit by a senior Red Crescent official to the UAE and change of head of Dubai Iranian hospital 15 days later are the corruption cases by the Red Crescent. It was also announced that in the 5000 billion tomans budget of the Red Crescent in 2018, about 3000 billion tomans belong to the Iranian Investment Company, Procurement Organization and the Iranian Hospital of Dubai and no document has been disclosed on its use. State-run news website Mashreq revealed that: The Red Crescent has received special privileges in the field of car imports. Mashreq also revealed the construction of a hospital in Oman by the Iranian Red Crescent Hospital in Dubai, which has a $14 million corruption case. Payvandi had also been summoned to the Economic Crimes Prosecutors Office on several occasions before the Red Crescent Medical Supply Agencys corruption case. The organization is accused of importing fake drugs for leishmaniasis, which killed two people. In September 2019, Gholamhossein Ismaili, spokesman for the judiciary, confirmed the arrest of the head of the Helal Ahmar (Red Crescent) medical supply organization, saying: There have been some cases of government-sponsored currency drug import and drug pricing violations and some free-market drug sales, and some have recently been arrested. Payvandi was finally arrested on 2 November 2019 and released on bail of 3 billion tomans after a few hours. There is also speculation that the embezzlement of 1.5 billion tomans was linked to him at the time of his presidency at the University of Beheshti ten years ago. Mahmoud Sadeghi, a member of the parliament, said about the retention of Payvandi after the corruption case in the Red Crescent: The Parliament, the Presidential Inspectorate, the General Inspectorate of the State, and the Supreme Council of the Red Crescent have investigated the matter, and it has become clear to everyone that he is a corrupt chief, but Rouhani has kept him. The budget that Hassan Rouhani had proposed for the Red Crescent, headed by his cousin, had increased the staff ten times compared to 2018. Following the series of corruption in the Red Crescent of Iran, the Red Crescent Information Center announced on 7 January 2020 that other officials from the Red Crescent, including the Deputy Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Director-General of the Office of Planning and Budget, were arrested. And there is no exact reason for their arrest. Abdul Rasul Wassal, former editor-in-chief of the Shahrvand daily, in an interview with Sharq Daily spoke about a drug and construction shadow mafia net, which is controlling the Red Crescent and disrupting the workflow in this organization. While it is clear how disastrous the situation of the victims of natural disasters is, the IRGCs use of Red Crescent facilities for terrorist operations in other countries has also been repeatedly exposed. DAVISON, MI -- Davison Community Schools is asking district voters to pass a $71,390,000 bond proposal during the Tuesday, March 10 election. If passed, the bond would raise tax rates by 2.9 mills for a maximum period of 24 years, according to ballot language. This means a $2.90 increased tax annually for every $1,000 of taxable value for residences and businesses. Bond dollars would go toward upgrading facilities, security improvements, building additions and instructional technology. In spring of 2019, the district surveyed parents, staff, students and community members, asking if they would support a bond and what projects they believe should be included in the proposal. In the survey, four areas that ranked as top priorities included renovations and upgrades to Davison High School, security and safety, technology and construction of a new performing arts center. In a video blog, Superintendent Kevin Brown walked through various projects the bond would address. Our bond is really focused on three areas: renovations here at Davison High School, Brown said. "Its an aging building, about 50 years old, still using the original boilers, still in need of roof replacement. Security -- which we know is very important throughout the district. We want to focus on sight lighting and secure entry and other things that add safety and security to our students and staff. Instructional technology is the third area that we really want to focus on with this 2020 bond. Security improvements include improved outdoor lighting and a corridor between high school and alternative education. The bond would also support the construction of a new west entrance to Davison High School and a new performing arts center that would increase audience capacity and feature improved sound design. The Davison Board of Education approved an application for the bond in November, which was later passed by the Michigan Department of Treasury. The bond would support the following improvements: Safety and security Secure entry vestibules Improved exterior security lighting Improved traffic circulation, safety & access Corridor between high school and alternative education Improved security functions of phone and PA systems Technology New student technology devices New instructional technology Upgrading technology infrastructure: wireless routers, Internet infrastructure, phone and PA systems Renovations Boiler improvements Roof improvements Restroom renovations Replace worn or damaged flooring and carpeting Replace damaged casework New paint and finishes Ceiling tile replacement New lighting Replace broken and worn furniture Learn more about the proposal here. Chanting "Death to America" and trampling upon and burning U.S. flags have been part of state-sponsored, anti-American acts in Iran for the past 40 years. Yet people's opposition to that mantra and disrespecting the flag of the United States and others has increased in the Islamic republic in recent years -- with some daring to publicly question the rationale behind such acts. Amid the fury in Iran in recent days over the establishment's mishandling of the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), killing 176 people, students at two universities were seen walking around U.S. flags painted on the ground by officials in public acts of defiance against the clerical establishment and the state propaganda that portrays the United States and Israel as Tehran's biggest enemies. Videos of the incident at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University -- which has been blacklisted by the United States for its nuclear-research activities -- showed a majority of students moving to avoid treading upon painted American and Israeli flags. The video went viral on social media and prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to tweet that the action was "big progress!" In another video shot amid the recent protests over the state's handling of the Ukrainian plane tragedy, students at Sanandaj University in Kurdistan Province are seen refusing to take the stairs upon which a large U.S. flag had been painted. Similar acts of defiance by people in Iran have been reported in recent years but the public refusal of large groups of students to walk on depictions of U.S. flags appears to be unprecedented. Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam, who in 2016 publicly refused to walk on U.S. and Israeli flags painted on the floor of a university building, reposted a video of his actions on his Instagram page while welcoming the recent public shows of defiance by Iranian students. Zibakalam said in the past two years he's faced attacks from hard-liners who, he said, have called him a "traitor" and an "anti-revolutionary" for going to great lengths -- including climbing along a bannister -- to avoid stepping on U.S. and Israeli flags. "When I saw that students in this country are not willing, like in the past, to step on American flags, the pain of all the insults [from people] went away," the outspoken Zibakalam said on Instagram on January 14. Zibakalam said in an interview that his refusal to trample on the U.S. and Israeli flags had earned him praise from many ordinary Iranians. "To put it bluntly, I had never received so much praise from Iranians," he said. "The volume of praise and approval was unbelievable." 'Ugly' And 'Showing Disrespect' There have been growing calls in the Iranian media for respecting the U.S. flag and discarding the "Death to America" slogans that are regularly chanted at state events, including Friday Prayers and ceremonies marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. "The question is, what has 40 years of burning the U.S. flag and stepping on it brought for us?" a 2018 commentary published on Totreemroz.ir asked, while suggesting that such actions have zero benefit for the Iranian people. "Not only does it not achieve anything for the country and the nation, but it makes dialogue with the rest of the world more difficult," the commentary said. There has also been criticism from intellectuals and artists. Last year, famous actor Hamid Farokhnejad criticized showing disrespect toward the flag of other countries in a post to his nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. Farokhnejad posted a video of Iraqi protesters in Basra burning an Iranian flag and wrote: "I'm posting this so you can see how ugly it is to show disrespect to the flag of a country.... We shouldn't repeat this mistake." Filmmaker Shahin Samadpour said in 2018 that while he opposes many American actions and "hates" Israeli policies, he believes that "trampling and burning flags of other countries is outdated," while adding that Iran's younger generation does not want to be "dictated" to. "When you paint the flag of a country on the floor in front of the entrance of a university, everyone has to step on it and there's no choice," he said, adding that "our younger generation wants to have a choice." Such moves have also been reportedly opposed by moderates in the Iranian establishment who have been pushing for better ties with the United States and other countries. In February 2017, a U.S. flag was painted on the floor of a gate at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport in reaction to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration against nationals from Iran and six other mostly Muslim states. But the conservative Afkarnews.com reported that "some in the government" had pressured the IRGC to remove it. In 2017, hard-liners criticized Sirvan Governor Bahman Jalilian for what appeared to be an effort to avoid stepping on U.S. and Israeli flags at an official event. The hard-line Mashreghnews posted a brief video of the governor's "surprising" move and claimed that some media and political activists had called for "serious action" against Jalilian. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in February that the country's "Death to America" slogan is directed at Trump and other U.S. leaders, not at the American nation. She's said to have 'walked away' from filming The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills amid reports of a 'passionate affair' with Brandi Glanville. And now Denise Richards has skipped a trip with her onetime castmates to New York - instead staying behind in Los Angeles. Photos show the 48-year-old beauty on the West Coast, whil her co-stars are in New York City watching Erika Girdardi perform in Chicago on Broadway Not invited? Denise Richards, seen in Spain, left, is not currently present on a girl's trip with her fellow Real Housewives of Beverly Hills co-stars,who are seen in New York without her, right The birthday trip for Kyle Richards, has seen Dorit Kemsley, Lisa Rinna, eight-month pregnant, Teddi Mellencamp and newbie, Sutton Stracke. Other new housewife, Garcelle Beauvais, will also miss out. The ladies, who have been in NYC since Monday, have however been extremely active on social media, from videos on their private jet to their lavish dinners. Lisa Rinna took charge and got the girl's to join in on one of her famous Instagram dance videos. Girl's trip! The birthday trip for Kyle Richards, has seen Dorit Kemsley, Lisa Rinna, eight-month pregnant, Teddi Mellencamp and newbie, Sutton Stracke Dance off! Lisa Rinna took charge and got the girl's to join in on one of her famous Instagram dance videos Birthday girl: The girls are also celebrating Kyle's birthday For her part, Denise has just returned home from Europe and is mourning the loss of her dog. The beauty revealed her pet Louie, who she rescued 10 years ago, had past away as soon as she returned home from her premiere in Spain. Dorit was the only housewife to send her condolences via social media, commenting: 'So sorry honey. sending love.' Denise's absence comes after DailyMail.com revealed that she had an affair with former RHOBH star, Brandi Glanville. Rumors: Denise's absence comes after several rumors have been circulating that she had an affair with former RHOBH star, Brandi Glanville (pictured) The dramatic confrontation happened on a cast trip to Rome in late November, multiple production sources exclusively told DailyMail.com. Richards and Glanville, 47, had been seeing each other from the beginning of 2019 up until the middle of the year, a source explained. The former model had told Glanville that she and her husband Aaron Phypers were in an open marriage, a source said The allegations are set to play out in the upcoming season, when her co-stars confront her while they are in Rome. Drama to unfold: The allegations are set to play out in the upcoming season and the lady's reportedly confront her while they are in Rome (pictured on season nine) Silenced? Brandi hinted she had something to say regarding the allegations recently Denise's rep has continued to maintain the allegations are not true. The ex of Charlie Sheen married Phypers in September 2018. Denise shares custody of her daughters, Sam, 15, Lola, 14, with Charlie. She adopted daughter Eloise Joni Richards as a single parent in 2011. Aaron legally became Eloise's father in May 2019. A group of 40 teenagers are accused of intimidating police by allegedly throwing glass bottles and spitting at them in front of families at a popular water park. Police were called to the family friendly Hillarys Marina water park in Perth about 3.40pm on Monday where they were confronted by the gang. Aged between 14-17, police received reports of the group intimidating members of the public and allegedly pushing young children off the water slides, 7News reported. Police were called to the family friendly Hillarys Marina water park in Perth about 3.40pm on Monday A witness named Geoff said when police arrived the officers had objects thrown at them, were spat at and shoved. 'They were on the waterpark, and they wouldn't get off for about an hour and the police were called,' he told Mornings on 6PR. 'As the police were trying to take down their names, they started spitting at police, swearing at them and shoving the police. 'My brother ended up ringing Triple Zero to try and get more police there because we were actually quite frightened for the police.' A teenager was pepper sprayed by police and was seen laying on the ground while other members were tackled to the floor. Seven teenagers were arrested over the 'out of control gathering'. Police said anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated at family-friendly spots and are seeking more vision of the incident. The Supreme Court on Monday said non-cooperation between National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (national commission) and West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (state commission) have led to a state of affairs where institutions set up to protect children have virtually forsaken them, . Its so sad! We start with a lament because institutions set up to protect children have virtually forsaken them in a fight over their so called jurisdictions, the judgment which began on a poignant note said. The dispute arose consequent to a tussle between the national commission and state commission in dealing with allegations of trafficking of orphaned children in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The national commission, based on media reports had seized the matter and asked the additional director general of Police, CID, State of West Bengal (ADGP) to appear before it. The ADGP, however, moved the Calcutta high court challenging the jurisdiction of the national commission in dealing with the matter submitting that the state commission was already seized of the issue. The HC stayed the proceedings initiated by the national commission which then moved the SC challenging the stay order. The SC noted that these commissions which have been constituted under the commissions for protection of child rights act, 2005 exercise very important powers and they must function only for the protection and betterment of children and should not become sources of power, self-aggrandisement. Uttar Pradesh Technical Education Minister Kamla Rani Varun on Monday blamed social evils like child marriages for predominant medical conditions like anaemia in women. "Earlier, people did not care about the education and health of their girl child. However, times are changing. But even today, child marriages are taking place across the state even in the neighbouring areas of a city like Lucknow, let alone far away rural areas," Kamla said addressing an event here. "Girls are being married at an age when they don't even know what marriage is. Then, they also give birth at a young age. What can be worse than a child giving birth to another child?" she added. She said that girls as young as seven are being married off in places like Barabanki and Ayodhya. "Anemia in girls in a major issue. However, some social evils have also contributed to the same. I have seen it myself, parents are careless towards their girl child. Are both the children same for them?" the minister said. "A public awareness campaign against anaemia is being started in the region. I believe awareness about anaemia among the people is the cure to the medical condition. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is not merely words for us, but an initiative for physical and mental welfare for girls in the country," she added. She also said that she once saw a child marriage taking place but could not stop it as the procession was already at the door. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) She made a show-stopping appearance at the premiere of her latest film, Like a Boss on Tuesday. But one week after the event, Rose Byrne kept a low profile in sunglasses as she went for a stroll in New York City. The 40-year-old Australian actress donned a casual ensemble and went makeup free as she held her scripts and soaked up the sun. Keeping it casual! Rose Byrne (pictured) rocked a printed band T-shirt and khaki pants as she stepped out in New York City The Bad Neighbours star wore a white printed band T-shirt with a red logo along with khaki pants for the outing. Rose accessorised the ensemble with a pair of white Birkenstock sandals as well as a black bag. She styled her short blonde hair in a low ponytail and let her natural beauty shine as she went makeup free for her walk. Relaxed: Rose kept a low profile in sunglasses and went makeup free as she soaked up the sun Her outing comes one week after she dazzled at the premiere of her film, Like a Boss, in New York City. The actress made a statement on the red carpet in a strapless double-breasted floor-length salmon gown. Rose completed the look with a pair of strappy emerald stain stilettos embellished with bows, trimmed in jewels. Cool and casual: Rose styled her short blonde hair in a low ponytail and let her natural beauty shine as she went makeup free for the outing She carried a matching green handbag with gold metallic detail, showing off a large rose gold jewelled ring. The Australian star wore her blonde locks in simple waves, which fell effortlessly by her shoulders. She complimented her features with a neutral palette of makeup consisting of rosy cheeks, a nude lip and subtle eyeshadow. WASHINGTON - Lawmakers from both major parties criticized White House plans to take an additional $7.2 billion this year from Pentagon funds to pay for President Donald Trump's border wall project, as more congressionally approved renovation and construction plans for U.S. military installations risked losing their funding. For the second year in a row, the White House is planning to obtain the majority of the funding it wants for Trump's barrier project by defunding construction and maintenance projects on military bases at home and abroad and taking money from elsewhere in the Pentagon's budget by funneling it through the counternarcotics program. Senior Republicans grumbled about the plan but mostly put the blame on Democrats, who agreed to provide $1.4 billion in border barrier funding this year - far less than the $5 billion Trump requested. "I wish they'd get the money somewhere else, instead of defense," said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "But I do support building the wall." The White House shifted $2.5 billion using counternarcotics authorities last year, but this year Trump plans to boost that to $3.5 billion. Trump administration officials also are planning to take $3.7 billion in military construction funding, slightly more than the $3.6 billion diverted in 2019. "I think it's outrageous," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the armed services committee, who called it "a slap to the military as well as a slap to Congress" and "another example of Congress sitting down and trying to direct resources that are of critical need to the Department of Defense, and then having those needs disregarded by the president for a project that is more political than necessary for national security." The additional funds would give the administration the money to build about 885 miles of new barriers by 2022, significantly more than the 509 miles the administration had set as a target for the end of Trump's first term. Despite launching his run for the presidency on a promise to make Mexico pay for the cost of a "border wall," Trump has struggled to convince lawmakers that the project is necessary and useful. If his administration diverts $7.2 billion again this year, it will bring to $18.4 billion the total amount of funds budgeted for Trump's wall. Most of that money - $13.3 billion - would come from Department of Defense money appropriated by Congress for other purposes. "I'm not in favor of diversions of budgets that were appropriated for specific purposes, and I'd rather see specific appropriations for the wall," Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Tuesday. Lawmakers appropriated $1.05 billion for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities in the 2020 fiscal year, far less than the $3.5 billion the White House is seeking to divert from those programs this year. That means the Pentagon would have to find money elsewhere in its budget for the remaining $2.45 billion. Trump administration officials repeatedly have tried to play down the potential impact of the funding maneuver on military assets and operations, depicting the move as an act of creative accounting. The $3.6 billion the White House shifted from 2019 military construction projects would be "deferred," Pentagon officials said last year, and would proceed, in some cases without delay, once Congress "backfilled" the diverted funds in the 2020 budget. But that has not happened. In December, House Democrats and Senate Republicans reached a $1.4 trillion spending package that didn't backfill the money. As a result, the construction projects that the Pentagon defunded in 2019 for the wall effectively were canceled. For those projects to go forward, Congress would again have to appropriate funding for them. House Democrats have opposed such a maneuver, which they view as an acquiescence to the president's defiance of their spending authorities. The Constitution gives the power of the purse - or the authority to fund the government's initiatives and operations - exclusively to Congress. The military projects that lost funding to the border barrier in 2019 included schools on military bases at home and abroad, as well as repairs to military installations in Puerto Rico that suffered damage from Hurricane Maria. The U.S. Navy also was forced to stand down on projects meant to fix "life safety violations" and fire hazards at ship-maintenance buildings in Virginia. European nations also took a hit. More than $700 million was taken from projects the Pentagon agreed to fund in allied nations in Europe to help shore up defenses against Russia after Moscow's annexation of Crimea from neighboring Ukraine in 2014. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said those countries, which rely on the United States to protect them in the event of Russian military action, should "pick up the tab" for the projects themselves. The Pentagon's counternarcotics account had far less money in it than Trump wanted to divert to the wall, so the Pentagon moved money into the account from elsewhere in its budget. The funds came from money slated for the Afghan national security forces, the destruction of chemical weapons and the purchase of precision missiles. The Pentagon also tapped unspent military retirement funds to come up with the $2.5 billion that Trump was demanding. What funds the Pentagon will tap this year to shift $3.5 billion through the counternarcotics account to wall financing is unclear. Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said the Defense Department had nothing new to announce regarding this year's plans. Reed said he had not spoken to GOP senators yet, but he added that "this can't continue." Congress approved $738 billion for the national defense budget this year, up from $716 billion last year. "We can't sit there and listen to the Department of Defense say we have critical needs for the troops, quality of life for their training and their readiness and then have that thrown all overboard," Reed said. "How can you come up to us and say, 'We desperately need these projects - this is critical, it's critical to the quality of life of the troops - and then say, 'No, not really.' " The Trump administration has installed 101 miles of new fencing, according to the most recent construction figures. The president has promised to finish more than four times that by the end of this year, but Homeland Security officials have tried to fudge that target, saying in recent days that the total will include completed barriers and sections "under construction." Nearly all of the new barriers the government has built so far are along sections of the border already under federal control, where crews have replaced smaller, older barriers with steel bars set in concrete that extend 30 feet into the air. The Shiv Nadar University, a leading multidisciplinary and research-focused university, today announced that Dr Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor at the University has been appointed the Chairman of the Committee to draft the National Water Policy. The committee established by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India will outline the new National Water Policy (NWP) for the country. The committee, comprising of 11 members including Dr Shah, will draft the National Water Policy (NWP) and will submit this to the government within six months from the date of its constitution. The members of the committee include: 1. Dr Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor, Shiv Nadar University 2. Shashi Shekhar, former Secretary, Water Resources, Government of India 3. Dr RC Panda, former secretary, Government of India 4. AB Pandya, former chairman of the Centre Water Commission (CWC) 5. Prof Tushaar Shah, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 6. Prof Anamika Barua, IIT Guwahati 7. Dr Himanshu Kulkarni, Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), Pune 8. Srinivas Chokkakula, Centre of Policy Research 9. B Rath, Technical Expert (Water Management), National Rainfed Area Authority, Development of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, 10. Brijesh Sikka, Retd. Scientist 'G', National River Conservation Directorate 11. Prof KJ Joy, Senior Fellow, Society of promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM) It may be recalled that Dr Shah was primarily responsible for drafting the paradigm shift in the management of India's water resources as enunciated in the 12th Five Year Plan, during his tenure as Member, Planning Commission, Government of India from 2009 to 2014. In 2015, in a remarkable continuity of governance, the Government of India appointed Dr Shah to chair a committee for restructuring the Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board. The report of the Committee proposed radical changes in the architecture of water governance in India. "It is both an honour and a privilege to head the Committee to draft the National Water Policy," said Dr Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Water Science and Policy Program Department of Center for Public Affairs and Critical Theory (C-PACT), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SoHSS) at Shiv Nadar University. "The fact that the Government recognises the need to revise the NWP shows the significance it attaches to reforms in the water sector, which are both long overdue and also critical to the lives and livelihoods of India's people but also to the very integrity of India's growth process," added Dr Shah. "It is our endeavour to hold wide-ranging consultations with all primary stakeholders, be they State Governments, academia, civil society, industry, farmer's representatives etc," said Dr Shah, while describing the process being adopted by his Committee. "The consultations so far have revealed how strongly all stakeholders feel about the need for radical reforms in the water sector and the incredible consensus that seems to be emerging around the broad contours of this reform towards greater democratisation, multi-disciplinarity and the need to break down silos into which we have divided water," further added Shah. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vermont has a new permanent chief information security officer in Scott Carbee, who has served as the states interim CISO twice over a span of two years.Vermont CIO John Quinn announced Friday that Carbee, who worked in cybersecurity for the Vermont Army National Guard before entering the public sector in 2015, would be promoted, thus marking the end of Carbee's second stint as interim CISO. Carbees second tenure in that position began in August when Nicholas Andersen left Vermont to join the Trump administration.Carbees experience in Vermonts Agency of Digital Services (ADS) made him a logical appointment for the critical post of state CISO, Quinn stated in a press release.Carbee toldthat he is uniquely suited for the role, understanding that the influence that leaders in Vermont can have on general security awareness is an important nuance of the job, which is nested within a centralized IT structure Knowing who the influencers are and how to talk to them to make sure that they are sort of on the same sheet of music as you are is something you cant just walk in the door and pick up, Carbee said.A state CISO must constantly balance what is going on behind the scenes and what is being done out front. Carbee said this balance involves matching the states pace of innovation, which can create anxiety in staff and technical users alike, with equal measures of usability and security.One way that Vermont attempts to achieve this balance is with its security operations center . The center was established last year as part of a partnership between ADS and Norwich University, Carbees alma mater.Carbee said the center helps the two organizations better understand their respective expertise in cybersecurity. ADS brings operations and frontline experience to the table, while the university offers academic research, knowledge of methods that ADS may not know about and a pool of students with the latest education under their belts.Our two organizations make a stronger program that also helps us produce the next generation of state security personnel, Carbee said.Vermont has also made strides with its statewide cybersecurity strategy, Carbee said. Gov. Phil Scott ordered the creation of a team that includes advisers from different realms, such as critical infrastructure and health information. The team is lean at 10 members so that strategic principles for the state can be generated efficiently.Much has changed in cybersecurity since Carbee entered the field decades ago. While today most cybersecurity programs are or should be driven by policy, there wasnt a lot of direction about organizational risk or educating users about their responsibilities back when Carbee was learning the intricacies of the field. The key to managing security in a modern world, where cyberattacks on governments are more common, is identifying a clear picture of an organizations cybersecurity strategy and revising it accordingly.When I first took classes in the discipline they were much more interested in the minutiae of system configuration and access control, Carbee said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to contribute to launching dialogue between Washington and Tehran if the sides "show interest in this." The Russian top diplomat called on the U.S. and Iran to "show restraint and solve all problems through dialogue." "Many tried and continue trying to contribute to launching contacts between the United States and Iran to ease tensions," TASS cited him as saying. At the same time, he noted that Russia was not going to meddle in the ties between Washington and Tehran. Lavrov stressed that Russia is in opposition to escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf region whatever the side responsible for it. According to him, the killing of General Qasem Soleimani goes beyond all legal and human boundaries. Arguments before the justices focused on whether the actions for which Bridget Anne Kelly, a former Christie deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, a former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were convicted fit the definition of fraud under federal law. U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday appeared skeptical about the criminal prosecution of two associates of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who are appealing their convictions in the "Bridgegate" scandal involving retribution against a local mayor who refused to endorse Christie. Bridget Anne Kelly, (R) former deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, arrives to testify in the Bridgegate trial at the Federal Courthouse in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. October 27, 2016. Several justices liberals and conservatives appeared dissatisfied with the U.S. Justice Department's arguments in favor of the prosecutions of Kelly and Baroni. The Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018 upheld the 2016 convictions of Kelly and Baroni for wire fraud and misusing Port Authority resources. Prosecutors had accused Kelly and Baroni of engineering days of lane closures in September 2013 on the George Washington Bridge, the world's busiest bridge, which connects Fort Lee, New Jersey, to New York City. The closures caused traffic gridlock and were intended to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, Mark Sokolich, after he declined to endorse the Republican Christie's gubernatorial re-election bid, prosecutors said. The scandal marred Christie's reputation, damaged his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and contributed to low public approval ratings in his home state. Christie, who had been a rising star in Republican politics before Bridgegate, denied involvement and was not charged. After dropping out of the race for the Republican nomination, Christie threw his support behind Donald Trump and served as an adviser, but Trump later fired him as the head of his transition team after being elected president. Trump's Justice Department is defending the prosecutions of Kelly and Baroni, which occurred before Trump took office. Baroni initially started serving an 18-month prison sentence but was released after the Supreme Court agreed last year to hear the case. Kelly's 13-month sentence was put on hold while she appealed. Kelly told Port Authority executive David Wildstein in an August 2013 email that it was " ime for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," and they helped invent a sham "traffic study" to justify the lane closures. Wildstein, the accused Bridgegate mastermind, was sentenced to probation in July 2017 after pleading guilty and cooperating with prosecutors. In the appeal, Kelly and Baroni had the backing, in a friend-of-the-court brief, of two high-profile figures who faced public corruption prosecutions: former media mogul Conrad Black and former Republican Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell. The Supreme Court in 2016 threw out McDonnell's bribery conviction in a ruling that narrowed the types of conduct that can warrant a corruption prosecution. Trump last year granted a full pardon to Black, who was convicted in 2007 of fraud and obstruction of justice and spent 3-1/2 years in prison. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Today: Over the past few weeks, several of Americas largest and most profitable companies have unveiled elaborate plans to combat climate change. Andrew Ross Sorkin on why theyre doing it now and just how meaningful the plans really are. Plus, the results of the Nevada caucuses. Its Monday, February 24. michael barbaro Andrew, tell me about this letter. andrew ross sorkin So every year, usually the second or third week of January, Larry Fink, who runs BlackRock, which is the largest money manager in the world they oversee $7 trillion. Thats with a t. michael barbaro Wow. andrew ross sorkin Basically 401(k) plans, pension plans. All of that money lives under BlackRock. And so Larry Fink has huge influence. And he writes a letter every January to the C.E.O.s of the world. So Ive made it my I dont want to say lifes michael barbaro [LAUGHS] andrew ross sorkin Ive made it my job for the past several years to try to get my hands on this letter, because typically what he says changes the conversation. archived recording And it is the letter that sent shockwaves through corner offices across America yesterday, BlackRock C.E.O. Larry Fink issuing a warning to corporate leaders about the dangers of short-term thinking. andrew ross sorkin Back in 2016, he wrote a letter telling C.E.O.s, stop issuing quarterly guidance, stop telling us what you michael barbaro Expect your earnings to be. andrew ross sorkin expect your earnings to be, because then it creates this artificial expectation and then youre trying to manage to that number. And he wants C.E.O.s to think more long term. michael barbaro And what happened? archived recording (warren buffet) I personally think thats a very good recommendation. andrew ross sorkin Huge companies, like Unilever, stopped issuing quarterly guidance. Warren Buffett publicly came out and said that companies should stop issuing quarterly guidance. archived recording (warren buffet) It was to give encouragement to companies that really felt uneasy about giving guidance to perhaps have a little more backbone about it. andrew ross sorkin But Larry Fink was the first. michael barbaro OK. andrew ross sorkin In 2018, Larry Fink wrote a letter archived recording Ive now been to a number of dinners where your letter has already been the topic of conversation. andrew ross sorkin saying, you know what, its not enough simply to have profits. You have to have purpose. archived recording (larry fink) I believe the involvement in a community, to have a purpose, is vital for long-term survivability and long-term profitability. andrew ross sorkin And then a year and a half later the Business Roundtable, which represents all the big companies in the world, said, you know what, its not just about profits anymore either. So his letter really has michael barbaro A kind of biblical quality in the world of business. andrew ross sorkin It has weight. Because he genuinely is the largest investor in the world. And as a result, Larry Fink controls huge chunk stakes in these companies. And he, to some degree, can control whether people on that board, the C.E.O., sinks or swims. He can vote that board out if he doesnt like what theyre doing. In certain cases, he can pull his money from their companies if he doesnt like what theyre doing. michael barbaro Which explains why every year it seems like you go to pretty extraordinary lengths to get your hands on this letter. andrew ross sorkin And this year, its early January 2020, and I get my hands on a draft of the letter. And two paragraphs in I was stopped cold. [music] He writes, Climate change has become a defining factor in companys long-term prospects. Last September, when millions of people took to the streets to demand action on climate change, many of them emphasized the significant and lasting impact that it will have on economic growth and prosperity, a risk that markets to date have been slower to reflect. But awareness is rapidly changing, and I believe were on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance. michael barbaro So what is he really getting at here? andrew ross sorkin Hes saying for the very first time, as the largest investor in the world, that climate change has to become an integral part of the investing thesis for companies. And more importantly, that C.E.O.s and companies themselves now have to change and think about climate change. And if they dont, hes going to be pulling his money from them. michael barbaro Wow. andrew ross sorkin You know, and he even says it explicitly in the letter, quote, We will be increasingly disposed to vote against management and board directors when companies are not making sufficient progress on sustainability-related disclosures and the business practices and plans underlying them. [music] Part of the Fink assessment is not simply that he is some kind of tree hugger do-gooder and wants to change the world though I think he may on a personal basis. But that he thinks that the world has shifted in a way, and the climate risk is now so real that it actually will have an economic impact in a way where as a fiduciary for pensioners and investors, that he needs to now push this in a way that he didnt think he had to before. michael barbaro So its not an act of advocacy. Its an act of kind of wise business. andrew ross sorkin I think that he would say this is not driven by ideology. Its not driven by politics. Its driven frankly by money. He thinks that theres now a genuine business risk and cost michael barbaro To not doing anything. andrew ross sorkin to not doing anything. michael barbaro And maybe even to these businesses, and therefore to these investors, these retirees. andrew ross sorkin Exactly. michael barbaro So right. A tipping point to reach where you have to do something. andrew ross sorkin Exactly. This is the first time that a major investor has genuinely taken on the issue of climate change and said, you know what, corporate America, I know you guys have been talking about this, thinking about this maybe, but now you actually have to do something about it. And if you dont do something about it, investors like me are going to do something about it ourselves. Which means that were either going to vote you out of your job, or were going to pull our money from you. Hes throwing down the gauntlet. michael barbaro And what are you thinking when you finish reading this letter? andrew ross sorkin So Ill you something funny. I know when the letter is going to come out. Its about a week beforehand and I go to a meeting with Satya Nadella, the C.E.O. of Microsoft. michael barbaro As one does. andrew ross sorkin As one does if youre a business reporter who covers companies like this. michael barbaro [LAUGHS] And he says that the company is about to reveal a sweeping climate change plan. Now of course, Im thinking in my head, this letter that Larry Fink is about to come out with, are they connected? Whats going on here? And I later find out, in fact, that Larry Fink had been talking to Microsoft. And I start to think to myself, you know what, I think something big is about to happen here. So what happens when this letter is actually delivered to all these C.E.O.s? andrew ross sorkin Headlines are everywhere. [music] archived recording Consumer news now, one of the biggest airlines in the world has committed to going carbon neutral starting next month. andrew ross sorkin And literally within the next 21 days archived recording (satya nadella) This is the decade for urgent action, for Microsoft and for all of us. andrew ross sorkin company after company archived recording The tech giant said it has created a climate innovation fund which will invest $1 billion over the next four years. andrew ross sorkin starts announcing new initiatives around climate. archived recording Jeff Bezos out with his next big idea. andrew ross sorkin And then you have Jeff Bezos, the worlds richest man who runs Amazon, pledging $10 billion towards combating climate change. archived recording This global initiative will fund scientists, activists, NGOs, any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world. michael barbaro And presumably these are all companies in which BlackRock, run by Larry Fink, is an investor. andrew ross sorkin In some cases, he may be the biggest investor. michael barbaro So youre seeing all these major corporations fall in line. But [music] andrew ross sorkin Im thinking to myself, how much of this is about really just placating investors like Larry Fink and frankly the public? Is it spin? Is it marketing? Is it greenwashing? Or is it genuinely going to have an impact on the climate? So I start to go through the plans individually one by one. And the answer is pretty interesting. Some of these pledges may have huge real impact. Others, not so much. And seeing which is which was fascinating. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. Andrew, tell me about these corporate climate plans that you looked at. andrew ross sorkin So I went back to look at Microsofts plan and Amazons plan and Deltas plan. These are all big household brands that people know. archived recording Welcome aboard, and thanks for flying with Delta. andrew ross sorkin Lets start with Delta because in many ways, it was the most surprising. Here is an airline. The entire business is based on fossil fuels. michael barbaro Right. It just is a carbon emitter. andrew ross sorkin Thats what it is. Thats what its going to be for a very long time. archived recording And we are announcing that starting March 1, Delta Airlines will become the first airline to go fully carbon neutral on a global basis. andrew ross sorkin Delta just came out and said theyre going to become carbon neutral. archived recording And a lot of people are going to do a double take. An airline becoming carbon neutral is michael barbaro Just to explain that term. andrew ross sorkin It effectively means that theyre going to neutralize all of their carbon emissions. So their carbon emissions are going to somehow become zero. And Im thinking to myself, how is that going to happen? michael barbaro And whats the answer? andrew ross sorkin Well, the answer is that when they say were going to become carbon neutral, its not that theyre going to stop flying and its not that theyre going to stop using fossil fuels. What it really means is buying carbon offsets. What does that mean? Well, you could invest in planting trees, which naturally stores carbon. Or you could invest in a wind farm. And so Delta says theyre going to spend a billion over 10 years. Thats real money $100 million a year. What are they going to buy? One of the things theyre going to try to do is invest in new biofuels. Theyre going to try to make their planes more fuel efficient. Theyre hoping to use some of that money to invest in technological innovations. But in the short run, given that that technology for the most part doesnt really exist, theyre basically going to be having to buy these offsets. michael barbaro So theyre not going to be making the carbon problem any better. andrew ross sorkin Theyre not making it any better. michael barbaro But theyre not going to be making it any worse by offsetting it. andrew ross sorkin At least theoretically, philosophically, thats the concept. michael barbaro OK. andrew ross sorkin But theyre going to be flying just as many planes as they ever were. michael barbaro But given how much airplanes emit andrew ross sorkin Its a huge amount. michael barbaro Its a huge amount. andrew ross sorkin Huge amount. michael barbaro Thats potentially a huge plus just to go neutral from where we are today. But it sounds like Delta is not fundamentally changing the central source of emissions at the core of its business, which Im sure many people who care about climate think is what a company like Delta should do. andrew ross sorkin Exactly. And by the way, what Deltas doing theyre the only airline in America thats announced anything like this. Now the real question is whether these offsets are real. When you really get deep into the world of carbon offsets, its like the Wild West. Sometimes companies are paying money genuinely to build a wind farm or plant a forest. But sometimes that forest is getting razed a year later, and some of the time theyre actually just paying money to prevent a forest from getting razed. michael barbaro Raising the question of whether it means anything at all when you say you have offset your carbon emissions. andrew ross sorkin Exactly. michael barbaro So it sounds like carbon offsets, which is what Delta is relying on, may not be everything that we think it is. andrew ross sorkin Its a financial construct in many ways. Its not a fundamental change. michael barbaro OK, so that is Delta. Which company is next? andrew ross sorkin Lets talk about Amazon. archived recording The worlds richest man, Jeff Bezos, is jumping into the battle to address climate change. Lets take a look at his new effort by the numbers. andrew ross sorkin Because Jeff Bezos just announced this massive $10 billion pledge to combat climate change. And we dont know completely about what that program is ultimately going to look like. But we do know what Amazon itself has pledged to do. And they have two big goals. One is to have 50 percent of all their shipments be carbon neutral by 2030, so 10 years from now. michael barbaro And presumably, that might involve things like what Delta did offsets. andrew ross sorkin Well, they plan to do it a bit differently. What Amazon wants to do is change how much fossil fuels they actually use. And so theyre investing in 100,000 electric trucks, for example. So when you get your Amazon Prime package, instead of a truck coming up to the outside of your house thats powered by fuel, itll be battery powered. michael barbaro Got it. andrew ross sorkin Theyre also investing in wind and solar so that their massive cloud computing operation, which involves tens of thousands of computer servers, is going to be powered by the sun and by wind. michael barbaro So, the way in which this is different from what Delta is doing, is rather than paying somebody else as Delta did to offset the airlines carbon emissions, Amazon is saying, we will meaningfully reduce carbon emissions by changing our own operations. andrew ross sorkin Theyre genuinely trying to reduce their carbon emissions, the actual emissions in the air. By the way, some people will tell you that theyre not doing this fast enough. michael barbaro And, of course, Amazon is so big. It is so profitable. It touches so many different lives, carries so many different products that there will be people who ask, why isnt every component of that company changing to deal with climate? andrew ross sorkin Absolutely. Look, there are people who are going to say, why doesnt Jeff Bezos take every dollar of profit that this company makes for the next two decades and use it to invest strictly in climate if this is really the single most important issue in the world? michael barbaro OK, so that leaves us with Microsoft. archived recording The scientific consensus is clear. The world has a huge carbon problem. andrew ross sorkin And they have perhaps the most ambitious plan of all. They are carbon neutral today. michael barbaro Interesting. So Microsoft is already where Delta is hoping its going to be in 10 years. andrew ross sorkin Exactly. But their big plan is to be carbon negative by 2030. archived recording Meaning that well reduce our emissions by half and remove from the atmosphere more carbon than we emit. michael barbaro Wow. andrew ross sorkin Think of it a little bit like going on a diet or exercising, burning more calories than you take in. michael barbaro So that goes well beyond being carbon neutral, which is just basically zeroing out the amount you put in the world. andrew ross sorkin Carbon neutral is stasis. Carbon negative is removing the carbon from the air. And even more ambitious, by 2050, they say they want to be carbon negative for their entire history starting in 1975. michael barbaro Well, how does that work? andrew ross sorkin So they want to remove all the carbon that the company has put into the atmosphere since 1975. michael barbaro Wow. andrew ross sorkin How are they going to do that? michael barbaro [LAUGHS] Im going to ask you how are they going to do that? andrew ross sorkin Theyre going to invest a ton of money in forest, in wind, in solar. But really, what theyre hoping to do is invest in a breakthrough shoot-the-moon technology. michael barbaro Like what? andrew ross sorkin Whats called carbon capture, the idea of removing carbon from the atmosphere and building machines that do this, that do what trees do naturally. And there are a number of efforts that are taking place around the world that are trying to build technology like this. But if were being honest, its not there yet. And thats what all of these companies are ultimately going to be after. Thats what the Jeff Bezos $10 billion investment is going to be about. Its going to be about trying to invent a technology thats going to change the game. michael barbaro Im shocked that the company that is promising the biggest transformation and the most ambitious plan, Microsoft, probably has the smallest carbon footprint, almost assuredly. I mean, if you compare Microsoft, a maker of computers and software, to a company that delivers millions of packages, or an airline company that has 1,000 planes in the air with all their emissions. So what does it tell you that the biggest polluters in this list seem to be doing the least ambitious climate plans? andrew ross sorkin It tells me that its hard. In many ways for Microsoft, its easier. And if you really think about it, Microsoft has the biggest balance sheet. It has more money than these other companies. And, in fact michael barbaro More than Amazon? andrew ross sorkin Yes, in terms of profits, absolutely. And in terms of thinking about all three of these companies, all of these are the market leaders, if you will. These are all very healthy companies. So in some ways, they can afford to experiment. They can afford to try to do this. Think about all of the other companies that dont have michael barbaro Billions of dollars in profit. andrew ross sorkin billions of dollars in profits that they can even think about this. Its going to be a lot harder for them to catch up. michael barbaro So if the biggest companies in the economy, the ones with the money to experiment in this world, are doing kind of modest things when it comes to maybe Delta or Amazon, youre saying that should make us reflect on what less profitable companies are not even bothering to do. In other words, its only the very, very top of corporate America thats even andrew ross sorkin Its only the top michael barbaro playing here. andrew ross sorkin tier of corporate America that can afford to really go down this road right now. And the question is whether what they do forces the issue for everybody else. Whether their quote-unquote leadership unless youre cynical enough to believe this is all marketing, and there are a lot of people who do but to the extent that they go down this road, whether everybody else decides they have to follow. michael barbaro And weve talked about this in the past. This is a moment where governments are not exactly leaning on climate. They are looked to for leadership, but they dont seem to have their acts together. andrew ross sorkin Look, in the United States, clearly, when it comes to climate change, we have an administration that doesnt believe that carbon emissions matter. But in the end, and I hate to say this, but all of these individual corporate efforts are on the margins. Because the reality is that China is emitting more carbon than the United States and Europe combined. And so Microsoft can do all it wants. Amazon can do what its doing. Delta can do what its doing. But none of these things on their own can change the game. michael barbaro Until big governments do things. andrew ross sorkin Either until big governments literally dictate how everybody across the world is going to do it. Or, somehow every business decides that theyre going all in. michael barbaro Its interesting. In some ways, at this moment, corporations seem to be responding more lowercase d democratically to the problem of climate than perhaps some governments. Because theyre actually responding to what their consumers want. andrew ross sorkin These companies arent dumb. If Microsoft, Amazon and Delta all know that what theyre going to do on a very individual basis cant fundamentally change the game, right we know that they cant change the game by themselves what are they really doing this for? michael barbaro And whats the answer, a little bit of altruism a little bit of marketing? andrew ross sorkin Probably all of the above. Theres probably a little bit of marketing. Theres probably a little bit of maybe the investors are going look at me differently. I think there are executives that want to be leaders in this space. Theres no question that when Larry Fink wrote his letter or any of these companies thought about their policies, they were responding to consumers. They were responding to their employees. They were responding to investors. But the real question is whether a group of companies unto themselves can actually change the game. Whether their leadership is going to force every other company to follow them, or whether ultimately you need governments across the globe to create rules that every company follows. And until and unless that happens, I think theres going to be a lot of fair skepticism about what these companies are doing and why theyre doing it. michael barbaro And whether it matters. andrew ross sorkin And whether it ultimately matters. michael barbaro Well, Andrew, thank you once again. andrew ross sorkin Thank you, Michael. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. archived recording (bernie sanders) [CHEERING] And now Im delighted to bring you some pretty good news. michael barbaro Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording (bernie sanders) I think all of you know we won the popular vote in Iowa. [CHEERING] We won the New Hampshire primary. [CHEERING] And according to three networks and the A.P., we have now won the Nevada caucus. [CHEERING] michael barbaro Senator Bernie Sanders has won the Nevada caucuses by a wide margin archived recording (crowd) Bernie, Bernie, Bernie! michael barbaro positioning himself as the clear front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination. archived recording (bernie sanders) In Nevada, we have just put together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition, which is going to not only win in Nevada, its going to sweep this country. [CHEERING] michael barbaro With 60 percent of precincts reporting, Sanderss lead was more than double his nearest competitor. Joe Biden was in second place, followed by Pete Buttigieg, then Elizabeth Warren. The Times reports that given the large number of moderate candidates left in the race, it appears increasingly unclear whether any single one of them can catch up with Sanders. archived recording (bernie sanders) Which is another reason why were going to win this election. [CHEERING] archived recording (pete buttigieg) And I congratulate Senator Sanders on a strong showing today, knowing that we celebrate many of the same ideals. But before we rush to nominate Senator Sanders in our one shot to take on this president, let us take a sober look at what is at stake. michael barbaro In a speech from Las Vegas, one of those moderates, Pete Buttigieg, cautioned Democratic voters about what he said was the risk of nominating Sanders. archived recording (pete buttigieg) Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible, ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats not to mention most Americans. [CHEERING] michael barbaro Thats it for The Daily. Im Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow. [music] PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 10:58:01 Banca IFIS: Three-year business plan Net profit of 147 million Euro in 2022 with significant growth in core businesses and less extraordinary business Investments of 60 million Euro and 190 new employees FINANCIAL TARGETS FOR 2022 Increase in sustainable profit to 147 million Euro to further improve financial solidity and support growth, whilst also ensuring payment of a significant dividend to shareholders; to 147 million Euro to further improve financial solidity and support growth, whilst also ensuring payment of a significant dividend to shareholders; ROTE to climb to 8.9%, indicating that the Group is well positioned in the most profitable segments of the market; indicating that the Group is well positioned in the most profitable segments of the market; CET 1 ratio of 12% in 2022 , exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%; Investments of approximately 60 million Euro in support of organic growth and business stability; , exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%; Stable operating costs due to monitoring and efficiency gains, despite significant investments; Pay-out ratio for Banca IFIS shares of 40%-45% , corresponding to a yield of over 7% at current market prices. due to monitoring and efficiency gains, despite significant investments; Profitability of all business units, with greater competitive advantage in the NPL and Factoring units; revenue growth is expected to amount to 602 million Euro, driven by: purchases of non-performing loans of 8.5 billion Euro (nominal amount) in the three-year period for the NPL segment; (nominal amount) in the three-year period for the NPL segment; increase in the volumes of loans to customers during the three-year period of 1 billion Euro in the Commercial and Corporate Banking segment, driven by digital innovation, the new market coverage model and the new communications and marketing strategy. Milan, 14 January 2020 The Board of Directors of Banca IFIS met under the chairmanship of Ernesto Furstenberg Fassio and approved the 2020/2022 Strategic Plan. The new Plan confirms Banca IFISs role as a specialist bank in support of the real economy with the primary goal of generating increasing, sustainable profit by replacing the financial component deriving from the PPA with recurring business profit, whilst also distributing value to its shareholders, explained Luciano Colombini, Banca IFISs Chief Executive Officer. Today we are presenting a business plan in line with the Bank's core businesses. A plan that represents maximum transparency in the face of the market and which will lead Banca IFIS to further increase its commitment in the coming years to exploit all opportunities offered by the market in accordance with its stated objectives. The plan will be implemented by a management team of professionals with extraordinary track records, offering proven experience and complementary specialisation. We are a unique group in the banking industry due to our competitive positioning in the various markets and our distinctive business model, which we will continue to refine in order to strengthen our leadership. The analyses of our strategic positioning and cost and capital allocation that we have conducted have shown that all our business areas remain profitable: in particular, NPLs and Factoring show the greatest competitive advantage. Diversification thus currently ensures the banks stability and reduces its enterprise risk. Our advantage is that we operate in segments of the market with ample room for growth and we have better management skills than our competitors, in addition to exclusive know-how. Within the Commercial and Corporate Banking business, we will further increase our presence in the SMEs segment, which has always been integral to this Bank's identity. We will do so by developing our model for serving this market through new investments in digital innovation and a marketing and communication strategy aimed at increasing the recognisability of Banca IFISs brand. A broader product range, along with a constantly evolving distribution and operations model, will allow us to expand our customer base, including in currently less served but high-potential areas. The plan also calls for considerable improvement in asset quality, with a reduction in the loss rate to 75 basis points in 2022, through careful management of the concentration risk and reinforcement of the loan disbursement, management and monitoring process, in addition to recovery of non-performing positions. In the NPL segment, we will continue to operate as primary investors, leveraging on the strength of our servicer, one of Italy's top servicers: from 2020 to 2022, we estimate that we will purchase 8.5 billion Euro of new non-performing loans. Our medium-term strategy will be based on purchasing portfolios of unsecured loans by participating actively in all sale processes on the market, expanding the characteristics of the non-performing portfolios purchased to include the secured and corporate segment and constantly increasing the efficiency of the recovery process for non-performing loans. We do not expect calendar provisioning to have substantial effects over the three-year period. Afterwards, from 2023 onwards, when the portfolios purchased subject to calendar provisioning have reached a more significant scale, the strategy will be to serve as co-investor for NPLs, while continuing to act as a primary player for the asset classes of reference. Within the plan, a great deal of attention has been devoted to regulatory capital performance, with the CET1 ratio rising to 12% by 2022, exceeding the current SREP threshold of 8.12%, due to the increase in profits, concluded Luciano Colombini, Banca IFISs Chief Executive Officer. THE 2020/22 BUSINESS PLAN Guidelines and goals The main goal of the business plan is to increase the Bank's sustainable profit in order to further improve financial solidity, fund growth in business and provide shareholders with attractive returns by distributing dividends. In 2022, profit is expected to rise to 147 million Euro, with a ROTE of 8.9% at the end of the plan. An ambitious target has been set for sustainable profit, i.e. net of the extraordinary effect of the reversal of the PPA, which is set to rise from 82 million Euro in 20193 to 142 million Euro in 2022 due to the management actions described in the Business Plan. Revenues are expected to rise for both the Non-Performing Loans Division, driven by the purchase of 8.5 billion Euro (nominal amount) of new NPLs, and the Commercial and Corporate Banking Division, due to the increase in disbursements, which will be supported by a new market coverage model, greater integration between business units and considerable investments in digitalisation and marketing. Operating costs are expected to remain essentially stable over the 2020-22 period, despite significant investments in IT, digitalisation and marketing, due to careful monitoring and efficiency gains. The headcount, expected to be 1,688 at the end of 2022, reflects a natural turnover performance estimated to give rise to 67 departures through the use of the solidarity fund, but above all the hiring of 190 capable, dynamic, young, new employees. The improvement in asset quality, through a reduction of non-performing loans from 654 million Euro in 20193 to 496 million Euro in 2022, reflects the reinforcement of the credit risk management process during the disbursement, management and monitoring of loans and recovery of non-performing positions, a reduction in concentration risk and the disposal of NPLs, primarily deriving from the former Interbanca Group. Considerable attention has also been devoted to regulatory capital performance, with the CET1 ratio rising from 11% in 20193 to 12% in 2022, exceeding the current SREP threshold1 of 8.12%, driven by the rise in profit. The pay-out ratio is estimated to be 40%-45% over the plan period; at current share price levels, this percentage would ensure a 7% yield on current exchange prices. The funding strategy calls for funding of 10.5 billion Euro by 2022, of which 5.5 billion Euro from retail customers, 1.4 billion Euro of TLTROs, 3.3 billion Euro of debt instruments and 0.3 billion Euro of other debts. The Business Plan envisages a more diversified funding mix, involving the issuance of bonds of 1.7 billion Euro over the three years, to be implemented in the light of volume trends and the market scenario, whilst also reducing the cost of funding. Cost and capital allocation to the business units Competitive positioning and capital and cost allocation to the various business units were analysed as part of the process of preparing the Business Plan to define the Groups strategy and to be increasingly transparent in the face of the market. The following were analysed for each business unit: the market of reference, competition and the competitive positioning of the products/services, the price system, distribution channels, financial policy, commercial organisation and commercial strategy. The cost and capital allocation indicates that all business units remain profitable and continue to represent positions of leadership in their markets of reference. In particular, the NPL and factoring business present the best competitive positioning and the highest sustainable profitability. Accordingly, the Bank will continue to invest mainly in these two segments, which represent its historical core business and ensure an excellent level of diversification in profit generation. FOCUS ON THE MAIN LINES OF BUSINESS: NPLs Banca IFIS: competitive positioning in the NPL market Banca IFIS is the fourth largest NPL operator on the Italian market in terms of volumes managed (24.4 billion Euro of NPLs) and is the leader in the unsecured non-performing loan segment. Banca IFIS was among the first companies to enter the non-performing loans market, and since 2011 it has purchased over 22 billion Euro of non-performing loans by nominal amount, recovering over 1 billion Euro in cash from its proprietary NPLs. Banca IFIS operates on the non-performing loans market as a primary investor and owns one of the top servicers currently operating in Italy. The Bank's main competitive advantage is its ability to purchase and manage NPL portfolios, paired with a proprietary database of over 1.2 million Euro of debtors, organised into uniform groups by type, age, residence, amount due, profession, recovery times and guarantees. Even more than the secured segment, the unsecured non-performing loans segment presents barriers to entry due to the considerable investments required in terms of personnel and IT, the achievement of economies of scale, an efficient organisation to manage internal and external recovery personnel and an extensive, detailed database. However, the unsecured market is a relatively mature segment, with prices and margins expected to remain essentially stable in the coming quarters. In terms of transactions, we expect the non-performing loan market to remain dynamic over the next three years, with an increase in transactions on the secondary market. In fact, in the three years from 2020 to 2022, the market is expected to see 84 billion Euro of new sales of non-performing loans, of which approximately 20 billion Euro of unsecured NPLs. Of the total transactions, 70% is expected to occur on the primary market and 30% on the secondary market, driven by sales organised by securitisation vehicles, including those that have benefited from government guarantees (GACS) and are seeking to improve cash generation. The strategy Banca IFISs strategy for the medium term is focused on continuing to purchase unsecured loan portfolios by participating actively in all processes on the market, progressively expanding the characteristics of the non-performing portfolios purchased to include the secured and corporate segment and constantly increasing the efficiency of the recovery process for non-performing loans. Over the three years, strategic actions will primarily be based on: Expediting the integration of FBS into the Group to take full advantage of complementary expertise offered by Banca IFIS in the unsecured segment and by FBS in the secured and corporate segment, and thus to position itself on the market as a truly integrated Italian operator. To this end, a minority interest in FBS S.p.A. was acquired in October 2019, bringing Banca IFISs stake in the company to 100%; to take full advantage of complementary expertise offered by Banca IFIS in the unsecured segment and by FBS in the secured and corporate segment, and thus to position itself on the market as a truly integrated Italian operator. To this end, a minority interest in FBS S.p.A. was acquired in October 2019, bringing Banca IFISs stake in the company to 100%; Reorganising the corporate structure in the NPL segment by concentrating purchase and investment activities within IFIS NPL and all servicing activities within a newly formed company, IFIS NPL Servicing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFIS NPL; in the NPL segment by concentrating purchase and investment activities within IFIS NPL and all servicing activities within a newly formed company, IFIS NPL Servicing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFIS NPL; Increasing the efficiency of the recovery system by cutting costs, achieving operating synergies and simplifying and digitalising processes; by cutting costs, achieving operating synergies and simplifying and digitalising processes; Expanding the characteristics of the portfolios purchased in the secured and corporate segment through partnerships with niche servicers/investors and hiring specialised teams. From 2020 to 2022, Banca IFIS estimates new NPL purchases of 8.5 billion Euro in terms of nominal amount, for a total investment of approximately 0.8 billion Euro. Development of servicing activity on account of third parties will be selected and reserved to various market niches. Assets under management are expected to increase to 9.1 billion Euro by 2022. The long-term strategy, from 2023 onwards, i.e. when it is estimated that non-performing loan purchases will be more affected by the calendar provisioning rules, is to act as a co-investor for NPLs while remaining a primary player for the asset classes of reference and turning the effects of the new regulations into opportunities, given that: there will be an extended period of low rates, in which NPLs may prove a new, attractive asset for investors, and Banca IFIS may play a leading role, enabled by its brand and track record; in view of the opportunities to reduce capital absorption and funding for all new NPL portfolios that will be exposed to calendar provisioning, the Group will constantly increase its ability to attract investors directly to act as co-investors in the purchase of portfolios from the outset or to purchase new NPL portfolios transformed into paying plans (by monetising capital gains, without having to further expand the operating machine). Within this scenario, Banca IFIS may sell part of such vehicles junior or senior notes on the basis of its financial needs, by forming specific investment vehicles, whilst continuing to service the portfolios concerned. The project is not aimed at proprietary NPL portfolios, the loans in which are not subject to the application of calendar provisioning. FOCUS ON THE MAIN BUSINESSES/COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE BANKING Banca IFIS: competitive positioning in the SME credit market Banca IFIS markets itself as a specialised operator in support of small and medium enterprises. It is the number-four operator in factoring in terms of turnover with a market share of 5.7%; it has a market share of 1.8% in leasing and engages in the purchase of tax credits on the structured finance market. The level of concentration of the customer portfolio is quite modest due to a sound level of fragmentation of exposures in the face of customers, represented primarily by small and medium enterprises. The Bank has approximately 80,000 customers: approximately 9,000 companies in factoring and 16,000 in leasing (in addition to 55,000 VAT-registered self-employed customers), with strong diversification by sector and a concentration primarily in northern Italy. The strategy The strategy is focused on profitable growth, expanding the customer base and strengthening cross-selling through the following management action: Evolution of the commercial model in the medium enterprises segment, with the introduction of relationship managers who will offer customers the full range of Banca IFIS products (factoring, leasing, structured finance, corporate finance, working capital management and import/export services), while promoting cross-selling and up-selling to the customer portfolio. Local coverage is planned to be improved in areas with the greatest density of businesses (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and the Northeast), alongside expansion of the range of value-added products and services, with a particular focus on products in support of companies that operate outside Italy and structured finance transactions of modest amounts; in the medium enterprises segment, with the introduction of relationship managers who will offer customers the full range of Banca IFIS products (factoring, leasing, structured finance, corporate finance, working capital management and import/export services), while promoting cross-selling and up-selling to the customer portfolio. Local coverage is planned to be improved in areas with the greatest density of businesses (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and the Northeast), alongside expansion of the range of value-added products and services, with a particular focus on products in support of companies that operate outside Italy and structured finance transactions of modest amounts; Digital innovation and new online hub for customers, with custom-tailored business services and private profiles that may be personalised according to a self-service approach. The new online hub will primarily be used to manage back-office processes so that personnel may focus on marketing and advisory activities. Investments of 18.3 million Euro in IT and digitalisation are planned for the development of the new online hub; for customers, with custom-tailored business services and private profiles that may be personalised according to a self-service approach. The new online hub will primarily be used to manage back-office processes so that personnel may focus on marketing and advisory activities. Investments of 18.3 million Euro in IT and digitalisation are planned for the development of the new online hub; Strengthening of credit risk monitoring: over the three-year period the loss rate is expected to decline by 18 basis points from 101 basis points in 20193 to an estimated 83 basis points in 2022, due to the constant enhancement of non-performing loan disbursement, monitoring and management processes. In factoring the loss rate will fall from 131 basis points in 20193 to 90 basis points in 2022. In leasing it will fall from 81 basis points in 20193 to 75 points at the end of the Plan. New communications and marketing strategy with the aim of supporting the new commercial model. In 2020, a rebranding plan will be presented for the entire Banca IFIS Group, entailing a new corporate identity and redefined integral and external strategic communications by the Group in support of a renewed marketing approach. After years of a multi-logo approach adapted to each service or product, the bank will present itself to the market with a single, simplified Banca IFIS brand and strong positioning in the enterprise segment. Thanks to these actions, we estimate an increase in the volumes of loans to customers during the three-year period of 1 billion Euro in the Commercial and Corporate Banking segment. IMPROVED OPERATING EFFICIENCY The Business Plan calls for a reduction in the cost/income ratio from 56% in 2019 to 52% in 2022, to be achieved in part through containment of operating costs. Efficiency will be improved through numerous management actions aimed at achieving the following goals: Containment of personnel costs , which are expected to remain essentially in line during the plan period, rising from 130 million Euros in 2019 3 to 133.5 million Euros in 2022, despite the increased costs for the negotiation of the national collective contract (estimated at 5 million Euro) and a natural increase in the cost of resources tied to the planned hiring of 190 new employees and departures through the solidarity fund; , which are expected to remain essentially in line during the plan period, rising from 130 million Euros in 2019 to 133.5 million Euros in 2022, despite the increased costs for the negotiation of the national collective contract (estimated at 5 million Euro) and a natural increase in the cost of resources tied to the planned hiring of 190 new employees and departures through the solidarity fund; During the plan period, investments in personnel training of 3 million Euro are planned, mostly in the areas of training and digital learning. The Business Plan calls for the introduction and/or extension of all those activities that aim to reconcile work/life balance for the purposes of the well-being and quality of life of the resources employed within the Group: flexible working is planned to be introduced, together with an expansion of part-time work, where requested and possible; of 3 million Euro are planned, mostly in the areas of training and digital learning. The Business Plan calls for the introduction and/or extension of all those activities that aim to reconcile work/life balance for the purposes of the well-being and quality of life of the resources employed within the Group: flexible working is planned to be introduced, together with an expansion of part-time work, where requested and possible; Administrative expenses are expected to remain essentially stable, rising from 156 million Euro in 2019 3 to 159 million Euro in 2022, despite the investments and greater direct costs incurred in order to grow the business. The rationalisation of the IT platform, optimisation of logistics, optimisation of licences and renegotiation of contracts will result in a reduction in costs of 15 million Euro, which will offset the increase in NPL recovery costs, the greater VAT costs for the formation of IFIS Servicing of approximately 3 million Euro and the greater IT/digitalisation and communication costs of 5 million Euro; are expected to remain essentially stable, rising from 156 million Euro in 2019 to 159 million Euro in 2022, despite the investments and greater direct costs incurred in order to grow the business. The rationalisation of the IT platform, optimisation of logistics, optimisation of licences and renegotiation of contracts will result in a reduction in costs of 15 million Euro, which will offset the increase in NPL recovery costs, the greater VAT costs for the formation of IFIS Servicing of approximately 3 million Euro and the greater IT/digitalisation and communication costs of 5 million Euro; Optimisation of the real-estate portfolio with the construction of a new property alongside the historic Mestre office in which to concentrate all personnel currently based in offices in central Padua and Porto Marghera (Venice), and with the sale of the property on Corso Venezia in Milan, closed in 2019, with the concomitant centralisation of personnel at the property in the nearby Via Borghetto, which will be renovated and modernised. The sale will be completed in early 2020 and will result in capital gains before taxes of 25 million Euro and cost savings of 1.5 million Euro; with the construction of a new property alongside the historic Mestre office in which to concentrate all personnel currently based in offices in central Padua and Porto Marghera (Venice), and with the sale of the property on Corso Venezia in Milan, closed in 2019, with the concomitant centralisation of personnel at the property in the nearby Via Borghetto, which will be renovated and modernised. The sale will be completed in early 2020 and will result in capital gains before taxes of 25 million Euro and cost savings of 1.5 million Euro; Optimisation of the organisational structure with a reduction in reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the formation of four major departments, already realised and implemented; with a reduction in reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the formation of four major departments, already realised and implemented; Compliance with ESG (environmental, social and governance) requirements both in terms of the Groups own operations, through the use at all Group facilities of energy from 100% certified renewable sources and the implementation of plastic-free company behaviour and culture, and in terms of the use in its activities on the market and offer to customers of specific green products and financing programmes focused on support for activities and investments for corporate environmental sustainability. Groups main financial targets 20193 2020 2021 2022 CAGR 19-22 Net banking income 557 575 589 602 2.6% - o/w PPA 58 35 18 8 -47.8% Loan loss provisions (LLP) -85 -65 -65 -66 -8.2% Net banking income LLP 473 510 524 537 4.3% Operating costs -312 -332 -320 -314 0.2% - o/w personnel costs -130 -137 -135 -134 1.0% - o/w other costs -182 -196 -185 -180 -0.3% Extraordinary Items 18 -22 0 0 P/L from sales of investments -1 25 0 0 Pre-tax profit 177 181 203 223 8.0% Net income 123 125 135 147 6.1% - o/w PPA 41 24 12 5 -49.0% Customer loans 7,668 8,378 8,941 9,654 8.0% - o/w IFIS NPL 1,350 1,584 1,787 1,936 12.8% Total assets 10,412 11,299 12,196 12,730 6.9% Direct funding 8,339 9,191 10,014 10,463 7.9% - o/w customer deposits 5,139 5,071 5,217 5,467 2.1% Shareholders Equity 1,540 1,597 1,674 1,759 4.5% Cost/income 55.9% 57.8% 54.4% 52.1% Cost/income (excluding NPL) 49.7% 52.6% 49.6% 47.1% Cost of credit (excluding NPL) -1.20% -0.84% -0.79% -0.75% ROE 8.2% 8.1% 8.3% 8.6% ROTE4 8.5% 8.3% 8.6% 8.9% ROA5 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% Return on allocated capital6 13.3% 12.2% 12.2% 11.8% CET1 1,036 1,141 1,229 1,350 CET1 ratio 11.0% 11.3% 11.5% 12.0% Tangible equity 1,472 1,533 1,610 1,700 RWA 9,446 10,099 10,667 11,223 LCR 900% 600% 550% 350% NSFR 110% 110% 110% 110% Disclaimer This press release may contain written and oral forward-looking statements, which includes all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts but rather reflect subjective judgments that may or may not prove to be correct, and which are therefore inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions, expectations, projections and provisional data concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors (including, without limitation, the economic environment and changes in governmental regulations, fiscal policy, planning or laws in the Republic of Italy, other relevant jurisdictions and the EU), many of which are outside the control of Banca IFIS (the Company). There are a variety of factors that may cause actual results and performance to be materially different from the explicit or implicit contents of any forward-looking statements and thus such forward-looking statements are not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law and regulations. The information and opinions contained in this Presentation are provided as at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Neither this Presentation nor any part of it nor the fact of its distribution may form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract or investment decision. The information, statements and opinions contained in this press release are for information purposes only and do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments. None of the securities referred to herein have been, or will be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States or in Australia, Canada or Japan or any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful (the Other Countries), and there will be no public offer of any such securities in the United States. This Presentation does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or the Other Countries. Copies of this document are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into the United States or the Other Countries. This press release defines the main guidelines of economic and financial development of Banca IFIS Group considering the banks market potential in a positive and ordinary macro scenario. All forecast contained herein are based on 2019 year end preview: we underline that all data referred to 2019 are the best estimate at the current date and are purely indicative. At the date of this Presentation all accounting procedure are in process and will be concluded in accordance with the financial calendar of the Company. Every preliminary results and any other figures related to 2019 included in this document are therefore subject to changes and amendments Neither the Company nor any member of Banca IFIS nor any of its or their respective representatives directors or employees make any representation, express or implied with respect to such statements nor accept any liability whatsoever in connection with this Presentation or any of its contents or in relation to any loss arising from its use or from any reliance placed upon it. Attachment Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:21:43|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi said Tuesday that Iran welcomes any constructive measure which aims at saving the 2015 nuclear deal. "As in the past, Iran is fully ready to receive any well-intended and constructive measures to salvage this important international deal, and it supports any initiative in this regard," Mousavi said. "In the meantime, Iran clarifies it to all and particularly to three European parties of the deal that any breach of vows, mal-intention and unconstructive measures will be responded in a serious and appropriate manner," said Mousavi. Mousavi's remark is in reaction to the move adopted by Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The European countries said that they took the step in response to Tehran's act to back off its nuclear commitments over the past months. The Iranian spokesperson denounced the Europeans' move as a "passive" step, saying that Iran has started the dispute resolution mechanism since one year ago, but "nothing new has happened in practice." denuclearization in the Korean peninsula is a major issue to be resolved between the US and north korea. Kim Jong-un had promised a Christmas gift to the United States and there was speculation on the nature of the gift. The US President expected a flower vase. However, it was an eventless Christmas and Donald Trump sent across birthday greetings to Kim Jong-un in the New Year because they share a special personal relationship. These developments have encouraged the Americans to broach the topic of a fresh round of talks with North Korea on denuclearization. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien confirms this. He indicated that the United States has reached out to Pyongyang on the subject of resumption of talks. It wants to continue from where they had left off in Stockholm in early October last year. Trump reaches out to North Korea in bid to resume nuclear talks https://t.co/1QO0sU6B10 pic.twitter.com/sxQGJi7NDy New York Post (@nypost) January 13, 2020 Daily Mail UK quotes Robert O'Brien saying weve been letting them know, through various channels, that we would like to get those back on track. North Korea appears to be non-committal. Pyongyang wants new proposals on denuclearization A statement published by state news agency KCNA says it acknowledges the birthday greetings sent by President Donald Trump to its leader Kim Jong-un. It goes on to add - Their personal relationship was not enough for a return to talks. Trump has been relying on his personal rapport with Kim to pursue the subject of denuclearization. It has been going on since 2018 but has kept stumbling at the working level. The Trump administration has reached out to North Korea to resume diplomatic negotiations after the two countries broke off talks in October https://t.co/DLLTHgX4e9 CNN (@CNN) January 13, 2020 Daily Mail UK says North Korea has made itself clear that it wants the US to come up with new proposals because it would not like to discuss proposals put forth by Donald Trump at his last summit with Kim in Hanoi in February 2019. Discuss this news on Eunomia This is the stand of North Korea as revealed by an advisor of the Foreign Ministry. Incidentally, Kim Jong-un had mentioned that there was no justification to remain bound by a self-declared moratorium on nuclear weapons. He also dropped hints about a new strategic weapon. South Korean President Moon Jae-in feels there is a need to improve ties with the North and expressed his willingness to meet the North Korean leader. Denuclearization is the main agenda According to CNN, the willingness of the Trump administration to resume diplomatic negotiations with North Korea is significant. Chairman Kim had indicated denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula would depend on a change in the policy of the US, which was hostile. There were working-level talks between the two countries last year in Stockholm, Sweden. US officials described it as a good discussion" but North Korea blamed Washington for the failure of talks. North Korea's top negotiator Kim Myong Gil said The break-up of the negotiation without any outcome is totally due to the fact that the US would not give up their old viewpoint and attitude." Robert O'Brien interprets the non-receipt of the promised Christmas gift as a positive and encouraging sign. Trump must convince Kim Jong-un about denuclearization US President Donald Trump has been pursuing the subject of denuclearization ever since he took over the reins. He met Kim Jong-un thrice. The first time was in Singapore in June 2018 followed by Hanoi in February 2019 and then at the DMZ in June 2019. The two leaders have built a personal rapport and Trump must now convince the leader of North Korea to go in for denuclearization. He is the senior and must explain to Kim the advantages of abandoning his nuclear ambitions. That will lift the sanctions imposed on his country by the global community and pave the road to prosperity. It could also go a long way to reunify the two Koreas. FOR THE RECORD: This editorial misstated the states number of licensed nonprofit medical cannabis producers and the number of cannabis plants grown in New Mexico. There are 34 licensed nonprofit medical cannabis producers and a maximum of 39,500 cannabis plants in the state at any one time, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. As the old saying goes, whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. A 21st century update of that Western adage might be cannabis is for consumption, while water is for fighting. Representatives of two rural water systems in Sandoval County told Journal reporter Theresa Davis for a Jan. 5 story that cannabis growers may be depleting local water supplies, and they cant stop it, even as more medical pot plants are sprouting up in New Mexico than ever before. Representatives from the Pena Blanca Water and Sanitation District and the Sile Mutual Domestic Water and Sewer Association say N.M.s patchwork of medical cannabis regulations has not kept up with the increased strain on rural water supplies, and that improper water use by cannabis growers may be exacerbating the problem. An average household in the Pena Blanca system uses about 3,000 gallons of water a month, according to the districts president, while a cannabis farm with greenhouses in Pena Blanca is logging 20,000 gallons a month. Thats a lot of dry mouth for the remainder of water district users. The two water groups are asking companies applying for a cannabis growing license to prove a valid water right for commercial agriculture. That stands to reason, as domestic well water is not supposed to be used for agriculture here. Instead, farmers must irrigate crops with another water source by acquiring a valid water right. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Journal the Agriculture Department regulates hemp cultivation to the point of harvest, but not medical cannabis because cannabis is not considered a traditional agronomic crop. Instead, the New Mexico Department of Health regulates medical cannabis production. But cannabis is grown, irrigated and cultivated long before it is distributed to patients, right? This lack of collaboration between agencies is one more example of how our government has failed to keep up with the times. New Mexico legalized medical cannabis in 2007, yet, 13 years later, some growers are apparently ignoring water law and just turning on the spigot. And because cannabis remains a federally controlled substance, there are still myriad other issues including that mutual domestic well systems used to water marijuana cannot receive federal infrastructure improvement money or water from the Bureau of Reclamation, so scofflaw pot farms could be putting strapped water systems federal funding at risk. A spokesperson for the state Health Department told the Journal that cannabis producers currently do not have to disclose water rights or water management practices when applying for a license. What? And enforcement is up to local water districts; a member of the Sile water system board says security is so tight at some nurseries, water district officials cant even get inside to read the meters. According to the Health Department, there are 104 licensed cannabis producers in the state needing water to irrigate 68,000 cannabis plants. Each cannabis plant grown outdoors consumes 2 to 6 gallons of water every day, depending of your source of information. In the West, thats a lot of water worth fighting for. While the Journal has supported medical marijuana, it does not support depleting drinking water for irrigation. State agencies need to work together to ensure growers obtain water rights, not just a spigot and a garden hose. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. UTICA, N.Y. A woman was shot Monday evening at an outdoor memorial vigil in Utica for a 20-year-old who was fatally shot last week, according to the Utica Police Department. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Rutger Street regarding shots being fired around 6:45 p.m., Utica police said in a news release Tuesday. Police were already in the area, monitoring the vigil for Quaheim Holland, 20. Holland was shot and killed Wednesday in Whitestown, according to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office. Utica police found numerous shell casings at the scene on Rutger Street and spoke to witnesses who said mourners fled when shots rang out. Investigators said no victims were found at the scene. However, a local hospital called dispatchers about two hours later saying that a woman was at the hospital with a gunshot wound after leaving the vigil. She was shot in one of her hands, according to Utica police. Holland, of Utica, was found dead Wednesday around noon. Deputies said he was found inside a vehicle behind a barn on Westmoreland Road, killed in an apparent homicide. Deputies and police are asking the public for help finding information about Hollands death and the vigil shooting. Utica police can be reached at (315) 223-3510, and the sheriffs office can be reached at (315) 765-2226. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Representatives of St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner did not speak at the hearing. In a statement provided to the Post-Dispatch late Monday, Gardner said: Although we appreciate the Missouri Legislatures attempt to offer additional prosecution options, the chosen approach is an unbridled attempt to usurp the authority of the elected prosecutors in Kansas City, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City in a legislative overreach. This effort sets these three jurisdictions apart from the rest of the state of Missouri by allowing the Attorney General to second guess elected local prosecutors in these selected counties. This should not be permitted. On Facebook, Bell's chief of staff Sam Alton also blasted the proposed legislation, calling it an example of racism. Pure and simple. At the hearing Monday, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd testified in support of the legislation on behalf of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. While the prosecutors association would prefer that the provision giving jurisdiction to the attorney general not be included, he said the organization did not actively oppose the bill. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for the delay in Goa's independence by 14 years. "India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru did not care for Goa and the former Portuguese colony's liberation was delayed by 14 years on account of Nehru," Pramod Sawant said at an Indian Army awareness event here. Speaking further, Sawant added," If Nehru had the political will and if he really cared about Goans, he would have wanted Goa to be free of Portuguese rule." "Forget 1947, he should have at least thought about us (Goa) in 1950. Why did we have to suffer Portuguese rule even after India had got independence," Sawant added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria is one of the flagships in private education in the country. Founded in 2005 by the former judge at the International Court of Justice, His Excellency Judge Bola Ajibola, the institution has positioned itself as a centre of academic and moral excellence both nationally and internationally. In this interview by Crescent Studios, the vice chancellor, Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila bears his mind on girl-child education, corporate social responsibility, zero tolerance for drug abuse and other issues.Enjoy the excerpts: Can you tell us your background? My name is Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, the vice chancellor, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Nigeria.I was born in Lagos. I had my primary and secondary education both in the UK.I attended the University of London for my first degree in Microbiology. I then stayed on for my PhD in Virology and got it in 1984, then stayed on as a research fellow.I worked for about 30 years before being recruited by His Excellency Prince Bola Ajibola to work for Crescent University about ten years ago. Why have you chosen to work with Crescent University? To contribute my quota to the mission of the founder of the university. When Judge Ajibola retired from the International Court of Justice at age 70, he thought about investing in education as his contribution to the society.After establishing the primary and secondary education, he also started Crescent University in 2005 when the official license was obtained from the National Universities Commission (NUC).I support the need to develop our nation through education. The motto of Crescent University, Abeokuta is "Citadel of Academic and Moral Excellence". How can you justify this in the operation of the institution? I think the motto is apt.It encompasses the vision of the proprietor that he wanted an academic excellence institution. But more importantly he wanted students that are morally upright and sound. And again, part of challenges in public universities is cultism, rowdiness and total lack of focus by some students. So, the idea that a university established on a firm moral basis is necessary. If you are coming here, you are coming to be a rounded human being. We have a number of programmes that are included--an academic plus, Global Citizenship and moral injunction opportunities. So, in the end, when a student graduates from Crescent University, he is not only academic excellent but also in character. It is that character that the moral excellence is about. I think we have achieved both.And that is what attracts parents to us.Since we are a fee-paying institution, parents want to make sure that they spend their money appropriately and to ensure that they get value for money. Most of your first class products are female.What accounts for this? This is a national and international phenomenon and ours is not any different. Over the last ten sets, female students have performed excellently well at Crescent. Again, with my international experience, this is the same pattern all over and we always asked and debated why is this the case?So, without fear or favour, we can say that the female students work harder; they are here for the primary purpose. As a result, they achieve that purpose. So, when you go to any graduation internationally--in Malaysia, Singapore, London, and various other places like the USA--and you now look at the profile of the students, you get the same result. And of course, it is a welcome development in Crescent University because if you work hard and achieve results, somebody else should not complain if they have not done so.Therefore, the gender issue has been knocked on the head because in the old days, parents might feel that getting education for a female child might be a waste of money because she was going to be somebody else's wife. Most of the parents now know that a child whether male or female is important. I saw a programme recently on one airline that all the crew members were females--the pilot and the flight officers. It is an inspiration to the girl child because in some parts of the country, they may not feel it's worthwhile investment.The Proprietor, Judge Ajibola, in setting up of Crescent University, is in the mission to increase opportunities for the girl child. And the first intake of the university, females were less than 20% while males were over 80% but now the situation has been reversed because fifteen years later, female students are now in the majority and the perfomance remains high.The university has a conducive environment where female students can thrive without molestation. At Crescent, the girls work very hard, get the desired result because there is an enabling environment; they are committed to their studies because they understand that their parents are making sacrifices for them to be here.Our law graduate, Zainab Akinde got a first class at the Nigerian Law School recently. Another female graduate from Mass Communication,Rafiat Gawat got a first class with us and also went to Robert Gordon University in the UK where she also got a distinction at Master's level. This is a validation that our first class is truly world class.We have a catalogue of others doing wonderfully in employment and further studies around the world. Has Crescent University, Abeokuta recorded any feat since your assumption as vice chancellor? I am proud to say that we have a number of firsts. The most important for us in terms of academic excellence is to have all our programmes validated by the NUC which is our regulatory body to have 100% accreditation. This is an important feat in terms of the regulation of the university system. You can either get denial, interim or full accreditation. The real goal for any institution is full accreditation which means that it will be five years before they come back again. And to come out with results that we have achieved is a feat for the university. For example, our Mass Communication got 93.5% while the least programme scored 81%. We need 70% to get full accreditation. So, that is an achievement and a testament to our staff who have worked hard to achieve and maintain this standard that the proprietor has always wanted in academic excellence. So, we can essentially say through the NUC accreditation that we are a centre for academic excellence. Drug abuse is one major challenge with the youth globally. How is your university checkmating the tide?Has Crescent witnessed any major incidence? I first want to agree with you that drug abuse is a major national and international problem. It is something that is destroying communities and it has walked its way into tertiary education. It is distraction to academic endeavour. When we say drug abuse, when people have not got access to drug, they have improvised. And information being provided on the internet has allowed some people to experiment with unsafe drugs which has led to many deaths and tragedies for parents. As a faith-based university, we take this issue very seriously. We have clinic where we do drug testing to ensure that anybody flouting the rules will be expelled from the university because what parents are paying for is academic and moral excellence which is our academic plus. Academic plus and drug abuse cannot go together. So, we have zero tolerance for that.In our matriculation oath and all the counseling that we do, students know that it leads to expulsion. Thankfully, we have not had the kind of issues that happen in public universities especially where students are living outside the campus. If you are living with a landlord, you cannot tell your neighbours not to smoke.As a result, students may be exposed. Our policy is for all the students to be resident on campus. So, opportunities for drug taking by students are curtailed. What has Crescent University contributed to Corporate Social Responsibility of its immediate environment? All over the world, any community where there is a university, by virtue of that university existence, the community will benefit either through employment or business opportunities. The Proprietor of this university has continued to sponsor a number of students on scholarship annually. We have had different cases.Our best graduating student in 2018 was going to drop out at 200 level because her parents could not afford to carry on with payment of her fees.So, she rewarded her parents by getting a first class and one of the night Cumulative Grade Point Average. He also provides scholarship to members of the community. Crescent University is the major employer in this community. Do you admit based on religion? Education must be for all.At Crescent, we welcome everybody irrespective of their religious beliefs. We have a mixture of staff and students which is the vision of the founder that you must not exclude somebody for any other reasons for academics. If you are good enough and you are able to meet the standard, you are welcome here The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are struggling with their respective Dravidan allies in Tamil Nadu, the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK as their competing ambitions collide ahead of assembly polls scheduled early next year with two regional parties blaming the two national parties for the discord in their relationships. While the AIADMK leader, and Minister D Jayakumar hit out at former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan in Tuesday for describing Tamil Nadu as a camp of terrorists, DMK Principal Secretary, and former Union Minister TR Baalu lambasted the state Congress leadership for criticizing the Dravidian majors practice of coalition dharma in the recently held Local Body polls and cited it as the reason for staying away from the anti-CAA meeting called by the national party on Monday in Delhi. The DMK-Congress spat began on Friday when Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Alagiri and Congress Legislature Council President K R Ramasamy claimed that the DMK has not adhered to the coalition dharma in the rural civic polls. A day after this, Congress failed to support the DMK in electing the Chairman for Pudukottai district panchayat. In Pudukkottai, DMK won 11 out of 21 district panchayat wards. AIADMK won merely eight councillors, and Congress got two councillors. But with the help of one DMK panchayat member who turned rebel and two Congress councillors support, the AIADMK won the Chairmanship. Similarly the DMK and Congress had a fall out in Annavasal and Palladam union Panchayats regarding electing a vice-chairman. An immediate fallout was that DMK skipped the anti-CAA all-party meeting in Delhi which the Congress had called despite its leader Baalu being in the capital on Monday. Baalu said that DMK could not attend the Congress organized meeting as the partys state chief criticized the DMK for shallow reasons. How could we attend the Congress partys meeting while Alagiri is continously criticsing us? So, we skipped the meeting, Baalu said. TNCC chief Alagiri who called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday, however, maintained that there were no disputes in the DMK-led alliance. DMK and Congress are standing together. There are no cracks in our alliance. Since the DMK-Congress alliance is like a family, we may have some minor problems. But, we never have any major differences in our alliance, Alagiri told the media after meeting the Congress chief in Delhi. When reporters questioned him about Baalus reasons for not attending the anti-CAA meeting of oppositions, he refused to comment on that. Baalu is my senior. I dont want to comment on his version of events. But I am clear that the DMK-Congress alliance is strong, he noted. Similarly there has been trouble in the AIADMK-BJP alliance ever since BJP leader Radhakrishnan made a statement criticising the TN Government. Tamil Nadu has become a camp for terrorists over the years. But the government is not taking steps to finish off terrorism. I have been saying this since Jayalalithaas term, Pon Radhakrishnan had told the media at Ariyalur on Saturday. Countering the BJP leader, Jayakumar said Radhakrishnans statement was incorrect. While the Union Government has lauded the TN government, Radhakrishnans statement is going against that. I dont know whether the BJP leader is criticizing the AIADMK out of frustration as he could not get the BJP state presidents post. Also, I would like to question Radhakrishnan what contribution he had done to the state while he was the union minister, Jayakumar said. I hope it is the personal statement of Radhakrishnan and it is not the view of BJP, he added. R Mani, a political analyst, said issues in the two alliances should be understood due to the competing ambitions of the national parties in the state. It is obvious that the recent election results saw the AIADMK lose minorities votes because of being aligned with the BJP, even as the saffron party wants to grow in the state. The friction is due to these competing aspirations, Mani said. In the DMK-Congress alliance the national party is aware of its importance in the state and thus was driving a hard bargain, he added. Though Congress is not in a position to win even a single seat without the DMK, the national party is also the deciding factor in 40 to 50 legislative assembly constituencies in the deep South. So, DMK and Congress have a mutual benefit in the alliance and the current posturing is a prelude to tough bargaining for the assembly polls ahead. he said. Three women who moved off-grid to grow cannabis and live the simple life with their animals have shared a glimpse at their unusual set-up. Lexie, 28, Amy, 31, and Doris, 39, moved out to the Californian countryside to start up a farm and become self-sufficient, and are sharing their rustic exploits via their steamy Instagram account 'Girls Off Grid'. A typical post will show then brandishing rifles, chopping down trees, or feeding chickens in skimpy bikinis. The founder, Doris, revealed she decided to start the account as a farm spoof on Girls Gone Wild, and the women keep 65 sheep, 60 goats, 40 chickens, fifteen ducks, eight guinea hens, three alpacas, two turkeys, two horses, two dogs, two cats, one pig. As they are no longer allowed to sell their cannabis commercially, they make their money by selling farm fertiliser, walnuts, and growing their own food - even doing their own plumbing as the nearest shop is an hour away. Amy, 31, Lexie, 28, and Doris, 39, (L-R) moved out to the Californian countryside to start up a farm and become self-sufficient, and are sharing their rustic exploits via their steamy Instagram account 'Girls Off Grid' Speaking about the enterprise, Doris revealed: 'I created Girls Gone Off-Grid as sort of a spoof on Girls Gone Wild, explains Doris, the founder of the enterprise. 'I figured we can lure in followers with our sexuality but then show them that we are actually doing some real farm s***. Until late last year the girls were growing industrial quantities of cannabis. 'That made a lot of money', Doris said ruefully. But unfortunately my county no longer allows commercial cultivation.' As they are no longer allowed to sell their cannabis commercially, seen right, they make their money by selling farm fertiliser, walnuts, and growing their own food. Pictures see them posing with rifles in mini skirts (left) and by their produce in bikinis (right) The women keep 65 sheep, 60 goats, 40 chickens, fifteen ducks, eight guinea hens, three alpacas, two turkeys, two horses, two dogs, two cats, one pig They also grow walnuts, a lucrative crop since Doris figured out how multiply her selling prices tenfold by going direct to consumers and take care of dozens of animals. 'We currently have 65 sheep, 60 goats, 40 chicken', Doris said proudly. 'Fifteen ducks, eight guinea hens, three alpacas, two turkeys, two horses, two dogs, two cats, one pig. 'And a partridge in a pear tree!'. The women say they try to lure followwers in with their more 'sexual content' and then teach them more about the farming life The women had a successful commercial cannabis business but are no longer allowed to sell it commercially Lexi the founds says she's trying to post less sexual content but some pictures see the women enjoying a break from farm life in bikinis by the sea But the life also has its tougher sides, and being an hour's drive from the nearest town forced the girls to learn practical skills all for themselves. 'Living off grid, with my own plumbing and septic, taught me really quick that I needed to learn all that stuff too,' she said. 'So over time I learned about different generators, how to lay PVC pipe, or fix breaks, do oil changes, work with propane appliances and set up my own solar'. As these videos and pictures show, the girls certainly aren't afraid of getting down and dirty. 'My chainsaw skills are probably what I'm most proud of', Doris admitted. Elsewhere the women take part in target practice wearing dresses as they make sure they can defend their farm against wild animals Another picture sees one of the women wearing a gun with her mini-skirt as they go about the 15 hour day of looking after the farm The women are seen with their cannabis harvest as they go about their daily routine 'Not many guys I know are comfortable picking up and running a saw, it's definitely one of the more dangerous jobs around here'. Far from being a born-and-bred country girl, Doris was in fact brought up in an affluent white collar household her father owned the largest beer distribution company in San Francisco. 'Back in those days I was always wearing designer clothes, and I literally always wore heels', she remembered. 'I hated getting not being clean, and wasn't into any outdoor activities that wasn't shopping or hanging out by a pool or beach'. A random twist of fate saw her father selling the business which led Doris into starting an organic fertiliser business, and from there taking an interest in food production. Working in the agriculture industry, meeting farmers and seeing all the crap they spray on our food made me realize that I wanted to grow and raise everything I could myself,' she said. The women are pictured with a crop of walnuts (above) and a crop of cannabis (below) The women are seen with their dinner during the snowy winter season The women are seen with a few crops of cannabis on their trucks 'What was great about starting my farming life in industry was the knowledge I picked up. To sell fertilizer to farmers, I had to learn the science behind it all. 'I took courses, read books and learned soil science, plant pathology, microbiology etc. Those type of skills are crucial for running a successful farm'. But as well as the science, running a large ranch and managing so many animals sometimes presents heartbreaking situations for the girls to deal with. 'Most of our problems on the ranch have to do with the livestock', Doris revealed. 'With so many here, anything can happen, at any time. 'It might just be a sheep stuck with fencing around its neck, or a goat going into labor with a breached baby, or could be a coyote going after and killing my chickens. 'The worst is when a bear eats half an animal, and leaves it alive for me to find in the morning. That's happened twice. 'A pig with its shoulder eaten off, still totally alive but obviously not going to make it. 'I just have to get my gun and put down the pig. It's probably the hardest job around when an animal is sick or injured or born deformed and I have to shoot them. 'It's hard on me'. There's no such grisly content on their account and some online commentors have even criticised the girls' over-sexualised take on country life. 'I've decided to tone down the sexy stuff a bit recently,' Doris admitted. 'But that's kinda hard with Lexi and her big nice a**. 'And with her being a Florida girl, she naturally struts around here all summer in her thong.' Despite her cannabis growing history, Doris isn't a fan of seasonal volunteers getting high off the supply. 'I myself was a complete stoner from the ages of 16 to 29,' she admits. 'But when I started my business I realized I couldn't be high and productive at the same time. The women also hire seasonal workers - though they aren't aloud to smoke until after the shift Seen: Baby goat feeding night time equipment. Bears are a big problem for them. One of the women is seen fishing 'And it's funny, because everyone that first comes here assumes that it's ok to be high while working on a pot farm. But I have a strict no smoking rule, until after work anyway. 'I hate dealing with a bunch of stoners. There are so many things that they can mess up, from feeding to watering, so much better I say to save the smoking for after work.' This year Doris is expanding the girls' operation. 'This year we are building two more tiny houses to rent on Airbnb, our one last year was a hit and I did zero marketing. 'We are also starting retreats here; building a commercial kitchen and eating/meeting area at the very top of the mountain with platforms nearby that will house canvas tents. The women are proud of their goats and often have to feed the baby goats themselves The women are seen with their crop of growing cannabis 'The different retreats will include yoga, permaculture, animal husbandry, women's, health, native American culture, herbal tinctures and more'. And Doris is adamant she'll never go back to living in a city. 'I plan to raise my children and homeschool them here,' she said. 'I'm an entrepreneur at heart so I'll always be creating new business whether it be products or services but all of them will be centred around this lifestyle.' But it certainly isn't the life for everyone, as Doris herself is quick to point out. 'The worst things about this life, hands down,' she says, 'is that I can't order food, or pick up something easy. 'I'm hardcore into not eating processed foods, so I cook everything from scratch. 'And after a long, hot, 15-hour day of farm chores, I'd give anything to just grab some take-out.' Between five and 15 cm of snow is expected for southern parts of the province this week, according to Environment Canada. The national weather agency attributes the snowfall to an "intensifying low pressure system" approaching from New England. "The snow will be heaviest to the south on Thursday," said Tina Simpkin, a CBC meteorologist. Strong winds gusting at 60 km/h or more are also expected across the province. "We'll all feel the wind from this out of the northeast, and it'll be gusty at times," she said. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of the province for Thursday. They include: Moncton. Sussex, Kennebecasis Valley and Kings County. Saint John and county. St. Stephen and northern Charlotte County. Grand Manan and coastal Charlotte County. Simpkin said the entire province can expect up to five cm of snow on Wednesday. The weather system will be travelling from the west, bringing light flurries in the morning that will continue into the early afternoon. Time, as they say, is a flat circlea statement perhaps more true of the whiskey industry than most others. Distilleries and whiskey brands rise to prominence, are shuttered, fade into the collective unconsciousness and then have their names resurrected once again in an endless cycle of decay and rebirth. And so it is with O.Z. Tyler, one of Kentuckys more recent resurrections. Originally built in 1885, the original O.Z. Tyler distillery was the first in Owensboro and only the 10th licensed distillery in the state of Kentucky. The subsequent 135 years have been complicated indeed, as the distillery changed hands numerous times, burned down in 1918, was resurrected and has most recently been laying down barrels with its current ownership since 2016. One thing that has specifically differentiated O.Z. Tyler over the years, though, has been the notable brands theyve produced bourbon for, which historically included the likes of Ezra Brooks, Mellow Corn and Old Medley. Today, theyre still a distillery that is largely working behind the scenes, so to speak, providing young bourbon for a handful of brands on the market while also working on their own self-branded releases. Wheel Horse Rye, however, is a departure: O.Z. Tylers first rye produced and aged in-house since the revival. This is, therefore, the emergence of a new Kentucky straight rye whiskey, although one that thoroughly breaks with tradition. Historically, Kentucky-made ryes have tended to be produced in a very specific and recognizable style, with a mere 51% or so rye grain in the grist, the rest being made up of corn and traces of barley. This means, obviously, a rye that shares more bourbon characteristics, which has increasingly made Kentucky ryes stand out as almost a separate substyle to the increasingly popular (thanks to Bulleit Rye especially) style of making rye with very little or no corn at all. Wheel Horse hews to the latter despite its Kentucky origins, a style that tends to produce spicier, more distinctly rye whiskeys. Heres the facts: This is a straight rye whiskey aged between 2-3 years in Owensboro, at O.Z. Tylers distillery, with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barleythe popular MGP ratio, although this liquid is obviously not from Indiana. The whiskey is aged in newly charred oak (standard barrel size) and is non-chill filtered. Batch #1 of Wheel Horse Rye hit shelves in December and is bottled at a generous 101 proof, which bodes well for its use in classic whiskey cocktails. MSRP is an intriguingly low $27.99, which likewise suggests it is intended to compete against the value rye/mixing sphere that is dominated by the likes of Rittenhouse, Bulleit Rye, Dickel Rye, Old Forester Rye and Old Overholt. One suspects thats the reason for the higher proof as well, with the extra one point of proof (101) being a symbolic one-upsmanship of the 100 proof Rittenhouse and Old Forester ryes. A rather cheeky move by owners Latitude Beverage, if I do say so myself. Now, lets get to tasting. On the nose, this is a modern, high-rye whiskey for sure. Big peppery rye and lots of baking spices hit big immediately, with charred cinnamon stick appearing prominently. Orange essential oil and black cherry fruitiness announce their presence as well, but the really big note is a fairly intense brown sugar sweetness. It certainly projects more of a sense of richness than I was expecting. On the palate, this is likewise a sweeter and richer dram than I was really expecting, especially given the lack of corn in the grist. Theres tons of brown sugar and caramel here, and almost a hot chocolate sort of cocoa note, which transitions into cinnamon sugar, juicy maraschino cherry and plenty of rye spice, with flashes of heatalthough not too much really, considering the 101 proof. As I go back for repeated sips, the rye graininess presents itself more, with somewhat more of a rye bread profile, although its the baking spice/caramelized sugar elements that make this one go. All in all, this wasnt quite the dryer, spicier rye I was expecting, but I found myself charmed by it regardless. Certainly, this is very flavorful, and much richer in profile than something like Rittenhouse. Thats a bit against the prevailing cocktail culture when it comes to use in classic rye cocktails, but I actually think its likely to acquit itself very well in them regardless. All in all, Id say I like this even more than the Old Forester Rye when it comes to selecting a budget cocktail rye, and I think it could have challenged for the top spot in our blind tasting of cheap ryes had it been available then. Wheel Horse Rye will be headed straight to my bar cart for mixed drink/cocktail purposes. At that $27.99 MSRP, it fits in very well alongside its direct competition, provided you enjoy its sweeter, richer profile. Distillery: O.Z. Tyler (via Latitude Beverage) City: Owensboro, KY Style: Straight rye whiskey ABV: 50.5% (101 proof) Availability: 750 ml bottles, $27.99 Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident brown liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing. VANCOUVER, Jan. 14, 2020 - Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (the Company or Pacific Rim Cobalt) (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (FRANKFURT: NXFE), an Indonesia-based company focused on developing nickel-cobalt opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, is pleased to report that Indonesia has approved environmental impact studies for factories to produce battery-grade nickel chemicals in Morowali, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said on Wednesday*. The approval will allow investors, such as China's stainless steel giant Tsingshan Group, to continue the construction of their high-pressure acid leaching plants in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. Ranjeet Sundher, CEO of Pacific Rim Cobalt said, Indonesia continues to make significant strategic decisions and this latest announcement represents an important step in Pacific Rim Cobalts efforts to benefit from Indonesias rapid development as a leading market for all stages of the EV supply chain. With offices in Vancouver, Shanghai and Jakarta, Pacific Rim Cobalt is well positioned to leverage Asias global dominance in the battery manufacturing sector. During 2019 the Company carried out an extensive exploration and development program on its flagship, 5000 hectare Cyclops project, located in Papua Province, Indonesia and achieved successful Nickel results with its drilling and bench-scale scoping tests for processing of materials. The recovery percentages form the bench-scale test program are set out below (for further information, please refer to the Companys press release of October 28, 2019): Sample Ni(%) Co(%) Fe(%) Limonite 99.26 98.82 97.77 Low Iron Transition 99.75 97.03 99.22 Saprolite 99.77 >99.9 99.74 Selected elevated nickel results are given below from the Companys shallow drilling program (for further information, please refer to the Companys press releases of March 5, April 1, April 23, June 13, June 20 and September 10, 2019): Intersection Length (metres from surface) Nickel Percentage Cobalt Percentage 7.0 2.15% 0.03% 4.0 1.96% 0.04% 2.0 2.00% 0.01% 2.0 1.91% 0.05% 5.0 1.91% 0.03% 2.0 1.61% 0.26% 6.0 1.78% 0.06% 4.0 1.80% 0.06% 6.0 1.79% 0.05% 6.0 1.76% 0.03% 3.0 1.90% 0.05% 4.0 1.78% 0.06% 5.0 2.24% 0.05% 4.0 1.72% 0.03% The Company has always maintained that Indonesia is the perfect jurisdiction to take advantage of the burgeoning EV sector. 2019 has seen the continuation of a number of exciting trends and developments which lay the foundations for the continued future growth in every vertical of the EV supply chain. These developments also strengthen Indonesias ability to capitalize on its abundant resources, which includes 25% of global nickel reserves. There are at least five of these plants being built in Indonesia currently as the government seeks to use its nickel resources to create an integrated industry, including production of nickel chemicals used in car batteries and the building of electronic vehicles. Spending on new nickel processing plants in Indonesia is expected to total US$20 billion by 2024, supported by the Indonesian governments determination to create a world-leading EV supply chain. This commitment extends to the very top of government, with Joko Widodo Indonesias President stating in September 2019 that for nickel, we want raw materials to be processed in Indonesia. We want added values. This supports previous pronouncements from key officials, including Indonesian Maritime Minister, Luhut Pandjaitan who remarked that Indonesia will become the main player in lithium batteries and that it will control the world market. The country, which is the world's top nickel ore exporter, has stopped export of unprocessed nickel ore to support this plan. Two of the plants, representing a combined investment of $2.3 billion, are expected to be built in Morowali by China's Zhejiang Huayou (603799.SS) and partners and by Chinese battery firm GEM Co Ltd (002340.SZ), Tsingshan Holding Group and partners. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Garry Clark, PGeo, independent director of Pacific Rim Cobalt and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Pacific Rim Cobalt Pacific Rim Cobalt is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of production grade nickel-cobalt deposits, key raw material inputs for the growing lithium-ion battery industry. Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. Ranjeet Sundher President and CEO (604) 922-8272 rsundher@pacificrimcobalt.com Steve Vanry CFO & Director (604) 922-8272 steve@vanrycap.com Sean Bromley Director & Investor Contact (778) 985-8934 sean@theparmargroup.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute forward-looking information that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company and with respect to the results of exploration and prospective plans in regards to the Cyclops project. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Although Pacific Rim Cobalt 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, success of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that managements expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. 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 the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. *Reuters, January 8, 2020 India should cap imports of refined palm oil and palmolein at a maximum 50,000 tonnes per month to boost local refining capacity and support local oilseed growing farmers, a top trade body said on Tuesday. The plea to the government by the Solvent Extractors' Association comes amid a virtual ban on imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia amid a diplomatic row. India, the world's biggest importer of edible oils, last week issued a notification declaring that the import of refined palm oil "is amended from 'Free' to 'Restricted.'" The move came after New Delhi objected to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of India's new religion-based citizenship law. The 94-year-old premier earlier accused India of invading the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. Mahathir defended his criticism of India on Tuesday. Indian palm oil importers have effectively stopped all purchases from top supplier Malaysia after the government privately urged them to boycott its product following the row, industry and government sources said. The Mumbai-based trade body said in a letter to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry and released to the media that though the curbs were instituted last week, the government may issue licences for import of refined palm oil for the public distribution system, which could lead to a surge in imports unless regulated. The commerce ministry's response to the plea was not immediately known. The ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. India is the world's largest importer of palm oil, buying more than 9 million tonnes annually mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia. Reebok Unveils New Conor McGregor Ad for Zig Kinetica Sneaker Collaboration Reebok x Conor McGregor Collab Reveals Brands Biggest Launch of 2020 Reebok just revealed their mold-breaking Zig Kinetica sneaker, an innovative new design that channels and returns energy with every stride in and out of the gym. It's the footwear company's biggest release of 2020 and its backed by an even bigger force MMA's bad boy Conor McGregor. RELATED: Conor McGregor Makes Long-Awaited MMA Return in UFC 246 Reebok's launch of Zig Kinetica and their partnership with McGregor are both part of the next phase of the brand's "Sport the Unexpected" campaign. The initiative intends to celebrate risk-takers and culture-shakers, so the always unexpected McGregor certainly fits the bill. Plus, the announcement couldn't come at a better time as McGregor heads back to the UFC Octagon Saturday, January 18 for the first time since October of 2018. Check out Reebok's new ad featuring "The Notorious" Irish legend in live and Zigurine form here. "I absolutely love these, the grip, the stability. I feel the connection from the sole to the material," McGregor said of the Zig Kinetica. "I've been around with Reebok a long time now, and each launch, the energy level is climbing. Now we are exploding." Backed by ZigTech an innovative shoe technology first introduced in 2010 the sleek, yet highly-functional design of Zig Kinetica is set to disrupt the shoe industry. Its distinct zigzag-shaped pattern forms the basis of a three-part system designed to return kinetic energy to the wearer for increased comfort and performance. This system includes the Floatride Fuel, a bouncy foam cushioning; the Zig Energy Shell which channels energy with a bold and eye-catching look; and Zig Energy Bands that provide a spring-like response along the outsole. "We saw an amazing response testing the Zig silhouette throughout 2019, collaborating with some of the biggest names in fashion," said Matt Blonder, VP of Marketing and Digital Brand Commerce at Reebok. "The launch of Zig Kinetica is a watershed moment for Reebok as we look toward the future of this brand and cement ourselves as an industry leader, sitting directly at the intersection of sport and style." You can get your hands or feet, rather on Reebok's new Zig Kinetica for $120 when the shoe drops online and in stores worldwide on February 21, 2020. You Might Also Dig: The ex-boyfriend of a young British model who fell to her death while taking photos on a clifftop in Australia has paid tribute to his 'caring, loving, absolute fave'. Kory Dargue said 21-year-old Madalyn Davis gave him the 'best few years of my life' after she fell from a 100ft cliff at Diamond Bay in the east of Sydney. Although they were not together at the time of her death, he added: 'You will always be my woman.' Cruel online trolls have mocked the British model for her death after she climbed over a safety fence to take a photo at a notorious selfie spot. Her mother, Rebecca Smith, said Madalyn was a 'wonderful, beautiful person that made a mistake' as she took aim at the 'nasty people' online. The ex-boyfriend of Madalyn Davis (pictured together) has paid tribute to his 'caring, loving, absolute fave' after she fell to her death while taking photos on a clifftop in Australia Kory Samuel Dargue said 21-year-old Madalyn Davis (pictured together) gave him the 'best few years of my life' after she fell from a 100ft cliff at Diamond Bay in the east of Sydney Writing on Instagram, Ms Davis's ex-boyfriend recalled happy memories with the 21-year-old (pictured together) including a ski trip and a holiday to Disneyland in Florida Madalyn Davis, 21, was watching the sunrise at Diamond Bay in Sydney's east with seven friends about 6.30am when she fell from the 30m (100ft) cliff Her mother Rebecca Smith (pictured with Madalyn on the left and her sister Anastasia on the right) was forced to defend her from online trolls Writing on Instagram, Ms Davis's ex-boyfriend recalled happy memories with the 21-year-old including a ski trip and a holiday to Disneyland in Florida. 'I'm glad I got to do them all with you. Thank you for bringing me into your family.. the funniest and best bunch of b***ers around,' he said. Mr Dargue, a sales manager, posted several pictures of the couple happily smiling for the camera, including one in a striking dance pose in front of a wall of lilac roses. The couple had lived together and shared a car as well as glamorous holidays together. He compared the 'lefts, rights, ups and downs' of their roller coaster relationship as being a 'cheat code' to the video game Grand Theft Auto. 'I love you all and I always will. And lastly, thank you for always being you, a full on kind hearted, caring, loving proper weirdo,' he said. 'My absolute fave. We didn't work out but our friendship did and I'll always remember the good times. 'Missing you something rotten already girl face.... You will always be my woman.' In a separate post, he said news of his ex-girlfriend's death had 'hit me like a tonne of tomatoes'. Ms Davis's mother Rebecca Smith mocked online trolls for helping 'make her famous' as she condemned the 'nasty people' attacking her daughter. 'My daughter was not self-obsessed she was a wonderful beautiful person that made a mistake. How can you write such things? She has a little sister and brother who be reading this,' the British model's mother said. 'Fill your boots you nasty people, you are the ones that [have] to sleep with yourselves at night,' she said. 'Madalyn was loved, she had integrity and decency. If you need to believe otherwise in order to feel better about yourself then that's your pain. I wish you healing to whatever trauma led to you behave this way.' She added: 'She always wanted to be famous so thank you trolls you are making this happen'. Ms Smith shared several pictures of her daughter, calling her 'my little weirdo' and adding 'You were one in a million'. Ms Smith also posted several stories to her own Instagram in tribute to her daughter Other posts mocked the trolls for helping 'make her famous' 'My daughter was not self obsessed she was a wonderful beautiful person that made a mistake,' she wrote Heartbroken friends in Britain and Australia posted tributes to Ms Davis on social media on Monday morning as new of her death spread 'Is anyone going to post the selfie that she died to take? I hope it was at least worth it,' one of the trolls wrote. Another wrote: 'I'm just wondering, did they ever recover the selfie picture?' A third wrote: 'Fences and signs are posted for a reason. Your perfect Instagram photo cost you your life. Hopefully others will learn from this.' 'Wanted a photo for Instagram got a Darwin award instead.' The cliffs are a notorious selfie spot where another tourist died in similar circumstances in August after climbing over a safety fence. Friends also angrily shut down the trolls who attacked the young woman, saying they should respect her grieving family. 'What happened to Maddy was a mistake and no one should be blamed especially not her,' her friend Meg Feather wrote. 'Imagine how you would feel if you lost your daughter or your best friend or your sister and everyone was saying it was her own fault, please. Just think twice.' Madalyn Davis, 21, (pictured) was posing for a photograph on the edge of the cliff in Australia when she fell to her death Ms Davis and her friends ignoring the barrier prompted hundreds of cruel comments on her social media after her death was announced Ms Feather also lashed out in a video on her Instagram at the trolls who she said had kept her crying for hours. 'Do you know what that will do to her family and her mum and her friends, i literally can't believe it,' she said. 'People who don't even know her are commenting saying that she deserved it. They know all her family and friends have to read it. 'Everyone would want to take a picture of that sunrise, it was just an accident.' The young tourist arrived in Australia late last year from Lincoln, England, and was planning on starting a new life there. In her last picture - taken two days before she died - the model can be seen smiling and surrounded by friends in a bar on Bondi Beach. In the last picture - taken two days before she died - the model (front left) can be seen smiling and surrounded by friends in a bar on Bondi Beach 'Fences and signs are posted for a reason. Your perfect Instagram photo cost you your life. Hopefully others will learn from this,' one wrote Trolls returned fire with more insults leveled at Ms Davis' friends who tried to defend her Close family friend Lydia Woodward said: 'Maddy had been at a party and then they all went to this cliff to take pictures. 'It appears that Maddy was sitting on the cliff edge to have her picture taken when she fell. It's such a tragedy.' Ms Davis was having 'the time of her life' in Australia in the lead up to the fatal accident. Mrs Woodward told MailOnline: 'Maddy was having the time of her life. She wanted to see everything and do everything and was having a good time. 'She was the life and soul of the party. And she was doing her best to have a good time.' Maddy's family are distraught by news of her death, Mrs Woodward, a close friend of the 21-year-old's mother Rebecca 'Becky' Smith revealed. She said: 'They (Maddy's parents) are beside themselves. One moment they are laughing when they remember funny things about Maddy, the next moment they are in floods of tears. They are all over the place. 'They are still talking about who will go to Australia to identify the body. It's very early stages. It has only been 24 hours since she died.' The young tourist was at a party in Vaucluse on Saturday night and went to the nearby 30-metre (100ft) Diamond Bay cliffs with seven friends about 6.30am. Madalyn Davis was at a party in Vaucluse on Saturday night and went to the nearby 100ft Diamond Bay cliffs with seven friends about 6.30am Madalyn Davis, 21, (pictured in Bondi days before her death) fell to her death from a cliff at a popular selfie spot in Sydney They are believed to have climbed over a fence to sit on the edge of the cliff to watch the sunrise and take photographs before she fell. Ms Davis was mourned in dozens of tributes by shattered friends online, remembered as a 'free spirit' who was 'beautiful inside and out'. Her mother Rebecca Smith desperately tried to get hold of her on Sunday afternoon and begged friends to help track her down. 'Anyone seen Maddie? Not been able to get hold of her please get in touch if you were out with her last night,' she posted online. However, by Monday morning her family confirmed Ms Davis had died and thanked her friends for their kind words. 'Thank you for all your beautiful condolences for Madalyn Davis and her family - it is an absolute tragedy to which nothing has been confirmed,' another family member wrote. Ms Davis was mourned in dozens of tributes by shattered friends online, remembered as a 'free spirit' who was 'beautiful inside and out CCTV from early on Sunday morning showed a person looking over the edge of the cliffs Heartbroken friends in Britain and Australia posted tributes to Ms Davis on social media on Monday morning as new of her death spread. 'I really don't know how to process this Maddie, last time we saw each other was three years ago and now you are gone,' one wrote. 'I will never ever forget the times we shared together the giggle fits we had in town. I will forever miss you, angel.' Another friend wrote: 'You were an incredibly beautiful model and talented artist giving so much colour to the world. 'You were so fun to be with that so many people have so many great stories and memories they tell about you, you will be so very sorely missed. 'I hope all the koalas and kangaroos are looking after you.' A third added: 'It was a pleasure knowing you Maddie, you were beautiful inside as well as outside.' Ms Davis on December 14 told her friends she was having the 'best time' travelling and had no plans to return to Britain, in a post next to this photo of her at Thailand's Full Moon party A friend in Newcastle, NSW, said he was planning a trip to Sydney to visit Ms Davis and her friends, but now it was too late. 'I'm utterly destroyed... I would never have thought it would happen. She has such a gorgeous soul,' he wrote. Ms Davis on December 14 told her friends she was having the 'best time' travelling and had no plans to return to Britain. 'Can't believe I've been travelling for a whole month now!' she wrote next to a photo of her at the Full Moon Party in Thailand in November. 'Not looked back at my old life once (miss my job though) and I am super excited for my future abroad,' she wrote. Ms Davis was supporting her stay in Australia by styling eyelashes for $50 a set, and occasional modelling work. NSW Police said emergency services were called to Diamond Bay Reserve after reports a woman had fallen off a cliff. 'Emergency services were alerted after a group of people taking photos inside the fence early this morning regathered and could not find the woman,' it said. They commenced an air and water search and retrieved her body about 10.30am on Saturday. Police commenced an air and water search and retrieved her body about 10.30am on Saturday In August last year, a 27-year-old woman fell to her death while posing for photos on the cliff face. A witness told The Daily Telegraph at the time vigilant bystanders tried to resuscitate the woman while others helped her distressed friend, who had taken the photo. 'The friend needed a couple of men to help her all the way up (the path),' they said. Diamond Bay is a popular location for selfies, with numerous photos tagged #diamondbay on Instagram snapped from the cliff edge. The Waverley Council said last year it would crack down on visitors risking their lives at Diamond Bay for the perfect picture. Mayor Paula Masselos told The Daily Telegraph council was devastated to learn about the latest death. Further talks will begin on Monday on how to keep people away from the spot. Diamond Bay is a popular location for selfies, with numerous photos tagged #diamondbay on Instagram snapped from the cliff edge 'I've already asked the general manager and we're having a meeting tomorrow to discuss it. It depends in part on what the police investigation reveals,' Ms Masselos said. Security was increased around the lookout in August following the 27-year-old's death. 'Extra patrols, more signs, the fencing we increased as well when the rangers tell people not to go over boundary fences they don't listen, they go further down and go over boundary fences further down,' Ms Masselos said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Waverley Council for additional comment. DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lambert & Co., a top-10 investor relations firm and a top-5 private equity communications agency nationally, today announced the acquisition of Casteel Schoenborn Investor Relations & Corporate Communications. The deal marks Lambert's seventh transaction and second in the last two months. The transaction advances Lambert's strategy to be the nation's leading integrated investor relations and public relations firm for emerging and established market leaders through organic growth, acquisitions and innovation. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "The Casteel Schoenborn team has built a tremendous business offering strategic guidance to publicly traded regional and community banks and other U.S. financial services firms, making them a perfect fit to accelerate our strategic plan and bolster our IR and financial services sector expertise," said Jeff Lambert, founder and CEO. "Their unique approach, enduring partnerships with management teams and vast experience set enhances our current client roster and creates a true financial services powerhouse." Casteel Schoenborn serves public and private enterprises, private equity firms and their legal and financial advisors in other industries nationwide, advising on a wide range of issues including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, public offerings and private placements, regulatory enforcement actions and litigation, governance issues, as well as special situations and crisis communications. Casteel Schoenborn's professionals have worked with publicly held firms with market capitalizations ranging from under $100 million to more than $80 billion to execute IR and communications programs that achieve corporate objectives and secure full and fair valuation for the companies' shares. Casteel Schoenborn is based in Williamsville, N.Y. and its team is joining Lambert as part of the transaction, with principals Lynn Casteel and Jeffrey Schoenborn named managing directors. "Joining Lambert provides us additional scale and access to talent across its network of offices in Michigan, New York City and Phoenix," Casteel said. "Our team is excited to leverage the additional breadth of industry expertise and integrated communications capabilities for our client, as well as contribute to the success of Lambert's clients on each end of the capital markets spectrum from pre-revenue companies raising their first round of capital to well-established publicly traded corporations. We have advised numerous U.S. financial services companies over the years, with a strong emphasis on banking, and look forward to this next chapter in our business to provide a broader array of services that clients seek." About Lambert & Co. Lambert & Co. is a national award-winning public relations, investor relations and integrated marketing firm. Posting more than 20 years of growth, Lambert has been named a top-10 financial and investor relations firm, top-50 PR firm, and a top-10 environmental and public affairs firm by O'Dwyer's. Partnering with clients across the globe, the company's portfolio spans a broad spectrum of industries including automotive and mobility, consumer, food and beverage, education and social impact, healthcare and biotech, and financial and investor relations. Lambert has earned Firm of the Year honors from PR Week and PRNews, been recognized as a top-5 private equity communications agency by The Deal, and is the reigning winner of the Sabre Crisis Campaign of the Year. Lambert is also a global partner in PROI Worldwide, the largest partnership of independent PR firms in the world spanning 120 cities on five continents. To learn more about Lambert visit its website at www.lambert.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @lambertglobal. About Casteel Schoenborn Casteel Schoenborn clients publicly traded companies, private enterprises, private equity firms and their legal and financial advisors look to the investor relations and corporate communications firm's professionals to enhance and protect corporate reputations, secure full and fair equity valuation and achieve strategic business objectives. The firm specializes in serving regional and community banks, manufacturing and industrial companies, healthcare and life sciences enterprises, and retail and consumer brands. Whether called upon to support ongoing IR and public relations programs or advise on discrete matters such as mergers and acquisitions, capital markets activities, or crisis communications, Casteel Schoenborn provides clients with actionable strategic counsel and responsive service from recognized leaders in the field. For more information, visit www.csirfirm.com. Contacts: Mike Houston, Managing Director Lambert 646-475-2998 [email protected] Kate Croft, Vice President Casteel Schoenborn 716-650-5135 [email protected] SOURCE Lambert & Co. Related Links http://www.lambert-edwards.com By PTI NEW DELHI: An NGO has moved the Supreme Court seeking that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the government notification on the exercise for preparing National Population Register (NPR) be declared "unconstitutional". The plea has been filed by 'Minority Front' seeking striking down of the NPR provisions. The plea, filed through lawyer Ejaz Maqbool, said that the NPR is a list of "usual residents" of the country and a "usual resident" is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months or more. The plea alleged that the CAA grants citizenship based on religion, makes "unreasonable classifications" and is against constitutional morality and basic structure of the Constitution. The said that though CAA states that the government's objective is to protect minorities facing religious persecution in countries with a state religion and which were a part of undivided India, it still excludes Sri Lanka and Bhutan which have Buddhism as its state religion. It also questioned the inclusion of only three neighbouring countries in the purview of the Act and the exclusion of Jews, Muslims, and atheists from the list of communities being given protection under CAA. "It is submitted that the inclusion of the six communities and the discrimination against Jews and Muslims in the Impugned Act is based on religion which is based on the intrinsic choice of an individual and hence, an impermissible classification," the plea said. The petition said the CAA cannot be seen in isolation but will have to be seen "chronologically with the government's notification to prepare the NPR followed by an eventual nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC)". "The Act has to be read comprehensively with the other provisions of law particularly the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 which provide for the identification of illegal migrants from citizens through the preparation of a National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC popularly known as 'NRC')," the petition said. The plea said that the government is required to comply with the Global Human Rights Regime and the International Covenants while drafting municipal laws. "The court has already approved the interpretation which abides by India's international obligations especially on issues of human rights. In this regard, the principles of Customary International Law assume special importance," the petition said. The top court had on December 18 issued notice to the Centre and sought its response by the second week of January on a batch of pleas challenging the CAA's legality. The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith. The apex court had fixed January 22 for hearing a total of 59 anti-CAA petitions, including those filed by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. The petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, before the court include those filed by RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. Other anti-CAA petitioners include Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Peace Party, CPI, NGOs 'Rihai Manch' and Citizens Against Hate, advocate M L Sharma. Several law students have also approached the apex court challenging the Act. The First and Only Online Reputation Management Firm to Become an ARA Firm Partner SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2020 / Online reputation management firm FixYourName has joined the American Retirement Association (ARA) and its affiliate organization, the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), as a firm partner. One of the world's leading online reputation management (ORM) companies, FixYourName utilizes a two-step approach to both suppress negative content and to permanently remove it, unlike other companies which specialize only in one or the other. Founded in 2008, to date, the company has successfully worked with over 12,500 companies and individuals. Other ARA and NAPA firm partners include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS Financial Services, Raymond James and other major financial institutions. For over 50 years, the American Retirement Association has pursued two major goals: to educate all retirement plan and benefits professionals, and to create a framework of policy that gives every working American the ability to have a comfortable retirement. Originally founded in 1966 as the American Society of Pension Actuaries, today the ARA counts over 25,700 members and five premier retirement industry associations - such as the National Association of Plan Advisors - include every type of pension professional - from business owners, actuaries, consultants and administrators, to insurance professionals, financial advisors, accountants, attorneys and human resource managers. While ARA members come from all corners of the country, representing every part of the industry, they are all united by their belief in and commitment to the private pension system. "We're proud to support the advocacy and lobbying efforts of the American Retirement Association and its partner association, the National Association of Plan Advisors," said a spokesperson for FixYourName. "FixYourName's experience and knowledge of online reputation management makes our service vital to institutions for whom reputation matters." FixYourName is more affordable than other ORM companies, offering a flat-rate pricing for individuals and businesses, but even more unique to the industry - FixYourName offers a guarantee on its permanent removal services meaning the client doesn't pay unless the offending content is indeed removed. With its many years in the business, FixYourName recognizes that every reputation and circumstance is unique. To combat negative online content for personal and/or business profiles, they employ an arsenal of high tech tools including de-indexing, suppression, social media, repeal SEO, AI algorithms, PR and attorney-based strategies. One of the core principles of FixYourName is to keep their clients fully informed and included in the process of reputation management rather than keeping them in the dark as other companies do. As part of their commitment to education, FixYourName has created a detailed manual called "The Reputation Protection Guide" which may be downloaded for free. Essential reading for anyone considering the services of an ORM firm, the guide discusses and compares various ORM tactics including Suppression vs. Removing; Replying to Bad Reviews; De-Indexing; Taking legal action; The % Cost-Value of Bad Reviews; Social Media vs. Google Reviews; Applicable Laws; and how-to tips for Yelp reviews. For more information, pricing, examples or for a free consultation, visit fixyourname.com or call (877) FIX NAME (877-349-6263). SOURCE: FixYourName View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572955/FixYourName-Becomes-Firm-Partner-of-the-American-Retirement-Association-ARA Almost a thousand protesters gathered on Monday outside the Ministry of Land Management in Cambodias capital Phnom Penh to urge direct intervention by the Ministry in long-running land disputes, saying that handing the responsibility off to provincial authorities has stalled resolution. Coming from the provinces of Koh Kong, Kompong Speu, Preah Vihea, and Oddar Meanchey, the more than 700 villagers held placards reading We want no development that takes villagers land, No land, no life, and other messages protesting the confiscation of their land. Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service following the protest, Saing Puyrepresenting villagers from the Koh Sdach commune in Koh Kongs Kiri Sakor districtsaid that villagers have now been locked in a dispute over land with the Chinese firm Union Development Group since 2008. Granted a concession of more than 45,000 hectares of community land to build a major tourism site, the Chinese-owned company has now forced more than 1,000 families to leave their homes, with many more left unsure of their remaining rights to the land. Requests to Koh Kong deputy governor Sok Sothy for help have failed to bring results, though, Saing Puy said. We are now requesting that officials from the Ministry go to work with local authorities at once and stop sending the issue back and forth between the province and the Ministry, she said. We are asking that the company be summoned to reach a settlement with the remaining landowners. Also speaking to RFA, Ma Ouk Chhoeunrepresenting villagers in Oddar Meanchey in their dispute with a sugar company owned by Ly Yong Phat, a senator from Cambodias ruling Cambodian Peoples Partysaid that nearly 400 families in the province still wait for answers to their claims. Waiting for local authorities to resolve this dispute has been fruitless, he said, adding that villagers are now appealing directly to the Ministry for help. The Ministry has been sending this issue back to the province, though. Now we seem to be in trouble. 'Very poor already' Meanwhile, a spokesperson for villagers in Preah Vihear province displaced by Chinese sugar companies Lan Feng and Rui Feng said that authorities in the province have been unable for 10 years to settle their dispute. Community members made their living from the forest, he said, urging authorities to distribute land to those who lost their homes. The people in this community were very poor already. Now that they have lost their cattle and their land, their lives have become much more difficult. After speaking with a Ministry official, Soeng Sokhomrepresenting more than 1,200 families in Kompong Speu displaced since 2010 by a sugar company owned by CPP Senator Ly Yong Phatwas told the Ministry was waiting to learn the outcome of European Union deliberations on ending trade preferences before settling their dispute, he said. In fact, I dont think he wants to resolve the dispute at all. That would be too hard, he said, adding, We have come to the Ministry so many times now. Told by the Ministry to return to their provinces to speak again with provincial authorities, the protesters said they would go back but would return to protest in Phnom Penh again if no solutions can be found. A continuing problem Speaking to RFA, Am Sam Athdeputy director for the Cambodian rights group Licadhosaid that land disputes remain a continuing problem in Cambodia. These can be solved only if the countrys government shows a clear will and creates a mechanism to resolve the disputes, he said. This has to be a genuine will, though, and not just a deal on paper, he said. Land disputes are a bitter problem in Cambodia, where rural villagers and urban dwellers alike have been mired in conflicts that a U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia has warned could threaten the countrys stability. The countrys land issues date from the period of the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime, which forced large-scale evacuations and relocations, followed by a period of mass confusion over land rights and the formation of squatter communities when refugees returned in the 1990s after a decade of civil war. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Neang Ieng. Written in English by Richard Finney. Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time. Winston Churchill Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof. Inscription on the Liberty Bell Colombo: China would always respect Sri Lankas sovereignty and not allow any outside interference in its internal affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday as he met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wang met the two leaders separately with both sides pledging to further promote relations between the two countries. As Sri Lankas strategic partner, China will continue to stand by Sri Lankas interests, the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister was quoted as saying by Gotabayas office. China stands for the countrys sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We will not allow any outside influences to interfere with matters that are essentially internal concerns of Sri Lanka, Wang said. The president told Wang that Sri Lanka was facing many political challenges and the only way to overcome them is to be economically strong. Also Read: Will Play 'Constructive Role' In Improvement Of India-Pakistan Ties: China The economic independence will ensure political independence, Gotabaya said. The president said Sri Lanka is ready to enhance Sri Lanka-China ties, strengthen bilateral win-win cooperation in various fields and actively promote the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative to build regional shipping and logistic hubs, Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency reported from Colombo. The Sri Lankan government fully supports the development of major projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port, Mahinda said, noting that these projects will not only help develop the countrys economy and improve peoples livelihood, but also become a major driving force for the friendly cooperation between the two countries, it said. Also Read: Chinese FM Wang Yi To Visit India This Month, RCEP, Boundary Talks On Agenda In his response, Wang said China, as did in the past, would be Sri Lankas longtime partner in prosperity and growth. He noted that Chinas policy towards Colombo had always been consistent and would continue to be Sri Lankas reliable friend. China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners with sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship built upon a long tradition of friendly exchanges. Recent years has seen fruitful cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. China stands ready to work with Sri Lankas new administration to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust, dovetail development strategies and bring bilateral relations to new heights, Wang added. President Gotabayas postponed first visit to China will take place in February, his office said after the meeting. In December 2017, Sri Lanka handed over the control of the southern sea port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease, triggering concern over Beijings efforts to expand influence in the region. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A United States military envoy in Cambodia visited Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province on Monday, a base that is surrounded in controversy for plans to allegedly install Chinese military and naval assets. U.S. Defense Attache Colonel Marcus Ferrara, who is stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, visited Ream Naval Base on January 13 to pay a courtesy call and have a working discussion with Royal Cambodian Navys Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Ouk Seyha, according to a Facebook page run by the bases administration. Reached on Monday, Vice Admiral Ouk Seyha, who also concurrently commands the base, only confirmed that he met with Colonel Marcus Ferrara, declining to comment further. The U.S. has consistently raised concerns over the possible stationing of Chinese military and naval assets at Ream, following a news report from the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese and Cambodian governments had reached a secret deal to give the former access to the base. This was further confirmed by Brigadier General Joel B. Vowell, Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, in an interview last August, where he said the two countries were moving ahead with this plan. Back at Ream, it was unclear what parts of the base the U.S. defense envoy had visited on Monday or whether the issue of alleged Chinese military access was raised during the meeting. The U.S. Embassy Defense Attache meets with many Cambodian military officials in the course of his regular duties, and the meeting with Ouk Seyha was a routine meeting, embassy spokesperson Emily V. Zeeberg said in an email, providing no further detail of the meeting. As the U.S. and Cambodia have seen their relations fray over domestic allegations the former interfered in politics, assisted in an alleged color revolution and over Chinas potential use of the naval base, the two governments have been attempting to ease the tensions recently, especially after the arrival of new U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, W. Patrick Murphy. Paul Chambers, a military expert at Thailands Naresuan University, said Colonel Ferraras visit to Ream Naval Base could be read as an act of mutual reassurance by both countries with regards to the future of the base. His visit could be interpreted as Washingtons attempt to directly ascertain to what extent Cambodia is allowing China to use the base, Paul Chambers said in an email. The implication is that if Cambodia allows access to the base to the US defense attache, then either Cambodia is beginning to tilt toward Washington or Cambodia urgently wants to prove to Washington that it has not become a proxy of Beijing. The Cambodian government has been adamant that the allegations of a Chinese naval base in Ream was incorrect and even invited some 70 journalists to tour the base in a heavily guarded and orchestrated visit. U.S. suspicions over the Ream Naval Base were first made public after former U.S. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Joseph H. Felter, who visited the base in early 2019, claimed in June 2019 that Cambodia had made taken back its request for U.S. support to modernize the base. The senior ex-Pentagon official said in a letter to Cambodias Defense Minister Tea Banh that this sudden change of policy could indicate larger plans for changes at Ream Naval Base, particularly ones that involve hosting Chinese military assets. Indias first centre for excellence in research on Drone Technology and AI launched Explained: What is the voluntary registration of drones scheme India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The Aviation Ministry announced a scheme providing a window up to January 31 for voluntary registration of all drones and their operators, days after top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone attack. Those who fail to register will face action under the Indian Penal Code and the Aircraft Act. In a notice, the ministry said, "The presence of such drones as well as drone operators has come to the notice of the government which do not comply with the CAR (civil aviation requirements)." Disclosure scheme to tag rogue drones rolled out "In order to facilitate the identification of civil drones and drone operators, a one-time opportunity for voluntary disclosure of such drones and drone operators is being provided... All persons in possession of drones are required to complete the process (of online registration) by January 31, 2020," it added. The number of illegal drones in India is likely to be between 50,000 and 60,000, co-chair of a FICCI committee on drones, Ankit Mehta, had said on October 22 last year. Major General Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US military drone fired missiles at his convoy while it was leaving the Baghdad International Airport on January 3. A senior Indian government official said the attack "precipitated the government to take action to regulate hundreds of non-compliant drones" that are operating in the country. "What happened at Gatwick airport in December 2018 was already there on our mind," the official added. Gatwick airport, Britain's second-busiest after Heathrow airport, remained closed from December 19-21, 2018, when multiple rogue drones were seen flying over the perimeter fence. During the three-day period, around 1,000 flights had to be cancelled or diverted to prevent any untoward incident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on August 27, 2018, had issued the CAR to regulate the use of civilian drones in the Indian airspace. Under these regulations, a process has been prescribed for drone operators to obtain Unique Identification Number (UIN), Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) and other permissions. Called the "No Permission-No Take Off" regulation, a drone operator has to use the DGCA's software programme DigiSky to obtain valid permissions before operating drones in India. Saudi Arabia 'not consulted' over US drone strike to kill Iran general Qasem Soleimani In the notice issued on Monday, the ministry said, "On successful submission of voluntary disclosure of possessing drone, a Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN) and an Ownership Acknowledgement Number (OAN) will be issued online which will help in validation of operation of drones in India." However, the DAN and the OAN do not confer any right to operate drones in India if it does not fulfil the DGCA's drone regulations, the ministry clarified. "Further, ownership of drones in India without a valid DAN or OAN shall invite penal action as per applicable laws. This database will be issued to process each case as per the regulations by seeking further information, if required," the ministry stated. Smit Shah, Director - Partnerships, Drone Federation of India (DFI), said on Monday,"We believe that such a step taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation will provide an accurate number of existing drones in India." "This data should ideally become the base for understanding the scale of drone operations in India and for taking further policy decisions. This may enable flying of drones easily in the future while maintaining high standards of safety, security and accountability." said Shah. The Drone Federation of India (DFI) is an association of drone companies such as Asteria Aerospace, Quidich Innovation Labs, AutoMicroUAS, Aarav Unmanned Systems and Indrones. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 11:26 [IST] Students enrolled in the Erlanger Institute of Healthcare and Innovation will participate in an Induction Ceremony at The Howard School on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.The ceremony will recognize students for their hard work and dedication to the program over the first semester and solidify the students commitment to the healthcare industry, said Zena Hanner-Buckley program coordinator for The Howard School.During the ceremony, students will receive Future Ready Institute scrubs, and four students will receive the Rising Star Award.Participants will also have an opportunity to share their learning experiences with their family and community members by showcasing different aspects of the program. Their presentations will include different aspects of their learning and their first integrated, problem-based learning project. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has subpoenaed former Congress minister K J George in connection with a disproportionate assets case filed against him. He has been asked to appear before the agency on January 16. "I received a summons from Enforcement Directorate dated 23-12-2019. My duty as a citizen is to cooperate fully with the authorities for any questions or explanations. I am a law-abiding citizen, all our assets/wealth is lawfully declared," George said in a tweet. "I have immense faith in the law and investigating agency. My family and myself will extend our full cooperation with the agencies during the course of the investigation," he said. According to the summons, George will be questioned under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It can be recalled that social activist Ravikrishna Reddy and others representing the 'Karnataka Rashtra Samithi' political party had filed a complaint against George in September 2018, alleging that he had laundered money and accumulated disproportionate assets overseas. George is the third Karnataka Congress leader to be summoned by ED in the past 12 months. While former minister DK Shivakumar was under ED custody for almost two months, another former minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan was summoned in connection with the multi-crore 'I Monetary Advisory' ponzi scam. India will invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) it will host this year, people familiar with developments said on Tuesday. However, a final decision on whether PM Khan attends the meeting, which will likely be held later in the year, will be made by Islamabad, the people cited above said. According to protocol and convention, an invitation will be extended to the Pakistani Prime Minister. It is up to Pakistan whether their Prime Minister or some other representative attends the meeting. Besides, there is still a long time before the meeting, said a person who declined to be named. India is hosting the meeting of the council of heads of government of the SCO for the first time, the groupings secretary general Vladimir Norov told reporters on the margins of an event in New Delhi on Monday. There have also been instances of the foreign ministers of countries attending the SCO heads of government meetings in the past, the people said. Norov, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on a four-day visit, has held talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar. It was not immediately clear whether Pakistans participation in the SCO meeting figured in the discussions. Received Secretary General #ShanghaiCooperation Organization Vladimir Norov. Reviewed the progress in our cooperation as India prepares to take up the responsibility of chairing the Council of #SCO Heads of Government, Jaishankar had tweeted. Norov said on Monday all SCO members are glad that India is hosting the SCO heads of government meeting this year. India is an important country in the region and has huge potential for fuelling economic growth, he said. He said the event will be preceded by a number of meetings in India including the meeting of the SCO ministers of economic activities. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. India and Pakistan both became full members of the SCO in June 2017 and New Delhis entry into the China-dominated grouping increased its heft. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Persistent scientific and economic warnings that Australia is on the front line of climate change have fallen on too many deaf ears in Canberra. So its only natural that many Australians now hope that this devastating bushfire season will shake our leaders out of their apathy and open the door to a more constructive approach to climate change. Financial regulators such as the Reserve Bank, ASIC and APRA have already recognised that climate change is a systemic threat to our economy. Credit:Sasha Woolley Whether this proves the case or not, and whether the recent shift in language on climate ambition by our Prime Minister represents real change or more political management, many investors and businesses are already starting to act. Thats because when you face fiduciary duties, manage billion-dollar assets, have millions of members and customers and are overseen by climate-aware regulators, treating the hard reality of climate change as a culture war is a luxury you cannot afford. Increasingly, financial regulators such as the Reserve Bank, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority have already recognised that climate change is a systemic threat to our economy. They are now demanding finance companies treat their exposure to climate change as a "foreseeable, actionable and material risk" and have a plan to deal with it. Piers Morgan today accused Prince Harry of 'hustling' the boss of Disney to get Meghan Markle voiceover work. The Good Morning Britain host slammed the Duke of Sussex for touting his wife for a job, claiming he snubbed an invite to a Royal Marine's memorial service on the same day. Footage emerged of Harry at the London premiere last July where he collared Bob Iger, telling him that Meghan was 'very interested' in working with the multi-billion dollar media company. Morgan said today that the Prince, who is Captain General of the Royal Marines, missed a memorial to honour victims of an IRA bomb at the Royal Marines base in Deal, Kent in 1989. However Kensington Palace denied Harry was ever invited to the memorial event. He attended the Lion King premiere in central London with wife Meghan on July 14. On the red carpet of the Lion King premiere last July, the Duke of Sussex collared the powerful Disney chief and advertised ex-actress partner's 'interest' in doing voiceover work. Right: Meghan embraces Beyonce Morgan said today: 'Harry was invited as Captain General of the Royal Marines for when a lot of their servicemen were killed by the IRA. 'And he said "no" and instead he went to the Disney premiere for Lion King. Rather than doing his duties he's hustling his wife for voiceover work. 'This is brazen hustling by a senior royal family on the same day he should have been with the Royal Marines. Now they can have their cake and eat it.' During the hushed red carpet conversation, caught on camera by a fan, the Prince gestures to the former Suits actor and tells Iger: 'You do know she does voiceovers?' Iger can be heard replying: 'Ah, I did not know that.' Harry then responds: 'You seem surprised. She's really interested.' The Disney chief then says: 'We'd love to try. That's a great idea.' The footage captures Meghan mingling with her A-List friends Beyonce and Jay Z while her husband tries to secure her work. Meghan subsequently signed deal with the Walt Disney Company in exchange for a donation to Elephants Without Borders, a wildlife charity that helps to track and protect the animals from poachers. After yesterday's family meeting at Sandringham, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to split their time between Canada and the UK as they wind down their Royal duties. Royal Marines remember their fallen comrades killed in an IRA bombing in 1989 in Deal, Kent The aftermath of the 1989 IRA attack on a Royal Marine base in Deal, Kent, which killed 11 The aftermath of the 1989 IRA attack on a Royal Marine base in Deal, Kent, which killed 11 The Queen has said that hammering out a viable blueprint for Harry and Meghan's financially independent future was proving 'complex' and indicated more details need to be ironed out in the coming days - including their use of the Sussex title to build their business brand in North America. And sources revealed that Prince Charles also views the matter far from concluded as he knows Harry will rely on his annual 2.3million Duchy of Cornwall payment to meet family bills. He has already lavished a small fortune on his younger son, from his wedding to the fitting out Frogmore cottage the Windsor house he is now largely going to vacate when he uproots to North America. A friend said: 'He doesn't have unlimited resources. Harry needs to know that.' Prince William leaves Kensington Palace after returning to London to be with his family after meeting his brother face-to-face at Sandringham yesterday before the Queen confirmed Harry's exit to Canada Prince Harry (pictured leaving yesterday in the back seat), Prince William and Prince Charles left Sandringham in separate cars after more than two hours of crunch talks with the Queen The Duke of Sussex faced the Queen, his brother and his father (pictured leaving last night) for the first time since quitting as a senior royal According to Daily Mail editor-at-large Richard Kay's inside account of the Norfolk showdown: Harry arrived two hours early to secure a one-to-one meeting with the Queen to give his side of the story; Meghan was not allowed to join the discussions on a conference call for fear the conversation would not remain private; Sources close to Prince Charles said he warned Harry he does not have 'unlimited resources' to prop up his new lifestyle; Insiders also claimed the Prince of Wales feared his youngest son is hoping to pay the family bills using funds from the Duchy of Cornwall; The two-hour meeting between the Queen, Charles, William and Harry was conducted in a 'calm' environment. According to friends, Harry arrived ahead of schedule to square things with his grandmother, who came into the crunch talks deeply disappointed with him and Meghan for wanting to step back from their official duties. In last night's statement, her sincere regret was made clear, saying she 'would have preferred them to remain full-time working members'. But after her one-to-one with Harry - followed by two hours of 'calm' discussions with him, Charles and William - Her Majesty agreed to a 'transition period' where the Duke and Duchess would step away from Royal engagements as they spend more time in Canada. Meghan was barred from dialling in on the meeting from Vancouver. Palace officials said such an idea was rejected because no one knew for sure who else might have been listening in. An insider said: 'This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call.' After the meeting concluded, Princes Charles, William and Harry left in three separate cars. The Queen has ordered staff to find a solution 'within days' to the remaining sticking points, including the couple's future funding, which is expected to impose rigid rules on their commercial activities. The Taal volcano in the Philippines has started spewing magma and hot ash after 40 years of dormancy forcing tens of thousands of people in the Batangas province to flee. The Philippine Red Cross is on the scene helping those affected. The Batangas province is located about 55 miles south of Manila. The ash from the volcano rose as much as nine miles and spread across the Philippines. In what some described as a desperate scene, thousands of residents quickly fled the area. According to officials, more than 200,000 people are at risk if there is a major eruption and millions more could be affected by falling ash and disruption of services such as government offices, schools and airports closing. Numerous flights have already been cancelled. The Department of Health (DOH) has advised people to stay indoors and take necessary protective precautions against fine volcanic ash, which has a sulfurous smell and could cause irritation and breathing problems. The Government ordered the suspension of government work in Manila and of all schools in the capital. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that the area was at risk of a volcanic tsunami, driven by the possibility that the volcano could generate extremely destructive waves in the area. The volcano is unique, being located on an island in the middle of the Taal lake. The Philippine Red Cross reports power is out in the region and some roads are impassable. Traffic is heavy on other roads as residents flee the area. The Red Cross is helping people evacuate, but it is not an easy task. Ashfall, rain, slippery roads and low visibility are slowing down evacuations. The Philippine Red Cross has opened numerous evacuation centers to support the more than 24,000 who have already evacuated and deployed thousands of disaster workers including a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment team. A humanitarian response caravan of rescue and relief vehicles including ambulances, rescue vehicles, a water tanker, fire truck, command post and other vehicles are also deployed. The Red Cross is providing services and emergency items to people in temporary shelters. Assessment teams are also on the ground. Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon also ordered the distribution of personal protective equipment such as eye goggles and dust masks, water and hot meal vans to the Batangas province. Gordon said presently there are more than 70 evacuation centers open and that the Red Cross is preparing to respond as needed. He said the threat now is respiratory illness from the dust and debris, especially for older residents. From the Philippine Red Cross: We are worried about the health risks ash fall may cause. Volcanic ash, with powder-size to sand-size particles, may cause eye and skin irritation and breathing problems. We urge people to follow advice from the Department of Health to minimize their exposure to ash and to take necessary precautions and use protection when going outside. They should cover the nose and mouth with an appropriate mask or cloth and use eye protection or goggles. The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Philippines Country Office is continuing to monitor the situation in close contact with its counterparts in the Philippine Red Cross. The IFRC Philippines has also checked preparedness stocks and alerted its National Society staff and delegates for possible deployment. In addition, the IFRC in the Philippines is also issuing safety and security advice in view of the ashfall that is affecting Metro Manila. BRUSSELS (AP) Britain, France and Germany have launched action under the Iran nuclear agreement paving the way for possible sanctions in response to Tehrans attempts to roll back parts of the deal, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday. The three countries, which signed the international agreement in 2015 along with the United States, Russia and China, informed Borrell, who supervises the pact, in a letter that they are triggering its dispute mechanism, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic. The leaders of the three nations said in a statement that they've been "left with no choice, given Irans actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments.'' Iran announces arrests over downing of plane that killed 176 The powers said they are referring this matter to the Joint Commission under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism, as set out" in the nuclear deal. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that the three European countries "could no longer leave the growing Iranian violations of the nuclear agreement unanswered." "Our goal is clear: we want to preserve the accord and come to a diplomatic solution within the agreement," he added. We will tackle this together with all partners in the agreement. We call on Iran to participate constructively in the negotiation process that is now beginning. Borrell insisted that the move does not mean that sanctions will automatically be reimposed. US troops clear rubble from Iraq base days after Iran strike The mechanism allows two weeks for ministers to resolve any problems, although that period can be extended if all sides agree. If needed, an advisory board would have an extra 20 days to adjudicate. The nuclear agreement is aimed at convincing Iran to stop developing atomic weapons in exchange for economic incentives. Its been on life support since President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out in 2018, triggering sanctions that have hurt Irans moribund economy. Since then, Tehran has gradually rolled back its commitment to the deal. After its top general was killed in a U.S. drone attack earlier this month, Iran announced that it would no longer respect limits set on how many centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium. Tehran said the new move was a remedial step in line with the deal and that it could be reversed. tech2 News Staff There has been a lot of debate regarding how Facebook needs to handle fake news, misinformation on its platform, especially around the US 2020 elections. The company said that it will flag posts that have fake news or misinformation to avoid users from spreading misleading information. This was even implied in a case that occurred in Singapore. Here Facebook flagged a post as "False information". The same concept has been transferred to Instagram as well. The company announced that it will flag posts that contain false information but will not ban them from the platform. As per a new post by San Francisco-based photographer Toby Harriman, the company is marking "False photos/digital art" for photos which it deems have been photoshopped to change the context. According to him, an image where "a man is standing on rainbow-coloured mountains" on Instagram was marked as "False information". When you tap at "see why", it says, "The primary claims in this information are factually inaccurate." Harriman says, "Interesting to see this and curious if its a bit too far. As much as I do love it to help better associate real vs Photoshop. I also have huge respect for digital art and dont want to have to click through barriers to see it. Flagging a post on Instagram also removes it from the Explore tab and hashtag pages, in short, the post won't be seen by many, hence limiting the reach of the concerned artist. Although, at the time of rolling out this feature, the company had mentioned that it has employed 54 fact-checkers working in 42 languages, but it looks like it still isn't enough. Applying fact-checking algorithms to regular digital art images is taking things a bit too far. Instagram is a platform where apart from photographers, a lot of digital artists showcase their work as well. If you apply fact-checking algorithms without a nuanced understanding of what comprises digital art, then a lot of digital artists are in for a rude shock. ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should work together to de-escalate the tense situation in the Gulf, a Japanese foreign ministry official said on Monday, relaying comments by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The official said Japans strong relationship with both the United States and Iran enabled it to play a diplomatic role in defusing heightened regional tensions following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on U.S. forces in Iraq. As part of a Middle Eastern tour, Abe met UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi on Monday after having been to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. He will head to Oman on Tuesday, whose ruler, Sultan Qaboos, died on Friday. Abe will compare notes with the leaders of the three countries who we believe are like-minded in the sense that they are all worried about the extremely high tension in the region and the need for...de-escalation, the official said. He added that Abe has met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani three times last year and maintains very good contact with U.S. President Donald Trump. Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan thanked Abe for Japans balanced policy towards the Middle East, in a statement on UAE state media after their meeting. Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE was willing to work with Japan and Saudi for regional stability. In turn, Abe said he appreciated the discrete position the UAE has been demonstrating in the current situation. In May and June 2019, several attacks took place on international merchant vessels in the Gulf, including the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the allegations. The UAE did not lay blame on any country for those attacks or other attacks on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. Japans Cabinet last month approved the deployment of a warship and patrol planes to the region and on Friday ordered them to head to the Middle East to protect ships bringing goods to Japan. They are for self-defense and have a mandate of information collection, the official said. Lurie Childrens Hospital is starting an Abandon the Shield campaign to educate staff members, patients and caregivers before it stops shielding across the organization this spring, Dr. Rigsby said. Shielding is used for most of the 70,000 X-ray procedures performed annually at Lurie in a variety of settings, from orthopedics to the emergency department. A few miles away, at the University of Chicago Medicine hospitals, the recommendation to stop shielding came as kind of a shock, said Dr. Kate Feinstein, chief of pediatric radiology. Dr. Feinstein said it seems contrary to what radiology professionals are taught, and shes uncertain how it applies to her department, which already takes steps to reduce the chance that a shield will interfere with an exam. We apply our shields correctly and our technologists are incredibly well trained, she said. Nevertheless, Dr. Feinstein said her department is weighing a halt to routine shielding. Some hospitals are concerned about violating state regulations. As of last spring at least 46 states, including Illinois, required shielding of reproductive organs if they are close to the area being examined, unless shielding would interfere with the diagnostic quality of the exam, according to the medical physicists association. Some states are revising their regulations. In some cases, hospitals have applied for waivers or sidestepped state rules by taking the stance that a shield has the potential to affect diagnostic quality anytime it is used, Dr. Marsh said. No Evidence Of Benefit The amount of radiation needed for an X-ray is about one-twentieth of what it was in the 1950s, and scientists have found no measurable harm to ovaries and testicles of patients from radiation exposure that comes from diagnostic imaging after decades of looking at data. What we know now is that there is likely no risk at all, said Dr. Donald Frush, a radiologist at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif., who chairs the Image Gently Alliance, referring to hereditary risk. Addressing a press conference here, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala stated that Congress had asked the government some questions, and it wants them answered."Who is Davinder Singh? What is his connection to Hizbul and other Jammu and Kashmir terrorists? For how long has he been acting as a conduit for Jammu and Kashmir terrorists as also may be other terror factory? Wasn't Davinder Singh connected to the 2001 and what is his connection, if at all, to the 2001 Parliament attack? What is Davinder Singh's connection to Pulwama attack where over 40 Jawans lost their lives when Davinder Singh was DSP?" Surjewala asked."Davinder Singh admittedly was bringing two terrorists and one conduit in his car to Delhi which police and government now says in lieu of Rs 12 lakh. I find the story preposterous and I find this explanation as hogwash. There is a larger conspiracy - at whose instance was Davinder Singh acting and bringing terrorists to Delhi as has been reported in many newspapers today. Are there any people who are in echelons of power who are involved with him? Is there is a larger conspiracy, is he only a small pawn or a carrier in the larger conspiracy that is unleashed," he added.Surjewala stated that these are questions that the Home Minister and the Prime Minister need to answer and added that Davinder Singh "cannot be a standalone carrier carrying terrorists to Delhi for the possible attack on the 26th January function."Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier today clarified that Davinder Singh has not been awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)."It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J&K State on Independence Day 2018," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet."For his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwama on 25/26 Aug 2017 when he was posted there as DySP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts," it continued.On January 12, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that during an operation in Shopian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants.Vijay Kumar, Inspector General (IG) of Police had said, "Yesterday, during an operation in Shopian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants, while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the National Highway."(ANI) A logo of the World Health Organization (WHO) at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) WHO Warns That New Viral Pneumonia in China May Be Contagious The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Jan. 14 that the virus behind a respiratory illness that broke out in China could be contagious. From the information that we have, it is possible that there is limited human-to-human transmission, potentially among families, but it is very clear right now that we have no sustained human-to-human transmission, Maria Van Kerkhove, acting head of WHOs emerging diseases unit, said Jan. 14. The WHO is preparing for the possibility that there could be a wider outbreak, she said at a news briefing in Geneva. Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus as the pathogen causing a new form of severe pneumonia that originated in the central city of Wuhan. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause the common cold, while others found in bats, camels, and other animals have evolved into more severe illnesses. The United Nations agency also said its offered guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection prevention and control in case the new virus spreads. There is no specific treatment for the new virus, but anti-virals are being considered and could be repurposed, Van Kerkhove said. China Updates The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said Jan. 14 that theres no obvious evidence that the disease could be transmitted between humans. However, it conceded that among the patients diagnosed with the illness, there is one husband-wife couple. The husband works at the Huanan Seafood Market, which has been linked to the outbreak, and was the first of the couple to exhibit symptoms. His wife, who hadnt been to the market, later began to cough and developed a fever, according to authorities. The market has been closed by the health commission since Jan. 1. Several patients visited or worked at the seafood market, which also sells wild game. But authorities said they havent yet identified the cause of the illness, and are continuing to investigate. Also, state-run media Beijing News previously reported that two patients were confirmed to be a mother and son, with the latter a poultry shop vendor at the market. The mother, who frequently goes to the market to deliver food to her son, first exhibited symptoms of pneumonia. The son, a middle-aged man, later began running a fever, according to the Jan. 2 report. The health commission also said a 61-year-old man died. Former Chinese health ministry official Chen Bingzhong told Epoch Times affiliate NTD in an interview that its irresponsible for Chinese authorities to not be forthcoming with information about the disease, even prohibiting media from reporting about it. Hong Kong media reported Jan. 14 that while reporters from several outlets were filming outside the Wuhan hospital where patients were being treated, hospital staff stopped them and brought them to a local police station, where they were questioned for roughly an hour and a half before being released. Former Chinese NGO worker Yang Zhanqing raised concerns that Chinese authorities didnt follow up on suspected cases in China, as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Asian regions have quarantined people who recently visited Wuhan and exhibited symptoms. This means many more people have not been tracked down [in China], causing its spread, he told NTD. Thailand Update On Jan. 13, Thailands public health ministry said a female Chinese tourist has been diagnosed with the Wuhan pneumonia, in the first confirmed case outside Wuhan. The patient, who has recovered, is still in Thailand. Authorities didnt provide further details about the patients background or how she may have contracted the illness. With Chinese New Year approaching on Jan. 25, when many Chinese tourists visit Thailand, the WHO called on Thai authorities and the general public to be on alert. Richard Brow, the agencys representative in Thailand, said anyone with a fever and cough who had spent time in Wuhan should be checked by a health worker. Hong Kong Meanwhile, Hong Kong has sent a delegation to Wuhan to learn about the illness. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said at a Jan. 14 press conference that she would provide further updates after a scheduled meeting with local health experts on Jan. 15. While dozens of patients with pneumonia-like symptoms have been identified and hospitalized in Hong Kong, Lam said there have been no confirmed cases of the Wuhan pneumonia in Hong Kong. Authorities released the viruss complete genetic sequence on Jan. 11, allowing public health professionals to detect whether a patient has the same illness that was first confirmed by Wuhan health authorities on Dec. 31, 2019. Reuters and Epoch Times staff writer Frank Fang contributed to this report. ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A Kazakh woman demonstrating in front of the Chinese consulate in Almaty has been warned her protest demanding the release of her husband from house arrest in China's northwestern province of Xinjiang is illegal. Farida Qabylbek picketed the consulate on January 14 with large posters hanging on her body with her husband's photo and information about his ordeal. An official from Almaty's city administration, Rita Ermanova, was at the site and told Qabylbek that her picket was illegal as it had not been sanctioned by the city authorities. According to Qabylbek, her spouse, Raqyzhan Zeinollauly, a native of Xinjiang, obtained Kazakh citizenship in 2004 and traveled to Xinjiang the same year, where Chinese authorities arrested him and sentenced him to 13 years in prison on espionage charges. Qabylbek says her husband fully served the term but Chinese authorities relocated him to another penitentiary on politically motivated charges, where they held him for 18 more months. Qabylbek says her husband is currently under house arrest in Xinjiang and insists that Kazakh and Chinese authorities help repatriate her spouse. Nobody came from the consulate to meet Qabylbek, while security officers asked her to submit her demands in written form. Several similar protests have taken place in Kazakhstan in recent months as demonstrators demand Kazakh authorities officially intervene in the situation faced by ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang. In August 2018, the United Nations said an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and members of other indigenous ethnic groups in Xinjiang were being held in "counterextremism centers." The UN said millions more had been forced into reeducation camps. China denies that the facilities are internment camps. Also in August 2018, a court in the Almaty region refused to extradite Sairagul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese citizen who was wanted in China on charges of illegal border crossing. Sauytbay fled China in April and testified in a court in Kazakhstan that thousands of ethnic Kazakhs, Uyghurs, and other Muslims in Xinjiang were undergoing "political indoctrination" at a network of camps. She testified that Chinese authorities had forced her to train "political ideology" instructors for reeducation camps, giving her access to secret documents about what she called a state program to "reeducate" Muslims from indigenous ethnic communities. Although she was not extradited to China, Kazakh authorities did not allow Sauytbay to stay in Kazakhstan. She later was granted asylum in Sweden. Two other ethnic Kazakh men from China, Qaster Musakhanuly and Murager Alimuly, who illegally crossed the Chinese-Kazakh border in October to, as they say, flee ill-treatment in Xinjiang, are currently on trial in Kazakhstan and may face extradition to China. The de facto president of the self-declared republic of Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia whose independence is recognized only by Russia and a few others, has stepped down amid sometimes violent protests that erupted over what his opponents say was an illegitimate electoral victory. With Abkhaz leader Raul Khajimba out of the picture -- at least for now -- and new elections scheduled, where do things stand in the impoverished and increasingly isolated South Caucasus territory? A Crisis Unfolds Khajimba's January 13 resignation put an end to four days of protests that saw the storming of the de facto presidential administration in Sukhumi, efforts by Moscow to mediate, and the calling of a fresh vote to determine the region's next de facto president. The crisis erupted on January 9, when hundreds of protesters descended on the building that housed Khajimba's administration as the territory's highest court resumed hearings on an appeal of the results of the second round of the "presidential" election held in September. Alkhas Kvitsinia of the Amtsakhara party -- who became the main challenger after leading opposition candidate Aslan Bzhania fell ill due to suspected poisoning -- filed the appeal after garnering 46 percent of the vote to Khajimba's 47 percent, according to official results. Electoral authorities approved the incumbent's election to another five-year term, but Kvitsinia argued that the fact Khajimba had failed to reach the required majority nullified the vote. He demanded a fresh election. Protesters also reportedly demanded the arrest of a member of the de facto presidential staff whom they accused of involvement in the deaths of three people killed in a shoot-out late last year. Among those killed was a brother of the reported organizer of the protest, Ahra Avidzba, who was decorated as a "hero" for his role supporting the Moscow-backed separatists fighting in parts of eastern Ukraine. A Difficult Situation With the protesters occupying the administrative building and reportedly arming themselves, the court on January 9 postponed its hearing after disqualifying a judge seen by the opposition as close to Khajimba's administration. In parliament, lawmakers the same day passed an appeal asking Khajimba to step down voluntarily "due to the difficult sociopolitical situation." As night fell, Bzhania marked his return from medical treatment in Moscow by joining the protests at the "presidential" headquarters. Khajimba, meanwhile, who himself led opposition protests that forced his predecessor Aleksandr Ankvab out of office in 2014, retreated to his residence and denounced the "coup attempt." He rejected demands that he resign, called for talks with the opposition in order to avoid "further destabilization," and issued a statement saying that "the appeal adopted by the parliament may aggravate the social and political situation and lead to irreversible consequences." On January 10, Abkhazia's top court annulled the results of the September run-off, declaring the vote invalid. While Khajimba remained defiant and prepared his own appeal, the region's electoral authorities announced that a new vote would be held on March 22. Behind The Scenes Caucasus experts who spoke to RFE/RL describe a number of factors that play into the political crisis in Abkhazia, a breakaway Georgian territory that along with another breakaway Georgian region, South Ossetia, was recognized as independent by Russia and a handful of other countries following the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008. "I think the current crisis in Abkhazia stems mainly from public frustration with a leader, Raul Khajimba, who is perceived to be weak and to have cheated to win the last election," said Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe. "There is a strong sense of malaise in the republic. The economy is stalled, and Russian financial aid has actually fallen in the last few years." De Waal, who ahead of the 2019 election wrote about Abkhazia's fear of "Ossetianization" -- essentially becoming isolated much like South Ossetia has been, despite Sukhumi's desire to be part of the wider world -- added that there has been "no progress either in developing domestically or in overcoming international isolation." However, de Waal noted that "Abkhaz politics is always divided, and Khajimba had many enemies." "The politically active segment of the population is quite small -- at best a few hundred people seized the presidential building," he said. "And we are now seeing the second president in a row in Abkhazia being forced out by a crowd." Aleksandr Krylov, the president of the Moscow Academic Society of Caucasian Studies, told RFE/RL's Russian Service that the Abkhaz people are frustrated with the lack of reforms, the region has been in stagnation, and this crisis could have been expected. "Everyone is tired of domestic disorder, the dominance of monopolies, the prevalence of crime," he said. "All this produces great disappointment among the people." Addressing Abkhazia's turbulent leadership history, Krylov said that "every time, the people expect that, with the rise of a new, strong leader, order will be instilled." The same was expected of Khajimba, he said, and expectations for the next leader will be similar. Russia's Role Russia maintains a troop presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia and has significant political and economic influence in the region. In fact, Georgia -- and most of international community, including the United States and European Union -- consider the two territories to be occupied illegally by Russia. In August, Russian President Putin met with Khajimba in Sochi in what some read as an endorsement of the incumbent. But the Russians "appear to have been pretty much bystanders in this crisis -- unlike in the last one of 2014, when they actively worked to remove Ankvab," de Waal said. "In Moscow they know that any and every Abkhaz leader is heavily reliant on them," he said. "I think the calculation is that a leader with greater public legitimacy makes Abkhazia more stable and less of a headache, when they have other more pressing foreign policy issues to deal with." As in 2014, Moscow sent envoys to try to resolve the conflict, beginning with Deputy Security Council Chairman Rashid Nurgaliyev. Later, the powerful presidential aide Vladislav Surkov -- Putin's personal adviser who is widely seen as a gray cardinal who helped craft the Kremlin's domination of domestic politics and Russia's expansionist policies in Ukraine and elsewhere in the former Soviet space -- arrived in Sukhumi. But Surkov and Nurgaliyev "do not determine the events that take place there," Krylov said. "Their task is to ensure that there is no destabilization and shooting in Abkhazia." "In Abkhazia any politician, one way or another, is negotiable for Moscow, given the close cooperation that exists," he said, noting that half of Abkhazia's budget comes from Russian subsidies. "You need to be a crazy politician to quarrel with Russia." What Comes After The Fall? Following his arrival in Sukhumi on January 12, Surkov never met personally with Khajimba, speaking with him only by telephone, Surkov adviser Aleksei Chesnakov announced afterward. RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus desk reported that Surkov met only that evening with opposition leader Bzhania. Hours later, Khajimba announced his resignation, which was approved by parliament on January 13. De facto Prime Minister Valery Bganba was named acting president until the March 22 elections. Initially it was reported that Khajimba was bowing out of the new vote, but he later told the Russian state news agency TASS that "the situation only calmed down yesterday. I will wait and see what to do." The job of leading Abkhazia, he added, "is not the easiest one and I think I will have to think about the processes that took place and why the situation developed that way." In the meantime, attention turns to what comes next for the territory of just under 250,000. "The force that now has the greatest power in the Abkhaz political arena is the concentrated power of the opposition," Krylov said. "It solved its main task -- removing the 'president' from power," he told RFE/RL. "Now there will be a period of nomination, and everything will already depend on whether this political force remains unified or whether they each begin to act in their own interests." The reemergence of Opposition Bloc of Opposition Forces leader Bzhania, who on January 13 confirmed his intention to run in March, makes him the early front-runner. "Bzhania is now the outright favorite to win the next election," de Waal said. "Bzhania was actually the favorite last time round but didn't run because he fell ill in what seems to have been a poisoning incident." With reporting by Russian Service correspondent Lyubov Chizhova [January 14, 2020] The Arcview Group Welcomes New President Kimberly Kovacs The Arcview Group today announced the hiring of cannabis entrepreneur Kimberly Kovacs as its new President. Kimberly has over 20 years of executive leadership and experience across technology services and investment companies. As the founder and CEO of MyJane, Kim built a cannabis wellness technology platform which was acquired in January of 2019 by Manifest 7. Prior to MyJane, Kim founded or co-founded six additional companies, raised more than $100M in equity capital and has been an active angel investor for more than ten years. Most recently, she served as President of the Los Angeles Venture Association where she launched the CannaLAVA strategic group designed to bring cannabis industry leaders together in Los Angeles. Kim brings a diverse skill set and broad range of executive experience to Arcview in a time of both growth and opportunity in cannabis investing. As President, Kim will lead the team and implement our overall membership and growth strategy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005591/en/ Kimberly Kovacs (Photo: Business Wire) "I admired Arcview's mission and initiatives so muh that I became a member in 2018. For me to lead this group and all it does to build a positive, healthy and diverse investment environment for cannabis is the perfect next step," declared Kim. "We're at a pivotal time in the cannabis industry, and I look forward to leading Arcview members through the growth of the industry as legalization opens up new markets and opportunities." "I couldn't be more pleased to hand the reins over to Kim. She deeply understands what makes Arcview so special to its members and to the cannabis industry, and has a strong vision to grow our impact," said Troy Dayton, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer. "This frees me up to play a more active external role as a spokesperson, advocate and evangelist for this meaningful brand that Steve DeAngelo and I started from humble beginnings 10 years ago." "Kim will be speaking at our first forum of the decade in Santa Monica on February 4th," said Jerry Stone, Executive Chairman. "She brings a critical financial acumen and new energy which will benefit all aspects of our business. Arcview continues to define how an investment network can impact both investors and startup company success." Kim is starting her new role immediately. The President position was newly created to drive further overall growth. Register for 2020VISION: Cannabis Investing for a New Decade in Santa Monica February 4th-6th at the Fairmont Hotel, our first forum of the decade should prove to be a critical moment for cannabis investors, from our Ready to Invest? company pitch presentations to detailed market insights, panels, speakers and community. Arcview Forums are invaluable to accredited cannabis investors. About The Arcview Group The Arcview Group is the leading investment and market research firm focused on connecting high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors and money managers with the investment opportunities, key players and indispensable insights to realize their goals in the cannabis sector. Founded in 2010 and listed recently by Forbes as one of the top five financial firms in the cannabis industry, investors in the Arcview Investor Network have invested more than $270 million in over 200 companies. Arcview Market Research has published more than 20 market reports, which forecast and analyze the rapidly evolving industry. Arcview co-founded and partnered with Canopy Boulder, the first seed-stage mentor-driven business accelerator that has graduated more than 100 companies. Arcview is also co-founder of Cannasure Insurance Services, the leading provider of business insurance to the cannabis industry. For more information, visit arcviewgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005591/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here. Investment in young Oregon companies hit another high in 2019, climbing to nearly $700 million. Thats according to data out Monday evening in the PwC/CB Insights Money Tree Report, an annual tally of national venture capital activity. Last years haul was 7% larger than 2018, but it may be misleading in some ways. While the total raised by Oregon entrepreneurs was the largest since the dot-com era, the number of companies funded fell by more than 40%, to just 43 the lowest in several years. That indicates Oregons startup funding is being concentrated in a smaller number of firms. Indeed, nearly half of last years total Oregon startup investment went to one Portland company, Vacasa, which is building a national business managing vacation rental properties. Vacasa raised $319 million in October, positioning it to be the states first big new company in more than two decades. Venture capital typically describes high-risk investments in startup companies with outsized growth potential. Such young companies can provide a foundation for new industries, or a new anchor for a regional economy Calculating annual venture capital dollars is always a tricky business, though. It requires making subjective decisions about what qualifies as startup funding and what is more properly classified as a private equity investment in an established, growing business. Vacasas latest investment came from Silver Lake Partners, more commonly associated with leveraged buyouts and private equity than with venture capital. Exclude Vacasas investment from the venture capital tally and 2019 doesnt look so good for Oregon investment would fall to just $379 million, the lowest since 2016. Venture capital tends to flow to tech companies, whose technology can enable them to scale up rapidly to create and capture new markets. Other big Oregon rounds last year went to Portland marketing startup SheerID, which raised $64 million in November; to Wilsonville battery maker Energy Storage Systems, which raised $30 million the same month; and to Beaverton cloud computing company Bigleaf Networks, which raised $21 million in September. Nationally, the MoneyTree Report put venture investment at $23.0 billion in 2019, down from $27.4 billion the prior year. Note: Oregon Insight usually appears Sundays. This installment published early, timed to the release of the new venture capital totals. -- Mike Rogoway mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Joe Swash admits his gruelling Dancing on Ice rehearsals are putting increasing pressure on his family life because he spending less time with partner Stacey Solomon and their children. The entertainer who welcomed son Rex with Stacey in May is among 12 new contestants to take part in the ITV skating show, but the effort required to learn a different routine each week is already taking its toll, just two weeks into the current series. Speaking to MailOnline as he prepares to host a new Meccabingo.com party in Blackpool, Joe, 37, revealed his lengthy choreography sessions with professional skate partner Alexandra Schauman have created distance between himself and his family. Distance: Joe Swash admits his gruelling Dancing on Ice rehearsals are putting increasing pressure on his family life because he spending less time with partner Stacey Solomon and their children He said: 'I'm really starting to feel the pull because I need as much time with my kids as possible. I'm really lucky because Stacey is an incredible mum, she's such a support as well. My only problem is juggling. 'I've got a good support network, but I do feel guilty, I do feel guilty. Every weekend I'm going to be working, so I have to make the time up in other places with the kids.' The former EastEnders star is currently gearing up for his second skate with Finnish pro Alexandra after winning a commendable score of 21.5 from a maximum 40 with their week one performance to Olly Murs hit Dance With me Tonight. And Joe, who entered the show with no skating and dancing experience, admits there have been times when he's questioned why he signed up. In the mix: The entertainer who welcomed son Rex with Stacey in May is among 12 new contestants to take part in the ITV skating show 'It's one of the most nerve wracking things I've ever done,' he admitted. 'And I've got to do it all again this Sunday. It's just relentless because you finish one dance and you go in on Monday and they give you the new dance for Sunday. You're like 'Oh my God.' 'It's like a conveyor belt of learning dances and skating but we're getting there. I'm really enjoying it, so that's the main thing.' He added: 'I had no skating experience at all, and I've got not dancing experience. onestly, Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking. It's one of the most dangerous things I've ever done. Homesick: Speaking to MailOnline Joe revealed his lengthy choreography have created distance between himself and his family 'The amount of times I've fallen over, it's insane but I'm not regretting it. I'm having a really fun time, I try and bring the fun to everything I do, and there are some great competitors there, some great skaters.' The star developed a close bond with his fellow competitors while preparing for the show, none more so than former Love Island star Maura Higgins. But he is quick to defend the Irish TV personality after a minority of fans accused her of openly flirting with Joe ahead of her first skate on Sunday evening. 'It's just friendly banter,' he insisted. 'I mean, (contestant) Ben Hanlin says stuff to me as well but because it's Ben no one really picks up on it. There's nothing behind it. It's just friendly banter. We all get on really, really well. 'As you know, I've got a new baby and Stacey and a big family, and they are my pride and joy. It's just friendly banter. It's the same sort of banter I have with the boys as well.' Emotional: 'I'm really lucky because Stacey is an incredible mum, she's such a support as well. My only problem is juggling,' he said Joe also admitted he was devastated after an injury forced comedian Michael Barrymore to withdraw from the show at the 11th hour. Barrymore had made only infrequent appearances on television following the well publicised 2001 death of 31-year old Stuart Lubbock in the grounds of his Essex home. And Joe believes the time was right for the comedian to make a comeback after almost twenty years away from the public eye. 'It's about time he got back on the telly,' he said. 'He's such a lovely dude. The real shame was that in the group of people we had he was so appreciated and he really felt loved. Just friends: Joe also defended Maura Higgins after a minority of fans accused her of openly flirting with Joe ahead of her first skate on Sunday evening 'I was just so gutted for him that he left, but he's still part of the series and hopefully he can do it again next year. It's a massive blow for everyone. 'He was such a big part of keeping us up and keeping us laughing. Always cracking jokes. He's a funny dude, really lovely to be around. At the end of the day we're just glad that he's OK because it was a bad tumble.' The star was speaking to MailOnline as he prepares to host the Meccabingo.com Mecca Fest at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on May 30. The event, a celebration of bingo, will include celebrity guests and live bingo games with 100,000 worth of prizes throughout the night, all presided over by Joe. Absent: Joe revealed he was devastated after an injury forced comedian Michael Barrymore to withdraw from the show at the 11th hour He said: 'There are eight-hundred tickets to be won. It's just a celebration of Mecca Bingo and its customers. We're going to have live music, DJ's, celebrities. There's going to be prizes on the night as well.' The event will be light relief for Joe, who recently admitted his relationship with Stacey was strained following the birth of Rex, their first child as a couple, in 2019. But the presenter insists there was no question of the couple, who also share three children from former relationships, splitting over the inevitable strain that comes with raising a family. Candid: The star recently admitted his relationship with Stacey was strained following the birth of Rex, their first child as a couple, in 2019 Stronger than ever: But he insists there was no question of the couple, who also share children from former relationships, splitting over the inevitable strain that comes with raising a family 'Me and Stacey are as strong as an ox,' he insisted. 'Obviously when Rex came along there was added pressures on our relationship and things go along with the baby. We've got two other human beings that we're looking after at the same time so naturally we're under a little bit of stress. 'When you have a baby it's getting in to the groove, trying to find the groove. And I think it just took us a little while, having a baby and with everyone coming to see the baby, to find our groove as parents.' He added: 'We've found that now. Everyone has a hard time when they have a baby, it's stressful, but it is the most amazing thing you will ever go through with your partner, but it does test you. All the stresses that you go through, it only makes you stronger all the time.' An American Airlines employee took a passenger's number from her luggage tag, before following her onto a flight and bombarding her with more than 100 creepy text messages, according to a lawsuit. Ashley Barno says the employee, identified only as Ahmad, told her she was 'gorgeous in her gray top' and explained he got her name, phone number and address from the information on her carry-on bag. The chilling messages go on to show how the worker then joined her on her flight from San Diego's International Airport to Chicago O'Hare in April last year, telling her: 'I am on board now. Are you going to Chicago too??' He is then said to have told a worried Ashley he could get her free flights and access to lounges, adding: 'Will you join me? I really like you!! Come on join me!!' Ashley Barno, pictured, says an American Airlines employee took her number from her luggage tag, before following her onto a flight and bombarding her with text messages Ashley Barno says the employee, identified only as Ahmad, told her she was 'gorgeous in her gray top' and explained he got her name, phone number and address from the information on her carry-on bag. Some of the messages are pictured The chilling messages go on to show how the worker then joined her on her flight from San Diego's International Airport to Chicago O'Hare in April last year, telling her: 'I am on board now. Are you going to Chicago too??' The employee, who was not on duty for American at the time, had first messaged Ashley asking her how she was, the lawsuit claims. Replying to the unknown number Ashley said: 'Sorry, I'm not sure who this is.' Ashley told NBC San Diego: 'The whole time I kept asking him, 'Who are you? How do you know who I am? How'd you get my info. 'Just knowing that he knew what I looked like, and that we were in an enclosed plane and that there's no way out, like really, really scared me. 'He had too much information on people, and what he did was not OK, and not acceptable at all.' Ashley said she told Ahmad to leave her alone but he persisted, telling her: 'Ok it's up to you, but friendship with me will be very beneficial for you. I can always give you good seats, access to the lounges, and free drinks.' She told a flight attendant about the messages and Ahmad was met at Chicago airport by company employees. The flight attendant is said to have told Barno that it was not 'the first time he's done something like this'. Ashley is now suing the airline for negligent hiring, sexual harassment and other alleged wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleges American Airlines 'knew of its employee's propensity to inappropriately contact its customers yet continued to retain him as an employee'. 'American Airlines did not do a sufficient job in hiring and supervising employees to keep its customers safe from sexual harassment and stalking', it adds. A spokesman for the company said it 'takes the privacy and safety of our customers seriously. The employee involved in the complaint is no longer employed at American Airlines' Ashley added: 'I got off the plane, I called my sister, and I was crying profusely because I just felt I mean, the best way to describe it was, I felt naked in a public place.' An American Airlines spokesman told the DailyMail.com the company 'takes the privacy and safety of our customers seriously'. They added:' We investigated the allegations and took appropriate action. The employee involved in the complaint is no longer employed at American Airlines.' Former Gov. Chris Christie made a surprise appearance at the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday as the justices heard oral arguments in the appeal of the Bridgegate case. Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, were seated in front of Bridget Anne Kelly, one of the defendants who appealed the case to the Supreme Court. I guess that hes as honored as I am that this came to the Supreme Court, and he was honored to be able to sit in and listen to the argument. You know, Im glad hes paying attention, Kelly said after the hearing when asked about seeing her former boss in the courtroom. Kelly also noted the irony of riding the same train to Washington D.C. on Monday as Christie did. I didnt come on the train with him. Lets be clear. she added, noting that she didnt speak to the former governor. Her reaction upon seeing him? Its been a long six years. I hope he has a harder time seeing me than I have seeing him, Kelly said. Kelly, a former Christie deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, the one-time deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were charged and convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy after local lanes to the George Washington Bridge were shut down in 2013 in what prosecutors said was a scheme to punish the Fort Lee mayor. Baroni had already reported to prison and Kelly was packing to leave for prison when the court in June unexpectedly agreed to hear their appeal. The two now are free on bail pending the courts decision. Christie was never charged with any wrongdoing in the Bridgegate case and he denied any knowledge of the plan. But his ties to the case helped torpedo his failed 2016 presidential campaign. Both sides had 30 minutes to make their arguments before the court Tuesday. The time was split by attorneys for Kelly, who will got 20 minutes, with 10 minutes going to the attorney for Baroni. The government had 30 minutes to present its case. A decision by the court is expected by late June or early July. Staff writers Kelly Heyboer and Jonathan D. Salant contributed to this report. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Baghdad, Jan 15 : Two Katyusha rockets on Tuesday hit a military base housing US troops near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said. The attack took place in the evening when the two rockets landed on the al-Taji military base, around 20 km from Baghdad, where some US troops are stationed, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. There was no immediate reports about casualties, the official added. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a few days after Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iraqi Iran-backed Shiite militia Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, said the Iranian initial response to the killing of an Iranian military leader was done and it is time for Iraq to respond to the US airstrike. Al-Khazali's threat came after Iran fired ballistic missiles on Wednesday on two military bases housing US troops in Iraq's western province of Anbar and near the city of Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. On January 3, a US drone attacked a convoy near Baghdad International Airport, killing Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. More than 5,000 US troops are deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battle against Islamic State militants. Updated. A few more state and local teachers unions have endorsed Democratic presidential candidates in the last few days, even as their powerful national peersthe American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Associationcontinued their lengthy vetting processes. The Massachusetts affiliate of the AFT and the Boston Teachers Union on Monday endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents their state and has called for quadrupling Title I, fully funding IDEA, and putting new restrictions on charter schools. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won an endorsement Tuesday from Nevadas Clark County Education Association, which represents 19,000 members in the nations fifth largest district. That endorsement came about two months after Sanders won early support from the United Teachers of Los Angeles . That unions leadership said Sanders, an independent, would stand up against privatization, the charter billionaries, and high-stakes testing, which have all been the focus of recent teacher activism in the nations second largest school district. And over the weekend, former Vice President Joe Biden, who was born in Scranton, Penn., announced hed won the endorsement of the Scranton Federation of Teachers. Biden wants to triple Title I funding, which is targeted toward schools with large enrollments of students from low-income families, full funding for IDEA within 10 years, and the reinstatement of some Obama-era civil rights regulations that have since been rescinded by the Trump administration. What About the National Teachers Unions Endorsements? The national teachers unions have said any endorsements of primary candidates will come much later in the cycle than they did in 2016. Some union members criticized the national organizations in 2016, saying they moved too quickly to support former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and did not give Sanders enough consideration. The AFT has responded by holding town halls with most of the 2020 Democratic candidates to discuss their priorities. The NEA released a series of video interviews with candidates. And both unions were among the organizers of a forum on public education issues that was livestreamed and conducted by MSNBC. But even as the Iowa caucuses are less than a month away, neither union has made an endorsement. What Will the New Endorsements Mean for Candidates? Endorsements from the Massachusetts and Boston chapters signal an important nod from Warrens home state. It may also motivate some of the organizations members to hit the road for neighboring New Hampshire to help organize voters in that early primary state. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts primary is March 3 on Super Tuesday . Warren often mentions her year as a special education teacher on the trail, a talking point echoed by the unions in their endorsements. President @beth_kontos : As a former educator, Sen. Warren knows firsthand that we need bold action to support public education. Shes building a movement that can win in November & replace the failed Trump-DeVos agenda with the pro-student, pro-public ed plan our students need. AFT Massachusetts (@AFTMass) January 13, 2020 For Sanders, the Clark County endorsement is an important nod in the diverse and influential early primary state, where labor plays an influential role. Senator Sanders has a stellar record of supporting educators, CCEA President Vikki Courtney said in a statement. His position on public education issues is second to none. He has always been a champion for educators and working class people. He has our support. He has spent time with our members and has made a firm commitment to advance public education in our country. We are looking forward to working with @BernieSanders to help change the public education system for the better https://t.co/1WeUE3WFc1 Clark County Education Association (@cceanv) January 14, 2020 Scranton is a relatively small district with about 10,000 students. But Pennsylvania, which President Trump won in 2016, is a significant state in the general election. The Pennsylvania primary is April 28. As a native of Scranton, Vice President Biden knows firsthand about the economic, educational and social issues that matter to our community, SFT President Rosemary Boland said in a statement. He has been a lifelong advocate for strong public schools, labor rights and access to quality and affordable healthcareissues important to our members, working families and the students we teach. Photo: Getty Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa . Photo: Platefit Sycamore/Yelp Looking for the Los Angeles gym of your dreams? We've found the freshest spots worth checking out. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in search of a gym near you. Superior Barbell Club 21001 Superior St., Chatsworth Photo: Casey F./Yelp Superior Barbell Club is a gym and personal training spot. This new business offers personal trainers who develop customized training programs that focus on the individual's fitness goals. The gym is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yelp users are excited about Superior Barbell Club, which currently holds five stars out of three reviews on the site. Yelper Kristine P., who reviewed Superior Barbell Club on Dec. 9, wrote, "...Not only is the equipment top notch, but the layout is spacious and makes sense." Yelper Christine M. added, "...They have a ton of new equipment and I've seen powerlifters, bodybuilders, personal trainers and everyday gym-goers make good use of the gym. The members are really welcoming and the owners are super nice and helpful." Sweat Pilates 3521 S. Centinela Ave., Mar Vista Photo: Sweat Pilates Mar Vista/Yelp Sweat Pilates is a gym and Pilates spot. This new business delivers a variety of Pilates-based classes, including classic Pilates, Sweat Pilates on the Proformer machine and Bounce Pilates, which uses a mini-trampoline. View the classes here. Sweat Pilates' current Yelp rating of five stars out of four reviews indicates positive attention from users. Yelper Czarina R., who reviewed Sweat Pilates on Dec. 10, wrote, "...From beginner level to expert level with regards to Proformer/Reformer (machine not mat) Pilates this studio always delivers... If you want that lovely, lean, long Pilates body and to be taken care of by seriously good, well-trained and fun teachers- look no further." Theresa T. noted, "A cute and intimate pilates studio in Mar Vista. Instructors are informative, energetic, and friendly. This isn't a normal pilates studio it's SWEAT pilates so come prepared to be challenged in the best way possible way (expect fun and high energy)." Story continues Sweat Pilates is open from 6 a.m.7:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, 6 a.m.8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, 6 a.m.12:45 p.m. on Friday, 7:30 a.m.1 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.1 p.m. on Sunday. Platefit 953 N. Sycamore Ave., Suite 100, Hollywood Photo: Platefit Sycamore/Yelp PLATEFIT is a gym. PLATEFIT offers 27-minute vibration training classes that "uses the science of vibration to wake up cells, increase circulation, detoxify the lymphatic system, reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery time," according to the website. PLATEFIT's current rating of 4.5 stars out of 10 reviews on Yelp indicates positive attention from users. Yelper Chelsea G., who was one of the first users to visit PLATEFIT on Oct. 28, wrote, "Love this studio! Such an incredible workout in an inviting and clean space. The classes are quick, yet effective." Leslie G. noted, "Beautiful studio, and the staff is wonderful. I like that the classes vary as you're always working different muscle groups." This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The national death toll of Australia's 2019/2020 bushfire season was 33 as of Monday, March 2, with 25 confirmed deaths in New South Wales, three in South Australia and five in Victoria. OCTOBER New South Wales: Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwen Hyde, 68, were found in their burned out Coongbar home near Casino on October 9th. NOVEMBER New South Wales: The body of 85-year-old George Nole was found in a burnt out car near his home in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes. Vivian Chaplain, a 69-year-old woman from Wytaliba, succumbed to her injuries in hospital after attempting in vain to save her home and animals from the blaze. The body of 63-year-old Julie Fletcher was pulled from a scorched building in Johns River, north of Taree. Barry Parsons, 58, was found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey. Chris Savva, 64, died after his 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads. A 59-year-old man was founded sheltered in a Yarrowitch water tank on November 7. He died of injuries on December 29. Victoria: David Moresi, 69, died after being involved in a traffic incident while working at the at the Gelantipy fire in East Gippsland on November 30. DECEMBER New South Wales: Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. Samuel McPaul, 28, was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30 when a 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll. South Australia: The body of 69-year-old Ron Selth was found in his Charleston home, which was destroyed by the Cudlee Creek blaze on December 21. NEW YEAR'S EVE FIRES New South Wales: Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega, on December 31. A 70-year-old man, named by local media as Laurie Andrew, was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola. The body of a 70-year-old man was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah on the morning of New Year's Day. The body of a 62-year-old man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am on New Year's Day. A body, believed to be a 56-year-old man, found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo on New Year's Day. An off-duty RFS firefighter, believed to be 72-year-old Colin Burns, was found near a car in Belowra after the New Year's Eve fires swept through. Victoria: Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, was found dead at his home on the morning of New Year's Day. Fred Becker, 75, was the second person to die in Victoria. He suffered a heart attack while trying to defend his Maramingo Creek home. JANUARY New South Wales: David Harrison, a 47-year-old man from Canberra, suffered a heart attack defending his friend's home near Batlow on Saturday, January 4. A 71-year-old man was found on January 6. Police have been told the man was last sighted on December 31, 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah. An 84-year-old man who stayed to defend his home in Cobargo, NSW, dies in hospital three weeks after fire hit. His pet dog Bella, who stayed by his side as fires raged, was also killed in the disaster. Three American firefighters are killed when Coulson Aviation C-130 Hercules water bomber Zeus crashed while fighting fires near Cooma on Thursday January 23. They have been named as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr, 43. On January 24, Michael Clark, 59, was found in a Bodalla home destroyed by bushfires near the NSW South Coast town of Moruya. Victoria: Forest Fire Management firefighter Mat Kavanagh, 43, was killed Friday January 3 when he was involved in a two-car crash on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Bill Slade, a 60-year-old father of two from Wonthaggi was fighting fires with Parks Victoria at Omeo when he died on January 11. He has been remembered as one of the longest serving, most experienced and fittest firefighters. South Australia: Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Adelaide surgeon Clayton Lang, died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire after their car was trapped by flames. A court slammed Delhi Police on Tuesday for failing to show any evidence against Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, observing that people are out on the streets because things which should have been said inside Parliament were not said. Delhi Police was behaving as if Jama Masjid was Pakistan, Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said, adding that even if it was, one can protest there peacefully. Pakistan was once part of undivided India, she said. The court's observations came while hearing bail plea of Azad, who was arrested in a case related to anti-CAA ptotests in old Delhi's Daryaganj area. "Inside the Parliament, things which should have been said, were not said and that is why people are out on the streets. We have full right to express our views but we cannot destroy our country. "You are behaving as if Jama Masjid was Pakistan and even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India," the judge said. The court asked the investigating officer of the police to put on record all the evidence which showed that Azad was allegedly giving incriminatory speeches at the gathering at Jama Masjid and any law which showed that the gathering there was unconstitutional. It has put up the matter for further hearing on Wednesday. During the hearing, police told the court they have only drone images of the gathering as evidence and no other recording. To this, the judge said, "Do you think Delhi police is so backward that it has no tools to record anything? "Show me anything or any law that prohibits such gathering... Where is the violence? Who says you cannot protest...have you read the Constitution. It is one's Constitutional right to protest." The court further observed that Azad, having a law degree, can also protest inside the courts. It noted that Azad's Ambedkarite philosophy probably required more research. "Azad is probably an Ambedkarite. Ambedkar was more closer to the Muslims, Sikhs and basically the repressed class of the society... He was a rebel of his own kind. Probably Azad has a vague idea of what he wants to say but probably not able to put it across. If you take up an issue, you do your research. And that is missing, " the court said. The plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, claimed that there was no evidence against the allegations made against Azad in the FIR and his arrest was illegal. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on December 20, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on January 9. The Nigerian government has declared a regional security outfit, Amotekun, formed by states in the South-west geopolitical zone as illegal. Governors in the region announced the formation of the regional paramilitary outfit last week to complement the work of the police. Policing is a federal duty under the exclusive list of the Nigerian constitution. A launch of the outfit was held in Ibadan at an event attended by political and traditional leaders across party lines from the South-west. A Tuesday statement from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said setting up of the organisation runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law. Opinions are sharply divided about the constitutionality or otherwise of the security arrangement and the fear of possible abuse of such an outfit by state governors. Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sovereign entity and is governed by laws meant to sustain its corporate existence as a constitutional democracy, a statement by Umar Gwandu, the ministers spokesperson stated. Citing provisions of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, the minister insisted that security is a matter that is within the exclusive operational competence of the Federal of Government of Nigeria. No other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence. Mr Malami said the Constitution established military and paramilitary outfits to defend Nigeria and its citizens, pointing out that another arrangement outside of it was a nullity. As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts. This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal government security services established by law to maintain law and order. In a veiled threat to state governments involved and the Amotekun operatives, the statement warned that the law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in Amotekun or continuous association with it as an association. Mr Malami said his office was not consulted before plotting the security network saying he would have advised against the exercise. The attorney general said if the governors had contacted his office proper information and guidance would have been offered to ensure that Nigerias defence and corporate entity are preserved at all times. Speaking in the state assembly, Sarma said that there is a lot of wrong notions regarding 1971 as the cut-off date. Guwahati: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said that the Citizenship Amendment Act neither violates nor dilutes the Assam Accord, but is aimed at resolving one of the many unresolved issues not addressed when the historic accord was signed. Putting forward his partys stand, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that if census data is any indicator, the Hindu Bengali population was not a threat to the Assamese language. Speaking in the state assembly, Mr Sarma said that there is a lot of wrong notions regarding 1971 as the cut-off date. Clause 5 of the Assam Accord mentions that all persons who came to Assam prior to January 1, 1966, including those amongst them whose name appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections, shall be regularized and that for purposes of detection and deletion of foreigners, January 1, 1966, shall be the base date and year. Pointing out that the Assam Accord was not an all-encompassing document and even the NRC update was not part of the Assam Accord, Mr Sarma said, The idea of updating the NRC evolved as a concept post-Assam Accord. It was one of the unresolved issues of the Assam Accord. He said that the Accord was silent on issues like the status of children of the post-1971 illegal immigrants. Similarly, the Assam Accord spoke about giving considerations to the difficulties regarding the IM (DT) Act and not about repeal or scrapping of that Act, he said. Saying that the Assam Accord failed to resolve the issue of differentiating between economic migrants and those who have entered the country on account of religious persecution, Mr Sarma argued that the CAA is going to resolve the unresolved issue of religious prosecutions. Countering the charges of violating the commitment of the Assam Accord, Mr Sarma said that the Citizenship Act was amended by Congress governments in 1987 and 1992 facilitating children of foreigners to become Indian citizens and that discrepancy was only resolved when the Act was again amended in 2003 by the Vajpayee government. Similarly, the Supreme Courts decision regarding the IM (DT) Act resolved that point. Now we have addressed another unresolved issue, that of Hindu Bangladeshis, said Mr Sarma. Which Clause of the Assam Accord states that 1971 is the cut-off date? As per Clause 5 of the Accord for purposes of detection and deletion of foreigners, 1.1.1966 shall be the base date and year. It also states that all persons who came to Assam prior to 1.1.1966, including those amongst them whose name appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections, shall be regularized. And it also states that foreigner s who came to Assam after 1.1.1966 and up to March 24, 1971, shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964, the minister quoted from the text of the Assam Accord. [January 14, 2020] A Canadian first: Montreal International Auto Show unveilings to be streamed live online thanks to Livescale The Palais des congres de Montreal paves the way for innovation at Quebec's biggest consumer show MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The Palais des congres de Montreal will be hosting the Montreal International Auto Show January 17 to 26, 2020. The popular consumer show is expected to draw around 200,000 visitors. The Auto Show and carmakers will be present on social media, thanks to Montreal firm Livescale, which will live stream and simultaneously webcast key moments of the 77th edition of the Show, including one of the highlights of the event, Media Day, for a Canadian first. This will render the Show more accessible than ever, as the new technology will make it possible for automotive enthusiasts worldwide to virtually attend unveilings of new models, and to also express their interest in said models using a prospect generating feature available only in America. The video streams and webcasts hosted by Denis Talbot and former racecar driver Bertrand Godin across an unlimited number of websites and social media outlets, will broaden the reach of the Show beyond Montreal and enable carmakers to promote the event on their social media platforms. Alongside the live streaming and webcasting, Livescale's services will also include generating qualified leads for carmakers, and livechatting during which people will b able to ask questions. It should be noted that Livescale's offices are located inside the Palais des congres, which enables the firm to deliver its services flexibly and reliably. CITE: An Events Lab Livescale is among the Quebec startups whose services are offered by the Palais through CITE, its Events Lab. The purpose of this group of startups created by and housed inside the Palais is to find innovative solutions for the current and future needs of event organizers, while also serving as an international showcase for local entrepreneurs. It is an initiative that is at the heart of the Palais des congres of tomorrow, and one that also helps drive Montreal's brand as a global leader in the world of events. Quotes "This first-ever live streaming and webcasting with Livescale and the Montreal International Auto Show is a source of pride for the Palais and something that's never been done before. We are thrilled about bringing the biggest consumer show in Quebec to various platforms in real time. This initiative enables us to promote the city's startups and stay competitive in the events market." Robert Mercure, CEO of the Palais des congres de Montreal "We are delighted to be able to contribute to this new edition of the Montreal International Auto Show with our live streaming and webcasting solutions, making it possible for the entire world to attend and interact with the unveilings of Media Day, and express their interest online in the new models being presented by the world's biggest carmakers!" Virgile Ollivier, CEO of Livescale "We are pleased to be collaborating with Livescale alongside the Palais des congres de Montreal on broadcasting our Media Day to everyone live. Our goal is to create a showcase for our carmakers and provide a public stage for their latest innovations. This 77th edition of the Montreal Auto Show brims with new and innovative technologies really worth discovering, including 37 Canadian premieres, 3 North American premieres, and numerous concept cars!" Denis Dessureault, Executive Vice-President of Montreal International Auto Show About the Palais des congres de Montreal Recipient of the highest quality standards certification in the industry, the Palais des congres de Montreal convention centre stands in the heart of the top host city in the Americas for international events. In 2018-2019, it generated $215 million in economic benefits along with an invaluable amount of intellectual wealth via the 353 events it hosted. A trailblazer, it operates its own events lab, CITE, which houses Montreal startups that are helping redefine how conferences are held. The Palais is a carbon neutral building, and also BOMA BEST certified. Its suite of sustainability initiatives, which it runs under the name Palais Boreal, includes an innovative program that shepherds event organizers and participants through the process of offsetting their GHG emissions locally. Actively immersed in the community, the Palais opens its spaces to visitors and stages art-driven experiences for the public, like the Palais Seasons, showcasing Quebec creatives. A leader and visionary, the Palais is at the forefront of the Convention Industry 4.0 transformation. Visit congresmtl.com. About Livescale Livescale enriches and transforms the experience associated with live streaming and webcasting events. Livescale solutions simplify the simultaneous distribution of content across all of the client's social media platforms and websites, to help them reach, engage and monetize their audience, and to also accurately ascertain user behaviours and interactions thanks to real-time analytics. SOURCE Palais des congres de Montreal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A valuable and useful resource for legal advisers and deal makers when advising businesses on cross-border deals in 2020. Lex Mundi, in conjunction with members of the Lex Mundi Cross-Border Transactions Group, has published a new report - Lex Mundi Global M&A Trends Report. The report was developed to help in-house counsel and private practitioners understand the challenges and trends impacting cross-border transactions in the current environment of political and economic instability in a growing number of countries. In light of the increasingly complex global market, the report compiles the insights of 69 member firms from across the globe with regards to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in their respective jurisdictions, including key concerns facing private company M&A practitioners, deal activity by market segment and sector, and predictions for 2020. Some of the key findings in the report include: Due diligence and transaction structure rank as top concerns for M&A practitioners Despite global uncertainly in the market, nearly 60% of the member firms contributing to the report expect deal activity in 2020 to remain the same Practitioners are seeing most M&A activity in the energy and power sectors, financial services, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare and life sciences Jenny Karlsson, Senior Business Development Manager with Lex Mundi commented, While the report is a great example of how our member firms collaborate on a global level and demonstrates their indigenous expertise in M&A in their respective jurisdictions, we also think it provides a valuable and useful resource for legal advisers and deal makers when advising businesses on cross-border deals in 2020. The Lex Mundi Global M&A Trends Report can be accessed free of charge on the Lex Mundi website at: https://www.lexmundi.com/lexmundi/Global_MA_Trends_Report.asp. About Lex Mundi Lex Mundi is the worlds leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+ countries. Lex Mundi member firms offer clients preferred access to more than 21,000 lawyers worldwide a global resource of unmatched breadth and depth. Each member firm is selected on the basis of its leadership in and continued commitment to its local market. The Lex Mundi principle is one independent firm for each jurisdiction. Firms must maintain their level of excellence to retain membership within Lex Mundi. Through close collaboration, information-sharing, training and inter-firm initiatives, the Lex Mundi network is an assurance of connected, on-the ground expertise in every market in which a client needs to operate. Through its global client service platform, Lex Mundi members are able to handle seamlessly their clients most challenging cross-border transactions and disputes. Member law firms are located throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and North America. Through Lex Mundis nonprofit affiliate, the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation, members also provide pro bono legal assistance to social entrepreneurs around the globe. For more information, please visit http://www.lexmundi.com and http://www.lexmundiprobono.org. The US has reversed its decision to brand China a "currency manipulator" as the world's two major economies prepare to conclude a "phase one" deal on Wednesday to end their bruising trade war. President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused China of allowing the value of the yuan to fall, making Chinese goods cheaper. The US officially named China a currency manipulator in August last year when trade tensions were high between Beijing and Washington. Trump, who blames China for a decline in US manufacturing, promised to label China a currency manipulator during his 2016 election campaign. Announcing the revocation of China's currency manipulator status, US Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said, "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability." "The Treasury Department has helped secure a significant Phase One agreement with China that will lead to greater economic growth and opportunity for American workers and businesses," he said in Washington on Monday. China has also agreed to publish relevant information related to exchange rates and external balances, the Department of Treasury said in a report. Meanwhile, after depreciating as far as 7.18 RMB per US dollar in early September, the RMB subsequently appreciated in October and is currently trading at about 6.93 RMB per dollar, it said. "In this context, Treasury has determined that China should no longer be designated as a currency manipulator at this time," the report added. Under the US definition, currency manipulation is the deliberate effort by a country to influence the exchange rates between its currency and the US dollar to gain an "unfair competitive advantage in international trade". Reacting to the US decision, China said on Tuesday said the Trump administration reversing the previous decision to declare it as a currency manipulator is in line with "facts" and claimed that the exchange rate of its currency is based on the "economic fundamentals" of the Chinese economy. "China is not an exchange rate manipulator," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing on Tuesday. "The latest conclusion of the United States is in line with the facts and the consensus of the international community. A recent International Monetary Fund assessment concluded that the level of the RMB exchange rate is generally in line with economic fundamentals, and objectively denied that China is a "currency manipulator," he noted. China is a responsible big country, he said, adding that "we have repeatedly reiterated that we will not engage in competitive currency devaluation and do not use the exchange rate as a tool to deal with external disturbances such as trade disputes." Meanwhile, the US and China are set to sign the first phase of a Phase One trade deal on January 15, President Donald Trump indicated last Thursday. Beijing's trade envoy Vice Premier Liu He is in the US to sign the interim agreement's "Phase One", marking a pause in the nearly two-year trade war between the two sides. "We're signing, as you know, a very big deal among many other things with China probably on January 15," Trump told reporters at a White House event last week. The "phase one" pact is aimed at de-escalating the tit-for-tat tariff war the two countries have engaged in since 2018. President Trump launched the trade war with China last year demanding Beijing to reduce the massive trade deficit amounting to USD 539 billion in the bilateral trade. Trump is also demanding an intrusive verification mechanism to supervise Beijing's promise to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) technology transfer and more access to American goods to Chinese markets. China's overall trade with the United States plunged nearly 15 per cent last year, according to the data. But a senior customs official said that China's imports from the US rebounded in November and December, especially with the trade of soybeans, pork and cars, CNN reported. Separately, government data showed Tuesday that China's global trade fell 1 per cent in 2019 to USD 4.6 trillion, as measured by the value in US dollars of the country's imports and exports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2019, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on healthcare pricing transparency, with the goal of empowering patients to be able to "shop around" to compare pricing for similar services at different hospitals. Using data gathered by the Crowe Revenue Cycle Analytics (Crowe RCA) software, a Crowe report, "Transparent Doesn't Equal Rational: Problems With Transparency Order," looked further into this topic. Crowe is a public accounting, consulting and technology firm with offices around the world. The Crowe RCA solution captures every patient financial transaction in more than 1,200 hospitals nationwide. In this report, Crowe analyzed its national hospital database for individual pricing levels of 100 common outpatient procedures priced at more than $500 in gross charges, the list price that hospitals post in their systems. It also reviewed the average allowable revenue the amount paid out of pocket after insurance by the patients for each outpatient procedure studied. Overall, the national disparity between gross charges for each procedure was significant, at an average of 297% difference between the lowest and highest gross charge for each individual procedure. The national disparity in allowable revenue (expected payment) was also notable at 236%. For example, the report examined the specific bill code for a high-severity, potentially life-threatening emergency room visit. For the highest (top 5%) of hospitals, the average gross charge was $3,499. For the lowest (bottom 5% of hospitals) the average gross charge was $692, representing a 406% difference. This differential also holds true for the allowable amounts, in which the highest hospitals expected to collect $736, with the lowest at $192. Pricing disparity also occurred on a local basis. The report reviewed a standard MRI procedure in a metropolitan area of more than 3 million people. There was a 115% difference between the highest hospitals' gross average charge ($4,548) and the lowest hospitals' charge ($2,115). There was also a 126% differential between the highest hospitals' allowable amount ($1,390) and the lowest hospitals' allowable amount ($615). This means two patients could undergo the same MRI procedure in the same area, with one paying $1,390 and the other paying $615. In the future, patients may be able to actively shop for and select a medical service, such as an MRI, based on a healthcare price transparency tool, per the executive order. However, according to Brian Sanderson, managing principal of healthcare services at Crowe, selecting a hospital only based on price does not account for many other factors that a patient might consider such as the brand value of the hospital, consumer ratings, quality of care, convenience and accessibility, customer experience, and, perhaps most importantly, urgency. "Consumers want to understand the confusing disparity among prices for similar services," said Sanderson. "An increase in transparency will allow consumers to apply normative, rational purchasing criteria when making nonurgent choices on where to get care. Hospitals that can clearly state the total price to be paid for a procedure before those services are delivered and then charge only that price once they are delivered will give patients the basic tools they need to make well-informed decisions." To download a copy of the report, please visit Transparent Doesn't Equal Rational: Problems With Transparency Order. About Crowe Revenue Cycle Analytics (Crowe RCA) benchmarking data More than 1,200 U.S. hospitals use the Crowe RCA solution to capture every patient transaction for purposes of automating hindsight, accounts receivable valuation and net revenue analyses. The benchmarking database spans 45 states and comprises 707 hospitals within Medicaid expansion states and 445 hospitals in nonexpansion states as of 2019. About Crowe Crowe LLP is a public accounting, consulting and technology firm with offices around the world. Crowe uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit services to public and private entities. The firm and its subsidiaries also help clients make smart decisions that lead to lasting value with its tax, advisory and consulting services. Crowe is recognized by many organizations as one of the best places to work in the U.S. As an independent member of Crowe Global, one of the largest global accounting networks in the world, Crowe serves clients worldwide. The network consists of more than 200 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 130 countries around the world. SOURCE Crowe LLP Related Links http://www.crowe.com Respected BBC broadcaster John Simpson has accused the Government of 'limbering up' for a 'major attack' on the corporation. The BBC's world affairs editor, 75, believes the Conservatives want 'payback time' because the Prime Minister and his party 'feel bruised and damaged by the broadcasters.' His comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is 'looking at' abolishing the licence fee. Mr Simpson told the Radio Times he felt 'uncomfortable' that the threat of criminal proceedings could hang over those who don't pay. John Simpson, 75, (left) believes the Conservatives want 'payback time' because the Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and his party 'feel bruised and damaged by the broadcasters.' However, he argued that a lack of advertising revenue meant that the licence fee was essential to the BBC's survival. Incidents with broadcasters before the general election included Channel 4 replacing the Prime Minister with an ice sculpture, an ITV News correspondent asking Mr Johnson to look at a photograph of a boy forced to sleep on a hospital floor and Andrew Neil's monologue after his programme was snubbed. 'For possibly the ninth time in my 53 years with the BBC, a British government is limbering up to launch a major attack on us,' the journalist said. 'The BBC offers the biggest, easiest and most juicy target of all, because of the licence fee. 'No-one likes paying the licence fee, and the threat of criminal proceedings if they don't makes even BBC lifers like me feel uncomfortable.' But Mr Simpson said that 'the licence fee is the BBC. 'There isn't enough advertising money around to fund ITV, Channel 4, Sky and the BBC as well, and there won't be enough people willing to pay subscriptions. 'There'll still be plenty to watch on television, but most of it will be American-made. And the BBC's news services, which most people rely on in this country, and which play a big part in maintaining Britain's image around the world, will dwindle away.' British Broadcasting Corporation headquarters building on Portland Place in central London He said of the corporation's future: 'Maybe we'll get through this latest attack, maybe we won't.' His comments come after BBC boss Lord Hall penned a defence of the broadcaster, saying: 'At home, the role of the BBC is hotly debated, yet we are the envy of the world.' The full article is in this week's Radio Times magazine. First there was Brexit, then Megxit and now traditional pasty fans have even had a Greggxit after forcing the popular bakery to chain shut its only branch in Cornwall a year on from opening. Locals in Saltash reacted with fury after the all-conquering franchise Greggs opened in their county in September 2018, branding it 'junk' and 'Satan's franchise'. Choosing to remain loyal to their famous Cornish Pasties, locals opted to avoid the bakery chain, bucking the trend compared to the rest of the UK where Greggs has seen huge growth. First there was Brexit, then Megxit and now traditional pasty fans have even had a Greggxit after forcing the popular bakery to chain shut its only branch in Cornwall a year on from opening Bosses this week confirmed its store had now closed after a 'thorough review'. Despite having around 1500 stores across the UK, Greggs is now back to having no presence anywhere in Cornwall. And locals have hailed the decision a victory for the traditional baked favourite, dubbing it Greggxit following on from Britain's impending withdrawal from the EU and the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's decision to quit senior royal duties. They also questioned why Greggs even tried to establish themselves in its heartland. Ann Muller, a commercial pasty maker with 35-years-experience and owner of Ann's Pasties, said: 'It wasn't on my radar, I've never been to a Greggs' and I don't know what they're like. 'People love a pasty in Cornwall. There isn't a Cornish person around who doesn't have a pasty at least once a week - and people like them traditional. 'I don't know what the competition is like in Saltash, maybe there's lots of competition there and people are loyal to their established bakeries.' Upon hearing the news locals also said Greggs should have 'stayed away.' Choosing to remain loyal to their famous Cornish Pasties, locals opted to avoid the bakery chain, bucking the trend compared to the rest of the UK where Greggs has seen huge growth Carole Serbert wrote on Facebook: 'We don't want that slapped up junk down here anyway, we have hundreds of lovely eateries so no need for them.' And David Rowe added: 'You can't beat a traditional Cornish bakery.' Shaun Norman added: 'It was just stupid to open one in Cornwall anyway. 'It's obvious that Cornish people will use Cornish bakery's where they can get a Cornish pasty rather than the s**t pasty slice from Greggs. They were never going to survive here.' And Kevin Yeomans said: 'I can't imagine that was a good business idea with all the many great bakeries in Cornwall, similar to all the supermarkets stocking Ginsters!' At the time of the Greggs' opening, people in the area said it happened with 'no fanfare' and after two weeks of trading it still didn't appear on Greggs' website store locator section. A spokesperson for Greggs, said: 'We confirm that following a thorough review, the Greggs at Saltash Service Station closed. 'We continue to look for new opportunity sites across the South West of England as part of our long-term plans.' Terrible, tragic news from Rotuma Antoine, 3D2AG, who has been active from Rotuma since December 21st, has reported that his 11-year-old son (eldest) drowned on January 9th. His son accompanied him on his latest trip to Rotuma. They found his body early in the morning in the deep sea. His burial was expected to be on the 11th, and all 3D2AG/p operations are now QRT. Both Southgate News and OPDX and its readers send out our deepest sympathy to Antoine and his family. By PTI NEW DELHI: Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said had police officer Davinder Singh been "Davinder Khan", the reaction of the "troll regiment of the RSS" would have been different. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. "Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed and religion," Chowdhury said on Twitter. The Congress leader also said now, the question will arise who were the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack. ALSO READ | Jammu and Kashmir deputy SP Davinder Singh suspended, had sheltered terrorists at his residence The terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead on February 14 last year. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he said. "Now, the question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," Chowdhury said. W&M's online MBA ranked 28th in nation by U.S. News With U.S. News & World Reports Best Online MBA Program rankings just released, William & Marys Raymond A. Mason School of Business jumps to number 28 overall, and ranks even higher for veterans, coming in at number 22. According to Pamela Suzadail, associate dean for online programs, the amazing rise in U.S. News rankings is attributed to the unique design of the program and its adherence to the guiding principles of William & Marys academic philosophy. The program was built around the concept of solving a wicked problem, which students define in the first course, Renaissance Manager. The wicked problem each student selects is either tied to their current professional work or a broader business issue they are likely to encounter as they progress in their career. Course content across business disciplines, including marketing, analytics, finance and economics, are then anchored in applications focused on solving the wicked problem. Themes unique and omnipresent throughout William & Marys business programs, such as design thinking and creative problem-solving, provide context and philosophy that students can call upon throughout their academic studies and future professional endeavors, said Suzadail. With an emphasis on maintaining small class sizes and the benefit of a faculty consistently ranked among the best in the nation, William & Marys online MBA fulfills on the promise of creating a highly collaborative group of students who develop strong relationships despite living, in many cases, hundreds of miles apart, Suzadail said. The bond students create during the program creates lifelong friendships and enables online MBA graduates to join a global network of highly accomplished William & Mary alumni who stand ready to help their newly anointed alumni achieve professional success, Suzadail said. "William & Marys online MBA truly offers many of the benefits of studying in a cohort-based residency program with the convenience of studying and interacting online," she said. By PTI WASHINGTON: The situation in Kashmir violates human rights, a US Congresswoman has said, as she joined as cosponsors to a resolution urging India to end restrictions on communications and mass detentions in the newly-created Union Territory. The resolution No 745 that was introduced in the House of Representatives last year by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal now has 36 cosponsors, of whom two are Republicans and 34 from the opposition Democratic Party. "The situation in Kashmir violates human rights. Thousands have been detained unjustly & millions are without access to the internet & telephones," Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said in a tweet Monday night. "That's why I signed onto House Resolution 745 so the US can let the world know we will not stand by while these violations happen," she said. Dingell represents 12th Congressional District of Michigan. The Congressional resolution is currently before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action. Congressman Brad Sherman said he looks forward to getting US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster's report on his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir. "I expect the report to indicate what restrictions the Ambassador faced, in particularly, whether or not the Ambassador was able to visit detainees. The visit and report are valuable only to the extent of the access given," Sherman wrote on Twitter. ALSO READ | Pramila Jayapal added to list of US lawmakers to meet Jaishankar without Engel's approval: Sources A group of 15 envoys, including Juster, visited Jammu and Kashmir last week where they interacted with select political representatives, civil society members as well as the military top brass. Internet services, landline and mobile phones were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on August 4, a day before the Centre's announcement to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divide it into two union territories. Though most services, except mobile internet, were restored in Jammu within a week, Kashmir saw landlines and post-paid services being restored in phases. However, the internet continues to remain barred in the entire Valley except for some government offices, hospitals and business establishments. Pre-paid mobile services too are yet to be restored in Kashmir. Mobile internet services were restored in Kargil district of Ladakh after remaining suspended for 145 days. The visit by the envoys of 15 nations was the second one of a foreign delegation to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 provisions on August 5 last year. ALSO READ | US senator Kamala Harris slams Jaishankar's decision of not meeting Pramila Jayapal Earlier, Delhi-based think tank International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies took 23 EU MPs on a two-day visit to assess the situation in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign urging Indian Americans to reach out to their representatives-Congressmen and Senators-to appraise them about the improving situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the atrocities against Kashmiri Hindus in the past. In the past several weeks, more than half a dozen US lawmakers have come out in support of India's position on Kashmir. Almost all of them have spoken on the floor of the House of Representatives. Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania last week said that he stands with India in its aspiration to provide equal economic, social, and political opportunities to all citizens. "As part of this pursuit, two-thirds of the Indian Parliament voted last year to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir. This vote allowed the government of India to address the stagnant economy and high youth unemployment plaguing the region by providing economic opportunity and sound governance," he said. "The residents of Jammu and Kashmir have battled economic depression and forces of extremism and radicalisation for too long. The regional stability now provided by the government will give residents of Jammu and Kashmir a better way forward and hope for the future," Perry added. Oregons top health administrator has asked state lawmakers for $20 million to help ensure that people who need mental health treatment get it, particularly those who have been charged with a crime. Mondays request comes after more than a year of struggles by state health officials to handle an ever-growing volume of criminal defendants needing treatment for schizophrenia and other disorders. Lawmakers must decide whether to take up the request as they meet starting Feb. 3 for a 35-day short session. Under a 2003 federal court order, defendants deemed in need of treatment before proceeding through the criminal justice system must be sent to the Oregon State Hospital within seven days of a judges order. But patients have repeatedly had to wait longer than that when the hospital has been full. The crisis was highlighted in a January 2019 investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The money sought by the Oregon Health Authority would approach the capacity crisis from three core angles, spelled out in a letter from the agencys director, Patrick Allen. The largest portion of the request $13.8 million would go to add beds throughout the states mental health system so people with mental illness have somewhere to go. That would include $11.5 million to staff two existing residential centers for a total of 50 new beds, as well as $2.3 million to start working on three new residential centers for a combined 48 beds. Another $4.1 million would help the so-called aid-and-assist defendants get treatment in the community, including legal skills training and case coordination. About $1.6 million would create a team of state employees to help coordinate the many local mental health systems where people get help. That team would also do bigger-picture analyses to try to reduce recidivism. Another $500,000 Allen requested would go towards a study of why the aid-and-assist population has been growing. The state has been in compliance with the 2003 court order since July, but just barely. For 10 days last month, the state hospital stopped accepting patients who were found to be a danger to themselves or others but hadnt been charged with a crime. At the time of the directors letter to lawmakers, 59 patients were waiting in local hospitals to get into the state hospital. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. In an announcement made on Tuesday, the French culture minister Franck Riester said the project was conceived and wanted by Georges Wolinski one of five caricaturists killed in the 2015 attacks, in which 12 people lost their lives. Its aim is to create a place for meetings to enable the creation and promotion of satirical cartoons and support their creators, the statement says. The Art Newspaper Probe: Garda Technical Bureau officers at the scene where a man was shot in a taxi on the Bridge of Peace in Drogheda. Photo: Frank McGrath An innocent taxi driver was last night lucky to escape with his life after being caught up in the deadly Drogheda feud. The victim, aged in his late 30s, was shot twice in the back while sitting in his car on the Bridge of Peace in the town shortly after 6pm yesterday. The taxi man was not the intended target and instead gardai believe he had the "grave misfortune" of taking a fare from an under-threat hitman moments earlier. The volatile criminal who was the intended target is a leading member of the so-called anti-Maguire faction and has been linked to a number of gun attacks, including an attempted murder last February. The 24-year-old has been a prime target for the mob led by Owen Maguire. The gangland target, who is on bail for a number of offences, was on his way to the town's Garda station to sign on as part of his bail conditions when the gunman struck. The shooting took place during rush hour when a dark-coloured car pulled up alongside the taxi and shots were fired though the window, hitting the innocent driver. The intended target and his girlfriend, who was with him in the taxi, both made their way to the Garda station for safety following the shooting. A senior source told the Irish Independent: "This taxi driver is completely innocent, he simply took a fare off an under-threat individual and unfortunately he has now suffered serious gunshot wounds." A burnt-out car was found near the town a short time later. It is thought that this car was used in the gun attack. In recent days, gardai had received intelligence of an outbreak of violence being directed by the Maguire faction against their rivals, which led to detectives carrying out additional patrols. On Saturday, a 20-year-old linked to the anti-Maguire gang was the target of an apparent attack after claiming he was shot at near his home. He is an associate of the target of last night's gun attack and both are currently facing charges for the same offence. There have been a number of murders and attempted killings linked to the Drogheda feud. Last August, Keith Branigan (29), a member of the crime group feuding with associates of Eoin Maguire (35), was shot dead outside a caravan park in Clogherhead. In July 2018, Maguire was shot and seriously injured. The following April his brother Brendan Maguire survived an attempt on his life at the M1 Retail Park in Drogheda. A local woman told the Irish Independent last night how she heard a number of loud bangs as she walked through the centre of town, "When I heard it I knew perfectly well what it was," she said. "It's like everyone who lives here is constantly on high alert. You just don't know what's going to happen next." Someone is weeping. You hear sobs, sniffles, the usual noises. Soon, though, the whimpering grows more elaborate, lengthening into song. The sound is beautiful and strange, yet perhaps the oddest thing about it is how a few notes sound familiar, as does the rhythm of a drum that softly joins in. Is this wailing person quoting Ravels Bolero? He is. Which is less surprising if you know the name of this production: Cion: Requiem of Ravels Bolero. Still, this is no ordinary Bolero. Ravels relentless orchestral crescendo has been rearranged in the South African style called isicathamiya, the a cappella song-and-dance form popularized by groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The whole production is South African. It borrows the first part of its title, and the character of a professional mourner, from a South African novel (Cion by Zakes Mda). But rather than telling a story, it functions as a danced requiem, one of stylized violence and choppily articulated motion reminiscent of hip-hop popping and locking. The show, in other words, is idiosyncratic: in its conception and form, in its borrowings from Western and South African culture. That very idiosyncrasy is what makes it typical for the artist who conceived it, the choreographer Gregory Maqoma. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Tuesday held a meeting with industry representatives from IT and e-commerce sectors to discuss the merits and de-merits of draft e-commerce policy on data storage, an official said. Besides, officials from Nasscom, E-commerce Council of India, Informational Technology Industry Council, CII and FICCI also attended the meeting. Participants discussed about ways to attract investment in data storage infrastructure in the country. The big companies were asked to compile challenges as well as solutions and come back to the department in two weeks' time. The official said the department heard views of all the participants, and another meeting is also expected soon. The meeting was chaired by an additional secretary level officer of the DPIIT. It assumed significance as the department is working to release the national e-commerce policy by the end of the current financial year. The government in February last year released a draft national e-commerce policy, proposing setting up a legal and technological framework for restrictions on cross-border data flow and also laid out conditions for businesses regarding collection or processing of sensitive data locally and storing it abroad. Several foreign e-commerce firms have raised concerns over some points in the draft pertaining to data. The department has received huge response on the draft and it is examining all the views and comments. As the draft policy includes several provisions related to data, the department is also looking at the Personal Data Protection Bill approved by the Cabinet. Sources said that issues which needs to be looked upon in the policy include whether India should allow free flow of data across the border or inhibit or regulate it in some manner; and whether data localisation is required or not. The Personal Data Protection Bill spells out a framework for handling of personal data, including its processing by public and private entities. A company may have to pay a penalty if found violating norms under the Personal Data Protection Bill. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The conservative student who took his own life after protesting an event where drag queens read books to kids was house sitting for a Coalition senator when he died. Wilson Gavin, the president of the University of Queensland Liberal National Club, was found dead about 7.07am at a public place in Chelmer on Monday morning. His death followed a social media backlash after he stormed an event at the Brisbane Square Library with about 15 others and chanted 'drag queens are not for kids'. In an insight into his final hours, multiple sources told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Gavin, 21, was minding the home of federal Liberal National Party Senator Paul Scarr over the weekend of the tragedy. Wilson Gavin, the president of the University of Queensland's Liberal National Club, died about 7am on Monday in Chelmer, south of Brisbane's CBD Daily Mail Australia has been told Mr Gavin had been house sitting at the home of Liberal National Party senator Paul Scarr, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friends have suggested the social media backlash likely played a role in the 'irreverent' and bold demonstrator's tragic death. Daily Mail Australia approached Mr Scarr, a former mining executive and lawyer, for comment, but calls and emails were not returned. Mr Gavin was understood to be family friends with the Scarrs. He followed the LNP senator on Instagram. Rumours have circulated that he left a note of some kind but friends said, if that's the case, it was not believed to be left at the Scarr home. A Queensland Police representative said investigators are not treating Mr Gavin's death as suspicious, and a report is being prepared for the Coroner. He was genuinely irreplaceable ... we won't see the likes of him again'. Close friend Christopher Stewart Condolences have poured in from all quarters - including the drag queens involved in the library incident - and his closest mates are shellshocked. Close mate Drew Pavlou spoke to Mr Gavin several times at the weekend, having dinner with the student politician on Saturday following a demonstration about China's treatment of the minority Uighur people. Mr Gavin did not mention his plan to crash the drag queen reading event during their catch-up. The next day, social media exploded after Mr Gavin and friends stormed the library chanting 'drag queens are not for kids' on Sunday. Mr Gavin was taunted on Twitter in the immediate aftermath of the drag queen protest Twitter taunts against Mr Gavin reportedly included 'there is something about Young Liberals that makes me "stabby"' and trolls calling him an 'oxygen thief'. Jess from The Veronicas shared mobile phone footage of the incident on Instagram, saying 'bigotry is alive in Brisbane today'. (She has since deleted the post). Mr Pavlou said his mate was 'defiant' when he asked him what had happened on Sunday. 'Then I woke up to the news (that he had died on Monday). It's just surreal,' Mr Pavlou said. Mr Pavlou described his friend as a 'glorious troublemaker' whose politics were hard to place as he was an 'outsider' to the Liberal National Party. Mr Gavin, from Kangaroo Point, was a devout Catholic who sometimes attended full Latin mass at a church in Annerley. He was a state chairperson for the Australian Catholic Students' Association and an out and comfortable gay man for many years. One devastated friend, Christopher Stewart, told Daily Mail Australia: 'He was genuinely irreplaceable ... we won't see the likes of him again'. The 'maverick' young man's tragic death shocked friends and those involved in the drag queen library incident - with grief pouring in from both sides Wilson Gavin with friend Drew Pavlou A third mate, Satya Marar, met Mr Gavin through a monarchist group. Mr Marar said he saw the drag queen story break and thought 'oh god, Wilson, what have you gotten yourself into?' But he did not know the seemingly confident young man was grappling with demons. 'I expected he would turn up on Sky News tomorrow and tell the haters to go stuff themselves - and do what he does best. 'I didn't think this could happen'. As for Mr Pavlou, one of his fondest memories of his friend was a dramatic gesture he made at a protest against the Chinese communist party at university. During the protest, Mr Gavin apparently climbed up onto the roof of a uni building and hoisted up the Taiwanese flag - a controversial sign given tensions between the island and China. 'It was insane, and it was beautiful,' Mr Pavlou said. For 24/7 confidential crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids' Helpline 1800 551 800 SIU hosts NAACP 2020 MLK Breakfast on Monday by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. The Carbondale NAACP 2020 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast will be Monday, Jan. 20, at Southern Illinois University Carbondales Student Center Ballroom D. Everyone is welcome and tickets are available at the door. Eclectic program will focus on being counted Census 2020 Why Should My Family Be Counted? is the theme of the 38th annual event. It begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by the program at 9 a.m. The focus will be on the importance of being counted during this census year. A highlight of the breakfast is the presentation of the winners of the 2020 King Essay Contest. The annual competition encourages youths in grades 1-12 to reflect on Kings legacy. This years contest emphasis is on the importance of citizens participating in the census. Anna Jackson, a retired senior lecturer in English at SIU Carbondale, is the special guest speaker. The community celebration has grown through the years and brings together a large and diverse group of people celebrating Kings life and lasting legacy. The program will also feature special music and a variety of area dignitaries and officials. Lifetime of teaching and giving to community Jackson has devoted her life to teaching young people and being active in the community. She is a graduate of Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, with a bachelors degree in English. She taught in the Cleveland, Ohio, public school system and at Carbondale Community High School. She earned numerous awards for her teaching in both states, and at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. She earned a masters degree in education at SIU while teaching and then went on to teach English and other classes at SIU for 24 years. She is a past president of the Southern Illinois Association of Teachers of English, the Illinois Association of Teachers of English, and has held positions in the national organization as well. In addition to making presentations at the local, state, national and international levels, Jackson has been very active in the community and at SIU, including assisting several registered student organizations on campus. Jackson also served as the coordinator of the state-sponsored Southern Illinois Regional Career Preparation Program, assisting underrepresented youths from Sparta, Carbondale, Murphysboro, Cairo, Tamms, Meridian, Ullin and surrounding communities. Tickets at door or in advance Tickets are available at the door or in advance from Carbondale branch NAACP members. The admission price is $5, along with a donation of gloves, hat or coat for the Carbondale Warming Center. Right-wing groups gather for a rally against President Moon Jae-in at Gwanghwamun Square, Jan. 11. / Yonhap By Lee Suh-yoon Rally organizers will have to start pay three times more than the usual fees to book Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square for street protests, according to a pending proposal that is being considered by the city government. Currently, the city charges 40,000 won ($35) an hour for the 4000 square meter pedestrian space at the square 10 won per square meter. If the revision is passed through a citizen committee, the hourly fee will rise to 30 won per square meter, or 120,000 won per hour for the whole square. The increase could be adjusted in the committee discussions. Our Republican Party, a far-right political group, recently had to pay 18,000 won a day for tents occupying around 54 square meters. According to the new proposed rules, they would have to pay 143,000 won. The penalty for occupying the square without booking with the city government in advance will also be increased to around 800 percent of the normal fees, instead of the current 120 percent, according to the same proposal. The move is partly in response to increasing noise complaints from residents living near Gwanghwamun Square, city officials said. The usage fee is also much cheaper than London's Trafalgar Square or Yokohama's Sakuragicho Square. The city also plans to work with Jongno-gu office to come up with a set of sound restrictions for the square, possibly limiting the size of outdoor speakers used at the rallies. Those who break the rules will be imposed a 2 million won fine. Prosecutors dropped murder and sexual assault charges against a New Jersey man on Monday after a judge refused to allow authorities to enter the suspects DNA as evidence in court. Rafael Camey was questioned shortly after Karen Splettstoesser, 50, of Rutherford, was found beaten to death Sept. 30, 2013 on a riverbank behind a ShopRite in Passaic. A witness told investigators she saw Camey and Splettstoesser together the night before womans body was found, authorities said. Camey signed a DNA consent form and gave a cheek swab that was analyzed and found to match DNA found on Splettstoesser, authorities said. Investigators charged Camey with murder and aggravated sexual assault. But his defense lawyers filed a motion to suppress the DNA evidence, saying the consent form the Spanish-speaking suspect signed was in English with no translation. A court excluded the DNA swab and an appeals court upheld that ruling. The case went to the state Supreme Court, which upheld suppression of the swab, but sent the matter back to a Passaic County judge to decide whether a new sample should be collected. Superior Court Judge Sohail Mohammed on Dec. 10, 2019, denied the motion to collect a new DNA sample based on the improper conduct of the police in obtaining the original sample. With all critical evidence suppressed, the state cannot sustain its burden of proof with respect to each element of each offense, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in a statement on Monday. Thus, a dismissal is required. It was not immediately clear early Tuesday whether Camey was in custody. Public records show he is not at the Passaic County Jail. According to her obituary, Splettstoesser was born in Chicago and relocated to New Jersey, where she married in 2010. She was planning to graduate with a degree in criminal justice, the notice said. In addition to her husband, she left behind four children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live in Colorado. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In an apparent hate crime, a Sikh Gurdwara in the US state of California has been defaced with a swastika graffiti. Police officials took statements from the Granthi (priest) of Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib in Orangevale, California. On Monday morning, people saw words "White Power" and a swastika graffitied onto the sign out front. "I strongly condemn the racist graffiti spray painted at a Sikh house of worship in Orangevale," Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bara said. He said that the California's 7th congressional district is a community of diversity and inclusion, and the is an integral part of it. Dimple Kaur Bhullar from the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib Sangat said, "we began services as of mid-December 2019, the weekend of January 10-12 we had our official Grand Opening with Bhai Sahib Harjinder Singh Ji Sri Nagarwale, without any problems. There was no negativity before this". In a statement, Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund, the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organisation, condemned the hate speech that defaced the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib in Orangevale. In an interview to local Sacramento Bee, Harbans Singh Sraon described the actions as "ignorant" and committed by someone who doesn't know or care to learn anything about who they are. "If they knew what Sikhism is, they wouldn't do it. "That person in my opinion was ignorant. I wouldn't use any other words. Once they know us, they will love us. But it's a matter of getting together," Sraon said. Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar will visit Stormont today to meet ministers in the new power-sharing Executive and hear their plans for public services reform. The Prime Minister will fly into Belfast this morning. Both he and the Taoiseach are expected to hold talks with Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill at Stormont Castle. Mr Johnson will then meet the other Executive ministers. Sources said he was also expected to visit Parliament Buildings where he will be given a tour by Sinn Fein Speaker Alex Maskey. The visit follows last week's deal to restore devolution which saw the political institutions return on Saturday after a three-year suspension. Speaking before his visit, the Prime Minister said discussions at Stormont would focus on how the Executive intends to take forward "critical reforms" to public services. Read More "This is an historic time for the people of Northern Ireland," he said. "After three years, Stormont is open for business again with an Executive who can now move forward with improving people's lives and delivering for all communities." He added: "I look forward to meeting with the new Executive and hearing about their plans for the future - including driving forward much-needed reforms to public services and resolving the current health strike. "The next decade will be an incredible time of opportunity for Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK as we come together to unleash the potential of our four nations." Mrs Foster last night told the Belfast Telegraph that there would be real partnership between the parties in the new Executive. Read More "We need to work as a team. After three years of stalemate, the public expect us to deliver. There needs to be a renewed focus on solutions rather than recrimination or point-scoring," she said. The First Minister gave her full support to Health Minister Robin Swann. "In particular, I want to work with the Health Minister to ensure he has the support to introduce the reforms which are needed. The NHS is unique to the UK. It is one of our greatest attributes. In Northern Ireland it's not performing the way it could because key reforms and tough decisions have been ducked. To make lasting change will require a collegiate approach by all parties." Read More Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she hoped the five Executive parties were "united in our determination to deliver a stable power-sharing coalition that works on the basis of openness, transparency and accountability, and in good faith and with no surprises". She added: "We must work together to solve the problems facing this society. We will apply the full powers and resources of the Executive and Assembly to address the major issues of the day facing those whom we all represent." Finance Minister Conor Murphy said that London and Dublin must deliver on the financial commitments they made in last week's deal. The local parties had done their bit by going back into Stormont and it was now time for the Governments to honour their funding pledges, he said. "The New Decade, New Approach document presented by the Governments contains ambitious commitments for public services and workers," he said. "To deliver these commitments, the Governments pledged a substantial injection of funding, over and above the block grant. The local parties have done their part by restoring the power-sharing Executive. "The two Governments must now honour their pledge and provide the funding needed to deliver on the New Decade, New Approach document." Declan Kearney, a newly appointed Sinn Fein junior minister, said the deal to restore Stormont had created a "beachhead" to advance the debate toward a united Ireland. He told RTE's The Week In Politics: "I see it as an opportunity now to not only ensure that these institutions work in the interests of all sections of society and firmly on the basis of rights, equality and integrity, but we have now got a landmark opportunity, a beachhead with which to advance the debate on constitutional change in the island and to take this as an engine for moving forward towards Irish unity and I am very confident that we have the circumstances to achieve that." TUV leader JIm Allister responded: "I have long warned that Sinn Fein would never be in Stormont to make Northern Ireland work, but to use it as a staging post to Irish unity. "Kearney confirms that is exactly the strategy." A Canadian author has claimed people in his home country are 'already beginning to chafe' about the possibility of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's potential security costs. Columnist Mark Steyn said there was growing unease at the possibility of Canadians picking up the bill to protect the royal couple - which has been estimated at $1.7 million a year. It was confirmed yesterday that the Queen and the rest of the royal family were working towards a Megxit plan that would see the pair spend more time in the country. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadians are 'very supportive' of having the royal couple live in Canada, but there are still 'lots of discussions to have'. Columnist Mark Steyn (right) said there was growing unease at the possibility of Canadians picking up the bill to protect the royal couple - which has been estimated at $1.7 million a year Steyn compared Harry's attempts to the abdication of Edward VIII, when he gave up the throne in 1936 so that he could marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson (shown left) Speaking about the issue on Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight, Steyn said Canadians would be smarting at the potential costs they would be asked to bear. He added: 'Right now, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Mounties, are going to have to pick up the half-million-dollar tab for Harry and Meghan's security costs in Canada. People are already beginning to chafe under that.' Concerns were raised about the possible burden on Canadian taxpayers when it first emerged Harry and Meghan were considering a move to North America. Following the Queen's statement, Twitter went into overdrive with some Canadians vowing to riot if they have to pay any money to help cover the cost of protecting the couple. Canada's finance minister Bill Morneau has since said the government has not yet spoken of the potential costs. Harry and Meghan have close ties to Canada with California-native Meghan describing it as her 'second home' after the UK. Meghan lived in Toronto for six years while filming Suits. It is the city where the couple enjoyed a secret five-month courtship before their relationship was revealed to the world in October 2016. Steyn also labelled footage of Prince Harry touting his wife for work with the boss of Disney 'the lowest point in the monarchy' in nearly a century. On the red carpet of the Lion King premiere last July, the Duke of Sussex collared the powerful Disney chief and advertised ex-actress partner's 'interest' in doing voiceover work. Right: Meghan embraces Beyonce Harry and Meghan are saluted by two officers of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police in London in March 2019 He said the recently-unearthed video of the Duke of Sussex trying to secure voiceover work for Meghan during a film premiere last year was 'pathetic'. He compared Harry's attempts to the abdication of Edward VIII, when he gave up the throne in 1936 so that he could marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. In the clip, taken at the Lion King premiere in London last July, Harry collars Disney chief Bob Iger and reveals his former actress wife's 'interest' in doing voiceover work. During the hushed conversation, caught on camera by a fan, the Prince gestures to Meghan and says: 'You do know she does voiceovers?' Iger can be heard replying: 'Ah, I did not know that.' Harry then responds: 'You seem surprised. She's really interested.' The Disney chief then says: 'We'd love to try.' This weekend it was revealed Meghan had signed a voiceover deal with the Walt Disney Company in exchange for a donation to a wildlife charity. Speaking about the footage to Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight, Steyn said: 'That is the absolute lowest point of the monarchy in the last hundred years. 'I think of all the pathetic things the Duke of Windsor did after he abdicated the throne when he entertained wealthy Americans and gave them a sort of pseudo-glimpse into royal life. '[That's] nothing like actually touting your wife available for Lion King 7 or whatever it is.' File image of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan The Kerala government, on January 14, moved the Supreme Court of India (SC) against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala government moved the apex court under Article 131 seeking the law to be declared unconstitutional and in violation of Article 14, 21 and 25 of the Indian Constitution. In December last year, the Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution demanding scrapping of CAA. This had made Kerala the first state in the country to do so. Like West Bengal, Kerala has also stayed all activities connected with updation of National Population Register (NPR). There have been widespread protests against the Act across the country, including Kerala. According to the amended law, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. The law excludes Muslims. Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Indian Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with National Register of Citizen (NRC) is intended to target Indias Muslim community. The government has responded saying that CAA is only meant to grant citizenship and that it does not have provisions to take it away from anyone. The Supreme Court is already hearing a clutch of petitions seeking declaration of CAA has unconstitutional. (This story will be updated when more details are available) (Natural News) Researchers from the University of Freiburg have found evidence to suggest that the immune system could distinguish between self and non-self molecules through interacting with them. This team, led by biologists Wolfgang Schamel and Wilfried Weber, provided data that supported a hypothesis scientists have long held concerning how T cells differentiate between pathogens and the bodys cells. One of the immune systems primary responsibilities is to protect against harmful pathogens. To do this, it must distinguish the foreign invaders from the bodys cells. In order to act as the bodys security system, it must destroy these pathogens without harming the bodys own cells. T cells are an important component of the immune system. However, via their T cell receptor, they are known to bind not only to foreign pathogens, but also to non-pathogenic molecules, causing unnecessary damage to the body. Cracking the immune system code Exactly how the immune system is able to differentiate between self and non-self molecules remains a difficult question to answer. Many hypotheses are abound, such as one that believes T cells recognize invaders by reacting to the presence of damaged cells. In other words, they respond to the damage that the invaders have done to the host. But since 1995, many scientists have held onto the belief that T cells differentiate between pathogens and non-pathogens by measuring how long the molecule interacts with the receptor. If the molecule binds with the T cell for a long time, the cell classifies it as a pathogen. If it binds for only a brief moment, it is a self molecule. While this theory was compelling for many scientists, they havent been able to prove it due to their inability to regulate the duration of the binding in controlled experiments. Discover how to prevent and reverse heart disease (and other cardio related events) with this free ebook: Written by popular Natural News writer Vicki Batt, this book includes everything you need to know about preventing heart disease, reversing hypertension, and nurturing your cardiac health without medication. Learn More. Fortunately, a group of German and Dutch researchers from Freiburg was able to do exactly that. The team did this through bioengineering, or the use of engineering tools and principles to construct biological systems. (Related: Fast food makes your immune system hyperactive and research shows the aggressive inflammatory response remains long term, promoting disease.) Bioengineering produced accurate results The researchers, whose findings were published in the journal eLife, constructed a hybrid system that combined components from humans, plants, jellyfish and bacteria in order to equip their system with their desired properties. Through their work, they were able to precisely control how long cells would bind to T cell receptors and a synthetic ligand, a photoprotein they took from plants. The researchers used red light as a remote control. Their use of photosensitive proteins as a molecular switch is known as optogenetics. With optogenetics in mind, the researchers built a platform known as OptoRobot, which helped them perform experiments on a vastly large number of T cell samples simultaneously. This aided in their desire to gain as much data as possible to obtain the accurate results they need to provide data-driven conclusions and suggestions for further research. Schamel, Weber and their team found that if they used light conditions to make the photoprotein react only briefly with the T cell receptor, the T cells did not activate and register it as an invader. In light conditions that allowed a prolonged interaction with the ligand, the T cells activated and classified the cells as pathogens. Therefore, Schamel and Webers experiment provided evidence for the theory that T cells distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic molecules on the basis of their interaction time. This study provides scientists with a better understanding of how the immune system functions. It just goes to show how dangerous it is for the body to take in foreign pathogens, as it can also result in damage to healthy, self molecules. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com ScientificAmerican.com eLifeSciences.org Senate Republicans seem unlikely to follow through with a request from President Trump to dismiss the impeachment articles before a Senate trial. Our members generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss, Missouri Senator Roy Blunt said Monday, according to the Associated Press. They think both sides need to be heard, Blunt added, arguing that Trump deserves an opportunity to get a fair hearing, make his case and I think thats ultimately what will happen. On Sunday, the president tweeted I agree! in reference to the claim that an impeachment trial gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, no pressure Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020 With Republicans wielding a 53-47 majority, but needing only 51 votes to approve motions, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) and fellow Republican leaders have been attempting to determine the best path forward without losing votes. This is about Chuck Schumer getting 2020 Republican incumbents into tough voting situations, Texas Senator John Cornyn said in reference to Schumers vow to force the subpoena of witnesses. It wont surprise you that were thinking about that too and how to avoid that as much as possible. Last week, McConnell signaled that the caucus had secured the minimum 51 votes to move forward with a trial mirroring that of former president Bill Clinton voting to call witnesses after hearing opening arguments. We want to have the Clinton rule applied to the beginning of the process and then deal with issue of witnesses at a later stage, Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R., S.D.) said. I dont think theres any questions that there will probably be that vote at some point. Story continues The model is supported by moderate Republican Susan Collins of Maine, who has been working with a fairly small group of GOP senators to arrange a vote on witnesses and documents. Collins also said she would oppose any effort to dismiss the charges ahead of a trial. McConnell issued an ultimatum Thursday to House Democrats who were holding the articles of impeachment as leverage, and forced Speaker Nancy Pelosis hand after saying that the Senate would move forward next week with the business of our people, if she stalled further. Missouri Republican Josh Hawley had proposed a resolution to throw out impeachment if the articles were not transmitted in a timely manner, a move that McConnell and 15 other senators had signed on to as of Monday, but that move look unlikely to happen. More from National Review Real Simple Energy, an electricity shopping website in Houston, has launched plan that charges consumers a flat monthly fee for power. Consumers can use as much power as they like but if they're conservative with their use, they can get up to 20 percent back on their next contract renewal, according to Real Simple Energy's website. The company said they're the first electricity broker to offer a flat monthly fee for power. The plan is targeted to renters and lower-than-average users of electricity. The company is betting it can estimate how much a customer will use, based on the size and age of the apartment and how many people live there. ANALYSIS: The murky and confusing Texas electricity market But if Real Simple Energy discovers that a new customer didn't answer questions truthfully for example, if the electricity buyer really lives in a 5,000-square-foot home with three air conditioners instead of a studio apartment, the company reserves the right to cancel the contract. Tehran, Jan 14 : Iranian authorities have called on the region's countries to unite to expel US troops from the Middle East. The call came during a visit by a Syrian delegation headed by Prime Minister Imad Khamis to Tehran on Monday, reports Efe news. "As long as US terrorist forces are present in West Asia, the region will not achieve peace or security," Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, told Khamis. To end this situation, Shamkhani said that "the withdrawal of the US will happen through the unity of the countries and governments of the region". "The presence and interference of the United States have caused instability, especially in Iraq and Syria," Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said. The expulsion of US troops, therefore, is "the best revenge", Jahangiri said. Syria is part of the so-called Axis of Resistance against the US and Israel led by Iran and comprises Lebanon's Hezbollah, Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces militia and the Palestinian Hamas movement. Iran and some of these groups have vowed revenge for the the January 3 killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani in a US drone attack near the Baghdad airport. "Without a doubt, the martyrdom of Gen. Soleimani will make the Axis of Resistance more determined in its fight," Shamkhani said. Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani expressed the same view during his meeting with Khamis. As the head of the elite Quds Force, a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Soleimani had for years spread Iran's influence across the wider Middle East, strengthening Shia militias from Lebanon to Iraq. Khamis posthumously awarded Syria's highest military medal to Soleimani, noting that the honour reflected "the deep affection" of al-Assad for the late Iranian general. The Syrian official also thanked Iran for its support in eradicating terrorism in Syria and called for strengthening economic and trade relations at a time when Iranian companies are seeking huge contracts to rebuild the Arab country. In retaliation for Soleimani's killing, Iran on January 8 launched a missile attack on an air base in Iraq housing US troops, sparking fears of a wider conflict and leading countries that have good relations with Tehran and Washington to mediate in a bid to ease tensions. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan faced fresh criticism on Tuesday in the wake an emergency royal meeting to discuss their shock announcement to step back from frontline royal duties. British newspapers raked over Tuesday's meeting at which Queen Elizabeth II agreed to allow the young couple to split their time between Canada and the UK until a solution was found. "It means only one thing -- Harry and Meghan have won!" royal commentator Philip Dampier wrote in the Daily Express. "They metaphorically held a gun to her head and she has given in." The Sun tabloid's editorial said: "Our Queen's surrender to the petulant, selfish demands of Harry and Meghan may prove the biggest mistake of her reign. "This couple have simply raised the bar for self-obsessed, arrogant entitlement." The Daily Mirror said the monarch "displayed a selflessness sadly lacking from the way Harry and Meghan have disrespectfully treated her". The Daily Telegraph called the decision "The Queen's reluctant farewell". The final decisions on the couple's future will be thrashed out in the coming days. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, unilaterally announced last week they were stepping back as senior royals and wanted financial independence from the monarchy. The pair, who have a baby son, Archie, have hinted in recent months at their unhappiness about life in the public eye and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he understood their concerns. "I am a massive fan... of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country," he told BBC television. "I'm absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out." Queen Elizabeth, 93, summoned her eldest son and heir Prince Charles, and his two sons Princes William and Harry to her Sandringham estate in eastern England for crisis talks on Monday. Meghan was in Canada after briefly returning to Britain last week. In a rare personal statement afterwards, the monarch said the discussions were "very constructive" but admitted the Sussexes' decision was not what she would have wanted. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life," she said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." The queen said the Sussexes made clear they did not want to be reliant on public funds, while a transition period had been agreed in which they will spend time in Canada and Britain. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the sovereign said. Harry, 35, is sixth in line to the throne behind 71-year-old Charles, William, 37, and his brother's three young children. Meghan, 38, a mixed-race American who had forged her own television acting career, was seen as a breath of fresh air for the royal family when she married Harry at Windsor Castle in May 2018. But in October last year the couple admitted to struggling with the spotlight following their wedding and Archie's birth in May 2019. The couple have lashed out at negative press coverage since their marriage, with Harry claiming British tabloids had mounted a "ruthless" and "malicious" attempt to vilify his wife. Online and television debate has raged since Wednesday over whether tabloid coverage had been racist towards the duchess. A YouGov poll suggested that while 46 percent of respondents supported the couple's decision, 57 percent thought they had treated the queen unfairly in their way of going about it. How the Sussexes will be funded is one of the key issues to resolve. Five percent of the couple's income comes from public funds. The rest comes from Charles' Duchy of Cornwall hereditary private estate. It dates back to 1337 and has officially reported assets worth ?1.1 billion ($1.4 billion, 1.3 billion euros). The British police meets their security costs. Besides Britain, Queen Elizabeth is the head of state of Canada and 14 other countries. The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it will assume the security costs when Harry and Meghan are in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. Canadian taxpayers have traditionally contributed towards the security costs of royal visits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LONG BEACH, New York, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsidy Inc. (www.ipsidy.com ) (OTCQB: IDTY), a provider of an Identity as a Service (IDaaS) platform and a suite of secure, mobile, biometric identity solutions, today announced a realignment of its corporate organization in order to better execute its customer acquisition goals. As part of this realignment, the Company has initiated several management changes. Phillip Kumnick, who recently joined the Ipsidy Board, will assume a new role as Deputy Chairman of the Board. Mr. Kumnick served for 30 years as a senior executive in the payments industry, where he focused on product innovation and most recently managed Visa's critical entry into encryption and tokenization products and services for their acquiring partners. As Deputy Chairman, Mr. Kumnick will work closely with the management team in executing the Company's strategic plan. In addition, Tom Szoke has assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for operations, sales and business development. Chris White, who joined the Company in 2018, has been appointed Chief Technology Officer. Chris will be responsible for overseeing all technology, development and IT operations at Ipsidy. This realignment is intended to increase operational efficiency and help Ipsidy take advantage of the opportunities which are currently presented. "This realignment will allow us to better leverage our strengths and approach the market faster," said Philip Beck, Chairman and CEO Ipsidy Inc. "We are focusing our resources on the identity solutions we believe the marketplace is demanding, which we believe will drive growth in our business." Phillip Kumnick added, "Since my appointment to the Ipsidy Board, I have been working closely with the Ipsidy leadership team and believe that the Company's IDaaS platform has tremendous potential for delivering innovative identity solutions which are so desperately needed in today's digital world. The changes announced today I believe will help Ipsidy realize that potential and I very much look forward to working with Philip and the Ipsidy leadership team to help them execute their plan." About Ipsidy Ipsidy Inc. (OTCQB: IDTY) www.ipsidy.com is a provider of an Identity as a Service (IDaaS) platform that delivers a suite of secure, mobile, biometric identity solutions, available to any vertical, anywhere. In a world that is increasingly digital and mobile, our mission is to help our customers know with biometric certainty the identity of the people with whom they are engaging. We provide solutions to everyday problems: Who is applying for a loan? Who is accessing the computer system? Who is in my lobby? Identity creates trusted transactions. Ipsidy's solutions embed authenticated identity and event details with a digital signature and participants use their own mobile device to approve everyday transactions. Our platform delivers identity solutions that work great on their own but even better together. Ipsidy is headquartered in New York and has operating subsidiaries: MultiPay in Colombia, www.multipay.com.co; Cards Plus in South Africa, https://cardsplus.co.za/; Ipsidy Enterprises in the U.K and Ipsidy Peru in Peru. Further information on Ipsidy can be found at www.ipsidy.com. If you wish to join the Ipsidy partner network and resell our suite of mobile biometric solutions, contact Ipsidy at [email protected]. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Information contained in this announcement may include "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein, including, without limitation, those regarding the financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations of both Ipsidy and its business partners, future sales, product and service launches with customers and new initiatives and customer pipeline are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions regarding Ipsidy's present and future business strategies, and the environment in which Ipsidy expects to operate in the future, which assumptions may or may not be fulfilled in practice. Implementation of some or all of the new services referred to is subject to regulatory or other third party approvals. Actual results may vary materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risk factors, including the risk that implementation, adoption and offering of the service by customers, consumers and others may take longer than anticipated, or may not occur at all; changes in laws, regulations and practices; changes in domestic and international economic and political conditions and others. Additional risks may arise with respect to commencing operations in new countries and regions, of which Ipsidy is not fully aware at this time. See the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2018 filed at www.sec.gov for other risk factors which investors should consider. These forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this announcement and cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Ipsidy expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any changes in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Contacts: Ipsidy Inc. Philip Beck, Chairman and CEO [email protected] +1-(516)-274-8700 SOURCE Ipsidy Inc. Related Links https://www.ipsidy.com A probe has begun into a "mystery envelope" sent to Bhopal BJP Lok Sabha MP Pragya Singh Thakur containing a two-page letter written in Urdu, some documents and a kind of "powder". Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case often in the for controversial statements, had on Monday night approached police claiming the envelope contained a "poisonous chemical" meant to harm her. The letter was received last October but was opened only on Monday in her presence, the MP had told police. "The powder is being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Sagar (MP). The two-page letter written in Urdu is being translated," TT Nagar City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Umesh Tiwari told PTI. The envelope has three five-rupee stamps featuring former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the CSP added. Police sources said the inland post contained some documents which have a Karnataka connection. MP Education Minister Jitu Patwari said police have been told to carry out a thorough probe into the matter, though he wondered why the Bhopal MP opened the envelope three months later. Taking a swipe at Thakur, the minister said, "This is lethargy on her part as a public representative. This is a matter of concern. She should be alert." Thakur could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Police have registered a case against an unidentified person for criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an official informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six candidates will participate in the first Democratic presidential primary debate of 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate, hosted by CNN and The Des Moines Register, is scheduled to run from 9 to 11 p.m. at Drake University. It features the smallest and least diverse pool of candidates since the Democratic National Committee began holding monthly debates last year. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., did not qualify for Tuesdays debate and ended his campaign Monday. Businessman Andrew Yang remains in the race, though he will not participate in the debate. Iowa voters will be the first to cast their ballot in the primary process. The Iowa caucuses take place on Feb. 3, while Michigans primary is scheduled for March 10. Who is participating? Former vice president Joe Biden Former mayor Pete Buttigieg U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Businessman Tom Steyer U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. To qualify for the January debate, candidates must have received 5% or more support in at least four different polls or 7% or more support in two single-state polls. Candidates must also have received donations from at least 225,000 total donors and 1,000 donors from 20 states. How do I watch the debate? The debate will be broadcast live on CNN and streamed for free on desmoinesregister.com and across mobile devices through CNNs and The Des Moines Registers apps. MLives Michigan Politics Facebook page will also be hosting a watch party online. Like the page to receive a notification when the debate goes live. The Cabinet chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, yesterday, approved four draft resolutions stipulating that workers in the food and sectors related to public health should undergo compulsory medical check-ups every two years, starting from August 2020. The move follows a recommendation by the Government Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince. The move aims to preserve the health of citizens and residents, as well as protect society from communicable diseases. Among other things, the session endorsed, based on a recommendation submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, a draft resolution authorising the owners of industrial projects to establish residential buildings to accommodate the workers of their facilities in the lands designated for the projects, in accordance with the conditions and criteria set in the amended executive regulation of the Law on the Establishment and Organisation of Industrial Estates. Two bills regulating refrigeration, air conditioning units were endorsed by the session. The session approved, based on a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, two draft resolutions. The first one is related to the management of coolants, as well as refrigeration and air conditioning units. It regulates the scope of their use, in addition to the requirements and standards for importing, exporting or trading them. The second determines the categories of fees for licenses related to the cooling media, refrigeration and air conditioning units The Cabinet lauded the recent visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at his residence in Germany, where he was reassured about his health. The session welcomed the foundation stone laying for the new International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. It noted that the new exhibition centre will enhance Bahrains ability to attract exhibitions, conventions and events, and contribute to boosting the exhibitions industry and the kingdoms status as a tourism and investment destination. The Cabinet, marking the Bahrain Diplomatic Day, which is observed every January 14 as per an order by HM King Hamad, hailed the successful march of the Bahraini diplomacy for more than five decades, stressing that the landmark achievements of Bahraini diplomats have served the Kingdom and improved its status at the regional and global levels. Russia is at it again. Shocking, I know. Here we are just weeks away from the Iowa Caucus and the New York Times reports a U.S. cybersecurity firm says it has evidence that Russian military hackers have managed to hack into Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian energy company that President Trump is trying to sink political rival Joe Biden with. Wonder what theyre after? Perhaps something embarrassing about Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, who once sat on the board of the company? Here we go again. Advertisement The hack, which was initiated in November as impeachment hearings were ramping up in Washington, exhibits all the tell-tale signs of Russian intelligence deploying similar tactics to the 2016 hack of Hillary Clinton campaign chair John Podestas email and the Democratic National Committee. In both those cases, months after the intrusion, private and often damaging information was littered around the internet to devastating effect. The cybersecurity company Area 1 noticed this latest phishing campaign being waged against Ukrainian companies earlier this month and pieced together a common thread: all of the companies were subsidiaries of Burisma Holdings, with the exception of one TV production company founded by the Ukrainian president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, as now, the Russian hackers from a military intelligence unit known formerly as the G.R.U., and to private researchers by the alias Fancy Bear, used so-called phishing emails that appear designed to steal usernames and passwords, according to Area 1, the Silicon Valley security firm that detected the hacking. In this instance, the hackers set up fake websites that mimicked sign-in pages of Burisma subsidiaries, and have been blasting Burisma employees with emails meant to look like they are coming from inside the company, the Times reports. The Russian attacks on Burisma appear to be running parallel to an effort by Russian spies in Ukraine to dig up information in the analog world that could embarrass the Bidens, according to an American security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. The spies, the official said, are trying to penetrate Burisma and working sources in the Ukrainian government in search of emails, financial records and legal documents. On 24 March 2017, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2347, relating to the protection of cultural heritage. This was an unprecedented victory! It has taken nearly a century and a half for the idea to mature. Then, over the past few years, progress was suddenly made. And a growing awareness of the role that cultural heritage can play in fostering security was born. By Catherine Fiankan-Bokonga The number of armed conflicts has been escalating since the 1980s first in Central Asia (Afghanistan), then in parts of the Middle East (Iraq and Syria) and West Africa (Mali). These have led to an increase in the destruction of historic sites by terrorist groups and an explosion in the trafficking of cultural artefacts. The international community has responded actively to the destruction wreaked by ISIS, with a much wider range of instruments at its disposal making it possible to enhance its protection of the cultural memory of humanity. In 2017, the international community demonstrated that it was united in its political determination to protect cultural heritage. Resolution 2347(link is external) of the UN Security Council formally recognizes that the defence of cultural heritage is imperative for security. It took a long time before the seeds of the idea of immunity for cultural property in times of war grew into a historic decision. This marks a new global consciousness of the role that culture plays in maintaining security. The process began at the end of the nineteenth century, when fifteen European states met in Brussels (Belgium), on 27 July 1874, to examine the draft international agreement concerning the Laws and Customs of War. A month later, Article 8(link is external) of the Brussels Declaration stipulated that, in times of war, All seizure or destruction of, or wilful damage to [] historic monuments, works of art and science should be made the subject of legal proceedings by the competent authorities. Twenty-five years later, in 1899, on the initiative of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, an international peace conference was held in the Netherlands, with the aim of revising the Declaration (which was never ratified) and adopting a Convention with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land(link is external) . Also known as the Hague Convention of 1899, it considerably advanced international law and established the principle of the immunity of cultural property. According to Article 27(link is external) of the Convention (revised during the Second Hague Convention on 18 October 1907), In sieges and bombardments all necessary steps must be taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals [], provided they are not being used at the time for military purposes. It is the duty of the besieged to indicate the presence of such buildings or places by distinctive and visible signs, which shall be notified to the enemy beforehand. Three decades later, in 1935, the preamble of the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions a pan-American initiative also known as the Roerich Pact formulated the idea that cultural property, which form the cultural treasure of peoples must be respected and protected in time of war and in peace. Landmark conventions and decrees The spectacular Nubia Campaign, co-ordinated by UNESCO (1960 - 1980), was the inspiration for the idea of World Cultural Heritage. A decisive step forward was taken after the Second World War. In 1948, the Netherlands proposed a new draft international text to UNESCO on the protection of cultural property in times of armed conflict. The Organization began the process of drafting a new international convention, which was adopted at The Hague in 1954. Safeguard and respect are the watchwords of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols (1954 and 1999). Damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever is internationally recognized as damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind. The Convention also ensures the granting of special protection to a limited number of refuges intended to shelter movable cultural property in the event of armed conflict, of centres containing monuments and other immovable cultural property of very great importance. That same year, in 1954, Egypt decided to build the Aswan Dam, which would flood the Upper Nile Valley and a large number of 3000-year-old monuments of what was once Nubia. At the request of Egypt and Sudan, UNESCO launched an international campaign to safeguard these monuments one of the most spectacular in the history of mankind, and which would last two decades, from 1960 to 1980. The Nubia Campaign was the starting point for the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, known as the 1972 Convention , and the establishment of the World Heritage List . This text provides for the inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger of properties threatened with grave danger, including armed conflicts, which are imminent or have recently broken out. It is essentially because of these texts and co-operation with UNESCO that the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia ( ICTY(link is external) ) was able to sentence former Yugoslav naval officer, Miodrag Jokic(link is external) , to seven years of imprisonment in 2004. This was the first-ever conviction for the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage. Under Jokics command, hundreds of mortars were fired, between the beginning of October and the end of December 1991, on the old town of Dubrovnik , which was inscribed the same year on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Largely as a result of these conflicts, UNESCO and several States Parties re-examined the 1954 Convention and drafted the Second Protocol, adopted in 1999. This introduced a new system of heightened protection for cultural properties of very great importance, which should also be protected by adequate national legislation; with the capacity to punish serious violations of the Convention with appropriate sentences. Serious violations include theft, pillage, attacks or acts of vandalism against cultural property, especially those with heightened protection. More recently, in 2016, the International Criminal Court (ICC)(link is external) found the Malian jihadist, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, guilty of war crimes for the destruction in 2012 of ten religious sites in Timbuktu , while the city was under the control of Ansar Dine, a group suspected to have ties to al Qaeda. He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. This was a historic judgement, as the destruction of cultural heritage had never before been considered a war crime . Immediately after the destruction in 2012, UNESCO alerted the international community and seized the International Criminal Court to ensure such crimes do not go unpunished, explained Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. The Organization undertook a series of measures, ranging from providing the armed forces with topographical details, to the reconstruction of mausoleums . For the first time in history, safeguarding the cultural heritage of a country was written into the mandate of a United Nations Mission ( Resolution 2100(link is external) ). MINUSMA, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, was entrusted with protecting from attack the cultural and historical sites in Mali, in collaboration with UNESCO. Before and after photographs of the Temple of Bel, one of the most iconic monuments in Palmyra (Syria), destroyed by ISIS in August 2015. 2015, a turning point The year 2015 marked a real turning point in the attitude of the international community to cultural heritage. In February that year, with the backing of UNESCO, some fifty countries adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2199(link is external) , prohibiting trade in cultural property coming from Iraq and Syria. This resolution acknowledges that cultural heritage stands on the frontline of conflicts today, and it should be placed at the frontline of security and political response to the crisis, said Irina Bokova, at the time. A month later in Baghdad (Iraq), convinced of the effectiveness of soft power, she launched Unite4Heritage(link is external) , a global campaign on social media, uniting young people in the celebration and safeguarding of cultural heritage around the world. On 1 September 2015, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) published satellite photos(link is external) showing that ISIS jihadists had destroyed the Temple of Bel in Palmyra . The main building of this World Heritage site in Syria no longer exists! Soon after, Italy proposed the idea of creating the Blue Helmets for Culture to the UN General Assembly. In February 2016, Italy signed an agreement with UNESCO to create the worlds first emergency task force for culture , composed of civilian experts and the Italian carabinieri. The United Arab Emirates, together with France, have since held an international conference on protecting cultural heritage in times of armed conflicts, under the auspices of UNESCO. In December 2016, representatives from over forty countries met in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm their common determination to safeguard the endangered cultural heritage of all peoples, against its destruction and illicit trafficking and to recall the successive conventions since 1899 that require us to protect human life, as well as cultural property in times of armed conflict. For Irina Bokova, a new cultural landscape is being built, and a new global awareness is emerging, with the birth of a new approach to protect culture for peace and security. Her convictions were quickly confirmed by the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2347 of the UN Security Council on 24 March 2017. This text includes two of the main operational outcomes of the international conference in Abu Dhabi the creation of an international fund and the organization of a network of safe havens for endangered cultural property. It also highlights the links between the trafficking of cultural property and the financing of terrorist groups, and between terrorism and organized crime. For the first time in history, a UN resolution covers the full range of threats to cultural heritage, without any geographical limitations and regardless of whether the perpetrators of the crimes are terrorist groups already on UN lists or belong to other armed groups. Thousands of women were given no follow-up cancer screening appointment while many more had their appointment deadline missed due to huge pressure on CervicalCheck services across the country, it has been revealed. Many women have seen their target waiting time for colposcopy services missed at clinics across the country while more than 1,500 received no appointment at all due to increased pressure on cervical cancer screening services in the wake of the controversy in 2018. A colposcopy, which usually takes place following a smear test, is the medical procedure to check for cancer in women. CervicalChecks target for high-grade referrals from the cervical screening programme is that 90% of women referred would be seen within four weeks of referral and that 90% of low-grade referrals are seen within eight weeks. According to the latest figures, 70% of high-grade referrals were seen within four weeks and 57% of low-grade referrals were seen within eight weeks nationally. Dr Noirin Russell, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital and lead colposcopist at University Hospital Kerry, said CervicalCheck screening has seen increased demand for screening services in the wake of the CervicalCheck controversy. Weve seen 57% more women with the same amount of resources. That has led to waiting lists in colposcopy, which is something weve never had, she said. Before April 2018, 98% of women were seen within eight weeks of referral - it was one of the few areas of the health service where there wasnt a waiting list. Since April 2018 and the increase in referrals, there is now a huge backlog and women are ringing colposcopy clinics because they dont know when theyre going to be seen, she added. HSE figures show that, as of October 31 last year, eight of the 15 colposcopy clinics across Ireland were failing to meet both the eight-week and four-week waiting time guidelines for colposcopy services. Two more clinics, in Letterkenny and Mayo, were failing to meet one of the two waiting times. In Cork, just 50% of women were being seen within the four-week guidelines along with 24% within the eight-week guidelines. Almost 1,000 women in Cork were not given an appointment as of October 31 last year. In Limerick meanwhile, 365 women were left waiting without an appointment date as just 14% of women were seen within eight weeks. Less than 13% of women awaiting colposcopy services were seen within eight weeks at separate clinics in Sligo and Wexford. Almost 150 women in Sligo were also left without an appointment date. Colposcopy clinics in Tallaght, Dundalk, Kerry, Mayo and the National Maternity Hospital all managed to remain compliant with the waiting time guidelines. However, 71 women in Dundalk were not given an appointment date along with 18 in Mayo. The CervicalCheck controversy came to light in April 2018 when Limerick woman Vicky Phelan highlighted communication issues surrounding an audit of smears belonging to women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the years after their tests. Dr Russell said the controversy led to increased demand on the service but that additional resources were not provided, resulting in waiting lists. This is leading to a huge amount of worry for women and also severe stress for staff because they can see these women need to be seen but they dont have the appointment slots or staff to give them, she said. In a statement, the HSE said colposcopy services have experienced significant pressure in recent months, due to an increase in referrals from general practice and an unprecedented increase in participation by women in the cervical screening programme CervicalCheck. The health service said it recognises that this may, in some cases, lead to longer waiting times and that it is working closely with clinics to rectify this. The Centre is "worried" about disposing of imported onions as not many states are interested to take it despite the key kitchen stable is being offered to them at an average landed cost of Rs 55 per kg and bearing the transportation cost, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday. Retail onion prices, which were ruling over Rs 100 per kg in most cities since the past two months, have started softening now on arrival of imported onions and new kharif crop. However, prices have still not fallen to the normal levels. "So far, we have contracted 36,000 tonnes of onion. Of which, 18,500 tonnes of shipment has reached India, and states have been able to take only 2,000 tonne after much persuasion. We are worried about its disposal because it is a perishable commodity," Paswan told reporters. "Tomorrow, someone should not go to court and say imported onions were rotting," he said. The minister further said the Centre is offering imported onions at an average landed cost of Rs 55 per kg and also bearing the entire transportation cost. Despite all, the state governments are not coming forward to buy and retail it. Asked why prices are still high despite imports, Paswan said, "The imports are being done to improve the domestic supply and check prices. If state governments are not ready to take the imported onions, what can we do?" So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments have taken the imported onions. Many states have withdrawn their demand, he added. Sources said the taste of imported onions is different from the homegrown ones and consumers are not buying it in the retail markets when domestic onion is available at the same rate. Stating that a shipment of 5,500 tonne was cancelled before it set on sail in the absence of demand, Consumer Affairs Secretary Avinash Srivastava said 4,000 tonne of imported onions is expected to arrive in the next two days and 14,500 tonnes by the month-end. The government is importing onions through state-run trading agency MMTC. Imports are being undertaken from Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt. Onion prices shot up due to 25 per cent fall in the kharif production. Paswan also said the ministry is keeping a close watch on prices of other commodities, especially edible oils and pulses. The government will take action at appropriate time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:24:14|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The size and scale of Australia's ongoing wildfire crisis has left authorities on the ground stretched to the limits, when strategic water-bombing aircraft played a vital role in firefighting. Credited with saving thousands of homes along with a substantial number of people over the past few months Down Under, the planes and helicopters have dropped massive amounts of water over containment lines mixed with fire retardant chemicals to slow the burning process. Although these chemicals are not considered harmful to humans or mammals, some experts believe that fire retardants could pose a threat to marine life. "If fire retardant is applied near waterways or is washed into these areas with rain, there is the potential for it to directly affect fish and other aquatic creatures and indirectly by promoting algal blooms by increasing nutrients in water," Associate Professor Tina Bell from the University of Sydney told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday. Made up of fertilizers, the pink liquid also contains ammonium and corrosion inhibitors to prevent damage to the aircraft that drops them. Imported from the company Perimeter Solutions in the United States, the Phos-Chek brand was deemed safe for use by American lawmakers after an extensive approval process. "Unfortunately, very little research has been done in Australia on the immediate and longer term effects of fire retardants on plant and animal communities," Bell explained. "Most of it has been done in the U.S. and Canada where the ecosystems are quite different." While some concerns over the product may linger, the water-bombing aircraft remains a critical tool for Australian firefighting authorities to save lives and communities. Thomas Markle released a letter from his daughter Meghan to the world to show it was not the 'loving' plea her friends had been making out, court documents said yesterday. He kept her handwritten note private for months, and only revealed it to expose 'false' claims that the duchess had been trying to repair their relationship. The letter from August 2018 in the wake of her wedding to Prince Harry was an 'attack' on Mr Markle and signalled the 'end of the relationship' between father and daughter, the court papers said. According to defence papers filed at the High Court yesterday on behalf of The Mail on Sunday, the Duchess of Sussex's estranged father only decided to release extracts of the letter to the Press after she had allowed her friends to talk about it first. Thomas Markle kept her handwritten note private for months, and only revealed it to expose 'false' claims that the duchess had been trying to repair their relationship (pictured: a young Meghan with her father) Meghan is seen boarding a sea plane on Vancouver Island on Canada's Pacific coast today The newspaper's documents stated that Meghan 'knowingly' allowed her friends to leak details of the letter to the media. She 'caused or permitted' five close friends to speak anonymously to the US magazine People to attack Thomas Markle, the court papers said. The result was a bombshell interview published on February 6, 2019, in the celebrity weekly headlined: 'Her best friends break their silence' and 'The truth about Meghan'. It quoted the Duchess of Sussex's friends saying she had written an impassioned plea to her estranged father to stop 'victimising' her in the media. They said she had been so upset by his repeated public attacks on her and Prince Harry that she had sent the letter begging him to sort out their differences privately. The People interview said Meghan had written to Mr Markle: 'Dad, I'm so heartbroken, I love you, I have one father. Please stop victimising me through the media so we can repair our relationship'. Meghan seemed relaxed and happy as she walked toward the plane today that had other paying customers on board But this article gave a 'one-sided' and 'false' account of the situation and of her letter, yesterday's defence papers said. Far from being 'a loving letter aimed at repairing their relationship her letter was an attack on Mr Markle. Amongst other things, she accused him of breaking her heart, manufacturing pain, being paranoid, being ridiculed, fabricating stories, of attacking Prince Harry and continually lying'. Harry and Meghan arrive at Dublin airport on their official two day royal visit to Ireland on July 10, 2018 Among the false claims, it was wrongly said that Mr Markle had refused to get in the airport car to attend the royal wedding, according to the court papers. The People interview also said that Mr Markle had 'never called... never texted', and that he had falsely claimed that he could not reach his daughter. This was, according to the Mail on Sunday's defence, untrue. Following the wedding, Mr Markle had tried to contact Meghan by phone and text, but had received no response until the letter, it was said. 'Except for the receipt of the letter, Mr Markle had not heard from his daughter since he wrote to tell her he was too ill to attend her wedding, nor has he ever been introduced to or met Prince Harry or their son, his grandson,' the defence document said. Mr Markle was therefore entitled to set the record straight by allowing the British newspaper to publish extracts of the letter four days later, said the defence document, which added that he released it 'in direct response to the publication of the People interview'. It said: 'Thomas Markle had a weighty right to tell his version of what had happened between himself and his daughter including the contents of the letter. She did not suggest that they try to repair their relationship. 'On the contrary, the final words of the letter, 'I ask for nothing other than peace, and I wish the same for you' suggested that their relationship was at an end, and Mr Markle understood those words to signal the end of the relationship.' The court filing insisted the Duchess of Sussex had never denied that she gave her consent to People magazine's five sources, described by the weekly which has 40million readers in the US alone as an 'intensely loyal circle of close friends'. The defence document said that Meghan 'knowingly caused or permitted information' about her relationship with her father and a description of the letter's contents to enter the public domain. The meaning and effect of the 'one-sided and/or misleading' account in the People 'was to suggest Mr Markle had made false claims about his dealings with his daughter'. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Christmas Day Church service at Sandringham in 2018 The Mail on Sunday's defence also said: 'The People interview stated that Mr Markle had responded to the letter with a letter of his own in which he asked for a 'photo op' with [Meghan], with the implicit suggestion that he was seeking to make money from a photograph of him with [her]. This was false. 'Mr Markle had in fact written, 'I wish we could get together and take a photo for the whole world to see. If you and Harry don't like me? Fake it for one photo and maybe some of the Press will finally shut up!'. None of Mr Markle's account of events or feelings about those events was mentioned in the People interview.' The defence lawyers said it was apparent from Meghan's neat handwriting and immaculate presentation of the letter that she anticipated it being read by others or possibly disclosed to the media. A Wisconsin judge held three state election commissioners in contempt on Monday and ordered them to proceed immediately with purging more than 200,000 people from the states voter rolls. The ruling by Judge Paul V. Malloy of Ozaukee County Circuit Court doubled down on his finding last month that thousands of voters who are believed to have moved should have their registrations canceled in Wisconsin, a narrowly divided state that has become a focal point of the 2020 presidential battle. The debate over whether voters should be purged from the rolls has become a proxy for the states tense partisan divide, and the purge itself has yet to be carried out because of a deadlock between evenly split Democratic and Republican wings of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Three Republicans on the appointed six-member commission want to remove the voters, while the three Democrats wanted to wait for an appellate court to weigh in. Were deadlocked, time is running and time is clearly of the essence, Judge Malloy said. Hours later, on Monday evening, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a ruling that cleared the way for Judge Malloys decision that the rolls should be purged to stand, though the case was still being appealed. The opposition has called for open-ended demonstrations against presidents suspected bid to seek third term in office. At least two people have been killed in Guinea at the start of open-ended protests against President Alpha Condes suspected bid to seek a third term in office. The West African country has been racked by demonstrations since mid-October over concerns that Conde intends to use a planned constitutional reform to seek another five-year term. At least 20 civilians and one security officer have been killed since the start of protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people while scores have been arrested. After months of organising mass protests, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an alliance of opposition groups, raised the stakes last week and called for huge and open-ended demonstrations. During demonstrations on Monday, scuffles broke out in the Coza suburb of the capital Conakry between young people and the police, according to AFP news agency. Elhadj Mamadou Sow, a 21-year-old student, was killed in the unrest, according to his uncle, who declined to be named, AFP reported. A hospital source had earlier told AFP that the 18-year-old was shot in the head, adding that the death prompted protesters to attack a courthouse and the local office of Condes Guinean Peoples Assembly (RPG) party. The security ministry confirmed Sows death and said an investigation had been launched. The ministry also confirmed the death of another protester in the northern city of Labe. Shops and schools were shut across the capital, Conakry on Monday [Screengrab/AFP] Conde, 81, has neither confirmed nor denied the claim that he put forward a draft constitution last month intending to keep himself in office for a third term. The current constitution in the former French colony stipulates maximum two five-year presidential terms. The government on Sunday accused opposition leaders of seeking to plunge Guinea into disorder. The FNDC had called for a peaceful protest. Guineas Security Minister Albert Damantang Camara also said on Monday that he has the manpower, methods and capabilities to intervene whenever necessary. Shops and schools were shut across Conakry on Monday, while streets were mostly empty of traffic. The FNDCs call for resistance is being widely followed in several cities in Guinea, the opposition group said in a statement. This has resulted in a total paralysis of the main roads, the closure of shops and businesses, it added. The FNDC also confirmed that there had been clashes in Conakry, and in the cities Boffa and NZerekore. Abdourahmane Sanoh, the groups spokesman, told AFP the start of the protest had been a success. ALBANY James F. Lyman, the former executive director of one of the state's largest law enforcement unions, has filed a petition seeking to compel the union to turn over records related to his abrupt termination in 2016. Lyman, 55, is a former Albany city detective who headed Council 82 for eight years after his retirement from the police force. He was fired from the $185,000-a-year job for reasons the union would not publicly disclose. The executive board for the Albany-based Council 82, which represents more than 3,800 police and correction officers, voted unanimously to terminate Lyman during a meeting in June 2016. A termination letter was given to Lyman a month after he was placed on administrative leave upon returning from a national labor meeting in Washington, D.C. Lyman was locked out of Council 82's Colvin Avenue headquarters that year around the time the union's leadership began examining his dealings in the private insurance marketplace and whether that work overlapped with his union's insurance contracts, including whether Lyman improperly accessed members' contact information. The Times Union reported four years ago that Lyman used a union credit card to purchase Florida airline tickets for himself and two family members, but that Lyman repaid the travel costs through payroll deductions after alerting a union official that he inadvertently used the card for a personal purchase. The union's 2016 examination of Lyman's business dealings included having him interviewed that year by Robert S. Hite, an attorney and former Council 82 general counsel who was appointed by the union to investigate the situation. Lyman answered questions from Hite but was not allowed to have an attorney present, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting. During the interview, Lyman was "asked question(s) and shown documents alleging his misconduct," according to the court petition filed recently by Lyman. Council 82 leaders, then and now, have declined to respond to requests for comment or to inform their members of the details of Lyman's termination. Lyman's petition seeks a judge to order what is known as a "pre-action discovery," which would give Lyman and his attorneys the ability to review Council 82's internal records, including any correspondence and notes, regarding Lyman's termination. An attorney for Lyman said any complaint they may pursue might include allegations of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and interference with business relations. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Lyman joined the Albany police force in 1988 after four years as an Albany County correction officer. He left the department for full-time union leave in 2004. He retired from his police job in 2008, around the time he was named executive director of Council 82. Lyman and his attorney, Gregory S. Teresi, did not respond to requests for comment. It's not the first time Lyman has used the courts to seek recourse for allegations that he has suffered harm. In 2010, Lyman and then-Council 82 President Christian M. Mesley, also a former Albany officer, filed a personal injury lawsuit against Albany County District Attorney David Soares that claimed they suffered "mental anguish" from comments Soares made about them during the 2008 election cycle. The unusual lawsuit came after Mesley and Lyman had clashed with Soares publicly for years and openly supported opponents of the district attorney in past elections, including the use of union funds and resources. That same year, Lyman filed a series of workers' compensation claims, including one that stated he had suffered hearing loss due to loud noises from sirens and gunfire. Another claim filed by Lyman alleged he sustained permanent foot, arm and hand injuries due to years of police work, including a 1992 incident when he tripped over a stereo speaker. Council 82 is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Lyman, who also served on the executive council of the state AFL-CIO, previously served as Council 82's elected statewide president. Carlos Reguero Perez, 49, (pictured outside Central London County Court) fell from a security gate after being trapped outside his home and then sued his letting agents Savills A 'reckless' lawyer brain-damaged in a fall after getting locked out of his 1million rented flat has had his 100,000 compensation claim thrown out by a judge who said the accident was all his own fault. Carlos Reguero Perez suffered spinal fractures and a 'moderate' brain injury after toppling backwards as he tried to scale locked security gates outside Prince Arthur Mews in Hampstead in February 2015. Mr Perez, 49, who at the time was working for Santander, had been doing long hours and was 'desperate' to get inside when he attempted the climb, he told Central London County Court. But he fell backwards whilst perched on top of the spiked six-foot gates, ending up with serious injuries, before getting back up and successfully climbing over. He sued letting agents Savills (UK) Ltd, who were acting for his landlord at the time, claiming they should have passed on a key fob which would have opened up the newly-installed electronic gates. But Savills insisted they had no idea the gates were about to become operational that day, and had only recently received a fob which controlled the 'vehicular' section of the gates. Judge Heather Baucher has now cleared Savills of all blame, calling Mr Perez's exploits 'folly' and 'reckless in the extreme'. 'The accident was caused solely by his own actions. He had no regard for his own safety,' the judge said. Carlos Reguero Perez suffered spinal fractures and a 'moderate' brain injury after toppling backwards as he tried to scale locked security gates outside Prince Arthur Mews in Hampstead (pictured) in February 2015 Mr Perez returned home at 10.30pm on February 4 to discover the gates had become operational and were closed against him. After working 'extremely long hours' he was cold, tired and hungry and decided to clamber over the spiked pedestrian gate. Having just done his food shopping at Tesco, he first shoved his groceries through a gap in the gate before starting his ascent. But Judge Heather Baucher said this was 'no easy task' given the spikes and lack of a handhold on the top. 'Mr Perez took an ill-conceived reckless risk,' she told the court. 'One only has to look at the photographs to see the folly of trying to climb this gate.' Mr Perez (pictured) returned home at 10.30pm on February 4 to discover the gates had become operational and were closed against him He had to 'haul himself up' using the gate's vertical bars, and ended up standing on the top bar which was 'adorned by spikes'. 'Hauling himself up in that manner was reckless in the extreme,' commented Judge Baucher. Lawyers for Mr Perez had argued that he had been left in an extreme situation by being locked out and was in effect forced to attempt the climb by his circumstances. But the judge found that he was not acting 'in the agony of the moment' when he decided to make the climb, but simply had 'no regard for his own safety'. Her view was 'reinforced' by what Mr Perez did next, she added, in again climbing the gate - although this time successfully. 'He was on the ground, unable to breathe with blood all over the concrete surface, and he was dazed. 'He did not try to dial 999 but rather he again tried to climb the gates. 'The accident was caused solely by his own actions,' she said. Mr Perez had told the court he believed the spikes or 'spurs' at the top of the gate were 'decorative' and did not pose a risk to him. But the judge said the gates were partly there as a security measure, adding: 'I don't consider the rounded spikes were merely decorative'. Mr Perez was not facing an emergency, despite the late hour, and could always have booked into a hotel or gone to a friend's house, she said. 'He decided, rather than waiting for assistance or phoning for a taxi, to haul himself over the gates whose very design was intended to keep out strangers,' said the judge. His reckless actions caused his own misfortunes, she found, adding that Savills owed him no legal duty of care and were not negligent. Exonerating the estate agents she concluded: 'In light of my finding the claim is dismissed'. During the trial the court heard that Mr Perez' head injuries have left him with blurred vision and acutely sensitive to sunlight. He was ordered to pay Savills lawyers' bills for the case, although the judge said the debt should not be enforced without a further court order. A man allegedly fatally shot his brother during an argument over the working conditions of a family-owned trucking company before killing himself Tuesday on the Northeast Side, according to police. Jaime T. Martinez, 47, was allegedly fatally shot by Baldemar Martinez Tamez, 56, according to the San Antonio Police Department. The two were identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office Tuesday afternoon. A family member confirmed Tuesday evening that the two were brothers. SAPD spokeswoman Jennifer Rodriguez said police responded to reports of a shooting at 11:10 a.m. at JTM Transportation Inc., 7380 Interstate 10 frontage road. Officers arrived to find Martinez with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Investigators said Tamez went to JTM Transportation Inc. and began arguing with Martinez in a feud that had been going on for several weeks. Tamez then shot Martinez several times and drove away from the scene, police said. Tamezs vehicle was discovered 3 miles away from the scene of the shooting at a Family Dollar at Foster Road, several minutes after they were called to the trucking company. Officers found Tamez inside the vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The JTM Transportation website lists Jaime T. Martinez as president of the company. A person who answered the companys phone Tuesday evening said no one was available to comment on his death. Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 20:28 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32225a02 4 National PDI-P,KPU-bribery,KPU,bribery-case,immigration,KPK Free The Law and Human Rights Ministry's Immigration Directorate General has received a travel ban issuance request from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for bribery suspect and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Harun Masiku. "We received the [request] letter yesterday," immigration spokesperson Arvin Gumilang said on Tuesday as quoted by Antara. Harun, who ran in the 2019 legislative elections, has been accused of bribing General Elections Commission (KPU) member Wahyu Setiawan with the intention of influencing the commission's decision about a replacement for deceased PDI-P politician and House legislator-elect Nazarudin Kiemas. KPK investigators are still looking for Harun, who Arvin says was in Singapore when the antigraft body named him a suspect last Thursday. Arvin said the travel ban request would still be processed even though Harun was already outside the country. "We still accept the letter even though its not relevant right now. It will be useful to detect [Harun] when he returns [to Indonesia]," Arvin said. According to the directorate general's records, Harun left Indonesia for Singapore on Jan. 6 through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. KPK chairman Firli Bahuri said the commission had coordinated with law enforcement and immigration officials to locate Harun. "We are still searching for [Harun] and continue to work hard to apprehend him," he said on Monday. The graft busters initially detained eight people in two separate operations on Wednesday and Thursday in Jakarta, Depok, West Java and Banyumas, Central Java. The KPK has named four people suspects in the case, including Wahyu and former Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) member Agustiani Tio Fridelina as alleged recipients in the case. Harun and a man from the private sector named Saeful were accused of being the bribe givers. They were charged under the 2001 Corruption Law. (kmt) It's becoming a common scenario: You're creeping closer to your 65th birthday, which means you'll be eligible for Medicare, yet you already have health insurance through work. Sound familiar? If so, you might have options. While workers at businesses with fewer than 20 employees generally must sign up for Medicare at age 65, people working for larger companies typically have a choice: They can stick with their group plan and delay signing up for Medicare without facing penalties down the road, or drop the company option and go with Medicare. Jahi Chikwendiu | The Washington Post | Getty Images "The advice I give is to calculate the financial impact for each option," said Elizabeth Gavino, founder of Lewin & Gavino in New York and an independent broker and general agent for Medicare plans. "Figure out your cost based on your usage and your medication, and do a comparison on what your outlay may be." The share of people age 65 to 74 in the workforce has been steadily rising for years. It's projected to reach 30.2% in 2026, up from 26.8% in 2016 and 17.5% in 1996, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And among those age 75 and older, the trend has been the same: The share projected to be working in 2026 is 10.8%, up from 8.4% in 2016 and 4.6% in 1996. Here are the Medicare rules that apply to would-be beneficiaries who are still working, along with costs to consider. The basics Original, or basic, Medicare consists of Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (outpatient and medicare equipment coverage). You get a seven-month window to sign up that starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after it. If you don't sign up when eligible and you don't meet an exception, you face late-enrollment penalties. Having qualifying insurance i.e., a group plan through a large employer is one of those exceptions. Many people sign up for Part A even if they stay on their employer's plan. That's because it's free as long as you have at least a 10-year work history of contributing to the program through payroll taxes. However, if you happen to have a health savings account paired with a high-deductible health plan through your employer, be aware that you cannot make contributions once you enroll in Medicare, even if only Part A. Part B comes with a standard monthly premium of $144.60 for 2020, although higher-income tax filers pay more through monthly adjustments (see chart above). Standalone Part D prescription drug plans have monthly premiums averaging $30. And again, higher-income enrollees pay more (see chart below). Additionally, those adjustments are based on your income from two years earlier. In other words, your 2018 income is used for your 2020 premiums. (There's a form you can fill out to request a reduction in that income-related amount due to a life-changing event, such as retirement.) Roughly a third of Medicare enrollees choose to get their Parts A and B delivered through an Advantage Plan. Those options typically include Part D prescription drug coverage, along with extras like dental and vision. However, they also might charge a premium, which would be in addition to your Part B premium. Other enrollees stick with basic Medicare and pair it with a standalone Part D plan. Some also add a Medicare supplemental policy a.k.a., Medigap which covers Medicare costs such as copays and co-insurance that you'd otherwise pay out of pocket. However, you cannot have both an Advantage plan and Medigap. A 65-year-old male will pay anywhere from $126 to $464 monthly for a Medigap policy, according to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. For 65-year-old women, the range is $118 to $464. So when you're doing the math to compare your options, you'd have to see what your best Medicare option would be and the cost of that coverage using some assumptions about your use of the health-care system and the cost of your prescription drugs. If you work at a large company The general rule for workers at companies with at least 20 employees is that you can delay signing up for Medicare until you lose your group insurance (i.e., you retire). At that point, you'd be subject to various deadlines to sign up or else face late-enrollment penalties. While everyone's situation is different, there's a good chance your current insurance through work is a more cost-effective option, said Danielle Roberts, co-founder of insurance firm Boomer Benefits in Fort Worth, Texas. This may be due to lower premiums and other cost-sharing aspects such as copays or co-insurance, or lower costs for prescriptions under the group plan. "We often find that their insurance is already quite good and it doesn't make sense to leave it," Roberts said. We often find that their insurance is already quite good and it doesn't make sense to leave it. Danielle Roberts co-founder of Boomer Benefits Again, however, if Part A is free, you can sign up as long as it wouldn't interfere with your plans to contribute to a health savings account. There are, of course, instances where Medicare might be the better option. "If you're going to, say, therapy every week and it's a $40 co-pay, it might be cheaper to go on Medicare and get a supplement with it," Gavino said. On the other hand, if you take a specialty drug that is covered by your group plan, it might be wise to continue with it if that drug would be more expensive under Medicare. More from Personal Finance: How to find a great career in your golden years Here's how to lower your tax season stress level One option for guaranteed income if delaying Social Security Some 65-year-olds with younger spouses also might want to keep their group plan. Unlike your company's option, your spouse must qualify on their own for Medicare either by reaching age 65 or having a disability if younger than that regardless of your own eligibility. At small employers For older workers with health insurance through a small company (under 20 employees), you must sign up for Medicare regardless of whether you stay on that plan or not. If you do choose to remain on your employer's plan, Medicare is your primary insurance. However, Roberts said, it often is more cost-effective in this situation to drop the employer coverage and pick up a Medigap and Part D plan or, alternatively, an Advantage Plan instead of keeping the work plan as secondary insurance. This nurse was hiding the truth behind social media 558 Shares Share She was new to this ICU. She was young, smart, funny, and considered one of the cool nurses. Before we could really get to know her, she exposed her wonderful, fantastic, perfect life all over social media. Their perfect two-story brick house, their two little, perfect angel daughters the perfect life in the perfect town. But what was most important was her perfect, handsome husband. He was bound to be a self-employed millionaire you wait and see Greg was now a real estate contractor. And he had the connections to build those semi-mansions that everyone craved. Every night Crystal came into work, and she was all smiles, high energy. Although we all felt like underdogs to this nurse with her stellar life, we were happy for her. But the facade started to slip through the cracks. Crystal would clock in late but have to leave early. Her phone calls while at work to her husband were pleading: Please get out of bed and get the girls breakfast and ready for school. Greg was tired. Frequently tired. He really didnt want to work at all. He knew his wife was a dedicated, hard worker. She easily put in 60 hours a week in the ICU. Then the school system called. The girls werent showing up for school. A conference was called. And suddenly, one of the highest-ranking elementary schools in the district became the worst school. Crystal and Greg decided they would take their girls out of school and homeschool them. Greg would be their teacher while Crystal worked. We found out that Crystal jumped from one job to the next. It seemed that when her fellow nurses caught on to her truth, Crystal would start a new job. Crystal would come home from work after a night shift and find her girls still in bed sleeping. No breakfast, no grooming, no homeschooling. One night she came into work. She was disheveled. She had difficulty focusing. And she had bruises all up and down her arms. A nurse talked to management about possible domestic abuse. And management called Crystal in to offer her EAP (Employee Assistance Program). She could receive free therapy sessions from licensed therapists at her hospital total confidentiality. Crystal said nothing was wrong. Everything was fine. Her awesome husband had stopped working, the bills werent being paid, and Crystal had more and more excuses for why she had to call out sick. But Greg was wonderful. He had connections. And this time they were going to pick up and move to sunny California. Lots of semi-mansions. Hes going to be a millionaire one day. And in a flash, they moved across the country. Crystal unfriended and blocked many of her friends on social media that knew the truth. They lost their house in foreclosure. And some of us never heard from her again. If you know the truth and youre tired of the isolation, the demands, the aggression, the denial. Stop lying to yourself for your sake and for your childrens sake. Reach out before its too late. Debbie Moore-Black is a nurse who blogs at Do Not Resuscitate. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Hong Kong: Michael Wong tours SG projects Secretary for Development Michael Wong today met senior government officials in Singapore and visited development projects adopting the modular integrated construction (MiC) method. In the morning, Mr Wong visited a private high-rise development project using MiC modules in the Little India area. He was briefed on the project design and the construction process, particularly the experience of transporting, lifting and installing large modular units in the busy city centre. Mr Wong then met Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong and Urban Redevelopment Authority Chief Executive Officer Lim Eng Hwee to discuss land use planning, urban development and urban renewal issues. The development chief was given an overview by the authoritys officials on the Master Plan 2019, which sets out the land use plan for Singapore's development over the next 10 to 15 years. He was also briefed on how Singapore adopts innovative technology to facilitate its urban planning process. Mr Wong also toured the Singapore City Gallery which showcases the country's development story over the past 50 years. During a lunch hosted by the Minister for National Development, Mr Wong briefed him on Hong Kongs latest developments. In the afternoon, he visited a private residential project under construction to learn about the project design and details of the conservation of five historic buildings during the construction process. The project consists of two 56-storey towers and will become the tallest MiC buildings in the world when completed. Mr Wong also viewed an integrated construction and prefabrication hub to see how different processes of manufacturing prefabricated construction units are consolidated in a single multi-storey factory to optimise land use. He also paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mamata Banerjee has no human values and no women characteristics, said Bariya MLA Surendra Singh (Photo Credit: PTI File) New Delhi: In a statement that is bound to cause controversy, Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Surendra Singh on Tuesday attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by calling her a "demon" who had no human values. Singh also accused Mamata Banerjee of protecting those "who killed thousands of Hindus". "In a democratic society, Mamata Banerjee has traits of a demon. She has no human values and no women characteristics," the Bariya MLA told ANI on Monday. When questioned about Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the amended citizenship law, he said, "She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. That's why we can call her demon and not a human. She is like the Lankini of Sri Lanka." Singh said, "The BJP is a party of devtas and SP, BSP and TDP are parties belonging to 'rakshas' (demons)". Mamata Banerjee has been heading protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). On Saturday, Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-on-one conversation at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, but then proceeded to continue her protest against CAA in the middle of the state capital. ALSO READ: Mamata Banerjee deplores Dilip Ghoshs Shot Like Dogs comment about anti-CAA agitators The contentious new law CAA, which grants citizenship to six non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, has provoked nationwide protests. Banerjee has been a leading force in these protests, particularly in West Bengal. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Iran on Tuesday announced its first arrests over the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner in Tehran last week, after a third night of angry protests over the disaster. The Ukraine International Airlines plane was brought down by a missile shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Tehran for days denied Western claims based on US intelligence that the Boeing 737 had been downed by a missile. It came clean on Saturday when Revolutionary Guards aerospace commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh acknowledged a missile operator had mistaken the plane for a cruise missile and opened fire independently. At a televised news conference, the judiciary announced the first arrests had been made over the blunder, without specifying how many. "Extensive investigations have been carried out and some people have been arrested," said spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili. The announcement came shortly after President Hassan Rouhani said everyone responsible for the disaster must be punished. "For our people it is very important in this incident that anyone who was at fault or negligent at any level" face justice, Rouhani said. "Anyone who should be punished must be punished. "The judiciary must form a special court with a high-ranking judge and dozens of experts... The whole world will be watching," Rouhani said. "It cannot be that only the person who pressed the button is at fault. There are others, and I want this to be explained to the people explicitly." Iran has come under mounting international pressure to ensure its investigation into the tragedy is full and transparent. The authorities' handling of the air disaster has also angered Iranians. Videos posted on social networks on Monday purported to show protesters taking to the streets for a third consecutive day, with demonstrators apparently shouting slogans against the Islamic republic. The Kiev-bound plane was shot down at a time when Iran's armed forces were on heightened alert after launching a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US troops. Iran fired the missiles in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, on January 3. Addressing that issue on Tuesday, Rouhani said while "the root of all sorrows goes back to America... this cannot be a reason for us not to look into all the root causes" of the air disaster. The president also demanded officials explain why it took so long for authorities to announce the real cause of the air disaster. "They must explain the whole process. From Wednesday morning when the incident happened until the meeting on Friday night of the Supreme National Security Council. They must explain this whole process to the people," he said. "But more important than anything else, in my opinion, is that our people must be assured that this incident will not be repeated." Iran has invited experts from Canada, France, Ukraine and the United States to take part in the probe. On Monday night, Canada's Transportation Safety Board said its investigators flying to Tehran would be granted access to the wreckage and black box flight recorders of the downed airliner. "There have been early signs that Iran is allowing the TSB to play a more active role than is normally permitted," its chair Kathy Fox told a news conference. DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial attorney Robert Tobey, co-founder of Johnston Tobey Baruch, was sworn in as the 111th president of the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) on Jan. 11. Founded in 1873, the Dallas Bar Association serves as the voluntary professional body for more than 11,000 Dallas-area lawyers. "There is no one more qualified to lead the Dallas Bar Association into a new decade than Robert Tobey," said firm co-founder Randy Johnston. "Robert leads by example, and the high ethical standards and professionalism he has shown throughout his career will inspire everyone in the organization." As his term begins, Mr. Tobey plans to focus on issues such as equal access to justice and the expansion and diversification of the bar membership. He also has ideas for how the DBA can celebrate the milestone anniversaries of several voting rights amendments to the U.S. Constitution while recognizing the importance of participating in the 2020 elections. With a decade of service to the Dallas Bar Association, Mr. Tobey has been committed to improving the professional standing of attorneys in Dallas. He previously served as chair of the board and in all officer positions in the DBA (2016-2019), was co-chair of the Equal Access to Justice Campaign (2014-15) and chaired numerous other bar committees and sections since 2010. Johnston Tobey & Baruch has a lengthy and distinguished history providing leadership to organizations that seek to improve and enhance the practice of law. "We view this level of commitment as part of our responsibility as licensed attorneys in the state of Texas," says Chad Baruch, a former candidate for president of the State Bar of Texas. "Remaining engaged and working closely with other committed lawyers makes us better representatives of our clients, which is at the core of everything we do." Mr. Tobey has 40 years of litigation experience representing clients and lawyers in legal malpractice and professional liability claims, ethical issues and fee disputes. He is renowned within the legal community for his broad knowledge of civil law and the ethical issues in legal practice management. He is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for Consumer and Commercial Law. Mr. Tobey has earned several distinctive honors, including Dallas-Fort Worth Lawyer of the Year in legal malpractice law for plaintiffs by Best Lawyers in America for 2020. He has been recognized since 2013 by Best Lawyers for his work in legal malpractice law and commercial litigation. He has made the Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers list in Texas every year since its inception in 2003. About Johnston Tobey Baruch: Johnston Tobey Baruch is a dynamic law practice based in Dallas. Its trial and appellate attorneys have a broad range of litigation, arbitration, appellate and employment law experience. They are pioneers in the handling of legal and accounting malpractice, investment fraud, and business disputes. They also have an enviable track record with insurance bad faith matters, commercial litigation, fiduciary litigation, as well as civil, family and criminal appeals for many prominent Texas companies and individuals. For more information, visit https://www.johnstontobey.com/ . Media Contact: Mark Annick 214-559-4630 [email protected] SOURCE Johnston Tobey Baruch Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Moneta Porcupine (TSX: ME) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #731 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 19 - Monday January 20, 2020. The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the bellwether of the junior mining market for the last twenty-five years. It is the number one source of information for investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of the natural resource industry. Each year, the VRIC hosts over 60 keynote speakers, 350 exhibiting companies and 9000 investors. Investment thought leaders and wealth influencers provide our audiences with valuable insights. C-suite company executives covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector as well as metals, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies are available to speak one on one. This is a must-attend for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference. We look forward to seeing you there. About Moneta The Company holds a 100% interest in 6 core gold projects strategically located along the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the Timmins Gold Camp with over 85 million ounces of past gold production. The projects consist of the Golden Highway, North Tisdale, Nighthawk Lake, DeSantis East, Kayorum and Denton projects. The Golden Highway Project covers 12 kilometres of prospective ground along the DPFZ of which 4 km hosts the current 43-101 mineral resource estimate comprised of an indicated resource of 556,500 ounces gold contained within 3.82 Mt @ 4.53 g/t Au and a total of 1,174,000 ounces gold contained within 8.47 Mt @ 4.31 g/t Au in the inferred category at a 3.00 g/t Au cut-off. For further information: Moneta Porcupine Gary O'Connor 416-357-3319/705-264-2296 goconnor@monetaporcupine.com www.monetaporcupine.com Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nigerias only Nobel Laureate has warned that the nation cannot afford to lose another 2.5 million people to war as... Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nigerias only Nobel Laureate has warned that the nation cannot afford to lose another 2.5 million people to war as it did 50 years ago to the Nigerian Civil War. He spoke when he delivered a lecture, titled: Never Again. to commemorate the 50th year of the Nigerian Civil War in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. According to him, Any time that leadership, on whichever side, is about to repeat yet again the ultimate folly of sacrificing two and a half million lives on the altar of Absolutes, any absolute, we should borrow that credo, paint them on prayer scrolls, flood the skies in their millions with kites and balloons on which those words are inscribed: African Lives Matter! He added that For example, ask ourselves questions such as: What price territorial integrity where any slab of real estate, plus the humanity that work it, can be signed away as a deal between two leaders as did happen between Nigeria and the Cameroon. You seek an answer to the claims of territorial integrity? Ask the fluctuating refugees on Bakassi Islands just what is the meaning, for them, of territorial integrity? Again, I feel obliged to emphasize that this has nothing to do with whether or not one side was in the wrong or right, nothing to do with accusations of a lack of vision, of pandering to, or resisting the wiles and calculations of erstwhile colonial rulers, or indeed, taking sides in a Cold War that turned Africans into surrogate players and the continent into prostrate testing ground for new weaponry. No, we merely place before ourselves an exercise in hindsight with no intention however of denying credit to those who did exercise foresight we propose that the loss of two million and a half people, the maiming and traumatization of innumerable others and devastation on a hitherto unimaginable scale, by a nation turned against itself even as it teetered on the edge of modernity, provokes sober reflection. Thats all. Sober reflection. A re-thinking that is unafraid, especially as such scenarios, considered in some cases even worse, more brutish, have since followed. Need one recall Rwandas own entry into that contest in morbid pathology, one that surpasses the Biafran carnage when comparatively assessed in duration and population parameters? All remain active reminders to haunt Africas collective conscience the existence of which, I know, is an optimistic presumption and appears to elude the ministrations of politicians and/or ideologues, or indeed theologians. He said there was need to borrow a leaf from brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, saying that he had no qualms in reminding this, or any other Nigerian audience that, such was the ingrained slave mentality of the contemporary progeny of those who sold those exiles into slavery in the first place, that some in this nation actually considered it a duty, even honour, to take up cudgels on behalf of the denigrators of their own kind, of their own race. Thus, they proceed to insult those who respond in their own personal manner to such racists, however powerfully positioned and no matter where on this globe but let that pass for now. My intention is to jog your memories regarding that spate of serial elimination of our kind the African-Americans by white police in the United States at that very time, an epidemic that merely actualized the racist rantings of the current incumbent of the White House as he powered his way to the coveted seat in the last United States elections. The African-Americans, tired of being arbitrary sacrificial lambs,the victims of hate rhetoric, went on nation-wide protest marches, carrying placards that read: Black Lives Matter. Adopting that simple exhortation enables us to include the millions of victims of failed or indifferent leadership on this continent who are more concerned with power and its accruements, who see the nation, not as expressions of a peoples will, need, belonging, and industry, but as ponds in which they, the bullfrogs of our time, can exercise power for its own sake. It is they who militate against nation, not I shall end on this selective note not the products of migration from purely nominal nation enclaves who perish daily along the Sahara desert routes, who drown in droves in the Mediterranean. They are the ones who confronted the question with, alas, a fatalist determinism. They asked themselves the question: When is a Nation? And the answer of those desperate migrants is clearly read as: not when we left where we called home! As long as our humanity opts for unmarked graves in the Sahara desert, or in the guts of the fishes of the Mediterranean, their answer remains to haunt us all. Yes, indeed, let us internalize that Africa-American declaration as statement of a living faith, an expression of our humanity that may compel leadership to pause at critical moments of decision, thereby earn ourselves some space where we can re-think those bequeathed absolutes that we so proudly spout, gospels of sacrosanctity, pre-packaged imperatives or questionable, often poisonedtruthsthat incite us to advance so conceitedly towards the dehumanization, and decimation of our kind, he stated. A daredevil French climber on Monday made his own contribution to a long-running protest against planned pension reforms, scurrying up a towering skyscraper just outside Paris. "People spend 40 years of their lives slaving away, often in a job they don't even like," Alain Robert told AFP before beginning his climb. "We want people to live decently." Robert, known worldwide for scaling landmark towers without ropes -- and usually without permission -- began his ascent of the 187-metre (614-feet) Total building in the La Defense business district at around 10:30 am (0930 GMT). Passers-by gaped as he mounted the lattice of metal-framed glass panes, taking 52 minutes to reach the top, where as usual police and security guards were waiting. "It was quite cold, I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers so it was tricky," Robert said. "And also I'm not in the same shape as I was 20 years ago!" "I'm 57, so technically not far from retirement. And climbing is the only way I make money," Robert said before being taken away. "Will I have to keep climbing solo until I'm 64? Or even 67?" "I'm 57, so technically not far from retirement. And climbing is the only way I make money," Alain Robert said after reaching the top. Photo: AFP Unions have been waging a crippling transport strike against the pension overhaul since December 5, disrupting train services and making commutes miserable for millions, especially in the Paris region. The government wants to forge a single system from 42 separate schemes and intended to push back the official age for a full pension to 64 from 62 -- a measure it withdrew temporarily under union pressure over the weekend. "They need to stop telling people to work more and accept less, because that's what this reform is about," Robert said, echoing claims from France's hard-line unions, which are demanding the government withdraw its plan. It is not the first time Robert has climbed to promote a political message. Last August, he unfurled a "peace banner" while racing up the 68 floors of the Cheung Kong Center in Hong Kong as the city was rocked by pro-democracy protests challenging Beijing's authority. And in 2015, Robert scaled the Engie tower in La Defense to draw attention to calls for a more transparent banking system. Latter & Blum Inc., the largest real estate brokerage firm based in Louisiana, said Monday that Lacey Merrick Conway is taking over from her father, Robert W. "Bob" Merrick, as chief executive officer of the regional firm. Bob Merrick, who has been CEO since he bought the company in 1986, will remain as chairman and owner, Latter & Blum said in a statement. The company was founded in 1916 as a commercial real estate broker by Harry Latter and Joseph Blum. After Merrick took it over, Latter & Blum expanded through a series of mergers, including C.J. Brown Realtors in Baton Rouge; Noles-Frye Realty in Alexandria; the Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate, which gave it a 40% share of the Lafayette real estate market that it continues to build on through mergers; and particularly Realty Associates in Houston, the takeover of which in 2015 doubled the firm's size. Latter & Blum was ranked as the 44th-largest real estate brokerage in the country at the end of 2018 by T3 Sixty, a consultancy that tracks industry data, with sales volume of $3.9 billion. Latter & Blum said it had more than $4.5 billion in sales in 2019. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up I am energized and eager to continue our 104-year tradition of innovation, growth and community building as we enter a new decade, Conway said in a statement. Conway, is a graduate of Isidore Newman School and Boston University. She also earned an MBA from the University of New Orleans. She started at Latter & Blum as a salesperson in 2005 and earned her brokerage license in 2015. She was named principal broker in 2017, and still holds that title, and later the firm's president, succeeding Richard Haase, who resigned two years ago after eight year's as Latter & Blum's number two executive. Haase later became chief operating officer of United Real Estate Group in Dallas and president of its United Real Estate division. At the time of Haase's departure, the company said it had 3,400 agents, up from 1,000 in 2010. The company says it now has more than 3,000 agents, serving the markets of greater New Orleans, greater Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Houma, Thibodaux, Lake Charles, Houston and southern Mississippi. Additionally, Latter & Blum Inc. operates NAI Latter & Blum Commercial Real Estate, Latter & Blum Property Management, Latter & Blum Insurance Services and Essential Mortgage Corp. The CEO of the Public Sector Reforms Secretariat, Mr Thomas Kusi-Boafo, has said political parties who are discussing Electoral Commission decision to compile a new voters register are just wasting their precious time. According to him, whether you are in support of the new register or not, it will not prevent the Electoral Commission from conducting a new voters register. "I dont understand why political parties are even discussing whether to do a new register or not because it will not change anything, the Electoral Commission is an independent body which has the sole mandate to decide on electoral issues, Thomas Kusi-Boafo told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Pae Mu Ka on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7. He advised all political parties to be focused in delivering their campaign messages to Ghanaians rather than attacking the EC unnecessarily. This comes after CSOs opposed the new register citing time constraints and waste of taxpayers monies to buttress their point. The NDC has expressed its opposition against the new register. According to the Party, the decision defied logic and must be fiercely resisted. But the Commission also says there is the need to replace outmoded biometric machines. " " A cable car rises over the Caspian Sea coast in Ramsar, Iran. Ali Majdfar/Getty Images Radiation isn't limited to places like Chernobyl and communities adjacent to nuclear power plants. It also exists naturally throughout the world. However, some areas have much higher levels of natural radiation than others. So, what is natural radiation and how does it occur? "Radiation is energy given off by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms were naturally created at the beginning of the universe over 4 billion years ago," John A. Shanahan, president of Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy USA, explains in an email. "Many of these unstable atoms have given off enough energy (radiation) now so that they are stable atoms and no longer give off radiation. Other unstable atoms give off radiation so slowly that they are still unstable. That is the 'natural radiation' we measure in the ground, water and air." Advertisement No matter where you live, some natural radiation is to be expected. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that radiation exposure from natural sources like radon and thoron averages 2.4 millisieverts (mSv) per year, although it can fluctuate by a few hundred percent. For comparison's sake, a single chest X-ray puts out a radiation dose of 0.2 mSv. A "radiation worker" (such as one at a nuclear power plant) should be limited to 100 msVs over five years, according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection. There are three main culprits producing naturally occurring radioactive elements: soil, stones and cosmic rays that make their way to us from space. A few cities around the globe have developed dubious reputations for being far above average in natural radiation. For example, the residents of Ramsar, Iran, are regularly exposed to radiation emitted from the nine hot springs in the area, which both locals and tourists enjoy as spas . Radium dissolved in the hot springs' mineral water, as well as high thorium levels in travertine deposits (travertine is a kind of limestone found in mineral springs) and the presence of uranium contribute to the area's natural radiation. In fact, the Ramsar regularly achieves levels of radiation 55 to 200 times greater than normal! Ramsar has the highest level of natural radiation in the world. Hot springs located in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in Southern Australia are also credited with higher than normal radiation levels, due to spring water coming in contact with rocks rich in uranium and radon. If you're skittish about radiation exposure, you might want to think twice about getting sand between your toes in Guarapari, Brazil. The popular tourist spot features beaches teeming with radioactivity. Readings have been as high as 175 mSv. The sand comes from monazite, an ore containing the naturally radioactive element thorium, found in local mountains and eroded over time. The same type of thorium-rich sand is responsible for high background radiation in Kerala, India, and Yangjiang, China. "By far the largest source of natural radiation exposure comes from varying amounts of uranium and thorium in the soil around the world," note the experts at the IAEA. Doses of radiation are known to damage body tissues and may cause cancer or even death in a few hours if the dosage is high enough (such as those people exposed to the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki). But the residents of cities with high natural radiation don't seem to have any ill effects. "These areas have radiation higher than what is allowed for workers in nuclear power and nuclear medicine and the people lead healthy lives, in many cases healthier than people who get less radiation," Shanahan says. "All life has adapted to natural radiation to live healthy lives. Otherwise, mankind would have gotten sick and died off a long time ago." However, there is one kind of natural low-energy radiation that can make people sick, and causes cancer, Shanahan explains. That's sunshine. So, if many are taking steps to limit exposure to sun radiation by using sunscreen, shouldn't we be attempting to clean up these seemingly toxic towns? Not necessarily, says Shanahan, noting that there are few, if any cases, of people dying from natural radiation. Plus, halting it is likely impossible. "Radiation is unstoppable until the unstable atom decays (gives off enough energy) and reaches a stable state," he explains. "It is a completely natural process, similar to the natural human processes of having to go to the bathroom or throwing up." Now That's Interesting Some of these highly radioactive cities (likeYangjiang and Ramsar) have lower levels of cancer than cities with lower levels of radiation. SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Switcheo announced an equity investment by Neo Eco Fund, underscoring Neo's strong community commitment through its EcoBoost initiative. Since its launch in May 2019, the Neo EcoBoost program has played a key role in accelerating the growth and development of the Neo ecosystem by providing entire life-cycle support for projects and developers, thus showcasing Neo's community-centric ethos. In addition to investing in Switcheo, Neo is also committed to supporting the Switcheo Token (SWTH) by financing the redemption of SWTH tokens for GAS tokens to further boost confidence in the SWTH token by funding the SWTH/GAS market on Switcheo Exchange . Moreover, the price of SWTH will be supported with a price floor at a rate to be determined at a later date. At the same time, Switcheo will deepen its support for the Neo ecosystem by allowing trading fees on Switcheo Exchange to be paid using GAS tokens instead of SWTH tokens. With this change, Switcheo will burn SWTH tokens off the market manually from fees collected every quarter. This new mechanism will provide traders with greater transparency as specialized trackers will no longer be needed to monitor burnt SWTH tokens. As a leading decentralized cryptocurrency exchange on the Neo blockchain, Switcheo now allows trading of EOS, Ethereum, and NEO tokens as part of its promise to deliver a world-class trading experience by enabling cross-chain swapping capabilities across multiple blockchains. "Neo and Switcheo are aligned in their vision of supporting an open community that builds upon the decentralized ethos of blockchain technology," says Founder of Neo, Da Hongfei. As the preferred decentralized exchange on the Neo blockchain, Switcheo will continue to work in tandem with Neo in maintaining a robust developer ecosystem. "We are delighted to announce this timely partnership as it is an exciting time for Switcheo with several new projects in the pipeline. With Neo's support, this strategic partnership will further strengthen the Neo community and set the stage for Switcheo's up-and-coming decentralized finance products," says CEO of Switcheo, Ivan Poon. About Neo Neo is an open-source, community-driven platform that is leveraging the intrinsic advantages of blockchain technology to realize the optimized digital world of the future. Read more about Neo here . About Neo EcoBoost The Neo EcoBoost program was created to support developers and project participants in the Neo ecosystem. Projects and partners are invited to join the ecosystem to benefit from Neo's sturdy technical foundation, strong community presence, and years of experience in community operations. The Neo EcoBoost program will provide growth support to projects from 01/1-N of their project development stage. About Switcheo Switcheo is the first decentralized cryptocurrency exchange on the Neo blockchain, which now allows trading of EOS, Ethereum, and NEO tokens. Switcheo's goal is to achieve a DEX network with cross-chain swapping capabilities across multiple blockchains, with a focus on delivering a world-class trading experience in a fully trustless and decentralized environment. Visit Switcheo Exchange to start trading tokens on Neo. SOURCE Switcheo Network Mark Hamill has deleted his Facebook account amid continuing criticism over the company's ad policy. He said that he had made decision because Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg "values profit more than truthfulness". The actor linked to a story about Facebook's decision to allow political ads that include lies or falsehoods, which has attracted criticism from those who argue the site is enabling misinformation. The company says that such decisions should be made by regulators rather than private companies. But Hamill suggested Facebook was looking for the money that comes from political advertising. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty "So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my Facebook account," he wrote on Twitter. "I know this is a big 'Who Cares?' for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night. #PatriotismOverProfits" Recommended Facebook refuses to block lies and misinformation in political ads Facebook did not comment on Hammill's departure or his post. It pointed to new policies, published last week, which it says will allow people to see fewer ads about political or social issues. "We recognise this is an issue that has provoked much public discussion including much criticism of Facebooks position," wrote Rob Leathern, Facebook's director of product management. "We are not deaf to that and will continue to work with regulators and policy makers in our ongoing efforts to help protect elections. "We are grateful to everyone who has engaged with us over the past several months. With these changes, we believe we offer unprecedented transparency and control for political ads, and look forward to continuing the discussions and updates over the next year." Contractor claims are the "biggest risk" in the National Children's Hospital project, according to the chairman of the board overseeing it. Fred Barry says structures have been put in place to "robustly defend" these costs. The new National Children's Hospital is set to cost at least 1.7bn and is due to open in 2023. Last November it emerged significant potential costs had arisen from new financial claims made by the contractors. Opposition TDs have complained about the rising cost of the project - and have heavily criticised the process surrounding the building of the hospital. "It's no surprise because when Fine Gael in government put the process in place at the beginning, it was shoddily done," said Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry, who is a member of the public accounts committee. "Contracts were awarded before designs were complete. "Nobody in their right mind would undertake any sort of a building job, however small, never mind the biggest in the history of the State, without clearly agreeing prices and guidelines and a full design before awarding a contract." The project is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, who met Health Minister Simon Harris to discuss the project last November. A note of the meeting has been released under the Freedom of Information Act. Fred Barry, the chairman of the board, told the meeting the contractor claims represent the "biggest risk" in the project. However, a "structure" had been put in place by the board to "robustly defend" these claims, he insisted. The meeting also heard the cost of the project did not grow in 2019. A rabbi who is suspected of holding about 50 women and children in slavery has been arrested in an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Jerusalem, police have said. The suspect was arrested following a police raid on a residential complex in central Jerusalem, where women and children between the ages of 1-5 are reported to have been isolated from their families and abused in a cult-like group. Israel police said the man, who is in his 60s but has not been named, is suspected of punishing the women who were held there and stealing money from them. The raid was carried out in coordination with the Israeli Centre for Victims of Cults. Eight female accomplices who allegedly worked with the rabbi have also been arrested, police 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 The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of leading the group and committing severe offences against those under his influence. We know that the women and children were there for several months inside the home, Micky Rosenfeld, an Israeli police spokesperson, said. We know that he took their money away from them and was holding them against their will. Superintendent Isaac Simon added that the victims were held in very cramped conditions and difficult sanitary conditions. At a hearing on Monday, a police official said women in the complex were forced to seek the cult leaders approval for every basic activity, and to consult him about everything, according to Israels Haaretz newspaper. Recommended Jewish women defy rabbis and start reading forbidden text The official reportedly said women were treated well when they joined the group but were then subjected to threatening lessons and distanced from their families and the outside world. In one example, women were apparently forced to put their fingers in a fire to understand what hell was like, Haaretz reported. Police have said they investigated the complex, which reportedly posed as a womens seminary, for two months to gather evidence before the raid. A report by Israels Channel 12 said the suspect had previously been arrested at least twice on similar charges and denied any wrongdoing in those cases. He has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the current allegations as beyond rubbish, according to the Israeli news website Ynet. Additional reporting by AP PIC: Aishling Conway After a very busy and successful year for Network Ireland Kildare in 2019, it looks like the year ahead will be equally hectic for recently elected President Tara Lane and the Kildare committee. Next Tuesday will see a different dynamic to the Kildare branch's opening event entitled 'Connect with your Network'. Hosted at Killashee Hotel, on Tuesday, January 21, President Tara Lane describes this as an exciting, new style event, and one not to be missed. This is an ideal event to get you inspired and invigorated for 2020 plus there will be post event coverage with media partners, the Kildare Post and Kildare Now. New to the event, there will be an exhibition area where there will be 20 stands showcasing the amazing products and services of our members; the stands are reserved for members of Network Ireland Kildare Branch and a small charge applies she added. There will also be an Education Zone where organisations such as the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Services and other training providers will attend. Attendess can find out all the training and upskilling available to you, your colleagues, family and friends noted Tara. The evening will also include a short presentation on Network Ireland and the benefits of being part of such a dynamic organisation and with lots of information on whats available to members, including a presentation on the free mentoring programme. The National Network President will also attend and update guests and members on the national news. With a guided Networking session, lots of spot prizes, fun, energy and new contacts, Tara is encouraging all female workers or business women to attend; to commence at 7pm, there will be plenty of time to network over tea and coffee. If you would like to take a stand for only 20, please do book in straight away as they are already proving very popular, dont let your business be the one thats not showcased urged Tara. You also need to pre book your tickets; do bring along a friend, the more the merrier and all are very welcome. The event is free to members and non members - do invite your colleagues and friends. Pre-registration is vital on eventbrite.ie Also for your diary, the February event is on Tuesday 18, 'Tell Your Story, Bring Your Brand Alive', this event will help you to express why your business is special, what gives it the edge and how to target your ideal customer and promote your business to them. 2020 Calendar of Events The March event will be hosted to coincide with International Women's Day and will be held on March 6. A members only networking event on Tuesday 24 March will be followed in April with 'Setting and Reaching Your Goals with Rob Cullen' - Tuesday 21 April. As you can see, there is a varied line-up of events for this spring and 2020, said Tara Lane, President of Network Ireland Kildare Branch 2020. I'm looking forward to welcoming everyone to some if not all of our fantastic calendar of events this year. We are having a big focus on up-skilling, connecting and supporting women in business in Kildare. Our members are the backbone of Network Ireland Kildare Branch and we want to bring top speakers and events to Kildare and assist them in growing and promoting their businesses. We would also like to thank the Local Enterprise Office Kildare with whom the events are run in association with, along with our supporters AIB and our media partners, the Kildare Post/Kildare Now. My theme for 2020 is Grow with Network, whether it be grow yourself, grow your personal development, grow your skills, grow your business, you will find lots on our calendar to help you achieve this and more with Network Kildare. Network Ireland Kildare branch currently has 144 members from a large variety of professions, from sole traders to CEOs, to employees. For further information, please contact: Tara Lane President, Network Ireland Kildare Branch on 087 978 9318. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:39:00|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close HAIKOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A new direct air route is set to be launched later Tuesday between Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, and Myanmar's Rangoon. The flight is the second direct route linking Hainan with Myanmar. The air route is operated by China's Jiuyuan Airlines, with three round trips scheduled every week. The outbound flight AQ1133 will leave Haikou Meilan International Airport at 11:00 p.m. Beijing Time on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and is scheduled to land in Rangoon at 00:35 a.m. local time the following day. The inbound flight AQ1134 will leave Rangoon at 01:35 a.m. local time and land in Haikou at 06:00 a.m. Beijing time every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. A direct route was launched in June 2019, linking Haikou with Myanmar's Mandalay. Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Assam will shift from the streets to homes and paddy fields on Tuesday and Wednesday as people celebrate Magh Bihu, the annual harvest festival. Organisations spearheading the stir have appealed to people to burn copies of the act at juhal or fireplaces inside homes and also while setting fire to bhela ghor and meji the temporary structures made of bamboo, hay and straw in paddy fieldsto show their opposition to the legislation. We are urging people to burn copies of CAA on Tuesday during Uruka (communal feast on the night prior to Magh Bihu) at bonfires, on the day of Bihu while burning meji and also at their juhal, said Lurinjyoti Gogoi, general secretary of All Assam Students Union (AASU). On the morning of Magh Bihu, the temporary bhela ghors and mejis are set on fire with offerings of laru and pitha (traditional sweets), thanking the gods for a good harvest. This time copies of CAA would also be part of the ritual. Other organisations associated with the protestsAsom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Cotton University Students Unionhave also appealed to the public to burn copies of CAA as part of Magh Bihu festivities. Held after harvesting is over and when there is an abundance of food, Magh Bihu is also called Bhogali (feasting) Bihu. But the festivities this year are low key with people deciding to follow tradition and rituals without being extravagant. Assam has been witnessing widespread protests since early December last year opposing CAA. Baring the first days which saw arson, deaths in police firing, the imposition of curfew and a ban on the internet, the protests have been peaceful. In keeping with the ongoing protests, banners with CAA Ami Nemanu (We wont accept CAA) and CAA Baatil Korok (Repeal CAA) can be seen at markets selling laru, pitha, curd, cream and jaggery and also at bhela ghors and mejis. Magh Bihu is our dear festival and hence there was no question of asking people not to celebrate. But people of Assam are aware and expressing their resentment spontaneously against CAA through banners, said AASUs Gogoi. Take the case of nearly a dozen youths from Bangthai near Bebejia in Nagaon district of central Assam, who have made a bhela ghor shaped like the map of Assam and adorned with a figure of Lachit Borphukan, the legendary Ahom general who defeated the Mughals, on top. Three gamochas or traditional Assamese towels and the slogans CAA Ami Nemanu (We wont accept CAA) and Joi Aai Asom (Glory to Mother Assam) also adorn the structure. We decided to build the bhela ghor with this theme as we wanted to express our protest against CAA. But we wont burn this one as it is shaped like Assams map. A separate meji with CAA inscribed on it will be burnt on the morning of Bihu, said Parth Bordoloi, a science graduate and aspiring actor. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The number of new payrolls created in the current financial year 2019-20 could be at least 16 lakh lower than in the previous year, according to a report authored by Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser at the State Bank of India (SBI). In FY19, India created 89.7 lakh new payrolls as per data by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The economy is expected to expand at 5 per cent in FY20 and the slow growth is having a visible impact on payroll creation. "In FY20, as per current projection, this number could be at least 15.8 lakh lower," said Ghosh. The EPFO data primarily covers low-paid jobs as the salary is capped at Rs 15,000 per month. Government jobs, state government jobs and private jobs are not part of this ambit as such data have moved to National Pension System (NPS) beginning 2004. Interestingly, even in the NPS category, central and state governments are supposed to create close to 39,000 jobs less in FY20 as per current trends, said Ghosh in the report. "Hence, the number of new payrolls created in FY20 could be at least 16 lakh lower than in FY19," he said. There are several trends that are apparent from the payroll data. First, the payroll creation is the sum of existing and new payroll with existing payroll the aggregation of the extent of formalisation and second job. New payroll is the first payroll creation. Second, the extent of formalisation has declined steadily and is now currently at 9.5 per cent of the overall payroll creation (11 per cent in FY19). The extent of formalisation could decline further. This implies that Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections are unlikely to recover significantly towards the Rs 1.1 lakh crore threshold that the government expects in coming months. Third, the number of second payrolls is increasing significantly and this coupled with the projection of a lower new payroll creation in FY20 indicates the possibility that adequate new payrolls are not being created. Fourth, the prospect of lower payroll creation in government indicates that the government is not recruiting new payrolls in lieu of retiring government employees. Fifth, it is estimated that labour productivity growth was stagnant during FY15 to FY19. Such low and stagnant productivity encourages over-borrowing by corporations and households only to deleverage later. A similar logic applies to the social and political impact of low productivity growth. The moot point is that such deleveraging will only delay consumption growth. Sixth, there are evidences of a decline in remittances by labourers to selected states in India in the past one year. These migrants have been making significant financial contributions to their families in their places of origin. The remittance data shows a decline in remittances in states like Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. It is possible that the delay in resolution cases under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 may have prompted companies to downsize their contractual labourers. Seventh, the EPFO should take utmost care to remove the niggling problems with the data, said the report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir administration is taking a slew of measures to rein in unethical and unfair practices in medical profession in Jammu Kashmir, an official spokesman said on Tuesday. A prescription audit committee (PAC) in each district and sub-district hospital will be constituted, advisory will be issued for doctors and grievance redressal mechanism will be strengthened to check unethical practices, he said. "The prescription audit will be started at district hospitals and sub-district hospitals soon. The designated nodal officer at the health facility will collect one percent of the prescription copies of outpatient departments on random basis that will be audited by the PAC comprising officials from the administrative department, excluding the consultants," Atal Dulloo, the financial commissioner of Health and Medical Education Department, said in a meeting here. The key findings will be submitted to the chief medical officers concerned and routed to the administrative department through the Health Directorate, the spokesman said. "The audit of the prescriptions written by the doctors working in the government hospitals would be conducted to see whether the doctors are following the ethical guidelines and if found otherwise, action will be taken accordingly," Dullo said. He said the audit would also check any contravention to provisions of the Drug and Cosmetic Act and Regulations, unnecessary diagnostic tests and arbitrary referrals to higher centres. He also directed the officers to hold workshops to educate doctors about moral duties and responsibilities towards their patients and make them aware of what is covered in unethical acts and what constitutes a professional misconduct. Medical representatives will not be allowed inside the OPD to push their medicines in the prescription of the doctors, the spokesman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukrainian company hacked Russian military spies have hacked a Ukrainian gas company that is at the heart of an impeachment trial of President Trump, who sought last year to pressure Ukraine to investigate the company and its links to Joe Bidens son, according to a cybersecurity firm. Beginning in early November, the Russian spy agency known as the GRU launched a cyber phishing campaign against Burisma Holdings to trick unsuspecting employees into giving up their email credentials so the hackers could gain access to their email accounts once again entangling Moscow in domestic U.S. politics, according to Area 1 Security, a Redwood City, Calif., company. The operations launch coincided with a congressional impeachment inquiry into Trump and whether he abused his office by seeking to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing a probe of Burisma and Hunter Biden an action that conceivably would aid Trumps re-election bid. (Washington Post) Featured stories Top Senate Republicans reject Trumps renewed call for immediate dismissal of impeachment charges (Washington Post) Giuliani associate Lev Parnas turns over thousands of new documents to Congress (CNBC) Trump authorized Soleimanis killing 7 months ago, with conditions (NBC News) Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from Pentagon for border wall construction: report (The Hill) To the contrary, Trump has tried to weaken protections for pre-existing conditions (New York Times) National news Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., acknowledges the crowd during a campaign event last month in Boston. (Elise Amendola, Associated Press file photo)AP I thought a woman could win; he disagreed: Warren-Bernie feud escalates (Politico) Cory Booker ends 2020 presidential campaign (CNN) Treasury official pleads guilty to charge connected to leaks of Trump-related financial data (CNN) Mueller investigation witness pleads guilty to child sex crime charges (The Hill) Barr says shooting by Saudi national at Florida naval base was an act of terrorism (CBS News) Jersey City shooters had massive bomb that could have killed people 500 yards away, feds say (nj.com) Wisconsin judge holds election officials in contempt for defying purge of 209,000 voters (CBS News) Four firearms bills advance in Virginias newly gun-free Capitol (Washington Post) Shouldnt have to marry a sugar daddy: Teachers, outraged over pay, rally in Florida capital (USA Today) Supreme Court wont hear appeal of Michelle Carter, convicted of encouraging boyfriends death by suicide with text messages (NBC News) Gardner alleges racist conspiracy in federal civil rights lawsuit against St. Louis, police union (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Man allegedly stabbed eight people while on trail rampage in Colorado Springs (Denver Post) Parents allegedly left their toddler in a running car as they gambled. Then the car was stolen (CNN) World news Iranian leaders facing pressure at home and abroad as public anger mounts over downed plane (CNN) Collateral damage: Canadian CEO says narcissist Trump to blame after Iran downs Ukraine airliner (USA Today) Detained U.S. citizen dies in Egypt amid hunger strike (ABC News) Residents urged not to return home as Philippines volcano continues to spew ash, lava fountains (CNN) U.S. Treasury drops China currency manipulator label ahead of trade deal signing (Reuters) After quakes, Puerto Ricos electricity is back on for most, but uncertainty remains (NPR) Inter-Korean projects could help ease sanctions on North: South Koreas Moon (Reuters) Venice canals almost dry, two months after severe floods (BBC) LABOUR leader Brendan Howlin has ruled out working with Sinn Fein in government after the next general election citing issues with controlling forces in the party. Mr Howlin said that although Labour had worked with Sinn Fein on policy platforms such as housing and that it has very good people he has concerns about how the party is run. I do have difficulties with Sinn Fein in that I am not certain that the democratic leadership that we see in the Dail is actually the final arbiter of Sinn Fein, he said at Labours general election campaign launch on Tuesday. I think that there are other controlling forces that would cause problems to a party in government that would cause me anxiety to be honest with you. Expand Close Mary Lou McDonald said Sinn Fein have learned the lessons of the local elections (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary Lou McDonald said Sinn Fein have learned the lessons of the local elections (Brian Lawless/PA) He said he was not sure that these issues could be overcome in any programme for government talks. I think they would cause problems for the creation of the government I think they would cause problems for the maintenance of a government that was created. So I think there are still questions to be asked about the nature of control of Sinn Fein. He said Labour could not have the complete confidence that the democratic leadership that we see is the final decision-maker in that party. Although he ruled out Sinn Fein Mr Howlin appears willing to go into government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail after the election. Mr Howlin launched Labours campaign in its Dublin city centre headquarters by declaring he wanted a critical mass of TDs in the next Dail. The party is fielding 31 candidates across the country and wants to double its number of seats from seven to 14. "Fine Gael has wasted billions of euros when we need to invest, he said. "We need to stop wasting public money, build houses and fix health. He said people are really annoyed about the amount of taxpayers being spent on the 1.7bn National Childrens Hospital and the national broadband plan, which could cost up to 3bn. Labours redline issues in government would be commitments on housing, healthcare, climate change, working conditions and childcare. He specifically cited Labours policy to spend 16bn over five years to build 80,000 social and affordable houses as one it would seek to have implemented in government. Mr Howlin insisted one of his rivals for the leadership of Labour, Tipperary TD Alan Kelly, would play a pivotal role in the campaign. Mr Kelly was not present for the campaign launch. Crisdesalazine demonstrated significant improvement in cognition function in the primary outcome measure Crisdesalazine demonstrated significant improvement in dementia in the secondary outcome measures GNT Pharma has successfully completed a Phase III clinical trial for crisdesalazine, a new drug for treating canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome or Alzheimers disease. In the clinical study conducted with 48 companion dogs with severe cognitive dysfunction at 7 veterinary hospitals including Seoul National University Animal Hospital, crisdesalazine-treated group demonstrated outstanding and significant efficacy compared to the placebo group in canine cognitive dysfunction rating scale, the primary outcome measure, as well as in canine dementia scale, the secondary outcome measure. Efficacy was identified both at the 4-week and 8-week treatment in companion dogs that received 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of crisdesalazine. No adverse events were found in relation with the administration of crisdesalazine. Davis research group at the University of California reported that 28% of companion dogs aged 11~12 and 68% of such dogs aged 15~16 suffer from cognitive dysfunction. As lifespan of companion dogs increases thanks to the advancement in veterinary science and healthcare, their dementia prevalence rate is on the rise. But the increase in companion dogs with dementia is emerging as a serious socio-economic problem due to the unavailability of treatment for dogs with dementia. Crisdesalazine is a multi-target drug developed to provide strong antioxidant effect and safe anti-inflammatory action to prevent amyloid plaque, neurofibrillary tangle, and neurodegeneration that cause Alzheimers disease and companion dogs dementia. Earlier, scientists at GNT Pharma proved that crisdesalazine reduced amyloid plaques and neuronal death while improving cognitive function in the Alzheimers disease mice models. Demonstration of safety and outstanding efficacy of crisdesalazine in companion dogs with dementia is a groundbreaking outcome and we recently filed an application for the PCT patent, said Dr. Jin Hwan Lee, Head of GNT Pharma Animal Healthcare Division. We expect to complete its Phase II clinical study in 2~3 years for patients with Alzheimers disease, said Dr. Byoung Joo Gwag, CEO of GNT Pharma and inventor of crisdesalazine. We plan to submit an application to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in the second half year for the clinical study of crisdesalazine for treating Alzheimers disease. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005324/en/ [January 14, 2020] Putnam Investments Appoints Scott C. Sipple Head of Putnam Retail Management Putnam Investments today named Scott C. Sipple as Head of Putnam Retail Management (PRM), effective immediately. Sipple will be based in Boston and report to Putnam President and CEO Robert L. Reynolds. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005543/en/ Putnam Investments names Scott C. Sipple Head of Putnam Retail Management (Photo: Business Wire) Sipple, who had been serving as President of Great-West Investments, will be responsible for the full breadth of Putnam's retail mutual fund distribution business, including Regional Advisor Consulting, Relationship Management, Business Development and the firm's Client Enggement Center. Under Sipple's leadership, Putnam will further its efforts in addressing the evolving needs of wirehouses, regional and independent broker dealers, banks, insurance companies and RIAs across the country. "As a firm that places its clients first and foremost every day, we are very pleased to welcome Scott back to Putnam to lead the charge in serving the broad range of asset management needs of the retail marketplace," said Reynolds. "Scott brings extraordinary leadership experience to his new role, along with a thoughtful, results-driven approach that will ultimately help achieve successful outcomes for financial advisors and investors." Sipple, age 57, comes to the firm having been President of Great-West Investments, where he led Empower Retirement's efforts on investment, income and advice solutions within the retirement market. Earlier, he served as Head of Global Investment Strategies at Putnam Investments, where his responsibilities spanned the firm's U.S. retail, retirement and global institutional businesses. Additionally, Sipple had oversight of the investment strategies teams across equity, fixed income, and global asset allocation, as well as product development and strategy. He was also responsible for the Portfolio Solutions Group, capital markets analysis and wealth management advisory services during his 2009-2017 tenure at Putnam. From 2004 to 2009, Sipple held leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, including heading investment consulting services and subsequently the institutional bank division, providing retirement record-keeping and investment solutions to institutional banks. Before joining Fidelity, Sipple had leadership roles at AllianceBernstein from 1998 to 2004, including overseeing Regent Investors Services, global portfolio strategy and product management, and senior portfolio management. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College. Previously, Putnam Retail Management was led by William T. Connolly, who retired from the firm in December. About Putnam Investments Founded in 1937, Putnam Investments is a global money management firm with over 80 years of investment experience. At the end of December 2019, Putnam had $182 billion in assets under management. Putnam has offices in Boston, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney. For more information, visit putnam.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005543/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] When Washington imposed sanctions on companies, the move drew criticism not just from Russia but from Germany as well. The sanctions, targeting firms building the pipeline that will increase Gazproms export capacity for Europe, were seen as interference in Germanys internal affairs while the legislators who approved them saw them as a tool for deterring Russias energy influence in Europe. For some, however, the reason for the sanctions was the U.S.s own energy plans for Europe. The Trump administration is following an agenda of energy dominance, and this dominance has to include Europe, which is one of the biggest markets for natural gas and, whats more relevant to the U.S., liquefied natural gas. However, lessons from history, and thats a history of Gazprom, would suggest that the energy dominance approach wont work--not in Europe. Bloombergs Liam Denning recently reviewed a book by an IHS Markit expert on Russian energy, Thane Gustafson, titled The Bridge. The Bridge, according to Denning, contains, among other things, a cautionary tale for U.S. gas ambitions in Europe. The gist of it is that the European gas market is a lot more open and transparent than it used to be, and while this has served to reduce the influence of Gazprom on the continent, it has also served to deter anyone else that might want to try to take Gazproms place. The truth is that today, Europe has developed a continental gas network, and that network features LNG terminals. This means that many European countries are today a lot more flexible in their gas imports than they were 30 years ago, when Russia and Norway dominated the market. There is just one catch: the LNG has to be cheap enough to beat alternative supplies. Related:The Iran Crisis Is Far From Over Poland is already buying U.S. liquefied natural gas. The country is ready and willing to pay more if it has to, in order to reduce its dependence on Russian gas for a number of historical reasons. Yet last year Bulgaria, too, bought two cargos of U.S. LNG from Chenieres Sabine Pass liquefaction plant. According to the head of the state gas operator, the cargos were priced at the level of local benchmark prices. Even so, Poland and Bulgaria are small potatoes. Germany is the biggest gas market in Europe and it will become even bigger as the country aims to shut down all its remaining nuclear power plants by 2022. This is why Gazprom is building Nord Stream 2 with Angela Merkels blessing, after all. And this is why the U.S. is sanctioning it if we leave aside the ideology that every government uses to advance its purely pragmatic agenda. Germany imported $14.6 billion worth of natural gas in the first half of 2019. That was 14.8 percent higher than a year earlier, but the increase in volume terms was even greater: these came in at 2.66 million terajoules, which was 20 percent higher than the year-earlier period. Historically, most of the imported gas has come from Russia, followed by Norway and the Netherlands. Now that the Netherlands is shutting down its flagship Groningen field ahead of schedule, Germany will need more gas from Russia and Norway. It could import U.S. LNG as per a EU promise to President Trump, as long as the price is right, as the EU Energy Commissioner said last year. Yet because of the open and transparent nature of Europes gas market, Germany is also buying LNG from Russia. Just last month Novatek opened its first LNG fueling station in Germany. It is the first LNG station of the Russian company in Europe and could mark the start of a network. This is why energy dominance is a challenging goal in Europes gas market. The fact that Germany and others are building new LNG terminals does not obligate them to use these terminals for U.S. LNG. Qatar is right around the corner, so to speak, and so are Nigeria and Algeria both large LNG producers. Competition is intense and its out in the open. The victory that EU competition watchdogs achieved in their fight with Gazproms long-term contracts paved the way to the current competitive environment that leaves both Gazprom and U.S. LNG producers at the mercy of market forces. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: [January 14, 2020] US Venture Capital Investment Surpasses $130 Billion in 2019 for Second Consecutive Year SEATTLE, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- By the end of 2019, the venture industry deployed $136.5 billion in US-based companies, surpassing the $130 billion-mark for the second consecutive year, according to the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor, the authoritative quarterly report on venture capital activity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem jointly produced by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), with support from Silicon Valley Bank and Carta. Vast amounts of capital resources available continued to drive growth in deal sizes and valuations across all stages. Although venture-backed exit activity cooled off in 4Q, 2019 recorded the annual record for US VC exit value at $256.4 billion across 882 liquidity events. This unprecedented flow of capital back to general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs) should drive impressive return metrics, encourage more fundraising and increase allocation to VC. Similarly, dealmaking activity should see sustained support from the newly raised funds, as well as nontraditional VC investors attracted by the substantial cash flows. Nontraditional investors, such as sovereign wealth funds and family offices, are more involved in the venture industry than ever before, participating in 85% of the 252 mega-deals (deals over $100 million) recorded in 2019. Female-founded companies saw record activity on both a capital and count basis, and their share of VC dealmaking climbed to an all-time high. On the fundraising side, robust exit activity and increased fund sizes have contributed to drive fundraising to the second-highest annual total in the past decade, with $46.3 billion raised for US venture funds. To download the full report and data packs, please click here. PitchBook and NVCA will also be hosting a webinar in partnership with Silicon Valley Bank and Carta on February 4, 2020 from 9:00 10:00 am PDT. Please click here to register. "2019 showed that industry trends from the historic 2018 are the new normal for the venture industry, with mega-rounds and mega-funds becoming increasingly common trends in the startup ecosystem," said Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of NVCA. "While there are lingering uncertainties surrounding global macroeconomic trends, US public policies, and the 2020 election that could impact the industry, the flood of exit dollars going back to LPs, the robust fundraising environment, and large amounts of dry powder available at many venture firms should allow the industry to sustain this new level of investment activity in 2020." "Despite uncertainties about the sustainability of the unprecedented activity seen in 2018, this year kept pace and will undoubtedly leave its mark on the venture ecosystem," said John Gabbert, founder and CEO of PitchBook. "In 2019, we saw the highest exit value ever tracked, record capital deployed to female-founded startups and the most late-stage deals ever closed, to name a few. The continued proliferation of nontraditional investors participating in VC and the need for LPs to recycle distributed capital back into new VC funds should keep venture momentum strong heading into 2020." Investment Activity Venture capital deal activity in 2019 kept pace with record levels seen in 2018 for both count and value. Q4 2019 saw $34.2 billion invested across 2,215 deals, totaling $136.5 billion across 10,777 deals in 2019. One factor contributing to the record deal value seen in recent yeas is the increasing maturity of companies at all stages, underscored by a rise in early-stage mega deals. These transactions 53 completed in total represented nearly 25% of all VC mega-deals raised in the year. Another factor underpinning the strong deal value numbers is that investors still appear willing to deploy large sums when attractive opportunities are presented, despite fallout from disappointing IPOs and increased scrutiny of profitability for late-stage companies. Late-stage deal count surpassed 2,500 for the first time ever in 2019, with nearly 2,600 deals totaling more than $85 billion invested. This year also registered the new high for mega-deals at the late stage with 181 deals completed, up roughly 10% year-over-year. Investments with at least one nontraditional investor (hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and pensions) nearly surpassed $100 billion for the second consecutive year, helping drive deal value further. Exit Activity Exit activity in 4Q 2019 posted quarter-over-quarter declines for the second consecutive quarter on both a count and value basis, recording 174 exits totaling $18.8 billion. Despite the decline in activity during the back half of the year, 2019 now stands as the annual record for US VC exit value at $256.4 billion across 882 liquidity events. The largest exit in 4Q was PayPal's $4.0 billion acquisition of Honey Science, a successful exit for backers given the online shopping coupon platform raised only $37.7 million over five rounds prior. IPO activity has been the primary driver behind this record year of exit value, but this liquidity option had an especially tepid Q4. Lackluster post-IPO performance of many newly listed technology companies over the past six months likely put a damper on potential debutantes. Following the aftermarket price performance struggles from 2019 technology listings, healthcare IPOs dominated the 4Q roster. Nine of the 13 VC-backed IPOs from 4Q were healthcare IPOs, representing 69.2% of the total. Amidst scrutiny over the traditional IPO process, the direct listing option gained momentum in 2019 amongst VC investors and founders alike. Looking to 2020, many unicorns pursuing a transition to the public market will likely consider a direct listing. Fundraising Activity US venture funds raised $46.3 billion across 259 vehicles in 2019, reaching the second highest annual total in the past decade but posting well below the $58 billion raised in 2018. Despite fund count also seeing a decline from 2018 levels, VC funds have grown larger with the annual median fund size reaching $78.5 million in 2019. Strong distributions and lackluster contributions in the first quarter of 2019 resulted in elevated net cash flows, effectively pooling cash with LPs that are likely to recommit. This pattern could then push 2020 VC fundraising totals near 2018's historic figures. As the funding environment continues to shift, micro-funds (funds under $50 million) have become less desireable given the struggle to compete or maintain equity stakes, falling to their lowest annual levels in terms of value and volume since 2011. Larger funds allow GPs to write bigger checks and ultimately remain competitive when it comes to dealmaking. There was a notable increase in the volume of funds sized between $50 million and $250 million, commanding 43% of overall fund count in 2019. Twenty mega-funds closed in 2019 with the largest fund of the year being TCV's 10th Fund, a $3.2 billion vehicle that aims to invest in IT infrastructure and consumer internet companies. The full report will include the following components: Executive summary NVCA policy highlights Overview Angel, seed & first financings Early-stage VC Late-stage VC SVB: Resilience is the theme for 2020 Deals by region Deals by sector SVB: Global trade tensions create stressand opportunity Female founders Nontraditional investors Carta: How dual-class and single-class companies compare Exits Fundraising Methodology To download the full report, click here. About PitchBook PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity and M&A landscapeincluding public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits and people. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and London and serves over 32,500 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. About National Venture Capital Association The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers the next generation of American companies that will fuel the economy of tomorrow. As the voice of the US venture capital and startup community, NVCA advocates for public policy that supports the American entrepreneurial ecosystem. Serving the venture community as the preeminent trade association, NVCA arms the venture community for success, serving as the leading resource for venture capital data, practical education, peer-led initiatives, and networking. For more information about NVCA, please visit www.nvca.org. Additional Quotes Greg Becker, CEO of Silicon Valley Bank "The public markets are increasingly more discerning about the fundamental health of unicorns. Still, for recent IPOs, top-line growth remains highly correlated to a company's valuation. In fact, the public markets have continued to be receptive to high-growth companies with operating losses. Out of 21 US VC-backed tech IPOs in 2019, seven entered the public markets with a $10B+ market cap on the first day close, compared to just 2 in the previous three years combined. Of course, share prices have tumbled for some of these IPOs, an important reminder that that those seeking to go public shouldn't ignore the importance of demonstrating a clear path to profitability." Mischa Vaughn, Head of Editorial at Carta "In 2019, the machinations behind venture capital went mainstream. From direct listings and IPOs to subjects like dual-class share structures or 'supervoting' shares. Our analysis of single-class and dual-class companies provides new insights to help investors and founders understand the effects of these corporate decisions." View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-venture-capital-investment-surpasses-130-billion-in-2019-for-second-consecutive-year-300986237.html SOURCE PitchBook [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Burma Busy Schedule Awaits Chinese President Xi During His 2-Day Visit to Myanmar Chinese President Xi Jinping in December 2019. / REUTERS Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Myanmar on Friday for a two-day state visit. Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit Chinas southern neighbor in nearly two decades. However, this will be Xis second visit to Myanmar. He visited the country in 2009 as vice president. The business community in Myanmar is excited to welcome the Chinese president. Myanmar and China will sign several MOUs (memorandums of understanding) on key strategic projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijings ambitious infrastructure plan for the region. The itinerary for Xis Jan. 17-18 visit, seen by The Irrawaddy, shows a full schedule of events. He and his delegation will stay at the Horizon Lakeview Hotel in Naypyitaw. Myanmar President U Win Myint will receive President Xi in Naypyitaw. This meeting is a formality and will be brief. Xi will then hold talks with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the government, and this will be a working meeting. It is believed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will host a banquet for Xi and his delegation. Xi will also meet with Myanmar military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The venue is unknown but it will not be at army headquarters. It is believed that Xi has asked to meet some prominent Myanmar figures. A number of politicians, including opposition figures, and well-known monks are likely to be invited to meet him. Myanmar and Chinese leaders will attend a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. A ceremony launching the China-Myanmar Culture and Tourism Year will be held at this reception. To celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, a series of events are planned throughout this year to promote economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Lastly, Myanmar and Chinese leaders will attend a ceremony to sign trade agreements and announce increased cultural exchange and cooperation. The two sides are expected to sign dozens of agreements in the spheres of culture, politics and the economy, Chinese state newspaper Global Times quoted Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai as saying. During the visit, Xi will also try to kick-start stalled BRI projects in Myanmar. China is one of Myanmars largest trading partners. You may also like these stories: Options Fade for Last Hong Kong Campus Protesters as US Bill Angers China Chinese State Newspaper Blasts US Uighur Bill, Calls for Reprisals Chinese Presidents Upcoming Visit Seen as Bid to Gain Myanmar Leaders Commitment on BRI Projects This article is part of the multimedia feature website, The Stride Of Her Shoes, which documents the journeys of two young women, Raya and Deyana. Both are Syrian refugees actively pursuing safety and a better life. While their identities and experiences differ greatly from one another, taken together, their stories illustrate the infinite potential of a hopeful woman and the limitless stride of her shoes. To visit the full website, click here. Freedom! Freedom! We want freedom! The chants of thousands echoed around the streets of Madaya, Syria. At just eight years old, Raya Kamal didnt understand why people were filling up the streets of her hometown, waving flags and singing songs of rebellion. I dont know how the uprising started or why people were protesting, but it was like a carnival, says Kamal. I would run after everyone and sing along but my mum always ran after me and brought me home. I didnt understand why. She was afraid and I didnt understand that either. The year is 2011. The Syrian uprising was in its early stages, yet protests were already becoming bloody. One day, everything changed. Childhood interrupted The protests stopped and the only thing I could hear was the sound of guns and canons, Kamal recalls. My father told me the regime was waging war against our town. Kamal and her family immediately moved to Al Zabadani, the capital of their province. At the time, I didnt know the meaning of fear but I saw it with my own eyes the sound of screams and cries from people whose faces were completely covered with dust, says Kamal. Kamal was now a child of war her younger years permanently marked with the gruesome reality of death and despair. By 2013, air raids and canon bombings were a normal part of Kamals life. She got used to hearing the names of the dead being announced on the microphones everyday. One day, a bomb hit our neighbours house, Kamal recalls. At the time, the mother of the family was going to get some water for her children. Every single one of her family members were killed, including my friend. Escaping the inferno After this, Kamals father decided they needed to leave Syria. He called a man he knew with good connections in the army and, in exchange for money, he arranged for Kamal, her mother, and her siblings to go to Lebanon. My father couldnt come with us, so I went with my mother, brother, and sister, Kamal explains. We stopped several times because of the random fire shootings, but in the end, we reached the Lebanese border where another friend of my fathers was waiting for us. He kept us safe in his house until my father managed to come to Lebanon. However, after experiencing extreme racism and misfortune in Lebanon, Kamals father moved his family to Turkey. My dad called some smugglers and made an agreement with them to smuggle us from Lebanon, through Syria to Turkey, says Kamal. They smuggled us in cars. We changed cars several times in the process, until the last car kidnapped us and asked for a ransom. My father managed to get money from his friends, and the kidnappers left us in Idlib, Syria. It took Kamal and her family over a month to cross the border into Turkey. During Kamals time living in Turkey as a refugee, she experienced continual mistreatment insults were hurled at her as she walked down the street. As refugees, her mother and father could not legally work in the country, therefore, her family decided to leave everything behind and move to Greece. Kamal has been a refugee for over half of her life. However, she is determined to remain strong amidst adversity and focus on a hopeful future. Video courtesy of Raya Kamal. Kamals journey to Greece is a tangible representation of what millions of Syrian refugees have endured in an effort to find safety and refuge. Everyday was like a dream until I opened my eyes and found myself with my family and fifty other people on a boat in the middle of the sea. The waves were playing with our boat, hitting it from side to side. Most of the people in the boat were women and children; they were screaming and crying for help, Kamal recalls. When I finally touched land, I knew that I had a new life and God granted me another chance. Hope from hardship Now, Kamal is 16 years old. She has been a refugee for over half of her life. In the midst of adversity, she has learned English and volunteers in her refugee camp, helping children who have also fled war zones. Her goal is to support these children in processing the trauma they have endured. My entire childhood was lost in war, from moving and escaping from place to place, crossing borders, being kidnapped and threatened, and finally the sea and my hell in the Greek refugee camps, says Kamal. It was in this Greek refugee camp that Kamal met Gabby Gibbs, a Happy Caravan volunteer. Through her month of getting to know Kamal, Gibbs learned about her ultimate dream moving to Canada. You can read Gibbs detailed personal account of meeting Kamal here. Currently, Kamal and her family are living in a refugee camp in Osnabruck, Germany, with the goal of soon leaving Europe and immigrating to Canada. This dream is what Kamal holds onto amidst the trauma she has endured and is still enduring. Despite the poor living conditions, strict food rationing, and lack of available education in the current refugee camp she lives in, Kamal has hope. She sees Canada as fresh start a land of opportunity and freedom. Currently, Kamal lives in this German refugee camp with her parents and five siblings. Video courtesy of Raya Kamal. Currently, Kamal and her family dont have an official sponsor to aid them in the process of coming to Canada. The cant afford a personal immigration lawyer so they are left with the limited legal administration provided by the camp. Overall, Kamal and her family are trapped in a period of endless waiting. Despite this fact, Kamal remains hopeful and resilient. I am now stronger than ever and I have dreams to help and support every child in this world, says Kamal. Despite everything Ive been through, despair wont find a way to my heart. If you would like to help sponsor Raya and her familys journey to Canada, you can contact: gabbygibbs19@gmail.com or sgreen@cjournal.ca. If you would like to learn more about the process of a refugee coming to Canada, visit this link. Republish This Story Republish our articles for free under a Creative Commons license. President Moon Jae-in is holding his New Year's press conference on Tuesday. The 90-minute event, attended by over 200 members of local and foreign press, starts at 10 a.m. The president handpicked reporters to ask him questions, a format also used during last year's event. Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely were every inch the proud parents as they celebrated their son Dylan's 23rd birthday in Malibu on Monday. The actor, 66, appeared in high spirits as the couple arrived at Nobu for dinner with Dylan and his other son Paris, 18. Pierce was dressed to impress for the occasion, donning a blue trilby hat, navy blazer and corduroy trousers. Celebrations: Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely were every inch the proud parents as they celebrated their son Dylan's 23rd birthday in Malibu on Monday The iconic Bond star teamed the look with a black polka dot silk shirt and opted for comfort on his feet with sparkly blue trainers. Keely, 56, meanwhile, cut an elegant figure in a plunging black dress. Dylan and his long-term girlfriend Avery Wheless sported matching tan suede jackets and packed on the PDA as they headed into the restaurant- a popular celeb hotspot- with the rest of the family. Family outing: The couple arrived at Nobu for the family dinner with Dylan, his girlfriend Avery Wheless and Pierce's other son Paris, 18 Smart: Pierce was dressed to impress for the occasion, donning a blue trilby hat, navy blazer and corduroy trousers, while Dylan and his girlfriend sported matching suede jackets Pierce marked Dylan's birthday on Instagram with a throwback snap from his childhood. The actor captioned the snap: 'Happy Birthday dearest Dylan, Mom and Dad'. Meanwhile Keely wrote on her Instagram: 'Happy 23rd Birthday @dylan_brosnan. We are so proud of the young man you have become. Thank you for brightening our lives with your intellect, humor, creativity, compassion, kindness and music. May 2020 be your best year yet.' Pierce has been married to Keely since 2001. The Mamma Mia! star also has a stepson Christopher Brosnan, 46, whom he adopted when after he married his late first wife Cassandra Harris, and son Sean Brosnan, 35, from that same marriage. His stepdaughter Charlotte, whom he also adopted, died from ovarian cancer in 2013 at the age of 41. He has often been vocal about how Keely saved him from depression following his personal tragedies, describing her as a ' strength I wouldnt be able to live without.' The Irish-born star still has a fledgling career in Hollywood and has three new films that are either completed or in post-production that include: The King's Daughter, The Medusa and Across The River and Into The Trees. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Citigroup (C) Citi reported quarterly profit of $1.90 per share, 6 cents a share above estimates. Revenue also came in above Wall Street forecasts. The bank said growth in Citi's consumer business and a strong fixed-income performance helped drive results. Wells Fargo (WFC) Wells Fargo missed estimates on both the top and bottom lines, saying its expenses are too high and that it needs to become more efficient. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) The bank reported quarterly profit of $2.57 per share, beating the consensus estimate of $2.35 a share. Revenue also came in above estimates, boosted in part by strong results for fixed income. Delta Air Lines (DAL) The airline beat estimates by 30 cents a share, with quarterly profit of $1.70 per share. Revenue topped forecasts as well. CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC that the airline had a very strong holiday season and that Delta has had good success in de-commoditizing its business. GameStop (GME) GameStop said holiday season sales fell more than 25% and the videogame retailer also forecast a larger-than-expected drop in same-store sales for fiscal 2019. McKesson (MCK) McKesson raised its fiscal 2020 full-year outlook to $14.60 to $14.80 per share from the prior $14.00 to $14.60 a share. The drug distributor cited continued positive momentum in its business, and will give further details on its outlook at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco today. Amazon.com (AMZN) Amazon will ask a judge to block Microsoft (MSFT) from working on a $10 billion Pentagon cloud computing contract. Amazon is disputing the awarding of the contract, accusing President Donald Trump of exerting improper pressure on the Defense Department to favor Microsoft. Visa (V) Visa will buy privately held financial technology startup Plaid for $5.3 billion. Plaid's technology helps link bank accounts to mobile apps, and is behind popular services like Venmo. Boeing (BA) Boeing is offering very large discounts in order to keep orders for its currently grounded 737 Max jet, according to Britain's Telegraph newspaper. The paper said the discounts amount to more than 50%. Zumiez (ZUMZ) Zumiez reported holiday season comparable sales of 6.8%, with the specialty apparel retailer also raising its fourth-quarter guidance. Apple (AAPL) Apple was downgraded to "underweight" from "neutral" at Atlantic Equities, which said Apple's services and wearables businesses aren't likely to provide material upside. Sysco (SYY) Sysco was downgraded to "neutral" from "overweight" at Piper Sandler, following the announcement that the food distributor's CEO Tom Bene would step down on Jan. 31 after two years in that role. Wesco International (WCC) Wesco was upgraded to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC Capital, after the industrial products distributor won a bidding contest to buy networking products maker Anixter International (AXE) for $100 per share in cash and stock. As the talent gap intensifies, clients are leaning on us now more than ever before, and weve put in place Jill, Nick and Jennifer to lead our teams and client delivery, said Rich Diaz, President of Advanced Resources. Advanced Resources, a talent solutions organization, announced the recent addition and promotion of three Managing Directors to support its growing client demand for exceptional talent. Jill Winters, Nick Trowbridge, and Jennifer DAngelo are all serving in leadership positions in their respective areas of the organization. Among the fastest-growing areas of the business is the technology division which specializes in the healthcare industry. As Managing Director, Winters (http://www.linkedin.com/in/wintersjill/) will lead the HealthTECH practice in the Midwest. She will be focused on enabling clients in this space to optimize their resources to drive better patient outcomes and improve the overall patient experience. Winters is known for her entrepreneurial, collaborative approach to maximizing revenue and profit growth. She comes to Advanced Resources from the Evanston Group, where she served as Sales Director. Trowbridge (http://www.linkedin.com/in/ntrowbridge/) will serve as Managing Director of the Direct Hire group, a newly created role to better meet clients needs to fill permanent positions across the Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Supply Chain & Logistics, and Office/Administration industries. Trowbridge was promoted to his new position after serving as Director of Human Resources Search and will head the companys heightened focus on providing direct hire solutions for incredibly hard-to-find leadership and niche skill sets. DAngelo (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenpass10/) was promoted to Managing Director after serving as Division Director of the Human Resources group. Advanced Resources has served the talent needs of the HR community for more than 30 years, and during DAngelos time with the company she has provided countless HR leaders with best-in-class human capital solutions. DAngelo is passionate about contributing to the HR community, whether it be through making introductions or through her individual and team participation with various associations, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, DisruptHR, STAR Chicago, HRMAC, SHRM, SourceCon, and the HRA of Greater Oak Brook. As the talent gap intensifies, clients are leaning on us now more than ever before, and weve put in place Jill, Nick and Jennifer to lead our teams and client delivery, said Rich Diaz, President of Advanced Resources. In particular, technology in the healthcare and life sciences space is exploding and we need the right teams to manage to this growth. We are thrilled to have this group stepping up and paving the way in delivering talent solutions to our clients. About Advanced Resources Advanced Resources is a talent solutions organization headquartered in Chicago providing staffing, consulting, and workforce solutions nationwide. Our goal is to help people move their careers forward and help businesses solve their most complex challenges. By placing our team, clients, and talent first, every day we make a difference. For more information, visit http://www.advancedresources.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kamps, Inc. ("Kamps" or the "Company") announced today that it has sold a majority interest in the Company to Freeman Spogli & Company. Founder and CEO Bernie Kamps will continue to lead the Company and remains a significant shareholder. Other members of the Company's management team, including President Mitchell Kamps, Chief Corporate Officer Brad Rietema, VP of Northern Operations Justin Kamps and CFO Phil Minster also participated in the transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, Kamps is one of the largest pallet management service providers in North America. Founded in 1973 by CEO Bernie Kamps, the Company provides nationwide pallet management services through a network of 25 company-owned and operated facilities and commercial partnerships with 60+ national pallet partners. Pallet management and on-site services represent the entire suite of customized services needed to serve a customer's pallet management needs and includes the acquisition, disposition, sorting, repair and return of pallets as well as the management of a customer's pallet inventory within its facility network. Kamps manages over 100 million pallets annually and serves over 1,800 customers with recurring needs for pallet management services in diverse end markets including the e-commerce, retail, food & beverage, industrial, logistics and distribution industries. "We are excited to announce our partnership with Kamps, whose best-in-class service and high-quality operations have contributed to the Company's remarkable success over the last 46 years," said Jon Ralph, a partner at Freeman Spogli. "The Kamps family has successfully grown the Company from a small regional operation to a recognized national competitor in the pallet management sector. We look forward to partnering with them and their exceptional management team during this next phase of the Company's growth." CEO Bernie Kamps added, "We are thrilled to partner with Freeman Spogli, whose extensive expertise in the value-added distribution sector will be an invaluable resource to the Company as we continue to pursue strategic initiatives in new and existing markets and capitalize on our multiple growth opportunities." Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP acted as the legal advisor to Freeman Spogli & Company. Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey, P.L.C. acted as the legal advisor to the Company. Lincoln International acted as lead financial advisor to the Company. Debt financing for the acquisition was provided by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., Adams Street Partners, LLC, and Comerica, Inc. About Kamps Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, Kamps is a leading pallet management service provider in the United States managing more than 100 million pallets per year and providing nationwide service to over 1,800 customers through a network of 25 company-owned facilities and commercial partnerships with 60+ national pallet partners. Visit https://www.kampspallets.com for more information. About Freeman Spogli & Co. Freeman Spogli & Co. is a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to investing in and partnering with management in consumer and distribution companies in the United States. Since its founding in 1983, Freeman Spogli has invested over $4.7 billion in 63 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of over $24 billion, and is currently making investments from FS Equity Partners VIII, L.P. Freeman Spogli has offices in Los Angeles and New York. For additional information, visit www.freemanspogli.com. SOURCE Freeman Spogli & Co. Related Links http://www.freemanspogli.com Got a spare loonie? With a new promotion from low-cost airline Swoop, that single dollar is enough to cover the base air fare for several one-way flights within Canada, including a few to and from Winnipeg. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Got a spare loonie? With a new promotion from low-cost airline Swoop, that single dollar is enough to cover the base air fare for several one-way flights within Canada, including a few to and from Winnipeg. The ludicrously low-priced roster includes one flight from Winnipeg to Victoria for $38, and the lowest of the low is a flight from Abbotsford, B.C., to Hamilton, which costs a grand total of $12 once fees and taxes are accounted for. Flights from Winnipeg to Edmonton, Abbotsford, London (Ontario), and Kelowna are all available for $38, and trips from the Manitoba capital to Las Vegas, Orlando, and Los Cabos are each priced under $100. Comparatively, a flight from Winnipeg to Kelowna next month costs somewhere in the $260-$330 range, while a WestJet flight to Orlando in the same time period costs at least $650. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The airline does charge extra for checked baggage as well as a minimum of $36 each way for carry-on luggage. Plus, the sale blacks out most long-weekend dates and most of the summer: June 25 through Labour Day. Budget travellers started searching your couch cushions for spare change, so much so that the Swoop site appeared to crash Tuesday afternoon. "This sale not only gives Canadians more opportunities to explore North America, but also speaks to our continued commitment to making air travel more affordable and accessible," the airline's president, Steven Greenway said in a release sent out Tuesday. Swoop is putting up 100,000 seats as part of its promotion, which runs from Jan. 14 through Jan. 21. The seat sale applies only for trips booked for between Feb. 4 and Oct. 24 of this year. Swoop, which launched in 2018, is an independently operated airline under the WestJet umbrella. It offers flights to 12 Canadian, six American and five international destinations. ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca DETROIT -- Police say a Michigan man tried to force his wifes vehicle into a highway barrier before barricading himself in a home. According to the Michigan State Police Metro South Post, the bizarre incident began around 5:20 p.m. on Jan. 13 when troopers responded to the area of I-96 and Beech Daly Road. A preliminary investigation revealed that the female victim was driving eastbound on I-96 when she and her husband began arguing. During the argument, he allegedly grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to force their car into the wall on I-96. The victim was able to get the car stopped and fled to another vehicle and asked to be driven to a police station where troopers later interviewed her. Troopers learned that the man was in a house in the 17000 block of Cooley Street in Detroit, however, the suspect barricaded himself in the home and refused to come out. After several hours the man emerged from the home after he spoke with his mother, police said. He was taken into custody. He will be lodged at the Detroit Detention Center pending prosecutor review. No one was injured in the incident, police said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (pictured in July 2019) oversaw the signing of deals worth nearly $23 billion AFP/Handout The investments will be made through a new Indonesian sovereign wealth fund set to also involve Japan's Softbank and US International Development Finance Corporation, Jakarta said, without elaborating. The figure includes nearly a dozen deals signed after a meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi over the weekend, Widodo said on social media. About US$12.6 billion was linked to an agreement between Indonesia's state energy firm Pertamina and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to develop a petrochemical plant in West Java, according to Indonesia's foreign ministry. Other investments include deals in ports, renewable energy and agriculture. Indonesia's leader has said he will focus his second term on luring more foreign investment to Southeast Asia's biggest economy and keep up a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure drive. Jakarta said the agreements could include investment in Indonesia's planned new capital on the island of Borneo as it moves away from congested Jakarta - one of the fastest sinking cities on Earth. Zayed was asked to be an advisor for the development of the new capital, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan. They have been married for three years and share son Santiago, 18 months. And Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Baston appeared as loved-up as ever as they strolled hand-in-hand while heading for dinner at Mr Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills. The actress, 44, cut a chic figure as she stepped out in a figure-hugging knitted dress, which boasted white striped sections around the cuffs and hemline. Dinner date: Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Baston appeared as loved-up as ever as they strolled hand-in-hand while heading for dinner at Mr Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills Desperate Housewives star Eva kept it simple and rocked the high-necked midi number with a pair of suede knee-high boots and black tights. Eva was toting a gift bag in her hand as she strolled into the restaurant, suggesting the couple were heading to meet pals for a celebratory dinner. The mother-of-one opted for subtle touches of make-up to complement her pretty features, while styling her raven tresses in soft, glamorous waves. Glam: The actress, 44, cut a chic figure as she stepped out in a figure-hugging knitted dress, which boasted white striped sections around the cuffs and hemline Celebrations? Eva was toting a gift bag in her hand as she strolled into the restaurant, suggesting the couple were heading to meet pals for a celebratory dinner Although their son Santiago appeared to have stayed at home during the evening, he was still in their thoughts as she wore a chain baring his name around her neck. Meanwhile, Jose looked smart for their dinner as he donned a pair of navy chinos, paired with a similarly coloured jumper, padded gilet and scarf. Eva and husband of three years Jose first met when a mutual friend set them up on a blind date in Mexico City in 2015. Hot mama! The mother-of-one opted for subtle touches of make-up to complement her pretty features, while styling her raven tresses in soft, glamorous waves She got engaged to the television executive in December 2015, and the couple married in Mexico in May 2016. Eva and her husband welcomed their son Santiago in June 2018 and she has since revealed that having a child aged 43 was 'meant to be'. In an interview with Parents Latina's August/September 2019 Issue, Eva said: 'He was meant to be with me at this stage in my life.' Dapper: Meanwhile, Jose looked smart for their dinner as he donned a pair of navy chinos, paired with a similarly coloured jumper, padded gilet and scarf During the New Years Eve holiday, Eva and Santiago left Jose behind in Los Angeles so they could vacation in Cabo. Eva documented the trip on her Instagram page, including various pictures of herself posing in designer swimwear. The pair stayed at the Nobu resort located in the popular vacation destination, along some of Eva's female friends and family. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly did not join the royal's Sandringham summit by phone on Monday to discuss future plans for her family. A source told the PA news agency: "In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn't necessary for the duchess to join." ITV News' royal correspondent Chris Ship also said a palace aide had confirmed Meghan did not join the conversation remotely from Canada. The meeting, which was attended by the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, was held to discuss the future of Meghan and Harry's roles in the royal family following their decision to step down. Following the meeting, the Palace issued a statement on behalf of the Queen announcing there would be a period of transition that will see the couple split their time between the UK and Canada. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family," the statement continued. World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Show all 24 1 /24 World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Italy World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Argentina World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Brazil World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Chile World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. The couple revealed their decision to step away from their senior royal roles on Wednesday. Meghan flew to Canada shortly after, where she rejoined the couple's son Archie Harrison, who is thought to have remained there since the family's Christmas trip. Reports that Meghan did not join the meeting at Sandringham follows rumours she would phone-in via Skype or Face Time to discuss how hers and Harry's royal roles would change in the future. Recommended Priti Patel says Meghan Markle has not faced racist media coverage Ship clarified: "The earlier guidance at the weekend had been that it was expected that the Duchess of Sussex would join the Family summit by phone from Canada. "She flew back there last week after making the statement with Harry that they wanted out. Archie is with her on Vancouver Island." Buckingham Palace offered no comment on the matter when approached by The Independent. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and business partner Platon Lebedev were denied their right to a fair trial in the case of their conviction by a Russian court for embezzlement and money laundering. The Strasbourg-based court said on January 14 that it did not find any political motives in the criminal prosecution of Lebedev or Khodorkovsky, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's main opponents, and that no compensation would be ordered. Khodorkovsky, who ran oil giant Yukos, once Russia's largest company, was convicted of financial crimes at two trials that he and his supporters contend were engineered by the Kremlin to punish him for challenges to President Vladimir Putin and increase the Kremlin's control over oil export revenues. "The court considers that the finding of a violation constitutes in itself sufficient just satisfaction for the nonpecuniary damage sustained by the applicants," the ECHR said in its judgment. Khodorkovsky welcomed the ruling in a statement on Facebook. "Today, an important conclusion was drawn on the international criminal law assessment of the 'Yukos case,'" Khodorkovsky wrote. "Following six consecutive decisions by the ECHR on all aspects of the process, it has now been recognized that the Russian authorities actions against me and my colleagues were not a 'fair trial.' Vadim Klyuvgant, a lawyer for Khodorkovsky, was quoted by Interfax as saying the defense was "satisfied" with the outcome, though in light of the ruling Khodorkovsky may appeal to the Russian Supreme Court over his second sentence. "The defense was discriminated against and denied the possibility to bring in its witnesses and specialists during the proceedings, Klyuvgant said. "I think these conclusions are sufficient for agreeing with us that the sentence was fictitious," he added. Yukos was dismantled after Khodokovsky's 2003 arrest and its main production assets were sold at auction and ended up in the hands of state oil company Rosneft. Once Russia's richest man, Khodorkovsky spent 10 years in prison before he was released and left Russia after being pardoned by Putin in 2013. Khodorkovsky lives in exile in London and now runs a project called the Civil Society Support Group in Russia. The endeavor is part of Khodorkovsky's effort to unseat Putin from power. With reporting by Interfax German police are conducting raids on suspected Islamist militants in four states, over allegations they have been plotting a "serious violent act endangering the state," prosecutors say. "The searches are ongoing and relate to suspects of Chechen origin from the Islamist scene," the attorney general's office in Berlin tweeted on January 14. Police were raiding properties in the capital, Berlin, the surrounding state of Brandenburg, as well as in North Rhine Westphalia and Thuringia. The alleged militants are aged between 23 and 28 and "suspected of having scouted locations for a possible Islamist attack," Berlin police said in a statement. The statement said that according to current information, "there was not yet any concrete danger of an attack." A spokesman for Berlin prosecutors later said authorities acted after discovering photographs, including of a synagogue and a shopping mall, on one suspect's cellphone during a police check, AP reported. German authorities are on high alert for Islamist threats after the country suffered several attacks in recent years, including a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead. The attacker, a Tunisian asylum seeker, was later shot dead by police in Italy while on the run. Germany has since thwarted nine attacks believed to have radical Islamist motives, according to the Federal Crime Office. Based on reporting by dpa and AFP The staff and management of Nigerias Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) between 2016 and 2017 helped themselves with several irregular and unapproved allowances totalling N6.8 billion, a recently released audit report has revealed. These infractions were recorded during the reign of Usman Yusuf, the controversially sacked NHIS Executive Secretary, according to the 2017 Annual Audit from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF). The report adds a new layer to the barrage of allegations of fraudulent activities that tainted Mr Yusufs trenure. Illegal allowances The 2017 report, which is the latest by the auditor-general, listed several irregular allowances within the period under review. They include Upfront Allowance; Upfront differential Allowance; 13th Month Salary Allowance; Pre-retirement Overseas Training Allowance; and Sitting Allowance. The above payments totalling N4.9 billion violated Public Service Rule 130102, as they are not part of the allowances listed as payable to officers in the Federal Public Service, the report found. The OAGF submission revealed that these allowances were paid without providing approvals of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, contravening the act of the commission. The report said differential payment is illegal and alien to the public service. Another N1.8 billion was paid to staff as administrative allowances; Children Education Allowances; and domestic allowances. These payments were not approved by the relevant authorities, contravening 2004 circular which states that all self-funded federal Parastatals and Agencies which wish to monetise their fringe benefits should always submit the proposal package to the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for necessary evaluation and approval before implementation. Shocking sleaze? Besides irregular payments to staff, the report said the federal health insurance office engaged in at least another 13 illegal financial dealings amounting to N748 million during the period under review. READ ALSO: The scheme spent a total of 355 million on capital projects which were not appropriated for in 2016 and 2017 Capital Appropriation Act a practice contrary to Financial Regulations 417, a further breakdown of the document revealed. According to the report, NHIS also spent 161 million on International travels without any evidence of approval by the Head of Service of the Federation. Similarly, 20 million was paid to retiring officers to attend pre-retirement workshops outside Nigeria. The report said further examinations revealed there was no letter of invitation/admission or certificates of attendance from the various institutions where the conferences and training were held. NHIS Head Office used to illustrate the issue. Also, there were no air tickets and visas attached to prove that the officers embarked on the training. The NHIS was equally accused of paying N72 million and N31. million respectively for the verification and accreditation of Health Maintenance Organizations without any form of evidence to confirm if the verification and accreditation exercises took place. The report observed that several vehicles were illegally allocated to the Executive Secretary, his personal aides and allies. The AOGF highlighted several extant regulations contravened by the aforementioned irregular financial dealings. It recommended a total refund in most cases. Agency steeped in fraud The 2017 OAGF report has shed more light into several accusations of fraud that characterised Mr Yusufs reign at the NHIS. In his three-year stint (2016 to 2019), the controversial official was sent on suspension twice within a year; accused of fraud, gross misconduct, insubordination and continuous infighting with staff and management of the scheme. In November 2018, the governing board of NHIS raised an alarm that the agency was near a tipping point and may collapse within the next three years. Advertisements Reached by phone on Monday, Mr Yusuf dismissed a PREMIUM TIMES reporter and the audit report using expletives. But even before Mr Yusuf, monumental fraud, opacity and impunity had become standard practice at the NHIS, a PREMIUM TIMES 2018 report revealed. The 2016 annual report from the OAGF revealed that billions of naira were unaccounted for by the management of the NHIS in the previous seven years. The NHIS, which was meant to reduce out-of-pocket spending on health, has remained stuck due to fraud and controversies as indicated in the OAGF report. It has also faced technical, legal and administrative challenges. A decade-and-a-half after its inception, the NHIS covers only about five per cent of the Nigerian population, mostly civil servants. While millions of Nigerians remain uncovered, the few enrolled under the scheme complain of poor service delivery. Reformer on board? As at press time, Ayo Osinlu, the NHIS spokesperson, had not returned nor responded to calls and text messages seeking clarification from the scheme over the new findings. Meanwhile, the scheme appears to be moving on from its dark days. After the axe fell on Mr Yusuf last June, Mohammed Sambo who was appointed as his replacement, has been taking steps to get the scheme back on track. In his maiden interaction with staff and management of the NHIS, the new Executive Secretary revealed his three-point agenda for the scheme. They include restoring value system that will transform NHIS into a credible result-driven organisation, he said. This he said, would resolve the crisis and restore public confidence in the scheme. Mr Sambo, a professor of Health Policy and Management, has also been engaging with several stakeholders in the scheme. It would be a rare first-time government that heads into an election year without having lost some paint along the way. But one-term governments are relatively rare, even as the electorate becomes more willing to switch allegiances from one party to the other, so conventional wisdom would still favour Mark McGowan and Labor in the run-up to the next state election in March 2021. Mark McGowan is fast approaching an election year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Almost three years into this term of government, the Premier has a handful of points in the 'positive' column which could see him nose across the line. And while the negatives have been busy accumulating, Liza Harvey and her Liberal colleagues have been working to pull their act together. Sources said the minor girl had earlier attempted to commit suicide after her parents did not allow her to attend annual function of her school. BHUBANESWAR: A teenaged girl committed suicide in Odishas Sambalpur district, reportedly after being insisted by her mother to seriously pursue her studies for upcoming matriculation examination, reports said on Monday. According to report, the Class 10 student was busy with other activities, instead of her studies. She took extreme step allegedly after her mother asked her to concentrate on studies, to perform well in the upcoming matriculation examination. Reportedly, she entered into bathroom and did not come out for a long time. The family members broke open the door and found her hanging from a pipe inside the bathroom. On receiving information, Dhanupali police reached the house and sent the body for autopsy. Sources said the minor girl had earlier attempted to commit suicide after her parents did not allow her to attend annual function of her school. In another development, bodies of a man and his sister-in-law were on Monday recovered from a house at Nuabandha village under Patna police limits in Keonjhar district. Sources said a few locals came to know about the deaths in the morning and immediately called up Patna police. The cops reached the spot and began investigating the incident. The reason for the deaths is yet to be ascertained. Dr. Alan Meltzer Speaks on Dental Implants at the Dentium World Symposium Their design also optimizes the bone-to-implant contact for more predictable and safer immediate loading of single and full arch restorations. Dr. Alan Meltzer, a board-certified periodontist in Voorhees Township, NJ, recently spoke on the latest advancements in dental implants at the Dentium World Symposium in Guangzhou, China. Dr. Meltzer routinely travels to lecture at events and symposiums around the world in addition to offering periodontal and dental implant solutions at his practice, Advanced Oral Specialty Group. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Meltzer has placed over 25,000 dental implants and completed over 1,000 full mouth dental implant cases. The two-day Dentium World Symposium, held in November, had over 1,500 clinicians in attendance and focused on new techniques and digital innovation in implantology for predictable and effective dental implant treatment. Dr. Meltzers lecture, titled The Use of the SuperLine Implant in Challenging Situations: Full Arch and Single Tooth Immediate Restorations, discussed the advantages of using advanced techniques and technologies in complex implant cases to improve long-term results. The unique double-thread, tapered SuperLine dental implants improve initial stability after surgical placement in the bone. Their design also optimizes the bone-to-implant contact for more predictable and safer immediate loading of single and full arch restorations. These dental implants can offer better performance and long-term results for more challenging cases, improving recovery, implant strength and stability, and overall success of treatment. Dr. Alan Meltzer and his associate, board-certified periodontist, Dr. Mina Ebrahimi, are experienced in comprehensive dental implant treatment for patients with challenging situations who require such solutions as SuperLine implant systems. The two periodontists offer the full scope of periodontal treatments and implant dentistry, including gum disease treatment, periodontal plastic surgery, same-day dental implants, and full mouth dental implant solutions. In their state-of-the-art facility in Voorhees Township, NJ, the periodontists use cutting-edge technology, including dental lasers, CBCT scanning, Navident guided surgery, and anesthesia options to provide virtually painless, predictable, and long-lasting treatments. Those considering dental implants in Voorhees Township, NJ are encouraged to contact Advanced Oral Specialty Group to schedule a personalized consultation with either periodontist. The practice can be reached by visiting http://www.dralanmeltzer.com or calling 856-772-9444. About the Practice Advanced Oral Specialty Group is a periodontal practice serving the Voorhees Township, NJ area with specialized treatments including same-day dental implants, full mouth dental implants and periodontal plastic surgery. Dedicated to personalized care, they are driven to offer truly custom, long-lasting results in a comfortable environment. Dr. Alan Meltzer is a board-certified periodontist with over 35 years of experience. A national and international speaker, he is also a Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Having placed over 25,000 dental implants and over 1,000 full arches of new teeth, he is an authority in implantology. Also a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Mina Ebrahimi received her training in Periodontics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where she is now a Clinical Assistant Professor. Always offering modern treatments with cutting-edge technology, Advanced Oral Specialty Group offers laser periodontics and minimally invasive gum recession treatmentthe Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique. Patients interested in dental implants can receive all-inclusive care from a board-certified periodontist, board-certified anesthesiologist and on-site dental laboratory technician. To learn more about Dr. Meltzer, Dr. Ebrahimi, their practice or the treatments they offer, visit http://www.dralanmeltzer.com or call 856-772-9444 to schedule a personalized consultation. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images In a press conference on Monday, Attorney General William Barr criticized Apple for not providing substantive assistance with an investigation into last months mass shooting in Pensacola, Florida. The comments are the latest escalation in a dispute between the government and tech companies over the strong security used on devices like iPhones. They echo a dispute from four years ago in which Apple also found itself at odds with a federal investigation. On December 6, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani killed three sailors and wounded eight others. Alshamrani was a Saudi Air Force cadet training with the American military. According to the New York Times, he had posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadist social-media messages, some within hours of attacking the base. The shooter also used an iPhone, and Barr wants Apple to help him unlock it and access its contents. Apple, however, does not want to do that, because building a tool that can be used at will for breaking into iPhones basically makes the companys security worthless. For high-profile cases deemed acts of terrorism, this stance puts it in a precarious position. Apple does assist with law-enforcement investigations, turning over any data the company has in its possession, which usually means iCloud data stored on Apples servers. For instance, if you back up your iPhone to the cloud, Apple might turn over that backup. Unlocking devices is a different story, however. In the wake of the 2016 San Bernardino shooting, the FBI sued Apple to try to compel the company to create a tool that would let it bypass a phones lock screen (the case cited the All Writs Act of 1789, which I have to believe was not crafted with computer-based encryption in mind). Apple refused, and CEO Tim Cook wrote an open letter that boils down to this: If we break security on one phone, we would be breaking security on all of our phones. The implications of the governments demands are chilling, he wrote. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyones device to capture their data. Until the FBI found a third-party tool that allowed investigators to access the shooters phone, the case seemed headed for the Supreme Court. The FBI was arguing that, if Apple refused to bypass the iPhones security measures, the company was possibly abetting terrorism. But if Apple did provide access, it would have made all of the companys claims about its devices security worthless (and Apple cares a lot about selling those devices). The lawsuit also had substantial First Amendment implications: If the government compels the creation of certain computer code, is that the same as compelling a certain type of speech? It now looks as if Apple and the federal government are headed for another legal battle, though it will take place in a notably different legal landscape than that of early 2016. There are a new president and new attorney general, and the makeup of the Supreme Court has shifted. Whatever happens with Apples encryption fight will also ripple throughout the tech industry. Last year, Facebook announced plans to eventually encrypt all of its messaging services, making messages readable only by their senders and recipients. The future is private, Mark Zuckerberg declared. In 2016, the other major tech players, like Google and Microsoft, backed Apple. Yesterday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella declined to talk about the specifics of the Apple case but did tell reporters that back doors [for law enforcement] are a terrible idea. It has been 15 years since armed raiders forced Rawda Yusufs family to flee to Chad from their village in Sudans North Darfur state. Since then, home has dominated her thoughts but returning has not been easy. Her ordeal began one afternoon during harvest season in Kurgei West village. I went outside to see what was happening and saw armed men, recalls the 42-year-old. There were clouds of smoke and a lot of commotion. She fled the attack with her two children. Over 600,000 refugees have fled the conflict in Sudans Darfur region, which began in 2003. Half went to Chad and a further 1.9 million are internally displaced people (IDPs) within Sudan itself. The signing of a Tripartite Agreement in 2017 between UNHCR, Sudan and Chad signaled hope for Rawda and thousands of Sudans displaced. "My land was occupied by other people." Now a mother of four, Rawda opted to return home last November. I saw it as a new beginning for myself and my children, says Rawda, who hoped to resume her life as a farmer. But fears of insecurity and lack of basic services meant she is living, for now, in a camp in Sudan for IDPs. When we arrived in Sudan, I was ready to go back home but I was informed by neighbours who had returned to my village that my land was occupied by other people, she says. Rawda is among some nearly 4,000 Sudanese refugees who have returned from Chad since 2017. But a lack of basic services such as hospitals, water and schools has made it harder to rebuild their lives and fears of further attacks persist. The country also hosts over 1.1 million refugees most of them from South Sudan. Resources are needed for refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Sudan also continues to receive new arrivals. The number of refugees from CAR to remote parts of South and Central Darfur States grew from just over 5,000 to nearly 17,000 in the last quarter of 2019. Sudan already faces a severe economic crisis which has strained the generosity of host communities because local resources are scarce. UNHCR has launched a funding appeal for US$477 million for the refugee response. UNHCR, along with over 30 partners, is appealing for more international support to support peacebuilding and help millions of displaced as well as their generous hosts across Sudan. "Sudan has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers but also struggles with its own internal displacement, while facing a severe economic crisis. Our call comes at a time when the country is going through a historical political transition, and requires international solidarity to achieve peace and stability," said UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch. Last year, UNHCRs operation in Sudan was one of the most under resourced in the world with only 32 per cent funds being available out of the needed US$269 million. One of the many tents pitched along the Grand canal Picture: Arthur Carron A homeless man with his tent across from the Hilton Hotel in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron A RAMSHACKLE tent stands pitched outside one of the swankiest hotels in the capital. Inside the luxury Hilton hotel in Dublins Rathmines, guests are wined and dined and can put their heads down in peace and comfort. Shivering in the tent struggles 55-year-old John, who pitches what he calls his home each night and takes it down every morning so he can go and beg or forage for food. This chronic contrast sums up a deepening homelessness crisis gripping the country a calamitous chasm between the Haves and the Have Nots. Groups working with the homeless reveal to the Sunday World today that the situation is set to get worse, with 3,500 evictions before the courts. A large number of those people will soon be joining John. He tells us he originally hails from Kilbarrack on the citys northside and has been in and out of trouble ever since he was a young fellow. In his softly spoken voice he catalogues how he started off smoking weed and how his life spiralled out of control into hard drugs such as heroin. He took to shoplifting to feed his habit and ended up in Mountjoy prison. John got married but split up with his wife. He once had a job in a phone shop but for the past 10 years he has been living on the streets. The hostels didnt really suit me, as theyre full of young kids and a lot of them are on drugs and there are a lot of robberies in them, he explains. You would have to tie anything down or put it in a safe, so I tend to stay away from all that. He has slept in countless doorways, which has been an ordeal during bad weather. For the past year or so hes been living in tents. That has caused its own problems. Youngsters tried to set my tents on fire when I was on Dame Street, up near Trinity College, he recalls. They set boxes on fire outside the tent around one in the morning. Someone told me and I got out and put it out. If I had of been asleep or anything it would have went up. He then pitched his tent by the canal opposite the Hilton, as he knew it was safer as there was a taxi rank nearby and lots of people passing. He and another homeless man, Darren, became pals and Darren pitched his tent next to Johns. But shortly before Christmas when they went out to a shop to buy a few bits and pieces one afternoon they discovered that their tents had been removed and all their belongings, including precious family photographs,had vanished. The two lads soon learned from a cabdriver on the nearby taxi rank that the tents had been taken by Dublin City Council workers in one of their trucks. Expand Close 9/1/20 Somebody living in a tent on the baks of the Grand canal near Ranelagh in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 9/1/20 Somebody living in a tent on the baks of the Grand canal near Ranelagh in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron. They didnt even ask me to move, like can you not put your tent there?, muses John. They just took it behind my back and dumped it. He had the tent for eight months and now has been given a new one. Despite obvious holes in it, John finds refuge. Its better in a tent than sleeping out in the cold in the street, he reflects. It takes a bit of the elements off you and a bit of the cold away from you, so its a bit better than sleeping out. Its not really that safe on the streets anyway. He maintains theres a growing problem with drugs, particularly crack cocaine and heroin, which can only lead to more crime on the streets. There is a major epidemic of crack in this city, he contends. It costs 20 for a small bit, which lasts about two minutes. I saw one woman about two months ago having sex in a church with a young fellow for a crack pipe, thats how bad the epidemic is. Its a major, dangerous drug and the streets are becoming more dangerous because of it." John has had a girlfriend for the past 23 years, but they cant get accommodation together. The hotel [Hilton] is very good to us, he perks up when asked if they have a problem with him. They let us use the toilet and they have no problem with us. We keep it clean. I take away any rubbish away that previous people have left. John spent Christmas in his tent, away from family, which he found hard. I was thinking of my family, he says sadly, wiping away a tear. But you cant really blame God for your own predicament; it was drink and drugs that led me to fall into things. Selfless pensioner Theresa Kelly spends most of her spare time trying to help impoverished people on the capitals northside. Expand Close 9/1/20 Theresa Kelly, Helping Hands, speaking to reporter Eugene Masterson at her home in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 9/1/20 Theresa Kelly, Helping Hands, speaking to reporter Eugene Masterson at her home in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron. She and her group, Helping Hands, run two shops in the Edenmore shopping centre. In recent years she has reached out to the homeless, and she believes the situation is now a crisis. There are four men living intents in this area, she discloses. One has been released from prison and is very quiet. Hes had a bad background. Its not for us to cast aspersions on them. The younger lad is mid 30s,the others are in their 40s and 50s. Her group supplies them with tents, sleeping bags and food. There are also eight men on the beach between Clontarf and Dollymount, she adds. We sent down food to them. They are sleeping in the open, believe it or not. There are others in St Annes [park in Raheny] in sleeping bags and tents, about 12 of them there. I know one man who lives in a cave in a wall, he climbs into it. Thats over near Rathmines. They are living in the bushes in Stephens Green, they are living in the Phoenix Park. A lot of them come from industrial schools, she notes. Theres one man in particular, he wont talk to men, he will only talk to women. Theres others that wont let you approach them, you have to put their stuff near them and they get it when you go. There is something in their life they are either running from, or just dont want to be part of society anymore and this is just how they choose to live. She praises Brother Kevin of the Capuchin centre in Smithfield, which given meals to upwards of 800 homeless people each day. Theres also The Little Flower on Meath Street, which does dinners for 25 cent, Focus Ireland runs a cafe, while theres a place on Amiens Street that serves meals for a euro. Anthony Flynn and Brian McLoughlin help run the Inner City Helping Homeless agency. Chief executive Anthony is pessimistic about the future. We have a system thats in absolute turmoil, its crazy, he exclaims. Up to 3,500 evictions are before the courts and unless we see rent caps initiated and put in place, we will see more and more people enter homelessness. Flood geologists have attempted to reconcile and interpret the geological features of the earth with the events of the global flood narrated in Genesis 6-9. According to some diluvial geologists, some features on the earth's surface were as a result of a worldwide flood. Some of the early geologists claim that the Noachian deluge resulted in the formation of boulder clay deposits which are still evident today. However, modern geologists have increasingly found evidence to the contrary and have rejected the Genesis flood as the cause such landforms as erratic boulders. Definition and Origin of the term Diluvium Historically, the term diluvium was used to refer to superficial deposits that were formed as a result of the flood-like operation of water on the surface of the earth. The term appeared for the first time in a book by geologists William Phillips and William Conybeare titled Outline of Geology of Wales and England. In this book, Conybeare describes how a deluge that led to the last great geological change exposed the surface of the earth and left behind debris which he referred to as diluvium in Latin. However, in the 20th century, Alexei Rudoy, a Russian geologist, suggested the term diluvium as deposits that are formed as a result of glacial lake outburst flood of the giant Pleistocene glacier-dammed lakes in the Altai region. The definition of the term remains a big debate among geologists with the majority supporting Rudoys definition. Thus diluvium consists of boulders, gravel, sand, and loam all mixed by a powerful current of water. Possible Causes of Diluvium Diluvium is common throughout the greater part of the US and other parts of the world. The phenomena have generally been attributed to the general deluge. However, some of the geologists have acknowledged that the formation process may have been occasioned by the events of the bible. According to generally accepted theory, the diluvium resulted from different floods and produced by elevation of rock strata at a different period. The Altai Flood During the Pleistocene Ice Age, almost all the intermountain depressions in northern Mongolia and Southern Siberia had glacier-dammed lakes. However, due to climate change, the lakes were filled with water leading to a large glacial outburst flood. The lake outbursts were characterized by cataclysmic features. As a result, giant gravel ripples of up to 18 meters high were created in different places at the bottom of the lake. Some of these gravel ripples developed east of the Tyetyo River in Kuray Basin. Another feature formed as a result of the flooding is the giant bars which are common along the lower Katun and Chuya Rivers. The bars are as high as 3,000 meters above the current river levels. Gravels deposited along the Katun Valley do not have a stratigraphic structure, indicating that they were deposited directly after the suspension in a turbulent flow. Other common features include ice-crafted blocks which are several meters large and eddy deposits which are common along the Katun River between Mali Yolaman and Inya. EDWARDSVILLE Report cards recently released by the state show academic progress for one local school district, while student attendance is said to be an area of improvement. Overall, our academic scores were high as well as our student growth which is important to us and what we want to see, said Superintendent of Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7, Jason Henderson. The reports include various rough summaries and evaluations of each school district in the state as well as information on state averages. As far as academics in District 7, growth percentile a measure of student growth from one year to the next in English Language Arts (ELA) was 44 percent while growth in math was 52 percent from the year prior. While the ELA growth is slightly lower than the state average compared to last year, the district narrowly scored higher than the states average in math. The district also beat the state average in math and science growth, both by about 20 percent. While District 7 shows academic improvement, Henderson said the district is working to improve upon student attendance rates. We need to work on the chronic absenteeism and try to find ways to motivate the students, mainly high school students, he explained. In 2018, a chronic absenteeism rate among students was 15 percent but dropped to 12 percent in 2019. Illinois law defines chronic absentee as a student who misses 10 percent of school days within an academic year with or without a valid excuse, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Thats 18 days of an average 180-day school year. Its website says that chronic absentees are at risk of academic and social problems. In an effort to increase student attendance, Henderson said a number of projects he is working on with the Board of Education are geared toward motivating the students to want to learn. Henderson said part of the reason he wants to implement more technology into the classrooms is not in an effort to replace teachers but rather the way learning takes place. We dont utilize technology the way it should be, he said. Aside from technology, Henderson explained that increasing opportunities offered by the schools and district as a whole can also help combat the absentee issue. Those opportunities include trade and technical studies geared toward high school students who may not be seeking undergraduate studies. Increasing opportunities for our students is important, Henderson said. We realize that not everyone is wanting to go to a four-year university. SYRACUSE, NY - SUNY Upstate Medical Universitys annual economic impact has grown to $2.5 billion, a 50 percent increase over the past decade, according to a new study. The study by Tripp Umbach, a national consulting firm, shows Upstate directly and indirectly supported more than 18,000 jobs across the state in 2018. Upstate commissioned the study. The estimate of Upstates economic impact includes capital improvements, expenditures, salaries and dollars generated by students, patients and visitors, according to the study released today by Upstate. Here are some highlights: Upstate employs nearly 11,000 people, making it the areas largest employer. The academic medical centers annual payroll is $625 million. Since 2008, Upstates economic impact grew from $1.67 billion annually to $2.5 billion, employment grew 30 percent, revenue grew from $86 million to $160.4 million. Upstates economic impact goes far beyond our payroll, Dr. Mantosh Dewan, Upstates interim president said in a prepared statement. Our roles in the SUNY system helps bring in state dollars that are valuable to the Central New York economy and stir additional growth, spending and economic prosperity." James T. Mulder covers health news. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. The after effects of bushfires along with the impact of drought could lead to a shortage of avocados. Riba Kai cafe owner Brett Fawcett said the rampant bushfires and drought had caused avocado supplies to dip - including in Queensland where more than half of Australia's avocados are grown. 'Our wholesale supplier tries to get our produce as local as possible,' Mr Fawcett told the Sunshine Coast Daily. Drought, bushfires and a growing demand will likely lead to higher prices for avocados and avocado based products in 2020 (stock image) A Sunshine Coast fresh produce businessman said drought had already taken a heavy toll on avocado supply and now bushfire had made things even more dire 'But we can't get our avocados from Western Australia at the moment so the supplier is trying to have some imported from New Zealand. 'We're contemplating putting a surcharge on avocado but we've got to work out how to do that without impacting our customer too much.' He also sighted high demand and low supply as a reason for an expected increase in the price of avocado and avocado based products. Some avocado farmers in Western Australia have reportedly lost upwards of 40 per cent of their current crops due to the extreme weather. Apple and avocado grower Vic Grozotis was one of the farmers to lose almost half their crop which will impact heavily on their next yield. 'While this year's mature avocado crop wasn't affected, the new avocado flowers for the next season have been affected,' he said. 'With the combination of cold nights, we won't know the damage until February.' Avocado grower Travis Luzny echoed the sentiments of Mr Grozotis and said the full scope of the impact won't be known until at least February. A 2018 study by Nuffield Scholar Dudley Mitchell focused on the growing demand and dwindling supply of avocados and also concluded prices would likely rise if not addressed As drought ravaged farmland in Australia the bushfires came in and razed large swaths of the country added to the supply and demand issues around avocados 'It really is an unknown until next season but at least weve had no issue thats affected this years crops,' he told The West Australian. A 2018 study by Nuffield Scholar and avocado farm manager Dudley Mitchell also focused on the growing demand and dwindling supply. 'The Australian avocado industry is approaching a tipping point where supply could outstrip domestic demand and in the absence of any significant export activity, producers could face declining profitability,' the study read. The study also sighted an increase in land prices and decreasing availability to good quality water as negatives impacting the market. As a result a Strategic Investment Plan with the goal of creating a 10% increase in productivity per unit land area. The gross value of avocado production for the 2018/19 season was calculated at $483 million with an export value of $19.6 million. Lev Parnas arrives at Federal Court on December 17, 2019 in New York City. Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani, appears in court on Tuesday as federal prosecutors seek to have his bail revoked for allegedly concealing a $1 million payment they say he received from Russia before his arrest. A trove of new evidence in the impeachment case against President Donald Trump will be delivered to the Senate by the House Judiciary Committee, according to several House committee chairs who announced the news Tuesday. The evidence includes new text messages and phone records from Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian American business partner of Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer. The trove also includes a letter Giuliani addressed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday, May 13th or Tuesday May 14th," Giuliani wrote in the May 10 letter. "I will need no more than a half-hour of your time and I will be accompanied by my colleague Victoria Toensing, a distinguished American attorney who is very familiar with this matter," Giuliani wrote. Parnas texted a copy of that draft letter to a Zelenskiy aide, according to House Democrats. That meeting was apparently canceled, but Parnas continued to try to schedule a meeting with Zelenskiy. The documents shed new light on the president's level of involvement in Giuliani's efforts last spring to pressure the Ukrainian government to open investigations into Trump's political rivals. They also reveal that Trump personally agreed to let his former attorney, John Dowd, take on Parnas and his associate, Igor Fruman, as legal clients after the two were arrested in October on campaign finance charges. The new information provided by Parnas, which includes copies of handwritten letters, phone records and other back-channel communications with foreign officials, was made public a day before the House votes to send the articles to the Senate for Trump's impeachment trial. The trial could begin as early as next Tuesday, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The Democrat-led House Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees say that the 59 pages of records made public Tuesday night represent only a tiny fraction of the total number of documents that Parnas turned over. The rest of the trove, some of which they said contains sensitive information, will be made available to members of relevant committees in the House, to members of the Senate and to the White House. Democrats launched impeachment proceedings in the House in late 2019 to investigate Trump's efforts to have Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine and not Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Trump asked Zelenskiy to announce the probes while hundreds of millions of dollars in congressionally allocated military aid to Ukraine were being withheld without clear explanation. "Despite the President's unprecedented and sweeping obstruction of our impeachment inquiry, we have continued to collect additional evidence relevant to the President's scheme to abuse his power by pressing Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election for the President's benefit," House Committee chairmen Jerrold Nadler, Adam Schiff, Carolyn Maloney and Eliot Engel said in a joint statement. Some of that evidence includes screenshots of Parnas' notes, written by hand on letterhead for the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Vienna, Austria. As part of what appears to be a typo-ridden to-do list, Parnas wrote, "get Zalensky to Annouce that the Biden case will Be Investigated." On another page, Parnas wrote, "Get rid of Lenny Davis (nicely)," referring to Lanny Davis, a former criminal defense attorney for indicted Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash. Davis, who now represents Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, told CNBC in a phone call: "I've never met, or knew about, Parnas until he surfaced after I stopped working for Mr. Firtash. I have no knowledge of the man." Davis adds that he worked for Firtash "exclusively as a criminal defense lawyer, and also correcting the public record, but never approaching politics." "That was a red line for me, and I am sad about Mr. Firtash's current situation," he said. "All of this new evidence confirms what we already know: the President and his associates pressured Ukrainian officials to announce investigations that would benefit the President politically," the Democratic chairmen said in their statement. "There cannot be a full and fair trial in the Senate without the documents that President Trump is refusing to provide to Congress." Trump has insisted throughout the impeachment inquiry that he had little knowledge of Giuliani's Ukraine dealings. As recently as last November, Trump was asked by former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly what Giuliani was doing in Ukraine on Trump's behalf. Trump replied that had no idea. "You have to ask that to Rudy, but Rudy, I don't, I don't even know. I know he was going to go to Ukraine and I think he canceled a trip. But, you know, Rudy has other clients other than me. I'm one person," Trump told O'Reilly. Giuliani has done "a lot of work in Ukraine over the years, and I think, I mean, that's what I heard, I might have even read that someplace," Trump said. He also claimed not to know about Parnas and Fruman, who were working with Giuliani to press Ukraine officials into helping Trump by damaging Biden, Trump's 2020 presidential rival. "I don't know those gentlemen," Trump said of Parnas and Fruman last October, after they were arrested at an airport carrying one-way plane tickets out of the U.S. "Now, it's possible I have a picture with them because I have a picture with everybody," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Somebody said there may be a picture or something at a fundraiser or somewhere. But I have pictures with everybody ... I don't know, maybe they were clients of Rudy. You'd have to ask Rudy." But an email between Dowd and Trump's personal attorney Jay Sekulow, released Tuesday as part of the cache of new evidence, suggests Trump knew the two Giuliani associates previously. "John, I have discussed the issue of representation with the President," Sekulow wrote to Dowd on Oct. 2 eight days before Trump denied knowing Parnas and Fruman. "The President consents to allowing your representation of Mr. Parnas and Mr. Fruman," Sekulow wrote. Thankfully, the crisis provoked by the US killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani has not escalated into a full-scale war. In that sense, there has been de-escalation, BBC writes in the article Iran plane downing: Five reasons why the US-Iran crisis is not over. But none of the basic factors that led these two countries to the brink of war have changed. Here's why this crisis is far from over. First. De-escalation is only temporary Iran's leaders - shocked to their very core by the killing of Soleimani - did what they could to strike back. Iran wanted to respond by hitting US targets and it wanted the address of the sender to be clear. Thus, it used missiles fired from within its own territory. But there were practical and political constraints on its actions. It wanted to do something quickly. It was off-balance. And it did not want to start an all-out war. This account, as many Iranian spokesmen have made clear, is not closed. It has also been suggested that Iran's willingness to admit responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane is another effort to de-escalate tensions. This is wrong. Iran's natural response was to deny any involvement. But when the Americans claimed its intelligence proved the contrary, when Ukrainian investigators found evidence of a missile strike, and when independent investigators proved the veracity of video that showed a plane being shot down, Iran had little choice but to change tack. Just a few months ago, there was a wave of protests against corruption and the collapsing economy. Look how quickly protests have been revived. This is about damage limitation at home not de-escalation with the Americans. Second. US policy is not changing Why did the US kill Soleimani and attempt to strike at a second senior Iranian official in Yemen? It has claimed - perhaps for legal reasons - that it was acting to prevent a serious imminent attack against US interests. This argument has not convinced many analysts or the president's critics in Washington. It is much more likely that the attacks were an attempt to re-establish some clear line of deterrence. In the short-term this may work. Iran is going to have to calibrate its future actions very carefully. The US will continue to cripple the Iranian economy. But it has not brought Tehran to the negotiating table to capitulate. Rather, it has emboldened Iran to strike back by mounting a maximum pressure campaign of its own. The US wants to double down on Tehran and significantly reduce the resources it deploys to the region. It probably cannot have both. Third. Iran's strategic goals remain the same Iran's economy may be creaking and many of its citizens may be increasingly unhappy, but this is a "revolutionary regime". It is not suddenly going to abandon power. Groups like Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are far too strong. Their response has been to clamp down at home and to push back against US pressure. That will continue. Iran's strategic goal is to push the US out of the region, at least in Iraq, and this may be closer to being realised than it was before Soleimani's killing. From the Iranian authorities' perspective at least, Tehran's policy has had many notable successes. It has saved President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and enabled it to open up a new front against Israel. It has a significant influence in Iraq. Because of the contradictions in President Trump's policy, US allies in the region feel increasingly on their own. The Saudis have been exploring a low-level dialogue with Tehran; Turkey is going its own way and establishing a new relationship with Russia. Forth. There are contradictions in Iraq's position The sign pointing to the exit for US troops in Iraq is now looking bolder and brighter than ever. Iraq's provisional government is in crisis having suffered its own wave of popular protest. Many people are unhappy with both the US presence and Iran's influence in the country. A non-binding parliamentary vote has put the issue of a US troop withdrawal firmly on the agenda. This does not mean that the US forces are on their way out tomorrow, but it will require some deft diplomacy to keep them there. Instead, President Trump has threatened to freeze Iraqi government funds in US banks if they force the Americans out. The US involvement in Iraq matters. When their forces and their allies took on the fighters of Islamic State (banned in Russia) in Iraq it was always seen as a long-term deployment. Once the IS caliphate was destroyed, it was expected US forces would remain there for years. If they are ejected, it makes it much harder to contain any IS resurgence. But it would also make the remaining US presence in eastern Syria untenable because this is largely supported from US bases in Iraq. The debate on the US troop presence is only just beginning - and it is one that if the US loses, Iran probably wins. Fifth. The nuclear deal is in real trouble The roots of this latest crisis go back to May 2018 when the Trump Administration abandoned the Iran nuclear deal. Since then, the US has been applying maximum pressure on Iran's economy and Iran has been pursuing a regional pressure campaign of its own by successively renouncing various restrictions imposed by the agreement. If the deal is not dead, then the only reason it remains alive is that nobody other than President Trump is willing to see it collapse. Unless something changes, then it is the beginning of the end. The deal matters. Prior to the agreement, there was a very real risk of war - with Israel (or perhaps the US and Israel in tandem) likely to attack Iran's nuclear infrastructure. There seems to be no way, despite European efforts, to relieve the economic pressure on Tehran. Eventually the agreement may collapse and, in the meantime, Iran may get closer to sprinting towards the bomb. CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market by Type (Carbon 13, D, Oxygen 18, N15), Application (Research, Clinical Diagnostics, Industrial), End User (Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies, Academic institute), Region Global Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period to reach USD 312 million by 2024 from USD 269 million in 2019. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=53034199 The Factors such as the increase in research activities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, rising proteomics research, and the rising prevalence of cancer. The H-2 labeled compounds segment accounted for the largest share of the Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market. Based on type, the stable isotope labeled compounds industry is segmented into C-13, N-15, O-18, H-2 (deuterium), and other isotopes. The H-2 labeled compounds segment accounted for the largest share of the stable isotope-labeled compounds market in 2019. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increasing pharmaceutical research conducted using deuterium and the growing nuclear industry. This growth in this segment is driven primarily by increasing drug research in the pharmaceutical industry and the rising availability of deuterium-labeled compounds. Browse in-depth TOC on "Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market" 118 Tables 21 Figures 135 Pages The research segment accounted for the largest share of the Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market in 2019. Based on application, the Stable Isotope Labeled Compound Market is segmented into research, clinical diagnostics, industrial applications, and other applications. The research segment accounted for the largest share of the stable isotope-labeled compounds market in 2019, owing to rising research activities in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental & ecological, and agricultural sectors. Get 10% Customization on this Research Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=53034199 North America to dominate the stable isotope labeled compounds systems industry during the forecast period In 2019, North America dominated the Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds Market, followed by Europe. The major factors driving the growth of this market include the growth of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, the large nuclear industry in the US, the growth of the Canadian pharmaceutical industry, and the availability of funding in North American countries. The prominent players in this market include PerkinElmer Inc. (US), Merck KGaA (Germany), Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (US), URENCO Limited (UK), IsoSciences, LLC (US), Medical Isotopes, Inc. (US), Omicron Biochemicals, Inc. (US), Trace Sciences International (US), Alsachim (France), Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (Japan), and Rotem Industries Israel Ltd. (Israel). Browse Adjacent Markets: Pharmaceuticals Market Research Reports & Consulting Get Special Pricing on Bundle Reports: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/RequestBundleReport.asp?id=53034199 Browse Related Reports: Nuclear Medicine/ Radiopharmaceuticals Market by Type (Diagnostic (SPECT (Technetium), PET (F-18)), Therapeutic (Beta Emitters (I-131), Alpha Emitters, Brachytherapy(Y-90))), Application (Oncology, Thyroid, Cardiology) - Global Forecasts to 2023 Nuclear Imaging Equipment Market by Product (SPECT (Hybrid SPECT, Standalone SPECT), Hybrid PET, Planar Scintigraphy), Application (Oncology, Cardiology & Neurology), End user (Hospitals, Imaging Centers) - Global Forecasts to 2021 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 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. 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MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" 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. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/stable-isotope-labeling-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/stable-isotope-labeling.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets The two may not have spoken yet, but could Nusli Wadias withdrawal of defamation case against Ratan Tata lead to a possible reconciliation between the two corporate titans? It is a good first step, but too soon to talk about mending ties, say industry watchers. The development though has also led to another important question. Given the close ties that the three families - the third being the Mistrys - had for over a century, will the latest development have any bearing on the dispute between Cyrus Mistry and Tata Sons? "It is too early to say now and extremely difficult to predict what could happen," says a senior executive close to the Tata Group. "At the same time, it is one positive development that has come about, since the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) judgement in December," added another top official from the industry. The NCLAT had reinstated Cyrus Mistry as the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the conglomerate. The order had also termed the appointment of present Chairman N Chandrasekaran, illegal. Later, in the first week of January, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde heard the defamation case that the Wadia chairman had filed in 2016, soon after he was ousted from the board of Tata Sons. Wadia had been vocal in his support for Mistry. The bench asked Wadia and Tata to talk and settle the matter. "Can you not settle it? You are both mature people. Why cant you end this? You are both leaders in your own right," the Chief Justice is reported to have said. Reports, and sources, say that the two stalwarts have not spoken to each other, and their legal teams settled the matter. But surely, added one of the executives quoted above, the push would have come from the top. Consequently, on January 13, the Wadia Group Chairman withdrew the defamation suit against Tata. The decision by the Indian-born British Parsi businessman came after Tata told the Supreme Court that he did not intend to defame Wadia. The Wadia Group Chairman had sought damages of Rs 3,000 crore. Family ties The three families share a rich legacy. The Pallonji Group, which was founded in 1865, built some of the most iconic Tata buildings, including the Taj Mahal Tower. Mistrys grandfather is said to have played a pivotal role in the construction of units for Tata Steel and Tata Motors. Apart from the 18.7 percent stake in Tata Sons, the Mistry family also had a stake in Nowrojee Wadia & Co, which owned 7 percent shares of Bombay Dyeing, the Wadia Group flagship. In the 1970s, when Neville Wadia - Nuslis father - wanted to sell Bombay Dyeing, the move was supported by Pallonji Mistry, father of Cyrus. But it was JRD Tata, the then Chairman of Tata Sons, who helped the junior Wadia prevent the sale. Nusli Wadia would return the favour when Ratan Tata took over at Tata Sons, helping the latter stamp control over the Group that had several satraps. Their friendship turned sour when it was clear that Wadia, after initial reluctance, had formed a rapport with Cyrus Mistry. At present, it may be a tall order for anyone from the three families to resolve the ongoing tussle. It is the courts that have taken the lead. The Supreme Court, which had set aside NCLATs decision on January 10 , will hear the matter in four weeks. A former US Treasury Department adviser pleaded guilty in a federal court on Monday to conspiracy for disclosing sensitive financial transaction reports related to people linked to the Russia probe, including former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office had alleged that the official, Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards, leaked the documents, known as Suspicious Activity Reports, to a reporter whom CNN has previously identified as working for BuzzFeed News. "I transmitted a file containing or disclosing the existence of a SAR," Edwards, 41, said in court Monday. "I am sorry for what I have done and I apologize to you, your honour, and the court," she added. Prosecutors alleged in the court documents that for about a year beginning in the fall of 2017, Edwards leaked reports concerning Manafort, his business associate Rick Gates, the Russian Embassy and convicted Russian spy Maria Butina, among others. Edwards, who was charged in October 2018, initially pleaded not guilty in January 2019 and was set to go to trial in March of this year. Prosecutors had filed two charges against her: one count of unauthorized disclosure of Suspicious Activity Reports and the other count of conspiracy to make such unauthorised disclosures. The second charge to which she pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The type of report prosecutors accused Edwards of leaking is filed confidentially by banks and other financial institutions to the flag for law-enforcement entities what they believe are possibly illegal transactions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian judiciary's spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said 'extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested', without giving the name of those arrested Tehran: Iran's judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran last week. The announcement came amid an upswell of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the downing of the jetliner last Wednesday and apparent attempts by senior officials in Iran to cover up the cause of the crash. Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane, acknowledged only on Saturday three days after and in the face of mounting evidence that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said "extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested." His statement on the judiciary's website did not say how many individuals had been detained or name them. Iran's president on Tuesday also called for a special court to be set up to probe the incident. "The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts," President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran. "This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court." Rouhani called the incident "a painful and unforgivable" mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case "by all means." "The responsibility falls on more than just one person," he said, adding that those found culpable "should be punished." "There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly," he said, without elaborating. Iran shot down the plane as its forces were on alert for possible US retaliation after Iran launched ballistic missiles on two military bases housing US troops in Iraq. No one was hurt in that attack, which was carried out in response to the stunning killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike in Baghdad. While Rouhani pointed to mistakes and negligence, he also repeated the government's line that the tragedy was ultimately rooted in US aggression. "It was the US that made for an agitated environment. It was the US that created an unusual situation. It was the US that threatened and took our beloved (Soleimani)," he said. Rouhani called the government's admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a "first good step." He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian plane's flight recorder, the so-called black box, have sent it to France for analysis. The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians including many Iranians with dual citizenship and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant. General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guard's aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the shootdown. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane, "I wished I was dead." The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for US military retaliation. The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the country's leadership. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. Also Tuesday, Iran's judiciary said that 30 people had been detained in the protests, and that some were released, without elaborating further. An Iranian film director who'd called for protests in Tehran's Azadi, or Freedom, Square is among those released. Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening. He's said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane shootdown and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest. Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador on Sunday to protest what it said was his presence at an illegal protest. Britain, in turn, summoned Iran's ambassador on Monday "to convey our strong objections" over the weekend arrest. Washington, Jan 14 : The US has dropped its designation of China as a currency manipulator, according to a report by the US Treasury Department. In its semi-annual Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the US, the Treasury Department on Monday said no major US trading partner at this time met the relevant legislative criteria for currency manipulation, Xinhua reported. Noting that the department assessed developments over the last several months with China and its currency practices, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability." Mark Sobel, US chairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum, an independent think tank, said on Twitter that this is "good news," calling the designation "blatant" and "errant" political act. "China shouldn't have been designated to start with," said Sobel, who was the US representative at the IMF, and served as deputy assistant secretary at the US Treasury Department. He noted China's current account surplus is small as a share of GDP, and there is "scant intervention." Amid heightened trade tensions, the US Treasury Department decided to label China a currency manipulator in August, drawing strong criticism from domestic and abroad, with many calling the designation groundless and irresponsible. OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary F. Moore, M.D. F.A.C.S. is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Achiever in the field of medicine as a Doctor in Neurotology. Dr. Moore also has expertise in Otolaryngology, skull vase surgery, balance, hearing loss, and facial nerve function. Dr. Moore is a physician at Central Plains ENT & Audiology. He specializes in neurotology and skull base surgery. This includes the evaluation and treatment of skull base tumors, balance disorders causing dizziness, facial nerve disorders, all types of hearing loss, and tinnitus. In addition to this role, he is a Full Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has been on the faculty at UNMC since 1983, serving as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Vice Chairman, and Interim Chairman. To prepare for his career, Dr. Moore attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he received a Bachelor of Science (BS). For medical studies, he earned a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1979. He then completed a residency in surgery at Des Moines Veterans Hospital from 1979 to 1980, transitioning to UN Medical Center for a residency in otolaryngology- head and neck surgery from 1980 to 1983 and to the University of Zurich in Switzerland for a fellowship in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery in 1988. Offering his expertise across multiple states, he received a medical license in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. A frontrunner in his field, Dr. Moore is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF), American Neurotology Society (ANS), and Triological Society. A charter member of the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS), he serves as a member of the Metro Omaha Medical Association, Nebraska Medical Association (NMA), Nebraska Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Omaha Midwest Clinical Society, Acoustic Neuroma Association (ANA), North and Prosper Meniere Society. He maintains hospital affiliations with the Midwest Surgical Hospital, Methodist Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Luke's Midland Regional Medical Center, Regional West Medical Center, and Boys Town Research Institute. A noted humanitarian, he volunteers at Countryside Community Church and Habitat for Humanity, serving on The Board of Directors of the Nebraska Foundation and the Board of Trustees for UNL- UNMC - UNO - UNK Campaign for Nebraska. On top of these accomplishments, Dr. Moore has received numerous awards such as the Honor Award for Teaching by AAO-HNSF, Outstanding Achievement Award by the AOA Spring Convocation, Physician's Recognition Award by AMA, and Merit Award for Scientific Display How Well Presented by Omaha Mid-West Clinical Society. An academic scholar, he has published numerous works such as "Utilization of preoperative cerebrospinal fluid drain in skull base surgery" and "Long-Term Surgical Results for Glomus Temporale Tumors". Dr. Moore is married to Iris J. Moore, M.D. FACS. They have three children together. Dr. Moore dedicates this recognition in loving memory of Lyal Leibrock, M.D., the program chairman of Neurosurgery for the University of Nebraska, Professor Fisch, Head of the ENT Department in Zurich, Switzerland, and to his wife, Iris Moore, M.D., F.A.C.S. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com TreeHouse Foods, Inc. THS and Post Holdings POST mutually decided to pull the plug on their deal, as part of which the former would sell its ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal business to the latter. Also, in a separate press release, TreeHouse Foods inked a deal to offload two of its in-store bakery facilities to Rich Products Corporation, which is likely to help the former focus on core growth areas. Notably, the transaction with Rich Products is expected to conclude by Apr 10, 2020. Shares of TreeHouse Foods gained 2.3% in yesterdays trading session. More on the Developments TreeHouse Foods and Post Holdings dismissed their deal for the RTE cereal business as a result of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) complaint (filed on Dec 19) opposing the transaction. The contract was originally penned in May 2019. The RTE cereal business is a component of TreeHouse Foods Baked Goods unit. Nevertheless, alongside announcing the termination of this deal, TreeHouse Foods revealed intentions to restart the marketing process for the sale of the RTE cereal business. Moreover, the company is on track to divest two of its in-store bakery facilities (housed in Minnesota and California) to a family-owned firm Rich Products. These facilities produce breads, rolls and cakes for in-store retail bakeries as well as foodservice customers. Can Portfolio Refinement Aid Stock? TreeHouse Foods has long been struggling with its Baked Goods segment. Sales in the segment fell 6.7% year over year in the third quarter of 2019 due to SKU rationalization efforts, adverse volume/mix and fluctuating currency rates. In fact, the company has a weak top-line trend. We note that the third-quarter 2019 results marked its tenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales decline. These downsides have also caused this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock to decline close to 20% in a year against the industrys growth of 15%. Story continues Nevertheless, the company has been focused on refining its portfolio through meaningful buyouts and divestitures to improve performance. In fact, both the RTE cereal business and the aforementioned in-store bakery facilities were acquired by TreeHouse Foods from Conagra Brands CAG as part of the Private Brands acquisition. The companys other acquisitions include Flagstone Foods, PFF Capital Group, Inc. (Protenergy), Cains Foods, L.P., Associated Brands and Naturally Fresh, Inc. TreeHouse Foods, which shares space with Campbell Soup CPB, also remains committed to exiting the underperforming businesses and shifting focus toward areas with high growth potential. To this end, the company completed the divestiture of the Snack business to Atlas Holdings on Aug 1. Additionally, the sale of the in-store bakery facilities to Rich Products highlights TreeHouse Foods focus on enhancing the portfolio. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 Post Holdings, Inc. (POST) : Free Stock Analysis Report Campbell Soup Company (CPB) : Free Stock Analysis Report TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (THS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) announced its aggregated auto sales in 2019 edged up 1.23% from a year ago to 2.178 million units. Photo source: Geely Holding) Last year, Geely Auto Group sold a total of 1,361,560 new vehicles (including the sales volume of Lynk & Co-branded vehicles), not only surpassing its annual target, but topping the other China's self-owned PV makers for three successive years. Volvo Cars saw its full-year sales grow 9.84% year on year to 705,452 units, for the sixth year in a row achieving record-breaking annual figure. It is worth nothing that the automakers Europe, Asia-Pacific and America markets all obtained year-on-year growth. Proton's annual sales soared 55.7% over a year ago to 100,821 units, which for the first time topped 100,000 units since 2015. Thanks to the robust sales growth, Proton regained the runner-up place in Malaysian auto market after three years. Moreover, Lotus Cars launched in 2019 the world's first pure electric British hypercar, Evijia, which is also the brand's first new product after joining Geely Holding. Yuan Cheng Auto posted a 12.45% growth compared to its 2018 sales. In late April 2019, the commercial vehicle brand held by Geely New Energy Commercial Group (GCV) announced the launch and sale of the globe's first M100 methanol fuel heavy truck produced at GCV's Nanchong Plant. In addition, London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), another subsidiary of GCV, saw its sales zoom up 97.09%. The TX5 all-electric taxi has been sold to countries like France, Germany and Norway. The group said it has so far pumped over RMB100 billion in R&D businesses during the past decade. A global R&D network under construction has already had five engineering and five design R&D hubs, and around 20,000 professional staff members. Mindoro [Philippines], Jan 14 (ANI): People in the province of Mindoro noticed something unusual on Monday as several thousand fish were found scattered along the beach shore after an unusual receding of seawater. According to CNN Philippines, the water level was so low that much of the coral reefs could be seen. Locals said that it was the first time that thousands of live and dead fish were seen along the shoreline following the low levels of water. Some residents speculate that the unusually low tide is connected to the present situation of Taal Volcano, while others believe that it could also be a sign of a tsunami. Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and is located on Luzon island. On January 12, hot ash and gas spewed from the volcano which covered the sky. A 'weak' lava fountain accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning erupted from the active Taal Volcano here on Monday. This signifies that lava has reached the surface of the volcano. (ANI) The growth potential of IoT is exciting for both the public and private sectors, and SIA applauds the DIGIT Act for promoting the innovation, proliferation and ubiquitous deployment of these technologies and the United States continued leadership in this industry. Don Erickson, CEO, SIA The Security Industry Association (SIA) commends the U.S. Senate for passing the Developing and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act. This bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the Senate in the 115th Congress and was reintroduced in May 2019 by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), calls for the creation of a working group of federal entities and experts from the private and academic sectors tasked with providing recommendations to Congress on how to facilitate the growth of connected IoT technologies. Additionally, the legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission to complete a report assessing spectrum needs required to support the Internet of Things. SIA members recognize the Internet of Things profound impact in allowing devices to perform more effectively and in a more coordinated fashion, especially within physical security, said SIA CEO Don Erickson. The growth potential of IoT is exciting for both the public and private sectors, and SIA applauds the DIGIT Act for promoting the innovation, proliferation and ubiquitous deployment of these technologies and the United States continued leadership in this industry. In a letter to Sens. Fischer, Schatz, Gardner and Booker, SIA emphasized the profound impact of IoT in allowing devices to perform more effectively, especially within the physical security industry, and applauded the bills provision highlighting the wide range of IoT issues under the working groups directed report. Additionally, SIA supports the bills inclusion of the National Institute of Standards and Technology whose expertise has provided advanced encryption standards and data storage guidance for end user devices that are widely used by SIA members in the proposed working group. SIA supports the DIGIT Act along with a coalition of other organizations, including the App Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, CTIA, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Computing Research Association, the Consumer Technology Association, Intel, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association and VMware. Sen. Fischers office issued an announcement following the Senate passage of the DIGIT Act recognizing SIA as a supporter of the bill. About SIA SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,000 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industrys top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking. A UK hospital has come under fire for 'shaming' new parents for looking at their mobile phones while feeding their newborns. A poster put up on the walls by staff at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Yeovil District Hospital asked new parents to look at their baby while it was feeding, not their phones. The sign has sparked fury after a new father uploaded a photo of it on to Twitter, saying: 'Im on SCBU with my 5 day old. This poster makes me sad' Scroll down for video New father Dr Ash Cottrella shared an image of a poster on the walls of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Yeovil District Hospital, which asked parents to look at their newborns, not their phones while feeding them The advice has been slammed by parents on Twitter, many of who said their phones provided them a link with the outside world during an 'isolating' time. Pictured: the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Yeovil District Hospital The tweet, which has now had 400 likes, showed the poster, which reads 'Mummy and Daddy...Please look at me when I'm feeding, I am much more interesting than your phone! Thank you xxxx'. Next to it was a photo of a mobile phone circled with a red prohibited sign. The hospital has defended the poster, saying the advice 'is all about encouraging bonding as well as strengthening milk flow.' However, the tweet has seen hundreds of parents defend using a mobile phone in the special care baby unit, with one saying browsing gave her a lifeline in an isolating time. @FramePRUK wrote: 'Gosh, that I so wrong of them to suggest its bad parenting. Phones are a lifeline to well wishes, normality and so much more when you have a newborn/are in hospital.' A spokesperson for Yeovil District Hospital said the poster was designed to encourage bonding and strengthen milk flow @RuthAnnHarpur said: 'Poster is all manner of sanctimony. Do whatever you need to do to get through.' @daisyx3 added: 'Oh no! Awful poster. I was in SCBU with a five day old and my phone was a lifeline. I was isolated and frightened (wed been readmitted) and my phone meant I could stay in touch with people and read up on what had happened to us.' @letties_MH penned: 'When you've got a baby cluster feeding for hours it tends to get a little boring. There I said it!' @moviefeminist wrote: 'I had son 1 pre-smartphones and we were both kept in for a week and I almost went mad with isolation, loneliness and boredom on top of a hideous labour and recovery. (No tvs in ward either).' MailOnline has contacted Yeovil District Hospital for comment. The hospital said in a statement released to the Mirror: 'These posters were created by our Special Care Baby Unit nurses following UNICEF baby-friendly accreditation training and have been in place for a few months. 'They are intended to be used only within the context of the unit, where we support mums of premature or very poorly babies in building a healthy connection. 'They have very successfully worked as a conversation starter for our team and feedback has been very positive. 'Being separated from your baby is very difficult for many of our new mums and our advice is all about encouraging bonding as well as strengthening milk flow.' Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: Accusing the Congress Party-led opposition of misleading the nation on the CAA, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday asserted at a rally in Bihar's Gaya district that it is in no way linked with the NRC. "It is aimed at granting citizenship for minorities persecuted in the name of religion in other countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Those who are crying hysterically against the CAA are misleading the people of the country in a meticulously planned political strategy," he averred while addressing a public rally at Gaya in support of the contentious CAA. He made it clear that the NRC brought in Assam was an exercise done at the instance of the Supreme Court. Singing paeans to the Modi-led government at the Centre, Yogi said the decisions taken on Article 370, the CAA and triple talaq showed the political decisiveness of the government in the larger interests of the nation. Dispelling the fear psychosis created over the CAA, Yogi categorically called upon the people not to be "misled" by their "misplaced" trust in some decadent political parties which have lost their way in politics because of "appeasement". Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, he said it was a much-needed step that had left Pakistan in fear of losing PoK to India, drawing boisterous applause from the crowd. He added that the airstrikes on the Balakot terror camp were a strong signal of a new, vibrant and dynamic India. Justifying the CAA, Yogi said that India, which maintains a long-standing tradition of providing shelter to those seeking refuge after being meted improper treatment on the lines of religion, has done well by passing the law. "But there is no room for infiltrators in India and the Congress Party has no moral right to oppose the CAA in the name of the Constitution after strangulating it by imposing Emergency in the past," he said. He was accompanied by Bihar's deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and other senior leaders. Over a hundred people of various castes and communities are on an indefinite dharna against the CAA and the NRC since December 27 at Gaya's Shanti Bagh. Opposition leader Tejashawi Yadav of the RJD also went to express solidarity with the people sitting on dharna. Syria's air defences confronted an aerial "aggression" from Israel that targeted an air base in the country's centre late Tuesday, state media reported quoting a military official. The official quoted by the state agency SANA said the attack targeted the T-4 air base in Homs province shortly after 10 pm local time. The official said the attack only caused material damage to the base, saying most rockets were intercepted while only four landed in the targeted area. There was no immediate Israeli comment. Israel has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Syria over the past years but it rarely comments on what it targets. Israel is widely believed to have been behind airstrikes mainly targeting Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria that have joined the country's war fighting alongside the government. The attack on Tuesday comes during heightened tension after the recent escalation between the US and Iran, Damascus' main ally in the region. A US airstrike in Baghdad killed Iran's top general earlier in January. General Qassim Soleimani was the main architect of Iran's policy in Syria, where thousands of allied fighters fought alongside President Bashar Assad's forces in the country's civil war. Russia announced late last year that it had delivered the S-300 air defence system to Syria. Russia, too, is a key ally of Assad, and its intervention in the civil war, beginning in 2015, turned the tide in his favour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) John W. Pawasarat, an analyst and researcher who examined quantifiable data to address social problems like poverty, mass incarceration and the barriers to employment and voting faced by people of color who do not have drivers licenses, died on Jan. 2 at a hospice in Wauwatosa, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. He was 70. His wife, Lois Quinn, said the cause was prostate cancer. Mr. Pawasarat (pronounced pah-WAH-sah-raht) found in 2005 that in Wisconsin, only 53 percent of black adults and 52 percent of Hispanic adults had drivers licenses, compared with 85 percent of white adults. The finding underpinned a May 2014 decision by a federal judge that Wisconsins law requiring citizens to present photo identification usually a drivers license in order to vote was unconstitutional because blacks, Hispanics and other minority group members were disproportionately unable to participate. The United States Supreme Court agreed and blocked the law from going into effect ahead of the 2014 election. His findings were widely cited in other states, including Indiana, Michigan and Georgia, that were confronting similar voting rights issues. And it was cited by African-American members of Congress who unsuccessfully sought a federal ban on voter I.D. laws. There has been a general trend in recent weeks of anti-establishment narratives dominating Twitter trends, as opposed to earlier, when pro-government hashtags and trending terms often dominated the conversation. On 30 December, 2019, a strange thing happened in India's social media universe. Spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation had published a poll on Twitter asking users if they believed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act were justified. However, later in the day, it deleted the poll after 62 percent of users voted in support of the protests an outcome that was presumably contrary to its expectations. Polls being conducted on social media on #CAA_NRC_Protest are proving to be quite revealing (and some are now being deleted) pic.twitter.com/fmsWQlX2Br Saikat Datta (saikatd@mstdn.social) (@saikatd) December 30, 2019 Similarly, Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary, a vocal supporter of the Citizenship Amendment Act and of the Central government in general, put out a poll on 25 December asking people if they supported the legislation. This poll also ended on unexpected lines for him, with 50.4 percent users saying that did not support the Act. Chaudhary later alleged Have you seen poll rigging on Twitter? Check this out. This is called online booth capturing, unleashing trolls to vote against the CAA, to fix the narrative and hijack true public opinion. This is deplorable! pic.twitter.com/s2zaHPLapz Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) December 28, 2019 This was part of a general trend in recent weeks of anti-establishment narratives dominating Twitter trends, as opposed to earlier, when pro-government hashtags and trending terms often dominated the conversation. For example, soon after the BJP launched the online campaign #IndiaSupportsCAA with a video by Jaggi Vasudev, a counter-campaign #IndiaDoesNotSupportCAA gained traction and overtook the hashtag promoted by the right-wing brigade on the micro-blogging site. One of the causes behind this change may be a sustained campaign for the past four months by a coder to delete bot accounts that were part of co-ordinated political trends, thereby creating a more level playing field. Considering the sensitive nature of this piece, the coder requested anonymity. Let's call him Rajesh. As part of the campaign, Rajesh says he successfully deleted at least 1.6 lakh bot accounts, which may have distorted trending topics on Twitter on any other day. To do this, he had to create bots himself to mass report bots which appeared to be linked to political parties. A study titled A social media report for bot detection published by him on 30 December has thrown up some startling findings. The fact that political parties have formal as well as informal IT cells has been widely documented in the past. These IT cells have often promoted fake news and hate speech, aided in no small measure by automated behaviour. For example, on 1 July 2019, there were reports of vandalism at a temple in old Delhi after a parking dispute. However, the next day, outrage exploded over the incident on Twitter, and a provocative hashtag #TempleTerrorAttack became the top trend on the website. A factually incorrect hashtag #TempleDestroyed also began trending. An analysis by Huffpost show that these trends were driven by accounts with barely any followers who posted hundreds of tweets, suggesting "co-ordinated inauthentic behaviour." However, it is not just hate speech that is a cause for worry, but also political propaganda disseminated through arguably unethical means. An example of this was in February 2019, when hashtags supporting and opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi began trending on Twitter when he visited Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. According to a report by a US-based think tank, the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the posts driving both the Twitter campaigns were heavily manipulated. It said that that the pro-Modi hashtag was far more heavily manipulated than the anti-Modi one. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Rajesh described the role of such bots in influencing the narrative on social media, and how he succeeded in getting many such accounts deleted. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview: What was the motive behind this campaign? An IT cell whether the BJP, Congress or any other party is essentially a group of people who create content to favour a particular party. Much of this content is fake or misleading. However, creating such content is only one part of the strategy, while the other part is that of using technology to propagate that content. (For the IT cells), there is a need to ensure that posts have different content, and they are spaced out so that fact-checkers do not figure out that a large number of people are posting the same thing. The sheer volume of content that is put out makes it clear that this is not merely a human activity, and there is a lot of technological intervention involved. So, I became interested in the accounts that were not run by actual human beings. Essentially, if a group of human users are up against a group of bots, there is an imbalance of power. The starting point of the race is not the same. I sought to understand how compromised we are in terms of access to social media due to this artificial intelligence. What methodology did you adopt to tackle bots and the effect that they have on Twitter trends? First, I parsed through influential trending and used Twitter API (application programming interfaces) to identify accounts that were likely to be bots (accounts which were not verified, had no profile picture, had random objects as profile pictures, did not have accounts on other social media platforms). In order to get bot accounts deleted, there was a need to report them on a large scale. I did not have the human resource to do that. So, I created bots for the sole purpose of reporting bots that were pushing out political content, and I succeeded in getting about 1.6 lakh such accounts deleted. Later, I deleted the bots that I had created complying with Twitter policy. My analysis has found that once such (bogus) accounts are reported, there is less than 1 percent chance of them raising a dispute. This is because they do not have verifiable personal information through which they can show themselves as accounts run by humans. I started this process in September 2019, and on 30 December, 2019, I released a report laying down my findings. However, the process is an ongoing one. After I saw that a certain narrative was repeatedly being defeated on Twitter - in polls or otherwise - I realised that this strategy may be having an effect. Now, I am seeing that other people are reporting such accounts. You mentioned an analysis that you conducted on this issue. What did it reveal about the behaviour of these bots? During my analysis, I broadly found three kinds of activities that bot accounts engage in. The first kind are abusive tweets that are aimed at accounts which can be termed as "influencers" those who have a significant number of followers. The second kind are posts that distort or hijack Twitter trends. This is important as many people get their news by looking at social media trends. The third kind constitute the biggest problem but are largely ignored tweets that are posted in high volumes regularly even when nothing is happening, which creates a content overload on the platform. This interferes with the mechanism of searching content on the platform, which is very important to win the battle of narratives. One thing that came as a surprise was that 89 percent of the bot accounts that I identified were created during one very specific time period - June and July 2013. I had earlier believed that the bots are being created as part of a continuous activity, but I found that this was not the case. One possible reason for this is that purchasing bots is a money transaction, and if it happens continuously, the chances of an investigative journalist spotting it are higher. Further, as many as 18 percent of these accounts had tweeted over 60,000 times, at a rate of one tweet every eight minutes. I cannot say whether the majority of these accounts belonged to the IT cell of the BJP or any other party. However, in the recent past, most of them had tweeted content in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Hindutva, etc. Unfortunately, Opposition parties like the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party did not take up the strategy of reporting bots. Instead, they created their own bots, which also contributed to the content overload. Are you thinking of doing any similar work on other social media platforms? At present, my work is restricted to Twitter. However, I am contemplating doing something similar on WhatsApp and YouTube, since these are also platforms through which a lot of misinformation is spread. Poor perception about Mental Health in Nigeria; Drug Abuse, Sickness of the Mind, and Possession by evil spirits identified as Major causes of Mental Illness New Survey Abuja, Nigeria, January 14th, 2020 EpiAFRIC and the Africa Polling Institute (API) has today released the Mental Health in Nigeria Survey Report [#MentalHealthInNaijaSurvey]. The report amongst other findings has revealed that there is a poor perception about mental health in Nigeria, as Nigerians identified drug abuse, sickness of the mind, and possession by evil spirits as the three major causes of mental illness. The survey was conducted by Africa Polling Institute (API) in collaboration with EpiAFRIC as a contribution by both organizations towards creating awareness on mental health and changing the perception about mental health disorders in Nigeria. A total of 5,484 respondents were contacted, with 5,315 interviews completed who were aged 18 and older. All interviews were conducted between September 2nd and September 28th 2019, by Face-to-Face Household Interviews, using a stratified quota sampling technique. The interviews were conducted in five major Nigerian languages: English, Pidgin English, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo; and geographic quotas were assigned to ensure the selection of a nationally representative sample proportionately covering all senatorial districts and states, including the FCT. The attention given to mental health disorders in Nigeria is at best, fleeting; the level of awareness of the Nigerian public on mental health issues is also understandably poor, and misconceptions regarding mental health have continued to flourish. Poor knowledge of mental illness, its causes and characteristics among Nigerians has been a major hurdle to improving mental health in Nigeria. Hence, this survey was designed to assess the level of information on the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of Nigerians towards mental illness. Investigation into evaluating and understanding what mental health disease is revealed that most Nigerians are aware of mental health disease. However, it appears that they recognize and connect with overt signs of mental disorders much more than covert signs. Findings from the survey revealed that 70% of Nigerians believe mental health disease is, When someone starts running around naked; 63% were of the opinion that it is When someone starts talking to himself or herself; When someone starts harming themselves (55%); 54% of respondents indicated that it is, When someone starts harming other people, while; 25% said, it is, When someone starts keeping to themselves. In addition, further disaggregation on the data revealed that most respondents who were of the opinion that mental health disease is when someone starts running around naked could be found in the South-West (80%), while respondents who were of the opinion that mental health diseases is beyond identification of obvious signs and could be when someone starts keeping to themselves could be found more in the North-Eastern part of the country (43%). Investigation into what causes mental health disease revealed that Drug Abuse (84%) was identified as the most common cause of mental illness. This was followed closely by Sickness of the mind (60%), Possession by evil spirits (54%), 32% of respondents were of the opinion that causes of mental health disease is what runs in the family, and lastly, 23% were of the opinion that what causes mental disease is as a result of Gods punishment. More findings under likely causes of mental health disease showed that Female Nigerians (25%) are more likely to view mental health disease as a punishment from God than male Nigerians (20%). Across urbanization, more Nigerians in rural areas (55%) than those in urban areas (53%) view mental health disease as possession by evil spirits, while on the average, across geo-political zones, Nigerians seem to share this sentiment. Unravelling reactions and attitude of Nigerians should they become aware of someone with mental health illness, revealed that 65% of the respondents said they will quickly take the person to the hospital, 18% of the respondents said they will take the person to a prayer house for deliverance, and 8% said they will take the person to a traditional medicine healer. While some respondents claimed they will resort to the use of force and other extreme measures; by locking up the person (4%) and beating the disease out of the person (2%). Also, further disaggregation of the data by some socio-demographics showed that when compared to other geo-political zones, the South-East (46%) had the lowest response frequency for those willing to take a mentally ill person to the hospital for proper treatment. Interestingly, the same region of the country had the highest frequency for those willing to take the victim to a prayer house (28%); to take the victim to a traditional healer (14%); and to lock up the victim (8%) in comparison with other geo-political zones of the country. Investigation into the kind of relationship Nigerians can engage with victims of mental health disorder revealed that, not surprisingly, majority of the respondents (69%) said they would not engage in any relationship with someone with mental health disorder. While about 29% of respondents indicated the willingness to have some form of relationship with victims of mental health disorder either through; Friendship (26%); Business (2%); or Marriage (1%). Also, Nigerians who would not want to have any association with mentally challenged victims highlighted the following reasons: personal safety (58%), inability of victims to make sound judgement (17%), perception of the public when seen associating with victims of mental disorders (15%), the belief that mental health disease is transferable (5%), and heartbreak (4%). From the survey, inquiry into awareness of mental health treatment revealed that out of all the respondents surveyed, about 8% of Nigerians claimed they do not think mental health disease is treatable. Nigerians who have the perception that mental health is untreatable were found more in the South-East (13%), and slightly more Nigerians in rural (8%) than urban areas (7%) seem to share this sentiment too. Comparing reasons between why some Nigerians feel mental illness is treatable and why some feel it is untreatable revealed that: for Nigerians who feel it is treatable, 38% of them believe hospitals can provide the necessary help needed to cure mental disorder, while 30% of them acknowledge they know victims of mental health issues who are doing very well. Other reasons given are: belief in divine healing and intervention for a cure (21%), belief in traditional medicine for cure (6%), and lastly, 4% believe that mental health disease is just like any other disease. For Nigerians who feel mental health illness is incurable, their perception is hinged on the consideration that they see a lot of mentally deranged people around hence, there appears to be no cure for such disease (31%), this is closely followed by 26% of respondents who believe that victims of mental illness are being possessed by evil spirits, It is a curse from God (17%), punishment for wrong doing by victims (13%), and lastly, 12% believe it is a very serious condition, and is simply incurable. In summary, mental health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, while mental health disorder encompasses a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a persons mood, thinking and behaviour. However, the belief held by majority of Nigerians is that one must display disruptive behaviour that attracts public attention to be regarded as being mentally ill. Hence, this implies that there is a high misconception about mental illness in Nigeria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to educate Nigerians - at institutional and community levels, in order to raise awareness on mental health disorders and improve peoples perception on matters concerning mental health issues. Through Public-Private Partnerships, mental health awareness and the reach of mental health care can be enhanced. Finally, there is the need for the integration of mental health services into Primary Health Care, so as to reduce the shortcomings involved in providing mental health services in some parts of the country. Also, replicating the Friendship Bench Programme in local communities in Nigeria can serve as an option to residents of those communities that lack access to care, bridge the mental health treatment gap and enhance mental well-being. Dr. Bell Ihua Executive Director, Africa Polling Institute (API) She recently bought her dream home in Florida. And Kimberley Garner made sure to flaunt her sensational figure as she took her adorable pooch Sacha for a walk along Miami beach on Tuesday. The swimwear designer, 28, ensured all eyes were on her ample cleavage as she donned a tiny red triangle bikini. Wow! Kimberley Garner, 28, flaunted her sensational figure as she took her adorable pooch Sacha for a walk along Miami beach on Tuesday The stunner made sure her swimwear was matching by wearing red bottoms which tied in a bow at the side and skimmed her peachy posterior. She completed her beach chic look with a sun visor and was seen throwing adorable Sacha's yellow ball as the pair frolicked in the water. Kimberley was later seen stretching as she held the ball high in the air and smiled during the sun-soaked trip. Earlier in the day Kimberley looked fantastic in a white co-ord workout ensemble as she spent time in the Floridian city. Peachy: The swimwear designer donned a pair of red bottoms which tied in a bow at the side Sunkissed: Kimberley donned a sun visor for her trip out with pooch Sacha and was seen running along the beach with the pup's yellow ball The blonde beauty showcased her toned figure and peachy posterior during her day at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club. Kimberley pulled her blonde tresses up into a ponytail in front of towering palm trees and a stunning blue sky. At one point she lent against a beach hut while looking up to soak in the sun's rays. She captioned the Instagram post: 'now or never.' Toned: The stunner showed off her trim figure as she stretched on the sand Stunning: Kimberley made time for a little photo shoot during her sun-soaked beach day Work it: The beauty wore her blonde locks down as she enjoyed the warm weather Poser: Kimberley held onto her sun visor as she stood with one toned leg in front of the other while modelling her brand's Brazil bikini Kimberley accessorised her crisp white look with a pair of gold hooped earrings and wore a slick of makeup to enhance her pretty features. The former Made In Chelsea star splits her time between her home in London and Miami after purchasing a dream pad in the Floridian coastal city in December 2018. And she recently showcased its 'beachy chilled vibe' in a video to her Instagram Stories, which featured a large balcony and pencil sketches of shells. Soaking in the rays: Kimberley also posed up a storm in a white co-ord workout ensemble as she spent time in the Floridian city on Tuesday Picture perfect: The designer showcased her toned figure and peachy posterior during her day at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club She captioned the clip: 'My home [love heart emoji]. Finishing the beachy interior design.' Speaking to MailOnline about her home last year, she explained: 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money. 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completed the sale on the plane over.' Style: Kimberley accessorised her crisp white look with a pair of gold hooped earrings and wore a slick of makeup to enhance her pretty features 'Beachy': She recently showcased her Miami home's 'beachy chilled vibe' in a video to her Instagram Stories. Her living room featured a large balcony and pencil sketches of shells Reflecting on her property empire, the designer admitted it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of her busy life in London. 'It's right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I won't be moving there [permanently], as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' The Islamic Republic marks its forty-first anniversary next month. Historically, Washington has been able to inflict greater pain, but Tehran has shown a greater capacity to absorb it. The United States has figured out how to react to a militia or to kill a commander, but it still hasnt figured out how, creatively or proactively, to deal with the nation of Iran. The events in Iran have sucked all the oxygen out of other stories and dominates news coverage. But it is still a big world out there with all sort of things happening. Take France, for instance. A short while ago, French president Emmanuel Macron proposed much needed reforms to France's pension system, which the government is mainly responsible for maintaining. The pension system is said to be generous and is now facing a $19-billion deficit. The reforms that Macron proposed were modest. It was basically to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and to standardize pensions across the country. Well, the roof caved in. As the New York Times reports, massive strikes, marches, and demonstrations across the country ensued, convulsing the economy. YouTube screen grab (cropped). This forced "Macron's government to carve out a series of concessions to individual professions in recent days the police, dancers at the Paris opera, airline flight attendants, pilots moving back towards precisely the same type tailored retirement structure his reform sought to end." This past Saturday, things turned violent, with anti-government protesters, mostly union people, clashing with police. The Times reports that a bank branch was sacked, bus shelters burned, and other fires set. This prompted government into another hasty retreat, saying it would withdraw the proposed age limit change and "postpone major decisions on how to keep the system solvent until it can better assess the situation between now and the end of April." In response, Marine Le Pen criticized Macron, saying: "You introduce something that's unacceptable, and then you withdraw it. Nothing justifies this reform." Nothing? The pension fund running out of money is nothing? In a competitive world, the French seem to believe they can still have what they want without paying for it. There is a suggestion of how to solve the pension dilemma, however. It comes from one Philippe Martinez, leader of the hard-line General Confederation of Workers union. He says the government has to permanently scrap the entire reform effort. His solution to the pension deficit? Simple. Just raise salaries. Based on the attitude of unionists like Martinez and the right-wing politician Le Pen, the answer to the question of whether reform is possible in France appears to be no, at least not any time soon. Before becoming too smug about the French predicament, ask yourself if America is very different. When faced with the problem of wanting to spend what it can't afford, our political class doesn't say "just raise salaries." Instead, it simply borrows or creates the money necessary. This is why our national debt is over $21 trillion, with a trillion dollars projected to be added each year. To that amount can be added the unfunded liabilities of programs like Social Security and Medicare and the pension shortfalls of many states. Not satisfied, leftist economic professors and some high-level Democrats are pushing the snake oil of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). In a nutshell, MMT would take the brakes off any semblance of fiscal restraint and responsibility and be used to fund every dream the progressives ever had. This addiction to government debt has seemingly worked out only because the bill hasn't yet come due. But someday, the reckoning will come. It will take a true crisis of a Fourth Turning magnitude to bring fiscal responsible behavior back into vogue. This will be a time of pain and suffering as the system readjusts itself to a new norm. It may be that most of us will not be around when that happens. However, our children or grandchildren will be, which is what happens when you borrow from the future. Three Army soldiers were killed and another was missing after an avalanche hit their post in Machil sector along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, defence sources said. The sources said five soldiers were trapped under the avalanche. The Army launched rescue operations and traced four of the soldiers. While three of them were declared dead, another was injured and is being treated at a local military facility, the sources said. Efforts are on to trace one missing soldier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid gut-wrenching images of koalas suffering in the Australian bushfires, a petition has been started calling on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to allow the introduction of the animals to New Zealand. But koala populations can boom to the extent they overrun the available food supply, and in any case Australian researchers are confident they can look after the animal in their own country. University of Queensland research fellow Dr Bill Ellis says establishing a New Zealand population of koala was not the answer to problems facing the animal in Australia. He was a bit surprised at the suggestion, "given the grief" people such as himself normally encountered in relation to the introduction of possums from Australia to New Zealand. "Whether or not it's biologically feasible, I reckon a lot of people in New Zealand, if we started suggesting we were going to introduce any more of our wildlife to New Zealand, they would tell us where to put it," Bill says. He pointed out there are management issues in some areas of the southern states of Australia, given the size of koala populations in those areas. Two key examples were French Island in Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. In Victoria, koalas have been moved from French Island and others have been given fertility treatment to help with population control. The Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning say there was an "overabundance" of koalas on the island and they were quickly depleting their food source. One koala per hectare is considered the ideal ratio for healthy koalas; yet the French Island density was estimated at up to eight koalas per hectare. On Kangaroo Island, recent bushfires are thought to have killed around half the 50,000 koala population. Before the fires, information from a South Australian state government agency said 13,500 Kangaroo Island koalas had been sterilised or put on contraception since a management project started in 1997. Of those animals, about 3800 had been moved to their historic range in the southeast of South Australia. As a result of increasing koala numbers on the island, manna gums - a favourite food for koalas - had been lost across many parts of the island. Government agency Natural Resources Kangaroo Island said there was no evidence koalas could self-regulate their numbers. Bill says Australia is able to look after its koalas. "We have the capacity to save them ourselves. It's one of those things where the simple answer is often not the most likely to succeed." "They're a species that is quite resilient. A lot like possums they can survive in semi-urban areas quite successfully. All we need to do is stop killing them and they go just fine." Main threats to koalas were traffic, dogs and habitat loss. There was also an issue with disease. "If we just reverse the pattern of habitat loss and find some better ways to restore and retain habitat in our semi-rural landscapes, I think koala will be fine." The situation in Queensland was somewhat different to that further south, Bill says. "In Queensland we're in a lot of trouble, our population's declining quite rapidly. A lot of it has to do with land clearing, both agricultural landscapes and the peri-urban southeast where historically we had dense koala populations." An injured koala being treated at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Zoo. Lisa Maree Williams/Stuff. Also koala in the southern states seemed to be able to live in higher densities than those in Queensland. One group he was studying on St Bees Island off the coast from Mackay had started from about a dozen introduced animals. That population seemed to go in cycles. It had climbed to as many as 350 animals but was now thought to be about 120. "They have been existing on that island quite happily for 100 years." The petition on Change.org seeking to allow the introduction of koalas into New Zealand had more than 6000 signatures by lunchtime Monday. It was started by Koala Relocation Society, which argued koalas would not compromise New Zealand's ecosystem as they typically lived in open eucalyptus woodland, and mostly ate the leaves of those trees. New Zealand had around 28,600 hectares planted in eucalyptus trees, mostly in the central North Island, the petition said. It also said koalas were functionally extinct in Australia, but there is debate about that. An organisation called the Australian Koala Foundation has said koalas were functionally extinct, but University of Sydney researchers responded saying that was wrong, although the species was in "danger". University wildlife ecologist associate professor Mathew Crowther says the term "functionally extinct" was misleading, with many meanings. "It can be used to say that the species is too low in numbers to make a contribution to the ecosystem, or it is too low to recover in numbers. Both are untrue for koalas," he says. Many populations of koalas were declining, but some were doing well and even increasing in size. In November, before the massive bushfires that have damaged millions of hectares in Australia, the university said it was estimated there were around 330,000 koalas. Associate professor David Phalen says koala populations in Victoria and South Australia were stable, increasing or, in some areas, overabundant. Populations in New South Wales and Queensland were threatened. -Stuff.co.nz YEREVAN. The Armenian Prime Minister's Office programs and measures planned within the 2020 budget were discussed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It was reported that the respective measures were to be aimed at modernizing the public administration system, efficiency, improving the quality of services provided to the people, expanding the operation of e-platforms, working with organizations dealing with national minority issues, and some other programs. Pashinyan attached importance to the implementation of the activities in the aforesaid directions, and considered necessary to increase the targeting of the services provided to the citizens, to activate the activities in the digitization of the state system and other directions. He also stressed the need to increase the functionality of the state system, and gave specific instructions. Samsungs new foldable smartphone is coming, and it will allegedly be called the Galaxy Z Flip. Well, some new information surfaced regarding the Galaxy Z Flip, its charging speed, and even some concept renders. Lets talk about the charging first, shall we. A device with the SM-F700 model number surfaced in China, and this seems to be the Galaxy Z Flip. This phone got certified by the 3C authority in China. The Galaxy Z Flip will support 15W charging, it seems As part of this certification, the Galaxy Z Flip charging speed has been confirmed. According to CCC, the Galaxy Z Flip will support 15W charging. That is a bit slower than we had hoped, to be quite honest. Advertisement The device will ship with the Snapdragon 855, allegedly. The company is also looking to trim down the phones price, so it may include 15W charging, as a cost-cutting measure. Now, in a separate piece of news, the Galaxy Z Flip concept renders have appeared as well. These renders have been created by Giuseppe Spinelli, in partnership with Letsgodigital. Those images have been shared in both image and video formats, by the way. So you can either check out the video that is embedded down below, or the gallery below it. Advertisement This design has been inspired by leaks and rumors, of course. It could end up being quite accurate, you never know. Quite a few info surfaced regarding the phone, so its possible. In any case, youll see a clamshell foldable phone here, which folds right down the middle, vertically. Its hinge gets hidden when the phone is fully open, and the bezels on the device are minimal. A display camera hole is included here, and it is centered at the top of the phones display. Samsungs logo is visible on both the phones back, and on the hinge. Advertisement There are two cameras included on the back of this phone, and they are horizontally-aligned. Those two cameras do protrude on the back, a bit. The device will probably launch on February 11 The Galaxy Z Flip is expected to arrive alongside the Galaxy S20 series on February 11. Samsung did not confirm anything just yet, but pretty much every rumor suggested it will happen. The device will be fueled by the Snapdragon 855, if rumors are accurate. It will sport a glass display, unlike the original Galaxy Fold, and it will ship with Android 10 out of the box. President Akufo-Addo is elated that a demonstration exercise organised by some opposition political parties including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the compilation of a new voters register recorded no casualties. Speaking at the 71st New Year School at the University of Ghana on Tuesday, Nana Akufo-Addo complained that the situation was not the same in the past, citing the Let My Vote Count demonstration held in September 2015 which turned violent after police officers unleashed mayhem on protesters. Before I conclude, let me state a Ghanaian irony. Five years ago, we had demonstrations in Accra calling for a new, credible register, in which some citizens were maimed and brutalized. Indeed, a citizen, young Justice Adzakuma, lost his eye and died last year. May God bless his soul. Today, we are having peaceful demonstrations in Tamale, this time protesting against the decision of the Electoral Commission, whose constitutional remit it is to compile an electoral register, to have a new, improved register. Fortunately, in this new era, there are no casualties. God bless Ghana, he said. The decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new voters register has dominated political conversations in the country. Whereas eight political parties including the NDC are against the ECs decision, 13 others which includes the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) supports the elections management body. Tikusayi demonstration Over the weekend, about eight political parties opposing the new voters' register took to the streets of Tamale in the Northern Region to express their disappointment against the move by Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new electoral roll ahead of the 2020 general elections. They have vowed to stage such exercise in Kumasi and Accra in the coming days. Coalition of Political Parties for 'YES' to a new register Meanwhile, thirteen political parties have backed the Electoral Commission's decision to compile a new voters' register. The parties, who as a group is known as the Coalition of Political Parties for 'YES' to a new register, believe the EC has made a solid case for a new register in terms of cost, time and credibility. The parties are made up of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People's National Convention (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP) the United Progressive Party (UPP), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), United Love Party (ULP), New Vision Party (NVP), Yes People's Party (YPP), Democratic People's Party (DPP), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and the Reformed Patriotic Democrats Party (RDP). Demand for new voters register in 2015 In 2015, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which was then an opposition party called for the compilation of a new voters' register, describing the existing one as lacking credibility. They claimed that the register was bloated hence the need for a new one to be compiled. Current Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia at the time alleged that there were more than 76,000 Togolese nationals registered in Ghana to vote. However, these calls were downplayed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which was in power at the time. The NPP then decided it will join the planned protest by some political pressure group known as Let My Vote Count to demand a new voters register. However, the protest turned chaotic when some of the members of the pressure group reportedly veered off the approved route. The Police used rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas on the protestors after efforts to compel them to adhere to the approved routes failed. The NPP then tasked the Police to and bring to book its personnel that unleashed mayhem on pro-opposition groups who were demonstrating over the voters register. ---citinewsroom Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has issued an apology on Twitter for his comments against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Speaking to a private TV channel, Tharoor had directly attacked Kejriwal for not doing anything in the wake of violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. Mr Kejriwal is trying to have it both ways. He has made statements deploring the CAA and NRC but he has not taken any tangible action. He has not even shown human compassion one expects from a chief minister from victims of violence in his state. In any other state, had students been bashed up in this way, the chief minister woud have visited them and shown them some concern. Mr Kejriwal really wants power without responsibility, which we all know has been the prerogative of eunuchs for ages, Tharoor said in a sharp attack on Kejriwal on Monday. The apology, however, was not for the eunuch reference, but for the use of the line power without responsibility. Also Watch l Anti-CAA protest: Congress Shashi Tharoor joins stir at Jamia, Shaheen Bagh Apologies to those who found my quote about power without responsibility offensive. Its an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, &most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate &withdraw it, the Congress leader tweeted on Tuesday morning. Apologies to those who found my quote about "power without responsibility" offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, &most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate &withdraw it. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 13, 2020 Twitter had erupted after Tharoors remarks, with many users saying the comments were unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable comments from @ShashiTharoor comparing eunuchs to those who want power without responsibility. Dr. Tharoor must apologise immediately. Transphobia cannot be tolerated, especially from elected representatives, said a Twitter user Anish Gawande. Absolutely unacceptable comments from @ShashiTharoor comparing "eunuchs" to those who "want power without responsibility." Dr. Tharoor must apologise immediately. Transphobia cannot be tolerated, especially from elected representatives. https://t.co/c5smwSINa2 Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) January 13, 2020 Hello LGBT community, will you please boycott this man who is saying that eunuchs only want power without responsibility? said another Twitter user Sonia Sinha. Hello LGBT community, will you please boycott this man who is saying that eunuchs only want power without responsibility? https://t.co/oIgoYmremI sonia (@sonia_sinha) January 14, 2020 Tharoor had been attacking Kejriwal since the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University on January 5, 2020. On Friday, he questioned the Delhi Chief Minister on whose orders he is not standing up for citizens rights to protest? The police may have been acting (or not) on orders, but who ordered the Delhi CM not to stand up for citizens rights to protest? Not to visit the injured? Not to object as campuses in his state became centres of carnage? Not all blame can be so easily deflected, Tharoor said in a tweet on Friday. Later, speaking to mediapersons, Tharoor said, Once during the time of Sheila Dikshit you (Kejriwal) had tweeted that do we want a weak CM, you should go and read that same tweet today. Tharoor visited JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia universities on Sunday (January 12) and expressed solidarity with those protesting against the amended citizenship act. Tharoor travelled in Delhi metro to reach JNU where he addressed the students and condemned the violence by a masked mob on January 5. He also said the December 15 police action against Jami students is a blot on the nation. Ponhk.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 22 Jan 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the ponhk homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the ponhk homepage on Twitter + the total number of ponhk followers (if ponhk has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the ponhk homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if ponhk has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the ponhk homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the ponhk homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS views, views , cup, 2015facebook, cup, 2015facebook, 2015facebook The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Japanese UTF-8Japanese DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of ponhk.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for ponhk.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday visited the Jamia Millia Islamia to record statements of the students who were injured during the police action on the campus last month. According to an official, around 35-40 students were present to record their statements with the NHRC, which has deputed a team led by its SSP, Manzil Saini, to conduct an inquiry to know whether incidents in the varsity involved violation of human rights. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Entries are open for the 2020 SADC (Southern African Development Community) Media Awards competition. These awards serve as part of ensuring a link, coordination and synchronisation between formal structures of SADC governments, civil society, academia, labour and the media.To promote regional integration and cooperation (cross-border issues), the awards aim to recognise excellence in journalism in the area of print, photo, television, radio as well as to encourage media practitioners in member states to cover issues pertaining to the region.Journalists who wish to enter the competition can access more information about the competition from the www.sadc.int and www.gcis.gov.za websites. The forms and the 2020 competition rules can be found here and here While the University of Luxembourg Choir is affiliated with the University, as you might guess by the name, it's open to anyone. The choir's new season began Tuesday 7 January, and they meet for rehearsals at the Kirchberg campus of the university every Tuesday at 7pm. Of the new season, one member says: "This season is going to be awesome - we have some Debussy, Ravel, Barber, Faure, Dallapiccola and more scheduled. (Both the Ravel and Debussy Trois Chansons, Barber's Reincarnations, Faure's Les Djinns, Pavane and Madrigal....the list goes on)." Despite being a university choir, their average member is a 30-40 year-old professional, but of course they also count a number of young professionals and students among their ranks. The objective of the choir is not just to form a group that can perform high-quality music, but also to develop a community around it. The member to whom we spoke also said that they have a focus on outreach: "for example we are singing for the Transatlantic dialogue this season, and have recently performed concerts in collaboration with choirs in Berlin and Vilnius) and on social betterment - each season we make sure to perform one benefit concert to raise money for an organization." Due to the difficulty of the music they are rehearsing this semester, they ask that people who wish to join either read music or have extensive choral experience. For more information or to get in touch, see links below. Patrizia has appointed Alberto Gonzalez de las Heras as its new Head of Asset Management South-West Europe. Based at the Patrizia Madrid office, Gonzalez de las Heras now oversees the asset management for France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, with responsibility for managing around 4.55 billion in assets. Photos: dess/Patrizia [] Lucknow/IBNS: Uttar Pradesh Minister Shrikant Sharma has claimed over 32,000 refugees have already been identified for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in 21 of 75 districts of the state, media reports said. The 21 districts include Saharanpur, Gorakhpur, Aligarh, Rampur, Pratapgarh, Pilibhit, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bahraich, Lakhimpur, Rampur, Meerut, Agra. When asked about the nationalities of the refugees, Sharma said they are from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was passed by Parliament in December, 2019. Following the passage of the bill, massive protests broke out against the new law across the nation. The violent protests in Uttar Pradesh have claimed at least 20 lives. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said people who had resorted to arson and destroyed public properties will have their properties attached to compensate the loss. The Union Home Minister on Friday issued a notification of CAA effective from Jan 10, 2020. NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent investor rights law firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP ("BLB&G") announces today that the securities class action lawsuit filed by the firm on January 10, 2020 against Energy Transfer LP ("Energy Transfer" or the "Partnership") and certain of the Partnership's senior executives (collectively, "Defendants") pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has been assigned to Judge Gerald A. McHugh. The complaint is based on an extensive investigation and a careful evaluation of the merits of this case. A copy of the complaint is available on BLB&G's website by clicking here. This case is related to a previously-filed securities class action pending against Energy Transfer: Reinhardt v. Energy Transfer LP, No. 3:19-cv-02771 (N.D. Tex.). Pursuant to the November 20, 2019, notice published in connection with the Reinhardt action, under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors who purchased Energy Transfer common units during the Class Period may, no later than January 21, 2020, seek to be appointed as Lead Plaintiff for the Class. Energy Transfer's Alleged Fraud Energy Transfer operates, through its subsidiaries, as a Dallas, Texas-based natural gas and energy transportation and storage company. It operates some of the largest oil and gas pipelines in the United States. Its projects include the Mariner East pipeline, a multibillion-dollar, 350-mile pipeline that carries highly volatile natural gas liquid from the Marcellus and Utica Shales areas in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Eastern Ohio to destinations in Pennsylvania. On February 13, 2017, Energy Transfer obtained approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ("PaDEP") to construct an expansion of the Partnership's Mariner East pipeline, referred to as Mariner East 2 and 2X. According to news sources, approval of the Partnership's permits was believed to be the final regulatory hurdle to begin construction of the pipeline. Throughout the Class Period, Defendants repeatedly assured investors that Energy Transfer had lawfully obtained valid permits to begin construction on Mariner East 2. Unknown to the investing public, however, the Partnership, acting either independently or in concert with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's administration, made use of coercion, bribery, and other illicit means of forcing PaDEP to approve the critical construction permits. On November 12, 2019, the truth began to be revealed when the Associated Press published an article, "FBI Eyes How Pennsylvania Approved Pipeline," which cited interviews with current and former state employees who reported that Energy Transfer's Mariner East pipeline project was under investigation by the FBI, and that the investigation "involves the permitting of the pipeline, whether [Pennsylvania Governor Tom] Wolf and his administration forced environmental protection staff to approve construction permits and whether Wolf or his administration received anything in return." On this news, the price of Energy Transfer's common units fell precipitously, and this decline in the market value of the Partnership's common units caused significant losses and damages to the investor Class. BLB&G filed this action on behalf of Allegheny County Employees' Retirement System, and the case is captioned Allegheny County Employees' Retirement System v. Energy Transfer LP, No. 2:20-cv-00200-GAM and is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. If you wish to serve as Lead Plaintiff for the Class, you must file a motion with the Court no later than January 21, 2020, which is the first business day on which the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is open that is 60 days after the November 20, 2019 notice was published in connection with the Reinhardt action. Any member of the proposed Class may seek to serve as Lead Plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain a member of the proposed Class. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact Michael D. Blatchley of BLB&G at (212) 554-1281, or via e-mail at [email protected]. About BLB&G Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP is widely recognized worldwide as a leading law firm advising institutional investors on issues related to corporate governance, shareholder rights, and securities litigation. Since its founding in 1983, BLB&G has built an international reputation for excellence and integrity and pioneered the use of the litigation process to achieve precedent-setting governance reforms. Unique among its peers, BLB&G has obtained several of the largest and most significant securities recoveries in history, recovering over $33 billion on behalf of defrauded investors. More information about the firm can be found online at www.blbglaw.com. CONTACT: Michael D. Blatchley Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 44th Floor New York, New York 10020 (212) 554-1281 [email protected] SOURCE Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP Related Links http://www.blbglaw.com This is an opinion column. Theres a line, in a December report by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama at Samford University, that I just cant shake: If Alabama collected taxes at Mississippis rate, the state would have an additional $1.5 billion to fund education, health care, highways, public safety, and the wide spectrum of state and local services provided. Wow. Thats $1.5 billion, with a B. For prisons or prevention or investment or security. Thats $1.5 billion, to move us down a highway or better prepare our kids for a changing world. All if we simply collected taxes at rates comparable to Mississippi, which is not, if you thought otherwise, a bastion of liberal tax policy. Its remarkable. As the reports author, senior research associate Tom Spencer wrote, Alabama which ranks 50th in the U.S. in per capita state and local property tax collections would raise an extra $2 billion a year if its per capita tax collections matched other Southeastern states. Imagine. If we raised the income a state needs to survive, we might just be able to pay for the things we need to become a competitor in the fields of commerce, education, quality of life and common decency. Alabama gets a double whammy, as the report points out. Its tax rates are lower than most states and its base of wealth is smaller. So it gathers less cash especially from those with wealth to actually pay tax and fails to invest in the people and infrastructure that other states have used to -- you know -- build a base of wealth. But as long as were imagining, imagine if we collected taxes fairly. Alabama wears its low-tax status as a badge of honor. But its a bait-and-switch. The less you earn, the bigger chunk of your income you pay. The more you have, the more you get to keep. It ought to be Alabamas motto: Why pay taxes when you can pass them along to somebody less fortunate? Here is why Alabamas taxes are unfair. Alabamas low property taxes are in large part a product of the states tough-to-change constitution. As a result of that, state and local governments cant raise the money they need. So they turn instead to tax measures that are easier to pass. They raise sales taxes, and sin taxes. As a result Alabama has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country. Since Alabama is one of just three states that charges sales tax on groceries, low income families pay a far bigger chunk of their income on sales taxes, just to feed their families. Alabamas sales tax even applies to medications, but it still doesnt make up for the low property taxes. Alabamas income tax system is just about as bad. It may be worse. The states threshold for taxing income is the nations lowest, the report says, and Alabama has the highest income tax burden on the poorest families. Alabama has just three tax brackets for its income tax, and the top rate 5 percent -- kicks in at an astonishingly low level. A family of four starts to pay income taxes if it makes more than $12,600 a year, the report says. A family that makes more than $18,600 -- $7,000 below the federal poverty level is taxed at Alabamas top rate. It essentially becomes a flat tax, so a part-time barista pays the same income tax rate as a corporate CEO. Its not enough to be a low-tax state. That means nothing. If Alabama is to prosper it needs taxation that is reasonable, and adequate, and most of all fair. Its not that much to ask. John Archibald, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is a columnist for Reckon by AL.com. His column appears in The Birmingham News, the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register and AL.com. Write him at jarchibald@al.com. Bigg Boss 13: Fans Questioned Chef Vikas Khannas Faith As Asim Riaz Feeds Him On The Show, He Has A Befitting Reply The global commercial real estate firm CBRE is teaming with the owner of the 1818 Market St. office tower on two stories of shared space at the Center City high-rise that would compete with the likes of WeWork. The 50,000-square-foot coworking space, which is set to open during the last three months of 2020, is the seventh to be announced under CBREs Hana brand of collaborative offices and will be its first to open in the Northeastern United States. CBRE began rolling out its Hana-branded spaces nearly a year ago as a way to partner on flexible-space ventures with landlords seeking a bigger piece of the shared-office market. Control of the space now mostly goes to traditional coworking operators. Hana locations have since opened in Dallas and London, with additional ones planned in areas including Irvine, Calif., and Arlington, Va. The Philadelphia space will be operated in a venture with Shorenstein Properties, the San Francisco-based owner of the 37-story 1818 Market building. Hana chief executive Andrew Kupiec said Monday that the brand was drawn to Philadelphia by the citys growing commercial activity. But the main enticement was the opportunity to collaborate with Shorenstein, which has a nationwide portfolio of high-end office buildings where Hana hopes to open locations. Weve looked at this as an opportunity to get in early and work with Shorenstein and expand in their portfolio, Kupiec said. Central Philadelphia has about 1.3 million square feet of shared office space, led by WeWork with 194,000 square feet in five locations, according to data from the real estate services firm JLL. But that represents only about 1% of the citys total office inventory, a far smaller proportion than most other big markets. Lauren Gilchrist, JLLs head of research for the Philadelphia region, said theres enough demand in the city for quality office space, available on demand to sustain additional growth. Most of Philadelphias existing coworking inventory, however, follows a subleasing model, where operators fit out space they rent from landlords, so they can offer it to short-term tenants at marked-up rates. Hana, by contrast, teams with landlords on coworking spaces within their buildings, which Kupiec characterized as a more secure, overall more transparent model" that keeps property owners actively engaged with short-term tenants. Alex Snyder, who analyzes coworking businesses at CenterSquare Investment Management in Plymouth Meeting, said Hanas deals with office landlords seem analogous to agreements that are common between hospitality chains such as Hilton and hotel property owners. In those deals, hotel chains offer their branding and management services to owners in exchange for a fee. This type of arrangement could be more favorable to office landlords than traditional coworking leases, since it lets owners claim a share of profits from shared office space in their buildings, rather than a set monthly rent, Snyder said. This much more closely aligns the interests of the landlord and the coworking provider, he said. You get a share of the upside. Another variation on the traditional coworking model in Philadelphia is offered by San Francisco-based LiquidSpace, which operates an online marketplace that allows landlords to list available office space to short-term tenants. Philadelphias biggest office landlord, Brandywine Realty Trust, meanwhile, offers flexible office and meeting space under the brand name Bex in three of its buildings, in Center City, Radnor, and northern Virginia. Tenants in any of Brandywines dozens of properties have access to the space. Mark Portner, managing director for Shorensteins Eastern U.S. investments, declined to discuss its partnership arrangement with Hana and would not contrast its approach with that of traditional coworking operators. But he said he expects the 1818 Market offering to benefit from CBREs understanding of the market as one of the nations dominant commercial brokerages. They have a great window into tenants that may have a need for flexible workspace, he said. HARTFORD Andrew J. McDonald, chairman of the Criminal Justice Commission, announced Tuesday that the commission will interview four candidates for appointment as the next chief states attorney. The four are: Richard J. Colangelo Jr., who has served as states attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk since July 2015. The Stamford and Norwalk Judicial District that Colangelo presides over includes Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Westport, Weston, Wilton and New Canaan. Kevin D. Lawlor, who has served as deputy chief states attorney for operations since July 2018 after 12 years as states attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford. Erik T. Lohr, associate attorney general for legal counsel in the Office of the Attorney General since January 2019 and who began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Office of the Chief States Attorney. Maureen T. Platt, who has served as states attorney for the judicial district of Waterbury since June 2011. The commission will conduct the interviews at a public meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The commission anticipates acting on the appointment later the same day, according to the release. The chief states attorney is the chief law enforcement officer for Connecticut and administrative head of the Division of Criminal Justice, which includes the Office of the Chief States Attorney and the States Attorneys offices for the 13 Judicial Districts. The new chief states attorney will serve the remainder of the five-year term to which Kevin T. Kane was appointed as chief states attorney in 2016. Kane retired Dec. 1, 2019, after 47 years as a prosecutor, the last 13 as chief states attorney. Established pursuant to Article XXIII of the Connecticut Constitution, the Criminal Justice Commission is responsible for the appointment of all state prosecutors in Connecticut. In addition to Justice McDonald, associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, its membership includes Superior Court Judge Melanie L. Cradle, attorneys Robert M. Berke, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Scott J. Murphy and Moy N. Ogilvie. John J. Russotto in his capacity as acting chief states attorney is also a member of the Commission, however, the chief states attorney by law does not participate in the appointment of the next attorney or deputy. Attorney Russotto, the deputy chief states attorney for personnel, finance and administration, was not a candidate for permanent appointment as chief states attorney. The portrait hanging was the latest in a spate of changes to modernize an institution steeped in history. The General Assemblys new, younger and more diverse leaders have, among other things, added more bathrooms for female lawmakers and put more people of color into the highest positions of power. E-commerce major Amazon has pumped over Rs 1,700 crore into its payments and wholesale business units in India, signalling opportunity that the US giant sees in the country. Amazon Pay India has received Rs 1,355 crore from Amazon Corporate Holdings and Amazon.com.incs.Limited, while Amazon Wholesale (India) allotted shares worth about Rs 360 crore to Amazon Corporate Holdings and Amazon.com.incs.Limited, regulatory documents filed with the corporate affairs ministry showed. The digital payment unit allotted shares to the said units on December 31, 2019, while Amazon Wholesale (India) made the allotment on December 30. Emails sent to Amazon India on the fund infusion did not elicit any response. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is in India this week and is expected to meet top government functionaries, business leaders and SMBs. In a tweet, Bezos shared a video of his visit to Raj Ghat. "Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi," Bezos said in his tweet. The top executive's visit comes at a time when India's antitrust body, Competition Commission of India has ordered an investigation into alleged violations of competition laws by Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart. Thousands of small-scale traders' union under Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) are planning to hold protests around the country during Bezos' stay in India. Last year, the government had tightened rules for e-commerce marketplaces with foreign investment. These rules barred such platforms from offering products of sellers in which they hold a stake, and banned exclusive marketing arrangements among other clauses. Following this, Amazon restructured its joint ventures to ensure compliance. Bezos could discuss these issues during his meeting with government officials. He is also slated to engage with SMBs during the SMBhav event on Wednesday. The event - which will focus on discussions around how technology adoption can enable SMBs in India - is slated to see participation from industry experts, policy makers, solution providers and Amazon leadership. Amazon and rival Flipkart have been pumping millions of dollars across various operations like marketplace, infrastructure and supply chain management as well as marketing and promotion as they look to strengthen their position in the fledgling Indian e-commerce market. In October last year, Amazon had infused over Rs 4,400 crore (more than USD 600 million) in its various units in India, including marketplace and food retail. Amazon, which is locked in a bruising battle against Flipkart, had registered cumulative losses of over Rs 7,000 crore across various units in 2018-19. The continued flow of fresh investments, however, is indicative of Amazon's confidence in the Indian market. "In the last 24 months, Amazon has poured in more than half a billion dollars into its Indian payment business alone. That's stunning and an indication of how competitive, the payment space has become in India," Vivek Durai, founder, paper.vc, a business signals platform. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vietnam Hotel Association and OYO Hotels signed their agreement to boost Vietnams hospitality sector Last week, OYO Hotels and Homes, the worlds second-largest chain of hotels, homes, and living spaces, officially signed a strategic agreement with the Vietnam Hotel Association (VHA). With its operational expertise and state-of-the-art technological solutions that have been successfully applied across the globe, OYO Hotels has the knowledge and expertise to conduct hotel audits and provide consultation to the VHA hotel members for infrastructure and business operation efficiency. The VHA will serve as the facilitator for the planned training programmes and act as a link between OYO Hotels and other VHA members to drive the advancement and development of the tourism industry. Dushyant Dwibedy, country director of OYO Vietnam, said The agreement with the VHA is one of the primary strategies of OYO Vietnam in 2020 to realise our long-term investment commitment, aiming to become the most-loved hotel chain. Besides our globally acclaimed model of technological expertise and operational capabilities, we also have 27 OYO Skill Institutes across the globe to train hundreds of young hospitality enthusiasts each month. We hope being a member of VHA will be a great opportunity for more business matching, experience exchange, and human resource training so as to revolutionise Vietnams tourism industry. Besides this, OYO will help other members of VHA optimise their hospitality facilities via the application of technology, thereby increasing their competition capacity, Dwibedy said. Since its launch in 2013, OYO has revolutionised the fragmented and legacy-driven budget hospitality space worldwide by empowering small and independent asset owners with the operational capabilities and technological expertise that enables them to compete with big hotel chains and achieve high efficiency. OYO Hotels officially made its entry into Vietnam in July 2019. After only six months, OYO has established itself in 15 cities and provinces, with over 430 hotels and 7,600 rooms, and is aggressively continuing towards higher growth by the end of 2020. The expansion offers OYO Hotels valued opportunities to host customers on a broader scale while helping improve the yield for independent hoteliers in the region. Scores of people participated in an indefinite protest against the three capital proposal by Andhra Pradesh government, during the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Amaravati. The protestors burnt the reports of GN Rao committee and Boston Consulting Group which suggests the decentralisation of governance and capital. As the Sanskrit festival is a festival of 'rangoli' women from different villages made rangolis that read 'Save Amaravati'. Many TDP leaders were seen taking part in the protest. In Tulluru village, former TDP MP Maganti Babu attended the bonfire program. Protestors along with some TDP leaders were seen raising slogans denouncing the three capital proposal and chanting 'Jai Amaravati'. The TDP leaders also visited Velagapudi and Mandadam villages, where they repeated the same action of burning the committees' reports. The GN Rao Committee, which was set up by the Andhra Pradesh government to look into the suggestion of three capitals had earlier made a favourable recommendation saying the move will help in decentralised development and put the available resources to the best use. It proposed Visakhapatnam as the executive capital and Kurnool the judicial capital while retaining Amaravati as the legislative capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Bank is warning the public of an unauthorised moneylender operating in Ireland who has cloned the Irish Company Registration Office number and address of an authorised firm. Cash Loans Land Ireland is advertising loans to persons but it holds no authorisation from the Central Bank as a retail credit firm. Iraqi officials warn of economic 'collapse' if US cuts off access to oil revenues Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 9:33 AM Iraqi officials have warned of economic "collapse" if the United States makes good on its threat to cut off its access to a US-based key bank account where oil revenues are kept. President Donald Trump is angered by the Iraqi parliament voting on January 5 to oust all US forces following Washington's assassination of Iran's General Qassem Soleimani and Iraq's Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Trump has said if US troops were asked to leave, he would charge the Iraqis "sanctions like they've never seen before." On Friday, he suggested blocking some $35 billion of Iraqi money "right now sitting in an account" in the United States. Agence France-Presse quoted two unnamed Iraqi officials as saying that Washington had delivered an extraordinary verbal message directly to the office of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. The office "got a call threatening that if US troops are kicked out, 'we' -- the US -- will block your account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York," one official said. Iraq is the second largest oil producer of OPEC and its oil revenues --which are paid in dollars into the Fed account daily-- fund 90 percent of the national budget. "We're an oil-producing country. Those accounts are in dollars. Cutting off access means totally turning off the tap," the first Iraqi official said. The second official said, "It would mean collapse for Iraq." He said the government would not be able to carry out daily functions or pay salaries, adding that such a move would prompt the Iraqi currency to fall in value. The Central Bank of Iraq's account at the Fed was established in 2003 following the US invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein. According to Iraqi officials the balance now is sitting at about $35 billion. Trump said Friday he had told Abdul-Mahdi that Iraq "should pay back the United States for its investments in the country over the past several years or the American military will stay there," Fox News reported. "If we leave ... you have to pay us for the money we put in," the US president said. Asked how he planned to collect money from Iraq, Trump said: "Well, we have a lot of their money right now. We have a lot of their money. We have $35 billion of their money right now sitting in an account. A third top Iraqi official acknowledged that Washington was mulling "restricting" cash access to "about a third of what they would usually send." "You can imagine why, if troops were expelled, banks might be nervous about sending lots of... cash to Baghdad," the official said. The US threat comes even as the Federal Reserve Bank is supposed to be independent of foreign policy. "The attempt to politicize dollar shipments has the Bank worried because it affects its prestige and integrity in dealing with clients," the State Department official said, adding "Trump is obviously willing to politicize everything." According to AFP, the measure has been considered by Washington for months even before the vote. A senior US diplomat at the Baghdad embassy told AFP in July that the US was looking at "limiting the cash that comes into Iraq." "That would be the nuclear option," the diplomat added back then. US to 'lose Iraq' Iraqi officials said the US threat to deny access to oil revenues had been met with shock, outrage and near-disbelief. "The PM was pissed and insulted," one official said, while another warned that the US would then irreversibly "lose Iraq." "They'd push us towards Russia, China, Iran. We'd have to form a separate economy with those countries," the official added. The US, backed by the UK, invaded Iraq in 2003 under the pretext that the former regime of Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons were ever found in the country. The invasion, however, plunged Iraq into chaos and led to the rise of terrorist groups across the region. About 5,200 American forces are currently deployed across Iraq. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Additional reporting Juno McEnroe, Digital Desk and Press Association The Taoisech Leo Varadkar has informed his Cabinet colleagues that General Election 2020 will take place on Saturday February 8. The President dissolved the 32nd Dail this afternoon, meaning the General Election campaign is officially underway. Mr Varadkar arrived at Aras an Uachtarain just before 2pm and signed the request for the dissolution. It was then over to President Michael D Higgins to sign the Proclamation of Dissolution and with a quick handshake and a smile for the cameras it was all over. The date of the election will be Saturday February 8, the Cabinet was told this morning. It has also been reported this morning that a "future to look forward to" will be the Fine Gael slogan for its campaign. This follows on from its previous slogan the party had in the 2016 election campaign, where the incumbent party told voters it wanted to "keep the recovery going". Election posters with Mr Varadkar's face were spotted being erected in his Dublin West constituency before the official commencement of the campaign. A Saturday vote has triggered some debate but initial signs are that the decision is welcomed as it may allow more voters to get to vote. Mr Varadkar cancelled this morning's meeting of Fine Gael ministers and brought Cabinet forward to 9am, fuelling fresh specuation the Dail could be dissolved today, which has since been confirmed. There was a sense among some Fine Gael ministers that Mr Varadkar would not wish to go into the Dail and take several hours of grief from opposition TDs, who can now numerically defeat the Government, even if Fianna Fail TDs abstain. The news of the cancellation of the meeting comes after Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the Taoiseach told him he cannot guarantee all of his own TDs will continue to vote for him. Mr Varadkar reportedly told Mr Martin that he wasnt confident of the vote of Maria Bailey, in the event of a vote of no confidence in Health Minister Simon Harris. The two men are due to meet again this week. The loss of three TDs in recent times had really put the Taoiseach in some difficulty Mr Martin said. He said to us that he wasnt sure of some of his own people, the Fianna Fail leader said. Mr Martin said that in the last four years Fianna Fail had honoured the Confidence and Supply Agreement and that no one can question Fianna Fails bona fides. Were Mr Varadkar not to dissolve the Dail today, there was a strong sense within Fine Gael he would go to Aras an Uachtarain on Thursday, following the State visit of new European Commission President Ursula Von den Leyen on Wednesday, paving the way for an election on Friday February 7 or one week later on St Valentine's Day. Should the election happen on either of those days, it emerged that thousands of voters face being excluded from the vote, as updates to the register only take effect from February 15. Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee Sean Fleming has said he wants the Dail to pass a measure this week to ensure all these voters are on the register in time for an election. Until that date, the register to which the thousands of people have added their names, is only a draft and not operable. Mr Fleming is calling for the Dail to address the matter before it is dissolved this week. This story was updated at 3.06pm. Earlier: Leo Varadkar set to ask President to dissolve the Dail There is growing speculation that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will ask the President to dissolve the Dail as early as today. The move to bring this morning's Cabinet meeting forward from its normal 10.30am start was last night seen as significant. Reports circulated say that Saturday, February 8 is expected to be the election day. Taoiseach expected to seek dissolution of Dail Eireann today and formally begin General Election 2020 #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) January 14, 2020 There has been speculation that the election may take place on either February 7 or 14. However, people who registered to vote last September or October will not be registered to vote until February 15 and therefore will not have a vote if the general election is called for either February 7 or Valentine's Day unless the law around registration is changed, according to Fianna Fails Sean Fleming. There was a sense among some Fine Gael ministers that Mr Varadkar would not wish to go into the Dail and take several hours of grief from opposition TDs, who can now numerically defeat the Government, even if Fianna Fail TDs abstain. This morning, Verona Murphy, who lost in the recent by-election as a Fine Gael candidate, announced her intention to run as an Independent. How is the election date decided? Under Irish law, once the Dail is dissolved and the President has issued a proclamation confirming it, the Clerk of the Dail issues a writ to the returning officer in each constituency directing them to hold an election of the prescribed number of members. A general election must be held within 30 days of the dissolution of the Dail. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government appoints the polling day which must be between the 18th and 25th day (excluding Good Friday, Sundays and public holidays) after the issue of the writ issued by the Clerk of the Dail. TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mandalay Resources Corporation ("Mandalay" or the "Company") (TSX: MND, OTCQB: MNDJF) is pleased to report continuing positive results from the exploration programs at its Costerfield operation in Victoria, Australia, and at its Bjorkdal operation in Skelleftea, Sweden. This press release discloses diamond drilling results completed since the Company's previous exploration release on September 30, 2019. Figures illustrating the results can be found at the end of this press release. Highlights Costerfield New close spaced drilling has increased confidence in the upper section of the Youle vein, where mining is underway; Step out drilling on the Youle vein and at the historic Costerfield mine to the north has discovered mineralized extensions (see Figures 1 to 6 and Tables 1 to 3 below); and The first parent and wedge daughter holes on the Costerfield Deeps target have been completed beneath the Youle orebody. Structural knowledge and multielement geochemistry from these holes have been used to target a second parent hole testing the Deeps target under the August Deposits. Drilling of the second program will commence later in 2020. Bjorkdal Extensional drilling at the Aurora zone continues to enlarge the structurally controlled, high-grade mineralization, which trends at depth towards the east (see Figures 7 to 10 and Tables 4 to 7 below); Drilling of high-grade targets, including skarn mineralization near underground infrastructure, have improved mine planning to deliver sustainable high head grades from the mine; and Target testing holes have confirmed the continuation of mineralization in new veins up to 500 metres ("m") northward from the presently defined Aurora zone. Dominic Duffy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mandalay, commented, "We are pleased to report continued exploration success at both of our sites. The most recent drilling results at Costerfield and Bjorkdal confirm the significant upside potential value of our operations." Mr. Duffy added, "At Costerfield, optimization drilling within the upper part of the Youle vein has confirmed the high-grade resources previously published for the vein and filled in previous wide-spaced intercepts along a strike of 450 m. These results will support improved planning and execution of mining operations and longer life of the Youle vein." Mr. Duffy continued, "We have now concluded the daughter hole wedged off the first Costerfield Deeps hole CD001. The results have advanced our geological understanding of this highly prospective area. This has provided the information for planning the second deep parent and daughter holes to target under the Augusta system, which will be drilled in 2020." Mr. Duffy concluded, "At Bjorkdal, drilling to extend orebodies currently being mined has allowed us to bring higher head grade into the mine plan. Both the Aurora zone and skarn mineralization have been significantly extended. Meanwhile, target testing as much as 500 m north of the Aurora zone has intersected new gold bearing veins." Mandalay Drilling Programs Costerfield Drilling Programs Mandalay continues the three exploration programs at Costerfield that were commenced in May 2019. Youle Optimization Drilling Since the Company's last exploration press release on September 30, 2019, Mandalay has continued to develop and optimize extraction of the high-grade Youle vein. The resulting geological interpretation and assay results are expected to enlarge the upper portion of the Youle deposit in which mining is currently underway. Furthermore, this drilling has identified a series of sheeted stibnite veins extending up to 10 m into the west wall of the main lode within the upper sections of the mine. Due to the angle of earlier surface drilling, the extent of this veining was not realized until underground drilling occurred. Five active headings are presently being mined within the upper 40 m of the Youle vein. Recent results (Tables 1 and 2) from the optimization drilling has identified significant zones of mineralization; coarse, nugget gold occurs in many of the samples. For example, hole KD583 contains a visible gold ("Au") and stibnite within a quartz matrix (Figure 1). This intercept returned grades of 4,000 g/t Au and 1.5 % antimony ("Sb") over a width of 0.04 m. Other results include KD603 in which 303.0 g/t Au and 52.1% Sb occur over a width of 0.37 m. Table 1: Youle Optimization Drilling Highlights Hole ID True Width (m) Au Grade (g/t) Sb Grade (%) AuEq (g/t) over min. 1.8m mining width KD583 2.12 85.3 6.5 96.3 KD596 1.18 159.2 38.3 146.8 KD602 0.43 167.0 47.2 59.3 KD603 0.37 303.0 52.1 79.8 Figure 1: Youle intercept within KD583 displaying gold and stibnite within a matrix of quartz https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21be06be-ae7e-47c7-b29d-172eeeeccdba Table 2: Youle Optimization Drilling Results (September 2019 - December 2019) Hole ID Hole Completion Date Total hole Depth Intercept Easting (Mine Grid) Intercept Northing (Mine Grid) Intercept Elevation (Mine Grid) Drilled Width (m) True Width (m) Au Grade (g/t) Sb Grade (%) AuEq (g/t) over min. 1.8m mining width Sampled Structure KD529 26/07/2019 82.8 15414 6771 966 2.58 2.42 0.8 2.5 5.0 Youle + Splays Including 0.21 0.20 50.0 48.3 14.4 Youle KD530 28/07/2019 81.0 15414 6742 978 0.15 0.13 2.7 6.3 1.0 Youle KD552 6/09/2019 49.8 15400 6768 957 0.27 0.17 128.0 56.6 21.3 Youle KD553 9/09/2019 44.3 15415 6771 974 0.10 1.81 2.1 2.0 5.5 Youle KD554 18/09/2019 39.4 15394 6764 948 0.27 0.24 38.9 35.1 13.4 Youle KD555 3/10/2019 35.2 15389 6781 941 0.41 0.35 0.2 0.3 0.1 Youle KD556 26/09/2019 70.0 15413 6792 957 0.29 0.25 24.8 17.1 7.5 Youle KD557 23/09/2019 82.0 15417 6799 969 0.43 0.33 6.2 3.8 2.3 Youle KD558 1/10/2019 59.0 15411 6804 967 0.08 35.6 19.7 3.0 Youle KD559 20/11/2019 33.0 15394 6804 949 2.16 1.61 4.8 4.9 11.8 Youle KD560 3/10/2019 75.0 15397 6726 961 0.17 0.13 25.6 0.2 1.9 Youle KD561 14/10/2019 50.0 15390 6731 955 0.95 0.82 5.3 4.2 5.7 Youle KD562 15/10/2019 39.3 15388 6733 947 0.42 0.38 33.6 22.5 15.0 Youle KD563 17/10/2019 40.0 15393 6748 949 0.85 0.82 3.5 4.7 5.2 Youle KD571 5/11/2019 125.0 15371 6682 960 0.23 0.15 9.0 3.5 1.3 Youle KD572 1/11/2019 105.2 15373 6683 949 0.76 0.65 0.1 0.9 0.6 Youle KD573 27/12/2019 85.7 15352 6679 936 0.21 0.20 0.7 5.4 1.1 Youle KD574 22/10/2019 70.0 15440 6757 985 6.75 5.53 1.4 1.1 3.3 Youle + Splays Including 0.13 0.10 47.2 25.2 4.9 Youle KD576 23/10/2019 90.5 15420 6789 984 0.16 0.10 20.1 10.4 2.1 Youle KD576 23/10/2019 90.5 15432 6800 988 1.00 0.62 12.9 1.1 5.0 Splay Vein KD580 25/10/2019 35.0 15414 6802 958 0.27 0.20 65.5 21.3 11.2 Youle KD580 25/10/2019 35.0 15407 6799 955 0.61 0.45 0.9 3.1 1.6 Splay Vein KD580 25/10/2019 35.0 15413 6801 958 0.44 0.32 2.2 9.2 3.2 Splay Vein KD583 11/11/2019 90.3 15403 6825 956 3.11 2.12 85.3 6.5 96.3 Youle Including 0.07 0.04 4000.0 0.5 98.5 Youle KD584 13/11/2019 72.0 15399 6826 947 0.83 0.77 6.1 5.8 6.8 Youle KD585 14/11/2019 56.0 15391 6826 938 3.96 3.72 20.0 10.8 38.3 Youle Including 0.33 0.31 194.0 55.9 49.8 Youle KD586 15/11/2019 45.0 15382 6827 930 1.04 0.98 0.2 0.0 0.1 Youle KD587 18/11/2019 45.0 15373 6828 921 0.58 0.49 50.7 14.5 20.3 Youle KD588 8/11/2019 34.9 15404 6728 973 0.14 0.12 2.6 12.2 1.6 Splay Vein KD588 8/11/2019 34.9 15407 6724 974 0.21 0.18 32.1 12.3 5.4 Youle KD589 13/11/2019 54.5 15413 6953 924 1.00 0.95 55.2 34.8 60.3 Youle KD593B 27/11/2019 90.0 15412 6841 956 1.15 0.83 30.3 9.6 21.5 Youle KD593B 27/11/2019 90.0 15408 6840 956 0.46 0.44 3.7 6.1 3.4 Splay Vein KD594 25/11/2019 90.0 15405 6857 954 1.82 1.33 1.9 1.8 3.7 Splay Vein KD595 28/12/2019 82.0 15403 6856 945 7.25 4.16 3.8 3.6 9.9 Youle Including 0.90 0.52 14.1 8.7 8.3 Youle And Including 0.71 0.41 14.5 6.8 5.9 Youle KD596 24/11/2019 70.0 15394 6856 932 1.69 1.18 159.2 38.3 146.8 Youle KD598 20/11/2019 68.3 15409 6908 940 7.29 6.18 3.0 3.5 8.9 Youle Including 0.30 0.23 59.6 42.0 17.1 Youle KD602 5/12/2019 67.0 15417 6978 926 0.48 0.43 167.0 47.2 59.3 Youle KD603 5/12/2019 55.0 15412 6959 913 0.38 0.37 303.0 52.1 79.8 Youle Youle Northern Extension Drilling Program The Youle Extension program is ongoing. The goals are to delineate a complex high-grade zone to the north while expanding on the success of the program as reported in September 2019 and extending mineralization further to the north. The drilling program continues to increase the Company's understanding of the gold and antimony concentration, expanding the mineralization a further 600 m to the north. Confirmation of the structural continuity of the favorable mineralized vein sets currently being mined in Youle has been identified in the northern drilling. These mineralized west dipping vein sets will become the focus of exploration drilling in January 2020. Exploration has continued on the Youle northern extension program, with four diamond holes completed since the September 2019 press release, totaling 1,569 m. The northern-most hole, BC079 targeted the array of veins that make up the northern component of Youle, with anomalous values of up to 0.86 g/t Au and 2.13% Sb over 0.12 m. This result confirms that quartz-stibnite-gold mineralization persists to the north, the mineralized veins being analogous to currently mined structures in the Youle lode. Drilling is currently underway targeting Youle down plunge to the north at the intersection of the No.4 fault. Further interpretation and modelling of a gold and antimony bearing laminated quartz vein intercepted in drill hole BC075 in September 2019 (0.42 m @ 7.2 g/t Au and 4.4% Sb), has generated a highly prospective target 400 m to the north of current mining operations on Youle. This west dipping vein has been recognized to be in the same orientation as the most productive lode structures at Youle and Augusta. Drill hole planning is currently underway to test this prospective structure. Table 3: Youle Northern Drilling Results (September 2019 - December 2019) Hole ID Hole Completion Date Total hole Depth Intercept Easting (Mine Grid) Intercept Northing (Mine Grid) Intercept Elevation (Mine Grid) Drilled Width (m) True Width (m) Au Grade (g/t) Sb Grade (%) AuEq (g/t) over min. 1.8m mining width BC076 9/09/2019 176.1 No intercept - hole aborted BC077 25/10/2019 437.5 15537 7425 994 1.16 0.51 0.6 1.5 0.61 BC078 10/10/2019 536.2 15565 7465 971 1.96 1.73 0.4 0.0 0.37 BC079 31/10/2019 419.6 15510 7542 1126 0.14 0.12 0.9 2.1 0.2 Costerfield Deeps Drilling Program The wedge hole from CD001 has been completed and extensively sampled. CD001W1 reached a final depth of 1,197 m after passing through the large thrust observed in the parent hole CD001. This thrust fault is, believed to be the King Cobra Fault footwall contact intercepted at 1,023 m downhole (Figure 4). The same bleached wall rock alteration halo with minor sulphides identified in CD001 (coincident with elevated gold, antimony and arsenic assays) was found in the wedge from approximately 950 m downhole. Of interest is a zone of intense bleaching and stockwork veining between 1,007 - 1,023 m (Figure 4) which may indicate of a more focused mineralizing fluid system than seen in CD001. Trace element geochemical analysis was undertaken on lithology and observed alteration of interest including the entire altered and stockworked zone around the interpreted King Cobra Fault. The data shows elevated gold, antimony and arsenic through the target zone supporting and extending the results from the parent drill hole (Figure 5). Previous deep drilling has identified high gold grade enrichments underneath the depleted Cuffley deposit, that were hosted within the same stratigraphic sequence targeted by CD001W1, within an anticlinal setting. The Company believes that this environment may, as it does in the south, host significant gold enrichment. These targeted carbonaceous units were identified to be in a truncated state, cut by a series of west-dipping faults with a considerable amount of strike-slip movement. Although clearly elevated in gold and antimony the targeted fluid trap environment was not realized which suggests that the fault system is likely to have acted as a conduit for ore-forming fluids ascending to the Youle deposit. The clearly hydrothermally active setting it still a highly prospective target as demonstrated by the grades previously drilled in CSK007 and CSK012 (Figure 6). Detailed structural logging though the 2019 deeps drilling has been integrated into the regional prospectively model and, along with underground mapping, drilling and surface mapping, a clear picture of highly prospective envelopes is being uncovered at depth along the 5 kilometre ("km") mineral field. These targets are the focus of our continuing efforts and drill planning. Bjorkdal Drilling Programs Aurora Drilling Program Underground drilling has focused on extending the existing Aurora zone. Results to date have revealed the presence of a structurally controlled, high-grade zone, trending at depth towards the east. The up-dip extension of the horizon will be investigated from surface in Q1 2020. The zone is currently being mined on five active levels. Northern Target Test Drilling Underground drilling focused on investigating the continuation of the mineralized body towards the north of the current operations. A total of four holes were completed, however, due to bad ground conditions and the ingress of abundant water only three of the four holes reached total depth. The holes intercepted interbedded Dacite, Andesite and Basalt, typical of Bjorkdal with a number of brittle faults and shears. Results to date confirm the continuation of mineralization up to 500 m away from the current mine workings. A follow up drill campaign will commence in Q1 2020 in order to confirm the intercepts from 2019. Bjorkdal Drilling Results Bjorkdal Drilling Results Since the Company's last exploration press release on September 30, 2019, the Company has assayed 27 drill holes in the Aurora zone at Bjorkdal (see Table 6) and 4 target test drill holes to the north of the current mining operations (see Table 7). Recent highlights from the Aurora and northern target test drilling assays include the following intercepts: Table 4: Aurora drilling Highlights Hole ID True Width Au g/t DOD2019-096 6.78 2.43 DOD2019-097 3.85 3.57 MU9-024 8.05 2.39 MU9-026 10.73 3.85 MU9-028A 4.83 2.11 MU9-029 3.78 14.78 Table 5: Northern target test drilling Highlights Hole ID True Width Au g/t MU9-015 0.40 60.00 MU9-015 0.34 26.20 MU9-016 0.45 26.00 MU9-016 0.27 33.50 MU9-016 0.40 10.50 MU9-016 0.75 27.65 Table 6: Aurora Drilling Results (September 2019 - January 2020) Hole Id Hole Completion Date Intercept Northing (Mine Grid) Intercept Easting (Mine Grid) Intercept Elevation (Mine Grid) From (m) To (m) Drilled Width (m) True Width (m) Au (g/t) Au (g/t) over min. 3 m mining width DOD2019-053 9/07/2019 1745 1147 -382 109.75 113.70 3.95 3.87 1.43 1.43 DOD2019-055 8/08/2019 1743 1165 -392 101.90 106.25 4.35 4.34 1.42 1.42 DOD2019-063 4/09/2019 1730 1217 -356 68.00 73.00 5.00 4.96 0.51 0.51 DOD2019-092 1/09/2019 1775 1109 -461 139.00 142.73 3.73 2.96 0.58 0.58 DOD2019-093 7/10/2019 1797 1452 -433 73.60 77.00 3.40 3.35 1.72 1.72 DOD2019-094 10/10/2019 1810 1472 -454 80.40 83.70 3.30 3.20 1.05 1.05 DOD2019-095 12/10/2019 1808 1478 -428 84.30 89.80 5.50 5.41 1.59 1.59 DOD2019-096 22/10/2019 1814 1509 -465 91.00 99.12 8.12 6.78 2.43 2.43 DOD2019-097 26/10/2019 1800 1508 -435 85.00 89.40 4.40 3.85 3.57 3.57 MU9-021 26/08/2019 1869 1485 -575 174.20 187.45 13.25 6.37 0.51 0.51 MU9-022 16/09/2019 1843 1474 -525 124.80 136.80 12.00 7.34 1.15 1.15 MU9-023 30/08/2019 1858 1458 -557 153.45 166.10 12.65 8.90 1.09 1.09 MU9-024 9/09/2019 1896 1450 -622 224.00 236.10 12.10 8.05 2.39 2.39 MU9-025 22/09/2019 1847 1426 -546 140.65 147.60 6.95 2.99 0.93 0.93 MU9-026 27/09/2019 1870 1380 -570 160.30 176.10 15.80 10.73 3.85 3.85 MU9-027 2/10/2019 1875 1344 -581 179.65 189.35 9.70 5.51 0.71 0.71 MU9-028A 9/10/2019 1858 1325 -553 156.60 163.50 6.90 4.83 2.11 2.11 MU9-029 31/10/2019 1847 1282 -538 142.10 146.55 4.45 3.78 14.78 14.78 MU9-032 23/10/2019 1852 1162 -557 182.20 183.40 1.20 0.50 2.54 0.42 MU9-033A 17/10/2019 1855 1120 -571 179.20 181.60 2.40 1.15 3.33 1.28 Table 7: Northern Target Test Drilling Results (September 2019 - January 2020) Hole Id Hole Completion Date Intercept Northing (Mine Grid) Intercept Easting (Mine Grid) Intercept Elevation (Mine Grid) From (m) To (m) Drilled Width (m) True Width (m) Au (g/t) Au (g/t) over min. 3 m mining width MU9-015 23/09/2019 1830 1161 -436 1.65 2.10 0.45 0.40 60.00 8.00 MU9-015 1845 1156 -443 18.70 19.25 0.55 0.34 26.20 2.97 MU9-016 12/10/2019 1830 1161 -437 2.60 3.10 0.50 0.45 26.00 3.90 MU9-016 2011 1158 -526 203.60 204.00 0.40 0.27 33.50 3.02 MU9-016 2260 1164 -635 476.40 476.90 0.50 0.40 10.50 1.40 MU9-016 2283 1165 -644 500.35 501.25 0.90 0.75 27.65 6.91 MU9-017 29/10/2019 1828 1265 -436 12.85 13.75 0.90 0.59 4.84 0.95 MU9-017 1837 1265 -440 21.50 23.30 1.80 1.11 1.31 0.48 MU9-017 1857 1265 -447 44.10 44.90 0.80 0.57 2.59 0.49 MU9-017 1879 1265 -455 67.20 68.20 1.00 0.92 2.87 0.88 MU9-017 1985 1266 -489 178.30 178.75 0.45 0.40 3.24 0.43 MU9-017 2114 1271 -526 313.25 313.90 0.65 0.53 2.81 0.50 MU9-018 18/11/2019 1937 1227 -497 143.40 143.85 0.45 0.21 5.72 0.40 Figure 2: Inset of the Costerfield Longitudinal Section Illustrating the New Production Optimization Drilling Figure 3: Longitudinal Section and Plan Section of Youle https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d39e8cc0-a129-456d-b957-75eaf762da7f Figure 4: Cross Section of Costerfield Deeps Drill Holes CD001 and CD001W1 with Interpreted Geology, Displaying Relationship to Youle and the Costerfield mine https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c597cfee-3b86-475b-8dba-359b03def61d Figure 5: Downhole trace-level geochemistry of CD001W1, showing correlation of elevated Gold Antimony and Arsenic through Target Zone Figure 6: Schematic Regional Long Section of the Costerfield District, Showing the Position of the Costerfield Deeps Drill Hole Cross Section at 6900N Figure 7: Bjorkdal Mine Scale Overview Map Showing the Location of the Aurora Zone and the Northern target test drilling in relation to mine development https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/274b65c6-b3a9-4532-835f-766a65cf36ce Figure 8: Cross sections of Bjorkdal Mine Area Showing the Location and Current Size of the Aurora Zone https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2ebb93a-8b70-473d-b6bb-a795c20b472b Figure 9: Longitudinal Section of the Aurora Zone Illustrating Location of Recent Intercepts https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6382124d-f235-45e2-b5f8-a3bd4f0d0fea Figure 10: Overview map of Bjorkdalsgruvan showing the location of the target test drilling in relation to mine development. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1caa3a0a-43e5-4664-a91d-dc51a53750f1 Drilling and Assaying At Costerfield, diamond drill core was logged and sampled by Costerfield geologists. All samples were sent to OnSite Laboratory Services in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, for sample preparation and assay. Site geological and metallurgical personnel have implemented a QA/QC process that includes the regular submission of standard reference materials and blanks with drill and face samples submitted for assay. Standard reference materials have been certified by Geostats Pty Ltd. (February 6, 2019 Technical Report entitled "Costerfield Operation, Victoria, Australia NI 43-101 Report", available on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ), which contains a complete description of drilling, sampling, and assaying procedures). At Bjorkdal, all diamond drill core was logged and sampled by Bjorkdal geologists. Exploration drill hole samples (prefix MU) were sent to CRS Minlab Oy (CRS) in Kempele, Finland for sample preparation and assaying. Development Optimization drill hole samples (prefix DOD) were at the onsite lab ran by ALS for sample preparation and assaying (see March 28, 2019, Technical Report entitled "Technical Report on the Bjorkdal Gold Mine, Sweden", available on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ), which contains a complete description of drilling, sampling, and assaying procedures). Assaying in both the CRS and ALS laboratories was conducted utilizing the Pal1000 (CRS) cyanide leaching processes. Mandalay's rigorous QA/QC program included the use of standard reference samples, blanks, duplicates, repeats, and internal laboratory quality assurance procedures. Qualified Person: Chris Gregory, Vice President of Operational Geology and Exploration at Mandalay Resources, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information provided in this release. For Further Information Dominic Duffy President and Chief Executive Officer Edison Nguyen Manager, Analytics and Investor Relations Contact: 647.260.1566 About Mandalay Resources Corporation Mandalay Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with producing assets in Australia and Sweden, and care and maintenance and development projects in Chile. The Company is focused on growing production at its gold and antimony operation in Australia, and gold production from its operation in Sweden to generate near term cash flow. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the exploration and development potential of the Youle depositIn addition, there can be no assurance that any inferred resources that are discovered as a result of additional drilling will ever be upgraded to proven or probable reserves. Although Mandalay has 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 statements. Microsoft is releasing a security patch Tuesday to fix a major flaw in the Windows operating system. Although Microsoft says it hasn't seen evidence the issue has been exploited in the wild, it could allow an attacker to "decrypt confidential information." Why it matters: The flaw represents a significant vulnerability and was turned over to Microsoft by the National Security Agency. In the past, the NSA has kept some Windows flaws to itself to use for its own purposes. What's next: Microsoft confirmed details of the flaw and the release of the patch, adding that its security software can detect and block malware attempting to use this vulnerability. It affects versions of Windows 10 as well as the 2016 and 2019 versions of Windows Server, but not Windows 7, Windows 8 or earlier versions. "We have not seen any evidence that this technique has been used in the wild," Microsoft said. "As always we encourage customers to install all security updates as soon as possible. The vulnerability was rated "important," Microsoft's second highest rating, because it involves user interaction to be exploited. (Critical flaws can be exploited with no user interaction.) Krebs on Security, which reported the existence of the patch Monday night, described it as "an extraordinarily serious security vulnerability in a core cryptographic component." Also, per Krebs, Microsoft has already delivered a patch for the bug to the U.S. military and other key customers and potential targets, such as the companies that manage internet infrastructure. Those companies had to agree not to disclose details of the vulnerability. In a statement, Microsoft said it doesn't release production-ready updates ahead of its regular Update Tuesday schedule, but it does give advance versions to partners "for the purpose of validation and interoperability testing in lab environments." Those who get the advance versions are not supposed to use them for production machines. What they're saying: Longtime security expert Dan Kaminsky, chief scientist at White Ops, said that the flaw is a big deal, despite the less-than-critical rating assigned by Microsoft. "It does happen that some bugs are 'overhyped'. Not this one. A flaw here exposes itself on sensitive attack surfaces across the entire Windows platform, in subtle ways that are difficult to predict and critically would be highly reliable. Absolutely the real deal, patch this immediately." Dan Kaminsky, to Axios WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- The United Methodist Church could make some major decisions in 2020. The denomination is divided over whether to strengthen a ban on same-sex marriage and gay clergy members. One local Methodist pastor said this potential split has been a long time coming. "We have arrived at a point where a line was drawn in the sand and at this point, that line has become a chasm and we really can't find a way across that chasm which retains our current structure," said Reverend Stephen Bibb the Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church in West Lafayette. Open hearts, open minds, and open doors, for many years this has been the motto of the United Methodist Church. However, the discussion surrounding gay marriage and gay clergy members has been a divisive topic for years as well. "We've kind of found ourselves at an impasse regarding the way we feel about gay clergy and the performance of gay weddings, said Chassity Neckers a content specialist for the United Methodist Churches of Indiana. Right now, we are in the discussion of how we move forward best as a denomination." One major way the church is discussing moving forward is by splitting up. A proposal was made that would allow traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. Which Reverend Bibb says, is likely the best option. "It's a growing understanding that the best way to go to allow everybody the integrity of their own faith is to divide," said Reverend Bibb. Reverend Stephen Bibb is the senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in West Lafayette. The church is known for being LGBTQ friendly. "All people are welcome here, added Bibb. We include people regardless of their financial situation, regardless of where they live the clothes they wear and regardless of their sexual orientation it doesnt matter. They are invited to participate and will be safe. Bibb says they pride themselves on being inclusive and if a split were to happen they would most likely choose a more progressive stance. "Jesus was the one who said anyone who believes in me and wants to is welcome, added Reverend Bibb. We are all created by the same God. As the saying goes, God don't make no junk. WLFI reached out to several Methodist churches in the area but only First United Methodist in West Lafayette agreed to an interview. A decision on whether the church will split is expected to be made at the church's general conference in May of this year. To read the press release sent out by the church, click here. British Prime Minister on Tuesday rejected a request by Scotland's devolved government for powers to hold another referendum on independence. In a letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party, Johnson noted that a previous referendum held in 2014 had been billed as a "once in a generation" vote. Scots voted then by 55 percent to 45 percent against breaking away from the rest of the United Kingdom, and Johnson said Edinburgh had agreed to abide by that decision. "The UK government will continue to uphold the democratic decision of the Scottish people and the promise that you made to them," he wrote. "For that reason, I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums." Sturgeon wants to have another referendum in 2020, and last month asked London to transfer the powers to the Scottish Parliament needed to make this happen. She argues that the referendum in 2016 is a justification for allowing Scots to vote again on secession from the UK. Across the whole United Kingdom, 52 percent voted for the UK to leave the European Union but within Scotland, 62 percent wanted Britain to stay in the EU. The UK will leave the bloc on January 31. "Tories are terrified of Scotland's right to choose -- because they know that when given the choice we'll choose independence," Sturgeon said of Johnson's Conservative and Unionist Party. "Tories have no positive case for the union -- so all they can do is attempt to deny democracy. It will not stand. "This response is predictable -- but also unsustainable and self defeating. will have the right to choose." Sturgeon said the Scottish government would set out its response and next steps before the end of the month, and would again ask the Scottish Parliament "to back Scotland's right to choose our own future". Voters will go to the polls in Ireland on 8 February, Leo Varadkar has announced, saying the time is right to call a general election. "I always said that the election should happen at the best time for the country. Now is that time," said the Irish prime minister. Explaining why, he said a deal on Brexit had been achieved for an "orderly" departure of the UK from the European Union, and a deal agreed to restore Northern Ireland's power-sharing government. "There will be no hard border, citizens' rights have been protected and the Common Travel Area will remain in place," he said. Mr Varadkar stressed that Brexit talks were far from over, "in fact, it's only half-time", he said, outlining that the next step was to negotiate a free trade agreement between the EU, Ireland and Britain. "There exists now a window of opportunity to hold a general election and to have a new government in place before the next European Council meeting in March with a strong mandate to focus on these negotiations into the summer and autumn," he said. On the domestic front, Mr Varadkar said "our economy has never been stronger" and that there were more people at work than ever before. "As a nation, we have every reason to be hopeful about the future. We've modernised our society - marriage equality, women's rights, real progress in education, welfare and childcare," he said. "But, it's not enough. I know it's not enough. People want their government to do much more. And I want us to do much more." He will now visit Aras an Uachtarain - the president's official residence - to ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve parliament, the president's office confirmed in a statement. The dissolution of parliament will formally mark the start of the election campaign. Over the weekend, Mr Varadkar told RTE Radio One that he had decided on the timing of an election, but said protocol prevented him from revealing it. Story continues Speculation was further driven as pictures emerged of staff erecting posters of Mr Varadkar in his constituency. Health and housing are likely to be the two major issues the parties will focus their campaigns on. The state continues to battle its worst ever housing crisis, and hospital overcrowding reached record-breaking levels last year. Mr Varadkar's minority Fine Gael-led administration has been propped up by a confidence-and-supply deal with Fianna Fail, along with the support of several independent TDs, since an inconclusive 2016 general election. It had been facing potential defeat in a vote of no confidence in Health Minister Simon Harris in the first week of February. That prospect will now be averted. However, concerns have been raised over the timing of the election. Thousands of people may not be registered to vote as the latest 2020 electoral register is currently still in draft form and will not become valid until 15 February. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin welcomed the election, saying: "Things are simply not working in this country in so many areas." He said he had "no problem" with the date, and added the conversation with Mr Varadkar about the end of the confidence and supply agreement took "about one second". The announcement comes a day after Mr Varadkar's visit to Belfast for meetings with the leaders of Northern Ireland's restored power-sharing executive. The Taoiseach and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks with Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at Stormont. Mr Varadkar confirmed that the "Good Friday Agreement is back up and running again" and that he was looking forward to close cooperation between Britain and Ireland as a new relationship is established after the UK leaves the EU at the end of the month. Analysis: Varadkar will trumpet diplomatic prowess over Brexit, but will face anger on domestic issues Stephen Murphy, Ireland correspondent The posters were going up on Dublin lampposts before the starting pistol had even sounded. After weeks of feverish speculation, this Irish election came as little surprise to anyone. For three years now, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has been at the helm of a minority government. In the Dail (Irish parliament) his Fine Gael party was propped up by a confidence and supply arrangement with its historically bitter rivals Fianna Fail. That deal has been looking increasingly shaky in recent weeks, with backbenchers in both parties straining at the leash to resume hostilities. In many ways, the glue binding the two enemies together dissolved with Boris Johnson's thumping electoral victory across the water. That meant an orderly Brexit this month became a certainty, and that outcome had been the main raison d'etre of the FG/FF deal. Leo Varadkar was keen to mention Brexit as often as possible in his address the media today, and no wonder. Along with his deputy Simon Coveney, and Europe Minister Helen McEntee, Mr Varadkar has won plaudits for a calm and statesmanlike approach to negotiations, often in stark contrast to the chaotic political maelstrom of Westminster. The Northern Ireland protocol of the withdrawal deal, avoiding the dreaded hard border, will be used by Fine Gael as an example of this government's diplomatic prowess. So too, will last week's restoration of the Assembly and Executive in Stormont. Mr Coveney worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to help secure agreement with the parties, although the efforts of Secretary of State Julian Smith were equally as instrumental. Ireland's thriving economy, currently the fastest-growing in Europe, will also be widely trumpeted by Fine Gael. But the party will be hit hard on issues like homelessness and healthcare. The bleak annual pictures of hospital corridors crowded with patients on trolleys will be fresher than usual in the minds of the electorate during a winter election. Younger voters are angry with a housing market that has led to the lowest rate of home-ownership in almost 50 years, and the ongoing climate crisis, with fiery images from Australia ever-present, will almost certainly produce an electoral bounce for the Greens. Polling and pundits predict a tightly-fought campaign, ahead of Ireland's first ever Saturday election on February 8th. There is certainly no guarantee that Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael will be the largest party when the newly-elected TDs gather on 20th February for the 33rd Dail. Market Tavern | Photo: John N./Yelp Looking to satisfy your appetite for New American fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top New American spots around Stockton, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill. Stockton-area consumer spending at restaurants tends to climb the most in January, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a software provider that helps small businesses manage customer reviews. Total affected businesses at Stockton-area restaurants last year rose by 8% in January over the month before. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1. Market Tavern Photo: Arezou s./Yelp First on the list is Market Tavern. Located at 236 Lincoln Center, the New American spot, which offers seafood and pizza, is the highest-rated New American restaurant in Stockton, boasting four stars out of 990 reviews on Yelp. 2. Fork It Photo: jessalyn p./Yelp Next up is the University's Fork It, situated at 2535 Pacific Ave., Suite A. With 4.5 stars out of 131 reviews on Yelp, the New American spot, which offers burgers and sandwiches, has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Sam's Pizza photo: vannara h./yelp Sam's Pizza, located at 1854 Country Club Blvd., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the New American spot, which offers pizza and more, four stars out of 40 reviews. 4. Mile Wine Company Photo: mile wine company/Yelp Mile Wine Company, a New American wine bar and event space in the University is another go-to, with four stars out of 228 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2113 Pacific Ave. to see for yourself. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The Natrona County District Attorneys office is planning to file charges against a local woman who had 61 animals removed from her home last week. Were looking into the appropriate charges, county District Attorney Dan Itzen said Monday. He declined to comment on the specific charges the office would be pursuing, citing the pending investigation, but said the charges would be in the realm of animal cruelty. Animal protection officers, also referred to as animal control officers, removed the animals from the home on Thursday. Officers had been notified of an animal problem at a home in the county on Dec. 26. When officers arrived, they found dozens of animals in extremely unsanitary conditions with obvious signs of neglect, according to a statement issued by the Casper Police Department after the animals were removed. Officers attempted to work with the homeowner to determine a better plan to care for the animals, according to the statement, but when those efforts failed, officers were granted a warrant to search the home and remove the animals. The animals were then taken to Metro Animal Shelter. The shelters manager, Tory Walsh, said the shelter received 61 animals in total from the incident45 dogs, 15 rabbits and one very pregnant cat. The statement released by the police department Jan. 9 said there were 62 animals. That was a miscount, the department said. Animal control officers recently concluded their investigation into the homeowner and are recommending charges on 61 individual counts of animal cruelty, according to animal protection officer Sergeant Scott Schell. Speaking before Schoells comments, Itzen said once the investigation was complete his office would proceed with filing charges against the homeowner. The animals in question are not up for adoption because the case is still pending. Itzen said the homeowner has not surrendered ownership, so until she does or a court makes a determination in the case, the animals will remain under her ownership, but they wont be under her care. The animals will stay at Metro Animal Shelter until the case is resolved, but just wont be up for adoption, Walsh said. The dogs taken from the home are mostly small breeds that require grooming, and Petco has donated its services and has been giving the dogs spa days since Sunday, Walsh said. Walsh said the shelter has been overwhelmed with calls from community members hoping to help in some way. Its the same onslaught of calls the shelter received in July when 65 animals were seized from a Casper home and taken to the shelter. Just as in that situation, Walsh is encouraging patience with the process. In the meantime, the shelter currently has more than 100 readily adoptable animals. Walsh estimated there were more than 90 cats and kittens, about 20 dogs and one rabbit ready for adoption. The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Follow local government reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala swore in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician opposed to gay marriage and abortion, as its new president Tuesday while the countrys outgoing leader exited amid swirling corruption accusations. The ceremony came after a five-hour delay and boisterous protests against ex-President Jimmy Morales. The 63-year-old Giammattei won the presidency on his fourth attempt in August for Vamos, a party founded in 2017 by politicians, businessmen and military officers on promises of battling poverty and providing better opportunities. He promised on Tuesday to propose legislation declaring the countrys street gangs as terrorist groups. He also pledged to promote the rule of law, protect investments and spur employment. Giammattei was sworn in before several Latin American leaders, among them Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Ivan Duque of Colombia and Lenin Moreno of Ecuador. U.S. Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad Wolf and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met privately with Giammattei before the inauguration. The U.S. Embassy announced via Twitter that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding Wednesday on $1 billion in investment in the private sector to stimulate job creation in Guatemala. One of the early challenges facing Giammattei will be an Asylum Cooperation Agreement signed by his predecessor with the United States government. There was significant opposition to the deal inside Guatemala. The U.S. began sending Honduran and Salvadoran asylum seekers to Guatemala under the agreement in November and recently said it would expand it to Mexicans. A similar deal signed with Honduras could send Guatemalan asylum seekers there. Giammattei inherits a country in which 59% of Guatemalans live below the poverty line, according to official figures, while nearly 1 million children below age 5 are estimated to live with chronic malnutrition. He has proposed to build what he calls a Mayan Train, high-speed rail with a line for cargo and another for passengers. The name mirrors a planned train project for neighbouring Mexico that will travel between coastal resorts, cities and Mayan ruins in that countrys southeast. Giammattei will be working without a majority in Congress. His party captured 17 seats. The surgeon suffers from multiple sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system, and uses crutches to walk. He has also worked as a business consultant in the private sector. In 2006, Giammattei was the head of the countrys prison system when the interior ministry carried out a raid on the Pavon penal farm to regain control from the inmates. Thousands of police, soldiers and armed civilians raided the prison overnight and several inmates died in the operation. Authorities, bureaucrats and private citizens were arrested, tried and imprisoned for the raid, including Giammattei. After several months in jail awaiting trial he was acquitted and released. He takes over from Morales who spent much of his four-year term dodging corruption charges. The former television comedian who campaigned on a promise of not corrupt, not a thief will possibly be most remembered for kicking out a U.N. supported anti-corruption mission that was closing in on him and members of his family. Hours before the inauguration, Morales said he had left the country stable and blamed his detractors for attacking him. Juan Francisco Sandoval, head of the special prosecutor against impunity office, said he hopes the future will be better without Morales. He was the roadblock for the fight against corruption and impunity, Sandoval said. In a farewell speech heavy on nationalist and religious themes, Alvaro Arzu, the outgoing president of Congress, said Morales had defended the sovereignty of Guatemala. Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/Reuters Boeing lost orders last year for the first time in three decades, as the 737 Max crisis impacted the companys reputation and finances. The aerospace company reported Tuesday that it had 87 more cancellations than new purchases in 2019. The figures included the cancellation of three 787 Dreamliners in December. In the same month, Boeing failed to book any 737 Max orders as customers avoided the model after two fatal crashes that have led to a worldwide grounding. Boeing delivered 380 commercial airplanes in 2019, the lowest level since 2007, and less than half the 786 planes its main rival Airbus delivered last year, a record for the European jet maker. Boeings numbers are especially bleak compared with Airbus 768 orders for new planes for 2019. The European plane maker currently has a 10-year production backlog on orders, or 7,482 commercial planes, while Boeing finished the year with a backlog of 5,406. Boeings new chief executive David Calhoun, who took over the leadership position on Monday, said in an email to employees that returning the Max to service is his top priority. Well get it done, and well get it done right, Calhoun wrote. But Calhoun, a Boeing employee since 2009, is already facing investor criticism over his potential bonus if the once best-selling 737 Max successfully returns to service. According to a regulatory filing, Calhoun will receive a $7m payout for the full safe return to service of the Max, in addition to base salary of $1.4m and a guaranteed $2.5m cash bonus. That comes after Boeing revealed Friday that former chief executive Dennis Muilenberg will receive $62m in additional compensation despite presiding over the worst crisis in the companys history. The sales slump comes in another punishing week for Boeing. Last Thursday, the company released internal emails that showed executives mocking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), its regulator and joking that the 737 Max had been designed by clowns. Story continues The release came as regulators around the world are investigating the crash of a Lion Air 737 Max and another operated by Ethiopian Airlines that claimed 346 lives. Before the crashes the 737 Max was the best selling plane Boeing had ever built. It must now wait for the FAA to give its approval for the 737 Max to return to service before it can expect sales to pick up again. The FAA has not said when it expects to allow the Max to fly again, though many airlines are hoping the latest version of the 737 will be back in service this Spring. The grounding of Max has had a wider impact on the US economy. Boeing is the USs largest export manufacturer and some 8,000 companies supply the company with parts. Last week Spirit AeroSystems, Boeings largest supplier, announced it was laying off 20% of its staff as a result of the grounding. The move will affect 2,800 workers at Spirits facility in Wichita, Kansas and the company has warned that there may be more layoffs to come. Spirit supplies the fuselage, thrust reversers, engine pylons and wing components for the Max and the sales account for half of its revenues. Myrna Melgar plans to step away from her role as president of the San Francisco Planning Commission in the next few weeks to run for the District Seven seat on the Board of Supervisors. Melgar, a self-described planning nerd, has worked on the commission for 3 years, during which shes cultivated a reputation as an amenable, even-keeled voice on the often divisive body. District Seven includes the Inner Sunset, Parkmerced, Parkside, Lakeside, Forest Hill and West Portal, among other neighborhoods. The Planning Commission has experienced some recent turnover and tumult. Former commissioner Rich Hillis gave up his seat in September to seek out the Planning Departments top job. Planning Director John Rahaim will retire in February. Commissioner Dennis Richards is expected to relinquish his seat on the commission after entangling himself in a thorny property dispute. He took a leave of absence last month that he said would last until mid-February. Bridge-building is a theme Melgar plans to carry into her campaign, she said in an interview Monday. If you watch me on the Planning Commission, thats what I try to do. Relationships are really important to me, and listening to folks who disagree with me is really crucial to make progress on all of the issues the city is facing, she said. We often just get mired down in toxicity about progressives versus moderates, or affordable housing or preserving neighborhood character. We demonize each other and we dont make progress. A resident of Ingleside Terraces for the past decade, Melgar said she supports increasing housing density on the citys west side where appropriate, particularly around transit and commercial corridors, she said. Melgar is executive director of Jamestown Community Center, which offers youth development services. She was previously deputy director of the Mission Economic Development Agency. She was tapped for the Planning Commission by then-Board of Supervisors President London Breed. Melgar said she will wind down her role on the Planning Commission once the Board of Supervisors selects her replacement. She joins a crowded field for the District Seven seat, which is up for grabs in November, once Supervisor Norman Yee is termed out. Candidates have until June 9 to pull papers to run for odd-number supervisorial seats. As of Monday, here are the other candidates who filed papers to run in the November 2020 races. District Three Aaron Peskin Charles Belle William Calhoun Spencer Simonsen District Five Dean Preston Daniel Landry Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. District Seven Joel Engardio Karim Salgado Patrick Maguire Stephen Martin-Pinto Ben Matranga District 11 Ahsha Safai John Avalos Dominic Fracassa and Trisha Thadani are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DominicFracassa, @TrishaThadani Images of the successor to Samsung's flagship Galaxy S10 smartphone have been leaked, just weeks ahead of its expected release date. In a break from its typical naming convention, the South Korean electronics giant will be calling the marquee device the Galaxy S20, according to reports by LetsGoDigital and notorious leaker Ice Universe. Photos of the "insane" handset obtained by xda developers reveal it will also come with a new rear-camera setup and an Infinity-O display. The new S-series Galaxy phones will keep the '+' suffix for the larger version of the phone but will name the higher-end model the Galaxy Ultra 5G. This top-tier version is expected to feature an impressive 16GB of RAM - more than most modern laptops. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty The Galaxy S20 series of smartphones are expected to have improved displays, more powerful batteries, and vastly improved cameras. The latest rumours support previous reports that the main camera will come with a 108-megapixel image sensor, as well as an ultrawide-angle lens and one capable of 5x optical zoom. Samsung is holding an Unpacked event on 11 February, during which the S20 phones will likely be unveiled, as well as at least one new folding smartphone. Separate leaks indicate the follow-up to the beleaguered Samsung Galaxy Fold could radically alter the folding design by utilising a clamshell mechanism. Samsung does not comment on unreleased devices but revealed at its developer conference last year that it has been working on a new foldable design. "This brand-new form factor that we're now exploring will not only easily fit in your pocket, but it also changes the way you use your phone," Hyesoon, Samsung Mobile's head of framework R&D, said at the time. Details of the new phone, codenamed Bloom, were revealed at a secretive meeting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this month. Like the fictional Wonder Twins whose powers only worked after they touched, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have shown that they are most powerful when they work together. When this one-two legislative punch first formed after Democrats won control of the state Senate in 2018, both chambers passed landmark bills on abortion rights and voting access in the first days of the 2019 legislative session. One year later, the two chambers arent always on the same page. Each chamber has considered different bills in the first days of the session. The two leaders have emphasized different possible ways of closing a $6 billion budget deficit and a public backlash to new limits on cash bail. The discrepancy may stem from different political priorities for each leader at the beginning of an election year. Stewart-Cousins has to protect vulnerable suburban moderates whose fate in the general election will determine the future of Democratic control of that chamber. Heastie has to protect liberal incumbents in New York City who may face primary challenges from younger, farther-left insurgents. While there is no reason to believe that the interpersonal relationship between Heastie and Stewart-Cousins has suffered because of these political dynamics, they have yet to show that their unity extends to the most controversial issues though they are expected to jointly announce a package of bills addressing limousine safety on Tuesday following Cuomos call to address the issue in his Jan. 8 State of the State address. Stewart-Cousins and Heastie face very different tasks this year compared to the need last year to show that Democrats could get big things done with their largest legislative majorities in a century, according to Democratic political consultant Bruce Gyory. Each house pursues, by definition, an approach that tries to strengthen their political position, he said. I don't think they're theyre crossing swords by any means. I just think it's a little difference in orientation. In their first week back in Albany, Senate Democrats have focused on promoting a message that they are willing to consider changes to legislation they passed last year when they think it is warranted. On the first day, the upper chamber passed bills to address issues with early voting, following complaints at a public hearing last November, and to finish a stalled effort to establish automatic voter registration. At a press conference announcing the bill package, Stewart-Cousins said that it highlighted the idea that Senate Democrats were not a set it and forget it majority. The majority leader has also said she is willing to consider changes to bail reform, a top legislative priority of Democrats last year. Though she has not fully committed to making changes, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Attorney General Letitia James have done, any move by the Senate to make changes to the bail law would be welcomed by suburban Democratic moderates who are already publicly calling for revisions. Hate crimes have appeared as one area where Stewart Cousins might support expanding the types of offenses subject to cash bail. Personally, I think that hate crimes sometimes strike at the core of entire communities, and so on, so I want to look at it to see if we are appropriately classifying this, she told reporters on Jan. 9. Heastie meanwhile has downplayed the possibility of making changes to criminal justice reforms by expanding the realm of bail-eligible offenses, or allowing judges to consider a criminal suspects dangerousness when deciding whether to release them pretrial. We want safe communities, but it is important to have a criminal justice system that treats everybody fairly, he told reporters on Jan. 9 in remarks that have reflected opposition from progressive groups to backsliding on the new reforms. A similar dynamic has emerged on dealing with the $6 billion deficit. While both legislative leaders have said they want to avoid making cuts to government programs, they must either cut spending or raise revenue. Stewart-Cousins has emphasized the need to avoid raising taxes, an idea that is unpopular with suburban moderates, while Heastie has signalled a willingness to consider tax hikes. While Democrats are expected to announce a deal on limo reforms on Jan. 14, it remains to be seen whether Heastie and Stewart-Cousins will try to synchronize the timing. The state Senate Health Committee is considering a package of bills on Jan. 14 that would address increasing vaping rates among teens and related issues. At this point, there are no plans for its counterpart in the Assembly to do the same. One Assembly source suggested this was done to maximize attention for the Senates effort to limit vaping, an issue that presumably plays well with moderate suburban voters. In any case, a review of the bills that were slated to pass the state Senate on Jan. 13 showed none that were ready to be considered on the floor of the state Assembly. Spokesmen for both Heastie and Stewart-Cousins said it was too early in the session to make judgements on the coordination between the two chambers. This is silly, the two spokesmen both said in separate statements. Activists pushing for lawmakers to take up issues as diverse as anti-vaping legislation and rolling back tightened rent regulations told City & State that at this point it is hard to judge just how different political dynamics in both houses might affect how the two chambers work together. Kevin OFlaherty, director of advocacy of the Northeast Region for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said that one way or another he expects that new laws cracking down on vaping will pass both chambers, even if there are no guarantees it will happen at the same time. In any of our meetings with members of the Assembly, we haven't gotten any kind of increased pushback or any kind of concern about moving these bills, any more so than we get in the Senate, he said. It is indeed early in the session and the issue of limos could mark a reassertion of legislative coordination between the two chambers. However, the political dynamics of the 2020 session suggest that even if that happens, the role of a third player in the legislative process must be taken into consideration. Perhaps the Wonder Twins cannot successfully act alone, despite the special powers they have when they work together. They will likely need some additional force to get deals done on the budget, bail and other issues. To do that, they will need help from Cuomo, the most powerful figure among the three people in a room who decide the most important issues in state government. So if Democrats are able to address the deficit, resolve the tricky politics of bail and pass legislation on issues like legalizing recreational marijuana in the upcoming months, it might be said that it is Wonder Triplets who are really showing what Democrats can do with their control of state government. The Ministry of Labour is investigating after a worker at an Uxbridge ski resort was found dead Tuesday morning. The man was found at the Dagmar Ski Resort on Lake Ridge Road and had been working as a snow-grooming machine operator, according to Ministry spokesperson Gloria Yip. Durham Regional police told the Star they are assisting with the ministrys investigation. Police and the ministry provided no further details about the circumstances surrounding the death. (TNS) New Orleans City Hall's computer systems have more or less recovered from the cyberattack that pummeled them in December. But residents won't be able to access many police reports or other public records for at least another week.While thousands of city computers have been cleared for use, requests for police reports filed before the Dec. 13 attack won't be fulfilled for another few days or longer, depending on the date of the report, the city said.The online public records system, where users can make requests online, is expected to be back up and running within two weeks.Handwritten reports filed in the month since the attack are being made available to residents requesting them at New Orleans Police Department headquarters, though they may take some time to locate, a city spokesman said.Residents need public records for many reasons, including to begin home renovations or to file insurance claims after a fender bender. But the system for providing those documents has been crippled ever since the city's computers were compromised when an employee apparently provided their credentials in response to a hacker's email, essentially granting that hacker an entryway to the city's servers and computers.Officials detected ransomware on the network and unplugged computers to stop the malware from spreading further. But one in five computers had become so compromised that they had to be replaced.Chief Information Officer Kimberly LaGrue, who has been leading the push to restore the city's computers and servers over the past few weeks, said the website has gone from "visibility to functionality," meaning people can once again pay property taxes and report blight or potholes online.The city has spent $1.5 million to restore its systems since the attack, and it expects to spend $500,000 more on cybersecurity efforts this year. The city could also raise the value of its cybersecurity insurance policy.As of Friday, more than 3,100 computers were cleared for city employees to use. Police districts were able to file electronic reports last week for the first time since the attack.Police reports filed before the attack that date back to 2009 are now accessible to the public, and police will begin fulfilling requests for those records by the end of this week, spokesman Trey Caruso said.Reports filed before 2009 could be available within two months. And handwritten reports filed after the attack are available at NOPD headquarters, but have to be searched for manually and could take time to find, Caruso said.New Orleans resident Matthew Cabana went to the NOPD's South Broad Street headquarters Friday to get a copy of a handwritten report filed this month after a thief stole Cabana's motorcycle. He said he was told all records were unavailable. Without a copy of his report, he can't replace his bike, as his insurance company won't honor his claim.Many who have experienced a vehicle break-in or theft in recent weeks have faced a similar problem."I am fortunate in that it was just a motorcycle, and I have another means of conveyance," Cabana said.Users will be able to easily access the city's online records system, Next Request, within two weeks, Caruso said. For the past month, people have been told to submit their requests at City Hall in person and to expect delays.New Orleans is one of dozens of municipalities across the U.S. whose systems have been affected by cybercriminals in the past year. The targets also included the state of Louisiana. The FBI is still investigating the source of the local attack. Actor-activist Cynthia Nixon is heading to Broadway to direct a 40th anniversary production of the landmark lesbian stage drama "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove". The "Sex and The City" alum will helm a version of Jane Chambers' play billed as the first mainstream play of its kind, reported Deadline. The show will be produced by likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Lily Tomlin, Jane Wagner and Harriet Newman Leve. Casting, venue or timeline are yet to be announced. Set in 1980 at the lesbian beach haven called Bluefish Cove, the play follows Lil Zalinski and her close-knit group of friends who spend summer at the colony every year. How the arrival of a newcomer and Lil's cancer diagnosis shakes up the group is the story. "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove" was first held Off Broadway in 1980 at the Actors' Playhouse, starring Jean Smart as Lil. Playwright Chambers was diagnosed with cancer in 1981, and died in 1983. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the four Nirbhaya gang rape convicts, who are scheduled to be hanged on January 22, moved the Delhi High Court on Tuesday for setting aside the death warrant issued by a trial court. The plea of convict Mukesh Kumar is listed for hearing on Wednesday before a bench of Justices Manmohan and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal. The petition, filed through advocate Vrinda Grover, seeks setting aside of the January 7 order issuing warrant of his execution. The plea also states that on Tuesday he also moved mercy petitions before the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the President of India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Windows 10 users have been urged to update their PCs or risk having private messages read. The huge vulnerability has been patched in an update but any computer that has not received the latest version of the operating system is at risk. The bug was discovered by the National Security Agency which alerted Microsoft, rather than using it to spy on citizens. The company then fixed the bug for all of its users through the latest free update, part of its "Patch Tuesday" programme of regular fixes, which seals up the exploit and stops hackers from intercepting communications. There is no indication that the exploit has been used by hackers, Microsoft said, in a note that gave credit to the NSA for finding it. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty Amit Yoran, CEO of security firm Tenable, said it is "exceptionally rare if not unprecedented" for the U.S. government to share its discovery of such a critical vulnerability with a company. Yoran, who was a founding director of the Department of Homeland Security's computer emergency readiness team, urged all organizations to prioritize patching their systems quickly. Recommended Windows 7 users urged to update their PCs An advisory sent by the NSA on Tuesday said "the consequences of not patching the vulnerability are severe and widespread." Microsoft said an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by spoofing a code-signing certificate so it looked like a file came from a trusted source. "The user would have no way of knowing the file was malicious, because the digital signature would appear to be from a trusted provider," the company said. If successfully exploited, an attacker would have been able to conduct "man-in-the-middle attacks" and decrypt confidential information on user connections, the company said. Some computers will get the fix automatically if they have the automatic update option turned on. Others can get it manually by going to Windows Update in the computer's settings. Microsoft typically releases security and other updates once a month and waited until Tuesday to disclose the flaw and the NSA's involvement. Microsoft and the NSA both declined to say when the agency notified the company. The agency shared the vulnerability with Microsoft "quickly and responsibly," Neal Ziring, technical director of the NSA's cybersecurity directorate, said in a blog post Tuesday. Priscilla Moriuchi, who retired from the NSA in 2017 after running its East Asia and Pacific operations, said this is a good example of the "constructive role" that the NSA can play in improving global information security. Moriuchi, now an analyst at the U.S. cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, said it's likely a reflection of changes made in 2017 to how the U.S. determines whether to disclose a major vulnerability or exploit it for intelligence purposes. The revamping of what's known as the "Vulnerability Equities Process" put more emphasis on disclosing unpatched vulnerabilities whenever possible to protect core internet systems and the U.S. economy and general public. Those changes happened after a group calling itself "Shadow Brokers" released a trove of high-level hacking tools stolen from the NSA. Additional reporting by agencies Princess Diana must be proud and smiling wherever she is right now after her boys came united and strong to debunk a malicious accusation that may have rift their relationship. Much has been said since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as senior members of the Royal Family. There were left and right assumptions that the rest of the royal family is furious and disappointed, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, the most controversial rumor concerning the infamous "Megxit" would be the one claiming that Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, is bullying Meghan Markle, leading her to drag Prince Harry out of the Royal Family. BBC reported that Prince William and Prince Harry set the record straight and denied the bullying claims in a rare joint statement released on Monday. "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex & the Duke of Cambridge," the statement read. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The brothers' statement came after Queen Elizabeth II called the key members of the royal family for a meeting to discuss Meghan and Harry's future after their decision to step back from their royal duties. Although their joint statement did not directly mention a specific report, it could be recalled that it was The Times who first reported that Prince William had displayed a "bullying" attitude towards Meghan. The report also claimed that Prince William's unwelcoming attitude began when hid brother started dating Meghan. Since then, their relationship did not recover even after being officially in-laws when Prince Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May 2018. A source also told The Times that Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to stay away from the royal family is because they were "constantly being told their place" for the past two years. As of writing, The Times has yet to comment and address the brothers' statement, but according to the BBC report, the UK publication acknowledged their report claiming the bullying issue concerning Prince William and Meghan. After Prince William and Prince Harry's joint statement, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II also released a statement and finally broke her silence amidst the biggest royal plot twist of the year. The Queen said that although they would prefer the Sussexes to fulfill their duties as full-time members of the royal family, they are "entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family." The 93-year-old monarch also acknowledged Prince Harry and Meghan's wish to become financially independent as they lead a private life ahead of them. "It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK," the statement continued. As the 2020 election draws near, a member of the Fremont City Council has been volunteering with efforts to get the legalization of medical marijuana on the Nebraska ballot. Since last summer, Mark Jensen has been working as the volunteer county coordinator for Dodge County for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. Were looking to amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide the right to use, possess, access and safely produce cannabis and cannabis products and materials for serious medical conditions as recommended by a physician or nurse practitioner, he said. This has nothing to do with recreational; this is strictly on the medical end of it. Jensen has been taking signatures in Dodge County and surrounding counties, most recently at the Big Red Keno in Fremont last Saturday afternoon. Ive done this in Big Red mostly, but a couple other places too, like over the lunch hours and stuff, he said. Im not soliciting or bothering, Im just setting up, and if people are interested, then they can come talk to me and sign the petition. Other petition drive volunteers for Dodge County include Cathy Davis, Gwen McGoveran, Tracie Hephner, Ramie Reyzlik and Jensens son, Nate. Nebraska, South Dakota and Idaho are the only three states to prohibit the use of marijuana as a medical treatment for issues such as pain, epilepsy or multiple sclerosis. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center last September, around 91% of United States adults believe marijuana should be used for medical and/or recreational purposes. To make the November ballot, the petition must receive around 100,000 signatures by July 2, as it must be 10% of the registered voting population in Nebraska. We need county support from all over. They cant just go into Omaha and Lincoln and pick up everything they need, Jensen said. It has to be widespread. There has to be a certain percentage of people from other counties. Since starting volunteer work, Jensen has turned in a couple hundred signatures. He said he was surprised about the ages of the people who signed, which ranged from 18 to 86. I was expecting it to be more toward the younger end, and really, that has not been the case, he said. A lot of people, especially in the older population, are more interested in pain management and things like that. Jensen said hes talked with people whose children have seizures and need medical marijuana. Some of them said they plan on leaving if the treatment does not become available in the state. I think its kind of important, Jensen said. Its just another tool in the belt for our healthcare officials and just something else we can use for health management, I believe. When getting signatures, Jensen said each county needs to have its own petition page. Being here in Fremont, thats kind of problematic, he said. Were within two miles from three different counties besides our own, so sometimes, we have to carry four or five different sheets just so we can get people on the right sheets. The petition is also available for people to sign at different businesses, including Jensen Technology, Alohma and Chasing Clouds Vape Collective. Interested signers must ask first for the petition, as it is not out in the open, Jensen said. Signing this petition doesnt require you to vote, he said. Its just to get it onto the ballot, and then it can be taken from there, is what were trying to do. Jensen said hes confident that the group can get the issue on the Nebraska ballot. Although the signature-collecting is all nearly volunteer work, he said paid petitioners may start at some point. Theres often a stigma when looking at marijuana recreationally, Jensen said, but the campaign is focused on the medical side. Theres two separate questions, and there are some good arguments for both questions, he said. But on the medical side in particular, in my mind anyway, its something we really need to make available for the citizens and people in Nebraska. Businesses interested in hosting an event or holding a ballot can contact Jensen at jensenmwj@hotmail.com. More information on where to find a ballot can be found on the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuanas Facebook page and website. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As U.S. and China are set to sign a trade deal this week, Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren urged President Donald Trump to push the Chinese government to release Massachusetts residents Cynthia and Victor Liu and let them come home to the U.S. China has unjustly held the siblings for 19 months, the senators wrote in a joint statement, noting they had traveled to visit their dying grandfather in an effort to coerce their father to return for legal proceedings. Bringing Cynthia and Victor Liu home this week will demonstrate that President Trump is not simply overlooking rights violations when negotiating trade deals, Markey said. What is happening to these Americans is reprehensible. Nobody should be punished by a foreign government for traveling to commemorate a relatives final days. The Chinese government must cease its practice of trapping U.S. citizens and other foreign persons in China when those people have done nothing wrong. Chinas use of exit bans on my constituents and other American citizens is unacceptable and must end, Warren said. The Liu siblings are confined to Chinese territory for no legitimate reason and it is long past time for them to come home. Im glad to partner with Senator Markey on a bill that would hold the Chinese government accountable for this unjust policy. Cynthia Liu wrote to Markey earlier this month and said it was a holiday season full of fear. They try, to the best of their efforts, to make life as difficult as possible for us, and they continue to celebrate the hardships of me and Victor - our inability to work or go to school and our failing physical and mental health, she wrote. "It is a cruel game designed to chip away at Victors and my sanity bit by bit. Senator Markey said he plans to introduce legislation later this week to help the U.S. counter Beijings unfair and coercive exit bans.'" Time to shovel that snow and open the doors to the candidates. Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP/Shutterstock Tonight we will witness the seventh Democratic candidate debate, and the last before voters finally begin weighing in. But its also the first debate where the primary audience is local. Yes, the event will draw a national viewing audience on CNN, and every moment will be digested and interpreted by the national political narrative-writers. But we are entering a brief but intense period when the national political narrative itself is largely about Iowa. So for a moment, at least, Iowans strong self-consciousness about their role in the presidential nominating process will seem normal to reporters, pundits, and activists who dont know Dubuque from Dubai. There are at least four ways in which this Iowa-centric aspect of the event at Drake University could affect the tone, feel, and outcome of the debate: Iowa Issues There are issues that peculiarly interest Iowans that may get aired tonight thanks to the debates locale and the cosponsorship of the Des Moines Register (whose political reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel will be a moderator along with CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip). The most obvious is a matter rarely mentioned in prior debates: Trumps trade wars and their impact on the agricultural economy, along with the compensatory payments the administration is making to farmers. This controversy has probably displaced such hardy perennials as ethanol subsidies as a gut test of the understanding and sympathy presidential candidates have for Iowas particular take on public policy. Iowa has a strong good-government tradition, so plans to address corruption in Washington generally and in the Trump administration specifically may strike a chord. And even issues were use to hearing about all the time could sound different in an Iowa context. As a local economic development site notes, the Des Moines regions finance and insurance sector has a $3 billion annual payroll. So routine attacks on evil bankers and crazy-evil private insurance companies may ring a bit hollow. Iowa Pride and Paranoia Politically active Iowans are acutely defensive about their first-in-the-nation caucus and are fully aware of the criticism they regularly get for the states not-exactly-representative demographics. Such criticism has been especially sharp this year, in part thanks to former candidate Julian Castro and current candidate Michael Bloomberg, who have been very loud in arguing for a change in the system to dethrone Iowa and (first primary state) New Hampshire. Its no secret that Iowans expect very public and consistent support for their role in the nominating process among the presidential candidates competing there. So it wouldnt be surprising to hear some of them swear eternal fealty to Iowas primacy, whether or not they are asked about it (with the Register at the moderators table, they may well be asked about it), or at least pay witness to the sturdy folk virtues of the Iowans theyve met on the campaign trail. Beyond that, Iowans are like people anywhere who love it when famous national political figures give their political leaders shout-outs, so well hear the names of a lot of state and local Democratic pols. Iowa Process The arcane rituals of the Iowa caucuses themselves could have a bearing on how the candidates talk about potential supporters, and each other. Technically the candidates focus in Iowa is not on voters, but on caucus-goers, a smaller and self-selecting group. And the candidates arent asking these people to spend 20 minutes filling out a mail ballot (Iowa doesnt have those for the caucuses) or standing in line to cast a quick vote. For Democrats, at least (Iowa Republicans have a simpler process thats basically just like a preference primary), caucus-goers are expected to go out on a dark and cold winter night and spend hours sitting through speeches on behalf of candidates, presentation of resolutions, and other preliminaries before dividing into affinity groups supporting candidates and then reforming once groups with numbers below a 15 percent viability threshold are liquidated. Its quite a commitment of time both then and in terms of preparation. So candidates tend to ask not just for support but for commitments to caucus and/or to organize others, and youll hear some of that in the debate. This year Iowa Democrats are also sponsoring satellite caucuses beyond the traditional precincts for the convenience of those whose physical condition or work schedules dont provide for attendance at the main caucuses; this was part of the state partys effort to parry criticism about caucuses as being too exclusive. Candidates may talk about that as well. And the second-stage reforming of affinity groups in the caucuses means that stronger candidates may hunger and thirst for the supporters of weaker candidates on caucus night. And that may make them especially solicitous of the smaller fry during the debate. Iowa Nice Aside from the desire to raid supporters from weaker candidates, theres a more informal cultural tradition that could inhibit candidates from going after each other with tire irons: the upper-midwestern ethic known locally as Iowa Nice. Iowans (like Minnesotans) like to think of themselves as unusually civil and friendly, and tend to frown on public displays of nastiness. So theres a pretty stiff resistance to overtly negative campaigning. One famous example of campaigns running afoul of Iowa Nice occurred in 2004, when Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean got into a negative ad fight in Iowa. They wound up finishing third and fourth on caucus night, in what has become known as a murder-suicide incident. If candidates do have spats (and there is rich anticipation of one or more tonight), then dont be surprised if another candidate plays conspicuous peacemaker. Thats Nice. GREENSBORO Brian L. James knows that he doesn't fit the profile of an outsider who can be a change agent for the city's police department. He may be the ultimate insider. But the veteran Greensboro officer, who was named police chief on Tuesday, said he's determined to do what it takes to earn the public's trust in an organization that has suffered withering criticism. "What I know about law enforcement is if youre not in a constant mode of looking to how you can get better and improve, youre getting behind," said James, currently a deputy chief. "You cant come in here ... and not change anything and then look a year or two from now and say youve been successful." James, 49, will succeed Wayne Scott, who retires at the end of the month. The Page High and N.C. A&T graduate, who grew up near Phillips Avenue, will receive an annual salary of $150,000. He assumes his new role on Feb. 1. He was selected through a four-month process that began with nearly 40 candidates. Now that he has the job, there's no shortage of things that demand his attention. One top priority: looking at what can be done to stem the city's homicide rate. Last year, there were 44 killings, tying the record set in 2017. Another concern: He'll have to restore public trust in a department that has come under widespread criticism for its recent treatment of African Americans and what many see as a history of malfeasance dating back 40 years to the Greensboro Massacre of 1979. New Greensboro Police Chief (copy) James on Greensboro's search for a new top cop: "I certainly understand that everyone has an opinion about who they would like to be the polic City Councilwoman Michelle Kennedy, who was critical of the 2015 process that culminated in Scott's promotion, said she believes "we made a really good choice in this particular instance." As the executive director of the Interactive Resource Center, Kennedy assists homeless people. She believes James understands the friction between police and the people she serves. "I truly think Brian is ready to tackle the problems of Greensboro head on and hes the right person for the job," Kennedy said. "Ive known Brian. He was over the folks who worked directly with the homeless community. Hes quiet but very, very smart. He's not afraid to say we should do something differently." That attitude is certain to come into play as he tries to curb the number of killings plaguing the city. James said many of the city's homicide victims are young people who are killed by other young people. He added that the city has resources, from social services to crime-prevention programs, that need to do a better job of identifying at-risk youth and finding ways to prevent them from resorting to violence. "We certainly have to take a look at how we have those resources allocated," he explained. That does not mean, James said, flooding high-crime areas of the city with more patrol officers. "I always say that one homicide is too many and 44 is definitely too many," said James, who joined the department in 1996 as an officer with the Southern Patrol Division. "And weve got to do better than that. Greensboro is still a great community. We have had an uptick in violent crime and we need to figure (it) out." Many of Scott's critics allege a decades-long pattern of police corruption in Greensboro and say that fuels a lack of trust between police and residents, especially African Americans. During the selection process, some of the most vocal residents said a new chief should come from outside the city. Healing that mistrust begins with better communication between the police department and the community, James said. "We've got to have real conversations," he explained. "We have to literally seek out those people that say they dont trust the police department. And I want to talk to people and find out the specific reasons why. If we can sit down and have an honest conversation about how they feel ... I think thats a start." Deputy Chief James 2015.jpg (copy) James listens to people speak during a news conference about police accountability at Bethel AME Church in May 2015. Because James grew up in Greensboro, many believe he understands the city from a variety of perspectives, especially as an African American. "Anyone who's a lifelong resident of Greensboro, particularly a black man, will have a different perspective than our current (police) chief will have and I think its a perspective that we desperately need in a role like this," Kennedy said. Mayor Nancy Vaughan also thinks those ties will be beneficial. "Certainly he understands the city of Greensboro and what our issues are," she said. "Ive had the opportunity to be in community meetings where he was present and spoke. Just recently there was a meeting at a local church and we were talking about gun violence and he really connected with people there on a very deep level and thats important." James said he believes his love of the community will help him be an effective leader. "I think there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to being an inside chief or an outside chief," he said. "One thing Ill say is that having been at this department and also having been in this community, I have a number of community connections that Ive been able to establish over a number of years. "I certainly understand that everyone has an opinion about who they would like to be the police chief. I want to serve in this role and I want to make sure that we build a police department that the community can be proud of." Community activist C.J. Brinson, who has advocated for programs to curb gun violence, on Tuesday expressed support for James on his Facebook page. "When it comes to the things that concern our community around accountability, serving marginalized citizens and holistic approaches to policing," he wrote, "I think Brian James gives this community the best opportunity to gain some ground on these issues." As a veteran of the department, James said he didn't necessarily set out to reach the top. "It's kind of a surreal feeling," he admitted. "I can't say that I was in the academy having dreams of being police chief." James takes over as the city is being sued by the family of Marcus Smith, who died 16 months ago after police restrained him by binding his hands to his feet, face down on a city street. Greensboro's National Night Out (copy) James hula hoops with one arm during Greensboro's National Night Out last August. Marcus Hyde, founder of the Homeless Union of Greensboro, is one of the police department's biggest critics and often points to the Smith case as an example of an agency out of control. Hyde believes the city's selection process stopped short of full disclosure when officials failed to invite the community to comment after it had selected James and another candidate as finalists. He said Tuesday that James faces the weight of the Smith case and other controversies as he seeks to mend relations with residents and change the department. But Hyde is optimistic. "We hope hes serious about listening to the community and that we dont repeat the mistakes of Chief Scott," Hyde said. "Were going to give him a chance, but hes got a heavy load if hes going to change the police department." Contact Richard M. Barron at 336-373-7371 and follow @BarronBizNR on Twitter. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has written to the state-run CIDCO to prepare a fresh plan for late BJP leader Gopinath Munde's memorial, ensuring that no trees would be required to be cut. Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had assured that no trees would be cut for the proposed memorial of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in the city after a row started over the issue. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had asked permission for felling 110 trees for constructing the Munde memorial in November. The site is located in a densely populated area but enjoys thick tree cover. According to local environmentalists, the wooded patch is home to four species of snakes, 15 types of butterflies and some 25 types of birds. Deputy Commissioner Sumit More told PTI that he wrote a letter to the Executive Engineer of CIDCO on Monday, seeking a new plan which will avoid tree felling. "Municipal Commissioner Aastik Kumar Pandey looked into the issue, after which we sent CIDCO a letter, saying the existing trees at the site must be saved," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Australian caught up in a Philippines volcano eruption has described the experience as 'surreal' after ash clouds engulfed the town he was visiting. Brisbane deputy principal Liam Beatty was returning from his cousin's wedding in Lipa City on Sunday when Taal volcano erupted for the first time since 1977. The volcano began spewing ash and steam and 45,000 people were evacuated from surrounding areas, while officials say 200,000 more residents could be forced to flee if the eruption worsens. Scroll down for video An ash plume from the Taal volcano which erupted over the weekend in the Philippines. Taal volcano, located just 45 miles south of the Philippine capital Manila, emitted a huge plume of ash on Sunday A column of ash rises over Taal volcano in an eruption which has forced thousands of people to flee their homes Mr Beatty is staying with family in Tanuan - parts of which have been evacuated - just 14km from the volcano and 66km south of Manila. 'The clouds got bigger and darker as it grew and you could hear thunder and see lightning coming from within the volcano itself,' Mr Beatty said. 'It looks like massive storm clouds forming which then gradually take over the whole sky. Then the ash came down - it became black even though it was still afternoon. 'The only thing I can compare it to is snowfall. It's not hot and doesn't hurt or anything but you can feel it.' Roads, houses, vehicles, trees and other infrastructure were covered in ash that transformed into sludge following rainfall. At least 144 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded since Sunday, with 44 of the tremors felt at various intensities. A map showing the location of the volcano, which is situated on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' 'I woke up around 3:30am and felt them go through. There was nothing falling off the shelves but tables were shaking enough to know it was an earthquake,' Mr Beatty said. 'It's been pretty surreal being here, it's a similar feeling to the eeriness around town during the 2011 Brisbane floods. 'It was pretty lucky the wedding was the day before because it would have been covered in smoke and ash.' Mr Beatty has been to Taal volcano on previous visits but 'never imagined' he'd witness it erupting. He said the locals' pragmatic approach helped him remain calm. 'The Philippines is pretty chilled. They don't get too stressed about things so nobody was in panic stations like me, but there was obviously still concern,' he said. 'Tanuan is a growing town but it's still very basic. Cleaning the sludge off roofs became really important because some people live in shanties which could easily have collapsed.' Manila's international airport resumed partial operations at noon on Monday, after closing on Sunday due to falling ash. Face masks are required to combat the hazardous air in the area. Fans are ready to belly up to the bar for another round of Vanderpump Rules. Show matriarch Lisa Vanderpump sat down with DailyMailTV to talk about the major drama being served up for season eight of the hit Bravo show. The new season, which airs Tuesdays on Bravo, premiered last week and the cast wasted no time before shots were fired (and drank). And, at least one person ended up in tears. They're back! Lisa Vanderpump sat down with DailyMailTV to talk about the major drama being served up for season eight of Vanderpump Rules 'It does get a bit divided and it is a bit polarizing,' Lisa revealed. 'You know, some people agree with this one and some people agree with that one, but it definitely has a different flavor this season.' At the start of the first episode, there are some major rifts between long-time friends Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval, as well as between Stassi, Katie and Kristen. Not to mention a slew of newbies joining the team at Vanderpump's successful West Hollywood establishments. The combination of new blood and old tensions makes for yet another explosive season. 'It does get a bit divided and it is a bit polarizing,' Lisa revealed. 'You know, some people agree with this one and some people agree with that one, but it definitely has a different flavor this season.' Lisa says that the key to the smash success of the series is the fact that the ups and downs in the cast are the real deal. 'It's produced around an authentic group of people,' she explained. 'It's fast, it's furious. It's not boring. We're not waiting for things. Everybody has an opinion.' Even the newcomers don't seem afraid to speak up with their opinions. In the premiere episode Rules vet Scheana Shay ended up in tears over her love life as newbie Brett Cipriani dubbed her a bad kisser. The high octane environment at Vanderpump's successful West Hollywood hot spots SUR and Tom Tom can often lead to high octane confrontations which are great for viewers but sometimes not so great for Lisa. 'It's produced around an authentic group of people,' she explained. 'It's fast, it's furious. It's not boring. We're not waiting for things. Everybody has an opinion.' Wow: In the premiere episode Rules vet Scheana Shay ended up in tears over her love life as newbie Brett Cipriani dubbed her a bad kisser 'I've been quite transparent with who I want to strangle and who drives me crazy,' Lisa laughed. 'I think you know exactly what I'm talking about.' She added: 'And some people, I really feel have a lot of potential. I think Stassi, especially, is one of those.' Stassi Schroeder is a fan favorite among the cast and after years of being unlucky in love she finally found her prince charming with Beau. When DailyMailTV asked if Beau came to Lisa before popping the question to Stassi, the reality TV queen was coy. 'I've been quite transparent with who I want to strangle and who drives me crazy,' Lisa laughed. 'I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. And some people, I really feel have a lot of potential. I think Stassi, especially, is one of those.' 'I'm not going to tell you anything,' she said evasively. 'You're going to see how that plays out on the show.' Over the years Stassi and Lisa have developed a motherly relationship as well as one of mentorship. 'I do think I've always seen a bit of myself and Stassi,' Lisa explained. Perennial playboy Jax Taylor is also settling down with 'the one' this season and his marriage to Brittany Cartwright will be a major plot point for season eight. Lisa seems to think that Jax's infamous player ways are officially behind him and said she can even relate to their relationship in her marriage to husband Ken Todd. Big changes: This season of Rules marks Lisa's return to Bravo after leaving RHOBH and she said 'there are no regrets.' Tune in! The new season, which airs Tuesdays on Bravo, premiered last week and the cast wasted no time before shots were fired (and drank) 'Well, they say a leopard never change its spots. But, you know, I was married to a leopard, so, he changed his spots, I changed them for him, you know,' she said with a smile. Adding: 'I think [Jax] suddenly realized how good Brittany was for him.' As for babies on the horizon, Lisa guesses that Brittany and Jax will be the first of the group to become parents. This season of Rules will mark LVP's big return to reality since announcing to DailyMailTV that she was leaving the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Love is in the air! Stassi Schroeder is a fan favorite among the cast and after years of being unlucky in love she finally found her prince charming with Beau Down the aisle: Perennial playboy Jax Taylor is also settling down with 'the one' this season and his marriage to Brittany Cartwright will be a major plot point for season eight 'This was a time in my life to kind of move on and make different decisions,' she said of leaving RHOBH. 'So, no, there are no regrets.' Lisa, meanwhile, has been focusing her time on her various businesses and charitable works now that she made her departure from the show. As a passionate animal rights advocate, Lisa has recently turned her efforts to helping millions of animals suffering from the devastating wildfires in Australia. The star recently asked fans and viewers to donate whatever they could to the cause, reminding her 2.4 million followers on Instagram that if they all donated just $1 it would make a huge difference. DES MOINES, Iowa - A year ago, then-South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg took his first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate. He had barely any staff, so he piled in a car with his husband and a couple of early hires to drive the 400 miles west. Now, with just weeks until the caucuses, Buttigieg's Iowa staff numbers in the hundreds, along with scores of volunteers eager to knock on doors and work the phones. He regularly draws big crowds. And his fundraising haul has enabled him to blanket the state with TV ads touting him as the candidate who can bring the country together after President Donald Trump's term. Still, it is far from clear that he will be able to turn his momentum into a win on caucus night. A recent Des Moines Register poll showed Buttigieg in a near-tie with former vice president Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Voters - even those who like him - are worried about his inexperience, electability and struggles with black voters. In this unusually fluid race, with a high number of undecided voters, Buttigieg acknowledges that he needs an Iowa win to prove he can win nationally. Foreign policy has abruptly vaulted to the forefront of voters' concerns, and Buttigieg has less of a clear fallback than some of his rivals, important should he stumble in the caucuses. "Iowa is very important because it's our opportunity to demonstrate our strength to a lot of voters I think are very pragmatic - in places like South Carolina and Nevada - who above all want to see a candidate who can win," Buttigieg said Saturday in Las Vegas. To try to bring home a victory, Buttigieg is sweeping across Iowa this week, making at least 12 town-hall stops, including 10 in counties Trump carried in 2016. The campaign prioritized red and purple counties in two trips through Iowa in late December, too. It is part of his strategy to pitch himself as a moderate who would not alienate conservatives, even as he argues that his proposals would make him the most progressive president in recent memory. The message he has delivered in Iowa lately makes clear overtures to disgruntled Republicans - or what he calls "future former Republicans" - whom he argues he can attract. He suggests he will be able to build bipartisan consensus. And he, more than any candidate in the field, suggests that Republicans have co-opted faith, arguing that religious Americans can find a like-minded leader in him. There are signs that moderates are responding to that message. Longtime Iowa Democratic Party activist Terri Hale, who endorsed Buttigieg last summer and calls him "a realistic progressive," recently planned a small meet-and-greet for Buttigieg at her home near Des Moines. She invited only undecided and Republican acquaintances, to try to sell them on her candidate. "We ended up having to move it to a bigger place because we had about 170 people," Hale said. "Not everybody there was an undecided or Republican, but I know a few Republicans for sure who are going to caucus for Democrats, because of Pete, who were there." The campaign is also doubling down on its robust organizing operation in the final weeks before the vote. Though Buttigieg started far behind his Democratic rivals in building a ground game - waiting until around Labor Day to begin opening field offices - he has now assembled one of the largest operations in the state. According to several Democratic county chairs, Buttigieg's operation is second only to Warren's. "When you see a Warren organizer, a Buttigieg organizer usually isn't far behind," said one Democratic county chair, who declined to be named, in order to give a candid assessment of the race. But that may not be enough. In recent weeks, some county chairs have sensed shifting feelings about Buttigieg. Voters who had been leaning toward or even committed to him have reported new anxiety, raising questions about his age, his lack of Washington experience and his struggle to win over minority voters. "I honestly think he peaked a little bit too early, unfortunately, and people are kind of having buyers remorse," the Democratic county chair said of Buttigieg. "The second-guessing is starting. I think a big part of it is foreign policy, which is now becoming a huge issue in this election, which none of us expected. And that does play to Joe Biden's strength, and in many ways they are in the same lane." While Buttigieg seemed to benefit in the fall from heavy spending on television, he has lost that advantage. In recent weeks, his ads have been matched almost one-to-one by Biden spots, including a new ad emphasizing Biden's foreign policy experience against the backdrop of recent tensions with Iran. Interviews with undecided voters at candidate events in recent days suggest that there is still a lot of goodwill for Buttigieg and that he remains in consideration. But many still are not convinced. "He's too young," said Lynn Muhs, 67, an undecided voter from Newton, Iowa. She spoke after attending a Sanders rally Saturday as part an effort to see all the candidates in person before making a final decision on whom to support. She praised Buttigieg as a "good talker, a good speaker," but she worried about his lack of Washington experience. In the past, she said, she thought an outsider might have been good. But she looks at that question differently considering Trump. Whoever follows Trump, she said, needs to be able to restore order. "I could imagine him as someone who could win later down the road, but . . . he doesn't have the background and he doesn't have the experience, not in federal government anyway," Muhs said. "Being a small-town mayor, I mean, even if he were a large-town mayor, to me that is still not the same thing. You need that experience." To combat those worries, Buttigieg and his team are encouraging their volunteers to reach out to their friends and neighbors. The campaign flew its national caucus director, Travis Brock, to conduct some trainings in person. Buttigieg organizers are teaching precinct captains how to build "empathetic bridges" to supporters of other campaigns in the hopes of bolstering their ranks on caucus night. At a recent precinct-captain training in Ankeny, north of Des Moines, a Buttigieg staffer reminded the 90 people gathered not to take an Iowa win for granted. One slide from a PowerPoint presentation showed a list of polls from this point in the 2004 Democratic election, when Howard Dean was leading. John Kerry went on to win Iowa, a surprise comeback that helped him clinch the Democratic presidential nomination. "They were dating Howard Dean, and they married John Kerry," Shannon Sankey, a Buttigieg organizer overseeing Ankeny, told the group. The race now, she said, is just as fluid. "The polls are always lying to us," she said. "You never want to believe a poll, because it's always changing." Around the room, volunteers, many wearing navy and gold Buttigieg campaign pins, grew serious. Their game faces were on. "We're focusing on persuasion and mobilization," said Matt McCoy, a former state senator and early Buttigieg endorser who is involved in Buttigieg's Iowa "kitchen cabinet," a regular strategy meeting of staffers and other campaign members. McCoy said the campaign still sees plenty of time to change minds. His preferred candidate agrees. "What we're seeing is everything from voters who have been coming out to events for a year and are narrowing down their choices to people who are just now tuning in," Buttigieg said Saturday. "The message won't change, because my values haven't changed. But you will see us continuing to build toward a closing argument that really brings home why I'm the best nominee to defeat Donald Trump and why I'd be the best president." - Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika wondered why she and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria were locked out yet the head of state said he was busy building bridges of unity - The Tanga Tanga lawmaker said "orders from above" were issued to bar them from accessing Uhuru's public event - The president was scheduled to issue title deeds to Nakuru residents on Monday, January 14 Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika has claimed she has been locked out of a presidential function in her county. The Tanga Tanga lawmaker who is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto said she was barred from a public event where the head of state was scheduled to issue title deeds to Nakuru residents on Monday, January 14. READ ALSO: Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria declares interest in 2022 presidential bid Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria (centre) with Senator Susan Kihika (right) after they were locked out of a presidential function in Nakuru. Photo: Susan Kihika. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Lawyer Ahmednasir believes Uhuru, Ruto hatred will make the country collapse On her Facebook page on Tuesday, January 14, the vocal lawmaker wondered why she and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria were locked out yet the head of state said he was busy building bridges of unity. Earlier today the area MP Hon Gikaria and I were refused entry into a public function where the president will be issuing title deeds to the people of Nakuru county.We were informed that orders from above are that we cannot be allowed entry because we belong to an unwanted faction! Meanwhile we are building bridges and uniting the nation," she lamented. It was not the first time the lawmaker was denied access to the president. On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, a viral social media video showed the Senator being roughed up by President Uhuru Kenyatta's security detail in Nakuru sparking debate on social media. Kihika's post elicited mixed reactions on social media. Senator Susan Kihika claimed she was locked out from Uhuru's event due to orders from above. Photo: Susan Kihika. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Wakili Ahmednasir anaamini chuki ulioko kwa sasa kati ya Uhuru na Ruto itaangamiza nchi A file photo of President Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo: State House. Source: Facebook Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. How we lost our babies at the hands of Kenyan doctors during delivery | Tuko TV | Kenya Documentary Source: TUKO.co.ke The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its dissatisfaction with the Centre's status report on Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The centre on Tuesday filed the status report before the Apex Court regarding the belt bomb's investigation in connection with the former Prime Minister's assassination case. While expressing its dissatisfaction, a two-judge bench of the Apex court, headed by Justice L Nageshwar Rao and comprising Justice Hemant Gupta, asked the Centre to file a fresh updated and detailed status report again and clarify its position on the issue. Stating that there is no difference between the current report and the previous one filed by the Centre, Justice Rao said, "We want to know the progress made in these two years." Adjourning the matter without giving any date, the top court also asked the lawyer appearing for convict AG Perarivalan whether they have seen the report or not. The court was hearing the matter pertaining to the belt bomb investigation, involving the convict Perarivalan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumpudur in May 1991. Besides Perarivalan, Ravichandran, S Nalini Sriharan, Murugan, Santhan, Robert Pious and Jayakumar were convicted in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even if Democrats sweep the November elections, their hopes of rewriting the laws and policies of the Trump administration would face a significant obstacle a Supreme Court with a conservative majority that is likely to stay in place for another decade or more. So some Democratic presidential candidates are proposing to expand the court, for the first time in 150 years, or to broaden the rules for selecting its members. Something must be done to stop the descent of the Supreme Court into becoming yet another political body, said Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Ind., mayor with the most far-reaching plan to remake the court. It would increase the number of justices from nine to 15: five Democrats and five Republicans, appointed by the president to life terms, and five lower-court judges chosen by the 10 justices to serve one year on the high court. Buttigiegs term as mayor ended on New Years Day. Its not just about expansion, its about depoliticizing the Supreme Court, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., one of several candidates who say theyd consider legislation to add two to four justices to the court. Others include Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., entrepreneur Andrew Yang and San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer. Warrens chief rival on the left, Sen. Bernie Sanders, opposes enlarging the court Republicans will do the same thing when they regain power, he warns. But he believes a future president would have the power, under current law, to rotate Supreme Court justices to federal appeals courts after a certain period, and replace them with appellate judges of the presidents choosing. Among the leading candidates, whose next debate is in Iowa on Tuesday evening, former Vice President Joe Biden is the chief skeptic of proposals to overhaul the high court. Im not prepared to go on and try to pack the court, because well live to rue the day, Biden told an Iowa interviewer in July. Republican leaders agree. Out of the ash heap of history came this talk of court-packing, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tweeted in March. Some Republicans have proposed a constitutional amendment to freeze the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. The court-packing label carries reminders of President Franklin D. Roosevelts short-lived attempt to enlarge an equally conservative court in the late 1930s. A leading current proponent, Aaron Belkin, a San Francisco State political science professor, dubbed his advocacy group Pack the Court before renaming it Take Back the Court. Democratic debate The debate is Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Pacific time on CNN cable or live stream. See More Collapse Semantics aside, Belkin says Democrats shouldnt be intimidated by charges of injecting politics into the judiciary. In a recent Pepperdine Law Review article, Belkin said back-and-forth efforts by both parties to maintain a judicial majority may harm the courts legitimacy, but that may be a better outcome than passively allowing the GOP theft of the judiciary. That is the Democrats chief grievance: McConnells refusal in 2016 to consider President Barack Obamas nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for a crucial Supreme Court seat, later filled by President Trumps appointee, Justice Neil Gorsuch. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans were blocking most of Obamas appeals court candidates in the last two years of his presidency. Besides his two Supreme Court selections, Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Trump had 50 appeals court nominees confirmed by the Senate by the end of 2019 only five fewer than senators approved during Obamas two White House terms. Belkin proposes adding at least four seats to the Supreme Court two to potentially outvote each of Trumps appointees, he says and enough new lower-court judgeships to make up for those Obama was unable to fill. Those additions could be enabled by Congress without amending the Constitution, though it would probably take a repeal of the Senates filibuster rule, which can require 60 votes to pass laws. A constitutional amendment would require two-thirds majorities in both houses and ratification by legislatures in three-fourths of the states. The size of the Supreme Court is set by Congress, not by the Constitution. It started with six members, varied between five and 10 in the following decades, and was reduced to the current nine members in 1869 by lawmakers unwilling to let President Andrew Johnson appoint a justice after he was impeached and nearly removed from office. Even a new Democratic majority and a sympathetic president wouldnt guarantee a larger court. Several Democratic senators say theyre satisfied with the courts size, if not its membership. Some, like Sanders, say expansion would lead to Republican reprisals; others, for similar reasons, are reluctant to abolish the filibuster. The candidates agree that they want to make the court less political. Sanders, meanwhile, has promised to appoint only justices who have made it clear they would defend Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 ruling that declared a right to abortion. Biden pledged to appoint justices who support the constitutional right of privacy, on which Roe vs. Wade was based. Warren, on her campaign website, has promised to nominate a demonstrated advocate for workers to fill any Supreme Court vacancy. Arguably that would require the same type of ideological screening used by Trump, who pledged as a candidate to appoint justices who would overturn Roe vs. Wade, and whose judicial selections are preapproved by the staunchly conservative Federalist Society. Buttigieg, too, says he wants a less politicized Supreme Court while proposing, as a primary option, a court explicitly composed of Democrats, Republicans and their agreed-on, presumably nonpartisan short-term selections. The plan was spelled out in a recent Yale Law Review essay by two professors, Daniel Epps of Washington University and Ganesh Sitaraman of Vanderbilt, who insist it could be done without amending the Constitution. Congress, they noted, has passed laws for many decades specifying the political membership of dozens of independent federal agencies appointed by the president, such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Election Commission and the Commission on Civil Rights. No more than half of their members can belong to any one party, a requirement that the courts have left undisturbed. Its another question, though, whether the same standard could apply to a court whose independent status presidential nomination, Senate confirmation, life tenure is spelled out in the Constitution. You could have the president agreeing to consider nominations from the parties, but I dont see how you could, statutorily, take the presidents power away to select whoever he or she wants, said David Levine, a law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco. Even more constitutionally dubious, he said, was the proposal to have the 10 party-designated justices, rather than the president, choose five lower-court judges for one-year terms on the high court. I think you can add (justices) but you cant fundamentally overhaul the appointment system without amending the Constitution, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Another widely aired proposal is term limits, such as 18 years, for Supreme Court justices. Buttigieg says he would consider it, and Levinson supports it. But it would also face a legal barrier: the constitutional provision that federal judges shall hold office during good behavior, or until retirement, death or impeachment. Sanders, though, said at the June debate that he believes constitutionally we have the power to rotate (Supreme Court) judges to lower courts, and that brings in new blood into the Supreme Court. Levine of UC Hastings said he doesnt think the Constitution would allow Congress to alter life terms for the nine current justices, but lawmakers could authorize the president to appoint future justices for a specific term on the high court, followed by a transfer to a lower court. On the other hand, Loyolas Levinson said the Constitutions guarantee of life tenure for the justices is consistent with the widely held view that they should be outside the political realm. And as a practical matter, said Take Back the Courts Belkin, the validity of a Democratic move to limit future Supreme Court terms would most likely be decided by the current court. Court expansion may be the least risky judicial reform option because it could be done legally and would change both the judicial and political landscapes, Belkin said at a convention of the liberal American Constitution Society. The court in its current form, he said, cannot be saved unless both parties are committed to democracy. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Courtesy of UPS The UPS Store can thank dissatisfied customers for its recent success -- though, of course, were not talking about its own customers. About a third of online purchases are returned, says Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store. And thats become a very attractive business segment for us. To cash in on the returns of dissatisfied e-commerce companies, UPS has signed deals to be the official return courier for several major retailers. (Davis wont say exactly which ones.) The UPS Store is also under contract to ship hardware, such as cable boxes, back to utility companies when customers are done using them. Were reducing the touch points in the return process, says Davis. Bigg Boss 13 is all set to get its first winner of the BB Elite Club membership, which will allows a contestant to seek immunity from the nominations at any point of time. A new promo shows the two contenders -- Shehnaaz Gill and Asim Riaz -- standing on a podium as they prove their worth for winning the membership. Shehnaaz can be seen saying in the promo video, I have entertained as well as done a lot of drama. Asim has only shown his anger. Hinting at her relationship with Sidharth Shukla, Asim said, Maine kisi matlab se dosti nahi ki (I never befriended anyone for my own means), but Sidharth cut him short, saying, ye jhooth hai (this is false). The viewers, however, stood divided on social media and showed support for them as per their respective choices. Shehnaaz had told guest Hina Khan, who entered the house to convene the task, Main Elite Club ka Membership jitne ke liye Asim ko nicha nahi dikha sakti (I cant embarrass Asim Riaz to win Elite Club membership). This won the hearts of her fans who praised her on Twitter. One of her fans tweeted, Agr hmari Shehnaaz Gill khush h asim ke jeetne se.. den we all r happy too..She never care abt win or loose..She always said bs dil jeetne h mujhe..Nd she is prooving dis day by day (If Shehnaaz is happy with Asims win..then we are also happy. She never cared about winning or loosing. She always said that she only wants to win hearts. Also read: Bigg Boss 13: Shehnaaz Gill romances Sidharth Shukla, viewers say the show looks like Splitsvilla However, Asims fans hold him in high regard and consider him worthy for winning the membership. A fan wrote on Twitter, Sana openly declared that she doesnt want to win the show, she just wants to win Shukla (eww) The one who has no passion or respect for BB trophy doesnt even deserve to live in that house. On the other hand Asim is working his a** off for this game. He deserves it the most. One more fan said, Most important factor that sets #AsimRiaz apart from the rest is his REAL persona. He has never sought fake angles to make his presence felt. From a non entity, to the most loved contestant #BB13, his journey has been phenomenal & inspiring. And I believe Winners should INSPIRE!! One more fan came out in his support and said, Asim Riaz Deserves this much much much more than anyone else! his performance was the BEST in the Comedy Club task. He should have gotten 10/10 and been awarded with the elite club just there! Follow @htshowbiz for more The Boris Johnson government continues to boycott BBC Radio 4s Today programme, because it doesnt like the questions its presenters have the temerity to ask. It is also boycotting BBC Newsnight, because it doesnt like one of the journalists it has hired. It boycotted Andrew Neil during the election campaign, of course a key part of the now well established Sir Lynton Crosby strategy, known as the Complete Moral Cowardice Package, as purchased by three Tory prime ministers on the trot (some with better results than others). But it isnt boycotting breakfast. That would be too much to ask. BBC Breakfast, that is, which has now conducted the first proper sit-down interview with our new majority-wielding prime minister. There is, in fairness, some strategic thinking behind this. Nothing cuts through to the general public like the 8am slot on BBC Breakfast and nothing cuts through like doing everything you can to limit the likelihood of being asked any questions you dont actually want to answer. That was the strategy. Except, it didnt quite work like that. There are, as the BBCs Dan Walker made clear, many different ways to expose an absolute 42-carat fraud. Indeed, so blatant is the truth that Boris Johnson is incapable of telling, it is close to impossible not to expose him. One imagines waiters in restaurants have been known to expose him as a liar before even moving beyond the still or sparkling question. You know hes lying when hes smirking, and hes smirking all the time. Its his resting face. Its hard not to imagine him smirking while reading out that WH Auden poem at a close friends funeral. Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Show all 10 1 /10 Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference A Boris Johnson doll for sale at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 29 September PA Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Mugs with Boris Johnson's portrait for sale at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 29 September AP Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference A Boris Johnson themed T-shirt for sale at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 29 September AFP/Getty Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Boris Johnson and other Conservative themed cards for sale at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 29 September AP Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Boris Johnson posters for sale at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 29 September EPA Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Copies of The Conservative newspaper are ready to be distributed during the Conservative Party conference on 30 September Getty Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference "GET BREXIT DONE" mugs alongside other Conservative merchandise at the party conference in Manchester on 29 September PA Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Assorted Conservative merchandise for sale at the party conference in Manchester on 29 September PA Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference Books about Jacob Rees-Mogg and Jeremy Corbyn for sale at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on 29 September Getty Boris Johnson and Brexit merchandise for sale at the Tory conference A variety of books for sale at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on 29 September Getty Would the killing of Irans Qassem Soleimani affect the potential release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, he was asked a case, as Walker reminded him, he had been involved in while foreign secretary. At the FCO we all worked very hard to secure the release of a number of consular cases including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, he said. A flash of smirk now, of course. And what choice do you have but to laugh, when youre coming out with that, at the same time as knowing that youre the guy who didnt work hard enough to actually read the briefing notes handed to you, and so accidentally had her detention extended? Were putting 50,000 more nurses into the NHS, were building 40 new hospitals. Lies lies lies lies lies. Those nurses arent real. Nor are the hospitals. Not that anyone cares. When this moved gently on to the promise to sort out social care once and for all, Walker did gently interrupt the prime minister. You stood outside this building and said there was a plan. Where is that plan? A flash of silence. A micro grimace. There had been no overbearing interruptions. No Can I finish, can I finish? The prime minister had been allowed to finish, for 20 long minutes by this point. It was a sotto voce defenestration. That expanding half-second was the kind of thing movie scriptwriters call a beat. An immeasurable moment in time, in which the cacophonic whirring of the prime ministers brain seemed loud enough to down an aeroplane. Jesus Christ. Even this guys found me out. Is there nowhere I can go? Unfortunately no, there absolutely isnt. Because he did stand outside No 10 last summer and say he already had a plan for social care. The number of social care plans he claimed to have was, unlike his number of children, not a secret. The number was one. Except that it wasnt, was it. The number, of course, is zero. It was, as ever, all bluster. The smirk briefly died away. Well, were bringing forward a proposal, erm, its important to get it right, erm, err. Oh well. Nothing anyone can do about it now. This is our fate. We chose it. The last laugh, of course, is going to be on us for five long years, if not 10. The Adamawa State High Court has sentenced a Church Accountant Ibrahim Aku to 18 years imprisonment for stealing N15.5m from the tithe, Offerings and other income generated by the church. The convict was prosecuted by Gombe Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aku, an accountant at EYN Church of Christ (Ekilisiyar Yen Uwa Nigeria), EYN, Church of Brethren in Nigeria (CBN) in the state faced a six-count charge, bordering on forgery and obtaining money by false pretence. He was investigated and prosecuted following a petition by the church through Rev. (Dr). Daniel Mbaya, the Secretary General of the Church, alleging that Aku defrauded the church of N15.5million between 2016 and 2018. Investigations by the EFCC, revealed that the money was generated by the church members by offerings, donations and tithe. The Nigerian Voice gathered that the convict was assigned by the church to deposit the church's revenue into the church's account with First Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, but he ended up diverting same, and forged bank tellers to balance the financial books of the church. He was assisted to commit the crime by his friend, one Benefit Ishaku currently at large to whom he gave N500,000. His accomplice assisted him in forging the stamps of the banks, which were also used to perpetrate the fraud. He was prosecuted using the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. He pleaded "guilty" to the chargesnand the prosecuting counsel, S.E. Okemini urged the court to convict him as charged. Justice Nathan Musa, pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to 18 years in prison - three years on each of the counts, to run concurrently. He was not given an option of fine. The government of Yobe State has said that it has successfully screened 228 students from poor family backgrounds for a foreign scholarship in an Indian University. The 228 students, according to a selection committee set up by the Yobe State Government, were picked after a meticulous selection process from across the 17 local areas government areas of the state. However, the process of selecting the 228 students has been criticized by some residents of the state who accused the committee of using a controversial process to select the candidates. Reacting to the screening exercise on social media, some residents of the state accused the committee of deploying favouritism and bias in picking those selected. This allegation was, however, refuted by the committee. The Chairman of the Foreign Scholarship Committee, Sherriff Almuhajir, told journalists in Damaturu on Monday that a total of 228 candidates were selected out of about 4000 that applied across the state. Mr Almuhajir said his committee had to shortlist 500 of the applicants before arriving at the final 228 candidates that would be sent abroad to pursue various degree programmes. The screened scholarship candidates are to study at the Glocal University in India. The state governor, Mai-Mala Buni, last year announced that his administration has approved the sponsorship of over 700 students to study major degree courses abroad. The governor in May last year declared a state of emergency on education and held a weeklong summit on education Mr Almuhajir said all the successfully selected candidates would be pursuing degrees in Paramedics, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture and Management courses in the Indian university. The screening examination for the applicants was conducted electronically with emphasis on science courses, he said. A total of 4,000 candidates were initially picked from the 17 local government areas to sit for the examination. Out of the number, 500 emerged and subsequently, the 228 who met our criteria of science courses emerged successful as successful candidates. He said the students are being sponsored to study science and medical courses that will be beneficial to the manpower deficits in the state workforce. Under paramedics, the students would be studying degree courses in Operation Theatre, Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology, Renal Dialysis, Anaesthesia, Cardiac Care Technology, and Pharmacy, the Committee Chairman explained. Under engineering and technology, the students will study Petroleum Engineering, Electronic and Communication Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology, and Mechanical Engineering at the first-degree level. In agriculture, 19 candidates will study agriculture while two are for forestry, Dr. Almuhaji said. Allegations of Fraudulent Selection A Facebook user, Babagana Kolo, made a post on January 11 at 10:23 PM alleging lopsided consideration at the local government ward levels. What a bias selection; Moyori one of the major Elector Wards in Yusufari Local government have not gotten its students included in (Governor) Mai Mala Bunus Scholarship, he said. When I see the LGAs sharing formula of giving 12 slots to each LGA, what comes to my mind is the same formula will be applied for Ward level but the reverse is the case. I, therefore, challenge those involved in the selection process to quickly include Moyori in the list either by addition or subtraction since there are some wards that occupied more than 2 slots. It is obvious that Moyori is twice the size of Kajimaram and Maimalari by population. The Motori people are demanding for their slots. Another dissatisfied resident, Mohammed Habib, made two posts (one in Hausa and a translation in English) on his Facebook page expressing his discontent about the selection process for the foreign scholarship scheme. No transparency in Yobe foreign scholarship, he said. Candidates with 18 point marks are qualified while those with 22 are not qualified in the same local government, he lamented. Abubakar Lawan, a parent, wept while commenting on a Facebook post that announced the selection of the final candidates for the foreign scholarship. Advertisements It good, but my son has 5 (five)/distinction and 5 (five) credits all in sciences subjects but he was not given the offers Denials The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Yobe State Scholarship Board, Abubakar Kagu, who is also a member of the committee, denied alleged fraud in the selection process. I have seen one, two or three complaints about the selection exercise on the social media that there is no transparency in what we did in the selection process of the exercise, he said. A post indicated that some candidates in a local government got 28% per cent and they were not selected and another person in another local government got 18 per cent and he was selected and so on. The ES described authors of such negative comments as ignorant of what they did in the selection process. The truth is that from the beginning, we had set local government as a selection criterion but it became very obvious that such criteria will produce a lopsided selection because one family may end up having the entire slots in a local government because of their performance in the examination. Against that backdrop, we decided to add another criterion which is the ward level. This criterion gives the opportunity to spread and mitigate the opportunity of concentration as I have earlier explained. We adopted this method because if you allow it that way, it will not serve the governors vision and it wont serve the people of the state well so we added the ward level as another criterion. By that, it means that even if many from one family have the highest marks in a local government, only one will be selected from the ward and we move to another ward. So a candidate maybe be scoring the lowest marks in another ward but he will be selected from that ward because he has no competition like the other wards that many candidates have high marks even more than the other candidate with the lowest marks but in his ward, he is the first. Another issue is that some wards have more than three and others dont have candidates at all. In those situations, we now go to the local governments and see which person has the next highest marks who was disqualified based on the award criteria. We also have a threshold marks of that if you dont cross you cannot be selected because you will definitely not succeed when you go abroad to stud. There were also wards that didnt produce candidates at all. In such a situation, we go back and select those that were disqualified on a ward basis to fill up the gaps, the official explained. Civil Society wades in Following the controversy surrounding the foreign scholarship selection process, the leadership of some civil society organizations in Yobe State sought a meeting with the chairman and members of the committee for clarifications. In a statement signed and issued by an official of the Network of Yobe State Civil Society Organizations, Muhammad Kucici, the group said they met with the Chairman and members of the Committee on 11/01/202 on the State Scholarship Board Damaturu, before they commenced the screening exercise of the 228 selected candidates. After the meeting, the network of CSOs declared that The process is to a large extent transparent and that in the whole exercise equity and fairness were chosen over merit. They, however, pointed out that the crux of the controversy was that merit was placed under political convenience in some of the selection of candidates. The major concern here is that a 2nd or 3rd best candidate in one political ward have high points than the best candidate in another ward and that is the main genesis of the public outcry. The original run of Penny Dreadful on Showtime was set in Victorian-era London, but this revival version, City of Angels, is going to be a melting pot of historic Los Angeles. Its set in 1938 and will get into the origin of the citys freeway system, the rich tradition of folklore among its Mexican-American residents, the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich, and the rise of radio evangelism. Now that is a grab bag! What the new Penny Dreadful does not have is the singular presence of Eva Green, and while well never truly get past this loss, the amount of looks were getting from Natalie Dormer, paired with her impeccable daytime smoky eye, is certainly working to dull the pain. The series also stars Nathan Lane and Daniel Zovatto as detectives in way over their heads. City of Angels will premiere on April 26. Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar left Moscow this morning without signing a ceasefire deal with the the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj. "The draft [agreement] ignores many of the Libyan armys demands," the Al Arabiya TV channel cited him as saying. Sky News Arabia earlier reported that during the indirect talks in Moscow, Haftar insisted on allowing his troops to enter Tripoli and on forming a national unity government that would receive a vote of confidence from the Tobruk-based parliament. The field marshal also called for international monitoring of ceasefire without Turkeys participation. WASHINGTON Evidence unveiled Tuesday in the impeachment proceeding against President Donald Trump shows an associate of his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, worked to get the Ukraine government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. The documents appear to show that Giuliani and Lev Parnas, who faces unrelated campaign finance charges, knew the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine would be removed the day before it happened last year. The materials, provided to Congress by Parnas' lawyer on Monday, were released Tuesday by four House committees. They include Parnas' handwritten notes on stationery from the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Vienna, the committees said. One page refers to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky: "get Zalensky to annouce that the Biden case will be Investigated." House Democrats impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for withholding military aid and a White House visit in order to pressure Ukraine to investigate Biden. That included Trump's personal request to Zelensky for an investigation, made in a July 25 call. Evidence released Tuesday shows Zelensky was aware of accusations against Biden in May, well before that call, according to the committees. U.S. officials have discredited accusations about Ukraine and the Bidens as conspiracy theories. U.S. officials testified in the impeachment inquiry that accusations that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 presidential election are Russian propaganda, and it wasnt credible Biden would influence policy for financial or personal motives. A statement from the Democratic chairmen of four committees that investigated Trump said the documents demonstrate that there is more evidence relevant to the Presidents scheme, but they have been concealed by the President himself. All of this new evidence confirms what we already know: the President and his associates pressured Ukrainian officials to announce investigations that would benefit the President politically, the statement said. Story continues The three committees that investigated Trump's dealings with Ukraine Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Oversight and Reform submitted the evidence to the Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee plans to submit it to the Senate along with the articles of impeachment. The House is expected to vote Wednesday on sending the articles to the Senate, where the trial is expected to begin Tuesday. Trump said he was justified in fighting corruption in Ukraine and predicted he would be exonerated at trial. The committees that led the Ukraine investigation subpoenaed Parnas on Oct. 10 for the evidence, a day after he was arrested. Parnas won approval from a federal judge in New York to share documents and evidence from devices seized by investigators, including two phones and an iPad. The committee chairmen Reps. Adam Schiff of California at the Intelligence Committee, Jerry Nadler of New York at Judiciary, Carolyn Maloney of New York at Oversight, and Eliot Engel of New York at Foreign Affairs had said they would continue to investigate Trump after the Dec. 18 vote to impeach the president. Trump's lawyers agreed to represent Parnas and an associate before they were arrested The evidence includes an Oct. 2 email showing contact between Jay Sekulow, a member of Trump's legal team, and former Trump lawyer John Dowd about the topic of "representation" for Parnas and one his co-defendants, Igor Fruman. "I have discussed the issue of representation with the President," Sekulow wrote to Dowd. "The President consents to allowing your representation of Mr. Parnas and Mr. Fruman." The day after that email was sent, the committees said, Dowd wrote to the Intelligence Committee to clarify that he was representing Parnas and Fruman, and that they "assisted Mr. Giuliani in connection with his representation of President Trump." Those messages were sent a week before Parnas and Fruman were arrested at Dulles International Airport with one-way tickets to Europe. A federal indictment unsealed in October charged Parnas, 47, and Belarus-born associate Fruman with conspiring to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to buy influence with U.S. political candidates and campaign committees. Evidence in the case includes $325,000 allegedly contributed under a false name to a political action committee supporting Trump. Two other associates, David Correia and Andrey Kukushkin, are charged separately with contributing foreign funds to candidates in Nevada and other states in a bid to win support for a planned cannabis business. Some of the money allegedly was supplied by a Russian businessman who was not identified in the indictment. The four men have pleaded pleaded not guilty. Parnas tried to arrange meetings between Giuliani and Ukrainian officials Messages translated by the committees showed communication between Parnas and top Ukrainian officials during the campaign to pressure that country to open investigations. In May, Parnas communicated by instant message with Ivan Bakanov, the head of Ukraine's Security Service, and Serhiy Shefir, a top aide to Zelensky. Parnas tried to arrange meetings between the aides and Giuliani. He sent them articles about Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a New York Times story about Giuliani's investigative goals in Ukraine. "If you are currently on vacation please connect someone else who is close to President Voldomyr [and] who can call me back so I can connect them with Giuliani," Parnas wrote to Bakanov on May 2. Bakanov responded that he "shared the information he [Parnas] provided with Mr. President via the established channel," though he did not schedule a meeting with Giuliani. The Intelligence Committee said those messages documented that Zelensky knew of the Biden allegations in May. The evidence includes a photograph of a previously-undisclosed letter from Giuliani to Zelensky on May 10. In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday, May 13th, or Tuesday, May 14th, Giuliani wrote. House investigators wrote that the letter makes clear that his trip, which he publicly described at the time as an effort to 'meddle in in investigation, was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump. Trump ally claimed U.S. ambassador to Ukraine was under surveillance WhatsApp messages obtained by the Intelligence Committee show Parnas was in contact with Robert F. Hyde, a pro-Trump congressional candidate in Connecticut who claimed to have Yovanovitch under surveillance. In March, Parnas sent Hyde articles critical of Yovanovitch, to which Hyde responded, "Wow. can't believe Trumo [sic] hasn't fired this b****." Hyde sent a series of messages suggesting he had hired people in Ukraine to surveil the ambassador, alluding to "the guys over there," and updating Parnas on what he said was Yovanovitch's location. "Guess you can do anything in the Ukraine with money...what I was told," Hyde told Parnas. Yovanovitch's attorney Lawrence Robbins called the alleged surveillance "disturbing" and called for an investigation. "Needless to say, the notion that American citizens and others were monitoring Ambassador Yovanovitchs movements for unknown purposes is disturbing," Robbins said in a statement. Giuliani, Parnas knew ambassador would be removed before it happened The Intelligence Committee also obtained messages between Giuliani and Parnas about Yovanovitch's firing the day before she was told to come back to America. "He fired her again," Giuliani texted Parnas on April 23. Parnas responded, "I pray it happens this time. I'll call you tomorrow my brother." Yovanovitch told House investigators she learned Giuliani was communicating with people in Ukraine in late 2018. She said people in the Ukrainian government told her Giuliani was in touch with a former Ukrainian prosecutor general, "and that they had plans, and that they were going to, you know, do things, including to me." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Impeachment: Giuliani associate Parnas pushed Ukraine investigation Aqua-Tots Swim Schools leadership along with City of Mesa officials cut the ribbon at the official Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise Headquarters ribbon cutting ceremony. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, the worlds largest swim school franchise, celebrated the grand opening of their 12,000 sq. ft. franchise headquarters on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. The new state-of-the-art facility, located at 1110 S Greenfield Road in Mesa, Arizona, is positioned in front of the flagship Aqua-Tots Swim Schools location and boasts 6,000 sq. ft. of office space, 6,000 sq. ft. dedicated to Uncle Bears Grill and Tap as well as a functional rooftop deck for events. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Co-Founders Ron Sciarro and Paul Preston along with CEO Craig Wright welcomed guests and members of the community including Councilmember Jeremy Whittaker and Mesa Mayor John Giles who spoke on the importance of Aqua-Tots as a community leader. Businesses like Aqua-Tots do more than call Mesa home, remarked Mayor Giles. They serve as leaders who take our business community to the next level by creating new jobs and economic diversity while continuing to serve the families of Mesa and beyond. Were proud to have the Aqua-Tots Franchise Headquarters as a part of the thriving Mesa community and stand behind them as they work to make the world a safer place for children and families all over the world. Founded in Mesa in 1991, Aqua-Tots quickly grew from a mobile swim school serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area to an international franchise teaching millions of swim lessons annually. Beyond the pool, Aqua-Tots Franchise Headquarters will utilize their modern and intentionally designed facility to train new and existing franchisees as well as equip school leadership teams with the skills they need to run successful swim schools both nationally and internationally. When Jane and I began teaching swim lessons nearly 29 years ago, we were simply trying to offer parents quality swim instruction options for their children, said Aqua-Tots Co-Founder Ron Sciarro. Little did we know that our passion for swim lessons would translate into over 105 schools in 14 countries today. This new headquarters office gives us a unique opportunity to serve our franchise owners as well as families all over the world, offering them the most advanced swim lessons available to keep children safe in and around the water for a lifetime. We will forever be grateful to our Aqua-Tots families, franchise partners and team members for walking alongside us as weve watched this dream become a reality. About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serves over 100 communities in 14 countries, offering dedicated, year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education to children of all abilities as early as 4 months old. As the worlds largest swim school franchise, their hand-selected instructors are passionate about teaching children how to remain safe in and around the water, using tried-and-true curriculum, 28 years in the making and trusted worldwide to teach millions of swim lessons annually. The House of Representatives Committee on Power has asked the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the planned increase in electricity tariff. The committee chairman, Aliyu Magaji, at a meeting Tuesday said that the upward review should be suspended pending proper consultations on the matter NERC had earlier announced the review of the electricity tariffs in the country, which showed increases for all categories of consumers. The announcement elicited public outcry as consumers continued to groan over irregular electricity supply. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also called for the suspension of the proposed hike in electricity tariff, saying the increment should not be allowed until estimated billing is criminalised. At Tuesdays committee meeting, Mr. Magaji directed the acting permanent secretary, ministry of power, Ahmed Abdul, to send correspondences across to relevant agencies regarding the directive. There are so many unresolved questions. We have to do it logically to ensure that at least all of us know the feedback from Nigerians. On behalf of this committee, I will liaise with the senate committee; put this on hold until proper consultations are achieved. The committee is directing you to halt this process until the honourable speaker finishes his consultation, he said. The European Union's new trade chief will be in Washington for the next three days trying to head off a transatlantic commercial war on several fronts. The prospects for success look slim. Phil Hogan is due to meet U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and other American officials during a Jan. 14-16 visit that follows a general fraying of ties in recent months between the world's biggest economic partners. While U.S. President Donald Trump has held back on a threat to hit European cars and auto parts with tariffs that are much dreaded in the EU, both sides have revived old disputes and triggered new ones as a result of fundamental disagreements over trade policy. A high-stakes security standoff between the West and Iran adds to the complexity and gloom because Trump's stance toward Tehran is much more hardline than Europe's. This raises the possibility that the White House will use transatlantic commercial questions -- and the option of American tariffs -- as leverage against EU allies when it comes to Iran. "The gloves are off," said Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, director of the European Centre of International Political Economy in Brussels. "There is going to be a lot of fireworks before any underlying progress in resolving U.S.-EU policy differences over trade." Trump continues to unsettle Europe three years after entering office with an "America First" agenda that has shaken the global order the U.S. was instrumental in building after World War II. The EU has gone from being perplexed to steeling itself for more disruptions as it fights to uphold multilateralism, a defining principle for the bloc. The U.S.-EU tensions so far have played out largely in the shadow of a trade war that Trump instigated against China with far bigger economic ramifications. Now the U.S. and China plan to de-escalate their battle during Hogan's visit by signing a first-phase agreement on Wednesday in Washington. "It just feels like we are now entering what I call the transatlantic trade and tariff tantrum," said Heather Conley, a former U.S. diplomat now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "This is going to be a pretty intense period, I fear." The troubles started in 2018 when the Trump administration invoked national-security considerations to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum from Europe. As a U.S. military ally, the EU was infuriated and promptly retaliated with levies on U.S. goods including iconic brands such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Levi Strauss & Co. jeans. A subsequent U.S. threat to wreak significantly more economic damage by targeting the European auto industry with duties on the same security grounds led to a hastily agreed truce and a pledge by both sides to work toward reducing industrial tariffs across the board. Since then, the Trump administration has refused to start the tariff-cutting negotiations unless Europe includes agriculture in them. Also, it imposed levies on EU products in retaliation over government aid to Airbus SE that was deemed illegal by the World Trade Organization, and disabled the WTO's appellate body, The EU is pressing ahead with a plan for tit-for-tat tariffs against the U.S. in a parallel WTO case over unlawful subsidies to Boeing Co. The bloc is also advocating a stopgap global arbitration system and expanding the European trade-policy arsenal to allow for sanctions against countries that illegally restrict commerce and simultaneously block the WTO's dispute-settlement process. The latest flashpoint is a U.S. plan to apply duties on $2.4 billion of French goods ranging from cheeses to handbags in retaliation over a digital-services tax in France that the Trump administration alleges discriminates against American technology companies such as Google, Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Such duties would mark the first time the Trump administration deploys against Europe a policy tool -- Section 301 of a 1974 American law -- reserved so far for the U.S. trade war against China. The EU is pleading for more time to reach an international accord on the taxation of digital businesses through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The bloc is also vowing a unified response should the U.S. trigger the levies against France. "I think we have a bumpy ride ahead of us," Sabine Weyand, director general for trade in the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, told a Brussels conference last month. "If you deal with partners who link up trade policy with security and with industrial policy, et cetera, well, you have to up your game as well. That will be the challenge for this commission." Weyand is the chief civil servant for international commerce under Hogan, an Irish politician who became European trade commissioner on Dec. 1 as part of a new EU commission led by President Ursula von der Leyen. Hogan, who has a reputation as a dealmaker, burnished those credentials in mid-2019 while in his previous job as EU farm chief. He reached an accord with Lighthizer to give American farmers more access to the European beef market after persuading Australia, Argentina and Uruguay to cede chunks of an EU import quota. Still, in the eyes of some officials in Washington, Hogan got off to a bad start with regard to the European trade-commissioner post by telling Irish radio on the day of his nomination in September that Trump was "reckless" and needed to see the "error of his ways." The comments prompted White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow to summon the EU ambassador to the U.S., according to officials familiar with the event. Regardless of any political damage that Hogan caused with his blunt words or of his dealmaking skills, the main difficulty for him may simply be the size of the transatlantic gap in views about how trade policy should be pursued in an increasingly interconnected global economy. The gulf would become even bigger were Trump to view U.S. trade ties with Europe through the prism of his "maximum pressure" Iran strategy, which has included abandoning a landmark international accord to control the Iranian nuclear program. Europe has fought to keep the deal alive. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin last week stepped up U.S. calls on the EU to abandon a payment system meant to shield European trade with Iran from American sanctions, repeating a threat of penalties against bodies in Europe should any transactions take place. "There is very little that Hogan can actually put on the table to sway Lighthizer," Lee-Makiyama said. "That leaves the EU facing domestic political pressure for more trade retaliation, which in turn is economically counterproductive." In Sacramento today, a woman who is accused of tossing menstrual blood at California lawmakers was ordered by a judge to not go anywhere near the state Capitol while she waits for her trial. Rebecca Dalelio, 43, did not enter a plea on Monday. She is scheduled to return to Sacramento County Superior Court in February to face charges of vandalism and assault on public officials. From AP: Senators had just finished taking a vote Sept. 13 when Dalelio allegedly tossed the blood onto the floor of the Senate from the public gallery, saying: "That's for the dead babies." At least six state senators were hit by the cup or the blood and red splatters were visible on some desks and the carpeting. Tests showed the blood did not contain pathogens or infections. Senators had to move their proceedings to a committee room. The Santa Cruz County resident was among a group protesting vaccination legislation. Suspect in blood throwing banned from California Capitol [via Adam Beam of the Associated Press] A Clean Water Act lawsuit filed by the Nez Perce Tribe that seeks to force a Canadian gold mining company to acquire permits for pollution discharged from its central Idaho facility will be allowed to continue, a federal judge decided. Judge B. Lynn Winmill at Boise forwarded the lawsuit first filed by the tribe in August against Midas Gold Corporation and its subsidiary, Midas Gold Idaho, The Lewiston Tribune reports. Midas Golds motion to stay the Tribes litigation was simply a delay tactic, Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee chairman Shannon F. Wheeler said. The Tribe is eager to move forward with its litigation in order to ensure harmful pollution discharges from the site are stopped. The company is discharging water polluted with arsenic, cyanide, mercury and other heavy metals into streams of the Salmon River home to several species of fish protected by the Endangered Species Act, Nez Perce Tribal leaders said in the complaint. The streams also run through traditional territory where tribal members fish, tribe officials said. Pollution dates back years and no mining operations were conducted since Midas Gold purchased the mine 10 years ago, company officials said. The company is in the process of acquiring state and federal permits to mine gold at the site while also proposing to remove barriers to fish, fixing sedimentation problems and removing other waste, officials said. The proposed cleanup is contingent on the company being able to actively mine so some of its profits can be used for remediation, company officials said. Above all else, we remain committed to advancing solutions to improve water quality at the site, Midas Gold Idaho CEO Laurel Sayer said. We did not cause the problems facing the Stibnite Mining District but we are committed to being part of the solution. In fact, today, we are the only ones with a viable plan to address water quality in the historical mining district. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Pollution Mining BERKELEY (BCN) Berkeley police are asking for the public's help in finding an at-risk 66-year-old man who was last seen at his home earlier this month. David Robert Boutelle was last seen on the afternoon of Jan. 4 at his home in the area of Durant Avenue and Fulton Street, according to police. Police have released photos of Boutelle, who is considered at risk because of recent memory impairment. He is described as a man who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds with blond hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue Cal hat, a light blue plaid shirt and light blue jeans, police said. Anyone with information about Boutelle's whereabouts is asked to contact Berkeley police or their nearest public safety agency. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink is warning that the financial risks of climate change are bigger than any crisis he's experienced in his career on Wall Street. "We don't have a Federal Reserve to stabilize the world like in the five or six financial crises that occurred during my 40 years in finance," the head of the world's biggest money manager told CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin in an interview that aired Tuesday. Sorkin also wrote about the interview in Tuesday's New York Times. "This is bigger," he argued, calling on investors and corporate America to help combat climate change. "It requires more planning. It requires more public-private connections together to solve these problems. And I do believe many of these problems could be solved, but the actions have to begin now." Fink, whose BlackRock has nearly $7 trillion in assets under management, used his annual letter to the world's biggest companies to sound the alarm. "Climate change has become a defining factor in companies' long-term prospects. But awareness is rapidly changing, and I believe we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance." BlackRock will put "sustainability at the center of our investment approach," he wrote from portfolio construction to launching new investment products that screen fossil fuels. "For now over eight years, I've been writing CEO letters about 'long-termism,'" Fink told CNBC. "Nothing could be more 'long-termism' than climate change." "I believe in the science. But I did not write it as an environmentalist. I wrote the letter as a capitalist," he said. "My job is, as a capitalist, to help prepare our clients for the redistribution of capital. And more importantly, through that is to provide them with an investment portfolio that will outperform." Kamdhenu Paints, one of Indias leading full-scale decorative paint company has rolled out festival contests to celebrate Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti. Kamdhenu Paints is running the campaign on Facebook and Instagram for the month of January. Through this contest, Kamdhenu Paints is encouraging customers / viewers to share their favorite color of the Lohri Season on the companys Facebook and Instagram page. The company is also encouraging participants to share their best childhood memory of Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti to make it exciting for participants. Kite-flying, bonfires mark Lohri celebrations across North India. During the day, kite flying traditions are beautifully practiced with kites of different colours, sizes and shapes with 'Happy Lohri' and 'Happy New Year' messages seen in the sky. To capture the excitement around Kite-flying, Kamdhenu Paints is urging customers to share their word when they challenge each other and cut kites. 2 lucky winners will be chosen by a dedicated team from each of Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal contests. Kamdhenu Paints will award Rs 500 worth Amazon gift voucher to each winning participant / author of the winning entry. Commenting on the campaign, Saurabh Agarwal, Director, Kamdhenu Paints said, Moment marketing and creating seasonal platforms is extremely relevant for consumers as it allows us to be focused on a message that is top of mind and universally relatable for our audience. 2020 will be a year of moment marketing with brands getting comfortable with digital media as social media platforms lend themselves beautifully for brands to connect and engage with customers. Our latest contest picks up on this trend with creatives to drive / get major customer engagement and build recall for Kamdhenu Paints. Also Read: Kamdhenu Paints is looking for the Most Colorful Winter Wardrobe Kamdhenu Paints challenges stereotypes with #NayiSochNayaRang campaign File image of Congress' Lok Sabha and party's Bengal unit chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury has urged authorities to reinvestigate the Pulwama case after decorated Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) top cop Davinder Singh was found travelling with terrorists. Singh was apprehended by J&K Police (JKP) while travelling with two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists on January 11. Posting a series of tweets on January 14, the parliamentarian from West Bengal hinted that Singh, who is the Deputy Superintendent of JKP, might be involved in the February 14, 2019 attack that claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers. Chowdhury tweeted that if the cop was named "Davindar Khan" (sic), the "troll regiment of RSS would have reacted more stringently". He further added that "we cannot afford to be penny wise and pound foolish". The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us,we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish, (2/3)#DavindarSingh Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it. (3/3)#DavindarSingh Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 "Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," he added (sic). Speaking to CNN-News18, he defended his comment saying: "The arrest of Davinder Singh has a great implication on the functioning of the security mechanism. Therefore, it is important we take a relook at the Pulwama blast to ascertain if the 'trojan horse' was complicit in the attack." Defending Chowdhury's comment, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said: "The issue is that Davinder Singh was in charge during the Pulwama incident and we need to find out if he was used as a pawn. This is not about religion or communalising. Our jawans were martyred and there should be a full investigation into the matter." The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, however, has slammed the "nefarious designs" of the Congress to underplay Pakistan's involvement in terror attacks on India's soil. I challenge the Congress leadership to come on camera and say if they have any doubts about the Pulwama attacks. If they have any doubt about our Army or our Intelligence agencies. If they have doubt that Pakistan didn't do Pulwama, they should come forward: Dr. @sambitswaraj BJP (@BJP4India) January 14, 2020 I ask the leaders of Congress: "Do you have any doubts as to who were the perpetrators of the Pulwama attacks?": Dr. @sambitswaraj pic.twitter.com/noh8TVHW1V BJP (@BJP4India) January 14, 2020 Why do you want to give a clean chit to Pakistan? India is asking this question to Congress today. Congress had done the same after 26/11. Sonia Gandhi had sent Digvijay Singh to blame the RSS for the attacks: Dr. @sambitswaraj BJP (@BJP4India) January 14, 2020 In a series of tweets from BJP's official Twitter handle, their spokesperson Sambit Patra wrote:Meanwhile, right-wing ideologue Shiv Sena too hit out at the Congress party for questioning the Indian Armed Forces. Pensioners are being forced to look for work and cancel holidays amid a payments backlog at one of Britain's biggest insurers. One reader told Money Mail he had been waiting for the Prudential to release his pension pot for almost a month, while another had to wait three months for compensation. Savers have also complained online that the Pru has not let them access their pension pots and they say they were told problems were down to a new IT system. Frustration: Peter Burgess, left, and Pat Savage, right, have been waiting for Prudential to release their pension pots Peter Burgess says he is desperate to collect his pension so he can retire, but has now been waiting since November for Prudential to release his pot. The former car plant worker should have been able to access his Prudential pension, worth around 50,000 (half of his pension savings), when he turned 65 last month. Yet despite first asking about it in September last year, the insurance giant has not been able to produce the money. Peter, who lives in Worcester with wife Lynne, 63, says he is now being forced to look for work after digging into his savings. The father-of-two says: 'I don't want to work this summer. I have done enough work; I've never been unemployed. I have come to a point in my life where I just want to relax. 'But they [the Pru] aren't paying out. Maybe they don't have the structure to keep up with the demand.' Peter, who is also a social care worker, says Prudential had told him the delay was down to a new IT system. He says, in contrast, Aviva released his other pension pot, also of around 50,000, within ten days. But he is now worried he will not have the money in time for a booked holiday to Greece in May. He adds: 'It has caused so much stress and worry. If it carries on, I will have to borrow money.' Last year the Prudential was fined 24million for mis-selling annuities. It emerged savers who could have qualified for 'enhanced annuities' due to ill health had not been told they could get a better deal elsewhere. A recorded message on the insurance giant's annuity compensation phone line last week said: 'If you are calling because you have not yet received your payment, we apologise for the delay and we are progressing all outstanding payments as soon as possible.' Pat Savage, 73, has been waiting since October for a compensation payment of around 3,500. The retired construction health and safety manager bought a standard annuity with the Prudential when he retired aged 65. But he should have been sold an enhanced annuity because he had suffered prostate cancer and had a shorter life expectancy. A spokesman for the Prudential says close to 32,000 customers who should have been told about enhanced annuities have now received compensation totalling 76 million The Pru first wrote to him a year ago to say it owed him around 3,000 and soon paid up. However the firm contacted him again in October to say he was due another 3,500 as well as a 10 boost to his monthly payments. He was told he would get the money within 28 days, When it failed to turn up, he was told the money would be with him within five days. After five days, he rang up again and was told he would have it in ten days. Pat, who lives in Sidcup, South-East London, says he had to cancel a holiday with his wife Eileen, 75, in the Lake District because he did not get the money in time. The grandfather-of-four says: 'I keep getting fobbed off. I am fuming and frustrated.' Pat even made an official complaint last month and was told it would be dealt with within four weeks. But he then received another letter this month to say it would take another four weeks. The Pru only paid Pat the money last week following Money Mail's intervention. Other Pru customers have vented their anger on review site Trustpilot. One reviewer wrote last month that she had been trying to cash in her pension since August. Another customer wrote in November: 'Over two months since activating my annuity and still waiting for payment.' One wrote last week: 'I've been trying to get a claim pack for my pension from The Prudential since October 24. 'They are unable to give me this as they're having IT problems with a new system. For ten weeks! Any other business would be out of business in this time. Absolutely shocking service.' A Prudential spokesman says: 'We are aware of a payments issue that is impacting on a very small number of our customers. 'We have been in contact directly with those affected to apologise for the inconvenience. We are working to rectify this as an urgent priority.' The spokesman also says close to 32,000 customers who should have been told about enhanced annuities have now received compensation totalling 76 million. b.wilkinson@dailymail.co.uk NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI -- Three white-tailed deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease at a deer farm in Newaygo County. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported Tuesday, Jan. 14 that samples from three 4-year-old deer tested positive for CWD during routine testing under the states surveillance program for farmed deer. Officials said the disease still hasnt been detected in free-ranging deer in Newaygo County. An investigation will be conducted to rule out exposure of any other farmed deer. Chronic wasting disease is a serious disease affecting both farmed and free-ranging deer, State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said in a prepared statement. MDARD and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources work together, in partnership with the states deer farmers, to ensure the protection of all of Michigans deer. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. It can be transmitted directly from animal to animal or indirectly through the environment. Since 2008, the disease has been detected in four other privately-owned deer facilities from Kent, Mecosta and Montcalm counties. Last year, 83 deer in Montcalm County were confirmed to have CWD. There have been no reported cases of chronic wasting disease infection in humans. As a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed by humans or domestic animals. More information about the disease is available on the state websites page for CWD. (CNN) Retired Pope Benedict XVI said he did not co-author a book seen as undercutting his successor Pope Francis, according to his private secretary, Georg Gaenswein. The book, titled "From the Depths of Our Hearts," argues in favor of the centuries-old tradition of priestly celibacy within the church, defending the ability to "put oneself completely at the disposition of the Lord" as a criterion for those wishing to be ordained. The release of the book, which will be published Wednesday in French, comes as Pope Francis considers whether to ease the church's ban on married men serving as priests in certain cases. Gaenswein said the former pope asked him to call Cardinal Robert Sarah, the book's author, on Tuesday morning to request the removal of his name and photograph from the book cover, reports Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress. Benedict also asked to have his signature removed from the book, Gaenswein said. However, a section of the book bearing the former pope's name is "100 percent Benedict," the secretary added, explaining that Benedict wrote it last summer and gave it to Cardinal Sarah. Benedict knew the writing would appear in a book, but did not know its format or makeup, Gaenswein said. The Vatican Press Office is not planning to make a further statement about the book, it said. Cardinal Sarah also said Benedict would no longer be credited as co-author. "Considering the controversies caused by the publication of the book ... it is decided that the author of the book will be: (Cardinal) Sarah, with the contribution of Benedict XVI. However, the full text remains absolutely unchanged," Sarah tweeted Tuesday. Sarah, a leading conservative within the church, also published a detailed letter outlining Benedict's involvement in the book. The introduction to the book states that the authors "cannot remain silent" as the Vatican considers whether to allow married men to become priests in some circumstances. "We can say: 'Silere non possum! I cannot remain silent!'" Benedict and Sarah wrote in the joint introduction to the book, according to excerpts released by French daily newspaper Le Figaro on Sunday. Benedict also wrote that he believes celibacy carries "great significance" and is "truly essential" as a priest's path to God becomes the foundation of his life. "The call to follow Jesus is not possible without this sign of freedom and of renunciation of all commitments," he wrote. "Celibacy must penetrate, with its requirements, all of the attitudes of existence." In October, Pope Francis opened a contentious three-week summit to discuss environmental and religious issues in the Amazon. It raised the question of whether some respected married elder men -- known as "viri probati" -- could be ordained to help overcome a shortage of priests in the region. The proposal is pending approval by Francis, but critics fear that it could lead to a wider dissolution of the discipline of celibacy around the world. On the night of January 8, 2020, Fox News ran a graphic with the text "Showdown with Iran." During the evening's shows, the conservative American news channel constantly aired dark footage of Iranian missiles flying over Iraq at night, along with maps of showing the American military bases where the missiles struck. Host Sean Hannity declared dramatically: "There is a massive price to pay. You don't get to do what they did tonight. They're going to get hit hard." Iran fired a number of missiles at two American bases in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian general Qasem Suleimani. The Americans also struck facilities used by Hezbollah, killing 25 people that they claimed were militia soldiers. For a few hours on that night and into the following morning, it felt like America was on the verge of war. No one was killed in the missile strikes, but that didn't stop American political pundits from hyperventilating, accusing Iran of being "the number one State sponsor of terror." As an American watching back in 2002-2003, when then-president George W. Bush was banging the war drum in the media to lead America into its worst quagmire since Vietnam, I felt a foreboding sense of deja vu that cold January night. I've felt it since 2016, when President Donald Trump was elected and gradually increased tensions with Iran. Now, the threat of an imminent American escalation has subsided, at least for the time being; Trump made a speech on Jan. 9 foreclosing on the possibility. However, the situation is still extremely dangerous and the risks of a conflagration over the next year or so persist. A president surrounded by hawkish advisors thinks military power and aggression equals "strength." Slight provocations against the United States are exaggerated while the American side's responsibility for escalations is denied. In Trump's speech, he went back to 1979 to attack Iran for having invaded the U.S. embassy in Tehran and seizing 52 hostages who were held for 444 days until Jan. 20, 1981. No mention there of the fact that the U.S. overthrew Iran's elected prime minister 67 years ago and installed an autocrat; or that the U.S. aided Iran's bitter enemy, Iraq, in its war of aggression against Iran from 1980-88, including the use of chemical weapons. The most recent crisis was initiated when the U.S. violated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal it and five other countries negotiated with Iran, just two-and-a-half years after agreeing to it and then imposed sanctions with the intent of crippling the country's economy. Bush cited shoddy and exaggerated patched-together intelligence claims to accuse the Iraqi government of stockpiling weapons of mass destruction a claim that proved to be false. After killing Suleimani, Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went in front of cameras to accuse Suleimani of plotting "imminent" attacks on four unidentified American embassies. However, no one from the intelligence community has been able to point to any intelligence supporting this claim, and the Trump administration refused even to brief the United States Senate on what evidence they were supposedly relying on. Even Defense Secretary Mark Esper admitted on January 12: "I didn't see one [piece of specific evidence] with regard to the four embassies." Americans are being whipped up into a frenzied state of fear and patriotism, inhibiting critical thinking and greasing the skids for war. Already with an animus towards Iran in many Americans' minds, if and when the next controversy erupts, those Americans will be demanding retribution. Raise the stakes. Hit them hard. Meanwhile, supporters of peace and diplomacy, critics of the Trump administration, are being branded as anti-American. Democrats are "mourning the loss of Suleimani," former American UN ambassador Nikki Haley said. Democrats are "in love with terrorists," Rep. Doug Collins said. Democrats "sympathize" with Suleimani, columnist and commentator Asra Q. Nomani said. This might make it hard for politicians or the press to express the proper degree of skepticism about Trump's Iran policy. Mainstream politicians seek majority approval. If they are cowed by false accusations of disloyalty, the opposition could be made to shut up. This happened during the Iraq War. Democrats who opposed the unnecessary Iraq War or pointed out Bush administration's mishandling of the war were accused of "hating the troops," "slandering their own country" and being "traitorous." It is ironic that those who wanted to protect American lives and advance America's foreign policy interests by staying out of a costly mess were smeared as unpatriotic. But that's what happens in a state of heightened paranoia. It is unfortunate that the same underlying psychological flaws that have led humans into the abyss so many times before are inherent and exacerbated by a sensationalistic media and a demagogic leader. We ought to learn from past mistakes, but it is difficult to escape our human flaws. Mitchell Blatt is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. CLEVELAND, Ohio Six presidential hopefuls will take the stage Tuesday night, Jan. 14, for the last Democratic presidential primary debate before the Iowa Democratic caucus. The field on stage at Drake University in Des Moines will be the smallest of the election season as the first official votes for the 2020 race will be cast in fewer than three weeks. It will be the first time candidates will be able to address a wider audience since Republican President Donald Trumps impeachment and Trumps air strikes to kill an Iranian general. The candidates who qualified are: Former Vice President Joe Biden Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota Philanthropist Tom Steyer The debate will be co-hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register. Moderators are CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Philip and the Des Moines Registers chief political reporter Brianne Pfannensteil. Trump will hold a competing campaign rally in Milwaukee at the same time. (Dont have cable? You can livestream the debate on the fuboTV CNN page, with a free trial; CNN.com; CNNgo; and DesMoinesRegister.com) When: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 9-11:15 p.m. EST TV channel: CNN ALBANY - The more officials change the state's property tax relief program the more confusing it becomes. And they always change it. That was the message from local property tax assessors who testified Tuesday before the Assembly Property Taxation Committee on the two-decade-old STAR or School Tax Relief program designed to ease the pain of New Yorks highest-in-the-nation school property taxes. People get checks and they dont know what program they are in, committee Chairwoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining, said of the numerous calls they get from homeowners regarding school taxes and STAR. Eighty percent of the people were not happy with the STAR changes. They were confused with the process, agreed Scott Shedler, the Ramapo town assessor and president of the state Association of Assessors. Taxation and Finance Executive Deputy Commissioner Andrew Morris said the agency has worked to keep up with the changes, most of which have been part of Gov. Andrew Cuomos budget proposals over the past few years. Weve come a long way and continue to seek to make the process even better, Morris said. Created in 1997 during Gov. George Pataki's administration, STAR provides a reduction in assessed valuation used to calculate school taxes. It exempts the first $30,000 on valuation, which can lead to savings of hundreds of dollars. The program is open for homeowners with incomes below $500,000. For those 65 and over and who make less than $88,050, the first $68,700 is exempted. Savings for homeowners in this age group can easily surpass $1,000. But changes in how those savings are realized continues to baffle homeowners. For instance, people who purchased homes after Aug. 1, 2015 need to apply to the program through the state rather than local assessors. And rather than getting a lower tax bill off the top, they are given a STAR rebate check in the fall. And this year, homeowners earning between $250,000 and $500,000 must also apply and get a check rather than a reduction. Additionally, theres a new inducement for those with incomes under $250,000 to apply for a rebate check rather than an exemption. Rebate checks can grow up to 2 percent annually. But the exemptions wont. So far 2,000 people have switched, according to the Department. The idea, said Queensbury Assessor Teri Ross, is that moving from an exemption to a check changes STAR on the state books from the expense to the revenue ledger. Thats because the checks are taken off ones income taxes. That helps the Cuomo Administration say theyve been keeping state expense growth below 2 percent annually, explained Ross. This administration is pushing the STAR check program because its a way to balance the budget, she said. Adding to the confusion are the separate tax cap rebate checks that have gone out. Homeowners whose districts have remained under the state tax cap get an additional check from the state, as a way to pressure schools to keep costs down. Galef said homeowners can get mixed up, not knowing if their check is for a STAR rebate or tax cap. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. These changes have led to mistakes by the state. The Syracuse Post-Standard late last year found that people who hadnt paid their school taxes were getting their STAR rebate checks from the state anyway. Thats because there was no way to check who was delinquent. Morris said they must by law mail the rebates prior to the school tax bills going out, usually in September. And they would need a statutory change to correct that. Were not in a position to withhold that advance payment based on the statute. School officials arent happy either. Thats because people who get the rebate checks receive a higher school tax bill each fall, and may not remember or realize they are getting a STAR check to offset some of the increases (school taxes tend to rise continually due to contractually increasing salaries and benefit costs for teachers and other employees). They see an increase in their tax bill that isnt actually an increase, Tom Tatun, deputy director of government relations at the state Association of School Business Officials. Thats led some taxpayers to oppose local school budgets, which are voted on in May, thinking that their taxes are going up more than they actually are. So whats on the assessors main wish list for STAR? What you can do is stop any changes in the STAR program, Ross said. More for you STAR change could cost homeowners rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU 90 Day Fiance viewers were shocked by Tania Maduros 30-day trip to Costa Rica for an intensive workshop in herbal medicine. Tania was gone for over a month, smack dab in the middle of her first 90 days in the U.S. with her South African fiance, Syngin Colchester. Because Syngin wasnt allowed to leave the country during that time, per the rules of the K-1 visa application, Tania headed out alone. The couple fought frequently during Tanias trip, as Tania struggled to stay in communication with Syngin amid her daily classes and nights out with the girls. Meanwhile, Syngin felt abandoned back in Connecticut, alone with Tanias mom in the she-shed behind her house. Syngin and Tania reunited at the airport on the Jan. 12 episode of 90 Day Fiance, Choose Me. At first, the lovebirds were as romantic as romantic could be. But as they usually do with this couple, things quickly took a turn for the worse, resulting in an explosive argument during their road trip back to Connecticut from the airport. Tania Maduro | Tania Maduro via Instagram Syngin and Tania had a heartfelt reunion after her Costa Rica trip At the beginning of Choose Me, Syngin admitted things hadnt been great with Tania during her monthlong intensive in Costa Rica. We got into a slight argument and we never got to the point of it, the 90 Day Fiance star told producers. Im feeling a lot of mixed emotions, you know. I hate it when we argue and were not together. It feels like nothing gets resolved. But when Syngin met Tania at a New York City airport, tiger lily in hand, they shared an adorable reunion. I just feel, like, bliss and happiness, man, he raved to 90 Day Fiance producers. I could probably jump right over the moon right now if I tried. Tania even admitted she knew she hadnt acted right back in Costa Rica. I know Im a little extra. I am. I am, she confessed. But we still have a lot to figure out before we get married. Are we gonna have the tools and the patience and the compassion to make it work? The 90 Day Fiance stars soon started fighting about the future After what Syngin described as a magical night together in a hotel, the 90 Day Fiance pair started to get back to reality as they drove back to Connecticut together. When Tania and Syngin began discussing their future, everything changed. While both of them say theyd like to own land and grow their own food, Syngin admitted he didnt want all that on Tanias timeline. Instead, he said he wanted to reach those goals in around a decade. But Tania pushed Syngin to start thinking about the future now. Im ready to start working on those goals and stuff, she told her fiance. I really am craving stability. And youve got me, he responded, laughing. A 30-year-old with an 18-year-old mindset. He shared that he was considering a wide (very wide) variety of careers, from firefighter or police officer to carpenter or woodworker. Syngin said some traumatic experiences made him wary to join the conventional workforce Tania told producers she was worried about Syngins lack of focus in terms of his work. Once, she explained, his spontaneity had left them broke when he suddenly quit a stable bartending job with no prior notice and bought a ticket for Thailand on a whim. Despite Syngins jokes, he confessed that his troubled past played a role in his fears about maintaining a stable job. Syngin worked in the South African mines for seven years as a young man, he explained, and lost several friends along the way to the dangerous job. He described the job as frightening and oppressive, requiring workers to go down miles into the earth in a steel cage for long hours and low pay. Its very little money, its not worth risking your life every single day, the 90 Day Fiance Season 7 star said. Tania, meanwhile, didnt have a lot of compassion for Syngins past trauma. That was so long ago, though, she complained. She added that he should have taken a woodworking course while she was in Costa Rica studying natural remedies. Tania said she needed Syngin to be more of an adult As the conversation continued, the 90 Day Fiance pair got more and more heated. Tania accused Syngin of not being an adult. I am an adult, Syngin protested.. Im also a very free spirit. Well, I need you to be grounded right now, Tania demanded. Im getting to the edge, she shouted as the fight turned ugly. Well, jump over it, then, Syngin yelled back. Do what youre gonna do. Jumping over it means leaving you the f*** behind, Tania declared. Do it! Syngin replied. You might just set me free! I will, Syngin! Tania threatened, adding that she didnt have much time. The couple bantered back and forth about Syngin jumping out of the window or Tania leaving him on the side of the road. Oh my god, youre f****** crazy! Syngin yelled at one point, burying his head in his hands. Tania eventually apologized, but it seemed like the damage was done. Im not feeling heard, so this is what happens, the 90 Day Fiance star explained. You never feel heard, even when you are, Syngin shot back, as yet another fight ended between them with no closure. [January 14, 2020] Bringing Forth Smart Fleet Management: Swisys Provides Top-Notch OBD II/Can Bus Signal Value-Added Service TAIPEI, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Swisys and other notable homegrown startups led by Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) had showcased their innovative solutions and sought for global cooperation at CES 2020. A professor at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and a team of electrical engineers founded Swisys in 2016. It is an automotive electronics and communications solution provider based on the CAN Bus and OBD II standard. Swisys offers customized and effective solutions for connecting any equipment to VANET (vehicular ad-hoc network). OBD II vehicle diagnostics, driving recorder, fleet management, and driving behavior analysis can all be read by the CAN Bus signal of the OBD II interface. Swisys stated that it is centered on CAN Bus automotive electronics. The CAN (Controller Area Network) communications protocol is currently the hottest mainstream technology of VANET. It can control the information exchange between various ECUs (electronic control units, aka nodes) inside the vehicle such as windows, doors, lights, or sensors. Going forward, Swisys will focus on the collection, detection or diagnostics of CAN bus signals. In addition to the high-speed CAN (up to 1Mbps data transfer rate), there is also the low-speed LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communications protocol with only 20Kbps for a lower cost. LIN is used for automotive peripherals such as door/central lock and window regulators. In terms of safety, engine information exchange is supported by CAN, including engine speed, rpm or CO2 emission. Since 1985, the State of California has stipulated that all vehicles must be equipped with OBD (On-board Diagnostic). Taiwan has also required that all imported and new vhicles be equipped with the OBD-II system since 2008. The OBD system is mainly used for monitoring the oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, and any irregularities of engine performance. Currently, one of the goals the government aims to achieve by heavily promoting the system is reducing air pollution. In response, Swisys has launched the CAN Bus OBD-II network bridge that supports the CAN 2.0A and CAN 2.0B protocols and complies with the OBD-II standard. It can capture SPD (speed), RPM (revolutions per minute), IAT (intake air temperature sensor), and VIN (vehicle identification number). It can also read non-OBD-II CAN infobox for further diagnostics of the vehicle. Moreover, the network bridge can provide additional information for the value-added processing of raw data. The CAN Bus OBD-II network bridge provides a high-speed UART interface that can integrate Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, DSRC, and NBIoT. The product has also passed automotive reliability tests such as BCI (bulk current injection), EFT (electrical fast transient) and ESD (electrostatic discharge). It supports the versatile MCU/CPU firmware to facilitate secondary development and integration. In terms of application, the network bridge is especially ideal for fleet management, V2V communications, GPS, vehicle management, vehicle performance log management, vehicle diagnostics and maintenance, IVI (in-vehicle infotainment), vehicle pollution monitoring, and driving behavior analysis. In short, Swisys's V-Bridge is a vehicle diagnostics and data collection solution. Through Swisys's in-house development of cost-effective hardware and consumer-oriented software, V-Bridge can connect the driver or UBI insurers with the vehicle. It can also be connected to smartphones through Bluetooth, transferring the data collected to the app on a phone for browsing. The data will eventually be stored on a cloud database. It can be used for subsequent advanced applications and services such as big data predictive analytics. The Swisys team said that in the first two years, the company explored the demands of the automotive market as well as its role and path. Swisys has now decided to, on the one hand, focus on the reading of the CAN bus signal. Swisys will cooperate strategically with SI and establish itself as the independent hardware design house (IDH) of SI. A third party network developer will undertake subsequent applications. On the other hand, Swisys will take on reverse transformation and decoding of the signal. In addition to vehicle peripherals, Swisys will focus on reverse decoding and control of car lights and door signals. The company predicts that this will not come to fruition until next year. Through a process of refinement, Swisys has now mastered four core technologies: CAN vehicle ECU, OBD-II light-duty vehicle diagnostic system, SAE J1939 heavy-duty vehicle diagnostic system, and CANopen Industry 4.0 network. Light-duty vehicles are distinguished from heavy-duty vehicles by 3.5 tons and under. For fleet management, OBD-II is used by light-duty car dealers and the J1939 network bridge by heavy-duty car dealers. Currently, most of Swisys' major clients are heavy-duty car dealers in the tour and intercity bus industries. Swisys assists the clients in collecting and analyzing relevant data through the J1939 network bridge. This helps manage their fleets including driving behavior such as drunk driving and braking, as well as vehicle conditions, tire pressure, fuel consumption, driving distance, and vehicle dispatch. On the whole, Swisys has long been cultivating talents and teams well versed in in-vehicle electronic communication protocols and technologies for the industry. It's a professional team that is the best at capturing and diagnosing this type of information in Taiwan and throughout Southeast and East Asia. The team's most important task is to capture the correct automotive electronic information and then work with the back-end system integrators to develop complete application products and services. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bringing-forth-smart-fleet-management-swisys-provides-top-notch-obd-iican-bus-signal-value-added-service-300986439.html SOURCE Taiwan Tech Arena [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. This market research report studies the Sustainable Packaging market for the forecast period of 2019 to 2024 in terms of Value (USD million) and Volume (m2/tons). The report offers detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market. This report can be critical especially for the packaging industry stakeholders for the identification of the measurable opportunities available in the market in order to intensify their growth. Global Sustainable Packaging market is expected to reach $XX.X million by 2024, at a CAGR of 8.5% in the forecast period from 2019 to 2024. The global Sustainable Packaging market is segmented based on Material as Paper & Paperboard, Plastic, Metal, Glass, and others. Based on Type as Recycled, Reusable, Degradable. Based on application, the market is also segmented as Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Personal Care, Apparels and others. Get More Information: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/sample/151 An in-depth analysis of the geographical scenario of the industry provides detailed qualitative and quantitative insights about five major regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) along with the coverage of major countries in each region. The geographic analysis offers thorough insights on the major trends of the industry in the listed regions & countries, identifying the economic impact, and investments in the industry. The geographical analysis section also comments on the leading market vendors shaping the advances of the industry in the respective countries. The market consists of a well robust supply chain with the presence of various large-to-small-sized players, Amcor, Tetra Laval International S.A., Bemis Company, Inc., Green Sustainable Packaging, Inc., London Bio Packaging are some of the major players in Sustainable Packaging market. Research Methodology Our market research reports offer high-standard actionable insights and are the outcome of detailed research methodology consisting of extensive secondary research, primary interviews with industry leaders & validation and triangulation with the Market Growth Analysis internal database and market research tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact book, press release, journals, investor presentation, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to accumulate raw industry data. About 70+ detailed primary interviews with the industry veterans across the value chain in all five regions and industry experts have been executed to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights. Report Features This report offers market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. It provides analytical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as emerging market players. Request for Table of Contents: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/toc/151 The following are the key features of the report: Market Overview, Industry Maturity Analysis, Value Chain Analysis Market Environment Analysis: Growth drivers and barriers, Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis, Trade Analysis Market forecast analysis for 2019-2024 Market segment trend and forecast Competitive Landscape: Company Market share, Company Profiling, Recent Industry Developments etc. Market Segments and Growth Opportunities by geographies and countries Industry Trends Market Analysis and Recommendations Key Market Driving Factors The Sustainable Packaging Market is segmented into the following categories Sustainable Packaging Market, By Material Paper & Paperboard Plastic Metal Glass Others Sustainable Packaging Market, By Type Recycled Reusable Degradable Sustainable Packaging Market, By Application Food & Beverage Healthcare Personal Care Apparels Others Sustainable Packaging Market, By Region New Delhi, Jan 14 : A Delhi court on Tuesday reprimanded the Delhi Police for failing to show any evidence against Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad who was arrested in connection with the violence that broke out during the anti-CAA protests in Daryaganj area last month. "Show me anything or any law that prohibits such gathering... Where is the violence? Who says you cannot protest...have you read the Constitution? It is one's Constitutional right to protest. You are behaving as if Jama Masjid was Pakistan and even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India," said Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau while hearing the bail plea filed by Azad through his counsel Mehmood Paracha. Slamming the police for having no evidence, the judge said, "Do you think Delhi Police is so backward that it has no tools to record anything?" The court's flak came after police officials told the court that they have only drone images of the gathering as evidence and no other recording. In his bail plea, Azad has said that there was no evidence against him in the FIR which states that he had instigated the crowd to march to Delhi Gate from Jama Masjid and indulge in violence. "No motive has been attributed to the accused in the present FIR, and all charges have been added mechanically," the plea said. He further claimed that he suffers from severe physical disability, and it cannot be comprehended that he could at all influence any witnesses whatsoever. It is to be considered that all the material witnesses in the incident are police officials, and therefore it is further unlikely that any witness tampering will be attempted by any individual. Azad further stated that he undertakes to comply with any condition imposed by the court necessary for grant of bail. PITTSFIELD - Michael Boulais of Hinsdale on Monday admitted to the 2018 first-degree murder of Kassedi Clark and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Boulais, 34, pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to charges of first-degree murder, reckless endangerment of a child, and improper storage of a firearm. Judge John Agostini sentenced him to serve life without parole at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction in Walpole. He admitted to shooting Clark on April 13, 2018 in Hinsdale. Clark, 24, was his estranged partner. She was the mother of four children with and used to take care of a 5th child Boulais had in a previous relationship with someone else. On the day of the murder, Clark had driven to the residence to pick up their children, that she and Boulais argued, and he shot her. They had been in a relationship for nine years. According to her obituary, Clark was a nursing student at Berkshire Community College.. Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington issued a statement expressing sympathy to Clarks family and friends. This is a just outcome for yet another domestic violence homicide in our county. I thank the law enforcement personnel for their investigation into the matter and our victim-witness advocates for helping the family cope with such a terrible situation," she said. The Internet was supposed to make travel simple. But how many hours have you spent sifting through sites, prices, forms and flights trying to book a trip? Not for the first time, Google says it has a fix. "Travel planning is complicated," Richard Holden, the company's VP for Product Management, Travel, said in a blog post this week. "Thats why today, were simplifying the way we help travelers plan trips with Google across devices." How? The search giant has announced a major revamp of its travel deck on desktop, bundling a range of trip-planning tools together at google.com/travel. 'Google Trips', as the page is titled (not to be confused with the offline mobile app), allows browsers to search for flights, hotels and packages, as well as explore possible destinations, all on a single landing page. Expand Close Google Trips, the new landing page / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Google Trips, the new landing page It also sees a tighter integration with Google Search and Google Maps. At this stage, the company is not jumping ahead with sales of flights and holidays - instead continuing with its metasearch model, where users click through to book rooms and airfares provided by advertisers. "We want to help you find the information you need, fast," as Holden says. So, how does Google Trips feel and function? One of the first things users will notice is how personalised the process is. Yesterday, for example, I booked a hotel in Cork. Today, when I open the landing page, it prompts me to review this trip and "continue planning" - drawing information from my use of other tools like Gmail, Search and Maps. Click through further, and I'm presented with options of things to do in the city based on places I have starred in Google Maps, with travel articles gleaned from around the web, and even with a weather forecast. "When you go to google.com/travel, you can now make edits directly to your trips timeline, and in a few weeks youll be able to manually add new reservations as well," Holden says. If you dont want to see private results, here's how you can opt out. The mobile version of the site offers similar options... though not everything is covered. Cruises and car rental are conspicuous by their absence, for example. Google has been on a travel journey for some time, building acquisitions like ITA software for flights and Zagat for restaurants into potentially all-consuming planning tools. Given its billions of users, access to personal data and intuitive user experiences, booking giants like Expedia and Priceline may well be worried - though they still reap the bookings rewards... for now. Read more: HOUSTON - Officials in Houston, one of the biggest hubs for immigrants in the nation, on Tuesday urged Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reverse his decision to reject new refugees in the state. Abbott announced last week that Texas would no longer accept the resettlement of new refugees, making it the first state known to have done so under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Texas has historically led the U.S. in refugee resettlement, and Abbott argued that the state has carried more than its share in assisting the refugee resettlement process. Local officials have criticized Abbott, as have the states Catholic bishops, who called his decision deeply discouraging and disheartening. Abbott is Catholic. I ask that the governor reconsider, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the chief administrator of the county that encompasses Houston. And our community is united in our desire to continue supporting and welcoming refugees as we should do, as people of hope and people of faith. Adrian Garcia, a Harris County commissioner, said Abbott had taken a confused position. It is time that we put this demagoguery, this form of divisive speech and actions, to rest, Garcia said. Abbott is a Republican, while both Hidalgo and Garcia are Democrats. John Wittman, a spokesman for the governor, said Tuesday that Abbott had not changed his mind since last weeks announcement, but that his decision could be reevaluated in the future. Wittman previously responded to the criticism of Texas Catholic bishops by saying that Abbotts decision wouldnt prevent any refugee from entering the U.S. or moving to Texas after settling somewhere else. Abbotts opponents have made the same points and predicted that some refugees would ultimately move to cities such as Houston, which has large refugee communities and several nonprofits dedicated to serving them. No one seeking refugee status in the United States will be denied that status because of the Texas decision, he said. President Donald Trump announced in September that resettlement agencies must get written consent from state and local officials in any jurisdiction where they want to help resettle refugees beyond June 2020. Trump has already slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country for the 2020 fiscal year to a historic low of 18,000. About 30,000 refugees were resettled in the U.S. during the previous fiscal year. Refugee resettlement groups sued over Trumps executive order. A federal judge is expected soon to rule on the groups request to prevent Trump from enforcing the order. Nairs tweets led to a lot of response from netizens and one tagged the civil aviation ministry, seeking action. New Delhi: Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday stepped in to address the grievances of air travellers after one of them complained about misbehaviour by an IndiGo pilot and journalist Vir Sanghvi flagged an Air India security staffers misconduct. A proactive Mr Puri, who monitors the social media regularly, responded to both passengers giving out details of the action taken against those against whom the complaints were made. In the first case, a lady named Supriya Unni Nair complained to IndiGo about the conduct of its pilot who allegedly threatened to send her to jail for demanding a wheelchair for her 75-year-old mother after landing in Bengaluru on Monday night. Your captain on 6E806 from Chennai to Bangalore on January 13, Jayakrishna, harassed, threatened and prevented me and my 75-year old diabetic mom from disembarking the flight and threatened to arrest us because we asked for wheelchair assistance... Our flight was late and when we landed at 9:15 (pm) I tried calling the assistance bell and when the crew did not respond I walked up for help, said Ms Nair, in a series of tweets to IndiGo. Ms Nair further claimed that after lot of efforts when the wheelchair was brought to the aircraft, the pilot who was annoyed by her pressing the assistance bell, prevented her mother being taken from the plane. He prevents the wheelchair people from taking my mom out of the aircraft threatening us that he will ensure we are detained and spend a night in jail... Disbelievingly I ask him whether he is serious? Shut up. Who do you think I am? Ill get my CEO to make sure you spend a night in jail. We will teach you some manners, he says, Ms Nair tweeted. Ms Nair alleged that the pilot kept on threatening and misbehaving even in the arrival lounge. Ms Nairs tweets led to a lot of response from netizens and one tagged the civil aviation ministry, seeking action. I requested my office to contact IndiGo as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms Supriya Unni Nair about the pilots behaviour with her & her 75 year old mother in need of wheelchair assistance. The airline has informed Ministry of Civil Aviation that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry, said Mr Puri in response to Ms Nairs tweet. In the second case, journalist Vir Sanghvi alleged that an Air India uniformed security staffer tried preventing him from boarding a UK-bound flight last week. Sanghvi claimed that the staffer positioned at the boarding gate to check visa stamping first didnt accept his Certification of Entitlement given by the British authorities since he was born in the UK and does not need a tourist visa like others, and then objected to his old passport (which was attached to the new one and was also valid). By now, it was clear he was being bloody-minded. After one objection had not worked, he had invented another one. Obviously, I had not lived up to his expectations or had displeased him in some way. And he had the power to make me miss my flight. The stand-off continued for 15 minutes past the departure time. Thankfully, the gate staff refused to close the flight till I boarded, Sanghvi wrote in a newspaper column. He later tweeted his article tagging Air India saying: The Taste: Air India needs to fight its crooks if it wants to keep living off our money. In any private airline staff who threatened to arbitrarily off load passengers would be sacked. At they prosper at tax payers & passengers expense. The tweet caught the ministers attention, who responded saying: As soon as I saw Mr s piece on the harassment that he had to put up with, I asked my office to take up the matter with . After initial investigations, the officer involved in this case has been suspended pending detailed inquiry. Flybe is struggling. Photo: PA UK government ministers are understood to be planning urgent talks over a potential rescue package for the airline Flybe. The leading regional airline, which has more than 2,400 staff, is widely reported to be on the brink of administration after a difficult winter. It said on Twitter it does not comment on rumour or speculation. Chancellor Sajid Javid will meet business secretary Andrea Leadsom and transport secretary Grant Shapps for emergency talks to thrash out a government response, according to Sky News. The airline operates a significant proportion of all UK domestic flights, and its routes are seen as strategically important for connectivity across Britain. Deferring loss-making Flybes air passenger duty bill, estimated at 106m, for three years is said to be one option under discussion. It could be made conditional on Flybes shareholders injecting extra cash. READ MORE: Half UK business chiefs predict recession in 2020 The government could slash air passenger duty on all domestic flights rather than just Flybes, in a bid to comply within EU state aid rules. Meanwhile accountancy firm EY has been put on standby to handle the potential administration of the group, Sky News said, citing unnamed aviation industry sources. But prime minister Boris Johnson said in a BBC interview on Tuesday morning: "It is not for the government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble. "But be in do doubt, we see the importance of FlyBe delivering connectivity across the whole United Kingdom." Prime minister Boris Johnson. Photo: Dinendra Haria / SOPA Images/Sipa USA Pressed on whether the government would help, he said it was working very hard to do what it could but said he could not go into commercially confidential discussions. Returning to his pitch from the election, he added: "We don't have good enough infrastructure in many parts of the country and people don't feel they have the opportunity to get to the high-skilled, high-paid jobs. We want to ensure regional connectivity... it is part of the agenda." Story continues Flybe said in a statement on Twitter on Sunday: Flybe continues to provide great service and connectivity for our customers while ensuring they can continue to travel as planned. We dont comment on rumour or speculation. John Strickland, an industry analyst, told PA that if Flybe collapsed it could have a significant impact on the viability of some UK airports outside London. At a market level it doesnt look like very much. But if you look at the regions, its dramatic, he said. READ MORE: Pilots fears over reports Flybe is on the brink Nadine Houghton, national officer at the GMB union, warned 1,400 jobs in its supply chain could also be at risk as she called for the government to step in. She said: Our economy is tanking. The last thing we need is an airline to go under especially one which provides a vital public service in some parts of the country. But Friends of the Earth campaigner Jenny Bates said it would be completely unacceptable and even reckless to slash duties, with a fall in short domestic trips needed to cut UK flight emissions. Flybe has been struggling for some time and was bought by a consortium called Connect Airways, which includes Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital, in February last year. If Flybe fails to secure new cash, it could prompt the second collapse of a major airline in the UK in less than six months. Thomas Cook, the worlds oldest travel operator, collapsed into administration in September, leaving 150,000 holidaymakers stranded and putting 9,000 jobs in the UK at risk. Teresa Radzinski & Dave Gonzales Lightner Museum seemed like the perfect venue for such a visual masterpiece, said Gonzales. Im confident the painting will finally find the audience it deserves. The Lightner Museum announced today that it has added a prestigious painting to its collection; a generous gift from Jacksonville arts patron, Dave Gonzales. The magnificent 78 x 53 framed oil on canvas painting entitled, Return of Persephone was created by American Impressionist painter, George Hitchcock (1850-1913) in 1906, and first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1907. The Lightner Museum is extremely pleased to announce this significant addition, and wish to share our gratitude with Mr. Gonzales for his generosity, said Teresa Radzinski, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Characteristic of Hitchcocks other Impressionistic paintings, Return of Persephone recounts the ancient tale of the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone, the goddess queen of the underworld, and celebrates the growth of spring. After being banned to the underworld with her husband Haides, Persephone would make an annual trip back to earth each spring, causing meadows to flower and new grain to suddenly grow. When Persephone returned to the underworld in winter, everything would stop growing and perish. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Hitchcock attended and graduated from both Brown University and Harvard Law School. He left the U.S. to study art in Paris, Dusseldorf, and the Hague. He was the only American member of the Vienna Academy, and spent the rest of his life in Holland. Hitchcock earned the nickname, Painter of Sunlight and was considered one of the pioneers of the modern outdoors movements. A comparable work is Calypso in the Indianapolis Museum of Arts permanent collection Today, Hitchcocks paintings grace the collections of museums and public galleries worldwide including Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chicago Art Institute, Savannahs Telfair Museum and Musee dOrsay in Paris. The scope of the gift by Gonzales helps further establish Lightner Museum as one of Northeast Floridas most prominent art museums. Lightner Museum seemed like the perfect venue for such a visual masterpiece, said Gonzales. Im confident the painting will finally find the audience it deserves. About the Lightner Museum: For the past 25 years, Lightner Museum has taken on multiple projects and highly acclaimed exhibits such as Downton Abbey and Edgar Degas. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida and home to one of the finest collections of 19th century art in the country, the three floors of the museum are unique and represent different genres of artwork. The museum also offers speaker series, curator tours, learning labs, and after-hours events. The Lightner is open seven days a week, 363 days a year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 75 King Street St. Augustine, Florida 32084. For General Museum & Donation, email info@lightnermuseum.org or call call 904-824-2874. Wedding Inquiries can be sent to: info@lightnerweddings.com. The Mill has announced the official launch of its new boutique studio in Berlin. Situated in the creative hub of Mitte, The Mill Berlin studio is close to some of Germanys best agencies, production companies and brands. The Mill already works with a variety of German clients. Recent projects include the multi-award-winning Mercedes Bertha Benz with Director Sebastian Strasser, Nettos The Easter Surprise, directed in-house by The Mill and BMW The 8, alongside Director Daniel Wolfe. The new studio will bring The Mills full range of creative services from Colour to Experiential and Interactive, as well as visual effects, design and creative origination to the Berlin market. Greg Spencer will lead a multi-disciplinary team of artists in his role of Creative Director. Spencer has won several VES, Cannes Lions and British Arrow accolades. His recent projects include Carlsberg The Lake, PlayStation This Could Be You and Eve Cuddly Toy. He also played an integral role in some of Mill Films major titles. He was the 2D Supervisor for Les Miserables and also worked on the Lord of The Rings Trilogy. Justin Stiebel will be continuing his role as Executive Producer at The Mill Berlin and will be managing client relationships as well as all new business enquiries. Since joining The Mill London in early 2014, he has produced spots such as Audi Next Level and Mini The Faith Of A Few. He has collaborated with a number of prestigious directors including Sebastian Strasser, Markus Walter and Daniel Wolfe and has worked with key brands such as Mercedes, Audi and BMW. Sean Costelloe, Managing Director of The Mill Berlin and The Mill London said, Were super excited to announce the launch of The Mill Berlin studio and engage with new and existing clients. The German advertising market is huge with some fantastic creative opportunities. We have a brilliant team on the ground, led by Greg and Justin, which is interconnected with our other studios and global talent, meaning we can scale fast to take on any challenge. Justin Stiebel said: I could not be more proud to be a part of the launch of the new Berlin studio. We are bringing The Mills full range of creative services to the German market, including the known Feingefuhl which all of our creators demonstrate whilst working on any project. We are looking forward to the immense creative opportunities that lie ahead and I am personally very happy to be back home again. Share this story CCI probes alleged anti-trust practices by Amazon, Flipkart The Competition Commission of India (CCI), the countrys antitrust watchdog, on Monday opened a formal investigation into the discount-sale practices of Amazon and Walmarts Indian e-commerce arm Flipkart. The investigation into alleged ant-trust law violations by Amazon.com Inc and Walmarts Flipkart coincides Amazon chief Jeff Bezoss planned visit to India for a company event and potential meetings with government officials. The CCI has asked the Director General to investigate the alleged nexus between mobile phone brands and e-commerce platforms, as well as allegations of e-commerce companies giving preferential treatment to select sellers "merits an investigation". The investigation is the latest setback for Amazon and Flipkart, which smaller Indian retailers say violate the country's foreign investment rules. The CCI investigation follows complaint filed by the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, a group representing small- and medium-sized businesses, which alleged that several of Amazon and Flipkart's preferred sellers were affiliated with or controlled by the companies themselves, either directly or indirectly. Indian law requires e-commerce firms to be neutral marketplaces, and not disable local retailers and distributors with deep-pocketed competition. In the United States, Amazon both operates a marketplace and sells many products, like traditional retailers, buying them wholesale and then reselling them to consumers. However, under Indian law, the site is supposed to rely on independent sellers who post their products on Amazon. The DG will also probe the e-commerce companies' discounting practices as well as their relationship with such sellers, CCI said in its order. Indian brick-and-mortar traders allege that the e-commerce firms burn billions of dollars in deep discounts that hurt smaller traders. Both the companies deny those allegations. The DG has 60 days to submit the report. The lawmaker said that funding for the National Prescription Drugs Cost Reimbursement Program had been increased by US$132.9 million in 2020. Ukrainian MP from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Healthcare Mykhailo Radutsky has said 50 medical and diagnostic procedures under medical guarantee programs will be free for Ukrainians in 2020. Read alsoUkraine's Health Ministry says US$4.6 mln to be allocated for organ transplantation in 2020 "The budget allocates UAH 72 billion (US$2.9 billion) for the implementation of the medical guarantee program in 2020. The government approved this program in November [2019]. The former government called it 'money follows the patient,'" he told the HARD with Vlashchenko TV program on Ukrainian TV channel ZIK. Radutsky said 50 medical and diagnostic procedures (in particular, ultrasound, X-ray, biopsy, surgical treatment of stroke, childbirth, etc.) would be free for Ukrainians within the framework of medical guarantee programs from April 2, 2020. He added the full list of these free services could be viewed on the website of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). At the same time, this refers to medical institutions that have signed an agreement with the NHSU. The lawmaker added that funding for the National Prescription Drugs Cost Reimbursement Program had been increased by UAH 3.2 billion (US$132.9 million) in 2020. "These medicines... the state pays their cost, and people get them free of charge by e-prescription," Radutsky said. He added the detailed program and the list of medicines had been posted on the Health Ministry's website. Kolkata/Prayagraj: Hundreds of people, who have occupied a stretch of road in New Delhis Shaheen Bagh to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and a proposed pan-India National Register of Citizens (NRC) for almost a month, have inspired similar sit-ins in places like Kolkata and Prayagraj. In Kolkatas sprawling Park Circus Maidan, hundreds of Muslim women have held a round-the-clock sit-in against the CAA, the NRC and the National Population Register (NPR). The number of protesters has grown even as the demonstration entered its eighth day on Tuesday. The venue of the Kolkata sit-in is a prominent landmark, where students, academics, and activists have been turning up to express their solidarity with the demonstrators, who have been carrying the tricolour and photos of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the head of Indian Constitutions drafting committee. Ayesha Jalal, a homemaker and mother of two who has spent four nights at the park, said she had never earlier taken part in any protest. I hardly leave home. But the NRC and the CAA have thrown us in a desperate situation. The passage of the CAA last month to fast-track the citizenship process for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh before 2015, triggered protests across the country. Opponents of the law insist it is discriminatory and unconstitutional as it leaves out the Muslims and links faith to citizenship in a secular country. They say it could result in the expulsion or detentions of the Muslims unable to provide the documentation if the law is seen in the context of a proposed pan-India NRC. A process carried out in Assam for the detection of undocumented immigrants led to the exclusion of around 2 million people from the NRC last year. Cultural programmes have been also held at the protest venue in Kolkata while Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav has been among those who have visited the protesters. The protest in Park Circus started as an expression of solidarity with the Shaheen Bagh agitation. Of late, Hindu women, too, have started joining us, said Laboni (FULL NAME), a social activist who has been part of the demonstration from the beginning. The sit-in in Kolkata began on January 7 following social worker Asmat Jameels call for it. Many of the participants are first-time protesters, mostly students and homemakers. It is a do-or-die situation for us. It has become evident that our names and the dresses we wear are going to land us in trouble. The Bharatiya Janata Party in Bengal is openly saying that only Muslims will have to face the test of citizenship, said Roshina Sadaf, a student. I never took part in any protest before. In Prayagraj, an indefinite sit-in against the CAA, NRC and NPR and police excesses against the student protesters entered its third day on Tuesday. The sit-in at Mansoor Ali Park began as a small gathering on Sunday. It has now turned into a full-fledged agitation against the governments actions, which are not in the countrys interest, said Saira Ahmed, a protester. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Japanese woman was asked by an airline to take a pregnancy test before boarding a flight to a US island. Midori Nishida was travelling from Hong Kong to Saipan to visit her parents when she was asked by staff at Hong Kong Express Airways to prove she was not pregnant as part of a 'fit-to-fly' assessment. After telling crew she was not pregnant, Nishida was taken to the toilet by an employee, who made her urinate on a strip test before they would allow her to get on the plane. A Hong Kong Express Airways at at Hong Kong International Airport (file image). The airline apologized for their policy of asking female passengers to take a pregnancy test and said they were reviewing it Despite already marking on a check-in questionnaire that she was not pregnant, Nishida was still asked to take the test. The result was negative and the 25-year-old was the allowed to board. Saipan is a US territory and the island is part of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. The airline reportedly said the test was required to ensure 'US immigration laws were not being undermined'. Nishida called the experience 'humiliating and frustrating'. Hong Kong Express Airways apologized for the incident and said the firm was reviewing the policy in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. Saipan, one of the Northern Mariana Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. Midori Nishida was travelling from Hong Kong to the island to visit her parents when staff at Hong Kong Express Airways asked her to prove she was not pregnant The airline said: 'In response to concerns raised by authorities in Saipan, we took actions on flights to Saipan from February 2019 to help ensure US immigration laws were not being undermined. 'We would like to apologize unreservedly to anyone who has been affected by this. 'We have immediately suspended the practice while we review it.' Between 2015 and 2016, 715 babies of foreign parentage were born in Saipan, 95 per cent of whom were of Chinese descent. More tourists than locals gave birth on the island in 2018, according to US immigration figures. It is not illegal for expectant mothers to travel to the US specifically to give birth, as long as they can cover all costs and do not lie about the purpose of travel. Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey is credited with the pithy saying that if you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation. This quote might have gained popularity because it was mentioned at a period when women were less regarded in society and education for women was less of societal concern. Having made such a statement challenged the Ghanaian societal norms and shook the foundation of popular beliefs. The gender gap in employment and the upper echelons of leadership is a global problem and it has evolved. Even though it appears that it is improving in the more elite society, the gap still exists in different forms. Ambitious Women In the time when women were less regarded in society, some women broke the figurative glass ceiling and did the extraordinary. For instance, Jane Austen authored a great number of the worlds most popular novels and she was not identified as the author for a number of them until she died; Queen Elizabeth I became one of the famous political leaders. She made her way out the rocky society to become one of the famous and greatest monarchs in British history; Catherine the Great made her way out to be the Queen of Russia who modernized Russia, developed an economy, promoted trade and developed arts. Rosa Park led the Civil rights movement in America; Marie Curie also pioneered physics and coined the term radioactivity and discovered two new elements (radium and polonium), and an x-ray machine. She is by far the first person (not just a first woman) who has won two separate Noble Prizes, one for physics and another for chemistry. Ada Lovelace was also the first computer programmer (not just first woman computer programmer); Amelia Earhart also broke out of the gender cage and became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and the first person to fly from Hawaii to the USA. Some Ghanaian women have also broken the societal boundary and contributed significantly to the Ghanaian community including Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen mother of Ejisu who demonstrated bravery in the fight against the British colony; Ama Ataa Aidoo who has authored several literary works; Alice Annum who has represented Ghana in Several Olympic games and won; Francisca Oteng-Mensah who is the youngest MP (not just female MP) in Ghana, and some others. There are quite some other women who have also done greater things globally or within Ghana who are not mentioned. The Women Empowerment Agenda Women's empowerment and women's autonomy has been a revolution promoted from the twentieth century. The women empowerment agenda seeks to promote the autonomy of women in society and to improve their political, social, economic and health status of women in society. This agenda requires the participation of both men and women such that there will be gender fairness and a bridging of the gender divide. According to the United Nations Population Fund, in all parts of the world, women are facing threats to their lives, health and well-being as a result of them being overburdened with work and yet lacking power and influence. For some years past, Womens contribution to knowledge, abilities, and output is mostly unrecognized. The challenge is that women are not empowered such that the lack of power at various levels in society impedes them from attaining healthy and fulfilling lives. Several programs have been launched by civil rights activists, government agencies, and NGOs to promote the women empowerment agenda. The Affirmative action program has contributed significantly to compensate women and other minorities and to elevate their status in society. Even though the Women Empowerment Agenda has had some significant positive effects in society, there are some issues in the gender divide that have received less attention. To contribute to the economic development of Ghana, The Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE) explains these issues and recommend some solutions to them. The Role Congruence Concept Role congruence is a theoretical phenomenon that explains the hidden root of the gender divide and why women are still left at the bottom of the "societal status ladder". The role congruence concept refers to where there is a greater overlap of a persons perceived characteristics and job role. Professor Eagly and Professor Karau in 2002 revealed that role congruence has some prejudice toward female leaders and they proposed the theory of Role Congruity of Prejudice. The theory explains that there is some perceived incongruity (non-alignment) between the female gender role and leadership roles and this perception leads to 2 outcomes: (1) less favorable evaluation of womens (than mens) potential for leadership because leadership ability is more stereotypical of men than women and (2) less favorable evaluation of the actual leadership behavior of women than men because such behavior is perceived as less desirable in women than men. It means that there are some perceived gender personality skills, traits and behaviors and leaders are also seen to possess some particular set of skills, traits, and behaviors. Women are perceived to be comforting, caring, hospitable, emotional, soft, submissive, relationship focus. Male counterparts, on the other hand, are perceived to be firm, confronting, brave, strategic, taskfocused, proactive, action-focused, results-oriented, stern, decisive. Society generally perceives the qualities of a leader to be masculine. That is to say that, leaders are perceived to be stern, courageous, decisive, authoritative, task-focused, action-oriented, confronting, etc. Therefore, there is a higher alignment between male personalities and leadership roles. In the selection of a leader, men are favored more than women because of the perception. How does it happen? Yes! That is a legitimate question: In the interviewing process, Men are generally asked promotionfocused questions whiles women are generally asked preventive-focused questions. This is done sub-consciously because of the perception of gender personalities. Dana Kanze, Laura Huang, Mark Conley, and Tory Higgins researched in 2017 and discovered that women in entrepreneurship received less funding than men. An investigation revealed that the male entrepreneurs are asked promotion questions whiles female entrepreneurs are asked preventive questions. All these two types of questions seek to gather the same information, but the nature of questions makes promotion more favorable and preventive less favorable. For instance, while a male entrepreneur is typically asked a promotion question such as How do you plan to make revenue? A female entrepreneur is asked a preventive question such as How long will it take you to break even? or better still, a male entrepreneur may be asked a promotion question such as Do you think that your target market is a growing one? A female entrepreneur is likely to be asked a preventive question such as Is the business sustainable in the market where competitors will not come in to take the market share? At the hearing of the question, there is the psychological tendency of the female to think that she does not have the ability and this influences the soundness of the answer given. Concerning the second Outcome, women who make their way out to the top and emerge as leaders are discriminately evaluated of their leadership roles. As leaders, females are torn between the elicit of the perceived female characteristics and the elicit of male gender characteristics. Whiles subordinates expect a strict, monitoring, action-oriented, pro-activeness, confrontation and so on behaviors from the female leader for her role as the leader, the society expects her to be calm, submissive, relationship-oriented, caring, considerate, etc. for the role as a female. This phenomenon must not be misunderstood as men have such perception against women. Women have such a perception against fellow women as well. Therefore, even women leaders are likely to subconsciously ask preventive questions to females when they sit on a panel just as men are. Implication Though the Women empowerment policies are functioning to some degree in the sense that more and more equal opportunities are created for both gender, the ability to exploit those opportunities are walled. Professor Xu explains that there is what is called the glass wall and the glass ceiling. It appears that the way is clear for both men and women, but women are caged by a glass wall and glass ceiling i.e. the societal perceptions of gender roles and leadership roles (held by both men and women themselves). Women are therefore allowed to advance to a certain level and then they are limited. It is certainly the case that potential women who demonstrate ambitious leadership and change in Ghana suffer relationship problems and family issues due to the perceived role conflicts. Recommendation Whiles ACEYE cannot discuss the various forms of leadership in this article, the Think Tank introduces that there are various forms of leadership that all work towards the achievement of goals. Female personalities are in line with some form of leadership whiles male personalities are also in line with some form of leadership, not all. It is high time we changed our perception about leadership and our definition of leadership. Women must have a change of perception and must not cage themselves to one role. Overacting masculine roles undermine the female role, whiles overacting the female role hurts the ability to succeed as good leaders. A study by Aparna Joshi, Jooyeon Son and Hyuntak Roh in 2013 showed that female leaders who occupied executive positions performed equally good but performance evaluation is usually biased. Therefore, evaluators are supposed to be fair enough in the performance evaluation to encourage more women into leading roles. Professor Erica (A social psychology professor) stated that women executives in corporations are generally more likely to increase corporate performance by 60% more than their male counterparts. Based on the research done and a deeper investigation into the gender divide the Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE) suggests that significant female representation in leadership with no glass barrier, no glass ceiling, and fair performance evaluation will move the performance of the economy forward. Only then, can we see the famous quote: if you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation working. By ACEYE Property and Document of Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:35:45|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commission on Tuesday disclosed that the financial contribution from AU member countries to the AU Peace Fund has surpassed 141 million U.S. dollars during the past three years period. The statement was made by the Chairperson of the 55-member pan African bloc Moussa Faki Mahamat on Tuesday, as he announced that the AU member states have "contributed 141 million U.S. dollars to the AU Peace Fund in less than three years." "Solid progress is being made in delivering on the 2015 Assembly decisions on financial autonomy," the AU Commission chairperson said during an ongoing high-level retreat on the operationalization of the AU Peace Fund. Mahamat also stressed that "the full operationalization of the African Union Peace Fund in 2020 is one the top priorities that I will personally lead on." According to Mahamat, the growing financial contribution "demonstrates AU member states' commitment to ensuring predictable and sustainable financing for peace and security activities in Africa." The AU Commission Chairperson also stressed that the financial contribution to the AU Peace Fund is expected to "gradually increase to 400 million U.S. dollars by 2021." The AU, which aspires the Peace Fund to finance activities in three thematic areas that include mediation and preventive diplomacy, institutional capacity and peace support operations, envisaged that the continental Peace Fund, once fully operational, would "become the principal financing instrument for peace and security activities on the continent." African leaders had also back in November 2018 approved a sanctions regime against member states that would fail to make their annual financial contributions to the continental body. The set of sanctions, among other things, include a total suspension of a member state from the AU assembly and other gatherings. Skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner smashed unbeaten centuries to help Australia thrash India by 10 wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series here on Tuesday. Chasing 256 for win, Finch (110 not out) and Warner (124 not out) took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners to register the emphatic win with 74 balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the series. Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan hit a half-century before Australia pulled things back to bowl India out for 255 after being invited to bat. Dhawan looked in great touch during his 91-ball 74 and, in the company of K L Rahul (47), shared a second-wicket stand of 121 runs off 136 balls to set the base for India's total. However, India failed to capitalise. When Dhawan and Rahul were at the crease, India were cruising towards a big total but their dismissal in space of 10 balls affected their run-rate. They raised a 121-run partnership for the second wicket. The hosts struggled to raise any substantial partnership after that. The second ODI of the series will be played in Rajkot on Friday. Brief Scores: India: 255 all out in 49.1 overs. (S Dhawan 74, KL Rahul 47; M Strac 3/56, P Cummins 2/44, K Richardson 2/43). Australia: 258 for no loss in 37.4 overs (David Warner 124 not out, Aaron Finch 110 not out). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Strangely though, no sooner did Mr Xi leave Kathmandu October 13, strange things began to occur. Is the Himalayan border heating up, beyond Indias visual range? An idea, if not the complete answer, could be had from the October 2019 visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India and Nepal, followed by the Beijing-New Delhi boundary talks on December 21, 2019. President Xi had an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11-12 at Mamallapuram, followed by an October 12-13 official meeting in Kathmandu with the President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, thereby becoming the first Chinese President to visit the Himalayan state in 23 years. Nepal was understandably happy as Beijing announced 3.5 billion-yuan support (Nepalese Rs 56 billion) over the next two years for development programmes. On his arrival in Nepal, however, Mr Xi thundered: Any attempt to split China will be crushed. One isnt quite sure what prompted Mr Xi use such words of dire warning. Is Nepal attempting to split China? Unlikely. The Nepalese are honourable, self-respecting people. Assuming that Nepal does have the ability to do such daredevilry; the reality of the capability mismatch between 1.4 billion Chinese and 30 million Nepalese, ensconced between Delhi and Beijing, in a landlocked terrain, makes such a thought a hallucination. Strangely though, no sooner did Mr Xi leave Kathmandu October 13, strange things began to occur. Indias internal matter pertaining to two Union territories was dragged into Nepal. The official release of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh maps, though completely unconnected, not contiguous to Nepal, without a common border, was raised and linked with the disputed territory of Kalapani on November 6. What appeared bewildering was the sudden shrill tone, tenor and language of Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli: The government will take an initiative to vacate Indian troops from the disputed Kalapani region... it will not allow anyone to encroach on even an inch of Nepalese territory. Was the Nepal PM taking his cue from Beijing? Mr Olis language was directed towards an India that has an open border with Nepal since the dawn of civilisation; and Indian and Nepalese cross-border-movements have never been questioned. Hence, there has never been any big discord between the two neighbours, where blood relations on both sides exist in millions, transcending barriers. Is this enduring, unshakeable India-Nepal bond an eyesore to the Chinese, across the Himalayan heights? Beijing is always apprehensive and fearful about the traditional Tibet-Nepal-India axis, constituting unique civilisational ties through the high hills, in which China stands in complete disconnect and as a misfit owing to uncommon language, complex culture, indifferent thoughts, strange beliefs, intolerant ideology and remote geography? In fact, had China been in close proximity to Nepal, it would have gone the Tibet way long ago. Like Lhasa today, Kathmandu would be the serfs of the Chinese. The high priest of the Pashupatinath Temple would be chosen and dismissed at will by mandarins and czars of the Communist Party of China. Nepal would have been another Chinese province, with ruthless suppression of rights, privileges, language, culture and religion. The truth didnt take long to surface. On November 13, 2019, angry Nepalese protesters burnt effigies of Chinese President Xi Jinping over border encroachment, as in early November 209 the Nepal survey department released data showing Beijings attempts to encroach land for road-building in at least four districts Sankhuwasabha, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Humla which have a border with Tibet. The official Nepalese data showed Kathmandu would lose several hundreds of hectares of land to the Chinese encroachment. The official survey data also revealed some places near Arun Khola, Kamu Khola and Samjung are now parts of Tibets Tingisuyan area. Contextually, do Indians remember a similar Chinese modus operandi to (first) encroach, and finally usurp, Ladakhs Aksai Chin tract in the mid-1950s, and penetration through J&K for the Kashgarh-Gwadar road as part of China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor in the 21st century? Is Beijings road-building enterprise an alibi? A convenient and easy route to capture terrain and expand territory? Is China President-for-life Xi Jinpings signature foreign (or conquest) policy operating with the same motto in mind? What makes things truly extraordinary is that Nepals Supreme Court has sought within 15 days the countrys original map exchanged with India during signing of the Sigauli Treaty in 1816 after a petition sought the courts intervention to secure Nepali territory. No doubt, the Nepal Supreme Court order is its internal matter. Nevertheless, from Indias point of view, the border being a bilateral issue, India has to remain alert and act to make matters clear, should the need arise. What is striking is that a hitherto hot (north) Sino-Nepalese border dispute suddenly turns around into a (south) India-Nepal border issue requiring judicial intervention by Nepals top court, thereby making it a charged and emotive issue, pregnant with disruptive thoughts and hostile acts on both sides of the tranquil border. Coincidentally, Kathmandus determined search for an India-Nepal border map also comes soon after a New Delhi visit by Chinese state councillor Wang Yi for border talks with India last month. Is it divine intervention? Good news? Or a prelude to an unrelenting, and unending, problem? A fresh front on the Himalayan border? Though hardly anything substantive appeared in the public domain after the China-India border talks, except words like reached consensus on cooperation and trust and Beijing put forward a practical framework for solving border issues; nevertheless, if the vernacular media is to be believed, then its a matter of concern for India that China suggested that the priority of the border talks be the Sikkim sector. Understandably, and quite rightly, India hasnt given its assent. But why bring Sikkim out of the blue into the border talks? Is it another Chinese ploy to shift the goalposts? Sikkim was hardly a point of dispute in the overall Sino-Indian boundary issue. It is therefore clear that China wants to broaden the border canvas, trying to draw multi-organic entities and ethnicities to make things difficult and complicated for India on the diplomatic high table. This may put India on a constant backfoot. Showing this country in poor light, as the creator of all problems. Remember Doklam 2017? Thats a stones throw distance from Sikkim. Across Bhutan. Where India, Bhutan and Tibet meet. Remember the weakest spot where China attacked India on October 20, 1962? Namka Chu rivulet and Dhola post. Where India, Bhutan and Tibet meet. Another tri-junction. Today, Kathmandu is keen on India-Nepal border scrutiny, with special reference to Kalapani! Indian pilgrims on their way to Kailash-Masarovar is yet another tri-junction where India, Nepal and Tibet meet. Is the plan to make the entire Himalayan border hot? Why are the Chinese trying to convert bilaterals into trilaterals? Is it to force India to divert precious resources towards Sino-India divergence, and pressuring New Delhi to leave the convergence Indias trade, commerce, industrial and banking sectors to China. There is an urgent need to check the long-term strategy of the Chinese in India. New Delhi simply cannot accept the brazen multi-pronged, multi-fanged juggernaut of the dragon. Patients with acutely life-threatening health conditions who were treated in the innovative Critical Care Resuscitation Unit (CCRU) received faster treatment and had better health outcomes, including a 36 percent lower risk of dying than those who were transferred from a hospital's emergency department then evaluated and treated in a traditional intensive care unit, according to a recent study in the Journal of Emergency Medicine conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). Critically ill patients who experience a sudden life-threatening condition like a stroke, ruptured aneurysm, or a massive pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) are often first brought to the emergency department of the closest hospital and then transferred to a larger institution if their condition is deemed to be beyond the scope of the hospital's level of care. The process of evaluating and transferring these patients, however, is generally ad hoc and fragmented, which results in delays of patients getting time-sensitive care that could save their lives or prevent permanent disability. To improve access to care for critically ill patients, the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, in conjunction with the Program in Trauma at UMSOM, established the CCRU in 2013 as the first resuscitation unit in the nation. The recent study demonstrated for the first time that utilization of the CCRU not only helped double the number of transferred patients from other hospitals' emergency departments, but also led to faster access to critical care resources and definitive surgical treatment, which decreased a patient's risk of dying from their illness. "We have provided an important validation of the CCRU model, showing that it significantly improves patient outcomes," said Quincy Tran, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UMSOM who led the study. "Now that we have the data on the lifesaving potential of the CCRU, we hope to see other hospitals creating similar models." The study analyzed medical records from 1565 critically ill patients with 644 treated in the CCRU at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) during the first year of its operation in 2013. The rest served as control groups who were transferred directly from other hospitals' emergency department to traditional intensive care units at UMMC during the year 2012 before the CCRU opened, and the year 2013 after the CCRU was opened. The researchers found that the average time to get into an intensive care unit after a transfer request was filed was 108 minutes for CCRU patients, compared to 158 minutes for the control group of patients who were transferred and treated in 2012 before the CCRU opened, and 185 minutes for those in 2013. CCRU patients requiring emergency surgery received that surgery about 3.5 hours on average after they arrived at UMMC compared to 6 to 7 hours after arrival for those in the control group. After controlling for variations in the severity of disease and care, the researchers found that the CCRU patients were 36 percent more likely to survive than those in the control group, which was a statistically significant finding. "The CCRU is modeled after the highly-effective Trauma Resuscitation Unit at the UM R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. It relies on efficient communication and consultation with referring facilities and intra-hospital transport providers in order to facilitate prompt transfer of patients requiring specialized care to the University of Maryland Medical Center," said co-author Daniel Haase, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UMSOM, and Medical Director of the CCRU. "Our job is to collaborate with our specialists to deliver immediate resuscitation of patients with time-sensitive emergencies." Procedures performed in the CCRU include massive blood transfusions, continuous renal replacement therapy (dialysis) for patients with malfunctioning kidneys, continuous EEG monitoring of the brain, and organ support with a heart-lung machine. "We are leading the way in critical care medicine by having the first dedicated Critical Care Resuscitation Unit in the nation," said UMSOM Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, University Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. "Having the data to demonstrate improved patient outcomes will hopefully convince other hospitals to consider adopting this model of care." ### About the University of Maryland School of Medicine Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 45 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs; and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $540 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 student trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System ("University of Maryland Medicine") has an annual budget of nearly $6 billion and an economic impact more than $15 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine faculty, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity, is an innovator in translational medicine, with 600 active patents and 24 start-up companies. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu About the University of Maryland Medical Center The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) is comprised of two hospitals in Baltimore: an 841-bed teaching hospital Downtown - the flagship institution of the 14-hospital University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) - and a 177-bed teaching hospital, UMMC Midtown Campus. UMMC is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, neuroservices, cardiac care, diabetes and endocrinology, women's and children's health. All physicians on staff at the Downtown flagship hospital are faculty physicians of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. At UMMC Midtown Campus, faculty physicians work alongside community physicians to provide patients with the highest quality care. UMMC Midtown Campus was founded in 1881 and is located one mile away from the Downtown Campus. For more information, visit umm.edu. They once swept for roadside bombs and went on night raids while serving in Afghanistan. Now this trio of former Army engineer officers are bringing a new kind of peace to the country by boosting the economic fortunes of the farmers and women living there. Emily Miller, Kim Jung, and Keith Alaniz in 2014 launched Rumi Spice, a mission-based, for-profit business that aimed to distribute saffron farmed and harvested in Afghanistan to sell on the international market. The company which is named after the 13th-century Persian poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi now supplies the spice to Michelin star restaurants, meal-kit services, and Whole Foods, and shows that a do-good business can also thrive at the same time. Kim Jung, a Rumi Spice co-founder, and an Afghan farmer show the saffron that had been farmed there for the company. (Photo: Kim Jung/Rumi Spice) Our favorite saying when times got tough was: Drop by drop, a river is made, which is an Afghan proverb, Miller said. And I think that was just a reminder to us to keep going, don't give up when times get tough. Part of something greater than myself Alaniz signed up for the Army at age 17, at a time when he was a self-described angsty teen looking for something to do and a way to pay for college. That was two years before 9/11. That really changed the whole reason why I was in the military, he said. I was there to serve. Sept. 11 had a similar impact on Miller, who was in high school when the attacks occurred. I always had an urge to serve after that happened. I knew that's what I wanted to do, she said. Before helping to found Rumi Spice, Kim served in the U.S. Army as an engineer officer, sweeping for roadside bombs in Afghanistan. (Photo: Kim Jung) Jung wanted to be part of the Armys higher calling. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself, she said. I knew that I was going to be part of this core of people who really wanted to serve their country. Frustrated with the endless cycle of violence Miller and Jung first met at West Point, where they graduated in 2008. They both were deployed to Afghanistan at the same time. Thats when Jung was part of a team looking for bombs and Miller accompanied special ops teams on raids. We would just come back at the end of the night and we would talk on the phone about our day, Miller said. And I think we were a little frustrated with the endless cycle of violence we were seeing. Story continues Jung and Alaniz met later in 2012 when they both were sent to New York following Superstorm Sandy to pump water out of flooded tunnels. Alaniz described the experience as a really tough mission and a really interesting place to get to know someone. Emily Miller, one of the three co-founders of Rumi Spice, was motivated to join the Army after the 9/11 attacks. (Photo: Alastair Bostwick/Yahoo Finance) While Jung and Miller both enrolled in business school at Harvard, Alaniz returned to Afghanistan on multiple deployments as part of a program that trains Defense Department experts in Afghan culture, the root cause of counterinsurgency, and the economics of the country. In a Skype conversation one evening with Jung and Miller, he told them about the Afghan farmers frustrations trying to reach an international market with their saffron, one of the worlds most valuable spices. And that kind of gave us the initial idea that maybe we could actually make this work, Miller said. And that was our first inkling of Rumi Spice. Money isn't everything Jung was the visionary, big-picture person. Miller was the detailed, operations and supply chain person. And Alaniz, the finance guru according to Miller, cultivated the relationships with the Afghan farmers. To get the company off the ground, the founders each put in a big chunk of their own savings. Jung and Miller worked full-time for the company at a low salary. Alaniz, who was married and expecting a child, held another full-time job and worked at night on Rumi Spice. When he finally came onboard full-time, he took a 40% pay cut. At the end of the day, money isn't everything as long as we can pay the bills, Alaniz said. Working on something that you're passionate about is more important. Rumi Spice works with Afghan farmers to harvest saffron, one of the world's most valuable spices. They ran a Kickstarter campaign, raising $32,000. The three also packaged and distributed the first saffron products themselves. They sold the spice at farmers markets and engaged chefs, restaurateurs, and even people who loved to cook at home. Getting a really early community who loves your product, knows how to use saffron, and supports your social mission was so important, Jung said. It was also important that Rumi Spice was not run as a nonprofit. We felt that the only way for this to be long-term sustainable is if its for profit, and it's not a handout, Alaniz said. We thought that there was a business proposition for doing business in Afghanistan, and that we could do it profitably. We're simply just trading with farmers In the first year, Rumi Spice sold 30 kilograms of saffron, Jung said. The next year, it was 100 kilograms. The company got another boost when the three founders were invited on the television show, Shark Tank, where company owners pitch their products in hopes of convincing one or more of the investors to back their product. Mark Cuban, one of the shows hosts, ended up investing in the enterprise. The trio also got better at pitching their product, finding investors who were interested in backing veteran-owned businesses. They also had to convince investors that doing business in Afghanistan, known for ongoing wars and opium, was a safe bet. Truth be told, we weren't doing anything that hasn't been done for thousands of years. We're simply just trading with farmers, Alaniz said. It took a lot of talking to people, a lot of encouraging them and letting them know that this is not an insurmountable risk to work in Afghanistan. It was tough. On "Shark Tank," episode 824, U.S. Army veterans hope to empower farmers in a war-torn country by helping them cultivate and harvest saffron. (Photo: Michael Desmond/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) Now the company works with more than 300 Afghan farmers and employs nearly 1,900 women who hand harvest the flowers to make saffron. Rumi Spice also raised a Series A round of funding to the tune of $2.5 million. That's really the first substantial raise that we've had outside of seed and angel investing, Alaniz said. That's really given us the legs to become a business that has an opportunity to scale profitably. The company has hired a staff and a full-time CEO who recently took over for Alaniz. It also began selling Afghan cumin in November. Where the next adventure is All three have now moved to more passive roles with the thriving company. After a successful CEO transition, Keith remains a company board member while shifting to business consulting. Right now, I'm trying to figure out exactly what I want to do... and see where the next adventure is, he said. I obviously have the entrepreneurial bug in me, so [I am] looking at other opportunities. Keith Alaniz, one of the three founders of Rumi Spice, is weighing his next business move after stepping down as CEO. (Photo: Ignazio Monda/Yahoo Finance) Jung and Miller are still stakeholders in the company, but have also moved on professionally. Miller works for the Commerce Department, helping to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and funding of small businesses nationwide. Jung has gone back to school, studying mechanical engineering. Nevertheless, Rumi is not far behind. My personal relationship with Rumi will always be the same. It's still my baby, Jung said. Rumi will always remain in my heart as something I'm really proud of. Janna is an editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @JannaHerron. Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Visionary, Inspiration or Ambition Tardigrada are three possible names for NASAs Mars 2020 Rover. NASA recently announced the students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are semifinalists in the Mars 2020 Name the Rover essay contest, which included three students from New York. The contest is part of NASAs efforts to engage students in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enterprise behind Mars exploration and inspire interest in the field. Fifty-two semifinalists were selected per group, each representing their respective state or United States territory. The semifinalists will receive a Mars Prize Pack from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Three finalists will then be selected from each group on Jan. 21 to advance to the final round. The grand prize winner is expected to be announced on Feb. 18 -- exactly one year before the rover is expected to land on the surface of Mars. The grand prize winner will be invited to see the spacecraft launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Nora Lowe from Armonk, N.Y., a semifinalist in the grades 9-12 group, submitted the name Ambition Tardigrada. Lowe said in the essay that Tardigrades, also called water bears, are microscopic creatures that have succeeded against all odds. NASAs rover faces adversity, Lowe said in her submitted essay. Freezing temperatures, inconsistent topography, and unfavorable gases pose a threat. Since 1961, technology has been evolving in ways that we couldnt have foreseen. As cliche as this seems, resolve, drive, and willpower are what enable progress. I propose titling the Mars Rover Ambition Tardigrada. Asher Philyaw of East Amherst, N.Y., is a semifinalist in the grades 5-8 group, for the name Visionary. He said the name Visionary has the same impact as the four previous Rover names, which are Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity and Sojourner. I have decided that Visionary should be the name for the fifth rover, he said. When I think of 2020, I think of perfect vision, such perfect vision some say you can see into the future. This reminds me of the definition of visionary, thinking and planning for the future using curiosity and intelligence." Zain Haque of Manhattan was a semifinalist in the kindergarten-to-fourth-grade group for the name Inspiration. Haque said he chose this name because it moves people to do new things and do what no person has done before. It is this same inspiration that we all have as curious Americans that will lead us to the Red Planet not only to search for life, but maybe even to put our feet on Mars one day, Haque said in the submitted essay. I can only imagine where Inspiration will lead us once we get to Mars and how our discoveries will impact our future. The Mars 2020 Rover is a 2,300-pound robotics scientist that will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize Mars climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth and pave the way for human exploration of Mars. Its scheduled to land in the Jezero Crater on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. The Mars 2020 Rover could possibly launch as soon as July 17 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida -- but has a launch window through Aug. 5. Mars 2020 is part of a larger program that includes missions to the moon as a way to prepare for exploration of Mars. NASA, charged with returning astronauts to the moon by 2024, will establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon by 2028 through NASAs Artemis lunar exploration plans. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. KIGALI, Rwanda - Human Rights Watch says the decision by Rwandas Court of Appeal upholding the conviction of two former high-ranking army officers, who are said to be in failing health, fits a pattern of government repression of critics. Rwandas Military High Court sentenced Col. Tom Byabagamba and retired Brig. Gen. Frank Rusagara in 2016 to 21 years and 20 years in prison, respectively, on charges including insurrection and tarnishing the governments image. The former allies of President Paul Kagame denied the charges. Critics have said the charges related to simple criticisms made against Kagames government in private. Human Rights Watch in a statement Monday noted that the appeals court reduced their sentences to 15 years on Dec. 27, but it reiterated concerns about the use of unreliable evidence in their trial. The rights group also expressed concern about reports of ill treatment and inadequately treated health problems behind bars. Rwandas state minister for foreign affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, said Tuesday his government does not care what Human Rights Watch writes about Rwanda for quite some time. Rwanda in June will host the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which will include discussions on governance and rule of law. Before they agree to attend the meeting, Rwandas international partners should raise their concerns with the Rwandan government about the deliberate targeting of critics both inside and outside the country and its chilling effect, Human Rights Watch said. In November, Rwandas government rejected a plea by six British members of parliament to release the former army officers on humanitarian grounds, saying they were convicted of serious crimes. The MPs letter said Rusagara suffers from an enlarged prostate and arthritis while Byabagamba has two artificial discs after having major back surgery. Rwandas president replied that the British lawmakers should ask their own courts to try genocide suspects living freely in their backyard before telling Rwanda what to do. The sentencing in this case should send a clear message to the world that if an individual commits such an act of terrorism anywhere in the world, the United States will take all steps necessary under the law to ensure that justice prevails to include investigating a case in the four corners of the world in order to obtain an indictment, capturing a suspect in a hostile environment, and trying the suspect in a federal courthouse, assistant U.S. attorneys John Cummings and Karen P.W. Seifert wrote in a 40-page sentencing request. The father of kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart was spotted embracing a male companion, marking the first time he has been seen in public with a man since coming out as gay, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show. Newly single Ed Smart may already be off the market after he was seen hugging the unidentified man outside a Starbucks in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday. The 64-year-old announced in August 2019 that he was gay and leaving the Mormon Church, as well as divorcing his wife Lois after 34 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized at the end of last year. Smart mentioned in previous interviews that he was dating, but these are the first pictures of Smart with a man since coming out. An eyewitness told DailyMail.com that Ed and the gentleman appeared to be more than just casual friends, saying: 'Ed really looked happy with the guy.' Ed Smart was seen hugging a male companion outside a Starbucks in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show The 64-year-old mentioned in previous interviews that he was dating, but these are the first pictures of Smart with a man since he announced he was gay. An eyewitness told DailyMail.com: 'Ed really looked happy with the guy' Smart announced in August 2019 he was gay and was divorcing his wife, Lois after 34 years of marriage and leaving the Mormon Church. Their divorce was finalized at the end of 2019. Smart first made headlines in 2002 when he and Lois made desperate pleas for help in finding their kidnapped daughter then 14-year-old Elizabeth, who was found after nine months of harrowing captivity. Pictured: Lois, Elizabeth and Smart in 2004 The source added: 'Ed and the gentlemen, who was about Ed's age, were obviously more than just friends. 'While out in the parking lot of Starbucks we saw Ed kiss his male friend, a kiss that last for several seconds. 'Even though Ed was out in the open for everyone to see, he didn't seem to care who saw his public displays of affection toward his male friend. They were very touchy-feely.' Both Smart and his male friend dressed casually in jeans and a light coat. The eyewitness said: 'After some playful banter and hugging, Ed and the male friend got into a vehicle and drove away.' Smart first made headlines in 2002 when he and Lois made desperate pleas for help in finding their kidnapped then 14-year-old daughter Elizabeth, who was found after nine months of harrowing captivity. He returned to the spotlight in August when he announced he was gay, would be divorcing his wife of 34 years and leaving the Mormon Church. And while Smart appears to be content in his dating life, his relationship with his ex-wife is strained. Smart said he hasn't spoken with Lois since coming out, according to reports. He admitted one of the hardest parts of this new chapter of his life was divorcing Lois, who he thought was 'the one'. And while Smart appears to be content in his dating life, his relationship with his ex-wife is strained. Smart said he hasn't spoken with Lois since coming out, according to reports. He admitted one of the hardest parts of this new chapter of his life was divorcing Lois The source said: 'Ed and the gentlemen, who was about Ed's age, were obviously more than just friends. While out in the parking lot of Starbucks we saw Ed kiss his male friend, a kiss that last for several seconds' 'Even though Ed was out in the open for everyone to see, he didn't seem to care who saw his public displays of affection toward his male friend. They practically couldn't keep their hands off each other. They were very touchy-feely,' the eyewitness said 'Somehow, this person I've loved my whole life thinks I'm a horrible person, that really tears me',' Smart told host Gayle King on CBS This Morning in December. 'I'm sure, she feels betrayed like, ''what was my marriage?'' 'I mean, during the course of our marriage, you know, there were times where I would have these feelings come up,' Smart said. 'You know, 'Why do I feel this way? Why do I find this guy super attractive?' And I just wanted to push it down and, you know, 'Please go away. I don't need this in my life''.' But Louis confronted him four years ago and asked him, 'Ed, are you gay?' 'I said, ''What does that mean?'' Smart said, 'Does that mean that I've been unfaithful to her? Does that mean that I have, you know, gone out and been with other men?' When King asked, 'had you?' Smart responded, 'Absolutely not. It never has been'. 'I don't think that people understand the fight that goes on inside. And I feel horrible that our marriage has ended.' He revealed that being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the decision to come out all the more difficult. But Smart is thankful he still has a relationship with all six of his children, explaining that he called each of them individually to tell them the long-hidden truth. Smart is thankful he still has a relationship with all six of his children, explaining he called each of them individually to tell them the long-hidden truth. Pictured: The Smart family in their family home in Salt Lake City, Utah in February 2004 'I went in and called each one of them. This was 5 o'clock in the morning. I said, you know, "Your mother and I are getting a divorce and I'm gay,"' Smart said. 'I wanted each one of them to hear this from me. And yes, it would have been nice if they had been in front of me. But I wanted this pain and this struggle to be over with,' he added. But opening up wasn't easy. Smart said spilling the truth felt like throwing a grenade into the middle of his family. 'That grenade had been building for so many years that when it had an opportunity of going off, it was ready to,' he said. His kids' reactions ranged from supportive to shock. Smart revealed some of his children reacted saying: 'Well, dad, if you're gay, you're gay. I still want you in my life,' while others responded with 'You're what? You're what?' But in the end he was able to maintain a relationship with all of them. 'I do have a relationship with my children. I know that they're processing this they're probably struggling though this. It's not an easy thing. But I do feel their love and I'm very grateful for that,' Smart told host Gayle King. Tinder playboy Gable Tostee has vowed to continue his search for love on the dating app undeterred despite a recent date calling police in fear of her safety. Police were called to a home in Logan, south-east Queensland on New Year's Eve after a 28-year-old woman he met on Tinder found out he had previously been acquitted of murder. Tostee - now known as Eric Thomas - was acquitted three years ago of both murder and manslaughter after his Tinder date Warriena Wright plummeted to her death from his 14th-storey Gold Coast apartment in 2014. Mr Thomas was removed from a home in Yarrabilba in Logan's south-east after meeting his recent Tinder date, and said his date told him words to the effect of 'I've done some reading on you and you've got me on edge'. No charges have been laid over the incident, and Mr Thomas said he was determined to remain in the dating game. 'If you're involved in a serious car accident does that mean you never drive again?' he told 9News. 'The police themselves said "you're not in trouble - you haven't committed anything". 'I just think it's bizarre. Nobody has acted that way before.' Mr Thomas said the conversation about his past had come up earlier in the evening, but while the woman was surprised they had then fallen asleep together. He described the incident as a 'bizarre' misunderstanding. Tinder playboy Gable Tostee has vowed to continue his search for love on the dating app undeterred despite a recent date calling police in fear of her safety after finding out he was acquitted three years ago of the murder and manslaughter of his Tinder date Warriena Wright (Mr Tostee pictured with Ms Wright) 'If you're involved in a serious car accident does that mean you never drive again?' Mr Thomas (pictured) said 'She never asked me to leave or anything ... I was literally woken up when the police walked in and she said to me something like "I've done some reading on you and you've got me on edge",' Mr Thomas told The Courier-Mail. Mr Thomas said the fact she called police was bizarre because the unnamed woman didn't signal at any point previously she didn't want to be with him. 'She'd heard of the story [about his trial and acquittal] ... I think she was surprised for a second but we just kept talking and fell asleep on the couch together,' he said. Police were called to a home in south-east Queensland about 4.15am on New Year's Eve after a 28-year-old woman Mr Thomas (pictured) met on Tinder found out about his acquittal It comes after Mr Thomas threatened legal action against a feminist Facebook group warning other women to steer clear of him. Mr Thomas claimed he was the victim of a hate/harassment campaign by social media group Mad F***ing Witches, which posted screenshots from his Tinder profile and warned social media followers in November. Mr Thomas said he considered it a hate/harassment campaign on ABC Radio Melbourne's Mornings program. Mr Thomas (pictured with Warriena Wright on August 8, 2014 just hours before she fell to her death) said the fact the woman called police was bizarre because the unnamed woman didn't signal at any point previously she didn't want to be with him 'I was acquitted in a court of law and they don't know the facts,' Mr Thomas told listeners. 'Ethically I should not be obliged to tell people I did nothing wrong.' Mr Tostee changed his name to Eric Thomas and moved to New Zealand in 2016 with a partner, before moving back to the Gold Coast. Mr Thomas is no stranger to controversy following his highly publicised trial and has shared several provocative posts to his social media accounts since. In a Facebook post last year Mr Thomas wrote: 'The best cure for feminism is a good root,' accompanied by a photo of a raised middle finger. The backlash he received on social media failed to deter him, as he went on to make more controversial posts. It comes after Mr Thomas threatened legal action against a feminist Facebook group warning other women to steer clear of him He has has also referred to his murder acquittal in an online post, saying: 'the only thing I murder is p***y'. He also recently took to social media to accuse girls of sexually objectifing themselves. 'Why do so many girls sexually objectify themselves by posting a ton of half naked pics then complain when they get treated like sexual objects? That's like wearing a clown suit and complaining that nobody takes you seriously,' Mr Thomas posted on Facebook. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. An under vehicle surveillance system helps in detecting threats that hidden beneath vehicles. The system consists of a camera that captures images of the vehicle undercarriage for automated or manual inspection by systems or security personnel. The global under vehicle surveillance market was assessed by Market Research Future (MRFR). It was ascertained through the assessment that the global under vehicle surveillance market will garner a projected CAGR of 13% during the forecast period between 2017 and 2023. The rising need for precise and appropriate security measures is one of the primal drivers affecting the growth of the global under vehicle surveillance market. Another key factor contributing to the overall growth of the market is the favorable regulations imposed by the government for enhanced security measures in the automotive industries. Moreover, the increasing demand for premium priced cars is another driving factor behind the growth of the market. Under vehicle surveillance systems enable users to scan invisible threats that might be existing under the vehicle. The technology is a superior alternative for archaic hand-held mirrors that offer limiting view in comparison. Under vehicle surveillance systems offer a host of advantages like real-time image scanning, systems integration, and vehicle scan that provides high-resolution images. These factors, coupled with the versatility of the technology, is expected to push the demand of the global under vehicle surveillance market in the coming years. Regional Analysis The global under vehicle surveillance market is regionally segmented across the following geographical territories: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). The North American regional market holds the highest share in the global landscape and is expected to retain its positioning in the coming years. The growth and standing of the region can be attributed to the strong presence of the automotive sector herein. Additionally, the military and defense sector of this region is considered to be among the finest across the world and the integration of these systems is considerably pushing the North Americas market share potential. The preference among consumers for high security measures in their vehicles is anticipated to facilitate the growth of the region during the forecast period. The vast pool of security providers in this region and a host of recognized players in the regional market is expected to drive added growth in the forthcoming years. The Asia Pacific regional market is reported to grow during the forecast period at a significant pace. This is due to the presence of a massive population base, especially in major developing regions like India, China, and Japan. The booming economic conditions, surging disposable income of consumers, and the massive economic potential herein are some of the major driving factors that are contributing to the growth of the regional market. Market Segmentation The global under vehicle surveillance market is segmented as per the following components: type and end-users. By type, the market is divided into fixed and portable. Among these, the portable segment leads the market with the highest share. This is majorly due to the booming demand for inspecting the undersides of road vehicles. On the other hand, the fixed segment is projected to grow during the forecast period at a steady pace. By end-users, the market segments into energy plant entrances, government, military & defense, commercial, and others. Herein, the military & defense sector is the key segment with the highest share in the market. This is due to the need for added security measures in military vehicles. Competitive Landscape The global under vehicle surveillance market includes a number of key players, including COMM-PORT Technologie, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH, Delphi Automotive PLC, Law Enforcement Associates, Continental AG, SecuScan, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Honeywell Security Group, and others. On June 5th, 2019, two US-based satellite companies announced a deal to ensure better surveillance across land, sea, and air. The New York States Ursa Space System and Virginias HawkEye 360 joined in a strategic collaboration. Subscriber content preview ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The Army Corps of Engineers has announced a $611 million expansion plan for the Port of Nome that will allow visits from larger ships. The plan will allow the port to accommodate larger tankers and cruise ships, the Alaska Journal of Commerce reported Wednesday. . . . New Ficci President Sangita Reddy on Tuesday urged the government not to worry too much about the fiscal deficit and try to pump the economy by increasing investments to arrest slowdown and accelerate growth. "We need to infuse capital into the economy. The fact is that there is a slowdown of the GDP but to pump prime economy, adequate capital is really the need of the hour and therefore the preposition which we put forward is that we should not worry for a small expansion in fiscal deficit," she said. She said that the government should find a mechanism to infuse Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh crore into the economy as it would help spurring consumption. With the slowdown in economic growth, the government will face difficulty in adhering to the fiscal deficit road map laid down in the FRBM Act. "With the increased consumption or purchasing power of people, investments and the overall sentiment of the corporate India will improve and this will create a virtuous cycle, which grows the GDP," she told PTI. When asked whether the government has enough fiscal space to infuse money into the system, Reddy said the government has the space because the fiscal deficit is still under control. "One mechanism to do this would be to raise money from the RBI," she said, adding the government should also simultaneously pursue disinvestment programme in a time-bound manner. The government aims to restrict the fiscal deficit to 3.3 per cent of the GDP for the financial year ending March 2020. If there will be well articulated and executed plan, then the expansion in fiscal deficit will not affect India's ratings, she added. Further the new president said that there is a need to focus on boosting exports. "We are only 1.7 per cent of global trade and this is miniscule for country like India and we should ramp this up," she said. Exports during April-November 2019-20 has dipped by about 2 per cent to USD 212 billion. On ease of doing business, she said there is more work needs to done by reducing amount of regulation, and further simplification. "We have improved but definitely there is a more scope," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 30 BJP workers killed in attacks made by TMC in West Bengal: Dilip Ghosh Those who don't drink real cow milk will not realise value of gold in it: West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh Bengal turned into hub of anti-nationals under TMC regime: Dilip Ghosh India pti-PTI Kolkata, Jan 14: West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday attacked the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the state has turned into a "hub of anti-nationals" who enjoyed the "patronage" of the ruling party. The BJP chief also claimed that law and order had completely broken down in most districts of the state. "Bengal under the TMC rule in past eight years has turned into a hub of anti-nationals. It is a safe haven for terrorists and enemies of the state," he alleged. "This has happened as the TMC is giving these elements patronage in order to secure its vote bank," Ghosh said while addressing a programme at Kharagpur. Reacting to Ghosh's claim, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said, "He is under the illusion that he is the biggest patriot. But the fact is he just knows to terrorise masses. We don't need lessons from Dilip Ghosh on nationalism and patriotism,". Ghosh had kicked up a row with his remarks at a public meeting in Nadia district on Sunday where he said anti-CAA protesters were "shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states", drawing criticism from political rivals as well as his own party men. He had slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "for not opening fire and ordering lathicharge" on those destroying public property during anti-CAA protests in the state in December. "Didi's police didn't take action against those who destroyed public property as they are her voters. Our governments in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka shot these people like dogs," Ghosh had said. Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo had termed Ghosh's comments "irresponsible". As he looks at pictures of his parents and sisters who perished in Auschwitz, Szmul Icek begins to tremble, tears clouding his eyes. It may have been 75 years ago, but for this survivor of the Holocaust the memories of life and death in the Nazi German extermination camp remain painfully fresh. More than a million Jews were killed at Auschwitz, in then occupied Poland. The last survivors, now all elderly, still live with the physical and mental scars of the horrors of that time. Since their liberation three quarters of a century ago, their skin has wrinkled with the march of time and the numbers tattooed on their left arms have faded. Much in the same way that the collective memory of the Holocaust is blurring. These survivors are the last witnesses to traumatic events which now in the 21st century are often called into question by anti-Semitic revisionists. So as the world this month marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp at ceremonies at its site to be attended by a dwindling number of survivors, AFP reporters met with about 10 of them to hear their testimonies. Some have learnt their stories by heart, reciting every detail -- without tears. Others no longer have the strength to speak, some have had their memories ravaged by Alzheimer's. While others are still consumed by the shame of being one of Adolf Hitler's victims. Born in Poland, Icek, 92, struggles to talk following a car accident, and leaves it to his wife to recount the tragedy which befell his family. In early 1942, his two sisters responded to a notice from the Gestapo that children should present themselves to the notorious secret police in order to protect their family. "They left, but they were never seen again, never. We don't know what happened to them," said Sonia on behalf of her husband, who tensed up as she began to talk. For many years, Icek, number 117 568, kept his imprisonment at Auschwitz secret from his wife. After living together in Belgium for years, the couple now inhabits an apartment in Jerusalem where old family portraits hang in their living room. One shows his father with a full beard, wearing a round hat, while his mother's hair is cropped short in the style popular in that era. A month after his sisters disappeared, the Germans came for the rest of his family. His parents, two brothers and him. "When he arrived at Auschwitz, on getting off the train, he held onto his father's hand like a little boy," Sonia said of her husband's deportation. But Icek was separated from his dad by a Nazi. "He cried, he wanted to be with his father. But the German said: 'no, you (go) over there'." That was the last time he saw his father, who was sent to the gas chambers. Both his parents died, although his brothers like him managed to survive. Hearing his wife talk about Auschwitz where he spent two and a half years, Icek, dressed in a blue polo neck and a skullcap, became briefly animated. "It can't be, it can't be, no," he said, clasping his hands around his neck to mime the killings at the camp. - Burying the ashes - Like Icek, Menahem Haberman, born in the then Czechoslovakia in 1927, was a teenager when he arrived at Auschwitz and was separated from his family. Their paths never crossed at the extermination camp, nor in Jerusalem where Haberman now lives in a retirement home. His memory still sharp, he recounted how he was taken outside of the camp to the edge of some water and given a shovel. "There was a canal and I had to run to each side and pour ashes into the water. I didn't know what I was doing. When I came back, I asked a camp veteran: 'What have I done?' Haberman told the man he had only arrived at Auschwitz the previous day. "He told me: 'All your family were ashes in that canal four hours after their arrival.' "It was then that I understood where I was," Haberman told AFP. His bitter encounter with death at the camp was to drive his overwhelming determination to survive. "I told myself, I don't want to die here, I don't want my ashes to sink and flow in this canal towards the river," said Haberman. "There was a guy there who said in Yiddish: 'Those who don't have the strength to work, will end up in the chimney.' "I kept that phrase in mind and repeated: I do not want to die here." The experiences of the last remaining survivors, who were children when they were sent to the death camps, remain seared into their minds. "Every day I think about it, especially at night," said Haberman. "It's deeply engrained in me. Seventy-five years later, we still live with that, we don't forget... we cannot forget," said Haberman. "We are survivors, we are not escapees. The camps are imprinted in our skin." Six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany. And of more than 1.3 million people imprisoned at Auschwitz, some 1.1 million died and Haberman remains baffled that he managed to survive. "I really knew people who were better men than me. Why did they die and why am I still alive?" - Stalked by hunger - In the suburbs of Tel Aviv, 91-year-old Malka Zaken sits in her small apartment surrounded by dolls, some of which are still in their original boxes. "Don't worry Sean, he's not German, he won't take me," Zaken reassured one of them, as AFP arrived to talk to her. While age has muddled some of her memories and her speech is confused, the traumas of Auschwitz remain vivid. "When I was little, my mother bought me lots of dolls," said Zaken, recalling her childhood in Greece with her parents and six siblings. "But she was burned by the Nazis. When I'm with the dolls, I remember her, it's like when I was a child at home, I think about it all the time," she said. Zaken spends her afternoons watching soap operas, at home with a carer. She remembers friends killed by the Nazis, as well as those who survived the war but have since died. In Auschwitz, she recalled being beaten "all the time, we were naked and they beat us... I never forget, never, I never forget how much I've suffered. "What hell! I don't even know how I made it to survive." Occasionally looking dazed, the number 76 979 marked on her wrinkled skin, Zaken said the memories haunted her long after she was freed. "After the liberation, I couldn't sleep, I lay awake at night crying, I was scared, and I was cared for for a long time." As well as fearing the gas chamber, Zaken also remembers the starvation which stalked the death camp and reduced prisoners to walking skeletons. Fellow survivor Saul Oren, 90, also recalled the unimaginable hunger with prisoners given watery soup. "And the soup was for the whole day. Or they gave us a small potato, or they gave us a small piece of bread," he said. "We didn't dare eat the whole bread because we wanted to save it for later, perhaps we couldn't stand the hunger," he said. Oren's mother was killed at Auschwitz and he has no photo of her, but tries to include her image in the paintings he does at home. Even after leaving the extermination camp, hunger followed him. He was forced onto the "Death March" when, as the Soviets advanced, the Nazis made prisoners from extermination camps walk in deep winter towards Germany and Austria. "We marched for 12 days, practically without eating... we stopped in a forest, we found a dead horse, everyone threw themselves on the horse. Each person took a bite," Oren said. Another survivor, Danny Chanoch, marched for weeks in the snow, scratching at the soil in the hope of unearthing some frozen grass. He is still affected by seeing survivors eating the bodies of prisoners killed by the Germans. "They couldn't stand the hunger so they took the human flesh, cooked, ate (it). "And we know that a red line is not to eat human flesh and not to take the bread from your comrade," said Chanoch, originally from Lithuania. - Guarding Eichmann - After being taken to the Mauthausen and Gunskirchen camps, Chanoch was eventually freed and made his way to Italy as a penniless 12-year-old. In the city of Bologna he was reunited with his brother, Uri, and a photo of the two boys taken by an Italian man hangs in his home. Chanoch, who lives in a village between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was philosophical about his experience in the death camp: "Sometimes I say to myself, 'how could I live without Auschwitz?'" "It led me to the right way, to not skip anything, and do what you like to do," he said. Chanoch and his brother travelled illegally from Italy to Palestine, then under British mandate, while other Holocaust survivors later arrived in the land which had become Israel. The new state swiftly passed a law setting out the death penalty for crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The legislation was used to execute Adolf Eichmann, one of the masterminds of the Nazis' so-called Final Solution plan of genocide against European Jews. He was captured in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires 15 years after the war and smuggled to Israel, and tried. For Shmuel Blumenfeld, a 94-year-old Auschwitz survivor, tattooed with number 108 006, the Eichmann affair was a historic turnaround. Blumenfeld served as one of Eichmann's prison guards and spoke to the Nazi, telling him who had ultimately won. "One day I brought him food, I lifted my sleeve so that he saw my tattooed number. He saw it but acted as if nothing was amiss," said Blumenfeld, who offered Eichmann another helping. "Then, I clearly showed my number from Auschwitz and I told him: 'Your men didn't finish their mission, I spent two years there and I'm still alive'," Blumenfeld said in German, before translating the conversation into Hebrew. "Once Eichmann shouted to complain that he couldn't sleep, because there was too much noise. And I said to him: 'We are not in the office of Adolf Eichmann in Budapest, you are in the office of Shmuel Blumenfeld'." At his home, Blumenfeld keeps a fabric bag of earth collected from the places where all his family members were killed. "My mother told me 'never forget that you are Jewish' and I obeyed her," said Blumenfeld, who spent his career in the Israeli prison service. - 'I overcame' - Despite his age, Blumenfeld continues to travel to Poland with groups of young Israelis. At almost 95, the elegant Batcheva Dagan also remains energetic and determined to use her experiences to educate future generations. After making it out of a camp alive, she said she had one thing in mind: "Survive to tell (people)." She worked in the heart of Birkenau camp, which neighboured Auschwitz, at a depot where shoes and other prisoners' belongings piled up. "I spent 20 months there, 600 days and nights," said Dagan, who had to burn the luggage of Jews who arrived at the camp. "Work out the hours and the seconds, thinking that each second you're scared of dying. You have an idea of what that means, living each moment with the threat that that moment is your last." "I try to make something positive out of my experience for children, educational. "I don't only recount the horror of the Holocaust, but also wonderful things like helping each other, the capacity to share a piece of bread, the friendship... We remained human beings." The survivors' sense of victory comes through their poems, memories, but above all through living their daily lives and seeing future generations grow up. "I'm alive... I suffered, but I overcame!" said Dagan. Icek, who for years hid his Auschwitz tattoo under long shirts, has recently started to uncover it. "You didn't want to show it. Now the first thing that you do when you get into a taxi, you do this," his wife Sonia said, showing his forearm. "It's like he was ashamed... I told him: 'You have been to the camp, you must be happy, you came back,'" said Sonia, who had to hide during the war in Belgium to avoid being sent to a death camp. Sitting next to his wife, Icek said just three words before starting to cry: "I have won." But Sonia disagreed, saying he "didn't win anything" and lost his family whose pictures hang next to those of their grandchildren. "We have not won, but we have taught our grandchildren in a way that they understand what happened." London: Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned Boris Johnson that allowing Chinese company Huawei to build Britain's 5G network would compromise the ability of the Five Eyes countries to collect and share intelligence. Mr Turnbull responded to the UK Prime Minister's challenge issued earlier that critics of Huawei should offer alternatives. Mr Johnson's National Security Council (NSC) is due to make a decision within a fortnight, nearly 12 months after the original determination was due. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's The World at One program, Mr Turnbull said the main risk the Australian security agencies had identified was not through potential Chinese interception of intelligence but by denial of access to the network. Australian Labor and Liberal governments have blocked Huawei from the national broadband and 5G networks, while the US and New Zealand have implemented bans. Close to 3,000 Chief Executives from 115 countries weighed in on this essential to business topic NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- YPO, the global leadership community of more than 28,000 chief executives in 135 countries, conducted a member survey designed to provide the chief executive perspective on the importance of stakeholder trust, the extent to which they are taking action and succeeding at building cultures of trust within their organizations, and their views on the role of societal impact in building trust with stakeholders. YPO's 2020 Global Pulse Survey on Trust, conducted 1-18 November 2019 with 2,960 respondents, found it is a key matter for business leaders around the world, but there are significant gaps between business leaders' thoughts and actions. Key findings include: 96 percent of chief executives rate building and maintaining trust with stakeholders as a high priority, with close to half (42 percent) saying that the importance of building trust with stakeholders has increased in the past five years. Only 40 percent of chief executives find it easy to build trust with employees, and they find it even more challenging to do so with their customers (36 percent). Even though most global business leaders agree this is high priority issue in which they feel increasing urgency around, over 60 percent have yet to measure employee trust within their business and only a third (34 percent) have defined specific plans within their business for building/maintaining employee trust. Most chief executives understand the weight of their role, with 89 percent agreeing that they as business leaders are under pressure to embody their organizations' values through their actions. 77 percent of business leaders agree that they are under pressure to take the lead on change, rather than waiting on government to impose it. Most business leaders (71 percent) agree that their business can have a positive societal impact; fewer business leaders agree that taking action on societal issues improves employee (56 percent) or public trust (57 percent). YPO's 2020 Global Pulse Survey on Trust Methodology: The 2020 Global Pulse Survey on Trust was conducted by YPO from 1-18 November 2019 via an online questionnaire. A total of 2,960 YPO members responded to the survey. The sample included members in 115 countries. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 1.84 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. About YPO: YPO is the global leadership community of more than 28,000 chief executives in 135 countries who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders. Each of our members have achieved significant leadership success at a young age. Combined, they lead businesses and organizations contributing USD 9 trillion in annual revenue. YPO members inspire and support each other through peer learning and exceptional experiences in an inclusive community of open sharing and trust. For more information, visit ?ypo.org. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1065220/YPO_Logo.jpg The Australian government said this week it will spend over 34 million dollars on helping wildlife recover from bushfires. The bushfires crisis threatens several animal species, including koalas and rock wallabies. Josh Frydenberg is the Treasurer of Australia. He told reporters on Monday, This has been an ecological disaster, a disaster that is still unfolding. He spoke during a visit to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, where workers are treating 45 koalas for burns. Frydenberg added that Australias native trees and plants had been very badly damaged. Huge wildfires have destroyed more than 11.2 million hectares - nearly half the area of Britain. The fires destroyed or severely damaged the areas where several native animals live. Some estimates suggest as many as one billion creatures have died in the fires or are at risk now because of a lack of food and shelter. This number includes farm animals and family pets like cats and dogs. People around the world are sharing images of animals that survived the fires and videos of people risking their lives to help Australian wildlife. Food from the sky In one program, national park employees used helicopters to air drop thousands of kilos of carrots and sweet potatoes to brush-tailed rock wallabies in New South Wales (NSW). The states environment minister Matt Kean said giving them this food is one way Australians are trying to help endangered animals like the wallaby. The wallabies typically survive the fire itself, he said, but they have no natural food left after the fire passes. Australia's national symbol The koala is a national symbol, so Frydenberg said it would be a focus of national government spending. He added that the full amount of the damage would not be known until the bushfires are out. Experts say the fires could continue burning for months. Threatened Species Commissioner Sally Box said an estimated 30 percent of koala habitat in New South Wales state may have been lost. Koalas have heavy fur, and usually climb higher when they are in danger. That is not helpful in fast-moving bushfires. Everything that can be done to rescue and recover koala habitat will be done, noted Sussan Ley, Australias Federal Environment Minister. Im Jill Robbins. Sonali Paul reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story unfold v. to happen as time passes park n. an enclosed piece of ground; a protected space or area symbol n. something that stands for or represents something focus n. a center of activity or attention habitat n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows fur n. hair What do you think of the Australian bush fires? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. More than 40 per cent of shoppers are unaware that missing payments when using a buy now, pay later service could harm their credit score, a survey has found. One in five also felt they weren't clearly shown the terms and conditions according to Compare the Market, raising more concerns over the increasingly popular payment method Buy now, pay later is a way of paying for goods that covers a range of credit products, from store credit offered by the likes of Next to newer financial platforms targeted at younger shoppers. Shop till your score drops: Buy now, pay later offers a way for shoppers to pay for goods after they've bought them, but it can have a sting in the tail if people miss payments One of the best known facilitators is Swedish platform Klarna - a pastel-pink branded retail juggernaut which has been valued at much as $5.5billion. It arrived in the Britain in 2015 and has become incredibly popular, with 6million people using its three ways of paying for items on these shores since. Users can pay for something 30 days after purchasing it, split the cost into three identical monthly payments, or set up plans with individual retailers of between six and 36 months. It has also begun providing in-store payment options, with 10,000 shops including H&M, Halfords and Schuh letting you use Klarna offline. While it claims to believe 'in being simple and straightforward in everything we do', it is difficult to find on its website the fact that your credit score is affected by non-payment on some of its products, something likely reflected in the survey results. For example, under an FAQ section on the website of one of the biggest retailers it provides payment options for - H&M - it responds to the specific question of whether Klarna affects your credit score with: 'For more information about Klarna's credit check and if it affects your score please contact Klarna directly.' Klarna told This is Money in January 2019: 'We're open about our lending policies and credit authorisation processes, and we make sure we stay in regular contact with customers to let them know when a payment is due. 'If after a period of several months we have not received payment, we advise the credit bureau that they have not paid. 'At this point a customer's credit score may be affected.' Today, it said in response to Compare the Market's research: 'Klarna does not report missed payments to credit reference reference agencies in relation to its pay later and pay in three products. 'To date, a customer's credit score has not been impacted by using Klarna's pay later products even if they have failed to pay on time'. It said its financing payment plans were Klarna's only regulated credit product. The reverse can also be the case. Given that many buy now, pay later services do require credit checks and show up on your file, using them well and making payments on time can improve your credit score. However, too many applications for credit in a short space of time will also hit credit scores. Sue Anderson, of debt charity StepChange, said: 'It's no surprise that buy now, pay later may be damaging people's credit scores given the massive focus on convenience that retailers emphasise to customers about these services, which isn't always balanced by the level of promotion given to information about risks and commitments. 'We would like to see retailers and BNPL providers making strenuous efforts to ensure that the consequences of paying late or failing to pay on BNPL are made clearer, as well as a clear focus from the FCA on ensuring that appropriate affordability assessments are made.' One in 10 of the just over 2,000 people surveyed by the comparison website said their use of buy now, pay later had negatively impacted their credit score. Meanwhile, of the 33 per cent of 25-34-year-olds surveyed who said they had used buy now, pay later services in the last year, 39 per cent said their credit score had subsequently been damaged. While the new breed of buy now, pay later platforms, which also include the likes of Laybuy and Clearpay, vary in their specific terms, all make their pitch to retailers by claiming they can get customers to spend more, and more often. This has raised concern in some quarters about users potentially falling into a debt trap by taking on more than they can afford to repay, despite that many of these platforms do not charge interest. This is reflected in the survey. Two-fifths of those surveyed admitted they spent more as a result of the availability of such schemes than they otherwise would have done, while 51 per cent felt it had contributed to increased levels of personal debt. Separate research last year from Hastee, a company which allows workers to access their earned pay early in return for a fee, found 56 per cent of 1834-year-olds felt buy now, pay later schemes encouraged them to spend money they didn't have. Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann before Christmas called for further controls on buy now, pay later financing, and said greater affordability checks and longer cooling-off periods should be brought in. The FCA last June brought in new rules on buy now, pay later services, but these were primarily aimed at helping users of store or catalogue credit, rather than users of newer platforms. Regulators last year brought in regulations it claimed would save consumers 60m a year, but they were not aimed at a new breed of shopping platforms which have raised concerns John Crossley, head of money at Compare the Market, said: 'The allure of buy now pay later is clear but these statistics show that such schemes are encouraging people into taking on more debt than perhaps they realise. 'Failure to pay outstanding bills can damage your credit score and result in a spiral of outstanding payments which could jeopardize important life milestones like buying a house. 'It is concerning that many of these schemes appear to be targeted at younger demographics. 'If you need to take on credit for essential purchases, there are cheaper and less risky alternatives available. Many credit cards offer 0 per cent interest on new purchases, often for up to two years. 'It's also worth checking your eligibility for credit by using a soft eligibility checker which won't damage your credit score.' Photo: Catherine L./Yelp A new lounge, cocktail bar and Mediterranean spot has opened up shop in the neighborhood. Located at 3345 Penn Ave. in Lower Lawrenceville, the fresh arrival is called The Forge. The Forge provides custom cocktails, locally-sourced beer and Mediterranean cuisine, with food menu items ranging from pizza pies to Sicilian-style tuna steak to vegan charcuterie boards. On the drink list, look for the Birds and the Bees cocktail, which is a mix of gin, lemon, cactus honey and bitters, as well as the Alon's Noche Verde drink with mezcal, green chartreuse and orange. With a five-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp so far, The Forge has been warmly received by patrons. Neha C., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Jan. 11, wrote, "Loved the cozy, comfortable seating, and the drinks were good, too. We ordered the tuna tapas, margarita pizza and the falafel. The margarita pizza was good. The tuna tapas was quite heavy and oily, but good flavor and portion size." Yelper Dave D. added, Great food and drinks, along with fast service and the prices are great. Pizza tapas and pitas are real tasty." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: The Forge is open from 5 p.m.midnight on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Tuesday and Sunday.) Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Pittsburgh? Here's what else opened recently near you. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 2020 is a landmark year for Vietnam in the international arena. It is assuming a two-year-long non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, which includes two months as president of the highest decision-making body of world politics. At the regional level, Vietnam is holding the annual Chair of ASEAN, the main institution for regional cooperation and governance responsible for the wellbeing of 650 million people. From global to local, this is Vietnams signature year when it can stamp its distinct vision and capabilities on the emerging landscape of foreign affairs. In terms of timing and suitability, the diplomatic high offices Vietnam is taking over could not have had a more deserving standard bearer. Vietnam is riding high with sustained high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of over 7 percent, the highest in ASEAN, as well as record levels of incoming Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth $30 billion in 2019. The frenetic pace at which new industrial projects and construction activities are springing up around the country is a visible sign for every visitor that Vietnam is booming under favourable global conditions and a robust domestic regulatory environment. The trade war between China and the United States, which began when President Donald Trump came to power in 2017, has offered an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturing sector growth in Vietnam. Investors who are wary about outsourcing to mainland China have diverted funds to Vietnam. Companies from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China itself are setting up or expanding electronics and electrical equipment production in Vietnam, which enjoys friendly relations with the US and is hence a safer point of origin to export to the American market. But Vietnam has far more going for it than the lucky trade diversion from China due to the Trump factor. Vietnams underlying structural fundamentals are solid. With a population of 96 million, it is the third largest within ASEAN. Fertility rates had dipped below 2.0 at the turn of the millennium, but have now gone back up. The sight of innumerable tiny tots and newborn babies in public spaces across the country is a hopeful sign that Vietnam has the demographic basis to take it from middle income to high income status in the future. Apart from economic strength, Vietnam also has the means to defend its sovereign interests. According to the 2019 Global Firepower rankings, Vietnam is the twenty-third most powerful military out of 137 nations, and the second strongest in ASEAN after Indonesia (ranked sixteenth). The geopolitical location of Vietnam, which has a long seaboard overlooking vital waterways, is an asset for ensuring maritime peace. The very shape of Vietnam, looking like a drawn bow with ports like Da Nang, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh projecting into the central Indo-Pacific, matters for balance of power in the region. At national memorials and monuments across Vietnam, the spirit of anti-imperialism is enshrined so that younger generations of Vietnamese remember that the fruits of the economic growth and security they enjoy today owe to the extraordinary sacrifice and genius of previous generations that endured superpower bombings and massacres. In estimating the strategic capabilities of Vietnam, what matters more is not the formal numbers of how many battle tanks or submarines it possesses, but rather the spirit of independence and opposition to hegemony that its people have. Knowledge that Vietnam, which used to be a third world country, defeated superpowers through will, determination and an unyielding sense of struggle is embedded in its contemporary society. That is why Vietnam will not kowtow to any new empire. In international relations, it is theorised that small powers often have no option but to bandwagon (accept a subordinate position) to big powers in order to survive. But unlike some weak ASEAN states, Vietnam has never bandwagoned to Western or Asian masters. Vietnam now is in a position to promote dialogue, ease tensions and confrontations, and seek fair, suitable solutions to issues that threaten regional and global peace and security, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Vietnam should enhance strategic cooperation with likeminded countries. Their joint economic connectivity projects and pooling of naval resources can send a subtle but unmistakable signal that Asian can take care of their own security problems without depending on the whims of extra-regional powers. We are now in an economically interdependent second decade of the twenty-first century. Concepts like military alliances or coalitions for hard counterbalancing of aggressive big powers are impractical and outdated. What is required instead is a loose soft balancing regional architecture that is selective but not explicitly confrontational. In the current day and age, the threat facing middle powers like Vietnam is not military invasion or physical occupation by a hegemonic state. Territorial defence is not the main problem. Rather, the challenge is erosion of sovereign spaces and squeezing out from natural spheres of influence through naval pressure tactics. If Vietnam enhances its maritime power projection capabilities in the East Sea and engages with groupings committed to stability in the broader Indo-Pacific, it will be a substantial contribution to peace. Uncle Ho Chi Minh changed not just the fate of Vietnam and its neighbours but of entire world history. Vietnams leadership on the world stage in 2020 should be the harbinger of greater things to come. - VNS Sreeram Chaulia Sreeram Chaulia is a Professor and Dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonipat, India. His latest book is Trumped: Emerging Powers in a Post-American World Vietnam chairs first meeting of ASEAN Committee in New York The first meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee was held in New York on January 10, focusing discussion on activities and priorities of ASEAN member states this year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:13:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close ATHENS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Greek government tabled an amendment in parliament on Tuesday aimed to facilitate the entrance procedures of foreign entrepreneurs and professionals from non-European Union (EU) countries to the country to support investments, business cooperation and the Greek economy, according to a Foreign Ministry press release. The amendment is attached to a draft law entitled "Regulations for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union" and currently discussed in the Greek parliament. It introduces a new type of business invitation for third-country nationals to visit Greece, the so-called "business visa," according to the press statement. This type of Schengen visa concerns non-EU nationals who are invited to attend conferences, exhibitions, meetings and business events, the ministry explained. It eases bureaucratic procedures and all applications will be examined within 15 days, according to the ministry. Under the new plan, Greek citizens will have to submit to the relevant authorities a modified invitation document, assuming responsibility for the accommodation of the people invited. If the guest violates the terms of the visa, the company or individual who extended the invitation will face penalties. The City of Torrington terminated Sharp in October 2016 after an investigation had been done as the man had been cited after being involved in a collision and leaving the scene. The department appointed Lt. Doug Weeks, who had served with the department for decades, as interim police chief, however, the man declined to fill the position permanently. After hiring a firm to conduct a national search, the city had offered the position and even named to David Hulshizer, an investigator with the Natrona County Sheriffs Department, in May 2018 as police chief. The man decided suddenly that he would not take the position. The position was then offered to Hurd, who had been serving as the chief of police in Glenrock, Wyoming. Avalanches and landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and incessant rain across Pakistan have left nearly 75 people, including women and children, dead and over 40 injured, media reports said on Tuesday. Harsh weather conditions continue across Pakistan over the last three days, bringing normal life to a halt as road transport and communication remain severely affected. About 75 people have died across the country after a severe cold wave brought life to a standstill in numerous areas, The Express Tribune reported. At least 57 people were killed and many others reported missing after avalanches hit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the last 24 hours, the report quoted a senior government officials as saying. In Balochistan, 17 people were killed in rain and snowfall-related incidents across the province, it said. READ: Day After Heavy Rains, Minimum Temperatures Drop Again In Punjab & Haryana According to the National Disaster Management Authority, 41 people have been injured while 35 houses destroyed in the country due to inclement weather conditions. Hundreds of passengers, including women and children, were stuck in harsh weather on Monday as a massive snowstorm wreaked havoc in different parts of Balochistan. On Monday, the media reports said at least 14 people, including women and children, were killed and over a dozen injured in several parts of Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province. Relief, disaster and civil defence secretary Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri told Dawn newspaper that heavy snowfall and rains have blocked several roads in high altitude areas. Due to heavy snowfall on Khojak Top, the communication lines between Ziarat and Quetta have been severely affected. The Quetta-Chaman highway was also closed for traffic, he said. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Karakoram highway was closed due to landsliding in the Pattan area of Lower Kohistan, while Chitral district was cut-off from the rest of the province due to heavy snowfall, he said. Upper parts of the province Malakand and Hazara divisions received heavy snowfall, leading to the closure of main roads. Six people were injured and four houses collapsed in the rain-related incidents across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the officials said. Heavy rain has caused flooding in low-lying areas of Sialkot, Gujrat and some other cities in the largest province of Punjab, the report said. Syrian refugees at the Cypriot Menoyia immigration detention center, have started a hunger strike, protesting poor conditions reports Zaman al-Wasl. Ten Syrian refugees have been on hunger strike since Wednesday in the Cypriot Menoyia immigration detention center, protesting bad treatment, discrimination and deteriorating conditions. One of the detained refugees told Zaman al-Wasl that most of the Syrian refugees who applied for asylum had endured severe scrutiny and provocative interrogations about religious and political beliefs. We have been living in atrocious conditions as if we are in prison, he added. According to DW, the Mediterranean country has seen a sharp rise in refugee arrivals since the beginning of the refugee crisis in the region. While the figure in 2016 stood at 2,871, in 2018 it jumped to 7,713. Up until June of last year 6,554 people had asked for asylum a number expected to rise sharply by the end of the year. At the same time the countrys asylum system has a backlog of 14,000 asylum applications. The Cypriot government has already asked for the EUs assistance in relocating at least 5,000 migrants based on bilateral agreements. A large number of asylum seekers in Cyprus usually arrive at Ercan airport in the North and then cross into the Greek-Cypriot part to ask for international protection. Eight years of war in Syria, which erupted in Daraa as peaceful protests, has killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighboring countries. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. "Some of my most beloved memories come from spending time with family and friends over food and drinks," said celebrity chef Kelsey Barnard Clark. "Yuengling beer has always been a staple in my household and a unique, quality ingredient I've used for some of my favorite dishes. I'm thrilled to partner with Yuengling, a brand so deeply rooted in family traditions, and of course, excellent beer, to introduce beer & food pairings and new recipes and to help fans cook up some memorable experiences." As part of the partnership Sheryl Yuengling, 6th generation family member and graduate of the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts, and Chef Kelsey, have combined their experience and passions for cooking to develop brand new, custom recipes that feature the bold flavors of Yuengling's iconic beers, including Yuengling Traditional Lager, Golden Pilsner and Oktoberfest. Foodies and Yuengling fans alike can view these special recipes at www.yuengling.com/food and create their own meals for special occasions, from intimate dinners with loved ones to legendary Big Game parties. "Yuengling has been a key ingredient for brewing good times for nearly 200 years," said Sheryl Yuengling, 6th generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. "We are excited to continue creating unforgettable moments for our fans through our partnership with renowned chef Kelsey Barnard Clark. Kelsey and I have had the pleasure of developing our own recipes for the past several months, and we can't wait for our fans to pair these full-flavored creations with their favorite Yuengling beers." Fans will also have a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime exclusive VIP Dinner Event, hosted and catered by Kelsey and Sheryl, in Yuengling's iconic hand-dug caves at the America's Oldest Brewery in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Additionally, beer and food lovers will have the opportunity to create Kelsey and Sheryl's specialty recipes in their own kitchens by entering for a chance to win a year-long supply of groceries at CookwithYuengling.com. Whether it's the six generations and nearly 200 years that Yuengling has been family-owned and operated, or Kelsey's hometown of Dothan, Alabama, where her love of cooking was first born, for Sheryl Yuengling and Kelsey, family comes first. Kelsey's deep family roots and love for Yuengling makes her the perfect brand ambassador who not only shares Yuengling's family values, but also understands how to incorporate Yuengling's authentic flavors into amazing dishes that are perfect for home and social gatherings. Fans are also encouraged to keep their eyes out as Kelsey will be featured on various point of sale items throughout Yuengling's 22-state footprint and make appearances to meet and cook for Yuengling's biggest fans. To view hi-res images and videos: To stay up-to-date on all exciting announcements and fan opportunities, follow Kelsey's social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter. For more information about the Yuengling brand, visit Yuengling.com or follow @Yuengling on Facebook, @Yuengling_Beer on Twitter and @YuenglingBeer on Instagram. About D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., America's Oldest Brewery, is family-owned and operated since 1829. Now sold in 22 states, production is supported by two breweries in Pottsville, PA and one in Tampa, FL. Principal beer brands include Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Black & Tan, Premium, Light, Dark Brewed Porter, Lord Chesterfield Ale, Oktoberfest and the new Golden Pilsner. Get news, updates and access media images at https://www.yuengling.com/news. About Kelsey Barnard Clark Kelsey Barnard Clark is a born and raised southerner from Dothan, Alabama. She got her start in the food industry as a mere middle schooler with a baking obsession and did her first catering gig at 16. Kelsey left the deep south for a few years to learn from world-class chefs at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She fine-tuned her skills working for Manhattan's top restaurants Cafe Boulud and Dovetail before returning to her roots in Alabama to launch her business, now known as KBC. Expanding her accolades even more, Kelsey was the winner of season 16 of Top Chef. Kelsey's passion is whole food, prepared classically and plated with big city flair. About Sheryl Yuengling Sheryl graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Environmental Studies. Following graduation, she joined the family business in 2001. Sheryl has nearly 20 years of experience working for the family business in a number of departments. In addition to the family business, Sheryl has a passion for cooking. In 2011, she secured an Associate in Specialized Business at the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts. Contact: Jessica Seiders Eddie Ravert Communications Manager Tierney Agency [email protected] [email protected] 570-622-0153 Ext 1541 610-731-7229 SOURCE D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. Related Links https://www.yuengling.com New Delhi, Jan 14 : E-commerce major Amazon's global CEO Jeff Bezos, who is visiting India, paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on Tuesday. Bezos, who is ranked amongst top most global billionaires, shared a video of his visit to Raj Ghat on Twitter. In the video, Bezos, wearing a traditional Indian attire of white kurta-pajama and orange Indian high-necked waistcoat, is seen laying a wreath on the memorial site. "Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi," his tweet said. Bezos is on a three-day India visit starting from Tuesday. He is likely to attend an event here organsied by Amazon for MSMEs. He is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition, he is also likely to meet top Indian businessmen and Bollywood celebrities in Mumbai. Bezos' India visit comes at a time when the e-commerce player is facing an anti-trust investigation on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-up with preferred sellers, in India. It had faced similar investigations in the EU and the US. On Monday, in a major setback ahead of Bezos' visit, fair market watchdog, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an enquiry into the operations of both Amazon and Flipkart on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-up with preferred sellers. Finding merit in the allegations leveled by traders' body Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, the Commission on Monday asked its Director General (DG) to complete the investigation in 60 days from the receipt of the order. Meanwhile, traders across 300 cities of the country have planned to hold protests under the aegis of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) during Bezos' visit. 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. Long term investing is the way to go, but that doesn't mean you should hold every stock forever. We really hate to see fellow investors lose their hard-earned money. Imagine if you held Applied Graphene Materials plc (LON:AGM) for half a decade as the share price tanked 92%. We also note that the stock has performed poorly over the last year, with the share price down 58%. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 14% in the last three months. We really feel for shareholders in this scenario. It's a good reminder of the importance of diversification, and it's worth keeping in mind there's more to life than money, anyway. View our latest analysis for Applied Graphene Materials We don't think Applied Graphene Materials's revenue of UK50,000 is enough to establish significant demand. You have to wonder why venture capitalists aren't funding it. As a result, we think it's unlikely shareholders are paying much attention to current revenue, but rather speculating on growth in the years to come. It seems likely some shareholders believe that Applied Graphene Materials will significantly advance the business plan before too long. As a general rule, if a company doesn't have much revenue, and it loses money, then it is a high risk investment. There is almost always a chance they will need to raise more capital, and their progress - and share price - will dictate how dilutive that is to current holders. While some such companies do very well over the long term, others become hyped up by promoters before eventually falling back down to earth, and going bankrupt (or being recapitalized). Some Applied Graphene Materials investors have already had a taste of the bitterness stocks like this can leave in the mouth. Applied Graphene Materials had cash in excess of all liabilities of UK5.1m when it last reported (July 2019). That's not too bad but management may have to think about raising capital or taking on debt, unless the company is close to breaking even. With the share price down 40% per year, over 5 years , it seems likely that the need for cash is weighing on investors' minds. You can see in the image below, how Applied Graphene Materials's cash levels have changed over time (click to see the values). You can click on the image below to see (in greater detail) how Applied Graphene Materials's cash levels have changed over time. Story continues AIM:AGM Historical Debt, January 14th 2020 In reality it's hard to have much certainty when valuing a business that has neither revenue or profit. What if insiders are ditching the stock hand over fist? I would feel more nervous about the company if that were so. It only takes a moment for you to check whether we have identified any insider sales recently. A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 19% in the last year, Applied Graphene Materials shareholders lost 58%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 40% over the last half decade. We realise that Buffett has said investors should 'buy when there is blood on the streets', but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - Applied Graphene Materials has 5 warning signs (and 3 which are concerning) we think you should know about. But note: Applied Graphene Materials may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on GB exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. By PTI NEW DELHI: The BJP on Tuesday asked the Congress to explain if it had any doubt about who were behind the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed last year, and said the opposition party is "best at attacking India and protecting Pakistan". BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit out at the opposition party after its leaders cited the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir police DSP Davinder Singh for his links to terrorists to take a swipe at the RSS and to allege a "larger conspiracy" in the Pulwama attack. "I want to ask Sonia Gandhi and Rahul if they have any doubt about perpetrators of Pulwama attack. If you believe Pakistan was not behind it, then you should tell us clearly as to who were involved," Patra said at a press conference. Rahul Gandhi is working like an ally of Pakistan, he said, accusing the Congress of linking religion to terror attacks to target Hindus and said the party has a history of doing so. Congress leaders has invented terms like "saffron terror" and "Hindu terror", and had linked the RSS to Mumabi terror attack, Patra said. Linking the Congress to Pakistan, Patra said there are "too many coincidences" that shows a conspiracy. "The Congress is best at attacking India and defending and protecting Pakistan," he said. While Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in his tweets wondered about the real culprits involved in the last year Pulwama attack, his party colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala asked if Singh was a mere pawn and sought clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Surjewala also alleged a larger conspiracy. Patra also recited limericks to liken the Congress to a "betrayer" and a python which devours its mother. Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and Hafiz Sayeed, chief of terror organisation LeT, will soon be praising the Congress for its leaders' statements, he claimed. The Congress on Tuesday asked several questions related to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh, who was arrested a few days ago. The party stated that there is a larger conspiracy behind his arrest. Addressing a press conference here, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala stated that Congress had asked the government some questions, and it wants them answered. "Who is Davinder Singh? What is his connection to Hizbul and other Jammu and Kashmir terrorists? For how long has he been acting as a conduit for Jammu and Kashmir terrorists as also may be other terror factory? Wasn't Davinder Singh connected to the 2001 and what is his connection, if at all, to the 2001 Parliament attack? What is Davinder Singh's connection to Pulwama attack where over 40 Jawans lost their lives when Davinder Singh was DSP?" Surjewala asked. "Davinder Singh admittedly was bringing two terrorists and one conduit in his car to Delhi which police and government now says in lieu of Rs 12 lakh. I find the story preposterous and I find this explanation as hogwash. There is a larger conspiracy - at whose instance was Davinder Singh acting and bringing terrorists to Delhi as has been reported in many newspapers today. Are there any people who are in echelons of power who are involved with him? Is there is a larger conspiracy, is he only a small pawn or a carrier in the larger conspiracy that is unleashed," he added. Surjewala stated that these are questions that the Home Minister and the Prime Minister need to answer and added that Davinder Singh "cannot be a standalone carrier carrying terrorists to Delhi for the possible attack on the 26th January function." Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier today clarified that Davinder Singh has not been awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). "It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J & K State on Independence Day 2018," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet. "For his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwama on 25/26 Aug 2017 when he was posted there as DySP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts," it continued. On January 12, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that during an operation in Shopian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants. Vijay Kumar, Inspector General (IG) of Police had said, "Yesterday, during an operation in Shopian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants, while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the Highway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MOORESTOWN, N.J. - To get to the big man, you had to get past the toughs. Guys with calloused hands and hard-set jaws, massed there at the bar in the Rickshaw, a mob hangout with a pagoda on the roof, across from the racetrack in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. "What are you doin' here?" they asked, not in a welcoming manner, when the young lawyer walked in. "I'm here to see Frank," said the lawyer, a 33-year-old with hangdog eyes and a perfect part named Glenn Zeitz. "It was like the Red Sea parted," Zeitz, now semiretired, recalled one recent morning, looking back on that day 40 years ago. The big man came into view at the other side of the bar, a glass of red wine in his hand, a 6-foot-4 inch, 250-pound hulk. Frank Sheeran - known as "Big Irish," the Teamsters honcho, the legend. Sheeran only wanted to know a few things before hiring his new lawyer. Was Zeitz mostly a skirt chaser or mostly a drinker? Zeitz answered by ordering a Crown Royal. The other thing he wanted to know is whether Zeitz would promise to pound two ideas into the heads of the feds and the public: Sheeran would never be a rat and, most important, he had nothing to do with the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa,his boss, the Teamsters powerhouse. That settled, Sheeran handed Zeitz an envelope. It had $10,000 in cash inside. The brief encounter set in motion a decades-long business and personal relationship that still gnaws at Zeitz. Over the years - one of Sheeran's daughters and, on occasion, Sheeran himself - have suggested that Sheeran killed Hoffa, a claim that would put to rest one of the great mysteries in American criminal history. In all that time, Sheeran's tendency to tell many versions of the Hoffa disappearance cut into his credibility, even after he purportedly confessed to the crime shortly before his 2003 death. But the notion of the big man as Hoffa's executioner has never been given a greater platform and more promotion than it has in the last few weeks with the unveiling of the blockbuster Netflix film, "The Irishman," starring Robert De Niro as Sheeran and Al Pacino as Hoffa. The film, which garnered 10 Oscars nominations, is based on the 2004 book "I Heard You Paint Houses" by a former prosecutor, crime novelist and erstwhile attorney of Sheeran's, Charles Brandt. Both the book and the film unequivocally portray Sheeran as Hoffa's killer, as well as fingering him as the killer of "Crazy Joe" Gallo, the victim in one of the most notorious unsolved killings in Mafia history. The film, like many movies that depict real people and events, is once again raising questions about how the public consumes history, and whether a disputed or skewed version of events shown on the screen can become received wisdom. Since the publication of "I Heard You Paint Houses," Zeitz has quietly nursed an obsession, in a sense building a defense of Sheeran, acting as his old friend's posthumous lawyer. Zeitz hired a private investigator and consulted a pricey legal-ethics adviser to determine what he could reveal without violating the attorney-client privilege, which extends beyond death. Recently Zeitz opened his massive private archive to The Washington Post - boxes piled in the basement and the private office of his Moorestown estate filled with thousands of documents, including never-before-seen handwritten notes and bawdy greeting cards Sheeran sent to Zeitz, previously undisclosed investigation reports, and memos so old that the staples have gone rusty. Zeitz's argument is plain, dovetailing with numerous Hoffa experts, as well as former FBI agents involved in the Hoffa case: The movie and the book got it wrong. Brandt did not respond to multiple interview requests. "Charles Brandt and I are confident of his book's veracity and there is plenty of evidence to support our belief," his publisher, Chip Fleischer of Steerforth Press, said via email. "As a former chief deputy attorney general of the state of Delaware, homicide investigator, homicide prosecutor, criminal defense attorney specializing in homicide and a recognized expert on interrogating reluctant witnesses, Charlie has brought all of his knowledge and experience to bear in order to try to ensure that only the truth made it into his book." - - - Frank Sheeran was a truck driver and meat delivery man in the 1950s when he befriended Russell Bufalino, a powerful Philadelphia mob boss who is portrayed by Joe Pesci in "The Irishman." Bufalino introduced Sheeran to Jimmy Hoffa and the big man became a top union official and a close confidant of the Teamsters boss, who was then one of the most influential and famous people in United States. In Brandt's book, which the author says is derived from taped interviews, Sheeran claims that the first words Hoffa ever said to him were, "I heard you paint houses." "The paint is the blood that supposedly gets on the wall or the floor when you shoot somebody," Sheeran says in the book. The catchy phrase became the title of Brandt's book, which boasts of "closing the case on Jimmy Hoffa." But the idea that any mobster actually used the phrase in real life has been greeted with derision by Hoffa experts. Among those who have written scathing takedowns of the film and book are mob experts, such as Bill Tonelliin Slate.com, and Jack Goldsmith, the Harvard law professor and former George W. Bush administration assistant attorney general, who is the stepson of the Chuckie O'Brien, the Hoffa aide who is portrayed in the film and book as driving the Teamsters leader to the house where he was killed. Three veteran FBI agents who worked the Hoffa case told Zeitz's private investigator that they never heard the phrase during their surveillance of Sheeran and his mob associates or in any other organized crime case during their long careers around the country, according to written confidential investigation reports included in Zeitz's documents cache that have never been disclosed publicly and were obtained by The Post after being stored in secure locations for years. Netflix declined interview requests for screenwriter Steve Zaillian, De Niro and director Martin Scorsese. In a recent interview with Indiewire, De Niro references remarks made by Scorsese to address doubts about the film: "As Marty says, 'We're not saying we're telling the actual story. We're telling our story. I believed it.'" - - - The essential event in both the book and the movie is the disappearance of Hoffa in July 1975. A generation of investigative reporters, crime buffs, law enforcement officials and authors have tried to solve the mystery. Sheeran was long considered a significant figure with inside knowledge about the saga, but few considered him Hoffa's killer. Sheeran kept inserting himself into the saga, dropping tantalizing hints. But there was a problem: Sheeran couldn't keep his story straight. "Frank was prone to say just about anything," Zeitz said. Indeed, as the years went along, and he lost touch with Zeitz, Sheeran spun many a yarn about Hoffa. He said two Sicilian war orphans killed Hoffa. He said Vietnamese mercenaries killed him. He said a hit on Hoffa was ordered by high-ranking officials in the Republican Party or the Nixon White House, or Nixon's attorney general, John Mitchell. He could be aggressive in denying involvement. An attorney of his once threatened to sue Dan Moldea, a Washington-based, leading Hoffa expert, for suggesting Sheeran was connected to the disappearance. Sheeran tried to sell a book proposal using a forged letter from Hoffa. He and a co-author churned out a manuscript asserting that Hoffa was killed by the mobster Salvatore "Sally Bugs" Briguglio - a theory endorsed by some Hoffa disappearance experts. (Even the title of that manuscript raises questions. It's called "Stand Up Guy: Frank 'Big Irish' Sheeran," according to Moldea, who has access to the manuscript. "The Irishman" wasn't Sheeran's nickname, according to Zeitz and many others.) At the time of Hoffa's disappearance, the Teamsters leader was trying to wrest back control of the union after serving long prison stints for jury tampering and fraud. The Teamsters had been taken over by Frank Fitzsimmons, a union boss who'd gained favor with mob figures who were believed to favor him over Hoffa, who'd been publicly critical of organized crime. Hoffa was last seen getting into a car outside Detroit. Sheeran, Bufalino and other alleged organized crime figures were on their way to the same city for a wedding. The disappearance sparked a sprawling investigation that kept coming up empty. Zeitz, now 72, says he is of the "belief and opinion" that Sheeran was "in the vicinity" of Hoffa's disappearance. Zeitz added, based on his access to FBI records and other research, that "I'm clearly stating he did not shoot Jimmy Hoffa." The FBI had its suspicions about Sheeran, naming him as one of many suspects in Hoffa's disappearance in a later-declassified memo that mentions him only briefly while focusing more attention on other possible killers and conspirators. Eric Shawn, a Fox News anchor and host of Fox Nation's "Riddle: The Search for James R. Hoffa," has pressed the government to release documents that remain hidden or heavily redacted, such as a Department of Justice memo that says Sally Bugs got the "actual assignment" to kill Hoffa. "The truth is in the FBI files," Shawn said in an interview. "We should all know what the FBI is hiding." In 1979, four years after Hoffa's disappearance, Sheeran was indicted on unrelated charges of ordering the killing of two union leaders. Zeitz represented a reputed mobster, known as Lou Buttons, who was never convicted of mob-related activity and had been indicted along with Sheeran, but tried separately. Both men were found not guilty in a Philadelphia federal court. Zeitz had caught Sheeran's eye. A few months after he was acquitted, Sheeran was indicted again, this time in a massive multi-defendant labor racketeering case in a Delaware federal court. That's when he summoned Zeitz to the bar at the Rickshaw, the Cherry Hill mob hangout. A fellow attorney, James Schwartzman, had recommended Zeitz, in part because he was the only attorney he could think of whom Sheeran couldn't drink under the table. - - - The atmosphere was charged in those days. A mob war was raging in Philadelphia. The famed mob boss, Angelo Bruno, "the Gentle Don," had been gunned down outside his home. Zeitz was stepping deeper into a dangerous world. Both Zeitz and Sheeran worried that they were being surveilled. They used codes to arrange their meetings, which took place at tables stacked with Sheeran's wine bottles and Zeitz's Crown Royals. The code referred to the last meal they'd eaten together at the place. It could be rigatoni marinara or ossobuco at places such as La Veranda and Cous' Little Italy, a South Philly mob hangout where the alleged mobster Frank "the Barracuda" Sindone was killed. Zeitz needed to maintain a list of each meal to keep it all straight. Sheeran's life was quickly unraveling. With Zeitz as his attorney, he was convicted in the face of overwhelming evidence in the Delaware federal racketeering case. He was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. He was also convicted in a Delaware state court and sentenced to 14 more years, while being represented by another attorney, of ordering an FBI informant named Charlie Allen to blow up a crane company and assault the firm's owner. In his plea deal, Allen portrayed himself as an underling who took orders from Sheeran. Allen admitted to committing crimes at the behest of Sheeran - the murder of a labor organizer, conspiracy to commit two other murders, arson and a hotel bombing. He also pleaded guilty to conspiring with Hoffa to kill Fitzsimmons, Hoffa's Teamsters rival, and other unnamed people. But, in Allen's plea, he never accuses Sheeran of being a triggerman. Zeitz points to the plea to support his contention that Sheeran served in a management capacity overseeing killings and beatings, but did not - as he is portrayed in "The Irishman" - act as an assassin himself. From prison in the early and mid-1980s, Sheeran sent long, plaintive letters to Zeitz, complaining about his treatment behind bars or bouncing around ideas for his federal appeal. He signs one letter, "Your drinking partner, Frank." All these years, Zeitz has kept another letter Sheeran sent him from prison just before Christmas 1985 with some advice on being a father to his sons. On a recent afternoon, Zeitz sat in his cluttered but elegantly appointed home office, and sobbed as he read the letter aloud. "If they compare themselves with others they may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than themselves," Sheeran writes in looping cursive, signing off,"Your friend Frank." The postscript reads: "First drink at the Rickshaw is on you." Stuck in prison, cut off from his union paychecks and pension, and the largesse of his mob friends, Sheeran watched his finances dwindle. But he had one thing - a big thing - that he thought he could sell. - - - In 1991, Brandt and a law partner secured an early release for Sheeran from state prison on medical grounds. Promotional materials for Brandt's book say he'd been hired by "the Philly mob." A free man again, Sheeran set about trying to figure out how to parlay his connection to the Hoffa mystery. Nothing would sell like a clean confession. "Frank from the very beginning wanted to monetize his story," Zeitz said. But, even when he was taking credit for the killing, he was fuzzy on the details. The literary agent Harry Katz told the Philadelphia Daily News that Sheeran had claimed to have shot Hoffa in a car, then driven the body to a waste treatment facility, where it was incinerated. In the Brandt book, Sheeran claims to have shot Hoffa in the back of the head in a Detroit home. There is no ambiguity in the "Irishman," though: De Niro's Sheeran shoots Pacino's Hoffa twice. In the 1990s, Sheeran entered into a deal with Brandt to share profits on the book that became "I Heard You Paint Houses." The book is derived, according to Brandt, from interviews conducted over a five-year period leading up to Sheeran's death in 2003. (Brandt and his publisher declined to provide samples of the video interviews to The Post. Andrew Sluss, an FBI agent who reviewed the tapes, told the Lawfare blog that "the video I saw of Sheeran was a laughable, sad, desperate attempt to create a record.") Sheeran's credibility has come under assault since the publication of the book. Numerous details attributed to Sheeran are disputed by FBI agents involved in the Hoffa investigation who were interviewed by Richard Macko, a retired FBI agent whom Zeitz hired as his private investigator. In one dramatic scene, Sheeran describes a confrontation with Allen in which the informant asks him whether he killed Jimmy Hoffa. Sheeran says he was furious and FBI agents monitoring the conversation feared that he was about to "whack" Allen. "The FBI came out of the walls to surround Allen to protect him," Sheeran says. "The restaurant was crawling with agents." John Tamm, the case agent in multiple Sheeran probes, told Zeitz's investigator that Sheeran and Allen never had a discussion "regarding the murder or disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa" while Allen was wearing a wire for the FBI, according to a lengthy 2017 memo in Zeitz's archive that has never been disclosed publicly. Sheeran's most sensational claims were also vigorously disputed, according to lengthy private memos that lay out the results of the probe conducted by Zeitz's investigator. James Maher, one of four agents monitoring Allen, called Sheeran a union "thug and not a hit man," according to the investigator's reports. "It does not make any sense that he did (it) because with such a high-profile 'hit' it would have had to be either a 'made' guy or someone who took the job to be 'made,' " Maher said, using a term that refers to people who have been initiated into the Mafia, a designation available only to Italians. In Brandt's book, however, Sheeran is portrayed as operating at the highest levels of the Mafia. One section claims that Sheeran is accused of being one of only two non-Italian members of the Mafia's ruling body - the Commission of La Cosa Nostra - in a late-1980s civil racketeering lawsuit filed by Rudy Giuliani, then the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Another section says the suit accuses him of acting "in concert with" the ruling commission. In fact, the suit makes neither accusation, according to an attorney who handled the case for Giuliani's office and who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. The FBI agents interviewed by Zeitz's investigator were equally unimpressed by Sheeran's claim in the Brandt book to have killed Crazy Joe Gallo, an infamous hit that took place during a 1972 birthday dinner for the mobster at Umberto's Clam House in New York's Little Italy, and is still talked about. The FBI had long thought that Italian assassins did the hit. Tamm called the idea that Sheeran committed the killing "preposterous," noting that he would have stood out to witnesses because he was "a big imposing man ... with a pockmarked face, ruddy complexion, bulbous nose and meat-hook hands." Brandt, however, writes that Sheeran's account of the Gallo killing was corroborated in the mid-2000s by an editor at the New York Times who had witnessed the execution when she was a teenager. Two persons familiar with her account identified the woman as the veteran journalist Joan Nassivera. Nassivera declined to be interviewed. Brandt's book has become a bestseller. The book is bolstered by an assertion from the famed forensic pathologist Michael Baden that it "solves" the Hoffa mystery. In an interview with The Post, Baden said he reviewed written reports, including Sheeran's purported confession, but no physical evidence. Baden added that he would be unwilling to testify under oath that the facts supported Sheeran's claim. The book also places heavy emphasis on comments by Robert Garrity, an FBI agent in the Hoffa investigation, who is quoted saying the FBI always "liked" Sheeran for the Hoffa killing. In a brief interview with The Post, Garrity said he'd had a change of heart. "I've since come to believe that's not true," he said. - - - Brandt's book eventually caught the attention of someone who really mattered in Hollywood - De Niro, who has played some of the big screen's most unforgettable organized crime figures. In 2008, DeNiro and Scorsese announced a deal to adapt "I Heard You Paint Houses" into a feature film. Word of those plans was greeted with puzzlement among the legions of Hoffa-disappearance enthusiasts. De Niro traveled to Washington to attend an annual writers' dinner hosted by Moldea, the Hoffa expert and author, at the Old Europe restaurant in the Glover Park neighborhood. Moldea and De Niro sat at a table near the restaurant's cuckoo clock to talk. "He started saying, 'This is the story,' " Moldea recalled in an interview. "This is what happened to Jimmy Hoffa." "I said, 'Bob, you're getting conned if you believe that.' " Moldea said he was surprised at how little De Niro knew about the facts of the case. "He got his back up. He was steaming," Moldea says. "He was convinced." De Niro confirmed in an Indiewire interview that he was warned by Moldea: "I wasn't getting conned." Years later, Moldea has taken to playing the movie on a continuous loop at his home office in Washington. "I like the movie," Moldea said. "But it was based on BS. Good movie, terrible history." Zeitz made his way to New York City to watch "The Irishman" at a film festival before it was released on Netflix. He liked it, too. Except, that is, for the portrayal of Sheeran as a ruthless and frequent hit man who pumps two bullets into Hoffa. In his office, surrounded by boxes of documents about his old friend, Zeitz sometimes imagines what it would be like if Sheeran were still around to see "The Irishman." "If he could come back and we could watch the movie together," Zeitz said, "we'd be laughing our butts off." (Newser) The House is preparing to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate to start the historic trial, several people tell the AP. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was meeting privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade almost a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case, according to a Democratic aide. The action will launch the rare Senate proceeding, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year. story continues below Pelosi has argued that the delay was justified by John Bolton's offer to testify for the Senate, and the emergence of details about aid to Ukraine, per USA Today. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday that it would be impractical to sent the impeachment articles before Wednesday, because three senators are debating in tonight's presidential debate in Iowa, CNN reports. The trial would begin in a matter of days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is meeting behind closed doors later Tuesday with GOP senators as they negotiate the terms of the trial. Senate Republicans are signaling they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump, as the president has suggested. (Read more Trump impeachment stories.) There are 218 cities with a typical home value of at least $1 million, three more than in December 2018. Seven new cities joined the list, but four saw home values decline below the $1 million threshold in 2019 as the market slowed, the first time since 2016 that any cities fell off the list. More than half of these $1 million cities are in the San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles metros. There are currently 218 million-dollar cities in the U.S. cities with a typical home value of $1 million or more three more than at the end of 2018 and 74 more than there were five years ago. The net addition of three $1 million cities is easily the lowest in recent years, a reflection of the slower market last year. The typical home value in seven cities broached the mythical $1 million mark during the course of 2019 Santa Ynez, Calif.; Telluride, Colo.; Forest Hills, Tenn.; Sierra Madre, Calif.; McLean, Va.; Moose, Wyo.; and Redondo Beach, Calif. The typical home value in four previously $1 million dropped below the $1 million threshold San Jose, Calif.; San Quentin, Calif.; Lexington Hills, Calif.; and Laie, Hawaii. net new million dollar cities over time This is the first year since 2016 in which any cities fell off the $1 million list, as home values declined in some expensive areas after a period of extreme price growth. An average of just under 20 cities a year broke the $1 million threshold from 2014-2018, including a high of 25 in 2017 when home value growth was approaching 7% per year. Odd though it may seem, it's the cities at the top that are 'struggling' the most as the market slowly returns to a more balanced normal. More than just slower growth, home values good and truly fell in many of these luxury hubs, a sign that the excessive home value appreciation of the past several years drove prices too high even beyond the reach of those who could afford almost anything almost anywhere else. Cities in the San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles metros dominate the list of $1 million communities. More than half of all $1 million cities come from just these three metros 46 in San Francisco, 43 in New York and 30 in Los Angeles. Boston (10), San Jose (10) and Miami (7) have the next-most. Story continues markets with the most million-dollar cities If current rates of appreciation hold throughout 2020, 11 cities that just missed out in 2019 will join the $1 million club next year Needham, Mass.; Edgartown, Mass.; Longport, N.J.; and East Pasadena, Glen Ellen, Alameda, View Park-Windsor Hills, Avila Beach, Clayton, Carmel Valley and Dana Point, all in California. Five cities will lose their $1 million status in 2020, assuming their current rates of decline hold true. They are Kailua, Hawaii; Milpitas, Calif.; Harding Township, N.J.; Daly City, Calif; and Fremont, Calif. The post There are 218 Million-Dollar Cities in the U.S., But the Stream of New Entrants is Running Dry appeared first on Zillow Research. Google on Tuesday paid homage to poet, screenwriter, and social change advocate Kaifi Azmi on his 101st birthday with a colourful doodle. Born Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi on this day in 1919 in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, Azmi became one of the most renowned poets of the 20th century in the country through his passionate love poems and activist verses. One of his most famous works, "Aurat", which advocates for women's rights and equality, has become an oft recited poem at the ongoing anti-CAA protests in the country. "At age 11, he composed his first poem, a ghazal-style piece. Inspired by Gandhi's 1942 Quit India freedom movement, he later left for Bombay (now Mumbai) to write for an Urdu newspaper. "He then published his first collection of poems, 'Jhankar' (1943), as well as became a member of the influential Progressive Writers' Association that used writing to try to achieve socioeconomic reforms," the search engine giant said in a blog post. The activist-poet won numerous awards for his contributions including three Filmfare Awards for his script, dialogues and lyrics for M S Sathyu's iconic "Garm Hawa"(1973), He was also awarded with the prestigious Padma Shri Award, and one of the highest literary honors, the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship. The poet breathed his last on May 10, 2002. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The country is witnessing huge turmoil on these issues (CAA, NRC and NPR), Nitish said, adding that we should keep in mind that NRC was an exercise confined to Assam as part of the accord signed by the Rajiv Gandhi government. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is the latest chief minister to have spoken out strongly against the proposal of a nationwide updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). From the point of view of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the opposition to the move by Nitish an important ally would possibly be the most worrying. Nitish had on Monday asserted that a nationwide implementation of the NRC was needless and had no justification. He made these remarks on the floor of the state Assembly. The country is witnessing huge turmoil on these issues (CAA, NRC and NPR), Nitish said, adding that we should keep in mind that NRC was an exercise confined to Assam as part of the accord signed by the Rajiv Gandhi government. This is not the first time Nitish has taken a differing stand on the issue. In fact, on 20 December, he had specifically said that the process will not be implemented in Bihar. On Monday, Kumar said, "A nationwide NRC would be needless (koi zarurat nahi hai) and has no justification (koi auchitya nahi hai). We do not think any such thing is going to take place. I think the prime minister, too, has spoken clearly on this." While Narendra Modi had indeed said that the government has not discussed a nationwide NRC, the claim has been met with suspicion by Opposition parties. Several of them pointed out that home minister Amit Shah had announced in the Rajya Sabha that there would be a nationwide NRC. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioned why the BJP's Twitter handle deleted an old post by Shah in which he hinted at a nationwide NRC. Even now, the BJP seems to be speaking in multiple voices on the subject. On 6 January, the West Bengal BJP in its booklet claimed that after implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the register of citizens will be in the pipeline. This confusion does little to assuage allies like the Janata Dal (United), which has consistently positioned itself as a party that cares about minorities and seeks their electoral support. An instance of this is Nitish's statement during his Jal Jeevan Hariyali Yatra, "I guarantee the safeguard of the interests of minorities in Bihar. Nothing bad will happen to them as long as I am around." However, it is important to note that despite all these statements, the JD(U) voted in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act when it faced the crucial test of the Rajya Sabha. The JD(U) is not the only BJP ally to have voiced its opposition to the NRC or the Citizenship Amendment Act. Another key NDA member, the Shiromani Akali Dal, has voiced concerns about the CAA and has said that it should include Muslims as well. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal had said on 21 December, 2019, "I am speaking on behalf of my party and the party is very clear that the Government of India should include them (Muslims) and should come out with an amendment because that what the people feel and is the mood of the nation." "People belonging to all religions reside in our country and this is our strength that they stay together as a team. Why should you exclude (them)?... I personally feel that the Government of India should include them. There should be no exclusion on the basis of religion," he had added. Like the JD(U), the SAD had also voted in favour of the CAA in the Rajya Sabha. Whether the statements of the JD(U) and the SAD are mere optics or whether they will have any concrete effects on political equations will be seen in the times to come. With inputs from PTI Millions of devotees from across the world, including France, Russia and Australia, have flocked to Sagar Island in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas for taking a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Wednesday. Every year during the auspicious occasion, pilgrims converge at Sagar Island, 130 km from Kolkata, to take a religious bath at the confluence of the Hooghly river and the Bay of Bengal and offer prayers at Kapil Muni Ashram. The Gangasagar pilgrimage and fair is considered as the second largest congregation of mankind after the Kumbh Mela. Considering the importance and magnitude of the event, security forces, equipped with CCTVs, hovercraft and copters, have upped their arrangements in the area to ensure all-round safety of the pilgrims. P Ulaganathan, the District Magistrate, said people from across the globe have turned up in large numbers to attend the annual congregation on the occasion of Makar Sankranti - with the administration, this year, using QR code-assisted wrist bands to monitor the crowd. "The mela has recorded a footfall of 21 lakh till yesterday. We expect the numbers to touch 40 lakh. The devotees have come from across the globe, including Nepal, Australia, France and Russia," he told PTI on Tuesday. A total of 20 drones have been deployed to keep a close watch on the pilgrims, he said. "With the completion of Muriganga river dredging project, ferry operations have become smoother, with service being provided to the visitors for 18-20 hours every day," Ulaganathan added. A senior Coast Guard official stated that a team of five divers have been deployed in the area with inflatable boats for carrying out underwater operations, if any. "Apart from that, two hovercraft and six ships are patrolling the seafront. A three-layer security is in place, with air surveillance operations being monitored from Kolkata," Commander of Coast Guard, West Bengal, and its Deputy Inspector General S R Dash said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it has deployed a total of 120 personnel, divided into three teams, for the Gangasagar mela. "The teams are stationed at Sagar Island, Kechuberia and Kakdwip. They also have at their disposal motor boats and deep diving sets," the NDRF said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) S ex Education actors Aimee Lou Wood and Connor Swindells may have played on-screen lovers in season one, but did you know they are actually dating off screen too? Opening season one of the hit Netflix show with a steamy sex scene, Wood and Swindells (who play Aimee and Adam on the show) have already had to deal with more than most couples. As the new season is about to drop on Netflix, we take a look at their relationship so far. Here's the lowdown... Getty Images How did Aimee and Connor meet? Surprise, surprise, the pair met on the set of Sex Education back in 2018. Speaking to the Telegraph, however, Swindells, 23, made it clear that they only began their relationship after filming for the first season concluded. There is no confusion to be had between our sex scenes on the show and our own personal life, he stressed. How long have the Sex Education stars been dating? Wood, 24, first shared a clip of Swindells eating a sandwich on her Instagram on September 3, 2018. The black and white post was captioned: "I had to mouth Denmark #notarealactor". Since, the Sex Education star has posted a series of sweet snaps with her beau - including them dressed up as Scoops Ahoy workers from Stranger Things. Swindells has also flooded his grid with photos of the two of them - he even revealed in a recent pic that he refers to Wood as "The Cherub". Not only have the young actors shared lots of memorable moments, they've attended glamorous events together, such as the Brits and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. What have they said about working together? Not only did Swindells explain that he and Wood waited for filming to conclude to make things official, he has also opened up about filming sex scenes. Speaking about how the show's intimacy director choreographs the scenes, Swindells said: "That way, it's like you're not taking anything from your own life. "When you do that, you get home at the end of the day and you're depressed and you feel vulnerable, because you've just shown people what you do in the most personal, vulnerable situation." PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2020 / James Lukezic, the Executive Managing Director of Old Slip Capital Partners, has over 20 years of experience as a Pension Consultant for Corporations of all sizes. During his career, James Lukezic has encountered many clients who don't know how to go about hiring a financial advisor. He shares a few tips for getting started. It's Important to Ask the Right Questions When people look for a financial advisor, it's essential to ask the right questions. It's vital potential clients go prepared with questions before they meet with a possible financial advisor or they're an analyst on the advisor's team. Asking the right questions often helps people weed out advisors that won't be able to meet their needs. Clients will also get a better sense of how a financial advisor communicates with them based on the answers they give them. If the potential client is not satisfied with the answers, they will decide the advisor is not the right one for them. Learn About the Different Types of Financial Advisors James Lukezic has worked in different sectors in his career as a financial advisor. Before clients settle on the financial advisor that works for them, they need to learn about the different types of financial advisors. Some financial advisors focus on investment management, and others offer financial planning services. Retirement advisors specialize in managing assets and helping their clients plan for retirement. For example, financial planners help their clients save more, while others maintain the investments of clients. Understand the Compensation Process According to James Lukezic, before people search for a financial advisor, they should familiarize themselves with the compensation process. For the most part, most financial advisors are fee-only, but others can also charge an asset-based fee, an hourly fee, or commission fees. By understanding the compensation process, clients will be able to decide what they can afford. Learn About Credentials James Lukezic advises people to verify that potential financial advisors have some of the following credentials; CFP, PFS, or CFA. Getting a reputable financial advisor is one of the most critical steps. Even if the financial advisor has the credentials, potential clients need to double-check for complaints against the advisor. James suggests people check the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA Brokercheck) for any complaints. According to James Lukezic, one of the most important things to keep in mind when seeking a financial advisor is the credentials. James Lukezic has extensive experience working for large financial firms such as Merrill Lynch, Citigroup Global Markets, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. James Lukezic serves as the Chairman of ITF USA, a non-profit organization that assists landmine victims in over 30 countries worldwide. He also has plans to establish a non-profit to help widows in the five boroughs on NYC. CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572953/How-to-Find-a-Financial-Advisor-According-to-James-Lukezic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), left, at a press conference on Capitol Hill on, Dec. 19, 2019 and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) at a media availability on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 7, 2018. (Saul Loeb and Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) Pelosi Withholding Impeachment Articles Achieved Absolutely Nothing: McConnell The delay in submitting the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump achieved absolutely nothing, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Monday. The House impeached Trump on Dec. 18, 2019, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has held the articles without transmitting them to the Senate, preventing an impeachment trial from starting. Im glad the speaker finally realized she never had any leverage in the first place to dictate Senate procedure to senators and is giving in to bipartisan pressure to move forward. In terms of influencing senate proceedings, this strange gambit has achieved absolutely nothing, McConnell said from the Senate floor in Washington on Monday. But it has produced one unintended side effect. The speakers efforts to precommit the Senate to carry on an investigation with which her own House lost patience concedes that the House case is rushed, weak, and incomplete. A number of Democratic lawmakers said last week that Pelosi should send the articles to the Senate, and Pelosi said on Friday that she instructed House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) to prepare a resolution for the submission of the articles. President Donald Trump walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Pelosi said on Sunday that she thought the delay in submitting the articles did accomplish multiple things. Asked about the delay, she said on ABCs This Week that House Democrats wanted the public to see the need for witnesses, witnesses with firsthand knowledge of what happened, documentation which the president has prevented from coming to the Congress as we review this. Its a positive result in terms of additional emails and unredacted information that has come forward, that Bolton has said that he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate, other information that has come forward. And more importantly, raising the profile of the fact that we need to have witnesses and documentation, and if we dont that is a cover-up, she added. House Democrats said they impeached Trump without waiting for the courts to weigh in on legal battles with some close to the president, such as former White House counsel Don McGahn, because Trump represents a danger to the country. After impeaching Trump, Democrats held back the impeachment articles and said the Senate should subpoena some witnesses, including former national security adviser John Bolton. Think about the message it sends when the prosecutors are this desperate to get the judge and jury to redo their homework for them. And think about the separation of powers. The House knowingly, knowingly declined to spend time on legal battles and due process that it would have needed to pursue certain avenues, but now after declining to fight their own fight, they want the senate to precommit ourselves to wage the potentially protracted legal battles on their behalf., McConnell said on Monday. The Senate was never going to precommit ourselves to redoing the prosecutors homework for them, and we were never going to allow the speaker of the house to dictate Senate proceedings to senators. House Democrats have already done enough damage to the precedent, to national unity, and to our institutions of government. The Senate will not be sucked into this precedent-breaking path. WASHINGTON The New Jersey political revenge plot known as Bridgegate came before the highest court in the land on Tuesday, and several justices expressed skepticism that onetime allies of former Gov. Chris Christie had committed federal crimes in the scandal. Three years after two Christie allies were convicted, and even after one of them spent time in prison, the pair asked the high court to overturn the verdict and declare they committed no crime. Surprisingly, Christie himself appeared at Tuesdays hearing. Bridget Anne Kelly, Christies former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, his top executive appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were found guilty of federal charges including conspiracy and fraud in 2016. The charges stemmed from their involvement in a 2013 scheme to reduce the number of access lanes available in Fort Lee, N.J., to commuters approaching the George Washington Bridge from three to one, gridlocking traffic in the town for days. Their goal was to punish the towns mayor for his refusal to endorse Christies reelection campaign, according to evidence from the trial. In order to execute the scheme, the jury found, the defendants and Port Authority official David Wildstein created a bogus story that they were conducting a traffic study. One of the central questions before the court Tuesday was whether Kelly and Baroni had defrauded the government by misusing the resources of a federally funded agency. Some of the justices seemed sympathetic to the defense on that issue. Even if Kelly and Baroni commandeered the lanes for their desired ends, the roads were still being used for public purposes, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said during an hour-long oral argument. In addition, Roberts added, the object of the scheme wasnt to realign the lanes it was to cause traffic jams. In this view, some of the justices suggested, its hard to see how the government was deprived of its property, as the jury found. A decision in the case is expected by the end of June. A decision favorable to the defendants would follow a two-decade long trend in which the high court has narrowed the scope of public corruption prosecutions. In 2016, the court overturned the bribery conviction of Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, a ruling that set a higher bar for public corruption prosecutions involving allegations that an official performed favors in exchange for things of value. The bridge scandal initially erupted in January 2014 just months after Republican Christie won a landslide reelection in the generally blue state when emails surfaced linking the bridge plot to the governors office. Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee, Kelly wrote in an August 2013 email to Wildstein. Got it, he replied. The ensuing outrage and investigations eventually helped sink Christies 2016 presidential ambitions. Christie has long denied knowledge of the plot. Wildstein testified at trial that he and Baroni had bragged to Christie about tremendous traffic problems in Fort Lee while the chaos was unfolding. On Tuesday, the court also questioned the governments contention that Baroni lacked the authority to realign the lanes. At trial, prosecutors alleged that the defendants promoted the sham traffic study as a means to trick career Port Authority officials to carry out the scheme. Through this deception, prosecutors alleged, Kelly and Baroni were able to hijack Port Authority resources for their illegitimate plot. It was that lie about the traffic study that triggered the federal fraud statute, Eric J. Feigin, an attorney for the government, told the court Tuesday. He said the deception showed that the defendants couldnt otherwise implement their plan. But some of the justices suggested the prosecution had failed to prove Baroni lacked the authority to reduce the lanes available to Fort Lee. And even the government conceded that if Baroni did have that authority, he could not have committed property fraud. I see no reason to believe the jury made any such finding that Baroni lacked the authority to realign the lanes, said Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Alito, a former U.S. attorney in New Jersey, said the mere fact of the deception did not prove that Baroni lacked the authority. For example, a public official who hires his brother-in-law might not be truthful about his reasons for doing so. But that doesnt mean the official lacked the power to make that decision, Alito said. Justice Stephen G. Breyer raised another concern: that affirming the convictions would undermine the high courts previous rulings that limited the prosecution of honest services fraud" to cases involving bribes and kickbacks. What we have here is an abuse of power, a political abuse of power" not a federal crime, Kellys attorney Yaakov M. Roth told the justices. Kelly and Baroni were convicted on seven counts each in 2016. After a three-judge panel of the federal appeals court in Philadelphia affirmed most of the convictions in 2018, a judge sentenced Kelly to 13 months in prison and Baroni to 18 months. By the time the Supreme Court agreed last year to hear their appeal, Baroni had already served three months. Wildstein pleaded guilty and cooperated with the government. Both Kelly and Baroni appeared in the courtroom Tuesday, as did Christie. The former governor and his wife, Mary Pat, sat directly in front of Kelly and her lawyers. Christie didnt talk to reporters after the hearing. Outside the courthouse, Kelly, a divorced mother of four, told reporters she was overwhelmed and grateful that the justices had agreed to hear the case, and I am honored to be here today. Much is yet to be determined, but today is about hope and justice, she said. I remain optimistic that both will triumph and our lives can return to normal. After Kelly was sentenced last April, she lashed out at Christie, calling him a bully and warning that the truth would be unescapable for the former governor, "regardless of lucrative television deals or even future campaigns. Of Christies appearance Tuesday, Kelly said: Im glad hes paying attention. Stardust found to be as old as 7 billion years, and provides evidence about the way stars were formed in our galaxy. A meteorite that crashed into rural southeastern Australia in a fireball in 1969 contained the oldest material ever found on Earth, stardust that predated the formation of our solar system by billions of years, scientists said on Monday. The oldest of 40 tiny dust grains trapped inside the meteorite fragments retrieved around the town of Murchison in Victoria state dated from about seven billion years ago, about 2.5 billion years before the sun, Earth and rest of our solar system formed, the researchers said. In fact, all of the dust specks analysed in the research came from before the solar systems formation known as pre-solar grains with 60 percent of them between 4.6 and 4.9 billion years old and the oldest 10 percent dating to more than 5.6 billion years ago. Philipp Heck, curator of meteorites at Chicagos Field Museum which has a piece of the meteorite in its collection, examined the pre-solar grains. Theyre solid samples of stars, real stardust, Heck, who led the research published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said in a statement. When the first stars died after two billion years of life they left behind the stardust, which formed into the block which fell to earth as the meteorite in Australia. The findings were extremely exciting, he added. How stars formed Although researchers first identified the grains in 1987 their age could not be determined. But Heck and other colleagues recently used a new method to date these grains, which are microscopic in size. They are from silicon carbide, the first mineral formed when a star cools. The findings provide clues on how stars are formed and develop [File: Gilles Chapdelaine/ESA/NASA and Hubble handout via EPA] To separate the ancient grains from the relatively younger ones, scientists crushed fragments of the meteorite into a powder. Then they dissolved it in acid, which left only the pre-solar particles. Its like burning down the haystack to find the needle, says Heck. When dust is in space it is exposed to cosmic rays which slowly change its composition. This allows researchers to date it. Ten years ago, only 20 grains from the meteorite were dated by a different method. Now, researchers have been able to determine the age of 40 grains, most of which are between 4.6 billion and 4.9 billion years old. These ages correspond to the moment when the first stars began to break up, and since that type of star lived for two to 2.5 billion years, the stardust can be as old as seven billion years. These are the oldest solid materials ever found, and they tell us about how stars formed in our galaxy, Heck said. The new dating by this team confirms an astronomical theory which predicted a baby boom of stars before the formation of our sun, instead of a constant rhythm of star formation. We basically came to the conclusion that there must have been a time in our galaxy when more stars formed than normal, and at the end of their lives they become dust producing, Heck told AFP news agency. Scientists previously had found a pre-solar grain in the Murchison meteorite that was about 5.5 billion years old, until now the oldest-known solid material on Earth. The oldest-known minerals that formed on Earth are found in rock from Australias Jack Hills that formed 4.4 billion years ago, 100 million years after the planet itself. A few months from now, there is a real chance that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will be the Democratic nominee for president. There is also a real chance that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will be the nominee. One thing is certain: It cannot be both of them. So it shouldn't be surprising that the two candidates longtime friends and political allies, we've been told have started taking shots at each other now that the Iowa caucuses are just a few weeks away. There is a more-in-sadness-than-in-anger quality to the fight that is now bubbling up, but the fight was inevitable nonetheless. Elections are winner-take-all affairs. The losers go home. After a year of campaigning and debating, neither Sanders nor Warren want to go home. In our system, you can't do politics without dabbling in conflict and contrasts. Let's back up and explain how we got to this point. The New York Times and CNN both reported, using anonymous sources, on a 2018 meeting in which Sanders purportedly told Warren that a woman cannot win the 2020 presidential election against President Trump. Sanders denied the allegation calling it "ludicrous" but Warren confirmed the story. "I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry," Warren said. It probably isn't a coincidence that the Times and CNN stories appeared about a day after Politico reported the Sanders campaign was distributing anti-Warren talking points to campaign staffers, instructing them to tell Democratic primary voters that Warren has little chance of appealing to swing voters in a campaign against Trump. Sanders offered a non-denial denial. "We have hundreds of employees. Elizabeth Warren has hundreds of employees," he told the Times. "And people sometimes say things that they shouldn't." Why shouldn't they? It's true that plenty of Democrats are nervous about the prospect of open disagreement between Sanders and Warren worried that a battle between the two will divide the party or give Trump ammunition to use during the general election campaign next fall. "You both are progressive champs & our movement needs to see you working together to defeat your corporate Dem opponents not attack each other," Democracy for America tweeted on Monday, pleading for unity. "Progressives will win in 2020, but only if we don't let the corporate wing or Trump divide us." In other words, progressive Democrats want unity, now. Story continues But that's impossible. The voting hasn't started yet. For Sanders to win, Warren will have to lose and vice versa. It's possible that both of them might lose to former Vice President Joe Biden. No matter what scenario you conjure, though, the end result is the same: There can be only one winner. To win elections, politicians like Sanders and Warren must prove to voters that they are better than the other candidates, even if those candidates are otherwise friends. That message inherently means the other candidates are worse. Sometimes campaigns, especially in primaries, leave that contrast implicit and Sanders and Warren have gone to great lengths until now to avoid criticizing each other but usually the "I'm-better-they're-worse" message is made explicit indeed. The process is divisive. That process doesn't automatically give Republicans a win over Democrats. Sanders gave Hillary Clinton a bruising battle for the Democratic nomination in 2016, but she still won the popular vote against Trump. Clinton, in turn, offered hard criticisms of Barack Obama during the 2008 primaries and he won the general election rather easily. So Democratic fears about the Sanders-Warren divide are probably overblown. Indeed, what those recent campaigns prove is that unity is possible in primary campaigns, but usually only after a victor has been crowned and the other candidates and their supporters have accepted their losses and are ready to be team players again. Sanders campaigned for Clinton in 2016; Clinton became Obama's secretary of state. Most polls rank Sanders and Warren among the top three Democratic candidates. Each is vying to become the progressive choice for voters who reject Biden's moderation. So this battle was coming, sooner or later. Don't worry, Democrats once the dust has settled, everybody can be friends again, and allies in the effort to remove Trump from office. Until then, though, it's time to do politics. Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com Tom Steyer insists he didn't listen in on the tense Bernie-Warren post-debate moment he wandered into Bernie Sanders tried to shake Elizabeth Warren's hand after the debate. She brushed him off. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon see impeachment angst in Trump's craving for crowds At Christmas time especially, we are reminded that we should always strive to see the humanity in everyone -- even our rivals -- and point out when wrong is wrong, no matter who it is directed toward. Many of you have probably seen an ad on social media or as a flyer in the mail that uses Dr. Seuss-style writing and images to attack Rep. Annette Glenn for threatening term limits. Let me be clear. My team did not have any knowledge of the ads before we first saw them circulating. In fact, when we saw them, we were just as confused as everyone else. By law, we must include the phrase "Paid for By Friends of Sarah Schulz" on all of our materials. A quick look at this one shows it is paid for by a group called "U.S. Term Limits," located in Florida. To our knowledge, Rep. Glenn has done nothing to indicate she is threatening term limits, and the ads offer no factual support of their claim. And the fact that these ads are coming to our community from an outside group based in Melbourne, Florida, is infuriating. Outside national groups should not influence our local elections. This is one example, among so many, of what is terribly wrong with our campaign finance system. I share the concerns of many regarding Michigan's current term limits. I think they quite possibly reduce the pool of good and qualified candidates, give a ton of power to corporate lobbyists, and encourage law makers to focus on campaigning for the next higher political office rather than what is best for the people they are currently serving. They also could weaken the ability of lawmakers to make real and lasting change. I've never asked Annette how she feels about term limits, but perhaps we agree. I can certainly empathize with Rep. Glenn, as I have also been the subject of false, negative advertisements. At the Schulz campaign, we do not support these types of efforts regardless of who they target or favor. Our campaign is one that supports truth, evidence, and feedback and focuses on the issues that matter to our community. This is true during the holiday season and all other times of the year. So, Annette and Gary Glenn, I want you to know that I recognize your humanity and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Sarah Schulz is a Democratic candidate running for the Michigan 98th District. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have had a phone conversation to discuss preparations for the upcoming international conference on Libyan reconciliation in Berlin, the Kremlin press service said. The sides discussed the process of preparing for the international conference on Libyan settlement in Berlin. Vladimir Putin also briefed Merkel about the latest meeting of forces involved in the Libyan conflict, which convened in Moscow, the press service added. Reuters earlier reported that Germany plans to hold an international conference on Libyan reconciliation on January 19. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined today a group of international press freedom organisations to call upon the prime minister of Iraq, Mr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi, and the Council of Representatives to secure the investigation of the killings of Iraqi journalists Ahmed Abdul Samad and Safaa Ghali in Basra. International media development and press freedom organisations call upon the Iraqi Government to allocate all the resources needed to investigate the recent killings of Iraqi journalists Ahmed Abdul Samad and Safaa Ghali in Basra and hold those behind the crime accountable. Outcry from the journalistic community On January 10th, after a day of demonstrations in Basra, the journalists Ahmed Abdul Samad and Safaa Ghali were shot dead in their car. Both journalists work for Dijlah TV and have been reporting on the protests and the repressive ways in which security forces had suppressed them. The killings sparked widespread outcry from the Iraqi journalistic community. The Minister of Interior of Iraq held a crisis meeting to discuss the killings and ordered the special investigative unit dealing with crimes against journalists to dispatch an investigation team to Basra. According to the local police they have evidence that might lead to the perpetrator(s). This evidence maintains their hope that the criminals will be found. Justice for journalists These recent targeted killings of journalists show the deteriorating safety situation for those reporting on the recent social protests in Iraq. Right now it is of utmost importance that impunity will not prevail. The Iraqi government must guarantee that the investigation is thorough, transparent and results in justice for both Ahmed Abdul Samad and Safaa Ghali. The Iraqi government has a clear opportunity to show its commitment to fighting violence against journalists in Iraq by achieving justice for the slain journalists. International Federation of Journalists Free Press Unlimited International Media Support Media in Cooperation and Transition CFI, Media Development Carlos Ghosn Fugitive Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is seeking retirement payment from the French carmaker, which he claims was "unfairly withheld". A complaint has been filed by Ghosn with a French employment tribunal in Boulogne-Billancourt outside Paris - when Renault is headquartered. The news, first reported in French daily Le Figaro, was confirmed to AFP by a source close to Ghosn. A Renault spokesman said the company had received notice of the lawsuit in December. Both sides said a hearing is expected somewhere near February-end. The claim focuses on the payment of a retirement benefit of 250,000 euros ($278,000) which Renault did not pay on the grounds that Ghosn quit at the end of January 2019 while he was still in prison in Japan. Ghosn, 65, was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 on charges of financial misconduct while the head of Renault's alliance partner Nissan, including a claim he under-reported millions of dollars in salary. However, his team argues Ghosn did not quit of his own free will but left the company as he was no longer able to lead it from behind bars. A source close to Ghosn also added that an even larger claim is planned at a French commercial court to obtain an annual supplementary pension of 774,774 euros ($861,700) per year, as well as 380,000 shares granted for reaching performance targets. These shares, handed out from 2015-2018 on the condition he was still at the firm four years later, are now worth 15.5 million euros at current prices. Ghosn fled Japan for Lebanon in late January while awaiting a trial he said would not be fair under Japan's legal system. The nonfarm payrolls came below expectations in December. Thats one month but what about the full quarter and the year? What does a thorough examination of the jobs market mean for the gold prices? December Payrolls Below Expectations The U.S. created 145,000 jobs in December, following an increase of 256,000 in November (after a downward revision), as the chart below shows. The nonfarm payrolls came below expectations, as the analysts forecasted 165,000 new jobs. The gains were widespread, but with a leading role of retail trade (+41,200), leisure and hospitality (+40,000), and education and health services (+36,000). Manufacturing again cut jobs (-12,000), which means that industrial recession has not ended. Mining and transportation and warehousing also dismissed workers. Chart 1: U.S. nonfarm payrolls (green bars, left axis, change in thousands of persons) and the unemployment rate (red line, right axis, %) from January 2015 to December 2019. The surprisingly weak headline number was accompanied by downward revisions in November and October. Counting these, employment gains in these two months combined were 14,000 lower than previously reported. Consequently, the job gains have averaged 184,000 per month over the last three months, and 175,000 so far this year still pretty good but significantly below the average monthly gain of 223,000 in 2018. In consequence, the payroll employment rose by 2.1 million in 2019, down from a gain of 2.7 million in 2018. Although the pace of job creation has slowed down, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5, as the chart above shows. So, it is still at the 50-year low and does not send any recessionary warnings. Last but not least, the low unemployment rate did not translate into significantly higher paychecks. The average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls have increased only 2.9 percent over the last twelve months, following 3.1-percent rise in November. Actually, the pace of hourly wage growth fell below 3 percent for the first time since September 2018. To sum up, although the December jobs report surprised the markets on the negative side, the U.S. labor market in 2019 was quite solid. While hiring has slowed, the unemployment decreased from 3.9 to 3.5 percent over the year, while the number of unemployed persons declined from 6.3 to 5.8 million. What is perhaps a bit astonishing is that the wage growth fell to 2.9 percent, which means that despite the ninth straight year of job creation and very low unemployment rate, the wage pressure is still moderate. Implications for Gold But the U.S. labor market is still doing relatively well, which combined with the lack of strong wage pressure should make the Fed to keep the interest rates unchanged in the foreseeable future. The fact that the U.S. central bank has no reason to hike the federal funds rate is positive for the gold prices. And indeed, the yellow metal rose on Friday, and weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data could help here. But beware! The resilience of the labor market also reduces the odds for a dovish move. Actually, some traders have started to price in the possibility of the interest rate hike by the end of 2020, which could harm gold. Indeed, the minutes from the last FOMC meeting indicate that the Fed officials become more optimistic about the U.S. economy in December as trade tensions with China eased, while the global economy stabilized somewhat. Thus, while many saw the risks as tilted somewhat to the downside, some risks were seen to have eased over recent months. In particular, there were some tentative signs that trade tensions with China were easing, and the probability of a no-deal Brexit was judged to have lessened further. In addition, there were indications that the prospects for global economic growth may be stabilizing. And the fresh remarks from the Fed officials have become even more optimistic since their last meeting. We do not expect them to return to a hawkish mode especially in light of the liquidity crisis in the repo market but the change in rhetoric should not be neglected by the gold investors. At its General Conference in February 2019, the United Methodist Church (UMC) adopted what was called The Traditional Plan, which affirmed the denominations bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriages. This decision is consistent with our denominations historic stance on human sexuality, outlined in the Book of Discipline since 1972, said Bishop Scott Jones of the UMCs Texas Conference. Less than a year later, however, the UMC issued a press release stating that a group of UMC bishops and representatives from UMC advocacy groups had approved a proposed agreement for the separation of the UMC over the issue of LGBTQ rights. A vote on legislation to implement the agreement is expected at the denominations General Conference meeting in May 2020. The agreement anticipates the formation of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination and expects the post-separation UMC to remove the current prohibitions against LGBTQ persons, and to repeal the Traditional Plan. The UMC is not the first denomination to wrestle with and even split over the issue of LGBTQ rights. What has happened to other denominations that have chosen to embrace ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people? Lets look at metrics available on denomination websites and various online analyses for membership, attendance, and baptisms within these denominations: - The Episcopal Church and its conservative counterpart, the Anglican Church in North American - The Presbyterian Church USA and its conservative counterparts, including the Presbyterian Church in America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its conservative counterparts, the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod In general, denominations that have liberalized their official stances and teachings on human sexuality have declined significantly, while their more conservative counterparts have grown or have declined at a much slower rate. Episcopal Church Actions Regarding LGBTQ In 2003, Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. The controversy that followed led to many congregations and even entire dioceses (or conferences) leaving the Episcopal Church to form the Anglican Church in North American in 2009. That same year, the Episcopal Church officially endorsed same-sex marriages and ordination of gays and lesbians, and in 2012 the denomination opened ordination to transgender people. From 2002 to 2017, Episcopal Church membership declined 26 percent, from 2.32 million to 1.71 million, and average Sunday worship attendance declined 34 percent. Over that same time period, child baptisms, adult baptisms, child confirmations, and adult confirmations all declined by at least 50 percent. Episcopalians Switching to Anglican Church in North America Much of the early growth in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) was due to individual people, entire churches, and even entire dioceses switching from the Episcopal Church to the ACNA. In recent years, however, the ACNA has continued to grow, and some of that growth appears to be organic and not transfer growth. According to ACNA data, membership in the ACNA grew from 103,090 to 105,691 (2.5 percent) between 2013 and 2017, and attendance grew from 65,885 to 74,027 (12 percent) over the same period. In contrast, Episcopal Church membership declined 7 percent and attendance declined 9 percent over the same period. An analysis of the data reveals that newer ACNA dioceses are faring better than ACNA dioceses that left the Episcopal Church a decade ago. Photo Credit: GettyImages/Dolgachov Presbyterian Church USA and Same-Sex Marriages In 2006, the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) General Assembly gave local ordaining bodies leeway in how they applied the denominations standards on marriage and sexual purity. Four years later, the General Assembly passed an amendment to the churchs Book of Order that removed the standards for clergys sexual behavior that required ministers, deacons, and elders to live in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness. Then, in 2014, the General Assembly redefined marriage as a union between two people and allowed pastors to conduct same-sex marriages where legal. From 2006 to 2017, 706 of 10,903 congregations (6.5 percent) left the PCUSA for other denominations, but PCUSA membership declined 38 percent, from over 2.2 million members to 1.4 million. Child baptisms dropped by 51 percent and adult baptisms by 54 percent over that same period. Since 2010, attendance has dropped nearly 40 percent. Younger adults are not being attracted by the denominations more progressive teachings. While overall membership fell 19 percent from 2013 to 2017, membership of those 25 and under dropped 23 percent, and membership of those 26 to 45 declined 25 percent. The PCUSAs global church relations have worsened. The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, which has over 2 million members, severed ties with the PCUSA. So did the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru, and the National Black Church Initiativea coalition of 15.7 million members representing 34,000 African-American churches from 15 denominations. More Conservative Presbyterian Denominations Are Growing Declines in the PCUSA have helped three conservative Presbyterian denominations: the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), and ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Formed in 1973, the PCA had 1,621 churches and 334,000 members in 2006. Growth has been slow but steady since then. From 2014 to 2018 the number of PCA churches increased 5 percent (from 1,499 to 1,572) and membership increased 7 percent (from 359,000 to 385,000). The EPC, which began in 1981, had 182 churches and 73,000 members in 2006. 10 years later, it had 602 churches and 150,000 members. Observers agree that much of the EPCs growth in the past decade has come from individuals and congregations switching from the PCUSA. The fastest-growing Presbyterian denomination is its newest one. Formed out of the Fellowship of Presbyterians in 2012, ECO which seeks to be a movement that recaptures the best of our Presbyterian and Reformed heritage grew to 300 churches and over 115,000 members in just its first four years. Today, the denomination has over 380 congregations and 127,000 members, or nearly 350 members per church. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Recognizes Same-Sex Unions In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a resolution that allowed the ordination of non-celibate men and women in same-sex relationships and also recognized same-sex unions. The new language adopted allowed people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church. Two years later, the ELCA endorsed gay marriage, and in 2013 the denomination elected its first homosexual bishop. In response, 1,309 congregations (12 percent) left the denomination between 2009 and 2017. Over that same period, membership decreased by 24 percent, indicating that congregations that stayed in the denomination got smaller. Baptisms (children and adults combined) dropped 37 percent over that eight-year period. Photo Credit: GettyImages/shutter_m More Conservative Lutheran Denominations Decisions There have been conservative alternatives to the ELCA for many decades. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) was founded in Missouri by German Lutheran immigrants in 1847. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) also traces its roots to German Lutheran immigrants, these in Wisconsin in the 1850s. Today, there are LCMS congregations in all 50 states and WELS congregations in 47 states. Both LCMS and WELS have seen membership declines since 2009, but at slower rates than in the ELCA. In 2009, there were 6,178 LCMS churches with 2.3 million total members. In 2017, there were 6,046 churches including 110 recent church plants but membership had fallen to just below 2 million, for a decline of 15 percent. In 2009, WELS had nearly 390,000 members in 1,279 churches. By 2018, WELS had nearly the same number of churches but had lost nearly 36,000 members, for a membership decline of 9 percent. There are more Lutherans in Ethiopia (nearly 8 million) and Tanzania (over 6.5 million) than in the U.S., and the number of Lutherans in Indonesia (4.5 million) will overtake that in the U.S. soon. While large Lutheran bodies overseas are severing ties with the ELCA, the LCMS is signing up overseas Lutheran partners. For example, in 2013 the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus ended its 50-year relationship with the ELCA over the latters acceptance of same-sex marriage, while that same year the LCMS entered into formal fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia, the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Lutheran Church of Togo. What Are the Implications for the United Methodist Church? If at its General Conference in May the UMC approves the proposed agreement for separation, then here is what is expected: A new traditionalist, or more conservative, Methodist denomination, which adheres to the existing prohibitions against ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people, will be formed. The UMC that remains will repeal the Traditional Plan and amend its Book of Discipline to remove the current prohibitions against LGBTQ ordination and marriage. How many current UMC churches will switch to the new traditionalist denomination? How many will stay with the (new) UMC? What percentage of members will leave their churches? If Methodists respond as Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Lutherans have, then the future UMC, with its more liberal stance on human sexuality, will see: - Significant declines in the number of affiliated churches, especially in Africa, which currently accounts for more than 40 percent of UMC members worldwide - A decline in membership among churches that remain in the UMC, as conservative members leave at a higher rate than they are replaced It is a sobering time for the UMC, which has tried to stay unified while wrestling with the issue of human sexuality for decades. Photo Credit: GettyImages/NiklasEmmoth Chris Bolinger is the author of Daily Strength for Men, a 365-day daily devotional from BroadStreet Publishing. The book is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, DailyStrengthForMen.com, and on the Inspirational Reading rack at many supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, and gift shops. SANTA FE A young Espanola man may get a chance at the future he says he wants if he stays out of trouble for the next 18 months. Dyon Herrera was given a deferred sentence Monday in state District Court for pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the municipal election code and had faced up to 18 months in prison. In 2016, Herrera, 20 years old at the time, conspired with Laura Seeds to falsify votes for Robert Seeds, her husband and an Espanola City Council candidate that year. Robert Seeds won his race by two votes. Herrera was charged for forging his grandparents signatures on absentee ballots in a car outside City Hall. On Monday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ordered Herrera to spend 18 months on supervised probation. If he does well, he can ask the judge to have the case dismissed, meaning it wont remain on his record as a conviction. Herrera told Marlowe Sommer that his father had passed away and he had become addicted to opiates before committing the crime. He said he has since overcome his addiction and would like to start a family. That would be hard to do with a felony conviction, Herra told the judge. I was just at a bad time in my life, Herrera said I have learned a lot since then. Herrera testified at Laura Seeds November trial as part of his plea agreement with the state Attorney Generals Office. Assistant Attorney General Peter Valencia said Herrera has accepted responsibility and has fully complied with his plea agreement He admitted that he did a bad thing, Valencia said. Defense attorney Paul Mannick said Herrera was struggling with personal issues and unemployment when he jumped at the chance to work with Robert Seeds, who Mannick said was a respected member of the community. Seeds remains on the City Council. In 2017, Herrera pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of attempting to possess a narcotic and was ordered to do drug treatment in Arizona, court records show. Herrera did not comment to reporters after the hearing. Laura Seeds was found guilty for tampering with the 2016 municipal election and was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest. She also faces charges related to her husbands campaign for mayor in 2018. Following the success of a screening of Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, another cult classic and its director is coming to the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Rob Reiner will answer questions as part of a full-length screening of This Is Spinal Tap at the Hanover Theater in April. The mockumentary styled movie, that followed one of Englands rock bands, debuted more than three decades ago and was named on the New York Times list of best movies ever made. Reiner, a filmmaker and actor, directed the movie. He first came to national prominence with the role of Michael Stivic in the TV series All in the Family. He earned him two Emmy Awards in the role. As a director, Reiner was known for Stand By Me, A Few Good Men, Misery, The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally. Tickets are on sale now. They start at $49, $59, $69 and $150 depending on seat location, with VIP meet and greet packages available. A Chinese man has recently been apprehended by authorities at the Colombo airport while he was trying to smuggle 200 live scorpions in plastic containers out of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka authorities assume that the man was smuggling the scorpions for their venom and would have extracted the venom after reaching China. Smuggling attempt foiled While the identity of the man has not been revealed, it is known that the man who was apprehended was Chinese and planned on taking the scorpions back to China. The smuggler was fined Rs 100,000 ($550) and then was allowed to fly back home. According to the Sri Lankan's Instagram post, the man was trying to smuggle 200 live scorpions. The scorpions were packed in plastic boxes. The plastic containers were concealed in his luggage and custom officers arrested him as he was trying to leave the country. Sri Lanka has around 18 species of venomous scorpions and out of those species, only one is known to be fatal to humans. The species of the scorpions that were being smuggled has not been revealed. While the country has strict laws against the smuggling of flora and fauna, smuggling attempts are still frequent. Read: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa To Visit India In February Read: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gunawardena Offers Prayers At Buddhist Temple In New Delhi According to the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka's first National Policy on Wildlife Conservation was first approved by the Sri Lankan cabinet in June 1990. The Wildlife policy that operates today tackles a lot of the same concerns but in an updated form and also adds points as required by the evolving needs of the Sri Lankan society. The department redesigned the wildlife policy to suit modern conservation concepts and practices. The updated policy was designed by a multidisciplinary task force which was comprised of experts in the areas of biodiversity, economics and sociology. Respected private sector members also contributed to its development. Read: Former Sri Lanka All-rounder Russel Arnold Gets Stuck In Pune Traffic, Shares Video Read: Sri Lanka Cricket Taken To Court By Sacked Coach Chandika Hathurusingha: Report Read next: CNA launches tech platform for global business While it may not be a contractual requirement, purchasing management liability insurance is a good trade for small businesses, both private and non-profit, according to Dominic Senese, vice president of private & non-profit management liability at CNA. The way the US legal environment is trending today, with settlement costs skyrocketing, a $3,500 premium policy can be the difference between a small business surviving or sinking after a management liability claim. Theres a huge uninsured population of private companies and non-profit organizations in the US, Senese told Insurance Business. We believe there are about 5.5 million private companies and not-for-profit organizations in the US, but only a small percentage of that population buys management liability insurance today. Even if 10% buys insurance, thats still a huge number (550,000), but the uninsured population dwarfs the number of companies that actually buy insurance. Part of that is down to the fact that its not a contractual obligation; its a selective purchase. Furthermore, if theyre really small companies (which a lot of private companies are) they can often get a little bit of management liability coverage in their business owners policy. Theyre able to get a little bit of EPL coverage and a little bit of crime coverage, but its not really a sufficient limit and the coverage isnt broad enough. One reason why small private companies and non-profit organizations dont buy management liability insurance is because they think theyre immune to the risks. They think theyre too small, too familiar, or too philanthropic to be accused of a management liability blunder. But, claims data would suggest otherwise, Senese pointed out. Even family-owned and family-run companies can find themselves embroiled in nasty management liability lawsuits. Thats why educating private and non-profit firms about the huge variety of potential claims, and the sources they can come from, should be a primary exercise for brokers or agents selling management liability insurance. Claims could come from shareholders, or regulators, or customers, or competitors, or even family members. Sometimes, I think theres lack of understanding among smaller firms as to what their ultimate exposures are, said Senese. Another thing to note is that private and non-profit firms dont generally see a lot of D&O claims. Theyre severity-driven exposures rather than high-frequency events. That often makes smaller companies question the odds that they will be sued. But the thing is, if a private company or a non-profit organization faces a D&O claim, it can be totally devastating. Once small businesses have come to terms with their management liability exposures and have given the green light to insurance, then comes the cumbersome task of trying to understand their insurance policies. This is another barrier to management liability insurance uptake, according to Senese, who described the policies as overly complicated and surrounded by mystery. To address that challenge, CNA recently launched Epack 3, its next generation modular management liability policy that combines clear, concise and easy-to-read language with a flexible policy structure. The policy includes six optional coverage parts: D&O liability, EPL, fiduciary liability, crime, kidnap ransom and extortion, and non-profit D&O liability. Theres sometimes a bit of mystery around management liability not just around the intangible nature of what it covers, but because we havent made it easy for insureds to pick up a management liability policy or a D&O policy and understand what theyre reading, Senese commented. Its a good trend that CNA is championing with Epack 3. Were simplifying our product offerings and making our policies easier to read and understand. We want to be the easiest carrier to do business with. The British sculptor Antony Gormley will unveil a new installation at Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park in February, part of a series of global arts projects funded by the wildly popular K-pop band BTS. Titled New York Clearing, the work comprises 11 miles of aluminum tubing that will loop around each other, evoking a frenetic drawing in space that counters the grid of the city. It will be on view from Feb. 4 through March 27. Mr. Gormley is one of 22 artists participating in the global project. Interdisciplinary works will be on view in four other cities over the coming months and will be free to the public. In London, the Serpentine Galleries are showcasing Catharsis, a digital stimulation of an old-growth forest by the New York-based, Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, through March 15. The Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin will host performances by 17 international artists, including Jelili Atiku of Nigeria, the performance artist known as Boychild and the Turkish artist Cevdet Erek. The performances, on view from Jan. 15 through Feb. 2, include experimental choreography and audio installations. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and OTTAWA, Ontario, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ProctorU, the world's largest online exam security and identity management company, and Yardstick Assessment Strategies, leaders in psychometrics and computer-based exam administration for professional testing organizations, announced today the completion of a deal to merge the two companies and form a new parent brand, Meazure Learning. The merger positions both ProctorU and Yardstick for rapid expansion in both professional testing and higher education using ProctorU's industry-leading approach to security and identity management. "ProctorU and Yardstick have already proven themselves as leaders in their respective markets, and now, by integrating both companies' unique offerings and strengths together, we're poised to truly transform those markets," said Scott McFarland, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Meazure Learning and will continue to serve as CEO of ProctorU. In conjunction with the merger, Meazure Learning raised more than US$30 million in growth capital led by Eastside Partners, which will allow both ProctorU and Yardstick to make additional investments in technology and services. While professional testing has historically utilized physical test centers as the sole delivery method for high-stakes exams, both hybrid and remote models using AI-technology and computer-based exam delivery can improve security and convenience for examinees. Yardstick and ProctorU will each continue to operate under their respective brands. Yardstick will serve as Meazure's market-leading professional testing business unit, while ProctorU will continue its leadership and focus in higher education. Yardstick's management team and headquarters will continue to be based in Canada, with planned expansions for its locations in Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton. ProctorU will maintain its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and offices throughout the United States. In recent years, both ProctorU and Yardstick have seen increasing demand for online testing solutions in the professional testing and credentialing markets a market that is valued at US$3 billion and both companies independently recognized the strong potential for growth in this space. The online professional testing market is likely to grow rapidly in the next five to 10 years, as professional training and credentialing leaders continue to take advantage of remote proctoring's increased flexibility for test takers, as well as its increased security and test integrity compared to traditional models. Now, through this merger, Meazure Learning is equipped to deliver a complete, end-to-end online testing solution incorporating psychometrics, test development, test delivery, secure proctoring, reporting and more designed specifically to meet the demands of this market. The company's full suite of customizable, leading-edge online testing solutions allows test takers to complete their tests virtually anywhere and at any time, while ensuring the greatest possible exam security. As the first full-service testing provider to offer a secure online delivery model supported by ProctorU's AI-augmented exam security platform, in addition to the physical test center network, Meazure Learning is uniquely well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of this quickly growing market. "By adding ProctorU's technology and suite of secure proctoring solutions to the Yardstick platform, we are now able to bring enhanced security to physical test center delivery, as well as offering improved service and security for clients seeking and using remote testing," said Isabelle Gonthier, President of Yardstick and leader of Meazure's professional testing business unit. "Meanwhile, ProctorU's capabilities and success in higher education have never been greater. The merger enables our two businesses to focus on our respective markets, each with our own brand and a dedicated team to ensure we stay at the forefront of both professional testing and higher education." The successful launch of ProctorU's Live+, the industry's first AI-augmented exam security platform, raised the bar on remote testing in 2018. Artificial intelligence security models will be used in both markets to ensure the highest level of security is available to high stakes professional testing and higher education customers. "Clients like Google, CompTIA, Chartered Accountants of Ireland and many others have made significant bets on the future of learning, and have partnered with ProctorU to help them achieve their goals," said Benjamin Cobb, Chairman of Meazure Learning. "At the same time, Yardstick customers have leveraged Yardstick's psychometric and test development services, and developed and delivered the highest-stakes exams possible using flexible and secure technologies such as Measure, Redpen and Itematic. Together, we are excited to offer an unrivaled end-to-end assessment platform, capable of test development, exam delivery and the highest levels of exam integrity. The collective people and technologies allow us to bring new and better solutions to the global market." About Meazure Learning Meazure Learning is a full-service testing solutions company for academic, professional and lifelong learners. The result of a merger between ProctorU the world's largest provider of online, artificial-intelligence-backed exam security and identity management solutions and Yardstick Assessment Strategies a leader in psychometrics and computer-based examination administration for professional testing organizations Meazure Learning now serves the higher education market via the ProctorU brand and the professional testing market via the Yardstick brand. As the first end-to-end testing provider to lead with an online delivery model, Meazure Learning is transforming the testing and assessment landscape. For more information, visit us at meazurelearning.com , proctoru.com , and https://yas.getyardstick.com/. SOURCE ProctorU; Yardstick Assessment Strategies Related Links http://www.proctoru.com With the fire season in Australia resulting in loss of lives, property damage and unprecedented loss of wildlife, scammers are wasting no time to take advantage of those wishing to help. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sent out an alert on 9 January warning Australians to watch for fundraising scams and researching the organisations they chose to make sure the money will get to those who need. Following every disaster it is natural to want to help and donate as quickly as possible. However, scammers also follow disasters in order to take advantage of the generosity of Australians, read the alert. There have been different types of scams including business email compromise scams where a scammer impersonates a high level employee and, in this instance, claims it will be donating to the bushfire victims but sharing the scammers account details. ACCC has also noticed individuals on social media and crowdfunding sites claiming to be fundraising where it is dubious that the money raised will actually be donated. Australian cyber security consultancy InfoTrust has noticed that increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals are taking advantage of the bushfire season to trick organisations out of thousands of dollars. Although minimal, InfoTrust has seen an increase in email attacks taking place. The company shared that recent cases of impersonation has seen emails sent out to suppliers stating that their bank has closed due to the bushfires offering an alternative bank account. The hackers also delete the emails from sent items, while setting rules to ensure colleagues copied in cant see these new invoices going out. Whenever there are major events or natural disasters, we frequently see the scammers leverage this to their gain, InfoTrust CEO Dane Meah said. Meah also said this is the first time the company saw bushfires be used to help prove the emails authenticity. According to ACCC, false billing scams cost Australians $9.7 million in 2019, phishing scams amounted to $1.5 million and fake charities $400,000. Other scams ACCC has also shared that scammers are taking every possible measure to take advantage of the situation and has identified calls and text messages impersonating businesses or government organisations seeking donations that they will be sending on to well-known charities. There has also been impersonation of real charities via calls, text, and even in person through door to door charity appeals and individuals claiming to be relatives of those affected by the bushfires seeking donations. The best way to check if the charity of choice is a registered one is by checking on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commissions website. The Queensland Government also issued an alert over fake appeals for bushfire victims. Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mark Ryan said scammers were known to take advantage of public generosity during and after disasters. Donating to a registered charity is the best way to ensure your money reaches the people or cause you want to help, Ryan said. He warned people over fake websites and shonky social media accounts and that however crowdfund appeals can be convincing, citizens should research the organisations first. The Queensland Government said registered organisations can be checked here. President Erdogan signals cease-fire deal with Libya President Erdogan made statements during a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Turkey hopes to soon see the signing of a cease-fire in the war-battered North African nation of Libya, the nations president said on Monday. THE CEASE-FIRE MAY LEAD THE PEACE PROCESS I especially hope for the signing of a cease-fire agreement [in Libya] sometime soon, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a press conference in the Turkish capital Ankara alongside Italys Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. On Sunday, the warring sides in the Libyan conflict announced a cease-fire in response to a call by Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The cease-fire took effect at midnight local time (2200GMT), and the decision was celebrated with fireworks in Tripoli. Conte, for his part, said the cease-fire in Libya would pave the way for an important opportunity and he hopes the country will enter a peaceful process. Also touching on the situation in Idlib, northwestern Syria, where a Saturday cease-fire succeeded a fall 2018 de-escalation declaration that had often been violated, Erdogan stressed they expect Italys support to maintain the status of the region. The Turkish Communications Directorate said earlier that Erdogan received Conte at the presidential complex in Ankara. The closed-door meeting lasted for over an hour. USA: Ryan T. Young Named Assistant Director of the Directorate of Intelligence Director Christopher Wray has named Ryan T. Young as the assistant director of the Directorate of Intelligence at FBI Headquarters in Washington. Mr. Young most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Counterterrorism Division in the Los Angeles Field Office. The Directorate of Intelligence has authority and responsibility for all FBI intelligence functions. Mr. Young began his FBI career as a special agent in 2001 and was assigned to the Miami Field Office to work counterintelligence matters. He was promoted to supervisory special agent in charge of the Cuban Counterintelligence Squad in 2007 and to the chief of internal policy in the Resources Planning Office at Headquarters in 2012. In 2014, Mr. Young established the Syria-Iraq Task Force in the FBIs Counterterrorism Division. He also led a 72-member interagency task force dedicated to countering the threat from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. The next year, he was named the assistant special agent in charge of the Intelligence and Administrative branches in the Dallas Field Office. In 2016, Mr. Young was named the section chief for the Directorate of Intelligences Strategic Technology Section. In that position, he was responsible for providing enterprise technology to operational entities addressing the FBI most challenging threats. He also led a team embedded with the Defense Intelligence Agencys National Media Exploitation Center. Mr. Young was promoted to special agent in charge of the Counterterrorism Division of the Los Angeles Field Office in 2018. He led the FBIs second largest Joint Terrorism Task Force and weapons of mass destruction investigations in the Los Angeles region and in Southeast Asia. He was also responsible for all crisis management and response assets, including the SWAT Team, the Evidence Response Team, bomb technicians, and other programs. Mr. Young earned a bachelors degree in criminal justice and a masters degree in criminal administration and counseling from Western Oregon State University. Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Young served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. In 2010, he was awarded the FBI Directors Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation for his work on the case of a Department of State employee and his wife who provided classified U.S. information to the Cuban government for 30 years. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. HOLYOKE Police have arrested two men in connection to one of the homicides that occurred over the past three days and continue to investigate a second homicide and three other shootings that took place over the weekend. Merkin Andrade, 30, of Holyoke, was arrested first on charges of misleading a police investigation and accessory to murder in the Thursday death of Jesus Otero Marrero, 21 of Holyoke. Monday afternoon Jean Carlos Rivera, 30, of Holyoke, was taken into custody by police and charged with murder, said James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Andrade was arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Monday afternoon. Bail was set at $100,000 cash or $1 million surety for the accessory charge and $5,000 cash for misleading police. But he was out on bail on an open drug case at the time of his arrest and the judge revoked his bond in that case, so he is expected to remain in jail until his next hearing scheduled for Feb. 13. Rivera is being held overnight without bail and is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in Holyoke District Court. During the arraignment on Monday, Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom asked for measures to be taken to protect Andrade, who may be a target for retaliation. The court file was also sealed to the public until April 10. Video and phone records show Andrade had personal and phone contact with Marrero and Rivera inside and outside the Almonte Market 2 at 129 Sargeant St. sometime before the shooting, she said. The records show Andrade was in the store with Marrero when he received a call from Rivera. He then gave the phone to Marrero. Andrade was also recorded outside the store having a conversation with Rivera, she said. Andrades lawyer Neil Colicchio, of Worcester, said he has not had an opportunity to review video or phone records but said his client was called by Marrero and told to come to the store. Marrero is believed to have been shot and killed sometime after the meeting at the store. His body was found Friday morning in an alleyway off South Bridge Street, law enforcement officials said. Everyone has concerns about the safety of my client, even the district attorney, Colicchio said about Andrade. I understand it involves the La Familia gang. Leydon said the two homicides and three shootings remain under investigation by the Holyoke Police detectives and the Massachusetts State Police detective unit assigned to Gullunis office. He did not say if they are gang-related or if either of the homicides or any of the shootings are connected. The second fatal shooting occurred next to the Almonte Market 2. Police patrolling on Sargeant Street heard gunshots at about 7 p.m. on Saturday and found the victim, Racquese Wright, 21, of Springfield, suffering from gunshot wounds outside 133 Sargeant St. They administered first aid until an ambulance brought him to Holyoke Hospital where he died, Leydon said. Both Sandstrom and Colicchio asked for measures to be taken to protect Andrade from any possible retaliation from those involved in the homicide. Rivera was arrested after the arraignment had been completed. Whether he misled the police has a lot to do with who the alleged victim is and who the alleged suspect is and my clients mental health, Colicchio said. Colicchio argued for a lower bail saying his clients family, who all attended the arraignment, could not afford a high bail. Andrade has been a Holyoke resident for seven years and currently lives at 534 South Bridge St. with his partner and at least one of his four children. He has learning disabilities but has been working toward earning his equivalency diploma and had a job at a local corner store in the recent past, he said. He is scared. He is frightened. He understands his life is in danger, Colicchio said. His whole family is in court here, they have also told me they have been receiving threats the whole, entire weekend so he understands what is going on. Colicchio, an interpreter and other court officials shielded Andrade from television cameras during the arraignment. Police also continue to investigate three other shootings that occurred over the weekend. Less than two hours before the homicide on Sargeant Street that killed Wright, a 17-year-old male was shot in the leg at about 5:20 p.m. on Gerard Way. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield by ambulance and is expected to recover, McCoy said. Police returned to Gerard Way two hours later after receiving reports of more gunfire at 7:27 p.m. Detectives found multiple bullets had been fired at an apartment but there were no victims, he said. A 22-year-old man was shot in the leg at about 6:45 p.m., Thursday, about a quarter-mile away at the intersection of Main and Sargeant streets. The victim was driven to Baystate Medical Center in a private car and is recovering from his injuries, Police Lt. James Albert said. That shooting is not believed to be related to the homicide of Marrero even though they occurred on the same night and in close proximity. Anyone who may have witnessed any of the shootings or has any other information about them is asked to call the Holyoke Police criminal investigations Bureau at 413-322-6940. Police are also seeking any video or photographs of the crime scenes and are asking anyone who lives in the area to check their footage if they have any type of home security cameras (Natural News) The European eel, scientifically known as Anguilla anguilla, is a catadromous fish meaning it spawns and is born at sea before moving toward freshwater to eat and grow. Throughout their lifespan, these fish travel thousands of miles searching for food while going through several life stages, each marked by a change of color. Once they are ready to spawn, the eels make the journey back to where their lives began in order to make way for the next generation. These eels used to be widely distributed within European waters. However, they have been exploited to the point that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) deemed them a critically endangered species. Experts have noted that the number of eels returning to Europe from their spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea has declined by over 90 percent since the 1980s. Now, recent research has discovered another threat to the survival of this particular species. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that toxic metals like mercury and copper by-products of industrial activity could be detected in the ovaries of European eels of spawning age, which could negatively affect their ability to reproduce successfully. As the eels go along their journey back to the spawning grounds, they devour their own skeletons to divert their energy to their reproductive organs. However, this process also means that it is also concentrating the toxic metals they absorbed from the lakes and rivers where they live. Few people realize just how precarious the European eel population is, said senior author Markus Brinkmann, an eco-toxicologist from the University of Saskatchewan. There has been a dramatic reduction in the numbers of young eels returning to Europes rivers, lakes and coastal areas in the past 40 years, to the point that they are now critically endangered. The power of the elements: Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site. Toxicity is in their bones As previously stated, eels invest a vast majority of their energy in the growth of their ovaries. As the eels swim thousands of kilometers, they undergo a programmed death where they stop feeding and begin to absorb their stomachs and intestines. In addition, they also break down their skeletons and fat-rich muscles as a source of nutrients. Unfortunately, the researchers discovered that toxic metals stored in the bones and muscles of these fish are also transferred to their ovaries during this morbid metamorphosis. In this study, an international team of researchers managed to provide analytical evidence for the transfer of toxic metals from the eels soft and hard tissues to the ovaries. The team analyzed the physiology of eels ready to lay eggs through computed tomography (CT) scans. Through charting the breakdown of the eelss skeletons, guts, and tissue, they were able to detect high concentrations of toxic metals like cadmium, mercury and manganese in the ovaries of mature female eels. Brinkmann claims that these metals could damage eggs produced by the ovaries and influence the health of the resulting eel larvae. (Related: Toxic heavy metal lead found at 700 times national limit in Chinas water supply.) While it is not possible to say to what extent metals alone contribute to the dramatic declines in eel populations over the past decades, our findings indicate that metal contamination could be an important factor, added lead author Marko Freese of the Thunen Institute for Fisheries Ecology. Learn more about these toxic byproducts and find ways to help keep them away from endangered species at Toxins.news. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com EC.Europa.eu UYCBRedlist.org PNAS.org WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, today announced the 2020 Best Online Programs rankings for adults interested in furthering their education. The rankings evaluate more than 1,600 distance education bachelor's and master's degree programs. The master's programs include seven disciplines, such as nursing, business and engineering. For the first time, Rush University in Illinois is the top school among Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs . Among online MBAs , Indiana UniversityBloomington and the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill tie for No. 1. Ohio State UniversityColumbus places highest among Best Online Bachelor's Programs , while the University of Southern California remains at the top for computer information technology master's programs. The University of CaliforniaLos Angeles ties with Columbia University in New York for the top spot among master's-level engineering programs. For master's-level education , Clemson University in South Carolina is home to the No. 1 program. This year, U.S. News reduced the weight of acceptance rates for online master's programs to give more credit to schools that provide online help with course registration, admissions counseling and building a resume. Additionally, U.S. News significantly adjusted its formula for GRE and GMAT scores to account for the vast majority of master's programs not requiring these exams from applicants. In addition, 18 new specialty rankings have been added within several disciplines: education, engineering, MBA and nursing. These specialties include civil engineering, special education, nursing administration and more. "Prospective students now have a lot of options when choosing an online undergraduate or graduate program," said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. "For people looking for more flexibility as they pursue their higher education goals, U.S. News has information on relevant factors like accreditation, graduation rates and student support services." In addition to the rankings, U.S. News offers editorial content covering career search advice, paying for school, applying to programs and more. The Online College Compare tool allows students to search and compare different programs based on individual interests. Using data gathered directly from each institution, U.S. News is the only publication to evaluate online degrees at the program level rather than the school level. The methodologies are based on factors such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and student services and technology. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered. 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs Bachelor's Programs 1. Ohio State UniversityColumbus 2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityWorldwide (FL) 3. University of IllinoisChicago Master's Programs MBA 1. Indiana UniversityBloomington (Kelley) (tie) 1. University of North CarolinaChapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) (tie) 2. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (PA) Business, non-MBA 1. University of Southern California (Marshall) 2. Indiana UniversityBloomington (Kelley) 3. Villanova University (PA) Computer Information Technology 1. University of Southern California 2. Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) (MD) 3. University of Arizona Criminal Justice/Criminology 1. University of CaliforniaIrvine 2. Sam Houston State University (TX) 3. Boston University (tie) 3. University of MassachusettsLowell (tie) Education 1. Clemson University (Moore) (SC) 2. University of Florida 3. University of Virginia (Curry) Engineering 1. Columbia University (Fu Foundation) (NY) (tie) 1. University of CaliforniaLos Angeles (Samueli) (tie) 3. Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette (IN) Nursing 1. Rush University (IL) 2. University of South Carolina 3. Johns Hopkins University (MD) For more information, visit Best Online Programs and share the rankings using #BestOnlinePrograms on Facebook and Twitter . For leaders in education, policy and workforce development, U.S. News will also host its "Workforce of Tomorrow" summit Sept. 30, 2020, in Washington, D.C. The conference is committed to examining and advancing solutions for a STEM skilled workforce. To learn more, visit USNewsSTEMsolutions.com and sign up for updates from U.S. News here. About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and Civic, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report Related Links http://www.USNews.com BRIGHTON, MI Seven law enforcement agencies, store security operators, a set of spike strips, a police K-9, a drone and the watchful eye of a passing motorist led to the arrest of three teens accused of orchestrating a string of burglaries at several Michigan Target stores. The teens were arrested Monday morning, Jan. 13, in connection with burglaries targeting Target stores in Brighton and Fenton, according to Michigan State Police. An investigation continues into their possible connection in other Target robberies, police said. Target security personnel contacted police about 2 a.m. Jan. 13, for a burglary in progress at the Fenton store, 3255 Owen Road, in which several individuals were forcing their way through the stores front door and heading toward the electronics area, according to the Fenton Township Police Department. Officers arrived to see the suspects vehicle, a black Chevrolet Malibu, fleeing the scene toward U.S. 23, police said. Police gave chase and provided a description of the fleeing vehicle as they called in support from other county and state police. The car fled south on U.S. 23 toward awaiting officers who deployed spike strips near Fausett Road which shredded the vehicles tires and caused it to leave the highway near M-59, police said. One of the suspects, a 16-year-old male, was caught and arrested at the site of the ditched car, which had been reported stolen in Grand Rapids, while the other two suspects ran into the woods, police said. A police K-9 and a drone belonging to the Livingston County Sheriffs Office was deployed to aid in the search for the fleeing suspects police said. Both of the 17-year-old males, were caught and arrested when a passing motorist called 911 after spotting the pair walking several miles south of M-59, police said. One of the 17-year-old suspects is in the Genesee County Jail on an outstanding felony warrant unrelated to the Target burglaries, while the other is lodged in the Livingston County Jail awaiting arraignment. The 16-year-old suspect is currently lodged in a juvenile facility in Midland, police said. The teens face multiple felony charges in Livingston and Genesee counties for the burglaries, as well as fleeing and eluding charges stemming from the chase in Livingston County, police said. Investigators believe they are responsible for a similar break-in at the Brighton Target store, 8043 Challis Road, which was committed in an identical fashion at 5 a.m. Dec. 27, police said. It is unclear at this time if the teens are involved in similar Target store burglaries in the Detroit area, police said. At Target, the safety and security of our guests, team members and property is our top priority, a representative with Target said in a written statement. Since the burglaries last week, weve been sharing security footage and information with local law enforcement to help with their investigation. Were thankful to law enforcement for their support and appreciate all of their work to apprehend those responsible for these burglaries. Michigan State Police, Livingston County Sheriffs Office, Oakland County Sheriffs Office, Genesee County Sheriffs Office, Brighton Police Department, Hamburg Township Police Department and Green Oak Police Department all assisted in the investigation and arrests. As northern India battles the unexpected cold this winter season (December 2019-January 2020), there has been a huge surge in the demand of room heaters as well as geysers. With the extreme drop in temperature last year, there has been an extreme shortage of room heaters. Even though consumers are willing to pay a premium, there aren't any stocks available. Be it organised retail or the small mom-and-pop stores, many of these outlets have been selling unbranded, Chinese room heaters, that too at a premium. For instance, where an Orient Electric fan heater is being sold at a market operating price of Rs 2,400, the unknown Chinese fan heaters are also being offered for anywhere between Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 (with just 6 months warranty). A sales executive of Vijay Sales, Kohat Enclave in Delhi confirmed that between December 24 and 30, the store managed to sell over 100 units of room heaters. During the last week of December, there were no stocks available in offline retail. Even the delivery time had increased from one day to anywhere between four to five days for many pin codes on ecommerce platforms. "We had two categories of heaters - oil filled radiator in the premium category and normal room heaters. We had a very heavy, aggressive plan this year (almost 3x) and have almost exhausted all stocks. Had we got a couple of thousand units more, we could have sold more. Delhi NCR and North India saw immense cold but we saw a lot of demand coming from Ranchi, Jharkhand, north Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. We saw demand coming from consumers and even from the corporates (small and medium enterprise)," says Rajiv Kenue, Senior Vice President, Havells India Limited. Havells manufactures room heaters at its factory in Haridwar, northern India. The company offers oil filled radiators in 9 fin, 11 fin and 13 fin options with the range starting at around Rs 12,800 and going up to Rs 17,000. "Last year 11 fin oil filled radiators were in great demand and this year 13 fin has been very popular. We have also seen demand happening for our premium heat convectors - Comfortor and Cista", adds Kenue. For rod heaters, the average selling price has been around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. Branded air blowers/fans have been retailing between Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 whereas unbranded, Chinese models are available for anywhere between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800. Oil heaters are slightly expensive propositions priced at Rs 6,000 upwards. UK-based Dyson's ultra-premium proposition, the Hot+Cool Air Purifier, while cleaning the air keeps the room warm. Priced at Rs 55,900, available only on Dyson India, Flipkart, Amazon and Dyson store in New Delhi, the Hot+Cool has been in great demand in Delhi. Hari G Kumar, Senior Director - Large Appliances, Flipkart says "Business in seasonal categories has witnessed tremendous growth on the platform - with a 2.5x overall growth (room heater: 2.4x, oil heater: 2.35x, rod heaters: 2.4x, air blowers/fans: 2.6x, geyser 2.4x, storage geyser 2.48x). This can be attributed to a continued demographic shift in shoppers especially from Tier 3+ towns and largely in the Northern and Eastern states. We see consumers adopting a more premium portfolio (growth of more than 3x) while we continue to grow in the mid and entry-level products range too." On Flipkart, the top-selling brands for room heater have been Bajaj, Orpat, Usha, Orient Electric, Havells and for geysers Hindware, Bajaj, Havells, Crompton and Flipkart SmartBuy. "An example of this is the preferred price ranges for our geysers (Rs 3,500-Rs 5,000) and heaters (Rs 1,500 - Rs 3,000) categories, which is much higher than the current industry average" adds Kumar. For water heaters, popularly known as geysers, the instant water geysers in up to 3-litre capacity, the preferred price range is between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 and storage water heaters in 15-litre and 25-litre capacity, it is between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Amazon India claims to have seen more than 25 per cent year-on-year growth in purchase for geysers on Amazon India with Bajaj, Havells, AO smith, Crompton & Usha being the most popular brands. Havells experienced growth in the central part of India and the Southern region for the water heater category. "In the areas which witness cold, there is a lot of demand for storage-based water heaters. And this is not just restricted to metros, but the demand is coming from tier 2 and tier 3 towns as well", adds Kenue. Extreme cold conditions have played an important role in the rise in the demand of room and water heaters. However, another reason could be low inventory as, since past many years, the northern region hasn't experienced severe cold. While last winter season saw some cold, wet days, the previous years have been comparatively very warm. Also read: iPhone SE 2 specs leaked; here's what we know so far Also read: How Modi government has killed its own drones project Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R- North Haven, called an impromptu press conference Monday to demand Democratic leaders in the senate and the governors office show their hand about whether they have the votes to pass a transportation bill that includes tolls on trucks. They need to stop pretending they can pull a deal off because they cant, Fasano said. Its been talked about forever and we are no step closer to resolving this issue to the detriment of businesses and the state of Connecticut. They had their shot. They tried the best they could. They cant get there. Gov. Ned Lamonts push to get the General Assemblys approval for tolls began last January, but has failed to be called for a vote since then. When the legislative session ended last spring, the administration aimed to generate support over the summer and bring it across the finish line during the fall, after municipal elections. That goal has been pushed back month after month, and the administration is now aiming for a vote before the legislative session begins Feb. 5. But that window is closing. No vote is scheduled this week and legislators have not been told to reserve a date to come in for a vote. Fasano says thats because the votes are not there. You are running out of time, Fasano said. We all know the truth: these guys are never going to do tolls in regular session. Last week, Senate Democrats met privately to discuss whether they had enough votes to approve tolls. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said at the time that members of his caucus had a significant list of questions and conditions that must be addressed before he can assure the 18 votes necessary for passage in the Senate. We have a contingent consensus of 18 members who have not rejected the concept of a bill to toll trucks on bridges only, Looney said. On Monday, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats said nothing has changed. When Senator Looney said the Senate Democratic caucus had a contingent consensus of 18 votes on a transportation plan with tolling only on large trucks with four axels or more, he meant it. We would appreciate if Senator Fasano would stick to leading his 14 member caucus, said Kevin Coughlin. Lamont told reporters following an unrelated press conference in Derby that he believes those issues have been taken care of. Weve taken care of those issues, he said. What I really want is the legislature to vote. And If its not this week, I really hope its next week. This is an issue that has festered for many, many years. Its time for us to fix our transportation system. We have given the legislature a draft of the bill that meets all of our requirements. Theyvge agreed to the basic parameters of it. Now its up to them to finalize the final drafting of that and get it to their members as soon as possible. Lamont said his staff is working with legislative leaders to get a vote scheduled. The JNU administration on Tuesday said classes in many schools have begun for the new semester and the campus witnessed a "calm and peaceful" atmosphere, while a section of students and teachers continued to abstain from classes amid standoff with authorities over the fee-hike issue. JNU's Registrar Pramod Kumar, in a statement, said academic and administrative units of the university functioned "normally on January 14, even as the campus witnessed a calm and peaceful atmosphere". "The number of student registrations has been rising consistently and the last date of registration has been extended till January 15 to facilitate students who have gone on leave or on academic assignments off campus," Kumar said. Classes in many schools and centres for the new semester have begun and time-tables have been uploaded, he said. "MPhil and PhD viva-voce examinations of various research scholars have been conducted and several others have been scheduled. International academic delegations have also visited for discussions on research collaborations and student exchange," Kumar added. However, some students and teachers of the university continued their agitation and boycotted classes over the fee-hike issue. According to a professor, the classes did not happen and the schools remained deserted. The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has called upon the student community to observe the registration boycott and academic suspension until the union explicitly announces otherwise. "The JNUSU wants to clarify that the stand of boycotting registration and complete academic suspension which includes boycott of online/offline exams and any other academic activities is in continuation," it said. "The JNUSU acknowledges that fact that there needs to be a dialogue at every juncture in taking calls for protest keeping up with the united spirit of the struggle. The JNUSU has been in dialogue with Student Faculty Committees, Hostel Presidents and various organisations," it added. The students' union, along with the JNU Teachers' Association, reiterated that "there cannot be normal academic activities until VC M Jagadesh Kumar is removed and their demands, which include the rollback of hostel manual, no punitive actions against protesting students are met". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TAGAYTAY, PhilippinesA volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava into the sky and trembled constantly Tuesday, possibly portending a bigger and more dangerous eruption, as tens of thousands of people fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. Government work was suspended and schools were closed in a number of towns and cities, including Manila, because of health risks from the ash. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. The continued restiveness of the Taal volcano and several new fissures in the ground nearby likely mean magma is rising and may lead to further eruptive activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The volcano was spurting fountains of red-hot lava 800 meters (half a mile) into the sky, and the massive column of ash and volcanic debris at times lit up with streaks of lightning. The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days. Level 5, the highest, means such an eruption is underway. About 50 volcanic earthquakes were detected over eight hours Tuesday, indicating rising magma, the institute said. It also warned that heavy and prolonged ash fall was possible in nearby villages. The speed in the rise of magma is important (in determining) when the volcano will have a strong eruption and if it will slow down and freeze, said Renato Solidum, who heads the institute. As of now, we dont see activities slowing down and the earthquakes still continue. The picturesque volcano in the middle of a lake in Batangas province south of Manila rumbled to life Sunday in a powerful explosion that blasted a 15-kilometer (9-mile) column of ash, steam and rock into the sky. Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north, closed the countrys main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ash fall eased. More than 500 international and domestic flights were canceled or delayed due to the overnight airport closure, affecting about 80,000 passengers, airport manager Ed Monreal told The Associated Press. Hopefully the wind direction does not change. As long as the ash fall does not reach us, then we can be back to normalcy, Monreal said. The disaster-response agency counted more than 40,000 evacuees in Batangas and nearby Cavite provinces who took shelter in nearly 200 evacuation centers. Officials expected the number to swell. Solidum warned residents from returning to high-risk villages based on perceptions that the eruption was easing. He warned of pyroclastic flows, super-heated material from the volcano that can travel at great speed and incinerate anything in their path. Solidum said it would take time for Taals restiveness to ease and the lives of affected villagers to return to normal but added its difficult to predict the volcanos behavior with certainty. We have to make sure that people understand and, of course, government, that this is not an activity that will just be a short while, Solidum told a news conference. President Rodrigo Duterte visited hard-hit Batangas, which has been declared a calamity zone for faster disbursement of emergency funds. Accompanied by top disaster-response officials and Cabinet members, he promised the national government would help with the cleanup and reconstruction of the devastated province once the eruption ends. The government disaster-response agency has not provided details of damage but journalists saw dozens of houses ruined by heavy ash and frequent quakes in two Batangas areas. At least six people have been taken to a hospital in Tagaytay city in Cavite due to respiratory ailments caused by the ash, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. The eruption has not directly caused deaths or major damage. The death of a driver in a crash on an ash-covered road was linked to slippery conditions. The small island where the 1,020-foot (311-meter) volcano lies has long been designated a permanent danger zone, though fishing villages have long existed there. Those villages were all evacuated, though volcanology officials have called for a total evacuation of endangered communities within a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) radius of Taal. Taals last disastrous eruption, in 1965, killed hundreds of people. It is the second-most restive of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where much of the worlds seismic activity occurs. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people. By Joeal Calupitan and Jim Gomez Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the 57 Canadians killed when Iran shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 would be alive if not for recent escalations in tensions in the region. "If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," said Trudeau, according to Global News. Read alsoCNN: Iranian military official offers apology for Ukraine plane crash "This is something that happens when you have conflict and war. Innocents bear the brunt of it and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation, moving forward to reduce tensions and find a pathway that doesn't involve further conflict and killing," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors. On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error." A general election to choose 160 TDs in 39 constituencies is on. Polling day is Saturday, February 8. In the swirl that has started, remember that Ireland enjoys the longest continuity under a written Constitution of any European country. The election of a 33rd Dail is a considerable achievement and not an inevitable outcome. The 1937 Constitution has aged, especially on social policy. But on the rights of the individual, the independence of the judiciary, and an acutely responsive electoral system, it largely delivered. Look around and, in terms of the durability of its institutions, Ireland has done well. They havent always been as effective on the policy as they have been flexible politically, however. Aside from an occasional landslide, it is a handful of votes in a handful of constituencies that counts. Political stability in the form of the two-and-a-half-party system from Fianna Fails entry to Dail in 1927 to the 2011 general election was remarkable. But more remarkable still was the durability of our political structures amid the public anger of economic collapse. In 2011, 45% of all TDs were elected for the first time. In 2016, 38% were elected for the first time. When the Dail was dissolved yesterday, only 17% of TDs were there nine years ago. Of those, not all enjoyed continuity of service. As a system, it was bent almost to the ground by a public anger, but it didnt break. Part of the reason for its durability is also its weakness. The multi-seat constituency ensures deep personal connections locally with national politicians. If politicians generally are out of favour, the local TD who is personally known and assiduously cultivates the community is different. They are not so bad, you see. In a European context, that need for feral competition among parliamentarians in the same constituency, let alone in the same party in the same constituency, is unknown. It is the deeply-rooted community presence of politicians, and the ability of the electorate to nuance their choices through the multi-seat system that has given Irish politics the safety values required. The downside is that there is little to protect national policy from purely local or highly sectional interests. Our inability to widen the tax base beyond an anaemic and now stalled local property tax is one proof of that. Historically, the failure to deliver water charges is another. There will be a lot of talk on health and housing in this election, but little on how the investments needed will be funded. Things are OK so long as the sun keeps shining. Economically, we never applied the lessons of the crash. Sensible decisions in the last budget, and politically reaching out again for the virtue of prudence, are undermined by budgets in 2016, 2017, and 2018 that were progressively more foolish and correctly decried as such. On the economy, it is an open question for this election whether Fine Gael is still more trusted and credible than Fianna Fail. The Fine Gael argument is that Fianna Fail cant be trusted because it is the party of the crash. Another is that the only government Micheal Martin can lead is one based on his centre-left party being in hock to others further left than himself. If Fine Gael has old style, Fianna Fail undermined its own credentials, failing in opposition to manage its spending commitments. Just off centre stage, spending demands abound, sponsored by the others on which the larger parties must depend. Outrageously, Labour wants to postpone moving back entitlement to the pension to 67. Having been crucified in government by the politics of the water charges, now it imitates the opportunism of that which did it in. A lot of the detail will be lost. But what will loom ever larger between now and election day is the question of who is trusted or believed more. For the first time since 2007, there is a real contest for the office of taoiseach and the opportunity to form a government. To that extent, this is a presidential-style election between the Taoiseach and the leader of the opposition. In 2007, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael combined to secure 68.9% of the vote. This time, that tally will be south of 60%. In a Dail of 160 TDs, their combined seats will be between 100 and 110. The prize of winning this election is unlike any other presented, certainly since 1948, and I wasnt around then. The use of the word win needs to be qualified in election coverage. The larger party that comes out ahead with more than 50, but probably fewer than 55 seats, wins first go at forming a government. But getting from the early 50s in Dail seats to 80, through a series of deals with Greens, Labour, Social Democrats, and myriad Independents is very challenging. Each has its own internal dynamic. If Labour is behind the Greens and it has only third pick of the policies and positions available, there will be an issue within Labour about government at all. The Social Democrat TDs have eschewed government or walked out of it. Few Independent TDs see their role in life as making up the numbers so another Independent colleague can enjoy ministerial office. No politician lacks ego or self-belief. The only government possible on a base of 50-odd seats is a house of cards. Momentum driven by the campaign could alter all of this. For now, I see a closely fought war of attrition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail over a relatively small number of seats. That puts the winner in the driving seat of a vehicle with levers that are attached to very little. Fine Gaels problem is that peak Leo has passed. It wasnt possible to cash the cheque at the time. Now its back to normal for his party. Its base is secure but that is not enough. It must make seat gains to stay in office. On a constituency-by-constituency basis, I can see a net gain for Fine Gael of two or three, but only if all goes well. It faces some certain losses and the effect of the Greens on its final tally is unknown. The problem is that the Fine Gael base is never enough. As a party, it hasnt been as smart at its politics as it should have been. Insularity has a cost. But if Fianna Fail has an edge, and I think it has a small one, it is well within reach of a good campaign by Fine Gael or being done-in by its own mistakes. It is not simply that this election is too close to call. It is that its ultimate result is only a preface to events, to which the campaign itself may not be a reliable guide. We elect a Dail on February 8. The 160 we elect not us choose a government. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the election by the board of directors of 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient and current vice president, James F. Dicke II, as president. He succeeds Matthew K. Rose, 2013 Award recipient, who will assume the position of chairman. Mr. Rose takes the place of Byron D. Trott, 2011 Award recipient, who will now serve as chairman emeritus. Mr. Dicke is the chairman-CEO of Crown Equipment, an Ohio-based company founded by his father that today is the fifth largest manufacturer of forklifts in the world. He was nominated to the Association's Board of Directors in 2016 and then was selected to join the Executive Committee in 2018. Mr. Dicke will assume his new position effective immediately for a two-year term. Since its establishment in 1947, the Association has annually bestowed the Horatio Alger Award upon exceptional leaders who have succeeded despite facing significant adversity. Mr. Dicke embodies all that the Award stands for. Raised in Ohio, he was a quiet, studious child who was severely bullied. He later asked his parents to send him to boarding school, and even though this was a financial sacrifice, they agreed. Mr. Dicke graduated from Culver Military Academy, achieving the highest rank of captain. He went on to attend Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he majored in business. After college, he married his wife, Janet, and returned to his hometown to join his father's modest business, beginning the long challenge of creating a capital goods manufacturing business with no initial funding or investors. Over several decades, Mr. Dicke worked to build a team who turned Crown Equipment into an enterprise that today has $3.5 billion in annual sales and employs 18,000 people worldwide. "For years, Jim has shown an inspiring, unwavering dedication to the Association and its mission," said Matthew K. Rose, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. "His energy and sincere devotion to enhancing the lives of young people make him an ideal president for the organization. I look forward to serving alongside Jim and witnessing the vision and passion he will bring to his new role." Mr. Dicke has been a strong, involved supporter of the Association since his induction in 2015. He has consistently donated his time and talents and has made generous contributions the state scholarship program, career and technical scholarships in his home state of Ohio and the Friends of Distinction program. In recognition of these efforts, Mr. Dicke became a member of the Association's prestigious Legacy of Achievement Circle, which is reserved for Members and friends of the Association who have contributed significantly to the endowment of Horatio Alger Scholarships. "Since becoming a Member, Janet and I have grown increasingly committed to the Horatio Alger Association, primarily because we understand how critical its mission is for today's young people," said Mr. Dicke. "Accepting the Award was humbling and to serve as the Association's president is the honor of a lifetime. I am excited to get to work so that we can help even more young people pursue their dreams through higher education." The Horatio Alger Association aims to educate young people about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system through its Members. To further this goal, the organization awards scholarships to outstanding students who are committed to pursuing higher education and serving their communities. Like Association Members, Horatio Alger Scholars have faced significant adversities, but each has also displayed unmatched resilience in overcoming their respective challenges. Since the scholarship program was established in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has provided more than $180 million to more than 27,000 students in need. Scholarships are privately funded solely through the generosity of Association Members and friends of the organization. For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its mission, please visit www.horatioalger.org and/or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2019, the Association awarded more than $21 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to 2,500 students across the United States and Canada, and provided college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $180 million in college scholarships to more than 27,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. CONTACT: Carly Buggy 484-385-2934 (office) [email protected] SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2020 -- The report "Organic Feed Market by Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds), Form (Pellets, Crumbles, Mashes), Livestock (Poultry, Ruminants, Swine, Aquatic Animals), Additives (Amino Acids, Enzymes, Vitamins, Minerals, Phytogenics), and Region Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, The global organic feed market size is estimated at USD 6.8 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 10.1 billion by 2025, recording a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The market growth is driven by the increasing demand for organic food, rising organic livestock farming, expansion of organic farmlands, and the contribution to the environment. Developing countries in South America are projected to create lucrative opportunities for organic feed manufacturers in the coming years. Download PDF brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=158519224 The cereals & grains segment is projected to be the fastest-growing segment in the organic feed market during the forecast period. The cereals & grains segment accounts for the largest share in the organic feed market. Cereals and grains in this study include corn, wheat, and barley. The US is among the largest producers of corn and wheat, as well as key raw materials used for manufacturing organic feed. According to the 2016 Certified Organic Survey (2015 to 2016), the US organic corn acreage increased from 166,841 in 2015 to 213,934 in 2016. Most of this production was used in organic feed rations. Due to these factors, the growth prospects for organic feed manufacturers remain high in the country. Browse in-depth TOC on "Organic Feed Market" 114 - Tables 45 - Figures 169 - Pages The poultry segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The poultry segment is estimated to account for the largest share in the organic feed market in 2019. It is also projected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecasted period. Poultry meat is the most popular natural and organic meat among consumers. According to the USDA, in the US, the largest volume of organic meat sales is for poultry. According to the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), in 2016, the number of certified organic broilers produced totaled over 19 million in the US. The number of certified organic layer hens produced in the same year was over 15 million, and the number of certified organic turkeys produced was 410 thousand. In developing countries, organic feed manufacturers are focusing on capitalizing on significant growth prospects as consumers opt for organic products. The pellets segment is projected to record the fastest growth during the forecast period. Pellets are the most common and preferred form of organic feed. They also contain a high level of binders as compared to the mashed form of organic feed. The pelleted form of organic feed stimulates early organic feed intake. Pelleting of organic feed also reduces wastage, as it is easy to feed to animals, convenient to store, and is also preferred by backyard chicken farmers. Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=158519224 North America is projected to be the largest market during the forecast period. North America is projected to be a key revenue generator for organic feed manufacturers due to the increased demand in the US. North America witnesses various key players operating in the organic feed market. These include Cargill (US), SunOpta (Canada), and Purina Animal Nutrition LLC (US). The demand for organic feed products remains high in the poultry segment in the region. The US is among the largest producers and consumers of corn, wheat, and soybean at a global level. These ingredients are majorly used in the feed industry, as they increase their nutrient quotient. Due to the rising consumer preferences for natural ingredients, the demand for these ingredients is projected to increase in the coming years. In Canada, some of the small scale players are focusing on offering organic feed for poultry, swine, and ruminants. In Mexico, the demand for organic poultry products, such as eggs and poultry meat, is projected to create lucrative opportunities for organic feed manufacturers. Milk is also projected to increase the demand for organic feed products among ruminant livestock, as consumers opt for organic dairy products in the region. Thus, North America is projected to offer high growth prospects for organic feed manufacturers in the coming years. This report includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolios of leading companies, in the organic feed market. It consists of the profiles of leading companies, such as Cargill (US), BernAqua (Belgium), Country Heritage Feeds (Australia), ForFarmers (Netherlands), SunOpta (Canada), Ranch-Way Feeds (US), Aller Aqua (Denmark), Purina Animal Nutrition LLC (US), Scratch and Peck Feeds (US), Cargill (US), K-Much Feed Industry Co., Ltd (Thailand), The Organic Feed Company (UK), B&W Feeds (UK), Feeddex Companies (US), Country Junction feed (US), Green Mountian Feeds (US), Unique Organic (US), Kreamer Feed (US), Yorktown Organics, LLC (US), and Hi Peak Feeds (UK). 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 7500 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, "Knowledgestore" 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. India-US work out mutually convenient dates for Trumps visit India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: Based on a standing invitation, officials from New Delhi and Washington are working out mutually agreeable dates for US President, Donald Trump's visit to India. The visit could take place in February, officials familiar with the development tell OneIndia. The timing of the visit would however depend on the timing of the trial by the US Senate. The trial is expected to commence this week and would determine whether Trump would be removed from office or not. It may be recalled that Trump had expressed his inability to take part in the Republic Day celebrations as chief guest in 2018. While the timeline of the visit this year is not exactly known, the official cited above said that they are working out a mutually convenient date. US-Iran tension: Donald Trump says Iran appears to be standing down, slaps more sanctions In November last year, Trump while responding to a question on the invitation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "he wants me to go there." I will be going at some point to India, he had also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 7:28 [IST] India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed an MoU for co-production of a film on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be directed by eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal that will be released as part of birth centenary celebrations of the Bangladesh founder. The agreement was signed in the presence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and his Bangladeshi counterpart Hasan Mahmud. Mahmud arrived in India on Monday night. The visit assumes significance as it comes after Bangladesh cancelled several high-profile visits to India amid anti-CAA protests and the controversy over NRC. Javadekar said the funds required for the film have already been allocated by the Indian government. India has extended its support to establish a film city in Bangladesh and also have technical exchange between National Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. Both sides also agreed to scale up joint production and exchange of airtime between Prasar Bharati and radio Bangladesh Betar. With Tuesday's launch, content from Akashvani Maitree service has started airing in Dhaka and reciprocally content from Bangladesh Radio Betar has started airing on All India Radio in Kolkata. "Akashwani and Betar cooperation dates back and we will add more dimension to it. Today Maitree is already running for 16 hours and therefore this exchange was necessary," Javadekar said. "Happy to inform that a formal MoU for co-production of a film on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inked today.The film, to be directed by eminent director/producer Shri Shyam Benegal, will be completed on time and released as part of centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu," he said in tweet. The two ministers agreed to promote further bilateral relationships between the countries in Information and Broadcasting sector. "PM (Narendra) Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are two leaders who are also great friends and work together for prosperity (of the two countries)," Javadekar said. Mahmud later told reporters that more joint production projects should be taken up between Bangladesh and India. Asked about media freedom, he said Bangladesh is enjoying better freedom than many developed countries. Bangladesh's Deputy Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam had cancelled his visit to India to speak at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi as it coincided with the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's UAE trip, the Bangladeshi foreign office had said, rejecting as "misleading" some media reports citing other reasons for cancellation of the visit. The cancellation of Alam's visit came just a month after two Bangladeshi ministers - Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan - cancelled their scheduled trips to India. Momen was scheduled to join the ministerial keynote session of Delhi Dialogue and Indian Ocean Dialogue in December and was to meet his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. The cancellation came a day after Momen termed as "untrue" Home Minister Amit Shah's comments on persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Both Bangladesh and India at that time, however, maintained that the visit was called off as Momen had to take part in two important national events. Home Minister Khan also cancelled his private visit to Meghalaya reportedly due to disturbances over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protesters against a bill that would end religious exemptions for vaccines stand outside the New Jersey State House in Trenton, N.J. on Jan. 13, 2020. (Celia Farber/The Epoch Times) New Jersey Bill to Eliminate Religious Exemptions for Vaccines Fails TRENTON, N.J.Protesters were jubilant the evening of Jan. 13 as the New Jersey state Senate failed on the last day of the legislative session to bring to a vote a measure that would have eliminated religious exemptions for state-mandated vaccines. Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who couldnt muster the votes needed for passage, vowed that the bill would be reintroduced and promised to be ready to go to war over the measure. When the Senate session was gaveled to a close at around 6 p.m., and it was clear the billknown as S2173wouldnt come to a vote, cheers and shouts of Thank You! broke out inside the Senate chamber, where 100 protesters had waited all day. Outside, thousands of protesters cheered wildly. According to the New Jersey State Department of Health, 13,987 children in New Jersey are currently protected from mandated vaccinations by a law that assures the parents only need to write a letter stating they object to vaccines on religious grounds. The protesters say this is a battle over parents rights to choose and the religious freedom to abstain. The backers of S2173 say this is simply a matter of public health. At bottom, this controversy is over whether vaccines are safe. While the protesters were primarily from New Jersey, some had come from several other states. The protests had begun a week before, on Jan. 6, with individuals standing in the cold the entire day, some with their children in tow. Many Orthodox Jews were in attendance, both outside and inside the Statehouse, praying. On Jan. 13, hot coffee and boxes of pizza were distributed, and the mood was patriotic, with elements of religious faith. Chants Were Heard On this day, the protesters won. The intensity, size, and duration of the protests were said to be a factor in the failure to generate enough support. The crowd was told that their chants of Kill the Bill! and Just Vote No!, and In God We Trust! were heard inside the chamber all day as other legislation came up for votes. An amendment added to S2173 on Jan. 9 complicated efforts to approve the bill. The measure would have eliminated religious exemptions in public schools but allowed private schools to retain their exemptions, with public bulletins announcing the schools vaccination rates. The effect of this amendment would be to discriminate against the less privileged, who dont have access to private schools. A number of black politicians, led by Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Union), who has already opposed the bill, objected that it was a form of segregation and came out against the legislation. New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney speaks to a colleague at the State House in Trenton, N.J. on Feb. 24, 2015. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) Going to War Protesters who congratulated each other and exchanged hugs on Jan. 13 vowed to not let down their guard and were already preparing to return to the Statehouse in Trenton, knowing that their opponents would not back down so easily. Sweeney said in a statement that the bill would be reintroduced on the first day of the new legislative session. Were ready to go to war on this and we will, Sweeney said. We will pass this bill. Its not an easy one, and a lot of bills we do arent easy and take time to get through. But this is about public health. Its about protecting people. Since an outbreak of measles at Disneyland in 2014 that was widely covered by national media, vaccine advocates have pushed for closing off vaccine exemption loopholesmedical, philosophical, and religious. They feel that primarily religious exemptions are phony, and being exploited. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, warned of the potential for the religious exemption to get around vaccine mandates. As the anti-vaccine movement grows in strength and power, they could use the religious exemption loophole, he wrote in an April 2019 article in Americans United for Separation of Church and States journal. But he added, Right now, I dont see it as significant as an issue. Heavyweight medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are aligned with Sweeneys advocacy for vaccination. Channel 24 in New York reported that Sweeney was planning on promising those who voted against S2173 campaign funds through a Super Pac called General Majority to switch their votes. NJ Assemblyman Jamel Holley (C). (Celia Farber/The Epoch Times) Protecting Children Among the protesters were many parents who said their children were injured by vaccines, and they had come to Trenton to try to prevent this from happening to other children. A man who identified himself as Mr. Jackman spoke to The Epoch Times after the protest. My son David brought me here. He was injured the day he was vaccinated. Hes only called me Daddy once, in 13 years since, he said. When he was 2, he called me daddy all the time. Hes a gentle, lovely boy, but hes brain-damaged. He was not only allergic to the vaccine, but he was recovering from Lyme disease. I didnt want to do it. It was the worst decision of my life. He broke down weeping, and a woman held him. I have had such pain these last 13 years, because I did it to my son. I didnt protect him. Im sorry Im losing it. He put his head into his hands and wept. Wiping his eyes, he continued. Anyway, thats why Im here, for David Jackman. Because he was injured. Were a marginalized group of people. They want to silence us. Our voice was heard today. (To view thousands of parents first-person testimonials of vaccine injuries, see Vaxxed channels and Hear This Well on YouTube.) While the stories of individuals such as Jackman have often been dismissed by the media, in Trenton, some politicians have begun to go to bat for such parents. Del Bigtree, a vaccine safety advocate, documentary filmmaker, and host of a program that focuses on vaccine safety called The Highwire, said politicians came out and told the crowd at different points that they would fight for them. They saw the size of the movement, Bigtree said, and wanted to embrace rather than fight their constituents. Holley was cheered as if he was a rock star when he emerged from the Statehouse, and spoke strongly against S2173. When you get into a situation where the government tries to infringe on your freedom of your rights, thats government overreach, Holley told The Epoch Times after the protest, as parents clamored to hug, thank, and take selfies with him. Were in 2020. Those days of segregation are over. And Ill be damned if Im going to sit by and allow people to separate us. Were going to separate them out. In a first since the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) triggered a series of protest, including a few violent ones, the state police have enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CrPC) to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from holding two back-to-back rallies since Sunday. Cases have also been registered against BJP leaders for violating the orders. Both incidents have taken place in the north Bengal region where the BJP wrested all the Lok Sabha seats from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2019, taking the partys tally from two seats in Bengal to 18. Of the states 42 Lok Sabha seats, TMC won 22, mostly in south Bengal. On January 12, BJP Bengal unit general secretary Sayantan Basu and the partys Cooch Behar district unit president Malati Rava Ray were stopped on their way to the districts Sitalkuchi where they were scheduled to hold a pro-CAA rally that the BJP had christened Abhinandan Yatra. We were told by the administration that restrictions under Section 144 had been imposed in anticipation of unrest. We went ahead and held a meeting where we were stopped. We will move the Calcutta high court against this tactics of the government. The TMC cannot muffle us. They are scared of the BJP and possibly hallucinate that our presence will lead to some kind of war, said Basu. On Monday, while preparations were on for another Abhinandan Yatra in the Malgalpur area of adjacent South Dinajpur district, Basu and Bengal BJP Yuva Morcha (youth front) president Debjit Sarkar were stopped by police and told that people were not allowed to assemble as Section 144 was in force. A huge crowd had already assembled. The administration passed the order after we arrived. Nobody said a word since morning when a dais was set up, chairs were laid and microphones installed, said Basu. A case was registered against Basu and Sarkar when they blocked a road and held a meeting at another location close to the district administrations office. The restrictions were imposed because we were anticipating law and order problems, said Dhiman Mitra, deputy superintendent of police. The TMC hit back at the BJP saying the saffron party should first control its belligerent state unit chief who recently made inflammatory statements. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the administration and it has to do its job. Before accusing the state of using Section 144 against it, the BJP should first control its own state president who talks of shooting protesters. BJP has never been stopped from holding meetings and processions, said minister of state for parliamentary affairs and senior TMC leader Tapas Roy. On Sunday, BJPs Bengal chief Dilip Ghosh had said that those damaging government properties were killed like dogs in states ruled by his party. That comment drew wide condemnation. The BJP is not the only party to be shackled by prohibitory orders. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has run into the same obstacle. The TMC government has not spared the Marxists either. They enforced Section 144 in quite a few districts to stop our programmes. We, however, did not violate most of those orders, said CPI (M) legislator Sujan Chakraborty. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mercedes-Benz has already started production of its first electric car EQC which has a range of 400 km on a single charge. PUNE: Mercedes-Benz, Indias largest German luxury car maker, on Tuesday unveiled its EQ electric brand for India to boost electric cars. The Pune-headquartered company, which completed 25 years in India, will launch the EQC SUV, the automaker's first car under the EQ brand, in April 2020. The EQC is a five-seat SUV based on the modified version of the GLC Class. Mercedes-Benz has already started production of its first electric car EQC which has a range of 400 km on a single charge. The next all-electric model from Mercedes-Benz will be the EQV which is based on the V-Class van. Following these models will be the EQA, EQB, EQS and EQE. The first vehicle that the brand as such as a full EV will be the EQC, which is a sporty SUV, which has been unveiled today, Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said. Under the EQ electric brand, Mercedes has three different stands -- EQ boost, EQ Power and EQ itself. And it goes with the electrification of portfolios from mild-hybrid to plug-in hybrid and to full electeric vehicles. With the launch of EQ we firmly announce Mercedes-Benzs arrival into the new era of electro mobility. We want the EQ brand to create an ecosystem in which electric mobility is reliable, simple and at the same time exciting, Schwenk explained. LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said that he was "absolutely confident" that the royal family will find a solution to the ongoing deliberations over the future roles for Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who want to step back from their royal duties. His remarks come a day after an extraordinary meeting at Sandringham, a royal residence in eastern England, where Queen Elizabeth II hosted talks with princes Harry, William and Charles. Meghan, who is in Canada, did not participate by phone, even though palace officials initially suggested it was likely she would. She is thought to have flown to Canada shortly after she and Harry issued a bombshell statement last week announcing they wanted to step back as senior royals. An official at Buckingham Palace, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that "in the end, the Sussexes decided it wasn't necessary for the duchess to join" the Monday meeting. If Meghan is indeed in the western province of British Columbia, where the couple spent their Christmas holiday, she would have been facing an eight hour time difference from London. Johnson was asked about the unfolding drama on a BBC breakfast television program. "My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan, like most of our viewers, of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country. "I'm absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out." He added that "they are going to sort it out much more easily without a running commentary from politicians." But politicians are being asked to weigh in on Megxit, as the royal couple's move is being called, partly because of the global attention but also because of the implications for the taxpayer. Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they want to achieve "financial independence" while continuing to support the queen, but the details of how this works in practice are still being hammered out. On Monday, the queen confirmed for the first time that Harry and Meghan will live part of the time in Canada, a realm of the Commonwealth where the queen is head of state. The move throws up many interrelated questions about taxes, royal duties and who would foot the bill for their personal protection. For instance, as senior royals, Harry and Meghan are entitled to round-the-clock protection from a specialist unit within the London Metropolitan police. Junior royals are not entitled to such protection. If Harry and Meghan are stepping back from royal duties, should they still receive the same level of protection? And if they are living in Canada, who should foot the bill? Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Global News on Monday that there would be "many discussions to come" on how arrangements with the royals would work. "Most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here," Trudeau said. "But how that looks and what kind of costs is involved, there's still lots of discussions to be had." After the Monday summit at Sandringham, the palace issued a remarkable statement from the queen - since pored over line by line by the British press - saying she was "entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life" and that she had agreed to a "period of transition." The queen doesn't typically issue statements. They usually come in the form of a statement from the palace or a spokesperson, so one from her majesty herself is quite rare. In the statement, the queen referred to Harry as her "grandson" and also first referenced the couple as Harry and Meghan, raising questions about whether the couple will be allowed to keep their titles. When Princess Diana and Sarah, the Duchess of York, divorced their royal spouses, they lost their "Her Royal Highness" titles. The queen said that she wanted all parties to reach a speedy resolution. She conceded that these are "complex matters," but stressed that she had "asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days." Beijing, Jan 14 : China's international trade growth slowed to 3.4 per cent in 2019, affected by the trade war with the US, with which exchanges decreased 10.7 per cent, according to official data published on Tuesday. China's foreign trade increased by 3.4 per cent to 31.54 trillion yuan ($4.57 trillion) in 2019, figures of the General Administration of Customs showed. Exports grew by 5 per cent in 2019 to 17.23 trillion yuan, while imports increased by 1.6 percent to 14.31 trillion yuan, reports Efe news citing the data as saying. The trade surplus increased by 25.4 per cent, totalling 2.92 trillion yuan. Although the growth rate was lower than in the previous two years, customs authorities underlined that the total trade volume as well as imports and exports set record nominal figures in 2019. There was a sharp increase in pork imports (75 per cent), a product in great demand in China and for which supply was severely affected by the African swine fever epidemic. Purchases of veal meat abroad, used as a substitute, also experienced a notable increase (59.7 per cent). China's trade scenario last year was marked by the ongoing trade war with the US, leading bilateral trade between them to fall by 10.7 per cent to 3.73 trillion yuan. The figure means that the US was no longer China's second-largest trading partner, and fell to third place, although it was still far superior to fourth-placed Japan. Chinese exports to the US reduced by 8.7 per cent to 2.89 trillion yuan, while imports from the North American country dropped by 17.1 per cent to 845.38 billion yuan. This lopsided trade balance between them in favor of China - which last year stood at 2.04 trillion yuan, a drop of 4.7 per cent - was among the major reasons for US President Donald Trump's administration to start the trade war with Beijing. While trade with the US fell, China increased exchanges with the European Union by 8 per cent, the UK (12 per cent). One of the commercial year's notable relationships was with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional bloc with which China raised its businesses by 14.1 per cent and took the place of the US as Beijing's second-largest trading partner. In addition, the Asian giant carried out 8 per cent more year-on-year more purchases and sales in Latin America in 2019, and 6.8 per cent more in Africa. The country's Customs authorities also highlighted trade growth with countries that are part of the Chinese initiative of the New Silk Routes, which rose by 10.8 per cent. New Delhi: Amazon India must have had anticipated nationwide protests from industry bodies like the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) as Jeff Bezos arrives in India for a three-day visit but the sudden probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over deep discounting and preferential listings on both Amazon and Flipkart has come as a surprise for the ecommerce giant. According to The New York Times, "instead of garlands, India's supervision is welcoming him (Bezos) with a new antitrust case". The CCI inquiry, prompted by association of small traders, is particularly related to the online sales of mobile phones. The case was filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh as the informant versus Flipkart Internet, owned by Walmart and Amazon Sellers, as opposite parties. The All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) has also filed a petition with the CCI, alleging that Amazon India favours merchants that are its subsidiary, such as Cloudtail and Appario. The CCI probe is something Amazon must be worried about as Indian regulators are finally 'evolving', taking stern action against multinationals like Google in the recent past. According to Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, the CCI's move to initiate an anti-trust probe against Amazon and Flipkart marks a significant shift in how it views digital commerce in India. "The move follows from its seven-month-long market study that CCI undertook, that recommended 'greater transparency' and 'self-regulation' by the market players. It remains to be seen what changed for CCI to initiate the probe. All said, this is still a work-in-progress, with the last word yet to be spoken," Ram told IANS. In a 11-page order, the CCI observed that the exclusive arrangements between smartphone/mobile phone brands and e-commerce platform/select sellers selling exclusively on either of the platforms, coupled with the allegation of linkages between these preferred sellers and e-commerce companies "merits an investigation". Amazon said in a statement that "We welcome the opportunity to address allegations made about Amazon; we are confident in our compliance, and will cooperate fully with CCI while Flipkart said it takes pride in democratizing e-commerce in India". On the other side, thousands of traders are ready to hold 'Halla Bol' protest demonstrations in about 300 cities in different states all over the country on January 15 when Bezos begins his visit. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal plans to organise peaceful rallies against Bezos in major cities with at least 100,000 traders participating in the protests. He said that the visit of Bezos to India is to build a wrong and false narrative that Amazon is empowering small traders through its e-commerce portal. According to the traders' body, the discounts on the online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart are predatory in nature and the government should ensure price parity in online and offline markets. The Indian government aims to solve this with the new ecommerce policy that also is allegedly being flouted by the behemoths, says CAIT. "The new e-commerce policy would potentially benefit small and bespoke e-commerce players, who could benefit from the level-playing field that the policy aims to provide," said Ram. Getty Images En espanol | Tax Day has been pushed back to May 17 from the traditional deadline of April 15 for filing federal income taxes. (May 15 is a Friday, so the new deadline is Monday, May 17.) It was pushed forward to July 15 in 2020 because of the pandemic. You'll need to have your return postmarked by midnight on May 17. If you file electronically, the date and time in your time zone when your return is transmitted controls whether your return is filed on time. After you file, you will get an electronic acknowledgement that the IRS has accepted your return. You now have until May 17th to make an individual retirement (IRA) contribution for 2020. The deadline to contribute to health savings accounts (HSAs), Archer Medical Savings Accounts (Archer MSAs), and Coverdell education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs) is also May 17th. If you are owed a refund from tax year 2017, you have until May 17th to file your taxes or make an amended return. Otherwise, you forfeit the money to Uncle Sam. Dont do that. In the UK, 24 million adults gamble. Photo: Getty The UK government is banning the use of credit cards to place bets in an attempt to control problem gambling and curb gambling harm. The Gambling Commission has announced the ban, which comes into effect on 14 April, after separate reviews of the industry by the commission and the government. In the UK, 24 million adults gamble, including 10.5 million who gamble on betting sites online, according to figures from the Gambling Commission. UK Finance, a banking and financial services industry body, estimate that 800,000 consumers use credit cards to gamble. The Gambling Commission research also shows that 22% of online gamblers who use credit cards to gamble are classed as problem gamblers. The commission hopes that the ban will will provide a significant layer of additional protection to vulnerable people. READ MORE: UK government could help save Flybe with 'rescue package' Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have. Research shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm. We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability. There is also evidence that the fees charged by credit cards can exacerbate the situation because the consumer can try to chase losses to a greater extent. We realise that this change will inconvenience those consumers who use credit cards responsibly but we are satisfied that reducing the risk of harm to other consumers means that action must be taken. But we will evaluate the ban and watch closely for any unintended circumstances for consumers. The ban will apply to all online and offline gambling products with the exception of non-remote lotteries. Story continues READ MORE: Boohoo beats slow Christmas with bumper sales The commission said that people will still be able to use credit cards to pay for tickets for the National Lottery and other society lotteries, and scratchcards in supermarkets and newsagents. It said it would be a "disproportionate burden on retailers" to stop credit card payments as the tickets are often purchased with other products as part of a wider shop, but said lotteries had the lowest problem gambling rate at only 1%. Culture minister Helen Whately said: Whilst millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction. There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them. We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm. NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- About 800,000 elevators were sold across the world in 2018, up 1% from a year ago thanks to the robust demand from China, India and the United States, and the ownership of elevators rose to virtually 15.3 million sets in the year. The global sales of elevators continue an uptrend and will expectedly reach 810,000 sets in 2019 with a year-on-year increase of 1.3%. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p01254433/?utm_source=PRN Nowadays, the global elevator market is highly concentrated and firmly dominated by the giants like Otis, Schindler, Kone and ThyssenKrupp, and four of them held a combined 64.4% share of the world's elevator market in 2018. On a regional basis, Asia-Pacific is a region where elevators are massively produced and consumed, and China has been the largest producer and consumer of elevators in the world. Well-known elevator brands have already established either exclusively funded or joint-stock companies there. In 2018, approximately 485,000 elevators were sold in China, a 1% rise from a year earlier alongside the burgeoning demand from the real estate sector and rail transit, and sharing 60.6% of the global total. It is expected that in the forthcoming years China's elevator sales will continue to grow steadily under the drive of old buildings to be equipped with elevators, population aging, rail transit and real estate development, and the sales figure will jump to 610,000 sets in 2025. Adjustments are accelerated in the Chinese elevator industry with excess capacity, and competition between elevator makers pricks up and there is an obvious tendency of small players to be forced out of business. Chinese elevator manufacturers consist mainly of Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Canny Elevator Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Guangri Stock Co., Ltd., SJEC Corporation, Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Meilun Elevator Co., Ltd., and IFE Elevators Co., Ltd., among which Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Canny Elevator Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Guangri Stock Co., Ltd. enjoys higher sales at least 10,000 sets/year apiece. In 2018, Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industry sold a total of 80,753 elevators and swept the largest 16.7% share in China Chinese elevator maintenance market is developing by leaps and bounds with the growing ownership of elevators at home. If 5.5 million elevators in operation in 2018 and a maintenance cost of RMB8,000 per set in China are taken into account, the Chinese elevator maintenance market is currently worth RMB44 billion, a figure projected to surge to RMB64.8 billion in 2025 with the steady growth of new elevator market. The Chinese players represented by Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Canny Elevator Co., Ltd., Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co., Ltd., IFE Elevators Co., Ltd and Dongnan Elevator Co., Ltd. have forayed into the elevator installation and maintenance areas, particularly Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industry's revenue from installation and maintenance services as a percentage of more than 30% in its total revenue. The report covers: Global elevator industry (new elevator market, maintenance market and competitive pattern); China elevator industry (new elevator market, maintenance market, competitive landscape and development tendencies); The demand for elevators in China (downstream demand, demand structure, factors influencing the demand, etc.); 12 Chinese and 7 foreign elevator manufacturers (operation, elevator business, investment in R&D, development strategies, among others. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p01254433/?utm_source=PRN 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 The rising tension between rising nationalism and globalisation is reshaping the world and will perhaps be the most defining trend as the world heads into a new decade, said Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla. The conflicting forces of globalisation and nationalism are making governments and corporations rethink their priorities and are forcing them to come up with new constructs. Writing in a web post, Birla, 52, talked about his learnings from the last few decades when the entire business ecosystem has changed. This new world, for sure, is not for the ... The circuit court has granted bail to founder and owner of defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, who is facing charges of stealing and money laundering. The bail granted by Justice Essandor was in the tune of GHa110 million with two sureties who earn not less than GHa2,000. Mr. Amoabeng is also to deposit his passport and report to the investigative teams twice in a week. Justice Essandor further explained that his decision to grant bail was based on the sound advocacy by lawyers of the accused person who has demonstrated his ability to cooperate with investigations. The founder of the defunct UT Bank together with the founder of the defunct BEIGE bank, Michael Nyinaku have been accused of allegedly stealing more than GHa390million and $8.6million belonging to customers of the bank. Mr. Amoabeng has been accused of stealing more than GHS51.3 million and $8.6million, while Nyinaku has been accused of stealing more than GHS340million. The two pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them when they appeared before the Accra Circuit Court Tuesday, Graphiconline reported. Brief facts from Joy News sources - The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police received a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers Gh. Ltd through the Governor of Bank of Ghana into suspicious transactions relating to UT Bank. - According to the report, the UT Bank engaged in some off-balance-sheet transactions log issuing investment certificates to investors in the name of the bank. However, these amounts totalling GHS51,334.387.08 and $8,612,829.33 were later transferred to UT Holdings. - The report further disclosed that UT Bank issued an investment certificate in the name of the Bank although the amounts were never credited to the customer's account but transferred to UT Holdings. - The report added that Prince Kofi Amoabeng, then Chief Executive Officer of UT Bank, signed most of the customers investment certificates and subsequently transferred them to UT Holdings. - Investigations further revealed that the customers monies were with the UT Holdings. Most of the investment with UT Bank was absorbed by Ghana Commercial Bank Limited as part of the takeover of UT Bank in 2017. - However, the report indicates that the rate of interest issued to each investor varied and was subject to negotiations. It was also revealed that 15 transactions were identified in respect of 12 institutions whose funds sum up to GHS51,334,387.08 and $8,612,829.33 all placed with UT Holdings. ---Myjoyonline.com A cancer in women with textured breast implants is more widespread than previously believed, raising questions for patients and physicians about continuing to describe it as "rare." As of Dec. 20, 2019, Health Canada said it had received 106 reports describing "breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)," including both confirmed and suspected cases. Of those, 52 were received since May 28, 2019. That's double the 26 confirmed Canadian cases the regulator said it had received before last May. "Two incident reports received after May 28, 2019 cite the outcome of death suspected to be associated with BIA-ALCL but those have yet to be confirmed," Health Canada said in an email in response to questions from CBC News. Health Canada describes BIA-ALCL on its website as "a serious but rare" type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a cancer that affects the immune system) that may develop many months or years after a breast implant procedure. On May 28, 2019, the agency officially banned the sale and import of Biocell macrotextured breast implants produced by the company Allergan, due to an increased risk of BIA-ALCL associated with their use. Craig Chivers/CBC Karen Malkin-Lazarovitz, 45, of Montreal had a preventative double mastectomy because she has a BRCA2 mutation that increases the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. A surgeon then rebuilt her breasts using Biocell textured implants. I think the numbers that we're getting from Health Canada are really scary, even worldwide, because they're changing so quickly. - Dr. Julia Khanna, plastic surgeon "I removed my healthy breasts to not get cancer when I started hearing murmuring that these textured implants are dangerous," Malkin-Lazarovitz said. "I knew from that moment I didn't want them anymore." In May, Health Canada estimated the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is about one in 3,500. The estimate is a rough one given there's no centralized system to track the number of confirmed cases or implanted patients. Story continues Dr. Julia Khanna, a plastic surgeon in Oakville, Ont., first started using textured implants in her practice in 1999 and stopped using them in 2016. Since last May, Khanna's been inundated with calls from patients looking for information. "I think the numbers that we're getting from Health Canada are really scary, even worldwide, because they're changing so quickly," Khanna said. Watch: Woman who had implants removed appalled by surgeon's advice Dr. Peter Cordeiro, a reconstructive breast surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, estimated from his patients that the cancer was 10 times more prevalent that the official statistics. Cordeiro reviewed the files of every textured implant patient he'd operated on since 1992. "What's been the experience of 3,546 patients?" Cordeira said at the 1st World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL in Rome last October. "Ten now have BIA-ALCL. I've submitted this data for publication, but I can tell you, I've had one more patient since." Submitted by Karen Malkin-Lazarovitz At the same conference, Dr. Mark Clemens, an associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, titled his talk "Key Concepts on an Uncommon and Emerging Malignancy." "You notice I'm using a different word choice than you're used to hearing about this disease. Usually rare, extremely rare," Clemens said. "Instead, I think that we need to start referring to this as uncommon and an emerging malignancy." Clemens disclosed that he was a consultant to Allergan up until 2015. Cordeiro and Clemens were not available for interviews. 'No way to diagnose cancer' Terri McGregor, 55, of North Bay, Ont., had eight rounds of chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL in 2015 and continues to receive follow-up for a secondary cancer. A routine mammogram at age 50 had ruptured her Biocell textured implants, which surgeons had to remove along with scar tissue, called the capsule. McGregor attended the conference and is concerned about the consequences of describing BIA-ALCL as rare. "We have women in Canada presenting symptoms to their physician, and the physician is telling them that they don't have cancer and that they should get on with their lives because of the word rare," McGregor said. "What I will tell you is, [for] every single diagnosed woman I know there was a little bit of luck involved in that she landed at the right time and right place and that is no way to diagnose cancer." Despite the growing number of cases, Health Canada and surgeons warn patients against removing textured implants unless they've tested positive for cancer because the removals are so risky. Khanna said no medical organization in the world recommends removing the capsule, the natural scar tissue that forms around the implant, because it's not a benign procedure and carries risk such as bleeding from major blood vessels. Malkin-Lazarovitz had a terrible rash and itchiness for about a year that she believes were connected to the implants. She had the implants removed four months ago. Health Canada said the new total could be revised downward, as it includes unconfirmed reports of lymphoma, and there could be double counting reports linked to a single patient. Last year, a joint investigation by CBC News, Radio-Canada, the Toronto Star and the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists found that deaths and serious injuries potentially tied to breast implants and other medical devices are underreported in many countries, including Canada. India has suffered an "irreparable loss" of a true friend and well-wisher with the demise of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. One of the longest-serving rulers in the Gulf region and a close friend of New Delhi, Qaboos died on January 10 at the age of 79. "Signed the Condolence Book at the Oman embassy expressing our profound sorrow at the sad demise of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. India has suffered an irreparable loss of a true friend and well-wisher," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Qaboos, who wrested power in 1970 and led Oman's rapid growth and development, was widely respected globally for his vision for the Gulf region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KABUL -- Two children have been killed and at least nine other people wounded after two bombs went off near-simultaneously in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, officials say. Adil Shah Adil, the spokesman for Balkh Province's police chief, said the blasts took place on a road in the provincial capital on January 14. Those killed in the explosions were aged 14 and 10, the spokesman said. The wounded included eight civilians and a member of the Afghan security forces. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban has stepped up attacks in Balkh Province and elsewhere in northern Afghanistan in recent weeks. Earlier this month, an improvised explosive device attached to a vehicle exploded in Mazar-e Sharif, killing a local resident and wounding at least two others, according to police. With reporting by AP and Tolo News Queen Elizabeth has agreed to let Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave their senior royal status in the family and embark on a life a bit further from the spotlight, but what will their ties to the royal family be moving forward? There are still complex things to sort out, the queen says, but one royal expert believes the hybrid flexi-royal model could modernize the monarchy. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markles announcement was shocking After a six-week break from their royal duties during the holidays, Prince Harry and Markle ushered in 2020 with a big announcement they want to step back from their roles and split their time between the UK and North America. They announced their plans to leave their royal duties in an Instagram post that shared: After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. The Sussexes continued, sharing their plan to balance their time: It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity, their post noted. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support. Queen Elizabeth signed off on Prince Harry and Markles exit Following a special meeting with Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth released a statement in support of the Sussexes decision to step back from their duties. The queens statement shared: Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family, the statement continued. The queen also explained one of the next steps: Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. The queen added: These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days. The Sussexes flexi-royal plan could modernize the monarchy Their arrangement isnt typical but it could usher in a new modern element for the monarchy, according to one royal expert. In a report for The Observer, Kate Williams explained how this is an unprecedented move in the British royal family. She noted: So many commentators are saying that half-in, half-out is not going to work. I couldnt disagree more. Weve never tried the flexi-royal plan and I think it has huge potential. Williams further noted: I expect the Sussexes to set up their own charitable foundation and support the Queen with overseas work and visits, particularly in the Commonwealth. Managed well, it would be the beginning of a real modernization of the monarchy. In a piece for Express, Williams addressed the far-reaching impacts of the Sussexes hybrid approach, sharing: And, if it works, it frees up future royals, both their own son, Archie, and other junior royals, such as Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for a future in which they can both support the monarchy and have some degree of living their own life. We pay for the royals, yes. But that doesnt mean that we own them. New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said the Raisina Dialogue has come a long way since it was launched five years back. Addressing the inaugural session of the Raisina Dialogue 2020, Dr Jaishankar said the unique conference on strategic matters and international dynamics has three components and it covers 'wide spectrum of issues'. India's foreign policy seeks to achieve essentially a 'focus' on key challenges, a broad engagement with many parties and "managing if not leveraging" various conflicts in global context, the Minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inaugural session of the three-day meet. Speaking on the occasion, former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai advocated that India should play a more pro-active role in international geo-politics. Former Bhutanese Prime Minister expressed concern over climate change threat and pointed out that his country is the only nation to have carbon neutral index. "But to have only one country out of 195 to be carbon neutral is unacceptable," the former Bhutan PM said. Dr Jaishankar also said - "Most importantly Raisina Dialogue is contemporary and its participants are equally diverse...". "This platform brings together representatives and individuals who you may not commonly find at the same location at the same time," he said. The former Heads of Government who took part in discussions at the inaugural session are Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister of Canada, Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister of Sweden, Anders Rasmussen, former Prime Minister of Denmark, Tshering Tobgay, former Prime Minister of Bhutan and former South Korean PM Han Seung-soo. UNI DEVN RSA 1953 A midstate man who was convicted and jailed for possessing child pornography after firefighters found it in his burning home didnt get a raw deal during his trial, a state appeals court has ruled. That decision, outlined in a Superior Court opinion by Senior Judge John L. Musmanno, upholds the 6 month- to 2-year prison term slapped on 56-year-old Robert S. Groff. Groffs legal problems began with the January 2017 fire call to his North Cornwall Township home. While inside Groffs home, one firefighter observed a stack of photographs, with the top photograph appearing to show a nude minor person, Musmanno wrote. The police were called, photos and male sex toys were seized and Groff was charged with 71 counts of child porn possession. A Lebanon County jury later convicted him on 10 of those charges. On appeal, Groff claimed prosecutors shouldnt have been allowed to show the jury photos that he insisted didnt constitute child porn. Nor should the jurors been allowed to see his sex toys in particular, one home-made masturbation device, he contended. Musmanno rejected Groffs claim that prosecutors didnt prove the images found in his house were child porn, citing a description of the photos given by county Judge John C. Tywalk. Seven of those pictures depict a young woman performing gymnastics in the nude, Tywalk wrote. It is common sense that this is not the normal mode of dress for children when they are engaging in this activity. Two other photos for which Groff was convicted were of naked young girls, the county judge noted. Musmanno agreed prosecutors should not have been allowed to show the jury the adult porn or the homemade sex toy taken from Groffs house. His conviction should still stand, however, because it is clear by the jurys verdict that it was not influenced by the admission of the contested evidence, the state judge wrote. Popular human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju took to his Twitter to express his regrets over his criticism of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Recall that the popular critics have been at logger head for a long time and have constantly attacked each other on social media. Also Read: Deji Adeyanju Hospitalised In Dubai After Mob Attack The activist who just recovered from being attacked at a protest some weeks ago, expressed his gratitude to Femi Fani-Kayode on his role in reconciling him with the IPOB leader. See his post below: Some "drone-like objects" were seen along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab's Ferozepur, prompting BSF personnel to open fire at them, officials said here on Tuesday. The objects were sighted at Tendiwala village near the Shameke border outpost twice around 8.48 pm and 11 pm on Monday night, BSF officials said. The BSF personnel from the 136th Battalion fired to bring them down, they said. However, the objects could not be recovered in a joint search operation of the BSF and Punjab Police. Deputy Inspector General of the BSF, Sandeep Chanan, said though some objects were seen in the sky, it could not be ascertained whether they were drones or something else. SP Baljeet Singh Sidhu said police had received information regarding "some drones" following which they swung into action. "Police asked villagers to report if they find something suspicious," he added. On January 10, an Army naik and two others were arrested by the Punjab Police for allegedly smuggling drugs and weapons from across the border using GPS-fitted drones in collusion with their Pakistani accomplices. On October 7, BSF troops had spotted at least five sorties by drone originating from Pakistan along the Hussaniwala border in this sector. One of them had ventured almost a kilometre inside the Indian airspace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I know a lot of you have large holdings in the big-four banks for income but it has, in hindsight, been one of the major Australian investment mistakes of the past five years. The banks have been pummelled. It all started with a Commonwealth Bank rights issue in March, 2015, which led to $12.4 billion worth of bank sector capital raisings by year-end. Since the March 2015 peak, the bank sector is down 27 per cent, while the All Ordinaries Index is up about 15 per cent. Credit:AAP After that initial bout of indigestion came a series of negative waves, starting with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's restrictive lending practices in 2017, now repealed. They kicked off a slowdown in the bank sectors lifeblood the housing market and as credit lending slowed, we saw the first bank sector earnings downgrades in years. Then came the banking royal commission, the loss of reputation, the brand damage, the destruction of the banks' wealth management businesses, asset sales, restructurings and more earnings downgrades. For an agrarian (agriculture-based) country like India, the end of barren winters calls for a celebration. The first harvest of the year is welcomed in different colours across the country, with some parts observing the festival as Makar Sankranti, while others celebrate it as Lohri or Pongal. Pongal or Thai Pongal is widely celebrated in the southern India, mostly by the Tamils. It spans across four days. This year, it will be celebrated from January 14 to January 17. Traditions and customs of Pongal Pongal marks the beginning of the Uttarayan or the date when sun begins its northward journey. This means days start to be longer than the nights. To celebrate the auspicious period, people clean their houses and surroundings. The whole family takes bath early in the morning and wears traditional attire for the four days of the festival. The women wear sarees or pavada, while men don the angavastram. Kolam is an important aspect of the festival. It is a paste made of rice flour and water or milk or coconut water. This white paste is considered to be pious and people use it to draw beautiful patterns and designs on the threshold of the houses or the puja area. Colours could be added to the paste. Having sugarcane is another custom during the festival. Pongal gifts Presenting gifts to employees, relatives, family and friends is also an integral part of Pongal. The exclusive gifts given to the labourers for Pongal are called Pongal padi or Pongal parisu. Although one can choose to gift anything, there are some traditional gifts given during Pongal. One can gift any idol or image of the Hindu sun god, which is known as Surya Pongal. Bhogi Pongal is also a common choice, which means to gift traditional decorative items. Apart from these, wooden handicraft items or household items such as utensils are a typical choice. Pongal is celebrated across four days. All of the days have their own characteristics. Bhogi Pongal The first day of the festival is called Bhogi Pongal, when people worship the sun god and Mother Earth. The first paddy harvested is cooked with milk to make a sweet dish for the occasion. Perum Pongal The second day is called the Perum Pongal or Surya Pongal. This is the most important of the four days, when the sun is worshipped along with his consorts: chaya and samganya. It is customary to light a fire and throw all old and torn clothes into it. People also get an oil massage before bath and wear new clothes. Mattu Pongal Mattu Pongal is the third day and it is when animals involved with the agriculture are worshipped. They are bathed, massaged and dressed in vibrant attire. Jallikattu, a traditional event in which a bull is released into a crowd, is organized on Mattu Pongal. People try to grab the bulls hump and hang on to it to stop it from running away. Thiruvalluvar or Kanum Pongal The concluding day is called the Thiruvalluvar or Kanum Pongal. People pay a visit to their relatives and friends. Women perform puja and pray for the wellbeing and prosperity of their brothers. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter It has been less than two weeks since Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed in an airstrike authorized by President Trump, and Trump still can't get his story straight about why he approved the operation, Seth Meyers said on Monday's Late Night. Trump has finally settled on claiming that Soleimani was going to target U.S. embassies, but he keeps changing the number. "In the span of two days, he went from not talking about embassies at all to saying it was one embassy to saying it was multiple embassies to saying it was four embassies," Meyers said. "I know Trump is a bad liar, but even for him it's obvious he's making stuff up off the top of his head." Putting on his best Trump voice, he added: "What if it was four embassies? Is that a number where you would all leave me alone? What if they were Embassy Suites, that would be bad, right?" Even Trump's team is having a hard time keeping up with his lies, Meyers said, and that reminds him of the George W. Bush administration. They did the same thing before the Iraq War, with Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice all lying "repeatedly" about the intelligence they used to justify invading Iraq, he said. That's "eerily similar" to what's going on today. "They claimed definitively that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and had ties to the terrorists who carried out 9/11," Meyers said. "They manipulated intelligence and concocted all kinds of lies about that intelligence to justify an immoral and catastrophic war that destabilized the region and the world." Watch Meyers explain more parallels between Trump and Bush in the video below. More stories from theweek.com Ken Jennings is officially Jeopardy!'s Greatest of All Time Former mafia prosecutor: It sounds like Trump associates were plotting 'a mob hit' against Marie Yovanovitch Elizabeth Warren gleefully reminds male candidates how many elections they've lost Punters will no longer be able to use their credit cards to place bets online after a major shake-up of rules announced by the industry regulator. From April 14, people wanting to place bets online will have to do so by using either a debit card or through cash deposited into an account. The ban affects all gambling, with the exception of the National Lottery, and follows concerted efforts by the Government to address the issue of problem gambling. Some 24 million adults in Britain gamble, with 10.5million of those gambling online (file image) Research undertaken by the commission shows that 22 per cent of online gamblers using credit cards to gamble are classed as problem gamblers. The ban affects all gambling, with the exception of the National Lottery, and it is hoped that it will provide more protection to vulnerable people. Culture Minister Helen Whately said she had 'met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction' A public consultation on the issue was carried out between August and November 2019. Neil McArthur, the commission's chief executive, said: 'Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. 'The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have. 'Research shows that 22 per cent of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm. 'We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability. 'There is also evidence that the fees charged by credit cards can exacerbate the situation because the consumer can try to chase losses to a greater extent.' Gambling Commission boss Neil McArthur (pictured in an announcement today) said the ban 'should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have' Mr McArthur said he understood some consumers used credit cards because of their convenience, but the risk of harm to others was too high to allow this to continue. He added: 'We realise that this change will inconvenience those consumers who use credit cards responsibly, but we are satisfied that reducing the risk of harm to other consumers means that action must be taken. 'But we will evaluate the ban and watch closely for any unintended circumstances for consumers. The ban is part of our ongoing work to reduce gambling harm. 'We also need to continue the work we have been doing with gambling operators and the finance industry to ensure consumers only gamble with money they can afford to spend.' The Government has come under pressure to introduce bans for the use of credit cards for online bets over the past two years by charity groups including Gamble Aware and Citizens Advice. In 2018, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) called on the Gambling Commission to consider restrictions on the use of 'borrowed money' for online gambling. Early in 2019, the watchdog launched a call for evidence on the matter 'to explore the consequences of restricting or prohibiting the use of credit cards in gambling'. An estimated 24 million adults gamble in Great Britain, with 10.5 million of those placing bets online. It is thought that around 800,000 people use credit cards to gamble, with the regulator's own data showing that more than 165,000 customers made 46 million worth of credit card deposits in February last year. The Gambling Commission made the announcement this morning, with its Twitter post above The announcement is the latest blow to gambling businesses, after the Government introduced a crackdown on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), which saw the maximum stake for bets cut from 100 to 2. Last year Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ministers also met with banks and gambling operators to discuss their concerns. They also looked at how companies could use technology and customer data to help those at risk of developing gambling problems, including those using credit cards. Culture Minister Helen Whately said: 'Whilst millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction. 'There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them. 'In the past year we have introduced a wave of tougher measures, including cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan. 'We have also secured a series of commitments from five leading gambling operators that will include 100 million funding towards treatment for problem gamblers. Tracey Crouch, who resigned as sports minister in 2018, wrote on Twitter: 'Overwhelming debt accumulated via credit was a recurring theme by those addicts I met and heard from' 'But there is more to do. We will be carrying out a review of the Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age and we will be launching a new nationwide addiction strategy in 2020. We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm.' Adam Bradford, co-founder of the Safer Online Gambling Group, said: 'This is excellent news and it will provide an extra layer of support for people who are addicted to gambling. 'It has been a long time in coming and we are glad the Commission have acted decisively on this matter.' The announcement comes amid a period of increased scrutiny on the gambling sector, which has seen criticism in recent weeks over its close relationship with professional sport. Last week, government ministers were told that the Football Association will not renew a controversial deal allowing gambling websites to screen live football matches. The sport's governing body faced pressure over its deal with Bet365 which allows people to watch live matches if they create accounts with the gambling firm. The Gambling Commission is also reportedly considering whether to clamp down on VIP schemes which can reward gamblers who habitually lose money with perks such as free bets, cashback on losing wagers or football tickets. SNP MP Ronnie Cowan, who has spoken out about the industry, said: 'This is welcomed but we mustn't take our eyes off the prize and that's a completely new Gambling Act' Brigid Simmonds, chairwoman of the Betting and Gaming Council which represents the industry, said: 'The Betting and Gaming Council is a body firmly committed to raising standards, safer gambling and change. 'We will implement a ban on credit cards and indeed our members will go further to study and improve the early identification of those at risk. 'The use of credit cards were previously used as a potential marker of harm which might lead to further intervention with customers.' Tracey Crouch, who resigned as sports minister in 2018, wrote on Twitter: 'Overwhelming debt accumulated via credit was a recurring theme by those addicts I met and heard from. 'This is definitely a positive safeguarding measure that will help many people at risk of harm from gambling.' And SNP MP Ronnie Cowan, who has spoken out about the gambling industry, said: 'This is welcomed but we mustn't take our eyes off the prize and that's a completely new Gambling Act.' Gambling firms saw their shares slide in reaction to the new legislation to ban the use of credit cards for online bets when the markets opened. Online specialist 888 saw shares slide 3.3 per cent, William Hill shares fell 3.2 per cent, Ladbrokes owner GVC Holdings dropped 2.8 per cent and Paddy Power owner Flutter sank 1.4 per cent in early trading. Even as the abuses have multiplied, Trump has continued to embrace Sissi, even declaring him to be his favorite dictator. He invited Sissi to the White House, an honor that Trumps predecessor, President Barack Obama, never extended, largely because of Egypts human rights record. In fact, previous U.S. administrations often used the $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid that Egypt receives annually as leverage to press for democratic changes and freedoms. Puro Politics is a weekly podcast hosted by columnist Gilbert Garcia, covering the drama and nuance of local government issues. Produced by Joy-Marie Scott. Listen and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher TuneIn& RSS All Episodes Tony Gonzales is following the Will Hurd blueprint. Hurd, the outgoing District 23 congressman who is stepping down after three terms in office, found success as a Republican in his sprawling swing district by adhering to a careful messaging strategy: Specialize on bipartisan issues such as cybersecurity, advocate for job creation, avoid personal attacks on Democrats and deflect questions about President Donald Trumps most abrasive political rhetoric while generally defending Trumps policies. That approach caused some Republicans to complain that Hurd was insufficiently supportive of the president, but it helped him thread the needle with general election voters in a 50/50 district. Gonzales, a 20-year Navy veteran from San Antonio, has Hurds endorsement in this years GOP primary race. And hes not shying away from the connection. Im excited to have his endorsement, Im proud to have his endorsement, Gonzales said during an interview on the Express-News Puro Politics podcast. Early on in this process, I realized, just be yourself. People are going to like you; theyre not going to like you; theyre going to agree with you or not. But if they know that youre a person of principle, they can respect that. So what weve tried to do is build a coalition across the party. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday Gonzales attended Thomas Edison High School, but enlisted in the Navy at 18 before he had attained a high school diploma. During his years of military service, which included stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, he continued his education and is currently working on his Ph.D. While in the military, Gonzales was selected for the Defense Departments Legislative Fellows program and served a one-year stint in the office of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida. He has come to describe himself as a Marco Rubio Republican. Marco Rubio is very influential to me, Gonzales said. And I look at Marco Rubio and I go, Hes a conservative. Hes got conservative values, but hes pragmatic in his approach. And thats what I want to be when its my time in the seat. Be pragmatic and solve the nations problems. Hear these and other issues discussed on this weeks edition of the Puro Politics podcast. Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 A Delta Airlines plane dumped jet fuel on a primary school playground as it prepared to land at Los Angeles International Airport. 56 children and adults were treated for skin or lung irritation following the fuel dump by the aircraft just before midday (8pm, UK time) on Tuesday. Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed the substance was jet fuel and that several patients suffered minor injuries. Delta said in statement that one of its planes was forced to turn back to the airport shortly after take off due to "an engine issue" and carried out an "emergency fuel release". Delta Air Lines Flight 89 to Shanghai returns to Los Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing / AP It said: "Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return quickly to LAX. "The aircraft landed safely after a release of fuel, which was required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight." "We are in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the L.A. County Fire Department and share concerns regarding reported minor injuries to adults and children at a school in the area." None of those treated needed to be taken to a hospital, it said. An plane makes an emergency approach to land at LAX Airport in Los Angeles / SUJEY HERNANDEZ via REUTERS 70 firefighters and paramedics on-scene and committed to providing care for those injured. FFs working to confirm substance dropped by aircraft, although initial reports stated smell of jet fuel in area, the LA fire department wrote on Twitter. In its latest update, the service wrote: Patient count updated to 17 children, nine adults. All minor injuries with no transports to local hospital from school. There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL. The fire department did not immediately identify the school but the Los Angeles Times reported that it was Park Avenue Elementary School in the Los Angeles suburb of Cudahy, on the flight path to LAX. King Mohammed VI chaired the signing ceremony of a deal outlining different measures to guarantee regular water supply in the country over the next eight years for a total cost of 115.4 billion dirhams (10.8 billion). The King was briefed on this occasion on the salient points of the 2020-2027 National drinking and irrigation water supply program, which provides for diversifying water resources to meet demand, guarantee water security, and combat the effects of climate change. In this respect, 61 billion dirhams will be invested between 2020 and 2027 to build dams, including 20 large dams with a total capacity of 5.38 billion m3. The construction of the new dams will bring the overall storage capacity of the Kingdom to 27.3 billion m3. In the same vein, 25.1 billion dirhams will go to irrigation and agriculture, 26.9 billion dirhams will be invested to meet water needs in rural areas and 2.3 billion dirhams will be used to improve wastewater treatment. The projects will be funded by up to 60% from state budget while 39% will be provided by agencies operating in related fields as part of a public-private partnership. A steering committee will oversee the implementation of the program, led by head of the government. The program also aims at building desalination plants adding to the already operational plants in Laayoune, Boujdour, Tan Tan and Akhfenir. Two desalination stations are currently under construction in Agadir and Al Hoceima and three others are scheduled in Casablanca, Dakhla and Safi. Morocco is expected to tender this year for the construction of a dam with a capacity of 1.35 billion cubic meters of water that will meet the needs of Tangier and Oujda. Since his accession to the throne in 1999, King Mohammed VI has consolidated the policy led by late King Hassan II to provide the Kingdom with water infrastructure through dams of different sizes. - Akufo-Addo says a lot more Ghanaians will be given the opportunity to take part in any onshore oil exploration in the country - He pledged that his government will ensure Ghanaians benefit from their natural resources too - Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured that Ghanaians will be given the upper hand in any future oil exploration. The President reiterated his governments zeal and will to ensure majority of Ghanaians participates in onshore oil exploration. He made the declaration when chiefs chiefs, queens and elders of the Avenor Traditional Council in the Volta Region visited him at the Jubilee House. READ ALSO: Ken Agyapong jabs Kan Dapaah for falling for a lady with long fingernails "Onshore is much cheaper to bring up than offshore oil. Offshore oil is a very expensive business and that is why you need these huge companies; ExxonMobil, and others, to be able to put the rigs into the seabed to bring up the oil. "When it comes to onshore, the capital is not so expensive, so, we are hoping that if the studies confirm that there is, indeed, oil there, we can get as many Ghanaians as possible people from the area and elsewhere to be involved in bringing it up and using it for our development, President Akufo-Addo assured. ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana According to the Ghana Geological Survey Bulletin No. 40 exploration for oil and gas in Ghana started in 1896 in onshore Tano basin (Western Region). This was due to the presence of onshore oil and gas seepages found by early explorers in that area. During that period early wells were drilled without geological understanding and the benefit of seismic data. Within 2001-2007 exploration for commercial hydrocarbons intensified with some independent Oil Companies such as Kosmos Energy, Hess Corporation and Tullow Oil, acquiring exploration and production rights over areas in deep water. READ ALSO: Ghanas first female police officer turns 90 today and Ghanaians cant keep calm There was a shift of focus from shallow water to deepwater areas which was occasioned by other deepwater discoveries made in the region and by the results of four deepwater wells drilled in Ghana between 1999 and 2003. These wells proved the existence of an active petroleum system in the deepwater, a fact which hitherto was unknown. Hunt Oils WCTP-2X well encountered 14ft of light oil column. This effectively reduced the risk of petroleum generation in the deepwater areas of Ghana. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Ghanas Parliament has approved the over GHS 390 million budget the Electoral Commission needs to compile the new voters' register ahead of the polls in December 2020. According to Citi News, documents in their possession indicate that the ECs budget will be spent on procurement, recruitment, training, data processing, publicity and allowances. Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh We first learned that it was a missile that took down a Ukrainian airliner over Iran because of this video showing the moment of impact. All 176 people on board were killed. To find out what happened to Flight 752 after it left Tehran airport on Jan. 8, we collected flight data, analyzed witness videos and images of the crash site, to paint the clearest picture yet of that disastrous seven-minute flight. Well walk you through the evidence, minute by minute, from the planes takeoff to the moment it crashed. Its the early hours of Wednesday, Jan. 8. Iran has just launched ballistic missiles at U.S. military targets in Iraq in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed Iranian military leader Qassim Suleimani. Iranian defenses are on high alert, on guard for a possible U.S. attack. Four hours later, at Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport, Flight 752, operated by Ukraine International Airlines, is getting ready for departure. At 6:12 a.m., the plane takes off. It flies northwest, and climbs to almost 8,000 feet in around three minutes, according to flight tracker data. Its following its regular route. Up ahead are several military sites. Until now, the planes transponder has been signaling normally. But just before 6:15 a.m., it stops. This is where the first missile hits the plane. Footage from a security camera near one of the military sites shows the missile launch. It hits the plane, and knocks out the transponder. But the airliner keeps flying. A security camera, directly beneath, shows what happens next. A second missile launches 30 seconds after the first, and it explodes, moments later. A third video shows the impact. Lets watch it again, and slow it down. Here is the missile, and here is the plane. An Iranian military commander said a defense system operator mistook the passenger jet for a cruise missile. The plane is now on fire. We dont know its precise path after 6:15 a.m., but we do know that it turns back in the direction of the airport. It continues flying for several minutes, engulfed by flames. Around 6:19 a.m., a bystander films the plane slowly going down. There appears to be second explosion before the jetliner plummets outside Tehran about 10 miles from where the last signal was sent. A security camera captures that moment as the plane crashes toward it. Here we see the immediate aftermath of the crash. As day breaks, another witness films the smoldering wreckage. Debris is spread out over 1,500 feet along a small park, orchards and a soccer field, narrowly missing a nearby village. A large section of the plane looks badly charred. More jet parts are found here, and the planes tail and wheels land over 500 feet away. It is a gruesome scene. The passengers personal items toys, clothes, photo albums are scattered around. After days of denials, Iran took responsibility for the crash, blaming human error at a moment of heightened tensions. Boris Johnson is planning a crowdfunding campaign to make sure Big Ben rings out to mark Brexit, he revealed today, after Parliamentary authorities balked at the 500,000 cost. The Prime Minister said the Government was 'working up' a scheme that would allow people to donate cash to underwrite the iconic peal at 11pm on January 31. The 13.7-tonne bell has been largely silent since 2017 while renovation works are carried out on the Elizabeth Tower which houses it, sounding only for important events such as New Year's Eve celebrations. Mr Johnson spoke after a House of Commons Commission yesterday dismissed the proposal for the bell to sound, after MPs were informed that costs had soared to half a million from an original estimate of 120,000. He told BBC Breakfast: 'We are working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong.' The campaign for the bell to ring at 11pm on January 31 - Brexit eve - had been spearheaded by Tory MP Mark Francois. But a House of Commons Commission yesterday dismissed the bid over soaring costs The Prime Minister said the Government was 'working up' a scheme that would allow people to donate cash to underwrite the iconic peal at 11pm on January 31. Boris Johnson vows to publish his plan to solve the UK's social care crisis this year Boris Johnson today vowed to publish a grand plan to tackle the UK's social care crisis this year and to implement it by 2025 as he promised a healthcare 'revolution'. Successive governments have been under pressure to come forward with solutions for how best to care for the country's ageing population but have struggled over how reforms should be funded. Mr Johnson said this morning that it was a 'big, big thing' which needed to be addressed as soon as possible so that 'very complex questions' could be answered. He vowed to kick start cross-party talks designed to find a non-political way forward as he also promised his plan would be underpinned by a guarantee that nobody will have to sell their home to fund their care in old age. 'This is a big, big thing. I mean, this is a potentially massive change in the way we fund social care, and we've got to get it right. 'This is a big, big thing. I mean, this is a potentially massive change in the way we fund social care, and we've got to get it right.' Advertisement The campaign for the bell to ring at 11pm on January 31 - Brexit day - had been spearheaded by Tory MP Mark Francois. But costs have soared because the temporary floor which had been put in place to strike the 13-ton bell at the new year has already been removed and would need to be re-installed. One source told The Telegraph: 'No one in the meeting thought it was worth spending 500,000 on having Big Ben strike the hour on one occasion. 'When you consider what else that money could be spent on, it's very hard to make an argument in favour of it.' But Mr Francois did not share that view, saying to the paper: 'What was the cost of it chiming on New Year's Eve? What was the cost of it chiming on Remembrance Sunday? 'I've already offered to go up Big Ben myself, ably assisted by Bill Cash, to ring the bell myself to save money. 'If all else fails, the BBC must have a recording of Big Ben chiming they could play at 11pm at no cost whatsoever to taxpayers.' Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage had planned to host a lavish party in Parliament Square to watch Big Ben's bongs on January 31 ring out. Ten thousand Leave supporters were expected to attend but it is now unclear how the Commission's decision will affect the plans. The Elizabeth Tower has been undergoing renovations and the ringing of Big Ben has been prohibited since 2017 to protect the workers' hearing, except on the special occasions to which Mr Francois referred. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: If the public wants Big Ben to bong and money is raised that is great. 'We will make sure that whatever happens... January 31 is properly marked, which is a significant moment in our history. He added: It will largely be for the public to determine if this happens. Mr Francois said: 'What was the cost of it chiming on New Year's Eve? What was the cost of it chiming on Remembrance Sunday? I've already offered to go up Big Ben myself, ably assisted by Bill Cash, to ring the bell myself to save money. If all else fails, the BBC must have a recording of Big Ben chiming they could play at 11pm at no cost whatsoever to taxpayers' Boris Johnson says his New Year resolution is to 'lose weight' but he can't become vegan because it is a 'crime against cheese lovers' Boris Johnson today said his New Year resolution is to 'lose weight' - but revealed he has rejected the idea of becoming vegan. The PM said he had 'thought about' giving up dairy products to aid his slimming, but it 'requires so much concentration'. He joked that the increasingly popular diet was a 'crime against cheese lovers'. Mr Johnson gave an insight into his plans during his first major TV interview since the Tory election victory. Boris Johnson (pictured out for a run in 2018) today said his New Year resolution is to 'lose weight' Interviewed on BBC Breakfast, the PM said he had 'thought about' giving up dairy products to aid his slimming, but it 'requires so much concentration' He told BBC Breakfast 'losing weight' was one of his main personal aims for the coming months. Asked by presenter Dan Walker whether going vegan was something he had considered, Mr Johnnson said: 'I had thought of it, but it requires so much concentration. I take my hat off to vegans who can manage it... 'You can't eat cheese can you? 'It's a crime against cheese-lovers.' Mr Johnson has worked hard to control his weight in the past, with claims girlfriend Carrie put him on a strict diet and exercise regime. He was often seen out jogging before becoming PM - but the pressures of the job appear to have hampered his ability to get out and about. During the election campaign he revealed he had given up drinking alcohol until Brexit is delivered. Can we please be honest about the politics of Mr. Sanders? He is a democratic socialist. For those of you whose (wholesome) interest in governance is solely in ridding us of President Trump and Trumpism, please read World Population Reviews Democratic Socialist Countries 2020 report. Democratic socialism (vs. social democracy) advocates a collectively owned or controlled economy with a democratic political system. Both concepts are antithetical to our system of government, i.e., to individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Our rights are those of an individual, not a cookie-cutter person. What rights we have surrendered to government have been divided between two governments, each with limited powers and both charged with protecting our rights. The Constitution ensures that neither the federal nor state governments are a monarchy or a democracy, both threats to individual rights. Mr. Sanders knows exactly what his worldview would mean for us. He hides it behind offering cost-free remedies and pacifism except when he says we need a political revolution. Only then is he being honest. A devastated mother begged hospital staff not to discharge her baby, hours before he died of meningitis and sepsis, an inquest heard. Muna Aburizeq from Manchester was advised to call an ambulance after telling a 111 call handler that three-month-old Mohammed Aldmour's temperature had shot up and his lips had turned blue. When mother and son arrived at Tameside Hospital, Ms Aburizeq was told her baby had a cold and he was discharged despite her pleading with medical professionals not to send him home, telling them her son was 'not right.' After they got home, Mohammed's condition continued to worsen and Ms Aburizeq took him back to hospital that night. He died from meningitis and sepsis a short time later. Mohammed Aldmour who died of meningitis and sepsis During the first day of a week-long inquest into Mohammad's death, South Manchester Coroner's Court heard that Mohammed became unwell on September 10, 2018. He had vomited and had a temperature of over 38 degrees. After Ms Aburizeq called an ambulance, Mohammed was assessed by a paediatric nurse in the children's area of A&E at Tameside Hospital. To begin with Mohammed appeared alert, responsive, and was interacting with his mother. But when the nurse took his vital signs, she discovered his temperature had risen to 39 degrees and his heart rate was considerably faster than it should have been. Mohammed was triaged by a paediatric nurse in the children's area of A&E at Tameside Hospital but was later sent home after a doctor said 'he's got a cold' He was then rushed to resuscitation. Hospital policy states that a sticker warning of a risk of sepsis should have been placed on Mohammad's notes. The corner's court heard how the nurse said she had not done this, because she had immediately escalated his case where she expected a paediatrician to attend Mohammed in resuscitation within a window of two to ten minutes. Ms Aburizeq told South Manchester Coroner's Court: 'We went into a cubicle. He was in pain. He was crying. 'A lady opposite me said 'What the hell is wrong with that baby?' I said 'I don't know, I'm doing my best to calm him down'. 'A doctor came to me and said 'he's got a cold'. I was worried about his lungs because he was not breathing properly. You can't argue with a doctor, you just trust the doctors. 'She said he's just got a virus, a cold virus. 'A nurse came in, she said Mohammad was fine, we're going to discharge him. 'I'm a normal mum, probably a bit anxious but that's not just me. I just want justice. He was in so much pain.' The inquest heard that Mohammad had already had his first vaccination against meningitis B when he was eight weeks old. He would have had a second jab when he was 16 weeks old but was only three months when he contracted meningitis. A post mortem found that Mohammad had the 'meningitis rash' all over his face, chest, abdomen and back, as well as on some of his limbs. His organs were also found to be covered in the rash. The inquest, held in front of a jury, continues. NeNe Leakes and Kenya Moore took their feud to social media after nearly brawling on the latest episode of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The Bravo reality stars had to be separated by security during Sunday's season 12 episode titled Snake Bye. NeNe, 52, after the physical confrontation was avoided sniped at Kenya, 48, in a confessional. Online feud: Kenya Moore, shown last month in New York City, moved her feud with NeNe Leakes to social media after they nearly fought on Sunday's episode of RHOA 'What I'm mad about, blew-up booty, is that you continue to provoke someone and then you wanna act like you're a victim. You're not a victim, blow-up booty,' NeNe said. 'Don't make me have to stick a pin in that fake butt and push the air out, okurrr?,' NeNe add with a laugh while taunting Kenya. Former beauty queen Kenya responded on Twitter for her roughly 645,000 followers. 'Does she own a mirror? On her 6th nose job always coming for the pretty girls on the show #byeugly #byewig #byesnake #RHOA,' tweeted Kenya who won Miss USA 1993. Brutal confessional: NeNe, shown in November in New York City, in a confessional accused Kenya of provoking people and then playing the victim Kenya earlier urged viewers to watch Sunday's episode tweeting, 'Tune in to @BravoTV now to #RHOA to see who the 2 SNAKES ARE' and later retweeted messages critical of NeNe. She was referring to this season's Snakegate in which Cynthia Bailey, 52, was determined to find out the identity of the 'snake' who allegedly recorded her badmouthing NeNe. NeNe also took to Twitter with a gibe aimed at Kenya Twitter gibe: Kenya on Twitter wondered if NeNe owned a mirror and accused her of 'always coming for the pretty girls on the show' Clear eyes: NeNe in response asked her followers to watch with 'clear eyes and open ears' 'I hope y'all are watching with clear eyes and open ears,' she tweeted. NeNe also retweeted posts critical of Kenya. One of the retweets read: 'So proud of you @NeNeLeakes! You really kept your composure and didn't drag Kenya down the hall'. A felon who already confessed to having a gun will represent himself at a trial after his guilty plea was rejected by Federal Judge Sandy Mattice on Monday. Judge Mattice came to this conclusion after an arduous process in which it eventually became clear that Raphael Ar-Rahmaan, 30, was less than thrilled with his attorney's representation. Ar-Rahmaan even attempted to get new counsel, a motion denied by the court. The defendant is a convicted felon and was found with a gun by police after he was wanted for a burglary. According to Ar-Rahmaan, it was originally believed that a warrant was never issued for his apprehension. Because of this, attorney Ripper filed a motion for suppression, as they believed the federal government could not prosecute Ar-Rahmaan for things that happened during an incident they did not have a warrant for. However, according to court documents, the federal government produced evidence they had a warrant for Ar-Rahmaan. Because of this, attorney Ripper dismissed his motion or a suppression hearing, since the factual basis for the suppression hearing no longer existed. However, Ar-Rahmaan believed his suppression hearing was withdrawn without his consent, a belief he vocalized to Judge Mattice. I feel like Ive denied my rights because of the suppression case (being dismissed), said Ar-Rahmaan, I was really looking forward to exoneration. When Judge Mattice told the defendant he had the option of representing himself at a trial, Ar-Rahmaan shot down that suggestion by saying, I dont know the language you speak and asked for a new attorney. Judge Mattice eliminated that idea, pointing out how expensive federal attorneys are. What have you done to make it fair for taxpayers to pay for two or three attorneys, asked the judge after Ar-Rahmaan said he had the right to have two or three shots at having an attorney who could represent him well. Ar-Rahmaan even admitted to needing to plead guilty if the interaction with the police was not suppressed, as he freely said the gun was found on him. However, during the plea session, the defendant continued to make comments about how he believed he was being forced into pleading guilty. He told Judge Mattice that he felt entrapped, and that agents were using a female to get him in a situation to be arrested. And yet when Judge Mattice asked him if he still wanted to plead guilty, Ar-Rahmaan begrudgingly continued. But as the guilty plea continued, and Ar-Rahmaan persisted in grumbling about how his representation was poor and he believed he was denied justice, Judge Mattice began to ask if he truly wanted to plead guilty after each question. An exasperated judge finally stopped the guilty plea midway through. He said, Im going to refuse your guilty plea, and youre going to represent yourself at your own trial, as a shocked courtroom looked on. The trial date will be set at a later time. Patra, a Ph.D. in Economics from IIT-Mumbai, is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and is said to be an inflation-hawk. The government has on Tuesday appointed career central banker Michael Debabrata Patra as the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Patra, who was earlier the executive director at the RBI, has been appointed for a period of three years, said news reports. Michael Debabrata Patra appointed @RBI Deputy Governor for three years pic.twitter.com/irL75NQa4g CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) January 14, 2020 Patra will be the fourth RBI deputy governor and is expected to get the charge of the monetary policy department, which was earlier with Viral Acharya, said a report in The Economic Times. The new deputy governor was the executive director, Monetary Policy Department, at the RBI. Patra, a PhD in Economics from IIT-Mumbai, is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the report said. He will fill a vacancy left by former deputy governor Acharya, who resigned in June last year, six months before the scheduled end of his term in office, reported Reuters. Last year, Acharya cited personal reasons for his departure but had previously clashed with Prime Minister Narendra Modis government over an erosion of the central banks independence. He was the third key senior central bank official under the Modi government to resign, following the departures of former RBI governors Raghuram Rajan in 2016 and Urjit Patel in December 2018. Patra, who had applied for a deputy govenors post in 2017, has been a part of the central banks monetary policy committee since its inception, and has long been viewed as a monetary policy hawk. However, since governor Shaktikanta Das took office in December last year, Patra has voted for three successive rate cuts and has said the economy needs fiscal support in the current environment. Its an excellent decision. He is an accomplished monetary economist with not just strong academic credentials but also has a rich understanding of ground-level economic realities of India. This is the best choice in my opinion, said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist at L&T Financial Holdings, to Reuters. Patra's PhD thesis was titled The Role of Invisibles in Indias Balance of Payments: A StructuralApproach. As a Fellow of Harvard University, he undertook post-doctoral research in the area of financial stability. The new RBI deputy governor has had a distinguished career as a central banker since 1985 and has worked in various positions in the RBI, according to IIT-Bombay website. Before becoming the executive director at the central bank, Patra was the principal adviser of the Monetary Policy Department, RBI, since July 2012. He has worked in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as senior adviser to the executive director (India) between December 2008 and 30 June 2012, when he actively engaged in the work of the IMFs executive board through the period of the global financial crisis and the ongoing Euro area sovereign debt crisis. Patra's book titled The Global Economic Crisis through an Indian Looking Glass vividly captures this experience. He has also published numerous papers in the areas of ination, monetary policy, international trade and nance, including exchange rates and the balance of payments, says the IIT-Bombay website. The selection process Earlier, the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointment Search Committee (FSRASC) reportedly interviewed 10 candidates including Patra and external MPC member Chetan Ghate among 3 other economists, two IAS officers for RBI's deputy governor's post. Ghate is an external member of RBI's Monetary Policy Committee. IAS officer Kshatrapati Shivaji was also said to be in the list for the position of RBI's deputy governor. He has been the CEO of SIDBI and principal secretary in the Ministry of Finance and is currently India's executive director at ADB (Asian Development Bank). Arunish Chawla, a bureaucrat currently in Washington at Indian Embassy economic wing and Manoj Govil, the principal finance secretary of Madhya Pradesh have possibly been interviewed for the post, reported IANS. However, there were no official communications on the interviews conducted on 7 November for the post. The search panel FSRASC is headed by Cabinet Secretary and also includes RBI governor, financial services secretary including independent members. Having previously worked as the CEO of SIDBI and principal secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Shivaji has been serving as an executive director of the ADB since December 2016. In August last year, the government had invited applications to fill the deputy governor's post. The advertisement said the applicant should have at least 25 years of work experience in public administration, including at the level of secretary or equivalent in the central government. Candidates in an Indian or international public financial institution could also apply. The appointment was for three years and the person was eligible for reappointment. FSRASC is responsible for selecting the eligible candidate. The central bank has four deputy governors of which two are appointed from outside, one a commercial banker and the other, an economist. The remaining two are promoted from within the RBI. After Acharya resigned last year, BP Kanungo, a deputy governor of the RBI, was given the charge of the monetary policy department and was inducted into the six-member monetary policy committee. With inputs from agencies Lawrence Crawley arrives for court in Norristown. He is accused of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend and then setting himself on fire after fleeing from police. Read more Was Lawrence Crawley a spurned lover seeking revenge? Or was he so consumed by rage that he didnt realize what he was doing when he stabbed, then repeatedly ran over Angela Stith with his truck outside her workplace? Crawleys fate is in the hands of a Montgomery County jury, which on Tuesday heard the details of Stiths slaying, the first in nearly two decades in Whitemarsh Township. Crawley, 34, of North Philadelphia, is charged with first- and third-degree murder as well as making false statements when trying to purchase a firearm. The trial, overseen by County Judge Thomas C. Branca, is expected to last through Friday. Assistant District Attorney Allison Ruth said in her opening statement that Crawley had stalked Stith in the weeks before she was killed on Aug. 3, 2018, prompting her to call Philadelphia police. He was apparently incensed, Ruth said, by a curt text message Stith had sent telling him, Its over. He was going to kill Maya however he could, Ruth told jurors, referring to Stith by her nickname. Because if he couldnt have her, no one could. Crawleys attorney, Carrie Allman, rejected the notion that he intentionally killed Stith. She said the couples tortured relationship pushed him to the brink. This is not first-degree murder, Allman said. This is rage, this is someone whos been set off, whose actions are completely out of control. Hours before the attack on Stith, Crawley tried to buy a gun, telling the clerk at Delias Gun Shop in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia that he was legally eligible to purchase it, Ruth said. He was denied when a background check revealed he had lied: A permanent restraining order had been filed against him by a woman in Florida. Undaunted, Crawley armed himself with two knives and a hammer and drove to Vector Security, where Stith worked as a dispatcher. It wasnt the first time he had targeted Stith: In April 2018, Crawley choked and beat her inside a hotel room in Montour County, Pa., court documents show. He pleaded guilty to simple assault in that case two weeks before Stiths murder. That day, as Stith took her break at 2:13 a.m., Crawley attacked her in her Toyota coupe, smashing the window with a hammer and following her after she escaped through the passenger-side door. Surveillance footage from Vector played in court showed Crawley stabbing his ex-girlfriend multiple times, with enough force to snap the blade off one of the knives. One of Stiths coworkers, Nadirah Muhammad, testified Tuesday that she ran out to help Stith after watching the attack through the surveillance cameras. Stith told her, she said, that she knew the person who had stabbed her. Moments later, as Muhammad was on the phone with an emergency dispatcher, she saw a Chevrolet Avalanche come barreling toward the prone Stith. Muhammad recognized the vehicle: She had seen it drop off and pick up Stith months ago, when she first started working at Vector, she said. The 7,000-pound truck ran Stith over and circled the building to hit her again multiple times. Afterward, Crawley sped onto the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike and drove westward for hours. Investigators caught up to him about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. Cornered, Crawley attempted to kill himself by setting himself on fire with gasoline, but state police were able to pull him from the vehicle, according to investigators. He spent days in intensive care after his arrest, with severe burns on 30% of his body. During questioning at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Crawley said he didnt remember stabbing or running over Stith, according to court documents. Crawley bragged about how he beat the charges from the assault in Montour County, and said that he set himself on fire at the command of a voice in his head. Officials cut a cake to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam China diplomatic ties at the ceremony on January 13th (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said the stable and healthy development of the bilateral ties over the past three decades has made positive contributions to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. He said the Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure friendship and comprehensive cooperation with the Party, Government and people of China one of the top priorities in Vietnams external policy. Since 2004, China has been the largest trade partner of Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam has been Chinas largest trade partner in ASEAN and the eight largest globally since 2016. Mai suggested that both sides continue fully and effectively realising high-level common perceptions, strengthening political trust, further stepping up people-to-people exchange, control and properly address differences at sea. Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Song Jingwu said the 70-year history has proved that the China Vietnam traditional friendship has been an invaluable asset of the two Parties, States and peoples, which needs to be treasured, protected and handed down to later generations. At the event, Vietnamese and Chinese artists and students staged music performances honouring bilateral friendship./. LEONI TWP., MI Eight vehicles were involved in two crashes on U.S. 127 in Leoni Township on Tuesday morning. Springport Township Police Officer George Truchan was driving north on U.S. 127 at Page Avenue in a marked police vehicle when he was cut off by a 2007 Pontiac G6 at 7:45 a.m., Jan. 14, Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety Director Mike Jester said. Truchans vehicle rolled and hit the Page Avenue bridge. The 64-year-old Brooklyn man was pinned in the police cruiser and had to be freed by emergency personnel, but his injuries were minor, Jester said. The driver of the Pontiac, Richard Bullard, 35, of Blackman Township, was not injured, Jester said. An off-duty Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety detective witnessed the crash, Jester said. Bullard was determined to be at fault and was cited, he said. A second crash occurred on southbound U.S. 127 because traffic backed up on the other side of the freeway due to the first crash, Jester said. This crash, at 8:10 a.m. near E. Michigan Avenue, occurred when officers were still on scene at the first crash. A 67-year-old Brooklyn man was driving a truck and rear-ended a vehicle driven by a 63-year-old Jackson man, Jester said. Four more vehicles were involved in the crash because of a chain reaction, Jester said. The 63-year-old Jackson man had serious injures and was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Jester said. Everyone else had either minor injuries or were uninjured, he said. All lanes on U.S. 127 reopened by 11:15 a.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Blackman-Leoni Traffic Crash Reconstruction is investigating the second crash, Jester said. On-duty public safety officers are handling the first crash, he said. READ MORE JACKSON NEWS: Multiple shots fired in Jackson neighborhood City shifts $2M to Loomis Park, incubator kitchen, new neighborhood Classes back in session in Michigan Center Schools, but students should bring water Unfinished Greenwood Avenue traffic circle to get regraded regularly for potholes Teen pleads guilty to robbing Jackson cellphone store Two employees of a petrol pump were allegedly attacked and looted of Rs 5 lakh by car-borne miscreants here on Tuesday, an official said. The incident took place around 3.30 pm near an Indian Oil pump in Niwari area, he said. Kapil and Ram Naresh left the fuel station to deposit the money in a bank in Modinagar when they were attacked by two miscreants, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani told PTI. The miscreants snatched their bag containing the money and fired four rounds in the air while fleeing, owner of the fuel pump Ajay Tyagi said. Police are examining CCTV footage in which the suspects can be seen, the SSP said. In another incident of robbery, at around 4.45 pm on Monday a supervisor of a flour mill and his associate were robbed at gunpoint. They were going to Masuri after collecting a payment Rs 5 lakh, the police said. An investigation is underway, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fund services business which oversaw Neil Woodford's doomed investment empire is under fire for failing to adequately protect savers. Link Fund Solutions, which supervised Woodford's management of his flagship Equity Income fund and smaller Income Focus fund, played a key role in the crisis when it stopped savers withdrawing their money from the funds. It did so to protect investors, as too many wanted to pull their money out and this would have forced Woodford into a fire sale of assets to raise the cash. Link Fund Solutions should have shouted much louder on behalf of investors before Woodford's funds hit crisis point, former City minister Lord Myners said But former City minister Lord Myners said Link should have shouted much louder on behalf of investors before Woodford's funds hit crisis point. He also continued to rake in fees from investors even when they were barred from pulling their money out, collecting a total of 8million during the five months from the suspension of the Equity Income fund to his dismissal in October. Myners said: 'As it is at the moment, you only have one voice around the table and that's the fund manager's. 'There's no one around the table saying 'Should you keep charging fees?' That's what Link should have done.' Myners blamed the Financial Conduct Authority for putting in place weak rules. He added: 'I think the FCA is guilty of creating a real missed opportunity.' Link said it 'continues to act in full accordance with its legal and regulatory obligations, including maintaining its strictly independent stance.' Hossein Karoubi was arrested two days after his father, also under arrest for criticizing the supreme guide. For the third consecutive day in Tehran and Isfahan, in the south, young people in the square against the shooting down of the Ukrainian plane. UN secretary general spokesman calls the reports of violence "worrying". Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Iranian authorities have arrested Hossein Karoubi, son of Mahdi Karoubi, one of the leaders of the Green Wave pro-democracy movement, who has also been arrested (again) in recent days. Meanwhile, for the third consecutive day, street protests were against the shooting down of the Ukrainian airliner took place in Tehran and in other cities of the country. The airliner was hit by a missile launched by the Pasdaran and which resulted in the death of 176 people. According to the Sahamnews website, Hossein was arrested two days after his father, who had been under house arrrest since 2011 . Mahdi, opposition leader in charge of the Green Wave, ran for the 2009 presidential election together with Hossein Mousavi for the reformist wing. The elections, which are suspected of episodes of fraud, were then won by the conservative candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, triggering violent street protests. Following the defeat, the reformist Mousavi ended up under arrest without formal charges or trial. Two days ago the last arrest of Karoubi, for having publicly asked for the resignation of the supreme guide, the great Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for the mismanagement of the story of the downed aircraft. In a note circulated online, he allegedly turned to the highest political and religious office in the Islamic Republic, asking for explanations on the "delay" in information regarding the tragedy. Yesterday the news came of the arrest of father and son. Hossein is Mahdi's eldest son and three years ago he had spent about six months in prison for "propaganda against the regime". Meanwhile, yesterday, for the third consecutive day, the young people of the capital gathered around the universities and marched through the streets in the direction of Azadi (freedom) square. The protest doesn't seem to stop, despite attempts to quell discontent by the police and security forces (Basj). Local witnesses report new charges and tear gas launches. Some videos posted online also show the use of bullets and firearms; which has been strongly denied by authorities. At present it is not possible to draw a complete picture of the protest and the extent of the response of the authorities due to the restrictions on independent media. However, videos continue to circulate showing hundreds of demonstrators on the streets of the cities of Tehran and Isfahan in the south, chanting slogans and songs including "To hell with the religious". The spokesman of the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres also referred to unconfirmed rumors of violence. In a note released yesterday, Stephane Dujarric defines the stories of violence against demonstrators as "worrying", and once again underlines the "right to freedom of expression and association" of a people who meet in a "peaceful" way. New Delhi, Jan 14 : As the political temperature begins to warm up in the run-up to the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections, the findings of the IANS/C-Voter Delhi Tracker voter survey's second leg indicate that the ruling Aam Admi Party (AAP) is consolidating its grip on the electorate. On Tuesday, asked who they would vote for if assembly elections are held today, 54.6 per cent of the survey respondents responded by saying "AAP". Incumbent Arvind Kejriwal, with 67.6 per cent approval, emerged as the top choice as Chief Minister for Delhi voters. The latest trends also show that while the capital's voters prefer the AAP in the assembly elections, the Narendra Modi magic remains undiminished in the context of parliamentary elections. Asked who they would vote for if the Lok Sabha elections were held today, 51.1 per cent responded in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi remains the overwhelming choice as Prime Minister with 70.7 per cent. Interestingly, Kejriwal bagged 10 per cent support in this category, far ahead of former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at 4.1 per cent and interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi at 0.8 per cent. In the outgoing Assembly, the AAP had won 67 seats which came down to 62 after five of its legislators were disqualified. It lost one more seat in a bypoll after the seat was vacated by an AAP legislator who won in the Punjab Assembly polls. Tuesday's trends show Congress is still lagging far behind, at third position. Dr Yashwant Deshmukh of C-Voter told IANS that the party has been unable to overcome the loss of late former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, while the BJP has been unable to project a credible Chief Minister candidate. The percentage of undecided voters is consolidating in favour of the AAP. The survey questionnaire sought respondents' answers to four broad questions. "Whom will you vote for if the Assembly elections are held today?" saw the AAP get 54.7 per cent, but to "Whom will you vote for if the Lok Sabha elections are held today?", the BJP was the winner with 57.1 per cent. To "If for one reason or another you do not vote for your favourite party, then which party will be your second preference for voting?", 23.3 per cent indicated support for the BJP. And "Whom would you like to see as the CM of Delhi ?", Kejriwal was the clear favourite with 67.6 per cent in his favour. In addition, respondents were also asked further questions relating to issues that matter to voters of Delhi. The trends reflect a continuation of the survey trends released a week ago, in which the AAP had garnered 53.3 percent of the voters surveyed. According to Deshmukh, the AAP has cleverly stayed focused upon local issues and is not getting bogged down in issues like the CAA protests and the JNU row. The IANS-C-Voter Delhi Tracker is an extensive poll survey exercise that tracks voter tendencies across Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies. The sample size of the second leg, conducted on Tuesday across urban, semi-urban and rural areas up to 4 p.m., was 2,326 voters. Its first edition was released on January 6, the day the election dates were announced by the Election Commission. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Phase 1 commodity targets likely more than China can chew - analysts Chinese flag flutters near a statue of late Chinese chairman Mao Zedong at a train station in Dandong By Hallie Gu and Tom Westbrook BEIJING/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Commodity traders and analysts are struggling to map out how China will reach the eye-popping amounts it is committing to buy from the United States under Phase 1 of their trade deal. China has pledged to buy $50 billion more in U.S. energy supplies, and will raise U.S. agriculture purchases by some $32 billion over two years above 2017's $24 billion baseline, according to a source briefed on the deal to be signed on Wednesday. The deal also stipulates purchases of an additional $80 billion in manufactured goods. Those totals would certainly trim the roughly $300 billion annual trade gap between the countries. However, analysts who study Chinese commodity flows remain sceptical that Beijing can absorb such quantities of U.S. goods without threatening trade ties with other suppliers, hurting its own domestic producers, and making substantial changes to import standards and quotas. Either China massively increases imports and reduces current account surplus from the current 1.5% of GDP, or it engages in trade diversion away from current providers of goods which compete with the U.S." said Alicia Garcia Herrero, Chief Economist Asia Pacific at Natixis in Hong Kong. "I see this second scenario as much more likely." ENERGY China will have to include U.S. crude, liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and imports of petrochemical raw materials such as ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to meet the target, Chinese trade sources and analysts said. But it would still struggle unless new supply deals are signed that displace other exporters, they said. The $50 billion target is "too aggressive and unlikely to achieve", said Seng Yick Tee, an analyst at SIA Energy in Beijing, adding that energy product exports from the United States to China were about $8 billion in 2017 and 2018. "To achieve $25 billion a year, all the imports need to be tripled." Story continues Gavin Thompson, Vice Chair for Asia Pacific at Wood Mackenzie, was surprised by the energy figure since it would mean tariffs on U.S. crude and LNG imports would have to be removed, particularly for LNG to be competitive. Quality, rather than quantity, may be another hurdle. "Most of the Chinese refineries were designed to process medium-sour crude, but U.S. oil is mostly light, sweet," SIA's Tee said, referring to the density and the sulphur amounts in crude, which dictate the types of fuels that can be refined from an oil. AGRICULTURE TARGET "SHOCKING" The pledge to boost U.S. farm imports by over $30 billion over two years is "shocking" since that increment is more than the value of farm products it has purchased from the U.S. in a single year, said a China-based grains trader. "It would make (more) sense if the $32 billion is the total number, not the increased number." Such a large fixed dollar-figure from one producer would also risk supply disruptions and distort international crop prices, said Iris Pang, Greater China economist at ING in Hong Kong. "Prices of agri (commodities) from the rest of the world could be cheaper, especially after China cut import tariffs (in January). So even after retaliatory tariffs are removed, the U.S. will not have a competitive advantage over other economies," she said. Traders also questioned what products China could buy from the United States since African swine fever has dented demand for soybeans for animal feed and quotas to protect domestic farmers limit grain imports. "China will, for sure, buy more soybeans, let's say, 30 to 40 million tonnes. (For) wheat, maybe we can increase purchases within the import quota," said a trader with a Chinese grain importer. A third grains trader said: "If such volume (of products) come to China, it will be a disaster for us (in the domestic market)." (Additional reporting by Xu Muyu in BEIJING, Sam Shen in SHANGHAI, Chen Aizhu, Tom Westbrook and Florence Tan in SINGAPORE; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) This is exactly what I was afraid of when we elected a man with no political, diplomatic or military experience: a potentially epic crisis. Nearly three years into the Donald Trump presidency, it has not turned out as badly as Id expected. Not that I think hes done much particularly well, mind you. My expectations were simply that low. Given his resume, his colossal ego and his lack of any filter, I fully imagined Trump tanking the economy, elevating government dysfunction to new heights, destroying alliances and starting a new war or two. In fact the economy has proven resilient. Congress, the courts, his own advisors and bureaucratic inertia have kept Trump from swamping the ship of state. Allies have for the most part demonstrated tolerance and restraint when dealing with the president and his antics. And despite his best efforts (remember North Korea?) Trump has yet to stoke any new military conflicts. With a recent drone attack and subsequent bluster, however, he may have dangerously escalated the ongoing war in the Middle East. Earlier this month Trump ordered a strike that killed Major-General Quassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards whom many considered the second most powerful man in the country (behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei). To the U.S. Soleimani was a known terrorist who coordinated with militia groups across the region to attack America and its allies while bolstering Iranian influence. One could easily assume his death has made the Middle East safer for American troops and Western interests. For now, perhaps, but in the long term not so much. Fomenting discontent within Iran late last year led to mass anti-government protests, threatening to undermine the nations hardline regime. Soleimani was reportedly planning new attacks against American interests in hopes of drawing a military response that would redirect public outrage towards the U.S. His killing has likely brought that about more quickly and completely than any military action he could have initiated. At a time when (Trumps) unprecedented sanctions had stirred unrest inside Iran, the political elite has just been handed a rallying cry, wrote Mohammad Ali Shabani, a researcher at Soas University in London. The strike on Soleimani, whose status approached that of national icon, will harden popular sentiment against the U.S. while simultaneously shoring up the regime. Crazy Trump, said Zeinab Soleimani, daughter of the slain general. Dont think that everything is over with my fathers martyrdom. Indeed Soleimanis successor, Esmail Ghaani, has promised Iranian efforts to get rid of America from the region will move forward unchecked. We promise to continue down martyr Soleimanis path as firmly as before with the help of God, he vowed. Iran has also fully abandoned any effort to comply with the 2015 agreement limiting its nuclear program. While Soleimanis killing has done little to alter Iranian policy, it may have damaged an already tenuous relationship with erstwhile U.S. ally Iraq. The U.S. attack was carried out near the Baghdad airport, apparently without Iraqi knowledge or consent. Most Iraqi leaders wish for peaceful relations with Iran, while some openly support close political and economic ties with Tehran. They view the killing on Iraqi soil as a violation of the nations sovereignty and as a threat to internal and regional stability. As a result the Iraqi parliament voted to call for the removal of U.S. troops from the nation. While the request is non-binding, failure to honor it could further strain U.S.-Iraqi relations and energize its anti-American factions. Complying, meanwhile, would undermine international efforts to combat remnants of ISIS and other extremist groups within Iraq and Syria, as well as cede further influence to Iran. The reckless killing of this powerful American enemy, however justifiable it may seem, has created a mess that will be difficult if not impossible to clean up with either diplomacy or military might. Both American troops and Western interests will likely suffer as a result. Tim Ackarman, a regular columnist for the Globe Gazette, lives in Miller. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 14 A day after meeting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) working president J P Nadda in the capital, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday arrived in Visakhapatnam, where he was welcomed by a huge crowd. In view of actor-cum-politician's visit to Kakinada later today, the police have already imposed section 144, which restricts assembly of more than four people in an area, to avoid any incident. Leaders of Jana Sena have tried to hold a rally in Kakinada against YSRCP legislator Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy's abusive comments against Kalyan and Kapu community people on Sunday. However, the Jana Sena cadres were obstructed by YSRCP followers, which led to an altercation between two groups, who pelted stones at each other. On Sunday, Kalyan had tweeted, condemning Dwarampudi's remark. Moreover, the Jana Sena chief is visiting Kakinada to express solidarity with the cadres, who were injured in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asish Mehta By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Two Odisha police personnel had a bitter experience in Rajasthan where they had gone to bring a man on transit remand in connection with an alleged cheating case when the locals manhandled them. According to police, the proprietor of Mohadadhi Cement Product, Mitra Mishra, had approached SDJM Court here in 2017 and lodged a complaint against Ajmer-based firm LPM Engineering Private Limited for allegedly cheating her. On the order of the court, Khandagiri police registered a case against LPMs three directors under Sections 405, 406, 420, 120-B and 34 of IPC in 2018. Mohadadhis registered office is located at Panchasakha Nagar under Khandagiri police limits and the firm deals with manufacture and supply of machinery required for setting up fly ash and other cement product units. Mohadadhis proprietor Mitra Mishra had received a quotation from LPM, which assured to provide the machinery. She had paid `27.66 lakh to LPMs three directors, including Mahaveer Prasad Mali, a police officer of Khandagiri police station said. But, Mali and other directors neither supplied the machinery to Mohadadhi nor refunded the money. On the order of Commissionerate Police, a sub-inspector and a constable of Khandagiri police station visited Ajmer recently. They went to Malis office at Parbatpura bypass under Adarsh Nagar police limits in Ajmer and asked him to accompany them for questioning on January 10. A constable of local police station had accompanied the Odisha police personnel. While Mali was bought out of the office, the firms workers assaulted the three policemen to prevent them from taking him. On being informed, additional force from Adarsh Nagar rushed to the spot, rescued the police personnel and brought them along with Mali. The labourers opposed police to take away Mali. A case has been registered in this regard under Sections 332 and 353 of IPC and nine persons have been arrested, Adarsh Nagar police station IIC Dharamveer Singh told this paper over phone. Mali was produced before CJM court in Ajmer which granted permission to take him to Bhubaneswar on transit remand, the police officer posted at Khandagiri police station said. He was produced before a court here on Sunday, he added. The Australian bushfires could be just a taste of what's to come, according to scientists who claim that human-induced climate change is fuelling wildfires. The current bushfires across Australia, which have so far killed 24 people and at least a billion animals, according to estimates, will become 'normal' conditions, the scientists claim. 'The average temperature in Australia in December 2019 was exceptionally hot compared to the historical record, and played a key role in the severity and spread of the recent bushfires,' said Professor Richard Betts at the Met Office Hadley Centre. 'Those temperatures would be normal at nearly 3 degrees C (5.4F) global warming.' Professor Betts and other British and Australian scientists used an online tool to conduct a rapid response review of 57 peer-reviewed studies on climate change. All studies showed links between climate change and increased frequency of severity of fire weather periods with high fire risk due to high temperatures, low humidity, low rainfall and high winds. Rising global temperatures, more frequent heatwaves and associated droughts in some regions increase the likelihood of wildfires by stimulating hot and dry conditions. Horses in a paddock as the Gospers Mountain Fire impacts a property at Bilpin, in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney Overall, the 57 papers reviewed clearly show human-induced warming has already led to a global increase in the frequency and severity of fire weather, increasing the risks of wildfire, said lead author Dr Matthew Jones at the University of East Anglia. This has been seen in many regions, including the western US and Canada, southern Europe, Scandinavia and Amazonia.' The 2018 fires in Sweden were about 10 per cent more likely in the current climate than in the pre-industrial climate, said the review, which has been published on the ScienceBrief online platform. In the Amazon, meanwhile, climate-driven changes in fire weather are made worse by landscape fragmentation caused by deforestation. Human-induced warming is also increasing fire risk in other regions, including Siberia and Australia. Australias bushfires, which have killed 27 people and scorched more than 10 million hectares of land, are still raging across parts of New South Wales and Victoria in the south west. Image on January 2, 2020, shows, a large fire burning in northeast Tasmania. The blaze is part of a network of suspicious fires near Fingal which have burned across more than 6600 hectares The fires had killed an estimated half a billion animals by January 4, with the number expected to continue to rise. However, there is also evidence that humans have significant potential to control how this fire risk translates into fire activity, Dr Jones says, in particular through land management decisions and ignition sources. 'Ultimately, society as a whole needs to carefully consider how it manages its relationship with fire in the wildland-urban interface where urban and natural areas meet,' he told MailOnline. 'Key to minimising risk is managing fuel loads in areas where humans come into close contact with increasingly fire-prone vegetation. Fire approaches the village of Nerrigundah, Australia in December. The tiny village has been among the hardest hit by Australia's devastating wildfires, about with two thirds of the homes destroyed and a 71-year-old man killed A 70-metre high wall of flames bore down in the Blue Mountains, north-west of Sydney in December 'Embedding communities within forest exaggerates their risk of being horribly affected by forest fires when they do, inevitably, occur so building further and further into forests is a bad idea.' California also suffered from a series of wildfires last year, which burnt over 100,000 hectares of land. Fire weather seasons around the world have got longer by about 20 per cent on average, particularly in closed-canopy forest areas, the review says. A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley on the outskirts of Cooma on January 4 Fire and thick smoke covers the Australian village of Nerrigundah in New South Wales a hellish shade of red A rescuer approaches a lost looking koala to offer it some help. The government in New South Wales has dropped sweet potatoes and carrots onto forest floors to offer animals something to eat Wildfires can't be prevented, and the risks are increasing because of climate change, said Professor Iain Prentice at Imperial College London. This makes it urgent to consider ways of reducing the risks to people. Land planning should take the increasing risk in fire weather into account. Fire weather does occur naturally but is becoming more severe and widespread due to climate change, said Professor Betts. Flames from a controlled fire burn up tree trunks as firefighters work at building a containment line at a wildfire near Bodalla, Australia Fire burns peatland and forest inside Sebangau national park on September 14, 2019 in the outskirts of Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia 'Limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius would help avoid further increases in the risk of extreme fire weather. Scientists aim to keep the average rise in global temperature below 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) this century, as set out in the Paris Agreement in 2015. The scientists of the review are from the University of East Anglia, University of Exeter, Imperial College London, Met Office Hadley Centre a government-backed UK research centre and CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, a department of Australias science research agency. The 57 peer-reviewed papers were published since the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report in 2013. ScienceBrief is a new online platform for scientists to gather and review current scientific knowledge. Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - Philippe Mvouo, president of the Higher Council for Freedom of Communication (CSLC), on Tuesday denounced in Brazzaville, the poor communication of political actors, noting that political communication was no longer a dream in the country The Dublin retail technology startup Pointy is to be acquired by Google, the second time co-founder Mark Cummins has sold a company to the tech giant. Spokespeople for both Google and Pointy declined to say how much the acquisition figure will be. However, the startup had raised $19m to date, making it likely that its a multiple of this figure. In 2010, Mr Cummins sold a separate startup, Plink, to Google. It is the fourth Irish startup that the search giant has acquired, having snapped up TCD campus companies Thrive in 2015 and Green Parrot Pictures in 2011. Pointy makes technology that connects the inventory of local shops to online e-commerce channels. It makes a Pointy Box that connects to a shops barcode scanner and automatically lists the shops products online, optimising them for search engines. The idea is that when people search for products, they find results from local stores instead of simply on Amazon or other giant online specialists. In 2018, Pointy raised $12m (10.2m) in a Series B funding round. At that time, the main investor was Noel Ruanes Polaris Partners, with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen also investing through his Vulcan Capital firm. In total, Pointy raised 16.2m in funding. Its early investors included the founder of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg, the founder of Bebo, Michael Birch and the co-founder of Transferwise, Taavet Hinrikus. Dublin-based Frontline Ventures is also a prominent investor. Google swooped when it saw that Pointy was starting to gain traction in US retailers. For all the hype around e-commerce and the media narrative of retail apocalypse, people still make the vast majority of their purchases in local stores, Mr Cummins said when describing Pointy. But local retailers have lost out in not having their products visible online and we solve that problem for them. We help stores to be more visible online. It seemed crazy to us that people had to wait two days for Amazon to deliver a product that could be 100 yards away in a local store. A spokeswoman for Google said: Google has long been committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive in the online world. One of the challenges small merchants face is getting their in-store inventory information online in a way that is easy to manage and reliably up to date. Since organizing the world's information is core to what we do, we've been working to make it easier for local merchants to better showcase their products to interested shoppers on Google. Today, were excited to share that weve entered into an agreement to acquire Pointy, a company based in Dublin, Ireland that has helped thousands of local retailers bring their product inventory online. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the coming weeks. With Pointy, merchants simply plug a small box into their barcode scanner or install the Pointy app on their point of sale system, which surfaces the products that they sell directly into the see whats in store section of their business profile on Google Search. Since we introduced this functionality a few years ago, Pointy has been one of our key partners, helping thousands of local merchants display this data within Google. Were looking forward to working with Pointy to help even more local retailers bring their product inventory online. Pointy co-founders Mark Cummins and Charles Bibby said that the company would continue with its current projects. Over the past several years weve developed a very close partnership with Google, the founders said in a blog post. It became clear that we shared the same vision of how technology can improve local retail businesses. So today is a natural next step in our journey. By joining forces, we will be able to help people discover local stores and products on a much larger scale. We think this is the right way to accomplish what we set out to do - to bring the worlds retailers online and give them the tools they need to thrive. Speaking about the acquisition, Frontline Ventures Partner, Will Prendergast said: Pointy's vision is to make the world's offline products searchable for consumers and empower merchants to become smart retailers. Post acquisition, Google will continue rolling out the Pointy technology, to further enhance the local consumer experience and empower local retailers to be more efficient, and more profitable. SpiceJet on Tuesday said it is going to start flight operations between Ahmedabad and Aurangabad, and would begin a second daily flight on Mumbai-Mangalore route in the first half of February. The flight on Ahmedabad-Aurangabad route, which would begin from February 10, would operate all days except Sundays. "SpiceJet will service the routes using a mix of 90- eater Bombardier Q400 aircraft and 189-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft," the airline said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) releases its next round of earnings this Tuesday, January 14. Get the latest predictions in Benzinga's essential guide to the company's Q4 earnings report. Earnings and Revenue Wall Street analysts see Delta Air Lines reporting earnings of $1.40 per share on revenue of $11.35 billion. View more earnings on DAL In the same quarter last year, Delta Air Lines reported earnings per share of $1.30 on sales of $10.74 billion. If the company were to report inline earnings when it publishes results Tuesday, earnings would be up 7.69%. Sales would be up 5.66% on a year-over-year basis. Delta Air Lines's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past like this: Quarter Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Q1 2019 Q4 2018 EPS Estimate 2.260 2.250 0.890 1.26 EPS Actual 2.320 2.350 0.960 1.3 Stock Performance Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 21.57%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders should be content going into this earnings release. Analysts have adjusted their estimates higher for EPS and revenues over the past 90 days. The average rating by analysts on Delta Air Lines stock is a Neutral. The strength of this rating has maintained conviction over the past 90 days. Conference Call Delta Air Lines is scheduled to hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET and can be accessed here. 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A huge section of roof on a building in Slough High Street has reportedly been ripped off after strong winds battered the UK. Footage was taken in the High Street in Berkshire showing a large part of a roof in the middle of the road on Tuesday evening. No one is believed to have been injured in the incident, according to emergency services. Thames Valley Police are on the scene now, the road has been closed and specialists are attempting to make the area safe. The fire service said they are currently "not aware of anyone trapped" but are not "100% sure if anyone was still in the damaged building, which is believed to be both residential and commercial. Massive section of a roof has crashed into Slough high street / Muhammed Faras Khan Gusts in the area were in excess of 50mph on Tuesday evening, according to the Met Office, amid severe weather that has caused travel chaos across the country. One man has described how his car was only metres away from being hit by the falling roof. Taxi driver Haris Baig, 30, from Slough, said he was driving along the High Street when he saw a large section of roof crash down in front of him. At first I thought it was scaffolding, but then I realised the whole roof had come down. There was a massive amount of noise," he said. I was about 15 metres away and slammed on my brakes. I got out to see if everyone was alright. That was my first reaction, but at the same time I was thinking is this even safe? Mr Baig said he did not see anyone injured, but heard that one person had broken their leg. It was a disaster. It was a miracle no one was killed. A council spokesman urged people to avoid the area and said: "We are aware of the incident in Slough High Street and specialist officers are working with emergency services to ensure safety of debris and buildings and also clear the street." There are a number of housing association buildings along the high street however, a council spokeswoman confirmed it was "not one of our buildings". There are currently believed to be no injuries / Muhammed Faras Khan Videos and images of the ongoing incident have been posted on shocked onlookers on social media. Some clips appear to show a van under the rubble. While some people were captured walking around the decimated roof and calling for survivors. Housing firm Paradigm Housing said the incident in Slough had affected one of its properties, although it is unclear whether the roof had come off its building. In a statement on Twitter the firm said: We are aware of an incident affecting one of our properties in Slough. Police have closed off the high street in Slough / PA We have staff on site and are working with the emergency services and supporting residents. If you need to contact us please ring 0300 303 1010 where you will be connected to our out of hours provider. Network Rail shut the railway between Horsham and Dorking after a landslip near Ockley in Surrey. A spokesman for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said three fire engines were in attendance on Slough High Street after the roof came off in the wind. The fire service said they were currently not aware of anyone trapped under the roof, which has blown into the high street. The roof has come off in the wind. The current situation is trying to make the scene safe, the spokesman said. Emergency service members are now checking the building is safe and to make sure no one is still in the address. Crews from Slough, Langley and Dee Road fire stations are at the scene. He added they were not 100% sure if anyone was still in the damaged building", which is believed to be both residential and commercial. South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police are also in attendance, alongside a structural engineer from Slough Borough Council. Thames Valley Police have also issued a statement saying they "do not believe that anyone has been seriously injured". It comes as weather warnings remain in force across the UK after Storm Brendan battered the country with winds of nearly 90mph on Monday. A second low-pressure front brought further high winds to much of England and Wales on Tuesday, with the Environment Agency warning strong winds, high tides and large waves could lead to flooding. The high winds forced airlines to divert flights scheduled to land at Gatwick Airport, while also causing disruption to ferries and railways. Passengers faced delays and temporary speed limits due to the heavy winds and fallen trees, while drivers were advised to take extra care on the roads. Cross Country said that due to the strong gales, services were suspended between Southampton Central and Bournemouth. A yellow weather warning for rain in the south-east of England remains in place until 9am on Wednesday, while 22 flood warnings and 145 flood alerts had been issued by the EA on Tuesday evening. The Met Office said the strong winds were due to ease overnight into Wednesday. A torrential downpour in Jakarta and the surrounding provinces of West Java and Banten on New Years Eve caused a catastrophic flood that has killed 67 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Rivers burst their banks, overturning cars and completely submerging single-storey houses. It is Jakartas deadliest flood since the 2007 deluge, which killed 80 people. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), an estimated 377 millimetres of rain fell in one day, Jakartas heaviest rainfall since records began in 1866. Within hours of the downpour, the water had risen nearly eight metres in some areas. The state weather agency has forecasted more extreme rainfall later in the month and until the rainy season ends in April. Floodwaters submerged 74 districts across the citys metropolitan area, including 12 districts of inner-city Jakarta, many of which had never previously been affected by flooding. More than 1,300 homes in poorer neighbourhoods have been devastated, and thousands more heavily damaged. Residents have drowned, some died of hypothermia or were electrocuted. Hundreds of thousands have abandoned their homes and sought refuge in damp overcrowded emergency shelters. The heavy rain caused mudslides in hilly areas on the capitals outskirts that buried dozens of people. On Sunday the search for buried victims of a massive landslide in the impoverished rural district of Sukajaya in West Java was ended after two weeks. The mudslides destroyed over 400 houses, displaced 4,000 farmers and workers, and claimed six lives. Several remain missing. Across Jakarta, 724 power stations were shut down by the state-owned electricity company PLN as a precaution, after a 16-year-old boy was electrocuted by a power line. Public transport operations were disrupted, and the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport was temporarily closed due to submerged runways. Blackouts and lack of telecommunications hampered search efforts. Water and electricity supplies were still cut long after the floods receded. Residents had to use rafts to navigate through waterlogged roads and floating debris. One Jakarta resident, Pudji, said she had to wait 22 hours on her roof before she was rescued, the Economist reported. In response, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) dispatched relief items, deployed personnel, and established evacuation centres for victims. The Indonesian Red Cross deployed volunteers and staff to the affected areas, and is also providing first aid and health services. More than 1,000 soldiers and health workers have sprayed Jakarta to fend off possible waterborne diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis, which could spread from the floodwaters that have pooled around the capital. President Joko Widodo visited a number of the hardest-hit villages, including in Lebak regency in Banten where 19 schools were damaged. He had planned to meet with the residents of the buried hamlets in Sukajaya, but the ground was too unstable for his helicopter to land. Java was not the only region to be inundated by heavy rain. Throughout the Indonesian archipelago at least 169 areas were affected by floods. In the weeks leading up to the New Years Eve downpour, flash floods destroyed bridges and damaged villages in several provinces on the island of Sumatra. A family of five people went missing in Labuhan Batu regency, North Sumatra, apparently swept away on the river along with their house, in a flood that wrecked 229 homes. Floods in West Sumatra, Bengkulu, and Central Sulawesi have resulted in fatalities and left thousands homeless. President Widodo did not hesitate to blame the poorest sections of the Indonesian working class for the disaster. He stated that flooding was brought on by workers converting land into residential areas and not disposing of rubbish properly, according to local newspaper Kompas . For years Widodo has promised to improve Jakartas flood defences by building two dams and beginning construction work on the walls of the Ciliwung River. Those projects, however, have been plagued by delays. On January 2, he told reporters, The most important thing at the moment is that evacuation of victims, safety, and security of the community take precedence. Later on, flood infrastructure will be handled after the evacuation handling is complete. As in other countries, Indonesian workers and the rural masses are furious at the indifference of the government and ruling elites to their plight in times of natural disaster. After the 2007 disaster, a flood in 2013 killed 47 people and submerged much of the citys less developed districts when canals overflowed. And yet the response of successive governments has been characterised by insufficient investment in flood prevention infrastructure or, at worst, criminal negligence. Indonesia is undergoing a historic transformation from a largely rural to urban society, with over 68 percent of the population expected to be living in cities within the next five years, according to the World Bank. The countrys rapid urbanisation, however, is regulated by private interests, as seen in the prioritisation of clean drinking water for residents in Jakartas wealthy districts, whose use of groundwater has led to the sinking of the megacity. Delik Hudalah, a researcher at the Institute of Technology in Bandung, found that governments had been so negligent that the current character of the city has been shaped almost entirely by the private business sector. The floods have ignited discussion in Indonesian news outlets and social media about growing social inequality. Elisa Sutanudjaja, director of the Jakarta-based Rujak Centre for Urban Studies, said: The rich are able to save themselves at the expense of other neighbourhoods In a climate crisis, [the poor] are the first victims, and the last ones to get help. An aerial photo posted on Twitter showed the pristine grounds of Jakartas Shangri-La Hotel unaffected by the downpour, while the adjacent poor kampung (neighbourhood) was submerged in muddy floodwaters. The photo generated much conversation on how the floods had laid the countrys inequality bare. Last Friday, Tempo reported on an ominous new development. Jakarta Police Chief Nana Sudjana announced the formation of a new task force designed to deal with extreme weather catastrophes, consisting of police, armed forces, and related agencies. The governments fear is that the widespread anger stirred up by the flood disaster could develop into a mass movement against social inequality, poverty and the Indonesian ruling class that presides over it. Jakarta, a sinking megacity of 35 million people faced with growing congestion and air pollution, is a social explosion waiting to happen. However, the problems of Jakarta are simply a concentrated expression of the grotesque levels of social inequality across Indonesia and throughout the region. Faced with further demonstrations and public outrage, the Widodo administration is preparing police-state measures, as it has done in the brutal state repression of demonstrations in West Papua over the past four months. A Filipino couple did not let their wedding get foiled by nature as they went ahead with tying the knot, against the backdrop of the ash-spewing Taal volcano on Sunday. Chino and Kat Vaflor were tying the knot at a venue 10 miles from the Taal Volcano when wedding photographer Randolf Evan captured dramatic shots of the couple with the ash plume seemingly overhead. IMAGE: The happy couple as they got married at the Savannah Farm, Alfonso, in the Philippines. Large plumes of ash from the Taal volcano can be seen clearly spewing into the skies above the couple. Photograph: Randolf Evan/Facebook Wedding photographer Randolf Evan told the BBC there was 'no prior notice at all' that the volcano was stirring. "We noticed white smoke coming out of Taal during preparations around 2 pm and from then on we knew something unusual was already going on with the volcano," he was quoted as saying. IMAGE: Randolf Evan, a photographer at the wedding ceremony, said despite the clearly restless volcano it did not feel unsafe. Photograph: Randolf Evan/Facebook The authorities in Philippines raised the alert to the second-highest level as they warned an 'explosive eruption' could take place in as little as a few hours. But, the wedding went on as planned -- just six miles from the volcano. On Monday, the volcano appeared to get more volatile with fountains of lava seen gushing from it; and clouds of ash blowing more than 60 miles north of it, into the nation's capital, shutting down its international airport. IMAGE: Guests stayed late into the evening to celebrate the couple tying the knot as ash continued to fill the sky and lightning could be seen striking in the air. Photograph: Randolf Evan/Facebook Authorities have been scrambling to evacuate more than 6,000 villagers from the volcanic island which is located in the middle of a lake -- a popular tourist spot. Taal sits in a picturesque lake and is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation where earthquakes and eruptions are a frightening and destructive part of life. IMAGE: A dog left in a garage covered with ashes barks nearby the erupting Taal Volcano in Talisay, Batangas, Philippines. Photograph: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters The country's volcanology institute says the small island where the volcano lies is a 'permanent danger zone,' although fishing villages have existed there for years. IMAGE: Residents living near the erupting Taal Volcano evacuate from Lemery, Batangas, Philippines. Photograph: Reuters First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made an Instagram post on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of first Vice-President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), academician Khoshbakht Yusifzade. In a post on her official Instagram page, Mehriban Aliyeva said: "Today, first Vice-President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, academician Khoshbakht Yusifzade hits 90. Khoshbakht muallim is a living legend who has written bright pages in the oil annals of Azerbaijan. As a true Azerbaijani intellectual, he earned sincere love and respect of all our people with his personal qualities, knowledge, rich experience, and scientific and practical activities. On this remarkable day, I sincerely congratulate Khoshbakht Yusifzade on the occasion of his 90th anniversary and on his receiving "Heydar Aliyev" Order, the highest state award of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I extend my best wishes to him and wish him the best of health." -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Princes William and Harry joined forces yesterday to issue a rare denial of a report that William had "bullied" his younger brother. Buckingham Palace strongly denied a newspaper claim that Harry felt "pushed away by what he saw as a bullying attitude from the Duke of Cambridge" and "constantly being told their place". A statement issued on behalf of both brothers hours before the family summit at Sandringham, complained about the report's language, citing their many campaigns on mental health. "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge," it said. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The princes have both prioritised campaigns about mental health in recent years. In 2017, they launched the hugely successful Heads Together mental health campaign, masterminded by the Duchess of Cambridge. More recently, Prince Harry worked with Oprah Winfrey on a forthcoming Apple TV+ documentary series about mental health while the Cambridges' Royal Foundation has commissioned a task force on cyber bullying. As Harry and Meghan's future hung in the balance yesterday, sources suggested it was Meghan who wanted out, leaving her husband forced to choose whether to prioritise his wife or the royal institution into which he was born. He was said to be "heartbroken" at the thought of having to sever links to his family. The source said of Meghan: "She wants to leave. She thinks, 'It's not working for me'. "He is under intense pressure to choose. It is sad. He loves the queen. He loves this country. He loves all his military stuff. I think it will genuinely break his heart to leave. I don't think that's what he really wants. I think they want some halfway house." The Sandringham crisis summit was believed to have been the first time that William and Harry had seen each other since Remembrance Day events last November, shortly before Harry and Meghan travelled to Canada for their extended break. Tom Bradby, the ITV journalist and a friend of both princes, made clear that relations became toxic a long time ago. "Harry and Meghan find some other members of the family (with the exception of the queen and Prince Philip) jealous and, at times, unfriendly. "The fallout began at the time of the wedding in 2018. Really damaging things were said and done." The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Wednesday to send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he would help acquit his fellow Republican at a trial. The House will vote to formally transmit the charges against Trump to the Senate, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Democratic lawmakers, who represent the House majority, voted along party lines on Dec. 18 to impeach Mr Trump over his dealings with Ukraine. The resolution would also appoint a number of House Democrats as "managers," who would prosecute Trump in the Senate on charges that he abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading Democratic presidential contender for 2020, and that Trump obstructed efforts by Congress to uncover any misconduct. Ms Pelosi had delayed sending the charges to the Senate in an unsuccessful effort to get Mr McConnell to agree to allow new witness testimony that could be damaging to Trump. January 16 A Wednesday vote would lead the Senate to take up impeachment on Thursday. The Senate will likely take several days to get through formalities before the trial begins in earnest. The Senate would initially receive notification from the House that managers have been appointed and then adopt a resolution telling the House when it is ready to receive the managers to present the charges, known formally as articles of impeachment. The House managers would then physically bring the articles of impeachment into the well of the Senate and present them. The Senate would inform the House when it is ready for the trial and organize for the proceedings. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts would be sworn in to preside over the trial. Senators would be sworn in as jurors. Week of January 20 House managers would present their case against Mr Trump, and the president's legal team would respond, with senators sitting as jurors. Mr McConnell has said the Senate will sit in session six days a week, taking only Sundays off. Senators would then be given time to submit questions to each side. Senators could also vote on whether to dismiss the charges against Mr Trump. Mr McConnell has said that, once the charges are formally submitted to the Senate, he will back a resolution that would set initial rules for the trial but postpone a decision on whether to hear from witnesses. Mr McConnell has not yet published a draft of the resolution but he said it would be very similar to one adopted in January 1999 during the impeachment of Democratic former President Bill Clinton. That resolution set deadlines for the prosecution and defense to submit trial briefs that laid out their cases in writing. The resolution also allocated 24 hours for representatives of each side to make oral arguments and set aside 16 hours for senators to ask them questions. The Clinton resolution referenced by Mr McConnell did not resolve whether witnesses would be called. A follow-up resolution allowing for three witnesses to testify in videotaped depositions passed later along a party-line vote. Late January to early February Democrats will push to hear from witnesses during the trial. If Mr McConnell's resolution on initial trial rules is adopted, as expected, senators would likely vote after the trial has started on whether to introduce witness testimony sought by the Democrats. Republicans could seek to call witnesses of their own as well. The Senate now has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents who usually vote with the Democrats. That means four Republicans would need to cross party lines and join Democrats in requesting witness testimony. The trial could continue into February, when Iowa and New Hampshire hold the first nominating contests for the 2020 presidential election. That could pose logistical problems for the four senators seeking the Democratic nomination: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet. Provides Key Geological and Structural Roadmap for the Next Stage of Drilling TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Gold Corp. (CVB.V) (Compass or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on the latest exploration work at the Boumban Central and Farabakoura prospect areas, located on the Companys Sikasso Property in Southern Mali (Figure 1). Highlights Drilling at Boumban Central (16 RC holes, 2,404 m) intersected gold mineralization in a similar geological environment to that encountered 5-km south at the Farabakoura artisanal workings Best interval at Boumban Central was 3 m at 1.33 g/t Au, within 10 m @ 0.57 g/t Au (from 31m) Exploration results show the geology of Compasss Farabakoura Trend is similar to Hummingbirds Komana East gold mine area, located 40 km to the east Drilling at the Farabakoura artisanal workings intersected a NE-trending structure containing multiple (9) gold zones in one hole (OARC65 included 8 m at 1.17 g/t Au, (from 33 m), 4 m @ 0.81 g/t Au (from 61 m), and 3 m @ 1.54 g/t Au (from 73 m)) Compass CEO, Larry Phillips, said, Based on these results, we believe the Compass team is onto a major gold-bearing trend, and we are excited to get on with the next stage of drilling. He added, Last year, our exploration work indicated the presence of a structural trend, extending more than 11 km to the north of our Farabakoura mineralized zone. These first drill holes on just a small portion of the 4.3 km Boumban Central target were located roughly 5 km north of the Farabakoura zone. The interpreted results suggest that the correct geology and structure for potentially hosting significant gold mineralization continues at least 5 km north along this major trend. The assay results on Boumban Central also show wide-spread, lower grade mineralization. The additional drilling, 5 km to the south, within artisanal workings on the eastern side of the main Farabakoura Zone, also confirmed the presence of additional NE-trending mineralized structures within the overall NNW-trending Farabakoura Trend. Assay results from this drilling showed that significant mineralization extends to the east of the main Farabakoura zone. What is most exciting is that we have already identified nine large target zones along the Farabakoura Trend, which have yet to be drilled. This latest geological and structural information confirming the location of the Siekorole Shear Zone along our Farabakoura Trend will be invaluable in planning the next phase of drilling over the remainder of the 4.3 km strike length of the Boumban Central target zone, and across the other nine targets identified by our previous exploration work. Story continues Boumban Central Reverse Circulation Drilling Results In mid-December, the Company completed 2,404 m of reverse circulation (RC) drilling over selected geophysical and geochemical targets on the southern portion of the Boumban Central prospect (Figure 1), which is a 1.3-km-long and 400-m-wide zone within the greater Farabakoura Trend. This trend has an overall strike length of 15 km and an up to 2-km-wide zone of anomalous gold in shallow soil samples, and abundant artisanal gold workings adjacent to the Siekorole Shear Zone. The prospect was drilled by two fences of eight RC holes. The northwest-oriented fence (OURC49-56) was drilled on an azimuth of 135 (towards the SE), at dips of 50, with lengths varying from 145 m to 156 m. The north-east orientated fence (OURC57-64) on an azimuth of 045 (towards the NE), at dips of 55, with lengths varying from 140 m to 156 m. Drilling was performed by Capital Drilling, and collected samples were assayed at SGS (Bamako, Mali) by fire assay. FIGURE 1 - BOUMBAN CENTRAL DRILLING LOCATIONS is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2cd969f3-ba7b-47c1-9590-cbf1f25498fd The northeast-oriented eight-hole fence (OURC57-64) drilled at Boumban identified narrow, discrete, gold mineralization in three of the holes (Table 1). All the mineralization was present within a granodiorite with a higher magnetic signature than the granodiorite encountered in the NW-trending line, e.g., OURC56. This drilling provided vital information on the geology of this concealed area, as well as the mineralization associated with the Siekorole Shear Zone and its related structures, which have been shown to control high-grade mineralization at Farabakoura. The best mineralization occurred in drill hole OURC56, where six discrete zones of mineralization were intercepted within a granodiorite. The best intercept was 3 m @ 1.33 g/t Au (from 29 m), within 10 m @ 0.57 g/t Au. This mineralization is located to the west of the main Siekorole Shear Zone in a geological setting similar to the mineralization encountered at Farabakoura, 5 km to the south, and the Komana East open pit (owned by Hummingbird Resources PLC), 40 km to the south-southwest. The similarities are based on: the location of the shear zone bounding fault; the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks to the east of the fault (sandstones, siltstone, black shale); and the metamorphosed intrusive (granodiorite), volcanic (basalt and dacite) and volcaniclastic (tuffs) present to the west of the fault. The presence of gold mineralization encountered at Boumban emphasises that the rocks to the west of the Siekorole Shear Zone are the main target. The Boumban target area is 4.7 km by 1 km, and the additional planned drilling will focus on prospective intrusions and structures there. Table 1. Significant assays (>0.5 g/t Au) identified during recent drilling at Boumban Central Hole ID From (m) To (m) 1, 2 Interval (m) Au (ppm) OURC51 18 19 1 0.79 OURC56 29 39 10 0.57 inc 31 34 3 1.33 OURC56 83 85 2 0.86 OURC59 65 66 1 0.83 OURC60 49 52 3 0.50 OURC60 101 102 1 0.79 OURC62 21 23 2 0.61 1True thicknesses are interpreted as 60-90% of stated intervals 2 Intervals use a 0.2-gram-per-tonne gold cut-off value Farabakoura Five holes (700 m) were completed at Farabakoura in mid-December (Figure 2). Holes OURC65-67 were drilled over a strike length 660 m of a NW-trending fault that was defined by ground magnetics and airborne EM. This interpreted fault also follows a series of artisanal gold workings at Farabakoura. OURC65 and 66 were both drilled with an azimuth of 140, dip of 60, and length of 140 m. OURC67 was drilled to the south (180) with a similar dip and length. OURC65 was the best hole, and intersected nine zones of mineralization, including 8 m @ 1.17 g/t Au (from 33 m), 4 m @ 0.81 g/t Au (from 61 m), and 3 m @ 1.54 g/t Au (from 73 m) (Table 2). This hole targeted the same mineralization as encountered in OURC17, which included 32 m @ 0.93 g/t Au (see Compass press release, May 14, 2019) and also contained visible gold. OURC67 was designed to test potential along the NE-trending structure and the near surface east-west trending quartz veins. A vein containing 1 m @ 1.72 g/t Au was noted at a depth of 7 m, but the speculated NE-trending fault was not encountered before the end of the hole (140 m). OURC67 encountered abundant quartz veining at the location of the speculated east-west structure, but was unmineralized. OURC68 was drilled to test east-west trending mineralization with an azimuth of 140, dip of 60 and length of 140 m. Like OURC67, abundant quartz vein was present at the target depths, but the veins contained only trace amounts of gold. OURC69 was drilled with an azimuth of 140, dip of 60 and length of 140 m to test the premise that a secondary NE-trending vein swarm might be present in an area where diamond drilling identified high-grade gold mineralization (see Compass press release, September 5, 2019). Eight mineralized veins were noted over a length of 100 m, with the highest-grade intercept being 2 m @ 1.50 g/t Au. Based on the recently completed structural study, the dominant vein direction along the 15-km Farabakoura Trend should be NW-trending. FIGURE 2 SUMMARY OF LATEST DRILLING AT FARABAKOURA ARTISANAL WORKINGS is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f31bf82-d9b2-45a6-a6e6-f53bc2cec991 Table 2. Significant assays (>0.5 g/t Au) identified during recent drilling at Farabakoura Hole ID From (m) To (m) 1, 2 Interval (m) Au (g/t) OURC65 33 41 8 1.17 inc. 33 35 2 2.80 OURC65 44 45 1 1.44 OURC65 61 65 4 0.81 inc. 61 62 1 1.38 OURC65 73 74 3 1.54 OURC65 77 78 1 3.36 OURC67 5 6 1 1.72 OURC69 57 59 2 1.50 OURC69 70 71 1 0.75 OURC69 73 74 1 0.67 OURC69 76 78 2 0.76 OURC69 117 118 1 1.36 1True thicknesses are interpreted as 60-90% of stated intervals 2 Intervals use a 0.2-gram-per-tonne gold cut-off value Pending Results Prior to the New Year, the Company completed 1,200 m of drilling at Kabangoue, including a five-hole fence (750 m) at Kabangoue North, and a three-hole fence (450 m) at Kabangoue South. Samples have been dispatched to the assay lab, and results are expected within the next two weeks. Next Steps Compass is planning to conduct another 4,000 m of drilling during Q1 of this year. This will include a north-south fence of eight holes (900 m) at Farabakoura to further test the presence of the large NE-trending fault interpreted to control mineralization over the artisanal workings. The fence is also oriented to test the presence of NW- and E-W-trending veins identified during previous drilling at Farabakoura. After completing these holes, the next target to be drilled will be Boumban South (8 holes, 1200 m). Field teams are also busy performing local ground geophysical surveys (magnetic and induced polarization) and shallow soil geochemistry sampling on proposed drilling targets, and prospective areas identified by the structural geology study. About Compass Gold Corp. Compass, a public company having been incorporated into Ontario, is a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX- V. Through the 2017 acquisition of MGE and Malian subsidiaries, Compass holds gold exploration permits located in Mali that comprise the Sikasso Property. The exploration permits are located in three sites in southern Mali with a combined land holding of 867 km2. The Sikasso Property is located in the same region as several multi-million-ounce gold projects, including Morila, Syama, Kalana and Kodieran. The Companys Mali-based technical team, led in the field by Dr. Madani Diallo and under the supervision of Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, is initiating a new exploration program. They are examining the first of numerous anomalies noted for further investigation in Dr. Archibalds August 2017 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Sikasso Property, Southern Mali. QAQC All RC samples were collected following industry best practices, and an appropriate number and type of certified reference materials (standards), blanks and duplicates were inserted to ensure an effective QAQC program was carried out. The 1 m interval samples were prepared and analyzed at SGS SARL (Bamako, Mali) by fire assay technique FAE505. All standard and blank results were reviewed to ensure no failures were detected. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by EurGeol. Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, Compasss Technical Director, who is the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under National Instrument 43-101 standards. ForwardLooking Information This news release contains "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Companys planned exploration work and management appointments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forwardlooking information except as required by applicable law. For further information please contact: Compass Gold Corporation Compass Gold Corporation Larry Phillips Pres. & CEO Greg Taylor Dir. Investor Relations & Corporate Communications lphillips@compassgoldcorp.com gtaylor@compassgoldcorp.com T: +1 416-596-0996 X 302 T: +1 416-596-0996 X 301 Website: www.compassgoldcorp.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. The Delhi Police will reportedly be initiating dialogue with the protesters to end the deadlock at South Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. Disposing off a plea seeking order against the curb on the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj stretch due to the ongoing protests against Citizenship Act, the court directed the police to review restrictions keeping ground reality in mind The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ruled that Delhi Police need to take a call over the curbs imposed along the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh due to ongoing protests with regard to larger public interest. Following the ruling, the Delhi Police are now planning to persuade the protesters to call of their agitation. The Delhi Police will reportedly be initiating dialogue with the protesters to end the deadlock at South Delhis Shaheen Bagh. They are in talks with influencers so that they can convince the protesters to end their agitation. Over the past one month locals and commuters have been facing problems given the route was blocked by protesters. The commuters were forced to take a longer route while the traders in the stretch have kept their shops shut since December 15. Disposing off a plea seeking order against the curb on the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj stretch due to the ongoing protests against Citizenship Act, the court directed the police to review restrictions keeping ground reality in mind. The two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar dismissed petition to review agitation. The court asserted that it could not pass any order or writ on how to handle the protest in such a situation adding that everything depended on the ground reality and the wisdom of the police For all the latest National News, download NewsX App French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday he expected carmaker Renault to name its new chief executive in a few days. Le Maire also said on French CNews TV that media reports that some Nissan executives wanted to break up the alliance with Renault were "malicious". Nissan said on Tuesday it was "in no way" considering dissolving its alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors and that the alliance was the source of Nissan's competitiveness. The year 2019 is over, and were now in 2020. As the rest of us have been enjoying the first two weeks of the new year, someone in a Government office has been tasked with counting up the total number of visitors to Kenya last year, and also how much they spent. Theyve now completed that task, and theyve provided news that should be welcomed by everybody associated with the travel and tourism industry. If the Governments official figures can be relied upon, the number of people visiting Kenya from abroad last year increased from just below two million visitors to a total of 2.05 million. The increase was less than one percent, but it appears that the extra visitors were spending more on their travels than they have in the past. The total amount of money earned by the Kenyan tourism industry during 2019 has been officially listed as $1.61bn, which, when converted back into local currency, works out at 163.56 billion shillings. Thats an increase of just under four percent over 2018 and has to be considered a success considered the ongoing perceived political instability within the region. Its thought that a significant number of the people who either came to the country for the first time or returned to it last year were safari tourists. Kenya is known across the world for being one of the most beautiful countries to visit when it comes to looking for exotic animals. The wildlife and landscape of Kenya have been borrowed by online slots websites like Amigoslots.com to star in games such as Hot Safari and Africa Goes Wild, but for a long time, it felt like the online slots were making more country than the country who could offer those same attractions in real life. Perhaps some of those online slots players have been moved to visit the country in the flesh or perhaps both local and international theories on the reasons why people might not wish to visit Kenya have been overstated. The Kenyan tourism industry and the Kenyan Government likes to compare itself to South Africa when it comes to visitor numbers and amenities. The feeling among authorities is that South Africa doesnt have anything Kenya cant offer when it comes to things to see or places to go, but foreigners prefer to visit South Africa because they feel safer there. Its an unfortunate truth that Kenya has been plagued by insurgent attacks in recent years, and when such events occur, they provoke worried responses from international newspapers. The death of three Americans in the most recent Al-Shabaab attack, for example, will probably have a negative impact on the number of American tourists willing to visit the country this year. For visitor numbers to increase while such things are happening, though, implies that the issue of people being put off may not be as bad as the authorities fear. While the income that comes from tourism is of vital importance to the Government and general financial well-being of Kenya, the industry is equally important when it comes to jobs, with thousands of Kenyans employed in roles that depend on visitors coming into the country. The years between 2012 and 2015, when Al-Shabaab was at its most active, saw a significant reduction in tourism numbers, which in turn led to a rise in unemployment rates. With 2019 bucking the trend, officials are now hopeful that the new decade will see a return to prosperity and the creation of new jobs to replace those that have been lost. The map of Kenya would look very different if the government played its role well. One factor which may contribute to further improvement to Kenyas tourism numbers is a proposed change in regulations when it comes to safari tours of South Africa. The countrys Kruger Park is one of the most popular safari destinations in the continent of Africa (and the whole world), but the Government there is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact that tourism is having on local communities, cities, and roads close to the park. Johannesburg and Pretoria are suffering from chronic congestion problems at busy times of the year, and there have been a number of fatal traffic accidents directly attributed to tourism within the past two years. South African authorities are now considering a range of measures to bring the problem back under control, which may include a restriction on the use of technology and mobile apps to identify the locations of animals. Its thought that the use of such apps encourages overcrowding and sudden surges of visitor numbers in concentrated locations. Any restriction of the apps and other animal-locating technology will be seen in some quarters as a restriction placed upon the act of going on safari, and Kenya may be well placed to benefit from such a restriction. As there are no current plans to introduce any form of restrictions on safaris in Kenya, Kenya may be seen as a more attractive option for people who want to ensure that they make the most out of their safari vacation by seeing as many exotic animals as possible. While crowding and congestion are seen as a problem at Kruger Park, its a problem that would likely be welcomed by Kenyan authorities, who in the short term would be happy to see a boost in tourism revenue, and would worry about the potential issued caused by an upswing in numbers at a later date. Kenya, as we all know, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has much to offer to international visitors, and also to visitors from the rest of Africa. Internal flights within the continent have never been as plentiful nor as cheaply available as they are right now, and the opportunity is there for Kenya to take the lead on tourism during the early months of this new decade. How things progress from here remains to be seen, but the fact that the country is welcoming more visitors now than it was two years ago can only be seen as a positive. If this trend continues in years to come, Kenyas best years as a travel destination could still be ahead of it. The court has also asked the government to file a counter-affidavit on January 31, giving details of steps being taken to check illegal sale of acid. Lucknow, Jan 14 (IANS) The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure regulation of sale and distribution of acid in the state. This comes just days after the Bollywood film "Chhapaak" was released starring Deepika Padukone and based on real life acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. A bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Chandra Dhari Singh passed the order on a PIL filed by Chhanv Foundation, a non-governmental organization that works for acid attack survivors. The petitioner said the Supreme Court had issued detailed directions to all states to regulate sale and distribution of acid. The government issued an order on August 16, 2013, and issued directives to district magistrates, SSPs and SPs on May 10, 2016, but took no concrete action to check illegal sale of acid. The court asked the government to provide information about the steps taken in pursuance of the Government Order issued in 2013 and directives to officials in 2016. amita/in Homo erectus, a hominin species that originated in equatorial Africa or the Caucasus region of Eurasia, arrived on the island of Java in Indonesia around 1.3 million years ago 300,000 years later than previously thought, according to an analysis of zircon grains in tuffs from the archaeological site of Sangiran. The World Heritage archaeological site of Sangiran in Central Java is widely regarded as one of the most important sites in understanding the evolution of our early ancestors and their slow march across the globe. It has produced a steady stream of Homo erectus finds since 1936, now totaling over 100 specimens. However, despite decades of research, the chronology of the Sangiran site remains uncertain and controversial, particularly the timing of Homo erectus first appearance in the region. To solve this long-standing chronological controversy, Dr. Shuji Matsuura from Japans National Museum of Nature and Science and colleagues used a combination of fission-track and Uranium/Lead (U/Pb) dating to determine the age of zircon grains found above, below and within the hominin-bearing layers of the Sangiran fossil deposit. They found that the first appearance date for the Sangiran hominins is most likely 1.3 million years ago and less than 1.5 million years ago. Concerning the first appearance date of Homo erectus in the Sangiran area, our results provide a probable date of 1.3 million years ago and a maximum possible date of 1.45 million years ago, the researchers said. Another hominin specimen that has been contended to be the earliest Javanese Homo erectus is the Mojokerto skull from the Perning site in East Java, they added. This skull is now concluded to be less than 1.49 million years old. Thus, the hominin dispersal into Java is resolved to be less than 1.5 million years ago. The findings were published in the January 10 issue of the journal Science. _____ Shuji Matsuura et al. 2020. Age control of the first appearance datum for Javanese Homo erectus in the Sangiran area. Science 367 (6474): 210-214; doi: 10.1126/science.aau8556 Advertisement Low tides in Venice have left canals almost dry - just two months after severe flooding flooded large parts of the Italian city, causing over a billion euros of damage. Venice experienced its highest water levels in more than 50 years in November, with several landmarks, including St Mark's Square and Saint Mark's Basilica, left underwater. Now, however, gondolas and boats have been left stranded in the city with its famous canals turned into dry, muddy trenches. The water peaked 45 centimeters below sea level in the afternoon making it impossible to navigate some of the Venice waterways. A canal pictured during an exceptional low tide in Venice this, with waterways in the Italian city left almost dry Low tides are a rare though not unique phenomenon, with the water level prone to vary in the Italian city Gondolas are stranded in Venice, northern Italy, during exceptionally low tide just two months after the city was hit by heavy floods The water peaked 45 centimeters below sea level in the afternoon making it impossible to navigate some of the Venice waterways Gondolas are seen during an exceptional low tide in the lagoon city of Venice, Italy Photos shared on social media show despairing locals looking over the almost-empty canals, with vessels left to sit in the mud. Low tides are a rare though not unique phenomenon, with the water level prone to vary in the Italian city. The current situation is a stark contrast to the one from last November, however, where more than two thirds of Venice was underwater. The mayor of Venice says the city suffered damage 'in the hundreds of millions' of pounds after the 'apocalyptic' floods which he blamed on climate change. The city's historic Saint Mark's Basilica 'suffered irreparable damage, especially in the lower section of the mosaics and tiling,' Venice Archbishop Francesco Moraglia told a news conference. The current dry canal situation is a stark contrast to last November, where more than two thirds of Venice was underwater Submerged: A woman crosses the flooded St Mark's Square last November where Venice's 1,200-year-old basilica (pictured behind her) was flooded by the high tide The church was flooded for just the sixth time in 1,200 years while the adjacent St Mark's Square was submerged by more than three feet of water - so deep that one man even swam across it. The floods also brought misery to tourists and local residents - stranding boats, battering shops and hotels and and leaving many of the city's squares and alleyways deep underwater. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the floods were 'the result of climate change' and warned of severe damage after the tide peaked at nearly 6ft 2in, second only to the record 6ft 5in set in 1966. There was also anger among Venetians at the corruption which has caused delays to a long-planned flood protection barrier. One person, a man in his 70s, was electrocuted when water entered his home on the barrier island of Pellestrina. Another fatality was also reported in the city. Luca Zaia, the premier of the Veneto region, told Italian media that the city was 'faced with total, apocalyptic devastation'. 'I'm not exaggerating - 80 per cent of the city is under water, the damage is unimaginable,' he said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered setting up of a committee to look into alleged irregularities at the Wadia Hospital, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Tuesday. The chief minister also ordered transfer of Rs 46 crore to the hospital so that suspended services can be resumed, she added. "The chief minister has decided to set up a committee to look into the alleged irregularities at Wadia hospital. He however also offered relief for the hospital by ordering transfer of Rs 46 crore so that the suspended services can be started again," she told reporters. The hospital will receive the funds by Thursday evening, said the mayor. Wadia Hospital's chief executive officer Mini Bodhanwala said that Thackeray had assured that all the issues would be resolved. "We will start the suspended services as soon as we get the money," she added. The BMC has alleged that the hospital is violating the condition attached to its land lease that fifty per cent of the beds should be reserved for the poor and families of mill workers. It also alleged other irregularities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supreme Court lawyers on Tuesday held a protest march from the apex court to Jantar Mantar against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Register of Citizens (NRC). During the march, the lawyers were holding placards reading, "Save democratic institutions, Take back CAA, Stop NPR process, stop misusing Section 144, among others." "The reason for the protest is obvious. If the government does not listen to those of us who fight law inside the court, we will be compelled to come out in support of the constitution and take the issue directly in the court of people," an advocate told ANI. "Every section of the society is raising voice against the CAA and NRC which is 'against the Constitution'. We are in solidarity with people agitating against the CAA. The social fabric of the country will remain secular and divisive forces will not be successful in their attempt," another lawyer stated. Slogans against the police were also raised during the march. "We chanted slogans against the Delhi police for their double standard in the Jamia University and JNU. Police took action against students in Jamia whereas they remained mute spectators during JNU violence," one of the protesting lawyers said. Protests have been happening across the country against the CAA, claiming that the new law is "unconstitutional" and "discriminates on the grounds of religion". The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Newser) Police in the Tampa Bay area aren't sure who has been blowing up ATMsbut they strongly suspect it is the same suspect who was seen spray-painting the lenses of surveillance cameras shortly before the explosions. There have been three ATM explosions in the area over the last few months, most recently late Jan. 11 or early Jan. 12 at a Regions Bank in Valrico, WFLA reports. "I think when you're setting off some type of bomb device, that's an extremely brazen individual," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told reporters Monday. Police believe the suspect in the ATM explosions is also responsible, possibly with an accomplice, for multiple other cases of ATM vandalism that did not involve blasts. story continues below Chronister said that the first two explosions did not yield any cash, but the one over the weekend apparently did, the Tampa Bay Times reports. "Now that he's finally accessed some cash, thats certainly what Im afraid of," he said. "How sophisticated, how experienced is this individual, and where does he go from here? We need to get this individual to make sure theres no more threat to public safety." He said he learned this week that the explosives were being detonated at the scene, not remotely as he initially feared. "I was worried that one of us as innocent bystanders would go to the ATM to access cash and could be inadvertently hurt or killed," the sheriff said. (Read more Florida stories.) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Screenshot/Global News Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested President Donald Trump bears some responsibility for Iran's mistaken downing of a commercial airliner last week. Trudeau argued in a new interview that Iran never would have shot the plane down killing all 176 passengers and crew members, including 63 Canadians if tensions between the US and Iran hadn't recently escalated. "If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Trudeau told Global News. "This is something that happens when you have conflict and war," Trudeau added. "Innocents bear the brunt of it, and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested that President Donald Trump bears some responsibility for Iran's downing of a commercial plane last week an accident that happened hours after Iran retaliated against the US for assassinating its top military leader. In a new interview, Trudeau argued that Iran never would have shot the plane down killing all 176 passengers and crew members, including 63 Canadians if the conflict between the US and Iran hadn't recently escalated. "If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Trudeau told Canada's Global News in an interview Monday. Trump's decision to kill Iran's top military commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, sparked fears of a larger confrontation between the two countries. Iran retaliated by launching a missile strike against two air bases in Iraq that were housing US troops. It then shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 just minutes after it took off from Tehran in what the government called a tragic accident that took place as Iran was anticipating a US counterattack. Story continues "This is something that happens when you have conflict and war," Trudeau added. "Innocents bear the brunt of it, and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation, moving forward to reduce tensions and find a pathway that doesn't involve further conflict and killing." Trudeau echoed the sentiment of other close US allies who felt undermined by the Trump's unilateral actions toward Iran. The Canadian leader said he "obviously" would have preferred that the US government warn him that it was planning the deadly strike against Soleimani. Nearly half of the people traveling on Flight 752 were Iranian, and the Iranian government's acknowledgment Friday that it shot down the aircraft has sparked days of protests in Tehran and other Iranian cities. Read the original article on Business Insider Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be contesting from the New Delhi assembly seat again with all his Cabinet colleagues seeking reelection from their existing seats. It is the third time that Kejriwal would be fighting from the New Delhi seat. He fought for it in 2013 and 2015 polls as well. As per the Aam Admi Party's list of its candidates for the 2020 Delhi assembly polls, Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia too would be seeking reelection from his existing seat of Patparganj assembly segment. The Delhi government's five other ministers too would be fighting for their existing seats. Satyendra Jain who holds four portfolios, including Home and Health, will be recontesting from Shakur Basti while Labour Minister Gopal Rai will be fightimng for Babarpur seat again. Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Imran Hussain will contest from Ballimaran and Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam from Seemapuri. Kailash Gahlot, who holds three portfolios, will contest from Najafgarh. The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday announced its list of 70 candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls to be held next month. The voting for the 2020 Delhi assembly elections will take place on February 8. The result for the 70-member House will be declared on February 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TOLEDO, Ohio President Trumps supporters nodded approvingly last week as Mr. Trump extolled the big, beautiful monster of a trade deal that he will sign with China on Wednesday. The enthusiastic group, gathered at Toledos Huntington Center, nodded again as Mr. Trump insisted that Americas farmers, who have been hurt by the trade war with China, were winners and as he asserted, incorrectly, that American importers were not paying for the tariffs. And now the deal is done, Mr. Trump said. The packed arena roared triumphantly. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump will sign an initial trade agreement with Beijing that will help cool tensions between the worlds two largest economies but leaves many of the biggest issues unresolved. Key details of the agreement remain murky, the text remains under wraps and more complicated matters, like Chinas financial support for companies that compete with American firms, have been pushed until after the 2020 election. But to Mr. Trumps most faithful backers, the president took on China and scored a major win. Instead of giving all the money to China, now were going to get some of it back, said Kim Lewis, 65, a corn and soybean farmer from Jamestown, Ind., who drove four hours to see Mr. Trumps speech. He had the guts to stand up to these other countries. Footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a truck slammed into a hatchback and dragged it down a busy highway in peak afternoon traffic. Shocked drivers watched on in horror as a white Kia Picanto was pulled along by the bigger vehicle on the Cumberland Highway at Smithfield in Sydney's south-west just before 4pm on Monday. Dashcam from a vehicle behind the truck captures the motorist trying to get the truck driver's attention by beeping his horn. The Kia Picanto was dragged along the Cumberland Highway in Sydney's south-west 'This guy doesn't even realise it- what a f*****g dumb c***!' the motorist is heard saying as he drives past the unfolding incident. The shocked driver inside the Kia Picanto was believed to be shaken but unhurt. The car only sustained minor damage but had to be towed away. It's understood the truck driver self-reported the incident to police shortly afterwards. Footage of the frightening ordeal has since gone viral on various community pages on social media. The terrifying incident was captured on dash cam and has since gone viral online The NSW Police Traffic and Highway Control Command also shared the shocking footage on its Facebook page. 'That is nuts,' a bewildered viewer commented. Another added: 'Bad day at the office.' Others praised the truck driver for self-reporting the incident. 'It can happen when a car try to overtake truck and suddenly merge in front of him ..and at that point its totally a blind spot for truck driver so its unfortunately an accident not a negligent driving for truck but may be a negligence driving by car driver,' another person commented. A NSW Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that Fairfield Police are aware of the incident and that investigations are continuing. New Delhi, Jan 14 : As the quizzing of arrested Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent Davinder Singh is still on since his arrest on January 11 for travelling with two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, the investigators need clarification on 10 major questions which relate to national security. As the NIA has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the case following revelations what so far made by Singh during his interrogation to a joint team of the NIA, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Jammu and Kashmir Police's CID, the major corn is to clarify the real motive of the terrorists. The NIA can now interrogate Singh thoroughly to find out the motive of the terrorists and his links to Hizbul Mujahideen and other terrorist organisations during their previous operations in the Valley. Here are 10 unanswered questions: What was the main plan of the Hizbul terrorists Naveed Babu and Asif Ahmad with whom Singh was travelling in a car to Jammu when they were held by Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 11 at Mir Bazaar before the Jawahar tunnel in Kulgam district along with lawyer Rafi Ahmad? What was the operation which the terrorists wanted to execute in Delhi on or before Republic Day after reaching Chandigarh for onward journey? Why didn't Singh inform any senior officer if, what he claimed, he was taking the terror operatives to surrender? Why a cache of arms and ammunition -- five grenades and AK-47 rifles -- were kept in the car they were travelling and Singh's Indiranagar residence in Srinagar which were recovered during police raids? Did Singh help terrorists earlier as well? Why was Singh's name mentioned in the letter written by Afzal Guru to one of his lawyers in which it was alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir officer had tasked him to take a terrorist to Delhi and arrange for his accommodation there? The Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Afzal Guru had to accommodate was one of those who was killed during the attack on Parliament. Singh was never questioned even after Afzal Guru's letter named him. Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013 for his role in the Parliament terror attack in 2001. Why was Singh involved in routine operation despite his posting in the anti-hijacking unit of Srinagar airport? How many times did Singh help arrested Hizbul militant Babu and since when was he in touch with Babu? What and who is the source of Rs 12 lakh which Singh received for assisting the Hizbul terrorists to move them out of Jammu? Why did he gave shelter to the arrested militants at his residence?Based on inputs, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had intercepted the vehicle in which Singh was travelling with the terrorists while tracking the movements and location of Babu, a former Special Police Officer, when he made a phone call to his brother. Babu is accused of being involved in the killing of 11 people from outside Kashmir, including truck drivers and labourers in south Kashmir in October and November last year, and forcing a shutdown in south Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year. All were arrested and a case initially lodged at Qazigund police station in Kulgam. During his interrogation, Singh, however, maintained that he had no link to Hizbul militants and that he was taking the terrorists to surrender, but interrogators have dismissed his claims. As per sources, a sum of Rs 12 lakh may have been given to Singh to move out the two Hizbul militants to Jammu on their way to Chandigarh and onward to Delhi to carry out attacks on or before the Republic Day. Singh, who was posted in the anti-hijacking squad at the Srinagar international airport, was suspended from service on Monday and is likely to be stripped of all his awards, including a gallantry medal, for anti-militancy operations on August 15 last year. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have clarified that "he was never awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs as has been reported by some sections of the media". In a series of tweets, the police said Singh was only awarded a "gallantry medal during his service by the erstwhile J&K state on Independence Day 2018" for his "participation in countering a fidayeen attack by terrorists at the district police lines in Pulwama on August 25-26, 2017, when he was posted as a DSP in the district police lines, Pulwama". Singh had disclosed that he had put up the terrorists at his Indira Nagar house in Srinagar, right next to the Army's 15 Corps Headquarters, and thereafter accompanied them to Jammu in a car driven by the Hizbul overground worker, an intelligence source said. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) The assassination of General Qassem Suleimani, regarded as the second most powerful figure in the government of Iran, was planned more than six months before he and nine others were murdered in a January 3 US drone missile strike at Baghdads international airport, NBC News reported Monday. The revelation of these longstanding plans to kill the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds force and a key architect of Iranian policy in the Middle East has exposed as deliberate lies the claims of the Trump administration that the assassination was carried out in response to some imminent threat to US lives and facilities in the region. According to the report, the decision to assassinate Suleimani was taken in retaliation for the shooting down last June of a a Navy RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone that Tehran charged had violated its airspace near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. At the time, it was revealed that Trump had ordered, but then called off with barely 10 minutes notice, US airstrikes against Iranian missile and radar installations. Advocating the revenge assassination strike, according to NBC, were Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his then-national security adviser John Bolton, a long-time advocate of all-out war against Iran, who had called for attacking Iran for more than a decade, invoking as pretexts supposed Iranian support for resistance to the US occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the need to stop Irans non-existent quest for a nuclear bomb by bombing Iran. Bolton has since exulted in Suleimanis murder, voicing his hope that it is the first step in Iranian regime change. While Trump signed off on the assassination order, he imposed two caveats, officials quoted by the news network stated. He requiredthat such a targeted killing be carried out only in response to the killing of US citizens, and that he sign off on the operation. The firing of missiles at the Iraqi K-1 Air Base near Kirkuk on December 27, claiming the life of a US contractor, followed by US strikes that killed dozens of Iranian militia members and the response by Iraqi protesters who stormed the US embassy in Baghdad, provided the pretext for the January 3 drone missile assassination, although no evidence has been produced linking Suleimani to any of these events. He was murdered after flying openly into Baghdad aboard a commercial airliner and going through customs with his diplomatic passport. Iraq's prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, has insisted that the Iranian general had come to the Iraqi capital to meet with him to discuss efforts to cool tensions in the region between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Murdered along with him was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the top commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the powerful coalition of predominantly Shia militias that constitutes an arm of Iraqs armed forces, together with eight other Iranians and Iraqis. The NBC report came as the Trump administrations attempts to justify the assassination as a response to an imminent threat were already crumbling. The administration has yet to provide either publicly, or in closed-door briefings to the US Congress, a shred of evidence to support these claims. Last Thursday, Secretary of State Pompeo went on Fox News to declare in relation to the supposed Iranian threat, We dont know precisely when and we dont know precisely where, but it was real. Appearing on the same program Friday with right-wing Fox host Laura Ingraham, Trump feigned to provide inside information on the reasons for the assassination strike. I can reveal that I believe it probably wouldve been four embassies that would have been attacked, he said. On the Sunday television news talk shows, however, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper acknowledged that, while he shared Trumps view about embassy attacks, The president didnt cite a specific piece of evidence to support this claim. Asked whether he had seen a single piece of information supporting this pretext, Esper admitted, I didnt see one with regards to four embassies. Trumps national security adviser Robert OBrien responded similarly, stating, We knew that there were threats to American facilitiesnow whether they were bases, embassies, you know, its always hard until the attack happens. In an attempt to shore up the administrations lies, US Attorney General William Barr was brought before the microphones on Monday telling reporters that killing Suleimani was a legitimate act of self-defense. The Department of Justice was consulted and frankly I dont think it was a close call, Barr said. I think the president clearly had the authority to act as he did under numerous different bases. We had a situation where the Iranians had already embarked on a series of escalating violent action taken against our allies, taken against the American people, our troops, with the avowed purpose of driving us out of the Middle East. While constituting an argument in favor of a criminal imperialist war policy, Barrs statements provide no legal justification for what is a war crime and an act of aggressive war, punishable under both international and US law. The US corporate media has called attention to the inconsistencies in the Trump administrations claims, but has almost entirely evaded the issue of the criminal character of the Suleimani assassination. This murder was carried out not in response to an imminent threata so-called preemptive strikebut rather as an act of revenge, not just for the unproven charge of an Iranian connection to the death of a US contractor in an Iraqi missile strike, but for the reversals suffered by US imperialism in Iraq, Syria and more broadly in the Middle East. As the NBC report makes clear, this act of war is not merely the outcome of Trumps recklessness, but rather of a deliberate buildup toward war with Iran in a desperate attempt to offset the failure of three decades of wars waged in the Middle East to achieve US imperialisms strategic objective of hegemony over the oil-rich and geostrategically vital region. Underlying this desperate attempt is the preparation for war against Washingtons great power rivals, in the first instance China, which depends upon the Persian Gulf region for its energy supplies and views Iran as a key link in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at integrating China far more closely with Eurasia. As the lies justifying Suleimanis assassination were exposed, the Trump White House resorted to an increasingly bald-faced defense of this state murder. In a tweet Monday morning, Trump denounced The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners for questioning whether a supposed threat from Suleimani was imminent. He responded that it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past. Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, he insisted that the assassination should have been carried out 20 years ago. He subsequently re-tweeted a photoshopped image of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a hijab and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a turban, superimposed on an Iranian flag with the caption the corrupted Dems trying their best to come to the Ayatollahs rescue. Challenged about the incendiary, Islamophobic imagery, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham gave a prepared statement escalating the attack: I think the president is making clear that the Democrats have been parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists and those who were out to kill the Americans. I think the president was making the point that the Democrats seem to hate him so much that theyre willing to be on the side of countries and leadership of countries who want to kill Americans. These inflammatory charges are being leveled as the Democratic leadership in the US House of Representatives is preparing to send articles of impeachment to the Senate that are centered on Trumps decision to temporarily delay a massive weapons shipment to Ukraine as part of the war buildup against Russia. Everything that he has done, whether its in Syria vis-a-vis the Turks, whether its been in Ukraine in terms of withholding assistance as they try to fight the Russians, his denial about their role in our election then and nowall roads lead to Putin, Pelosi declared Sunday in an ABC interview. And sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell too, whats hewhy is he an accomplice to all of that. That each of the major capitalist parties in the United States, the center of world imperialism, is leveling charges of treason, one against the other, is symptomatic of an insoluble economic, social and political crisis that threatens to drag humanity into the horrors of war and dictatorship. The answer to this danger lies in the fight to unify the growing struggles of the international working class through the construction of a united, international and socialist antiwar movement directed at putting an end to capitalism. China's assets of public offering of funds set new record in 2019 BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Assets under management of public offering of funds reached a new record in 2019, said the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC). The figure was 14.8 trillion yuan (about 2.13 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2019, up 1.7 trillion yuan from last year, according to the AMAC, an industry body supervised by China's securities regulator. Of the total, the asset value of closed-end funds increased by 703.9 billion yuan year on year while the money market funds of the open-end funds decreased by 500.8 billion yuan year on year. The public offering of funds is a type of investment vehicle that collects funds from investors through public offerings and takes securities as its main investment target. It has to follow strict requirements for information disclosure and profit distribution. J ess Phillips has called for action against allegations of anti-Jewish racism in the Labour party after a member's claim he was subjected to anti-Semitic abuse at a local meeting. Alex Holmes, vice-chairman of the party's Ilford South branch in east London, tweeted about a meeting he described as the worst he had ever attended. He said he and another member were called "agents of a foreign power", after speaking against a motion attacking the Board of Deputies of British Jews. "The proposers used multiple anti-Semitic tropes to make their point that the Board of Deputies is a 'Tory organisation' 'illegally interfering in the Labour leadership contest," Mr Holmes tweeted of the meeting. "Racists of any kind have no place anywhere near the Labour party, nor any other mainstream political party." The Board of Deputies of British Jews has published "10 pledges" it said would end Labour's problems with anti-Semitism, which were signed by leadership candidates including Rebecca Long-Bailey and Sir Keir Starmer. Human rights barrister Adam Wagner shared Mr Holmes' posts, calling them "an example of how difficult it will be for any new leader to dislodge the antisemitic culture from Labour". Leadership contestant Ms Phillips responded and said: "Today I will seek to speak to Alex about what happened. "Adam is right, this will not be easily solved but we must change culture that accepts without shame and embarrassment calling Jewish orgs, Jewish people and their allies 'agents of a foreign power'. It's racism." Ms Phillips told the Standard last week that Labour had "lost the right" to tackle its anti-Semitism issues itself and should allow an independent process to take over. She said the party needs a "clean slate" and that she would have a zero tolerance approach to such offences. Following Mr Holmes' tweets, the Board of Deputies responded: "We are profoundly saddened to see yet another example of the hatred which has infested parts of Labour. "Our sympathies are with those decent, upstanding members of the party who are determined to fight such insidious bigotry." The Labour Party has not yet commented on the situation. Vietnam presided over a United Nations Security Council session on January 13. A view of the UN Security Council session on January 13 (Photo: VNA) During the session, the organisation adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) in Yemen and listened to a report on activities of the UN mission overseeing the peace agreement in Colombia. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2505extending the mandate of the UNMHA until July 15. The UNMHA was established by the UN SecurityCouncil under Resolution 2452 on January 16, 2019, with the main task ofoverseeing a ceasefire and the troop redeployment in Yemens Hodeidah city andcoordinating UN efforts to help the parties implement the Hodeidah Agreement. At the session, the Security Council alsolistened to Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary-Generals SpecialRepresentative for Colombia and head of the UN Verification Mission in thecountry, delivering the Secretary-Generals report on Colombias situation, themissions activities over the last three months and proposals submitted to thecouncil. Representing Vietnam President of the UNSecurity Council in January, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of VietnamsPermanent Mission to the UN, spoke highly of the commitments and efforts by theColombian Government and relevant parties over the past three years since thesigning of a peace agreement. Vietnam asked them to give the top priority toensuring security and development for all Colombian people, including warveterans. It also called on the international community to increase support forthe Colombian Government in such important fields as improving law enforcementcapacity; replacing illicit crops; preventing illegal economic activities,crimes and violence; and reclaiming mine-contaminated areas. The country holds that it is necessary to stepup measures for developing economy, boosting social cohesion, and developingrural areas, housing, education and employment to sustain the strides obtainedso far, Quy said. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia was setup under Resolution 2366 of the UN Security Council in 2017./.VNA 'Ability of big banks and agility of small banks'. That's how the Karnataka-based Sri Raghavendra Sahakara Bank, an urban cooperative bank, described itself. The bank saw an aggressive growth both in deposits and advances over the last five years. In fact, the deposits as well as advances grew at a compounded rate of over 22 per cent over the last five years. In a credit freeze situation post IL&FS debacle and amid the slowdown in the economy, most of lending institutions were caught with asset liability mismatches. In many cases , the money has been extended to groups or companies with not-so-good credentials. The cooperative banking lending practices are also coming under the scanner as they are not able to pay back the depositors because of money stuck in bad assets. Sri Raghavendra is the newest urban cooperative bank to have come under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monitoring. Let's look at the financial details of the bank. Deposit Base The bank has a deposit base of around Rs 1,600 crore. It has almost trebled its deposit base over the last five years. The deposit grew from Rs 500 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,600 crore in 2017-18. This was mainly because of higher savings and fixed deposit rates. The bank has several fixed deposit schemes offering 7.50 -8 per cent per annum. The RBI has now restricted the withdrawal of deposits to only Rs 35,000 for savings and current account holders. Loans and Advances The bank's website doesn't have any details of loan and advances or the loan products where it would utilise the deposits. There is no mention of retail or business loans. While there are reports of dud lending accounts, the RBI investigations would reveal the real picture. Currently , the RBI has directed the bank not to renew any loans & advances or incur any new liability. Lowest NPAs The bank initially started with higher gross NPAs of 3.10 per cent in 2008-09. In fact , the highest NPAs were in 2009-10 when it reported 4.67 per cent gross NPAs. But later the NPAs started falling. Part of the reason was higher denominator effect as lending expanded big time. As per the audited figures for 2017-18 , the bank had a meagre NPA of 0.45 per cent in 2017-18. The clear picture of NPAs would emerge only after the RBI fully inspects its books. In case of Punjab and Maharashtra (PMC) Bank, the investigating agencies found money was diverted to a select business house. The PMC Bank, too, showed the lowest NPAs before the RBI took it under its fold. Profits and dividends The bank has been paying annual dividend of 16 per cent since 2013-14. The dividend has remained in the range of 12-15 per cent since 2008-09. The bank's profits jumped from Rs 7 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 28.32 crore in 2017-18. The bank has been consistently making money over the last decade. Also Read: Wipro Q3 profit drops 3% to Rs 2,463 crore; revenue up 2.73% Also Read: Satya Nadella's CAA remarks: Meenakshi Lekhi pitches education for 'literates' Also Read: Statue of Unity gets listed among eight wonders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation When driving by Gerald Steinhagen's country residence, you can't help but notice a large array of solar panels in his front yard. He has made a big investment in solar panels to the tune of $85,000. He said he was told by his installer that he now has the largest private solar panel array north of 60, with two 30-metre double-stacked rows of solar panels in his yard. They were installed in June. It's all because Yukon has one of the best solar rebate programs in the country. "I'd been looking into this for a while, researching it and, of course, with the smaller lots in the city you need to put the panels on the roof, which was a good option there," said Steinhagen. "But because I was able to spread it out over the land and then use cheaper panels as well they didn't have to be as efficient I could use more area for it." He said he went for more solar panels because the payback in investment would be faster. Steinhagen admits that in the month of January he isn't producing much solar energy: only 60 watts; especially because the solar panels are covered in snow. Mike Rudyk/CBC But in the summer, his system can produce up to 45 kilowatts, even on cloudy days. An inverter limits his actual output to 30 kilowatts of electricity to match transformer capacity. He says in the summer, he sells excess power back to Yukon Energy, and that's his savings for the winter months when he isn't generating a lot of electricity. Steinhagen said he used 20 kilowatts of electricity last year. Half the total energy he produces will be sold back to Yukon Energy. 'Generous' solar program Sean MacKinnon, senior energy adviser with the Yukon government, said the micro-generation program in Yukon has a moderate payback rate and a generous system limit. "We seem to be gaining a reputation for one of the most generous and easily accessible programs in Canada, if not North America," MacKinnon said. Story continues For Steinhagen, that means it'll only take eight years to pay off his investment. Then, it's cash in the bank. He has an app on his smartphone that shows him how much electricity he has saved with his new large-scale solar installation. "This app is actually from the inverters and it's showing me that I saved 16,000 tons of carbon in the air, the equivalent of 410 trees and I saved the equivalent of 106,000 kilometres of driving from the power I have generated through solar," Steinhagen said. "I like looking at the money one, though: it says so far, I have made $4,520." He said looking at the app, and seeing the electricity making money, makes his day. BRUSSELS A Pentagon proposal to greatly reduce American forces in West Africa faced criticism from allies on Tuesday, with French officials arguing that removing United States intelligence assets in the region could stymie the fight against extremist groups. American officials said they were proceeding nonetheless. While no final decision has been made on how many troops will be transferred from Africa and the Middle East as the Pentagon refocuses its priorities to confront great powers like Russia and China, Americas top military officer said the United States needed to shift its forces to better counter China in particular. Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that the proposal was causing some anxiety. But he said that the United States needed to seriously re-examine its military footprint in Africa, and the Middle East and Latin America after that, given the heightened focus on China. General Milleys comments came ahead of a NATO military chiefs meeting in Brussels, where he also sought to lay out the United States rationale for killing Irans top military commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani this month. The killing of General Suleimani, who was the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, has raised questions from Americas military allies about whether commanders of sovereign countries are now fair game for drone strikes. New Delhi: The Jamia Millia Islamia library which was vandalised following a police crackdown last month is set to be restored. The university has estimated a loss of Rs 2.6 crore in the crackdown. University sources said the restoration process for the library is on and the groundwork for it would begin within weeks. "We plan to add more value to the library. We are determined to restore the library," said university`s Public Relations Officer Ahmad Azeem. He said in the preliminary assessment, the university has found that property worth about Rs 2.6 crore was damaged during the police crackdown. On December 15, residents and commuters in the heart of the national capital ran for their lives as a raging mob protested against the Citizenship Act. The protestors were believed to be students of Jamia Millia Islamia. At least five buses were set ablaze or damaged, besides many cars and bikes were targeted by the mob. Two fire officials were also injured in stone-pelting. The police while trying to control the violence allegedly entered the Jamia compound without university administration`s permission and cracked down on the protesters, damaging a portion of the library. A federal judge on Monday was incensed to learn that accused eco-saboteur Joseph Mahmoud Dibee suffered a broken jaw during an assault by another inmate at Multnomah Countys Inverness Jail this month and prosecutors didnt learn of it until more than a week later. Im extremely disturbed about what happened, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken said in court in Portland. This should not have happened. An inmate with suspected ties to white supremacists came from behind and sucker punched Dibee, breaking his jaw and another bone in his face, Dibees lawyer, Paul Hood, reported to the judge. The other inmate may have attacked Dibee, thinking he was a terrorist from the Middle East, Hood said. The attack occurred on Jan. 2, and Dibee was taken to OHSU Hospital for surgery. Hes now back in the medical unit at Inverness Jail. His mouth is wired shut, Hood told the court. The judge said shes extremely worried about Dibees safety and singled out the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office for being responsible for his care while he awaits trial in a federal arson case. The sheriffs office said a report was taken. It had not yet been forwarded to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office for review on Monday, according to Chris Liedle, sheriffs office spokesman. Aiken said she couldnt believe that protective measures werent taken to ensure Dibees safety behind bars and that no one from the Sheriffs Office or the U.S. Marshals Service told the U.S. Attorneys Office that one of their defendants was so seriously hurt behind bars. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Barrow said he first learned of the assault Friday from Dibees lawyer. He then contacted the Marshals Service, which got a report from the Sheriffs Office. Aiken urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure Dibees safety and suggested he be moved to another jail. This is a huge concern and goes into the decision I have to make on where hes safest," the judge said. Aiken still hasnt ruled on whether shell keep Dibee, 52, in custody pending trial or allow his release again. The 9th U.S. District Court of Appeals overturned her original decision Dec. 13 allowing Dibees release. Dibee was arrested in August 2018 on a 12-year-old federal warrant after being a fugitive and remaining out of the United States. Aiken allowed Dibee to live with his sister in Seattle under home detention with GPS monitoring. Five days later, he turned himself back in to authorities after a three-member appeals panel ordered that Dibee be returned to custody. The appeals judges also directed Aiken to reconsider her ruling. During a hearing late last month, Dibees lawyer urged Aiken to stand by her first release decision, arguing again that Dibee is a changed man and will abide by the conditions of his release pending trial. You got to size him up. The 9th Circuit hasnt done that, Hood argued. And you found hes a different person. The prosecutor countered that Dibee should remain behind bars while he awaits trial because he chose to run in 2005. Dibee is accused of taking part in a string of environmental sabotage across the West. Federal prosecutors say he fled the United States days after he and his lawyer met with prosecutors and an FBI agent in Seattle on Dec. 7, 2005, and learned of the evidence against him that allegedly linked him to arsons in Oregon and elsewhere. On that day, the U.S. Attorneys Office wanted to see if Dibee would accept responsibility for his alleged offenses and cooperate with authorities, Barrow said. Instead, Dibee returned home, destroyed evidence in the case by setting it on fire in his fireplace and then had a friend drive him to Mexico City, Barrow said. From there, he flew to Beirut and then set up residence in Syria. He moved to Russia in 2010, where he later married and adopted a son, according to Barrow. He never surrendered though he knew he had been indicted in 2006 in Oregon on charges of arson, conspiracy to commit arson and destruction of an energy facility. Dibee is accused of helping destroy the Cavel West Inc. meatpacking plant in Redmond on July 1, 1997, and destroying a Bonneville Power Administration tower near Bend on Dec. 30, 1999, though his attorney said Dibee didnt play a role in the tower vandalism and called that charge bogus. A mugshot of Joseph M. Dibee, 52, from Dec. 20. He's on a federal hold in Multnomah County's Inverness Jail as he awaits federal trial. He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit arson and possession of a destructive device in federal court in Washington and conspiracy to commit arson, arson of a government building and possession of a destructive device during a crime of violence in California. In August 2018, Dibee was held in Cuba based on an Interpol notice on the U.S. arrest warrants. At the time, he had a Syrian passport in his Syrian name, Yousef Deba, and was traveling back to Russia from El Salvador, his lawyer said. Hood has argued that his client is like the other co-defendants in this case: people who were ideologically motivated but over time learned the error of their ways. While in Syria, Dibee jeopardized his own safety by calling U.S. prosecutors from his apartment on June 7, 2011, to tell them of a potential terrorist threat against Israel, Hood said in court. In a December hearing, Dibee spent at least 10 minutes describing to the judge how hes changed his philosophy and has used his engineering skills to try to develop environmental-friendly alternatives to industrial mining and was developing a solar thermal power project during his time in Syria. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page Imperial X Plc - Result of GM and Change of Strategy 14 January 2020 Imperial X Plc ("Imperial" or the "Company") Result of General Meeting and Change of Investment Strategy The Company announces that the General Meeting of Imperial held on Friday 10 January 2020 at 6.00 p.m. (GMT) at 890 - 1140 W Pender St. Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1, the resolution proposed was duly passed. As per the shareholder circular announced on 24 December 2019, the Company will now focus on its efforts on building a royalty platform business in the oil and gas sector, principally through the acquisition of royalties (such as gross overriding royalty interests) and other mineral interests. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement. For further information please contact: Imperial X Plc Kyler Hardy Tel: +1 250 877 1394 khardy@cronincapital.com Peterhouse Capital Limited Guy Miller Tel: +44 20 7220 9795 Health Minister Arsen Torosian on Tuesday defended his decision to shut down small maternity hospitals across Armenia, while agreeing to make concessions to some of them following protests staged by medics and other local residents. A directive signed by Torosian in July 2018 mandates the closure of state-funded maternity hospitals handling fewer than 150 childbirths annually. It argues that these medical institutions located in small towns and villages are understaffed, poorly equipped and not cost-effective, increasing the risk of newborn deaths. Imagine that in a maternity hospital lacking an operating room there is an urgent need for caesarian section during a child delivery, Torosian told reporters. What should that hospital do? Can you tell me? He said that pregnant women will instead be able to give birth at larger and better equipped hospitals located not far from their communities. The Armenian Ministry of Health stopped financing such hospitals this month, sparking angry protests in several communities affected by the controversial decision. In the northwestern town of Maralik, several dozen people blocked a major highway in protest last week. They unblocked it only after provincial authorities pledged to organize public discussions on the matter. Protests continued in another town, Yeghvard, on Tuesday. Ruzanna Mkrtchian, an obstetrician working at the local maternity hospital, complained that she and her colleagues are not in a position to ensure the threshold for child births set by the ministry. That depends on peoples living standards, peoples free choice, emigration rates, said Mkrtchian. Nothing depends on us. I had 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren here, said an elderly Yeghvard resident taking part in the protest. The protesters dispersed only after Romanos Petrosian, the governor of the surrounding Kotayk province, talked to them and claimed to have received assurances from Torosian that the hospital will not be closed for now. There are nuances, regional issues which the health minister is not obliged to know as profoundly as the governor may know, said Petrosian. Torosian clarified afterwards that the hospitals in Maralik, Yeghvard and elsewhere may be allowed to continue to operate if they address their staff shortages and improve their facilities. If there is no operating room, if there is no intensive care, if there is not even an anesthesiologist at a maternity hospital, then this will be out of the question no matter how many roads they block, he said. The minister also stressed: We will definitely not be negotiating with those hospitals that handle 10 child deliveries [annually] but we may negotiate with those that handle around 100 or just over 100 births. Stormzy has told Eamonn Holmes to 'get the f*** out of here' after the This Morning host called Meghan Markle 'uppity'. The Grime star came to the defence of the Duchess of Sussex, as the row of the nature of criticism against her escalates - with some pundits saying media coverage of Meghan has been racist. Speaking to radio station Hot 97, Stormzy said: 'This whole royal family thing, I had no idea it was so deep. Speaking to radio station Hot 97, Stormzy has slammed Eamonn Holmes after his comments about Meghan Markle 'I'm not super into the royal family... I look at it and I think, Meghan, she's a sweet girl, she's a sweet woman, she's a lovely woman. 'She does her thing, I ain't heard her say nothing crazy, and they just hate her.' The 26-year-old rapper then directly reference comments previously made by This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes, who had called her 'uppity', and then in a further tirade 'manipulative', 'awful' and 'spoilt'. He said: 'Bro, she's black, that's who you're talking about.' This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes previously called Meghan 'uppity', and then in a later tirade said she was 'manipulative', 'awful' and 'spoilt' 'I just look at her and I think she's got that arrogance'. I'm like, nah, she's black man. Just get the f***k out of here.' He continued: 'If I told someone write a list as to why you hate Meghan Markle, the list is rubbish. 'There's nothing credible to it but there's an obsession with the Royal Family.' The Blinded by Your Grace hitmaker has previously spoken out about racism in the UK. There has been an ongoing row about the nature of media criticism of Meghan Markle, with some critics describing it as racist The rapper previously suggested he would find accepting an MBE or OBE uncomfortable because of Britain's 'dark' colonial legacy. He has also been critical of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the content of his journalism before he entered politics. Stormzy told Italy's La Repubblica: 'If the top person can openly say this racist thing - the 'piccaninies' remarks, 'watermelon smiles', comparing Muslim women to a letterbox. 'If that is our figurehead, the top man, the leader we have to follow and he openly says these things, he encourages hate.' 'Landing on an aircraft carrier deck is the ultimate and most daunting challenge for a fighter pilot.' 'This takes India into a select group of nations -- the US, the UK, Russia, France, and China -- that have developed such jets,' says Ajai Shukla. In a major landmark for indigenous Indian aviation, the naval version of the Tejas light combat aircraft landed for the first time on an aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, on Saturday, January 11. This takes India into a select group of nations -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China -- that have developed aircraft capable of landing and taking off from the severely constrained confines of an aircraft carrier deck, which is barely 200 metre long. During World War II, Japan too had developed carrier-capable fighters, but has not done so thereafter. 'After completing extensive trials on the shore-based test facility (SBTF), the naval version of LCA did a successful arrested landing on board INS Vikramaditya at 1002 hrs (10.02 am) today (Saturday). Commodore Jaideep Maolankar conducted the maiden landing,' stated a defence ministry release. Landing on an aircraft carrier deck is the ultimate and most daunting challenge for a fighter pilot. He is required to slam down his fighter on a precise spot, so that the aircraft's tail hook catches on a series of three wires laid across the landing deck. These wires unspool under resistance, dragging the fighter to a halt. Catching this so-called 'arrestor gear' requires the fighter to descend much more sharply than in a regular landing. That requires a sturdy landing gear that can withstand the impact of what naval pilots often describe as a 'controlled crash'. To complicate matters further, the pilot is required to land with the throttle at 'maximum power' so that, in case the tail hook does not catch the arrestor wires, the fighter can accelerate to take-off speed in the 200 metres of deck available to him. In November, Girish Deodhare, chief of the Aeronautical Development Agency, the Defence R&D Organisation agency in charge of the Tejas programme, had said that an actual carrier deck landing would be completed by the end of March. In the event, the ADA has beaten its own deadline by over two months. The ADA will now carry out more test landings on the INS Vikramaditya to generate inputs to fine-tune the controlling software. Carrier deck landings and take-offs can be greatly assisted by well-tuned flight computers. The single-engine LCA Navy Mark I that landed on Saturday will not be inducted into naval service, being short on power and, therefore, fuel and weapons carriage capacity. The navy is waiting for a twin-engine LCA Navy Mark 2, with the engine power to get airborne with more fuel and weapons, which will provide greater punch and a longer operating range. The current Mark 1 is a test bed for developing the aviation systems that will go into the Mark 2. The ADA refers to the Mark 2 version as the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TED-BF). The ADA says it is targeting the first flight by 2025-26 and induction into service by 2031, when it will start to replace the Russian-origin MiG-29K/KUB fighters that currently fly off the INS Vikramaditya. With the current LCA Navy Mark 1's single General Electric F-404 engine replaced by two, more powerful, GE F-414 engines, the TED-BF will be a bigger and more heavily armed fighter. The MiG-29 will also fly off the INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier that is due to be commissioned in 2021. In addition, the navy is pursuing the procurement of 57 medium fighters to equip the Vikrant, and a second indigenous aircraft carrier called the INS Vishal, which is currently on the drawing board. BOSTON (AP) A Harvard University law professor announced Monday that he is suing The New York Times for what he calls clickbait defamation" over a story the newspaper published related to donations from financier Jeffrey Epstein. Lawrence Lessig filed the lawsuit in response to a story the Times published on Sept. 14 about his thoughts on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology receiving anonymous donations from the wealthy sex offender. In the lawsuit, Lessig's attorney says the Times published a sensationalized, false and defamatory clickbait headline and lede, USA Today reported. The story's headline reads, A Harvard Professor Doubles Down: If You Take Epsteins Money, Do It in Secret. The first sentence reads, It is hard to defend soliciting donations from the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law professor, has been trying. The story was based on an interview with Lessig and a Medium essay he published defending Joi Ito, the director of MITs Media Lab, who resigned amid an uproar over the lab's ties to Epstein. Lessig claims the headline misrepresents his interview, in which he condemned the donations, but also is quoted as saying to the Times, if you're going to take the money, you damn well better make it anonymous. New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said the newspaper defends the story's accuracy. When Professor Lessig contacted The Times to complain about the story, senior editors reviewed his complaint and were satisfied that the story accurately reflected his statements," Ha said. "We plan to defend against the claim vigorously. IKEA is hoping to help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their upcoming move. On January 9, a day after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced on Instagram that they 'intend to step back as "senior" members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent,' the official Instagram account for IKEA in Italy shared a post aimed at the couple. The ad, which for cardboard moving boxes, reads in Italian: 'Meghan, Harry. We understand you, we are made to change.' Clever: IKEA is hoping to help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their upcoming move: In Italy, the brand shared an ad for moving boxes that was addressed to them Helping hand: 'Il trasloco e una fatica reale per tutti,' the company captioned the post, which translates to: 'Moving is a real effort for everyone' Backing away: The couple announced last week that they 'intend to step back as "senior" members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent' The cheeky post lets the couple know that the store sells two-packs of cardboard boxes for 3.50, in case the couple should need to buy some before packing up their things and moving to Canada or the US. The brand aimed another message at Meghan and Harry in the Instagram caption, too. 'Il trasloco e una fatica reale per tutti,' it wrote, which translates to: 'Moving is a real effort for everyone.' The funny post has quickly earned over 46,000 likes. More: Crik Crok, an Italian snack brand, shared its own ad on Instagram showing the chips on a plate with a full set of utensils. 'Meghan, now you can eat with your hands,' the caption read 'We discovered the real reason for the break with the Queen!' it joked on Instagram Move to Italy? Il Giardino, a pizzeria and restaurant in Italy, wrote: 'Harry & Meghan, if you want, you can join our family' IKEA certainly seems to be the biggest brand to join in on the jokes about 'Megxit,' though several other Italian brands have also drawn up mock ads aimed at the couple. Crik Crok, an Italian potato chip brand, shared its own ad on Instagram showing the chips on a plate with a full set of utensils. 'Meghan, now you can eat with your hands,' the company wrote, adding in the caption: 'We discovered the real reason for the break with the Queen!' And Italian furniture brand KUBO wrote on an ad for bathroom furniture: 'Meghan, Harry. If you need to furnish your home, start with the bathroom.' Funny stuff: Italian furniture brand KUBO wrote on an ad for bathroom furniture: 'Meghan, Harry. If you need to furnish your home, start with the bathroom.' 'Don't worry, we are there to give you the "real" quality at a price for ordinary mortals,' the brand added Selling stuff: Yet another home brand, Prezioso Casa, shared an ad for a child's bedroom with the words: 'Meghan, Harry. Don't worry, here we also have bunk beds' 'Don't worry, we are there to give you the "real" quality at a price for ordinary mortals,' they added. Yet another home brand, Prezioso Casa, shared an ad for a child's bedroom with the words: 'Meghan, Harry. Don't worry, here we also have bunk beds.' Meanwhile, Il Giardino, a pizzeria and restaurant in Italy, created a post for them as well. 'Harry & Meghan, if you want, you can join our family,' it wrote. The Italian brand may have drawn up ads for Harry and Meghan, but countless other social media users have shared funny tweets and memes. Social media fun: Countless other social media users have shared funny tweets and memes The couple first announced on January 8 that they were 'starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.' Today, the Queen released a statement in the matter. The monarch said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' The worlds largest fund manager has warned companies in its $7 trillion portfolio that it will start offloading investments it considers to be a climate change risk, including thermal coal. BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink wrote to bosses of many of the worlds largest corporations to tell them that the climate crisis is about to trigger a fundamental reshaping of finance. Mr Fink, who has faced criticism for a perceived failure to act on climate change, said rising global temperatures were altering the long-term prospects of companies. In the near future and sooner than most anticipate there will be a significant reallocation of capital, he wrote. BlackRock also acknowledged that investing sustainably has the potential to offer better returns to investors. Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe We believe that sustainability should be our new standard for investing, the company wrote in a separate letter to clients. The company said it would begin exiting industries that are most at risk as the world shifts to a low-carbon future, including thermal coal. BlackRocks stance will pile pressure on other asset managers to reassess their own approaches to climate risks. It is perhaps the clearest indication that asset managers, as custodians of a significant chunk of the worlds wealth, have recognised the key role they could play in tackling the climate crisis. But campaigners remained sceptical about BlackRocks commitment to protecting the planet, preferring to wait for actions rather than words. BlackRock remains one of the worlds largest backers of fossil fuel companies and has consistently voted against shareholder resolutions designed to push company boards to limit their impact on the climate. That has frustrated campaigners who see BlackRock as a key potential influencer of corporate policies. The new approach applies only to BlackRocks $1.8 trillion of actively managed assets. The remaining $5 trillion of its funds are passive, meaning it simply allocates clients money to a basket of stocks and bonds weighted in such a way as to track indexes such as the FTSE 100, for example. Recommended Investment giant threatens to pull funds from gunmakers Because oil and gas companies account for a significant slice of major stock markets, BlackRock will remain heavily invested in them unless it makes further policy changes. Jeanne Martin, campaign manager at ShareAction said: Larry Fink talks a lot about companies purpose, but there are questions left unanswered about what BlackRocks own purpose is, and how its stewardship delivers the social, environmental, and financial performance that its clients are looking for. While we welcome its commitment to improve transparency of its stewardship activities, for far too long the asset manager has kept everyone in the dark about the companies it was meeting with, the topics discussed, and most importantly the outcome of those engagements. But we might not like what we see when we open the door on these activities: BlackRocks current voting disclosures on climate issues give little comfort that it will vote in a manner fitting of the climate crisis. Ms Martin added: BlackRocks coal divestment decision is yet another significant blow to the already dying market. The ShareAction charity is calling on the fund manager to go further by using its voting rights to pressure banks to stop financing coal. BlackRocks announcement comes a day after almost all of Britains top universities committed to selling their shares in fossil fuel companies after pressure from eco-conscious students who have occupied buildings and carried out hunger strikes. Charlie Kronick, climate finance campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said: BlackRocks announcement this morning is an acknowledgement of the culpability of the financial sector for the climate emergency, their responsibility to fix it, and the impossibility of carrying on business as usual now that the world is awake to the crisis we have created. Barclays Bank and other UK institutions financing fossil fuel expansion need to step up and do the same, and do it quickly, if they want to avoid becoming the target of unprecedented pressure from activists and investors to end their ongoing funding of the climate emergency. The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed January 20 to deliver judgement in the governorship appeal challenging the re-election of Abdullahi Ganduje as the governor of Kano State. The apex court, consisting of a seven-member panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Tanko Mohammed, gave the date after taking arguments from lawyers in the matter. The candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abbah Yusuf, is at the Supreme Court, challenging the victory of Mr Ganduje of the All Progressive Congress(APC).Ganduje Mr Yusuf wants the judgment of the Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal, which reaffirmed Mr Ganduje, to be dismissed. The Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal had on November 22, 2019, reaffirmed Mr Ganduje, as duly elected in the March 23 Governorship Election in the state. The Appellate Court upheld the decision of the tribunal led by Justice Halima Shamaki, who ruled in favour of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Mr Ganduje. The Court of Appeal five-member panel, led by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the entire petition of the PDPs candidate and its party for lacking in merit. The governor had defeated his opponent after a rescheduled election by the Independent National Electoral Commission. On March 24, 2019, the INEC had declared Mr Ganduje winner. Mr Ganduje scored 1,033,695 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Yusuf, who got 1,024,713 votes. Dissatisfied, the candidate of the PDP and his party approached the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal for election irregularities among other charges. While delivering its judgement on November 22 in Kaduna, the Appellate Court upheld the verdict of the tribunal. Justice Tijjani Abubakar in the unanimous judgement, dismissed the petition of the PDPs candidate for lacking in merit and reaffirmed the governor as the winner of the March 23 elections in the state. Lawyers argue In a further bid to retrieve his mandate, the PDP and its candidate approached the Supreme Court. Appearing before the apex court on Tuesday, the lawyer to Mr Yusuf of the PDP, Adegboyega Awomolo, asked the court to allow the appeal and grant all the appellants prayers. Mr Awomolo noted that the returning officer cancelled results in 207 polling units, declared the election inconclusive and rescheduled another election for March 23, 2019. Mr Awolowo said the cancellation made by the state returning officer in 207 polling units after announcing the entire results in the state is ultra vires his powers and the declaration of the election as inconclusive is also ultra vires. According to the lawyer, Therefore, the result of the second rescheduled election of March 23 is null and void. The only lawful votes at the Kano State governorship election were those announced by the returning officer on March 11. In conclusion, I urge your lordship to allow this appeal on the grounds that the appellant scored the highest votes at the election of March 9, 20,19 and satisfied section 179 (2) a and b. Opposing arguments But the lawyer representing INEC, Ahmed Raji, urged the court to summarily dismiss the appeal. Mr Raji said it was not correct that the returning officer cancelled votes. He said the evidence laid did not prove any cancellation. Also, Mr Duru, the lawyer to Mr Ganduje, said they had addressed all the issues raised in their brief of argument. Advertisements Mr Duru said the appellants premise, exhibit P1 which is form EC8D, upon which the appellant based his argument, does not contain the results of all the 44 local governments that make up Kano State, contrary to his assertion. According to him, the form EC8D does not contain the results of the 207 polling units. Therefore, there was absolutely no way, the returning officer could have declared a winner out of that result. Mr Gandujes said out of the 207 polling units, 62 polling units were from Gama ward. The results from that unit were not collated by relevant officers as agents of the appellant carted away the results, locked himself up in a room with a pen, stayed there for an hour, did not return the results to INEC, but took them to the commissioner of police in the state, he said. He said allowing the appeal would mean sanctioning election violence, giving credit to somebody who has clearly violated the law and admitted the same. Mr Duru urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal with a substantial cost of N5 million in their favour. The APC lawyer, Alex Iziyion, on his part, urged the court to dismiss the appeal. After taking their arguments, the CJN fixed January 20 to deliver judgement. BOERNE, TX, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veteran-owned and operated Black Rifle Coffee Company opened its doors on Boernes historic, award-winning Hill Country Mile last fall and celebrated with a huge street party-style grand opening. The Boerne community has been joined by BRCC fans from all over to share a high-quality cup of joe from their full-service coffee bar since the event. BRCC has cultivated a loyal following of coffee enthusiasts all over the world since their roast-to-order launch out of Salt Lake City, Utah in 2014. Boerne is excited to play host to the first Texas brick and mortar site on the corner of E. San Antonio Avenue and Main Street across from Main Plaza in downtown Boerne. Many BRCC enthusiasts are also excited to see that this location is next door to Montechema Firearmsa popular, locally-owned and operated Boerne gun shop! BRCC gives a portion of its profits to benefit veteran, law enforcement, fire and first responders causes. Additionally, uniformed law enforcement, military, and first responders get free batch brew coffee at this location, every day! When it comes to coffee, BRCC imports their premium, high-quality coffee beans from Brazil and Colombia and personally roasts them at home in Nashville, TN and Salt Lake City, UT. There is so much to boast about in their roasts! Try the Just Black Blend sourced from Arabica, or the AK47 Espressoa Columbian and Brazilian blend. Stop by for a delicious brew on your next trip to Boernes Hill Country Mile! Hours of operation include Monday- Saturday 6AM-6PM and Sunday from 8AM-4PM. They offer a full coffee bar, breakfast and lunch bites as well as BRCC swag. Attachments German engineering group Siemens said it would fulfil its contractual obligations to a controversial coal mining project in Australia's outback, attracting criticism from environmental groups on Monday. Siemens was awarded a contract last year to provide signaling technology for a railway line to transport coal from a remote coal mine run by India's Adani Group in northern Queensland state. The German company had said it would decide by Monday on its involvement in the project. On Saturday, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg called for Siemens to review its role in the project. "There is practically no legally and economically responsible way to unwind the contract without neglecting fiduciary duties," Siemens Chief Executive Joe Kaeser said in a statement. Local and federal governments approved the project based on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as well as hundreds of pages of environmental impact statements, Siemens said. "While I do have a lot of empathy for environmental matters, I do need to balance different interests of different stakeholders, as long as they have lawful legitimation for what they do," Kaeser said. "We should have been wiser about this project beforehand. Now, we need to be a supplier who sticks to its commitments as long as the customer stays on legal grounds, too. Because being a company which is not a reliable source for its customers is simply not an option." Adani said it was pleased to be working with Siemens and that it would not be "intimidated or deterred" from delivering on its promises of jobs for locals and coal for developing nations. Environmental activists slammed the decision and pledged to continue their protests, concerned the continued use of coal will lead to higher emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas which is linked to global warming. "If Siemens' board thinks this is the end of the conversation, they're kidding themselves," said Julien Vincent, executive director of environmental advocacy group Market Forces in Melbourne. "Siemens will face huge public opposition at its AGM on the 5th of February and will have to explain to its shareholders why becoming part of the most reputationally risky projects in the world is in the company's best interests," he said in a statement. Siemens said it had pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and it fundamentally shares the goal of making fossil fuels redundant over time. A protest group that has disrupted the operations of companies linked to Adani's mine said they would target Siemens. "Siemens' expertise is vital to the Adani coal railway and there is too much at stake to give up," said Galilee Blockade spokesperson Ben Penning. "Citizens will escalate their protests until Siemens listen to the science and choose the right side of history." Also read: Adani Ports to acquire 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port for Rs 13,572 crore Also read: Adani effect! This stock rallied over 31% in three days - Actress Stella Damasus has taken to social media to pay respect to her late mother-in-law - The actress described her mother-in-law as her best friend and prayer warrior - Damasus also wished her mother-in-law a peaceful rest Veteran Nollywood actress Stella Damasus has paid tribute to her mother-in-law, who recently passed away. The actress shared a lengthy post on her Instagram page to eulogise her mother-in-law. In the post, the actress described her mother-in-law as her best friend and prayer warrior. She noted that her mother-in-law loved her so much, adding that the deceased woman was the most amazing and selfless person she knew. Damasus revealed that her mother-in-law was her gist partner, dance partner, and prayer partner. She added that they used to do kitchen chronicles with her mother-in-law. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app The actress noted that she would miss her mother-in-law. She also revealed that she is still in the denial stage of grieving because she has still not been able to come to terms with the loss. Damasus went ahead to wish her mother-in-law a peaceful rest and promised to meet her again. PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly Daniel Ademinokan, the actress' husband also eulogised his mother in an Instagram post. He noted that he took him days to come to terms with her death and revealed that his mother, Lucy Ademinokan, passed away on Friday, January 10. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported veteran Yoruba actor, Toyosi Arigbabuwo, recently lost his life. According to reports, he died after six months of battling with an illness. Until his death, Arigbabuwo was not just an actor, he also dedicated his life to the promotion of Islam. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better Why I mostly act Yoruba movies Actress Sotayo Sobola - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng KILLINGWORTH The pervasive scent of coffee and fresh baked goods greet customers who venture into newly opened Andies Cookies. But unlike other bakeries, the business incorporates artwork from local artists, sustainable packaging, board games, and even a giant statue of a knight in a suit of armor named Monte whose helmet grazes the ceiling. If Im going to have a cup of coffee outside of the house, Ill drive through town and Ill just come here, said customer Lisa Keiser of Killingworth. I know Ill come in and Im going to see friends. Keiser has been friends with co-owner Andrea Freibauer for the past 10 years, and has watched Freibauers hobby turn into the business it is today. After six years of selling her cookies from a website, Freibauer and her husband, Larry, opened the storefront in September. We knew it would be a lot of work and we were fine with that, Andrea Freibauer said. It took six years, but we finally got it together, and we found the right opportunity. We found the right place: Its our hometown. At holiday cookie swaps and parties, Andrea Freibauers cookies always were a fan favorite, according to her husband. Right after Thanksgiving, she would just bake cookies, and everyone always commented, Your cookies at the cookie swap were always the best and they said, Could you bake an extra tray for us and wed pay you? Larry Freibauer explained. I said, Hon, you got to jump on this. Youve got something going on here people really love your stuff, and I said Im with you 100 percent. Running the business from a storefront has proven easier for the couple than selling their goods through the website. Previously, they rented a commercial kitchen in Clinton, and did the baking there, then would bring the cookies to vendors and markets. Keiser said that eventually became overwhelming for Andrea Freibauer, who also works a full-time job. Shed bake in all of her spare time, and then bust her butt building up her name, networking, doing fairs, vending to get their brand out all throughout Connecticut, Keiser said. While the website is still operating, Larry Freibauer explained that having the shop has changed their business strategy. Instead of going to customers, they are working to bring customers to them. And coming to the store is often the most important part of the experience, he said. People have come in and just played board games for an hour and drank coffee, and talked about events and whats going on in the town and thats exactly what we wanted, Larry Freibauer said. Andies Cookies are distinct from other bakery products because the owners insist on all-natural ingredients sourced locally. Cookies available at the counter vary from day to day and none are typical flavors. Even the chocolate chip cookies are infused with sea salt for a touch of uniqueness. Additionally, all varieties are packaged in eco-friendly packaging. The store also sells breads, bars and, most recently, empanadas. Andrea Freibauer said cookies will remain her focus. Jerry Volpe, a friend of the Freibauers and a regular at the store, said the treats are worth the drive from his home in Meriden. If youre going to get something, and you know the quality is there, and the price point is phenomenal its worth the drive, Volpe said. Theres something very different theyre not a Dunkin Donuts, theyre not a Mrs. Fields. So to make the drive to pick it up, its worth it. Its exciting. You make the time for it. The store also sells coffee from Perkatory Coffee Roasters in Middletown and goods from local vendors. Keisers paintings hang on the walls of the shop, and she said one already has been sold since the stores launch. They opened this place as a place for the community, and the fact that they help out other community members, giving them a space for their artwork, for their creations and stuff like that, it promotes that feel of community, Keiser said. The couple said opening the shop would not have been possible without the help of residents and friends like Volpe. Because of that assistance, they were able to convert an old insurance office into the vibrant bakery. The front counter is made of pieces of the old floorboards. Customers can nibble cookies and sip coffee while perched on pieces of furniture donated or purchased at the Salvation Army. We have a very eclectic sense of design, Larry Freibauer said. If it looks cool, we put it up. Volpe and Keiser emphasized its the people who make the Andies Cookies experience complete. When it comes to how they run the business, its not for show, Volpe said. How they are in the store is how they are when you talk to them. Its very down to earth, its very cheerful. Which makes it very homey. For information, visit andiescookies.com, check out the Andies Cookies Facebook page or call 860-452-4401. On Saturday, a section of the Indian diaspora in Munich gathered at Odeonsplatz, a tourist hotspot in the city centre, to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens, and the police violence against students and protesters in India On Saturday, a section of the Indian diaspora in Munich gathered at Odeonsplatz, a tourist hotspot in the city centre, to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens, and the police violence against students and protesters in India. This is the second protest conducted by the Indian diaspora in Munich against the CAA-NRC. The CAA, it may be recalled, was implemented on 10 January. In Munich, protesters held slogans urging the Indian government to uphold the values of the Indian Constitution. The demonstration was also in solidarity with the attacks on the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia and the Aligarh Muslim University, as well as the heavy-handed crackdown against peaceful protests in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka. Banners and posters declared solidarity with student protests in India and also with womens protests such as the one at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, where hundreds of women including new mothers have been protesting for the past four weeks against the CAA-NRC. The event in Munich started with speeches explaining the CAA and the reason for it being unconstitutional, the problems with the NRC, and addressing the events in India over the past few months. It saw the waving of Indian flags and a rendition of the National Anthem, according to demonstrators, an attempt to subvert the BJP's rhetoric that labels any dissent against the government as 'anti-national'. The protestors also recited Faiz' revolutionary poem Hum Dekhenge written against the military dictatorship of Zia ul Haq in Pakistan and adopted by protesters in India. Slogans were also raised in Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu. The attendees, while representing people from across India, also included several locals people. Fresh rounds of protests across Europe Cities across Europe saw a renewed round of protests over the last week. On Sunday, protests against CAA-NRC were held in Amsterdam, on Friday and Saturday, protests were held in the German cities of Aachen, Berlin, and Munich. London saw several rounds of protests including on 4 and 11 January. Edinburgh saw protests on Friday, while demonstrations were held in Stockholm on 4 January. The first round of protests occurred across cities in Europe in the second half of December. A massive protest combining forces from all across Germany is to be held in Berlin on the 18 January. A Europe-wide protest is planned for 1 February in front of the Office of the United Nations at Geneva. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ardila Syakriah, Yulia Savitri, Fadli, Apriadi Gunawan and Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Palembang/Batam/Medan Wed, January 15 2020 Hazard warning: Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conduct searches of the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, China, on Saturday. The Wuhan health authorities said that a man who died from a respiratory illness had purchased goods at the market. (AFP/Noel Celis) The government is ramping up efforts to prevent a mysterious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like virus first identified in China from entering Indonesia as neighboring Thailand marked the first outbreak recorded outside the originating country's borders. Thailand officials confirmed that a Chinese traveler in the country had been diagnosed with mild pneumonia on Jan. 8, which was later found to have been caused by the same novel coronavirus first identified in a pneumonia patient in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, AFP reported. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) investors who have suffered losses in excess of $500,000 to submit their losses now to learn if they qualify to recover compensable damages. The January 21, 2020 lead plaintiff deadline in a securities fraud class action that has been filed against the company and senior executives is fast approaching. Class Period: Sept. 8, 2017 Nov. 13, 2019 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 21, 2020 Sign Up: https://www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/CGC Contact An Attorney Now: CGC@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Canopy Growth (CGC) Securities Class Action: The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Defendants falsely represented and failed to disclose that: (i) Canopy had exaggerated and/or overestimated the potential market for its products in Canadian retail stores; (ii) as a result, Canopy had failed to properly account for inventory and demand for its products, leading to inventory write-offs and restructuring charges; (iii) all of the foregoing was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on the Companys financial results; and (iv) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. The complaint alleges that the true details regarding Canopys business and prospects entered the market on Nov. 14, 2019, when the Company announced a disappointing 2Q 2020 earnings, blaming the poor results on inventory write-offs and restructuring charges for product returns, return provisions and pricing allowances. This news caused the price of Canopy Growth shares to decline, damaging Canopy investors. If you invested in Canopy Growth between Sept. 8, 2017 and Nov. 13, 2019 and suffered significant losses (in excess of $500,000), you may qualify to be a lead plaintiff one who selects and oversees the attorneys prosecuting the case. Contact Hagens Berman immediately to obtain additional information about this case or being a lead plaintiff. Were focused on recovering investors losses and determining whether Canopy executives misstated financials while lining their pockets with excessive compensation, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you purchased shares of Canopy Growth and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman . Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Canopy Growth should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CGC@hbsslaw.com . About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com . For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw . TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pineywoods, an all-in-one real estate solution for agents, property managers, buyers and sellers, announced today that it will be opening a new Northeast Florida branch in the Jacksonville/Amelia Island area. The new branch, which is set to open in Summer 2020, already has 11 agents, with a goal of 25 by the end of the year. This will be Pineywoods' fourth branch, joining Miami, Orlando and its headquarters in Tampa. "Expanding throughout the state of Florida has always been a part of our growth plan," said Ryan Chamblee, Realtor and broker of record for Pineywoods Realty. "This gives us the opportunity to plant our crops in another market and grow a new farm." The new branch comes out of a partnership with Amelia Island Realtors John and Michele Holbrook, who have nearly 30 years of combined experience. In 2019 alone, Team Holbrook had over 100 transactions and $34 million in closed sales. The couple specializes in residential properties that are both affordable and within 15 minutes of the beach, including areas such as Amelia Island Plantation, Summer Beach Properties, Yulee and historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Their team was also recognized as the top 1% of realtors nationwide at their previous brokerage, Berkeshire Hathaway. "We're excited to have this partnership with Pineywoods," said John. "The team there has done exceptional work in the real estate industry, and we can't wait to start this partnership with them in the Amelia Island and Jacksonville area." The partnership between the Holbrooks and Pineywoods began after meeting at a 2017 Florida Real Estate Convention in Orlando. The teams aligned immediately, with a similar down-to-earth culture and compatible personalities. The new branch will continue the Holbrook's focus in resort area properties in Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and the greater Jacksonville area. Site selection for the new Pineywoods branch will occur in the first quarter of 2020. About Pineywoods Brands: Pineywoods brands, named after the native Florida cattle, are an all-in-one real estate solution that offers an entrepreneurial and efficient approach for agents, property managers, buyers and sellers. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the platform acts as a catch-all for real estate needs covering five lines of affiliated business: Pineywoods Realty, Pineywoods Title, Pineywoods Insurance, Pineywoods Mortgage and Pineywoods Capital. Contact: Macey Wilson (813) 258-5858 x 2430 [email protected] SOURCE Pineywoods Realty Related Links http://pineywoodsrealtyfl.com/ The condition of the patient is not severe and she is ready to return to her homeland on January 13th, according to the Thai Ministry of Public Health. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that Thailand has started conducting screening on travellers from Wuhan city at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai international airports since January 3rd. The country has also stepped up surveillance at public and private hospitals, he added. There have been so far 12 patients showing signs of virus infection but most have seasonal influenza. Eight patients with a high fever were detected by a thermo-scan at Suvarnabhumi Airport and treated in a separation room at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute since January 8th. Anutin asked the public not to panic as the ministry has the potential to tackle any crisis. The ministry has international-standard diagnosis and medical care and is closely coordinating with the World Health Organisation and all related departments within the airports to build trust among citizens and tourists, he said. If people returning from the epidemic area experience within 14 days a fever, sore throat, nasal discharge, coughing, phlegm or wheezing, ask to see a doctor immediately or notify the Department of Disease Control./. First, its quite possible that Biden could win Iowa outright, and in doing so basically wrap up the nomination early. Bidens early Iowa swoon has been reversed, hes leading the Real Clear Politics polling average and is even with Sanders in FiveThirtyEights average, and Elizabeth Warren and Sanders seem headed to war with each other as the race enters the final stretch. Which could set up a de facto replay of 2004, when Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean dragged each other down and John Kerry won an Iowa victory that set him up for an easy glide to the nomination. Would Biden cruise as easily as Kerry? Maybe not: Sanders has the money and passion for the long delegate-accumulating march, Bloomberg and his billions are waiting, and maybe an Iowa victory would prompt an anti-Biden consolidation (says the pundit who spent 2016 waiting for an anti-Trump consolidation that never came). But given Bidens strength with nonwhite voters, his stable national lead and his perceived electability, if neither of the left-wing candidates can beat him in Iowa, can they really expect to beat him on Super Tuesday? Similarly, if a smooth Indianan in Pete Buttigieg and a cheerful Minnesotan in Amy Klobuchar cant peel moderates away from Biden in Iowa, can a grouchy New York zillionaire really expect to pull it off weeks later? The likely answer to these questions means that if Iowa votes for the former vice president, it may have picked the nominee. In the second scenario, Sanders could win Iowa, Biden could finish a close second, and the campaign thereafter could quickly become a two-man race with Klobuchar finished, Warren and Buttigieg fading, and no room for Bloomberg in a polarized left-versus-establishment contest. The parallel here would be to the Republican race in 2016, when Ted Cruzs Iowa victory made him the anti-Trump standard-bearer, and despite a few Marco Rubio Moments thereafter it was basically Donald Trump against Cruz the rest of the way. In this scenario, Iowa wouldnt have picked the winner outright, but it would have picked the final two and disposed of every other candidate in a single evening. [Listen to The Argument podcast every Thursday morning, with Ross Douthat, Michelle Goldberg and David Leonhardt.] In the third scenario, Warren could rally to win Iowa an outcome less decisive for the fields consolidation because of Sanderss money and grass-roots strength, but one that would dispose of Buttigieg and Klobuchar and make it likelier that Warren surges past her democratic socialist rival in New Hampshire as well. If Sanders dropped out after that, the rest of the campaign would be a Warren-Biden tilt, in which case Warren would owe everything to Iowa; if Sanders stayed in it could be an easy coast for Biden, who would have Iowans to thank for letting him run against a persistently divided left. Elizabeth Warren has claimed Bernie Sanders told her that he did not believe a woman could defeat Donald Trump in an escalation in the growing split between the two progressive 2020 candidates. In response to a CNN article based on four anonymous sources, Ms Warren stood by the reported account of a private meeting between the two senators but said she and Mr Sanders remained friends and allies. Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate, she said of the December 2018 meeting. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed. Mr Sanders team has strongly denied the claim, with campaign manager Faiz Shakir calling it a lie. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony. She has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord Vice News The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could, Mr Sanders said in a statement on the allegation. Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016. The dispute has raised concerns among the left-wing of the Democratic Party of a public feud between Mr Sanders and Ms Warren, the only two viable progressive candidates for the 2020 election. Although both candidates have performed well in polling so far, neither have been able to supplant former vice president Joe Biden as the frontrunner in the Democratic race. Mr Biden currently averages about 28 per cent in polls, ahead of Mr Sanders (on about 20 per cent) and Ms Warren (on about 16 per cent), according to analysis by RealClearPolitics. However, Mr Sanders and Ms Warren also share supporters on the Democrats' left-wing, with a Quinnipiac University poll on Monday showing 57 per cent of Sanders supporters would vote for Ms Warren and 52 per cent of Warren supporters would vote for Mr Sanders. Meanwhile, only 20 per cent and 17 per cent of Biden supporters said they would vote for Mr Sanders and Ms Warren respectively. In the 2018 meeting, the two candidates are said to have agreed that they would not directly attack each other during the campaign, but that agreement has frayed as the Democratic race has intensified. Over the weekend, it was reported that the Sanders team has told volunteers to suggest Ms Warren is the candidate for highly-educated, more affluent people to convince voters to switch to his campaign, according to a document leaked to Politico. Ms Warren said she was disappointed by the leak, which has not been denied by the Sanders campaign. Some progressives within the Democratic Party have feared that public disagreements between the two senators could undermine attempts to elect a left-wing candidate for the Democratic nomination. On Monday, Stephanie Taylor and Adam Green, co-founders of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), said that a back-and-forth about this private meeting is counter-productive for progressives. In this pivotal moment of the campaign, progressives must work together to defeat Donald Trump and prevent a less-electable establishment candidate like Joe Biden from getting the nomination, they wrote in a statement. Waleed Shahid, the communications director for Justice Democrats, told CNN that Mr Sanders and Ms Warren should focus their efforts on defeating candidates such as Mr Biden and avoid encouraging a fight in the progressive movement. Warren and Sanders should be focusing their fire on their two corporate-friendly opponents and earning the trust of voters for why their vision will defeat Trump and provide relief for the American people, Mr Shahid said. The two candidates will meet again in the seventh Democratic debate on Tuesday, alongside Mr Biden, mayor Pete Buttigieg, senator Amy Klobuchar and billionaire Tom Steyer. An inquest which will determine whether a former IRA prisoner found hanging in a cell in a Londonderry police station died by suicide - something his family strenuously contests - has opened in Omagh Courthouse. John Brady (40) from Strabane died on October 3, 2009, the day after he was taken into custody after he was arrested in connection with an alleged altercation with his brother-in-law, John Kennedy, outside a school in the town. Mr Kennedy, who was due to give evidence, was not present, despite efforts by the Coroner's Office to find him. In a statement Mr Kennedy made to police on the day of the alleged altercation he described Mr Brady as "a dangerous man". Mr Kennedy stated Mr Brady started a fight with him outside the primary school and told him: "I am going to shoot you when I get out of prison" before adding, "he is a dangerous man, I am in fear for my life." In the same statement, Mr Kennedy said the fight "lasted around five minutes" and that Mr Brady "punched him eight times" which was contrary to evidence given by witnesses also outside the school. These included Catherine Gallagher and Briege Brady, who described the altercation as a "scuffle" that lasted less than a minute and that it was Mr Kennedy who struck Mr Brady. Mr Brady's sister, Laura Brady, told the inquest that another brother Ben called with her at her work and told her about the altercation with Mr Kennedy, who is married to their sister. She decided to go to her mother's house where Mr Brady was staying at weekends while on parole. Ms Brady explained her brother had been released every weekend from May 2009. The family was hoping his permanent release would be "before Christmas" and he planned to "buy a car and move to Ballybofey in Co Donegal" to make a fresh start. She said when she spoke to her brother John at their mother's house, he told her about the "scuffle" with Mr Kennedy. He also told her he had alerted the Prison Service immediately about it and, following their advice, contacted the PSNI in Strabane. Ms Brady said her brother told police he did not want to press charges against Mr Kennedy "because it was a family matter", although he also contacted a solicitor. She said police called to her mother's house shortly after 8.30pm in three armoured Land Rovers with a helicopter flying overhead and arrested Mr Brady. She said her brother was "entirely compliant" with police during his arrest. She went to Strand Road PSNI station in Derry with clothes for her brother the following morning, hoping to speak with him. She was told the custody suite was busy and her brother was being interviewed, so she left. Ms Brady said she received a call from her brother's Belfast solicitor John Finucane at 5pm that day, October 3, asking her to meet him in Strabane where he told her that her brother had hung himself. She replied: "That's not true, definitely not. I was shocked, John was the last person that would take his own life. "His mindset was one of absolute positivity. That (suicide) was unbelievable - not in his nature. He was such an upbeat person." Ms Brady told the coroner that her brother had been in and out of jail "most of his adult life" and that the thought of going back to jail "didn't bother him". In addition to determining whether Mr Brady took his own life, the inquest will also seek to unravel why Mr Brady was "unmonitored" while he was in Strand Road Police Station and will also probe the conduct of a number of police officers at the time of his death. The inquest continues. After offering prayers, the women will eat food devoid of salt and other spices and that too only once a day. Braving the winter chill, the devotees follow the same rituals for the entire month to celebrate the festival of Shree Swasthani Brata Katha.The festival, which kickstarted on January 10, with the worship of Hindu deity Swasthani and recitation of religious sermons, will conclude on the next full moon day.Hindus in Nepal read one chapter out of 31 lessons a day from the religious book 'Swasthani' which comprises of stories including tales on creation of the world, Hindu deities and demons."For a month, we get up at 4 in the morning. We have been told to get up at a particular time after the conch is blown by priests. After that we are not supposed to sleep. We go down to Salinadi river after getting up to take a holy dip," said a devotee Kunti Devi Shrestha, who has been taking a month-long Swasthani Brata."After that we come up to the temple and sit around the fire to make ourselves warm. We start worshipping Lord Madhav Narayan after devotees who came from other places pay their obesiance," the devotee said."After that, Lord Madhav Narayan is taken out on tour and there is 'Srahastra Dhara' on the head of Madhav Narayan. After offering 'jal' (sacred water), we can go to our room and we eat items that are cooked on our own," she added.Devotees, who take on fast for a month, do not eat foods cooked by others. They only eat rice, beaten rice, sugar, ghee, sugar candy, molasses, spinach from Patan, peas amongst those considered sacred.The 'Swasthani' book mainly tells the story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that is described in Skandha Purana, belonging to the Hindu's secondary scripture. It also has directives which states about do's and dont's to be followed while undertaking a month-long fast that has been followed on a long run.The scripture also has a section that states about the start of observing fast which brought in prosperity and happiness and mentions about Salinadi which is also is the reason for the people to flock to a particular place to observe the fast.The sermon recited for a month also mentions that Goddess Parvati prayed to Goddess Swasthani to become Lord Shiva's wife because of which unmarried females also observe fast praying to get a suitable groom.The married men, on the other hand, pray for the well-being and progress of their spouses and children."I observed fast of Shree Swasthani two years before praying for the recovery of my son, who fractured his hand and for my elder son to get Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. Both of these came true," Yasodha Bhattarai who came from Biratnagar to observe fast in Kathmandu told ANI."Now I am observing fast for my younger son and I hope that he gets admission in the Nepal Army School for studies," she said.Special arrangements have been made on the banks of Salinadi for the convenience of devotees in Sankhu area of Kathmandu.On the final day of the fasting, all the offerings made to the goddess is immersed in the river. (ANI) January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and ophthalmologists at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai are urging high-risk groups to get comprehensive eye exams for early detection of this degenerative eye disease. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States and across the world. The disease is referred to as the "silent thief of sight," because it has no symptoms in the early stages. Approximately 3 million people over the age of 40 have glaucoma, and half of those people don't even know it. The disease damages the optic nerve when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye, increasing eye pressure. Peripheral or side vision gradually worsens without the patient realizing it as the disease progresses into later stages. If left undetected and untreated, glaucoma can cause complete blindness. Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible. Mount Sinai is at the forefront of glaucoma treatment. We have new powerful once-a-day drugs that can lower eye pressure dramatically. Some of the newer minimally invasive surgeries are exciting. In the future there will even be a role for augmented intelligence computer programs to help optimize treatment." Louis Pasquale, MD, Site Chair of Ophthalmology at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens and Vice Chair of Translational Ophthalmology Research for the Mount Sinai Health System Facts on Glaucoma An estimated 4 million people will have glaucoma by 2030 and 6 million will have it by 2050 (National Eye Institute). Glaucoma can affect everyone from babies to senior citizens. There are many types of glaucoma; primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. African American and Latino populations have a greater tendency to develop primary open-angle glaucoma. People over the age of 45 are at highest risk. Glaucoma often runs in families and may be inherited. People with diabetes, nearsightedness, regular steroid/cortisone use, and extremely high or low blood pressure are also at risk. Tips on detection Early diagnosis is key to preventing vision loss. People under the age of 40 should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every three to four years. People under 40 with risk factors should have the eye exam every one to two years. Patients 40 and older should have a comprehensive exam every one to two years. Everyone 40 and older with risk factors should be examined annually. Patients 65 and older should have yearly comprehensive exams. Treatment Since vision loss is irreversible, the goal is to get the eye pressure under control early on, using: State College will get Summers On Allen this May, despite efforts by some council and community members to quash it. After over 90 minutes of discussion and public comment, State College Borough Council approved the proposal 4-3 Monday night, with new council member Deanna Behring serving as the swing vote. Other new council member Peter Marshall joined council members Janet Engeman and Theresa Lafer in voting against. While Marshall said he supported pedestrian improvements to Allen Street, he expressed concern for Allen Street business owners having adverse revenue effects. He tried to amend the proposal to one month with more conditions, and that was voted down. Summers on Allen will turn the 100 block of South Allen Street into a pedestrian plaza from May 11 to July 3, a time between Penn State graduation and Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts known to be slow for businesses downtown. Centre Foundation and Groznik PR collaborated to bring the Summers on Allen proposal before council in October. Using a $135,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, which encourages projects that increase pedestrian infrastructure and attract young people to areas, they will transform the area into a pop-up park, with a performance stage, tables and chairs, landscaping and more. In December, two weeks after a public hearing in which most speakers expressed support for the project, council voted 4-3 to reject the proposal, which led to speculation that it was dead in the water. But at councils first meeting of the new year, with two new members sworn in, then-president Evan Myers put Summers on Allen back on the agenda. In what has been a contentious several weeks of public debate, the decision to revisit Summers on Allen ruffled some feathers. Business owners, employees and representatives of three Allen Street businesses expressed their distaste for the proposal, doubling down on loss of revenue to stores and pointing out holes in the proposals budget and programming plans. To shut down for eight weeks is gonna be death to a business like mine, said Stephen Albert, owner of Connecting Point Computers at 135 S. Allen St. Citing loss of parking as a major detractor to service-based businesses like his, he said that events with street closures always hurt his bottom line. Yet on the other side, several representatives from two growing businesses in State College KCF Technologies and Blue Mountain Quality Resources said Summers On Allen is a major factor in their ability to attract and retain talented, high-earning young professionals. Our employees are young, highly educated and well paid young professionals who can choose to live anywhere in the country, said Jim Erickson, CEO of Blue Mountain Quality Resources. My young staff will embrace and frequent Summers on Allen Street. Other downtown business owners and residents praised the plans ability to attract young families downtown and improve pedestrian options in an increasingly populated downtown. With the pedestrian plazas approval, Centre Foundation and Groznik PR are responsible for several conditions requested by the borough, including paying for lost parking meter revenues, submitting performance measurement methods and standards by March 1 and having businesses apply for outdoor dining permits. Now that the project has approval, Groznik said the team will convene a community task force of six to eight people to brainstorm creative programming for the space, hold community input events and work with local businesses and organizations to partner on events and programming. By Sarah Paez, The Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) (TNS) PHOENIX, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saray Lopez, director of student diversity, equity and inclusion at University of Phoenix, has been awarded the 2019 Inclusive Leader Award from the Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA). The award recognizes Lopez for serving as a role model for diversity, equity and inclusion at the University and within the Phoenix community. The award was presented to Lopez at the 18th Annual Diversity Conference and Awards Luncheon at the Phoenix Convention Center. In her role, Lopez has helped build stronger relationships between the University and regional community groups, chambers of commerce and employers. She has worked to bring and host a series of diversity-focused leadership events across the state and is an advocate for services that prepare future generations for a culturally inclusive workforce. In addition, Lopez serves as a volunteer mentor to young women to help them build their confidence and reach for their dreams. "It is an honor to receive the Inclusive Leader Award from the Diversity Leadership Alliance and be recognized for the work I have done alongside my colleagues and community partners in the diversity, equity and inclusion space in Arizona," Lopez said. "Being able to create access for individuals from underprivileged populations to help enhance their education has been rewarding. I am proud that this award will help to highlight the work happening in the diversity space at University of Phoenix." Lopez joined University of Phoenix in 2015 to help foster relationships with Phoenix-area Hispanic organizations but transitioned into the newly formed Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity a year later to help build a series of diversity initiatives and events. This is her second recognition for diversity and inclusion efforts. In 2016, she was featured as the cover story of Diverse Issues in Higher Education for Hispanic Heritage Month to highlight her work in providing education opportunities to Phoenix Hispanic communities. "Saray has done tremendous work in providing equity and inclusion opportunities for our diverse student and faculty population," said Kelly Hermann, vice president of accessibility, equity & inclusion. "As a University, we are tremendously proud of her accomplishments and the recognition of the impact she is making in the lives of underserved populations in Arizona." Read more about Lopez' work in the Arizona community on the University of Phoenix blog: https://www.phoenix.edu/students/articles/lopez-recognized-for-work-in-diversity-inclusion-at-uopx.html. Diversity and Inclusion at University of Phoenix Since 1976, University of Phoenix has helped provide working adults from all backgrounds with access to quality higher education to help improve their lives. In 2015, the University created the Office of Multicultural Affairs & Diversity to further embrace the diversity of its students, faculty and employees through a commitment to acceptance, awareness and inclusion. The goal of the office is to develop and implement services, programs, initiatives and community engagement that promote inclusive and cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of diversity. The Office of Multicultural Affairs & Diversity is involved with a number of national and local organizations focused on the needs of multicultural communities. Active memberships and partnerships include: Achieving My Purpose American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (AMEPAC) Commission for Postsecondary Education (AMEPAC) Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Arizona Martin Luther King Jr. Awards & Scholarship Breakfast Awards & Scholarship Breakfast Arizona Multicultural Education Conference Association of Latino Professionals for America Phoenix Chapter Diversity Leadership Alliance National Diversity Council National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) New Venture Fund's National Network of State Teachers of the Year Black Male Project Sphinx Educational Fund Thurgood Marshall College Fund State of Black Arizona Tempe Union High School District US Black Chamber of Commerce For more information about the University's diversity and inclusion efforts, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/multicultural.html. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses and interactive learning help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. We serve a diverse student population, offering degree programs at select locations across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. SOURCE University of Phoenix Related Links https://www.phoenix.edu M illennials want a clean conscience when buying luxury goods, trade body Walpole said on Tuesday as it published a new sustainability manifesto. The organisation, which counts Harrods, Burberry and Mulberry as members, has worked with consultancy giant McKinsey & Company on the ideas. Walpole unveiled the series of aspirations for the industry to be more sustainable at its annual chief executive and chairman dinner last night. Walpoles chief executive Helen Brocklebank said: If British luxury is to achieve its target of 65 billion in sales over the next five years, sustainability has to be at the heart of every brands strategy. She added: For millennials and Gen Z who will account for half of all luxury sales by 2025, true luxury only comes with a clean conscience. A report last year warned the fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Companies have also come under the spotlight for some previous practices. In a practice common in the fashion industry, Burberry destroyed unsold goods worth 28.6 million in 2017 to protect the brand by preventing them being sold cheaply or being counterfeited. It has since stopped the process of destroying unsold stock. Walpole will urge firms to make sure 100% of plastic packaging they use is reusable or widely recyclable, ask companies to cut their water use by 30%, and work towards traceability in their entire supply chains by 2030. There are a host of other suggestions too. Pam Batty, vice president of corporate responsibility at Burberry said: The luxury industry needs to collaborate and enact policies and programmes at scale to protect the environment, implement more sustainable practices and support workers in its supply chains. Batty added that the manifesto will bring together established and emerging UK brands to implement systemic change and build a more sustainable future for our industry. A Malawi national has been apprehended by CISF personnel at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying drugs worth Rs 8.25 crore by concealing it in purses, officials said on Tuesday. About 16.5 kilograms of Methaqualone, a sedative variety of narcotics, has been recovered from the lady passenger Mervis Steven after she was intercepted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Monday night. CISF personnel found that the drug was concealed in 33 purses that were kept in two large bags that the passenger, holding a passport of Malawi, was carrying. The passenger was bound for Nairobi via Mumbai. The drugs is estimated to be worth Rs 8.25 crore, and the passenger has been handed over to Customs authorities for further investigation, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybersecurity company Shift5, Inc., announces that it has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the US Air Force through its SBIR AFWERX technology innovation program. This innovation program accelerates the development of cybersecurity technology for Air Force aircrafts and other operational technology (OT) platforms. AFWERX logo The contract recognizes Shift5's excellence in designing cybersecurity products that provide resilience for operational technology (OT) systems through continuous monitoring, intrusion detection, and intrusion prevention capabilities. The AFWERX program funds entities whose solutions stimulate technological innovation, strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting Department of Defense (DoD) research and development needs. Shift 5 will use this award to conduct discovery, identify military customers, and collect demonstration requirements as required by Phase I funding awards. "The SBIR program is a great vehicle to extend Shift5's commercial OT cybersecurity solutions to Air Force users. This will allow us to grow the use cases for Shift5 and provide innovations that close security shortfalls for the military," says Mike Weigand, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Shift5. "We look forward to rapidly deploying proofs of concepts to help the Air Force commands achieve their mission and add to the overall survivability and resiliency of critical systems," says Jenny Kim, Head of Product at Shift5. About Shift5 Shift5 is a cybersecurity company based in Arlington, VA. Shift5 products defend OT platforms such as planes, trains, and tanks from cyber attacks. Shift5 protects vulnerable embedded serial data buses within OT platforms through hardware and software. To learn more, visit https://shift5.io/ . About AFWERX Established in 2017 by the Secretary of the Air Force, AFWERX is a catalyst for agile Air Force engagement across industry, academia, and non-traditional contributors to create transformative opportunities. The core mission of AFWERX is to improve Air Force capabilities by connecting innovators, simplifying technology transfer, and accelerating results. AFWERX has partnered with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), a scientific research organization operated by the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, to streamline the SBIR process to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and transition rate of the SBIR program. Contact Jenny Kim, Head of Product at Shift5, at [email protected] or 703-810-3320 for further information. SOURCE Shift5 Related Links https://shift5.io Parties to Libyan Conflict Vow to Comply With Ceasefire Regime Without Preconditions - Draft Deal Sputnik News 18:54 13.01.2020(updated 19:27 13.01.2020) Earlier in the day, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, who leads the forces in eastern Libya, arrived in Moscow for talks with mediation from Russia and Turkey. Parties to the Libyan Conflict have committed themselves to complying with ceasefire regime without preconditions, according to a draft agreement assembled at the talks in Moscow. According to the document, the parties have decided "to put an end to all offensive operations and strive to de-escalate military operations in all directions." Khalifa Hafter, the leader of LNA forces, has asked for additional time until Tuesday to mull whether to sign the deal. Russia and Turkey will assist the conflicting sides in Libya in implementing the agreements reached at the ceasefire talks in Moscow on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. The Turkish Foreign Minister said that Ankara expects Haftar and Sarraj to commit to a ceasefire in Libya, paving the way for a political process to take place. Libya has been in a state of a civil war since 2011 when its leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed. The country has been divided between two centres of power - an elected parliament in eastern Libya and the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) forces in the west of the country. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NORTHUMBERLAND, N.Y. A Gansevoort man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after allegedly striking a utility pole and leaving the scene of the collision that occurred on Route 50 on Jan. 12. John A. Butler, 40, was charged by the Saratoga County Sheriffs office at 10:11 a.m. with driving while intoxicated, a felony, after the one vehicle crash. Butler was processed and arraigned before Judge Matthew R. Coseo in the Wilton Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance pending further action in the Northumberland Town Court. Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): The United States Justice Department on Monday sent 21 Saudi military cadres home following a probe into a deadly shooting at a Florida Naval base carried out by a Saudi pilot. In a statement, Attorney General William Barr said that 21 cadres were disenrolled from training programs in the US after learning that they possessed some "derogatory material." Barr said the investigation found that 17 of the 21 Saudi members had "social media containing some jihadi or anti-American content. However, there was no evidence of any affiliation or involvement with any terrorist activity or group." He noted that 15 individuals (including some of the 17 just mentioned) had had "some kind of contact with child pornography. While one of these individuals had a significant number of such images, all the rest had one or two images, in most cases posted in a chat room by someone else or received over social media," adding that prosecutors could not execute the trainees under American law. According to sources the expelled Saudi officers aren't accused of being a part of Alshamrani's plan, but have been linked to other extremist movements. "However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined that this material demonstrated conduct unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and the 21 cadets have been dis-enrolled from their training curriculum in the US military and will be returning to Saudi Arabia (later today)," the statement stressed. In December 2019, second lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, opened fire at an air station killing three US sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans. "This was an act of terrorism," Barr said in the investigation. "The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology as he had posted a message on social media on Sept. 11 of last year that said: 'the countdown has begun.' Over Thanksgiving weekend, he visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. He also posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media, and did so two hours before his attack at the naval base," the attorney general added. Saudis have received training at the Pensacola site since the 1970s. As of early December, there were 852 Saudis in the US for Pentagon-sponsored training related to security cooperation, representing 16 per cent of the 5,181 students from 153 countries in these programs, the Defence Department spokesman Chris Garver said. (ANI) NATO Chief Stoltenberg Reveals How Alliance Will 'Respond' to Russia's Iskander-M Missiles Sputnik News 16:15 13.01.2020(updated 16:27 13.01.2020) The Russian military upgraded its tactical missile units with Iskander-M launchers throughout 2019, with the systems replacing the older Tochka-U missile systems. Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads, the mobile, high-precision systems have an operational range of up to 500 km. The NATO alliance will respond to the deployment of Russia's Iskander-M missile systems, including those armed with the 9M729 missile, whose existence the US used to justify its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 2019, alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said. "When it comes to Russia's SSC-8 [NATO designation for the 9M729], we will work on air defence and anti-missile systems, on conventional arms, on increasing military readiness and on extending warning times," Stoltenberg said, speaking to Germany's NTV on Monday. According to Stoltenberg, these measures have already been agreed upon by NATO's defence ministers, and will be implemented in 2020. Accusing Russia of "violating" the defunct INF treaty by deploying the 9M729, Stoltenberg called the missile's deployment "part of the Russian strategy of investing heavily in modern capabilities, including modern nuclear weapons". Stoltenberg stressed that the measures the alliance would be taking would be 'defensive' in nature, and noted that the alliance has no plans to deploy nuclear-armed, ground-based nuclear missiles systems on the European continent. NATO has repeatedly accused Russia of aggressively manoeuvring its troops and missile systems inside its own borders, and marked concern over Moscow's recent deployment of Iskander-Ms in the Russian exclave region of Kaliningrad. 9M729 and the US Withdrawal from the INF The United States announced that it would be scrapping its commitments to the INF Treaty last year, accusing Russia of violating the 1987 deal's terms by deploying the 9M729 missile, which it claimed had a range beyond the 500 km limit outlined in the INF. Russia denied the claim, declassifying the 9M729's capabilities and allowing foreign military attaches and reporters to inspect the weapon at a military warehouse. Moscow accused Washington of using the claims about the 9M729's capabilities as an "excuse" to scrap the INF, and recalled its own questions about alleged US violations of the treaty, including through the illegal deployment of ground-based combat drones, the production of INF-violating missiles for 'testing purposes', and the deployment of its dual-use Aegis Ashore missile defence system in Poland and Romania. Despite the treaty's termination, Russia has promised not to be the first to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe. Signed by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and ratified in 1988, the INF Treaty prohibited the development, production and fielding of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles in the 500 to 5,500 range. The treaty led to the elimination of an entire class of nuclear weapons systems, and the destruction of 2,692 missiles, launchers and transporters, including 846 by the United States and 1,846 by the Soviet Union. Battle of Budgets Last month, the Trump administration approved the US military budget for 2020, committing $738 billion to defence spending, including $71.5 billion for overseas operations. NATO's total defence spending topped $1 trillion in 2018. Russia's military budget has fallen in recent years. Last year, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated that country spent the equivalent of $61.4 billion on defence in 2018, down from $66.3 billion in 2017. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 200 Chinese students bound for Australia have complained their visas have been delayed, blaming tighter "national security checks" they claimed were "politically motivated". Some of the students, who want to come to Australia to study advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, said in a statement reported in Chinese media they had been waiting for more than a year for a visa. International students at the University of Sydney have embraced campus life, including by contesting SRC elections. Credit:Renee Nowytarger The students' claims come against a background of tension over allegations of Chinese Communist Party influence in Australia and concerns from some experts and politicians about Australian universities' reliance on Chinese international students, which others dismiss. Chinese state media outlet The Global Times reported some prospective international students had quit jobs in the expectation of moving to Australia to study, while others' scholarships had expired as they waited. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Painting with a Twist, the original and largest paint-and-sip franchise, has earned the top spot in its category for the seventh consecutive year in the coveted 2020 Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The honor comes on the heels of the company's incredible performance in areas of marketing, robust national partnerships, technology, franchise development and new product launches that closed out 2019 on a high note for the wine and art social destination. The Franchise 500 ranks brands on outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power. Painting with a Twist is ranked No. 213 overall on the list and No. 1 in the category of Paint-&-Sip/DIY Studios. Notable accomplishments for the brand throughout 2019 include: Improved Marketing Technology: Painting with a Twist introduced three major platforms to assist franchisees with marketing efforts, including email, text marketing and social media advertising support. With the implementation, the company has seen an increase of 18 percent in web visits per studio over the past four months. Painting with a Twist introduced three major platforms to assist franchisees with marketing efforts, including email, text marketing and social media advertising support. With the implementation, the company has seen an increase of 18 percent in web visits per studio over the past four months. Top-Notch Partnerships: Painting with a Twist partnered with Disney's theater release division for the first time on two of the biggest releases of the year: "Frozen 2" and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," which included a lineup of movie-themed painting experiences available exclusively at Painting with a Twist. The brand also continued the successful relationship with Disney's DVD release division, promoting "The Little Mermaid," "Captain Marvel," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King." Painting with a Twist partnered with Disney's theater release division for the first time on two of the biggest releases of the year: "Frozen 2" and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," which included a lineup of movie-themed painting experiences available exclusively at Painting with a Twist. The brand also continued the successful relationship with Disney's DVD release division, promoting "The Little Mermaid," "Captain Marvel," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King." Revamped Approach to Franchise Development : The brand is laser-focused on identifying the right franchisees using a number of proprietary personality and site selection tools for smart growth. In the past two months, Painting with a Twist signed an agreement to debut the brand in Las Vegas and expand presence in Atlanta with the addition of two new franchisees. : The brand is laser-focused on identifying the right franchisees using a number of proprietary personality and site selection tools for smart growth. In the past two months, Painting with a Twist signed an agreement to debut the brand in and expand presence in with the addition of two new franchisees. Technology/POS Upgrades : One of Painting with a Twist's competitive edges is the proprietary technology specific to managing a sip and paint enterprise. This year, the company rolled out improvements in customizing the guest experience with the launch of "Pick your Product" and managing guest information with key integrations in newly-introduced marketing platforms. : One of Painting with a Twist's competitive edges is the proprietary technology specific to managing a sip and paint enterprise. This year, the company rolled out improvements in customizing the guest experience with the launch of "Pick your Product" and managing guest information with key integrations in newly-introduced marketing platforms. Successful New Product Launch: The paint and sip brand debuted a new surface for painting experiences wood boards, now available in all locations. At a price point average of $45 , Painting with a Twist is well-positioned to answer competitors in any field. "Painting with a Twist continues to lead the field in delivering innovations that enhance the carefree escape our guests experience in our events," said Painting with a Twist's CEO Joe Lewis. "There's a lot in store for us in the next year and we're excited to keep up this momentum for our franchisees and guests across the country." At Painting with a Twist studios, guests come together to share a creative social experience with friends and art. An experience at Painting with a Twist is led by local artists, and guests gather in a relaxing party atmosphere with a casual step-by-step process that transforms bare canvases into fun art. To learn more about Painting with a Twist, visit https://www.paintingwithatwist.com. About Painting with a Twist Painting with a Twist, based in the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area is the original and leading paint and sip franchise with more than 280 studios in 39 states. Nationally, guests have painted more than 10 million paintings at studios throughout the country since Painting with a Twist started franchising in 2009. The company maintains a strong focus on giving back to the local community, and was recently recognized by the International Franchise Association's Franchise Education & Research Foundation's Franchising Gives Back Awards. To date, Painting with a Twist has donated more than $5 million through its charity arm, Painting with a Purpose. As the fastest-growing franchise in the category, Painting with a Twist has been ranked the No. 1 Paint and Sip franchise as part of Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500 edition for the past seven years. For more information about Painting with a Twist, visit https://www.paintingwithatwist.com. Media Contact: Sara Faiwell, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], 847-945-1300 SOURCE Painting with a Twist Related Links https://paintingwithatwist.com/default.aspx Time is Running Out to Assemble the Prime Vanguard For a Limited-Time Only, Warframe Players Can Gain Instant Access to or Earn Prime Warframes, Weapons, and Accessories Released Through Prime Resurgence Before They Disappear Share the News: @USNewsEducation @BerkeleyCollege #BestOnlinePrograms #NewsBerkeley For the seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Berkeley College among the Best Colleges in the nation for Online Bachelor Degree Programs. The ranking also recognizes Berkeley College as among the best Online Bachelor Degree Programs for Veterans. Nationwide, Berkeley is No. 80 out of 353 schools surveyed, 345 of which were ranked; 13 colleges tied for the position this year. In 2019, the College was No. 102, out of 348 schools ranked. In the Best Online Bachelors Programs for Veterans, Berkeley College ranked No. 49 out of 97 schools surveyed; 9 colleges tied in this position. The continued collaboration with high-caliber online institutions and organizations enables all of us to provide our students with the advantages of a diverse digital learning environment, said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College. We are creating a community of online learners like none other because the level of engagement continues to expand through innovative programming. Berkeley College online students feel they belong here. About 3,100 graduate and undergraduate students (54 percent) enrolled in at least one online class at Berkeley College in the fall 2019 semester. Of the undergraduate students, approximately 24 percent are earning their undergraduate degrees entirely through Berkeley College Online. Fifty-six percent of graduate students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration in Management program in the fall 2019 semester are earning their degrees entirely online. Berkeley College continues to offer a variety of options for students who seek flexibility in earning their degrees, and the quality and commitment of our faculty, with continued emphasis on student engagement and resources, contributes to our ranking, said Joseph Scuralli, DPS, Dean, Online, Berkeley College. The online student at Berkeley has access to an extraordinary student experience that parallels onsite campus resources, as well as the opportunity to participate in programs at our New Jersey and New York campus locations. Berkeley College has hosted regional conferences for national online associations such as Quality Matters and Online Learning Consortium in New York City. Berkeley College Online engages both online and onsite students in a wide array of events, activities and programs throughout the year. In 2019, Sharon Goldstein, Campus Operating Officer, Berkeley College Online announced the formation of a virtual Online Advisory Board, designed to provide feedback from members spanning the online learning landscape. In addition, the Online Advisory Board provides a collaborative resource where members may also gain insights and greater perspectives. U.S. News & World Report evaluates colleges on factors such as engagement, which includes areas like best practices, graduation rates, assessments, class size and retention rates; faculty credentials and training; student services and technologies; and expert opinion. To view the full rankings, click here. To read more about the methodology used by U.S. News & World Report, click here. Here are a few examples of how Berkeley College online learners have succeeded in carving lifestyles and careers that defy convention. Meet Chassity Johnson: Graduate, Veteran, Fashion Designer with a Passion for Fashion Chassity Jackson had an interest in technology from early childhood. She carried around a little red keyboard toy, like a baby doll, that she received one Christmas. The little red keyboard helped her learn how to type. At the same time, the way her mother and aunt styled their clothing intrigued her as she grew up. Ms. Jackson continued following her interest in the field of information technology when she served in the U.S. Air Force, but discovered that was not her passion. I decided, by way of prayer, to find the silver lining, said Ms. Jackson, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising and Management online at Berkeley College in 2019. Had it not been for hardship I was homeless veteran with two kids for a while I might not be on this journey. Ms. Jackson decided to move forward and pursue her passion with fashion. She learned about Berkeley College Online through an Internet search and enrolled in 2016. She also had noticed that people complimented the way she styled her clothing, and she wanted to give back, especially in ways that would benefit homeless veterans. Today, living in Destin, FL, Ms. Jackson runs several of her own businesses, including a nonprofit. One business, Battle Beauties Fashion, features Ms. Jacksons fashion designs for military women; the second, Emerald Coast Fashion, a nonprofit that partners with other businesses such as Chick-fil-A to help feed homeless veterans, hosts Emerald Coast Fashion Fridays, which teaches fashion marketing strategies to local and online students; and the third is Wingmen Official, which features street style fashion designs for military men, launched at New York Fashion Week 2018. My purpose is to bring reform to the fashion industry, Ms. Jackson said. Authentic fashion awakens identity as opposed to the abuse that weve witnessed or maybe experienced in the fashion industry. She believes that Fashion is not fashion unless it changes lives. Online Courses Help Veteran Prepare for Career after Military Service Berkeley College alumnus Grovert Fuentes developed a reputation as a combat photographer during his six years of military service. After his discharge, he knew he needed to prepare for a new career because he had sustained injuries that made it impossible to continue with his passion for photography. Searching for a military-friendly college, he discovered Berkeley and was attracted to support services offered for veterans and the flexibility that Berkeley offered. Mr. Fuentes took classes at night while working during the day. At age 24, he feared being the old guy in class, but found students of all ages and from all backgrounds. The experience helped him expand his perspectives. While still attending Berkeley College, he launched his own business Fit Lifestyle Box, a subscription-based service offering fitness-related products. To continue his studies while devoting time to the startups, Mr. Fuentes took online classes. His professors helped by offering advice for getting the businesses off the ground. I dont think I would have been able to start my businesses and remain in school without being able to take online classes, said Mr. Fuentes. Having accomplished much since earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications in 2017, Mr. Fuentes continues planning for his future. He loves to travel and enjoys public speaking engagements with other Berkeley veteran alumni. Its a network that is extremely valuable, he said. Veterans are always willing to help each other and Ive gained friends who are always supporting me through the Berkeley veterans community. Top Female Longboarder Graduates Berkeley College Brings Home the Gold Emily Pross of Mineral, VA, was able to pursue her career and keep her standing as the top-ranked female competitor in her sport for five consecutive years by completing her required internship to graduate and earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications from Berkeley College Online. In 2019, she competed in the Olympics-sanctioned event, the World Roller Games (WRG) and won Gold for the United States. Because of her interest in professional downhill longboard racing, earning a college degree could have been postponed indefinitely. Thanks to the online option, I was able to sign into my classes and complete coursework before and after competitions while traveling, said Ms. Pross, who competed in eight races in six countries in 2019 and completed the requirements for graduation with Honors. Ms. Pross used the marketing and branding concepts she learned in her college courses to gain sponsorships that help pay for skating equipment and travel expenses, which allowed her to enter more competitions. Offered a full-time position at Kebbek, a skateboard manufacturing company where she completed her internship, Ms. Pross is pursuing her career as a marketing specialist in the downhill skating industry and extreme sports. She hopes someday to have her own business. To view an interview with Chassity Jackson in Floridas Emerald Coast click here. To view a video story about Berkeley College alumnus Grovert Fuentes click here. To arrange for an interview with Emily Pross or other online graduates, contact Ilene Greenfield, office: 201-200-1100; cell: 201-207-6667. To read more Berkeley College student success please visit Berkeley Today Stories. About Berkeley College Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Masters, Bachelors, and Associates degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelors Programs and among the Best Online Bachelors Programs for Veterans, for six consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu. The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers. Last year was a tumultuous one for American farmers and manufacturers as President Trump squabbled with trading partners around the world. American banks, however, had a ball. JPMorgan Chase, the countrys largest bank, reported record profits on Tuesday, and Citigroup posted its best results since before the 2008 financial crisis. Chase earned $36.4 billion last year, up from $32.5 billion in 2018. It earned $8.5 billion in the final three months of last year, also a record. Citi could not quite match that performance, but its $19.4 billion profit for 2019 beat the previous year, and its $5 billion result for the years final quarter surpassed the profit it earned in the same period in 2018. One reason for their success: the 2019 turnaround in the financial markets. The end of 2018 seemed to portend a reckoning as investors fretted over the trade war and the Federal Reserves plans to drain cash from the financial system. But rate cuts by the Fed last year helped markets creep steadily to new highs. BERLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Germany has pledged to put 86 billion euros into the upkeep and modernization of its railways over the next decade. The government will be footing 62 billion, while the German rail company Deutsche Bahn (DB) will pony up the remaining 24 billion. The two sides signed the contract guaranteeing the investments the biggest ever in German history - in Berlin on Tuesday, 14 January 2020. "The 2020s are going to be a golden era for German rail," said German Transport and Digital Infrastructure Minister Andreas Scheuer. "We are signing on to the largest modernization program that's ever existed in Germany. Our goal is a strong rail network as the basis for active climate protection in transportation." The volume of investment represented a 54 percent increase over the previous administrative period. Part of the money will be used to renew around 2000 kilometers of tracks and 2000 switching points every year. 2000 railways bridges will also be renovated by the year 2030. Seven billion euros will be spent on signal-box technology alone. Deutsche Bahn has said it wants to increase its fleet of super-fast ICE 4 trains from 39 to 137. "The record size of this investment plus the scope of areas it involves will offer a wealth of opportunities for foreign companies as well as German firms to get involved," says Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) transportation expert Stefan Di Bitonto. "In fact companies from around the world are already taking part in the modernization process." Deutsche Bahn wants to see regular high-speed connections operating at quick intervals between all of Germany's larger cities and is targeting 260 million passengers a year by 2030. The emphasis on rail is part of Germany's ambitious strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz has argued in the past that rail is "the only truly green mode of transport." Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. GTAI supports German companies setting up in foreign markets, promotes Germany as a business location and assists foreign companies setting up in Germany. GERMANY TRADE & INVEST Follow us Twitter | LinkedIn | Xing | YouTube Contact: Jefferson Chase Senior Manager Corporate Communications T +49-30-200-099-170 [email protected] www.gtai.com SOURCE Germany Trade & Invest Related Links http://www.gtai.com Yet, at Gaijin in the West Loop he has created a restaurant devoted to okonomiyaki, the infinitely customizable griddled Japanese pancake. For those unfamiliar, the dish starts with a base made mostly of eggs, cabbage and grated nagaimo (sometimes called a mountain yam). Thanks to that last ingredient, the interior has a viscous, almost gooey texture, close to an underdone custard. To this base can be added essentially any kind of meat, seafood or other vegetable imaginable. Regardless of your choice, each one is brushed with okonomiyaki sauce, a dark mixture that balances sweet and savory, and squirted with an intricate web of mayo, further amping up the umami profile. The final flourish is a handful of bonito flakes that, thanks to the heat of the dish, wave and curl in front of you like sentient ribbons. Each bite is warm and creamy, savory and slightly sweet. Its a super popular comfort food dish in Japan, says Virant over the phone. South Sudan's government and opposition groups who had snubbed an earlier peace deal said they had agreed to a ceasefire from Wednesday, after peace talks in Rome. Members of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOMA) and an envoy of the government in Juba said they had signed a document on Sunday committing to a December 2017 peace deal to "avoid any further armed confrontation across the country". South Sudan, the world's youngest country, descended into civil war in 2013, when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy and fellow former rebel leader Riek Machar of plotting a coup. About 380,000 people have died in the conflict and some four million have fled their homes. Fears have grown in recent weeks that a fragile peace deal will not hold after delays in implementing a unity government and ongoing disagreements. While peace has largely held across the country, fighting has continued in the Central Equatoria region between government troops and the National Salvation Front, whose leader Thomas Cirillo Swaka signed the agreement in Rome. - 'We are ashamed' - "We are ashamed this peace has eluded us," Pa'Gan Amum Okiech, a member of SSOMA's leadership council and interim chairman of another rebel group, the Real-APLM group, said Monday. "We agree to begin this process of dialogue to reach comprehensive solutions to the crisis," Amum Okiech told journalists, stressing that those solutions would be "inclusive." Progress on a more recent agreement in September 2018 calling for Kiir to form a transitional unity government with Machar has been delayed over a host of unresolved issues. Rebel groups within the SSOMA refused to sign it because it did not address "root causes" of the war, Amum Okiech said. Sticking points include the return of refugees, the integration of rebel forces into the army, and land issues, such as compensation for the destruction of property during the conflict. Machar is due in Juba on Tuesday for another round of talks with Kiir. The ceasefire signed on Sunday was mediated by the Community of Sant'Egidio, a lay Catholic organisation with ties to the Vatican. It engages in diplomatic and peace efforts, including organising the safe passage to Europe of refugees from war-torn areas like Syria. Both Amum Okiech and the head of the government delegation, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, praised Pope Francis for his efforts in pushing for a diplomatic solution to South Sudan's conflict. "This credit goes to his Holiness Pope Francis," said Marial Benjamin, who cited the pontiff's organisation of a meeting between Kiir and Machar in April at the Vatican, in which Francis knelt to kiss their feet, imploring for peace. "Your kneeling in front of our leaders has brought peace to South Sudan," he said. Pope Francis has expressed an interest in travelling to South Sudan and a trip could be announced soon. During a Papal Mass in November, he exhorted the faithful to pray for the country, and in his Christmas address, sent wishes of "peace and prosperity" to South Sudan. Search Keywords: Short link: Hong Kong: Cash allowances to help unemployed (To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.) Cash allowances for the unemployed and underemployed are included in the Governments new initiatives on improving people's livelihood to help them tide over the hardship of an economic downturn. Announcing the initiatives at a press conference today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the Community Care Fund will be invited to formulate new schemes for these people. From April this year to March 2021, those unemployed for one month or longer and have received assistance from the Working Family Allowance or Student Financial Assistance Schemes before April 1 this year, may apply for a cash assistance. As for the underemployed, from April this year to March 2021, those eligible for the Working Family Allowance during certain months and meet the reduced monthly working hour requirement for other months may still apply for a cash allowance in the respective months. Two allowances are for a maximum of three months. The Community Care Fund Task Force will work out details of the schemes which are expected to commence in October at the earliest. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ollie Williams has made the decision to leave the show. (ITV) Ollie Williams has quit Love Island, the programme has confirmed. Williams, who was partnered with Paige Turley on the contest before his exit, said he was departing the show because he still had feelings for someone else. On his reasons for leaving, the 23-year-old explained in the Beach Hut: I have to be honest with myself, and everyone, that I do still love someone else I have to follow my heart in this scenario and it would be wrong for me to ignore these feelings. Read more: Lewis Capaldi would've liked a 'heads up' from ex before her Love Island appearance At the end of the day, this is Love Island and its about finding love. If I carried on anything with Paige, or any other girl that might come into the villa, it wouldnt be fair on them." Ollie Williams was partnered with Paige Turley. (ITV) An ITV spokesperson confirmed the news, stating: Ollie has made the decision to leave the Love Island villa. It comes after over 200 complaints were made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom about Williams participant in the programme. There had been calls for the trophy hunting Cornish landowner to be dropped from the ITV2 dating show after pictures emerged online of him posing with dead animals killed in Africa. A petition campaigning against his appearance on the show titled "Remove Ollie Williams From Winter Love Island For Trophy Hunting!" had already amassed more than 30,000 signatures. Ollie Williams had faced a backlash before he went into the programme (ITV) The petition was shared by TV personality and environmentalist Chris Packham who called for Williams to be dropped from the programme. He said: Hello ITV and Love Island fans . The majority of people in the U.K. want to see an end to trophy hunting so perhaps it would be better to not provide a platform to anyone who kills wildlife for fun . Times are changing - will you ? The series already saw a notable departure before it even began as Caroline Flack stepped down from hosting the winter series. She was replaced by Laura Whitmore, girlfriend of the shows narrator Iain Stirling. The father of a self-confessed killer has admitted intimidating his Co Down son's murder victim two days before the fisherman died The father of a self-confessed killer has admitted intimidating his Co Down son's murder victim two days before the fisherman died. David Brian Carr (51), from Kildare Court in Ardglass, was due to go on trial at Downpatrick Crown Court when he was rearraigned and pleaded a guilty plea to intimidating Stefan Zait. The charge stated he threatened Mr Zait (45) on May 22, 2018, warning him not to contact police or press charges against his son Jason Carr (22). Jason Carr, from Crew Hill Court in Ardglass, had assaulted Mr Zait and stole a bottle of vodka from him earlier the same day. Last Wednesday, Jason Carr was handed a life sentence when he admitted Mr Zait's murder, after the Romanian fisherman died two days following the beating. Last October, Nicola Goulding (35), also from Ardglass, admitted making a false statement that Mr Zait had produced a knife during a confrontation with Jason Carr. The victim and Jason Carr had an initial altercation outside the victim's home on Crew Hill Court where instead of fighting back, Mr Zait sought sanctuary on the Strangford Road. Carr followed him and punched him about the head, knocking him to the ground. Carr delivered what was described as a "powerful" kick to his face. Further blows were then inflicted after he lost consciousness, the court heard. Yesterday, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC ordered a pre-sentence probation report for David Carr and adjourned passing sentence until February 21. Five people were wounded as heavy gunfire broke out in Sudan's capital Tuesday as several agents of a long-feared security agency launched a "rebellion" against a restructuring plan, medics and security officials said. A teenager and a soldier were among those wounded when shots were fired at some bases of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service, formerly known as the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the powerful security arm of toppled president Omar al-Bashir. NISS agents were at the forefront of a crackdown against protesters during a nationwide anti-Bashir uprising that erupted in December 2018 and finally led to his ouster by the army last April. Witnesses and an AFP correspondent reported that gunfire broke out at the agency's bases in the capital's Riyadh and Khartoum North areas. The AFP correspondent said several vehicles carrying soldiers and troops from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had moved on the bases. Tanks were later also seen surrounding the NISS base in Riyadh. "Troops from operating centres of the intelligence started a rebellion in some parts of the capital," government spokesman Faisal Mohamed Saleh told state television. He said a number of NISS troops had come out on the streets, set up barricades and opened fire in the air. "This happened because those troops rejected the amount of money they got for their retirement," Saleh said, adding negotiations were being held. Doctors close to the protest movement that led to Bashir's fall said a 15-year-old boy and a soldier were among five people wounded by gunfire. - Former intel chief blamed - Heavy gunfire erupted again at the Khartoum North base late in the evening, and a security source told AFP that the army and RSF had taken control of the two bases. A top general accused the former head of the intelligence agency of planning the revolt. "What happened today is a plan by Salah Ghosh and some other officers," General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the RSF, told reporters in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. Ghosh, a key figure of Bashir's regime, stepped down days after the veteran leader was toppled. His whereabouts are unknown. Sudan's prosecutor general called for removing the immunity of NISS personnel involved in the revolt. "Those members of the intelligence involved in what happened today have committed a crime ... I call for their immunity to be removed so they can face justice," the prosecutor general said in a statement. Sudan's protest movement, the Forces of Freedom and Change -- a key part of the transitional government -- urged residents to remain calm. "We are calling on our people to be calm and not give a chance for those who want to drag our homeland into bloodshed," it said. NISS, in a statement, said it was "assessing the situation". "In the process of restructuring NISS, there are some members who have rejected the financial compensation offered for retirement," it said earlier on Tuesday. A security source told AFP that the first shooting broke out in the city of Al-Obeid after which gunfire erupted at NISS bases in Khartoum. Authorities also closed the capital's airport, the civil aviation authority said. In an effort to reassure the public, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the situation was under control. "We want to tell our people that the situation is under control and this will not stop us from achieving the goals of our revolution," he tweeted. "I (can) assure that (the) Sudanese armed forces and other regular forces have the capacity to handle the situation," he wrote. Since August, Sudan is ruled by a joint civilian-military body, with the day to day affairs run by Hamdok's government. The ruling body is tasked with overseeing the country's overall transition to civilian rule as demanded by the protests that ended Bashir's 30-year rule. Members of Sudan's intelligence services shoot bullets in the air at the headquarters of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service in the Riyadh district of the capital Khartoum The headquarters of Sudan's Directorate of General Intelligence Service in the capital Khartoum where heavy gunfire broke out as several agents of the long-feared security agency launched a "rebellion" against a restructuring plan The purported smartphone is expected to come powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 SoC.(Photo: AP) We are almost a month away from Samsung's anticipated Unpacked 2020 event and the company's star product, the successor to the current Galaxy S10, has shown up in new leaks. The Galaxy S20+, as the new series will be called, will feature four cameras at the back, a flash, a microphone hole, and a hole-punch camera at the front, according to the live images posted by XDA Developers. S20+ 5G looks absolutely insane pic.twitter.com/0vppZ65wys Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) January 12, 2020 The purported smartphone is expected to come powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 SoC. There would be a 5G variant as well. It is worth noting that the Galaxy S20+ will be middle of the new S series while the Galaxy S20 Ultra will be the top-end model. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Brandman University is dedicated to helping working adults earn degrees, credentials and certificates I am confident that in 2020, and throughout this new decade, we will continue to find innovative ways to bring higher education directly to working Americans, Chancellor Gary Brahm said. Brandman University is beginning a new year of helping working adults complete fully-online and hybrid programs leading to degrees and professional certifications. A recent U.S. Department of Education data release showing Brandman students high graduation rates affirmed past academic successes. Now, the university enters 2020 with a heightened capacity to continue its mission, after key developments over the past year created new opportunities to deliver relevant programs to students balancing work, family and academic commitments. Brandman students returned to their studies today for the beginning of a new Spring Trimester. I am confident that in 2020, and throughout this new decade, we will continue to find innovative ways to bring higher education directly to working Americans, Chancellor Gary Brahm said. Meeting adults where they are, no matter where they may be, is rapidly becoming a proven method for delivering the knowledge, skills and abilities people need to succeed. Brandman, a private, nonprofit university, has an 81 percent graduation rate for full-time students who transfer into the university, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The department released its updated version of the Scorecard in November. College Scorecard numbers also show a 59 percent graduation rate for part-time students. The university has an overall graduation rate of 66 percent. The Department of Education calculated scorecard rates from numbers collected during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 data years. The rates show the percentages of students who graduated within eight years. This information shines a spotlight on our faculty and staff who are incredibly successful at ensuring working adults who resolve to earn a degree have the support they need to cross the finish line. We're proud of our completion rates, and we'll continue to work hard to push them even higher, Brahm said. A college education is imperative for a fulfilling and financially-secure life, and should not be reserved solely for those who can rely upon parental support. Brandman begins the new decade after a year in which the university introduced new programs expanding working adults access to college. In April, Brandman received U.S. Department of Education approval for two competency-based degree programs, an Associate of Arts in General Business and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. The self-paced programs are offered via Brandman MyPathTM digital learning resources. The San Diego campus began instruction in September for students enrolled in the new pre-licensure Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing program. A new simulation lab is expected to open at the San Diego campus for nursing students this year. In October, the Automobile Club of Southern California and Brandman announced an exclusive partnership, AAA Accelerate. The program extends opportunities for highly-subsidized degrees to about 15,000 people working for the Automobile Club of Southern California and its Auto Club Enterprises affiliates in more than 20 states. Also, other recently-released federal numbers show Brandman graduates continue to have low student loan default rates. The universitys three-year default rate of 5.2 percent is much lower than the national 10.1 percent rate the Department of Education reported in September. Default rates are calculated from data on students who began to repay their loans in Fiscal 2016, and Brandmans low rate indicates university graduates are working in jobs enabling them to meet their financial needs and obligations. ABOUT BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY Brandman University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. As part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with innovative programs and support services designed for students with busy schedules. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, credential and certificate programs. Brandman serves about 24,000 students, more than 14,000 of whom enroll in academic credit programs, at 25 physical campuses in California and Washington, as well as online. Brandman offers fully-online courses for students anywhere in the United States and for military personnel serving abroad. For additional information, visit the universitys website. The latest announcement will see investment made in 12 primary schools, five post-primary schools and one special school Eighteen schools in Northern Ireland are to proceed with building projects after an investment of 45 million was announced. Education Minister Peter Weir made the announcement on Tuesday as part of the School Enhancement Programme (SEP), which supports refurbishment or extension projects valued between 500,000 and 4m. It was the first major announcement of any new Executive minister since its reformation at the weekend. The programme targets schools with pressing construction needs, where major capital works are not deemed affordable within the school's budget. Read More Set up in 2012, the scheme has had two funding calls in which a total of 91 schools benefited from investment. The latest announcement will see investment made in 12 primary schools, five secondary schools and one special school. Peter Weir said the funding was not just positive news for schools, but for the wider economy. This is a significant investment which will deliver much needed capital investment in the schools estate," he said. "More importantly, this is an investment in the future of our young people and will enhance the quality of their learning experience, leading to better educational opportunities and outcomes." Improving the schools estate is a priority for me and the SEP scheme is an excellent way of delivering capital work projects which have an immediate positive impact on the schools, staff and pupils and, indeed, local communities. Expand Close Education Minister Peter Weir. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Education Minister Peter Weir. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. The New Decade, New Approach deal highlights several priorities for the Executive in relation to the education sector. These include addressing resourcing pressures facing schools and overseeing an independent review of the quality and sustainability of the education system in Northern Ireland. Construction work at the 18 schools receiving investment is expected to start in the 2022/23 financial year. Mr Weir added: Todays announcement is not only good news for pupils and schools but it will also represent a welcome boost to the economy, especially the construction industry. In addition to this SEP announcement, I intend to continue to advance the programme of major capital builds as well as a programme of much needed minor works across the estate. I will also look to invest in maintenance works across all schools. When asked precisely how much each school will receive, a Department of Education spokesperson said: Detailed plans for each school will be developed throughout the planning and design process. "It is not possible to be definitive about the likely spend on any individual project until the scoping/technical feasibility work is complete, however, SEP projects typically result in investment of between 2.5m and 4m." Welcoming the announcement, Sinn Fein education spokesperson said the SEP has made a "massive difference" to the schools estate over the years. I am particularly delighted that Holy Child PS in Derry has been included this announcement to allow their case for much-needed improvements to move forward," she said. After visiting the school, I met with CCMS (Council for Catholic Maintained Schools) to help ensure that Holy Child PS were included in the School Enhancement Programme. For the Executive to deliver on commitments to Education, the British Government needs to live up to commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach document. The schools advancing in planning under the SEP are: Piers Morgan hits at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle again. Following the Sussexes' announcement of stepping back as senior royals, the TV presenter had been very vocal of his disgust at their decision. Now Morgan calls out the Sussex Royals for bullying the British monarch to get their way. Buckingham Palace already released a statement saying they understand the Sussexes' decision to live independently, but wish otherwise. Morgan says Harry and Meghan successfully bullied Her Majesty. "They want to have their cake and eat it with royal trimmings," said Morgan. He previously said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be stripped of their royal titles. The royal couple is expected to go through a period of transition. They have been made to understand that the process is lengthy as they want to move office to Canada. Before the announcement, the Queen had not been let in on the couple's decision. It was only after the announcement that the Sussexes got together with other senior royals to discuss their decision. This act was mortifying for Morgan. "It was like holding the Queen to ransom," said Morgan believing the Queen was left with no other choice but to accept her grandson's decision. Did William Bully Harry and Meghan? Speculations rose that the decision came after being bullied by Prince William for years. Rumors had it that Harry's elder brother was to be blamed for his bullying attitude. It was at this point that Meghan was said to have told her husband, "It's not working for me" making them skip Christmas at Sandringham. However, both Prince William and Prince Harry have already debunked these speculations. They are both active in supporting mental health awareness. Offensive and potentially harmful language did not happen between the two brothers. Morgan slammed Meghan for cutting of the brothers who have been known to be very close with each other growing up. He also called Meghan a "ruthless social climber" who use people then move on and ditch them. Timing is Completely Wrong! Morgan explained that timing is crucial. He previously criticized Harry and Meghan for making the Queen and Prince Philip miss them at Christmas, along with their son Baby Archie. Now, Morgan was enraged pointing out to the fact that the Queen recently had to fire Prince Andrew. Furthermore, Prince Philip, at 98, is already very sick. He said that "two little spoiled brats [Harry and Meghan] held her at ransom at the worst moment!" The TV presenter added that it could have been more tolerable had the Duke and Duchess left after about 18 months. He added that he predicted Meghan would act this way. "You quit your dad, your friends, and your jobs." He added that Meghan even "disowned her entire family and mailed her rings back to her ex-husband." Morgan said things are more serious now as Meghan "tries to get rid of Harry from his family." He also criticized Harry for being "so weak over all this." He said that since Harry was born into royalty, the Prince was expected to perform his duty. READ MORE: Royal Surprise! Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Officially STEP BACK From Royal Family BERLIN - European countries on Tuesday triggered a dispute mechanism in their nuclear deal with Iran, a move that could lead to the return of United Nations sanctions on Tehran. Britain, France and Germany said they had been "left with no choice" but to make the move. Iran announced Jan. 5, after the U.S. killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, that it would no longer be bound by limitations on its nuclear energy program. Tehran had been gradually reducing its commitments under the deal since the United States withdrew and reimposed sanctions in 2018. With Washington threatening secondary sanctions against European businesses dealing with Iran, Tehran argued that it could no longer reap the financial benefits laid out in the pact in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. By initiating the dispute mechanism, the Western European signatories begin a process that could eventually result in a "snapback" of U.N. sanctions, though officials made clear that such an outcome is not their current intention. Instead, they appear to hope that triggering the process could help bring Iran back in line with its commitments under the 2015 agreement, which Tehran negotiated with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China. In their statement, the three Western European signatories said they would not be joining the Trump administration's campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran and reiterated their "regret" at the U.S. decision to withdraw. "Our goal is clear," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in a statement. "We want to preserve the agreement and reach a diplomatic solution within its framework." That, however, would depend on the path Tehran chooses to take. In a statement Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said it would have an "appropriate and serious response" to any "ill-willed or unconstructive actions." It said that since Iran had begun a dispute process itself a year and a half earlier, after the U.S. withdrawal, it deemed Tuesday's announcement "nothing new." If European countries continue to follow the United States in a "subordinate way" and "abuse" the agreement, then "they must also prepare to accept the consequences," the Foreign Ministry said. A State Department representative applauded the European decision, saying, "The time is now to end Iran's extortion." "Nations must unite behind this effort to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its continued destabilizing actions," the representative said. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on European allies to withdraw from the Obama-era deal, which he railed against during his 2016 presidential campaign. However, the deal's other signatories have stood by it, arguing that it is the best way to limit Tehran's nuclear program. Launching the dispute process is unlikely to satisfy the Trump administration, said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Europe remains several steps away from abandoning the deal. The clock will start on a negotiation period that could last 35 days - or longer if there is a mutually agreed extension. After that, a signatory would have to raise the dispute to the U.N. Security Council. Then, if the Security Council cannot agree on a resolution to the dispute - a stalemate would be likely, given that the permanent members already disagree - sanctions would be reimposed. The aim is "to try and inject a new political environment around the nuclear deal," Geranmayeh said. European diplomats also hope the process might buy them time and possibly relieve some pressure from the United States. "Based on the outcome of the U.S. elections, everyone will have a better calculus of where they go next," Geranmayeh said. However, the Europeans will have to carefully manage the dispute process if they want the deal to survive, she said. Iran may not engage, or it may choose to escalate. And the Trump administration could argue that the United States, as an original signatory, has the ability to raise the dispute to the Security Council. Alternatively, Washington could try to pressure London to raise it. Britain is more closely aligned with the Trump administration than Germany and France are, and it is vulnerable to pressure as it negotiates a post-Brexit trade deal. Cracks showed in the European position on Tuesday, when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for replacing the nuclear deal. In a television interview, he said the White House's main issue with the deal was that it is "flawed" - but also that it was signed by President Barack Obama. "If we're going to get rid of it, let's replace it, and let's replace it with the Trump deal," he told "BBC Breakfast." Speaking to Parliament, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab took a harder line than others in Europe. He outlined Iran's step-by-step reduction in its commitments since May, leaving what he described as a "shell" of an agreement. "Each of these actions were individually serious," he said. "Together, they now raise acute concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions." In July, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran had exceeded the nuclear agreement's limit of 3.67% purity in its enriched-uranium production. Raab said the first step in the process of putting Iran on notice would be a meeting of all the deal's signatories within 15 days. Iran's response would be a "crucial test of its intentions and goodwill," he said. Russia has remained vocally committed to the deal and has urged Europe to do more to save it. Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, said Europe should also call on the United States to abide by its commitments under the agreement. "Given Western logic, it turns out that no matter what happens with the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], Iran should observe it, and if it fails to honor it, it shall be the only party to blame," he wrote on Facebook. "This is dubious logic, to put it mildly. The U.S. is apparently using and enjoying this impunity in its little unipolar world it has created." Josep Borrell Fontelles, coordinator of the dispute process, said he had received a letter from the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany referring Iran under the mechanism while calling for constructive diplomatic dialogue. "In light of the ongoing dangerous escalations in the Middle East, the preservation of the JCPOA is now more important than ever," he said. - - - The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan in Moscow, Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and Quentin Aries in Brussels contributed to this report. A school district in South Dakota has agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit brought by a former honor student who said her high school principal punished her for using a phrase her male peers used without retribution. Addison Ludwig said former Elk Point-Jefferson High School principal Travis Aslesen singled her out after she was featured in the student newspaper The Husky in 2017 describing how she enjoys Netflix n Chill with my boyfriend. Ludwig said she didnt know it was a term used to describe casual sexual encounters until Aslesen brought it to her attention. She had believed the term referred to watching movies on the video streaming service. Aslesen revoked her senior privileges and honors study hall, forced her to write a letter of apology and removed her as editor of the newspaper. Ludwig said in her lawsuit that male students who used the term had not been disciplined, including a boy who had used the term in a profile in the publication that same year. District Superintendent Derek Barrios released a copy of the settlement to the Argus Leader. The parties agree that the execution of this agreement is solely to avoid the ongoing cost and expense of litigation and is not an admission of liability, and that defendants, individually and collectively, affirmatively deny any liability or wrongdoing, the settlement said. Ludwig graduated from Elk Point-Jefferson in May 2018. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Education South Dakota The multi-talented Schapelle Corby has sold her first artwork. The 42-year-old listed a resin art wall clock she made herself out of recycled wood last week, and after seven days at auction, it sold on website eBay for just over $1000 on Tuesday. All proceeds will be donated to aid the bushfire crisis, specifically WIRES Wildlife Rescue, the convicted drug trafficker announced. Hidden talents! Schapelle Corby (pictured) sold her handmade resin art wall clock for over $1000 at auction - raising funds for the bushfire crisis on Tuesday Schapelle took to Instagram to advertise the piece last week, writing: '100% of funds go to emergency fund for Wildlife @wireswildliferescue.' 'This is the first-ever that I've made. I don't have much else & like everyone my heart aches for Australia,' she added. The beach-themed quartz clock sold to the second highest bidder at auction, with Schapelle revealing on Instagram Stories that eBay helped her get in touch with that person after the top bidder apparently fell through. On sale: The 42-year-old listed a resin art wall clock she made herself out of recycled wood last week, and after seven days at auction, it sold on website eBay for $1005 Help: The beach-themed quartz clock sold to the second highest bidder at auction, with Schapelle revealing on Instagram Stories that eBay helped her get in touch with that person after the top bidder apparently fell through Going, going, gone! Later, she thanked a man known only as Stephen, and announced that the clock had now sold Later, she thanked a man known only as Stephen, and announced that the clock had now sold. The brunette had described the clock as, 'eco epoxy resin art, wall clock, beach theme, on recycled rose wood 26cm, quartz clock, hand made by me'. The former jailbird was praised by her 169,000 Instagram followers for the 'kind gesture'. By herself! Schapelle told fans the clock was 'hand made by me' and the first she'd ever made Details: The brunette had described the clock as, 'eco epoxy resin art, wall clock, beach theme, on recycled rose wood 26cm, quartz clock' In 2005, Schapelle was sentenced to 20 years in Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison after 4.2kg of Marijuana was found in her boogie-board bag at Ngurah Rai International Airport. After a series of sentence reductions, she was released on parole in February 2014 after nine years behind bars. She was deported back to Australia in May 2017 after living in Bali for three years, amid a media frenzy. By Rasana Gasimova UAEs Masdar company will commission a 200 MW solar power plant in Azerbaijan in 2022, local media reported, citing Dubai Chamber in Azerbaijan. As you know, Masdar, one of the world's leading companies in the field of renewable energy sources, has signed an agreement with Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy of on the development, financing, construction and operation of a 200-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant. The station is expected to be launched in 2022, the Dubai Chamber noted. The Chamber considers the contract signed with Masdar to be a landmark partnership that will further expand bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Azerbaijan. Note that the Ministry of Energy signed contracts with Saudi Arabias ACWA Power and UAEs Masdar on January 9, 2020. Under the terms of the agreements, ACWA Power will build a 240 MW wind power plant, and Masdar 200 MW will build a solar power plant in Azerbaijan as part of the pilot project. Annual electricity production at these stations is projected at 1.4 billion kWh. The volume of investments under these projects is expected to exceed $300 million. The entire amount of financing will be undertaken by the companies. Earlier, ACWA Power informed that investments in the construction of a wind farm will amount to $200 million. Note that according to the presidential order On Accelerating Reforms in the Energy Sector signed in 2019, partnerships were established with nine international energy companies and intensive discussions were held in order to expand the use of renewable energy sources. The ACWA Power and Masdar companies were selected from seven companies that submitted their proposals after a three stage selection process. ACWA Power currently has a total installed capacity production portfolio of 30,200 megawatts, reaching 8,000 megawatts globally in renewable energy, and a $45 billion investment portfolio. As to Masdar company, currently it has a production portfolio in the field of renewable energy with a total installed capacity of 4,000 megawatts, and has so far invested $ 8.5 billion in this area. Currently, 91.9 percent of electricity in Azerbaijan is produced from traditional sources of energy (natural gas), while 8.1 percent of electricity is produced from renewable sources. Taking the capacities of large hydroelectric power plants into account, the share of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity is 17 percent (1,276 MW). According to estimates of the Energy Ministry, the potential of Azerbaijans renewable energy sources generating capacities is 26,000 MW. The Energy Ministry has set a task to increase the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production by 30 percent in 2030. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The prosecution argued Kasheem Aiken was the man who pulled the trigger, shooting 19-year-old Teayahe Glover three times until the girl died on a Bethlehem street. The defense attorney representing Aiken said it wasnt him, but a fellow gang member looking to gain recognition and climb the ranks. It took a 12-member jury three hours to side with the defense, acquitting the 37-year-old reputed gang member of both criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide charges. Aiken, of Easton, stood next to defense attorney Christopher Shipman as the verdict was read. He turned around and gave a smile to two supporters sitting behind him. As he left the courtroom, he called out to about a half dozen friends and family members of Glover, I didnt do nothing to your family. Im sorry for your loss. He also stated, "Rest in peace Teay. After the door closed, the courtroom could hear shrieks as family members sobbed on the bench. At issue during the trial was a dispute over who actually shot and killed Glover. Shipman told the jury not to believe the commonwealths main witness, Xavier Snyder, 20, of Washington, Warren County. Snyder pleaded guilty to third-degree murder as part of a plea deal that included a promise to testify against Aiken. Snyder said Aiken pulled the trigger, according to Northampton County Chief Deputy District Attorney William Blake. Shipman called Snyder a proven liar and noted there was no physical evidence tying him to the crime. Shipman argued Snyder, who just joined the gang a month prior, was trying to get noticed and told several people he killed Glover before saying, I was just kidding. Blake said Snyder initially was told to take the blame from higher members in the gang. He fled to New Jersey because he was scared, Blake said. Shipman also told the jury in his closing argument that cellphone records and IP address records used during social media messaging didnt put Aiken and Snyder together at the time of the killing. Aiken was speaking to a former girlfriend on his cellphone for more than a half hour during the time Glover was shot, Shipman said. Blake maintained cellphone records only prove the device was in use at the time of the crime. Shipman also pointed out Snyder posted on Facebook he had a revolver in his possession hours before the killing. It was Snyder who lured Glover out of her house early that morning through Facebook, he said. The crime was described by authorities as a case of love, jealousy, friendships, loyalty, gang life and ultimately, revenge. Glover was found dead Feb. 8, 2017, at the corner of Sioux and Sassafras streets in Bethlehem. She suffered gunshot wounds to her face, her back and just under her left armpit, police said. Aiken blamed Glover for the gang-related death of Alan Young, who was her boyfriend, according to Blake. Glover was present when Young got into an argument that ended with Tariq Page shooting Young, police said. Page later pleaded guilty to attempted homicide and is serving a seven- to 14-year prison sentence. Aiken and Snyder were allied with Young and resentful of Glover, police said. The pair sought revenge when Glover told investigators what happened, police said. Following the verdict, Shipman said the jury got it right. The jury understood Mr. Snyder was trying to implicate other people -- innocent people, he said. We were certainly happy (with the outcome)." Blake said it was clearly a hard case to try when it went before the Grand Jury. We have faith in the system, he said. Im sure it was hard for them (jury). Blake met with Glovers family members after the trial and said they were reeling from Aikens outburst in the courtroom. He said they didnt feel it was a genuine apology or sign of respect. I feel the family took it as a slap in the face, Blake said. Theyre still processing everything. Aiken didnt testify during the trial. About an hour before the verdict was read, jurors asked Northampton County Judge Anthony Beltrami if they could find Aiken guilty of third-degree murder with someone else being the actual shooter. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. At a weekly press briefing in Tehran Jan. 14, the spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Esmaeili, announced "several" arrests were made in connection with the crash of a Ukrainian passenger jet last Wednesday. All 176 people on board were killed. It took Iranian authorities three days to admit that a missile battery operator "mistakenly" shot down the aircraft. At the time, the country's armed forces were in a state of high alert in anticipation of a US attack in response to a barrage of Iranian missiles on two American bases in neighboring Iraq. The judiciary spokesman did not release details on the exact number or identity of those in custody, but said the arrests were part of a wider probe into the tragedy, launched by the country's Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces upon a directive from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Appearing in public for the first time following the crash, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called for a "special court," where those culpable would be put on trial. "It is not that the one individual who pressed the button is to be blamed only. There are others involved and I want this to be explained to the nation with honesty," Rouhani said. The comment appeared to reference higher ranking officers at the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose air defense base west of the capital Tehran shot down the plane. Earlier, government spokesman Ali Rabiei suggested that Rouhani had been kept in the dark by the IRGC about how the ill-fated plane went down, as the president, he said, was informed about the truth more than two days following the deadly incident. Rouhani's speech appeared as an attempt to soothe public anger, which has gripped Iran amid accusations of a state cover-up of the incident. Nationwide vigils held for crash victims have in most cases turned into calls for resignations and slogans targeting the supreme leader and the IRGC. Iran's hard-liners, however, have linked the protests to a US and British campaign aimed at discrediting the IRGC and undermining its "achievements" in protecting Iran's sovereignty, including the attacks on the American bases that came as "revenge" for the US assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani Jan. 3. A brief arrest of the UK ambassador after he was at the site of one of the protests in Tehran served as enough evidence for those hard-liners to accuse him of "orchestrating the anti-government protests." A day later, a counter rally was organized by a group of ultraconservative students and young clerics outside the British Embassy in Tehran, where they demanded that the ambassador be expelled. Despite declaring in a Persian tweet that he had left the venue after the chanting of slogans began, Robert Macaire was summoned by Iran's Foreign Ministry over "attending an illegal rally." Still, in the latest, Iran's public procurator renewed calls Jan. 14 for the ambassador to be "immediately" sent home as the judiciary named Macaire "persona non grata." The Iranians' fury against the government's obfuscations following the crash extended to a wide-reaching boycott of major state-organized art events, which is now trending among the country's celebrities. Defections from the hard-line state-funded public broadcaster in solidarity with the mourning Iranians have also caught many by surprise. "I am sorry for lying to you from state TV for 13 years," female anchor Gelareh Jabbari told Iranians in an Instagram post. She resigned in protest of the state's handling of the plane crash. Iran intends to sue the US military and the US president for the murder of Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, said Iranian Justice Ministry spokesperson. According to him, there is no doubt that the US military committed a terrorist attack by killing Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces, and Trump admitted committing this crime, Mehr reported. According to him, Iran will initiate a case on this incident at home, then in Iraq, and then file a lawsuit in the Hague Tribunal. As reported earlier, Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed on January 3 by the US Air Force near the Baghdal airport. The order for his murder was given by US President Donald Trump. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The issue of supporting the reconciliation processes in Afghanistan is of particular importance in the region, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at the international forum in Ashgabat on Jan. 14, Trend reports referring to Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary state news agency. The keynote of the event is "Turkmenistan and International Organizations: Cooperation for Peace and Development". The event is dedicated to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistans neutrality by the UN. The president reaffirmed readiness of Turkmenistan, as a neutral country and direct neighbor of Afghanistan, to create all the necessary conditions for establishing a peaceful dialogue on Afghanistan. There is no alternative to the negotiation process, the head of state said. Previous experience has shown that the methods of using power are counterproductive and have no prospects. For many years, Turkmenistan has been rendering economic and humanitarian support to Afghanistan in various spheres, including construction of health care and educational facilities in the neighboring country, supply of electricity on preferential terms and training of Afghan students in Turkmen higher educational institutions. All these projects are financed by Turkmenistan. The implementation of big infrastructure projects involving Afghanistan, primarily in such vital spheres as energy, transport and communications is the key condition for Afghanistans political stabilization, economic and social recovery, its successful integration into regional and world economic processes, the report said. We will continue to work on the implementation of projects and are ready to expand our cooperation with international organizations in rendering comprehensive support to Afghanistan, the president said. Turkmenistan supports the implementation of a number of regional infrastructure projects involving Afghanistan. In particular, Ashgabat is working on the implementation of projects through Afghanistans territory, such as the construction of a railway to Tajikistan and a pipeline to Pakistan and India. The projects on the use of Afghanistans territory as a transit route for the supply of Turkmen electricity are also being considered. The FBI is seeking help from the public to catch the appropriately nicknamed "bad wig bandit" who is blamed for a series of bank robberies in North Carolina. The individual is identified as male in the FBI statement last Thursday, which says the suspect sported a different bedraggled wig during for each heist committed in the area of Charlotte, NC. From AP: One wig was blonde. Another was black. The third was red. The FBI said he robbed a BB&T in Huntersville on Dec. 13. He then robbed two banks on Jan. 7. The first was a New Horizon Bank in Belmont. The second was a Wells Fargo in Gastonia. Images courtesy of the FBI. Mr. Parnas, who is under federal indictment, has only recently been cleared to hand over the material to Congress, and an official involved in the inquiry indicated more was likely to be made public soon. Senior Democrats who led the House impeachment inquiry said the new records underscored the need for senators to demand additional evidence at trial. The new documents, they said in a statement, demonstrate that there is more evidence relevant to the presidents scheme, but they have been concealed by the president himself. There cannot be a full and fair trial in the Senate without the documents that President Trump is refusing to provide to Congress, they said. Ms. Pelosi said she would announce the names of her impeachment managers at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and a vote to formally name them and send the articles was scheduled for early afternoon. The American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial, she said. In the Senate, Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, indicated that senators would be ready to receive the charges on Wednesday and take sworn oaths to render impartial justice in the trial shortly thereafter, if not the following day. But after weeks of demanding the charges be brought forward speedily, he said the Senate would put off considering the terms of the trial or the substance of the case for nearly a week, until next Tuesday. That would allow lawmakers time to vote late this week to approve Mr. Trumps new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico and give senators time to travel home this holiday weekend before the trial requires them to remain at their desks in the Senate chamber six days a week. The announcements paved the way for a choreographed exchange between the two chambers that will unfold on Wednesday as they look toward the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. With little precedent to guide them, House and Senate leaders were working with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who will preside over the trial, to nail down the timing of what was to come. New York plans to restrict the use of firefighting foam that contains certain chemicals that have the potential to contaminate groundwater. Firefighting foam can contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are man-made chemicals that research suggests can decrease female fertility, increase the risk of high blood pressure in pregnant women and lower birth weights. PFAS have been used for decades in a range of products, including foam, non-stick cookware, fast-food wrappers and stain-resistant sprays. The chemicals have been drawing more scrutiny as potentially toxic contaminants in recent years. Governor Andrew Cuomo approved legislation last month that would ban the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS for training purposes. The bill passed by lawmakers would also ban the use of foam with PFAS to fight fires from different kinds of liquids. But Cuomo, a Democrat, says there arent yet effective alternatives to firefighting foam with PFAS for all liquids. He said hes secured an agreement with legislators to allow the state to decide when exceptions to the bill need to be made to allow for effective alterations that will maintain environmental safety. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York Pollution Chemicals The Bexar County Democratic Party chairwoman said an executive committee meeting is being held as scheduled this evening, despite a rumor that she attributed to a rival group that it was canceled. Party Chairwoman Monica Alcantara said a faction within the party put out an email this week saying the meeting had been called off because of pending litigation. But the meeting, which is open to the public, is going forward as scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Living Church at Woodlawn Pointe, 702 Donaldson Ave. On ExpressNews.com: Bexar voters will have more places to cast ballots Without identifying anyone by name, Alcantara said loyalists of former Bexar County Democratic Party chairman Manuel Medina have tried to subvert the partys routine operations. Alcantara defeated Medina by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the March 2018 primary election. Theres a small faction within the party. Theyve done this to us in the past, she said. Alcantara said the monthly meeting has mostly routine items on the agenda, including consolidation of its District 19 and District 21 senatorial conventions; executive and committee reports; and a resolution supporting legalization of marijuana under unfinished business. She expected at least 85 party members to attend. Were moving forward, Alcantara said. The party is strong. Were not going to let anyone interfere with the work were doing. On ExpressNews.com: New voting system credited with higher turnout The countys Democratic Party has suffered from occasional feuds since Alcantara took over nearly two years ago. It held two separate party meetings last June one led by Alcantara, and another involving ousted officials whose lawsuit against her already had been dismissed by a state district judge, according to news archives. She also filed a complaint last year with the FBI regarding a litany of allegations involving fiscal management under the partys previous administration. The resolution regarding marijuana says studies show that states that have legalized it have benefited economically from revenue and job creation. It encourages the State Democratic Executive Committee to put the issue on a statewide ballot for the 2020 primary election. Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:12:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- East China's Zhejiang Province has vowed to provide better infant care services in 2020 and prioritize care for children under three among its efforts to improve people's livelihood. The province will build 200 care institutions for infants below three and raise the quota for nursery enrollment by 5,000, according to the government work report delivered Sunday at the annual session of the provincial people's congress. Zhejiang piloted care services for children under three last year and implemented campus childcare at all primary schools, with the coverage rate of inclusive kindergartens reaching 90 percent, the work report said. The eastern province released a guideline for accelerating the development of infant care at the beginning of this year, pledging to support qualified kindergartens to enroll children aged two or three. While encouraging kindergartens to expand nursery services, Zhejiang will also help privately-owned kindergartens implement nursery classes. Demand has grown for infant care services in China since the removal of the one-child policy, said Cao Qifeng, deputy director of the provincial health commission, stressing that various services are evolving to meet the demand. The State Council issued a guideline in 2019 on the care of infants under three, urging support for various types of infant care facilities and encouraging employers to offer infant care services in the workplace. Meanwhile, authorities will take measures to promote infant care facilities in communities, especially in crowded neighborhoods, according to the guideline. China will strengthen supervision over infant care service providers and will require professional qualifications for infant-care workers, it noted. Three Coyotes Fail to Impress Unfazed Cat Named Max in This Showdown Time (David L). How the Ginkgo biloba achieves near-immortality Science Magazine Top-Secret UFO Files Could Gravely Damage US National Security if Released, Navy Says Live Science (Kevin W) Australia Burning More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and clouds of ash have turned entire towns grey as Taal volcano continues to rumble. pic.twitter.com/SskK8qbCpt SCMP News (@SCMPNews) January 14, 2020 Were Approaching the Limits of Computer Power We Need New Programmers Now Guardian Are We on the Cusp of an AI Winter? BBC New Lithium-Oxygen Battery Could One Day Power Electric Cars NBC (UserFriendly) Living robots created as scientists turn frog cells into entirely new life-forms Telegraph (David L) and Team builds the first living robots Techxplore (Robert M) China? India Brexit Recession: Almost half of UK firms expect economy to contract in 2020 Independent Inside the Megxit summit: Harry talked to the Queen alone before crunch Sandringham talks, Meghans conference call was BARRED over eavesdropping fears and Charles made clear his son wont have unlimited resources Daily Mail. I have to admit to paying more attention to this than I ought to (honestly, any is too much) because this negotiation has become way too public.and Meghan and Harry appeared to think they had a trump card in their threat to do a tell-all, royal-trashing interview. Brandishing that weapon does not look to have helped them. New Cold War Russians Hacked Ukrainian Gas Company at Center of Impeachment New York Times Syraqistan Big Brother Is Watching You Watch Trump Transition Impeachment Republican senators say they will not vote to dismiss charges against Trump ahead of trial Reuters (furzy) 2020. #RefundWarren is trending on Twitter nowand ActBlue is apparently reporting higher than usual refund activity. Seattle city council bans most political spending by foreign-influenced corporations The Hill (UserFriendly) Our Famously Free Press Boeing Scrambling After New CEO Catches Fire During First Press Conference The Onion Boeing Mocked Lion Airs Calls for 737 Max Training Before Deadly Crash Bloomberg Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Scott D sent a series of four pix YEARS ago.I hope he and Arnold are doing well: Arnold is a 22 lb cat we rescued 7 years ago from the city pound on the day he was to be put down. Best dog I ever owned. And a departure from our usual sort of bonus video from cwavec: Here is a possible contribution. I found it delightful and heartening. Maybe a good Antidote only no animals. Its from Line Press and a direct link is: http://www.linepress.info/reportages/a-la-une/ A video about 33 min. in front of lOpera. The opera is on strike but instead of marching, the orchestra came out onto the front steps and gave an impromptu concert en colere to the assembled crowd (probably bigger than could fit inside). Of course including La Marseillaise. There is some crowd action afterwards and a spokeswoman stating their position. See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yes, in my backyard why not? | Along the Divide CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW), the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, today announced that David Rawlinson, Senior Vice President and President, Grainger Online Business, will be leaving the company effective February 1, 2020, to become the CEO of a newly formed public company. Rawlinson joined Grainger as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2012, and progressively expanded his experiences, taking on leadership of the online business in 2015. "We congratulate David on his opportunity and wish him well in his future endeavors," said DG Macpherson, Grainger Chairman and CEO. "The online portfolio has strong leadership and a talented team that is driving solid performance. We are working through our succession plan and expect to make an announcement shortly. I'm confident MonotaRO and Zoro will continue their successful growth by expanding the product line and adding more customers." Grainger's online portfolio includes MonotaRO in Japan and Zoro in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. MonotaRO and Zoro make purchasing easy through a streamlined and transparent online relationship that provides access to everything a customer needs. In 2018, the online portfolio revenue grew by 24 percent to $1.5 billion. And over the last four years, the portfolio has profitably grown revenue at a compound annual rate of 26 percent. The leaders of the Zoro and MonotaRO businesses will operate under Macpherson's leadership until a successor is named. About Grainger W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2018 sales of $11.2 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products (MRO), with operations also in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Follow Grainger on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn . Subscribe to Grainger's newsroom to receive the latest news. SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc. Related Links http://www.grainger.com tech2 News Staff After its China launch, Honor released the 9X smartphone in India along with the Magic Watch 2 and Band 5i. Powered by the Kirin 710F SoC thats manufactured by HiSilicon, a subsidiary of its parent company Huawei, it starts at a price of Rs 13,999. This is for the base variant with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Theres also a 6 GB + 128 GB variant thats priced at Rs 16,999. It packs a triple camera system on the rear that comes with a 48 MP primary camera. The other two include an 8 MP f/1.8 ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. On the front, it houses a 16 MP f/2.2 shooter for selfies. The Honor 9X runs on EMUI 9.1 which is based on Android 9.0 Pie with no mention of Android 10 coming to the device yet. With a 4,000 mAh battery packed inside, it should last for a day. However, it only supports 10 W fast charging that is lower compared to its competitors offering 18 W fast charging support. To put it into perspective, we have compared the Honor 9X with the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi A3, Realme 5 Pro and the Vivo Z1Pro that also shows the other specifications and features. Smartphone Honor 9X Redmi Note 8 Pro Xiaomi Mi A3 Realme 5 Pro Vivo Z1Pro Display Size (inch) 6.59 6.53 6.01 6.3 6.53 Resolution (pixels) 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340 720 x 1560 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340 Display Type IPS LCD IPS LCD Super AMOLED IPS LCD IPS LCD Processor Kirin 710F MediaTek Helio G90T Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 RAM 4/6 GB 6/8 GB 4/6 GB 4/6/8 GB 4/6 GB Internal storage 64/128 GB 64/128 GB 64/128 GB 64/128 GB 64/128 GB Expandable Memory Yes, up to 512 GB (SIM shared) Yes, up to 512 GB (SIM shared) Yes, up to 256 GB (SIM shared) Yes, up to 256 GB (SIM shared) Yes, Up to 256 GB (dedicated) Primary camera 48 MP f/1.8 (primary), 8 MP f/2.4 (ultrawide), 2 MP f/2.4 (depth) 64 MP f/1.9 (primary), 8 MP f/2.2, (ultra-wide), 2 MP f/2.4 (macro), 2 MP f/2.4 (depth) 48 MP f/1.8 (primary), 8 MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide), 2 MP f/2.4 (depth) 48 MP f/1.8 (primary), 8 MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide), 2 MP f/2.4 (ultra-macro), 2 MP f/2.4 (depth) 16 MP f/1.8 (primary), 8 MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide), 2 MP f/2.4 (depth) Secondary Camera 16 MP f/2.2 20 MP f/2.0 32 MP f/2.0 16 MP f/2.0 32 MP f/2.0 OS Version Android 9.0 Pie (EMUI 9.1) Android 9.0 Pie (MIUI 10) Android 9.0 Pie (Android One) Android 9.0 Pie (ColorOS 6) Android 9.0 Pie (Funtouch 9) Fingerprint Scanner Rear-mounted Rear-mounted In-display Rear-mounted Rear-mounted 3.5mm jack Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Battery (mAh) 4,000 4,500 4,030 4,035 5,000 Fast charging No (10 W) Quick Charge 3 (18 W) Quick Charge 3 (18 W) VOOC 3.0 (20 W) Yes (18 W) Colours Sapphire Blue, Midnight Black Halo White, Gamma Green, Shadow Black, Dark Blue Not Just Blue, More Than White, Kind of Grey Crystal Green, Sparkling Blue Sonic Blue, Sonic Black, Mirror Black Prices in India Starting at Rs 13,999 Starting at Rs 14,999 Starting at Rs 12,499 Starting at Rs 13,999 Starting at Rs 12,990 Conclusion The Honor 9X has a good camera system on paper along with a big and notch-less IPS LCD display. Although its a newly launched device, it lacks the latest version of Android and instead, runs on EMUI 9.1 thats based on Android 9 Pie. While the camera performed decently during our time with the device, theres still a lot of testing left in different lighting conditions. It will be interesting to see how the Kirin 710F chipset performs compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 and 712, and also the MediaTek Helio G90T on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The Honor 9X goes on sale via Flipkart on 20 January. Until then, stay tuned for our full review. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Bamboos Health Care Holdings Limited (HKG:2293). Bamboos Health Care Holdings has a ROE of 26%, based on the last twelve months. Another way to think of that is that for every HK$1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn HK$0.26. See our latest analysis for Bamboos Health Care Holdings How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity Or for Bamboos Health Care Holdings: 26% = HK$39m HK$150m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.) It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is all earnings retained by the company, plus any capital paid in by shareholders. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does Return On Equity Signify? ROE measures a company's profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses. Does Bamboos Health Care Holdings Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, Bamboos Health Care Holdings has a higher ROE than the average (7.9%) in the Healthcare industry. Story continues SEHK:2293 Past Revenue and Net Income, January 14th 2020 That is a good sign. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares. Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Bamboos Health Care Holdings's Debt And Its 26% ROE One positive for shareholders is that Bamboos Health Care Holdings does not have any net debt! Its impressive ROE suggests it is a high quality business, but it's even better to have achieved that without leverage. At the end of the day, when a company has zero debt, it is in a better position to take future growth opportunities. But It's Just One Metric Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. Check the past profit growth by Bamboos Health Care Holdings by looking at this visualization of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. But note: Bamboos Health Care Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. What I saw was an unruly mob of self-indulgent middle-class hooligans, Mr. Scruton told the Guardian in 2000. When I asked my friends what they wanted, what were they trying to achieve, all I got back was this ludicrous Marxist gobbledygook. I was disgusted by it, and thought there must be a way back to the defense of western civilization against these things. . . . I knew I wanted to conserve things rather than pull them down. By Rasana Gasimova Azerbaijans State Social Protection Fund in 2019 ensured a refund of 320 million manats ($188 million) to the state budget, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Sahil Babayev said at a meeting on the results of 2019 chaired by President Ilham Aliyev on January 13. In 2019, the State Social Protection Fund revenue plan was implemented by 105.4 percent, which ensured additional revenues in the amount of 150 million manats ($88 million), Babayev noted. He noted that as a result of using electronic system for assigning pensions and disability benefits, it was possible to save about 180 million manats ($105 million). As a result, over the past year, resources of the fund - 150 million manats in the middle of the year and another 170 million manats at the end of the year - were returned to the state budget, making up 320 million manats, he stressed. Babayev added that these savings allowed allocating additional 190 million manats to implement social reforms in 2020. Revenues and expenses of the State Social Protection Fund budget reached the level of 4 billion 128,104 million manats in 2019. Reforms carried out in Azerbaijan have positive impact on the social services sector. Social security system automation, as well as the development and implementation of the DOST concept are real success indicators of the countrys state policy. Last year, Azerbaijan has taken a new step to improve its social security and protection. In order to provide an effective package of social services, the Agency for Sustainable and Operational Social Security (DOST Agency) was created. The main spheres of the agency's services include labor, employment, social security, appointment of pensions, social benefits, targeted social assistance, disability assessment, disability determination, banking services, lawyer consultation, insurance services and etc. The citizens will be provided with 126 services in the fields of employment, labor, disability and social protection based on a single-window principle. Over 38,000 Azerbaijani citizens benefited from the services of the new center, and the level of their servicing covered 96 percent. Expenses for social benefits and pensions in Azerbaijans state budget for 2020 are projected at 3.244 billion manat ($1.912 billion), which is by 770.5 million manat ($454.169 million) or by 31.1 percent more than in 2019. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Israels political arena has been turned in recent months into a slaughterhouse of democracys most sacred cows. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is busy eroding the foundations of the legal system and the media. Education Minister Rabbi Rafi Peretz is engaged in slinging poison arrows into the hearts of gay youths. Yisrael Beitenu Chair Avigdor Liberman is spewing hatred against elected Arab officials, who represent 20% of the countrys citizens. The most recent addition to this frenzied political slaughter, kosher, of course, is an official religious cleric. In a recently exposed rant, Yitzhak Yosef, Israels chief Sephardic rabbi, purported to be the embodiment of apolitical brotherhood and peace, turned an entire community of Israeli citizens into enemies of the Jewish people. They were brought here to provide a counter-weight to the ultra-Orthodox, the senior rabbi said of immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Then they vote for parties that incite against the ultra-Orthodox and religion. Some, heaven help us, even attend church every Sunday, complained the leading religious authority. Yosef, a civil servant whose salary is paid by Israeli taxpayers, has expressed similar and worse drivel in the past, as have other rabbis, but the timing made front-page headlines on Jan. 7 and forced politicians and pundits to respond. The insult hurled by the rabbi at a sizeable constituency hundreds of thousands of people who were deemed eligible for immigration to Israel under the Law of Return but whom the Orthodox establishment does not recognize as Jews elicited a half-hearted condemnation by Netanyahu. After all, the Likud partys candidate for prime minister cannot afford to alienate his natural partners in the ultra-Orthodox parties at this critical time, less than two months before elections. All he mustered was a generalized statement that didn't even identify the culprit. This is an outrageous statement, Netanyahu tweeted. The immigration of people from the former Soviet Union is a blessing to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. A fitting addition to the last sentence would go something like unlike our brothers, graduates of ultra-Orthodox yeshivas, who evade the draft and contribute nothing to the national economy or the honor of the Jewish people. No secular Israeli has done more than Netanyahu to help ultra-Orthodox Israelis evade mandatory military service and perpetuate the ignorance rampant in their communities. Netanyahu did not force his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners to accept legislation subjecting ultra-Orthodox youths to the draft, and he did not force their schools to teach such core subjects as math and English. To paraphrase the chief rabbis nonsense about immigrants from the former Soviet Union being brought to Israel as a counterweight to the ultra-Orthodox, one could say that Netanyahu is colluding with ultra-Orthodox politicians to deprive their followers of a modern education so they can act as a counterweight to non-religious Israelis who don't vote for right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties. Nonetheless, without intending to, Rabbi Yosef raised the issue of the 2018 Nationality Law, of which Netanyahu was a leading proponent. According to that controversial law, the State of Israel does not belong to those non-Jews to whose defense Netanyahu came. Although a blessing for the state, they are nonetheless not part of the state, which the law enshrines as belonging exclusively to the Jewish people. In the 18th century, the American colonies fighting for independence from their British rulers laid down the principle of no taxation without representation, alternatively, taxation without representation is tyranny. Today, Israels chief rabbi and his political emissaries enjoy Knesset representation without paying the dearest tax of all life itself. They do not serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and thus do not endanger their lives for the sake of the country. While using study of the Torah as an excuse to avoid military service, they have the gall to question the rights of the men and women from the former Soviet Union, the so-called non-Jews, who serve in the military and risk their lives for the sake of others, including those safely ensconced in yeshivas. Responding to the September 2017 Supreme Court ruling striking down the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Israelis from mandatory military service, Aryeh Deri, chair of the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic Shas, said, Torah studies kept us together for generations in the face of persecution and edicts. Deri announced that the top courts ruling notwithstanding, yeshiva students would continue to dedicate themselves to religious study and defend the denizens of the land with the God-given rights they earn as a result. He was right. Between 2015 and 2018, the number of yeshiva students rose 27%, probably due to increased state stipends paid to yeshiva students. In 2018, Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Shalom Cohen scorned plans to cut the budgets of yeshivas whose students refused to enlist. What, do we live according to budgets from these goyim? he complained. Indeed, in the eyes of those rabbis, all of us heathens who violate the sanctity of the Sabbath and so-called family purity laws are not considered Jews. Whereas some 5,000 non-Jews serve at any given time in the IDF, according to a January 2018 report in Yisrael Hayom, no more than 1,300 ultra-Orthodox men agreed to serve in 2017. At a July 2015 Knesset debate, Merav Michaeli (Labor) had said the percentage of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, both those born there or whose parents were, accounted for 20% of IDF troops. These non-Jews are not, however, entitled to burial alongside their Jewish brothers in arms. Michaeli proposed legislation at the time annulling the regulations mandating a distance of some six and a half feet between the grave of a Jewish soldier and that of a non-Jewish soldier. Michaelis proposal was rejected by a majority of government coalition members. Liberman, of course, did not miss the golden opportunity provided by the chief rabbi to storm the citadels of the ultra-Orthodox. The leader of the party that advocates the transfer of Israeli Arab citizens to Arab lands accused the chief rabbi (rightly so) of racism. The politician who specializes in incitement against a significant part of Israeli society complained about the fatal blow to the delicate fabric of Israeli society. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Hospital violence reduction programme expanded A life changing service offering support to A&E patients affected by violent and chaotic lifestyles in Scotland will be rolled out to NHS Tayside patients. The Navigator service, run by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) and Medics Against Violence, has helped almost 2,000 people across six emergency departments in Scotland since its inception in 2015. The programme works with A&E teams and clinical staff to diffuse challenging situations at hospitals and connect vulnerable patients with support including addiction, mental health problems and violence including domestic abuse. The expansion to NHS Taysides Ninewells Hospital will cost 80,000 in its first year, funded through NHS Taysides Health and Social Care partnership. SVRU director Niven Rennie said workers at the service, known as navigators, helped people to break free from the cycle of violence by both supporting patients and acting as a bridge for them to access services. We are delighted that Navigator has now been established in six emergency departments across the country and are excited about the expansion into Dundee, Rennie said. With the backing of NHS Tayside we look forward to supporting patients, their families and their communities to live lives free from violence and the effects of violence. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said he was happy to see the service extended, and that the Scottish Government was determined to do more to support people impacted by crime and violence. Navigators do a remarkable job, helping to support people often living in difficult circumstances, to receive support that can truly be life changing. Their interventions in emergency departments have a massive impact on the individual and also benefit their families and the wider community, he said. The bespoke and personal approach taken by Scotlands Navigators ensures that some of the most vulnerable patients within emergency departments can get access to the help and support that is right for them. NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald said navigators were in a unique position to be able to offer support when people were at a crisis point. Being treated at the emergency department is often just one step in a patients journey and it is by hospital and community services working together like this that we can make the biggest difference to patients and their families, Archibald said. The Navigators Programme started at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 2015 and was rolled out further to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary two years later, followed by Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Cross House Hospital at the end of 2018. At the end of last year, the programme was expanded to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. The Ninewells Hospital expansion is part of a wider expansion, including to Wishaw General Hospital in Lanarkshire in the future. US government officials presented the British government with new evidence on Monday about the risks of including Huawei equipment in future 5G mobile networks, branding it "madness", the Guardian newspaper reported. Officials from both countries and the telecoms industry met on Monday ahead of Britain's decision, expected later this month, on whether to deploy technology from the Chinese company. The United States is trying to persuade Britain not to use Huawei's equipment over what Washington says are security risks. "Senior U.S. officials told a group of reporters that using Huawei technology for 5G in the UK would be 'an act of madness' shortly after presenting a dossier of new evidence to ministers," the Guardian's defence and security editor said on Twitter. Thailand detects African swine fever infection at slaughterhouse 11 Jan 2022 | 7:28 PM Bangkok, Jan 11 (UNI/Xinhua) Thailand said on Tuesday that it has detected African swine fever infection in a surface swab sample collected from a slaughterhouse in the central Nakhon Pathom province, the first presence of the animal disease in the country. see more.. Philippines' Covid cases top 3 mln 11 Jan 2022 | 7:14 PM Manila, Jan 11 (UNI/Xinhua) The Philippines crossed another grim milestone as the Covid-19 case count topped 3 million on Tuesday. see more.. S Korea logs 3,097 new Covid cases 11 Jan 2022 | 7:00 PM Seoul, Jan 11 (UNI/Xinhua) South Korea reported 3,097 more Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of infections to 670,483. see more.. Iran reports 1,961 Covid cases 11 Jan 2022 | 6:43 PM Tehran, Jan 11 (UNI/Xinhua) Iran's Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 1,961 new Covid-19 cases, taking the country's total infections to 6,210,298. see more.. There is a larger conspiracy behind Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Davinder Singh's arrest, the Congress alleged on Tuesday, asking the prime minister and the home minister to order a thorough probe. The opposition claimed that Singh "cannot be a stand alone carrier", with the Congress' leader in LoK Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, saying the question will now arise who were the real culprits behind the last year Pulwama attack. Taking a swipe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological mentor, Chowdhury said had police officer Davinder Singh been "Davinder Khan", the reaction of the "troll regiment of the RSS" would have been different. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "There is a larger conspiracy. At whose instance was Davinder Singh acting and bringing terrorists to Delhi, as reported." "Are there any people who are in the echelons of power who are involved with him (Singh). Is there a larger conspiracy? Is he only a pawn or a carrier in the larger conspiracy that is unleashed?" he asked. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. Surjewala said these are questions that prime minister and the home minister need to answer, as Davinder Singh "cannot be a stand alone carrier". The Congress spokesperson said Modi and Shah should take note of this entire issue and carry out a thorough investigation into the entire episode. He also asked who Singh was, who was he linked to and what connection he has with the Hizbul Mujahideen and other terrorist groups. "I find this story preposterous and I find his explanation a hogwash," he said. "For how long has he been acting as a conduit for JK terrorists and other terror factories. Was Davinder Singh connected to the 2001 Parliament attack. What is Davinder Singh's connection with the Pulwama attack, where he was posted as DSP, and 42 of our soldiers lost their lives," the Congress leader asked. "What is this conspiracy is what the nation wants to know," Surjewala asked, alleging that Singh was the same officer who was posted in Pulwama when the attack happened. He also asked as to where did the RDX in Pulwama attack come from. "Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan ,the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed and religion," Chowdhury said on Twitter. The Congress leader also said now, the question will arise who were the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack. The terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead on February 14 last year. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he said. "Now, question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," Chowdhury said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday termed the rebel veteran Akali leaders political losers. Addressing a gathering of party workers on the occasion of Maghi Mela at a resort in Muktsar, Sukhbir said the party always accorded due respect to the senior leaders. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Sewa Singh Sekhwan lost elections repeatedly but the SAD always showed faith in their leadership, he said, adding it was painful to hear these leaders speaking against Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal. Former deputy CM said the rebel leaders who have positioned themselves under the SAD (Taksali) umbrella have a single-point agenda to damage SAD, which, he said, is the voice of the Sikh panth. In the last 30 years, Dhindsa saab could win only one election even as the party always accepted his demand for contesting from a new constituency. But he suffered defeat from his choicest segments. Similarly, Sekhwan failed to win on five different occasions in the assembly elections, Sukhbir said, adding the electoral politics was the public document on the acceptance (or lack of it) of a leader by the masses. (Parkash Singh) Badal saab has a record of not losing an election since 1965. He occupied the office of Punjab CM on five occasions and it was only due to his mass popularity in the state, he said. He refuted the charges levelled by the rebel Akalis of upmanship of the Badal clan in the party affairs and those of the SGPC. Sikhism is the only faith in the world where religious representatives are elected democratically in a transparent manner and these elections are held by the government agencies. It is disturbing to see the leaders who enjoyed public life due to the Akali leadership are now making accusations against the same political command, he said. Rubbishing charges levelled by the Congress that Akalis chose to ignore an earlier edict of Akal Takht of not organising political rallies on Maghi Mela, Sukhbir said it was a social community event. SAD has been convening the annual event to remember the sacrifice of 40 Sikh martyrs (chalis mukte). It is in accordance with the Sikh tradition where religion is not separated from political power, he added. Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal could not attend the annual event as he was indisposed . Sukhbir contested the claim of the state government of giving jobs to 10-lakh youths in the past three years. He said the SAD will initiate strict action against officials involved in filing false cases on the directions of the Congress leaders. He said the Congress government has failed to curb illegal trade of drugs and sand mining. Other Akali leaders in their speeches made scathing attack on the political opponents in the Congress and SAD (Taksali). Partys senior leaders Jagmeet Singh Brar and Prem Singh Chandumajra even made personal remarks against the Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Regulator Sebi has barred Nishat Shailesh Gupte, a former official of Diageo Plc, from the capital markets for seven years for indulging in insider trading activity in United Spirits. Besides, Sebi has directed three persons related to Gupte -- Poonam Haresh Jashnani, Haresh Parmanand Jashnani and Varun Haresh Jashnani -- to disgorge unlawful gains totalling over Rs 1 crore made by them, along with interest, in the insider trading case. Sebi said Gupte, who was the Global Business Development Manager (M&A) of Diageo, was in possession of unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI) relating to the open offer for acquisition of shares of United Spirits Ltd (USL) by Relay BV together with Diageo Plc as the person acting in concert (PAC). Gupte was part of the core team which represented Diageo/PAC in the transaction to consolidate shareholding of the acquirer in USL and was guiding the team since the beginning of the transaction lifecycle. Further, the regulator said Poonam, Haresh and Varun also indulged in insider trading activity in USL based on the information passed by Gupte. Gupte is the son-in-law of Poonam and Haresh, and brother-in-law of Varun. "Considering the close family relationship amongst Nishat, Haresh, Varun and Poonam, it can reasonably be concluded that it was Nishat who had communicated the UPSI to them," Sebi said in an order dated January 10. Based on trading while in possession of UPSI, Poonam, Varun and Haresh have made ill-gotten gains, it added. By indulging in such activities, these persons violated Sebi's PIT (Prohibition of Insider Trading) regulations. Accordingly, the Securities an Exchange Board of India (Sebi) barred Gupte from the capital markets for a period of seven years. Besides, he has been restrained from associating himself with any listed public company. Further, Poonam, Haresh and Varun have been asked to disgorge wrongful gains of about Rs 45.44 lakh, Rs 29.24 lakh and Rs 26.18 lakh respectively along with 12 per cent interest per annum. They need to pay the amount within 45 days. In case they fail to pay the wrongful gains along with interest as directed, Sebi will initiate recovery proceedings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - 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 Ride-hailing groups are one segment that can pick up the pieces of the new regulations Photo: Le Toan We have a team of employees to take you home. Feel free to enjoy time with your friends and family at our restaurant. Your safety is our top priority, is a banner hanging above the gate of a beer parlour in Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh City, snagging the attention of customers and passers-by. This is one of the solutions restaurants and bia hoi bars came up with to alleviate the problem of drink driving, to which they are a constant witness every day. Many parlours do not even charge customers to pay extra for the service. The manager of a beer parlour in Hanoi said, If all of our staff are occupied during peak hours, we will help our customers book a cab or a motorbike taxi. In case customers want to catch a taxi or bike to go home after drinking, they are allowed to leave their vehicles in the parking lot overnight. New options appear There are similar transport services offered for a charge on social networks that are drawing a lot of attention. The Say goi xe xe nhan say group is a good example. The group, which is introduced as a forum connecting inebriated people in need of transport with drivers, was launched a few days ago but has 1,300 members already. This groups operation is similar to goods delivery services, as customers can give the destination and drivers will provide their phone number and proof of their drivers licence and then discuss a fee in advance. According to Duc Minh, an admin of this group, this service is advertised on Facebook, Telegram, and Zalo and is available in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Another alternative is the Rada application, which is a local startup offering traffic rescue. Accordingly, users need only provide their location and a driver will be dispatched to first safely put their vehicle in the parking area and then take them home. Motorbike drivers charge VND300,000 ($13.00) per trip while car drivers charge VND500,000 ($21.50). However, many say these fees are too high for low- and medium-income people. Gains in traffic safety Khuat Viet Hung, vice chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said that Vietnam needs to mobilise the entire political system and society, as a nationwide joining of hands could cut traffic accidents by a significant margin. In a country where driving under the influence is one of the three main reasons leading to 15,000 traffic fatalities a year, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee, restricting the harmful effects of alcohol by legislation can be essential to foster a culture of responsible drinking. While the Law on Prevention and Control of Harms of Liquor and Beer Abuse took effect only a fortnight ago, the number of traffic accidents due to alcohol abuse has reduced sharply. Normally, we receive about 100-120 emergency cases a day, but in the past week there were only 60-70 cases, Vu Xuan Hung, head of the Department of Orthopaedic Trauma at Thanh Nhan Hospital, adding that the hospital received no emergency cases caused by drink driving. Vietnam-Germany Hospital, the hospital that receives a large number of emergency patients injured in traffic accidents, also reported a 4 per cent decrease in traffic injuries caused by alcohol during the first week of the year. Meanwhile, the number of people hospitalised at Hanoi Emergency Centre 115 due to traffic accidents caused by drink driving decreased by a record 12 per cent. It is a heaven-sent blessing because the Lunar New Year holiday and the weeks leading up to it are peak season for traffic accidents, especially those caused by driving under the influence. Hung from Thanh Nhan Hospital is convinced that this can be traced back to the Law on Prevention and Control of Harms of Liquor and Beer Abuse and Decree No.100/2019/ND-CP on administrative sanctions for road traffic and rail transport violations. New regulations with stricter-than-ever penalties for driving under the influence have come into effect on January 1. Now, the limit for blood alcohol content is zero, meaning that even the smallest amount of alcohol could fetch a severe penalty. Now cyclists and electric motorbike riders face fines of VND400,000-600,000 ($17-26) just for drinking a drop of alcohol while motorcyclists and car drivers could be fined for VND6-8 million ($260-350) and VND30-40 million ($1,300-1,750), doubling the previous penalties. Additionally, anyone may have their licences revoked for up to two years. Vietnams laws on alcohol have never been so tight, nor penalties so severe. Many consumers feel the rules are over the top and penalties are too high compared to Vietnamese peoples disposable income. However, there is a case to be made in the laws efficiency as a deterrent forcing drinkers to be more responsible. In addition, current drink driving penalties in Vietnam are way more tolerant than those in other countries. In comparison, Japan imposes fines of $5,000-10,000 and in Singapore driving under the influence draws a $4,000 fine. Violators can even be imprisoned for three to six months in the United Kingdom and Singapore (the term is three years in Japan and South Korea), be sentenced to community service, have their driving licences permanently revoked, or be required to take their driving test once more to get their licences back. Iran's judiciary says arrests have been made over the shootdown of a Ukrainian plane that killed all 176 people on board. "Extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested," the judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Esmaili, said on Tuesday. He was quoted by Iranian state media, but did not say how many individuals have been detained or name them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa asked business leaders to present solutions to redistribute land to majority Blacks as the government works to finalize changes to legislation and the constitution to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation. This year we are going to have to finalize the legislation and the constitutional construct on the land question, he said at a conference organized by Business Unity South Africa on Tuesday. One of the things we have been asking for is the business community to come forward with solutions of resolving the centuries-old problem of land, he told the countrys largest business lobby group. I would like to see the business community taking this issue up rather more seriously. The ruling African National Congress plans to change the nations constitution to make it easier to seize land without paying for it to address racially skewed ownership patterns dating back to colonialism and white-minority rule, a view shared by the Economic Freedom Fighters, the second-largest opposition party. Ramaphosa asked business leaders to play a more proactive role in land expropriation through a donations policy, which will allow for companies to voluntarily give up under-utilized land to communities whose land was taken away. What is a certainty is that the land question has to be addressed. As South Africa we cannot run away from it, he said. The key issue for us is: Are we going to be part of the solution or are we going to be part of the problem? Students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) boycotted classes on Monday, the first day of the new session, demanding resignation of vice chancellor (VC) Jagadesh Kumar. The JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) said they would not cooperate with the V-Cs appeal to bring normalcy in the campus after the January 5 violence as long as there was a climate of fear on the campus. We will not become a party to his attempts to create a fiction of normalcy in the University that wishes away the real climate of fear and terror he has created, the teachers body said. The JNUTA held a protest outside their schools on Monday morning and requested all faculty members to join. The JNU administration issued advisory warning teachers against the boycott. In it, JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar said, The call for non-cooperation not only goes against the efforts of the administration for restoration of normalcy in the campus and resumption of academic activities but also reflects the intention of JNUTA to disrupt normal functioning of the university. It also violates the service contacts of the teachers. Reacting to this, JNUTA said, We reject totally the advisory issued by the administration today and the warnings issued to the JNUTA about organising assemblies around the academic complex. Teachers need no lesson on their duties or their norms of conduct from those who are guilty of using thugs to terrorise the University community and yet pretend they are governing an institution of higher learning. JNUTA members also met the officials at the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry on Friday afternoon. We placed our perspective on why the removal of the VC is imperative. The JNUTA presented a dossier on the misgovernance under Professor M Jagadesh Kumars Vice-Chancellorship and explained how the incidents of January 5, 2019 are the culmination of the long history of such misgovernance, said JNUTA president DK Lobiyal. Lobiyal said that the JNUTA conveyed the HRD ministry that they are not feeling safe at the campus after a masked mob entered the campus and attacked teachers and students. Students who left campus after violence scared to return, how we can resume teaching? he said. The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) also reiterated that it will not call off the registration boycott without a rollback of the hiked hostel fee. We had taken a step forward on Saturday and asked the administration to allow us to register without paying the hostel fee and resume classes. But they blocked the registration portal and made a provision that we cannot even submit our tuition fee without submitting the hostel fee, said JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. Later in the evening, the administration issued another statement on behalf of the deans and the chairpersons, stating, The new semester has already begun with registration of more than 5,000 students. It is evident that students are to participate in their academic pursuits without further disruptions in the normal functioning of the university. We, the Deans of all the Schools and Chairpersons of the Special Centres, appeal to all the students and teachers to refrain from any activity that would hinder the conductive atmosphere in the functioning of the university. Former Kerala chief minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy visited the campus on Monday to extend solidarity to those injured in the violence. ABVP accuses Left parties, NSUI The RSS-affiliated ABVP on Monday said that it has submitted evidence against the Left-organisations active at the JNU campus in connection with the January 5th incident. Calling for an inquiry into all developments of the fee hike protest, Sidharth Yadav, ABVP Delhi state secretary, said, Teachers and wardens were locked during the protest which has been going on for two months. Police should look at this along with accessing chats of the WhatsApp group whose pictures were shared on social media. Nidhi Tripathi, ABVP national general secretary said, The Left outfits are issuing boycott calls of faculty and students opposed to their views. They are running a kangaroo court. The world waited in anticipation yesterday as Prince Harry, his father Charles and brother William arrived at Sandringham to meet the Queen. The unprecedented 'Megxit' summit was so top-secret not even Meghan herself was allowed to join on a video call from Canada for fear the line would be hacked. But despite Her Majesty's official statement that she hopes to come to a final decision 'in the coming days', royal commentators remain unconvinced things will be sorted that quickly. While the Mirror's Russell Myers claims the Queen is the one in charge, showing great leadership in the graceful way she dealt with the heartbreaking reality of her grandson stepping down, Phil Dampier wrote in the Express that Harry and Meghan 'have won'. Meanwhile royal press photographer Arthur Edwards believe the Duke of Sussex may even 'change his mind'. Here MailOnline brings you a round-up of what Britain's newspaper columnists made of the historic showdown between Prince Harry and his grandmother. Here MailOnline brings you a round-up of what Britain's newspaper columnists made of the historic showdown between Prince Harry and his grandmother about his and Meghan's new role as 'non-senior royals' PHIL DAMPIER wrote in the Daily Express: 'Make no mistake it means only one thing Harry and Meghan have won!' PHIL DAMPIER, Daily Express: 'Make no mistake it means only one thing Harry and Meghan have won!' 'Make no mistake it means only one thing Harry and Meghan have won! I can't believe this would have happened if Prince Philip was 20 years younger and still actively head of the family. 'The Queen hates loose ends and will want this resolved quickly, but I'm sure she is absolutely heartbroken. She adores Harry and will be devastated by this. 'They metaphorically held a gun to her head and she has given in. She may say she fully supports their desire to create a new life, but we all know the opposite is probably true. 'In the long term I hope Harry knows what he's doing. If, God forbid, his marriage doesn't work out, I'm not sure the British public will welcome him back with open arms.' TOM SLATER wrote in The Sun: 'Liberals insist Prince Harry and Meghan have been driven out by racism but there's no evidence of press bigotry' TOM SLATER, The Sun: 'Liberals insist Prince Harry and Meghan have been driven out by racism but there's no evidence of press bigotry' 'First they said Brexit was caused by racism. Now they're saying Megxit was caused by racism. 'By 'they' I mean the liberal-Left commentariat, the people who hate Brexit, hate ordinary people and have, for some reason, grown to love our departing royals, Prince Harry and Meghan. 'These claims made about the 'racist' treatment of Meghan at the hands of the British Press are incredibly thin. 'They think Britain is a foul place full of foul people, brainwashed by foul news- papers to hate the wonderful Duchess of Sussex and the brilliant European Union. 'What the liberal elite's Meghanmania shows us is that, for all their posturing against right-wingers, monarchy and the old aristocracy, they are comfortable with the plebs being led, instructed and hectored by our betters. 'They would just rather it was woke people doing it, like Harry and Meghan.' RUSSELL MYERS wrote in the Daily Mirror: 'Any doubt over which royal remains in charge has been laid to rest' RUSSELL MYERS, Daily Mirror: 'Any doubt over which royal remains in charge has been laid to rest' 'In recent times, some have whispered of a subtle changing of the guard; a passing of the torch to prepare Charles and even William for Kingship. 'But if there was ever any doubt who remains in charge, those thoughts were laid to rest in one of the most extraordinary days in modern royal history. 'With a masterful stroke of leadership, the Queen took back control of a situation that had in recent times threatened the fabric of the institution. 'Undeniably torn between her loyalty to a grandson she adores and the future of the heir she will leave behind, the Queen has for the moment found compromise and agreement from a place where it has been severely lacking. 'And yet, there are undoubtedly distinct echoes of sadness, with talks of preferred scenarios, transitions and resolutions. All of which show us that there could still be plenty more to play for on both sides.' ARTHUR EDWARDS told Good Morning Britain: 'I imagine he must have been choked when the Queen said we don't want you to go' ARTHUR EDWARDS, Good Morning Britain: 'I imagine he must have been choked when the Queen said we don't want you to go' 'I think Harry might change his mind but I don't know about her. 'Windsor is a pretty boring place to live and she's used to the fast life and misses showbiz. 'She was good at it and wants to explore than more. 'Me personally I miss Harry terribly, he's an absolute gem as far as I'm concerned. Had some great times with him, he's got the compassion of his mother more than any of them. 'He's a star. I imagine he must have been choked when the Queen said we don't want you to go but it was brilliant of the Queen to say that.' 'I think they'll head to Canada and then the United States and they have to find a way to fund themselves now.' VANESSA FELTZ wrote in the Daily Express: 'Imagine if Meghan is selflessly saving Harry from a mental breakdown' VANESSA FELTZ, Daily Express: 'Imagine if Meghan is selflessly saving Harry from a mental breakdown' 'Just a thought what if Meghan is the selfless silent heroine of the hour? What if she has been mistakenly maligned? What if she is nobly sacrificing her own reputation to save Harry's? 'Is there an alternative to the assumption that she's a Hollywood go-getter intent on feathering her nest and luxuriating in the limelight at the expense of the Royal Family? 'Could it be that his loving wife is turning her back on Britain and the House of Windsor to protect her husband from further anguish? 'The extraordinary decision taken by no one quite knows who to make the 12-year-old newly-bereaved prince march through the streets behind his mother's coffin as the cameras closed in on his grief-stricken face is sure to have left an indelible stain on his soul. 'Maybe Harry is suffering more profoundly than the public has been allowed to know? Could his fragility be the propeller guiding them Canada-wards at speed?' CAMILLA TOMINEY wrote in the Daily Telegraph: 'He tried to reach out to her not only as his Queen, but as his grandmother' CAMILLA TOMINEY, Daily Telegraph: 'He tried to reach out to her not only as his Queen, but as his grandmother' 'He tried to reach out to her not only as his Queen, but as his grandmother. She, in turn, tried to help in her role as the head of the family, rather than the Commonwealth. 'Yet the Duke of Sussex is now said to 'regret' the way the 93-year-old monarch was left feeling 'blindsided' by last Wednesday's bombshell statement announcing he and the Duchess planned to step back as senior royals. 'Now having finally met the Duke in person at Sandringham yesterday, the great-grandmother is said to be keen for a swift resolution to the crisis that has engulfed the monarchy. 'Despite admitting there are still 'complex matters' to resolve, she has asked for 'final decisions to be reached in the coming days'. 'Yet last night's confirmation of the Duke and Duchess's separation from The Firm suggests that it will take much longer than days for the royals to repair their own deeply damaged relationships.' SIMON JENKINS wrote in The Guardian: 'As Harry and Meghan are finding out, the royals don't do 'progressive'' SIMON JENKINS, The Guardian: 'As Harry and Meghan are finding out, the royals don't do 'progressive'' 'No, the monarchy is not in crisis. No, the princes are not bullies. No, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be destitute, merely stinking rich. 'No, they will not go unprotected. In a nutshell, the past few days' events, inconceivable in any other democracy, really do not matter. 'What has happened with Prince Harry and Meghan is what has happened to family firms down the ages. All goes along swimmingly until it does not, until some junior member upsets the rest and steps out of line. 'It is not Game of Thrones. It is The Godfather. You cannot be half in 'the family', and when you are out, boy, are you out. 'What you certainly cannot do is get your PR consultants to fashion a new concept of a progressive, charitable but commercially financed royalty, bearing no relation to the existing one. 'There are few lessons in this for the British monarchy. It remains about mystique, fashioned in the image of the monarch and not really susceptible to 'progressivism' or some vague broad-church concept.' PENNY JUNOR told Sky News: 'They got what they wanted, now Harry and Meghan must go off and do what they want do do' PENNY JUNOR, Prince Harry biographer, Sky news: 'They got what they wanted, now Harry and Meghan must go off and do what they want do do' Royal expert Penny Junor said the Queen was 'carefully handling a vulnerable Duke and Duchess of Sussex' and that the pair had 'got what they wanted. She told Sky News: 'They have decided that Harry and Meghan must go off and do what they want to do, and they will support them'. She also described the monarch's words on the future of Harry and Meghan as 'friendly and warm'. 'I think it's a positive statement. It sounds friendly and warm, the way the Queen talks about family so much,' Junor added. INGRID SEWARD told The Times: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' INGRID SEWARD, The Times: 'The first round has gone to the Sussexes. It feels that the royal family are bending over backwards to try and help.' Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes the Queen's statement, which uses the word 'family' eight times, was intended to be 'very gentle and very informal'. The royal biographer told thew newspaper: 'It's just the way it's written is extremely informal, and I think that's to make it very friendly,' the royal biographer said. 'And I think it's quite gentle. And I think that's probably the whole approach, it's gently, gently. And interestingly enough, she keeps mentioning family, the whole way through. 'It's certainly not Oscar Wilde. But I just think it's a very together and quite loose statement and obviously it's just to keep everybody happy moving forward.' Asked about the next steps following the statement, Ms Seward said: 'She said in the coming days, so that's very quick for the royal family. 'I think we'll be hearing more quite shortly - I think this is a bridge.' JANE CLINTON told The i newspaper: 'Royal Family will engage in a careful balancing act to avoid the nuclear option for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle' JANE CLINTON, The i: 'Royal Family will engage in a careful balancing act to avoid the nuclear option for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle' 'While courtiers' fears may have been allayed for now, the suggestion that down the line they could reveal all is not such an outlandish notion: Meghan has celebrity connections and is friends with Oprah Winfrey, who could conduct such an interview. 'Given the couple's wish to do things their way, ignoring protocol, nothing is off the table. 'Ultimately, the chances of Harry and Meghan retreating into quiet family life are slim: he has too high a profile for his every move and decision not to be scrutinised, as does she, and the world's eyes will be watching for any tacky sponsorship deal, any wrong move. 'Equally, critics will keep tabs on the company they keep and the organisations to which they attach themselves. 'Anything less than 'woke' is likely to damage both them and, crucially, the royal brand.' JULIE BURCHILL asked in The Spectator: 'How did I get Meghan so wrong?' JULIE BURCHILL, The Spectator: 'How did I get Meghan so wrong?' I have many fine qualities but being a good judge of character is not one of them. Twice, in this very magazine, I have lain down my pride like a cape over dirty water and begged Meghan Markle to walk all over me. Apparently I wasnt alone in successfully de-toxing from my M&M habit; when a publication asked me to write in a for/against debate about her last year. I received a dismayed email back when I confirmed that I would be happy to condemn her: Oh we thought you liked her! I did but Ive gone off her. Oh, thats what everyone says! Sorry, but were looking for people in favour Shortly after hearing that Meghan planned to semi-retire from royal duties in order to spend more time with her merchandising, I coined a fabulous phrase THE GRABDICATION. My rehabilitation is now complete but please do stop me if I start making eyes at Zara Tindall. Robert Hardman wrote in the Daily Mail: 'How Princess Diana proved you can't serve the Queen and trade on the royal name' ROBERT HARDMAN, Daily Mail: 'How Princess Diana proved you can't serve the Queen and trade on the royal name' 'While 'respecting' the wish of Harry and Meghan 'to live a more independent life', Her Majesty will not have forgotten what happened the last time something similar was attempted. 'That was in 1996 during that tragically short period between the Princess of Wales's divorce and her death the following year. 'HRH The Princess of Wales' had just become 'Diana, Princess of Wales' and was seeking to develop a new career for herself, one with an enhanced focus on particular charitable causes. 'Though she might just have lost her royal status it was not an act of spite; the style of 'HRH' which she acquired on marriage was duly removed when that marriage came to an end the Princess had clearly lost none of her royal stardust as she flew to open a heart hospital in Sydney. 'In other words, very little had changed since the Princess's transition to that 'more independent life'. Except that everything had changed. 'Though she still had police protection, she no longer had access to all the back-up support which had been part of the royal package.' RICHARD LITTLEJOHN wrote in the Daily Mail: 'And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to... Meghan Markle' RICHARD LITTLEJOHN, Daily Mail: 'And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to... Meghan Markle' 'Frankly, its difficult to know where to start. I havent stopped laughing for days. 'There appears to be no limit to Meghans self-absorption and obsession with privacy, when it suits her. 'Were not allowed to know anything about her Labrador. The couple have never released the name of the dog, which they acquired in 2018. Were not even told whether it is male or female. 'And funny how she wont live in a country run by racist Trump, but sucks up to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who has been caught out blacking up, not once but several times. 'Shes also playing the victim card for all its worth those friends again threatening a warts n all interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which she will smear the Royal Family as racist and sexist, unless she gets the settlement she wants. 'Maybe the makers of The Crown can hire Ms Markle to play herself in a movie version with Chris Evans as Harry and Al Jolson as Trudeau. Nailed on for a Best Actress Oscar, Id have thought.' Authorities dropped charges against a man arrested in the slaying of his wife after another suspect admitted to the 1990 killing on the eve of the trial, prosecutors said Monday. The surprise decision to clear Carl Harris Jr. in the death of Tracy Harris and arrest Jeff Beasley came after the defense raised questions about Harris' guilt and authorities took another look at the case. The decision to drop charges against Harris was announced on his 55th birthday. The Dothan Eagle reported that evidence showed Tracy Harris went missing March 7, 1990, and her body was discovered a week later in the Choctawhatchee River. An autopsy determined she was drowned, and bruises on her neck showed signs of strangulation. The case went unsolved until 2016, when Harris was arrested in South Carolina after police in Ozark reopened the investigation. He was freed on bond shortly after his arrest, records show, and his trial was set to begin Monday. Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams said an aide recently noticed very important information about a witness while preparing for the trial, and that witness led investigators to Beasley, 54, of Ozark. Beasley, who was a friend of the couple at the time of the slaying, admitted killing the woman, Adams said. Defense Attorney David Harrison said police hadn't done anything to investigate a new suspect until after he filed a motion Friday implicating someone other than Harris. I do thank the district attorneys office for looking into the witness and dropping the charges against my client, he said. "But no one has apologized to my client for what he has gone through since his arrest. The Harris daughter, Carolyn Aznavour, said she was relieved to know her father did not kill her mother, but she doesn't remember either of them. Repeated delays resulted in the latest arrest, she said. "It was all in the Lords timing, said Aznavour. Court records weren't immediately available to show whether Beasley had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf. Beasley pleaded guilty in 1991 to third-degree burglary and was sentenced to 15 years, court documents show, but it wasnt clear how much time he served. Victims of an Iran-downed jetliner would still be alive if not for a recent escalation of tensions partly triggered by the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. (Photo: File) Ottawa: Victims of an Iran-downed jetliner would still be alive if not for a recent escalation of tensions partly triggered by the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. "I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Trudeau said in an interview with Global television, according to a transcript shared with other media. He added that the international community has been "very, very clear about needing to have a non-nuclear Iran" but also in "managing the tensions in the region that are brought about by US actions as well." The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 was shot down by a missile shortly after taking off from Tehran before dawn last Wednesday, killing all 176 on board, including 57 Canadians. Long-standing US-Iran tensions have soared since January 3 when missiles fired from a US drone killed a top Iranian commander, Qasem Soleimani, near Baghdad's airport. Iran responded with a barrage of missiles at two US bases in Iraq, inflicting no casualties in what was seen as an attempt to prevent a spiral of escalation. But hours later, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard unit mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet, in what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called a "human error." Trudeau also said he would have "obviously" liked a heads-up from Washington about the drone strike on Soleimani. The Chenab Bridge, the world's highest rail viaduct linking Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail route, is designed to withstand 40 kg of TNT blast and earthquake of magnitude eight on Richter Scale, said a Konkan Railway's top engineer on Tuesday. The upcoming "next man-made wonder", being built under the direct supervision of the PMO and Railway Board, is likely to be completed by December 2021, said Chief Engineer (Coordination) R K Hegde of Konkan Railways, which is executing the project A national project with 100 percent of central funding, the bridge is being built on Chenab river between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge is being built under a round-the-clock monitoring directly by the Prime Minister's Office and the Railway Board in New Delhi through "electronic eyes", he said. After the completion of the bridge, the Chenab Bridge will boast of having the world's highest rail bridge -- 359 metre above the river and around 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge forms a crucial and the most difficult link in the 111 km-stretch between Katra and Banihal, which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, he said. "So far, 83 percent of the work has been completed. For the overall completion of the Chenab bridge project, the deadline is December 2021," Hedge said. Once completed, it will surpass the record of Shuibai Railway Bridge (275m-high) on Beipan river in China, Hegde told PTI at the project site. The bridge construction, which was halted in 2008 in wake of concerns over its safety and alignment, was restarted in 2010. It has already missed many deadlines in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. The construction of the bridge was started in 2002 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister. Talking of the bridge sturdiness, Hegde said, "It can withstand high intensity blasts of up to 40 kgs of TNT and an earthquake of magnitude 8 on Richter Scale. Even after the blast, a train can run at a speed on 30 kmhp," he said. Blasts of such intensity cannot damage any of the bridge pillars either, he added. To ensure its sturdiness, the bridge is being built with 63 mm-thick special blast-proof steel owing to Jammu and Kashmir's propensity to frequent terror attacks, he said. Even the concrete pillars of the bridge is designed to withstand explosions and painted with a special corrosion-resistant paint, which lasts for 15 years, he said. Detailing various measures to make the bridge blast proof, Hegde said, "It is for the first time that self-compacting concrete is being used for filling steel boxes and ends of plate girders." The Konkan Railway has also set up a blast lab at the site to test steel plates' the strength to withstand blasts of up to 40 kg of TNT. "Before being used in the project, each high grade steel plate is being tested at the project site itself for its capacity to withstand the blast load," said an engineer at the lab. "There is no compromise with quality. We have rejected a large quantity of steel plates being procured from SAIL and two other companies," he added. Steel plates for the bridge have been procured from the Bhilai plant of Steel Authority of India, while the girders are assembled at a fabrication workshop adjacent to the bridge. "Each girder plate is eight-metre-long and we have estimated that 161 girders will be required for the purpose," he said. Talking of the highest-level interest in the project, an engineer said, the PMO and Railway Board directly monitor its work progress everyday through "electronic eyes". "If the CCTVs goes off for one minute, we get a call from the PMO as to what is happening. They are monitoring it round the clock through electronic eyes," an engineer said. The bridge, an 1.315 km-long engineering marvel is also designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km per hour. "The railways will also install sensors on the bridge to check the wind velocity and as soon as the wind speed exceeds 90 kmph, the signal on the track will turn red, preventing train movement," the engineer said. According to the plan, a ring of aerial security will also be provided to safeguard the bridge. "An online monitoring and warning system will be installed on the bridge to protect passengers and trains in critical conditions. Footpaths and cycle trails will also be built adjacent to it," he added. The Chenab Bridge, an arched steel and concrete structure, will connect Baramulla to Jammu via Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund with a travel time of six-and-a-half hours. Currently, it takes exactly double the time, 13 hours, to reach Jammu from Baramulla in northern Kashmir, which is 60 km from Srinagar. Talking of measures to make the bridge earthquake-proof, Konkan Railway Chairman Sanjay Gupta said a detailed, site-specific seismic analysis has been carried out by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore. "The most difficult phase of the project now is the construction of the section between Banihal and Katra. This is most challenging for Konkans," he added,. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted on Monday two teachers at Obi Primary School, Obi Camp, in Avbiosi community of Owan West local government area of Edo state, but only one captive remains with them on Tuesday. The teachers, a male and a female, Mr. Dada Okuns and Mrs. Esther Alabi, were abducted, just after public and private schools resumed for academic activities after the Christmas holidays. It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the school at about 10:30am, shot sporadically and ordered six teachers in the school to follow them. Four of the six teachers escaped, but the gunmen succeeded in taking Mr. Dada Okuns and Mrs. Esther Alabi away. However, Mr. Okuns was rescued later that night by security operatives, with the assistance of hunters and vigilance group. It was gathered that Okuns who is the chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the local government area, was inflicted with machete cuts by the kidnappers. The gunmen initially demanded for N1 million ransom on Mrs. Alabi, but later raised it to N15 million. The Chairman of Owan West local government area, Mr. Frank Ilaboya, who confirmed the incident, assured that the female teacher would soon be released. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates It began as one of the nations broadest proposed bans on religious exemptions to childhood vaccines. But after weeks of sustained and boisterous protests by vaccine sceptics, as well as a last-minute effort to amend the proposed bill to win the support of key lawmakers, the effort collapsed Monday in the New Jersey state Senate. The Senate president, Stephen M. Sweeney, maintained that science, not protesters, would eventually emerge victorious. Its going to get done, Mr Sweeney, a Democrat, said, repeating a vow he had made since last month when a far more sweeping version of the bill passed in the Assembly but failed to win enough support in the Senate. Democrats control both chambers. They can bang on their drums and their sirens and their truck horns, Mr Sweeney said over the din of protesters after it became clear that the measure was a single vote shy of passage. This is a real public health emergency. The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Show all 7 1 /7 The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Charlie Sheen Sheen fought a legal battle against ex-wife Denise Richards to try and block her from vaccinating their children. Richards of course won and Sheen was reportedly so bitter that he paid the paediatrician bill entirely in nickels Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Gwyneth Paltrow Paltrow's "health and wellness" company Goop hosted a notorious anti-vaccine speaker at their 2018 Goop Summit Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Rob Schneider Schneider demanded the freedom to decline vaccination Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Jenny McCarthy McCarthy has claimed that "people are dying from vaccinations", believes that her son caught autism from a vaccine and has pushed her opinions on the topic publicly for many years AFP/Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Bill Maher Maher has long spoken against vaccines sating on Larry King live that "a flu shot is the worst thing you can do." His stance appears to stem from a distrust of government AFP/Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Alicia Silverstone In Silverstone's book The Kind Mama, she wrote that "there is increasing anecdotal evidence from doctors who have gotten distressed phone calls from parents claiming their child was never the same after receiving a vaccine." Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Andrew Wakefield Godfather of the anti-vax movement, disgraced doctor Andrew Wakefield famously published a report in the medical journal Lancet claiming a link between the MMR vaccine and autism in 1998. The Lancet retracted the report in 2010 and Wakefield was struck off the medical register PA The bill would have ended a policy that allows parents in New Jersey to cite religious beliefs as the reason their children have not been immunised, without affecting the childs ability to be enrolled in school. Doctors and public health experts had said the original bill was urgently needed to prevent the kind of measles outbreak that occurred in the region last year. They emphasised that there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective. Sen Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat and a sponsor of the legislation, said that the Senate would immediately reintroduce a new version of the bill and begin the process anew. This time, she said, the Legislature might hold public hearings with doctors and scientists to debunk opponents concerns. The science is settled on this, Ms Weinberg said. In its original form, the bill would have included all students enrolled in any school or college, public or private, making it one of the most sweeping among the several states that have voted to end religious exemptions to immunisation. Only medical exemptions from vaccines would have been permitted at most schools and daycare centres. But the legislation was altered last week to apply only to public schools, a change that appeared to raise new concerns, even among lawmakers who had supported the original legislation. The private schools and daycare centres that would have been exempt under the amended version of the bill would have been required to collect and share data on the number of enrolled students who had not been fully immunised. The proposed compromise did nothing to quell the anger of the hundreds of protesters, who packed the courtyards outside the state House on Monday, as they have done regularly over the past two months. Children banged on makeshift drums as parents shouted into megaphones. One man sounded what appeared to be a shofar, the rams horn instrument used for Jewish religious purposes. Parents call the shots, one sign read. My God. My body. My right, read stickers worn by many of the protesters. After the Senate adjourned just after 6 pm without voting on the vaccine measure, on the final day of a two-year legislative session, the crowd outside roared. Thank you, God, one group chanted. The intensity of the prolonged protest was unlike anything in Trenton in more than a decade, many longtime lawmakers and lobbyists said. States that have limited or revoked religion-based vaccination exemptions include California, Mississippi, Maine and New York, which was at the epicentre of a measles outbreak last year. In New Jersey, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, a Democrat and a practising doctor who was one of the legislations sponsors, defended the compromise bill in an interview before it unravelled. Weve had to make some concessions, Mr Conaway said. Vaccines are safe, he added, and we in public health need to say that repeatedly. Still, the amended version of the bill remained deeply unpopular with protesters who cited religious, constitutional and medical reasons for their opposition. The New York Times New Delhi: Amid tensions over Iran and an impending impeachment trial, theres a strong buzz that US President Donald Trump is likely to visit India in February next month. The back-door negotiations were reported by The Hindustan Times on Tuesday. The latest report by The HT says that officials from both India and the US are talking over the crucial visit. It should be noted that the US President was invited for this years Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. However, he had said that he wont be able to make it to the grand event due to scheduling constraints. Prime Minister Modi had invited the US President to India during his visit to Washington. Trumps predecessor Barack Obama had also attended the Republic Day event in 2015. While most of the nitty-gritties are still under wrap, Trumps India visit hold greater significance for him in the election year. Also, the case in point is the impeachment trial, which is likely to commence some point in January. General consensus is the Republican-controlled Senate is likely to acquit Trump. However, nothing is set in stone. Or Trump, India visit is linked to a quick trade deal with the Narendra Modi government. Given the global situation, Trump would like to steer the American economy into better condition. For that, both India and China are key catalysts. While the grand trade deal with China is likely to be formalised by January 20, the pact with India will be more short-term in nature, the HT report said. Trade deal with China Beijing's trade envoy Vice Premier Liu He is scheduled to visit the US next week to sign the interim agreement's "Phase One", marking a pause in the nearly two-year trade war between the two sides. "We're signing, as you know, a very big deal among many other things with China probably on January 15," Trump told reporters at a White House event in Washington. Liu will lead a delegation to the US. The "Phase One" of the trade deal, Trump said, is "a big percentage of the deal". "Some would say half. Some would say a little less or a little more than half, but it's a tremendous percentage. It's pretty much all for the farmers, also bankers," he said responding to a question. Republic Day 2020 Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro will be the chief guest at the 2020 Republic Day parade. Former French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2016. In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of United Arab Emirates took part in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. The year 2018 was historic as leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations attended the event as chief guests. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was in attendance as the chief guest. He was the second South African president, after Nelson Mandela, to attend the grand event as its chief guest. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:17:22|Editor: ZX Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Tuesday warned that "numerous and very large" desert locust swarms have posed an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in Ethiopia and neighboring Horn of Africa countries. "Numerous and very large swarms pose an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the Horn of Africa," the FAO said in a statement, as it emphasized the spread of desert locust across parts of Ethiopia and other Horn of Africa countries mainly Somalia, South Sudan and Kenya. In Ethiopia, immature swarms have continued to form and move in the eastern regions of Harar and various places in Ethiopia's Somali region such as Jijiga, Warder, Kebridehar, Gode in the Ogaden, according to the FAO. It also warned that immature swarms are also present further south of Ethiopia's largest Oromia region, as well as on the edge of the Rift Valley area, mainly in Borena zone near Teltele and Yabello. "Some swarms have started to mature in the Gode area. More swarms are expected to appear in the southern parts of Oromia and Somali regions and in the southwest region of SNNPR, where they are likely to mature and lay eggs," the FAO has warned. "In the Horn of Africa, there has been a significant and extremely dangerous increase in swarm activity during the past week," FAO indicated, adding that large immature swarms are spreading from the initial invasion areas of the northeast to Wajir and Garissa, west along the Ethiopian border (Moyale and Marsabit counties) and southwest into central areas north of mount Kenya, such as Isiolo, Samburu, Meru and most recently Laikipia counties. Noting that some swarms may reach northeast Uganda and southeast South Sudan, FAO also stressed that "there is an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods" in all the affected areas. It also stressed that once floodwaters recede, ecological conditions will be favorable for several months of breeding that is expected to cause a significant increase in locusts by spring. Last month, the FAO had disclosed that desert locusts have invaded nearly 430 square-km of land in Ethiopia's major crop-producing regions over the past two months, consuming about 1.3 million metric tons of vegetation. The desert locust, which is considered as the "most dangerous of the nearly one dozen species of locusts," is a major food security peril in desert areas across 20 countries, stretching from west Africa all the way to India, covering nearly 16 million square kilometers, according to the FAO. Connecting the dots in the sky could shed new light on dark matter Astrophysicists have come a step closer to understanding the origin of a faint glow of gamma rays covering the night sky. They found that this light is brighter in regions that contain a lot of matter and dimmer where matter is sparser - a correlation that could help them narrow down the properties of exotic astrophysical objects and invisible dark matter. The glow, known as unresolved gamma-ray background, stems from sources that are so faint and far away that researchers can't identify them individually. Yet, the fact that the locations where these gamma rays originate match up with where mass is found in the distant universe could be a key puzzle piece in identifying those sources. "The background is the sum of a lot of things 'out there' that produce gamma rays. Having been able to measure for the first time its correlation with gravitational lensing - tiny distortions of images of far galaxies produced by the distribution of matter - helps us disentangle them," said Simone Ammazzalorso from the University of Turin and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Italy, who co-led the analysis. The study used one year of data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), which takes optical images of the sky, and nine years of data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which observes cosmic gamma rays while it orbits the Earth. "What's really intriguing is that the correlation we measured doesn't completely match our expectations," said Panofsky fellow Daniel Gruen from the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC) at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University, who led the analysis for the DES collaboration. "This could mean that we either need to adjust our existing models for objects that emit gamma rays, or it could hint at other sources, such as dark matter." The study was accepted today for publication in Physical Review Letters. Two sensitive 'eyes' on the sky Gamma radiation, the most energetic form of light, is produced in a wide range of cosmic phenomena - often extremely violent ones, such as exploding stars, dense neutron stars rotating at high speeds and powerful beams of particles shooting out of active galaxies whose central supermassive black holes gobble up matter. Another potential source is invisible dark matter, which is believed to make up 85 percent of all matter in the universe. It could produce gamma rays when dark matter particles meet and destroy each other in space. The Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi spacecraft is a highly sensitive "eye" for gamma radiation, and its data provide a detailed map of gamma-ray sources in the sky. But when scientists subtract all the sources they already know, their map is far from empty; it still contains a gamma-ray background whose brightness varies from region to region. "Unfortunately gamma rays don't have a label that would tell us where they came from," Gruen said. "That's why we need additional information to unravel their origin." That's where DES comes in. With its 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera, mounted on the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, it snaps images of hundreds of millions of galaxies. Their exact shapes tell researchers how the gravitational pull of matter bends light in the universe - an effect that shows itself as tiny distortions in galaxy images, known as weak gravitational lensing. Based on these data, the DES researchers create the most detailed maps yet of matter in the cosmos. In the new study, the scientists superimposed the Fermi and DES maps, which revealed that the two aren't independent. The unresolved gamma-ray background is more intense in regions with more matter and less intense in regions with less matter. "The result itself is not surprising. We expect that there are more gamma ray producing processes in regions that contain more matter, and we've been predicting this correlation for a while," said Nicolao Fornengo, one of Ammazzalorso's supervisors in Turin. "But now we've succeeded in actually detecting this correlation for the first time, and we can use it to understand what causes the gamma ray background." Potential hint at dark matter One of the most likely sources for the gamma-ray glow is very distant blazars - active galaxies with supermassive black holes at their centers. As the black holes swallow surrounding matter, they spew high-speed jets of plasma and gamma rays that, if the jets point at us, are detected by the Fermi spacecraft. Blazars would be the simplest assumption, but the new data suggest that a simple population of blazars might not be enough to explain the observed correlation between gamma rays and mass distribution, the researchers said. "In fact, our models for emissions from blazars can fairly well explain the low-energy part of the correlation, but we see deviations for high-energy gamma rays," Gruen said. "This can mean several things: It could indicate that we need to improve our models for blazars or that the gamma rays could come from other sources." One of these other sources could be dark matter. A leading theory predicts the mysterious stuff is made of weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, which could annihilate each other in a flash of gamma rays when they collide. Gamma rays from certain matter-rich cosmic regions could therefore stem from these particle interactions. The idea to look for gamma-ray signatures of annihilating WIMPs is not a new one. Over the past years, scientists have searched for them in various locations believed to contain a lot of dark matter, including the center of the Milky Way and the Milky Way's companion galaxies. However, these searches haven't produced identifiable dark matter signals yet. The new results could be used for additional searches that test the WIMP hypothesis. Planning next steps Although the probability that the measured correlation is just a random effect is only about one in a thousand, the researchers need more data for a conclusive analysis. "These results, connecting for the first time our maps of gamma rays and matter, are very interesting and have a lot of potential, but at the moment the connection is still relatively weak, and one has to interpret the data carefully," said KIPAC Director Risa Wechsler, who was not involved in the study. One of the main limitations of the current analysis is the amount of available lensing data, Gruen said. "With data from 40 million galaxies, DES has already pushed this to a new level, and that's why we were able to do the analysis in the first place. But we need even better measurements," he said. With its next data release, DES will provide lensing data for 100 million galaxies, and the future Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will look at billions of galaxies in a much larger region of the sky. "Our study demonstrates with actual data that we can use the correlation between the distributions of matter and gamma rays to learn more about what causes the gamma-ray background," Fornengo said. "With more DES data, LSST coming online and other projects like the Euclid space telescope on the horizon, we'll be able to go much deeper in our understanding of the potential sources." Then, the scientists might be able to tell if some of that gamma-ray glow stems from dark matter's self-destruction. DES is an international project with over 400 scientists from 25 institutions in 7 countries, who have come together to carry out the survey. Parts of the project were funded by DOE's Office of Science and the National Science Foundation. NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is an international and multi-agency space observatory. The analysis used Fermi-LAT data that were publicly released by the international LAT collaboration. ### SLAC is a vibrant multiprogram laboratory that explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. With research spanning particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, materials, chemistry, bio- and energy sciences and scientific computing, we help solve real-world problems and advance the interests of the nation. SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Will Fresh Faces, More Women In New Uzbek Parliament Make A Difference? By Bruce Pannier January 13, 2020 Uzbekistan has advertised itself as a country undergoing significant changes since Shavkat Mirziyoev took over as the country's leader in late 2016. "Reform" is one the most common words uttered by Uzbek officials and many outside the country use the same word when speaking about Mirziyoev's government. The second round of elections to Uzbekistan's 150-seat Oliy Majlis, the lower house of parliament, was held on January 5, with final results the next day giving the full breakdown of seats among the five pro-government parties competing. The elections promised to be a moment when even the staunchest of supporters of the new government would have to admit there really was not going to be much change. Same Old, Same Old The five parties were -- once again -- all supportive of the policies of the president and -- yet again -- all opposition parties and independent candidates from social organizations were barred from competing due to existing legislation. More important than those aspects, the Uzbek government continues to be dominated by the executive branch. Parliament has very little power, despite legislation over the years proposed by the president that was intended to strengthen the legislative branch. The number of seats the five parties received in these latest elections did not differ much from the numbers in the parliament elected in 2014: the Liberal Democratic Party won 53 seats, compared to 52 in the outgoing parliament. Milli Tiklanish (National Revival) won 36 seats, the exact same number it had previously. The Adolat (Justice) party showed the greatest increase, though even marginal, winning 24 seats, two more than it won in 2014. The People's Democratic Party continued its slow slide, dropping from 27 seats to 22, and the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan successfully won the 15 seats it had previously been allotted by the constitution in the 2009 and 2014 elections, when the party was just a movement. Fresh, New Faces And... To start with, most of the incoming deputies appear to be newcomers. Of the 125 lawmakers' names the Central Election Commission listed after the first round of voting and the 25 names listed after the second round of voting, only 38 matched the names of deputies in the outgoing parliament, according to the parliament's official website. For some reason, the parliament's website only lists 113 deputies in the outgoing parliament, but it can be stated with certainly that more than half the deputies in the next parliament will be new. Moreover, the lawmakers in the incoming parliament are younger. According to figures from the Central Election Commission, 64.7 percent of the newly elected deputies are between 30 and 50 years of age and 6 percent are younger than 30. Of the 113 deputies from the outgoing parliament whose ages were given on the parliament's website, 48 of them were at least 50 years old. It is worth noting that the oldest deputy in the incoming parliament is 71-year-old Safar Ostonov, who is the chief editor at Uzbekiston Ovozi -- Golos Uzbekistana and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, as is the youngest new deputy, 26-year-old Sherzod Rahmonov. ...More Women Women finally reached the 30 percent quota of seats that has long been constitutionally promised them, but never realized. The outgoing parliament had 24 female deputies, the incoming parliament will have 48, a full 100 percent increase. One last detail that represents something new is the official voter turnout. Official voter turnout in the 1994 parliamentary elections was 93.6 percent. In 1999 it was reported to be 93.46 percent, in 2004 it was 85.1 percent, in 2009 it was 87.8 percent in the first round (second round 79.7 percent), and in 2014 it was 88.94 percent in the first round (second round 76.93 percent). Official turnout for the first round of these latest elections was 74.3 percent (second round 62.6 percent), numbers that are perhaps more realistic relative to actual voter turnout when compared with the numbers officially given during the rule of Mirziyoev's predecessor, authoritarian Islam Karimov. It is difficult to judge if the mere appearance of new, younger, faces and more women can be regarded as genuine change, but it interesting to think that the gender quota has finally been realized and, if the average age of a deputy is 46.4 years old, as the Central Election Commission claims, that would mean the average-age deputy was a teenager when the Soviet Union disintegrated. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/will-fresh-faces- more-women-in-new-uzbek-parliament -make-a-difference-/30374382.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Tue, January 14, 2020 07:02 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32200fc7 2 Art & Culture exhibition,art-exhibition,Museum,arts,arts-and-culture Free 2020 will mark the beginning of a new decade with a year that will be rich in cultural events. Here are five exhibition picks that span contemporary art, fashion and wrapped monuments. "Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser" from June 27 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London The venerable British museum is to host an exhibition devoted to one of literature's best-loved characters, Alice, the heroine of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." On the program will be an exploration of the "origins, adaptations and reinventions over 157 years" of the 1865 novel that made her a global phenomenon. "The Arc de Triomphe, wrapped" from September 19 to October 4, 2020, in Paris For 16 days, one of France's most famous monuments, the Arc de Triomphe, will be wrapped with 25,000 square meters of fabric and 7,000 meters of red rope. The massive artwork by the 'King of Wrap,' Christo, will follow an exhibition in the city's Center Georges Pompidou from March 18 to June 15, 2020, which will document Christo and Jeanne-Claude's time in Paris from 1958 to 1964. Read also: The top 10 art exhibitions to see in 2019 "Prada. Front and Back" in September 2020 at the Design Museum in London Miuccia Prada's brand will be the focus of a first major exhibition at the Design Museum in London. The show will offer an unprecedented insight into the Italian fashion house's creative approach, inspirations and landmark collaborations. It will also examine how Prada has been transformed over the years as well as future plans for the label. Tickets are set to go on sale in the spring. "Niki de Saint Phalle" at MoMA PS1, New York from April 5 to September 7, 2020 The first museum exhibition for the interdisciplinary French-American artist will include 100 works and an exploration of her outdoor sculptures in the form of photographs, drawings and models. The artist incorporated social and political issues into her work, which spanned everything from a 1986 illustrated book about AIDS to architectural projects and theater sets. Cindy Sherman at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, from April 1 to August 31, 2020 The French luxury house's foundation is to host an exhibition on major contemporary artist American Cindy Sherman. Renowned for her photographic self-portraits, Sherman often goes to great lengths to explore extremes of identity. Our vision for the new website is to provide a place where patients can find the information they need. 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The partnership in facial rejuvenation is a collaboration between Dr. Maurice Khosh, a well-known dual Board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and Michele Rivard, and outstanding plastic surgery Physician Assistant. Together, they provide excellent patient-centered care, focusing on aesthetics and plastic surgery. For more information about Dr. Maurice Khosh and PA Michele Rivard, please visit the new website at http://www.creativefacialaesthetics.com or call (332)223-6655. 'Bhogali Bihu', a harvest festival of Assam, is likely to be a low-key affair this year as the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has cast a shadow over the celebration to be held on Wednesday. People across Assam seemed less enthusiastic about celebrating the festival as five people were killed allegedly due to police firing during anti-CAA protests in the state in December last year. Activists of the Chutia Students' Union have given community feast 'Uruka', held on the eve of the festival, a miss to stage a 10-hour hunger strike at Titabor in Jorhat district from 5 am on Tuesday against the new citizenship law. The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Cotton University students, who have been at the forefront of the anti-CAA stir, have appealed to people to burn copies of the Act in flames of 'Meji' (a structure made of bamboo, hay and wood that is set afire on the day of 'Bhogali Bihu') on Wednesday. Traders said demand for items required in a typical Bihu feast such as fish, duck, chicken, curd, cream, milk, 'chira' (flattened rice) was less this year. "We do not have the excitement to buy food or share a meal with family this year due to worries that the CAA might wipe out Assamese culture and language by granting citizenship to Bangladeshi refugees," said Ratul Deka of Nalbari district. Gohpur's Dimpu Das said "imposition" of CAA on the Assamese people has dampened the festive spirit. "How can we have the mood or desire to celebrate Bihu when five students like us were gunned down as they were returning home after participating in anti-CAA protests here on December 11?" said college-goer Binita Kalita of Guwahati. Her sentiments were echoed by another student, Dhiman Rajkhowa. "We are saddened by the deaths. The five families have been deprived of their sons. How can we celebrate under such circumstances?" he said. In central Assam's Nagaon district, Anowara Begum, who was seen making 'Bihu Pitha' (rice cake) with women of other communities, said, "We do not distinguish among indigenous people as our only identity is that we are Assamese. "This Act attempts to divide us on religious lines. We strongly oppose it and will never allow anyone to divide our society," she said. Similar feelings were expressed by Ubedur Baruah of Sivasagar district who was seen building a 'Meji' with youths of other communities. "Our Assam is 'Sanker-Ajanor Dex' (land of Sankar Deb and Ajan Fakir). Both taught us to live together in brotherhood. We will never allow that to be eroded," he said. Others said though they were celebrating the festival to keep the tradition alive, they would continue protesting against the Act till it is repealed. At the end of a successful harvest, 'Uruka' is celebrated on the eve of 'Bhogali Bihu' with people irrespective of religion, caste, ethnicity or linguistic identity come together for community feasts and merry-making. On the day of 'Bhogali Bihu', before sunrise, 'Mejis' are set on fire with prayers to the 'Agni Devta' (fire god) for taking away negativity and blessing the land with a good harvest next year. Pitched protests were witnessed across the state after the contentious law was passed in both Houses of the Parliament. Peaceful protests are continuing in the state with agitators demanding the repeal of the Act. CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh fleeing persecution there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Corey Michael Hadley's family (from left) Rosalind Williams, mother; Kevin Hadley, father; Janice Hadley, grandmother; and Rachel Lazarus, grandmother, mourn in front of the 30-year-old Mount Airy veteran's coffin at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown on Monday. Read more Rosalind Williams slowly rapped her knuckles on the coffin of her son, Corey Michael Hadley, in the gray stillness of Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Bucks County. The sounds of her gesture of grief and helplessness on Monday reverberated in the military burial ground, where nearly 100 family members and friends had assembled to honor Hadley, 30, an Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, who died by his own hand on Jan. 2 after struggling with depression and PTSD. In that instant, the mourners already burdened with their own sorrow felt the agony of a mother outliving her son, and their melancholy seemed to redouble: Aunts and cousins wept harder, and veterans whod lived in the same sand and blood that had consumed Hadley teared up, then looked away to some distant spot beyond the cemeterys rows of identical white gravestones that mark, in endless repetition, the final resting places of American warriors. I want people to know, Williams, 53, said later, after shed composed herself, that when we see soldiers return from war in coffins, we dont see the other soldiers walking behind who lost their lives, too, only they dont know it yet. Referencing the pain endured by her son, an Army rifleman who returned home to Philadelphia in 2013 after serving six years and three tours of duty, Williams, a science teacher at Northeast High School, added, Had my son been injured by shrapnel, those wounds would have festered. Im saying my son died from festering, lingering wounds of war, too. Saying it was suicide does not tell that story. Hadleys battlefield duties included going door to door to root out armed militia and terrorists, his family said. Hed operated in an imminent danger area in Iraq, according to his discharge papers. Hed earned honors including the Iraq campaign medal with three campaign stars, the Afghanistan campaign medal with one star, and the global war on terrorism service medal. When he got home, his mental health deteriorated, his family said, and his condition flared beyond the reach of medicines and doctors interventions. Its tough, but I think I get it, said a tearful Kelly Briscoe, 35, of Seagrove, N.C., after Mondays interment service, which included full military honors and a nine-gun salute. I get that he took his own life, added the former Army specialist, who knew Hadley when they were stationed in Hawaii. Hadleys unit replaced Briscoes in Afghanistan. Sometimes you have moments in battle stressors and losing comrades when you think that going to the other side beyond life would seem more appealing. In fact, Hadley, who grew up Christian with his family in Mount Airy, had said, according to his family, that there is life on the other side of death, and that they all would see each other again, that death is not the ultimate reality. As shattering as war was, Hadley made sure to tell everyone that he enjoyed a lot of his time overseas and that he made great friends, according to Bill Hallacy, 27, of Coatesville. Hallacy worked with Hadley at RevZilla, a South Philadelphia motorcycle accessory distributor. Motorcycles were part of an anti-hero vibe that Hadley exuded, according to a statement by his family. They took obvious delight in releasing a photograph of him on a Harley, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a quote from the character Erik Killmonger in the movie Black Panther: Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, cause they knew death was better than bondage. The anti-hero is the one who is far more interesting, the family wrote. Our anti-hero defined courage and honor in his own terms. As though illustrating the anti-hero theme, several young men rode motorcycles to the cemetery on Monday, their resounding engines an aural tribute to Hadley. Asked what drew her son to the military, Williams paused for a moment, then said, You know, he was always a soldier. Hadley would attach firecrackers to his GI Joe dolls, affix a kind of parachute to them, then light them up and try to get them to float in the air. Mostly, they only melted, Williams said with a smile. A student at W.B. Saul High School, Hadley was an Eagle Scout before enlisting in the Army. A Second Platoon infantry photo out of Fort Benning, Ga., shows him standing shoulder-to-shoulder and impossibly straight with his comrades, all of them young and not yet battle-hardened but ready to muster and fight. He was a loving, giving man, Hadleys father, Kevin, 55, said before leaving the cemetery. And above all, he was a man of integrity. (diamonds.net) - Belgium has introduced legislation requiring managers of diamond companies to prove their good conduct and knowledge of money-laundering laws. The rules, passed in November by royal decree, are intended to control access to the sector and came after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) called for improvements. Firms wishing to trade diamonds or continue as an accredited diamond business must submit criminal records or proof of good conduct for the company and each senior officer, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) explained in a note to members last month. At least one director must present a certificate confirming attendance at a recognized anti-money laundering (AML) seminar. Companies must also declare their shareholder structure and the names of their ultimate owners. Philippines volcano could erupt again in hours or days, threatening a million people by Tom Metcalfe January 14,2020 | Source: Live Science A volcano in a densely populated part of the Philippines has started to belch clouds of ash and streams of molten rock and scientists are worried it could soon erupt even more violently, putting almost a million people at risk. Another "imminent hazardous eruption" could happen "within hours or days," according to the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which is monitoring the volcano on the island of Luzon, reported The Manila Times. The Taal volcano, located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Philippines capital, Manila, began erupting on Sunday (Jan. 12), when it launched a column of ash and smoke up to 9 miles (14 km) high. The dark, towering column from the volcano was also filled with flashes of lightning and thunder. Before dawn today (Jan. 13), the volcano started spewing a "fountain" of molten lava from vents in its central crater, according to the Times. "The volcano is sort of a volcano within a volcano," explained volcanologist Greg Valentine from the State University at Buffalo in New York. "It's on an island in a lake that is partly filling a larger caldera [an older crater that has partly collapsed]." (Live Science previously reported that this island-volcano lost its designation as the world's largest island-in-a-lake-on-an-island-in-a-lake-on-an-island.) An exclusion zone with an 8.5-mile (14 km) radius is being enforced around the erupting volcano, and Phivolcs has requested the evacuation of a danger zone with a 10.5-mile (17 km) radius, an area that is home to more than 900,000 people, the BBC reported. The area has also been shaken by dozens of intense earthquakes in the last few days, and volcanologists have warned of the dangers of a "volcanic tsunami" in the lake a huge wave triggered by either earthquakes or falling debris. The Taal volcano is relatively small by the standards of volcanoes, but Valentine told Live Science that Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. In the 1960s, eruptions at the Taal volcano revolutionized the scientific understanding of a certain type of explosive volcanic eruption, called a pyroclastic surge, he said. "These are flows of ash and gas that, instead of going to high up in the atmosphere, they flow along the ground sort of like superintense dust storms," Valentine said. "They just strip everything in their path, so they are quite devastating." Pyroclastic surges and the dangers of volcanic ash raining down throughout the region are a greater danger than lava from the volcano, he said. If the eruptions become larger, they could even affect Manila indirectly, as volcanic ash could fall on electrical distribution networks or disrupt air travel, Valentine said. The ash could also lead to respiratory issues among Manila residents. More than 50 active volcanoes are found on the islands of the Philippines, a consequence of the islands' location on the edges of the tectonic plates of the Pacific Ring of Fire. "There's a section of ocean crust that is going underneath the Philippines islands, and that causes melting of rock down deep," Valentine said. "Ultimately, that results in volcanoes on the surface." Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Theme(s): Others. Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday blamed the previous Devendra Fadnavis-led government for the poor condition of rural roads, saying its focus was on urban infrastructure. "The BJP government's focus was always on creating more infrastructure in urban areas. It neglected rural areas, that is why the condition of rural roads is very bad," he told reporters here. Mushrif also said that funds were not utilised in the last few months of the BJP-led regime as the model code of conduct came into force first for the Lok Sabha and then the Assembly elections. "If we do not use the funds in the remaining period, I fear they will lapse. I am going to request the government for extension of the time to utilize the funds," the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad: Former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded that the State Election Commission (SEC) take suo motu action against MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi for telling voters that they can take money from the Congress but vote for the MIM in the municipal elections. Mr Shabbir Ali, in a media statement on Tuesday, alleged that Mr Owaisi was provoking the voters to ask for money. Being the head of a political party, Mr Owaisi should advise people against such a pratice, he said. Everyone in state knows it is TRS and MIM who pay money to buy votes. KCR also shops for Opposition MLAs. People also know your price is more than Rs 2,000. Thats why your assets have increased from Rs 39.02 lakh in 2004 to Rs 13 crore in 2019 (as per the ECI affidavit), Mr Shabbir Ali said. Mr Ali said that the culture of buying votes was started and is still being practiced by the TRS and the MIM. Both the parties have no respect for voters and they fix a price for each vote. Everyone in Telangana knows how TRS and MIM lure voters to get their votes and forget them after winning the polls. They openly misuse the official machinery and there were allegations of cash transported by TRS leaders in Police vehicles in Huzurnagar by-elections. Congress never indulged in such practices as it believes in free and fair elections, he said. The Congress leader said Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has repeatedly insulted the Constitution and violated democratic norms by engineering defections of more than 50 MLAs, MLCs, MPs and other elected representatives. He asked why Mr Owaisi was silent when Mr Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who was elected on a TD ticket, was inducted in Mr Raos Cabinet in its first term. He did not raise his voice when none of the disqualification petitions filed against MLAs and MLCs who defected to TRS were even heard. Does he justify the defection of 12 MLAs who were elected on Congress tickets to the TRS only to deprive the Congress of the status of the main Opposition in the Assembly, he asked. Mr Shabbir Ali said before levelling baseless allegations against the Congress , Mr Owaisi should do a serious introspection of his stand. He said while accusing Congress leaders of possessing huge wealth, he must also clarify whether that wealth was ill-gotten. Before accusing others of accumulating wealth, Mr Owaisi must clarify how his wealth multiplied manifold from Rs. 39 lakh in 2004 to Rs. 13 crores in 2019. While the voters of Hyderabad remained poor and backward. Can he explain how he accumulated so much of wealth, he asked. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar By Online Desk KOLKATA: Standing on the edge of his farmland, 67-year-old Rijawul Mandal pulls out his government papers to point out discrepancies. "Is it our fault if the government can't even spell my name correctly on official documents? Now with this, they will hound us during NRC," he rues. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is now a regular topic of discussion for the people of Bhira, a village that lies approximately three kilometers within the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh. At first glance, the village is nondescript. But the inhabitants make it unique. They are all Muslims. And worried. Very worried. The Modi government's plans to introduce a pan-India NRC has brought palpable anxiety to this village in the North 24 Parganas. "There are 400 households here. None of us are from Bangladesh. Our forefathers were born here. During partition, our fathers refused to move to the other side of Bengal. The government is trying to throw out Muslims from the country, but we won't let that happen. Pran diye debo kintu amader desh amra charbo na (We will sacrifice ourselves but we won't leave our motherland)," Mandal asserts. Fanning the villagers' anxiety has been the Rs 1220-crore NRC exercise in neighbouring Assam, where over 19 lakh people were excluded from the list published on August 31. Prime Minister Narendra Modi might have claimed the government won't expand this exercise and conduct a pan-India NRC. But Home Minister Amit Shah reiterating in both the Houses of Parliament and during rallies that 'no force can stop the NRC from being implemented' is stoking the fears of the villagers in Bhira. ALSO READ | 'This is the idea of India': Kolkata's unlikely women anti-CAA protesters vow to carry on They express their anguish that the Citizenship Act fast-tracks citizenship for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "Why is the government targeting Muslims?" asks Salim Rahman, a farmer. "Most of us are poor farmers. How can we show birth certificates when there was no concept of such documents in villages when we were born fifty years ago. Most of the migrants in Bongaon (their constituency) are Hindus, yet they will target us, who have never been to the other side (Bangladesh)," he says. Although Bengal and Bangladesh share a 4096-km porous border spread over nine districts, there seems to be no official data on the number of Muslim (legal or illegal) migrants who have crossed the border in search of greener pastures. What is known is that the Muslim population of Bengal has risen from 18.6 percent in 1951 to 23 percent in 2011, taking the count of the state's Muslims to over 2 crores. The village shifted its loyalty to Trinamool (TMC) after it came to power in 2011 and has now placed its faith in Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who has taken the fight against the Citizenship law on to the streets. "Didi has been fighting against the NRC and the CAA for poor people like us and we are right behind her. She will make sure no harm befalls us," says Samir Mandal. While the fear of NRC looms over everyone in the village, it's the women who fret the most about a possible loss of citizenship. "I have heard we need land papers and birth certificates, where will we procure them from? Many married women have been left out of NRC in Assam," says Ruksana Begum. Her concern when it comes to land papers is genuine. Most of these women will fail to produce them since the patriarchal society they live in bars them from coming into a property of their own. Twenty-two-year-old Asifa, on the eve of her marriage, shares a different worry. "I am now Khatoon but after marriage, I will change my name to Asifa Begum. There will be discrepancies. Will they also throw me into a detention camp?" she asks. A brief pause hangs in the air before an ember of defiance lights up in her. I was born in this village. Is this not proof enough for me to live in my country? The words are defiant, but her eyes - Asifas worried eyes - betray the emotions that have welled up within her... A five-year-old girl was found chained to a bed inside a filthy 'house of horrors' in Mexico after neighbors heard her screams. Harrowing images show the child, whose name was not released by officials, with her right ankle strapped to a rusty metal chain. The chain was locked to the wooden frame of her small bed. The San Luis Potosi state prosecutor's office for Children and Adolescents Protection said Monday that it was still working on locating the girl's parents after she was rescued earlier this month. On January 3, police in the central Mexican municipality of Ciudad Fernandez saved a five-year-old girl (pictured) who was abandoned in her home and chained to the corner of her bed inside a filthy room Authorities are working on locating the parents of a five-year-old girl who earlier this month was discovered by the police officers chained to her bed at her home in San Luis Potosi, Mexico Concerned neighbors in El Refugio, a town in municipality of Ciudad Fernandez, tipped off authorities after hearing weird noises and screams coming from the property. The Ciudad Fernandez Municipal Police removed the girl from the home January 3, according to police director Alfredo Farias Carmona. She had bruises on her legs as a result of the chain and was taken to a local hospital for a physical and psychological evaluation. Mexican newspaper Excelsior reported that investigators found a small bucket which the child was forced to use a toilet. The small room was littered with dirty clothes and garbage, too. The child remains in the custody of the Ciudad Fernandez State System for Integral Family Development pending further notice. Days after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capped to Rs 35,000 the withdrawal limit of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday reassured account holders and said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was personally monitoring the issue. Taking to Twitter, Surya said, "I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic. Hon'ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is appraised of matter and is personally monitoring the issue. She has assured the government will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern." The Bengaluru South MP also attached a letter in his tweet where he had appraised Sitharaman of the situation. "Finance Minister, after speaking with the RBI governor and other authorities concerned, assured Surya that the government will do everything in its capacity to protect the interests of the depositors and the long term interests of the bank," the letter read. It said that Surya also reached out to Sitharaman "three times on January 13" after which she reassured him that the "depositors need not panic". RBI had, on January 10, imposed certain restrictions on Sri Gururaghavendra Sahakara Bank Niyamitha. "In particular, a sum not exceeding Rs 35,000 of the total balance in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account may be allowed to be withdrawn subject to conditions stated in the above RBI directions," the notification said. The regulatory body said that the bank will continue to undertake banking business with restrictions until its financial position improves. "These directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of January 10 and are subject to review," it said. The bank has been restricted from granting or renewing any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets except. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Railways has given its approval to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to operate Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express for six days a week. This train will have its inaugural run on 17 January 2020 and will start its commercial run from 19 January 2020, IRCTC said in a statement after trading hours on Monday, 13 January 2020. Meanwhile, the media reported that IRCTC may soon be replaced as caterers to the Parliament canteen. Private brands like Bikanerwala and Haldiram, in addition to the government-run ITDC, are among the key contenders considered to replace IRCTC. IRCTC has faced growing concerns over the quality of its fare served in Parliament and subsidies offered, triggering a demand for fresh caterers for the complex, reports added. Shares of IRCTC were up 0.7% at Rs 945.50. The stock has gained 6.18% in last one month as compared to a 1.99% rise in benchmark Nifty 50 index. IRCTC's net profit rose 14.01% to Rs 172.15 crore on 3.77% rise in net sales to Rs 972.61 crore in H1FY2020 over H1FY2019. Shares of IRCTC listed on the bourses on 14 October 2019. The stock debuted at Rs 644, a premium of 101.25% to the initial public offer (IPO) price of Rs 320. IRCTC, a Mini Ratna public sector enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways, is the sole entity authorized by Indian Railways (IR) to provide catering services to railways, online railway tickets and packaged drinking water at railway stations and trains in India. IRCTC operates in four business segments, namely, internet ticketing, catering, packaged drinking water and travel & tourism. The Government of India holds 87.40% stake in the company as on 30 September 2019. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Newser) Americans are drinking more now than when Prohibition was enacted. What's more, it's been rising for two decades, and it's not clear when it will fall again. Thats the picture painted by federal health statistics, which show a rise in per-person consumption and increases in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths tied to drinking, the AP reports. The stats aren't all bad. Drinking among teenagers is down. And there are signs that some people are taking alcohol seriously. But overall, it's not good: "Consumption has been going up. Harms (from alcohol) have been going up," said Dr. Tim Naimi, an alcohol researcher at Boston University. And there's not been a policy response to match it." A few facts, including what's behind the rise: History: In the late 1910s, just before Congress banned the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages, each American teen and adult was downing just under 2 gallons of alcohol a year on average. These days its about 2.3 gallons. Historians say drinking was heaviest in the early 1800s, with estimates that in 1830 the average US adult downed the equivalent of 7 gallons a year. story continues below Prohibition : That waned as the temperance movement pushed for moderation, abstinence and, later, a national ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol. In 1919, Congress passed the 18th Amendment, instituting the ban. In 1934, a year after Prohibition was repealed, per-capita consumption was under 1 gallon. Its been up and down since then. : That waned as the temperance movement pushed for moderation, abstinence and, later, a national ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol. In 1919, Congress passed the 18th Amendment, instituting the ban. In 1934, a year after Prohibition was repealed, per-capita consumption was under 1 gallon. Its been up and down since then. The 1980s and '90s : It went down in the mid-1980s, amid growing attention to deaths from drunken driving and after Congress passed a law raising the drinking age to 21. But it began climbing again in the mid-1990s. "I think people sort of forgot all the problems (with alcohol)," says scientist William Kerr. : It went down in the mid-1980s, amid growing attention to deaths from drunken driving and after Congress passed a law raising the drinking age to 21. But it began climbing again in the mid-1990s. "I think people sort of forgot all the problems (with alcohol)," says scientist William Kerr. Women : About three-quarters of alcohol-related deaths are in men. But drinking among womenparticularly binge drinkinghas been a major driver of the increases in alcohol statistics. One study found that the female death rate jumped 85%, while the male rate rose 39%. : About three-quarters of alcohol-related deaths are in men. But drinking among womenparticularly binge drinkinghas been a major driver of the increases in alcohol statistics. One study found that the female death rate jumped 85%, while the male rate rose 39%. 'Wine O'Clock' : Researchers say theres been a change in cultural attitudes toward drinking, including among many women. Internet memes popular with stressed-out moms call wine "mommy juice" and joke about it being "wine o'clock." : Researchers say theres been a change in cultural attitudes toward drinking, including among many women. Internet memes popular with stressed-out moms call wine "mommy juice" and joke about it being "wine o'clock." Dangers: Excessive drinking is associated with chronic dangers such as liver cancer, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. Drinking by pregnant women can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. Alcohol is a factor in as many as one-third of serious falls among the elderly, and is a risk to others due to drunken driving and alcohol-fueled violence. (Read more alcohol stories.) Now Open 14 January 2020 IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, part of the newly designed flagship properties launching globally offering a new distinctive stay experience, designed to meet the needs of the modern business traveller. Crowne Plaza hotels & resorts is one of the world's largest upscale hotel brands, with an increasingly strong reputation for being the first choice for business-class stays. Designed with the modern traveller in mind, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts know that business travel isn't just about business - it's about balancing work and life so guest feel fulfilled and successful. This opening represents a landmark moment for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and marks the beginning of ambitious expansion plans for the brand in the region. With 24 Crowne Plaza hotels (6,836 rooms) open in the Middle East (GCC, Levant and Egypt) and a further eight (2,738 rooms) in the pipeline - three of which are in the UAE and three in KSA, the brand is perfectly positioned to cater for a rising number of regional business events and travel to the Middle East. Within only a 20-minute drive to Expo 2020 Site, close proximity to important business hubs including Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jebel Ali, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina is set to become an important hub for business travelers in the lead up to Expo 2020. Located primely on the banks of Dubai Marina with direct access from the promenade, the 24 storey building occupies 3,037 square meters and boasts 273 stylish and ultra-modern hotel rooms including 61 Club Rooms and 32 suites. Offering panoramic views over the water, these rooms come with a number of technology-driven features to provide guests with a harmonious stay experience day and night. A spacious club lounge is located on the fourth-floor exclusively for Club guests. Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina boasts state-of-the-art meeting facilities including the Marina's first ballroom with natural light. Located on the second floor, the spacious meeting and conference rooms occupy 4952 square meters of space and are fully-equipped with advanced audio-visual technology for a seamless working experience. The property comes with a number of notable technologies driven features, designed to answer the growing trend in flexible work and life preference, and people's desire to work from anywhere. This includes an efficient GRMS system (Guest Room Management System) which intuitively manages guest preferences including temperature, lighting and heating through a touch panel. All rooms come with a built-in Media Hub which allows guests to connect to a surround sound system with their devices using Bluetooth meaning guests can even listen to their own playlists in the bathroom. Screen mirroring technology allows guests to display content from their devices on the TV seamlessly. Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina offers a more social take on traditional business hotels, complete with six unique dining concepts including the signature Thai restaurant 'Charm Thai' located on the marina Promenade level with an expansive al fresco terrace overlooking the Marina Waterfront. Lo+Cale is the hotel's main all-day dining restaurant featuring an array of international cuisines positioned on the ground floor alongside Connexions, the hotel's lobby lounge serving coffee and 'grab'n'go' bites. Hive is the hotel's lobby bar and Nara are the outdoor Arabic style shisha lounge. On the 4th floor is Aqua Marina, the sophisticated pool bar providing bites and refreshing cocktails for guests to refresh and unwind throughout the day. Health and fitness enthusiasts will enjoy a fully equipped state-of-the-art gym open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in addition to the hotel's new amenities with ecofriendly, all natural with no paraben products. CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Crime Commission honored retired Illinois Appellate Justice Sheila O'Brien with its first Step Up for Chicago Award at its recent 100th anniversary luncheon. Last June, O'Brien, as a private citizen, successfully argued for a special prosecutor to review Cook County State's Attorney Kym Foxx's handling of the prosecution of television actor Jussie Smollett. In January 2019, the Chicago Police Department aggressively investigated charges made by Smollett that he was a victim of a hate crime, spending $130,000 of its resources before concluding the claims were false and in bad faith and referred the matter to the Cook County State's Attorney for prosecution. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself for unspecified reasons but after an unannounced hearing, dismissed all charges and sealed the record. After O'Brien learned the charges had been dismissed, she wrote a guest column in the Chicago Tribune questioning Foxx's conflicts of interest and her so-called recusal and shortly afterward, as a private citizen, filed suit. In June, Circuit Court Justice Michael Toomin ruled in O'Brien's favor. Later last summer, he appointed Dan Webb, a partner at Chicago-based Winston & Strawn, and experienced special prosecutor to review the case and impanel a grand jury to hear testimony of any alleged wrongdoing. The investigation is ongoing. "As the Chicago Crime Commission begins its second century of service, we recall the vision of our founders committed to taking back our city from widespread corruption and crime. It is in that vein that we honor Retired Justice Sheila O'Brien," said Robert Palmer, Board Member of the Chicago Crime Commission. "Justice O'Brien demonstrated what even a single private citizen can do to protect and safeguard our criminal justice system," he concluded. Contact: John Pastuovic 312-925-9092 [email protected] SOURCE Chicago Crime Commission Related Links http://www.chicagocrimecommission.org NORTH TUSTIN, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive consulting firm AutoPacific today announced the results of its sales forecast accuracy for 2019, achieving 99% accuracy in the prediction of annual U.S. automotive sales for the second time in three years. AutoPacific's 5-year forecast first predicted 2019 annual sales in January of 2015, with expected sales of 16.93 million units, a mere 127,000 units short of the 17.055 million unit actual. During the January 2019 1-year forecast, the prediction was 16.85 million units. Both the 5-year and 1-year forecasts result in 99% accuracy, when compared to year-end actual sales. "As an automotive sales forecaster, we joke about wishing we had a crystal ball," says AutoPacific president George Peterson, "but after these results, many may think we actually have one." AutoPacific has achieved exceptional accuracy over the past 10 years. Unique to AutoPacific's methodology is the ability to balance economic and industry factors with real-world insight gained from consumer data collected by AutoPacific's annual survey of new vehicle buyers, the New Vehicle Satisfaction Study. "AutoPacific is unique in the forecasting business in that we have actual voice-of-the-consumer input into our auto sales forecast," says Ed Kim, AutoPacific's vice president of industry analysis. "Through our annual New Vehicle Satisfaction Study and bi-monthly Fuel Price Impact Study, consumers tell us directly about their future vehicle purchase, giving us strong forecasting insights from those who count most: the people who buy new cars and trucks." As such, consumers provide insights that strengthen AutoPacific's forecast at the vehicle segment level. In 2012, U.S. retail gasoline prices hit an average of $3.64 per gallon, the highest annual average ever recorded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. While much of the auto industry expected compact car demand to soar indefinitely due to higher fuel prices, AutoPacific's consumer data showed that consumers did not want to remain in compact cars for the long term. Says AutoPacific's Kim, "Thanks to those consumer insights, AutoPacific's five-year forecast in 2012 showed declining interest in compact cars despite highest-ever average national fuel prices at the time. We were able to forecast 2016 compact car volumes with 88% accuracy five years prior despite a very volatile market environment as the U.S. economy was starting to recover from the last recession." AutoPacific's first quarter forecast for year-end sales has proven to be exceptionally accurate over the years. With forecast accuracy of 99% for 2019, AutoPacific achieves a 10-year average accuracy of 98%. About AutoPacific AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm providing clients with industry intelligence and syndicated data. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in North Tustin, California, with affiliate offices in Michigan, Wisconsin and the Carolinas. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific's websites: http://www.autopacific.com and http://vehiclevoice.com. SOURCE AutoPacific Related Links http://www.autopacific.com Following the terrorist Qassem Soleimani's death on President Trump's orders, the media and the Democrat party have been like trapped rats, desperately rushing around to show that Trump is the bad guy in all this. They've played up WWIII, shared the mullahs' grief over the loss of their pet terrorist, and blamed Trump for the Iranian decision to shoot down a passenger plane that had left Tehran minutes before and only four hours after Iran sent 15 ballistic missiles to Iraqi bases housing American troops. With all those stories falling flat (and with Iranians in an uproar against their government for shooting down the plane), the media narrative is shifting to denigrating Trump's decision-making. One of the first lies the media told was that Trump totally flummoxed his national security team when he elected to order a strike against Soleimani: When President Donald Trump's national security team came to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, they weren't expecting him to approve an operation to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had gone to Palm Beach, Fla., to brief Trump on airstrikes the Pentagon had just carried out in Iraq and Syria against Iranian-sponsored Shiite militia groups. One briefing slide shown to Trump listed several follow-up steps the U.S. could take, among them targeting Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to talk about the meeting on the record. Unexpectedly, Trump chose that option, the official said, adding that the president's decision was spurred on in part by Iran hawks among his advisers. That meant the Pentagon suddenly faced the daunting task of carrying out Trump's orders. When it became clear that this is not how briefings work that is, that presidential security advisers don't just tack on weird ideas to their briefing for the heck of it the media shifted to quibbling over what "imminent" meant in the context of "Soleimani was planning imminent attacks." It eluded the media that "imminence" was irrelevant, first, because Soleimani was a legitimate military target for past acts (killing more than 600 American troops and tens of thousands of civilians) and, second, because he was known with 100% certainty to be planning future attacks. With the squabble over the meaning of the word "imminent" failing to pay off with the public at home or in Iran, the media are shifting ground again. News outlets now contend that any talk of future attacks, no matter the degree of imminence, is a lie. The basis for claiming a new Trump lie is the discovery that not only was it a fake story to claim that Trump surprised his advisers by demanding Soleimani's death, but Trump had called for Soleimani's death months before: President Donald Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani seven months ago if Iran's increased aggression resulted in the death of an American, according to five current and former senior administration officials. The presidential directive in June came with the condition that Trump would have final signoff on any specific operation to kill Soleimani, officials said. That decision explains why assassinating Soleimani was on the menu of options that the military presented to Trump two weeks ago for responding to an attack by Iranian proxies in Iraq, in which a U.S. contractor was killed and four U.S. service members were wounded, the officials said. The timing, however, could undermine the Trump administration's stated justification for ordering the U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani in Baghdad on Jan. 3. Officials have said Soleimani, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, was planning imminent attacks on Americans and had to be stopped. They have no shame. Really no shame. Here's what happened: unlike Bush and Obama, each of whom could have had Soleimani killed, Trump decided that killing Soleimani would curb both terrorism and the mullahs. However, because he is not the impulsive, irrational man the Left likes to describe, he planned the matter well in advance and imposed a future condition: Soleimani would sign his own death certificate if he killed one more American. Having made this decision, Trump patiently waited out Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia and attacks on drones. But when Iran killed an American, that was it. Moreover, given the accelerating pace of Iranian attacks of late, Trump and his advisers knew with certainty, based upon past practice, that Soleimani was planning future attacks. His presence on Iraqi soil, meeting with the commander of the Kataeb Hezb'allah troops that attacked the embassy in Baghdad, was proof enough if any was needed. The media will not rest until they've managed to wrap themselves in a narrative that echoes that coming from Iran: Soleimani was a freedom fighter acting on behalf of Middle Easterners oppressed by America and terrorized by Donald Trump. Extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other type of hazardous weather and will likely become even deadlier due to climate change. However, extreme heat does not affect all people equally. Surface temperatures in different neighborhoods within a single city can vary by a whopping 20 degrees (F), making some people more at risk of experiencing dangerous temperatures. A new study by researchers at the Science Museum of Virginia and Portland State University, with assistance from a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, is one of the first to link historical housing policies across the United States to inequitable heat exposure. We found that those urban neighborhoods that were denied municipal services and support for home ownership during the mid-20th century now contain the hottest areas in almost every one of the 108 cities we studied. Our concern is that this systemic pattern suggests a woefully negligent planning system that hyper-privileged richer and whiter communities. As climate change brings hotter, more frequent and longer heat waves, the same historically underserved neighborhoods--often where lower-income households and communities of color still live--will, as a result, face the greatest impact." Vivek Shandas, professor of urban studies and planning at Portland State University Jeremy Hoffman of the Science Museum of Virginia, and Nicholas Pendleton, a former student at Virginia Commonwealth University, also contributed to the study, which was published in the journal Climate on Monday, January 13th. The researchers examined the relationship between summertime surface temperatures, which were derived from satellite imagery, and historical housing policies, specifically 'redlining,' in 108 cities in the United States. Neighborhoods with less green space and more concrete and pavement are hotter on average, creating 'heat islands.' In an earlier study of Portland, Oregon, Shandas and colleagues found that lower-income households and communities of color tend to live in heat islands. They found similar effects in other cities, and they wanted to know why. To explore this question, they looked at the relationship between 'redlining' and surface heat. Beginning in the 1930s, discriminatory housing policies categorized some neighborhoods--designated with red lines--as too hazardous for investment. Thus, residents in 'redlined' neighborhoods were denied home loans and insurance. These areas continue to be predominantly home to lower-income communities and communities of color. While the practice of redlining was banned in 1968, this study aimed to assess the legacy effects of such policies within the context of rising temperatures. The study found formerly redlined neighborhoods are hotter than all other neighborhoods in 94% of the 108 cities studied. In particular, the researchers found that redlined neighborhoods across the country are about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, on average, than non-redlined neighborhoods. However, in some cities the differences are much more stark. For example, the cities of Portland, OR, Denver, CO and Minneapolis, MN showed the largest heat differences between redlined and non-redlined areas--as much as 12.6 degrees Fahrenheit. "The patterns of the lowest temperatures in specific neighborhoods of a city do not occur because of circumstance or coincidence. They are a result of decades of intentional investment in parks, green spaces, trees, transportation and housing policies that provided 'cooling services,' which also coincide with being wealthier and whiter across the country," said Shandas. "We are now seeing how those policies are literally killing those most vulnerable to acute heat." "I think anyone living in these neighborhoods today will tell you that it's hot during a heat wave," said Hoffman. "But that's not really the point. They are not only experiencing hotter heat waves with their associated health risks but also potentially suffering from higher energy bills, limited access to green spaces that alleviate stress and limited economic mobility at the same time. Our study is just the first step in identifying a roadmap toward equitable climate resilience by addressing these systemic patterns in our cities." There are ways to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on potentially vulnerable populations through urban planning, and the researchers want this study to lead to changes in the way we design our cities and neighborhoods. "Having worked with dozens of cities to support the creation of heat mitigation plans, we want to recognize that all neighborhoods are not made equal," Shandas said. "Nevertheless, by recognizing and centering the historical blunders of the planning profession over the past century, such as the exclusionary housing policies of 'redlining,' we stand a better chance for reducing the public health and infrastructure impacts from a warming planet." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Tue, January 14 2020 The governments move to address the soaring price of domestic gas is what industry players have been waiting for, but this could be another false hope. A presidential regulation was issued four years ago to set a price cap of US$6 per million British thermal unit (mmbtu), but the gas is being sold at $8 to $9 per mmbtu. The high gas price has severely hurt industry, especially manufacturers of chemicals, food products, ceramics, steel, fertilizers and glass. Indonesia is one of the worlds largest gas producers, but ironically, its gas price is among the highest in Southeast Asia. The domestic price of gas ranges from $9 to $11 per mmbtu, far exceeding $6 to $8 per mmbtu in neighboring countries. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Democratic primary is finally winnowing: On Tuesday, a much more reasonably sized field of six candidates will take the stage at Drake University in Des Moines at 9 p.m., after the Democratic National Committee again increased the debates qualifying threshold. With their extended speaking time, the presidential hopefuls onstage Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer will aim to convince the Iowa crowd that theyre the candidate to caucus for on February 3, whether by building up their record or tearing down their opponents. Here are seven themes to watch for in the last debate before the primary kicks into high gear. The Sanders-Warren Showdown May Finally Happen The so-called nonaggression pact between the two progressive senators appears to be wearing thin. After Politico reported on Sunday that the Bernie Sanderss campaign issued volunteers a script claiming that Elizabeth Warren is bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party, CNN blew the quarrel open on Monday, reporting that Sanders told Warren in a private conversation in 2018 that he didnt think a female candidate could win the presidency at this time. Sanders blamed the detail on lying Warren staffers, but hours later she disputed Sanderss denial herself, claiming he said he disagreed with her belief that a woman could win in 2020. Though Warren stated that she has no interest in discussing this private meeting any further, the comment is expected to set the tone for the debate. Even if the alleged comment had not come to light, reports in recent days had already built up the tension between the senators, who could each benefit from a successful attack on the other. As the only progressive candidates remaining, they share an interest in picking up each others supporters if one of their campaigns begins to tumble: A Quinnipiac survey released on Monday shows that 52 percent of Sanderss supporters back Warren as a second choice, while Bernie is the second choice for 57 percent of Warren supporters. Joe Biden Could Also Be a Target Despite some polls showing Bernie Sanders out front in Iowa and New Hampshire, Biden has maintained his consistent lead at the national level; together with his long, conflicted record and his tendency to misspeak, this makes him a perennial bulls-eye for other debaters. Judging from the proposals released by other candidates this month, Sanders and Warren may be looking to jab at the former vice-president. Last week, Warren released a plan to reform bankruptcy law, suggesting she may go after Biden for his support of a bill passed in 2005 that made it more difficult for middle-class families to cancel debts after filing for bankruptcy which may have increased foreclosure rates following the financial crisis. Sanders, meanwhile, is expected to target Biden over his record on Social Security, as well as his early support of the Iraq War. This Will Be the Foreign-Policy Debate Through the previous six debates, Democrats have largely focused on domestic policy, charting a course between progressive and moderate ideas on health-care reform and college affordability, among other issues. But after the targeted killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, the candidates will surely weigh in on President Trumps spurious rationale for the strike and its resulting fallout. And though the U.S.-Iran conflict has thankfully de-escalated for the time being, the volleys between the countries will be enough to project debate attention beyond U.S. soil. Here, too, Sanders may go after Biden for his war record, as he reiterates his reputation as the fields proven antiwar candidate. Its Going to Be Iowa-Centric With the Iowa caucuses (and their resulting polling bump) less than three weeks away, the candidates in Des Moines will most likely stress topics that Hawkeye voters care about, including child care, impeachment, and electability. The Iowa myopia will be especially intense this cycle, considering the effective four-way tie among Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Joe Biden in the gold-standard Des Moines Register/CNN poll from last week. Fewer Candidates, More Time One of many frustrations in the early debates centered on mic time, as candidates who didnt have a shot looking at you, John Delaney ate up the speaking opportunities of those whose had a viable path to the nomination. Seven debates in, stringent debate qualifications and general campaign attrition have cut the number of candidates to half a dozen. With the extended minutes per candidate, expect more substantive policy explanations, less of Bidens abrupt stops, and longer back-and-forths as candidates confront each other. Klobuchars Last Stand Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar will most likely spend the bulk of her time trying to convince neighboring Iowans that her record winning in a blue-purple state reflects well on the national level. If Klobuchar cannot convert the debate opportunity and the remaining campaigning time in January into a strong showing at the caucuses, she will be essentially forced to drop out of the race. Unlike the billionaire candidates, she will not be able to buy herself into future debates, and a fifth ticket out of Iowa is all but unheard of, especially for a candidate who hasnt been able to break out of the single digits at early state or national levels. The Impeachment Wild Card Ah, yes, the historically important political background noise with the potential to transform both the primary and its schedule or not. As the crisis in Iran retreats from the front page, Trumps impeachment should reenter politics and the primary. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a Tuesday meeting with her caucus, which should yield new information on the timetable for the trial in the Senate. In addition to being a debate wild card, the amount of time and concern the candidates devote to the topic in Des Moines should reveal how much they intend to stress the matter on the stump. The last time this kind of market really existed was in 2002, Bloomberg cited Zurichs commercial insurance chief executive James Shea as saying in an interview. You are seeing not just improving terms and changing premiums, you are also seeing reductions in capacity available in the market. For instance, according to Shea, their January renewals are up by as much as 40% for some accounts. The commercial insurance CEO, however, concedes that well have to wait for years before prices return to more favorable levels. In late 2019 Zurich revealed new targets to increase operating profit and earnings per share in the coming three years, and rate hikes are set to contribute. Lubec has become the focal point of two opposing campaign advertisements hoping to sway voters considering U.S. Senator Susan Collins' reelection bid. One has aired, and the filming has been completed for the other. Both events put on camera community members who were brought to the separate events by invitation. Senator Collins visited the town on Friday, January 3, in what was billed as a "meet and greet," primarily attended by about 30 members of the local fishing community who gathered to thank her for her work to secure $19.6 million in federal funding for the Safe Harbor project. Her entourage included a five-person film crew that recorded activities inside the town office and also conducted oncamera interviews near the waterfront. Most participants were Lubec residents, and three members of the town's select board attended, although at different times. Collins' Lubec meeting followed a visit to Eastport. On December 12, Maine Momentum and The 16 Counties Coalition filmed a commercial inside a local business establishment; the ad questioned Collins' support for small businesses. Maine Momentum Executive Director Willy Ritch directed the session, which included scripted oncamera comments by business owners Gale White and McGinley Jones. The 30second ad decried the senator's vote to reduce federal taxes on large corporations. The ad angered some Lubec residents by its use of drone footage spotlighting the town name emblazoned on the water storage tank, which they claimed implies that the town supports the ad's message. That ad did not promote any electoral opponent but held that the shift in taxes is intended to benefit large corporations and political donors. The December event attracted about 20 Lubec residents, including one member of the select board. During her January visit to the town office, after an enthusiastic welcome Collins spoke on several topics. The new China trade agreement, she said, will benefit fishermen as it specifically requires the Chinese to "buy more lobster," pointing out that the recent tariff war had reduced such exports. She compared the local fishing community to the logging industry, which she said is often passed down "generation after generation after generation." Regarding the Safe Harbor project, she said, "I hope we never have to enter another name on the memorial." She also spoke of her initiative to address prescription drug prices, particularly insulin. Collins described how, as she was being driven to a recent meeting, she received a telephone call from Vice President Mike Pence. When she told the group, "He told me that it was important that we describe the killing of [Iranian MajorGeneral Qassim] Suleimani as a major victory, that he was plotting to kill even more Americans," the crowd erupted in applause. Following the senator's comments in the town office, she moved down to the Lost Fishermen's Memorial, where Safe Harbor Committee Chair Julie Keene pointed out names that she knew, with the film crew recording the conversation. Also present in that discussion were Lubec Select Board Chair Carol Dennison -- a member of the Safe Harbor Committee -- and Eastport resident Robert Peacock. The film crew also conducted interviews with Maine Marine Patrol Sergeant Russell Wright and separately Keene. Wright was asked to describe the expected benefit from the construction of the Safe Harbor breakwater; he spoke of the sheltered space allowing safer operations and also reduced response time when an accident occurs, as the rescue boat will be docked within the breakwater. "A few minutes' difference can mean a life," he said. A tearful Keene spoke of lives lost and future lives saved, proclaiming Collins "our savior" and describing the acceptance of the project "a miracle." At the conclusion of the Keene interview the film crew director said, "We have enough." In a conversation prior to the two interviews, he observed, "It's tough to boil it down to 30 seconds, but we'll get it there." Frenchman detained after lighting cigarette mid-flight to Phuket PHUKET: A 36-year-old Frenchman was taken into custody on landing in Phuket early this morning after he lit a cigarette in the aircraft toilet during his flight from Doha. tourismtransportSafetyhealthcrimepolice By The Phuket News Tuesday 14 January 2020, 06:37PM A Qatar Airways plane sits on the tarmac at Phuket International Airport. Photo: The Phuket News / file Maj Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police told The Phuket News that the Frenchman, Sadik Radoine, was on Qatar Airways Flight QR842, direct from Doha to Phuket. The plane landed at 6:49am. Security at Phuket International Airport boarded the plane to take Radoine into custody before allowing the other passengers to disembark, Maj Ekkachai said. We were told that Radoine lit a cigarette in the toilet during the flight. He was taken to a secure area and fined, and was spoken to by the airplane captain, then allowed to leave the airport, Maj Ekkachai said. Maj Ekkachai said that he was not informed how much Radoine was fined before being allowed to continue on his holiday. Staff at the Qatar Airways office at Phuket airport declined to comment on the incident. Palmdale Physician Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Medicare and Illegally Prescribing Opioid Drugs Los Angeles, California - A former doctor was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for engaging in a multi-faceted Medicare fraud scheme, and also for illegal prescribing thousands of opioid painkillers and muscle relaxants. Kain Kumar, 56, of Encino, was sentenced by United States District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez. Kumar was also ordered to pay financial penalties totaling more than $1 million, consisting of $509,365 in restitution, $494,900 in asset forfeiture, and a $72,000 fine. Kumar pleaded guilty in April 2019 to one count of health care fraud and one count of distribution of hydrocodone. He practiced internal medicine, maintained medical offices in Palmdale, Rosamond, and Ridgecrest and surrendered his medical license last year. From February 2011 until May 2016, Kumar defrauded the Medicare health care benefit program by prescribing unnecessary home health services in exchange for the payment of illegal kickbacks to him from a La Verne-based home health agency called Star Home Health Resources, Inc. According to the indictment in this case, Medicare paid $4,398,599 to Star based on the illegal kickback-tainted referrals from Kumar. In furtherance of this scheme, Kumar caused false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to be submitted to Medicare for Medicare beneficiaries that he did not personally examine or for patients he only briefly examined. Kumar also prescribed drugs that were not medically necessary and which were paid for by the Medicare Part D program. Additionally, Kumar admitted in his plea agreement that between February 2013 and January 2016, Kumar without a legitimate medical purpose prescribed 23,826 pills of the opioid drug hydrocodone (commonly sold under the brand name Vicodin or Norco) and 38,459 pills of the muscle-relaxer carisoprodol (sold under the brand name Soma). Kumar directed his office staff who were not medical professionals to issue prescriptions for these drugs to patients even though Kumar had not examined the patients. Kumar directed his office staff to sign his name on prescriptions for opioid drugs and also provided his staff with pre-signed prescriptions. In one instance, although Kumar examined a patient only once on the patients very first visit, and thereafter he caused prescriptions to be issued to the patient for hydrocodone and carisoprodol on a monthly basis for approximately a year and a half even though Kumar did not actually see the patient for any subsequent physician examination. Kumar is the fifth and final defendant sentenced in this case. Elaine C. Lat, 50, of Fontana, was Stars chief operating officer and the cases lead defendant. She is serving a 30-month prison sentence in this matter after pleading guilty in May 2017 to one count of conspiracy and four counts of paying illegal kickbacks. Three other defendants, including Lats parents, each pleaded guilty to criminal charges and were sentenced in this matter. This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander F. Porter of the Major Frauds Section, Jonathan S. Galatzan of the Asset Forfeiture Section, and Trial Attorney Claire Yan of the Fraud Section in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. IDFPR has issued a warning to dispensaries that they must immediately come into compliance with law; any corrective action taken by dispensaries may be considered a mitigating factor in the Departments assessment of disciplinary action, she said. Understanding growing pains will be a part of any new industry, the administration expects dispensaries to follow the law in order to prioritize patients. P olice have launched an investigation after human body parts were found in a bag outside homes in north Dublin. Ireland's Gardai rushed to the scene in Coolock after the alarm was raised shortly before 10pm on Monday. There they found a bag containing human limbs. Local reports say two arms and a leg were found but the torso is yet to be located. Dublin City Coroner has been notified and the State pathologist is expected to visit the scene later on Tuesday. Crime officers are currently examining the scene, which has been sealed off. United Airlines also doesn't expect the Max to return until early June a sign carriers, which have already lost more than $1 billion in revenue from the grounding, are expecting the problem to extend to the peak second- and third-quarter travel seasons. American has taken the 737 Max off its schedules through June 3, more than a full year later than it expected. The planes have been grounded since mid-March after two fatal crashes over five months killed 346 people and sent Boeing into the biggest crisis in its more than 100-year history. American Airlines on Tuesday said it is pulling the Boeing 737 Max from its schedules until early June as the date of the troubled plane's return to service becomes more uncertain and the manufacturer calls for time-consuming simulator training for pilots before they can fly the plane again. It has becoming increasingly less clear when the planes will be able to fly again. Boeing is planning to temporarily shut down production of the planes this month as it works to win over regulators on fixes prompted by the two crashes. Last week, Boeing about-faced on simulator training, saying pilots should undergo that time-consuming preparation before the planes return to commercial service. A lack of simulator training was a key selling point to airlines and shocking emails recently revealed Boeing employees boasted about bullying regulators and airlines into accepting the jets without requiring pilots to undergo the additional training. That change promises to add to Boeing's costs and possible revenue losses for airlines. American estimates the grounding cost it $540 million in pretax income last year. Last week, the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline said it reached an initial compensation agreement with Boeing. It didn't disclose the terms but said it would share $30 million with its employees. Pilots said they would seek additional compensation for lost income after the carrier had to slash its growth plans for the year. American had 24 of the planes in its fleet at the time of the grounding and expected to have 40 more by the end of 2019, and 10 additional in 2020. The airline said that it will operate flights for American Airlines employees and "invited guests" before the planes return to commercial service. American reports earnings later this month. Boeing took a $4.9 billion charge last July to compensate its 737 Max customers. As the grounding drags on, that amount may rise and the company is set to update investors on that cost later this month. BOSTON - A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents have successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the centre of the scandal that led to President Donald Trump's impeachment. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. President Donald Trump walks along the colonnade of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the scandal that led to President Donald Trump's impeachment. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) BOSTON - A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents have successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the centre of the scandal that led to President Donald Trump's impeachment. Russian agents launched a phishing campaign in early November to steal the login credentials of employees of Burisma Holdings, the gas company, according to Area 1 Security, a Silicon Valley company that specializes in email security. Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. vice-president and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, previously served on Burisma's board. It was not clear what the hackers were looking for or may have obtained, said Area 1's CEO, Oren Falkowitz, who called the findings incontrovertible and posted an eight-page report. The timing of the operation raises the possibility that Russian agents could be searching for material damaging to the Bidens or scheming to plant forged data and sow misinformation online. The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December for abusing the power of his office by enlisting the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden, a political rival, ahead of the 2020 election. A second charge accused Trump of obstructing a congressional investigation into the matter. Our report doesn't make any claims as to what the intent of the hackers were, what they might have been looking for, what they are going to do with their success. We just point out that this is a campaign that's going on, said Falkowitz, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker whose company's clients include candidates for U.S. federal elected offices. In an earlier interview, he told The Associated Press that the campaigns of top candidates for the U.S. presidency and House and Senate races in 2020 have in the past few months each been targeted by about a thousand phishing emails. Falkowitz did not name the candidates. Nor would he name any of his company's clients. Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Biden said in a statement that the incident shows that not just Trump but also Russian President Vladimir Putin "sees Joe Biden as a threat. Some cybersecurity experts cautioned against blaming Russian military agents without more evidence, however, saying the report indicates Area 1 investigators didn't have access to Burisma's internal logs and compromised email accounts in making the determination. That's problematic, tweeted Thomas Rid of Johns Hopkins. Caution advised based on what we currently know. And while many experts said it's a good bet the phishing amounts to a Kremlin attempt to smear the Bidens, there are other possibilities. Michael Connell, a former Army intelligence officer and researcher at the government-funded Center for Naval Analyses, notes that Russian agents have previously attacked energy-related computer systems in other countries, most notably Germany. The goal of the hackers was probably information gathering, but it also likely included creating backdoors to allow future access (for intel or destructive cyberattacks), he wrote in an email. Russian hackers from the GRU, the same military intelligence unit that Area 1 said was behind the operation targeting Burisma, have been indicted for hacking emails from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of Hillary Clinton's campaign during the 2016 presidential race. Stolen emails were released online at the time by Russian agents and WikiLeaks in an effort to favour Trump, special counsel Robert Mueller determined in his investigation. Area 1 discovered the phishing campaign by the Russian military intelligence unit on New Year's Eve, said Falkowitz, who would not discuss whom he notified prior to going public or whether Burisma shared information with his company. He said he followed the industry standard process of responsible disclosure, which would include notifying Burisma. Joan Donovan, a Harvard University disinformation expert, said one of the most dangerous possibilities would be data theft spiced with forgeries and subsequently leaked. That reportedly happened in 2017 when emails related to the campaign of President Emanuel Macron of France were stolen and published online with some fakes included just ahead of his election. She called the Burisma incident testament to the fact that we have not paid enough attention to email security when the consequences of a leak are so high for businesses, politicians and journalists in particular. Email is unfortunately the way that we've come to do business but email has become a serious, serious vulnerability, she said. In phishing, an attacker uses a targeted email to lure a target to a fake site that resembles a familiar one. There, unwitting victims enter their usernames and passwords, which the hackers then harvest. Phished credentials allow attackers both to rifle through a victim's stored email and masquerade as that person. In the report, Falkowitz said the GRU agents used fake, lookalike domains that were designed to mimic the sites of real Burisma subsidiaries. Falkowitz said the operation targeting Burisma involved tactics, techniques and procedures that GRU agents had used repeatedly in other phishing operations, matching several patterns that lots of independent researchers agree mimic this particular Russian actor. Area 1 says it has been tracking the Russian agents for several years. The discovery's timing just weeks before presidential primaries begin in the United States highlights the need to protect political campaigns from targeted phishing attacks, which are behind 95% of all information breaches, said Falkowitz. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Area 1 said its researchers connected the phishing campaign targeting Burisma to an effort earlier last year that targeted Kvartal 95, a media organization founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In this case, the Russian military agents, from a group security researchers call "Fancy Bear," peppered Burisma employees with emails designed to look like internal messages, the company said. In order to detect phishing attacks, Area 1 maintains a global network of sensors designed to sniff out and block them before they reach their targets. In July, the U.S. Federal Elections Commission gave Area 1 permission to offer its services to candidates for federal elected office and political committees at the same low rates it charges non-profits. ___ AP writer Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story. Ukraine is set to deploy 20 troops to support the NATO mission in Iraq after the Alliance resumes its work there. Ukraine will support NATO's efforts to strengthen security in Iraq and announced its readiness to become its operational partner there. This was discussed by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations John Manza at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, according to the government press service. "I informed the Assistant Secretary General that there is a plan in Ukraine to send 20 troops in support of the NATO Mission in Iraq after the Alliance resumes its work. The invitation to become an operational partner of the Alliance's Mission in Iraq testifies to recognition of value of Ukrainian military experience and professionalism," Kuleba said. Read alsoNATO, Ukraine in 2020 to conduct large-scale joint exercises in response to Russia's actions in Black Sea region Responding to a statement by the Ukrainian side, the NATO Assistant Secretary General noted that Ukraine's participation in the Mission in Iraq is very important for the Alliance. The parties agreed on the next common steps to be taken to implement NATO's new "One Partner - One Program" approach, discussed the prospects for adopting a national security strategy in Ukraine, and further developing strategic documents toward its implementation. Kuleba also briefed his counterpart on the efforts made to pass the required laws on security and defense, in particular, on the SBU security service reform. [January 13, 2020] ACM SIGGRAPH Announces 2022 Conference Leadership, Returns to Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH has selected Munkhtsetseg "Muunuu" Nandigjav, of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), as chair of its 49th conference. Nandigjav, a native of Mongolia, is the associate chair of the digital communications department and oversees its day-to-day operations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005953/en/ Photo of Munkhtsetseg Nandigjav by Bryan Clendenen "Since joining my team as Student Volunteer Team Leader in 2012, Muunuu has showed strength and prowess as a leader and creative thinker. She is more than suited for this role and I cannot wait to see where she takes the conference in 2022 a decade after we first started working together," shared SIGGRAPH Conference Advisory Group Chair Mikki Rose. With much of her time at SCAD dedicated to preparing future creative professionals, Nandigjav emphasizes teaching diverse methods and digital tools, and empowers students to communicate their stories professionally in a digital world. She also develops and oversees curriculum design and instructional effectiveness, among other responsibilities. Nandigjav has a background in designing experiences through interactive and digital media, and will be the SIGGRAPH conference's first-ever chair from Mongolia. Beginning her time with ACM SIGGRAPH as a student volunteer for the SIGGRAPH 2008 cnference, Nandigjav has since held multiple roles on conference committees, including Student Volunteer Chair, Computer Animation Festival Electronic Theater Director and two years as Creative Development Director. She holds a B.S. in computer graphics technology from Purdue University (News - Alert) and an M.F.A. in animation from SCAD. "The conference has been fueling my creative energy and passion for years, allowing me to meet and collaborate with creative professionals from the computer graphics community around the world," noted Nandigjav. "During my time volunteering, I have found a community to which I belong, and I'm humbled and excited to serve as leader of SIGGRAPH's 49th conference. The SIGGRAPH community has grown to be a lot like a family over the years." SIGGRAPH 2022 will return to the Vancouver Convention Centre, 7-11 August 2022. Munkhtsetseg Nandigjav follows SIGGRAPH 2021 Conference Chair Pol Jeremias-Vila, lead graphics engineer at Pixar Animation Studios, who will host the conference in Los Angeles next year. For more information on ACM SIGGRAPH visit SIGGRAPH.org. About ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Conferences ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. ACM SIGGRAPH is a special interest group within ACM that serves as an interdisciplinary community for members in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH conferences, held in North America and Asia, are the world's leading annual interdisciplinary educational experiences showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005953/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] WASHINGTON President Trumps embrace of anti-government protesters in Iran is another departure from his predecessors, who feared such overt support could backfire and inadvertently help hard-liners in the Islamic Republic. Trump has tweeted repeatedly in recent days in support of protesters who surged into the streets in anger over the apparently accidental downing of a Ukrainian jetliner and their governments initial attempt to conceal its role in the disaster. But his encouragement carries a risk by seeming to confirm the claims of Iranian hard-liners who accuse the U.S. of fomenting the unrest. When the Iranian people are upset with their government for blatantly lying about shooting down a plane, he should have taken the high road and send his condolences to the families, said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at Center for Strategic and International Studies. By seeming to make it about him, he delegitimizes the protesters and allows the government to portray the protests as a U.S. plot. Previous administrations have sought to keep some distance between Washington and demonstrators opposed to Irans Islamic leadership. That was why the Obama administration offered only muted expressions of support during the major political unrest in Iran in 2009. Trump and his team have no such qualms. They see their pro-demonstrator comments even the presidents tweets in Farsi on Sunday as a way to further pressure Tehran. Popular anger swelled Monday in Iran over the downing of the Ukrainian jet, which was apparently knocked out of the sky by an Iranian missile hours after the Islamic Republic fired a barrage of missiles at Iraqi bases housing American soldiers. Irans action was in response to the U.S. killing of its top military leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a drone strike. Ebrahim Raisi, the head of Irans judiciary, issued a warning to protesters, saying the agents of America and agents of foreign countries want to use anger over Flight 752 to compromise Irans security. Iran often blames anti-government protests on foreign conspiracies. In a series of tweets sent since late last week as protests against Irans shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger jet intensified, Trump has personally exhorted the Iranian people to rise up and be heard. Matthew Lee and Deb Riechmann are Associated Press writers. Tan France is much more than just the Queer Eye fashion expert with the salt and pepper hair. This celebrity will host another series on Netflix, entitled Next in Fashion, along with style icon Alexa Chung. When does this reality show premiere? Heres what we know about the upcoming television show, Next in Fashion. Tan France attends Netflixs Queer Eye and GLSEN Event | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix Netflix will premiere the original series, Next in Fashion Miranda Priestly would be impressed. A new reality series is coming to Netflix, and were not talking about the next season of Queer Eye. Next in Fashion is a 10-part television series. During this show, contestants will compete in design challenges centered on styles that have influenced people around the world, according to Variety. For the first season, eighteen contestants will compete in design challenges for a cash prize of $250,000 and the chance to work with luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter. The cherry on top is of the Fab Five members from Netflixs Emmy-award winning series, Queer Eye, Tan France, will be a regular host. Tan France attends the 71st Emmy Awards | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Who will be featured on this Netflix original series? As Queer Eyes resident fashion expert and French Tuck enthusiast, Tan France is one of the hosts of this Netflix original series. The other host, Alexa Chung, formerly of Its On with Alexa Chung, is known for her unique style and love of fashion. However, there will be other guest judges throughout the series, to ask as experts on all things trendy and fashionable. According to Refinery 29, Elizabeth Stewart, stylist and fashion editor, and Eva Chen, Instagrams director of fashion partnerships, have been confirmed as recurring guest judges. And the first round of contestants are actually vets; the show features people who have been in the industry for a while, either working for major brands or dressing celebrities. When does Next in Fashion premiere on Netflix? Netflix has not yet announced the premiere date for this reality series. However, some fans are already looking forward to this upcoming show, which is expected to drop on the streaming platform sometime during January 2020. During one interview, Tan France shared his excitement working with Alexa Chung for Next in Fashion. All I can say is it comes out early next year, and in my opinion, its one of the best competition shows you will see it is incredible, Tan France said during an interview with Elle. It is so much better than you would ever expect. The contestants are formidable and Alexa and I we are dynamite together. We didnt know each other before but we get on like a house on fire and thats what makes it a really fun show. I only met her once at a party earlier on in the year and I was a huge fan and really nervous, and apparently she was a fan and she fangirled. Then I was cast in the show and they were looking for a co-host and decided on Alexa, I was over the moon, he continued. Next in Fashion premieres on Netflix during January 2020. Until then, fans can binge-watch episodes of Queer Eye on this streaming platform. That includes the special-season, Queer Eye: Were in Japan, which is exclusive to Netflix. A Vietnamese community leader killed last week in a clash with police over a land dispute in Hanois Dong Tam commune had received support from foreign sources, a senior public security official said on Tuesday. Le Dinh Kinh, 84, was killed on Jan. 9 as farmers at Dong Tam threw grenades and petrol bombs at police in the latest flare-up of the long-running dispute over a military airport construction site near the capital. Three police officers were also killed during the clash, and another person was injured, state media said last week. Speaking to reporters on Jan. 14, Deputy Minister for Public Security Luong Tam Quang said that police had been sent to Dong Tam on Jan. 9 because construction of an airport wall was expected to reach the Dong Senh area of the commune that day. Security at Dong Tam had meanwhile become complicated following the establishment last year by Le Dinh Kinh and other residents of a consensus group of villagers who were opposed to the airports construction and had vowed to sacrifice themselves to block the work, he said. Farmers in Dong Tam say the government is seizing 47 hectares (116 acres) of their farmland for the military-run Viettel Groupthe countrys largest mobile phone operatorwithout adequately compensating them. The farmers say their families had tilled the land for generations and paid taxes and fees to the government. When police approached the Hoanh village gate at Dong Tam, villagers threw petrol bombs, grenades, and knives at them, Luong said, adding that when Le Dinh Kinh was killed, he had already thrown one grenade which had failed to explode, and was holding another in his hand. 'Opposition elements' Dong Tam residents resisting construction had meanwhile received funds and encouragement from opposition elements, Luong said. Mr. Kinh and his sons and brothers had received money from opposition elements, and police seized many papers, including documents from foreign sources, at his house detailing the collecting and disbursement of money, he said. Luong did not say who the foreign or opposition supporters were or offer evidence to back the assertions. Speaking on Jan. 14 to RFAs Vietnamese Service, Dang Dinh Manha lawyer based in Vietnams Ho Chi Minh Citysaid that by controlling all sources of news about last weeks attack, the Ministry of Public Security is trying to conceal information about Dong Tam from the public. When state governments hide the news, people will be suspicious of the sources of information posted by the government, he said. The government should allow press organizations to come in and cover these events normally, he said. If they dont, people will never know the truth about the Dong Tam tragedy. While authorities have accused villagers of violence, rights groups and activists have criticized heavy-handed action by police at Dong Tam and called for an independent investigation into whether officers used excessive force. Security forces have now surrounded Dong Tam commune, controlling access and cutting off internet service to the area, social media sources said this week. Trial postponed Tensions over the Mieu Mon military airport in Dong Tam, 25 miles south of Hanoi, had simmered for nearly three years. In April 2017, police arrested several farmers for allegedly causing social unrest during a clash between authorities and Dong Tam residents over the 47 hectares of commune land taken by the government for military use. Other farmers responded to the arrests by detaining 38 police officers and local officials, threatening to kill them if police moved against them, While all land in Vietnam is ultimately held by the state, land confiscations have become a flashpoint as residents accuse the government of pushing small landholders aside in favor of lucrative real estate projects, and of paying too little in compensation to those whose land is taken. Separately, the trial scheduled for Jan. 14 of eight members of the Hien Phap Groupa network of activists calling for rights to freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed by Vietnams constitutionhas been postponed at the request of a defendant to allow a new witness to be called, sources said. Speaking to RFA on Tuesday, attorney Nguyen Kha Thanh confirmed the postponement, adding, I dont know when the new trial will take place. The verdicts may be harsh, he said. Two of the ladies, Hanh and Vang, are expected to receive sentences of from five to 15 years in accordance with Vietnamese law, while the others may receive shorter sentences. Hien Phap played a major role in calling for widespread protests that rocked Vietnamese cities in 2018 in opposition to a proposed cybersecurity law and a law granting concessions of land to Chinese businesses. The eight members of the group awaiting trialNguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, Hoang Thi Thu Vang, Doan Thi Hong, Do The Hoa, Ho Dinh Cuong, Tran Thanh Phuong, Ngo Van Dung, and Le Quy Locwere arrested in early September 2018 after taking part in a Sept. 4 protest. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Huynh Le. Written in English by Richard Finney. Chandigarh, Jan 14 : An army deserter who is accused of stealing rifles and ammunition from an army institute in Madhya Pradesh, managed to escape from Punjab Police custody on early Tuesday, officials said. Harpreet Singh (25) was undergoing treatment for injuries at the civil hospital in Hoshiarpur. "He managed to flee from the hospital toilet," Hoshiarpur SSP Guarav Garg told the media. His handcuffs were removed as he asked to use toilet. The police in the entire region are on alert. Four police personnel were suspended for negligence. Harpreet was arrested from Tanda town on December 9 along with Jagtar Singh, the son of Khalistan Zindabad Force militant Harbhajan Singh. He was admitted to the civil hospital on December 31 with a fractured arm. Harpreet and Jagga had allegedly stolen two INSAS assault rifles, three magazines and 20 cartridges from the training centre. Jagga is lodged in the central jail in Hoshiarpur. Elizabeth Warren said on Tuesday morning, local time, that a few weeks before the 2020 US presidential campaign started, Bernie Sanders told her that he did not believe a woman could win the US presidency. Warrens politically charged comment came hours after Sanders adamantly denied an anonymously sourced CNN report that hed made the remark during a December 2018 conversation between the two senators and Democratic presidential candidates at Warrens Washington apartment. The clash between the two leading left-wing candidates in the Democratic presidential race marks a definitive end to their longstanding agreement not to attack one another. Credit:AP It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldnt win, the Vermont senator said in a statement released by his campaign. Its sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who werent in the room are lying about what happened. He added, Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016. This article by Jeff Schogol originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues. A Navy SEAL accused of strangling Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges, a Navy official confirmed. Chief Special Warfare Operator Tony E. DeDolph also requested a trial by a military jury when he was arraigned on Jan. 10, the official said. DeDolph faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted of murder. His general court-martial is slated to take place between March 23 and April 3. Melgar died on June 4, 2017 in Bamako, Mali, after he was allegedly attacked by four U.S. special operators, a British service member, and a Malian security guard, who are accused of breaking into his quarters to make video of Melgar being restrained and sexually assaulted. DeDolph, who is one of two SEALs charged with Melgar's death, is accused of putting the Green Beret into a chokehold until he stopped breathing and then trying to cover up what happened by falsely claiming that he and Melgar were wrestling at the time. Of the three other service members charged with Melgar's death, a Marine Raider also faces a court-martial while a SEAL and Raider have both pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison. Gunnery Sgt. Mario Madero-Rodriguez has also been charged with murder and related offenses. His trial is expected to take place between April 20 and May 1. Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Adam Matthews, who is also accused of trying to deceive Melgar's widow by flirting with her while using a fake name, was sentenced to one year in prison. Marine Pvt. Kevin Maxwell Jr. was sentenced to a four-year prison term. More articles from Task & Purpose: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), through the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), has invited applications in a prescribed format from qualified and experienced Indian officers for filling 10 vacancies to the post of Senior Intelligence Officers (02) and Intelligence Officers (08) on deputation to be posted in the Directorate General of Goods and Service Tax Intelligence, Zonal Unit at Chennai. The offline application process towards the same started on January 10, 2020 and closes on February 15, 2020. CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Senior Intelligence Officers and Intelligence Officers Organisation Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) CBIC Educational Qualification Refer to the advertisement Experience As detailed in the notification Job Location Chennai Salary Scale Level 7 to Level 9 Industry Govt. of India Application Start Date January 10, 2020 Application End Date February 15, 2020 Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for IO posts under CBIC must meet the age criteria as per the CBIC norms, with relaxation (upper age limit) to reserved categories as per the Govt. of India guidelines. For details regarding fee towards application processing, refer to the official notification given at the end of the article. IOCL Recruitment 2020: Apply Online For 248 Trade Apprentices Post Before January 27 Eligibility Criteria And Experience Candidates applying for IO posts under CBIC must be Officers from the Central/State Government or public Sector Undertakings or Autonomous Government Institutions holding analogous posts on regular basis in the parent cadre or department as detailed in the notification. Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates as IOs under CBIC will be done through Shortlisting, Deputation and Document Verification. Candidates selected as IOs under CBIC will be paid emolument under Level 7 to Level 9. Indian Army Recruitment 2020: Apply Online For 55 SSC Officers Post, Earn Up To Rs. 56,100 How To Apply Candidates applying for IO posts under CBIC must send their Bio-Data-cum-Application along with copies of relevant supporting documents/testimonials specified in the advertisement to the,"Principal Additional Director General, Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Chennai Zonal Unit, No.16, Greams Road, BSNL Building, Tower - 2, 5th & 8th floors, Chennai - 600006," on or before February 15, 2020 through a proper channel. Read the detailed notification about CBIC notification for Intelligence Officers post here TOKYO and LONDON, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sosei Group Corporation ("the Company") (TSE: 4565) announces that significant scientific progress at its spin-off companies Orexia Limited ("Orexia") and Inexia Limited ("Inexia") has triggered the next tranche of funding from venture capital firm Medicxi under its 40 million commitment. Sosei Heptares and Medicxi, which specializes in financing asset-centric companies, created Orexia and Inexia in 2019 to develop novel therapies based on positive modulators of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) Orexin OX1 and OX2 for neurological diseases, including narcolepsy. Mario Alberto Accardi Ph.D., CEO of Orexia and Inexia, commented: "We have assembled a unique orexin modulator drug discovery and design engine at Orexia and Inexia, based around Sosei Heptares' SBDD and GPCR technology. Our stable orexin receptor (StaR) in an agonist conformation is allowing us to gain detailed structural insights and employ unprecedented drug discovery approaches, enabling the creation of highly selective and potent molecules with potential for oral and intranasal delivery. This significant and exciting progress has triggered the investment of further committed funds from Medicxi that will be deployed to rapidly advance these highly promising molecules towards the clinic." Dr. Malcolm Weir, Executive Vice President, Research & Early Development at Sosei Heptares, added: "We are very pleased with the progress being made in the orexin agonist program in collaboration with Orexia and Inexia and with support and funding from Medicxi. The fact that the program is already generating interesting new molecules, with a range of pharmacological profiles suitable for different neurological indications and methods of delivery, augurs well for the future success of both Orexia and Inexia." About Orexia and Inexia Orexia and Inexia are focused on developing Orexin OX1 and OX2 positive modulators and products derived therefrom, including dual OX1/OX2 agonists, targeting neurological diseases including narcolepsy. Orexia will focus on the development of oral therapies, while Inexia will focus on the development of candidates for intranasal delivery using the Optinose Exhalation Delivery System. The orexin system is a key regulator of behavioural arousal, wakefulness and sleep. The loss of the orexin neurons causes narcolepsy and has been linked to multiple neurological conditions. Despite orexin neurodegeneration, orexin receptors on target cells remain intact and functional, providing an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Orexia and Inexia were created in 2019 through a structured financing agreement between Sosei Heptares and Medicxi, which has committed up to 40 million to invest in both companies. Both companies gain exclusive access to relevant intellectual property, know-how and development capabilities from Sosei Heptares, including access to the StaR platform and associated SBDD expertise. Sosei Heptares retains an equity holding in both companies and will receive R&D payments as well as further payments on the achievement of pre-defined development milestones. For more information on Orexia and Inexia, please visit www.orexiatherapeutics.com and www.inexiatherapeutics.com. About Sosei Heptares We are an international biopharmaceutical group focused on the discovery and early development of new medicines originating from our proprietary GPCR-targeted StaR technology and structure-based drug design platform capabilities. We are advancing a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, immuno-oncology, gastroenterology, inflammation and other rare/specialty indications. We have established partnerships with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, including Allergan, AstraZeneca, Daiichi-Sankyo, Genentech (Roche), Novartis, Pfizer and Takeda; and with innovative biotechnology companies, including Kymab, MorphoSys and PeptiDream. Sosei Heptares is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with R&D facilities in Cambridge, UK. "Sosei Heptares" is the corporate brand of Sosei Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565). Sosei, Heptares, the logo and StaR are Trade Marks of Sosei Group companies. For more information, please visit https://www.soseiheptares.com/ LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | Twitter: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporation's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Enquiries: Sosei Heptares Shinichiro Nishishita VP Investor Relations +81 (0)3-5210-3399 [email protected] Candelle Chong VP Corporate Strategy and Communications +44 (0)1223-949-392 [email protected] Citigate Dewe Rogerson Yas Fukuda Japanese Media +81 (0)3 4360 9241 [email protected] Mark Swallow, David Dible International Media +44 (0)20 7638 9571 [email protected] SOURCE Sosei Heptares Related Links https://www.soseiheptares.com/ Traders body on Tuesday said it will urge Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for an investigation into alleged avoidance of and income tax liability by both and " and have caused huge and income tax revenue loss to the government and will soon meet the finance minister and urged her to institute a investigation into avoidance of and income tax liability on both and Flipkart," said in a statement. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) also said the visit of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, on Wednesday to India will be greeted with strong protest from traders across country. Fair trade regulator CCI has ordered a probe against and Amazon for alleged malpractices, including deep discounting and tie-ups with preferred sellers. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that with this order, both these firms cannot avoid investigations. Climate change poses "a major security challenge for Australia" that experts warn has the potential to rapidly stretch the capability of the military, as demonstrated by the current bushfire emergency. Michael Thomas, a retired army major, said "rising emissions will result in a more unstable and insecure world that will have far-reaching human, national and international security consequences", in an article published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on Tuesday. No longer over the horizon: climate change is already creating challenges for Australia's military, including the current bushfire season. Credit:ADF/AP "The bushfire crisis thats unfolding across Australia provides some insight into what that dystopian world will look like," he said. Major Thomas, who published a 2017 book on the security risks of climate change, said the fires that caused at least 27 deaths and burnt millions of hectares revealed the limits of Australia's forces to cope with traditional threats abroad and concurrent new ones at home. What Iran's latest nuclear deal announcement really means originally appeared on abcnews.go.com One day after Iran's government announced the country will no longer abide by any of the operational restraints on its nuclear program under the nuclear deal, President Donald Trump issued a new all-caps warning to Tehran. "IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!" the president tweeted on Monday. Iran has just issued a New Warning. Rouhani says that they will Enrich Uranium to any amount we want if there is no new Nuclear Deal. Be careful with the threats, Iran. They can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 3, 2019 It's a red line he has issued before, at times scolding Iran for recent steps to violate the nuclear deal from which he withdrew the U.S. and even warning Iran its moves could "come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before." The nuclear showdown threatens to exacerbate sky-high tensions between the U.S. and Iran just days after Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force and perhaps the second most powerful official in Iran's government. Iran's leaders have vowed to exact "vengeance," while Trump has promised to fire back and sent thousands of more troops to the region. MORE: Iran announces most provocative step yet since US withdrawal from nuclear deal: injecting uranium gas into centrifuges In a statement released on Sunday, Iran announced it would no longer limit the number of centrifuges it has in production, calling it the "last key item of its operational limitations in the JCPOA," or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal is formally known. After withdrawing the U.S. in May 2018, Trump reimposed crippling U.S. sanctions, fully enforcing them in April 2019 with an end to any oil sanctions waivers. Story continues PHOTO: This is a satellite image of the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran, dated Jan. 7, 2013. (DigitalGlobe via Getty Images, FILE) Sunday's announcement does not mean Iran is withdrawing from the deal, to which China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany also remain parties. Iran said it will continue to participate in the deal's periodic meetings and allow for international inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit its nuclear sites. Iran had already breached other restrictions under the deal -- and while Iran hasn't specified what nuclear activities will now come next -- some analysts worried the move means the death knell for the deal and any restraints on Iran's nuclear program. MORE: Trump warns cultural sites could be targeted if Iran retaliates for Soleimani strike In July, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced the country had broken the cap on how much enriched uranium it can stockpile -- the first of several steps that violate the agreement, but that Iran says are reversible should the U.S. again lift sanctions that it agreed to lift under the JCPOA or European countries find a way around them. "If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from the JCPOA interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its JCPOA obligations," according to the government's statement on Sunday. PHOTO: Iranians set U.S. and Israeli flags on fire during a funeral procession organised to mourn the slain military commander Qasem Soleimani, Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others in the capital Tehran on Jan. 6, 2020. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images) European powers have struggled to provide Iran the economic benefit it was supposed to get under the deal, with U.S. sanctions scaring away most business. The European Union created a financial mechanism to skirt those sanctions, but it hasn't made a difference, particularly for Iran's economic lifeblood -- oil exports -- which have dropped precipitously. MORE: World leaders made last-minute push to get Trump to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Instead, every few months since July, Tehran has announced a new violation of another limit -- at what level uranium is enriched, the kind of centrifuges it has installed and, most recently, where those centrifuges were active. In November, it took the controversial step to reinstall some at Fordo, what was once a secret underground facility the U.S. feared was at the heart of Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. PHOTO: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pray near the coffin of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 6, 2020. (Government of Iran via Reuters) There's no indication that Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon now. Its government, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has said it will not do so, although a trove of secret Iranian documents obtained by Israeli spies in 2018 showed Tehran was previously working on it. Iran remains a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT, although Iran has threatened to withdraw from it in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. Experts estimate that if Iran were to take the necessary steps towards nuclear weapon production, the so-called "breakout time" would still be closer to one year -- although a bit less than under the deal, given Iran's steps in the last eight months. Iran is still enriching uranium at about 4.5%, but if it increased to 20%, which is considered highly enriched, it is a quick step to 90%, which is weapons-grade. But with the violations compounding, European countries may move to launch a dispute resolution under the deal's framework, arguing that Iran had violated its commitments and eventually leading to renewed United Nations sanctions on Tehran. ABC News' Somaye Malekian contributed to this report. Morocco will build a second desalination plant in its Saharan city of Laayoune to meet the water needs of the local inhabitants over the ten coming years. The 600 L/s plant will be operation before end of 2021, announced lately Abderrahim Hafidi, Head of Moroccos state-owned electricity & water facility (ONEEP) during the meeting of the board of directors of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra water basin agency. As the population continues to grow in Laayoune, a wastewater treatment facility, with 18,000 m3/day capacity, will be constructed this year in this city to keep abreast with its socioeconomic development and expand green zones, added Hafidi. In Dakhla, construction works of a wastewater treatment station will be launched very soon to meet the needs of the populations of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, said the ONEEP chief. These projects are among many others planned by the authorities across the North African kingdom. They show the importance Morocco grants to water resources and supply, using latest technologies to improve water management and expand sanitation networks to sustain families and livelihood. On Monday, King Mohammed VI chaired in Rabat the signing ceremony of a 10.8 billion program to enhance the countrys resilience to global warming and ensure regular water supply over the next eight years. PARIS Frances partnership with West African armies to combat Islamist terrorism is flailing, but little new to reinforce it emerged from a quick summit meeting on Monday called by President Emmanuel Macron of France. Flanked by the leaders of five West and Central African countries, Mr. Macron pledged to send an additional 220 French troops to the region, adding to the force of 4,500 already there. That force is under increasing criticism in some of the countries for failing to halt recurring massacres of local armies troops, and there have been calls for it to leave. The leaders agreed Monday that France should not go anywhere. Still, the small boost to the French force was the only concrete result of the meeting, called by a French president increasingly frustrated over calls from protesters in Mali and elsewhere for France to get out of the countries it once ruled as colonies. I know who is dying for the citizens of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, Mr. Macron said angrily at a news conference Monday night after the summit meeting. Its French soldiers. China on Tuesday said that it had never been a currency manipulator and the US' decision to remove the label is "in line with the facts" as it claimed that the exchange rate of its currency is based on the economic fundamentals of the Chinese economy. The US on Monday removed the currency manipulator label it imposed on China last summer, in a sign of easing tensions between the economic powers after nearly two years of conflict. Just two days before President Donald Trump is set to sign a Phase One trade deal with China, the US Treasury said in its semi-annual report to Congress that the Chinese yuan has strengthened and Beijing is no longer considered a currency manipulator. The US said it made the change because China had agreed to refrain from devaluing its currency to make its own goods cheaper for foreign buyers. The "Phase One" pact is aimed at de-escalating the tit-for-tat tariff war the two countries have engaged in since 2018. Reacting to the US' decision to reverse its decision to declare China as currency manipulator, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang during a media briefing here said "China is not an exchange rate manipulator. The latest conclusion of the US is in line with the facts and the consensus of the international community. A recent IMF assessment concluded that the level of the RMB (renminbi) exchange rate is generally in line with economic fundamentals, and objectively denied that China is a currency manipulator," he said. China is a "responsible big country", he said, adding that we have repeatedly reiterated that we will not engage in competitive currency devaluation and do not use the exchange rate as a tool to deal with external disturbances such as trade disputes. "Also China will unswervingly deepen the currency market reform and continue to improve the floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand, adjust with reference to a basket of currencies, and keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level," he said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a statement on Monday said China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability. "In this context, treasury has determined that China should no longer be designated as a currency manipulator at this time," the Treasury said. The US officially named China a currency manipulator in August when tensions were high between Beijing and Washington. Trump has repeatedly accused China valuing RMB low to make Chinese goods cheaper. After the US announcement, the parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi or the yuan strengthened to a five-month high on Tuesday. The central parity rate strengthened 309 pips to 6.8954 against the US dollar, which was its strongest since August 1 last year, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. Trump had launched the trade war with China last year, demanding Beijing to reduce massive trade deficit amounting to USD 539 billion in China-US bilateral trade. Trump is also demanding an intrusive verification mechanism to supervise Beijing's promise to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) technology transfer and more access to American goods to Chinese markets. The Chinese government earlier said that the text agreed by both sides includes nine chapters: the preface, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, food and agricultural products, financial services, exchange rate and transparency, trade expansion, bilateral assessment and dispute settlement, and the final terms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is nothing I enjoy more than a cloudy and snowy afternoon, a comfy chair, a soft, warm throw and a good book. Actually, there is nothing I enjoy more than a good book and reading in any number of places no matter what the weather. I also enjoy a good reason to read beside my own pleasure, so when I read Tammy Real-McKeighans January 2 column about the Winter Reading Challenge in support of the Keene Memorial Library, I went right to the library to find out more information. That really wasnt necessary because Tammys column told me everything I needed to know. The Annual Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge is sponsored by Penguin Random House publishers to encourage reading and support of libraries. 1500 schools and libraries are expected to take part in the challenge for prizes that include author visits and new books for your favorite librarys shelves. Its very simple to sign up for the challenge. I simply went online at keene.beanstack.org where I created an account and started reading. The competition runs from January 1 to January 31 so you are a bit behind, but if you sign up today you can easily make the goal of reading 465 minutes during the month. Keene Memorial Library is hoping 300 readers will read and log 15 minutes of reading per person per day. It is good news for moms and dads that reading to your kids counts. This is a wonderful encouragement to start a lifelong love of reading. Since this is a cooking column, you might think Im going to encourage you to read cookbooks. I do enjoy reading a good cookbook, but I also have a nice selection of food-themed books that dont necessarily have a recipe in them. I know you can find them at our library or get them through the interlibrary loan program. You can also look for them at my favorite local bookstore Yankee Peddler West or at Daves Drive-In Liquor where your purchase supports our local library. Here are some of my suggestions for a good culinary read: The Little House Cookbook Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilders Classic Stories by Barbara M. Walker with illustrations by Garth Williams. Any fan of the Little House books or television series will appreciate this lovely volume that pairs food stories from Wilders books with authentic recipes. My girls received this book when they were young and not only did we enjoy the book, we enjoyed making some of the classic recipes as well. The Ladies Aid Cookbook by Beatrice Vaughn is a collection of recipes and stories about the many women who cook to raise money for church and community needs. Most of these stories come from the Northeast section of the country (Ms. Vaughn is from Vermont), but any woman who has cooked for a church or community supper to raise funds for various projects will relate to these tales. This book has great stories and great recipes. Julie Powell is the author of two of my favorite booksJulie & Julia and Cleaving, A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession. The first was the basis of the movie of the same title that tells the story of Ms. Powell life-changing experience of cooking every recipe in Julia Childs famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Its just delightful. The second is a story about butchering and how this obsession changed Ms. Powells life. This one is not for the weak-stomached after all, its about butchery, but the correlations she makes between meat cutting and life are interesting to say the least. As Always, Julia is a collection of the letters of Julia Child and Avis Devoto edited by Joan Reardon. Avis and Julia struck up a delightful friendship as pen pals who discussed everything from the cookbook Julia was writing to American politics after World War II. As someone whose two greatest interests are history and food, this volume is a delight to me. Hidden Kitchens Stories, Recipes and More from NPRs the Kitchen Sisters by Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson. This volume tells the stories of our countrys best dishes and those who prepare them from the Chili Queens of San Antonio to Foraging with Angelo Garro. Its a lovely read that tells the story of the melting pot of American cuisine in a delightful way. Michael Pollan writes about food questions that we all ask. My favorite Pollan book is InDefense of Food An Eaters Manifesto. Mr. Pollan always gives me plenty to think about. I dont agree with every theory he postulates, but I always find him thought-provoking. 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman is An edible history of five immigrant families in one New York tenement. This book traces what the different waves of immigrants would have eaten as they lived at this address between the years of 1863 and 1935 on the Lower East Side of the city. This book starts with the Lucas Glockner family who built 97 Orchard and lived in the building for several years and ends with the Baldizzis who were Sicilian immigrants and the subject of the last story about those who occupied the building. This volume is a history lesson that is highly enjoyable to read complete with authentic recipes from each time and culture. I recommend it highly. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister is my current reading project. My friend, Jean, lent it to me thinking I would enjoy it and she was right. This volume has been described as a delicate, meltingly lovely hymn to food and friendship. I am enchanted by Ms. Bauermeisters use of language to describe the food that is made by the protagonist of this volume who runs a restaurant and cooking school. It was published in 2009 so its not a new volume, but it is a beautifully written one. How about something delicious to sip on as you read on a cold day? Butter Coffee is a lovely hot beverage rich with good fats that keep you satisfied so you can read about delectable foods without hunger pangs. This is the version that I make after combining elements of several different recipes. Im happy every time I make a cup. Butter Coffee 1 cup hot coffee 1 and one-half teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon butter 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon cream Blend all ingredients until frothy. You can use a blender (be careful dont let the lid explode with the hot liquid), an aero latte, or any hot chocolate machine. Quote of the Week: To read is pure joy! To cook is pure joy! To read about cooking is double joy! Ginny Barton Ellen Lund of Fremont is a freelance food columnist. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Nepal is drafting a new policy to "discourage" international NGOs from undertaking programmes with potential to hamper the country's relations with its giant neighbours, India and China, officials said on Sunday. While cross-border terrorism and criminal activities continue to be the major causes of concern for India, China has in the past complained about the Tibetans' movement via Nepal. Based on Nepal's foreign policy of keeping balanced relations, the projects that are opposed by either country will not be implemented, according to the draft of the strategy policy which is being prepared by the Social Welfare Council, The Kathmandu Post reported. "Nepal is a land-locked country and has two large countries with large populations in the north and south," according to the draft. The policy will discourage organisations from running programmes that can hamper Nepal's relations with the neighbouring countries, it said. Council officials said the policy is still in the draft stage and some of its provisions are expected to be addressed by a new law on the registration of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Durga Prasad Bhattarai, an information officer at the council, said the proposed policy is aimed at addressing the concerns of the neighbouring countries regarding the activities of NGOs, particularly in the bordering regions. "The objective of the proposed policy is to reassert that Nepal government is concerned about the strategic mobilisation of international non-governmental organisations, particularly in the bordering regions, in the name of building madrasas and monasteries," Bhattarai was quoted by the Post. According to the council, madrasas in the regions bordering India are receiving funds from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Rajendra Kumar Poudel, member secretary at the council, admitted that India has raised concerns, through the Home Ministry about the large presence of madrasas in the bordering region. "So we have stepped up the scrutiny of the source of funds and nature of programmes to be run in the madrasas while providing approval for foreign funding. We are in favour of addressing Indias concerns, but we have not taken any opinion from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu," said Poudel. Poudel, however, added it would be wrong to paint all the madrasas with the same brush. "Some madrasas in Morang and Sunsari are doing well in imparting education and many others are also attracting students from across the border who live in a 5km-10km periphery of the border. "We are equally sensitive about the mobilisation non-governmental organisations in the areas bordering China, so as not to have any negative effect on our relations with the northern neighbour," he added. According to the Post report, India in the past has said that any kind of proliferation of extremism in the madrasas may hamper Nepal's internal security dynamics, and have repeatedly alerted Kathmandu to be cautious. TAGAYTAY, Philippines - A volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava into the sky and trembled constantly Tuesday, possibly portending a bigger and more dangerous eruption, as tens of thousands of people fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Residents arrive at local school after being evacuated from the heavy ash and debris from the Taal volcano eruption outisde Talisay Town in Batangas, southern Philippines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Red-hot lava gushed out of a volcano near the Philippine capital on Monday, as thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash. Experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/Gerrard Carreon) TAGAYTAY, Philippines - A volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava into the sky and trembled constantly Tuesday, possibly portending a bigger and more dangerous eruption, as tens of thousands of people fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. Government work was suspended and schools were closed in a number of towns and cities, including Manila, because of health risks from the ash. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. The restiveness of the Taal volcano and several new fissures in the ground nearby likely mean magma is rising and may lead to further eruptive activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The volcano was spurting fountains of red-hot lava 800 metres (half a mile) into the sky, and the massive column of ash and volcanic debris at times lit up with streaks of lightning. The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days. Level 5, the highest, means such an eruption is underway. A resident clears volcanic ash from his roof in Laurel, Batangas province, southern Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Taal volcano is spewing ash half a mile high and trembling with earthquakes constantly as thousands of people flee villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) More than 350 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded near Taal since Sunday, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. The Philippine institute said about 50 volcanic earthquakes were detected over eight hours Tuesday, indicating rising magma. It also warned that heavy and prolonged ash fall was possible in nearby villages. "The speed in the rise of magma is important (in determining) when the volcano will have a strong eruption and if it will slow down and freeze," said Renato Solidum, who heads the institute. "As of now, we don't see activities slowing down and the earthquakes still continue." More than 38,000 people have been relocated so far to over 200 evacuation centres, Dujarric said. He said U.N. teams are visiting centres and supporting authorities, who have asked for help getting face masks. The picturesque volcano in the middle of a lake in Batangas province south of Manila rumbled to life Sunday in a powerful explosion that blasted a 15-kilometre (9-mile) column of ash, steam and rock into the sky. Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 65 kilometres (40 miles) to the north, closed the country's main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ash fall eased. More than 500 international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed due to the overnight airport closure, affecting about 80,000 passengers, airport manager Ed Monreal told The Associated Press. A resident walks past structures and trees damaged by volcanic ash at Laurel, Batangas province, southern Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Taal volcano is spewing ash half a mile high and trembling with earthquakes constantly as thousands of people flee villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) "Hopefully the wind direction does not change. As long as the ash fall does not reach us, then we can be back to normalcy," Monreal said. The disaster-response agency counted more than 40,000 evacuees in Batangas and nearby Cavite provinces who took shelter in nearly 200 evacuation centres. Officials expected the number to swell. Solidum warned residents from returning to high-risk villages based on perceptions that the eruption was easing. He warned of pyroclastic flows, super-heated material from the volcano that can travel at great speed and incinerate anything in their path. Solidum said it would take time for Taals restiveness to ease and the lives of affected villagers to return to normal but added its difficult to predict the volcano's behaviour with certainty. "We have to make sure that people understand and, of course, government, that this is not an activity that will just be a short while," Solidum told a news conference. President Rodrigo Duterte visited hard-hit Batangas, which has been declared a calamity zone for faster disbursement of emergency funds. Accompanied by top disaster-response officials and Cabinet members, he promised the national government would help with the cleanup and reconstruction of the devastated province once the eruption ends. The government disaster-response agency has not provided details of damage but journalists saw dozens of houses ruined by heavy ash and frequent quakes in two Batangas areas. At least six people have been taken to a hospital in Tagaytay city in Cavite due to respiratory ailments caused by the ash, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The eruption has not directly caused deaths or major damage. The death of a driver in a crash on an ash-covered road was linked to slippery conditions. The small island where the 1,020-foot (311-meter) volcano lies has long been designated a "permanent danger zone," though fishing villages have long existed there. Those villages were all evacuated, though volcanology officials have called for a total evacuation of endangered communities within a 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) radius of Taal. Taal's last disastrous eruption, in 1965, killed hundreds of people. It is the second-most restive of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where much of the world's seismic activity occurs. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people. ___ Gomez reported from Manila. Associated Press journalists Celine Rosario and Kiko Rosario in Manila, Aaron Favila in Tagaytay and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. The Kerala Government has moved the Supreme Court seeking to declare the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act as unconstitutional. In the petition filed on Tuesday, the Kerala government argued that the CAA is in violation of Article 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. Article 14 is about the right to equality, Article 21 says "no person will be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law". Under Article 25, "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience." Kerala is the first state to legally challenge the CAA which was passed by Parliament in December. There are already over 60 petitions in the Supreme Court against the law, which many say is discriminatory and against the spirit of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court will hear the petitions on January 22. Earlier, Kerala had become one of the first states in the country to oppose the contentious legislation. Last month, the Kerala assembly had passed a unanimous resolution against CAA. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also written to 11 other state chief ministers including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banarjee urging them to pass similar resolutions. After Bengal, Kerala had also become the second state to order a stay on all the activities related to the National Population Register (NPR). Last week, the Kerala government had said that to ensure that Constitution studies be made an inevitable part of the curriculum, school and college students in the state will read the preamble to the Constitution during assemblies. The CAA which aims to make it easier for religious minorities in three Muslim-majority countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to get Indian citizenship was passed by the parliament in December. The move has seen unprecedented opposition in the country after it specifically omitted out Muslims from the purview of the act. However, the government and ruling BJP have been defending the act saying that the minority groups from the three countries have no other option but to come to India when they face religious persecution there. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that a country-wide NRC was "needless" and had "no justification" but was open to a debate on issues that have created "turmoil", including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Speaking in the state Legislative Assembly, the Bihar CM said his government agreed in principle to the National Population Register (NPR) like it did 10 years ago when the exercise was last undertaken. He also emphasised that caste names be included in the census when it is done. "It (the NRC) would be needless (koi zarurat hai nahin) and have no justification (koi auchitya nahin). And I think the Prime Minister, too, has spoken clearly on this," he told the House while thanking it for unanimously ratifying the Constitution amendment for extending quotas for SCs and STs in Parliament and state assemblies by another 10 years. Despite the ongoing nationwide protests against the CAA, the act which got the president's nod on December 13 came into force from January 10. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of the section 1 of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (47 of 2019), the Central government hereby appoints the 10th day of January, 2020, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," the gazette notification said. Tim Cook Yves Herman/Reuters Attorney General William Barr told reporters Monday that Apple has given the FBI "no substantive assistance" in its investigation into a deadly shooting last month at a Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. The FBI has asked for Apple's help unlocking two iPhones used by the shooter, a request Apple has refused. Apple rejected Barr's characterization, telling Business Insider that its "responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing." Apple previously refused a similar request from the FBI following a deadly shooting in San Bernardino, California, setting off a fierce public debate over whether the company should be required to offer the government tools to counter its own encryption technology. Barr's statement Monday indicated that the FBI and Apple are still at odds over the issue, which the company has framed as a matter of preserving users' privacy. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Attorney General William Barr told reporters in a press conference Monday that, "so far, Apple has not given any substantive assistance" to the FBI in its investigation into a deadly shooting at Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station. The FBI sent a letter to Apple on January 8 asking for its help unlocking two iPhones used by the shooter. On Monday, Barr said that Apple has refused that request. "We reject the characterization that Apple has not provided substantive assistance in the Pensacola investigation. Our responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing," Apple said in a statement to Business Insider. Apple also said it has produced "a wide variety of information associated with the investigation... including iCloud backups, account information and transactional data for multiple accounts." This is not the first time Apple and the FBI have butt heads on the issue. Story continues In 2015, Apple refused a similar request from the agency to unlock an iPhone used by one of the shooters in the San Bernardino case, on the grounds that doing so would require Apple to give the FBI tools to counter the company's encryption, creating a "backdoor" that could be used to access other devices. The FBI ended up suing Apple for defying the court order, though it ultimately dropped the case after finding a private company to help it unlock the phone. Agency officials have repeatedly criticized tech companies' use of encryption, saying that it prevents law enforcement from following leads and obtaining evidence that could aid in an investigation. "This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that the public be able to get access to digital evidence once it has obtained a court order based on probable cause," Barr said during the press conference Monday. In its statement to Business Insider, Apple defended its use of encryption, saying: "Law enforcement has access to more data than ever before in history, so Americans do not have to choose between weakening encryption and solving investigations. We feel strongly encryption is vital to protecting our country and our users' data." Civil rights and privacy advocates, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have praised Apple's stance, arguing that allowing law enforcement access to devices could pose risks for activists, journalists, and persecuted minorities in countries with oppressive regimes. "There is simply no way for Apple, or any other company, to provide the FBI access to encrypted communications without also providing it to authoritarian foreign governments and weakening our defenses against criminals and hackers," the ACLU said in an emailed statement to Business Insider. Read Apple's full statement below: We were devastated to learn of the tragic terrorist attack on members of the US armed services at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida on December 6th. We have the greatest respect for law enforcement and routinely work with police across the country on their investigations. When law enforcement requests our assistance, our teams work around the clock to provide them with the information we have. We reject the characterization that Apple has not provided substantive assistance in the Pensacola investigation. Our responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing. Within hours of the FBI's first request on December 6th, we produced a wide variety of information associated with the investigation. From December 7th through the 14th, we received six additional legal requests and in response provided information including iCloud backups, account information and transactional data for multiple accounts. We responded to each request promptly, often within hours, sharing information with FBI offices in Jacksonville, Pensacola and New York. The queries resulted in many gigabytes of information that we turned over to investigators. In every instance, we responded with all of the information that we had. The FBI only notified us on January 6th that they needed additional assistance a month after the attack occurred. Only then did we learn about the existence of a second iPhone associated with the investigation and the FBI's inability to access either iPhone. It was not until January 8th that we received a subpoena for information related to the second iPhone, which we responded to within hours. Early outreach is critical to accessing information and finding additional options. We are continuing to work with the FBI, and our engineering teams recently had a call to provide additional technical assistance. Apple has great respect for the Bureau's work, and we will work tirelessly to help them investigate this tragic attack on our nation. We have always maintained there is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys. Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers. Today, law enforcement has access to more data than ever before in history, so Americans do not have to choose between weakening encryption and solving investigations. We feel strongly encryption is vital to protecting our country and our users' data. Read the ACLU's full statement below: "Like four years ago, the government's demand would weaken the security of millions of iPhones, and is dangerous and unconstitutional. Strong encryption enables religious minorities facing genocide, like the Uyghurs in China, and journalists investigating powerful drug cartels in Mexico, to communicate safely with each other, knowledgeable sources, and the outside world. There is simply no way for Apple, or any other company, to provide the FBI access to encrypted communications without also providing it to authoritarian foreign governments and weakening our defenses against criminals and hackers." Read the original article on Business Insider Independent candidate for Wexford Verona Murphy has said that the Irish government should be insisting that if the French port of Cherbourg is to have a shipping route with Rosslare than security will have to be improved. Ms Murphy, who is also President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), told RTE Radios Today with Sean ORourke show that the port of Calais has provided 19m worth of fencing within the port, but that this has still not addressed the issue of illegal migration. The only port that carries security is Le Havre. It has its own police force - 130 police, they don't have an issue with illegal migrants. The primary sufferers here are the people who are trying to do a day's work. The drivers are suffering on the basis of not being able to carry out their work. Ms Murphy said that the point is that the issue of illegal migration has to be addressed. We have to address the security issue we have to address the security of our borders, our shipping routes to major ports in the northern corridor. Ms Murphy explained that she is going to stand as in independent candidate as she believes independents have a lot to offer. It's a matter of time before they can amalgamate their efforts to represent rural Ireland, in what is increasingly becoming a Dublin-rural disconnect. She pointed out that she received 9,543 first preference votes in the recent by-election. I have had huge support, spread across the county, if it was a general election I'd have taken a seat. I'll be building on what I've already achieved. Ms Murphy denied that she was a racist. I have been continually misquoted by everyone. I've raised the security issue and that stands. Sixteen migrants came in through Rosslare port and no one can say where they are, nobody can tell us who they are, and nobody can tell us why they were here. We need to address our security, I have spoken many times as President of the IRHA, the security issues that are there, that need to be addressed. As President - I've been to Calais, I've been at the coal face, I've had briefings supported by the EU Commission, supported by many of the security agencies, in which case security issues were being addressed. We have illegal migration, we don't know anything about them, they are entering trailers illegally. "They were provided with all the necessary requirements, but they absconded - why? It doesn't work in any other country. I can't go to any other country in the world without my proper visa or documentation and just say look I'll go stay with a friend. Security is lax. There is no security particularly for one industry and we should be insisting at government level that this is addressed. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, January 14, 2020 In a move that underscores just how seriously the famed jeweler takes its retail space, Tiffany & Co. has officially opened the doors to what it dubbed the Tiffany Flagship Next Door. The new store, which it teased with a mens holiday pop-up, will serve as the New York flagship for two full years, while the retailer completes the stem-to-stern renovation of its main store, promising to redefine the modern luxury experience. We have received an enthusiastic reaction from customers to this new space with our interactive mens pop-up store and the extraordinary Very, Very Tiffany Holiday gift items presented there, says Alessandro Bogliolo, CEO, in the announcement. The multilevel store contains a private selling room on each floor, as well as a VIP salon, providing customers the same level of service theyre used to, in a location the retailer hopes feels familiar, yet refreshed. advertisement advertisement The expansive space is designed to showcase periodic installations and partnerships. The New York flagship has long been the crown jewel of its 300 stores, and thrives as long as tourism is strong. But the company has been pouring cash into renovations around the world, while the brands popularity soars in Asia. The company, just recently acquired by luxury giant LVMH for $16.2 billion, has recently announced enlargements to its flagship in Shanghai, the largest store in Asia, which includes the first Tiffany Blue Box Cafe on the Chinese Mainland. Its updated the London flagship, opened a third store in Kyoto, and a fifth in New York City, this one at Hudson Yards. Even so, its not the easiest of times for Tiffany. Preliminary sales results for the holiday period rose between 1% and 3%, primarily driven by double-digit growth in Mainland China, offset by declines in Hong Kong and Japan. And it reports that theres been growth in the Americas, with gains between 2% and 4%. Mattu Pongal: The third day of the Pongal festival is to honour and show gratitude towards cattle stock. Elaborate and colourful garlands and bells are tied around the necks of cows before performing the rituals. The popular cattle race Jallikattu takes place on this day. Preparations started for the conduct of jallikattu People of Tamil Nadu's Madurai are gearing up to celebrate the traditional bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu'. Health check-up was held for bull catchers in Madurai on January 13. Tamers are very excited to participate in the sport. Jallikattu is the world famous cultural competition of Tamil Nadu which is celebrated on Pongal. Madurai gears up for Jallikattu Jallikattu competitions will be held from January 15 - January 31 in Madurai district. Around 730 bulls in Avaniyapuram, 700 bulls in Alanganallur and 650 bulls in Palamedu are participating in Jallikattu competitions this year. What is Jallikattu? The practice of Jallikattu, also known as Eruthazhuvuthal or Manju virattu, is traditionally held annually in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on the Mattu Pongal day which is widely known as Makar Sakranti. The term 'Jallikattu' originates from the Tamil words Salli and Kattu, referring to silver or gold coins tied to the bulls' horns. Tamil Nadu's bull taming tradition: Jallikattu is believed to have been practiced at least 2,500 years ago, after an ancient cave painting was discovered near Madurai, which depicted a lone man trying to tame a bull. What is the controversy around Jallikattu? Animal welfare organisations like PETA India have protested against Jallikattu since 2004, with the Supreme Court banning it in May 2014. This ban was reversed after the Government of India passed an order exempting it from all performances where bulls can not be used. But, the SC upheld the ban on 14 January, leading to protests all over Tamil Nadu. B oris Johnson has rejected Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeons call for a second referendum. Ms Sturgeon had asked for Holyrood to be given the power to hold a fresh vote on independence, which has long been an aim for her party the SNP. However, Mr Johnson has declined to offer to devolve the powers to allow such a vote - with Ms Sturgeon claiming the "Tories are terrified of Scotland's right to choose". In a letter to the first minister outlining his decision, Mr Johnson said: I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums. Expanding on his reasoning, he said: "You and your predecessor made a personal promise that the 2014 independence referendum was a 'once in a generation' vote. "The people of Scotland voted decisively on that promise to keep our United Kingdom together, a result which both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to respect in the Edinburgh Agreement. "The UK Government will continue to uphold the democratic decision of the Scottish people and the promise that you made to them." SNP leader and Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon / AFP via Getty Images Ms Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government will set out a response and decide upon its next course of action "before the end of this month". "Tories are terrified of Scotlands right to choose - because they know that when given the choice well choose independence. Tories have no positive case for the union - so all they can do is attempt to deny democracy. It will not stand," she tweeted. "The problem for the Tories is the longer they try to block democracy, the more they show the Westminster union is not one of equals and fuel support for independence. "This response predictable - but also unsustainable and self defeating. Scotland will have the right to choose. The SNP leader previously said Scotland made it "very clear" at the last election that it "does not want a Tory Government". She also said there has been a "material change in circumstances" since 2014, when the last referendum was held. Ms Sturgeon sent documents to Mr Johnson that made the case she had an unarguable mandate after her SNP won 48 of Scotlands 59 seats in the general election. She has warned Mr Johnson that a flat no would not be the end of the matter although she ruled out holding an unofficial referendum similar to the one in Catalonia two years ago. Chinese Official Says Taiwan Election Brings '10,000-Year Stink' of Separatism 2020-01-13 -- After Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen swept to a landslide victory in Saturday's general elections, China said on Monday that the democratic island's "separatists" would "leave a 10,000-year stink." Tsai saw off China's preferred candidate Han Kuo-yu, garnering more than 57 percent of the total vote after she vowed to defend the island's way of life against threats, infiltration and saber rattling by China to win a second term in office. Chinese state councilor and top diplomat Wang Yi said China wouldn't alter its view on Taiwan as a result of Tsai's resounding victory, saying it has a "consensus" with the international community that the island is part of China. "This consensus won't alter a bit because of a local election on Taiwan, and will not be shaken because of the wrong words and actions of certain Western politicians," Wang added, in an apparent reference to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who congratulated Tsai for dealing with "unrelenting pressure." "Those who split the country will be doomed to leave a stink for 10,000 years," said Wang, who used to head China's Taiwan Affairs Office. Tsai's election victory came after she stood up to increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called last year for "unification," refusing to rule out the use of force to annex Taiwan. Tsai responded by saying that Taiwan's 23 million people -- who are ruled under the KMT-founded 1911 Republic of China that fled to the island in 1949 after losing the civil war -- have no wish to give up their sovereignty. Taiwan was part of Japan for 50 years before being handed back to the 1911 regime, and has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor has it formed part of the People's Republic of China. Tsai also argued that the erosion of democratic progress and civil liberties in Hong Kong under China's "one country, two systems" means that Taiwan should never take Beijing seriously when it talks about "unification." 'Face up to reality' In Taipei, the Mainland Affairs Council called on Beijing to respect the outcome of the election. "[Wang] must face up to reality and stop believing his own lies," the council, an administrative department responsible for handling the relationship with China, said in a statement. Wu Qiang, a former politics lecturer at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University, said Tsai's re-election could prove to be a fundamental turning point for Taiwan. He said the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) had failed to address concerns about growing Chinese influence, with Han avoiding the issue entirely during his campaign. "Tsai Ing-wen resisted Chinese influence with the anti-infiltration law just before the election, defending democracy and opposing one country, two systems," Wu said. "She was targeting younger voters." But he said Beijing is unlikely to soften its stance any time soon. "There will be no fundamental changes to [China's] policy on Taiwan for a long time to come," Wu said. Veteran Chinese journalist Gao Yu said Taiwan would have become unrecognizable if Han had been voted in as president on Saturday, and that Hong Kong had indeed served as a warning about one possible future for Taiwan. "Going by the example of Hong Kong, if Han Kuo-yu had won, a lot of the [freedoms] that people in Taiwan currently enjoy would have changed," Gao said. "But the people of Taiwan totally rejected the idea of 'one country, two systems' as mooted by the Chinese Communist Party," she said. "They have defended the sovereignty of 23 million people, as well as their values, their lifestyle and their capitalist system." Pressure from China could get worse U.S.-based legal scholar Teng Biao said Taiwan had made its support for the Hong Kong protest movement abundantly clear, and had taken specific action to support protesters. "This time the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Tsai Ing-wen prevailed," Teng told a discussion forum in Taipei on Monday. "It is widely seen as having played a very important role in Hong Kong's ongoing struggle." "But I think Tsai, during the next four years of her presidency, should step up support for Hong Kong, not just moral and verbal support, but also in the form of more specific actions," he said. The election followed half a year of protests in Hong Kong, which underscored to Taiwan's voters the erosion of democratic progress and civil liberties in Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" model that China wants to use to rule Taiwan. Tsai told journalists at a news conference after her victory was announced on Saturday that she expects pressure from China to continue, and even worsen. Tsai repeatedly said that Taiwan's 23 million people -- who are ruled under the KMT-founded 1911 Republic of China that fled to the island in 1949 after losing the civil war -- have no wish to give up their sovereignty. During the campaign, security agencies and analysts revealed how China had poured funding, fake news and disinformation into Taiwan ahead of the crucial poll. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Chung Kuang-cheng for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An inquest into the death of a former IRA prisoner found hanging in a police consultation room by his solicitor John Finucane has heard how police officers tried to save his life. John Brady (40) from Strabane had been alone in the room at Strand Road PSNI station in Londonderry after Mr Finucane, now the MP for North Belfast, stepped out for 15 minutes, the inquest sitting in Omagh heard. Mr Finucane made the grim discovery when he returned to the room and raised the alarm, a police officer told the inquest. Mr Brady, who was on weekend parole from prison, had been brought to Derry after he was arrested in connection with an altercation with his brother-in-law John Kennedy outside a primary school in Strabane on October 2, 2009. He was held overnight because Mr Finucane was unable to travel to Derry until the following morning. One officer described to Coroner Joe McCrisken how Mr Finucane had shouted: "Can I get some help, can I get some help?" He said he had just come on duty in the custody suite a short time before 5pm when he heard Mr Finucane's call for assistance. The officer went to the consultation room door where he heard a police sergeant call for a ligature knife, which he ran and retrieved. When he returned he was told to "cut the ligature" before the sergeant placed Mr Brady on the floor of the room. This officer was told to get oxygen, which he did, and then checked to see if Mr Brady was breathing. This officer along with the sergeant commenced CPR on Mr Brady, which they maintained until the arrival of an ambulance. A second officer in his evidence told the inquest he had been on duty in Strabane station on the morning of October 3, 2009 and was told to go to the Strand Road station to interview Mr Brady. During the course of the day Mr Brady had consulted with Mr Finucane before being interviewed by police and later told that he was going to be charged. The officer said Mr Finucane suggested to him there was a pre-determined outcome and that police had already decided to charge Mr Brady even before he was interviewed. The officer explained protocol in this policing district (G) was "pro-charge" in relation to domestic incidents, but that he would arrange for Mr Finucane to speak with an inspector as he had requested. Mr Finucane left the station but returned around 4.15pm and asked to see his client in the consultation room, and Mr Brady was brought there. Mr Finucane, who is due to give his evidence to the inquest at a later date, spoke to his client and then stepped out of the room. This officer echoed evidence given by his colleague that Mr Finucane shouted for help and that he ran to the consultation room, where he saw Mr Brady "badly slumped". This officer said he ran and "grabbed a ligature cut", and on his way back to the room noticed Mr Finucane in the hallway "with his hands on his head". The officer was asked if, after speaking to Mr Brady not long before his death, there "was anything in his demeanour to indicate he was at risk of harming himself?" He replied: "No." This officer and three colleagues who also gave evidence to the inquest had all been asked by the Brady family's legal representative about the presence of a C3 officer (Special Branch) in the custody suite at the time Mr Brady was being detained. All but this officer said they were unaware of two C3 officers. However, this officer said he did know they were there and had "surmised" they were there to conduct an "intelligence interview" with Mr Brady. Asked why it wasn't in his statement to the Police Ombudsman (PONI), who carried out an investigation into Mr Brady's death while in police custody, the officer said he "had been guided" by PONI, who told him the presence of the two C3 officers was "not relevant". This was challenged by the legal representative for PONI and the officer agreed he may have been mistaken, adding: "It was a long time ago." The inquest continues. ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate helps drive Florida's growth, and figuring out what lies ahead in 2020 is a key question for policymakers, residents and Realtors. That's the focus of this year's Florida Realtors 2020 Real Estate Trends summit, which also will feature a panel discussion on the latest trends in construction and development. Two highly respected economists, Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor and Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Competitiveness, will share their insights at Florida Realtors 2019 Real Estate Trends on Jan. 23, 2020, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are not required. The session is a highlight of Florida Realtors' annual Mid-Winter Business Meetings, which take place from Jan. 22-26, 2020, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Fla., 32821. Dr. Snaith will provide a thorough economic outlook for Florida and its diverse metro areas, while Dr. O'Connor will focus on the Sunshine State's real estate market. He will recap how 2019 ended and share his expectations for the year ahead. "Unexpectedly low mortgage rates were the big story in last year's housing market, leading to more home sales across Florida than originally anticipated," O'Connor says. "Meanwhile, home prices continued to march upward throughout the year, increasing affordability challenges in several markets around the state. The inventory of homes for sale remains low and builders are still unable to satisfy the demand driven by Florida's strong, vibrant economy." "Our primary focus at Florida Real Estate Trends 2020 will be to explore which of these trends will continue throughout the course of the next 12 months." Following the economic presentations, a panel of homebuilders and commercial real estate experts will share their 2020 outlook. Moderated by Jennifer Quinn, an economist and director of economic development for Florida Realtors, the panel includes Kristine Smale, who heads up the Meyers Research Advisory Team; Matt Orosz, co-president of Hanover Family Builders; and Brad Fess, owner of NuDesign Builders Inc. The panelists will discuss topics such as the anticipated pace of new building in 2020 and the expected price ranges of the new builds, as well as obstacles hindering the development of affordable housing. "Realtors and anyone interested in Florida's future should attend the upcoming Real Estate Trends event," says 2020 Florida Realtors President Barry Grooms, a Realtor and co-owner of SaraBay Suncoast Realty Inc. "The information you'll gain will provide valuable insight for your business in the months to come." Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to 195,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org. SOURCE Florida Realtors Related Links https://www.floridarealtors.org With the rise in number of organ transplantation cases in the city over the past two years, the Bengal government, in coordination with the pollution control board and the Kolkata Police, is planning to set up dedicated green corridors for hassle-free movement during emergencies. A senior government official said the route for the corridors has been outlined and work has begun to design a GPS-assisted mobile app to run project - in tune with the "vision of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee". "We have seen a surge in organ transplantation cases in the recent times, for which the Kolkata Police sets up green corridors to rush the patients or donated organs to hospitals. The dedicated corridor will ensure that patients get to reach hospitals at the shortest possible time, without affecting traffic movement," he said. Add to that, the ambulances would not have to use hooters to clear the way, as other vehicles on the route would be made to move at a controlled speed, thus reducing noise pollution on the stretch, he stated. Explaining the plan of action, the official said the Kolkata Police would shortly launch the mobile app, which would allow ambulance drivers, doctors or family members of patients to enter the pick-up point and the destination. Accordingly, police and the transport department would use global positioning system (GPS) to make arrangements for the smooth movement of the ambulances, he said. "As of now, a few city-based government hospitals will be selected to run the project on an experimental basis. Once the system is up and running, the service will be extended to other parts of the state," the government official said. A senior Kolkata Police officer said preparations were in full swing to design and launch the app. "This app will be highly beneficial.... As per as the initial proposal, officers at the Kolkata Police control room will be monitoring the entire process. Not just doctors and patients, ambulance drivers, too, will have to have the app in their mobile phones," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Work commitments were put to one side as screen legend Dustin Hoffman made a rare public appearance with wife Lisa in Los Angeles on Monday evening. The Hollywood veteran was accompanied by the businesswoman while attending a book release for celebrity attorney Bertram Fields' colourful new memoir, Summing Up. Sporting a blue two-piece suit and light blue dress shirt, Hoffman, 82, looked appropriately smart as he left the event later that night. Stepping out: Work commitments were put to one side as screen legend Dustin Hoffman enjoyed a night out with wife Lisa in Los Angeles on Monday evening The Academy Award winning actor held a hardback copy of Field's book, which has won unanimously positive reviews from critics, as the couple made their way towards a waiting car. Joining Hoffman, Lisa, 65, looked chic in a tasteful cream roll-neck and a matching winter coat while walking arm in arm with her husband. The Los Angeles native, Hoffman's second wife, completed her look with a pair of stylish black leather ankle boots. Side by side: The Hollywood veteran was accompanied by the businesswoman while attending a book release for celebrity attorney Bertram Fields' colourful new memoir, Summing Up The couple wed in 1980 following the collapse of Hoffman's first, 11-year marriage to Anne Byrne, with whom he shares three children. The actor has welcomed a further four children with Lisa; their oldest, Jake Hoffman, followed his father into the film industry and recently appeared in Martin Scorcese's epic Netflix film The Irishman. While Hoffman enjoys continued success as an actor, Lisa has won accolades in the beauty industry with the 200-7 release o cosmetics range Lisa Hoffman Beauty. The brand has won an array of awards since its launch, among them the ICMAD Award for its Brazilian Begonia Fragrance Bracelet and two consecutive Allure Best of Beauty awards in 2008 and 2009. Great read: The Academy Award winning actor held a hardback copy of Field's book, which has won unanimously positive reviews from critics, as the couple made their way towards a waiting car Lisa has stayed by her husband's side amid allegations of sexual harassment from an array of women. Anna Graham Hunter claimed that he made a series of sexually inappropriate remarks to her when she was a 17-year-old intern working on his 1985 TV film Death of a Salesman. Another woman named Wendy Riss Gatsiounis said that the veteran actor peppered her with sexually-fueled questions when she met with him over a show business project in 1991. Dapper: Sporting a blue two-piece suit and light blue dress shirt, Hoffman looked appropriately smart as he left the event Gatsiounis told Variety that Hoffman asked her to come with him to a hotel, trying to seduce her with the prospect of 'a whole new body to explore.' In the wake of the allegations, Hoffman issued a statement disavowing the conduct described by the women. He said: 'I have the utmost respect for women and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have put her in an uncomfortable situation. I am sorry. It is not reflective of who I am.' A Georgia man who was convicted of murder back in 2002 asked to be executed by a firing squad instead of lethal injection, according to multiple reports. Michael Wade Nance, the murderer, sued the state prison system, and in the lawsuit, he said the reason he wanted the firing squad execution was because his veins were narrow. A lethal injection could cause him intense pain, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. According to the lawsuit filed by Nance, execution by firing squad is both swift and virtually painless. Evidence and recent experience strongly suggest that the firing squad is significantly more reliable than lethal injection. The lawsuit stated that Nances veins were severely compromised and were extremely hard to find. If authorities were to execute him via lethal injection, there is a possibility that his veins will stop working, and the pentobarbitalthe substance used in lethal injection executionswill leak into the surrounding tissues and cause Nance extreme pain. The news outlet also reported that Nance had been taking drugs for many years to help with back pain, and there is a possibility that the pentobarbital will be ineffective, considering the drug that Nance took had altered his brain chemistry. This may cause Nance even more prolonged pain. According to the news outlet, Danny Porter, the Gwinnett District Attorney, upon being notified about the lawsuit, said that it didnt change his mind on whether or not to execute Nance. If he needs a firing squad, then let him have it. Its certain a unique request, Porter said. As reported by Atlanta Journal-Constituion, on Dec. 18, 1993, Nance killed Gabor Balogh when he was looking for a getaway car after robbing the Tucker Federal Bank in Lilburn. According to the news outlet, Nance escaped in a stolen car after his bank robbery attempt but had to abandon the vehicle when a packet placed with the money exploded, causing red dye and tear gas to emit. Nance then fled across Indian Trail Road, where he came across Balogh, who had just walked out of a liquor store. When confronted, Balogh refused to give up his car to Nance, who then shot him. The bullet hit Balogh in the left elbow, and then ricocheted into his chest, killing him, the news outlet reported. Following a standoff with the police, Nance surrendered and was arrested. Nine years after the incident, in 2002, a Gwinnett jury sentenced Nance to death, according to the news outlet. His death sentence was thrown out of court later, but in 2013, it was reinstated. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, since 1976, the firing squad execution method was used only three times, as the primary method of execution is the lethal injection, which is used in 32 states. Norderstedt and Hennigsdorf, Germany, January 14, 2020 - Hitado GmbH (Hitado), a Sysmex point-of-care subsidiary, and SphingoTec GmbH (sphingotec) have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the commercialisation of the Nexus IB10 diagnostic platform by Hitado in Germany. Further, Sysmex Suisse AG will commercialise the platform in Switzerland. The Nexus IB10 platform is a fully automated rapid immunoassay point-of-care platform, that provides accurate test results within only 20 minutes and features a broad menu of tests relevant in near-patient settings, e.g. cardiovascular parameters such as troponin I, NT-proBNP, D-dimer, CK-MB and myoglobin. Further novel and proprietary tests that are developed by sphingotec and provide solutions for highly unmet diagnostic needs in sepsis, acute heart failure and acute kidney injury will complement the existing menu of IB10 test making the platform a unique solution for acute and critical care. The CE-IVD-marked system meets the requirements of near-patient testing and can be flexibly deployed in laboratories, emergency departments, intensive care units, and doctors' offices. Regarding this new distribution agreement, Hitado's CEO Andre Michel commented, "We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive distribution partner for Nexus IB10 in Germany and Switzerland. This product is a strategic fit with our existing product portfolio and will separate us from our competitors, providing customers with a comprehensive package of patient-near testing devices." Andreas Bergmann, CEO of sphingotec, echoes those sentiments. He noted, "We are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Hitado and Sysmex who have been very successful in promoting the IB10 platform in the past. We also believe that they are excellent strategic partners for providing rapid and novel solutions needed by clinicians in managing critically ill patients and will support us in our long-term strategy to improve patient outcomes in acute and critical care conditions." The Nexus IB10 platform was originally developed and commercialised by Samsung under the brand name Samsung LabgeoIB10. Following the acquisition of Samsung's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA), the manufacturer of the IB10 platform, by sphingotec in 2018, Nexus IB10 is now exclusively represented by sphingotec and made available through sphingotec's global network of distribution partners. ### To discover more about the Nexus IB10 and sphingotec's portfolio of diagnostic solutions for acute and critical care, please visit sphingotec.com. For more information on the Hitado point-of-care portfolio, please visit hitado.de. About Hitado GmbH Hitado was founded 44 years ago as a provider of diagnostic solutions for hospitals and laboratories and is the leader provider of near-patient diagnostics in Germany. Today, they are a part of the Sysmex Group, a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. Their portfolio includes highly specific rapid tests for diverse applications including cancer screening, cardiac diagnostics, pregnancy, infection and metabolic diagnostics to specialised point-of-care testing systems. To discover more about Hitado, visit hitado.de. About sphingotec SphingoTec GmbH ("sphingotec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) develops and markets innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for novel and proprietary biomarkers for the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of acute medical conditions, such as sepsis, acute heart failure, circulatory shock, and acute kidney injury in order to support patient management and provide guidance for treatment strategies. sphingotec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis or congestive heart failure, Proenkephalin (penKid), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function, and Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 (DPP3), a unique biomarker for cardio-renal pathway disruptions leading to acute organ dysfunction. In addition, sphingotec develops a portfolio of novel biomarkers, which predict the risks of developing obesity, breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. IVD tests for sphingotec's proprietary biomarkers are made available as sphingotest microtiterplate tests as well as point-of-care tests on the Nexus IB10 immunoassay platform by sphingotec's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) alongside a broad menu of IB10 tests for established biomarkers for acute and critical care. If we're going to get rid we need a replacement, said Johnson. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@BorisJohnson) New Delhi: In what can be termed as recognition of United States threats regarding the Iran nuclear deal, which is also referred to as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said Teran's nuclear plans should be replaced with a Trump deal. He said he recognises the 2015 deal as flawed and added that the priority at that time was to find a way to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. If we're going to get rid we need a replacement, Johnson told BBC. Johnsons statement comes after UK, France and Germany triggered a dispute mechanism in the deal after violations by Iran. The three European powers said Iran was not "meeting its commitments". The joint press conference on the behalf of UK, France and Germany added that the issue was being referred to the body which enforced the agreement to try and ensure Irans return to comply with the deal as soon as possible. Earlier, Iran had announced that it will no longer abide by the 2015 Nuclear deal. According to the 2015 Nuclear Deal, which is officially called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and five permanent members of the security council plus Germany, Iran had agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium. Also Read: Britain Will Not Lament Death Of Soleimani: PM Boris Johnson Tehran was also required to cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds the number of its gas centrifuges for next 13 years. The announcement of pulling out from the deal came amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Also Read: Merkel, Macron, Johnson Urge Iran Not To Flout Nuclear Deal In 2018, US President Donald Trump had unilaterally pulled out the United States from the Obama-era deal. Moreover, leaders of Germany, France and Britain had also urged Iran to drop measures that go against the 2015 nuclear deal. "We call on Iran to withdraw all measures that are not in line with the nuclear agreement," a joint statement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British PM Boris Johnson had read. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. StarlingX 3.0 delivers some very exciting new capabilities. The StarlingX charter has always been to improve and simplify Day 1 and Day 2 operations for deploying workloads at the edge, and the 3.0 release takes some big steps towards that goal. StarlingXthe open source edge computing and IoT cloud platform optimized for low-latency and high-performance applicationsis available in its 3.0 release today. Addressing what is projected by 451 Research to be a combined $12 billion market in 2023 for OpenStack and Kubernetes, StarlingX pairs the two technologies with Ceph to provide a container-based infrastructure for edge implementations in scalable solutions. ***Download StarlingX 3.0 at git.starlingx.io/starlingx*** Headline Features of StarlingX 3.0 To further support the low-latency and distributed cloud requirements of edge computing and industrial IoT use cases, the community prioritized these features in StarlingX 3.0: Infrastructure and Cluster MonitoringVersion 3 introduces a new Armada manifest (stx-monitor) that defines the necessary software components and services to deploy a monitoring solution for the infrastructure and Kubernetes cluster as well as the services it is running. Integration with OpenStack TrainStarlingX is now based on the latest OpenStack release, Train. Integrate Distributed Clouds with ContainersRequired changes are in place to integrate distributed clouds with containerized OpenStack. New Options for Hardware Accelerator SupportStarlingX now implements the initial Intel FPGA integration (via Darby Creek) into the platform. This support is in addition to other hardware accelerator support in StarlingX. Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) for VMsTSN is a set of evolving standards developed by IEEE to allow for time-sensitive traffic on Ethernet-based LANs, which provides bounded, worst-case latency. It is a key technology that targets different segments such as automotive and industrial. TSN enabling on StarlingX is a major effort, since TSN is composed of multiple IEEE standards and varied use cases. Learn more about these and other features of StarlingX 3.0 in this blog post by Glenn Seiler, vice president of open source strategy at Wind River. Community Interest Maintains Rapid Release Pace The 1.0 release (2018) provided a hardened OpenStack platform on dedicated physical servers. StarlingX 2.0, released September 2019, leveraged further building blocks to strengthen open infrastructure to deliver a hardened platform that integrates OpenStack and Kubernetes to provide flexibility, robustness and support for mixed workloads. Since the project launched a year ago, there have been 5,928 commits from 187 authors. Todays 3.0 releasejust four months after the 2.0 releaseadds 876 commits from 70 developers representing 99Cloud, FiberHome, Intel, the OpenStack Foundation, Red Hat and Wind River, among others. Users, operators and developers are invited to try out the software and engage with the StarlingX community on IRC (#starlingx on Freenode) and on the mailing list (lists.starlingx.io). StarlingX Solves Problems at the Edge The purpose of the StarlingX project is to re-configure proven cloud technologies for edge computing, delivering the maturity and robustness of cloud in a massively distributed compute environment. StarlingX is a complete edge cloud infrastructure platform for bare metal, VMs and containers, providing high availability (HA), quality of service (QoS), performance and low latency. StarlingX leverages components of other open source projects such as Ceph, Linux, KVM, OpenStack and Kubernetes, complementing them with new services such as configuration and fault management to collectively address the strict requirements of edge computing use cases in both carrier and industrial applications. StarlingX Applications Run the Gamut of Edge and IoT Use Cases Use cases for StarlingX include transportation-based IoT applications; industrial automation; 5G; smart buildings and cities; autonomous vehicles; location-based retail; virtual radio access networks (vRAN); augmented and virtual reality; high-definition media content delivery; surveillance; healthcare imaging, diagnostics and monitoring; and universal customer premise equipment (uCPE). Meet the StarlingX Community at OpenDev + PTG in Vancouver Members of the StarlingX community will gather at the next OSF collaborative open infrastructure event, OpenDev + PTG in Vancouver, June 8-11 for working sessions to map out the future of the project and collaboratively solve problems around deployment, operations, upgrades and more. Community Accolades for StarlingX 3.0 As the 5G era approaches, StarlingX will be the key to meet the requirement of edge computing. 99Cloud has witnessed and participated in the StarlingX 3.0 release which brings the maturity of the edge cloud platform to a new stage. As one of the leading contributors of StarlingX, well continuously contribute to the community and work with customers or partners to promote StarlingX 3.0 to commercial deployment." Shuquan Huang, technical director, 99Cloud Inc. StarlingX 3.0 delivers some very exciting new capabilities. The StarlingX charter has always been to improve and simplify Day 1 and Day 2 operations for deploying workloads at the edge, and the 3.0 release takes some big steps towards that goal. StarlingX 3.0 includes a distributed cloud configuration that provides the foundation for geographically distributed edge use cases. StarlingX delivers single-pane-of-glass and zero-touch automated management for a distributed edge cloud, combined with ultra-low latencies for deterministic performance. These are critical capabilities for performance-sensitive edge use cases such as 5G vRAN, on-premise factory automation, and autonomous vehicles. Glenn Seiler, vice president of open source strategy, Wind River About StarlingX StarlingX is the open source edge computing and IoT cloud platform optimized for low latency and high performance applications. It provides a scalable and highly reliable edge infrastructure, tested and available as a complete stack. Applications include industrial IoT, telecom, video delivery and other ultra-low latency use cases. StarlingX ensures compatibility among diverse open source components and provides unique project components for fault management and service management, among others, to ensure high availability of user applications. StarlingX is the ready-for-deployment code base for edge implementations in scalable solutions. The project is supported by the OpenStack Foundation. http://www.starlingx.io/ ### Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes after lava spewed from a volcano near the Philippine capital of Manila, amid fears a bigger eruption could be imminent. Schools and businesses across the capital were shut on Monday as clouds of ash from the Taal volcano drifted over the city. Seismologists warned an eruption could happen at any time and could potentially send a tsunami surging across Taal Lake, which surrounds the crater. No deaths were reported, but a truck skidded out of control on an ash-blanketed road, killing the driver and injuring three people in Laguna province. Police said the accident may have been linked to slippery conditions. More than 30,000 villagers have been evacuated from their homes in the ash-blanketed province of Batangas and nearby Cavite province and officials expect the numbers to rise. Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Show all 44 1 /44 Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano as it erupts in Tagaytay, Philippines Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Local authorities have begun evacuating residents near Taal Volcano as it began spewing ash up to a kilometer high Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos People take photos of a phreatic explosion from the Taal volcano as seen from the town of Tagaytay in Cavite province, southwest of Manila AFP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Billows of smoke with lightning is seen from the eruption Pacific Press via Zuma Wire/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents stand lakeside as the volcano erupts behind them Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A family rides their motorcycle through clouds of ash as they evacuate to safer grounds AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning streak over Batangas Pacific Press via Sipa/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos The tiny volcano near the Philippine capital draws many tourists for its picturesque setting, however as it belched steam, ash and rocks in a huge plume thousands were forced to flee and officials to temporarily suspend flights AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Ashfall after the eruption of the Taal volcano Jerome Austria Abuan via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Villagers evacuate EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning flashes as Taal Volcano erupts The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A dog left in a garage covered with ashes barks nearby the erupting Taal Volcano Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A volcanic lightning caused by eruption @DERRICKQUIBAEL via REUTERS Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Ash from the Taal volcano in the air, with a church in the foreground Renz Lejarso Guevara/AFP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents stand lakeside as the volcano erupts behind them Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents walk along a road covered in ash mixed with rainwater Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Villagers take shelter inside a church during the eruption EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A volcanic lightning caused by eruption @DERRICKQUIBAEL via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A policeman walks past a police vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A fishing boat sails along a lake as Taal Volcano erupts Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos An ash column from erupting Taal Volcano looms over Tagaytay city EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A resident splashes water on a vehicle covered in ash Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano spews ash and smoke AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A person on a canoe while the volcano spews ash AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents walk along a road covered in ash mixed with rainwater Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts JPL YEN via Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Lightning strikes over Taal Volcano EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A worker hoses down plants covered with mud and ash AFP via Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents evacuate Reuters Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal volcano erupts AP Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Taal Volcano erupts with a massive plume of ash and steam Xinhua/Rex Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos Residents fleeing wait for a ride on the side of a highway Getty Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos People travel along a road covered in ash EPA Philippines Taal volcano: Eruption in photos A massive plume of ash and steam erupts AP The speed of escalation of Taals volcanic activity caught us by surprise, Maria Antonia Bornas, chief science research specialist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said. We have detected magma. Its still deep, it hasnt reached the surface. We still can expect a hazardous eruption any time. Some residents could not flee their villages because of a lack of transportation and poor visibility, which others refused to leave their homes and farms. We have a problem our people are panicking due to the volcano because they want to save their livelihood, their pigs and herds of cows, Mayor Wilson Maralit of the town of Balete told DZMM radio. Were trying to stop them from returning and warning that the volcano can explode again any time and hit them. Mr Maralit, whose town lies along the shoreline of Taal Lake, which surrounds the erupting volcano, appealed for troops and more police to stop people from sneaking back to their villages. Philippines' Taal volcano ejects smoke and ash, villagers flee Clouds of ash forced the shutdown of the countrys main airport in Manila on Sunday, with more than 500 flights cancelled. The airport partially reopened on Monday. A plane carrying Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines president, was later able to land in Manila from his hometown of Davao, his spokesman said, adding he saw the extent of the disaster from the plane. Volcano Taal sprang back to life on Sunday, blasting steam, ash and pebbles 10 to 15km into the sky, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. On Monday, the ash and steam column reached a height of 2km, with red-hot lava columns reaching less than half of that height. Frequent tremors and a buildup of pressure of the 1,020ft volcano however, indicated a major and much more dangerous eruption could still happen, said Renato Solidum, who heads the institute. Recommended Couple marry in the Philippines as Taal volcano erupts behind them The government volcano monitoring agency raised the danger level around Taal three notches on Sunday to Level 4, indicating a hazardous eruption within hours to days was possible. Level 5, the highest, means such an eruption is underway. The volcanos last disastrous eruption happened in 1965, when more than 200 people were killed. Taal, one of the worlds smallest volcanoes, is regarded as one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, which sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Additional reporting by agencies SPRINGFIELD New rules governing how retail gun dealers do business go into effect Friday and include the types of records they must keep, how weapons and ammunition are to be stored and the kinds of video surveillance and security systems they must maintain. The rules, established by the Illinois State Police and scheduled to be published in the Illinois Register on Friday, will go into effect almost one year to the day after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act into law. The Act requires firearm dealers who have a federal firearm license to also obtain a state certificate and comply with state regulations. Pritzker signed the bill, the first of his administration, after it passed during the 2018 legislative session. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in office when it passed, but Democratic Senate President John Cullerton used a procedural maneuver to hold onto the bill because Rauner had vetoed similar legislation that spring. The bill was viewed at the time as a response to rising gun violence in parts of Illinois, especially Chicago. It was aimed at preventing theft or other diversion of guns from firearms dealers and to crack down on so-called straw purchases in which someone buys a gun on behalf of someone else who is legally prohibited from owning a gun. ISP initially proposed administrative rules in August and held a public hearing on Oct. 24 in Springfield. But those proposed rules sparked fierce pushback from gun dealers around the state who said compliance would be excessively expensive. Of particular concern was a proposed rule that would have required dealers to maintain video surveillance at several points in their stores. Dealers would have also had to maintain those recordings for 90 days and back them up to an offsite storage system such as a cloud or server. I know stores that have over 125 cameras in there, said Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Federal Firearm Licensees of Illinois, a gun dealer trade association. Youre not requiring a backup system, youre requiring a backup generator. He went on to describe the rule as requiring such a dealer to be able to upload 125 high-definition Netflix movies simultaneously. Gun dealers also complained about other proposed rules that would have required them to have written plans for storing all inventory, both during business hours and after closing, and to keep ammunition in a restricted area of the store not accessible to customers. Some gun shop owners said compliance would be impossible. Hundreds of dealers have paid $1,500 license fees, confident that they could meet the letter of the law, and now they find that they cant because of the rules that have been proposed, Valinda Rowe, spokeswoman for gun rights advocacy group IllinoisCarry.com, said during the hearing. Following that hearing, ISP revised many of the proposed rules, eliminating the requirement for backup storage of video surveillance, according to a copy of the rules provided by ISP. But that pushed the rule-making process beyond Jan. 2 when gun dealers were to come into compliance with many portions of the new law. As a result, ISP is using its emergency rule-making powers, which allow regulatory agencies to put rules into effect immediately, for a maximum of 150 days, while final rules are being drafted. Those proposed final rules could be subject to another public hearing, further revision, and review by the General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The law is also the target of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, as well as several gun shops. Plaintiffs argue the law places onerous restrictions on firearms dealers that would force many stores to close and others to pass the higher costs on to those who would be seeking to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That lawsuit is pending in Sangamon County Circuit Court. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 As the NRC exercise was carried out under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, the state had no role to play in its upgrade process, Sonowal said. Guwahati: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Monday the Supreme Court-monitored National Register of Citizens in Assam would have been a "correct NRC" had the full responsibility of its updation been given to the state government. Replying to the debate on Governor's Speech during the one-day special session of the Assam Assembly on Monday, Sonowal also said people need not fear the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as the government will not do anything against their interests. "The BJP wants a correct NRC. If the Assam government had got full responsibility of the NRC upgrade work, then I can tell it with confidence that it would have been a correct NRC," he told the House. As the mammoth NRC exercise was carried out under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, the state had no role to play in its upgrade process, Sonowal said in his over an hour long speech that ended post midnight. "The Assam government only provided the service of 55,000 of its employees and the police force for the security purpose," he added. The final NRC was published on 31 August last year by excluding 19,06,657 persons. A total of 3,11,21,004 names were included out of 3,30,27,661 applicants. Talking about the CAA, the chief minister said the people were protesting because misinformation regarding the Act was being fed to them. "The number floating is just imaginary about how many people will apply for citizenship. The CAA is a national Act and entire India will implement it. Please do not get apprehensive about the Act. The rules are not framed yet and we have given our suggestions," he added. He stressed that after people apply for the citizenship, all applications will be examined and all of the applicants may not get citizenship. "I respect AASU as I am a product of that organisation. But no one should spread misinformation. Indigenous people will be given land rights and the definition of indigenous will also be decided. All the people are safe in our government. "I cannot think of betraying mother Assam. How can people think about it?... We have studied the Act. Those people living here for decades will apply and talk about their mind... Please don't doubt the government unnecessarily," Sonowal said. "I appeal to the Opposition parties to leave aside petty politics and lead with correct information. I also assure the people that we will not make you weak. We will make you the strongest community in India," he said, reiterating his position of safeguarding the culture, identity and language of Assam. Earlier, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in his speech in the Assembly said that a maximum of five lakh Hindu Bangladeshis will be benefitted from the CAA in the state. Police are asking for help finding Stewart J. Dreisigacker, 60, after finding his vehicle unattended in Dauphin County days after he was last seen in Schuylkill County. Dreisigacker was last seen on Jan. 11, in Tower City, Schuylkill County, state police said. He is described as being 5 foot 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Police said Dreisigacker has recently had a history of medical issues, and his vehicle was found unattended on Tuesday along Goldmine Road, Dauphin County. The car was adjacent to the Lebanon and Schuylkill county lines. The area is surrounded by State Game Lands, police said, and members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission are actively searching for Dreisigacker. Police believe Dreisigacker is in Schuylkill, Lebanon or Dauphin counties. Anyone with information on Dreisigackers whereabouts is asked to contact state polices Lykens barracks at 717-362-8700. Read more on PennLive: live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Allcargo Logistics share price continued its upward momentum on the second day on January 14 after Blackstone reportedly is planning to invest in the company's subsidiaries. Share price rose 5 percent intraday today after closing 4 percent higher in the previous day after the private equity firm said it will purchase a majority stake in the company's warehousing business for Rs 380 crore. The company board has approved the execution of definitive transaction documents with BRE Asia Urban Holdings Ltd, an entity controlled by funds managed or advised by affiliates of The Blackstone Group Inc. The transaction is expected to conclude in a phase-wise manner over the next 12 months, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and achievement of certain milestones as prescribed in the transaction documents. At 12:14 hrs, Allcargo Logistics was quoting at Rs 107.50, up Rs 3.55, or 3.42 percent on the BSE. Myant has been applying its unique expertise in textiles that can sense and react to the human body to create biometric solutions for workers (particularly in heavy industry) that help manage and actively optimize productivity and safety. Myant Inc., pioneers in Textile Computing, and Helly Hansen, the global technical and safety apparel brand, unveiled a line of active thermal workwear at CES 2020 (January 7-10, 2020 in Las Vegas) that dynamically regulates body temperature for workers in cold climates. The garments in this line (including a base layer top, leggings, socks, a balaclava, and gloves) are wire-free, embedded with textile sensors that can measure body temperature and react by actively delivering heat through the textile to maximize comfort and enhance productivity. Active thermal workwear is one of the first applications of Myants larger vision to transform the future of work via textiles that can sense and react to the human body, forging a deeper connection between a worker and their body, their team, the predictive power of AI, and their IoT-enabled workplaces. The transformation of connectedness at work will ultimately create safer, healthier and more productive work environments for all. While enterprises have been implementing biometric solutions for a number of years, the challenges that have been addressed have largely been related to biometric security. While biometrics have certainly created more secure workplaces, there still exists a tremendous opportunity to measure and react to the human body in order to optimize productivity on both an individual and enterprise-wide level. This is a particularly meaningful issue for highly regulated heavy industries where rules often restrict workers from wearing devices on their bodies as a safety measure. Recognizing these challenges, Myant has been applying its unique expertise in textiles that can sense and react to the human body to create biometric solutions for workers (particularly in heavy industry) that help manage and actively optimize productivity and safety. One such development along these lines has been a project with Helly Hansen (global leaders in personal protective equipment and apparel) on a line of connected apparel that dynamically regulates body temperature for outdoor workers through a combination of body temperature sensing and active delivery of heat, all in wire-free textile form factors. The line-up that was unveiled at CES 2020 included a base layer top, leggings, socks, a balaclava, and gloves that work together to dynamically regulate body temperature for cold-climate workers. This ability to manage comfort for workers without adding bulk that may impede movement and affect productivity, and delivered in a form factor that meets strict regulatory requirements, has the potential to change the way work is done in cold climates. This line of garments is just one example of how closing the loop via textiles that both sense and react can change how workers stay safe and productive in a world connected by textiles. Myant and Helly Hansen are also developing a safety shoe that can measure posture and conduct gait analysis in order to track, anticipate and potentially prevent same-level slip, trips and falls on the jobsite. Another application would be connected garments that continuously track ECG, heart rate variability, movement and other measures to assess worker fatigue, enabling enterprises to potentially prevent tired workers from hurting themselves or others. The HYDRO_BOT active moisture management technology at the center of Myants recently announced partnership with the Swiss company Osmotex also has tremendous potential, enabling garments that can actively transport sweat away from the body to help keep core temperature within an acceptable range. The real transformative power of connected textiles in the work environment comes when all these garments are feeding data to a centralized platform, effectively creating a holistic view of worker health and safety. Enterprises that can meaningfully measure worker wellness, leverage AI to anticipate potential safety issues, and optimize workforce productivity all through connected workwear will hold a true competitive advantage. Moreover, the ability to demonstrate compliant work behavior to insurers could result in dramatic savings for the enterprise. This is applicable not only in heavy industries but also in office work environments where workforce health & wellness has become an increasingly greater focus for enterprises in the past few years. Myant at CES 2020 The application of textile computing to connected work is just one manifestation of what is possible on the Myant Platform, a platform which provides a continuous and ambient connection between people and their bodies, their communities, and their IoT-enabled environments across all aspects of daily life (i.e. home, work, and play). Myants presence at CES 2020 was designed to encourage others to envision these possibilities, inspiring the world to challenge the way they see everyday textile and to reimagine the value that these objects can provide. For more information, please contact: Brian Fung Marketing Strategist at Myant brian.fung@myant.ca, 416-423-7906 x401 Frank Florio VP, Strategy & Business Development at Myant frank.florio@myant.ca, 416-423-7906 x421 About Myant Inc. Myant has created the worlds first platform that continuously and ambiently connects people to their bodies, to each other, and to the world around them. Using connected textiles that can sense and react to the human body and a platform that enables machine learning driven health and performance outcomes, Myant is on a mission to transform human connectedness. With an extensive patent portfolio, key exclusive relationships within the textile computing industry, a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, data scientists, fashion designers and knitting specialists, and over 80,000 ft of manufacturing capacity, Myant is changing the way people across society connect. Connect with us to find out how we can help you create innovative solutions powered by connected textiles and the Myant Platform. Visit https://www.myant.ca to learn more. About Helly Hansen Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen continues to develop professional grade apparel that helps people stay and feel alive. Through insights drawn from living and working in the worlds harshest environments, the company has developed a long list of first-to-market innovations, including the first supple waterproof fabrics more than 140 years ago. Other breakthroughs include the first fleece fabrics in the 1960s, the first technical base layers in the 1970s, made with Lifa Stay Dry Technology, and todays award winning and patented H2Flow temperature regulating system. Helly Hansen is a leader in technical sailing and performance ski apparel, as well as premium workwear. Its ski uniforms are worn and trusted by more than 55,000 professionals and can be found on Olympians, National Teams, and at more than 200 ski resorts and mountain guiding operations around the world. Helly Hansens outerwear, base layers, sportswear and footwear are sold in more than 40 countries and trusted by outdoor professionals and enthusiasts around the world. In 2018, Helly Hansen joined the Canadian Tire Corporation family of companies. To learn more about Helly Hansens latest collections, visit hellyhansen.com. To learn more about Canadian Tire Corporation, visit corp.canadiantire.ca. The backlash over how the plane crash was handled also spread to the official news media Monday, with several prominent state television and radio hosts quitting their jobs, saying they could no longer lie for the government. Gelare Jabbari, a popular host of state TV's Channel Two programs, changed her profile picture on Instagram to black and posted a public apology. "It was very hard for me to believe the murdering of my countrymen," she wrote. "Forgive me for believing it too late. I apologise for lying to you on TV for 13 years." The journalists' union for the province of Tehran also issued a public apology for helping spread the government's misinformation about the cause of the crash. "We are currently holding a funeral service for public trust," the statement said. "The first coffins are for state broadcast company and all media and websites." Loading The union called on all Iranian journalists to no longer "amplify the cover-ups of officials" and to conduct their reporting with scepticism and independent investigations. State television, however, continued to play down the mistaken downing of the plane. One anchor said "it was nothing compared to the main event" the Iranian missile attack on US forces in Iraq hours earlier. The Iranian attack, which caused moderate damage but killed no one, was conducted in retaliation for the US killing of Iran's top military leader in a drone attack on January 3. Just hours later, a Ukraine International Airlines flight was taking off from Tehran before dawn Wednesday, and Iranian forces were on high alert for an American counterattack. An Iranian crew, confusing the jet for an attacking craft, fired an anti-aircraft missile at it about three minutes after it took off. On Monday, the government closed the popular reformist news website Entekhab for publishing false rumours over the weekend that Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of National Security Council, had resigned. Videos from inside Iran shared on social media Monday showed university students in Isfahan and the capital, Tehran, chanting against the country's clerical rulers while riot police officers were deployed nearby. Thousands of students gathered at Iran's elite technical university, Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, 14 of whose recent graduates died when the plane was shot down. Some lashed out our Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "We want transparency," said one student, addressing the crowd. "This country has not had transparency for years. You have lied to us. The state broadcast company has lied to us. You think we are all stupid. The supreme leader must answer to us about the country's problems. Mr Khamenei, why are you lying?" The crowd cheered. A group of over 30 artists, filmmakers and actors issued a joint statement Monday saying they would not participate in the government-sponsored Fajr competition, Iran's equivalent of the Oscars. One of the signatories, well-known filmmaker Rakhshan Bani Etemad, was briefly detained and interrogated for several hours after she called for a nationwide vigil for the victims of the crash. There were no reports of violence in the protests Monday, as there had been over the weekend, when there were videos of protesters carrying off bleeding comrades as gunshots echoed in the background. Authorities in Iran denied that security forces had opened fire. Late Sunday, President Donald Trump warned Iran not to target the demonstrators. Framing himself as a supporter of the media, which in other circumstances he has frequently disparaged, Trump exhorted Iran's leaders to allow unfettered reporting. "To the leaders of Iran DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS," he wrote on Twitter. "Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!" Loading In addition to the domestic outrage, Iran may also face demands for compensation from nations whose citizens were killed on the plane, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko of Ukraine told Reuters on Monday in an interview in Singapore. Foreign ministers from five nations will meet in London on Thursday to discuss legal action, he said. The participants will include Canada, which lost 57 citizens, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sweden and another country he did not identify. Prystaiko said Tehran had agreed to hand over the jet's black boxes for analysis, but had yet to set a date to do so. Party chief Sonia Gandhi in a meeting with senior leaders of the Delhi unit on Monday asked those active in electoral politics to contest the assembly elections, said a Delhi Congress leader present in the meeting New Delhi: The Congress is expected to repeat its formula of fielding known faces in the Delhi assembly elections next month to revive its political fortunes. Party chief Sonia Gandhi in a meeting with senior leaders of the Delhi unit on Monday asked those active in electoral politics to contest the assembly elections, said a Delhi Congress leader present in the meeting. Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra, who was not present in the meeting, said the party will field "strongest and best" candidates in the polls. Rajesh Lilothia, working president of the Delhi Congress, said Gandhi asked senior and experienced party leaders active in electoral politics to contest the polls. Party sources claimed Lilothia was also asked to contest the elections at which he offered himself to be fielded against AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The screening committee of the party has so far discussed names of candidates on 70 assembly seats in two rounds. The committee is due to meet again on Tuesday, party leaders said. "The party chief has asked senior leaders, including former MPs, MLAs and those who unsuccessfully contested the previous elections, to fight the elections to enable the party regain its earlier footprint in Delhi," said another senior Delhi Congress leader present in the meeting. Party sources said the selection of the candidates for the Delhi assembly elections is expected to be finalised by Wednesday. However, the announcement of names may take some time as the AAP and the BJP are yet to declare their candidates. Delhi Congress chief spokesperson in a statement said the party has received 683 applications from party workers for the ticket to contest the elections. The Congress will field only those candidates who are acceptable to people in their constituencies and have winning chances, he said, adding that the first list of the party candidates will be released in a day or two. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal New Mexico is the only state in the country that has no organized hate group presence, according to the recently released 2018 Hate Map compiled by the Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center. That may be surprising to some in view of the FBIs Hate Crime Statistics Act report, which late last year indicated the number of hate crimes in New Mexico during 2018 spiked to four times what it had been in 2017. The two reports are not contradictory. It is not necessary to have an organized hate group in your community for hate crimes to occur, said SPLC interim research director Keegan Hankes. These are independent of each other. The presence of a hate group obviously contributes and marks the potential for hate crimes, hate incidents and hateful activity in your community. Nationwide, the SPLC counted 1,020 hate groups, he said. After New Mexico, the states with the fewest hate groups in 2018, according to the SPLC, were Vermont and Wyoming, each with one group; Rhode Island and Delaware, each with two; North Dakota and Iowa, each with three; and Kansas and Alaska, with four each. The states with the largest number of such groups were California, with 83; Florida, with 75; Texas, with 73; and New York, with 47. The number of hate groups in New Mexico since 2000 has varied from a high of six in 2013 to zero in 2004, 2005 and 2018, according to the Hate Map. Among those groups were the Christian Crusade for Truth, World Church of the Creator, National Socialist Movement, Civilian Combat Squad, New Mexico Skinheads, Frontline Aryans, 11th Hour Remnant Messenger, Supreme White Alliance and the Loyal White Knights of the KKK. In New Mexico, the FBI documented 28 reported hate crimes in 2018, compared with seven reported incidents in 2017. The majority of them, 21, were based on race, ethnicity or national origin. Three were based on religion, three were based on sexual orientation and one on gender identity. Over the past decade, the most common types of hate incidents (not all of which are technically hate crimes) reported in the Journal have been anti-Semitic, racial or ethnic graffiti in public parks and on public and private buildings; accounts of hostile comments made toward people because of sexual orientation; and reports of university students using or being the target of racial slurs. Increasingly, acts of violence have been directed at the homeless, some of whom were seriously injured or killed. While the homeless are not now a protected class of individuals, a number of organizations, including the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, have called for legislation to add them as a protected class under the states Hate Crimes Statute. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is attempting to do just that. He is drafting a proposal to change the states Hate Crime Statute to add the homeless as a protected class of people. Other proposed changes include increasing hate crime enhancement penalties attached to more severe underlying crimes; adding civil penalties to the statute; and fixing a loophole that allows hate crimes to be punished less severely than other forms of aggravating circumstances. There is no place for violence in New Mexico, let alone violence perpetrated against someone for who they are or what they believe, Balderas told the Journal. We must strengthen our laws to ensure that New Mexicans are protected from those who would perpetrate a hate crime against them. Scott Levin, Mountain States Regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, agreed that it doesnt take a group to commit a hate crime, people can act on their own. They just might not be organized and meeting together. It may be a whole bunch of lone individuals with extremist ideologies. The ADLs focus is tracking anti-Semitic hate crimes. Most hate crimes in the United States today are racially based, but there are certainly pockets where religion is going to be a bigger factor, Levin said. Larger cities tend to have larger populations of Jewish people, so there is a much higher incidence of anti-Semitic hate crimes there than in other parts of the country. The hate crimes reported in New Mexico mirror the national trend in that the most common type was race-based. Nationally, nearly 50% of race-based hate crimes were directed against African Americans. Hate crimes directed at LGBTQ individuals increased by almost 6%, including a significant 42% increase in crimes directed against transgender individuals. Anti-Hispanic hate crimes increased 14%. Even though religion-based hate crimes decreased by 8% from 2017, nearly 60% of these hate crimes targeted Jews and Jewish institutions in 2018. All told, the FBI reported 7,120 hate crimes in 2018, a slight decrease from the 7,175 reported in 2017. That number, however, is a dramatic undercount, Hankes said. The FBIs statistics are based on the numbers collected from law enforcement agencies around the country. Unfortunately, the vast majority of law enforcement agencies are not required to report hate crimes for their jurisdictions, so it becomes a voluntary exercise, Hankes said. Also, in many states, hate crimes are classified as an enhancement to other crimes and are not a charge in and of themselves. To underscore just how pervasive hate crimes are, Hankes pointed to the U.S. Department of Justices National Crime Victimization Survey, which annually collects data on crimes both reported and not reported to police. In the five years between 2013 and 2017, there were an average of 204,000 hate crimes each year. Hankes said the SPLC has been tracking a massive spike in hate crimes in the years following the past presidential cycle. He noted that one of the drivers of hate crimes is toxic political rhetoric, particularly in describing immigrants. This language often resonates with fringe hate groups and serves only to provide them with the ultimate validation of their world view, Hankes said. They feel emboldened and empowered, and that their ideas have purchase. Federal Judge Orders Justice Department to Explain Why Awan Documents Are Being Kept Secret An apparently frustrated federal judge ordered attorneys for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appear Jan. 15 for a snap hearing to explain why the government isnt producing documents sought by Judicial Watch concerning former Democratic information technology aide Imran Awan. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Amit Mehtas unusual order followed a sealed submission by DOJ attorneys Jan. 10 in the case prompted by the nonprofit government watchdogs November 2018 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. Such hastily convened hearings are extremely unusual in a federal judicial system so jammed that months can pass before cases are litigated in courtrooms. In a hearing last month, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta expressed frustration and ordered the Justice Department to explain its failure to produce records by January 10 and to provide Judicial Watch some details about the delay, Judicial Watch said in a statement Jan. 14 about the snap hearing. Instead, the Justice Department made its filing under seal and has yet to provide Judicial Watch with any details about its failure to produce records as promised to the court, Judicial Watch said. Federal attorneys previously said in December 2019 that they were unable to provide the documents sought in the Judicial Watch FOIA requests because they include materials from a related sealed criminal matter. The lawsuit was prompted by DOJs failure to produce documents sought by Judicial Watch in two separate FOIA requests in the Awan scandal. Awan, a Pakistani national, and several members of his family and friends were IT aides to more than 40 Democratic members of key national security and foreign policy committees in the House of Representatives. Their positions gave the aides access to all of the members digital communications and documents. With the exception of Imran Awan, all of the Awan network members lost their access to the House IT network in February 2017, as a result of a report by the top House administrative officials that said the aides are an ongoing and serious risk to the House of Representatives, possibly threatening the integrity of our information systems and thereby members capacity to serve constituents. Imran Awan was kept on the House payroll by then-Democratic National Committee Chairman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.) until he was arrested by federal agents while trying to leave the United States. Awan was subsequently charged with bank fraud in connection with a loan from the Congressional Federal Credit Union. Awan pleaded guilty in a plea deal in which federal prosecutors agreed to drop a bank fraud charge against Awans wife, and said they found no evidence that he illegally removed House data from the House network or from House members offices, stole the House Democratic Caucus server, stole or destroyed House information technology equipment, or improperly accessed or transferred government information, including classified or sensitive information. To date, federal prosecutors havent explained why their investigation reached a conclusion opposite to that of House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and House Chief Administrative Officer Phil Kiko. Awan served no time in prison and only three months of supervised release. His attorney in the bank fraud case was a longtime associate of Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Awan scandal was first exposed by Daily Caller investigative journalist Luke Rosiak, who subsequently published a book on his findings, titled Obstruction of Justice: How the Deep State Risked National Security to Protect the Democrats. None of the Awan network members were reportedly required to undergo security background checks prior to being employed on congressional staffs. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in the nonprofits statement that the DOJs handling of the Awan brothers case has long been an issue of concern and now we are expected to believe some secret investigation prevents the public from knowing the full truth about this scandal. We are skeptical. Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc Kansas City progressives now confront gender issues and a war of the sexes as Bernie Bros are tagged as sexist for not letting Women for Warren on top. He Said, She Said Elizabeth Warren: Bernie Sanders told me a woman would not be elected president Elizabeth Warren on Monday acknowledged reports that Bernie Sanders told her in a private chat that a woman would not win in a presidential general election. Warren released a statement about their December 2018 conversation after CNN reported earlier Monday that Sanders warned her a woman would not win the presidency. Bernie Bros Strike Back Bernie campaign slams Warren as candidate of the elite "I like Elizabeth Warren. [optional]" the script begins. "In fact, she's my second choice. But here's my concern about her." It then pivots to the criticisms of Warren. The Sanders campaign did not challenge the authenticity of the script, but it declined to comment. The Warren campaign also declined to comment. No Friends In Politics Warren and Sanders' Famous Friendship Finally Ices Over At Tuesday night's Democratic debate in Des Moines, all eyes will be on Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as their once seemingly warm relationship has quickly turned icy. Kansas City ladies march against Prez Trump this weekend but there will be two distinct groups that couldn't unify their efforts.The Pitch offered some. But the sitch is pretty simple to understand:Behind the scenes and via social media, the debate has been divisive and personal.Allegations over inclusion targeting "Becky & Karen" are met with cutting passive aggressive tones, understanding and endless listening sessions . . . There seems to have been a battle roayle over who will play the political victim most effectively this weekend.And this local tumult is indicative of the latest ruckus involving progressives and more gender culture war politicking.Sadly, despite all of this debate over equality it's unclear if either candidate can beat Prez Trump.Check the links:You decide . . . Speaking against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had said that he would be keen to see a Bangladeshi immigrant creating the next unicorn in India or becoming the next Infosys CEO A day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella criticised the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in a statement to Buzzfeed, the software and tech giants chief in an updated statement said that he hopes for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multi-national corporation. In a statement on Tuesday, Nadella said, Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 On Monday, he had said that he would be keen to see a Bangladeshi immigrant creating the next unicorn in India or becoming the next Infosys CEO. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi countered Nadella's statement by suggesting to grant CAA-like provisions to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in the United States, calling it a perfect example of how literate need to be educated. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 Meanwhile, author and historian Ramachandra Guha and Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sanjay Jha supported the Microsoft chief's stand against the contentious Act. While Guha expressed dismay over Indian IT czars not having the courage to stand against CAA, Singhvi dared supporters of the Act to now work for Microsoft, LinkedIn and other companies that fall under the tech giant's umbrella. I am glad Satya Nadella has said what he has. I wish that one of our own IT czars had the courage and wisdom to say this first. Or to say it even now. https://t.co/KsKbDUtMQk Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 13, 2020 Would really like to see Bhakts' take on #SatyaNadella after what he said about #CAA_NRC. Boycott Microsoft , Linked-In etc, and we'll be spared of some of your antics online. Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 14, 2020 #SatyaNadella has spoken. But India Inc has the spine of a Maggi noodle. Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) January 13, 2020 Bhakts have gone super crazy after #SatyaNadella's criticism of #CAA_NRC_NPR - But, who gave these Bhakts the audacity to assume that no once can criticize their megalomaniac God and his bigoted regime? Our silence has made them bolder. Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) January 13, 2020 The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by Parliament on 11 December. According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till 31 December, 2014, due to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. Protests have broken out against the CAA across the country, with those opposing the law contending that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along withe the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is intended to target the Muslim community in India. With inputs from PTI SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Oh My Green, a leading provider of healthy food and wellbeing services for corporations of all sizes, today announced it has acquired Byte Foods, the food distribution and logistics division of Byte Technology . This acquisition will extend the reach of Oh My Green's fresh food into hundreds of additional locations and allow employers to provide an essential workplace amenity without incurring the cost of fully subsidized food. Oh My Green will provide unattended storefronts within workplaces, hospitals, government facilities, universities with 24/7 access to fresh foods and beverages, while algorithmically customizing the assortment of options provided at each location, offering a healthy mix of salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, meal-kits, snacks and drinks. "The storefronts will expand the array of food and beverage offerings currently available to Oh My Green customers and allow for further distribution of Oh My Green's healthy food services to a variety of organization sizes and budgetary needs, while helping us continue our mission of empowering people to live healthy and blissful lives," said Michael Heinrich, founder and CEO of Oh My Green. "We believe companies of all sizes should be able to have accessible options to offer healthy food and services to their employees." "The acquisition of Byte Foods is an important milestone in becoming the 'go-to' technology partner for Oh My Green," said Megan Mokri, CEO of Byte Technology. "Byte developed this technology from the ground up to meet the growing demand for convenient access to fresh food, anywhere. Byte Foods is a thriving business built on the principle that employers don't need a budget to provide fresh food for their employees. The acquisition of Byte Foods allows Oh My Green to serve this very large and underserved market while empowering Byte Technology to become a pure-play technology provider for food companies everywhere." Oh My Green will expand the Byte Foods product offerings alongside their Micro Kitchens and Culinary programs in their existing nine markets. For more information on Oh My Green, visit www.ohmygreen.com . About Oh My Green Oh My Green is creating workplace wellbeing through healthy food and wellbeing services. Founded out of the Stanford-StartX Incubator and Y Combinator, the company offers a wellbeing platform that brings nutritious snacks, meals, drinks and wellbeing practices to the workplace through micro-kitchens, micro-markets, catering, subscription boxes and more. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oh My Green works with startups to Fortune 500 companies across a range of industries. Visit https://www.ohmygreen.com for more information and join our community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @OhMyGreenHQ. About Byte Technology Byte Technology allows food companies to sell their products anywhere, using small unattended stores. The small footprint of Byte Technology-powered stores enables them to be easily embedded in non-traditional retail locations like offices, universities, gyms, apartments, hospitals and more. Byte Technology's proprietary hardware and software platform provides unprecedented real-time visibility. into inventory, purchase, and restock data. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Byte Technology works with food companies across the United States. Visit https://www.bytetechnology.c o for more information. SOURCE Oh My Green Related Links https://www.ohmygreen.com/ Iran's presidential administration insists that President Hassan Rouhani was kept in the dark about the cause of the Ukrainian plane crash for more than two days. In an unprecedented move Rouhani is now challenging the Armed Forces and calling for clarification of why they concealed the facts from him as the Head of the country's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The country's highest security decisions are supposed to be taken by the Supreme National Security Council headed by Rouhani but it did not even hold a meeting about the plane crash until Friday afternoon because according to the Spokesman Ali Rabiee the government had been assured that the cause of the crash was a technical failure. In a speech on Tuesday, January 14, Rouhani called on the Armed Forces to clarify the steps taken from the time of the accident last Wednesday to Friday evening when the Supreme National Security Council held an emergency meeting, apparently called by him. "The whole process should be explained to the people," he insisted. In his speech Rouhani called the downing of the Ukrainian plane by the Revolutionary Guard last week an "unforgivable error" and demanded that the Judiciary should appoint a "special court presided by a high-ranking judge and with tens of experts" to probe it. In a press conference on Tuesday the Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Esmaili said the judiciary has arrested six people in connection with the plane crash case but did not offer any details. Rouhani repeated his spokesman's earlier argument that as soon as he found out a "horrible and unforgivable error had happened" he insisted that the Armed Forces immediately inform the people of the real reason for the crash; a missile fired by the Revolutionary Guard air defense unit. According to some reports he even threatened to resign if the Guards did not accept responsibility for the downing of the plane. The Armed Forces General Headquarters and Revolutionary Guards commanders, including IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir-Ali Hajizadeh who took personal responsibility, and IRGC Chief Commander General Hossein Salami, have all blamed the accident on "an error of judgement" made by one single person, the operator of the air defense system that fired the missile. But Rouhani pointing out that he is not ignorant of air defense procedures is now challenging these claims. "Being more or less familiar with air defense issues I can say that in this matter we can't blame only one person. It is not as if only the person who hit the button [to fire the missile] was at fault, there were others too," he said on Tuesday. "Never before has a person in charge or an air defense officer made a mistake like this involving a passenger plane, in the capital and the center of the country and close to an international airport," Rouhani said, promising the families of the victims to continue his efforts until "all aspects of the matter are clarified and everybody who was responsible is punished". Rouhani, like other officials of the Islamic Republic, also blamed the United States in his speech but unlike others indicated that he wants to dig deeper, to show how vital decisions are made, without him and to show how other relevant government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Organization were led astray about the cause of the crash, bringing much embarrassment to the government. "The United States caused tensions and made the situation atypical. The United States threatened and took away our beloved people, all of that is correct. But it does not mean that we do not investigate all the root causes in this accident," he said. As many as 26 members of the banned Assam-based insurgent group National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), including its self-styled 'president' and 'commander-in-chief', were brought back to India from Myanmar by security agencies, officials said on Tuesday. The group also had 25 weapons, more than 50 magazines, over 900 assorted ammunition and communication equipment with them, besides family members. "On January 11, 2020, a total of 26 active members of the NDFB were brought back to India from Myanmar by agencies of government of India," an official said. The group include top leaders of the organisation like its 'president' B Saoraigwra, 'general secretary', 'commander-in-chief' and 'finance secretary'. This faction is one of the four Bodo militant groups in Assam. The other three groups are currently under ceasefire with the government and are talking to the interlocutor for a political settlement to the Bodo issue. However, the Saoraigwra-led faction was active in Myanmar along with other Northeast insurgent groups. They had formed a joint platform namely United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia along with NSCN-K (a Naga militant group) and ULFA-I (another militant group of Assam), the official said. With the group now opting for peace, the decades-old Bodo militancy in Assam has finally come to an end ushering peace for the state in general and Bodo areas in particular, the official said. The Centre has welcomed the bold move by Saoraigwra and his supporters to abjure violence and opt for peace, the official said. The government is considering various options for a comprehensive and final solution to the Bodo political issue with the involvement of all stakeholders such as Bodo civil society organisations, political parties and Bodo militant groups, another official said. Demand for a separate Bodoland state has been in the centre stage in Assam for about half a century. Both Bodo overground organisations and militant groups highlighted the demand in the past leading to violence, agitations and protests, causing loss of life and property. Agreements were signed in 1993 and 2003 to resolve the vexed issue. A Bodo Territorial Council under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution was created in 2003 to meet political, developmental and identity related aspirations of the Bodos. However, the demand for Bodoland state continued despite vociferous protests by non-Bodo groups in the state. If the central and Assam governments succeed in finding a final settlement to the Bodo issue while keeping intact the territorial integrity of Assam, it will go a long way in improving the law and order situation and bring prosperity and progress to the state, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EDITORS NOTE: On Jan. 15, NJ Cannabis Insider hosts a newsmakers networking event in Red Bank, featuring a legislator and business leaders in the hemp and legal cannabis industries. Tickets are limited. New Jersey could soon outlaw flavored e-cigarettes, as state lawmakers Monday gave final approval to a bill banning certain vaping products in the midst of a national health crisis. The state Senate voted 22-15 and the state Assembly 53-11 to pass the measure (S3265) that would bar flavored vaping products in the Garden State. The measure now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy, who has until Jan. 21 to sign or veto it. Getting flavored vaping products off the market will protect our youth," Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. "If we dont, we will have another generation of young people addicted to nicotine when we were so close to reducing widespread dependency on this chemical. Both houses of the Legislature also voted to pass a bill that would increase penalties on those who sold vaping products to minors. Murphy, a Democrat, called last year to bar flavored vaping devices and products in the state as a national health crisis associated with vaping unfolded. As of last week, more than 2,600 people have been hospitalized and 57 have died after a mysterious lung illness associated with vaping, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Critics of vaping argue flavored e-cigarettes attract young people, creating a new generation of smokers. But former cigarette smokes say vaping has helped them to quit, and the industry has bolstered small businesses. Without flavors on their shelves, though, the small vape shop owners say they will lose nearly all of their customers. The bill initially included a ban on menthol cigarettes, but state Senate President Stephen Sweeney told NJ Advance Media last week lawmakers have removed that provision and instead plan to address the issue in budget discussions later this year. That move left critics arguing the bill attacked small businesses while allowing big tobacco, and the black market to flourish. The flavor ban would take effect 90 days after the governor signed it, a short time-frame some argue leaves vape shops without enough time to adapt. Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. ALTON The the nomination period for the annual YWCA of Alton Women of Distinction program still is open through Friday, Feb. 7. are pleased to announce that for the Women of Distinction program is open through , 2020. This years honorees will be celebrated at the 30th annual Women of Distinction Celebration held April 2, Thursday evening, at the Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, in Godfrey. The Women of Distinction (WOD) celebration recognizes some of the regions brightest, boldest and most influential women, said event co-chairs Lisa Brown and Gail Donnelly Bader. Each year, these women have been honored at YWCA of Altons April event. Honorees are women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their professional and personal lives. Last years honorees included Dana Adams, of Edwardsville; Kimberly Baalman-Eberlin, of Grafton; Plesetta Clayton, of Edwardsville; Yolanda Crochrell, of Edwardsville; Amy Golley, of Alton; E. Virginia Ilch, of Godfrey; Page Selby, of Godfrey; Candice Wallace, of Godfrey; Megan Williams, of Alton; and, Sarah Woodman, of Godfrey. YWCA of Alton is requesting the publics help in soliciting nominations for the 30th annual Women of Distinction celebration. Nomination packages are available at the YWCA of Alton or at its website https://www.altonywca.com/connect-with-us/calendar/ . Nomination materials also can be requested by calling 618-465-7774 or by emailing info@altonywca.com. The community, especially members from the Women of Distinction Academy, of which its members are those women who were selected from nominations from past years and honored at the annual Women of Distinction celebration, is urged to nominate women who are making a difference in their communities. A volunteer panel of judges will select the 2020 honorees from nominations. Honorees will be selected for significant contributions of giving back to the community through time, talent, mentoring and resources, demonstrating a commitment to the YWCA of Altons mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, working for positive social change that helps improve communities, including advocating for policies and practices, changing attitudes and taking action, and creating programs that positively impact families, including, but not limited to, the areas of health, safety, economic stability or development. Established in 1918, the YWCA of Alton is part of the largest and oldest womens organization in the world. The YWCA of Alton tailors its programs to meet the unique needs of communities, as aligned with three key national platforms: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. All proceeds from the Women of Distinction Celebration support the YWCA of Altons programs to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA of Alton is sponsored by Ameren Illinois, IlliniCare Health, Morrissey Contracting Company Inc., ConocoPhillips and Simmons, Hanley and Conroy, a national law firm. Bhopal, Jan 14 : A suspicious letter has been delivered to Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur at her residence here. The letter allegedly contains a powder-like chemical substance along with some pictures. A team of police officials visited her house in Bhopal on Monday after she complained to the police about the letter which is written in Urdu. According to reports, Pragya Thakur received an envelop at his Riviera Towne residence in the city through post. When she opened the envelop she found a packet along with the letter. "The letter contained pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with cross signs on them," Pragya Thakur told the police. She said when she touched the packet she got irritation in her hand. She alleged threat to her life. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team of Bhopal police is examining the letter. Pragya's security has been beefed up after the incident. Akhil Patel, Additional SP, Bhopal said, "She received the letter in October, but she opened it only on Monday. Police is investigating into the matter." According to sources, the letter also contains the photos of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and a burnt tricolour. Pragya said she received threat to her life earlier also but the police did not take any action even after she complained. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 14:10:20|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's role has been and will be very significant in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and building a permanent peace on the peninsula, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday. Moon made the remarks in his televised New Year's press conference at the presidential Blue House, saying "China's role is very significant" in resolving issues on the peninsula's denuclearization. "Actually, China has provided an awful lot of help until now, and I am grateful (to China) for it," Moon noted. Moon said his country will cooperate with China to let it keep playing a helpful role until the Korean Peninsula is completely denuclearized and the lasting peace is built on the peninsula. He noted that the year 2022 would mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. He vowed to speed up cooperation with China by seeking to find a common ground between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and South Korea's New Southern and New Northern policies. The South Korean president initiated the New Southern Policy and the New Northern Policy to expand his country's economic and diplomatic territories beyond Northeast Asia by deepening cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and countries bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the people on 'Bhogi' and celebrated the festival with his family members here by lighting a bonfire on the occasion. "Celebrated Bhogi with my family members in Chennai today by lighting the 'Bhogi Manta' or a bonfire at the dawn," the Vice President tweeted. Naidu said that Bhogi is an occasion to mark a new and prosperous beginning by discarding old and derelict things. "May this day make our future as bright as the sunshine, and bring joy, prosperity and happiness into the lives of all," the Vice President said in a follow-up tweet. Bhogi celebration is marked by the customary bonfire preceding Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. Bhogi marks the beginning of the four-day Pongal festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Before sharing human research data, scientists routinely strip it of personal information such as name, address, and birthdate in order to protect the privacy of their study participants. However, reporting in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers at Silent Spring Institute and their colleagues show that for environmental health studies, that might not be enough--even anonymized data can sometimes be traced back to individuals. The new study highlights the need for greater protections for participants in human research studies. It also has implications for a proposed federal rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would require scientists to make their data public in order for their research to be used as a basis for environmental regulations. Researchers promise to protect the privacy of their study participants--a routine practice in nearly all scientific studies involving people. Our research shows that making data publicly available from environmental health studies, even after obvious identifiers are removed, could violate these pledges." Katherine Boronow, staff scientist at Silent Spring, lead author In a previous study, Silent Spring researchers conducted an experiment in which they shared anonymized data from the Institute's Household Exposure Study in California with a team of Harvard researchers skilled in re-identification techniques. By linking housing and demographic data from the study to publicly-available data such as tax assessor records, and using other information described in the study such as the location of the housing developments and the levels of indoor air pollutants measured, the team successfully re-identified 25 percent of participants from one housing development by name. Now, in this latest investigation, the researchers show that vulnerability to re-identification is a common aspect of environmental health data. They reviewed a dozen environmental health studies and identified five different types of data (location, medical, genetic, occupation, and housing) that overlap with outside databases and could contribute to the risk of re-identification. The researchers found that all 12 studies included at least two out of the five data types, and three studies included all five. "Having multiple data types provides more opportunities for someone to match research data against existing commercial or public databases," says Boronow. Measurements of pollutants in people's bodies or in their homes are also a characteristic data type of many environmental health studies. Currently, however, these measurements alone are less vulnerable to data linkage because there are few databases that include chemical measurements that could be used for matching. To explore a different way that chemical exposure data might be used in re-identification, the team conducted a cluster analysis using data from Silent Spring's Household Exposure Study in California and in Massachusetts and from the Centers for Disease Control's Green Housing Study in Boston and Cincinnati. They fed the raw chemical measurements to an algorithm that sorted the data within each study into two groups. The groups created by the algorithm corresponded to geographic location with 80 to 98 percent accuracy. If the data cluster into groups by location, says Boronow, then each group can be matched to data narrowed to that location, making it more likely for a re-identification attack to produce correct matches. This shows how someone could use chemical data to infer a characteristic of people in a study even if that characteristic is excluded when the study data are shared. Data sharing has many benefits. By pooling data, researchers can create larger, more diverse datasets that could lead to advances in knowledge. It can also give researchers access to data that are difficult or expensive to obtain, such as data from biological or environmental samples collected after an environmental disaster. However, as the new study shows, it also has its risks. Dr. Julia Brody, executive director at Silent Spring and a co-author of the study, says the implications of privacy risks are not trivial. Loss of privacy could result in stigma for individuals and communities. It could affect property values, insurance, or a person's chances of employment. It could also damage trust in research. In 2018, EPA released a proposed rule called "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science," that would require researchers to disclose their raw data as a precondition for the agency using a study to support regulatory decisions. Because the requirement could jeopardize confidential information about study participants, it could disqualify critical environmental health studies that form the basis of existing regulations, such as current limits on air pollutants. EPA is expected to release a revised version of the proposed rule early this year. "Thousands of Americans have contributed personal data to scientific research with the goal of improving health for all," says Brody. "We must not take advantage of their generosity with rules that threaten their privacy and discourage future participation in research." With growing pressure on scientists to share their data, and with more consumer data available online, Brody says it is important to fully characterize the risks of data sharing and identify solutions. Results from their research, she says, could help scientists develop informed consent documents that are more forthcoming about the risks and could help determine what types of data should be excluded from public sharing. It could also lay the groundwork for legal and policy protections for participants should they fall victim to re-identification. Animal Rescue Kingdom / Animal Rescue Kingdom He may not have the pedigree of his Hollywood star namesake, but this Brad Pitt is ready to take a starring role in your life. Animal Rescue Kingdom, 2611 Charles Lane, Sugar Land, is looking for a forever home for Brad Pitt, who they described as a a handsome Rat Terrier mix. There is no dearth of politicians in India and given the recent turmoil, we are likely to see the rise of several young faces on the national scene. But there are indeed few, who are not only outspoken but are also at the forefront of leading their causes, notwithstanding the legal hurdles and repercussions they face. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who is currently under custody and has moved a Delhi court for bail, has been in the limelight for quite some time now. He has claimed that police invoked "boilerplate" charges (verbose) against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. To this, the court slammed Delhi Police for failing to show any evidence against him and observed that people are out on the streets because things which should have been said inside Parliament were not said. Delhi Police was behaving as if Jama Masjid was in Pakistan, Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said, adding that even if it was, one can protest there peacefully. Pakistan was once part of undivided India, she said. "You are behaving as if Jama Masjid was Pakistan and even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India," the judge said. The court asked the investigating officer of the police to put on record all the evidence which showed that Azad was allegedly giving incriminatory speeches at the gathering at Jama Masjid and any law which showed that the gathering there was unconstitutional. It has put up the matter for further hearing on Wednesday. The court further observed that Azad, having a law degree, can also protest inside the courts. It noted that Azad's Ambedkarite philosophy probably required more research. "Azad is probably an Ambedkarite. Ambedkar was more closer to the Muslims, Sikhs and basically the repressed class of the society... He was a rebel of his own kind. Probably Azad has a vague idea of what he wants to say but probably not able to put it across. If you take up an issue, you do your research. And that is missing, " the court said. The plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, claimed that there was no evidence against the allegations made against Azad in the FIR and his arrest was illegal. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on December 20, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on January 9 and Azads health is reportedly deteriorating. He was also taken to AIIMS for a check-up. Azad, sometimes referred to as Ravan, was born in Dhadkuli village near Chatmalpur in Saharanpur and is a law graduate. Along with Vinay Ratan Singh, he co-founded the Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission, an unregistered organisation, to fight for the development of Dalits and other marginalised sections in 2014. He first rose to prominence after putting up a board that read The Great Chamars of Dhadkauli Welcome You in his native place in the year 2015. His organisation has received massive support from the members of lower castes, primarily in Uttar Pradesh. INDIAN EXPRESS Azad has opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and addressed thousands of protesters at Jama Masjid in a show of what he described as the unity of Indians, cutting across religious lines. He has maintained that the fight against NRC and CAA is not only being fought by Muslims but all sections of the society are united in opposing it. He has also vehemently criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their anti-Dalit and divisive politics. Given his mass appeal among the people, particularly the youngsters from the lower castes and the hinterlands, the ire against him is the least, surprising. Turkey arrests priest who gave water and bread to Kurdish fighters: report Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Assyrian priest and two other Assyrian Christians were arrested Friday in Turkey and slapped with terror charges for allegedly offering bread and water to Kurdish militants who visited his monastery, according to reports. Priest Sefer Bilecen of the Mor Yakup Monastery in southeast Turkey was detained last Thursday, according to the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya news agency in addition to two other Assyrian Christians, Musa Tash Takin from Sidri and Youssef Yar from the Uckoy. They remain detained. According to the outlet, Turkish gendarme accused the pastor of aiding and abetting the Kurdish militant outfit aligned with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, a group recognized by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization. Bilecens arrest reportedly came in response to testimony provided by a member of the PKK-aligned Peoples Defense Forces (HPG) who claimed that Bilecen gave bread and water to HPG members when they visited the church in 2018. Bilecen is said to be the only caretaker of the monastery located in the town of Mardin. Evgil Turker told Mezopotamya news that the arrest of Bilecen was unnecessary and called for his release. "As men of God, priests have to comply when somebody asks for help, no matter what their religion, race, language or ideology," Turker was quoted as saying. Turker compared Bilecens case to that of American missionary Andrew Brunson. Brunson, who served for two decades as a missionary in Turkey, spent over two years in prison in Izmir after he was accused of supporting Kurdish fighters and the Gulen movement, charges that Brunson claimed were false. "We may not have a [U.S. President Donald] Trump of our own, but Turkey will have a second case of pastor Brunson," Turker was quoted as saying. Reports of Bilecens arrest drew the ire of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a congressionally mandated panel of independent experts who advise the White House, Congress and the State Department on Religious Freedom issues. USCIRF is concerned by initial reports that authorities have detained Father Sefer Aho Bilecen, priest of the Mor Yakup Church in Nusaybin, #Turkey, and two other members of the small Syriac Orthodox community for unclear reasons, a tweet from the commission reads. The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights reports that the priest and the two Christians were taken to an Uckoys village police station and then sent to Mardin. We at the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights express our full solidarity with the three Christian detainees, a statement from the group reads. We hold the Turkish authorities fully legal responsibility for their physical integrity, and we demand that they release them immediately and without any delay. The Syrian and Iraqi Christian humanitarian group A Demand for Action confirmed the arrests through sources on the ground in Turkey. While the two lay people were arrested in their villages, Father Aho Bilecen was forced to follow the authorities after a raid at the monastery, A Demand for Action Facebook statement reads. These arrests have left the 3,000 remaining Christians of the Syriac-Orthodox faith and Assyrian-Syriac ethnicity in a state of fear and confusion. This kind of behavior by the Turkish authorities is the reason why the vast majority of Christians of Tur Abdin have left the region, and live in scattered. According to A Demand for Action, the Mor Yakup Monastery was closed for two decades before Bilecen became a monk. The monastery is situated in an area that serves as a focal point in battles between the PKK and the Turkish government. Uzay Bulut, a Turkish journalist, told the U.S.-based advocacy group International Christian Concern that Assyrians have been targeted and massacred for their ethnicity and religion for centuries. Although they have been left all alone by the world powers, they have been so resiliently trying to hold on to their ancient homeland, she said. And they need the voice and support of faithful Christians and all other human rights advocates more than ever now. Since a failed coup attempt in 2016 that was blamed on the Gulen movement, the Turkish regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has engaged in a giant crackdown on any person who is suspected of having ties to the coup attempt or Kurdish rebel groups. Tens of thousands have been arrested as a result. Additionally, Turkey has reportedly deported numerous foreign pastors and missionaries in recent years. USCIRF ranks Turkey as a Tier 2 country of concern for religious freedom violations in its 2019 annual report, stating that religious freedom in Turkey remained deeply troubling. The lack of any meaningful progress on the part of the Turkish government to address longstanding religious freedom issues was continued cause for concern, the USCIRF report states. Many serious limitations on the freedom of religion or belief continued, threatening the continued vitality and survival of minority religious communities in the country With presidential tweets in Persian and stern warnings to the regime, Donald Trump's administration is rallying behind the latest protests in Iran -- and renewing suspicions that his real goal is regime change. Just a week ago, massive crowds took to the streets in Iran to mourn powerful general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad, and Tehran fired retaliatory missiles at US forces in Iraq without inflicting casualties. Trump's response was, briefly, unusually conciliatory -- seeking a de-escalation with Iran and noting that they shared common interests, including fighting the Islamic State group. But all has changed since Saturday when Iran admitted that it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing 176 people, setting off a new round of protests by Iranians furious at the deaths and the regime's initial denial. The tragedy has "turned the tide against the Iranian leadership again," said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, which promotes conflict resolution. "And of course the Trump administration is trying to add more fuel to the fire and exploit the situation," he said. With Trump in the lead, the United States has sent out a double message -- voicing solidarity with the protesters and warning the regime not to clamp down. The tycoon turned president, not known for his knowledge of foreign languages, has even sent out several tweets in Persian. His daughter Ivanka boasted that one message was the most liked ever in Persian on Twitter, which is restricted in Iran. - 'Shining a light' - US officials have also shared images of demonstrators tearing down portraits of Soleimani or refusing to step on the flag of the United States. A senior US official said that the administration wanted to make sure that the clerical regime "knows that we're watching." "If we can save one Iranian life from being killed by shining a light on what their government has done in past protests, then we think it's worth it," the official said on condition of anonymity. In November, Iran cracked down on protests that erupted over an abrupt hike in fuel prices. Amnesty International says more than 300 died, while US officials say they toll could be over 1,500. Iran has been under intensifying economic strain after Trump in 2018 pulled out of a nuclear accord and imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at combatting Tehran's influence. Richard Goldberg, a former adviser to Trump on Iran who is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, which promotes a hard line on Tehran, said Trump's stance after the plane disaster was "not a regime change policy, it's a human policy." "President Trump has made clear his policy is not regime change but that he stands with the Iranian people in their aspiration for a normal government that represents their interests," he said. "The president's tweet is a shrewd move, putting even more pressure on the regime at its most unstable moment," he said. - Talking regime change - But the Trump administration has sent mixed messages on its goals in Iran, which switched from US ally to sworn foe with the Islamic revolution 40 years ago. John Bolton, who served until September as Trump's national security advisor and is close to Iran's exiled opposition, tweeted that "regime change is in the air" and called on the West to refuse any negotiations. Trump, on Twitter, contradicted Bolton's successor, Robert O'Brien, who like other US officials said that the goal of US sanctions was a diplomatic agreement. "Actually, I could care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and 'don't kill your protesters,'" Trump wrote. Mark Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that while it was unclear how threatened the regime felt, it was clear that Trump "seeks to take advantage of Tehran's missteps." "Winning their hearts and minds would be easier if he allowed Iranians to freely import medical supplies and aircraft safety equipment, and to visit the United States," Fitzpatrick wrote on the think tank's blog. "He is instead taking the opposite, usual tack, applying more sanctions in hopes that economic distress will fan unrest." Vaez said that Trump's messages would reinforce Iranians officials' convictions that they cannot negotiate with the United States, which under Trump scuttled the accord reached under his predecessor Barack Obama. "The more the Trump administration gives the impression to the Iranians that it is seeking regime change, the less likely it becomes that any kind of de-escalation would be possible," he said. "The Iranians are stuck between what they see as the Trump administration aggression and the Iranian government's repression." Iranian students demonstrate in Tehran over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner An Iranian man confronts a policeman during a demonstration outside Tehran's Amir Kabir University in January 2020 President Donald Trump has sought to ramp up pressure on Iran Protesters wearing masks of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump perform during an anti-war demonstration in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate in January 2020 One, timing. How Booker must wish he had made a presidential run sooner in his career. I first met Booker when he was beginning to gain national attention on his way to being elected mayor of Newark. I can only imagine how much he wishes that he had made his presidential bid before Obama, then a promising Illinois state senator, did. At least, he wouldnt have to put up with inevitable and confining comparisons to Obama. Experts welcome early signs of cooperation, but warn Canada must tread carefully in complicated political climate. Montreal, Canada Amid vigils, fundraisers and an outpouring of public support, Canada has emerged as a leader in international efforts to seek justice for the victims of last weeks deadly Ukrainian plane crash in Iran. The families of the victims and all Canadians want answers. I want answers. That means closure, transparency, accountability and justice and this government will not rest until we get that, Justin Trudeau said on January 9, a day after the Ukrainian Airlines flight went down near Tehran. All 176 people on board Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 were killed, including 57 Canadian citizens. Speaking to victims families on Sunday, Trudeau reiterated his promise to pursue justice and accountability. But according to legal and political experts, without the results of a thorough investigation, it remains unclear what justice may look like, and the search for answers may be complicated for Canada by the tense political climate. Mourners attending a memorial for the victims of the Ukrainian passenger plane which was shot down in Iran, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada [Carlos Osorio/Reuters] Canada is to an extent at the mercy of the Iranian authorities to be able to enter the country, to be able to access the crash site, to be able to get as much information as possible, said Amanda Ghahremani, a lawyer who specialises in international criminal law, access to justice and redress for victims of atrocities. As a result, the Canadian government must tread carefully to ensure that the victims and the victims families have access to the truth to justice, and to some form of reparation. Theres still so much that we dont know, she told Al Jazeera. First step: Diplomacy After initially disputing reports that an Iranian missile struck the airliner, Iran admitted that its military mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian International Airlines flight. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the fatal incident was the result of human error at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Several people have been arrested, Iran said on Tuesday. The plane crashed shortly after Iran launched missiles at American targets in Iraq in retaliation for the US assassination of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 11, 2020 An investigation is underway in Iran, with international experts from several countries allowed in to provide technical assistance in the probe. It is vital that the investigation that is underway right now be fully independent, be transparent, be thorough, be comprehensive, said Alex Neve, executive director of Amnesty International Canada, adding that the avenues people take to get justice would depend on what the evidence shows. The Iranian government is not known for opening itself up to such probing, Neve told Al Jazeera, so its going to be really crucial for governments to stay very vigilant around the nature of the investigation. So far, Canadas Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has said Iran indicated that Canada will be able to play a more active role than international rules require in the investigation. Transportation Safety Board Chair Kathy Fox speaking during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada [Blair Gable/Reuters] But TSB head Kathy Fox said on Monday that the body does not yet fully know what the scope of our role will be. Iran taking responsibility for the crash is important, Ghahremani said, and may have legal ramifications going forward. Under international law and specific aviation conventions, the victims families may have access to a range of options in their pursuit for justice, including claiming compensation from the airline, or, under very specific circumstances and pending the results of the investigation, making a claim against Iran in Canadian court. Canada can also appeal to the United Nations top court, the International Court of Justice, to try to hold Iran accountable. But Ghahremani said the first and best step is meaningful diplomacy. Engaging with Iran and trying to negotiate some type of compensation settlement for the victims would be the most important and most immediate avenue, she said. Its only as a last resort, when those discussions fail, that Canada would have to resort to legal procedures. But if theres a way to avoid such a lengthy and costly legal process through diplomacy and negotiations then, I think that would be really helpful for the families. Complicated relationship The fact that Canada and Iran do not have formal diplomatic ties, however, will likely only complicate matters, experts said. Relations between the two countries broke off in 2012 when Canadas then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper expelled Iranian diplomats from the country and shuttered the Canadian embassy in Tehran. At the time, Ottawa denounced Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world and placed it on a list of state sponsors of terrorism. Working to re-establish relations with Iran was one of Trudeaus 2015 election campaign promises, but the prime minister suspended those efforts in June 2018 over several points of contention. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking during a memorial service at the University of Alberta for the victims of the Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed in Iran, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada [Candace Elliott/Reuters] It was a terrible mistake to close that embassy, and frankly, it was a mistake on the part of the current government not to have pursued more actively the re-opening of diplomatic relations, said Allan Rock, a former Canadian minister of justice who now teaches at the University of Ottawas Faculty of Law. Rock said not having an embassy in Tehran creates an impediment to Canada providing consular services to the victims families and negotiating directly with the Iranian government about things such as the repatriation of the victims remains for burial in Canada, among others. Not having an embassy there means that we have to work through interlocutors like the Swiss or the Italians. It means we have to communicate indirectly with the Iranian government. It just makes things so much more difficult, he told Al Jazeera. Chance for cooperation The lines of communication between Canada and Iran appear to be open so far, however. Trudeau spoke with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about the incident, while Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne spoke with his counterpart, Zarif. On Friday, Champagne announced the creation of an international working group to share information and coordinate a response to the crash that includes representatives from Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan and the United Kingdom. They will meet in London on Thursday to discuss what happened, Champagne said. We have convened the first in-person meeting of the International Coordination and Response Group on Thursday at Canada House in London. @VPrystaiko @AnnLinde @IdreesZaman @DominicRaab Francois-Philippe Champagne (FPC) (@FP_Champagne) January 13, 2020 Canada is working with allies to ensure a thorough and credible investigation to uncover the complete circumstance that led to this terrible tragedy, a foreign affairs ministry spokesperson told Al Jazeera in an email. Canada is also providing technical assistance and expertise to Ukraine in aircraft design, maintenance and flight operations, the spokesperson said. Iran has also allowed Canadian officials into the country to provide support to the families of the victims. On Monday evening, Champagne tweeted that Canadian consular officials were in Tehran. Update on #PS752. Our consular officials are in place in Tehran. Families of victims can reach the Standing Rapid Deployment Team (SRDT) in Iran at at +98 905 778 9710 or at sos@international.gc.ca. https://t.co/Gk7RtGcwkt Francois-Philippe Champagne (FPC) (@FP_Champagne) January 13, 2020 These are welcome signs, Rock said. He added that the tragedy and the cooperation shown around the investigation thus far can serve as an opportunity for Canada and Iran to resume discussions about re-establishing formal diplomatic relations. We have to decide what our priority is, and it seems to me, given the state of cooperation of Iran at present we should focus on investigation, not litigation, and also quietly try to renew diplomatic relations like any mature country would do. 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While supporting efficient and highly flexible Search & Indexing configuration and deployment options, eSpyder easily blends into existing IT environments without the need for additional server infrastructure. Based on the industry leading eSpyder Enterprise PII identification engine, eSpyder is able to rapidly identify Personal Identifiable Information across a customers estate no matter if on servers, clients, visible or hidden. For more information, see our website http://www.eSpyder.net and our contact email info@eSpyder.net. At least one of my relations was a member of the RIC. He left before the War of Independence in order to get married and not for any political reasons. The RIC provided the necessary normal everyday policing outside Dublin and many joined for that rare prize in Ireland at the time, which was permanent pensionable employment. However, its operation was also affected by the nature of British rule in Ireland. Arthur Wellesley, later duke of Wellington and prime minister, wrote in 1805 that this country can only be held for the king by force of arms. Violence was always the final resort of the British government in Ireland, such as the threat of mass slaughter at Clontarf of supporters of OConnells peaceful Repeal movement. In this environment, the policing force also became a spy network to monitor and suppress the legitimate aspiration of the Irish people for independence. As the only armed police force in the United Kingdom, it was also involved in the enforcement of unjust laws such as the Glenveagh estate clearance that took place here in Donegal. This was not policing by consent of the people, as with the Garda Siochana, but violent enforcement of imperial rule. While we must always recognise the ordinary humanity of the vast majority of members of the RIC, this entitles them to a special memorial no more than the humanity of, say, shop assistants or carpenters; and we must at the same time remember the undemocratic and violent system RIC members were obliged to uphold. Liam Mulligan Letterkenny, Co Donegal Invite Prince Harry to future ceremony to complete farce The Governments stated intention is to postpone the honouring of the RIC until a later date. For the Irish Constabulary the defeat of the Fenian Brotherhood Uprising brought unparallelled fame. There was no doubt of their coolness, courage and detecting acumen. In Adams Police Encyclopedia the author had this to say: On Friday, September 6th, 1867 at the Constabulary Depot in the Phoenix Park, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, the Marchioness (afterwards the Duchess) of Abercorn attached with her own hands the medals, which were specially struck for the occasion, upon the breasts of those who had specially distinguished themselves. In addition to the medal some were also given a sum of money, or a chevron. As a result of the rising, nine policemen were decorated and everybody who was not Irish at the time got a chance to shake their hand and eulogise their loyalty, courage and determination. Her majesty Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to command the force and be hereafter called the Royal Irish Constabulary and they shall be entitled to have the harp and the crown as badges of the force. Being slightly facetious, with some members of the British royal family saying that they will earn their living for the future, I am sure that our Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan could complete the farce by inviting Prince Harry to officiate at his proposed future ceremony. I would not dare suggest the appropriate stipend for his attendance. But his attendance would give the Justice Ministers commemoration world wide news headlines and, as usual when caught spending money foolishly, the Government can trot out the usual mantra that it is good for tourism. Hugh Duffy Cleggan, Co Galway Election fever behind all this outrage over planned event Like many other Irish families mine has a connection with the RIC. My grand uncle William OConnor was an RIC constable. He rescued a drowning man from the River Lee in June 1918 and posthumously received a bravery award as he died of Spanish flu shortly after the event. For some years now an annual interdenominational service for RIC and DMP members has been taking place at the Church of St Paul in Mount Argus. This is organised by the Historical and Reconciliation Police (Harp) Society. In September 2019, Charlie Flanagan became the first Justice Minister to attend the event at Mount Argus. An Taoiseach was represented by his Aide de Camp Commandant Caroline Burke. The event was reported in the media and passed off in a peaceful and respectful manner. The more recently planned event at Dublin Castle has been disrupted due to the high level of excitement in the current build up to a general election. I wonder if the timing of this new event was judicious on the part of the minister? Una OConnor Prosperous, Co Kildare Could the Luftwaffe have won the Battle of Britain? (Getty) Germanys Luftwaffe could have won the Battle of Britain if they had attacked earlier and focused on bombing airfields, a new study has suggested. New simulations by York University researchers suggested that if they had started the campaign earlier, the RAF might have been defeated, paving the way for a German land invasion. Mathematical simulations show how the shift in tactics could have lowered the British chance of victory from 50% to just 10% in battles against Germanys air forces. Several historians have previously argued that this change in tactics could have brought the Luftwaffe victory in the summer of 1940 - but the new study offers statistical evidence. READ MORE Researchers used a so-called weighted bootstrap technique, a bit like taking a ball for the events of each day of the Battle of Britain and placing them in a lotto machine. Balls are then drawn, read and replaced to create thousands of alternative sets of days fighting. The researchers believe that the technique could be used to settle other historical controversies. Co-author of the paper, Dr Jamie Wood from the departments of Mathematics and Biology at the University of York, said: The weighted bootstrap technique allowed us to model alternative campaigns in which the Luftwaffe prolongs or contracts the different phases of the battle and varies its targets. Things could have been very different (Getty) The Luftwaffe would only have been able to make the necessary bases in France available to launch an air attack on Britain in June at the earliest, so our alternative campaign brings forward the air campaign by three weeks. We tested the impact of this and the other counterfactuals by varying the probabilities with which we choose individual days. According to the mathematical model, the impact of these two changes would have been dramatic. Story continues The study suggests that whatever Britains prospects, an earlier start and a focused targeting of airfields would have shifted the battle significantly in the Germans favour. For example, had the likelihood of a British victory in the actual battle been 50 per cent, these two tactical changes would have reduced it to less than 10 per cent. If the real probability of British victory was 98 per cent, the same changes would have reduced this to just 34 per cent. Co-author of the paper, Professor Niall Mackay from the Department of Mathematics at the University of York, said: Weighted bootstrapping can provide a natural and intuitive tool for historians to investigate unrealised possibilities, informing historical controversies and debates. It demonstrates just how finely-balanced the outcomes of some of the biggest moments of history were. Even when we use the actual days' events of the battle, make a small change of timing or emphasis to the arrangement of those days and things might have turned out very differently. This technique can be used to give us a more complete understanding of just how differently events might have played out. WARSAW, Poland - The European Union asked its highest court on Tuesday to order the Polish government to suspend a new chamber to the countrys Supreme Court whose job is to discipline judges. Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller said the EU has no power to order the European Court of Justice to make such a demand of member states. The spat is the latest between the EU and Polands conservative populist government, which has used its power over the past few years to gain greater control over the countrys court system. The EU says the laws being introduced by the Law and Justice Party erode judicial independence in Poland and blur the separation of powers between different arms of the state. A new chamber to discipline judges is only one of several disputed changes. In a statement, the Commission noted that Polands own Supreme Court last year stated that the Disciplinary Chamber does not meet the requirements of EU law on judicial independence, and is therefore not an independent court within the meaning of EU law and of national law. Despite the judgments, the Disciplinary Chamber continues to operate, creating a risk of irreparable damage for Polish judges and increasing the chilling effect on the Polish judiciary, it said. Vera Jourova, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said in a tweet that the EU is ready to engage in a constructive dialogue based on fairness and respect with Poland. Amnesty International welcomed what it called a step to halt abuse of Polish judges. The situation facing the Polish judiciary is incredibly grave, Eve Geddie, an official with the organization, said in a statement. European intervention is vital to stop the Polish governments continued assault on the judges and prosecutors who are speaking out against the crackdown on their rights and freedoms. On Saturday, judges travelled to Warsaw from across Europe in a show of solidarity with Polish judges protesting a bill that would allow the government to fire those who issue rulings that officials dont like. They marched silently through Warsaw, many dressed in their judicial robes. NEW DELHI - The southern Indian state of Kerala on Tuesday became the first to legally challenge a new citizenship law that has triggered nationwide demonstrations. In a petition to the Supreme Court, the state government said the law violates the secular nature of Indias Constitution, and accused the government of dividing the nation along communal lines. The citizenship law backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu-nationalist party provides a path to naturalization for people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, unless theyre Muslim. It has triggered nationwide protests and clashes with police, leading to 23 deaths. The rallies have slowly morphed into much wider anti-government protests. Critics say the law, which was passed by Parliament on Dec. 11, will be used in conjunction with a citizenship registry that could require all Indians to produce documents proving their origins, a challenge in a country where many people lack official records including birth certificates. Kerala, a state ruled by a communist party, has strongly opposed the law and passed a resolution against in early January. The state government criticized the law in front-page advertisements in at least three national newspapers on Jan. 10, saying the state is leading the efforts to protect constitutional values. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party said the move by the state was political. Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister of the state, has also written to the heads of 11 other states not ruled by Modis party, urging them to unite in their fight against the law. Political challenges for Modi over the law are mounting, setting the stage for a wider confrontation between the federal government and some states that have said they will not implement it. West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a staunch Modi critic, has led several rallies in her state against the law. Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states, which are governed by the opposition Congress party, have also announced they will not implement the legislation. The law has also been rejected in the western state of Maharashtra, where Congress is part of a coalition government. Modis government insists that the law is needed to help persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who came to India before 2015 by giving them Indian citizenship. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says state governments have the constitutional duty to implement the law. Gen. John Raymond Sworn in as First Space Force Chief Gen. John Jay Raymond was formally sworn in as the first Chief of Space Operations at a White House ceremony led by Vice President Mike Pence, gaining a seat at the table with the other Joint Chiefs of Staff. This establishment is absolutely critical to our national security, Gen. Raymond said Tuesday during brief remarks after taking a historical oath at Eisenhower Executive Office Building. We have our marching orders, and we are moving out. Gen. Raymond was appointed as the Space Forces first Chief on Dec. 20, 2019, when President Donald Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, creating the Space Force as the sixth service branch of the U.S. armed forces. Before his appointment, the Air Force general led Space Command, a Colorado-headquartered combatant command responsible for fighting any potential battle in space. He has also been managing Air Force Space Command, which is now assigned to the newly established Space Force along with its 16,000 military and civilian personnel. The President and Congress have given us a great opportunity to build the force we need to respond to the challenges that we face in the space domain, Raymond said. Not only is this historical, but it is critical. This establishment is absolutely critical to our national security and that of our allies. Raymond emphasized the Space Forces role of deterrence instead of warfighting. We do not want a conflict to begin or extend in space. We want to deter that from happening, he said. Once built, the Space Forces measure of success will be that our adversaries are deterred, and our joint and coalition partners will always have the space capabilities that our modern way of war and modern way of life depend on. Vice President Mike Pence Pence expressed confidence in Raymonds leadership, saying there was little debate when it came to who should lead the branch. The first decision the president made after establishing the Space Force was deciding who should be its first leader, said Pence. He knew right away there was no one more qualified or prepared from a lifetime of service than Gen. Jay Raymond. Pence also highlighted the impressively long and rich military heritage of the Raymond family, which has contributed service members to the U.S. military for generations since the end of the Civil War. I just learned the depth of a tradition of military service in this extraordinary family, said the vice president. It is remarkable to think since 1865, the Raymond family has worn the uniform of the United States. The West Point Academy has a detailed Legacy Family page (pdf) dedicated to the Raymonds on its website, showcasing their history of military service. An ambulance doctor in Saint Petersburg is charged with beating an old Armenian man who has been transferred to the traumatology unit in another car, reports Fontanka. The old pensioners wife told Fontanka that her husband, 76-year-old Zhora Mirzoyan had suffered a heart attack in the past and had arrhythmia. On the morning of January 9, his blood pressure rose to 190 and he started suffocating. The spouses called an ambulance and told the doctors that they would only go to the war veterans hospital located at 3 Staroruskaya Street. According to the wife, Mirzoyan wasnt provided with medical assistance, but was asked to sit in the car. When the driver took a different route on the way to the hospital, the patient got angry and started hitting the window. The driver stopped the car, Dr. Bondarev came out of the front of the car and asked what had happened. In response to the patients demand to go to the specific clinic, the doctor said he would take him wherever he wanted to. The pensioner tried to get out of the car, but Bondarev tried to stop him by using force. He grabbed my husbands throat, closed his mouth and started choking him. I started screaming. The doctor hit my husbands nose, and he started bleeding. I wanted to stand between them, but the nurse pushed me and kept my arms behind me, the injured partys wife said. The spouses called the police, and from the police station they went to the traumatology unit where the man underwent a checkup, and doctors put stitches on his nose. The body of a teenage boy has been found inside the chimney of a vacant home, three weeks after he went missing on his walk to school. Harley Dilly, 14, went missing December 20 and was discovered dead Monday after police decided to search a summer home that was under renovation across the street from his Ohio home. They found his jacket on the second floor and his glasses next to the brick chimney which police said 'is between the second and third floors and is 9 by 13 inches'. Dilly was stuck inside. Police believe 4ft 9in, 100lb Dilly 'climbed an antenna tower to the roof and entered the chimney' before getting trapped between the first and second floors His body was found inside the chimney of a vacant home, three weeks after he went missing in Ohio Investigators have a drone up over the house in Port Clinton where they searched for Harley Dilly. Theyre looking at the chimney. pic.twitter.com/nKIZchUMmN staceyfreyfox8 (@staceyfreyfox8) January 14, 2020 Police believe 4ft 9in, 100lb Dilly 'climbed an antenna tower to the roof and entered the chimney'. His personal items appeared to be pushed through a flue on the second floor however a blockage between the first and second levels 'trapped Harley'. Authorities used a drone to look inside the chimney and 'were seen removing a portion of the home's wall,' the Beacon Journal reports. A sledgehammer and bags of evidence were taken out and a coroner was on the scene for seven hours. 'The house had previously been checked multiple times We had no reason to believe anyone was in the house,' Police Chief Robert Hickman explained about why it took so long to find the child. 'This is not the outcome anyone wanted.' The house in Port Clinton, east of Cleveland, is owned by another family and had a lock box and deadbolt. 'There is no evidence of forced entry. There was a lock box, doors were secured,' the police chief said in the news conference Tuesday. 'Since there is a lockbox and anyone can go in and out of the house, we went inside to check the house. 'We were then able to discover what we believe to be Harley, who was caught in the chimney. His family was notified early this morning, and this appears to be an accident.' Cops found his jacket on the second floor and his glasses next to the chimney on Monday Law enforcement officers walk around a vacant house, Tuesday in Port Clinton, Ohio Law enforcement officers investigate a vacant house on Monday the day he was found In this Monday, January 13 photo, Ravin Pinkelton arranges candles in the shape of a heart The day Dilly went missing it was a chilly 18 degrees and he was only wearing a thin sweatshirt underneath the padded coat. He was seen on video leaving his home on the 500 block of E. 5th Street at 6.08am. His disappearance was reported the day after he never made it to school. By Monday morning, police has shared on social media that there's was no new information. But later the boy was found. The Ohio Attorney General's office canceled an Amber Alert Tuesday, stating the 'child has been recovered'. The teen's sister Ashlyn Dilly, wrote on Facebook: 'R.I.H. Harley Dilly and fly high, confirmed by the PD both out there and here in my town.' 'At this time, there does not appear to be any foul play expected,' the police chief continued. 'No cause of death has been determined. An autopsy is being conducted.' Authorities first thought the teen may have run away from home, because he sometimes spends a night away from home if he gets upset. Volunteers and authorities searched through neighborhoods in the city along Lake Erie with help from K-9 teams and helicopters. Police also had asked residents to review their home security footage, hoping that might offer clues about what happened. Dilly, 14, vanished in Port Clinton, Ohio, on December 20 when he was last seen heading to school in chilly 18 degree weather Police Chief Robert Hickman (right) said Tuesday: 'At this time, there does not appear to be any foul play expected' They said early on in the investigation that there was no evidence to suggest Harley was abducted but they were not yet ruling that out. His disappearance came about a month after police were called to Harley's family home after receiving reports of a 'family issue'. Officers who responded to the home had to calm the boy down but gave no additional information about the incident. Detectives told Live PD on A&E that Harley had a strict schedule for eating foods, he bathed several times a day and often stayed around his home. They said the teen's cellphone was broken when he left his home. His social media accounts - including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Reddit - had not been active since he disappeared. Hickman previously said Harley's family has fully cooperated throughout the investigation and quashed suggestions that they were involved in his disappearance. His family previously released a statement saying: 'We want to thank all the agencies and all the people from the community who have assisted in searching for our son Harley from now and through the holiday season.' Police previously said Harley's family (pictured with his mother Heather) has fully cooperated throughout the investigation and quashed suggestions that they were involved in his disappearance Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Batanghari, Jambi Tue, January 14, 2020 A long history of land conflicts between residents and a pulp company in Batanghari regency, Jambi, has given birth to a band of farmers that has been called an armed criminal group by the police. Authorities have painted a picture of armed bandits associated with farmers union Serikat Mandiri Batanghari (SMB) led by a man named Muslim and his wife, Deli Fitri. In July of last year, the police claimed they found a bunker containing dozens of firearms and drugs in the unions possession during the arrest of 59 members. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 Two children were killed in bomb explosions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of the Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, said Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for the provincial governor on Tuesday. According to the broadcaster TOLOnews, the blasts took place one after another on Tuesday morning near the regional hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif. "Two children - one 14-year-old and one 10-year-old - were killed in the blasts, and eight others, including a police officer, were wounded," Adel said, as quoted by the broadcaster. According to the Balkh police chief, an improvised explosive device went off. No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ndifor Richard, Historian/Civil Society Advocate Atia Azohnwi Richard Ndifor, historian and civil society activist has said by boycotting elections in Cameroon, the opposition only gives the ruling party the leverage to consolidate its leadership without end. Taking to Facebook January 14, 2020, Ndifor advised the opposition in Cameroon to use the current political climate in the country to flaw the regime of President Paul Biya, instead of calling for meaningless election boycotts. His words: For a while, the run-up to the 2020 general elections in Cameroon appeared to be deja vu. The Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC of Prof, Maurice Kamto), a key opposition party, had decided to pull out of the election, mostly to protest the disqualification of hundreds of its candidates. At the last minute, the leading opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) walked back their earlier decision not to participate and decided to participate, hopefully signalling a growing understanding that election boycotts rarely succeed. The SDF knows this better than most, having learned this lesson the hard way in 1992. The SDF's decision to boycott the historic elections of January 1992 is now viewed as one of the greatest strategic blunders of the post-multiparty-democracy era in Cameroon. The party protested perceived electoral unfairness, ranging from the lack of an independent electoral commission to rules that favour the incumbent party. The SDF believed that the system inherently and unfairly benefited the CPDM party. The goal of the SDF was to get the ruling party to level the electoral playing field and to focus the international communitys attention on the unfair or fraudulent practices of the ruling regime and delegitimize its international standing. Unfortunately for them, the election went on hitch free. The CPDM swept most of the seats and little known political parties like the MDR, took advantage of the SDF's boycott to pick up a few seats that they will later use to exchange for ministerial positions, giving the CPDM the majority they needed in parliament. Unsurprisingly, the SDF was left out in the cold during the key formative months in the new Cameroon. The boycott deprived them of a fair share in the 1996 constitutional drafting process, and without representation in Parliament, the SDF were unable to prevent the obnoxious bills of the 1996constitution from passing. Potential revisions to the document remain one of the key sticking points in the Anglophone Crisis. It is this experience that made the party's decision making organ, the National Convention to resolve never to boycott any election ever again. Instead the party has been able to use the threats of boycott and then participating as negotiating leverage to achieve key concessions. Thanks to this approach, the party has successfully caused the government to take away the organization of elections from the Ministry of Territorial Administration to a more independent body, introduce transparent ballot boxes, computerised voter registration and the introduction of new electoral laws. As little as some will see this concession to be, there is no doubt that it is a significant mile stone in the improvement of Cameroon's electoral system. Unfortunately not everyone sees this approach in positive terms. The party's critics consider the approach of threat and then participating as inconsistency. Historically, it has been demonstrated that, with the exception of very high-profile cases, boycotting parties receive little support from the international community. Electoral boycotts rarely work, and the boycotting party almost always ends up worse off than before; a threatened boycott, on the other hand, can pay dividends, especially in high-profile cases. In short, you cant win if you dont participate. A comprehensive study of 171 threatened and actual election boycotts at the international level between 1990 and 2009 demonstrates conclusively that, other than a few rare exceptions, electoral boycotts generally have disastrous consequences for the boycotting party, rarely result in desired international attention or sanction, and many times further entrench the ruling leader or party. On the flip side, the track record is considerably better when a threatened boycott is used as negotiating leverage to achieve key concessions; sometimes, opposition parties that planned to boycott even find unexpected benefits from participating in elections. In addition to the negative effects on the boycotting party, electoral boycotts often have the unintended consequence of strengthening the incumbent ruler and providing him and his party with a more powerful mandate to lead. The absence of opposition from the race frees the playing field for the ruling party to obtain a supermajority, allowing it to take unrestricted action including invoking constitutional change. Perhaps the best example of this is in Venezuela, where a series of ill-conceived electoral boycotts by the opposition from 2004-05 merely served to cement President Hugo Chavez in power. The 2004 boycotts of regional elections gave Chavezs party 20 of 22 governorships nationwide. In 2005, four leading opposition parties, which held 41 Congressional seats at the time, decided to boycott in protest of Chavezs heavy-handed rule, leading to a governmental sweep of all seats. As a result, Chavez had the backing to pass new legislation to strengthen his powers, including the removal of presidential term limits, and he has since won additional electoral contests. Given that authoritarian regimes entrench over time, it is important to engage as quickly as possible, especially during periods of political instability like in Cameroon when the ruling party is at weakest point in the eyes of the masses. Once an authoritarian leader is allowed to survive such periods, be allowed to be elected and re-elected, it is often too late to have meaningful impact. The call for rapid action also dovetails nicely with encouraging broad participation. Given the logistical preparations necessary to hold elections, opposition parties must be goaded into participation as early as possible to avoid missing registration windows or harming electoral chances. Too often, opposition parties come to the decision to participate too late to achieve the full effect. The threat of a boycott can pay dividends but the opposition parties still have to participate in order to receive the full benefits. Choosing to sit out is almost always a losing proposition. 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 A winter storm left northwest Saudi Arabia blanketed in snow on January 10, local media reported. This video shows camels grazing along a snow-covered stretch of open land in Tabuk. The snowy landscape became a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, according to reports. Beautiful views in the middle of the storm, Twitter user @B_KH_H said about the footage. Credit: @B_KH_H via Storyful By PTI MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government's school education department on Monday issued a notice to all schools in the state asking them not to use their premises for hosting any political event, a move which has invited criticism from the BJP. Sources in the department said the notice has been issued to the management of schools to ensure students are kept away from any political event. The move comes after it was reported that the BJP had organised a talk on the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) at a school in the Matunga area last week. Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said, The notice has been issued cautioning schools to keep students away from political events. However, former school education minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar called the action "politically motivated". It (CAA) is an Act approved by both the houses of Parliament and signed by the President. Such instructions are uncalled for, he said. The BJPs youth wing, as well as the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, have been holding meetings with college students to make them aware about the "benefits" of CAA, that aims to give Indian citizenship to persecuted non -Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Similarly, the Congress, Left parties and some organisations have started their own separate campaigns to sensitise college students about "ill-effects" of the CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Los Angeles, Jan 14 : The shooting for the upcoming "Falcon And Winter Soldier" series in Puerto Rico has been temporarily halted owing to the recent earthquakes. The Marvel series for Disney Plus was supposed to be shot in Puerto Rico from this month for multiple weeks. The shooting plans have now been called off, reports variety.com. The island has been hit hard by a series of powerful earthquakes in recent weeks, including a 6.4 magnitude quake on January 7 and 5.9 magnitude quake on January 11. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are set to reprise their roles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the series. The series also stars Daniel Bruhl, Emily VanCamp, and Wyatt Russell. The series is said to consist of six episodes and is due to be released on Disney Plus in late 2020. The show is one of several limited series around MCU characters currently in the works at Disney Plus. Other shows in pipeline include -- "Ms. Marvel", "Hawkeye", "Loki", "She-Hulk", "Moon Knight," and "WandaVision". Marvel Studios will introduce its first Muslim superhero with "Ms. Marvel".It will revolve on the life of teenager named Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American from New Jersey, who has the ability to stretch and change shape. She-Hulk aka Jennifer Walters is the cousin of original Hulk Bruce Banner. The series will revolve around her life. Moon Knight is the story of Spector, a former CIA agent, who was almost killed by a terrorist named Bushman. His life is saved by the Moon God Khonshu. He goes on to kill Bushman and becomes Moon Knight. He first appeared in the August 1975 issue Werewolf by Night #32. "WandaVision" series aims to be a blend of 1950s sitcom and Marvel adventure. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is executive producing all of the shows. By Bill Hughes Jan. 13, 2020 | 04:35 PM | PADUCAH Special Prosecutor Richard Boling told West Kentucky Star that Special Judge Timothy Stark denied the motion in McCracken County Circuit Court. Stark and Boling were appointed in the case because McCracken County judges and prosecutors recused themselves. Ray was arrested in December 2017 for allegedly giving false testimony during a misconduct hearing for one of her former employees. Her trial is set to begin January 30 in Paducah. Ray is also facing a charge of violating the Kentucky Whistleblower Act, related to the firing of employee David Knight, who reported a possible misuse of force at the jail in February 2018. Knight was re-instated by the Fiscal Court, and then won the race for jailer in November 2018. Ray lost the Democratic primary for Jailer in May 2018. With her trial approaching, the attorney for former McCracken County Jailer Tonya Ray asked a judge Friday to dismiss her perjury charge, but it was denied. Prior to Thanksgiving, volunteers placed collections boxes throughout the refinery and encouraged employees and contractors to donate. Participation was high and the bins spilled over with a variety of items---including electronic tablets, games, books, balls, movies, dolls, and stuffed animals. All of the toys collected were distributed to less-fortunate children living in Will County. "CITGO is not just another business, but rather a member of the community, which is why we are passionate about reaching out to our neighbors---especially during the holidays," said Dennis Willig, CITGO Lemont Vice President and General Manager. About the CITGO Lemont Refinery For more than 90 years, CITGO Lemont Refinery has employed more than 750 Chicago area residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of more than 5,200 locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont Refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. Operations at the Lemont Refinery began in 1925 and a major expansion doubled the facility in 1933. Over the years, new units were added to meet the demand for a better quality of gas for automobiles, aviation fuel for WWII, and the production of asphalt. For more information, visit www.citgolemont.com. About CITGO: Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, TX; Lake Charles, LA.; and Lemont, IL., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,900 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. SOURCE CITGO Corporation Related Links http://www.citgo.com SHOWS: HONG KONG, CHINA (JANUARY 12, 2020) (ASIAN TOUR MEDIA - MAXIMUM USE OF TWO MINUTES. NO USE 48 HOURS AFTER THE END OF THE ROUND. NO ARCHIVE. NO RESALE) 1. WADE ORMSBY APPROACH TO THE 17TH SETS UP A BIRDIE 2. SHANE LOWRY HOLES EAGLE PUTT AT THE 13TH 3. SHANE LOWRY HOLES BIRDIE PUTT AT THE 16TH 4. GUNN CHAROENKUL HOLES BIRDIE PUTT AT THE 16TH 5. JAZZ JANEWATTANANOND HOLES BIRDIE PUTT AT THE 2ND 6. TONY FINAU APPROACH TO THE 14TH SETS UP A BIRDIE 7. WADE ORMSBY TAPS IN FOR PAR AT THE 18TH TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT 8. WADE ORMSBY PRESENTED WITH THE TROPHY STORY: Wade Ormsby of Australia led from start to finish to win the Hong Kong Open by four strokes on Sunday (January 12). Winner of the event in 2017, Ormsby led by two shots overnight and his third successive four-under-par round of 66 which included six birdies and two bogeys gave him a four-round total of 17-under 263. The 2019 British Open champion Shane Lowry of Ireland surged out of the pack with a six-under 64 to take second place on 13-under with Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul one shot further back after a round of 69. Another Thai, Jazz Janewattananond was fourth on 11-under after shooting a 68, with American Tony Finau fifth one shot back after a 67. (Production: Mike Brock) Money is needed and time is precious. Scott Woodruff needs a heart transplant. A former Eufaula fireman and a family man, Woodruffs benefits have long since run out and money is needed for a much needed heart transplant after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2014. As of last weekend, 64 percent of the $25,000 goal had been raised (16,154). Time is of the essence. Hes a fighter, Sam Williams said of Woodruff. His hearts is failing. Hes had AFib, ablations, you name it. The heart is giving out. Asked how much time Woodruff has, Williams said, I dont know if anybody knows the answer to that. Woodruff and his wife, Lindsay, have three children. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Woodruffs condition leaves him very tired and takes a toll on his quality of life. Doctors have said a heart transplant is critical to his survival. Such a transplant could have Woodruff leading a more normal and active life. Rescue workers search the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) Irans judiciary says arrests have been made over the shooting down of a Ukrainian plane that killed 176 people. It came as the countrys president called for a special court to be set up to probe the downing last week of the passenger jet by Iranian forces just after take-off from Tehran, killing all onboard. A judiciary spokesman said: Extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested. He did not say how many individuals have been detained or name them. Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the jetliner, acknowledged three days after the incident on Wednesday that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the Ukrainian plane by mistake, amid mounting evidence. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran on Tuesday: This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court. The announcement came amid a surge of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the tragedy and apparent attempts by senior officials in Iran to cover up its cause. Mr Rouhani also called for a special court to be set up to probe the incident. He called the incident a painful and unforgivable mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case by all means. Expand Close President Hassan Rouhani has pledged a thorough investigation (Iranian Presidency Office/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Hassan Rouhani has pledged a thorough investigation (Iranian Presidency Office/AP) The president said: The responsibility falls on more than just one person, adding that those found culpable should be punished. There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly, he said, without elaborating. Iran shot down the plane as its forces were on alert for possible US retaliation after Iran launched ballistic missiles on two military bases housing US troops in Iraq. No-one was hurt in that attack, which was carried out in response to the killing of Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani in an American air strike in Baghdad. Expand Close The tragedy sparked an international outcry (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The tragedy sparked an international outcry (AP) While Mr Rouhani pointed to mistakes and negligence, he also repeated the governments line that the tragedy was ultimately rooted in US aggression. He said: It was the US that made for an agitated environment. It was the US that created an unusual situation. It was the US that threatened and took our beloved (Soleimani), he said. Mr Rouhani called the governments admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a first good step. He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian planes flight recorder, the so-called black box, have sent it to France for analysis. The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians including many Iranians with dual citizenship and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant. Expand Close A vigil takes place at the Iranian Embassy in Kyiv (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A vigil takes place at the Iranian Embassy in Kyiv (AP) General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the incident. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane: I wished I was dead. The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for US military retaliation. The shooting down of the plane and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the countrys leadership. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. Irans judiciary has also said that 30 people had been detained in the protests. An Iranian film director who had called for protests in Tehrans Azadi, or Freedom, Square is among those who were held then released. Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening. He said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane incident and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest. Irans foreign ministry summoned the British ambassador on Sunday to protest over what it said was his presence at an illegal protest. The UK, in turn, summoned Irans ambassador on Monday to convey our strong objections over the weekend arrest. Irans top prosecutor, Mohammad Javad Montazeri, was quoted in local media as saying the British ambassador must be expelled from the country as soon as possible. Islamabad, Jan 14 : Following the conclusion of his visits to Saudi Arabia and Iran, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi emphasised on the importance of "maximum restraint and immediate steps for de-escalation" by all sides involved in the ongoing Middle East tensions. Qureshi had embarked on the two-nation visit on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan after tensions in the Middle East escalated following the killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani in a US drone attack on January 3 in Baghdad. Qureshi, who called on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif separately, had a wide-ranging exchange of views on recent developments in the region. Pakistan-Iran relations were also discussed, reports Dawn news. The Minister conveyed to the Iranian leadership that "Pakistan appreciated Iran's preference for de-escalation of tensions and expressed the hope that Iran would continue to act with its traditional wisdom in dealing with the issues at hand", a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) here said on Monday. Qureshi informed the Iranian leaders about his contacts with his counterparts in the region and said that there was "a general consensus in favour of immediate de-escalation and avoidance of war". "Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used against anyone; nor would Pakistan be a part of any war or conflict in the region," the FO quoted the Minister as saying. In Riyadh, Qureshi had an "in-depth exchange of views on recent developments" with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. During the meeting, bilateral matters were also discussed, according to the FO. Qureshi apprised the Saudi minister about his telephonic conversations with the foreign ministers of regional countries, and other diplomatic contacts, noting an "overwhelming level of support for efforts for de-escalation". EAST CHICAGO A 39-year-old man was shot six times before police found him Monday night in the middle of the road in the 3800 block of Elm Street, police said. Julio Salinas, of East Chicago, was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. East Chicago police responded about 9:30 p.m. to the sound of gunfire in the area of 139th and Elm Street, Deputy Chief Jose Rivera said. ShotSpotter, an electronic detection system in the city, indicated two rounds were fired in the 3800 block of Elm Street, followed by six rounds in the 1900 block of 139th Street and nine rounds in the 3900 block of Elm Street, police said. Salinas suffered a gunshot wound to the head area, two to the chest, one to the left thigh, one to upper back and one to the buttocks area, police said. Salinas had been scheduled to appear Jan. 30 in Lake Criminal Court on charges alleging he shot a 44-year-old Hammond man in the chest and leg March 3 in a bathroom at El Sombrero bar at 2001 Broadway, officials confirmed. News Las Vegas, Nevada - A North Las Vegas resident made his initial appearance, January 7, after being charged in a 15-count indictment for allegedly committing, among other crimes, sex trafficking of children and tampering with a witness, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. Sex trafficking is one of the most devastating crimes, especially when vulnerable child victims are exploited, said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and this case exemplifies the U.S. Attorneys Offices commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to perpetrators. Jacques Anton Lanier, also known as John Dupree, was indicated by a Grand Jury on December 31, 2019, on eight counts of coercion and enticement, four counts of sex trafficking of children, one count of traveling interstate with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor, and one count of tampering with a witness. Lanier appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts. A jury trial is scheduled for March 9, 2020, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro. According to allegations contained in the indictment, beginning in April 2017 through December 2017, Lanier coerced, enticed, and persuaded eight females under the age of 18 years old to engage in prostitution and sexual activities for which Lanier could be charged with a criminal offense. He recruited four of those victims to engage in a commercial sex act. Lanier also traveled across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct and transferred obscene matter to a victim under the age of 16 years old. In addition, Lanier is charged with tampering with a victim through intimidation, threats, and corruptly persuading that victim to evade legal process and to recant a prior statement made to law enforcement between April 2018 and March 2019. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and North Las Vegas Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bianca R. Pucci. This investigation is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. No girl murdered in Bihar shelter home, bones found were of some other adults: CBI tells SC Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Court adjourns pronouncement of judgement till Jan 20 India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 14: The Delhi court on Tuesday adjourned pronouncement of its judgement in the infamous Muzaffarpur shelter home case, which was run by former Bihar People's Party (BPP) MLA Brajesh Thakur, till Jan 20. The court had earlier deferred the order by a month till January 14 as Judge Saurabh Kulshrestha, who had conducted the trial, was on leave. Prior to that, in November, it had deferred the verdict by a month as 20 accused, who are currently lodged in Tihar central jail, could not be brought to court premises due to the lawyers' strike in all six district courts in the national capital. No girl murdered in Bihar shelter home, bones found were of some other adults: CBI tells SC The court on March 20, 2018, had framed charges against the accused, including Thakur, for offences of criminal conspiracy to commit rape and penetrative sexual assault against minors. The accused included eight females and 12 males. The court had held trial for the offences of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, drugging of minors and criminal intimidation among other charges. Key accused Thakur and employees of his shelter home as well as officials in the Bihar department of social welfare were charged with criminal conspiracy, neglect of duty and failure to report assault on the girls. The charges also included offence of cruelty to child under their authority, punishable under the Juvenile Justice Act. All the accused, who appeared before the court, pleaded innocence and claimed trial. The offences entail a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. The court had reserved order on September 30 after final arguments by the CBI counsel and 20 accused in the case in which former Bihar Social Welfare Minister and then JD(U) leader Manju Verma also faced flak as allegations surfaced that Thakur had links with her husband. She had resigned from her post on August 8, 2018. The CBI had told a special court that there was enough evidence against all the accused in the case. However, those accused have claimed that the CBI had not conduct a "fair investigation" into the case, which has been registered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and entails life imprisonment as the maximum punishment. Additional Sessions Judge Kulshreshtha, during the in-camera trial, concluded the arguments in the case which had begun on February 25 last year. The case was transferred on February 7 from a local court in Muzaffarpur in Bihar to a POCSO court at Saket district court complex in Delhi on the Supreme Court's directions. During the trial, counsel for the CBI told the court that the statements of minor girls, who were allegedly sexually assaulted, point to the fact that there was enough evidence against all the accused and they should be convicted. The matter had come to light after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) submitted a report to the Bihar government on May 26, 2018, highlighting the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in the shelter home for the first time. On May 29, 2018, the state government shifted the girls from the shelter home to other protection homes. An FIR was lodged against the 11 accused in the case on May 31, 2018. The top court on August 2 had taken cognisance of the alleged sexual assaults of about 30 minor girls in Muzaffarpur's shelter home and transferred the probe to the CBI on November 28. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:57 [IST] Snow and icy roads could stall the commute Tuesday, especially in the higher elevations, as the National Weather Service warns of a mixture of rain and wet snow moving through the metro area. As of 5:40 a.m., the weather service noted most accumulations were likely above 1,000 feet, but snow showers could hit any location through greater Portland/Vancouver and the Willamette Valley. Drivers should use caution and expect slick conditions for the morning commute. Trouble spots will include secondary roads and overpasses in outlying areas. #pdxtraffic #pdxtst Continue to see snow along W. Burnside up and over into downtown. Use caution traveling through the west hills. pic.twitter.com/K4ENfvRxht PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) January 14, 2020 Washington County road crews noted in a tweet that it would be watching area roads carefully for trouble spots. Snow may decorate your morning commute! Allow extra time, slow down, increase following distance and, as always, make sure to watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians. #pdxtraffic #WashCoLUT pic.twitter.com/i2YmHTrThD Washco Oregon Roads (@washcoroads) January 14, 2020 Many school districts with higher elevation bus routes are on delay or snow routes. Check your schools information here: Oregonlive.com/weather *** BEAVERTON 8:21 a.m.: Crash on Southwest 160th Avenue at Blanton Street. *** AIRPORT 8:08 a.m.: Crash on I-205 southbound blocking the left lane near Airport Way. Update 8:46 a.m.: Cleared. *** HILLSBORO 8:05 a.m.: Crash on OR 219 near Tongue Lane. HEADS UP: We have multiple crashes in Washington County due to icy roads. There are least 3-4 cars in the ditch along SW Hillsboro Hwy & Tongue Rd. Please drive carefully. #pdxtraffic #orwx #pdxtst #AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/Nhspte6lJQ WCSO Oregon (@WCSOOregon) January 14, 2020 *** ALOHA 8 a.m.: Crash on Southwest Grabhorn Road near Stonecreek Drive. *** BLUE LINE MAX 7:13 a.m.: TriMet reports MAX Blue line is delayed toward Hillsboro at least 20 minutes through 7:40 a.m.. Trains westbound from Beaverton TC will be off schedule due to an earlier mechanical issue near Quatama/NW 205th Ave. Update 7:22 a.m.: TriMet has extended these delays through 8 a.m. *** CORNELIUS 7:05 a.m.: Serious injury crash involving a pedestrian has closed the westbound lanes of Tualatin Valley Highway (OR 8) near 341st Avenue. Update 8:27 a.m.: TV Highway closed again in both directions at the scene of this crash. Avoid the area if possible. Detour is 331st Avenue to Cook Road, to 345th Avenue. *** SUNSET HIGHWAY 6:37 a.m.: Injury crash on U.S. 26 eastbound just after the zoo onramp is blocking the left lane. Expect delays. Update 7:15 a.m.: Cleared. *** With some snow falling in the metro area, TriMet reminds riders that nearly 75% of the fleets buses have drop-down chains that can be deployed on demand. Crews work around the clock to monitor road conditions. If you normally ride a line that travels through hilly areas, check your route information for any alerts for slick conditions. Remember that buses using chains must slow to 25 mph and schedules will be delayed. #pdxtraffic Image from White Salmon Wash showing road conditions in the Gorge. CAREFUL out there. (image courtesy of Sarah Adams) pic.twitter.com/j55LPF0fjF PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) January 14, 2020 Crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation closed OR 62 (Crater Lake Highway) due to hazardous conditions from heavy snow and falling trees late Monday afternoon. #pdxtraffic ODOT is holding I-5 traffic north and southbound near Wolf Creek in Southern OR due to snow conditions. Factor that in if you're heading south. pic.twitter.com/8l8pOnOaz2 PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) January 14, 2020 The closure is from Prospect (milepost 45) northwest to the west boundary of Crater Lake National Park (milepost 65). Drivers must use alternate routes. Officials will check the road again Tuesday morning before issuing an update. The second phase of closures for the Oregon Department of Transportations installation of a sign bridge began Sunday night. The ramp from North Alberta Street to Interstate 5 northbound is now closed all hours and days through Sunday, Jan. 19. Crews will be installing a sign bridge that will span both directions of I-5. The bridge will eventually support a new ODOT RealTime traveler advisory sign. See map below for the detour route. Detour route map for the Alberta Street ramp closure to I-5 north. Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland An Indian guest house worker who pleaded guilty to sexual assault on two female guests in the north of England has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. John Guntipilli-Souriappan, 35, who worked at Avalon Guest House in Leeds, sexually assaulted one of his victims as she was asleep beside her husband in their room. A second victim was attacked during the same evening in December last year when she returned to the premises after a party. "It was like something from the TV or films. It was the stuff of nightmares," one of the victims told the police on reporting the attack. Guntipilli-Souriappan switched off the CCTV cameras at the premises in an attempt to carry out the attacks undetected, Leeds Crown Court was told during a sentencing hearing this week. "You were able to use keys and turn off the CCTV system. To enter their rooms uninvited and subject them to the indignities that you did was, as one of the victims properly describes, the stuff of nightmares," Judge Andrew Stubbs said as he sentenced Guntipilli-Souriappan and told him that he would be put on the sex offender register for life. The court was also told of his previous convictions for battery and breaching a restraining order. The two victims in these incidents have been left understandably traumatised by what Guntipilli-Souriappan did to them, said Detective Inspector James Entwistle from the Leeds District CID of West Yorkshire Police. They would have rightfully had an expectation of privacy and security in their rooms as guests at these premises but he completely abused his position of trust to commit these offences against them for his own gratification. We hope the fact he has now had to answer for his actions will help to provide some degree of comfort and reassurance to them and assist their recovery from what was clearly a very disturbing experience, he said. Guntipilli-Souriappan's defence lawyer told the court that he committed the offence at a time when he was abusing alcohol and was having difficulties with his wife. The court was also told that he had suffered religiously-aggravated assault in India, resulting in him and his family leaving for the UK. He now faces the prospect of trying to apply for asylum at the end of his prison term or would have to be deported back to India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Calling all high school seniors! The Fort Bend County Fair is accepting applications for its scholarship program. The opportunity to earn a Fair scholarship is open to a wide range of qualifying students but they must apply. The County Fair will provide $4,000 scholarships for up to 50 Fort Bend County students. Since 1979, the Fort Bend County Fair has been giving back to the countys youth through its scholarship program. Past recipients have represented kids who have been livestock exhibitors, parade participants, and yet for some they had never been to the fair. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Friday, Jan. 31. In addition, three Fair Queen Scholarships will be awarded. 2019 Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply as a second-year applicant and are instructed to the call the Fair office for an application. Sami Warrnier is a past Fair Queen and scholarship recipient. I am thrilled to have been able to earn a scholarship from the Fort Bend County Fair, Warriner said. From my education at A&M, to now working with the Houston Texans, that scholarship helped me reach my goals. I encourage all high school seniors to apply, it can be life-changing. The proceeds from the 2019 Fort Bend County Fair and the Fort Bend County Fair Life Membership Fund provide the necessary monies to allocate the scholarships. The scholarships are divided into different divisions depending on the applicants and their field of study. All candidates are encouraged to apply. The application is available on our website along with the guidelines. This is an excellent opportunity for all high school Seniors and is part of our Fairs mission of making youth education our primary focus, said Cindy Schmidt, Fort Bend County Fair manager. Eligible candidates or second-year applicants are required to submit their completed scholarship applications. Applicants, parents and school counselors are urged to review the guidelines and rules carefully. For more information on the 2020 scholarship rules and application, visit the Fairs website: fortbendcountyfair.com or call the fair office at 281-342-6171. By PTI JAIPUR: In a jibe at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the Kota hospital row, his deputy Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said the tradition of not condoling the deaths of children should be broken. Deputy Chief Minister Pilot did not name Gehlot but he appeared to be referring to the CM's reported remarks recently that there was "no tradition" to condole infant deaths. The remarks reflect a continuing rift between the two leaders, both of whom had sought the CM's post after the Congress won the assembly polls in 2019. Pilot had visited Kota, where over 100 infants died at J K Lon Hospital in December, and blamed his own government for being not sensitive enough to the deaths. Gehlot, however, has not visited Kota. "We talk about changing the wrong tradition. We talk about avoiding 'ghoonghat', which is a good thing, but at the same time if there is no tradition to wipe tears of those who lost their children then that tradition should also be broken," Pilot told reporters. "God forbid, children should not die. There is no programme to mourn deaths of children but it is the responsibility of all of us to wipe tears of grieving parents. We all should collectively discharge this responsibility," he added. His remarks has come after the Women and Child Development Department launched a campaign against the practice of "ghoonghat" on a call given by Gehlot, who had said in November that it was high time that the practice be shunned so that women could progress. Responding to criticism by Pilot, Gehlot had earlier said it was his right to question the government. "Pilot is the Pradesh Congress Committee president. It is his right to say this about the government. It is not the opposition only, which could ask questions. People from the government could also ask questions," Gehlot had said. The statue was to be installed on Kapala Betta Hill. For Hindus, it is a place sacred to the god Shiva. The Archbishop of Bangalore explains that "Betta" means "ordeal". The hill is the Via Crucis of the Christian community. Msgr. Machado: "We will not make it a matter of faith". New Delhi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Hundreds of Hindu radicals protested yesterday against the installation of a statue of Christ in the Indian state of Karnataka. The depiction of the Savior is 34.7 meters (114 feet) high and should be located in the town of Kapala Betta (Hills), in the city of Kanakapura. The Hindus oppose the erection in this area, which they believe has ancient ties to Munieshwara, one of the incarnations of the god Shiva. Speaking to AsiaNews, Msgr. Peter Machado, archbishop of Bangalore, says: We asked the government not to make the issue divisive from a religious point of view. We understand the sentiment of the Hindu majority. We are a minority, but we have the right to exist. Christians have lived here for hundreds of years and the hill is used for the Way of the Cross. In fact, the word 'Betta' means 'ordeal'. However, we will not make it a matter of faith. Today, in our sanctuary we celebrate the feast of the Child Jesus, and continue to pray and work for peace ". The event was organized by the most important Hindu nationalist organizations at national level: the governing party Bjp (Bharatiya Janata Party), Vhp (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), Rss (Rashtirya Swayamsevak Sangh) and Hjv (Hindu Jagran Vedike). The acronyms of the far right contest the act of selling the land destined to host the image of Jesus. During the rally, the leader of the RSS, Kalladaka Prabhakar Bhat, said that "we will not allow conversion activities or the construction of a Christ statue in the Kapala hills. If we really need a statue, it must be of Tilak, or Gandhi or of the thousands of saints [Hindu gods] of India. " The statue should be carved out of a single piece of rock. The date for its location has not yet been set. It is expected to be built on 10-acre land donated by DK Shivakumar, a member of the state congress. The politician points out that in the past he has donated other plots of land for the construction of "temples, community halls, schools and hospitals. I believe in the equality of all religions ". Then he added: "Nobody has ever complained before." Deve Gowda, the former prime minister of India, has joined the congressman. "This country - he said - belongs to everyone. Ambedkar [the father of the Indian Constitution, ed.] Wrote laws in which he claims that we must protect all religions . Archbishop Machado underlines that the land has been legally sold and we want to resolve the issue in legal terms. This is why we invite the Christian community to keep calm and peaceful and not to respond violently. It is not so important to have a statue, because devotion takes place regardless. If the law allows us to have it, we will build it. Otherwise we won't fight. If it were to be erected, it will support faith. We pray for everyone. We are Christians, we do not discriminate and we are at the service of everyone, of the majority community as well as of Christians themselves ". (A.C.F.) Some 25,000 koalas feared dead on an island being consumed by flames. Ten thousand feral camels expected to be shot and killed. And claims that a whopping one billion animals estimated to have perished across Australia. These are a few of the numbers that have emerged in recent days to capture the toll of the extreme heat and raging fires on Australian animal life. They add to the already staggering scope of the fires, which have killed at least 24 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched more than 15 million acres. The figures tallying the mass death of Australian critters have ricocheted around the internet, causing apprehension and grief. Experts in biodiversity have expressed alarm at the span of scorched earth in a megadiverse country that harbors between 600,000 to 700,000 species, many which are not found anywhere else in the world. More for you Smoke from Australia fires will eventually reach SF Kate Umbers, a biologist at Western Sydney University who studies the Australian alpine grasshopper, is especially worried about the fate of the nations 250,000 insect species, of which only about one-third have been named. The current fire season is deeply, deeply troubling far worse than anything Ive ever experienced in my life, she told The New York Times this week. Its really quite frightening in an ecological sense. But while they have raised alarm about the scale of destruction, in nearly every case, experts cautioned that it was still impossible to know exactly how many animals have died. Many of the estimates grabbing headlines rely on assumptions about existing population sizes and the effect of natural disasters on them. And they do not give credit to animals survival instinct. Some experts have cast doubt on the idea that numbers are even helpful at all. So can you feel sad? Of course. But there is always more to the story. Will 10,000 camels be killed? Thats the plan, yes. But its not because of the fires. Officials in Australia drew international headlines this week when they said they planned to cull up to 10,000 feral camels after many of the animals, tormented by the drought and extreme heat, have increasingly emerged out of the arid desert to raid local communities for food and water. The aboriginal communities that live in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands in the far northwest of South Australia, also known as APY, said the camels (and some feral horses) were damaging homes and other community infrastructure. We have been stuck in stinking hot and uncomfortable conditions, feeling unwell, because all the camels are coming in and knocking down fences, getting in around the houses and trying to get to water through air-conditioners, Marita Baker, an executive board member for APY, said in a statement Tuesday. They are roaming the streets looking for water. We are worried about the safety of the young children; they think it is fun to chase the camels but it is of course very dangerous. The country has been grappling for years with a ballooning feral camel population that crowds out native species, tramples foliage and damages property. Today the camels number more than 1 million, and the government estimates the population will double every nine years or so. The camels are routinely killed to manage the populations numbers. In 2010, the federal government planned to cull some 670,000 feral camels over four years, The New York Times reported. A cull of 10,000 may not have a significant effect. This will alleviate short-term water-searching behavior for about a season or so, said Corey Bradshaw, a fellow in ecology at Flinders University in Adelaide. But when conditions improve, theyll build up their numbers pretty fast. Theyre good producers. Have 25,000 koalas really died? Possibly. That number seems to have come from Sam Mitchell, the co-owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in Duncan. Experts have worried about the devastation from fire on Kangaroo Island, in South Australia. In an interview with The Guardian, Mitchell estimated that the total koala population before the fires could have been as high as 50,000. He said probably more than half of the islands koalas could have perished in the fires, but that it was a guessing game. Koalas were not the only victims on the island. There were worries, too, about the fate of a subspecies of glossy black cockatoos, of which there were only about 300 to 370 remaining on the island before the fires. Australias koalas cute, fuzzy and largely defenseless in the face of natural disaster often grab headlines. In November, after another devastating fire, a widely circulated claim that the species was left functionally extinct was met with pushback when some scientists warned that exaggeration about their fate could hurt, rather than help, conservation efforts. Along parts of the coastline of New South Wales, where brush fires have ravaged the koalas habitat, one estimate said that up to 30% of the population had died, Sussan Ley, the federal environment minister, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Friday. Well know more when the fires are calmed down, she added. Have more than 1 billion animals perished? Its a widely shared estimate, but one that has not gone unchallenged. Recently, professor Christopher Dickman of the University of Sydney said he calculated that 480 million animals nearly half a billion might have been killed in New South Wales, which encompasses Sydney. Headlines soon followed. As the fires raged on, Dickman revised that estimate this week to more than 800 million killed in New South Wales, adding that he figured more than 1 billion had died across the country. Its events like this that may well hasten the extinction process for a range of other species, Dickman said in an interview with NPR. So, its a very sad time. To reach that number, Dickman relied on measures from a 2007 report for the World Wide Fund for Nature about the effect of land clearing on Australian wildlife, the university said. But other experts have pushed back on the estimates. Colin Beale, an ecologist from University of York, told the BBC that animals survival instincts kick in. In the areas of Africa where I work, I am quite sure that very few birds die as a direct result of fire, he said. They certainly have the ability to fly away from fires, and this is surely the case in Australia, too. Bradshaw at Flinders University in Adelaide said it was dangerous to share blanket numbers that were not based on evidence. Were not saying the number is wrong its inestimable, he said. The media and the public in general are hungry for numbers, and they get into a fuss, but the reality is no one actually knows. Animals can and do rebound from such devastation, he added. We are constantly surprised how recovery happens quickly after a fire and how many animals survive, he said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) London Tue, January 14, 2020 13:08 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32213f73 2 People Prince-William,Prince-Harry,relationship Free Princes William and Harry on Monday put on a rare united front to dismiss a "false story" speculating about their relationship, as senior royals meet for talks about the younger brother's future. Harry and his wife Meghan caught the institution off guard last week when they announced their intention to step back from frontline royal duties. The 35-year-old former army officer has previously all but confirmed a rift with his older brother, prompting speculation as to the cause and that it may have influenced his decision to quit. William and Harry, also known by their formal titles the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, issued a rare joint statement to condemn one report, without specifying the publication. Read also: Harry, Meghan would find friendlier media in Canada but impossible to escape scrutiny "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge," it said. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The Times cited an unnamed "insider" as saying Harry and Meghan felt they had been "pushed away by what they saw as a bullying attitude from the Duke of Cambridge". But it also cautioned: "These claims have been strongly contested by sources close to the Cambridges, as well as some close to Prince Harry." Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on traditional rulers from the South-South Zone to work in unity to drive development in the geo-political zone. Mr Wike made the call on Tuesday in Port Harcourt when he hosted the Oba of Benin, Omo NOba Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, who was on a courtesy visit to Government House. He also called on South-South traditional rulers to work with the governors in the zone to chart that require developmental interventions. Mr Wike said: The traditional rulers from South-South should work together to advance the development of the region. The Oba of Benin and the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom should not be second class to anyone. Our traditional rulers must not be relegated by anyone. We should not see ourselves as second class citizens. The governor also urged leaders of the South-South to stop militants from determining the choice of monarchs. Militants should never dictate what happens in communities. I am talking about traditional leadership. These days, you see people of no consequence coming forward to determine who becomes a traditional ruler because they carry guns. We must perform our roles and functions, he said. Mr Wike also said there would be synergy when traditional rulers from the zone interact with their governors. When we interact, you point out areas where you require the governors to develop and we can synergise for the good of the zone. We will work together to move the traditional institution forward. We also need the support of the traditional institution for the development of the zone, he said. Mr Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on the Oba of Benin to find a way to resolve the political feud between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo and his predecessor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole. I want to humbly call on you to wade into the political crisis in Edo State. Though you are not a politician, it is necessary for the feud to be resolved. Please find a way to address the issue, Mr Wike said. READ ALSO: He also commended the Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, for supporting the Benin Traditional Council. Earlier, Ewuare said his visit to Port Harcourt was in line with the tradition established by his late father. Following the footsteps of my father who came on a thank you tour after his coronation, we recall with nostalgia my fathers public service in Ahoada many years ago. Port Harcourt, and Rivers State is indeed a second home. The Oba of Benin said his visit was aimed at strengthening friendly and close relationships between the people. I am here to strengthen the friendly relationship and close affinity of our people. History has it that some of the tribes here trace their ancestry to Benin. These include the Ikwerres, the people of Ahoada and Omoku, he said. He added that he was also in the state to meet with other traditional rulers to influence the process of development. I will meet with the South-South monarchs who were present at the coronation so that we can share ideas with them on ways of strengthening the traditional institution in Nigeria and ensure the development and wellbeing of our people. We would like to use this opportunity of this visit to appreciate the cordial relationship between the good people of Edo State and the good people of Rivers State, he said. He extended a special invitation to the government and people of Rivers to participate in the celebration of the Igue Festival. Advertisements (NAN) By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city corporation is a set to revitalise the programme that gives licence to pet dogs and implant a microchip in them for identification purposes. Already 7,000 pet owners have secured a licence for their dogs from the corporation so far. However, over time the programme has been on a slump for some time now. This project will now pick up the pace with the first licensing campaign taking place at Kunnukuzhi on January 23. The project will be inaugurated by Mayor K Sreekumar at Barton Hill School by handing over the licence and chip to the pet owners. The registration fee is Rs 120. The project was successful when we implemented it. The chips are inserted into the dogs body and we will be able to identify them with the help of the chip in case of accidents or missing cases. The service is provided at 16 veterinary dispensaries of the corporation. However, the campaign is expected to give a fillip to the project, said Dr J N Sreerag, corporation veterinary surgeon.Vaccination to prevent rabies will also be given to the dogs that are registered. The summer season is approaching and it often comes with consequences in which dogs are susceptible to diseases. We aim to register all pet dogs under the corporation, said I P Binu, Health Standing Committee Chairperson. The vaccination is also available in all the dispensaries of the corporation. Laughing gas can ease symptoms of depression in just two hours, new research suggests. A pilot study involving 20 patients whod previously not responded to up to 12 different antidepressants found they were significantly more likely to improve with laughing gas treatment than those given a placebo gas. The benefits lasted several days. Now, in a new four-week study, 200 patients with depression will be treated with a mix of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and oxygen for an hour. Laughing gas can ease symptoms of depression in just two hours, new research suggests (file image) Up to one in four people with depression shows no improvement with standard therapies. There is a major push to find alternatives. Some research has looked at a form of the party drug and anaesthetic ketamine. Nitrous oxide is being investigated as it works in a similar way to ketamine. Vitamin D may help tackle lower back pain Patients given it daily as a syrup containing a very high dose 60,000 international units for ten days, reported an almost fourfold improve- ment in pain scores when reviewed three weeks later by specialists in India. Vitamin D helps us absorb calcium to build stronger bones. Advertisement Whereas antidepressants typically work by increasing levels of the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin or dopamine, ketamine and nitrous oxide act on a different brain chemical, glutamate. It is thought that depression may result in part from an excess of glutamate, which may disrupt how brain cells communicate with one another. Ketamine can block the negative effects of glutamate, but one drawback is that it also causes a number of unpleasant side-effects including hallucinations and disturbed vision. A previous Good Health investigation raised concerns about its use, not least because it can be addictive. Now researchers have discovered that nitrous oxide also acts on glutamate, but in a slightly different way, and it is hoped may have fewer side-effects. The pilot study, reported in the journal Biological Psychiatry, compared the effects of a nitrous oxide and oxygen mix against a placebo on patients with depression. The gas was inhaled for around one hour, at a dose level similar to that used by dentists as a sedative. It is thought that depression may result in part from an excess of glutamate, which may disrupt how brain cells communicate with one another (file image) Try this Cheeky Panda Handy Wipes help you keep clean wherever you are. They are made with bamboo and infused with purified water, aloe vera and fruit extracts and are biodegradable, too. Pack of 12, 1.50, boots.com Cheeky Panda Handy Wipes are 1.50 per pack Advertisement Results from the Washington University study in the U.S. showed that one in three patients, who had previously tried an average of eight antidepressants each without success, responded. Symptoms improved in two hours whereas conventional antidepressants can take two months to have an effect and there were no side-effects. Now more than 200 people with different types of depression are being recruited to take part in five clinical trials at the universities of Washington and Chicago and other centres. Participants will inhale either nitrous oxide or a placebo of an oxygen and air mixture once a week for one hour for four weeks. The group assigned the nitrous oxide will be randomly given a dose of 50 per cent nitrous oxide or 25 per cent nitrous oxide. Carmine Pariante, a professor of biological psychiatry at Kings College London, said: The confirmation that nitrous oxide has rapid antidepressant effects is a positive development, as it confirms the importance of blocking glutamate as a way to treat depression. It offers another tool in the box for physicians. However, he added that nitrous oxide seemed to have some of the same side-effects as ketamine, including altered body sensations and dreamy states with altered perception of time. And he welcomed further research. More precise test to spot signs of prostate cancer Scientists have developed a more accurate test for prostate cancer, suggests new research. The test measures levels of citrate, a derivative of citric acid. Citrate is produced in the prostate and is a key ingredient of semen. Prostate cancer cells dont make it, so levels are lower when cancer is present. The new research, involving 31 men, found citrate semen tests detected cancer with 74.8 per cent accuracy compared with 54.8 per cent with the standard test, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, reports the International Brazilian Journal of Urology. The EU issued grain import licenses for Ukraine within the first assignment of the 2020 tariff quota Chicken Open source Ukraine joined the top five of the world's largest exporters of chicken meat. Tymofiy Mylovanov, the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture posted this on Facebook. The official claims that Ukraine only gives in to Brazil, the EU and Thailand. Apart from that, the EU provided licenses for importing 58,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat within the first assignment of the 2020 tariff quota. In 2019, the grain and leguminous crops production in Ukraine made 74 million tons; that's four tons more than in 2018. As we reported earlier, the World Bank came up with a fresh forecast for global economic growth. That of Ukraine could make up to 3.7 percent, while the global growth is also expected at the rate of 2.5 percent. These figures are mentioned in the document released on the Bank's website. "Global economic growth is forecast to edge up to 2.5% in 2020 as investment and trade gradually recover from last years significant weakness but downward risks persist", reads the report. In particular, the real GDP growth in Ukraine is expected to grow by 0.1 percent compared to that in 2019. The report also says that Ukraine is the largest economy in Eastern Europe. Ahead of the awaited Raisina Dialogue, Foreign Affairs Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov arrived in Delhi on Tuesday on a two-day visit. India's flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina Dialogue will begin on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the inaugural session at which seven former heads of state or government will share their views on important challenges facing the world. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Kamilov will meet his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and will later today attend the inaugural session of the awaited Raisina Dialogue that will focus on geopolitics and geo-economics. Kamilov will end his visit on Thursday. Delhi: Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan arrives in Delhi. He is on a visit to India till January 16th during which he will also participate in Raisina Dialogue 2020 and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other events. pic.twitter.com/IAYzReG5Rs ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2020 Over the course of two days, intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars - the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, debate on the global trading architecture, role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace. READ: Catalan separatist leader arrives at EU Parliament READ: Slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani's body arrives at Kerman for burial Foreign Ministers from 13 countries to attend Raisina Dialogue Foreign ministers from 13 countries, including Russia, Iran and Australia, will attend the fifth edition of the geo-political conference, 'Raisina Dialogue'. The three-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), will also witness the participation of many deputy foreign ministers, former prime ministers, former presidents, national security advisors, military chiefs and other high-level policy-makers, scholars and officials, a statement by the ORF said. Over 180 delegates from 105 countries are taking part in this edition, themed '21@20: Navigating the Alpha Century'. In all, the conference will see 116 speakers. Besides, Externally Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the other foreign ministers participating in this year's conference are from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary, Rwanda and Tanzania. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and prime ministers of Sweden, Republic of Korea, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and Bhutan are also participating in the conference. READ: Queen arrives at church ahead of family meeting READ: US troops clear rubble from Iraq base days after Iran strike (image credits: ANI) Bijnor : , Jan 14 (IANS) Two leopards have been killed in the past one week, but more big cats are on the prowl in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district, prompting the forest officials to warn the locals about any imminent attack. A partially-eaten carcass of a 'nilgai' calf (blue bull) was found in a sugarcane field in the Himpur village in Bijnor on Monday evening after which forest officials have sounded an alert in the nearby villages. Forest officials have set up cages with bait and installed several camera traps. While the killer leopard has been caught on camera, it has not yet bitten the bait. A few days ago, on January 6, villagers had shot dead a leopard in Bijnor's Bhogpur village, hours after it killed a schoolboy near his school. Another leopard was beaten to death by the locals in the Kanth area in Moradabad district on January 9. Since November 27, six people have been mauled to death by leopards in the Bijnor district. In view of the increasing man-animal conflict in the area, forest officials have also advised villagers to move about in groups in the affected area. The villagers have been reporting numerous leopard sightings at various places while the forest department has been preparing a plan to tag the leopards and track their movement on the GPS map. Three men have been detained for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl of Class 8 for close to 36 hours after abducting from her house in Ganjam district, police said. On January 10 night, the girl hailing from coastal Ganjam district had gone out to relieve herself when she was approached by a 19-year-old man who asked her to come with him. Though the girl knew the man, she refused to do go with him. He then called two of his friends [aged 24 and 38 years] and abducted the girl. They took her to an abandoned house. There they allegedly offered her a sedative-laced cold drink and took turns to sexually assault her, said Berhampur Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, quoting the first information report [FIR] . The girl told us that she was held hostage for close to 36 hours in the Chikiti area of Ganjam district. The accused dumped her near her house on yesterday (January 12) in a critical condition, Mishra said. Last evening, the victims family rushed her to MKCG medical college-cum-hospital in Berhampur in a critical condition. A doctor who attended to her said that the girl is stable now. The victims statement has been recorded and she will be presented before a local magistrate soon, the SP said. Sonapur Marine police lodged a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012 as well relevant sections of IPC acting on a complaint by her maternal uncle. Police said the three men have been detained in this connection and will be arrested after police get the results of the medical examination of the victim. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States Tue, January 14, 2020 14:03 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32218a3b 2 Entertainment mark-hamill,Facebook Free Mark Hamill, the actor famous for legendary "Star Wars" film character Luke Skywalker, has quit Facebook for its refusal to require political ads to be honest. "So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my Facebook account," Hamill tweeted Sunday evening. "I know this is a big 'Who Cares?' for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night. #PatriotismOverProfits." So disappointed that #MarkZuckerberg values profit more than truthfulness that I've decided to delete my @Facebook account. I know this is a big "Who Cares?" for the world at large, but I'll sleep better at night. #PatriotismOverProfits > https://t.co/seb2eJMTo6 Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 12, 2020 Hamill's message triggered a flood of replies, with many lauding his decision to use his celebrity platform to make a statement about honesty in politics. "Facebook, pay attention. Youve lost the man who played Luke Skywalker," one fan commented. "The only thing worse than that is maybe Santa Claus telling you to feck off. Might be time to rethink things." In contrast, another tweet questioned whether it was Facebook's place to censor politicians or their ads, and suggested instead putting notice labels on demonstrably false messages. "Giving up Facebook doesn't solve the problem," the Twitter user replied to Hamill. "Fake news is everywhere. What happens next? Give up the internet?" Facebook this month enacted a new ban on posts or ads that interfere with people taking part in the US census, which will have an online participation option this year. Read also: Mark Hamill bags Hollywood star, with no wars required The census interference policy forbids deception about when or how to take part in the US census, or the significance of participating, according to the California-based internet titan. Facebook, criticized for its hands-off policy on misleading comments from politicians, said it would not allow political actors to post false information about the census, in a policy similar to theirs on "voter interference." Online platforms face the challenge of stopping an avalanche of disinformation while remaining open to political debate and free speech. Google recently placed restrictions on how advertisers can target specific groups of voters, while clarifying its policy by indicating it does not allow "false claims" in advertising, political or otherwise. Twitter has banned most kinds of political ads to steer clear of checking the veracity of claims by politicians, but some analysts say the ban ends up helping incumbents and well-financed candidates. New Delhi: An FIR has been filed by the Trinamool Congress leader Krishnendu Banerjee against West Bengal BJP state president Dilip Ghosh for his statement threatening Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protestors. Ghosh on Monday courted controversy by threatening to shoot and kill those involved in damaging public property like the same way in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a public meeting in West Bengals Nadia district, Ghosh came down heavily on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not opening fire and ordering lathicharge on those destroying railway property and public transport during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the state in December last year. Is it the fathers property of those who are setting public property on fire? How can they destroy government property built on tax-payers money! Ghosh said. He said, The governments of Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka did the right thing by opening fire on these anti-national elements (during anti-CAA protests). The BJP leader said those involved in arson and damaging public property will be shot like the same way in Uttar Pradesh. They will come here, enjoy all the facilities and destroy countrys property. Is it their zamindari! he asked. Also Read: 'Mamata Banerjee Is Like Lankini': Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Says Bengal CM Has 'Traits Of Demon' Ghosh also called for identifying those sabotaging the interests of Hindu Bengalis. He claimed that there are two crore Muslim infiltrators in the country. One crore alone is in West Bengal and Mamata Banerjee is trying to protect them, he alleged. Mamata Deplores BJP WB President's 'Shot Like Dogs' Comment West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday deplored state BJP president Dilip Ghoshs comment that anti-CAA protesters were shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states, asserting the state police will not resort to firing on agitators. Reacting to Ghoshs controversial remark, her party colleague Anubrata Mondal in an angry reponse said he (Ghosh) should be shot dead by the central government for the same offence. Also Read: BJP Minister Babul Supriyo Terms Dilip Ghosh's 'Dog' Remark 'Very Irresponsible' Banerjee, without naming Ghosh, said it does not become of a political leader to call for firing on the people. There will not be any firing in Bengal, Banerjee asserted, while castigating the state BJP chief for his remarks that BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka shot these people like dogs. Many of you (BJP leaders) want there should be firing (by the police on agitators) in Bengal and this is the reason you are doing the drama, she said. Troops at the Iraqi air base that bore the brunt of Irans first direct missile attack against U.S. forces said they were shocked by its intensity and grateful to emerge unscathed, Trend reports citing Reuters. The scale of the damage at the Ain al-Asad base showed Irans destructive capability at a time when U.S. officials say they are still concerned that Iran-backed groups across the region could wage attacks on the United States. Its miraculous no one was hurt, Lt Col Staci Coleman, the U.S. air force officer who runs the airfield, told reporters on Monday at the vast base deep in the western Anbar desert in Iraq, where 1,500 Americans were deployed. Who thinks theyre going to have ballistic missiles launched at them ... and suffer no casualties? The Jan. 8 attack came hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States should expect retaliation over the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq the previous week. The killing raised fears of a new Middle East war, but the United States, Iraq and other countries with troops at the base said no one was hurt. U.S. military leaders have said that was thanks to commanders on the ground, not Tehrans goodwill. At one site, a cruise missile had left a large crater and incinerated living quarters made from shipping containers. Heavy concrete blast walls were knocked over and the shipping containers were smashed and charred along with contents including bicycles, chairs and other furniture. Several soldiers said one of their number had come very close to being blown up inside a shelter behind the blast walls. Almost a dozen missiles hit the air base, where U.S. forces carried out scatter plans to move soldiers and equipment to a range of fortified areas apart from one another. The United States did not have Patriot air defenses at the base, putting the onus on local commanders to protect their troops. Wed got notification there could be an attack a few hours prior so had moved equipment, said U.S. Staff Sergeant Tommie Caldwell. Lt Col Coleman said that by 10pm all the staff she manages were ready to take cover. People took this very seriously, she said. Three and a half hours later the missiles started arriving. Several soldiers said they continued for two hours. Staff Sgt Armando Martinez, who had been out in the open to watch for casualties, said he could not believe how easily one missile leveled the concrete blast walls. When a rocket strikes thats one thing; but a ballistic missile, its like terror, he said. You see a white light like a shooting star and then a few seconds later it lands and explodes. The other day, after the attack, one colleague saw an actual shooting star and panicked. One missile landed on the tarmac of a parking and servicing area for Blackhawk helicopters helping to ferry equipment in the fight against Islamic State insurgents. The helicopters had been moved but it destroyed two light hangars and badly damaged portacabins nearby. We must have been in the bunkers for more than five hours, maybe seven or eight, said Kenneth Goodwin, Master Sgt in the U.S. Air Force. They knew what they were aiming at by targeting the airfield and parking area. It was the latest strike against an air base that has figured prominently in high-ranking U.S. officials visits to Iraq. After these missile attacks, when we hear of possible militia rocket attacks, we tend to think, Oh only rockets ... thats a change, Coleman said, describing the common feeling when the missile attacks were over as sheer relief. On Sunday the Iraqi military said four people had been wounded in an attack on Balad air base in northern Iraq, which also houses U.S. personnel. Military sources identified the wounded as Iraqi soldiers. The seventh Democratic debate between candidates vying for the presidential nomination takes place Tuesday in Iowa, and this time, viewers will see a much narrower field. The candidates who qualified for the Iowa debate, sponsored by CNN and the Des Moines Register, are Joe Biden, former vice president; Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana; Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar; Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders; billionaire Tom Steyer; and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Though theres never a boring day when it comes to politics in our current moment, this Iowa debate is happening at an especially volatile time. As CNN points out, the debate coincides with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, the ongoing story of unrest in the Middle East and U.S. involvement in that part of the world, and reports of conflict between Sanders and Warren as their campaigns compete for the progressive vote. (How to stream online: The debate will stream live on CNN.com, without requiring log-in to a cable provider homepage, and across mobile devices via CNNs apps for iOS and Android, and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast and Android TV. The debate will also air live at DesMoinesRegister.com and Democrats.org, and you can also stream it on fuboTV.) The smallest-ever field of candidates has also been encountering criticism because of its all-white lineup, which seems contrary to the Democratic Partys message of the importance of diversity. Among those who will be absent from the debate stage, for example, are such former candidates as New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, California Senator Kamala Harris, and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, who have all dropped out of the race. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang is still in the race, but he failed to meet the fundraising and polling requirements mandated by the Democratic National Committee. The debate will be held at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa, and will be moderated by Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip, of CNN, and Brianne Pfannenstiel, the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. What: Iowa Democratic Presidential primary debate When: 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET) Tuesday, Jan. 14 Channel: CNN -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Luxembourg consul Stan Myck, usually based at the embassy in Washington, guested NPR show Lake Effect this week. Given the Battle of the Bulge commemorations last month, Myck explained in some detail the impact of the brutal battle not just on Luxembourg, but of course the war more broadly. The consul also explained that the relationship between Luxembourg and the US goes back to before the wars; notably the food crisis in the 19th century, which drove many to move across to the US among other places. "We something like 100,000 Luxembourgers who left form 1850 to 1880 who left Luxembourg, who came over here. Wisconsin, Illinois," said Myck. America loves Luxembourg: or at least our food and drinks, as Bofferding and Moutarderie de Luxembourg make waves in Midwest Myck also said he was proud to see the link the descendants of Luxembourgers in the US feel to the Grand Duchy, noting institutions such as the museum in Belgium (WI), and the Luxembourg festival: "You can see they are so proud to have this past, this common past." You can hear the full interview via the link below, starting at around 1 minute and 15 seconds. It's a scoop the former and locally famous R Cudmore fruiterers, vegetable and ice cream shop on Cork city's St Patrick Street is going back to a food business offering, after about 20 years' interim use as a mobile phone outlet. However, the next tempting offers at the iconic, double bow fronted 22 St Patrick Street will see fruit, and other flavours, presented mostly in a digestible, but frozen format: the diminutive but high profile shop at the city's main retail boulevard corner with Winthrop Street is about to be occupied by Gino's Gelatos, an Irish chain of ice cream, crepes and Belgian waffle retailers. Gino's arrival next month, taking over a former Vodafone outlet who had been paying a 'bananas' rent of 160,000 a year since 1999 for just a 400 sq ft footprint, reprises in some welcome ways the shop's original use. The Cork family-owned R Cudmore fruiterers' business also included ice cream sales in its later years' offerings among often exotic fruits, vegetables and confectionery, with its pick'n'mix sweets a perennial favourite. Family-owned Cudmores was in business in Cork since before World War 11, and No 22 St Patrick Street was rebuilt after the 1920 Burning of Cork, by British Auxiliaries and the Black and Tans, part of five acres of city centre laid waste and which had to be rebuilt, in blocks. Later, R Cudmore Fruiterers opened further Cork city centre shops, with a second one on St Patrick Street by the Fr Mathew Statue and William Street, and also sold in other locations such as Castle Street, Oliver Plunkett Street next to the GPO, and on the South Mall. The Cudmore family business vacated their iconic 22 St Patrick's Street shop in 1999, when Vodafone took on a 25 year lease, at a time when mobile phone shops took over Irish High Street locations in droves, driving up retail rents in the process. It's one of the smallest shops on St Patrick's Street, at under 400 sq ft, but has huge footfall thanks to proximity to Brown Thomas, Penneys, Dunnes, Debenhams and a McDonalds. More recently, Vodafone opened a second,larger Cork city shop at 109 Oliver Plunkett Street, at the opposite end of Winthrop Street and last year offered to sub-let 22 St Patricks Street, via estate agents Cushman & Wakefield. C&W's Philip Horgan confirmed that sub-lease a deal has been done between Vodafone and Gino's Gelato, to run up until 2024, at an unconfirmed rent: it's likely to be well under 'telephone money' 160,000 a year agreed by Vodafone around 1999 with landlords/Cudmores. The return of ices, and fruit-topped waffles perhaps, and more to No 22 St Patrick's Street, will see Gino's Gelato scoop their third Cork city outlet. They already trade at Oliver Plunkett Street and Paul Street Shopping Centre, on a franchise agreement with the Dublin-based company which has close to 18 Irish outlets, with Gino's (no relation to the Gino's Pizza and Ice Cream which used trade on Winthrop Street) also flagged to open in Kilkenny and Waterford. A suspected serial killer strangled a suburban Chicago teenage girl in 1976 and likely killed another woman just days before she was to testify in court that he raped her, police said Monday. Lisle Police Detective Chris Loudon, who investigated the January 1976 slaying of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer of Woodridge, said during a news conference that DNA recovered from the exhumed remains of Bruce Lindahl indicated he killed the teen. 'I suspect him to be a serial killer,' Loudon said of Lindahl, whose body was exhumed in November. 'We finally put a name and a face to this monster.' Pamela Maurer (pictured) vanished when she left a friend's house to buy a soft drink in 1976. Her strangled body was found dumped by a roadside a day later Cold case solved: Advanced DNA testing and genealogical evidence shows suspected serial killer Bruce Lindahl (pictured) was responsible for the teenager's murder Authorities are trying to determine if photographs of unidentified females that were found in Lindahl's home depict other victims. The announcement came on the 44th anniversary of the day a motorist found Maurer's body by the side of a road. She was last seen a day earlier leaving a friend's house to buy a soft drink. At the time, police concluded that her body may have been placed there by her killer to make her death look like a hit-and-run. But the coroner determined Maurer had been strangled, and police concluded that a rubber hose found nearby was used to end her life. The face of a killer: Photos of Bruce Lindahl displayed at the DuPage County State's attorney's office ahead of the news conference. Advances in forensic technology enabled investigators of the 1976 slaying to develop a profile and composite drawing of what the killer may look like (top right). Police were then able to run results through a database and narrow the crime down to Lindahl (pictured top left, bottom left and right) before exhuming his body for DNA The case went unsolved for decades, but that changed with advances in forensic technology. Nineteen years ago, investigators analyzed evidence that had been collected from the girl's body and stored, and they developed a profile of the suspected killer, DuPage County County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said at the news conference. No suspect was immediately identified. But last year, advanced DNA testing was conducted, enabling scientists to create a 'snapshot' of the suspect's traits including eye color, skin color, and the shape of his face. That information, coupled with the analysis of a public genealogy database, led authorities to identify Lindahl as a suspect, he said. That identification using genealogical evidence - the first of its kind used in Illinois in a murder case, Berlin said - led to the discovery of what authorities believe was a series of crimes by Lindahl, including the sexual assault of young women and at least two other homicides. When police learned Lindahl's name, they quickly discovered that the 29-year-old resident of nearby Aurora had died during a fatal knife attack on 18-year-old Charles Huber of Naperville in 1981. He apparently accidentally slashed a major artery in his own leg and bled to death. The bodies of both men were found together. 'We could never imagine one of our friends doing it': Cindy Evans, Maurer's friend who was with her the day she disappeared, said she was relieved her friends killer was a stranger DuPage County state's attorney Robert Berlin (pictured right) told the press conference on Monday that there is evidence linking the killer to other murders, including the 1979 disappearance of Debra McCall (pictured on poster) Cindy Evans, Maurer's friend who had seen her the day she disappeared, told the press conference she was relieved her friends killer was a stranger. 'We could never imagine one of our friends doing it,' she said. At the time of his death, Lindahl was a suspect in the 1980 rape and kidnapping of Debra Colliander. Berlin said authorities believed Lindahl abducted the woman from a suburban shopping center, and raped her in his Aurora home before she managed to escape and call police from a neighbor's house. He was charged then released from jail after posting bail. Days before she was to testify at his trial, Colliander vanished, forcing prosecutors to drop the charges in 1981. In 1982, several months after Lindahl's death, Colliander's body was discovered by a farmer in a shallow grave in rural Oswego Township. An autopsy was unable to determine how she died, but her death was ruled a homicide. Photos of McCall, a Downers Grove high school student, were found in Lindahl's apartment after his death. Her body has never been found Another victim: Debra Colliander (pictured) disappeared in 1980 just days before she was due to testify against Lindahl for kidnap and rape. Her body was found in a shallow grave in rural Oswego Township in 1982. Police say she was likely murdered to prevent her from testifying 'All the evidence points to Bruce Lindahl being responsible for her murder,' Berlin said, leaving open the possibility that he hired someone to kill her or did it himself. 'We believe Debra Colliander was murdered in order to prevent her from testifying at Lindahl's rape trial.' Berlin also said there is evidence linking Lindahl to the 1979 disappearance of a Downers Grove high school student named Deborah McCall. After Lindahl's death, photographs of McCall were found in Lindahl's apartment, but her body has never been found. Boeing's new CEO Dave Calhoun had a challenging first day running the company a debt downgrade warning and outcries from lawmakers over his potential bonus. The decade-long Boeing board member took the reins on Monday, tasked with cleaning up the company's image, internal culture, relationship with regulators and airlines, as well as Boeing's finances after two fatal crashes of its best-selling plane, the Boeing 737 Max. Calhoun, a veteran of General Electric aviation and Blackstone Group, will receive a $7 million bonus if he gets regulators to clear the Max to fly again, among other performance targets, the company said. That drew the ire of some lawmakers who have criticized the company for sacrificing safety to make airplanes a better sell and rewarding executives for it. "This payment represents a clear financial incentive for Mr. Calhoun to pressure regulators into ungrounding the 737 Max, as well as rush the investigations and reforms needed to guarantee public safety," Democratic Sens. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin wrote to Boeing's board on Monday. "We believe that this bonus would be unconscionable in the face of two tragic plane crashes and proof that Boeing has not learned its lesson." Boeing is scrambling to win regulatory approval of the planes, but Calhoun has taken a more conciliatory approach with the Federal Aviation Administration after former CEO Dennis Muilenburg made overly optimistic statements about when the jets will be approved frayed the relationship between the two and contributed to Muilenburg's firing last month. The planes are Boeing's best seller and the worldwide grounding, now in its 11th month, has cost airlines more than $1 billion in revenue and Boeing more than $7 billion. Those costs are likely to rise as airlines continue to push back the Max's return date on their schedules. On Tuesday, American joined United in pulling the planes from its schedules until early June. Boeing defended Calhoun's potential bonus, saying it "is based on the fact that the safe return to service of the 737 MAX is our top priority." It will also take several years to fully vest, meaning he won't be able to take it with him unless he stays at the company. "This includes following the lead of our regulators and working with them to ensure they're satisfied completely with the airplane and our work," the company said in a statement. "The Board and CEO are in full agreement that the safe return to service of the 737 MAX must be done with full regulatory oversight." Hours after the statement, Moody's Investor Services said it is putting Boeing's debt on a 90-day review for a possible downgrade, less than a month after cutting its credit rating by one-notch, as the crisis wears on longer than expected. The lower the credit rating, the more expensive it is for a company to raise money from investors in the debt market. "Recent developments suggest a more costly and protracted recovery for Boeing to restore confidence with its various market constituents, and an ensuing period of heightened operational and financial risk, even if certification of the MAX comes relatively near-term, as expected," wrote Jonathan Root, Moody's lead Boeing analyst. Moody's also downgraded the debt of 737 Max supplier Spirit Aerosystems to junk territory, after the Wichita, Kansas-based company that makes fuselages for the planes said it would cut at least 2,800 jobs. On Tuesday, Boeing posted more bad news. For the first time in decades, the company's commercial airplane business lost orders over the course of an entire year, a stark example of just how much the 737 Max crisis has hurt the company. For all of 2019, Boeing lost orders for 87 commercial airplanes, meaning it had more cancellations than new purchases, the company said Tuesday. The final tally included the cancellation of three orders in December when customers changed plans to buy 787 Dreamliners. A Boeing spokesman said he wasn't sure when the company last lost commercial plane orders for the year, but "it definitely has not happened in the last 30 years." -CNBC's Phil LeBeau contributed to this article. Savannah Resources has been granted a license for its Mutamba minerals and project in Mozambique, which is operates as a joint venture with Rio Tinto The project is targeting first production in 2020 at an annualized rate of 456,000 tonnes of ilmenite and 118,000 tonnes of... US President Donald Trump was outraged by the Iraqi parliament voting to oust foreign forces, including some 5,200 American troops AFP/SAUL LOEB US President Donald Trump was outraged by the Iraqi parliament voting on Jan 5 to oust foreign forces, including some 5,200 American troops, who have helped local soldiers beat back jihadists since 2014. If troops were asked to leave, he threatened, "we will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before." The US then delivered an extraordinary verbal message directly to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's office, two Iraqi officials told AFP. "The PMO got a call threatening that if US troops are kicked out, 'we' - the US - will block your account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York," one official said. Parliament's vote to oust the troops was triggered by outrage over a US drone strike on Baghdad two days earlier that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his Iraqi right-hand-man, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The Central Bank of Iraq's account at the Fed was established in 2003 following the US-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein. Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483, which lifted the crippling global sanctions and oil embargo imposed on Iraq after Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, all revenues from Iraqi oil sales would go to the account. Iraq is OPEC's second-biggest crude producer and more than 90 percent of the state budget, which reached US$112 billion in 2019, derives from oil revenues. To this day, revenues are paid in dollars into the Fed account daily, with the balance now sitting at about US$35 billion, Iraqi officials told AFP. Every month or so, Iraq flies in US$1-US$2 billion in cash from that account for official and commercial transactions. "We're an oil-producing country. Those accounts are in dollars. Cutting off access means totally turning off the tap," the first Iraqi official said. The second official said it would mean the government could not carry out daily functions or pay salaries and the Iraqi currency would plummet in value. "It would mean collapse for Iraq," the official said. TRUMP 'POLITICISES EVERYTHING' A third senior Iraqi official confirmed the US was considering "restricting" cash access to "about a third of what they would usually send." The Federal Reserve declined to comment on Trump's threat. A US State Department Official confirmed to AFP that the possibility of restricting access to the Fed account was "raised" with Iraq following the vote. "You can imagine why, if troops were expelled, banks might be nervous about sending lots of ... cash to Baghdad," this official said. But the US threat was still highly unusual as the Fed is meant to be independent of foreign policy. "The attempt to politicise dollar shipments has the Bank worried because it affects its prestige and integrity in dealing with clients," the State Department official added. "Trump is obviously willing to politicise everything." Washington has considered the measure for months, with a senior US diplomat at the Baghdad embassy telling AFP in July it was looking at "limiting the cash that comes into Iraq." "That would be the nuclear option," this diplomat added at the time. Just before Iraqi lawmakers voted on the troop ouster, Speaker Mohammad Halbusi warned the world could stop dealing with Iraq's banks in revenge for the move. Blocking the Iraqi central bank's Fed account could be done by blacklisting a government body, which would immediately restrict Baghdad's access to dollars. The US already sanctions Iraqi nationals, armed groups and even banks for links to Tehran, Washington's arch-foe in the region. It had left oil revenues untouched, with officials previously telling AFP such a move would be too damaging to a country considered a US ally. US WOULD 'LOSE IRAQ' But ties worsened recently, with the US frustrated by Iraq's alliance with Iran and repeated rocket attacks on US installations blamed on Iraqi factions. Relations then took a nosedive with the Jan 3 US drone strike that killed Soleimani and Muhandis, a senior Iraqi paramilitary figure. Iraq slammed the killings as a violation of its sovereignty and immediately called for the vote on US troops. The US is considering other - less inflammatory - options too, US and Iraqi officials said. One would be declining to renew a temporary waiver that Washington granted to Iraq in 2018 that allows Baghdad to import gas from Iran to feed its gutted power grid, despite US sanctions on Tehran's energy sector. If Washington does not renew the waiver in February, then the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), which buys the gas, could face secondary sanctions for dealing with blacklisted Iranian entities. Iraqi officials said the US threat to deny access to oil revenues was met with shock, anger and near-disbelief. "The PM was pissed and insulted," one official told AFP. Another said the US would then irreversibly "lose Iraq.". "They'd push us towards Russia, China, Iran. We'd have to form a separate economy with those countries." The Delhi High Court Tuesday said the police has the power to control traffic wherever protests are going on and directed it to look into a plea against restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch which has been closed for a month due to agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar said however that no direction can be issued by the court on how to handle an agitation or the place of protest and the traffic as it depends on the ground reality and the wisdom of police. The court asked the police to look into the issue of traffic restrictions while also keeping in mind that law and order is maintained. The court passed the order while disposing of a PIL filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni seeking a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to lift restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is vital as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters are forced to take the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, the plea said. The court said: "We hereby direct the concerned respondent authorities (police) to look into the grievances ventilated by the petitioner in this writ petition... about the restrictions on usage of the road which is known as Kalindi Kunj- Shaheen Bagh Stretch, that is, Road No.13 A (between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj) as well as Okhla underpass, and will react in accordance with law, rules, regulations and the government policies applicable to the facts of the present case." It further said the authorities should keep in mind the "larger public interest" and also the maintenance of "law and order". The bench said it ought to be kept in mind that whenever any agitation or protest is going on, situation is like fluid, it keeps on changing looking to the temperament of the protestors and resistances by other people. "Simultaneously, police has to maintain the law and order. Hence, the respondents have all power, jurisdiction and authority to control the traffic, wherever protests or agitations are going on, in the larger public interest. "In such a situation, no specific writ, order or direction can be issued by this court as to how to handle the agitation or protest or the place of protest and the traffic. It all depends upon the ground reality and the wisdom of the police, where situation may keep on changing every 10 minutes," the bench said. The court refused however to direct the authorities to look into the issue in a time bound manner. During the hearing, Sahni said the road closure is causing huge inconvenience to lakhs of commuters everyday and they are compelled to take different routes for last one month. He said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing. The petition claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, UP and Haryana. It said the petitioner has given representation to the authorities on January 3 but no action has been taken till date. Besides Delhi Police, the plea had made the Centre and the Delhi government as parties, seeking from them requisite assistance to the police in addressing the issue. Due to the heavy traffic on alternative routes, it takes 15-20 minutes for people to cross just one traffic signal at Ashram, it said. Citing several reports, it said that on an average, Ashram Chowk is used by around 30,000 vehicles every day. With the Kalindi Kunj road closure, an additional 1 lakh vehicles are flowing through the intersection. The high court, on January 10, had refused to entertain an application, in the form of letter, seeking directions for removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh here in order to clear road blockages that are causing traffic congestions at the DND route. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bengaluru: Global aerospace major Airbus on Monday announced it has signed a contract with Bengaluru-based startup Traxof Technologies to automate talent acquisition process for the company in India and Europe offices. Traxof's Cloud-based, automated desktop and mobile-based solution - that provides real-time visibility and monitoring of recruitment processes - will support the up of Information Management (IM) resources, especially in India for Airbus' digitalization, the company said in a statement. Traxof was part of Airbus BizLab's startup acceleration programme 'Season 4'. "Indian startups are extraordinarily competent, competitive and entrepreneurial in spirit. All they need is some supportive acceleration to achieve viability and scale. Airbus BizLab has been providing this support to Indian startups with great results," said Anand E Stanley, President and Managing Director, Airbus India & South Asia. Airbus BizLab is a global aerospace business accelerator where startups and Airbus 'intrapreneurs' speed up the transformation of innovative ideas into valuable businesses. Since its inception in 2015, Airbus BizLab has accelerated 72 startups and 54 internal projects, which have raised a combined 23.5 million Euros. "Traxof solves a real-world problem that is shared by a wide range of our internal stakeholders with a simple off the shelf solution," said Carlo Nizam, Chief Information Officer, Airbus India and South Asia. Founded in 2014, Traxof Technologies is a workflow automation startup that provides customisability, natural language-based interaction, ease of usage, process optimisation, interfacing with external tools and better human-computer interaction. An injured person is taken for emergency treatment after one of the stray stone pelted during the violence in Bhanisa town hit him on the head. (DC) Hyderabad: Eleven persons including three police officers were injured in clashes that began as a petty quarrel on Sunday night between groups from two communities in the communally-sensitive Bhainsa town of Nirmal district. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported till 2 pm on Monday. Reports said 13 houses were destroyed partially by the mobs while one house and 24 two-wheelers were burnt. An autorickshaw and a car were partially damaged by the mobs. Clashes and stone-pelting were reported from Korva Galli, Kishan Galli, Purana Bazaar, Zulfiqar Colony in Bhainsa. North Zone Inspector-General Y. Nagi Reddy said police had arrested 16 persons in connection with the clashes. Addition-al police forces, including the Rapid Action Force, were being deployed in the town. Speaking to the media, Mr Nagi Reddy said there was no conspiracy behind the clashes. He said the police would not tolerate any violence and would take appropriate action against the culprits. The clashes began as a quarrel between a group that was riding noisy motorcycles in the Korva Galli locality at about 10 pm on Sunday, and local residents, who objected. It quickly escalated and groups from the two communities started attacking each other and pelting stones. Sources said one particular house was targeted during the clashes. Police were alerted and moved in quickly to separate the mobs. They fired teargas shells several times to disperse the groups and those who were pelting stones at the police. Additional police force brought in A huge police force was brought in from the bordering districts of Ramagundam, Siddipet, Jagtial, and Sircilla to bring the situation under control by about 3 am. Stray incidents were reported on Monday afternoon. In the melee, the police escorted five women and two men who were stranded in the clashes to their houses with the help of community elders in the Kisan Galli locality. Police said people returning to Bhainsa from a religious congregation near Sirgapur, 25 km from Bhainsa, in Dilawarpur mandal on Sunday night were affected. Inspectors-General Nagi Reddy and Pramod Kumar, police commissioners Satyanarayana of Ramagundam and Joel Davis of Siddipet and the superintendents of police of Adilabad, Sircilla, Jagtial and Kamareddy camped in Bhainsa to monitor the situation. Police has started a door-to-door enumeration of the damage sustained during the clashes. A section of people expressed their displeasure with the police for giving the responsibility of traffic regulation on the main roads to members of a community. Police said they are examining the CCTV footage and appropriate action will be initiated against those involved in the clashes. It is said that the agitations for and against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens also had some influence on the clashes between the two groups. WASHINGTON In the early 2000s, Elise Stefanik and Pete Buttigieg were pals at Harvard University with shared political ambitions. Now, she's a prominent Republican congresswoman and he's seeking the Democratic nomination for president. The pair have kept in touch since their days at Harvard, although politics have drawn them to different sides of the aisle. Both have made a mark on their parties at a young age. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said she has not spoken to Buttigieg since he started his 2020 campaign. But Buttigieg did visit Stefanik at her office at the U.S. Capitol once since she assumed office in 2015. "We were friends in college," she said. Both Buttigieg, 37, and Stefanik, 35, participated in Harvard's Institute of Politics Student Advisory Council. While at Harvard, they also worked together on a national polling project on the views of politics and public service of college students. They went out for coffee at least once while on campus, a spokewoman for Stefanik confirmed. The mayor of South Bend, Ind., Buttigieg graduated from Harvard in 2004 as a history and literature major. Stefanik graduated with honors in 2006 after studying government. In 2002, he was president of the Student Advisory Council a distinguished role on campus while she was vice president of the same body two years later. Stefanik now serves on the senior advisory committee for Harvard's Institute of Politics. At age 30, Stefanik was the youngest woman elected to Congress when she won her first campaign in upstate New York in 2014. At 29, Buttigieg became the youngest mayor of a U.S. city with at least 100,000 residents. Buttigieg, one of many Democrats remaining in the 2020 race for president, will participate in the Democratic debate in Iowa on Tuesday night. Stefanik does not plan on watching Tuesday's debate, her spokesperson said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. A spokesperson for Buttigieg did not respond to a request for comment. Buttigieg recently received the endorsement of Ulster County Executive Patrick K. Ryan, one of the few Democratic county leaders in New York who have endorsed a candidate for president. Im really proud to support Pete and to endorse him, Ryan said. I met him awhile back and we share a bunch of things in common. Both of us have been on the receiving end of an order to go to war and that really helps him understand first-hand the gravity of that decision to use military force. Ryan is a first-term county executive who grew up in Kingston and graduated from West Point Military Academy. He ran for county executive after losing a Democratic congressional primary in 2018 to U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, who went on to defeat incumbent Congressman John Faso in that race. Brendan J. Lyons contributed to this report. Immediately upon becoming an independent company for the first time in five years, Springbrook Softwares first act is to acquire a smaller tech firm. BIAS Software , based in Spokane, Wash., will be joining Springbrook after nearly 30 years in business. The company is in much the same arena as Springbrook it mainly offers financial and accounting software, with a heavy focus on local government.But there are some key differences, according to Springbrook CEO Max Schnoedl.The way were different, and the reason for us to acquire BIAS is No. 1, theyre a market leader in Washington state, where Springbrook is strong, but BIAS has more jurisdiction, Schnoedl said. More importantly, from a product perspective the BIAS product is really designed for smaller agencies.Most of BIAS business is in Washington, and its base of about 200 customers leans toward governments serving fewer than 25,000 constituents, he said. Springbrook, in contrast, had more than 800 customers prior to the deal, focused on governments serving about 50,000 people and works with clients in some 40 states.We have figured out the procurement vehicles, we know how to do business in these states, he said. So we can help BIAS in bringing [its software] to those states.Another difference is that Springbrook is built on Government Accounting Standards Board principles, whereas BIAS has a focus on Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting a simplified method more common among smaller organizations.The deal, the price tag of which remains unrevealed, follows hot on the heels of the announcement that Springbrook was being acquired by the private equity firm Accel-KKR. The company bought Springbrook from Accela, itself owned by the private equity firm Berkshire Partners AKKR has done several deals with gov tech companies in the past. Dean Jacobson, a managing director at the firm, wrote in an email tothat Springbrook fits in with much of what AKKR is used to.We work with companies that have great products, provide mission-critical solutions to their end clients, and are led by strong management teams: Springbrook fits right in that sweet spot, Jacobson wrote. Local government agencies provide essential services that all of us depend on every day, and good technology solutions that specifically address the intricacies of running a local government can make all the difference in terms of being able to deliver services with efficiency and transparency. With Springbrook, we see a lot of opportunities to bring focus, innovation, scale and client support into this space. Large hailstones and heavy rain are lashing Melbourne causing flash flooding, although the wild weather has cleared the smoke haze that has blanketed the city for days. Choking smoke was replaced by fierce thunderstorms that hit the Melbourne area from 4pm, as the city's strange weather changed gears making for a horror commute home. The deluge dumped hailstones the size of 20-cent coins in the city's west, where some suburbs received a month's worth of rain in an hour. Key train lines were suspended, with the storms causing peak-hour delays across the network. Trains on the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines came to a standstill and commuters were left stranded for an hour, waiting for 26 replacement buses to arrive. WASHINGTON The House intends to vote this week to send its articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate, prompting only the third impeachment trial of a president in American history. The vote will put to rest nearly a month of uncertainty over when a trial might begin and quickly turn over to the Senate a historic debate over whether Mr. Trump committed what the Constitution describes as high crimes and misdemeanors. The Republican-led Senate is all but certain to vote eventually to acquit Mr. Trump. But the path forward remains murky, with few historical precedents and scant constitutional guidance to light the way. While decades-old congressional rules will be dusted off in the coming days, other, potentially grave decisions that could color the outcome of the trial will be settled on the fly. Here is how we expect things to play out on Capitol Hill in the coming days and weeks. First up: naming managers and a vote to press charges. The House passed two articles of impeachment nearly along party lines on Dec. 18, after a monthslong Democratic inquiry. The articles charged Mr. Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in connection with a scheme to enlist a foreign power for help in the 2020 election. They accused him of using his presidency to pressure Ukraine to investigate his Democratic political rivals, by withholding a White House meeting and nearly $400 million in military aid as leverage. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Defense Metals Corp. (Defense Metals) (DEFN: TSX-V / DFMTF: OTCQB / 35D: FSE) is pleased to provide a review of 2019 exploration and advancement of its 1,708 hectare (4,220 acre) Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Project located near Prince George, Canada. Defense Metals focus in 2020 will be to complete development of the Wicheeda Deposit hydrometallurgical flowsheet, initiate flotation pilot plant processing of the recently collected 30 tonne bulk-sample, and update the Wicheeda REE Deposit Mineral Resource based on its highly successful 2019 drill campaign. Craig Taylor, President and CEO of Defense Metals, commented: I am extremely pleased with our progress in 2019, and proud of each past and present member of the Defense Metals team. During the year, we remained focused on ensuring each step was strategic to provide a clear path to adding real value to the Wicheeda REE Project, which we believe is one of the highest quality North American REE assets. Defense Metals stands to benefit from upward REE demand pressures as the world moves toward widespread adoption of electric vehicles; in addition to being strategically positioned as a domestic North American REE source the importance of which is highlighted by the recent announcement of finalization of the Canada-US Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration, designed to advance our mutual interest in securing critical mineral supply chains. I would like to thank each of our shareholders for their support during 2018-19 and in addition to the dedication of our amazing team in British Columbia. We expect 2020 to be a watershed year of significant re-rating for Defense Metals, and an elevated presence amongst our peers. 2019 Wicheeda REE Project Highlights Collection of 30 Tonne Bulk-Sample In late-2018, before the onset of winter, a 30 tonne bulk sample was sent to SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in Lakefield, Ontario for metallurgical and processing test work. In late-2018, before the onset of winter, a 30 tonne bulk sample was sent to SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in Lakefield, Ontario for metallurgical and processing test work. Positive Flotation Metallurgy: SGS flotation test work returned 48.7% LREO (light rare earth oxide) high grade concentrate of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium oxides, at 85.7% recovery in locked cycle tests, 10.1 times upgrading ration from head grade of 4.81% LREO , low 8.2% mass yield concentrate 1 . SGS flotation test work returned (light rare earth oxide) high grade concentrate of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium oxides, at in locked cycle tests, ration from , low yield concentrate . Hydrometallurgical Studies Initiated: initial indications from SGS are that high REE extractions can be achieved through acid leaching and caustic conversion techniques. Impurity removal tests are positive. initial indications from SGS are that high REE extractions can be achieved through acid leaching and caustic conversion techniques. Impurity removal tests are positive. Successful Diamond Drilling Campaign: 13 core holes totalling 2,005 metres further delineated the main body of high-grade dolomite carbonatite and expended REE mineralization northward with deposit open to expansion ( Figure 1 ). One of the highest grade REE intercepts to date within drill hole WI19-31 yielded 4.43% LREO over 83 metres ; including 5.47% LREO over a drill core interval of 33 metres 2,3 . 13 core holes totalling 2,005 metres further delineated the main body of high-grade dolomite carbonatite and expended REE mineralization northward with deposit open to expansion ( ). One of the within drill hole ; including . Defense Metals has exceeded its Year 1 and Year 2 exploration spend commitments within 12 months of its option of the Wicheeda REE Project demonstrating its commitment to rapid advancement of this project. 1 See Defense Metals News Release Dated October 23, 2019. 2 The true width of REE mineralization is estimated to be 70-100% of the drilled interval. 3 See Defense Metals News Release Dated December 12, 2019. Kris Raffle, P.Geo., Director and Manger of Exploration for Defence Metals commented: During 2019, Defense Metals metallurgical studies have shown the Wicheeda REE Deposit material exhibits exceptional flotation performance, and diamond drilling has further delineated and expanded the zone of high grade REE mineralization. Defense Metals will continue to de-risk and prove-out the value of the deposit during 2020. We see the potential to increase the size, and our confidence in, the Wicheeda REE Deposit mineral resource based on the strength of the 2019 diamond drill results; in addition to capturing additional up-side through incorporation of potentially economically significant praseodymium values, which were not assayed for historically. Going Forward at the Wicheeda REE Project in 2020 Completion of detailed Hydrometallurgical Test Work . . Initiation of Flotation Pilot Plant Processing of 30 tonne bulk-sample to establish viability of bench test results during large-scale continuous operation. of 30 tonne bulk-sample to establish viability of bench test results during large-scale continuous operation. Update Wicheeda REE Project Mineral Resource Estimate. Diamond Drilling to further define newly discovery North Zone of Wicheeda REE Deposit. to further define of Wicheeda REE Deposit. Baseline Environmental Study scoping and commencement. scoping and commencement. Initiate Economic Scoping Studies A map accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb9c53bd-466f-40ec-a807-ddc4d1cc3b52 VRIC Conference in Vancouver, January 19-20, 2020 Come visit Defense Metals at booth #307 at the (VRIC) Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, Sunday, Monday, January 19th and 20th, 2020 (10am-5pm) at the Vancouver Convention Centre West., 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C 0C3 Canada. PDAC 2020 Also, please come visit Defense Metals at booth #3101B at PDAC 2020 Core Shack on Tuesday, Wednesday, March 3rd and 4th, 2020. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a director of Defense Metals and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein. About Defense Metals Corp. Defense Metals is an advanced mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, military, national security and the production of green energy technologies, such as, high strength, light weight, rare earth magnets. Defense Metals primary focus is to exercise its option to acquire 100% of the 1,708 hectare Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under DEFN on the TSX Venture Exchange, the United States, under DFMTF on the OTCQB and the German, Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol of 35D. For further information, please visit https://defensemetals.com/ or contact: Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd. Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: (778) 994 8072 Email: todd@blueskycorp.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 news release. Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that constitute forward-looking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, Defense Metals expectations for an expanded resource, plans for its properties/projects, including but not limited to: completion of detailed hydrometallurgical test work; initiation of flotation pilot plant processing of 30 tonne bulk-sample to establish viability of bench test results during large-scale continuous operation; update Wicheeda REE Project mineral resource estimate; diamond drilling to further define newly discovery north zone of Wicheeda REE Deposit; baseline environmental study scoping and commencement; and initiate economic scoping studies, as well as other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of Defense Metals and other matters. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as expects or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, estimates or intends, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Defense Metals to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express 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 Defense Metals will operate in the future, including the price of metals and elements, anticipated costs and the ability to achieve goals, 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, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct Defense Metals planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of Defense Metals, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) risks related to rare earth elements, and other commodity price fluctuations; (ii) risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv) that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; (v) that Defense Metals may lose or abandon its property interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; (vii) that Defense Metals may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Defense Metals expectations; (ix) exploration and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; (x) competition; (xi) the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based upon Defense Metals history of losses; (xiii) risks related to environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and permissions (generally referred to as social licence), including local First Nations; (xv) risks relating to obtaining and maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations relating to the continued exploration and development of Defense Metals projects; (xvi) risks related to the outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties related to Defense Metals prospects, properties and business strategy. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants, adverse weather conditions, increase in costs, equipment failures, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Defense Metals 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. Posted on: January 14, 2020 3:24 PM [ACNS, by Staff Writer, with additional material from Petra] Primates from around the Anglican Communion began a week-long meeting today with an official audience with King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan. The audience took place at a conference centre near the site of Jesus baptism, and was followed by a wider gathering featuring the Heads of Churches and other Christian leaders. King Abdullah was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the Senior Adviser to the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs. He told the Anglican leaders that Jordan is committed to its historical and religious role in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in its role as guardian of the holy sites. The King said it was important to confront any attempts that would change the historical and legal situation in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and said that Jordan would continue to promote the values of dialogue, tolerance and brotherhood between religions. Christians, he said, are an inherent component and an integral part of the fabric of the region. Archbishop Justin said it was a great honour to be received in audience by King Abdullah. He explained that the Primates had been discussing the forthcoming Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, and said: We are looking at issues of climate change, very relevant here in the Jordan valley and around the shrinking Dead Sea. We are seeking to see how to support peace in this region, grateful for the examples of yourself and this Kingdom. We seek to raise the awareness of the issues of refugees and migrants globally, where Jordan sets an example to the world. We are especially concerned about the plight of Christians in this region and other numerous areas where they suffer. Jordan is a shining example of good practice, where Muslims and Christians practice their faith freely and without fear. The country of Jordan is part of the Anglican / Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem which, Archbishop Justin said, under the leader of its Archbishop, His Grace Archbishop Suheil Dawani, is heavily involved in building peace, and in the long-term work of education and health. It has hospitals and clinics across the area, including in Gaza, and more than a dozen schools, including schools for the deaf, blind and those with special educational needs. This action on health and education is a best example, and typical of Anglican ministry in all its Provinces. The Primates Meeting began yesterday (Monday) and will continue until Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday the primates will undertake pilgrimages and spiritual retreats in Jordan, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 4.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called on members of both parties to come together to condemn and investigate yet another Russian effort to influence the presidential election in Donald Trumps favor. During an interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Monday, the California lawmaker responded to the alarming new report that Russia was caught hacking Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company on whose board Hunter Biden served. According to The New York Times, Russians could be searching for potentially embarrassing material on the Bidens the same kind of information that Mr. Trump wanted from Ukraine when he pressed for an investigation of the Bidens and Burisma, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment. I do find it deeply disturbing, and I would hope that maybe both parties can get out ahead of this, even if the president wont, and condemn any Russian effort to influence the next election, Rep. Schiff said. Video: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) says the intelligence community did not inform him or his committee of Russias latest attempt to interfere in American elections. He only found out about it from The New York Times. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/tNyHy7wlvZ PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 14, 2020 Schiff said: This is, indeed, exactly what Bob Mueller warned about in his testimony that the Russians would be at this again. Director Wray has said the same thing, and they appear, if this reporting is correct, to be in the midst of another hacking and potentially another dumping operation designed to influence another election in Donald Trumps favor. It is clear if thats the case that once again they have a favorite. They dont want Joe Biden, it would appear from this target, and this would help Donald Trump. And I think the other thing thats apparent from this, if this reporting is correct, is the message that Vladimir Putin has gotten is not to stay out of American elections but youre welcome to get involved in American elections as long as it helps Donald Trump. It seems to be the message that President Trump has conveyed, at least the message that Vladimir Putin has received. So were going to start by finding out what our intel agencies know about this. I have to say, Rachel, Im a bit distressed to see this for the first time in a newspaper report. If the intel community is aware of this, that should have been brought to our attention by now. But I dont find it surprising. I do find it deeply disturbing, and I would hope that maybe both parties can get out ahead of this, even if the president wont, and condemn any Russian effort to influence the next election. The House Intelligence Committee chairman only found out about the latest attack from news reports Whats also disturbing about the latest Russian effort to influence into the presidential election is that the intelligence community did not inform the House Intelligence Committee chairman about the discovery. As Rep. Schiff said on Monday, If the intel community is aware of this, that should have been brought to our attention by now. Donald Trump has spent the last three years essentially welcoming Russia to interfere in another election so long as it helps him win the White House again. As its happening in real-time, its time for members of both parties to condemn and investigate Russian meddling before they steal another election from the American people. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter Fine Gael general election candidates have been asked to sign a pledge to confirm that they have no skeletons in their closet that could harm the party. It follows a number of controversies involving previous candidates including Maria Bailey and Verona Murphy. French officials say they want to establish a legal framework for developing facial recognition for security and surveillance, extending concerns about the rapid spread of the new technology. Facial recognition technology, a form of artificial intelligence that can identify a person by analysing a digital image of their face, is already widespread in France. In fact, the country is on track to become a European leader in its development and use. Consistent with President Emmanuel Macron's wishes for France and Europe to compete on the same level as the United States and China, government officials and lawmakers have been consulting players in the fields of research, industry and civil liberties over how to best regulate the rapidly spreading technology. The government has left the door open for extending its use in public services, marketing, managing the flow of people and security an area where the technology brings to mind mass surveillance in China, including the real-time Skynet system. I hope we have a calm debate on a topic that raises many irrational fears, Cedric O, junior minister for the digital economy, told Le Parisien newspaper when asked about video surveillance in December. The government would like to open a test phase, of six months to a year, under supervision of civil society and researchers. Another newspaper, Les Echos, reported the government would devise an experiment in the automatic detection of people in public places and cited O's office giving the example of a train station. Keeping tabs on industry The government has not yet announced how such an experiment would actually work, nor how it would comply with European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which forbids the collection of any biometric data without a user's free consent. But the minister's remarks correspond with a parliamentary report on facial recognition published last July, which recommends developing a legislative framework for experimentation in order to test these systems and then to establish a regulatory framework that best suits uses. When dealing with technologies that come into widespread use very quickly, as was the case with connected devices and as we're seeing now with facial recognition, I think experimentation and public consultation should be taken as principles, says the report's author Didier Baichere, an MP with Macron's Republic on the Move (LaREM) party. Doing so would provide scientific and academic considerations of the technology's impact on an evolving society, the MP says. Failing to do so would give companies free rein in their marketing, to get us addicted to these technologies. Calls for moratorium Baichere argues the French public is most concerned with the commercial use of the technology, but the official approach to the issue has raised concerns that there is too much emphasis on economic and security considerations, at the expense of social and ethical ones. The government is thinking of how to use facial recognition particularly because of the riots we had last year with the Yellow Vests, argues Guillaume Klossa, a former advisor to the European Commissioner for digital affairs. France is very advanced in these technologies, because we have very good skills in artificial intelligence and digital imaging, he adds. There's a temptation to try facial recognition in France because there is large global market potential. Klossa co-authored a call for a moratorium on facial recognition until it was subject to wider debate and better oversight that would including the CNIL digital privacy watchdog. While not opposed to the technology in principle, the argument insists on the need for checks and balances when it comes to protecting civil liberties. You can see what Chinese society is doing now, and we don't want this kind of society, Klossa says. Democracy needs to preserve individual privacy, and that means defining limits, but so far there is no regulatory framework for facial recognition. Lawsuit over facial recognition app The absence of such a framework has not stopped state departments from developing the technology in various domains, including the creation of a police database of digital images of past suspects. In civilian use, travellers have the option of using a facial recognition system called Parafe at passport checks in airports and train stations, and real-time facial recognition was used during an experiment at a Carnival event in the city of Nice in February 2019. The CNIL regulator approved that experiment, but it also ruled against two other state projects for failing to correspond to regulations one involving facial scans in high schools, the other a smartphone application designed to access public services. The app, called Alicem, compares a digital image of a user's face with information stored in the user's biometric identity card, such as a passport or resident card, to allow access to 500 public services. Though it was not released as planned last autumn, the government has not dropped plans to release it, despite the CNIL ruling it did not respect GDPR rules on the terms of consent. When there is treatment of your data, your consent has to be explicit and free, says Martin Drago, a lawyer with online civil liberties group La Quadrature du Net, which filed a lawsuit against the app in France's highest administrative court. In Alicem, if you want a digital identity, you have to pass through biometric treatment of your data. You have no choice but to use facial recognition. Call to ban facial recognition for surveillance With facial recognition already being developed and deployed in various domains, Drago is puzzled by O's remarks about providing a legal framework for experiments. We have a lot of companies in France that are developing facial recognition technology, he says. I think they need a legal framework to ensure they will not be slowed down in their experimentation. So the French government is trying to reassure them, by saying, okay, you can experiment. But Drago does not believe the government could experiment with facial recognition in video surveillance in a way that conforms to GDPR rules, or even to a separate directive on what security services may use technology to do. Of course consent is not required for the police, but you have to prove the absolute necessity of your technology, he says. The fact is that in a lot of cases, facial recognition is not absolutely necessary, so it would be very difficult for the state to prove that. Arguing the only outcome would be state control over a population, La Quadrature du Net and 80 civil society groups have signed an open letter calling on France to ban facial recognition for any purposes of security and surveillance, arguing such bans have already been applied in San Francisco and other cities in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court signaled interest in giving companies a broader shield from lawsuits by victims of overseas atrocities, asking the Trump administration for advice on a case stemming from child slavery on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast. Nestle SAs U.S. unit and Cargill Inc. are urging the court to end a suit that accuses them of complicity in the use of forced child labor in the African country. The Supreme Court on Monday asked U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco to advise whether the justices should hear the companies appeals. The case would test a centuries-old law, the 1789 Alien Tort Statute, that had become a favorite tool of human-rights activists before the Supreme Court started scaling it back. The court ruled in 2013 that the law generally doesnt apply beyond U.S. borders, and in 2018 that foreign corporations cant be sued. But a federal appeals court said the allegations against Nestle and Cargill might have enough of a U.S. connection if the plaintiffs amended their lawsuit to provide more specifics. The allegations paint a picture of overseas slave labor that defendants perpetuated from headquarters in the United States, the San Francisco-based appeals court said. The case, filed by six former slaves who were kidnapped from their native Mali, has been moving up and down the federal court system since 2005. The companies are accused of aiding and abetting slave labor by giving Ivory Coast farmers financial assistance in the expectation that cocoa prices would stay low. The suit alleges the companies were fully aware that child slavery was being used. The ex-slaves say children were forced to work as much as 14 hours a day, given only scraps to eat, and were severely beaten or tortured if they tried to escape. In its appeal, Nestle USA said the plaintiffs have not even alleged that their injuries can be traced to the domestic conduct of a defendant. The company said it unequivocally condemns child slavery. Cargill said the plaintiffs do not allege they worked on a farm from which Cargill purchased cocoa or to which Cargill provided any form of assistance. Multinational companies have faced dozens of suits accusing them of playing a role in human rights violations, environmental wrongdoing and labor abuses. The cases are Nestle USA v. Doe, 19-416, and Cargill v. Doe, 19-453. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics USA Egypts top prosecutor has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of the death of jailed US-Egyptian citizen Mostafa Kassem on Monday. Kassem, 64, who has been in custody since 2013, died after going on hunger strike to protest his conviction. Egypt's public prosecutor said in a statement on Monday that Kassem died at a Cairo hospital after he had been transferred from a jail hospital the night before. He ordered an autopsy and investigation of the doctors who supervised his case to determine the cause of the death. Interior ministry records show that Kassem was subject to a medical check in April last year which showed he was in stable condition, a security source told Ahram Online on Tuesday. Kassem, an auto parts dealer who was born in Egypt before emigrating to the US and being naturalised, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on convictions related to a 2013 pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in in Cairo. He began a liquid strike in September 2018 after his conviction of terrorism and violence-related charges including murder, sabotage, disturbing public peace, assaulting people, damaging public buildings, using force to intimidate the public and resisting police. Egypt has previously released other Egyptian American citizens such as Aya Hijazi and her husband and Mohamed Soltan, who were detained on different charges, after they gave up their Egyptian nationality. According to international law, defendants with dual citizenship should be prosecuted in the country in which they committed the crime, legal and constitutional expert Salah Fawzy told Ahram Online. US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker confirmed Kassem's death to reporters at a briefing Monday, describing it as "needless, tragic and avoidable." I will continue to raise our serious concerns over human rights and Americans detained in Egypt at every opportunity, he added. In December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised concerns over press freedom, human rights and Americans detained in Egypt, including Kassem, during his meeting with Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Washington. A senior State Department official said Monday that it was "still premature" to talk about punitive measures with Egypt over Kassem's death, when asked about the matter at a media briefing. "We are really concerned about this and we're going to -- we're going to talk about it, about what we're going to do," the official said. "We haven't decided yet." Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:15:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 62 people were killed, 53 injured while 28 went missing in separate incidents of avalanches and rainfall in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, officials said Tuesday. A total of 58 houses were fully destroyed while 82 others got partially damaged in separate snow and rain triggered accidents in the territory, a handout by the disaster management authority of the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir said. The Neelum Valley area was the worst hit where 59 people were killed and 53 others injured when over 50 houses were buried by avalanches. While the rescue operation continues in the area, 28 people are still missing and the search continued during the day, but slowed down because of the darkness of the night, which created a major hurdle for the rescue teams to carry out their job, Ahmed Raza Qadri, a disaster management official of the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, told Xinhua. Qadri said that heavy rains and snow had been pounding Neelum Valley for the last few days, and the weather condition not only wreaked havoc on some of the residential colonies, but also blocked the main thoroughfares, making it hard for rescue teams to provide fast rescue and relief services to the trapped people. He said that Rescue 1122, a state-owned rescue agency, Pakistani military and other non-governmental organizations carried out the rescue and relief operations during the day. The military dispatched helicopters to the affected areas to recover bodies from the snow, and shifted the injured to the hospital. Food and medicine were also sent to the affected areas, Saeed ur Rehman Qureshi, another disaster management official in the region told Xinhua. He said that there had been raining in the area over the last two days, and the active weather cycle contributed to the multiple avalanches as rainwater made snowpack lose strength, triggering the avalanches. "The meteorological office told us about the situation in advance, and we also issued an advisory for the people, but avalanche is something which cannot be prevented, though villagers might have taken some measures," he added. Expressing sorrow over the calamity, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the severe snowfall and landslides had caused misery and deaths, and he had asked the military, the disaster management authority and all federal ministries to "immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on an emergency footing to the affected people." Qureshi blamed climate change as the major contributor to the unusual weather pattern in the area. "The effect of climate change is so rapid in the area that unexpected weather patterns including torrential rains, cloudburst, heavy snowfall and avalanches triggered by them are being witnessed in the region." In July last year, over 20 people were killed after being swept away by flashflood after days of heavy rain and sudden cloudburst in Neelum Valley. [January 14, 2020] Gallant Venture and Obayashi Corporation to build greenhouse optimised for tropical climates on Bintan island SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gallant Venture has partnered Obayashi Corporation one of Japan's largest general contractors to pilot a technologically-advanced eco-tourism focused greenhouse on Bintan island, Indonesia. This was announced at the Joint Development Agreement Signing Ceremony held earlier today between the partners. PT Persada Hijau Cemerlang (PHC), a company owned by Gallant Venture and Salim Group, will work with Obayashi Corporation to fine-tune the latter's pioneering technology to build the Gallant Obayashi Green Agritech Park a greenhouse optimised for the tropical climate using advanced environmental controls. The Gallant Obayashi Green Agritech Park aims to cultivate premium crops with improved sustainability and higher yields. Crops from this urban agri-technology showcase will be commercialised for export to Singapore and beyond. A Visitor and Education Centre for tourists and students is also in the works to promote agri-technology. Japanese agritech solution to broaden Bintan Resorts' appeal The imminent launch of the Bintan Resorts International Airport and the upcoming Bintan-Batam sea bridge is expected to catalyse tourism demand for Bintan island. In response, Bintan Resorts' hotel room inventory is expected to grow five times to 10,000. The Gallant Obayashi Green Agritech Park will further increase the island's appeal as a destination with wide-ranging experiences for different tourists including families, adventure-seekers, photography enthusiasts, MICE and business travellers, students and more. They will also be able to enjoy farm-to-table culinary experiences while Bintan Resorts becomes more self-sustainable. The Agritech Park will also be an eco-tourism destination. The Visitor and Education Centre will offer educational tours to deepen the public's knowledge of urban technology-driven cultivation. "This collaboration yields strong synergies and Gallant Venture is thrilled by the opportunity to join Obayashi Corporation in pioneering new techology for Southeast Asia's ecology. It is a small testament of our effort to prepare Bintan island as the Agritech sandbox of the region," commented Mr. Eugene Park, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gallant Venture. "The Agritech Park offers visitors opportunities to learn about this innovative solution and will join a slew of attractions that visitors can experience at our award-winning integrated tropical beach resort destination. In line with Gallant Venture's sustainability mission, other features such as solar panels will also be installed at the Gallant Obayashi Green Agritech Park to support the daytime energy consumption of the greenhouse," he added. Combination of construction and plant physiology know-how makes sustainable greenhouse possible Most crops in the Southeast Asian region are grown on open farms. These use a high volume of water. Although current greenhouse technology can boost productivity, conventional structures require constant climate control in tropical climates, making their use costly and unsustainable. This new tropical agritech greenhouse merges Obayashi Corporation's construction expertise with strong agricultural know-how to address these challenges. The Gallant Obayashi Green Agritech Park will leverage on environmental controls to create optimal growth conditions for Japanese-grade cherry tomatoes and kale. Tapping on Obayashi's technology and experience in understanding plant physiology, the high-tech greenhouse will also utilise heat and air flow analysis. The greenhouse will be equipped with a complex environmental control system that regulates temperature, humidity and light intensity to maximise crop production and quality as well as reduce water usage. "As part of the Obayashi Sustainability Vision 2050, we have begun several new initiatives including developing a proven model cultivating premium cherry tomatoes at our greenhouse in Katori City, Japan," said Mr. Yuichi Yamamoto, Managing Executive Officer, General Manager of Technology Business Development Division, Obayashi Corporation. "To expand our Sustainability Vision 2050, several sites across the region were evaluated. Bintan emerged as the choice location with its rich resources and close proximity to Singapore. We are excited to partner Gallant Venture to customise this technology for Southeast Asia's environmental conditions and bring our laboratory simulations to life," he concluded. About Gallant Venture Ltd. Gallant Venture Ltd is a public-listed company in Singapore focusing on commercial development and growth opportunities in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia. Since our establishment in the 1990s, we have been an important innovator in key business segments, namely utilities, industrial parks, resort operations, property development and automotive. As an integrated master planner and developer for the industrial parks and resorts in Batam and Bintan, we also develop, own and manage Batamindo Industrial Park in Batam and Bintan Industrial Estate in Bintan. Both industrial parks are home to many MNCs with regional headquarters based in Singapore. Our major shareholder is Indonesia's Salim Group. For more information, please visit www.gallantventure.com/ About Obayashi Corporation Obayashi Corporation has handed down its DNA of honest craftsmanship and technology since its founding in 1892. We have relied on that DNA to complete buildings and infrastructure emblematic of their era. We completed Tokyo Central Station (currently Tokyo Station) in 1914. We later went on to rebuild the Main Tower of Osaka Castle and construct the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line expressway. In recent years, we have engaged in construction of Roppongi Hills (a complex building in a large-scale redevelopment project) and TOKYO SKYTREE (the world's highest free-standing tower). Some of our recent Singapore projects include Jewel Changi Airport and Ophir- DUO Singapore. Obayashi aims to be a leading sustainability company. Meanwhile, we are developing next-generation technologies including energy conservation tech and expanding our business into new domains. For example, we are leveraging the technology we have learned from the construction business to get into the renewable energy business. Please visit https://www.obayashi.co.jp/en/ Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200114/2691563-1 SOURCE Gallant Venture Ltd & Obayashi Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Six tourists face jail after being accused of defecating in a sacred temple at Machu Picchu, one of the seven new wonders of the world. The group were reportedly arrested on Sunday after park rangers found them in a restricted area of the Temple of the Sun, a key part of the iconic site. 'The six tourists are being detained and investigated by the public ministry for the alleged crime against cultural heritage,' Cusco regional police chief Wilbert Leyva told the local press. Six tourists have been arrested for 'damaging Peru's cultural heritage' by trespassing at Machu Picchu and knocking over part of a stone wall, leaving a mark in the ground (right) The top cop said a 'fracture' had been found in a piece of stone that had 'broken off a wall and caused a crack in the floor.' And the region's cultural authorities said faeces were found in the Temple of the Sun, parts of which are off-limits to tourists for preservation reasons. Police said the group comprised one French tourist, two Brazilians, two Argentines and a Chilean. Police say they also found fecal matter in the area, and suspect some of the group of defecating (pictured, the fallen stone) They face at least four years in prison if found guilty of damaging Peru's heritage. When the site was an Inca citadel, the Temple of the Sun would have been used to make offerings to the sun god the civilization's most important deity. The arrests follow announcements from the Peruvian government that they would plant one million trees around the historic site to protect it from mud slides. The area is at risk of mudslides due to heavy rainfall in winter. President Martin Vizcarra said the pledge was 'a commitment from the government, the region, the municipality and all the citizens who want to protect this world wonder'. Measures were also recently announced to better protect three key areas of the site, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and the Intihuatana Stone. Machu Picchu is believed to date back to the 1450s and to have been used for some 80 years before being abandoned during the Spanish conquests. 'These protests are not just about the CAA. It is against allowing fascism and religious discrimination to creep into our legal system.' Chennai-based activist and lawyer Gayatri Khandhadai has some hard-hitting questions for the government. "Who I am? A passport document, an Aadhaar document? Is that all I am?" "If my voter ID is not proof of my citizenship, if it is not valid, then how is my vote, which I gave using this ID, through which you became the government, valid?" "Are millions of Indians giving up their jobs, their liberty, looking after their children, getting locked up, missing college, getting beaten black and blue for nothing?" She is one of the voices behind the kolam anti-CAA protest that has spread across Tamil Nadu and has lent her voice to the Citizens Against CAA, a informal Facebook collaboration of like-minded individuals. While she feels the country is going through an "undeclared Emergency", she tells Savera R Someshwar/Rediff.com that one should not give up hope. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photos Are the anti-CAA protests in Chennai different from the protests in the rest of India? What the BJP and the central government did is a secondary problem. Our primary problem is with our ruling government, the AIADMK, which has betrayed the Tamil people by voting in favour of the CAA. There were 13 Tamil Nadu MPs (in the Rajya Sabha) who voted in favour of an unconstitutional piece of legislation; they didn't care about what the Tamil people feel. If they had not voted in favour, it is likely the CAA wouldn't have passed. Now the AIADMK needs to come onto the streets and answer us. With the Opposition political parties, including leaders like the DMK's M K Stalin and the MDMK's Vaiko supporting the kolam protest, are you worried about your protest getting politicised? Here is the thing. A protest getting politicised is different; a protest being political is different. Every act of dissent is deeply personal and political. In fact, those who say they want to be objective are political. Those who are silent are also political. When you choose not to raise your voice against violence like this, you are siding with the oppressor. That is your politics and you are entitled to it. So there's no question of this protest getting politicised. I think all political parties should be on the street because this affects all of us. The NRC (National Register of Citizens) essentially reduces me to a document. When the government says, if you don't have a passport, if you don't have a birth certificate, if you don't have a ration card, who are you? Is that who I am? A passport document, an Aadhaar document? Is that all I am? We will not allow this government to reduce us to documents. We will not allow this government to reduce us to a unique number. There's a very simple question here. If my voter ID is not proof of my citizenship, if it is not valid, then how is my vote, which I gave using this ID, through which you became the government, valid? If my citizenship legitimacy is questioned, I question your legitimacy to rule over us. Besides, as individuals, we are entitled to meet any political party and all political parties. In fact, if there are leaders within the AIADMK who are regretful of their actions, we will meet them too. I believe in second chances. I don't think the people in the BJP are beyond repair. It's possible that they are misguided. If they're able to see why these are fascist policies, I'll engage with them too. We've created a culture where engaging in political discourse is seen as some sort of sin. We can't go on with this attitude. Many people feel what's happening throughout India now feels like an awakening. Most of the people we know are in their 30s and 40s. For them, this feels like a freedom struggle. We have not seen protests at this scale in the last 30 years. The last time this happened was during the Emergency and I feel we are facing an undeclared Emergency now. The silver lining at the end of all of this is quite simple. By clamping down on the kolam protests, the Tamil Nadu police have essentially ensured that, throughout India, people are drawing kolams. Even abroad, people have done it. The Tamil Nadu police have basically made this protest viral. It even inspired the BJP and the AIADMK to hold a counter-kolam protest. Though it didn't work, our response was simple. You learnt fascism from Germany; drawing kolams is something you can learn from Indians. IMAGE: The kolam protest. Photograph: Kind courtesy Gayatri Khandhadai/Twitter Do you foresee violent CAA protests in Tamil Nadu? The thing is, despite what the commissioner has done, despite how the police have been behaving, I still hold hope for the Tamil Nadu police because I don't think it is a force of goons like Delhi or UP. It is a seasoned force. But that does not mean it is not repressive. There's no such thing as being a little repressive or severely repressive. Being repressive is being repressive. By denying us permission to protest, what they're essentially doing is endangering us. The job of the police is to facilitate peaceful protests. You can't just not apply your mind! You can't deny permission for all protests and think you're doing your job well. The police commissioner has alleged you are associated with Arappor Iyakkam. Can you explain what this organisation does and why he is raising a red flag about your being associated with it? This is a crazy allegation. The Arappor organisation basically works with right to information and exposes corruption. Due to a recent corruption scandal they exposed, they were issued multiple FIRs. What the police are trying to do is to link me to all these organisations that have FIRs against them, thereby giving the impression that I am in the company of criminals. I have friends in Arappor. I have friends in multiple organisations. But I am not part of Arappor or any of these organisations; my association with them is that I've protested with them. If the commissioner is making an allegation that I am a member, it shows the thoroughness of their investigation. Earlier in my career, I assisted the UN in investigating how war crimes took place in Sri Lanka. Does that mean I have LTTE links? There's got to be a limit to how silly we get with these things. Basically, they are just trying to intimidate us. When we did the kolams, AIADMK minister Thiru K Pandiarajan said none of us looked like women from good families. When this didn't work, they said we have been set up by the Opposition parties. That didn't work either. So they tried other kinds of intimidation. They tried to put us in detention. But they could not stop us. The only way to distract people from the CAA is to create a silly, prime time controversy like this. Now, that has also backfired. Let's see what they come up with next. Can you explain the work you do and if it impacts on your protest against the CAA and the NRC? This whole experience has actually been cathartic because my conviction to focus full time on human rights was the result of a case I was part of in 2009, along with a big team of lawyers (13 lawyers were arrested in connection with an attack on Subramanian Swamy in the Madras high court, leading to a bloody confrontation between the police and the lawyers; Justice A C Arumugaperumal Adityan was also injured). It was an unforgettable day. The present commissioner was an accused in that case and the Madras high court ordered his suspension. Since I started practising in 2008, I have focused on human rights. As a result, I look at all issues from a rights based perspective. Which is why I cannot have a jingoistic outlook about the CAA. When I look at the CAA from a rights-based perspective, it is violative of Article 14, which ensures right to equality and freedom from discrimination. What's your next course of action? My deep sense is that these protests are not just about the CAA. It is against allowing fascism and religious discrimination to creep into our legal system. It might seem like exaggeration or fearmongering but, today, if I allow you to exclude my Muslim brethren from whatever entitlement is available, tomorrow you will say they cannot enter certain schools or are not entitled to certain positions. If I allow this piece of law to go unchallenged, I am potentially making way for more fascism to turn into laws and policies. We will continue protesting. We will continue challenging unfair practices. As far as our legal strategy goes, we will challenge this whole practice of not allowing us to protest without prior written permission. I have worked on this issue of freedom of assembly and association internationally. The UN has repeatedly held that written prior permission is against freedom of assembly and association because what you are actually doing is creating a situation where only established political parties or career NGOs can organise protests. Then, basically, I have to be dependent on these political parties and NGOs to organise a protest: I can't just organise a protest freely because, as an individual citizen, you are going to bury me in paperwork. I'm planning to help whoever is ready to challenge the Madras Police Act. IMAGE: Gayatri Khandhadai. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rightscon 2019 One of the main arguments from CAA supporters is that those who are protesting against the CAA haven't taken the trouble to read the provisions of the Act. As a lawyer, as someone who has read the Act, what are its biggest dangers? This is what is called infantilisation. Are millions of Indians giving up their jobs, their liberty, looking after their children, getting locked up, missing college, getting beaten black and blue for nothing? If we are really such a bunch of ignorant fools, why is the government so worried? Why are you deploying so many police officers and having fake missed call campaigns if you think we are ignorant? Am I the idiot who says call this number to get a free Netflix account, call this number if you are lonely and uses these fake campaigns to show support for the CAA? Who's ignorant here? Coming to the question of whether we have read it, the CAA is not some 80 page Act. It's not a complicated piece of legislation. Quite simply, it says that people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh who have been living in India before December 31, 2014, and are either Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Paris, Christians or Sikhs shall no longer be called illegal immigrants, thereby expediting their process for citizenship. This is all it is. You don't have to be a law student or a genius lawyer to understand this. What we we're asking is quite simple: Where is the data? For any law to be valid, there should first be a question of necessity. Where did you get the data that these six religious minorities from these three countries are in India and need help? What was the rationale behind the choice of these three countries? Why did you pick only these six religions? Why did you leave the atheists out? Atheists are being persecuted in all countries for saying they don't have religion; that is also religious persecution. LGBT persons are being persecuted in all of these countries, why leave them out? Why was Sri Lanka excluded when there are Hindus from Sri Lanka who have been staying in India for years? The other big problem with the CAA is that it does not say you are entitled to this exemption only if you are religiously persecuted. Now anyone from Afghanistan who is not a Muslim, who could have come to India to have a better life, is entitled to protection. But an Ahmadiyya, who fled from Pakistan because he is being religiously persecuted, is not entitled to protection. Is this or is this not CAA? You tell us. I have read the CAA and I'm ready to take on a challenge from anyone. Weve seen quite a lot of chatter surrounding the Rangers efforts to add another big bat, some of it contradictory. The team just added Todd Frazier, which plugs in one part of the corner infield picture. That likely reduces the urgency of adding righty pop, though it still seems the Texas org is at least dabbling in that market. The top two names available are Nicholas Castellanos and Marcell Ozuna. Both are rather youthful, well-established hitters but come with some demerits. It seems there are multiple organizations circling in hopes of securing a high-value contract. Whether theres any significant appetite for a longer, larger deal isnt entirely evident. So, where do the Rangers stand with regard to these players? Depends who you ask. MLB.coms Jon Morosi tweets that the Rangers are active and among the favorites to secure the services of Castellanos. But Morosi said much the same last week, citing a recent in-person meeting, only for a team source to claim the sides hadnt even yet had a sit-down. In the interim, the Rangers were again cited as a finalist on a righty bat this time, Ozuna. It has now been five days since the 28-year-old was said to be deciding between the Rangers and Cardinals, with no resolution. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets that he has been given no indication of significant meaningful dialogue on Ozuna. In the course of throwing some cold water on the Ozuna concept, Grant notes that Castellanos is a better fit in Texas. Thats presumably because the latter slugger has experience in the corner infield and could step in at first base, which is reportedly where the team has been considering him all along. As Grant notes, its theoretically possible that the Rangers could add one of these players, clear the resulting logjam by dealing Willie Calhoun, and still pick up Rockies star Nolan Arenado in a trade (perhaps involving Calhoun). Like the Cardinals, who also remain tied to Ozuna, the Rangers presumably still have at least one eye trained on Arenado. But that complicated scenario would leave Ozuna/Castellanos in the corner outfield mix, which is supposedly not the Rangers desired outcome in the case that they acquire the latter. If it all feels a bit like running in circles well, the Rangers and their rivals may be doing just that. Taken as a whole, it seems theres a rousing game of musical chairs involving a variety of right-handed-hitting corner pieces. Josh Donaldson is among the other players involved; the Braves, Nationals, Reds, and perhaps other teams are also somewhere in the picture. Gigi Hadid, along with 120 other individuals, was called in on Monday as they are being considered as potential jurors for the Harvey Weinstein rape case. The pool reporter inside the Manhattan courtroom also revealed that the model might just serve as a juror in what can be considered the biggest case in Hollywood today. How Did Hadid Get In? The lawyers of Weinstein and his accusers continue to look into a pool of potential jurors, and Gigi Hadid was seen in a long line of filing into a courtroom in Manhattan. Hadid, while seated in a juror box, admitted that she has met with the former film producer. Judge James Burke asked the model if she could be fair and impartial to the case, and the model confidently answered "Yes." Then, the list of potential witnesses was read. Judge Burke asked the potential jurors if they have met anyone on the list. Gigi Hadid raised her hand and said that she has met Salma Hayek, the pool reporter added. Hadid is also known as a good friend of Cara Delevigne, who has gone public with sexual harassment accusations against Weinstein. Cara was also one of the celebrities who took part in the #MeToo movement. Hadid is confident that she would do good as a juror of the case. She believes she is still able to keep an open mind on the facts of the case. The process of choosing potential jurors for a trial case is a long and tedious process. From the first round, a few will be asked to come back for another round of evaluation. The young model was among the 35 potential jurors that were asked to fill-up a jury questionnaire and return for the next round of picking on Thursday. Who is Harvey Weinstein? Harvey Weinstein used to be known as a film producer. He is one of the famous names who has built a reputation for producing wonderful films in Hollywood. And yet, the film mogul has lost everything, including his wife, when a victim came forward and accused him of rape. It was one strong victim that started it all. Now, Harvey Weinstein is 67-year old and is on trial for allegedly raping several women in 2013. He was also charged with several counts of sexual assault in 2006. The former movie producer has pleaded not guilty on two counts of rape, two counts of predatory sexual assault, and one count of the criminal sexual act. Among all the cases he is facing, Weinstein's most serious charge is the predatory sexual assault that has a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Weinstein's defense attorney Arthur Aidala simply said that he did not know who Gigi Hadid was when asked what he thought of her as a potential juror to the rape case against his client. A total of 40 jurors have been dismissed from last week. Judge Burke is hopeful to have a new set of jury by next week. The case is still in its initial stages and a lot could happen in the long run. The jurors that will be picked will take part of something historic. Will Gigi Hadid be a part of it? READ MORE: Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik Together Again? Birthday PDA Spuns Rumors A second man has been charged over the fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old in east London. Jerome Hyde, 28, was arrested after attending a south police station on Monday and charged with murder of Leshawn Williams and possession of a bladed article. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday. Police were awaiting details of where the hearing would take place. Mr Williams died after being stabbed in Hanameel Street, near London City Airport, in the early hours of December 21. All the Punjab cabinet ministers on Tuesday demanded, in one voice, disciplinary action by the Congress leadership against Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa for raising a banner of revolt against Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on public platforms. The issue came up for informal discussion just before the cabinet meeting here on Tuesday. There was consensus among the ministers, all senior leaders of the Congress, on the need for action against Bajwa. They pointed out that despite repeated pleas asking him to express his opinions within the party forum, Bajwa continued to criticise Captain Amarinder Singh and his government in media and other places. The MP had gone so far as to seek a change at the helm of the government, they noted with consternation, terming it an act of sheer indiscipline and urging the party leadership to take immediate action against the former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief. The Ministers accused Bajwa of playing into the hands of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by pitching himself against his own party leadership. While the Congress was run on democratic principles, where every member had a say, such public display of difference of opinion and mutinous declarations from a senior member were detrimental to the interest of the party, said the senior leaders, adding that, under no circumstances, could this kind of behaviour be tolerated or allowed to continue. It was absolutely imperative, said Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, to act against Bajwa as such behaviour would weaken the party. "We cannot allow this to become a free for all," said Charanjit Singh Channi, while Brahm Mohindra wanted the Chief Minister to take up the issue with the Congress high command in Delhi. Any dissent should be discussed and resolved within the party forum, said Mohindra. Manpreet Singh Badal pointed out that history showed dissension of any sort had always harmed the Congress. "We succeeded in winning so many seats in Punjab only because we were united," he said, adding that this unity could not be allowed to be destroyed at any cost. Om Prakash Soni, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa also pointed out that Partap Bajwa's actions were extremely damaging for the party. Urgent and immediate action was needed against him, they felt. Other members of the Council of Ministers, namely Aruna Chaudhary, Razia Sultana, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sukhjinder Singh Sarkaria, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Vijay Inder Singla, Sunder Sham Arora, and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, were in total agreement with their colleagues in seeking urgent intervention by the party high command in the matter. The demand for action against Bajwa came in the wake of his latest remarks, declaring that he would not support Captain Amarinder's leadership for a second term unless action is taken in the sacrilege cases. The Chief Minister, said the ministers, had made it clear from the outset that he was committed to bringing the culprits of the sacrilege incidents to book, but would not indulge in vindictive Bajwa's stand smacked of vendetta and had no place in a principled party like the Congress, they asserted. Terming as 'shocking' Bajwa's remarks that Punjab Congress could only survive without Captain Amarinder, the ministers pointed out that the Congress, under the present government, had swept all elections in the state since the 2017 Assembly polls, which clearly showed the people were happy and satisfied with his style of functioning, and the party was doing immensely well with him as chief minister. Further, they pointed out, that under Captain Amarinder Singh's dynamic leadership, Punjab had witnessed major resurgence on all counts and was progressing at a significant pace. But Bajwa was clearly not interested in the development and only wanted to make a political point, to promote his self-interest, with his frequent diatribes against the Chief Minister, they added. Pointing out that Captain Amarinder had himself, on several occasions, stressed the need to hand over the baton to the younger generation, the leaders, however, said the time was not ripe for such a move in Punjab, which had suffered major problems under the SAD-BJP regime. Punjab needed the visionary leadership of Captain Amarinder and clearly did not want someone like Bajwa, who seemed to spend all his time indulging in negative and destructive politics, at the helm. Describing as unfortunate Bajwa's comments on employment, the ministers lambasted him for focusing on petty instead of strengthening the Chief Minister's hands in his efforts to ensure jobs for all and progress for every citizen of Punjab. At a time when every member of the party should be involved in reviving the state's economy and powering its growth, Bajwa seemed bent on pulling the party and the government down, they said, demanding immediate action against the MP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) VANCOUVER, British Columbia U.S. President Donald Trump just admitted in a Fox News interview that his decision to send U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia was a fiscal one. Saudi Arabia is paying us for [our troops]. Trump said. I said, listen, youre a very rich country. You want more troops? Im going to send them to you, but youve got to pay us. Theyre paying us. Theyve already deposited $1 billion in the bank. Apparently, all that Saudi Arabia the primary nation-state sponsor of terrorism, including ISIS and the 9/11 attacks has to do is toss a few wads of cash at the American president as if he were a Chippendales dancer, and hell ignore their transgressions and the fact that they murdered and bone-sawed a Washington Post columnist inside one of their embassies. Trump will also now offer up American soldiers to serve the Kingdom in its family feud against Iran. The Pentagon had already rung up a bill of hundreds of millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars supporting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in their failed efforts to beat the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The Saudis reportedly still havent settled that bill, so on what planet (or offshore fiscal paradise) is this bank account with the billion-dollar Saudi payment that Trump referenced? Were all free to speculate, but its the job of Congress to get an answer, and to probe why Trump is so keen to send Americas sons and daughters to serve terror-sponsoring states in their power struggles against Iran. This administration is deceptively trying to peddle its self-serving plotting as American self-defense. For example, the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Iraqi soil was reportedly approved by Trump last June, just days after the announcement of a defense cooperation agreement between the U.S. and the UAE. The deal coincided with a flurry of UAE visits by Trump administration officials most notably former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who had been delivering lucrative speeches to Iranian opposition rallies in Paris for years, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former defense contractor. Pompeo said Soleimani posed an imminent threat to U.S. interests. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says he was never provided with any such intelligence. NBC News and Reuters have reported that Israeli intelligence helped provide targeting information on Soleimani to the U.S. It all suggests that officials in the Trump administration colluded with Middle Eastern countries to carry out an assassination on their behalf, to the detriment of American interests. The plotters obviously believed that the payoff would outweigh the risk of igniting another hot war in the Middle East. But what about the 176 people, most of them Iranians and Canadians, aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752? That plane was hit by friendly fire above Iran on Jan. 8, at a time when the U.S. and Iran were exchanging missile strikes. There were no survivors. War always has unintended costs. Why is there even a single Republican cheering any of this? Is it a conservative value to sell U.S. troops to the highest bidder in the Persian Gulf and spill American blood in service of foreign princes and kings? How exactly does that translate into fighting for American freedom? When did it become a conservative value to run a protection racket for Middle Eastern nations that can afford to pay the U.S. to fight against neighbors who cant or wont pay and assassinate their foes for them so they dont have to dirty their own hands? When did it become a conservative value to mislead the public about the real motivations for Middle Eastern involvement? And since when is it a conservative value to defend these lies to the American public and to the world, placing loyalty to ones team over the principles of truth, honor, humanity, fairness and integrity? Conservatives arent going to own the libs by selling out everything that makes conservatism honorable. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, one of Trumps most loyal cheerleaders, broke from the party last week to vote with the Democrats in favor of a congressional resolution to limit Trumps war powers against Iran. Gaetz stood on principle and may well be ostracized for it by fellow party members. According to the Washington Post, a senior Trump official said the White House would not be returning Gaetzs phone calls, text messages, smoke signals or his kneelings in the snow. More Republican lawmakers need to grow a spine and look into the Trump administrations catastrophic Middle Eastern collusion. In a perfect world, its not Trumps wrath they should fear its that of conservatives who havent compromised their values. Rachel Marsden is a columnist, political strategist and host of an independently produced French-language program that airs on Sputnik France. Her website can be found at www.rachelmarsden.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Kansas City Runaround KCPD chase involving kidnapping suspect ends in Sugar Creek KANSAS CITY, Mo. - More than a dozen police cars converged on a kidnapping suspect after a chase ended Friday morning on U.S. 24 in Sugar Creek. Officers with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department began chasing the vehicle around 10:45 a.m. in the 9000 block of Belmont Avenue. Cleared In Golden Ghetto Olathe police who shot at two teens were justified, Johnson County DA says Charges won't be filed against two Olathe police officers who shot at a pair of teenagers, one of whom was injured, during a November burglary investigation. The shooting was justified, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said Monday. In a news release, he detailed the "mayhem" that unfolded on November 24 and led to officers firing three separate times at the 16-year-olds. Holding The Line For Help Frustrated metro family starts their own tip line in search for missing Liberty teen LIBERTY, Mo. -- Patti Tam has waited for answers for nearly three years. That's how long her youngest child, Desirea Ferris, has been missing. "Her room is pretty much the same. I mean, besides the big poster boards that we hung up, I mean, it's just Bruno Mars or Michael Jackson," she said. Tragic Wreck Aftermath "KC truck driver who killed mom, twin daughters in Indianapolis crash, pleads guilty but mentally ill" INDIANAPOLIS - Bruce Pollard, the truck driver accused of killing a mother and her twin daughters in a crash, has but to several criminal charges, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. Show-Me Parole Dispute Missouri law enforcement group and state on different pages about release of prisoners - Missourinet The State Department of Corrections and Missouri Sheriffs Association have very different accounts about the release of convicted felons from prison. Kevin Merritt, executive director of the Missouri Sheriffs Association, says many convicted felons are getting out of the state's prisons too soon. He says changes in state law and Department of Corrections policies are ... Cash For Kansas Crime Victims Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awards financial assistance to 199 victims of violent crime The Kansas attorney general's office announced Monday that it has awarded financial assistance this month to nearly 200 victims of violent crime. According to a news release from Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board, at its January meeting, awarded financial assistance to people in 92 new cases and offered additional assistance in 107 previously submitted cases. Crime Stat Check Dangerous states: Which states have the highest rates of violent crime and most murders? There were more than 1.2 million incidents of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder reported in the United States in 2018 - a 3% decline from the previous year. The decrease in violent crime represents the continuation of a long-term trend. The U.S. Inconvenient Credit Check Police investigate compromised credit cards at gas station ODESSA, Mo. - Police are trying to figure out how multiple debit cards are being compromised at a Shell gas station, otherwise known as The Whistle Stop. Odessa Police Chief Josh Thompson told 41 Action News Monday the department has received about half a dozen reports of fraudulent behavior after cards were used at the location. KCK Po-Po Delay KCK urgently needs new police chief, but months later, the search hasn't even started Six months after Kansas City, Kansas Police Chief Terry Zeigler announced he was retiring amid demands for his firing, there doesn't seem to have been any movement on finding a permanent replacement. Given the department's many problems and deservedly tarnished reputation, you'd think that finding the best possible new leader would be an urgent matter, but it isn't. Nice Doggie Finish KCKPD rescue dog from crawl space KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Kansas, police rescued a dog Sunday that was trapped in a crawl space. KCKPD responded to a call for a "large dog" stuck under a home, according to a social media post. The female dog was coaxed out of the space with treats. Right now was share a collection of court cases, police action and all manner of ALLEGED MISDEEDS in this collection of stories from across the metro.Developing . . . Terrorists on the western outskirts and in the northwestern countryside of Aleppo city have fired rockets at a number of areas in Aleppo, killing and injuring civilians writes SANA. Three civilians were martyred and three others, among them two children, were injured in terrorist rocket attack on a number of neighborhoods in Aleppo city. A source from the Aleppo Police Command told SANA that terrorist groups positioned on the western outskirts and in the northwestern countryside of Aleppo city fired a number of rockets on the residential neighborhoods of Masaken al-Sabeel, Tishreen Street, al-Shahbaa al-Jadideh, al-Khaldiyeh and al-Nile Street. The source added that the terrorist attacks caused the martyrdom of three civilians and injured three others, among them two children, as they were admitted to the hospital. The terrorist attacks also caused material damage to some houses and public and private properties, the source went on to say. On Saturday, terrorist groups targeted with rockets the vicinity of Aleppo International Airport, the al-Nairab Military Airport and residential houses in the village of Minyan causing material damage. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Congress-ruled states are likely to pass resolutions against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the coming weeks and also halt the process of National Population Register. Party sources said they are evaluating legal ramifications of the proposed resolution. One suggestion is that such a resolution would be moved by a member of an Assembly, not by the government. The Congress has informed its Chief Ministers and alliance partners to adopt a resolution against CAA. So far Kerala has passed a resolution against CAA, while the Trinamool Congress-West Bengal government has already said it is against the new law. The Opposition meeting on Monday asked all the like-minded Chief Ministers to stop the NPR process. "The CAA, NPR or NRC is a package which is unconstitutional, as it specifically targets the poor, the SC/STs and linguistic & religious minorities. The NPR is the basis for the NRC. We demand the withdrawal of the CAA and the immediate stoppage of the nationwide NRC/NPR," a resolution by Opposition parties said. "All the Chief Ministers who have announced that they will not implement NRC in their state must consider suspending the NPR enumeration as this is a prelude to the NRC," said the resolution. Earlier the Congress Working Committee also issued a resolution on CAA. The CWC said the Narendra Modi government had "unleashed the brute state power to suppress, subjugate and stifle the voice of youth and students across the country. "A concerted attack on the Constitution, rampant unemployment, commercialisation of education, unprecedented fee hikes and autocratic refusal to listen to the voice and concerns of youth-students have led to spontaneous protests across university campuses," it said. Hypocrisy in politics is typical, but every so often, it reaches a new low. Such is the case with a recent political ad attacking dark money's influence in politics an ad funded by dark money. The group Future Majority did exactly that as part of their 2018 efforts to elect Democrats to Congress. Now groups like Future Majority are focused on denying President Trump re-election in 2020. Democrats have no good response to the president's popularity and his accomplished record, so they turn to dark moneyfunded smear campaigns to discredit him and his supporters. Politico reports that Future Majority one such dark money group is prepared to invest $60 million in swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan in 2020 to defeat the president. Another dark money group is Arabella Advisors, orchestrators of many supposed "grassroots" campaigns on issues ranging from climate change to President Trump's Supreme Court nominees. But in reality, Arabella doesn't organize actual grassroots opposition to the Trump administration; it creates fake groups that pump out phony opposition through subsidiaries such as the Sixteen Thirty Fund. One Arabella campaign focuses on President Trump's tax cuts. Liberals want to replace the Trump tax cuts with tax hikes to finance more spending. But repealing the Trump tax cuts would be disastrous to the economy, as they allow working people to keep more of what they earn, and they are incentivizing businesses to re-invest in America. According to Edwin Feulner, the founder of the Heritage Foundation, "[t]he tax cut contributed to the strong economy we've been enjoying, leading many businesses to hire more and more workers. The United States added more than 2.6 million new jobs in the year following the passage of the tax cut nearly a 25 percent increase from the previous year." Another area where dark money groups oppose the Trump administration is the battle over government regulation of business and industry. President Trump repealed many Obama-era regulations and is working with Congress to simplify the regulatory system. For example, liberal groups are fighting deregulation in the lending industry and are actively working to limit the efforts of people who are struggling with bad credit to get loans. They claim that short-term loans offered by payday lenders are predatory, and they continually press for artificial controls rate caps placed on this one segment of the lending industry not large banks, credit unions, credit card companies, etc. But when government regulators attempt to control one segment of a market or industry, the exact opposite of the desired goal usually occurs. Taking away lending choices for consumers, without providing viable alternatives, serves no one. Those who take out payday loans understand the risks and need a short-term cash infusion. Government meddling in free markets usually hurts consumers. The Employment Policies Institute analyzed Georgia and North Carolina after both states implemented a rate cap and found that "[w]hen compared to other states, a November 2007 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings and the number of costly bounced checks both rose in North Carolina and Georgia." Liberal dark money groups consistently support proposals expanding the scope of government while limiting consumer options. Arabella Advisors' backing of the Affordable Care Act fits this pattern, as the ACA expanded the size of government while eliminating many private health care options. Instead of admitting the ACA failed, these groups are proposing even more government interfering to try and fix problems they created. If candidates backed by these groups gain power, they will likely push for Medicare for All further expanding the role of government. Medicare for All would eliminate private health care and force everyone into a one-size-fits-all system that cannot meet the needs of the sick. Enacting Medicare for all would decrease the quality of care and increase patient costs. What are liberals so afraid of? Perhaps it's the president's record of lowering taxes, eliminating needless and costly government regulations, and working to find ways of lowering health care costs. Tax cuts, deregulation, and improving health care are three critical issues that will drive voters to the polls next year. If the president loses re-election, dark money Democrats will work tirelessly to roll back the president's accomplishments and return to the days of big government inefficiency and a flatlined economy. The president's actions are boosting the stock market, raising consumer confidence, and drawing fresh investment in American business and industry. That means millions of higher-paying jobs for working -class citizens and improvement of quality of life. As the election season advances into 2020, we must expose the liberal dark money operations that threaten the progress of the administration's last four years and jeopardize our revived free-market system. Ken Blackwell is the former treasurer of state in Ohio. He is an adviser to the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. and serves on the boards of directors of the Club for Growth and the National Taxpayers Union. The seventh in a series of debates to determine the Democratic challenger to Donald Trump has the fewest participants yet. Six contenders will take to the stage in Iowa just weeks before the states caucuses and for the first time in this set of debates, none of the candidates will be people of colour. The lineup features Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who was in last months debate, did not make the cut, leaving an all-white field. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, who was the only black candidate remaining who had made a previous debate, ended his campaign on Monday, saying there was no longer a path to victory. Deval Patrick is now the only black presidential candidate left. The debate comes as recent polls show former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg leading the pack. Foreign policy is expected to be in focus, as this is the first debate since President Trumps controversial killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Recommended Warren claims Sanders told her female candidate could not beat Trump Viewers should expect questions about an ongoing row between Senators Sanders and Warren concerning an alleged conversation in which he is said to have told her that a woman cannot win the election. A statement from the Warren campaign stressed unity between the two Democrats who are seen to represent the left wing of the party. All the same, supporters of both campaigns have continued to fight on Twitter since the story first broke. The debate also falls on the eve of a key House vote on whether to send articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, which Nancy Pelosi announced today. Hosted at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, the debate will begin at 9pm ET (Wednesday 2am GMT). You can watch it live on CNN or at DesMoinesRegister.com. News Delhi/IBNS: India has moved the import of refined palm oil and palm olein from the free to restricted category with the aim to bar imports from Malaysia after country's 94-year-old Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's comments on the new citizenship law and Kashmir, reports said. According to media reports, the Indian government has tweaked the rule to stop imports from Malaysia, which is the second-biggest producer of palm oil after Indonesia. The Malaysian refiners are anticipating huge losses as imports to India are likely to slide down to 1 million tonnes from 4.4 million tonnes in 2019 if situation doesn't improve, reports said. A notification from the ministry of commerce and industry informed the changes in the rule last weak in a notification. Reacting to the curb, Mahathir Mohamad said he needed to be frank and speak out if things were wrong while accepting that India's restriction on palm oil imports concerned his country as Malaysia sells a lot of palm oil to India. He said thinking only about the money involved will encourage the wrong things. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has said the change in the rule was not country-specific, but MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar added that any business would look at the diplomatic relations with the country it wanted to trade with. Media reports said that the government has informally asked traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil. After losing business with India, Malaysia is trying to boost palm oil imports to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysian officials have told the media, reports said. However, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress said the government should resolve the issue with India. It also appealed to governments of both the nations to use all possible diplomatic channels to find a solution to the matter "putting aside personal or diplomatic ego". Meat shops in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur city opened on Tuesday after remaining closed for thirteen days due to a dispute over prices. At a meeting of office-bearers of Khatik Samaj Sangathana (organisation of the butcher community) and an All Party Action Committee which represented consumers, it was decided that mutton would be sold at Rs 520 per kg. Vijay Kamble of the Kolhapur Khatik Samaj Sanghatana said meat shop owners had agreed to supply the meat of animals inspected by veterinarians of the municipal corporation. "But while ensuring this, we can not sell meat for less than Rs 520 per kg. As the action committee agreed to that price, we have decided to called off our strike," he said. The meat prices had skyrocketed after the monsoon in the city which is famous for its meat dishes such as Tambda and Pandhra Rassa. At one point the prices reached Rs 600 per kg. It led to agitation by consumers and formation of an All Party Action Committee. After the agitation, it was decided that the standard rate would be Rs 480 per kg, but later meat shop owners stopped selling meat, saying the price was too low. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SpaceX, Amazon and others have high hopes for launching constellations of satellites that will provide internet to the globe, while some startups hope to nearly continuously beam back images from space. Yes, but: The industry's growth is limited by the earthly half of the equation: ground infrastructure needed to receive data and control the satellites themselves. Why it matters: Investments in the roughly $277 billion satellite industry are mostly funneled into space-based assets, not the ground infrastructure needed to keep those satellites functioning. In 2018, investors funneled about $110 million into companies focusing on building ground segments to facilitate satellite communication, while about $845 million was invested in satellite constellations and airborne platforms used to collect data, according to SpaceNews. " We often advise investors to look on the ground segment side for underexploited opportunities," Carissa Christensen, CEO of Bryce Space and Technology, told Axios. We often advise investors to look on the ground segment side for underexploited opportunities," Carissa Christensen, CEO of Bryce Space and Technology, told Axios. "The satellites are usually the flashier, more sexy part of the company, but there's a lot of critical infrastructure that surrounds it," Mike Safyan, vice president of launch at Planet, a company that operates more than 100 satellites, told Axios. What's happening: A number of companies are looking to build out that infrastructure, including receiving and relaying stations, and capitalize on increasing demand from governments and companies. In 2019, Amazon announced it would start providing ground station services for customers around the world, and last month it added a new location in Sweden. Other players include RBC Signals and Italian ground station operator Leaf Space. Companies hoping to launch hundreds of satellites to beam internet to people all over the planet are also working to develop user terminals that their customers would use to log on from their homes. The catch: Earth itself comes with a host of challenges. It's covered in water, limiting locations for ground terminals. Each country has its own regulatory framework that needs to be followed. "One of the common challenges is actually the need for greater internet bandwidth on Earth to more rapidly get the data downlinked and buffered at the ground station sites back to the cloud for processing," says Duncan Eddy, space operations lead at Capella Space, a user of Amazon's ground station services. And analysts question whether there will be enough consumer demand to support the satellite internet industry at large even if the ground infrastructure is set up to support them. "I think the market is a lot smaller than most of these systems anticipate, and the reality is that they're going to run out of customers before they run out of technology." industry analyst Tim Farrar told Axios. The bottom line: As the satellite industry grows, infrastructure on the ground needs to expand and improve to keep those spacecraft healthy and functional in orbit. Go deeper: Thousands of new satellites could make asteroid hunting harder Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 11:52:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Strong political will and dialogue between the central and regional governments are fundamental for Spain's new coalition government to stand, a professor of political science at the University of Barcelona told Xinhua recently. "The first challenge this government has is to maintain and ensure its own internal cohesion," Eva Anduiza said. The second is to resolve the territorial issue with Catalonia, "which is no less important than the first," she added. The new coalition government between the Socialist Party and the far-left Unidas Podemos is Spain's first coalition government in its modern history after Spanish parliament confirmed Pedro Sanchez as prime minister, who won a tight second investiture vote with 167 votes in his favor, 165 against and 18 abstentions on Jan. 7. According to experts, this new government is bound to face challenges due to years of polarization the country has been experiencing and a lack of practice in coalition governments. Anduiza said Spain's major divisions lie in socio-economic differences and territorial divisions that have caused an economic and regional crisis in the country, allowing for new parties like far-right Vox, leftist Unidas Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos to emerge and polarize the country further. The professor said this government has to keep open dialogue between the central and regional governments, especially with Catalonia, to at least stop the escalation of the crisis, which "probably won't be resolved in this legislature, but can be prevented from getting worse." Anduiza said that "if a political will exists, it can allow for progress in the resolution of the conflict, but the fundamental key is political will." During the announcement of his new cabinet of ministers on Sunday, Sanchez promised that his government would be a progressive one with "social, territorial and generational dialogue," to ensure the co-existence between different regions. Besides, the economic orientation of Sanchez's government is also important to maintaining Spain's economic stance in the European Union and helping resolve regional issues, Anduiza said. "There is a whole range of impacts that depend on the government's ability to move budgets forward," she said. "If the central government does not approve budgets, the regional governments cannot approve their own budgets either, and they are the ones that pay a large part of the social expenditure." Nadia Calvino, Spanish vice president and economy minister appointed by Sanchez, is "a guarantee of budgetary stability," said Anduiza. The cabinet of the new coalition government was sworn in on Monday before Spanish King Felipe VI at a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. New ministers were also handed over their portfolios from former ones. Rescue workers search the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) Iran's judiciary says arrests have been made over the shooting down of a Ukrainian plane that killed 176 people. It came as the country's president called for a special court to be set up to probe the downing last week of the passenger jet by Iranian forces just after take-off from Tehran, killing all onboard. A judiciary spokesman said: "Extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested." He did not say how many individuals have been detained or name them. Expand Close Rising tension: An Iranian man confronts riot police during a protest outside Tehran's Amir Kabir University. Photo: AFP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rising tension: An Iranian man confronts riot police during a protest outside Tehran's Amir Kabir University. Photo: AFP Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the jetliner, acknowledged, three days after Wednesday's downing and in the face of mounting evidence, that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the Ukrainian plane by mistake. President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran on Tuesday: "This is not an ordinary case. "The entire the world will be watching this court." Meanwhile, a leaked recording appeared to show a Revolutionary Guard officer complaining that Mr Rouhani's administration was hanging them out to dry as they faced widespread fury over the incident. The recording, published by the Iranian opposition site Pyk Net, purported to capture on film an unnamed Revolutionary Guard commander addressing comrades, urging them to weather the political storm. "The statement by the government admitting the cause of air crash was disgraceful," he said. "The statement should not have blamed the entire Revolutionary Guard and could have just said it was the fault of one individual." Expand Close Rivals: Hassan Rouhani's supporters vented ire at the military. Photo: AFP via Getty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rivals: Hassan Rouhani's supporters vented ire at the military. Photo: AFP via Getty The commander went on to suggest the government could have waited "two or three months" before announcing the real cause of the crash, to allow the Guard more time to bask in public support after the killing of Qasem Soleimani and the missile barrage fired against US forces in Iraq. He added that the Rouhani administration was failing to show gratitude for crushing anti-government protests last year. Several hundred civilians died in the crackdown. "The November protests were caused by the Rouhani government but the Revolutionary Guard sacrificed itself and put them down, but this time the government is passive in the face of the attacks on the Revolutionary Guard," he said. Two female protesters were reportedly shot and wounded in Tehran on Sunday night, while students protested yesterday at Sharif university in Tehran, widely considered one of Iran's top academic institutions. Tensions between the relatively moderate government and the hard line Revolutionary Guard have been building for years as Mr Rouhani advocated diplomacy with the West and Guard commanders called for continuing isolation. But faced with public anger over the fate of Ukrainian Flight PS752 - and with elections looming in February - the sides appeared to be at particularly bitter odds. Riot police faced down protesters denouncing Iran's clerical rulers yesterday, amid anger after authorities acknowledged shooting down a passenger plane by accident. Video from inside Iran showed students yesterday chanting slogans including "Clerics get lost!" outside universities in the city of Isfahan and in Tehran, where riot police were filmed taking up positions on the streets of the capital. Images emerged from the previous two days of protests showing wounded people being carried and pools of blood on the ground, while the sound of gunfire could be heard. Authorities denied that police had opened fire. US President Donald Trump, who raised the stakes on January 3 by ordering the killing of Iran's most powerful military commander, tweeted to Iran's leaders: "don't kill your protesters." Tehran has acknowledged shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner by mistake on Wednesday, killing 176 people, hours after it had fired at US targets in Iraq to retaliate for the killing of General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. Iranian public anger, rumbling for days as Iran repeatedly denied it was to blame for the plane crash, erupted into protests on Saturday when the military admitted its role. Flash Certain progress has been made in the talks on Libyan settlement in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. "Intensive consultations have been ongoing since this morning with the participation of the Libyan parties and with the support of the foreign and defense ministers of the Republic of Turkey and the Russian Federation," Lavrov said, according to a transcript released by the Russian Foreign Ministry. A document was examined that would make it possible to specify issues related to the ceasefire regime, he said. "The ceasefire, as you know, was announced at 00:00 on Sunday, January 12, in response to the appeal from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which is contained in their joint statement adopted on January 8 in Istanbul," he added. According to the minister, the draft final document of Monday's meeting was examined in detail. "It was the subject of quite serious negotiations," said Lavrov, adding that certain progress has been made in the talks. Earlier in the day, Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, and the head of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Serraj, held talks on the Libyan crisis mediated by Russia and Turkey, which ended without signing of a much-anticipated ceasefire deal. Al-Serraj and Khalid al-Mishri, head of Libya High Council of State, have signed the document, while Haftar and Aguila Saleh, President of the Chamber of Deputies in Tobruk, viewed the document positively and asked for a little extra time until the morning of the following day to decide on its signing, Lavrov said. "The Turkish and Russian representatives will continue to assist the parties in the implementation of the agreements that are being negotiated," he added. Libya has been locked in a civil war since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Several armed militias of different backgrounds have emerged, and have been fighting each other to take power, although a peace deal was signed by the warring parties on Dec. 17, 2015 in the Moroccan city of Skhirat. Workers listen during a briefing inside the Congress Center, the venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Stefan Wermuth | Bloomberg | Getty Images Business leaders and politicians from around the world are gearing up to attend another session of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland this week. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event in the Swiss Alps and its theme is "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World." The annual economic gathering will run from January 21 until January 24. CNBC takes a look at some of the most prominent names attending this year's event. Sanna Marin, prime minister of Finland Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin listens during a press conference with her Estonian counterpart as part of her visit to the Etonian capital Tallinn on January 10, 2020. RAIGO PAJULA At 34, Sanna Marin is the world's youngest serving prime minister as well as Finland's third female leader. She heads a four-party coalition government, whose leaders are all women too. At the time of her appointment, in December, she said she never thought about her age or gender. "I think of the reasons I got into politics, and those things for which we have won the trust of the electorate," she said. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission Thierry Monasse | picture alliance | Getty Images The former German minister for defense became the head of the EU's executive arm in December. The new president of the European Commission has many pressing subjects to deal with, including gathering support for her new climate change package. The European Green Deal, a proposal launched in December, aims to make all the EU countries climate neutral by 2050. Christine Lagarde, ECB president Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), addresses the media during a news conference following the meeting of the governing council of the ECB in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on December 12, 2019. Daniel Roland | AFP | Getty Images The newly-appointed head of the European Central Bank is a well-known figure at WEF. Lagarde, the first female president of the ECB, used to visit the event in her role as managing director of the International Monetary Fund. This time around her words in Davos will be even more closely monitored, as investors look for further clues about the central bank's strategic review. Lagarde made headlines in late 2019 when stating she wanted the ECB to make climate change a priority. Greta Thunberg, climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks at an event with other climate activists on April 22, 2019 in London, England. Chris J Ratcliffe | Getty Images News | Getty Images The 17-year old Swedish climate activist is due to return to Davos this year. Time's "Person of the Year" in 2019 has a clear message to lawmakers and business leaders: commit to divest from fossil fuels now. "We demand that at this year's forum, participants from all companies, banks, institutions and governments immediately halt all investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction, immediately end all fossil fuel subsidies and immediately and completely divest from fossil fuels. We don't want these things done by 2050, 2030 or even 2021, we want this done now as in right now," Greta wrote in The Guardian newspaper. Ren Zhengfei, Huawei Technologies founder Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei speaking with CNBC at Huawei headquaters in Shenzhen, China. Justin Solomon | CNBC Technology has always been a key point of discussion at Davos and this year won't be any exception, with 5G technology being a crucial part of the debate. Huawei has led the 5G race across the world, but at the same time it sparked some division between traditional allies, such as the United States and the European Union. U.S. authorities have raised concerns about Huawei's connections to the Chinese government, which it denies, and took steps to bar the company from selling its technology in the U.S. market. Meanwhile, the European Union is still forming its collective answer to the issues, but the German government announced it does not want to outright block the Chinese firm. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivers her curtain raiser speech previewing the key issues to be addressed in the Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2019. NICHOLAS KAMM | AFP | Getty Images The Bulgarian national was appointed head of the International Monetary Fund in the fall of 2019. She will be presenting the IMF's latest economic assessment in Davos, joined by Gita Gopinath, the institution's chief economist. Deepika Padukone, Bollywood star Indian actress Deepika Padukone arrives for a trailer launch of her upcoming Bollywood movie 'Chhapaak' in Mumbai, India on 10 December 2019. NurPhoto She is an internationally-acclaimed actress and mental health ambassador. Padukone will be awarded with one of the WEF's Crystal Awards. She was recently pictured standing silently behind students protesting against the Indian government. The Bollywood star surprised many, given that members of the movie industry tend to avoid politics. Deepika has been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Steven Mnuchin, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, gestures as he attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 25, 2018. Denis Balibouse | Reuters U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin led the discussion in Davos in 2017, having said at a news conference that a weaker dollar was good for the United States. His comments represented a shift in U.S. policy and sparked a dollar sell-off. George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management Billionaire investor George Soros. Sean Gallup | Getty Images The billionaire investor George Soros is a familiar face in the Swiss Alps. In the last edition, Soros expressed his concerns over President Donald Trump's foreign and economic policy. "An effective policy towards China can't be reduced to a slogan. It needs to be far more sophisticated, detailed and practical; and it must include an American economic response to the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. Donald Trump, US president US President Donald Trump speaks during a "Keep America Great" campaign rally at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, on January 9, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-13 23:15:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Tourists talk with a Cuban woman in the area of Old Havana, in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez) Called "Cuba Sabe," which can mean both "Cuba Knows" and "Cuba Tastes," the workshop was organized by Lis Cuesta, wife of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and academic services manager of cultural tourism agency Paradiso. HAVANA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cuba aims to lure more foreign visitors by touting its gastronomy, a rich blend of Spanish, Afro-Caribbean and even Asian culinary influences, along with its beaches and historical heritage. To that end, Cuban authorities eagerly launched a three-day culinary workshop that showcased both the history and evolution of Cuban cuisine. The workshop concluded late Saturday. Called "Cuba Sabe," which can mean both "Cuba Knows" and "Cuba Tastes," the workshop was organized by Lis Cuesta, wife of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and academic services manager of cultural tourism agency Paradiso. Diaz-Canel attended the event, as did Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso, and Secretary of the State Council Homero Acosta. "Our island is dedicated to tourism, but beyond sun and beaches, there is also our people, our history and our cuisine," Cuesta told reporters. Cuba's culinary culture "is like our national culture, a culture of resistance," Cuesta said, calling for more traditional dishes to be offered at hotel restaurants alongside the international fare. Each ethnic group that arrived in Cuba, from Africa, Europe and China, enriched the local cuisine with their native ingredients and cooking skills, Cuesta added. "These types of events are stimulating" because they show "cooking is not just eating and drinking but also a cultural action, a way of introducing ourselves to the world as we are," Jorge Mendez, an official of Tourism Ministry and author of several books on Cuban cuisine, told Xinhua. "Without fine cuisine, there is no tourism, so we have to promote it, improve it, and make it more pleasant to attract tourists," said Mendez, who is in charge of gastronomy and tourism promotion in the ministry. It is estimated that 4.5 million foreign tourists will visit Cuba in 2020, 200,000 more than the year before. This article was also published by Guardian US. And then there were 12. Yesterday, Cory Booker, the US senator from New Jersey, became the latest contender to drop out of the Democratic presidential primary. The field is still very big, but it has narrowed in one meaningful sense: it was once historically diverse, but with Booker out, just three candidates of color remain, only one of whom, the former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, is Black. Booker blamed the distraction of jury duty in President Trumps impending Senate impeachment trial for his exit, as well as his winnowing finances, exacerbated by his failure to qualify for recent Democratic debates, including tonights. It will take place in Iowa, which is 91-percent white. Every single candidate on stage will be white, too. As is ritual in campaign coverage, after Booker dropped out, reporters and pundits chewed over the reasons for his failureamong them, media obsessions with the campaign horse race (Booker never really cut through in the polls), and with shiny new objects (Exhibit A: Pete Buttigieg). I think a big part of Bookers problem, why he never had a moment, was that hed had so many moments before, Olivia Nuzzi, Washington correspondent at New York magazine, wrote on Twitter. Hed been on magazine covers and the subject of glowing profiles since the mid-2000s. The political media was overly familiar with Booker and voters werent familiar enough. Amid all the postmortems, we saw paeans to Bookers personal decency and to his love-centered campaign rhetoric. On MSNBC, Booker emphasized that tone in a valedictory interview with one of his media admirers (and his old friend from Stanford), Rachel Maddow. Uniting Americans to a larger purpose, he said, is his prayer for the Democratic Party. (Elsewhere on TV, Bookers exit got buried under Elizabeth Warrens allegation that Bernie Sanders told her, in 2018, that a woman cant win in 2020a claim Sanders strongly denies. For all their avowed disapproval of division, political pundits often find fighting more interesting than peace and love.) ICYMI: The sentinel of the liberal media Yesterdays Booker coverage also re-upped conversations about the structure of the Democratic primary, and its effect on voters and candidates of color. In recent weeks, Booker complained repeatedly that their perspectives have been excluded by the partys current debate-qualification rules, which prioritize polling and fundraising. Yesterday, pundits reiterated that critique, and there was renewed discussion, too, of Iowas place at the top of the primary calendar, which earns the state disproportionate attention every four years. The whiteness of [the] donor class and early states really matters, Astead W. Herndon, a politics reporter for the New York Times, tweeted. Their vision of electability impacts viability. These might look like conversations for the Democratic Party, but theyre important for the media, too. We could do much more to mitigate the distorting effects of imperfect democratic structures, and yet, too often, we reinforce and amplify them. Our preoccupation with electability is one such distortion. The concept is a hydra of conventional wisdom and internalized biases, and its predictive value is flimsy. (See: Trump, Donald.) And yet so many of our discussions about politics rest on it. If youve listened to campaign reporters this cycle, youll have heard ample evidencealbeit anecdotal, for the most partthat many Democratic electors intend to vote not for their favored candidate, but for the one they think stands the best chance of beating Trump. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The press is integral in molding such judgments. And yet, as Sawyer Hackett, a staffer on Julian Castros shuttered presidential campaign, told the Washington Posts David Weigel last week, voters of color are underweighted in its calculus. I have to believe that if newsrooms were more diverse we wouldnt be stuck with this narrative thats made voters think theyre choosing between their minds and hearts, Hackett said. Its not the news medias job to advocate for given candidatesbut it is our job to challenge assumptions that unfairly benefit some at the expense of others. (Errin Haines, national writer on race and ethnicity at the Associated Press, put it best in a recent piece for Nieman Lab: Election coverage is about choicesof who gets seen and heard in our democracy.) Similarly, its not the medias job to change the primary calendarbut it is our job to ensure that issues pertaining to race, and its intersection with every other issue of substance, continue to shape the conversation, regardless of the demographics of the state that gets to vote first. As the Times acknowledged back in September, as media focus started to turn in earnest toward Iowa (five months before any actual voting), the states caucuses disenfranchise huge blocs of voters, and yet, to a greater degree than in recent campaigns, this unrepresentative and idiosyncratic state is proving that it is the only electoral battleground that matters for Democrats. We should be counterbalancing that logic, not eagerly indulging it. And yet, as in so many cycles past, the Iowa feeding frenzy is kicking in again, to the exclusion of other issues, and voices, that matter. Despite its homogenous candidate line-up, tonights debate is an opportunity to be more inclusive. Its moderators will bear a greater responsibility than usual to channel the perspectives and concerns of communities that dont look like most of Iowaand not just in a one-off question halfway through the running order. Given all the noise around Sanders and Warrens crumbling non-aggression pact, the temptation to center conflict, instead, will doubtless be strong. Below, more on 2020: Other notable stories: ICYMI: Words you may not have known were named after people Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. At least 124 people killed as severe weather triggers avalanches and landslides in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. At least 55 people were killed and many others were missing after avalanches hit Pakistan-administered Kashmir over the last 24 hours, senior government officials said. Two Pakistani officials quoted by the Reuters news agency said on Tuesday many villagers were still stranded in the avalanches in the Neelum Valley area following heavy rains that also triggered landslides. Many people were reported missing and feared dead as rescue efforts got under way, one of the officials said. Avalanches, flooding and harsh winter weather has killed more than 110 people across Pakistan and in neighbouring Afghanistan in recent days, officials said on Tuesday, as authorities struggled to reach people stranded by heavy snowfall. At least 75 people died and 64 were injured across Pakistan, with several still missing, while a further 39 people were killed in Afghanistan, according to officials in both countries. Forecasts suggest more harsh weather is on the way. In neighbouring India, at least 10 people were killed after several avalanches hit the northern-part of Indian-administered Kashmir. A senior Indian police official said five soldiers were among the killed near the border between India and Pakistan. Kashmir has been divided between Indian and Pakistan since their independence in 1947 and for decades tension on the border has left tens of thousands dead. The area is one of the worlds most militarily tense frontiers, where the neighbouring armies have confronted each other over disputed territory for decades. In 2012, an avalanche engulfed a Pakistani army battalion headquarters near the Indian border, killing at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilians. Houses destroyed In Afghanistan, more than 300 houses were either destroyed or partially damaged throughout the country, said Ahmad Tamim Azimi, a spokesman for the Natural Disaster Management Authority, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. 200113080705902 A cold snap, heavy snowfall and rains that started two weeks ago have caused damage, he said, adding that most casualties were caused after roofs collapsed under thick snow. Hardest hit were southern Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and western Herat provinces. In Herat, seven people, all members of the same family and including children, died when their roof collapsed, Azimi added. Forecasts suggest more harsh weather is on the way for the region. Harsh winters often take a heavy toll in mountainous Afghanistan and the wider region. The country remains poor despite billions of dollars in aid from the international community. When Ned Graham, the youngest son of Billy and Ruth Graham, first visited the People's Republic of China in late 1990, he had an unusual experience. On his first night in the country, he was driven through Xiamen, in southern China's Guangdong Province. Thousands of people rode their bicycles through the dark streets. Cars went by, without their headlights on, a peculiar habit of Chinese drivers at the time. The drivers flicked on the car lights only as they passed the bicyclists, their faces illuminated for an instant. A series of still frames flashed before Ned's eyes as he looked out the window: Darkness. Light. Faces. "I found myself all of a sudden just weeping," Ned, 40, says. "Then it was like somebody took warm oil and poured it on me. I felt this incredible feeling of peace and contentment. ? I felt like I was home?not home in the sense of residence, but home where your life is lining up with God's will. It was absolutely overwhelming. And I realized from that moment, within about 20 minutes, that God was calling me to spend the energies of the rest of my life on China." A Top to Bottom Strategy Ned made that first trip through East Gates, which was then an embryonic organization aiming to help believers in China. East Gates had only limited goals and no comprehensive strategy for ministry, Ned says. His mother, Ruth, was on the board, though, and he and his friend David Dove, an attorney, had been helping them get started. As a result, Ned and David were asked to visit mainland China. On that trip, Ned had his experience in Xiamen. The rest of his stay confirmed God's call in Ned's life? "to change church history in China"?though Ned had no intention of getting more involved with East Gates. He did, however, challenge the organization's leaders to work legally in China at both the highest levels? top government leaders? and at the lowest levels? small house church groups?in order to improve the lives of all Chinese believers. The idea was not readily accepted. A couple of weeks later, however, after returning to the United States, Ned was asked to join East Gates' team. He declined but promised to pray about it. After prayer and discussions with his wife, Carol, his family and friends, he agreed to join East Gates on one condition: he would be the president, with total control of the finances and philosophical direction of the ministry. In 1992, East Gates signed a historic contract with the China Christian Council to print and distribute to house church Christians more than 1 million Bibles a year for five years. "The greatest single inheritance I have is the name Graham," says Ned, the father of two boys, Alex, 10, and Samuel, 8. "I wasn't about to give my name and the credibility of that name to anything that I didn't have control over." Ned's offer was accepted. In May 1991, he left his pastoral ministry at Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, and became president of East Gates. Today, East Gates, incorporated as East Gates Ministries International (EGMI), is doing extensive work in China. Ned has become a world-class diplomat, developing relationships with Chinese Communist Party leaders and the country's Christian community. Bibles made in China Perhaps the most significant accomplishment of EGMI has been Project Light, the printing and legal distribution of more than 2 million Bibles to house church Christians in China since 1992. With government permission, these Bibles are printed in Nanjing by Amity Printing Press, which was established in 1985 by the China Christian Council and United Bible Societies. The China Christian Council, an official government agency, works primarily with the Protestant churches of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), a government-sanctioned organization started by Chinese clergy in the early 1950s after foreign missionaries were forced to leave the country. Three-Self (Self-Governing, Self-Supporting, and Self-Propagating) churches, claiming an official total of 10 million members, are registered with the Religious Affairs Bureau, the agency that oversees all religious activity in China. In addition to the Three-Self churches, 15 to 25 million evangelical believers (by East Gates' estimates) belong to house churches. These independent congregations are not part of a single movement, do not necessarily meet in houses, and are not registered with any government body. Before EGMI came along, most house church Christians had to rely on smuggled Bibles or handmade copies; if they were found with a contraband Bible, they could land in jail. Another potentially dangerous option was to get a Bible from one of the few Three-Self distribution centers. There, they would be required to give their name and residency card number before receiving a Bible. House church Christians feared to identify themselves that way. But the need for Bibles was acute and sometimes risks were necessary. So, in September 1989, a house church Christian named Chen went to a distribution center and got a Bible. He carried it everywhere until a Public Security Bureau officer stopped him. The officer demanded to know how he got the Bible. When Chen showed him it was printed legally in Nanjing under the China Christian Council's authority, the officer let him go. The story quickly spread through the house church network. About the same time, the news was spreading that Billy Graham's son was heading up work in China. The house church Christians didn't delay, approaching East Gates about securing permission to print Bibles for them. Ned approached China Christian Council leaders in Nanjing, including then-president Bishop K.H. Ting, all of whom were open to the idea. In 1992, East Gates, based in Sumner, Washington, signed a historic contract with the China Christian Council to print and distribute to house church Christians more than 1 million Bibles a year for five years, a contract that has since been extended into the 21st century. Today, Bibles subsidized by East Gates are available to house church Christians at distribution centers throughout every province in China. House church Christians file a request for a Bible with a contact in Shanghai, who then sends them to East Gates' Hong Kong office. Or, they can write the China Christian Council directly and make a request using a code word specific to EGMI. House church Christians no longer are required to leave their name or ID number at the distribution sites. Next: Training Believers The need for Bibles in China is no longer as acute as it was ten years ago, Ned says. Amity Printing Press has distributed more than 18 million Bibles through Three-Self churches and other organizations, in addition to the 2 million it has printed for East Gates. More significant, the number of Bible requests received by both East Gates and Amity has declined in the last few years. Bibles are even carried by some bookstores, which shows how much China's attitude has changed. But there is a continuing need for more Bibles, as well as other Christian literature, including study helps, devotionals, concordances, and commentaries. In the past two years, East Gates has started meeting this need by distributing Christian hymnbooks, classic devotionals like Streams in the Desert, and biographies of Christian leaders such as Martin Luther. East Gates is negotiating for the Chinese language rights to numerous basic Christian works. Perhaps the most critical need of Christians in China, especially those in house churches, is leadership training. Many pastors have little theological or pastoral training, which has created a situation ripe for problems, including the rise of cults. Recently, East Gates has been working with the China Christian Council to develop training opportunities for both house church and Three-Self pastors. Building bridges between the official church and house church leaders is another part of East Gates' ministry. Over the past 40 years, the two groups have built up a wall of mistrust, but recently relations have begun to improve because of East Gates and men like Bishop Ting. Though there is much work to be done, Ned has found passionate followers of Christ in both groups and believes the future may yield a unified, post-denominational Chinese church. Clearly, God has done amazing things in China through Ned's involvement with East Gates. But, Ned isn't the first of his family to serve the people of China. His grandparents, Dr. L. Nelson Bell and his wife, Virginia, were missionaries to China for 25 years. (Ned, short for Nelson Edman, is named for his grandfather.) His mother, Ruth, grew up in China and has always had a great love for the Chinese people. And his father preached throughout the country in 1988. As a young boy, Ned spent many nights listening to stories about China from his grandparents and other missionaries. He heard of successes, failures, and martyrdom but more than that, he remembers their great love and respect for the Chinese people. "Having been in China 40-some times, I (now) understand exactly what they meant," Ned says. Scared of ministry Ned's path to ministry wasn't a straight line from his parent's home to China, though. Like his brother Franklin, he bucked against all he had been taught. No one really expected him to end up in ministry. "I thought Ned would be in jail," says his oldest sister, Gigi Tchividjian. Mixed up in drugs, Ned lived a dare-devil lifestyle in high school and college. However, he wasn't rebelling against society, his parents, or God. "What I rebelled against, in hindsight, was God's call in my life to ministry. I didn't want that responsibility," Ned says. "I was a coward, and I ran from it." All through those defiant years, Billy and Ruth Graham stood by him, leaving the channels of communication open. Even though they despised his behavior, they loved him, respected him, and allowed him to work through his own problems. "That unconditional love eventually became irresistible," Ned says. It was a long process, but God and his parents eventually wooed him to a place of Christian service. After receiving a communications degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1985, Ned felt he should at least consider the possibility that God had called him to the ministry. He enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary's extension program in Seattle. An assignment for his first class?a paper on the meaning of Christ's death? began to shape his future. Realizing anew both God's anger toward sin and his love for the lost, Ned recognized God had special plans for him. At his home in Washington state, Ned's years of rebellion ended as he worked on the paper. "I broke down and wept," he says. "I probably wept for 30 to 40 minutes, just crying, really realizing Christ's sacrifice. At that point, I said, 'Okay, God. I'm here. Whatever you want me to do, Lord, fine.'" About a year later, as he finished his last six months at Fuller, Ned was offered an internship by Pastor Larry Finch of Grace Community Church (formerly Baptist Bible Church) in Auburn, Washington. Ned stayed on as pastor of adult ministries until he accepted the presidency of East Gates. Establishing trust in high places Even through Ned's prodigal years, God was uniquely preparing him to reach China. His parents' example of unconditional love, in spite of his actions, instilled in Ned the values needed to effectively approach his relationship with the massive Chinese bureaucracy. Rather than condemn the Chinese government, East Gates works to win their trust through honest dialogue and long-term strategic education. Top Chinese leaders have a fear of secret societies (including religious sects) because, in the past, such groups have been responsible for the country's dynastic overthrows. Communist Party officials also have often considered Christianity as a form of Western imperialism. To combat these negative images, East Gates is committed to meeting with top government officials and helping them understand orthodox Christianity and their own country's Christian population. Ned tells these leaders that Christianity is neither Western nor imperialistic, emphasizing that Christians can be among the most productive citizens in China. "We've been open and vulnerable. We don't have a hidden agenda," Ned says. East Gates never violates any of China's laws and always operates above board. The organization does not take a political stance; its mission is to help believers in China no matter who controls the government. In a recent letter to East Gates supporters, Ned explains. "The government of China has done many bad things, and probably will continue to do so. But so has our government and all others. So did Rome! As Christians, we are not called to battle governments. We are called to build up the body of Christ in the church." In line with this philosophy, East Gates also does not take a position on the annual renewal of China's most favored nation (MFN) status, which has become a contentious issue in Congress recently. By renewing China's MFN status, the U.S. promises to extend it the same tariff rates on imports as it extends to its regular trading partners. Human rights lobbyists and some members of Congress have pushed for revoking China's MFN status because of human rights abuses, including religious persecution. East Gates acknowledges that religious persecution exists in China, but Ned emphasizes that the Chinese government has no official policy aimed at destroying the Protestant church. There are officials in China who go beyond the scope of their own laws and punish Christian believers? out of ignorance, ideological extremism, or cruelty? but they are exceptions, not the rule, Ned says. In fact, though some U.S.-based Christian organizations may disagree, Ned claims there are relatively few cases of persecution of evangelicals in China today. He says most religious harassment in China is aimed at Tibetan Buddhists arguing for independence, radical Muslim separatists in Xinjiang Province, cult leaders, and those who advocate formal ties with the Vatican. And, in the cases when house church evangelicals in China are persecuted, the cause is often bureaucratic corruption, not a systematic policy of discrimination. For instance, Ned gives the example of a farmer who wants to extend his land holdings, but is thwarted by a church that meets on an adjacent lot. The farmer calls his brother-in-law in the Public Security Bureau who contacts a friend in the Religious Affairs Bureau. Next thing the church is shut down and the farmer takes the land? an injustice stemming more from greed than religious hatred. East Gates is working to help Chinese officials clarify their laws on religious freedom. Behind closed doors, Ned has no problem discussing his concerns with the proper authorities. They listen and, out of respect, he refuses to grandstand about their faults. A Church Growing Stronger Overall, Ned is excited about the church in China. "There is far more happening in China within the Christian community that is positive than negative," he says. "God is doing some wonderful work in China." When Communist leader Mao Tse-tung and his army took control of China in 1949, there were perhaps 3.25 million baptized Christians (Protestant and Roman Catholic) in the country. This small Christian community found itself under increasing pressure in the following years, and some began meeting secretly. During the ten-year Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), all official churches in China were closed, Bibles were burned, and many of the country's religious leaders were sent to labor camps, imprisoned, or killed. Even so, the church did not die; Christians continued to meet privately in very small groups. Believers flocked to services when the government reopened churches in 1979, and since that time, the total number of Christians has grown to 25 to 35 million in a country of 1.2 billion, Ned says. With most of the new believers under the age of 40, the future of Christianity in China looks more positive than ever before. The future of East Gates looks bright, too. The organization is looking for new ministries in China and in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), which has an extremely small Christian population. East Gates supplied emergency food and medical supplies to North Korea in 1996, following devastating flooding there. Since the flood relief effort, Ned has returned again, and hopes to continue cultivating relationships with high-level North Korean officials. Ned hopes he and his staff will eventually work themselves out of their jobs. "If we're successful, we'll no longer be needed," he says. "Our goal is not to foster or nurture dependence but to nurture independence and especially interdependence. "When we're no longer needed in assisting the church in China, I would like to see East Gates transformed into a facilitator that brings Chinese Christians, evangelists, and pastors to the United States to teach, to let us learn from their wisdom." For now, East Gates is still very much needed in China. Millions of believers have benefited from Ned's vision and rejoice that this reluctant minister finally accepted God's call "home." To contact East Gates, call 800-959-3464. 1998 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine. Click here for reprint information. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 07:34:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Security Council held 258 meetings, adopted 52 resolutions and issued 15 presidential statements in 2019, according to the Highlights of Security Council Practice 2019 published on Monday. The Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, in 2019 considered 49 agenda items and dispatched five missions to the field to Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau, the Sahel (Mali and Burkina Faso), Iraq and Kuwait, Colombia, and Ethiopia and South Sudan, said the report. In 2019, the Council added a new agenda item, namely, "The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." During the months of March and April, France and Germany held the presidency of the Council in sequence and coordinated their successive programs of work under the so-called "twin presidency." In April, the Council opened its curtains for the first time in 65 years, according to the report. In 2019, the Council adopted two major resolutions relating to the fight against terrorism, namely, Resolution 2462 (2019), emphasizing the obligation of member states to criminalize the financing of terrorism, and Resolution 2482 (2019), calling on member states to strengthen a global response to the linkages between international terrorism and organized crime. The Council also adopted two ground breaking resolutions relating to the protection of civilians: Resolution 2474 (2019), calling on parties to armed conflict to actively search for persons reported missing and Resolution 2475 (2019), urging all parties in armed conflict to protect civilians, including those with disabilities. According to the report, the Council held last year 18 high-level meetings, in which two or more Council members were represented at ministerial level or above. On Sept. 2019, the Council held a high-level meeting on peace and security in Africa, which focused on African Union-led efforts, including the "Silencing the guns by 2020" initiative, to address regional peace and security challenges. The meeting registered the highest number of Council members represented at a high-level in 2019 with 12 Council members represented at ministerial level. In 2019, 42 of the 52 resolutions and 11 of the 15 presidential statements concerned country or region-specific situations or conflicts; Africa accounted for 64.2 percent of those resolutions and presidential statements (34 in total), followed by the Middle East with 18.9 percent (10), and Asia, the Americas, and Europe with 5.7 percent each (three each). Haiti - Politic : The salary of parliamentarians will be used to build 10 high schools In a declaration to the Nation Monday afternoon, President Jovenel Moise, after he noted the lapse of Parliament and taken note of this institutional vacuum caused by the departure of the Chamber of Deputies and 2/3 of the Senate ; made a historical review of the parliament and the results of the current parliament. At the same time he announced that 10 high schools will be built/renovated across the country with the money which was to pay in 2020 the 19 senators and 118 deputies, funds estimated at 1 billion 160 million gourdes (1,160,773,176 Gourdes). "I make the decision to instruct the Minister of National Education for the rapid construction of 10 high schools across the country," he said. The Lycees in question are: - Lycee Jean Jacques Dessalines - Lycee Daniel Fignole - Lycee Marie Jeanne - Lycee de Jeune fille - Lycee Tertulien Guilbaud - Lycee Francois Capois - Lycee Philippe Guerrier - Lycee Paul Eugene Magloire - Lycee Aux Perches - Lycee of Trou du Nord The Jean Jacques Dessalines high school will be rebuilt with a sum of 200 million gourdes, and the other 100 million each. The Minister of National Education (MENFP) is responsible for monitoring. S/ HaitiLibre Two Methuen men suffered serious injuries Monday night after the convertible they were in went off the road and slammed into a wall, ejecting both men from the car, authorities said. Matthew Spanner, 19, and Gabriel Hernandez, 22, were in a 2006 Audi convertible driving east near 215 North Lowell St. around 10:40 p.m. when the car left the roadway for unknown reasons, collided with a fieldstone wall and came to a stop in a wooded area, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry and Police Chief Joseph Solomon said in a joint statement. Both men were ejected from the car, the statement said. Officials did not say who was driving the Audi. Hernandez was transferred to a Burlington hospital and is in critical condition. Spanner was taken to a local hospital, where he is in stable condition, the statement said. The crash is being investigated by Methuen police and Massachusetts State Police. Anyone who may have information about the crash is asked to call Methuen police at 978-983-8698. An absent culture of dissent is not a new feature in classical dance, given that the relationship of classical dancers with the society is heavily mediated by the states cultural machinery. As societies from across the world are leaning on their youth for leading the fight for a better tomorrow, there might be no better moment than now for the classical dances to reflect on what an education in classical dance is truly meant to serve. With an interest in generating accessible writings that makes the connection between the larger social and political landscape of the country and its performing arts more evident, this monthly column is an attempt to un-bracket the dance discourse from its contained category of Arts for Art's sake. Read more from the series here. *** As the country quaked with the footfalls of citizen protests over the last few weeks, a great number of classical dancers and dance enthusiasts gathered everyday in Chennai for a totally different reason to celebrate the dance season of the year, the Margazhi. With the exception of countable (on fingers) number of dancers, the classical dance field has been resoundingly silent about the events unfolding across the country. This absent culture of dissent is not a new feature in the field, given that the relationship of classical dancers with the society is heavily mediated by the states cultural machinery. Most prominent public engagements of classical dancers are state-organised platforms, such as state-sponsored cultural festivals and programs on Doordarshan. The trope of a classical dancer is monetised maximally by state tourism, with images of a classical dancer having become a common trope on tourist brochures. A classical dancers career too is known to peak when she receives a state award, or is validated as a Doordarshan-graded dancer. This relationship of classical dance with the state has for long ensured production of a pro-state discourse around dance, and when the same state begins to lean into extremism, its cultural machinery immediately embodies it. Therefore, while modern history of theatre in India can boast of a thriving culture of dissent, one cant say the same about the modern history of classical dance. Anuradha Venkatraman, a Bengaluru-based Bharatanatyam dancer who has come out with a series of dance videos to register her protest against NRC, NPR and CAA, says: As classical dancers, we think the state serves as our patron, and hence, there is always this fear of losing out on patronage, because of which we probably tend to be very non-confrontational. However, though classical dancers appear to serve the nation as cultural ambassadors, it is crucial to recognise that the state also vests power in a classical dancer. Masoom Parmar, a Bharatanatyam dancer and an art curator based in Bengaluru, identifies classical dance as a part of the states soft power, and therefore, he believes that as classical dancers, they must "have a stake in state politics. As cultural ambassadors, classical dancers enjoy the privilege of cultural capital, and "have a chance to be supporters or critics an opportunity that needs to be used wisely, he says. Dwelling on why classical dancers must be involved in state politics and register their protest against policies like the NRC, NPR, and CAA, Ranjana Dave an Odissi dancer and dance-writer based in Delhi says, Odissi prides itself on Salabega [a 17th century Odia devotional poet]. It makes much of the great devotion Salabega has for Jagannatha, despite him being Muslim and being a leper. Classical dance is partial to narratives of disenfranchised devotees, be it Salabega or Nandanar, who fight all odds to worship their beloved deities. They are the ultimate devotees. Remember that in a post-NRC-and-CAA world, Salabega, a poor, sick and Muslim (man), is likely to be declared a foreigner, and locked away in a detention camp, and won't have the opportunity to sing at the doors of the Puri temple. Then, we will not have an 'Ahe nila saila'. Siva will not appear to Nandanar, with Nandi disappearing from the path, because Nandanar would have lost his trial at the Foreigners Tribunal, ending up in a detention camp. We would not have the work of most Bhakti poets, like Chokhamela, Kabir, Janabai or Lalded, because a post CAA-NRC world would not recognise their right to participate in particular cultures. The weak culture of dissent, however, might not be limited to how dancers perceive their relationship with the state alone, but is also associated with any figure of authority. As Venkatraman says, The entire ecosystem (of classical dance) is based on this idea of tradition and the guru-shishya parampara, where dissent is considered disrespectful. We need to break this. Veena Basavarajaiah a dancer who runs an Instagram page called 'cartoon_natyam' to draw attention to critical issues in classical dance observes that most artists' questions or explorations remain in the realm of aesthetics, spirituality or philosophy, and seldom venture into the areas of politics, economics or history." She adds: "I feel critical thinking is neither part of the training, teaching, nor the performance, and that could be a reason for not realising that artists have agency and a voice. Elaborating on this, Masoom says, I have been told time and again by a lot of co-artists and seniors that the only purpose of classical dance is to transcend the physical and unite with the divine/spiritual. But given the history of appropriation, I think we can definitely make space for using classical dance for dissent. "Lado padhai karne ko, padho samaaj badalne ko," a Jamia student recently quoted their college slogan on an NDTV interview with Ravish Kumar. The people of the country were woken up to a revolution by students of public universities, because they identify with an education that trains them to recognise their rights, and build their own politics. Like in classical dance, the social structure of academics is also hierarchical, but training in classical dance actively normalises, and even celebrates hierarchy. One finds no organised student bodies that discuss and stand up for the issues plaguing the field today. As societies from across the world are leaning on their young students for leading the fight for a better tomorrow, there might be no better moment than now for the classical dances to reflect on what an education in classical dance is truly meant to serve. UTICA - The Staffworks Fund and the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties announced the record-breaking results of the 2019 Save A Life Campaign. The campaign raised $1,844,350 from December 3 - 31, shattering the previous record of $680,804 set in 2018. The program matched community donations for 29 animal welfare organizations in 13 different counties. The Stevens-Swan Humane Society, Herkimer County Humane Society, Rome Humane Society and Susquehanna SPCA are just some of the animal care organizations receiving the money. Some of the money that was donated this year will be going toward our capital fund, some of it will be going toward our annual fund. Also, because of Zoe, the German Shepherd, this year we started an emergency medical fund and some of the money was designated to that too, said Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. The Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown alone raised more than $236,000 in donations, the most out of the 29 campaigns that participated this year. $30,000 from the Save A Life Campaign will be added to that total. The Staffworks Fund Save A Life Campaign demonstrates the power of a regional collaborative fundraising effort. We have proven that pulling together for animals in need is a winning strategy. We join our fellow animal advocates and community donors in creating humane communities, said Anita Vitullo, Save A Life Campaign founder. The Save A Life Campaign has raised more than $3 million dollars for non-profit organizations since its inception in 2014. Campaign funds are used for daily animal care, adoption and medical needs, and spay and neuter services. A day after approaching the Supreme court seeking quashing of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the state would remain in the forefront to defend the Constitution and Fundamental Rights of the Citizens. The act of the southern state, which had earlier convened a special session of the assembly and passed an unanimous resoultion seeking repeal of the amendment, was an intervention from within the purview of the Constitution, Vijayan said. Kerala is the first state to pass the resolution and file a petition against the CAA. "The suit filed by the state government was against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, which is contradictory to constitutional ethos. It is part of our intervention to protect civil rights from within the constitution," Vijayan wrote in his Facebook page. He said secularism was the basic character of the Indian Constitution and deviating from it was equal to undermining the constitution. "Kerala was the first state in the country to decide not to implement this faulty law. It was the Kerala Assembly that had passed a resolution against the CAA. We have also requested other chief ministers, who uphold the constitution, to take such necessary steps," Vijayan said. The CPI(M)-led LDF government had on Monday moved the apex court challenging the CAA and sought to declare it as 'ultra vires' of the Constitution was "violative" of Article 14 (Equality before law), 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) and 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion) of the Constitution. It also claimed that the law was violative of the basic principle of secularism enshrined in it. The state Assembly had on December 31, 2019, passed an unanimous resolution against the CAA. Earlier in the day, Industry minister E P Jayarajan told reporters that the state would continue its fight against the legislation. "The state government will go to any extent and continue its fight against CAA. This Act destroys democracy in the country. This will only help in implementing the RSS agenda, to drive the nation through a fascist regime, and destroying secularism and democracy in the country. The RSS and the Sangh Parivar cannot implement this law just by using muscle power," Jayarajan said. Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran tweeted that the state has become the first in the country to approach the top court against the Act. "Kerala government files lawsuit against the unconstitutional CAA....Kerala leads the way," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Ambassador to Ireland Deike Potzel and French Ambassador to Ireland Stephane Crouzat will pay a joint visit to Offaly on Friday, January 17. Ambassadors will first visit the Coolderry Central National School in Birr. This school is part of the Blue Star Programme, an education initiative for primary school pupils across Ireland. The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. Ambassadors will then go to the I-LOFAR low-frequency radio telescope at Birr Castle. The Low-Frequency Array is an international network of state-of-the-art telescopes used to observe the Universe in unprecedented detail at low radio frequencies. LOFAR consists of 12 international stations spread across Germany, Poland, France, UK, Sweden and Ireland, with additional stations and a central hub in The Netherlands. Speaking ahead of the trip, the two Ambassadors said: We really look forward to this joint trip to Offaly. The two places we will visit are concrete initiatives of what the European Union can bring to people in Member States. The Blue Star Programmes goal is to encourage pupils to get creative and to think about what the EU means for them. LOFAR is one of the largest astrophysics programmes in Europe, with 7 countries collaborating on this project. A boy in China has nearly died after accidentally falling in the bathroom and getting his backside impaled on a toilet brush. The 12-year-old was saved by overnight emergency surgery after more than 10 centimetres (four inches) of the plastic stick rammed into his body, rupturing his rectum, said a hospital in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. The child had slipped in the shower and landed on the cleaning tool, his parents told an ER doctor. Nurses are seen giving treatment to the 12-year-old after he underwent a four-hour emergency operation in eastern China. A toilet brush had impaled the boy's backside, rupturing his rectum The boy's parent's rushed him to the Maternity and Child Health Hospital in the city of Nantong just past midnight on December 22. They had taken him to several smaller hospitals which had expressed difficulties in treating him due to the seriousness of his condition. The hospital said the boy was in a state of shock when he was taken to the hospital. His excrement had entered his abdominal cavity through the opening on the rectum, triggering a severe infection. A team comprising more than 10 medics was immediately formed to carry out emergency keyhole surgery for the patient, whose identity has not been revealed. The child had slipped in the shower and landed on the cleaning tool by accident (file photo) Unlike conventional surgery, which involves a large incision, in a keyhole operation the surgeon works through tiny incisions, guided by images transmitted from a camera inserted into the body. As the procedure is minimally invasive, the wounds heal faster. 'During the operation, we discovered that the situation was even more serious than what we had expected,' said Dr Zhang Youbo who performed the surgery on the boy. 'There was a large amount of faeces in his abdominal cavity, especially his pelvic cavity... It was hard [for me] to see the position of the puncture,' the medic told Jiangsu News. Doctors said his excrement had entered his abdominal cavity, triggering a severe infection Medics inserted medical tools into the boy through the incision to clean his abdominal cavity again and again, and eventually located the hole, which was at the upper part of his rectum, Dr Zhang said. 'The part of the rectum had been cut open nearly completely,' he added. To help the boy pass his stools during his recovery, surgeons gave him colostomy, an operation to divert one end of his colon through an opening in the tummy. 'During the operation, we discovered that the situation was even more serious than what we had expected,' Dr Zhang Youbo who performed the surgery on the boy told Jiangsu News Surgery lasted more than four hours and the boy was taken to the Intensive Care Units to be looked after. The hospital said the child was discharged at the beginning of the month after his condition had become stable. He is due to undergo further surgery to reverse his colostomy after the function of his rectum returns to normal. Flash Twenty-one people, including eight children and five women, were killed and dozens more injured, by intensive airstrikes and shelling in northwest Syria over the weekend, a UN spokesman said on Monday. However, a cease-fire, which went into effect Sunday, following aerial bombardments Saturday, "has reportedly resulted in a degree of calm," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The UN urges all parties, and those with influence over those parties, to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law," Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing. The United Nations also "remains deeply concerned about the safety and protection of 3 million civilians in Idlib in northwest Syria," he said, adding that over half of them are internally displaced. New Delhi: Many Indian parents choose government schools for girls in the age group of 4 to 8 years while they favour private schools for boys, according to the latest edition of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), indicating that gender gaps are apparent even among young children. ASER 2019, released on Tuesday, focuses on the early years. It throws light on the patterns of pre-school and school enrolment of children in the 4-8 age bracket. ASER is Indias largest NGO-run annual survey, conducted by the non-profit Pratham since 2005 to evaluate the relevance and impact of its programmes. The data shows that performance on cognitive, early language, early numeracy, and social and emotional development tasks is closely related to childrens age, with older children doing better than younger ones. Permitting underage children into primary grades puts them at a learning disadvantage which is difficult to overcome, says the report. More than 90% of children enrolled The key findings show more than 90% of children in the 4-8 age group are enrolled in some type of educational institution. This proportion increases with age, from 91.3% of all 4-year-olds to 99.5% of all 8-year-olds in sampled districts. However, the report pointed out that young children of the same age vary enormously in terms of where they are enrolled. For instance, at the age of 5, 70% of the children are in anganwadis or pre-primary classes. On the other hand, 21.6% children are already enrolled in class I at that age. Further, at the age of 6, 32.8% children are in anganwadis or pre-primary classes, while 46.4% are in class I, and 18.7% class II or higher. The report reveals that the anganwadis cater to large a section of children well before they enter pre-primary classes. The already significant scale of this network can be leveraged to reach those children who remain unreached. At the same time, the ability of these centres to implement appropriate school readiness activities for 3 and 4-year-olds needs to be strengthened, says the report on policy-level implications. Enrolment patterns show more girls in government schools The report also reveals that even at this young age, enrolment patterns are different for boys and girls. A higher proportion of girls are enrolled in government institutions and a higher proportion of boys in private institutions. The difference is seen to grow larger as children get older. For example, among 4 and 5-year-old children, 56.8% girls and 50.4% boys are enrolled in government pre-schools or schools, while 43.2% girls and 49.6% boys are enrolled in private pre-schools or schools. For 6 to 8-year-olds, 61.1% of girls versus 52.1% of boys go to a government institution. The early years, defined globally as age 0-8, are known to be the most important stage of cognitive, motor, social and emotional development in the human life cycle. The survey was conducted in 26 districts across 24 states in India, covering a total of 1,514 villages, 30,425 households, and 36,930 children in the age group of 4-8 years. The sampled childrens enrolment status in pre-school or school was collected. Children did a variety of cognitive, early language, and early numeracy tasks; and activities to assess the childrens social and emotional development were also undertaken. All tasks were done one-on-one with children in their homes. At age 5, location matters This is the age children should be encouraged to develop a range of abilities and skills, including cognitive, social and emotional skills as well as the conceptual foundations needed for formal schooling. The survey points out what a 5-year-old is doing depends largely on where he or she lives. It all hinges on state norms for entry to school. So what we see is Thrissur, Kerala records 89.9% of 5-year-olds attending a pre-primary class and almost all the rest studying in class I. As we move to East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, there are just 65.8% children of the age group in pre-school, while 9.8% are in class I, and 16% in class II. On the other hand, in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, 47.7% are in pre-school, 40.5% are in class I, and 4.1% are in class II. The survey further underscores that regardless of whether or where students are enrolled, young childrens ability to do cognitive, early language, early numeracy, and social and emotional learning tasks is higher among 5-year-olds than among 4-year-olds. For instance, 31% of 4-year-olds enrolled in anganwadis or government pre-primary classes were able to do a four-piece puzzle, while 45% of 5-year-olds attending these institutions could do so. Young and disadvantaged It is expected that at age 5, children should be able to do most of the cognitive tasks with ease. However, a large proportion is unable to do so and it is basically because of the family background. The report states, Children from less advantaged homes are disproportionately affected. Although almost half of all 4-year-olds and more than a quarter of all 5-year-olds are enrolled in anganwadis, these children have far lower levels of cognitive skill and foundational ability than their counterparts in private LKG/UKG classes. The reason being given is these are young children who spend much of their time at home, and these differences in outcomes may be driven mainly by childrens home characteristics. The report highlights that among the pre-primary section, children with mothers who completed eight or fewer years of schooling are more likely to be attending anganwadis or government pre-primary classes. Whereas their peers whose mothers studied beyond the elementary stage are more likely to be enrolled in private LKG/UKG classes. ASER data shows that childrens performance on tasks requiring cognitive skills is strongly related to their ability to do early language tasks and early numeracy tasks. This suggests that focusing on play-based activities that build memory, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities is more productive than an early focus on content knowledge. Overall, 41.7% of children in class I are of the RTE-mandated age The Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE) mandates that children should enter class I at age 6. Many states allow entry to class I at age 5+. However, 4 out of every 10 children in class I are younger than 5 or older than 6. The report says, Overall, 41.7% of children in standard I are of the RTE-mandated age of 6 years, 36.4% are 7 or 8 years old, and 21.9% are 4 or 5 years old. The survey throws light on the fact that within the standard I cohort, almost no children age 4 and 5 can read a standard I level text. This proportion increases steadily with age. Children's performance on cognitive, early language, early numeracy, and social and emotional learning tasks is strongly related to their age. Older children do better on all tasks. The class I students studying public-private schools The children studying in class I of government schools are younger than those in the same level in private schools, suggests the report. It highlights that more than a quarter of class I students in government schools are either 4 or 5 years old at 26.1%, while the corresponding proportion for private schools is ten percentage points lower at 15.7%. On the other hand, 30.4% students in class I in government schools are 7-8 years old, while this proportion in private schools is far higher at 45.4%. As was seen among the 4 and 5-year-olds, a clear relationship is visible between children's cognitive skills and their ability to do early language and early numeracy tasks in class I. The children in class I who could do three cognitive tasks correctly had higher reading ability and were also more likely to solve oral word problems than their peers who could not. Older students do better than younger ones The findings from ASER show that the variation in age distribution within each class is widest in class I and decreases in each subsequent class. But older children continue to do better than younger ones on every ASER task. The report has cited that while most children in class III in both government and private schools are either 7 or 8 years old, 53.4% of 8-year-olds in class III could read a class I level text, while only 46.1% of 7-year-olds could do so. Childrens skills and abilities improve in each subsequent class. As per the report, childrens ability to read standard I level text improves from 16.2% of children in standard I to 50.8% children in standard III. This means that half of all children in standard III are already at least two years behind where the curriculum expects them to be. Similarly, 41.1% of students in class I can recognise two-digit numbers, while 72.2% of students in class III can do so. But according to NCERT's specification of learning outcomes, children are expected to be able to recognise numbers up to 99 in class I itself. As before, there is a strong relationship between children's cognitive skills and their performance on early language and early numeracy tasks. In standard III, 63.2% of children who did all 3 cognitive tasks correctly were able to read at standard I level, as compared to 19.9% of children who were able to do one or none of the cognitive tasks correctly. The report concludes saying that ASER 2019 early years data shows a clear relationship between childrens performance on cognitive tasks and measures of early language and early numeracy, suggesting that a focus on activities that strengthen cognitive skills rather than subject learning in the early years may generate substantial benefits in terms of childrens future learning. The entire age band from 4 to 8 needs to be seen as a continuum, and curriculum progression across grades and schooling stages designed accordingly, it says. For an effective and implementable curriculum, the process of designing, planning, piloting, and finalizing needs to keep ground realities in mind. Protesters piled-up many shoes of women that were painted red on the main square in Mexico City on Saturday. It was their way to get the stress the gender-related violence in the country. In Mexico, 10 females lose their lives every day and 10 percent of the crimes are left unresolved. Residents and tourists collectively watched the protests as they walk through the door of the National Palace and placed five pairs of red-painted shoes on the building's paving stones. They cry for the murdered women of the country. According to a family member of a woman, Elina Chauvet who died from domestic violence, as an artist, she had started to use art as a way to protest and fight for the well-being of women in the country. She describes the protests to visualize absence. She explained that the color red showcases the spilled blood and at the same time it represents love. The protests are the latest series of rallies conducted in the past few months that aim to promote awareness of the serious conditions that the country is facing involving the violence against women. Some of the similar demonstrations involved the protest for anti-rape, where the participants of the rallies scattered glitter over the places they marched and also the protest where demonstrators wore blindfolds while singing "A Rapist in Your Path." Upon sitting as the country's leader more than thirteen months ago, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his administration had promised to prioritize resolving gender-related issues. In November 2019, the Mayor of Mexico City named Claudia Sheinbaum had alerted the residents of the city for gender-related crimes. Currently, twenty of the federal offices of the country had also done similar declarations. Mayor Sheinbaum said that the action will help promote awareness to the residents and will help develop positive results on its resolution. As for those who attended the protest on Saturday, results are yet to be seen by the people of Mexico. In 2018, before the current president of Mexico took the position, there were 3,662 reported femicide cases. Despite a change of leadership in the country, the statistics on gender-related violence has increased. According to an activist for women's rights whose sister died from murder in 2017, the killers are continuing their crime towards the women community. The suspect of her sister's case was first charged with femicide, but was later changed to homicide. According to activists, it is one of the techniques used by the government to mask the significant increase in gender-related cases in the country. She brought a photo of her late sister and the shoes she wore when her dead body was discovered. She said that the shoes in the protest are missing the women who own them. Mexico City's newly seated chief prosecutor, Ernestina Godoy Ramos, announced on Friday that she is tasked to promote the security of the city and pledges to offer justice to all femicide cases. The CBI has booked 17 individuals and companies, including three Mumbai-based senior Customs officials, for allegedly being part of a money laundering racket using over-invoiced import of diamonds worth more than Rs 156 crore, official said on Tuesday. The case was referred to the CBI after a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence probe found alleged involvement of Customs officials in the conspiracy, they said. The DRI probe had alleged that Hong Kong-based businessman Girish Kadel had imported rough diamonds from Switzerland to Hong Kong in the name of his four companies. Kadel, who had business interests in India, had exported some of these diamonds to India through 14 consignments in the name of two companies Antique Exim Pvt Ltd and Tanman Jewels showing over-invoiced value of Rs 156.28 crore. The DRI had found during revaluation that actual value of the consignment was Rs 1.03 crore instead of falsely declared value of Rs 156.28 crore, they said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that Kadel used Import Export Codes (IECs) of Antique Exim Private Ltd and Tanman Jewels through his aide Atul Paldecha for siphoning off the money outside India through import of over-valued diamonds, the officials said. Rough diamonds were imported at "highly exaggerated value" to siphon off excess foreign exchange overseas to cover the differential cost of other imports and park money abroad for unlawful activities. It is alleged that the then Commissioner APSC Mumbai, Vinay Brij Singh, influenced subordinate officers to give favourable report, they said. The agency has alleged that Singh ordered investigation into the matter and after a few days called a subordinated deputy commissioner to write new noting and destroyed the note sheet and changed his earlier directions of further investigation, the officials said. The agency has booked Singh, Deputy Commissioners Chandravanshi Y Manikanhaiya and Ashiquzzaman along with Kadel, Paldecha, Antique Exim, Tanman Jewels, Impress Clearing and Forwarding Pvt Ltd, among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: Azerbaijani First Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel General Najmeddin Sadikov attended the meeting of the Military Committee of the NATO within the format of "Resolute Support" on January 14, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The meeting was held at the level of Chiefs of Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium). During the meeting, the current state of the Resolute Support Mission led by NATO with an aim to train, support and consulting was discussed and relevant decisions on the further development of the mission were made. During the Democratic Weekly Address, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) stated that Congress needs to address the Trump administrations significant rollbacks of the National Environmental Policy Act this week. Dingell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are her words: Hello, Im Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from the 12th District of Michigan. This week, we pray for the men and women in our armed forces, as well as their families. They are all our sons and daughters. The Administration must work with Congress to put forward a coherent, robust strategy to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Diplomacy, not military action, must come first. I will do everything possible working with my colleagues to accomplish this, to prevent war and protect our national security. We must be diligent and united. At the same time, this week, the House took significant action to address a problem that is a threat to all Americans: PFAS contamination and its effects to human health and the environment. People are being poisoned by these chemicals every single day and its our job to protect them. This is an urgent public health and environmental threat. The number of contamination sites nationwide is growing at an alarming rate, including our military bases. These chemicals are known as forever chemicals and they are everywheretheyre in our non-stick cookware, food containers, carpets, clothing, cosmetics and firefighting foams, just to name a few. They do not breakdown in the environment, in the human body or wildlife. PFAS builds up in your blood and its estimated to be in the blood of 97 percent of Americans, most who dont even know it. Exposure to these forever chemicalseven at low levelsposes significant health risks, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. Michigan has been hit hard. We have identified 74 sites, but only because we are testing for it. Michigan learned from the Flint water crisis. According to the Environmental Working Group, forever chemicals have been detected in more than 1,400 communities, across 49 states, including near 400 military installations. Those drinking water systems serve around 19 million people. In my district, the entire Huron River is flowing with PFAS contamination. At a recent townhall, a man stood up and said, I eat the fish. I live on it. When will the fish be safe again?I fear not in his lifetime. Here is the reality. We are not cleaning up this contamination and the polluters are not being held responsible. We dont even have a protective drinking water standard. All Trumps EPA has is a health advisory guideline. Even former Republican Michigan Governor Snyders appointed scientific PFAS Task Force said the guideline probably isnt strong enough. This week, the House passed a comprehensive, bipartisan legislative package to address this growing crisis in the United States. The Dingell PFAS Action Act properly designates these forever chemicals as hazardous substances to accelerate the cleanup process at military facilities and in communities all across this country. The bill also includes provisions from many of my colleagues that establish a national protection standard for most notorious chemicals in drinking water and requires proper labeling in household products. It is a beginning. It is now on Senate Majority Leader McConnell and President Trump to act. We also must address the Trump Administrations significant rollbacks of the National Environmental Policy Act this week. For fifty years, NEPA which was signed by President Nixon has been the bedrock of conservation law and preserved the environment, human health and the peoples voice in policy decisions. The proposal to rollback NEPA is one more action by this Administration to ignore scientific-based environmental standards that protect our water, air and lands. This is a serious assault that will result in significant costs to American taxpayers because President Trump refuses to accept the effects and the challenges of climate change. This decision is going to lead to more species becoming endangered. Now is the time to exercise serious oversight that ensures the Administration abides by the law and ensures that all communities have a voice in decisions that impact them. House Democrats are delivering For The People on serious, meaningful steps to protect human health and the environment. Senate Majority Leader McConnell and President Trump: will you join the House in listening and fighting for the health and safety of all Americans? 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. Missing teenager Harley Dilly found dead in chimney originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Almost four weeks after 14-year-old Harley Dilly disappeared while walking to school, officials in Port Clinton, Ohio, said his body was found trapped inside the chimney of a vacant home. Dilly left his home on Dec. 20 to go to his last day of school at Port Clinton High School before the holiday break. He never arrived. Port Clinton Police Department Chief Robert J. Hickman tried not to break down in tears during a press conference on Tuesday where he announced that Dilly was dead. "This appears to be an accident, no foul play expected," said Hickman. Investigators re-canvassed the area on Monday and decided to search the summer home that was under renovations. "There is no evidence of forced entry. Since there is a lockbox and anyone can go in and out of the house, we went inside to check the house," said Hickman. MORE: Reward money nearing $10,000 for information on missing Ohio teen Harley Dilly When they entered the second floor of the house, they found Dilly's jacket and glasses next to a brick chimney and his body caught inside. Ottawa County's Coroner Office determined that Dilly's preliminary cause of death was compression asphyxia. The final autopsy report is awaiting the toxicology report. PHOTO: Port Clinton Police Department officers search for Harley Dilly, 14, who has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019, in Port Clinton, Ohio. (WEWS) "The chimney is between the second and third floors and is 9 by 13 inches," said Hickman. The hunt for Dilly began on Dec. 22 and the Port Clinton Police Department has provided daily updates on its social media account. PHOTO: A poster posted by Port Clinton Police Department shows Harley Dilly, 14, who has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019, in Port Clinton, Ohio. (Port Clinton Police Department) Investigators released a surveillance image of the last known sighting of Dilly crossing the street in front of his home on the 500 block of E. 5th Street wearing a thin maroon puffy jacket. MORE: 14-year-old Ohio boy Harley Dilly missing for over a week, police 'concerned for his safety' An Amber Alert was issued. Approximately 75 law enforcement agencies including the FBI, K-9 search and rescue teams and helicopters scoured over 150 acres to find Dilly. Story continues PHOTO: There was a police presence near the residence of Harley Dilly in Port Clinton, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2020. (WEWS) Members of the community banned together to raise $18,095 in reward money for information leading to Dilly's safe return and assisted with the search efforts. MORE: Surveillance shows last known image of missing Ohio 14-year-old Harley Dilly: Police On Saturday, over 100 members of the community volunteered to conduct their own search, according to the "Search Party of Harley Dilly" Facebook group. On Tuesday the Amber Alert was cancelled because the "child has been recovered," according to the Ohio Attorney General's office. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) gestures as democratic presidential candidates (L-R) South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tom Steyer await the start of the Democratic presidential primary debate at Loyola Marymount University on December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama | Getty Images Discussion on Social Security reform has been largely absent from the Democratic debates. That could all change Tuesday night, as six of the candidates are scheduled to take the stage in Iowa. Focus on the program has intensified as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., criticized former vice president Joe Biden's record on the issue in recent days. "Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid," Sanders recently said. It's a pivotal time for the program, which many Americans rely on for most, and sometimes all, of their retirement income. Tweet In 2019, about 64 million Americans received more than $1 trillion in Social Security benefits. Meanwhile, Social Security's trust funds are projected to be depleted in 2035, according to most recent estimates. At that time, just 80% of promised benefits would be payable. Most of the Democratic candidates have plans to solve those long-range financing difficulties, said Melissa Favreault, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research organization. For many candidates, that means raising the limit on maximum taxable earnings. Currently, income up to $137,700 is subject to Social Security taxes. However, the longer it takes for any changes to go through, the less time baby boomer or even Generation X taxpayers will be required to contribute to a long-range solution. That could ultimately place more of a financial burden on younger generations. "It's absolutely critical that we start thinking about this, and critical that we start talking about it," Favreault said. "The longer we wait, the more constrained our options." A number of the Democratic candidates are proposing to expand benefits and not just shore up the system, said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy organization. "It's an issue of extreme importance to everyone so, to me, it has all the components of a perfect question for the debate," Altman said. Here is what we know about where the candidates in the Iowa debate stand. U.S. Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Steve Marcus | Reuters Joe Biden The former vice president and senator has been on the receiving end of criticism for his views on Social Security reform. But Biden's campaign website outlines a different plan for the program and calls for increasing benefits. That would include a new minimum benefit, where workers who have put in at least 30 years of work would get a benefit equal to at least 125% of the federal poverty level. Other individuals who would get bigger benefits include Americans who have received retirement benefits for at least 20 years as well as widows and widowers. To pay for those changes, Biden calls for raising taxes on wealthy Americans. More specific details on what a new tax rate would be are not yet included. Democratic presidential candidate and mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg responds to a question during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2, 2019. Steve Marcus | Reuters Pete Buttigieg Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, wants to expand benefits as well. "Social Security does face a fiscal imbalance that needs to be addressed without raising taxes on working- and middle-class Americans," Buttigieg's campaign website states. Instead, Buttigieg calls for "ensuring the most fortunate pay their fair share" and automatically adjusting tax rates for high earners. Benefit increases would be used to keep seniors out of poverty. The plan also calls for counting years spent caring for children, elderly or disabled dependents towards your benefit amount. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks at a conference in Washington, April 10, 2019. Yuri Gripas | Reuters Amy Klobuchar Amy Klobuchar, senator from Minnesota, calls for raising the Social Security payroll tax to income above $250,000. Because the cap is currently set at $137,700, that could create a so-called doughnut hole, where earnings are not taxed between the current maximum and the new level, said Favreault. Klobuchar also proposes expanding benefits for widows and those who take time out of the work force to take care for children or aging or sick family members. 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during the Presidential Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, August 10, 2019. Scott Morgan | Reuters Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders has also outlined a plan to expand Social Security as part of his "secure retirement" platform. He proposes lifting the Social Security payroll tax to apply to all income over $250,000. Increased revenue from that tax increase would help the program pay benefits for the next 52 years, according to his campaign. Sanders also proposes giving a $1,300 per year increase to seniors with annual incomes of $16,000 or less. He also calls for raising benefits for low-income workers when they retire, as well as increasing annual cost-of-living adjustments. More details on the size of those increases are not currently available. Tom Steyer Michael Brochstein | SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images Tom Steyer Details on where Tom Steyer, a billionaire business executive and activist, stands on Social Security have not been as readily available to date, in part because he has never held public office. In an emailed statement, Steyer called Social Security "a promise that America has made to our seniors." "American workers have put money into the system for their whole working lives and are depending on it to be there for them when they need it," Steyer said. "Great countries don't break their major promises to their citizens. "Under all circumstances, my administration will live up to the promise to protect Social Security, including by raising the income cap." More details on Steyer's plan, including how much he would raise the income cap subject to Social Security payroll taxes, were not available. Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, November 1, 2019. Eric Thayer | Reuters Elizabeth Warren Major department store Myer has shed 35 head office jobs across the business as the listed fashion group looks to cut costs amid a struggling market which has hit four retailers so far this year. A Myer spokesperson said on Wednesday that following a review, about 35 management, business and administration roles will go, with the aim of ensuring the business operated in "the most efficient and productive way". Myer has cut 35 head office jobs as part of its continued cost-cutting efforts. Credit:Peter Rae SMH Myer's fortunes have improved in recent times, with the company reporting an underlying profit of $33.2 million for the last financial year, a result largely achieved through new chief executive John King's cost-cutting plan rather than through increased sales. The ASX-listed retailer employs about 11,000 staff including close to 800 in its head office. A spokesperson said the job cuts were part of ensuring Myer had "a continued focus on improving the financial performance of the business". Malaysia draws tourists from around the world. History, wildlife, and influential commercial centers create a unique experience for every visitor. Benefits of a Malaysia e Visa Recently, the Malaysian government made it easier for people to visit by offering Malaysia e Visas. A Malaysia e Visa has a two working-day wait time. It is faster than any other type of visa in Malaysia. It is useful for quick trips and last-minute arrival times. Busy business people utilize the e Visa because of the rapid nature of corporate business. Cheaper is better when traveling. Most visas cost around 100 USD. Malaysia e visas cost roughly half of that. Getting a visa is time-consuming and tedious. Malaysia e Visas have a simple process without waiting in lines or dealing with checkpoints. Country Eligibility Regardless of location, people can apply for a Malaysia e Visa. However, only specific nations can get approval. Eligible nations include: Bangladesh India China Myanmar Nepal Sri Lanka Pakistan Montenegro Bhutan Serbia Malaysia eNTRI The Malaysian government allows for an Electronic Travel Registration & Information, eNTRI, to make the process of getting a Malaysia visa for Indians simple. With an eNTRI, visitors have permission to stay a maximum of 15 days, while other visas expire in a week. It is useful for both tourism and business purposes. The Different Malaysia e Visas Three types of Malaysia e Visas are available based on meeting the requirements. 30-day Single Entry e Visa 30-day Multiple Entry e Visa Malaysia eNTRI visa Required Documents to Receive a Malaysia e Visa When traveling, it is important to know what documents are a requirement. No one wants their vacation or business trip cut short because of a simple mistake. Documents required: A copy of a recent passport photo A scanned copy of passport, most importantly the first page (present a copy of the front and back to be safe) Proof of hotel reservations A valid return flight ticket Keep in mind that the Malaysian government is strict in terms of photos for applicants. Depending on the Malaysia visa agent, picture modifications that avoid rejection is done by them. However, if applying online, ensuring passports and photos meet requirements is crucial in getting accepted. Take extra steps to avoid rejection by following these rules: White Background No frame or border Recent photo (3 months) Studio photos/no selfies Full face with eyes open No head covering (unless for religious purposes) No glare Be advised that there is also a possibility of being called for an interview by their embassy. A Malaysia e Visa is helpful to have and easy to obtain when knowing the rules and requirements. Regardless of business or vacation, the process is well worth the little paperwork. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. There has been a sharp decline in Islamic terrorist attacks in the West, especially Europe, between 2015, when there were 211, and 2019 when there were twenty. This was the result of worldwide alarm and action against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), the most violent and determined form of Islamic terrorism so far. All nations, especially Moslem ones, cooperated to defeat ISIL. This brought about unusually high levels of cooperation in identifying ISIL members or potential members as well as going after ISIL media efforts, recruiters and fundraisers. In the West, this exposed a pro-Islamic terrorist underground that was larger and more popular than anyone realized. Actually, there were police and military intelligence specialists who were not surprised. Until ISIL came along, few Western politicians believed so much support for Islamic terrorism existed inside their countries. Some of those politicians are still skeptical. But the problem is real and its been growing for several decades, along with support for Islamic terrorists in Moslem majority nations. After September 11, 2001, there was a growing realization in the West that many of their Moslem citizens, or recent migrants, supported Islamic terrorism, including attacks that killed a lot of civilians. While survey results varied from country to country, there were two constants. First, the majority of Moslems opposed Islamic terrorism under any circumstances. Second, there was always a minority that either supported or understood the need for such violence and worst of all there was a small percentage who thought such violence was necessary to defend Islam. Many in the last group were willing to actively participate in Islamic terrorist activity. For example, an opinion survey in 2006 showed that about three percent of German Moslems supported al Qaeda's objectives, which were mainly about Islam becoming the only religion on the planet, and using force to make it happen. Many of the Moslems who supported Islamic terrorism did not just support violence but would give aid to al Qaeda terrorists. More worrisome, the German intelligence experts believed that about 3,000 of their Moslem residents would commit terrorist acts to further the al Qaeda cause. The Germans also noted that there were 24 active Islamist groups in the country, with a combined membership of over 31,000. Many of those young al Qaeda enthusiasts lacked the leadership and technical knowledge to pull off a major attack. While these 3,000 men were all for terrorist actions, only a few are willing to kill themselves doing it. This shows the importance of the former al Qaeda bases in Afghanistan. There, al Qaeda could select and train men who could whip a bunch of local enthusiasts into a team capable of carrying out an act of mass murder. The camps also trained people to make bombs and deal with the more mundane problems of avoiding detection and arrest by the police. The problem in Europe was that radical Moslems sought, often with success, to establish religious schools (madrassas) where elementary and high-school age children could be indoctrinated in the conservative forms of Islam, as mandated in Saudi Arabia and many other Moslem nations, that insisted Islam was under constant attack or threat of attack by infidels (non-Moslems). These madrassas call on young Moslems to actively defend Islam using violence against infidels and Moslems who do not share these extremist beliefs. The madrassas teach that economic failure is not the fault of unemployed Moslems but a deliberate policy of the infidel societies they now live in. Cultivating this culture of resentment and justifying blaming personal problems on others rather than yourself also works in Moslem nations, where madrasa students often turn against their own government rather than infidel nations, who tend to be better off than Moslem majority countries. Most Moslems believe this sort of thing is nonsense but Islamic radicals can find a lot of support for these extremist attitudes in Islamic scripture. This is a unique aspect of Islam, for no other major religion gives this much encouragement for and religious justification of violence against infidels or Moslems who dont agree with you. European politicians, in particular, are still prone to downplay the severity of this situation. For example, German politicians are under growing pressure from their constituents to reduce the flow of Moslem migrants and more carefully screen those that are let in. Most elected (and unelected) officials have taken the position that allowing large numbers of Moslem refugees (from civil wars, rebellions and religious conflicts in Moslem majority nations) is the humanitarian thing to do. Their constituents point out that many of the politicians are delusional because these officials do not live near the new arrivals and experience the increasing crime and general hostility expressed by so many of the refugees towards non-Moslems (and often each other). Voters point out that their political leaders tend to live in well-protected neighborhoods and have access to taxpayer-supplied personal security. To make matters worse, there are a growing number of instances where local (or national) officials deliberately conceal data on criminal activity by Moslem migrants. Some data cannot be concealed and that is when there are deliberate terrorist attacks that kill or injure people in a public place. For example, in the four years after 2014 (through the end of 2017), there were 32 Islamic terror attacks in Europe. These involved 44 Moslem refugees or recent asylum seekers. These attacks caused 996 casualties (182 dead, 814 wounded). While these attacks occurred in twelve countries most of them took place in Germany, which had accepted the most (1.4 million) Moslem refugees. For the average European the most annoying thing about this is that the hostility and violence found among so many of these refugees is nothing new. Opinion polls and government data have detailed the problem for years. For example, in 2006 German counter-intelligence officials were openly dismayed at how passive German Moslems were towards the threat of Islamic terrorism. A tip line for Germans to call in information about suspected terrorist activity received little use by the 3.5 million Moslems living in Germany. The tip line had German, Arabic and Turkish speaking operators available. While there had not been any major al Qaeda terrorist attacks in Germany up to then, the police and intelligence agencies knew they had an Islamic terrorism problem. Even without tips from Moslem residents, the intelligence agencies had detected a growing number of suspected Islamic terrorists and many of these eventually proved those suspicions right, often in another country. That was because Germany was seen as something of a sanctuary for Islamic terrorists; a place where local Moslems would stay silent and local police might suspect your intentions, but unless you broke one of their laws, like displaying a flag with a swastika on it, you would not get arrested. German counter-terrorist forces knew of al Qaeda-trained Moslems living in Germany. But German law prohibits preventive detention, so the best the Germans can do is try and identify the most likely al Qaeda terrorists and keep an eye on them. Britain thought they had a similar situation and had it under control. The July 7, 2005 bombing made it clear that some British Moslems were actually very eager to act, and the government surveillance program had not detected, much less caught, them. After the 2005 attacks, an opinion survey found that some 18 percent of British Moslems felt little or no loyalty towards Britain. Worse yet, about six percent of British Moslems, largely males, especially younger ones, were in favor of the attacks. That's over 100,000 people. This percentage was similar to estimates in France and Germany. Tips from British Moslems did pick up after the 2005 attacks, but there was not much reaction in Germany or France. Meanwhile, the Europeans can only envy the American FBI, which has a very active tip line. Despite a large number of American Moslems who were not happy with the war on terror, they did report anything that appeared to be terrorist activity. This program was so successful that the number of terrorist prosecutions was declining. This was due to several factors. First, the pro-al Qaeda crowd, at least the ones not sharp enough to keep their heads down, tended to get caught. Second, you have to assume that there are pro-al Qaeda American Moslems still out there, and smart enough to avoid being detected, but are proceeding with extreme caution, and taking their time. Europeans tend to leave terrorism suspects under observation for a long time, while the FBI tends to pick up suspects as soon as there seems to be enough evidence to get a conviction. The European method is necessary because the Moslem community is not providing information. So the police have to observe the terrorists, see who they work with, and generate tips that way. By 2014 the situation in Europe had gotten worse. That year a poll in of European nations to discover support for ISIL resulted in some surprising results. In Germany, two percent of the adults supported ISIL, while in Britain it was seven percent and in France 15 percent. While many of these supporters are Moslems, only 4.6 percent of Germans, five percent of Britons and 7.5 percent of the French are Moslems. Thus there was support from non-Moslems and a closer look at the data shows that ISIL support is higher among the young and falls sharply among older people. Many of the ISIL supporters are actually angry at their own government for various reasons. Still, the ISIL support was part of the overall support (or tolerance) for Islamic radicalism in the West and the recent rapid growth of European anti-Semitism. There is more, but not much more, support for ISIL in countries with Moslem majority populations. Most Saudi Arabians oppose ISIL but among those that did back Islamic terrorism, there were many who were very active in their support. Saudi Arabia is the original source of nearly all current Islamic terrorism and is still the source of most recruits and financial support for these groups. Because of that, and growing foreign criticism over the issue, in early 2014 the Saudis made it illegal for Saudi citizens to join ISIL. In typical Saudi fashion, they waited a while before strictly enforcing the new law. The Saudis have a hard time punishing fellow Saudis for being Islamic radicals, in large part because Arabia was where modern Islamic radicalism was invented and is still highly respected and practiced despite all the Islamic terrorism. Despite what the United States and the West want, events in Arabia follow a different pattern. After ISIL became a major threat in mid-2014 widespread local support for ISIL in the Moslem world was just not there. But the Islamic radicalism that created centuries of Islamic terrorism outbreaks survives and will keep providing headlines for the rest of the world. Many Westerners dont appreciate the details of Middle Eastern history that cause Islamic terrorism to return again and again and simply see the fanatical Islamic terrorists as revolutionaries worthy of admiration or even emulation. In the two centuries European countries have had to deal with homegrown radicalism (republicanism, anarchism, radical socialism) and now, despite its alien origins, Islamic terrorism appeals to young Europeans who miss the communists, Nazis, anarchists and radical republicans of the past. By 2016 British media noted that more Moslem British men of military age were joining Islamic terrorist organizations than were joining the British military. The vast majority of the three million Moslems in Britain were either hostile or unsympathetic to Islamic terrorism. But a large fraction (at times over 20 percent) had some sympathy for the motives of the terrorists; Defending Islam and all that. As many as six percent believed the Islamic terrorist violence was justified. More troubling was that nearly a fifth of British Moslems felt little loyalty towards Britain and instead believed Islam was where their main loyalty was. Islam stresses this in its scripture. European leaders have been slow to accept the reality of what they are dealing with. Even by 2019, when ISIL was no longer a major threat, European nations were finding that local Moslem radicals they know about, and were trying to monitor, were increasingly carrying out attack despite the police knowing who they were. In several recent attacks, the perpetrators had been convicted of Islamic terrorism, sent to jail and once released went right back to their violent ways. Since European nations are democracies the rulers cannot continually ignore the complaints of voters who daily confront this culture clash and often live in constant fear of it. Actually, so do many of the Moslem refugees. These outbreaks of Islamic terrorism have, for centuries, only hurt other Moslems because the righteous rage of the Islamic purists was directed as fellow Moslems perceived to be heretics. There were often ethnic, nationalistic or political elements as well but the basic motivator was religious and the efforts to impose true Islam on other Moslems. In the West, it was difficult to deal with this problem even though it had been well documented in the West for centuries. But it had become fashionable in the West to ignore all that. Worse and to the astonishment of many in the Moslem world, Westerners often deliberately and disastrously misinterpret what was actually going on. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 19:26 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32222e62 1 News travel,labuan-bajo,NTT,destination,tourism,komodo Free The town of Labuan Bajo, the gate to the famous Komodo National Park, reportedly welcomed more tourists in 2019 than in the previous year. According to West Manggarai Tourism Agency head Agustinus Rinus, 163,807 people visited Labuan Bajo in 2018, while in 2019 it welcomed 184,206 visitors. Read also: More accessible but pricier: Komodo Island to become premium destination "The number of tourists to this region continues to increase every year, which largely affected regional revenue," said Agustinus in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday as quoted by Antara. In 2018, West Manggarai regency's revenue from tourism fees was said to have reached Rp 34 billion (US$2,490,604), doubling in 2019 to Rp 60 billion. "This is a significant rise following our attempt to curb tourist boats that brought tourists to diving spots." According to the agency's data, most of the tourists who visited Labuan Bajo to marvel at the iconic Komodo dragons hailed from Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, among other countries. (dpk/kes) In 1921 the largest labor uprising in U.S. history roiled West Virginiaand riveted the nation. On the night of August 30, 1921, the Reverend John Wilburn, a self-proclaimed Baptist minister in Blair, West Virginia, wasnt tending to the Lords business. In defiance of an order issued by President Warren G. Harding, Wilburn was leading a party of 75 armed miners, some wearing tattered uniforms from the late war and bright red bandannas around their necks, up the east side of 1,800-foot-high Blair Mountain. Their mission was to feel out the defenses of the coal operators, sheriffs deputies, and mine guards who had occupied the heights a few days earlier. The reverend instructed his troops in terms that were less than pacific. Take no prisoners, he said. The next morning, after bivouacking for the night on a ridge halfway up the mountain, the miners were awakened by scattered gunfire. Leading a four-man scouting party, Wilburn came across three men blocking the narrow road around the ridge. Logan County sheriffs deputy John Gore, armed with two pistols and a rifle, motioned for Wilburns men to come forward. Two nonunion miners, John Colfago and Jim Munsie, stood behind him, cradling rifles. An uneasy moment passed. Then one of the nonunion miners made a sudden move, and gunfire erupted. Gore, mortally wounded, managed to get off a shot as he fell to the ground. Eli Kemp, a black miner in Wilburns group, was struck in the back as he turned to run and also fell to the ground. Wilburns men crept forward through the gun smoke. Gore and Colfago were dead; Munsie writhed in agony in the tall grass. As Munsie begged for his life, union miner Henry Kitchin put the muzzle of his rifle against the wounded mans forehead and pulled the trigger. Muncies head bounced off the ground, blood pumping out like water out of a hose where you turn it on and the pressure is light, one of the other miners observed. Wilburns men carried the unconscious Kemp back down the mountain to Blair, where he soon died in a doctors office. With that brief, confused exchange of gunfire, the Battle of Blair Mountainthe largest armed uprising in the United States since the Civil War and the largest labor uprising in American historycommenced. For the next four days it would rivet the nation, as striking miners faced off against state police, hastily organized militia, and paid strikebreakers. Thousands of rounds from machine guns, rifles, shotguns, pistolseven improvised bombs dropped from private airplaneswould riddle the remote West Virginia countryside, and soldiers from three crack U.S. Army infantry regiments would rush to the front. Even the nations best-known military air commander, World War I hero Billy Mitchell, stood ready and eager to enter the fray. The events that led to the bloody confrontation on Blair Mountain had begun more than three decades earlier, when representatives of the newly formed Norfolk and Western Railroad Company, cash in hand, swooped down on southern West Virginias sleepy hills and hollers. Bankrolled by wealthy investors from New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio, and even as far away as Great Britain, they quickly acquired huge tracts of land, legally or otherwise, as well as the mineral rights to what lay beneath. Some 5,000 workers soon began laying railroad track, building bridges, and drilling tunnels. The absentee land owners called the area the El Dorado of Appalachia. Soon the locals, rugged descendants of Scots-Irish immigrants who had been working their farms for generations, abandoned their plows for work in the coal minesand the regular paychecks that went with it. Most left their homes to live in newly built company towns, where migrant southern blacks and European immigrants joined them. The years that followed saw the implementation of a system of calculated subjugation. Life in the company towns was harsh, with discipline maintained by private detective agencies the owners employed. The most prominent of these was the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, whose operativesgun thugs, the miners called themincluded bounty hunters and convicted felons. The coal companies controlled the police, along with everything else: churches, schools, stores, and the houses (often one-room shanties) in which the families lived. Miners wives had to buy food and other overpriced necessities at a company store, using scripdevalued company currencyinstead of cash. Having to buy their own equipment, miners started out in debt. With living costs often exceeding wages, they were driven further into debt with each paycheck. And in a business in which mules were valued more than men and the only way in or out of town was on a company train or a company road, the West Virginia miners and their debt-ridden families had nowhere else to go. They were prisoners, literally and figuratively, of the coal companies that employed them. Men were paid about 40 cents a ton for the coal they minedconsiderably less than the wages union workers earned in other states. And in the absence of federal regulation or inspection, the ton weight was adjusted up to 2,500 pounds. The miners bitterly referred to it as the long ton. Mining was a perilous occupation, made all the more so by the lack of safety regulations. On December 6, 1907, the worst mining disaster in American history occurred when an explosion in the Fairmont Coal Companys two mines in Monongah, West Virginia, left 362 miners dead. No one was prosecuted, and the operators continued to block all attempts by state lawmakers to enact safety legislation. By the early 1900s, the United Mine Workers of America had organized miners in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The notable exception was West Virginia. There, nearly all the mines were nonunion, the repressive mine-guard system was in full operation, and anyone who joined or spoke in favor of the union was fired, evicted, and blacklisted from working at any other mine. (Library of Congress) As West Virginia became a major coal producer, the UMW sought to organize miners in the southern part of the state. From the beginning, union organizers and recruiters were brutally and sometimes fatally discouraged from establishing a presence in the state. In 1901, a white-haired, bespectacled woman of 64 came to West Virginia at the request of the UMW president to preach the gospel of union. Mary Harris Jones, known to the miners as Mother Jones, was a charismatic speaker and an iron-tough, fearless advocate for working-class men and women. She spoke a salty language her audiences could readily understand, once lambasting West Virginia governor William E. Glasscock, for example, as a goddamned dirty coward. In May 1902, the UMW called for a strike in the coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania, and a majority of West Virginias miners walked out in solidarity. Many were fired, and Baldwin-Felts detectives evicted thousands of families, forcing them to live in shacks and tent camps. Meanwhile, the financially strapped union, having depleted its meager resources in Pennsylvania, withdrew its much-needed support of the miners in West Virginia. By 1912, fewer than 10 percent of West Virginias miners had unionized. That April, after the coal companies refused to grant even a small raise, Fred Mooney inspired some 3,000 of his fellow union miners at Paint Creek to strike. They demanded elimination of the long ton and the mine-guard system, an end to mandatory patronage of the company store, cessation of blacklisting practices, adoption of a nine-hour work day, and recognition of the union. The mostly nonunion miners of nearby Cabin Creek joined the Paint Creek strikers. The movement was both biracial and multicultural; the miners came from a wide range of backgroundsblacks who had come from the South, white descendants of original West Virginia settlers, and immigrants from a wide array of European countries. The strikers were led by Frank Keeney, a charismatic miner whose family had lost its farm to a coal company years earlier. The owners responded by hiring scabs and strikebreakers and firing and evicting Keeney, Mooney, and thousands of miners. Tent colonies again sprang up. Keeney appealed to the UMW for help but was refused. He then assumed leadership of the strike. Another 5,000 miners joined the walkout. When the operators sent hundreds of Baldwin-Felts thugs to break the strike, the miners fought back, blowing up trains, tracks, and coal tipples (machines that tipped over freight cars to unload them). Both sides were heavily armed, and shootings became commonplace. Raids and sniper attacks increased, and the death toll climbed. Some victims were left where they fell with a note pinned to their bodies that read, Gone to hell, more to follow. Late on the night of February 2, 1913, Quinn Morton, the president of the Paint Creek Operators Association, commandeered an armored train and boarded it with the local sheriff, his deputies, and a contingent of Baldwin-Felts agents. In one car was a Gatling gun that could fire up to 400 rounds per minute. As the train passed the Holly Grove tent camp on Paint Creek, Mortons men opened fire. Dozens of miners were wounded, but miraculously, only one was killed. Miners dubbed the train the Death Special. Later that week miners raided a guard camp, killing one man, whereupon Glasscock, due to leave office in a month, declared martial law and sent state troops into the region. In April, newly sworn governor H. D. Hatfield submitted an owner-friendly contract, which the exhausted Paint Creek strikers grudgingly accepted. The Cabin Creek miners held out until late July, when a more acceptable agreement was hammered out. Pressured by sympathetic lawmakers, Hatfield freed the convicted strikers. As many as 100 miners had diedsome by bullets, others by starvation and diseaseduring the 15-month strike. Property losses were in the millions of dollars. The unions victory, though small, still represented progress to the miners. In 1913 Mother Jones returned to West Virginia at the behest of union organizer Frank Keeney, whom she had mentored as a young man. At the head of 3,000 armed miners, she led a march to the capitol in Charleston, where she thundered, I warn this little governor that unless he rids Paint Creek and Cabin Creek of these goddamn Baldwin-Felts mine-guard thugs there is going to be one hell of a lot of bloodletting in these hills! The United States entry into World War I in 1917 brought an uneasy peace to West Virginias coalfields, as both miners and coal operators worked toward victory, providing huge quantities of coal, the nations main energy source. Frank Keeney, now the president of the UMWs local District 17, and Fred Mooney, its secretary-treasurer, actively encouraged the war effort. Union membership grew significantly as soaring production ensured decent paychecks for the workers. But after the war, the struggle resumed with a vengeance. Production dropped, and so did miners pay. Faced with escalating costs, coal operators ignored union demands and sought to reassert their prewar hegemony. Miners fought to hold on to what they had. In Logan County, some 5,000 miners conducted an armed march in solidarity with national strikes. Keeney and Mooney disbanded the march, however, after the new governor, John J. Cornwell, assured them that he would look into their grievances. Cornwell did not keep his word. The following year, with the blessing of UMW national president John L. Lewis, Keeney set about unionizing the mines in coal-rich Mingo County. Coming from the nations most famous and powerful labor leader, Lewiss support did much to legitimize the strikers cause. Keeney established his headquarters in Matewan, the county seat and one of the few pro-union towns, and soon some 3,000 of Mingos 4,000 miners had signed up. The operators responded by barring union men from their mines and forcing the remaining workers to sign yellow-dog contracts in which they pledged never to join the UMW. The stage was set for a series of events that would lead to an all-out shooting war between labor and management. The wars opening salvo was fired on May 19, 1920. That day Tom Felts, the head of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, sent his brothers Lee and Albert to Matewan along with 12 other agents to evict union miners and their families from their homes. While walking to the Matewan train station after finishing their heartless work, the detectives were met by pro-union mayor Cabell Testerman and William Sidney Hatfield, his popular young police chief. Smilin Sid, as Hatfield was known, had earned a widespread reputation as a fist fighter and gunslinger, and that day he wore two heavy-caliber pistols on his belt. Anticipating (or perhaps planning for) violence, he had stationed striking miners at the windows of several buildings overlooking Mate Street. Meanwhile, Testerman had deputized more than a dozen sober-minded citizens to back them up. Hatfield and the Felts brothers served each other with conflicting arrest warrants. Testerman flatly declared the Feltss warrant bogus, and after a brief argument shots rang out from a number of positions. (Most eyewitnesses felt that Lee Felts had fired first, shooting Testerman in the stomach.) When the firing was over seven Baldwin-Felts men lay dead, including both Felts brothers on the scene. Three townspeople were also killed, among them Testerman, and four others were wounded. Word of the Matewan Massacre spread rapidly, and the beleaguered miners hailed Sid Hatfield as their new champion. UMW membership soared to 95 percent. A jubilant Keeney offered to meet with the countys 71 coal operators. When they refused, he called a strike. On July 1, thousands walked off the job. Predictably, the owners fired the strikers, evicted their families, and brought in strikebreakers and scabs. Matters would come to a head the following year, after a Mingo County jury found Hatfield and 22 codefendants not guilty of murder in the Matewan shootout. The miners exhilaration over their courtroom victory was short lived. The mine owners still controlled the state government. Voters had recently elected the stolidly promanagement Ephraim Morgan as their new governor, and one of his first acts was to double the size of the state police force and place it at the disposal of the mine operators. On the one-year anniversary of the Matewan shootout, Morgan declared martial law, to be enforced by the state police and a newly formed vigilance committee of armed professionalsbankers, lawyers, doctors, salesmen, shop owners, farmers, real estate brokerswho harbored no sympathy for the miners. He dispatched the troops to Mingo. Ignoring the miners constitutional rights, Morgans men arbitrarily arrested them for conspiracy, bunching (talking in groups of three or more), or simply looking suspicious. The situation rapidly grew worse, as men on both sides sniped at each other, often with deadly results. On June 14, some 70 state troopers, aided by the vigilance committee, raided the striking miners tent camp on Lick Creek, beating residents, destroying furniture, spoiling food supplies, and shredding tents. They shot and killed one unarmed miner and jailed 47 others without formal charges, cramming them into a single cell in chains. On the morning of August 1, 1921, Sid Hatfield and his best friend and deputy Ed Chambers climbed the stone steps of the McDowell County Courthouse to face charges for allegedly blowing up a coal tipple in Mohawk the previous year. Their wives were with them and neither man was armed. At the top of the steps, three Baldwin-Felts detectives opened fire without warning at point-blank range, instantly killing Hatfield and Chambers. One of the murderers, ignoring Mrs. Chamberss anguished pleas, fired a final round behind her husbands ear for good measure. Another detective shot several times at the courthouse walls to give the impression the victims had fired first, then placed the smoking pistols in the dead mens hands. The national response to the murders was almost universally hostile to the miners and their union. The striking miners were painted as a gun-toting, moonshine-swilling threat to economic stability. This bias was reflected in the nations major newspapers. The New York Times, for example, referred to Sid Hatfield as a primitive mountaineer who had died as he had lived, pistol in hand. Many news accounts drew comparisons to the previous centurys infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. (Sid, who had been unofficially adopted by a Hatfield, was only indirectly related to the clan.) Rarely did the miners side appear in print. At the trial, a pro-owner jury ignored the testimony of multiple eyewitnesses and acquitted all the participants in the assassination. This infuriated the miners, hundreds of whom were still languishing in the Mingo County jail. Keeney tried to negotiate with Governor Morgan to avert further violence, but the governor refused to consider his suggestions. For the miners, this was the last straw. On August 20, some 700 armed miners camped near Charleston in preparation for a 50-mile march through Boone and Logan Counties to Mingo, where they planned to free their brother miners by force if necessary. By the 24th their number had swelled to nearly 10,000, with more coming in daily from all across the state. Union locals raised money for provisions, guns, and ammunition. Keeney and Mooney, while outwardly condemning the march, secretly encouraged it. The only way you can get your rights is with a high-powered rifle, Keeney told one gathering. When he received word of the impending march, Logan County sheriff Don Chafin swore that no armed mob would cross the county line. Dubbed the Czar of Logan County, Chafin had long been on the mine owners payroll. (Despite an annual salary of $3,500, his net worth in 1921 was $350,000.) He assembled a 3,000-man army of deputies, strikebreakers, and a large middle-class vigilance committee like the one in Mingo County. Chafin armed his troops with rifles and machine guns seized from local hardware stores and the county arsenal. The sympathetic governor of Kentucky, Edwin P. Morrow, provided two additional machine guns, 400 rifles, 40,000 rounds of ammunition, and three World War I biplanes. The anti-union forces wore white armbands to differentiate them from the marching coal miners they loathed and feared. Chafins men set to work erecting barriers and digging trenches, establishing a 12-mile perimeter in the gaps along Spruce Fork Ridge, on the border between Logan and Boone counties. Most of the miners would come from the northeast, but others would march up from Raleigh County in the southeast, and Chafin prepared to stop them from both directions. He concentrated the largest group of defenders at the gap that ran between the two 1,800-foot peaks defining Blair Mountain. Chafins riflemen occupied the high ground, and machine-gun emplacements covered the road on which the miners would have to pass. An alarmed Governor Morgan repeatedly appealed to President Harding and Secretary of War John W. Weeks for 1,000 troops and a fleet of warplanes to stop what the New York Times dismissively described as a mob of malcontents. On August 26, Harding dispatched Brigadier General Harry H. Bandholtz, a highly decorated and competent career army officer, to West Virginia with orders to send the miners home. Bandholtz met with Keeney and Mooney and ordered them to call off the march. He gave them two days to comply. Otherwise, he warned, the army would snuff them out or arrest them for treason. That same day, Brigadier General William Billy Mitchell, the aviation pioneer and nationally revered war hero, landed a squadron of three bombers near Charleston. Mitchell had ruffled many feathers in the military establishment and on Capitol Hill with his constant demands to upgrade the nations Air Service, as the fledgling U.S. Air Force was then called. He staged numerous exhibitions in which his fliers bombed old battleships, submarines, and destroyers to demonstrate the effectiveness of American air power. Now, as the commander of the First Provisional Air Brigade, he was eager to demonstrate the effectiveness of airplanes against disturbers of the peacein this case the regions striking coal miners. All this could be left to the air service, he told reporters at Kanawha Field outside Charleston. If I get orders I can move in the necessary forces in three hours. Asked how he would combat the miners on the ground, Mitchell responded: Wed drop tear gas all over the place. If they refused to disperse then wed open up, with artillery preparation and everything. Mitchell was talking about bombing American citizens. Keeney and Mooney, sobered by the force mustering against them, advised the marchers to return to their homes. With warrants out for their arrest, the two leaders fled the state. That left Bill Blizzard, a union organizer who had assumed control of the march, in charge of disbanding the miners, even though Mooney considered Blizzard all fire and dynamite, hot headed and irresponsible. Still, as thousands of miners turned toward home, it seemed that bloodshed might be averted. But Chafin deliberately chose that moment to send 300 troops and deputies to the village of Clothier, 10 miles northeast of Logan, to arrest 40 participants in an earlier altercation, and in the process they killed two of them. It was like pouring gasoline on the warm ashes of a campfire, one of the miners later recalled. For the newly enraged marchers, there was now no turning back. Led by Blizzard, the angry miners set off by any means availabletrain, car, or on footalong the route that would take them through Blair Mountain Gap toward Mingo. A fourth of the marchers were World War I veterans, and some wore their old uniforms. Most, however, wore bib overalls. Around their necks they tied the red bandannas that would quickly become the symbol of the march and earn them the nickname Rednecks. As they marched through the various towns along the route, the miners cut lines of communication and raided coal company stores, acquiring food, guns, and ammunition, including a Gatling gun. Many sang as they marched: Going to march to Blair Mountain, / Going to whip the company, / And I dont want you to weep after me. Others made up a grisly new song to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, with the first line Were gonna hang Don Chafin to a sour apple tree The Battle of Blair Mountain commenced in earnest after the bloody confrontation between Reverend Wilburn and Deputy Gore on the morning of August 31. The miners continually challenged Chafins forces for control of the high ground. Perched in one machine gun nest, a noncombatant journalist wrote, The enemy seemed to have no sense of fear whatever and advanced over the crest of the hill in the face of machine gun and rifle fire. Frontal assaults were tantamount to suicide, so the miners attempted flanking movements up the mountains sides. The going was slow and the defensive fire withering, but the miners persisted, taking full advantage of the lush summertime vegetation to crouch and fire. The miners had no true field general or unified group of subordinate commanders. Blizzard was visible and involved during the battle, but he was not a soldier. He wasnt the leader any more than the rest of us was, from the way I see it, one of the miners later explained. We was all just leaders, in a manner of speaking. Some men, to be sure, were prominent in the attacks, among them Ed Reynolds, Walter Allen, Dee Munsie, John Wilburn, Savoy Holt, Romeo Craigo, Bad Lewis White, and two African Americans, Red Thompson and Charlie Popcorn Gordon. But no one took overall responsibility for the battle to the extent that Chafin did for the other side. Lack of leadership did not mean lack of effort, and both sides blasted away at each other with all their might. One miner described the ongoing fighting this way: Well, one crowd climbs up one side of a hill and the other crowd climbs up on the other side of the hill, and they both shoot at the top of the hill. Dr. L. F. Milliken, a veteran of the Spanish-American War who had treated dying miner Eli Kemp in his office in Blair on the first morning of the battle, said he heard as much shooting at Blair Mountain as he had heard during the Battle of Manila. Men on both sides seemed to fear friendly fire the most. You was in more danger from another greenhorn than any miner getting to you from the other side, one of Chafins men said. The miners advanced in two wings, aiming to scale the twin peaks of Blair Mountain from both north and south. The northern wing, anchored at Jeffrey, eight miles northeast of Blair Mountain, followed Hewitt Creek to Baldwin Fork, advancing south to Crooked Creek Gap. The defenders, commanded by Ivan Hollingsworth, a former captain in the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, were backed by two machine guns, while the attackers fielded the Gatling gun they had seized. When one of the defenders machine guns jammed after overheating, the miners broke through the lines at Craddock Fork and headed directly for enemy headquarters at Logan. Hollingsworth, putting his wartime experience to good use, pulled back his men half a mile and threw up new breastworks, supported by the remaining machine gun. A reporter observed a group of 50 miners charge straight ahead before being driven back by machine-gun fire, carrying five of their wounded with them. The defensive line held, but near-panic gripped Chafins headquarters at Logan. Walter R. Thurmond, the president of the Logan Coal Operators Association, breathlessly wired Republican Wells Goodykoontz, who represented the region in the U.S. House of Representatives: Unless troops sent by midnight tonight, the town of Logan will be attacked by an army of from four to eight thousand reds and great loss of life and property sustained. Goodykoontz passed along the warning to President Harding, adding, Your proclamation is being contemptuously ignored. Harding, who was enjoying a three-day Labor Day weekend cruise with his wife aboard the presidential yacht Mayflower, left matters up to General Bandholtz and Governor Morgan. In the meantime, Chafin sent his three borrowed biplanes to drop homemade pipe bombs and tear gas on miners positions near the towns of Blair and Bald Knob. The bombs fell wide of their targets, creating a few smoking craters but no injuries. Another bomb, luckily a dud, landed near two women washing clothes at Jeffery. Bandholtz, who had used Mitchells own planes to scout the two opposing forces but denied the airman permission to bomb the miners, could see no end in sight. On September 2 he ordered in 2,100 U.S. Army reinforcements from the crack 19th, 26th, and 40th Infantry Regiments. Before the government troops could reach the front, the miners launched one last assault on Blair Mountain, attempting to outflank the defenders. It was useless. We couldnt fire a shot but what they would rake our line from top to bottom, one of the miners told reporters. The defenders, he said, outshot them 100 to 1. The next day the soldiers began arriving by train at the front. The 19th Infantry reached Madison, the de facto headquarters of the miners, while the 40th moved into position behind the defensive forces at Logan. The miners had fought mine guards, state police, and private militia, but they were not going to fight the U.S. Army. Blizzard ordered his men to stand down. The Battle of Blair Mountain was over. Associated Press reporter Boyden Sparkes, accompanying the soldiers, observed scores of miners heading away from the front, a swarm of stubbly faced men getting out of the hills and back to their homes as fast and as quickly as flivvers could take them. Sparkes became one of the last casualties of the battle when he was shot in the leg and creased in the scalp by fire from state policemen on the summit of the mountain. We believe in shooting first and challenging afterward, an unrepentant policeman told the journalist, who was not badly hurt in the incident. Although an estimated 1 million rounds were fired in the Battle of Blair Mountain, casualties were remarkably low. An exact figure was never determined; neither side presented a tally. Estimates of the death toll ranged from 20 to more than 100, although local tradition maintains that the miners carried off dozens of their own casualties. All estimates must remain elastic, Blizzard said. It was that kind of battle. Eyewitnesses who were not participants were not welcome. Recent archaeological work has revealed that the miners, far from being a disorganized mob, had at one point established a textbook command center, rear guard, and perimeter. After surrendering, the miners, especially those who had volunteered to fight in World War I, expected to be treated fairly. The army, however, served a president who stood firmly on the side of the mine owners. The miners were ordered to surrender their weapons; Chafins forces were allowed to simply walk away. The army soon departed as well, leaving justice in the hands of a hostile state government. Vindictive to a fault, Morgan ordered wholesale arrests, with state courts bringing more than 1,000 indictments for treason and murder against 500 miners. By contrast, not a single charge was brought against Chafin or any of his 3,000 men. But the charges against the miners were difficult to prove, and most of them, including Keeney, Mooney, and Blizzard, ultimately walked out of the courthouse as free men. Some West Virginia judges and juries, at least, were fair. Reverend John Wilburn and his son, however, were convicted of murder in Gores death and sentenced to 11 years in the state penitentiary. They were paroled after serving three years. In many ways the Battle of Blair Mountain was a disaster for the miners. They had failed to free their comrades, end martial law, or bring the union to Mingo County. Chafin, by contrast, had kept his promiseThey shall not passand he was lauded as a hero by coal operators and local townsfolk. The law remained firmly in the hands of the governor, the police, and the courts, and no one would ever face judgment for the cold-blooded murders of Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers or for the many other atrocities visited on the miners and their families. Nevertheless, the Battle of Blair Mountain represented an important step in the long crusade by miners to reclaim the civil liberties vouchsafed for all American citizens by the Constitution. As Charles Keeney, a great grandson of Frank Keeney, observed, the fight had been an attempt to achieve economic justice for the working class. In the mid-1930s, with Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House, Congress passed legislation ensuring the basic rights for which the miners had fought and died at Blair Mountain. These included the right to unionize and bans on blacklisting and the hiring of private police. The coal companies had won the battle but lost the war. In recent years, a new headstone has been erected over the grave of Sid Hatfield across the river from Matewan. Engraved on it are the words Defender of the rights of working people, gunned down by Felts detectives on the steps of the McDowell County Courthouse in Welch, W. Va., during the great mine wars. His murder triggered the miners rebellion at the Battle of Blair Mountain. We will never forget. It was, no doubt, the sort of epitaph Hatfield would have wanted. Ron Soodalter is the author of Hanging Captain Gordon: The Life and Trial of an American Slave Trader (Atria Books, 2006). This article appears in the Winter 2020 issue (Vol. 32, No. 2) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: Showdown at Blair Mountain Want to have the lavishly illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-13 22:35:53|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhejiang Province saw rapid growth in foreign trade in 2019, authorities said. The total import and export volume of last year was predicted to exceed three trillion yuan (435 billion U.S. dollars) in the eastern province, according to Sheng Qiuping, head of the provincial department of commerce. Exports grew about 8.5 percent year on year in the province last year, according to estimates. Zhejiang saw exports grow 11 percent to countries along the Belt and Road. The city of Yiwu in Zhejiang sent 528 cargo trains to Europe in 2019, up 65 percent year on year. Yiwu is home to the world's leading small commodities market. The nation's top business lobby group has defended its stance on climate change amid fresh signs of discontent within the corporate sector over Australia's approach to reducing carbon emissions. "We absolutely reject any suggestion that we have been anything but proactive and constructive on climate and energy policy," the influential Business Council of Australia said in a statement on Tuesday. "If we are to provide affordable and reliable energy and reduce emissions we all need to work together." The leading industry body for corporate Australia is facing pressure to commit to a more progressive climate policy. Credit:Getty The statement came after billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes lashed out at the BCA, which represents some of the nation's largest companies, labelling it a "strongly regressive force" on climate change issues. Australia's approach to dealing with climate change has moved into focus this week after Prime Minister Scott Morrison signalled his government could change its approach to emissions policy amid the bushfire crisis. However, Mr Morrison has ruled lifting emissions targets or introducing a carbon tax. The body of an unidentified woman has been found floating in a river in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Tuesday. The deceased, believed to be in the age group of 25 to 30 years, had strangulation marks and her hands were tied with a 'dupatta' (a long piece of cloth worn around neck), an official at Kalyan rural police station said. A passer-by spotted the body in Ulhas river at Kulgaon on Monday and alerted the police, the official said, adding that they suspect it to a case of murder. The body was sent for postmortem and hunt for the killers was on, he said. A case was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Office space within the Katy Planned Development District will serve as home to Bethany Worship Center-Katy. Katy City Council approved on Jan. 13 a special-use permit for the church to use 3,100 square feet at 25311 Kingsland Blvd, Suite 115. City Council accepted a Dec. 17 recommendation from the planning and zoning commission to approve the special-use permit. Pastor Matthew S. Miller told city council that the church formed in 2014 had outgrown its space at 121 FM 1463 Road. Our vision is to love God, live like Jesus and help others do the same, he said. Miller said the church has been an active member of the Katy community. It has held conversations with several businesses in the area and is looking to do some partnerships, he added. In a letter to the planning and zoning commission, he wrote that the Kingsland Boulevard site will be used for weekly nondenominational church services, Bible study and church offices. Bible study meets at 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Sunday morning services begin at 10 a.m. Current membership is about 45, he said. karen.zurawski@chron.com A Denver couple is fighting to cure to their toddler son's genetic disorder, which is so rare it doesn't have a name. Twins Maxwell and Riley Freed were born in March 2017 after their parents, Mark and Amber, went through two years of IVF treatments. The new parents quickly noticed that the siblings weren't developing at the same pace - Maxwell would hardly use his hands while Riley always reached for her toys, CNBC reported. But the Freeds' suspicions could never have prepared them for his diagnosis. Maxwell, now two, was suffering from a disease that causes speech and intellectual disabilities. It's so rare that hit has no official name and is and only known by the gene it affects: SLC6A1. Within a year, the toddler could begin to suffer from severe seizures that will cause him to regress, so the family is desperate to get a clinical trial started that may help lead to a cure - if they can raise $7million for a custom gene therapy. Maxwell Freed, two (left and right), from Denver, Colorado, and his twin sister, Riley, were born in March 2017. The twins's parents noticed Maxwell wasn't developing at the same pace as Riley and had him undergo genetic testing At age one, Maxwell was diagnosed with a rare disorder that only affects 34 known people in the world that has no name. Pictured: Maxwell (second from left) and Riley (far right) with their parents, Amber and Mark When his mother, Amber, learned about how the disorder, had no name, she says she was stunned. 'I just remember thinking that that wasn't the name of a disease. It was the name of a flight number,' she told CNBC. 'I could not understand what my perfect, beautiful little baby boy had, and neither could the doctors.' Not much is known about the disease, but it's caused from one copy of the gene SLC6A1 not working properly. Sufferers have trouble moving and experience speech difficulties, behavioral problems and mild to severe intellectual disabilities. Around three-and-a-half years old, Maxwell will likely develop a debilitating form of epilepsy and start to regress, according to the family's website. Only 34 cases have been documented in medical literature, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. There is no cure, and treatment focuses on treating symptoms with a combination of therapy and anti-epileptic drugs. Amber quit her job the day her son was diagnosed and decided she was going to devote her time to convincing scientists to help her find a cure, reported CNBC. The disorder is only known by the gene it affects, SLC6A1, and it causes serious speech, motor and intellectual disabilities and the symptoms are already evident in Maxwell. Around age three-and-a-half he will likely develop a severe form of epilepsy and experience regression. Pictured: Maxwell, left, and right, with his mother His parents are raising money to fund research for genetic replacement therapy and a clinical trial, which could cost as much as $7million. Pictured: Maxwell (right) with his twin sister, Riley She reached out to 140 medical experts and created a GoFundMe page that has raised $703,502 so far to fund research for gene replacement therapy. The therapy involves replacing the defective gene with a copy of the gene that works in the hopes of improving symptoms and potentially curing patients. Research will cost about $1 million and then it will cost between $4 million and $7 million to start a clinical trial, according to Fox 31 Denver. The Freeds have teamed up with Dr Steven Gray at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for the research and fund raising. Amber said that Dr Gray's team told her that even if she manages to get a clinical trial up and running, there's no assurance Maxwell be accepted into it. 'The University of Texas Southwestern was very straightforward upfront that you may not be doing this for Maxwell,' she told CNBC. 'There's a chance this may not be done in time for him, that you're doing it for every child that comes after him. And I lived with that fear and uncertainty for a very long time. 'And I understand and the way I make peace with it is thinking that there's no greater legacy in the world and doing the best you can to really impact a multitude of little lives. The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on January 14 upheld the fine of over Rs 2,423 crore levied by markets regulator Sebi on four directors of PACL Ltd for illegal fund mobilisation through various schemes from public. The order comes following appeals filed by the company and its directors against an order passed by Sebi in September 2017, which imposed a penalty of Rs 2,423.16 crore on them. The company and its directors had mobilised funds to the tune of over Rs 2,686 crore by running unregistered collective investment schemes between 2013 and 2014. Passing the order, the tribunal said "in our view, the collection so made by the appellants and the other entities was wholly illegal and the decision of the AO (adjudicating officer) that the amount so collected under the collective investment scheme is the illegal profit earned by the appellants and other entities does not suffer from any manifest error of law. The total amount of realisation made by the company and its directors amounts to illegal profits made by them." "We are of the opinion that it is no longer open to the appellants to agitate the matter as the same has been decided by Sebi which order has been affirmed by this tribunal," it added. The tribunal further noted that the amount mobilised during the period from September 2013 to June 2014 has not been refunded to the investors. The regulator in September 2017 slapped a penalty of over Rs 2,423 crore to be paid jointly and severally by the directors of the firm -- Tarlochan Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Subrata Bhattacharya -- for violating provisions of the Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) Regulations. PACL was engaged in mobilising funds from the general public by sponsoring various schemes which were none other than collective investment schemes and which were being carried out without obtaining a registration from Sebi as required under the regulatory norms. Investors are always on the lookout for stocks poised to deliver hefty returns. While its true anyone can measure a stocks potential by themselves, as in any field, the pros probably have the best tools at hand to assess the choices the market presents. This is where we turn to the analysts on the Street. Some of the best amongst them are currently employed by famed investment firm RBC Capital, as the company sits at the top of the heap of TipRanks Top Performing Research Firms. The company, like many in the industry, begins a new year by reassessing the future potential of stocks under its coverage. With this in mind, we decided to take a look at three tickers the investment firm thinks have the potential to take off in 2020. All currently have Buy consensus ratings from the Street and all, according to RBC analysts, have the potential for gains in the magnitude of at least 25% in the year ahead. Lets check them out. Constellation Brands (STZ) Cannabis stocks took a heavy beating in 2019, with some companies losing a significant amount of value along the way (Tilray, Aurora and Cronos come to mind). Though not strictly a cannabis stock, with its main business driven by the alcoholic beverage industry, Constellations massive investment in Canopy Growth, which boasts the largest market cap among Canadian cannabis producers, has positioned it at the forefront of the struggling pot industry. Despite Canopys plethora of struggles last year (consecutive quarters of disappointing results, CEO Bruce Linton being removed and replaced with a Constellation appointment), Constellations recent F3Q20 report beat expectations on most fronts. Sales of $2 billion beat the estimates $1.95 billion. More impressively, EPS came in at $2.14, beating the consensuss call of $1.84. The most cheer was provided by the companys beer business, with Constellations Modelo Especial brand up by almost 15%, and cementing itself as the fourth-largest beer brand in the US. The company also raised its guidance of EPS for the whole year, too, from $9-$9.20 up to $9.45-$9.55. Story continues The positive print has RBCs Nik Modi betting on STZ. Modi reiterated an Outperform rating on the stock alongside a price target of $250, which implies 32% upside potential from current levels. (To watch Modis track record, click here) The 5-star analyst said, The beer business is fine and should benefit from the Corona Seltzer launch (expected beginning of FY'21 - March 2020). W&S remains messy due to the divestiture, but there are some green shoots that suggest the portfolio will be in a better place post-divestiture. Canopy is still an overhang, but with David Klein in place, we think costs will come under control. All in all, a lot of noise, but we are nearing visibility into 2021 earnings power. The Street is currently split down the middle with regards to the alcohol producers prospects. 6 Buys and 6 Hold ratings coalesce into a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The bulls, though, have the edge as the average price target comes in at $223 and indicates potential gains of 18% over the coming months. (See Constellation Brands stock analysis on TipRanks) Nutrien Ltd (NTR) A big name in the agricultural industry, Nutrien was formed in January 2018 following the huge merger of Agrium and PotashCorp. The company is the worlds largest agricultural input retailer and fertilizer producer. Technological advancements are an increasingly important growth catalyst in many different industries, and the agricultural sector is no different. Nutrien has been maneuvering itself into a leading position in what is known as digital agriculture. The companys digital platform was launched almost 2 years ago and provides farmers with data on climate and weather conditions to assist in the process of planting, fertilizing and harvesting. The platform met with immediate success and it took only 6 months from its launch for more than 50% of the companys North American retail sales customers to start making use of it. Nutrien has also been busy on the acquisition front, the latest of which was only announced last week. The company agreed to purchase Brazilian Ag retailer Agrosema Comercial Agricola, an important player in the Brazilian agricultural industry. The purchase comes hot on the heels of several other acquisitions since the launch of its digital platform and RBCs Andrew Wong thinks there is more to come. The analyst said, We believe the company will continue the roll-up strategy in North America, spending ~$300500M annually on accretive acquisitions. In Brazil, we expect Nutrien to gradually build up a base through acquisitions that may be priced above typical valuations (due to less natural synergies), but eventually build a business model similar to the highly successful North American business. The Wholesale segment is working on several cost savings and expansion projects that should result in lower potash production costs and higher nitrogen volumes. To this end, Wong kept his bullish call on Nutrien with an Outperform rating and price target of $60. The figure represents potential gains in the shape of 27%. (To watch Wongs track record, click here) What side of the field does the Street stand on regarding the fertilizer producers potential, then? On the growing side, as it happens. A Strong Buy consensus rating breaks down into 6 Buys and 2 Holds. The average price target comes in at $56.60 and therefore indicates room for growth of another 20%. (See Nutrien stock analysis on TipRanks) Mosaic Co (MOS) A fellow giant in the agricultural industry is the USs largest producer of potash and phosphate fertilizer, the Mosaic Company. Mosaic had a difficult 2019 with its share price losing almost 25% over the year. Slipping margins, bad weather and the effect of the US and China trade war all played their part in suppressing the share price. The recent easing of the trading tensions saw Mosaics stock climb out of the doldrums in December; China is one of the companys biggest markets and its willingness to buy more US agricultural products is a part of the phase one trade deal, and could provide a boon for US fertilizer producers. Like Nutrien, Mosaic has also been busy in Brazil; in 2018, the company acquired Vales Brazil-based phosphate and potash business. By the end of last year it had run-rate synergies of $275 million, with the company targeting a further $200 million EBITDA benefit from the business by the end of 2022. Despite a disappointing 2019, Andrew Wong, who also covers MOS, believes the phosphate markets are close to bottoming." The analyst further added, Mosaic provides strong leverage to the potash and phosphate markets, and we believe it would be an ideal investment in a commodity upside scenario. The acquisition of production and distribution assets in Brazil further enhances the companys exposure to the fastest-growing agriculture market and provides significant synergy potential. With this in mind, Wong reiterates an Outperform rating on the potash producer, along with a $26 price target, which implies possible upside of 26%. With 6 Buys, 1 Hold and 1 Sell, Mosiac receives a Moderate Buy consensus rating from the Street. If the average price target of $24.13 can be met, investors stand to pocket a 17% over the next 12 months. (See Mosaic stock analysis on TipRanks) A former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani, has again written to the EFCC on his detention over an alleged involvement in extortion and name-dropping. Mr Sani accused the government and the EFCC of conniving with his accuser to write a statement against him. He said the statement was purposely crafted, concocted and packaged, according to a report by Sahara Reporters on Monday. He added that, If the consortium of the government, EFCC and my accuser have any evidence in form of audio, video, cheque, draft or money transfer for their spurious, fabricated bribe, they should make it public by publishing it instead of issuing statements. I strongly, boldly, unambiguously, and explicitly maintain, assent, affirm that the allegations against me are cotton of lies officially drenched in the pool of their dreams to reflect and portray a fake colour of graft. Mr Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the last Senate, was arrested in December 2019 for allegedly collecting $25,000 in the name of the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu. The former senator has denied the allegation and described his detention as unfair, unjust, prearranged and politically motivated. The EFCC on January 2 obtained a court order to detain him for 14 days without trial. PREMIUM TIMES also reported how operatives of the EFCC, last Wednesday, searched the Abuja residences and office of the activist turned lawmaker. In his statement on Sunday, an aide to the detained senator, Suleiman Ahmed, also alleged that his principals bank account were frozen by the EFCC. He said the action was discovered after Mr Sani family tried to access the account, as is the norm, (but) were prevented from doing so since last week. The EFCC responded to Mr Sanis rebuttals on Saturday, saying the ex-lawmaker had a case to answer. The agency also dismissed claims that the former senator is being prosecuted because he is a known critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Sani speaks again But in his latest letter, Mr Sani said: his accuser was manipulated on what to write by the EFCC. He added that the commission was acting as a puppeteer. The EFCC has not behaved as investigators. They are behaving as puppeteers and partners of my self-acclaimed accusers, he said. They vendor his lies, peddle his falsehood and hawk his fabrications while suppressing the content of my statement and proofs. He added, my accuser was guided and directed by the EFCC investigations on what to write. My accuser was manipulated and guided by a lady in the legal department of the EFCC on what to write. The government, the EFCC and my accuser are partners in concoctions and companions in fabrications. The owl in the logo of the EFCC is sick and suffers from myopia. Graft cannot be defeated when lies are grafted. They have no case against me but they have a cage to throw me in. When contacted, the acting spokesperson to the EFCC, Tony Orilade, dismissed allegations. What the commission has done so far with respect of the investigation of Senator Shehu Sani is within the ambit of the law. It is in line with international best practices, Mr Orilade said. The initial and understandable impulse is to cheer the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's declaration of independence from the racist British press, from the suffocating rituals of "senior royal" life, from the fickleness of English weather. But we shouldn't fool ourselves: This latest fracture within the House of Windsor is the continuation of a very sad story of family dysfunction, made even sadder by its contrast with the ideals the royal family is meant to represent. The announcement may have been a striking pre-emptive move, with Prince Harry reportedly defying the explicit instructions of his grandmother the queen not to announce that he and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, would "step back" from royal life. Yet this is hardly the most dramatic rupture the family has suffered. Queen Elizabeth II is on the throne precisely because of such a rift: Her father became king after her uncle abdicated the throne to marry a divorced woman and went into exile. Three of the queen's four children have subsequently divorced themselves, one in breathtakingly acrimonious fashion. The Sussexes' bombshell is nothing compared with the late Princess Diana's confessional collaborations with the journalists Andrew Morton and Martin Bashir, undertaken in an effort to get first Prince Charles and her in-laws, and then the British public, to understand her pain. Maybe this constant state of royal breakdown is understandable. The House of Windsor is spectacularly privileged, but its members are also under tremendous pressure. Those of us on the outside might sigh over the decor and imagine what we might do with 20 million pounds a year (about $26 million). But I'm not sure most of us could name the actual salary we'd like to be paid for surrendering our personalities, performing an endless array of ceremonial but crushingly dull appearances, and doing it all while submitting to pantyhose (the female royals) and exhaustingly personal media criticism (both genders, but it's worse for the women) every day. Can you imagine being told by your mother that no one actually cares about you as an individual, as Queen Elizabeth II does to Prince Charles in this season of Netflix's "The Crown," a show that may be fictionalized but is deeply rooted in fact? What would you have to be paid if you knew you were going to have to fight a years-long struggle to get your family to acknowledge your bulimia and other mental health issues, as Diana did in real life? The idea that Meghan Markle was going to transform the Windsors into a breezily diverse, egalitarian bunch by marrying into the family was always more aspirational than reasonable, a white dress and tiara acting as camouflage for the futility of it all. A surface reading might present Harry's desire to break away from the parts of royal life he finds stultifying as a victory his mother could have been proud of. But, as Tina Brown noted in "The Diana Chronicles," Diana's definition of victory was not always reliable. "She thought this deafening public scream would solve the matter once and for all," Brown wrote of Diana's decision to collaborate with Morton on a tell-all book. "It was her pattern, the belief that a single volcanic act could fix everything." So far, Harry's story has a happier ending than his mother's. He is stepping back as a senior royal with his marriage intact. He and his wife do appear to have some plan for the days to come, or at least a new website with a Frequently Asked Questions section. And yet there are certain chilly echoes between Diana's defenestration from the royal family and the departure of her younger son. When Diana announced that she had agreed to a divorce from the Prince of Wales, Buckingham Palace declared frostily that "this will take time." This time around, there was perhaps a hint less condescension in the official statement that "We understand (the Sussexes') desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through." That hint of steel should be a caution to anyone who is busily revising Harry and Meghan's escape into a modern fairy tale, one in which the duchess rescues the prince and carries him off to a happily-ever-after in Canada. The thing about riding off into the sunset is that, depending on the terms of your departure, it means leaving your once-beloved brother, father and grandmother behind. The folly would be in forgetting what kind of story this is, and refusing to see that another word for "drama" is "pain." Ukraine Seeks To Shrink Underground Economy, Takes On Illegal Gambling, Other Sectors January 13, 2020 Ukraine is cracking down on illegal gambling and logging and fraudulent gas stations in a bid to reduce the size of the country's shadow economy. Speaking at a meeting with the heads of the country's 24 regions over the weekend, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said the year 2020 "will be the year of the uncloaking of the Ukrainian economy." He noted that in the last two weeks, police had shuttered 900 illicit gambling dens. He said about half of the gas stations police inspected -- 707 -- were not paying fuel taxes. A digital record of all cut timber is set to be placed in a centralized digital registry by February 1, Honcharuk said. The Economic Development and Trade Ministry estimates that 33 percent of Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) is in the shadows. Some economists say the figure is higher and makes up about 40 percent of the economy. In monetary terms, Ukraine's economic output last year equaled $155 billion, Kyiv-based investment bank Dragon Capital estimates. Based on reporting by Ukraine Business News Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-seeks-to- shrink-underground-economy-takes-on-illegal- gambling-other-sectors/30374012.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 Former Kakao Bank co-CEO Lee Yong-woo, left, sits with the other co-CEO Yun Ho-young, at a press conference held July 26, 2018, marking the one year anniversary of the bank's launch at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul. / Korea Times file By Kim Bo-eun The decision by Kakao Bank's co-CEO Lee Yong-woo to leave the internet lender and run in the general election has brought about a change in the bank's leadership. Lee served as co-chief along with Yun Ho-young since 2015 when Kakao was preparing to launch the bank. He joined the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, Sunday, ahead of the elections slated for April. Yun is set to serve as the sole CEO for the time being, while Kakao Bank decides on whether it will fill Lee's position. "We will have to draw up a committee if we decide to keep the co-leadership system and matters will be decided from then onward," a Kakao Bank official said Tuesday. A decision will likely be made by the general shareholders' meeting to be held in March. Attention is growing over the bank's leadership, as 2020 will likely be an important year for the bank, which has plans to go public in the latter half. It is set to accelerate its business this year, after earning a surplus and securing over 10 million users in 2019. Lee was the finance expert among the two chiefs, having worked for 30 years in the sector. He began his career as a researcher at the Hyundai Research Institute in 1992 and entered the finance sector when he joined Dongwon Securities in 2002. He was in charge of strategy at Korea Investment Holdings and headed investment divisions at Korea Investment and Securities. He was chief investment officer at Korea Investment Management before moving to Kakao Bank as co-CEO in 2016. Yun began his career at an insurer but moved to the internet company Daum later taken over by Kakao. Yun and Lee were serving their second term which began in January last year. Yun's term will end in January 2021. With Lee's departure, the bank's ties to Korea Investment Holdings appear to have loosened to some extent. The holdings company was the largest shareholder of the bank, but this changed in November, when Kakao became the largest shareholder. Meanwhile, Lee drew attention for having given up stock options that are likely to have reaped huge profits with Kakao Bank's scheduled IPO. Kakao is one of the two internet-only banks here. The other is K bank, which continues to struggle due to its lack of capital. It is seeking to change its majority shareholder to the telecommunications giant KT, but faces a regulatory hurdle, due to allegations that KT violated the Fair Trade Act. K bank's chief Shim Sung-hoon's term was recently extended for another three months through March. The country's first plug-in hybrid from a mainstream automaker will land here by late 2020. Now, MMPC didn't say exactly when in late 2020, at least we're certain that it will, indeed, be officially sold here. If the car looks familiar, that's because MMPC has actually been touring the car in local motorshows. It could even be said that this launch was years in the making. Mitsubishi is heading for a green revolution not just abroad but also here too. That's because Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has announced that the Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is coming to the Philippines. The best part is, they've also announced when it's coming here. Specs? The Outlander gets power from a gas-fed, Atkinson Cycle 2.4-liter MIVEC engine and a pair electric motors mated to a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The gas engine itself makes 135 PS while the electric motor at the front and rear put out 82 PS and 95 PS accordingly. Combined power isn't rated but do note that computing for the total output of a hybrid isn't just adding all the numbers up. Its all-wheel drive system is composed of an electro-mechanical system that activates the rear motor when slip is detected. Plus, there's a generator up front and an electric motor control unit at the back to keep power shifting seamlessly between front and rear wheels. The battery is then mounted on the center floor of the chassis. On to the subject of fuel consumption, Mitsubishi Motors says the Outlander PHEV can do up to 55.5 kilometers per liter. In more real-world conditions, it can do over 15 kilometers per liter according to the Mitsubishi Motors Japan website. As it is a plug-in hybrid, you can either charge up the batteries yourself or let the car's generator regenerate energy automatically. You can also put the crossover in pure EV (electric) mode and, if fully charged, it can travel almost 60 kilometers without the gas engine ever being used. You're probably curious how much it is. That's one thing MMPC hasn't mentioned just yet. We won't speculate on pricing but we're pegging it's much more within reach for most thanks to the incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles. A western suburbs property manager has appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court charged with demanding money from a married businessman she had slept with. Peppermint Grove property manager Rachel Roche. Credit:Nine News Rachel Lorraine Roche, 38, allegedly demanded $150,000 to the man in writing, threatening to tell his wife about the affair if he didn't comply. The identity of the man, believed to be 50 years old, was suppressed after Magistrate Mark Millington ordered the court to be cleared and refused to hear a submission from Nine News. In 2014, Ms Roche was embroiled in a Victorian Supreme Court case that saw the contents of letters she had suppressed. It is an honor to partner with EMS World and to be given a blank canvas to create and deliver evidence-based, critical care education in dynamic and thought-provoking ways within EMSWORLDs vast delivery platforms. HMP Global, a leading healthcare event and education company and owner of the EMS World brand, today announced a new content partnership with FlightBridgeED, a medical education company that specializes in providing pre-hospital, critical care, and emergency medicine education for healthcare professionals. As part of the agreement, FlightBridgeED will develop specialized educational content, including a Critical Care track, for the annual EMS World Expo, the largest pre-hospital event in the world, as well as throughout the year via the EMS World brands website and monthly magazine. Education will focus on practical and insightful content in all phases of pre-hospital emergency medical services. It is an honor to partner with EMS World and to be given a blank canvas to create and deliver evidence-based, critical care education in dynamic and thought-provoking ways within EMSWORLDs vast delivery platforms, said Eric Bauer, CEO, FlightBridgeED. We are looking forward to our partnership with FlightBridgeED, said Joshua D. Hartman, MBA, NRP, senior vice president of cardiovascular and public safety, HMP Global. FlightBridgeED brings a new, elevated, level of education to EMS Worlds critical care provider audience. We are excited to bring the experience and expertise of the FlightBridgeED team to the EMS World brand. The 2020 EMS World Expo will take place September 14-18, in Las Vegas. About HMP Global HMP Global is the force behind Healthcare Made Practicaland is a multichannel leader in healthcare events and education, with a mission to improve patient care. The company produces accredited medical education events and clinically relevant, evidence-based content for the global healthcare community across a range of therapeutic areas. Its brands include Consultant360, the year-round, award-winning platform relied upon by primary care providers and other specialists; Psych Congress, the largest independent mental health meeting in the U.S.; EMS World Expo, the worlds largest EMS-dedicated event; and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpglobal.com. About EMS World As the largest EMS-dedicated event in the world, EMS World Expo, hosted in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), annually attracts more than 6,000 EMS professionals. EMS World Expo sets the standard in EMS education, offering the training professionals need to do their jobs today, with the progressive curriculum and technology that provides the solutions for tomorrow. EMS World also publishes the industrys only monthly magazine, EMS World, and has a suite of educational articles, webinars, and podcasts on its website, emsworld.com. About FlightBridgeED, LLC FlightBridgeED, LLC is a medical education company that specializes in providing pre-hospital, critical care, and emergency medicine education for healthcare professionals of all types. Established in 2012, FlightBridgeED, LLC began with the initial release of episode 1 of The FlightBridgeED podcast. From that first podcast, our education team began developing a set of educational tools designed to help our community of students successfully pass their advanced certification exams. We believe that the foundation of our company and our industry future is you. To learn more, visit flightbridgeed.com. The Seventh Meeting of the Working Group on the Comprehensive Review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (WGRKC) was held from 9 to -13 December 2019 at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, with the attendance of 42 delegates from 19 Member Customs administrations and 7 external stakeholders. Ms. Ana B. Hinojosa, Director of the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate of WCO, delivered opening remarks. She presented the discussions on the RKC at the 21st RKC/MC Meeting (in November 2019) and the 82nd Session of Policy Commission (in December 2019) as well as other intersessional developments since the 6th WGRKC Meeting. She encouraged delegates to discuss the process flow, as an option, to find out the way forward for the WGRKC. As tasked by the 21st Meeting of the RKC Management Committee (RKC/MC), the WGRKC extensively discussed items relating to the process flow, such as the "Four-step Framework" for the review, including: Step 1 - submission of proposals and development of recommendations; Step 2 - assessment of developed recommendations against the RKC and existing WCO tools; Step 3 - consideration of developed recommendations against criteria; and Step 4 - development of amendment proposals. The meeting also agreed on the working methodologies, the new work plan, criteria for prioritizing the proposals, and prioritization of concepts/proposals to test the use of developed criteria. The Meeting concluded that one more meeting of the WGRKC to be held from 30 March to 3 April 2020, would be necessary to finalize Step 1. The majority of the WGRKC agreed that in principle Steps 2, 3 and 4 should be conducted by the RKC/MC, taking note of the concerns raised by some Members on required human and financial resources for the RKC/MC to conduct this review work. In the margins of the WGRKC, informal meetings on Rules of Origin (ROO) were held to further develop the joint proposal on Specific Annex K (Rules of Origin), which would be discussed in a back-to-back meeting with the 38th Session of the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (3-4 February 2020). The proceedings of the WGRKC will depend on discussions and decisions at the next RKC/MC Meeting to be held on 10-12 February 2020, the Chairperson concluded at the closing of the Meeting. New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday clarified that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh, who was arrested a few days ago, have not been awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). "It is to clarify that Dysp Davinder Singh is not awarded any Gallantry or Meritorious Medal by MHA as has been reported by some media outlets/persons. Only gallantry medal awarded to him during his service is by the erstwhile J&K State on Independence Day 2018," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet. "For his Participation in countering a Fidayeen Attack by Terrorists at District Police Lines Pulwahma on 25/26 Aug 2017 when he was posted there as DySP District Police Lines Pulwama. Media persons are advised to avoid speculative stories not based on facts," it continued. The force said it is known for its professionalism and doesn't spare anyone "including its own cadre if found involved in any unlawful act or unbecoming conduct." "We have done it in the past in many cases and now in this particular case where it has caught its own officer on its own input and action and would continue to abide by our code of conduct and the Law of the Land which is same for everyone," the Police said. The Police said a special investigation team is handling the interrogation of the "arrested accused officer and the terrorists which would probe his criminal conduct in the instant case and his involvement in any such criminal acts in the past." On January 12, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that during an operation in Sophian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants. Vijay Kumar, Inspector General (IG) of Police had said, "Yesterday, during an operation in Sophian, one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants, while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the National Highway."(ANI) A week doesn't go by without a virtue-signaling leftist pundit repeating the debunked canard that President Donald Trump referred to the KKK and white supremacists in Charlottesville as "very fine people." The truth is that he was referring to people who were asserting their First Amendment rights (both for and against) regarding the controversial removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in that city. Many decent people are concerned about the banishment of certain politically incorrect historical figures into an Orwellian memory hole. That in no way makes these folks "white nationalists". On the other hand, many Democrats and self-described progressives have equated the terror-funding regime in Iran with very fine people in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike. It's usually couched in weasel language such as "he was a bad guy, but..." However, some in the Hollywood left don't include "he was a bad guy' before launching their attacks on President Trump and our military. Michael Moore went as far as apologizing to Iran for the attack. Moore even took the additional step of writing the apology in the Farsi language to save the mullahs the inconvenience of translating it. Here is the English translation: "Sir, I deeply regret the violence on our behalf by a man that most Americans have never voted for. Avoid power. A sincere man, Michael Moore, an American citizen." How touching, Another uneducated limited-talent useful idiot, Rose McGowan, also weighed in. She tweeted out this gem: Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimani Rose, do you really think you'd enjoy wearing a full burka if the Iranian regime could impose its will on the rest of the world's women? Be careful what you wish for. I suspect you'd be lashed in a village square (or worse) for your lifestyle, which the Iranian radical imams consider immoral and an affront to Allah. The Democrats' Hollywood proxies are saying things that the most radical of the Dem elected officials can only dream of saying publicly regarding radical extremists in Iran. This is the left's "very fine people" moment. Unlike their false characterization of Trump's Charlottesville statement, progressives are demonstrably sympathetic to the Iranian regime. Should the Democrats retain the House and gain the Senate and presidency, we can expect a return to the Obama-era policies of appeasement with respect to Iran and other despots around the globe. As Democrats give aid and comfort to the enemies of the U.S. through their unbridled contempt for Trump, the president needs to hit them hard by using the "very fine people" phrase against them. I suggest that "very fine people" should become the tagline of a 30-second campaign spot for the Trump campaign. In the ad, prominent Democrats are juxtaposed with the despots they have supported over the years, with the Dems' insane words superimposed over the images. That would be very fine, indeed. Michael A. Bertolone, M.S. is a freelance writer in Rochester, N.Y. Former Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama has reacted to the news of Prince Harry and Megan Markle deciding to step down from their positions. Taking to her page, Victoria gushed over the couple and their decision, picking their marriage over everything. She spoke on marriages in this generation, saying many are just about the sensational proposal and not the marriage itself. Read Also: Actress Victoria Inyama Lambasts Troll Who Claimed She Slept With RMD In her words; My love for you is a zillion uncountable folds my Prince & Princess @sussexroyal A true Prince.. Many do not understand what marriage is.. Marriage is between 2 People Not Family..Not Fans..Not Social media.. This Generation is all about sensational proposals. Over d top weddings between 2 strangers that cannot even make any sacrifices for d other Its embarrassing especially as majority of our African men due to a patriarchal culture orders that his wife must Worship & Obey..Even if d wife is being bullied by his sisters/family members.. I Proudly & Openly Applaud A Prince who wants to be Real. Being Real is an asset we have lost due to Social media. Too many Fakes faking a lifestyle they eat shit to maintain. Love over All.Money/Fame/. This research adds to the growing body of literature on the effects of prenatal use of marijuana on fetal and child development, said Dr. Paul Romitti, a senior author of the study and professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa. With marijuana use being legalized in more states, the potential for use among women who are pregnant or not aware that they are pregnant has increased. South Africa: Over 2 000 firearms surrendered to SAPS Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged gun owners to take advantage of governments firearms amnesty programme and surrender unwanted weapons before May this year. The Minister made the remarks at Linden police station in Johannesburg, where an arms dealer parted with 298 such weapons. Cele said since the amnesty began in December 2019, a total of 2 266 firearms have been surrendered to police stations across the country. Gauteng province leads the pack with 527 firearms surrendered to date. Hot on its heels is the Western Cape with 514, KwaZulu-Natal (309) and Limpopo (252). The Eastern Cape (189) Mpumalanga (173), Free State (163) Northern Cape (48) and the North West (91) follow in descending order. A total of 31 382 rounds of ammunition is now in police hands. To say that the firearm amnesty period has kicked off on a good note would be an understatement. These numbers keep on growing daily, Cele said. This, he said, is a clear indication that South Africans are heeding the call to take part in the amnesty and get illegal and unwanted firearms off the streets. We want to assure the public that we have strengthened our systems to ensure the safe keeping of all submitted firearms. This will continue beyond the amnesty period. Cele described the dealer, who surrendered 298 weapons, as one of thousands of South Africans who have taken heed of the South African Police Service (SAPS) call to present themselves at various police stations and surrender their illegally possessed or unwanted firearms. The surrendered arms received will be subjected to ballistic testing, as will all arms handed over during the amnesty. It is important to note that during this amnesty period, there will be no indemnity for firearms handed over which have been used to commit crime, he said. Cele said a detective investigative team has been established to investigate cases of firearms linked to crimes. When the amnesty period ends, firearms will be audited for the purpose of destruction. While we as the SAPS are encouraged by these growing numbers, I am still calling on maximum participation. The Minister urged gun owners to turn the tide against crime alongside SAPS and take advantage of the amnesty period. When the amnesty period lapses in May, rest assured the law will be tough on those who persist on carrying guns that are not licensed. Zizojika izinto (things will change)! We, as SAPS, will continue to rid our communities of dangerous arms, while responding positively towards our service delivery agreement of ensuring that the people of South Africa are and feel safe, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump plans to divert an additional 7.2 billion USD in Pentagon funding for the construction of a border wall with Mexico, The Washington Post reported. According to the plans, the funding would give the government enough money to complete about 885 miles of new fencing by spring 2022. The Trump administration has completed 101 miles of new barriers so far, according to the latest figures. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Nearly six months after Viral Acharya resigned as the RBI deputy Governor, there is finally a replacement, on Tuesday the apex bank appointed Executive Director Micheal Patra to the post. Patra has been appointed for three years, according to a statement by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Patra replaced Acharya, who left office on July 23. Patra will take over as the fourth Deputy Governor at the Reserve Bank of India. He will likely take over the monetary policy portfolio handled by Acharya. He will also be in the all important monetary Policy Committee that takes decisions on the rate of interest. Patra was one of the candidates who was interviewed by the Finance Ministry panel that included Banking and Finance Secretary Rajeev Kumar and he appears to have steered clear of Prime Ministers' office as well. A career central banker who had applied for the post in 2017, Patra is among the rare insiders to be appointed to the post. The post has traditionally gone to an economist outside the central bank. Prior to Acharya, it was held by Urjit Patel, who was later elevated to the post of governor. Since Governor Shaktikanta Das took office in December, Patra has voted for three successive rate cuts. Aside from monetary stimulus, he also says that the economy needs fiscal support and has broadly been in line with the consensus when rate cuts or staus quo were maintained. Beauty influencers try out different cosmetic products at a Secret Key shop in Indonesia./ Courtesy of Zenpia Secret Key By Jung Hae-myoung Domestic K-beauty businesses are spreading into various regions, not only big markets such as China and the U.S. but also rising markets in Southeast Asia and Europe. Zenpia's Secret Key, a domestic cosmetic brand, is attracting customers from these regions as well as aiming to boost its presence in Russia and former Soviet-bloc countries. Starting with China, Secret Key has been setting up overseas affiliates since 2012, and has made a quite successful foray. One of the keys to success was its exporting strategy based on an extensive analysis of target customers. Secret Key is promoting its "Snail Repairing" and "Racoony Hydrogel Patch" products for customers in the former Soviet-bloc countries as customers there are known to have a greater preference for cosmetic products that combat dehydration and repair skin elasticity because of the region's low temperatures and dry environment. For customers in Southeast Asia who are known to seek clear and shiny skin, it promoted its "Snow White" line and "Starting Treatment" products. In Europe it focused on cleansing products such as "Lemon Sparkling Cleansing" line and "Dr. Agera Hyalluron acid ampoule." Global marketing is also another key to Secret Key's consistent rise. As Indonesia is active in influencer marketing, the company has been actively focusing on such a strategy, by signing an exclusive contract with partners that own an online influencer agency in Indonesia. "Currently, Korean culture in general has a very good image all over the world with Korean dramas and K-pop. However there are not many Korean cosmetic brands that have officially launched in other countries," the official at Secret Key said. "When considering a new market, growth potential is very important, and Russia was the bridgehead for both Europe and Asia, where people also showed a great interest in K-beauty." K-beauty companies have been pioneering new markets since the second half of last year in order to overcome the economic downturn in Korea and uncertainty in the future Chinese market. The leading cosmetics companies said the export scale of the domestic beauty business has increased by 34.9 percent per year, from $18 million in 2014 to $63 million in 2018. Mayor Brian Bowman reiterated support on Tuesday for a national handgun ban, but wouldn't say whether Winnipeg will consider enacting a municipal ban of its own, if given the chance. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Mayor Brian Bowman reiterated support on Tuesday for a national handgun ban, but wouldn't say whether Winnipeg will consider enacting a municipal ban of its own, if given the chance. The federal Liberal government ran on an election promise to impose a national handgun ban, but more recently, the Liberals have been advocating to give municipalities the tools to create their own bans rather than outlaw handguns nationwide. "Ive expressed my concern about having a piecemeal approach. I think that (a handgun ban) would be more effective if it were national, but that being said, well work collaboratively with the federal government as we see the details of their plan," Bowman said. The mayor dodged a question about whether a city-wide handgun ban would be feasible, repeating he wants to hear more details from Ottawa before discussing next policy steps. On Monday, Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), who chairs the city's protection committee, called for a national handgun ban after gun violence killed a man and injured two more Sunday near the Windsor Hotel. In response, a spokesperson from the office of Public Safety Minister Bill Blair told the Free Press: "Different cities will have different needs," but wouldnt specify a timeline on when Blair intends to put forward relevant legislation or regulations. Spokeswoman Brittany Perreault noted in an email Blair and Bowman have discussed the issue. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Though Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Rob Carver was adamant Monday a handgun ban wouldn't make "one iota" of difference to the threat level in the city, Bowman argued a ban is still worth considering. "There will be lots of opinions in the community, including from law enforcement, but also from other voices in our community that policy makers who make those decisions will obviously consider," he said. "These are decisions at this stage of federal Parliament and well await the decision of Parliament and how they plan to make good on that commitment." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in Winnipeg from Sunday to Tuesday on a retreat with his federal cabinet. Bowman doesn't have a meeting scheduled with Trudeau, and said he wasn't planning on requesting one, noting he corresponds "pretty regularly" with the prime minister. jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the newly appointed Ambassador of Iran Gholamabbas Arbab-Khales, Trend reports with reference to the State News Agency of Turkmenistan. The new Iranian ambassador presented his credentials to the Turkmen president. The sides expressed confidence in the ongoing development of relations of friendship and brotherhood between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Special attention at the meeting was paid to cooperation within the framework of authoritative international organizations, primarily the UN. A peer has faced criticism after waning that post-Brexit Britain could be "reminiscent" of Nazi Germany. Liberal Democrat Lord Greaves also claimed people were crying themselves to sleep at night over the UKs withdrawal from the EU, as he warned against triumphalistic behaviour. He made his comments as peers at Westminster started their line-by-line scrutiny of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, which will enable the UK to leave the EU on January 31. Lord Greaves said there were many people people in the country full of dismay and distress over the break with Brussels. Lord Greaves in the House of Lords / Parliament TV As some Conservative Tory peers signalled their dissent, he continued: People are crying when they go to sleep at night and when they wake up in the morning, and all they get from the unfeeling, hard-headed Tories is moans. They are feeling a sense of loss which is akin to bereavement and a grieving process has only just begun. Lord Greaves added: In these circumstances, triumphalistic behaviour, festivals of Brexit and all the rest will simply make things worse. The people who are feeling it worst are those citizens of the EU who live, work and take part in our communities. He went on: I am particularly concerned about what the Government is doing about prevention of discrimination in the transition period. I am fearful that on January 31 some things may happen in some places which could be reminiscent of things happening in Germany in the early 1930s. I am worried about this, because there is that sentiment amongst a hostile minority of the population. But challenging him, Brexit-supporting Labour peer Lord Grocott said: Hes just made a comparison, Im slightly reeling from it, between Britain on February 1 this year and Nazi Germany in 1933. Could he elaborate on that just a little bit, because that seems to me to be stretching the point just a bit? Responding, Lord Greaves said: Well, we will see. What we do know is that the day after the referendum people had their windows put in. People were abused in the street. Paint was daubed on peoples houses. Its that kind of thing I am talking about. I know of plenty of instances where people have been abused in the street and shouted at. He added: It happened immediately after the referendum and I am very worried indeed that on February 1 and 2 there will be a wave of this kind of thing. Police statistics show that the amount of racially-motivated offences has increased significantly since June 2016. I am not making it up. It is happening. Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford said: To compare January 31 to Nazi Germany, I think, is rather a step too far. But Lord Greaves said: I have not compared this country today with Nazi Germany and would not do so obviously, it would be ridiculous. What I am saying is that some of the conditions which exist in this country are similar to conditions which existed in Germany between the wars, before the Nazis came to power and took over. You can think thats right, you can think its wrong, but I believe that that is the case. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has used the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 to file a lawsuit, accusing her own city of a coordinated and racist conspiracy aimed at forcing her out of office. The Democrat became the city's first African American circuit attorney when she was elected in 2016 and accuses 'entrenched interests' of intentionally impeding her efforts to reform racist practices that have led to a loss of trust in the criminal justice system. Gardner claims the police union 'has gone out of its way to support white officers accused of perpetrating acts of violence and excessive force against African American citizens'. 'The Ku Klux Klan Act was adopted to address precisely this scenario: a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil rights of racial minorities by obstructing a government officials efforts to ensure equal justice under law for all,' the lawsuit states. But the union called the lawsuit filed Monday 'frivolous and without merit'. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Monday filed an unprecedented federal civil rights lawsuit, accusing officials of forcing her out of office The city's elected prosecutor is suing the city, the local police union and others, accusing them of a coordinated and racist conspiracy: 'The Ku Klux Klan Act was adopted to address precisely this scenario: a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil rights of racial minorities' Gardner cites numerous civil rights violations by the defendants, who are all white. In her lawsuit, Gardner cites St. Louis' 'long history of racial inequality and prejudice in its criminal justice system generally, and within its police force particularly.' She said she was elected to change that, but that the police union and others 'have mobilized to thwart these efforts'. The document mentions police union manager Jeff Roorda's support of Darren Wilson, the white officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black, in nearby Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. That killing touched off months of protests. Wilson was not charged with a crime and he later resigned. The lawsuit also cites how a black undercover officer was allegedly attacked by four white colleagues who mistook him for a protester during a 2017 demonstration in downtown St. Louis after a white officer was acquitted of killing a black suspect. The police union provided lawyers after the officers were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The lawsuit cites a watchdog group's report that identified several St. Louis officers accused of posting racist, violent or prejudiced messages on Facebook Two veteran officers were fired after the racist Facebook postings (pictured) became public The lawsuit cites a watchdog group's report last year that identified several St. Louis officers accused of posting racist, violent or prejudiced messages on Facebook. Some of the posts highlighted by The Plain View Project included one in 2014 showing a black officer standing with two black demonstrators, calling the officer 'Captain "Hug a Thug"' and 'a disgrace to the uniform'. Another post in 2018 read: 'If the Confederate flag is racist, then so is Black History Month.' Two veteran officers were fired after the Facebook postings became public. The lawsuit names the city of St. Louis, the St. Louis Police Officers Association, its business manager, Jeff Roorda, and Gerard Carmody, a special prosecutor who indicted an investigator hired by Gardner. She alleges 'the unprecedented appointment of a white, ethically conflicted Special Prosecutor' Cormody, was a bid to oust her. Carmody's appointment as special prosecutor is especially concerning to Gardner because of his lifelong friendship with Edward L. Dowd Jr., one of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' attorneys. The two went to school together and served in the same law practice. Gardner said her efforts to raise conflict-of-interest concerns were ignored. Gardner (May 5, 2017) says she was hired to correct the 'long history of racial inequality and prejudice in its criminal justice system but they mobilized to thwart that In 2018, when she hired a private investigator, former FBI agent William Tisaby, rather than working with police to investigate claims that Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman during an extra-marital affair. The governor investigation led to a felony invasion of privacy charge. Though the charge was eventually dropped, Greitens, a Republican, resigned in June 2018. Meanwhile, Greitens' attorneys accused Tisaby of perjury by lying during a deposition. Last June, Carmody indicted Tisaby for perjury. Tisaby denied wrongdoing and his case is still pending. The indictment also raised concerns about whether Gardner was complicit in Tisaby's alleged crimes, saying she failed to correct his inaccuracies or report them, and that she made incorrect statements to defense lawyers and a judge. She said she did nothing illegal or unethical. She was not indicted but the investigation is ongoing. Her new lawsuit also names Carmody's son and daughter, who helped in his investigation, in the case where a former police officer sued over Gardner's use of private attorneys related to Carmody's investigation. In this May 30, 2018, file photo, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner speaks at a news conference in St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis' top prosecutor has added 22 more names to a list of city police officers who are not allowed to bring cases to her office, after a national group accused the officers of posting racist and anti-Muslim comments on social media 'This is about the will of the people being silenced by a concerted effort to stop reform in the city of St. Louis, and this has to be addressed,' Gardner said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'This is saying, "No more are we going to let the powerful few who want to hold onto the status quo prevent an elected prosecutor from doing her job",' she said. Gardner said she believes the lawsuit is the first of it's kind and that she has the support of other progressive prosecutors. Her relationship with police was testy from the start of her role. Soon after taking office, she announced she would cease prosecutions of low-level marijuana crimes. In a statement the St. Louis police union called the lawsuit 'frivolous and without merit' Police union said: 'It should be noted that Gardner is scheduled to be deposed by special prosecutors this week in the criminal perjury case pending against her investigator William Tisaby. This is not a coincidence'. Pictured (May 14, 2018) In 2018, she developed an 'exclusion list' of more than two dozen police officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns. The move angered Police Chief John Hayden, who also is black, and drew a strong rebuke from many others, including Roorda, a former police officer and state legislator, who is white. The police union's Roorda called Gardner's lawsuit 'a frantic ploy to distract the public from Gardner's court ordered deposition on Wednesday' related to the probe into Tisaby's conduct. Police union manager Roorda said in a social media post: 'It should be noted that Gardner is scheduled to be deposed by special prosecutors this week in the criminal perjury case pending against her investigator William Tisaby. This is not a coincidence.' Roy Austin, a Washington-based lawyer for Gardner, said her legal fees are being covered by Mothers Against Police Brutality, a Dallas-based nonprofit founded by a woman whose son was shot and killed by Dallas police in 2013. A spokesman for Mayor Lyda Krewson declined comment. Messages left with Gerard Carmody were not immediately returned. (Alliance News) - United Oil & Gas PLC on Tuesday said it has extended a production sharing agreement with a Tullow Oil PLC subsidiary for the Walton Morant offshore asset in Jamaica. United, which has a 20% interest in Walton, said the initial exploration period agreement with Tullow Jamaica, which was due to expire on January 31, has been extended to July 31. The joint-venture, which Tullow has an 80% stake in, now must decide by July 31 whether it would "drill or drop" the asset. United Oil Chief Executive Brian Larkin said: "We are very pleased with the extension that has been granted. We have seen additional interest in the licence towards the end of 2019, and this extension will allow those parties to fully evaluate this excellent opportunity." At the Colibri prospect, located in the Walton Morant licence, United Oil said the joint-venture is hoping to bring in an additional partner for exploration drilling in 2021. The company added: "A number of interested parties are continuing their evaluations of the licence data, and the extension was granted to provide sufficient time for these to be completed. The extension does not require any additional work programme commitments." United Oil shares were 2.3% lower at 3.49 pence each in London on Tuesday afternoon. Tullow was trading 5.8% lower at 58.71p apiece. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So before you buy or sell Serco Group plc (LON:SRP), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Buying? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year. See our latest analysis for Serco Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Serco Group In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Chairman of the Board Roy Gardner bought UK70k worth of shares at a price of UK1.40 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is UK1.60. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider bought shares at close to current prices. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Roy Gardner. Roy Gardner purchased 100.00k shares over the year. The average price per share was UK1.34. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues LSE:SRP Recent Insider Trading, January 14th 2020 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership of Serco Group Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that Serco Group insiders own 0.5% of the company, worth about UK11m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. So What Do The Serco Group Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Serco Group shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders do have a stake in Serco Group and their transactions don't cause us concern. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. But note: Serco Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Jeffrey Epstein's former cellmate has called for an inquiry into the missing security footage from outside the cell he shared with the sex criminal. It comes after federal prosecutors claimed surveillance video taken outside of Epstein's cell during his first alleged suicide attempt at the Manhattan Correctional Complex was destroyed due to a record-keeping error. The lost footage was taken outside of the cell that Epstein shared with accused quadruple murderer Nick Tartaglione on July 22-23, two weeks before the sex criminal's death in a different cell. In court documents filed on Monday, Tartaglione's attorney asked for a hearing to examine 'the circumstances' of the video's destruction. Epstein was sharing a cell with accused quadruple murderer Nick Tartaglione (above), who allegedly rushed to assist the sex predator when he tried to kill himself An MCC cell block is seen above. Prosecutors say that footage from Epstein's tier was accidentally deleted after his first suicide attempt in late July The papers asked the court to 'conduct a hearing into how the video was destroyed, who was responsible for its destruction, and why it was not preserved.' Attorney Bruce Barket added that the current official explanation as to why the tapes is 'inadequate as it is non-specific, unsworn and unattested.' The attorney wrote that the footage would have shown his client Tartaglione was acting 'appropriately' and rushed to help Epstein, quashing rumors that the ex-cop had assaulted Epstein in any way. Officials have said that Epstein unsuccessfully attempted to hang himself and that ex-cop Tartaglione intervened and called for help. Prosecutors say that the hallway footage of the incident was deleted by accident when prison workers accidentally marked the wrong camera's footage for preservation. 'The footage contained on the preserved video was for the correct date and time, but captured a different tier than the one where Cell-1 was located because the preserved video did not show corrections officers responding to any of the cells seen on the video. After speaking with MCC legal counsel, the Government was informed that the MCC computer system listed a different, incorrect cell for Tartaglione,' prosecutors wrote in a letter filed in Manhattan Federal Court. Officials have said that sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) unsuccessfully attempted to hang himself and that ex-cop Tartaglione intervened and called for help The letter said that automatic backup systems also failed to preserve the footage. 'The requested video no longer exists on the backup system and has not since at least August 2019 as a result of technical errors,' the prosecutors wrote. Prosecutors have repeatedly waffled on whether or not the overnight hallway footage from the night of July 22 had been preserved. Epstein died in a different cell, which he alone was assigned to, on August 10 in what the New York City medical examiner ruled a suicide, though his lawyers dispute that finding. His death, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with sex trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Images were recently revealed that were taken inside the prison cell where he died, showing several nooses fashioned from bed sheets, pills and electrical cords. The photos from inside the cell also showed multiple prescription pill bottles, several electrical cords and enough bed sheets for several inmates dumped on the floor. Photos from inside his cell reveal that fragments of material were found hanging from a window, while a large strip of bedding was also looped through a hole on the top bunk bed Multiple nooses fashioned from the orange bedding were found on the floor of Epstein's cell Dr Michael Baden, who was hired by Epstein's brother to investigate the death and was present during the autopsy, said there was no image taken of the 66-year-old inside his cell. He said that without that photo it was difficult to determine Epstein's cause of death and said the official ruling was 'premature judgment'. Dr Baden believes the forensic evidence released so far in Epstein's death points more to murder and strangulation rather than suicide. He pointed out that the noose found in Epstein's cell did not appear to have any blood on it despite the image from his autopsy showing a wound around his neck. Dr Baden said the wound across Epstein's neck was more common with someone who has been strangled with a wire instead of a hanging. He said that in most hangings, it was common for the ligature to slide up towards the jaw bone and not rest in the middle of one's neck. He also pointed to the multiple fractures Epstein sustained in his neck. A Michigan man was ordered held on $30,000 conditional bail on charges he assaulted a woman multiple times during the course of a week. Talon Carlyle Smith, 36, is charged in Olmsted County District Court with felony counts of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and domestic assault by strangulation as well as five misdemeanor counts of domestic assault and a count of misdemeanor fourth-degree damage to property. He made his first appearance in court on the charges on Monday, when Judge Kathy Wallace set conditional bail at $30,000 and unconditional bail at $100,000. Smiths next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22. Rochester police were sent on Sunday to an apartment complex in Southeast Rochester after a woman called from Michigan to report that her son was punching holes in walls and throwing a woman around an apartment in Rochester, according to the criminal complaint. The woman had asked the mans mother to call the police for her. ADVERTISEMENT When police spoke with the woman, she said that Smith was in town from Michigan for a court date and had been staying with her. Police noted that the woman appeared frightened, and an officer saw bruises and a small laceration on her face. The woman said that Smith had assaulted her on New Years Eve, on Jan. 8 and on Sunday. During all three incidents, Smith had been drinking, the woman said. When police went into the apartment to speak with Smith on Sunday, he told them that he and the woman got into an argument that morning and were yelling at each other but denied it getting physical. He was placed under arrest and was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys at his request for some medical concerns, according to court records. Russia says Haftar to take two days to discuss ceasefire (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, JANUARY 14 - The Russian Defence Ministry said Libyan General Khalifa Haftar "positively welcomed" the agreement on a ceasefire in Libya, but "before signing he needs two days to discuss the document with the tribal leaders who support the Libyan National Army", according to Interfax. It said the consultations on the Libyan conflict that started on Monday in Moscow "will continue, considering that the quantity of problems regarding Libya that have accumulated require profound work to find balanced and mutually acceptable solutions".(ANSAmed). Jessie Wallace looked a little down in the dumps as she was pictured out for the first time since she split from married greengrocer Paul Keepin, The 48-year-old EastEnders actress tackled the London gloomy weather in an oversized furry coat with matching fur slippers and jersey loungewear. Her raven locks were worn piled up in a messy bun and she wore some ombre lens sunglasses. Solo outing: Jessie Wallace looked downcast as she was pictured for the first time since she split from married greengrocer Paul Keepin after almost two years together The Ender the road? The pair regularly featured on Jessie's Instagram page Jessie, who plays Kat Moon in the long-running BBC soap, wore minimal make-up and balanced her phone precariously out of her jacket pocket. She also carried a paper shopping bag in her hand as she ran some errands. Jessie and Paul, 41, had been together for almost two years before deciding to call it quits. Making her own style rules: Jessie was pictured in an oversized fluffy coat and sandals during her rainy day outing Doing her own thing: She balanced her phone precariously in her pocket and carried a shopping bag in hand Return: Jessie returned to Albert Square in spring 2018 alongside fellow Slater family members and on-off partner Alfie Moon (played by Shane Richie), who has since departed And Jessie is thought to have spent the Christmas holidays with friends after reportedly parting ways with Paul. He allegedly walked out on his wife of more than 20 years and their five children without warning in December 2017. A source told The Sun at the time: 'Jessie and Paul recently ended things and have cut contact with each other. She is moving on and wants the New Year to be a fresh start when she will focus on work. Lots to think about: She appeared deep in thought as she ran some errands after becoming newly single Sadness: In October 2018, Paul's wife Teresa alleged how Paul suddenly left her with no explanation and discussed her battle to accept his then new romance with Jessie 'After a quiet Christmas with her daughter and her closest friends, she is knuckling down for 2020.' MailOnline has contacted a representative for Jessie Wallace for comment. While soap star Jessie had been sharing snapshots of herself and Paul since they embarked on their romance, her last Instagram post with him was back in June. In October 2018, Paul's wife Teresa alleged how Paul suddenly left her with no explanation and discussed her battle to accept his then new romance with Jessie. Pics: Jessie shared a number of pictures of herself with greengrocer Paul during their romance Shocking discovery: Paul's ex reportedly had no idea he was seeing soap star Jessie until she saw pictures of them together in the spring of 2018 She told the publication: 'Were not actually divorced yet. He walked out on us a year ago and he never came back.' Paul's ex reportedly had no idea he was seeing soap star Jessie until she saw pictures of them together in the spring of 2018. 'Thats the first I knew about it. It kind of broke me a little bit,' she said. Teresa claims she had to move out for their family home in Kent following Paul's shock departure because she could no longer afford to live there. Doing her own thing: Jessie had spent the Christmas period with friends after breaking things off with Paul The brunette and their five children reportedly went to live with her father for emotional and financial support in April 2018. Teresa went on to claim the hardest part was not understanding why Paul who runs fruit and veg stalls across south-east London had left. Despite being heartbroken at losing her teenage sweetheart, who she had been with since she was 17, she insists she's happy as long as her ex is. Concurs repetat pentru selectarea unei companii sociologice, care sa efectueze un studiu tematic "Barometrul opiniei publice in domeniul schimbarilor climatice" Hollywood movie premieres tend to follow a script: Tons of press and industry VIPs pile into a theater for a private screening and then migrate somewhere nearby for a blowout party. I was part of this scene in 2010, when the Mark Wahlberg movie The Fighter debuted. We watched the film, then went to a hip hotel, where elevators were to take us to a club on the top floorexcept the hotel lobby was not equipped to handle all of us at once. Hundreds of people soon overwhelmed the place. We were crushed together, shoulder to shoulder, while a few measly elevators took small bunches of us upward. It took a while. People were annoyed. Then we heard a booming voice. Make way! the voice shouted. Make way! The voice, it turned out, belonged to a very large security man. He was carving a path through the crowd, from the back of the lobby all the way to the elevator in the front. And when he reached the front, he turned to the back of the room and yelled, Right this way, Mr. Wahlberg. With that, everyone in the lobby turned to find Mark Wahlberg standing in the back. Wahlberg was startled. He clearly did not ask for this. What? he said. No, no, no. Please. Then he gestured for us to continue toward the elevators ourselves. The pathway in the crowd closed. And Wahlberg, stuck behind the crowd, presumably made his way upstairs last. Related: How Wahlburgers Finds Success Through Feedback Those are the details as I remember them. I was a junior editor at a different magazine at the time, and it left an impression on me: Mark Wahlberg, the star of the movie, the man of the hour, the VIP among the VIPs, did not want the royal treatment. Was he humble, or just image-conscious? I hadnt met the guy, so I didnt know. But it struck me as a model for managing success. When youre confident in who you are, you dont need to flaunt your status. Time passes. After repeating this tale to friends for the past decade, I am talking to Mark Wahlberg for Entrepreneur. So I decide to tell him the story, too. I want to know what he makes of it -- how he became a man with instinctual modesty. But Wahlberg isnt very philosophical. He doesnt remember the scene, but he understands his response. The whole idea of some guy barging through and pushing people out of the way, it just sounds obnoxious, he says. Like, its all good. Were all going to the same place. Image Credit: Riker Brothers As I was telling him the story, however, he started thinking about what else he was doing at the time. He was shooting a movie in Louisiana, so hed flown into New York just for the screening. And while he was there, he would have had a ton of meetings to talk about the films marketing and release. The party was just another part of the job, one of many obligations that day. I was probably just tired and over all of it, he says. I was getting done what I needed to get done, to get home to see my wife, my kids. Getting done what I needed to get done. That did not always come naturally to Wahlberg, just as it doesnt come naturally to many. When I was younger, I was able to focus on things I was interested in, he says, but I had no time and no desire to focus on or be disciplined about things I wasnt interested in. Those were the Marky Mark days, which included a lot of success, yes, but also a lot of partying and a short stint in jail for assault. And I realized that I needed to be disciplined all around, in every capacity -- and that would allow me to become successful, or at least have the best chance to succeed. Related: Why Fitness Franchise F45 Embraces (and Executes) New Ideas This is the core of what drives Wahlberg -- at the back of that hotel in 2010, but also in the front and back of so many ventures in 2020. Hes an actor, of course, but now also cofounder of the franchised burger chain Wahlburgers, which has 38 locations across the world; the production company Unrealistic Ideas; investor and adviser to the fitness studio franchise F45, a fast riser on Entrepreneurs Franchise 500 list; and hes involved in a number of other businesses as well. Its all predicated on doing the boring stuff as well as the fun stuff, and handling each part with equal rigor. So the big question is, how does someone make that change -- going from a person who focuses only on what they care about to one who can focus on it all? The answer is: discipline. Today, Wahlbergs discipline is legend. When training for a role, he famously starts days with a 3:30 a.m. workout. Hes either at work or at home, and rarely, it seems, anywhere else. When hes on a movie set, he creates a routine that intersperses acting and business calls, and he prefers to never deviate from it. (When we spoke, for example, Wahlberg was in London filming a movie -- so to accommodate the time difference, he had a business partner on Eastern Standard Time wake up at 5 every morning to talk.) Hes able to knock out successive Hollywood blockbusters while still personally scouting future Wahlburgers locations. Hes detail-oriented enough that while appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to promote a movie, he can also casually discuss the exact square footage of a car dealership he owns in Ohio. Related: Supermodel Karlie Kloss's Lesson to Young Women: Never Be Afraid to Ask Questions! What drives this? The morning workouts hold a key -- because truly, why get up that early? Is it because he loves working out? The answer is no. My favorite part about working out is when its over, he says. The same is true for the movies he makes. I mean, I love the process when the cameras rolling, but all the downtime and everything else starts driving me crazy after a while. What he loves is being fit, and having made the movies. So he focuses on the outcome of his time, not the minutiae of it. And hes learned that he can grow that outcome by staying in stride. Its never too late to start over, which I get, he says. But its a lot easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape. So why fall out of it? If you keep grinding, youre always ready to go. Consistency breeds discipline. Or maybe discipline breeds consistency. Either way, one feeds the other. Though entrepreneurship will challenge both. Related: Sterling K. Brown Wants the Conversation Around Diversity to Shift From 'Inclusion' to 'Celebration' Image Credit: Riker Brothers Every experienced entrepreneur will run up against their own abilities. In the course of building a business, theyll discover what theyre good atalong with what they only thought they were good at. Theyll believe theyre good leaders, until their company culture tanks. Theyll believe theyre good builders, until profits stall. Then theyll be forced to make a choice -- to bulldoze their way through a problem they may not be equipped to solve, or to shift their focus onto their strengths, and surround themselves with complementary people. Wahlberg has felt this himself as he has transitioned from actor to entrepreneur. Every business I had been in, I started as a novice, he says. And so Im still learning as I go along. His instinct is to get into the weeds, to a level that sometimes isnt helpful. (Try scouting a restaurant location as Mark Wahlberg; it doesnt take long before being mobbed by selfie takers.) So in each case, hes trying to understand what hes good at and what hes not. Like, Im not going to get into a situation with my brother Paul, arguing about how he makes a specific sauce for the restaurant fresh to order, he says. (Paul Wahlberg is the chef of the family and is a co-owner of Wahlburgers.) But I am going to have a conversation with him if those costs of goods are becoming a problem. Wahlberg has another way of solving these problems: He doesnt enter a relationship if he doesnt understand his role. If I dont think theres real value I can bring to it, then more than likely Im not going to get involved, he says. He wants to know up front where hes useful -- and where hes not. Thats the story of how he got involved in the fitness franchise F45. Though it took longer than F45 cofounder and CEO Rob Deutsch would have liked. F45 is a fitness studio franchise that began life in Australia in 2013 and has become popular for its high-intensity, ever-changing 45-minute workouts. It expanded easily throughout its home country and New Zealand. But in 2015, as it expanded into the United States, it wanted a partner to help build awareness. Obviously, it needs to be someone who lives and breathes health and fitness, says Deutsch. Deutsch knew someone who knew Wahlberg, who mentioned him as a possiblity. So Deutsch tried to send a message to the movie star. No reply. I wasnt really interested, Wahlberg admits now. People are always asking him for one thing or another, so he keeps his guard up. But over time, he started to hear more about F45 -- not just from Deutschs people but from friends and contacts in the fitness world. So I said, You know what, let me go and check it out, Wahlberg says. Theres an F45 a few miles from his home, so he arrived unannounced and took a class. He enjoyed it -- and frankly, he says, he probably liked it more because hed gone on his own, rather than at the companys invitation. After that, he visited F45s Los Angeles headquarters. A conversation developed from there. Image Credit: Riker Brothers The way Wahlberg remembers it, F45 wanted to sign him to an endorsement deal. (We werent sure exactly how it was going to work, says Deutsch.) But after doing enough due diligence, Wahlberg wanted more. This, he thought, was the kind of company he understood how to help. I said, Well, Id be much more interested in putting a group together and bringing people who bring real value to the business, he says. An investment deal was drawn up. Wahlbergs team then provided help on everything from marketing to real estate, and Wahlberg himself has been an active promoter of the brand -- particularly on Instagram, where hes regularly posting clips of his workouts. Related: This Truth About Willpower Can Help Make You Mentally Stronger Deutsch has been thrilled with the results. As of September 2019, F45 has opened more than 1,000 units, and it earned a giant bump on Entrepreneurs annual Franchise 500 list. But above all, Deutsch has been amazed at how accessible Wahlberg has been. Every time I contact Mark, every time I need anything or just want to have a chat, he always has time, Deutsch says. Thats the thing that just shocks me about someone whos so busy. I think it comes back to the fact that if you really want something in life, youll always find the time. For Wahlberg, this is by design. Its the outcome of all that diligence, and the years of refining his focus. When he was younger, he says, anytime something didnt go the way I wanted it to, I realized that I didnt give it the effort and the focus I should have. Learn that lesson enough, and it sticks. Successes become self-reinforcing. And now, Wahlberg says, its like, even with all the stuff I have going on, I still feel like theres enough time in the day to do other stuff. Thats the miracle of discipline: In strictness, you create freedom. Related: Mark Wahlberg's Secret to Becoming More Disciplined How to Find the Right Career Calling and Reduce Stress 3 Habits to Change in the New Year to Future-Proof Your Business Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Nirupama Viswanathan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Pictures that have emerged recently of a group of children, in their school uniform, drinking water unsupervised from a sump outside the Government primary school in Perumbakkam, have once again raised concerns of why a compound wall has not been built around the schools here for so long. The school is part of an integrated school complex, consisting of a Government high school and primary school inside the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board resettlement site in Perumbakkam. Last week Mridula (name changed) whose daughter studies in class 3 of the primary school saw the primary school boys drinking water directly from the sump and decided to click pictures of it. The environment is highly unsafe for children. I see them having lunch near the sewage drain and they run outside whenever they want since there is no compound wall, she said. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, as part of its norms and standards for a recognised school, states that schools should have an all-weather school building. The Schedule to the RTE Act also provides for securing the school building by a compound wall or fencing. Express had reported earlier that the boys of the Government High school in Perumbakkam are sent to relieve themselves in the vacant ground nearby due to lack of water. After lunch students of the high school and the primary school wash their lunch boxes in the sump, around 20-50 feet deep. However, the situation continues to remain the same, posing a threat to the safety of students. Speaking to Express, a senior official of the school said that he has asked multiple times for a compound wall to be built around the High and Primary school building. I get a positive response every time but it has not translated to action of any kind. We have given specific instructions for students to keep away from the sump and but sometimes during lunch they wander off and its difficult to keep track, he said. BOSTON - A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents have successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the centre of the scandal that led to President Donald Trumps impeachment. Russian agents launched a phishing campaign in early November to steal the login credentials of employees of Burisma Holdings, the gas company, according to Area 1 Security, a Silicon Valley company that specializes in email security. Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. vice-president and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, previously served on Burismas board. It was not clear what the hackers were looking for or may have obtained, said Area 1s CEO, Oren Falkowitz, who called the findings incontrovertible and posted an eight-page report. The timing of the operation raises the possibility that Russian agents could be searching for material damaging to the Bidens or scheming to plant forged data and sow misinformation online. The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December for abusing the power of his office by enlisting the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden, a political rival, ahead of the 2020 election. A second charge accused Trump of obstructing a congressional investigation into the matter. Our report doesnt make any claims as to what the intent of the hackers were, what they might have been looking for, what they are going to do with their success. We just point out that this is a campaign thats going on, said Falkowitz, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker whose companys clients include candidates for U.S. federal elected offices. In an earlier interview, he told The Associated Press that the campaigns of top candidates for the U.S. presidency and House and Senate races in 2020 have in the past few months each been targeted by about a thousand phishing emails. Falkowitz did not name the candidates. Nor would he name any of his companys clients. Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Biden said in a statement that the incident shows that not just Trump but also Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Joe Biden as a threat. Some cybersecurity experts cautioned against blaming Russian military agents without more evidence, however, saying the report indicates Area 1 investigators didnt have access to Burismas internal logs and compromised email accounts in making the determination. Thats problematic, tweeted Thomas Rid of Johns Hopkins. Caution advised based on what we currently know. And while many experts said its a good bet the phishing amounts to a Kremlin attempt to smear the Bidens, there are other possibilities. Michael Connell, a former Army intelligence officer and researcher at the government-funded Center for Naval Analyses, notes that Russian agents have previously attacked energy-related computer systems in other countries, most notably Germany. The goal of the hackers was probably information gathering, but it also likely included creating backdoors to allow future access (for intel or destructive cyberattacks), he wrote in an email. Russian hackers from the GRU, the same military intelligence unit that Area 1 said was behind the operation targeting Burisma, have been indicted for hacking emails from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of Hillary Clintons campaign during the 2016 presidential race. Stolen emails were released online at the time by Russian agents and WikiLeaks in an effort to favour Trump, special counsel Robert Mueller determined in his investigation. Area 1 discovered the phishing campaign by the Russian military intelligence unit on New Years Eve, said Falkowitz, who would not discuss whom he notified prior to going public or whether Burisma shared information with his company. He said he followed the industry standard process of responsible disclosure, which would include notifying Burisma. Joan Donovan, a Harvard University disinformation expert, said one of the most dangerous possibilities would be data theft spiced with forgeries and subsequently leaked. That reportedly happened in 2017 when emails related to the campaign of President Emanuel Macron of France were stolen and published online with some fakes included just ahead of his election. She called the Burisma incident testament to the fact that we have not paid enough attention to email security when the consequences of a leak are so high for businesses, politicians and journalists in particular. Email is unfortunately the way that weve come to do business but email has become a serious, serious vulnerability, she said. In phishing, an attacker uses a targeted email to lure a target to a fake site that resembles a familiar one. There, unwitting victims enter their usernames and passwords, which the hackers then harvest. Phished credentials allow attackers both to rifle through a victims stored email and masquerade as that person. In the report, Falkowitz said the GRU agents used fake, lookalike domains that were designed to mimic the sites of real Burisma subsidiaries. Falkowitz said the operation targeting Burisma involved tactics, techniques and procedures that GRU agents had used repeatedly in other phishing operations, matching several patterns that lots of independent researchers agree mimic this particular Russian actor. Area 1 says it has been tracking the Russian agents for several years. The discoverys timing just weeks before presidential primaries begin in the United States highlights the need to protect political campaigns from targeted phishing attacks, which are behind 95% of all information breaches, said Falkowitz. Area 1 said its researchers connected the phishing campaign targeting Burisma to an effort earlier last year that targeted Kvartal 95, a media organization founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In this case, the Russian military agents, from a group security researchers call Fancy Bear, peppered Burisma employees with emails designed to look like internal messages, the company said. In order to detect phishing attacks, Area 1 maintains a global network of sensors designed to sniff out and block them before they reach their targets. In July, the U.S. Federal Elections Commission gave Area 1 permission to offer its services to candidates for federal elected office and political committees at the same low rates it charges non-profits. ___ AP writer Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story. MIDDLEBURG A man who formerly lived in central Pennsylvania has admitted he robbed a bank in Middleburg more than three years ago. Gregory S. Null, 39, Monday pleaded guilty in Snyder County to robbery and possession of a firearm without a license. He admitted robbing the Swineford National Bank office on June 13, 2016. He was facing a number of charges had he chosen to go to trial. His plea came the day of jury selection. Two days after the robbery Null held up a SunTrust Bank in Jessup, Georgia, holding the tellers at gunpoint and threatening to kill them if they did not give him money. He left the bank with $2,140 and was arrested a few days later in Winder, just east of Atlanta, after authorities became aware he was in the Barrow Regional Medical Center being treated for a burn on his leg. He pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault and in January 2017 was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of probation. The delay in getting Null back to Pennsylvania was attributed by District Attorney Michael Piecuch to extradition issues with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Null, who formerly lived in Penns Creek, Shamokin and Meadowlands, Washington County, was identified as the Middleburg robbery suspect after bank surveillance photos were made public. The arrest affidavit provides this account of the robbery from a teller: A man wearing a black hoodie entered the lobby about 2 p.m. and, in response to her asking how she could help him, he placed a gun on the counter holding it in his right hand. Pointing the weapon at her midsection, he said: Youre going to give me all the money in your drawer, youre going to keep quiet, youre not going to push your button, youre not going to call police or I will kill you. When she told him there was no money in her lobby drawer he gave her permission to go to the drive-through area to get some but he kept the gun pointed at her and again told her to keep quiet. Give me 10s and 20s, he told her. She gave him bills from $1 to $100, and then he said thank you and left the bank. Delhi High Court on Tuesday disposed of a plea seeking the reopening of the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch in the Capital and asked the police to take action in accordance with the law in a time-bound manner. The stretch in south Delhi, which connects Delhi, Faridabad in Haryana and Noida in Uttar Pradesh, was closed on December 15, 2019, due to ongoing protests against Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizen (NRC). The court said that authorities must take a decision keeping in mind the larger public interest and the issue of maintaining law and order situation. Advocate and social activist Amit Sahni had said in his public interest litigation (PIL) that the closure was causing huge inconvenience to lakhs of commuters, who have been compelled to take different routes every day for the last one month. Also Watch l Shaheen Baghs women continue anti-CAA protest: Gauging Delhi poll impact He had said as commuters took alternative routes like the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, the area has witnessed hours of traffic jams and there has been wastage of time and fuel. It said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours before their school opens. It claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, UP and Haryana. Earlier on January 10, the high court had refused to entertain another plea seeking directions for the removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh in order to clear road blockages causing traffic congestions on the DND route. The smoke from the Australian bushfires is so severe it is expected to complete a circuit of the Earth, returning to the country's skies from the west. The smoke has billowed into the lower stratosphere, reaching 17.7 kilometres above sea level, US space agency NASA said this week. It comes as major Australian cities are still struggling with low air quality from bushfire smoke. Wangaratta on Tuesday morning was the third worst city in the world for air quality, bumping the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster from fifth to sixth place. The Indian city of Singrauli was the worst, according to the World Air Quality Index project. Overnight, Melbourne's air quality was the the poorest across the globe, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said. He expected it would improve during the day on Tuesday. SAUL LOEB, Contributor / AFP via Getty Images WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is heading back to Austin less than two months after his last trip here marking the presidents first visit in 2020 to Texas. This time around, Trump is scheduled to address the American Farm Bureau Federations 101st Annual Convention on Sunday, the group representing farm and ranch families announced. Ray McGuire, vice chairman of Citigroup Inc., speaks during a Bloomberg Television interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, April 29, 2019. Ray McGuire, a longtime Citigroup executive, is being encouraged by allies in the business community to run for mayor of New York. McGuire, Vice Chairman of Citigroup and Chairman of Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory, has been asked by other Wall Street and corporate executives to aim for the mayor's office in the 2021 race as Bill de Blasio's second term heads toward its end, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. While McGuire has not ruled out running, he is currently dedicated to Citi and has no immediate plans to start preparing for a candidacy, according to the people, who declined to be named since these conversations were deemed private. Danielle Romero-Apsilos, a spokeswoman for Citi, did not deny that McGuire has privately talked about running for mayor. "Mr. McGuire is solely focused on his role at Citi; talk about him considering a run for mayor of New York City is pure speculation," she told CNBC. De Blasio's term ends in January 2022. He recently said he has "no interest" in a third term as mayor. Law permits people to hold the office for two consecutive terms. Prior to de Blasio's tenure, however, billionaire mogul Mike Bloomberg served three consecutive terms due to a temporary change in the law. Discussions about a potential McGuire bid come as the city is in the midst of a crossroads as it contends with an unpopular lame-duck mayor and a heated battle over a new bail-reform measure. De Blasio has been back on the job full time since he struggled to gain traction as a Democratic presidential candidate. His approval ratings suffered. A poll taken just before he withdrew from the race in September, taken by Siena College said 58% of New York City voters ranked him as unfavorable while only 27% saw him in a favorable light. New York state's new bail reform law appears to be hurting the mayor's office, as well. The law, which went into effect this month, eliminates, in some cases, money bail and pretrial detention requirements. However, after recent stories of some suspects being set free only to later commit a crime, there's been outcry from conservative lawmakers and law enforcement authorities. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and de Blasio have since called for changes to the law. McGuire could be a moderate voice the New York business community since the progressive de Blasio began his tenure. Fellow businessman Bloomberg, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, served as mayor as a moderate Republican and then an independent prior to de Blasio's election. Beyond his work at Citi, McGuire had stints at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, after starting his career at New York-based First Boston Corp., which was eventually acquired by Credit Suisse. McGuire, who was raised in Dayton, Ohio, is credited with being a lead advisor on numerous deals that are estimated to be worth over $600 billion combined. McGuire has also dedicated himself to a wide range of political issues in between his duties at Citi. McGuire was one of 27 black leaders who condemned a mob that poured water on New York police officers last year. "As African-American leaders who are proud to call New York City home and/or where we work, we were appalled at the recent verbal attacks on and water dousing of police officers in Harlem and Brooklyn who appeared to be lawfully executing their responsibilities to keep our communities safe and orderly," they said in a letter to the editor of The New York Times. At a Yahoo Finance event in October, McGuire called on Americans to come together on a wide range of issues including health and wellness, climate change and income inequality. A New York magazine, City & State, listed McGuire as the 63rd most powerful black leader in the Big Apple. De Blasio reappointed McGuire in 2015 to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission, which promotes "affordable housing and workspaces so that NYC can remain a viable home for emerging artists." McGuire has become a player in Democratic donor circles, including being a key financier for those running for president. He was a member of Sen. Kamala Harris' finance committee and recently took part in a meeting featuring former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign chairman, along with other Wall Street leaders. It was there where McGuire told Biden advisor Steve Ricchetti and the rest of the group that he would like to see the former vice president stay connected to two constituencies, according to those familiar with his remarks. One group consists of voters in the middle of Ohio, and the other consists of African American women. The U.S. attack that killed Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani was yet another reminder that Congress has ceded the ability to declare war to the executive branch. Article I of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress that power, yet the last time it issued such a declaration was June 1942. Since then it has handed presidents an Authorization for Use of Military Force giving them wide latitude to engage in wars masquerading as conflicts. The Democratic-controlled House passed a resolution, 224-194, last week for President Donald Trump to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military unless Congress declares war or there is an imminent armed attack upon the United States. Three Republicans backed it; eight Democrats opposed it. The resolution now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate where, if approved, the necessary votes dont exist to override a Trump veto. Unfortunately, these matters tend to be partisan. For their part, Democrats didnt object when President Barack Obama engaged in military action against Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. Because U.S. law precludes the assassination of state leaders, the Trump administration declared Soleimanis death a targeted killing allowed on foreign battlegrounds. It was an action President George W. Bush and Obama rejected, fearing a wider war, not just with Iran, but with other Shiite militias Soleimani controlled throughout the region. The targeted killing was a response to a missile barrage on a U.S. military compound in western Iraq that killed an American interpreter, followed by protestors storming the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Soleimani supposedly masterminded both incidents. The immediate Iranian reaction was to fire a dozen missiles at a U.S. military compound in western Iraq, causing considerable damage but no fatalities, thanks to an early warning system. In fact, the Iranian regime provoked more unrest at home by accidentally downing a Ukrainian commercial airliner, killing 176, with a surface-to-air missile. Trump justified Soleimanis murder, contending he was plotting to blow up our embassy, later saying four embassies were threatened. Some lawmakers also found an intelligence briefing by Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to be vague. Did it exactly say who, what, when, where? No, Milley said. But he was planning, coordinating and synchronizing significant combat operations against U.S. military forces in the region, and it was imminent. Republicans Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky were unimpressed. Lee called it probably the worst briefing, at least on a military issue, Ive seen in nine years Ive been here. He added lawmakers were expected to be good little boys and girls and run along and not debate this in public, which he said was absolutely insane and unacceptable. Trump believes Iran is cowed and his maximum pressure has been working albeit provoking attacks on oil tankers and a U.S. drone. Recent history would indicate that assessment is premature. President George W. Bush boasted about Mission Accomplished regarding the Iraq war May 1, 2003, while a concurrent statement in Kabul, Afghanistan, by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld declared victory there. In February 2011, after Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi launched a vicious military response against rebels, threatening civilians in the port city of Benghazi, the Obama administration procured a U.N. Security Council resolution sanctioning NATO air strikes against his forces. Gadhafi was overthrown and later executed by rebels that October. Obama declared, Without putting a single U.S. service member on the ground, we achieved our objectives. On Sept. 11, 2012, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed when Islamic terrorists attacked the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, which became a rallying point with Republicans. Trump tweeted on the eve of the 2012 presidential election, Dont let Obama get away with allowing Americans to die. Kick him out of office tomorrow. We suspect Trump wanted to avoid another Benghazi on his watch, although the Wall Street Journal reported it was a possible impeachment diversion: Mr. Trump, after the strike, told associates he was under pressure to deal with Gen. Soleimani from GOP senators he views as important supporters in his coming impeachment trial in the Senate, associates said. Soleimani may have inadvertently sacrificed himself with the attacks on the military compound and embassy, laying a trap for Trump to react while giving the Shiite-dominated Iraqi parliament a pretext to order U.S. troops out, giving Iran greater influence. Trump can be applauded for taking out a terrorist, but in this bloody Mideast chess match it is the long term that matters a lesson Bush and Obama learned. At some point, Congress must be more than a meek observer and reclaim its constitutionally mandated obligations to oversee any entrance into war. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand, but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand, Sonny Perdue, the agriculture secretary, said in a news release. Now, in the midst of the strongest economy in a generation, we need everyone who can work, to work. The change is projected to end SNAP benefits for nearly 700,000 adults, saving $5 billion over five years or less than a third of the $19 billion the government has spent so far on farmers affected by the trade war. Its not too hard to imagine a Trump who pursued this strategy much more aggressively, doling out checks and assistance to his core constituencies at every opportunity. One of his early advisers, Steve Bannon, urged as much at the start of Trump's administration, calling for an economic nationalism to match the presidents anti-immigrant rhetoric. Its an approach that may have left him more popular than he is now, or at least, less unpopular. That gets to one takeaway from the Trump years: that theres a real constituency for the white welfare state he gestured at during his campaign. Its not a majority, but our election rules (starting with the Electoral College) and the structure of our government (like equal representation of states in the Senate) make it large enough to claim and maintain real political power. And the Trump phenomenon also shows that you dont have to deliver the benefits to hold those voters in your camp. All you have to do is deliver pain to disfavored groups, to target them and make a show of it. Donald Trump has been too erratic and undisciplined to take welfare chauvinism as far as it could probably go. But it is almost certainly true that somewhere in American politics, theres someone who has paid attention to what Trump has discovered and is planning accordingly. Kuchma and Grau discussed the agenda of the TCG's first meeting in 2020. The first meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas in 2020 will be held in Minsk on January 16. On January 14, former Ukrainian President and Ukraine's envoy to the TCG at the Minsk talks on Donbas Leonid Kuchma met with Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG Heidi Grau in Kyiv, Kuchma's press secretary Darka Olifer wrote on Facebook on January 14. Read alsoZelensky's envoy: Sevastopol's special status to remain in force until Russian occupation ends Kuchma congratulated Grau on taking office and expressed the hope that her work would help Ukraine get closer to the peace settlement. The officials also discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, as well as the deal reached by the Normandy Four leaders in Paris. Kuchma and Grau discussed the agenda of the TCG's first meeting in 2020, which is due to take place in Minsk on January 16. The envoys also noted the importance of the latest prisoner swap that took place on December 29, 2019. In addition, Kuchma informed that Russia-controlled illegal armed groups in Donbas had not observed the ceasefire and briefed his counterpart on Ukrainian military casualties as a result of enemy shelling. "A complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign armed formations and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine, the restoration of control over the border the return of peace may start only with this," Olifer quoted Kuchma as saying. Monday, January 13, 2020 at 7:33PM The day has come. Microsoft will finally stop support for millions of computers that are still running Windows 7 on Tuesday, January 14. The end of support means these machines will no longer receive software updates that could prevent viruses or malware. "While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware," Microsoft says on its website. "In addition, Microsoft customer service will no longer be available to provide Windows 7 technical support." According to Microsoft, those who still have Windows 7 should do one of two things: If you have a machine that's newer than three years old, pay to upgrade to Windows 10, if you haven't done so already. The cost of upgrading to Windows 10 starts at $189 . Microsoft initially offered a free upgrade, but that ended on July 29, 2016. . Microsoft initially offered a free upgrade, but that ended on July 29, 2016. Now, if you have a machine that's older than three years old, Microsoft suggests you buy a new computer with Windows 10 on board. The latter might even be a more viable option as these computers have better processors and hardware that help these machines run faster. Sometimes, if you try to upgrade an old machine, it could slow down. Source: CNBC - A Nigerian doctor identified as Maxvayshia has explained why dogs bark at night - Maxvayshia explained that dogs bark at night because they see departed souls - The doctor also noted that the dead also see through the eyes of a dog A Nigerian doctor identified simply as Maxvayshia has taken to social media to talk about something that many would argue cannot be explained scientifically. The doctor took to his Twitter account to explain why dogs bark at night. He noted that dogs bark at night sometimes because they see the departed souls. According to him, due to the high wavelength of dogs' eyesight, they are able to see the spirit of the dead. He added that the dead can also see through the eyes of dogs and cats. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Maxvayshia stated that the dead are everywhere, especially at night. He went ahead to claim that most of the people that sell or drive at night could be departed souls. He noted that the presence of the dead can be made tangible at night. PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly The doctor noted that slammed doors at night, curtains moving and other weird things that happen at night are things done by the dead. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that a Nigerian doctor recently advised Nigerians against the consumption of ponmo. The doctor identified as Harvey Olufunmilayo said ponmo is medically useless. Olufunmilayo also asked that ponmo should not be given to children. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better Who should get higher salary - doctors or teachers? - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng Kolkata: West Bengal BJP president and Midnapore MP Dilip Ghosh on Sunday ignited a political firestorm by threatening to shoot people to death like dogs in the state, the way the BJP-ruled governments had done in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka for destroying public property during anti-CAA protests. Ghosh also criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not opening fire and ordering lathicharge on those destroying railway property and public transport during the anti-CAA protests in December last year. In return, Trinamul Congress leader Anubrata Mondal demanded that the Centre shoot Ghosh to death. Mondal, the Trinamul Congress Birbhum district president, said, The Centre must shoot Ghosh to death first because if someone has destroyed property, it is him. Ghoshs BJP colleague and Union minister Babul Supriyo on Monday described the remarks as very irresponsible while denying his labeling of the action taken by the BJP governments. Supriyo tweeted, BJP, as a party, has nothing to do with what a DIlip Ghosh may have said. It is a figment of his imagination & BJP governments in UP, Assam have NEVER EVER resorted to shooting people for whatever reason whatsoever. Very irresponsible of DilipDa to have said what he said. Undeterred by this Ghosh remained defiant on Monday. People speak like they understand something I said what I felt what our governments had done. If we get chance, we will do the same also, he said. At a rally in Nadia on Sunday, Ghosh had said, It is the money from my and your taxes which is utilised in running trains and buses and in building roads and railway tracks. But these properties are being destroyed. Are they spared because of being voters? Just see how our governments in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka shot dead these shaitans like dogs and slapped cases on them, too. He added, They come and live here and destroy properties also! Is it zamindari? We use lathicharge on them, shoot them and lock them in jails also. That is what our government did (in other states). The BJP MP alleged, Nearly a crore infiltrators are here. On whose money are they having the food? Whose money was wasted in the arson of trains and railway properties by them? It is mine and yours. Lashing out at Banerjee over her alleged role during the statewide violence, Ghosh claimed, Nearly Rs 600 crore of property was destroyed in West Bengal alone because neither firing was done nor was a baton charge ordered. No FIR was lodged. Didis police arrested no one. Why was no one arrested for the destruction of properties? Was it someones fathers property? said the BJP leader. 5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard History appears to be repeating itself as the Russians reportedly hacked Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company for which Joe Bidens son Hunter worked. According to The New York Times, Russian military hackers have been boring into the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the [House impeachment inquiry], according to security experts. The report explained that Russias latest effort to interfere in American politics is strikingly similar to what happened in 2016 when the Kremlin hacked Hillary Clintons campaign. The new Russian hack came in November, as Biden, Ukraine and Burisma were at the center of news related to the House impeachment investigation. More from The New York Times: The hacking attempts against Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company on whose board Hunter Biden served, began in early November, as talk of the Bidens, Ukraine and impeachment was dominating the news in the United States. It is not yet clear what the hackers found, or precisely what they were searching for. But the experts say the timing and scale of the attacks suggest that the Russians could be searching for potentially embarrassing material on the Bidens the same kind of information that Mr. Trump wanted from Ukraine when he pressed for an investigation of the Bidens and Burisma, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment. The Russian tactics are strikingly similar to what American intelligence agencies say was Russias hacking of emails from Hillary Clintons campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential campaign. In that case, once they had the emails, the Russians used trolls to spread and spin the material, and built an echo chamber to widen its effect. The Russian attacks on Burisma appear to be running parallel to an effort by Russian spies in Ukraine to dig up information in the analog world that could embarrass the Bidens, according to an American security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. The spies, the official said, are trying to penetrate Burisma and working sources in the Ukrainian government in search of emails, financial records and legal documents. Trump cant win without Russias help Donald Trumps refusal to stand up against Vladimir Putins attacks on U.S. democracy didnt just let Moscow off the hook for what happened in 2016, but it has emboldened them to meddle in the 2020 campaign. If this president knew he could win a general election without foreign help, he wouldnt have spent the last three years being soft on Russia, even as his own intelligence community concluded that they were responsible for the 2016 attack. He also wouldnt have extorted another foreign power, Ukraine, into handing over non-existent dirt on the Democratic opponent he apparently fears most, Joe Biden. Donald Trump knows he needs foreign help to win again in 2020. Russias new actions show that they know he needs it, too. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter Iran said today it has arrested several people over the erroneous missile strike which brought down a passenger jet last week. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said 'some individuals' had been detained after 'extensive investigations', without saying how many. Esmaili also described British ambassador Rob Macaire - who was briefly arrested at the weekend for attending an anti-regime protest - an 'undesirable element' and said he expects him to be expelled from the country. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani (pictured today) has vowed to punish those responsible as he called the shoot-down of the Boeing 737 an 'unforgivable error' Iranian regime loyalists burn an effigy of British ambassador Rob Macaire - who was briefly arrested in Tehran on Saturday - as well as a US flag during a memorial in Tehran today Ukraine says the pilots were killed immediately when the Iranian missile struck the plane just below the cockpit (the wreckage is pictured at the crash site near Tehran) 'Our people and the international community expect him to be expelled from the country,' Esmaili told Iran's INSA news agency. Meanwhile President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to punish those responsible as he called the shoot-down of the Boeing 737 an 'unforgivable error'. The regime has been forced on to the back foot by the crash after its initial denials and subsequent admission prompted a fresh wave of protests. Rouhani today called for a special court to be set up to probe the 'painful and unforgivable' mistake which killed 176 people including dozens of Iranians. The president said 'one person cannot be solely responsible for the plane crash' as he vowed a thorough investigation into the disaster. 'For our people it is very important in this incident that anyone who was at fault or negligent at any level' face justice, he said in a televised speech. 'Iranian armed forces admitting their mistake is a good first step ... We should assure people that it will not happen again. 'Anyone who should be punished must be punished. 'The judiciary must form a special court with high-ranking judge and dozens of experts... The whole world will be watching.' Rouhani said his government was 'accountable to Iranians and other nations who lost lives', including Canada and Ukraine. An image from the flight tracker website Flightradar24 showing the path of the Ukranian International Airlines jet which crashed just over two minutes after taking off from Tehran Bulldozers were operating at the crash site before Ukrainian investigators even arrived - sparking fears of an Iranian cover-up Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has demanded that Iran provide Canada with 'full clarity' on the airliner shootdown. The prime minister also said he insisted to Rouhani that Canada be allowed to participate in the investigation. Three members of a Canadian rapid deployment team flying to Tehran will have access to the plane's wreckage and blackboxes, Iranian officials confirmed on Monday. The Ukraine International Airlines jet came down near Tehran last Wednesday, just hours after Iran had fired missiles at US bases. The cause of the crash was initially shrouded in mystery, with Iran insisting repeatedly that the plane had suffered a technical fault. When Western intelligence came down on the side of a missile strike, Tehran initially dismissed their allegations as 'psychological warfare' and a 'big lie'. But Iran finally abandoned its denials on Saturday, admitting that the Revolutionary Guards had shot down the Boeing 737 by mistake. The Canadian prime minister, at a vigil for the victims of the plane crash, was the first world leader to say Iran had downed the passenger jet Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the Ukraine International Airlines plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq Ukrainian security chief Oleksiy Danilov told the BBC that the missile had hit the plane underneath the cockpit, killing the pilots instantly. The death of Qassem Soleimani had initially united Iranians in mourning last week, but Iran's changing story has sparked a resurgence of protests. Anti-government protests entered a third day yesterday with dozens of demonstrators chanting slogans at a Tehran university. The capital's police chief claimed yesterday that the security situation in the capital was 'fine' despite the protests, with riot police deployed to face the protesters. General Hossein Rahimi denied reports that police had shot at protesters and said officers had been ordered to show 'restraint'. 'The police treated the people who had gathered with patience and tolerance,' he said before the latest protests broke out. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Udayanraje Bhosale, who is a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, on Tuesday slammed the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for misusing the Maratha warrior kings name. Udayanraje Bhosale, who represented Satara in the Lok Sabha, was speaking to reporters after a controversy over a book comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the 17-century Maratha king erupted over the weekend. The Congress had said it would stage protests across Maharashtra on Tuesday and the NCP demanded the immediate withdrawal of the book while the Sena had said the BJP should ban the books distribution and officially announce that it has no links to the books publication. The BJP on Monday announced the withdrawal of Aaj Ke Shivaji - Narendra Modi written by one of its functionaries Jai Bhagwan Goyal, a former Sena activist in Delhi, after the uproar by Maharashtras ruling parties, the Sena, Congress and NCP. Bhosale accused those opposed to the book, including the Sena and NCP, of double-speak and said they dont raise any objection when NCP president Sharad Pawar is called the Janata Raja, a title exclusively used for Shivaji in Maharashtra. Calling someone Janata Raja is belittling Shivaji Maharaj. Nobody in the world can be compared to Shivaji Maharaj, Bhosale said, without taking Pawars name. Pawar is known as the Janata Raja in political circles. Did the Shiv Sena ask the descendants when it used Shivajis name in the partys title? Sena has named vada pav scheme after Shivaji, which is an insult to the warrior kings name. Various parties have not only misused Shivajis name, but insulted the king in various ways, said Bhosale. The former MP then went on to ask Sena if it has the guts to rename their party. Remove the word Shiv from Shiv Sena and rename it as Thackeray Sena. I would like to see when you change the name, how many people stand behind you, said Bhosale. Senior Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut had also asked Udayanraje Bhosale and Shivendraraje Bhosale, another descendant of Shivaji, to resign over the issue. The descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who are occupying the seat of Satara and Kolhapur, are in the BJP. Some are MPs, some are MLAs and some are former MLAs. We asked them to take a stand on the comparison of Maharaj with political leaders. Whats wrong in that? Raut asked. We, the common people, are fighting for the respect of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and we will do so. But you are descendants of Shivaji Maharaj and the biggest responsibility falls on your shoulders. You should have immediately resigned, he said. Irked over Rauts remarks, Bhosale hit out at the Sena asking why Uddhav Thackeray led the party, which is leading the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi alliance government in the state, drop the word shiv from Maha Shiv Aghadi?. Maha Shiv Aghadi was the word coined by the media and promoted by the Sena, Congress, NCP leaders before the three-party alliance was formalised last year. Udayanraje Bhosale was defeated during the recently-held Lok Sabha by-polls, which were necessitated after he resigned as the MP and joined the BJP. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility of prices, but whether you will suffer a permanent loss of capital. So it seems the smart money knows that debt - which is usually involved in bankruptcies - is a very important factor, when you assess how risky a company is. As with many other companies Computacenter plc (LON:CCC) makes use of debt. But the more important question is: how much risk is that debt creating? Why Does Debt Bring Risk? Debt assists a business until the business has trouble paying it off, either with new capital or with free cash flow. If things get really bad, the lenders can take control of the business. However, a more usual (but still expensive) situation is where a company must dilute shareholders at a cheap share price simply to get debt under control. Of course, debt can be an important tool in businesses, particularly capital heavy businesses. When we examine debt levels, we first consider both cash and debt levels, together. See our latest analysis for Computacenter How Much Debt Does Computacenter Carry? The image below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that at June 2019 Computacenter had debt of UK119.3m, up from UK23.2 in one year. But on the other hand it also has UK119.3m in cash, leading to a UK40.0k net cash position. LSE:CCC Historical Debt, January 14th 2020 How Strong Is Computacenter's Balance Sheet? According to the last reported balance sheet, Computacenter had liabilities of UK1.03b due within 12 months, and liabilities of UK204.9m due beyond 12 months. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of UK119.3m as well as receivables valued at UK947.1m due within 12 months. So its liabilities outweigh the sum of its cash and (near-term) receivables by UK166.7m. Of course, Computacenter has a market capitalization of UK1.95b, so these liabilities are probably manageable. However, we do think it is worth keeping an eye on its balance sheet strength, as it may change over time. While it does have liabilities worth noting, Computacenter also has more cash than debt, so we're pretty confident it can manage its debt safely. Story continues While Computacenter doesn't seem to have gained much on the EBIT line, at least earnings remain stable for now. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But ultimately the future profitability of the business will decide if Computacenter can strengthen its balance sheet over time. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. Finally, a company can only pay off debt with cold hard cash, not accounting profits. While Computacenter has net cash on its balance sheet, it's still worth taking a look at its ability to convert earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, to help us understand how quickly it is building (or eroding) that cash balance. During the last three years, Computacenter produced sturdy free cash flow equating to 51% of its EBIT, about what we'd expect. This free cash flow puts the company in a good position to pay down debt, when appropriate. Summing up We could understand if investors are concerned about Computacenter's liabilities, but we can be reassured by the fact it has has net cash of UK40.0k. So we don't have any problem with Computacenter's use of debt. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. Be aware that Computacenter is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Of course, if you're the type of investor who prefers buying stocks without the burden of debt, then don't hesitate to discover our exclusive list of net cash growth stocks, today. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Loan payments are now being issued to provide financial support to hill farmers and crofters in some of Scotlands most marginalised areas. Under the first tranche of the Less Favoured Area Support Loan Scheme (LFASS) payments, more than 7,500 eligible farmers will receive the loans. Remote farmers will receive loans of up to 95% of their 2019 payment more than the 90% offered last year. With more than 38 million of loan payments now underway, a further 2,500 eligible hill farmers and crofters can still receive payment under this mechanism if they choose to accept their offer, as further payment runs continue in the coming weeks. The Scottish government's rural economy secretary, Fergus Ewing said: With the first tranche of Less Favoured Area Support Scheme loan payments investing more than 38 million into some of our more remote and marginalised areas and with more to follow - I believe we are doing just that. Our rural economy is on the front line of the potential impacts of Brexit, with remote and rural areas likely to be hit the hardest. With 75% of eligible hill farmers and crofters having accepted a loan offer, I am pleased that we are able to offer a degree of clarity and certainty through these payments. An LFASS 2019 loan scheme was announced in December 2019. It has been designed so the sum paid is less than the amount due from CAP LFASS 2019. The sum will be automatically deducted from the LFASS payment when it is fully processed and farmers will receive the balance payment. The loan is against the 2019 payment, which is 80% of the 2018 rates due to EU rules. It is anticipated that LFASS 2019 payments will start in April. Former chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday morning participated in Bhogi festival event, organised by Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi here. Naidu along with other TDP leaders burnt copies of the GN Rao Committee report that has recommended three capitals for the State. They also threw copies of Boston Consulting Group report, which suggested decentralisation of power and governance, into the bonfire. Naidu asked Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to go for a referendum on the three-capital idea and seek a fresh mandate of the people. "If Jagan wins again, I will quit politics," he said. The GN Rao Committee, which was set up by the Andhra Pradesh government, proposed Visakhapatnam as the executive capital and Kurnool the judicial capital while retaining Amaravati as the legislative capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New York, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Rapid Nutrition Plc (RAP:SW, OTCQB: RPNRF), a natural healthcare company focused on the research, development, and production of a range of life science products, is pleased to announce a trading update for the six months ended 31 December 2019. The Company generated revenue of $1.78m (H1 FY2019: $0.78m) in the period under review and continues to progress its strategy of bringing to market new products, across multiple categories, which it believes will anchor the future earnings of the business. An increase of 229% as the Company secured two significant sales contracts from GNC & Sigma which form the solid platform for top-line revenue objectives. Despite the retail headwinds in North America & Australia, sales for the period have grown considerably, driven predominantly by the SystemLS brand. The second half of the year has begun strongly through the retail channels and the company continues to expand its global distribution footprint and has entered discussions with a well-established African based healthcare company. The companys Direct to Consumer channel strategy through its partnership with Streamcast Marketing is anticipated to expand considerably with a major brand launch of SystemLS scheduled this quarter, driving incremental revenue and increased margins in the second half of the financial year. Through the companys global logistics partner Super Health Center (SHC) has presented the companys flagship brand to key retailers in the UK and the Middle East with in-market visits. The response has been encouraging and initial orders are also expected in this quarter. Rapid Nutrition CEO Simon St. Ledger stated, The Board believes there are significant opportunities to grow the business organically and through acquisitions. Our focus in FY2020 will be based around these initiatives to generate further growth over the long term. We expect the second half of the year to be disproportionally higher than in previous years given the phasing of our substantially wider distribution network and we remain confident that this will be a year of substantial growth across the business. The groups half-year report will be published March 30th, 2020. About Rapid Nutrition Rapid Nutrition is a natural healthcare company focused on the research, development, and production of a range of life science products. The company was established based on its successful and proven weight loss supplement range which is exported worldwide and now offers consumers a growing range of health and well-being solutions to meet existing and emerging societal health concerns, as well as a providing a number of wider services to the life sciences industry. For more information, please visit http://rnplc.com Investor Relations Contact: ir@rnplc.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause Rapid Nutrition PLCs actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Rapid Nutrition PLC has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Rapid PLC undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Disclosure Requirement: This media information does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. This information does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. The media release is in accordance with International Reporting Standard: Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act ('Rule 12g3-2(b)') permits non-U.S. companies with securities listed primarily on a Qualified Foreign Exchange to make publicly available to U.S investors in English the same information that is made publicly available in their home countries as an alternative to SEC reporting Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b). PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 09:05:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 827 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / MOTA VENTURES CORP. (CSE:MOTA)(FSE:1WZ:GR)(OTC:PEMTF) (the "Company" or "Mota Ventures") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Ihuana S.A.S ("Ihuana"), has completed its 2,000 square foot research and development facility in Guasca, Colombia (the "R&D Facility"). The purpose-built R&D Facility will be used for a seed registration program on Ihuana's licensed land. This is a significant step, as it will allow Ihuana to begin the important process of registering the genetics of our high-CBD, low-THC strains of cannabis with the Colombian Agricultural Institute (Instituto Colombiano Agroprecuario, or ICA).The R&D Facility is located on Ihuana's fully-licensed 2.5-hectare agricultural site located in the Bogota savannah region of Colombia. This area of Colombia has a fertile landscape that is world-renowned for its flower production and exportation. Cannabis plants thrive in the region's mild and stable climate, consistent sunlight (about 12 hours per day year-round) and fertile soil. The Bogota savannah is also an excellent region for cannabis cultivation due to its strong agricultural infrastructure, low labour costs and proximity to free trade zones and major airports for agricultural exportation.The R&D Facility uses a market-leading agricultural cover film produced by Ginegar for use in greenhouses. Its unique thermal, mechanical and optical properties make it ideal for protecting crops and enhancing growth. The Company will use an existing structure on the property for cannabis propagation, cloning and drying.The team at Mota Ventures is excited to announce the completion of the R&D Facility-a major step in the Company's plan for the international distribution of CBD products. The R&D Facility will allow Ihuana to register up to ten strains of high-CBD, low-THC cannabis. Cultivating high-CBD strains of cannabis directly impacts the Company's margins, as higher CBD content will result in a larger yield when extracted.Joel Shacker, CEO of Mota, commented: "We have been working toward this milestone for some time and are pleased to announce that this puts us well ahead of schedule on our Colombian cultivation plan." About Mota Ventures Corp.Mota Ventures is seeking to become a vertically integrated global CBD brand. Its plan is to cultivate and extract CBD into high-quality value-added products from its Latin American operations and distribute it both domestically and internationally. Its existing operations in Colombia consist of a 2.5-hectare site that has optimal year-round growing conditions and access to all necessary infrastructure. Mota Ventures is also seeking to acquire revenue-producing CBD brands and operations in both Europe and North America, with the goal of establishing an international distribution network for CBD products. Low cost production, coupled with international, direct to customer sales channels will provide the foundation for the success of Mota Ventures.On Behalf of the Board of Directors ofMOTA VENTURES CORP."Joel Shacker"Chief Executive OfficerFor further information, readers are encouraged to contact Joel Shacker, Chief Executive Officer at +1.604.423.4733 or by email at IR@ motaventuresco.com or www.motaventuresco.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementAll statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to the registration of cannabis strains, the international distribution of CBD products and the creation or acquisition of CBD brands. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited those identified and reported in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, 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 such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.SOURCE: Mota Ventures Corp. New York Festivals Advertising Awards has announced the first 20 members of the elite 2020 NYF Executive Jury. This is the 10th consecutive year that NYF will host some of the worlds most awarded creative leaders to judge entries submitted into New York Festivals Advertising Awards. These Chief Creative Officers and Executive Creative Directors from the worlds most prominent advertising agencies will gather for four days of focused deliberations taking place in New York City from March 31 to April 3 to select the Worlds Best Advertising. The 2020 Executive Jury will review the shortlisted entries selected by the online NYF Grand Jury. For 10 years NYF has brought together an elite jury of global creatives with a reputation for innovation. We are beyond thrilled that these respected leaders will bring their attention to the 2020 New York Festivals Advertising Awards entries, said Ellen Smyth, CEO, New York Festivals. NYFs Executive Jury of respected creatives set the standard for award-winning work, said Scott Rose, Executive Director, New York Festivals Advertising Awards. All entries achieving shortlist status will be judged by this panel of renowned industry leaders ensuring that each entry is reviewed with meticulous care and consideration and with a global perspective. 2020 Executive Jury to date: Executive Jury President Alex Schill, Global Chief Creative Officer, Serviceplan Group, Germany Rodolfo Borrell, President and Chief Creative Officer, Pages BBDO, Dominican Republic Nathalie Brown, VP, Executive Creative Director, VMLY&R, USA Paul Chan, Chief Creative Officer, Cheil Hong Kong, Hong Kong Juliana Cobb, Executive Creative Director, Droga, USA Gaetan du Peloux, Executive Creative Director, Marcel, France Fede Garcia, Global Executive Creative Director, Huge, USA Guido Heffels, Chief Creative Officer, HEIMAT, Germany Genevieve Hoey, Group Executive Creative Director, R/GA, USA Sheena Jeng, Chief Creative Officer, McCann Worldgroup, China Simon Langley, Chief Creative Officer, Wunderman Thompson, Australia Walid Kanaan, Chief Creative Officer, TBWARAAD, United Arab Emirates Monica Moro, Chief Creative Officer, McCann, Spain Piyush Pandey, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, India Kazoo (Hidekazu) Sato, Chief Creative Officer, TBWAHAKUHODO, Japan Jason Schragger, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, USA Chaka Sobhani, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett London, United Kingdom Walid Kanaan, Chief Creative Officer, TBWARAAD, United Arab Emirates Ahmed Tilly, Chief Creative Officer, FCBAfrica, South Africa Tony Waissmann, Chief Creative Officer, Geometry, Argentina Gerrit Zinke, Managing Director Creation/Partner, thjnk Hamburg Gmbh, Germany The final deadline to enter the 2020 New York Festivals Advertising Awards is March 2, 2020. Additional Executive Jury members will be announced in the coming weeks. Entries into the 2020 NYF Advertising Awards competition will be judged by 400+ members of NYFs Executive Jury and Grand Jury, a panel of prominent global creative minds, who collectively cast over 400,000 votes to select the Worlds Best Advertising. Also Read: Epica Awards honours Piyush Pandey with Creative Leaders Tribute 2019 NYF Awards: Marcels Black Supermarket wins Best of Show & Grand Award Yves here. Just as with Trump, the press and public too often gets wound up in Boris Johnsons dramas, and loses sight of the common-welfare-destroying policies that the Conservative Party has made its calling card. Although this post covers familiar terrain for Brexit readers, the high level overview may be helpful for contacts who dont keep close tabs. By Malcolm Sawyer, Emeritus Professor of Economics, Leeds University Business School. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website The British General Election held on 12th December 2019 resulted in a large Parliamentary majority of 80 in a parliament of 650 for the Conservative Party and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This clearly puts Johnson in a strong parliamentary position to get Brexit done (his major election slogan), as not only does his party have a large majority, but those within the Conservative Party who opposed Brexit have been effectively purged through a combination of defections to other parties, de-selection and retirement. The majority in Parliament means that, while there is little constraint on passing the legislation to finalise Brexit, there is not majority support amongst the electorate for the form which Brexit is likely to take. The vagaries of the British first past the post system mean that the less than 44 per cent share of the vote for the Conservatives translates into over 56 per cent of the Parliamentary seats. The combined votes of the Conservatives and the Brexit Party was 45.6 per cent, while the combined vote of the political parties opposed to the present forms of the Withdrawal Agreement for Brexit (Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru) was 51.2 per cent. The precise approaches of those parties varied. Nevertheless, the outcome could be interpreted as a majority against the present proposals amongst the electorate, though no doubt a mandate for those proposals will be claimed by the government. The previous Conservative government had come to a Withdrawal Agreement (WA) with the EU: initially when May was Prime Minister where the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) was defeated in Parliament, and subsequently a revised version with Johnson as PM where the WAB was given a second reading but its passage into law aborted when the election was called. The WAB, which is now certain to be passed through Parliament, means that the UK enters into a transitional period (on 31st January 2020) with the intention to leave EU by the end of 2020. During the transitional period, negotiations take place to finalise the relationships between the UK and EU following the UKs exit. The political declaration attached to the withdrawal agreement on the broad outline of the future relationships, including but not limited to trading arrangements. Contrary to the claims of the Conservatives during the election campaign, Brexit will not be done by end of January, and UK politics will continue to be dominated by Brexit. The uncertainties over Brexit and the UKs relationships with the EU will continue. The prospects of a close trade agreement (such as a customs union) between the UK and the EU have now disappeared, which could provoke shifts of investment to within the EU by those companies who had clung to the hope that a close trade relationship would prevail. Many believe that any trade agreement between the UK and EU within 12 months is very unlikely. The government would then have the choice between a no deal situation in which trade between the UK and the EU would proceed under WTO rules and seeking an extension to enable the completion of a trade deal. It is widely viewed that a no deal outcome would have substantial adverse effects on EU/UK trade (as tariffs are introduced), with little if any offset through trade deals between UK and non-EU countries. The most widely touted would be one between the UK and the USA, which (despite Trumps claims to the contrary) would at best have small positive effects on trade and output; and that is before taking account of potential harmful effects from a UK/USA trade deal including diminution of regulatory standards for environment and food. Any Brexit deal, short of a customs union and close alignment with the single marketwhich is effectively ruled out by the election resultwill involve adverse effects on trade and employment, restrictions on movement of labour and immigration, combining to depress economic activity. Inappropriate fiscal responses such as cutting public services in the face of lower output would make matters worse. During the EU referendum campaign in 2016, many forecasts were made on the impact of different forms of Brexit on economic activity, employment etc., though often over a time horizon of more than a decade. Each side of the argument will claim that the actual outturn over the past three years supports their position that is little, if any, effect in the case of leavers and a depressing effect in the case of remainers. The forecasts were (and still are) comparisons between what would happen under a leave scenario with what would happen with continued EU membership. Further, any forecast for the domestic economy has to make assumptions about the international economy and policy responses. The forecasts were often presented as output will fall whereas the forecasts were saying output will be lower than it would have been otherwise. With allowances made for the path of the global economy and policy responses (particularly by the Bank of England), those viewing a vote for Brexit has having adverse economic consequences appear to have been largely right. While Brexit is likely to involve lower economic activity than would have been the case, it may still involve increasing economic activity. No doubt economists will be running their regressions for many years to come to seek an answer as to whether Brexit made a difference to economic activity. I would suggest that the lower (than otherwise) economic activity will not be substantial enough to in effect derail Brexit provided that macroeconomic policies are used sensibly. Policies on public expenditure and fiscal policy could have a significant impact on the eventual outcome and perceptions of that outcome. How will government respond to lower tax revenues consequent on the UK leaving the EU? There have previously been threats that lower tax revenues arising from lower level of economic activity coming as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU would mean lower public expenditures to meet budget deficit targets. Such threats have largely disappeared. The rhetoric of austerity and the urgency to balance the books have been dropped. During the election campaign, the Conservative Party pledges some increases in public expenditure, modest by comparison with the pledges of the Labour Party (and indeed other parties). Much of the proposals for increased public expenditure would do little more than reverse the effects of the cuts in public expenditure over the past decade: an example being proposals to increase the number of police officers by over 20,000 in the context of a reduction in the number of police officers by 20,000 over the past decade. At least for the next few years, the obsessions with deficit reductions with the emphasis on cutting back public expenditure have dissipated. There are then at least possibilities of using well directed public expenditure to offset many of the economic effects of Brexit: but that does require a government willing to use public expenditure to good effect. The longer term effects of Brexit may well unleash forces which will bring into question on the stability of the UK, and whether there will be a United Kingdom in ten years time. Northern Ireland and Scotland both voted to remain in the 2016 referendum by votes of 55 and 62 per cent respectively, and in both countries there will be pressures for leaving the UK. The Scottish government (a minority Scottish National Party, SNP government with support of Greens) push for a second Scottish independence referendum (previous one held in 2014), bolstered by desires for Scotland to remain within the European Union when the UK leaves. Exit from the EU and a majority Conservative government in London will surely strengthen the push for Scottish independence. In the general election, for the first time ever in Northern Ireland, the Nationalist parties (Sinn Fein, SDLP) returned more members of Parliament (albeit that Sinn Fein do not take their seats as unable to swear the oath of allegiance required of MPs) than the Unionist Parties (DUP, UUP). The prospects are that Brexit will require the re-introduction of border checks affecting the relationships between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic whether between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (and the rest of the UK) as they would be in different customs territories or between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as currently proposed in the Withdrawal Agreement. The peace process in Northern Ireland embed in the Good Friday agreement following thirty years of the troubles will not be aided by these border checks and more generally difficulties of cross-border movements. The major, and in the longer term the most damaging, losses from the result of the general election were for the environment and addressing the climate emergency. The prospects of the UK reaching zero net carbon emissions and making the transformation to a sustainable economy have severely receded. The UKs exit from the EU damages co-operation between European countries on confronting environmental damage. The political parties opposed to the Brexit deal on the table had proposed targets for zero net carbon ranging from 2030 (Green Party), during the 2030s (Labour Party) through to 2045 (Liberal Democrats). The Conservative government had opted for a date of 2050, with considerable doubts on the strength of their attachment. Environmental policies and climate change were little discussed during the election campaign, and did not feature in the major interviews with the party leaders nor in the leaders debates. There was one exception to that a leaders debate on the environmental organised by the television Channel Four, which Boris Johnson did not attend and was empty chaired with a lump of ice. The opportunities for a Green New Deal have been lost, and in the longer term this may well be the most devastating effect of the election result and Brexit. The smoke is so strong in the church, she said, that after five minutes, one smells like theyve been in a bar. She said they havent been using the building for the last three months because they cant keep the doors propped open like they normally do with the cold. A watchdogs warning that some probation officers lack the professional curiosity to check whether dangerous offenders are lying should not come as a surprise after the events of the past year but it must be acted on. In November, convicted terrorist Usman Khan murdered two people while supposedly under supervision by the National Probation Service (NPS) and subject to a slew of licence conditions. Months before, Joseph McCann launched a campaign of rape and kidnapping across England while also being monitored. He had already reoffended while under supervision and it was an error by the same NPS that meant he was automatically released from prison in February. First proposal in 2020 focuses on AI By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-01-14 09:38 Before the 2020 Shanghai Two Sessions officially began, a proposal about the development of the citys AI industry attracted the attention of many reviewers. (CPPCC Shanghai Committee members review the proposal.) This year, the two sessions of Shanghai (the 3rd session of the 15th Municipal People's Congress and the 3rd session of the 13th CPPCC Shanghai Committee) began on January 14, Tuesday. The proposal, though only 2,000 Chinese characters in length, summarizes the current problems in the development of Shanghai's AI industry, such as the lack of leading companies and key & core technology. Put forward by 15 members of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, it also gave five suggestions from different perspectives. Two weeks ago, the proposal was submitted and became the first proposal for the 13th CPPCC Shanghai Committee this year. According to its author Wang Jun, it was never an easy thing to draft up the proposal. How to seize the focal point of developing the AI industry? The members of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee at first had difficulty in finding a solution. After a brainstorm, Wang got his inspiration from Zhang Ying, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization. From the perspective of industrial development, what Shanghai needs is talent, especially promising talent who are in their 30s and 40s. This involves planning and implementation of talent policies, said Zhang. Shanghai plays an important role in Chinas AI industry. Data shows that one third of the country's AI talent at present are concentrated in Shanghai, a city that houses more than 1,000 core AI enterprises with the scale of related industries worth over 70 billion yuan. Over the past month, the proposal was modified nine times, and it was the 10th edition that all the proposers agreed on. For the next step, the Committee members said they would work on an updated version by considering the AI industry in the entire Yangtze River Delta. Somalia's al-Shabaab kill 3 teachers, abduct one in Kenya Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 8:33 AM Somalia's Takfiri al-Shabab militants have killed three teachers and wounded a child in an attack on a primary school in eastern Kenya, police say. The terrorists attacked the settlement of Kamuthe in Garissa County near Kenya's border with Somalia on Monday, according to a police report. They killed three teachers, abducted another and wounded a child by a stray bullet during a raid on the Kamuthe primary school. Police said the militants also burned down a police station and destroyed a telecommunications mast. The al-Qaeda-linked group has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but it has been involved in militancy in Somalia and neighboring countries, Kenya and Uganda, for more than a decade. Last week, they killed four schoolchildren in a gunfight with Garissa local police. The attackers targeted a telecommunications mast in that assault as well. The militants was forced out of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu in 2011, but it continues to wage deadly attacks against government, military, and civilian targets around the city and in other parts of the country. Al-Shabaab militants have fought successive Somali governments as well as neighboring governments Kenya, which sent troops to Somalia in 2011 to fight the Takfiri group as part of the African Union forces. Back in December, they killed 11 people, including eight police officers, in an attack on Kenya's Mandera County. In separate attacks in December, they also killed two construction workers in Garissa County. Late in December, they attacked a patrol vehicle by a roadside bomb in Wajir County, killing two security officers and wounding seven other policemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish authorities on Tuesday detained 115 soldiers suspected of links to the U.S.-based Muslim cleric blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt in 2016, the state-run news agency reported. Anadolu Agency says the 115 are among a total of 176 soldiers that prosecutors ordered detained as part of an ongoing investigation into cleric Fethullah Gulens network. The report said 108 of the soldiers are currently on active duty. The suspects include six F-16 pilots and four district gendarmerie commanders, the agency reported. On July 15, 2016, a group of officers attempted a coup to overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Some 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured during the failed attempt. Some 77,000 people have been arrested and around 130,000 others, including military personnel, have been dismissed from state jobs in an ongoing government crackdown on Gulens network since the coup. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, denies involvement in the coup attempt. Flight costs for royal protection officers soared by more than 1million after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married, figures show. The budget on air travel for bodyguards protecting the Royal Family rose from 3.47million in 2016-17, to 4.62million in 2018-19. The cost of hotel stays has also increased from 1.12 million in 2016-17 to more than 2 million in 2017-18, amid fears from senior officers that the security bill is 'spiralling out of control.' The taxpayer funded budget for Met Police protection officers is expected to rise even further when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who married in May 2018, split their time between North America and the UK. Documents seen by The Times show Scotland Yard is already struggling to train enough specialist officers to cope with increasing demands to provide security for the royal family. A statement on the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's website said they are classified as 'internationally protected people' which means they must have an armed security detail anywhere on the globe. Meghan's team including a personal protection officer accompany her in London. Security costs the taxpayer in excess of an estimated 100 million a year for the royal family During their recent six week stay in Canada, where they took a break from royal duties before announcing they were to 'step back' as senior royals, ten officers were deployed in total because replacements had to be flown out. And while Harry and Meghan were in South Africa in October trip a fleet of armoured Land Rover Discovery's was shipped out for the official visit because vehicles that met their requirements could not be found locally The secretive Royalty and VIP Executive Committee, a Home Office body that decides who should receive armed police protection, recommended a 20 per cent rise in the number of Met bodyguards in 2017. The Times reports that a report written last year reveals that the Met has a 'reliance on overtime' to fulfill the number of recommended officers from 449 to 540. Meghan is whisked away by a police protection officer during a visit to Fiji in October 2018 The anti-monarchy group Republic estimates the cost of royal security to the taxpayer at 106 million per year. Harry, Meghan and Archie each have one officer and are understood to have a team of six protecting the family in any 24-hour period. After the unprecedented Sandringham summit on Monday, the Queen gave her backing to Harry and Meghan's new 'independent life' away from full-time royal duties and said they will begin a transition period living in the UK and Canada. But the move has raised questions over the costs of the couple's security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill. A former Scotland Yard chief told The Times that the budget could spiral out of control adding that the couple 'have not thought out the security implications of their move and have put the Met in an impossible situation. During Harry and Meghan's South Africa trip a fleet of armoured Land Rover Discovery's was shipped out for the official visit because vehicles that met their requirements could not be found locally Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has said there is still 'much to discuss' over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move to North America and who would pick up the bill for security. Mr Trudeau said: 'That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on. 'We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. 'I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have.' He said the federal Canadian government had not been involved 'up until this point' about what the couple's move to the country will involve. 'There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have,' Mr Trudeau said. 'We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well.' The decision came as finance minister Bill Morneau said the Canadian government has not yet discussed if it would help cover the security costs associated with Harry and Meghan living in Canada. The Duke and Duchess posted a brand new web page which detailed all of the changes which would now take place - but they admit that because of their royal titles they will require taxpayer-funded protection wherever they live The Queen said on Monday that she'd held 'very constructive' talks with Harry, his brother Prince William and their father Prince Charles in a bid to chart a course through the fallout of the bombshell announcement. Their effective resignation last week followed a year filled with rumours of infighting between the brothers and reports of Meghan feeling unwelcome in the highly traditional and structured royal family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family,' the 93-year-old monarch said in a statement after the first day of meetings at her Sandringham estate in eastern England. Harry and Meghan said they wanted to 'carve out a progressive new role within this institution'. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,' the queen said. The monarch stressed the couple told her 'they do not want to be reliant on public funds' but did not address the issue of whether they would keep their royal titles. Harry and Meghan are formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Five percent of their income is from public funds. The rest comes from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall, a hereditary private estate dating back to 1337, which funds the public, charitable and private activities of his family. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK,' said the queen, stressing that there were still 'complex matter' left to resolve. 'I have asked for final decisions to be reached within days,' she said. The Age revealed on Tuesday that a Victorian couple have been flying the flag, which features a swastika and other Nazi-related images, over their home for at least several weeks, reigniting calls to ban people from displaying the symbol. Reason Party MP Fiona Patten, whose bill has prompted a parliamentary review of the state's anti-vilification laws, was responding to controversy over a Nazi flag flying above a home in country Victoria. The Victorian MP pushing for changes to the state's anti-vilification legislation does not believe the swastika should be banned from public display. Police and other state agencies had no legal power to remove the flag which has caused outrage in the small town of Beulah in the Mallee, about four hours north-west of Melbourne. Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich welcomed news the flag had been removed, but repeated calls for Parliament to ban public displays of the Nazi symbol. "This is a victory for the people of Victoria, for decency, and for the foundational values that bind us all together. While we welcome the removal of the flag, this action does not address the core problem that the public displaying of the Nazi swastika is still legal in this state," Dr Abramovich said on Tuesday night. Ms Patten condemned the couple's actions, however she does not believe banning the swastika is the answer. "I think with banning symbols, where do we stop? Now yes, the history of the Nazi party and the extraordinary, horrific acts that they undertook is one thing. I dont think prohibiting something or banning it the answer, however we do want to prohibit people trying to incite hatred and violence on the grounds of who they are," she said. Stora Enso's Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Malin Bendz, to Leave Company Malin Bendz Jan. 14, 2020 - Stora Enso announced that Malin Bendz, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, will leave her position at the company as of 15 January 2020. After 20 years with Stora Enso, she will now pursue new career opportunities outside Stora Enso. "I want to thank Malin for her dedicated work in developing our People strategy and driving our co-creation with startups by designing the Stora Enso Accelerator Programme. With her extensive experience in the company, she has been an appreciated member of the Group Leadership Team. I wish Malin all the best in her future career," said Stora Enso's President and CEO Annica Bresky. The search for a successor will be initiated immediately. Per Lyrvall, Executive Vice President, Legal, is taking on the role as acting Head of HR during the interim period. Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. To learn more, please visit: www.storaenso.com . SOURCE: Stora Enso 100+ leading utility telecom professionals will convene in Amsterdam to transform utility telecom departments and drive the migration to MPLS networks to maximise security, reliability and visibility of the grid AMSTERDAM, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent utility research carried out by Smart Grid Forums indicates that the pressure is on for European utilities to develop their roadmaps amidst the transition from TDM to PSN technologies. There is now real urgency for utilities to raise the profile of the telecoms department on the organisational agenda to more powerfully drive the migration to MPLS networks and maximise security, reliability and visibility. With a broad and diverse range of utility telecom tools and technologies already on the market, as well the testing of new solutions on the horizon, the time to make key technology procurement choices is now. As the grid modernises, the design of utility telecom networks needs to be fully scrutinised and reconsidered, particularly within low voltage distribution networks. "The pace of progress has been slow within the utility telecom environment to date, with only a few utilities leading the way in the migration to MPLS networks" explains Marcella Cilia, Conference Producer at Smart Grid Forums, the organisers of Utility Telecoms 2020. "The initial difficulty lies in the selection process of the telecom technologies, but with this comes a bigger challenge around understanding the complexities of implementing and operating these new technologies to support existing internal utility services such as teleprotection and telecontrol. As a result, this year's programme has been created to address the strategic, application, implementation, and configuration issues that need to be considered before the MPLS transition is complete." Utility Telecoms 2020 takes place 25 - 27 February 2020 in Amsterdam. Over 3 intensive conference days participants will get the opportunity to review the most advanced implementation case studies, participate in technology innovation panel discussions, problem solve during the end-user roundtable discussions, forge new relationships during the evening networking reception, and quiz tech experts through the exhibition area running alongside the conference. Discussion topics include: Telecom network refurbishment - establishing a robust framework to maximise lifecycles of legacy infrastructure whilst effectively integrating next generation IP-enabled technologies - establishing a robust framework to maximise lifecycles of legacy infrastructure whilst effectively integrating next generation IP-enabled technologies System design - testing, configuring, and futureproofing systems and advanced utility telecom solutions to support the modernisation of the smart grid - testing, configuring, and futureproofing systems and advanced utility telecom solutions to support the modernisation of the smart grid System architecture - engineering traffic flows to effectively manage high volumes of data across medium to low voltage distribution networks - engineering traffic flows to effectively manage high volumes of data across medium to low voltage distribution networks Advanced G networks - fully leveraging 5G capabilities within wireless communication infrastructures to ensure ultra-low latency and guaranteed levels of redundancy - fully leveraging 5G capabilities within wireless communication infrastructures to ensure ultra-low latency and guaranteed levels of redundancy Public carrier relationships - establishing greater trust between utilities and public telco providers to maintain high QoS and ensure utility needs are met establishing greater trust between utilities and public telco providers to maintain high QoS and ensure utility needs are met Cybersecurity - fully protecting telecom networks through advanced prevention and detection systems in alignment with telecom network transformations Speakers include: Alberto Sendin , Telecommunications Project Manager - Iberdrola , - Cyrille Gerard , Project Manager - EDF , Bas Mulder , Senior Consultant OT - Stedin , - Wolfgang Zeitler , Network Architect - Bayernwerk , - Pal Josten , Lead IT Infrastructure - Eidsiva , - Antonello Monti , Director of the Institute for automation of Complex Power Systems - E. ON Energy Research Centre - RWTH Aachen University , - Tim Godfrey , Technical Director - EPRI , - Dominique Verhulst , Global Energy Practice Leader - Nokia , - Ullrich Feuchtinger , Product Manager - Siemens , - Bas Kruimer , Business Director Intelligent Networks & Communication - DNV GL , - Steven Blair , Lecturer - University of Strathclyde With many more in the process of finalising the contributions. Join the solution zone: Utility telecom system suppliers and system integrators are invited to join the solution zone, to raise their brand profile, demonstrate their products and services and share their expertise with the most targeted and influential group of utility telecom implementation leaders and decision makers. Capped at 10 stands we ensure a focused and relevant display of the latest tools, technologies and services for our utility audience and maximum visibility for each of the exhibitors. Testimonials from past Smart Grid Forums events "This conference provided an array of technically detailed presentations. Rather than being too generic and high level, the material presented facilitated much learning in a short time frame. There was also an excellent level or informal interaction amongst participants. A couple of days that were certainly well spent." - Cormac Long, IP Technical Consultant, ESB Ireland "A great opportunity to access energy sector trends and increase knowledge and share experiences" - Sandra Monteirn, IT Specialist, TAESA Once again Smart Grid Forums has presented a high-quality conference focused on one of the most important challenges for utilities. An excellent blend of conference sessions, exhibition and networking that enabled participants to have highly successful, driven, forward-looking and open discussions."- Aurelio Blanquet, Director for Networks Digital Platform, EDP Distribuicao "Lots of very technical presentations! Very interesting and diversified." - Christophe Bechet, Referent telecom et cybersecurite, EDF To find out more about Utility Telecoms 2020 please visit: https://www.smartgrid-forums.com/UTC20PRWEB Media Contact: Mandana White Smart Grid Forums Evergreen House North Grafton Place London, NW1 2DX. United Kingdom Tel: +44-(0)-20-3691-1700 Opalesque Industry Update, for New Managers - GoImpact announced plans to launch the "GOIMPACT CAPITAL (SINGAPORE) VCC". The Fund will be established under Singapore's recently launched Variable Capital Companies (VCC) Act as part of the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) VCC pilot program. It is intended to be a Singapore domiciled, open-ended fund with monthly liquidity, investing in a carefully curated and concentrated portfolio of primarily Asian listed companies that meet the strict definition of GoImpact's proprietary screening. GoImpact operates an ecosystem developed to connect the dots and provide action enablers built around 3 key pillars - GoLearn (education); GoNetwork (structured advocacy); GoInvest (deal flow platform for sustainable investments) all designed to accelerate the Sustainable Development agenda from intention to implementation. The Fund and its subsequent portfolio groups the United Nations Development Programme's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into 5 areas of focus - Climate, Education, Health, Inclusion and Biodiversity. The Fund will target "net positive" ESG corporates that deliver good returns and is based on a tested and proven proprietary ESG framework. GoImpact's well-recognized knowledge in Sustainable Investing, strengthened by un-matched Partnerships (e.g. UNDP, Temasek Foundation, Financial Times, etc.,) are anchoring building blocks for this high-concentration, high-conviction Asian focused Impact Investment Fund. The Fund will apply the globally recognized, market tested Nordic ESG/Sustainable investment experience, leveraged to develop the proprietary framework that is used to map out the investment universe and subsequent asset allocation. The core team at GoImpact includes Helene Li - a seasoned banker and Top 2 global Sustainable Finance influencer, Top 10 influencer of FinTech & Impact and Co-Founder of GoImpact; Clarence T'ao, Former CEO of BNP Paribas China and Partner at GoImpact and Andy Ann, a celebrated tech entrepreneur and Co-Founder of GoImpact. The Fund which will be managed in partnership with Gordian Capital Singapore Private Limited is expected to launch in Q1 2020 with AUM of approx. US$100m with most investors being Asian Family Offices. Helene Li Co-founder of GoImpact commented: "We are delighted and honored to be the only ESG Fund included in the inaugural group of VCC, a visionary initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Without doubt, Sustainable Finance investments have reached a tipping point with USD 17.5 trillion grouped under ESG portfolios as of 2018. To truly mainstream this momentum, Asia-focused and Asia-managed ESG Funds that leverage the best-in-class expertise will be much needed. That is the fundamental mandate of the GoImpact ESG Asia Fund." "Taking advantage of the timely establishment of the VCC structure, GoImpact is excited to bring to the Asian market an ESG Fund which combines the best of European Nordic expertise and deep roots in Asian market knowledge. Together with the liquidity of the Fund, this will appeal to the investment appetite of family offices." commented Clarence T'ao, Partner of GoImpact. "As Singapore's leading fund platform, it is a pleasure to work with GoImpact on this exciting venture and we look forward to launching additional VCC fund structures. The VCC is a well-designed, user friendly, tax efficient fund structure that will provide asset managers based in Singapore an option to launch and operate a Singapore domiciled vehicle. Both the asset management industry and investors look forward to enjoying the benefits of the newly established VCC regime for funds utilizing both public and private strategies." said Mark Voumard, Founder and CEO of Gordian Capital. The shortest world war in history is history. Did you miss the news? Im talking about the big war between the U.S. and Iran that Democrats and the liberal media were hoping and maybe even praying would explode in the Middle East this week and prevent the re-election of President Trump. The war never really happened, though. President Trump called it off before it started just before noon on Wednesday. Actually, he never planned a war with Iran or wanted one in the first place. But I suspect some desperate Democrats did. I think they were secretly hoping Irans feeble missile attack in response to the obliteration of its terrorist-in-chief Qassem Soleimani by a drone really had killed a few American soldiers in Iraq and ignited a full-scale U.S.-Iran war. (It would have been a very short war, too, and the Iranian mullahs know it. They are thugs, but they arent stupid or suicidal, and they now understand the penalty for crossing one of Trumps bright red lines.) Its a cynical thing to say, but a new war in the Middle East with Iran was the last hope Democrats had to achieve their dream of unseating President Trump. The Russian Collusion Hoax was a dud. The Trump Recession didnt happen. Trump didnt lose the trade war with China. And impeachment which Democrats claimed had to be hurried through the House because Trump was a mortal danger to the Constitution and Americas national security has turned into a prolonged partisan dirty joke with no punchline. As anyone over 40 knows, or should know, the hysterical fear of a Republican president starting World War III is nothing new for Democrats and the liberal media. Its the same dumb stuff Democrats tried when my father ran for president in 1980, a year after Jimmy Carter abandoned the Shah and basically handed Iran over to the mullahs. If you elect that warmonger Ronald Reagan, they claimed, the first thing hell do is turn Iran into a parking lot. And dont forget, Hes a dangerous anti-communist just itching to start World War III with the Soviets. Youd think the Democrats would have learned something when their dire predictions about my fathers foreign policy didnt pan out, but 40 years later fearmongering about war and other calamities is still one of their favorite go-to political weapons. For them the sky is always going to fall the day a conservative Republican is elected president. Grandma is going to die. The KKK will make a comeback. The economy will crash. World War III will start at noon on Inauguration Day. Another major forever-war didnt arrive in the Middle East this week because President Trump had the sense not to use Irans token, face-saving response to the droning of General Soleimani as a pretext to level Tehran. Once again he has turned out not to be as reckless or clueless as deranged Democrats and Rachel Maddow and her MSNBC/CNN pals continue to believe he is. As long as Donald Trump is president, which looks increasingly like it will be until 2024, Democrats and the liberal media will see World War III lurking around every foreign corner. I seriously doubt the president will get us into a real war with Iran or anyone else, including North Korea. But to make sure WWIII doesnt start in Iran, House Democrats and a few non-interventionist Republicans like Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida passed a resolution on Thursday that specifically limits President Trumps ability to strike Iran militarily without first getting the approval of Congress. The resolution, which still has to pass in the Senate, is highly partisan and largely symbolic. Putting a presidents war-waging powers back in their proper (but long ignored) Constitutional shackles is never a bad thing for Congress to do. In this case, though, its at least two presidents too late. Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of Lessons My Father Taught Me: The Strength, Integrity, and Faith of Ronald Reagan. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Automobile Rear Cliper is cliper which is used in rear wheel. In 2019, the market size of Automotive Rear Cliper is xx million US$ and it will reach xx million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period. In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Automotive Rear Cliper. Request for Report Sample: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/sample/160 This report studies the global market size of Automotive Rear Cliper, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia). This study presents the Automotive Rear Cliper production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019. Request for Report More Information@ http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/reports/enquiry/160 In global market, the following companies are covered: ZF TRW Continental Akebono Brembo Aisin Bosch Mando APG Nissin Kogyo Knorr-Bremse Huayu Wabco LiBang Market Segment by Product Type 1 Piston Caliper 2 Piston Caliper Multi-Piston Caliper Market Segment by Application Sedan & Hatchback SUV Other Region Segmentation North America Country (United States, Canada) South America Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea) Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy) Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC) Full View of Report Description: http://www.marketgrowthanalysis.com/automotive-rear-cliper-market Kerrville, TX (78028) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High around 50F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 32F. Winds light and variable. ABU DHABI - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Currently on a tour of the Middle East, Abe sought understanding for the dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel to the Middle East, and the crown prince expressed support. The two governments are considering using Fujairah port in the eastern part of the UAE as a supply base for an MSDF unit. The crown prince is said to be the true power in the government. During the one-hour meeting, Abe explained that the purpose of dispatching the unit is to ensure the safety of Japan-related ships. The crown prince responded, "We appreciate and welcome Japan's efforts for maritime security." "As a coastal state, [Abu Dhabi] will spare no effort in providing concrete support for the dispatch of MSDF," the crown prince said. Fujairah port faces the Gulf of Oman, one of the areas where an MSDF unit will conduct intelligence gathering. It is close to the Strait of Hormuz, a key strategic point, although it is not included in the scope of MSDF operations. MSDF ships have already called at Fujairah port, and the MSDF is expected to supply food and fuel to its destroyers there. The Japanese government also hopes to secure a supply base in Oman so the unit can continue stable operations for an extended time. On growing tensions in the Middle East due to a confrontation between the United States and Iran, Abe said, "[Japan] will play a role in efforts to ease tensions in cooperation with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries." The crown prince replied that Abu Dhabi shares these concerns and will make diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region in tandem with Saudi Arabia and other countries concerned. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Abe thanked the crown prince for stable crude oil exports from the UAE to Japan, according to a Japanese government source. The crown prince pledged to continue to give consideration to Japan for the stable supply of crude oil. Abe said Japan will introduce visa exemptions to increase the number of UAE tourists to Japan. New Delhi: Renovation work of Dr Zakir Husain Library at the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University that was vandalised in December last year during clashes over anti-CAA protests; underway in New Delhi on Jan 6, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Renovation work of Dr Zakir Husain Library at the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University that was vandalised in December last year during clashes over anti-CAA protests; underway in New Delhi on Jan 6, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Jamia Millia Islamia library which was vandalised following a police crackdown last month is set to be restored. The university has estimated a loss of Rs 2.6 crore in the crackdown. University sources said the restoration process for the library is on and the groundwork for it would begin within weeks. "We plan to add more value to the library. We are determined to restore the library," said university's Public Relations Officer Ahmad Azeem. He said in the preliminary assessment, the university has found that property worth about Rs 2.6 crore was damaged during the police crackdown. On December 15, residents and commuters in the heart of the national capital ran for their lives as a raging mob protested against the Citizenship Act. The protestors were believed to be students of Jamia Millia Islamia. At least five buses were set ablaze or damaged, besides many cars and bikes were targeted by the mob. Two fire officials were also injured in stone pelting. The police while trying to control the violence allegedly entered the Jamia compund without university administration's permission and cracked down on the protesters, damaging a portion of the library. Pictured: Paul R. Williams. Courtesy of PBS SoCal. PBS SoCal, Southern California's home for the premieres of new PBS programs, announced today the debut of a new documentary Hollywoods Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story. The special tells the story of African American architect Paul R. Williams as he defied the odds to become one of the most notable architects in history. His fortitude, talent and determination led him to design iconic homes and buildings across the country for movie stars and moguls, in spite of personal tragedy and racial prejudice. The film premieres Thurs., Feb. 6, 2020 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal (in conjunction with Black History Month) and will also air on WORLD Channel and other PBS stations nationwide, check local listings. Following the broadcast, the film will stream at pbssocal.org/hollywoodsarchitect and on the free PBS Video app (available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, the App Store and Google Play). From the early 1920s until his retirement 50 years later, Williams was one of the most prolific architects in America. His list of celebrity clients included Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, William Holden, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. He is noted for his mastery of various iconic architectural styles that include the Beverly Hills Hotel, the original MCA Headquarters Building and he was part of the team that designed and built LAX Airport. Because of his race, Paul Williams wasnt always welcome in the restaurants and hotels he designed, or the neighborhoods where he built homes, even at the height of his career. Hollywoods Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story explores how he used his skills, persistence and charisma to overcome discrimination and create a portfolio of work that can be found nationwide. A co-production of PBS SoCal and RKR Media, the film is narrated by Tony and Emmy award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance. Interviewees include grandchildren of Paul R. Williams Karen Hudson and Paul Hudson, family friend Quincy Jones as well as Paul R. Williams homeowners Robert Iger, Pauletta Washington, Steve Tisch and more. Notable interviews from the architectural world include Smithsonian Institutions Dr. Lonnie Bunch, LA Conservancys Linda Dishman, the City of Los Angeless Chief Design Officer Chrisopher Hawthorne and architectural historian Dr. Wesley Henderson. For a full schedule of Black History Month programming, please visit pbssocal.org and kcet.org. ABOUT PBS SOCAL PBS SoCal is a donor-supported community institution that is a part of Public Media Group of Southern California, the flagship PBS station for 19 million diverse people across California formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. PBS SoCal delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and entertain over the air, online, in the community and in the classroom. We offer the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, Frontline, Independent Lens, a broad library of documentary films including works from Ken Burns; and educational PBS KIDS programs including Daniel Tigers Neighborhood and Curious George. Our programs are accessible for free through four broadcast channels, and available for streaming at pbssocal.org, on the PBS mobile apps, and via connected TV services Android TV, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): People here celebrated Bhogi by lightning a bonfire on the occasion which marks the beginning of the four-day Pongal festival. Bhogi festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and people this year usually avoided burning plastic. Bhogi is a part of Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu where useless household articles are put in the bonfire. Pongal is a festival that marks the end of the winters and the beginning of the harvest season. In Chennai's Nerkundram, people celebrated Boghi by lighting the 'Bhogi Manta' or a bonfire while the children beat the drums. Meanwhile, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu extended his greetings to the people on 'Bhogi' and celebrated the festival with his family members by lighting a bonfire on the occasion. As a part of the traditional welcome of Pongal, women drew colourfull rangoli outside their house. (ANI) Source: Clive Maund for Streetwise Reports (1/13/20) Technical analyst Clive Maund charts silver's progress in comparison to gold's following recent world events. Silver's recent rally looks diminutive and stunted compared to gold's, but that's normal at this early stage of a new bull market, when silver typically underperforms gold due to investors being risk-averse and silver being perceived as more risky and volatile than gold. Nevertheless, as we can see on its latest 6-month chart, silver did manage to break out of its reactive downtrend in force from early September. Last week, at the time Iran lobbed missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq, it had a go at breaking above its late September highs. But it was not up to the task and fell back, putting in a reversal candle on big volume, which suggests that it probably has further to fall short termperhaps back to the upper boundary of the downtrend channel shown. But with the overall tenor of this chart positive, it should then turn higher again. Wheeling out the 10-year chart once more, which gives us the big picture, we see that, although so far looking much more restrained than gold, silver appears to be ascending away from the second low of a giant double-bottom pattern. The advance out of the lows of last summer was on good volume, which has driven both volume indicators quite strongly higher. This is bullish and marks a breakout drive out of the base pattern, with a completed breakout being signaled by silver breaking above the resistance, approaching and at $22/ounce. A break above this level will usher in a period of much more dynamic advance. The latest COT chart shows that Commercial short and Large Spec long positions are still at fairly extreme levels, which makes more corrective action over the near term likely. Conclusion Although last week's reversal candle and the current rather extreme COT readings make short-term weakness likely, perhaps to the upper boundary of the fall downtrend, the overall picture for silver is favorable, with it readying to break out of a giant, 5-year plus base pattern to follow gold higher. Marked acceleration is likely to follow a breakout above the $22 level. Article originally published on CliveMaund.com on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Clive Maund has been president of www.clivemaund.com, a successful resource sector website, since its inception in 2003. He has 30 years' experience in technical analysis and has worked for banks, commodity brokers and stockbrokers in the City of London. He holds a Diploma in Technical Analysis from the UK Society of Technical Analysts. [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of Clive Maund and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. Clive Maund is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. Streetwise Reports was not involved in the content preparation. Clive Maund was not paid by Streetwise Reports LLC for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. 2) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 3) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Charts and graphics provided by the author. CliveMaund.com Disclosure: The above represents the opinion and analysis of Mr Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. Mr. Maund is an independent analyst who receives no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned in his reports. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks can only be construed as a solicitation to buy and sell securities when they are subject to the prior approval and endorsement of a Registered Securities Advisor operating in accordance with the appropriate regulations in your area of jurisdiction. On Monday, Donald Trump complained on Twitter about recent reporting that Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was not actually planning imminent attacks on U.S. interests when he was killed in a Baghdad airstrike, as the White House has claimed. Trumps argument is that Soleimani was always a bad guy, so who cares when he died: The Democrats and the Fake News are trying to make terrorist Soleimani into a wonderful guy, only because I did what should have been done for 20 years. Anything I do, whether its the economy, military, or anything else, will be scorned by the Rafical Left, Do Nothing Democrats! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was imminent or not, & was my team in agreement. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020 The idea that previous administrations should have done something to stop Soleimani is particularly interesting in light of a 2017 New Yorker story about Trumps partners in a construction project in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran to the north. Advertisement Advertisement Beginning in 2012, the Trump Organization was paid at least $5 million to license its brand to a luxury hotel and condo building that was erected in the nations capital, Baku, by a company owned at least in part by family members of a powerful Azerbaijani official named Ziya Mammadov. Mammadov, as the New Yorker documents, is believed to have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars of Azerbaijani government contracts to businesses ostensibly run by his family members but actually controlled by him. Theres also evidence, including a 2009 U.S. State Department memo published by WikiLeaks, that Mammadov awarded similarly inflated contracts to a construction company widely assumed to be controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the organization for which Soleimani directed foreign paramilitary and terrorism operations. (Because of sanctions against Iran and international scrutiny of terrorist finance networks, the guard uses front companies to raise and distribute the funds with which it pays for weapons and otherwise supports terror and proxy militia operations.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building that Trump and the Mammadovs collaborated on in Baku was finished, but it never opened, and per the New Yorker it was built in an inaccessible and not particularly upscale area of the city. So it is not making money by operating as a hotel or by selling condo units, and it does not seem well positioned to go up in value as a real estate asset. This makes it seem plausible it was built not to turn a profit but to distribute money to somebody (or multiple somebodies) through bloated construction contracts. The Trump Organization and the Mammadovs, meanwhile, have refused to disclose a full list of investors in the property, which leaves open the question of exactly whose money was being thrown around so freely, especially given the familys known connections to the guard. Advertisement Advertisement This doesnt establish that Trump definitely laundered money for the Revolutionary Guard. To prove that would mean demonstrating that he had knowingly abetted a transaction that allowed the guard to use the legitimate international financial system to transfer money that was obtained illegally or was intended for an ultimately illegal use. (A classic example of this kind of money laundering would be selling an expensive apartment in cash to, lets say, an illegal arms dealer. One day, they have a sack of money that they cant take to the bank without dealing with employees who have legal and institutional obligations to ask where the money came from. The next day, they have legal title to a piece of property whose value is likely to appreciate, and you have the sack of moneywhich you can freely take to the bank, as the proceeds of your real estate dealings.) There isnt proof that Revolutionary Guard fronts were involved in this particular Mammadov project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the New Yorker article makes clear, though, via interviews with individuals who worked on the Baku Trump project and corruption law experts, is that the Trump Organization made little effort to check that it wasnt being used to create a facade of legitimacy behind which to distribute dirty money. Public evidence of the Mammadovs corruption was available before 2012 and should have itself been a red flag: Mammadov held a government position, and the hotel was built in part on government property. (Engaging in corruption with a foreign official is a violation of the aptly named Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.) Likewise, even though the WikiLeaks cable outlining Mammadovs work with guard proxies was put online in 2011, the Trump Organization claims it didnt become aware of the connection until 2015, and it didnt terminate its work on the project until after Trump was elected. Advertisement This is not surprising. As other news outlets and nonprofits have documented, Trump has a long history of selling properties to, and forming partnerships with, individuals whove been accused or convicted of money laundering, drug trafficking, and other crimes. As far back as the 1980s, Trump maintained a contract with a helicopter company that provided flights to casinos even after its proprietor was convicted of cocaine traffickingthen let the convicted trafficker move into Trump Tower after he got out of prison. Trumps partner on an aughts-era development project in Manhattan and on the infamous Trump Tower Moscow project was a twice-convicted felon. The sanctions against Russia that Trump has tried repeatedly to eliminate are intended to prevent illegally obtained money from being moved into the U.S. financial system; the three Russians present at the if its what you say I love it meeting that Donald Trump Jr. conducted at Trump Tower in 2016 have all been formally accused of, or have worked for companies accused of, such activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hell, Trumps current lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has lobbied the Trump administration on behalf of individuals from Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela accused of bribery, money laundering, and sanctions evasion crimesincluding one who was convicted of circumventing sanctions against Iran! Various accounts describe the Revolutionary Guard as, like Trump, dependent on working with unscrupulous partners. In 2009, for example, the U.S. froze the assets of a company it accused of holding real estate in New York City on behalf of an Iranian bank that funded the guard. The Trump Organization rented office space to the same bank from 1998 to 2003; in 1999, the bank was formally identified by the U.S. as an instrument of the Iranian government, which had in turn been designated as a state sponsor of terror since 1984. On the construction side of things, a June 2019 Wall Street Journal piece, citing advisers to the [Revolutionary] Guard, said that the group was raising urgently needed money by procuring construction contracts in friendly countries through front companiesthe same practice that Trumps Azerbaijani partners were accused of facilitating in a document made public a year before Trump began working with them. Advertisement Whether their problem is serial bankruptcy or terror ties, financial pariahs rely on doing business in a quasi-legal space that exists because it is difficult to enforce laws against money laundering, and to write laws that keep pace with advancements in criminal techniques. Its a lucrative space, if you have a tolerance for risk and dont mind facilitating criminal activity for the sake of your personal goals, whether they be self-enrichment or the worldwide advancement of the Shiite revolution. Trumps strike against Soleimani may have been an act of war, but in another way it was just friendly fire. A Chattanooga gang member who is also facing a murder charge was sentenced on Monday to a six-year term in federal prison for selling drugs. Martrel "Tricky Trel" Arnold, who earlier was indicted in state court as a member of the Athens Park Bloods gang, appeared before Judge Sandy Mattice. Arnold is charged along with Cordell Collier and Johnny Clemons in the murder of 32-year-old Cedric "Blinky" Mikes. Officers found Mikes shot to death in a car on South Terrace around 2 a.m. on a Wednesday morning in late June 2014. Prosecutor Chris Poole said Arnold should be classified as a Career Offender in federal court except for a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that he said had a "ludicrous" effect. The ruling was that conspiracy to sell drugs could not count toward the "three strikes" (felony convictions) leading to being classed as a Career Offender. Instead of facing as much as 388 months, Arnold fell into a sentencing range of 46-57 months. Prosecutor Poole said the judge could vary much higher and recommended 188 months. Attorney Brian O'Shaughnessy argued for a sentence within the guideline range. He said Arnold had been to federal prison before, but always came back to the same bad environment. He said Arnold's mother lives in Atlanta and he wants to move there. Prosecutor Poole said, "He sells drugs for a living. That's what he does." Arnold, 34, maintained that he can work on the legitimate side. He said, "I know how to work. I ain't no threat to society." He said he wanted to spend time with his family, including his four-year-old son who was in the audience. He said, "I know this is my last chance." Prosecutor Poole noted that Arnold had been sent away earlier on a 63-month sentence. He said he got out and then violated the terms of his probation before getting caught in another drug ring. Arnold's name came up earlier in state court when a gang expert was explaining what had led to a string of retaliatory gang killings in Chattanooga. Bobby Johnson was pinpointed as a central figure in a beef between two Bloods gangs that led to the violence. Johnson was identified by the gang expert as a leader of the Bounty Hunters, a gang that has been feuding with the Athens Park Bloods. The gang expert, testifying in state court at a hearing for Cortez Sims, said the incident that sparked a wave of violence started when several hundred people, including many gang members, crowded into Terry's Lounge on 6th Avenue. He said Martrel Arnold had just gotten out of prison and was upset with Johnson. The witness said Arnold felt that Johnson "had been messing around with one of his girlfriends." He said that night a fight broke out between the two Bloods sects and it "sparked a violent beef." The witness said soon afterward shots were fired into a house on Central Avenue occupied by the aunt and uncle of an Athens Park Bloods member. The victims said they were told that the Bounty Hunters were responsible. Then on Jan. 20, 2014, multiple shots were fired into a home on E. 50th Street with one of the shots killing 13-year-old Deontrey Southers, the step-son of Johnson. Athens Park Bloods were blamed. The witness said since that time some want the feud to end, but he said, "Bobby Johnson has a vendetta against the Athens Park Bloods. He doesn't want it to end. He feels like it is still not even." Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:20:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Interior Ministry denied on Tuesday responsibility for the death of an Egyptian-American prisoner who was on hunger strike while serving a 15-year jail term over terror charges. Mostafa Kassem, 54, had been in custody since 2013 and he was on hunger strike to protest his imprisonment before his death on Monday in a hospital in Cairo. "He insisted to continue a hunger strike despite advising him several times about how dangerous it is to his health, especially that he was a diabetic," said the Egyptian Interior Ministry in a statement. "All medical and legal measures have been taken to prevent him from hurting himself," said the statement, noting that he used to be visited at prison by his family members. With regards to the dual citizen's imprisonment, the statement said that Kassem was normally and fairly tried before a judge. The Egyptian ministry also denied the U.S. claims that Kassem's death was "avoidable." On Monday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker lamented Kassem's death, saying it was "needless, tragic and avoidable." Kassem was arrested in 2013 in Cairo near a sit-in held by supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, whose Muslim Brotherhood group is currently blacklisted in Egypt as a terrorist organization. He was accused of inciting vandalism and violence and was sentenced in September 2018 to 15 years in jail. WEST CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Venerable Holdings, Inc. (Venerable) announced today the completion of its separation efforts from Voya Financial, Inc. (Voya). As announced on June 1, 2018, Venerable purchased Voya Insurance and Annuity Company, now renamed to Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company (VIAC), from Voya as part of Voya divesting substantially all of its variable, fixed, and fixed indexed annuity business. Separation activities have been underway since the 2018 announcement and have involved significant efforts to untangle long-standing integration of systems and processes. In addition, Venerable implemented a modernized cloud strategy and completed several complex data migrations in support of the separation. David Marcinek, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of Venerable noted "Completion of separation efforts ahead of schedule and on budget is a significant win for our organization and will provide long term value as we focus attention on our growth strategy." "We have cultivated a unique and meaningful culture at Venerable, one in which each employee demonstrates an ownership mindset, championing our core values and driving results. The early completion of our separation is a testament to that culture and positions us as the leading industry solution for the consolidation of variable annuity blocks," said Pat Lusk, President and CEO of VIAC. About Venerable Venerable is a privately held company with business operations based in West Chester, Pennsylvania and Des Moines, Iowa. Venerable owns and manages the legacy variable annuity business acquired from Voya Financial, Inc. Created by an investor group led by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Crestview Partners, and Reverence Capital Partners, Venerable is an emerging business with well-established, strategic investors, experienced in successfully building and growing insurance businesses with patient, long-term capital. For more information, please visit www.venerableannuity.com. Contact: Allison Proud, 610-249-9730 Corporate Communications [email protected] SOURCE Venerable Related Links http://www.venerableannuity.com National Institute of Transport (NIT) is a Tanzanian institution of higher learning formulated in 1975. They offer multifaceted programs in different fields. Initially, it was under the National Transport Corporation (NTC) mandated to educate the human resource personnel of its subsidiaries. After a significant expansion in 1982, the institution did a complete overhaul of its services. The paradigm shift led to the revision of its mandate and responsibilities, represented by the NIT Act of 1982. Today, there are very many NIT courses offered by the learning centre headquartered in Dar-es-Salaam City. Image: facebook.com, @ National Institute of Transport - NIT Chuo Cha Taifa Cha Usafirishaji Source: Facebook Interestingly, NIT is one of the unique centres in Sub-Saharan Africa, educating the public on transport and communications. Currently, the learning institution is offering certificate, diploma, bachelors, and postgraduate programmes. It boasts of students from different parts of the globe that come to pursue various educational programs. After the amendment and consequently revised operations on July 1983, the learning centre has been under the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication. NIT aims to provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning and researching. Today, NIT Tanzania courses are top-rated because of the institutions capability of mulling great minds. READ ALSO: List of TVET institutions in Kenya NIT courses In pursuance of its mandate, the National Institute of Transport provides different courses to the public. Also, they perform a regular industrial review to improve their programs and add others. Masters programmes Anyone looking for a Master's course ought to have an advanced diploma or a bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class. Additionally, they can be considered if they possess a Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma with Lower Second Class plus another Postgraduate Diploma. Master of Science in Logistics and Transport Management (coursework and dissertation) Masters of Business Administration in Logistics and Transport Management All these Masters programmes require two years of study. Postgraduate diploma courses The majority of these courses only require a Bachelor's Degree or an Advanced Diploma in the relevant field. This ought to be from a recognized institution. Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics and Transport Management Postgraduate Diploma in Transport and Tourism Management Postgraduate Diploma in Road Transport Safety Management Postgraduate Diploma in Rail Transport Management Postgraduate Diploma in Procurement and Logistics Management Postgraduate Diploma in Shipping and Port Management The normal duration for postgraduate diplomas is twelve months. READ ALSO: Moi High School Kabarak KCSE performance Bachelors programmes at NIT Image: answers.com Source: UGC The learning centre offers undergraduate degrees in the following areas: Bachelors of Human Resource Management Bachelor of Business Administration Bachelor of Logistics and Transport Management Bachelor of Computer Science Bachelor of Marketing and Public Relations Bachelor of Accounting and Transport Finance Bachelor of Information Technology Bachelor of Education with Mathematics and Information Technology Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Automobile Engineering Bachelor of Marketing and Public Relations Diploma and certificate programmes Basic Technician Certificate in Computing and Information Technology Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Business Administration Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Freight Clearing and Forwarding Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Logistics and Transport Management Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Automobile Engineering Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate on Human Resource Management Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Marketing and Public Relations Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Accounting And Transport Finance Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Procurement and Logistics Management Level 4 Basic Technician Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Level 4 Technician Certificate in Logistics and Transport Management Level 5 Technician Certificate in Automobile Engineering Level 5 Technician Certificate in Procurement and Logistics Management Level 5 Technician Certificate in Human Resource Management Level 5 Technician Certificate in Business Administration Level 5 Technician Certificate in Freight Clearing and Forwarding Level 5 Technician Certificate in Accounting and Transport Finance Level 5 Technician Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 5 Technician Certificate in Marketing and Public Relations Level 5 Technician Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Level 5 Ordinary Diploma in Freight Clearing and Forwarding Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Information Technology Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Logistics and Transport Management Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Business Administration Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Procurement and Logistics Management Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Computing and Information Communication Technology Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Automobile Engineering Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Human Resource Management Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Accounting and Transport Finance Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Computing and Information Technology Level 6 Ordinary Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Level 6 Ordinary Diploma In Marketing And Public Relations Level 6 READ ALSO: Kenya School of Government courses to apply in 2020 International programmes International Introductory Certificate in Logistics and Transport International Certificate in Logistics and Transport International Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transport NIT short courses You can choose any NIT short course that suits your education interests from the learning centre. These are: Advanced Driver's Grade Two (Industrial) Advanced Drivers Grade Two ( VIP) Advanced Drivers Grade One Public Service Vehicle (Passenger) Driving Course (PSV) Senior Drivers Course Driver Instructors Course Vehicle inspection and appraisal Heavy Goods Vehicle Tyre care and maintenance Fuel Management in Vehicle Operations Transport Officer Seminars Road Traffic Accidents Handling and analysis Road Safety awareness Cargo handling Planned Preventive Maintenance for Motor Vehicles Troubleshooting vehicle systems Diesel engine Services and Maintenance Defensive Driving Petrol Engine Services and Maintenance Customer care Stores Management Transport costing and transport statistics analysis Depending on the programme you choose, the duration for these short courses is between 5 days to 24 weeks. READ ALSO: Friends School Kamusinga fee structure, KCSE performance, contacts How to apply for NIT courses Image: alumni.nit.ac.tz Source: UGC Every student interested in pursuing any course ought to process his or her application through the institutions website. You must fill the www.nit.ac.tz application form before submission. A non-refundable fee accompanies every application. The cost for bachelor's programmes application is TSH.10, 000. Other courses might vary. NIT courses fees The institution charges differently for its Master's, Postgraduate Diploma, Undergraduate, Diploma and Certificate courses. The more extensive the programme, the higher the fees. According to their recent communication for Master's programmes, local students ought to pay a total of TSH. 6,000,000. READ ALSO: Presbyterian University of East Africa courses offered, admission letters, fees structure Payment procedure If you are interested in taking an NIT driving course or any other, it is integral that you find out about the applicable fees beforehand. The institution has created a simple platform where every intrigued student can access the required information. If you are a newcomer, you will have to register using SIMS (Student Information Management System) on the www.nit.ac.tz log in portal. You will have to use your Form 4 index number and surname. Once you are successfully registered, you can access the payment menu on the left side. Click on the create invoice option. Populate the form and select all appropriate fields. Click the preview button to create an invoice for the chosen options. You are going to utilize the system generated invoice number for submitting all your fees. National Institute of Transport has undergone a fundamental transformation since its establishment. They are fully accredited to provide Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) at different levels. NIT courses are comprehensive; perfect for moulding influential minds in the society. READ ALSO: International universities in Kenya Source: TUKO.co.ke Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Several political parties and trade union organizations have, on the occasion of the celebration of the 9th anniversary of the Tunisian Revolution of 2011, called for national unity and the need to prioritize general interest to achieve the initial objectives of the popular insurrection at the origin of the fall of the regime of the dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Photos: Petfinder Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are dozens of delightful doggies up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Durham, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect new pal. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs available for adoption near you. Read on to meet some friendly, furry locals. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Sofia, pit bull terrier Sofia is a female pit bull terrier dog currently housed at Independent Animal Rescue Inc. She has had all of her shots, and she is spayed. Have no fear: She's already been house-trained. Sofia's current caretakers say: Apply to adopt Sofia today at Petfinder. Sofia is a super-sweet young lady. She likely had never lived in a house before her foster home, but she has fully embraced her new life as a house pup and is ready to find her forever home. Heath, Labrador retriever Heath is a darling male Labrador retriever dog staying at Independent Animal Rescue Inc. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. Heath is already neutered, and he has had all of his shots. From Heath's current caretaker: Read more about Heath on Petfinder. Heath has a sweet and gentle spirit, and is a true gentleman with excellent manners. Ketch, Australian cattle dog Ketch is a darling female Australian cattle dog currently residing at Independent Animal Rescue Inc. Ketch's ideal forever home would be a dog-free environment. Her vaccinations are up to date, and she's been spayed. Good news: She's already been house-trained. Notes from Ketch's caretakers: Read more about Ketch on Petfinder. Ketch is a smart, strong-willed dog. Ketch needs a job to do. Molly B, pit bull terrier Molly B is an adorable female pit bull terrier dog being kept at Independent Animal Rescue Inc. Molly B is looking for a cat-free family. She has had all of her shots, and she's been spayed. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. Notes from Molly B's caretakers: Read more about how to adopt Molly B on Petfinder. Molly B is an intensely loyal, low-key pup. The highlight of her day is going on walks because there is so much to smell! This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D. Raja, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and others after an Opposition leaders meeting to discuss the current political situation in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI) New Delhi: A block of 20 Opposition parties led by the Congress on Monday appealed to the 13 states who have said no to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to say no to the National Population Register (NRP) as well, as it is a prelude to the NRC. The BJP was quick to hit back saying the resolution adopted by the Opposition parties must have made Pakistan happy. The resolution was adopted at the meeting of Opposition parties in the capital, which had been called to evolve a joint strategy on CAA-NRC. Six major Opposition parties, however, skipped the meet. The SP, BSP, AAP, Trinamul Congress, Shiv Sena and DMK were conspicuous by their absence. But Congress sources said there was some communication gap with parties like Shiv Sena and Samajwadi Party, others said the parties were absent mostly because of local issues. Also, strains in DMK-Congress ties in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the raw deal allegedly meted out to the Pradesh Congress in the recent rural local bodies elections surfaced on Monday as the TN opposition leader M.K. Stalin kept away from a high-profile allies meeting convened by Sonia Gandhi. Neither the DMK leader M.K. Stalin nor his stepsister and MP, Kanimozhi, who were expected to participate in the meeting, eventually went. The DMK parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu, who had left for New Delhi on Sunday, was then expected to show up at Mondays meeting. Surprisingly, T.R. Baalu also too did not attend the Mondays meeting. The resolution passed by the parties in attendance said, Those chief ministers who have announced that they will not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in their states must consider to suspend the National Population Register (NPR) enumeration also as it is a prelude to the NRC. It further said, The CAA, NPR and NRC is a package that is unconstitutional, which specifically targets the poor, the downtrodden, the SC/STs and the linguistic and religious minorities. The NPR is the basis for the NRC. We demand the withdrawal of the CAA and the immediate stoppage of the nationwide NRC/NPR. Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the BJP-led government has let loose a reign of oppression, spreading hatred and trying to divide people along sectarian lines and asserted that there was unprecedented turmoil in the country. Accusing the Prime Minister and home minister of misleading the nation on CAA and NRC, Mrs Gandhi said, They have contradicted their own statements of only weeks ago, and continue with their provocative statements while remaining insensitive to the state suppression and violence that is increasingly becoming commonplace. Talking about the nation-wide spontaneous protests by youths supported by citizens from all walks of life, she said, The immediate cause is the CAA and NRC but they reflect widespread frustration and pent up anger, which is now out in the open. The response of the police in UP and Delhi has been shockingly partisan and brutal. She also said at the meeting that the real issue facing India was the collapse of economic activity and slowing growth and development affecting all sections of society, especially the poor and disadvantaged. Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, Opposition resolution must have made Pakistan happy. The CAA is a chance to expose barbaric treatment of minorities in Pakistan. He also pointed out that six parties skipping the meet exposed the myth of Opposition unity. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, while briefing the media after the meeting, said that the NRC and CAA are not the real issues and are being used by the government to divert attention from the economic slowdown and lack of jobs. PM Modi has failed to address the economic slowdown and is trying to divert attention to other issues. We are busy discussing everything except the main issue, which is joblessness and our economic strength. This is being destroyed by Narendra Modi Demonetization part-I and part-II. Instead of addressing this, instead of going to the students of India and saying, Listen! This is what I am going to do, this is how I am going to give you jobs, this is how I am going to set the economy right. He is doing the biggest disservice to this nation by dividing this nation and distracting the attention of people, he said. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury told the media that the leaders felt that the BJP was trying to polarise the country on deeply communal lines and therefore the appeal was to all state governments who have said no to NRC to say no to NPR as well. Sources though maintained that the legality of boycotting the NPR by states was not clear and the resolution adopted was a political one with the hope that the pressure works on the government and it withdraws the CAA. The Opposition parties also decided to mark three dates this month January 23, 26 and 30 as part of the its anti-CAA and NRC protests. While Jan. 23 is Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses birthday, Jan. 26 is Republic Day and Jan. 30 is Mahatma Gandhis death anniversary. The BSP, SP, AAP, TMC, DMK and Shiv Sena stayed away from the Opposition meet. While BSP chief Mayawati said the meeting would demoralise her party workers, AAP and Sena said they had not received an invitation. Taking to Twitter, Mayawati said her party workers were upset after the Congress in Rajasthan indulged in horse-trading by getting BSP MLAs to join their party, following the election results. She, however, made it clear that the BSP was opposed to the CAA and demanded that the government withdraw it. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China auto outputs and sales in 2019 fell 7.5% and 8.2% respectively over a year ago, 3.3 and 5.4 percentage points higher than that of the previous year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), showing the second year of downturn following 2018. Both PV and CV sectors recorded decrease in full-year sales. As to outputs, the PV unit posted a decline of 9.2%, whereas the CV units year-on-year growth remained positive. In December, the country saw its auto outputs apparently grow 8.1% year on year, while the sales edge down 0.1%, versus the 3.6% decrease in Nov. sales. Compared to November, both auto outputs and sales chalked up growth. The association said the smaller decline and month-on-month growth in December were partially due to the consumption potential somewhat unleased by the auto shows and the Double 12 shopping festival as well as Christmas. Moreover, the Spring Festival holiday in 2020 comes earlier than previous years, correspondingly creating an earlier sales peak season. The full-year PV sales in China reached 21.444 million units, shrinking 9.6% from a year ago, 5.5 percentage points more than that of 2018 volume. Of those, 8.407 million units (-15.8%) were from Chinese indigenous brands, which witnessed its annual market share shrink 2.9 percentage points over the prior-year period. The decrease in PV Dec. sales was further contracted thanks to the increase in SUV and minibus sales and the stable performance of the car volume. Nevertheless, the MPV unit still suffered a double-digit decrease. Moreover, China's NEV industry closed its 2019 with a 4.0% year-over-year sales decline. Last month, NEV sales surged 71.4% compared to November, but still plunged 27.4% from the year-ago period. The six-month-in-a-row downturn eventually produced the negative result for the year. (Newser) An Air Canada flight bound for Australia diverted to Honolulu over the weekend after a passenger died on the plane. Christopher Woodgate, 38, was pronounced dead when the flight landed in Honolulu on Saturday, said the Honolulu medical examiner's office. An autopsy will be conducted, the AP reports. The flight from Vancouver was headed for Brisbane when it diverted to Honolulu because of a medical emergency, said Peter Fitzpatrick, an Air Canada spokesman. He declined to provide details about what happened to the passenger. story continues below Woodgate had been sick prior to the flight, said Jessica Lani Rich of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, a nonprofit that assists visitors in distress. He was traveling with five children, his wife and another family member, Rich said. Her organization also hired a nurse to care overnight for an 11-year-old passenger traveling alone. There were 257 passengers and 13 crew members on the flight. The airline provided passengers with hotel and food vouchers. The passengers left Honolulu on Sunday on a different plane, Fitzpatrick said. (Read more Air Canada stories.) South Africa: Deputy President Mabuza in Juba Deputy President David Mabuza is in Juba for consultative meetings on the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. The main aim of the visit is to zero in on consensus from the different parties on the issue of the number of states and their boundaries. During the Consultative Meeting of Parties that took place from 1 - 4 December 2019, meaningful progress was made wherein parties moved from their original five divergent positions towards consensus on two positions, which are 23+1 and 32+ states, said the Presidency on Monday. Subsequent to the December 2019 Consultative Meeting of Parties, it was agreed that a follow-up meeting should be held to consolidate the emerging consensus position on the number of states. Mabuza, in his capacity as South Africas special envoy to South Sudan, has held bilateral meetings with the guarantors to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan to mobilise for their continued support to the peace process. During this round of Consultative Meeting of Parties, it is envisaged that an agreement will be reached on a mechanism to amicably resolve the contentious issue of the number of states and boundaries, the Presidency said. The finalisation of this matter will pave a way to the formation of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity within the current extended period ending in February 2020. We have returned to Juba hopeful that parties will reach an agreement on a workable mechanism to resolve the matter of states and their boundaries. More importantly, [we want] to ensure that a Transitional Government of National Unity of South Sudan is formed before the expiry of the current 100 days extension. Our ultimate goal with all these efforts is to ensure a peaceful South Sudan where the guns are silenced for good and where her people pursue their development, said Mabuza. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. One News reports: Irans only female Olympic medallist said she defected from the Islamic Republic in a blistering online letter that describes herself as one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran. Taekwondo athlete Kimia Alizadeh posted the letter on Instagram as Irans semiofficial ISNA news agency said she had fled to the Netherlands. She criticised wearing the mandatory hijab headscarf and accused officials in Iran of sexism and mistreatment. Whatever they said, I wore, Alizadeh wrote in the letter posted Saturday. Every sentence they ordered, I repeated. She described the decision to leave Iran as difficult, but necessary. Opens location on January 28th Chicken Salad Chick announced today its continued expansion across Texas with its newest restaurant in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village. Following the brand's debut in Arlington last month, the new Fort Worth-Ridglea Village location marks Chicken Salad Chick's seventh Dallas-Fort Worth area opening, emphasizing the brand's continued growth in the metroplex. Located at 6124 Camp Bowie Boulevard, the Fort Worth-Ridglea Village restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on January 28th and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. During grand opening week, guests will experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include: Tuesday, January 28 Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make a purchase and enter to win free chicken salad for a year.** Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make a purchase and enter to win free chicken salad for a year.** Wednesday, January 29 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick Tumbler. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick Tumbler. Thursday, January 30 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. Friday, January 31 Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.*** Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.*** Saturday, February 1 Any guest to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free Chick cooler. Fueling the Fort Worth area expansion are experienced multi-unit operators Meggie and John Schissler of J&M Hospitality, LLC. Following their third Chicken Salad Chick opening in Burleson just four months ago and upcoming opening in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village, the Schisslers have plans to develop four more restaurants over the next few years. The duo got their franchising start following Meggie's time working on Chicken Salad Chick's marketing team. In the two years she spent in the role, she gained extensive knowledge on the brand and fell so much in love with the concept that she and John decided to open their own. The Schissler's continued growth and success with their restaurants in Fort Worth, Hurst and Burleson has made them standouts in the fast-casual industry, while earning them a spot on QSR Magazine's 2019 Young Leaders to Watch list. "Four years ago, John and I were opening Chicken Salad Chick's first Texas location and now we're able to celebrate our fourth opening in our home state," said Meggie Schissler. "Franchising with Chicken Salad Chick and serving these amazing communities throughout the Fort Worth area has been such a rewarding experience. We're thrilled to continue our growth in our favorite state and bring the brand's fresh and flavorful chicken salad to even more neighborhoods throughout Northern Texas." The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in 2008 by founder, Stacy Brown. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu offers a variety of options suitable for any guest. Under the leadership of CEO Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the company now has more than 145 restaurants currently open in 16 states and remains a standout brand within the fast casual segment. Chicken Salad Chick in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village will be open Monday Saturday from 10:30a.m. 8p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends. *Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, purchase a Chick Special and are required to download the Craving Credits app. Redemption will start 2/3. ** Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, must purchase a Chick Special and are required to download the Craving Credits app. 10 winners will be announced at the end of the day. Redemption will start 2/3. ***Limit 1 kids meal per adult meal purchased. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Restaurant industry news and trends. Subscribe 2022 Restaurant News Resource Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat from Connecticut. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The U.S. Congress has never declared war on Iran. And yet, earlier this month, the U.S. government ordered the assassination of a high-ranking Iranian military official. President Trumps strike against Qasem Soleimani produced no small amount of collateral damage. The missiles that killed the Iranian commander also wiped out the Iraqi parliaments hospitality, the Iranian governments will to comply with all terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement, and the last vestiges of Congresss putative authority over matters of war and peace. They also came quite close to igniting yet another major military conflict in the Middle East. Happily, Iran opted for merely symbolic vengeance; its fireworks display left American troops in Iraq unharmed. And now the entire episode has been buried beneath five or six successive news cycles. But the consequences of our commander-in-chiefs audacious actions dont disappear when we avert our eyes. From Capitol Hill to the Persian Gulf, the repercussions of the Soleimani strike are still taking shape. In Congress, a couple Senate Republicans have joined with their Democratic colleagues in a push to reassert their branchs sovereignty over war making. In Iraq, efforts to expel American troops are still ongoing. To get some perspective on the fallout from Trumps act of war, Intelligencer spoke with Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, one of the Democratic Partys leading voices on foreign affairs. Our conversation began with Trumps Iran policy, but also touched on his vision for a 21st century progressive internationalism, the 2020 Democratic campaign, and the liberal approach to countering China, among other things. What do you see as the principal consequences of Donald Trumps targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani? What may worry me most is the damage that the president has done to his own credibility as commander-in-chief. None of Trumps lying is forgivable. But its most unforgivable when he makes things up or fudges the truth on matters that put our soldiers in harms way. Its increasingly clear that there was no imminent threat to the United States that was preempted by Soleimanis death. Over the weekend, the administration actually seemed to be interested in concocting threats, virtually out of thin air. I worry that not everyone will write this off as Trump being Trump. Its going to be hard for folks to believe this administration, when they actually have real intelligence that deserves to be acted upon in the future. The second thing I worry about is the future of our disposition of forces in Iraq. ISIS is a greater threat to the United States than Iran is, and they are on the hook in Syria and Iraq. If we get our troops kicked out of Iraq because of the Soleimani strike, that does more harm to our national security interests than the eradication of Soleimani does good. A couple of Republican senators have expressed dismay with the White Houses handling of the assassination. Utah Senator Mike Lee described the administrations briefing on the supposed imminent attack as the worst hed ever heard, and its decision to act without congressional input as an insult to the Constitution. But few other Republicans have publicly registered such complaints. Are Lees sentiments more common among your GOP colleagues in private? My sense is that the lions share of Republican senators wanted Soleimani dead regardless of whether there was an imminent attack. So, I dont think that very many Republicans are wringing their hands over whether there was actually an imminent threat because they were going to cheer Soleimanis death no matter what. And look Im glad hes dead too. But I also see the grave long-term damage done to the United States when Congress doesnt even have to be consulted before the president launches a major, world-changing military strike. I dont see how any Republican could have been happy about the briefing we got, given that it was totally devoid of actual information and intelligence. But I dont think very many Republicans needed hard intel. They were going to cheer the presidents actions no matter what. With regard to Americas broader conflict with Tehran: The Trump administrations principal rationale for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement was that it had failed to deter Irans myriad efforts to increase its regional influence by projecting power beyond its borders. But its not always clear why, precisely, the United States should see minimizing Iranian influence as one of its vital national security interests. Does America have any real stake in whether Saudi Arabia or Iran exerts more power in the Middle East? I think we have minimal interest in whether Iran or Saudi Arabia ultimately has more influence in the Asian countries in that region. For far too long, we have viewed the Middle East with a black-and-white lens: Iranians are the bad guys, and the Saudis are the good guys. Its not that simple. The Saudis have been working against our national security interests in a variety of ways for decades now. And because we were so dependent on their oil for so long, Washington somehow became blind to it. We do have interests in the Middle East. The oil produced there still matters. Without us, theres no way that Israel can protect itself. And in the context of a major regional conflict, the United States might need to step in to defend international norms. So we had an interest there. But the details of the balance of power between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not one of them. Youve called for a progressive foreign policy that ends Americas trigger-happy approach to military intervention (as applied not only in Iraq, but also, in Syria and Libya) while nevertheless expanding our nations role in managing global affairs. How do you aim to bolster U.S. global leadership without repeating the mistakes that have defined that leadership over the past two decades? My belief is that a progressive foreign policy is about learning from the military mistakes of the last two decades, while still being confident that American power, smartly deployed, can be a force for good in the world and advance our economic and security interests. The conventional wisdom in Washington is that the only way to really project American strength around the world is through military might. And advocating for advancing and improving our non-military tools has been viewed as weak. Thats why we call one kind of projection of power hard power and the other soft power. But the fact is, there are very few places are better off now than they were two decades ago, thanks to application of U.S. military force. Meanwhile, there are all sorts of non-military threats that the United States faces today, and has absolutely no ability to meet. Weve got oil-rich petro-dictators. We have pandemic disease. We have online terrorist recruiters. We have information-age propagandists. America doesnt have the ability to confront any of those adversaries or any of those capabilities today. And yet, were spending 20 times as much money on defense and intelligence as we are on democracy, human rights promotion and information warfare. So I think we have to understand what history is telling us. Theres a limit to the security that can be achieved through military strength alone. Is there anything in particular that youre hoping to hear from your partys presidential candidates on foreign policy at tonights debate in Des Moines? Id like our party to make the connection between our domestic and foreign policy goals more directly. There is almost no progressive domestic priority that doesnt have a foreign policy component. Care about protecting democracy here at home? Then you have to recognize that countries like China are developing the dictatorial tools that could eventually fall into the wrong hands here in the United States. If you care about climate change, of course you have to be arguing for an active U.S. role internationally. If you care about raising the average workers wages, then you have to recognize the economy is global. And if you dont start signing smart trade deals that protect our interests and expand our, our access to new markets, then wages will remain flat. So, theres no choice to be made between focusing on domestic progressive priorities, or arguing for Americas active role in the world. I dont think you can be a progressive Democrat on domestic issues if you arent arguing for the United States to play a smarter and more active role on the world stage. Speaking of tools that could fall into the wrong hands: Youve written that Americas multi-trillion investment in military operations since 2001 has left us with a world that is more dangerous, full of greater threats, than ever before in our lifetime. And yet, your vision for a progressive foreign policy does not involve paring back Americas efforts to project its power overseas, in light of the War on Terrors unintended consequences. To the contrary, your aim is to provide the U.S. government with a wider range of tools for projecting its power abroad. In a context where one of Americas major political parties rejects some of progressive premises informing your vision for U.S. global leadership, is there a risk that the new tools and capacities your agenda creates will ultimately be directed towards regressive and counterproductive ends, just as our military capacities have been since 2002? For example, you call for increasing Americas capacity to combat disinformation (a.k.a. fake news) overseas, which seems like a power that few progressives would trust this president to use responsibly. I think theres always risk when the United States asserts itself and its interests and values abroad. In many ways, the democracy and human rights tools that Im proposing might actually be more menacing to a country like China than aircraft carriers and bombers. So, you can certainly risk getting into a mess with smart power tools as much as you can with hard power tools. But as weve seen in a place like Afghanistan, once you make a mistake with military tools, its hard to unwind. Its very difficult to throttle back an occupation, as evidenced by the fact that we are still in Iraq 16 years later, and Afghanistan 18 years later. My sense is that if we were to build up our capacity to help countries rid themselves of Russian oil and fight back against Chinese cyber attacks, it might put Russia and Chinas backs up against the wall. But it would also be much easier to press the brake when your projecting force with those kinds of soft power tools than when youre doing so with military ones. Youve written a lot about where the U.S. is underinvesting in its national security. Given the exceptional scale of U.S. military spending, are there places where you feel that we are overinvesting? Part of the reason why Im so scared about this administrations walk back on nuclear diplomacy is that weve got a giant bill coming up to modernize our nuclear weapons program. And without a deal with Russia, that bill gets bigger and bigger. And so, Im a big believer in signing agreements that allow us to dramatically downsize our spending commitment on nuclear capabilities. But this president seems to be giving away that opportunity. So, there are areas where we can save money through smart diplomacy. But I have not advocated for a simple shift of resources from Defense to State and USAID. We do have some really important bills coming up with the department of Defense. Weve got some long overdue shipbuilding investments that everyone agrees we have to make. What I dont want to do is to keep spending emergency money for conflicts of choice as we have over the last 20 years. Id rather be smartly building up a U.S. military thats ready for a real conflict, rather than the conflicts we create and enter into a by choice. In a recent editorial for the Atantic, you wrote, Progressives understand that the U.S. military plays a crucial role in defense of our interests. Few progressives opposed, for instance, the decision to take military action in Afghanistan in 2001. To sit idly by after being attacked by a group supported by the Afghan government would have sent a signal of disastrous weakness. In hindsight, do you think that sending such a signal of weakness would have been more disastrous than the 18-year, $1-trillion war that that congressional vote ultimately birthed? I ask because it seems to me that there are many instances in which the impulse to project strength in the face of an attack conflicts with the dictates of progressive realism. For example, on the night of Irans retaliatory missile strikes on Iraq, your colleague Jack Reed told CNN that if U.S. soldiers were killed in the attack, then it would be very difficult to just simply say, lets stop. And yet, if there had been an American casualty that night, would the strategic argument for de-escalation have been any weaker? I have long argued that restraint is indeed a policy. I wrote a piece a year or so ago for the New York Times, arguing that the United States should have made a much smaller commitment to Syria, out of recognition that what we were doing there was simply making the situation on the ground worse, not better, given our willingness to hand the rebels just enough support to keep them going, but not enough to actually to defeat Bashar al-Assad. So, Ive been very consistent on the need to apply the Hippocratic oath to foreign policy first, you need to prove that whatever youre going to do isnt going to make things worse rather than better. That being said, I think the attacks on September 11 are a moment when the harm to the United States was so serious, so grave, and so real that if we had stood down and done nothing, it would have gotten us hit harder in the future. There are occasionally these exceptional moments and the September 11 attacks were clearly an exceptional moment, with thousands of Americans being killed in which you have to reestablish the moral order by defending yourself and using the military to do so. What would a progressive approach to the U.S.China relationship look like, and what most distinguishes it from the course that Trump has taken? My general critique of the presidents approach to China is that its myopic. He has tunnel vision with China and seems incapable of talking with them about anything except for this nonsensical trade war (which Im confident is going to end up with an agreement that is very good for China and not so good for the United States). With China, you have to be able to talk about a bunch of things at the same time. Youve gotta be able to talk with them about climate, trade, North Korea, human rights and democracy. And whether China is willing to make concessions on those issues depends on whether we have the tools to threaten their interests. At present, we dont have the ability to scare China into sitting down and talking to us about more than one thing at a time. Part of the reason you press China internationally on the issues of democracy and human rights is that that then becomes a pressure point that can ultimately score victories not only for the Uighurs and others who have been beaten down by this regime but on other American priorities as well. One reason I want to supersize the U.S. economic development program is because if China really thinks were competing with them in places like Africa, then theyre going to be more interested in talking to us. If we develop the ability to partner with industry so that we dont get caught with our pants down again on a new technology rollout like 5G, the Chinese will sit up straight and pay attention to us. With China, you need to bring them to the table or to four different tables. But our own decisions will determine what kinds of hands we have to play when sitting at those tables. Its not all just luck of the draw. The gap between your desired foreign policy, and the one Trump is conducting, is vast and growing larger by the day. What are the first things the next Democratic administration will need to do in order to execute the transition from a Trumpist foreign policy to a progressive one? Well, the first challenge for a Democratic administration is repopulating the national security state with smart, experienced people. The first thing a Democratic president and Democratic Secretary of State will need to do is convince all the mid-level diplomats who fled under Trump to come back. We just dont have the personnel to carry out our mission abroad right now. So that will be a job No. 1. Job No. 2 separate and aside from whatever conflicts may be burning up the moment is to signal a willingness to shift our resource allocation. And to come up with a real four-year budget thats actually going to allow us to meet these new challenges. Lets just take one set of choices in the Middle East as an example. We have now put 15,000 new troops in the Middle East. It hasnt appeared to make the state of play any safer or any more stable. And yet, weve got Lebanon a critical ally of the United States, and a linchpin of security in the region hanging by a thread. A smart U.S. security policy would not be throwing 15,000 troops into the Middle East right now. It would be putting serious economic and security assistance into Lebanon and doing our best to stabilize the political situation there. So there are some pretty easy choices to be made, in terms of shifting resources away from non-strategic military investments over to smarter, non-military tools that can get you a higher return on investment. VERNON CENTER, N.Y. - Congressman Anthony Brindisi was joined by Vernon officials to call on the state to provide answers and address drinking water quality in Vernon Center. According to Brindisi, residents in Vernon Center have been dealing with contaminated water for over 10 years. Vernon officials believe the source of the contamination is the former New York State Department of Transportation salt storage facility in Vernon Center. "If it's the state that is primarily responsible for the salt seeping into the ground water, we're looking to the state to put some resources here to fix the problem," Brindisi said. "Residents here deserve clean drinking water and they've been living with it for far too long." According to town officials, there are 11 properties with contaminated wells. In samples taken from these homes, they found 60 times the normal level of sodium and 26 times the normal level of chloride. The Vernon Town Supervisor, Randy Watson, says the situation is getting worse. "It's just disgusting, they can't bathe, they're going out of their houses to take baths, they're bringing water in, they can't drink it, they can't wash their clothes, it's been devastating," Watson said. "We've been working on this for 10 years, we've got everything we need besides the funds." The proposed water project would connect residents in Vernon Center to the existing water system in the Village of Vernon. It would include a six mile longer water main, a water storage tank and a booster pump station, providing 213 houses and businesses with public water. Brindisi says he will send a letter to the New York State Transportation Commissioner, Marie Dominguez, to demand answers. Brindisis letter to Commissioner Dominguez is below: Dear Commissioner Dominguez: I recently toured Vernon Center, where residents are experiencing issues with very hard, salty, and bad tasting water. The water coming through the individual wells can cause damage to water softeners, faucets, and pipes in residents homes. Of even greater concern is the fact that this water could be hazardous to residents health. The amount of chloride in residents water far exceeds the level recommended by the New York State Department of Health; according to sampling done by Barton and Loguidice Engineers, chloride levels reached up to 6,600 mg/L, which is 26 times the NYSDOH recommended level. Furthermore, Barton and Loguidice sampled sodium levels in the water and found up to 3,800 mg/L, 60 times the normal sodium levels. I am deeply concerned that the residents of Vernon Center do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. I am aware that New York State has provided drinking water to residents in Vernon who have bad tasting water. I am seeking further information on their behalf: Why has the New York State Department of Transportation been providing drinking water to the residents of the Town? Has the NYSDOT examined the potential impact of its former salt storage site? New York State has periodically tested the drinking water in the area. Would the state be willing to share the results of that testing with the Town of Vernon? The health and safety of our citizens is of the utmost importance to me. I appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Anthony Brindisi Member of Congress A spokesperson for New York State Department of Transportation, Joe Morrissey, sent NEWSChannel 2 a statement responding to Congressman Brindisi's claims. That statement is below: According to two independent studies done in 2015 and 2016, there is no evidence that high levels of chloride are from the salt shed but instead are likely due to naturally occurring salt found in the soil. Nevertheless, we will review the new study and continue providing bottled water to the community until a longer-term solution is determined. Omolola Ajayi, a 23-year-old Kwara indigene who was trafficked to Lebanon, has regained freedom. This is according to the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Ms. Dabiri-Erewa broke the news on her official Twitter page on Monday night and added that Ms Ajayi has now been handed over to the Nigerian Ambassador in Beirut, Goni Zanna Bura. The spokesman of NIDCOM, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, also added that she will be home soon. A video footage of Ajayi went viral last week, prompting Nigerians to call on the government to come to help her. The video claimed that Ajayi, whose parents live in Ilorin, was tricked into travelling to Lebanon under the guise of engaging her as an English tutor but ended up being used as a slave. Background The Kwara State government has been actively involved in the case since the news went viral last week. A subsequent press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the governor condemned the development in the strongest terms possible and has immediately linked up with the security agencies to get to the root of the matter. We are glad to announce that three suspects, comprising two Nigerians and the Lebanese referred to in the footage, have been arrested in connection with the case and the suspects are being interrogated, the statement said. Apart from Ms Ajayi, discreet investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in Kwara State, have revealed that there are at least 28 other victims of this horrible trafficking gang. The governor is concerned that fellow human beings are engaging in another round of slavery despite the horror and unquantifiable loss of the 20th Century, the statement said. The statement urged residents to report any such an activity they might know of in their neighbourhood. In her reaction, the chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike confirmed the arrest of the alleged trafficker. The alleged trafficker has been arrested and will be handed over to NAPTIP. The family of the lady has been traced ..Kwara Gov is personally on the matter. All hands on deck to ensure the trafficked lady returns, she tweeted. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Libya ratcheted up on Tuesday as Russia claimed the warring factions had agreed to maintain a fragile ceasefire and Germany called an international summit on the crisis. Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar left talks in Moscow on Tuesday without signing a permanent truce aimed at ending nine months of fighting, though Russia claimed he agreed to maintain the current ceasefire. Ramping up the pressure, Berlin announced it had invited both parties of the Libyan conflict to talks with 11 countries and several international organisations on Sunday. Haftar and his allies were in Moscow on Monday for discussions with the United Nations-recognised government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj that is based in Tripoli. The meetings raised hopes of an end to the latest fighting to wrack Libya since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi. But Haftar's abrupt departure from Moscow marked a setback. Playing down the blow, Russia's defence ministry said Haftar had asked for two days to consider the deal, stressing that a shaky ceasefire established at the weekend would continue. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also promised to "pursue efforts" to mediate. But another key international player in the crisis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, angrily warned that "we will not hesitate to teach the putschist Haftar a deserved lesson... if he continues his attacks on Libya's legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya". "The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later unfortunately he left Moscow, he fled Moscow," Erdogan said, while praising "positive" talks. - Berlin summit - Anxious to calm flaring tempers, Berlin called a UN-sponsored summit of 11 countries -- including the USA, Russia, China and Turkey. It remained unclear whether Haftar and Sarraj would attend, though Berlin said both had been invited. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said parties at the so-called Berlin Process will be asked to consider an accord to ensure "both civil war parties will in the medium- and long-term no longer be in a position to militarily keep this conflict going". To achieve this, the German mediator hopes parties at the conference will agree to refrain on providing military backing to Libya -- something that would lead to an arms embargo and subsequently a permanent ceasefire. A source close to the discussions also said a key aim will be to help Libya "sort out its problems without foreign influence". Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- following years of turbulence since the 2011 killing of Kadhafi. Sarraj's government has been under attack since April from forces loyal to Haftar, who is based in the east of the oil-rich North African country with his own loyalist politicians. Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced, according to the United Nations. The clashes have also spurred a growing exodus of migrants from Libya, though nearly 1,000 intercepted at sea have been forced to return this year, according to the UN. Putin and Erdogan made a joint call for a ceasefire, which started early Sunday and was welcomed by the UN. Putin later Monday discussed the talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Turkey and Russia's diplomatic initiative came despite the countries being seen as supporting opposing sides. Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA in January in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. The GNA has signed agreements with Ankara assigning Turkey rights over a vast area of the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean, in a deal denounced by France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus. Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces, which are also supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt -- all regional rivals of Turkey. Several hundred Russian mercenaries are reportedly in Libya, but Putin stressed they are not in Moscow's pay. WPI researcher Jagan Srinivasan (left) and Douglas K. Reilly. Here we are saving months of work, were streamlining the process, and were getting a targeted approach.- Jagan Srinivasan, Associate Professor of Biology and Biotechnology at WPI Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have developed a tool to identify molecular receptors in worms that are involved in sensing pheromones related to mating, an advance that could speed up neuroscience research into pheromones by eliminating months of work. Associate professor of biology and biotechnology Jagan Srinivasan, doctoral candidate in biology Douglas K. Reilly, and researchers at Cornell University published their findings in Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom. Pheromones are chemicals produced by animals that send signals to other animals and trigger social responses, such as mating. Srinivasan and Reilly study pheromones in microscopic worms known as Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans, to better understand how the sense of smell works. Their research could have implications for human research because C. elegans has a nervous system that mimics the basic mechanisms of smell in humans, and loss of the sense of smell is associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease. Srinivasan and Reilly developed a process that more quickly isolates pheromone receptors in C. elegans. Receptors are specialized proteins that act as docking stations for molecules. When worms are exposed to pheromones, the pheromones latch onto the molecular receptors in the worms. Isolating a specific molecular receptor traditionally has been a long, laborious process because the worms possess more than 1,000 molecular receptors. Srinivasan described the traditional processwhich takes three or four monthsas hunting for a needle in a haystack. The new method he and Reilly developed takes about a month. Here we are saving months of work, were streamlining the process, and were getting a targeted approach, Srinivasan said. In their study, Srinivasan and Reilly attached a chemical known as an alkyne to an ascaroside, a pheromone produced by C. elegans to attract male worms for mating. We wanted to find a way that we could take a pheromone and link it to a probe, yet it would still be biologically active so a male would sense it and respond to it with the right receptor, Reilly said. Then we wouldnt have to screen 1,200 receptors that are in the genome. For this study, the researchers focused on the process rather than the resulting receptor, which they said could be a subject of further research. Their probe methods could also be applied to other pheromones and to other research organisms, such as flies, to better understand how receptors function, they said. Were looking at this mate attractant pheromone, but there are people looking at pheromones involved in foraging for food and other actions, Reilly said. For those, we can start to ask what receptors are sensing the pheromone were using. In addition, Srinivasan said, Applications of this new technology could help identify receptors in parasitic nematodes that cause damage to agricultural crops. About Worcester Polytechnic Institute WPI, the global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPIs pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world. WPI offers more than 50 bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs across 14 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. http://www.wpi.edu Contact: Alison Duffy Director of Strategic Communications Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts 508-831-6656; 508-340-5040 (cell) amduffy@wpi.edu A notorious yellow box junction dubbed 'The Moneybox' has doubled its fines in a month and could rake in its grasping council 1.9m a year, MailOnline can reveal. The junction in south west London now catches twice as many drivers after the council shut a nearby rat run, forcing all traffic through the yellow grid. Before the road was shut in October last year 1,330 fines were issued, earning the council 86,450. But in November 2,452 drivers were caught, generating fines of 159,380. Over the next year Hammersmith & Fulham Council, which controls the box, are expected to rake in a whopping 1,912,500. The Bagley's Lane Junction with New King's Road, Fulham, south west London, (above, looking west) is seen as a trap by drivers who get stuck in the yellow painted area and are hit with 65 fines from traffic cameras The number of drivers being hit with fines has almost doubled in the month after the council closed a nearby rat-run used by drivers to avoid the junction. Before the closure 1,330 received fines. But for a month after it was introduced on October 21 the figure jumped to 2,452 This diagram shows how drivers get fined if they wait for too long in a yellow box junction. But they sometimes get trapped if the traffic ahead of them stops and they have nowhere to drive A map shows how Harwood Terrace (in red) was closed after complaints from residents living down the road of dangers because 400 drivers a day were using the road as a cut through These calculations are based on each motorist paying a 65 fine within 14 days. Rob McGibbon, who lives nearby, blasted the road closure, and subsequent spike in fines as 'a total scam'. 'Hammersmith & Fulham council needs re-open the road urgently. 'The fact that it has instantly led to this outrageous increase in fines for motorists is unacceptable. Rob McGibbon blasted the road closure leading to an increase in fines as a 'scam' 'Drivers who are now being forced to use a new route have no idea that they are being funnelled like lemmings into the path of a cash-hungry CCTV fines system.' The problem centres on the yellow box junction of New King's Road and Bagley's Lane in Fulham, south west London, already known as one of the most profitable in the country, which made the council an estimated 1.6million in 2016. Drivers are only supposed to enter a box junction if the exit road or lane is clear. They can't wait inside it if they want to turn right and are stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or other vehicles queuing to turn right. But motorists argue that this junction's traffic lights allow more motorists to enter the controlled area than can leave it and is constantly catching them out. Harwood Terrace, a small road just to the south of the junction, was used by local drivers to avoid the junction altogether. But on October 21, the council shut the road on a six month trial leading to a furious row, with those who live on it supporting the move while nearby residents opposing it. Fines at New King's Road junction have almost doubled, catching around 72 drivers a day after Hammersmith & Fulham Council shut nearby Harwood Terrace (above) on a six month trial Before its closure, Harwood Terrace was used as a rat-run by drivers to avoid New King's Road junction but now they are forced to use the junction and risk getting hit with fines The road was closed as part of an experiment after the council said 400 vehicles an hour were using it as a 'rat run'. At the time, local resident Charlie Cooper welcomed the closure: 'I've lived here 14 years, and I've been knocked off my bike here and on New King's Road. 'This road was very dangerous because it's small, there's little room so it becomes a game of chicken.' Local MP Greg Hands has also waded into the row, writing last month to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps asking him to intervene to get the local council to revoke its decision. Hammersmith & Fulham Council maintain that Harwood Terrace was closed following extensive public consultation and that they took the decision after residents asked them for help. Hammersmith & Fulham Council raked in 86,450 before the road closure - but in the month afterwards that figure shot up to 159,380, if everyone caught pays their 65 on time A spokesman added: 'We closed Harwood Terrace to address residents fears over the 400 cars an hour using their narrow residential road as a rat run. 'We use Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to help keep traffic in the borough moving, and the vast majority of drivers are able to get through box junctions without breaking the rules. 'Any revenue from PCNs is used to maintain and improve transport in the borough, including giving free travel to older residents and disabled people.' In roughly the same time it takes to parboil a turnip, two new peers of the realm were created yesterday afternoon. Nicky Morgan and Zac Goldsmith were the latest MPs to feel the soft warmth of synthetic ermine around their necks as they underwent their twirly introduction to the Upper Chamber. La Morgan, or Baroness Morgan of Cotes as she will henceforth be known, quit Parliament before the General Election but has been swiftly ennobled to allow her to continue, unelected, as Culture minister. As for Zac, his elevation to the Lords means he gets to continue as the Governments Environment minister despite being rejected by his Richmond Park constituents a month ago. If Boris Johnson wants to improve this places battered reputation hes going a mighty peculiar way about it. Morgan entered the Chamber slowly, conscious that her stately robes were dangling dangerously beyond her control. Zac's elevation to the Lords means he gets to continue as the Governments Environment minister despite being rejected by his Richmond Park constituents a month ago, writes HENRY DEEDES One errant swoosh and someone on the front bench was in for a nasty thwack around the chops. Behind her followed her two backers, Baroness Verma and Lord Young. At the front marched the officious Black Rod, face like a clapped thunder cloud, turning at right angles like Pacman on amphetamines. Also present was the Garter King of Arms, whose well-padded frame was bedecked in gold braid. Magnificent. If he turned up on the Hollywood red carpet in such garb this award season, fashionistas would surely be having kittens. La Morgan, or Baroness Morgan of Cotes as she will henceforth be known, quit Parliament before the General Election but has been swiftly ennobled to allow her to continue, unelected, as Culture minister, writes HENRY DEEDES A wigged clerk read out the proclamation, annunciating each word beautifully in pleasing staccato. Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and our other realms and our territories Morgan responded bashfully, spitting out her oath like a nervy bride having last minute wobbles. Zac was next, gliding towards the despatch box as though he were on castors. Hes aged a bit since he first came into politics. That once sandy hair is now bright silver. Years of roll-up cigarettes have given his voice a gravelly tone. Thanks to the clerk, we learned Goldsmiths first name is actually Frank, as in Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith. Bet his classmates had a giggle over that when his name went up on the school boards. Morgan entered the Chamber slowly, conscious that her stately robes were dangling dangerously beyond her control, writes HENRY DEEDES Im sure his brother Ben, who along with Zacs redoubtable mother Lady Annabel and wife Alice was perched in the public gallery, shot a puckish grin as it was announced. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Parks concluding act of the day was to approach the woolsack and shake the paw of the speaker Lord Fowler as throaty yer yers echoed around the Chamber. And that, as they say, was that. Before the afternoon session could begin, a number of existing peers still had to be re-sworn in, as is the form after an election. Ex-Chancellor Alistair Darling was there, still nervously looking over his shoulder as he waited his turn. Years suffering at the hands of Gordon Browns well-poisoner Damian McBride can do that to man. Like army officers who still have a quick peek under the chassis for an IRA bomb, its a habit that will probably never leave him. Standing behind Darling in the queue was retired Supreme Court President Baroness Hale, her chest bejewelled with a jaunty frog brooch. Thanks to the clerk, we learned Goldsmiths first name is actually Frank, as in Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith, writes HENRY DEEDES (Incidentally, did you spot publicity-prone Lady H delighting us with another interview in the weekend papers? Cant be long before the Im a Celebrity... jungle beckons). Last to be sworn in was brassiere tycoon Baroness Mone. What a treat she looked. Tautly-cut jacket. Thigh-high boots. And the hair! Yellower than Birds custard. When the afternoons business finally got under way, the Chamber took on its customary soporific air. Vacant stares, weary groans. From beneath me, there was a gurgle of someone enjoying a postprandial snooze. Jeremy Corbyns favoured successor, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has come out saying she would abolish this place should she ever find herself clacking her way across the Downing Street threshold. Its almost enough to make you want to fork out 25 and join the Labour Party. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives wants the state to conduct a study that will determine how old a vehicle can be to be exempted from the states annual emissions testing requirement and still comply with federal environmental rules. By a vote of 193-0 on Monday, the House approved legislation calling on the state Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to analyze multiple year scenarios of vehicles from brand-new up to eight years old to determine the appropriate length of an exemption period from the 17-year-old emissions testing requirement. The study is to be completed within six months of the proposed laws enactment. The bill now goes back to the Senate where it originated for concurrence on changes the House made. Its fate there seems uncertain. Some 21 states, or nearly three-quarters of the states that require vehicle emissions testing, authorize an exemption for new vehicles ranging from two to eight years old. The average is four years. In Pennsylvania, all gasoline-powered cars, vans and light-duty trucks registered to owners in 25 counties, including many in the southcentral part of the state, are required to have annual emissions inspections done regardless of age as a result of a 2003 settlement of two lawsuits filed by environmental groups. The inspections cost about $40 per inspection. But a recent study found that many vehicle owners were needlessly having to pay for the inspections since less than 2% of vehicles newer than nine years old failed the emissions test. This led Senate Transportation Committee Chairwoman Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, to sponsor legislation that the Senate passed last summer to move forward with a blanket exemption for vehicles less than nine years old. Her bill said this exemption would only take effect if it received the federal Environmental Protection Agencys blessing. That EPA seal of approval is crucial to avoid putting $420 million a year in federal highway aid the state receives in jeopardy. But when her bill landed in the House Transportation Committee, lawmakers there thought it was more prudent to study the idea first. Ward told PennLive last month she was not in favor of that change the House made. "My bill was not a study, Ward said. The bill the way it is is not something were going to concur with or accept. Meanwhile, several garage owners have raised a separate concern that speaks to the money they have laid out to buy the emissions testing equipment that would be used less often if the emissions exemptions take effect. They said they hope that if the bill passes it includes some reimbursement for that expense they incurred. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. "I had to leave because there was an execution order against me," he said. Jalal was working as a lawyer, and together with many of his colleagues, he had joined the revolution against the government. It was 2011, Jalal was 25, and the war in Syria was just beginning. Jalal first left government-controlled Damascus to go and live in Deir Ezzor, an area in north-eastern Syria that was at the time an opposition stronghold. But when ISIL took control of that zone, he began to fear for his life. He was forced to flee to Gaziantep, in neighbouring Turkey. Eight years later, Jalal's country has been ripped apart by a war that shows no sign of ending. Countless men, women and children have been killed or injured, and millions have had to flee. They are struggling to make their lives as refugees outside of Syria, or have been displaced inside their own country, millions trapped and living in dire conditions in camps with little access to basic services. As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet said last year: "During the early years of this murderous conflict, when the casualties were in the tens, then hundreds, then thousands, the world showed considerable concern about what was happening. "Now, airstrikes kill and maim significant numbers of civilians several times a week, and the response seems to be a collective shrug." While the war in Syria fades from the spotlight, it is people like Jalal, who despite what they themselves have been through, are working tirelessly to bring attention to the severity of the continuing human rights violations in the country. He is now the director of an organisation called Justice for Life. Established in 2015 with teams inside Syria and out, its main objective is to document human rights violations, focusing on what is happening in the Deir Ezzor region. Through interviews with victims and witnesses, the organisation has documented hundreds of rights violations such as killing under torture, extrajudicial killings, and disease and malnutrition as consequences of besiegement. Jalal's own personal desire to speak out against the atrocities has stemmed from a need to provide a balanced voice: "I wanted to address these violations objectively and neutrally, and to be the voice of these victims. It was an attempt to find a voice that is not influenced by any of the warring parties, that expresses the needs of victims, and that can be fair." His organisation also engages with international human rights bodies to report its findings, including to the Human Rights Council. It has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism investigating war crimes in Syria. UN Human Rights has also interacted extensively with the organisation on the human rights situation in northeast Syria. Justice For Life has taken an active part in the Human Rights Reference Group, an informal coordination group bringing together Syrian humanitarian and human rights individuals and organisations operating from Turkey. The voices of youth victims in Deir Ezzor, which were documented by Justice for Life, were also made public through a recent UN Human Rights campaign. "We have become a hub for victims," said Jalal. "People are now more accepting of the fact that human rights mechanisms are available to them. So now, men, women and children are coming to us without fear. This building of trust in the community has been a major success factor, which we hope will help us achieve the ultimate goal: justice." Now married with a son, Jalal still dreams to return to Syria one day. His dream is for a peaceful country, with justice for all. He believes it is not an impossible dream. "We want to return to a country where there is rule of law, equality, where everyone enjoys the same rights and obligations, and where all components of society are respected. We want freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. "The Syrian people must agree on ending the war, speaking to each other, and accepting each other." Disclaimer: The views, information and opinions expressed in this article are those of the persons featured in the story and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. 14 January 2020 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 07:08:40|Editor: ZD Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- It could be argued that the emergence of the Italian region of Le Marche as one of the world's most underrated tourist destinations began at the onset of the 16th Century. That was when Le Marche's most famous son, the famed painter and architect Raphael, was at the height of a career that placed as a third of the trinity of High Renaissance maestros that include Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Raphael was born in the picturesque medieval town of Urbino -- now a World Heritage site -- in 1483 and celebrations there marking the 500th anniversary of his death 37 years later are one of the reasons the region appeared on the "Lonely Planet" list of the top-ten regions of the world to visit in 2020. "Lonely Planet," one of the world's leading publishers of travel guides, said this month that the region that long stood in the shadow of neighboring Tuscany in the eyes of tourists "is finally ready to take center stage." Le Marche, the publisher said, "can do higgledy-piggledy hilltop towns, gloriously gluttonous food festivals, resplendent Renaissance palaces, winding countryside and inviting beaches with equal panache, but with the added bonus that its attractions are much less well known" than those in Tuscany. Le Marche was second on the top-ten list, just behind the Central Asian Silk Road. All told, the top ten list includes three destinations each from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, along with one from Australia. "We're hoping this recognition will help cast light on the region of Le Marche that the region has deserved for a long time," Sabrina Traini from My Marche Travel, a leading tour company serving the region, told Xinhua. Traini said that in addition to celebrating the 500th anniversary of Raphael's death, Le Marche has plenty to offer visitors, ranging from charming, historic villages and top-level food and wine to outdoor activities in the mountains and the seaside. "It only takes an hour to get from the mountains to the beaches," Traini said. "The scenery is as beautiful as anything anywhere else in Italy and it's all very easy to get to and because Le Marche is less well known than the big tourist centers like Tuscany or Rome or Venice, the crowds are small." Alessio Cavicchi, a professor specializing in the economics of food and economic resources in the Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism at Le Marche's University of Macerata, agreed. "This recognition from 'Lonely Planet' is part of a trend recognizing Le Marche as a cousin to Tuscany, just as beautiful, but with smaller crowds and less well known," Cavicchi said in an interview. Cavicchi said he sometimes asks his students -- who come from many countries beyond Italy's borders -- why they chose to study in Le Marche and not in a better known Italian region. "They tell me they came to Le Marche specifically because it's less known because there's so much to discover," the professor said. But Cavicchi said Le Marche needs to do some work before it can hope to take a seat beside Italy's greatest tourist destinations, though he said the work is being done. "The region still needs more tourist infrastructure, and more people should learn to speak international languages, especially English," Cavicchi said. "But in terms of beauty, cuisine, and cultural offerings, I don't think Le Marche should be ashamed to compare itself to any other region." The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to move an additional $7.2 billion of Pentagon funding to build a border wall, according to several news reports. The White House would shift money from two sources $3.7 billion from one fund for military construction and $3.5 billion from another for counter-narcotic programs into a pot to be used for border-wall construction, according to reports in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the plans. According to The Washington Post, which said it had obtained the plans, "the funding would give the government enough money to complete about 885 miles of new fencing by spring 2022, far more than the 509 miles the administration has slated for the U.S. border with Mexico." The administration had already diverted money from Pentagon funds for counter-drug efforts and military construction in 2019, but the 2020 figures are higher. The move would bring the total amount of federal funds allocated to border fencing to $18.4 billion under Trump, The Washington Post noted, adding that "101 miles of new barriers had been constructed so far, according to the latest figures, far less than the 450 miles the president has promised to erect by the end of the year." A spokesperson from the Pentagon told CNBC Tuesday that the Department of Defense "has no new announcements with regard to border wall construction." Trump made building a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico a priority during his presidential campaign ahead of the 2016 election, accusing Mexico of "sending" criminals and rapists to the U.S. and saying that the country would pay for the wall. It prompted a furious response from Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto who said there was "no scenario" in which his country would pay for a border wall. In 2017, he reiterated that sentiment, telling the nation in a televised address: "I've said time and again; Mexico won't pay for any wall." In early 2019, Trump rowed back on campaign trail comments that Mexico would fund the wall, telling reporters that Mexico would not directly pay for the wall but claimed it would be paid for by revenue gained from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), passed by the House in December and sent to the Senate, where it is expected to be approved later this month. Read the full report on The Washington Post's website here. In 2016, Donald Trump, then a candidate for president, described Barack Obama as the founder of ISIS. In the end, it may be Mr. Trump who comes to be known not as the terrorist groups founder, but as its savior. The Islamic State has been weakened considerably since its peak in 2015, when it controlled a territory the size of Britain, but the Trump administrations targeted killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani may have poised the group for a comeback. Just as the misguided American invasion of Iraq in 2003 revitalized Al Qaeda, some 17 years later, a return to chaos in the same country may yet do the same for the Islamic State. Granted, the White House was correct to identify General Suleimani, the leader of Irans Quds Force, as an enemy of the United States. Using the militia groups he cultivated and controlled, he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of coalition soldiers in the late 2000s and early 2010s. But war in the Middle East is nothing if not complex; General Suleimanis proxies also indirectly served American interests by fighting the Islamic State to great effect. Still, contrary to the breathless eulogies to him in Iran, he was not some indispensable hero who single-handedly defeated the Islamic State. Other commanders will fill his shoes, if not in star power then at least in strategic expertise. The real boon for the jihadists will be the second-order effects of his death. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin intends to fight the general election on issues such as health, housing and education and has already dismissed his political opponents promise of a better future. Responding to the Taoiseach's decision to hold the general election on February 8, Mr Martin said that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were neck and neck going into the campaign now. Speaking in Leinster House he said it was time for a change in government and a new administration. Although Mr Martin said he had no problem with February 8 as voting day, he said he hoped thousands of people would not see their vote lost after being placed on the electoral register but not before February 15. Mr Martin said that voters, particularly young home buyers who could not afford a home, were "angry". The Opposition leader opened his party's election battle by attacking Fine Gael's newly released slogan for the campaign. Fine Gael's slogan, which has been launched in a video with Mr Varadkar today, says the party is campaigning and offering voters a future to look forward to. However, Mr Martin took issue with the slogan and said the Fine Gael-led government had in fact created an uncertain future for people in Ireland, particularly when it came to housing and healthcare. He said he was not so certain that people would look forward to housing problems, health issues, as well as childcare and insurance costs and education delays. However, Fianna Fail will use its 2016 slogan an Ireland for All, which Mr Martin defended saying the party wanted to be all inclusive, particularly when it came to rural communities. His party would be competing for second and third seats in constituencies and would build on its results in 2016 where it won 44 seats, from the drop to 22 in 2011. Mr Martin also said he would travel the country during Fianna Fail's campaign. Mr Martin also rejected Fine Gael claims that he and his party must take responsibility for the financial crash. Fianna Fail during crash had set the platform for fiscal recovery, he argued. Mr Martin also said he would prefer a one-on-one debate with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during t5he campaign. But he also said he was open to debates with all party leaders. It took just mere weeks to turn what looked like a common illness into near-fatal conditions and potentially permanent blindness for a 4-year-old girl in Iowa. Amanda Phillips, mother of afflicted Jade DeLucia, could only watch in horror as complications from Influenza B nearly turned fatal for her daughter. "I didn't think I would see her again," Phillips said. What began as a "normal bug," according to her mother, quickly escalated into a Christmas Eve hospitalization. Phillips said DeLucia's unresponsiveness is what caused them to rush the girl to the emergency room. Jade DeLucia, pictured here being held by her mother, Amanda Phillips, suffered severe complications after a bout with Influenza B. (ABC News) DeLucia returned home on Jan. 9 to begin her new life after a terrifying two-week ordeal at the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital. During her time, she was also treated in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. The bubbly 4-year-old girl's situation turned from worrisome to dreadful due to a condition known as acute necrotizing encephalopathy, a reaction from the B strand of this season's influenza virus. The complications caused inflammation in her brain and eventually left DeLucia blind. Amanda Phillips Jade flu Amanda Phillips comforts her 4-year-old daughter, Jade, after the girl lost her vision from complications brought on by a nearly fatal bout with influenza B. (ABC News) According to NBC News, the encephalopathy complication is extremely rare, occurring in just about 1 in 5 million cases. "I'm trying to hold on to what I can control right now," Phillips told ABC News while holding a crying Jade. "Which is just giving her the best possible care." CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Dr. Alex Bassuk, the division director of Pediatric Neurology at the hospital, told Good Morning America that, basically, Jade's body overcompensated in fighting the infection and inflicted itself. Story continues "We think that what has happened in this case is there was an infection with influenza and then the body sort of overcompensates when it is fighting the infection," he said. "Sometimes instead of fighting the infection, it starts fighting itself, and in this case, it can fight the brain." As Jade's brain became inflamed, her vision became affected and eventually nullified. Doctors hold hope, however, that her rare case isn't permanent. "Many of the children, especially when it happens in younger children, can recover significantly and we definitely have hope in this case there will be significant recovery," said Bassuk. "But there can be permanent outcome from this process." In this Feb. 7, 2018, file photo, a nurse prepares a flu shot at the Salvation Army in Atlanta. According to the CDC, flu costs the nation about $7 billion a year in sick days and lost productivity among working-age adults. That's not to mention the heavy toll of hospitalizations and deaths that occurs mainly among people 65 and older. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Doctors told Phillips that the permanency of Jade's blindness can't be determined for at least six months. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Influenza B virus is the most common strain nationally this season. Even though deaths due to the flu are relatively rare for children, data compile by the CDC shows, hospitalizations for children under 5 years old have ranged each year between 7,000 and 26,000. The agency estimates that nearly 10 million Americans have been infected with the flu this season, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported. Cold conditions during winter time can help the flu virus thrive and spread further, according to experts. Humidity and the amount of water vapor present in the air can also play a role in the survival and spread of the flu virus. The CDC and Phillips both strongly encourage parents to vaccinate their kids. Jade didn't receive a vaccination this season and Phillips is urging other parents to avoid that mistake. "It's your child," she said. "You want them to live a long and healthy life, to do whatever you can to make that happen. Any preventative measure you can take, take it." Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. P rince Harry is preparing to join his wife Meghan and baby Archie in Canada at the end of the week following a "constructive" summit on the young family's future within the monarchy. They are believed to be staying at the $14 million mansion on Vancouver Island where the family spent their extended Christmas break. It has been reported that the waterfront home is owned by Hollywood mogul Frank Giustra, although he has denied this. The Canadian Prime Minister said there were still lots of discussions to have but backed the couples wish to spend much of their time in the Commonwealth country, where Harry's grandmother the Queen is the countrys head of state. Justin Trudeau has offered his support to Meghan and Harry / PA Archive/PA Images Mr Trudeau said: I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. He added: There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have. We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well. Were not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. Meghan did not join in with talks held at Sandringham / POOL/AFP via Getty Images He said the federal Canadian government had not been involved up until this point about what the couples move to the country would involve. He said discussions were ongoing about who would pay for what, after a backlash about Canadian taxpayers covering security costs. It is understood the Queen wants the issued settled within days, not weeks, so that it does not become a distraction. Queen Elizabeth departs from St Mary Magdalene's church on the Sandringham estate / REUTERS In a remarkably informal statement in which she referred to family several times , the Queen said she was entirely supportive of the Sussexes desire for a new role but would have preferred them to remain full-time working royals. She also said that after the very constructive talks she expected final decisions to be made in the coming days. It has been suggested that Harry spent some time alone with the Queen before his father and brother arrived. Her statement, released after the meeting concluded, said: My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family, while remaining a valued part of my family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Canada House in London 1 /13 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Canada House in London PA Getty Images PA AFP via Getty Images PA PA PA Getty Images Getty Images PA She also emphasised that the couple do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. This means Prince Charles will initially fund his son and family, but he is understood to have made it clear that he will not offer a blank cheque. The urgent talks were called by the Queen after the Sussexes defied her and released a statement announcing their intention to step down as senior royals. The Sussexes also stated they wanted a progressive new role within the institution, where they would eventually become financially independent. Both Harry and Meghan have spoken publicly of the problems they have faced as members of the royal family and complained about the media attention in recent months after the birth of their son Archie. Queen announces 'period of transition' for Harry and Meghan Harry made it clear that he had grave concerns that his wife would become a victim to what were described as the same powerful forces that he believes led to the tragic death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Some commentators suggested that the fact that the Queen did not refer to the couple as the duke and duchess in her statement suggests they could be stripped of the title she gave them and their HRH titles. But a senior source told the Standard: Thats not the case. The emphasis was on family, hence the informal tone. Dr. Ron Jurgensen Many patients come to me for a second opinion, because they have been told by another dentist that they must spend a lot of money on their mouth. Regrettably, in some cases they were about to get ripped off. Not everyone is honest. For the past 40 years, Dr. Ron Jurgensen, a Columbia University trained dentist has been treating patients in his offices in Newport Beach, California. Many patients come to me for a second opinion, because they have been told by another dentist that they must spend a lot of money on their mouth, states Dr. Jurgensen. Regrettably, in some cases they were about to get ripped off. Not everyone is honest. The Dental Dope from Dr. Ron series will cover a wide range of topics including: The latest techniques in detecting cavities and some of the newest materials to fill them. What an X-Ray reveals and what dentists look for in diagnosing problems in the mouth. Why infections can be a serious problem that should not be ignored. How to properly brush your teeth. How implants are designed and the procedures for implanting them. Because dentistry is a mystery to most people, they are ill equipped to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, some fall prey to unnecessary, often costly procedures. Dr. Jurgensens mission is to provide the viewers of his channel with accurate information about dental conditions and treatment options. Dr. Jurgensens motto is You Matter, whether you are his patient or not. Giving people the real dope on whats going on in the dental world and in their mouths can save patients time and money. In addition to his dental practice, Dr. Jurgensen has spent many years traveling to developing countries at his own expense, to treat people who have no access to dental care or hygiene. He recently made his seventh trip to Kenya, to work with Tumaini International, an organization with whom he has partnered for many years. About Dr. Jurgensen: Dr. Ron Jurgensen received his D.D.S., M.D.S. from Columbia Dental School in 1980. He also holds a Masters in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Since 1983 he has maintained a practice in Newport Beach, California, specializing in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. For more information, please contact Annemarie Osborne, publicist at 949-237-2906 or by email annemarieosborne7@gmail.com or Dr. Jurgensen at drjurg@yahoo.com or visit his website at: http://drjurgensen.com/ # # # Model Gigi Hadid has been revealed to be a potential juror in Harvey Weinsteins rape trial. The 24-year-old fashion star appeared in court in New York on Monday as part of the jury selection process ahead of the disgraced Hollywood producers trial. Hadid, who lives in Manhattan, was part of the latest pool of 120 potential jurors summoned for the case. Surrounded by photographers as she left the courthouse, Hadid said: Im not allowed to talk about jury duty. Im sorry. Hadid told judge James Burke that she had met defendant Weinstein, 67, and also that she knew Salma Hayek, an actor who has accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and aggression when she rejected his advances. Gigi Hadid leaves New York Criminal Court on during jury selection for Harvey Weinstein's rape trial (AP) Read more: Harvey Weinstein accused of sexually assaulting aspiring actress, then 16 Hadid is also a known friend of model and actress Cara Delevingne, another of the stars to have publicly made accusations of sexual harassment against Weinstein. Asked by the judge if she could be an impartial juror, Hadid said: I think Im still able to keep an open mind on the facts. The trial is still in its early stages with 40 jurors already having been dismissed last week. Burke said he hopes to have a jury selected by next week. Hadid was questioned during an initial screening process, now on its fifth day, that has been hampered by a host of challenges and distractions. They include defence requests for the judge to step aside and for jury selection to be held in secret, both of which were denied, and a noisy protest outside the courthouse. Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner, Mario Testino, Gigi Hadid, Jordan Dunn and Harvey Weinstein onstage during amfAR's 22nd Cinema Against AIDS Gala in 2015 (Getty Images) Gigi Hadid and Salma Hayek at a fashion gala in 2018 (Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to five counts that include raping a woman in 2013 and forcing another woman to engage in oral sexual conduct in 2006. The most serious charge he faces is predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life. Read more: Cara Delevingne: 'Harvey Weinstein told me to get a beard' Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct, harassment and assault by more than 80 women, including high profile stars such as Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow. The allegations began surfacing publicly in October 2017 and sparked the #MeToo movement. He has denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex and has maintained his innocence. Last week he appeared in court using a walking frame and was reprimanded by the judge for using his phone during the jury selection process. [January 14, 2020] Supercluster invests in AI's economic potential for Canadians 10 projects will bring artificial intelligence innovation to shipping, retail trade, aeronautics, health care and supply chain management MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy, creating middle-class jobs and keeping Canada competitive. That is why, as part of its ambitious Innovation Superclusters Initiative, the Government brought together small, medium-sized and large companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations to serve as anchors of innovation, growth and job creation across the country. Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, congratulated the Scale AI Supercluster on the announcement of 10 new projects. These projects will bring together over 60 partner organizationsincluding universities and over 30 SMEsthat are exploring how AI can help reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Representing a total investment of $74.7 million, including a federal investment of up to $22.6 million, these projects will use artificial intelligence to modernize processes and enhance productivity in the shipping, retail trade, aeronautics and health care sectors. For example, AlayaCare, a Montreal-based SME that provides home health care software, is partnering with home care providers CBI Health Group, Integracare and Bien Chez Soi to launch a $1.8-million project to give caregivers better planning and management tools aimed at ensuring that home care agencies are able to meet the growing demands of our aging population. Canadians will benefit from better patient care. Another project will involve Air Canada, OEC Group and Edgenda working in collaboration to enhance the cargo supply chan and optimize freight capacity. The Government's work with Scale AI is helping bring together Canada's AI industry leaders, civil society and academic experts to develop new products and services that this revolutionary new technology will unlock. As AI becomes an even greater part of our lives in the years to come, Canada will be uniquely positioned to lead, which will not only produce many new opportunities for growth but also have the potential to improve our quality of life in many new and unimaginable ways. Quotes "With these new projects, it is clear that the Scale AI Supercluster has momentum. Canada has a global reputation for leadership in AI, and Scale AI is now helping to inspire companies to take the leap toward this revolutionary new technology. These new projects will help tackle important industrial challenges in areas of Canadian economic strength and create new opportunities for our families and the next generation of skilled workers." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry "We are excited by the diversity and quality of the projects submitted to Scale AI's financing program for applied artificial intelligence projects. Every one of these 10 projects will help accelerate the adoption of AI at the participating companies and will inspire others to follow suit." Julien Billot, CEO, Scale AI Supercluster Quick facts These 10 new projects represent a total investment of $74.7 million , including $4.2 million from the Government of Quebec , $22.6 million from the Government of Canada and up to $47.9 million in contributions from industry and other partners. , including from the Government of , from the Government of and up to in contributions from industry and other partners. Under an agreement signed with the supercluster, the Government of Canada is investing up to nearly $230 million in Scale AI, matched dollar for dollar by the private sector. is investing up to nearly in Scale AI, matched dollar for dollar by the private sector. The supercluster is building intelligent supply chains through AI and robotics and helping Canadian SMEs scale up to make Canada a globally competitive export leader. a globally competitive export leader. The Scale AI Supercluster is expected to create more than 16,000 jobs and add more than $16.5 billion to Canada's economy over 10 years. Associated links Innovation Superclusters Initiative Scale AI Supercluster Scale AI starts off with first projects Stay connected Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA. Find more services and information at Canada.ca/ISED. SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An additive recently linked to vaping-related lung injuries and death would be banned in Michigan under legislation being considered in a state House committee this week. Taken together, House Bills 5159, 5160 and 5161 would ban the processing and sale of any marijuana or tobacco products that contains vitamin E acetate, making it a misdemeanor and charging civil fines for offenses. They are currently before the House Judiciary Committee for review. The bills, sponsored by state Reps. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn, Frank Liberati, D-Allen Park, and Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, would build off of recent actions taken by state officials to recall marijuana products containing the substance. Late last year, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency halted marijuana vaping sales until they could be tested for the presence of vitamin E acetate. In December, the state recalled thousands of marijuana vaping products that tested positive for the additive. Vitamin E acetate, which can be purchased legally online, is safely consumed in food and applied to the skin in cosmetic products. When it comes to vaping, Vitamin E acetate can be used as a filler added to THC vaping cartridges - its a cheaper substance that dilutes potency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently pointed to vitamin E acetate as a factor in many of the vaping-related deaths around the country, noting it may interfere with normal lung functioning when inhaled through a vaping product, the CDC says. Hammoud told lawmakers at a Tuesday committee hearing hes interested in expanding the legislation to include a ban on any vaping additives that arent approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The current bill in its current form is a reactive measure, Hammoud said. We have an opportunity to make these bills proactive by not just banning vitamin E acetate, but also expanding it to ban any other additive chemical substance thats added to vaping that has not been approved by the FDA. Marijuana Regulatory Acency Director Andrew Brisbo told lawmakers vitamin E acetate cant be added to vaping products on accident: This would be a deliberate action to add any of these prohibited chemicals to inhaleable products. He said the agency would also be supportive of broadening the language to prevent other unapproved additives from being used, noting it could help protect against any future public health crises as the industry continues to evolve. Several lawmakers on the panel expressed interest in the bills, although House Judiciary Chair Graham Filler, R-DeWitt, noted the possibility of broadening the legislations scope would require further discussion. This is a very narrowly tailored to vitamin E acetate bill, and I think thats the reason that its moved this quickly, because everybody acknowledged, Huge issue in vaping causing deaths, lets go after it legislatively, Filler said. Once we open that up...it makes it a little bit of a bigger bill. The bills would need to be approved in the House and Senate and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become law. Filler said he anticipated a vote on the bills in his committee next week. There have been 65 reported cases of vaping-related lung injury in Michigan, three of which have resulted in death, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, there have been 2,602 cases and 57 deaths, per the Centers for Disease Control. MDHHS recommends people not use THC vaping products, particularly from informal sources like friends or online sellers. Read more about vaping in Michigan: Michigan flavored vape van takes effect today: 6 things to know Video: Michigan governor on banning flavored e-cigarettes Vape advocates say Michigans e-cigarette ban will hurt adults trying to quit tobacco Trump considers ending sale of flavored e-cigarettes days after Michigans ban Why is vaping so bad for teenagers? Vaping pervasive among Michigan high schoolers, particularly in rural areas The new Justice Minister has admitted she cannot guarantee the PSNI more funding, even though she is well aware of the challenges it is facing. Alliance leader Naomi Long said that a number of issues, including key policing policies, were "on the radar". In her first major interview since being appointed to the new Stormont Executive, she discussed issues ranging from police recruitment and pay parity for officers to upskirting, legacy issues and paramilitarism. She was speaking the morning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's whistle-stop visit to Northern Ireland. The Conservative leader was subsequently criticised for failing to confirm how much of a cash injection the UK government was prepared to hand over as part of the new Stormont deal. Read More Sitting in her office in the Justice Department, Mrs Long told this newspaper there was no guarantee that local police officers would receive the 2.5% pay rise awarded to their English and Welsh counterparts last September. Only yesterday the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) said the pay situation could "be remedied at a stroke of a pen". Read More PFNI chairman Mark Lindsay added: "I would ask the new minister to show that the restoration of devolved institutions actually counts for something with prompt and decisive action." However, Mrs Long told this newspaper that would not be happening. "We're not going to be able to make any commitments at this stage because negotiations are still going on with the government around the financial package," she said. "The police is about 70% of the Department of Justice's budget and we have to manage that very carefully. "There's also a commitment in terms of talking to the Chief Constable around trying to increase the number of police officers. "We have to balance that out around all the other demands around the Executive table, so it's not a commitment I can make on my third day (in the job), but it's obviously something I'm aware of. It's on my radar." The deal that restored Stormont included undertakings to increase the number of PSNI officers by 600 to the 7,500 envisaged in the Patten reforms. Asked how any additional officers would be paid for, Mrs Long replied: "As it stands, there isn't funding. Those are the targets we are working towards and we will work with the police. "We're drilling down into this new tranche of cash to see how much of it is new money and how much of it is already allocated to other things. "It will be a matter of negotiation with Executive colleagues. Nothing is set in stone yet." Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin has called for a return to 50-50 recruitment for the PSNI, while Chief Constable Simon Byrne has highlighted under-representation among groups other than Catholics. Mrs Long said she felt compelled to "take advice" on the thorny issue. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I don't think that 50-50 recruitment is a good thing," she said. "It causes issues with people feeling that there's an element that is discriminatory and it's a very blunt tool for solving the problem. "I would like to look at why the issues around recruitment are emerging." Mrs Long has taken over the justice portfolio from Claire Sugden, who served in the Executive from 2016 until its collapse in early 2017. She has now added Executive minister to her impressive and ever-growing CV, which spans the political spectrum of councillor, MLA, MP, MEP and Alliance leader. Her brief is wide-ranging, also taking in courts, sentencing powers and legacy. Upskirting was recently made a criminal offence in England and Wales. A proposal to introduce a similar change in the law in Northern Ireland has already been made by the Department of Justice. It follows the high-profile case of a teenager who took upskirt pictures of two teachers at a school in Co Fermanagh and was found guilty of committing acts of outraging public decency. Mrs Long said: "It (an upskirting law) is on the radar. There's a wider piece of work around sexual offences that's going on in the department with the Gillen review. "It's one of my priorities to see that wider (sexual offences) package through. Upskirting fits into that overall strategy. It's something that we would want to proceed with, but we need to go through the formal consultation to make sure that we do it right." While the public awaits further government action on the controversial issue of the legacy of the Troubles, Mrs Long said she believes "you can't simply draw a line under the past". "We're talking about people who are bereaved and who still feel that loss acutely," she added. "Where justice is possible, people ought to be able to access justice. Where justice may not be possible, through lack of evidence or the passage of time, people should be able to access the truth. "That's always been my view, but it's now dependent on the Secretary of State and how he legislates for that at Westminster. The Historical Investigations Unit was envisaged as the way to take those issues forward and I think that's the best way forward." Mrs Long is just one of a growing number of local female politicians taking on high-profile roles. In the new Executive there is a 50-50 spilt between men and women when the Junior Ministers are included, but Mrs Long said: "It doesn't feel at all strange. It's becoming more normal. It's a good start." Before starting our interview yesterday, the Alliance leader accepted her new job had a learning curve but added: "I enjoy a challenge." Her new position will certainly be that and her success will likely depend on the scale of any budget cuts, which made her Alliance predecessor David Ford's job so challenging. The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honor of Florence Nightingales 200th birthday. I work in the healthcare world, am proud that my daughter is a nurse and am someone who now regularly interacts with nurses as they care for someone in my family. In survey after survey people most often equate the quality of their care with the nurse(s). During this Year of the Nurse, l hope we can thank a nurse for her or his fortitude, intellect, compassion and service. If you've been a hospital patient, remember those things you asked your nurse to do. In a doctor's office, remember how you turned to the nurse to explain what the doctor just said! Or in an emergency, think about what the nurse did before and after the doctor engaged. Physicians, don't wait until National Nurses Day to thank the RN's for being there and giving calm, comfort and care to your patient. It is a daily task and when they rise to the occasion, share the praise. Someone recently wrote that health care as we know it would collapse without the skill, science and art of nursing. Amen. Garry Mac Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or dissemination in the United States CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Elephant Hill Capital Inc. (TSXV:EH.P) (the "Company" or "Elephant Hill"), a capital pool company, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent") dated January 8, 2020 with Artos Pharma Inc. ("Artos") and Tassili Life Sciences Corp. ("Tassili") which outlines the general terms and conditions of a proposed transaction (the "Proposed Transaction") that will result in Elephant Hill acquiring all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Artos (the "Artos Shares") and Tassili (the "Tassili Shares"). The Proposed Transaction is currently expected to be completed by way of an exempt take-over bid, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar business combination as Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili shall agree to. Overview of Elephant Hill Capital Inc. Elephant Hill is a capital pool company. The Company's principal business activity is to identify and evaluate opportunities for acquisition of assets or business. The Company was incorporated on January 15, 2018 and has its registered office in Calgary, Alberta. Overview of Artos Artos is a private company incorporated under the law of the Province of British Columbia with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia. Artos is a clinical-stage, biopharma company founded by a group of physicians. The company is focused on treating advanced sarcomas, which are rare tumors of connective tissue. Because there are well over 50 histologic sarcoma subtypes, including malignant and non-malignant pathologies, clinical courses and therapeutic management are widely divergent. Sarcomas can occur anywhere in the body and have clinical courses ranging from indolent to highly aggressive. Surgery is still the most common treatment as it remains the only means of curing the disease. In most cases, it is not clear what causes sarcoma. Family history and radiation exposure may increase risk. In 2018, there were an estimated 13,040 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma in the U.S. No first-line therapies for soft tissue sarcoma have been approved in more than 40 years since Adriamycin, a chemotherapy medication used to treat cancer. The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Artos' lead oral drug candidate, ART-2020 (razoxane), has already completed multiple phase 2 clinical trials in Europe indicating safety and therapeutic activity. The company is collaborating with Professor Walter Rhomberg, an investigator who has led two of these clinical studies. In addition, Professor Rhomberg is co-editor of the publication, "Razoxane and Dexrazoxane - Two Multifunctional Agents". Artos plans to conduct a pivotal clinical trial in sarcoma in the United Kingdom and European Union and globally pursue regulatory approval. Each of the following individuals hold a controlling interest in or controls/directs Artos: James Kuo, CEO and Director (San Diego, California) and William Garner, Chairman (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Overview of Tassili Tassili is focused on the psychedelic drug industry. Tassili, with the planned collaboration of a top tier university research facility, will engage in pre-clinical studies of its combination compounds to establish efficacy based on objective outcomes. Tassili is a private company incorporated under the law of the Province of Ontario with offices in Toronto, Ontario. Tassili in collaboration with university research institutes intends to demonstrate that the clinical and physiological effectiveness in post concussion post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are enhanced by timely measured dosages of Psilocybin (a naturally occurring psychodelic producing compound) + CBD (cannabidiol) with superior clinical results as measured by objective outcomes. Tassili expects this combination to elicit clinical outcomes that are superior to Psilocybin or CBD alone. Tassili's vision is to administer the combination of Psilocybin and CBD in certified drug and talk therapy clinics when human clinical trials are completed and the combination is approved by the regulatory agencies throughout the world. Tassili's management believes that Tassili's proprietary novel approach addresses short term memory (STMs) and long term memory (LTMs) disorders by selectively erasing or suppressing pathological memories as in PTSD, suicidal thoughts and depression. It is also expected to elicit positive clinical outcomes in altering destructive behavior patterns such as drug and alcohol addiction, unconstrained mental and physical activity as OCD, and/or Tourette's syndrome and the wide spectrum of memory recall/forgetfulness disorders ranging from the ubiquitous age related memory breach, up to Alzheimer disease. Tassili may potentially engage with other organizations to pursue research on this additional proprietary approach. Each of the following individuals hold a controlling interest in or control/direct Tassili: George Scorsis, Director (Toronto, Ontario), Jonathan Gilbert, CEO and Director (Roslyn Heights, New York), Jonathan Held, CFO and Director (Toronto, Ontario) and Maghsoud Dariani, Chief Science Officer (Fanwood, New Jersey). Website: https://tassililifesciences.com/ The Proposed Transaction The Letter of Intent is to be superseded by a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") between Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili with such agreement to include representations, warranties, covenants and conditions typical for a transaction of this nature. The Proposed Transaction is subject to, among other things, receipt of all applicable shareholder and regulatory approvals, the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the conditions described below. Prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Corporation intends to hold a meeting of its shareholders for purposes of approving, among other matters, certain matters ancillary to the Proposed Transaction, including a change of the name of Elephant Hill to a name that the Corporation, Artos and Tassili may determine and which shall be acceptable to the Exchange. Jonathan Gilbert is a Director of Elephant Hill and the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tassili. As a result, the Proposed Transaction is a Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction (as defined by the policies of the Exchange). The Proposed Transaction must be approved by not less than 66 2/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of Elephant Hill shareholders (the "Elephant Hill Meeting"). In addition "Majority of the Minority" approval will be required from disinterested Elephant Hill shareholders. It is expected that management information circular will be provided to Elephant Hill shareholders and the Elephant Hill Meeting will be held in due course. Following the Closing, Elephant Hill will continue on with the business of each of Artos and Tassili and it is expected that Artos and Tassili will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Corporation, and will change their names to something applicable as they may determine and which shall be acceptable to the Exchange (Elephant Hill after the Proposed Transaction being referred to herein as the "Resulting Issuer"). Following completion of the Proposed Transaction, Elephant Hill intends to list as a Tier 2 Life Sciences Issuer on the Exchange. It is currently anticipated that under the Proposed Transaction, each shareholder of Artos (excluding those receiving Artos Shares as a result of the Proposed Financing) will receive 1.0 "new" Elephant Hill common share ("Elephant Hill Share") in exchange for each one (1) Artos Share and each Artos stock option and warrant (if applicable) held by such holder shall be exchanged for a stock option and warrant of Elephant Hill on the same terms. The former shareholders of Artos shall receive 20,000,000 Elephant Hill shares at a price of $0.20 per share. It is currently anticipated that under the Proposed Transaction, each shareholder of Tassili (excluding those receiving Tassili Shares as a result of the Proposed Financing) will receive 1.0 "new" Elephant Hill Share in exchange for each one (1) Tassili Share and each Tassili stock option and warrant (if applicable) held by such holder shall be exchanged for a stock option and warrant of Elephant Hill on the same terms. The former shareholders of Tassili shall receive a minimum of 13,750,000 Elephant Hill shares and up to a maximum of 22,500,000 Elephant Hill shares at a price of $0.20 per share, depending on Tassili's contribution to the Proposed Financing and on meeting certain requirements pursuant to the Letter of Intent. It is expected that all Elephant Hill Shares (including Elephant Hill Shares issued upon exercise of Elephant Hill warrants) and Elephant Hill warrants (collectively "Elephant Hill Securities") issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction, except those certain Elephant Hill Securities issued to U.S. persons, will be freely tradable under applicable Canadian securities legislation, but may be subject to Exchange imposed restrictions on resale. Elephant Hill Securities issued to U.S. persons will not be freely tradable and will be subject to restrictions upon trading under applicable U.S. securities laws. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. The Elephant Hill Securities issued to U.S. persons may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under applicable U.S. securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Further details about Elephant Hill, the Proposed Transaction and the Resulting Issuer, including financial information, will be included in a subsequent press release in connection with the Transaction. Proposed Financing In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Artos, Tassili and Elephant Hill are proposing to complete a private placement of subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") for gross proceeds of between $4,000,000 and $7,000,000 (the "Proposed Financing"). Each Subscription Receipt will be deemed to be converted into one Elephant Hill common share or one Elephant Hill unit, as will be later determined and dictated by market conditions, immediately without further payment from or action on the part of the holder and concurrently with the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, including, among other things, confirmation that there is no impediment to the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Further details of the Subscription Receipt offering will be disclosed in subsequent press releases. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, holders of Elephant Hill Shares referred to above will receive "new" Elephant Hill shares and Elephant Hill warrants in exchange for their "old" Elephant Hill shares and Elephant Hill warrants. Elephant Hill intends to use the net proceeds of the Proposed Financing and existing cash on hand for general corporate purposes. Conditions to the Proposed Transaction Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent including, among other things: the satisfactory completion of due diligence investigations by each of Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili; the receipt of all required approvals by the respective boards of directors of Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili; closing of the Proposed Financing; the receipt of any requisite approvals of the shareholders of Elephant Hill required by applicable law or Exchange requirements; the receipt of approval of the Proposed Transaction by the shareholders of Artos and Tassili; the receipt of all required consents, approvals and authorizations of any regulatory authorities, including, without limitation, the Exchange, as applicable; and the receipt of all required consents and approvals of third parties. Proposed Management and Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer It is currently anticipated that all of the current officers and all of the current directors of Elephant Hill will resign from their respective positions with Elephant Hill. Subject to applicable regulatory, shareholder and Exchange approval, on completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is currently anticipated that the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer will be fixed at five (5), nominated upon agreement between Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili, and will consist of two (2) of whom are to be nominees of Artos, two (2) of whom are to be nominees of Tassili, and one (1) of whom is to be a joint nominee of Artos, Tassili and Elephant Hill. Details with respect to the proposed officers, directors and insiders (as defined by Exchange Policies) of the Resulting Issuer, including the background of each such proposed individual, will be announced in subsequent disclosure. Halt of Trading of Common Shares of the Corporation In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, the common shares of the Corporation are currently halted from trading and will remain halted until further notice. Sponsorship Sponsorship may be required by the TSXV unless exempt in accordance with TSXV policies. The Corporation is currently reviewing the requirements for sponsorship and intends to apply for a waiver from the sponsorship requirements. There is no assurance that a waiver from this requirement will be obtained. The Corporation intends to include any additional information regarding sponsorship in a subsequent press release. All information contained in this press release with respect to the Corporation, Artos and Tassili was supplied by the parties, respectively, for inclusion herein, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. Further Information In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, further details about the Proposed Transaction and the Resulting Issuer will be provided in a comprehensive press release when the parties enter into a Definitive Agreement, including details related to the business and assets of Artos and Tassili, proposed consideration, description of financing arrangements and loans. Further details will also be provided and in the disclosure document to be prepared and filed in respect of the Proposed Transaction. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. For further information, please contact: Elephant Hill Capital Inc. Mohammad Fazil, President, Chief Executive Officer, Director Email: mofazil@gmail.com Phone: (403) 613-7310 Artos Pharma Inc. James Kuo, Chief Executive Officer Email: jkuo@artospharma.com Phone: (858) 220-5703 Tassili Life Sciences Corp. Jonathan Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer and Director Email: j.gilbert@tassililifesciences.com Phone: (917) 693-0215 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. All information contained in this press release with respect to Elephant Hill, Artos and Tassili was supplied by the parties, respectively, for inclusion herein, and Elephant Hill and its directors and officers have relied on Artos and Tassili for any information concerning such party. Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable, pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder and regulatory approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described in this press release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction; the terms and conditions of the proposed Financing; future developments and the business and operations of the "Resulting Issuer" after the Proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will proceed and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation, Artos and Tassili disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Elephant Hill Capital Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/573045/Elephant-Hill-Announces-Letter-of-Intent-and-Intention-to-Complete-Its-Qualifying-Transaction Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images By 2011, U.S. forces had occupied Iraq for eight years. But if the press remembered, it didnt show. The war accounted for a mere 1 percent of all news coverage throughout all of 2010, the Pew Research Center reported. Nearly a decade later, little has changed. The U.S. is still in Iraq, a fact that remains almost entirely absent from the news. When the press does cover the aftermath of the invasion, its attention is fickle, moved only by events like the rise of ISIS or Donald Trumps assassination of Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. The architects of the war continue their careers undisrupted by consequence, ensconced in public office and think tanks and the odd university post. But the impunity that shields them doesnt look quite as impenetrable as it once did. Iraq may be out of the news, but its haunting Joe Biden in ways the former vice-president did not appear to anticipate. Last week, Biden told an Iowa voter he didnt support the invasion of Iraq at the time of its launch. He opposed it, he said, from the very moment George W. Bush announced it, and he told the president as much right after it began, CNN reported. But thats not true, as CNN itself had previously documented. Biden not only voted for the war, in public he supported it with relative enthusiasm, telling an audience at the Brookings Institution in 2003 that it was the right vote then and would be a correct vote today. Biden has since admitted it was a mistake to trust the Bush administration to wage war. But as a candidate for president in 2020, he occupies a difficult position. His most threatening competitors for the nomination Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg, depending on the poll of the day either voted against the war, or werent in a position to do so. On Iraq, Biden stands alone, and the Sanders campaign is determined to make sure that history matters. In a statement quoted by Politico, senior Sanders campaign advisor Jeff Weaver said Biden, as a senator, made explicitly clear that he supported the war. Weaver added, It is appalling that after 18 years, Joe Biden still refuses to admit he was dead wrong on the Iraq War, the worst foreign-policy blunder in modern American history. The Sanders campaign is right on the substance of its accusation. On a moral basis, Bidens early position on the war is of profound importance. Even the more hawkish pundits usually concede that the invasion of Iraq proved a catastrophe. But the war was doomed to fail; it was flawed, fatally, from its conception. Bidens mistake and his subsequent failure to reckon with it should cast doubt on his foreign-policy judgment. Criticizing Biden for his vote suggests, rightly, that there ought to be some cost associated with support for war. On this point, there ought to be no argument. Years after the senators cast their fateful votes, it may not even be possible to accurately calculate the total number of Iraqis and Americans whose deaths can be blamed on the decision to invade. At a minimum, the total is in the tens of thousands, and Trumps destabilizing foreign policy may lead to further bloodshed in the region. Bidens support for the war wasnt just a bloodless political miscalculation but a moral failure with fatal consequences. The war may have faded out of the public consciousness. In the aggregate, Americans appear divided on whether it was even a mistake: 48 percent told the Pew Research Center in 2018 that the invasion was wrong. Military veterans, meanwhile, are more likely to say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan werent worth fighting. By contrast, health care is still a greater priority for most voters. A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday found that 27 percent of voters who are Democratic or lean Democratic rank the issue as their top concern when choosing a candidate to support. The public may not be calling for a reckoning on Iraq, but one is due nonetheless. The Trump presidency only amplifies a truth that should have been obvious to Democrats a long time ago: Americas foreign policy needs to be dramatically reset. If Biden wont consistently tell the truth about his record, he undermines his own credibility on one of the most crucial issues a president can directly control. He promises inertia, not accountability and certainly not change. Biden clearly hopes his role in recent history makes the case for his presidency. His Iraq revisionism suggests his past should disqualify him instead. New Delhi/IBNS: Ina first such move, the Kerala government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court as it challenged the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Centre last year. The plea was filed by the state government as an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution which empowers Supreme Court to hear disputes between government of India and one or more states. The petition has stated that the CAA, which had triggered massive protests across the country since last year, violates right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, right to life under Article 21 and freedom to practice religion under Article 25. Kerala had earlier moved a resolution against the CAA in its assembly. Several Chief Ministers of the country including the Congress ones, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala have stated they won't implement CAA- which will grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before 2015- in the state. The Centre on Friday issued a notification of the CAA effective from Jan 10. Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg (L) and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren participate of the sixth Democratic primary debate at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 2019. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) Iowa Debate Last Chance for Candidates to Sway Democrats Before Caucuses The Jan. 14 Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, will be the last significant chance for the candidates to impress voters before Iowans take a stand in their caucuses. The debate, the seventh this election cycle, will be particularly crucial for Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) who have been running in third and fourth place in recent national polls. It will also provide a chance for the billionaire hedge fund manager and environmental activist Tom Steyer, as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to make their cases. Their poll performances, however, make their bids a long shot. None of the other candidates cleared the more stringent qualification criteria for the debate. Buttigieg, a former Naval intelligence officer and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, competes for the more moderate faction of the Democratic Party with former Vice President Joe Biden. Warren, a former law school professor, competes with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for the further left, progressive faction of the party. The Iowa caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 3, are a traditional litmus test for the viability of presidential candidates. Biden, Sanders, Warren, and Buttigieg have all shown strong numbers in Iowa polls at some point, particularly Buttigieg, who peaked at 26 percent, leading the pack in a mid-November Iowa State University (ISU) poll. Recently, however, his numbers have started to slip. Warren had her golden era among Iowans in October, reaching 28 percent in an ISU poll, but has since fallen behind the other three candidates. National Polls In national polls, Warren and Buttigieg have fallen behind further, according to records kept by RealClearPolitics. Biden seems to be firming up his front leading status, and Sanders is appearing to be his main rival, said Spencer Kimball, assistant professor and director of Emerson College Polling, in an email to The Epoch Times. Warren seems to have slipped with younger voters, which has benefited Sanders and also Andrew Yang, he added. Buttigieg is going to have to do very well in Iowa and New Hampshire for a major bounce as he is struggling in national polls and in almost every state poll outside Iowa and New Hampshire. Both Warren and Buttigieg also have trouble attracting minority voters. Warren polled at 11 percent among blacks and Hispanics in the recent Morning Consult poll (pdf). Buttigieg was at 4 percent and dropping among Hispanics, and among blacks; his numbers werent even worth mentioning for the pollster. Biden did the best among blacks with 42 percent support, while Sanders did the best among Hispanics with 36 percent. The mechanism of the Iowa caucuses may give an advantage to Sanders. As the process works, the caucus-goers who pick a candidate with less than 15 percent support in their precinct need to pick again. Warren has oscillated at around 16 percent in recent Iowa polls. If she fails to clear the 15 percent bar, her supporters might switch to Sanders, giving him a major boost. Money In fundraising, Sanders led the pack, with nearly $70 million raised and almost $34 million on hand, 2019 third-quarter numbers show, according to Ballotpedia. Second in line was Warren, with more than $60 million raised and close to $26 million on hand. Buttigieg raised more than $52 million and had more than $23 million on hand. Steyer pulled in nearly $50 million but had only $2.6 million on hand, while Biden raised almost $34 million and had $9 million on hand. Narrowing Field The Democratic National Committee has set more strict rules for the Iowa debate, and only six candidates made the cut, down from seven in the prior debate. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) quit the race on Jan. 13, citing a lack of funds. He also failed to clear the needed level of support in the polls to qualify for the debate. Former New York City mayor, gun-control activist, and billionaire Michael Bloomberg managed to score high enough in polls but failed to gather the requisite 225,000 donors sufficiently distributed in at least 20 states. Bloomberg, who joined the race in November, doesnt plan to collect donations for his presidential campaign. The other candidates, including entrepreneur and lawyer Andrew Yang and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), failed to meet both criteria. Bloomberg and Klobuchar are the alternatives to Biden, but need Biden to slip to gain, Kimball said. The field also includes former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Seventeen candidates have so far dropped out. Debates The debate will be moderated by CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip, and chief politics reporter at the Des Moines Register, Brianne Pfannenstiel. Democrats plan to have 12 debates in total. The eighth is scheduled on Feb. 7 in Manchester, New Hampshire, before the states Feb. 11 primary. The ninth is on Feb. 19 in Las Vegas before the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses. The tenth is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Charleston, South Carolina, before the states Feb. 29 primary. The dates of the other two debates havent been announced yet. Viewership for the debates has been dropping, with the last one watched live on television by less than 6.2 million people, down from the more than 18 million who tuned in for the second night of the first debate on June 27, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Advertisement Bustling, busy and not for the faint-hearted, Bangkok's thriving metropolis is an explosion of great food, stunning sights and yes... tuk tuks. Spending time in the capital is a exhilarating juxtaposition to Thailand's palm-tree fringed beaches and beautiful islands and should be at the top of any traveller's list for 2020. While it was once a byword for sleaze and partying Bangkok has grown up and is now host to a great array of swanky restaurants, stylish hotels and buzzing bars. Any trip to Thailand's capital should probably start at the jaw-dropping Grand Palace, a beautiful mix of Thai and Italian styles and the official residence of the King of Thailand until 1925. Any trip to Thailand's capital should probably start at the jaw-dropping Grand Palace, a beautiful mix of Thai and Italian styles and the official residence of the King of Thailand until 1925 Daily Mail Australia reporter Zoe Zaczek explores Wat Arun, a 70-metre-high Buddhist temple in Bangkok Pictured: Wat Arun. Make sure you're dressed appropriately for the traditional sites - with your shoulders and knees covered Once inside the palace visitors can wander the opulent corridors at leisure and set their eyes on Thailand's most significant religious symbol, the Emerald Buddha. Those with an interest in history and intrigue should stop by the Jim Thompson House museum - the home of the late Jim Thompson - an American architect who transformed Thailand's silk industry. Thompson, a former spy, mysteriously went missing while on holiday in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands in 1967. He was last seen going for a walk after a church service but when he didn't return more than two hours later a mass search party, involving 500 people, set out to find him. Thompson's disappearance generated worldwide publicity and most media reports speculated that he had been kidnapped, although no ransom note was ever found. Pictured: Jim Thompson House museum. It is the home of the late American architect, who packed up his life and moved to Thailand 'Tuk-tuks', a type of three-wheel motorised passenger cart, are a novel way for tourists to hop between destinations in Thailand Wat Arun sits on the Chao Phraya River, where visitors can travel along on a junk boat or a ferry Travel in Bangkok is fun and hectic but one way to move at a slightly more relaxing pace is to enjoy a boat ride along the scenic Chao Phraya River. The river winds past some of the city's best sights including the towering temples Wat Arun and Wat Po. Further along the river is Icon Siam, Bangkok's most popular shopping district. The one-year-old property boasts an indoor floating market called 'Sook Siam' where shoppers can meet and enjoy a mouth-watering meal. Any trip to Bangkok wouldn't be complete without a trip to the lively Khao San Road, famous for its delicious street food, night stalls and pumping bars. In a bid to crackdown on the famous backpacking mecca, the Thai government stopped vendors from selling their wares in the day, but come 6pm and the street comes alive again. A journey on a junk boat (pictured) or ferry allows travellers to take in the stunning views of the extravagant temples lining the river bank Those brave enough can sample a roasted scorpion on a stick or drink giant bottles of Chang beer with gap year students until dawn. If scorched scorpions aren't your thing, then head to Bangkok's historic Chinatown, considered the birth place of Thai street food. Try Thai-style sukiyaki (wok fried noodles, egg and seafood in a chilli sauce) and feast on hot satay skewers while you wander through the streets. There are countless places to stay in Bangkok but the unrivaled Amari Watergate Bangkok offers stunning views, luxurious rooms and is conveniently located next to some of the cities best sights. Bangkok has a tropical climate and is hot year-round. But those looking to cool off can take a dip in the hotel's pool or work out in the gym. This writer was a guest with Amari Pattaya and ONYX Hospitality Group. Pictured: Amari Watergate's swimming pool on level eight. It is conveniently located on the same level as the Breeze Spa and fitness centre Jamia Millia Islamia vice-chancellor Najma Akhtar addresses protesting students, who were demanding registration of an FIR against the police brutality on campus last month, at Jamia campus in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI) New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia vice-chancellor Najma Akhtar on Monday said that the varsity administration will explore the possibility of moving court for registration of an FIR against police brutality on the campus. This came hours after hundreds of students gheraoed her office. The students broke the lock on the main gate, barged into the V-Cs office premises and raised slogans against her and demanded that an FIR be registered against the police by January 16. She told the students that the National Human Rights Commission has begun an inquiry into the December 15 police action and an NHRC team had visited the university and another one would visit on Tuesday to record statements. Ms Akhtar twice tried to pacify the students during the day but they refused to relent. She also said that she did not want a deadline to file the FIR against police as she would follow due procedure. The students said that if the police was not ready to register an FIR for beating the students inside the campus, they were ready to take out a protest march till cognisance of their complaint was taken. They also demanded that the V-C hold a press conference after the FIR is registered and issue a statement assuring the students of safety on the campus The students demanded that an independent special investigation team (SIT) must probe the police action and no action should be taken by the administration against students and that the FIR filed against the students be withdrawn. When Ms Akhtar came out to talk to students for the second time in the evening, she agreed to their demands but refused to give it in writing. The university, however, said in a statement that the administration would take all possible measures to address the concerns of the students. A decision has also been taken that the administration will explore the possibility of moving court for registration of FIR in the December 15, 2019, police brutality in the university library case at the earliest, the statement said. It said it had followed all possible steps for the registration of an FIR. It had lodged a complaint with the station house officer, Jamia Nagar, a copy was sent to the Delhi police commissioner and DCP South East. Canada's Trudeau Blames Recent Escalations For Plane Crash, U.S. Announces Deterrence Strategy By RFE/RL January 14, 2020 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Canadians killed on board Flight PS752 in Iran would be alive if tensions in the region were not at a heightened level. "If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families," Trudeau on January 13 told Global News TV, a Canadian broadcaster. Iran's military has admitted to shooting down a Ukrainian airliner on January 8, killing all 176 on board, including 57 Canadians. The incident occurred just hours after Tehran fired ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces in Iraq in retaliation for a U.S. drone attack that killed Iran's most prominent military commander, Qasem Soleimani, on January 3. Trudeau has faced questions over the past week on whether U.S. President Donald Trump also bears partial responsibility for the tragedy. "This is something that happens when you have conflict and war," Trudeau said. "Innocents bear the brunt of it and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation, moving forward to reduce tensions and find a pathway that doesn't involve further conflict and killing." Trudeau said he has spoken with Trump about the incident and emphasized the importance of easing strain. "I have spoken to him [Trump] and I have talked about the need to de-escalate tensions," he said. U.S. Deterrence Policy The killing of Soleimani, who was the architect of Iran's campaign to spread influence across the Middle East, is part of a broader strategy of deterrence against Iran and other foes, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a speech delivered at Stanford University's Hoover Institute in California on January 13. Titled, The Restoration of Deterrence: The Iranian Example, the speech focused on Washington's strategy to establish "real deterrence" against Iran. Trump and Pompeo have said Soleimani was the world's preeminent terrorist and justified his killing over imminent attacks U.S. diplomatic and military personnel were facing although the purported intelligence leading to that assessment hasn't been disclosed. "The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' or not, & was my team in agreement," Trump said on social media on January 13. "The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" At Stanford, Pompeo said the "bigger strategy" behind the killing of Soleimani is that "American now enjoys the greatest position of strength regarding Iran we've ever been in" In the speech, Pompeo referred to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran from which Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018, which allegedly had spurred Iran. The new strategy isn't "confined" to Iran, Pompeo said, citing examples Washington has taken concerning Russia and China. He mentioned lethal military aid given to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian-backed separatists and Trump's departure from an arms control pact with Moscow and recent tests last year of a new U.S. mid-range cruise missile. Regarding China, Pompeo cited increased U.S. naval exercises in the South China Sea amid Beijing's policy of militarization of disputed islands and Trump's trade war as other aspects of the deterrence strategy. With reporting by Global News TV, Reuters, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/canada-s-trudeau- blames-recent-escalations-for-plane-crash-u-s- announces-deterrence-strategy/30375727.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 [January 14, 2020] Buckingham Strategic Wealth Partners with Flourish for Cash Management NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Flourish , a platform for financial advisors, today announced a partnership with Buckingham Strategic Wealth to offer Flourish Cash1 as a cash management option for Buckingham's advisors and their clients. Clients of Buckingham Strategic Wealth now have access to a competitive variable rate on their cash, high levels of FDIC coverage through Flourish Cash's Program Banks,2 and a modern and streamlined user experience. "The households that use Flourish hold more than $250K in the bank on average,3 and we built Flourish Cash to ensure that advisors at leading independent firms like Buckingham have a solution for those dollars. We are thrilled to partner with Buckingham to deliver that solution and to improve clients' financial lives," said Yan Zhao, CEO of Flourish. "We clearly see how focused Buckingham is on not only bringing the best technology to their advisors and clients, but on doing so in a thoughtful way that integrates with existing technology and makes the experience seamless for advisors." Flourish worked with Buckingham to integrate the platform into advisors' existing technology stack. Advisors can invite clients to Flourish via their CRM (Salesforce) and, once an account is opened, the Flourish Cash balances are automatically mapped to the correct household and fed directly into advisors' reporting in Orion. "We want to make sure that our advisors have access to a broad array of tools that address every aspect of clients' financial lives. We view having a cash management solution as a powerful and highly complementary addition to the suite of tools and products available to our clients today," said Rob Ziliak, Chief Experience Office, Buckingham Strategic Wealth. "Flourish is an industry leader in delivering a simple and clean user experience that belies the power of what's under the hood. We are excited about the partnership and look forward to working with them as they continue to build out Flourish Cash and the Flourish platform."4 About Flourish Flourish aims to be an industry leader in building technology to empower financial advisors, improve financial lives and retirement outcomes, and deliver new and innovative investment options. Flourish Cash, part of the Flourish platform, is a service offered by Stone Ridge Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer based in New York, NY. Today, Flourish Cash is used by more than 175 wealth management firms representing more than $450 Billion in assets under management. Since launch, Flourish Cash has experienced 58 consecutive weeks of deposit growth. For more information, please visit www.flourish.com, or follow our news and insights at Flourish Insights. Media Contact: Kelly Brewster, Head of Client Strategies [email protected] About Buckingham Strategic Wealth Founded in 1994, Buckingham Strategic Wealth helps individuals, businesses, nonprofits, retirement plans, and dental and professional practice owners achieve their most important goals by building comprehensive, evidence-based financial plans. Its investment philosophy is rooted in an academic approach tailored to address each client's distinct willingness, ability and need to accept market risk. As a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm, Buckingham operates under a fiduciary obligation to its clients. The firm's investment approach centers on modern portfolio theory implemented through passively managed mutual funds and the firm's fixed income portfolio design and execution capabilities. Buckingham Strategic Wealth is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and maintains 35 offices in 21 states. For more information, visit www.buckinghamadvisor.com. 1 A Flourish Cash account is a brokerage account offered by Stone Ridge Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. Flourish Cash is not a bank account, but the cash balance in a Flourish Cash account is swept from the brokerage account to deposit account(s) at one or more third-party banks that have agreed to accept deposits from customers of Stone Ridge Securities LLC ("Program Banks"). 2 The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account that is swept to one or more Program Banks is eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to FDIC rules, including FDIC aggregate insurance coverage limits. FDIC insurance will not be provided until the funds arrive at the Program Bank. For additional information regarding FDIC coverage, please visit https://fdic.gov/. 3 Average Flourish Cash household balance as of December 30, 2019. Excludes households with no Flourish Cash accounts and those with zero-balance accounts. 4 This feedback may not be representative of the experience of other customers, and is not a guarantee of future performance or success. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buckingham-strategic-wealth-partners-with-flourish-for-cash-management-300986173.html SOURCE Flourish [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The inspiration behind one of Google's multi-billion dollar companies that aims to combat aging came from an exec who watched his grandmother waste away from dementia. Bill Maris, 45, was the founder and first CEO of Google Ventures - the venture capital investment arm of Alphabet Inc that was created in 2008. Maris became determined to combat aging and halt death after watching his grandmother's health deteriorate due to her dementia. His grandfather also died of a brain tumor at the age of 67. After rallying big-tech names, Maris eventually went on to found Google's Calico project in September 2013. After rallying big-tech names, Bill Maris eventually went on to found Google's Calico project in September 2013, which is focused on extending life spans Calico continues to be a research and development biotech company that is focused on extending life spans. Just how he managed to carry out his quest for the Silicon Valley company is detailed in author Chip Walter's new book Immortality, Inc. published by National Geographic. Maris, who has since resigned from Google Ventures, reached out to Apple chairman Art Levinson around October 2012 to float his idea to create a startup designed to cure ageing and death. Levinson had started out as a molecular biologist before working his way up to become the CEO of biotechnology company Genentech. Levinson, who was also previously on Google's board of directors, was intrigued by Maris' pitch. Having been inspired by the plight of his grandmother, Maris had been considering the idea for a while and needed someone like Levinson to be interested if he had any hope of it advancing. Maris had started working on the idea after realizing that most health care companies in the late 2000s were building some type of high-tech device to improve health. After rallying big-tech names like like Apple chairman Art Levinson and then-Google CEO Larry Page, Maris went on to start the Calico project in 2013. Levinson became Calico's CEO Calico continues to be a research and development biotech company that is focused on extending life spans Maris found that in 2012 no one was really exploring, at least at a full blown pace, ways to eradicate ageing diseases like the one that claimed his grandmother. He started thinking about whether science could develop a way to stop or reverse such illnesses. As he was contemplating the idea, he met Ray Kurzweil - an inventor who ultimately believed that artificial intelligence could potentially cure death. It was this belief that encouraged Maris to create a company that could really focus on curing ageing. Maris went on to meet with longtime Google board member John Doerr and pitched his company idea to him. He got Doerr's attention by essentially suggesting he wanted to create a company that could buy time. He added that it wasn't that insane to believe the clock could be stopped to help keep people healthier for longer. Doerr is said to have told him it was possibly the most compelling pitch he had heard and even committed to putting in money himself. The pair agreed to share the idea with Google's then-CEO Larry Page. After being pitched the idea, Page went on to meet with Levinson, the Apple chairman. In September 2013, Google's Calico project was officially founded by Maris. Levinson was named Calico's CEO and he currently remains in the position. Maris ended up resigning from Google Ventures back in 2016. He founded the firm and ran it as chief executive for eight years. Ahead of an expected push by the Syrian army, leaflets have been dropped calling on civilians to leave the area to avoid being used as human shields writes Hashtag Syria. On Sunday, Syrian army helicopters dropped leaflets over the Idleb and Aleppo countrysides telling civilians living in areas controlled by the al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations to leave and head towards humanitarian crossings to enter government-controlled territory. According to the Al-Alam channel, the leaflets bore messages to residents of areas under the control of terrorist organizations, appealing to them to leave and make their way to the humanitarian crossings that the government has prepared in the countryside of the two governorates, and which will be ready to receive them on Monday, following the provision of all medical and nutritional requirements needed by civilians departuring from areas controlled by armed groups. The leaflets dropped by the Syrian army assured civilians that terrorist organizations will try to use human shields to prevent the Syrian armys advance, and that the decision to cleanse the area of these murderous terrorists had been taken and was now irreversible. It called on civilians to help the army achieve its victory against terrorism. Three humanitarian crossings are scheduled to open on Monday in the Idleb and Aleppo countrysides to facilitate civilians in crossing from the areas where military operations may occur in the coming days. The Syrian government intends to open these crossings under the direct supervision of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria. To this end, it has equipped three corridors in the Idleb and Aleppo countrysides. Assad regime helicopters dropped leaflets in areas under the control of the opposition factions west of Aleppo, asking civilians to leave the area through the three crossings announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday. Meanwhile, the army also sent military reinforcements to the front lines in Aleppos western countryside. It is expected to start its new offensive in the west and south of Aleppo in the coming weeks, as a large force has been assembled inside the province. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed its displeasure over the latest status report filed by the CBI-led Multi Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) on its probe into unravelling a larger conspiracy behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A bench of Justices L N Rao and Hemant Gupta, after perusing the status report, said its contents were almost similar to the report filed earlier by the agency. The top court said it wanted to know about the progress made in the ongoing investigation in the past two years. The bench posted the matter for hearing next week. On November 5 last year, the apex court had sought within four weeks a latest status report from the MDMA on its probe into the larger conspiracy behind Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. The MDMA, set up in 1998 on the recommendations of Justice M C Jain Commission of Inquiry which had probed the conspiracy aspect of Gandhi's assassination, is headed by a CBI official and comprises officers from IB, RAW and Revenue Intelligence and other agencies. The bench had said the latest report should also include status of Letters Rogatory (LRs) sent to Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries in the matter. The top court was hearing the plea of 46-year-old A G Perarivalan, who has sought suspension of his life sentence in the case till completion of the probe by MDMA into the larger conspiracy behind the assassination. Perarivalan's counsel had earlier said his role was only limited to procuring nine-volt batteries, which were allegedly used in the improvised explosive device (IED) that had killed Gandhi. On March 14 last year, the apex court had asked the MDMA to file a status report with regard to a LR sent to Sri Lanka for examining one of the accused,' Nixon alias Suren, who is lodged in Colombo jail. The top court had dismissed a plea of Perarivalan seeking recall of the May 11, 1999 verdict upholding his conviction. It had said the material brought on record before it does not inspire confidence to interfere with the verdict in which Perarivalan and three others were initially awarded death sentence, which was later commuted to life term. The CBI had earlier submitted that Perarivalan had even visited Jaffna in Sri Lanka in the first week of June 1990, besides attending a public meeting along with other conspirators which was addressed by former Prime Minister V P Singh on May 7, 1991 in Tamil Nadu. Perarivalan's counsel had submitted that he was just 19-years-old when the incident took place and had no knowledge of what he was doing and for what purpose the batteries were purchased. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally. Fourteen others, including Dhanu herself, were also killed. Gandhi's assassination was perhaps the first case of suicide bombing which had claimed the life of a high-profile leader. In its May 1999 order, the top court had upheld the death sentence of four convicts -- Perarivalan, Murugan, Santham and Nalini -- in the assassination case. In April 2000, the Tamil Nadu governor had commuted the death sentence of Nalini on the basis of the state government's recommendation and an appeal by former Congress president and Rajiv Gandhi's widow Sonia Gandhi. On February 18, 2014, the top court had commuted the death sentence of Perarivalan to life imprisonment, along with that of two other prisoners - Santhan and Murugan - on grounds of a delay of 11 years in deciding their mercy pleas by the Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) That some well-known regional parties, who otherwise oppose the CAA, did not attend the meeting can be little comfort to the Centre. On January 10, the government officially notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, against which (and against its companion measures, NPR and NCR) spontaneous protests have erupted in practically all parts of the country, but it is in no position to lower its guard, such is the quality of the most salient challenge that has presented itself before Prime Minister Narendra Modis government in its six years. The protests are far from abating although they are no longer in the volatile form in which they were first seen in Assam, and later at Jamia Millia Islamia and other parts of Delhi and UP. The government countered this with hubris, with home minister Amit Shah making it a point to reiterate daily that the CAA will not be modified, leave alone rescinded. While defending CAA, ministers and others seldom refrain from referring to Pakistan. They seek to link the protests to our western neighbour through a sleight of hand. The whole thing is laughable, but it has serious communal intent. The effort of the establishment seems to be to show that it is the minority communities alone that are protesting, and not normal Indians. This is belied by what we see every day. But its not clear what would have been amiss if this had indeed affected only minority interests? In a democracy, unlike a theocracy, are the minorities expected not to voice their concerns? In the case of the CAA, it has been constitutionally challenged most recently by the Kerala government in the Supreme Court. This is an important avenue of protest. Another example of the continuing nature of the peoples unhappiness with a law that raises a question mark on the government changing the criteria for citizenship is the decision by Jamia Millia Islamia to file an FIR against the Delhi police for unleashing wanton violence against its students after illegally entering the campus on December 15. The protests against CAA and other measures were a spontaneous outburst of anger by Indias young people, more so the university community, that was met with savage repression by the government. For that reason, its hard to see the peoples challenge dying down easily. The Opposition parties came into the picture afterwards. Their participation was important. It took the form of more than a dozen state governments saying they would oppose the three measures that have disturbed the countrys composure. Even Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, whose party helped pass the CAA in Parliament, has announced his opposition to the NRC-NPR. On Monday, the Congress and its UPA partners, besides the Left parties, sat in conclave under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi to deliberate on how to coordinate and take the protests forward amid the economic downturn and stagflation. That some well-known regional parties, who otherwise oppose the CAA, did not attend the meeting can be little comfort to the Centre. She recently bought her dream home on Miami Beach. And Kimberley Garner made the most of living so close to the sea as she sunbathed with friends and played with her pet pooch Sasha at Soho Beach House on Monday. The former Made in Chelsea star, 28, cuddled up to her dog before giving it a quick shower as she donned a skimpy black bikini. Fun in the sun: Kimberley Garner made the most of living so close to the sea as she sunbathed with friends and played with her pet pooch Sasha at Soho Beach House in Miami on Monday Kimberley accessorised with a straw hat that featured a black ribbon. The swimwear designer arrived for her day on the sand in a plunging cream playsuit and Gucci shoes, before changing into the barely-there bikini. She left her blonde tresses down and went makeup free for the outing. Kimberley lazed around on the sand as she laughed and chatted with friends, before enjoying nachos for lunch. Cooling off: The former Made in Chelsea star, 28, cuddled up to her dog before giving it a quick shower as she donned a skimpy black bikini Rinse off: Kimberley picked up her pooch as she enjoyed a shower to cool off from her day in the Miami sun Chic: The swimwear designer arrived for her day on the sand in a plunging cream playsuit and Gucci shoes, before changing into the barely-there bikini Milling around: Kimberley's dog Sasha waited patiently next to her owner as the swimwear designer took a shower Quick shower: Kimberley pushed the shower on as she enjoyed the cooling waters whilst showing off her enviably peachy derriere Stunning: Kimberley displayed her svelte figure in her bikini, which featured silver adornments She took to her Instagram to document her afternoon as she shared videos of her sleeping pup. Alongside one snap posted to Instagram, that showed Sasha lying in front of a box of nachos, guacamole and two iced drinks, she penned: 'Favourite things [love heart emoji] [wave emoji] @ejqlyons.' And in a video posted to her Stories Kimberley showed off her incredible figure while laughing with a friend about her dozing dog. Sweet pup: She played with and cuddled her easy-going pooch as they enjoyed their time on the beach Photographer: At one point she knelt in the sand to take photos on her phone She held her hat up to shield her eyes as she said: 'She's so tired.' Her friend joked: 'She's not doing very good.' Kimberley splits her time between her home in London and Miami after purchasing a dream pad in the Floridian coastal city in December 2018. Speaking to MailOnline about her home last year, she explained: 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money. Quick wash: The model reached for her Chanel bag mid-way through her shower Lazy day: Kimberley lay on the sand as she laughed and chatted with friends, before enjoying nachos for lunch Quick-change: The star went braless in her playsuit, making it easy to put on her bikini top while still fully dressed Success: She undid her playsuit after successfully covering up with her bikini top Phone call: Kimberley spoke on the phone while still relaxing in the sun Sandy: She quickly wiped the sand of her pert derriere after standing up Getting clean: Sasha's lead was attached to the tap as she was given a quick wash 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completed the sale on the plane over.' Reflecting on her property empire, the designer admitted it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of her busy life in London. 'It's right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I won't be moving there [permanently], as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' Cute: She took to her Instagram to document her afternoon as she shared videos of her sleeping pup Poor pooch: Sasha looked tired out from her hectic day as she took a nap on Kimberley's stomach VIJAYAWADA: The TD has complained to Union home minister Amit Shah alleging violation of human rights in Andhra Pradesh, with police attacking farmers protesting against shifting of the capital from Amaravati. In his letter to Amit Shah, TD MLA Anagani Satya Prasad accused police of imposing restrictions under CrPC 144 and Section 30 of Police Act and harassing peaceful protesters. He saud that police is physically attacking and verbally abusing women protesters. Satya Prasad maintained that farmers of the capital region and locals had been staging peaceful protests for the past 28 days in various villages seeking continuation of Amaravati as APs capital. While police was denying permission to farmers and women for peaceful demonstrations, they were allowing ruling party ministers and leaders to take out processions. At least four soldiers were killed as multiple avalanches hit Jammu and Kashmir in the last 48 hours. Due to heavy snowfall, avalanches hit Bandipora district's Gurez, Rampura and Kupwara district's Machil in North Kashmir areas. Several soldiers have already been rescued. However, four soldiers have lost their lives in Machil while two are still missing. Live TV The Border Security Force (BSF) said that on Monday evening at 8.30 pm, an avalanche hit a BSF deployment in Naugam sector along LoC. A search and rescue operation was launched immediately. Out of the seven BSF personnel deployed, six were safely rescued while one BSF constable trapped couldn't be revived. On Monday (December 13), an Indian Army jawan belonging to 11 Garhwal Rifles regiment has been missing for the last five days after he slipped in heavy snow during a routine patrolling and Line of Control dominating exercise in Gulmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Indian Army officers, the rescue operation has been launched to trace and rescue the missing soldier. Army officers identified the missing jawan as Havildar Rajendra Singh Negi. He had slipped in the snow while he was patrolling on a slightly elevated walkway 200 metres from an Army post in Gulmarg sector on January 8, 2020, at around 7:15 pm. Negi is from Indian Army's 11 Garhwal Rifles Regiment, which he had joined in 2002. He is a resident of the Ambiwala Sainik Colony in Uttarakhand's Dehradun. While Army teams have been trying to locate Havildar Negi, heavy snowfall and extremely cold conditions in the region has been hampering their rescue efforts. "The post where it happened is 200 metres from the LoC in Gulmarg sector. All-out efforts are on to trace him," a senior Indian Army officer was quoted as saying by news agency IANS. At the elevated walkway near the LoC, the Army erects markers for winters as snow fills both sides of the passage, making it nearly impossible to walk. The markers also guide a patrolling team, the officer said. The Army also refuted reports that the missing jawan is in Pakistan. "It is just conjecture," said the officer after some reports claimed that Havildar Negi landed in Pakistan after falling in heavy snow. Negi's wife had on January 8 received a telephone call from 11 Garhwal Rifles stating that her husband was missing. Negi's family members have appealed to the government to trace him. My vision for the new website is to provide streamlined access to information about me as a doctor and the services that I offer. I also hope to better educate those who are considering plastic surgery so that they know the full line of options available, says Dr. Eric Cerrati of Salt Lake City. Dr. Eric Cerrati is a double Board-certified facial plastic surgeon and is an expert in aesthetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery. Dr. Cerrati brings a comprehensive skillset in his field, and he appreciates the importance of utilizing an eye for artistry with facial plastic surgery. To this end, Dr. Cerrati has launched a new website, http://www.drericcerrati.com, to showcase his qualifications and services at his Salt Lake City practice. The new website of Eric Cerrati, MD, FACS, as designed and engineered with the help of his marketing team at Find Local Company, features an eye-catching design that is customized to the needs of his current and potential patients. When landing on the new website, users will find engaging graphics, high-resolution photos, and informative content that accurately reflect Dr. Cerratis exceptional talents and skills in facial plastic surgery. It is a website that is designed to allow patients easy access to information on procedures that they are considering. Patients can easily navigate the entire website to find before and after photos, procedure information, and treatment options that they may be unaware of. Whether patients want to reverse the signs of aging or undergo surgical repair from trauma, Dr. Eric Cerrati can administer a variety of treatments and perform a number of intricate surgeries to enhance or restore a patients appearance. My vision for the new website is to provide streamlined access to information about me as a doctor and the services that I offer. I also hope to better educate those who are considering plastic surgery so that they know the full line of options available, says Dr. Eric Cerrati of Salt Lake City. Dr. Cerratis plastic and reconstructive surgery practice in Salt Lake City, Utah, offers a full menu of facial plastic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Cerrati wants to help patients feel confident and beautiful in their skin. He will carefully help patients choose the most effective treatments to achieve their goals. About Dr. Eric Cerrati: Dr. Eric Cerrati is a double Board-certified facial plastic surgeon and is an expert in aesthetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery. Dr. Cerrati is an Assistant Professor of Head & Neck Surgery of the University of Utah, Director of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Utah, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Cerrati is a surgeon, educator, and author of scientific papers covering many facial plastic surgery topics. Salt Lake City surgeon Dr. Cerrati is invited to lecture at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally to discuss his techniques. If you would like to get more information about Dr. Eric Cerrati or his facial plastic surgery practice, please visit the new website at http://www.drericcerrati.com or call (801) 585-3223. He has graced the stage and screen for more than half a century, taking iconic roles in the X-Men and Star Trek franchises. And Sir Patrick Stewart beamed with joy as he was honoured with a spot for his handprints in front of Hollywood's legendary TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday. The 79-year-old actor was supported by his smiling wife Sunny Ozell, 41, at the ceremony, with the actor lovingly planting a smooch on her forehead. Loved up: Sir Patrick planted a kiss on smiling wife Sunny Ozell as he was honoured with a handprint ceremony at Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday Sir Patrick wore a smart plum jacket and black chinos for the occasion where he joined an exclusive group of actors, directors and producers with a personalised paving slab outside the cinema. He chose to also make an imprint in the concrete with his sneakers, taking a helping hand to ensure he didn't get stuck. 'I'm still not really believing any of it,' Stewart said at the ceremony. 'Any moment now somebody will say, "Patrick, Patrick, get up, youre dreaming again".' As he bent down to write his name, the actor joked: 'I think last time I kneeled was before the Queen.' Honoured: Sir Patrick beamed with joy as he was honoured with a spot for his handprints Hands up: The 79-year-old actor wore a smart plum jacket and black chinos for the occasion where he joined an exclusive group of actors, directors and producers with a personalised slab The honour comes as Sir Patrick is set to reprise his role as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation a role he first played in 1987 in the new Picard series, which begins on January 23. LeVar Burton, who directed and starred in several Star Trek episodes during the 1990s, was one of his several co-stars to attend the ceremony. In a speech, LeVar paid tribute to the Shakespearean actor, brilliantly describing him as being 'as cool as cucumber soup'. An old favourite: The honour comes as Sir Patrick is set to reprise his role as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation a role he first played in 1987 in the new Picard series Legend sealed: Sir Patrick chose to also make an imprint in the concrete with his sneakers, taking a helping hand to ensure he didn't get stuck Dream come true: 'I'm still not really believing any of it,' Stewart said at the ceremony. 'Any moment now somebody will say, "Patrick, Patrick, get up, youre dreaming again".' Sir Patrick became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, winning an Olivier Award for his star performance in Antony and Cleopatra. But he gained widespread fame for his portrayal of Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which began in 1987 following his move to Hollywood. The series spawned four spin-off films, the most recent in 2002. Knight of the realm: As he bent down to write his name, the actor joked: 'I think last time I kneeled was before the Queen' Roots: Sir Patrick became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, winning an Olivier Award for his star performance in Antony and Cleopatra (pictured in The Tempest) He returned to his stage career in the 1990s, taking leading roles in several Shakespeare played such as The Tempest, Othello, and Antony and Cleopatra. In addition to his Star Trek success, Stewart expanded his on-screen popularity with his role as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 16 December 1996. In 2010, Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. Old friends: LeVar Burton, who directed and starred in several Star Trek episodes during the 1990s, was one of his several co-stars to attend the ceremony The Thammasat Khlongluang Wittayakom School, in Pathum Thani, Thailand was forced to stop using decibel meters to measure students loudness while singing the national anthem, after getting some serious backlash online. Singing the national anthem as loudly as possible in front of the flagpole every morning is apparently a big deal at Thai schools, so one learning institution got the bright idea to track the loudness of the students using a decibel measuring mobile app. If the students singing registered at over 85 decibels, they would be given the green light and be dismissed to head to their classrooms. However, if their singing was only between 80 and 84 decibels, they would have to sing the anthem again two more times, as punishment. If the loudness was under 80 decibels, they would have to sing the anthem three more times. The measure was supposed to instil discipline in students, but it only sparked outrage in everyone who learned about it. Thammasat Khlongluang Wittayakom School only got to use its decibel meter two times, on January 6th and 7th, before news of the controversial measure started spreading online and negative feedback started pouring in. After getting criticized by both students and the general public, the school yielded and announced that it was cutting its decibel-measuring program. Thai news channel One31 reported that school officials used a smartphone app called Decibel X to measure the loudness of the students singing in the morning. On January 9th, reporters of the news outlet showed up at the Pathum Thani school and used the same app to test the 4,300 students as they were singing the anthem. The average decibel level was 74-75 decibels, which means that if the measure was still in place on that day, the kids would have had to sing the anthem three more times. Interestingly, Coconuts Bangkok reports that according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, anything above 85 decibels is considered harmful to human hearing. The average vacuum cleaner is rated at about 75 decibels. Opinion banner Business Insider U.S. President Donald Trump is accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and military leaders as he delivers a statement after Iran launched missile attacks on U.S.-led forces in Iraq, in the Grand Foyer at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Reuters Iran's decision to stand down after casualty-free strikes on Iraqi bases housing US troops and the US's decision not to respond to those strikes were both positive steps amid rising tensions. But averting a shooting war doesn't put US-Iran relations back on the right path, and there's more the US could do to avoid escalation and more needless violence, writes Defense Priorities fellow Bonnie Kristian. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. "The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime," President Trump said in his Wednesday speech from the White House. "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world." It is indeed, and so was Trump's decision to take the out offered by Iran's casualty-free retaliation for the US assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The worst scenario a shooting war has been averted, at least for now. But that does not mean US-Iran relations are on the right track. Far from it. In the same address, Trump announced "the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime," recommitting his administration to the very "maximum pressure" policy that produced months of escalation culminating in the recent crisis. Pedestrians walk past banners of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. drone attack on Friday, in Tajrish square in northern Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. Many Iranians say they are relieved that neither their country nor the United States appear primed right now for a more direct military confrontation that could lead to war. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Associated Press The president's choice to join Iran in backing away from war was prudent, but his larger Iran strategy remains in desperate need of overhaul. Here are three ways to start. First, back off maximum pressure, which is a path toward war with Iran. Instead of adding more sanctions, return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) status quo of sanctions relief as a gesture of goodwill to bring Iran to the negotiating table, as Trump said he wants to do. Lessening pressure on Iran will also decrease the regime's incentive to engage in regional provocations, like the strike on Saudi oil facilities or the oil tanker detention, and it will strengthen the political hand of moderates in Tehran, who are drowned out by extremist voices when maximum pressure is applied. This de-escalation would help prevent a repeat of recent days' rush toward war while lowering Mideast tensions more generally. Story continues Second, the administration must drop its wildly unconstitutional claims of unilateral war-making power. After Trump's speech Wednesday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, CIA Director Gina Haspel, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley gave closed-door briefings in both houses of Congress to answer legislators' questions about Iran. As Republican Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) revealed, the briefing saw the administration's representatives arguing that strikes against Iran are legal under the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq. This is absurd. Even more remarkably, per Lee, the officials "were unable or unwilling to identify any point" at which the executive branch would seek congressional authorization for military intervention against Iran, including a hypothetical strike on Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As a matter of procedure, this is a blatant violation of the Constitution. As a matter of strategy, it is sure to make Iran doubtful of Trump's professed interest in peace. Lastly, if Trump is serious about the diplomatic overture he made Wednesday, he must make himself a more reliable negotiating partner. It is not difficult to understand why Iran would be skittish about talks after Trump withdrew from the JCPOA despite Iran's independently verified complianceto say nothing of his October bungling of a four-point deal painstakingly brokered by Paris between Washington and Tehran. qassem soleimani iran us ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images Backing away from maximum pressure and abiding by constitutional strictures on presidential war powers would both be useful in assuring Tehran of this administration's intent to negotiate in good faith. So too would replacing Pompeo, who is reportedly considering resigning. The secretary of state has long shown himself a poor diplomat, reckless and unrealistic, and the Iranian regime clearly doesn't respect him. Pledging to make any future Iran deal a proper treaty with Senate consent which is to say, something future presidents cannot singlehandedly revoke is also a wise move. Most urgent, however, is the immediate and complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran's neighbors and both sites of floundering military interventions overdue for conclusion, and a drawdown from the region more generally, especially in Syria and Yemen, where moving from proxy fighting to direct conflict with Iran is a real risk. These departures would serve US strategic interests and keep American soldiers out of harm's way even if no diplomatic progress is made. In policy, actions are more important than words, and a withdrawal of US forces would show Iran that Trump is sincere in his talk about diplomacy, ending "endless wars," and crucially not starting new ones. Bonnie Kristian is a fellow at Defense Priorities and contributing editor at The Week. Her writing has also appeared at CNN, Politico, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Defense One, and The American Conservative, among other outlets. Read the original article on Business Insider Representatives from the two navies pose for a group photo during the closing ceremony of the nine-day Sea Guardians 2020 China-Pakistan joint naval exercise at the Pakistan Navy's Dockyard in Karachi on January 14.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) By Chen Guoquan KARACHI, Pakistan, Jan 14 -- The nine-day Sea Guardians 2020 China-Pakistan joint naval exercise wrapped up at the Pakistan Navys Dockyard in Karachi on January 14. The participating troops from the two navies worked in a coordinated and integrated way to complete all subjects and achieved the expected goals. Vice Admiral Dong Jun, general director of the Chinese side and deputy commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command delivers speech at the closing ceremony of the nine-day Sea Guardians 2020 China-Pakistan joint naval exercise at the Pakistan Navy's Dockyard in Karachi on January 14.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) Vice Admiral Dong Jun, general director of the Chinese side and deputy commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command, and Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq, general director of the Pakistani side and commander of the Pakistani Naval Fleet, attended the closing ceremony and delivered speeches. Vice Admiral Dong Jun announced the exercise a complete success. The exercise fully reflected the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan and the high-level exchanges and cooperation between their militaries, said Vice Admiral Dong Jun, calling it an important exploration and practice in deepening the pragmatic cooperation in the military sector that will definitely improve the joint operations of Chinese and Pakistani navies. We are confident to make the Sea Guardians a new and excellent exercise brand in our military-to-military exchanges with Pakistan. It will make greater contributions to safeguarding the common security interests of the two countries and defending regional and world peace, he added. Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq, general director of the Pakistani side and commander of the Pakistani Naval Fleet delivers speech at the closing ceremony of the nine-day Sea Guardians 2020 China-Pakistan joint naval exercise at the Pakistan Navy's Dockyard in Karachi on January 14.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq said that the exercise fully demonstrated the good skills and quality of the two navies. He hoped that the two navies could, through such joint exercises, enhance mutual understanding, identify areas of common interests and achieve the common goal of maintaining peace and stability in the maritime commons. Sea Guardians2020 is of the largest scale in the history of China-Pakistan joint naval exercises, with a large diversity of participating troops and wide coverage of maritime subjects. The Chinese participating troops mainly come from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Navy, with five vessels including destroyer, frigate, supply ship and submarine rescue ship, two carrier-based helicopters, and more than 60 special operations members. The Pakistani side assigned two Zulfiquar-class F22P/F21 frigates, two fast attack craft (FAC), one fixed-wing anti-submarine patrol aircraft, two carrier-based helicopters, and about 60 special operations After the conclusion of exercise, the guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan (Hull 175), guided-missile frigate Yuncheng(Hull 571) and comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu(Hull 887) will form the 34th escort contingent to keep sailing to the Gulf of Aden, where it will carry out escort missions. The nine-day Sea Guardians 2020 China-Pakistan joint naval exercise wrapped up at the Pakistan Navys Dockyard in Karachi on January 14.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Several people have been arrested in connection with the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 by the Iranian Air Defense System near Parand city in Irans Tehran province on Jan. 8, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said at a press conference. Esmaili added that the interrogation of these individuals and the investigation are ongoing. The spokesman added that the planes black box was sent to France by a team of experts from Iran and Ukraine, Trend reports with reference to Entekhab news website. Esmaili said that the issue will be further studied when the black box is read. The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed in Tehran province on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people on board. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff issued a statement on Jan. 11 saying that the aircraft was shot down by the Iranian Air Defense System. Following the incident, airlines of several countries stopped flights to Iran. The Ukrainian natural gas company that prompted President Donald Trump to seek investigations from Ukraine's president over its hiring of former Vice President Joe Biden's son was hacked by Russian spies, security experts said in a report released Monday. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Army, or GRU, "launched a phishing campaign targeting Burisma Holdings" as early as November, according to the cybersecurity firm Area 1 Security. "The Russians were trying to steal user names," and "from that perspective they were successful," Area 1 co-founder Oren Falkowitz, a former employee of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, said Monday night. "What they intend to do from there is unknown," he said. The New York Times first reported Area 1's conclusions. Burisma employed Hunter Biden, the vice president's son, as a board member in May 2014. He stopped working with the company in 2019. Hunter Biden's job with the gas company has prompted criticism, particularly from defenders of Trump. He admitted in October that his last name likely was the reason he was offered a seat on the board. Trump was impeached in part because of allegations that in a phone call in July, Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden and his son and appeared to raise unfounded allegations that the former vice president stopped prosecution of the company. Area 1 said in its report that the GRU phishing campaign was designed to steal email credentials and passwords of employees at Burisma Holdings, as well as its subsidiaries and partners. John Podesta, who was chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, had his emails hacked during the 2016 campaign through phishing. Falkowitz said of the attack on Burisma: "It's almost entirely the exact same thing." Phishing campaigns depend on the human perception of authenticity and can be stopped, he said in a statement. Around 95 percent of all cyberattacks involve phishing, he said. U.S. prosecutors in 2018 indicted 12 people said to be members of the GRU in connection with the hacking of Democratic organizations and Clinton's 2016 campaign. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the Intelligence Committee, who has been a key figure in Trump's impeachment, said the development shows that Russia was still interested in interfering with U.S. elections. "It would not at all surprise me. This is indeed exactly what Bob Mueller warned about in his testimony: That the Russians would be at this again," Schiff said Monday night on MSNBC, referring to the special counsel who investigated Russia's attempts to interfere in the 2016 election and examined whether there was any coordination with the Trump campaign. "They appear, if this reporting is correct, to be in the midst of another hacking and potentially another dumping operation designed to influence another election," Schiff said of the Russian government. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night. Area 1 said in its report that the targeting of a Ukrainian company by the GRU is not particularly novel but that "it is significant because Burisma Holdings is publicly entangled in U.S. foreign and domestic politics." "The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 U.S. elections raises the specter that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 U.S. elections," the report said. Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics Area 1 said the campaign by the GRU against Burisma Holdings began as early as November. That's about two months after a whistleblower complaint accused Trump of having pressured the Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens. The complaint was unsealed in September. Falkowitz said Area 1 had been through a rigorous and standard process to notify U.S. authorities about the cyberattack within the last week, but he declined to comment further. He said the report was significant in that it showed a phishing attack in progress, rather than after the fact. The phishing technique used, described as credential harvesting, involves stealing account information like usernames and passwords. That can allow groups to get inside systems and impersonate employees. A spokesman for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign said the Area 1 report "proves that both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin understand the true stakes of this election." "Donald Trump tried to coerce Ukraine into lying about Joe Biden and a major bipartisan, international anti-corruption victory because he recognized that he can't beat the Vice President," campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said. "Now we know that Vladimir Putin also sees Joe Biden as a threat. Any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections." This was Iowa caucus night back in the mid-1970s. And these are members of the national media covering the voting. It was so unusual to see national media in Iowa back then that people actually paid to watch them. The Democratic Party charged $15 a head for people to watch the media watch the people. See, in previous years, Iowas caucuses just hadnt attracted national attention. There are 3,000 frozen media members in downtown Des Moines Just over a decade later, Iowa is the place to be. Its Iowa caucus night. Lets party. [shouting] The caucuses are now a key part of the presidential election cycle. Bush, 57. Theyre the first chance to see what kind of support candidates have among voters. So how did we get here, from caucuses that only Iowans seem to care about to the national spectacle we see today? Turns out, a lot of it was accidental. For most of Iowas history, its caucuses were dominated by political insiders. There was little room for input from rank-and-file members. An historian writing in the 1940s put it like this: The larger number of party voters were deprived of a voice. But the old ways start coming to an end in 1968. The countrys in turmoil, and so is the Democratic Party, mostly over the Vietnam War and civil rights. Basically, the party establishment wants to handle things one way, and many rank-and-file members have other ideas. All this comes to a head as the Democrats hold their national convention. Protesters gather outside. So do police. Inside, the mood is also tense. All this division leads the Democratic Party to rethink the nomination rules to include the voices of all party members in the process. This is how we come to the moment when Iowa becomes key to electing a president, basically by accident. First up, how Iowa became first to hold a presidential contest. It starts with new rules to give everyday members more of a say. So by 1972, winning Iowa now involves four stages. Iowans choose their top candidates, first at the precinct level. These are the caucuses at the heart of this story. But technically, theres further voting at the county, congressional district and state levels. The new rules make things a lot more inclusive, but this creates new delays. Committees need to be formed, and everyone needs to have up-to-date party materials. The problem is, the state party only has an old mimeograph machine to make copies of all this. Its really slow. So because of an old machine and a bunch of new logistics, the party decides it needs at least a month between each step to do it all. The national convention is set for early July, so youd think that the state-level convention would happen about a month before, in June. Except, the party cant find a venue thats available to hold everyone. That little detail helps push everything earlier in a chain reaction. See whats going on here? The precinct caucuses now have to happen early in the year. The party chooses a date that makes Iowas the first presidential contest. The New Hampshire primary has been the first kickoff contest since the 1950s, but Iowa Democrats arent necessarily looking for national attention. They just think itll be fun to be first. Still, attention is what they get. The story begins with George McGovern. People didnt know much about the Iowa caucuses. As a matter of fact, there wasnt a great deal of interest in them. Hes the long-shot candidate. Hes been at the bottom of national polls. He often walked the campaign trail alone, little known by the voters. Most people think this guy, Edmund Muskie, is going to be the big winner in Iowa. That challenge is great, but we can meet it. Then comes caucus night. As the people vote, state party officials gather at their headquarters. Richard Bender is one of them. And we had about 10 or 12 press people show up. These press people included one guy, Johnny Apple. Johnny Apple, a 37-year-old political correspondent for The New York Times. Iowas Democrats arent ready to publicize the results right away. They hadnt expected much demand. According to Bender, only Johnny Apple asked for them that night. I happen to be fascinated with such things, so I made it my business, beforehand, to understand it. Bender sets up a phone tree to gather results from across the state. He adds them up himself with a calculator. And the next day, Apples article helps swing the national spotlight onto the caucuses. Hes got quite the story to tell. Muskies won, but just barely. Not the runaway win people were expecting. And McGovern comes in a strong second. No one expected that, either. The reformed caucus rules helped a long-shot candidate rise to the top. And because this is happening so early in the election now, and because Apples article gives the results national coverage, something else happens. That got picked up by some of the national news shows. The Democratic front-runner has been damaged in Iowa. And wow, all of a sudden, we were being paid attention to. McGovern eventually wins the Democratic nomination. I accept your nomination with a full and grateful heart. He loses the presidential election, but some havent forgotten what those early caucuses did for McGovern, including Georgias former governor, Jimmy Carter. Three years later There was a major headline on the editorial page of the Atlanta Constitution that said, Jimmy Carters running for what? [laughter] And the What was about this big. [applause] Im running for president. Carter heads to Iowa before any other Democratic candidate. Hes got no national profile. He didnt have hordes of press following him around. It was a very lonely campaign. Washington pundits call his candidacy laughable. I remember when we couldnt find a microphone. Jimmy Who? becomes a catchphrase. Carters own campaign film plays it up. Jimmy who? I dont know who he is. But as long as Iowans come to know him and like him, Carter bets that the media will start paying attention, just like with McGovern four years earlier. Carter campaigns as locally as possible. One day, he learns that hes been invited on a local TV show. And I said, that is great. I cant believe it. I said, What are we going to do? He said, Do you have any favorite recipes? And I said, What do you mean, recipes? He said, Well, this is a cooking show. Well, they put a white apron on me and a chefs hat. That was my only access to TV when I first began to campaign in Iowa. His opponents are in Iowa, too, but they spend far less time there. Carter wins. Surprisingly top of the class after his win in a somewhat obscure race in Iowa against the others. You cant tell until we go to the other 49 states, but its encouraging for us. A year later I, Jimmy Carter, do solemnly swear he becomes the 39th president. Now we need to head to 1980 because we havent talked about the Republicans yet. Heres the states Republican chairman that year. Hes asked why Iowas caucuses have become so important. I think because Jimmy Carter got his start in Iowa in 1976. The Republicans in Iowa are keen to copy the Democrats success, and one candidate in particular gets inspired by Carters underdog win: George H.W. Bush. Hes running against Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole and others, and hes near the bottom of the pack. Your name isnt really a household word, but Ronald Reagan can But Bush goes big in Iowa. He gets a surprise win. Its a far cry from just months before. I was an asterisk in those days. And my feelings got hurt. And now, Im no longer an asterisk. Bush is now the third underdog to get a boost from the caucuses. The next morning on CBS, he distills the essence of this new Iowa effect. We will have forward, Big Mo on our side, as they say in athletics. Big Mo? Yeah. Mo momentum. Bush loses to Reagan, but becomes vice president. And the desire to capture the Big Mo from Iowa has only grown, thanks in large part to Iowas embrace of being first, and the media storm that descends every four years. Thats despite the fact that most candidates who win This is a job interview. dont become president. Plus, many point out that the states overwhelmingly white population doesnt reflect the countrys diversity. I actually think that we can find places that represent that balance of urban and rural better. But the race to get the Big Mo out of Iowa persists because its the first chance to upend expectations, and put political fates in the voters hands. One of Nirbhaya gangrape-murder case convicts, Mukesh Singh, on Tuesday (January 14) moved mercy plea before President Ram Nath Kovind after the rejection of his curative petition against the capital punishment by the Supreme Court. Notably, President Kovind has the power to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment. Earlier on Tuesday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice NV Ramana and comprising justices Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan dismissed the curative petitions of Mukesh and Vinay as they found no merit in their pleas. Tihar jail officials confirmed that Mukesh has filed the mercy plea. All four convicts in Nirbhaya gangrape-murder case Vinay Sharma (26), Mukesh Kumar (32), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan Gupta (25) will be hanged at 7 AM in Jail No. 3 inside Delhis Tihar Jail on January 22. On January 7, Delhi's Patiala House Court had issued death warrant for all the four convicts. The court, however, gave them two weeks' time to file both the curative and mercy petition. Live TV Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi had welcomed the order, saying her daughter has finally got justice. "My daughter has got justice. Execution of the 4 convicts will empower the women of the country. This decision will strengthen the trust of people in the judicial system," she said. The four convicts were awarded capital punishment for raping a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in the national capital on the night of December 16, 2012. The victim, who was later named as Nirbhaya, died at a hospital in Singapore where she was airlifted for medical treatment. New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): South Central Zone (SCR) of Indian Railways and State Bank of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for direct pickup of earnings at all 585 Railway stations over South Central Railway (SCR) Zone, according to an official statement. Under the MoU, the direct pick up of cash from all the railway stations on SCR will do away with the tedious and complex activity of movement of cash earnings through "Cash Safes" by trains. This will also enable the hassle-free collection of traffic earnings by SBI and will also increase the pace of financial transactions and digitisation of the remittance of cash earnings of the Railways. (ANI) BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canvas GFX, Inc, the leading technical illustration software provider, today announced the commercial release of its newest product, Canvas X3 CADComposer. The first Canvas product to build on the firm's partnership with Dassault Systemes subsidiary Spatial, Canvas X3 gives technical illustrators and graphic designers the ability to carry out sophisticated manipulation of 3D CAD models without the need for expensive CAD software or time-consuming training. Technical illustrators are now able to import 40 different 3D file types into the Canvas environment, then position, explode, enhance, and annotate these models for use in a huge variety of 2D assets. Canvas X3 imports all metadata attached to each model, allowing illustrators to document and reference individual model parts for a range of outputs, including the presentation of a bill of materials. Developed in response to requests from Canvas GFX customers, Canvas X3 has been conceived to deliver operational and economic efficiencies by enabling technical illustrators to work with greater independence. By giving illustrators the ability to handle 3D models and metadata directly, Canvas X3 frees CAD engineers from having to supply endless model views for downstream use, saving time and allowing them to prioritize more important activity. "I am thrilled that we are setting the tone for 2020 with our first new product launch since Canvas GFX became an independent company," said Patricia Hume, CEO of Canvas GFX. "Canvas X3 CADComposer occupies a truly unique position in the market, provides our user base with new skills and abilities, and drives improvements in pivotal workflows involving the visual communication of complex 3D objects. I look forward to further powerful product launches in 2020, guided as always by input from our diverse and extensive customer base." Canvas GFX looked to Spatial Corp., the leading provider of 3D software development toolkits for design, manufacturing, and engineering solutions, for crucial enabling technology for 3D import and model visualization. The engineering team at Canvas GFX selected 3D InterOp, the industry-leading 3D CAD data translation software development toolkit. "We are excited to see the results of our partnership with Canvas GFX reach the marketplace," said Vivekan Iyengar, Vice President Research and Development at Spatial. "3D InterOp enables Canvas X3 users to work with imported 3D data as easily as if it were created natively in the Canvas GFX tool. The result is improved workflow efficiency and enhanced user experience." Canvas GFX and Spatial Corp announced their partnership in May 2018. Canvas X3 CADComposer is the first new Canvas GFX application to incorporate Spatial technology. Read Engineering.com's review of Canvas X3 CADComposer here. To learn more visit www.canvasgfx.com, and follow Canvas on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/canvas-gfx and Twitter www.twitter.com/canvas_gfx About Canvas GFX Canvas GFX provides the technical illustration software of choice at leading brands from verticals including aerospace, automotive, energy, and education. Designed specifically for technical users, Canvas software enables the creation of rich visual assets that express complex ideas with clarity, powering effective visual communication across organizations and ecosystems. Canvas GFX solutions are developed and refined according to the rigorous demands of thousands of customers, including over 250 Fortune 500 companies. Media Contact Mike Hibberd, VP Marketing, Canvas GFX [email protected] About Spatial Spatial Corp, a Dassault Systemes subsidiary, is the leading provider of 3D software development toolkits for technical applications across a broad range of industries. Spatial 3D modeling, 3D visualization, and CAD translation software development toolkits help application developers deliver market-leading products, maintain focus on core competencies, and reduce time-to-market. For over 30 years, many of the world's most recognized software developers, manufacturers, research institutes, and universities have adopted Spatial's 3D software development toolkits. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Spatial has offices in the USA, Germany, Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.spatial.com. SOURCE Canvas GFX Related Links http://www.canvasgfx.com Pupils from a Co Antrim primary school picked the perfect day for their educational visit to Stormont - as they received a private audience with the Prime Minister. The children from St Joseph's PS, Dunloy were delighted to find themselves in the right place at the right time as Boris Johnson arrived in Belfast. "It was the opportunity of a lifetime for them," said school vice-principal Lisa McGrath, who travelled with the pupils on their annual trip to Stormont. "We had 46 year seven pupils on the visit. It's something we have been doing every year as part of the Northern Ireland Assembly's education programme. Expand Close One schoolboy tries to get a better view / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One schoolboy tries to get a better view "But for the past two or three years it has been difficult to keep the pupils enthused as we've gone to see the work of an MLA and been met by empty corridors. We booked the trip before Christmas and knew there was a chance that Stormont might have a bit more action for us, but things started to get a little more exciting last week. "The children were all watching the news and started to take a real interest in what might be happening when they got there." But it wasn't until the pupils arrived yesterday that they realised what they would witness. Ms McGrath said: "We were aware that the Prime Minister was coming but we weren't sure if we would be able to stay long enough to see him. "In the end, though, we got a lot more than just seeing him walk in and out." The pupils stayed to see the political action up close - and then got invited to meet Mr Johnson himself. "We were told we could wait around for 45 minutes to watch what was going on, but it was well worth it when the pupils were invited in to meet Mr Johnson himself," Ms McGrath said. "He took the time to speak to them, asking them about their school and who their favourite authors were. It was a real privilege for them to be treated so well and we thank him for taking the time. "Then he put them on the spot and asked them if they had any advice for him on what he should do as Prime Minister." Ms McGrath added: "I was delighted when they showed they had been watching the news over the last few days. One of the pupils told him he should spend more money on fixing the health service and getting trolleys out of the corridors. "Another asked him to get the government to help people in Australia after the fires over the past week or two. "It certainly turned into a day the pupils will never forget and it'll give them plenty to write about when putting their projects together. It's a day they'll never forget and it'll be hard to top that when we bring another group back next year!" Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A tweet in jest by NCLA client Ben Domenech, who is co-founder and publisher of the conservative online magazine, The Federalist, resulted in the filing of a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The complainant, Joel F., a Tweeter who saw the post, retweeted it at the NLRB, and then filed a complaint about the tweet with the NLRB, claiming that sending it constituted an unfair labor practice. The tweet in question was posted on June 6th by Mr. Domenech who jokingly wrote from his private account: FYI @fdrlst first one of you tries to unionize I swear Ill send you back to the salt mine. The governing statute only allows an aggrieved person (such as an employee) to file a charge with the Board. However, the NLRB has interpreted aggrieved to mean any person. This broad interpretation allows anyone who deems himself aggrievedincluding a completely uninvolved person like Joel F.to weaponize the NLRBs investigatory processes against others with whom they disagree. In Domenechs case, the charging party is someone on Twitter, completely unrelated to The Federalist or its employees. Armed with this misguided complaint, NLRB is now subjecting FDRLST and Mr. Domenech to an onerous enforcement action that the agency lacks the jurisdiction to pursue. NCLA has filed a motion asking the NLRB administrative law judge to dismiss the case outright for lack of jurisdiction. A random person on Twitter cannot claim unfair labor practice just because a joke didnt sit well. Individuals who are not directly impacted by the consequences of a comment on social media should not be allowed to co-opt the muscle of the federal Administrative State to bring frivolous complaints, but that is exactly what happened here. We are hopeful that the ALJ will grant our motion to dismiss and limit the NLRBs investigatory and prosecutorial jurisdiction to those actually aggrieved. Adi Dynar, NCLA Litigation Counsel No employee objected to Bens joke, and no one actually in a position to perceive or complain about an unfair labor practice did so. Setting aside the fact that NLRB apparently lacks any sense of humor, this investigation is a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars. This case will at least establish that NLRB must tell troublemakers like Joel F. to MYOB. Mark Chenoweth, NCLA Executive Director and General Counsel ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonprofit civil rights organization founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. For more information visit us online: NCLAlegal.org. ### SUNRISE, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about birth defects, their causes, and prevention resources to help reduce the risk. Although not all birth defects can be prevented, Sunshine Health's Start Smart for Your Baby pregnancy care management program can help improve maternal and newborn health to reduce the likelihood of birth defects. Launched six years ago, the Start Smart for Your Baby program has helped to reduce the rate of low birth weight deliveries in the Medicaid population through the use of the Sunshine Health Notification of Pregnancy (NOP) practice. The NOP provides members with an effective pregnancy-related risk assessment as early as possible to establish a relationship between our health plan member, their healthcare provider and their Sunshine Health care team. Through Start Smart for Your Baby, Sunshine Health supported more than 4,300 deliveries in 2019, helping to reduce the number of babies born with severe health and development difficulties. Additionally, members enrolled in the program are less likely to have a baby born at a very low birth weight of less than three pounds, five ounces. "As we observe National Birth Defects Prevention Month, Sunshine Health remains committed to providing extra support to mothers and newborns who need it every step of the way," said Katherine Friedebach, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Sunshine Health. "We want to raise awareness about the resources available through the Start Smart for Your Baby program to provide additional support and help improve health outcomes for women and their babies." The Start Smart for Your Baby program leverages insight and advice from Sunshine Health's medical experts, while also providing pregnant members with a comprehensive, supportive care management network of clinical teams, care coordinators and community partners. For more information, members can find Start Smart for Your Baby program offerings and enrollment details at sunhealthfl.com/ssfb. About Sunshine Health Headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for its more than 1 million members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Sunshine Health offers government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, Ambetter (Marketplace) and Allwell (Medicare). Additionally, we offer a specialty Medicaid health plan for children in or adopted from Florida's Child Welfare system. For more information, visit www.SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL. SOURCE Sunshine Health Related Links http://www.sunshinehealth.com Colombo, Jan 14 : Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean island known for its pristine beaches and sprawling tea plantations, has recorded a drastic slump in tourist numbers in 2019 after the Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 250 people. The significant drop in tourist activity is one of the myriad consequences of the April 21, 2019 terrorist attacks on three luxury hotels and as many Catholic churches in Sri Lanka, reports Efe news. According to official data, around 40 of the victims and 19 injured persons were foreign visitors from different countries, including India, China, Denmark, Spain and the UK. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism said that the number of tourist arrivals dropped by 70 per cent after the attack, going from 166,975 tourists to 37,802 between April and May. In 2019, around 1.9 million people visited the island, with the majority of the visits taking place before the attacks, during the first four months of the year. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the top markets were India, the UK, China, Germany and Australia. But experts have said that even the SLTDA data does not reflect the complete picture of the economic losses to the sector, key to Sri Lanka's economy, in 2019 compared to the previous year. "When we compare with 2018, 2019 recorded a drastic drop. Even today we had tourist cancellations for the month of February," Roshi Stronach, director Sales and Marketing at Lion Royal Resorts, told Efe new son Tuesday. Since the attacks in April, which targeted three of the most upscale hotels in the country, hotel chains have had to engage in a tariff war to compete in a crashing market. Five-star accommodations are being offered at three-star tariffs in a desperate attempt to attract visitors, which in turn chokes the medium and low-range sector, Stronach said. Rooms originally priced at $420 per night in one of the most luxurious hotels of the country, was currently being offered at around $100 with breakfast included, a tactic which is pressurizing lower-category establishments to offer rooms at around half of this price due to an evident lack of tourists. Former SLTDA director-general and industry veteran Upali Ratnayake concurred that the data released by the authority about the number of visits did not offer the complete information about the situation. He said clearer data was needed to understand the industry-wide slump, and why the arrival numbers did not convert to revenue or income for the sector. Responding to the downturn, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the launch of a promotional plan for the country which plans a recovery within the next five years. "Every step has to have immediate results. I am prepared to take the decisions that need to be taken for the country without fear," he said. Rajapaksa has set a target of generating revenues worth $10 billion through tourism by 2025, a goal that seems quite ambitious at the moment, even as Colombo's beaches lie vacant. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The National WWII History Museum from New Orleans, La., and the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force from Savannah, Ga., will join the 17th annual World War II Heritage Days at the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing Warbird Museum in Peachtree City, Ga., May 2-3. Together with the Atlanta History Center and the Kennesaw State University Museum of History and Holocaust Education, this will be a record number of aviation and WWII history museums at WWII Heritage Days. The entire weekend will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II with new events such as a Heroes Parade and a commemorative wall where families can highlight heroes of the Greatest Generation. The Dixie Wing hosted 78 World War II veterans at WWII Heritage Days in 2019, and efforts are underway to bring as many as possible in 2020. This will be a rare opportunity to honor and thank our living WWII veterans, as well as remember those who have passed, said Dixie Wing Leader Jim Buckley. their numbers are dwindling rapidly, and WWII Heritage Days is a great opportunity to show them our gratitude. The mission of WWII Heritage Days is to celebrate the 1940s, salute the Greatest Generation and inspire all ages to preserve the legacy of Americas veterans. WWII Heritage Days is the largest World War II-theme event in the state of Georgia, bringing together historic aircraft, dozens of vintage military vehicles, antique cars, educational displays and demonstrations. More than 500 volunteers helped create the 1940s atmosphere, supported by WWII Heritage Days sponsors the Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau and Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field, WWII Heritage Days is the largest World War II-themed event in Georgia, bringing together historic aircraft, dozens of vintage military vehicles, antique cars, educational displays and demonstrations. More than 500 volunteers from a dozen states help create the 1940s atmosphere. The event is supported by WWII Heritage Days sponsors including Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau and Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field. On Saturday evening, the romance and glamor of the Big Band Era will return with a Victory Dance, a 1940s-theme hangar dance featuring a live 20-piece swing band. The evening is set in the Dixie Wing Warbird Museum, decorated to recreate the ambiance of the period and honor our nations veterans. The dance has become a regional tradition, selling out for the last six years. For more information about WWII Heritage Days, please visit www.wwiidays.org. About the Commemorative Air Force The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the worlds largest flying museum. For more than 60 years, the CAF has been dedicated to education, inspiration and honor through flight and living history experiences. To fulfill its mission, the organization maintains airplanes in flying condition, taking the aircraft to communities across America to experience first-hand the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. The CAF is a non-profit educational association with more than 11,000 members and a fleet of 172 vintage military aircraft distributed throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org. About the CAF Dixie Wing Warbird Museum The CAF Dixie Wing, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Wing, one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force, maintains and flies seven WWII aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair and rare types such as the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and P-63A Kingcobra. The unit, composed of 300 volunteers, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out the mission of the CAF. For more information, go to www.dixiewing.org. Ukraines low-cost airline SkyUp Airlines has begun selling tickets for new flights from Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to Italy, according to the airlines press service. "On January 14, 2020, SkyUp Airlines launched the sale of tickets for new flights to Italy. Lamezia Terme, Bergamo, Bologna and Rome will join the six previously opened Italian cities. Tickets are already available for booking on the airline's website. New flights will be operated from Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Lviv," the statement reads. In particular, flights from Kyiv to Lamezia Terme will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020; flights from Kyiv to Bergamo on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from March 29, 2020 to October 24, 2020; flights from Kyiv to Bologna and Rome on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from March 29, 2020 to October 24, 2020. The flight ticket price will start from UAH 2,083 (Lamezia), and from UAH 1,532 (other cities). Flights from Lviv to Bergamo will be performed on Mondays and Fridays; flights from Lviv to Naples on Tuesdays and Fridays; flights from Lviv to Rome on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. All these flights will be operated from March 29, 2020 to October 24, 2020. Ticket price will start from UAH 1,147 (Naples), UAH 1,387 (Bergamo, Rome). Also, SkyUp Airlines will fly to Lamezia Terme from Odesa (every Wednesday from June 3, 2020 to September 30, 2020) and Kharkiv (on Mondays from June 1, 2020 to September 28, 2020). Ticket price will start at UAH 2,076 (for flights from Odesa) and UAH 2,428 (for flights from Kharkiv). ish New Delhi: The environment ministry has sought the reassessment of the sustainable mining plan for Saranda and Chaibasa forests in the Singhum district of Jharkhand so as to facilitate mining. The Saranda forests are Indias largest, contiguous Sal forests spread over 82,000 hectares (ha), and the current plan says mining should not be allowed in the dense forest. Following justice MB Shahs 2014 report on illegal iron and manganese mining in Jharkhand in 2014, the environment ministry commissioned the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, to study the carrying capacity of Saranda forests. The sustainable mining plan for the forest published in 2018 is based on findings of the ICFRE study. The plan said that there is sufficient iron and manganese ore available in the eastern boundary of Saranda bordering Chaibasa -- enough, indeed, to last for 50 to 100 years. It said mining could be allowed in these parts with adequate safeguards because the forests were already fragmented. It also recommended that very dense forests with canopy density above 70%, spread over forest area of more than 1 ha be left untouched. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, Jharkhand has about 4,000 million tonnes of iron ore. As a policy, the dense and biodiverse forest with significant wild flora and fauna population should not be diverted for mining purpose, especially when sufficient mineral deposits are available elsewhere for feeding the related industries, the plan said. This is the plan that the ministry wants reviewed. It has directed ICFRE to revisit the sustainable mining plan. The terms of reference for the reassessment, seen by HT, suggest an evaluation of the economic value of iron ore and other minerals in Saranda; the requirement of iron ore given the growing needs of the country; and the reassessment of resources in Saranda for extractability as per the national steel policy 2017; and the study of international case studies of mining in biodiversity rich areas. We are working on a new sustainable mining plan for Saranda. Its in response to a government order, said SC Gairola, director general of ICFRE. In a letter dated January 6 regarding constitution of a committee for reassessment of the mining plan, ICFRE has sought nomination of members from the ministry of steel and the Wildlife Institute of India. The letter also states that the first meeting of the committee is likely to be held on January 16. The MB Shah commissions investigation found several gross violations in Saranda, including increasing capacity of mines at the cost of severe ecological impact. Contrary to the principle of Public Trust Doctrine, commercial interest of a handful of lease holders to earn more windfall profits at the cost of society, ecosystem, tribal and natural resources has been encouraged which have had adverse impact on forest, environment and social fabrics of the state and the country, the commission said. Saranda forests are a huge catchment for rivers and streams in the region. Jharkhand faces water scarcity every summer. If these forests are opened up the remaining rivers and streams will dry up. Many streams have already turned seasonal there. The rich Sal forests are rich in biodiversity and provide minor forest produce to local tribals. The tribal communities of Saranda will be very badly impacted if the forests are destroyed, said CR Babu, Delhi University professor emeritus and a biodiversity expert. Reassessment was suggested because there were several representations from the state government on the long term vision for the area. The reassessment doesnt mean that conservation areas will be reopened immediately. Its only to find what other areas can be explored. I believe a reassessment is also an opportunity to explore what other conservation measures can be taken. The TOR (terms of reference) are not final, and will be finalised during the first meeting, said a senior environment ministry official. There are at least eight rivers flowing in Saranda forest division, including the south Koel river, Samtha, Sarako, Koina, Deo, Karo, Hanisada and Bisruli. The terms of reference proposed require several social and economic aspects to be addressed. Any reassessment should follow a deliberative approach that can draw on community experience and external expertise equally. Otherwise it will remain a piecemeal exercise to open the extremely sensitive Saranda forest for mining. This is something that needs to go beyond ICFREs expertise, said Kanchi Kohli, legal researcher at the Centre for Policy Research. Caibai Department Store, Beijing's shopping mall famous for its jewelry products, collaborated with the Palace Museum to release a collection of gold jewelry and accessory to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival. The collection features unique patterns of the royal families and designs representing good luck in Chinese traditional culture. Next year, the Palace Museum will celebrate its 600th anniversary. Li Ji, vice-director of the Palace Museum, said he hopes the new collection will make the antiques alive. New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought assistance of Attorney General KK Venugopal on a PIL against the law that gives power to courts to force a separated couple to stay together through decree for Restitution of Conjugal Rights. A three-judge bench of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice V Ramasubramanian asked Attorney General to assist the court on the issue and also asked the central government to respond on the plea within eight weeks. In March last year, the top court had asked the Ministry of Law and Justice on the plea, but the reply is yet to be filed. The two-judge bench had also said that a three-judge bench will hear the case. The PIL filed by two law students of Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, challenged the validity of Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Section 22 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and Order 21, Rules 32 and 33 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. These provisions provide the statutory scheme for the Restitution of Conjugal Rights. The PIL filed by Ojaswa Pathak and Mayank Gupta said under the legal scheme in India, a spouse is "entitled to a decree directing his other spouse to cohabit and take part in sexual intercourse. He/she is also entitled to coercive measures in the form of attachment of property in case the spouses wilfully disobeys the decree of restitution." The petitioners submit that the "legislative package" providing for the Restitution of Conjugal Rights is "unconstitutional" and against the fundamental rights. A two-judge bench in 1984 upheld these provision while considering the scheme for restitution of conjugal rights "as an aid to the prevention of break-up of marriage". The plea has said that the personal autonomy and dignity that are guaranteed under the Constitution cannot be sacrificed at the altar of family life. "The Constitution guarantees to every individual the right to be left alone - even within the framework of a family. Any provision which forces an individual to have sexual relations or even cohabit a home without her will is violative of the right to privacy, individual autonomy and dignity that are guaranteed by the Constitution," the plea stated. It added that the "society is changing into one where the private interest of sexual autonomy, dignity and happiness of an individual is put before concerns like societal morality or family life. Thus, there exists no compelling interest for the state to interfere in matters related to conjugal rights." (ANI) The first thing one notices about S-Villa is the old movie projector showcased at the lobby of the building. A movie projector is showcased at the entrance. Photo courtesy of S-Villa The charming incongruity continues with cameras also dating from the 20th century displayed in glass cabinets scattered across the three floors of the restaurant. You may think you've fallen backwards in time to an old movie studio, but no, you're in a restaurant. Talking to the receptionist, I was informed that the restaurants owner is photographer To Thanh Tan, explaining the outdated gear. The French villa is filled with his photos on the walls, as well as furniture and decorative objects in European style. The French villa is filled with To Thanh Tan's photos on the walls. Photo courtesy of S-Villa S-Villa combines two spaces, one for cuisine and one for Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee. For people who come to drink coffee or to dine out, S-Villa offers an elegant space and dedicated service in a melodious French atmosphere. To start, I ordered salmon salad with vegetables and Italian vinegar dressing (VND140,000). The salmon pieces were grilled a little bit to create a burnt surface and preserve the soft texture inside. Salmon salad with vegetables and Italian vinegar sauce. VNS Photo Do Huu The pink pieces didn't have a common fishy taste, but were more like mildly flavoured meat that came straight out of the sea. The combination of salmon and beetroot, snow peas, lettuce and rocket make for a subtle and refreshing taste. The dish is completed with bread cut into small cubes. The Italian vinegar dressing makes the leaves shiny and a little sour. The dish really excites the tongue and eyes. The next thing I tried was tiger prawn soup with fresh herbs baked with cream and garlic butter bread (VND160,000). The soup's presentation with a whole tiger prawn and its charming red colour really wowed. The soups thickness was ideal for me to feel the creamy, savoury and nutritious taste created from minced prawn and carrots. It was topped with thin almond slices. Grilled black Angus rib-eye with black pepper sauce is unforgettable thanks to its fragrance and taste. VNS Photo Do Huu For main courses, my friend and I chose Norwegian pan-fried salmon served with mashed potatoes, spring onions and tamarind sauce (VND340,000); and black Angus ribeye with black pepper sauce (VND450,000 for a portion of 180g) Angus beef is known for its finely marbled meat, so its succulence sets it apart from other kinds of beef. I asked for medium-rare steak and was not disappointed. It was cooked how I wanted it; burnt on the surface and nicely pink inside. When I cut into the steak, I enjoyed the rich, tender, juicy and full-flavoured taste. I have tried salmon and steak at different restaurants, and honestly, making a good grilled salmon or beef dish is not too difficult. Just select fresh and good ingredients, add spices and grill. What makes the dish extraordinary is the sauce it is served with. Grilled salmon served with vegetables and mashed potatoes. VNS Photo Do Huu The menu featured different kinds of sauce, from creamy sauce and red wine sauce to black pepper sauce, which impressed me as it showed the care and precision of the chefs. The black pepper sauce I tried at S-Villa was so incredible that I expressed my appreciation to the waitress. She said the sauce is made of bone marrow. The recipe is secret but she revealed that the sauce is simmered for 48 hours. From 20 litres, its cooked until its condensed to five litres. The rest is divided into parts. They are added with different ingredients to make different kinds of sauce and we continue simmering it for a few more hours, she said. Thats the key to make it creamy and savoury. More than a lunch or dinner, its a culinary experience in a relaxing space. There are plenty of things to discover at the restaurant so I will return for sure. VNS S Villa Restaurant Add: 128 Mai Hac e St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Ha Noi Tel: 035 858 8886 Website: www.shootmedia.vn Comments: Western food in fine dining style, attentive English-speaking staff, private spaces in different scales, artistic decoration, lunch offers from VN55,000. By Do Huu Home-style restaurant offers authentic taste of Hanoi Just two weeks since our first visit to Tam Vi a restaurant dedicated to the authentic home-cooked style of Northern Vietnam, especially old Hanoi we came back for the second time. A counterclaim against Microsoft Ireland Operations which had delayed a $829,000 (728,000) judgment in its favour has been dismissed by the High Court. Microsoft, in 2015, obtained a High Court judgment for the money against Saudi Arabia-based Moneer Omar Thabit Trading Establishment over payment for a retail agreement for distribution of Microsoft products in Saudi. A stay on the execution of the judgment was however granted because Moneer had issued a counterclaim for $6m against Microsoft claiming it had failed to honour its promises in relation to the retail agreement. The stay was to remain in place pending the outcome of the counterclaim. Following delays and a warning by a judge to Moneer to stop "heel dragging" and expedite its counterclaim, the High Court last February lifted the stay On Tuesday, Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted an application from Microsoft to strike out the Moneer counterclaim. It means Microsoft can fully pursue the 2015 judgment. The judge was told Moneer was not represented in court and had failed to respond to various correspondence from Microsoft in advance of Tuesday's scheduled hearing of the application to strike out the counterclaim. However, a letter had been sent to the court on Tuesday morning seeking an adjournment which Microsoft opposed. Mr Justice Meenan said Moneer had been given every opportunity to prepare for the hearing over its counterclaim. It would be wholly unreasonable and unjust to grant an adjournment, he said. He dismissed the counterclaim and also awarded costs to Microsoft. TROY, Mich., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Bancard, LLC (NAB), a progressive payment technology company, introduced its frictionless PCI DSS compliance program called PCI Plus . PCI Plus is a simplified solution created to help reduce the PCI compliance burden for merchants, maximize payment security and protect merchants in the event of a security breach. "North American Bancard has been serving merchants for over 25 years, and we've seen firsthand how burdensome the PCI compliance process can be for small and medium-sized businesses," said David Greenberg , chief administrative officer at North American Bancard. "These businesses aren't always able to stay vigilant about security, so PCI Plus was designed to provide them with frictionless PCI compliance measures built into the NAB merchant experience." PCI compliance measures were implemented by the card brands to help merchants protect their credit and debit card payment systems from cybercriminal intrusions and the theft of cardholder information. Merchants must meet and maintain certain data management security requirements and confirm compliance on an annual basis. According to the recent Verizon 2019 Payment Security Report , the percentage of businesses meeting PCI compliance requirements is down to 20.4 percent (1 in 5) for the Americas region, and 36.7 percent globally. The technical nature of PCI compliance, along with the administrative burden of meeting the 200-plus requirements associated with the industry standard, can make the PCI compliance process too onerous for some merchants to undertake without expert assistance. "PCI compliance steps can be a burden for many merchants, but when compliance is not maintained, it can cost a business hundreds of thousands of dollars, including fines and the cost of card replacement if card data is compromised," said Robyn Mitchell, chief compliance officer at North American Bancard. "North American Bancard's PCI Plus program was created to reduce this burden by streamlining the administrative process merchants are typically required to follow." The benefits of NAB's PCI Plus include: No forms or third-party requirements Qualified NAB merchants, and merchants using NAB's proprietary POS solution, Payanywhere, are exempt from SAQs, scans, and annual check-ins. Qualified NAB merchants, and merchants using NAB's proprietary POS solution, Payanywhere, are exempt from SAQs, scans, and annual check-ins. Simplified fee structure Many participants won't be subject to separate PCI fees, while others will be assessed one simple fee. Many participants won't be subject to separate PCI fees, while others will be assessed one simple fee. Two payment options Merchants choose either a one-time-annual or monthly payment plan. Merchants choose either a one-time-annual or monthly payment plan. Breach forgiveness Qualified merchants are covered up to $100,000 for certain breach-related costs. Through NAB's partnership with SecureTrust, a leading provider of PCI DSS compliance validation tools for merchants, NAB merchants also receive: Included vulnerability scans Up to three IP addresses per merchant are covered at no additional charge when scanning is required. Up to three IP addresses per merchant are covered at no additional charge when scanning is required. Intelligent PCI Wizard Streamlines the compliance process coupled with enhanced PCI Fast Track technology. Streamlines the compliance process coupled with enhanced PCI Fast Track technology. Endpoint Protection Suite Integrated security tools for Windows and Mac systems. Integrated security tools for Windows and Mac systems. Dedicated support Hands-on customer care professionals. "As the merchant marketplace continues to evolve in response to new consumer payment preferences, NAB continues to work diligently to develop simplified solutions that will help businesses secure sensitive customer information," stated Mitchell. "PCI Plus makes PCI compliance easier than ever before for merchants, giving them more time to focus on growing their business and enhancing the customer experience." For more information about North American Bancard's PCI Plus program and how to get your business' PCI compliance requirements up-to-date in a frictionless manner, please visit https://www.northamericanbancard.com/pciplus. About North American Bancard North American Bancard is re-imagining the payment experience. As a leading payment technology innovator, NAB has a diversified product platform that provides a modern end-to-end infrastructure to enable globally-preferred payment types. NAB's superior solutions deliver seamless payments experiences in mobile, online, and in-store environments. Serving hundreds of thousands of businesses and processing in excess of $45 billion in electronic payments annually, NAB delivers functional, frictionless solutions for our evolving merchant economy. For more information, please visit www.northamericanbancard.com . SOURCE North American Bancard Related Links http://www.northamericanbancard.com Nadella, who grew up in Indian city of Hyderabad, said he is saddened by the new law that discriminates against Muslims. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella has criticised a new citizenship law passed by Indias Hindu nationalist government last month that critics say goes against the spirit of the countrys secular constitution. The legislation, which makes faith as the basis of citizenship, has triggered nationwide protests against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I think what is happening is sad, primarily as sort of someone who grew up there I think its just bad, Nadella told BuzzFeed at an event in New York. And even a story like mine being possible in a country like this I think, if anything, I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the CEO of Infosys. That should be the aspiration. If I had to sort of mirror what happened to me in the US, I hope thats what happens in India. I am glad Satya Nadella has said what he has. I wish that one of our own IT czars had the courage and wisdom to say this first. Or to say it even now. https://t.co/KsKbDUtMQk Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 13, 2020 Nadella grew up in Hyderabad, a technology hub in India that is home to the biggest Microsoft research and development centre outside of the United States. Im very proud of where I get my heritage, culturally in that place, and I grew up in a city, Hyderabad. I always felt it was a great place to grow up. We celebrated Eid, we celebrated Christmas, Diwali all three festivals that are big for us, he said. Deadly protests Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) eases the path for non-Muslims from the neighbouring Muslim-majority nations of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to gain citizenship, but excludes Muslims. If combined with a proposed nationwide counting of citizenship (National Register of Citizens or NRC), critics of the CAA fear it will discriminate against Indias Muslim minority and chip away at its secular constitution. The tech giant later posted a statement by Nadella on Twitter saying he was shaped by growing up in a multicultural India and his immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large. Nadellas comments come amid nationwide protests against the CAA which critics fear is part of Modis Hindu supremacist agenda. More than 20 people have been killed in police crackdown but protests have continued. The government says the law is meant to help persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries but it has failed to convince why Tamils and Rohingya refugees from Sri Lanka and Myanmar respectively are not eligible under the new law. Sadiq Khan on Tuesday launched a new 800,000 pounds fund alongside org to fight violent extremism and in the British capital. The Shared Endeavour Fund, funded equally by UK and the Mayor's City Hall office, will be run by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue for grassroots organisations to bid for tiered grants of up to 50,000 pounds ($65,001). Khan made reference to the most recent attack in London in November last year, when a convicted terrorist went on a knife rampage to claim two victims on London Bridge, and warned about the impact of Brexit as the January 31 deadline nears. The launched the new scheme at the UK headquarters in London. "Extremism, intolerance and hate crime of any kind has absolutely no place in our city and I have worked closely with the police and all communities across London as we battle against this scourge," said Khan. "Sadly, we have also too often seen extremism on our streets with the horrific terror attack in London Bridge in November last year as well as homophobic, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents. We know that leaving the EU will raise tensions and bring new challenges that is why it is so vital we empower our communities to help deliver change now," he said. Rowan Barnett of Google.org said that keeping the online community safe was the group's "top priority". "As part of this commitment, Google.org supports solutions that fight hate and extremism at a local level which help foster positive change in the UK. We believe communities and grassroots programmes are an incredibly important part of the effort to encourage collaboration, cooperation, and sensitivity across London," he said. Organisations such as registered charities and community groups have until March 22 to pitch for funds as part of the new initiative. They would be considered eligible if their projects satisfy some key outcomes such as directly countering the promotion of hateful, intolerant and extremist messages and content, both online and offline, or raising awareness around the issue and empowering communities in their fight against harmful content. Khan has called on tech firms to make flagging harmful content on social media platforms easier and get it removed faster. He is also planning to create a network of civil society groups who can share best practice as they make a bid for the new funds. The most recent UK Home Office data, released last October, found there were a record 103,379 hate crime offences in 2018-19, which is an increase of 10 per cent compared to 94,121 in 2017-18 and more than double from 42,255 since 2012-13. While the majority of recorded by police forces in England and Wales were racial in nature (78,991), religious also marked a hike over the past year. Scammers have taken advantage of mourning Victorians after a veteran firefighter was killed by a falling tree while he helped contain a fire. Wonthaggi father Bill Slade, 60, is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Steph and son Ethan after dying near Omeo on Saturday. Bill Slade with his daughter Steph Slade. Credit:Steph Slade The broader community has rallied together during this summer's bushfire crisis. But Mr Slade's daughter Steph said a Donorbox page set up in his honour was actually a scam. "I find it disgusting that a person would do something like this considering the circumstances," Steph said. Bart Stephan, former president and CEO of Lerch Bates Inc. will shift his role to CEO of the parent company of Lerch Bates Inc. and Pie Consulting and Engineering (LB Pie LLC.) a recent strategic acquisition by the parent company. "Eric has served successfully in various roles during his nine years at Lerch Bates, including elevator consultant, general manager Chicago, Northeast Area vice president and executive vice president.," said Lerch Bates CEO Bart Stephan. "In recent years Lerch Bates has grown dramatically with expansion in architectural design services as well as maintenance program management and modernization services. Eric's leadership will steer these core businesses of Lerch Bates into the next decade and beyond." Eric Rupe joined Lerch Bates in 2010 after 20 years of sales, operation and management experience in the vertical transportation and construction equipment industries. Rupe's extensive experience with KONE Inc. included sales and management positions in Chicago, Akron (Ohio) and Cleveland. Additionally, he has held corporate positions with KONE North America, including director of communications, MRL product release director, traction elevator product manager and director of marketing. At Lerch Bates, Rupe has held positions including consultant, general manager, area vice president and executive vice president of operations. Rupe's passion as a leader in the 100 percent employee owned (ESOP) firm is to facilitate excellence in technical consulting for the built environment by focusing on being the employer of choice, creating satisfied loyal clients and culminating in a strong ESOP, which will provide a secure future for employee/owners. Rupe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in marketing and finance from the University of Iowa and a management certificate from London Business School. He resides in the Denver area and works from the Lerch Bates Global Support Center. ABOUT LERCH BATES For more than 73 years, with elevator consulting as its cornerstone, Lerch Bates has advised architects, developers, building investors, owners and managers on the design, sustainability and continuous use of a wide spectrum of Building Systems (elevators, escalators, facade access equipment and building logistics processes & equipment) for any size or type of building. Additionally, Lerch Bates is a leading global provider of a comprehensive and diverse range of Building Enclosure engineering, rehabilitative design, consulting, enclosure commissioning (BECx), construction management, and field performance testing services. Lerch Bates, headquartered in metropolitan Denver, is an international consulting services firm with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and India. Lerch Bates operates Lerch Bates Asia Pacific Limited, a holding company in Hong Kong, Lerch Bates (China) Limited, a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) in Shanghai, Dewar Partnership in the United Kingdom and now PIE Consulting & Engineering. For more information, visit www.lerchbates.com. Contact Lerch Bates Inc. Johanna Hillgrove, 303-795-7956 [email protected] www.lerchbates.com SOURCE Lerch Bates Related Links https://www.lerchbates.com Job Title: Risk Officer Organization: Uganda Clays Limited Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: Managing Director About US: Uganda Clays Limited is Ugandas leading manufacturer of quality building products located at Kajjansi, 14 Kilometers along Kampala-Entebbe Road with a second factory at Kamonkoli in Mbale. Job Summary: management of risks facing the Company on a day to day basis through identication, assessment, mitigation, reporting and continuous monitoring of risks so as to add value, improve and mitigate risk to UCLs operations. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Formulate and update of policies, procedures manuals that will mitigate risk throughout the business processes Develop and regularly update risk assessment registers for new and existing processes I products! channels and follow up implementation of mitigation measures Recommend mitigating actions and follow-up with process owners to ensure timely implementation and performing validations Create a high level of awareness of risks that the Company is exposed is exposed to their impact and actions/measures in place to mitigate them Champion business continuity plans by developing the key elements to support ensure that management has robust plans to keep the business aoat as a going concern Regularly analyse nancial information and track control weakness that may exist in the system On a monthly and quarterly basis, generate reports on high risk exposures and mitigating actions lo the Management and Board Audit and Risk Committees Respectively Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant must hold a bachelors degree in B.Com, BBA or BSc Accounting/ Finance Should have good knowledge of computerized accounting and auditing record keeping systems Full professional qualication in either. ACCA, CPA or CIMA Finalists in these professional courses are also considered A good understanding oi Enterprise Risk Management practices in industry, preferably manufacturing. Should demonstrate good understanding of process flow and procedures Should have good analytical and problem solving skills. Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with the various stakeholders. High prociency in the use of computer applications such as excel, word and power point. Knowledge and effective application of all relevant company policies. processes, procedures and guidance to consistently achieve required standards or benchmarks. Self-empowerment to enable development of open communication, teamwork and trust that are needed to make the required changes At least three years experience as a Risk Officer How to apply: All suitably qualied candidates should send their applications and updated CVs, present position, copies of certicates / testimonials and addresses of three (3) referees plus day-time telephone / Mobile phone contacts to the address below. The Head of Human Resources and Support Service, Uganda Clays Limited, P.O. Box 3188, Kampala. NB: Uganda Clays limited is an equal opportunity employer, while we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Any form of lobbying will lead to automatic disqualification Deadline: 17th January 2020 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Adverse outcomes from childhood exposures to lead and mercury are on the decline in the United States, likely due to decades of restrictions on the use of heavy metals, a new study finds. Despite decreasing levels, exposure to these and other toxic chemicals, especially flame retardants and pesticides, still resulted in more than a million cases of intellectual disability in the United States between 2001 and 2016. Furthermore, as the target of significantly fewer restrictions, experts say, flame retardants and pesticides now represent the bulk of that cognitive loss. NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers found that IQ loss from the toxic chemicals analyzed in their study dropped from 27 million IQ points in 2001 and 2002 to 9 million IQ points in 2015 and 2016. While this overall decline is promising, the researchers say, their findings also identify a concerning shift in which chemicals represent the greatest risk. Among toxin-exposed children, the researchers found that the proportion of cognitive loss that results from exposure to chemicals used in flame retardants, called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs), and organophosphate pesticides increased from 67 percent to 81 percent during the same study period. "Our findings suggest that our efforts to reduce exposure to heavy metals are paying off, but that toxic exposures in general continue to represent a formidable risk to Americans' physical, mental, and economic health," says lead study investigator Abigail Gaylord, MPH, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone. "Unfortunately, the minimal policies in place to eliminate pesticides and flame retardants are clearly not enough." The substances analyzed are found in household products from furniture upholstery to tuna fish, and can build up in the body to damage organs, researchers say. Heavy metals, lead and mercury in particular, are known to disrupt brain and kidney function. In addition, they, along with flame retardants and pesticides, can interfere with the thyroid, which secretes brain-developing hormones. Experts say exposure at a young age to any of these toxins can cause learning disabilities, autism, and behavioral issues. In their investigation, the researchers found that everyday contact with these substances during the 16-year study period resulted in roughly 1,190,230 children affected with some form of intellectual disability. Overall childhood exposures cost the nation $7.5 trillion in lost economic productivity and other societal costs. "Although people argue against costly regulations, unrestricted use of these chemicals is far more expensive in the long run, with American children bearing the largest burden," says senior study author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD Professor at NYU Langone Health. Publishing online Jan. 14 in the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, the new study is the only long-term neurological and economic investigation of its kind, the authors say. The investigators analyzed PBDE, organophosphate, lead, and methylmercury exposures in blood samples from women of childbearing age and 5-year-olds. Data on women and children was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers used results from several previous environmental health studies to estimate the annual number of IQ points lost per unit of exposure to each of the four main chemicals in the study. Then, they estimated the lost productivity and medical costs over the course of the children's lives linked to long-term intellectual disability using a second algorithm, which valued each lost IQ point at $22,268 and each case of intellectual disability at $1,272,470. While exposure to these chemicals persists despite tightened regulations, experts say Americans can help limit some of the effects by avoiding the use of household products or foods that contain them. "Frequently opening windows to let persistent chemicals found in furniture, electronics, and carpeting escape, and eating certified organic produce can reduce exposure to these toxins," says Trasande, who also serves as chief of environmental pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone. Trasande notes that the impact of these chemicals may be worse than their study can capture since there are far more hazards that affect brain development than the four highlighted in the investigation, and other potential consequences beyond IQ loss. "All the more reason we need closer federal monitoring of these substances," she says. The study authors say they plan to explore the cost of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in other countries. Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants RO1 ES022972 and RO1 ES029779. In addition to Trasande and Gaylord, other NYU Langone researchers include Akhgar Ghassabian, PhD, Julia Malits, and Teresa Attina, MD. Other research support was provided by Gwendolyn Osborne, MD, of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in Oakland, Calif. Media Inquiries Shira Polan 212-404-4279 [email protected] SOURCE NYU Langone Health Related Links http://www.med.nyu.edu A 475 megawatt (MW) section of what is being described by energy firm the Enel Group as South America's "largest" solar photovoltaic (PV) facility has started operations. In an announcement Monday, the Enel Group said the 475 MW chunk of the Sao Goncalo solar PV plant, in the northeast of Brazil, had been connected to the grid and would be able to produce more than 1,200 gigawatt hours annually when "fully up and running." Photovoltaic refers to a way of directly converting light from the sun into electricity. Work on an additional 133 MW section of the project began last August and will bring Sao Goncalo's total capacity to 608 MW when finished. At full output, the whole plant will eventually be able to prevent the emission of more than 860,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to Enel. There is currently a debate taking place in Brazil on the topic of solar power and how to price it. Brazilian power regulator, Aneel, has previously said it was thinking of cutting incentives related to solar power but last week Reuters reported that President Jair Bolsonaro had "ruled out" a solar tax. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables meet nearly 45% of "primary energy demand" in Brazil. The IEA states that "large hydropower plants" are responsible for roughly 80% of domestic electricity production. Last October, the agency said that, worldwide, renewable power capacity was forecast to increase by 50% between 2019 and 2024, with solar photovoltaics due to make up nearly 60% of the expected rise. And much of this conflict is based on a trend that threatens to become a tragedy. Political divisions in the United States are becoming less ideological than sociological. Americans are increasingly taking opposition to their views as an assault on their way of life. So issues such as gun control or climate disruption instead of being matters requiring debate and offering the possibility of compromise become signifiers of cultural identity. Among those who hold this mind-set, losing an election raises the fear of cultural extinction. The strongest and loudest political advocates tend to think their loss might end America as they know it. New Delhi: Used car marketplace Cars24 targets to double its retail foorprint across the country in 2020 with planned launches of around 200 branches. The company currently has 200 branches with the latest being launched in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha on Monday. According to a company statement, in past one year, it has expanded its presence to 73 cities from 18 cities in 2018 and doubled the number of branches from 100 in 2018 to 200 in 2019. "Given our expansion plan in 2020, we will be adding approximately 200 more branches, perhaps adding 100 more cities to our entire portfolio," said Gajendra Jangid, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Cars24 said. Jangid further said that it would focus on more on tier-III and IV towns in the year ahead. "There is a long trail of tier-III and IV towns, where we are not present yet. We are going to go aggressively in tier-III, tier-IV towns," he added. He observed that on a monthly basis the company is transacting about 15,000 cars, including buying and selling of used vehicles. Talking of the demand, he noted that although the supply mostly comes from the tier-I cities, demand is high in tier-II and tier-III towns. "Approximately 30-40 per cent of the cars which we buy in metros end up going to tier-II and tier-III cities," he said. Cars24 is a tech-enabled platform that offers customers to buy and sell used cars. The company, in-turn, sells these cars online through its proprietary auction platform to businesses across India, dealing in pre-owned cars. Investors of the company include Sequoia India, Exor Seeds, Apoletto, Kingsway Capital and US-based investment firm KCK. Advertisement Harvey Weinstein is already planning to appeal any convictions he might face, claiming he had no chance of a fair trial and blaming the judge for tainting the jury pool which includes Gigi Hadid. The shamed producer, 67, smiled as he arrived at court using his walker and flanked by his lead attorney Donna Rotunno as the contentious jury selection in his rape and sexual assault case entered a sixth day. More than 30 people of 110 screened in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday said they couldn't be fair if asked to sit on a trial. Rotunno had earlier told TMZ her team are already looking into ways to appeal any conviction, including Judge James Burke's refusal to delay the New York trial to allow the publicity surrounding new charges filed in Los Angeles last Monday to subside. Judge Burke expressed confidence that the jurors would know that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and he pressed on. But Rotunno says it will now be impossible to find impartial jurors in the Manhattan case. Weinstein's legal team also filed a motion to remove the judge from proceedings after he threatened to jail the disgraced movie mogul for texting in the courtroom. Burke admonished Weinstein as jury selection was getting underway, asking: 'Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life, by texting in violation of an order? Is it?' He said he issued the threat after Weinstein was 'notably non-compliant, defiant and challenging to court officers' when asked to not use his phone. Barring the motion the judge added: 'There's nothing prejudicial or inflammatory about scolding a recalcitrant defendant for repeated violations of a court order if using strong and even hyperbolic language succeeds after stern admonitions have failed.' Weinstein has also complained about press attention and being scrutinized for using his walker and tried to ban celebrity attorney Gloria Allred - who represents some of his accusers - from the trial. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting two women, and faces life in prison if convicted on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault. His trial began January 6 and could last up to two months. Harvey Weinstein smiles as arrives at New York Criminal Court for his ongoing sexual assault trial in Manhattan Tuesday Weinstein hauls himself up the stairs at New York Criminal Court in Manhattan as he arrives for his trial on Tuesday Weinstein hunched over his walker as he made his way to the courthouse flanked by his attorney Donna Rotunno, right Supermodel Gigi Hadid was named among the potential jurors Monday, telling a judge that she thinks she would be able to 'keep an open mind on the facts'. She was part of the latest pool of 120 people summoned for jury service in the case in New York. Hadid, who lives in Manhattan and studied criminal psychology at The New School, said she has met Weinstein and actress Salma Hayek, a potential witness, but could remain impartial. She will return Thursday for additional questioning. The scene was more mundane Tuesday, when one man said he didn't know the defendant but couldn't be fair because he had seen him several times in lower Manhattan 'on the phone screaming at someone.' Judge James Burke has warned potential jurors not to take to social media about the case, explaining that those who already have done so 'may be held in contempt of court and face serious consequences up to and including 30 days in jail and a significant fine'. He added: 'So, don't do that.' A more intensive phase of jury selection is expected to begin Thursday in which lawyers will ask more detailed questions about jurors' backgrounds. By the end of the first week of selection 360 potential jurors were summoned with 106 passing pre-screening. Weinstein, 67, once one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, made his mark with critically acclaimed films such as 'The English Patient' and 'Shakespeare in Love.' He has arrived at every day of his trial hobbling and a using a walker Weinstein, 67, once one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, made his mark with critically acclaimed films such as 'The English Patient' and 'Shakespeare in Love.' He has arrived at every day of his trial hobbling and a using a walker. Potential jurors have each been given questionnaires featuring 72 questions and will report back for further questioning on January 16. The questionnaire asks if they could ignore media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court. They were also told the trial will last six weeks, which could weed out many parents, college students and others with pressing day-to-day obligations. One potential juror told the court last week that she could not be impartial because a friend had had an 'encounter' with the embattled movie mogul in his hotel room. Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses, have accused him of sexual misconduct dating back decades. Weinstein has denied the allegations, saying any sexual encounters he had were consensual. Allegations against Weinstein helped fuel the #MeToo movement, in which women have gone public with misconduct allegations against powerful men in business and politics. Friday's jury selection proceedings were punctuated by a protest, with about 100 women carrying pots and pans dancing across the street from the courthouse. Defense attorney Damon Cheronis complained to the judge: 'It's this type of atmosphere that makes it impossible for Mr. Weinstein to get a fair trial.' Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses, have accused him of sexual misconduct dating back decades. Weinstein has denied the allegations, saying any sexual encounters he had were consensual Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi arrives at court for jury selection in Weinstein's trial on rape and sexual assault charges Why the jury selection process will take up to two weeks and how they will be selected Selecting the jury for the Hollywood mogul's rape and sexual assault trial is likely to be a painstaking, weeks-long process, made complicated by the high stakes, heavy publicity and public revulsion toward him. Jury selection is expected to stretch on for at least two weeks, far longer than for a non-celebrity trial, with lawyers delving into each potential juror's knowledge and opinions about the case. Opening statements shouldn't be expected before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 20, the judge said. The prospective jurors were given questionnaires asking, among other things, if they could ignore media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court. They were also told the trial will last six weeks, which could weed out many parents, college students and others with pressing day-to-day obligations. Jury questionnaires are commonly used to identify subject areas like their knowledge of and potential links to the case or any prior experiences with law enforcement that can then allow follow-up questions back in the courtroom before selection. Potential jurors raise their hands and explain why they can't serve on the jury of film producer Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial 'The defense team is concerned about widespread media coverage of sexual assault and harassment claims against Weinstein, and of jurors prejudging the case,' said Cornell University law professor Valerie Hans. On the other side of the case, 'prosecutors are wary of prospective jurors who might reveal a predisposition to blame the victims, even in this age of #MeToo.' Prospective jurors were introduced as a group to Weinstein and were read a list of names that could come up at trial, including actresses Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron and Rosie Perez. New pools of prospective jurors will be summoned to court each morning in the coming days - around 120 per day will be called. A jury summons was sent to 2,000 New Yorkers - five times the number for a typical trial. Experts said lawyers for Weinstein and the prosecution would need to be wary of jurors who may try to mask their bias in order to serve on a headline-grabbing trial. Some jurors may seek to use the trial as a means of advancing a personal cause, a concern in a case that has become a flashpoint for ending sexual harassment. Weinstein in October lost a bid to move the trial to suburban Long Island or to Albany, New York state's capital. He said intense media scrutiny made it impossible for jurors to give him a fair trial in Manhattan. The defense also asked that the jury be sequestered, a request the judge denied. Advertisement In picking a jury, defense lawyers typically want jurors who can 'think outside of the box' and look skeptically at a prosecution case, while prosecutors seek people with a linear and methodical mindset, said Thaddeus Hoffmeister, a jury consultant and University of Dayton law professor. For insight into prospective jurors' thinking, lawyers have taken to scouring their public social media postings, Hoffmeister said, which is fine under court rules as long as the lawyers don't follow or friend them or send them messages. Opening statements shouldn't be expected before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 20, the judge said. Supermodel Gigi Hadid is in the running to be a juror in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial after telling a judge Monday that she thinks she would be able to 'keep an open mind on the facts'. She is pictured leaving court New Delhi: The auspicious occasion of Pongal is celebrated for 4 days in the Southern states of the country. The very first day of Pongal and Makar Sankranti festivities is called Bhogi. It is a major festival in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana namely. However, it is largely a pan India festival. Bhogi usually precedes Pongal which this year is falling on January 15. Several popular names from the South film industry have poured their wishes on Twitter. Check it out here: . Wishing you all a very happy #Bhogi and #Sankranthi Jr NTR (@tarak9999) January 14, 2020 Me and my cuties wishing you all a very happy bhogi!#bhogi #festivemood pic.twitter.com/i1rZklo2rd Varun Tej Konidela (@IAmVarunTej) January 14, 2020 Significance of Bhogi: On Bhogi, people let go off their old things and focus on new beginnings. Usually, in the evening a bonfire is lit using old furniture wood or any other log of wood. It is believed that as ou discard old things, you will also leave the bad habits, vices etc in the sacrificial fire of the knowledge of Rudra. It is called the Rudra Gita Jnana Yajna. Many believe that by doing so, the person will be purified with divine blessings as vices are burnt in the sacrificial fire. Usually, homes are cleaned and beautified on the festival, ushering in the new energy. People wear new clothes. In villages, oxen and buffaloe horns are painted. On this day, Rain God is revered and thanked by the people for blessing them with rains promising a good harvest. U S officials have issued Downing Street a dossier of information raising concerns over Huawei in a bid to stop the Chinese firm's potential involvement in the UK's 5G network, it has been reported. Officials from both countries met alongside representatives from the telecoms industry on Monday, ahead of the Government's decision on whether to deploy technology from the company. The United States is trying to persuade Britain not to use Huawei's equipment over what Washington says are security risks. Technical information was put forward in the talks as Washington highlighted security risks, both the Guardian and Financial Times report. Warning: The US has urged the UK to not allow Huawei to help with the 5G infrastructure / Getty Huawei equipment could be used in some "non-core" parts of the network it has been reported previously, with a final decision due later in January. The Financial Times reports that it is thought Boris Johnson appears inclined to permit such involvement from the Chinese tech firm. Officials from the US said such involvement from Huawei would be nothing short of madness, the Guardian reports. Huawei has plans to help build the UK's 5G network, the latest high-speed generation of cellular mobile communications / Getty Mr Johnson's spokesman, speaking ahead of the meeting, said: "The security and resilience of the UK's telecoms network is of paramount importance. "We have strict controls for how Huawei equipment is currently deployed in the UK. "The government is undertaking a comprehensive review to ensure the security and resilience of 5G and fibre in the UK." The meeting came following Tory MP Bob Seely's call for the Foreign Affairs Committee to open an immediate investigation into Huawei's suitability for use in Britain's 5G network. Bob Seely said Huawei "to all intents and purposes is part of the Chinese state" and its involvement would "effectively to allow China and its agencies access to our network" Foreign Office minister Andrew Stephenson said a final decision will be "taken in due course". The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on January 14 declared its list for all 70 Assembly segments for the forthcoming polls in Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will contest the polls from New Delhi constituency. Kejriwal, who had contested from the constituency last time as well, had defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party's Nupur Sharma by over 30,000 votes in 2015. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, meanwhile, will contest from Patparganj constituency. Senior party leader Raghav Chadha will contest from Rajinder Nagar while party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj will contest from Greater Kailash. Delhi assembly polls will be held on February 8 and the results will be declared on February 11, the Election Commission of India (EC) announced on January 6. The term of the 70-member Delhi Assembly is ending on February 22 and a new House has to be constituted before that. The 2015 elections saw Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP registering a massive win, clinching 67 of the 70 Assembly seats. The BJP had managed to win the remaining three seats. The election is expected to be a triangular contest between AAP, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. BJP and Congress are yet to release their list of candidates. The Moto Razr is undoubtedly an iconic mobile phone from an era past. Over the last few years, there were multiple round of rumours promising the return of the phone. Well, Motorola finally put all those rumours to rest when they unveiled the all-new Moto Razr, with a vertically foldable display. So far, Only Samsung has a foldable smartphone that sells globally, with Huaweis Mate X being limited to China only. The Moto Razr is set to be available soon, and we managed to spend some time with the phone at Lenovos booth at CES. Heres what we walked away with. Look and Feel Perhaps the most iconic thing about the Razr was its flip mechanism. Motorola has retained that with the new Razr, but the phone is no longer razr thin. The new Razr is notably thicker than its predecessor, whether its closed or open. The reason for this is actually quite simple. Smartphones have a lot more inside them than older feature phones used to. Additionally, the hinge mechanism on the Razr would have also taken some clever engineering. Handling the phone for some time, there are a number of things that quickly become apparent. First, the phone has a heavily textured back, which adds serious grip to the phone. You wouldnt want an all-display phone slipping out of your hands and shattering now would you? Second notable takeaway from my brief time with the phone was that the top half of the outer shell holds onto fingerprints like nobodys business. On there we also find the camera bump, which though noticeable, isnt something that will aesthetically or ergonomically get in the way. Using the Razr Once you flip the phone open, you get a lush 6.2-inch display aligned vertically. You can use your thumb to flip the phone open without worrying about damaging the screen. Just dont jam the tip of your nail into it though. What was notable about the display was the fact that unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold, there is no visible crease on the Razrs display. Yes, thats even if you look at it from various angles. When youre dealing with such a tall display, reachability could be an issue. We were not able to check out how Motorola circumvents this issue, but what we do know is that the icons on the home screen were always arranged in the bottom half. The other exciting feature present on the Razr was the capacitive fingerprint sensor on the lower lip. First Impressions The Moto Razr doesnt surprisingly feel heavy, but it does feel wider than its predecessor. More importantly, the phone feels extremely premium, without really taking anything away from the original design. Having another foldable phone come out is definitely a plus for this category of devices, but it isnt without its problems. For starters, there are the questions around the durability of the plastic OLED panel. The other concern is with the user interface and how Motorola or even Google will eventually adapt Android to take into account these extended displays. Regardless, the Razr was definitely a fun little device to experience and even though its not as thin as its predecessor, it is still a promising foldable phone. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ohio expects turnout in the upcoming 2020 presidential election cycle may break records and is fully focused on making sure Ohio is ready when the eyes of the world are on us, as we anticipate, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told a U.S. Elections Assistance Summit on Tuesday. To reduce problems like long wait times at polls that plagued past elections in the state, LaRose said the state will encourage voters to cast ballots early, use a mail-in option thats become increasingly popular nationwide, and send an absentee ballot request to every registered voter in Ohio. We want to see people take advantage of that convenience, said LaRose, adding that the mail-in ballots are tracked so voters can see when elections boards receive them. To make voting by mail easier, LaRose said hes proposed that the state government pay postage for mail-in ballots at a bulk rate, and allow absentee ballot requests to be filed online instead of being mailed. LaRose said that every elections board in the state has a wall of shame where someone put 100 one cent stamps on their envelope and mailed it in. He said having the state pay postage would eliminate confusion about how many stamps voters should use. He also said the states 28 days of early, in-person voting, which include weekend and evening hours, allow people to cast ballots who might have trouble making it to the polls on election day. The Washington, D.C. conference LaRose addressed was conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, an independent bipartisan organization established by the Help America Vote Act intended to help eligible Americans participate in the voting process. The commissions chair, Christy McCormick, said the group wants to ensure the 2020 elections are secure and successful, with a high public confidence in security and results. In addition to focusing on ways states like Ohio are preparing to deal with high voter turnout, the conference also discussed ways to ensure election security amid concerns about domestic and foreign interference. Shelby Pierson, who leads election security efforts at the office of the Director of National Intelligence, said Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and non-state hacktivists all present potential threats to the upcoming election. This is a top national security priority in the midst of all the other challenges that we are facing at this time, said Pierson. LaRose said that newly approved Ohio legislation created several new efforts to ensure the states election security, including appointing a chief information security officer, who will be hired soon, and creating a civilian cyber swat team to serve as a cavalry to call when theres a cyber-attack. He said Ohio fought off an attack on election day last year that was focused on the part of the Secretary of States website that allowed voters to find their polling places on election day. You can imagine why that would have caused trouble if the bad guys had been able to knock that down, he said, adding that the attack was traced to a server with an IP address in Panama that appeared to be linked to a Russian cryptocurrency company. He said he couldnt say for sure that the cryptocurrency company, or Russia, was behind the attack because they could have been hacked, as well. He said the state provided $114.5 million to purchase new secure, state-of-the-art voting equipment to ensure that every ballot in the state would have a paper backup that can be used for full post-election audits that every board of elections must conduct after each election. LaRose said hes also ordered each of Ohios 88 elections boards to complete a 34-point election security checklist that addresses hardware, software and the human aspects of security. When all 88 counties have completed that 34-point checklist at the end of January, Ill be able to say that Ohio has the most aggressive election cybersecurity posture of any state the nation, said LaRose. LaRose, a Republican from Hudson, described administration of elections in Ohio as a bipartisan enterprise. At every county board of elections in Ohio, and most jurisdictions, Republicans and Democrats come to work, unlock the doors, turn on the lights and do this complex job of running elections," said LaRose. He said he has tried to work with organizations that have sued the state of Ohio over its method of eliminating inactive voters from the rolls to correct errors that would have led to the erroneous removal of 40,000 Ohioans. The state needs to keep accurate voting lists, and LaRose said the removal process is intended to weed out voters who have died or moved to other jurisdictions. I know that theres a history of litigation, but we dont have to solve all our problems at the courthouse, said LaRose. I care about voting rights, you care about voting rights. So before you sue me, call me. Read more coverage: House votes to designate PFAS forever chemicals as hazardous substances House votes to limit Trumps war powers in measure backed by Ohio Democrats Sen. Sherrod Brown cautions against war in Middle East and questions Trumps judgment Trump in Ohio: A timeline of his presidential visits Toledo Democrats warn President Trump against hate speech during upcoming visit Ex-Cleveland mayor and congressman Dennis Kucinich backs Tulsi Gabbards presidential campaign, denounces killing of Iranian general Congress divided on Iranian generals killing; Ohio Senators seek briefings Ohio Congress members ask U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion Rep. Bob Latta helps pass law to hang up on robocalls House approves trade agreement with Canada and Mexico over opposition from Ohio Reps. Fudge and Kaptur House votes to impeach President Donald Trump Welcome to 2020 Vision, the Yahoo News column covering the presidential race with one key takeaway every weekday and a wrap-up each weekend. Reminder: There are 21 days until the Iowa caucuses and 295 days until the 2020 election. And then there were none. On Monday, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker announced that he was suspending his campaign for president; last week, the Democratic National Committee announced that not one of the partys remaining candidates of color had qualified for the opening debate of 2020, to be held this Tuesday in Des Moines, Iowa. Not businessman Andrew Yang. Not Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Not former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. (Photo: Patrick Semansky/ AP) As a result, there is now virtually no chance the Democratic nominee will be a person of color something considered plausible, indeed likely, at the start of a contest with a historically diverse lineup that came to include multiple black contenders and the first major Latino and Asian-American candidates in U.S. history. The question that Democrats are asking now, on the eve of the first all-white debate of the cycle, is why? Why did two high-profile black senators (Booker and California Sen. Kamala Harris) drop out before Iowa? Why didnt Julian Castro, Americas most prominent Latino politician, ever crack 2 percent in the national polls? Why are all four of the remaining front-runners Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg white? Is race the reason? The answer is complicated. But the available data suggest that yes, race had a lot to do with it. The first thing to note is that candidates of color faced an uphill climb from the beginning. This is partly because of the electability factor the idea that Democratic voters, nervous after fielding a losing female nominee in 2016 and obsessed with finding a standard-bearer who will beat Donald Trump, were worried that other voters might shy away from a candidate of color. Sen. Kamala Harris after a Democratic presidential debate in Atlanta, Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo: Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters) The more fundamental problem was that representation wasnt enough. It never is. Voters of color are sick of being used as props, and they tend to respond, regardless of race, to candidates who show up early and often, tailoring their campaigns to the communitys specific needs. This isnt a secret: Black voters warned as much after the last presidential election. In a November 2016 interview with the New York Times, some black voters from Wisconsin, perhaps the key swing state, said they decided to stay home on Election Day because both Clinton and Trump struck them as all talk and no action. Trump wound up winning the state by 23,000 votes after the black turnout rate dropped from 79 percent in 2012 to 47 percent in 2016, the lowest in the states recorded history. Story continues Milwaukee is tired, said barber Cedric Fleming. Both of them were terrible. They never do anything for us anyway. This time around, two well-known candidates managed to make early inroads with the all-important black electorate: Biden with older black voters and Sanders with younger black voters. In fact, a new Washington Post-Ipsos poll shows that these two septuagenarian white men command support from 68 percent of black Democratic voters, who made up 24 percent of the primary electorate in 2016 and likely more in 2020. Biden leads with 48 percent overall; Sanders leads 42 percent to 30 percent among black Democrats ages 18 to 34. Their near-universal name recognition and ideological clarity gave them an immediate leg up with key black constituencies, and that made life a lot harder for Booker, Harris and others. Building a base by appealing to black voters is one thing; building a base by peeling off black voters from candidates theyve already liked for years is another. Supporters of Joe Biden cheer his speech at the South Carolina Democratic Convention, June 22, 2019. (Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters) An overcrowded field further complicated matters. In October 2007, Hillary Clinton led Barack Obama by 24 points among black voters; after Obama won Iowa the following January, the black vote shifted to him by a wide margin. Experts have long attributed that shift to Obamas success in dispelling doubts in the African-American community that he could win in largely white states. Yet by January 2008, Obama was Clintons only real competitor. This cycle, there were literally dozens of candidates competing for the anti-Biden mantle, and thus no single, obvious rival for the support of voters of color. Thats part of the reason Bidens stumbles on race never seemed to affect his poll numbers. With several rivals dividing the rest of the Democratic pie and never really cracking five percent because of it no one else ever looked particularly viable. It wasnt clear where else voters of color should go. The rules didnt help. To qualify for the debates, candidates had to clear specific polling thresholds, either nationally or in the early-voting states. This created two problems. First, its usually more difficult to get accurate polling results from underrepresented communities, for a host of reasons; second, the first two states to vote are the sixth whitest (Iowa) and fourth whitest (New Hampshire) in the union. These challenges may have contributed to a vicious cycle of sorts. Candidates of color initially polled lower than more familiar faces, especially in Iowa and New Hampshire. Voters saw those surveys and started to doubt whether candidates of color could win, further suppressing their poll numbers. Candidates of color then failed to qualify for subsequent debates. Lacking visibility, they never quite recovered. The Democratic National Committee maintains that the rules, which took into account both state and national polls, gave every contender a fair shot. Weve been as inclusive as possible to allow as many people as possible to have that debate stage and speak their message, said DNC communications director Xochitl Hinojosa in an interview with Yahoo News before Decembers debate, the first to feature no black candidates. Some candidates of color are not convinced. Yang, who is currently polling at 4 percent nationally and may be trending upward in Iowa, recently described the small number of qualifying polls as a barrier to a diverse set of candidates and pleaded for more, according to a leaked memo sent to DNC chair Tom Perez. The DNC did not budge. Andrew Yang speaking at a rally in Davenport, Iowa. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP) Finally, its worth considering whether the political media ever really treated Booker, Harris and Castro the same as, say, Buttigieg, the only low-profile candidate who did manage to break through. Part of Buttigiegs success was the element of surprise: the way a 37-year-old gay mayor of Indianas fourth-largest city seemed to come out of nowhere and, sterling resume in hand, sound like a plausible president. Yet Booker was also a youngish former Rhodes scholar, who once ran a city nearly triple the size of South Bend and often earned strong reviews from viewers for his eloquent debate performances. Why didnt he have a moment? Was it because hed had so many moments before, appearing on magazine covers and [as] the subject of glowing profiles since the mid-2000s, as New York magazines Olivia Nuzzi argued on Twitter? Was it because the media regarded him as though they (we) had been there and done that already, so he could never be the shiny, new thing like Pete Buttigieg? Or, like other black Americans, did Booker also have to work twice as hard to get half as far? These arent either/or propositions. Theyre both/and. And so Tuesdays all-white debate stage will serve as a reminder of the role race still plays in American politics. Did Booker, Harris and Castro fail to catch fire simply because they were candidates of color? No. Is that the only reason Yang, Gabbard and Patrick wont be debating in Des Moines? Hardly. But even in a party that nominated the man who went on to become Americas first black president a party that prides itself on its plans to combat systemic racism the color of their skin didnt help. Quite the opposite. Read more from Yahoo News: Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 03:49:23|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Lu Xiaohui (2nd L), Consul from Overseas Chinese Affairs Office at Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, speaks during a press conference in Chicago, the United States, on Jan. 12, 2020. A grand Spring Festival gala will be staged on Feb. 1 in Chicago, the third largest city of the United States, for overseas Chinese and Americans to co-celebrate the Chinese New Year, organizers announced at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. (Xinhua/Wang Ping) CHICAGO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A grand Spring Festival gala will be staged on Feb. 1 in Chicago, the third largest city of the United States, for overseas Chinese and Americans to co-celebrate the Chinese New Year, organizers announced at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. The 2020 "Cultures of China, Festival of Spring" gala, which is jointly presented by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China, the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago (CAAGC), will be held at Harris Theatre in downtown Chicago at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1, according to CAAGC. "We Chicago people are very lucky as the gala this time only reaches five cities across the American continent. All the leading performers are Chinese national class-A artists," said Zheng Zheng, Chairwoman of CAAGC. Zheng mentioned prestigious Harris Theatre invited them to perform at its venue, "it's a proof that Chinese cultures are recognized by local audience and performing market." Lu Xiaohui, Consul from Overseas Chinese Affairs Office at Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, thanked CAAGC for their preparation and hard work for the gala. "'Cultures of China, Festival of Spring' is a great platform not only for overseas Chinese to get close to native country's culture, but promoting cultural exchange between China and the United States," said Lu. So now bicyclists will be able to blow through stop signs if theres no oncoming traffic (New Oregon laws kick in today: Checkout bag ban, school mandates, expunging marijuana convictions..., Dec. 22). Oh, joy. Id like to know what special powers of observation they have that I, in my car, dont. Being able to disregard stop signs, as bicyclists now can, would surely save wear on my brakes and help speed me along on my trip. Stop signs are put up for a reason. The line of visibility at many intersections isnt always clear. When nobody stops anymore, who do you think is going to be the worst? This pandering to the bicycle community has gotten completely ridiculous. Jeff Holmes, Banks Two youths were killed in Guinea on Monday at the start of open-ended protests against President Alpha Conde's suspected bid to prolong his rule. The West African country has been wracked by demonstrations since mid-October over concerns that Conde intends to use a planned constitutional reform to seek a third term in office. At least 20 civilians and one gendarme have been killed since the start of protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people while scores have been arrested. Scuffles broke out on Monday in the Coza suburb of the capital Conakry between young people and the police, an AFP journalist said. Elhadj Mamadou Sow, a 21-year-old student, was killed in the unrest, according to his uncle, who declined to be named. The security ministry confirmed Sow's death and said an investigation had been launched. The ministry also confirmed the death of another protester in the northern city of Labe. A hospital source had earlier told AFP that the 18-year-old was shot in the head, adding that the death prompted protesters to attack a courthouse and the local office of Conde's Guinean People's Assembly (RPG) party. After months of organising mass protests, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an alliance of opposition groups, raised the stakes last week and called for "huge" and "open-ended" demonstrations. Conde, 81, has neither confirmed nor denied the claim that he put forward a draft constitution last month intending to keep himself in office for a third term. The current constitution in the former French colony stipulates two presidential terms. The government on Sunday accused opposition leaders of seeking to plunge Guinea into disorder. The FNDC had called for a peaceful protest. Guinea's Security Minister Albert Damantang Camara also said on Monday that he has "the manpower, methods and capabilities" to intervene whenever necessary. 'Total paralysis' Shops and schools were shut across Conakry on Monday, an AFP journalist said, while streets were mostly empty of traffic. "The FNDC's call for resistance is being widely followed in several cities in Guinea," the opposition group said in a statement. "This has resulted in a total paralysis of the main roads, the closure of shops and businesses," it added. The FNDC also confirmed that there had been clashes in Conakry, and in the cities Boffa and N'Zerekore. Abdourahmane Sanoh, the group's spokesman, told AFP the start of the protest had been "a success". Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, January 14, 2019 Malawian authorities should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the assault of journalist Patricia Kayuni and ensure that those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 10, a group of protesters approached Kayuni, a reporter for the Roman Catholic Church-owned radio station Tuntufye FM, while she was covering a demonstration in Chitipa, in northern Malawi, and demanded that she stop taking photos, the journalist told CPJ via messaging app. When Kayuni explained that she was not taking photos, and said her phone battery was dead, some of the protesters beat her with sticks, kicked and punched her, pulled her hair, and tried to rip off her clothes, she said. One person hit her phone with a metal rod and broke it, Kayuni told CPJ. Protest organizers intervened and brought Kayuni to police officers, who then fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and brought Kayuni to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and for an asthma attack she suffered during the incident, Kayuni said. She told CPJ she has swelling over her body and has a headache from the attack. Malawian police must identify and arrest the demonstrators who beat up Patricia Kayuni and ensure that they are held accountable for assaulting an unarmed journalist who was simply doing her job, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. If they fail to do so, the police will be signaling to the perpetrators that there are no consequences when it comes to attacks against journalists. The protesters were demonstrating against the Malawi Revenue Authority, a government agency that protesters allege collected high taxes but failed to fix roads in Chitipa, according to news reports. Journalist Patricia Kayuni. (Photo by Masozi Kasambara) Masozi Kasambara, a reporter with the privately owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station, who covered the protest alongside Kayuni, told CPJ via messaging app that he took photos of blockaded roads and detained protesters, but was too afraid to take photos of the demonstrators in action, as they were too hostile. Kasambara said the group who attacked Kayuni were mostly teenagers who were armed with stones, sticks, and catapults. The protesters claimed that Kayuni was a police officer sent to photograph demonstrators, and proceeded to attack her, Kasambara said. It was emotional and violent. It happened so fast that there was no time to think, he said. Dave Msongole, a leader of the Concerned Citizens of Chitipa, a local activist group that organized the protest, similarly told CPJ via messaging app that the attackers suspected Kayuni was a police officer. He said that protest organizers attempted to protect Kayuni from the attackers. Chitipa police spokesperson Gladwell Simwaka told CPJ via messaging app that police condemned the attack and would ensure that those responsible would be brought to justice. He said no arrests had been made, but police were engaging the community to prevent such attacks in the future. CPJ has published Safety Notes with recommended techniques and methods for journalists covering civil unrest. The Greenberg Traurig family is incredibly proud to see Audrey recognized. Audrey's dedication to both the profession and her community speaks volumes about her character, integrity, and leadership, said Mary-Olga Lovett. Audrey Chang, Of Counsel in the Houston office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been selected as a 2019 National Influencer by The Business Journals. The Business Journals Influencers series is in its second year of showcasing executives in the legal field. Honorees are selected by editors and staff writers from across The Business Journals network of more than 40 publications, and have previously been featured in continuing coverage of the newsmakers. Chang was featured in the Houston Business Journals 2019 40 Under 40. Its an honor to be listed among such a talented group of attorneys, Chang said. Working at Greenberg Traurig has afforded me the opportunity to grow in the legal field, while still giving back to my community and cultivating my personal passions. The Greenberg Traurig family is incredibly proud to see Audrey recognized. Audrey's dedication to both the profession and her community speaks volumes about her character, integrity, and leadership, said Mary-Olga Lovett, Senior Vice President and Co-Regional Operating Shareholder of the firms Texas offices. Chang focuses her practice on corporate transactions, including commercial financings, oil and gas transactions, and other general transactional matters. She assists both commercial lenders and corporate clients in debt financing transactions. Additionally, Chang is experienced in representing institutional lenders in real estate construction and development loan transactions, low-income housing tax credit transactions, and corporate trusts in structured finance transactions. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig and part of its history. With more than 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2100 attorneys in 41 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com; Twitter: @GT_Law. The presidency has released the statement below about Vice President Yemi Osinbajos official trip to Kano State on Tuesday. PREMIUM TIMES reported the visit during which Mr Osinbajo commissioned road and health projects. Read the full statement by Mr Osinbajos spokesperson, Laolu Akande, below. The Federal Government will continue to implement game-changing infrastructure projects around the country to connect the nations economic zones and drive economic development, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. The Vice President further noted that most of the signature projects of the administration, including the Lagos-Kano Rail, Mambilla Hydro Plant, Second Niger Bridge, amongst others would be completed during the second term of the Buhari administration. Prof. Osinbajo stated this in Kano on Monday during a one-day working visit to the State to commission some notable infrastructural projects by the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje administration. Speaking at an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders at Government House in Kano, Vice President noted that one of our signature projects is the Lagos-Kano rail, which has gone now as far as Abeokuta, and we are hoping that we will be able to complete the Lagos-Kano rail in the shortest possible time. We expect that the infrastructure projects of the Federal Government, including the Mambilla Hydropower plant, the Second Niger Bridge and several others will be completed in our second term. We hope we are able to complete as many as possible before the end of our term. Speaking further on the position of the Federal Government in providing the necessary infrastructure to drive economic development, Prof. Osinbajo said infrastructure was central to the agenda of the Buhari administration in all sectors. There is no question at all that for President Muhammadu Buhari, infrastructure is key. Infrastructure is key to anything that we intend to do. It is key to resolving most of the pending issues that confront our country, especially the economic issues. We need to be able to connect the economic zones of Nigeria. We need to be able to connect the South, the South-South, the South-East, the South-West to the North. All the zones of this country have to be connected in order to realise the economic objectives that we set for ourselves. In a few years, as a matter of fact, in two budget circles, we invested about N2.7 trillion on capital alone, which is the highest in the history of the country despite the fact that we are earning almost 60% less than previous governments. Prof. Osinbajo also said addressing the poverty concern in the country remains one of the major issues adding that the Federal Government under President Buhari is focused and committed to reversing the situation significantly. Referring to Governor Ganduje who had spoken earlier on the same subject, the VP observed that poverty, as the governor pointed out, remains one of the major issues that confront our people. And the President again on June 12, made the declaration that it is the intention of our government to take 10 million people out of poverty every year till the next decade, that is taking 100 million people in ten years, out of poverty. Now, that may sound ambitious but I must say to you that we are extremely committed towards achieving it and we are extremely focused. This explains why it is that we launched the Social Investment Programmes. Any country of our size that does not have a social investment programme or establish a social safety net for its people will be acting irresponsibly. That is the reason why we launched the programme. READ ALSO: While commending the Kano State government for taking the lead in providing game-changing infrastructural projects and the enabling environment necessary for the economic development of the State, especially in health, education and other sectors, the Vice President assured Governor Ganduje of the Federal Governments continuous support for states that are complementing national efforts at tackling poverty, providing access to education and health, amongst others. At the ground-breaking foundation laying ceremony for the world class Cancer Treatment Centre at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Prof. Osinbajo commended the state government for taking the lead in aligning to the national cancer control plan of the Federal Government. In his remark, Governor Ganduje thanked the Vice President for the honour of visiting the State to commission the projects and announced the establishment of the special fund to cater for the needs of indigent patients desirous of treatment at the cancer treatment centre, when completed. Projects commissioned by the Vice President in the State include the Aminu Dantata flyover of over 2km, at the Murtala Muhammad Way, and the Tijjani Hashim Galadima Kano underpass way, in Kofar Ruwa. Prof. Osinbajo also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Sheikh Qariballah Nasuru Kabara flyover, in Shahuci. While in Kano, the VP visited the National Monuments and Museum in Kano with selected school children from the State, where he and the children were conducted round the monument which used to be the palace of the Emir of Kano. Advertisements Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President President Donald Trump speaks about the situation with Iran in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington on Jan. 8, 2020. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images 6 Years of Trumps Taxes on Hold After Judge Delays Ruling on House Lawsuit A district judge announced Tuesday that he would not rule on a House Ways and Means lawsuit to obtain President Donald Trumps tax returns, saying that he wants to wait for an appeals court decision related to congressional subpoenas before he renders his decision. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden in Washington, in a bulletin, wrote that this case is hereby stayed pending a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on whether former White House lawyer Don McGahn should testify to Congress as part of the impeachment effort against the president. The Trump-appointed judges announcement came after he had a phone conference with lawyers in the case, and his notice about the call in the bulletin didnt provide further details. In July, the Ways and Means Committee filed a lawsuit to order the Department of Treasury and IRS to comply with its subpoenas for six years of Trumps tax returns. The committee wrote that it filed the lawsuit to seek relief from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchins and IRS chief Charles Rettigs refusal to produce tax return information concerning President Donald J. Trump in response to the committees valid oversight requests. The Committees need for the materials requested here is evident. The committee is investigating the IRSs administration of various tax laws and policies relating to Presidential tax returns and tax law compliance by President Trump, including whether the IRSs self-imposed policy of annually auditing the returns of sitting presidents is working properly, even though it has not been updated in decades, the suit said. The Justice Department also said in a legal advisory opinion in June that the committee lacked a legitimate legislative purpose in trying to obtain Trumps tax returns. It added that Mnuchin didnt violate the law by refusing to hand them over to the Democratic-controlled House committee, Reuters reported. The Ways and Means Committees lawsuit isnt the only attempt to obtain Trumps financial records. In early December, U.S. District Court Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson rejected the Justice Departments motion to place a stay on her opinion regarding McGahn to appear before the House Judiciary Committee. This Court has no doubt that further delay of the Judiciary Committees enforcement of its valid subpoena causes grave harm to both the Committees investigation and the interests of the public more broadly, Jackson, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, wrote at the time. In November, President Trump appealed to the Supreme Court to keep his tax returns from New York prosecutors. Trump appealed to reverse a lower court order that required his accountants, Mazars USA, to turn over eight years of his tax records. We have filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Second Circuit decision regarding a subpoena issued by the New York County District Attorney, Jay Sekulow, Trumps lawyer, said in a statement at the time, according to ABC News. The Second Circuit decision is wrong and should be reversed. In our petition, we assert that the subpoena violates the U.S. Constitution and therefore is unenforceable. More than half (55%) of Australia's digital media was traded programmatically in 2019, according to Zenith's programmatic marketing forecast. The ROI agency expects that trend to continue, projecting that 69% of digital media will be programmatic next year. Programmatic spending is expected to surpass $100 billion for the first time this year. The agency projects that programmatic spending will reach $127 billion in 2020 and $147 billion in 2021. By then, 72% of digital media will be programmatic. The US and the UK have the most advanced programmatic markets, with 82% and 87% of digital media being traded programmatically in 2019. By 2021, Zenith projects that France, Denmark and Germany will have more than 80% of digital media being traded programmatically. In the US, the programmatic market reached $67 billion in 2019 and accounts for 64% of all programmatic adspend. In 2020, the US is expected to account for 56% of all new programmatic ad dollars. China is following closely behind, with $10 billion contributed in 2019. The UK contributed $7 billion this year. In China, programmatic ad spending will only account for 30% of digital media adspend, but Zenith projects that in 2021, programmatic will account for 41% of digital media adspend. That year, the agency expects spending to hit $16 billion. Although more digital media is being traded programmatically, ad spending overall is slowing due to privacy and supply-chain issues. The agency expects programmatic growth to continue in Australia in 2010, as more SEO services in Brisbane and Malborne begin offering programmatic services. But the industry will face challenges in the coming years, according to Zenith's report. "Although programmatic adspend continues to grow at double-digit rates, it is being hindered as the industry struggles with privacy and supply-chain challenges," says Jonathan Barnard, Head of Forecasting at Zenith. "Once these challenges have been addressed, programmatic marketing has the potential to accelerate again during the next decade." One of the primary challenges the industry faces is privacy concerns. Zenith says companies will need to develop technology and processes that address privacy while offering the benefits of personalization and targeting. Legislation is making more personal data unavailable, and more browsers are blocking third-party cookies. Programmatic advertising relies on the cookie for targeting, retargeting and measurement. Supply chain issues are further impeding programmatic growth. According to Zenith, the supply path is crowded by ad tech companies that provide unknown value due to lack of transparency. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The public is invited to Western Nebraska Regional Airport on Wednesday as Gov. Pete Ricketts makes his annual State of the State Fly Around to talk about the current legislative session. Ricketts will be in Scottsbluff at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 on the first day of a two-day trip that will also take him to Grand Island, North Platte, McCook and Broken Bow. The governor will outline some of his priorities for this session, Justin Pinkerman, the governors director of media relations, said. Property tax relief continues to be a high priority and also veterans tax relief. LB 153 was introduced by State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon at the governors request. If passed, it would exempt 50% of military retirement benefits from state income taxation. Weve seen a lot of other states that have fully exempted military retirement benefits, Pinkerman said. We wanted to make sure were staying competitive to keep veterans in the state. The financial impact of recovering from devastative floods that hit eastern Nebraska in March will also big topic for discussion. Last week, 16 Nebraska counties were turned down a second time for disaster relief from the federal government. State Department officials involved in US embassy security were not made aware of imminent threats to four specific US embassies, two State Department officials tell CNN, further undermining President Donald Trump's claims that the top Iranian general he ordered killed earlier this month posed an imminent threat to the diplomatic outposts. Without knowledge of any alleged threats, the State Department didn't issue warnings about specific dangers to any US embassy before the administration targeted Qasem Soleimani, Iran's second most powerful official, according to the sources. The State Department sent a global warning to all US embassies before the strike occurred, a senior State Department official said and the department spokesperson confirmed, but it was not directed at specific embassies and did not warn of an imminent attack. One senior State Department official described being "blindsided" when the administration justified the deadly Reaper drone strike on Soleimani by saying Iran's "shadow commander" was behind an imminent threat to blow up US embassies. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on claims that the State Department officials were taken by surprise. Trump claimed at an Ohio rally that Soleimani "was actively planning new attacks," then told Fox News, "I believe it probably would've been four embassies," naming Baghdad as one. Senior administration officials around the President have repeatedly pointed to danger facing US embassies in the Middle East. But State Department officials remain in the dark about the specific nature of that threat, the sources said. These officials also say the State Department did not produce the analysis that US embassies in the Middle East faced an imminent threat, the legally required threshold to justify Soleimani's killing. While security at US embassies in the region was increased in recent months, those steps weren't taken immediately ahead of the Soleimani strike and weren't the additional measures that are usually taken in an "imminent threat" situation, former State Department officials said. The agency also failed to take steps that would be typical in a situation like this, former State Department officials said, failing to issue an explicit warning to diplomats overseas or take follow-up steps to limit diplomats' movements or actively consider staff evacuations. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back in an interview on Fox News on Monday. "With respect to these claims that officials in the embassy weren't notified, that is both false and dangerous and intentionally undermining what it is this administration did to protect the amazing men and women who work at our embassies, not only our State Department officials but people from all across the United States government that work at these important diplomatic outposts," Pompeo said. However, he did not say that four specific embassies were made aware of imminent threats. Confusing explanations Since the strike, Trump administration officials have offered confusing explanations, contradicting each other about how imminent a threat the Iranian general posed, whether they had specific intelligence on the threat and even what that threat was, with Trump saying one thing, then another, while officials offered varying explanations. On Monday, Pompeo said Soleimani's killing was part of a larger strategy of deterrence, a shift from his previous rationale that the strike was to prevent an "imminent" attack. "Judging from the type and intensity of the strike, the regime certainly must now understand what we will do if they ever again pose risk to American lives," Pompeo said during a speech at Stanford's Hoover Institution. "If Iran escalates, we will end it on our terms." Responding to a question later about why Americans should trust the intelligence about the reported "imminent" threat, Pompeo said, "There was in fact a set of imminent attacks that were being plotted by Qassim Soleimani." "It was unmistakable," he said. Pompeo said the intelligence community's view was "that the risks were real and growing and that the actions that we took that day reduced that risk. It never eliminates it. But it reduced that risk." However, Pompeo, a former CIA director, told the audience that "the intelligence community makes mistakes, all the time." CNN reached out to eight embassies in the region, including Baghdad, to see if they received specific threat warnings about any plot to blow up their posts. Only two replied, stating they got the worldwide security warning that was sent to all the US embassies about a "potential escalation threat" following the death of a US contractor in a rocket attack in Iraq by Iranian proxies. 'I'm not going to discuss intelligence' On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said on CNN there was a threat against the US embassy in Baghdad, but would not go further. "I'm not going to discuss intelligence," Esper told CNN's Jake Tapper on State of the Union, and reiterated that Trump had not referenced specific intelligence when he told Fox it was "his belief" that four embassies had been targeted. Yet Esper also explicitly said on CBS that he had not seen any intelligence to back up Trump's claim about the four diplomatic outposts. "I didn't see one with regard to four embassies," Esper said when asked if there was a specific piece of evidence. Trump's National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said "very reasonable security precautions" were taken, but suggested no specific warning was given to the embassy in Baghdad. "We're not going to cut and run every time somebody threatens us," O'Brien said on Sunday when ABC asked why the Baghdad embassy was not evacuated. He emphasized military reinforcements which were moved to the region. "We are not going to have another Benghazi," he said, referring to a 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including the US ambassador. Pompeo has not said there were any threats to specific US embassies, describing the threat posed by Soleimani as one that "included attacks on US embassies." A State Department spokesperson said that every US embassy worldwide was warned of potential escalation with Iran, but this person would not say if that security warning went out before or after the Soleimani strike, saying that the dates of classified cables aren't disclosed. The spokesperson also wouldn't say if specific US embassies in the Middle East were warned they could face bombings. "The Department of State sent a worldwide security warning to every embassy alerting them of potential escalation with Iran and their proxies," a State Department spokesperson told CNN. "We followed up by calling every RSO [regional security officer] in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] and Levant to make sure they understood the gravity of the situation." The spokesperson said the department also asked the regional security officers if they needed additional diplomatic security assets, agents, or resources. One source familiar with the warning said it had gone out before Soleimani's killing. US missile strikes against facilities in Iraq and Syria tied to an Iranian-backed militia on December 29, four days before the Soleimani strike, led officials to expect some form of retaliation from Iran's proxies. Around the clock The source said the State Department was working around the clock with embassies worldwide, even calling them, to be sure that they heeded the warnings. But this source said State was not aware that four specific US embassies faced a particular threat. The fact that the State Department alert went out to "every embassy" and Trump administration officials continue to avoid referencing specific warnings to specific diplomatic outposts contributes to the mounting skepticism about Trump's assertion that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to four US embassies. Traditionally when threat information against a US diplomatic post is received, the pertinent bureaus at State -- in conjunction with other relevant agencies -- evaluate its credibility and decide how to proceed. "If it's credible, specific, cannot be thwarted and poses a threat to our people, an Emergency Action Committee is formed at post, coordinating their deliberations with main State and Diplomatic Security, specifically," explained John Kirby, a CNN contributor and former spokesperson for the State Department and the Pentagon. It would be extremely rare -- and likely only in a case where the threat is hours or minutes away -- that a threat against a US embassy picked up by another US agency would not be shared with State Department officials who oversee security. In addition to the classified security warning that went to US embassies before the Soleimani attack, another security alert was sent to US embassies the day after the strike citing "heightened tension in the Middle East that may result in security risks to U.S. citizens abroad." Embassies were encouraged to put out public messaging to warn of the potential for mounting violence in the Middle East. Three days later, on Monday, January 6th, that security alert became mandatory worldwide. Esper said on CNN that the US embassy in Iraq did know of a threat, separate from that of the militia the US struck on December 29th and protestors who stormed the embassy January 1. Yet in describing that threat he spoke only in broad terms of "threat streams" the embassy was tracking. And the movements of the US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, could also undermine administration claims about the imminent threat looming over the embassy in Baghdad. Tueller cut short his travel outside Iraq to return to the embassy in early January because of the tumult. But Tueller's early return raises questions about how imminent and dire that reported threat was, particularly as sources have told CNN the President is highly wary of facing another situation like the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran or the Benghazi tragedy. As a congressman, Pompeo was a vehement critic of the Obama administration for its handling of the Benghazi attack. He described the actions of Hillary Clinton, who was then Secretary of State, as "morally reprehensible." He criticized her for not calling leadership at the Pentagon on the night of the attack to provide resources which he claimed could have saved the four Americans. The State Department said appropriate precautions were taken to assure Tueller's safety. "We took all appropriate and prudent precautions to protect our personnel. Our brave diplomats work all over the world, some in dangerous 'high threat' posts. Ambassador Tueller is one of those diplomats. We don't abandon our missions because there are dangerous people," a State Department spokesperson said. "We do our jobs." Schools across Derry are being encouraged to throw themselves into all things mathematical as part of a special fundraising day in aid of the NSPCC. Pupils can take part using a range of curriculum-based activities, all free and provided by the charity, to liven up their lessons including Who wants to be a Mathionaire, Number Hunt or Wish Upon a Star Karen Walker, Schools Service Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland, encouraged people to take part in the event on Friday February 7. Number Day is a fantastic way to engage children with numbers and make maths more meaningful, all whilst raising money for the NSPCC," she said. Number Day has raised an incredible amount of money over the past 19 years and we are so grateful to all the schools that have got involved. I hope even more schools will join us this year to celebrate 20 years of Number Day and help protect children. Since it launched 20 years ago, 3,500 schools across Britain have taken part in fun activities for the NSPCCs maths-inspired Number Day and raised nearly 2 million in the process for the charity. Money collected so far has been used to protect children through services such as Childline and Speak out. Stay Safe, a programme where trained volunteers and staff deliver assemblies and workshops to primary schools, helping children understand the signs of abuse and neglect and who to talk to if they are worried. In the last school year (2018/19) the NSPCCs Speak out. Stay Safe Service reached 67,000 primary school children in more than 245 primary schools across the North with its Speak Out. Stay Safe workshops and assemblies. Schools can still sign up to take part in Number Day at www.nspcc.org.uk/numberday2020 Goodness gracious, Google sure is going through an awful lot of grumbling these days. From internal unrest to external detest, the start of 2020 is anything but calm for the company behind our favorite mobile operating system. But hefty as those most frequently highlighted hurdles may be, there's another looming threat that's even grander for Google to get over one that represents a serious challenge to its core business and the primary principles that allow it to thrive. I won't draw it out any longer: The threat is Amazon. While other companies have traditionally been painted as being Google's primary competition Microsoft on the productivity front, Apple or maybe even Samsung on the mobile end, and Facebook or any number of messaging apps from a social, news, and general time-spent-online perspective Amazon, above any other entity, has the power and reach to drive a spear straight into the center of Google's heart. And as 2020 gets going, that possibility seems more pressing than ever. Sound like an overly dramatic proclamation? Maybe. But when you really start to think through some of the areas where Amazon's shadow is showing up on Google's horizon, it's hard to deny there's something to it something that's bound to become even more significant as the months move on. Think through this with me, and you'll see what I mean. [Get fresh tips and insight in your inbox every Friday with JR's Android Intelligence newsletter. Exclusive extras await!] Smart assistants, fight! First: We've talked endlessly about how we've entered a post-OS era, where what operating system you're using is less consequential to a company than what digital assistant you rely on. And it's no wonder: Once you're tapped into a particular assistant ecosystem Google's Assistant, Amazon's Alexa, or whatever the case may be you tend to rely on that service for an ever-increasing amount of information seeking. For Amazon, that means you're always one step away from ordering stuff that company's ultimate currency. For Google, it's more about data and keeping you closely connected to Google services because the more Google knows about you, the more effective ads it can serve you both within those services and around the web. And boy, is the battle between those two approaches booming. Amazon is frantically working to get Alexa in every part of your life, with what appears to be a spaghetti-against-the-wall strategy of throwing everything imaginable out there speakers, clocks, headphones, eyeglasses, rings, even microwaves to see what sticks. On the smart speaker front, specifically, the company's philosophy (and perhaps also its advantage in beating Google to the market by a meaningful margin of time) appears to be paying off: In the third quarter of last year, Amazon shipped almost three times as many voice-activated speakers as Google 10.4 million compared to Google's 3.5 million according to market analysis firm Canalys. The disparity on the smart screen side of the picture is even more dramatic: According once more to Canalys, Google sold 700,000 Assistant-enabled displays during that same period while Amazon moved 2.2 million units. Ouch. And it isn't just speakers and displays we're talking about, either: With Nest and the now-Amazon-owned Ring and Google Wi-Fi and the now-Amazon-owned Eero, the companies seem to be locked in step with practically every assistant-related area they're after. Heck, even with phones, Amazon may have flopped fantastically with its attempt to create its own independent ecosystem in 2014, but it's quietly racking up Alexa customers via its Prime Exclusive Phones program which sells phones by the likes of Sony, LG, and Motorola at substantial discounts for members of its $119-a-year Prime initiative. Amazon has come up with a way to position its virtual assistant as a primary part of Android, even without having its own device in the picture The catch? The phones come with boatloads of Amazon apps preinstalled, including yup Alexa. And while some of the apps can be removed, Alexa typically cannot. In fact, lots of the phones in the Prime Exclusive lineup even ship with Alexa set up to handle hands-free commands right out of the box. Amazon has effectively come up with a way to position its virtual assistant as a primary part of the Android phone-using experience, in other words, even without having its own self-made device in the picture. That's quite a feat to pull off and goes a long way in emphasizing Alexa as the interface you turn to for finding whatever you need. And all of that is still just leading up to the two underlying areas where all of this makes the most immediate and alarming difference. Entering the advertising arena All right here's where things really start to get serious. At the end of the day, regardless of all the talk about hardware and assistants and everything else in between, Google is an advertising company. That's where the lion's share of the company's cash is generated, and it's consequently the heartbeat that keeps the Google machine running. For a long time, with all due respect to the Jeeves and other assorted yahoos of the world, Google's position as the gatekeeper to the world's information has seemed untouchable. But guess what? Amazon is little by little breaking through that barrier and on some level, at least threatening to make Google far less relevant than it is today. Consider: A forecast assembled by eMarketer suggests that Amazon will be the sole company to increase its revenue related to U.S. search advertising over the coming two years. Amazon, the organization believes, will jump up to represent nearly 16% of money earned from search-related advertising in America up from about 13% in 2019 while Google will fall from 73% in 2019 to 70.5% in 2021. Already, Amazon's ad business is believed to have grown by somewhere in the ballpark of 50% from the end of 2018 to the end of 2019, according to AdWeek, and prices for advertising on Amazon have reportedly gone up by 200% over the past couple years all while prices for advertising on Google have remained relatively constant. And if numbers aren't enough, a report in The New York Times last year truly emphasizes just how serious Amazon's advertising ambitions are getting. The company, the Times explained, has a treasure trove of data about what products we all buy and that's just the start: In addition to knowing what people buy, Amazon also knows where people live, because they provide delivery addresses, and which credit cards they use. It knows how old their children are from their baby registries, and who has a cold, right now, from cough syrup ordered for two-hour delivery. And the company has been expanding a self-service option for ad agencies and brands to take advantage of its data on shoppers. All of that means Amazon can show ads to incredibly specific subsets of people categories that include, according to the Times, people who have bought acne treatments in the past month, people who live in households with children ages four to six, and people who have recently streamed fitness and exercise videos on Amazon. And when you consider that Amazon's ads appear in an environment where those same people are actively seeking to make purchases, well, you can see why this might be worrisome to a company like Google (and might also be why Google has been trying for ages to grow its own Amazon alternative an effort that's apparently easier said than done). And then there's the biggest, most existential threat of all. Google it or Alexa it? For years, Google has basically been synonymous with search. (Seriously. Go Bing it.) But with all of Amazon's aforementioned intrusions, there's a very real risk now that Alexa, not Google, could become the de facto search system of the future. It seems pretty apparent that Amazon's aim is to make that happen to get you in the habit of thinking about Alexa anytime you have a question or command, no matter where you are or what you're doing. That'd serve Amazon's interests in all the areas we just finished discussing, and it'd also render Google irrelevant in the fields most important to its ongoing success. Amazon is focusing on the non-traditional search of the future and training countless people to turn to it before Google I mean, think about it: If Alexa is available wherever you go and you learn to rely on it for answers to everything, what role does Google serve? Sure, you might still use apps like Gmail and Google Docs, but those sorts of services don't help Google understand who you are and what your interests are the type of understanding that enables effective advertising. Look at your own Google advertising profile. If you click through the qualities Google knows about you (or thinks it knows about you, anyway), you'll likely see that the vast majority of the info is derived from some form of search. Amazon may not have built its own traditional search engine, but it's effectively found a way to get around the very need for that by focusing on the non-traditional search of the future voice interaction and training countless people to turn to it before Google. And at the end of the day, if you don't search through Google in some manner or another, you don't exist to Google in any measurable way. Now, all things in perspective: Google's nowhere near becoming a cooked goose. By most counts, the company is thriving or at least doing reasonably well. But we all know that trends matter and if I were Google, good golly, this is one trend I'd be watching and working to correct as if my life depended on it. Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get more practical tips, personal recommendations, and plain-English perspective on the news that matters. [Android Intelligence videos at Computerworld] Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday threatened to resign when the seer of Panchamasali Guru Peetha warned that the community will leave him, if a BJP MLA from the community is not made the minister during the upcoming cabinet expansion. The chief minister, who is awaiting the BJP high commands nod to expand his cabinet, amid intense lobbying by the aspirants, wanted the seer Vachanananda swamiji and the Panchamasali community to understand his situation. Yediyurappa pointed out that he has come to power because of the Congress-JD(S) legislators who rebelled against the then coalition government. The incident took place when Vachanananda swamiji, while addressing an event at Harihara, near Bengaluru, said chief minister, you are a good person, Murugesh Nirani (BJP MLA)has helped you a lot, he has stood by you..if you leave his hands this time, the united Panchamasali community will leave your hands. Also Read: Karnataka Bypolls: BJP Bags 12 Of 15 Seats, Top Congress Leaders Quit After Defeat As the swamiji was making this statement, Yediyurappa, who was seated next to him, rose and threatened to leave the stage. If you speak like this I will go away...what are you speaking...kindly pardon me, I will leave, you should not speak like this, if you speak like this I cant work..you can give me suggestions, you cannot threaten me, he said, as the swamiji tried to convince Yediyurappa and asked him to take his seat. As Yediyurappa acceded to his request, the seer said he was not threatening him but was putting forward the rights of the community. The chief minister, who was visibly upset, was seen talking to Home minister Basavaraj Bommai next to him, who even tried to convince the seer not to continue with the topic. Nirani, a MLA from Bilgi who was Industries minister in the previous Yediyurappa government, was seated on the stage when the incident occurred. Later addressing the event, Yediyurappa said he was not selfish and was even ready to resign. Vachanananda swamiji has spoken, through you I request him to understand my situation also. Also Read: After Mangaluru Violence, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa Appeals To People To Stay Off 'Vested Interests' If 17 legislators (Congress-JDS), few even as ministers, had not resigned and stayed away, Yediyurappa could not have occupied this Chief Minister position. You (swamiji) need not make people raise their hands on any demand, if you tell me, Im ready to listen to you, he said. Stating that he was ready to take suggestions from the swamiji on all issues, including on how to run the administration for the next 3 years, Yediyurappa said Im ready to bow my head and listen to it, if you dont want Im even ready to resign and go home, Im not someone who wants to stick to the chair. Further noting that if he says that the financial condition of the state is not good it will become headline in papers tomorrow, he said he will have to wait till March for the situation to improve. I dont have selfishness, Im aware that if the Panchamasali-Lingayat community had not stood by me, I could have not sat on this chair (CM)... but kindly understand my situation also, he added. Yediyurappa is expected to expand his ministry later this month after discussing with BJP national president Amit Shah during his visit to the state on January 18. As the chief minister has already made it clear that 11 of the disqualified JDS-Congress MLAs who got re-elected in the bypolls on BJP tickets will be made ministers, lobbying has been on within the party for the remaining ministerial berths. Currently there are 18 Ministers, including the chief minister in the cabinet that has a sanctioned strength of 34. The cabinet expansion will not be an easy task for the chief minister as he will have to strike a balance by accommodating the victorious disqualified legislators as promised and also make place for the old guard, upset at being neglected in the first round of the induction exercise. He also has to give adequate representation to various castes and regions in his cabinet and also deal with allocation of key portfolios. For all the Latest India News, South News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. When footage of an inferno engulfing Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris flashed across our news feeds on April 15, 2019, the world collectively gasped. What would Paris be without this iconic cathedral to anchor it? One day later, the fire barely extinguished, $300 million was pledged to restore the nearly devastated 800-plus-year-old building. Before the end of the week, donation pledges had reached $1 billion and counting. People voted with their wallets: Sacred space matters. Notre Dame Cathedral notwithstanding, its unlikely that well see churches attempt to recreate the physical spaces of the past. 1. Using Big Data to Drive Design Massive amounts of personal datafrom facial recognition to detailed shopping historyis driving the marketplace. While many have raised concerns about how big data may be infringing on our privacy or transforming our democracy, some churches say theres also ministry use in large amounts of aggregated data. Some are ... You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe to Christianity Today magazine. Subscribers have full digital access to CT Pastors articles. 1 The diary of a Belfast RAF man has given a vivid insight into the D-Day landings in Normandy 75 years ago. Henry Odell McNeice, from Ballarat Street in east Belfast, was a navigator on board a bomber at the time and had a bird's-eye view of the massive Allied invasion fleet heading to France. While flying back from a mission close to Normandy beach early on June 6, 1944, he wrote: "This is it. Invasion started and saw it by dawn's early light as we were on way back. "Dodged below clouds to avoid fighter and there were thousands of ships heading for France. "Never forget as long as I live. First to land with the news." Read More A further entry talks of a "nightmare trip" of a short notice mission. "Put on at last minute because another crew was sick. Not even in our own kite," he wrote. "Fighters galore. Combats, attacks, kites going down. "Never expected to get back. "FW190 nearly got us. ME21 preparing to attack. Tich shot him down. Makes three fighters to his credit. "Glory be to God for having two feet on deck again." Mr McNeice, who died aged 79 in 2000, later recalled he was to receive a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), but said: "Personally I'd prefer a rise in pay!" His diary also recalled his wedding that year to Popsy - a member of the Women's RAF who helped to repair aircraft - at St Paul's Church in Castlewellan. "Best day's work I've done. Should have done it years ago or at least soon after I met Popsy," he said. As 300 D-Day veterans marked the 75th anniversary yesterday in Portsmouth, Mr McNeice's sons William (73) and Mike (69) spoke of their immense pride. William said: "I was stunned when I read this, because it was only shortly after he retired that he would have talked about it. "When I was a boy I brought home war comics, but he told me, 'war's not funny'. "He eventually told me stories about having to stick chewing gum into bullet holes in the aircraft. "They would be playing cricket and told suddenly they were going off to bomb Berlin or Frankfurt, but after his mission he would come back and find an empty bed where his mates had been. "So you realise just how heroic he and his friends were." Mike added the thought of his father flying over the Normandy invasion was a haunting image. "It sends shivers down the spine," he said. "In personal terms, it means a lot that my late father played a role in the success, if you want to use that word, of that time." The Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken, a former submarine commander, also spoke yesterday about a surprise family connection to the Normandy landings. Benjamin Branche Talley was Brigadier General for the United States Army, who was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross after fighting at Omaha Beach and later Okinawa. "We knew that one of our relatives on the US side had been in the Army but didn't realise his history," Mr Aiken said. "It turns out he was one of the few people who knew how to do beach landings. "He was a colonel in charge of planning for Operation Overlord, but was also put on to the beaches to take down a lot of the obstacles on Omaha beach, all while under sustained fire. "So it's pretty impressive and we didn't know about it until two days ago. "I was pleasantly surprised and shocked and just a bit proud." In 2016, D-Day veterans from Northern Ireland were awarded France's highest military honour at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at the time, Samuel McGookin, an able seaman in the Royal Navy, recalled the moment he landed on Juno Beach. "I was on a landing craft... we were full of tanks and ammunition and lorries and about 500 troops," he said. "Our ship just rolled up on to the beach, the doors opened and the ramp came down and then we were on the beach. "What was it like? "It was just b***** murder. "I look back on it with pride, getting this medal and being able to help those people. "That's what you're there for, it's a job." George Thompson was part of a commando unit which landed on Sword Beach. "Of the 129 commandos in my unit, there were only four left after D-Day," he said at the time. "I landed on the beach when I was 17 and had my 18th birthday on the beach. "Only four survived. "I think I'm the only one left." On March 13, 2019, the SEC charged Dalmy for concealing from transfer agents and brokerage firms her involvement in preparing legal opinion letters concerning the sale of certain microcap securities. According to the SEC's complaint, Dalmy had been placed on the prohibited attorneys list maintained by OTC Markets Group, Inc., which owns and operates the largest U.S. electronic quotation and trading system for microcap securities. To evade this prohibition, Dalmy allegedly recruited Michael J. Woodford, a retired divorce lawyer, to sign legal opinion letters drafted by Dalmy. Without performing due diligence or conducting any legal analysis, Woodford provided the opinion letters to transfer agents and brokerage firms. On June 28, 2019 the SEC charged Woodford for his role in the scheme. The court entered a final judgment against Dalmy by default. Dalmy was previously ordered to comply with the SEC's September 2016 order permanently suspending her from appearing and practicing before the SEC as an attorney. Woodford consented to the entry of a final judgment against him. The final judgments, which were both entered on December 6, 2019, enjoin Dalmy and Woodford from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and impose penny stock bars. The judgment against Dalmy orders her to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest of $30,236, and prohibits her from providing legal services pertaining to federal securities law exemptions from registration. She is also required to provide clients or potential clients seeking advice or representation in matters related to the federal securities laws with copies of the SEC's and the court's prior orders against her. The judgment against Woodford orders him to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest of $29,762, but waives payment based on his financial condition. The SEC's case was handled by J. Lauchlan Wash, Josh Grinspoon, Frank Huntington, and Amy Gwiazda of the SEC's Boston Regional Office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For further information, see Litigation Releases LR-24421 and LR-24523. Preparations started on Tuesday for the installation of an idol of a goddess made of 2,100 kg of clarified butter in a famous Hindu temple in this town of Himachal Pradesh, officials said. The idol of Goddess Bajreshwari Devi, being prepared by using desi ghee after purification with holy water 101 times by temple priests, will be open for the public on early Wednesday, temple official Apoorv Sharma told IANS. One of the busiest shrines in North India, the Bajreshwari Devi temple sees a large number of pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Sharma said the idol would be removed from the pindi or iconography of the goddess on January 20 and its prasad would be distributed. It is believed the idol butter cures chronic skin ailments and joint pain. According to a legend, when the goddess was injured during a fight with demons, her wounds were treated with butter by gods on Makar Sankranti, a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of the country. Every year, the preparations for installing the butter idol begin on Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated as a week-long festival at the temple. India has extended its support to establish a film city in Bangladesh and also have technical exchange between the National Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. New Delhi: India is set to help Bangladesh in field of films. The two nations have decided to co-produce film on Bangladesh founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and construct a film city in Bangladesh. An MoU to this effect was signed today. The film is set to be directed by eminent Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, that will be released as part of birth centenary celebrations of Bangladesh founder. The agreement was signed in the presence of union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and his Bangladeshi counterpart Hasan Mahmud. Javadekar said the funds required for the film have already been allocated by the Indian government. India has extended its support to establish a film city in Bangladesh and also have technical exchange between the National Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. Both sides also agreed to scale up joint production and exchange of airtime between Prasar Bharati and Bangladeshs radio Betar. With Tuesdays launch, content from Akashvani Maitree service has started airing in Dhaka and reciprocally content from Bangladesh Radio Betar has started airing on All India Radio in Kolkata. Akashwani and Betars cooperation dates back and we will add more dimension to it. Today Maitree is already running for 16 hours and therefore this exchange was necessary, Javadekar said. Happy to inform that a formal MoU for co-production of a film on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inked today. The film, to be directed by eminent director/producer Shri Shyam Benegal, will be completed on time and released as part of centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu, he said in tweet. The two ministers agreed to promote further bilateral relationships between the countries in Information and Broadcasting sector. Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina are two leaders who are also great friends and work together for prosperity (of the two countries), Javadekar said. Hasan Mahmud later told reporters that more joint production projects should be taken up between Bangladesh and India. Sen. Rand Paul is threatening to call Hunter Biden as an impeachment witness if Democrats persevere and have witnesses testify at President Trump's Senate trial. 'My colleagues can't have it both ways. Calling for some, while blocking others,' Paul tweeted Monday night. 'If we are going to give a platform to witnesses the Dems demand, I look forward to forcing votes to call Hunter Biden and many more!' In the tweet, Paul linked to a Politico story that quotes him warning his colleagues that opening up the door to witnesses means witnesses President Trump wants too. Sen. Rand Paul threatened to call Hunter Biden to testify in front of the Senate as the body decides whether President Trump should be removed from office Sen. Rand Paul sent out a tweet Monday night saying he would call Hunter Biden as a witness to President Trump's Senate impeachment trial Hunter Biden's (left) work for the Ukrainian energy company Burisma has been used by President Trump to suggest both he and former Vice President Joe Biden (right), a top 2020 rival, are corrupt President Trump's Senate impeachment trial is expected to start in a week, the same day he'll deliver remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland 'Don't think you can just vote for [former National Security Advisor John] Bolton and not the witnesses Trump wants,' Paul said during a party lunch last week, Politico said. At the center of Trump's impeachment is whether he held up $400 million in military aid to Ukraine to pressure the country's new president to announce investigations into Joe and Hunter Biden. Joe Biden, the former vice president, is one of Trump's top 2020 Democratic rivals. Hunter Biden was on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Trump continues to suggest what Hunter Biden did was corrupt, telling supporters at his rallies that the former vice president's son had zero experience in the energy sector yet made tens of thousands of dollars. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he expects Trump's impeachment trial to start in a week, as the Senate is out for Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Trump is due to appear that day in Davos, Switzerland, making a speech at the World Economic Forum. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will call a vote in the House Wednesday to move the two articles passed by her chamber last month over to the Senate. Pelosi had delayed handing over the articles in an effort to push the GOP-led Senate to call witnesses during Trump's Senate trial. Bolton is one witness Democrats would like to see, though Trump has said he'd try to invoke executive privilege to stop his former aide from testifying. Democrats also want to call acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, among others. McConnell announced last week that he had the votes to bypass witnesses when the initial rules of the trial get a vote. But several members of the GOP caucus have said they'd green-light witnesses as the trial goes on. 'I'm not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments,' said Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican, but one who's feuded with the president in the past. 'But I presume I'll be voting for that after.' Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who's up for re-election, played her usual role as a key swing vote, saying she'd allow witnesses to be called as well. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee, said he might also vote to hear witnesses. 'I might not. Or I might,' Alexandar said. 'My view is we should hear the case, ask our questions and then have a vote on whether we need to hear additional witnesses or call for additional documents,' he added. 'It's important to have a vote on whether we have witnesses or not.' Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said had police officer Davinder Singh been 'Davinder Khan', the reaction of the 'troll regiment of the RSS' would have been different New Delhi: Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said had police officer Davinder Singh been "Davinder Khan", the reaction of the "troll regiment of the RSS" would have been different. Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan ,the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion. (1/3) Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. "Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed and religion," Chowdhury said on Twitter. The Congress leader also said now, the question will arise who were the real culprits behind the Pulwama attack. The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us,we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish, (2/3)#DavindarSingh Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 14, 2020 The terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead on 14 February last year. "The chink in the armour is exposed in the Valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he said. "Now, question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," Chowdhury said. Todays Wall Street Journal carries an unsigned editorial (Im sure by Kim Strassel) under the headline Another FISA fiasco. The editorial covers the same ground and arrives at the same destination as my previous posts on the FISA courts appointment of one David Kris to serve as amicus curiae in the wake of the Department of Justice Inspector General report and the Department of Justices pathetic response thereto. The editorial observes: Say youre a secret federal court that signed off on wiretaps of a Trump campaign official based on Russian disinformation financed by the Clinton campaign and midwifed through anti-Trump partisans at the FBI. The court did nothing about this deception for three years despite accumulating evidence presented to it. Once this is all publicly exposed, would your response be to hire a former Obama official and media apologist for the FBI to restore the courts credibility? Yet that is exactly what the FISA court has done in appointing David Kris to review changes proposed by the FBI to the courts surveillance application process. Mr. Kris criticized the Bush Administrations warrantless wiretaps on suspected terrorists in 2006 and later worked in the Obama Justice Department. Then he defended the FBIs unjustified 2016 surveillance of Trump adviser Carter Page. At the Lawfare blog on March 1, 2018, Mr. Kris attacked as dishonest the memo produced by Devin Nuness House Intelligence Committee Republicans reporting that the FBI had misled the FISA court about the Christopher Steele dossier. That was the James Comey-Adam Schiff party line at the time. Inspector General Michael Horowitz has since confirmed that Mr. Nunes was right and the FBI had deceived the court. Mr. Kris contributed to public confusion by lending his supposed authority as a legal intelligence expert to justify the FBIs actions. Mr. Nunes, President Trump and others have criticized Mr. Kriss appointment, which proves our point. If the courts goal is to restore its public standing, the last person to appoint is someone who apologized for the very abuses he is now supposed to fix and will have no credibility with half the country. Federal Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee for the District of Columbia, became presiding FISA judge on Jan. 1. That he would act in such an obtuse fashion is another argument for the FISA courts abolition. Sydney's controversial lockout laws have come to an end, five years after they were first introduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence. The laws, which were introduced in 2014 after the deaths of one-punch victims Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, were rolled back on Tuesday everywhere except for former hotspot Kings Cross. For the first time since 2014, Sydneysiders could enter CBD venues after 1.30am on Tuesday and order drinks until 3.30am. A NSW Police spokeswoman on Tuesday confirmed the first night was incident-free and 'nothing happened' in the CBD. The red highlighted area will have lockout laws relaxed, while they will remain in place for Kings Cross For the first time since 2014, Sydneysiders could enter CBD venues after 1.30am on Tuesday and order drinks until 3.30am NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said the decision to repeal the lockout laws in mid-January was made to give venue owners time to plan for the new regulations. 'There's been a cultural shift in the city's nightlife since 2014 and it's time to look towards a bright, safe, diverse Sydney after dark,' Mr Ayres said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Sydney is Australia's only truly global city and can evolve to embrace an economy which is cranking around the clock.' NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in November announced the changes which also remove restrictions on serving cocktails, shots and drinks in glasses after midnight, and scrap the 10pm curfew on bottle shops. The last drinks curfew has been extended by 30 minutes to 3.30am - at extension which goes against the 3am curfew recommended by doctors. Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes warned the Berejiklian government had re-opened the 'floodgates on Sydney's rivers of grog'. 'Alcohol causes more harm to more Australians than any other drug,' he said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Without any doubt, there will be more people assaulted, more people hurt, and more lives damaged by winding back these sensible restrictions on the supply of alcohol at night.' Pictured: Revellers in front of the Coca-Cola billboard in Sydney's Kings Cross The laws, which were introduced in 2014 after the deaths of one-punch victims Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, will be rolled back everywhere except for former hotspot Kings Cross (pictured in 2012) Night Time Industries Association chair Michael Rodrigues said it was a 'turning point' for the city to get it back on track. 'It's fantastic, the city will entertain locals and visitors in a diverse and inclusive nightlife without being rushed around venues closing early,' he said in a statement on Monday. 'It's the beginning of Sydney getting its mojo back.' Lord Mayor Clover Moore declared: 'Sydney is open again.' 'We know the lockout laws were an overreaction when what we needed was 24-hour public transport and a stronger liquor licensing system to support well-run venues, penalise rogue ones, and spread venues out across the city,' she said in a statement. Ms Berejiklian on Monday announced the city would be reopened. Authorities chose the mid-week date to help businesses ease into the new hours of operation. There will be a 'visible police presence' on the streets of Sydney in the coming weeks as businesses and patrons adjust to the reversal of the lock out laws. Sydney's nightlife suffered a huge blow after the lockout laws were introduced, costing the economy an estimated $16billion annually The Premier hopes the decision will inject money into the struggling city - where an annual loss of about $16billion has been reported since the laws were introduced in 2014, leading to mass venue closures. 'While the extended trading hours will provide a boost for the night-time economy, community safety will always be a focus,' Ms Berejiklian said. She said the aim was 'to ensure Sydney has a thriving, safe and diverse night-life that can be enjoyed by all'. The new laws mean venues will be able to serve drinks until 3.30am, and other clubs with good standing will be able to extend final drinks by half an hour. Alcohol shops will also benefit from the relaxed laws, and will be able to operate until midnight every day other than Sunday, where they'll need to close by 11pm. Ms Berejiklian previously said that the lockout laws made Sydney safer but it was now time to encourage the city's 24-hour economy. 'Sydney has transformed dramatically over recent years, and we need to ensure we have a strong and vibrant night-time economy that reflects our position as Australia's only truly global city', she said. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday announced the city would be reopened - but Kings Cross will still operate under restricted hours Sydney venues welcomed the changes including the Oxford Art Factory which said it will work to ensure the changes keep Sydneysiders safe. 'January 14 is a day in history when we, as providers of all things music and culture, are able to come back to some semblance of how we used to operate successfully five years ago,' OAF chief executive Mark Gerber said in a statement. Sydney was once famous for its bustling and vibrant nightlife until strict lockout laws were enforced in the CBD in 2014. The crackdown brought the lively night-time economy to an abrupt halt and forced almost 200 licensed venues to close their doors. The lockout laws were introduced by the NSW Government five years ago with the aim to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence following the fatal one punch attack on teenager Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross in 2012. His killer Kieran Loveridge was sentenced to a minimum 10 years in prison. Daniel Christie was also killed in an another one punch attack in Kings Cross while celebrating New Years Eve shortly before the laws were enforced in February 2014. Under lockout laws, nightclubs and bars in the city, Kings Cross and Darlinghurst areas were required to deny entry to punters after 1.30am and stop serving alcohol at 3am. Kolkata: The Centre is promoting water tourism by undertaking riverfront development and setting a target of increasing the number of cruise ships in the country to 1,000, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. "Central government is promoting cruise-based tourism. We have set a target to raise the number of cruise ships to 1,000 from the around 150 in the country now," Modi said, inaugurating the sesquicentenary celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust at the Netaji Indoor stadium here. He said the government was also creating the needed infrastructure for aquariums, water parks, sea museums and cruises in cities and clusters connected to ports as part of its riverfront development programme. "Tourism in West Bengal will get a boost from the riverfront development scheme. When comfortable facilities are created over 32 acres land for viewing the Ganges, the toursts will benefit," he said, The Prime Minister also said the benefits of expanding cruise tourism will also go to the people of Bengal and the island dwellers in the Bay of Bengal. Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group" "PTM" or the "Company") reports the Company's financial results for the three months ended November 30, 2019 and provides a summary of recent events and outlook. The Company is focused on advancing the palladium dominant Waterberg Project located on the North Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa (the "Waterberg Project"). An independent Definitive Feasibility Study for the Waterberg Project (the "Waterberg DFS") was published on September 24, 2019 and was unanimously approved by the shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Limited ("Waterberg JV Co.") on December 5, 2019. The Waterberg DFS concludes that the Waterberg Project will be one of the largest and potentially lowest cash cost underground PGM mines globally. The Waterberg DFS projects a fully mechanised, shallow, decline access palladium, platinum, gold and rhodium ("4E") mine at an annual production rate of 420,000 4E ounces and a 45 year mine life. The Waterberg DFS was managed by Waterberg JV Co. representing the joint venture owners, being Platinum Group, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ("Implats"), Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ("JOGMEC"), Hanwa Co. Ltd. and Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. For details of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended November 30, 2019 (the "Financial Statements") and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended November 30, 2019 please see the Company's filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Company's website at www.platinumgroupmetals.net. Shareholders may receive a hard copy of the complete Financial Statements from the Company free of charge upon request. All amounts herein are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise specified. The Company holds cash in Canadian dollars, United States dollars and South African Rand. Changes in exchange rates may create variances in the cash holdings or results reported. Recent Events On December 19, 2019 the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,225,807 common shares at price of $1.24 each for gross proceeds of $4.0 million. Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited ("HCI"), an existing major shareholder of the Company, subscribed for 1,612,931 common shares through Deepkloof Limited ("Deepkloof"), a wholly owned subsidiary of HCI, increasing HCI's effective ownership percentage in the Company to approximately 31.67%. On December 5, 2019 the shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. formally approved the Waterberg DFS. Within 90 business days of this approval Implats may elect to exercise a purchase and development option (the "Purchase and Development Option") to increase its stake in Waterberg JV Co. from 15% to 50.01% by purchasing an additional 12.195% equity interest from JOGMEC for $34.8 million and earning a further 22.815% interest by making a firm commitment to an expenditure of $130.0 million in development work. Implats made a strategic investment of $30.0 million in November 2017 to purchase an initial 15% stake in the project. On September 24, 2019 the Company published the results of the Waterberg DFS. The associated technical report entitled "Independent Technical Report, Waterberg Project Definitive Feasibility Study and Mineral Resource Update, Bushveld Complex, South Africa" dated October 4, 2019 was SEDAR filed on October 7, 2019. Key findings of the Waterberg DFS include: Annual Steady State production rate of 420,000 4E ounces. Estimated mine life of 45 years on current reserves. The planned production rate is by careful design in order to reduce capital costs and simplify construction and ramp-up. After-tax Net Present Value ("NPV") of $982 million, at an 8% real discount rate, using spot metal prices as at September 4, 2019 (Incl. $1,546 Pd/oz) ("Spot Prices"). After-tax NPV of $333 million, at an 8% real discount rate, using three-year trailing average metal prices up until September 4, 2019 (Incl. $1,055 Pd/oz) ("Three Year Trailing Prices"). After-tax Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 20.7% at Spot Prices and 13.3% at Three Year Trailing Prices. Peak project funding estimated at $617 million. On site life of mine average cash cost (inclusive of by-product credits and smelter discounts) for the spot price scenario equates to $640 per 4E ounce. Updated measured and indicated mineral resources[1] of 242.4 million tonnes at 3.38g/t 4E for 26.4 million 4E ounces (using 2.5 g/t 4E cut-off) and the deposit remains open on strike to the north and below a depth cut-off of 1,250-meters. Proven and probable mineral reserves[2] of 187.5 million tonnes at 3.24 g/t 4E for 19.5 million 4E ounces (using 2.5 g/t 4E cut-off), a significant increase from the Waterberg Project's 2016 Pre-Feasibility Study. On August 21, 2019 the Company closed a public offering of securities on a bought deal basis in the United States of 8,326,957 common shares of the Company at a price of $1.25 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $10.41 million. On August 21, 2019 the Company also completed or executed, as the case may be: A new credit agreement with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP (" Sprott ") for a $20.0 million senior secured credit facility (the " 2019 Sprott Facility ") maturing August 21, 2021, bearing interest at 11.00% per annum and which may be extended for a further year at the option of the Company. ") for a $20.0 million senior secured credit facility (the " ") maturing August 21, 2021, bearing interest at 11.00% per annum and which may be extended for a further year at the option of the Company. A subscription by Deepkloof, on a private placement basis, for 6,940,000 common shares of the Company (" Common Shares ") at a price of $1.32 per share for aggregate gross proceeds $9,160,800. ") at a price of $1.32 per share for aggregate gross proceeds $9,160,800. A subscription by Liberty Metals & Mining, LLC (" LMM "), on a private placement basis, for 7,575,758 Common Shares at a price of $1.32 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10.0 million; and "), on a private placement basis, for 7,575,758 Common Shares at a price of $1.32 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10.0 million; and A payout agreement with respect to the full settlement of a $43.0 million secured loan facility due to LMM. [1] Measured 58.5 million tonnes at 3.42 g/t 4E and Indicated 183.9 million tonnes at 3.37 g/t 4E [2] Proven 48.3 million tonnes at 3.28 g/t 4E and Probable 139.2 million tonnes at 3.22 g/t 4E , Platinum Group, together with an affiliate of Anglo American Platinum Limited (''), launched a new venture through a jointly owned company, Lion Batteries Technologies Inc. ('') to accelerate the development of next generation battery technology using platinum and palladium. Results For The Three Months Ended November 30, 2019 The Company took significant steps to cut costs and reduce debt during calendar 2019. During the three months ended November 30, 2019, the Company realized a net gain of $0.55 million (November 30, 2018 - net loss of $5.64 million). General and administrative expenses during the period were $1.05 million (November 30, 2018 - $1.33 million), gains on foreign exchange were negligible at $7.0 thousand (November 30, 2018 - $1.20 million loss) primarily due to variance in the value of the United States Dollar relative to the parent company's functional currency of the Canadian Dollar, while stock based compensation expense, a non-cash item, totalled $0.24 million (November 30, 2018 - $0.02 million). Interest costs of $1.35 million were lower in the current period (November 30, 2018 - $2.47 million) due to lower debt levels. A gain on fair value of financial instruments of $3.13 million was recognized in the current period (November 30, 2018 - $2.27 million loss) due predominantly to a decrease in the value of unexercised $1.70 common share purchase warrants that expired on November 22, 2019. At November 30, 2019 finance income consisting of interest earned and property rental fees amounted to $0.06 million (November 30, 2018 - $0.3 million). The basic and diluted gain per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 totalled $0.01 as compared to a loss of $0.19 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Accounts receivable at November 30, 2019 totalled $0.29 million (November 30, 2018 - $0.24 million) while accounts payable and accrued liabilities amounted to $1.55 million (November 30, 2018 - $4.20 million). Accounts receivable were comprised of mainly of amounts receivable for value added taxes repayable to the Company in South Africa. Accounts payable consisted primarily of engineering fees, accrued professional fees and regular trade payables. Total expenditures on the Waterberg Project, before partner reimbursements, for three months ended November 30, 2019 were approximately $1.0 million (November 30, 2018 - $3.0 million). At period end, $39.2 million in accumulated net costs had been capitalized to the Waterberg Project. Total expenditures on the property since inception to November 30, 2019 are approximately $71.2 million. For more information on mineral properties, see Note 3 of the Financial Statements. Outlook The Company achieved several important business objectives during the past calendar year, including the repayment of a significant portion of the Company's secured debt and the completion and approval of the Waterberg DFS. The positive results of the Waterberg DFS provide a solid base for the assessment of value for the Waterberg Project in 2020. Subsequent to Waterberg JV Co. shareholders approving the Waterberg DFS on December 5, 2019, Implats may elect to exercise their Purchase and Development Option within 90 business days. The Waterberg DFS project schedule anticipates the grant of a mining right and the start of project engineering in calendar Q1 2020. The Company's key business objective is to advance the palladium dominant Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision. An interim implementation budget of Rand 22.9 million (approximately $1.6 million at November 30, 2019) was approved by Waterberg JV Co. at a meeting of its Board of Directors on September 3, 2019. At present, the Company continues to work on advancing project permitting, infrastructure servitudes and community relationships with its joint venture partners through a technical committee of Waterberg JV Co. Concentrate offtake negotiations with Implats are currently in process, along with other offtake possibilities being considered, subject to Implats' right to match. The spot metal basket price per 4E ounce for the Waterberg Project has increased by an aggregate of approximately 25% since spot prices for the DFS were measured on September 4, 2019. The market outlook for strong palladium demand and the potential for continued palladium supply deficits indicates a bright future for Waterberg's dominant metal. As well as the discussions within this press release, the reader is encouraged to also see the Company's disclosure made under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2019 annual Form 20-F, which was also filed as the Company's AIF in Canada. Qualified Person R. Michael Jones, P.Eng., the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and a shareholder of the Company, is a non-independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is responsible for preparing the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. He has verified the data by reviewing the detailed information of the geological and engineering staff and independent qualified person reports as well as visiting the Waterberg Project site regularly. About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and Waterberg Project Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Implats, JOGMEC, Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. and Hanwa Co. Ltd. On behalf of the Board of Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Frank R. Hallam CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director For further information contact: R. Michael Jones, President or Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450 www.platinumgroupmetals.net Disclosure The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the statement that the Waterberg Project would be a fully mechanized, shallow, decline access 4E mine and one of the largest and lowest cost palladium mines in the world, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and other projections contained in the DFS, and statements regarding the potential exercise by Implats of the Purchase and Development Option, financing and mine development at the Waterberg Project, grant of the mine right application, future market outlook for palladium, potential for continued palladium supply deficit, advancement of other objectives and future milestones, and the successful development of next generation battery technology. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise sufficient additional capital to make payment on its indebtedness, and to comply with the terms of such indebtedness; additional financing requirements; the 2019 Sprott Facility is, and any new indebtedness may be, secured and the Company has pledged its shares of Platinum Group Metals (RSA) Proprietary Limited ("PTM RSA"), and PTM RSA has pledged its shares of Waterberg JV Co. to Sprott, under the 2019 Sprott Facility, which potentially could result in the loss of the Company's interest in PTM RSA and the Waterberg Project in the event of a default under the 2019 Sprott Facility or any new secured indebtedness; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; Implats may not exercise their Purchase and Development Option; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd.; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 20-F annual report, annual information form and other filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. 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. From the American Revolution to the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the history of the United States has been characterized by deep and sharp ideological divisions over such issues as slavery, abortion and civil rights. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion From the American Revolution to the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the history of the United States has been characterized by deep and sharp ideological divisions over such issues as slavery, abortion and civil rights. These bitter fights have pitted revolutionaries against Loyalists; North against South during the Civil War; pro-choice against anti-abortion; and Fox-viewing "Trumpers" vs. "Never Trumpers" and other rational-thinking Americans. The Associated Pressm Files Chicago mobster Al Capone was an active and highly successful participant in the illegal sales of liquor during Prohibition. A hundred years ago, the great conflict was between the "wets," who supported the drinking of liquor, beer and wine, and the "drys," who regarded alcohol abuse as the greatest threat to mankind. The drys won this battle and, starting in mid-January 1920, the U.S imposed prohibition of alcohol. But it was a failure from the start. Congress had ratified the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, imposing national prohibition, two years earlier. People could drink in their own homes and doctors could prescribe medicinal liquor, as in Canada, but all saloons, nightclubs and hotel bars were to shut down. The states were given seven years to ratify the amendment, but few took more than a couple of months to do that. By early 1919, 45 states had voted in support of the amendment (in the end, only Connecticut and Rhode Island did not ratify it). In May 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act, named after one of its authors, Minnesota Republican congressman Andrew Volstead, to enforce the act. President Woodrow Wilson, then suffering the effects of a debilitating stroke, and no supporter of the temperance movement, vetoed the Volstead Act at the end of October. Congress immediately overrode his veto. Prohibition thus officially began on Jan. 16, 1920. Drys everywhere proclaimed a tremendous victory against the evil forces of liquor, the defeated German foe in the First World War and the looming Communist threat from Russia. "Let the church bells ring and let there be great rejoicing," announced the Womens Christian Temperance Union at a gathering at in Hampstead, Long Island, "for an enemy the equal of Prussianism (Germany) in frightfulness has been overthrown and victory crowns the efforts of the forces of righteousness. Let us see that no Bolshevistic liquor interests shall tear the Eighteenth Amendment from the Constitution of the United States." Later, Herbert Hoover, president from 1929 to 1933, in a letter to fellow Republican senator William Borah, characterized Prohibition as "a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose." Hoover may have been correct. Yet, by the time he wrote that letter in 1928, the "noble experiment" he so proudly praised had proved to be a major debacle, if not an outright fiasco. Most Americans, certainly ones who resided outside of the large cities, more or less obeyed the law and did not personally have any dealings with bootleggers. But enforcing Prohibition with the limited and meagre resources allocated to the Prohibition Bureau, the agency given the task of keeping the United States free of booze, was impossible. Ironically, and inexplicably, the same congressmen and senators who voted in favour of the Eighteenth Amendment refused to fund its enforcement. In New York, Chicago, Detroit, and other big cities, the attitude among thousands, if not millions, of Americans was that if they could break the Prohibition law, they would. That included Warren Harding, president from 1921 to 1923, who ensured there was always plenty of whiskey available in the White House. In his 1926 report to Congress, Gen. Lincoln Andrews, head of the Prohibition Bureau, stated that in the preceding six years his agents had seized 700,000 stills and estimated that approximately a half-million Americans were connected in some fashion to the production of illegal alcohol. Seemingly overnight, private clubs and speakeasies, where well-to-do patrons could quench their thirsts, opened up to meet a growing consumer demand. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In New York City, the drinking never truly stopped. Reporters from the New York Telegram found high-priced liquor in "dancing academies, drugstores, delicatessens, cigar stores, confectionaries, soda fountains, behind partitions of shoeshine parlors, back rooms of barbershops, from hotel bellhops in paint stores, malt shops boarding houses, Republican clubs, Democratic clubs, laundries, social clubs, newspapermens associations." The police, for the most part, looked the other way at this illicit drinking. Most of them drank themselves or were involved in getting around the Prohibition regulations. The popularity of speakeasies was only a minor part of the lawlessness produced by Prohibition. The more serious and enduring crisis it created was its obvious appeal to organized crime. There were millions of dollars at stake, along with an army of bootleggers and gangsters who were ready and willing to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. Many of them operated out of Canadian towns close to the U.S. border or along the shores of the Great Lakes. "I make my money by supplying a public demand," declared Al Capone, the notorious Chicago mob boss, in 1928. "If I break the law, my customers, who number hundreds of the best people in Chicago, are as guilty as I am. They only difference between us is that I sell and they buy. Everybody calls me a racketeer. I call myself a businessman." Capones assessment wasnt all that wrong. Much of this blatant law-breaking did not stop until Prohibition was finally repealed in 1933. Now & Then is a column in which historian Allan Levine puts the events of today in a historical context. Institute for Cybersecurity The institute for Cybersecurity has shown themselves to be a leader in the cybersecurity space CertNexus announced that Institute for Cybersecurity was named the 2019 Most Innovative ATP of the Year at the inaugural Partner Meeting and Award Ceremony in Rochester, NY. Awarded to exemplary CertNexus Authorized Training Partners (ATP), the ceremony was designed to recognize partners with consistent representation of CertNexus products and committed to outstanding performance. The Institute for Cybersecurity has shown themselves to be a leader in cybersecurity space, said Jeff Felice, President of CertNexus, Their multifaceted approach to cybersecurity education, including teaching our CyberSec First Responder certification, equips their students with the skills they need to make an impact in the IT industry. Integration of the DoD 8570 approved CyberSec First Responder (CFR) into our turn-key Certified Cyber Practitioner (CCP) workforce development training program enabled us to convert Incident Response (IR) and Blue Team tactic theory into hands-on experience in the cyber-range, giving trainees an advantage in the fast moving world of cybersecurity. The result of our cross disciplinary outcome-based training program(s) is the development of a robust cybersecurity workforce capable of demonstrating their proficiency in cyber defense and we are honored to be recognized as CertNexus Most Innovative Training Partner of the Year! Stephanie Butts, Executive Director of the Institute for Cybersecurity About The Institute for Cybersecurity The Institute for Cybersecurity powered by Regent University is a commercially available cyber range providing on-demand cyber services featuring GSE and Cyber Guardian-certified trainers to support cyber training and testing requirements for enterprise, government and military. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, the Institute offers on-premise or remote training across three critical areas: Cyber Range as a Service (CRaaS), Hyper-Realistic Adversary Emulation and Cross-disciplinary Outcome Based Training. To learn more visit http://www.cyber-institute.com About CertNexus CertNexus is the global purveyor of vendor neutral, emerging technology certifications and micro-credentials for IT, Business and Security professionals. CertNexus exams meet the most rigorous development standards possible which outline a global framework for developing personnel certification programs to narrow the widening skills gap. CertNexus partners with highly knowledgeable and talented industry experts to ensure the integrity and quality of each exam, with all exams following a rigorous development process. Two CertNexus examsCyberSec First Responder (CFR) and Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP)are accredited under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17024:2012 standard. For more information, connect with CertNexus at http://certnexus.com The new virus behind recent pneumonia cases in Wuhan is unlikely to cause a widespread, deadly epidemic like Sars, scientists say, as revelations that a Chinese tourist in Thailand had not visited the market linked to the outbreak raised fears of a potential spread of the disease. The woman, 61, who was confirmed by Thai authorities to have the new virus, had not visited the now-closed mainland seafood market associated with the outbreak, the Post learned on Tuesday. The discovery raised fears that the woman, the first confirmed case outside China, could have caught the virus in Wuhan at other markets, which she was understood to have visited. That came as Reuters quoted the World Health Organisation as saying there had been limited human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus, but WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told the Post in an email reply that there has been no evidence of such an occurrence. Hong Kongs Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said an expert meeting would be held on Wednesday to discuss the latest development of the disease, upon the return of a team of local health officials who visited Wuhan to gain first-hand knowledge. The virus has struck at least 41 people in Wuhan. Photo: Jun Mai When asked why details of the two-day visit were not disclosed to the public, Lam said: The trip, organised by the county's National Health Commission, invited not only delegates from Hong Kong, but also from Macau and Taiwan to understand how the mainland authorities have been handling the disease. It has not been kept secret. The tourist, who travelled to Bangkok from the city in Hubei province, was found to have a fever on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 8 and was hospitalised that day. She was confirmed on Sunday to have been infected with the new coronavirus strain, which has struck at least 41 people in Wuhan and killed one. Dr Sopon Eamsiritavorn, from the Thai Ministry of Public Healths Department of Disease Control, told the Post it appeared the womans infection was not related to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which Chinese authorities had linked to the Wuhan outbreak and had been closed since January 1. Story continues It seems theres no relation with the market, he said, when asked whether the patient had visited the outbreak site. A source familiar with the details of the case said the woman did not visit the market. But she did visit other markets before going to Thailand, the source said. Detailed investigations into the case were in progress. Hong Kongs Centre for Health Protection said on Tuesday that it had been closely monitoring the case in Thailand. Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory medicine expert from Chinese University, had previously said that if the woman had not been to the seafood market, it would suggest that the virus had spread to other parts of Wuhan. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on Tuesday night said it had launched tracing and medical surveillance of people who had close contact with the woman and had returned to the mainland. Between December 31 and Tuesday, Hong Kong had reported 71 suspected cases, with 60 of them cleared and discharged. Meanwhile, scientists who have studied the genome of the virus behind the recent outbreak believe it is unlikely to cause a widespread, deadly epidemic like Sars. The unnamed virus has been identified as a new strain of coronavirus, the same family of viruses as severe acute respiratory syndrome. Chinese scientists released the viruss genome sequence to the public on Saturday, and researchers who analysed the sequence said it was a distant relative of Sars and therefore unlikely to be as deadly. The description given by the Chinese scientists is accurate. This virus is not SARS-CoV and not particularly close by many standards. Based on previous research the virus is likely attenuated in terms of disease, said Vineet Menachery, an assistant professor with the University of Texas Medical Branchs department of microbiology and immunology in Galveston. Menachery analysed the genome sequence and found it had only about 73 per cent similarity to Sars. In certain patients, older people or people with comorbidities, the virus may cause more damage, but is not nearly problematic as the epidemic SARS-CoV strain, he added. The market at the centre of the outbreak has now been closed. Photo: AFP Ralph Baric, a coronavirus researcher at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, came up with a similar conclusion after his team tried to replicate the virus in their laboratory based on the genetic code provided by Chinese scientists. Of the four known Sars-related bat viruses capable of infecting humans, this one was the most distant from Sars itself, Baric told Science. Baric also praised the speed of the response to the virus. One of the things thats sad is that the public doesnt realise how incredibly competent the public health and the basic science community are at going from a newly discovered virus to a tremendous amount of capacity to trace and try to control its spread, he told the journal. Xu Jianguo, head of an evaluation committee advising the Chinese government on the emerging virus, also told Science in an interview published on Friday that no new patients had appeared since January 5. Its good news. People fear something like Sars in 2003, but this is a different case. The outbreak is limited, he said. Mainland Chinese authorities to allow two Taiwan specialists to visit Wuhan There had been worries about the transparency of the Chinese government's handling of the outbreak but now that concern had largely been dismissed, according to the Science report. Dr Hu Ming, deputy director of the department of epidemiology and health statistics at Central South University in Changsha, said she had been following the situation in Wuhan closely and had not found any signs of a cover-up after the health authorities first announced the outbreak on December 31. There was lots of work to do. Sequencing, for instance, would take time. The data must be verified carefully before release. I believe they are following strict, professional procedures, she said. We have learned a painful lesson from Sars. Scientists say the virus is a distant relation of Sars. Photo: AFP Feng Zijian, deputy director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told China Central Television on Tuesday that the genome sequence of the coronavirus had showed it was neither Sars nor Mers (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and the difference in their genome sequences was very big. Sars infected more than 8,000 people, killing over 700 globally after originating in China in 2003. In a Sunday statement, the WHO said the outbreak was probably associated with one seafood market in Wuhan, which had since been closed. It also said it was reassured of the quality of the ongoing investigations and the response measures implemented in Wuhan, and the commitment to share information regularly. The new virus was isolated, analysed and its genetic information released to the world 10 days after the confirmed outbreak. In 2003, it took more than three months to do the same with Sars. Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. This article Wuhan pneumonia: Chinese tourist in Thai case did not visit outbreak-linked market, while scientists say virus not likely to prove as deadly as Sars first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. SPRINGFIELD The City Council took its first steps Monday to ban, at least temporarily, the citys use of facial recognition technology a technology they say is inaccurate and likely to cast unwarranted suspicion on women and people of color. Councilor said they are also working to protect the general public from unnecessary surveillance. The motion passed its first action with Victor Davila, Adam Gomez, Tracye Whitfield , Ramos, Marcus Williams, Jesse Lederman, Melvin Edwards, Malo Brown and Council President Justin Hurst voting yes. Councilors Sean Curran and Kateri Walsh voted no.Councilor Councilor Orlando Ramos described the measure as a moratorium. He said he would like the issue to automatically reappear on the council agenda five years after passage. The council could also rethink the measure sooner, say in three years, if they decide to do so. Councilor Tim Allen was absent. There was some discussion about shortening that window to a two- or three- year period.. We are dealing with a new technology that is not regulated in any way, he said at Monday nights meeting. "This affects everyone. If you are a taxpayer in the city of Springfield this affects you. " He said if the city ignores the data and uses the technology knowing its faults, Springfield would be liable. Monday nights vote was a first action on the measure. The Council plans to take a final vote in February following another round of committee meetings. Springfield police have said the dont use facial recognition and have no plans, as of now, to use it, Ramos said. Springfield police dont use facial recognition programs. But tech companies including Amazon with its Rekognition system, are pitching the systems to police agencies. Ramos cites an American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts study released earlier Monday that used photos of Boston Red Sox and Celtics players to demonstrate limitations of Amazon Rekognition software. The ACLU fed photos of 188 New England athletes into the system and it misidentified 28, matching them to mugshots in the arrest photo database. People should feel free to take their children to school, to visit a substance abuse counselor, to protest the government, without ending up in a government database, Ramos said. The technology is better at differentiating among middle-aged white men, according to the ACLU. It doesnt do a good job with women, blacks and Latinos. If the moratorium passes, Springfield would join neighboring community Northampton and Somerville, Brookline in Massachusetts as well as Oakland and San Francisco, California, which have already banned the technology. Councilor Tracye Whitfield cited the ACLU study showing that black women are 35% more likely to be misidentified compared with white men. She said blacks are already unfairly targeted with suspicion. 1/6/2020 - Springfield's at-large city councilor Tracye L. Whitfield at mayor Sarno's 5th inauguration. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) As a dark-skinned black woman, Whitfield knows shed personally be more likely to be misidentified. This will protect my family, she said. Councilor Kateri B.Walsh said even a three-year moratorium is an eternity when it comes to technology. Councilor Adam Gomez, a cosponsor, said now is a time for the council to set policy as the Springfield Police Department is evaluating vendors for police body cameras. 1/6/2020 - Springfield's ward 1 city councilor Adam Gomez at mayor Sarno's 5th inauguration. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) We want to make sure that public safety is our priority, he said. I want the bad guys to get picked up, put away. But he knows that the technology wontt work for people of color and he knows that racial profiling happens. I cant tell you how many times Ive been puled over," Gomez said. Thats even without facial recognition software. I cant tell you how many times Ive been pulled over." Gomez said the technology just doesnt make sense in a majority-minority black and Latino city like Springfield. Let us regulate something that the state should have regulated long ago, Gomez said. Councilor Michael Fenton said he would support limits on the use of the technology to create a database, or to scan people at protests or in public places. But he said city police have said the technology could be useful -- to find a fugitive or a missing person -- for example. It also provides as an opportunity to prove people innocent, he said. I have an apprehension, a human apprehension, about the City of Springfield being a Big Brother and watching you. But I dont think we need to that with a blanket prohibition. Fenton also referenced the DNA technology that helped police solve the Lisa Ziegert case. Its not the same technology, but the DNA analysis that give police an image of what the killer might have looked like, carries with it its own risks of miss identification. Whitfield said the technology is not a benefit to minorities who are already wrongly identified and wrongly incarcerated. Dublin retail technology company Pointy has been acquired by tech giant Google. Pointy provides smaller retailers with an electronic box that connects to their barcode scanners that make their product listings appear in Google searches. It helps such stores get found by people who are doing searches for products in their location without having to make a large e-commerce investment. The company was founded in 2014 by Mark Cummins and Charles Bibby. Google or Pointy did not disclose the value of the deal, which is expected to close in the coming weeks. However, a venture capitalist in London, Rob Moffatt congratulated Pointy of their "$160m exit to Google". Pointy said they have developed a close relationship with Google in recent years. The last six years have been an incredible adventure, and today marks the start of a new chapter. From small beginnings, were very proud to serve local retailers in almost every city and every town in the US and throughout Ireland. "Many incredibly talented people have joined our team, weve received the backing of an amazing group of investors, and formed some fantastic partnerships. It is a great pleasure to work on something that helps local businesses in towns and cities everywhere. Pointy said that by joining forces, they will be able to help people discover local stores and products on a much larger scale. "We think this is the right way to accomplish what we set out to do to bring the worlds retailers online and give them the tools they need to thrive," they said in a blog post. In a statement, Google said they have long been committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive in the online world. "Since we introduced this functionality a few years ago, Pointy has been one of our key partners, helping thousands of local merchants display this data within Google. Were looking forward to working with Pointy to help even more local retailers bring their product inventory online." ALTON The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation has approved $263,133 in grant funding to the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation in Alton, East St. Louis, Carbondale, Springfield and Champaign. The award is part of $1.3 million in grants awarded by IEJF to 21 civil legal aid providers across the state. The grants were made possible with funding from the state appropriation for civil legal aid housed in the Office of the Attorney General. BTS V took to WeVerse account of the group to share concerns over the eruption of the volcano which is rapidly progressing in the Philippines. He replied to a BTS Army-fandom who shared some images of the massive volcano and wrote that nature should not hurt people anymore. In an emotional reply, he also wrote about the people in the Philippines and requested them to stay safe. BTS V, also known as Kim Tae Hyung, posted this after he saw an Army (fan) post photos of the eruption. taehyung saw the post of a ph army on weverse about the taal volcano that has erupted in my country and taehyung said he hopes nature won't hurt people anymore;;;;; im so #BTSV pic.twitter.com/8lIUnV3hTK V. jfb? (@b_hundred_hyn) January 14, 2020 Also Read | BTS' V Simply Puts His Pet Dog In A Bag, #tannie Trends Worldwide! According to several media reports and the satellite images of the eruption of Taal, several layers of steam, pebbles and ash erupted from the volcano on Sunday. Several social media posts shared by ground zero shows the evacuation process in progress. The volcanos last disastrous eruption happened in 1965 when more than 200 people were killed and the authorities are relocating several close to residing residents to avoid a similar fate. The news of the eruption quickly reached many celebrities who tweeted and shared concerns over the situation which included BTS V. Also Read | BTS' V Is Dating Actress Kim Yoo-Jung? K-Pop Fans Can't Stop Speculating About It Some of the BTS Army's reacted to the post: #BTSV Sends Prayers To Victims Of Taal Volcano Eruption BTS V adds to the list of Korean celebrities who are sending their prayers to the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.#Taehyung@BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/d4iYXD5uLK so sardan (@sosardanph) January 14, 2020 Also Read | BTS' V Has The Quirkiest Fashion Sense In The Group, See Pictures #BTSV #TaalEruption2020 Kim taehyung trend on twitter about reply on PH Army's prior taal eruption and hoping that nature will not be hurt. Ashwell Vien Xy (@vien_xy) January 14, 2020 Also Read | BTS Suga's Interlude: Shadow Just Broke Their Own Band's Records, Read More! Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 08:02 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32203ad4 1 Editorial #Editorial,pgn,gas-prices Free The governments move to address the soaring price of domestic gas is what industry players have been waiting for, but this could be another false hope. A presidential regulation was issued four years ago to set a price cap of US$6 per million British thermal unit (mmbtu), but the gas is being sold at $8 to $9 per mmbtu. The high gas price has severely hurt industry, especially manufacturers of chemicals, food products, ceramics, steel, fertilizers and glass. Indonesia is one of the worlds largest gas producers, but ironically, its gas price is among the highest in Southeast Asia. The domestic price of gas ranges from $9 to $11 per mmbtu, far exceeding $6 to $8 per mmbtu in neighboring countries. President Joko Jokowi Widodo could not hide his disappointment over the inconvenient truth during a limited Cabinet meeting last week, when he offered three options for reducing the gas price: increasing gas imports, implementing the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy and reducing or even eliminating state revenue from gas sales. While the government is showing good will toward solving the problem, these options need to be reviewed to prevent creating new problems. Resorting to imports to meet domestic gas needs is clearly a setback, since the government has decided on a policy to reduce imports. The move could also discourage gas exploration at home. Meanwhile, implementing the DMO policy like in the coal industry is easier said than done, because all domestically produced gas involves long-term contracts with foreign buyers. If the third option is taken, the government stands to lose a large amount of revenue from gas sales, which have contributed significantly to state revenue. It would be unwise for the government to sacrifice gas revenue at a time when the country needs it most to cover the budget deficit, which has increased due to a shortfall in tax revenue. The fact is that domestic gas is expensive because of high transportation costs, as it mostly is distributed to end users through hundreds of kilometers of pipeline. The gas fields are located in remote areas on land or offshore in Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Papua. Gas produced in Java and Sumatra is used locally, while gas produced in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua is exported to Japan, South Korea and China under long-term contracts. There is no short-term solution to the high price of gas, unless state gas distributor PT PGN cuts its delivery cost. This option, however, would have an insignificant impact on reducing the current price of gas. The problem can be resolved only by taking a long-term approach to reviewing the gas policy, such as by reducing the export allocation and renegotiating prices at the end of the current contractual period with gas producers. It is also important that the government boosts the production of liquefied natural gas delivered to areas where the gas pipeline network does not reach. The head of the Russian opposition political party Civic Initiative says the country's Supreme Court has suspended its operations for politically motivated reasons and is looking to wipe the party out altogether. Dmitry Gudkov said on Facebook that on January 14 the court suspended the partys activities for three months in what he said was the first step towards its full "liquidation." According to Gudkov, the court's decision was based on a request by the Justice Ministry that found "technical irregularities" in the party's activities. Gudkov wrote that the ministry itself creates obstacles to the party to remove such "irregularities," including the process for electing party officials. The party was founded in 2013 and was initially led by the former Economy Minister Andrei Nechayev. The Civic Initiative nominated its candidate, Ksenia Sobchak, to run in the 2018 presidential election. Sobchak got less than 2 percent of votes in the balloting. Gudkov and Sobchak announced in 2018 that they plan to create a new political party, called the Party of Changes, which would stem from Civic Initiative, in order to take part in 2021 parliamentary elections. The process is fun and artistic, said Pat Henek of Oak Park. We sew the fabric samples together, use blankets or mattress pads for filler and flannel sheets for lining. Mens ties are sewn at the bottom to tie up the rolled sleeping bag. They are beautiful when we get them finished. The newspapers front pages are dominated by the Queens decision to allow Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to break away from the Royal Family. Following crunch talks at Sandringham on Monday, the Queen gave her backing to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their desire to step back from their senior royal roles. While she made it clear she wished the couple would remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, the Queen gave them her blessing. The Sun sums up the Queens decision with the headline: Orf you go. In an editorial, the newspaper says the Queen may have made the biggest mistake of her long reign. It called Prince Harry and Ms Markles demands selfish and petulant. Read more Queen's regret as Harry and Meghan told they can live independently Being half in and half out of the Royal Family 'isn't an option for Harry and Meghan' Prince William says he can no longer 'put his arm around' Harry The Daily Telegraphs front page headline referred to the Queens reluctant farewell. In its editorial, the newspaper praised the Queen for taking a firm grip on the situation, calling her statement sensible and businesslike. In the Telegraph cartoon, Matt depicted a court jester leaving the talks at Sandringham with the caption, Wow, tough crowd. Metros front page headline read simply: You can go your own way, while the Daily Mail said: Go... if you must. The Times reported on the transition period agreed with the Queen which will allow the couple to divide their time between the UK and Canada. In its front page headline, The Daily Express said the gracious Queen had granted Harry his wish. Why it matters: Lots of higher-end, standalone digital cameras these days offer various levels of waterproofing but much of it is enabled by the rubber plugs that slot into ports when they arent being used. The added bit of flexibility afforded here could be the difference between getting the shot and not. After all, the action doesnt always stop if the weather isnt cooperating the show goes on. Sony on Tuesday announced a new shooting grip for select mirrorless camera models that connects to the body wirelessly via Bluetooth. The grip, officially known as the GP-VPT2BT, is designed to give content creators peace of mind. By connecting wirelessly, you avoid any clumsy cables and are able to keep your cameras ports sealed and protected from the elements. Curiously enough, the grip itself isnt guaranteed to be 100 percent dust and moisture proof, so keep that in mind. Sonys new grip additionally features a photo button, a movie button, a lock switch and a customizable button as well as a zoom rocker and provisions for adjusting the angle and camera orientation (for self-shooting purposes). Sony notes that the grip can even be transformed into a tripod by expanding the bottom portion for hands-free, rocksteady shooting. It is compatible with the Alpha a9, a9 II, a7R IV, a7R III, a7 III, a6600, a6400 and a6100 as well as the RX100 VII and the RX0 II cameras, were told. Look for the Sony GP-VPT2BT shooting grip to ship in North America later this month priced at $140. Chandigarh, Jan 14 : A suspected Pakistani drone was spotted flying in villages in the Indian territory along the India-Pakistan border in Hussainiwala area in Punjab, security officials said on Tuesday. Villagers captured pictures of a drone on their mobiles. Its sighting was reported in Tendiwala village in Ferozepur district at 8.48 p.m. on Monday, an official told IANS. Earlier, the sighting of Pakistani drone was observed thrice in the same area in October last year. Punjab Police seized two highly sophisticated Chinese-made drones on January 10 and arrested a serving armyman and two smugglers belonging to a narco-terror module involved in smuggling of weapons and narcotics across the India-Pakistan border. The seizures, resulting from targeted and intelligence-led search operations, also included drone batteries, custom-made drone containers, two walkie-talkie sets, Rs 6.22 lakh in cash, believed to be proceeds of drugs, and the magazine of an INSAS rifle, Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta told the media here. The drones, capable of travelling two-three kms on either side of the border, were reportedly being launched from the Indian side to fly into Pakistan to pick up payloads of narcotics. The gang had apparently already conducted four-five sorties, he said. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's reply to a petition challenging his election from Nagpur South-West constituency in the 2019 Assembly election. Justice Manish Pitale issued a notice to Fadnavis on a petition filed by advocate Satish Uke. The petition alleged that there were discrepancies in the nomination papers submitted by the BJP leader. Uke alleged that Fadnavis, with the help of his polling agent (present Nagpur Mayor) Sandip Joshi, influenced the returning officer and submitted a forged affidavit. The returning officer showed "undue favour" to Fadnavis and accepted the nomination papers, the petition alleged. The high court should call for Fadnavis's nomination papers submitted on October 3, 2019, to ensure that evidence is not tampered with, the petitioner demanded. Fadnavis's election should be declared null and void for electoral malpractices, it prayed. "Issue notice to respondent," Justice Pitale said in the order and posted the petition for hearing on February 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To the editor, The Jan. 21 special election is very important for Greenwich. If, like me, you believe that wasteful spending and needless regulations are hurting our businesses and decimating our property value, you should vote for Harry Arora. I feel it is the duty of our elected officials to oversee our towns spending and to question and object to any excessive, unnecessary or thoughtless expenditures. As an elected member of the Representative Town Meeting I take this responsibility seriously. A recent example was $200,000 in the May 2019 budget for a second propane fueling station for town vehicles. A detailed analysis by RTM members showed that this station made no sense from any perspective, including environmentally. Cheryl Moss heard all the same arguments I did, as we both served on the Public Works Committee whose responsibility it is to oversee such expenditures. The RTM voted by a large margin to cut this propane station from the budget. Ms. Moss voted against this cut, and against every other cut proposed at the May 2019 meeting, several of which passed. I believe this speaks volumes about what Ms. Moss will do should she get to Hartford. I also know Harry Arora. Harry has a strong financial background and understands that spending should produce a positive return for all Connecticut residents. Harry will NOT spend every time someone in Hartford decides we afford it. Like the propane station, which makes no sense even though we can afford it, any money we spend just because someone with a vested interest says we can afford it is money wasted. It doesnt matter if you are rich or poor, wasteful spending is just your money, wasted. We need people like Harry in Hartford to look at spending carefully and say, Wait! Do we need that? and that doesnt make sense. Like the RTM did with the needless propane station. Vote for Harry for careful, thoughtful stewardship of our tax dollars! Michael Spilo is a Representative Town Meeting member from District 11. Paris Hilton pulled out all the stops when she headed out for dinner with a friend in West Hollywood on Monday night. The 38-year-old slipped into a black and white maxi dress by Alice + Olivia, which had lace panelling for her night out at San Vicente Bungalows. She wore a black lace choker and exited the eatery wearing a pair of dark designer shades which she soon took off for photos. Paris Hilton looked glamorous in a black and white lace maxi dress as she headed out for dinner at San Vicente Bungalows in Hollywood on Monday night Dog-lover Paris flashed a big beaming smile as she headed towards her waiting car in heels. She added a pop of sparkle to her ensemble, carrying a black sequin bowling bag on her arm. It comes as little wonder that Paris seems so happy at the moment as she is rumoured to be dating investor/CEO Carter Reum. Glamour: She added a pop of sparkle to her ensemble, carrying a black sequin bowling bag on her arm But it seems he is keeping mum on the latest, and deleted his personal Instagram account following reports of the romance. The socialite-turned-entrepreneur, 38, seemed to debut her relationship with Reum at InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes after-party last Sunday. Page Six reported that Reum shared a photo which seemed to signal something between the duo. It was a big family photo from over the holidays. She was sitting on his lap,' the insider dished. An account for business purposes is still active, however that last time he posted was nearly one year ago. Paris' new relationship comes just a little over a year after she broke off her engagement to actor Chris Zylka. The couple weren't hiding their connection, with onlookers saying they were flirty and touchy all night. Spot price of palladium hits an all-time high of more than US$2,100 an ounce, while the price of rhodium hits a ten-year high of US$8,200 an ounce Independent feasibility study underway on a smaller-scale, lower-capital-cost mine development plan to accelerate initial production by using Shaft 1 as a production shaft Mokopane, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Ivanhoe Mines' (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairmen Robert Friedland and Yufeng "Miles" Sun announced today that the company's South African subsidiary, Ivanplats, is fast-tracking a feasibility study on a smaller-scale, early-stage development plan using Shaft 1 as a production shaft at its Platreef palladium, platinum, nickel, copper, gold and rhodium mining licence, located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa's Limpopo province. Spot prices of palladium and rhodium - two key metals contained in the Platreef ore - have soared in recent months, propelling Platreef's 'metals-price basket' to a new, all-time high. An independent feasibility study is underway to review Ivanhoe's planned smaller-scale, early-stage, lower-capital-cost production plan. Ivanhoe's plan would accelerate the mine's first production by using Shaft 1 as the mine's initial production shaft, followed by expansions to the production rate outlined in the project's 2017 definitive feasibility study. Ivanhoe's smaller-scale mine design also is optimized to target the highest-grade areas of the mineral resource in close vicinity to Shaft 1. Platreef's Shaft 1 currently is at a depth of 957 metres below surface. It is scheduled to be completed to a final depth of approximately 1,000 metres by the end of July, 2020. Work on Shaft 1's 950-metre-level station - the shaft's third and final station - is expected to be completed in March, 2020. Palladium price hits all-time high; rhodium price reaches 10-year high Palladium prices continue to surge to record highs, topping US$2,100 an ounce as stricter air-quality rules boost demand for the metal used in vehicle pollution-control devices. Platreef has an estimated 26.8 million ounces of palladium in current Indicated Mineral Resources, and an additional 43.0 million ounces in current Inferred Mineral Resources, at a 2.0 g/t 3PE+gold cut-off. Figure 1. Palladium's 5-year price chart To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/51437_02e0d100f4a61a06_002full.jpg Platreef has an estimated 1.8 million ounces of rhodium in current Indicated Mineral Resources, and an additional 3.1 million ounces in current Inferred Mineral Resources, at a 2.0 g/t 3PE+gold cut-off. The rhodium in the Platreef ore is strongly correlated with both palladium and platinum. Rhodium is a rare platinum-group metal that is chemically stable at high temperatures, resistant to corrosion and mainly used with palladium and platinum in the production of automobile catalytic converters that curb harmful emissions. Approximately 80% of the world's rhodium supply comes from mines in South Africa, and global production of rhodium is only approximately one million ounces annually. The price of rhodium has surged 32% already this month, attaining a price of more than US$8,200 an ounce - the highest price since it hit more than US$10,000 an ounce in 2008. Figure 2. Rhodium's 10-year price chart To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/51437_02e0d100f4a61a06_003full.jpg In addition to the surge in the price of rhodium and palladium, recent increases in the price of nickel, copper and gold has resulted in the weighted price of the 'basket' of metals contained in the ore at Platreef to rise to a new, multi-year high. Figure 3. Revenue per tonne of ore at the Platreef Project has risen steadily since 2016 (shown in US dollars) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/51437_02e0d100f4a61a06_004full.jpg Figure 4. Revenue per tonne of ore at the Platreef Project has risen steadily since 2016 (shown in South African rand) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/51437_02e0d100f4a61a06_005full.jpg Source for figures 1 & 2: Bloomberg. Based on historical weekly commodity prices at the end of each week. Notes for Figures 1 and 2: Based on Platreef Mineral Reserves with an effective date of May 24, 2017. Probable Mineral Reserve of 124.7 million tonnes at a grade of 1.95 grams per tonne (g/t) platinum, 2.01 g/t palladium, 0.30 g/t gold, 0.14 g/t rhodium, 0.34% nickel and 0.17% copper. A declining NSR cut-off of $155 per tonne (t) to $80/t was used for the Mineral Reserve estimates. The NSR cut-off is an elevated cut-off above the marginal economic cut-off. Metal prices used in the Mineral Reserve estimate: US$1,600 per ounce (oz) platinum, US$815/oz palladium, US$1,300/oz gold, US$1,500/oz rhodium, US$8.90 per pound (lb) nickel and US$3.00/lb copper. Metal prices used in the DFS economic analysis: US$1,250/oz platinum, US$825/oz palladium, US$1,300/oz gold, US$1,000/oz rhodium, US$7.60/lb nickel and US$3.00/lb copper. Tonnage and grade estimates include dilution and mining recovery allowances. Applies life-of-mine average recoveries of 87.4% for platinum, 86.9% for palladium, 78.6% for gold, 80.5% for rhodium, 87.9% for copper and 71.9% for nickel. Total cash cost includes mine site costs, plus realization costs such as treatment and refining charges, royalties and transportation. LT Street Consensus is based on a survey of brokers' long-term metal prices estimates and includes: US$1,000/oz platinum, US$1,150/oz palladium, US$1,350/oz gold, US$1,820/oz rhodium, US$7.08/lb nickel and US$3.00/lb copper. Flatreef Deposit focus of development activities since 2007 Since 2007, Ivanhoe has focused its exploration and development activities at Platreef on defining and advancing the underground Flatreef Deposit, which is amenable to highly mechanized, underground mining methods. Flatreef, with a strike length of 6.5 kilometres, lies predominantly within a flat-to gently-dipping portion of the Platreef mineralized belt at relatively shallow depths of approximately 500 metres to 1,350 metres below surface. Flatreef is characterized by its very large vertical thicknesses of high-grade mineralization. The Platreef Project's current Mineral Resource estimate, which does not include any near-surface mineralization, was prepared for Ivanhoe Mines under the direction of Dr. Harry Parker, RM SME, of Amec Foster Wheeler. Dr. Parker and Timothy Kuhl, RM SME, also of Amec Foster Wheeler, have independently confirmed the Mineral Resource estimate and are the Qualified Persons for the estimate, which has an effective date of April 22, 2016. Platreef's current Indicated Mineral Resources are 346 million tonnes at a grade of 3.77 grams per tonne (g/t) 3PE+gold (1.68 g/t platinum, 1.70 g/t palladium, 0.11 g/t rhodium, 0.28 g/t gold), 0.32% nickel and 0.16% copper at a 2.0 g/t 3PE+gold cut-off. The average thickness of the 2.0 g/t 3PE+gold grade shell used to constrain the T2MZ (Merensky Reef equivalent) resources for the indicated area is 19 metres. Platreef's current Indicated Mineral Resources contain an estimated 26.8 million ounces of palladium, 25.6 million ounces of platinum, 4.5 million ounces of gold, and 1.8 million ounces of rhodium (a combined 58.7 million ounces of PGMs plus gold), plus 4.1 billion pounds of nickel and 2.1 billion pounds of copper, at a cut-off grade of 1 gram per tonne. Platreef's current Inferred mineral resources are 506 million tonnes at a grade of 3.24 g/t 3PE+gold (1.42 g/t platinum, 1.46 g/t palladium, 0.10 g/t rhodium, 0.26 g/t gold), 0.31% nickel and 0.16% copper. The average thickness of the 2.0 g/t 3PE+gold grade shell used to constrain the T2MZ resources for the inferred area is 12.7 metres. Platreef's current Inferred Mineral Resources contain an additional 43.0 million ounces of palladium, 40.4 million ounces of platinum, 7.8 million ounces of gold, and 3.1 million ounces of rhodium (a combined 94.3 million ounces PGMs plus gold), plus 7.7 billion pounds of nickel and 4.1 billion pounds of copper, also at a cut-off grade of 1 gram per tonne. Information on Platreef Project geology and mineralization is contained in the Platreef Project National Instrument (NI) 43-101 Technical Report dated September 4, 2017, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com. About the Platreef Project The Platreef Project is owned by Ivanplats (Pty) Ltd, which is 64%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines. A 26% interest is held by Ivanplats' historically-disadvantaged, broad-based, black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) partners, which include 20 local host communities with approximately 150,000 people, project employees and local entrepreneurs. In Q2 2019, Ivanplats reached Level 2 contributor status in its verification assessment on the B-BBEE scorecard. A Japanese consortium of ITOCHU Corporation, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and Japan Gas Corporation owns a 10% interest in Ivanplats, which it acquired in two tranches for a total investment of $290 million. Qualified Person Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Torr is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release. Ivanhoe has prepared a current, independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Platreef Project, titled The Platreef 2017 Feasibility Study Technical Report dated September 4, 2017, prepared by DRA Global, OreWin Pty. Ltd., Amec Foster Wheeler, Stantec Consulting, Murray & Roberts Cementation, SRK Consulting, Golder Associates, and Digby Wells Environmental. This technical report include relevant information regarding the effective dates and the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Platreef Project cited in this news release, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release in respect of the Platreef Project. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa: the development of new mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project. Information contacts Investors Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 Media Matthew Keevil +1.604. 558.1034 Website www.ivanhoemines.com Cautionary statement on forward-looking information Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, 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. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: (1) statements regarding Platreef's Shaft 1 is scheduled to be completed to a final depth of approximately 1,000 metres by the end of July, 2020; (2) statements regarding the 950-metre-level-station is expected to be completed in March, 2020. Forward-looking statements and information 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 or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A, as well as the inability to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner; the potential for unknown or unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be satisfied; unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources. 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, 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 estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, copper, nickel or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to 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 licences. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company 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 news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company 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 news release. The company's 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 company's MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and its Annual Information Form. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51437 Cumberland County will continue to be open to international refugee resettlement, the county commissioners affirmed Monday, following a Trump administration directive last year that would allow local governments to turn them away. The county commissioners unanimously signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirming the countys consent to initial refugee resettlement under President Trumps September 2019 executive order, which instructed the U.S. State Department to stop coordinating resettlement unless both the state and locality of refugee arrival consent to the refugees being there. The Trump order was panned by refugee advocates as serving only to create additional red tape for refugees who have already been federally approved to immigrate; a court challenge is underway. At Mondays meeting, the commissioners heard from both resettlement agencies and refugees themselves, who said they were not, contrary to some stereotypes and misperceptions, coming into the area unauthorized. These are people who are coming legally, they have been going through a whole process and are approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as other cooperating federal agencies, said Omar Aden, a Somali refugee who lives in Cumberland County. The process isnt easy. It took Aden seven years of interviews, background investigations, and approvals to finally immigrate along with his disabled brother, he said. He also hasnt seen his mother in 14 years, he said. Im trying to petition for her to reunite with me here in the U.S., Aden said. But, guess what, she wont be able to do that if Cumberland County says we dont allow refugees to continue [to resettle]. They are thoroughly vetted, more than any other foreigner entering the United States, said Sheila Mastropietro, with Church World Service, a nonprofit agency that receives approval and funding from the federal government to resettle refugees. Such agencies are permitted to resettle refugees within a 100-mile radius of their responsible office. CWS Lancaster location has resettled refugees in Cumberland County, mainly Somalis like Aden who have clustered in an area of Upper Allen Township, Mastropietro said. Bethany Christian Services and Catholic Charities also resettle refugees in central Pennsylvania, Mastropietro said, and the three agencies have been working together to secure approval from local governments in the Midstate since the Trump order. Aden also said that refugees economic impact is a major positive for the area. Through the public-private partnership between the federal government and agencies like CWS, refugees receive three months of financial assistance and job search support following arrival in the U.S. After that, they are on their own. We dont depend on government benefits, contrary to some public perception, Aden said. You should be able to get a job as soon as you get your Social Security number. After initial resettlement, refugees are free to move within the United States. But the Midstates low unemployment and plentiful warehouse jobs make the area attractive for refugees trying to get back on their feet, Aden said, and help move the regions economy forward by contributing to its chronically short labor pool. I really appreciate you gentlemen being here today, County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger told Aden and other Somali refugees who attended Mondays meeting. Its really important in the current political climate that we get facts, because theres a lot of confusion between issues. Eichelberger said he understood the Trump administrations interest in getting local opinion, given that a sudden population influx can have an impact on public services, particularly schools. Mechanicsburg Area School District, which covers Mechanicsburg Borough and Upper Allen Township, has seen the impact of enrollment growth, although not exclusively due to Somali immigration. But were also a prosperous community. We can afford to absorb that, and other communities might not be able to, Eichelberger said. Most folks in Cumberland County, when they understand the facts, are in agreement that this is a very good thing. According to State Department figures provided by Mastropietro, refugee arrivals in Cumberland County have rapidly dropped off since Trump came into office. In the 2016-17 federal fiscal year, according those figures, 69 refugees arrived in the county. In the next fiscal year, there were two, and in the 2018-19 cycle, there were none. Federal fiscal years run from October to September. The Trump administration has cut national refugee acceptance numbers down to 18,000 people for the 2019-20 fiscal year, a further reduction from last years 30,000 refugees. In the last year of the Obama administration, 110,000 refugees were accepted. Resettlements have also declined in pace with Trumps executive order restricting travel from seven countries that the administration deems to be at high risk for harboring terrorists, including Somalia. The order, issued in January 2017, was disputed in court on charges that it was intended to target Muslims for political purposes and exceeded the administrations legal powers. The so-called travel ban did not go fully into effect until December 2017, a timeline that coincides with the abrupt decline in refugee entry in Cumberland County. The most recent Trump effort, requiring state and local assent for resettlement, has also been marred by the executive order not fully defining the term locality. CRW and other resettlement agencies initially believed they would need approval down to the municipal level. In Mastropietros case, she sought and got approval from Upper Allen Township for resettlements, she said. But the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration subsequently issued guidance defining locality as county or county equivalent for the purposes of the executive order, meaning municipal-level approval is apparently not needed. At the state level, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter of consent for resettlement in October. Even with state and county permission, travel restrictions on Somalis and lower refugee admittance numbers overall mean that the growth of the Somali community in the Mechanicsburg/Upper Allen area will be limited, Mastropietro said. If you havent noticed it before, youre not going to notice it now, she said. To receive federal refugee status, applicants must prove they have been persecuted in their former home country to the extent that they cannot survive there. In the case of Aden and the Somali community, this means recounting horror stories of murder, rape and the destruction of their homes during Somalias ongoing civil conflict, which started in the late 1980s. Aden is 32, he said, but left Somalia when he was 4 years old. The rest of his childhood was spent in a refugee camp in Kenya. Following the seven-year process of receiving refugee immigrant status to the United States, he came to America in 2009, and moved to Cumberland County in 2015. Most of the refugee application process involved recounting ones story to U.S. authorities many times over; refugees are vetted by multiple agencies within the U.S. departments of State, Homeland Security, the FBI, CIA, and others. You have to share the story again and again and again with a stranger, who you dont know if he or she is going to deny your case or approve your case, Aden said. Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Stakeholders in the Niger Delta on Tuesday lamented that successive Coordinators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) had neglected the development of the region which was a critical component of the amnesty initiative. The stakeholders comprising elders, opinion leaders and professionals drawn from various states across the Niger Delta said previous coordinators of the Programme had mainly focused on amnesty and payment of stipends to ex-agitators, but were not concerned with developing the region. Speaking in Abuja at the official opening of a four-day retreat for members of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committee constituted recently by Coordinator of the PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo, technical coordinator for the committee, Dr. Ferdinand Ikwang, however, expressed joy that the incumbent Amnesty boss has taken steps towards developing the Niger Delta region and gave the people hope. Ikwang, who, on behalf of members of the committee, presented an overview of the Amnesty Programme since its inception in 2009, noted that Dokubo has demonstrated commitment to move the PAP forward. Every other coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme focused on amnesty and forgot developing the Niger Delta region. This is the first time that a coordinator is focusing on development of the Niger Delta. When I told Gen. Abbe that Prof. Charles Dokubo has done what he would have done, he was very happy. Somebody has stepped out to say I am ready to move the Amnesty Programme forward. We all owe a duty to support him. I want Prof. Dokubo to be remembered for reintegration. Earlier in opening remarks, Dokubo urged staff of the Amnesty Office to cooperate and support members of the committee towards charting a new course for the programme. He assured of full support to members of the committee, among whom he noted, were persons with deep knowledge of the Amnesty Programme. Members of committee in a group picture with Prof Charles Dokubo, Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme,(C) and some of the Amnesty office principal staff at the venue after the official opening declaration of stakeholders monitoring and evaluation committee retreat , held in Abuja, on Tuesday 14th January 2020. I have called these people to be members of this committee because I know that they have a good knowledge of this programme. They were there when it first started; they have been there, and they know how to direct the programme. I dont know for whatever reason, they were stopped from the programme because if I had met them, if they were still there, I would have used them but before I came, they were removed from the process and that was when I spoke with Hon T.K Ogoriba and he sat me down to tell me about the direction of the programme and what they have done in the past. I am really delighted as well as humbled by the snippet of information that has just been released. It highlights the cardinal points of the programme. Most times, when we discuss about this programme, not everyone knows about the direction and the directive on the programme. I will support this committee because I think with the M and E in the office, we can always guide and redial history and make sure that those who do not understand will be better informed. And for those of us from the Niger Delta, if we dont do things to make use of this programme, posterity will question us as people. I am determined to ensure that the impact of the programme will directly affect the lives of our people in the local communities. And I hope that with the input of this committee to the programme, we will get a better roadmap to navigate this programme to its goals and objectives. R-L- Mrs. Ubi Maureen Vincent, deputy director (admin) Prof Charles Dokubo, Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme, Elder Timi Kaiser Wilhelm Ogoriba leader of the committee and Chief Aroloyeteim Brown, Head of Reintegration during the official opening declaration of stakeholders monitoring and evaluation committee retreat , held in Abuja, on Tuesday 14th January 2020. Leader of the 29-member committee, Elder Timi Ogoriba, described the task as daunting, but urged his colleagues to be committed so as toensure the success of the Amnesty Programme. The task ahead of us is daunting. So, all must be involved with total commitment. From the day of our inauguration, it was very clear that the Coordinator had charged us with the responsibility of rewriting the programme. Hence, what we the committee members will be doing is to research into the programme, review it and proffer a sustainable scheme. The original policies of the Amnesty Programme are to disarm, demobilize or de-radicalize and reintegrate. These are to be achieved by involving experts with equipment and adequate funding. The combatants are to be provided with reinsertion assistance and information, counseling and referrals. These beneficiaries are reintegrated through learning of trades that would make them live useful lives as ex-combatants. Then, they return to their communities and engage in peaceful livelihoods that serve as a precursor to a secured environment, conditions and better economic situations. This is the hallmark of the Amnesty Programme. Ogoriba, who commended Dokubo for constituting the committee, added, It is a thing of joy that we have this creme of people from the Niger Delta region under this roof for a noble course. You have proved your mettle hence you were carefully selected for this assignment. This is a call to duty. We thank you once again for reposing this magnitude of confidence in us and we vouch here and reiterate that we will deliver and stir the ship of implementing the Presidential Amnesty Programme in this reintegration phase to a safe harbor. Members of the committee which was inaugurated on December 4, 2019, include, Selekaye Victor Ben, Marshall Kunoun, Sgt. Weri Noel Digifa, Binaebi Ambah, Kalsuo Doupere, Welman Warri, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Oyeinfie Jonjon, Rosabella Jackson, Richard Akinaka, and Bright Peregba. Others are, Kennedy West, Chief Ani Esin,Barr. Golden Tamuno, Lolo Green Hailsham, Elfreda Olungwe, Prof. Monima Briggs, Ibiba Don Pedro, Cooler Hart, Chief Dan Ekpebide, Chief Kennedy Orubebe, Hendrix Opukeme, Chief Ari Ari, David Reje, Edgar Biu, Donyegha Ben, Arch. Piniki Azaiye, Dr Chris Ekiyor and Mrs. Tare Ugula. While parties have yet to agree to TV debate appearances, efforts behind the scenes have begun to line up programmes which could have a big impact in what is expected to be a tight campaign between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Both RTE and Virgin Media are lining up key debates during the campaign. However, there are questions about whether Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, will do head-to-head debates as well as programmes featuring a large panel of leaders. Sources in Virgin Media said hosts Pat Kenny, Ivan Yates and Matt Cooper are being considered to lead their debates. While a large debate involving several party leaders from different parties and groups looks likely to go ahead, station sources confirmed there are difficulties arranging a programme involving just Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin. TV debates in previous elections have played a significant role in influencing voters. An infamous 2007 debate between then Fianna Fail leader, Bertie Ahern, and Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, saw the latter criticised for being weak on the economy. While it is understood that RTE is keen for a head-to-head debate between the two major party leaders, no decisions have been made on this and a steering group is examining options. A spokeswoman for RTE confirmed that hosts Miriam O'Callaghan and Clare Byrne, who presided over previous station debates, are being considered for the events. Sources at RTE also noted that the station faced legal action from the Green Party in 2016 to be included in a debate and that therefore there is a lot to consider about coverage. If such a debate is confirmed, on either TV station, this would be a first since the 2007 debate involving Mr Ahern and Mr Kenny as other election clashes in 2016 and 2011 featured panels of party leaders. Mineral Area College (MAC) recently honored 15 graduates of the Emergency Medical Technician Program at a ceremony held on Dec. 20 at the colleges Fine Arts Theater in Park Hills. The class was the first to graduate since MAC began its partnership with Washington County Ambulance District (WCAD) to administer EMS Education Programs at the college. Through the agreement, which started in July, WCAD ensures a qualified program director who provides oversight to the EMS Programs and MAC provides college resources, necessary instructional equipment, adjunct instructors and clinical instructors. Justin Duncan, WCAD administrator and MAC director of EMS Education said that the inaugural class had a 100% pass rate on the psychomotor portion of their national board testing, given prior to graduation. To complete their certification, the graduates can now sit for the written segment of the national board test. I am beyond proud of our graduates and our education team, said Duncan, The students worked hard to achieve their goals, and we wouldn't have this kind of success without the entire Allied Health family at MAC rallying to support these students. Graduating students included Katie C. Babcock, Park Hills; Riley E. Burlbaw, Farmington; Cory L. Campbell, Farmington; Lauren E. Chapman, Farmington; Abbigail L. Drennen, Potosi; Nicholas X. Ellis, Perryville; Adam Z. James, Jackson; Keith A. Knox, Valles Mines; Emma M. Lewis, Leadwood; Michele L. Mayes, Ironton; Austin J. Shinabargar, Mineral Point; Kurtis M. Shoemake, Festus; Courtney L. Stahl, Hillsboro; Emily A. Thurman, Leadwood; and Katlin N. Weeks, Belgrade. At the ceremony, MAC Director of Allied Health Angela Erickson welcomed the graduates, their families, and friends. EMT Program Instructor Sarah Shumake was the keynote speaker and graduate Katie Babcock provided graduate reflections. Duncan, along with Allied Health Department faculty, presented certificates and badges while MAC Dean of Career and Technical Education Roger McMillian conferred certificates. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Tuesday met Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and urged him to lodge an FIR in connection with the police action on campus after violence erupted during an anti-CAA protest nearby, officials said. Besides Patnaik, Akhtar met Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) Praveer Ranjan and Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern Range, Devesh Srivastava. On Monday, the vice chancellor had said the varsity administration will "explore the possibility" of moving court for registration of an FIR against "police brutality" on the campus after hundreds of angry students gheraoed her office demanding action against the Delhi Police. On December 15, violence erupted during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in south Delhi's New Friends' Colony near Jamia Millia Islamia. Protesters torched vehicles and clashed with police. Police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. They entered the university campus and cracked down on students. Meanwhile, a team of National Human Rights Commission officials visited Jamia on Tuesday to record statements of the students who were injured during police action on the campus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data A Yemeni with a photograph of General Suleimani. Naif Rahma (REUTERS) Each year, about half-a-million people are murdered worldwide. Naturally, these deaths have devastating effects on the victims families and loved ones. But there are also killings that reach far beyond friends and family and change the world. These transcendental murders can turn out to be very expensive. The iconic case is the 1914 assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. His death set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I and the deaths of 40 million people. Tehran does not usually respond immediately to the aggressions of its adversaries but rather waits to attack them where and when it is least expected Recently, there have been other costly murders such as that of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 and that of Iranian General Qassim Suleimani on January 3, 2020. Although the victims could not be more different, they have something important in common: both were killed by a government that ordered their execution. The Saudi journalist was killed by his own government while the killing of the Iranian general was ordered by the president of the United States. While Donald Trump is celebrating his decision to eliminate the murderous Iranian military leader, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, denies any involvement in Khashoggis killing, a murder that occurred at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The prince blames rogue members of his secret service, some of whom have already been accused, tried and sentenced to death. However, investigators from both the Turkish government and The New York Times have concluded that the abduction, murder and dismemberment of the journalist were carried out by agents close to Mohammed bin Salman. The agents traveled to Istanbul for that very purpose. The 34-year-old prince clearly underestimated the consequences that the killing would have on his global reputation, and that of his country. Jamal Khashoggi has already become a symbol of the extreme dangers faced by journalists who challenge authoritarian regimes willing to kill their critics. While it is too early to know the full extent of the fallout from General Suleimanis assassination, there is no doubt that it will be significant. So far Tehrans reaction has been moderate, and both the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Trump have shown signs that they want to avoid a military escalation. But it is risky to assume that the Iranian response will remain limited to the launching of 11 missiles at two bases in Iraq. That attack caused neither casualties nor major material damage. History shows that, more often than not, great powers reactions to attacks have more lasting consequences than the attacks themselves Tehran does not usually respond immediately to the aggressions of its adversaries but rather waits to attack them where and when it is least expected. For example, in 2012 an important Iranian scientist whose work has significant military uses, was assassinated. The Iranian government accused Israel. Some time later, Israeli diplomats were attacked in Georgia, India and Thailand, countries that had nothing to do with the murder of the Iranian scientist. In 1992, Israel killed a Hezbollah leader. Two months later, an Iranian-sponsored suicide bomber drove a truck loaded with explosives into Israels embassy in Buenos Aires, causing 29 deaths. The repercussions of the decision to assassinate Suleimani will be many and varied, but two are already quite clear. The first is that the US militarys presence in the Middle East will expand, at least in the near term. Bringing soldiers home was an electoral promise and is still a common slogan used by President Trump. This promise, which was already proving difficult to fulfill, now looks out of reach. The second effect of the murder of Suleimani is that Irans nuclear agreement, in which the Islamic Republic promised to curtail its nuclear program, is dead. In fact, Iran has already announced that it will begin enriching uranium beyond the agreed limits, which it had not done since signing the 2015 agreement. The assassination of the Iranian general also reinforces an important albeit unintended lesson to Americas enemies: that they must have nuclear weapons in order to defend themselves. They know that Trump would never try what he did in Iran in North Korea, for example. Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, has the ability to respond with a nuclear strike. This is just an example of how the murder of Suleimani could spur nuclear proliferation, something that endangers us all. History shows that, more often than not, great powers reactions to attacks have more lasting consequences than the attacks themselves. For example, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US cost Al Qaeda an estimated $500,000 and caused around 3,000 deaths. Washingtons reaction to these terrorist attacks triggered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the longest in US history resulting in hundreds of thousands of civilian and military deaths in different countries and causing untold economic costs. Eliminating Suleimani, undoubtedly a dangerous terrorist, will surely bring some benefits to the United States and its allies. But it will also have significant costs, many of them unexpected and, for now, invisible. Suleimanis murder has the potential of becoming very expensive. Twitter @moisesnaim After multiple hearings and countless philosophical debates about the meaning of truth, Roscoe Tillman Essexs Federal Court case finally concluded with a 24-month prison sentence. This case has given us the opportunity to explore almost everything under the sun, said Judge Sandy Mattice, and I dont know if either side has carried their burden of showing what has actually happened. Essex was certainly involved in drug trade. That was not contested. Rather, the degree to which he was involved was subject to intense scrutiny. While Essex was believed to have lied to the state, his defense attorney Gene Shiles posited that his client did not willingly mislead the authorities. What Essex told officers was what he thought was the truth, said Judge Mattice, who reiterated Essexs mental health issues, and there is no 'objective' way to say that is what really happened. Attorney Shiles asked for a downward departure on the sentence based on Essexs mental and medical health. He also asked for Judge Mattice to possibly find a way to allow Essex to avoid the prison system. I believe (Essexs mental state) did make this defendant more vulnerable to persuasion, said attorney Shiles, portraying his client as an unwitting accomplice, and I am concerned about Mr. Essex going into a prison population. Well, it seems like the conduct he engaged in means there is an argument it required a certain level of critical thought, said Judge Mattice, but it is critically important he get his medication. He can go into the prison system as long as hes on his meds, and he will get any treatments and accommodations after the mental evaluation. When asked if the state wanted Essexs sentences to run concurrently, prosecutor Kyle Wilson was amenable, telling Judge Mattice, The court can do whatever it wants, with no objections. Judge Mattice then proclaimed the sentence added three years of probation. When given a chance to speak, Essex questioned why his drug offense became a federal case. I was wondering why my case went federal, asked the defendant. We may go to our graves wondering why your case went federal, but it did, said Judge Mattice in response. Judge Mattice allowed Essex to self-report by Feb. 12, which would give him a chance to gather a list of medications he needs before going into prison. Attorney Shiles thanked the court for its patience, saying I appreciate how the court has looked at the case from several different angles. It has been unusual in a lot of aspects, said Judge Mattice. Prince Andrew may have been released from his royal duties, but he is still caught under investigations that link him with pedophile and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Now, new photo emerged that caught the British prince handing over a gift to a scandal-hit governor. The photo showed the Duke of York giving gifts to former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who was implicated in the Epstein scandal in 2003. The Prince Engaged In Indecent Transactions The Palace had said that the Prince was there seeking support as U.K.'s trade envoy. He was there to see to the fulfillment of successful trading internationally. Furthermore, the Prince had been tasked to promote foreign investment for U.K. companies. However, the Palace could not confirm where Prince Andrew stayed during his official state visit in New Mexico in 2003. There had been mounting evidences that show Prince Andrew had stayed at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro ranch. It was a 45-minute drive to the ranch from where the official state visit press conference had taken place in Santa Fe, where he swapped presents with the sex scandal-stricken Richardson. Prince Andrew had given Richardson a wine coaster handmade by another royal. Meanwhile, Richardson had gifted the Prince a black concho belt. The gifts were reportedly given to improve trade between the U.K., New Mexico, and the United States. Having a Lot in Common Furthermore, Prince Andrew was quoted as saying he has "a great deal in common with Richardson." Commonalities may have included friendship with the sex offender Epstein and engaging in coercion of minor-aged girls. Moreover, Prince Andrew's accuser Virginia Roberts-Giuffre also made allegations against Richardson. Giuffre previously accused Prince Andrew of coercing with her, which the Duke denied in front of national television. Giuffre also claimed in court that Epstein ordered her to have sex with Richardson along with other prominent men. The Duke had said the same things of Richardson about feeling honored to visit him in New Mexico. Prince Andrew previously told BBC Newsnight that he felt it was the honorable thing to do to stay at Epstein's mansions out of courtesy of invitation. However, he did deny being a witness to the sex trafficking and scandals made there. Prince Andrew Had Naughty Business in New Mexico The Duke of York was said to have spent three days from October 20 to 22 at Epstein's baby-making ranch. While there is no official record of where he had stayed, he previously admitted on the now infamous BBC interview that he had stayed at Epstein's houses and island during their friendship. Furthermore, a former staff member at Epstein's Zorro ranch had revealed seeing Prince Andrew there at the early 2000s. The said staff member divulged how a "beautiful neurosurgeon" hired by Epstein entertained Prince Andrew at the Zorro ranch. The woman reportedly even went down to the ranch's kitchen "to ask for tea that would make Prince Andrew horny." Moreover, in "Epstein: Devil in the Darkness" podcast, Deidre Stratton revealed that the Duke stayed at the Lodge in Zorro ranch along with the woman who was said to be in her 20s at the time. 13 Below Brewery | Photo: Elyse F./Yelp Looking to try the top breweries around? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable breweries in Cincinnati, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges. 1. Streetside Brewery Photo: Jaccard w./Yelp Topping the list is Streetside Brewery. Located at 4003 Eastern Ave. in East End, the brewery and beer bar is the highest-rated cheap brewery in Cincinnati, boasting 4.5 stars out of 107 reviews on Yelp. Yelper Madi B., who reviewed Streetside Brewery on Dec. 5, wrote, "Had the best time at Streetside! I tried the golden eye, stay golden and alpha beers. All were great. They have a huge selection of beers ranging from prickly pear to American IPAs. There's something on the menu for anyone." 2. 13 Below Brewery Photo: Elyse f./Yelp Next up is Sayler Park's 13 Below Brewery, situated at 7391 Forbes Road. With 4.5 stars out of 18 reviews on Yelp, the brewery has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option. We found this information about the business' signature items: "We specialize in small batches of craft beers from Ambers and IPAs to Brown Ales and Porters," it writes on Yelp in the section about specialties. 3. Urban Artifact PHOTO: KATHY V./YELP Northside's Urban Artifact, located at 1660 Blue Rock St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap brewery and venue/event space four stars out of 131 reviews. This brewery specializes in tart, sour and wild beers. The spot also offers regular live music from local musicians. Yelp has more information about Urban Artifact. "We looked for ways to combine our unique brewing methods and styles with a performance heaven," per the history section of the business' Yelp profile. "By rehabilitating a historic church facility, we created the best sounding music room in town and mixed it with the taproom for our wild and tart beers." 4. BrewDog Photo: Shannon R./Yelp Last on the list is BrewDog in Pendleton. BrewDog is another much-loved, budget-friendly go-to, with five stars out of 40 Yelp reviews. Head over to 316 Reading Road to see for yourself. The spot, which also serves food, has a gaming area and a patio. Yelper Steve A., who reviewed BrewDog Cincinnati on Jan. 6, wrote, "I had a few different medium to dark beers, plus the Elvis, and I would recommend all of them. Even my friend's IPA wasn't overly hoppy and had some nice notes to it." This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Fine Gael general election candidates were asked to sign a party pledge confirming there was nothing in their past life they had not revealed that could bring the party into disrepute. At a parliamentary party meeting last week, candidates signed an amended pledge confirming they had revealed any matter, including views they may have held, that could be a breach of Fine Gael's ethos and principles. The move follows controversies involving Fine Gael candidates Maria Bailey and Verona Murphy. The candidates were asked to confirm they had no pending prosecutions or previous convictions other than minor road traffic offences that resulted in fines of less than 500. Revenue They pledged that they had revealed any Revenue, Workplace Relations, Labour Court or Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement judgments against them. Any civil litigation taken against them or their companies was also to be revealed to the party general secretary. In the aftermath of the Bailey controversy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said candidates would have to reveal any involvement in legal proceedings. He said he would also introduce a new party pledge that all candidates would be required to sign. This was updated last month and given to candidates last week when they met in Dublin to discuss the forthcoming general election. The Taoiseach was still refusing yesterday to reveal the election date, which he is expected to make public in the coming days. Party colleagues are expecting him to announce it before Thursday to allow him the option of calling the election between February 7 and 14. Mr Varadkar is due to dis- cuss the election with Cabinet ministers tomorrow before meeting Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and other party leaders. However, last night, ministers were suggesting the Taois- each may not tell them the election date, but rather inform them of how he plans to announce it. Mr Martin launched a scathing attack yesterday on the Taoiseach and Fine Gael over their record in housing and health while in government. Speaking on RTE Radio One, he said Fine Gael had "not prioritised health" while in government for the past nine years and said the party was putting forward budgets that "don't reflect reality". He also said the housing crisis was a "desperate indictment" of Fine Gael's ability to "get things done" and said some in the party turn their noses up at the idea of social housing. Mr Martin also claimed the Taoiseach told him during their talks that he was not sure he could rely on Ms Bailey's support if a no-confidence motion was tabled against Health Minister Simon Harris. On Twitter, Mr Harris hit back at the Fianna Fail leader, asking "Who is this new politician/agent of change?" before adding: "Oh, he's not new. "He was in the Cabinet that left the country bust. He was the minister for foreign affairs who lost the EU referendum. "He was the minister for health who set up the HSE." Mr Martin's colleagues in turn targeted the Health Minister online, with Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne saying: "Simon, please get off Twitter and get back to work. "There are hundreds of people waiting on trolleys, kids being denied chemo and operations not being done." Mr Varadkar was in Northern Ireland meeting UK prime minister Boris Johnson at the newly-restored power sharing executive. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Just six months after raising $27 million in capital, IVX Health a national provider of outpatient infusion centers announced the completion of its nationwide rebrand, applying its new name, visual identity and refined brand strategy to its existing infusion locations across the country. The company was previously branded as Infusion Express. The company plans to expand its physical footprint to more than 30 infusion centers across ten markets by the end of the year. The unified brand enables IVX Health to ensure a cohesive experience for all existing and future patients as it rapidly grows its physical footprint, supported by new national payor contracts and its refined clinical model. "In the past few years, IVX Health has grown in significant ways," stated Doug Ghertner, CEO of IVX Health. "Not only have we opened new centers and new markets, but we have also seen unprecedented interest in our offering from many of the major commercial health plans because of our closely aligned goalslowering cost, improving access, and enhancing patient experience." Since taking the helm at then-Infusion Express in 2018, Ghertner has led the company through a variety of milestones expanding from a regional to national footprint, hiring its key leadership team, and formalizing its world-class patient experience. The company also relocated its headquarters to Nashville and has experienced strong investor commitment through key funding rounds. The nationwide rebrand cements the company's accelerated growth strategy. Better Outcomes Amidst the skyrocketing costs of specialty drugs, IVX Health has proven its model can improve the patient experience while supporting better clinical and financial outcomes. Research suggests that over 40 percent of patients still receive infusion and injectable biologic specialty medications in a more expensive and much less convenient hospital-based setting, often costing two to three times more than alternative sites of care like IVX Health. In particular, a recent internal case study examining patient transitions within a six-month period showed estimated annual savings of $6.3M or nearly $51,000 per health plan member after switching their site of care from a major academic teaching hospital in California to IVX Health. "Economics aside, making infusion therapy more consumer-friendly can also improve patient outcomes," stated Dr. Andrew Lasher, Chief Medical Officer. "Simply put, creating great experiences helps patients remain persistent on therapy. From our beautifully designed centers to our industry leading nurse-to-patient ratios, we've seen our clinical model result in lower adverse event rates and greater medication adherence, which ultimately promotes better overall wellness." As IVX Health's mission is to redefine the care experience for those with complex chronic conditions, the impact of its brand can be seen in the meaningful relationships created with its patients. The results of this commitment are reflected in its 99% patient satisfaction rate and Net Promoter Score of 90, a measure of customer experience that is on par with pacesetters like Apple and Amazon. These scores speak to the consistent, compassionate, and personalized care patients receive at IVX Health. To learn more about the company rebrand, visit www.ivxhealth.com/rebrand. About IVX Health IVX Health is a leading provider of infusion and injection therapy for those with complex chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. IVX Health's national footprint of outpatient infusion centers are conveniently located in the communities where patients live and work. IVX Health's experience-first model includes amenities such as flexible appointment scheduling with evening and weekend availability, guaranteed private suites, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with streaming TV and movies, and comfortable recliners with room for guests. SOURCE IVX Health Related Links https://www.ivxhealth.com Three Jersey City police officers who were hailed as heroes for saving lives in the mass shooting last month will be promoted to detective Wednesday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop announced. The officers Raymond Sanchez, Mariela Fernandez and Kendric Jackson essentially pinned the shooters in that grocery store due to the quick response time they had to shots fired, the mayor said in a Facebook post. The two shooters, David Anderson and Francine Graham, murdered a police officer and three people inside a kosher supermarket on Martin Luther King Drive on Dec. 10 in an act authorities say was driven by their anti-Semitic and anti-police views. Authorities have said that the tragedy would have been far worse if not for Detective Joseph Seals, the first person fatally shot by the pair, and the quick response of other police officers. Sanchez and Fernandez, two of the first to respond, were shot by Graham and Anderson from inside the store. They were treated at a local hospital and released. The ceremony will be held at City Council chambers in City Hall at 2:30 p.m. EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti has pledged support for Romanias efforts to pursue pro-business reforms, address Romanias infrastructure needs and encourage investment in human and physical capital. The EBRD head visited Bucharest on Tuesday for meetings with the countrys new Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, and ministers, including Virgil Popescu, Minister of Economy, Energy and Business Environment; Victor Costache, Minister of Health; Lucian Bode, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communications; and Sebastian Burduja, State Secretary of the Ministry of Public Finance. Discussions focused on the investment climate, sustainable infrastructure investment, and corporate finance, both for expansion of local companies and in support of increased foreign investment. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Romania and to date has invested over 8.6 billion in the country. In 2019 alone, it committed 372 million in 22 investment projects across various sectors of the Romanian economy. President Chakrabarti welcomed the agenda of the new administration in Bucharest and the recent reversal of a series of taxes on the banking, energy and telecommunications sectors. He urged the authorities to foster the anti-corruption drive without freezing decision-making and implementation processes. He also called for improved governance of state-owned enterprises, making them more efficient and profitable, paving the way to further listings and boosting the local capital markets. Mr Chakrabarti said: Romania needs to step up public investments that boost human and physical capital public services, roads, railways, health and education while making the most of EU structural funds and the countrys dynamic private sector. He added that the EBRD stands ready to provide extensive investment, expertise and relentless support for progress to help the country achieve its full potential. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said he was "absolutely confident" that the Royal Family will "sort out" a future role for the Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who stunned the nation with their announcement that they want to "step back" from being full-time working royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their bombshell announcement on Wednesday that they intend to "step back" from being frontline royals, split their time between the UK and North America, and work towards becoming "financially independent". This forced the 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II to call an emergency meeting of the Royal Family on Monday at Sandringham, her residence in Norfolk, some 161 km north of London. A statement after the meeting said the Queen was supportive of Prince Harry and Meghan's move to step back from front line royal duties, and would work with them during a "period of transition" when the couple can divide their time between the UK and Canada. Reacting to the royal rift, Prime Minister Johnson told BBC Breakfast: "I am a massive fan... of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country." "I think they'll sort it out all the easier without any commentary from me," Johnson said in his first major TV interview following December's general election. Johnson was asked what he thought of Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to "step back as 'senior members of the Royal Family" and divide their time between the UK and North America. Johnson said that while "everybody has got an opinion" on the situation, "the Royal Family is one of the great, great assets of this country and I'm sure they will sort it out". When asked about media intrusion and whether there were any colonial undertones in the coverage of Meghan, the Johnson said: "I don't think this is helped by running commentary by politicians". The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended Monday's meeting. Meghan, who is in Canada, was expected to join the meeting over phone. But she reportedly did not participate, according to some British media reports. Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, also said they wanted a "progressive new role" within the institution, where they would be financially independent. Both also spoke of the difficulties of royal life and media attention in recent months, with the duke saying he feared his wife would fall victim to "the same powerful forces" that led to his mother Diana's tragic death in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Earlier, the Queen said the talks at Sandringham had been "very constructive". "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family," she said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." She said it had been agreed there would be "a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK" after Harry and Meghan "made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives". The royal family was said to be "hurt" and "blindsided" by the couple's shock announcement, which they said was finalised after "many months of reflection and internal discussions". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian GPs are for the first time being put on high alert to look for signs of elder abuse and enact safety plans for older patients they suspect are in danger. GPs are also being encouraged to immediately report any suspicions of abuse to police or guardianship authorities, under sweeping new clinical guidelines rolled out by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Australian GPs are being put on high alert to look for signs of elder abuse and enact safety plans for older patients they suspect are in danger. Credit:Virginia Star About one in six Australians aged 60 and older are victim to elder abuse spanning from neglect to financial, physical, sexual or psychological abuse each year. The number of victims is expected to grow exponentially as Australia's ageing population continues to soar. The college, which represents thousands of GPs across Australia, has released its first aged care clinical recommendations for doctors which provide guidance on dealing with elder abuse as well as caring for marginalised elderly patients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and those from LGBTI and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. There is no time for mischief quite like the end of a legislative session. This one was no exception. I had to scroll through four screens to get to the bottom of the lists of bills under consideration at the final session Monday. That provided cover for a move by our governor that might have made front-page news at a different time. That was Phil Murphys veto of a concerning Greenwood Lake that passed both houses unanimously. The bill would have provided $500,000 in state funding for maintenance of a lake that has serious problems. At least thats the line that was peddled last summer when Murphys Department of Environmental Protection issued health advisories for that lake and nearby Lake Hopatcong, thereby creating an economic disaster for local businesses and a ruined summer for residents and visitors. The warnings concerned levels of something called blue-green algae. Depending on whom you ask, these algae are either a hazard to health - or a health food. At the height of the hysteria last summer, I went to my local health-food store and picked up a jar of 100 tablets of blue-green algae, which is also marketed under the name spirulina. It set me back 25 bucks. That raises an obvious question: If people are paying to consume this stuff, how can it be so hazardous? Its not in isolation. But when these algae form in a lake, the conditions can also cause the growth of things like microcystins which really do qualify as toxins. On Lake Hopatcong, the microcystin levels were acceptable all summer. But that didnt stop the DEP from mounting a scare campaign last June that turned the lakefront into a ghost town. As for Greenwood Lake, it is split between New Jersey and New York state. Our side got the panic-mode treatment in July. On the other side it was just a normal summer. Thats because the New York environmental-protection people take a more scientific view of the potential threat. The same holds in most states. But our DEP adopts the most stringent standards available. Fair enough, says state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, the Republican who represents that area. But maintaining those strict standards costs money money that Murphy just vetoed. Its been six month since this fiasco when they closed everything down, said Pennacchio. Where are they going with this? Have they come up with new remediation levels? I sent Murphys people an email asking that question and got no reply. But regardless of the standards, the lake needs work, said Pennacchio. There are things like weed removal, stump removal, and dredging, said the senator, who has a degree in biology. This is a recharger for a watershed that meets the needs of three million people in New Jersey. In his veto message, Murphy said his reason for killing the bill was that the money would come from the wrong source. The message said the Greenwood Lake Fund would in no way support the purpose of the Maritime Industry Fund. That purpose is to provide direct and indirect support to the States marine transportation system. In fact the mission statement of the program, which is supported by fees imposed on recreational boaters, says it exists to promote, improve and enhance the marine industry in the State of New Jersey for the benefit of the general boating public. Nothing in recent memory did more to harm the interests of the general boating public than that bout of paranoia sparked by the DEP last summer. Boaters were informed that merely getting splashed with lake water presented a risk. But if state officials are going to engage in that sort of thing, said Pennacchio, then they ought to pony up some money to address the problem. If we knew the epicenters of where these algae blooms started, you go to the coves and you dredge the coves, he said. Thats one obvious use for the funding. There are plenty of others, such as recirculation systems that agitate the water so blooms cant form. But Pennacchio said the Murphy administration seems more interested in pushing what has come to be known as the rain tax. Thats the creation of commissions that can impose fees on property owners based on the amount of impervious surface they have. There are two problems with that, the senator said. One is that voters no longer have oversight on these commissions once theyre formed. And the other is that any such fees would be outside the 2 percent cap on property taxes. With all those other issues on the year-end docket, it looks like Murphy wont have to worry about a veto override. But summer will be upon us in six months. Will we see a repeat of last years debacle? That will be fun to watch - from the New York end of the lake. Turkish president says his country has duty to protect our kin in Libya as he accuses Haftar of rejecting truce. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey would not refrain from teaching a lesson to Libyan renegade general Khalifa Haftar if his forces continue attacks against the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. Erdogans remarks came on Tuesday when Turkey and Russia failed to convince Haftar to sign a binding truce to halt his nine-month campaign to try to conquer Libyas capital. The initiative was the latest attempt to stabilise the North African country beset by turmoil since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the Tripoli-based government that is recognised by the United Nations, signed the truce proposal after indirect talks in Moscow on Monday. However, Haftar left the Russian capital on Tuesday without signing. The Russian defence ministry was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying Haftar had been positive about the ceasefire deal and was taking two days to consider it. But Erdogan said Haftar had run away. Turkish forces Earlier this month, Turkeys parliament voted to allow a troop deployment to help the Tripoli government to fend off Haftar, who is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Russian mercenaries. If the putschist Haftars attacks against the people and legitimate government of Libya continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves, Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party legislators in parliament. It is our duty to protect our kin in Libya, he said. 200111165815392 Erdogan said Turkey had deep historical and social ties with the North African country and that Haftar would have taken over the entire nation if Ankara had not intervened. Turkey will join Germany, the UK and Russia at a summit on Libya in Berlin on Sunday, he said. Erdogan said the issue would now be discussed at talks in Berlin attended by European, North African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as the UN, EU, Africa Union and Arab League. The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later, unfortunately, he left Moscow, he fled Moscow, Erdogan said. Despite this, we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community. Haftars office and his forces have not officially confirmed the commander rejected the truce proposal, but a website linked to the forces said he would not sign. Haftar and al-Sarraj did not meet in Moscow directly, talking instead via Turkish and Russian mediators. Previous talks The pair last met in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 before talks broke down over a power-sharing deal and Haftar moved his troops on Tripoli in April, after expanding his control beyond the east and south. In June, Serraj told Reuters News Agency he would never sit down with Haftar again. Conflict in Libya has wrecked the economy, disrupted oil production and triggered flows of migration to Europe that have now largely been stemmed. Haftars troops have not been able to breach Tripolis defences but have in recent weeks made some small advances with help from Russian mercenaries, residents say. That has pushed Turkey, which has business interests in the country, to deploy soldiers to Libya to help the Tripoli government. Family members of both the suspect and victim in a fatal beach shooting in Portland last year packed the courtroom Monday at Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center as Michael Annello Perkins, 17, appeared for a hearing. Perkins is accused of shooting Samuel Fast Buffalo Horse, 27, at Broughton Beach on Northeast Marine Drive on June 12 during a brawl. The mothers of the two men both spoke, each asking the judge to consider her son. The mother of Fast Buffalo Horse asked the judge to return the case to Circuit Court and try Perkins as an adult. Perkins mother, meanwhile, said her son wouldnt pose a threat to the public if released to her. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office seeks a waiver to send the case back to adult court. While the court determines how to proceed with the case, Perkins will remain in custody. Perkins is charged with murder, as well as unlawful use of a weapon and rioting. Hes one of three people accused in a fight at Broughton Beach that, according to a previous Oregonian story, began with an attack on Fast Buffalo Horses girlfriend and ended with Fast Buffalo Horse shot dead in the sand. Two others, Fernando Gonzales and Tremayne Coleman, are accused of rioting and third-degree assault in the case. According to court documents, Coleman, 19, is the son of Gonzales, 44. Fast Buffalo Horses mother, Sheila Fast Buffalo Horse, said Perkins was under court supervision at the time of the shooting. Charge him as an adult," she said. "Its an adult crime. Both the Juvenile Court counselor, Candace Johnson, and the District Attorneys Office asked the judge to keep Perkins in custody, citing the murder charge and his previous stint in juvenile detention. Deputy District Attorney Kelly Burris said Perkins posed a significant threat to the community and should be tried in adult court. That process will likely take several months. Under a new Oregon law that went into effect this month, juveniles facing Measure 11 charges, as Perkins is, are no longer automatically charged as adults. The prosecutor in a case must now request a hearing to determine whether the case can be referred to adult court. Perkins, who will turn 18 in May, was on parole from the Oregon Youth Authority at the time of the shooting, according to an authority spokesman, Benjamin Chambers. He was first committed to the facility in June 2018 on charges of third-degree attempted assault, third-degree assault and second-degree attempted robbery. Perkins mother, Charlisa Harris, told the court that her sons probation officer was very active and that when her son was living with her, he followed probation rules. I understand these are extremely serious accusations, Harris said. But I dont agree he wouldnt have a placement that would provide proper supervision. Family and friends of both Perkins and Fast Buffalo Horse were emotional as the hearing ended. Perkins stopped and gave his mother a long hug before he exited the room. Sheila Fast Buffalo Horse embraced family members with tears in her eyes. Outside the courtroom, dozens of Perkins friends waited. Perkins next court date is Jan. 27. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The US House of Representatives is set to vote on Wednesday to send articles of impeachment it previously approved against Donald Trump to the Senate, where a contentious trial is expected to begin shortly after. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the announcement during a closed-door huddle with Democrats on Capitol Hill, while declining to name who would serve as impeachment managers throughout the Senate trial. The announcement comes after Ms Pelosi told reporters during a press conference last week that she would transmit the articles when Im ready, adding: We want to see what theyre willing to do and the manner in which theyre willing to do it. The House Speaker has repeatedly insisted on Senate Republican leadership providing details about the trial procedures, including what witnesses would be called to testify surrounding the presidents dealings with Ukraine. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week, Ms Pelosi wrote: As I said right from the start, we need to see the arena in which we are sending our managers. Is that too much to ask?" Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Show all 26 1 /26 Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Donald Trump Accused of abusing his office by pressing the Ukrainian president in a July phone call to help dig up dirt on Joe Biden, who may be his Democratic rival in the 2020 election. He also believes that Hillary Clintons deleted emails - a key factor in the 2016 election - may be in Ukraine, although it is not clear why. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Whistleblower Believed to be a CIA agent who spent time at the White House, his complaint was largely based on second and third-hand accounts from worried White House staff. Although this is not unusual for such complaints, Trump and his supporters have seized on it to imply that his information is not reliable. Expected to give evidence to Congress voluntarily and in secret. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Second Whistleblower The lawyer for the first intelligence whistleblower is also representing a second whistleblower regarding the President's actions. Attorney Mark Zaid said that he and other lawyers on his team are now representing the second person, who is said to work in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge that supports claims made by the first whistleblower and has spoken to the intelligence community's inspector general. The second whistleblower has not yet filed their own complaint, but does not need to to be considered an official whistleblower. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rudy Giuliani Former mayor of New York, whose management of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 won him worldwide praise. As Trumps personal attorney he has been trying to find compromising material about the presidents enemies in Ukraine in what some have termed a shadow foreign policy. In a series of eccentric TV appearances he has claimed that the US state department asked him to get involved. Giuliani insists that he is fighting corruption on Trumps behalf and has called himself a hero. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Volodymyr Zelensky The newly elected Ukrainian president - a former comic actor best known for playing a man who becomes president by accident - is seen frantically agreeing with Trump in the partial transcript of their July phone call released by the White House. With a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of his country, and the Crimea region seized by Vladimir Putin in 2014, Zelensky will have been eager to please his American counterpart, who had suspended vital military aid before their phone conversation. He says there was no pressure on him from Trump to do him the favour he was asked for. Zelensky appeared at an awkward press conference with Trump in New York during the United Nations general assembly, looking particularly uncomfortable when the American suggested he take part in talks with Putin. AFP/Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pence The vice-president was not on the controversial July call to the Ukrainian president but did get a read-out later. However, Trump announced that Pence had had one or two phone conversations of a similar nature, dragging him into the crisis. Pence himself denies any knowledge of any wrongdoing and has insisted that there is no issue with Trumps actions. It has been speculated that Trump involved Pence as an insurance policy - if both are removed from power the presidency would go to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican would allow. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rick Perry Trump reportedly told a meeting of Republicans that he made the controversial call to the Ukrainian president at the urging of his own energy secretary, Rick Perry, and that he didnt even want to. The president apparently said that Perry wanted him to talk about liquefied natural gas - although there is no mention of it in the partial transcript of the phone call released by the White House. It is thought that Perry will step down from his role at the end of the year. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Joe Biden The former vice-president is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination, which would make him Trumps opponent in the 2020 election. Trump says that Biden pressured Ukraine to sack a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that Bidens son Hunter was on the board of, refusing to release US aid until this was done. However, pressure to fire the prosecutor came on a wide front from western countries. It is also believed that the investigation into the company, Burisma, had long been dormant. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Hunter Biden Joe Bidens son has been accused of corruption by the president because of his business dealings in Ukraine and China. However, Trump has yet to produce any evidence of corruption and Bidens lawyer insists he has done nothing wrong. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Barr The attorney-general, who proved his loyalty to Trump with his handling of the Mueller report, was mentioned in the Ukraine call as someone president Volodymyr Zelensky should talk to about following up Trumps preoccupations with the Bidens and the Clinton emails. Nancy Pelosi has accused Barr of being part of a cover-up of a cover-up. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pompeo The secretary of state initially implied he knew little about the Ukraine phone call - but it later emerged that he was listening in at the time. He has since suggested that asking foreign leaders for favours is simply how international politics works. Gordon Sondland testified that Pompeo was "in the loop" and knew what was happening in Ukraine. Pompeo has been criticised for not standing up for diplomats under his command when they were publicly criticised by the president. AFP via Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Nancy Pelosi The Democratic Speaker of the House had long resisted calls from within her own party to back a formal impeachment process against the president, apparently fearing a backlash from voters. On September 24, amid reports of the Ukraine call and the day before the White House released a partial transcript of it, she relented and announced an inquiry, saying: The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Adam Schiff Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, one of the three committees leading the inquiry. He was criticized by Republicans for giving what he called a parody of the Ukraine phone call during a hearing, with Trump and others saying he had been pretending that his damning characterisation was a verbatim reading of the phone call. He has also been criticised for claiming that his committee had had no contact with the whistleblower, only for it to emerge that the intelligence agent had contacted a staff member on the committee for guidance before filing the complaint. The Washington Post awarded Schiff a four Pinocchios rating, its worst rating for a dishonest statement. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman Florida-based businessmen and Republican donors Lev Parnas (pictured with Rudy Giuliani) and Igor Fruman were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on 9 October. Separately the Associated Press has reported that they were both involved in efforts to replace the management of Ukraine's gas company, Naftogaz, with new bosses who would steer lucrative contracts towards companies controlled by Trump allies. There is no suggestion of any criminal activity in these efforts. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Taylor The most senior US diplomat in Ukraine and the former ambassador there. As one of the first two witnesses in the public impeachment hearings, Taylor dropped an early bombshell by revealing that one of his staff later identified as diplomat David Holmes overheard a phone conversation in which Donald Trump could be heard asking about investigations the very day after asking the Ukrainian president to investigate his political enemies. Taylor expressed his concern at reported plans to withhold US aid in return for political smears against Trumps opponents, saying: It's one thing to try to leverage a meeting in the White House. It's another thing, I thought, to leverage security assistance -- security assistance to a country at war, dependent on both the security assistance and the demonstration of support." Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal George Kent A state department official who appeared alongside William Taylor wearing a bow tie that was later mocked by the president. He accused Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps personal lawyer, of leading a campaign of lies against Marie Yovanovitch, who was forced out of her job as US ambassador to Ukraine for apparently standing in the way of efforts to smear Democrats. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Marie Yovanovitch One of the most striking witnesses to give evidence at the public hearings, the former US ambassador to Ukraine received a rare round of applause as she left the committee room after testifying. Canadian-born Yovanovitch was attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump while she was actually testifying, giving Democrats the chance to ask her to respond. She said she found the attack very intimidating. Trump had already threatened her in his 25 July phone call to the Ukrainian president saying: Shes going to go through some things. Yovanovitch said she was shocked, appalled and devastated by the threat and by the way she was forced out of her job without explanation. REUTERS Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Alexander Vindman A decorated Iraq War veteran and an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Lt Col Vindman began his evidence with an eye-catching statement about the freedoms America afforded him and his family to speak truth to power without fear of punishment. One of the few witnesses to have actually listened to Trumps 25 July call with the Ukrainian president, he said he found the conversation so inappropriate that he was compelled to report it to the White House counsel. Trump later mocked him for wearing his military uniform and insisting on being addressed by his rank. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Jennifer Williams A state department official acting as a Russia expert for vice-president Mike Pence, Ms Williams also listened in on the 25 July phone call. She testified that she found it unusual because it focused on domestic politics in terms of Trump asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponents. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Kurt Volker The former special envoy to Ukraine was one of the few people giving evidence who was on the Republican witness list although what he had to say may not have been too helpful to their cause. He dismissed the idea that Joe Biden had done anything corrupt, a theory spun without evidence by the president and his allies. He said that he thought the US should be supporting Ukraines reforms and that the scheme to find dirt on Democrats did not serve the national interest. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Tim Morrison An expert on the National Security Council and another witness on the Republican list. He testified that he did not think the president had done anything illegal but admitted that he feared it would create a political storm if it became public. He said he believed the moving the record of the controversial 25 July phone call to a top security server had been an innocent mistake. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Gordon Sondland In explosive testimony, one of the men at the centre of the scandal got right to the point in his opening testimony: Was there a quid pro quo? Yes, said the US ambassador to the EU who was a prime mover in efforts in Ukraine to link the release of military aid with investigations into the presidents political opponents. He said that everyone knew what was going on, implicating vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The effect of his evidence is perhaps best illustrated by the reaction of Mr Trump who went from calling Sondland a great American a few weeks earlier to claiming that he barely knew him. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Laura Cooper A Pentagon official, Cooper said Ukrainian officials knew that US aid was being withheld before it became public knowledge in August undermining a Republican argument that there cant have been a quid pro quo between aid and investigations if the Ukrainians didnt know that aid was being withheld. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Hale The third most senior official at the state department. Hale testified about the treatment of Marie Yovanovitch and the smear campaign that culminated in her being recalled from her posting as US ambassador to Ukraine. He said: I believe that she should have been able to stay at post and continue to do the outstanding work. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Fiona Hill Arguably the most confident and self-possessed of the witnesses in the public hearings phase, the Durham-born former NSC Russia expert began by warning Republicans not to keep repeating Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories. In a distinctive northeastern English accent, Dr Hill went on to describe how she had argued with Gordon Sondland about his interference in Ukraine matters until she realised that while she and her colleagues were focused on national security, Sondland was being involved in a domestic political errand. She said: I did say to him, Ambassador Sondland, Gordon, this is going to blow up. And here we are. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Holmes The Ukraine-based diplomat described being in a restaurant in Kiev with Gordon Sondland while the latter phoned Donald Trump. Holmes said he could hear the president on the other end of the line because his voice was so loud and distinctive and because Sondland had to hold the phone away from his ear asking about the investigations and whether the Ukrainian president would cooperate. REUTERS The Senate majority leader told CNN in response to the House speakers demands: No, we arent going to do that. He has instead suggested the process would be done swiftly, and that there would be "total coordination" with the White House counsel, telling Fox News: "There will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this, to the extent that we can." Recommended Trump shares disturbing tweets as Senate prepares for impeachment On Tuesday, Mr McConnell spoke on the Senate floor shortly after Ms Pelosi met with House Democrats to announce the upcoming resolution vote. "If the existing case is strong," he said, "there is no reason for the judge and jury to reopen the investigation." After the House likely approves a vote to send the articles to the Senate, a trial would begin just days later, a rare and historic event that has only happened twice before in the US. However, it remains unclear whether centrist Republicans will join Democrats in calling for witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the presidents dealings surrounding Ukraine to testify during the Senate trial. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, told reporters on Monday that he would like to hear from Mr Trumps former National Security Adviser John Bolton, adding: I expect that barring some kind of surprise, Ill be voting in favor of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, has also said her position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called. An impeachment inquiry was initially sparked after a whistleblower filed a complaint about Mr Trumps 25 July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The president was accused of withholding crucial military aid to the country as it fought a war with Russia, while demanding political investigations into one of his 2020 rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden. As time advances, the period we refer to as 'Contemporary Art' is getting longer. It now covers artists as diverse as Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) and Oscar Murillo (b. 1986), Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945) and Kaws (b. 1974), Martin Kippenberger (1953-1997) and Cory Arcangel (b. 1978). On the other hand, our classification excludes Gerhard Richter (b. 1932), David Hockney (b. 1937) and El Anatsui (b. 1944). According to thierry Ehrmann, Artprice's founder and CEO of ArtMarket.com: "An objective 'periodization' of Art History helps us to study the market, its structure and its evolution, even if it means distinguishing far too categorically sometimes what is Contemporary from what is not. But the fact that Maurizio Cattelan generates thousands more Instagram posts than Marcel Duchamp and that a work by Kaws is suddenly as expensive as the best paintings by Pierre Soulages naturally raises numerous questions about the trends and contradictions that drive the Art Market, but also about the very notion of Contemporary art." In art, 'Contemporary' doesn't mean 'alive today'... How should we label the uvres of Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) or of Pierre Soulages (who has just celebrated his 100th birthday)? Although their careers began shortly after WWII, Kusama and Soulages produced some of their best works long after the deaths of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat And yet, on the Art Market, Kusama's and Soulages's prices are growing gradually whereas those of Jean-Michel Basquiat, for example, are still posting substantial volatility. Perhaps we should see Contemporary art quite simply as art that has not yet become perfectly established. That's the fundamental difference between Marcel Duchamp and Maurizio Cattelan, between Duchamp's Fontaine (1919) et Cattelan's Comedian (2019). Whereas Duchamp's famous urinal remains controversial, few question its place in Art History, whereas Cattelan's banana taped to the wall still has a long way to go before it is accepted. This distinction remains ambiguous for certain artists. Look at Jeff Koons there is a good chance today his work will be seen as having singularly marked the latter decades of the 20th century and his Rabbit (1986) sculpture is clearly already considered a kind of 'classic'. However, his creations are still causing serious controversy and his approach to art has not yet been fully accepted. The recent Appeal Court ruling that Koons plagiarized the work of a French photographer in his work Naked (1988) is just the latest in a series of obstacles the American artist has faced. Our birth-year analysis (based on 2019 results) throws up three exceptional dates... 1955, 1960 and 1974. Born on the East coast of the United States exactly 10 years after WWII, Jeff Koons and Christopher Wool make 1955 the best 'vintage' in our Contemporary Art results ranking filtered by year-of-birth. Neither have ever represented the USA at the Venice Biennale, but their works have been acquired by major American museums for decades. Two other artists also made a significant contribution to the results of the 1955 vintage: Kerry James Marshall (born in Alabama), who has ranked among the world's Top 100 artists by annual auction turnover (all periods combined) over the past two years, and the Chinese artist, Zhou Chunya. With an annual auction total of $129 million in 2019, Jean-Michel Basquiat still dominates the Contemporary Art Market. Almost alone, he made 1960 one of the best 'vintages' of the second half of the 20th century. Glenn Ligon, the second best performing artist born in 1960, contributed only $1.9 million. Curiously, the new stars of Street Art, Kaws and Banksy, were both born in 1974, on either side of the Atlantic Kaws in Jersey City in the USA, and Banksy in Bristol, England. So, despite its lack of flexibility and its limitations, the historical classification adopted by Artprice remains coherent with the auction results recorded in 2019 (filtered by birth-year). If a new start date were to be chosen for the 'Contemporary' category, it could be argued that the year 1965 would be a logical separation date. However, the continuing market volatility on works by several major artists born during the 20 years prior to 1965 Albert Oehlen (b. 1954), Rudolf Stingel (b. 1956), Zhang Xiaogang (b. 1958) and Damien Hirst (b. 1965) suggests that their positions in Art History are still not yet fully established. Copyright 1987-2020 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: https://en.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2019/10/biographie_oct2019_WhosWho_thierryEhrmann.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5 million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. Artprice by Artmarket's 2018 Global Art Market Report published in March 2019: https://fr.artprice.com/artprice-reports/le-marche-de-lart-en-2018 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: http://serveur.serveur.com/press_release/pressreleasefr.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (4.7 million followers) https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department http://web.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076397/2019_Contemporary_Art_auction_turnover_Infographic.jpg Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] SOURCE Artprice.com Related Links www.artprice.com The people of Hyderabad are all set to take part in the kite festival on Makar Sankranti. Theyre stocking up on charaks (spindles), maanja, and of course, kites, known by all kinds of exotic names. You can go for the Ek Kalam or the Do Kalam, you could buy either the Kadi Kamp or the Gol Kamp, or choose the Zebiya, Langoat or the special Dulhan Patang. To cater to the demand, kite stalls have come up all over the city. But perhaps the most famous destination for those seeking kites and all things related is Gulzar Houz in the old city. Amidst the four arches of the famed Charminar there was once a water fountain at which the Nizams soldiers quenched their thirst. But over the last 100 years, the space is taken up by around 150 kite stalls during the Makar Sankranti season. All roads seem to lead across the Nayapul bridge to this space. People come from all over the city to shop for kite-flying supplies. In fact, Venu Gopal Rao, who runs a 50-year-old kite shop in the market, says People from all over the state visit our stalls, to pick the best for the fest. Mosin Ali, another stall owner, says Customers show interest in new trends. During the last two years Bahubali Patangs were hot commodities. Now plastic kites with pictures of movie stars and superheroes are the in-thing. There is also demand for kites from Gujarat featuring cartoon characters. The cotton maanja from localities like Dabirpura and Mata ki Khidiki are so famous that theres demand for it from places as far away as Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The skilled craftsmen of Telangana give the finest finish to varieties of maanja like Gajari, Gandhak, Feroza or Jaaju. The Hyderabad City Police Commissioner has appealed to the public not to buy Chinese maanja, which is available even online, as it could harm or kill many birds. Use of the product will attract huge fines and even imprisonment. According to traders at the kite market, people are shying away from buying foreign maanja. The traditional sport of kite flying is inexpensive and draws people of all castes, creeds and ages. The Patangula Panduga (Kite Festival) enjoys the patronage of the Government of Telangana. The three-day festival is held at the Parade Ground. On a smaller, more personal scale, Srikanth, Thomas and Qureshi can all be seen together on the same rooftop, enjoying the fraternal thrill of cutting down competitors kites. It is an occasion for terrace parties, for families and friends to come together and make memories stories you can tell your grandchildren while revelling in nostalgia for the past. WASHINGTON Cory Booker says he ran the race he wanted for the White House but "was not good enough to get his message of unity through to the Democrats who will nominate the partys presidential candidate. This is one of those strange campaigns where I wouldnt change things, Booker said told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC Monday night, hours after he ended his quest for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Booker said he ran the uplifting campaign he wanted, the same type of campaign he ran in Newark to become mayor. The call of the country right now is to mobilize this nation to deal with the problems that are bigger than our partisanship, he said. Its not about beating somebody else, its about winning this nation, which means bringing us together. Clearly I was not good enough to get that message through, he said. He did acknowledge a sadness you know, mourning when a year-long effort comes to an end. I was hoping this would be an election that we could find some new healing, that it wouldnt be a partisan victory we seek, he said. The call of my party cannot just to beat Republicans. At the end of the day, it needs to be about uniting Americans to a larger purpose. And thats my prayer for our party. Booker said he would not endorse any of the other candidates at this time, but bemoaned the lack of diversity among those still in the race. Tuesdays debate will feature six white candidates, a far cry from what had been the most diverse presidential field in U.S. history. As he did during the campaign, Booker said the Democrats needed to focus on increasing turnout among minorities, who will support their candidates if they come to the polls. Black turnout dropped to 59.6 percent in 2016 after a record-high 66.6 percent in 2012, according to the Pew Research Center. There are a lot more of those potential voters than those who cast ballots for President Donald Trump in 2016 and could be convinced to switch sides, he said. We have to inspire record black and brown turnouts, Booker said. This is not about those 60 million Americans that voted for Donald Trump. This is about the tens of millions of Americans who didnt vote at all who would be with us if we could just inspire them to the polls. Booker announced Monday he would seek re-election to the U.S. Senate, but also would travel around the country to get more minorities to vote. I will run myself ragged because we have to get everyone out, he said. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Storm Brendan brought heavy rain, strong winds, and surging seas to communities along the coasts of Ireland and Great Britain on January 13. Irelands meteorological service, Met Eireann, reported storm-force wind gusts at a weather station on the south coast, and more than 16 mm of rainfall at a weather station on the southwest coast. The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning across Northern Ireland. Authorities reported widespread power outages. This footage shows rough seas on Achill Island, located off the west coast of Ireland. Credit: Katrina Gallagher via Storyful Oregon Girl Dead, Boy Missing After Wave Drags Them out to Sea A seven-year-old girl is dead and her four-year-old brother is still missing after a wave swept the children and their father into the ocean off the coast of Oregon, according to state police. Jeremy Stiles, 47, was on the shore holding his daughter and son in the Falcon Cove, Oregon, area at around 12:38 pm on Saturday when they were all swept out to sea, Oregon State Police said in a release. A responding police officer found Stiles closer to shore, struggling to get out of the ocean, and the girl much further out in the ocean. The Manzanita Police Department officer went into the ocean and pulled the girl to shore. She and her father were then taken to the Providence Seaside Hospital in an ambulance, where she later died. The U.S. Coast Guard sent out helicopters to help find the four-year-old boy, but had to suspend the search after sunset. He is still missing. Joanne Cornelius told KPTV she saw the family get swept into the ocean and called the police. Weve beenits the first thing we think about in the morning, it was the last thing we thought about last night. Because you cant get that out of your mind, she said, adding that she told the coast guard where to search. Its horrible, she said. How strong, how high the water was. Even on a calm day, here in the Pacific Ocean, the ocean can be dangerous, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read told the Fox affiliate.King Tide, like we had this weekend, it makes conditions even worse. You have to respect the elements and know that theres no telling what can happen. The Cannon Beach Fire Department, Cannon Beach Police Department, and the Manzanita Police Department all assisted at the scene. The U.S. National Weather Service Portland Oregon issued a warning about an hour before the family was swept out to sea, writing in a Facebook post:Waves were hitting their peak this morning off the coast. While great to look at, remember to stay a safe distance away as a High Surf Warning is still in play. REDDING, Calif.- Shasta College in Redding has kicked off the new year choosing to be a tobacco-free campus. The college says students will no longer be able to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco products on campus, and that includes the college's designated smoking areas. School officials say all "designated smoking" areas on campus have been removed permanently in an effort to provide a safe and healthier campus for all students. The decision to ban tobacco-use on campus is also meant to prevent any fire hazards from improperly discarded cigarette butts. Administrators say that students who are caught smoking on campus will face consequences. If a student is caught smoking on school grounds, public safety will issue a warning. A second violation will mean that the student will be referred to administration for conduct violation. According to administrators, the new policy is not meant to penalize students who smoke, but to protect those who don't. Action News Now spoke to students about how they feel about the new policy. "I think it's an excellent thing that Shasta College is a tobacco-free campus," says Early Childhood Developemnt major, Sally Andrade. "I'm glad that this is taking place because we know the ramifications of smoking in that it can potentially cause cancer and a lot of other health issues," says Nursing major, Lahairoi Carlisle. The ban on tobacco-use on campus applies to Shasta College which is located off of Old Oregon Trail in Redding. The ban also applies to the college's other campuses in Burney, Weaverville, and Red Bluff. The newly implemented policy at Shasta College is a response to a California Community College System resolution to have all campuses in the state be tobacco-free. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:01:39|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end the country's months-long war, the TASS news agency quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. According to reports, Haftar left the Russian capital on Monday after seven-hour talks with his rival, Fayez al-Serraj, who heads the Tripoli-based UN-recognized government. Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement. Mediated by Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers, the aim of the negotiations in Moscow was to see a deal signed between the two sides for a permanent truce in the war-torn country. Lamar Institute of Technology staff and administrators gathered Monday to celebrate a longtime Beaumont educator who died in October and future college students who will benefit from her lifelong commitment to education. The $1 million the Rebecca & Edwin Gale Scholarship Endowment will fund an annual scholarship of $50,000, enough to cover two semesters for a full-time student. This comes at a wonderful time because we want to get the word out that there is still some money available for students, LIT President Lonnie Howard said. The American Dream is truly alive and well at LIT. Rebecca Speed Gale was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but moved to Beaumont in 1964. She earned a bachelor of arts and later a masters degree at Lamar University. She taught English at Hebert High School and eventually worked in administration with the Beaumont Independent School District. She and her husband, Edwin Gale, formed the Gale Foundation, which helped fund educational initiatives, medical research, Jewish life and other local charities along with gifts to the University of Texas and its various branches. When Speed Gale died in October, at 80, the foundation dissolved and provided the million-dollar gift to LIT. Howard on Monday thanked LIT Foundation Board member Hoke Peacock for helping represent the school to Gale Foundation trustees and finalize the terms of the endowment. On the heels of a significant tuition reduction for Southeast Texas three state colleges last year and a record enrollment in the fall semester, Howard said the school has seen an unprecedented number of achievements in the last three years. He thinks that record helped LIT earned the Gale Foundations trust. I would like to think LIT was selected because of its past performance and the proven track record we have of using every gift we receive for scholarships to students, Howard said. LIT also recently announced a $60,000 donation from Newtron LLC to purchase a utility-line truck for students to train with. Classes resume Jan. 21, and Howard said preliminary enrollment figures appear to be higher than the same time last year. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jdickjournalism KAMPALA The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) may lose some of its properties due to the skyrocketing arrears to farmers to a tune of Shs94.3b. The revelation was on Monday, January 13 made by Emmanuel Lyamulyeme Niyibigira, Managing Director, UCDA while appearing before Parliaments Agriculture Committee to present the 2020/2021 national budget framework paper. Niyibigira said that the Authority needs Shs94.3b to clear accumulated arrears for nursery operators who supplies seedlings to farmers. He also told the committee that if parliament does not allocate the required funds for clearing this accumulated debt, the owners of the nursery operators who supplied government seedlings would go to court and attach UCDA properties. Janet Grace Okori-moe (Abim Woman MP) wondered how the government is going to implement the project of introducing some crops to areas that have not been growing them when it has an alarming debt for seedlings procurement. However, there were calls by some MPs like Richard Othieno (West Budama North) to have the accrued debt verified by auditors so Parliament gets an authentic figure before final decision is taken, saying the arrears verification process will be critical at ensuring there is no possibility of inflated debt arrears. However, the UCDA managing director defended the debt saying the arrears had been verified and authenticated by Ernst & Young Auditing firm that had been hired to carry out this exercise by the Ministry of Finance. Related Bengaluru Security has been tightened across Mangaluru and nearby areas ahead of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest rally planned by Muslim central committees of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts at Adyar-Kannur near here on Wednesday. According to Mangaluru commissioner of police, PS Harsha, nearly 5,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city to ensure peace. Police officers have been called from different districts and have been briefed about security and traffic arrangements during the rally, the sources said. Police have also given guidelines to the rally organisers, participants and the general public, mainly on traffic arrangements. The heavy deployment of police follows the death of two people in police firing on December 19, after anti-CAA protesters had turned violent. More than 20 police personnel were injured in the violence following the protests. A probe has been ordered by the Karnataka government to determine the exact sequence of events which led to the death of two protesters. (With PTI inputs) Bhopal: Controversial BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Monday night lodged a complaint with police, alleging that she received envelopes by post which had poisonous chemicals on them. Police seized 3-4 envelopes from the MPs residence and some of these contained letters in the Urdu language, they said. We got a complaint from the Pragya Thakur that she had received envelopes allegedly having some harmful chemicals in them and we are filing an FIR in the matter, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bhopal Irshad Wali told PTI. When asked about the presence of chemicals in the envelope, the DIG said that it will be clear only after the forensic team examines it. Efforts to contact the BJP MP from Bhopal or her aides were not successful. Meanwhile, a picture of a brown envelope, purportedly with Thakurs address on it, was being circulated on social media with a message that it contained some poisonous chemical which was life threatening. FIR Registered Against Unidentified Person City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Umesh Tiwari said a case has been registered against an unidentified person on charges of criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing grievous hurt at Kamla Nagar police station and added that the matter is under investigation. Earlier, Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur had triggered controversy in November 2019 with her remark in Lok Sabha during DMK member A Raja's narration of a statement by Nathuram Godse before a court on why he killed Mahatma Gandhi. She was summoned by the BJP for her Godse remark in Lok Sabha. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A Meath county councillor says she is "shocked" at an apparent petrol bomb attack at her offices in Duleek, which was discovered this morning. Independent Cllr Sharon Keogan was shaken this morning but is thankful that the fire failed to fully ignite, preventing any harm to residents living in the upstairs of the premises. Cllr Keogan who became the first female in Ireland to be elected onto two municipal areas when she took seats in both Ashbourne and Laytown/Bettystown in last May's local elections is a candidate for the forthcoming General Election. "I was notified after 8am that a window was broken at my offices and on investigation, it seems that a brick was thrown into the window, followed by papers and some kind of accelerant. Gardai are currently carrying out forensic tests here," she said. "There has been a lot of smoke damage caused but I'm so grateful that people living upstairs were uninjured by this. I'm just so shocked by it all" The Councillor who sits on the Bettystown/Laytown Municipal council believes that the attack is in some way linked to her series of talks about drugs and condemnation of drug dealing in the community. She is one of the organisers of a talk in Stamullen tomorrow night, featuring drug and addiction counsellors and mental health advocates. "I think someone is trying to intimidate me and make me stop speaking out about drug dealing in the Duleek area but I can't let them stop me. I'm not going to be deterred because these talks are helping people. In 2018, there were five suicides in the area and after the regular talks which began last year, there has been no sudden deaths in 2019. That speaks for itself. "These talks are helping so many people with drug and mental health issues and they are allowing the community to take back control of their towns and villages. "This is an attack, not just on me, but on the whole community and we have to come together to fight this." Gardai have confirmed that they are investigating an incident of criminal damage at Duleek on January 14th and that investigations are ongoing. Two decades since the 'Black Cats' National Security Guard (NSG) commandos were enlisted for VIP protection duties, the Centre on Monday decided to completely withdraw the elite counter-terror force from the task, and direct the personnel into the counter-terrorism and anti-hijack operations the force had been originally conceptualised to tackle. Two decades since the 'Black Cats' National Security Guard (NSG) commandos were enlisted for VIP protection duties, the Centre on Monday decided to completely withdraw the elite counter-terror force from the task, and direct the personnel into the counter-terrorism and anti-hijack operations the force had been originally conceptualised to tackle. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is of the view that the NSG commandos should concentrate on its original charter of handling specific tasks of counter-terrorism and anti-hijack operations and that the task of securing high-risk VIPs was proving to be a "burden" on its limited and special capabilities, PTI reported. "The NSG needs to go back to its original mandate of counter-terror and anti-hijack. That is the reason behind the latest move," a senior official in the security establishment said. The removal of VIP security duties from the NSG will result in freeing about 450 commandos, who will be used to enhance the fighting components of the force that is spread across five hubs in the country and the main garrison in Gurugram near New Delhi. The force currently provides proximate and mobile security cover under the 'Z+' security to 13 'high-risk' VIPs, which entails about two dozen personnel for each of them. The move to remove the NSG commandos from VIP protection comes a few months after the SPG (Special Protection Group) cover was withdrawn from the Gandhi family and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, among others. The NSG protectees currently include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam chief ministers Yogi Adityanath and Sarbananda Sonowal, former chief ministers Mayawati, Chandrababu Naidu, Prakash Singh Badal, Farooq Abdullah, and former deputy prime minister LK Advani. As per a plan being worked out, the security of the VIPs under NSG cover could be handed over to paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which already provide security to about 130 prominent persons jointly. The CRPF was handed over the security of the five ex-SPG protectees: Singh and his wife, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and her children Priyanka and Rahul. On 9 January, the Centre also withdrew the VIP security of Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O Paneerselvam and DMK chief MK Stalin, The New Indian Express reported. Who are the Black Cats? One of the NSG's most memorable operations is 'Operation Black Tornado', when personnel were deployed in the wake of a massive terror attack on several iconic locations in Mumbai on 26 November, 2008. NSG commandos stormed the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident hotel, and the Nariman House and in coordination with personnel of other forces, killed all nine terrorists who had laid siege on the sites by the morning of 29 November. Set up 1984, the National Security Guard is a 'Federal Contingency Deployment Force' with the aim to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country. According to the official website, the force is intended to be deployed only in exceptional situations, and not meant to take over the "functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces". Counter-terrorism, counter-hijacking, bomb disposal, post-blast investigation, and hostage rescue situations are some of the tasks the NSG is trained to carry out. While discussion over whether the force should be relieved of its VIP protection duties has been on the table since 2012, when officers foresaw an event where simultaneous terror attacks could be witnessed at one time on multiple centres in the country and the commandos will have to be rushed in different directions. "The 26/11 Mumbai attack involved some 400 NSG commandos over three days. Considering we have multiple terror hits at one go, NSG needs to have a good number of fighting commandos and some in the strike reserves to replace them," a senior official had then said. After a major security review by the Modi 2.0 government in July last year, 1,300 commandos had been freed as the Centre removed or scaled down the security cover of as many as 350 politicians and former and present lawmakers. "In the review it was seen that many dignitaries were being given security from two ends and due to which large manpower was being wasted so the security of some was pruned and some was modified," an MHA official was quoted as saying by NDTV. After the review, the Centre directed that most of the VIPs being accorded the high-level security should be given cover by the state's police, the report added. Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav, former BJP MPs Kirti Azad and Shatrughan Sinha, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the grandchildren of former president Pranab Mukherjee, the daughter and grandson of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RSS leader Indresh Kumar, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, Uttar Pradesh ministers Suresh Rana and Brajesh Pathak, Vaishali MP Veena Devi (LJP), former MP Uday Singh, BJP leader Anupam Hazra, former scientific adviser R Chidambaram, and Congress leader Deepender Hooda, BJP Rajya Sabha lawmaker OP Mathur, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam, former BJP MP Udit Raj and BJP's Etawah MP Ram Shankar Katheria were among the VIPs who lost Central security cover after the review in July 2019, NDTV reported. The decision was cemented after the 2016 Pathankot terrorist attack on the forward IAF base in Punjab, in which at least six security personnel were killed. Why is this move necessary? Apart from insulating the elite force from the push and pull of politics and being a symbol of prestige regardless of the threat perception, the move to withdraw the Black Cats from the duties of personal protection also makes space for the force to focus and strengthen the chinks in its armour. In December last year, The Tribune had reported that even though the deployment of NSG teams was increasing, the force was without a "dedicated" range for training snipers, which is a "critical component of any special force". While the deployment of the NSG teams for immediate backup support was 47 teams in 2018, including alongside the Indian Army and the local police in Jammu and Kashmir, there was no appropriate infrastructure for the specialised training. "Adequate training infrastructure is available with NSG for special training except a dedicated sniper range. Ad hoc arrangements are in place to undertake sniper firing," the report quoted an MHA statement as saying. "Given the NSGs mandate of counter-terrorist operations in urban areas, hostage rescue and neutralisation of high-value targets, snipers are a very important element of its strike component," The Tribune said. In July 2019, the Mumbai unit of the NSG was equipped with an indoor shooting range, The Times of India reported. The 50-metre range, with six lanes, "offers automated multi-function targets for advanced combat practice". An official of the NSG was quoted as saying, "The main role of the group includes counter-terror operations in congested urban environments at close proximity." With inputs from agencies A nonprofit flood risk research organization is offering the first publicly available flood risk model that predicts the probability of flooding for homes and properties across the United States. Brooklyn, N.Y.-based First Street Foundation has launched Flood Lab, a research partnership through which it will make the model with data on previous instances of flooding as well as future risks available to eight universities for free, giving them and the public a look at the data institutional investors use to gauge risk. In exchange for access to the model, the universities have promised to conduct research into floodings impact on the U.S. housing market, its implications for lower income and minority communities, and its cost to federal, state, and local taxpayers among other issues. The collaboration includes experts from Johns Hopkins University; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the University of California, Davis; the University of Georgia; the University of Texas, Austin; the University of Washington; Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; and the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center. One of First Streets objectives is to see properly-calculated flood risk applied to all insurance rates, mortgages, land use decisions, bond ratings and other financial instruments. It has been working with universities and the flood modeling firm Fathom to provide flood risk information to individual property owners with information on their own flood risk. Last June it went live with its database at Flood IQ. Scientists Vow to Report Flood Risk for Every U.S. Property for Free While insurers, banks, investment and other firms have access to flood models and data from for-profit firms, researchers have limited, if any, access to this kind of data, according to Matthew Eby, executive director of First Street Foundation. Risk Management Solutions, CoreLogic, AIR Worldwide are among the biggest sellers of flood risk information, a private situation that First Street hopes to challenge. By giving this data to the worlds top experts for analysis and sharing it with the public, First Street Foundation will disrupt a dangerous asymmetry of information in the United States, one that allows institutional investors and the wealthy to capitalize on the changing climate while disempowering the vast majority of Americans to protect themselves and plan for their future, said Eby. As more data is generated, it will be given to researchers on a rolling basis through an application programming interface (API). The information will eventually be shared directly with the public through the foundations online visualization tool. According to the announcement, researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania will examine the impacts of flood risk on housing and insurance markets. The Wharton team will also look at the fiscal impacts of major flood events on municipalities. Flood costs continue to escalate in the U.S. and our work in partnership with the Flood Lab will help inform policy responses to this growing risk, said Carolyn Kousky, Flood Lab partner and executive director of the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University will use the Flood Lab to expand their research on how big banks may be shifting climate risk to taxpayers. Theyll also look at the potentially outsized influence real estate developers may have on Congress when determining the location and scope of seawalls, levees, and other adaptation projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The insights we generate based on their spatial big data will allow us to inform public policy that protects all people from the emerging climate change crisis, said Matthew Kahn, director of Johns Hopkins Universitys 21st Century Cities Initiative. Other planned Flood Lab research projects include: Researchers at the University of California, Davis are using Flood Lab to examine the relationship between flood risk exposure and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics; to identify areas where managed retreat should be used as a flood risk mitigation tool; and to assess the viability of community-level flood insurance. At the University of Georgia, researchers will study the impact that First Streets detailed flood risk information has on home prices, flood insurance take-up, and risk mitigation efforts in communities across the nation. They will also look at four southeastern states to examine how communities use different types of flood risk information and how those sources influence the flood risk perceptions of various stakeholders. At the University of Texas at Austin, researchers are using data from the Flood Lab data to examine housing market responses to flood risk, and the distributional effects of major floods in coastal housing markets. Researchers at the University of Washington will analyze the extent to which FEMA maps under- or over-estimate flood risk in the Seattle Metropolitan region and to assess how much of the built environment in the U.S. is exposed to flood risk. They will also evaluate whether the First Street Foundation Flood Model is a better predictor of flood risk exposure than FEMAs existing flood maps. First Street Foundations previous research, analyzing the impact of sea level rise on coastal housing markets, found a nearly $15.9 billion loss in relative home values along 18 East and Gulf Coast states from Maine to Mississippi between 2005 and 2017. The public can access the Foundations tidal flooding and home value data through FloodiQ.com, an online visualization tool. Others may apply for access to the Foundations current and forthcoming data at FirstStreet.org/API. Photo: Main Street in downtown Grafton, Ill., is swamped with Mississippi River flood water during historic flooding in Grafton on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) Related: Topics USA Flood Education Universities Risk Management The House of Representatives would vote on Wednesday to send to the US Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, lawmakers from the opposition Democratic party said on Tuesday. The 435-member US House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has led her Democratic party in the impeachment against Trump, told this to her party Caucus during a meeting at the US Capitol. "The vote will be tomorrow (Tuesday)," Congressman Henry Cuellar told reporters after the meeting. Pelosi, during the caucus meeting, did not name the House managers for the Senate trial. However, the House vote would include the names of the managers who would argue the case on their behalf. "The resolution will be done tomorrow; the managers will be named in the resolution. We'll have about a 10-minute debate and we'll vote on it and then send everything over. And the Senate trial, I assume, will start next week," Cuellar said. Initiated by Pelosi on September 24, the House, where the Democratic party enjoys a majority, voted on two articles on impeachment against Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump and the White House have denied those charges. Trump, joined by his Republican party, has accused Democrats of one-sided impeachment proceedings against him. Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member Senate. As such Trump appears to be confident that impeachment would be defeated in the Senate. The White House has confirmed its defence team for the Senate trial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A private businessman, Harris Owusu Ansu Gyeabour has sued the Police Service for defamation. Mr. Gyeabour contends that the polices arbitrary decision to publish a notice declaring him wanted has tarnished his reputation and made him lose many key business transactions. In a suit sighted by Citi News, his lawyers described the action of the police as unprofessional. The lawyers claimed that the action of the police has done far-reaching damages to the image of their client. His lawyers insisted that the Police failed to establish whether indeed his client had committed the offence of defrauding by false pretence before publishing such information. The Ghana Police Service last week on its social media platform, declared Harris Owusu Ansu Gyeabour as wanted for defrauding by false pretence. The service urged the public to report his whereabouts to the nearest police station. But the Police Service has been accused of failing to do due diligence before declaring Mr. Gyeabour Owusu a wanted person. ---citinewsroom The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on Tuesday upheld the fine of over Rs 2,423 crore levied by markets regulator Sebi on four directors of PACL Ltd for illegal fund mobilisation through various schemes from public. The order comes following appeals filed by the company and its directors against an order passed by Sebi in September 2017, which imposed a penalty of Rs 2,423.16 crore on them. The company and its directors had mobilised funds to the tune of over Rs 2,686 crore by running unregistered collective investment schemes between 2013 and 2014. Passing the order, the tribunal said "in our view, the collection so made by the appellants and the other entities was wholly illegal and the decision of the AO (adjudicating officer) that the amount so collected under the collective investment scheme is the illegal profit earned by the appellants and other entities does not suffer from any manifest error of law. The total amount of realisation made by the company and its directors amounts to illegal profits made by them." "We are of the opinion that it is no longer open to the appellants to agitate the matter as the same has been decided by Sebi which order has been affirmed by this tribunal," it added. The tribunal further noted that the amount mobilised during the period from September 2013 to June 2014 has not been refunded to the investors. The regulator in September 2017 slapped a penalty of over Rs 2,423 crore to be paid jointly and severally by the directors of the firm -- Tarlochan Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Subrata Bhattacharya -- for violating provisions of the Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) Regulations. PACL was engaged in mobilising funds from the general public by sponsoring various schemes which were none other than collective investment schemes and which were being carried out without obtaining a registration from Sebi as required under the regulatory norms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United Nations, Jan 15 : Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is coming to the US on Wednesday for his "US-Iran diplomatic efforts," according to sources here. He plans to first stop in New York and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said a meeting between them was likely. "My understanding is that the meeting -- if it happens -- the meeting was requested by the Pakistan mission and the Secretary General is always happy to meet visiting foreign ministers," Dujarric said on Tuesday. Guterres, who was in Portugal for the Lisbon Green Capital initiative and other meetings, is travelling back to New York and the visit will depend on him and Qureshi synchronising their schedules. A neighbour of Iran, Pakistan is trying to insert itself Teheran-Washington confrontation and take on a mediating role. Qureshi had met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday and Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on Monday. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had said in September after a meeting with US President Donald Trump that he had been asked to mediate to bring down the tension. However, there was no confirmation of the request by the US. Tensions between Washington and Teheran neared a flashpoint this month after Iranian Major General Qassim Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed in a US missile strike in Iraq and Iran retaliated with rocket attacks on bases in Iraq where US troops are stationed. However, both sides drew back from the brink and have indicated that there would be no further escalation for the time being. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Police say a rash of graffiti in the Grantioch neighborhood has ended with the arrests of two teenagers. Neighbors near 81st and Grandview streets worked with police to stop the property damage. For the last several months, fences and utility substations were being defaced with unsightly graffiti that no one would consider to be art. Pgiam / Getty Images The chances of getting away with cheating on your taxes have never been better. Thank anti-IRS Republicans whove steadily chopped the tax agencys budget for years. The mess erodes public faith in government, cuts money for needed programs and punishes honest taxpayers, while rewarding scofflaws. The Internal Revenue Service is reporting that audits have sunk to the lowest level in a decade, a total of 0.45% of individual filers. Over the same period, the agency shed 30,000 jobs as its budget shrank by a fifth. Another 20,000 employees are expected to retire in the next five years, taking their experience and knowledge out the door. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 09:21:49|Editor: ZD Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that he was optimistic about relations between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) although the inter-Korean ties are faced with difficulties caused by the deadlocked dialogue between the DPRK and the United States. Moon made the remarks during his televised New Year's press conference in the presidential Blue House. BHUBANESWAR: Activists of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) formed a human chain in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) here on Monday. This is part of the saffron partys massive public awareness campaign to reach out people to dispel their doubts on the issue. The slogan-shouting BJYM volunteers held the National Flag and placards that read Dont fight against CAA, fight against Pakistan and India gave justice to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. State BJYM president Tankadhar Tripathy said the youth wing of the party will organise similar awareness programmes across Odisha to defeat the evil design of the Congress and the Left parties which are spreading lies and encouraging violence. This is part of the BJPs public outreach programme to educate people about the #IndiaSupportCAA campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tripathy said the BJYM will soon launch a signature campaign across the State in support of CAA. BJYM vice-president Sikandar Ali said youths of the country have come out in support of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The entire country is standing behind the Prime Minister and the Muslim community have extended support after realising that the Congress and Left parties are dividing the nation on religion basis. State BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty, general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan, spokesperson Dilip Mohanty, Jagannath Pradhan, Babu Singh, Bibhuti Jena and other leaders of the party were part the awareness programme. From left to right: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Minn.) talk to reporters following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 14, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Senate Democrats Say They Have Enough Votes to Pass War Powers Resolution Limiting Trump Senate Democrats said Tuesday theyve gathered enough votes to pass a war powers resolution that would curtail Republican President Donald Trumps military options against Iran as a third GOP senator publicly said hed support the resolution. We now have the 51 votes that we need, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday. Kaine said that hes been speaking to Republican colleagues who were disenfranchised with the classified briefing about the airstrike that took out Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. After gaining the support of Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kaine said hed earned the support of Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). And there are a number of other Republicans who are looking at it as well, he said. The version thats attracted the support is a revised version that includes language added by GOP members. We now have a majority of colleagues, Democratic and Republican, who will stand strong for the principle that we shouldnt be at war without a vote of Congress, Kaine said. Im going to keep working to get more until we have this vote soon. The framers gave to Congress the sole power to declare war because they knew that it would be a safeguard against a rush, we dont want a rush, this should be the hardest decision we make. And because were going to be ordering young men and women to risk their lives, we shouldnt do it unless we have the guts to have the debate and have the vote and say the war is in the national interest, Kaine also said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that so many Americans are worried about what Trump might do in Iran. Its clear that the mother and fathers of America dont want another endless war in the Middle East, and yet the president could force us into one or, more likely, bumble into one, he said. The resolution would prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran, Schumer said. The timing of the vote on the revised resolution hasnt been set as of yet. The press conference came shortly after Young said he supports a revised version of the resolution from Kaine. I will be supporting, shall we call it, Kaine 2.0., the newer Kaine language, should I have an opportunity to vote on it, Young told reporters in Washington. Young said he wouldnt support Kaines original resolution. Irans Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP) While I appreciate Senator Kaines willingness to revise this bill, I will be opposing the motion to discharge and hope that we can continue working on this issue in a less politicized manner, he said. Young has been working with Kaine but due to Senate parliamentarian procedures, those revisions will not be incorporated until after a partisan vote to discharge occurs. If Kaines original resolution is discharged from the Foreign Relations Committee, he can amend it before its voted on by the full Senate. Lee told The Hill that the resolution is a completely noncontroversial measure that emphasizes the Constitution giving Congress the sole power to declare war, adding that the measure states that additional hostilities against Iran need to be authorized by Congress. That is a perfectly unremarkable statement, Lee added. The fact that this would be objectionable to anyone in either political party is really saying something. Other Republicans have come out against the resolution, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). I dont believe the blunt instrument of the war powers resolution is an acceptable substitute for the studied oversight the Senate can exercise through hearings, resolutions, and more tailored legislation, McConnell said on the Senate floor on Monday. So I will strongly oppose the resolution, and I would urge all our colleagues to consider what message the Senate should send to Iran and the world at the very moment that Americas actions are challenging the calculus in Tehran for the better. We appear to have restored a measure of deterrence in the Middle East, so lets not screw it up. The House passed a concurrent resolution last week but that one is non-binding, meaning it doesnt have the force of law and doesnt require Trumps signature. The Senate resolution would be binding but could be vetoed by Trump. If the president does veto, then the Senate would need 67 votes to override his veto. WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jovita Carranza now serves as the 26th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Administrator Carranza will lead the only federal agency exclusively dedicated to assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and expanding their businesses. Additionally, the SBA provides targeted recovery support in the event of a declared disaster. This is Administrator Carranza's second tenure at the SBA. She served in the George W. Bush Administration as Deputy Administrator, from 2006-2009. The President nominated Administrator Carranza to lead the SBA while she was serving as the 44th Treasurer of the United States. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a strong bipartisan vote of 88-5. "I want to thank the President for his confidence in me to be an advocate in the Cabinet for our country's 30 million small businesses, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the U.S. Senate for confirming me in a bipartisan fashion," Administrator Carranza said. "I look forward to helping elevate female entrepreneurs and our military veterans, expanding access to SBA resources among entrepreneurs in disadvantaged communities, and continuing to prioritize disaster relief." "I would like to thank former Administrator Linda McMahon for her leadership at the SBA, and the dedicated professionals at the Agency during this transition," said Administrator Carranza. Administrator Carranza's experience includes a remarkable 30-year career with United Parcel Service, where she began as an hourly dock worker, rose to oversee operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and ultimately retired as the highest-ranking Latina in the company's history. In testimony on December 11, 2019, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Administrator Carranza discussed her hands-on experience in the private sector, public service and the life-changing potential of entrepreneurship: "Throughout my life as a young girl in a working-class community, as an executive leader at a global company, and as a government official I've seen the transformative power entrepreneurship can have on individuals, communities, and the global economy." Administrator Carranza pledged to preside over an Agency focused on creating more opportunities for women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs while ensuring the SBA remains prepared to assist displaced homeowners and small businesses impacted by disaster: "Members of this Committee, whatever success I achieved in life has been a function of not only hard work, but also opportunity, guidance and advocacy I received from others. I will leverage the power of this agency to continue to provide the same kind of support that I received, to entrepreneurs who need it most. I intend to put particular emphasis on opening more doors for women and for entrepreneurs in underserved communities, including military families and veterans. And I intend to prioritize disaster preparedness." Administrator Carranza earned her MBA from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and received executive, governance, management and financial training at the INSEAD Business School in Paris, France; Michigan State University; and the University of Chicago. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Contact: [email protected], (202) 205-7036 Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Blogs & Instagram Release Number: 20-02 SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration Related Links http://www.sba.gov Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is surging in early state and national polls just weeks ahead of the Iowa caucuses. It looks like that surge is happening in California as well. A poll of likely Democratic primary voters from the Public Policy Institute of California released Monday night shows Sanders leading his rivals with 27 percent support from survey respondents, followed closely by former Vice President Joe Biden at 24 percent and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren with 23 percent. A growing chorus of U.S.-based fund managers is betting that emerging market stocks and bonds are poised to outperform U.S. assets this year. The momentum for emerging markets has grown so strong that it has become almost a consensus trade, with investors even urging clients to buy EM junk bonds. What's happening: Following 2019's blowout returns for U.S. stocks and strong performance for high yield, government and even municipal bonds, investors expect U.S. assets to fall to earth in 2020 and are positioning in emerging markets. Companies located in emerging markets sold a record $118 billion of high-yield dollar bonds last year, doubling the pace from five years before, according to Dealogic, and are expected to see even more allocation in 2020. In November, Henry Schwartz, founder of data provider Trade Alert, wrote in a note that investors had gone on a "spending spree" buying call options of the ETF that tracks EM equities. What they're saying: "Emerging markets present top 2020 opportunities," UBS Global Wealth Management's CIO Mark Haefele wrote in a recent note to clients. "Emerging market debt surfaced as our top choice," JPMorgan Asset Management CIO Bob Michele wrote in a late December note. "The emerging markets will be the big winner of 2020," Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at The Leuthold Group, told CNBC. Don't stop believin' in Emerging Markets," analysts from Wasatch Global Investors titled a recent note to clients. Further, top analysts at Deutsche Bank and Schroders have said they expect EM currencies to outperform in 2020, and Morgan Stanley and Citigroup are betting on emerging fixed-income assets. Why it matters: Bullish fund managers are putting their money where their mouths are, laying down bets that EM equities, debt and currencies are primed to deliver solid returns for their clients, which include pension funds, retirement accounts and endowments, among others. Yes, but: While emerging nations like India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico have typically had stronger economic growth than developed countries like the U.S., Japan and Germany, that may not be the case in 2020. If growth doesn't deliver, asset prices are unlikely to see significant gains, derailing the popular theme. Threat level: Major asset managers largely ignored EM for years and they now may be facing secular stagnation, and a breakdown of growth, Robin Brooks, managing director and chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, warns. Emerging countries also are facing challenges like "increased automation, climate change and de-globalization," which are "possible threats to potential growth in the decades to come." Go deeper: BERLIN - German police raided premises in four states early Tuesday on suspicion that a group of Chechens were scouting locations for a possible attack that may have included a synagogue, officials said. Berlin prosecutors said some 180 officers took part in the raids at nine sites in the German capital and the states of Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia. In a statement, prosecutors said the five suspects, who are aged between 23 to 28, are accused of having scouted out locations for a possible later attack motivated by Islamism. According to current information there was no concrete threat of an attack yet, prosecutors added. Martin Steltner, a spokesman for Berlin prosecutors, said authorities acted after discovering photographs, including of a synagogue and a shopping mall, on one suspects cellphone during a police check. He declined to say where the photographs were taken. Later Tuesday prosecutors said the evidence collected so far wasnt sufficient to justify arrest warrants against the five suspects, but that the material seized in the raids which included knives, cash and data storage devices was now being reviewed. Two passers-by were killed last year when a suspected far-right extremist tried to attack a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - Marble Financial Inc. (CSE: MRBL) (OTCQB: MRBLF) ("Marble" or the "Company") a financial technology company that empowers Canadians' toward a positive financial future, is excited to announce that the provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador has granted the Company's subsidiary, TPFM The Phoenix Fund Management Ltd. ("TPFM") a license to operate as an Extra-Provincially Registered entity in these province's in order to carry on our business of offering consumer rebuilding products to customers in New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador that are exploring ways to exit their existing consumer proposal and improve their credit score. After successfully launching in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, Marble and its subsidiary TPFM continues to expand its financial wellness strategy across Canada by now offering its credit rebuilding products in New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador. Since 2016, Marble has proudly been helping financially undeserved Canadians, with proprietary expertise and technology, by transforming the lives of individuals by optimizing their credit, personal financial wellness and helping to create an achievable financial goal. With the outstanding consumer debt market in Canada totaling approximately $632B, households are financially stretched. According to a study completed by MNP LLP, the amount Canadians owe has doubled in the past 20 years with approximately $1.78 per $1.00 of income. With this growing Canadian debt load, consumer insolvencies have also increased resulting in over 300,000 active consumer proposals. New Brunswick, Canada's sixth highest province for insolvencies, and Newfoundland & Labrador, the ninth highest, enables Marble to reach more qualified consumers through their already trusted and established lead partners. Entering these markets also presents further growth opportunity by offering Marble's suite of financial wellness products; Fast Track Loan, Score-Up and Credit-Meds. "We want to help make a positive impact on the financial wellness of all Canadians and with our recent expansion into new markets, we are continuing to fulfil our mission of positive personal economic health." says Karim Nanji, Marble CEO. "Moving consumers into the financial mainstream is not simply an aspirational goal, it's an attainable goal. We are excited to announce our further growth into New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador, introducing our credit rebuilding products to these regions, providing options for Canadians in a world where they are hard to come by or non-existent." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Karim Nanji, CEO About Marble Financial Inc. dba Marble Financial (CSE: MRBL; OTCQB: MRBLF) we are a group of forward-thinking financial technology experts that fully understand the benefits and drawbacks of credit in Canada. Marble helps Canadians rebuild their credit to gain access to prime lending, through our industry-leading proprietary technology solutions Fast-Track, Score-Up, and Credit-Meds. Our proven strategy guides our customers back to a meaningful credit score, 50% quicker than traditional methods. Since 2016, Marble is proud to have empowered thousands of Canadians to a positive financial future and we continue to establish ourselves as leaders in financial wellness. For further information, please visit the company's website at: http://www.mymarble.ca/ Mike Marrandino, Executive Chairman TF:(855) 661-2390 ext. 104 Email: ir@marblefinancial.ca NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51424 A British airline passenger who got drunk on a holiday jet, dropped his trousers and tried to start a food fight during a nightmare eight-hour flight to the UK was jailed for six months on Tuesday. Scrap metal merchant Mohammad Rafiq, 47, from Ashton-under-Lyne, had drunk at least half a bottle of whiskey before going on a mid-air rampage as the plane cruised at 30,000 feet. During the 4,800 mile journey from Muscat in Oman to Manchester, Rafiq grabbed another bottle of whiskey from a drinks trolley, angrily threw in-flight food around the aircraft and swore at passengers and cabin crew while repeatedly making obscene hand gestures. Mohammad Javed Rafiq from Ashton-under-Lyne leaving Manchester Magistrates Court at an earlier hearing The father-of-two was eventually calmed down by one of the passengers and fell asleep in his seat in a drunken stupor. He was arrested when the plane touched down. Manchester Crown Court heard Rafiq had been drinking heavily after attending the funeral of his godfather in his native Pakistan. He later claimed he had been tee-total for 18 months but had got intoxicated after 'succumbing to temptation' when he spotted other travellers drinking alcohol. He is now seeking help for his heavy drinking. The incident occurred on November 1 last year after Oman Air WY0105 had taken off from Muscat. Prosecutor Laura Peers said: 'Thirty minutes into the flight, crew became aware of a passenger causing issues. He took a full bottle of whisky from the drinks trolley then drank it and was shouting aggressively towards other passengers. He continued to shout and stick his middle finger up to the other passengers and passengers around him had to be moved. He also threw his food over the floor. 'The plane landed at 6.55pm and he was then arrested.' Rafiq was jailed on Tuesday at Manchester Crown Court for six months (pictured outside Manchester Magistrates Court at an earlier hearing) Rafiq, who had a history of drink-driving offences, admitted being drunk on a aircraft but claimed he remembered little of the incident. In mitigation, defence lawyer Andrew Evans said: 'He had decided to become abstinent from alcohol and that lasted for a whole 18 months. At the time he was in some sort of emotional stress and had been in Pakistan with people paying their respects at the funeral. 'He had spent three weeks in Pakistan without a drop of alcohol and he anticipated not being tempted on his return. But on the flight back he was surprised to find alcohol being served and he was in the position where he succumbed to temptation. 'Other people around him were drinking and the opportunity to drink was available. He hadn't put up his defences and he hadn't expected to be tempted and this was to his detriment. By the time he landed in Manchester he was highly intoxicated and acted in a deplorable way. Mohammad Rafiq was jailed for six months today at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) 'He was causing people distress, but this bizarre behaviour was not dangerous. He hadn't attacked anyone physically and he calmed down. By the time he arrived in Manchester he was asleep. He was not irate. He was compliant.' Sentencing Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told Rafiq: 'Passengers should be able to enjoy their flights, they shouldn't have to put up with people behaving in this loutish and drunken way.' The judge went on to say Rafiq came to the attention of the cabin crew director thirty minutes into the eight hour flight. 'She recalls the quite disgraceful behaviour you engaged in over a period of time, before you did calm down and you fell asleep, prior to being arrested by the police. She recalls how you had taken a full bottle of whisky from the drinks trolley and started to drink it, acting in an aggressive manner. 'She said you were swearing at the people around you and putting your middle finger up. You were asked to calm down but you didn't calm down. You took a handful of food and threw it on the floor, causing more disturbance. Rafiq claimed he had been tee-total for 18 months but had got intoxicated after 'succumbing to temptation' when he spotted other travellers drinking alcohol on Oman Air (pictured) 'You started to take issue with a married couple that were sat next to you and they had to move to different seats. Two other males were moved to where they were sitting and you started to cause trouble with them. 'Staff tried to calm things down and the cabin crew director describes how you were acting aggressively and you started to remove your trousers in front of the other males. After taking them down, you were then putting them back on, which was quite bizarre. 'These other passengers were moved away and you were left on your own. An announcement was made on the plane as to how passengers were expected to behave and you were given a letter with a warning on it. But you refused to engage with staff. Another male passenger was able to calm you down and you were quiet for the last leg of the journey on the descent into Manchester, where you were then arrested. Mohammad Rafiq was arrested when his plane landed at Manchester airport following the eight hour flight 'The staff on the flight were unable to do their jobs as you caused so much disruption to both staff and other passengers. Being drunk on an aircraft is very serious. This is not a charge of endangering an aircraft, but still the situation will always be regarded seriously by the courts. 'You had a period of abstinence and you did reduce your intake of alcohol. However, you were not successful when you got on that flight and you decided to drink to excess, and that is what you did. You didn't attack anybody and you did calm down and were compliant with the police. The circumstances are so serious that immediate custody is the only sentence this court can pass.' Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, we are living in the United States of Propaganda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Flash The United States has imposed sanctions targeting seven Venezuelans, including the newly elected head of the country's parliament, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday. The Treasury said in a statement that it has blacklisted seven National Assembly delegates, including Luis Parra, the new president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, claiming that the designated persons "took steps to undermine the elections process in the National Assembly." Following the designation, all property and interests in property of the punished individuals subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. citizens are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Venezuela's National Assembly convened on Tuesday with opposition deputy Parra serving as president of the legislative body. Hardline opposition leader Juan Guaido lost his bid for reelection as president of the assembly to Parra over a week ago, an outcome Guaido and his group refused to accept. The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of Guaido. [January 14, 2020] IntelliClear Releases Research White Paper on the Issue of Deceptive Respondents in Online Surveys AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelliClear today announced the release of its latest White Paper, entitled: Managing Deceptive Respondents in Online Surveys. With this White Paper IntelliClear offers actionable ideas and strategies to address a pervasive and growing issue with online surveys, that of Deceptive respondents, by exploring the viability of alternatives in dealing with them. We have seen first-hand how the issue of Deceptive Respondents can erode the trustworthiness and reliability of the results of some online surveys, so we have explored what exactly is the impact of Deceptive Respondents and how it can be put into perspective, says Eric Shuster, President and CEO of IntelliClear. To accomplish that goal we distinguished between different types of Deceptive Respondents based on their statistical profiles and carried a broad range of simulations so as to determine to what degree such respondents can be tolerated without adverse impact to the real insights obtained from the survey results, adds Alex Kalamarides, Ph.D., Managing Director and General Partner of IntelliClear. LRWs Chief Research Officer, Hilary DeCamp, comments: After rigorously cleaning your dataset for fraudulent and inattentive respondents, you are likely to still have some amount of unidentified dirt in the dataset. So long as it is random noise, this may not impact the concusions. The peer-reviewed White Paper, which includes practical recommendations for survey designers, data analysts and business decision maker consumers of market research, is immediately available on IntelliClears website. The work has also been accepted for presentation at the upcoming SampleCon conference in Atlanta on February 3-5 2020. We are delighted that our work has been included and will be highlighted at SampleCon. We are looking forward to discussing its implications and ensuring that the results get applied responsibly and effectively by market research practitioners, concludes Alex Kalamarides. About SampleCon (samplecon.com ) Launched in 2013, SampleCon was formed with the goal of creating an open forum for discussion of the global topics facing the sample industry. SampleCon has maintained a unique ability to connect global influencers for inclusive, transparent, passionate discussions that shape a strong, thriving insights community for the future. We remain focused on the intersection of human engagement, research and innovation that fuel the insights community. About IntelliClear ( www.intelliclear.com ) IntelliClear is a market research and business consulting firm committed to the delivery of actionable market intelligence to the global IT community. IntelliClears mission is to bring clarity to IT market intelligence by delivering results-oriented research, responsive industry experience, and effective data synthesis - leading to confident go-to-market plans. IntelliClear leverages the experiences of seasoned IT and market research professionals, while utilizing its global network of industry consultants and research partners to execute projects across a broad spectrum of disciplines and geographies. Editorial Contact: Alex Kalamarides (512) 862-3083 akalamarides @intelliclear.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 13, 2020 Lawmakers in Washington state on Monday introduced a law that would give state residents new privacy rights, including the ability to opt out of targeted advertising. We as individuals have a fundamental right to know how our data's being used, State Senator Reuven Carlyle, who is sponsoring the Washington Privacy Act, said Monday. We have a right to access that data. We should have the right to delete that data ... And we should have the right to opt out from targeted ads, the sale of our data, and profiling. A similar bill was passed by the Senate last year, but stalled in the House. Since then, lawmakers have held talks with consumer privacy groups as well as tech companies, Carlyle said. He added that there was now overwhelming consensus on some components of the bill. advertisement advertisement But the bill's enforcement provisions appear likely to spur criticism from consumer advocates, because the measure doesn't give individuals the right to sue over violations. Instead, the bill tasks the state attorney general with enforcement. Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the industry funded think tank Future of Privacy Forum, characterized the proposal as the most comprehensive state privacy legislation proposed to date. He stated: It includes provisions on data minimization, purpose limitations, privacy risk assessments, anti-discrimination requirements, and limits on automated profiling that other state laws do not. Consumer advocacy groups were among the critics of last year's failed proposal. Organizations including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Consumer Reports told Washington state lawmakers that the prior version of the bill was so weak that it would set a dangerous precedent for privacy legislation nationally and in the states. The Association of National Advertisers and other ad industry groups also opposed the bill that was unveiled last year, arguing that any legislation regarding online privacy should be national. Carlyle countered Monday that state laws were necessary, on the theory that Congress isn't likely to move forward soon. We live in a time when the federal government has struggled to take a stand on the weather, he said. The federal government -- if they decided tomorrow to pass a federal privacy bill, it would take them four years at a minimum to do it. Supermarket shoppers have been confronted with the chilling sound of animals being slaughtered during an protest against eating meat. Cooper Ehlers and a friend protested in front of the meat section of Woolworths Booragoon in Perth's south on Monday. Photos show the pair holding signs as they played the sounds of animals in slaughterhouses in a desperate attempt to make shoppers aware of the plight facing farmed creatures. 'This is what they want they don't want you to hear,' Mr Ehlers' sign read. Scroll down for video Cooper Ehlers and a fellow vegan protested at the meat section at Woolworths Booragoon His unnamed friend held a sign with the words 'Stop the silence hear the violence.' Mr Ehlers' sign also urged people to watch Dominion, a documentary that uses hidden cameras and drones to "investigate the dark side of animal agriculture". However, no one in the store appeared to be bothered by the demonstration. He posted the protest photos on the Perth Vegans Facebook page, urging those interested in getting involved in animal rights activism to reach out. Mr Ehlers' post sparked a divisive reaction on the Facebook page. 'I understand you want this to stop, but disrupting everyone else's lives while they are buying food for their families is s**t. Don't force your views and opinions onto everyone else that doesn't share the same view,' one person commented. Another added: 'This will do nothing and won't make anyone stop and think.. it will just cause more problems for vegans.' The vegan animal activists held signs as they played the sounds of animals in slaughterhouses Some people showed their support for the protester's actions. 'The only people who become aggressive at those who ask for the killings to stop are just in denial, these are the ones who know its wrong and dont want to be faced with the reality of their choice. Keep up the good work. It takes a hell of a lot of guts to stand up like you are,' one person wrote. Another added: 'Posts and acts like these get people talking, and create a conversation, which could lead to people transitioning. I ended up being vegan after all the advertising and activists against Melbourne Cup Day, as prior to that i was oblivious on what went on 'behind the scenes' and right in front of us.' The latest protest comes after Tash Peterson stormed Coles and Woolworths stores last month Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Ehlers and Woolworths for comment. The latest protest comes just weeks after fellow Western Australian vegan animal activist Tash Peterson stormed into Coles and Woolworths on Christmas Eve calling on the supermarket giants to reveal where their meat 'really comes from'. Wearing a blood-soaked apron and face mask, Ms Peterson was armed with a fake butchered pig's head and a stereo blasting cow and pig noises. 'They are selling products from industries who are mislabeling their products as humane and cruelty free,' Ms Peterson posted on Instagram at the time. 'There is no legal framework as to what the term free-range actually means.' 'Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, family and celebrating life; yet we are filling our tables with violence by putting animal flesh and secretions on our plates.' Donald Trump Getty CNN reported on Monday that the State Department was not notified of any "imminent threat" to US embassies before President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani. The revelation blows another hole through the president's claim last week that there was an imminent threat to at least four US embassies. Trump's statement has also been contradicted by his own administration officials, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who said over the weekend that he "didn't see" specific evidence of a threat to US embassies. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed last week that he ordered a drone strike against Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani, because there was an "imminent threat" to at least one and as many as four US embassies. Trump's statements have already fallen apart based on media reporting and contradictory statements from his own officials. On Monday, CNN reported that the State Department was not told of any imminent threats to four US embassies, blowing another hole through Trump's claims. It's highly unusual for the State Department to not be made aware of such a matter, given the direct threat it would pose to US personnel abroad. According to CNN, the department sent a global warning to all US embassies before the Soleimani strike occurred but it was not directed at specific embassies and did not warn of an imminent attack. "Soleimani was actively planning new attacks, and he was looking very seriously at our embassies, and not just the embassy in Baghdad," Trump said on Thursday night at a rally in Ohio. "But we stopped him, and we stopped him quickly, and we stopped him cold." On Friday, according to CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Fox News aired a clip in which Trump told host Laura Ingraham that four embassies were involved in the plot, though he didn't specify which ones. Story continues But questions were raised almost immediately after Trump made those claims. Several lawmakers wondered why, if there was an imminent threat to US embassies, they weren't notified of it during a Senate briefing on the strike last week. Trump's came under harsher scrutiny over the weekend, after Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who receives the same intelligence briefing as the president known as the Presidential Daily Brief told CBS News he "didn't see" specific intelligence showing Iran was planning to target four US embassies before Soleimani was killed. "What the President said was he believed it probably could have been. He didn't cite intelligence," Esper said. Trump weighed in on the discrepancies Monday, tweeting, "The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' or not, & was my team in agreement. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" Soleimani's assassination kicked off a series of escalatory actions from both Washington and the Iranian capital of Tehran that simmered down last week after Iran fired several missiles at US bases in Iraq that resulted in no American casualties. Trump subsequently announced that "all is well" and that the conflict had been de-escalated. The president's actions also invited harsh blowback from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans who expressed concern that Congress had not been consulted or notified before the drone strike. The House of Representatives subsequently passed a war-powers resolution on Thursday that would drastically curtail the president's ability to take further military action against Iran. It passed on a largely party-line vote, though eight Democrats voted against it, and three Republicans voted in favor of it. Since the strike was first announced, questions have swirled about how robust the underlying intelligence supporting the strike was and whether Soleimani really did pose an "imminent threat," as Trump and his deputies have said. Last Tuesday, Esper was asked whether the Iranian attacks against US personnel were days or weeks away before Soleimani's death. "I think it's more fair to say days, for sure," Esper said. But several Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's briefings on the strike against Soleimani, who was Iran's most powerful military official and a widely revered figure within the nation. Asked if she was convinced that there was evidence that Soleimani was planning an "imminent" attack on US personnel, as the administration has said, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts replied, "No" but said she could not elaborate further. Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal echoed that, saying, "There was no raw evidence presented that this was an imminent threat." Additional reporting from The New York Times' Rukmini Callimachi indicated that the underlying intelligence for the strike was "razor thin." Callimachi reported that one source told her there wasn't evidence of an "imminent" attack on US interests that could kill hundreds, as the White House has said. "The official describes the reading of the intelligence as an illogical leap," she wrote on Twitter. Read the original article on Business Insider In this photograph taken Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, Iran, to remember victims of a Ukrainian airplane shot down by an Iranian missile. On Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, online videos purported to show that Iranian security forces fired both live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the Islamic Republic's initial denial that it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner. Read more Over the last 10 days or so, the world has been roiled by a conflict involving a powerful nation that after a generation of cultural change took a sudden lurch toward religious fundamentalism at the end of the 1970s and has never really looked back. Its current regime stays in power with a toxic mix of lies to the citizenry and intolerance toward political dissent and independent journalism. Since the start of the 21st century, its increased military adventurism and support for corrupt dictatorships has radically destabilized the Middle East. In 2020, its rulers recklessness and desperation to survive nearly caused a catastrophic war. But enough about the United States ... Well, actually this column is about America in the Age of Trump, but its even more about Iran, our Persian Gulf doppelganger which despite those almost freakish similarities has been our bitter arch-rival since 1979, and the crisis of Iranian revolutionaries holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, or maybe since 1953, when the CIA semi-covertly overthrew Irans elected government because of oil and all that that implies. The tortured history of United States and Iran tends to get lost in whatever current NFL-playoff-level showdown is taking place which since Christmas 2019 has been the death of a U.S. contractor, a deadly U.S. airstrike on pro-Iran militias in Iraq, a crisis at Baghdads American embassy, the President-Trump-ordered assassination of Irans top general, a retaliatory missile strike and the fog of war that caused Iran to shoot down a Ukrainian passenger jet. READ MORE: The folks who lied about Iraq and Afghanistan are lying about Iran. We must stop a new war. | Will Bunch OK, Ill concede there are important differences between us and them. Irans internal human-rights record is far worse we sometimes arrest our protesters while the regime in Tehran occasionally shoots them, and, despite Trumps disturbing enemies of the people rhetoric he hasnt thrown journalists in jail ... yet. But sometimes it feels the biggest difference is that we call our deity God while they call theirs Allah. Each reacted to the looser cultural mores of the 1970s with their own branded extremism which clings to power by its fingernails. And by lies. Even in a presidency thats stayed afloat for nearly three years by telling thousands of lies (once Trump passed the 15,000 threshold its gotten harder and harder to keep track of the exact tally), the blatant untruths about how and why America pushed to the very brink of war (again) in the Persian Gulf have been astounding. When Trump ordered and American forces pulled off the assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official in General Qassim Soleimani despite a still-in-effect 1981 executive order by Ronald Reagan banning assassinations officials insisted it was necessary to ward off an imminent attack. But neither Trump nor his top officials initially said when or where these attacks were to come, or why Iran or its allies wouldnt still do the attack with Soleimani dead. They didnt even explain that giant hole in a closed door briefing with Congress. Ive lived through Vietnam, Watergate, the Iraq War and the absurd efforts to tie it to the 9/11 attacks, and yet this felt like the worst episode of the White House lying to the public in my lifetime. Will Bunch Then, Trump blurted out that Soleimani was behind a scheme to attack four U.S. embassies a move that felt like Sen. Joseph McCarthy bandying about the names of 205 Communists that was really his laundry list, except this seemed even more phony. Excellent reporting by CNN, however, revealed that no embassy had been warned of an attack. Whats more, NBC News learned that Trump authorized the killing of Soleimani ... seven months ago. Ive lived through Vietnam, Watergate, the Iraq War and the absurd efforts to tie it to the 9/11 attacks, and yet this felt like the worst episode of the White House lying to the public in my lifetime. More than 6,300 miles away in Tehran, the government of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was telling transparently ridiculous falsehoods as well. In last weeks heightened tensions, Irans decision to launch missiles at U.S. troops at an Iraqi base (no one, thankfully, was injured) and its fear of an American counter-strike led its forces to shoot down the jetliner apparently mistaking it for a cruise missile or jet fighter. Some 176 innocent people including 82 Iranians and 63 Canadians died in the wreckage. Yet despite the immediate suspicion that the crash was related to that nights military activity, the Iranian government insisted for more than a day that the cause was mechanical failure, causing even more pain for the bereaved families. The belated acknowledgement from Tehran that it lied about its fatal miscalculation had another consequence: Reactivating the anti-government protests that had been violently suppressed this fall. Despite the risk of imprisonment or even death, crowds took to the streets of Tehran and at least one other Iranian city starting this weekend to hold candlelight vigils or stage protests, where some chanted Death to the dictator or Khamenei have shame ... leave the country! Other public critics of the government included the editor of a right-wing, normally pro-regime news agency and a leading female actor, Taraneh Alidoosti, who wrote on her Instagram account: I fought this dream for a long time and didnt want to accept it. We are not citizens. We never were. We are captives." The street protests were not large. Thats probably because thousands protested and, in some cases, rioted back in November over a rise in fuel prices, which people already unhappy with the Iranian government saw as the last straw. That unrest spread to 21 cities and was met with extreme repression first a government shutdown of the internet and then troops openly firing on the crowds, sometimes from rooftops. Its believed that 1,500 protesters were killed; critics said the dead were quickly trucked away and some families were barred from holding funerals. This unrest didnt happen in a vacuum. As Ive written in this space for months, the second half of 2019 marked the beginnings of a global uprising that touched practically every corner of the planet, from Hong Kong to Santiago to Beirut. The immediate causes differed but the broader reasons were strikingly similar: Government corruption, grotesque economic inequality, and a fundamental lack of democracy. In some places, including the United States, thats been the formula for right-wing populism. This is the next and most meaningful phase everyday people fighting instead for inclusion, freedom of expression, and democracy. The courage of those who took to the streets in Tehran this weekend is remarkable. And the idea of a different kind of Iranian government one that rejects religious intolerance for more cultural diversity and freedom of opinion is something most of the world supports, including U.S. liberals and conservatives who agree about little else. But its a pickle for Washington, because overt support for any uprising will be used by Khamenei and his men to rally the masses against America, the Great Satan," and strengthen their grip on power. One of the worst things about Trumps ill-considered assassination scheme was that as expected it became a rallying cry for the Iranian regime, at the expense of the protests that we should be supporting. When the jetliner shoot-down flipped the script somewhat, the president took to Twitter to encourage an uprising. In a message that was also tweeted in Farsi, Trump said: We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage. READ MORE: From Baghdad to Kyiv to Haiti, people everywhere are rising up. The U.S. is a big part of the problem. | Will Bunch On the American left, the reaction to the new protests in Tehran was muted. Instead, a political flareup between the progressive presidential candidates, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, was all that most folks wanted to debate in social media. And everything these days gets thrown into our obsessive meat grinder of domestic politics, even when it shouldnt be. It seemed that Trumps enthusiasm for the Iranian protesters made progressives here somehow feel less likely to align with the same cause as our despised president. But thats wrong. U.S. progressives should see the fight in the streets of Tehran as our fight, too and care more about freedom for people whove faced four decades of repression than about whether a new Iranian revolution could help Trump get re-elected. Will Bunch U.S. progressives should see the fight in the streets of Tehran as our fight, too and care more about freedom for people whove faced four decades of repression than about whether a new Iranian revolution could help Trump get re-elected. The things that the everyday people of Iran want free speech, human rights, the ability to fairly choose their leaders, and a government that tells the truth are the same values that were fighting to either preserve or, in some cases, bring back here in America. We all should support the Iranian people in this struggle. Period. And then we should ask ourselves this: The protesters in Tehran are literally risking their necks because their rulers told one lie too many. But when will Americans get that fed up over the daily stream of lies from Washington? Lie #17,008, or lie #18,317, or ... what? The real war in 2020 isnt trumped-up military conflict between nations that are more alike than they care to admit. Its a war for the truth, and it is worldwide. Im in this race to talk about whats broken in this country and how to fix it -- and thats what Im going to continue to do," she said. I know Bernie is in the race for the same reason. We have been friends and allies in this fight for a long time, and I have no doubt we will continue to work together to defeat Donald Trump and put our government on the side of the people. On Wednesday, January 15, at 11.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "Why Prosecutor General's Office Blocks Work of Mykolaiv Shipbuilding Plant Okean: possible causes and catastrophic consequences of the seizure of the property of the plant" with the participation of investor of Okean shipyard, Mykolaiv businessman Vasyl Kapatsyna (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. A transgender man has claimed that using 'pretty and pink' sanitary products causes him 'heightened dysphoria'. Kenny Ethan Jones, 25, a model and activist from London, has revealed that menstruating as a man has made him feel 'isolated' as 'everything about periods is tailored to girls'. He claimed in an interview with NBC News that his gender dysphoria already cases him psychological pain and shopping in 'women's health' sections in stores for products targeted towards women, only heightens his mental anguish. It comes after the decision from sanitary towel-maker Always, last October, to to remove the Venus symbol, the female sexual identity mark, from sanitary towel wrapping. Kenny Ethan Jones (pictured) , 25, a model and activist from London, has revealed that menstruating as a man has made him feel 'isolated' Jones started taking testosterone at 18, followed by a double mastectomy but he is yet to have bottom half surgery Jones originally came out to his mother at the age of 11 before starting to take testosterone at 18. A double mastectomy followed a year later although the activist hasn't had bottom half surgery. 'I didn't believe that having periods would be a part of my lived experience,' Jones said. 'I felt isolated; everything about periods was tailored to girls, yet me, a boy, was experiencing this and nothing in the world documented that.' 'Having a period already causes me a lot of [gender] dysphoria, but this dysphoria becomes heightened when I have to shop for a product that is labeled as 'women's health' and in most cases, is pretty and pink.' Jones began his transition in his late teens after coming out to his mother as male at the age of 11 Jones says his gender dysphoria already cases him psychological pain and shopping in 'women's health' sections in stores for products targeted towards women, only heightens his anguish The brand made the decision after pressure from trans activists, who claim that the female symbol is inappropriate as not all people who menstruate identify as female. The decision was prompted by 18-year-old trans activist Ben Saunders - named young campaigner of the year by LGBT charity Stonewall in May after making a documentary about being transgender who contacted the sanitary pad makers in June. However, the choice was slammed by some feminists, who feared the choice is 'erasing' female identity. One angry user wrote: 'Women are quite literally being erased from sanitary products now. Is there anywhere we are allowed to be visible!? @Always. 'I have bought your product since the age of 10. Stop erasing the people who use your product from your product. Or you erase my purchase power too.' Several users felt as though the decision was disregarding femininity, and many raged the brand was bowing to the whims of' woke' Twitter users. Sanitary towel-maker Always sparked online debate after removing their 'Venus' sign following pressure from trans activists 18-year-old trans activist Ben Saunders - named young campaigner of the year by LGBT charity Stonewall in May after making a documentary about being transgender contacted the sanitary pad makers in June complaining about the sign In November last year, Kenny revealed his fury at having a near-naked photo of himself taken down by Instagram,which showed him naked but with his hands covering his genitals. The social media giant quickly ruled that the photo breached 'community guidelines' and removed the image. Jones then posted an alternative image, this time using Instagram's famous pink, purple and yellow logo to protect his modesty this time. He revealed he'd also emailed Instagram, saying: 'Its pretty unsettling when I can literally scroll down my explorer page right now and find CIS men more naked than I am in that photo but yet, mine gets removed.' He told his 16,400 followers 'Instagram removed my photo due to 'nudity or sexual activity' so heres a version that may be better suited to their community guidelines. Censored? A near-naked photo featuring Kenny Ethan Jones, from London, who's transgender, was removed by Instagram for violating the social media platform's 'community guidelines'. Jones re-posted the image, with the company's logo covering his hand, which had been protecting his modesty in the original image Jones also shared the message he'd been sent by Instagram alerting him to the fact his photo had been removed Jones said Instagram had been 'helpful', saying the social media platform had 'agreed to jump on a call with me to discuss policies in more detail as this can be a common problem amongst models. Im very happy with that way this situation is being handled but Im still mad that it got taken down.' MailOnline contacted Instagram, owned by Facebook, for comment. A spokesperson said: 'Every day we're inspired by the millions of people using Instagram to express themselves, redefine body standards and promote positivity. 'With such a globally diverse community, we have to put rules in place around nudity to ensure content is appropriate for everyone, particularly young people. 'We will take action on content reported to us if it breaks these rules. We give people the opportunity to appeal the decision and will reinstate content if we mistakenly remove something.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:47:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution to enlarge an advisory body of its Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee). The resolution decides to increase the membership of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) from 16 to 21, beginning from Jan. 1, 2021. The resolution assigns five seats each to the regional groups of Africa and the Asia-Pacific; four each to Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western European and other states; three to Eastern Europe. The contentious draft resolution was adopted 120-48 with four abstentions, as orally amended. The Russian oral amendment to the draft increases the number of seats for Eastern Europe from two to three. The ACABQ is responsible for expert examination of the program budget of the United Nations. Its members, including at least three financial experts of recognized standing, are elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years, on the basis of broad geographical representation. Members serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of member states. The ACABQ holds three sessions a year with total meeting time between nine and 10 months per year. Japan asked for the postponement of the vote, citing the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. Japan's motion was rejected in a recorded vote by the assembly. Croatia, on behalf of the European Union, then put forward an oral amendment to the draft resolution, referring the enlargement of the ACABQ to the Fifth Committee. It argued that the issue had always been handled by the Fifth Committee in the past. The United States and some other Western countries voiced support for the EU amendment, which was rejected in a recorded vote by the assembly. Introducing the draft to the General Assembly before the vote on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, a representative of the observer state of Palestine noted that the last enlargement of the ACABQ took place in 1977. Since then, UN membership increased by a quarter. The current distribution between regional groups within the ACABQ is incompatible with the objective of broad geographical representation and constitutes an unfair situation that should not have lasted this long, said Majed Bamya, the Palestinian representative. The draft resolution presented by the Group of 77 and China offers a more balanced and just distribution that corresponds to the reality of the UN membership in each regional group and ensures increased participation of developing countries, he said. Given the importance of the ACABQ and its role for the entire organization, broad geographical representation should not be denied nor further delayed, he said. The feud between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders threatens to boil over into Tuesday night's presidential debate - a sign of the increased pressure on the candidates as the first nominating contest approaches and no frontrunner has emerged. The seventh debate will be the last face-to-face meeting of the contenders before Iowa's caucuses on Feb. 3 and there are signs an explosion among the candidates is imminent. Four of them - Joe Biden, Sanders, Warren and Pete Buttigieg - top various polls but none has a lock on the person to take on Donald Trump this fall. Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer will join them on stage - rounding out an all-white field of candidates after Andrew Yang failed to qualify for the contest. Democratic debate stage is ripe for conflict after Elizabeth Warren confirmed a report that Bernie Sanders told her a woman cannot win the White House Bernie Sanders has gone into attack mode after an influential poll showed him in lead in Iowa The stage is ripe for conflict. In addition to the Warren and Sanders brawl, the Vermont senator also has been critical of Biden and his support of the Iraq war. And there is also the unexpected factor. In the last debate Warren went after Buttigieg for his high-dollar fundraisers, including one in a wine cave. But it's Warren and Sanders sucking up the oxygen as the non-aggression pact between the two appears to be disintegrating after she confirmed a report he told her a woman couldn't win against President Trump. Elizabeth Warren statement on meeting with Bernie Sanders Bernie and I met for more than two hours in December 2018 to discuss the 2020 election, our past work together and our shared goals: beating Donald Trump, taking back our government from the wealthy and well-connected, and building an economy that works for everyone. Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry. I'm in this race to talk about what's broken in this country and how to fix it and that's what I'm going to continue to do. I. know Bernie is in the race for the same reason. We have been friends and allies in this fight for a long time and I have no doubt we will continue to work together to defeat Donald Trump and put our government on the side of the people. Advertisement 'Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry,' she said in a statement released by her campaign. She called the two of them friends in the fight for the progressive agenda. 'We have been friends and allies in this fight for a long time and I have no doubt we will continue to work together to defeat Donald Trump and put our government on the side of the people,' the Massachusetts senator said. Conflicting accounts have emerged in this he said/she said battle. The senators were the only two people in the December 2018 meeting at Warren's Washington D.C. apartment. Sanders has denied he told her such a thing and his campaign as insinuated Warren's staff leaked the story to attack Sanders, who recently took the lead in Iowa polls. Two people with knowledge of the conversation told The Washington Post that Warren brought up the issue by asking Sanders whether he believed a woman could win. And that Sanders' response was that Trump would use nefarious tactics against the Democratic nominee. His statement on the meeting, originally reported by CNN, lines up with that argument. 'It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn't win,' Sanders told CNN in a statement. 'It's sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren't in the room are lying about what happened. What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could. Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016.' The bickering has opened a new window into their political rivalry, which they have carefully managed to keep in the shadows through public displays of unity, such as having their arms around each other at Democratic debates. Tuesday night's debate is ripe for conflict as Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders (seen on stage in the November debate) have led in various polls but none have emerged as front runner The bickering between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren has opened a new window into their political rivalry, which they have carefully managed to keep in the shadows through public displays of unity such as their hug at the July presidential debate But there are also fears among Democratic strategists that a woman cannot beat President Trump, pointing to Hillary Clinton's failure to do so in 2016. Tulsi Gabbard, who has not made the debate stage, tweeted her support for Sanders - who she backed over Clinton in 2016 - writing she met with him before announcing her presidential bid and he was encouraging. 'I also met with @BernieSanders before announcing my candidacy. We had a nice one-on-one conversation and I informed him that I would be running for President. In that meeting, he showed me the greatest respect and encouragement, just as he always has,' she wrote. The first debate of 2020 had its controversies from the start. Several candidates were critical of its stricter requirements and the end result - six contenders - will be the smallest debate stage to date. Andrew Yang is the only candidate who made last month's debate in Los Angeles who did not qualify for Tuesday night's contest, which is hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register. Candidates needed at least 5 percent in four pre-approved national polls between Nov. 14 and Jan. 10, or at least 7 percent in two polls in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada to qualify. The contenders also needed donations from at least 225,000 unique donors nationally, and a minimum of 1,000 unique donors in at least 20 states. Mandy Moore campaigned for Pete Buttigieg Monday night Yang complained about the lack of polls in the qualify period, which took place during the holiday season when there are fewer pollsters at work. His campaign had urged the Democratic National Committee to put more polls in the field and warned the party it would face consequences for not doing so. 'If the DNC had only done their due diligence and commissioned polls in the early states, Andrew Yang would certainly be on the debate stage next week. We are not going to allow the DNC to dictate who they wish to see as the nominee and deny the will of the people. The issues that will decide this election, and the future of our country, are too important to ignore for the sake of staged political bickering. The DNC tried to run this same play in 2016 and they paid for it with a loss in the general,' said Yang Campaign Chief Nick Ryan in a statement over the weekend after the debate lineup was announced. Yang said he's focusing on the next debate, which will take place on February 7 in New Hampshire. 'Thank you to everyone who worked so hard and gave us so much to get us on the debate stage this week. I want us to be on that stage. I think we earned it. Now let's make sure we make the next one in February. It's just our time. Let's show that this campaign cannot be stopped,' he tweeted earlier this week. His absence and Cory Booker's decision to exit the presidential race will leave a field of all-white candidates on stage at Drake University. Andrew Yang - celebrating his birthday Monday at an Iowa campaign event - did not make the debate stage Yang's birthday cake from supporters Joe Biden stopped by his Des Moines headquarters Monday night Biden brought in cookies for staff Booker said Monday night that diversity is 'critically important' for the Democratic Party. 'We are a party that will succeed by not how much we can put down the people who aren't voting for us but how much we can inspire the people who want to come out,' he said on MSNBC. 'To not have candidates that can speak to that lived experience, that can inspire that populace could end up being a disaster for us. Whoever it is, diversity is critically important, and a perception of fairness.' Meanwhile, Sanders' campaign has gotten more aggressive in recent days and has let loose on Warren, Biden, and Buttigieg - his leading competition for the state - after an important poll showed him leading the battle for the Iowa caucuses. It's a new aggressive stance for the Vermont senator and comes as Sanders garnered the top spot in the influential Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll on Friday for the first time. A script for his volunteers to use criticized Warren as a candidate of the elite. It also notes Buttigieg lacks support among African Americans and young people while it says Biden 'doesn't really have any volunteers' and that 'no one is really excited about him.' Additionally, Tuesday night will be the first debate since President Trump authorized the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, which heightened tensions throughout the Middle East. In the wake of Soleimani's killing, Sanders has reminded Iowa voters he opposed the 2002 authorization for military force in Iraq, which Biden voted for. 'In 2002, I helped lead the effort against the war in Iraq, which turned out to be the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of America,' Sanders said on Sunday. 'The war in Iraq was based on a series of lies.' Even President Trump has noticed Sanders' rise in the polls. 'Wow! Crazy Bernie Sanders is surging in the polls, looking very good against his opponents in the Do Nothing Party. So what does this all mean? Stay tuned!,' he tweeted on Sunday. The winner of the Iowa caucuses has gone on to be the Democratic nominee in nine of the 11 cycles since 1976. The Democratic field in Iowa is in flux as Friday's poll showed. Buttigieg, who had been leading, dropped to third place behind Sanders' lead and Warren's second spot. Biden came in fourth. But Sanders' three point lead in the poll is narrow and within the margin of error - an indication the race for the state is wide open. Additionally the senator has lead fundraising among the contenders, giving him the funds to stay in the contest for the long hall, leading to concerns among Democratic strategists that a bruised and exhausted nominee will emerge to take on President Trump in November. Amy Klobuchar will be on the debate stage Tuesday night, looking for a break through Tom Steyer qualified for the debate right before the deadline Jill Biden brushed aside the rest of the Democratic presidential field as she campaigned for her husband in Iowa on Monday And Jill Biden brushed aside the rest of the Democratic presidential field on Monday as she pleaded with Iowa voters to support her husband, saying 'let them be secretary of whatever.' The former second lady stopped by a local library to ask a couple dozen voters to make Joe Biden their choice in the February 3 caucuses. She argued her husband is the only Democratic candidate who can beat Donald Trump in November. 'I have to tell he's the only one who can beat Donald Trump in the November election. I know we have great Democrats, great Democrats running. Great. Let them be Secretary of whatever. I'm happy to have them,' she said. Council bosses have warned Glastonbury Festival it may limit the amount of alcohol people can take in. The warning has been made as part of a wide-ranging report into last year's event that has been published by Mendip District Council. It makes several recommendations on areas of improvement - including cleaning the toilets more often. The current festival rules state that you can bring your own alcohol into the event. However amounts considered 'beyond reasonable personal use' will be confiscated at the gate as you enter the event. Council bosses have warned Glastonbury Festival it may limit the amount of alcohol people can take in. Pictured: A group of young women carry beer at the festival held in Somerset last year A festival goer with a wheelbarrow full of different beers arrives at Glastonbury Festival last year The report said the iconic festival had been generally 'well planned and managed' in 2019. But it added that there were nine areas which needed attention for 2020 - including a closer look at alcohol and the toilets. The document, published by the local authority, has floated a potential limit to the amount of drink people can bring in for personal use at subsequent festivals. Funny pictures of revellers using ingenious contraptions to carry crates of alcohol onto the site appear each year. But those could become a thing of the past to ensure the council provides a 'safe event'. The current festival rules state that you can bring your own alcohol into the festival but that amounts considered 'beyond reasonable personal use' will be confiscated at the gate Funny pictures of revellers using ingenious contraptions to carry crates of alcohol onto the site appear each year Claire Malcolmson, of the council, said: 'The Glastonbury Festival has a worldwide reputation and as such it means that we have a huge responsibility in ensuring that it undertakes its statutory duties. 'The purpose of the licence, the licensing objectives and other legislation is to ensure event organisers provide a safe event whilst minimising disruption and nuisance to the local community.' The report also recommended that the site's toilets need to be serviced and cleaned more frequently. It added that compost loos should be provided with 'utensils' to allow compost to be scooped when needed. More work is also needed to prevent 'cross-contamination' between drinking water taps and toilets, it said. The other areas of improvement highlighted in the report include food hygiene and safety, noise complaints, security and transport. Pictured: crowds at last year's event The report also recommended that the site's toilets need to be serviced and cleaned more frequently On the Glastonbury website it says: 'If youre bringing your own alcohol to the Festival, remember that amounts considered beyond reasonable personal use will be confiscated at the gate' The site hosts thousands of toilets each year, varying from portable loos to the traditional 'long drop'. The other areas of improvement highlighted in the report include food hygiene and safety, noise complaints, security and transport. The council made a number of proposed changes in 2017 which were then implemented by the festival for 2019. No event was held in 2018 to allow for the farm site to recover. However, organisers are yet to comment on the latest findings, published last week on Thursday. This year's festival - which is now the world's largest - will be held between June 24 and 28. Tickets sold out in just half an hour. Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift are the only two headliners to have confirmed so far. On the Glastonbury website it says: 'If youre bringing your own alcohol to the Festival, remember that amounts considered beyond reasonable personal use will be confiscated at the gate.' A friend of Meghan Markle said that the former dutchess of Sussex has no plans of coming back to England. According to reports, the friend said that Markle does not want to raise her child in the UK and does want to travel back and forth. She further added that Markle will make long visits to the UK but has no intention of doing anything beyond that. While talking to a local media outlet, the friend said that after Archie's birth, Markle was not at all happy living in the United Kingdom. She further added that her friend started having sleepless nights and panic attacks related to her future. The friend said that the royal couple is looking for a permanent home in the commonwealth country of Canada, adding that Markle wants a residence located in the city of Toronto. According to reports, the friend also said that Meghan also wanted to leave Britain and build her own personal life with Prince Harry. Prince Harry, Meghan's big announcement In a big announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on January 8 said that they will be stepping back as 'senior members' of the Royal family. In addition to this, the couple also said that their goal will be to become financially independent in the near future. However, its not the first time that members of royal families have relinquished their titles to live a relatively common life. Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Phillip was born a Royal to Greece and Denmark but had to relinquish the title to marry the Queen and accepted English title. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philips daughter, Princess Anne, married a commoner Mark Phillips who turned down the offer of Earldom to Phillips. Read: Queen Agrees On 'transition'; Lets Harry & Meghan Move Part-time To Canada Read: Donald Trump Says He Is 'sad' About Prince Harry And Meghan's Decision With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent announcement, Canadian taxpayers could be subject to paying millions in taxes if the couple decides to move to Canada, security experts reportedly said. Prince Harry and Markle's decision to move to Canada could materialise as they recently stated that their main goal is to attain financial independence. According to reports, security experts said that the Canadian government will most likely have a legal duty to provide security cover to the Royal couple. The legal obligation comes as Canada is a part of the British Commonwealth of countries with Queen Elizabeth as the head of their state. Read: Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Issue New Rules On Media Coverage To Avoid 'misreporting' Read: British Woman Draws Comparison Between Meghan Markle And Corbyn, Netizens Divided A local court in Mumbai on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to a 35-year-old man for allegedly establishing a sexual relationship with a woman on the pretext of marriage. The accused works in the US and met the victim through a matrimonial website. The two liked each other and decided to meet during his visit to India. The woman in her complaint said she had already obtained a divorce and that the accused is yet to get one. He had allegedly promised the woman that once his divorce was finalised they would get married. The woman alleged that the accused visited India in August 2019 for the hearing on his divorce plea. The two met and the woman stayed with him for a few days. She alleged that the accused forced her into a sexual relationship. She also alleged that after he returned to the United States, he started avoiding her and refused to marry her. After she failed to get a response, she lodged a police complaint in September 2019. After the man came to know about the case against him, he applied for anticipatory bail on October 24, 2019. He denied the allegations and claimed that the relationship was consensual. He also alleged he filed a case against the woman with police in the US. He claimed he refused to marry her after he came to know that she was in a relationship with other men. After a couple of hearings, his bail application was rejected on Monday. The court refused to accept the defence raised by the accused holding that it is a matter of trial to see if the relationship was consensual or forced. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2020 -- According to the new market research report "Eye Tracking Market by Offering (Hardware, Software, and Services), Tracking Type (Remote and Mobile), Application (Assistive Communication, Human Behavior & Market Research,), Vertical, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025", the eye tracking market is expected to grow from USD 560 million in 2020 to USD 1,786 million by 2025; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.1% from 2020 to 2025. The high demand for eye trackers in the healthcare vertical, especially for the assistive communication application is one of the key driving factors for the eye tracking market. The increasing penetration of eye tracking technology in the consumer electronics vertical, and high demand for eye trackers for personalized advertisements and consumer research purposes are a few other key factors having a positive impact on the growth of the eye tracking market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=144268378 Remote eye tracking segment to hold largest share of eye tracking market, by tracking type, in 2020 The remote eye tracking segment will lead the eye tracking market, by tracking type, in terms of size, by 2020. The leading position of this segment can be attributed to the high demand for remote eye trackers for assistive communication and human behavior & market research applications, especially in healthcare, research, and retail verticals. Market for automotive & transportation vertical to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The eye tracking market for the automotive & transportation vertical is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. Rise in the adoption of eye tracking technology in the automotive & transportation vertical for integration in driver monitoring systems is the major reason for the high growth of this vertical in the eye tracking market. Eye tracking technology is considered as an effective technology to detect drowsy or distracted drivers due to which this technology is increasingly being integrated into driver monitoring systems. The healthcare & research labs vertical is expected to dominate the eye tracking market, in terms of size, during the forecast period. North America to hold largest share of eye tracking market by 2020 North America is expected to hold the largest share of the eye tracking market by 2020. The US and Canada are the key countries contributing to the growth of the eye tracking market in North America. Europe is expected to account for the second-largest share of the eye tracking market during the forecast period. The UK and Germany are significant demand-generating countries for eye tracking technology-based products and services in this region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=144268378 A few key players operating in the eye tracking market are Tobii (Sweden), EyeTracking (US), SR Research (Canada), Seeing Machines (Australia), PRS IN VIVO (France), Smart Eye (Sweden), EyeTech Digital Systems (US), LC Technologies (US), Ergoneers (Germany), ISCAN (US), iMotions (Denmark), and Lumen Research (UK). 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 7500 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, "Knowledgestore" 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. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA : 1-888-600-6441 sales@marketsandmarkets.com However, some can cross the line of social decency on occasion, as Kareena Kapoor Khan recently learned. A Kareena Kapoor Khan fan recently crossed the line of social decency by demanding multiple selfies. On a regular day, movie stars allow fans to click selfies with them without much of an issue, especially at airports where one expects a lot more decent crowds than in crowded alleys. However, some can cross the line of social decency on occasion, as Kareena Kapoor Khan recently learned. She was returning to Mumbai from an outdoor jaunt when a female fan was not really happy with the kind of selfies she was getting with the actress, and selfishly wanted more and more. That lady came in for a picture. Then she again stopped Kareena for another picture. Now Kareena had been stopped twice for selfies. It is not that that lady was taking pictures when Kareena was on the move but had to be stopped. So, when she stopped Kareena for the third time, it wasnt just Kareena but everyone around her who got upset with the fan and asked her to vamoose, says our man at the spot. Sanskriti Media GRANDVIEW, Mo., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2020 Peterson Manufacturing celebrates its 75th year of supplying the vehicle safety lighting market with an ever-growing line of quality, USA-made products. Today, as one of the worlds leading safety lighting manufacturers, Peterson can boast a proud history of keeping Solutions on the Move in a competitive industry. Founded in 1945 and owned by the Armacost family since 1956, Peterson has grown to a quarter-billion-dollar, multi-faceted corporation serving customers across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, China, and the Middle Eastand earning the nickname of Quiet Giant in the Kansas City-area suburb of Grandview, Missouri. President and CEO, Don Armacost, Jr., whose father acquired the business, credits the companys success to its long history of square dealings with customers, suppliers and employees. That tradition has brought us a long ways, he said. Were not about to change it. From its 44-acre Grandview corporate campus, Peterson now operates a 670,000 sq.-ft. facility staffed and equipped for cutting-edge manufacturing. The vertically integrated operation includes engineering and design, photometric and environmental testing, tool and die production, harness and wire manufacturing, plastic injection molding, final assembly, warehousing, sales and customer service. Petersons history is replete with safety lighting innovations, said Steve Meagher, Vice President Sales. With our focus, engineering skills and manufacturing expertise, Petersons ability to bring real solutions to the marketplace is unsurpassed. That focus includes aggressive support of the automotive aftermarket as well as the OE and Heavy-Duty sectors. Were geared to meet specific customer challenges with speed, automated precision and USA-made qualityall at very competitive prices, Meagher said. In building its familiar PM brand, Peterson has made USA quality and value the company-wide standard. From engineering products to exceed federal minimums by 25%, to delivering those products with an industry-best 98% fill-rate, Peterson has proved itself a count-on business partner. When it comes to industry-leading innovation, Kristen Goodson, Vice President of Product Management, listed just a few PM highlights. First in the industry with our vibration-proof Vibar socket. First North American manufacturer to earn ISO 9001/QS-9000 certification. First with our multi-function Strobe & Turn LEDs for the refuse industry. First manufacturer to introduce insert-molding technology. Firstand to-date onlyto offer guaranteed moisture/corrosion-proof harness/lighting technology for trailers: our amazing Defender system. And most recently, PetersonPULSE whole-trailer telematics, bringing real-time monitoring and alerts to driver and fleet managers. Petersons history of industry commitment includes leadership on councils and committees of such groups as AutoCare, MEMA, TSEI, TTMA, TMC, ATA, NTEA and NATM. As CEO Don Armacost, Jr. says, While we celebrate our 75th year, my dads vision for Peterson and our extraordinary associates will continue to guide our future: Our goal has never been to be the biggest, dad said. Just the best. Peterson Manufacturing Company is a world-leading innovator in the engineering and production of a complete line of vehicle safety lighting, custom wiring harnesses, and many other safety-related products. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Peterson Manufacturing is a key subsidiary of Peterson Corporation, nine highly specialized companies and nearly 1,000 associates working in global transportation-related industries. With headquarters in the greater Kansas City area, Peterson Manufacturing is a privately held company and has been in operation since 1945. For more information, contact: Mark Assenmacher, Dir. of Marketing Darrin Widick, MBA Peterson Mfg. Co. Widick Marketing, Inc. 4200 East 135th Street 104 West 9th Street Suite 100 Grandview, MO 64030 Kansas City, MO 64105 Phone: 816-765-2000 Phone: 816-753-2420 FAX: 816-761-6693 E-mail: massenmacher@pmlights.com www.pmlights.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4990229-fba2-4a02-8a4a-cb71cee9f6bc A new update to the beta version of the Google app seems to have broken Google Assistant on the Wear OS platform. A new report from 9To5Google notes the disabled feature after updating the Google app beta to version 10.92.8. If youre not using the beta, then you should have no issues and Google Assistant should continue working as intended. It also goes without saying that since the Google app and Google Assistant are linked, any use of a beta could always alter things. It is beta software, after all. Advertisement Google Assistant on Wear OS will be fixed soon enough Although the beta app may break Google Assistant on Wear OS for the time being, itll be fixed soon enough. Eventually, Google will send out a new version of the beta that re-enables the voice assistant. Or itll be fixed in a new stable update of the app. If you dont use Google Assistant on your watch then staying on the beta probably wont harm anything. However, users should keep in mind that certain functions which you can use by voice, like sending messages, will not work. Advertisement Essentially any voice functions are broken with this version of the Google app beta. That being said, you can always uninstall the beta or revert back to an older version. And that should solve the issue until Google fixes it. Google has not however acknowledged the bug that breaks the feature. Not yet. And theres no telling how long it will take to get it fixed. Google Assistant is a big part of the watch navigation Google has been focusing more on hands-free navigation of late. Especially since the launch of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Advertisement Wear OS devices do come with touch screens, but using your voice is obviously a whole lot easier. Considering this it might be wise not to update to the latest version of the beta if you can avoid it. Not only will that prevent the Assistant from breaking until a fix is sent out, but you shouldnt be missing out on anything if you dont update. Wear OS has been getting a steady surge of new devices, with the most recent ones having been announced at CES. This includes the Falster 3 from SKAGEN, as well as the Diesel Fadelite. Advertisement Others were announced in the Fall of last year, too. Like the the PUMA smartwatch, the DIESEL On Axial, and the Emporio Armani Connected Smartwatch 3 just to name a few. Microscopic grains of dead stars are among the oldest known material on the planet - older than the moon, Earth and the solar system itself. By examining chemical clues in a meteorite's mineral dust, researchers have determined the most ancient grains are 7 billion years old - about half as old as the universe. Rocks don't get much more classic than this. The researchers studied minerals in the Murchison meteorite, a large space rock that disintegrated in 1969 above cow pastures in Murchison, central Victoria. Dairy farmers collected the fragments and sold kilograms of the meteorite to museums and universities. The Egg Nebula is a rapidly evolving pre-planetary nebula spanning about one light year toward the constellation of Cygnus. Thick dust blocks the centre star from view, while the dust shells further out reflect light from this star. Credit: NASA, W. Sparks (STScI) and R. Sahai (JPL) Their research paper shows that scientific collections "include materials that have existed, in essentially their current form, for the better part of the life of the universe", said Gregory Herzog, an expert in extraterrestrial chemistry at Rutgers University, who was not a part of the research team. DES MOINES One of the leading Democratic super PACs, Priorities USA, will spend $50 million more than previously announced against President Trump before the Democratic National Convention, with plans to make nearly $30 million in TV ad reservations in the coming days. The super PAC, which had announced a $100 million campaign in early 2019, has increased its preconvention budget to $150 million, according to Guy Cecil, the committees chairman. Donors are stepping up earlier than they have before, he said. The group will begin booking $30 million in television ads across four battleground states Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin later this week, as well as $40 million on digital platforms like YouTube, Hulu and Pandora. The first television ads are slated to appear in Wisconsin at the end of February, with ads in the other three states beginning to air in the middle or end of March. The Democratic convention will be held July 13 to 16 in Milwaukee. These are the four closest states in any way you want to measure, Mr. Cecil said. The television ad campaign will go live months earlier than the groups first anti-Trump television ads did in 2016, when they began to air in May. Mr. Cecil said more bookings were coming. I would emphasize so far, he said of the reservations. Finn Flare Begins New Journey with Centric Fashion PLM Centric will add flexibility to our processes and enable us to create collections that satisfy our customers. Finn Flare, the Russian apparel brand, has selected Centric Software's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury, consumer goods and home decor companies to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals. Finn Flare is well-known in Russia for casual wear, with 150 stores across the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Belarus, and has expanded to the German market via online outlets. Finn Flare's brand DNA emphasises trendy design, comfort and high-quality materials for a reasonable price. Finn Flare had a legacy PLM solution, but began looking for a replacement to enhance data management and analysis. Our collection development process is constantly being improved, and our existing program could not provide enough analytical data, explains Valentina Khilmanovich, Deputy director of design and production at Finn Flare. We needed a single platform to combine flows of information, including photos, boards, sketches, spreadsheets, files and e-mails, and give the entire team updated data. Finn Flare selected Centric Fashion PLM after a Centric seminar on digital transformation and a subsequent personalized demo. Centric is the best fit for us, says Valentina. It combines planning, calendar management, material management, collection management, technical product design, quality management and production. The Material Sample and Final Inspection mobile apps will allow our representatives in Southeast Asia to give us information in near-real time on materials and components confirmed for production and the results of final product quality checks. Finn Flare expects to reduce development time for new collections while maintaining high quality standards, says Valentina. Centric will add flexibility to our processes and enable us to create collections that satisfy our customers. Analytical data from a single platform will drive accurate and quick product decisions. We expect to reduce time to market and further improve product quality. Digital technologies are constantly evolving, so we look forward to a long-term partnership with Centric, Valentina concludes. We are delighted that Finn Flare has selected Centric Fashion PLM, says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. Centric's entry into the Russian market marks an exciting new chapter, and we are looking forward to working with Finn Flare as they begin their PLM implementation. Learn more about Centric Fashion PLM. Request a Demo. Finn Flare (http://www.finn-flare.ru) Finn Flare is a European brand known worldwide for its casual wear. Finn Flare has been satisfying its customers with high quality and practical clothing for more than 50 years. Now, the brand has 150 stores in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Finn Flare is also represented on the largest Internet shopping networks in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Finn Flare designers aim to create uncomplicated designs that focus on the texture of the fabric and a restrained silhouette, adding accents through attention to detail. Finn Flares array of products is extremely diverse, ranging from designs adapted for various body shapes all the way to outerwear garments made for temperatures as low as 40. Finn Flare customers can always expect to find both basic high-quality items and creative, fashionable designs. Keel Laid for Future USS John Basilone Navy News Service Story Number: NNS200113-01 Release Date: 1/13/2020 8:10:00 AM From Team Ships Public Affairs BATH, Maine (NNS) -- The keel of the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) was ceremoniously laid at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard, Jan. 10. Speakers at the ceremony included Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 class program manager, Diane Hawkins, niece of the ship's namesake, and the ship's sponsors, Amy Looney and Ryan Manion. The ship's sponsors authenticated the keel by etching their initials into the keel plate, a tradition that symbolically recognizes the joining of modular components and the ceremonial beginning of the ship. "It's an honor to celebrate this milestone with Ms. Looney, Ms. Manion, and members of the Basilone family," said Miller. "Laying the keel for our nation's 72nd Arleigh Burke destroyer, and building a ship named for a man who embodied the spirit of commitment and strength, this is a truly special occasion." The ship's namesake was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII. Basilone received the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed in the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, and for conspicuous gallantry displayed in the Battle of Iwo Jima, after he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. Arleigh Burke class destroyers are multi-mission surface combatants that serve as integral assets in global maritime security, engaging in air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defense, as well as providing increased capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, command and control, and anti-surface warfare. As a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, John Basilone will employ the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat System, which includes Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability, delivers quick reaction time, high firepower, and has increased electronic countermeasures capability for Anti-Air Warfare. In addition to John Basilone, BIW has four additional Arleigh Burke class destroyers under construction - Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), as well as the Zumwalt class destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). BIW is under contract for an additional six Arleigh Burke class destroyers that will all be constructed in the Flight III configuration with enhanced Air and Missile Defense capabilities. As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address [January 14, 2020] Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Honours the 10 Winners of Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presented awards to the 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize with the participation of a number of world leaders, at the Prize's annual awards ceremony, coinciding with the start of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005560/en/ Group photo of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed along with heads of state & senior officials, with winners of the 2020 Zayed Sustainability Prize (Photo: AETOSWire) Now in its 12th edition, the annual US$3 million Prize is the UAE's pioneering sustainability award for recognising innovative, impactful and inspirational solutions of small to medium-sized companies (SMEs), non-profit organisations (NPOs), and high schools. Evolving from its previous focus on energy-related solutions, in 2018, this was the second year in which the Prize offered awards across a wider scope of five categories in: Health, Food, Energy Water, and Global High Schools. Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said: "Each year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize marks new achievements on its global mission to reward innovation and impact in areas of sustainability and humanitarianism. In this milestone year of strategic preparation towards the UAE's next 50, we take inspiration from our shared commitment to honouring the vision of our founding father, Sheikh Zayed, who laid out the blueprint for a sustainable future. We look forward to further building on the Prize's incredible global impact, so it may continue to transform millions of more lives for many years to come." H.H. added: "The UAE, under the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, continues to reinforce sustainability through a number of programs and initiatives such as the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which gains momentum every year in light of its impact and key role in serving communities and spreading the UAE's message of giving." In congratulating the winners, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed highlighted the importance of encouraging the next generation of pioneers and innovators to be sustainability champions and the significant role they will play in advancing their impact on socio-cultural and economic development. His Highness also praised the level of sophistication some of the projects display and the long-term impact that will have on a worldwide, as well as local, community level. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed congratulated winners and presented awards across the Prize's five categories; the Global High Schools category being split into six world region winners. The event was attended by various heads of state, ministers and other senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad, in addition to past winners, beneficiaries and 2020 finalists. In the Health Category, Sweden's GLOBHE received the award for its drone-based services and proprietary global drone data platform for helping in health disaster prevention and response. With over 3,600 drone pilots, in 48 countries, connected to automatic data analysis platforms, using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), the solution has impacted 100,000 people through intervention of governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by addessing cholera and malaria epidemics, in Malawi and Lake Victoria. Okuafo Foundation was the Ghana-based winner in the Food Category and was recognised for its smartphone application that utilises A.I., machine learning (ML) and data analytics to predict and detect crop diseases and infestations and offers recommended solutions, based on scientific knowledge, in real-time. The application has allowed farmers to reduce expenses on crop pesticides and increase crop productivity and harvests by up to 50 per cent, thereby increasing their profits and disposable income. In the Prize's Energy Category, the 2020 winner was Electricians Without Borders (EWB). The international non-profit aid agency was recognised for its provision of high-quality solar equipment to refugee campsites and providing training to refugees to repair the equipment, thereby ensuring long-term access to electricity and resolving social issues such as safety concerns. To date, their innovative approach has impacted 8,000 lives in Cox's (News - Alert) Bazar, Bangladesh, the world's largest refugee camp, who have benefitted from safe and sustainable lighting, leading to less crime, as well as spaces to rebuild their social and community life. Across its global operations, 50,000 people in 38 countries, have benefitted from 129 ongoing projects, providing over one million beneficiaries with improved access to electricity and water. Ceres Imaging, from the USA, was this year's winner in the Water category and was recognised for its proprietary spectral imaging sensors and A.I.-based analytics to optimise water use in agriculture. Ceres Imaging's data-driven technologies have enabled more efficient irrigation practices and provision of enough water to satisfy the thirst and hunger of a growing global population. Ceres Imaging is presently serving approximately 1,000,000 acres of land, in the US and Australia. Chair of the Zayed Sustainability Prize Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, H.E. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, said: "Each year, the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize continue to surprise and captivate us with innovative contributions that will positively transform some of the world's most disadvantaged areas and vulnerable communities. They are an inspiration to people, young and old, and are absolutely key to delivering on the sustainable development priorities that affect us all." H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: "We highly value the vision and directives of the UAE's wise leadership which has been integral to the Prize's success and objectives, while supporting the sustainability vision of the late Sheikh Zayed. I congratulate all the winners of this year's awards for taking part in one of the most competitive awards cycles the Prize has seen, to date." His Excellency continued: "The objectives of the Prize continue to resonate with a whole new generation of pioneering innovators and future sustainability leaders, having already impacted 335 million people worldwide, directly or indirectly, adding that the Zayed Sustainability Prize also seeks to amplify the impact even further through initiatives such as the recently announced '20by2020', which will apply sustainability solutions developed by winners and finalists' to vulnerable communities in 20 countries by the end of this year." In the Global High Schools category, six schools, each representing a world region, receive an award and high schools submit project proposals to build or augment a solution they have developed for their school or local community. The objective of this category, introduced to the Prize in 2012, is to inspire the young people to become pioneers, innovators and sustainability advocates who will contribute to a more sustainable future. The recipients of the 2020 awards were: Air Batalla (Colombia), representing The Americas; Hakimi Aliyu Day Secondary (Nigeria), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Al Amal Junior High School (Morocco), representing the Middle East & North Africa region; United World College - Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina), representing Europe & Central Asia; Bloom Nepal School (Nepal), representing South Asia; and Eutan Tarawa Ieta Junior Secondary School (Kiribati), representing East Asia & Pacific. The Prize format allows for organisations to submit solutions that have affected communities or nations they serve, with the Health, Food, Energy and Water Category winners each claiming a US$600,000 prize fund. The Global High Schools category encourages entries by student-led sustainability projects they would like to implement for either their school or their surrounding communities. About the Zayed Sustainability Prize Established by the UAE leadership, in 2008, to honour the legacy of the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE's pioneering global award for recognising sustainability and humanitarian solutions, around the world. With an annual awards ceremony, held each year during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the Zayed Sustainability Prize acknowledges and rewards pioneers and innovators who are committed to developing and accelerating impactful solutions that serve disadvantaged communities and people - building a lasting legacy, today, for the future generations to come. The Zayed Sustainability Prize categories are: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. For more information, please visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com or go to our social media platforms on, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. *Source (News - Alert): AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005560/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi , Jan 14 : Petrol prices continued to decrease for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, but the diesel prices remained stable after two days of decline. In Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai the petrol prices were cut by 11 paise a litre, while in Chennai it was down by 10 paise per litre. According to the Indian Oil website, the price of petrol in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai has come down to Rs 75.70, Rs 78.29, Rs 81.29 and Rs 78.65 per litre respectively. At the same time, the price of diesel in the four metros continue to be Rs 69.06, Rs 71.43, Rs 72.42 and Rs 72.98 per litre respectively. On the international futures market the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Brent crude was trading at 64.41 dollars per barrel, up 0.28 per cent from the previous session. At the same time, American Light Crude West Texas Intermediate's February deal was trading up 0.29 per cent at 58.32 dollar barrel on the New York Mercantile exchange. The first phase of the trade deal between the US and China is going to be signed on January 15. Experts say that due to this agreement many commodity markets will show an enhanced activity, but the price of fuel oil is unlikely to get much support. Remote school districts have some unique challenges, especially when it comes to technology. Thats something that Damon Hargraves, the director of federal programs for the Kodiak Island Borough school district, located on an island off the coast of Alaska, knows all too well. The district has about 2,200 students spread among four villages. Internet connectivity and recruiting staff are big challenges. And so is trying to coordinate and learn from neighboring districts. But the district has been able to find creative ways to put technology to good use, including to create a welding certification program that relies heavily on distance learning. Education Week chatted with Hargraves to talk about his work. What follows is an edited transcript. Do most students in your district have internet connectivity at home? How does that affect teachers ability to assign certain kinds of homework? Students who live in the districts main hub, the city of Kodiak, tend to have internet at home, even if its just on their phones, Hargraves said. Thats thanks in part to the fiber optics infrastructure on the island. At Kodiak High School, its very easy for a teacher to give a homework assignment, say, read this article in the New York Times and the student could access that and its no big deal, Hargraves said. In our rural schools, you couldnt give that same assignment because many of our kids dont have internet at home and the cellphone coverage is very, very slow and spotty at best. Does that lack of connectivity impede teaching and learning? It can. What it really means is it limits your options. As a teacher, you want to do this really, really cool thing. Youre hearing about others who are doing this really, really cool thing through PBS kids or the Smithsonian website. And kids just cant access that content at home. We just work our way around it. What are you doing to prepare students for the workforce? Hargraves is proud of the districts distance welding class. This course is a good example of how weve been able to overcome some of our limitations, he said. Its been hard to find skilled welderslet alone welding teachers to offer the course in small sites, where only ten kids may be interested in the program. So the district has put out a broad net, Hargraves said. What we have done is weve been able to hire people from the community to come in to school even if they dont have welding expertise, if theyre interested in learning right alongside the kids and if they can help us ensure safety at the local site, Then a distance welding teacher in the communitys largest hub, Kodiak City, can work with them on getting the skills they need to get different welding certifications. So the model is work with local people in the village sites, have the expertise here in Kodiak City. Then, once or twice a year, we fly the kids into Kodiak High School and they are able to take their welding certificate test and get certified in different kinds of welding, Hargraves said. And students with a welding certification will qualify for plenty of jobs in Kodiak. Its something thats needed here. We have all of our boats. We have a massive fishing industry, Hargraves said. The district also has an auto-shop and has plans to start offering cosmetology certifications. The Sarita Vihar-Kalindi Kunj road in South East Delhi has come to a standstill over the past one month as numerous protesters, led by women, have been staging peaceful demonstrations at Shaheen Bagh to voice their objection to the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The road that is the key link between the satellite city of Noida and the national capital has been closed for the general public and traffic movements have been stopped along it. The Delhi High Court has now directed the city police to look into traffic restrictions on this stretch, which has been closed for nearly a month due to protests while keeping in mind the larger public interest. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar asked the police to look into the issue while also keeping in mind maintenance of law and order. The court passed the order while disposing of a PIL filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni seeking a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to lift restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh Stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is vital as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters are forced to take the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, the PIL had said. Reach Shaheen Bagh asap..the masjid has announced for it due to the high court order to remove protest site. Spread in other groups. #IndiaAgainstCAA_NRC #IndiaHatesModi Sarah Rifai (@sarahrifai95) January 14, 2020 The #TopNews At This Hour In 90 Seconds- HC asks Police to look into the opening of Kalindi-Shaheen Bagh road; Kerala govt challenges CAA in Supreme Court; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella voices concern on CAA and more... pic.twitter.com/FuDWa3YGq0 GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) January 14, 2020 Information from #ShaheenBagh , , . @munnebharti Sanket (@sanket) January 14, 2020 Even as the order has come to the Delhi Police from the court, it is worth noting that the Shaheen Bagh has emerged as the strongest show of resistance against the controversial legislation. Thousands of people throng the venue every evening as protests have continued relentlessly over the past one month. There is little denying that there are obvious repercussions on the movement of vehicles along the road but the citizens also enjoy the right to protest peacefully in a democracy. On this Sunday, a maha-path was organised at Shaheen Bagh where thousands of people gathered to read out major religious texts of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity in a show of unity and fraternity among the communities. Notably, the protesters at Shaheen Bagh have maintained that their peaceful demonstrations are founded on the core values of the Indian Constitution, foregrounding the deep-rooted principles of secularism, fraternity, unity and equality. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, according to its critics, violates all of these foundational values. It should also be noted that the Delhi Police has clamped down on protesters with utmost brutality and television channels have repeatedly played out live footage confirming the same. Peaceful demonstrators have also been lathi-charged and detained on several occasions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iran has dismissed a decision by European states to trigger a dispute mechanism in its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, a.k.a. nuclear deal) with world powers as a passive action, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, Trend reports referring to Iranian Foreign Ministrys website. Mousavi said that Iran once again informs all parties to the agreement, especially three European countries, that any non-constructive step will receive a consistent and decisive response from Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as in the past, has complete readiness to support any (act of) goodwill and constructive effort to save this important international agreement, the spokesman said. Iran started the process of resolving disputes over the nuclear agreement by sending an official letter to the coordinator of the joint commission more than a year ago, Mousavi added. Mousavi added that during the meetings dedicated to the settlement of the disputes, the US withdrawal from JCPOA was mentioned as the main cause of the crisis and solutions were voiced to resolve this situation. "Unfortunately, during a year, the European side failed to take important steps to fulfill their commitments, Mousavi added. Therefore, it gradually reduced the number of its obligations under Articles 26 and 36 of the deal. On Jan. 14, 2020, the UK, France and Germany issued a statement regarding Iran's suspension of its obligations within JCPOA and announced that they launched a process to resolve nuclear disputes. If problems are not solved in this process, the matter will be discussed at the UN Security Councils meeting. In January 2016, JCPOA was launched between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany) in connection with Iran's nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and imposed sanctions against Iran in November of the same year. In order to preserve the agreements reached as part of the JCPOA, the European signatories of the deal stated in January 2019 that a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed. On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it had ceased fulfilling its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories having not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it will not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal. On Sept. 5, Iran announced that it will enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and will not mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA. On Nov. 5, 2019, Iran announced that it took the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within JCPOA. Iran no longer faces any restrictions on its nuclear program. Update 10:15am: State Highway 2 is closed after a three car crash near Apata Station Road. NZ Transport Agency says, due to a multi-vehicle crash, SH2 is closed between Wainui South Road and Esdaile Road. Follow detours and expect delays. The detour for northbound traffic is to turn left onto Esdaile Rd, right onto Wainui South Rd and and left onto SH2. Southbound traffic should turn right onto Wainui South Road, left onto Esdaile Road and right onto SH2. This detour is not suitable for heavy traffic. Bay of Plenty System Manager Rob Campbell says motorists are encouraged to delay their journeys where possible and to avoid the area. Please visit the Transport Agencys Journey Planner website for up-to-date information about the closure and detour. Earlier: There has been a three car crash on State Highway 2 near Apata Station Road. A caller to SunLive says there has been a 3 vehicle accident on SH2 on the train over bridge before Apata Station road. Its a three car collision, there has been a head on and another car has t-boned from behind. The police, ambulance and fire have all arrived. It happened about 20 minutes ago and traffic is pretty bad and getting worse. A police spokesperson says there has been a crash at Whakamarama near Apata Station Rd at 9am. Four people have been injured - two have minor injuries, one has moderate injuries, and one has moderate-serious injuries. Both lanes are currently blocked and Police is putting traffic management in place. Google Maps is showing heaving traffic in the area. Image: Google Maps. Another caller to 0800SUNLIVE says they are stuck in traffic in the Apata Curve close to the pack house. A fire truck and ambulance have come past. Traffic going south towards Tauranga has stopped. Traffic going north appears to be moving slowly. Another caller says traffic is backed up in both directions. At the scene? Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz Natalie Edwards pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy after leaking confidential banking reports related to special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe A former U.S. Treasury Department senior adviser pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy after leaking confidential banking reports related to special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. Natalie Edwards, 41, of Quinton, Virginia, disclosed suspicious activity reports connected to Paul Manafort, his longtime associate Rick Gates, the Russian embassy and Russian agent Maria Butina from October 2017, prosecutors said. Those leaks became the basis for a series of articles that appeared in BuzzFeed about Mueller's investigation of whether President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign coordinated with Russia, prosecutors said. The former senior adviser at Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network was said to have been carrying a flash drive with the confidential reports and a phone containing encrypted chats with a reporter at the time of her arrest in October 2018. Natalie Edwards leaves Federal court on January 30. She disclosed suspicious activity reports connected to Paul Manafort, his longtime associate Rick Gates, the Russian embassy and others from October 2017, prosecutors said Edwards entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Monday, where U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods set sentencing for June 9. Although the conspiracy charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, Edwards signed a plea deal with prosecutors that recommends a potential prison sentence of zero to six months. 'I am sorry for what I have done and I apologize to you, your honor, and the court,' Edwards said. Her husband, daughter and parents were in court to hear her plea and sat behind her in tears as she addressed the judge. In his final report, Mueller said he had not found evidence of such coordination. Gates pleaded guilty to crimes - including tax fraud - and agreed to cooperate with authorities. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail last month. Manafort was convicted in Virginia of financial fraud in August 2018 and is now serving a 7-1/2-year prison sentence. Prosecutors said Edward's crime began in October 2017 and continued for a year, with the senior adviser sending a reporter numerous suspicious activity reports. The reports are filed with the Treasury Department by banks when they spot transactions that raise questions about possible financial misconduct such as money laundering. Edwards also sent or described to the reporter internal government emails or correspondence related to the reports and investigative memos and intelligence assessments published by her agency's intelligence division, prosecutors said. When the judge asked her if she knew she was committing a crime, Edwards said she did not 'know of the regulation' at the time but she knew about the federal Whistleblower Protection Act. After consulting with her lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, she said she admitted that she agreed to disclose the financial reports. She added: 'I was not allowed under the law to disclose it.' Russian agent Maria Butina also had a 'Suspicious Activity Report' leaked from the Treasury Edwards disclosed suspicious activity reports connected to Paul Manafort, left, and others from October 2017, prosecutors said. Those leaks became the basis for a series of articles that appeared in BuzzFeed about Robert Mueller's, right, investigation of whether President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign coordinated with Russia, prosecutors said Edwards, center, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Monday, where U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods set sentencing for June 9 Outside court, Agnifilo said the case illustrated how 'one's subjective motivations really do not serve as a defense.' He said prosecutors were 'probably of the view that she was more politically motivated than she was for some conception like the good of our republic.' Agnifilo said his client believed 'certain critical facts' weren't being handled in the right way by the government agencies tasked with handling them. 'She said: "You know, if I can't trust government officials to handle this, I think I can trust the media to handle this and to bring this to the attention of the American people",' the lawyer said. Agnifilo said Edwards was in contact with Congressional subcommittees and others in government but didn't believe they were dealing adequately with the information she offered. In a release, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Edwards violated the integrity of the system of suspicious activity reports that relies on banks and other financial institutions alerting law enforcement to potentially illegal transactions. Canadian investigators flying to Tehran on Monday will access the wreckage and black boxes from a Ukranian jetliner downed by a missile strike last week, officials said. "We don't fully know what the scope of our investigation will be," Transportation Safety Board (TSB) chair Kathy Fox told a press conference. However, she added, "there have been early signs that Iran is allowing the TSB to play a more active role than is normally permitted." Two Canadian investigators were to land in Tehran within hours, followed by two more in the coming days or weeks. They have been invited by Iran, which is leading the crash probe, to participate in the downloading and analysis of the aircraft's cockpit voice and data recorders. They will also be allowed to visit the crash site and the wreckage of the plane that is being reassembled in a nearby hanger. "We do know what has happened. What we don't know is why it happened," Fox commented before listing off questions surrounding the crash that still need to be answered. These include whether the missile strike was intentional or not, and why the air space was open amid heightened tensions in the region. The Airlines Boeing 737 was shot down by a missile shortly after taking off from Tehran before dawn last Wednesday, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Fifty-seven of the victims were Canadian. David Katzman, CEO of SmileDirectClub stands with founders Jordan Katzman and Alex Fenkell as the company debuts its IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, September 12, 2019. SmileDirectClub stock rose nearly 15% on Monday after it announced that it will start selling its teeth-straightening products to dentists and orthodontists. The company's exclusive partnership with Align Technology expired at the end of 2019, freeing it up to market its clear aligners directly. "We have seen increasing demand from the dentists and orthodontists in our network who wish to provide SmileDirectClub clear aligners to their in-office patients, and with our agreement with Align Technology now expired, we are no longer obligated to stay in the direct-to-consumer channel," said SmileDirectClub Co-Founder Alex Fenkell in a press release. SmileDirectClub shares ended the trading session at $11.70. Despite the gain, the stock remains significantly below its 52-week high of $21.10. Meanwhile, shares of Align fell about 3%, on word that the two companies will now be in direct head-to-head competition. The company will support this new distribution channel through its existing clear aligner manufacturing operation in Antioch, Tennessee. It had recently announced that it will add a second manufacturing facility located in Kyle, Texas, to meet the increased demand for its products. A private university bus carrying students and teachers on Tuesday ran into a stationary truck here due to poor visibility, making 10 injured, police said. Eight students, a woman professor and the bus driver were injured in the accident, they said. Three students were discharged after administering first aid, while others injured were undergoing treatment at a civil hospital here. The accident occurred when the bus was on its ways to the university located on Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road. The students, aged between 19 and 21, were pursuing undergraduate courses at the varsity, the police said. Police said the bus driver could not see the truck parked on the foothpath due to dense fog. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tania Shergill, a fourth-generation Army officer, today shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman officer to lead an all-men contingent at the Army Parade held on January 15 in New Delhi. Captain Tania Sher Gill from the Corp of Signals was the parade adjutant. Sher Gill has done her Bachelors of Technology in electronics and communications and was commissioned in March 2017 from Officers Training Academy Chennai. Her father was in 101 Medium Regiment (Artillery) while her grandfather was in the 14th Armed Regiment (Scinde Horse). Interestingly, her great grandfather was in the Sikh Regiment. Bhavna Kasturi led an all-men contingent on Republic Day and became the first woman officer to do so. The Indian Army is now opening up to recruit more women in services. The first batch of 100 women soldiers in the Army is likely to be commissioned by March 2021, said a report by Economic Times. The women soldiers will be commissioned into the Corps of military police and Indian Army. "The training period -- of 61 weeks -- is similar to that of male soldiers. Batches comprising similar number of soldiers will be trained and commissioned every year," a senior Army official told ET. Officials said the cadre of women soldiers in the Corps of Military Police will be maintained at a fixed number of 1,700 corps. This number will be achieved by filling in the corps in batches. For the next 17 years, Indian Army aims to induct 100 women soldiers each year to reach the mark of 17 women soldiers in the military police. India has taken an important step toward addressing gender bias in the armed forces. In March 2019, the government had announced its decision to allow women in newer areas, but awaited terms of reference before opening up the force for women. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced permanent commission for women. Till now, women were part of the various establishments in the Army but only as officers. This is for the first time, women will be inducted in the ranks of soldiers. Presently, women are recruited for selected roles in medical, education, legal, signals and engineering wings and only as officers. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 21:38:18|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said here Tuesday that the regional countries should drive the United States military forces out of the region, the official IRNA news agency reported. "The regional nations should struggle to put an end to the military presence of the United States in the region and expel these occupiers," Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis. For his part, Khamis said that "the presence of the U.S. forces in Syria is an ostensible example of occupation." "We believe that the regional nations and countries should stand against their (U.S. forces) illegitimate presence in the region," said Khamis. The prime minister expressed his gratitude for what he called Iran's supports to the Syrian government, saying that Iran deserves the priority in reconstructing Syria and his country will invite the Iranian companies and private sectors to get involved in reconstruction projects. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Khamis arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday for talks on bilateral ties as well as regional developments. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has advised all communities along the Tano River from Techiman Tanoso in the Bono East Region to Chiraa in the Bono Region and Duayaw Nkwanta and Bechem in the Ahafo Region not to drink from the river until further notice. It says the water has been poisoned. A press statement signed by the Offinso North District Director of NADMO, Elijah Mamos explained the directive had become necessary as a result of an accident which involved an articulated truck which was carrying vehicle batteries. The vehicle plunged into the river at Tanoso in the Bono East Region, according to Graphic Online. As a result of the accident, the acid in the batteries washed into the water and culminated in the death of several aquatic animals including fishes and crocodiles among others. We are by this urging all to carry the message to the target communities/people along the Tano river bank to save human lives. Police briefing Meanwhile, the officials of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service have confirmed the accident and explained that at about 8.30 am on Monday [January 13, 2020], a DAF cargo truck with Burkina Faso registration number 11KJ9312-BF, carrying 2,500 gallons of sulphuric acid and an unspecified quantity of shovels from Tema to Burkina Faso plunged into the river. According to the police, the cargo truck while ascending a hill on reaching Tanoso reversed and eventually fell into the Tano River resulting in some of the chemicals pouring into the river. The driver as well as his two assistants [mates] on board sustained minor injuries and were rushed to the Tanoso Health centre for treatment, where they were treated and discharged. The Bono East Regional Commander of MTTD, ASP Andrew Kofi Okonengye told Graphic Online that the Deputy Minister of Regional Re-organization, Mr Martin Agyei Mensah Korsah and the Municipal Chief Executive for Techiman, Mr John Kofi Donyina, as well as the officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and NADMO visited the scene to assess the situation. He said efforts were still underway to remove the chemicals from the polluted water and to remove the vehicle from the river. ---citinewsroom Steve Price said he is 'sick and tired' of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her 'virtue-signalling' as she holidays in Australia. The outspoken broadcaster let fly during his return to The Project on Tuesday night, comparing Ms Ardern's visit to Scott Morrison's trip to Hawaii amid the national bushfire disaster. The panel discussed the New Zealand leader's holiday and its potential to give a much-needed tourism boost to Australia in a time of crisis. Steve Price said he is 'sick and tired' of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her 'virtue-signalling' during an extraordinary rant about her holiday to Australia 'Why is she not holidaying in New Zealand?,' he scoffed. 'If you can criticise Scott Morrison for going to Hawaii... why is she not in Hamilton or Canterbury or somewhere like that? What's she doing hanging around Australia?' Co-panellist Peter van Onselen pointed out that Australia, not New Zealand, was in crisis and Ms Ardern was supporting her trans-Tasman neighbours. But Price was not dissuaded from his argument. 'Stay in your own country and spend money in your own place. Typical virtue-signalling from Jacinda Ardern. I get sick and tired of that woman,' he said. 'Why are we not criticising her for not holidaying in her own country?' The outspoken broadcaster let fly during his return to The Project on Wednesday night Ms Ardern (centre) has taken several photos with business owners in Queensland who have been impacted by the bushfires Co-host Peter Helliar interrupted: 'Because her country's not on fire mate.' 'So? She should be in New Zealand... I'm getting sick and tired of "Jacinda Ardern can do no wrong'',' Price fired back. Host Lisa Wilkinson attempted to add humour to the discussion, suggesting: 'It could be a PM exchange program. We could always cross our fingers.' 'Hang on,' Price continued. 'If you are going to criticise Scott Morrison going to Hawaii instead of going to the southern coast of New South Wales, why not criticise her?' The discussion sparked angry backlash on social media, with some arguing Price should be permanently removed from The Project. Price said he was 'sick and tired' of Ms Ardern and the what he said was a perception she could 'do no wrong' 'Steve Price's issue with Jacinda Ardern is NOT that she's holidaying in Australia, it's that he is sick of ''that woman''. Seriously, why give him a platform?,' said a Twitter user with the handle kaboosie. Another Twitter user - described as a Labor delegate with the handle Chris86767838 - posted a clip of the show and tweeted 'Watch this, get angry and demand that Steve Price be sacked.' A battery is a device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction, and was the main source of electricity before the invention of electrical grids and generators. Batteries are used for powering devices such as mobile phones, flashlights, and electric cars. A battery cell has both positive and negative terminals, known as cathode and anode, respectively, and the negative terminal is the source of electrons that flow to the positive terminal through an external electric circuit. Batteries exist in different shapes and sizes depending on the size and power needs of the device. The largest battery cells are those used to provide emergency power. History The term "battery" was coined by American scientist Benjamin Franklin in 1748 to describe several charged glass plates. The glass plates, known as capacitors, were coated with metal on the surface and were charged using a static generator. In 1780, while dissecting a frog fixed to a brass hook, Italian physician and physicist Luigi Galvani touched the frog's leg with his iron scalpel and the leg twitched, causing him to believe that the energy that caused the twitching came from the leg itself. Galvani referred to this phenonmena as "animal electricity." However, fellow Italian scientist and friend, Alessandro Volta, disagreed with Galvani, believing that the contraction was caused by the joining of two metals by a moist intermediary. Volta conducted several experiments to verify his hypothesis, and published the results in 1791. In 1800, Volta invented the first battery, which he called a voltaic pile. Inventor of the Battery: Alessandro Volta Born in present-day northern Italy in 1745, Alessandro Volta was an Italian chemist, physicist, and a pioneer of electricity and power. In addition to the electric battery, Volta is also credited with the discovery of methane. Volta became a professor of physics in 1774, and a year later improved the electrophorus, which is a manual capacitive electrostatic generator. From 1776 to 1778, he studied the chemistry of gases, and researched and discovered methane. Through several experiments on frogs, Volta discovered the electrochemical series, which is now called Voltas Law of the electrochemical series. In 1800, Volta invented the first electric battery, known as the voltaic pile. Impact of Voltas Discovery The voltaic pile is considered the first electric battery that was able to continuously provide an electric current to a circuit. The battery was made by stacking several pairs of alternating zinc and copper discs separated by cardboard or cloth soaked in brine to act as an electrolyte. Electricity flowed through the pile when the top and the bottom were connected by a wire. It was through this electric battery that several other discoveries were made, including the electrical decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen, and the isolation of other chemical elements such as potassium, sodium, calcium, barium, boron, and magnesium. In the 19th century, the electrical industry depended on electricity powered by batteries that were related to the voltaic pile. Shortfall of the Voltaic Pile Although the invention of the voltaic pile was a major step in developing the electrical industry, the battery itself had a lot of technical flaws. For example, the brine that was used as an electrolyte constantly leaked, causing short-circuits. Additionally, the batteries had a short life, which was inconvenient to most users. However, despite these flaws, the batteries were a more reliable source of electricity than Leyden jars. Sean Smith has been the CEO of Eden Research plc (LON:EDEN) since 2014. First, this article will compare CEO compensation with compensation at similar sized companies. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. And finally we will reflect on how common stockholders have fared in the last few years, as a secondary measure of performance. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO. Check out our latest analysis for Eden Research How Does Sean Smith's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Eden Research plc has a market capitalization of UK20m, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth UK353k over the year to December 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at UK190k. We took a group of companies with market capitalizations below UK153m, and calculated the median CEO total compensation to be UK251k. As you can see, Sean Smith is paid more than the median CEO pay at companies of a similar size, in the same market. However, this does not necessarily mean Eden Research plc is paying too much. We can better assess whether the pay is overly generous by looking into the underlying business performance. You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Eden Research has changed over time. AIM:EDEN CEO Compensation, January 14th 2020 Is Eden Research plc Growing? On average over the last three years, Eden Research plc has grown earnings per share (EPS) by 49% each year (using a line of best fit). Its revenue is up 74% over last year. Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. It's great to see that revenue growth is strong, too. These metrics suggest the business is growing strongly. You might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for future earnings. Has Eden Research plc Been A Good Investment? With a three year total loss of 6.3%, Eden Research plc would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. This suggests it would be unwise for the company to pay the CEO too generously. Story continues In Summary... We compared the total CEO remuneration paid by Eden Research plc, and compared it to remuneration at a group of similar sized companies. We found that it pays well over the median amount paid in the benchmark group. However we must not forget that the EPS growth has been very strong over three years. However, the returns to investors are far less impressive, over the same period. One might thus conclude that it would be better if the company waited until growth is reflected in the share price, before increasing CEO compensation. If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at Eden Research. Arguably, business quality is much more important than CEO compensation levels. So check out this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 14:42:23|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy will make a four-day visit to Washington this week for talks with his U.S. counterpart over the Korean Peninsula issues, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Lee Do-hoon, South Korea's special representative for the Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, will travel to Washington on Wednesday to meet with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun who also serves as the chief U.S. envoy in denuclearization talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). During the meeting, the two envoys planned to share the assessment of recent situations on the peninsula and discuss ways to push forward peninsula's complete denuclearization and peace settlement, the ministry noted. The South Korean diplomat also planned to have meetings with other U.S. administration officials. The DPRK-U.S. dialogue has been in a deadlock since the second summit between top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump ended without any agreement in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi in February last year. Pyongyang and Washington held the working-level denuclearization negotiations in Stockholm in October last year, but it ended without progress. In response to Trump's birthday congratulatory message to Kim, the DPRK issued a statement Saturday that dialogue with the United States can resume only when Washington fully accepts Pyongyang's demands. The US should have warned Canada of a strike at the Baghdad airport on the night of January 3, leaving Iranian General Qasem Soleimani killed, said Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. The U.S. makes its determinations, Mr. Trudeau told Global News on Monday. We attempt to work as an international community on big issues. But sometimes countries take actions without informing their allies. All measures must be taken to immediately de-escalate the situation in the Middle East in order to avoid new casualties and not to repeat the tragedy of the Ukrainian plane in the sky over Tehran, he added. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families. This is something that happens when you have conflict and war. Innocents bear the brunt of it, The Globe and Mail reported quoting the PM. According to Tasnim agency, on January 11, a group of students gathered to protest the Iranian Armed Forces recognizing responsibility for the crash. Late in October last year, the(the ConCourt) handed down its decision on the appropriate default position in patent proceedings in. The appeal raised the question of whether a defendant who has unsuccessfully challenged the validity of a patent in revocation proceedings may be permitted to raise the issue of patent validity as a defence in infringement proceedings. The decision is significant because it involved the appellate jurisdiction of the ConCourt and the first time it was deciding on the subject of patent prosecution. The ConCourt assumed jurisdiction on the matter because the appeal raised a constitutional issue (i.e. the applicants constitutional right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 167(3)(b) of the South African Constitution) and an arguable point of law of general public importance (i.e. interpretation of section 61 of the South African Patents Act, which not only affected the parties in the dispute but also future patent litigants). [Paragraph 32]. The decision is significant because it involved the appellate jurisdiction of the ConCourt and the first time it was deciding on the subject of patent prosecution. The ConCourt assumed jurisdiction on the matter because the appeal raised a constitutional issue (i.e. the applicants constitutional right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 167(3)(b) of the) and an arguable point of law of general public importance (i.e. interpretation of section 61 of the South African, which not only affected the parties in the dispute but also future patent litigants). [Paragraph 32]. Background In 2011, Ascendis Animal Health (Pty) Limited (the applicant) instituted revocation proceedings at the High Court seeking to invalidate the patent held by Merck Sharp Dohme Corporation and Merial Limited (the respondents) on grounds that the patent was not new (novelty) and lacked an inventive step (obviousness) under section 25(5), (6) and (10) of the South African Patents Act. [Paragraph 7]. While the revocation action was pending, the respondents instituted proceedings against the applicant for patent infringement. The parties agreed to stay the infringement proceedings and proceed with the revocation proceedings to finality. Also, the applicant informed the respondent of its decision to argue only the novelty claim and to present oral evidence regarding the obviousness claim, should the novelty claim fail. The respondents opposed this approach as untenable in law and procedure but the applicant proceeded as it planned and there was no ruling on this during the revocation proceedings. [Paragraph 10] The High Court revoked the respondents patent for lack of novelty and on appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, it was held that the novelty claim had no merit and that the patent was valid. [Paragraph 14] The applicant returned to the revocation proceedings at the High Court and filed an application to amend its application thus: remove the novelty claim; retain the obviousness claim and introduce a new defence of inutility under section 61(1)(d) of the Patents Act. The respondents opposed this application and sought to amend their pleadings to plead res judicata based on the Supreme Court decision. The respondent also sought an interim order to restrain further infringement pending the outcome of the suit. [Paragraphs 15-16]. The High Court refused the applicants amendment application holding that it amounted to piecemeal litigation as the intention to proceed with the invalidity claim on grounds of obviousness was not raised before the Supreme Court. The High Court also granted the claim for interim order sought by the respondents. [Paragraphs 17-19]. At the High Court for the infringement proceedings, the applicant presented a similar application and argument to amend its pleadings. It argued that each ground of patent revocation is a separate cause of action and as such, the obviousness ground may be introduced by way of an amendment. See paragraph 21. The High Court rejected this argument and dismissed the amendment application. The High Court also granted the respondents amendment application and upheld the res judicata argument. The applicant then sought leave to appeal against the decision refusing the amendment of its pleadings in the infringement action. The High Court refused leave to appeal and likewise, the Supreme Court refused leave. The applicant then appealed to the ConCourt challenging the decision of the High Court refusing its application to amend its pleadings in the infringement action. The decision 10 justices of the ConCourt sat on the appeal and unanimously granted the applicant leave to appeal. However, while 5 of the justices upheld the appeal and ordered the amendment of the applicant and respondents respective pleadings, the other 5 dismissed the appeal. In the absence of a majority decision, the judgment of the High Court remained valid and in place. [Paragraphs 1-2]. The ConCourt justices were split on two issues: (a) Are the grounds for challenging patent validity single or separate causes of action? Justice Khampepe held (with the concurrence of 4 other justices) held that the grounds on which the validity of a patent may be challenged under section 61 of the Act (novelty, obviousness and inutility) constituted separate and independent causes of action. [Paragraph 49]. Also, the facts needed to prove each ground differ. While the novelty ground requires proof that the patent is not new or different than what existed before, the obviousness ground and the inutility ground respectively require proof that the so-called inventive step is in fact obvious to anyone versed in the prior art and proof that the blueprint of the patent itself does not lead to the claimed usefulness or result. See paragraphs 54 and 55. Justice Cameron (with the concurrence of 4 other justices) took the opposite view holding that the validity of the patent was the sole subject matter of the dispute both in the revocation proceedings and in the infringement action. (b) Is the defence raised in the infringement proceedings res judicata because it borders on validity of patent? On this issue, Justice Khampepe and 4 others held that the defence was not res judicata as the grounds of patent validity were separate causes of action. The justices considered the scheme of the Act and distinguished between revocation actions and infringement proceedings. See paragraphs 44-48, 85-86 of the judgment. The differences between revocation and infringement actions meant that the legislature intended the proceedings to be separate and distinct such that failure of one cannot preclude the other. A claim of res judicata on revocation proceedings could not be applied to foreclose defence on infringement proceedings. See paragraphs 47, 68, 74 and 75. Moreover, the amendment should have been permitted under Rule 28(1) of the Uniform Rules of Court, which allow parties to amend their pleadings unless good cause is shown to the contrary. [Paragraphs 87-89] Justice Cameron and 4 other justices were of the view that the defence was res judicata based on several considerations: a. The dispute between the parties is based on the validity of the respondents patent. Once the Supreme Court rebuffed the applicants attempt to revoke the respondents patent, the applicant was estopped from bringing the same issue of patent validity (no matter the ground) in the infringement proceedings. [Paragraph 110] b. While res judicata forbade same parties from re-litigating the same cause of action and seeking the same relief, the concept of same cause of action may be interpreted widely to accommodate and forbid a party from demanding the same thing on the same issue. The issue in the instant appeal being on the validity of the patent. [Paragraphs 112-113]. c. Each jurisdiction has its own method of ensuring a fair and efficient patent enforcement system. For example, Germany and Japan had a patent examination system, which acts as a safeguard for their respective strictly bifurcated systems for validity challenges and damages claims [paragraphs 125 and 127]. The US, which had a unitary system similar to South Africa, had patent examination as a safeguard to address duplication of litigation. [Paragraph 126]. The broad interpretation of the res judicata principle may be South Africa's own safeguard. Comment To the extent that the defence proposed for the infringement proceedings bordered on the validity of the patent, it appears to make sense that a defendant that has failed as applicant in revocation proceedings should not be allowed to re-litigate the validity of the patent as a defence to infringement. But in this Kats opinion, that should depend on the nature of the challenge regarding the patent validity. While it may not be proper to allow the same applicant to bring multiple revocation proceedings against the same patent on different grounds, an applicant that unsuccessfully challenges the validity of a patent for lack of novelty should be able to rely on obviousness as a defence to an infringement claim. This is in the public interest particularly for jurisdictions that have no patent examination system. Otherwise, as Justice Khampepe pointed out, there would be no opportunity to test the strength of patents in a non-examination jurisdiction such as South Africa. [Paragraph 100]. Ethiopian teff patent case. It would not matter that the licensee had previously acknowledged the patent by procuring a license to use] [Even in cases where a patent licensee is sued for infringement, such licensee may defend the action by arguing that the patent was invalidly granted as happened in thepatent case. It would not matter that the licensee had previously acknowledged the patent by procuring a license to use] While it may not be proper to allow the same applicant to bring multiple revocation proceedings against the same patent on different grounds, an applicant that unsuccessfully challenges the validity of a patent for lack of novelty should be able to rely on obviousness as a defence to an infringement claim. This is in the public interest particularly for jurisdictions that have no patent examination system. Otherwise, as Justice Khampepe pointed out, there would be no opportunity to test the strength of patents in a non-examination jurisdiction such as South Africa. [Paragraph 100]. To this Kats mind, the appeal should have failed, not because the amendment sought was res judicata but because of the timing of the amendment application. The High Court had a discretion under the Rules of court to decide whether or not to grant an application for amendment of pleadings. The ConCourt may then decide whether the High Courts discretion was exercised judiciously vis-a-vis constitutional rights. The point in time at which the defence was raised is a strategic issue that the applicant failed to explore appropriately. There appears to have been no acceptable reason why the applicant failed to plead all the defences available to it at the inception of the infringement proceedings. In closing, this Kat is of the opinion that the issue of whether failure of revocation proceedings (made on any ground) would foreclose a validity defence in infringement proceedings may not be conclusively settled in South Africa. The simple reason for this as far as this Kat is concerned is the fact that 10 justices (an even number) sat on the appeal. It may be advisable to ensure an odd number quorum for the Concourt when sitting in appellate capacity, as this is the only way to guarantee a majority decision and a judicial precedent. Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- A ceremony chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue was held in the central city of Da Nang on Monday to kick off a series of workshops and forums on economic, labor, and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. Society -- A 12-year-old boy and 44-year-old man were killed and three others injured after an unidentified man fired his gun at a group of people inside an automobile repair garage in the northern province of Lang Son on Monday night. Police have extracted CCTV footage and initiated a manhunt for the suspect. -- Three fish sauce facilities in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long and An Giang were fined a total of VND780 million (US$33,700) for using banned chemicals in their production of the condiment in mid-2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on Monday. -- A deputy director of a hospital in the northern province of Thai Binh was fined VND35 million ($1,500) and had his drivers license revoked for 23 months for driving his car after drinking at a party last week. -- Officers initiated legal procedures against nearly 2,000 suspects for drug-related crimes in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019, the municipal Department of Police reported at a conference on Monday. -- A fire engulfed a house and nine kiosks, used for living and running business, within a 300-square-meter area in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening. -- A company in Da Lat, a tourist city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, is facing a fine for constructing a glass bridge without a permit in the Love Valley, one of the citys most popular attractions. Business -- Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City plans to serve more than 3.7 million passengers during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, according to a representative of the airdrome. -- Nearly 45,000 flights were delayed or canceled in 2019 by Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir, Jetstar Pacific, Vasco, and Bamboo Airways, a year-on-year rise of 0.25 percent, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A tenant has been charged over the death of his landlord after he allegedly shoved the elderly man down a flight of stairs in a dispute over unpaid rent. Queens landlord Edgar Moncayo was trying to collect $200 from his tenant, Alex Garces, on Sunday afternoon. The 71-year-old arrived at his property in Corona while on the phone to his wife, and tried to gain access into the building. In Ring doorbell camera footage the tenant, Garces, 22, can be seen opening the front door and Moncayo attempts to enter the property. Queens landlord Edgar Moncayo, 71, (left) can be seen arriving at his property to collect overdue rent. After a brief altercation, Moncayo is pushed down the flight of steps (right) Footage shows a brief physical altercation breaking out before Garces allegedly pushes Moncayo down the flight of stairs which lead up to the front door. The 71-year-old sustained a blow to his head when he hit the concrete below. The victim was taken to Elmhurst Hospital and put on a life support machine. However he was pronounced dead by 12:30pm on Monday afternoon. The victim's grandson, Nicolas Jativa, 20, said the dispute had all been about rent. 'It was all about rent, rent money that this guy didn't want to pay,' he told the New York Post. Moncayo, 71, was on the phone to his wife, pictured right, when he was thrown down the steps Suspect Alex Graces, 21, appeared at court in Queens on Tuesday charged with manslaughter Footage shows Moncayo fall onto the concrete below, suffering blunt force trauma to his head which proved to be fatal Moncayo had reportedly already agreed to reduce the tenants rent that month from $400 down to $200. The devastated grandson added: 'My grandmother wasn't home when this happened, she was on her way back home already when she got a call from a neighbor telling her what had happened. 'As soon as she saw my grandfather she just dropped to her knees and started crying. I didn't believe it until I saw the video for myself and it's horrible.' Garces' family have reportedly claimed that his death was an accident. Garces was arrested on Monday and appeared before a court in Queens on Tuesday morning charged with manslaughter. Oil extended its biggest weekly decline since July as an easing of geopolitical tension in the Middle East turned attention back to a flood of new supply set to hit the market this year. Futures in New York fell as much as 1.5pc Monday to the lowest level in over a month. The threat of an outright war has receded since Tehran fired missiles at US-Iraqi bases last week in retaliation for Washington's assassination of its top general. In Libya, warring factions have called a cease-fire in their nine-month conflict. But the situation in Iran remains volatile amid protests against the government's downing of a commercial airliner. "There is a continuing sense that the geopolitical risk from Iran has come down dramatically," said Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst at Price Futures Group Inc. "There is reduced risk to supply and that's weighing on market sentiment." Oil prices are now back where they were in mid-December, with the market seemingly shrugging off the chance of more disruptions in the Persian Gulf. The lack of a geopolitical risk premium is partly due to plentiful supplies of US shale and a torrent of new crude from non-OPEC countries including Brazil, Guyana and Norway. On the demand side, the US and China are set to sign their limited trade deal this week, which may improve sentiment. Brent futures for March settlement were 64 cents lower at $64.34 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe Exchange after losing 5.3pc last week. The global crude benchmark traded at a $6.04 premium to West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for the same month. WTI crude for February delivery fell 73 cents to $58.31 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 10:33 a.m. local time. The contract fell 6.4pc last week, the most since mid-July. Bloomberg Its been almost a week since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced theyre stepping down as senior members of the royal family. And now, Queen Elizabeth issued a groundbreaking statement in which she low-key confirmed the couple is allowed to move to Canada. (For the time being, at least.) It all started earlier today when the 93-year-old monarch explained that shes working on a solution to the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs recent announcement. In the statement, the queen revealed that shes granting them international privileges, which means theyll be allowed to travel to and from Canada whenever they desire. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the U.K., it read. This is fantastic news for Prince Harry and Markle. Not only will they require no formal approval to visit Canada, but theyll also be able to stay as long as they want, which means a partial residency is totally in the cards. Of course, theres a small catch. While the queen granted them access to spend time in Canada and the U.K., she could change her mind. In fact, the statement even specifies theyll only be allowed to do this during the period of transition, which could end at any moment. Still, well take what we can get. RELATED: Listen to Royally Obsessed, the Podcast for People Who Love the Royal Family Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria is open to more Investments from foreign companies, including those from Turkey in the areas of construction, manufacturing, technology and other sectors, Mr Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Tuesday said the vice president received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a Turkish business delegation led by Turkeys Minister of Trade, Ruhsar Pekcan. Mr Osinbajo said Nigeria and Turkey had existing bilateral relations for decades, and maintained close cooperation in international organisations. The vice president said he looked forward to greater cooperation between the two countries exploring other areas to deepen economic ties. I think also that more opportunities will come for further interactions with Turkey, especially in the light of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement we just signed. I believe very strongly that this is an opportunity for Turkey to participate fully in the African economies, in particular Nigerias economy. As you are well aware, several Turkish companies are already operating in Nigeria in construction, manufacturing and other areas. In her remarks, Ms Peckan said the Turkish Government was looking forward to improving the bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and Turkey and deepening economic ties. She said there were several Turkish companies already in Nigeria, and that Turkish investors willing to invest in different sectors in the country. Ms Pekcan also thanked the Nigerian government for its continued support in tackling the global threat of terrorism. Senior government officials at the meeting included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, and the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo. Earlier, the vice president had received a delegation from the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), the umbrella body of all law students in the country. READ ALSO: During the meeting, Mr Osinbajo said young Nigerians played very important roles in building the Nigerian enterprise and urged them to embrace opportunities to make those contributions. Describing the Associations innovative campaign, LAWSAN Goes to School, as laudable, Mr Osinbajo said he was impressed by the quality, scope of work and thoughtfulness behind initiatives being driven by the association. LAWSAN Goes to School is an outreach for creating awareness among Secondary School students on certain important aspects of the Law in the society. You are concerned with not just law students, but students in secondary schools, that is really commendable. We need more instructions in our primary and secondary schools on civic responsibilities which is very important. Young people need to understand the part that they have to play in the whole Nigerian enterprise. More volunteers on the ground will be needed; perhaps using more existing resources like members of N-Power programmes who are graduates of Nigerian universities, he said. In his remarks, LAWSANs President, Emmanuel Nwobodo, said the campaign was part of the associations drive to give back to society. We strongly believe in corporate social responsibility because it is vital in achieving the kind of future we want to build for ourselves and Nigeria. He praised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for its transparency and the vice president for his exemplary leadership style and for bringing the federal government down to the people. An average Nigerian is aware of how much you have brought the Federal Government to the grassroots. Advertisements As your administration speaks in respect to transparency, we have been accountable to our own people by organising the Peoples Congress wherein we give an account of what we have been doing at the apex body to law students. Because we believe that to succeed, integrity and conscience must form the government pack of our nation and leadership and we have learnt so far from the precedence you have laid over time in leadership, he said. He said during a recent campaign by the association in the South East, students were also taught their rights, limitations to the rights as well as their responsibilities as citizens of Nigeria. (NAN) Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a court hearing in Vancouver on Oct. 2, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) Charests Consulting Work for Huawei Reignites Calls for Canadian Foreign Interference Laws The revelation that former Quebec premier Jean Charest, who is contemplating running for Conservative Party leadership, is advising Chinese telecom giant Huawei on the Meng Wanzhou extradition case and participation in Canadas 5G network has reignited calls for Ottawa to require more transparency from former government members working for foreign entities. A cross-section of people who have served at the highest levels of Canadian government are acting, directly or indirectly, on behalf of a state that is hostile to Canada, David Mulroney, Canadas former ambassador to China, said on Twitter. The Globe and Mail reported that Charestwho was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party in the 1990s and also deputy prime minister under former prime minister Kim Campbellalong with former privy council clerk Wayne Wouters are part of a law firm hired by Huawei to help in Mengs extradition case as well as sell products for use in Canadas 5G network. Meng was arrested in late 2018 in Vancouver at the request of the United States on fraud charges related to violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Since then, China has issued stern warnings to Canada to release Meng; arrested two Canadian citizens, who have been detained for over a year; and blocked Canadian imports. In documents filed with the British Columbia Supreme Court last week, Canadas Department of Justice said the fraud allegations Meng is accused of in the United States would be considered criminal in Canada as well, meaning that her case meets the requirements of extradition. Charests role in helping Huawei in Canada would be at odds with the official position of the Conservative Party, which holds that Huawei shouldnt be allowed to participate in Canadas 5G network due to the companys close links to the Chinese communist regime. In response to news of Charest working for Huawei, Mulroney said that we will be told that top people wont serve unless they can cash in after retirement. But that argument is self-serving, potentially dangerous, and undermines public confidence. Lets at least require greater transparency around work for foreign states and their proxies. Shuvaloy Majumdar, a former policy director to Canadian foreign ministers and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI), said on Twitter that its hard to square how one leads Canadian interests with integrity, after counselling a foreign entity acting against the interests of Canada and Canadians. Several former high-ranking Canadian politicians with ties to organizations that have strong links to China have taken positions favouring the release of Meng and/or Huawei having a role in Canadas 5G network. Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien has floated the idea that Canadas justice minister use his legal authority to halt Mengs extradition to the United States, the Globe reports. Chretien formerly sat on the board of a subsidiary of Power Corp., which journalist and author Jonathan Manthorpe describes in his book Claws of the Panda as the premier gatekeeper of [Canadas] formal relations with China. Chretiens daughter is also married to Andre Desmarais, president and co-CEO of Power Corp. Former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney, who worked as a lawyer for Andres father Paul, the former CEO of the company, has called on the government to name Chretien as a special envoy to negotiate the release of the arrested Canadians. Former Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day, who is on the executive board of the Canada China Business Council, has praised Huawei and its founder Ren Zhengfei, a former officer in Chinas Peoples Liberation Army, and argued that Canada shouldnt ban the company from its 5G network. In a paper written for the MLI late last year, David Mulroney said Chinas rise has added special urgency to the issue of foreign influence and interference in Canada. He added that Canada should enact legislation similar to Australias recently introduced foreign interference laws, which require former cabinet ministers and others working for foreign entities to register with the federal government. The Australian governments action is largely in response to an increasing number of incidents in Australia that point to clandestine efforts by Chinese state actors seeking to influence or interfere in Australian politics and governance, he wrote. Ahead of Australias new laws coming into effect last year, two former Australian cabinet ministers and a former Australian premier quit their positions with China-linked companies. We need to signal to foreign governments that any former Canadian official they hire has, by definition, stepped away from his or her role as a privileged adviser to governments in Canada, Mulroney wrote. Conservative Senator Linda Frum was one of the earliest politicians to call for Canada to consider Australias new laws when they were first introduced in 2017. This is essential. Its critical. Its essential for Canadian political sovereignty that we examine this very, very closely, Frum told National Post columnist Terry Glavin at the time. With files from The Canadian Press HACKENSACK, N.J., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Investigators at John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey were part of the 15-site international ZUMA-2 trial, a phase II study of CAR T-cell therapy in a heavily pretreated patient population who had exhausted all standard treatment options for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). After a single infusion of KTE-X19, 93% of patients with relapsed/refractory MCL responded and 67% achieved a complete response (CR) rate (i.e., no remaining disease). These unprecedented results were presented at the 2019 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, held in December in Orlando, Florida the world's leading conference for hematologic cancers and blood disorders. With CAR T-cell therapy, white blood cells called T cells are removed from the patient, modified in the laboratory to make them recognize a protein (CD19) on lymphoma cells, then expanded to much larger numbers and returned to the patient intravenously, where they can expand further to detect and destroy cancer cells anywhere in the body. Two forms of CAR T-cell therapy aci-cell (Yescarta) and tisa-cell (Kymriah) are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat recurrent and persistent B-cell lymphoma in adults, as well as acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults up to age 25. However, CAR T-cell therapy is not yet approved to treat MCL, an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which becomes resistant to therapy over time and is associated with very poor outcomes. The ZUMA-2 study included MCL patients who had failed to respond to both chemoimmunotherapy and BTK inhibitors, such as ibrutinib or acalabrutinib. The 93% response rate and 67% CR rate were observed regardless of the number of prior therapies or extent of disease. Interestingly, 40% of patients who initially had a partial response or stable disease achieved a CR within 3 to 12 months, showing the effectiveness of a "living drug" that continues to work over time. Responses were also durable, with one-year estimates of progression-free survival (the time before the cancer continued to grow) and overall survival being 71% and 86%, respectively. At the time of analysis, the median duration of response had not yet been reached, and for those who achieved a CR, 78% of patients remained in remission. For the first 28 patients who were treated with axi-cel and had the longest follow-up time (median 27 months), 43% of the responders remained in remission a rate totally unprecedented for this population. "This will be a true game-changer in the management of patients with mantle cell lymphoma," said Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., Chairman and Director of JTCC, Lymphoma Division Chief, and a renowned lymphoma expert who led JTCC's participation in the ZUMA-2 study. Side effects were generally manageable and as expected with CAR T-cell therapy, including low blood cell counts, cytokine release syndrome (a release of inflammatory proteins associated with the immune response), and nervous system side effects that were all reversible. About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 15 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. John Theurer Cancer Center is a member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, one of just 16 NCI-approved cancer research consortia based at the nation's most prestigious institutions. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities. For additional information, please visit http://www.jtcancercenter.org. SOURCE John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center Related Links http://www.jtcancercenter.org Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:56:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- This year's annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will focus on development trends, industrial changes, the forefront of innovation, beautiful life and global governance, BFA Secretary General Li Baodong said here Tuesday. The conference, scheduled for March 24 to 27 in Boao, a coastal town in China's southern island province of Hainan, will be themed "A world in change: Bond together for a shared future," Li told a news conference. It will feature about 50 official sessions, including the opening plenum, themed sessions, roundtable meetings and special dialogues. They are categorized into five modules: development trends, industrial changes, the forefront of innovation, beautiful life and global governance, he said. Noting the mission of BFA is to gather positive energy for the development of Asia and the world, Li said this year's conference will respond to the general concerns of the international community, focus on the frontier issues of global development, and continue to support multilateralism and international cooperation. More than 2,000 people from all over the world, including national leaders, representatives of international organizations, ministers, entrepreneurs and media representatives have been invited to attend the conference. Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals. Malaysian university cultivating affordable aquaculture feed for the industry Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) are producing plankton for use as feed in the aquaculture industry, reported The Star Malaysia. The project, led by Dr. Wan Nurul Nadiah Wan Rasdi, UMT Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science lecturer, is able to cultivate different species of plankton such as copepods and moina that are rich in nutrients and a source of protein for fish. She said the plankton cultivation project can result in an alternative fishmeal and supplementary feed for the aquaculture industry. The project, which started in 2018, is supported by the Malaysian Education Ministry through funds allocated under the Knowledge Transfer Programme grant. Through the grant, the university partnered with an aquaculture company from Kuantan, Pahang with the aim of commercialising plankton culture. Other Asian aquaculture industry players such as the Institution of Aquaculture Singapore are interested in the plankton production project. - The Star Malaysia NEW DELHI: Even as the students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Monday boycotted classes amid standoff with the administration over the fee hike issue, the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) told the HRD ministry that they do not feel secure on the campus and the atmosphere there was not conducive for academic activities. Registering his strong protest over the recent incidents in the university, Prof. Amit Bhaduri decided to give up his emeritus professorship at the JNU. The classes in the university could not start on Monday due to the collective boycott by students and faculty. The JNU administration, however, issued an advisory to teachers to resume their classes in the interest of students. The students union had earlier said it will ensure registration by paying only the tuition fees and not the increased hostel charges but kept the decision on hold after it found that the administration had blocked the registration portal for many students. The teachers association has also given a call for non-cooperation in academic matters over a range of issues, including that of fee hike and the January 5 violence. Teachers and students have been demanding the sacking of vice-chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar. According to Prof. Hari Ram Mishra of the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, some students attended classes but many of them are still not back in campus. The classes should commence in a proper way in the next couple of days, he said. In a meeting with Human Resource Development (HRD) officials, the JNUTA told officials that they do not feel secure on the campus and the atmosphere there was not conducive for academic activities. We do not feel secure on the campus, atmosphere not conducive for academic activities. Students who left campus after violence scared to return, how can we resume teaching? JNUTA President D.K. Lobiyal told the ministry officials. An advisory by the JNU administration was issued after two JNU Teachers Association officer-bearers announced a non cooperation plan, the varsity said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue 2020 -- India's annual global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics -- here on Tuesday. The flagship conference jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation has been India's contribution to global efforts to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability to a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades. The three-day conclave will bring together 700 international participants, of which 40 per cent of the speakers will be women, emphasising India's commitment to gender equality. Along with the participation of 12 foreign ministers, including the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the European Union, the Security Adviser (NSA) of Afghanistan, the Deputy NSA of the United States and several other ministers of state will also present their ideas. The inaugural session of the mega-event today will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while other visiting leaders will also share their views on important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, the role of technology in the modern world, climate change and counter-terrorism. Over the course of two days thereafter (on January15-16), intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars - the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, the debate on the global trading architecture, the role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, the global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace, according to a statement by the MEA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dozens of injured koalas arrive at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park's makeshift animal hospital each day in cat carriers, washing baskets or clinging to wildlife carers. Injured in bushfires that have ravaged the wildlife haven off the coast of South Australia state, there are so many marsupials currently requiring urgent treatment that carers don't have time to give them names -- they are simply referred to by a number. Among them is Koala Number 64, who was brought in with burns to all four of his paws. Stretched out on a surgical table in a bustling tent, he has been sedated so the wounds can be examined and treated. "It's healing nicely," says veterinarian Peter Hutchison, explaining the koala had already benefitted from a few days' of treatment. Not all rescued koalas have been so lucky. Many are found so badly injured that they need to be euthanised. Steven Selwood, South Australia Veterinary Emergency Management team leader at the hospital, says around 46,000 koalas were thought to be on the island before this year's bushfires. It is estimated as few as 9,000 remain, Selwood says, describing the figure as "pretty devastating". "The fires here were particularly ferocious and fast-moving so we're seeing a lot less injured wildlife than in other fires," he tells AFP. "A lot of the wildlife was incinerated." Australian Minister Sussan Ley said the country's koala population had taken an "extraordinary hit" as a result of bushfires that have raged for months, suggesting they could be listed as "endangered" for the first time. Kangaroo Island is the only place in Australia where the population is entirely free of chlamydia -- a sexually transmitted infection also found in humans that is fatal to koalas. That has made them a key "insurance population" for the future of the species -- and even more crucial now that large numbers have died in bushfires on the Australian mainland. Almost half of Kangaroo Island has been razed by fire and an estimated 80 percent of koala habitat wiped out. This widespread destruction has left rescuers with a tricky proposition -- what to do with the animals once they have recovered. For now, that issue is on the back burner as teams of vets work overtime to save as many as possible. "He's going to need another week (to recover) and will need to be kept caged after that," Hutchinson tells AFP as he wraps a pink bandage around Number 64's paw. "Because there's no habitat for him to go back to at this time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Comments come as critics question Trumps claim that Irans Soleimani was planning an imminent attack against the US. US President Donald Trump clearly had the authority to kill Qassem Soleimani, United States Attorney General William Barr said on Monday, adding that the White House consulted with his Department of Justice before the strike on the Iranian commander. Barr told reporters that Soleimani was a legitimate military target and the strike was a legitimate act of self-defence. Barr did not cite any specific evidence, but said, We had a situation where the Iranians had already embarked on a series of escalating violent action taken against our allies, taken against the American people, our troops, with the avowed purpose of driving us out of the Middle East. He added: The Department of Justice was consulted and frankly, I dont think it was a close call. Since the January 3 strike that killed Soleimani, critics have questioned the Trump administrations assertion that Soleimani was planning an imminent attack against the US. They have also questioned the timing of the strike, coordination within the administration and Trumps decision not to notify Congress, which holds the power to declare war, of his plans. The general in charge of these efforts, Soleimani, was clearly a legitimate military target. We had a very brief window of time to carry out the attack, Barr said. This was a legitimate act of self-defence because it disrupted ongoing attacks that were being conducted a campaign against the Americans and it re-established deterrence, he added, without elaborating. Earlier on Monday, Trump brushed aside concerns, tweeting it doesnt really matter if a threat was impending. The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was imminent or not, & was my team in agreement, Trump tweeted. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was imminent or not, & was my team in agreement. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesnt really matter because of his horrible past! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020 Last week, Trump said in an interview that Iran had been poised to attack four American embassies, but on Sunday, defence secretary, Mark Esper, said he did not see specific evidence that Iran was planning an attack. What the president said was that there probably could be additional attacks against embassies. I shared that view, Esper said. The president didnt cite a specific piece of evidence. When pressed on whether intelligence officers offered concrete evidence on that point, Esper said: I didnt see one with regards to four embassies. Democrats and some Republicans in Congress have questioned the justification of the attacks and said they have not been given adequate, detailed briefings. The Democratic-controlled House on Thursday passed a nonbinding resolution aimed at limiting the presidents ability to attack Iran in the future without congressional approval. The Senate will debate a similar resolution this week. According to the US Constitution, the authority to direct military action is divided between Congress and the president. Congress has the power to declare war while the president, as commander-in-chief, has the power to use the military to defend the US. Waters enables core product portfolio with next-generation automation technology Waters Corporation has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Andrew Alliance, an innovator in specialty laboratory automation technology, including software and robotics. Waters, the world's leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials and food sciences for more than 60 years. Andrew Alliances cloud-native software platform and modern interface dramatically improves the use of automation technology, enabling more scientists to realize the advantages of repeatability and performance for both routine and complex laboratory workflows. Chris OConnell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waters Corporation said, The acquisition of Andrew Alliance broadens our technology portfolio to include advanced robotics and software that will positively impact our customers workflows across pharmaceuticals, life sciences and materials science markets. This move also demonstrates Waters commitment to deploy capital to growth-oriented acquisitions that reinforce our specialty strategy and enhance our core business. Piero Zucchelli, Chief Executive Officer of Andrew Alliance said, We are thrilled to join the Waters family. We have found the right partner to bring our vision of connected laboratories to life. Waters combination of instruments and chemistries will help us accelerate the delivery of our innovative software and hardware technologies to customers as mass spectrometry increasingly moves into the hands of more and more users. Andrew Alliance has approximately 40 employees in Switzerland, France and the United States. On Monday, Attorney General William Barr made a very public appeal to Apple to unlock the iPhone of the shooter in last month's attack at a naval air station in Pensacola, Florida. Barr has been outspoken about his belief that tech companies have an obligation to provide access to encrypted devices when requested by law enforcement, and Apple has been steadfast in its position that it not only won't comply, but can't. In the most prominent example, the company actually defied a court order to unlock the device belonging to the San Bernardino mass-shooter. The FBI eventually accessed that device without Apple's help, working with a third-party security firm. It's not hard to argue that Apple should do everything it can to help fight crime and terrorism, and to that end, the company has already turned over all of the data it had in its possession. That information was stored on Apple's iCloud servers. The iPhone, it says, is different because the company is unable to decrypt a device without either the user's passcode, FaceID, or fingerprint (depending on the specific device). In fact, Apple's transparency report says it has responded to over 125,000 such government requests for information and has turned over what information it has when asked by law enforcement. Both sides have a lot at stake in this battle. Law enforcement obviously has a vested interest in fighting crime and stopping terrorist attacks. No one questions that. The question is whether or not tech companies should be required to build encrypted devices with a backdoor. By the way, there is no such thing: If a device has a backdoor, it's not encrypted. In fact, at CES just last week, Apple's Senior Director of Global Privacy, Jane Horvath, said that "end-to-end encryption is critically important to the services we rely on." And with regard to fighting terrorism, she continued that "building a backdoor to encryption is not the way we're going to solve those issues." In addition, an Apple spokesperson told me: We have always maintained there is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys. Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers. Today, law enforcement has access to more data than ever before in history, so Americans do not have to choose between weakening encryption and solving investigations. We feel strongly encryption is vital to protecting our country and our users' data. In fact, The New York Times is reporting that sources familiar with the company's position say it will refuse to comply with any efforts to force it to break its encryption. Barr has also called for legislation requiring tech companies to build in backdoors for law enforcement. While that might seem good for public safety, what happens when someone is able to get access to your personal information like health or financial data? What happens when someone can access photos of your family, or your messaging history? Apple can't comply with the FBI, no matter how noble the cause, no matter how much the Attorney General protests. Because, while it's true that encryption means that some information won't be accessible to law enforcement, the alternative is that all of our information will be at risk. If there's a backdoor for the good guys, you better believe that the bad guys will figure out how to exploit it. Which is the point. And the Attorney General knows that to be the case. According to that same Times report, the FBI's top attorney had already sent a written request to Apple, to which the company responded with the information it could access on its servers. The current appeal is meant to put pressure on the company by bringing attention to a highly publicized case and put Apple on the wrong side of terrorism. No one wants to be on the side of terrorism, but being for encryption isn't the same as enabling crime. In fact, it actually prevents crime every day. And while events like what happened in Pensacola or San Bernardino are horrific tragedies, it would be another tragedy to lose the ability to protect our personal information. Apple knows this, and so does the Department of Justice. A tiny dog has taken on a massive male kangaroo in a bizarre tussle that ended with the fight being broken up in the middle of a river. The altercation began when the dog started barking at the 1.5-metre kangaroo at Pine River in Brisbane's north on Monday. The roo tried to scare the terrier away but the dog, whose owner was nowhere in sight, wouldn't stop harassing the marsupial. The altercation began when the dog started barking at the 1.5-metre kangaroo near a river Bystander Jono Lonie said the dog chased the roo into the water. 'The kangaroo started swimming across the river and the dog was behind it,' he told 7 News. But the situation took a nasty turn when the kangaroo stopped trying to escape and started drowning the dog. Mr Lonie said the dog was pushed underwater 'four or five times'. The situation took a nasty turn when the kangaroo stopped trying to escape and started drowning the dog Lonie jumped in his boat and rescued the dog from a watery grave. 'If I wasn't there, that dog was dead,' he said. The kangaroo swam safely back to shore. Mr Lonie said he found the dog's owner looking for it in the mangroves. In a world where most people get married, where do people turn for advice if they dont want to settle downfor now or forever? Now there's a new playbook, one that takes a positive view of living singleand living well. Solo: The Single Persons Guide to a Remarkable Life is a podcast that explores how not being married can afford you the opportunity to start a business, make art, travel the world, or simply sleep in when you want to. More people than ever are questioning the assumption that marriage is the path to a good life. Emma Watson recently made international headlines and set social media abuzz when she described her relationship status as "self-partnered." Rapidly changing demographics prove she is an exemplar of a broader trend. Of American adults, 110 million are unmarried, and 25% of Millennials will never marry. Dr. Peter McGrawa behavioral scientist and bachelorhosts Solo along with revolving co-hosts. McGraw interviews unmarried men and women living remarkable lives and assembles advice from leading experts about health, fitness, money, business, travel, fashion, art, leisure, and of course, sex and dating. The podcast dispels myths of marriage and monogamy, profile illustrious unmarried women and men, and reveal McGraws own experiments in personal and professional developmentfrom near misses in marriage to how he made the Stylish Scientist list. Solo is an essential resource for the person who will never marry, the person who is putting off marriage, the recently divorced, and any of the above who sucks at being single. The first five episodes are available wherever podcasts can be found, including iTunes and https://www.petermcgraw.org/solo/: 1) Introducing Solo 2) The science of single living 3) Why are super heroes single? 4) What is ethical non-monogamy? 5) What Kristin Newman was doing while you were breeding About Solos Host, Dr. Peter McGraw: Dr. Peter McGraw (http://petermcgraw.org ) is a sought-after professional speaker who gives talks at Fortune 500 companies, public events, and universities around the world. As a marketing and psychology professor, he teaches graduate courses in behavioral economics for the University of Colorado and marketing management for London Business School, UC San Diegos Rady School, and the University of Colorado. Dr. McGraw is on sabbatical in Los Angeles where he is a visiting scholar at USCs Cinema School. As a global expert on the scientific study of humor, he directs the Humor Research Lab (aka HuRL) and is finishing his second book: Shtick to Business: What the Masters of Comedy Can Teach You about Breaking Rules, Being Fearless, and Building a Serious Career A bachelor who has never been married and has no kids, Dr. McGraw knows what its like to thrive as a single person. McGraw has worked hard over the years to develop perspectives and practices to facilitate healthy habits and personal and professional success. He can be reached at 1-720-837-2622 or peter.mcgraw@colorado.edu. SPRINGFIELD New rules governing how retail gun dealers do business go into effect Friday and include the types of records they must keep, how weapons and ammunition are to be stored and the kinds of video surveillance and security systems they must maintain. The rules, established by the Illinois State Police and scheduled to be published in the Illinois Register on Friday, will go into effect almost one year to the day after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act into law. The Act requires firearm dealers who have a federal firearm license to also obtain a state certificate and comply with state regulations. Pritzker signed the bill, the first of his administration, after it passed during the 2018 legislative session. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in office when it passed, but Democratic Senate President John Cullerton used a procedural maneuver to hold onto the bill because Rauner had vetoed similar legislation that spring. The bill was viewed at the time as a response to rising gun violence in parts of Illinois, especially Chicago. It was aimed at preventing theft or other diversion of guns from firearms dealers and to crack down on so-called straw purchases in which someone buys a gun on behalf of someone else who is legally prohibited from owning a gun. ISP initially proposed administrative rules in August and held a public hearing on Oct. 24 in Springfield. But those proposed rules sparked fierce pushback from gun dealers around the state who said compliance would be excessively expensive. Of particular concern was a proposed rule that would have required dealers to maintain video surveillance at several points in their stores. Dealers would have also had to maintain those recordings for 90 days and back them up to an offsite storage system such as a cloud or server. I know stores that have over 125 cameras in there, said Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Federal Firearm Licensees of Illinois, a gun dealer trade association. Youre not requiring a backup system, youre requiring a backup generator. He went on to describe the rule as requiring such a dealer to be able to upload 125 high-definition Netflix movies simultaneously. Gun dealers also complained about other proposed rules that would have required them to have written plans for storing all inventory, both during business hours and after closing, and to keep ammunition in a restricted area of the store not accessible to customers. Some gun shop owners said compliance would be impossible. Hundreds of dealers have paid $1,500 license fees, confident that they could meet the letter of the law, and now they find that they cant because of the rules that have been proposed, Valinda Rowe, spokeswoman for gun rights advocacy group IllinoisCarry.com, said during the hearing. Following that hearing, ISP revised many of the proposed rules, eliminating the requirement for backup storage of video surveillance, according to a copy of the rules provided by ISP. But that pushed the rulemaking process beyond Jan. 2 when gun dealers were to come into compliance with many portions of the new law. As a result, ISP is using its emergency rulemaking powers, which allow regulatory agencies to put rules into effect immediately, for a maximum of 150 days, while final rules are being drafted. Those proposed final rules could be subject to another public hearing, further revision, and review by the General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The law is also the target of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, as well as several gun shops. Plaintiffs argue the law places onerous restrictions on firearms dealers that would force many stores to close and others to pass the higher costs on to those who would be seeking to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That lawsuit is pending in Sangamon County Circuit Court. 15 new Illinois laws for 2020 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought assistance of Attorney General KK Venugopal on a PIL against the law that gives power to courts to force a separated couple to stay together through decree for Restitution of Conjugal Rights. A three-judge bench of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice V Ramasubramanian asked Attorney General to assist the court on the issue and also asked the central government to respond on the plea within eight weeks. In March last year, the top court had asked the Ministry of Law and Justice on the plea, but the reply is yet to be filed. The two-judge bench had also said that a three-judge bench will hear the case. The PIL filed by two law students of Gujarat Law University, Gandhinagar, challenged the validity of Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Section 22 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and Order 21, Rules 32 and 33 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. These provisions provide the statutory scheme for the Restitution of Conjugal Rights. The PIL filed by Ojaswa Pathak and Mayank Gupta said under the legal scheme in India, a spouse is "entitled to a decree directing his other spouse to cohabit and take part in sexual intercourse. He/she is also entitled to coercive measures in the form of attachment of property in case the spouses wilfully disobeys the decree of restitution." The petitioners submit that the "legislative package" providing for the Restitution of Conjugal Rights is "unconstitutional" and against the fundamental rights. A two-judge bench in 1984 upheld these provision while considering the scheme for restitution of conjugal rights "as an aid to the prevention of break-up of marriage". The plea has said that the personal autonomy and dignity that are guaranteed under the Constitution cannot be sacrificed at the altar of family life. "The Constitution guarantees to every individual the right to be left alone - even within the framework of a family. Any provision which forces an individual to have sexual relations or even cohabit a home without her will is violative of the right to privacy, individual autonomy and dignity that are guaranteed by the Constitution," the plea stated. It added that the "society is changing into one where the private interest of sexual autonomy, dignity and happiness of an individual is put before concerns like societal morality or family life. Thus, there exists no compelling interest for the state to interfere in matters related to conjugal rights. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NORWALK A city man has been accused of causing the disturbance that trashed the Bloomingdales cosmetics department Monday at The SoNo Collection. Jason Gilbertie, 42, of Butler Street, has been charged with two counts of third-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer and breach of peace. According to a police report of the incident, witnesses reported a man was destroying all of the items in the store and punched another person around 6:45 p.m. Monday. Police said Gilbertie punched and threw items at a security guard when he was confronted. Another security guard used pepper spray to try to subdue Gilbertie, police said. Norwalk police said they arrived and took Gilbertie into custody after a brief struggle. Police said there were false reports that shots were fired during the incident. It was not clear from the police report, however, if a gun was pulled out. Police on Monday night had also described the incident as a fight. A video posted on Facebook showed display cases and racks toppled over in the Bloomingdales cosmetics department. The mall remained open, but Bloomingdales was closed Tuesday morning. A spokesman for Bloomingdales said the mall was open as of around noon Tuesday, but he declined to comment about the incident. It is our policy not to comment to subjects related to litigation, he said. PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MedRhythms, a Portland, Maine-based digital therapeutics company that uses sensors, software, and music to measure and improve walking, today announced the advancement of its pipeline in multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). As part of this effort, MedRhythms has established MS and PD Scientific Advisory Boards that will provide guidance related to the Company's clinical and research activities in these disease states. Additionally, MR-004, the Company's pipeline product for walking rehabilitation in MS, will be studied at Cleveland Clinic in a pilot-scale randomized controlled trial to evaluate its safety and efficacy. This trial is made possible by a grant from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC). The MedRhythms MS Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) welcomes Dr. Francois Bethoux and Dr. John DeLuca to the Board. Dr. Francois Bethoux, M.D. is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Cleveland Clinic and he is the Chair of the Research Interest Group on Symptom Management of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. Dr. John DeLuca, Ph.D. is the Senior Vice President for Research and Training at the Kessler Foundation and a professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department and the Neurology Department. Dr. Bastiaan Bloem, Dr. Ray Dorsey, and Dr. Alexander Pantelyat are welcomed as the PD SAB's first advisors. Dr. Bastiaan Bloem, M.D., Ph.D. is the Co-Director for Parkinson's Net, Scientific Advisor of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and an author of 550 publications. Dr. Ray Dorsey, M.D., M.B.A. is the Director of the Center for Health Technology at the University of Rochester and the Editor-in-Chief of Digital Biomarkers Journal. Dr. Alexander Pantelyat, M.D. is the Director of the Atypical Parkinson's program at Johns Hopkins and the Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine. "We are excited to advance the pipeline of products by adding these world-renowned researchers and clinicians to our MS and PD Scientific Advisory Boards," said Brian Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of MedRhythms. Each advisor brings to the MS and PD SABs unique clinical expertise and a history of significant research and publications in their fields. MedRhythms is committed to building world-class digital therapeutics through rigorous research to improve the lives of those the company serves. Establishing these SABs and measuring the outcomes of these devices in randomized controlled trials are essential to fulfilling that mission. The study that's researching the outcomes of MR-004 on subjects with MS will be initiated in early 2020 at Cleveland Clinic. MS SAB member Dr. Francois Bethoux will serve as the principal investigator. "I've conducted many trials on interventions to improve walking in those living with MS, including the compelling impacts of rhythmic cueing in this population," said Bethoux. "I look forward to undertaking the role of principal investigator in this study and to learn more about this investigational therapy and its potential impact on mobility and quality of life in patients with MS." This advancement follows multiple developments related to MedRhythms' first product in stroke rehabilitation. In July, MedRhythms announced the development of its first SAB with a focus on stroke recovery. More recently, the Company announced the launch of a multi-site pivotal trial that will evaluate the efficacy of this first product at the nation's top rehabilitation hospitals. *Dr. Francois Bethoux is a paid advisor to MedRhythms About MedRhythms MedRhythms, a privately held company headquartered in Portland, ME, is a digital therapeutics company that uses sensors, music, and software to build evidence-based, neurologic interventions to measure and improve walking. MedRhythms is dedicated to developing direct stimulation digital therapeutics, meaning that each therapeutic provides direct stimulation to enable the mechanism of action in each relevant population. The company has an active pipeline of digital therapeutics targeting rehabilitation and prevention in areas of neurologic injury and disease. The MedRhythms team has extensive experience in rehabilitation techniques utilizing music. The company has roots as a therapy services company that launched out of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, which the U.S. News & World Report named the No. 3 rehabilitation hospital in the country. To learn more, visit: www.medrhythms.com. Forward-Looking Statements THIS MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO THE COMPANY THAT ARE BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US AS OF THE DATE HEREOF. STATEMENTS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS, INCLUDING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE COMPANY'S BELIEFS, DESIGNS, ANTICIPATION, AIMS, GOALS, EXPECTATIONS AND POTENTIAL RESULTS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. IN ADDITION, THE WORDS "WILL," "MAY," "BELIEVE," "ANTICIPATE," "INTEND," "ESTIMATE," "EXPECT," "PROJECT," "PLAN," "SHOULD," "COULD," AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS, AND THEIR VARIATIONS AND NEGATIVES, AS THEY RELATE TO THE COMPANY OR THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY, ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES, ASSUMPTIONS AND OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THIS MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY SPEAKS ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO UPDATE THIS COMMENTARY IN THE FUTURE. SOURCE MedRhythms Related Links https://www.medrhythms.com Launched to the market in August 2015, the VarioPrint i-series, and its newer model the VarioPrint i-series+, help professional printers to increase the productivity of short-run operations while aiding in business growth through such offerings as application diversity, production efficiency, and cost effectiveness. The multifaceted press offers established B3 sheetfed inkjet solutions, serving to bridge the speed and capacity gap between high-end, toner-based cutsheet printers and entry-level continuous feed inkjet presses. Goodway Group of Massachusetts was the first commercial printer in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area to install a VarioPrint i300 inkjet press. With a philosophy built upon identifying industry trends and integrating the latest technology and solutions to address customers' evolving business needs, Goodway Group experienced the advantages of the press immediately. "It has brought great value to our business and our customers in a short time," said Mike Jenoski, president and CEO of Goodway Group. "The feedback from our customers on the quality of the prints has been overwhelmingly positive, and our capacity to print a high volume of impressions has increased dramatically. We've been able to shift work from our toner devices to the VarioPrint i300 and saved a significant amount on operating costs." Goodway Group isn't alone in reaping the benefits of the VarioPrint i300. Independently-owned Digital Express was founded on the vision of supplying a new look to short run commercial printing. The La Vista, Nebraska-based company, which was founded in 2005, provides business-to-business clients, graphic artists, and traditional offset printers a full-service catalog of digital production, including commercial and corporate printing, bindery, finishing, and mail services. "In the first few months that we utilized the VarioPrint i300, we saw more volume every week, and started operating the press around 16 hours a day," said Sean Graveline, CEO/President, Digital Express. "The VarioPrint i300 has also given us the ability to offer a better solution to those of our customers who want the look of offset but find the cost prohibitive. We have shifted much of our current offset business to the device, saving our customers money, as well as taken on net-new business in this area. Adding the VarioPrint i300 to our fleet was part of our growth plan to take us to the higher level of operation we've achieved today, and it is enabling us to better serve our customers and stay at the forefront of printing technology." Among the numerous benefits users have experienced with the VarioPrint i-series is an increase in productivity with the capability of printing more than 400,000 A4 images a day. Users have also witnessed exceptional uptime of more than 90 percent at twice the speed of similar devices. The implementation of iQuarius technologies helps print providers in handling new and more diverse applications, ensuring the reliability of the VarioPrint i-series for fast, uninterrupted production. Additionally, the VarioPrint i-series links with complex information systems and finishing solutions from third party providers to provide a more robust offering to customers. "The print market is constantly evolving, compelling print providers to keep pace in a never-ending race against technological advances," said Peter Kowalczuk, president of Canon Solutions America. "The VarioPrint i-series offers a tangible solution and an attractive alternative between higher-cost, less flexible inkjet web presses and lower-speed, toner-based cutsheet printers. We're pleased to celebrate, alongside Canon Europe, its global success with our customers." About Canon Solutions America, Inc. Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes discover ways to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, NY and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com. Editorial Contact: Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Stephanie Caro csa.canon.com 631-330-4432 For sales info/customer support: [email protected] 1-844-443-INFO (4636) Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. 2020 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc. Related Links https://csa.canon.com Cash stashed in vaults found in an apartment owned by Lai Xiaomin, former boss of China Huarong Asset Management. Photo: CCTV Jaw-dropping details of the corruption case involving the former head of a powerful Chinese state lender were disclosed in a televised documentary, showing a room filled with more than 200 million yuan ($29 million) of cash. A five-episode documentary that started Sunday on state broadcaster China Central Television tells the tales of Lai Xiaomin, the former head of state bad-asset manager China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd. He was formally arrested in November 2018 on charges of bribery, embezzlement and cronyism. Lai himself appears in part two of the documentary, which aired Monday as he awaits trial. We have dealt with a number of cases in the financial sector, but none was as shocking as Lais case in the amount, degree of damage and plots and means of crimes, says Chen Qingpu, deputy director of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Communist Partys anti-corruption watchdog, in the documentary. The details revealed by the authorities reconfirmed some of Caixins previous exclusive reports on Lais case. Images show multiple cabinet safes filled with cash and other valuable objects in an apartment owned by Lai. To avoid investigation, Lai always asked for cash payment of bribes and then personally put the money into these safes, according to the authorities. Lai and people close to him called this apartment the supermarket, Lai explains in his appearance. He says he didnt spend a penny from it and all the funds and objects were confiscated by the authorities. So I say, Whats the use of having so much money? Lai says. I dared not spend any of it and was on tenterhooks all the time. The cash stashed in the supermarket was only part of Lais illegal gains. In addition to cash, he also received large amounts of property, cars, luxury watches, gold and artwork, authorities said. Lai says he helped many executives in the financial sector to develop assets worth of tens of billions of yuan. For these managers, paying such bribes was only a drop in the bucket, Lai says. He thought it was normal for them repay his favors, he says. The exact total of Lais ill-gotten gains hasnt been confirmed by authorities but will undoubtedly be a shocking figure, the documentary says. The indictment specifies only a huge amount. Lai led an aggressive expansion of Huarong, opening dozens of subsidiaries and quickly expanding one of the nations four largest distressed-asset managers into a financial conglomerate with licenses covering banking, securities, trusts, investments, futures trading and financial services. Under his leadership, Huarong even violated certain state policies and participated in some projects that were prohibited for state-owned financial institutions. Lai also directed Huarong to provide large sums of money to private companies in which he had an interest. Some of the companies were run by Lais friends, and he ordered that risks associated with the investments be ignored or glossed over, says Bai Tianhui, former general manager of a Huarong subsidiary, who was also arrested for suspected bribery. He (Lai) once said, if there is any risk, Huarong is a distressed-asset specialist, Bai says in the documentary. I can have it solved. But his solution to the problematic assets was not through techniques and operations, but through using more money to fill a bigger hole. He said, if theres more risk, we can refinance and extend the risk. Prosecutors have submitted an indictment to Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Peoples Court. In the indictment, Lai was charged with illegally accepting bribes through his positions as ex-party chief and head of Huarong Asset Management. He was also charged with living together with a person as husband and wife while still legally married to someone else. A trial date hasnt been set. Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com) Caixin Global has launched Caixin CEIC Mobile, the mobile-only version of its world-class macroeconomic data platform. If youre using the Caixin app, please click here. If you havent downloaded the app, please click here. By Baek Byung-yeul SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won SK hynix is apparently pulling itself out of a year-long semiconductor business slump on recovering chip demands, but concerns are growing for its grandparent company SK Group and parent company SK Telecom as they have to spend more to restructure the group's corporate governance, company officials said Tuesday. It has been more than a year since SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho announced the firm's bid to become an intermediate holding company in the ICT business of the country's No. 3 conglomerate in January 2019. The restructuring governance plan aims to help SK hynix perform its business activities, such as mergers and acquisitions, more aggressively because the grandson company of SK Group is required to mandatorily purchase 100 percent stake in a company under the monopoly regulation and fair trade act here. In addition, the reforming plan is a way to give SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his family more grip on SK hynix, the most lucrative SK affiliate with a market capitalization of around 70 trillion won ($61 billion). Currently, SK Holdings has a 26.78 stake in SK Telecom, the largest shareholder of SK hynix, owning a 20.07 percent stake. To completely become a holding company of the chipmaker, SK Telecom needs to purchase at least a 9.93 percent stake in SK hynix at an estimated cost of 7 trillion won ($6 billion). The price is about a 2.5 trillion won increase from the stock price of SK hynix in June 2019. This is due to the government's soon-to-be-revised monopoly regulation and the Fair Trade Act requires a holding company to raise an ownership stake in its affiliate to 30 percent from the current 20 percent. Stocks of SK hynix hit the 100,000 won ($86.6) mark on Monday for the first time since SK Group acquired the chipmaker in March 2012. SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho The world's No. 2 DRAM maker had a tough year in 2019 as its semiconductor sales are expected to dip by 38 percent year-on-year due to a supply glut of memory chips and a continued decline of memory chip prices. However amid growing demands for memory chips for both smartphones and servers in data centers, the stock prices of Samsung and SK hynix are rising. An SK Telecom official said the mobile carrier is considering various ways to become an intermediate holding company to make SK hynix a subsidiary company of itself, but nothing has been decided yet. SK hynix CEO Lee Seok-hee Following the row that broke out after Satya Nadella voiced concern over the fallout of the amended citizenship law in India, the BJP on Tuesday said the Centre was doing what the Microsoft CEO had said in his official statement issued after the controversial remarks. While BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra did not attack the Indian-origin CEO at the party's press briefing here, another party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi made an unequivocal jibe at Nadella in a tweet saying his comments showed "how the literate need to be educated". To a question about the CAA, Nadella, CEO of one of the world's five biggest multinational technology firms, was quoted by Buzzfeed's editor-in-chief as saying that what is happening in India is "sad". The CEO later issued a more nuanced statement, saying every country should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. He also spoke about his upbringing in a multicultural India and subsequent immigrant experience in the United States to say that his hope for India is where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation. Asked about the controversy following Nadella's remarks, Patra while referring to the Hyderabad-born CEO's statement noted that he had given a "clarification". "That is what the government of this country has done. We are looking after national security and protecting borders. "As far as immigrants are concerned, there is a process for citizenship. Anybody can apply for citizenship. Even the prime minister has said so. Once they apply for work permit, for citizenship, many have become citizens. Of course anybody can then do whatever the Constitution has bestowed on them (sic)," Patra said. In her tweet, Lekhi was, however, critical of Nadella. "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example," Lekhi said on Twitter in response to Nadella's remarks and also posted his statement issued later by Microsoft India. "Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA?" she went on to say. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Nigerian lady who was said to have been trafficked to Lebanon has now regained her freedom. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), revealed this via Twitter, on Monday. She said Omolola Ajayi(23), has been handed over to Goni Zanna Bura, in Beirut and that the alleged trafficker had been arrested in Nigeria, including her boss in Lebanon. Ajayi, in a video which was shared online, had tried out for help, saying that a friend of her family introduced her to a man who brought her to Lebanon with the promise that she would work as an English tutor in the country. Read Also: President Buhari Says Slavery Still Exists The single mother, who is from Kwara said when she arrived in Lebanon, she found out that she had been sold into slavery while her passport was created. She begged for help from Nigerians saying she doesnt want to die like other victims. Dabiri-Erewa also said that the Lebanese boss will have to provide her ticket and her passport for her to return to Nigeria and that he would be reported to the ministry of foreign affairs in Lebanon and charged to court. She said Omolola is expected to return next week. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said the alleged overpricing of speed guns was just a misunderstanding caused by a hurried presentation of the procurement proposal. The PNP explained that the one they proposed was a micro digital camera laser system, and not the speed radar guns which only costs P10,000 each as described by Duterte last night. "Actually hindi yun ang tinutukoy natin yung ordinary na speed gun na maaring may halaga na P10,000. Ang proposal ng PNP ay actually isang micro digital camera laser system, said PNP Spokesperson BGen. Bernard Banac. [Translation: Actually, we are not talking about the ordinary speed gun that only costs P10,000. What we proposed is a micro digital camera laser system.] President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asked Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano to take over PNPs procurement capability, intending to ban the police from procuring any equipment. Duterte said that the PNP proposed a budget of P950,000 for each item. Banac clarified that the amount of the proposed equipment to be procured was not yet final, as no bidding happened yet. Hindi iyun ang final amount dahil hindi pa nga ito dumaan sa bidding, so wala pang submission ng ibat ibang bids and proponents. So actually hindi pa final yung proposal,said Banac. [Translation: Thats not the final amount because it did not make it yet in the bidding, so theres no submission yet of any bids or proponents. So this is not the final proposal.] He added, Hilaw pa yung presentation ay yun nga lamang sa pagmamadali ay nailabas ng PNP at napresent kaagad, at ito ay naging dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng misunderstanding. [Translation: The presentation is not yet polished, but because we were in a rush we were able to release and present it immediately, and this was the reason why there was a misunderstanding.] Yet, the PNP still took heed of the Presidents order. The Philippine National Police, under acting Officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, respects and abides by the decision of the President to remove procurement of equipment as one of its administrative functions, said Banac. Banac added that the PNP already submitted its explanation to Ano regarding the said procurement. Truth be told, this years Houston Iranian Film Festival couldnt have come at a more awkward time. Just a couple of weeks ago, President Trump ordered the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force who ran the countrys military operations across the Middle East. That led to Iranian protests and retaliatory attacks on Iraqi bases where Americans are stationed. Now, Iran is in turmoil after its government admitted to accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane bound for Kiev. But the 27th annual festival will continue as planned, ready to give audiences the latest and greatest in Iranian cinema. I think, as happens every year, we will have a combination of people from Houstons Iranian or Persian community and general art-film lovers, coming out to see the films, says Marian Luntz, film curator for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This is always quite popular for us. The MFAH is one of several screening locations for the festival, which starts Friday. The museum will be playing most of the films, showing such recently released selections as the opening-night film Just 6.5, an action thriller thats also one of the highest-grossing films in Iranian history, and Finding Farideh, a documentary that was Irans entry for this years best international feature film Oscar. The main centerpiece for this years fest is the Koker Trilogy, a trio of films named after the northern Iranian village where the films are set and made by the late, acclaimed filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. The first film, Where Is the Friends Home? will be shown at the MFAH on Saturday, while the 1992 follow-up And Life Goes On plays Sunday at Asia Society Texas Center and the 1994 finale, Through the Olive Trees, plays next Friday at the Menil Collection. Says Luntz, I thought, to me, showing the Koker Trilogy, in these beautiful restorations, is impactful and gives people a sense of Kiarostami and his influences and how influential he became. While Kiarostami films have previously been screened at the festival (his final film, 24 Frames, was shown in 2018), the fest got the Koker Trilogy thanks to a Kiarostami retrospective that has been touring around the country for the past year. Film critic and Iranian film scholar Godfrey Cheshire (who also served as a consultant on the retrospective) feels people could learn a lot from watching these. At a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, says Cheshire, Houston cinephiles should look to the Kiarostami retrospective for proof of Irans great cultural richness and contributions to world cinema. The Koker Trilogy wont be the only thing from the Kiarostami canon the fest will be playing. On the weekend of Jan. 31, Rice Cinema will screen eight films two documentary features and six shorts from Kiarostamis earlier years making films at the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanun) in Tehran. 27th Houston Iranian Film Festival When: Friday-Feb. 1 Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet; Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore; The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross; Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd. Details: $10 ($8 MFAH members, seniors, students with ID); 713-639-7515, mfah.org See More Collapse Rice Cinema programmer Charles Dove says these films initially captured what Kiarostami would eventually expand on when he began his famed, breakthrough trilogy. The first in the Koker Trilogy is about children in school and all those other things that hed been making documentaries about for about five years prior, and those are the films that Im showing, says Dove. Theres a certain coherence to it as a whole. Ultimately, as Luntz tells it, this festival is and will always be an occasion when Houstonians can see films from different generations of Iranians from the masters like Kiarostami to the young men and women working in different genres and take in more about Iran than what they usually get from the news or your grandparents Facebook posts. Of course, you get to see the country and the experiences of people living in Iran and the various circumstances that the films present them in, says Luntz. So, you get a sense of the country. You also get a sense of the interest of the filmmakers, in spotlighting issues that are important to them. Craig Lindsey is a Houston-based writer. [January 14, 2020] CSC Donates $100K to REACH for Teen Warehouse On January 7, CSC (News - Alert) Chief Executive Officer Rod Ward presented a check for $100,000 to REACH Riverside's Chief Financial Strategist Dave Ford to be directed toward the development of The Warehouse. CSC believes in giving back to the communities where its people work and live, and this second donation of $100,000 to REACH continues their efforts. The Warehouse will be a teen-led site where a network of youth serving nonprofits will deliver programs and services needed in the community. Scheduled to open this spring in the former Prestige Academy building on the southern end of the Riverside neighborhood, the goal is to immerse teens in rigorous, intensive, and relevant experiences that will best prepare them for the workforce and higher education. "The statistics speak for themselves," says Ward. "With community violence, poverty, and a lack of hope defining the future for too many Wilmington teens, The Warehouse will be an outpost of oppotunity for our young people to make positive change. CSC is honored to be part of this effort in helping our communities be better off tomorrow than they are today." Partnerships are being forged and pilot programming is already underway. October 2019 brought an alternative behavior program to Howard School of Technology with a focus on community service, life and career skills, and restorative justice practices. "The support we receive from CSC does so much more than fund our work," says Ford (News - Alert). "It's life changing for our teens, and we're confident they'll pay it forward in the future." About CSC CSC is the world's leading provider of business, legal, tax, and digital brand services to companies around the globe. From keeping your business in compliance and streamlining operations, to protecting and promoting your brand online, we use our expertise and personal approach to help your business run smoother. We are the business behind business. We are the trusted partner for 90% of the Fortune 500, more than 65% of the Best Global Brands (Interbrand), nearly 10,000 law firms, and more than 3,000 financial organizations. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, since 1899, we have offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. We are a global company capable of doing business wherever our clients are-and we accomplish that by employing experts in every business we serve. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005520/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The treatment of dementia, migraines and strokes could change forever, thanks to a world-first breakthrough discovery by New Zealand scientists. A research collaboration involving scientists from the University of Auckland, University College London, and Bristol University has been hailed as the first ever to identify blood flow sensors within the brain. The revolutionary research has opened the way for new possible treatments for serious illnesses including dementia, high blood pressure, and migraines. Scientists have suspected for decades the brain had a way of monitoring and regulating its own blood flow separate from the body-wide blood pressure control system but had been unsuccessful in proving so, until now. A new study could change the way dementia and other brain illnesses is treated (stock image) The study led by University of Auckland professor Julian Paton found a new function of tiny star-shaped cells called astrocytes, which controls brain blood flow. 'What we have discovered is that the brain has an automatic way to make sure that brain blood flow is preserved,' he said. 'Unfortunately, in pathological conditions, this is happening at the expense of generating higher blood pressure in the rest of the body.' 'Our finding suggests that reducing activity in these blood flow-sensing astrocytes may be a way to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. It may also be a way to combat migraines and strokes.' Disturbances to brain blood flow are a known cause in many diseases. A sustained reduction in brain blood flow is a likely cause of cognitive decline, dementia and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers Disease. The breakthrough research found a new function of tiny star-shaped cells astrocytes Professor Paton told the New Zealand Herald: 'When we stimulated these cells, the cells increased blood flow into the brain.' 'Now, what we hope to do is find an intervention that works to manipulate astrocytes - by reducing the activity of these cells.' Professor Paton hopes to start clinical trials on patients within the next three years. His ultimate goal is to prevent brain diseases like strokes, migraines and some types of dementia. Fellow researchers are also excited by the discovery. 'Our new data identify astrocytes as brain blood flow sensors that are critically important for setting the normal level of systemic (arterial) blood pressure and in doing so ensures that the brain receives a sufficient amount of oxygen and nutrients to support the uninterrupted operation of the information processing machinery,' University College London Researcher Professor Alexander Gourine said. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. The Diocese of Allentown has offered victims of sexual assault nearly $9 million so far through its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, according to a news release. Claims are still being processed for individuals who say they were abused at the hands of clergy but the diocese released an interim report Tuesday to provide a progress update. The report says 47 applicants were offered a combined $8,975,000. No offers have been rejected, it says. Another 56 applications remain under review, the report says. The program was set up last year for victims of clergy abuse. It was open for applications from April through September 2019. Its administered independent of the diocese by Washington D.C.-based attorney Kenneth Feinberg and his colleague, Camille Biros. The diocese set aside millions of dollars for victim compensation by borrowing money, by the sale of unused property to repay the loans and by using available cash, the release says. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in 2018 released a grand jury report that found more than 300 priests in six dioceses statewide had sexually abused children, with incidents going back decades. The Diocese of Allentown had 35 priests identified as offenders, in addition to one whose name and title were redacted and one layperson accused of alleged sexual misconduct. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. EDWARDSVILLE A Granite City man is facing a life term for allegedly raping two different women on two different occasions in the past month. David F. Brown, 56, was charged Monday with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of unlawful restraint. Each of the assault charges are Class X felonies punishable by life in prison because he was convicted in in 1998 of aggravated criminal sexual assault. The internet is a minefield of identity theft threats: phishing emails, malware, and unsecure and spoof websites, just to name a few. Now, there's formjacking, a relatively new threat targeting your credit card and other personal information. And it can even happen on websites that appear to be legitimate and secure. Here's what you need to know about formjacking, how it can affect you and what you can do to protect your information. What Is Formjacking? Formjacking is a cybercrime that can occur when hackers insert malicious code to collect data from website forms -- for example, a payment form you fill out to make a purchase online. "This includes forms where a Social Security number might be entered, allowing a criminal to open new accounts," says Robert Siciliano, CEO of online security resources Credit Parent and Safr.me, "or forms where a credit card number is entered, allowing criminals to take over existing accounts." Once you submit your information, the malicious code collects it and transfers it to the cybercriminal's servers. From there, your information can be sold and used to commit fraud. Where Does Formjacking Happen? Sticking to trustworthy websites is a good security practice, but it won't save you from formjacking. This crime can compromise even legitimate websites. According to the 2019 Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, an average of more than 4,800 new websites were compromised with formjacking code every month in 2018. Those affected include household names like British Airways, Ticketmaster and Macy's, but it's typically small and midsize retailers that hackers target. [Read: Best Cash Back Credit Cards.] In many cases, a third-party form, such as a chatbot or customer review widget, can be the target instead of the main website. With British Airways, for instance, it was the payment processing gateway for the airline that was attacked, not the airline's website itself. Whatever the method, formjacking can put your sensitive information and peace of mind at risk. Story continues How Can Formjacking Affect You? It's virtually impossible to tell whether your information has been stolen via formjacking because there's no change to your checkout experience when you're shopping online. That means you likely won't find out that your information has been compromised until after the fact. How formjacking can affect you depends on the type of information the identity thief collects. "There's some data that can ruin your day, and there's some that can ruin your life," says Alex Hamerstone, practice lead of governance, risk and compliance for TrustedSec cybersecurity consultants. These are some of the data points formjacking criminals may target and what can happen when the information falls into the wrong hands. Credit card details. If someone manages to steal your credit card information, the threat is relatively low. Your credit card company may spot unauthorized transactions before you do, or you can report fraud and let the issuer take it from there. "If someone gets my credit card, I don't really care because I'm not responsible," says Hamerstone. "They'll ship me a new credit card, and I'll get on with my life." Many credit card issuers offer zero-liability fraud protection and will remove suspected fraudulent charges from your account while they run their investigation, so losing money isn't a major concern. Your card issuer will typically send you a new card with a different number, which can be a pain if you've stored the old number for automatic payments. If you have any recurring charges on the card, you'll need to update your card information to avoid missing payments. Address or phone number. People can't steal your identity with just your address or phone number. However, identity thieves can use them as a gateway to get more valuable information. For example, they can use it to search a publicly available database to see if they can find more information about you. Also, when you call banks and other companies, they often ask you to confirm your name, address and phone number to verify your identity before giving out sensitive information about your accounts. Finally, with your current address in hand, criminals could target you for address fraud. Address fraud occurs when thieves are able to change your address through the U.S. Postal Service, redirecting all of your mail -- which could potentially include personally identifiable information -- to an address of their choice. [Read: Best Rewards Credit Cards.] Social Security number. Formjacking primarily targets payment information, but it is possible for hackers to get your Social Security number if you enter it into a compromised form online. Your Social Security number can be used to open new accounts, file a fraudulent tax return, submit false health insurance claims and more. Losing your Social Security number to an identity thief can be catastrophic, and it could take months or even years to recover fully. How Can You Protect Your Credit Card and Other Information from Formjacking? Because the websites you use and their third-party partners are often the target, there's not a lot you can do to prevent your information from being stolen. Websites should take steps to keep your data secure, but failures happen. While you might not be able to stop formjacking before it starts, you can take steps to safeguard your personal information. Always use credit cards when shopping online. When someone uses your credit card fraudulently, it's really the credit card company's money they're using, not yours. As long as you report the unauthorized activity before you make your monthly payment, no money ever comes out of your checking account. That's not the case, however, when you use a debit card, which is tied directly to your checking account balance. While your bank may restore the stolen money while it investigates the fraud, it may not happen immediately, which can cause problems if you have payments coming up and don't have enough to cover them. If your issuer offers virtual credit card numbers for online shopping, consider using those instead of your main account number. That way, your actual account number is protected. Freeze your credit reports. Freezing your credit reports with all three credit reporting agencies prohibits anyone from viewing them, including creditors. So if thieves use your Social Security number to apply for a credit card or loan in your name, they won't have a chance to complete the underwriting process. The only drawback is that if you want to apply for credit in the future, you'll need to request that the freezes be lifted with each credit bureau. Another option is a fraud alert, which requires creditors to contact you to verify your identity before approving an application. [Read: Best Low-Interest Credit Cards.] Monitor accounts online. It's generally a good idea to check your monthly statement. But if someone has your credit card information, a lot of damage can happen in a month. Don't wait for your statements. Check your accounts online regularly to make sure you recognize all of the most recent transactions. If that's too time-consuming, consider using an expense tracker app like Mint or You Need a Budget. Some of these apps have a direct import feature, which keeps you updated on all of your transactions across every account in one place. "At a minimum, consumers should set up push notifications (on their phones) to be made aware of all credit card charges in real time," says Siciliano. Set up electronic statements. To avoid the threat of mail fraud, set up electronic statements with all of your financial accounts. The same goes for any other account where you may receive mail containing sensitive information. Also, consider opting out of preapproval offers for credit cards and other credit accounts. That way, if someone manages to redirect your mail, there's less of a risk they'll receive anything that could be used for fraud. More From US News & World Report A prominent Pennsylvania attorney has been charged with homicide by vehicle and DUI after what authorities say was a wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Carbon County. Joseph Persico, 69, of Shavertown, has been charged in connection with the crash that is killed 50-year-old Paul Gerrity, of Scranton, WNEP is reporting. According to the Times News Lehighton, the crash occurred just before midnight Nov. 6, 2018 when Persico was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension just north of Parryville and he hit Gerritys car head-on. Gerrity, who was pronounced dead at the scene, spun and hit third car, injuring that driver. Reports indicate Persico had a blood alcohol level of 0.22, and a partially full bottle of vodka was found in a brown bag on the passenger-side floor. Gerrity was a toll-booth worker who was on his way home from work, reports indicate. According to TNOnline.com, the driver of the third car gave police a disc with video footage from a dash cam. Police had also received several reports of a vehicle matching Persicos heading in the wrong direction around 10:48 p.m., and E-Z Pass records show him getting off the Lehigh Valley Interchange at 11:02 p.m. and re-entering at 11:28 p.m. The crash occurred at 11:54 p.m. Persico was released on unsecured bail and has a court appearance later this month, according to reports. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Arrest Of South Sudanese Journalist in Torit unjustified "The matters are administrative and should be resolved as such. Journalist Ijjo Bosco should be released. Based on all that have been mentioned against him, the arrest and continues detention are both unjustified!" By Roger Alfred Yoron Modi Last week, Ijjo Bosco, a journalist working for a state-owned radio station in Torit (97.5 FM) was arrested and continues to be under detention. According to initial media reports, the journalist was arrested, after airing a story about the United States sanctions on First Vice President Taban Deng Gai for his alleged role in serious human rights abuse. "The authorities were monitoring the radio, so upon hearing news about sanctions against Taban Deng, the information minister went and stopped the news," Radio Tamazuj quoted a source as saying. "National Security officers came and arrested the journalist asking him to give evidence of the story that circulated on the internet". An official from the state confirmed that the journalist was arrested and transferred to the National Security custody in Torit. However, the story took a twist on Monday after Eye Radio reported that the State authorities claim that the journalist is detained for reportedly failing to report on the assembling of forces in Magwi County. According to Torit State Minister of Information Margaret Idwa, Bosco was assigned to cover the story but failed to broadcast it, hence she considers the action by the journalist as insubordination, Eye Radio reported. "Our problem is why our local news was not announced? It is not the first time, he has been doing that many times and he had been warned many times," the minister was quoted as saying. "Why is this fellow not announcing the real things?" The Arrest and Detention are both unjustified For starters, there is nothing called offence of "insubordination" against a journalist in line of his/her duty that warrants an arrest or detention, be it under South Sudan Media Laws or in any democratic Country the world. Furthermore, neither the State authorities nor the National Security Service have any jurisdiction over all that have been reported or officially claimed against the journalist. The Media Laws of South Sudan are clear on those matters. Firstly, Section 21(6) of the Media Authority Act provides that the Press and Broadcasts Complaints Council shall: (g) have initial jurisdiction over all complaints against the media and journalists and to resolve such complaints through mediation, conciliation or arbitration as it may deem appropriate. The law exists and it further provides for the formation of the Press and Broadcasts Complaints Council by the Board of Directors of the Media Authority in consultation with the Managing Director of the Media Authority (See Section 21(5) of the Media Authority Act). The Press and Broadcasts Complaints Council has not been formed up-to date. However, this does not give the State authorities or the National Security Service any jurisdiction to handle the issues mentioned regarding journalist Bosco. Secondly, despite the Radio the detained journalist works for is owned by the state government (Torit) and currently does not fall under the Public Broadcasters established through the Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2013 that are required by Section 7(3) (a) of the same Act to provide a service that is, among others, independent from political or economic control by the government and reflects editorial integrity, that does not give the authorities the right to arrest or detain the journalist. The matters are administrative and should be resolved as such. Journalist Ijjo Bosco should be released. Based on all that have been mentioned against him, the arrest and continues detention are both unjustified! *Roger Alfred Yoron Modi is a South Sudanese journalist and the author of a new book Freedom of Expression and Media Laws in South Sudan, published by Virtue Book Publishers Kenya and available in Juba, Nairobi and on Amazon. He's a former Editor-in-Chief of Radio Bakhita and Managing Editor of Juba Monitor Newspaper. He can be reached via his email rogeryoron@gmail.com or twitter handle @RogerYoronModi STAMFORD Wireless internet is now available downtown. Stamford Partnership, a nonprofit that focuses on improving the citys business environment, paired up with Frontier Communications and city government to announce the unveiling of SWIFI, the wireless network now available in the downtown area. SWIFIs coverage area spans from Mill River Park to Atlantic Street and from Columbus Park to Broad Street. Jon Winkel, executive director of Stamford Partnership, said the network would be helpful to residents, students and commuters in the city. The Stamford Partnership, as part of its ongoing strategy to enhance the quality of life for those that live and work in Stamford, is extremely pleased to offer SWIFI to users throughout the city, Winkel said. Mayor David Martin said that free wireless internet for those in the downtown area would help make the city attractive to residents and businesses. A modern city like Stamford should have ubiquitous high-speed internet access and this is a small first step toward achieving that vision, Martin said. Plans to expand the reach of the wireless network include access at Latham Park and the Stamford Transportation Center. Users can connect to the network by inputting their email address for up to an hour of free wireless internet. Logins to the network are limited to three times per day, according to a press release. Boris Kluck, senior vice president of enterprise sales at Frontier Communications, said that providing this type of network would help make the citys downtown a more enjoyable experience. humberto.juarez@hearstmediact.com Libyas warring leaders made some progress at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday but failed to agree on an unconditional and open-ended ceasefire, Trend reports citing Reuters. In talks that lasted about eight hours, mediators Russia and Turkey urged the rivals to sign a binding truce to end a nine-month-old war and pave the way for a settlement that would stabilize the North African country. Fayez al-Serraj, who heads Libyas Tripoli-based internationally recognized government, signed the ceasefire agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Khalifa Haftar, commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) faction that has been trying to take the capital Tripoli, had asked for more time to consider the ceasefire. Today we can report that some progress was made, Lavrov told reporters at the elegant 19th century Moscow mansion where the talks were held. Cavusoglu told reporters Haftar wanted to have until Tuesday morning to make up his mind. The Russo-Turkish push, which involved laborious indirect contacts between the two Libyan delegations, is the latest attempt to end chaos that has engulfed the oil-producing country since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011. Russias TASS news agency reported that Serraj had refused to engage in direct talks with Haftar, forcing Russian and Turkish diplomats to act as go-betweens. The two men last met in Abu Dhabi in February last year before talks broke down over a power-sharing deal and Haftar moved his troops on Tripoli in April, expanding his control beyond the east and south. Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Ankara, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country was working to ensure that a ceasefire in Libya would become permanent. He said he hoped the Moscow talks would form the basis of discussions at a summit in Berlin on Sunday, which he said he would attend with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she planned to host such a summit after holding talks with Putin. Turkey backs Haftars rival, Serraj, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside Haftars LNA forces, which are also backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan. The Tripoli war has wrecked Libyas economy and risks disrupting oil production and triggering flows of African migrants trying to reach Europe by boats with the help of smugglers exploiting the chaos. The Moscow talks come after a ceasefire, initiated by Turkey and Russia, saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes on Sunday, though both factions accused each other of violating that truce as skirmishes continued around Tripoli. Reuters journalists in Tripoli said it was quiet in the center on Monday and that they could hear no clashes or shelling. Mitiga airport, the capitals only functioning airport, had resumed operations, a Reuters witness said. Flights were suspended earlier this month due to rockets falling nearby. Haftars troops have not been able to breach Tripolis defenses but have in recent weeks made some small progress with help from Russian mercenaries, residents say. That has pushed Turkey, which has business interests in the country, to deploy soldiers to Libya to help the Tripoli government. Russia and Turkey have turned into important players in Libya, joining Arab countries such as Egypt or the UAE which have filled a void left by Western powers showing little interest in the OPEC producer since 2011. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: PINE) (the Company) announced the acquisition of three single-tenant net-leased retail income properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $16.3 million. The Company acquired two corporate operated 7-Eleven convenience stores under new 15-year triple-net leases which include rent escalations during the initial lease term. One property is located in Georgetown, Texas, a suburb of Austin, Texas, and the other property is located in Austin, Texas. The combined purchase price for both properties leased to 7-Eleven was approximately $10.2 million, representing a blended going-in cash cap rate of 6.4%. The Company also acquired an income property leased to Conns HomePlus, a 129-year old consumer products retail company based in Texas, with 11.6 years remaining on the initial lease term. The property is located near the Simon-owned North East Mall in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The purchase price for the property leased to Conns was $6.1 million at going-in cash cap rate of 7.4%. Including the three acquired single-tenant net leased retail income properties, the Companys portfolio now consists of twenty-three properties located in 17 markets and 11 states across 14 industries, with a weighted average lease term of 8.5 years. About Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc. Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and operates a portfolio of high-quality single-tenant net leased commercial income properties. We encourage you to visit our website at www.alpinereit.com . Safe Harbor This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that may be identified by words such as could, may, might, will, likely, anticipates, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects, continues, projects and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys current expectations and assumptions regarding capital market conditions, the Companys business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Companys actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include general business and economic conditions, continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets, risks inherent in the real estate business, including tenant defaults, potential liability relating to environmental matters, illiquidity of real estate investments and potential damages from natural disasters, and other factors set forth under Risk Factors in the Companys registration statement on Form S-11, as amended from time to time. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. RTHK: More than 110 dead as severe weather hits Asia Avalanches, flooding and harsh winter weather has killed more than 110 people across Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent days, officials said on Tuesday, as authorities struggled to reach people stranded by heavy snowfall. At least 75 people died and 64 were injured across Pakistan, with several still missing, while a further 39 people were killed in Afghanistan, according to officials in both countries. Forecasts suggest more harsh weather is on the way. Pakistani Kashmir was the worst-hit area, with 62 people killed and several others missing, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement. In the picturesque but conflict-riven Neelum Valley in Kashmir, heavy snowfall triggered several avalanches, including one that killed at least 19 people. "An avalanche hit their village, 10 people are still missing," the NDMA said. Frequent avalanches and landslides occur in Kashmir during the winter, often blocking roads and leaving communities isolated. Authorities have shuttered schools, while several highways and roads were closed across the country's northern mountainous areas, according to officials. To the southeast in Balochistan province, at least 20 people had been killed in separate weather-related incidents. "Most of those who died were women and children," said Mohammad Younus, an official with the provincial disaster management authority, adding that hundreds remained stranded. Across the border in Afghanistan, more than 300 houses were either destroyed or partially damaged throughout the country, said Ahmad Tamim Azimi a spokesman for the Natural Disaster Management Authority. "A cold snap, heavy snowfall and rains that started two weeks ago have caused damage," he said, adding that most casualties were caused after roofs collapsed under thick snow. Hardest hit were southern Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and western Herat provinces. In Herat, seven people - all members of the same family and including children - died when their roof caved in, Azimi added. Harsh winters often take a heavy toll in mountainous Afghanistan, and the country remains poor despite billions of dollars in aid from the international community. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain The Australia bushfire and the consequences that followed has not only affected the animals and humans living in the continent, but has alarmed the world of what awaits us in terms of climate change and the dire consequences of the same. People and organsations around the world are trying to raise awareness and even donate towards the relief fund for the bushfires. One famous model hit the headlines when she offered to send nudes to her followers who were donating towards the Australia bushfires and managed to raise over a million dollars. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Metallica have donated over a million dollars as well but when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos posted on his social media, informing the world about his donation, he was roasted and trolled for it. With his net worth being estimated close to $936 billion, he has offered to donate $690,000 towards the relief funds. People cannot fathom that he makes over $78.5 billion in a year personally and yet he decided to donate only a tiny amount (as per his wealth's estimate). If I had one million dollars and gave 75 cents to Australia, I would have given a bigger portion of my wealth than Jeff Bezos did https://t.co/gjBJ9aAlZL mel (@MervinMastishin) January 13, 2020 Jeff Bezos gave $690,000 to wild fires in Australia, and has 116.7 billion dollars. To put this into perspective, my boyfriend has $1,500 net savings, and that would be the equivalent to him donating 0.88 cents. Janet E. McSaxophone (@janeejpg) January 14, 2020 People are also mad that this amount is less than what he makes in 5 minutes, and we cannot even cook instant noodles in that time. Jeff Bezos makes $149,353 a minute. His company's board refused to pass a climate proposal. He just donated LESS THAN 5 MINUTES of work to Australia. This is simply not enough. Tax-the-rich! https://t.co/Sri3Xtkhos Juliana Castro (@juliacastrov) January 13, 2020 This is how much money #JeffBezos makes in 3 minutes. https://t.co/HL9dYadpVQ Peter Daou (@peterdaou) January 12, 2020 Australia can have a little of Jeff Bezos' time. 3 minutes exactly. Jehoshaphat Biden (@CallMeGdubG) January 13, 2020 Over 2 months ago, he was trolled for donating around $98 million for homeless people across 23 states in the US because that was around 0.08% of his net worth. What is happening in Australia is the stark yet sad reality of how real the climate change is. Please contribute and do your bit in not just donating towards a relief fund but also doing whatever you can to contribute in saving our planet. Jimmy Morales immunity will lapse for just a few hours on Tuesday before hes sworn into Central American Parliament. Guatemala City Guatemalan civil society groups are pressuring authorities to arrest President Jimmy Morales for corruption on Tuesday as soon as his successor takes office. For more than half of his four-year term, Morales has been plagued by allegations of illegal campaign financing. He has denied any wrongdoing. He also shut down an international commission leading investigations into high-level corruption. Corruption kills, Guatemala City resident Cristina Valenzuela told Al Jazeera on Monday outside the prosecutors office. What we are demanding is an arrest warrant for [Morales], she said, dressed up as the Virgin of the Struggle, an icon of the anti-corruption movement last year. As president, Morales has immunity from prosecution. It will lapse on Tuesday afternoon when president-elect Alejandro Giammattei is inaugurated, but Morales will likely regain immunity just hours later when he is expected to be sworn into the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), a multilateral body for regional cooperation grew out of a 1980s peace process. Anti-corruption, human rights and social movement group members gathered on Monday outside the Office of the Public Prosecutor to call on the attorney general to file for an arrest warrant for Morales. It would have to be executed in the narrow window when he will lack immunity. It would have to be very expeditious, Edie Cux, lawyer and president of Accion Ciudadana, a citizen action group, told Al Jazeera. Dressed as the Virgin of the Struggle, Cristina Valenzuela calls for Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales arrest for corruption [Sandra Cuffe/Al Jazeera] Morales and other outgoing officials have been publicly linked to investigations. Significant evidence, including admissions in court by Morales campaign financiers of unregistered donations, is already part of the public record, he noted. There is no excuse for the attorney general not to act, said Cux. After holding a news conference, Cux and seven other civil society and social movement group representatives entered the Office of the Public Prosecutor to formally present their letter requesting immediate action, waiting for notification of the official receipt of the document. To their surprise, Attorney General Consuelo Porras welcomed the delegation and spoke with them at length. Investigations into outgoing officials on the brink of losing immunity from prosecution have been advancing, Porras told the group. Not all cases will meet the threshold to pursue prosecution, but there will be important relevant developments in the coming days, she said. Morales and Vice President Jafeth Cabrera were originally scheduled to be sworn in to the Central American Parliament on Thursday, but the timetable was suddenly moved up this week. Central American Parliament representatives are elected, but former presidents and vice presidents have automatic entry upon request. Few do so, as many politicians in the region have criticised the institution as ineffective and some have called for its abolition. Morales and Giammattei have called for Parlacen reform. Others face possible charges Mayors and legislators who were not re-elected, as well as Morales administration officials will also lose their immunity from prosecution on Tuesday. More than a dozen outgoing congressional representatives face allegations of corruption and other crimes. Outgoing officials are implicated in cases under investigation by various special prosecution units, including those targeting corruption, impunity, and electoral crime. It is up to special prosecution units to decide what actions to take in their continuing investigations, Office of the Public Prosecutor spokeswoman Julia Barrera told Al Jazeera in response to a request for comment about calls for an arrest warrant for Morales. Most of the investigations into high-level political corruption stem from investigations spearheaded by the UN-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, created in 2007. The commission exposed networks of corruption, some of them entrenched for decades in state institutions. A woman holds up a sign with a portrait of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales that reads in Spanish national shame, during a rally in support of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, in Guatemala City [File: Moises Castillo/Reuters] CICIG investigations led to the resignation and arrest in 2015 of then-president Otto Perez Molina and much of his administration. With the campaign slogan neither a thief nor corrupt, Morales won the election just weeks later but began lashing out at CICIG after he, his relatives and his party were named in connection with investigations in 2017. In 2018, Morales announced he would not renew CICIGs mandate and later barred head commissioner Ivan Velasquez from the country, prompting condemnation by donor countries, including the US, Canada and the European Union. The commission shut down last September. They were on a good path, Valenzuela said of CICIG, which consistently polled with 70 percent support, higher than any Guatemalan government institution. [Morales] lied to people, she said. He was not even more of the same. He was worse. Morales is not the only politician accused of electoral finance violations. Businesswoman and former First Lady Sandra Torres, who lost in runoff elections to Morales in 2015 and to Giammattei last year, is facing trial for illegal campaign financing in 2015. Arrested last September, she was released last week on $100,000 bail after a judge granted her petition for house arrest. President-elect Giammattei, a doctor and former prison systems director has criticised CICIG and has no plans to bring it back. He has pledged to create an anti-corruption commission, but it would not work with the special anti-impunity prosecutors who continue to prosecute CICIG-led cases and few details have been revealed. Giammatteis inauguration ceremony will take place Tuesday at 2:00pm local time (20:00 GMT). At the same time, protesters calling for Morales arrest will rally outside the Parlacen headquarters, where the outgoing president is expected to be sworn in four hours later. Al Jazeera contacted the presidential spokesperson to confirm Morales attendance at the presidential and Parlacen inauguration ceremonies and to request comment on calls for an arrest warrant but did not receive a response before publication. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:12:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at a meeting on transforming the government's functions and reforms that streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulations and upgrade services, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday called for achieving new breakthroughs in cutting red tape and improving the business environment. Han made the remarks at a meeting on transforming the government's functions and reforms that streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulations and upgrade services. Han stressed upholding the market's decisive role in resource allocation and seeing that the government plays its role better, noting that there should be less government intervention in microeconomic activities. Efforts should be made to ensure continued improvement in China's business environment with a focus in key areas, further ease market access, and advance the reform of separating business licenses from administrative permits, the vice premier said. Han also called for the solid implementation of regulations on optimizing the business environment, so as to create a business environment that is market-oriented, based on rule of law and internationalized. They can bang on their drums and their sirens and their truck horns, Mr. Sweeney said over the din of protesters after it became clear that the measure was a single vote shy of passage. This is a real public health emergency. The bill would have ended a policy that allows parents in New Jersey to cite religious beliefs as the reason their children have not been immunized, without affecting the childs ability to be enrolled in school. Doctors and public health experts had said the original bill was needed to prevent the kind of measles outbreak that occurred in the region last year. They emphasized that there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective. Senator Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat and a sponsor of the legislation, said that the Senate would immediately reintroduce a new version of the bill and begin the process anew. This time, she said, the Legislature might hold public hearings with doctors and scientists to debunk opponents concerns. The science is settled on this, Ms. Weinberg said. In its original form, the bill would have included all students enrolled in any school or college, public or private, making it one of the most sweeping among the several states that have voted to end religious exemptions to immunization. Only medical exemptions from vaccines would have been permitted at most schools and day care centers. Paris men's fashion week began Tuesday with the French capital in a grip of a 41-day transport strike that has already led to the cancellation of one show. The men's collections dovetail into the elite haute couture shows next week, with the French label Christophe Josse so hit by the chaos that it was forced to bow out. "We found ourselves unable to present our collection," the label said, because of the delays which strikes caused with their suppliers. As the elaborate haute couture creations are all made laboriously by hand in small workshops in and around Paris, the brand said it had no choice but to pull its show. The US label RR 331 had earlier given up its highly-coveted haute couture slot, although they denied that the French strikes had anything to do with their decision, saying "we will be back in Paris in July". With many models and fashionistas criss-crossing Paris several times a day by taxi or metro in normal circumstances, the French fashion federation has doubled the number of buses it is laying on between shows. Even so, with up to 12 shows a day in the official line-up and many more outside it, the gridlock on the city's streets is likely to be highly disruptive. - 'It's a nightmare' - A top stylist, who declined to be named, told AFP that the strikes were causing havoc in a industry where last-minute changes mean teams sometimes work around the clock to have clothes ready for the runway. "Getting around has become a nightmare. It is taking people an hour or more extra to get to work and crossing the city at certain times of the day is a trial of patience. It all adds to what is even in the best of times an extremely stressful situation," she added. Some of the temporary staff she hired for fashion weeks -- often from Italy, Spain and Belgium -- were reluctant to travel to the French capital to work given the rail disruption, she added. There were signs, however, Tuesday that the record-breaking strike over pension reforms may finally be easing. And despite the industrial action, Paris still dominates the fashion landscape, with the 53 official men's runway shows dwarfing Brexit-hit London, Milan and New York. Men's fashion week kicks off Tuesday evening with the edgy Chinese label Sankuanz and punky New York newcomers Rhude. - Vuitton backwards clock - But the frenzied merry-go-round of shows and presentations begins in earnest Wednesday with big-hitters like JW Anderson, Raf Simons, Valentino and the hyperactive American Virgil Abloh. He will stage his own Off-White show 24 hours before he unveils his collection for Louis Vuitton, which he also designs. With his millions of followers, Abloh has already won the week's social media war by sharing images of a Louis Vuitton clock that ticks backward in a countdown to his show which he has sent out as an invitation to the event. He described it as a "literal piece of time" and fashionistas are already calling it a collector's item. "The clock is rewired to spin backwards," he said. "There's a metaphor in that, but also, as they say, 'A broke clock is right twice a day'." As well as his two fashion shows, the architect-turned-artist-turned-designer is also opening his latest art/furniture show at the Kreo gallery in the French capital. A veteran Yoruba actor, Toyosi Arigbabuwo, is dead. It was gathered from sources close to the actor that he died at his residence located at Ile-Alli area, along the Apete-Arola Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. A family member said Arigbabuwo died Monday evening in his house. The source added that the deceased had been sick for over six months until he died yesterday night. Arigbabuwo dedicated part of his life to the promotion of Islamic religion, especially in Ido Local Government Area where he lived until his death. Arigbabuwo until his death was the Public Relations Officer of the Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. The Chairman, Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs, Abdulwaheed Amoo, also confirmed the death of the veteran Yoruba actor. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates That was what happened when federal investigators battled with the company over iPhone encryption after the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people in 2015. In that case, the government was trying to get Apple to break the protection of the suspects phone by demanding it create what Apple called in a court filing a GovtOS (that is, a government operating system), giving it that metaphorical key to a backdoor to all phones. The F.B.I. director at the time, James Comey, and President Barack Obama pressed Apple to help it crack into a device that one of the gunmen had owned. The Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, refused to do it, in what was probably the most difficult decision of his career. He stuck to the principle espoused by his predecessor, the Apple founder Steve Jobs, who had long maintained that the ultimate act of patriotism is to protect the privacy of Apple customers against unnecessary search and seizure. Over the years, Apple has increased security for consumers through encryption. In the most simple terms, phones were built to be opened only with a users passcode (this tech is also what enables fingerprint and face identification), and the company has built in no power to bypass that. The iPhone has been engineered to offer more and more user control. Thats why Apple would not bend in the San Bernardino case. In the end, reports say, an Israeli firm unlocked the phone for the government, and the collision between Apple and the F.B.I. was averted. In the Pensacola case, Apple has said it has given up all the data it has to the government. But law enforcement officials, as all law enforcement officials tend to do, are asking for more, claiming this time that they want only to look at the particular phones in the Pensacola case, and are not seeking a back door for all phones or a special operating system. The problem? There is no breaking into a single phone without showing the government how to break into all iPhones. While public safety is important, we have to ask whether getting into these phones is the only avenue the government has to pursue justice or find the truth. We must trust our public officials with confidential and sensitive information to allow them to do their jobs. But the need to guard users data especially in an age when hackers and more autocratic governments can use it for more nefarious reasons still trumps the public-safety concerns Mr. Barr is raising. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to teach a lesson to Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar if he did not stop attacks on the Government of National Accords positions. "If the putschist Haftars attacks against the people and legitimate government of Libya continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party lawmakers in parliament. Erdogan added that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar at first backed the ceasefire deal on Libya but later "ran away" from Moscow, where talks were held with the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj. The Turkish president added that Turkey will join Germany, Britain and Russia at a summit which Chancellor Angela Merkel is to host in Berlin on Sunday to discuss Libya, Reuters reported. A ceasefire between the Tripoli-based internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj and the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces of Commander Khalifa Haftar took effect in Libya at midnight on January 12 within the framework of a joint initiative proposed by the Russian and Turkish presidents. Delegations of the sides arrived in Moscow on January 13 for talks, after which Sarraj and Chairman of the High Council of State Khaled al-Mishri signed a draft document on the settlement in the country, while Haftar took a pause. However, later he left Moscow without inking a deal. Early on January 14 armed clashes resumed in the south of the capital Tripoli. In a statement, cited by the Al Hadath TV channel, the LNA has declared its "readiness and determination to win." Since the ouster of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and the other in Tripoli, which enjoys the UN and international recognition. An Indian-origin woman MP who comfortably progressed to the second round of the Labour Party's leadership race this week has called on the Opposition party to be "brave" and elect her. Lisa Nandy ranks third in a five-way race, which is led by shadow Brexit secretary Kier Starmer followed by current leader loyalist Rebecca Long-Bailey. While Starmer has raced ahead with the support of 89 party MPs and MEPs, the gap between Nandy and Long-Bailey is quite narrow at 31 and 33 respectively. "This is the moment when we up our game and recover our ambition. So I am asking you to make the brave, not the easy choice, in this leadership contest," said Nandy on Monday, soon after the second round finalists were formally confirmed. The 40-year-old MP, born in Manchester to a British mother and Indian father, won her Wigan seat in the north-west of England in last month's General Election, holding on to one of the key bricks in the so-called "red wall" which collapsed as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party won a landslide with the help of traditional Labour Party voters across the region. Corbyn came under intense pressure to step down and had declared that he would not lead the party into another election, resulting in a leadership race. The others still in the race but with relatively smaller support include backbench MP Jess Phillips and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry. Under the Labour Party rules, the final five will now have to pass the next hurdle of gaining nominations from at least 33 constituency Labour parties or three affiliates, of which two must be trade unions, representing at least 5 per cent of affiliate membership. If they manage to get through that round, they will make the final shortlist from which party members, trade union members, members of affiliated societies and registered supporters will vote for a new leader via postal ballot. At this stage, Starmer is the clear favourite to be on that final ballot paper but the race between Nandy and Long-Bailey is what will be the one to watch. Jess Phillips has already declared that she would like Nandy to win if she was not successful herself, which could eventually bolster support for the Indian-origin MP within the party ranks. Nandy, who has served as a former shadow energy secretary in Corbyn's team before stepping down after the Brexit referendum in 2016 in protest at the party's unclear stance on the UK's EU membership, is pitching herself as the candidate to win back the trust of traditional Labour voters who voted Conservative last month. The leadership contest is set to run until April, when a new party leader will be announced at a special conference on 4 April during which will officially hand over charge. The postal ballot of members to vote on the final shortlist will run from 21 February to 2 April. Any new members to the party have up until 21 January to sign up with a GBP 25 registration fee in order to be allowed a vote in the postal ballot. BEIJING, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 24 Chinese national brand enterprises involved in the National Brands Project of Xinhua News Agency made presence at a theme park of the 21st Harbin Ice-Snow World in Heilongjiang Province. By presenting various ice sculptures, the Chinese national brand enterprises including Moutai, King's Luck, Xifeng, Chery, Brilliance Auto, Gree, JD.com, Yili and JOMOO showed their products, services and enterprise cultures. Moutai, a well-known liquor enterprise, made an ice sculpture of a fairy. As a national brand, Moutai devotes to passing on Chinese cultural values and taking social responsibilities. King's Luck, owning three brands namely Guoyuan, Jinshiyuan and Gaogou, is a liquor enterprise based in Jiangsu Province. According to Zhou Suming, chairman and general manager of King's Luck, the company is committed to spreading the culture of baijiu, the Chinese liquor. An ice sculpture of a phoenix was presented by a liquor brand called Xifeng. Zhang Zheng, chairman of Xifeng Group and Shaanxi Xifeng Liquor Co., Ltd., said that Xifeng will maintain a good development trend by focusing on brand promotion, product sales, management innovation, production and operation, structure adjustment, transformation and upgrading. Chery and Brilliance Auto made presence by showing ice sculptures of car models namely Arrizo GX, Tiggo 8 and Brilliance V7. Chery, with the faith of serving the country by developing auto industry, has provided nearly 50,000 jobs in China and over 10,000 jobs in overseas countries and regions. As a leading auto brand in Liaoning Province and a major independent auto brand of China, Brilliance Auto is committed to providing consumers with the high-quality of products and thoughtful service, and building a national economy car with world wisdom, introduced by Yan Bingzhe, chairman of Brilliance Auto. Meanwhile, Gree, China's electric appliance manufacturer, has built an experience area in the theme park, showing its enterprise culture. Being sold in more than 160 countries and regions, Gree's products cover the areas of home electronic appliances, high-end equipment and communication equipment. China's e-commerce giant JD.com also displayed an ice sculpture of its mascot, JD Joy. In July 2019, JD.com had been listed in the Fortune Global 500 for the fourth time. With more than 1 billion users, it is promoting the upgrade of its culture and strategy currently. Yili, China's dairy giant, presented its products in the theme park. "During the development, Yili has adhered to internationalization and innovation. Yili's products with high quality, high technology and high value-added have won the trust from consumers," said Pan Gang, chairman of Yili Group. JOMOO, a sanitary ware manufacturer, made an ice sculpture attracting visitors. Due to the continuous innovations, JOMOO's annual sales had exceeded 10 billion yuan. Some time-honored brands are also showed in the theme park. The theme park, specially built for the National Brands Project of Xinhua News Agency, will stand for more than three months. See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/310466.html Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1075561/The_21st_Harbin_Ice_Snow_World.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1075598/The_21st_Harbin_Ice_Snow_World.jpg By Virginia Heffernan The comparisons have come hard and fast, at least since 2015. Trump is like Silvio Berlusconi, like Adolf Hitler, like Boris Johnson. A 2018 film called The Trump Prophecy took the evangelical route, comparing Trump to Cyrus the Great, the 6th century BC Persian monarch chosen by God to free Jewish captives in Babylon. But maybe its time to stop searching for the exact analogy for Trump, be he Cyrus or Boris, Adolf or a Silvio. What demands analysis is less the arrogant 73-year-old mediocrity in the Oval Office, but the worshipful attitude so many Americans have toward him. A lot of nut jobs have peddled lies to Americans before, and even styled themselves as messianic. But at no time in history have so many Americans been drawn to whats looking increasingly like a cult. I dont use the term recklessly. When Steven Hassan, an expert in cults and an ex-Moonie (as in the Unification Church, founded by a Korean businessman, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon), published The Cult of Trump last spring, some reviewers objected to his use of the cult framework as incendiary and not all that useful. Indeed, for Trump critics to call his admirers cult members might be just another salvo in our nasty political warfare. Its similar to the Trump psychologizing over the years that often doubles as name-calling: Hes a baby, a psychopath, a stone-cold narcissist. The discourse around cults partakes of some woolly theories. Mind control and brainwashing are shibboleths from the 1950s, when the coinages were used to describe what Chinese Communists did to convert freethinkers to their cause. The implicit suggestion is that unsavory ideas and ideologies can only win adherents using extreme and witchy measures. All that put me off the notion of Trumpism as a cult. But then in August, Trump looked heavenward and called himself the chosen one. Suddenly, among evangelicals, it wasnt enough to make comparisons with Cyrus or even King David. He had to be the savior himself. The far-right radio host Wayne Allyn Root called Trump the second coming of God. Then former Energy Secretary Rick Perry straight up affirmed Trumps craziness, telling him, You are here in this time because God ordained you. As 2019 drew to a close, my doubts about Trumpism as a cult dissolved. And Im not alone. Republican lawyer George Conway reportedly described his wife, Trumps presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway, as a member of a cult. Former GOP strategist John Weaver has used the term. Anthony Scaramucci, Trumps onetime communications director, concurs. Also news vet Dan Rather, conservative political scientist Norman Ornstein, science journalist Steve Silberman, pastor John Pavlovitz and academic and journalist Jared Yates Sexton. What the cult diagnosis may lack in scholarly rigor, it makes up for in explanatory power. When polled, far too many Republicans come across as having abandoned their commitment to libertarianism, family values or simple logic in favor of Trump worship. Theyre lost to paranoia and factually unmoored talking points, just the way Hassan was lost to Sun Myung Moon. It can be heartbreaking when loved ones succumb to Trumpism. (Its a double whammy when your grief is dismissed as liberal tears.) A true believer undergoes a radical personal change, as Hassan puts it. The person you once knew seems somehow not there. Journalists Luke ONeil and Edwin Lyngar, as well as Jen Senko in The Brainwashing of My Dad, have compiled stories of Americans who have gone over. ONeil summarized the transformation this way: A loved one sat down in front of Fox News, found some kind of deep, addictive comfort in the anger and paranoia, and became a different person. Sounds about right. Hassan who remembers, during his Moonie days, shouting, I dont care if Moon is like Hitler. Ive chosen to follow him, and Ill follow him to the end broke free, and became an expert on cults and how to leave them. He has spent his career proving its possible. To see Trumpism as a cult is not to refuse to engage with its effects, the crimes committed in its name or the way it has awakened and emboldened the cruelest and most destructive beliefs and practices in the American playbook. Instead, the cult framework should relieve the pressure many of us feel to call Trumpites back to themselves, to keep arguing with them. They are stuck in a bad relationship with a controlling figure. Understanding Trump is a fools errand. Hes sui generis, and far too erratic and finally insubstantial to reward close attention. Trump zealots are another matter. They are part of the tradition of radical converts in American history who elected to forfeit their authentic personalities and principles rather than refine or strengthen them. We need to stay focused on how so many Americans came to this pass and took this destructive course. The Trump cult will define American politics for decades to come, even after its dear leader is gone. Virginia Heffernan is a columnist with the Los Angeles Times. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Heston Blumenthal has criticised people who pick up their phones to take photographs of their food for social media. The celebrity chef, who owns the triple Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant, said the issue has been debated in his kitchen for some time and that he believes the trend is causing people to be disconnected from the moment. At the Fat Duck, weve debated this for several years now, Blumenthal told the Radio Times, before admitting he is reluctant to intervene as he does not want to upset paying guests. If we say to people, Your foods going cold, you put up a barrier between you and the diner, he explained. Ive been very tempted. We did it once in Australia because somebody was taking pictures with a flash, which affected other tables. Its a really tricky thing. Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Show all 13 1 /13 Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Under, Europe's first underwater restaurant, opened on 20 March. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Located on Norway's southern tip, the unique dining space is submerged in the North Sea. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant The dining room is sparsely furnished, dominated by a huge glass window at the back. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant The building was designed by Snoehetta, the Norwegian architecture firm behind the September 11 Memorial Museum in New York. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant The big window exposes the underwater not like an aquarium, its the real thing, said Snoehettas founder Kjetil Traedal Thorsen. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant The exterior, a sloping wood and concrete cuboid that slants into the ocean, has a modern aesthetic, and is accessible via a steel bridge. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant The full 18-course tasting menu with drinks costs up to 3,700 krone (330) per person. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Some 7,000 diners are already booked in for this bucket list experience. REUTERS Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Designers said the building is built to withstand extreme weather, including the wave of the century. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Under is owned by the two Ubostad brothers who also have a nearby hotel. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Co-owner Gaute Ubostad said they expect to attract around 12,000 diners each year. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Theres room for around 40 guests in the underwater dining space. AFP/Getty Images Under: Inside Europe's first underwater restaurant Although doors opened on 20 March to friends and family of the owners, paying guests will gain access from April. AFP/Getty Images The 53-year-old added that while he too enjoys taking photos to look back on, it is important to be in the moment. Social media is such a big part of our lives, our sight has become almost the more important sense rather than smell or taste, Blumenthal said. Recommended 10 foods to eat to boost your health in 2020 If I see something beautiful like a sunset, I try to be in the moment, then take a picture afterwards. While taking pictures of meals has become a key part of eating out for many people, it could actually be ruining the dining experience. According to US researchers, photographing food can make it less enjoyable to eat. A 2014 study conducted by marketing professors at the BYU Marriott School of Management found that over-exposure to images of food can affect a person's satiation. When we Instagram, we inherently must focus our attention on the item in the picture, even for that very brief moment. This can have a range of effects on later enjoyment, co-author Professor Joseph Redden previously told The Independent. If we spend too much time repeatedly viewing such foods, our paper suggests this can lead to pre-satiation. That is, youre already a bit tired of the food before you even start eating it. Blumenthal, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2016, went on to explain that he felt stuck on a hamster wheel at the height of his television fame, and had to perform a bit of a reverse manoeuvre in order to rebalance his life. The chef said he moved to the French countryside with his wife and also took up meditation and tai chi, adding that while he is still a work in progress he is going in the right direction. Vaishali Vijaykumar By Express News Service CHENNAI: Thurya in Sri Lankan vocabulary represents the category of percussion instruments. Breaking the strict gender norms in the island countrys percussion art circle, a group of female drummers started performing under the name Thuryaa in 2015, becoming the first-ever womens percussion ensemble in Sri Lanka. The band comprises 20 musicians, of which four drummers Sithara Maduwanti, Sanduni Chathurangi, Shalini Yashodha and Chethani Rathnayake were in the city on Sunday. The young and vibrant musicians performed to a packed audience at Express Avenue Mall. In a free-wheeling chat, the members spoke to CE about breaking into the traditionally male-dominated sphere of percussion music in Sri Lanka. The journey of Thuryaa began within the walls of the University of the Visual and Performance Arts in Colombo. I enrolled as the first female student in the Department of Percussion at my university. I became the first female percussion graduate in the history of the university. With the help of my tabla teacher Sriyan Chandrasekara and support from the university, the ensemble was formed with nine talented undergraduate students in 2015, said Sithara Maduwanti, the lead drummer. The musicians realised their ability to dance and groove to the beats while playing the instruments and that set them apart. The whole body including the mind is involved in the process while performing. Sometimes our hands crack from pressure, we get exhausted and a few give up during the process of learning. Determination, training the bodies and constant practice has brought us this far. Women also have the endurance and strength to play this instrument and weve proved it, beamed Sithara. The team has performed in Punjab, New Delhi, Odisha and Benares. The theme of the band Share the rhythm of humanity was created to break the gender divide. From the time of our ancestors, the traditional art of Sri Lankan drumming has been based within the confinement of men and has been out of reach for women. Everybody has the right to play. We hope to change the mindset with our performances and musical journey, said Sithara. Soon, the band will be working on originals and albums. Were told that there are five kinds of drums depending on whether theyre played with bare hands, sticks or both. The ensemble plays the Yak Beraya (Low Country drum), Thammettama (using sticks), Geta Beraya (wedding drum), Dawula, and Udakki. The team also plays the Indian tabla, dhol, Cajons, Congas, Djembes, Western drums and Timbales. There have been calls for Steve Price to lose his job on The Project after he complained about being 'sick and tired' of New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The outspoken broadcaster said Ms Ardern's holiday in Australia deserved the same backlash as when Scott Morrison travelled to Hawaii for a family trip while the nation was burning. Price hosted The Project on Tuesday night, where he said Ms Ardern should stay in New Zealand. 'Stay in your own country and spend money in your own place. Typical virtue-signalling from Jacinda Ardern. I get sick and tired of that woman,' he said. Since the outburst, dozens of people have called for him to be fired, and warned of 'the end of The Project' if no action is taken. Steve Price said he is 'sick and tired' of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her 'virtue-signalling' during an extraordinary rant about her holiday to Australia One Twitter user took aim at Price and said: 'It is 2020 and middle aged males are still scared of educated women.' Another begged The Project to 'get rid of Steve Price and his biased, outdated views. 'It is destroying your program and its credibility,' she said. 'Steve Price's issue with Jacinda Ardern is NOT that she's holidaying in Australia, it's that he is sick of ''that woman''. Seriously, why give him a platform?' another user wrote. During the segment, the panel discussed the Kiwi leader's holiday and its potential to give a much-needed tourism boost to Australia in a time of crisis. The outspoken broadcaster let fly during his return to The Project on Wednesday night Ms Ardern (centre) has taken several photos with business owners in Queensland who have been impacted by the bushfires But Price insisted she had made a mistake in announcing her holiday plans. 'If you can criticise Scott Morrison for going to Hawaii... why is she not in Hamilton or Canterbury or somewhere like that? What's she doing hanging around Australia?' Co-host Peter Helliar interrupted: 'Because her country's not on fire mate.' 'So? She should be in New Zealand... I'm getting sick and tired of ''Jacinda Ardern can do no wrong'',' Price fired back. Host Lisa Wilkinson attempted to add humour to the discussion, suggesting: 'It could be a PM exchange program. We could always cross our fingers.' 'Hang on,' Price continued. 'If you are going to criticise Scott Morrison going to Hawaii instead of going to the southern coast of New South Wales, why not criticise her?' Price said he was 'sick and tired' of Ms Ardern and the what he said was a perception she could 'do no wrong' But some social media users agreed with Price and spoke out in support. 'Good on Steve Price on The Project giving the Ardern sycophants a few home truths about this traitorous PM,' one Twitter user wrote. Another Twitter user - described as a Labor delegate - posted a clip of the show and tweeted 'Watch this, get angry and demand that Steve Price be sacked.' Others said despite the backlash, there is no way Price will be fired. 'They won't sack Steve Price, in my opinion he's there for that faux balance crap with his so called conservative voice, can't let The Project TV be too progressive,' one user said. Kingsbury Gulf, a leading provider of advanced European machine tooling equipment, has exclusively inked a deal with Saftech Engineering Works, a leading UAE-based engineering goods, machining and fabrication services company, during the 16 edition of SteelFab 2020, the regions premier steel and metal industry event. A growing force in supply chain of the UAEs rapidly-expanding manufacturing sector; Kingsbury Gulf has been awarded a contract by Saftech to supply the UAE-based firm with a C400U 5 Axis milling machine, the latest and most advanced equipment for high performance, large-scale and high accuracy machining. The C400U is one of a wider range of 5-axis milling machines - Computer Numerical Control machines (CNC) - produced by the German manufacturer Hermle. Richard Kingsbury, managing director of Kingsbury, said: Manufacturing is a critical thread in the economic and social fabric of an economy, being a vital source of innovation and competitiveness, and a vehicle for productivity that helps to drive and sustain the wellbeing of societies. As with other spheres of businesses, the manufacturing sector is undergoing a transformational period with digital transformation as the combustion engine of the new industrial revolution, he said. Our company recognises the UAE to be a worldwide leader in harnessing the power of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology and embracing a transformational approach to shaping the future of manufacturing, he added. Our latest deal with Saftech - a regional heavyweight in supplying manufacturing needs - shows the commitment of the UAE and the wider Gulf in investing in manufacturing innovations to ensure it remains at the forefront of sustainable economic and social development, he concluded. Kingsbury Gulf - launched in 2018 as the official representation of the UK company Kingsbury in the Gulf region - officially signed the deal with Saftech during SteelFab 2020, which took place at the Expo Centre Sharjah from January 13 to 16. The event brings together leaders of the steel industry locally and regionally, as well as the world's leading manufacturers and those specialised in the steel industry. Neil Harrington, regional director and general manager, said: As 3D metal printing also known as additive manufacturing emerges from prototyping to assume a role in mass manufacturing and production, the industry must evolve and adapt. Additive manufacturing and highly automated and flexible factories challenge the global supply chains and open the door for localised and efficient production that can create prosperity for worldwide economies, he added. I4.0, characterised by digitisation, continues to attract significant investments from the UAE and is rewriting the rules of traditional manufacturing. We have firmly set our roots in the region; which we see has significant potential. We look forward to continuing our growing presence in the Emirates and the wider Gulf as it progresses towards revolutionising the manufacturing sector, he concluded. Shoukhat Safdari, managing director of Saftech, said: As one of the leading engineering goods, machining and fabrication services provider in the UAE, we are continuously looking to evolve and adapt ways in shaping factories of the future. As we progress, adding cutting-edge manufacturing solutions is a must. With a sophisticated and comprehensive portfolio of high-end machines, we see Kingsbury as a strategic partner. Their expertise and excellent market insights, and presence of a maintenance and servicing team made it easy for us to make a decision about our supplier, he Safdari. According to data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, the manufacturing sectors contribution to the UAEs non-oil GDP grew 2.5 per cent to Dh122 billion ($33.2 billion) in 2018 from Dh119.7 billion ($32.5 billion) in 2017. Launched in 2018 with a portfolio of state-of-the-art German and French machinery and with 60 years of UK expertise, Kingsbury Gulf has since expanded its reach to the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman from its base in Dubai. The suppliers extensive portfolio includes leading industry manufacturers such as Burkhardt + Weber, Waldrich Coburg, Haas, Index Traub, SHW Werkzeugmaschinen, Hermle, Zimmerman, and AddUp, a leading manufacturer of additive 3D printing machine tools. The 16th SteelFab trade show will cater to the needs of exhibitors who want to leverage the increasing demand from the primary sectors of this industry in the country and the region, to unveil their latest technologies and products. TradeArabia News Service Heston Blumenthal has slammed diners who take photographs of their food to post on social media instead of simply tucking in to enjoy it. The celebrity chef, 53, said he becomes annoyed when customers leave the dish to go cold as they snap away. 'Social media is such a big part of our lives, our sight has become almost the more important sense rather than smell or taste,' he said. The chef has had to resist the temptation to say something. He told Radio Times: 'If we say, 'Your food's going cold', you put up a barrier between you and the diner' 'A lot of people are more interested in capturing a photograph so they can post it, which disconnects them from the moment.' The father-of-four, who owns three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, has had to resist the temptation to say something. He told Radio Times: 'If we say, 'Your food's going cold', you put up a barrier between you and the diner.' The chef also revealed how he felt 'stuck on a hamster wheel' trying to fit in all his commitments at the height of his TV fame before stepping back two years ago. Nigerians have hailed Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka after the Supreme court sacked of the Governor of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha. Recall that some days ago, Director of Adoration expressed that Hope Uzodinma will take over the reign in Imo State and sacking of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo state must come to pass. Also Read: 2020 Prophecy: Hope Uzodimma Will Take Over Imo State Father Mbaka The sack of Ihedioha today has confirmed the Prophecy of Mbaka. And Nigerians have hailed the clergyman following the ruling of the supreme court. See reactions below: https://twitter.com/DOlusegun/status/1217137435349528577 Rev father Mbaka prophesy when he said the candidate APC Buhari will defeat Goodluck PDP candidate in 2015, it came to past, now again he foreseen this Supreme Court judgment, that man is Real. Catholic family are lucky to have him as a priest Walter Amayanvbo (@Eddywalter) January 14, 2020 https://twitter.com/Cutewalterr/status/1217140087361884160 Rev Father Mbaka don win again o o. Hope Declared winner. pic.twitter.com/sAI6M57fvM Major General Anthony Eberonwu (@AEberonwu) January 14, 2020 https://twitter.com/DoktorAdvocate/status/1217134068082581508 Latvia Introduces the Most Progressive Real Time Exclusion Model Yet for 2020 Published January 14, 2020 by Lee R Latvia's bold new model could spur more investment from other regions. A new self-exclusion scheme has been introduced in Latvia for 2020, calling for voluntary self-reporting to prohibit gambling for 12 months. The Authority The register will be managed under the auspices of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Authority (IAUI), as established under the Gambling and Lotteries Law and going live on January 1st. Application The self-exclusion applies to interactive as well as land-based gambling. The Process The self-exclusion process consists of a request in writing to the Latvian regulator, or in person or in writing at the gaming site. Protections The IAUI issued a statement on the new system, saying it sought to protect it's citizens from excessive gambling activities such as interactive gambling including participation in interactive lotteries, as applicable to all statutory gambling as well as interactive lotteries. Real Time Counseling Other protections the IAUI is using include new, state-funded psychology support, which had been consulted by at least 127 people by November, in the first four months of the program's availability. Other Measures In November, the Latvia Parliament further approved proposals to raise certain land-based gaming taxes as delineated in the 2020 budget, and will apply to slot machines, roulettes, cards and dice games from 1 January 2020. The flat slot machine levies in Latvia will increase as well, from 4,164 (3,566/$4,602) to 5,172. Fees for operators of roulette and table games will rise to 28,080 per gaming table they operate, jumping up from the current fee of 23,400. Increase in National Allocation Another measure signed was to increase the amount of gambling taxes and fees to be allocated to the country's national budget, in an environment where the state currently receives 75% of these funds, while leaving 25% to municipalities that host gambling venues are located. Outlook Latvia is looking to become a progressive model with the psychological support model and the one year exclusion program, which would help to improve the levels of those state tax takes and aid the economy as well. EDWARDSVILLE Federal prosecution and, potentially, death penalties are being sought in three recent murder cases. On Monday, Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons officially requested that U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois review the cases for prosecution under the Federal First Degree Murder Statute 18 USC 1111 or other applicable statutes that would allow application of the federal death penalty upon the individuals who committed these brutal, interstate murders. Specifically, the letter seeks federal prosecution for the Dec. 19 slayings of Shari Yates, Andrew AJ Brooks and John McMillan in Bethalto; the Jan. 4 slaying of Randy Gori in Edwardsville; and the Jan. 8 slaying of James Thomas in Granite City. In 2011, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty in Illinois. Since 2011, I no longer have available to me the ultimate punishment for the most brutal and heinous crimes, Gibbons writes in his letter. The United States Department of Justice, however, still has the power to seek a sentence of death for such crimes. For that reason, and for the safety and security of the citizens of Madison County, I implore you to take up the charge and seek the ultimate justice which is so truly deserved by the victims of these horrible crimes and by all the good people of Madison County, Gibbons letter states. Gibbons letter to Weinhoeft states that Madison County residents have long suffered from an invasion of criminals traveling to the county to commit crimes. More recently, he states, such crimes have turned deadly. Since December 19th, we have endured three cases of homicide one including multiple victims which were the result of perpetrators traveling across state lines to commit their crimes, each time with deadly results, his letter states. On Dec. 19, Yates, 59; Brooks, 30; and McMillian, 32, were shot to death in a Bethalto home. Brady Kane Witcher, 41, and Brittany McMillan, 28 both of Birmingham, Alabama been charged with first degree murder, armed robbery and aggravated vehicular hijacking in their deaths. Witcher also has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. According to court documents, Witcher and Brittany McMillan also are accused of killing a woman in Alabama on Dec. 13 as well as kidnapping a couple, stabbing one of them and taking their car in Nashville, Tennessee on Dec. 14. They were arrested at a motel in Hazelwood, Missouri, allegedly in possession of Yates vehicle, on Dec. 19. On Jan. 4, Gori, 47, a prominent attorney, was killed in an unincorporated area of Madison County outside of Edwardsville. Timothy Banowetz, 28, of Wentzville, Missouri, has been charged with first degree murder, armed robbery, auto theft and aggravated unlawful restraint in connection to his death. Court documents allege Banowetz travelled by automobile from Missouri to a secluded location near Goris home where he threatened Gori and two minor children with a deadly weapon and restrained them. The victims allegedly were taken into the home by Banowetz, who also is accused of stabbing Gori to death. Court documents state the crime was interrupted by an individual who had arrived at the house, prompting Banowetz to flee. On Jan. 9, Kadeem Noland, 27, of St. Louis, and Christine Mills, 34, of Granite City, allegedly were staying in St. Louis and travelled to Thomas home in Granite City. Court documents allege they fatally shot Thomas just inside the front door of his home before fleeing back to St. Louis. Noland and Mills both have been charged with first degree murder. Noland also has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Activist groups around the world are heralding the Dec. 20 announcement by chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda, who said, I am satisfied that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Pending confirmation from the court that it has jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories, Bensouda recommended the ICC pursue a full investigation. However, Palestinians literally confined to those territories by the Israeli blockade are more skeptical if not outright dismissive. [An investigation] is all about reliving the pain, the harsh memories, over and over again, said Majdi Wahdan, who lost 12 members of his family including his parents and two sisters in the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza. But nothing will happen; it will produce another report and the world will move on. International law never ends up changing anything on the ground. Wahdan, 36, used to support his extended family, including his own three children, by farming. But his land is close to the Israel border and hes concluded its simply too unsafe. Now, he is dependent on aid. After the 2014 war, he sought help from many human rights organizations, to no avail. Even surviving relatives who needed medical care outside Gaza were not able to obtain permission. The ICCs office of the prosecutor launched its preliminary review on Jan. 16, 2015, shortly after Palestinian authorities recognized the jurisdiction of the court and only months after the conclusion of the 50-day assault that killed 2,251 Gazans and wounded more than 10,500. The day Wahdans life changed forever, he had already fled with his wife and children to a UN school for safety. However, the rest of his relatives had not yet left and were still gathering belongings in their home in northern Beit Hanoun when several Israeli missiles struck, bringing the building down around them. Even if we are able to sue Israel for its crimes against us, which I doubt, whatever paltry sum we win will not give me back my family. They are all gone, Wahdan told Al-Monitor. Ramy Abdu, assistant professor of law and finance and founder and chairman of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, agrees that what happens next after Bensoudas announcement will be a severe test of international law. What should happen, he says if the example of Global South politicians brought to justice is followed is the perpetrators of war crimes are brought to court. If Israelis are found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians, the Israeli government must be forced to bring them to court to be tried, regardless of their positions, Abdu warned. [Ideally,] material compensation should be awarded to the victims. Concrete actions like these would deter the Israeli government from committing further crimes and would give hope to Palestinians that international law can actually be used to achieve justice for them, he told Al-Monitor. For example, the ICC has ordered reparations for victims in the cases of three war criminals: Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, a member of the Ansar Dine militia in Mali; Germain Kitanga, a leader of the Patriotic Resistance Force in Ituri, an armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, founder and leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots and the first person to be convicted by the ICC. Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a professor of political studies at Gazas Al-Azhar University, agrees with Abdu that there is a discrepancy between the international communitys actions toward countries in regions such as Africa versus those against superpower allies such as Israel. Since the court was formally established in 2002, the ICC has initiated full investigations in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Sudan, the DRC, Georgia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Uganda and Bangladesh/Myanmar. According to the ICC website, the ICC is currently conducting nine investigations; five have been closed without further action. Meanwhile, 12 cases have progressed to the pre-trial stage, four trials are in progress, two judgments are being appealed and five cases went to litigation but were later closed. There have been three convictions resulting in orders for reparations or compensation. Preliminary investigations, such as the review just completed for Palestine, are currently ongoing in Afghanistan, Colombia, Guinea, Iraq, Nigeria, the Philippines, Ukraine and Venezuela. There is a history of government officials being indicted, such as Mohammed Hussein Ali, commissioner of the Kenya police; Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan; and Moammar Gadhafi, former leader of Libya. But only in the case of Iraq have officials from a power country (in this case, the UK) been investigated as well for the killing of civilians. While a panel of court judges rejected Bensoudas recommendation to investigate war crimes in Afghanistan (which could include those perpetrated by US forces), an appeal chamber is reconsidering. The US government retaliated by revoking Bensoudas visa. There are a lot of reasons for Palestinians to lack trust in the international communitys willingness to enforce international law. However, whether or not Palestinians have faith in international law, [an ICC ruling] is a way to strike another blow against Israel and one of the lower-cost ways to do it. But regardless, the action of Fatou Bensouda will have some effect. It has already, Abu Saada told Al-Monitor, referring to Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katzs reference Dec. 22, 2019, to the ICC review when he halted evacuation of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar. That may very well be true. But those who have paid the highest price are the most skeptical. Atia Darwish, a photojournalist shot in his left eye by an Israeli tear gas bomb Dec. 14, 2018 robbing him of sight and causing partial hearing loss is one of them. I tried to prosecute Israel over my wound; Im a journalist and the law should protect me. There was no reason to target me while I was doing my job, he told Al-Monitor. But human rights organizations and other [nongovernmental organizations] in Gaza were not able to bring Israel to court. But if there was really a chance to sue Israel I would go forward in a minute. Pam Bailey has contributed to this article. Associate feature: Inspiring Scottish innovation Douglas Martin was studying for a Masters of Science at the University of Edinburgh when he saw an opportunity to transform the fish farming industry using one of Scotlands greatest assets whisky. What if the nutrient-rich water produced by whisky distilleries could be transformed into fish food? Martin developed an omega-3-rich microalgae that feeds on the nitrates and phosphates in the by-product water from distilleries. In 2016, Martin took this idea to the universitys commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations (EI), who supported him in developing it into a business. Out of Martins innovation, and thanks to EIs support, MiAlgae was born. The companys product is high in omega-3 and proteins, which aims to revolutionise the worlds 340bn animal feed industry. In 2018, MiAlgae received 500,000 from investors Equity Gap, the Scottish Investment Bank and the University of Edinburghs own venture fund, Old College Capital which allowed Martin to expand the companys team and build a pilot plant for its technology at a whisky distillery. And then in December last year, the company completed a series A investment round, receiving 1m from a consortium of investors, including the previous investors, as well as new investor, the Hillhouse Group. EI chief executive officer Dr George Baxter tells Holyrood Martins journey began at one of EIs student enterprise events at the university. Weve got a team of eight people who work on student enterprise, and he came to one of the events and as part of that worked up this idea and hes been really supported the whole way through by us, Baxter says. Instead of taking the co-product water and just treating it somewhere and it costing the company lots of money, this is a valuable feedstock. Thats the business model, you have to negotiate the value between the people whove got the nutrients, your algae treatment, and then the fish farms who are looking to buy food stock for their fish. Today MiAlgae is still supported by EI, with one of the services advisers attending board meetings and catching up with Martin once a month to work on his growth plans. In 2019, EI celebrated 50 years of commercial success, including supporting the first automated industrial robot and the first artificial vaccine for hepatitis B. Since 1969, EI has helped students and staff launch more than 450 start-ups and spin-outs. In the most recent financial year (2018-19), EI formed 64 start-ups and 10 spin-out companies. A spin-out in this context is a company started by academics where the university owns a stake in it. Part of EIs impact comes through investment, and since August 2019, EI-supported spin-outs and start-ups have received investment amounting to 29.3m. Looking ahead, the University of Edinburghs commercialisation and knowledge transfer activities will contribute 118m to the Scottish economy in 2020, according to an economic impact tool produced for the university by BiGGAR Economics. The service does not profit from students ideas, as the university does not own any of the shares or intellectual property in student start-ups. As Baxter puts it: Were doing it because we want to help them form a company. Weve taken a conscious decision that we dont own the intellectual property for our students. We do it because we want the student experience to be excellent here and if students want to start up their own companies, then weve got a team here who can help them do that. But EI doesnt just rally behind students bright ideas. Academics wanting to start a new company or collaborate with a business are also supported by the service. Well help them start the new company up, well find them the money to start the company, to develop the product, well find them people to work with, such as a chief executive or a chief technology officer, Baxter explains. Well do market research for them and well sort out all of the intellectual property. While an academics intellectual property is owned by the University of Edinburgh, Baxter says theyve got a very liberal regime in terms of commercialising that idea. If youre going to start a company, the academic would typically get the largest portion of the shares in that company, and we would take a relatively small amount, because the university pays the salaries and provides the equipment for academics, he says. EI works with academics to look at whether their idea is commercially viable, whether it needs a patent, how to find investment or partnerships, get the company set up and organise the licences. Technically it can be quite difficult, and we want the academics to focus on what theyre good at, Baxter says. If youre a world-class chemist, do you really want to be sitting down with a lawyer for two days going through the minutiae of a licence agreement? One example of this is Invizius, a company stemming from years of research by Dr Andy Herbert and his team at the universitys School of Chemistry. Invizius researchers believe they have found a way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among patients undergoing long-term dialysis. During dialysis, the procedure removes waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working, but in filtering out unwanted substances and fluids, a patients immune system can be compromised, resulting in inflammation and damage to the cardiovascular system. Invizius has developed H-Guard, a coating which acts as an invisibility cloak for the dialysis filter, effectively hiding it from the immune system. In October last year, the company raised a 2.75m investment from a consortium including Mercia Asset Management and the universitys Old College Capital investment fund, managed by EI. Baxter says that while the technology is incredibly complex and involves a lot of testing to get it to market, the prize is, if you can change this for the millions of people around the world who are on kidney dialysis you could revolutionise the survival rate for that as well. We want this technology to get out into the world and do good. If we make money, we can reinvest and do more of this good stuff, which will generate social value. An important part of EIs work is bringing commercial partners and academic experts together to innovate through collaborative research, which includes EI helping to source funding for major projects. EI has recently helped develop partnerships with businesses including the engineering giant Babcock International, biotech firm Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and healthcare imaging specialist Canon Medical Research Europe. And the collaborations are not just in the medical, science and engineering fields. With EIs help, the university recently signed an agreement with UNICEF to provide research. If weve got an academic whos got an interesting research area and theres a company thats got a similar interest, then well match up the academic with the company so they can work together on a common problem, Baxter says. When he was offered the top job at EI in 2016, Baxter says he saw a huge opportunity. I was really interested in the opportunity to say, wait a minute, if were fourth in the country on research, theres an opportunity for someone to make a big difference, with the right resources and the right approach, to bring more of that research to have an economic impact, he says. Baxter says he would like to see EI producing hundreds of student start-ups per year. Weve doubled the amount of venture capital that weve brought in over the last three years into our start-ups. Weve gone from about 50 start-ups a year and this year were hoping to break 100. Well probably do 120. Were absolutely going to keep growing. I dont see any reason why we cant do 200 start-ups. Weve gone from about 60 to 100 staff in the last three years. However, when it comes to spin-outs, Baxter says: Its really important you focus on the ones that are quality. We dont have any particular target for spin-outs, he says. Some people say, why dont we do 20 spin-outs a year? Id rather do three really high-quality spin-outs, than do six that were going to die within a year or two, because it takes a lot of time and effort to do a spin-out company. Our track record on thats excellent: 85 per cent of our spin-outs are still operating from the last ten years. On top of the work EI does for staff and students, it has an important role in the 1.3bn Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The university is playing a central role in making the region the data capital of Europe, including leading efforts to launch an additional 400 data-centric companies over the deals 15-year span. The city deal takes us into a completely different sphere, where were leading on an activity which is of a scale that can affect the whole countrys economy, Baxter explains. The investment from the government is to set up a number of new innovation institutes and support infrastructure and a programme of work over a 10 to 15-year period. He says examples of the universitys data-driven innovation work include the creation of the Usher Institute, which was set up in 2015 to strive for and work towards the data-enabled transformation of health. Another is the Bayes Centre, the universitys hub for data science and artificial intelligence, which was opened in October 2018 and Baxter says is now home to 600 people bringing together world-leading academic excellence from mathematical, computational, engineering and natural sciences. Baxter also notes the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), under construction at the old Royal Infirmary Hospital site at Lauriston, which will tackle the worlds big social and environmental problems using data-driven innovation. Its all about what the challenges are, such as global warming, modern slavery, how can data-driven innovation tackle all of those as well? EI is always on the lookout for more industrial partners and Baxter encourages those interested. If youve got a problem or an issue or something that interests you, well find the best person within the university to go and talk to, he says. Our job is to make it easy for you to find the right person at the university and make it easy for you to work with them, so that everybody wins. St. Louis Prosecutor Sues City, Claiming Racist Interests Tried to Force Her Out St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Monday filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, accusing the city and others of a racist conspiracy. The top law lady on the other side of the state makes a bold statement without much documented proof to back it up . . . And that might be part of the problem beyond divisive allegations. Read more: Lawmakers in the US have sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai urging him to take a firmer approach with mobile network operators to help prevent SIM swapping. Democratic officials from the US House of Representatives and Senate led by Senator Ron Wyden have voiced their concerns to the head of the FCC, arguing that wireless carriers have a duty to protect consumers from fraud. SIM swapping is where cybercriminals convince a victims phone carrier to reassign the victims cell phone number from the current SIM card to the hackers own phone. The letter, dated January 9, reads: Consumers have limited options to protect their wireless account from SIM swaps and are often not informed about these options by carriers until after they have been victimised. The letter claims that many incidences of SIM swapping have been perpetrated by corrupt employees who had access to sensitive customer data. Highlighting this issue, the letter explains: For example, in May of 2019, the Department of Justice indicted several people who had exploited their employee access to the carriers computer to conduct SIM swaps that defrauded victims of more than $2 million. The letter outlines eight questions to the FCC on what action it is taking to prevent SIM swapping, including questions on wireless carrier culpability and whether the FCC has any plans to inform consumers about the dangers of SIM swapping fraud. Cryptocurrency users targeted SIM swapping has become a tangible threat to cryptocurrency owners especially those in the US, where its easier to transfer a cell phone number to a new SIM. In December 2019, Coin Rivet reported on how one US teen was charged with 87 counts of grand larceny for his role in a SIM swapping operation which siphoned off over $1 million in cryptocurrency. Similarly, Eric Meiggs and Declan Harrington, both in their early twenties, were convicted of SIM swapping thefts including $550,000 worth of digital assets in November. Story continues Lengthy custodial sentences for SIM swapping fraudsters have been handed out in the past, with one 20-year-old suspect jailed for 10 years for his role in a $5 million SIM card theft. You can read more about SIM swapping here. The post US lawmakers urge FCC to crack down on SIM swapping appeared first on Coin Rivet. The Trump administration has completed 101 miles of new barriers so far, according to the latest figures, far less than the 450 miles the president has promised to erect by the end of the year. But construction along the border largely on land the federal government already owns has been continuing even as legal challenges have aimed to disrupt it. Bengaluru police on Tuesday launched an investigation after graffiti appeared overnight on a prominent city street against issues such as Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens. "We are collecting photographs and video since morning....", a senior police official said. Shutters of some shops and walls on Church Street were painted with slogans against the CAA, NRC, BJP, RSS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. One slogan read "Free Kashmir". CCTV footage showed two people moving suspiciously near the place at about 3 AM, police sources said. "We are going to register a case relating to Karnataka Disfigurement of Public Places Act and other relevant sections of IPC", the police official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The decision by CCBTO to use Alessa for its AML needs is an indication of this banks commitment to enhancing its sanctions compliance management and control over customers from high-risk countries or regions, as well as, meeting its other regulatory obligations CaseWare RCM, a provider of financial crime detection and prevention solutions, has announced that China Construction Bank, Toronto Branch (CCBTO) has selected Alessa for its transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and FINTRAC regulatory reporting capabilities to further enhance its anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program. The CCBTO supports China-Canada economic business development and specializes in comprehensive wholesale banking business including corporate banking, trade finance, and foreign exchange. The decision by CCBTO to use Alessa for its AML needs is an indication of this banks commitment to enhancing its sanctions compliance management and control over customers from high-risk countries or regions, as well as, meeting its other regulatory obligations, said David Shuen, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief AML Officer at CCBTO According to Andrew Simpson, Chief Operating Officer at CaseWare RCM, CCBTO was looking to monitor all transactions and flag those that were unusual; screen individuals against various watch and sanctions lists; and create comprehensive and reader-friendly reports for FINTRAC. Alessa is an integrated solution that is able to meet CCBTOs anti-money laundering needs without the complications, costs and ineffectiveness that often incur when using point solutions, said Simpson. Alessa is trusted by banks, money services businesses (MSBs), fintechs, and gaming institutions to meet their anti-money laundering and other regulatory compliance needs. One of the reasons that Alessa is consistently chosen is because it is a versatile and modular solution that can be quickly integrated with existing infrastructure, and it scales with organizations as their size and needs grow. To learn more about Alessa, visit http://www.alessa.caseware.com/aml-compliance/. About CaseWare RCM Inc. CaseWare RCM Inc. is the maker of Alessa, a financial crime detection, prevention and management solution. With deployments in more than 20 countries in banking, insurance, fintech, gaming, manufacturing, retail and more, Alessa is the only platform organizations need to identify high-risk activities and stay ahead of compliance. To learn more about how Alessa can help your organization ensure compliance, detect complex fraud schemes, and prevent waste, abuse and misuse, visit us at http://www.alessa.caseware.com. It is known that asteroids crash on the Earth's surface in the form of meteorites back when its atmosphere is still thin. Meteorites are objects from space that are successful in entering the planet's atmosphere. These meteorite crashes are so frequent that scientists theorized that the extinction of the dinosaurs was partially caused by a meteorite impact. If Earth really suffered from meteorite trauma, there should be some remnants of it, right? READ: Kilauea Caldera Collapse Caused by a Tiny Leak in Volcano Recently, scientists discovered the whereabouts of the crater made by one of the largest meteorites that struck the planet 800,000 years ago. The clues leading to the impact site were provided by small (around the size of a pebble), glassy objects called tektites. According to scientists, they theorized that tektites were formed from Earth material that was melted and thrown into the atmosphere upon the impact of the meteorite. Also according to the scientists, the crater possibly lies beneath a 910-cubic-kilometer area in the Bolaven plateau volcanic field in Laos. Accordingly, the supposed meteorite that hit the Earth was 2 kilometers wide and that its impact on the planet is so great that debris flew to places as far as Australia, and other places in Asia. In an article written by CNN, Professor Kerry Sieh, principal investigator from the Earth Observatory of Singapore he explains that the existence of tektites only means that the meteorite was massive and its travels very fast that it was able to melt the rocks upon contact. Tektites are abundant across the planet and most are dated between 750,000 - 3.5 million years old. According to the records of the Jackson School Museum of Earth History at the University of Texas in Austin, the areas where tektites are scattered are called strewn fields and they are pretty much scattered all over the world except for Antarctica. Scientists have recently been able to identify the source crater for tektites and it is so massive that it extends from southern China to the southern region of Australia. Unsurprisingly, this area is the largest known source of tektite in the whole world. Sieh explained that prior to this finding, there are a lot of attempts in finding this impact site. Scientists previously suggested places in northern Cambodia, central Laos, and southern China that may possibly be home to the impact crater. However, Sieh explains that the study conducted by him and his team is the first to collate lines of evidence including the chemical nature of the tektites, to its physical characteristics and gravity measurements, and the measurement and the probable age of the lava that buried the crater. According to the team's calculations, the hidden impact crater is about 13 kilometers wide and 17 kilometers long. The scientists admit that there is still a lot of work to do to confirm their theory regarding this massive meteorite crater and one of the methodologies they are planning to do is to drill down the area to see if the rocks present beneath the surface are the same rocks that are commonly found in impact sites. For Sieh, finding those rocks is important because they will hold plenty of evidence for melting and shattering. Irans president Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that a special court should be formed to probe the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet that was mistakenly targeted by Iranian forces. (AP) Tehran: Iran on Tuesday announced its first arrests over the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner in Tehran last week, after a third night of angry protests over the disaster. The Ukraine International Airlines plane was brought down by a missile shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Tehran for days denied western claims based on US intelligence that the Boeing 737 had been downed by a missile. It came clean on Saturday when Revolutionary Guards aerospace commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh acknowledged that a missile operator had mistaken the plane for a cruise missile and opened fire independently. At a televised news conference, the judiciary announced the first arrests had been made over the blunder, without specifying how many. Extensive investigations have been carried out and some people have been arrested, said spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili. The announcement came shortly after President Hassan Rouhani said everyone responsible for the disaster must be punished. "For our people it is very important in this incident that anyone who was at fault or negligent at any level" face justice, Rouhani said. "Anyone who should be punished must be punished It cannot be that only the person who pressed the button is at fault. There are others, and I want this to be explained to the people explicitly." The authorities' handling of the air disaster has angered Iranians. Videos posted on social networks on Monday purported to show protesters taking to the streets for a third consecutive day, with demonstrators apparently shouting slogans against the Islamic republic. Addressing that issue on Tuesday, Rouhani said while "the root of all sorrows goes back to America... this cannot be a reason for us not to look into all the root causes" of the air disaster. The president also demanded officials explain why it took so long for authorities to announce the real cause of the air disaster. "They must explain the whole process. From Wednesday morning when the incident happened until the meeting on Friday night of the Supreme National Security Council. They must explain this whole process to the people," he said. "But more important than anything else, in my opinion, is that our people must be assured that this incident will not be repeated." Iran has invited experts from Canada, France, Ukraine and the United States to take part in the probe. A movie about two homeless men and a baseboard heater has returned to Winnipeg, two decades after it was filmed here. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A movie about two homeless men and a baseboard heater has returned to Winnipeg, two decades after it was filmed here. Movie preview Click to Expand Heater Directed by Terrance Odette Cinematheque PG 85 minutes Runs Jan, 14, Jan. 21 and 28 as part of Restoration Tuesdays Heater, written and directed by Terrance Odette, is playing weekly at Cinematheque this month as part of the theatre's Restoration Tuesdays series. The film was shot in Winnipeg in the late 1990s and while the city was meant to be a stand-in for any urban centre in the Great White North, there's plenty of local nostalgia in the 85-minute flick. Billed as a "road movie without the Chevrolet," Heater follows Ben (Gary Farmer) and The Man (Stephen Ouimette) as they try to return an unopened baseboard heater for some cash in the middle of a frigid winter. The journey takes them through downtown, with its lamp posts adorned in Christmas lights; past the Three Wise Men display atop the Osborne Street entrance to the Great-West Life Assurance Company building; and on to the former Eaton's store at St. Vital Centre. During filming, Odette, who grew up in Kitchener, Ont., wasn't hampered by Winnipeg's landmarks. "There was a real advantage to me coming and not knowing Winnipeg and seeing it differently than someone who lives there they will always see a certain corner from a certain angle," he said, speaking with the Free Press over the phone from his home in Hamilton. Heater was Odette's first foray into feature films. He decided to pursue filmmaking in his 30s and got his start making country-music videos, which is how he connected with producer Richard Findlay. Heater is written and directed by Terrance Odette. "(Richard) said he would produce it if I wanted to do it in Winnipeg," Odette said. "I said sure, there's homelessness everywhere." The script was inspired by Odette's wife, who was working as a nurse with Toronto's homeless population at the time. "She worked these clinics and people would offer her things for sale, like steaks and drugs and guns, anything. And somebody offered her a baseboard heater," he said. "I thought that was just ironic and I just had this image of this guy walking around a cold city with nowhere to plug in his baseboard heater." Farmer and Ouimette's characters were inspired by the kind of down-on-their-luck buddy types seen in Waiting for Godot or Of Mice and Men. Odette learned a lot from both of his leads, whom he describes as "very, very different people." "Garys much more of what you would call a natural in his acting. Stephen is very much a studious thespian, a creature of the theatre, so he knew everybodys lines and Gary barely knew his own, but he could pull it off because hes just a natural," he said. "For me, first time directing a narrative, I was smart enough to stand back and let them do their thing." Stephen Ouimette as The Man. (Supplied) The movie was shot on 35mm film and had a tiny $350,000 budget. "Back then, $350,000 had to get you film stock and processing and transfer, so take $100,000 and throw it down the toilet," Odette said. The shoestring budget meant shooting handheld with sparse lighting something that added to the gritty esthetic of the film and working out of a beat-up tour bus that served as crew transportation, equipment storage and craft services. The Winnipeg film crew and its actors many of whom are still mainstays of the city's theatre community gave Odette a peek at Winnipeg's tight-knit arts community. "Everybody working on our crew were artists in their own rights, they had their own discipline outside of making a living working on some independent film for a few weeks," he said. Heater follows Ben (Gary Farmer, left) and The Man (Stephen Ouimette) as they try to return an unopened baseboard heater for some cash in the middle of a frigid winter. (Supplied) Heater never found a Canadian distributor so it was mostly screened at film festivals and in the United States when it was released in 1999. Odette was "dumbfounded" when the movie won best screenplay and best new director at the Vancouver International Film Festival that year. He has released three more independent feature films Saint Monica, Sleeping Dogs and Fall in the years since. Odette got Heater restored last year on an equally small budget, around $300 all told. The elements of the film had been donated to Archives Canada, which provided him with a 4K scan of the prints free-of-charge, and the movie's original director of photography, Arthur Cooper, agreed to do the colour restoration for a bottle of scotch. The freshly restored version captures Odette's vision better than the original release ever did. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "It never looked like the 35mm print, so it had a much darker look, it was muddier, high contrast," he said. "It actually feels like seeing it when it was released on film." Farmer and Ouimette's characters were inspired by the kind of down-on-their-luck buddy types seen in Waiting for Godot or Of Mice and Men. (Supplied) Odette, who works part-time at an independent cinema in Hamilton, is happy to see Heater playing in a small, locally owned theatre. "If you dont have places like Cinematheque in Winnipeg or the Playhouse in Hamilton, you dont have venues for our own product, our own Canadian feature films," he said. "My intention is to get it to play in the six or so independent theatres in Canada." eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @evawasney If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. In brief: Facebook is currently banned in China, but that doesn't mean it can't tap its potential in other ways. Many Chinese companies want to use the social giant's global presence and powerful ad tools to get ahead of the competition and expand their customer base, so Facebook is building a team dedicated to helping them out. Last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg officially gave up on annual challenges, opting for longer-term goals that cover the next decade. Among them are the fight to give more power to the people and a push for establishing rules around issues that are long in the tooth, such as election integrity, privacy, and the sanity of Facebook's online platforms. Meanwhile, there's a lot of money on the table for its advertising business, especially in China. Despite Zuckerberg's criticism of the region and its tendency to govern big platforms with censorship and strict rules, Facebook is building a new team of engineers in Singapore that will be dedicated solely to driving its advertising business in Southeast Asia. Reuters notes the biggest challenge will be to develop ad-buying tools that Chinese customers can use to overcome internet restrictions imposed by the government. China is the second-largest source of revenue after the United States, with Facebook selling an estimated $5 billion worth of ad space in the region. While Zuckerberg is unable to operate Facebook in China, companies, like TikTok owner ByteDance have used Facebook's ad tools to propagate to a global audience. By the second half of 2019, ByteDance shifted to build its own advertising business to compete with Facebook's. Still, that leaves many small startups that need the power of Facebook to achieve visibility in a crowded global landscape. According to Raggy Lau, who runs a small ad agency in China, serving 30 companies, Facebook will see a significant demand for its ad tools this year and beyond. Two more suspects were questioned by Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Tuesday in connection with the January 5 violence on JNU campus while forensic experts spent the day trying to retrieve related data from the server, officials said. According to police, both Sucheta Talukdar and Priya Ranjan were questioned for two hours each in connection with the attack by a masked mob on January 5. The four persons who were injured in the attack were also examined. "I gave a one-and-a-half page statement to the police. They asked me about the January 5 incident, where I was that day, details of students injured and whether I could identify anyone else. I was shown my photo (one that the police had released in the press conference last week)," Talukdar said. Sources said she told police that the photo was too blurred. Ranjan, a BA third-year student from School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, said "I gave a one-page statement to police about my whereabouts on that day." Thirty-four people, including students and faculty, were injured on January 5 when the masked mob entered the campus and attacked them with rods and sledgehammers. The Forensic Science Laboratory team (cyber) which visited the campus to collect evidence spent the entire day in retrieving footage from the server, a police official said, adding the team will visit the varsity again on Wednesday. Deepa Verma, director of Forensic Science Laboratory, said, "The data is voluminous and the work is ongoing. After the data is submitted to the lab, it will be seen what has to be retrieved and what is already available." Sanjeev Gupta, Assistant Director (Crime Scene Division), said the computer forensic and photo teams visited the JNU campus on Tuesday and the computer forensic team will also go again on Wednesday. The Delhi High Court has directed WhatsApp and Google to provide and preserve details of WhatsApp groups involved in the incident, a senior police official said. The official added that the three other students -- Akshat Awasthi, Rohit Shah and Komal Sharma -- were absconding. Awasthi and Shah, both first-year students of JNU, had featured in a sting operation conducted by a TV channel. The police had identified Sharma, a student of Daulat Ram College, as the masked woman who was purportedly seen in the videos of violence shared on social media wearing a check shirt, a light blue scarf and was carrying a stick. Her phone was switched off since Saturday night. When police had contacted Awasthi and Shah, they said they will join the probe but their phones were later switched off. All the three have been sent notices to join the probe. Crime branch officers had on Monday questioned three students -- JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, Pankaj Mishra and Vasker Vijay Mech. Ghosh, Talukdar, Ranjan, Dolan Samanta, Mech, Chunchun Kumar (a JNU alumnus) and Pankaj Mishra have been named as suspects by police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) General Dynamics Boasts About Capabilities of Anti-Ship Missile Amid Pentagon Fears of China, Russia Sputnik News 18:25 13.01.2020(updated 18:29 13.01.2020) Late last week, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten expressed concern over the "speed" at which "potential adversaries" Russia and China were moving to try to overtake the US's status as the world's number one military power. General Dynamics Mission System has revealed new details about the upgraded capabilities of the weapons systems used aboard the US Navy's Independence-class littoral combat ships (LCS). In a recent press release cited by Defence Blog, GD VP of surface missile systems Stan Kordana boasted that the integration and demonstration of the capabilities of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) at October's Pacific Griffin drills near Guam by the USS Gabrielle Giffords LCS showed "what a small team of highly talented people can do in a very short time." "Working closely with the Navy and Austal USA [a shipbuilding company], General Dynamics engineers were responsible for the technical design and integration of the weapon system onto the ship which involved developing software, installing the system, and performing fratricide and other safety analysis," Kordana explained. General Dynamics will be tasked with integrating the Naval Strike Missile system aboard other Independence-class littoral combat ships. Developed by Norwegian defence firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Naval Strike Missile is a long-range, over-the-horizon capable anti-ship and land attack missile with an operational range of between 185 and 555 km. Currently operated by Norway, Poland and the United States, the missile is being fitted aboard the US Navy's Freedom and Independence-class LCSs. Raytheon is tasked with producing the missile for US use. The Independence-class LCS began to be produced in 2006, and the Navy has received 10 of the vessels from Astral USA to date, with nine more under construction or on order. Commenting on the missile's successful test launch aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords in October, US Navy commander Rear Admiral Joey Tynch boasted that the Independence-class LCS "packs a punch and gives potential adversaries another reason to stay awake at night." South China Sea Under Strain In recent years, the US has expressed growing concerns about Chinese naval capabilities, particularly in the South China Sea, where China on one side and a group of regional countries and the US on the other have mapped out conflicting claims to maritime territories and resources. Last month, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commissioned six new warships, bringing its Navy's size to 300 vessels, ten more than the US Navy's 290. Late last week, US Air Force General and Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman John Hyten expressed concerns about the "speed" at which Russia and China were "moving" to try to gain technical superiority over the United States. With a military budget of $738 billion slated for 2020, US spending on defence is equal to over 40 percent of total military spending worldwide in 2018. China, America's closest competitor, spent 1.19 trillion yuan (about $177.6 billion) on defence last year. Russia's defence spending hit $48 billion in the same year. NATO's combined spending topped $1 trillion in 2018. The alliance expects to add another $100 billion to spending in 2020, but NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg recently indicated that even this would not be sufficient to manage the threats faced by the alliance. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRUSSELSA Pentagon proposal to greatly reduce U.S. forces in West Africa faced criticism from allies on Tuesday, with French officials arguing that removing U.S. intelligence assets in the region could stymie the fight against extremist groups. U.S. officials said they were proceeding nonetheless. While no final decision has been made on how many troops will be transferred from Africa and the Middle East as the Pentagon refocuses its priorities to confront great powers like Russia and China, Americas top military officer said the United States needed to shift its forces to better counter China in particular. Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that the proposal was causing some anxiety. But he said that the United States needed to seriously re-examine its military footprint in Africa, and the Middle East and Latin America after that, given the heightened focus on China. Milleys comments came ahead of a NATO military chiefs meeting in Brussels, where he also sought to lay out the United States rationale for killing Irans top military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani this month. The killing of Soleimani, who was the head of Irans Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, has raised questions from Americas military allies about whether commanders of sovereign countries are now fair game for drone strikes. The Pentagon is also asking Europe to do more in the Middle East. After the killing of Soleimani, President Donald Trump called for NATO to step up efforts to train Iraqi forces to fight the Islamic State group in their country a point that Milley elaborated on at the NATO meeting on Tuesday. One way European allies could help in Iraq, he said, was to provide ballistic missile defence systems at bases that house troops from the U.S.-led coalition that has been fighting the Islamic State group. Iran fired several ballistic missiles at two such bases in Iraq last week, though no one was killed. The Pentagons discussions of a large-scale pullback from West Africa include abandoning a recently built $110 million drone base in Niger and ending assistance to French forces battling militants in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Daniel Charles Wandersee. Jr. SPD Booking Photo View Photo Sonora, CA An 18-year-old Sonora high school student who brought a loaded firearm to campus is facing two felony charges as an adult. Cassina High student Daniel Charles Wandersee, Jr. 18, of Jamestown, was booked into Tuolumne County Jail Monday for possession of a loaded firearm on campus and possession of a stolen firearm. He was assigned a $30,000 bail. According to Sonora Police Chief Turu VanderWiel, a call from high school staff came in around 10:35 a.m. and police were on scene within five minutes. Although Wandersee had briefly left Cassina grounds just before police arrived, the chief says he returned about five minutes after officers were on site, probably unaware that school officials had summoned law enforcement and placed the campus on partial lockdown. When spotted by police, Chief VanderWiel shares, Initially, he did not want to comply to the officers calling him towards themonce we drew our firearms and ordered him tohe complied with us. A .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with one round in the chamber and an empty magazine was recovered from the students waistband. Chief VanderWiel says that investigators are still determining what motive Wandersee might have had in bringing the firearm to campus. He adds that the gun was stolen sometime between the evening of Jan. 5 and the morning of Jan. 6 from a vehicle on Southgate Drive. An e-alert sent to parents of Sonora high students informed them that earlier in the day, an 18-year-old student had shown another student what appeared to be a handgun. However, when staff tried to locate the student, they found that he had left and called Sonora PD and Principal Morlan then put the campus on semi-lockdown limiting student mobility on campus, locking classroom doors, and increasing security surveillance. With audible relief in his voice, the chief notes, I think this is a great example of if you see something, say something and have a successful outcome. JAPANESE YEN FORECAST: JPY PRICE ACTION FLIRTS WITH 8-MONTH LOWS AS RISK APPETITE FLOURISHES The Japanese Yen has succumbed to a flood of risk appetite spurred largely by US-China trade deal optimism which pushed JPY price action nearly 5% lower over the last 5-months USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY and CAD/JPY implied volatility readings are hovering around multi-year lows as market sentiment grows increasingly upbeat A return of volatility in response to the next influx of uncertainty or systemically destabilizing event could bolster the Japanese Yen and send JPY prices snapping back higher The Japanese Yen has plunged roughly 4.5% since printing its recent swing high this past August. Weaker JPY prices can be explained largely by the rebound in market sentiment driven broadly by US-China trade deal optimism with Washington and Beijing set to ink a partial trade agreement later this week. This is due primarily to the Japanese Yens anti-risk characteristics and popular use to fund the currency carry trade. As such, JPY price action tends to benefit during episodes of risk aversion and periods of turbulence or volatility. On the contrary, the Japanese Yen tends to experience downward pressure when appetite for risk proliferates and measures of currency volatility are low. JAPANESE YEN CURRENCY INDEX PRICE CHART: DAILY TIME FRAME (DECEMBER 2018 TO JANUARY 2020) Chart created by @RichDvorakFX with TradingView This concept is illustrated in the chart above, which highlights the generally strong positive correlation between JXY (Japanese Yen Currency Index) and JYVIX (Cboes 30-day implied volatility index on the JPY). In turn, lower readings of implied volatility typically act as a headwind to JPY price action. Expected activity in the Japanese Yen has swooned as of late with the apparent improvement in trade relations between the US and China the two largest economies in the world fueling a rebound in global GDP growth expectations. FX volatility has also been pressured lower by the series of dovish action revealed by major central banks last year, which have kept financial conditions accommodative. JAPANESE YEN IMPLIED VOLATILITY (3-MONTH): USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY & CAD/JPY In fact, the recent string of upbeat market sentiment has sent various measures of Japanese Yen implied volatility down to their lowest levels on record. On that note, USD/JPY implied volatility over the next 3-months was just clocked at a record low 5.1% with the metrics latest nosedive being mirrored closely by the respective 3-month implied volatility readings for EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY and CAD/JPY as well. As such, spot USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY and CAD/JPY prices could continue churning higher as the Japanese Yen remains bogged down until forex traders witness a sustained rise in volatility and accompanying deterioration in risk appetite. Likewise, Japanese Yen risk reversal readings suggest that JPY prices may remain under pressure against other major currency pairs. JAPANESE YEN RISK REVERSALS (3-MONTH): USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY & CAD/JPY Specifically, the 3-month risk reversal readings for USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY and CAD/JPY have climbed steadily since September 2019, which is roughly when the JXY Japanese Yen Currency Index peaked last year. A risk reversal reading above zero indicates that the demand for call option volatility (upside protection) exceeds that of put option volatility (downside protection). USD/JPY PRICE CHART: WEEKLY TIME FRAME (MAY 2015 TO JANUARY 2020) Shifting gears to a weekly spot USD/JPY price chart brings to light the currency pairs overarching downtrend since its June 2015 peak. This technical barrier around the 110.00 level also underpinned by the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of its year-long slide from June 2015 to June 2016 as well as the upper channel of its 2-standard deviation Bollinger Band possesses potential of hindering further upside in spot USD/JPY. A rejection at this major zone of technical resistance could send spot USD/JPY prices pivoting lower in an abrupt fashion as the US Dollar hits an 8-month high against the Japanese Yen. However, topping this level could open up the door for Japanese Yen bears to target the 112.00 price level before confluent resistance posed by the 114.00 mark comes into focus. -- Written by Rich Dvorak, Junior Analyst for DailyFX.com Connect with @RichDvorakFX on Twitter for real-time market insight In a major breakthrough, the Karnataka police on Tuesday nabbed two suspected of gunning down Tamil Nadu Special Sub Inspector Wilson (57) in Kanniyakumari district last week, at the temple town of Udupi. Acting on specific inputs provided by the Intelligence Bureau and the Tamil Nadu police, a special team took the duo - Abdul Shameem (32) and Thoufiq (28) into custody. The Mangaluru and Udupi police, who kept waiting at the railway station, whisked away the two immediately on their landing at Udupi in the morning. They would be brought to Kanniyakumari for further interrogation. Wilson, who was on a routine vehicle check duty at the Padanthaalmoodu check post near Kaliyakavilai, was shot dead from close range by the assailants who arrived in an SUV on the night of January 8. The cop who sustained bullet injuries died shortly after arrival at the hospital. Police were able to identify the suspects with the help of CCTV footages secured from near the crime spot in which the two assailants were seen running towards Thiruvananthapuram on the National Highway. So far, the motive for the murder still remains a mystery. But police sources maintained that it was an act of revenge after the police busted fundamentalist outfits and modules plotting to carry out terrorist strikes. The duo, alleged to be part of a terror module, is also engaged in radicalising youth and providing training in handling arms and ammunition. Soon after the murder, an alert was sounded by Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnakata to track and nab them. The Tamil Nadu police had announced a reward of 7 lakh to those providing information on their whereabouts. Of the two, Shameem was wanted in connection with the 2013 murder of Hindu Munnani functionary KPS Suresh Kumar in Chennai. (ANSA) - Cairo, January 14 - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Premier Giuseppe Conte in Cairo Tuesday that Egypt wants to get to the truth about the torture and murder in the Egyptian capital in early 2016 of Italian student Giulio Regeni. He said Cairo "confirms its full support for the current cooperation between the authorities involved in Egypt and Italy to uncover the circumstances of the case". Regeni, 28, a Cambridge University doctoral researcher working on street unions, was found dead in a ditch on the motorway to Alexandria on February 3, 2016. He was last seen alive on the Cairo metro on January 25, the highly policed fifth anniversary of the uprising that ousted former strongman Hosni Mubarak. At various stages, Egypt has put out several explanations for his death including a car accident, a gay lovers' tiff turned ugly and a kidnapping for ransom in which the alleged gang, criminals but presumably innocent of the Regeni murder, were later wiped out. Judicial cooperation between Rome and Cairo prosecutors dried up after the Roman prosecutors placed the five members of the security apparatus under investigation. It has since tentatively resumed. Last month Rome prosecutors Sergio Colaiocco and Michele Prestipino said that Regeni was caught by a "spider's web" spun by the Egyptian security services. "A spider's web was spun around Giulio Regeni by the Egyptian National Security Service in October (2015) before the kidnapping and murder," Colaiocco and Prestipino told a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the Friuli-born student's death. "A spider's web in which the (security) apparatus used the people who were closest to Giulio in Cairo, including his lawyer flat mate, the street traders union representative and Noura Whaby, his friend who helped him with translations". "It was a spider's web that closed in more and more and which Giulio ended up in the middle of". Sisi has denied any official involvement in Regeni's death. A veteran Yoruba actor, Toyosi Arigbabuwo, is dead. PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources close to the actor that he died at his residence located at Ile-Alli area, along the Apete-Arola Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. A family member told this reporter that Arigbabuwo died Monday evening in his house. The source added that the deceased had been sick for over six months until he died yesterday night. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that apart from acting, Arigbabuwo dedicated part of his life to the promotion of Islamic religion, especially in Ido Local Government Area where he lived until his death. Arigbabuwo until his death was the Public Relations Officer of the Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. The Chairman, Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs, Abdulwaheed Amoo, also confirmed the death of the veteran Yoruba actor. Yes he died yesterday. He died as a devout Muslim. Despite his busy schedules, he dedicated part of his life to Islam, Mr Amoo told PREMIUM TIMES. READ ALSO: He was the Public Relations Officer of the Apete-Awotan-Ayegun Muslim community until he died. He is a humble person. The last information available to me is that he would he buried at 12.00 p.m. today at Muslim cemetery located at Onigbaketun, along the Apete-Awotan-Akufo Road, Mr Amoo said. Arigbabuwo featured in many Yoruba movies including Ogborielemosho and Bashorun Gaa. Chinese guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan (Hull 175, L) and guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571, R) dock at the Karachi military port after completing the drills at 6 p.m. on January 13, local time. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Dong Zhaohui) By Dong Zhaohui, Mu Ruilin, Chen Runchu and Zhang Jian KARACHI, Pakistan, Jan. 14 -- As the last cleat hitch of Chinas guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571) was tied to the dock at 3 p.m. on January 13, all naval ships of the Chinese fleet participating in the PN-PLAN Bilateral Exercise, code-named Sea Guardians-2020, have returned to Karachi Port, Pakistan, marking the successful completion of the maritime phase of the bilateral exercise. From leaving the port early in the morning on January 10, to their berthing at the dock on the afternoon of January 13, 11 naval ships from China and Pakistan have carried out over 10 drill subjects as the vessels breaching three meters of high wave in waters of the northern Arabian Sea. The drill subjects include anti-pirate speedboat attack, maritime interception and temporary inspection, helicopter cross-deck landing, anti-missile drill, search and rescue drill, change of guard formation, ship-aircraft coordinated anti-submarine drill, underway replenishment control, submarine rescue and lifesaving. Senior Captain Ye Dan, commander of the Chinese naval fleet, said after returning to Karachi Port: The joint exercise promoted the deep integration of the technologies and tactics of the two navies and deepened the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. The first actual-troop submarine rescue exercise at sea greatly improved the underwater emergency rescue capabilities of the two navies, and also tested and improved the actual combat training level of the formation. The entire formation completed the scheduled subjects and related training plans and laid a good foundation for our new mission, he added. The Chinese and Pakistani naval ships steam in formation in waters of the northern Arabian Sea. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Mu Ruilin) In India, six years has proved to be the tipping point for the last three governments between 1998 and 2019. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government lasted six years through two iterations from 1998 to 2004. The Manmohan Singh government was hit in its sixth year by a torrent of scandals the Radia tapes, Commonwealth Games, 2G and Coalgate. The scams sparked the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement in 2011, destroying the governments credibility and leading to its rout in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. CAA flashpoint The Modi government now faces its own version of the sixth year bogey. Its honeymoon period after the 2019 LS victory is over. Can it weather the storm set off by the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act? While PM Narendra Modis nationwide popularity remains strong, that is no longer the case in state Assembly elections where regional issues and strong regional leaders hold sway. But that trend is fungible. How the states vote today, the nation could vote tomorrow, endangering the BJPs lock on the national vote share of just below 40 per cent. The BJPs brains trust comprises two men: Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Among the shrewdest political tacticians in decades, they know that India has already cleaved into two halves. The first are followers of Hindutva to whom secularism is a fraudulent concept invented by Nehruvians to appease minorities and build a permanent vote bank. The other half comprises minorities, regionals and a slice of Left-leaning secular Hindus who abhor Hindutva. The contest between these two halves will decide the future of Indian politics for at least the next decade. Modi and Shah are betting that they will add momentum to the BJPs vote-gathering machinery NRC or no NRC. But they also know that the sixth year bogey lurks ominously in the background. (Photo: Reuters) Protests against the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC) are a symptom of the cleavage between the two halves. Both know that a combination of CAA and a nationwide NRC could tip the electoral arithmetic irreversibly in favour of the BJP by disenfranchising illegal Muslim migrants and re-enfranchising illegal Hindu migrants. Neither group, mostly from Bangladesh, has valid documents. The three-page official gazette notification of the CAA is seemingly harmless. Who could object to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan being given fast-track citizenship in India? Even the exclusion of persecuted Muslims from the six communities granted citizenship rights can be explained: Ahmadiyyas and Shias, for example, are not, strictly speaking, religious minorities but intra-religion sects (though Pakistan does not, by law, regard Ahmadiyyas as Muslims). Besides, India cant be a refugee haven for all persecuted people in the neighbourhood whether Tamilian Hindus in Sri Lanka or Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Lessons from NRC The real intent behind the CAA becomes evident when the government concedes that only around 31,000 refugees currently in India would benefit from the CAA. So, why not just give them special citizenship status without amending the 1952 Citizenship Act? The answer lies in the NRC. Of the 19 lakh people excluded from the now-defunct Assam NRC, nearly 5 lakh were Hindus. The CAA has been part of the BJP manifesto in 2014 and 2019. Why did the BJP keep it on the backburner for over five years after taking office in May 2014? The answer again: The Assam NRC. With 5 lakh Hindus and 14 lakh Muslims excluded in the long-drawn-out, Supreme Court-supervised Assam NRC in 2019, the BJP used adversity to seize the opportunity. The CAA was the fuse, NRC the detonator. Once a nationwide NRC is conducted (notwithstanding the BJPs denial), stateless Hindus will be fast-tracked into citizenship under the CAA. Excluded Muslims will not qualify for citizenship as per the CAAs exclusion clause. The result: A significant electoral advantage to the BJP. But isnt a nationwide NRC dead on arrival? The CAA was the fuse, NRC the detonator. (Photo: Reuters) Polarising move Contradictory statements by the BJPs ministers leave open a window for the NRC through the innocuous National Population Register (NPR) on which work is scheduled to begin in April 2020. If the defunct Assam NRC took years of Supreme Court-monitored work to produce a flawed citizens registry in one state, a nationwide NRC is for all practical purposes ruled out. The Opposition of the BJPs key NDA allies to the NRC will make it impossible to win approval for it in the Rajya Sabha. Modi and Shah of course always knew that a nationwide NRC was a means to other ends. It was to be used in the runup to the 2024 Lok Sabha poll as an electoral Trishul: A promise that would electrify the partys Hindutva base. The violence set off by the CAA across campuses and fronted by several minority groups has consolidated the partys silent Hindu majority. There is no telling how this invisible voter base, including erstwhile moderate Hindus angered by the communally-tinged violence will react. Modi and Shah are betting they will add momentum to the BJPs already formidable vote-gathering machinery NRC or no NRC. But they also know that the sixth year bogey that laid low the Vajpayee government and triggered the unravelling of Manmohan Singhs UPA 2 lurks ominously in the background. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: With CAA, BJP has voted itself out of power in Assam in 2021 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Isidro Consunji, president and chief executive officer of DMCI Holdings, Inc., assured residents of Ecoland 4000 a condominium project owned by his family in Davao that they would be compensated after the building partially collapsed during the earthquake last October. We accepted the offer to settle the claims of the homeowners at 150 percent of acquisition cost. They have a general assembly on January 20, Consunji said Saturday. This means homeowners will receive the full amount they paid to acquire their units, with an additional 50 percent to cover damages. "The settlement will help those who were affected especially in their transfer of residence and recovery from the unfortunate event," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said. Consunji issued the statement the day after President Rodrigo Duterte blasted the businessman for the tragedy that injured several residents of Ecoland 4000. He even threatened to deny government permits to other projects of the Consunji family and its various companies. Ecoland 4000 is a development by DMC Urban Property Developers Inc., a real estate firm privately owned and managed by the Consunjis. The family also owns majority of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation and has various other businesses. CNN Philippines Digital Producer Melissa Lopez contributed to this report. [January 14, 2020] Morgan Stanley Appoints Linda Hill and Emmanuel Roman to the Institute for Sustainable Investing Advisory Board Morgan Stanley today announced the appointment of Linda Hill and Emmanuel Roman to the Institute for Sustainable Investing Advisory Board, effective immediately. The Institute for Sustainable Investing's Advisory Board-comprised of prominent leaders from business, academia and leading non-governmental organizations-guides the Institute's work and strategic priorities. Linda Hill is the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and chair of the Leadership Initiative. Emmanuel Roman is CEO and Managing Director of PIMCO. "Our newest board members are both deeply committed to the mission of the Institute and have diversified skill sets that will provide invaluable insight and perspectives to the Institute's Board," said James Gorman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley and Chairman of the Institute for Sustainable Investing. "We've witnessed a strong increase of interest and commitment to sustainable investing since we began the Institute more than six years ago. We are honoured to have Linda and Emmanuel joining the board as we develop thought leadership and drive capital towards solutions to the pressing ESG challenges we face today." "At Morgan Stanley, we've been focused on sustainable investing for more than a decade with the establishment of our global sustainable finance group," said Audrey Choi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Investing, Morgan Stanley. "Since its creation, the Institute has led work across the firm to create positive impact through thought leadership, financial products and solutions, and strategic collaborations. I look forward to working closely with Linda and Emmanuel as we continue our mission to advance the sustainable investing field and support innovative approaches to solving global sustainability challenges." Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing ("The Institute") is committed to leading work across the Firm, with clients, and with academic institutions to help mobilize capital to sustainable solutions, via global markets and the investors who drive them. Founded in 2013, The Institute has three main focus areas: financial products and olutions that enable clients to invest in sustainability-focused strategies seeking market-rate financial returns; groundbreaking thought leadership that helps mobilize capital toward sustainable investing opportunities; and strategic collaborations with the public, private and nonprofit sectors designed to build capacity and best practices within the field of scalable sustainable investing. Notes to Editors: Linda Hill is the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and chair of the Leadership Initiative. Hill is regarded as one of the top experts on leadership-her research focuses on implementing global strategies and leading innovation; building innovative organizations and ecosystems; developing leaders for innovation; and the role of the board in governing innovation. Hill is the co-author of Collective Genius (News - Alert): The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation, co-founder of Paradox Strategies, and co-creator of the Innovation Quotient. She was named by Thinkers50 as one of the top ten management thinkers in the world in 2013 and received the Thinkers50 Innovation Award in 2015. Hill completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Harvard Business School and earned a Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences at the University of Chicago. She received her M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Chicago. Emmanuel Roman is PIMCO's Chief Executive Officer and a Managing Director of the firm. As CEO, he serves on PIMCO's Executive Committee and has executive oversight of the firm's client and business areas, including broad strategy-setting and resource management. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2016, Mr. Roman was CEO at Man Group PLC, one of the world's largest publicly traded alternative asset managers and a leader in liquid, high-alpha investment strategies. Earlier in his career, he was with Goldman Sachs for 18 years, serving as co-head of worldwide global securities and co-head of the European services division. He has served as a trustee of the Hedge Fund Standards Board Ltd. as well as a trustee of the Paris Review of Books, the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the Tate Foundation and the University of Chicago. He has 31 years of investment experience and holds an MBA in finance and econometrics from the University of Chicago. About Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 41 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com. About The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing builds scalable finance solutions that seek to deliver competitive market rate returns while driving positive environmental and social impact. The Institute creates innovative financial products, thoughtful insights and capacity building programs that help maximize capital to create a more sustainable future. For more information about the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, visit www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting. 2020 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005222/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Recently, I helped my friend Anna edit her memoir, The Train From Greenville, in which she recounts her trip cross-country and back again by rail. Its a fine piece of work, optimistic about Americans and the country, full of quiet wisdom and acute observations, and written so that readers can hear Annas voice on each page. When we finished editing her book, both on the screen and in print, I suggested we read the book aloud. By reading aloud, we would not only catch more grammar and spelling errors, but would also hear when a sentence or passage was off. Anna lives in Western North Carolina, and I live six hours away in Virginia, so we agreed to do the reading by phone. Though filled at first with trepidation, Anna quickly hit her stride, and twice a week, usually for 45 minutes or so, she would read while I followed along, catching a few misspellings and grammar errors, with Anna adding some changes to the text. Voices Annas voice is gentle and soft, slow and a little drowsy, and listening to her read her own words was a delight. When I mentioned this project to my daughter, who was best friends with one of Annas children growing up, she told me to encourage Anna to make a recording of the book, simply because of her unusual voice. (At her small church this Christmas, when Anna helped the youth group present a Christmas pageant by reading from scripture, three members of the congregation approached her about her voice, with two of them commenting, I wish you could read me to sleep every night.) My next read-aloud encounter involving adults came at Christmas, when I was visiting family in Pennsylvania. My son-in-law read nightly to his family in the den, mostly stories by Patrick McManus. Mike has a rich, deep voicehe could have earned a living as a radio broadcasterand his reading again brought great pleasure. By happy accident, a trip to the public library four days later introduced me to Meghan Cox Gurdons The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction (HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 2019, 278 pages, $26.99). Not Just for Children In her Introduction, Gurdon recognizes the importance of reading aloud to children, remarking that social scientists now consider read-aloud time one of the most important indicators of a childs prospects in life. But she goes on to argue that it would be a mistake, though, to relegate reading aloud solely to the realm of childhood. She writes a passage that reflected my own recent experiences: For frazzled adults in midlife, whose attention is yanked in a thousand directions, taking the time to read aloud can be like applying a soothing balm to the soul. For older adults in later life, its effects are so consoling and invigorating as to make it seem like a health tonic, or even some kind of medicine. Listening to Anna and Mike as they read was indeed a soothing balm to the soul. Long ago, nearly everyone read aloud. As Gurdon points out, observers regarded figures such as Alexander the Great and Saint Ambrose as eccentrics for their silent reading of a text. Of course, if all of us in the coffee shop where I am writing these words were reading aloud, the cacophony of voices might prove disturbing, rather than soothing or entertaining. That said, reading aloud in our homes with loved ones offers several other gifts, in addition to Gurdons soothing balm. Other Incentives Communal reading brings us together. These days, many of us spend our free time plinking away on our phones and computers, or we retreat to the solitude of various rooms in our house or apartment, and so often spend little time together. Reading aloud with family or friends gives us the opportunity for shared emotions: laughter, tears, pleasure, and wonder. Television and film can do the same, but when we read a good book with others, our imagination comes to life in a different way. We create the characters in our minds rather than having them dictated to us by a screen. Somewhere, I once heard of a child who had read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe aloud with his family, and then watched the movie. At the end of the film, the boy turned to his mother and said, Thats not how I saw Lucy, the heroine of the story. Well, just imagine her the way you did, his mother said, to which he replied: No, I cant. I cant get the movie out of my head. Reading aloud slows us down. We can take greater pleasure in the authors words or turns of phrases, and we absorb more when we hear the story or the poem. Annas voice brought out certain nuances Id missed in my earlier edits. Mikes bass voice gave resonance to the humor of the MacManus tales. The poetry of Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost, the plays of Shakespeare or Thornton Wilder, the short stories of O. Henry or Ring Lardner: In the hands of an enthusiastic reader, the words and sentences can jump to life. For our young people, reading aloud also brings educational opportunities. (For those youngsters who dislike school, this is a wonderful way to teach them while flying under the radar.) The reading provides a springboard for all sorts of discussions, enhances vocabulary skillsWhat does myriad mean, Mama?and helps increase the attention span of children and perhaps some adults. Given the age we live in, when so many of us hop around on our computers like grasshoppers in a field of mown hay, this last gift is especially important. Finally, reading with family or friends in and of itself is a pleasure without expense except for the time spent together. Throw in some hot chocolate, tea, or other treats, and enjoy an activitystorytellingthat began long ago around the fires of our distant ancestors. Give It a Try To make a success of reading aloud, we need a reasonably skilled reader possessed by enthusiasm, someone who understands the value of such tools as inflection and pause. We must then select literature that appeals to our audience. If Grandpa and 8-year-old grandchild William are part of the audience, we avoid Shakespeare and read instead the stories of Roald Dahl or the poetry of Shel Silverstein. When I leave this cafe, this article will be in rough draft, and I will be heading to my sons home, where I am visiting, to a house full of children and the front seat of my car full of library books. As Gurdon says in her book, theres no time like the present to start, and theres no present like the time. Gather round, kids. Jeff Minick has four children and a growing platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. No MHA medal for top cop Davinder Singh arrested in J&K India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The Jammu and Kashmir police have said that the Arrested DSP, Davinder Singh has not been awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It has been reported in some sections of the media that he was awarded a gallantry medal, but that is not true, J&K police sources tell OneIndia. The only gallantry medal awarded to Singh was during his service in the erstwhile state of J&K on Independence Day in 2018. The medal awarded to him was for his participation in countering a fedayeen attack by terrorists at the District Police Lines Pulwama on August 27 2017, when he was posted out there. When a police party in civvies tracked and arrested J&K DSP Davinder Singh Singh during his interrogation claimed that he was ferrying the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to facilitate their surrender. JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News Officials investigating him say that he had made this made claim during interrogation, but we are investigating the same further. However, sources also said that Singh was helping the terrorists cross the Banihal tunnel in lieu of money. The source also said that an amount of over Rs 10 lakh was agreed upon. Singh however denied the charge during interrogation. The source however added that Singh was not being truthful and he had no authorisation to organise a surrender. The official cited above said that they were tracking their movements from Shopian. A police party in civvies was near his residence keeping a watch over their movements. Arrested J&K cop says was working on plan to eliminate terrorists: No evidence say officials Meanwhile, he would be questioned for his alleged links with Afzal Guru. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar while confirming the arrest of Davinder Singh said that the officer would be treated like any other terrorist. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has called on the European Union (EU) to make 2020 the year of change for robust refugee protection. On Thursday Jan.9, the agency issued a set of new recommendations, as Croatia and Germany preside over the EU Council during the next 12 months. After years of shifting policies and heated debate, UNHCR said that the ambitious but achievable recommendations would provide a common and workable asylum system within the EU through sustainable reform and revitalized financial support for host countries. As we enter a new decade, and following the success of the Global Refugee Forum, the EU under its presidencies has the chance to make 2020 the year of change for robust refugee protection, said Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCRs Regional Representative. Referring to the last decade as one of displacement, Mr. Llosa added that the new one needed to be one of solutions, starting right now in 2020. By supporting large refugee hosting countries outside Europe, the EU can also help refugees thrive and not just survive, Mr. Llosa concluded, highlighting the strengths of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. The UNHCR document highlights two overarching opportunities to show leadership while better protecting refugees in Europe and abroad, namely moving ahead with sustainable asylum reform; and providing more support for the countries taking in refugees. The agency proposal says that fair and fast asylum procedures need to be established to quickly determine who needs international protection and who does not. People eligible for protection should quickly be granted status and receive support for integration, and those not eligible for any form of protection should be helped to return, it adds. UNHCR also recommends that, with EU Member States receiving a disproportionate number of asylum claims, there is a need to ensure a truly common and workable asylum system. The agency encourages both countries, which will serve six months each in the presidency, to advance work on an effective solidarity mechanism, including through relocation arrangements, prioritizing family unity. With 85 percent of the worlds refugees hosted in neighboring and developing countries, revitalized financial support is also needed. UNHCR called on the presidencies to ensure increased and diversified funding, including for development cooperation funding, to further support host countries and help forcibly displaced people rebuild their lives. Sub-Saharan Africa, which hosts more than 26 per cent of the worlds refugee population, is of concern to the UNHCR. Channel 5's new show The Motorway has left viewers with more respect than ever for the country's traffic workers, but also revealed the dark side of the aftermath of accidents. The show which aired last night won praised from viewers who said they didn't realise how much work it takes to maintain the 200-mile stretch of road between London and Leeds. Cameras also showed the devastation after a car spun into the roadside barriers, leaving two people in their 80s fighting for their lives on a busy bank holiday weekend. A crew stationed inside the Highways England control room near Leeds led by Marissa Broadbent were left trying to deal with the traffic that was backing up at a rate of 200 cars per minute. As well as facing a six-hour closure on the M1 southbound on Junction 41 and a possible 20,000 cars to reroute, Marissa was distressed when she noticed people taking pictures of the scene from a bridge directly over the crash site. 'Social media is out and about, they've already posted tweets immediately after it's happened,' she said to a colleague. Towards the top end of the road in the north of England, near Leeds, a dark truth was revealed after a road traffic collision left two people in their 80s fighting for their lives (scene pictured) She then directed West Yorkshire Police towards the handful of individuals. A colleague said that the people 'need to get a life' after spotting that one even reversed their white BMW on the flyover so they could get out and look. 'If that was my mum in that accident, I wouldn't want a stranger taking pictures of it and posting it on social media, what's all that about?' Marissa said during a candid piece to camera. She added: 'I just don't get the mindset of someone wanting to intrude on someone's most vulnerable moments and putting it on social media. It's beyond my head.' A camera crew stationed inside the Highways England control room near Leeds introduced us to Marissa Broadbent (shown) and her team trying to deal with the traffic caused by the crash Marissa looks distressed when she notices people taking pictures of the scene from a bridge (shown) directly over the crash, with one person even reversing their car to get a better look Reflecting on it as she sits at her desk, she said: 'You get an road traffic collision and you have people on the bridge taking pictures and you've got to deal with them, it's just like, what?' People agreed with Marissa's sentiment about taking photos of crash scenes and took to Twitter to blast the individuals. 'It's disrespectful taking pictures of accidents and putting it in social media, it's someone's family and they should have more sense and show respect,' wrote one person. People agreed with Marissa's sentiment about taking photos of crash scenes and took to Twitter to blast the individuals, calling the act 'disrespectful' 'Yes some of it maybe useful to help the police but mostly disrespectful,' another person agreed. Another, a HGV driver, said he sees the phenomenon 'far too often' while a woman added that it makes her 'blood boil'. Because the accident happened between an exit and entry slip on the motorway, Marissa was able to get some of the traffic moving again with an 'up and over' manoeuvre. After four hours of closures Marissa's shift ends with her saying she does sometimes 'just want to get home,' but her team (pictured) 'get me through' the mentally taxing days However, she couldn't reopen the actual motorway because of a police investigation. After four hours of closures Marissa's shift ended with her saying she does sometimes 'just want to get home,' but her team 'get me through' the mentally taxing days. 'Isn't that lovely? That you can rely on a group of people like that,' she said. Six hours after the crash the M1 reopened, relieving the two-mile long tailbacks. Both casualties also survived. Seeing the efforts of the team in the control room and on the ground, people also took to Twitter to show their appreciation. Seeing the efforts of the team in the control room and on the ground, people also took to Twitter to show their appreciation for the Highways England staff 'I've just watched the motorway on Channel 5, very interesting I didn't know how much your job entails! Big respect to you,' wrote one person, tagging Highways England in their tweet. Another person added that they were 'enthralled' by the show, saying: 'Anyone else watching The Motorway on channel 5? I flipping love a good transport based documentary! I'm enthralled.' '#TheMotorway well done to the control room staff awesome,' penned an appreciative third person. The documentary series about the M1 airs every Monday on Channel 5 at 9pm. Amanda Murray, executive producer at Fearless Television, who made the show, said: 'The series shines a light on the complexities of managing one of Britain's most important motorways and shows the often-heroic actions of an unseen workforce whose indefatigable drive to help people keeps the M1 moving.' Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif will arrive in India on Tuesday on a three-day visit amid spiralling tension between the Middle Eastern nation and the US. Soleimani's killing has led to a dramatic escalation of tension between Tehran and Washington which was already strained after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the "Iran nuclear deal," in 2018. The foreign minister will also pay a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, January 15. Javad Zarif is slated to address the Raisina Dialogue - an annual conference where dignitaries from more than 100 countries across the world will share their views on geopolitics and geoeconomics, climate change, counter-terrorism and other agendas of the next decade. The visiting dignitary will further deliberate on regional issues with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar over breakfast on Thursday following which he will emplane for Mumbai to interact with a group of business leaders. Furthermore, Zarif will move forward to Mumbai where he is scheduled to call on Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He will conclude his India visit on Friday, according to an official statement. India has strategic interests in the Gulf region which is a key source of its energy security. READ: Donald Trump accused of 'hypocrisy' after tweeting support for Iranian people READ: Iranians protest against downing of plane Foreign Ministers from 13 countries to attend Raisina Dialogue Foreign ministers from 13 countries, including Russia, Iran and Australia, will attend the fifth edition of the geo-political conference, 'Raisina Dialogue'. The three-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), will also witness the participation of many deputy foreign ministers, former prime ministers, former presidents, national security advisors, military chiefs and other high-level policy-makers, scholars and officials, a statement by the ORF said. Over 180 delegates from 105 countries are taking part in this edition, themed '21@20: Navigating the Alpha Century'. In all, the conference will see 116 speakers. Besides, Externally Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the other foreign ministers participating in this year's conference are from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary, Rwanda and Tanzania. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and prime ministers of Sweden, Republic of Korea, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and Bhutan are also participating in the conference. READ: UK summons Iranian ambassador to convey 'strong objections' over envoy's arrest READ: For decades Iranians have risen up, only to be put down (With Agency Inputs) Xie to Offer Cybersecurity Counsel as Part of Building Resilient Health Systems Session at Upcoming Annual Meeting SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ken Xie, Founder, Chairman of the Board, and CEO at Fortinet As the digital attack surface extends beyond borders and across industries and cybercrime continues to threaten the digital economy, it is critical that we prioritize and combine the resources of organizations across a spectrum of industries, both public and private. The Annual Meeting in Davos offers a unique opportunity for global leaders to come together to work towards solutions to the worlds most pressing cybersecurity challenges, including continuing efforts to close the cybersecurity skills gap, and share bold ideas that will create the global impact needed to secure the future. News Summary Fortinet (FTNT), a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today announced that Ken Xie will offer strategic insights as a panelist for the Building Resilient Health Systems session at the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland January 21 24, 2020. Session Details Title: Building Resilient Health Systems Panelist: Ken Xie When: Tuesday January 21 at 8:30am CET Where: Congress Centre, Salon Overview: In this session, leaders will discuss how they can prioritize the need for health system resilience with an increase demand for services worldwide. More, leaders will engage in discussion around resilience in healthcare systems around the world and discuss tangible ways to make them more resilient against future crises. Access: This session will be livestreamed at wef.ch and accessible via the World Economic Forum homepage . Overview of Fortinet at WEF Annual Meeting The WEF Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters is the foremost creative force for engaging the world's top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of each year. Fortinet, a founding member of the WEF Centre for Cybersecurity, continues its commitment by engaging in valuable discussions and offering its unique and valuable insights to the global cybersecurity conversation. Invitees to the Annual Meeting include chief executives and chairs, over 250 political leaders from the G20 and other relevant countries and heads of international organizations, spiritual and cultural leaders and representatives from important civil society, labor and media organizations and technology pioneers, such as Fortinet, and a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Ken Xie, board member for the Centre for Cybersecurity, alongside fellow Annual Meeting participants, will come together at the meeting to address the most pressing issues on the global agenda. Story continues More About the WEF Annual Meeting At the core of the World Economic Forums DNA is the stakeholder concept: no institution or individual alone can address the economic environmental, social and technological challenges of a complex, interdependent world. WEF has had a single guiding vision for the past 50 years: to be the platform where business, government, international organizations, civil society and academia can act together to achieve a global impact. The WEF Annual Meeting provides the trusted space for leaders from all walks of life to build a more cohesive and sustainable world. As the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the Forum has evolved into a platform where stakeholders can collaborate more effectively to exercise leadership from within the systems that collectively shape our future. For the 50th Annual Meeting, the Forum will focus its convening power, community engagement and platform capabilities to support global, regional and national initiatives that generate positive impact for all stakeholders. Supporting Quote With digitalization transforming our society and notably industries at an unprecedented pace, and generating tremendous potential to increase operational efficiencies and quality of life, new risks and threats are rising rapidly and require a collaborative approach from public and private sector stakeholders. The Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters provides a unique platform for leaders in industry and governments to jointly develop and share new models of cooperation and approaches aiming to build a cyber resilient ecosystem and secure our digital future. Georges DeMoura, Head of Industry Solutions, Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum Additional Resources About Fortinet Fortinet (FTNT) secures the largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations around the world. Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack surface and the power to take on ever-increasing performance requirements of the borderless network - today and into the future. Only the Fortinet Security Fabric architecture can deliver security without compromise to address the most critical security challenges, whether in networked, application, cloud or mobile environments. Fortinet ranks #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide and more than 425,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. Learn more at http://www.fortinet.com , the Fortinet Blog , or FortiGuard Labs . FTNT-O Copyright 2019 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols and denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet's trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, FortiGate, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiOS, FortiADC, FortiAP, FortiAppMonitor, FortiASIC, FortiAuthenticator, FortiBridge, FortiCache, FortiCamera, FortiCASB, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFone, FortiCarrier, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiMail, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiPlanner, FortiPortal, FortiPresence , FortiProxy, FortiRecorder, FortiSandbox, FortiSIEM, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLCOS and FortiWLM. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments. This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding technology releases among others. Changes of circumstances, product release delays, or other risks as stated in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, located at www.sec.gov , may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release. If the uncertainties materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Fortinet assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Marking renowned Indian Urdu poet Kaifi Azmis 101st birth anniversary, Google on Tuesday released a serene doodle. A Sahitya Akademi and National Film Award winner, Azmi graced the Indian film industry for decades with his lyrics and songs. The late Urdu poet and lyricist, Kaifi Azmi is noted for bringing Urdu literature into the film industry. His legendary works such as Pakeezahs soundtrack Chalte Chalte, Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye from Arth, Heer Ranjhas Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil and poem Aurat have gone down as notable contributions to Urdu and Hindi languages. Azmi was born Sayyid Athar Hussein Rizvi on January 14, 1919, in the United British province Mizwaan, which is now Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Son of an affluent zamindar in Azamgarhs Mijwan village, Kaifi rebelled against the hierarchal and in-equal social system he grew up in and his poetry highlighted the exploitation of the masses and the need for a new and just social order. An avowed communist, Kaifis association with the Progressive Writers Movement and the Communist Party lent a distinctive social consciousness to all his works. (With inputs from PTI) In further signs of a thaw in Korea's ties with China, some 3,500 Chinese schoolkids will visit Korea until next month. The Korea Tourism Organization said Monday that the Chinese elementary and middle-school kids will visit Seoul, Incheon and Daegu during the winter festival. They set off from various parts of China and are arriving in seven batches until early February. Their trip follows a massive 5,000-strong incentive trip for reps of a health company earlier this month and raises hopes here that Beijing's unofficial ban on package tours to Korea is coming to an end. China imposed the ban in March 2017, in part under a boycott of Korea and in part because it wants to put an end to so-called zero-dollar tours where Chinese tourists travel practically for free but are then herder from one shopping outlet to another to recoup costs. Some Chinese travel agencies have started advertising package tours to Seoul and Mt. Seorak in Gangwon Province, but so far they have proven less attractive than the zero-dollar tours. The number of Chinese visitors to Korea dropped sharply from 8.06 million in 2016 to 4.16 million in 2017 but recovered to around 6 million last year. It is planned to identify the bodies of all Ukrainians killed in an UIA plane crash this week The body of one of the Ukrainian pilots killed in the Boeing 737 crash in Tehran has been identified in Iran, TSN reports, citing its sources. "Ukrainian experts have succeeded in identifying the first body of a Ukrainian who died near Tehran on January 8, after an Iranian missile hit a Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) plane," the statement said. It is the body of one of the pilots of the Boeing 737 liner. Ukrainian specialists were getting help from Canadian aviation experts. It is planned to identify the bodies of all Ukrainians killed in a UIA plane crash this week. As we reported earlier, the aircraft of Ukraine's Defense Ministry will return from Iran with the bodies of 11 Ukrainians who deceased in the recent plane crash in Tehran. Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, posted that on his Facebook page. "The plane of Ukraine's Defense Ministry will get back from Tehran only after all procedures are completed when we'll be able to recover the bodies of all 11 citizens of Ukraine who perished in the plane crash", he wrote. Danilov claimed that the Ukrainian specialists would get reinforcements as needed. ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Raxis, an Atlanta-based cybersecurity and pen testing firm, announced today its first major outside investment from RCP Equity (rcpequity.com). Raxis provides security penetration testing and ongoing security assessment services using real-world attacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in network and business systems. RCP Equity Founded in 2011, Raxis has proudly infiltrated some of the world's most complex corporations, including aviation, financial services and retail, to help improve their customers' security posture. This ability, coupled with an individualized professional services approach, has allowed Raxis to grow its core business year after year while maintaining a dynamic, boutique culture. "Over the last nine years, Raxis has been able to carefully cultivate our team to align to our offensive security penetration approach," says Mark Puckett, CEO at Raxis. "Taking the time to find the right professional talent, to refine our delivery process, and to execute proactively in ways that empower our customers has created a foundation from which we are ready to expand, and we are thrilled to have RCP Equity be part of this journey." "Pen testing and cybersecurity red teams all come down to the hackers," says Joel Smith, Partner at RCP Equity and Co-founder of AppRiver. "The Raxis team has not only shown creativity in their penetration techniques, but also has demonstrated that they can deliver the results in a manner that, instead of causing alarm, helps form a better security posture for its clients." Raxis plans to use the investment to rapidly scale its enterprise customer sales and operations across the US and to launch a new, recurring MSP service for the channel. "Enterprise CISO's love the Raxis security chops and their ability to find holes where other providers haven't been able to," says Kevin Hatch, Partner at RCP Equity. "Building on this success, along with adding a whole new Channel Partner platform, will be big for Raxis and the thousands of potential U.S. customers that are facing ever-growing cyberthreats." As a result of the transaction, Joel Smith and Kevin Hatch will both be added to the Raxis board of directors. About Raxis Raxis is a team of professional penetration testers with a track record of infiltrating some of the largest and well-known corporations in the world. Service offerings include penetration testing, risk assessments, incident response, and social engineering services. Learn more at raxis.com. About RCP Equity RCP Equity is a self-funded, venture equity firm focused on amplifying growing companies with people, process and resources to help them see around the corners and navigate what's ahead. Learn more at rcpequity.com. For media inquiries, contact: Mark Puckett [email protected] 770.814.1288 SOURCE Raxis A 22-year-old man was held from Pune in Maharashtra on Sunday for allegedly kidnapping a teenage girl from Jabalpur railway station in Madhya Pradesh in May, 2018 and raping her, police said on Tuesday. The 14-year-old victim was travelling from Mumbai to her native Bihar on Pawan Express with her parents when she went missing from her seat at Jabalpur railway station on May 6, 2018, an official said. Investigations revealed Brij Bihari Kanojia, hailing from Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh, was in the same train and was known to the victim's family, he said. The victim and the accused were untraceable till Kanojia in September, 2019 called up the teen's parents demanding her marksheets and other documents, an official said. Kanojia was held on Sunday when technical surveillance showed his location as Pune, the official added. "He has been charged with kidnapping and murder under IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He has been remanded in judicial custody,said Inspector Manjeet Singh of Jabalpur railway police. The girl was reunited with her family after Kanojia was arrested, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Milind Deora on Tuesday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Mumbai and hold broader pre-budget consultations with various stake-holders of the economy including small traders and vendors. The former Union minister also noted that the economy is "dangerously close" to going off the rails. Deora said recent "social unrest" in India has dented its image as the socially and politically stable country that is conducive to doing business. "In the run-up to Union Budget 2020-2021, I urge @nsitharaman ji to travel to Mumbai to interact with small traders & vendors, industry & other stakeholders. Don't limit policy-making only to the select few who can access New Delhi!" Deora tweeted. "Once the world's fastest growing economy, India is coming dangerously close to going off the rails," he stated. Observing that the government alone cannot find solutions to the "deepening crisis", the former MP said the financial capital be better engaged through consultations during such "extraordinary times". "By now, India's Finance Minister should have visited Mumbai to meet with representatives of traditional markets, MSMEs, industry captains and representatives from banking and finance," he stated. The Union Budget is scheduled to be presented on February 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London Stock Exchange Group will reportedly soon file its deal to purchase financial data provider Refinitiv, according to a report by the Financial Times. The $27 billion deal, which needs clearance from European regulators, would expand the business-lines of LSE, which is best known for its equities listings business in the U.K. As per the FT, it would triple LSE's revenues to over $9 billion. It would be among the biggest transactions of 2020. "It would pivot away from relying on uneven income from trading into data distribution, analytics and indices and become one of the largest exchanges operators alongside US duo CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange," the FT noted. The two firms face a lengthy process prior to tying up as regulators will first need to examine whether it would result in a meaningful decrease in options for customers. Refinitiv, a company of 18,000 employees, provides market data and is owned jointly by Blockstone and Thomson Reuters. Land Management Minister Chea Sophara on Tuesday again warned of strict legal actions against building owners and construction professionals who flouted regulations and laws, pointing to the recently-passed Law on Construction. In a workshop to disseminate the Law on Construction, Chea Sophara said the ministry would use the laws punitive articles to take legal action against any building owners and construction professionals who failed to abide by the law and construction regulations. Before we dont have a law, but now we have, he said. And believe me I will implement it. If we dont have a law, I dont know what to do. They refused to listen to us despite our pleas. He added that the owners of the collapsed building in Kep province were permitted by provincial authorities to build a five-floor structure, but the owners built two additional floors, all the while using substandard reinforced concrete. The officials have to go and check the construction, he said, but didnt mention whether any officials would be punished for failing to check the building properly. The minister also said that since the two building collapses in Kep and Preah Sihanouk provinces were under 3,000 square meters, they only needed approval from provincial authorities and not the ministry. The new law, passed in November, was meant to bring in safety and quality standards in the construction sector requiring routine inspections, occupancy certificates and to get official approval for any repair, modification or demolition. Additionally, a week after the tragic building collapse at Kep, the government issues a directive banning all construction projects without building permits and prohibited workers from living at incomplete structures. The government issued the directive on January 10, a week after the Kep building collapse that killed 36 people, including six children. The building collapse was the second in a short duration. A similar building collapse killed 28 people in the coastal town of Sihanoukville. The directive additionally prevented any construction to occur without a site or construction engineer, directs provincial officials to stop any construction if building owners violate these conditions and to file a complaint with the courts. [This directive] completely prohibits anyone living in the building under construction, even temporarily and even people who are not involved in construction work, the statement reads. The directive comes amid an outroar from Cambodians about the governments inaction to enforce building standards. It is common for Cambodian construction workers to live on-site, along with their family members and children. In August 2018, the World Bank Group warned that development in Cambodia operated on build first, license later timeline, adding that provincial authorities were out of the loop or ineffective in issuing and enforcing permits. Ten days after the collapse, authorities have deemed that the concrete pillars holding up the Kep building were not to specification and gave way causing the collapse. Tep Thon, secretary of state at Ministry of Land Management and head of an investigatory team, said the concrete columns were not built to technical specifications. Building columns should be able to hold 25 megapascal a measure of the compressive strength of concrete but could only hold 10 megapascals, Tep Thon added. It is the mistake of building owner since he believed the construction manager, he said. The owners of the building, Ek Sarun, and Chhiv Sothy were charged with involuntary manslaughter but were given bail shortly after on a $90,000 bond and prevented from leaving the country. Reports suggest the construction manager died in the collapse, with Prime Minister Hun Sen blaming only the manager for the incident and absolving all other authorities. Sok Kin, head of the Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia, said that the government needed to be more severe on local authorities and inspectors who allowed low-quality construction without permits. There should be legal action if [the ministry] finds out any individual or institutions colluded with companies to construct buildings illegally and affects the [safety of] workers, he said, adding that the government wasnt doing enough to prevent any further incidents. Construction has seen exponential growth in Cambodia on account of increased foreign direct investment inflows but has also compounded concerns over unsafe building practices and oversaturation in the housing market. A majority of these investments originate from China and center around the capital, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville. HAMMOND Police are warning drivers against running their vehicles with the keys inside, citing six vehicle theft reports in the last few days. Police issued a news release Tuesday, reminding the community that as temperatures fall and people are more inclined to leave their vehicles running with keys inside, automobile thefts are rise. Police had these tips: Keep your vehicle locked at all times and do not leave a spare key in your vehicle. Never leave your car running and unattended. Sure, it will be warmer when you get in it but thieves prey on neighborhoods and gas stations waiting for these opportunities. Dont leave valuables inside your vehicle where thieves can see them. You dont want your car to be more attractive by including valuable items such as phones, purses, or tablets. Think about an anti-theft system for your vehicle. Thieves are reluctant to steal vehicles if they know the cars can be recovered quickly. Saturdays deadly storm in the Settlement Road community near Carrollton brought back painful memories of the third-most violent outbreak of twisters in Alabama history. On April 3, 1974, a powerful F4 tornado covered a similar path as Saturday's storm. Residents say that some houses that were rebuilt after the '74 storm were again destroyed during the EF2 tornado that devastated the neighborhood on Saturday. In the 1974 storm, no lives were lost along Settlement Road nor the short side streets that feed into it. Saturday's storms had a death toll of three people. Mack Charles Sullivan and his wife, Angela, were among the families who lost property in both tornadoes. They found a tornado shelter and were not home when the storm hit. "I been here 30-35 years," said Sullivan, whose wife grew up on the property. "One came through here in '74 and tore this place up, same place." Sullivan and his son, Fredrick, were attempting to salvage what they could from the ruined home. Some walls remained standing but the entire roof was gone and the home will have to be completely torn down. Sullivan has his doubts about returning to the neighborhood. "I'm deciding if I want to come back here or not," he said, shaking his head as he sorted through the home's ruined kitchen. " I don't think ... I don't know. It's something." Up the hill behind Sullivan's home, volunteers from the Brooksville-Mason area Church of God in Christ Mennonite congregation helped Earnest Pruitt salvage things that had belonged to his sisters, Angela Sullivan, Betty Blair and Alma Ferguson, all of whom lost homes to the storm. He, too, was affected by the 1974 tornado. He was 14 when the storm struck. "Mother was getting ready to leave for work. She wrote insurance back then. She was getting ready to go out the door and the tornado took the door out of her hand," he said. Pruitt was lucky that day and only got a small scar on his hand. He said that as soon as he found out about Saturday's tornado, he tried calling his sisters. He reached Alma who informed him that the entire neighborhood was torn up, and he raced out from his home in Carrollton to help. Willa Minor was in town from Illinois visiting relatives when she found that many of them were suddenly homeless. She was helping salvage belongings alongside Pruitt. Power crews, chain saw crews, police and volunteers were all over the neighborhood helping set right what Mother Nature had destroyed. One of the volunteers yelled to Pruitt to see how he could help. Pruitt yelled back, "I want my soul to be saved," with a smile on his face. Written by The Tuscaloosa News and distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Omolola Ajayi, a young Nigerian girl who was trafficked to Lebanon on the pretext that she would be an English teacher has regained her freedom after a video of her crying for help went viral on social media weekend. Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Monday disclosed via twitter that Omolola, a Kwara native, is now safe in Beirut with the Nigerian Ambassador to that country, Goni Zunna Bura. Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak had taken up the matter and gotten the alleged trafficker, a friend of the family, arrested. Two other suspects including a Lebanese are also in custody. Omolola who revealed that her parents, Kehinde Ajayi and Felicia Ajayi live in Offa Garage, Under Bridge, Ilorin, were also deceived that she would be teaching in Lebanon. In the video, Omolola said some other females who were tricked and trafficked had died because they were not taken to the hospital when they fell sick adding that their master/ madam usually confiscate their travel passport on arrival. Cambodian Court Summons Ruling Party Spokesman to Testify in Kem Sokha Treason Trial 2020-01-13 -- Days ahead of the trial of opposition chief Kem Sokha, a court in Cambodia's capital has summoned a spokesman for the country's ruling party to testify at his hearing, drawing concerns from observers who say the move is part of a bid to smear his character. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday called Cambodian People's Party (CPP) spokesman Chhim Phalvorun, who has regularly made comments critical of Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Kem Sokha, to act as a witness at Kem Sokha's Jan. 15 trial on charges of treason, which could see him jailed for up to 30 years if convicted. "I will say what I know and I will not exaggerate," Chhim Phalvorun, who worked with Kem Sokha when he founded the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) nongovernmental organization in 2002, told RFA's Khmer Service. "My testimony will based on integrity, justice and truth. I will not speak based on political alignment or my role [as CPP spokesperson], but based on what I know and what I don't know." When asked about the latest witness called in his client's case, Kem Sokha's lawyer Meng Sopheary told RFA that summoning people for testimony is a "normal court procedure," without providing further details. Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017 and charged with treason over a video recorded four year earlier in which he discusses a strategy to win power at the ballot box with the help of U.S. experts. Two months after Kem Sokha's arrest, Cambodia's Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP for its role in the alleged plot and banned 118 of its officials from political activities. The move to dissolve the CNRP was part of a wider crackdown by Prime Minister Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for his ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to win all 125 seats in parliament in the country's July 2018 general election. Since the election, authorities have detained several CNRP activists over allegations of "treason" and restricted or surveilled others, while appearing to turn a blind eye to physical assaults against party supporters by unknown assailants believed to be associated with the CPP. In addition to Chhim Phalvorun, prosecutors have called eight witnesses ahead of Kem Sokha's trial that observers say are either irrelevant to his case or part of a bid to undermine his character, including a land activist, the victim of a land dispute, activists from the CNRP, and an environmental campaigner. Last week, the court summoned a former elected official with the CNRP from Banteay Meanchey province named Leng Vibol who said he had never even spoken to the party chief. Speaking to RFA, political analyst Kim Sok said he doesn't believe that Chhim Phalvorun will be neutral in his testimony. "I believe that the goal of his presence in court is to defend the CPP because he is the party's spokesman, so he will act as a lawyer for the ruling party," he said. Seoung Sen Karona, a spokesman for local human rights group Adhoc, told RFA that he doesn't understand why the court has summoned so many people who "aren't relevant" to Kem Sokha's case. "This is why we will need to watch closely as to how the trial will be conducted," he said. Security increased Chhim Phalvorun received a summons to testify at Kem Soka's trial as heads of Cambodia's national and military police forces issued orders to all security forces throughout the country to "take preemptive action" to stop people from gathering in a bid to disrupt the proceedings, sources told RFA. The Phnom Penh Post also quoted National Police spokesperson Chhay Kim Khoeun as saying that security will be heightened across Cambodia on Wednesday, especially in the capital and around the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, in preparation for Kem Sokha's trial. "We have prepared our security plans, not only in regards to where the trial is taking place, but also the whole of Phnom Penh," Chhay Kim Khoeun told the Post. "It is also aimed at maintaining security across the country against any incitement by 'that' group," he added, in an apparent reference to the CNRP. The Post also cited Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Sar Thet as saying that his officers would maintain security around the court to ensure the trial proceeds smoothly and that Kem Sokha's supporters would not be allowed near the building because they could interrupt the trial proceedings. Last week, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced that the courtroom for the trial can hold a maximum of 30 people, and Voice of America reported Monday that media outlets and NGOs had been notified that most of the seats were being reserved for diplomatic staff, raising concerns over how the proceedings will be covered. VOA also quoted Licadho senior investigator Am Sam Ath as saying that the trial should be more open to the general public because of the amount of interest Kem Sokha's case has garnered both domestically and within the international community. Kem Sokha has maintained his innocence since his arrest, which saw him spend more than a year in pre-trial detention before he was moved to strict house arrest, and his legal team has said prosecutors lack the evidence to convict him. Following the 2018 ballot, Western nations have threatened sanctions against Hun Sen's government over his rollbacks of democratic freedoms in Cambodia, calling for the reinstatement of the CNRP and for authorities to drop charges against Kem Sokha. The European Union will make a decision in February about whether to withdraw Cambodia's tariff-free access to its marketplace under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme for developing countries based on the state of human rights in the nation, including the openness of its political space. Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tiger Woods says he has a "fantastic" relationship with his ex-wife and he has taken steps to explain to his two children what happened to their marriage. The world's former No1 player was interviewed at his new restaurant in Florida in a rare and extensive interview with Time magazine. Expand Close Tiger Woods and ex-wife Elin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tiger Woods and ex-wife Elin Woods, who turns 40 on December 30, says he has told 8-year-old Sam and 6-year-old Charlie that his parents don't live in the same house because "daddy made some mistakes". "I just want them to understand before they get to the internet age and they log on to something or have their friends tell them something," Woods said. Expand Close Tiger Woods, Elin Woods...In this photo provided by the Tiger Woods family,Sam, Elin, Tiger, Charlie Woods, from left, and their dogs Yogi, left, and Taz pose for a family photo Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Woods was born on February 8 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tiger Woods, Elin Woods...In this photo provided by the Tiger Woods family,Sam, Elin, Tiger, Charlie Woods, from left, and their dogs Yogi, left, and Taz pose for a family photo Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Woods was born on February 8 "I want it to come from me so that when they come of age, I'll just tell them the real story. "And so, that's part of the initiative - 'Hey, it was my fault, too. I was to blame' - and so I'm taking initiative with the kids," he said. Expand Close Tiger and Elin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tiger and Elin "I'd rather have it come from me as the source. "And I can tell them absolutely everything so they hear it from me." In the meantime, Woods said he is stressing to his children that they have two parents who love them. His marriage crumbled at the end of 2009 when he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs, and Elin Nordegren divorced him the following August. Asked what he would have done differently before and after the scandal in his personal life, Woods said he would have had a more open, honest relationship with his wife. "Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic," he said. "She's one of my best friends. We're able to pick up the phone, and we talk to each other all the time. We both know that the most important things in our lives are our kids. I wish I would have known that back then." Trudeau says Canadians feeling tremendous grief and loss and need clear answers about what happened to the aircraft. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the 176 people, including 57 Canadians, on board the Ukrainian aircraft shot down by a missile shortly after it took off from Tehran last week would still be alive if tensions in the region had not escalated. Trudeau has been careful to avoid blaming US President Donald Trump for the deaths which followed in the wake of the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Irans top general. If there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families, Trudeau said in an interview with Global News Television on Monday. This is something that happens when you have conflict and the war. Innocents bear the brunt of it. Some Canadians including a leading corporate leader blame Trump in part for the deaths. Trudeau said he had spoken to Trump. Ive talked about the tremendous grief and loss that Canadians are feeling and the need for clear answers on how this happened and how were going to make sure it never happens again, Trudeau said. Trudeau added that he would have obviously liked a warning before Trump ordered Soleimanis killing. Canada has troops in Iraq as part of a NATO training mission. Trudeau said there is also anger directed at Iran which admitted on Saturday that it had shot down the plane in a disastrous mistake. There is a demand for justice. And that is entirely, entirely to be expected and should be heeded very carefully by the Iranian government, Trudeau said. Canada experts to help On Monday UN aviation agency ICAO said in a statement it has accepted Irans invitation to provide expert advice to support the investigation. Canadas Transportation Safety Board (TSB) also said on Monday that Iranian officials had invited it to take part in the analysis of the voice and flight data recorders from the aircraft. TSB Chair Kathy Fox said Iran has invited the agency to take part as an observer for the download and analysis of the black boxes wherever and whenever that takes place, and the agency hopes to play a larger role. Security officers and Red Crescent workers at the crash site of the Ukrainian passenger plane on the outskirts of Tehran last week [Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA via Reuters] We are working very hard to build trust daily in order for us to brought in, Fox said. Canadas role is evolving. It remains to be seen how far that will go. Natacha Van Themsche, the director of investigations, said Canadian experts also have been invited to inspect the wreckage and the crash site; an unusual step since the plane was not produced in Canada and the crash did not occur there. Two Canadian investigators have obtained visas to travel to Iran and a second team with expertise in recorder download and analysis will be sent. The plane crashed early on Wednesday, hours after Iran launched missile attacks on Iraq in retaliation for Soleimanis death. Most of those who died were Iranians and Iranian-Canadians. After initially pointing to a technical failure and insisting the armed forces were not to blame, Iranian authorities on Saturday admitted it had accidentally shot the aircraft down as it braced for possible American reprisals. Van Themsche said the agency also will investigate why Iranian airspace was not closed to civilian traffic given the attacks. Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012, but Trudeau and Canadas foreign minister have been in touch with their Iranian counterparts since the plane was shot down. Canadas foreign minister and envoys from other countries whose citizens were on board the plane are scheduled to meet in London on Thursday to share information. Those who died also included people from Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom and Germany. SPRINGFIELD While he was best known as Al the Barber on Dickinson Street or father of Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Alfonso Sarno was also a loving family man, an avid mushroom hunter and Boston Red Sox fan. Sarno, of Longmeadow, died on Jan. 9 at the age of 84 after a battle with prostate cancer. A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on William Street on Tuesday morning. The service was led by the Rev. Robert S. White who offered condolences from the church and Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, who was unable to attend. Its never an easy time to say goodbye to someone who is a part of your life, someone you love, White said. It hurts and thats the way it should be. It should hurt, it should mean something when someone you love is taken from you. Sarnos son, Domenic Sarno, and his grandson Nicholas Cummings offered some reflections about the family patriarch. My father was a simple man, a principled man with old school values, Sarno said. He taught me to be respectful, to be a good family man, to be loyal, to be tough but fair and that your word was your bond. He taught me how to tie a tie and he taught me how to to shave. Most importantly he taught me how to be a good husband and a good father. Sarno recalled his fathers arrival to Springfield as a child and how he built a life for himself and his family opening Als Barbershop on Dickinson Street in 1960, a shop that remained open until his passing. He recalled his love of the Red Sox and John Wayne westerns. He liked the simple message. Good versus bad, right or wrong, he said. To his last breath my dad was always strong and independent. He would want us to celebrate and remember him with a smile on our faces. He is now at peace and joins his beloved wife and my mom Clara and his brother John to set up Als Barber Shop and Claras Alterations and heaven never looked better," he said. Cummings grew up on the second floor of his grandfathers barbershop. He remembers spending Sunday mornings with him hunting...for mushrooms. My grandfather was the Michael Jordan of mushroom hunting. He basically controlled the market of mushrooms in the city. He knew every type of mushroom, every technique to cut them, every spot to look in and when to look," he said. When I was young there were many early Sunday mornings where Poppa would walk into my room and wake up up to tell me there were mushrooms to be found and he needed my help. Cummings said he will always miss his grandparents, but is thankful he was able to grow up around them. Poppa cared deeply about family. Family is what kept him rooted and its what gave him purpose. Every action he took, every job he worked, every day he lived was for his family, he said. I dont ever think I will meet someone again who is as kind and loving and resilient as my grandfather." Sarno was predeceased by his wife, Clara, and his brother, John. He leaves his three children, Domenic J. Sarno and wife, Carla of Springfield, Giovanna Joanna Cummings and husband, Shawn of Longmeadow, and Alfonso Fonzie Sarno of Longmeadow and Theresa Loschiava; grandchildren; Nicholas and Christopher Cummings and Cassandra and Chiara Sarno; brother, Germanio Gerry Sarno and Ginny Ellis of Longmeadow and many cousins, nieces and nephews. I thought this headline represented a nadir for the Washington Post in the last week, though it can be excused at least for being reporting about the collective madness of the Democratic Party: But the Post has yet greater reserves. Did you know that Star Wars is wait for it racist? Of course it is: And its not just the characters, but the music itself! Beijing, Jan 14 : At least six people were killed and 16 others injured after an enormous sinkhole swallowed a bus and a number of pedestrians in central China, it was reported on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Monday evening outside a hospital in Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, the BBC said in a report. CCTV footage showed an explosion inside the sinkhole shortly after the bus and bystanders fell inside. A number of people gather to try to rescue the bus passengers, but were engulfed by the sinkhole as it suddenly widens. According to state media, the sinkhole stretched nearly 32 feet in diametre. It remains unclear how many people were inside the bus at the time of the incident. Sinkholes in China are often blamed on construction works and the rapid pace of development in the country, said the BBC report. In 2018, four people were killed after a sinkhole opened up on a busy pavement in the city of Dazhou. In 2013, a similar incident killed five people at an industrial estate in Shenzhen. This initial process would not require parents to submit any documentation and would only use parents names and home addresses to conduct the initial screening, Munch said of the batch verifications. If this screening discovered any inconsistencies that warranted further investigation, a letter will be sent to parents, asking the of them to bring residency verification documents to the district office. India's flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina Dialogue will begin on January 14 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the inaugural session at which seven former heads of state or government will share their views on important challenges facing the world. The fifth edition of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, will bring together 700 international participants from over a 100 countries, in one of the largest gathering of its kind. The three-day conference will see participation of 12 foreign ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the EU. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif's participation assumes significance as it comes following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will arrive here on Tuesday night for the event and address the gathering the next day. Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces, General Koji Yamazaki, Vice Chief of Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston and Chief of Naval Staff of UK, Admiral Tony Radakin will also speak at the conference. The valedictory address will be delivered by Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European Union, Josep Borrell. The Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will also attend the conference, the MEA said in a statement. The NSA of Afghanistan, Deputy NSA of the United States and several ministers of state, including from Germany, will also present their ideas at the conference, the MEA said. Forty per cent of the speakers at the Dailogue are women, it said. The Heads of over 30 think-tanks from around the world will also moderate or present their views across different sessions, it said. The inaugural session on Tuesday will be attended by Prime Minister Modi and seven former heads of state or government, with high international stature and rich experience in governance, will share their views during the inaugural session on important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in modern world, climate change and counter-terrorism. The former heads of government who will engage in a discussion are former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen, former Bhutanese premier Tshering Tobgay and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo. Over the course of two days intensive deliberations will take place over 80 sessions around 5 thematic pillars the nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action, debate on the global trading architecture, role of technologies in determining political, economic and military power, global development agenda and the state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace. The synergies and collaborations in the Raisina Dialogue represent India's deliberative ethos as well as its international credibility and convening power, the MEA said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 19:17:57|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Tang Lu) COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa met separately with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to further promote relations between the two countries. Sri Lanka has attached utmost importance to developing ties with China as it is a trustworthy and long-term cooperative partner of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan president said, expressing gratitude to China for its support for Sri Lanka's socio-economic development. Gotabaya Rajapaksa said Sri Lank is ready to enhance Sri Lanka-China ties, strengthen bilateral win-win cooperation in various fields and actively promote the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative to build regional shipping and logistic hubs. The Sri Lankan government fully supports the development of major projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said, noting that these projects will not only help develop the country's economy and improve people's livelihood, but also become a major driving force for the friendly cooperation between the two countries. The prime minister said Sri Lanka welcomes more Chinese tourists as well as more Chinese investments. He also called for closer coordination and cooperation between the two countries in international affairs. For his part, Wang said China and Sri Lanka are good friends and partners who always support and help each other. China will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity. China is willing to further consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation between the two countries, so as to push for further promotion of their strategic cooperative partnership. The senior Chinese official called for discussion on jointly forging the China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future which features sharing opportunities and outcomes and enjoying common development and prosperity. China and Sri Lanka should speed up the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, develop the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port into two major engines for the fast development of the Sri Lankan economy, Wang said. Wang also called on the two sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of agriculture, technology, education and tourism. He said China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and help the country build shipping and logistic hubs as well as industrial and financial centers in the region. China-Sri Lanka cooperation has never targeted at any third party and also it should not be affected by any third party, Wang said, stressing that deepening cooperation between China and Sri Lanka will surely be conducive to the peace and development of the region. A woman passenger has claimed that she was threatened by an pilot with jail after she asked for a wheelchair for her mother at Bengaluru, with Union Aviation Minister saying the airline has "off-rostered" the pilot. Supriya Unni Nair, who had asked for a wheelchair for her 75-year old mother, after landing in Bengaluru on Monday night, alleged in a tweet that the pilot had misbehaved and threatened her with jail. She claimed that her mother was diabetic. "I requested my office to contact as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms Supriya Unni Nair about the pilot's behaviour with her & her 75 year old mother in need of wheelchair assistance. "The airline has informed Ministry of Civil Aviation that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry," said Puri in a tweet. Nair claimed that when the wheelchair was brought to take her mother at the Bengaluru airport, the pilot prevented the 75-year-old to be taken from the plane. She alleged that the pilot also threatened to get them detained and make them spend a night in jail. Last week Canada was reeling from the horrific Ukraine Airlines plane crash that took the lives of the 176 people on board many families, young children, and international students with Canadian connections. But amid the heartache, social media and media outlets attempted to turn our gaze elsewhere. Flooding the consciousness of the online space? News of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle potentially moving part-time to Canada. The New York Times joined in on the royal conversation, with this tweet: Many Canadians are giddy at the prospect that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be moving to Canada, injecting some razzle dazzle to the sprawling, bone-chillingly cold country, posted just a few days after the tragedy. Sorry world, Canada isnt giddy about the razzle dazzle of royals potentially moving here. Canadians flooded the replies, Actually no. Were focused on the tragic chain of events that resulted in a plane crash that killed 276 people, 138 of them on their way to Canada. If anything, we hope Meghan & Harry can escape unwanted attention by living in Canada, one of the top comments read. We lost 63 Canadians this week in the fog of war caused by a reckless President. No one is giddy, another tweet followed. Though we now know the numbers in those tweets are incorrect, 176 people died in the crash, including 57 Canadians, its just further proof what a circus social media can become. As of Tuesday, the tweet amassed more than 9,000 replies. Users continued to take the bait, defending Canada in hopes that somehow these responses would show that we werent desperate for royal attention and focused on more pressing news. But amid the devastation, I failed to understand what type of impact it had in real life, other than just feeding the social media beast. As a social media lead at The Star, part of my job entails using social media platforms as research often when trying to identify victims through families and friends that are able to tell us their story. While scouring for posts, it was jarring to see heartfelt messages and condolences sandwiched between articles like Everything That Led to Meghan and Harrys Bombshell Announcement, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got a $3 million, taxpayer-funded home renovation before quitting as senior royals. Simultaneously, while researching something so grave and horrific, I wasnt able to look away from the hot takes on Harry and Meghan. I realized I was using the royal trending topic as a defence mechanism to take my mind off the devastation, but it began to blur tragedy and tabloid. It wasnt until I decided to log off that things fell into perspective. In real life, speaking about this type of calamity wouldnt be followed by fluff takes on the royals. IRL, you have to read the room. Understand the human cues of whats acceptable to speak about in that shared moment. But on social media, the overload of noise blurs the events into trending topics, constantly overlapping and flattening the gravity of the news onto a phone screen. The problem is that scanning, checking and obsessing online can interfere with our mood, and our ability to function, Mary E. McNaughton Cassil, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Texas found in 2017. We are frequently overwhelmed by too much stimulation, and too many choices instead of too few. As a result, we find ourselves looking for patterns, trying to simplify issues and giving precedence to opinions that reinforce what we already believe to be true, she wrote. So how do we satisfy our craving for knowledge without being overloaded by the constant echo chamber? Cassil says to take part in social media with clear intentions setting your own standards that allow you to intake information with skepticism and boundaries. Basically, set your own rules so you dont take it too seriously. For me, this meant temporarily removing myself from the noise, or logging off and seeing friends in person. It was also about being informed about what initiatives were happening locally to support the victims of the disaster. Memorials across the country honoured those fallen. A national fundraiser hoping to raise $1.5 million was already hitting more than $200,000, just a day in. Canadians of different backgrounds coming together to support the Iranian-Canadian community during these times of hardship. It was there that I found the razzle dazzle that Canada possessed all along. Not in the social media buzz about the royals, but in the diversity, strength and resilience of Canadians coming together to support each other. Read more about: Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 74F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. High 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. A small group of residents in a Victorian coastal town that has been cut-off by bushfires have been forced to take shelter on the beach after fires flared overnight. Only about 12 people remain at Tamboon, East Gippsland, and most of them fled to the water after a blaze travelling from Croajingolong National Park threatened the area on Wednesday. Much of the region has been evacuated but a number of residents chose to stay to enact their fire emergency plans, according to the State Control Centre. 'The message has been to take shelter indoors because it's too late to leave,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. An Orbost Incident Controller told the ABC residents were successful in defending their community and there were no reported losses of property. Scroll down for video Residents were forced to fled to the beach overnight after a blaze travelling from Croajingolong National Park threatened Tamboon and Tamboon South in Victoria overnight Bushfires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 2 An emergency warning remains in place and authorities are maintaining contact with the group and a Victoria Police boat is available to get the residents if they need to leave. Mallacoota, in the state's east coast, has been cut off since the start of the year - when about 4,000 people were forced to flee to the beach due to raging fires. Another group of about 100 residents evacuated by road on the weekend. The warning is the only active one in Victoria's fire-ravaged East Gippsland and northeast, as milder conditions provide a slight reprieve for fire crews to get on top of containment lines. But winds have spread the thick smoke from the fire zones and blazes in NSW across the state, causing hazardous air quality in seven regions, including the Melbourne CBD and Geelong. Early on Monday an emergency warning was issued for one fore, with people in Tamboon, Tamboon South and Furnell urged to leave before it became too dangerous At the Australian Open, players on Tuesday complained about the smoke and Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic had to retire from her match when she collapsed to her knees in a coughing fit. Racing Victoria has abandoned meets at Caulfield and Yarra Valley due to the poor air quality, it tweeted on Wednesday. There are 17 fires still going in Victoria and more than 1.4million hectares burnt. There are 1,500 firefighters battling the blazes, including 130 from overseas and another 140 international personnel will arrive later in January. The smoke haze is expected to lift as a wind change and rain moves through, but sporadic thunderstorms are also forecast. There are fears the rain will cause flash flooding and land slips in fire-affected areas because of the loss of vegetation and that lightning could spark even more fires. AS the trolley crisis continues at UHL, new figures released reveal that over 1,800 elderly patients had to wait over 24 hours for a bed last year. Maurice Quinlivan TD has said Fine Gaels lack of planning for the health service throughout 2019 has consistently put the health of older patients at risk as figures released by the HSE showed 1,853 patients over 75 had to wait over 24 hours for beds in UHL's emergency department between January and November 2019. This comes after the Limerick Leader revealed at the weekend that just before Christmas a middle aged man was found dead with a suspected broken neck, on the ground next to a trolley. An investigation is underway to see if the man injured his neck from a fall in the hospital. A postmortem has been held and the coroner will hold an inquest to determine the cause of the patient's death. Meanwhile, Sinn Feins Maurice Quinlivan has attacked Fine Gael for displaying disregard for all aspects of the health service and in particular that they have no plan to address the overcrowding crisis in University Hospital Limerick. Figures released to Sinn Fein have shown that between January and November of last year 15,344 patients over the age of 75 had to wait over 24 hours for treatment in Emergency Departments around the State. In University Hospital Limerick there were a staggering 1,853 older patients left waiting for over 24 hours on a trolley, more than any other hospital in the State, he stated. He said older patients are often among the most vulnerable people in our hospitals due to their age and the additional medical needs. I have spoken to many staff members in UHL and they are at breaking point. The doctors, nurses, and all the staff do an amazing job and they are doing more with less resources; they are treating more patients than ever before even though there is a recruitment and retention crisis across all areas of the health service. Fine Gael say the overcrowding issue at UHL cant be fixed overnight, but they have had nine years to make the necessary changes and yet they have just made things worse. For over a decade now Sinn Fein have been saying the solution is more capacity and more staff for University Hospital Limerick, Mr Quinlivan added. - however, the government are damaging capital projects across the State due to the childrens hospital overspend, they have implemented a recruitment ban in the health service, they have consistently failed to properly implement a health service Winter Plan, and they appear to have no interest in implementing Slaintecare." South China's Hainan Province will make continuous efforts to optimize the business environment in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in a bid to facilitate the construction of the Hainan free trade zone and free trade port with Chinese characteristics. As a state-level development zone established in 1992 in the northwest of Hainan, the Yangpu Economic Development Zone is expected to develop into a growth point of Hainan's high-quality development and a pilot zone of Hainan free trade port. At a press conference on Monday, the working and management committees of the Yangpu Economic Development Zone unveiled a package of 40 measures in four fields, namely optimizing the business environment, promoting development of the advanced manufacturing industry, improving customs clearance efficiency and introducing talent, as the latest moves to prepare for the construction of Hainan free trade port. Optimizing business environment "The focus of building the free trade port is on creating a legal, international and convenient business environment," said Ren Yanxin, vice director of the management committee of the Yangpu zone. The process of applying for starting businesses in Yangpu will be shortened to one and a half workdays, according to Ren. Service windows for foreigners will be opened to provide better services for those who need residence and employment permits as well as foreign experts certificates. Favorable measures will also be taken in areas such as investment, construction projects, administrative approvals and financial support for small and micro-sized firms. Promoting advanced manufacturing Yangpu has acted on the understanding that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, which is beneficial to developing an advanced manufacturing industry, said Zhang Jin, also vice director of the Yangpu management committee. Yangpu will support the enterprises in aspects including finance and taxation and investment in fixed assets, land, logistics and foreign trade. According to the press conference, enterprises of advanced manufacturing such as aerospace equipment, new energy vehicles, integrated circuits and high-end medical equipment will enjoy preferential policies when settling in the zone. The move is aimed to help enterprises enjoy the dividend brought by the free trade port in advance, reduce their operating costs and strengthen their international competitiveness. Improving customs clearance Bordering on the Beibu Gulf in the southwest of China, Yangpu has a natural harbor, Yangpu Port, which is integrated into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Yangpu Port is expected to develop into a shipping hub along the corridor, a trade and logistics passage connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21th Maritime Silk Road, which has raised higher demands for the port. To this end, Yangpu Port will take measures to accelerate its customs clearance, such as carrying out paperless cargo clearance, providing border check and marine services around the clock and improving the transparency of customs clearance. So far, the port has opened eight shipping routes for foreign trade, linking southeastern Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 03:06:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian authorities thwarted on Tuesday an attempt to smuggle a large amount of illegal drugs into the country, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a statement. The General Administration of Narcotics Control at East Port Said seaport, northeast of Cairo, found 630 kg of banned hashish inside a container coming from an Arab country, said the statement. According to the ministry, the banned substance was concealed inside boxes containing apples. The ministry said two Arab men were behind sending the shipment to Egypt, adding that one of them was arrested at his residence near Cairo. The other man lives in his home country, the statement added. The value of the seized drugs is estimated at about 45 million Egyptian pounds (about 2.83 million U.S. dollars). Egypt suffers a high rate of drug smuggling, abusing and addiction with about 10.4 percent of the population aged from 15 to 65 taking drugs, according to the country's Drug Control and Addiction Treatment Fund. Mormon fundamentalist, reality star, and polygamist Kody Brown is best known for his appearances on TLCs Sister Wives. Since 2010, Kody and his four wives, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown, have expressed their desire to be out and proud polygamists. It looks like Kody might also want to get into politics, at least on a local level. Last season, he opened up about his desire to run for office in Arizona on a libertarian platform after the family moved from Las Vegas to Flagstaff. Based on a recent exchange with a 2020 U.S. presidential candidate on Twitter, the Sister Wives star might be making good on that promise soon. Janelle, Kody, and Christine Brown | Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic The 2020 Libertarian U.S. presidential candidate reached out to Kody on Twitter In mid-Jan. 2020, Kody responded to a surprise tweet from Adam Charles Kokesh, a 2020 presidential candidate running with the U.S. Libertarian party. Yo! I just heard you moved to my neighborhood of Northern AZ. Please follow me so I can DM you! Kokesh wrote to Kody. The Sister Wives star seemed eager to meet up with Kokesh, writing back: Hi Adam, I have been following you for a few months (I think?). Lets have lunch! Kokesh is a former Marine and Republican who now works as a podcast host, independent journalist, and libertarian politician. The presidential candidate, who lives in Ash Fork, Arizona, is known for his niche political views, including his election platform of complete dissolution of the federal government. Kody has spoken out in the past about his political views Its no surprise that Kody is hoping to meet with a libertarian presidential candidate one-on-one. The Sister Wives star has frequently referred to himself as liberty-minded and as neither conservative nor liberal. He has also clashed somewhat with his adult daughter, Mariah Brown, who is a self-professed Democrat. Kody has been outspoken many times about his political views. He has even said in the past that he hopes to run for political office in order to champion the right to practice polygamy legally. In 2017, Kody supported politician Rand Paul, who is frequently beloved by libertarian voters, writing on Twitter, Could we please get our freedom back?! In another tweet, the Sister Wives star wrote, Collectivism is not freedom. Thus our God/nature given rights belong to all, every individual. Society bands to protect INDIVIDUAL rights. Kody and his wives have also protested repeatedly with other polygamist families against anti-bigamy laws in Utah and elsewhere, citing their belief in personal freedom and individual rights as their main reasoning for doing so. A libertarian think tank supported the Brown family in their Supreme Court case This isnt the first time Kody has expressed interest in getting involved in politics, both locally and nationally. The Browns Supreme Court case, Brown v. Buhman, was ultimately dismissed in 2016 after an initial win in 2013. In the case, first filed in 2011, the Browns argued that it was unconstitutional for the federal government to criminalize polygamy, citing the Supreme Courts ruling on gay marriage as precedent. True to Kodys beliefs, the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, even submitted documents to argue that the Sister Wives cast was in the right. While the court at first agreed that the Browns had the right to practice polygamy, they ultimately threw out the case because the State of Utah (where the case was filed) almost never actually prosecutes polygamy cases. Since the case was dismissed, it looks like Kody might be hoping to take legal matters into his own hands. After activists ramp up pressure, worlds biggest investment manager moves to reallocate capital away from fossil fuels. BlackRock Chief Executive Larry Fink has demanded that corporate boards enhance efforts to address the climate crisis, marking a major transition for the globes largest investment manager. In his annual letter to CEOs posted on the BlackRock website on Tuesday, Fink describes a fundamental reshaping of finance following years of pressure by activists unhappy about the companys role in bankrolling fossil fuels. Fink said firms in the United States and beyond should act now or face the wrath of investors angry about how unsustainable business practices could take a bite out of their wealth. He wrote that BlackRock would be increasingly disposed to cast critical proxy votes tied to sustainability. Eli Kasargod-Staub, executive director of the corporate governance watchdog group Majority Action, called the statement a watershed moment and said advocates have for years been calling on BlackRock to improve its transparency on proxy voting. Collectively with fellow asset managers State Street Corporation and the Vanguard Group, BlackRock holds about 25 percent of shares across the S&P 500, giving these firms the ability to set rules by how they vote. Leading investors realise the risks of climate change are being exacerbated by high-emitting companies, through their own capital expenditures, operations and policy, Kasargod-Staub told Al Jazeera. Calling for corporations to set targets aligned with the Paris Agreement, Kasargod-Staub said net-zero carbon emissions should be embraced through trade associations, lobbying and political contributions. BlackRock needs to draw a clear, bright line for portfolio companies, he added, referring to the energy, electricity and transportation sectors. Beginning to crack Fink said in a separate letter to clients that the New York-based firm will sell off from its actively managed client portfolios all stakes in companies that derive more than 25 percent of their revenue from thermal coal production, achieving this goal by the summer of 2020. BlackRock did not give specific details on which companies it would be divesting, or the size of those positions. At BlackRock and other investment firms, asset managers have clients with a wide range of political views and are careful to represent their actions in terms of investment strategy rather than politics. Climate activists are praising Finks stronger stances, though some say the asset manager will need to back up the new rhetoric. Protesters eat fake money outside the BlackRock office during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration in London [Henry Nicholls/Reuters] BlackRock is beginning to crack, thats an enormous deal, said Pete Sikora, climate and inequality campaigns director at New York Communities for Change. They control about $7 trillion in assets eight to 11 percent of every Fortune 500 company, Sikora told Al Jazeera. [They are] the single biggest owner of basically every financial asset out there, and that includes fossil fuels. He hailed BlackRocks shift toward holding every board of directors accountable on climate, but also said the company still should rearrange their passive indexes so that the defaults exclude oil, gas and coal. Sikora said Finks gesture did not come out of thin air but was the result of smart, relentless activism. Right now Australia is on fire, theres enormous flooding in Indonesia, and last weekend it was 68 degrees [20 degrees Celsius] in New York, he added. BlackRock is part of what is torching the world. Looking at this very closely Top index fund managers rarely challenge company management and generally oppose climate resolutions. At ExxonMobils annual meeting on May 29, BlackRock backed all but one of 10 directors up for election but opposed six of seven shareholder proposals. Historically, BlackRock has said it engages executives behind the scenes, an approach that critics say does not really move the needle. Banks also have faced pressure to trim fossil-fuel financing, and activists are challenging insurance companies not to cover projects in sectors with stranded asset risk. Protesters gather outside the ExxonMobil annual shareholder meeting last year to protest the companys climate policies [Jennifer Hiller/Reuters] Meanwhile, investors have started to put more money into more climate-friendly funds. Investments in sustainable exchange-traded funds grew to $20bn in 2019, nearly four times the previous years record. Ben Cushing, a campaign representative at Sierra Club, told Al Jazeera that BlackRock also should address deforestation, which behind fossil fuels is the second-leading driver of the climate crisis. He said that Larry Finks highly anticipated annual letter in 2019 failed to even mention climate change. [BlackRock] peers and competitors are going to be looking at this very closely in 2020, Cushing added. At annual shareholder meetings this spring, said Cushing, BlackRock has a near-term opportunity to implement these words and put them into action. Her daughter was always telling her, Its okay, especially during all the times when things hadnt been okay: when they moved from the District to Tennessee in 2016, and Johnson learned she was pregnant with twins. When they moved to Georgia in 2017, and Johnson realized the relationship shed uprooted their lives for wasnt what it seemed. When they moved back to the District in 2018 and slept on the floor of Johnsons fathers apartment. When they moved again, into the shelter, and rode the bus 45 minutes each way to Kamiyahs school so she wouldnt have to transfer in the middle of fifth grade. Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has launched an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) and a national Command Centre for the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in Accra. The ECTS and the Command Centre aim at improving the efficiency of NPA in the monitoring of Bulk Roads Vehicles (BRVs) nationwide. The move is further aimed at eliminating or reducing illicit activities associated with the transportation of petroleum products across the country. The Command Centre is fully with computers, and vehicle tracking devices. Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, the Vice President commended the NPA and its collaborating Institutions for their continuous efforts at improving efficiency in the downstream petroleum sector. He noted that the NPA plays an important role in the Ghanaian economy. About 98 of petroleum products in Ghana, according to the Chief Executive of NPA, Alhassan Tampuli, are transported by roads. Mr. Tampuli lamented that there were several illicit activities in the downstream petroleum sector which were causing the country huge revenues annually. Among the illicit activities are dumping and smuggling. Dr. Bawumia said Ghana was losing an amount of $200 million or GH 1.1 billion annually in tax revenue due to the illicit activities in the sector. The lost amount, he said, represented about 51.5 of the money Government needs annually to finance the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme. He underscored that Government was concerned about the network of illegal activities in the downstream petroleum sector. He stated that the illegal activities posed national security threats and undermined Governments tax revenues mobilization drive. As a result, he said such technology as the ECTS which is a product of a Singaporean company, Ascent Solutions, was highly needed in tackling illicit activities in the sector, thereby curbing corruption. He said Government was committed to sanitizing the downstream petroleum sector and ensuring that BOST is well-mannered. Also as part of efforts to address illegal activities in the sector, he said, Government was contemplating on digitizing the distribution of premix fuel across the country. He said it was the intention of the Government that premix fuel subsidies are paid to fisherfolks electronically to reduce corruption. Mr. Tampuli assured that the NPA is determined to curb illicit activities in the downstream petroleum sector. Deputy Minister of Energy in charge of Petroleum, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, observed the need for Ghana to develop other modes of transportation such as rail and river to ensure the smooth and safe distribution of petroleum products. ---Daily Guide Flash Chinese police have repatriated the country's first suspect of economic crimes from Australia after years of close communication between police forces of the two countries, China's Ministry of Public Security said Monday. The suspect, surnamed Liu, is accused of causing economic losses of 3.6 million yuan (about 519,758 U.S. dollars) to a company after he failed to obligate a contract signed in 2001 to transfer fees for the company, according to the ministry. Instead, Liu cashed the money in the Sydney branch of the Bank of China. He fled to Australia afterward. She recently pleaded with her European fans to donate money to those affected by the bushfires in Australia. And Megan Gale is still working hard to raise funds, even getting her hair cut on Tuesday with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. Megan, 44, took to Instagram to show off her shiny trimmed locks, before revealing the entire cost of the snip was going to charity. All for a good cause! Megan Gale is still working hard to raise funds amid the bushfire crisis, even getting her hair cut on Tuesday with all proceeds going to the Red Cross 'Fresh cut for a great cause,' she wrote in the caption. 'UVA Salon [is] generously donating all proceeds from today to the Red Cross to go towards the Bushfire Relief fund.' Several days earlier, Megan had uploaded an emotional video to Instagram in which she asked for donations in Italian. The footage was widely shared when it was picked up by Vanity Fair Italia magazine. Appealing to her European fans: Several days earlier, Megan had shared an emotional video to Instagram in which she asked for donations in Italian Megan is well-known in Italy, after being cast in a series of advertisements for Italian telecommunications company Omnitel in the late '90s. 'I'm making an appeal to the Italian public for donations to the above organisations,' she captioned the clip. 'I'm hoping that anyone who sees it can contribute anything they can to the above causes.' International fame: Megan is well-known in Italy, after being cast in a series of advertisements for Italian telecommunications company Omnitel in the late '90s The mother-of-two had previously appealed to the 'powers that be' last month to sort out the crisis. 'And as our country continues to burn, I keep scratching my head as to how the h*ll these fires are still raging after all these weeks,' Megan wrote on social media. 'I'm sure it's a complex operation to monitor, maintain and manage, but I really hope the powers that be in this country sort this s**t out and fast!' Less than three hours after Labor-Gesher and Meretz announced that they will run on a joint ticket in the March 2 Knesset elections, the co-leaders of the New Right, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, announced that their party will run independently, rejecting a merger with other parties on the political right. According to a Channel 13 news report on Jan. 13, their decision angered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has pretty much dictated every move on the right for the past year. As a reminder, ahead of the April 2019 elections, after Bennett and Shaked broke from HaBayit HaYehudi to form the New Right, Netanyahu urged the new leader of their former party, Rabbi Rafi Peretz, to join with Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), the party founded by the fascist disciples of Rabbi Meir Kahane and long ostracized for its racist views. Netanyahus goal was to ensure sufficient support for HaBayit HaYehudi to make it into the Knesset. In fact, the prime minister was the one who paved the way for the abomination of Otzma Yehudit's rehabilitation. Denunciations in Israel and elsewhere, even by his friends and allies at the pro-Israel AIPAC lobby in Washington, failed to sway Netanyahu from his efforts. For him, every vote was kosher, and all means were justified in achieving the end of maintaining power. Netanyahu promised Peretz the moon and the stars, including naming him education minister if he ran on a ticket with Itamar Ben-Gvir, an Otzma Yehudit leader and fervent admirer of Baruch Goldstein, the settler who massacred Muslim worshipers in Hebron in 1994. In February 2019, as Netanyahu courted Ben-Gvir, it was reported that Ben-Gvir had even been promised a seat on the public panel that approves judicial appointments. Peretz ultimately caved to Netanyahus pressure, although he was never wild about the joint ticket. In return, Netanyahu placed Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, from HaBayit HaYehudi, on his Likud list of Knesset candidates. In other words, the prime minister gave HaBayit HaYehudi a free pass at the expense of his own party. The various mergers and aspirations notwithstanding, the results were disappointing: HaBayit HaYehudi and Otzma Yehudit together garnered the equivalent of five Knesset seats, which was not enough for Netanyahu to form a majority coalition, resulting in his decision to call a second round of elections for September. For the September balloting, the Peretz-Ben-Gvir union, which also included the far right National Union of Bezalel Smotrich, fractured. Peretz, who, as noted, was never fully on board the first time with running with Ben-Gvir, refused to promise the Kahanist party top slots on the newly configured right-wing list of candidates running on the new Yamina joint ticket, which also included Bennett and Shaked. Thus, Otzma Yehudit ran independently. The 83,000 votes garnered by Kahanes students, 1.88% of the eligible votes cast, were insufficient for their party to cross the electoral threshold of 3.25%, meaning its representatives failed to make it into the Knesset, and all their votes were binned. Now, ahead of the third round of elections within a year, things are getting even more complicated for Netanyahu. The left has united, but the abomination he approved last year is now foiling a similar union on the right. Thus the move that his fans cheered ahead of the April 2019 elections as nothing short of brilliant could turn out to be a double-edged sword in March 2020. Polls in recent weeks indicate that if HaBayit HaYehudi and Otzma Yehudit run separately, they will both fall short of the vote threshold. This led the two parties to conclude that they must join forces. On Dec. 20, Peretz and Ben-Gvir issued a video of them smiling, arm in arm, announcing a joint run in March. It is unclear whether Netanyahu engineered the move, but its implication was clear: The Jewish states education minister had joined forces with a fascist party whose representative would be in third place on the joint ticket. If the merger generates sufficient votes, the man who pulled the hood ornament off the car of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 and promised to next deal with Rabin himself will become one of the Knessets 120 members. In a Jan. 10 interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Peretz was effusive with praise for his former and current partner. Ben Gvir is a very soft person, relaxed, humane and considerate. Hes mellowed, he said. He is no longer a Kahanist in the simple sense of the word. He is legitimate. Peretz had also been in talks with Bennett, offering him leadership of a broad union of all the Likuds satellite parties on the right. Bennett, who aspires to remain defense minister once a new government is formed, realized that he would only be able to command such a prize if his party attracts a relatively large number of votes. On the other hand, he also understood the tremendous damage he would sustain if he agreed to take Ben-Gvir and his friends under his auspices. Polls Bennett commissioned reportedly indicated a loss of three Knesset seats for the Likud if the smaller parties were to run on a joint ticket, and he decided to run without them despite the risk it poses for the right-wing bloc. Netanyahu, still deeply involved in the machinations on the right, is currently busy trying to arrange Knesset immunity for himself against prosecution on bribery indictments. Whether the Knesset Committee formed this week rejects his request or whether the issue will be shelved for debate by the Knesset elected on March 2, the key question is whether he will achieve this time what he failed to achieve in the two 2019 elections a majority of 61 Knesset seats for his Likud and the other right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties. Meanwhile, the left, for which Netanyahu has deep derision, has managed to overcome its differences and merge. The political right is in a mess. On Jan. 14, with a Jan. 15 deadline looming, reports emerged that talks on a joint run by HaBayit HaYehudi and the National Union had failed and that Smotrich had agreed in principle to run with Bennett. If that happens, the joint Peretz-Ben-Gvir ticket is unlikely to cross the electoral threshold. For Netanyahu, it means he may not get another chance to fix the damage. Democratic presidential contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Tuesday that she would begin to forgive student loan debt on the first day of her administration, using legal tools that would allow her to bypass Congress. The announcement, which comes just weeks before voting begins in the first primary and caucus states, adds urgency to legislation she introduced over the summer to cancel the bulk of the nation's outstanding student loan debt. That bill, introduced with Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., would forgive up to $50,000 in student debt for individuals with household incomes under $100,000. But Warren wrote in her plan on Tuesday that the U.S. Education Department already has authority to cancel student debt, "and we can't afford to wait for Congress to act." Read more: Elizabeth Warren calls for investigation into whether Trump Mar-a-Lago guests traded on advance knowledge of Soleimani killing "I will start to use existing laws on day one of my presidency to implement my student loan debt cancellation plan that offers relief to 42 million Americans in addition to using all available tools to address racial disparities in higher education, crack down on for-profit institutions, and eliminate predatory lending," she wrote in the plan. Warren is fighting to make a splash in the Iowa and New Hampshire contests early next month. The Massachusetts progressive has slipped in state polls in recent weeks, and is now behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in both states. She also trails Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in Iowa. Americans hold more than $1.5 trillion in student debt, and the problem is particularly acute in Iowa and New Hampshire. More than 60% of new graduates in Iowa and 76% of those in New Hampshire have outstanding student debt, according to The Institute for College Access & Success. And recent graduates in those states also carry higher balances than the national average of around $30,000. Warren tweet Warren's plan to eliminate student debt goes further than the proposals put forth by Biden or Buttigieg but stops short of Sanders' call to erase student debt entirely. Alongside the new plan, Warren released a letter written to her by three legal experts who vouched for the legality of a president canceling student debt through executive action. The experts, based at the Project on Predatory Student Lending at Harvard Law School, described such a move as "lawful and permissible." The world is preparing for a possible reincarnation of the global economic crisis, which, most likely, would be not cyclical, but growing (cumulative) in nature, and for a possible regional exacerbation in the Middle East: both Trump's rhetoric and Tehrans actions gave rise to constant reasons for this throughout the past year Ukrainian authorities traditionally try to comment on the tragic events in Iran based on the ingrained clip consciousness. This is especially true in state decision-making centers as basic sovereign institutions. Only a monstrous tragedy with a Ukrainian plane, for reasons as yet unclear, forced the Ukrainian politicians to delve a little into the problem. Until this moment, the Persian Gulf zone, where one of the most destructive international confrontations of recent years is about to begin, was perceived by our politicians including the incumbent president exclusively as a "zone" of tourism and recreation. Some experts began to actively assess the impact of events in Iran on world oil prices, while others started talking about the rise in the price of gold, while forgetting to note that international prices for the above goods began to rise since September 2019. The world was preparing for a possible reincarnation of the global economic crisis, which, most likely, would be not cyclical, but growing (cumulative) in nature, and for a possible regional exacerbation in the Middle East: both Trump's rhetoric and Tehrans actions gave rise to constant reasons for this throughout the past year. Why is this situation important for Ukraine? Well not talk about gold and oil, but about strategy. The seemingly well-established format of globalism is being replaced by a new, more flexible concept of global defragmentation. A resurgent neo-British empire will play a special role in this context as part of such major world economies as the USA, Canada and Great Britain after Brexit, but with its center in Washington and not London. "Neo-Empire" can be arbitrarily called the "New Atlantis." Next to this dynamic and economically aggressive mega cluster is its alter ego - a surprisingly loose eurozone with blurred political, military ambitions, more declarative than real values and an economy that has become more and more stuck in an eternal recession and the trap of Eichengreen's "middle income." In fact, we have an invisible transatlantic split, which can be compared with the global fault between two tectonic plates. The Eurozone is axial Germany and peripheral countries plus Frances complex role. Irans theme has already highlighted the fundamental differences between these global entities: Europeans are withdrawing their military from Iraq, not wanting to share responsibility for the toxic effects of the US regional strategy. In the near future, New Atlantis will try to consolidate its dominant economic position, for which the discrimination strategy of the so-called "global south" will be actively applied, I mean China, India, ASEAN countries, the Russian Federation, and Latin America, and even some African economies. This discrimination can be manifested through energy and transactional shocks. The United States at that moment became a surplus economy in terms of energy balance: coal, oil, natural gas - everything is exported. At the same time, America is well aware of the devastating consequences of the energy crisis of the 70s, when the Arab countries imposed a fuel embargo against the United States. The crisis of the global supply is exactly what can be done with the "global south", depriving it of energy resources (or providing it with expensive ones) and single-handedly dominating the world fuel market, using oil and gas as a factor in the competitive advantage of the national economy, when you have energy resources cheap and competitors have expensive ones. The Gulf War could block oil flows from the region for a long time, and sanctions against the Russian Federation will do the same in terms of slowing the pace of development of new fields in Russia. Transactional costs mean the disconnection of particularly "guilty" countries from the SWIFT system. At this moment, Ukraine runs the risk of becoming stuck in a negative dualism: on the one hand, the "European identity" spelled out in the Constitution and the vector of European integration, and on the other, strategic cooperation with the United States. While the two tectonic plates were at rest, such a policy was possible, as evidenced by the example of Poland. Well, and when they come into a state of "friction", it will be practically impossible to maintain a balance. Turkey, which at one time, like us, lived by the illusion of rapid European integration and moved much further than Ukraine along this path, tried to build strategic relations with the United States and the EU at the same time. But the global changes that are visible to politicians, rather than hologram presidents, have long forced the Turks to formulate answers that are adequate to the challenges. And there is only one way out of the geostrategic trap in the form of "separation" of global tectonic plates: the resumption of the political subjectivity of the country and the increase in the conditional "degree" of its sovereignty. Only in this format, the country will not be "torn apart" in a situation of global "friction." But can the current government in Ukraine, albeit not on a Turkish scale, but renew the country's subjectivity and increase the degree of sovereignty? The question is rhetorical. At the beginning of 2018, a very important event changed the trajectory of the peripheral development of the world economy and according to the good old tradition, it was almost never noted in the Ukrainian expert environment. We are talking about the signing by Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) of an interim agreement on the creation of a free trade zone. The interaction of Iran and the Russian Federation is based on a joint opposition to Western sanctions, primarily American. At this point, the EAEU includes five countries: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. The reason for this integration lies in the macroeconomic theory of "economies of scale", which was formulated by the American economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman. According to his theory, any quasi-state conglomeration with a population of 250 million to 300 million people is the optimal system for the production and consumption of goods and services. If these parameters are not maintained, a systemic imbalance begins. An economic system with a population of more than 300 million people needs sales markets and increasing exports: otherwise, it will not be possible to ensure the employment of the population. If the number of people is less than 250 million, you become dependent on imports: it is already unprofitable to create national production across the entire line of goods. It is this theory that explains US economic dominance. This country is an ideal cast of the theory of "economies of scale." By the way, following its postulates, the idea of creating the EU arose this is the same ideal ratio. This theory found a lively response in the academic environment of the Russian Federation. They quickly calculated that if the population of the USSR was 280 million, in this case, the Union could be reformed and maintained without trade and economic integration with the Western world. That is why the global survival of Russia directly depends on its ability to form a new integration core because the parameters of the federation do not allow it to create a sealed economic model. At first, the customs union should have become such a core, but without Ukraine, it was not possible to reach the optimal parameters. Now the Eurasian Economic Union is such a platform for connecting Lego of 250 million people. If the EAEU expands due to the inclusion of Iran and Uzbekistan, then a quasi-union with a population of 285 million people and a GDP of $ 2.2 trillion will appear on the map. Along with the economic aspect, the ideological also plays an important role. In fact, we are witnessing the emergence of a new theocratic union of countries in which the basic state ideology means not generally accepted democratic values and humanistic principles, but a theocratic form of organization of society with a weak interspersing of so-called sovereign democracy, the principles of which were formulated precisely in Moscow and Tehran. It will be based on a state-supported religion: Islam in Iran and Uzbekistan, Orthodoxy in the Russian Federation and Belarus reinforced by post-Soviet ideology in the form of a hybrid mixture of capitalism and socialism. Kazakhstan in this system is both a hostage to the geographical location and a mixture of all these elements in one bottle. Well, the nearest watershed between US and EU policies may go through transactional sanctions against Iran. The United States may impose sanctions against the SWIFT system if it continues to service operations with Iran and its related companies when they want to completely block them in Washington. As a preventive measure to form an independent policy on Iran, the EU applied the so-called blocking regulation, according to which the extraterritorial sanctions of the United States do not apply to European companies. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, while in New York back in 2018, announced the launch of a project to create an alternative system in the EU that could ensure financial transactions with Iran bypassing U.S. sanctions radars. As planned by European functionaries, this system may well develop over time into a more global project. For Ukraine, this whole story is important in that we need to somehow absorb this new reality: economically, ideologically (informationally), politically (diplomatically). And for this, you need to develop a completely new ideology in all of the abovementioned three aspects. What kind of concept this might be is the topic of a separate article, but it is now clear that the political tools currently being used (more precisely, their absence) are absolutely not suitable for this. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (CSE:EOM) (the Company or Eco Oro) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first tranche (the First Tranche) of its previously announced private placement of up to US$20,000,000 of contingent value rights certificates (the 2020 CVRs). On completion of the First Tranche, the Company issued an aggregate of approximately US$16,258,889 of 2020 CVRs. The proceeds of the First Tranche will be used to repay all outstanding obligations owing by the Company to Trexs under its previously announced US$6,500,000 demand promissory note (the Note) and for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs. Company Profile Eco Oro Minerals Corp. is a publicly-traded company and its arbitration against the Republic of Colombia is its core focus. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon the current belief, opinions and expectations of management that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and other contingencies. Many factors could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE Eco Oro Minerals Corp. For further information: Paul Robertson, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 604 682 8212, TF: +1 855 682 8212 CO: Eco Oro Minerals Corp. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar today called a general election for 8 February, hoping to capitalise on recent Brexit successes and his resistance to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Varadkar's Fine Gael and the fellow centre-right Fianna Fail are closely matched in opinion polls, and some distance ahead of their other rivals, increasingly the likelihood that one of the two parties with similar policies on the economy and Brexit will lead to another minority administration. After Britain's tortuous exit from the European Union dominated politics in neighbouring Ireland following the last election in 2016, Varadkar sought to put Brexit at the centre of the campaign. He also acknowledged more had to be done for people to feel the strength of the economy in their pockets. 'Brexit is not done yet. In fact, it's only half-time,' he said in a speech in front of government buildings. Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar gives a press conference at the government buildings in Dublin on January 14, 2020 to announce an early general election Varadkar plans to 'negotiate a free trade agreement that protects our jobs, our businesses, our rural communities,' with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Brexit. (Pictured: Johnson this morning on BBC Breakfast) 'The next step is to negotiate a free trade agreement that protects our jobs, our businesses, our rural communities... The capacity to do everything else that needs to be done - health, housing, climate action, tax reform - depends on achieving this outcome.' Varadkar, 40, became the once-staunchly Catholic country's first gay premier in 2017 when his party hoped a generational shift could lead them to a first ever third successive term. He highlighted his success so far on Brexit, where a hard border between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland was avoided, as well as his own high profile in a video posted on Twitter that began with clips of international broadcasters saying his name. Fianna Fail, which has swapped power with Fine Gael at every election since the state's foundation a century ago, focused on anger among some voters over a health service bursting at the seams and a dysfunctional housing market where rents have become prohibitively high for many. A pedestrian walks across the border from Ireland, over a bridge and into the town of Clady, in Northern Ireland, at sunrise on the 23 December, 2019. In Dublin today, Varadkar drew attention to his success in a hard border being avoided between the republic and northern Ireland 'It clearly is a time for a new government that will really focus on tangible improvements in health, housing and reducing the cost of living,' Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin told reporters. Fine Gael has led a minority government since 2016 through a cooperation deal with Fianna Fail - its fiercest rivals as far back as the country's civil war in the 1920s - after neither came close to forming a working coalition last time out. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail refuse to govern with Ireland's third largest party Sinn Fein, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), meaning smaller parties such as the resurgent Greens could decide who leads the next government. Analysts say one of the two big parties would need to move to a percentage share of the vote in the mid-30s from the 25 per cent to 27 per cent range they are currently polling to form a multi-party coalition and avoid another 'confidence and supply' deal. 'All of the polls are telling us that the fragmented party landscape is still there,' said Theresa Reidy, a politics lecturer at University College Cork. Ratings agency S&P Global, which handed Ireland back its double-A sovereign debt rating in November, said in a note that the election was unlikely to sway economic policy, regardless of the outcome. Mr Varadkar confirmed the date for the upcoming general election and also confirmed he will ask President Higgins to dissolve the Dail later today. On Tuesday morning, January 14, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his intention to inform the cabinet that he will ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the 32nd Dail. Mr Varadkar confirmed that he will travel to Aras on Tuesday afternoon to do so, before also confirming that an election is imminent. He stated: I have always said that the election should happen at the best time for the country. Now is that time. We have a deal on Brexit, and, after the positive vote in the House of Commons last Thursday, it is now certain that the UK will leave the EU on the 31st of January in an orderly fashion. "There will be no hard border, citizens rights will be protected, and the Common Travel Area will remain in place. The Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive have reconvened. However, Brexit is not done yet. In fact, its only half-time. Mr Varadkar says the next step is the negotiation of a free-trade agreement. He said: The next step is to negotiate a free trade agreement between the EU including Ireland and the United Kingdom that protects our jobs, our businesses, our rural communities and our economy. The capacity to do everything else that needs to be done - health, housing, climate action, tax reform - depends on achieving this outcome. And, it has to be done by the end of the year. Also read: Longford Fianna Fail general election candidate hits out at home care support hours He then confirmed that now is the time to hold a general election, with the date set for Saturday, February 08. There exists now a window of opportunity to hold a General Election and to have a new Government in place before the next European Council meeting in March with a strong mandate to focus on these negotiations into the summer and autumn. he stated. In deciding not to seek agreement on a date for an election in April or May, I do so knowing that, even if this was possible, we would effectively enter into a 3-4 month election campaign. During this time theres a risk that difficult decisions would be deferred and irresponsible promises made. That would not be in the interests of our country. Confirming the election date, Mr Varadkar says he chose a Saturday to allow those working away from home and students, the chance to vote. The election will be held on Saturday, February 8th. he said. In holding the General Election on a Saturday for the first time, I do so knowing the inconvenience to families of a polling day on a weekday during school term - time off work, lost income, increased childcare costs. I also want to make it easier for students and those working away from home to cast their votes. Also read: Matt Carthy to run in general election Mr Varadkar then thanked the public for the trust they placed in him. He said: It has been a privilege to lead this country as your Taoiseach for the last two and half years. Thank you for that honour and for your trust in me. We have a deal on Brexit and in Northern Ireland. Our economy has never been stronger. There are more people at work than ever before, incomes are rising, poverty is falling and the public finances are back in order. As a nation, we have every reason to be hopeful about the future. Weve modernised our society - marriage equality, womens rights, real progress in education, welfare and childcare. But, its not enough. I know its not enough. People want their Government to do much more. And I want us to do much more. Many people dont feel the strength of our economy in their pockets and they dont see it in their payslips or in their towns and parishes. We have a plan for fairer taxes for future jobs and for rural Ireland - to put that right. Continuing he said: Many people are frustrated about the pace of progress in housing and health. We share that frustration and I look forward to sharing our plans to build on what has been done, with a particular focus on homeownership and universal healthcare. We are beginning to make real headway on climate action and the environment. Were no longer a laggard but we are still far from being a leader. We have much to do. Many families struggle with the cost of living so we have plans to ease the burden and help families who we believe should be at the centre of our society. he concluded. Also read: Naughten to run poster free election campaign The trio picked Saucedo up from her home in the 6200 block of Kathryn Court, stopped to buy gas with $20 provided by Saucedo, and drove to a parking lot not far from her home where Thompson allegedly shot her to death. In all, after Saucedo paid for gas, the teens netted $80 in the robbery, with Brown receiving $20 and the youngest teen and Thompson splitting the remaining money, court documents state. Mark Wineman / Getty Images Oakland police are investigating a laptop theft that resulted in the shooting of the robbery victim the second violent crime involving a stolen laptop to occur within two weeks, police said. The shooting occurred about 9:24 p.m. Friday on the 6100 block of Adeline Street, near the intersection of 61st Street, said Johnna Watson, a spokeswoman for the Oakland Police Department. PHOENIX, Ore. A man and a woman were both injured after a brief struggle between them outside of a party in Phoenix caused the man's gun to go off, according to a statement from the Phoenix Police Department (PPD). Officers responded to a house in the 500-block of W 5th Street after 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning after someone reported an "assault with a weapon," the agency said. Phoenix officers were joined by units from Talent Police, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police. Witnesses told the officers that there had been a party going on at the home when a man identified as Jacob Karl Smith got shot in the left arm before the bullet became lodged in his lower leg. Emergency crews from Mercy Flights took Smith to the hospital for treatment. "Witness statements stated that Smith was upset about a personal relationship when he decided he wanted to leave the party," Phoenix Police said. According to investigators, Smith grabbed his handgun and car keys and started to leave when a woman tried to stop him from leaving. The shot went off immediately afterward, prompting someone to call police. While investigating the scene, police said that they were able to talk to everyone at the party except for the woman who reportedly tried to stop Smith from leaving. "Since the gun and the female were still both outstanding, the Phoenix Police Department asked the Jackson County Sheriffs Office to bring in their robot to search for the female prior to entering the residence," the agency said. The robot reportedly found her lying on the floor of a bathroom in the house. Officers quickly went in and took her into custody. The woman told police that she "didnt believe Smith was in a good frame of mind and possibly intoxicated," and she didn't think he should leave. In trying to take Smith's keys and gun away from him, the gun went off, Phoenix Police said. The same bullet that went through Smith's arm and into his leg first hit the woman's middle finger, the agency said. She was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Smith was cited and released on charges of Assault in the Third Degree and Reckless Endangering. Phoenix Police said that both Smith's injuries and the woman's were not life-threatening. The federal government has expressed dismay over increment in charges for laying of telecommunication fibres, known as Right of Way (RoW) by some states of the federation. According to a report by THISDAY newspaper, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Ondo, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Kebbi and Gombe, are the states who jerked the cost of the RoW fees for telecoms infrastructure. In a statement signed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, the government said the increase contravened an agreement reached at the National Economic Council (NEC). State governors are also members of NEC which is the highest economic policy body of the country. It is headed by the vice president. The communications minister said the increment is detrimental to the governments digital economy agenda. Mr Pantami said it was disheartening to hear that some States have decided to disregard these resolutions and have, in some cases, increased the RoW charges by over 1,200%. This will no doubt impact negatively on the efforts being made by the federal government. It is established that there is a strong correlation between a countrys broadband penetration and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). An ITU study on Africa indicates that a 10% broadband penetration would result in an increase of 2.5% of GDP per capita. We are therefore calling on all state governors, especially those that have made public their decisions to increase the RoW charges, to reconsider these decisions in the interest of Nigerians as well as for the socio-economic growth and development of the country. The statement explained that the NEC had in 2013 set up a committee comprising state governors and ministers to review the issues of multiple taxation in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and its impact. The committee, after extensive and wide-ranging consultations, resolved to harmonize the taxes applicable to broadband related activities and streamline the taxation management processes across the Federation. Specifically, to deepen broadband penetration for the social and economic development of the country, the Committee agreed to the uniform Right of Way (RoW) charge of N145.00 per linear meter of fibre. It may also be recalled that in October 2019, we had written to all the state governors, drawing their attention to these resolutions and soliciting their support and collaboration towards the realisation of the National Digital Economy by fast-tracking the deployment of broadband infrastructure for the provision of affordable internet services to underserved and unserved areas. State governments defend action When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, spokespersons of some of the states defended the action, giving reasons why the increase was justifiable. The Commissioner for Information, Cross River State, Asu Okang, said it was prepared to go into negotiations with telecommunication companies on the possible adjustment of charges they pay for RoW to install infrastructure, particularly telecommunications masts. However, the state government did not state if the negotiations with the telecommunications service providers would lead to a reduction in the cost they are currently being charged for the location of their masts. The official said the state was open to negotiations on the issues raised by the companies. The commissioner said despite the complaints from telecommunications service providers, the rates charged by Cross River State was lower than those charged by its neighbouring states. He said the rates charged by the state was within those prescribed by the federal government, adding that the telecommunications companies, of recent, had not been building new masts, but rather adopted the policy of co-location. Also, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor of Ondo State on Information and Telecommunications Technology, Olumbe Akinkugbe, said the agency had designed a policy that could reduce cost of operations for the telecommunication companies. Mr Akinkugbe, who is in charge of State Information and Technology Agency (SITA), however, said the companies had to be open about their infrastructural needs and their plans to achieve same. He said at the national level, the federal government had also established Broadband Infrastructure Rollout Plan, which has resulted in infrastructure companies being given concessions for RoW nationally, that had been broken into regions. What we are planning to do is to encourage what we call One Dig Policy, he said. One dig policy is a situation whereby we partner with reliable organisation to actually develop a fiber rollout plan on these right of way at a discounted rate such that when various telecoms operators are coming in there is already a laid down path as well as dug, he explained. Advertisements There are reports that some of the $1.7 billion that Obama gave to Iran as part of the Iran deal or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been traced to Iran-backed terror groups, including Qassem Soleimanis Quds Force, Irans principal foreign intelligence and covert action arm and part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. What is not discussed is that the money could not have been funneled to Iran without active support from actors within the Treasury Department. As a former Treasury Special Agent, the suspect actions of some of my ex-colleagues saddens and dismays me. Their actions also hypocritically counter both our anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist finance programs and the international financial systems and safeguards that Treasury worked hard to implement and protect. Since 1979 Iran has conducted virtual acts of war and terror against the United States and our allies. The State Department designated Iran as the worlds worst state sponsor of terrorism. Iran is also one of the most corrupt regimes in the world. So why did some Treasury officials move to obfuscate, if not launder, the money that Obama wanted delivered to the mullahs in Iran? Why did Treasury participate in a quid pro quo or act of bribery? Why would they engage in subsequent deception and cover-up? The short answer is Treasury willfully became blind and politicized. It wasnt just the Department of Justice and John Brennans CIA that were sullied during the Obama administration. In 2018, columnist Mark Theissen discussed some of Treasurys suspicious activities in his article, Obama took Lying to New Heights with the Iran Deal. Obama failed to disclose to Congress secret side deals on inspections when he transmitted the nuclear accord to Capitol Hill. Treasury secretly tried to help Iran use U.S. banks to convert $5.7 billion in Iranian assets, after promising Congress that Iran would not get access to the U.S. financial system. Treasury officials then apparently lied to Congress about what the administration had done. Senate investigators found that the Treasury Department granted a specific license that authorized a conversion of Iranian assets worth billions of U.S. dollars using the U.S. financial system including unlimited future Iranian deposits at Bank Muscat in Oman until the license expired. After issuing the license, Treasury explicitly denied to Congress that it had done so. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) "encouraged two U.S. correspondent banks to convert the funds." Senate investigators found "both banks declined to complete the transaction due to compliance, reputational, and legal risks associated with doing business with Iran." In response to Congressional inquiries, Treasury officials declared "The U.S. Department of Treasury is not working on behalf of Iran to enable Iranian access to U.S. dollars elsewhere in the international financial system, nor are we assisting Iran in gaining access to dollar payment systems outside the U.S. financial system. The Administration has not been and is not planning to grant Iran access to the U.S. financial system." The facts contradict Treasurys statement. Treasury participated in approximately 200 international "roadshows" where it encouraged foreign financial institutions to do business with Iran "as long as the rest of the world left the United States out of it." The Obama administration also signed a secret document lifting sanctions on two Iranian state banks that were previously blacklisted for their involvement in financing Iran's ballistic missile program. This occurred the same day Tehran released four American prisoners. In prior years, Treasury was vehemently opposed to the same banks for their alleged role in financially backing Iran's missile program. President Obama had the right to conduct and implement his foreign policy. Certainly, politically attuned attorneys in Treasury and elsewhere provided rulings and legal cover for the JCPOA. President Trump exercised the same right to rescind the JCPOA, an agreement he called one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. There is conflicting information about the specifics of the $1.7 billion sent to Iran. There has never been a full and transparent accounting showing how Treasury effected payment (e.g., manner of wire transfers, use of foreign banks, foreign currencies, flights of pallets of cash to Iran?). The U.S. military and intelligence community has been able to follow some of the money as it was routed to Iranian-backed terror groups but we lack details. How did they track it? Were the money transfers hidden, disguised or laundered? Were additional parties or conduits involved? Were waivers or exemptions granted to skirt sanctions? Was the U.S. government subsequently able to follow the money trail to corrupt Iranian officials? The money has certainly not been used to better the lives of the Iranian people. There are also charges and counter-charges about Irans right to compensation. Before the 1979 Islamic revolution, Irans government put $400 million for military equipment into the Pentagons Foreign Military Sales (FMS) account. In 1981, Iran filed a claim at The Hague to have that money returned. The Obama administration contended that the $1.7 billion sent to Iran represented the $400 million plus $1.3 billion in interest and that the money legally belonged to Iran. Thats simplistic and doesnt tell the whole story. In 1981, the US filed an $817 million counterclaim alleging that Iran violated its obligations under the FMS program. Some observers feel that it is Iran that owes the U.S., as the list of sponsored attacks, victims, and damages against Americans is long, bloody, and costly. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a law stipulating that Irans FMS account could not be refunded until court judgments against Iran for damages from terrorist acts against American citizens were resolved to Americas satisfaction. Obama ignored the law. To date, U.S. courts have ruled Iran owes nearly $55.6 billion to American victims of its terror. There are also still questions about the JCPOA agreements promises to lift sanctions on Irans economy in exchange of Iran scaling back its nuclear program. It is estimated the JCPOA resulted in the release of between $50 - $150 billion in frozen Iranian assets in the international financial system. Commentator Mark Levin looked at the numbers and said, Obama is the biggest funder of terrorism the world has ever seen. Treasury is justifiably proud of innovative tools such as sanctions and designations it developed to fight the War on Terror. It is sad and ironic that the same Department of Treasure facilitated some of Irans terror. The Treasurys Office of Inspector General should conduct an internal review of Obamas Treasury regarding the above. Judicial Watch, a nonprofit group promoting government transparency, could get involved. The best course of action would be for President Trump -- while his impeachment plays out for his alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- to order the Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State, the National Security Council, and elsewhere to release all documents, including emails, touching upon the Obama administrations deliberations on paying Irans claim, any linkage to the JCPOA, and possible side deals. President Trump should also order a full accounting of the form and method of the $1.7 billion payment to Iran. Americans deserve full transparency and accountability about the Obama Treasury Departments role in providing money to the Iranian terror regime. John A. Cassara is a former U.S. intelligence officer and Treasury special agent, author, and consultant. He has written numerous books and articles on money laundering and terror finance. Additional information is available at www.JohnCassara.com. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form There was a time when Connecticut extended all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Imagine a narrow strip of land the width of Connecticut, beginning at the New York border and extending west all the way to the California shoreline. When Connecticut was granted its charter in 1662 by King Charles II, it included the land all the way to the South Sea on the West Part. That land, which was for a time actually part of Connecticut, encompassed what is now Detroit Akron, Cleveland, Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City and more. The South Sea was the Pacific Ocean, although they didnt know it, said Connecticut State Historian Walt Woodward. They did not have any real idea. No one would have believed that the continent of America was as broad as it was. To say the least, they were geographically challenged at the time, Woodward said. Its not that Connecticut residents in the 1600s didnt have any idea about geography. They knew from the voyages of Francis Drake and others that there was a Pacific coast, Woodward said, but they did not understand the scale. It wasn't until Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery Expedition across the entirety of the continent in the early 1800s that the dimensions of America were truly understood. No one really expected the great midwest to be as great as it was, Woodward said. The Connecticut charter of 1662 did not just set the boundaries of the colony, but decide on a system of government. Charles II, who had only recently become king, granted Connecticut what was considered an unprecedented amount of autonomy. Connecticut used that charter to hold on to both its extensive land claims and autonomy for more than a century. Of course, it wasnt that simple. When they issued charters they often issued them with overlapping claims, conflicting boundaries, Woodward said. Two years after the charter was signed, King Charles II granted his brother James, the duke of York, land extending all the way to the Connecticut River. That decree was disputed immediately and vociferously between Connecticut and New York, Woodward said. Long Island, part of Connecticut until then, was ceded to New York when that dispute was resolved. When James succeeded his brother he was unhappy with the autonomy that had been granted Connecticut. He sent Edmund Andros to merge all the colonies from Maine to Delaware, but Connecticut was reluctant to fall in line. As the story goes, as Andros debated the charter in Hartford, the lights suddenly and mysteriously went out. Magically, the charter had disappeared, Woodward said. It had been spirited away and hidden in an oak tree, which is the origin of the legend of Connecticuts Charter Oak. Oak tree or no oak tree, King James II put Andros in charge of what he called the Dominion of New England, though he was overthrown in the so-called Glorious Revolution of 1688 leaving Connecticut to enforce the charter originally granted by Charles II in 1662. Connecticut was enforcing those land claims during the American Revolution, during a series of armed conflicts between Connecticut and Pennsylvania called the Pennamite-Yankee War. Ohio, too, had some disagreements with the Nutmeg State, when Connecticut claiming two large tracts in Ohio as per the 1662 charter, resettled refugees whose homes had been burned by the British to what was called the fire lands, and the Western Reserve. It wasnt until the new nation was formed that Connecticut along with every other state gave up its land to the west. As part of joining the new government, all of the new states gave up their western land claims, Woodward said. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked WhatsApp and Google to preserve and provide information related to the JNU violence to police New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked WhatsApp and Google to preserve and provide information related to the JNU violence to police. The court also asked police to seize at the earliest phones of members of two WhatsApp groups on which the 5 January violence was allegedly coordinated. Justice Brijesh Sethi directed the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration to provide at the earliest the CCTV footage of the violence sought by police. The court's observations came on the plea filed by JNU professors Ameet Parameswaran, Atul Sood and Shukla Vinayak Sawant seeking directions to the Delhi Police Commissioner and Delhi government. On 5 January, a mob of masked men stormed the campus and targeted students in three hostels, unleashing mayhem with sticks, stones and iron rods by hitting inmates and breaking windows, furniture and personal belongings. Three FIRs have been registered at Vasant Kunj (north) police station in connection with the incident. New Delhi: Seeking to boost Indian tourist inflow, especially of millennials, to the Southeast Asian country, Singapore's One Faber Group has initiated talks with banks, credit card firms and airlines to offer lucrative deals. Instead of relying solely on travel agents and intermediaries, the group has appointed an India representative tasked with increasing its tourist volume. The company has appointed ISA Tourism as its India market representative. Maintaining that Singapore continues to be an important destination for Indian tourists in Southeast Asia, One Faber Group senior executive Patrick Lee said that India figures among the top three markets for Singapore. He agreed that following the shutdown of Jet Airways, traffic on the India-Singapore route had seen some impact, but said that this drop was being fast compensated by new flights launched by IndiGo, GoAir and Vistara. The leisure and lifestyle services firm said that Singapore saw as many as 1.5 million Indian tourists visiting the island nation in 2018, and in the January-October period of 2019 the total figure stood 1.19 million. In the last 2-3 years destinations like Vietnam and Cambodia have also become popular among Indian tourists and this may have prompted some of travellers to choose these new countries over the traditional destinations. "The decline in number (2019 against 2018) is not because Singapore is losing its appeal among Indian tourists," said Lee who is Director of Sales and Business Development at Mount Faber Leisure Group. He noted that there was a significant jump in tourist numbers from India in 2018, compared to 2017. One Faber Group's portfolio of products and services include the Singapore Cable Car, Wings of Time, Faber Peak Singapore, Arbora, Dusk Restaurant and Bar, Good Old Days and 100M Private Dining, among others. "India continues to be one of our priority markets and the appointment of ISA Tourism as market representative will allow more Indian tourists to discover our variety of memorable lifestyle experiences and embark on a delightful escapade with us," said One Faber Group Managing Director Buhdy Bok. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Yes Bank will hold its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at 11 am on February 7. According to a release, the bank stated it will seek shareholders' approval to raise its authorised share capital to Rs 1,100 crore at the EGM. The lender's board, on January 10, approved a plan to raise fresh capital of Rs 10,000 crore via a mix of debt and equity. It also turned down Canadian industrialist Erwin Singh Braich's $1.2 billion investment bid. Meanwhile, the board announced that it would further consider the $500 million offer from Citax Holdings and Citax Investment Group at its next meeting. In a separate statement last week, Yes Bank informed the exchanges that its Independent Director Uttam Prakash Agarwal submitted his resignation after having expressed his concerns over the bank's ongoing fundraising exercise. Read | Uttam Agarwal resigns as independent director of Yes Bank, cites 'corporate governance failure' Agarwal cited failures in corporate governance and compliance as the reason for resignation. However, Yes Bank said that the lender was reviewing his fit & proper status for the role under directions from the regulator. Two youths were killed in Guinea on Monday at the start of open-ended protests against President Alpha Conde's suspected bid to prolong his rule. The West African country has been wracked by demonstrations since mid-October over concerns that Conde intends to use a planned constitutional reform to seek a third term in office. At least 20 civilians and one gendarme have been killed since the start of protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people while scores have been arrested. Scuffles broke out on Monday in the Coza suburb of the capital Conakry between young people and the police, an AFP journalist said. Elhadj Mamadou Sow, a 21-year-old student, was killed in the unrest, according to his uncle, who declined to be named. The security ministry confirmed Sow's death and said an investigation had been launched. The ministry also confirmed the death of another protester in the northern city of Labe. A hospital source had earlier told AFP that the 18-year-old was shot in the head, adding that the death prompted protesters to attack a courthouse and the local office of Conde's Guinean People's Assembly (RPG) party. After months of organising mass protests, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an alliance of opposition groups, raised the stakes last week and called for "huge" and "open-ended" demonstrations. Conde, 81, has neither confirmed nor denied the claim that he put forward a draft constitution last month intending to keep himself in office for a third term. The current constitution in the former French colony stipulates two presidential terms. The government on Sunday accused opposition leaders of seeking to plunge Guinea into disorder. The FNDC had called for a peaceful protest. Guinea's Security Minister Albert Damantang Camara also said on Monday that he has "the manpower, methods and capabilities" to intervene whenever necessary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) What color is the sky in GOP land? I ask because Sunday night, when residents of the Eastern Seaboard were enjoying the last few hours of an unseasonably balmy weekend, the White House sent out a tweet with the caption: "First snow of the year!" Given that it was approximately 55 degrees when the White House tweeted out "First snow of the year," this was a very odd claim. It prompted much commentary on social media. It has been pointed out that the picture was probably of the first snow, but it was taken Jan. 7 and only posted to Twitter on Jan 12. But, of course, the White House failed to clarify the tweet or provide any explanation. This is a picayune error, one likely due to minor incompetence rather than malevolence. I do not want to belabor it, but the story highlights a few things about the White House. First, it makes these kinds of small screw-ups all the time. Second, to my knowledge the White House never admits error in these things, because that would imply presidential fallibility or some other such heresy. Third, this is exactly the kind of story that an occasional White House news conference would solve, and yet Stephanie Grisham continues her streak of never having held one. This fact has caused a bipartisan group of her predecessors to publish an open letter calling for her to hold a few briefings, arguing among other things, "The country needs trusted sources of information delivered on a timely and regular schedule." Grisham responded to this with a statement to Axios' Mike Allen inaccurately labeling the letter an example of "groupthink" and adding: "This president is unorthodox in everything he's done. He's rewritten the rules of politics. His press secretary and everyone else in the administration is reflective of that. . . . The press secretary briefs in the absence of the president, and this president is never absent - a fact that should be celebrated." Grisham's fealty to her boss is emblematic of the Republican Party as a whole these days. While President Donald does not command 95% support from Republicans despite his repeated claims to the contrary, he is very popular among them. That leads to stories like the one The New York Times's Elaina Plott tells about David Richter, the GOP challenger to Rep. Jeff Van Drew, the former Democrat who switched parties. Trump's full-throated endorsement of Van Drew obviously undermined Richter, who is still in the New Jersey race. And yet Richter refused to say, well, anything about the president: "Asked if he believes Mr. Trump has stayed loyal to his principles, Mr. Richter paused. 'No comment,' he said, then backtracked. 'And I don't want "no comment" to be my answer. No answer.' " Similarly, the White House demonstrated its fury at Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of the most loyal Trump supporters in the House, for actually voting in favor of a measure to limit the president's authority to go to war with Iran. According to a The Washington Post, report: "A senior White House official said it was 'super uncool' and 'quite unwise' for Gaetz to push for limits on the president's authority. This person added that White House officials would not be returning Gaetz's phone calls, text messages, 'smoke signals or his kneelings in the snow.' " So this is the world the Trump has created in GOP land: opaque in its intentions, fanatical in its conviction that the president and his White House minions are infallible, and zealous in punishing unbelievers. Which is why this Politico story by Burgess Everett and Marianne Levine is so interesting: "While Senate Majority Leader [Mitch] McConnell has locked up enough Republican votes to ignore demands for a bipartisan framework for Trump's impeachment trial, his Democratic counterpart is readying a counteroffensive. Schumer will force a series of votes designed to squeeze vulnerable Republicans and harm them on the campaign trail if they side with Trump. . . . "Democrats argue the half-dozen at-risk GOP senators will need some daylight between them and Trump to get reelected. And if they vote against Schumer's motions to hear new evidence and witness testimony, they'll be seen as Trump sycophants - undermining their bids and boosting Schumer's odds of becoming majority leader. "Support for obtaining new documents at the trial is 'even stronger than we thought, with large numbers of Republicans supporting it,' Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview. 'And when you go against what the American people feel strongly about, on an issue they're paying attention to, it's not a good idea.'" Schumer may well be correct. The New York Post's Steven Nelson and Ebony Bowden reported that Sen. Susan Collins is "working with a 'fairly small group' of fellow Republican senators to ensure witnesses can be called." And CBS News' Ben Tracy and Kathryn Watson report that "senior White House officials tell CBS News they increasingly believe that at least four Republicans, and likely more, will vote to call witnesses." Still, Trump's repeated demands for loyalty from GOP members of Congress lead me to remain skeptical. I can believe someone such as Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, secure in his seat, can afford to challenge Trump. Maybe outgoing Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee can do the same. Anyone in the GOP running for reelection in 2020, however, needs the president's full-throated support. And perhaps everyone running in 2022 as well. When the House impeachment inquiry started, it seemed that a few retiring GOP House members might vote in favor of impeachment. That proved to be a chimera. Perhaps the Senate will be different, but it seems likely that any GOP defections will be limited to procedural votes. At this point, it seems as though loyal Republicans will jettison their values far quicker than their devotion to the 45th president. It will be a pleasant surprise if this turns out not to be true. - - - Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. By IANS NEW DELHI: Ride-hailing platform Ola's food business, that includes own brands offering khichdi, rice bowls and biryani in six cities, on Tuesday brought senior FMCG executive Rajeev Bakshi as board advisor to Ola Foods. Bakshi was recently managing director of METRO Cash & Carry India and previously worked with PepsiCo and Cadbury. "Ola has the opportunity to build highly loved food brands in a market that is hitherto underserved. With access to hundreds of millions of consumers who use Ola as an everyday platform, the brands will also have a unique advantage in terms of reach and influence," Bakshi said in a statement. Ola, with its food business, aims to build its own-food brands like its flagship khichdi experiment, and a range of brands across categories like rice bowls, biryani and health food etc.. Ola currently runs 36 kitchens across six cities. "We are at a very early part of our journey wherein we are building unique consumer offerings through differentiated distribution formats, both online and offline," said Pranay Jivrajka, CEO of Ola Foods and Founding Partner at Ola. The UN expressed satisfaction at the peaceful crossing of the Guerguarat border crossing from Morocco to Mauritania despite verbal provocations by the Algerian-backed separatist militia to disrupt the competition. We are pleased to see that the Africa Eco Race crossed Guergarat peacefully today, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, during his press briefing in New York Monday. UN chief Antonio Guterres had expressed concern following Polisario threats to block drivers from crossing Guerguarat. It is important to allow for regular civilian and commercial traffic to proceed and to refrain from any action that may constitute a change to the status quo of the Buffer Strip, said Guterress in a rebuke to the Polisario militias. This is the second edition of the Africa Eco Race which links Monaco to Dakar across Morocco, including the Southern Provinces. The Morocco phase was launched last week at the Tangier Med port with the participation of 688 competitors and 266 vehicles. Racers from 34 nationalities representing the five continents are taking part in the rally. The Polisario had on multiple occasions attempted to block the flow of commercial traffic in the Guerguarat border post. The crossing came under spotlight after Morocco started clearing the buffer zone, which was turned by the polisario to a safe haven for trafficking and all sorts of criminal activity. Morocco warned that Polisairos banditry in the buffer zone on the border with Mauritania and the repetitive ceasefire violations in the area amount to a casus belli. An Uzbek blames the death of his 27-year-old wife on doctors' negligence and a lack of basic equipment at a hospital in eastern Uzbekistan where she died two weeks after giving birth. Davron Ghaniev says his wife, Mushtari Ghanieva, was admitted to the Kokand city hospital's maternity ward on December 17 and suffered internal bleeding after giving birth. Ghaniev claims doctors "didn't pay attention" to his wife's condition despite his pleading with the medics to take measures to stop the bleeding. "When I asked the doctors, they told me 'bleeding happens because of giving birth, it will stop soon,'" he said. "But it didn't stop," Ghaniev told RFE/RL. "My wife fell into a coma on December 20. Then doctors came from [the provincial capital] Ferghana City and operated on my wife. But she died on January 2." According to Ghaniev, the maternity ward didn't have a functional artificial-respiration device, a problem which further worsened her condition and contributed to her death. Ghaniev says he went and bought an artificial respirator in the neighboring town of Danghara but that by the time he acquired it he was too late to save his wife. Officials at the Kokand maternity ward refused to comment to RFE/RL about Ghanieva's death. The Ferghana Regional Health Care Department confirmed her death but said the circumstances are still being investigated. The department told RFE/RL the Kokand maternity ward has recently undergone repairs and had received modern medical equipment. However, an official within the department -- who would only speak on condition of anonymity -- told RFE/RL that hospitals in the region still haven't received any new equipment. "Most of the devices are old, some are broken, therefore we requested new medical equipment, the delivery of which will begin [sometime] in 2020," the official said. "Then we will distribute them to our hospitals." Many Uzbeks say a lack of basic equipment is widespread in hospitals in the provinces, where medical facilities face many other problems, such as a shortage of electricity during the winter. They also say doctors' negligence isn't uncommon. In the Angor district hospital in Surkhondaryo Province, nurses and relatives of the patients must operate artificial-respiration devices manually every time the electricity is cut off, residents complained. In the province of Jizzakh, relatives are blaming doctors for the death of a 29-year-old pregnant woman, who died in a hospital last month. Her family says doctors failed to provide urgent medical assistance that she needed. The hospital has denied the claim. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by Elmurad Zhusupaliev Journalist Golunov recognized as victim in police abuse of power case RIA Novosti, Vladimir Pesnya 16:16 14/01/2020 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) Journalist Ivan Golunov has been recognized as a victim in a case over abuse of power against him by police officers, his attorney Sergey Badamshin has told RAPSI. In late December, investigators opened the case over arrest of Golunov. There are five defendants in the case; all of them have been dismissed from police. Golunov was arrested in Moscow on June 6. On June 8, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow placed him under house arrest for 2 months. According to the Interior Ministrys official statement, police seized nearly 4 grams of methylmethedrone from Golunov. The journalist pleaded not guilty, insisted that the drugs were planted on him during the arrest and claimed that his prosecution is related to his journalistic investigations. According to his defense, an examination showed no drugs in his biomaterial. On June 11, charges against Golunov were dropped because of a lack of evidence that he participated in the crime, and the journalist was released. On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed two generals of police on the back of the arrest of Golunov. Clouds of ash blew far north of the Philippines' Taal volcano, reaching Manila, the country's bustling capital, and forcing the shutdown of its main airport after lava gushed out of the mountain. Thousands of villagers were fleeing to safety, but officials say the number could swell to hundreds of thousands. Poor visibility and a lack of transportation were hampering people's efforts to leave. (Image: AP) Britain, France and Germany are increasing pressure on Iran to end its violations of an international nuclear deal. The Europeans say they want to settle differences through negotiations. But they admit the process could lead to a return of United Nations sanctions against Iran. The European Union (EU) members and Iran signed the nuclear agreement in 2015. Also signing were China, Russia and the United States. Britain, France and Germany wrote a letter to the EUs foreign policy chief. The letter stated that they had no choice but to use the deals dispute mechanism because of Iranian violations of the agreement. The three said they rejected Irans argument that Iran was justified to violate the deal because the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018. We have therefore been left with no choice, given Irans actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments, the EU members said in a statement. Irans government reacts Hours later, Irans Foreign Ministry warned of a serious and strong reaction to the European move. However, a foreign ministry spokesman official said Iran was fully ready to answer any good will and constructive effort that keeps the nuclear deal in place. Irans official IRNA news agency reported his comments. EU foreign policy leader Josep Borrell said the pressure from Europe does not mean Iran will face new international sanctions. The aim of the move by France, Germany and Britain is to return (Iran) to full complianceof this agreement, he said. The three countries said that they want to arrive at a solution using diplomatic dialogue and made no threat of sanctions in their statement. They also tried to distance themselves from the sanctions declared by the United States. U.S. officials have said those measures are part of a pressure campaign against Iran. Our three countries are not joining a campaign to (put) maximum pressure against Iran, the Europeans said. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments. The nuclear deals dispute resolution mechanism The 2015 nuclear deal is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as JCPOA. It seeks to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon by setting limits on its nuclear program in exchange for economic actions, such as easing sanctions. Irans government has said it does not want a nuclear weapon. Under its dispute resolution mechanism, countries have 30 days to settle their dispute; however, the time limit can be extended. If the problem cannot be solved, the issue could be brought to the United Nations Security Council. The councils members could decide to re-establish the sanctions that had been removed under the terms of the deal. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. government out of the nuclear agreement in May 2018. He said the deal should be re-negotiated because it did not set limitations on Irans ballistic missile program or its involvement in conflicts in other countries. Since then he has put back American sanctions, which have hurt Irans economy. To answer the U.S. decision, Iran has slowly pulled back from the agreement. Iran wants to pressure the other countries involved to provide economic incentives to answer the American sanctions. China and Russia had been against using the dispute mechanism. However, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that the three European countries could no longer leave the growing Iranian violations of the nuclear agreement unanswered. Our goal is clear: we want tocome to a diplomatic solution within the agreement, Maas said. With the growing worries that the deal cannot be saved, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is suggesting the agreement could be somehow re-negotiated to answer some of Trumps worries. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA with the Trump deal, he told the BBC. Im Dorothy Gundy. And I'm Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story sanctions n. an action that is taken to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, mechanism n. a process or system that is used to produce a result commitment n. an agreement or promise to do something constructive adj. helping to develop or improve something compliance n. the act or process of doing what you have been asked or ordered to do dialogue n. a discussion or series of discussions that two groups or countries have in order to end a disagreement ballistic missile n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes incentives n. something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder GRAND RAPIDS, MI James Chance likely faces up to six months in jail after a jury on Monday, Jan. 13, found him guilty of being an accessory after the fact to his son Jareds mutilation of a Kalamazoo-area woman. Advisory sentencing guidelines call for zero to six months in jail. Chance, 77, was convicted after a week-long jury trial in Kent County Circuit Court. He was acquitted of one perjury charge while a mistrial was declared on a second perjury charge when jurors could not reach a unanimous decision. Jared Chance, 30, killed and dismembered Ashley Young, 31, on Nov. 29, 2018, at his home in the 900 block of Franklin Street SE. He called his parents on Dec. 1, 2018, and asked for a ride to their Holland home for the weekend. He brought the victims body parts and other items including a reciprocating saw and her clothes with him. He brought of the items back to Grand Rapids the next day. The saw was left under the couch in his parents living room. Defense attorney Laura Joyce said she was disappointed in the guilty verdict and pleased with the acquittal. Jared Chances mother, Barbara Chance, 64, last week pleaded no contest to being an accessory after the fact and perjury. The victims family, including her mother, Kristine Young, who has sat through countless court hearings, listening to difficult testimony, left the courtroom quickly after the verdict. Jurors deliberated about 12 hours over the course of two days, returning the verdict around 5 p.m. Monday. The jury forewoman said jurors would not be able to reach a unanimous decision on the unsettled perjury charge with further deliberations. Barbara Chance will be sentenced next month. Her husband will be sentenced in March. Both are free on bond. Jared Chance is serving at least 100 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder. James Chance, a retired Rock Island, Illinois, police officer, told investigators his son told him about the killing at the kitchen table in Holland. A little later, he brought his son to Grand Rapids police headquarters. The defense says he tried to turn his son in. The crime scene in Jared Chances basement had yet to be discovered. The prosecution says he wanted an attorney for his son before any questioning and soon left. The prosecution said that driving his son with the body parts in his vehicle amounted to evidence tampering. Young, who was a friend to Jared Chance, was with him late Nov. 28, 2018, into the early morning. Her mother had tried contact her that morning was becoming frantic. She called her daughters friends, and eventually talked to Chance, who said she was OK. The mother viewed surveillance video of the two at Mulligans Pub in Eastown. The victims torso was found Dec. 2, the day Chances father brought him to the police station. Police found her arms and legs in a box outside the landing of his rented two-family home. James Chance was accused of perjury based on statements he gave police about the time of his trip to pick up his son and the route back. He told police it was dark out when he got home with his son but other evidence suggested it was early afternoon. He was acquitted on that allegation. The jurors could not reach a decision on the other: that the family made two stops along the way where, the prosecution says, evidence could have been disposed of. The victims head, hands and feet have not been found. The Taji military base camp, located north of the Iraqi capital, was on Tuesday targeted by Katyusha rockets, with no casualties reported, the Iraqi military said. The base camp - located 85 kilometres north of Baghdad - hosts a large number of US troops and other foreign forces, making it a target for Iran-backed armed groups after the US assassination of top commander Qassem Soleimani, Al Jazeera reported. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, the statement read. At least two Katyusha rockets were fired earlier today, an army captain told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, four people were wounded after eight Katyusha rockets were fired at the Al Balad airbase injuring four Iraqi soldiers. The incidents come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following Soleimani's killing and Tehran's retaliatory missile attacks against American targets in Iraq. The limited Iranian response, which caused no casualties, appeared to be mainly a show of force and de-escalated tensions that had threatened to turn Iraq into a proxy battlefield amid increasing fears of all-out war. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Posted on: January 14, 2020 3:00 PM [ACNS, by Lucy Cowpland] The Anglican Church of Australia is responding to the bushfire crisis with words and actions as they seek to bring relief to the country. At least 25 people have died since September due to the fires and more than 63,000 square kilometres of bush, forest and parks have been burned. Almost 2000 homes have been destroyed, and countless wildlife killed. The fires have been worsened by 40 degree Celsius temperatures and strong winds, creating difficult conditions for firefighters. Analysts predict the crisis could cost the Australian economy $20 billion AUD (approximately 10.5 billion GBP) in lost output. The Melbourne Anglican Foundation Trust opened a bushfire emergency relief fund on 7 January as a practical way for communities to respond to the disaster which has spread across Australia over the past few months. Donations made to the trust will be directed to those in need, in consultation with the bishops of the Victorian dioceses effected. The Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn has released a pastoral letter in which he praised the Anglicare disaster response teams for their work in evacuation centres, and churches for opening their doors to provide spaces for reflection and refuge. The Bishop of Gippsland also released a Pastoral Letter in which he said: we commit ourselves to a sustained relief effort, working within and beyond our churches with people of good will to support those most affected by the fires and their aftermath, and to rebuild where hope has been lost. The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has included a prayer graphic on their website saying: All things look to you, O Lord, To give them their food in due season Look in Mercy on your people, and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened by fire. Give protection and wisdom to fire fighters and other emergency service personnel. Encourage our generosity to those who suffer loss. In your mercy restore creation and heal our land. So guide and bless your people, that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth and give you thanks with grateful hearts, Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen The global response has focused on conversations around climate change. Last year was the hottest and driest year on record in Australia. Green Anglicans, the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, have been very vocal in calling for action against climate change, particularly in relation to the fires in Australia. They have issued a prayer for Australia on their website, which includes the lines In this world of changed and changing climate, God, we ask that you would help us to help those who are in immediate danger and call us to repent of all the ways we continue to make this world a place of death, rather than life. Google has quietly removed the ability for guests to use your home speaker or TV without logging in to your WiFi network. Using the Guest Mode, friends or family visiting your smart home could use a specific 4-digit PIN code to play their favourite music or content on the home speakers. Now, the feature appears disappeared from all devices except Chromecasts, Android Police notes. The feature is currently available on Chromecasts but not for any Google Home or Nest speaker. It is unclear if it has been disabled due to a firmware update or Google has deliberately removed it over security concerns. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said military veterans had inspired the government to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff, predicting that it will also help in the welfare of ex-servicemen. He said the veterans had asked for the creation of the post. "The veterans are the ones who provided inspiration for this," he said at an event here to mark the day when the armed forces honour ex-servicemen. The Veterans Day event was also attended by the first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen M M Naravane. Rajnath Singh said Army veterans had contributed to nation-building in a big way. "Your welfare is a priority for our government," he said, adding that the creation of the new post will help achieve this. "When I was home minister, I did for them whatever I could," he said, in an apparent reference to those who retire from paramilitary forces. He added that he was keen on doing something for the defence forces now. Addressing ex-servicemen from all three forces, the minister said the government had fulfilled the long-pending demand for one rank, one pension. Singh praised the defence forces for shouldering the responsibility of keeping countrymen secure. He said a soldier never retires. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Field Marshal K M Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Army, retired on January 14, 1953. The day is observed as Armed Forces Veterans Day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Trump is aiming to divert an additional $7.2 billion from the Pentagon to fund construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, over five times the amount allocated by Congress in the 2020 budget. The Trump administration will move $3.5 billion from counter-narcotics programs and $3.7 billion from military construction funds toward the completion of a barrier, the Washington Post reported Monday. While the finished barrier was originally slated to stretch 509 miles, the additional funding will give the administration the ability to build 885 miles of barrier by spring 2022, should Trump win reelection. The President has made construction of the wall a centerpiece of his agenda. The administration has completed 101 miles of new barrier despite Trumps promise to build 450 miles of barrier by the end of 2020. With the added funds, the administration will have allocated $18.4 billion toward completion of the barrier. The White House and Pentagon declined the Posts requests for comment. Congress in December agreed to earmark $1.375 billion for border wall construction in the budget for 2020, while the Trump administration had originally sought $5 billion. In late 2018, House Democrats refusal to bow to Trumps demand for additional wall funding, led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history as lawmakers struggled to pass the federal budget. The Trump administrations attempt to construct the barrier have been met with numerous challenges in federal courts. In the most recent development, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to lift an injunction by a lower court staying construction of the wall. More from National Review For years, Jamie Dimon had a running joke: Ask him when he was going to step down from J.P. Morgan Chase, and the answer was always five years in the future, no matter when the question was asked. But two years ago, Dimon said in a press release that he would continue as CEO "for approximately five more years" as the bank appointed a pair of co-presidents who could step in for him if needed. Fast forward to now: Dimon appeared uncommitted to that timing when CNBC asked him about it in a Tuesday media call. "My statement stays the same, it's five years," Dimon said. "When and if we ever set an actual retirement date, we'll let you know." In this Dec. 4, 2019, file photo, fight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington. Read more WASHINGTON Top Senate Republicans on Monday rejected President Donald Trumps call for outright dismissal of the impeachment charges against him, but continued to grapple with the shape of the Senate trial that could begin as soon as this week. Most Senate Republicans are eager to stage a trial that ends with Trumps acquittal and vindication on charges that he abused the power of his office in his dealings with Ukraine and obstructed a subsequent investigation in the House. But over the weekend, Trump urged the Senate simply to dismiss the charges against him without hearing arguments from House prosecutors or his own legal team. On Monday, senior Republicans said immediate dismissal could not win approval in the chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-seat majority. And even some staunch Trump allies argued that the presidents legacy would benefit from a robust trial. I dont think theres any interest on our side of dismissing, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., the fourth-ranking GOP senator. Certainly, there arent 51 votes for a motion to dismiss. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said that he wants the trial only the third impeachment of a president in U.S. history to follow the format used 21 years ago in the trial of President Bill Clinton. In that case, the Senate approved a resolution that would have allowed the Senate to vote to dismiss the charges. But senior Republicans signaled Monday that they are not inclined to include such a provision in the resolution that will kick off Trump's trial, perhaps as soon as Thursday. "I think the only reason it would be in there is if there's just some argument for consistency," Blunt said. Another GOP senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss legislation that is not yet public, also said the inclusion of a provision to dismiss is unlikely. Republicans were maneuvering behind the scenes about the vexing issue of witnesses as former national security adviser John Bolton said last week that he would be willing to testify if he receives a Senate subpoena. Still, Trump, in a tweet Sunday that he also re-upped on Monday, made clear that he was still pressing for the Senate to dismiss the charges. Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, no pressure Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree! he wrote. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said during a Fox News interview that while Trump is seeking a dismissal "because he did nothing wrong," if he faces a Senate trial, "he does want it to be fair, which is all he deserves." Meanwhile, a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss strategy, said the White House wants the dismissal option "available to the president" and not necessarily tucked into the organizing resolution. The official also noted that a motion to dismiss could come later in the trial, once the senators have had ample time to digest opening arguments and ask questions. Any senator can move to dismiss the charges, as long as it is done in writing. Trump has been eager to use the Senate trial on the campaign trail as evidence that he has done nothing wrong and that his impeachment by the House was a political "witch hunt" by Democrats. The House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has held the two articles of impeachment as she sought concessions from McConnell on witnesses. He refused to budge and Pelosi relented last week, signaling that the House would vote this week to approve a slate of impeachment managers who will deliver the articles to the Senate and prosecute the case against Trump. Senate Republicans, most of whom are prepared not to convict Trump on the two charges, believe a vote to acquit will provide a more emphatic statement to rebut the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges he faces over his demands that Ukraine launch investigations that would benefit him politically. For that reason, McConnell has long preferred a vote to acquit Trump, rather than a vote to dismiss that has a higher likelihood of failure on the Senate floor a view echoed Monday by his closest allies and rank-and-file senators. Several closely watched Republican senators said Monday that they would reject immediate dismissal of the charges against Trump, including Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Susan Collins, R-Maine,. My understanding is most Republicans wanted to have a full trial and then have a vote on acquittal or a conviction, which is at a 67-vote threshold, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Chatter about dismissing the charges began to ramp up last week after Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a measure to alter Senate rules to allow for dismissing articles of impeachment, but only if the House had failed to transmit them to the Senate within 25 calendar days. McConnell announced last week that he had the votes to proceed with Trump's impeachment trial without support from Democrats and within the parameters that he sought: hours of opening statements for both the House managers, and Trump's defense team, as well as a period for questioning from senators. No Republicans signaled dissent from that strategy last week. As Senate GOP leaders work to finalize the resolution that would establish Trump's trial, they also began contending with a growing chorus of Republican senators who could be influential swing votes on procedural matters on the question of witnesses. One of them, Collins, said last week that she has spoken with a small circle of Republican senators to ensure that the process for Trump hews as closely to the structure that Clinton was granted during his trial. On Monday, Collins explained that her negotiations are not about "specific witnesses" getting called but are merely an attempt to make sure that no senator could short circuit the trial without first letting all 100 senators vote on whether to call additional witnesses. Other like-minded senators on Monday echoed Collinss view. I am working to make sure that we will have a process so that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, which could include witnesses, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Romney said Monday that he plans to vote against early motions by Democrats for witnesses before opening arguments, but that later in the trial "I presume I'll be voting in favor of hearing from John Bolton perhaps among others. That could change depending on what happens in the ensuing days and during those arguments but I'm not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments." Senior Republicans stressed Monday that such a vote would likely occur, with Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., telling reporters: I dont think theres any question that therell probably be that vote at some point in the process. "I think we should hear the case. We have a constitutional duty to do that," Alexander said. "That means to me, number one, hear the arguments. Number two, to ask our questions. Number three, to be guaranteed the right to vote on whether we need additional evidence following hearing the case. Evidence could be witnesses, it could be documents." The Washington Posts Josh Dawsey, Rachael Bade and Paul Kane contributed to this report. Darrens death turns what was meant to be a vacation into a permanent move, leaving Nicholas to get to know 14-year-old Genevieve (Maeve Press) and 17-year-old Matilda (Kayla Cromer), who are the closest of strangers to him. Lets be honest: Am I the best catch? he asks them matter-of-factly. No, I am not. Like Freeforms new Party of Five reboot, in which a family of kids raise one another after their parents deportation, Everythings Gonna Be Okay is a variation on the teen-screen tradition of the Orphan Emancipation Fantasy. (The girls mother died years ago; Nicholass mom is still living in Australia.) But where its channelmate deals with a socially and financially precarious family, Gonna sets its kids up comfortably. Darren, a lawyer, left behind ample funds and legal arrangements. Nicholas is an entomologist each episode is fancifully titled for an insect species but does not appear to work (though he keeps an impressive menagerie of creepy-crawlies). Instead, the challenges are emotional and social. Genevieve is entering the embarrassments and cruelties of puberty, while Matilda is autistic shes high-functioning, but her trouble reading social cues levels up the difficulty of suddenly becoming the not-quite-a-father to a girl on the brink of adulthood. A show like this lives or dies on this believability of its young actors, and Gonna has some of the best child casting this side of FXs Better Things. Presss Genevieve has a sensitive heart encased in an armor of spiky sarcasm. Cromer (who is herself on the spectrum) is a light bulb of an actress, instantly winning in scenes like Matildas eulogy for her father: Dad used to get frustrated when I always made things about myself. But he is dead now. Surprise! Prince Harry is expected to join wife Meghan Markle and their eight-month-old son Archie in Canada by the end of this week after crisis talks with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II concluded "constructively". The 93-year-old monarch agreed to a transition period for the royal couple as the finer details of their semi-independent role are worked out in the coming days. In the interim, the couple will be dividing their time between their home at Frogmore Cottage in south-east England and a mansion on Vancouver Island in Canada. "I think they'll sort it out all the easier without any commentary from me," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday when asked about the future security and other arrangements that need to be worked out for the royal couple. Johnson's remarks came as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said further talks are still required over who pays for the heavy security detail required for Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, when they are in Canada. "I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have," he told Canadian TV. Security requirements and the financial implications of the unprecedented split within the top rung of the UK royal family will be at the heart of the details yet to be worked out. Meanwhile, with a rare personalised and informal statement repeatedly referring to her "family", the Queen appears keen to ensure unity within her household as best as possible. Her message of support to Harry and Meghan was tinged with sadness as the statement made reference to her desire for the couple to remain full-time working members of the royal family but added that their wish to live a more independent life was understandable. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the statement notes after what the Queen described as "very constructive" discussions on Monday involving her grandsons Harry and William as well as their father Prince Charles. Meghan had been expected to join by phone from Canada but royal aides confirmed that there had been no need for that in the end. Some reports indicate that Harry spent a considerable time alone with his grandmother to explain his side of things before the other members of the family joined the discussions. The urgent talks at Sandringham were convened by the Queen after Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, went public with their plans for a "progressive new role" within the royal protocol last week. The final draft for their new roles worked out by royal aides is expected to prove a blueprint for the future generations of Britain's royal household. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, his brother William, the Duke of Cambridge, and their father Charles, the Prince of Wales, had all been invited to the emergency meeting at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. It was the first time the monarch came face-to-face with Harry since the Sussex crisis exploded to determine the couple's future roles and decide if they will retain their royal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Lima Tue, January 14, 2020 16:01 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3221d023 2 News tourists,travel,machu-picchu,Peru,destination Free Six tourists, including a French woman, have been arrested over accusations that they damaged Peru's cultural heritage by defecating in a sacred temple at the iconic Machu Picchu sanctuary. "The six tourists are being detained and investigated by the public ministry for the alleged crime against cultural heritage," Cusco regional police chief Wilbert Leyva said on Monday, quoted by the local Andina news agency. The tourists were arrested on Sunday after park rangers and police found them in a restricted area of the Temple of the Sun, an important site at the Inca citadel. Leyva said authorities had come across a "fracture" in a piece of stone that had "broken off a wall and caused a crack in the floor." Cultural authorities from Cusco, the region where Machu Picchu is located, said feces were found in the Temple of the Sun. The group was made up of one French, two Brazilians, two Argentines and a Chilean, according to police. Read also: Peru to plant one million trees around Machu Picchu They face at least four years in prison if found guilty of damaging Peru's heritage. Several parts of the semicircular Temple of the Sun are off limits to tourists for preservation reasons. Worshipers at the temple would make offerings to the sun, which was considered the most important deity in the Inca empire as well as other pre-Inca civilizations in the Andean region. The Machu Picchu estate -- which includes three distinct areas for agriculture, housing and religious ceremonies -- is the most iconic site from the Inca empire that ruled a large swathe of western South America for 100 years before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Machu Picchu, which means "old mountain" in the Quechua language indigenous to the area, is at the top of a lush mountain and was built during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438-1471). It lies around 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Andean city of Cusco, the old Inca capital in southeastern Peru. The site was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. A staff member at Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, central Vietnam, checks arrivals' temperatures on a computer, January 13, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc. Major airports in Vietnam have installed devices to scan the temperature of people arriving from China, where a mystery pneumonia outbreak is raging. Health authorities have installed five remote body temperature scanners at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi to monitor people who have visited Wuhan in central China where a 61-year-old man has died and 41 others are infected. Health officials in HCMC have begun screening all passengers arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Five infrared body temperature monitors have been installed at entry and exit points in Cam Ranh Airport near the popular resort town of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, a favorite destination for Chinese tourists. Eight medical workers from the center are available 24 hours to monitor passengers at the airport. Nguyen Hoa Hoi, director of Khanh Hoa's international health quarantine center, said: "A separate counter will be arranged for passengers arriving from Wuhan." Security forces and airport employees are also equipped to respond to possible cases of pneumonia. Health staff have been instructed to don medical masks and use antiseptic solution and disinfectant. At monitoring points, signs have been installed asking people to stop for checking body temperature and health staff would scan visitors using computers. Since the beginning of this year more than 40,000 Chinese have arrived at Cam Ranh Airport, according to official data. Last year Khanh Hoa received 2.4 million Chinese visitors. The World Health Organization said last Thursday that a newly emerging member of the family of viruses that caused the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreaks could be the cause of the present outbreak. Thai authorities on Monday confirmed the first case outside China of an infected patient. The woman, 61, identified as a Chinese tourist from Wuhan, has been receiving treatment at a hospital in Nonthaburi near Bangkok since January 8, and is now recovering. : Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) will host the fifth edition of 'E-Summit-2020' here later this week, aimed at motivating potential entrepreneurs to start businesses. The E-Summit 2020, to be held between January 17 and 19, is a summation of four summits - The Innovator's Summit, The Start-Up Summit, Youth Summit and the Techno- Entrepreneurship Summit. Each summit would serve different audiences like entrepreneurs and those planning to take up entrepreneurship. The E-Summit aims to help potential entrepreneurs learn more about entrepreneurship and pitch, refine and develop their ideas, a press release said. "The E-Summit gets better each year. This year, our focus is to ensure that students with entrepreneurial inclinations take a giant step towards becoming entrepreneurs themselves in a few years of time", IIT Madras, Entrepreneurship Cell, Faculty Advisory, professor Ashwin Mahalingam said. The Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT Madras hosts E-Summit which attempts to encourage entrepreneurship among the student community, motivate entrepreneurs to start businesses. An Entrepreneurship Insider 4.0 yearly magazine by E-Cell IIT Madras was also launched on Tuesday, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad: A five-year-old male leopard that was caught in three wire snares was rescued by officials the citys Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Nalgonda district on Tuesday. The leopard may not be out of the woods yet. It is reported to have suffered a long cut on its right rear leg from one of the snares. The snare around the neck left a deep impression prompting concern of possible haemorrhage under the skin and possibly its abdomen from where the third snare was removed. The wounds ha-ve been treated and it was given the required medication. It will be under close observation for 48 hours. Only after that we may be able to say how its condition is, a zoo official said. If the animal recovers and is found fit, a decision will be taken on whether or not to release it back in the wild. If the leopard does not recover enough, it may be destined to live the rest of its life in captivity in the zoo. We suspect it may have come to the spot to drink water from the paddy fields in the area. The location where the leopard was found is just about one-and-a-half km from the Erragan-dlapalli reserve forest block, Nalgonda divisional forest officer K. Sudhar-shan Reddy said. The leopard was caught in the traps in Agilapuram tanda of Marriguda village on Tuesday morning. According to Mr Reddy, the wire snares were set up by farmers to catch wild boars that sometimes raid crops. As soon as we were informed of the incident by the village sarpanch, we went there and then asked the zoo to send a rescue team, Mr Reddy said. According to NZP curator N. Kshitija, the rescue team was led by Dr Asadullah who tranquilised the leopard. Its condition is static and we hope it will recover from its injuries soon, she said. Over the past four months there were two reports of cattle kills by a predator one near Erragandlapalli and another at Ramreddy-palli. In both cases, our staff searched for pugmarks or other evidence of a leopard but could not find any, Mr Reddy said. People wanting to care for wild animals hurt in Australia's devastating bushfires have been warned they could be doing more harm than good. Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital senior veterinarian Larry Vogelnest says the destruction of native habitat has led to an increase in wildlife seeking shelter, food and water in urban areas. That can create new risks for their wellbeing as they come into contact with pets and vehicles. People wanting to care for wild animals hurt in Australia's devastating bushfires have been warned they could be doing more harm than good 'Animals are just starving, they have no food and they are seeking shelter and water,' Dr Vogelnest told reporters at the zoo on Tuesday. 'We're probably going to see a bit more of that as the fires subside, we're going to see a lot more animals getting in trouble for other reasons.' The vet said it was often best to leave stressed animals alone and call a wildlife organisation. 'If there is a need to actually immediately pick up and rescue the animal, great care must be taken in terms of not injuring the animal any further, not stressing it and not causing potential injury to yourself,' Dr Vogelnest said. If koalas are given water from bottles they must be allowed to lap up the water to avoid further complications, for example. 'Keep the flow very slow,' he said, and allow the koala to lap the water off the end of the bottle. 'The risk with pouring the water into their mouth is that they can't swallow as quickly as the water is going into their mouth and there is a risk of them breathing that in.' Dr Volegnest also encouraged the public to cover swimming pools or allow easy exit points to prevent animals from drowning. 'Everyone wants to help the wildlife - it's such a tragic situation seeing animals starving,' he said. Providing feed such as straw and hay should be avoided as it can spread weeds and support introduced species such as rabbits. Taronga Conservation Society Australia wildlife director Nick Boyle described the devastation as 'catastrophic'. He highlighted the importance of targeted breeding programs and understanding the extent of habitat damage. 'It's important to say that there is hope,' Mr Boyle said. Experts will gather in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss the federal government's $50 million funding commitment for wildlife recovery. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the meeting was essential to ensure the money was properly spent 'on the ground'. 'It's not just about the short term, it's about the longer-term rebuilding of our precious native populations,' Ms Ley said. She visited Taronga Zoo on Tuesday to learn about the organisation's conservation effort in supporting wildlife impacted by the NSW blazes. CEDAR FALLS The University of Northern Iowa is hosting a mock caucus at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Maucker Union Ballrooms, open to UNI students and the Cedar Valley community. Organized by the department of political science, the nonpartisan event will shed light on the purpose of caucusing and the importance of living in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa. Participants will be led through the processes that both parties use to conduct their caucuses and to tabulate and report results. When it comes time to caucus, the process can be intimidating, said professor of political science Donna Hoffman. As part of our bipartisan training, we take students through the nuances of the processes, which are different depending on whether one attends a Democratic or a Republican caucus. Both parties hold caucuses Feb. 3 to select delegates to the county convention, develop platform planks and hold party governance elections. However, the parties differ significantly in how they do these things. Exposing students to both systems gets them ready to participate on caucus night. Students will also learn how to find their caucus site and how they can same-day register (or change their party registration). While the event is nonpartisan, representatives from campaigns will have tables outside so students can gather last-minute information about candidates. UNI won Iowa Campus Compacts 2019 emerging innovation award for its #PanthersVote voter engagement initiative, which led to an impressive 46.2% voting turnout rate for the 2018 midterm elections, the highest among Iowas public universities. The university will be utilizing a similar #PanthersCaucus social media awareness campaign leading up to Feb. 3. The precinct caucuses afford us a unique opportunity, said Justin Holmes, associate professor of political science and director of UNIs chapter of the American Democracy Project. It is important to recognize caucuses are more than just signaling support for a candidate; they are a key element in grassroots party governance. It is a civic responsibility we encourage our students to take seriously. The UNI mock caucus is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, American Democracy Project and Northern Iowa Student Government. Photos: John Kerrys visit to Black Hawk and Grundy counties. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 2020 promises to be another banner year for cyberattacks on U.S. organizations. The growing threat of attacks in 2019 and recent years drives home the fact that hackers will use any option at their disposal to be successful. Organized criminal groups have skilled hackers continually developing new tools and techniques targeted at circumventing our financial institutions best controls. Currently our country is under threat of both cyber and physical attacks from foreign groups. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently held briefings on these threats, but at this point, there are as many questions as answers. Theyve issued an advisory that lists four main actions organizations should address: By PTI INDORE: Yoga guru Ramdev on Monday said Deepika Padukone should get herself acquainted with socio-political issues in the country before taking any "big decisions" and should appoint people like him as her advisors, who will give her a "fair insight" into vital issues. Padukone has been drawing flak from right-wing leaders and trolls for expressing solidarity with the students on the JNU campus in New Delhi who were protesting against the January 5 violence. "Deepika's efficiency as an actor is a different ball game. However, she should first study social, political and cultural issues and understand more about our country. After acquiring this knowledge, she should take big decisions," Ramdev told reporters in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. "I feel that Deepika Padukone should have persons like Swami Ramdev for the right piece of advice," he quipped. Strongly supporting the new citizenship act, Ramdev said that even those people who do not even know the full form of the CAA are using "foul language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The prime minister and the home minister have said that the law was not meant to snatch citizenship but rather to grant it, but people are still igniting fires over it," he said. Ramdev said some people are creating chaos over the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "They are even raising slogans for 'Jinnah Wali Azadi'. Where did this slogan come from? Such protests are tarnishing the image of the country and its institutions," he alleged. Ramdev claimed two crore people are living in India illegally. "No country can be permitted to be used as a dumping yard. No illegal citizen should be allowed to live in India. If protesters opposing the proposed NRC have any alternative proposal, they should come forward with it," he said. Hailing Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Ramdev said the Indian freedom struggle was incomplete without the former. "To tarnish the whole character of a person for just one or two things is an extremely shallow act," he said. When asked about Congress leaders terming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Indira Gandhi, he said, "If a grandchild emerges like her grandmother, then that trait fetches glory to the entire clan, and we will welcome it". He said the Opposition should be as strong as the ruling party for making democracy robust. Ramdev demanded Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be annexed to India. Jones, who said he lost a close friend to gun violence in the early 2000s, felt fear when his uncle told him someone got shot a few blocks from his house. He knew people who lived where the shooting occurred, and they had children. But once an hour had passed and no one he knew had reached out about the incident, he relaxed. A Birmingham man with prior robbery convictions is back behind bars, accused in the holdup of a Hoover store. Dennis Dewayne Davis, aka Dennis Dothard, was arrested by Hoover police on Monday. Lt. Keith Czeskleba said Hoover 911 received a robbery alarm at the Riverchase Shell Station at 7:31 a.m. Witnesses told police that a man wearing a white mask entered the Riverchase Parkway East store with a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. One of the officers responding to the crime saw the suspect now identified as Davis fleeing in a vehicle. A lookout bulletin was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Jefferson County sheriffs deputies encountered the vehicle on Interstate 459 near Interstate 20. The suspect crashed his vehicle and fled on foot but was captured a short time later. He was held overnight in the Hoover City Jail and formally charged Tuesday with first-degree robbery and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. Court records show Davis pleaded guilty in 2017 to robbery in Shelby County. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison with five to serve. It wasnt immediately clear how much time he actually spent in prison. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to robbery in Calhoun County. He was sentenced to 20 years with five to serve. It wasnt immediately clear how much time he actually spent in prison. He will be transferred to the Shelby County Jail Tuesday on bonds total $40,000. Mr. Davis has an extensive criminal history that includes prior robberies. Hes been to prison at least two other times and clearly the threat of going back again is not a deterrent for him, said Capt. Gregg Rector. Two handguns were also recovered in his crashed vehicle, one of which was stolen. Weve already contacted our federal partners and we will also be pursuing federal gun charges against him, he said. Our U.S. Attorney (Jay Town) is committed to prosecuting these type cases and well certainly do our part to take individuals like Mr. Davis off our streets. Several dozen Iranian-Canadians gathered in Toronto Monday to show solidarity with those in Iran who are protesting their countrys government in the wake of the deadly downing of a passenger jet. The protesters in Toronto want to see regime change in Iran and the installation of a democratic system. Iran has said its forces accidentally shot down a Ukraine International Airlines flight bound for Kyiv last week, killing all 176 people on board. The vast majority of passengers were en route to Canada. Mourning over a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3 turned to anger on the streets of Tehran after the countrys government on Saturday admitted responsibility for the jet crash. Hamid Gharajeh, a spokesman for the Iran Democratic Association of Canada, says protesters here are dealing with mixture of profound sadness and overwhelming anger after the crash. We are trying to cope. Its very sad times, he said. People are really fed up and they cannot stay quiet anymore. Protesters in Toronto marched around a growing makeshift memorial in the citys north end that is home to a large Iranian expat population. Chants of we support uprising in Iran echoed in Mel Lastman Square. Some wiped away tears as they examined scores of photographs of those who died in the crash, including 57 Canadians. Iran at first denied it had played a role in the downing of the airliner, but then said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accidentally fired a ballistic missile at the plane. That came just hours after it launched a missile attack on two bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, which was in retaliation for the strike that killed Soleimani. A candlelight vigil at an Iranian university rapidly turned into an anti-government demonstration on Saturday shortly after Iran admitted the mistake. They are lying that our enemy is America! Our enemy is right here! students shouted. Protests in the Iranian capital of Tehran have grown in the interceding days. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets on Monday. The citys police chief denied it had fired on its citizens. In Toronto, Mehrdad Ansari said he is worried the protests will end in bloodshed. This regime has proven itself, Ansari said. Were worried about everyone in Iran. CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Uptake today announced that it has joined the World Economic Forum . Uptake will collaborate with the Forum, other industry leaders, and policymakers to better understand digital transformation opportunities and provide insights and principles required for businesses to adapt. "We're at the outset of the Fourth Industrial Revolutiondefined by massive amounts of data and technological advancements like AI, ML and roboticsand we're seeing digital evolution in major industries across the world," shares Brad Keywell, CEO and Founder of Uptake. "Uptake helps companies capitalize on their data while ensuring data integrity. We join the Forum at this crucial time to add perspective and to provide solutions for corporations ready to take advantage of opportunities enabled through AI and Machine Learning." As a leading provider of analytics and predictive insights software for global businesses in industries including energy, mining, transportation, and manufacturing, Uptake has proven to be a trusted and reliable provider in harnessing the Industry 4.0 movement. Uptake's exclusive Asset Strategy Librarythe world's largest knowledge base of machine data, including failure modes and maintenance strategiesfortifies Uptake's products, which have accelerated digital transformation. Aligned with the mission of the World Economic Forum, Uptake will collaborate with other members to guide a responsible and optimal evolution of technology in support of enterprise software in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Uptake will work across many of the Forum's Platforms, while actively participating in the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Forum's hub for global, multistakeholder cooperation to develop policy frameworks and advance collaborations that accelerate the benefits of science and technology. Uptake was previously honored by the World Economic Forum being named a Technology Pioneer . Chosen for its innovative contributions within the industrial sector, Uptake collects and analyzes massive amounts of data captured from industrial equipment and infrastructure, recommending detailed insights and recommended actions in real-time that helps improve performance, reliability and security. This facilitates the creation of new data-driven business models for customers, equating to a greater competitive edge. Uptake joined the roster of other Technology Pioneer companies, such as: Airbnb, bluebird bio, Bloom Energy, Cyberdyne, Editas Medicine, Google, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Proteus Digital Health, Scribd, Spotify, Twitter and Wikimedia. As a newly added partner, Brad Keywell and Uptake will be attending the World Economic Forum's 2020 Annual Meetingthe Forum's 50th Anniversary. Under the theme "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World," this year's meeting will bring together 3,000+ people from more than 140 countries, including Forum member CEOs, political leaders, academia representatives, religious leaders, NGOs, and the media. ABOUT UPTAKE Uptake is the intelligence system for industrial assets. Providing an AI-driven asset management solution that bridges the gap between industrial assets and front-line workers, Uptake gives all departmentsincluding maintenance, operations, finance and salesa single, shared view of every asset in an operation. With the power of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), Uptake helps customers monitor and increase the availability of assets, improve asset reliability, and streamline operations. Recognized for leadership in industrial IoT (IIoT) by the World Economic Forum, CNBC and Forbes, Uptake is headquartered in Chicago with presence in Canada, South American, Europe and Australia. To stay up-to-date on what we're doing, visit us at www.uptake.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn . CONTACT Morgan Scott, Director of Communications (312) 465-6345 [email protected] SOURCE Uptake Related Links http://www.uptake.com NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. ENDEAVOUR ANNOUNCES TERMINATION OF MERGER DISCUSSIONS WITH CENTAMIN PLC George Town, January 14, 2020 Endeavour Mining Corporation (TSX:EDV) (OTCQX:EDVMF) (Endeavour) has been informed by Centamin plc (Centamin) that it does not intend to seek an extension to the January 14, 2020, PUSU deadline. Given the lack of information received, Endeavour confirms that it does not intend to make a firm offer for Centamin and therefore the merger discussions have been terminated. Commenting on this, Sebastien de Montessus stated: We remain convinced about the strategic rationale of combining Endeavour and Centamin to create a diversified gold producer with a high-quality portfolio of assets. The quality of information received during the accelerated due diligence process has been insufficient to allow us to be confident that proceeding with a firm offer would have been in the best interests of Endeavour shareholders. We continue to be disciplined in relation to business development opportunities and remain sensitive to dilution of our shareholders given the significant improvement in our business over the past four years. Following a period of significant investment, our business is now well positioned to generate significant cash flow as demonstrated with our net debt reduction of US$52 million in Q3-2019 and a further circa US$77 million in Q4-2019. As a result of this announcement, Endeavour and any person acting in concert with it will, except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the Panel), be bound by the restrictions contained in Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the Code) for a period of six months from the date of this announcement. Under Note 2 on Rule 2.8 of the Code, Endeavour, and any person acting in concert with it, reserves the right to set aside the restrictions in Rule 2.8 of the Code in the following circumstances: if the board of Centamin agrees; if a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for Centamin; if Centamin announces a whitewash transaction or a reverse takeover pursuant to the Code; and/or if there has been a material change of circumstances (as determined by the Panel). CONTACT INFORMATION Martino De Ciccio VP Strategy & Investor Relations +44 (0) 203 011 2719 mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, David Litterick +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 HSBC Bank plc (Lead Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Anthony Parsons, Laurent Charbonnier, Sam Barnett, Alex Thomas +44 (0) 20 7991 8888 Gleacher Shacklock (Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Jan Sanders +44 (0) 20 7484 1150 Scotiabank (Financial Advisor to Endeavour) Sergei Chinkis, Peter Collibee +1 416 863 7411 Vincic Advisors in Toronto John Vincic +1 647 402 6375 john@vincicadvisors.com Numis Securities Limited (UK Corporate Broker to Endeavour) John Prior, Paul Gillam, Alamgir Ahmed +44 (0) 20 7260 1000 HSBC Bank plc, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting as financial adviser to Endeavour Mining Corporation and no one else in connection with the matters described in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour Mining Corporation for providing the protections afforded to clients of HSBC, or for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither HSBC nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of HSBC in connection with this Announcement or any matter referred to herein. Gleacher Shacklock LLP ("Gleacher Shacklock"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for Endeavour and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour for providing the protections offered to clients of Gleacher Shacklock or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matters referred to herein. Scotiabank Europe plc (Scotiabank), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority is acting as financial adviser to Endeavour and no one else in connection with the matters described in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour for providing the protections afforded to clients of Scotiabank, or for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither Scotiabank nor affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Scotiabank in connection with this Announcement or any matter referred to herein. Numis Securities Limited (Numis), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is acting as UK Corporate Broker exclusively for Endeavour Mining Corporation and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Endeavour Mining Corporation for providing the protections afforded to clients of Numis, nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein. ABOUT ENDEAVOUR MINING CORPORATION Endeavour Mining Corporation is a TSX listed intermediate African gold producer with a solid track record of operational excellence, project development and exploration in the highly prospective Birimian greenstone belt in West Africa. Endeavour is focused on offering both near-term and long-term growth opportunities with its project pipeline and its exploration strategy, while generating immediate cash flow from its operations. Endeavour operates 4 mines across Cote dIvoire (Agbaou and Ity) and Burkina Faso (Hounde and Karma). For more information, please visit www.endeavourmining.com. Corporate Office: 5 Young St, Kensington, London W8 5EH, UK ABOUT CENTAMIN PLC Centamin plc is a mineral exploration, development and mining company, dual listed on the London and Toronto Stock Exchange. Its principal asset, the Sukari Gold Mine (SGM), is located in the Eastern Desert approximately 700 kilometers from Cairo and 25 kilometers from the Red Sea. SGM began production in 2009 and is the first large scale modern gold mine in Egypt. SGM is jointly owned by Pharaoh Gold Mines NL and Egyptian Mineral Resource Authority. In addition to the SGM production asset, Centamin has a number of exploration projects, the most advanced of which are located in highly prospective regions within Cote dIvoire and Burkina Faso. The companys exploration licence holdings include 2,721 km2 in Cote dIvoire and 1,850 km2 in Burkina Faso. Attachment Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, governor of Kwara state, says the previous government which was headed by Abdufatah Ahmed, sold 110 government properties, including the house meant for the deputy governor. Abdulrahman said this on Monday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock. He said, What we met was that, they have sold virtually about 110 government properties including the deputy governors residence, our deputy governor is staying in rented accommodation, they just shared everything. Read Also: Enough Is Enough, Saraki Tells Kwara Governor Its so painful, we have to develop alternative means of generating revenue and that is why we have to be enterprising in the way we do our things. I came to see the president to wish him good tidings for the new year and also with a shopping list because our state is in dire streaks. When we got in, there was a total collapse in the state start from education. Our four colleges of education were on strike for a year. The government was owing teachers about N750 million. Thank God we have been able to clear that. Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had blacklisted Kwara state since 2013. So, it shows you that there had not been any investment in the education sector. But we have been able to clear the liabilities. We paid UBEC N450 million which was misappropriated by the previous administration. We are good to go with UBEC. We need federal intervention, we need federal help. UNICEF has left Kwara, we are lagging behind in everything. We have to pay close to a billion in counterpart funding which the previous administration had not paid. Funding for polio, roll back malaria. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riza Roidila Mufti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14 2020 Into the unknown: An ATR 72-500 aircraft owned by Wings Air lands at Betoambari Airport in Bau Bau, Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, in 2013. The Transportation Ministry will provide subsidies to airlines that operate pioneer flights to and from remote areas as part of a government program on improving connectivity. (JP/Jerry Adiguna) The Transportation Ministry will continue to provide subsidies to airlines that operate pioneer flights to and from rural areas as part of a government program on improving the connectedness of isolated areas. In 2020, the ministry will allocate Rp 500 billion (US$35.94 million) to subsidize pioneer flights serving passengers and cargo services in remote areas in Sulawesi, Maluku and Madura. The pioneer flights, known locally as penerbangan perintis, refer to economically unviable flights between cities and frontier areas. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 Child maintenance payments arrangements are to be reviewed in a bid to prevent difficult disputes and legal rows over contributions from parents. Social Protection Minister, Regina Doherty, will tomorrow bring proposals for a child maintenance agency the first of its kind to Cabinet, the likely last meeting of this coalition before the election. Just seven items are on the agenda for the 9am meeting. The Fine Gael minister wants the system, including arrangements around how a parent contributes to payments, reviewed. The system in future could be streamlined to prevent drawn-out disputes. Ms Doherty will seek approval for a review group to examine if there is a case for a child maintenance agency. The review group will be chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy. Ms Doherty secured 150,000 in the budget for her department to examine international best practice for maintenance payments and how the system here could better suit families and the needs of children. The membership of the group will include legal, policy and academic professionals as well as officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and from the Department of Justice. Under the current law, parents are obliged to maintain and pay for their children. When parents break up, those payment obligations remain. Agreement can be reached between estranged partners or with the assistance of mediation or legal aid supports or ultimately through the courts. Social welfare laws dictate that where welfare payments exist, a relative or parent may be required to contribute to them. The department currently can trace and examine if that relative can contribute. The review group will look at the guidelines and rules in place for such payments and contributions and report back to the department by the end of 2020. Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Simon Coveney are both expected to brief Cabinet members about the resumption of power-sharing in Stormont, after more than three years of political paralysis in the North. An injection of funds has been promised by both the Irish and British governments for cross border projects, including for rail and road and health reforms. This is also expected to be the coalition's last Cabinet meeting before Mr Varadkar decides to announce this week that the Dail will be dissolved and an election held. Mr Varadkar said at the weekend that he wanted to speak to Cabinet before revealing the date. The president recently campaigned in Toledo, Ohio: Getty Donald Trump has said he couldnt care less if Iran negotiates with the US despite his own administration suggesting it was working to get the country to come to the table amid increasing tensions. The president tweeted about comments made during an interview on Fox News Sunday with National Security Adviser Robert OBrien, in which the White House official said he believed the maximum pressure campaign is working and that Iran is going to have no other choice but to come to the table after the administration introduced a new round of sanctions against Tehran. National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran choked off, will force them to negotiate, Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday night. Actually, I couldnt care less if they negotiate. He added: Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and dont kill your protesters. The tough talk comes after Mr Trump ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, who died in a US air strike earlier this month. Iran has since responded by targeting multiple military bases in Iraq known to house US and coalition troops, though neither of the Tehran-linked air strikes have so far resulted in any US casualties. National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran choked off, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldnt care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and dont kill your protesters. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020 Mr Trump also repeatedly warned Iran against killing protestors taking to the streets after Tehran was found to have shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, in which 176 people died, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals. Story continues Iran has blamed human error for striking down the passenger jet, as well as US adventurism which it said led to the unintentional strike. To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS, the president wrote on Sunday as demonstrators in Iran protested over the downing of the Ukrainian plane. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching, he continued. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people! The region has fallen into further instability amid the escalating crisis between Iran and the US. While the Pentagon has said US interests faced an imminent threat from Soleimani, White House officials have failed to present evidence of such claims, and some have even admitted to not actually seeing that evidence before Mr Trump ordered the air strike against the Iranian general. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also told reporters last week we dont know exactly which day it wouldve been executed, but added that Soleimani himself was plotting a broad, large-scale attack against American interests and those attacks were imminent. Mr Trump has meanwhile insisted Iran was possibly targeting four US embassies, though his secretary of defence said on Sunday he had not reviewed evidence supporting those claims. On Sunday, Mr OBrien brushed off Irans response to the conflict as typical and said increased economic pressure may ultimately result in a resolution. What's going to cause them to negotiate is the pressure on the economy, the national security adviser said. When you've got students out there chanting 'death to the dictator', and when you have thousands of Iranians out protesting in the street, that's the sort of pressure that's going to bring them to the table. Read more Mark Esper says he 'didn't see' evidence of imminent attack from Iran Son Yeol-eum, artistic director of the classical music festival "Music in PyeongChang Winter Festival," speaks during a press conference at Four Seasons Hotel, central Seoul, Monday. Yonhap By Park Ji-won The winter series of the biannual classic event "Music in PyeongChang" aims to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and success for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics with its largest-ever lineup in February which includes a collaborative work between artists from war-torn Koreas and Israel and Palestine, its artistic director said Monday. "We would like to deliver a peaceful melody to audiences through our festival. As many remember the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as one promoting the value of peace, Peaceful NEWS, a concert of Music in the PyeongChang Winter Festival reminisces about the peaceful Olympics We decided to call the event NEWS as it is an abbreviation of the North, East, West and South hoping the four should peacefully work together," Son, a renowned pianist and the artistic director of the festival, said during a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul, Monday. Specifically, in the Peaceful NEWS concert, four pianists Son herself, North Korean defector Kim Chul-woong and duo pianists Palestinian Bishara Haroni and Israeli Yaron Kohlberg will play legendary piano pieces including works of Elgar, Smetana, Liszt and Brahms. "We hope that the concert can also play a part in promoting the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics," Son said. Last week, South Korea was named as the first Asian country to host the event. This is Son's third year as director of the biannual music festival, which is set in the mountainous region of PyeongChang, Gangwon Province on the nation's east coast, a region that became globally known with the hosting of the Winter Olympics in 2018. The annual festival has been held in the summer since 2004, and added a winter program in 2016. Most of the main concerts will be held at the Alpensia Concert Hall within the Alpensia Resort in PyeongChang, while special and outreach concerts will take place at diverse venues around Gangwon Province, and also in Seoul. This year's winter event is slated to take place from Feb. 9 to 25 with eight shows and 18 performances. Son also unveiled the festival's four themes: the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven; "Somewhere in Between" to promote cross-genre artists; the delivery of the message of peace; and a performance for Schubert's "Winterreise" which consists of contemporary dance and visual arts. "Contemporary dancer and choreographer Cha Jin-yeob will come up with a performance designed to present a new Winterreise. The reason the festival continues to come with new challenges with the artwork is that it has the essence of classic music which values timelessness and overcomes time and space," Son added. Ticket prices for each concert range between 10,000 won ($8.65) and 30,000 won. The festival also includes some free outreach concerts, hosted at places where the Winter Games were played, including Wonju, Chuncheon and Jeongseon, all in Gangwon Province. For more information, visit the festival's website at www.mpyc.kr. PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-14 10:20:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 662 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORDERSTEDT and HENNIGSDORF, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Hitado GmbH (Hitado), a Sysmex point-of-care subsidiary, and SphingoTec GmbH (sphingotec) have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the commercialisation of the Nexus IB10 diagnostic platform by Hitado in Germany. Further, Sysmex Suisse AG will commercialise the platform in Switzerland.The Nexus IB10 platform is a fully automated rapid immunoassay point-of-care platform, that provides accurate test results within only 20 minutes and features a broad menu of tests relevant in near-patient settings, e.g. cardiovascular parameters such as troponin I, NT-proBNP, D-dimer, CK-MB and myoglobin. Further novel and proprietary tests that are developed by sphingotec and provide solutions for highly unmet diagnostic needs in sepsis, acute heart failure and acute kidney injury will complement the existing menu of IB10 test making the platform a unique solution for acute and critical care.The CE-IVD-marked system meets the requirements of near-patient testing and can be flexibly deployed in laboratories, emergency departments, intensive care units, and doctors' offices.Regarding this new distribution agreement, Hitado's CEO Andre Michel commented, "We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive distribution partner for Nexus IB10 in Germany and Switzerland. This product is a strategic fit with our existing product portfolio and will separate us from our competitors, providing customers with a comprehensive package of patient-near testing devices." Andreas Bergmann, CEO of sphingotec, echoes those sentiments. He noted, "We are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Hitado and Sysmex who have been very successful in promoting the IB10 platform in the past. We also believe that they are excellent strategic partners for providing rapid and novel solutions needed by clinicians in managing critically ill patients and will support us in our long-term strategy to improve patient outcomes in acute and critical care conditions." The Nexus IB10 platform was originally developed and commercialised by Samsung under the brand name Samsung LabgeoIB10. Following the acquisition of Samsung's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA), the manufacturer of the IB10 platform, by sphingotec in 2018, Nexus IB10 is now exclusively represented by sphingotec and made available through sphingotec's global network of distribution partners.To discover more about the Nexus IB10 and sphingotec's portfolio of diagnostic solutions for acute and critical care, please visit sphingotec.com . For more information on the Hitado point-of-care portfolio, please visit hitado.de About Hitado GmbHHitado was founded 44 years ago as a provider of diagnostic solutions for hospitals and laboratories and is the leader provider of near-patient diagnostics in Germany. Today, they are a part of the Sysmex Group, a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. Their portfolio includes highly specific rapid tests for diverse applications including cancer screening, cardiac diagnostics, pregnancy, infection and metabolic diagnostics to specialised point-of-care testing systems. To discover more about Hitado, visit hitado.de About sphingotecSphingoTec GmbH ("sphingotec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) develops and markets innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for novel and proprietary biomarkers for the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of acute medical conditions, such as sepsis, acute heart failure, circulatory shock, and acute kidney injury in order to support patient management and provide guidance for treatment strategies. sphingotec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM(R)), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis or congestive heart failure, Proenkephalin (penKid(R)), a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function, and Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 (DPP3), a unique biomarker for cardio-renal pathway disruptions leading to acute organ dysfunction. In addition, sphingotec develops a portfolio of novel biomarkers, which predict the risks of developing obesity, breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. IVD tests for sphingotec's proprietary biomarkers are made available as sphingotest(R) microtiterplate tests as well as point-of-care tests on the Nexus IB10 immunoassay platform by sphingotec's subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) alongside a broad menu of IB10 tests for established biomarkers for acute and critical care.ContactSphingoTec GmbHpress@ sphingotec.de Sysmex Europe GmbHpr@ sysmex-europe.com SOURCE: SphingoTec GmbH The United States is in the midst of a wireless revolution. With the deployment of fifth generation (5G) technology, American consumers are about to see mobile broadband speeds explode exponentially, unlocking a wide range of new possibilities. But the deployment of 5G will not come easy. To make 5G a reality, U.S. mobile operators must install new small cells throughout their service areas. While one would think that local governments would welcome this new technology with open arms, some local authorities have a sordid track record of using their rights-of-way monopolies to extract concessions from providers to line the citys coffers. Such tactics delay deployment and ultimately raise the price of 5G services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has long-recognized this problem and has attempted to take steps, where practicable, to encourage local governments to speed up the tower siting approval process. While the FCC has made some in-roads, the problem of local government abuse is far from solved. Recognizing these jurisdictional challenges, over twenty-five statesincluding Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Arkansashave stepped up and passed some sort of small cell legislation to accelerate 5G deployment. To Alabamas credit, it tried to join these states when the legislature took up a bill last year which would have, among other reforms, limited the fees a city could charge for a small cell installation and streamlined the timeframe for local approval of new small cell deployment. While the bill ultimately did not pass, it is widely expected that this bill will be reintroduced in 2020. The bill does not impinge on the fees and review process of reasonable localities but targets egregious behavior and bad acts, ensuring fairness and uniformity to telecommunications providers. Needless to say, some local governments in Alabama are none too pleased about the bills reintroduction. Their arguments are uncompelling. Take, for example, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. According to a recent op-ed penned by the Mayor, the proposed bill would transfer significant local resources to private companies without securing any guarantee of public benefit in return. The Mayor should be a bit more accurate with the facts. Contrary to Mayor Fullers assertions, the proposed bill does not transfer significant local resources to private companies. All the proposed legislation would do is to create a streamlined permitting process and establish uniform parameters for application review and approval. In fact, under the proposed legislation, not only will local governments be allowed to review permit requests, including site locations, but they will also be permitted to deny a small cell application for numerous reasons, including legitimate public safety concerns, noncompliance with applicable codes, noncompliance with lawful height restrictions and spacing requirements, noncompliance with lawful historic district requirements and more. Mayor Fullers claim that removing local barriers to 5G deployment will not produce any public benefit is also belied by the Mayors own words. Indeed, the Mayor himself acknowledges that 5G is a crucial foundation for smart city initiatives and that high-speed 5G services are critical for the delivery of education, economic development, employment and a variety of services necessary for success and progress in the 21st Century. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders is even more hyperbolic. Mayor Anders recently wrote an op-ed in the Auburn Villager in which he argued that the proposed bill would strip cities constitutional authority to make local decisions that impact local infrastructure. With all due respect to Mayor Anders, perhaps a lesson in Civics 101 at our shared alma matter Auburn University is in order: municipalities are creatures of the statenot the other way aroundand thus a municipalitys authority is limited to what the legislature bestows or withholds. Contrary to the belief of Auburns Mayor, a political subdivision of a state (that is, a city) does not have greater constitutional authority than the state itself. At the end of the day, the hard reality is that many local governments in Alabama still have not developed a process for reviewing small cell applications. Many municipalities levy fees and delays that greatly exceed those of neighboring states. As a result, tower and antenna citing in much of Alabama continues to remain stuck in a morass of local politics. If Alabamians want the rapid deployment of and economic benefits from 5G technology across the state, then enacting a reasonable, state-wide uniform tower citing process will go far toward ensuring the rapid deployment of vital 5G wireless infrastructure. Dr. George S. Ford is the Chief Economist of the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Public Policy Studies, Washington, DC. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and has served on Alabamas Broadband Task Force under two governors. He holds a PhD in Economics from Auburn University. New Jersey lawmakers Monday approved a fix to a controversial law Gov. Phil Murphy signed two years ago to encourage the states residents to vote by mail but was later thrown out by a little-known though powerful state board. The measure automatically sent certain voters mail-in ballots. But the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates invalidated the law in November after it ruled it amounted to an unfunded mandate on the states 21 counties. The state Senate and Assembly approved a measure (A6063) Monday that reimbursed local election officials for costs incurred during the last election and requires an annual appropriation for the proposal in the future. This session we passed meaningful reforms to enhance our states vote-by-mail program, including continuing to send mail-in ballots to those who had requested them in the past, state Sen. Jim Beach, D-Camden, said in a statement. I am proud of the work we have done to increase accessibility and improve upon a dated system, Beach added. "This legislation will protect those reforms and ensure they do not place a financial burden on local governments. The measure reimburses local officials $3 million for last years election. It passed the state Senate by a 36-4 vote and the Assembly 55-19 at the Statehouse in Trenton. The Council on Local Mandates reviews laws in New Jersey to makes sure theyre in line with the state constitutions state mandate, state pay amendment. In other words, it makes sure the state cant mandate local governments fall in line with a new law if it did not provide enough funding. In the past, New Jersey voters had the option of voting by mail in any election if they applied for a ballot by the deadline. The law Murphy signed August 2018 said anyone who voted by mail in the 2016 election would automatically receive a mail-in ballot from now on. Murphy, a progressive Democrat, said the goal was to make it easier for more people to vote. The law helped lead to more than 240,000 people voting by mail in New Jerseys elections earlier this month a significant uptick from years past. Its now up to Murphy to decide whether or not to sign the new bill into law. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Bachelor in Paradise Australia looks set to welcome its first ever disabled contestant. Rumours are swirling that hearing impaired model Lily McManus will appear on the Fiji-based reality show, after she found fame on The Bachelor New Zealand in 2017. Lily identifies as disabled and is a youth ambassador for New Zealand's National Foundation for the Deaf. Gossip: Rumours are swirling that hearing impaired model Lily McManus (pictured) will appear on Bachelor in Paradise, after she found fame on The Bachelor New Zealand in 2017 According to the Bachelor and Bachelorette Spoiler Forum, the 22-year-old was suspiciously absent from social media while Paradise was filming in November. When she returned to Instagram, Lily made no mention of where she had been for the previous four weeks, and instead uploaded a snap of herself getting a tattoo. Furthermore, Lily appears to be following Bachelorette stars Ciarran Stott and Timm Hanley, both of whom are confirmed to appear on Paradise. Fan theory: According to the Bachelor and Bachelorette Spoiler Forum, the 22-year-old was suspiciously absent from social media while Paradise was filming in November Where did she go? When she returned to Instagram, Lily made no mention of where she had been for the previous four weeks, and instead uploaded this snap of herself getting a tattoo False alarm! Lily had previously been tipped for New Zealand's first Bachelorette, before doctor Lesina Nakhid-Schuster was announced earlier this month Lily had previously been tipped for New Zealand's first Bachelorette, before doctor Lesina Nakhid-Schuster was announced earlier this month. Meanwhile, it won't be Lily's first stint on a Bachelor spin-off, as she represented her country on ABC's The Bachelor Winter Games in 2018. During that show, she struck up a romance with Courtney Dober from Georgia Love's season of The Bachelorette. Not her first rodeo: Lily represented her country on ABC's The Bachelor Winter Games in 2018. During that show, she struck up a romance with former Bachelorette star Courtney Dober (left) Splitsville: They continued their relationship after the show but split six months later They continued their relationship after the show but split six months later. Interestingly, Lily had publicly shunned the dating scene in an interview with Now To Love NZ in August, just three months before her rumoured stint on Paradise. 'Dating is not going to be on my radar,' she said. 'I'm not going to focus on finding love, but I'm always open to it. You have to be because you never know when it's going to come.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment. DES MOINES After spending the past nine years in leadership, including four as speaker of the Iowa House, Linda Upmeyer thought stepping down might be bittersweet. Im like not feeling it, she said Monday moments before the 2020 session of the Legislature got underway. I thought I might feel regretful. Not yet. Upmeyer announced in September she would step down as speaker and not seek a 10th term this year. She formally resigned Monday, making way for the election of New Hartford Republican Pat Grassley as speaker for the remainder of the session. She called her three sessions as speaker a tremendous honor and expressed pride in what the GOP-controlled House has accomplished. Upmeyer still has some ideas she would like to see become law and pledged her support to Grassley and new House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley. Ill try very hard not to give unwanted advice, but be available if they need anything, she said. If they ever need help counting 51, Im here. Although she has enjoyed her time as speaker, Upmeyer said she is looking forward to some relief from the time commitments it involved. It feels nice not to be figuring out how to schedule all the things that you need to be attending, she said. Now, in the morning, the first thing Ill do is decide where to have lunch. Always a conservative, Upmeyer plans to continue to use her Madam Speaker note cards because they are too expensive to throw away. Pat Grassley becomes Speaker of the House Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for a new 'Trump deal' on the same day European signatories to the Iran nuclear treaty said they would trigger the agreement's dispute mechanism, paving the way for fresh sanctions on Tehran. In one of the strongest calls yet from Europe for a new agreement to replace the 2015 deal that Washington abandoned two years ago, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the way forward was to agree a new 'Trump deal'. 'If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement,' Johnson said of the 2015 nuclear deal that he and other European powers have been trying to salvage after Washington pulled out. He added: 'If we are going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal. 'That's what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward.' Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in Belfast yesterday. Johnson today called the current JCPOA 'flawed' and as having 'many fault', from an American perspective U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement after signing it in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, US May 8, 2018 'From the American perspective it's a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by (former) President Obama,' Johnson said. 'From their point of view it has many, many faults.' He added: 'President Trump is a great deal-maker - by his own account and many others. Let's work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead.' British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab denied that Johnson's remarks represented a shift, saying London backed the nuclear deal while also wanting a wider deal that would go beyond Iran's atomic drive to cover all contentious issues. In a statement also released today, the UK and the two other European powers, France and Germany, said they would be triggering the dispute mechanism in the nuclear deal. This sends a complaint to a joint commission of Iran, China, Russia, the three European powers who have called it, and the European Union. If that joint commission is unable to resolve the dispute, it is again forwarded to the United Nations Security Council. If the UNSC were to decide to, all previous sanctions could be 'snapped back' on the Islamic Republic, which could drown the country's already sinking economy. The first meeting of the process will take place in Austria by the end of the month, a diplomatic source said. They added that they would like to 'once again express our commitment' to the deal and would not join 'a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran' championed by US President Donald Trump who walked out of the accord in 2018. A handout photo made available by Iran's Presidential Office shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivering a speech in Tehran today Britain, France and Germany have been trying to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which curbed Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump pulled the United States out in 2018, and Tehran has subsequently wound down its compliance. Last week, Raab said Iran's non-compliance had become 'so acute' that European powers were looking at taking action. 'We want to see Iran come back to full compliance and we will be looking at all measures including potentially triggering the DRM (dispute resolution mechanism),' he said. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who coordinates the agreement on behalf of the world powers, said the pressure on Iran from Europe does not mean international sanctions would automatically be slapped on the Islamic Republic. The aim of the move by France, Germany and Britain is 'to find solutions and return (Iran) to full compliance within the framework of this agreement,' he said. Hours later, Iran's Foreign Ministry warned of a 'serious and strong response' to the European move. French President Emmanuel Macron attends a presentation of the new Febus hydrogen bus in Pau, France today In this file photo taken on January 20, 2014, an unidentified International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector disconnects the connections between the twin cascades for 20 per cent uranium production at nuclear power plant of Natanz, some 185 miles south of Tehran 'Of course, if the Europeans... seek to abuse (this process), they must also be prepared to accept the consequences,' Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement. Tehran suggested it had little faith in the declaration by the Europeans that they were determined 'to work with all participants to preserve' the landmark deal. 'On the contrary, it once again signals to everyone, in particular to the three European state parties to the agreement, that it will respond seriously and firmly to any disloyalty, ill will or unconstructive action,' the Iranian statement added. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran is 'fully ready to answer any good will and constructive effort' that preserves the nuclear deal. He was quoted Tuesday by the official IRNA news agency. The Europeans stressed that they want to 'resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue' and made no threat of sanctions in their statement. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (pictured) has compared the US to ISIS over Donald Trump's threats to destroy cultural heritage Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi speaks at the foreign ministry in Tehran, Iran in May 2019. Mousavi said today that Tehran is 'fully ready to answer any good will and constructive effort' They also specifically distanced themselves from sanctions imposed by the US, which Washington has said is part of a 'maximum pressure' campaign against Tehran. 'Our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran,' they said. 'Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments.' Analysts said launching the deal's dispute resolution mechanism gave Europe the advantage of taking control of the process, but warned that the move could also backfire. Ellie Geranmayeh, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that the triggering of the process 'set in motion a new phase.' The greatest risk now was that Iran could respond to this 'pressure tactic' by speeding up its nuclear programme or even leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which would be a 'major turning point', Geranmayeh said. The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, seeks to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon - something Iran insists it does not want to do - by putting curbs on its atomic program in exchange for economic incentives. Under its dispute resolution mechanism, countries have 30 days to resolve their problem, though that can be extended. If it cannot be solved, the matter could be brought before the UN Security Council and could then result in the snapback of sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out in May 2018, saying the pact was insufficient and should be re-negotiated because it didn't address Iran's ballistic missile program or its involvement in regional conflicts. Since then he has reinstated American sanctions, which have been having a devastating effect on Iran's economy. GErman Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is pictured giving a press conference on the Iranian and Libyan conflicts today at the Bundestag in Berlin Trump said Friday that Soleimani, pictured in Iran in 2015, was also planning attacks on four other US embassies in the Middle East region In response, Iran has rolled back its commitments in stages to try and pressure the other countries involved to provide economic incentives to offset the American sanctions, but efforts from them so far have been insufficient. China and Russia had been against invoking the dispute mechanism, but German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that the three European countries 'could no longer leave the growing Iranian violations of the nuclear agreement unanswered.' 'Our goal is clear: we want to preserve the accord and come to a diplomatic solution within the agreement,' Maas readded. 'We will tackle this together with all partners in the agreement. We call on Iran to participate constructively in the negotiation process that is now beginning.' Following the announcement, Russia's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that he hoped the decision wouldn't 'complicate the situation further.' An undated file photo shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene, who claimed to have given US a 'slap in the face' when it launched rockets at Ain-al-Assad base Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the pro-American shah. Iran has vowed retribution over the United States' killing of Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. And while Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation, Iranian forces mistakenly shot down over a Tehran a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. After its top general was killed, Iran announced what it said was its fifth and final step in violating the deal, saying it no longer will abide by any limitation to its enrichment activities. At the same time it again said all of its violations were reversible if it gets the economic relief it wants. With the growing skepticism that the deal will be able to saved, Johnson on Tuesday suggesting that maybe the agreement could be somehow re-worked to address some of the concerns raised by Trump when he pulled the U.S. out. 'Let's work together to replace the JCPOA with the Trump deal,' he told the BBC. Borrell refused to comment on the suggestion, but again emphasized that the remaining signatories to the deal, which took years to negotiate, feel it is the best solution to limiting Iran's nuclear ambitions. 'We have to preserve the nuclear deal and work to go back to full and effective implementation,' Borrell told reporters in Strasbourg, France. He described the pact as a 'significant achievement' and underlined that 'there is no alternative to this agreement.' There was no immediate reaction from Iran, but ahead of the announcement, which had been anticipated by many, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted Monday night that the E3 - Germany, France and Britain - had 'bowed to the US diktat' for 20 months. 'This hasn't gotten it anywhere - and it never will,' Zarif wrote. 'E3 can save JCPOA but not by appeasing the bully & pressuring the complying party, rather it should muster the courage to fulfill its own obligations. Yesterday, Trump told Iran the ball is in their court as the two countries face a stalemate and thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tehran. On Sunday Trump's National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien boasted that the Trump administration's sanctions on Iran coupled with protests breaking out in the country, will force Iranian officials to negotiate the deal. Hours later the president tweeted that he 'couldn't care less' if Iranian officials wanted to negotiate with Washington DC, warning that Iran should instead be careful to not develop nuclear weapons or kill Iranian protesters. Iranian hardliners pictured burning British and Israeli flags during a protest in front of the British embassy in Tehran, Iran 'National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran 'choked off', will force them to negotiate. Actually I couldn't care less if they negotiate,' Trump tweeted Sunday evening. 'Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and 'don't kill your protesters,'' he sternly added. O'Brien spoke on Fox on Sunday saying he's confident that US sanctions and the clamor in Tehran from Iranian citizens will force officials to come to the negotiating table instead of striking back against the US. 'I think the maximum pressure campaign is working. Iran is being choked off, and Iran is going to have no other choice but to come to the table,' O'Brien said on Fox News Sunday. Trump has repeatedly warned Iran this week to not kill the thousands of protesters flooding the streets, many in defiance with the regime and demanding the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down Protesters pictured holding posters during a demonstration in front of the British Embassy in Tehran on Sunday January 12 'What's going to cause them to negotiate is the pressure on the economy, and when you've got students out there chanting 'death to the dictator,' and when you have thousands of Iranians out protesting in the street, that's the sort of pressure that's going to bring them to the table,' he added. All eyes are turned to the US and Iran to see who will act next. Over the weekend massive protests erupted in Tehran to decry the government and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for mistakenly downing a civilian passenger plane in which dozens of Iranian citizens lost their lives. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 15:00:25|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close TIANJIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The fourth World Intelligence Congress (WIC), set to open in north China's Tianjin Municipality from April 23 to 26, will highlight innovative applications, according to the organizer on Tuesday. The four-day event will feature a series of activities including forums, exhibitions and competitions highlighting intelligent experiences. Enterprises, research institutions and universities can showcase their cutting-edge technologies and products at eight exhibition zones involving intelligent manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, big data and more. Six competitions will be held during the event, such as the World Smart Driving Challenge and China Industrial Innovation Application Competition. In the previous WICs in 2017, 2018 and 2019, about 300,000 visitors from both home and abroad gathered in Tianjin to discuss the world's most frontier trends of intelligent technologies. A total of 126 agreements with an estimated investment of over 108 billion yuan (about 15.7 billion U.S. dollars) were inked last year. A promising 23-year-old Indian-American university medical student has plunged to his death while dangerously jumping between rooftops in Philadelphia, according to US media reports. Vivek Subramani, a third year student at Drexel College of Medicine, was found dead on the 1200 block of Buttonwood Street on Saturday, police said. "There are no words to express the sense of loss when any young life is cut so short, and especially for someone with so much promise," president of the university John Fry was quoted as saying by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The varsity said in a statement that Subramani fell from a balcony and was with two friends, also medical students, at the time of his fall. However, the police's version of the death contradicted the university's explaination. According to police, Subramani's friends told them that they were jumping between the rooftops of their apartment building when the victim missed his mark and plummeted, hitting his head on the ground. They also admitted that they had been drinking earlier that night. Later, when his friends found him with his face down and lying in a pool of blood, they performed Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The victim was pronounced dead at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital a short time later, police said. Asked about the contradictory statements of university and police, Drexel spokesperson Niki Gianakaris said in an email: "The Philadelphia Police Department is handling the investigation so they would be the ones to confirm any details about the incident". A page set up for Subramani described him as a bright and caring person who was close to achieving his dream of becoming a doctor. The Drexel Chapter of Sigma Beta Rho, of which Subramani was a member, has launched a GoFundMe to establish a scholarship for Drexel University College of Medicine students in the victim's name. The organisers of the fundraiser aim to raise USD 35,000 and have so far collected nearly USD 27,000. "After speaking with the family, they have chosen to use this money in the way Vivek would've wanted them to. They have chosen to create an annual scholarship for aspiring medical students at the Drexel University College of Medicine to help them reach their dream of becoming a doctor,"the organisers of the fund said. "Vivek was a bright, young and caring man who was so close to achieving his dreams of becoming a doctor. He would always brighten up any room he walked into and was more than a friend to those who knew him," they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in Lesotho are looking for First Lady Maesaiah Thabane for questioning in connection with the killing of the Prime Ministers former wife. According to court documents seen by some media, the countrys police chief accuses the First Lady of involvement in the killing of Lipolelo Thabane. The Prime Ministers former wife, Lipolelo Thabane, was gunned on the outskirts of the capital, Masero, in June 2017, two days before his inauguration. Mystery surrounds the First Ladys whereabouts since Friday when a court issued a warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear for questioning. Armed police who went to search for her at the official residence of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane on Friday did not find her there. Police chief Holomo Molibeli has claimed in court papers that the Prime Minister was involved in the murder. The accusations came after the prime minister suspended Holomo Molibeli whose investigations revealed that communication records from the day of the murder picked up Thabanes mobile phone number. Thabane, who is now 80, and wife had been embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings. Last week, Lesothos ruling party described the countrys Prime Minister Thomas Thabane as a threat to the nation, and asked him to resign. The ruling party leads a coalition government in a country with a long history of political instability and coups. The killing of Thabanes former 58-year-old wife shocked the tiny poverty-stricken country, which is ringed by South Africa. Industry experts Neil Rotherham, Tim Davis and Jeremy Edwards have been appointed Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, respectively. Building on promising foundations established by founders Julie Walters and Peter Coe, the enhanced leadership team has the proven ability to drive innovation in a risk-averse industry. The new team brings together over 100 years of combined experience in life sciences, particularly focused on patient engagement and mobile technology. Raremark combines machine-learning technology, behavioral-science models, patient advocacy and online engagement to help patients and caregivers share information unavailable elsewhere. Tim Davis, CEO of Raremark, commented: "The number of treatments for rare diseases is rising, yet there remains a data gap between patients and medical researchers. This is where Raremark plays a crucial role. "Raremark enables people affected by a rare condition to share their valuable experience to help others like them, and to enable research-based pharma companies to develop medicines for real people, based on real experiences and real data." Raremark builds research networks of rare disease patients and their families. By providing biopharmaceutical companies with access to anonymized and aggregated patient data, Raremark reduces the time and cost of clinical development and accelerates speed to market. Raremark's Founder, Julie Walters, started the company after her father died of a rare condition, and she experienced the profound desperation of limited information and treatment choices. There are more than 7,000 known rare diseases, affecting about 350 million people globally, but only around 200 of the conditions have approved treatments. Tim Davis added: "Raremark is a growing company, with a vision of the future in which all rare diseases are treated. With such strong foundations, I'm excited to build on the innovative platform already in place, creating communities of people affected by a rare condition, sharing knowledge and harnessing the wisdom of the crowd. Patients can play a heroic role in drug development, particularly in rare disease, making the rare real for the next generation." Two of the company's leadership team, Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Edwards and Founder Julie Walters, will be attending industry events in San Francisco this week during the JP Morgan 38th Annual Healthcare Conference: Rare in the Square and BIOTECH SHOWCASE. For further information, please visit here. About Raremark Raremark builds research networks of rare disease patients and their families, providing biopharmaceutical companies with access to anonymized and aggregated patient data unavailable elsewhere, supporting clinical development and accelerating speed to market. Raremark's vision is a future in which all rare diseases are treated. The Raremark platform engages and retains patients using machine learning. The approach raises health literacy and informed participation in medical research. Content algorithms boost engagement and advanced data analytics help understand the mechanisms, symptoms and heterogeneity of rare diseases. The resulting high-quality insights enable companies to develop and offer treatments more tailored to patient profiles. Raremark is headquartered in London, UK with offices in Boston, New York and Ukraine. Visit: www.raremark.com Media Contact Information: Sally Vernon Email: [email protected] SOURCE Raremark [January 14, 2020] Sean Astin Hosts Videogame Series Offering Insight, Laughs and History of Gaming DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and blockbuster game titles like The Last Of Us 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 set to release in the coming months, 2020 looks to be a banner year for the videogame industry. But how did we get here? Retro-gamer-goonie Sean Astin and Video Games: The Movie director Jeremy Snead answer questions, pay homage and poke fun at some of the cultural milestone's of gaming's past. "My kids and my wife enjoy the show, which is rare," said Astin. "There's a lot of so called info-tainment on YouTube these days but nothing like this. Jeremy and I had a lot of fun collaborating on each episode and his team at Mediajuice took our ideas and crafted them into 10 jam packed, funny and informative episodes." Executive Producer and Narrator of the show Astin , and his producing partner Jeremy Snead , founder of videogame trailer house Mediajuice Studios , have released four out of the ten episodes of "What You Don't Know" to Youtube and other streaming platforms, like Facebook Watch and Instagram TV. The fifth episode entitled "Mario's Name" is next in line for release on Friday January 17th with Episodes 6-10 releasing each Friday through February 21st. "It's no secret that gaming has far surpassed movies, music and television in annual revenue (surpassing just over 36 billion in 2019) but, what most folks don't know are some of the insider stories that led to that. There are lots of fun little easter eggs in gaming's past that most people aren't aware of and What You Don't Know was a way for Sean and I to pop the hood on some of those topics and have some fun. The goal has always been to just have fun, inform and entertain folks," said Snead, writer and creator of the show. What You Don't Know is a ten-part series of animated shorts that takes the audience into topics like the origins of the Xbox, how Mario got his name, where he Pokemon phenomenon started and many more. Season 1 of the show is focused on videogames, while subsequent seasons may venture out to other topics and industries. Sean Astin is an actor and director best known for his film and television roles such as Bob Newby in Season 2 of Netflix's horror thriller Stranger Things. Astin of course is also known for his classic and beloved characters - Sam in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the title character of Rudy, and Mikey in the popular classic The Goonies. About Mediajuice Studios Since 2004, Mediajuice Studios has produced an array of award-winning videogame trailers, documentaries and television shows. The Dallas based agency was founded by Jeremy Snead, a Texas native who began his film career with a producing partnership with actor Sean Astin. What You Don't Know is Astin and Snead's fourth project as a producing team, which includes Video Games: The Movie , Unlocked: The World Of Games, Revealed , an upcoming film about Nintendo, and a documentary on Magic with Penn Jillette. Visit mediajuice.com for more information. ** The 1st Four Episodes of What You Don't Know can be found here: **Ep. 1 - 4: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtRR9uHH0a-xu1B3Y1fSt1hlYEKMcv2RK What You Don't Know can be watched online @: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mediajuice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatyoudontknowshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatyoudontknowshow Sean Astin can be found online @: Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanastin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeanAstinPublic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanastin Jeremy Snead can be found online @: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremy_snead Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremysnead Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremysnead Mediajuice Studios can be found online @: Mediajuice.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediajuicestudios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediajuicestudios Twitter: https://twitter.com/mediajuicetwitt View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sean-astin-hosts-videogame-series-offering-insight-laughs-and-history-of-gaming-300985169.html SOURCE Mediajuice Studios [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Learn why demanding customers demand Koh Young at APEX 2020 Published: 14 January 2020 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale Atlanta, Georgia Koh Young, the industry leader in 3D measurement and inspection solutions, will showcase advanced Artificial Intelligence-based inspection solutions at the IPC APEX Expo during 04-06 February at the San Diego Convention Center. At the show, Koh Young will show solutions that help manufacturers improve their production process. It will also take part in several show events, including the IPC CFX production line and roundtables focused on smart factory connectivity and inspection processes. While many will talk about a clear vision in 2020, Koh Young has been following its passion for years: without fear of failure, we will pursue the singular goal of developing the best inspection and measurement solutions for the industries we serve, while delivering innovative technologies to overcome process challenges that will improve the livelihood of our customers. During IPC APEX Expo, Koh Young will highlight these solutions including solder paste inspection (SPI), automated optical inspection (AOI), automated pin inspection (API), machining optical inspection (MOI), and conformal coating inspection (CCI). Additionally, Koh Young will display Industry 4.0 solutions, including the latest KSMART solutions with autonomous process control across the line. After visiting the Koh Young booth to learn how we are solving the industrys inspection challenges, we urge show attendees to visit the IPC CFX Demonstration line that highlights the IPC CFX (IPC-2591) and HERMES (IPC-9852) standards. The demonstration allows visitors to experience a connected factory and realize that when each machine speaks the same language, it creates real value as a practical and smart manufacturing environment. The power of these communication standards is amplified when combined with the Koh Young KSMART software suite, which was designed to help users realize a smart factory, said Brent Fischthal, IPC-CFX Committee Member and Senior Manager of Americas Marketing at Koh Young. These standards are helping us deploy our smart factory developments. For example, Koh Young Process Optimizer or KPO allows our SPI to automatically adjust print process parameters using machine-learning algorithms based on inspection and measurement feedback. With the help of these standards and our AI-powered developments, Koh Young can autonomously monitor, analyze, and optimize the SMT process. Furthermore, attendees will see more Koh Young equipment configured in smart lines throughout the show in our partner booths. Juan Arango, Managing Director of Koh Young America, commented, We have installed well over 16,000 systems, which have been complemented with customer accolades and industry awards alike. Clearly, Koh Young is on the right path to deliver sustainable benefits to its customers, industries, and society. Throughout the show Koh Young will highlight its latest innovations for the inspection market, including new hardware and software solutions that drive production and process improvements. We welcome show attendees to visit both 2336 to understand why demanding customers demand Koh Young. If you cannot attend the show, you can learn more about Koh Young Technology and its best-in-class inspection solutions at www.kohyoung.com. The North Coast Chamber of Commerce has announced that Lorain County Community College is its 2020 business of the year. LCCCs president Marcia Ballinger will accept the award at the North Coast Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at 5 p.m., Jan. 21, at the LCCC Norton Culinary Arts Center, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria, according to a news release from the chamber. We are thrilled to receive this award, Ballinger said. Our goal is to elevate the skills of our workforce as the economy shifts and to help stimulate innovation and entrepreneurial activity that fosters growth of new clusters of economies in our county and region. The college is committed to leveraging its programs for all community members so that they can enhance their skills as the economy evolves, Ballinger said. We are so proud to have the colleges involvement and participation in the North Coast Chamber of Commerce, said Jerry Cline, president of the North Coast Chamber of Commerce and labor law attorney for Fisher Phillips. Lorain County Community College is so deserving of this award. The college actively supports the mission of the North Coast Chamber through its participation and by providing a wide variety of training and education that its members can use to advance their personal and professional goals, Cline said. The North Coast Chamber of Commerce has 300 members in Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake and Sheffield Village. It also is a member of the Power of More, a consortium of 10 chambers of commerce across Northeast Ohio representing about 3,000 members. C hinese tech firm Huawei has branded US warnings to the UK over using the company's 5G equipment as "unsubstantiated allegations". Huawei equipment could be used in some "non-core" parts of the network it has been reported previously, with a final decision due later in January. Boris Johnson today hinted he was still open to working with the business on such infrastructure, stating those opposing it need to suggest alternatives. Huawei could help with 'non-core' parts of the infrastructure / AFP/Getty Images In a statement this afternoon, Huawei's vice president Victor Zhang said: "We are confident that the UK Government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations." He also referenced MI5 suggestions that intelligence sharing between the US and UK would not be harmed by the use of the equipment. Those who oppose Huawei must suggest alternatives, Boris Johnson says / Getty Speaking this morning, Mr Johnson said: "The British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology. "I have talked about infrastructure and technology. We want to put in gigabit broadband for everybody. "Now, if people oppose one brand or another, then they have to tell us which is the alternative. "On the other hand, let's be clear, I don't, as the UK Prime Minister, want to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to co-operate with Five Eyes intelligence." It comes following Tory MP Bob Seely's call for the Foreign Affairs Committee to open an immediate investigation into Huawei's suitability for use in Britain's 5G network. Bob Seely said Huawei "to all intents and purposes is part of the Chinese state" and its involvement would "effectively to allow China and its agencies access to our network" Superfluids were first discovered as a special quantum state of liquid helium, later dubbed as "Superfluid helium" once chilled past -269 degree celsius, starts to manifest properties that do not occur in other fluids. Penetration through a solid with nano-pores is one of the three fascinating macroscopic phenomena that are well known in superfluids such as liquid helium. It is zero viscosity that endows the liquid helium superfluid with zero flow resistance or frictionless flow, leading to the amazing property. Nevertheless, the superfluid penetration effect emerges only in the so-called quantum states or quantum fluids at extremely low temperatures of almost zero Kelvin. In contrast, conventional liquid droplets such as water and oils can diffuse into a solid with macro-pores at room temperature as a result of the capillary effect, but their surface tension makes them unable to penetrate through the porous material. Room-temperature liquid metals, such as liquid gallium and its eutectic alloys, have attracted a great deal of attention in many research fields due to their unique properties. In recent years, liquid metal has attracted the attention of scientists with its low-temperature liquid state, high surface tension, electricity, and heat conductivity characteristics, and provided new ideas for the development of flexible electronic devices and software robots. One particular noteworthy property is its ability to change its surface tension through the application of a voltage in a solution coupled with the fact that the surface tension of liquid gallium and its alloys is quite high, which makes it an ideal platform to study surface tension effects. As an important member of the liquid metal family, the gallium indium tin alloy droplet itself has great surface tension and exhibits the shape of the sphere in air or solution of NaOH. However, if a positive voltage is applied to the droplet while immersed in NaOH solution, the droplets rapidly form a surface oxide under the action of the electrochemical reaction, so that the surface tension is reduced to almost zero. Because of this, the droplets will spread along the surface. Inspired by the near-zero surface tension, a team led by Professor Xiaolin Wang at the Institute of Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Future Low Energy Electronics Technologies, University of Wollongong, Australia, has discovered a voltage induced "superfluid" like penetration effect in Galium based liquid metals at room temperature for the first time. Prof Wang's team demonstrated the liquid metal penetration effect in various porous materials such as tissue paper, thick and fine sponges, fabrics, and meshes. The penetration effect mimics one of the three well-known superfluid properties of liquid helium superfluid that only occur at near-zero Kelvin. The underlying mechanism is that the high surface tension of liquid metal can be significantly reduced to near-zero due to the voltage induced oxidation of the liquid metal surface in a solution. It is the extremely low surface tension and gravity that cause the liquid metal to superwet the solid surface, leading to the penetration phenomena. The team has demonstrated two possible applications such as healing and the cutting off of electrical wiring using liquid metal in a sealed environment. The related results are published in the National Science Review (NSR) with the title of "Voltage Induced Penetration Effect in Liquid Metals at Room Temperature". The penetration phenomena is another important finding for the team following the discovery of other liquid metal phenomena such as non-contact patterning, simultaneous deformation, and solidification of supercooled liquid metal, and heart beating. These findings offer new opportunities for novel microfluidic applications and could promote further exploration for more exotic fluidic states of liquid metals. ### See the article: Frank F. Yun, Zhenwei Yu, Yahua He, Lei Jiang, Zhao Wang, Haoshuang Gu, Xiaolin Wang Voltage Induced Penetration Effect in Liquid Metals at Room Temperature Natl Sci Rev (November 2019); doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz168 http://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz168 The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. Gojoko and Persistent extend partnership, offering credit unions a user-friendly, function-rich banking platform powered by Amazon Web Services LONDON, PUNE, India and SANTA CLARA, California, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems and fintech platform leader Gojoko today announced a joint offering - the Community Lenders Go Digital Platform running on the Persistent Digital Credit Union Solution. Persistent also announced the availability of the Persistent Digital Bank Solution, which includes an industry-first actbot, providing new levels of proactive interaction with customers. Community Lenders Go Digital Platform supports Gojoko Marketing's mission to elevate community banks and credit unions to help them grow and expand into modern financial institutions. The solution offers customers the choice of modularized capabilities based on their needs, which will run on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The new service will provide the agility necessary to enable banks and credit unions to rapidly design, launch, service and scale banking and lending portfolios. It also offers credit unions an effective way to leverage a cutting-edge banking platform without significant investment. Gojoko deploys a fintech platform, digital customer interface and advanced digital marketing to its banking customers. Persistent provides systems integration, including the aggregation of loans and booking into the Mambu banking platform. Tobias Gruber, CEO, Gojoko Marketing "The opportunity for credit unions in the UK is tremendous. Currently less than 3% of banking here is done through credit unions. Our strong relationship with Persistent lends itself to formally partnering to provide this packaged offering to make it even easier for credit unions to get up and running fast. It's a platform that is flexible and scales quickly, allowing credit unions to offer high value to its customers fast." Philip Acton, CEO, My Community Bank "Gojoko & Persistent have built a fintech ecosystem, giving My Community Bank access to a state-of-the-art and end-to-end banking infrastructure. This digital infrastructure integrates several cutting edge technologies from partners like Mambu and Salesforce, and runs on AWS. My Community Bank has been able to leverage this infrastructure to become the fastest growing credit union in the UK and helps us to deliver a best-in-class product to our customers." Community Lenders Go Digital Platform is the first Persistent Digital Bank Solution, designed as a ready to use set of Digital Banking components and expertly integrates with existing IT systems. The microservices-based integration layer and sandbox is hosted on AWS and is available worldwide. For smaller financial institutions, like community credit unions, this solution removes the technology barrier to entry and allows them to focus on their core mission. In addition, AWS provides them the same security and scalability enjoyed by the largest financial institutions. Find more information here. The Solution includes: Online application for Loans & Advances (personal, vehicle, education, vacation and more to follow) Customer Digital Onboarding (eKYC for Individual, Small Enterprises) Online Deposits opening (Saving Accounts, Checking Accounts, Term Deposits) Integration with Payments processors including Debit card and Credit card Integration with Regulatory reporting tools Integration with a wide range of platforms and solutions including Mambu, Salesforce, various credit scoring agencies, KYC data providers, etc. An actbot built on sophisticated machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, offering Conversational User Interface. Chris O'Connor, Executive Director & CEO, Persistent Systems "Persistent's expertise is our ability to seamlessly integrate various components to complete the technology mosaic needed for today's business platforms. We work with some of the world's largest banks as well as cutting-edge fin-tech companies. Partnering with Gojoko to offer this advanced banking solution as a product is a perfect fit for our respective strengths and a great win for customers." Nitin Gupta, Global Head, Financial Services Solutions and Partners at AWS "AWS helps ease the deployment of sophisticated banking solutions for community banks and credit unions, while enabling them to benefit from the agility, scalability, and security that the cloud offers. By extending our relationship and work with Persistent, community credit unions and challenger banks will have access to a complete cloud-native lending aggregation service, in turn providing the foundation for a fast and efficient banking experience for consumers through the Community Lenders Go Digital Platform ." About Persistent Systems Persistent Systems (BSE & NSE: PERSISTENT) is a global solutions company delivering digital business acceleration and enterprise modernization for businesses across all industries and geographies. Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements: For risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements, please visit FLCS Media Contacts: Ken Montgomery Persistent Systems +1-213-500-8355 ken_montgomery@persistent.com Saviera Barretto Archetype +91-8434917719 Saviera.barretto@archetype.co Pulkit Grover Persistent Systems +91-9158715658 pulkit_grover@persistent.com Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1022385/Persistent_Systems_Logo.jpg DES MOINES, Iowa - Three years after Donald Trump dashed Democratic hopes of electing the country's first female president, a fierce debate has erupted in the party's presidential race about whether a woman can defeat him in November. As a result, long-simmering questions about gender and sexism have been thrust to the forefront of the primary race just weeks before the first nominating contest on Feb. 3. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., acknowledged for the first time this week that they discussed the fraught topic privately more than a year ago. They presented conflicting accounts of their conversation at a debate Tuesday night, with Warren saying Sanders disagreed with her view that a woman could win. Sanders contends that he merely outlined what he said would be Trump's efforts to defeat another female candidate, and in the debate he said, "Of course a woman can win." Warren took a different approach. Making her most direct appeal yet on the basis of gender, she urged voters not to overlook the added hurdle that female candidates face. But it's one she can clear and make history, she argued, drawing parallels to barriers that Presidents John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama broke. "Look, don't deny that the question is there," Warren said. "Back in the 1960s, people asked, 'Could a Catholic win?' Back in 2008, people asked if an African-American could win. In both times, the Democratic Party stepped up and said yes." The clash between Sanders and Warren, both personal and public, has abruptly amplified a difficult conversation that has been underway at Democratic gatherings across the country ever since Trump's election. And it cast a spotlight on shifting attitudes in the party toward women running for office in the Trump era. Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss shocked Democrats and prompted many to wonder whether the country was ready for a female president. But it also pushed women to become more politically involved, leading to a record number of Democratic women in Congress; the return of the first female House speaker, Nancy Pelosi; and a new generation of women joining the presidential contest. But now, less than three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, two men - Sanders and former vice president Joe Biden - have ascended to the top of the polls, joined in some of them by former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg. Warren has faded since the fall. And once-promising campaigns by women such as Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., have ended. "We keep getting stuck in the 'Yeah, but, can a woman beat Trump?' " said Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily's List, a group focused on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights. "We've been, for 12 months, looking at electability in a really narrow way, and it's caused a huge amount of problems in this primary." But for many voters, supporting a woman for president is not an easy decision. With Democrats so eager to defeat a president they see as a racist, sexist bully, many say they wonder whether the safest bet to defeat him is a man. "Because I'm a woman, I suppose I should be wanting [Warren], but I'm not voting for her because she's a woman," said Marilyn Kean, 78, a Sanders supporter from Wilton, Iowa. "Too many men that don't want women in there." Biden elliptically referred to that calculation earlier this month, when he noted that Clinton faced "unfair" sexism during her campaign. "That's not going to happen with me," Biden said. Reports about the conversation between Sanders and Warren caught Trump's attention. "I don't believe that Bernie said that," the president said Tuesday night at a rally in Milwaukee. The row between Sanders and Warren brought the debate over gender rushing to the surface in a race that, until recently, had been more cordial than many past campaigns. It started Monday when CNN first reported on the 2018 one-on-one meeting, in which Sanders allegedly told Warren that a woman couldn't beat Trump. The Sanders campaign vehemently denied the report, with a top aide calling it a "lie" - but, in a sign that the issue was not likely to subside, Warren then confirmed it. The dispute continued at Tuesday night's debate, hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register, where Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., joined four men on the stage. "Well, as a matter of fact, I didn't say it," Sanders said. He said he didn't want to spend much time on the topic, arguing that it would play into Trump's hands, but he added that anyone who knows him would agree that it is "incomprehensible that I would think a woman cannot be president." Sanders said Clinton besting Trump in the popular vote in 2016 was clear evidence that a woman can win. He also said he held back in deciding to run that year before Warren made up her mind about the race. Warren did not back down from her claim that Sanders told her a woman couldn't defeat Trump. Asked what she thought of his comment, she replied, "I disagreed." And she said it was time to attack the subject "head on." "Can a woman beat Donald Trump? Look at the men on this stage - collectively they have lost 10 elections," she said, prompting gasps and cheers from the crowd. "The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they've been in are the women." She said she was the only one who had defeated an incumbent Republican in the past 30 years. Sanders took issue with her comment, saying he defeated a Republican incumbent running for Congress in 1990. Warren responded by pausing to make an exaggerated show of doing the math in her head, before shooting back, "Wasn't that 30 years ago?" Sanders eventually backed down, saying it was not the major issue of the day. Klobuchar joined the fray, saying the power of female candidates was evident in recent wins by women in gubernatorial races in Michigan and Kansas. "You have to be competent to win, and you have to know what you're doing," she said. The clash played on the still-raw wounds of the 2016 campaign and continued consternation by some sympathetic to Clinton who saw Sanders and his backers as insufficiently supportive of her in that contest. The revelations could draw new scrutiny to Sanders, who faced criticism in 2016 for a campaign that many saw as too white and too male. He has taken steps to address that perception, hiring a more diverse staff and securing the support of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other women of color. The sharp break in recollections by Sanders and Warren was particularly unnerving for the liberal wing of the party, fearful that divisions between the two most leftward candidates would usher in a moderate nominee. "Too much is at stake right now for mutual destruction," said Rebecca Katz, a liberal strategist who plans to vote for Warren but also likes Sanders. "Our eyes need to be on the prize." A statement from an influential union said as much. "We can't afford distractions. The only way any candidate can beat either Sanders or Warren is by dividing them. This looks like a desperate attempt to fracture a coalition of the candidates that represent the most popular ideas among working people," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which backs Warren, said in its own statement that "a back-and-forth about this private meeting is counter-productive for progressives. In this pivotal moment of the campaign, progressives must work together to defeat Donald Trump and prevent a less-electable establishment candidate like Joe Biden from getting the nomination." Others underscored the personal impact of the disputed words. "Yes, many people have told me a woman can't win in 2020," tweeted author and columnist Connie Schultz, who is married to Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who considered a presidential run. "This is fear speaking, & it has sparked meaningful conversations. But a woman hears this differently when she is the one who is running. It feels personal because it is. Can we please not lose sight of this difference?" The Gillibrand campaign, which ran on gender issues and gained little traction, conducted research on sexism she faced and found that voters frequently would say that gender didn't matter. But there was a hitch, according to a person familiar with the campaign. "Voters said they would have no issues with a woman, but they worried that other people might have issues," said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive campaign material. "That's classic research which shows deflection and actually is more of what that individual thinks." In September, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 23 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said a man would be more likely to defeat Trump than a woman; 7 percent said a woman would be more likely to win, while a 69 percent majority said the gender of a candidate didn't matter. Warren has been putting more emphasis on her gender, seeking to re-energize the anti-Trump passion that gave rise to women's marches and a high turnout of female voters in 2018. Inside the Sanders campaign, there has been a push for the senator to sharpen his contrast with Biden, not Warren. Dan Pfeiffer, a former aide to Barack Obama, compared the current situation with what Obama faced as a black candidate in 2008. "I would say the challenge now is even more difficult," he said, adding that in the 2008 campaign, Democrats widely believed that they would defeat the Republican nominee after eight years of George W. Bush. "The questions of electability were more in the background than they are today." He added, "All of the what I believe to be incorrect racial and gender stereotypes around electability are so much more damaging now." A four-member team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) headed by a DSP visited Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi on Tuesday (January 14) and recorded the statement of students who were either injured or witnessed the police brutality inside the university library on December 15, 2020. It may be recalled that Delhi Police lathi-charged and fired teargas on students after the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act near the university campus turned violent on December 15. A total of 25 students out of 40 present today gave their version in writing to the NHRC team. Before written statements, the NHRC team interacted with all the students and heard the stories of police action on the students of varsity on December 15. The NHRC team will visit Jamia on Wednesday (January 15) again for recording the statement of remaining students, employees and security personnel of the university. It is learnt that the NHRC team will visit the university on January 16, 17 too. On Monday (January 13), the JMI Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the Deans, Head of Departments and other officials had announced that the ongoing semester exams in the varsity stands cancelled till further notice. The Jamia administration had also announced that the new schedule will be declared later. Jamia VC Najma Akhtar said that a decision has also been taken that the administration will also explore the possibility of moving court for the registration of FIR in the December 15, 2019 police brutality in university library case at the earliest. Addressing a group of protesting students, the VC said that the university administration had already followed all possible steps for the registration of FIR. The university administration has also given its complaint to SHO Jamia Nagar and it's copy to CP Delhi and DCP South East. University has also written letters to Joint CP Southern Range and DCP Crime for the registration of FIR earlier. The varsity was closed on December 16 after protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) turned violent on December 15. It had also cancelled the examinations and declared vacation till January 5, 2020. Speaking to students on December 15 incident, Vice-Chancellor Akhtar said, "Delhi Police entered the campus without permission and the process of filing an FIR against Delhi Police will begin from tomorrow (Tuesday)." "We will get the FIR done. If you want to listen then be quiet. You all know what we did. We have done what we could before. We are government employees, despite this, we have sent the objections. Delhi Police came inside our campus without taking permission and the students were beaten up, we will not tolerate it. The FIR will definitely be done," added Akhtar. No one, in seven decades of exemplary leadership, has ever accused the Queen of exaggeration. She trades in understatement. When she says of the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that these are complex matters, she is talking of profound challenges which she understands better than anyone else. And they are challenges which will not have come close to resolution at Sandringham yesterday afternoon. Though Princess Diana might just have lost her royal status it was not an act of spite; the style of HRH which she acquired on marriage was duly removed when that marriage came to an end. Pictured in Sydney in 1996 The Queen trades in understatement. When she says of the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) that these are complex matters, she is talking of profound challenges which she understands better than anyone else While respecting the wish of Harry and Meghan to live a more independent life, Her Majesty will not have forgotten what happened the last time something similar was attempted. That was in 1996 during that tragically short period between the Princess of Waless divorce and her death the following year. HRH The Princess of Wales had just become Diana, Princess of Wales and was seeking to develop a new career for herself, one with an enhanced focus on particular charitable causes. Though she might just have lost her royal status it was not an act of spite; the style of HRH which she acquired on marriage was duly removed when that marriage came to an end the Princess had clearly lost none of her royal stardust as she flew to open a heart hospital in Sydney. Striking However, everyone involved in the visit had received a panic-stricken memo from the organisers explaining that the royal visitor was no longer actually royal. Under no circumstances is she to be referred to or called Princess Diana, it explained, adding: There is no requirement to curtsy. I was reporting on that visit and well remember that the international media contingent was so large that the local police chief had to book a theatre to announce press arrangements. I have gone on to examine that four-day tour in detail for my book, Queen Of The World, since it was a sincere attempt by the Princess to structure a new non-royal international modus operandi for the mother of the future King. There are a number of striking parallels with some of the issues on the agenda at Sandringham yesterday. British and Australian government officials were clearly beside themselves about issues of protocol, hence the memo from the organising charity. The Queen (pictured attending church at Sandringham on Sunday). While respecting the wish of Harry and Meghan to live a more independent life, Her Majesty will not have forgotten what happened the last time something similar was attempted In the event, the public couldnt give two hoots and did exactly what they had done on all previous occasions. They bowed, they curtsied, they called her Lady Di, Princess Di, Your Royal Highness or plain Diana as they saw fit and they were obsessed with every detail of the visit. The Sydney Daily Telegraph assigned one reporter to monitor her every mouthful at the A$1,000-a-head gala dinner. She ate one of three pieces of seared tuna, one half of roasted tomato, ignoring the squid ink-black noodles, ran a gushing report the following day. In other words, very little had changed since the Princesss transition to that more independent life. Except that everything had changed. Though she still had police protection, she no longer had access to all the back-up support which had been part of the royal package. Princess Diana had clearly lost none of her royal stardust as she flew to open a heart hospital in Sydney On arrival, there was no official car to ferry her around Sydney although there was still a smart motorcade waiting for her on the tarmac. This, it transpired, turned out to have been sponsored by a local Toyota dealership which proceeded to carry advertisements for itself throughout the visit. Nor, in the absence of a private secretary or equerry, was there anyone capable of quietly but firmly retaining an appropriate level of dignity at some of the more public engagements. When the Princess attended a fundraising lunch, a local public relations company had organised a closely choreographed walkabout through the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre afterwards complete with allocated times for particular sponsors. Even the Queen has never had a scripted walkabout (let alone a sponsored one). Yet it is not so much the brazen commercialism which will linger in the Queens mind as much as the fact that she and Prince Philip were in the midst of an important state visit to Thailand at the same time. And this very carefully prepared diplomatic mission undertaken at the behest of her democratically-elected government was entirely eclipsed. Though the Queen and her host, the King of Thailand, made no mention of it, senior Palace and Foreign & Commonwealth Office officials were dismayed. Vulgar More than 20 years later, all the officials involved have now retired but the Queen and the Prince of Wales will recall all that. Nor will they have forgotten an even more unedifying spectacle a few months later as the newly divorced Duchess of York attended a charity ball in Vienna while mixing business with charitable endeavours. She was paid 50,000 to launch her new autobiography in a Viennese shopping centre, accompanied by two fake guardsmen, an oompah band playing God Save The Queen and vendors selling royal bed linen bearing the Duchesss photograph. There is not the remotest chance that the Sussexes will attempt anything as vulgar. But the complexion of any event can change very quickly when your obligation is to shareholders rather than the Crown. Where is the line to be drawn? Nor will they have forgotten an even more unedifying spectacle a few months later as the newly divorced Duchess of York (pictured in 1997) attended a charity ball in Vienna while mixing business with charitable endeavours And although Boris Johnson may be relieved that yesterdays was one summit on British soil at which there was no seat for the Prime Minister, it now seems inevitable that he will need to become involved. For the fact that the Sussexes departure is now a matter of when, rather than if, has a direct impact on the organisation which is perhaps closest to the Queens heart. And it is one in which Mr Johnson plays a key role. Last nights statement by the Queen made no mention of the Commonwealth, although the Duke and Duchess last week pledged to honour our duty to the Commonwealth in their new existence. However, the whole question of the Sussexes future within the Commonwealth structure is not just a matter for the Queen. Though she is the titular Head of the Commonwealth, she does not hold executive authority. It is a matter of pride among the membership that while they may be former colonies and dominions of the old British Empire, this is a free association of independent states. Any suggestion that they are bowing to semi-detached members of the ex-ruling family would not go down well. Similarly, the members are sensitive to the merest sign of the old colonial power flexing its muscles. Yet flex them Boris Johnson must. That is because he is the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, the equivalent of holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. He holds the position because the British Government (under his predecessor, Theresa May), staged the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018. I now understand that he is to have talks shortly with the next Chair-in-Office, the Rwandan Prime Minister. Paul Kagame, who will host the next Commonwealth summit this summer in Kigali, is due to visit London in the coming days. Turmoil Under Commonwealth rules, the current and future Chairs, together with the previous one (the Maltese PM), form what is called the troika. This powerful executive committee of the Commonwealth is authorised to take decisions on behalf of all 53 nations. It is always led by the incumbent chair who happens to be Boris Johnson. Since the Duke of Sussexs appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador two years ago, he has played an important role in an organisation whose defining characteristic is youth; the majority of its 2.4 billion people are under the age of 30. His future role is a legitimate issue of concern for member states, as the Queen well knows. Complex matters indeed. But then at least Boris Johnson is no stranger to the dilemmas of family turmoil. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 22 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Jan. 14, Trend reports. The Armenian armed forces were using large caliber machine guns and sniper rifles. 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, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. 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 Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The absence of other parties apart, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party not showing up at the opposition meeting led by the Congress on Monday points at a tough time for the grand old party in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Mondays meeting, held just days ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, was to firm up a collective and cohesive opposition strategy, as well as, to find a unified response to the countrywide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). While SP chief Akhilesh Yadav did not confirm his partys participation and BSP leader Mayawati tweeted against Rajasthans ruling Congress for poaching six of her legislators earlier this month. She said if her party joins the meeting called by the Congress, it will hurt the morale of the party supporters in Rajasthan. Also Watch l 6 parties skip Opposition meet on CAA, economy; BJP slams vote bank politics But for the SP and the BSP, a former ally, the Congress is more trouble than help. Leaders of both the parties said that, in their view, the Congress presents the same worries as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Senior SP leader Shalini Yadav said the Congress stance at the Centre and the state are different. At the Centre, they are welcoming of allies, and in the states, their attitudes change. The Congress is waiting for regional parties to take on the fight against CAA and then take credit, this is not acceptable to the Samajwadi Party, said Yadav. She also said that in the last years Lok Sabha elections as well, the Congress cut away more into regional votes than the BJPs. Another senior SP leader, not wishing to be named, said the party now wants to stand away from the Congress, which it allied with in the last assembly elections in 2017 and then in Lok Sabha elections last year. You can say that we stand away from the Congress in a manner equidistant to the BJP. Our party is of the belief that for the troubles in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is as much responsible as the BJP. It has caused us the same harm, said the leader. As for the BSP, a key organisational meeting of the party kept supremo Mayawati busy, say leaders. Preparations for 2022 are underway and Behenji was giving senior leaders key directives and positions, said BSP leader Pritesh Rajbhar. Rajbhar also said the BSP, too, believes that the Congress has only added to their worries. There is a certain amount of distrust when it comes to the Congress; it is equally responsible, he added. Rajbhar said that the push by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the region could be a matter of distrust within the BSP. While both the parties have said that the Congress has caused them harm, one of the key reasons could be Priyanka Gandhi preparing for a more robust role ahead of 2022 in the northern state. She has been meeting people affected by the violence during anti-CAA protests and has lent her support to Bhim Army leader Chandrasekhar Azad, possibly making her unwelcome with the BSP. The SPs Yadav, however, said she does not believe that Priyanka Gandhi could affect her partys chances. The Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Shiv Sena and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were the other key regional forces who were not present at the meeting. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The AP High Court, which took suo-motu cognisance of the alleged police high-handedness against the women protesting the State governments three-capital proposal in the Amaravati region, has taken a serious view of the issue and directed the advocate general to file a detailed counter. A Bench comprising Chief Justice JK Maheswari and Justice M Satyanarayana Murthy issued interim directions to the respondents, including the State government and Police department, to protect the fundamental and human rights of individuals. These interim directions were to allow the public to leave their residences to attend their avocation to eke out their livelihood, to permit the public to demonstrate peacefully, permit them to perform customary/traditional rituals to the village deity/goddess, and not to enter the houses of villagers to conduct searches, except by strictly adhering to procedure contemplated in the CrPC. ALSO READ| Andhra Pradesh capital protests: TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar approaches NHRC on 'police high-handedness' Vijayawada Commissioner of Police and SPs of Guntur Rural and Guntur Urban were directed to adhere to the procedure prescribed under Section 46 of the CrPC. They were also directed to hold an enquiry against the police concerned for arrests and illegal detention of the persons in the police stations after sunset. The State government was directed to provide medical facilities to the persons injured, as appearing in the newspapers and video clippings. Further, the Police department was directed to produce the list of arrested persons immediately before the concerned judicial magistrates as per the law. The HC directed the Vijayawada Commissioner of Police and SPs of Guntur Rural and Guntur Urban to conduct an inquiry against the police officials who violated the guidelines issued by the SC and failed to adhere to the procedure prescribed under Section 46 of the CrPC and to take action against them. The hearing has been adjourned to January 17. The Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary (GAD) and the DGP were directed to apprise the court as to why action was not initiated against their subordinates for not maintaining the rule of law. Vijayawada Commissioner of Police and SPs of Guntur Rural and Guntur Urban, SP of Krishna district, collectors of Krishna and Guntur districts were asked to apprise the court about the imposition of Sec 144 of the CrPC when the villagers were peacefully agitating against the State action. The Bench said it is expected from the galaxy of executive officials to maintain rule of law in the State. Earlier, the court, which conducted a hearing on various petitions filed by different individuals questioning the action of the State and police officials, and also on a Public Interest Litigation, took up the issue suo motu based on the newspaper reports and video clippings, asked what was happening in the State and whether the chief secretary and DGP knew how to maintain the rule of law Why did advocate general not advise the government, the court asked. It questioned the way Sec 144 was being implemented and said it was shocking to see NCW and NHRC members visiting the State. Drawing the attention of the advocate general to the police action against women protesters, particularly to a photo published in a newspaper, the court said it was enough to register cases against police for violating Sec 354 (violating self-respect of women). Flag march Pointing out a flag march by 200 policemen, the High Court questioned if there was a curfew in the capital villages and demanded to know how male police personnel could arrest women protesters. The Islamic Republic's volte face on the fate of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 has tempted Iran-watchers to speculate that the tragedy could be a "Chernobyl moment" for the regime in Tehran. Implicit in this analogy is the hope that the shooting down of the jetliner foreshadows the end of the theocratic state, just as the disaster in the outskirts of Pripyat 33 years ago foreshadowed the end of the Soviet Union. The temptation to make the comparison is understandable - and not only because the recent award-winning HBO/Sky miniseries has refreshed minds about the nuclear catastrophe and reminded us about how it connects to the meltdown of the Communist empire. There are some obvious parallels. The sequence of Tehran's responses to the downing of Flight 752 was similar to that of Moscow's after the explosion in Chernobyl: denial, crude attempts at a cover-up, exposure by foreign governments, followed by a grudging acknowledgment - and finally an apology, laden with caveats and blame-shifting. Protesters hold flowers as tear gas fired by police rises at a demonstration in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, Iran. Credit:AP There are parallels, too, in the political backdrops to both events: As was the USSR, the Islamic Republic is isolated, its economy in shambles. The regime has long since cut loose from its ideological moorings; it has little to offer a sullen populace but old bromides about American perfidy. The widespread street protests across Iran over the weekend showed that Iranians aren't persuaded by this kind of stale propaganda any more than the citizens of the Soviet Union were in 1986. The US treasury department dropped its designation of China as a currency manipulator shortly before officials from the two countries were due to sign a trade agreement, prompting Beijing to say on Tuesday that the move is in line with facts and the consensus of the international community. The decision came in a currency report, rolling back a move made last August by US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin amid heightened trade tensions between the US and China. Mnuchin has previously accused China of holding down the value of its yuan to create an unfair trade advantage. US President Donald Trump, too, made similar accusations. In its latest report, the US said that as part of the Phase 1 trade deal, China made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation and agreed to publish relevant data on exchange rates and external balances. The report said the Chinese yuan depreciated as far as 7.18 per US dollar in early September, but rebounded in October and was currently trading at about 6.93 per dollar. In this context, Treasury has determined that China should no longer be designated as a currency manipulator at this time, it said. Soon after the US announcement, the yuan soared on Tuesday morning, days ahead of the two countries signing the Phase 1 deal to resolve a tit-for-tat trade war. Chinese vice-premier Liu He, heading the trade talk negotiations for China, is in Washington to sign the deal. Beijing didnt release any additional information about the expected trade deal. For specific questions about the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations and the first-phase economic and trade agreements, I suggest you ask the ministry of commerce. In addition, please be patient, the situation may become clearer in two days, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at the regular ministry briefing on Tuesday. In its semi-annual report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the US, the treasury department said no major US trading partner at this time met the relevant legislative criteria for currency manipulation. Noting that the department assessed developments over the last several months with China and its currency practices, Mnuchin said in a statement that China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability. Reacting to the developments, Geng said: China is not an exchange rate manipulator. The latest conclusion of the US is in line with the facts and the consensus of the international community. A recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment concluded that the level of the RMB exchange rate is generally in line with economic fundamentals, and objectively denied that China is a currency manipulator, he added. Reuters contributed to this story. The AFL is 'interested' in reducing the length of games in a bid to appeal to more fans, according to commentator Dwayne Russell. The former Geelong and Port Adelaide player says the league could consider implementing time constraints to quarters, by stopping the play at 30 minutes. 'The AFL is interested in finding a way to shorten games I'm told by maybe up to 15 minutes,' Russell told SEN's Dwayne's World. 'Reduce the quarters by two-to-three minutes per quarter, bring the quarters back from 32, 33, 34 minutes that we're often getting back to 29 and 30-minute quarters again like it was in the old days.' The AFL is 'interested' in reducing the length of games according to commentator Dwayne Russell. Pictured: Fans at the 2019 AFL Grand Final In 1994, the league amended playing time per quarter to 20 minutes plus time-on, instead of 25 minutes plus time-on. Stoppages, which occur after goals, when the ball goes out or during a umpire ball-up, can greatly impact the time of play, raising quarters from the imposed 20 minutes to above the 30-minute mark. Russell, who thinks the changes could be introduced in 2021 once perfected, said he has been told the players are also interested in a shorter game. Russell, a former Geelong and Port Adelaide player, says the league could consider implementing time constraints to quarters, by stopping the play at 30 minutes It's understood one option to lower the quarters would be excluding time on during the first five to 10 minutes of a quarter. Russell took on callers to discuss the potential changes and questioned whether it would be better for fans focus. 'Are games too long? We know the AFL has cut five minutes from the half-time break from 20 minutes to 15 minutes to shorten the total game length because of attention span and ratings reasons,' he questioned. Russell added the AFL wanted to shorten the day of sport from 'drive-way to drive-way' for families. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the AFL for comment. Leinster House the seat of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Ireland (PA) As the start of the 2020 General Election campaign gets under way, two major issues are expected to dominate political battle. Fine Gael will have to defend their stance and performance on the state of the health service and the worst-ever housing crisis to hit Ireland. Last week saw record-breaking levels of people on trolleys in hospitals across the country. Overcrowding at hospitals has hit peak levels, particularly at University Hospital Limerick which has been adversely effected by patients waiting on beds. Expand Close Campaigners from Yellow Vest Ireland outside Custom House in Dublin during a demonstration to protest against the Irish governments record on a range of social issues, including the housing crisis (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Campaigners from Yellow Vest Ireland outside Custom House in Dublin during a demonstration to protest against the Irish governments record on a range of social issues, including the housing crisis (PA) Fine Gael will be forced to answer to the public on the doorsteps when the campaigning officially kicks off. While the Government narrowly won the last vote of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, they may find it more difficult while facing voters on the street. Last year the number of homeless people in Ireland reached more than 10,000 for the first time. The latest figures show there are 10,448 people homeless in Ireland some 6,696 adults and 3,752 children. This is a rise of more than 500 compared to last years figures. Before polling day, the Fine Gael candidates will also have to defend the partys handling of healthcare. Simon Harris was due to face a motion of no confidence by the Rural Independent Group. A number of TDs indicated they would not back the government, meaning Leo Varadkars party would have potentially lost the vote. During what will be a tough campaign, Fine Gael is expected to play up its success on how it handled the difficult issues surrounding Brexit, particularly in keeping the Irish border open. The long and laborious Brexit negotiations in Brussels have dominated political proceedings in the Republic of Ireland over the last number of years. The party is also expected to capitalise on the state of the economy, jobs, living wages and falling poverty. Expand Close Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar with Boris Johnson and the Northern Ireland leaders (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar with Boris Johnson and the Northern Ireland leaders (Liam McBurney/PA) With the institutions up and running in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar will also use that to his advantage. According to the polls, its a two-horse race between Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to win. Fianna Fail will also face questions about the controversy surrounding the vote-gate scandal in the Dail (Irish parliament). Four of Fianna Fails front-bench TDs were forced to apologise after it was revealed they had voted on a colleagues behalf last year. Fianna Fail was also in government during the economic crash up until 2011, something Fine Gael TDs and others often referred to. What does Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee thinks about India's education sector? Text: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com. Photographs: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com IMAGE: Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee receives a standing ovation after his address at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai "Education, education, education..." Every time some journalist attempts to steer the conversation away from the topic at hand, Nobel Laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee gently, yet firmly, guides the discussion back to education, a subject he is so enamoured of. The recipient of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2019, popularly known as the Nobel Prize, was in Mumbai for the first time after becoming a Nobel Laureate. Try to goad him to talk about JNU, or the wealth tax on the rich, of which he is a big votary, or about the current national political scene, Dr Banerjee, who received the Nobel Prize in Economics along with Esther Duflo (his wife; a well-known economist in her own right) and Michael Kremer, repeatedly, gently utters "education, education, education" to remind his questioners that he is open to queries only on the state of education in India and nothing else. After a couple of lame attempts, journalists, who have been invited for a tete-a-tete with Dr Banerjee by Pratham, the non-government organisation that strives to improve the quality of Indian education, tweak their questions, albeit not without a spin on politics towards the education sector. Both Dr Banerjee and Dr Duflo have had a close association with Pratham for more than 20 years and it was only apt that Dr Banerjee would speak on its 25th birthday on a topic close to his heart: Learning from evidence for a better future: The case for primary education at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Deonar, north east Mumbai. *** When the interaction with the media begins at 2.15 pm instead of the scheduled 2 pm -- Dr Banerjee got a taste of the crawling Mumbai traffic that has worsened after the construction on various metros -- Abhijit (one gets the impression he prefers people address him by his first name instead of 'Dr Banerjee' or just 'Sir'), with his tall, lanky frame walks in dressed in a yellow kurta and black jeans. Without much ado, the QnA with Abhijit, currently the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, begins and one gets the chance to quiz the Nobel Laureate on education, education, education. *** IMAGE: Abhijit Banerjee is all smiles as he keeps nudging the assembled journalists to quiz him about India's education sector. Ask him about the quality of education at the public and private schools, and Abhijit offers his insights: "In terms of learning outcomes, there's almost no difference between them now," he says. "But then it is a fact that there are, of course, the elite private schools, which are great and extremely expensive and out of out of the hands of most people," he adds. Just as one feels he is being tactful comes Abhijit's quick response. "Do I think that you can aspire to doing better in the government system, relative to the average private school?" he wonders aloud. "I think the Delhi public schools have done it actually. The results in the Delhi public school system, the government school system, not in municipal system, are better than the average private school in Delhi." "The fact is Delhi government schools have now outperformed the Delhi private schools." "But I think there is lots of scope for improvement as well," he says backed by his experience of conducting randomised control tests that focus on the evidence at hand and then takes measures to improve the outcomes in the field of education. *** "Should the government increase education layout to help get the economy back on track and create jobs?" asks a reporter. Immediately comes the next question, tinged with some politics, of course, and Abhijit offers his straightforward, yet loaded response. "I would say the federal government has not a bigger role to play than state governments as education is a state subject, and state governments can have higher flexibility in dealing with challenges (related to the education sector)." "My guess is that the real constraint is attention. And I think that you're right in worrying about whether the distraction from this (funding) will make the government less attentive towards education," says the economist who graduated from Calcutta University, has a post-grad degree from JNU and a doctorate from Harvard. "In general, it is not that it (the federal government) is spectacularly attentive (to the education sector)," he quips, evoking laughter in the hall. "But I think that the real issue is not money. In fact, there's almost no flexibility (on how the allocated budget is used up); the salaries and pensions eat up most of the budget." "So it's not that you can change very much, you're always committed to paying those things. So it's a rather inflexible system," he exposes the reality of how most of the funds allocated to the sector end up. Espousing the cause of infusing technology and intellectual capital to improve the state of education in Indian schools, colleges and universities, he says, "If we want to be a big player in technology and in the intellectual arena, then we need to invest more on education. I would say mostly we have now invested quite a bit." "What is more important now is to take advantage of that (investment) by encouraging the research climate and inculcating an open and free education system and one entirely not guided by some 'national priorities'." "Researchers know better what's useful to do then the government or the public," he says based on his experience as a researcher. *** IMAGE: Pratham CEO Rukmini Banerji , who has worked closely with Abhijit on many education projects in India, introduces the Nobel Laureate to the audience. Time for the next question, please! "What do you make of the mushrooming liberal arts universities, private ones, which are coming up in various pockets, many of them funded by the Indian Diaspora?" "I'm very happy about that. And, do I really hate the idea that these are expensive and private? No," he says categorically championing the cause of public-private partnership in education. "But relative to when I was growing up, I think the emphasis has shifted too far towards technical education. And I do feel that if you want to have a vibrant democracy, we need to have kind of a class of people who have broad based education and I think in that sense, the aspiration is a good one, an important one." *** "If you were India's finance minister, what kind of resources would you allocate for the education sector? What are your expectations from the finance minister?" comes my politically loaded question disguised as one on education. "The education sector mostly is not a finance minister's domain," Abhijit politely reiterates his view. But then he has an opinion on what the role of the federal government should be and he doesn't flinch from making his view known. "I think it's more important to undertake institutional reforms which are more the domain of the (Union) HRD (human resource department ministry) and are more important. I think the UGC (University Grants Commission) reform, generally of funding reform, so that we have funding systems which are more of the global standards where the funding is given based on one thing," he says and goes on to enlighten how the funding system operates in the US. "What's very striking in the US is that National Institutes of Health, which has an enormous budget worth billions of dollars, and it is allocated by people who are the top professionals in those fields." "If you look at who's who on the panel (which decides on the allocation of this budget in the US), they are the who's who of research. We need to sort of take government controls off these things more," he says. And then he goes on to offer the reasons behind the success of the US education sector. "The education sector is one of the places where the US model suggests it has been very successful, partly because it's been very open to entrepreneurs who come up with new ideas and new ways of doing research and just run with it and the government is somehow managed (kept off such decisions) over time. So I do feel that there is excitement in that world which we don't harvest enough." "Would you suggest a roadmap to the finance minister for education sector reforms?" I ask. But the Nobel Laureate has been there and done that all with much elan and honesty. "I would start with these institutional reforms (in the education sector). Like, the syllabus does not need to be decided by the Centre." "I can decide my own syllabus with no interference from anybody in the United States," he cites an example. "That's an excellent thing. The syllabus at every level is dictated by a set of committees of experts and professionals and that's what is actually useful or interesting or modern?" "It's extremely important to start getting people who are active participants in the education sector more involved in locally deciding what's the right syllabus rather than heavy syllabi decided by some board (central) or the other." By this time, it is time to move to the next venue, a few yards away from where the media meet is happening, and where scores of students, academics, and education experts are waiting to listen to Abhijit. *** IMAGE: The author in the Nobel Laureate at work! Abhijit signs books co-authored by him. Many journalists have brought copies of Abhijit's books like What The Economy Needs Now (authored by Abhijit Banerjee, IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and Mihir S Sharma) and Good Economics For Hard Times by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. The Nobel Laureate doesn't disappoint the assembled journalists as he signs the books with flourish. Only after signing off the last book does Abhijit head to the next venue. *** Speaking at Pratham's 25th anniversary celebration, Abhijit enthralls his audience by going back into history and recounts the thrilling journey of how Pratham is helping improve the quality of education among India's underprivileged sections. Speaking about the theme Learning from evidence for a better future: The case for primary education, Abhijit convinces his audience about the role evidence plays in improving outcomes by designing education solutions that work on the ground, irrespective of myriad challenges that educationists in India face. When Pratham Co-Founder Farida Lambay asks for applause for Abhijit after he finishes his afternoon address, the audience gives him a standing ovation, much deserved for an Indian genius who, along with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer, have trail-blazed their path in the world of economics with their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Commander of eastern-based forces asks to be given until Tuesday to decide whether to sign the deal. Hours-long negotiations in Moscow aimed at agreeing on an unconditional and open-ended ceasefire in Libya failed to achieve a breakthrough on Monday, but Russia expressed hope the North African countrys warring sides would soon conclude the deal to end the fighting. The head of the United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, signed the draft ceasefire agreement but his rival, renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, asked for more time to make a decision. They have a positive view of the document and asked for extra time until the next morning (Tuesday) to decide, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said of Haftar and his delegation, adding that good progress was being made. I hope they will make a positive decision, Lavrov said. But on Tuesday, the eastern Libyan forces under Haftars command posted on their official Facebook page that they were ready and determined to achieve victory in their months-long campaign to seize the capital Tripoli from the GNA. It provided no additional details, but another website linked to the forces said Haftar would not sign the proposal. Haftars forces have so far failed to capture the capital Tripoli, where the UN-recognised government is based [Russia foreign ministry via AFP] Berlin summit The indirect talks in Moscow were aimed at formalising a fragile ceasefire that started in Libya on Sunday. Haftars forces have so far failed to capture Tripoli after nine months of fierce fighting that has killed more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters, according to the UN. Libya has been racked by turmoil since longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. The oil-rich country has since been split between two rival administrations based in the countrys east and west in a conflict that has drawn increasing involvement from foreign powers. The defence ministers of Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in the conflict, acted as mediators in the Moscow negotiations, but the rival delegations did not apparently come face-to-face. We have refused any meeting with Haftar, Khaled al-Mechri, the head of High Council of State in Tripoli, was quoted as saying by Libya al-Ahrar television channel. Turkey was working to ensure the truce became permanent, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Ankara, Erdogan said he would attend a summit in Germanys capital, Berlin, on Sunday to discuss developments in Libya, along with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin. I especially hope for the signing of a permanent ceasefire agreement sometime soon, Erdogan told reporters. Meanwhile, Libyan academic Mustafa Fetouri told Al Jazeera it was unclear if the temporary ceasefire would hold. The stickiest point is the condition of having Haftars forces withdraw from southern Tripoli. I do not see Haftar accepting this condition because that simply would mean defeat for him, Fetouri said. The other difficult point is the withdrawal of Haftars forces from Tarhuna, the main supply and control point for his forces. If he leaves this area, there will be infringement. So it is unlikely that he will leave that area. BEIRUT Protesters and riot police faced off in at least two cities in Iran on Monday, a third day of angry demonstrations at the countrys leaders after the government acknowledged having shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing 176 people. The protests are the most recent spillover from escalating regional tensions between the United States and Iran that built up from President Trumps decision to kill a high-ranking Iranian general and Irans firing missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq in response. After days of denials, Iran acknowledged Saturday that it had shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight Wednesday, blaming the attack on human error. But the governments obfuscation has angered many Iranians, already squeezed by poor economic conditions exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, and some took to the streets soon after. Videos from inside Iran shared on social media Monday showed university students in Isfahan and the capital, Tehran, chanting against the countrys clerical rulers while riot police deployed nearby. The extent of the protests and the amount of violence used to try to stop them were hard to assess because of tight restrictions on social media and the news media inside the country. Videos from previous days have shown protesters carrying off bleeding comrades while gunshots echoed in the background. Authorities in Iran denied that security forces had opened fire. At protests, police absolutely did not shoot because the capitals police officers have been given orders to show restraint, Hossein Rahimi, head of Tehrans police, said Monday, according to state-run news media. Late Sunday, Trump warned Iran not to target the demonstrators. Framing himself as a supporter of the media, which in other circumstances he has frequently disparaged, Trump exhorted Irans leaders to allow unfettered reporting. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching, he wrote on Twitter. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! The Ukrainian plane took off from Tehran on a flight to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, before dawn Wednesday, and barely two minutes later it was struck by an anti-aircraft missile fired by an Iranian crew. Iranian forces had fired missiles at American forces in Iraq hours earlier and were on the alert for retaliation by the United States. In addition to the domestic outrage, Iran may also face demands for compensation from nations whose citizens were killed on the plane, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko of Ukraine told Reuters on Monday. Tensions between the United States and Iran have soared since 2018, when Trump pulled the United States out of an international agreement limiting Irans nuclear program. Ben Hubbard is a New York Times writer. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the curative petitions filed by two Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts - Vinay Kumar and Mukesh - who questioned the death sentence handed down by trial court and upheld by the Delhi High Court and the apex court. A five-judge bench of Justices N.V. Ramana, Arun Mishra, R.F. Nariman, R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan unanimously held that there was no merit in the curative petitions of the convicts, who sought reconsideration of death penalty. "In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this Court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra & Another, reported in 2002 (4) SCC 388. Hence, the Curative Petitions are dismissed," said the court order. The curative petitions were taken up in chamber, without the presence of the lawyers of the convicts, by the bench headed by Justice Ramana. The in-chambers review is the procedure to consider curative and review petitions. The five judge bench also dismissed plea of the convicts to stay the execution of the death sentence. "The applications for oral hearing are rejected. The applications for stay of execution of death sentence are also rejected," said the court. After a 23-year-old woman was gangraped and tortured on December 16, 2012, leading to her death, all six accused were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder. One of the accused was a minor and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another accused committed suicide in Tihar Jail. The four convicts were sentenced to death by a trial court in September 2013, and the verdict confirmed by the Delhi High Court in March 2014 and upheld in May 2017 by the Supreme Court, which also dismissed their review petitions. Vinay Sharma in the curative petition said his entire family suffered due to the criminal proceedings. "The petitioner is not the only person being punished; his entire family has suffered greatly as a result of the criminal proceedings. The family faced societal wrath and humiliation for no fault of theirs. "The petitioner's parents are old and extremely poor. The case has been a huge drain on their resources and now they are left almost empty handed," stated the curative petition filed through senior advocate Adhis C. Aggarwala and Advocate A.P. Singh. "The petitioner's father earns a meagre living. The family has no savings and lives in the R.K. Puram Harijan Basti. If the petitioner is executed, his entire family will be destroyed," it stated. The plea further said the state had no evidence in the form of psychiatric structured clinical judgment, based on the appellant's life in the prison (around 7 years) and life prior to it, in the background of his mental impairment, his adjustment to and interaction with other inmates and officials. BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- STAG Industrial, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE:STAG) today announced the upsize and pricing of its public offering of an aggregate of 8,750,000 shares of its common stock, consisting of 5,600,000 shares offered directly by the Company and 3,150,000 shares offered on a forward basis in connection with the forward sale agreement described below, for gross proceeds of approximately $274.8 million. The forward purchaser (or its affiliate) and the Company have also granted the underwriters of the offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,312,500 shares of common stock. The offering is expected to close on January 16, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund acquisitions, to repay indebtedness outstanding under its $500 million unsecured credit facility (which was incurred to fund acquisitions and for working capital purposes), for working capital and other general corporate purposes, or a combination of the foregoing. BofA Securities and Wells Fargo Securities served as the joint book-running managers for the offering. In connection with the offering of shares of its common stock, the Company entered into a forward sale agreement with an affiliate of BofA Securities, referred to in its capacity as the forward purchaser. In connection with such forward sale agreement, the forward purchaser (or its affiliate) is borrowing from third parties and selling to the underwriters 3,150,000 shares of the Company's common stock (or 4,462,500 shares if the underwriters' option is exercised in full and the Company elects to execute an additional forward sale agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreement, and subject to its right to elect cash or net share settlement, the Company is obligated to issue and deliver, upon physical settlement of such forward sale agreement on one or more dates specified by the Company occurring no later than January 13, 2021, the number of shares of the Company's common stock underlying the forward sale agreement in exchange for a cash payment per share equal to the forward sale price under the forward sale agreement. The Company expects to physically settle the forward sale agreement and receive proceeds, subject to certain adjustments, from the sale of its shares of common stock upon one or more such physical settlements within approximately one year from the date of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. A registration statement relating to these securities became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and related base prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement (when available) and the related base prospectus may be obtained from: (a) BofA Securities, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or by e-mailing [email protected]; (b) Wells Fargo Securities, 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, or by calling (800) 326-5897 or by e-mailing [email protected]; or (c) the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. About STAG Industrial, Inc. STAG Industrial, Inc. is a real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, ownership and operation of single-tenant, industrial properties throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2019, the Company's portfolio consisted of 430 buildings in 37 states totaling approximately 86 million rentable square feet. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain 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. The Company intends such 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 includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "project" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the timing and manner of any forward settlement and the use of proceeds from the offering. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. SOURCE STAG Industrial, Inc. Related Links http://www.stagindustrial.com Father Brian D'Arcy is made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace. This picture is not for use after 14 March 2020, without Buckingham Palace approval. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire FR BRIAN DArcy was awarded an OBE today by Prince William in a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Fr D'Arcy has been a columnist with the Sunday World since the 1970s. He was joined by two of his sisters and a brother in law at the private ceremony in London. An OBE is the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award. It acknowledges contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations and public service. The priest was recognised for his services to cross-community relations in Northern Ireland. Speaking to Independent.ie, he said that Prince William spoke to each recipient of the award for about two minutes about their work without notes to hand. He chatted about my work and he was anxious to know if the situation in Northern Ireland was changing and he had hope for the future, Fr DArcy said. He was very nice and in good form, with all the difficulties going on. The ceremony had a good-feel factor and it wasnt political, it was about recognising the good work of the recipients, all of which I felt were far more worthy than me to receive the OBE, he added. He said that he received a tour of the palace afterwards. The ceremony was about an hour and a half and there was a reception afterwards. We were shown around the palace and it was great to see it, its not something that youll see very often. I was very honoured to receive the award and it was a very pleasant, warm day. It was about all of the good work and the good deeds of others and not about politics, but about recognising the good work and the progression of the community, he added. Fr DArcy, who lives in Fermanagh and will soon be serving as a priest for half a century, added that he was going to celebrate with a fish and chip dinner this evening in London. Im off for a meal with my family now, fish and chips will do me and if the craic is good, there might even be a small steak, he laughed. The low-cost carrier at Huntsville International Airport is expanding its inventory of flights. The airport announced Monday that Frontier Airlines is adding a third weekly flight to Orlando. Frontier will now have flights to and from Orlando three days a week. Previously, Frontier had routes on two days of the week. The new flights will begin June 1. The airport also announced that Frontier on May 1 is resuming its round-trip flights between Huntsville and Denver after a hiatus due to a drop in demand during the winter. Were excited to continue our success in Huntsville by offering an additional weekly flight to Orlando and restarting service to Denver in June, Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operational design for Frontier Airlines, said in the announcement. We appreciate the outstanding partnership we have with the airport and community and look forward to welcoming area residents aboard our affordable, nonstop flights to these exciting destinations. The expanded inventory of flights in Huntsville come after Frontier suspended flights from Mobile to Denver and Chicago. With the new services in Huntsville, Frontier will have flights to Orlando on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays departing at 12:42 p.m. and arriving at 3:52. Flights will depart Orlando for Huntsville on those days at 10:47 a.m. and arrive in the Rocket City at 11:57. The Denver flights will also be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flights will depart for Denver at 6:41 p.m. and arrive at 8:51 while flights will depart for Huntsville at 2:14 p.m. and arrive at 5:57. Frontier operates the Airbus A320 jet in Huntsville. Our community has been very supportive of Frontier Airlines since their entry into the market, as indicated by the 22 consecutive months of increased passenger traffic that the airport has experienced Rick Tucker, executive director for Huntsville International Airport, said in the announcement. Given that 19 of those months have reflected double digit increases we certainly consider the partnership to be a great success. "Frontier Airlines has filled a void in our market and provides our leisure and business travelers with more options for a lower price. Our MyHSV program that provides a free travel agent to passengers has received an increased number of calls from passengers who want to fly from their local airport and are pricing HSV first. HEAP is a federally-funded grant program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency through a network of local community agencies. HEAP provides eligible customers help with paying winter heating bills. For information about how to apply call 800-282-0880 or visit www.development.ohio.gov . The program provides customers with help paying winter heating bills in two ways: is a federally-funded grant program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency through a network of local community agencies. HEAP provides eligible customers help with paying winter heating bills. For information about how to apply call 800-282-0880 or visit The program provides customers with help paying winter heating bills in two ways: HEAP Cash Program annual grant to help with heating bills HEAP Emergency Program provides emergency payments until March 31 to avoid shut-off or restore electric service. Can be used only once per heating season. to avoid shut-off or restore electric service. Can be used only once per heating season. Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) is a year-round program that helps income-qualifying customers manage their monthly energy bills. Participants pay a percentage of their household income toward their utility bill each month so monthly bills are consistent year-round. For information call 800-282- 0880 or visit www.development.ohio.gov . is a year-round program that helps income-qualifying customers manage their monthly energy bills. Participants pay a percentage of their household income toward their utility bill each month so monthly bills are consistent year-round. For information call 800-282- 0880 or visit The $175 Winter Reconnect Option is based on an annual order issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) that allows residential customers who are disconnected or being threatened with disconnection the opportunity to pay a designated amount to have their service restored or maintained. The option may be used once during each heating season, which runs through April 15, 2020 . Residential customers are required to pay no more than $175 to maintain service under the reconnection order. If the customer's service has already been disconnected, the customer must pay the $175 and possibly a reconnection fee. There is no income eligibility requirement to use the Winter Reconnect Option. For information call the FirstEnergy Contact Center at 800-589-3101. Specific customer assistance programs also are available for each utility: The Illuminating Company The Ohio Fuel Fund grant is a company-funded program that provides a one-time annual benefit to an eligible customer's electric account. The grant is a maximum of $300 and can only be used for electric usage, security deposits and reconnection charges. Customers can apply at CHN Housing Partners at 2999 Payne Ave Suite 306 or the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland at 1801 Superior Avenue, both in Cleveland , or call 216-350-8008. is a company-funded program that provides a one-time annual benefit to an eligible customer's electric account. The grant is a maximum of and can only be used for electric usage, security deposits and reconnection charges. Customers can apply at CHN Housing Partners at 2999 Payne Ave Suite 306 or the Council for Economic Opportunities in at 1801 Superior Avenue, both in , or call 216-350-8008. The CEI Co-Op Fuel Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers restore or maintain electric service. The program funding is provided by The Illuminating Company customers and employees. Customers can apply at the Cleveland Salvation Army or call 216-861-8185. Ohio Edison Ohio Edison Project Reach is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers restore or maintain electric service. The program funding is provided by Ohio Edison customers and employees and the distribution of funds is administered by Salvation Army offices located throughout Ohio Edison's service area. To find an agency visit www.firstenergycorp.com/ReachAgencies. Toledo Edison Toledo Edison Neighbors Helping Neighbors is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers restore or maintain electric service. The program funding is provided by Toledo Edison customers and employees. Customers can apply at the Toledo Salvation Army or call 419-241-3549. To apply or learn more about other programs, visit http://www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call 800-589-3101. FirstEnergy Ohio utility residential customers also can manage their electric bills through the Equal Payment Plan (EPP). With EPP, customers can make consistent monthly payments to avoid seasonal highs and lows in their electric bills. In addition to the payment options, FirstEnergy offers a Medical Certification program. Disconnection of electric service resulting from overdue bills can be delayed up to 30 days if it is determined that the loss of electric service would be especially dangerous to the health of a permanent member of a customer's household. An appropriate health care professional must complete and sign a Medical Certification Form for the eligible customer. FirstEnergy also offers a program called Third Party Notification where a relative, friend, clergy, or social service agency can be notified along with the customer if electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay the overdue bills but can help make payment arrangements for the customer who might have difficulty paying their bill. The Illuminating Company serves 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Connect with The Illuminating Company at www.illuminatingcompany.com , on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo . Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison , and online at www.ohioedison.com . Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison . 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. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com . Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Related Links http://www.firstenergycorp.com New Delhi, Jan 14 : More staffers at Indian hospitality unicorn Oyo are set to be fired as the company trims its workforce across verticals, Ritesh Agarwal, the CEO, wrote in a letter to the employees. This comes amid reports that the company has let go about 1,200 employees in India "and plans to shed a similar number in the next four months". "One of the implications of the new strategic objectives for 2020, is that, like the leadership team, we will reorganise more teams across businesses and functions. As a result, we are asking some of our impacted colleagues to move to a new career outside of Oyo," Agarwal wrote in the letter on Monday. According to reports, SoftBank has given Oyo a deadline of March 31, 2020 to phase out contracts or businesses, which are not EBITDA-profitable. "It's been almost two weeks since the New Year started. As we enter 2020 together, I'm writing to update you on our strategy which OYO leaders agreed upon when we came together for the 2019 Global Leadership Meet in December. We had a single-point agenda -- to plan on how OYO will continue to drive its success in 2020 and beyond." According to Oyo, it is lying off poor performers and has set up a "meritocracy-based" performance evaluation programme, reported said on Monday. "This has not been an easy decision for us. We are doing everything we can to ensure that our outgoing colleagues receive as much assistance and support as possible through this transition. "Every OYOpreneur is important to OYO and ensuring their well-being both during and after their tenure is our number one priority. I want to thank them for their efforts and apologise for the impact this is causing. One is an OYOpreneur forever and we will always be grateful for your efforts," Agarwal added. Oyo is currently the second top unicorn after Paytm and valued at nearly $10 billion in the country. Founded in 2013, Oyo's self-operated business includes Oyo Townhouse, Silverkey, Collection O, Oyo Flagship and Oyo Homes and ancillary businesses include Weddingz.in. SoftBank's Vision Fund has so far invested about $1.5 billion in Oyo, pushing the hospitality company's valuation to $10 billion but learning from WeWork fiasco, the Japanese conglomerate is now looking at the companies it financially back from a different lens. Also backed by Airbnb Inc., Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Oyo currently works with 10,000 hotel owners in the country. A New York Times report recently quoted current and former Oyo employees as saying that the company was "indulging in questionable business practices". The article claimed the "SoftBank Jewel in India" is facing toxic culture and troubling incidents. "While Ritesh Agarwal's Oyo aims to be the world's biggest hotel chain, its growth was fuelled by questionable practices, employees said," the report said. JAKARTA, Indonesia - Abu Dhabis crown prince has agreed to lead a committee that will oversee the construction of a new capital city for Indonesia that is estimated to cost $34 billion, an Indonesian official said Tuesday. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said it would be an honour to play a role in the development of the largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesian Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in a statement. The committee will also include Masayoshi Son, the billionaire founder and chief executive of Japanese holding company SoftBank, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who currently runs the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, he said. We expected their presence would provide a confidence boost for prospective investors in the new capital, Pandjaitan said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Sheikh Mohammed during a two-day trip to Abu Dhabi that ended on Monday. Widodo announced last August that Indonesias capital will move from overcrowded, sinking and polluted Jakarta to a site in sparsely populated East Kalimantan province on Borneo island, known for rainforests and orangutans. The capitals relocation to a 180,000-hectare (444,780-acre) site almost triple the size of Jakarta will cost an estimated $34 billion. Of that, 19% is to come from the state budget and the rest from co-operation between the government and business entities and from direct investment by state-run companies and the private sector. Widodo welcomed talks between Indonesian officials and the United Arab Emirates, as well as SoftBank, on the setting up of an Indonesia Sovereign Wealth Fund which will be finalized at the end of this month in Tokyo, the maritime and investment ministry said. It said the UAE, a federation of seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula; SoftBank; and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will participate in the SWFs funding of Indonesian development projects. The idea to set up the fund came during a visit by Sheikh Mohammed to Indonesia last July, and the UAE has pledged to become the main investor in SWF projects, Pandjaitan said. During Widodos visit to Abu Dhabi, the two countries reached 16 business and government deals in which the UAE agreed to invest $6.8 billion through five government-to-government agreements and 11 business-to-business deals, the maritime and investment ministry said. Jakarta is an Asian mega-city with 10 million people, or 30 million including those in its greater metropolitan area. It is prone to earthquakes and flooding and is rapidly sinking because of uncontrolled extraction of ground water. The water and rivers are highly contaminated. Congestion is estimated to cost the economy $6.5 billion a year. Mineral-rich East Kalimantan was once almost completely covered by rainforests, but illegal logging has removed many of its original growth. It is home to only 3.5 million people and is surrounded by Kutai National Park, known for orangutans and other primates and mammals. Indonesia is archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands, but currently 54% of the countrys nearly 270 million people live on Java, the countrys most densely populated area. Netsweeper Launches New Digital Safety Solution to Assist with the Prevention of Student Suicide Netsweeper launches nMonitor to enable schools to proactively monitor activity online to identify struggling students including those at risk of suicide THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - Netsweeper, the web filtering platform of choice for schools, announced that it will be launching nMonitor, a new tool to help schools identify at-risk students in real-time, at this year's Future of Education and Technology Conference (FETC) and the British Education Technology Tradeshow (BETT). The new nMonitor product sends real-time alerts when a student engages with content that signals early detection of sexual grooming, suicide attempts, self-harm, radicalization, and other potentially harmful online activity, helping schools be proactive about student safety online. Netsweeper scans both online and offline content, such as chat messages, emails, and documents, content that was previously unavailable to schools for monitoring. nMonitor's advanced categorization and analysis engine also helps to reduce the number of false positive alerts, minimizing administration requirements. "There's a lot of challenges on the internet - social media, cyber bullying, extreme content and much more. This type of content is affecting the mental health of our children," says Perry Roach, CEO. "Children are online asking about suicide and self-harm. Or they're reaching out for help when they are being bullied or suffering from depression. The Netsweeper solution provides tools to alert school leaders about these actions and hopefully get help to these children before something serious happens." To learn more about how Netsweeper nMonitor helps schools proactively identify at-risk students, visit the Netsweeper website. Netsweeper will be launching the new product at booth 4831 at FETC, January 14-17, 2020, and at stand NH30 during the BETT show, January 22-25, 2020. About Netsweeper Since 1999, Netsweeper has been a leading provider of application and internet content classification and filtering ecosystem solutions for educational institutions, government organizations, businesses, service providers, carriers, and OEM partners around the world. The Netsweeper Education Ecosystem platform ensures students are always protected from inappropriate or malicious content. Our platform has been developed to meet CIPA, OFSTED, and many other compliance requirements, including the Prevent duty guidance. Our BYOD capabilities provides your IT manager with the tools to comply both on and off the school network. Media Contact: Perry Roach, CEO of Netsweeper, 519 760 0898, perry.roach@netsweeper.com The deadly two-year conflict between two Mexican cartels ramped up this weekend when gunmen barged into a church and killed a rival cartel leader's sister on her wedding day and kidnapped the groom, another high ranking gangster. Karem Lizbeth Yepez Ortiz was standing on the altar opposite her soon-to-be-husband, known in the Mexican criminal underworld as 'El Calamardo,' on Saturday afternoon as mass was about to conclude at the Our Lady of San Juan church when it was abruptly interrupted by a hail of bullets. Karem Lizbeth Yepez Ortiz was the sister of Jose Antonio 'El Marro' Yepez Ortiz, leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and was in charge of the organization's finances. A high-level law enforcement official confirmed to La Silla Rota that the bride was shot dead. Some reports placed El Marro at the scene and that he escaped unharmed. An 18-year-old male riding a motorcycle was caught in a crossfire and killed Saturday during a shootout between gunmen of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel after the aforementioned criminal group allegedly barged into a church in Celaya, Mexico, where Karem Lizbeth Yepez Ortiz celebrated her wedding before she was shot dead Residents stand near a road underpass in the central Mexican municipality of Celaya where the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel exchanged fire Saturday Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz (left), who leads the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, and Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes (right), leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, have been at odds since 2017 Several Mexican news outlets reported that witnesses said the attackers were wearing bulletproof vests with the initials of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and sent wedding guests diving for cover while others attempted to flee the church. Other invitees who made eye contact with the assailants were shot at, too. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel gunmen were seen escaping in at least three vehicles and were shot at by some of the wedding attendees. An 18-year-old bystander riding a motorcycle was caught in the crossfire and was shot dead on a road near the church. A spokesperson with state attorney general's office confirmed to DailyMail.com that a passenger accompanying the 18-year-old was wounded. The official, however, could not confirm whether Karem Lizbeth Yepez Ortiz was killed as well as the total number of victims injured at the church but did say the incident was still being investigated. Karem Lizbeth Yepez Ortiz's murder came a day after Maria Guadalupe Lopez Esquivel, a high-ranking female operative for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel died during a confrontation with Mexican security forces in La Bocanda, a town in the central state of Michoacan. Lopez Esquivel was 21-years-old and was known as 'La Catrina,' Mexico's 'Grande Dame of Death,' a satirical skeleton figure celebrated on the Day of the Dead. Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been embroiled in a on-going turf fight with the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel dating back to December 2017 when Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes declared war on El Marro. Both factions have been disputing the right to the lucrative illegal oil tapping business or huachicoleo throughout the Guanajuato municipalities of Salamanca, Apaseo El Grande, Leon, Irapuato and Celaya, leaving hundreds of fighters and innocent people dead. Mexico has been on the manhunt for El Mencho since 2015. The U.S. also wants the him and has offered a $10million reward for his capture. In February 2019, presumed members of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel drove up to an auto body shop in Guanajuato and delivered a deadly assault against alleged associates of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. One of the killers, apparently carrying a Go-Pro camera attached to his body, recorded the moment two pickup trucks make a sudden stop on a dirt street and unleash the savage strike on the unsuspecting men. In August, Jalisco New Generation Cartel used a cellphone to record itself parading a high-ranking official with the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. The half-naked Adolfo Mendoza Valencia, who was in charge of managing a "plaza" or turf operated by the group in the city of Valle de Santiago, was bound to a chair with his hands and feet tied. He was then executed and his body was hung from a highway overpass. Advertisement As he looks at pictures of his parents and sisters who perished in Auschwitz, Szmul Icek begins to tremble, tears clouding his eyes. It may have been 75 years ago, but for this survivor of the Holocaust the memories of life and death in the Nazi extermination camp remain painfully fresh. More than a million Jews were killed at Auschwitz, in then occupied Poland. The last survivors, now all elderly, still live with the physical and mental scars of the horrors of that time. Used to speaking publicly about his experience, Dov Landau has returned to Auschwitz more than 100 times with school groups and others. Proud of his descendants - 91 family members all living in Israel - he weaves his story like a horror film. His small apartment is akin to a museum commemorating the Holocaust, with photos and archive documents. Landau was forced onto the 'Death March' when, as the Soviets advanced, the Nazis made prisoners from extermination camps walk in deep winter towards their other camps. Half of his companions died during the journey and Landau ended up at Buchenwald camp before being freed. He kept his prison trousers and smiled as he showed them, proud that he could never fit into them now. With a powerful voice, Landau still sings at his local synagogue in Tel Aviv, and recounts Auschwitz atrocities with a certain distance. 'My father told me: 'we are separating, we won't see each other again'. 'He put his hand on his head and added: 'You will survive this hell and I ask you only one thing - stay Jewish!' Shmuel Blumenfeld remembers each ghetto, camp and fellow prisoner decades later, and wants to continue recalling the details. The terrace of his apartment in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam has a Mediterranean view, but inside there are dozens of photos, diaries and documents detailing his life during the war. A survivor of Auschwitz and the 'Death March', after emigrating to Israel he served as a prison guard for one of the architects of the Holocaust. It was during the detention of Adolf Eichmann, who was executed in 1962 after his trial in Jerusalem, that Blumenfeld found vengeance. 'Your men didn't finish their mission, I spent two years there and I'm still alive,' he told Eichmann, showing his Auschwitz tattoo. During visits to Poland in recent years, he has collected earth from places where all his family members were killed. It lies in a small, yellowing bag, which he has asked his children to bury with him Holocaust survivor Shmuel Blumenfeld, 94, shows the Auschwitz prison number 108006 on his arm, during a photo session at his home in the City of Bat Yam south of Tel Aviv, on November 28, 2019 Since their liberation three quarters of a century ago, their skin has wrinkled with the march of time and the numbers tattooed on their left arms have faded. Much in the same way that the collective memory of the Holocaust is blurring. These survivors are the last witnesses to traumatic events which now in the 21st century are often called into question by anti-Semitic revisionists. So as Israel prepares this month to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp at a ceremony to be attended by a host of world leaders, 10 survivors gave their testimonies. Some have learnt their stories by heart, reciting every detail - without tears. Full of energy despite her age, Batcheva Dagan (pictured holding the books she has authored) is one of the few Auschwitz survivors invited to the official ceremony at the camp on January 27 to mark its liberation. An educator and psychologist, she has written six books about the Holocaust of which five are for children. A pioneer in the field of Holocaust education, she has dedicated her life to teaching future generations. 'I want to survive to tell (people),' said Dagan, whose entire family was killed. Making it out of Auschwitz alive does not mean she escaped unscathed, but she does see positives from her experience. 'I don't only recount the horror of the Holocaust, but also wonderful things like helping each other, the capacity to share a piece of bread, the friendship... We remained human beings,' said Dagan Holocaust survivor Batcheva Dagan, whose entire family was killed, shows her arm with the Auschwitz prison number 45554, during a photo session at her home in the Israeli town of Holon, south of Tel Aviv, on December 25, 2019 Others no longer have the strength to speak, some have had their memories ravaged by Alzheimer's. While others are still consumed by the shame of being one of Adolf Hitler's victims. Born in Poland, Icek, 92, struggles to talk following a car accident, and leaves it to his wife to recount the tragedy which befell his family. In early 1942, his two sisters responded to a notice from the Gestapo that children should present themselves to the notorious secret police in order to protect their family. Saul Oren spent his early years in an Orthodox community in a village near the site where Auschwitz was built. Chosen by a Nazi doctor to undergo medical experiments, he was transferred from Auschwitz to a concentration camp in Germany and was freed in 1945. Oren, who has written his memoirs, still remembers the hunger which stalked him at the extermination camp. 'The hunger at Auschwitz was atrocious. You can't imagine to what extent,' he said, his voice trembling. Oren testifies tirelessly about the Holocaust, seeing it as his mission to convey what happened. After the war he found his brother Moche, who had been imprisoned with him at Auschwitz, and emigrated to Israel 'They left, but they were never seen again, never. We don't know what happened to them,' said Sonia on behalf of her husband, who tensed up as she began to talk. For many years, Icek, number 117 568, kept his imprisonment at Auschwitz secret from his wife. After living together in Belgium for years, the couple now inhabits an apartment in Jerusalem where old family portraits hang in their living room. Szmul Icek struggles to speak following a car accident, but he found it hard to talk about Auschwitz even before his health problems. At the mention of his parents and sisters, killed by the Nazis, he cannot hold back his tears. Despite the support of his wife, daughter and grandchildren, Icek's wounds have never healed. After living in Belgium for many years, Icek moved to Jerusalem and for the first time began uncovering the prisoner number tattooed on his arm at Auschwitz. Despite his difficulties communicating, Icek was keen to help his wife Sonia as she told the painful story of his arrest and separation from his family. In contrast to some survivors, Icek never returned to Auschwitz after the war and avoids reading books on the subject. 'I don't know how to explain what happened,' he said, his eyes swollen with tears. While Icek's parents and two sisters were killed in the Holocaust, his two brothers survived Holocaust survivor Szmul Icek shows his Auschwitz prison number 117568 on his arm, during a photo session at his home in Jerusalem on December 8, 2019 One shows his father with a full beard, wearing a round hat, while his mother's hair is cropped short in the style popular in that era. A month after his sisters disappeared, the Germans came for the rest of his family. His parents, two brothers and him. 'When he arrived at Auschwitz, on getting off the train, he held onto his father's hand like a little boy,' Sonia said of her husband's deportation. But Icek was separated from his dad by a Nazi. 'He cried, he wanted to be with his father. But the German said: 'no, you (go) over there'.' That was the last time he saw his father, who was sent to the gas chambers. Both his parents died, although his brothers like him managed to survive. Hearing his wife talk about Auschwitz where he spent two and a half years, Icek, dressed in a blue polo neck and a skullcap, became briefly animated. 'It can't be, it can't be, no,' he said, clasping his hands around his neck to mime the killings at the camp. Avraham Gershon Binet was just six years old when he arrived at Auschwitz, but has clear memories of 'hell' at the camp. Binet said that he never cried at the death camp, because he feared it would get him killed. 'Every day, children were killed for nothing, but I never cried, I was strong,' said Binet in his apartment in Bnei Brak, a Tel Aviv suburb. He was deported along with his brother and sister, who survived. Binet now dedicates his mornings to studying sacred Jewish texts, spending his retirement doing things his parents wanted him to as a child which were banned by the Nazis Holocaust survivor Avraham Gershon Binet, 81, shows his arm with the Auschwitz prison number 14005, during a photo session at his home in Bnei Brak on December 8, 2019 The youngest of 10 children, Shmuel Bogler was deported to Auschwitz with a large part of his family. He escaped death by being sent to a labour camp with one of his brothers, and both survived the Nazi 'Death March'. Bogler tried to travel to Palestine in 1947 but was arrested by the British, who governed the territory at the time, only to be freed months later. During the Arab-Israeli war the following year, he was captured by the Arab Legion south of Jerusalem. 'I asked myself whether I would spend all my life as a prisoner,' said Bogler, who has published his memoirs. After being freed once more, he became a police officer in southern Israel and in his retirement has testified tirelessly about his experience of the Holocaust Like Icek, Menahem Haberman, born in the then Czechoslovakia in 1927, was a teenager when he arrived at Auschwitz and was separated from his family. Their paths never crossed at the extermination camp, nor in Jerusalem where Haberman now lives in a retirement home. His memory still sharp, he recounted how he was taken outside of the camp to the edge of some water and given a shovel. 'There was a canal and I had to run to each side and pour ashes into the water. I didn't know what I was doing. When I came back, I asked a camp veteran: 'What have I done?' Haberman told the man he had only arrived at Auschwitz the previous day. 'He told me: 'All your family were ashes in that canal four hours after their arrival.' 'It was then that I understood where I was,' Haberman said. His bitter encounter with death at the camp was to drive his overwhelming determination to survive. Helena Hirsch moves around slowly with the aid of a walking frame but she maintains her lively spirit, describing herself as a 'heroine'. 'If I'm alive today, it's because I am a heroine,' said Hirsch, the sole survivor from her family. She recalled in great detail her ordeals in ghettos and labour camps, before being sent to Auschwitz in 1944. The moment her fellow prisoners were sent to the gas chamber, she hid in the latrines. Hirsch said her survival was down to a combination of determination and sheer luck. Hirsch lives in a small apartment in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak, on the fourth floor of a building without a lift. She is unable to leave her home and when visitors occasionally come, she recounts the story of her wartime battle against death and 'victory' against the Nazis Holocaust survivor Helena Hirsch shows her arm with the Auschwitz prison number A 20982, during a photo session at her home in Israel's Beni Brak suburb east of Tel Aviv, on December 16, 2019 'I told myself, I don't want to die here, I don't want my ashes to sink and flow in this canal towards the river,' said Haberman. 'There was a guy there who said in Yiddish: 'Those who don't have the strength to work, will end up in the chimney.' 'I kept that phrase in mind and repeated: I do not want to die here.' The experiences of the last remaining survivors, who were children when they were sent to the death camps, remain seared into their minds. 'Every day I think about it, especially at night,' said Haberman. 'It's deeply engrained in me. Seventy-five years later, we still live with that, we don't forget... we cannot forget,' said Haberman. 'We are survivors, we are not escapees. The camps are imprinted in our skin.' Six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany. And of more than 1.3 million people imprisoned at Auschwitz, some 1.1 million died and Haberman remains baffled that he managed to survive. 'I really knew people who were better men than me. Why did they die and why am I still alive?' Malka Zaken may be a nonagenarian but when she speaks about her childhood, she has a frightened expression and the voice of the girl who was ripped from her mother's arms and sent to Auschwitz. In her modest Tel Aviv apartment, she lives surrounded by her dolls, which she said help her remember the happy childhood years before the 'Germans took us'. One of seven children, she was able to find two of her sisters after the Holocaust but they have since died. Zaken was 12 when she was sent to the death camp and had to confront a reality where survival depended on the will of Nazi guards. Assigned to fold the clothes of Jews killed in the gas chamber, Zaken recalled the beatings and the fear at Auschwitz. When the memories become too much, she turns to her dolls. 'Don't worry Sean, he's not German, he won't take me,' she told one of them Holocaust survivor Malka Zaken, 91, shows her arm with the Auschwitz prison number 76979, during a photo session at her home in Tel Aviv on December 16, 2019 In the suburbs of Tel Aviv, 91-year-old Malka Zaken sits in her small apartment surrounded by dolls, some of which are still in their original boxes. 'Don't worry Sean, he's not German, he won't take me,' Zaken reassured one of them. While age has muddled some of her memories and her speech is confused, the traumas of Auschwitz remain vivid. 'When I was little, my mother bought me lots of dolls,' said Zaken, recalling her childhood in Greece with her parents and six siblings. 'But she was burned by the Nazis. When I'm with the dolls, I remember her, it's like when I was a child at home, I think about it all the time,' she said. Zaken spends her afternoons watching soap operas, at home with a carer. She remembers friends killed by the Nazis, as well as those who survived the war but have since died. Danny Chanoch was the subject of a 'Pizza in Auschwitz' documentary, during which he is shown eating pizza with his children on a trip to show them where he was interned. After Auschwitz 'there is nothing in the world which can make me cry,' said Chanoch with a smile, as he rolls off a series of jokes and word play around the Holocaust. He described killings and other atrocities he witnesses as a child, before singing an opera aria in Italian and offering an alcoholic drink to loosen the atmosphere. But the jokes and his self-deprecating manner cannot completely cover the scars left from years living in 'hell'. 'Auschwitz continues to live here in my house,' he said, with a hearty laugh. Chanoch was reunited with his brother in Italy and together they emigrated in 1946 to Palestine, then under British mandate Holocaust survivor Danny Chanoch, 87, shows his arm with the Auschwitz prison number B2628, during a photo session at his home in Karmei Yosef in central Israel, on December 10, 2019 In Auschwitz, she recalled being beaten 'all the time, we were naked and they beat us... I never forget, never, I never forget how much I've suffered. 'What hell! I don't even know how I made it to survive.' Occasionally looking dazed, the number 76 979 marked on her wrinkled skin, Zaken said the memories haunted her long after she was freed. 'After the liberation, I couldn't sleep, I lay awake at night crying, I was scared, and I was cared for for a long time.' As well as fearing the gas chamber, Zaken also remembers the starvation which stalked the death camp and reduced prisoners to walking skeletons. Fellow survivor Saul Oren, 90, also recalled the unimaginable hunger with prisoners given watery soup. 'And the soup was for the whole day. Or they gave us a small potato, or they gave us a small piece of bread,' he said. 'We didn't dare eat the whole bread because we wanted to save it for later, perhaps we couldn't stand the hunger,' he said. Oren's mother was killed at Auschwitz and he has no photo of her, but tries to include her image in the paintings he does at home. Even after leaving the extermination camp, hunger followed him. He was forced onto the 'Death March' when, as the Soviets advanced, the Nazis made prisoners from extermination camps walk in deep winter towards Germany and Austria. Holocaust survivor Danny Chanoch, 87, poses with a picture of him and his elder brother Uri after the war, during a photo session at his home in Karmei Yosef in central Israel, on December 10, 2019 'We marched for 12 days, practically without eating... we stopped in a forest, we found a dead horse, everyone threw themselves on the horse. Each person took a bite,' Oren said. Another survivor, Danny Chanoch, marched for weeks in the snow, scratching at the soil in the hope of unearthing some frozen grass. He is still affected by seeing survivors eating the bodies of prisoners killed by the Germans. 'They couldn't stand the hunger so they took the human flesh, cooked, ate (it). 'And we know that a red line is not to eat human flesh and not to take the bread from your comrade,' said Chanoch, originally from Lithuania. - Guarding Eichmann - After being taken to the Mauthausen and Gunskirchen camps, Chanoch was eventually freed and made his way to Italy as a penniless 12-year-old. In the city of Bologna he was reunited with his brother, Uri, and a photo of the two boys taken by an Italian man hangs in his home. Chanoch, who lives in a village between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was philosophical about his experience in the death camp: 'Sometimes I say to myself, 'how could I live without Auschwitz?'' Of the residents at the Jerusalem retirement home where Menahem Haberman lives, following the death of his wife, he is the only former Auschwitz prisoner. The sole survivor of eight children, he recounted his determination to survive on realising the day after arriving at Auschwitz that most of his family had been killed. Haberman made it through the ghetto and labour camps attached to Auschwitz, the 'Death March' and lastly contracting tuberculosis at Buchenwald concentration camp. After being freed, he found his father. Haberman is most proud of his children and grandchildren, particularly those who served in the Israeli army which he sees as a 'victory' for himself and the Jewish people. Despite his sense of victory, Haberman said he is unable to forget what happened at Auschwitz. 'It's deeply engrained in me. Seventy-five years later, we still live with that, we don't forget... we cannot forget,' he said. 'I really knew people who were better men than me, why did they die and why am I still alive?' Holocaust survivor Menahem Haberman, 92, shows his arm with the Auschwitz prison number A10011, during a photo session with his daughter Rachel at his home in Jerusalem, on December 12, 2019 'It led me to the right way, to not skip anything, and do what you like to do,' he said. Chanoch and his brother travelled illegally from Italy to Palestine, then under British mandate, while other Holocaust survivors later arrived in the land which had become Israel. The new state swiftly passed a law setting out the death penalty for crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The legislation was used to execute Adolf Eichmann, one of the masterminds of the Nazis' so-called Final Solution plan of genocide against European Jews. He was captured in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires 15 years after the war and smuggled to Israel, and tried. For Shmuel Blumenfeld, a 94-year-old Auschwitz survivor, tattooed with number 108 006, the Eichmann affair was a historic turnaround. Blumenfeld served as one of Eichmann's prison guards and spoke to the Nazi, telling him who had ultimately won. 'One day I brought him food, I lifted my sleeve so that he saw my tattooed number. He saw it but acted as if nothing was amiss,' said Blumenfeld, who offered Eichmann another helping. 'Then, I clearly showed my number from Auschwitz and I told him: 'Your men didn't finish their mission, I spent two years there and I'm still alive',' Blumenfeld said in German, before translating the conversation into Hebrew. 'Once Eichmann shouted to complain that he couldn't sleep, because there was too much noise. And I said to him: 'We are not in the office of Adolf Eichmann in Budapest, you are in the office of Shmuel Blumenfeld'.' At his home, Blumenfeld keeps a fabric bag of earth collected from the places where all his family members were killed. Holocaust survivor Menahem Haberman, 92, poses with a picture of himself after the war, during a photo session at his home in Jerusalem, on December 12, 2019 Holocaust survivor Schmuel Bogler, 90, shows a book he wrote about the Holocaust during a photo session at his home in Jerusalem, on December 12, 2019 Holocaust survivor Dov Landau, 91, shows a picture of himself with other free prisoners taken after the war, during a photo session at his home in Tel Aviv, on December 16, 2019 'My mother told me 'never forget that you are Jewish' and I obeyed her,' said Blumenfeld, who spent his career in the Israeli prison service. Despite his age, Blumenfeld continues to travel to Poland with groups of young Israelis. At almost 95, the elegant Batcheva Dagan also remains energetic and determined to use her experiences to educate future generations. After making it out of a camp alive, she said she had one thing in mind: 'Survive to tell (people).' She worked in the heart of Birkenau camp, which neighboured Auschwitz, at a depot where shoes and other prisoners' belongings piled up. 'I spent 20 months there, 600 days and nights,' said Dagan, who had to burn the luggage of Jews who arrived at the camp. 'Work out the hours and the seconds, thinking that each second you're scared of dying. You have an idea of what that means, living each moment with the threat that that moment is your last.' 'I try to make something positive out of my experience for children, educational. Holocaust survivor Szmul Icek shows a picture of his parents killed by the Nazis, during a photo session at his home in Jerusalem on December 8, 2019 'I don't only recount the horror of the Holocaust, but also wonderful things like helping each other, the capacity to share a piece of bread, the friendship... We remained human beings.' The survivors' sense of victory comes through their poems, memories, but above all through living their daily lives and seeing future generations grow up. 'I'm alive... I suffered, but I overcame!' said Dagan. Icek, who for years hid his Auschwitz tattoo under long shirts, has recently started to uncover it. Holocaust survivor Shmuel Blumenfeld, 94, carries a bag containing earth from locations where his family members were killed by Nazis, during a photo session at his home in the City of Bat Yam south of Tel Aviv, on November 28, 2019 'You didn't want to show it. Now the first thing that you do when you get into a taxi, you do this,' his wife Sonia said, showing his forearm. 'It's like he was ashamed... I told him: 'You have been to the camp, you must be happy, you came back,'' said Sonia, who had to hide during the war in Belgium to avoid being sent to a death camp. Sitting next to his wife, Icek said just three words before starting to cry: 'I have won.' But Sonia disagreed, saying he 'didn't win anything' and lost his family whose pictures hang next to those of their grandchildren. 'We have not won, but we have taught our grandchildren in a way that they understand what happened.' Naxals killed the younger brother of a former colleague in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said on Tuesday. The deceased's brother quit the outlawed CPI (Maoist) last year and joined the local police force, which apparently angered the rebels, a police official said. Laxman Mandavi (26), a resident of Duvalikarka village, was stabbed to death with sharp weapons by ultras at his native place late Monday night, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava said. As per preliminary information, over a dozen Naxals reached the village and then sent some lower rung cadres to bring Mandavi out of his house before killing him in a nearby forest, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is inviting world powers to a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss efforts to broker peace in Libya. Merkels office said in a statement Tuesday that the German leader had decided to host the meeting after consulting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Germany has invited Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the U.N.-supported administration in Tripoli, and Gen. Khalifa Hifter of the rival Libyan National Army to the Jan. 19 meeting. Officials from the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey as well as several African and Arab countries are also invited. 2.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard It is being reported that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is at the top of the list to be named a Trump impeachment trial manager. Kasie Hunt reported on MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports, Shes keeping her cards very close to the vest. We have a general idea of who these managers might be. Adam Schiff is at the top of the list. She and Schiff conferred privately for quite a while after their meeting this morning with the broader Democratic caucus. He really is the one that she is spending the most time with. We know Jerry Nadler, the judiciary chairman also likely to be involved and there are a few others as well likely to be included. In the Clinton trial, as you know very well, there were 13 managers that were sent over by the house. There seems to be a feeling here that would be too many. So I would be surprised if you saw that many named as a part of but of course, again, Nancy Pelosi being very careful to keep her cards close and not let this get out into the public until shes ready for that to happen. Video: Adam Schiff is likely to be named a Trump impeachment trial manager. pic.twitter.com/nk466Cfkmp Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 14, 2020 Adam Schiff has been vital in helping to guide the House impeachment process, and as a former prosecutor, it is a no-brainer to have him on the team making the case to the Senate that Trump should be removed from office. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) also looks like a lock to be an impeachment trial manager. After those two, it depends on how many managers Pelosi wants to send to the Senate for the trial. No matter who else Pelosi picks, Rep. Schiff is going to be at the trial making the case that Donald Trump should be convicted and removed from office. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images The Democratic presidential candidates are debating once again, and Tuesdays forum in Des Moines, Iowa, promises to be significantly different from the six debates that came before it really! For starters, were down to just six candidates onstage (Andrew Yang, who participated in Decembers debate, failed to qualify). Theres also a decent chance that progressive pals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren will finally attack each other, with the two senators currently mired in a spat over sexism. Plus, this is the final opportunity for candidates to have a breakthrough debate moment before the Iowa caucuses on February 3. Heres everything you need to know to tune in tonight. What Time Is the Debate? Hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, the debate is set to start at 9 p.m. ET. Its expected to last about two hours. Heres how Griff, Drakes mascot, has been preparing: Where to Watch the Debate The debate will air live on CNN. You can also stream it on DesMoinesRegister.com and CNN.com, with no cable log-in required. It will also be available on CNNgo apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, and Android TV. The Debate Lineup The debate will feature former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and billionaire former hedge-fund executive Tom Steyer. Heres how the candidates will be arranged, from left to right: Steyer, Warren, Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar. (Note: If the two progressive senators want to hug out their differences, theyll have to go through Biden.) Who Are the Moderators? CNNs Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip and the Des Moines Registers Brianne Pfannenstiel. When Is the Next Democratic Debate? Those who are still undecided after Tuesday will have plenty of other opportunities to hear the candidates debate maybe too many. Last month, three more Democratic debates were announced for February: February 7: Eighth Democratic debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. Co-hosted by Apple News and ABC News affiliate WMUR-TV. February 19: Ninth Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by NBC News and MSNBC, in partnership with the Nevada Independent. February 25: Tenth Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina. Co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus, with Twitter as debate partner. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. India's flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue, began on Tuesday with seven former heads of state or government sharing their perspectives on challenges facing the world, including the US-Iran tensions, Afghan peace initiatives and climate change. During the inaugural session, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Danish PM and ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said he would like to see a global alliance of democracies to stand up to oppressive rulers and regimes and India could play an important role in such a coalition. "India can play an important role in this... I am an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's participation in this alliance is important," he said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue but had to call off his four-day visit due to devastating bushfires in several parts of his country, sent a video message for the dialogue. In his message, Morrison said India is and will remain the "strategic lynchpin" in the Indo-Pacific. "The term Indo-Pacific reflects the recognition that India's power and purpose will be vitally important to the region and to resolving and supporting shared security challenges. India has taken on an increasingly active role in the Indian Ocean," he said. Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Indian foreign policy seeks to achieve a broad engagement with many parties and "managing if not leveraging global contradictions, advancing our interests in a multi polar world and contributing to global good". During the inaugural session here, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, Rasmussen, former Bhutanese premier Tshering Tobgay and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, discussed global challenges. Important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in modern world, climate change, were part of the discussion. During the inaugural session, the spiralling US-Iran tensions following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike, were also discussed. Without a change in the government of Iran, peace in the Middle East is not possible, former Canadian PM Harper said. "Climate change cannot be tackled through targets. We need zero emission technology and development," Harper said. Former Afghan president Karzai said Americans must realise they can't force others to follow their line. "They couldn't do it with Afghans, how can they do it with Iran?" he said, adding that wisdom must prevail and that wisdom must come from US. Discussing the challenge of climate change, former New Zealand premier Clark said achieving zero carbon is important to combat climate change, but it is important to get national consensus on achieving this target. Tobgay said he was a believer in multilateralism, but the UN Security Council has failed on climate change. "Till now the UNSC has adopted only one resolution on climate. This has to change. Climate remains the biggest concern," he said. Talking about prospects of peace in Afghanistan, Karzai hoped for intra-Afghan dialogue between the government and the Taliban. "We're optimistic about peace, we are Afghans," he asserted. Harper said one of the great challenges that liberal democracies are facing is coping with political protests in their own countries which have arisen primarily as a combination of new technology, the uneven distribution of organisation and rise of nationalism. "I think these are things creative leaders will learn to accommodate. I think the great strength of liberal democracies is that they are often wrong but over time correct their errors," he said on being asked about whether the trans-atlantic liberal order he had envisioned was fraying. Talking about India, Harper hailed Prime Minister Modi's leadership, saying India will be a country that is self-defined. "India is not going to be a bastion of Western liberals. Under the current Government identity is coming back in a big way," he said. Rasmussen said NATO is stronger than ever before, much more stronger since the end of the Cold War. "NATO's cover must expand, for instance in Middle East. What NATO could do is train forces in the Middle East... lead the anti-ISIS coalition," he said. The fifth edition of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, will bring together 700 international participants from over a 100 countries, in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. The three-day conference will see participation of 12 foreign ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the EU. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif's participation assumes significance as it comes following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Zarif and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will both arrive here on Tuesday night and deliver their address for the dialogue the next day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Firefighters and paramedics treated 17 children and nine adults for minor injuries after a plane dumped fuel on the way to Los Angeles International Airport. Two elementary schools in Los Angeles and Cudahy, California reported noxious fumes and children suffering from skin irritation, shortly after a Delta Airlines flight made an emergency landing at the airport. Crews including 70 firefighters and paramedics responded to reports at 93rd Street Elementary and Park Avenue Elementary. The fire department has confirmed that the substance was jet fuel. Paramedics didn't transport anyone from the schools to local hospitals. A total of 23 people were treated at the scenes. There also are no evacuation orders in place for the immediate area. 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 Delta's Shanghai-bound Boeing 777 took off from Los Angeles but returned to the airport after reporting an engine issue. A company statement doesn't mention that its fuel had landed on an elementary school. It dumped fuel during its return and landed safely back at LAX. An "emergency fuel release" was intended to reduce the plane's landing weight. The Los Angeles Unified School District says that the schools immediately called paramedics as children and staff on the playgrounds and outside the classrooms reported being sprayed by or inhaling fumes. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:20:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to send the Senate two impeachment articles against President Donald Trump, allowing a long-awaited trial to begin, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. In a closed-door gathering with Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday morning, Pelosi detailed her plan to move on Wednesday to appoint the House managers, a team of lawmakers who will prosecute the case against Trump in the Senate impeachment trial, according to a New York Times report, citing officials in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity. The timetable means that the House managers would ceremonially walk the articles of impeachment from the House chamber to the Senate well later in the day Wednesday, formally presenting them and prompting a trial to commence, said the report. The proceeding will be only the third time a U.S. president has been put on trial in the Senate. Pelosi decided to hand the two articles against Trump abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over to the Senate after withholding them for weeks in a gambit to get assurances about how his Republican-led chamber will conduct the trial. McConnell also reasserted that there was no desire in the Senate to vote to drop the impeachment charges against the president without hearing the arguments against him. "We hope to be able to achieve that by consent, which would set us up to begin the actual trial next Tuesday," McConnell said. If that happens, McConnell said at a press event on Capitol Hill, then his chamber will be able to move the process forward this week by having Chief Justice John Roberts swear in, along with "some other kind of housekeeping measures." McConnell, R-Ky., announced the tentative schedule just a few hours after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed she will send the articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate on Wednesday . President Donald Trump's impeachment trial could begin as soon as next week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. She and other top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have loudly voiced concerns about whether Trump's Senate trial will be legitimate. McConnell has been heavily criticized for saying last month that he is "not impartial" and is coordinating directly with Trump's counsel ahead of the trial. Schumer appealed to McConnell directly to include four witnesses in the trial, including former national security advisor John Bolton and current acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. But McConnell rejected Schumer's demand, and made no concessions to Democrats despite Pelosi's efforts to influence the rules of the trial. The White House had pressured those and other witnesses not to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry, claiming the proceedings were "baseless, unconstitutional efforts to overturn the democratic process." Bolton said last week that he is willing to testify in the impeachment trial if the Senate subpoenas him to appear. But it's unclear if the Senate, in which Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, has any appetite to do so. McConnell said last month that he wants the trial to closely resemble former President Bill Clinton's impeachment in 1998. The Senate during Clinton's impeachment debated during the trial itself whether to allow witnesses to appear. Senate Republicans slammed the Democrat-led House impeachment inquiry at the press conference Tuesday. The House process "was rushed, it was partisan and it was sloppy," Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said. "Justice is going to be done, and it's going to occur in the Senate." Democrats launched an impeachment inquiry in late 2019 to investigate Trump's efforts to have Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine and not Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Trump asked Zelenskiy to announce the probes while hundreds of millions of dollars in congressionally allocated military aid to Ukraine were being withheld without clear explanation. Some Republicans have considered calling Hunter Biden, as well as the whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's July 25 call with Zelenskiy helped spark the impeachment inquiry, as witnesses in the Senate trial. Unlike Schumer's requested witnesses, Hunter Biden and the whistleblower would not be able to offer firsthand testimony related to the articles of impeachment against Trump. "I think we'll be able to dip into the witness issue at the appropriate time," McConnell said Tuesday when asked about the possibility of Republicans calling Hunter Biden to testify. "I think it's certainly appropriate to point out that both sides would want to call witnesses that they want to hear from ... I can't imagine that only the witnesses that our Democratic colleagues want to call would be called," he said. On Wednesday, Pelosi is expected to hold a vote on a resolution that will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, as well as appropriate funds for the trial. The vote will also name the so-called impeachment managers, who are typically House members who serve as the prosecutors in the Senate trial. Trump's defense team is already taking shape. White House counsel Pat Cipollone is expected to lead the team in the Senate trial, with support from Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow and at least two of Cipollone's deputies, NBC News reported, citing sources and public comments from administration officials. Besides DMK and SP, key opposition players Trinamool Congress, Mayawati's BSP and the latest entrant to the opposition block Shiv Sena also did not send their representatives to the meeting. Read more at: Six key Opposition parties skip Sonia Gandhi's meeting Nigers army chief has been fired after two major attacks left 160 soldiers dead and dozens of others wounded, the government announced. Chief of staff General Ahmed Mohamed led the army for more than two years, a period marked by a steep rise in attacks by fighters linked to ISIL and al-Qaeda that culminated in a raid on a remote army base on Thursday that killed at least 89 soldiers. The government said at least 77 attackers were killed by Nigers army and its foreign allies, most notably France and the United States. That attack on the Chinagrodrar Advanced Military post came less than a month after another on a military garrison in Inates that killed 71 soldiers and raised questions about Nigers ability to contain the spread of armed groups across its western border from Mali and Burkina Faso. On Monday, President Mahamadou Issoufou appointed Brigadier General Salifou Modi, a former Nigerien military attache to Germany, as Mohameds successor, the government announced after a cabinet meeting. Niger said it would launch a new military offensive against armed groups, but past campaigns have failed to curb violence despite the presence of French and US troops. Attacks in Niger have risen fourfold over the past year, killing more than 400 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a non-profit research organisation. Military campaigns by armies in the Sahel, a semi-arid swath of land beneath the Sahara, have also been marred by human rights abuses, which analysts say have pushed some civilians into the arms of the rebel groups. In addition to ISIL attacks, countries in the region, especially Mali and Burkina Faso, have struggled to cope with deadly ethnic clashes between rival farming and herding communities. Niger is part of a five-nation task force known as the G5, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Chad. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have died in the violence across the vast region, which began when armed fighters revolted in northern Mali in 2012. The conflict has since spread to the centre of Mali and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Attacks continue, despite France deploying 4,500 troops in the region as part of Operation Barkhane to help local forces. Meanwhile on Monday , France and the five West African states agreed to combine their military forces under one command structure to fight a growing battle in the Sahel region, with Paris committing an extra 220 troops. (Kitco News) The amount of gold buying happening in the new year points to the rising fear factor in the marketplace, says CNBCs Jim Cramer, adding that gold might be heading towards $1,800 an ounce. When I see this endless buying for gold it makes me think for the first time people are just saying, Im really fearful, Cramer told CNBC last week. When asked what caught his attention, Cramer replied: Gold, gold, gold, highlighting Agnico Eagle Mines as one of the few gold companies investors should be buying. Its not just Treasuries. The gold buying has been endless There are only a few growth gold companies. To name one Agnico Eagle thats the one to buy, Cramer said. The latest bought of fear in financial markets is connected to the U.S.-Iran tensions. Why arent the futures down more. I think they should be. And I think they should be because we havent seen what promises to be retaliation, Cramer added. Mad Moneys Cramer said he feels like gold wants to go to $1,700, $1,800 an ounce, which would be very negative for the market. "When I see this endless buying of gold, it makes me think that for the first time maybe people are just saying: I am really fearful, he noted. Last week gold prices surged to seven-year highs after Iran launched a missile strike near U.S. troops in Iraq. Since then, prices have retreated, settling around $1,550 an ounce level as upbeat risk sentiment not he market working against the precious metal. February Comex gold futures were last trading at $1,550.60, down 0.61% on the day. Back in November, Cramer highlighted Barrick Gold and Agnico Eagle as the top two gold stock picks. Some other calls from Cramer in 2019 were that "everyone should own 10% of their money in gold" and that gold was heading to $1,500 an ounce. 14.01.2020 LISTEN Samuel Kwapong Darko, a visually impaired person, who is the owner of the Eye Of the Lord Day Care Centre located at Dzatsui-Newton near Nsawam in the Eastern Region, has been arrested together with his wife and three staff members for allegedly selling 18 months old twins for GH30,000 to a certain businessman. The suspects were grabbed when the mother of the twins, Alfie Adjoa, aged 30, went to the Nsawam Police Station to file a complaint against them for allegedly selling her kids last month. DAILY GUIDE gathered that the suspects, who were later granted bail, have not been prosecuted, and this has raised concerns as to why the police have not investigated the matter to get information about the whereabouts of the kids. How It Happened Ebenezer Ofori, Assemblyman for Kraboa Electoral Area in the Ayensuano District, who confirmed the incident to DAILY GUIDE, explained that the mother of the twins, a single parent, met Samuel Kwapong Darko who pretended to assist her to take care of her babies. According to him, the single mother who lived with her mother at Afanso agreed and sent the children to an orphanage. He said the owner of the orphanage invited the lactating mother to his home one day. When she arrived there, they offered her GH10,000 in exchange for the babies after waiting for an hour in a room. Ebenezer Ofori noted that she asked them why they gave her such a huge amount of money but they told her it was for assistance they pledged to give to her. He continued that the woman then asked them to give her GH200 for something urgent so she would get back to them later. She went straight to the Nsawam Police Station and filed a report, and reported the case to the assemblyman afterwards. Police DAILY GUIDE source confirmed that the police then proceeded to arrest the owner of the orphanage and his accomplices. After the arrest, the suspects were said to have mentioned the one whom they sold the twins to, who was also invited by the police but he failed to show up and rather sent the twins back to the police to give them to their mother. The suspects were then granted bail and that has been the end of the case, which has left tongues wagging. The Nsawam Police Commander, Supt Mariam Owusu, when contacted at the time of filing this report, told DAILY GUIDE that she was not aware of the incident. She quickly told the reporter to call her on Monday morning for verification. Shutdown of Orphanage The Eye of the Lord Orphanage was in 2015 shut down by the Regional Department of Social Welfare after an order given by the Koforidua Circuit Court for operating an orphanage without legal backing. The Regional Head for Child Right Promotion and Protection at the Department of Social Welfare, Sarah Kwao, said the centre was only licensed to operate a daycare centre and not an orphanage. Some personnel of the Social Warfare Unit, during their visit to the site, observed that the owner of the orphanage operated the home without permission, adding that most of the children admitted to the orphanage were not orphans. Residents Concerns Meanwhile, residents of the community who are not happy with the development are calling on the government to take legal action against him. ---Daily Guide Nothing partners with coffee quite like doughnuts. So when REIGNcafe, a Vietnamese coffee shop, enters the vacant space inside the DCU Center, it makes sense itll partner with a popular Worcester doughnut pop-up. Glazy Susan Doughnuts will partner with REIGNcafe when the coffeeshop opens, the pop-up confirmed to MassLive on Monday. REIGNcafe announced it would be taking over the space previously held by Pigs and Figs within the DCU Center earlier this month. Shortly after, Glazy Susan Doughnuts hinted of the partnership on Facebook. You know what goes well with Vietnamese coffee? Glazy Susan doughnuts... #staytuned Posted by Glazy Susan on Friday, January 10, 2020 Glazy Susan hosted a pop up at New Tradition Co. on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A long line formed outside the coffee shop in anticipation of the doughnuts. So... this happened today! We continue to be overwhelmed and humbled by your support. Thanks to every person that waited... Posted by Glazy Susan on Sunday, January 12, 2020 REIGNcafe is planning to open in the DCU Center in the spring. The concept will bring Vietnamese coffee, tea and smoothies, as well as dishes like banh mi, noodle bowls and salad bowls. Doughnuts will likely now be added to the menu at least during some days. REIGNcafe plans to release full business hours closer to its opening this spring. Initial plans for Glazy Susan could be to serve doughnuts on Saturday and Sunday, possibly generating crowds like last weekend. John Cena (Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) John Cena has said that he's been bowled over by director and writer James Gunn while working on forthcoming DC movie The Suicide Squad. Hes playing Peacemaker in the supervillain team up movie. Gunn was drafted in to make the superhero sequel after becoming, ahem, suddenly available for work last year. Cena told Collider: I was blown away. The first 10 pages are like a movie in itself. Its really, really special. Thats because the guy steering the ship [Gunn] is committed to narrative and committed to creating characters that we connect with and sending them on an awesome journey. Read more: New Black Widow trailer I mean what he did with [Guardians of the Galaxy] is really special. You want go to work with people who jump out of bed every day and want to go to work. Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt and James Gunn on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. (Disney) [Gunn] is the epitome of that. He cares so much about what hes doing and I think especially when hes put in a position to write, develop, and do this by his rules essentially... He kind of dictated his terms and now hes really betting on himself and I hope everybody enjoys seeing it as much as were enjoying making it, because its awesome. As you may recall, Gunn found himself seeking employment after offensive tweets he'd sent more than a decade ago were found and republished by a right-wing activist. Read more: Joker sets Oscar record Disney then sacked him from directing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, so he defected to DC to make The Suicide Squad, the follow up to David Ayer's financially successful but critically pounded first instalment. Latterly, Disney reinstated the director, and he'll be back on board Guardians 3 once he's done with The Suicide Squad. Margot Robbie will reprise her role as Harley Quinn, alongside Viola Davis's Amanda Waller, Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag and Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang. Will Smith won't be back as Deadshot, but David Dastmalchian will play Polka-Dot Man, alongside other new cast members including ex-Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi, Idris Elba, Michael Rooker and Taika Waititi. It's set to land on 6 August, 2021. Moustafa Kassem, a US citizen detained in Egypt for more than six years, died in prison Monday after a heart attack stemming from his yearlong hunger strike in protest of his incarceration. While Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker called Kassems death needless, tragic and avoidable, it also raises questions as to whether the Donald Trump administration will sanction as directed by Congress Egyptian officials involved in his incarceration. Why it matters: The Republican-controlled Senate foreign aid panel passed a bipartisan amendment to a report accompanying its annual spending bill last year that instructs the Trump administration to place visa bans on Egyptian officials involved in the wrongful imprisonment of Kassem. The legislation also directs Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to bar Egyptian, Saudi and Turkish officials from entering the country if they have been involved in the wrongful detention of locally employed staff of a US diplomatic mission or a US citizen or national. While the final conference report on Congress foreign aid spending bill does not explicitly contain that Senates sanctions amendment or make any reference to Kassem a Senate Democratic aide told Al-Monitor that the sanctions provision on Egyptian officials still carries the force of law. It is in the Senate committee report, and since it was not specifically negated by the final conference agreement, it stands as if it were included, the Senate aide told Al-Monitor. Whats next: Trump has famously referred to Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as my favorite dictator. And while Congress has become increasingly bullish on sanctioning US allies in the Middle East, the White House convinced lawmakers to drop similar Saudi sanctions legislation last year over the Jamal Khashoggi murder. Trump has also refused to implement legally mandated sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian missile-defense system. It also remains unclear whether lawmakers particularly Trumps Republican allies will pressure Pompeo to implement the visa bans on Egyptian officials involved in the detention of Kassem and some 20 other US citizens. But at least one has already panned Cairo. An American citizen was wrongfully accused [and] unfairly jailed by the government of Egypt, tweeted Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Now he is dead. Completely outrageous that this happened at the hands of a government that is supposed to be a partner. Know more: Check out congressional correspondent Bryant Harris report on how the Senates sanctions amendment could impact Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well. Then read his report on how Pompeo pressed Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Kassems detention last month. English Swedish Aino Health announces that they, together with the Finnish partner Aava, have signed a new agreement for the solution HealthManager. The contract is nationwide and adds around 500 new subscriptions to the HealthManager platform. VRJ Group consists of 5 companies and by using Aino HealthManager and Ainos best practice process for early support, the group will get common processes in all locations. This will help them to work more efficiently and with increased transparency and visibility internally. We have been looking for a solution that can help us to common processes and way of working within the entire group and we believe that we have found this with Aino, says Tero Venalainen, Administrative and Development Director of VRJ Group. We are very happy to welcome VRJ Group as a new customer and look forward to, together with Aava, helping them to work more efficiently with the early support process, says Jyrki Eklund, CEO at Aino Health. VRJ Group is a Finnish multi-sector construction enterprise offering building services related to building construction, land and water construction, renovation, landscaping, environmental building and municipal engineering, as well as, concrete and bridge construction. The group serves private individuals, housing companies, businesses, and the public sector. HealthManager is a SaaS solution that supports managers with internal health-related processes and absence management. It also offers reporting and analytic tools to follow key metrics related to corporate health management. The goal of the solution is to decrease sick leave and to increase employee engagement. For more information: Jyrki Eklund, VD Aino Health Phone: +358 40 042 4221 jyrki.eklund@ainohealth.com Certified adviser Erik Penser Bank +46 8 463 83 00 certifiedadviser@penser.se About Aava Medical Centre Aava Medical Centre is a full-service family-owned Finnish company, with over 1100 professionals and a history going back fifty years. As one of the largest chains of private medical centers in Finland, its service network offers a broad range of specialist and occupational healthcare services in a wide range of locations. Aava Medical Centre looks after your health at every stage of your life. Our specialists represent most clinical specialties, with our occupational healthcare specialists cooperating as partners with our customers promoting the health and wellbeing of employees in the workplace. About Aino Health (publ) Aino Health is the leading supplier of Software as a Service solutions in Corporate Health Management. The companys complete system of SaaS platforms and services reduces sick leave, lowers related costs, and improves business results through increased productivity and employee engagement by making health, wellbeing, and safety an integrated part of everyday work. For more information visit ainohealth.com. Spike Lee is set to succeed Alejandro G Inarritu as the head of Jury at this year's Cannes Film festival which is scheduled for May 12-23, reports Hollywood Reporter. The 73rd edition of the festival will see the acclaimed American filmmaker take over his rightfully earned position, as his relationship with Cannes film festival dates back to the time when his first feature film 'She's Gotta Have It' won the Prix de la Jeunesse in the Director's Fortnight in 1986. Since then he has won several accolades at the festival. "In this life, I have lived ... my biggest blessings have been when they arrived unexpectedly when they happened out of nowhere. When I got the call that I was offered the opportunity to be President of Cannes Jury for 2020, I was shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time," Lee said in a lengthy statement. He also added, "To me, the Cannes Film Festival (besides being the most important film festival in the world -- no disrespect to anybody) has had a great impact on my film career. You could easily say Cannes changed the trajectory of who I became in world cinema." While witnessing humungous success at Cannes, Lee had his fraughts with the festival among which was trashing 1989 jury head Wim Wenders when 'Do the Right Thing' lost out on the Palme d'Or to Stephen Soderbergh's 'Sex, Lies and Videotape'. "Wim Wenders had better watch out cause I'm waiting for his ass," Lee said after the snub. "Somewhere deep in my closet, I have a Louisville Slugger bat with Wenders' name on it." However, in a 2013 interview with Pharrell Williams, Lee said that the comment "was a very immature statement ... it was stupid." The rest of the jury for Cannes' main competition will be announced in mid-April. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New CCTV footage has revealed the moment two Iranian missiles were fired at a Ukrainian passenger jet killing all 176 aboard shortly after it took off from Tehran. It shows the first missile tearing across the horizon last Wednesday and exploding against the fuselage before a second follows in its wake. The Boeing 737 can then be seen descending in a ball of flame which grows larger as it plummets towards the ground. The footage obtained by The New York Times was filmed on a rooftop camera around four miles away from the base which Iran's Revolutionary Guard confirmed fired the rockets. On Tuesday night Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, responsible for the country's missiles, held stilted meetings with the bereaved family of one of the victims of the strike. CCTV footage has revealed the moment two Iranian missiles were fired at a Ukrainian passenger jet killing all 176 aboard shortly after it took off from Tehran last Wednesday A second missile follows in the wake of the first to deliver another impact to the fuselage of the Ukrainian International Airlines to Kiev He had previously taken responsibility and said, 'When I found out what had happened, I wanted to die. I said, I would rather die rather than be a witness to such an incident.' Tehran has provoked fury on the streets after it initially denied shooting down the jet, which was filled with dozens of its own people, before admitting the 'unforgivable error.' The catastrophe has also put Tehran on the back foot with Washington after it vowed revenge for the US drone strike which killed its highest ranking general Qassem Soleimani. Iran said on Tuesday it had arrested several people over the missile strike following 'extensive investigations.' Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili also described British ambassador Rob Macaire - who was briefly arrested over the weekend for allegedly attending an anti-regime protest - as an 'undesirable element.' The plane can be seen descending in a fiery ball before crashing to the ground just minutes after take-off Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh (on the sofa, left), responsible for the country's missiles, meets with bereaved family members of one of the victims Most of those on board the plane were Iranian or Canadian-Iranian (pictured: Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh meets with a victim's family) 'Our people and the international community expect him to be expelled from the country,' Esmaili told Iran's INSA news agency. President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to punish those responsible and today called for a special court to be set up to probe the 'painful and unforgivable' mistake. The president said 'one person cannot be solely responsible for the plane crash' as he vowed a thorough investigation into the disaster. 'For our people it is very important in this incident that anyone who was at fault or negligent at any level' face justice, he said in a televised speech. 'Iranian armed forces admitting their mistake is a good first step ... We should assure people that it will not happen again. 'Anyone who should be punished must be punished. 'The judiciary must form a special court with high-ranking judge and dozens of experts... The whole world will be watching.' Ukraine says the pilots were killed immediately when the Iranian missile struck the plane just below the cockpit (the wreckage is pictured at the crash site near Tehran) Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the Ukraine International Airlines plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq Rouhani said his government was 'accountable to Iranians and other nations who lost lives', including Canada and Ukraine. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has demanded that Iran provide Canada with 'full clarity' on the airliner shootdown. The prime minister also said he insisted to Rouhani that Canada be allowed to participate in the investigation. Three members of a Canadian rapid deployment team flying to Tehran will have access to the plane's wreckage and blackboxes, Iranian officials confirmed on Monday. The Ukraine International Airlines jet came down near Tehran last Wednesday, just hours after Iran had fired missiles at US bases. The cause of the crash was initially shrouded in mystery, with Iran insisting repeatedly that the plane had suffered a technical fault. Iranian regime loyalists burn an effigy of British ambassador Rob Macaire - who was briefly arrested in Tehran on Saturday - as well as a US flag during a memorial in Tehran today Iranian president Hassan Rouhani (pictured today) has vowed to punish those responsible as he called the shoot-down of the Boeing 737 an 'unforgivable error' When Western intelligence came down on the side of a missile strike, Tehran initially dismissed their allegations as 'psychological warfare' and a 'big lie'. But Iran finally abandoned its denials on Saturday, admitting that the Revolutionary Guards had shot down the Boeing 737 by mistake. Ukrainian security chief Oleksiy Danilov told the BBC that the missile had hit the plane underneath the cockpit, killing the pilots instantly. The death of Qassem Soleimani had initially united Iranians in mourning last week, but Iran's changing story has sparked a resurgence of protests. Anti-government protests entered a third day yesterday with dozens of demonstrators chanting slogans at a Tehran university. The capital's police chief claimed yesterday that the security situation in the capital was 'fine' despite the protests, with riot police deployed to face the protesters. Meanwhile tensions in the region remain high and on Tuesday night a US base in northern Iraq was targeted by Soviet-made Katyusha rockets. No casualties were reported nor did any group claim responsibility for the attack on Camp Taji which also houses around 200 British personnel. Alain Robert, the free climber dubbed the French Spider-Man, on Monday scaled the Tour Total, a 48-storey skyscraper in Paris, to demonstrate support for workers striking against President Emmanuel Macrons pension reform plans. Robert, 57, stood with both arms aloft after reaching the summit of the 187-metre (613-foot) high tower, which stands in the French capitals business district, La Defense. I am trying to use my fame for something I find meaningful, Robert told Reuters, adding that he was himself deeply concerned by the pension reform plans. Sponsors only give me money if I climb, he said. French climber Alain Robert scales the Tour Total skyscraper. (REUTERS) France has been dogged by strikes and street protests for more than a month as unions push back against Macrons drive to streamline the pension system and avert a looming 17 billion euro pension deficit. Macrons government said on Saturday it was willing to withdraw a proposal to raise the retirement age to break the deadlock with unions. Robert has climbed more than 100 structures, including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the worlds tallest building, the Burj al Khalifa in Dubai. A video of his recent climb was also shared on Twitter: The French Spider man strikes again ! pic.twitter.com/oPhLnKeK3o salah youmir (@SalahYoumir) January 13, 2020 Mondays ascent was the ninth time that Robert had climbed the said tower. Robert often climbs without permission and has been arrested on numerous occasions. He climbs without a harness, using only his bare hands, a pair of climbing shoes, and a bag of powdered chalk to wipe off the sweat. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON More than 5,000 camels have been killed a five-day cull in Australia after menacing indigenous communities during a drought, officials said today. Marksmen in helicopters took aim at the feral herds who had been driven towards rural settlements in drought-stricken parts of South Australia. Aboriginal leaders said the large herds had threatened scarce food and drinking water, damaged infrastructure and created a hazard for drivers. Australia is believed to have the largest wild camel population in the world after they were introduced to the continent in the 1840s. A massive cull of feral camels in South Australia has been ordered to stop the pests from wreaking havoc as they search for water in the drought-ravaged region (pictured: camels grazing at Kings Creek Station in the Northern Territory) Richard King, general manager of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands - which is home to about 2,300 indigenous people - said the cull had ended on Sunday. 'We appreciate the concerns of animal rights activists, but there is significant misinformation about the realities of life for non-native feral animals, in what is among the most arid and remote places on Earth,' King said today. 'As custodians of the land, we need to deal with an introduced pest in a way that protects valuable water supplies for communities and puts the lives of everyone, including our young children, the elderly, and native flora and fauna first.' King said weakened camels frequently became stuck and died in water holes, contaminating water sources needed by locals and native animals and birds. 'The prolonged dry period, while not difficult for native wildlife, leads to extreme distress for feral camels,' he said. APY officials said the operation had removed more than 5,000 camels. The cull came as Australia experienced its hottest and driest year on record in 2019, with the severe drought causing some towns to run out of water and fuelling deadly bushfires that have devastated the country's southeast. Farmers across South Australia have been facing horrific drought conditions (file image : A farmer checking his crop) A cameleer sets off with his camel train to the Outback around 1910. Australia is now thought to have the largest wild camel population in the world Camels were first introduced to Australia in the 1840s to aid in the exploration of the continent's vast interior, with up to 20,000 imported from India in the six decades that followed. Australia is now thought to have the largest wild camel population in the world, with official estimates suggesting more than one million are roaming the country's inland deserts. The animals are considered a pest, as they foul water sources and trample native flora while foraging for food over vast distances each day. Traditional owners in the APY Lands have for years mustered and sold off feral camels. But more recently they have 'been unable to manage the scale and number of camels that congregate in dry conditions', according to the environment department. Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Surendra Singh has compared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with "a demon", accusing her of protecting those "who killed thousands of Hindus". "In a democratic system, Mamata Banerjee has pure traits of a demon. She has no values or characteristics of women," the Bariya MLA told reporters here on Monday. When questioned about Banerjee's opposition to the amended citizenship law, he said, "She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. We can only call such a leader a demon." Singh said, "The BJP is a party of devtas and SP, BSP and TDP are parties belonging to 'rakshas' (demons)". Giving protection to terrorists means protecting demons, he added. On the government's decision to implement the police commissionerate system in the state, the BJP leader said no system can make a change until officers, workers and leaders are not sensitive towards the society. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CONVERSE, Ind., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- First Farmers Financial Corp. (OTCQX:FFMR), announced that at its January 14, 2020 board meeting, the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to $2 million in the Corporation's outstanding common stock on the open market during the first quarter. The timing, price, and quantity of purchases under the stock repurchase plan will be at the discretion of management and may be discontinued, suspended or restarted at any time. The program will be funded from current available working capital. The board feels the stock repurchase plan will provide capital management opportunities and add value for the Company's shareholders depending upon market and business conditions. First Farmers Financial Corp is a $1.9 billion financial holding company headquartered in Converse, Indiana. First Farmers Bank & Trust has 29 offices throughout Carroll, Cass, Clay, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Marshall, Miami, Starke, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vigo and Wabash counties in Indiana and 6 offices in Coles, Edgar and Vermilion counties in Illinois. As of January 14, 2020, the Corporation had 7,124,248 common shares outstanding. SOURCE First Farmers Financial Corp. Bolivia's ex-president Morales calls on people to form popular defense groups Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 6:34 AM Bolivia's exiled former president Evo Morales has called on his compatriots to form popular defense groups against potential acts of violence by the new government, which took power in a US-backed coup d'etat against his government late last year. In a recording leaked to the Bolivian radio, Morales was heard saying he and his supporters had been "too trusting" ahead of last years presidential election, and should have had a "Plan B." "If between now and in a little while...I were to return (to Bolivia) or someone else goes back, we must organize as in Venezuela armed militias of the people," the former president said in the recording. "We were too trusting. The blunder: we did not have a 'Plan B'." Morales, now in Argentina, has been in exile since he was forced to resign on November under pressure from the military in what he said was a US-backed coup d'etat against his administration. The country's first indigenous president was granted asylum in Mexico back then but vowed not to back down and continue fighting from abroad. He later left Mexico for Argentina, where leftist leader, Alberto Fernandez, took office in December 2019. In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, Morales confirmed it was his voice in the recording, saying people have a right to defend themselves if the new government moves to attack them. He, however, said he had not meant armed with guns and was referring to citizen defense groups that had always loosely existed. "In Bolivia, if the armed forces are shooting the people, killing the people, the people have the right to organize their security," he added. "We're not talking arms, more like slingshots," Morales said. "In some times (these groups) were called militias, in other times they were called union security or union police and in some places it is called communal guard. It is not new." Bolivia's right-wing interim president Jeanine Anez reacted to the recording in a Twitter message, saying it indicated that "peace, reconciliation and democracy were never options for him." "Given the intention of sowing terror and violence, they will only find the Bolivian people united, and in the face of threats, our deepest democratic vocation," Anez wrote. Bolivian prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Morales over allegations of sedition and terrorism leveled against him by the Anez government. Morales denied the charges. The interior minister also threatened to imprison Morales for the rest of his life. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington, Jan 14 : Twenty-one members of the Saudi military are being expelled from the US after a cadet carried out a mass shooting at a air base last month. The servicemen are not accused of aiding the 21-year old Saudi Air Force lieutenant, the BBC reported on Monday. But US Attorney General William Barr said the cadets were found to have had jihadist material and indecent images of children in their possession. Three sailors were killed and eight wounded in the December 6 attack. Training for Saudi servicemen was put on hold in the US after the attack. Barr told a news conference on Monday that the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola had been an "act of terrorism". He said he had asked Apple to unlock two iPhones that belonged to the gunman, who was killed by police in the attack. The gunman fired a bullet into one phone in an effort to destroy it, Barr said, but FBI investigators were able to restore the device. "We have asked Apple for their help in unlocking the shooter's iPhones," Barr said." So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance." Apple had given the FBI iCloud data from the attacker's online account, the New York Times reported, but refused to unlock the phone, saying it would undermine their own encryption software. The tech firm has clashed previously with the FBI over requests to unlock iPhones belonging to terror suspects. A similar 2016 clash was resolved when the FBI found a way to unlock a phone belonging to a mass shooter in California without help from Apple. Barr said that initial reports that other Saudi cadets had filmed the attack as it unfolded were inaccurate. The gunman had arrived at the scene of the shooting alone, he said. The attorney general said 17 of the expelled cadets were found to have possessed online terrorist material. Fifteen, including some of the 17 who possessed online terrorist material, had indecent images of children, he added. "While one of individuals had a significant number of images, all the rest had one of two images, in most cases posted in a chat room by some other person or received over social media," said Barr. He said the 21 cadets were being disenrolled and returned home on Monday. The Saudi cadets, he said, had fully co-operated with FBI investigation. Barr also said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had given "complete and total" support to the inquiry. Saudi officials had determined the cadets' conduct was "unbecoming an officer in the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy", said the attorney general. Tailoring communicable disease preparedness and response strategies to unique population movement patterns between an outbreak area and neighboring countries can help limit the international spread of disease. Global recognition of the value of addressing community connectivity in preparedness and response, through field work and visualizing the identified movement patterns, is reflected in the World Health Organizations declaration on July 17, 2019, that the 10th Ebola virus disease (Ebola) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (1). In March 2019, the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Uganda and CDC, had previously identified areas at increased risk for Ebola importation by facilitating community engagement with participatory mapping to characterize cross-border population connectivity patterns. Multisectoral participants identified 31 locations and associated movement pathways with high levels of connectivity to the Ebola outbreak areas. They described a major shift in the movement pattern between Goma (DRC) and Kisoro (Uganda), mainly through Rwanda, when Rwanda closed the Cyanika ground crossing with Uganda. This closure led some travelers to use a potentially less secure route within DRC. District and national leadership used these results to bolster preparedness at identified points of entry and health care facilities and prioritized locations at high risk further into Uganda, especially markets and transportation hubs, for enhanced preparedness. Strategies to forecast, identify, and rapidly respond to the international spread of disease require adapting to complex, dynamic, multisectoral cross-border population movement, which can be influenced by border control and public health measures of neighboring countries During March 1525, 2019, IDI and CDC, on behalf of MOH Uganda, assessed population movement patterns using the Population Connectivity Across Borders (PopCAB) toolkit,* a CDC innovation, in Ugandas southwestern Kanungu and Kisoro districts bordering DRC and Rwanda (2). Qualitative and spatial data were collected using community-level focus group discussions and key informant interviews with participatory mapping to characterize cross-border population movement patterns, through which participants helped facilitators annotate points of interest and travel routes on printed maps scaled to show the tricountry area (DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda). The team purposively sampled participants and event locations to ensure multisectoral representation and incorporate principal locations along community-level movement patterns based on contextual knowledge and discussions with district- and community-level leaders. The IDI-CDC team analyzed the qualitative data to identify themes addressing cross-border movement and border interventions and created and compiled spatial data for all identified locations and travel routes. The IDI-CDC team conducted 12 data collection events with 52 participants, including border public health volunteers, health care providers, security officials, transportation officials, community leaders, army officers, and informal traders (Table). Participants described movement patterns across the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda region associated with residents of DRC who were 1) seeking refugee status in Uganda; 2) conducting trade and other business; 3) seeking health care; or 4) visiting family. Participants identified 26 priority locations of interest, and five specific pathways connecting them, including refugee transit centers (two, including one that was also identified as a school), points of entry (eight), health care facilities (six), markets and entrepreneurial sites (nine), schools (one), and transportation hubs (one) (Figure). Participants also identified health care facilities that receive patients traveling from DRC to access cheaper and higher-quality medical care in Uganda. Although participants consistently described refugees as mostly women and children traveling by foot and traders as mostly adults traveling on motorbikes and trucks, the demographics and modes of travel for seeking health care and visiting family were inconsistent. Five of the 12 events (three focus group discussions and two key informant interviews) described cross-border movements principally between DRC and Uganda, directly and through Rwanda. A main travel pathway linking the three countries was a bus route from DRC (Goma, Butembo, and other areas) through Rwanda (Gisenyi) and then into Uganda via the Cyanika ground crossing to Kisoro district (Figure). This bus route was mainly used to avoid the insecurity within DRC. However, after the border crossings at Cyanika and Katuna were closed indefinitely beginning February 28, 2019, passengers disembarked at the Rwanda-Uganda border, then walked to the Uganda side, where they rode motorcycle taxis (called boda bodas) or other buses into Kisoro town (3). Some respondents also indicated that bus traffic was increasing on the more direct and insecure route through DRC from Goma, DRC, to Bunagana, Uganda, excluding Rwanda. Another multicountry pathway travelers followed was from DRC through Butogota ground crossing in Kanungu District followed by continued travel to Rwanda using two main routes: 1) southward through the Bwindi forest to Kisoro town and on to Rwanda through Cyanika ground crossing or 2) by bus through Kanungu District, eastward to Rukungiri District, then south to Kabale city, and into Rwanda through Katuna ground crossing. Respondents in the focus group discussions did not describe adjustments to the highlighted southward pathways into Rwanda following the Cyanika and Katuna ground crossing closures, in contrast to the shift in travel patterns from Goma to Uganda. No seasonality was associated with general population movement, which was almost uniformly described as constant. However, increases in refugee movement were associated with more insecurity in DRC, and increases in trader movements were associated with agricultural cycles for a range of products. The Uganda MOH National Task Force, which has led Ebola preparedness activities since DRC declared the Ebola outbreak on August 1, 2018, along with district leadership, used these findings to prioritize health facilities, points of entry, and villages for enhanced preparedness activities. These measures included public health screening of travelers, enhanced community-based surveillance procedures, targeted risk communication, and Ebola vaccination of frontline workers at facilities that were more likely to receive patients from outbreak-affected areas of DRC. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's remarks on the Citizenship Amendment Act have sparked a row, with the BJP saying his remarks are a perfect example of how "literate" people need to be educated on the citizenship law. Responding to a question by BuzzFeed on the CAA, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said what's happening in India was "sad" and "just bad". During an event in New York, the Microsoft CEO added he hoped for an India where an immigrant could aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead an MNC. The remarks spread like wildfire on social media, following which Microsoft India issued a statement, in which Nadella was quoted saying every country would and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. "And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," it said. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 He said he was shaped by his Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and his immigrant experience in the United States. "My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," his statement said. Taking to Twitter to respond to Nadella's comments to BuzzFeed, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said: "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example." She maintained that the precise reason for the CAA was to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in the USA?," she rued. How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? pic.twitter.com/eTm0EQ1O25 Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) January 14, 2020 BJP's IT Cell chief Amit Malviya also said that BuzzFeed's "tripe" quoting Nadella had been busted by Microsoft's statement. .@BuzzFeedBens tripe busted. https://t.co/Iv2jrVGUgS Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 13, 2020 Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Buzzfeed News had yesterday quoted Nadella on the CAA, saying, "I think what is happening is sad... it's just bad... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys." The Centre passed the act on December 11 and issued a gazette notification last week announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10. As per the legislation, non-Muslim citizens from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have faced religious persecution and moved to India before or on December 31, 2014, will be given citizenship. Also read: Satya Nadella on CAA: 'Hope an immigrant can found a prosperous start-up in India,' says Microsoft CEO Edited by Manoj Sharma Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 09:43:50|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese research institute released a 34-year dataset of the global surface solar radiation, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Monday. The dataset, which provides data on the global surface solar radiation from July 1983 to June 2017, has a high resolution of up to 10 km. It has the field's longest time series of the country, said Tang Wenjun, a researcher of the dataset from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research under CAS. Users can download the data for free on the institute's website, according to the CAS. The dataset has a function of providing basic data for land surface process simulations including glacier, hydrology, ecology and agriculture. It can also contribute to photovoltaic applications and solar power station site selection. The research result has been published in the journal Earth System Science Data. Syracuse, NY -- A criminal case against Onondaga County legislator Julie Abbott-Kenan has been sent to a confidential domestic violence court and likely will result in no public criminal record. Abbott-Kenan, 46, was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief after her husband, Steve Kenan, asked that she be arrested following a prolonged domestic dispute the night of Nov. 17, 2019 at their waterfront Skaneateles home. He accused her of taking a metal bat to his pickup truck. The Republican county legislator -- a former NewsChannel 9 broadcaster who represents the Skaneateles area -- spent the rest of the night in Syracuses downtown jail before being released by a judge the next morning. Abbott-Kenan has since admitted a regrettable lapse in judgment and vowed to continue her work as legislator. Her criminal case has been transferred from Skaneateles Town Court to the state courts Integrated Domestic Violence Court in downtown Syracuse, according to public court records. Itll likely join a divorce proceeding that her husband filed last summer. The Integrated Domestic Violence Court, presided over by state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Young, seeks to combine criminal domestic violence cases with divorce proceedings and child custody decisions so they can be handled by one judge. The one family, one judge concept combines criminal, matrimonial and family court proceedings. The couple has four school-aged children. Because Abbott-Kenans criminal case will be adjudicated alongside divorce and child-custody decisions, the courtroom is closed to the public, according to court personnel. If Abbott-Kenans criminal case were to be resolved with a plea to a criminal charge, that would be filed publicly. But that appears highly unlikely, given Abbott-Kenans clean record, the relatively minor charge and the nature of domestic violence court itself, which seeks to resolve criminal cases in the greater context of whats best for the family moving forward. So theres likely going to be no further public proceedings in her case. Before the transfer to domestic violence court, she had been due back to Skaneateles Town Court on Wednesday. Abbott-Kenan was charged with taking a metal bat to her husbands 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck the night of Nov. 17, 2019 at the couples Talcot Lane residence. Police responded twice to the couples residence that night: Abbott-Kenan had called them following a dispute hours earlier. Her husband agreed to sleep in an apartment attached to their garage. But he awoke to banging noises and looked out the window to see his wife taking the metal bat to his truck, Steve Kenan told police. I watched as she used the bat to smash the front windshield of my 2019 Chevrolet Silverado," Steven Kenan told police. "Julie then went back into the house. Abbott-Kenan appeared Dec. 4 before a Skaneateles town justice, who issued an order of protection that required her to stay out of the garage apartment, but allowed her to park in the garage itself. Julie Abbott-Kenan (left) walks into Skaneateles court on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.Douglass Dowty | Syracuse.com The order of protection also kept Abbott-Kenan away from her husbands place of work. Steven Kenan is an executive at Hillrom, the company that owns Skaneateless Welch Allyn facility, according to his LinkedIn page. He is the son of Bruce Kenan, a founder of the Pyramid Companies, which owns Destiny USA. Abbott-Kenans case was sent to Integrated Domestic Violence Court on Dec. 16, 2019, according to public records. Court personnel said no information can be released about cases pending before it. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Emir Kusturica's 13th Kustendorf film festival kicks off Alternative festival for young directors includes Virzi on jury (ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 14 - The 13th edition of the Kustendorf international film festival, created and directed by Serbian director Emir Kusturica and dedicated to young directors, filmmakers, and film students, kicked off on Monday evening in Drvengrad, a village made entirely of wood in the mountains of western Serbia. The alternative, non-commercial festival has no advertising, and with no red carpet, it is far removed from glamour. It is entirely focused on the art of film and direct relationships with filmmakers. Serbian Culture Minister Vladan Vukosavljevic spoke at the festival's opening ceremony, together with Italian director Paolo Virzi, who is on this year's jury along with French author Tonino Benacquista, French cinematographer Michel Amathieu, and Russian chess player Vladislav Tkaciov. A total of 21 films by young directors from various countries around the world are vying for the top prize of the Golden Egg, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the festival on January 18. The festival also includes exhibitions and retrospectives dedicated to great directors and actors, and numerous guests from the world of international cinema are expected to attend. Every evening after the film screenings, there are concerts by groups and bands from various musical genres.(ANSAmed). live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of diversified company Vedanta gained 3.5 percent intraday on January 14 after a media report indicated that the court allowed bidding for NALCO's alumina tender. The stock rallied more than 10 percent in the last one month. At 11:22 hours, it was quoting at Rs 165.15, up Rs 4.65, or 2.90 percent on the BSE. The Supreme Court allowed Vedanta to bid for alumina tender of National Aluminium Company, reports CNBC-TV18 quoting Bloomberg. Meanwhile, last week, the authorized Committee of Directors of the company approved offering for subscription, on a private placement basis, up to 20,000 secured, rated, non-cumulative, redeemable, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of face value Rs 10 lakh each aggregating up to Rs 2,000 crore in one or more tranches. The officer says there is a number and a series of military products that are written at the main components and parts of armored vehicles. Military journalist, Colonel Vladyslav Selezniov has said that despite the destruction of identification marks on tanks and armored vehicles of the Russian armed forces involved in the war in Ukraine's Donbas, their belonging to the aggressor country could be proved. Read alsoUkraine reports six enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 13 "There is a number and a series of military products that are written on the main components and parts of armored vehicles," he told the Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel. According to the expert, "not only the military personnel of the Russian armed forces who are performing tasks in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions act under the guise of [fake] legends. Military equipment also has its 'legends.' Markings that may indicate the belonging of combat vehicles to the Russian armed forces are erased and replaced by the new ones." At the same time, the expert assured that it is possible to determine the belonging of tanks and armored vehicles to the Russian Federation without even studying their components and details. In particular, circumstantial evidence is the fact that terrorists of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" are armed with the latest Russian weapons, which, according to Russian propaganda, "were dug up in Donbas coal mines." NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) is poised to take the lead in the burgeoning market for multicultural podcast content, thanks to a historic partnership with Pod Digital Media (PDM), the first full-service agency devoted to expanding access and opportunities for podcasters of color. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, AURN is now the exclusive sales marketing representative for the New York-based agency heralded by Forbes Magazine as a company "disrupting the podcasting space and how the multicultural segment is emerging to dominate the industry." The deal is a boon to both advertisers and listeners looking to tap into authentic and engaging content that appeals to the African American market segment. AURN, already the largest radio network reaching urban America with nearly 25 million listeners each week, can now offer an extensive portfolio of podcast content to its advertisers, including top-rated podcast programing such as: Inside the Green Room, C"m On Son, Ratchet & Respectable, Marissa Explains It All and Reid This Reid That by Joi Ann & Jaquee Reid. Industry advertising insiders are quick to note that podcasting--thanks to natural audience segmentation, appeal to the coveted Millennial audience and engagement that is inherent in the media--is rife with opportunities for advertisers in key categories, including pharmaceutical, automotive, direct-to-consumer brands, consumer packaged goods and others. According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers' Podcast Advertising Revenue Study, projected podcast ad revenues will top $1 billion by 2021. Andy Anderson, President, Sales, for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) who oversees sales, marketing strategy, digital expansion and new business development for the network's 500+ radio affiliates, notes that that when it comes to the multicultural market, opportunities for advertisers are plentiful. The AURN/PDM partnership is a tactical move that soundly addresses this fact. Anderson explains, "AURN has been a key player in the industry for more than 47 years. Combining AURN's broadcast reach, position as the number one radio network targeting African-Americans and our longevity in the business with a strong podcasting platform makes for a natural partnership and an ideal way to tap into the projected one billion dollar market for multicultural podcast content." Gary Coichy, PDM Founder and Head of Partnerships, echoes Anderson's assessment. "Partnering with AURN is just good business sense," he says. "AURN is a leader in the urban radio space, which gives PDM unlimited access to countless large and influential brands. We're honored to be the podcast arm to their expansive inventory. Great things are on the horizon." Last year, the number of podcast listeners in the United States reached 75 million, according to findings from a 2019 survey from Edison Research and Triton Digital. This same data predicts that the number of monthly listeners will hit 164 million in the year 2024, with the annual growth rate between 2019 and 2023 pegged at 17 percent. Not surprisingly, the multicultural segment is fueling much of the uptick. Yet another Edison Research study on listener demographics reports, "as the content universe for Podcasts has exploded, the diversity of programming available rivals any other form of audio. The Podcast audience is growing increasingly non-white." AURN and PDM will debut their platform during Black History Month, Anderson notes. "Entering the podcast space will be a significant extension for AURN, with some 50 different podcasts with an estimated reach of nearly 3 million listeners." About American Urban Radio Networks AURN is the # 1 Nielsen rated national audio network company reaching African Americans. With over 25 million weekly listeners, AURN provides unique, compelling, and star-studded programming that harnesses the creative energy, vision, and power of African American culture. AURN, with its 4 RADAR rated networks, 24/7 programming network, and syndicated division, offers over 40 weekly audio programs and services. Visit us online at aurn.com, twitter, and instagram. SOURCE American Urban Radio Networks Related Links http://aurn.com/ Brisbane Heat vanquished Adelaide Strikers by seven wickets in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) here on Tuesday. Chasing a low total of 111 runs, Brisbane Heat's opener Chris Lynn was dismissed on the third delivery of the first over. In the next over, Rashid Khan bowled Mac Bryant (10). Matt Renshaw and AB de Villiers, who was making his BBL debut, then took the field. The duo played brilliantly and formed a 77-run partnership before Liam O'Connor took the wicket of De Villiers (40) in the 13th over. Joe Burns then came out to bat and took his side over the line along with Renshaw, who played an unbeaten knock of 52 runs. After opting to bat first, Adelaide Strikers had a very poor start as James Pattinson picked two wickets in the second over, removing Phil Salt and Travis Head. In his next over, Pattinson got hold of Jake Weatherald (6). The bowler continued the trend and again took a wicket in his next over as he got hold of Harry Nielsen. Pattinson's bowling attack reduced Adelaide Strikers to 48/4 after the completion of six overs. Josh Lalor, who bowled the eighth over, caught and bowled Matt Short (11). Adelaide Strikers failed to form a good partnership and kept losing their wickets. They even failed to play full overs as they were all out on 110 runs. Rashid Khan scored the highest run from their side as he smashed 28 runs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wikimedia Commons Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will commit an additional 220 military servicemen to take part in Operation Barkhane, which aims to fight jihadist groups in Africas Sahel region. "We have no choice. We need results," Macron said at a Monday press conference, held after his meeting with the leaders of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Chad in the southwestern French city of Pau. Macron added that he hoped for continued US involvement in the fight against terrorists in the Sahel. In a joint statement released after the Monday summit, leaders of the G5 Sahel group said a new framework of military cooperation would be created, dubbed "Coalition for the Sahel." Under this new framework, France will continue its Operation Barkhane. In August 2014, Operation Barkhane was launched by France, Mali, Burkina Faso and a number of other regional countries to combat various militant groups active in the Sahel region in Africa. Obtaining car insurance quotes is not that hard anymore. Drivers can sit comfortably in their rooms and browse various sites in order to find the best insurance deal, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains what important benefits are gained by using free online car insurance quotes. For more info and free quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/major-benefits-auto-insurance-quotes-online/ Car insurance quotes are a must for drivers searching to purchase their first insurance policy or to renew an existing policy. 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For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. Notorious rap group OneFour crashed a bushfire charity concert with a posse of mates just a month after three members were jailed and their national tour was canned. Remaining group members Spenny and J-Emz and their entourage made a surprise appearance at the City Loves Country event in Sydney on Friday night during hip hop duo Hermitude's set. 'If you thought that was big, make some motherf**king noise for OneFour,' Hermitude frontman Angus Stuart announced to the crowd before the rap group took to the stage. After finishing up an energetic five-minute performance, Spenny, J-Emz and a dozen of their group addressed the audience and walked backstage. Remaining OneFour members made a surprise appearance at the City Loves Country charity event in Sydney on Friday night during hip hop duo Hermitude's set 'We f**king love you Sydney,' J-Emz told the crowd. 'Listen up, listen up, listen up. All bulls**t aside, this show was for a good cause, you know what I mean? For the f**king bushfires. 'So we're glad everyone came out, and show some love to my f**king brother over here,' he said, pointing at Stuart. The shock performance comes after two members and one on-again off-again member of the Mount Druitt rap group - who sing about stabbing people and putting them in coffins - were jailed in December over a July 2018 violent pub melee. Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos, Salec 'Lekks' Sua, 26, and Pio 'YP' Misa, 19, had been at a house party before deciding to kick on to Rooty Hill's Carousel Inn, in western Sydney, just before midnight. Spenny (pictured in front) and J-Emz took to the stage along with their entourage at the City Loves Country charity event at Concrete Playground in Sydney on Friday night After finishing up an energetic five-minute performance, J-Emz addressed the audience: 'All bulls**t aside, this show was for a good cause, you know what I mean? For the f**king bushfires. Sua - who was described as the instigator of the brutal attack - had been drinking heavily. About the same time, the two victims, Troy and his best friend Anthony, were at the poker machines in the outdoor gaming room, sitting next to one another. The bloody melee, captured on CCTV, began after one of the victims asked Sua: 'Why are you looking at my f***ing machine?' Yelling abuse, the OneFour rapper was then kicked out by security - only to storm back in with four of his mates. Misa and Ramos unleashed on the two gamblers. Misa smashed a chair leg into the back of one's head, while Ramos repeatedly pounded the other man's head with a hammer. OneFour has been described by GQ as 'The Western Sydney Rap Group Taking Over Hip Hop' . Their 'drill' music is a sub-genre of hip hop and lyrics often focus on gang life, guns and drugs OneFour members Lekks (left) and YP (second from left) were jailed over a brutal pub bashing in July 2018. The rest of the group's four official members, Spenny (third) and J-Emz, remain in the group and were not involved in the melee Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos, Salec 'Lekks' Sua, 26, and Pio 'YP' Misa, 19, were jailed last year after a violent fight at Rooty Hill's Carousel Inn, in western Sydney, in July 2018 The court heard Sua was being held back by a security guard, until one of the men fell unconscious and was left 'lying in a pool of his own blood, unconscious on the ground'. Sua was released by the guard and then grabbed the victim's hair and shook the man's head back and forth while he was sprawled on the ground. He suffered skull, nasal, septum, sinus wall and eye socket fractures, lacerations to his cheek, eyebrow and eyelid and 'significant' facial swelling. Both of his ears were wounded - from his earrings being tugged from his ears, court documents said. Lekks was jailed for at least four-and-a-half years, Celly - the hammer attacker - received a 10 year sentence, and YP will serve four years behind bars. NEW LONDON, CT / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2020 / New England is a winter wonderland, but once the holidays have passed and the chill of January sets in, many New Englanders feel inclined to take a holiday to somewhere a little warmer. For Garrett Hofer of East Lyme, Florida is the perfect spot to take the family and enjoy fun in the sun and fishing. Here are his three top picks for Florida fishing spots. Where to Fish & Boat in Florida Florida Keys The Florida Keys are world-famous for their beautiful scenery and plentiful populations of delicious fish, including snapper, grouper, and Mahi Mahi. Garrett Hofer loves going to the Keys with his wife and kids and fishing near Cudjoe and Saddlebunch Keys and other hidden gems off the coast of Key West. He also looks forward to exploring the area around Islamorada. Jupiter, Florida Just north of Miami across the Intercoastal Waterway from Hobe Sound, Jupiter Florida in Palm Beach is known for its magnificent beaches and resorts. It's also a great place to boat or fish. You will find many varieties of fish and plentiful boating marinas and public docks. The city is also a great spot for history buffs of all ages, with a 19th Century lighthouse, pioneer homestead, and regional history museum. Garrett and his son caught their first sailfish here a few years ago. If you are lucky, you might even see a friendly manatee. Destin Located in the Panhandle in the northwest of the Sunshine State, Destin was founded and settled by fishermen. Its turquoise waters are teeming with fish species and there are miles of sandy beaches to relax on or explore. It's no wonder it is still one of the prime destinations for fishing and boating in the Gulf of Mexico. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a lovely place to take the family for the day as well, and there are several nature trails through Henderson Beach State Park as well as a waterpark and waterfalls. More on Garrett Hofer CT Garrett Hofer graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming, where he was president of the Financial Management Association, with a bachelor's degree in finance. He has dedicated his life and career to helping individuals, families, and businesses overcome financial challenges and establish a solid foundation for the future. Garrett Hofer Colorado also volunteers time to the ACP Veterans Mentor Program, where he is a mentor helping veterans transition from the military to civilian enterprises. In 2017, Garrett Hofer co-founded the Shoreline Spartans Rugby Team with Michael Meyer. "We set up a youth program that allows young girls and boys to play rugby no matter their ability," Garrett Hofer East Lyme said. "We have some children with autism, Aspergers, cognitive disabilities, and physical disabilities that all get considerable playing time." The team's first practice was on April 5, 2017. The program started with seven kids but has since reached about 40. The league includes a grade-school and high school division. This summer, the Spartans plan to launch a one-week summer rugby day camp for youth. Soon, Garrett Hofer and Meyer plan to add an adult league as well. For more information about Garret Hofer East Lyme, connect with him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-hofer-b5279539/ Or connect with Shoreline Spartans Rugby via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShorelineSpartansRugby/ CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 (786) 551-9491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572952/Garrett-Hofers-3-Favorite-Florida-Fishing-Holes KYODO NEWS - Jan 14, 2020 - 19:22 | All, Japan A Japanese lawmaker who spearheaded the country's casino resort policy was indicted Tuesday on a bribery charge and served with a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly receiving more money from a Chinese gambling operator. Tsukasa Akimoto, a former member of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party, is suspected of receiving an additional 2 million yen ($18,180) from the Chinese company, 500.com Ltd., as well as having expenses of around 1.5 million yen covered by the company for a trip to its Shenzhen headquarters in 2017, despite knowing it was seeking favorable treatment related to casino business, prosecutors said. Along with the new allegations, Akimoto was charged for receiving 3 million yen in cash from 500.com at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 28, 2017, and having the company pay about 760,000 yen of expenses linked to a family trip to Rusutsu, Hokkaido, from Feb. 10 to 13, 2018. It is the first time in a decade that a Japanese lawmaker has been indicted. The Tokyo prosecutors believe Akimoto received over 7 million yen. in bribes from 500.com. The 48-year-old House of Representatives member, who resigned from the Liberal Democratic Party following his arrest on Dec. 25, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he does not remember receiving cash and his secretary dealt with all payments for his trips, according to a defense lawyer. (Reporters gather outside an office of Tsukasa Akimoto, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Dec. 19, 2019.) Japan recently legalized casinos to be operated at so-called integrated resorts with hotels and conference facilities, in the hope of attracting more foreign tourists and supporting the economy after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics later this year. The Chinese company had been asking Akimoto to increase the number of planned casino resort locations in Japan to five since January 2018, around the time it expressed an interest in becoming involved in a casino project in Hokkaido, according to close sources. Akimoto was known as a vocal supporter of legalizing casinos and was in charge of overseeing the government policy aimed at introducing the resorts when he served as a senior vice minister at the Cabinet Office for about a year through October 2018. While declining to comment on the new allegations against Akimoto, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government will advance preparations for the introduction of the integrated resorts. On Tuesday, the prosecutors also indicted Akimoto's former secretary Akihiro Toyoshima, 41, in connection with the case. Three other people -- Zheng Xi, 37, a former executive of the Chinese firm's Japanese unit, and Masahiko Konno, 48, and Katsunori Nakazato, 47, who both served as advisers to the gambling operator -- were also charged with bribery and served with fresh arrest warrants on Tuesday for a separate allegation of bribery. Zheng and Konno were also charged for bringing 15 million yen in cash into Japan without notifying authorities about it in violation of the foreign exchange law. The law requires people to report when they are bringing in cash worth 1 million yen and over. Related coverage: Japan lawmaker admits accepting money in casino scandal Prosecutors question 5 lawmakers over casino-bribery case Arrested Japanese lawmaker allegedly took cash as election gift Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:30:15|Editor: ZD Video Player Close YANGON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have granted permanent residency status to 591 foreigners so far since 2015, according to the Information Ministry on Tuesday. From Jan. 29, 2015 to present, a total of 648 persons applied for the permanent residency, the ministry said. The Central Committee for Implementation of Permanent Residency interviewed 18 shortlisted applicants to grant permanent residency status on Monday. The shortlisted ones included one investor, 13 former Myanmar nationals and their four related foreigners. Myanmar's permanent residency system started in January 2015 during the previous U Thein Sein's government under four categories -- foreign professionals, investors, former Myanmar nationals and foreigners who are related to Myanmar nationals. The system enables eligible foreign applicants to stay in Myanmar for an initial period of five years with a possibility of further extension. According to the existing 1982 Citizenship Law of Myanmar, dual citizenship is not allowed. The government also authorized its embassies stationed abroad to accept foreigners' application to apply for permanent residency in Myanmar rather than submitting in Yangon to facilitate the process in May 2017. A fifth-grade teacher fired for inappropriately contacting two of her male students via social media after school hours isnt eligible for unemployment compensation, a Commonwealth Court panel ruled Tuesday. Even though her school district had no policy specifically forbidding her post-class texting, teacher Krista Satterly should have known better, Judge P. Kevin Brobson concluded in the state courts opinion. According to Brobson, Satterly was axed from her job at Lynch Bustin Elementary School in the Athens Area School District following an in-house investigation in 2018. The judge cited the testimony of school Principal John Toscano, who began investigating after receiving reports from another teacher and a parent about Satterlys after-class communications. Toscano said he found Satterly had texted both students asking if she could come to their houses and if they wanted to see another movie, and she sent them music with explicit lyrics, Brobson wrote. She also gave one of the students candy and gave the other a $10 iTunes gift card, presents she didnt give to any of her other pupils. Satterly failed to provide any reason as to why she repeatedly contacted these two students after hours on a personal level that was outside of a normal student and teacher relationship, the judge wrote. Brobson cited Satterlys testimony tha ythe two boys were friends of her son., also a fifth-grader. She denied sending the boys explicit music and said she only sent them tunes her son also liked. She admitted asking one of the boys if he would be up later tonight and giving him her opinion of one of her female students. Satterly claimed she was just trying to look out for the boys. When one boys parents told her to stop texting their son, Satterly began texting him using her sons cell phone, the judge noted. He cited Satterlys claim that she didnt know there was any school policy prohibiting her online acts. She testified that she did not intend to establish a relationship with either studentthat could lead to sexual activity nor did she intend to groom the students, Brobson wrote. No criminal charges were filed against Satterly. In upholding the unemployment comp denial, Brobson found that, regardless of any gaps in the Bradford County school districts teacher-student social media policies, Satterly committed willful misconduct and failed to prove she had good cause for her after-hours texting to the boys. Delhi high court asks WhatsApp, Google to provide information on campus violence to cops. New Delhi: The Delhi Polices crime branch on Tuesday questioned two more suspects in connection with the January 5 violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. Sucheta Talukdar and Priya Ranjan were questioned for two hours in connection with the attack by a masked mob. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court asked WhatsApp and Google to preserve and provide information, as per their internal policies, to the police in relation to the campus violence. Ms Talukdar said: I gave a one-and-a-half-page long statement to the police. It asked me about the January 5 incident, where I was that day, details of students injured, and whether I could identify anyone else. She further said: I was also shown my photo (one that the police had released in the press conference last week). According to sources, she told the police that the photo was too blurred. Ranjan, a BA third-year student from School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, said: I gave a one-page statement to police about my whereabouts on that day. Apart from the duo, the four persons who were injured in the attack were also examined. The Forensic Science Laboratory team (cyber) which visited the campus to collect evidence spent the entire day in retrieving footage from the server, a police official said, adding the team will visit the varsity again on Wednesday. Apart from the duo, the police will also be questioning some of the people who were injured in the attack. Those who made PCR calls on the day of the violence will also be questioned. Earlier, the police had questioned three students, including JNU Students Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh. Ms Ghosh, Ms Talukdar, Ms Ranjan, Dolan Samanta, Vhaskar Vijay Mech, Chunchun Kumar (a JNU alumnus), and Pankaj Mishra have been named as suspects. The crime branch is likely to seek information about who initiated the violence, which took place in two separate incidents in the Periyar and Sabarmati hostels on January 5. The police said that Ms Ghosh had been caught on camera as part of the group that attacked Periyar hostel. Additionally, the police has made three sets of questions regarding the incidents of vandalism on January 3 and 4. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court also asked the police to summon witnesses at the earliest and seize the phones of the members of two WhatsApp chat groups on which the January 5 violence was allegedly coordinated. Directions were also issued to the JNU administration and the State Bank of India branch inside the campus to preserve and provide at the earliest the CCTV footage of the violence as already requested by the police. With the directions, the court disposed of a plea filed by JNU professors Ameet Parameswaran, Atul Sood, and Shukla Vinayak Sawant seeking directions to the Delhi government and the police that data, CCTV footage, and other evidence relating to the January 5 violence in the varsity campus be preserved. In the arguments prior to passing of the order, Google told the court that if the police provides it with the user information, including email IDs, of the members of the two WhatsApp groupsUnity Against Left and Friends of RSS then it can find out whether the chat histories are backed up on Google Drive. If yes, the same can be preserved and provided to the investigating agency. It also told the court that it will protect whatever is there on our system as on date. On the other hand, WhatsApp told the court that once a chat is delivered to a person, it is no longer stored on its servers due to the end-to-end encryption provided on its app. It claimed the chats would only be available on the recipient and senders phones. She's known for her impeccable sense of style, and Queen Letizia of Spain didn't disappoint as she hosted film bosses at the Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid today. Looking effortlessly elegant, the mother-of-two, 47, stepped out in a recycled Carolina Herrera poppy-print skirt. First sported by the Spanish royal in November 2019 during a visit to Seville, the bold garment features a pattern of dramatic red and grey poppies. Letizia, who is hosting delegates from the Spanish Film Distributors Federation, paired the bold skirt with an equally eye-catching red blouse, designed by Hugo Boss, and adorned with dainty pleats at the neckline. Making a statement! Queen Letizia of Spain sported a dramatic Carolina Herrera poppy-print skirt as she stepped out at the Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid today All smiles: First worn by the Spanish royal in November 2019 during a visit to Seville, the bold garment features dramatic red and grey poppies in a trendy pattern Letizia dressed for the chilly weather conditions in a pair of blank knee-high boots, helping to elongate her slender frame. She rolled-back the sleeves of her striking blouse before tucking it into her skirt, and accessorised with a thick black belt which cinched her in at the waist. Adding a touch of glitz to her attire, the Spanish royal also donned a gold-plated ring by Karen Hallam. The accessory is believed to have been gifted to her by daughters Princesses Leonor, 13, and Sofia, 11. Queen of style! Letizia paired the bold skirt with an equally eye-catching red blouse, designed by Hugo Boss, and adorned with dainty pleats at the neckline All about the accessories: Adding a touch of glitz to her attire, the Spanish royal also donned a gold-plated ring by Karen Hallam Working it: Letizia looked ready for winter with a pair of blank knee-high boots, elongating her slender frame for the work occasion The Spanish queen first donned the Hugo boss red silk blouse and a midi skirt adorned with statement flowers back in November 2019 during a visit to Seville She wore her hair loose with a light wave, while still showing a peek of her sparkling hoop earrings. The natural beauty sported eye shadow, mascara, and a layer of black eyeliner, which she complemented with a touch of bronzer. The Queen was without her husband King Felipe, whom she married at the Almudena Cathedral at Royal Palace, Madrid, in May 2004. Before marrying into the royal family, Letizia had previously worked as a reporter for the news channel 24 Horas, where she held a weekly anchor position on the show Informe Semanal and also a position on the daily morning news programme. Graceful: A natural beauty, the royal sported eye shadow, mascara, a layer of black eyeliner and a touch of bronzer WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2020 WHERE: Embassy of Afghanistan Media availability RSVP for details Listed in "MORE INFO" WHAT: The Independence Fund and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will partner to host an event that celebrates the continued relationship between and The Afghan Mission to the United States, Ambassador Roya Rahmani and the non-profit Veterans organization. The reception is centered around the children of American Veterans of Afghanistan and children of Afghan citizens residing in the U.S. finding commonality through shared experiences and a story many of them are familiar with in their own home. Sarah Verardo, CEO of The Independence Fund, will share with the children her book, "Hero at Home," a children's book about growing up with a parent who is a catastrophically wounded Veteran and has a "Robot Leg" as Sarah's children's classmates put it. Also in attendance will be several Veterans of the war in Afghanistan along with their families, Gold Star Families, members of the Afghan mission with their families, Afghan translators who have received American visas, Afghan diaspora and senior staff members of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House, media figures and other Veteran Service Organizations. "We know that for Veterans who served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, and families who lost loved ones there, or to battles at home, Afghanistan will be where many of our Nation's best left pieces of themselves - both physically and emotionally. We are so honored to have this incredible relationship with the Embassy and Ambassador Rahmani; the commitment and partnership between both nations to saluting and honoring Veterans continues to help heal the visible and invisible wounds of war," said The Independence Fund CEO Sarah Verardo. ABOUT AMBASSADOR ROYA RAHMANI H.E. Roya Rahmani is the first woman ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States of America. She assumed this position on December 14, 2018. Prior to this, she served as Afghanistan's first woman ambassador to Indonesia and the country's first accredited ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). During her tenure in Indonesia, she was also accredited as Afghanistan's non-resident ambassador to Singapore. During her posting in Indonesia, the Afghan and Indonesian bilateral relationship soared to its highest since its inception in 1954. Now, Indonesia and Afghanistan have close cooperation in various areas including economics, cultural, and promoting peace and tolerance from the Islamic perspective. H.E. Roya Rahmani joined MoFa as a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister in 2011. From 2012-2016, Ambassador Rahmani served as the first Director General for Regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan (MoFA) during which she was responsible for leading her team to manage and promote the country's role and position in dozens of regional organizations and fora. In addition, Rahmani spearheaded the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process at MoFA where she played a key role in the conception and launch of the regional cooperation process. Ambassador Rahmani started her official work with the Afghan government at the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, as a senior advisor for Planning and Policy in early 2011. Prior to this, she directed and managed various organizations and programs at national and international levels. From 2009-2011, she managed a program implemented in 11 countries that promoted women's empowerment. She worked as a part-time Subject Matter Expert with the NATO Joint Forces Training Center for two years and as a consultant with: the New York Department of Education, the United Nations Secretariat in New York, the Department of Trade and International Affairs of Canada, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, Women Living under Muslim Laws and other INGOs. From 2004 2007, H.E. Roya Rahmani worked as the Country Director of the International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development organization in Kabul and traveled around Afghanistan. In 2007, she was awarded the Best Human Rights Activist Award by Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, for her work on a marriage document that secured equitable rights for the family and contributed to data collection at a national level. Rahmani holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Software Engineering from McGill University. She has won several awards and fellowships and is a Fulbright Scholar. Rahmani served as a member of the board of directors of many organizations, is a Musawah Advocate and a member of Munich Security Conference Young Leaders. H.E. Roya Rahmani has been featured by numerous international media and was named the People's Ambassador in 2017 by the Tattler Indonesia. She was born in 1978 in Kabul, Afghanistan in a middle-class family, is married and has one daughter named Bareen. ABOUT SARAH VERARDO: Sarah Verardo is a national advocate for wounded Veterans and their Caregivers. Her husband Michael was catastrophically wounded in Afghanistan in 2010, in two separate IED attacks that took his left leg, much of his left arm, and left him with polytraumatic conditions that have required more than one hundred surgeries and years of speech, visual, physical and occupational therapies. Starting as a volunteer with The Independence Fund, Sarah's steadfast devotion, experience, and drive led to her eventual selection as the organization's first Chief Executive Officer. Sarah continues carrying on the legacy of The Independence Fund's founder by providing all-terrain track wheelchairs to Veterans and has provided over 2,400 chairs to date. She also created the nonprofit's Caregiver, Family, Adaptive Sports, and Advocacy programs, and recently developed a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs that will combat Veteran Suicide through reunions of some of the hardest hit units of the War on Terror. This revolutionary program, Operation RESILIENCY, works with VA and DOD to recall units for peer support, relying on bonds formed during war and keeping the commitment of shared experience and brotherhood alive back home. Sarah advises Administration officials and members of Congress on the experiences of the families of our severely wounded Veterans and has been instrumental in shaping national policy for our warfighters and their families. Regularly appearing on cable news to commentate on the sacrifice of Veterans and Military families, Sarah is a respected subject matter expert in the field. ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE FUND: Established in 2007, The Independence Fund is a national Veterans Service Organization dedicated to meeting the unmet needs of catastrophically wounded Veterans, Caregivers and their families through a variety of programs. To learn more, visit www.independencefund.org. SOURCE The Independence Fund Related Links http://independencefund.org/ WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's lawyers are scrambling to assemble their legal team and draft opening statements for a Senate impeachment trial that could start within days and will determine whether to remove the president from office. As the House prepared to send articles of impeachment to the Senate, Trump's lawyers have huddled in the Oval Office with their unpredictable client and sought to finalize who will appear on the president's behalf - and who will advise on the sidelines of only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. One wild card is Alan Dershowitz, the constitutional law scholar known for his brash style and high-profile defendants. Dershowitz, who chatted with Trump on Christmas Eve at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's resort in south Florida, could help argue constitutional issues in the Senate, according to one person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity. It would be a quintessential Trump decision, embracing a TV-savvy attorney who has defended him on Fox News while ignoring the unease that Dershowitz has generated among some Republicans on Capitol Hill because of his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy pedophile who rubbed shoulders with powerful figures in politics and academia. Dershowitz has denied any wrongdoing in that case, and he declined to comment about a possible role in the impeachment trial. ADVERTISEMENT Whatever is decided, Pat A. Cipollone, the White House chief counsel, and Jay Sekulow, the president's longest-serving personal lawyer, will anchor the defense strategy. Both are expected to have speaking roles once the trial begins. The House of Representatives voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on charges of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to investigate his political enemies and of subsequently obstructing Congress by blocking senior members of his administration from cooperating with subpoenas by testifying or providing documents. Trump's lawyers declined an offer to appear or offer a defense in the House impeachment hearings, relying instead on Republican House members, especially Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Doug Collins of Georgia and John Ratcliffe of Texas. It's unclear whether the president will seek to add any of them to his defense team for the Senate trial. The president has insisted he's done nothing wrong, but the specifics of his trial defense remain in flux, partially because the Senate has yet to release the rules for the trial and partially because Trump is prone to changing his mind. After spending weeks demanding an extended trial that could provide him with a cinematic closing act - and presumed acquittal - to the impeachment saga that began in September, Trump abruptly reversed course over the weekend and said the Republican-controlled Senate should simply dismiss the case against him. Dershowitz approved, calling it the "right approach" because "the articles of impeachment simply do not charge constitutionally impeachable offenses." "We've never had an impeachment previously that didn't at least claim that it fit the constitutional criteria," he said in a phone interview. In a separate interview, Sekulow said the legal team wasn't going to commit to any such plan. ADVERTISEMENT "Nothing's off the table, but it's too early to decide," he said. The idea also appears a nonstarter with Senate Republicans, who have made no secret about their intent to acquit Trump but prize their chamber's reputation as an independent, deliberative body. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Fox News that they want to avoid the "circuslike" atmosphere that existed in the more rambunctious, Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Unlike in the House, where Trump's allies cared little if it looked like the president was calling the shots, some senators may bristle at the appearance that they're carrying his water even if they back him in the end. "Senators as a rule don't like to be dictated to," said Jim Manley, who served as an adviser to former Democratic leader Harry Reid. Trump's advisers have tried to make him aware of that distinction, and at times he has shown some deference in his public comments and tweets, suggesting he would not intervene in the process. But Trump usually resists being reined in when his own reputation is on the line. "He's spent his life trying to fix things to manipulate things for his own benefit," Manley said. "The question here is whether he's going to be able to fix the Senate like he used to do with New York real estate deals." The trial could take a volatile turn if senators decide to call witnesses such as John Bolton, his former national security adviser, who has offered to testify if subpoenaed. Trump has said he would invoke executive privilege, the legal principle that allows presidents to keep confidential his conversations with aides, if that happens. ADVERTISEMENT It's unclear whether the Senate would respect that claim, and at least four Republicans would need to join with Democrats to call Bolton as a witness. Another unpredictable factor is Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York mayor who also represents Trump as a personal lawyer. Giuliani has advocated far-fetched legal theories on Twitter, such as urging the Supreme Court to toss the case against the president. In addition, Giuliani's role in the impeachment trial is more akin to a witness - or a potential suspect - than a lawyer. He has served as Trump's point man on trying to dig up dirt in Ukraine on Joe Biden, the former vice president who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Giuliani refused to respond to a subpoena from the House, and he's continued traveling to Ukraine to promote unfounded allegations about Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. It's unclear how long Trump's trial will last. President Bill Clinton, who was impeached for lying to a grand jury about his affair with a White House intern, was acquitted by the Senate in 1999 after five weeks of proceedings. --- (c)2020 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Gov. Kay Iveys Study Group on Criminal Justice Policy met for the last time today and will write a report for the governor in time for the legislative session, which starts Feb. 4. The panel, chaired by former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Champ Lyons, talked for two hours today about a broad range of topics including programs intended to keep offenders out of prison, sentencing changes, and other topics related to Alabamas crowded and violent prison system, which has come under federal scrutiny. Five lawmakers on the panel did much of the talking and generally agreed that the state needs to make programs like pretrial diversion and drug courts available statewide to help steer more early offenders away from lives of crime and incarceration. They also agreed on the need for more education and training programs in prison to help inmates reestablish their lives after their incarceration ends. And they broadly agreed that expanding diversion programs, prison education, mental health treatment, and other components in what would be a holistic approach to criminal justice reform would require more taxpayer dollars. What flow of income are we going to have to pay for diversion programs, to pay for drug treatment, to pay for mental health care?" asked Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, a retired circuit judge. All these things are expensive. And all these things have to be paid for. I think for us to look at heres what we need to do and not look at heres how were going to fund it, weve got to be careful, it could turn into an academic exercise that doesnt really yield any practical results. Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, a law enforcement officer for 29 years and former Jasper police chief, said the vast majority of incarcerated people will be released and that its better for them and for the public to prepare them to support themselves after prison. Rowe said Ingram State Technical College has an effective program for helping inmates become employable and reducing the likelihood they will return to prison. She said those educational opportunities need to be expanded. Rowe said pretrial diversion programs are effective in some parts of the state but that some programs, run by for-profit companies, keep offenders trapped in the legal system under a burden of fees to pay for their own supervision. Its like having 15 credit cards and youre just paying minimum payment due to keep your head above water, Rowe said. Rowe said the effective programs need to be broadly available, not just in certain parts of the state and for people who can afford them. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, mentioned his own involvement with pretrial diversion after an arrest for DUI in 2015 as an example of how such options are not available to all. I paid roughly about thirty-five hundred dollars total to be in that program, Ward said. But I bet you, Ive got a lot of neighbors who couldnt write that check. And thats the problem. Ward said some programs do provide effective monitoring and help for people, but others serve little purpose other than collecting fees. I do think need you need diversion programs in every county and every community, Ward said. But I think also, were going to have to pay for it. Theres got to be certain standards. Ward said he believes theres enough growth in the state General Fund, which supports the Alabama Department of Corrections, to increase funding for prison education. You make sure someone is going to get a job, Ward said. "They dont commit a crime again. They get the help they need. And they dont come back. Thats what we want to avoid. And thats the foundation of building a better public safety system. Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, said the state spends about $23,000 a year to incarcerate an inmate. He said it would be a good investment to help inmates during the first year after their incarceration ends as they they try to to establish a stable life outside prison. If we can take some sum of money that first year and assist those who have been incarcerated into assimilating back into society, Chambliss said. How do you get your drivers license? Your Social Security card? Your certificate that you need that you were unable to complete while you were incarcerated? Whatever those issues are, if we can really help in that first year, I think we can make a difference in the lives of people. Ivey appointed the study group after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged in April that the level of violence in Alabama prisons violated the Constitution. The DOJ said the state routinely violated the constitutional rights of prisoners by failing to protect them from violence and sexual abuse. Ivey directed the study group to analyze data and evidence on how to improve Alabama prisons and the criminal justice system. The group includes Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn, six state lawmakers, and others. Violence has continued to plague the prison system since the DOJ report in April. In November, the Equal Justice Initiative reported that Alabama prisons had the nations highest homicide rate. At that time, EJI said there had been 13 homicides in Alabama prisons in 2019. Several more have been reported since. A group that included family members of former inmates, former inmates, and other advocates held a rally in front of the Alabama Department of Corrections offices before this mornings meeting of the study group. The advocates marched from the ADOC offices to the State House and attended the study group meeting. Pastor Kenneth Glasgow, a longtime inmate advocate, led the group in the rally with the theme of enough is enough, referring to the violence that continues to plague the prison system. The problem is, youve been hearing for me for years, Glasgow said. "When yall going to shut me up and stop me from talking about the inadequacy of the Department of Corrections. When yall going to shut me and stop me talking about the inhumane treatment? When are yall going to run me out of a job as an advocate for those that are formerly and currently incarcerated. Please do so. Im waiting for you to stop it. I want you to stop it. But youve got to do better than this. Defense Minister: US' mistake very costly for its presence in region IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Monday that Trump made a miscalculation by assuming that removing a person will stop 'Resistance Axis', adding that US has increased cost of its presence in the region. Speaking in a meeting with Syrian Defense Minister Ali Abdullah Ayyoub, Hatami praised Syrian officials' sympathy on General Soleimani martyrdom. He added that the Resistance will continue after General Soleimani since it has now turned out to be an ideology and regional discourse. He noted that ISIS' hegemony would be inevitable in the region in the absence of General Soleimani's efforts. He described Iran missile attack on US' Ain Al-Assad base in Iraq as an urgent action, saying that standing against US forces' presence in the region should become a continuous procedure. Emphasizing Iran support for 'Resistance Axis', Hatami said Iran will stand by Syria in reconstruction era. Meanwhile, Ayyoub appreciated the efforts made by General Soleimani. He also lauded Martyr General Soleimani's strategic view in the battlefields. Ayyoub granted the highest Syrian armed forces rank on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Hatami for General Soleimani. 9376**1430 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sheriffs deputies rolled up in armored vehicles early Tuesday to a rickety house in West Oakland, targeting a group of homeless mothers whose refusal to leave became a symbol of the regions acute housing crisis. In the inky predawn light, the deputies broke down the door at 2928 Magnolia St. and evicted the mothers, arresting four people while demonstrators chanted in the background. The operation which ended when police placed boards on the home and a line of caution tape on 30th Street quelled a two-month act of civil disobedience. Yet it also stirred up feelings of anger and desperation that ricocheted into City Hall. My heart goes out to these courageous mothers (who) are standing up for a basic human need, Mayor Libby Schaaf told reporters during a separate event at San Antonio Park in East Oakland. Schaaf sharply criticized the Sheriffs Office for showing up at 5:15 a.m. in military outfits with guns, and using a battering ram to enter the property. This is a difficult situation, and it is clear evidence that our laws are not working properly, she added, linking the home occupation and its aftermath to a larger affordable housing shortage that has gripped Oakland and other Bay Area cities. The group of mothers, Moms 4 Housing, had confronted Schaaf during a housing rally outside City Hall last week and asked why she had not responded to their pleas for help. The eviction followed an Alameda County Superior Court ruling on Friday that the mothers and their children could not legally live in the ramshackle house with chipped periwinkle trim. Wedgewood Properties a company that specializes in house-flipping bought the home for $500,000 at a foreclosure sale last July and took possession in November, two days after the mothers came in. A judge had said they must be evicted by Wednesday, but the women vowed to stay despite the order. Those arrested from inside the house were mothers Jesse Turner, 25; Tolani King, 46; and Misty Cross, 38, all of Oakland. They were arrested for resisting an eviction, authorities said. Walter Baker, 28, of Berkeley, was arrested outside the house for obstructing officers. All were taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and released at about 2:30 p.m. Representatives of Wedgewood said over the weekend that the company is willing to pay for temporary housing and moving expenses for the homeless mothers. Wedgewood plans to renovate and sell the property, sharing profits with Shelter 37, a Southern California nonprofit organization that helps at-risk youths. Several City Council members called on Wedgewood to negotiate with Oakland Community Land Trust, a nonprofit that acquires land for affordable housing, but the company refused. In a statement Tuesday, a Wedgewood spokesman said the company is pleased the illegal occupation of its Oakland home has ended peacefully. The solution to Oaklands housing crisis is not the redistribution of citizens homes through illegal break-ins and seizures by squatters, company officials said. Oakland faces a dire housing shortage and an explosion of homeless encampments under freeways, in public parks and on city sidewalks. The city saw a 47% increase in homelessness in just two years, and 3,210 homeless people are unsheltered, according to a point-in-time count. Dominique Walker, one of the homeless women living in the house, said she was doing an interview at another location when deputies arrived, but she quickly returned to find two of the women she lived with had been arrested. All of the children were safe and not in the home during the eviction, she said. Im really concerned about my sisters, Walker said. This house was a statement; it was a symbol of what needs to happen in Oakland. Walker called the companys offer to shelter her and the other women an insult. Thats no offer, she said. We offered to buy the house thats what we wanted to do. Walker said the sheriffs response armored vehicles, closed streets and officers clad in riot gear was excessive. This is the type of forces that we are up against when we are just trying to survive, she said. We are just trying to live. We just want shelter for our children, and if we have to go to jail for that, then take me. Protesters swarmed into the neighborhood as word of the eviction spread. Organizers dished out food from aluminum bins and had a crew of people ready to speak to the media. Bystanders lingered in front of the house for hours, occasionally chanting over the squeal of drills as authorities put up plywood to shut off access to the house. Shame on you, a person in the crowd shouted as more plywood was unloaded from a truck. Should anyone tear off the plywood and re-enter the house, Alameda County sheriffs spokesman Ray Kelly said, it will be up to Oakland police to deal with the intruders. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. As the scene calmed later that morning a few volunteers kept vigil outside the house, while neighbors emerged to do yard work or walk their dogs. Old-timers looked at the house and shook their heads, marveling at how much the neighborhood had changed. Several said they were familiar with the situation and expressed sympathy for the mothers. Anthony Gaines, another West Oakland native, was loading tools into a car across the street from the house. Im just praying for everybody, he said. Ive lived here all my life. Everything is so expensive. Everything has changed, he said. Its a genocide. People dont have money; they dont have homes. Tracy Smith stood on a street corner cradling her Chihuahua and talking to a friend on a scooter. I just hope they find something, she said of the moms. I hate to see someone be homeless. Im just sad it had to come to this. I hope everything works out for them. Another neighbor, Ashley Pattison-Scott, said she had come by the house to deliver toilet paper and supplies to the mothers and their kids. She noted the extent of the housing crisis: One group of Oakland residents is living in shipping containers, close to the port. Kelly described the eviction to reporters as a tricky situation, due to the publicity and support the mothers had drawn. When deputies arrived, he said, about five people were outside the house. The front and back doors were bolstered from the inside and police used battering rams and a considerable amount of force to enter, Kelly said. Police sent a robot to make sure the house was safe to enter. Once inside, deputies called out to the inhabitants, who said they wanted to be arrested peacefully. We wanted to keep this as simple as possible, Kelly said. There were concerns for officer safety and anyone going in to intercede in this incident. He emphasized that deputies raided the home in the presence of the entire world and all the media watching us, and (came) away with very little impact. This is not your typical eviction. Five hours after the eviction, a police helicopter continued to circle even as most of the protesters packed up their lawn chairs and signs and put them in their cars. Alejandro Serrano, Rachel Swan and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: alejandro.serrano@sfchronicle.com, rswan@sfchronicle.com and mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @serrano_alej, @rachelswan and @ctuan Patience is a virtue, as some pious so-and-so with too much time on his hands once said. Five of this years nine Academy Award best picture nominees, announced Monday to a fair amount of controversy, have entered the streaming, downloading and DVD/Blu-ray phase. Those, you can see right now. The Queen has released a statement confirming that she was supportive of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs desire to step down as senior members of the Royal Family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family, read the statement. Prince Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step down in a statement shared last Wednesday a move which took both the public and, by all accounts, the Royal Family by surprise. Following Mondays summit at Sandringham, the Queens statement provided further information as to how the Sussexes departure will work. She added: These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done. The statement was personal, addressing Harry by his Christian name, but vague leaving a number of unanswered questions. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stand with the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, Janice Charette (R) as they leave Canada House. [Photo: Getty] Where will Harry and Meghan live? In their original statement, the couple announced their intention to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America. They also said they would continue to use royal residence Frogmore Cottage, according to the Sussex Royal website. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK, read Her Majestys statement. READ MORE: Meghan and Harry 'value the ability to earn a professional income' But this does not indicate where they will spend time after this transition period or whether they will be allowed to keep their home, Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, on a more permanent basis. How will they be financially independent? The Queen echoed the pairs desire for financial independence in her statement, saying: Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds. Story continues The Queen pictured a day before the family "summit" at Sandringham (Getty) It is yet to be seen how much money the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be able to continue to claim from being royals, at the cost of the taxpayer. They announced on the Funding section of the Sussex Royal website they will be giving up the Sovereign Grant, which comes from taxpayer money. But Harry and Meghan's public and some private activities are still predominantly funded by the Prince of Wales from his private 21 million-a-year Duchy of Cornwall income. The Sussexes have trademarked the brand Sussex Royal and it is believed they could generate an income from this. The couple also expressed that they value the ability to earn a professional income, which in the current structure they are prohibited from doing, according to the Funding page. However, it is unclear what form this would take. What royal duties will they carry out? Harry and Meghan have stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family, but have said they will be continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. It is unclear what level of royal duty they will be expected to carry out going forward. Where will they live in Canada? The Queen has said the family will spend time in Canada and the UK. While their official residence in the UK is known, it is not clear where they would live in Canada. However, there is an indication they may set up a home on Vancouver Island, after spending their six-week break in this location. They also moved their dogs to the area. Where will they pay tax? It is not known where the pair will pay tax going forward: Canada or the UK. What will happen to their titles? On Monday, The Suns former royal editor Duncan Larcombe told Yahoo UK said it was very much a possibility the Sussexes could lose their Royal Highness titles. This would not be unprecedented. Both Sarah, Duchess of York, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, were stripped of the style Her Royal Highness after divorcing Prince Andrew and Prince Charles, respectively. This is still yet to be seen. However, as the Queen referred to the pair as the Sussexes during her statement, it is likely they will maintain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles at least. Where will Archie go to school? The couple have said they will split their time between the UK and North America but presumably if Archie is to attend school, rather than be privately tutored, he will have to be educated in one of these locations. What citizenship will they have? When Meghan became engaged to Harry, it was announced by Kensington Palace she would apply for British citizenship. The status of this is unknown. READ MORE: What drove Harry and Meghan away from the royal family? Born to a British father and a US mum, baby Archie may hold dual UK/US citizenship. It is also unknown whether the family will apply for Canadian citizenship for the right to live and work in Canada, if they move there more permanently. When will we have more information? I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days, the Queens statement confirmed. Winnipegs latest homicide victim had multiple criminal charges pending against him at the time he was shot to death Sunday morning at the Windsor Hotel. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2020 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipegs latest homicide victim had multiple criminal charges pending against him at the time he was shot to death Sunday morning at the Windsor Hotel. Yassin Abdu Ahmed celebrated his 20th birthday just 12 days before he was killed at the downtown hotel, which has gained an increasingly infamous reputation. At the time of his death, Yassin Abdu Ahmed was soon expected in court to face charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection with a domestic incident on July 29, 2019. (GoFundMe) At the time of his death, Ahmed was soon expected in court to face charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection with a domestic incident on July 29, 2019. He was also accused of carrying a concealed handgun and possessing a handgun for a purpose dangerous to the public. A warrant for his arrest was issued Aug. 19. He was released from custody on a $1,500 recognizance Sept. 6. His last court appearance before he died around 3 a.m. Sunday was Dec. 3. Ahmed was under a number of court conditions, including a weapons ban and an order not to contact or go near the woman he was accused of threatening. Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Rob Carver said Monday investigators believe an altercation broke out inside the entrance of the Windsor Hotel at 187 Garry St., before spilling out into the neighbouring parking lot. Carver said police do not believe it was a drive-by shooting. However, he added, investigators are looking into possible gang connections. "I can tell you that in almost all situations of public shootings where the shooting moves out onto a street, that almost without question the underlying theme is gang involvement. Almost 100 per cent," Carver said. Ahmed was one of three men shot during Sunday's incident. The victims were taken to hospital, where Ahmed was pronounced dead. His slaying marks Winnipegs second homicide of 2020. Last year, Winnipeg recorded a record 44 homicides. The two other victims whose names have not been released have since been upgraded to stable condition. It remains unclear what relationship if any they had to Ahmed. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Police have not announced any arrests in connection with the shooting. On Monday, the Spence Neighbourhood Association held a memorial gathering for Ahmed, whod spent time employed as a youth worker at both the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre and Broadway Neighbourhood Centre. Ahmeds family was reportedly originally from Somalia. After fleeing war, they travelled to Sudan, where Ahmed was born in a refugee camp. The family settled in Winnipeg in 2010. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation are asked to contact homicide investigators at 204-986-6508. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe A drone was spotted flying near a border village of Tarn Taran district on Monday night, prompting the Border Security Force (BSF) to open fire. The incident took place at 8.30pm when the drone entered from Pakistan to Gajal village, 500 metres in Indian territory from the barbed wire fencing at the border. According to villagers, the drone flew on the outskirts of the village for a few minutes. Soon after noticing it, BSF personnel opened fire following which the drone returned towards Pakistan, said Kuldeep Singh, a farmer leader of the village. A BSF official of the 116 Battalion said, Light emitting objects were seen, apparently coming from the Pakistan side. Our troops immediately opened around 100 shots. A search operation is still on in the area. The drone was spotted near border outpost number 171. The sighting came three days after Punjab Police busted a narco-terror module by seizing two sophisticated China-made drones and arresting an army naik and two smugglers of weapons and narcotics. The seizure, resulting from targeted and intelligence-led search operations, included drone batteries, custom-made drone containers, two walkie-talkie sets, Rs 6.22 lakh, believed to be proceeds of drugs, and a magazine of an INSAS rifle. StarzPlay, a leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, has partnered with Finyal Media, the regional production business specialised in podcast creation, to produce an Arabic podcast Series. The announcement follows StarzPlays increasing focus on Arabic content production on multiple digital mediums, having also announced its first original content series earlier this month, said a statement. StarzPlay will collaborate with Finyal to produce a series of 12 episodes to be released around the same time as the historical drama series Vikings - the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst depicting the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Titled Vikings - The Nine Realms, the podcasts storyline revolves around the Norse Mythology of Vikings and will feature two weekly episodes. Nadim Dada, director of Content Acquisition, StarzPlay, said: With the growing quality of Arabic audio content on podcast channels in the region, StarzPlay is pleased to partner with Finyal Media to create the story of The Nine Realms. This podcast greatly complements our existing and ever-popular Viking themed content, allowing fans to go beyond the movies and series and learn about the history and mythology of their favourite characters. The partnership further underlines our commitment and focus towards Arabic content production as we continue to offer unmatched content to our customers on multiple fronts, Dada added. Leila Alanani, CEO of Finyal Media, said: Podcasts are an incredible storytelling medium and we strongly believe that Arabic language podcasts are a great way to help young people reconnect with the Arab world. We are excited to partner with StarzPlay to offer unique content for our Arab listeners. Available in 20 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, with more than 10,000 hours of content including premium movies, exclusive and Arabic series, StarzPlay has also secured its place as the number one player in the Mena region. TradeArabia News Service The UAE and Japan have signed a Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement between the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan, for the storage of over eight million barrels of crude oil at storage facilities in Japan. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, reported Emirates news agency Wam. The agreement extends and expands the previous strategic crude oil storage agreement between the two nations that expired at the end of 2019. Under the terms of the new agreement, which has an initial three year period, Adnoc will store crude oil at storage facilities in Japan which may be traded to customers, whilst ensuring that certain quantities of crude oil are available in the event of an oil shortage event in Japan. The agreement was signed by Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Adnoc Group CEO, and Makihara Hideki, Japans State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Dr Al Jaber said: "The new agreement with the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy to store Abu Dhabi crude oil in Japan further strengthens the excellent working relationship between the UAE and our Japanese counterparts. Under the wise guidance of our leadership, the UAE has fostered a deep and longstanding relationship with Japan that spans many decades. We are pleased to extend and expand our storage agreement which positively contributes to Japanese energy security, while also supporting Adnocs broader trading ambitions." Makihara said: "The UAE has been one of the most important crude oil suppliers to Japan for a very long time. The Joint Oil Storage Project is a most symbolic and mutually beneficial project for both countries and will contribute to the improvement of Japans energy security as well as the UAEs access to Asian markets. Given the current world geopolitical situation, it is well-timed to expand our Joint Oil Storage Project. I really hope that our bilateral relationship between Japan and UAE will be further strengthened through the project." Japan is Adnocs largest international importer of oil and gas products with approximately 25 per cent of its crude oil imported from the UAE. The company has a long history of mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with Japanese oil and gas companies that span over four decades and cover the entire oil and gas value chain. In recent years, as part of Adnocs 2030 smart growth strategy, Japanese oil and gas companies have been awarded concession agreements. In 2015, Japans Inpex Corporation (Inpex) was awarded a 5 per cent stake in the Abu Dhabi Onshore Concession. In 2018, the Japanese firm was also awarded a 10 per cent stake in the new Lower Zakum offshore concession and at the same time, also extended its 40 per cent stake in Satah and increased its stake in Umm Al Dalkh from 12 per cent to 40 per cent. Last year, Adnoc awarded the exploration rights for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 4 to Inpex. In November 2019, Intercontinental Exchange announced that Inpex and JXTG along with eight of the worlds largest energy traders including Adnoc would partner with ICE on the launch of ICE Futures Abu Dhabi, a new exchange that will host the worlds first Murban crude oil futures contract. Both the UAE and Japan enjoy strong bilateral economic relations dating back to 1961 when the first shipment of UAE crude oil was exported from Umm al-Shaif offshore field in Abu Dhabi to Japan. In recent years, trade between the UAE and Japan has grown with the most recent figures showing that Japan exported goods to the UAE to the approximate value of $7.9 billion while the country imported goods from the UAE to the approximate value of $27.5 billion in 2018. I think about that movie, the two firemen where they were faking like they were gay, right? I think about that, and they did all those things ... to get benefits, said Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., 27th, in an apparent reference to the 2007 movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James. PITTSBURGH, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CGT Staffing, formerly CompuGroup Technologies, invites its valued partners and potential future clients to explore its new website (https://www.cgtstaffing.com), a comprehensive interface for employers, job seekers, and business professionals seeking a long-term career at the organization. Based in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, CGT Staffing offers contract, contract-to-hire, and full-time workforce solutions across numerous industries. Previously specializing in IT, the company is expanding its geographic and professional footprint to provide workforce solutions across numerous industries, including healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and the mortgage and title industry. Led by President and CEO Bill Welge, a leader with a proven track record of business success, CGT Staffing has positioned itself as a go-to national firm for clients seeking to fill job vacancies ranging from entry to C-level. In 2018, Chief of Staff Harton Semple joined the organization to provide seamless back office and support competencies. In tandem, the recruiting arm of the company is now overseen by Relationship Managers John Biskup, Luke McKinney, and Alissa Connelly, who collectively combine for more than 30 years of proven staffing experience. Acknowledging the need for website refresh, Welge noted: "There was a pressing need to revamp the existing website for our clients, referral partners, and potential business partners. It now truly reflects the breadth of our staffing expertise and the principles that we hold in high regard. We seek to promote integrity, proactivity, collaboration, and respect in everything we do. Our services are a direct reflection of that mission." CGT Staffing strives to earn the trust of its clients, consultants, and referrals every day through superior customer service and a relentless attention to detail. With this rebranding, the company moves one step closer to its ultimate vision to be "the most passionately referred staffing firm in the industry". About CGT Staffing Founded in 2009, CGT Staffing, formerly CompuGroup Technologies, is a national full-service staffing firm based in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Media Contact: Harton Semple 438 Division Street, Sewickley, PA 15143 (800) 813-4595 [email protected] SOURCE CGT Staffing Related Links https://www.cgtstaffing.com South Korean leader says US President Trumps birthday greetings to Kim Jong Un a good idea to help break impasse. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday it was too early to be pessimistic about stalled denuclearisation talks between the United States and North Korea, saying that Pyongyang had not yet shut the door on negotiations. Moon said US President Donald Trumps recent letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was a good sign that underscores his commitment to negotiations. Moon was speaking at a news conference at the presidential Blue House. Some were concerned about a new round of provocations just in time for Chairman Kims birthday, Moon said. Instead, President Trump sent him birthday wishes to stress his willingness to talk. It was a great idea. On Friday, a South Korean official said Trump had asked the South Koreans to pass on birthday greetings to North Korea. Over the weekend, however, North Korea released a statement saying it had already received a letter direct from Trump and ridiculed South Korea for trying to meddle in US-North Korea relations. In the statement, a North Korean foreign ministry official said that although Kim liked Trump on a personal level, he would not make policy based on his personal feelings. North Korea made clear that the door to dialogue is not closed by saying they will come back to talks only when their demands are accepted, Moon said of that North Korean response. The US-North Korea talks are not active right now, but I would say both leaders President Trump and Chairman Kim continue to trust one another and continue with their efforts. South Korea has been increasingly sidelined as denuclearisation talks between the US and North Korea have stalled. In his New Years speech on January 7, Moon said there was a desperate need for ways to improve ties with North Korea. Rising tensions and international sanctions have blocked many of Moons proposals for inter-Korean projects, and Pyongyang has spent the past year criticising Seoul as being beholden to the US. On Tuesday, South Korean news agency, Yonhap, reported that Seouls top nuclear negotiator, Lee Do-hoon, would leave for Washington on Wednesday to meet Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, who is the chief US negotiator with Pyongyang. White House national security adviser Robert OBrien said the US had reached out to North Korea seeking to resume talks, according to an interview published on Sunday by Axios news website. When it comes to difficult travel, no journey outside New York Citys subway system rivals the ones described in The Book of Two Ways, a mystical road map to the ancient Egyptian afterlife. This users guide, a precursor to the corpus of Egyptian funerary texts known as The Book of the Dead, depicted two zigzagging paths by which, scholars long ago concluded, the soul, having left the body of the departed, could navigate the spiritual obstacle course of the Underworld and reach Rostau the realm of Osiris, the god of death, who was himself dead. If you were lucky enough to get the go-ahead from Osiris divine tribunal, you would become an immortal god. The ancient Egyptians were obsessed with life in all its forms, Rita Lucarelli, an Egyptology curator at the University of California, Berkeley, said. Death for them was a new life. The two journeys were a kind of purgatorial odyssey reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons: extraordinarily arduous, and so fraught with peril that they necessitated mortuary guidebooks like The Book of Two Ways to accompany a persons spirit and ensure its safe passage. (The two ways refer to the options a soul had for navigating the Underworld: one by land, the other by water.) Among other annoyances, the deceased had to contend with demons, scorching fire and armed doorkeepers, who protected the dead body of Osiris against gods bent on preventing his rebirth, according to Harco Willems, an Egyptologist at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Success in the afterlife required an aptitude for arcane theology, a command of potent resurrection spells and incantations, and a knowledge of the names not just of Underworld doorkeepers but also of door bolts and floorboards. Block from the Sanctuary in the Temple of Mentuhotep II at Deir el-Bahri (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) In a new study published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Willems detailed how a team of researchers under his direction unearthed the remains of a 4,000-year-old Book of Two Ways the earliest known copy of the first illustrated book. In 2012 they reopened a long-abandoned burial shaft in the cliffside necropolis of Deir el-Bersha, a Coptic village midway between Cairo and Luxor on the eastern side of the Nile. The site was the main cemetery for the regions governors, or nomarchs, during Egypts Middle Kingdom, roughly 2055BC to 1650BC, and boasts many elaborately decorated tombs. The two journeys were a kind of purgatorial odyssey reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons: extraordinarily arduous, and so fraught with peril that they necessitated mortuary guidebooks like The Book of Two Ways to accompany a persons spirit and ensure its safe passage The shaft that Willems investigated was one of five in the tomb complex of the nomarch Ahanakht. Twenty feet down, the researchers found the remains of a sarcophagus neglected by previous generations of archaeologists. Most of its contents had been looted or destroyed by fungi, but two rotting cedar panels turned out to be etched with images and hieroglyphs. To Willemss amazement, the fragments of text were from a copy of The Book of Two Ways. Inscriptions found nearby referred to the reign of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, who ruled until 2010BC. These suggest that the manual is some four decades older than any of the two dozen extant copies. The 63-year-old Willems grew up in the Netherlands. His entry into the ancient Egyptian netherworld began at age 12, when he read Hans Baumanns The World of The Pharoahs, an exploration of Egyptian antiquity from the point of view of a modern child. After majoring in Egyptology at Leiden University, Willems earned a PhD at the University of Groningen, studying Middle Kingdom coffins. He has directed the dig at Deir el-Bersha since 2001; before that, the last time the tomb had been excavated was 86 years earlier, when it was explored by George Reisner, an American Egyptologist supported by Harvard University and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Portrait of George Andrew Reisner (Unknown) The Reisner expedition is mostly remembered for the discovery of the tomb of the provincial governor Djehutynakht, the predecessor of Ahanakht. Among the treasures unearthed: a mummified head; a headless, limbless torso; and a chapel whose portico harboured two palm-columns, a rectangular inner hall and a deep chamber. Alas, in a secondary shaft, labelled Tomb 17K85/1B, Reisner came up empty. Scanning the scattered debris yellowing newspapers, cigarette butts he concluded that the chamber had been thoroughly ransacked by looters. He abandoned his search after only a few feet. Aided by Reisners excavation diary, Willems set out to document Tomb 17K85/1B in greater detail. Suitably gloomy, dank and eerie, the shaft was like the remains of a dark forest, with hundreds of bits of cedar coffin planks spread about as if deposited by a flash flood. Given the brittleness of the 4,000-year-old wood, the excavators carefully packed up the shards for conservation back at the university in Belgium. Wooden sarcophagi of the Middle Kingdoms grandees were primarily painted on the inside. These Coffin Texts tend to situate the deceased in the world of the gods, Willems said. Sometimes they are combined with drawings. At Deir el-Bersha, one frequently encounters [copies of] The Book of Two Ways. Map of the netherworld from the coffin of Gua, from Deir el-Bersha, Egypt (Jon Bodsworth) The images were only applied in paint, but the hieratic texts were written in black or red ink and later traced, coarsely, with a knife. Although almost all colour on the planks had disappeared and only the scratches remained, Willems managed to decipher many of the faint engravings using high-resolution images and DStretch, a software tool for digital enhancement of rock art. Since some of the planks were etched with the name Djehutynakht, Willems at first assumed the coffin had contained that governors body. But closer inspection revealed that its occupant was actually a woman named Ankh, who appeared to have been related to an elite provincial official. Indeed, the jumble of bones found in the shaft may be hers, even though the Book refers to Ankh as he. To me, whats funny is the idea that how you survive in the netherworld is expressed in male terms, Willems said. Head of the God Osiris, ca 595-525BCE (Brooklyn Museum) To the ancient Egyptians, creation and regeneration were solely the province of male gods. Goddesses were believed to be protective vessels, Kara Cooney, a professor of Egyptian art and architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles, said. In the engraving, the pronoun he was essential even for female deceased people because they needed to be like Osiris. Generally, each individuals Book differed in length and lavishness depending on its owners wealth or status. This one begins with a text encircled by a red line designated as ring of fire, Willems said. The text is about the sun god passing this protective fiery ring to reach Osiris. Gates feature prominently, as do two looping lines indicating the separate roads to the afterlife, surrounded by malignant spirits and other supernatural beings. The final image shows a barque dragged on a sledge Spell 1128, Willems said and follows the final text (Spell 1130), which yokes the dead persons identity forever to the sun god, Ra, the creator. Assuming Ankh casts her spells properly, she has become a god. New York Times Senior Congress leader K J George on Tuesday said he has received a summons from the Enforcement Directorate to appear at its office here on Thursday in connection with a FEMA case. The former minister said and he will co-operate fully with the authorities as he was a law abiding citizen. George is being investigated by the ED for probable violation of provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). He said he recieved a summons from the Enforcement Directorate dated December 23 last year. "My duty as a citizen is to co-operate fully with the authorities for any questions or explanations. I am a law abiding citizen, all our assets/wealth is lawfully declared," George tweeted along with the copy of the summons. He said he has immense faith in the law and the investigating agency. "My family and myself will extend our full cooperation with the agencies during the course of investigation," he said in another tweet. Last year, the president ofthe KarnatakaRashtra Samithi Ravi Krishna Reddy had complained to the ED seeking a probe into the alleged money laundering and properties held by George and his family members in the United States. According to the summons, the investigation is being conducted under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999. The ED has asked him to appear at the office of Directorate of Enforcement, Bengaluru Zone, on January 16 at 11 am, to give evidence or produce books of account or other documents. George is the second senior Congress leader from Karnataka to face an ED probe after D K Shivakumar, who was arrested by the agency in a money laundering case and was kept in Tihar Jail, until he got bail in October. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain, France and Germany ratcheted up pressure on Iran Tuesday to cease its violations of a landmark nuclear deal, stressing that they want to resolve differences through talks while starting the clock on a process that could result in a so-called snapback of United Nations sanctions. The three countries, which signed the international agreement in 2015 along with the United States, Russia and China, said in a letter to the European Union's foreign policy chief that they had no choice but to trigger the deal's dispute mechanism, given Iran's ongoing transgressions. The three said they rejected Tehran's argument that Iran was justified in violating the deal because the United States broke the agreement by pulling out unilaterally in 2018. "We have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran's actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments,'' the countries said in a joint statement. Hours later, Iran's Foreign Ministry warned of a "serious and strong response" to the European move. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran was is "fully ready to answer any good will and constructive effort" that preserves the nuclear deal. He was quoted Tuesday by the official IRNA agency. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who coordinates the agreement on behalf of the world powers, said the pressure on Iran from Europe does not mean international sanctions would automatically be slapped on the Islamic Republic. The aim of the move by France, Germany and Britain is to find solutions and return (Iran) to full compliance within the framework of this agreement. he said. The Europeans stressed that they want to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue and made no threat of sanctions in their statement. They also specifically distanced themselves from sanctions imposed by the U.S., which Washington has said is part of a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran. Our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran, they said. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments. The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, seeks to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon something Iran insists it does not want to do by putting curbs on its atomic program in exchange for economic incentives. Under its dispute resolution mechanism, countries have 30 days to resolve their problem, though that can be extended. If it cannot be solved, the matter could be brought before the U.N. Security Council and could then result in the snapback of sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out in May 2018, saying the pact was insufficient and should be re-negotiated because it didn't address Iran's ballistic missile program or its involvement in regional conflicts. Since then he has reinstated American sanctions, which have been having a devastating effect on Iran's economy. In response, Iran has rolled back its commitments in stages to try and pressure the other countries involved to provide economic incentives to offset the American sanctions, but efforts from them so far have been insufficient. China and Russia had been against invoking the dispute mechanism, but German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that the three European countries "could no longer leave the growing Iranian violations of the nuclear agreement unanswered." "Our goal is clear: we want to preserve the accord and come to a diplomatic solution within the agreement," Maas readded. We will tackle this together with all partners in the agreement. We call on Iran to participate constructively in the negotiation process that is now beginning. Following the announcement, Russia's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that he hoped the decision wouldn't complicate the situation further. After its top general was killed in a U.S. drone attack earlier this month, Iran announced what it said was its fifth and final step in violating the deal, saying it no longer will abide by any limitation to its enrichment activities. At the same time it again said all of its violations were reversible if it gets the economic relief it wants. With the growing skepticism that the deal will be able to saved, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday suggesting that maybe the agreement could be somehow re-worked to address some of the concerns raised by Trump when he pulled the U.S. out. Let's work together to replace the JCPOA with the Trump deal, he told the BBC. Borrell refused to comment on the suggestion, but again emphasized that the remaining signatories to the deal, which took years to negotiate, feel it is the best solution to limiting Iran's nuclear ambitions. We have to preserve the nuclear deal and work to go back to full and effective implementation," Borrell told reporters in Strasbourg, France. He described the pact as a significant achievement and underlined that "there is no alternative to this agreement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pratik Bhakta Bengaluru-based digital lending major Capital Float has raised $15 million (approximately Rs 107 crore) from its investors, including Sequoia Capital, Ribbit Capital, Amazon and Saif Partners, in an internal funding round, according to two people familiar with the matter. The funding, which comes after talks with external investors failed in 2019, could have happened at a reduced valuation, said one of the sources. Tech2 could not independently verify the valuation at which the deal happened. The five-year-old digital lender seems to have come out of 2019 bruised but wiser and is looking to put the lessons learned into streamlining its business. For now, we will concentrate on two factors: good economics and how to build customer lifetime value, said Sashank Rishyasringa, who, along with co-founder Gaurav Hinduja, shared his plans with Tech2. They, however, refused to comment on the fundraising. Tough year The Amazon-backed startup was seeking a $500-million valuation and was planning to raise $150 mn, when it was talking to PayU to lead the round last year. Questions about the asset quality of its loan book and, in turn, valuation could be the reason for the collapse of negotiations, the source said. When IL&FS defaulted on its credit obligations in September 2018, it was a huge blow to Indias shadow banking sector. Banks tightened credit flows to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) which had a ripple effect through the larger economy. Fintech lenders saw credit dry up and in few cases where banks were still lending, they were asking for a higher rate of interest. The overall cost of capital shot up between 150 to 200 basis points for these companies. This, in turn, worsened their asset quality. Capital Float, one of the largest digital lending startups in the country, was no exception. Its asset quality came under stress, mainly due to certain lines of business such as loans for education that grew exponentially but repayments faltered. Two years after starting as a lender for small businesses, Capital Float, in 2017, included street-corner small shops within its ambit as well primarily lending on the basis of cash flow gauged from their digital transactions. It was in 2018 when it made a major shift to add consumer-lending to its portfolio. It also acquired Pune-based Walnut for $30 million, mainly to tap into consumer finance and chase personal loans. It entered into multiple partnerships with major platforms such as Paytm, Amazon, Metro Cash and Carry, Payworld and others to source data about small merchants and extend credit to them based on their cash flow. Betting big on the edtech, the company joined hands with Byjus to extend loans to its customers as well. This business line has been in the news recently for issues around miss-selling, bad assets, etc. Hinduja did not specifically talk about the tie-up with Byjus but did say edtech was one part of the business they were planning to exit. The loan book had grown to almost Rs 700 crore in this sector within 15 months, with non-performing assets (NPAs) at Rs 30 crore, Hinduja added. Less is more Given the tight liquidity conditions, the startup wants to conserve capital and deploy it where growth will be sustainable. Do lesser things but do them better, that is our theme going forward into 2020, said Hinduja. To meet the goal, they have a two-pronged strategy in place. One is to lend to small businesses in small towns that are credit-starved and second is to offer loans to consumers through strong channel partners and its Walnut app. We have found out that small merchants, individual proprietors, family businesses looking for funding between Rs 2 to Rs 20 lakh is our sweet spot, we want to lend aggressively to these customers in small towns, said Rishyasringa. They might have a secured credit line from a public sector bank, but need unsecured growth capital which we can provide. For consumers, it has a profile ready: between 25 to 35 years of age, living digitally, professional or self-employed, who can be evaluated easily and can use their credit line to buy products on Amazon or MakeMyTrip. Securing business Tougher market conditions meant startups had to realign their business models. Capital Float is making changes as well. It is going to push for more co-lending with banks and NBFC partners and will cross-sell products such as insurance to generate more revenue out of every customer. It is already distributing insurance for products protecting life, fire, stocks, etc for small businesses. Next year it intends to foray into selling insurance for consumers as well. One major thing that has grown for us is co-lending, from less than 18 percent of our total loans before IL&FS happened, now we have around 55 percent of our book on co-lending, said Rishyasringa. Capital Float is in the process of tying up with one large regional bank, a private sector lender, one large NBFC and even a public sector bank is expected to come on board in the next few months. The founders hope to become capital-efficient through these partnerships and also lend to the right set of customers. While 2019 was a reality check for these new-age lending players, it also will be remembered for realignment of business verticals. If the first wave in fintech lending was about creating technology and assets, the second wave was about partnerships, the third wave is going to be around the digitisation of collections. After all, as bankers always say, it is not a lending business, it is a collections game. Initially, the hypothesis was if we lent to the right people, collections would happen automatically but the reality is very different. Now we have seen even if the intent is right, in many cases people cannot repay because of external factors, said Rishyasringa. The company is building a full-stack collections engine, with people at the core and digitised systems to make processes efficient. It is working on the basics such as ensuring it has all modes of repayment across cards, UPI, net banking and even cash. It has partnered with Axis Bank to allow its agent network to accept cash repayments from borrowers. Another small bit is bringing in regional languages for collection conversations, the founders feel these small innovations have served them well. Pakistani Judges Rule Court In Musharraf Case Was 'Unconstitutional' By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal January 13, 2020 ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistani tribunal has ruled that the formation of a special court that has handed former military ruler Pervez Musharraf a death sentence was "unconstitutional." It was not immediately clear whether the January 13 ruling by the Lahore High Court would automatically nullify Musharraf's death sentence on treason charges. Musharraf ruled Pakistan between 1999 and 2008 and is currently receiving medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates. The 76-year-old is the first military ruler to stand trial in Pakistan, where the military maintains a strong influence. He was sentenced to death in absentia by a special court in December on treason charges stemming from his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007. Musharraf has slammed the case against him as a "vendetta," while the military accused the court of ignoring legal processes and defended Musharraf's patriotism. Prime Minister Imran Khan's government also questioned the fairness of the trial and said it had found "gaps and weaknesses" in the sentence. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistani- judges-rule-court-in-musharraf-case was-unconstitutional-/30374662.html Copyright (c) 2020. 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 She has been nicknamed 'Australia's favourite weather presenter'. But Jane Bunn is facing stormy skies ahead after being dismissed from her role at 3AW radio. The 41-year-old meteorologist broke the news on Twitter on Tuesday, leaving her loyal fans devastated. Oh, no! Jane Bunn, known as 'Australia's favourite weather presenter', is facing stormy skies ahead after being dismissed from her role at 3AW radio after five years She tweeted: 'I've just been told that after 5 years delivering Melbourne's weather on @RossAndJohn 3AW that as of now I'm no longer required...' But Jane reassured fans that they can still catch her weather reports at 4pm and 6pm on Seven News in Melbourne. A 3AW spokesperson told the Herald Sun: 'We thank Jane for her contribution to 3AW's breakfast program.' She was most likely let go because 3AW is now owned by Nine - Seven's main commercial rival - following the Fairfax merger in late 2018. 'I'm no longer required': The 41-year-old meteorologist broke the news on Twitter on Tuesday, leaving her loyal fans devastated A 3AW spokesperson said, 'We thank Jane for her contribution to 3AW's breakfast program' Jane is a talented meteorologist best known for presenting Melbourne's daily weather report on Channel Seven. She has become one of Australia's most popular TV stars on social media thanks to her cult following among middle-aged men. In addition to being flooded with flattering Facebook comments, one dedicated viewer even had her face tattooed on his rib cage in 2018. Phew! Jane reassured fans that they can still catch her weather reports at 4pm and 6pm on Seven News in Melbourne In the public eye: Jane has become one of Australia's most popular TV stars on social media thanks to her cult following among middle-aged men As reported by the Geelong Advertiser, the super-fan known only as 'Scott' asked for the tattoo to be as discreet as possible so as not to upset his partner. Jane told the newspaper she was 'quite flattered [he] had gone to that much trouble.' Before her big break at Seven, Jane was a fan favourite at WIN News Victoria between 2009 and 2014. Obsessed! One dedicated viewer even had her face tattooed on his rib cage in 2018 (pictured) ST. LOUIS, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today announced it has terminated the agreement to purchase TreeHouse Foods, Inc.s (THS) ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal business, following the Federal Trade Commissions complaint filed in December 2019. About Post Holdings, Inc. Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient and convenient nutrition food categories. Through its Post Consumer Brands business, Post is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category offering a broad portfolio including recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains and Malt-O-Meal bag cereal. Post also is a leader in the United Kingdom ready-to-eat cereal category with the iconic Weetabix brand. As a leader in refrigerated foods, Post delivers innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato products to the foodservice channel and the retail refrigerated side dish category, offering side dishes and egg, sausage and cheese products through the Bob Evans, Simply Potatoes, Bettern Eggs and Crystal Farms brands. Posts publicly-traded subsidiary BellRing Brands, Inc. is a holding company operating in the global convenient nutrition category through its primary brands of Premier Protein, Dymatize and PowerBar. Post participates in the private brand food category through its investment with Thomas H. Lee Partners in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Inc., a leading, private brand centric, consumer products holding company. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com. Contact: Investor Relations Matt Mainer matt.mainer@postholdings.com (314) 644-7618 Media Relations Lisa Hanly lisa.hanly@postholdings.com (314) 665-3180 A mother claims her daughter was called a 'stinky Indian', had dog faeces rubbed in her face and was threatened with a fake gun at a popular park. Zahra Muhammed, from Dunedin, New Zealand, has described how her half Fijian-Indian daughter was subjected to a torrent of abuse at the Navy Park on Sunday. The mother said her nine-year-old was targeted by a group of other children who called her names and poked her with sticks. Zahra Muhammed, from Dunedin, New Zeland, has described how her half Fijian-Indian daughter was subjected to a torrent of abuse at the Navy Park on Sunday (stock image) Ms Muhammed was at the Navy Park in South Dunedin with her three children when the incident took place, according to Stuff.co.nz Her daughter had gone off to play with a group of around seven other children when she returned a short time later in tears. The sobbing child said the other kids had put 'poo' on her face, before calling her a 'stinky Indian' and poking her in the back with sticks. Her daughter told her the children had then pointed a 'gun' at her, telling her there were caps in it and they were going to shoot her. Ms Muhammed immediately approached the other children, who were aged between nine and 12, and confronted them. 'Of course they all said 'it wasn't me, we didn't see anything'. The sobbing child said the other kids had put 'poo' on her face, before calling her a 'stinky Indian' and poking her in the back with sticks (pictured: the playground) But Ms Muhammed she said her daughter pointed out the culprit- and 'he still had poo on his hands.' She then reprimanded the children. 'I said 'that's unacceptable, we do not do that to people, we now have to cut our trip to the park short and go home [and] that's not fair'. 'Your parents would be incredibly embarrassed if they knew you were doing this,' she said. After the incident Ms Muhammed was heartbroken when her daughter apologised to her for having caused any trouble. The brave schoolgirl told her 'maybe I shouldn't have asked so many questions and I should've just left'. Today we'll take a closer look at DaFa Properties Group Limited (HKG:6111) from a dividend investor's perspective. Owning a strong business and reinvesting the dividends is widely seen as an attractive way of growing your wealth. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments. Some readers mightn't know much about DaFa Properties Group's 3.5% dividend, as it has only been paying distributions for a year or so. Some simple analysis can offer a lot of insights when buying a company for its dividend, and we'll go through this below. Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis SEHK:6111 Historical Dividend Yield, January 14th 2020 Payout ratios Companies (usually) pay dividends out of their earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, the dividend might have to be cut. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. DaFa Properties Group paid out 22% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. We like this low payout ratio, because it implies the dividend is well covered and leaves ample opportunity for reinvestment. Is DaFa Properties Group's Balance Sheet Risky? As DaFa Properties Group has a meaningful amount of debt, we need to check its balance sheet to see if the company might have debt risks. A rough way to check this is with these two simple ratios: a) net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and b) net interest cover. Net debt to EBITDA measures total debt load relative to company earnings (lower = less debt), while net interest cover measures the ability to pay interest on the debt (higher = greater ability to pay interest costs). With net debt of 3.23 times its EBITDA, investors are starting to take on a meaningful amount of risk, should the business enter a downturn. Story continues We calculated its interest cover by measuring its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), and dividing this by the company's net interest expense. DaFa Properties Group has interest cover of more than 12 times its interest expense, which we think is quite strong. Consider getting our latest analysis on DaFa Properties Group's financial position here. Dividend Volatility From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. This company has been paying a dividend for less than 2 years, which we think is too soon to consider it a reliable dividend stock. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 6.2% per year over this time. The dividend has been growing at a reasonable rate, which we like. We're conscious though that one of the best ways to detect a multi-decade consistent dividend-payer, is to watch a company pay dividends for 20 years - a distinction DaFa Properties Group has not achieved yet. Dividend Growth Potential The other half of the dividend investing equation is evaluating whether earnings per share (EPS) are growing. Growing EPS can help maintain or increase the purchasing power of the dividend over the long run. DaFa Properties Group has grown its EPS 115% over the past 12 months. It's good to see earnings per share rising, but one year is too short a period to get excited about. Were this trend to continue, we'd be interested. Earnings per share have grown rapidly, and the company is retaining a majority of its earnings. We think this is ideal from an investment perspective, if the company is able to reinvest these earnings effectively. Any one year of performance can be misleading for a variety of reasons, so we wouldn't like to form any strong conclusions based on these numbers alone. We'd also point out that DaFa Properties Group issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective. Conclusion To summarise, shareholders should always check that DaFa Properties Group's dividends are affordable, that its dividend payments are relatively stable, and that it has decent prospects for growing its earnings and dividend. We're glad to see DaFa Properties Group has a low payout ratio, as this suggests earnings are being reinvested in the business. Next, earnings growth has been good, but unfortunately the company has not been paying dividends as long as we'd like. Overall, we think there are a lot of positives to DaFa Properties Group from a dividend perspective. Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on DaFa Properties Group management tenure, salary, and performance. We have also put together a list of global stocks with a market capitalisation above $1bn and yielding more 3%. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Border wall is built in New Mexico. Photo: Jordyn Rozensky and Justin Hamel/The Washington Post via Getty Images The White House plans to take another $7.2 billion in Pentagon funding for President Trumps beloved border wall in 2020, the Washington Post reports. That will bring the total amount of government money used on the wall to $18.4 billion. And, it should be noted, the government that money came from is not Mexicos. As in years past, Trump will take money from two parts of the Pentagon budget. Just under half, or $3.5 billion, will be taken from programs meant to fight drug trafficking. Another $3.7 billion will come from a military construction budget. Last year, the White House took $3.6 billion in construction funds to work on the wall. That money would have otherwise gone to 127 projects in 23 states. Among the defunded projects were a new middle school on a base in Kentucky and repairs to a dangerous U.S. Navy maintenance building in Virginia. Its unclear if new projects will suffer from the 2020 reallocation or if the same ones from last year will continue to be delayed. The state of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border that Trump declared last February has made his pilfering of the Pentagon budget possible. And recent court rulings have emboldened him to continue down this path. Last July, the Supreme Court killed a lower-court injunction that put a stop to money transfers from the Pentagon to the border-wall project. However, the Courts ruling was more about the standing of those challenging the transfer than the merits of the case. Still, Trump celebrated it as a victory. And he did the same last week when an appeals court followed the Supreme Courts lead and killed another lower-court injunction halting the use of Pentagon money on the border wall. That ruling, too, was based more on standing than the merits. According to plans obtained by the Post, the White House says the latest chunk of money its taking from the Pentagon will be enough to build 885 miles of border wall by 2022. But the Trump administration has been remarkably bad at estimating how much border wall can be built. Just last week, after hitting the 100th mile of wall built during Trumps presidency, most of it replacing preexisting border barriers, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf insisted that 450 miles of wall will be built by the end of 2020. That would require building roughly a new mile of wall each day. Latest News CoreLogic data shows new listings on the rise in early 2022 First data of the year suggests supply is already entering back into the market, cooling hot property market Business NSW calls for support as pandemic bites Staff shortages and customer falls causing severe problems in recovery Before the holiday break, NextGen.Net hosted its annual cocktail party at the landmark Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks, Sydney. Attended by lenders, aggregator groups, brokers and other industry collaborators from across the country, the event was a thank you to customers and industry partners and a celebtration of a successful 2019. NextGen.Net CEO Adrian Macleod spoke of the companys achievements over the year and the software solutions they delivered to make lending easier, while Vince Sorrenti, one of Australias best stand-up comedians, entertained the crowd with his colourful insight into the current world leaders and recent events. The new year promises to be an interesting one in white-collar crime. Goldman Sachs is negotiating with the Justice Department to pay a penalty of about $2 billion for its role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, known as 1MDB. Accounting fraud became a particular focus of the Justice Department toward the end of 2019. In December, federal prosecutors indicted executives from Outcome Health and MiMed, and opened an investigation into whether BMW, the German automaker, manipulated its sales figures. Heres a look: 1MDB The Malaysian authorities have indicted 17 Goldman Sachs executives on allegations that they played roles in siphoning off about $2.7 billion of the $6.5 billion raised for the 1MDB fund. How that case will be resolved is an open question because the Malaysian authorities are looking to recoup all of the money raised on behalf of 1MDB. In the United States, federal prosecutors are looking at possible money-laundering and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations by Goldman. A settlement could include a guilty plea by its Asian subsidiary, which Goldman would then most likely put out of business. Any settlement Goldman reaches with the federal authorities is unlikely to hamstring the bank. The Securities and Exchange Commission has shown a willingness to waive its bad actor rules, which bar financial institutions from offering securities to the public. And the large fines and guilty pleas that Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS agreed to in 2015 for manipulating foreign currencies did not cripple those banks. Roughly a week after the biggest royal plot twist of the year and after tons of speculation from in and outside the Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II finally breaks her silence on the most controversial royal exit in history. In the official statement released on Monday, the 93-year-old Monarch confirmed that her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, have officially stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family. "Today, my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family," the Queen said. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family." The Queen admitted that although the royals preferred having the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a full-time member, they "respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part" of the family. Her Majesty also acknowledged Prince Harry and Meghan's wish to become financially independent as they lead a private life ahead of them. "It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK," the statement continued. In the end, Queen Elizabeth II described Meghan and Prince Harry's exit as a "complex matter" that requires more work for the family to resolve. Although the Queen did not address Meghan and Harry as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it is very clear that the Royal Family has officially set them free of their duties. Her Majesty's official statement came after she reportedly conducted a meeting with the entire royal household. The so-called "Sandringham Summit," which is said to have ended in two-and-a-half hours, aimed to figure out the family's next step and what is ahead of Prince Harry's future. Meghan reportedly joined the meeting over the phone as she recently returned to Canada, where she and Prince Harry spent their much-needed family break with their eight-month-old son, Archie. It was just five days ago when the 38-year-old former "Suits" actress and 35-year-old Prince Harry had taken everybody by surprise when they announced their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family. In the statement they released in Sussex's official Instagram account, they revealed their decision "to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution." Meghan and Harry said they have decided for their family to balance time between the United Kingdom and North America while they continue to support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William. The royal couple also revealed that one of their agendas upon exit is to launch their own charitable institution, which full details, among others, will be shared in the coming days. Although we would love to rejoice that Meghan and Harry are now officially out of the royal family, the transition concerning their title, security, funding and logistics is still set to be ironed out. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 14, 2020 Google has been working to bring real-time visibility of local retail merchandise into search results, and on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Irish tech firm Pointy for an undisclosed sum. Pointy gives small retailers the ability for consumers to search online and find their merchandise locally without having to invest in an expensive ecommerce system. Over the past several years weve developed a very close partnership with Google, wrote Pointy Founders Mark Cummins and Charles Bibby in a blog post on the companys website. It became clear that we shared the same vision of how technology can improve local retail businesses. So today is a natural next step in our journey. Retailers either connect the Pointy box to their barcode scanner or it can use with a point-of-sale system from several providers such as Lightspeed, Clover, Square, and Vend. The products appear online in Google search results and a Google feature called See Whats In Store. Store pages are optimized for search engines. advertisement advertisement The company also has something called Pointy ProductAds that automatically runs ads on Google for all available products. The company will continue to operate and develop products from its own Dublin offices. The two founders are very familiar with search engine technology. Cummins also cofounded visual search engine Plink, acquired by Google in 2010. Pointy has raised about $19.2 million from a variety of investors including Frontline Ventures, Polaris, LocalGlobe, and Google Maps cofounder Lars Rasmussen. At least three people were shot and two others stabbed in a violent weekend across Jersey City. A juvenile, whose age was not provided was shot Sunday night at 5:45 p.m. in the area of Stegman Street and Ocean Avenue, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. It was the third straight day with a shooting in Jersey City. The boy, who was uncooperative with police, was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Police responding to MLK Drive and Oak Ave. at 7:15 p.m. Friday on a report of gunfire located a man who had been shot, Wallace-Scalcione said. The man is in stable condition at a local hospital. The following night, a 28-year-old man was reported in critical condition after he was shot in the area of Crescent and Communipaw avenues at roughly 11:30 p.m. Three people were arrested in connection with the shooting. Earlier that night, at approximately 9:51 p.m., police responded to Cornelison Avenue and found a man with a potential injury, but because he was uncooperative with police the extent of his injuries could not be determined, Wallace-Scalcione said. Two people were stabbed over the weekend. Police responding to a home on Martin Luther King Drive Saturday night found a woman had been stabbed. The woman was uncooperative with police, but officers determined that she was stabbed after an argument with a man she knows. The man, identified as Nydasia E. Whitlock, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. On Sunday, a man was stabbed in the stomach on Johnston Avenue near the light rail station, a New Jersey Transit spokeswoman said. The victim was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center. Also on Sunday, a woman flagged down police officers on patrol in the area of Fulton Avenue and MLK Drive to report that she was robbed. The woman got into an argument with a man she knows and she was assaulted and robbed of her airpods. The Kerala Government has moved the Supreme Court seeking to declare the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act as unconstitutional. In the petition filed, the Kerala government argued that the CAA is in violation of Article 14, 21 and 25 of Constitution. Article 14 is about the right to equality, Article 21 says "no person will be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law". Under Article 25, "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience." Read More RBI Restricts Withdrawals From Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank The crisis that hit the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank Limited (PMC Bank) last year after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in September imposed restrictions on cash withdrawals following the revelation of an Rs. 6,500 crore loan scam was one of the worst episodes in the history of banking in India. Now, a similar episode is unraveling in Bengaluru after the RBI imposed severe curbs on cash withdrawals from the Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank in Bangalore. Read More Captain Tania Sher Gill To Be First Woman Army Officer To Lead Men In Army Day Parade Tania Sher Gill, a fourth-generation Army officer, will shatter a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman officer to lead an all-men contingent at the Army Parade to be held on January 15 in New Delhi. Captain Tania Sher Gill from the Corp of Signals will be the parade adjutant. Sher Gill has done her Bachelors of Technology in electronics and communications and was commissioned in March 2017 from Officers Training Academy Chennai. Read More Gujarat's Statue of Unity Has Just Made It To The '8 Wonders Of SCO' List The Sardar Vallabhai Patel statue in Gujarat also called the Statue of Unity has been included in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's '8 Wonders of SCO' list. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar who met Secretary general of SCO, Vladimir Norov to review the progress in co-operation between member states of SCO as India prepares to take up the responsibility of chairing the council of SCO heads of government made the announcement on Twitter. Read More Davinder Singh, Arrested With Two Terrorists, Was To Receive Rs 12 Lakh For The Job Kashmir Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh was arrested with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, after the Jammu and Kashmir Police intercepted an i-10 car in Kulgam area, where the cops had laid a nakka. In a prudently planned operation, the car was caught by DIG Atul Goel, an officer who spent years in National Investigation Agency (NIA), before returning to his JKP cadre. Decorated officer Davinder Singh was posted in the anti-hijacking unit of Srinagar airport before his arrest. Read More SC Dismisses Curative Pleas By Two Convicts In 2012 Nirbhaya Gangrape Case The 2012 Delhi gang-rape convicts have exhausted their last judicial option to escape the gallows after the Supreme Court dismissed two curative petitions seeking to reconsider the death sentence. On Tuesday the SC bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, R F Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan unanimously held that there was no merit to consider the curative petitions filed by Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh. Read More The Government has agreed a rescue deal with flybe's shareholders to keep the company operating, the Business Secretary has said. Andrea Leadsom said she was "delighted" with the agreement, which came after rescue talks over the weekend. It comes a day after union GMB warned up to 150 jobs could be lost in Northern Ireland if the airline failed to stave off collapse. Delighted that we have reached agreement with Flybes shareholders to keep the company operating, ensuring that U.K. regions remain connected. This will be welcome news for Flybes staff, customers and creditors and we will continue the hard work to ensure a sustainable future. Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) January 14, 2020 Flybe operates more UK domestic flights than any other airline and reportedly entered talks over potential emergency financing after suffering rising losses. It flies to 14 UK destinations from Belfast City, more than any other airline and makes up 90% of all flights from the airport. A spokesperson for the airline said they were delighted with the support from the Government. Mark Anderson, CEO of Flybe said: "Flybe is made up of an incredible team of people, serving millions of loyal customers who rely on the vital regional connectivity that we provide. "This is a positive outcome for the UK and will allow us to focus on delivering for our customers and planning for the future." Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also welcomed the agreement. He said: "Delighted we've been able to work closely with Flybe to ensure Europe's largest regional airline is able to continue connecting communities across Britain. @transportgovuk will undertake an urgent review into how we can level up the country by strengthening regional connectivity." Among the routes operated by Flybe from Belfast are London, Manchester and Glasgow. Chancellor Sajid Javid had held talks with the business and transport secretaries to discuss if the loss-making regional carrier can defer paying this year's estimated air passenger duty (APD) bill of 106 million for three years or whether the tax should be cut for all domestic flights, according to multiple reports. Airlines claim APD restricts connectivity and passenger growth. And campaigners in Northern Ireland have been calling for the tax to be abolished, after the Irish government did away with the levy. Jennifer McKeever, the chief executive of bus transport company Airporter, said it was time that the government acted to abolish APD in Northern Ireland. Connectivity for NI is absolutely crucial, whether its to encourage inward investment, to encourage indigenous business to expand and sell to other markets, or to encourage more visitors to the region, flights into and out of Northern Ireland are key to investment, business growth and tourism. East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson said APD was an unnecessary tax whicih was deeply damaging for outlying parts of the UK. If the Government really wants to spread economic growth, even in this digital age, connectivity is of critical importance. With much focus of investment on the South East, other regions need reliable and competitive links to London and the rest of the world. Also for a Government which emphasises its commitment to the union, it is time they recognised that APD places Northern Ireland airports at a disadvantage to their rivals in the Republic of Ireland. He said the difficulties which had faced Flybe were a reflection of the harm caused by APD. This tax is a punishment on outlying regions and an unfair tax on regular commuters, Mr Wilson said. Speaking on Tuesday, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said a renewned debate about scrapping APD was long overdue. "APD is an unnecessary tax which was introduced for all the wrong reasons and is deeply damaging to connectivity for geographically outlying parts of the United Kingdom. It is high time is was scrapped completely," he said. "With much focus of investment on the South East, other regions need reliable and competitive links to London and the rest of the world. "Also for a Government which emphasises its commitment to the Union, it is time they recognised that APD places Northern Ireland airports at a disadvantage to their rivals in the Republic of Ireland. "Once again with FlyBe we are seeing the impact of this inhibiting tax." Villagers who live in a copper mining area of northwestern Myanmars Sagaing region said Monday that previous recommendations by a parliamentary commission about a Chinese-backed mine project have yet to be implemented, and that the company running the operation has failed to pay them fair compensation for land they forfeited for the project. In a report issued in March 2013, a commission chaired by current Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi issued nearly 100 recommendations, among the most important of which were an acknowledgement that the Letpadaung mine in Salingyi township had affected the environment and that farmers had been forcibly evicted from their land to make way for the project. The body advised the Chinese company to compensate farmers, but concluded that it could continue its mining activities in Letpadaung. Farmers who had to give up land for the project have long complained and protested that the company and the regional government have failed to implement the commissions measures. We havent seen any implementation of the recommendations so far, said Ko Myo, an activist helping local farmers. The [company] has monthly meetings, but they never inform us about meeting discussions. When we ask them about it, they say they are working on it, he said. So far, there has been no progress and no transparency. The most recent agitation among villagers for fair compensation comes in the run-up to a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will be in Myanmar on Jan. 17-18 to push for a speedier build-out of Chinese development projects under his massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to analysts. Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining Ltd., a subsidiary of Chinas Wanbao Mining Ltd., operates the controversial Letpadaung copper mine and other mines in Sagaing region as joint ventures with the Myanmar military conglomerate Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL). Our lands have been confiscated since 2011, and they paid us compensation in 2013, said Yee Win of Sae Tel village, adding that residents received 1.8 million kyats (U.S. $1,208) per acre at the time. But we find that the company is now paying up to 20 million kyats [U.S. $13,425] per acre even for the vacant, infertile lands, she told RFAs Myanmar Service. The farmers got as much as 19 million kyats [U.S. $12,755] after paying middlemen. She added that the provisions of a law pertaining to land confiscations that took effect in 2012 should apply to the land that the villagers had to give up. We suggested that, and they gave us responses as if it was not relevant, Yee Win said. 'Unnecessary demands' Farmer San Nwe from Taw Kyaung village said Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining has not complied with relevant laws since it began the project, let alone any of the parliamentary commissions recommendations. It hasnt implemented any suggestions or recommendations from the commission, she told RFA. It needs to create 1,900 acres of land near the villages as a replacement for the confiscated land, she said. It is supposed to give up the extra land it has confiscated. It is supposed to create job opportunities for the locals. Now, there is nothing. The local villagers are having more problems than benefits. The parliamentary commission found that Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining confiscated more than 7,800 acres of land, which it said was more than enough for the mining project. It also suggested that farmers who gave up land should be compensated in part with 1,900 acres of vacant land from nearby villages. Some farmers in the Letpadaung area say they have not accepted compensation for their confiscated farmland, and they and many others have held protests over the years to try to get the company to give them the replacement land. The farmers said they are not satisfied with new plots of land given to them by the Sagaing regional government because they are infertile and are located far from their villages. They are making unnecessary demands, said Myint Kyi, Sagaings municipal affairs minister. For example, they want the 19,000 acres of replacement land to be near their villages, but this is only possible if there is vacant land near the villages. They dont like the replacement land we created for them. RFA could not reach Myint Kyi, who is in charge of the UMEHL but no relation to Sagaings municipal affairs minister, or Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining for comment. Reported by Zarni Htun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Farooq Khan on Tuesday described the arrested Jammu and Kashmir police DySP Davinder Singh as "black sheep" and lauded the police for nabbing him. "Every organisation has a black sheep and he (Davinder Singh) was a black sheep too. However, credit goes to Jammu and Kashmir police who identified him, caught him and exposed the conspiracies being hatched by him," Khan told reporters here. "It is unfortunate that political parties are doing politics on matters which are directly related to the security of India," he said. Jammu and Kashmir police intercepted a vehicle on Sunday and arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Davinder Singh along with two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists while they were travelling together. (ANI) Reuters Microsoft Corps India-born Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said he was saddened by a new citizenship law based on religion that was recently implemented in his home country, BuzzFeed News reported on Monday. "I think what is happening is sad, primarily as sort of someone who grew up there... I think it's just bad," Nadella told here BuzzFeed at a Microsoft event in Manhattan. Nadella grew up in Hyderabad, a technology hub in India that is home to the biggest Microsoft research and development center outside of the United States. Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which eases the path for non-Muslims in the neighboring Muslim-majority nations of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to gain citizenship, has triggered weeks of sometimes violent protests in the worlds second-most populous country. Asked Microsoft CEO @satyanadella about India's new Citizenship Act. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys" cc @PranavDixit Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 If combined with a proposed national register of citizens, critics of the CAA fear it will discriminate against Indias Muslim minority and chip away at its secular constitution. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The company's India Twitter handle here put out a statement quoting Nadella as saying he was shaped by "growing up in a multicultural India" and his "immigrant experience in the United States". Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefiting Indian society and the economy at large. Nadella and Microsoft were among the top trending topics on Twitter in India. TMC has lodged two police complaints against West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts for his comments that anti-CAA protesters 'were shot like dogs', police and TMC sources said on Tuesday. Kolkata: TMC has lodged two police complaints against West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts for his comments that anti-CAA protesters "were shot like dogs", police and TMC sources said on Tuesday. Senior TMC leader and state food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick said on Tuesday that party activists have lodged a police complaint against Ghosh for his controversial remark. "The common people are living in fear. Some are apprehending that Dilip Ghosh might kill them or shoot them. So a police complaint has been filed at Habra police station in North 24 Parganas, which is being treated as a FIR," Mullick said. The second police complaint has been filed by a TMC leader in Ranaghat area of Nadia district. "We have received the complaint. We are looking into it," Nadia district police said. Ghosh has kicked up a row with his remark at a public meeting in Nadia district on Sunday that "anti-CAA protesters were shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states", provoking criticism from political rivals as well as his own partymen. Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn says he has been approached by Hollywood to make a movie about his dramatic escape from Japan while hidden in a music case. Speaking in an interview, he suggested a film on his escape is in the works after rumours previously spread of him meeting with Birdman producer John Lesher and working with Netflix. Ghosn escaped house arrest in Tokyo in December and fled to Lebanon hidden in a music case with holes cut into the bottom to avoid trial on 65million corruption charges. He slipped out of his house in Tokyo, boarded a bullet train to Osaka and then a private jet to Istanbul, evading customs by hiding in the box, before reaching Beirut on December 30. Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn and his wife Carole Ghosn talk during an interview with in Beirut Businessman Ghosn - who escaped by hiding in these music cases - said he had no choice but to flee Japan because he claimed he had no chance of a fair trial It is unclear who helped him pull-off the sensational escape, though the team is believed to number at least 15 and include a former American Green Beret with costs running into the millions. In an interview with CBS News, Ghosn revealed how closely-guarded details of his escape were and said that he had planned the daring operation himself. He said: 'Oh, I knew that I was taking risk. I knew I had to work by myself only with people who are going to operate, you know?' He also refused to comment on the people who helped him escape, adding that he felt no guilt over dodging Japanese authorities. Ghosn added: "I wouldn't say I'm fugitive of justice; I'm fugitive of injustice. 'I don't feel bad about it, because the way I've been treated, and the way I was looking at the system, frankly, I don't feel any guilt." Ghosn claims he fled Japan to escape a 'brutal and ruthless' legal system where 99 per cent of cases end in conviction - claims that he repeated at a lengthy press conference last Wednesday. He has now claimed that Hollywood has approached him for a new movie about his daring escape He also refused to comment on the people who helped him escape, adding that he felt no guilt over dodging Japanese authorities and saying his wife had nothing to do with it Ghosn escaped house arrest in Tokyo in December and fled to Lebanon hidden in a music case with holes cut into the bottom to avoid trial on 65million corruption charges But he was slammed by the media, officials and even his protege who said that 'the real reason he ran away is because he was afraid of being found guilty.' Ex-Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, 66, dismissed his former boss's claims as Japan's justice minister said his allegations were 'baseless' and urged him to return and fight his case in court. Mr Saikawa, who rose through the ranks at Nissan under Ghosn's guidance, added: 'I feel like I have been betrayed again.' The country's media also rounded on him with one commentator saying he can't be trusted 'because he fled illegally abroad.' During an emotional two-hour press conference in Beirut last week, Ghosn claimed a fair trial was impossible under Japan's justice system and that he was interrogated for eight hours a day without a lawyer. He also claimed prosecutors threatened to go after his family if he didn't confess. Asked Thursday whether he intends to comply with requests to return to Japan, he called them 'ridiculous.' The Japanese 'judicial system is completely backwards,' Ghosn said in an interview with Lebanese LBCI television channel. 'I will fully cooperate with the Lebanese judiciary, and I'm much more comfortable with it than with the Japanese judiciary.' When giant white swirls of clouds cover the weather map with a winter storm warning, one question looms in the minds of people in its path: How much snow will it bring? With snow threatening access to roads, work, and school, snowfall is one of the most consequential winter weather phenomenon on the U.S. East Coast. It's also one of the most difficult to predict. This month NASA is sending a team of scientists, a host of ground instruments, and two research aircraft to study the inner workings of snowstorms. The Investigation of Microphysics Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms, or IMPACTS, has its first deployment in a multi-year field campaign from Jan. 17 through March 1. It will be the first comprehensive study of East Coast snowstorms in 30 years. "Some places having two feet of snow, and other nearby places having one inch - that's a big forecast problem. We're trying to figure out what happens and how to represent that better in our weather models," said atmospheric scientist and IMPACTS principal investigator Lynn McMurdie of the University of Washington in Seattle. Areas that get a lot of snow tend to be beneath narrow regions within the clouds called snow bands which produce intense snowfall. Other regions of clouds don't snow as hard. While researchers know these snow bands occur, they don't know why they form or the processes that govern how they evolve over the storm's lifetime, McMurdie said. To understand snow bands, the IMPACTS science team will fly through them in NASA's P-3 Orion research aircraft, based out of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The P-3 is outfitted with cloud probes fitted under the wings that will measure the sizes and shapes of snowflakes, as well as the temperature, water vapor, and other measures of the environment in which they form. These properties, collectively called microphysics, are what govern the small interactions of water droplets and ice crystals as they collide, melt or freeze, and eventually fall as rain or snow. In addition, the P-3 will drop sensors called dropsondes during flights over the ocean, which measure the temperature, humidity and wind speed in the atmosphere between the snow cloud and the water as they fall. Meanwhile on land, mobile crews will send up weather balloons to measure the same things from the ground up through the clouds. Ground instruments and radars based at Stony Brook University in New York and on a mobile units on Long Island will measure snowfall and its characteristics as it falls from the clouds, as well as measure how much accumulates. A second aircraft, NASA's ER-2, based out of Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, will fly at 65,000 feet to measure the snow clouds from above. "IMPACTS will fly six remote-sensing instruments on the ER-2, effectively making the aircraft a mini-satellite," said IMPACTS' deputy principal investigator Scott Braun at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Radars aboard the high-flying plane will measure the distribution of raindrops, snowflakes, and ice particles vertically in the cloud, as well as how they move. An instrument that detects the natural microwaves given off by liquid and ice particles will scan across the width of the cloud, providing a broader view of the snow storm. For thin clouds, a lidar instrument, which uses laser light to detect precipitation particles, will enable measurements of a wide variety of cloud types. "All this information is important and complementary," said IMPACTS' deputy principal investigator John Yorks of NASA Goddard. "The data collected directly in the cloud by the P-3 will inform how we interpret the remote sensing data from the ER-2 and help us understand the structure and evolution of the snow bands." "I hope to sample lots of storms," McMurdie said, adding that they want to capture a variety of snowstorms as well. "Sometimes these storms form but they might be slightly warm and might actually be raining at the surface, but the snow processes are happening above ground. We'll sample those too." The variety should give the research team different examples to use to puzzle together how snow gets distributed within storms and then eventually translate that new knowledge to computer models that simulate how they behave, with the goal of improving snow predictions in the future. ### The IMPACTS science team includes researchers from NASA, universities, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, including partners at the National Weather Service. The 2020 deployment is the first of three, with subsequent study periods in the winters of 2021 and 2022. The ER-2 is managed by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, and the P-3 is managed by NASA Wallops. To learn more about the mission, visit: https://espo.nasa.gov/impacts/content/IMPACTS IMPACTS is one of five NASA Earth Venture campaigns taking to the field in 2020. To learn more visit: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/nasa-embarks-on-us-cross-country-expeditions When Kenyas entire leadership converged at the Bomas of Kenya for the official launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report in November last year, there was unanimity that the country was ushering in a new dawn. The entire political class, religious leaders, professionals, the private sector and ordinary citizens publicly rallied behind the report, confident that it would unite Kenyans and address problems that have dogged the country independence. READ ALSO: Opinion: Let Tanga Tanga leaders take seats on Opposition benches if tired of being in government Deputy President William Ruto said there was no need to popularise the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report because all Kenyans had accepted it. Photo: William Ruto/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Uhuru appoints 14-member task force to spearhead implementation of BBI report But how unfortunate that Deputy President William Ruto has now publicly stated his intention to scuttle the initiative that is still in its infancy! Ruto has fought the BBI from the very onset, not because it is bad, but because of the deep hatred he harbours against ODM leader Raila Odinga, whose handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta birthed the process. While he has in past months mainly launched his attacks through his henchmen in Tanga Tanga, he has now decided to hide no more and is personally leading the onslaught. The most stinging of attacks came last weekend when he, in total disrespect for the President Kenyatta, described the BBI and the handshake as a unity/inclusivity presence and associated squander of public resources that he said must stop. Yes, you read it right! The man who has been hosting countless political delegations in Karen - a government property - and flying to countless destinations every week vote-hunting for 2022 using taxpayers money is now barefacedly lecturing Kenyans on how BBI is a waste of resources. The man whose camp has been opposing and politicizing the war against corruption - which has cost the country billions of shillings in recent years - has suddenly realized that the BBI is about to make the Government bankrupt. READ ALSO: Moses Kuria links arrest to his support of William Ruto For the past few years, Kenyatta has made fighting corruption a priority in his administration. But Ruto and his Tanga Tanga brigade have intensely politicised the drive, even inexplicably opposing a lifestyle audit announced by the President as a measure to curb the untamed looting of public resources in state offices. The DPs lieutenants like Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen have taken it upon themselves to even defend government officials accused of embezzling millions - if not billions - of shillings in public funds, among them former National Treasury CS Henry Rotich and Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. At a time when Kenyans have optimistically rallied fully behind DPP Noordin Haji and the DCI boss George Kinoti in their fierce campaign against corruption, Tanga Tanga politicians have instead decided to go after the duo. By insulting and demeaning them, Tanga Tanga targets to frustrate their efforts and slow down the campaign, thereby helping the thieves get away, an indication that some of them could actually be beneficiaries of the looting. And ever since Uhuru made the bold step of ending the decades-old rivalry with Odinga for the greater good of the country, Rutos camp has also relentlessly undermined the unity pact to ensure the country remains polarized. Murkomen openly tried in vain to soil the Bomas BBI event. His master and others are now against ordinary Kenyans improving the report by giving their direct input through public participation claiming that resources will be wasted. Through the endless politicking while zealously fighting these initiatives beneficial to Wanjiku, Tanga Tanga has also greatly disrupted service delivery to Kenyans, making it a lose-lose situation for ordinary citizens. Kenyans must remember that it is almost impossible to put a price on the benefits the BBI portends for this country. Once implemented, the document will reduce the ballooning public wage bill, tame corruption, lead to creation of an inclusive government, promote parliamentary accountability and unite Kenyans among other issues. To achieve this, the 2010 constitution provides that the people must always give their views on issues affecting them, such as those in the BBI. Otherwise, the outcome of such as a process would be declared unconstitutional. All these factors considered, it is pretty clear that Ruto and Tanga Tanga are opposing the BBI purely for selfish political gain. Kenyans must continue to be alert and see through the lies of such individuals who seem extremely afraid that they will no longer benefit from a divided country once the BBI objectives are officially realized. The writer Tom Juma , is a regular commentator on social, economic and political affairs. The views expressed in this opinion piece are his and do not necessarily represent the position of TUKO Media Ltd in any way. We welcome writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Blog network Send your opinion, story or both to news@tuko.co.ke. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Raila Odinga is behind Miguna miguna's problems - Moses Kuria | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The West Lafayette Community School Corporation has dropped its lawsuit against the state, but joined two Northern Indiana school corporations in their lawsuit. As previously reported, the school district is challenging a law requiring public school corporations to lease unused buildings to charter schools for one dollar. Last week, West Lafayette Community School Corporation withdrew its lawsuit against the state. "We moved to dismiss our lawsuit without prejudice. The court granted it and we filed a motion to intervene up in Lake County, said school district attorney Robert Reiling. According to Reiling, there were concerns about the case's "ripeness". "It's a procedural concept, and that is, "should you be in front of the court to hear this matter? said Reiling. West Lafayette now joins Lake Ridge School Corporation and the School City of Hammond. Both filed similar lawsuits against the state in Lake County. Superintendent Rocky Killion believes the district's taxpayer petition will help in the new case. "Adding that to two school districts that have empty buildings just makes this case more capable of being heard, said Killion. While there have been talks of an early childhood center at Happy Hollow, Killion said they cannot fully plan for the future of the building. "We cannot invest time and resources in determining the future of Happy Hollow until we determine the legalities of this law, said Killion. The three school corporations must wait to see if their case will be heard, but Killion believes this is the right direction for the lawsuit. "I think the only way to get these things challenged right now is through these types of processes, said Killion. Killion said a hearing for the new case has not been scheduled. Photo: Michel Curi/Flickr Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Jacksonville. Foreigner to bring 2020 'Juke Box Heroes' tour to Jacksonville Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. Read the full story on FIRST COAST NEWS. West Jacksonville neighborhoods asking city to minimize potential flooding from Wills Branch Creek During Hurricane Irma, the water from Wills Branch Creek swept into a home, causing significant damage. Residents are worried it could happen again. Read the full story on FIRST COAST NEWS. Downtown Jacksonville 'eyesore' Berkman Plaza II condemned, set for demolition After nearly 13 years sitting vacant, ugly and with no future in sight, an orange sign says the Berkman Plaza II is subject to demolition. Read the full story on FIRST COAST NEWS. Again, 2 prominent Jacksonville breakfasts will simultaneously honor Martin Luther King, Jr. The city and civil rights groups missions are different and often conflicting, said City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson. Read the full story on FIRST COAST NEWS. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) President Rodrigo Duterte, in a joking manner, suggested to go a "primitive" route to avoid another eruption of the Taal volcano. The President met with members of his Cabinet on Tuesday in the province to discuss the situation in Taal after its eruption over the weekend. In the middle of their report, Duterte mused that the volcano erupted after more than 40 years of silence because people were not giving any "offerings." "Maybe you have failed to make some offerings there. You should go there and say a little prayer and offer something. Let's go by the primitive way of doing things like what our forefathers were doing," he told officials. The Cabinet members laughed in response. Duterte said despite the Philippines being a Christian country, it may have other beings guarding volcanoes like the Mount Makiling, which sits on the border of Laguna and Batangas. "It was true then, it might be true now. We are a Christian country, we believe in no other power than God but you know, alongside with God, my mga ari ng bulkan [there are beings in volcanoes], the Mount Makiling," he said. Taal volcano on Sunday started belching ash in a stream-driven eruption, prompting thousands of residents to flee their homes to escape the ashfall. The ashfall reached as far north as Quezon City. The volcano has since spewed less ash, but state volcanologists are not discounting the possibility of a full blown eruption, keeping the warning at Alert Level 4. Level 4 means a "hazardous eruption" may occur within days or hours. Going back to the meeting, the President also tasked some heads of agencies to look into specific concerns. He told Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to remove the ash residue in the areas. He instructed Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario to build houses, which the President said can be done "in a matter of months" as well as new evacuation centers. Duterte also told Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to help since he is an "expert in crisis." Duterte afterwards visited one of the evacuation centers in Batangas City and assured the evacuees of government assistance. He said he has allotted 130 million worth of aid to the affected residents. Taal's eruption has resulted in more than half a billion pesos of damage to crop and livestock, in just two days after the event. More than 30,000 residents remain in evacuation centers and government agencies, officials, schools and private groups are calling for donations and volunteers to help attend to the victims' needs. No casualties have been recorded so far. A new dispute between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders marks a significant turning point in a US Democratic primary campaign that has generally been characterised by genial differences over policy. On Monday, Ms Warren said Mr Sanders told her during a private meeting two years ago that he did not think a woman could win the White House. We all do better when everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of life. Together, we must fight to build a truly inclusive world. https://t.co/VSchjmg1Et pic.twitter.com/1vW8iiriVJ Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 13, 2020 Mr Sanders has denied telling Ms Warren that, and a senior Sanders adviser says that those conversations can sometimes get misconstrued. The feud brewing between Ms Warren and Mr Sanders will likely change the tone of the campaign going into Tuesdays debate. This is not just a campaign. This is a political movement. Real change never takes place from the top on down. Change takes place from the bottom on up. Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 13, 2020 The Democratic primaries will determine the nominee who will challenge President Donald Trump for the keys to the White House in Novembers election. Voting begins in the Democratic Party contest next month. On Monday Cory Booker became the latest Democratic party hopeful to withdraw from the race. Mr Trump could not resist a dig at the Democrats, tweeting: Bernie Sanders volunteers are trashing Elizabeth Pocahontas Warren. Everybody knows her campaign is dead and want her potential voters. Mini Mike B is also trying, but getting tiny crowds which are all leaving fast. Elizabeth is very angry at Bernie. Do I see a feud brewing? DES Bishop will be honoring his mother at the University Concert Hall in March, as he performs material from his tour - Mia Mamma. Speaking about his tour, which will stop in Limerick on March 14, Des said: I am often asked where do you get your material from? The truth is really that I try to see the funny in everything. My mother died in March 2019 and of course, it was sad and grief can be tough sometimes but I saw a lot of funny in that too. Since death comes to us all and grief is something most of us will experience I thought there must be plenty of people who would like that funny to be shared. Also, I did a show about my Dad being sick back in 2010 and I couldnt face my mother in the afterlife because I know her first question would be your Father got a show, how come I didnt get one? I think its tougher to lose your mum. My Dad was the best supporting actor. My mother was the actress in a leading role. You are never ready when the star of the show dies. So this is a show about my mother. Its a show about motherhood and sacrifice, anxiety and grief, the mistakes you make as a mother and a son and the hard road to forgiveness and finally its about loss, grief and the chaos that surrounds it. .@Desbishop is back with his brand new Irish Tour "MIA MAMMA" for 2020, tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster and local venues, check out https://t.co/WZzm0FsrY8 for all dates and details. pic.twitter.com/fHTjVnF1HS Sorcha OFlanagan (@SorchaPR) January 6, 2020 See www.uch.ie Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur on Tuesday met a delegation of business leaders from Australia and invited them to invest in a host of sectors, including tourism and infrastructure. The delegation of CEOs welcomed the recent economic measures and reforms taken by the government and expressed their interest to further invest in India, the Finance Ministry said in a series of tweets. "@ianuragthakur had discussions in areas of sectors such as Tourism, Sports, Energy and Infrastructure, etc," he ministry said in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reuters The Indian government ordered an investigation of Amazon.com Inc and Walmarts Flipkart on Monday over alleged violations of competition law in the latest setback for US e-commerce giants operating in the country. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it was ordering a wider probe following a review of allegations that Amazon and Flipkart were promoting some preferred sellers and in turn hurting business for other, smaller sellers. Flipkart is fully compliant with all laws and is currently reviewing the CCI order, Senior Vice President Rajneesh Kumar said. (Also read: US Congress demands Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Google to submit internal emails) Amazon said: We welcome the opportunity to address allegations made about Amazon; we are confident in our compliance, and will cooperate fully with the CCI. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is expected to visit India for potential meetings with government officials this week. The complaint against the two companies was filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, a group representing small- and medium-sized businesses. They alleged that several of Amazon and Flipkarts preferred sellers were affiliated with, or controlled by, the companies themselves, either directly or indirectly. In its 11-page order, the CCI noted four alleged anti-competitive practices: exclusive launch of mobile phones by the e-commerce firms, promoting preferred sellers on their websites, deep discounting practices and prioritising some seller listings over others. Exclusive launch (of mobile phones) coupled with preferential treatment to a few sellers and the discounting practices create an ecosystem that may lead to an appreciable adverse effect on competition, the order said. (Also read: Competition Commission of India questions Amazon's bid to buy stake in future retail) The CCI said its investigation unit should complete the probe within 60 days, but typically such cases have taken far longer. Walmart in 2018 invested $16 billion to buy a majority stake in Indias Flipkart, its biggest-ever deal. The CCI probe will be the latest setback for the US companies that were last year hit with more stringent foreign investment rules. Some of the allegations reviewed by the CCI have been long levelled against both companies. Indian brick-and-mortar traders allege Amazon and Flipkart violate the countrys foreign investment rules and burn billions of dollars to offer steep discounts that hurt smaller traders. The two companies say they are in compliance with all rules. In a recent study, the CCI said Indias was the fastest growing e-commerce market with revenue this year expected to reach $120 billion, triple its size in 2017. The e-commerce sector is plagued with several issues, any adverse action by the CCI could scuttle the growth of the sector, said Ram Kumar Poornachandran, competition law lead at law firm TT&A. Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese government on Tuesday said a limited insurgency for which the former security chief was accused, has been cornered but stopped short of saying it was totally contained At age 85, Grant Pope of New Milford vividly remembers the morning in mid-winter of 1945 when he crawled out of a foxhole on the French-German border moments before an enemy plane landed right where he'd been. The World War II infantryman recalls his helmet was blown off his head, but he escaped. During his six-month assignment to Europe in the war's waning months, just after the D-Day invasion, Pope was involved in three campaigns -- Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe -- and he survived them all with just a shrapnel wound to the knee. "It was not my time,'' said the South Main Street resident, a retired auto repair shop owner. That WWII wound earned him a two-month hospital stay and the prestigious Purple Heart. His actions as a private first class and then as a sergeant ultimately rewarded him with numerous military honors, including the prestigious Bronze Star. After the war, Mr. Pope married Sadie, now his wife of 65 years. Together they raised two children, Doreen Dupill of New Milford and Grant, who died in 1971. He has one grandson, Grant, now an Air Force sergeant serving as a medic in Afghanistan. On Jan. 13, Mr. Pope reflected on his wartime service as he was visited by U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a visit prompted by his family's efforts to get replacements for war medals that had been lost. To his surprise, Pope discovered that, beyond the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, he was eligible for some other combat honors. All told, Congressman Murphy presented him with eight medals, including a combat infantry badge, a sharpshooter rifle bar badge, and even a good conduct medal. "I got that? Somebody goofed,'' joked Mr. Pope, who enlisted in Camden, N.J., on July 26, 1944 and was honorably discharged at Fort Dix, N.J., on June 30, 1946. His European deployment extended from Jan. 3, 1945 to July 11, 1945. Mr. Pope's daughter, a Brookfield kindergarten teacher, was touched by Congressman Murphy's willingness to arrange for her father to receive medals that speak to his sacrifices on behalf of his country, a humble heroism that his grandson suggests in a recent letter inspires him each and every day. "It's so heartwarming,'' Ms. Dupill said. She said her father's medals quest was encouraged by fellow veterans he had met in September through the AmericanWarrior organization's annual Day of Honor ceremony at the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. After what proved to be an awe-inspiring journey for her father, Ms. Dupill said he was more eager to obtain the keepsake medals the family intends to frame as a lasting legacy to his patriotism. For Mr. Pope, who enlisted in the Army when he was just a teenager, after working on farms in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and in New Milford, World War II was a noble effort and serving his country was a privilege. He is quick to say he feels quite differently about today's war in the Middle East. "I don't feel good about the war we are fighting now. At least, when that war (World War II) was over, it was over,'' he remarked. Then Mr. Pope's voice broke. He fears his grandson has pledged his loyalty to a "war that is never going to be over." In his recent letter, Mr. Pope's grandson wrote, after witnessing the despair and wounds of war, he would like to hear about his grandfather's war experiences. His own experiences have given him a new respect for his "Papa"... "the man who can fix or build anything, the one with more love and patience than anyone I have ever met, the one I hope to one day be as good as. "Thank you so much for everything you and your fellow soldiers did," Mr. Pope's grandson wrote, "not only for America but for the oppressed.'' After Congressman Murphy presented the medals, he noted Mr. Pope's family knows the meaning of service. The congressman said he is honored to play a small role in honoring that contribution. "This is the most wonderful part of my job," the congressman said. "Guys like Grant didn't do this for the medals, but it's nice to give them their overdue honors." Judge Stephen Eyre QC (pictured) stopped John Chadfield putting a line on his wife's tombstone because it was not religious The Church of England has ruled a classic verse written by the poet Lord Byron is not fit for gravestones. Judge Stephen Eyre QC, Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield, stopped a grieving husband from putting a line on his wife's tombstone because it was not religious enough. He also banned John Michael Chadfield from using the terms 'my much loved wife' and 'our two boys'. He said he considered use of the words 'my' and 'our' would render the gravestone 'overly personal' and the word 'sons' should be used rather than 'boys'. The ruling comes in the wake of another recent Consistory Court decision in which Ruth Arlow, Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, overruled a vicar's objections to use of the words 'Dad' and 'Granddad' on a gravestone but said she would draw the line at use of pet names such as 'Popsicle'. Mr Chadfield went to the Consistory Court seeking consent for a wedge shaped rough stone memorial with his proposed inscription on a bronze plaque for his wife Elaine Margaret Chadfield, who died aged 71 in October 2017. The Diocesan Advisory Committee had objected to both the nature of the gravestone planned for the Alton with Bradley le Moors churchyard of St Leonard's, near Stoke-on-Trent, and the wording. The Diocesan Advisory Committee had objected to both the nature of the gravestone planned for the Alton with Bradley le Moors churchyard of St Leonard's, near Stoke-on-Trent (pictured), and the wording While the judge over-rode their objections to the nature of the gravestone, which they had claimed did not fit in with the churchyard setting, he sided with them on the wording. Mr Chadfield wanted written: 'Elaine Margaret Chadfield, her address, 4 August 1946 - 11 October 2017. My much loved wife of fifty years and mother of our two boys, died at home aged seventy-one. 'She met her death with courage and is now at peace. So we'll go no more a'roving. For the sword outwears its sheath. And the soul wears out the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe. And love itself have rest. RIP.' Judge Eyre said of the verse: 'The passage from Byron is part of a secular poem which conveys no suggestion of Christian resurrection hope.' Pictured: Byron Judge Eyre said of the verse: 'The passage from Byron is part of a secular poem which conveys no suggestion of Christian resurrection hope. 'Indeed, Mr Chadfield says that it is avowedly an expression of loss. I have no doubt that Mr Chadfield's loss is intense and the language proposed is beautiful. 'Nonetheless, it is language which is not appropriate on a memorial in churchyard and cannot be permitted. 'That is because of the message which it conveys or rather because of its failure to convey a message consistent with the purpose of the churchyard.' He added: 'Particular care is needed in the wording of inscriptions. It is important to bear in mind that the inscriptions will be read not just by those who knew the departed loved one but also by those who did not. 'The message sent to the latter is in some respects as important as that sent to the former. In those circumstances the message conveyed by an inscription must be consistent with Christian belief and must be something more than an expression of loss no matter how deeply felt.' And as far as the passage 'my much loved wife of fifty years and mother of our two boys, died at home aged seventy-one. She met her death with courage and is now at peace' was concerned, he said it should be changed to 'much loved wife of fifty years and mother of two sons. She died at home aged seventy-one meeting her death with courage and is now at peace'. [January 14, 2020] The Aliera Companies Launches New Corporate Website Featuring Message from Distinguished Board of Directors The Aliera Companies, a holding and management company that provides compliance, accounting, human resources, and training services for its wholly-owned subsidiaries, today announced the launch of its new website - alieracompanies.com. The company's subsidiaries include Tactic Edge Solutions, a Software-as-a-Service technology platform provider, USA Benefits and Administrators, a third-party administrator, Advevo, a full-service marketing agency, and Ensurian, an insurance agency. The Aliera Companies' flexible structure and experienced management team affords each subsidiary the opportunity to scale quickly and diversify to meet clients' complex demands. The company's compassionate and hardworking employees provide expert knowledge, resources and partnerships to benefit a wide range of clients. As such, The Aliera Companies offers a full spectrumof quality solutions to fit every need and budget and aims to give greater control over decisions that matter most. "Aliera's success is built on deep industry relationships, years of healthcare system expertise, and an unwavering commitment to business innovation," said Shelley Steele, CEO of The Aliera Companies. "The launch of our new site - featuring our wholly-owned subsidiaries and messages from some of our esteemed board members - demonstrates our company's continued growth and focus on meeting clients' needs." The Aliera Companies' confidence is defined by the many accomplishments and longstanding integrity of its distinguished board of directors, as demonstrated in the introduction video on the company website. About The Aliera Companies Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., The Aliera Companies supports multiple wholly-owned subsidiaries with a combination of services dedicated to providing innovative solutions that simplify and redefine the health care experience. The flexible structure and highly experienced management team afford each subsidiary the opportunity to scale quickly, diversify and grow. The company employs more than 300, with operations in Atlanta and Dallas. For more information, visit alieracompanies.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005645/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Schools and businesses shut across the Philippine capital yesterday as a volcano belched clouds of ash across the city and seismologists warned an eruption could happen at any time, potentially triggering a tsunami. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes around Taal, one of the world's smallest active volcanoes, which spewed ash for a second day from its crater in the middle of a lake about 70km south of central Manila. "The speed of escalation of Taal's volcanic activity caught us by surprise," Maria Antonia Bornas, chief science research specialist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, told reporters. "We have detected magma. It's still deep, it hasn't reached the surface. We still can expect a hazardous eruption any time." Authorities warned that an eruption could send a tsunami surging across the lake. More than 24,000 people have been evacuated from the volcanic island and the area immediately around it - normally a popular tourist spot. "We got scared of what could happen to us, we thought the volcano was going to erupt already," said Marilou Baldonado (53), who left the town of Laurel with only two sets of clothes after she saw the huge ash cloud build. Some tourists ignored the dangers and travelled to towns close to the volcano to get a better look. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A man looks at the errupting Taal Volcano from a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A logo of a McDonald's store is splattered with mud from volcanic ash in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez Horses rented out for tourists are left in a park filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A ferris wheel is covered with volcanic ash in a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A ferris wheel is covered with volcanic ash in a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A swimming pool is filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in a closed park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez The errupting Taal Volcano is seen at sunrise in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A horse rented out for tourists is left in a park filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A swimming pool is filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in a closed park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez People look from Tagaytay, Cavite province, south of Manila, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash as experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate more.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Picnic tables are covered with volcanic ash in a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A boat goes near fish pens at the lake of Taal Volcano as it continues to spew ash as seen from Tagaytay, Cavite province, south of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash as experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate more.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Urinals are filled with volcanic ash in a closed park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A swimming pool is filled with volcanic ash in a closed park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez Workers clean mud from volcanic ash in a McDonald's branch in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez Men watch from Tagaytay, Cavite province, south of Manila, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash as experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate more.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) People watch from Tagaytay, Cavite province, south of Manila, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash as experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate more.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) A swimming pool is filled with volcanic ash and fallen branches in a closed park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A drone is released from Tagaytay, Cavite province, south of Manila, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash as experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate more.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) A couple attends their wedding ceremony as Taal Volcano sends out a column of ash in the background in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines, January 12, 2020, in this image obtained from social media. Courtesy of Randolf Evan Photography/Social Media via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT CREDIT RANDOLF EVAN PHOTOGRAPHY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man looks at the errupting Taal Volcano from a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez "It's a once in a lifetime experience for us," Israeli tourist Benny Borenstein told Reuters as he snapped photos of Taal from a vantage point in Tagaytay City, about 32km away. To the south-west of the volcano, the towns of Agoncillo and Lemery were coated by a thick layer of ash, making roads impassable. Agoncillo's mayor, Daniel Reyes, told DZMM radio some homes and part of a building had collapsed under the weight of the fallen ash. In nearby Talisay Batangas, vice-governor Mark Leviste said rain had turned ash to mud and trucks were needed to evacuate more people from remote communities. "There is no power. Even water was cut, so we are in need of potable water," he said. "We are in need of face masks." In Manila, masks sold out quickly after residents were advised to wear them if they had to go out. Some wore handkerchiefs across their faces as they breathed air tainted by the smell of sulphur. Streets that would normally be snarled with some of the world's worst traffic were largely empty in the city of 13 million people. Schools and government offices were closed on official orders. The stock exchange suspended trading and many private businesses shut for the day too. Classes in some cities in the capital will remain suspended today, officials said. Mohammad Abrar, a 26-year-old daily wage labourer, had received bullet injuries to the spine during anti-CAA protests on 20 December Firozabad: A 26 year-old man who suffered gunshot injures during the anti-CAA protests on 20 December has died, taking the toll of those killed in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district to seven. The daily-wage worker, Mohammad Abrar, was discharged from a Delhi hospital on 10 January where he was undergoing treatment. He died on Sunday, SP City Prabal Pratap Singh said. Abrar was a resident of Masrurganj locality under Rasoolpur Police Station area, the SP said, adding that the cause of death will be known after the postmortem examination report. Violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act had started from the Dakshin police station area in Firozabad after Friday prayers. During the protest at Naini crossing under Rasoolpur police station area, Abrar had suffered bullet injuries. His family said Abrar was returning after work as a daily wager when he was shot. The Donald Trump administration is doubling down on its Iraq pressure campaign, threatening to impose devastating sanctions on the fragile country should Baghdad move forward with its threats to expel US forces. And the policy has buy-in from key Republican lawmakers, who are in no hurry to push back against the presidents sanctions threats. After the Iraqi parliament approved a nonbinding resolution Jan. 5 that called on all foreign forces to leave the country in the wake of the Jan. 3 assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Trump threatened to charge them sanctions like theyve never seen before. Trump threatened not to withdraw US forces regardless of Baghdads wishes until Iraq pays the United States for an extraordinarily expensive air base thats there. Shortly after the presidents initial threat, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., a key Trump ally, told Al-Monitor that he would defer to his [Trump's] judgment. We know what we want Iraq to do, and that might be a worthwhile step, said Inhofe. AFP reported Sunday that Trump administration officials have threatened to cut Iraq off from a $35 billion US-based account that holds Baghdads oil revenue, accounting for some 90% of the state budget. The United States has also repeatedly granted Iraq a sanctions waiver to import natural gas from Iran that supports its electric grid. That waiver expires next month. Additionally, Baghdad has resumed negotiations with Moscow to purchase a missile defense system a sale that would incur legally mandated US penalties on Iraq per a 2017 Russia sanctions bill. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, another Trump ally, initially declined to provide an opinion on the presidents sanctions threats. However, he told Al-Monitor, Were certainly not going to continue to provide assets to Iraq if they want our troops gone. Its that simple, and thats all Ive got to say. Neither the White House nor the Iraqi Embassy would comment, but the State Department reaffirmed today that the Trump administration is still serious about the sanctions. We will consider sanctions, if we deem them necessary, a State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor, accusing the Iraqi parliaments vote of putting the campaign against the Islamic State at risk. The spokesperson noted that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made it clear that there does need to be a conversation between the United States and Iraq not just regarding security, but also our financial, economic and diplomatic partnership. Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has requested that Washington dispatch a delegation to discuss a US troop withdrawal a request that the State Department rebuffed. But multiple sources familiar with Abdul Mahdis thinking have told Al-Monitor that he would actually prefer the United States to stay despite his public support for parliaments resolution calling for US troops' expulsion. The fact that we would be punishing Iraq and jeopardizing our ability to affect future counter-[Islamic State] missions there is just so deeply irresponsible, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Senates Middle East panel, told Al-Monitor. We knew that taking out Soleimani while he was there under Iraqi government protection would come with consequences. And youve got to accept the consequences of your actions, and this administration doesnt seem to want to do that. The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein under President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama withdrew all US troops from the country in 2011 after failing to reach an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Obama reintroduced US troops into Iraq in 2014 to fight the Islamic State, which had taken over Mosul and other parts of the country. Iraqi bases hosting US forces have become the focal point for attacks from Iran-backed Shiite militias in recent years, culminating in Iranian missile attacks on the bases last week in response to Trumps Soleimani strike. We have handed Iran a sort of backdoor victory here, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., who opposes sanctioning Iraq, told CNN last week. Iran wants us out of Iraq. This makes us getting out of Iraq much more likely. This is a victory for Iran, and I think a policy mistake for those reasons. JOS, Nigeria, January 13, 2020 (Morning Star News) Suspected Boko Haram terrorists killed a woman and her bridal party in northeast Nigeria five days before her planned New Years Eve wedding, and eight other Christians were killed in separate attacks, sources said. Martha Bulus and her two bridesmaids were stopped on Dec. 26 as they made their way from Gwoza, Borno state to Martha Bulus hometown in Adamawa state for her wedding, were ordered from their vehicle, identified as Christians and then beheaded, church leaders said. Eight other Christians were killed in the same area on the same day, one church leader said. Bulus and her two Christian friends were traveling on the Maiduguri-Yola highway when they were stopped near Gwoza and killed. Bulus was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Maiduguri, according to the Rev. Francis Arinse, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.Maiduguri. They were beheaded by Boko Haram insurgents at Gwoza on their way to her hometown, Arinse told Morning Star News in a text message. The Rev. Naga Williams Mohammed, chairman of the Borno State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the killings in a text message to Morning Star News, adding that assailants also killed eight other Christians and kidnapped two Christian women at the same spot on the same day, but at different times. Martha and her two friends were indeed killed by Boko Haram at Gwoza as they were traveling back to her hometown, but they were not the only Christian victims that were killed on that day along the Maiduguri-Yola Highway, Mohammed said. Eight other Christians were also killed on that spot at Gwoza, while two other Christian sisters were kidnapped and taken away by the Boko Haram group. Originating in Maiduguri, Boko Haram has sought to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria. The group aligned with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 2015 and reportedly controlled 20,000 square miles in Borno state. It renamed itself the Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP), but a group of that name broke off from Boko Haram in 2016. The Nigerian military declared in September 2015 that it had destroyed all Boko Haram camps, but attacks have continued. Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria have been a hotbed for Boko Haram terrorists. Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors 2019 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Kylie Ellway By Online Desk Amid the ongoing nationwide protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government moved the Supreme Court against the amended act on Tuesday morning. The government said the CAA is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India and is against the basic principle of secularism. The plaint by the Kerala government states, The religious classification brought forth violates the twin test of classification under Article 14, the protection of which is not limited or restricted to Citizens alone and extends to all persons. There is no rationale in not extending the rights conferred to a class of minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to religious minorities belonging to the said countries of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, the plaint reads. Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a rally on January 13 said that 'the state government will not allow CAA to be implemented in Kerala.' According to Live Law, the Kerala government has filed the suit under Article 131 of the Indian Constitution. This is the first time a state has approached the apex court against the CAA. In what is being seen as a fight between the Left government and the Centre, CM Vijayan has been vocal about the 'unconstitutional' Citizenship Act and has been insistent that 'the need of the hour is a united fight' against the CAA. ALSO READ: 20 Opposition parties meet amid anti-CAA protest, lend support to agitating students Kerala Law Minister AK Balan said, "The state government filed a suit in the apex court against the Citizenship Amendment Act going by public conscience and urged the Congress-ruled states to do the same." On January 3, Vijayan reached out to chief ministers in 11 states ruled by parties other than the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and asked them to take measures against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Industries Minister EP Jayarajan said, "The act is meant to take the country to fascism. By implementing it the government is trying to implement the agenda of RSS. It will be strongly opposed by those who believe in democracy." He wrote a letter that the need of the hour was unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism. The move comes a day after a meeting of opposition parties was convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Kerala Legislature had also passed a resolution requesting the Central Government to repeal the Citizenship Act on December 31 2019. The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to 'persecuted minorities' from Buddhist, Hindu, Sikhs, Jain, Parsi and Christian faiths, who have come to India from the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, on or before December 31, 2014. Over 60 writ petitions have been filed in Supreme Court so far against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Various political parties, NGOs and MPs have challenged the law. The Supreme Court will hear the petitions on January 22. (Inputs from ENS, ANI) Europe accuses Iran of 'violent action', urges return to obligations Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 10:57 AM The leaders of Britain, France and Germany have called in a joint statement on Iran to return to full compliance with their 2015 nuclear deal and reverse its countermeasures against the West's failures vis-a-vis Tehran. "It is essential that Iran return to full compliance with its commitments under the agreement," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday. The Europeans' call on Iran to fully comply with the nuclear deal stands in contrast to their failure to protect the Islamic Republic from unilateral US sanctions on Tehran after Washington abandoned the accord. Tehran has particularly been disappointed with the European trio's failure to protect its business interests under the deal after the United States' withdrawal. After patiently watching for more than a year and seeing no clear action from the other signatories of the nuclear deal, Iran invoked Articles 26 and 36 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to let go of some of the limitations put on its nuclear work. In their statement Sunday, the European leaders said the Iranian countermeasures "must be reversed". "We have made clear our regret and concern at the decision by the United States to withdraw from the JCPOA and to re-impose sanctions on Iran," they said, repeating their much-heard refrain in the standoff. "We remain committed to the JCPOA and to preserving it; we urge Iran to reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement and return to full compliance," they added. So far, Tehran has broken free of some limitations of the accord in five stages, the last of which came on January 5. The country has made it clear that it will reverse its measures as soon as Europe finds practical ways to shield mutual trade from the US sanctions. While Europe appears reluctant to rock the boat in its relations with Iran, it has dangled the threat of triggering a mechanism that could result in UN sanctions being reimposed on Tehran. European diplomats have been cited as saying that unless Iran passes a certain threshold, the bloc will not push toward sanctions, but it is unclear what the Europeans' breaking point would be. In their Sunday statement, they called on Iran "to refrain from further violent action or proliferation", saying they "remain ready to engage with Iran on this agenda in order to preserve the stability of the region". Such rhetoric is likely to further irritate Iran which is already aggrieved by the Europeans' failure to condemn US assassination of a top Iranian military commander and even enunciation of support for the dangerous move by some of them. The assassination of General Qassem Soleimani opened a new chapter in Iran's tense relationship with Western countries, pushing the nuclear accord closer to collapse. Earlier this month as millions gathered across the country to mourn the charismatic commander, Iran said it no longer will comply with limits on uranium enrichment under the nuclear pact, in a move which just stopped short of an abrogation of the accord. Iran responded to the assassination by pounding two US military bases in Iraq with a volley of precision-guided missiles, which rattled many of its adversaries long bent on putting the country in a chokehold. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lucknow For effective implementation of police commissioner system, UP director general of police (DGP) OP Singh on Tuesday held a brainstorming meeting along with Lucknow commissioner of police-designate Sujeet Pandey over the functioning of police officials. A senior police official said a capsule course for police officials was likely to be rolled out to explain their functioning in the system with new powers of executive magistrates under different sections of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) as well as other acts. Under Section 4 of the Indian Police Act, 1861, police officials will exercise powers of executive magistrates. Additionally, Section 20 and 21 of the CrPC gives some powers to police officials to regulate law and order, he said. He added that police commissioners would also have the powers of executive magistrate for Goonda Act, Poisons Act, Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act, The Police (Incitement and Disaffection) Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Explosives Act, Prisons Act, Official Secrets Act, Foreigners Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Police Act, UP Fire Services Act, UP Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, UP Gangster and Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act. CITY DIVIDED INTO 5 ZONES The commissioner of police (CP) will be the head of criminal administration system and will be assisted by two joint CPs for law, order and crime. The joint CP (crime) will be supervising the basic policing related to crime control in 40 police stations of the city that is divided into five zones. The five zones are east, west, north, central and trans-Gomti and each zone will be headed by one deputy CP (DCP). They will be assisted by one additional DCP. Every zone will be divided into two or three circles that will be headed by assistant CPs. As many as 14 police circles, including 12 circles with three police stations each and two circles with two police stations each, will be restructured soon. Similarly, the joint CP (law and order) will be responsible for law and order issue. He said the joint CP (law and order) will also be supervising five other wings of police including crime branch, womens security and safety, traffic, intelligence, security and work related to the CP headquarters. He said one DCP each will be made to look after each of the wings and they will be further assisted by additional DCPs and assistant CPs. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at a junior doctor of a government hospital on January 13 for interrupting him. A video of the SP leader slamming the doctor of a government hospital in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh is being circulated widely. In the video, Akhilesh can be heard asking the doctor to leave the scene because he might be a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its fringe group the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). #WATCH Former CM Akhilesh Yadav who went to meet injured of Kannauj accident, at a hospital in Chhibramau asks Emergency Medical Officer to leave the room as he speaks about compensation amount been given to the injured,says, "Tum sarkar ka paksh nahi le sakte...bahar bhaag jao". pic.twitter.com/U3DrdHI1se ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2020 He says in the video clip: You are a very junior officer... a very small worker. You could be from the RSS... you could be from the BJP. You can't tell me what they are saying... you don't have to speak on behalf of the government. Step back... step further back. Go away from here. The confrontation took place when the former UP chief minister was at the hospital to interact with the victims of a recent bus accident. More than 20 persons died in the road accident last week. He was interacting with the kin of the victims when they begun raising questions about the compensation of Rs 20 lakh. At that moment, Emergency Medical Officer DS Mishra had stepped in to give a clarification, which ticked off the Samajwadi Party leader. Speaking to the media, the junior doctor explained: I was standing there because I am their attending officer. When the patients family members claimed that they did not receive their compensation, I tried to clarify that they have received the cheque. The doctor informed that Akhilesh had asked him to leave the room despite knowing that he was on emergency duty. KAMPALA Following the arrest of his client Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine by state security forces while at a voter consultation meeting last week, international lawyer Robert Amsterdam of Amsterdam & Partners LLP condemned what he saw as yet another sign of President Musevenis increasingly unapologetic authoritarianism. Mr. Amsterdam has represented Mr. Kyagulanyi since August 2018 after his client was arrested on what he called trumped up, yet-to-be-proven charges ranging from obstructing the presidents motorcade to illegal possession of a firearm. Mr. Amsterdam is a staunch supporter of the People Power political movement embodied by his client and friend Bobi Wine, and has dedicated himself to protecting Mr. Bobi Wines rights and wellbeing. Writing in The Guardian 2018, Mr. Amsterdam admits that Bobi Wine is in many ways an unlikely figure to become a symbol of opposition. He is new to politics, only winning his seat as an independent last year [2017], and is not tied to one of the major opposition parties. And while that may still be the case, Bobi Wine has quickly become one of the most recognizable figures in Ugandan and African politics. Naturally, Yoweri Museveni, whos been President of Uganda since 1986, has identified the self-described ghetto president and his People Power movement as a threat, making additional attacks on political liberties and violations of human rights in Uganda all the more likely as the 2021 general election approaches. To be sure, Amsterdam maintains the same opinion he published shortly after hearing Bobi Wines story for the first time, that It is the responsibility of the international community to take action to halt the human rights abuses in Uganda. He said Uganda is in clear violation of the international covenant on civil and political rights, the UN convention against torture, the African Charter of Human Rights of the African Union, and a number of other international treaties. It is the responsibility of the international community to take action to halt the human rights abuses in Uganda. Bobi Wine is a powerful voice for change in Uganda and other nations bearing the burden of despotism, and that makes him a target. Global defenders of democracy ought to keep their eyes turned towards Uganda, otherwise the regime of President Yoweri Museveni will employ the same violently repressive tactics it has for years. Related A 27-year-old man was killed when a speeding truck hit his motorcycle in east Delhi's Patparganj area, police said on Tuesday. The accident took place on Monday night and the victim has been identified as Manish, a resident of Old Anarkali area near Jagatpuri, they said. Manish was riding his bike when he was hit by a truck being driven rashly and negligently, a senior police officer said. The victim was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police said. Based on the statement of a witness, Subhash Chandra, a case under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Patparganj Industrial Area police station and the accused driver, identified as Veer Pal (27), a resident of Etah district in UP, arrested, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sen. Cory Booker Wont Endorse Anyone, Open to Vice President Nomination A day after he suspended his presidential campaign, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said he is open taking a spot on the 2020 Democratic ticket as vice president but he demurred on endorsing anyone. While speaking to CBS Newss This Morning, Booker said that while he is focused on New Jersey, his state, he is not taking anything off the table in regards to a possible vice presidential bid. However, Booker said hes had no conversations about it so far. I definitely will consider it, 100 percent. Right now, I am going to take a breather, Booker said of a potential endorsement. Im going to focus on the impeachment trials. And I have a reelection campaign. I have had no conversations. I was so pleased that I got to go through the experience and be vetted as one of Hillary Clintons final choices, he said. My focus is really on Jersey, and my state and being with my senior senator, Bob Menendez [D-N.J.] the best dynamic duo in the Senate, Booker said. The junior senator from New Jersey also called on the Democrats still in the race to keep it to the issues following a report from CNN that claimed 2020 hopefuls Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had a disagreement, where Sanders disagreed with the idea that Americans are ready for a female president. From Joe Biden all the way to Amy Klobuchar, these are really good human beings. You cant put ourselves in a position where when we eventually have one nominee, people feel some kind of way that they dont want to support that nominee, Booker told CBS News in the same interview. On Monday, Booker, who was also the former mayor of Newark, ended his campaign and noted he no longer has enough resources to keep going. It was a difficult decision to make, but I got in this race to win, and Ive always said I wouldnt continue if there was no longer a path to victory, Booker said in a press release, adding that he was always willing to end his campaign if there was no path forward to obtaining the Democratic nomination. Its with a full heart that I share this newsIve made the decision to suspend my campaign for president, he added in the press release. Our campaign has reached the point where we need more money to scale up and continue building a campaign that can winmoney we dont have, and money that is harder to raise because I wont be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington. In recent months and weeks, Booker said his campaign had struggled with soliciting donations. Without a fundraising surge to close out this quarter, we do not see a legitimate long-term path forward, campaign manager Addisu Demissie said in September. According to RealClearPolitics aggregates of polls, his national average polling numbers have remained at around 2 percent. Booker also didnt qualify for the December or January debates. Alarmed California Highway Patrol officers stopped a car on State Route 99 in Sacramento over the weekend after a child held up a sign from the back seat pleading for help. Authorities received a call shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday after passing motorists saw a girl holding a piece of notebook paper that read: Help me, shes not my mom! Help! With the help of a K-9 unit, two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers spotted the vehicle in Stockton, where they conducted a high-risk enforcement stop. After speaking with the driver, the officers determined that the juvenile had made it all up as a fun thing to do, according to highway patrol officials. The childs mother was unaware of what her daughter was doing, authorities said. Both were subsequently allowed to leave the scene. On Facebook, authorities reminded parents to be attuned to what their children are doing. Six CHP units were assigned to the call instead of responding to legitimate calls or patrolling their beats because of this hoax, law enforcement officials said. More than 2,000 people responded to the Facebook post, which the agency marked with hashtags including #notfunny and #beawareofyourkids. Most suggested the child to be required to perform community service as a consequence. One commenter noted that the incident was akin to a British commercial, in which a young girl slyly tells a police officer the woman he has just stopped is not her mother after he asks, Mommy in a bit of a hurry, was she? The video, which ends with the line Born to create drama, has been seen more than 600,000 times. -- The LA Times via Tribune News Service Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories [January 14, 2020] Five New Towns Named Finalists for Chance at $500,000 Makeover from Deluxe on Small Business Revolution Season 5 The chance to win a $500,000 makeover for its small business is alive and well for five small towns today after Deluxe announced the communities in the running to win Season 5 of the Small Business Revolution (News - Alert). Beginning today, the public will have one week to vote for their favorite town to be featured on the reality show, streaming on www.smallbusinessrevolution.org, Hulu (News - Alert) and Prime Video. Since the show debuted in 2016, Deluxe, a Trusted Business Technology company, has received more than 36,000 nominations from small towns across the country. In November 2019, the company announced 10 finalist communities vying for the chance to win this year's contest. After visiting each of the towns, Deluxe narrowed the list to five communities that range from New York to Oregon. Small business owners in the winning town will receive marketing support and business advice from a team of Deluxe small-business marketing professionals, including Chief Brand & Content Officer and co-host of the show, Amanda Brinkman. Joining Brinkman as co-host for the third year is television personality and renovation icon Ty Pennington, who brings his infectious personality and eye for aesthetic changes to the show. "As we enter our fifth season, it's remarkable that we are still receiving such amazing, compelling nominations," Brinkman said. "Deluxe takes so much pride in being able to help the businesses in these small towns and showcase the true grit and determination it takes to be an entrepreneur. Any one of the top 10 towns could have made it to our final five this year, but, unfortunately, we had to make some difficult decisions. We are thrilled with this list and can't wait to find out where the public is sending us this year!" The finalists for Season 5 are: Fredonia, NY Spearfish, SD /li> Livingston, MT Benicia, CA (News - Alert) The Dalles, OR SmallBusinessRevolution.org to learn about each town and vote for their favorite community. Once the winner is chosen, Brinkman, Pennington and the Deluxe Small Business Marketing Team will head to the winning town to provide marketing counsel and other assistance to selected business owners. The town's story will be told in Season 5 of Small Business Revolution, which will air in the fall 2020. "I've worked on a lot of makeover projects in my career, but few have the breadth and scope of what Deluxe is doing with these businesses. We are really helping revitalize an entire community and that is a powerful thing to be part of. I can't wait to get back to work in a new town," Pennington said. "At Deluxe, we champion businesses so communities can thrive. The Small Business Revolution really emphasizes that focus and how our products and services help businesses, both big and small, grow and operate more efficiently," explained Deluxe President and CEO Barry McCarthy. To date, Small Business Revolution has helped revitalize four communities: Wabash, Indiana; Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania; Alton, Illinois; and Searcy, Arkansas. The first four seasons of the show can be seen at SmallBusinessRevolution.org. About Deluxe Corporation Deluxe is a Trusted Business Technology company for enterprises, small businesses and financial institutions offering a range of solutions to help customers manage and grow their businesses. Approximately 4.8 million small business customers access a wide range of products and services from Deluxe, including incorporation services, logo design, website development and hosting, email marketing, social media, search engine optimization and payroll services, along with customized checks and forms. For our approximately 4,600 financial institution customers, Deluxe offers industry-leading programs in data analytics, customer acquisition and treasury management solutions, fraud prevention and profitability solutions, as well as checks. Deluxe is also a leading provider of checks and accessories sold directly to consumers. For more information, visit us at www.deluxe.com, www.facebook.com/deluxecorp or www.twitter.com/deluxecorp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005120/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Popular Prophet, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere alias Odumeje has thrown a resurrection challenge to native doctors, saying there is only one power. In a video the prophet used to challenge native doctors all over Nigeria, he called them criminals, saying there is only one power, and that power belongs to Jesus. He then said, any native doctor willing to challenge him should meet him at the stadium, where two corpses will be brought forward while people would watch which one would resurrect. The one given to him or the one given to the native doctor. Watch the video below Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 05:31:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 14 pro-Turkey Syrian rebels were killed during the fighting in Libya, a war monitor reported on Tuesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the bodies of 14 slain Syrian militants arrived in Syria on Tuesday, it said. These fighters were sent there to join the forces led by the UN-backed government to fight against the eastern-based army led by Khalifa Haftar. The Britain-based watchdog said 1,600 Turkey-backed Syrian rebels have so far been sent from Syria through Turkey to Libya. The Turkey-backed rebels opened four centers in the northern Syrian city of Afrin to recruit fighters to be sent to Libya, it said. CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Curcio Law Offices pledges to make a monthly donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository throughout the year 2020. Curcio Law Offices, which focuses on personal injury law, has also vowed to organize a volunteer day where its staff will help out at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the city of Chicago's food bank. The Greater Chicago Food Depository strives to end hunger in the Chicagoland area. "Having personally supported the Greater Chicago Food Depository on my own for many years, we felt this was a great opportunity for our firm to partner with a local charity to help so many in need. We are planning for our entire office to volunteer on site one day in the coming weeks," said Tracy Robb, managing partner of Curcio Law Offices. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, a member of Feeding America, provides food where it's needed most throughout Chicago and Cook County every day. The organization acts as a hub for a network of more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs and also addresses the root causes of hunger. To donate directly to or volunteer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, please visit https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/. Volunteers are vital to its success, and donations are put to use immediately to provide food for hungry people in the community. Personal injury attorney Tracy Robb is a dedicated professional with more than 25 years of legal experience. Tracy is renowned in the legal community for her outstanding analytical skills and articulate writing style, establishing herself as a strategist for brainstorming with attorneys on many cases at the firm. Founded by Joseph R. Curcio in 1957, Curcio Law Offices has been representing the injured for over 60 years. To this day, Curcio Law Offices has established a reputation among Chicago's leading personal injury law firms through outstanding legal representation and commitment to clients. About Curcio Law Offices Curcio Law Offices exclusively focuses on personal injury, auto accident injuries and wrongful death representation. Its attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients and their families who are dealing with serious and catastrophic personal injuries and death. For more information, please call 312-321-1111, or visit https://www.curcio-law.com/. The law office is located at 161 North Clark Street, Suite 2240, Chicago, IL 60601. For media inquiries, please call THE NALA at 805.650.6121, ext. 361. SOURCE: Curcio Law Offices View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572901/Curcio-Law-Offices-Partners-With-Greater-Chicago-Food-Depository-to-Take-Hunger-off-the-Table Marine Sgt. Lawrence D. Peters actions on Sept. 4, 1967, were nothing short of superhuman and resulted in a Medal of Honor. His company was under attack in the Que Son Valley in northern South Vietnam when Peters was wounded in the leg while leading a squad in an attempt to take an enemy-infested knoll. Rallying his men after the squad was pinned down, he was hit in the face and neck but continued his assault and stood up fully exposed to return fire, forcing the camouflaged enemy troops to reveal their positions. Peters fell gravely wounded. An American officer ignored the rain of bullets and mortar fire and ran to him. Shrapnel from a mortar round ripped into the officers shoulder, rendering his right arm useless, but he struggled on to reach the dying sergeant. As Peters breathed his last, the officer lay next to him, still under fire, uttering prayers and giving comfort, then finally administering last rites with his left hand. When Peters was dead, the man the Marines called The Grunt Padre went back into the field of fire on his way to other wounded and dying Marines. The Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, at age 38, was a father figure as well as a priest to young Marines during two tours in Vietnam. Capodanno, born in New York City, was ordained a Catholic priest in the Maryknoll foreign missionary society in June 1958. He ministered in Taiwan and Hong Kong before transferring to the Navy as a chaplain. Capodanno received his commission in December 1965 and volunteered for duty in Vietnam. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, he arrived in South Vietnam in April 1966. For eight months Capodanno went with Marines on combat missions. In November he received a Bronze Star with a V device for valor after rescuing wounded men under fire near Chu Lai. In December Capodanno was transferred to the 1st Medical Battalion at Da Nang but caught rides on supply helicopters to be with Marines in the field. He requested a six-month extension of his tour and, after a 30-day leave to visit his family, went to the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. In the pre-dawn darkness of Sept. 4, 1967, Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, was hit hard by the North Vietnamese Army near Dong Son village. Company B was deployed to secure the east side of Dong Son, and soon eight Marines were killed. K and M companies, from the regiments 3rd Battalion, were marshaled to relieve the beleaguered forces in a battle that would kill 55 men in the 5th Marines during a single day. Company M, including Capodanno, landed 4 miles from the entrenched enemy and ran directly into NVA positions. Peters squad in Company Ms lead platoon angled off to flank the enemy when it came under heavy fire. From the company command post at the rear, Capodanno could hear the cries of the wounded and left his relatively safe position to enter the fray. Despite the intense fire he moved among the wounded, rendering first aid when he could, giving comfort and last rites to those he could not save. When a radioman fell, Capodanno raced through enemy fire and dragged him to safety. After leaving the body of Peters, the chaplain heard a Marine shout that his weapon was jammed. He went back to get Peters rifle for the still-fighting Marine. Nearby, Navy corpsman Armando Leal braved enemy fire to treat the wounded until he was mortally wounded. As the corpsman, who would be awarded the Navy Cross, lay exposed to machine gun fire only 15 yards away, Capodanno rushed toward him. But just moments later, the priest fell with bullet wounds in his back. Capodanno was one of 16 chaplains killed in Vietnam and one of three awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his family by Navy Secretary Paul R. Ignatius on Jan. 7, 1969. Doug Sterner, an Army veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, is curator of the Military Times Hall of Valor, the largest database of U.S. military valor awards. This article appeared in Vietnam magazines April 2020 issue. Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days. BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars: GoDaddy Namesilo Uniregistry NameCheap Google Domains Network Solutions Name.com Dynadot Amazon Route 53 123 Reg Gandi 2. We request the name from the seller. Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process. 3. Transfer the name into your account As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process. 4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. Chinas Coast Guard chief, Maj. Gen. Wang Zhongcai, reviews an honor guard during his arrival at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila, Jan. 14, 2020. Chinas coast guard chief has arrived in Manila to lead a delegation for tabletop exercises and bilateral talks with their Philippine counterparts aimed at coordinating each others operations in the disputed South China Sea, officials said Tuesday. A marching band greeted Maj. Gen. Wang Zhongcai as he disembarked from the Chinese Coast Guard ship with pennant number 5204, which anchored at the Port of Manila on Monday, in what local authorities had described as an unprecedented visit. The Philippine Coast Guard later posted Wangs pictures on Twitter showing him walking on red carpet as he reviewed ceremonial honor guards accompanied by Adm. Joel Garcia, his Filipino counterpart. It doesnt mean that we have to close our doors to China just because weve had a rift or resentment in the previous years or months, Garcia told reporters, referring to recent reports that Filipino fishermen had been harassed by the Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea claimed by Manila. Wangs visit, which would last until Friday this week, occurred amid Beijings diplomatic tensions with Indonesia over maritime rights during the past three weeks. We will push for mechanisms that will ensure the safety of our fishermen, Garcia said. Its not right that they are being harassed by the China Coast Guard or other coast guards using the South China Sea. Wang did not issue any statement during his arrival, but the Chinese embassy in Manila said his visit will be a very good opportunity for both sides to demonstrate goodwill, deepen mutual understanding and trust as well as enhance friendship and cooperation. In June last year, Manila filed a diplomatic protest after a Chinese trawler rammed into a Filipino fishing boat near Recto Bank in the disputed sea region, leaving 22 fishermen adrift in the open sea for hours before they were rescued by a Vietnamese ship. Garcia told reporters that Wangs visit marked the first time where Chinese and Philippine coast guard officials would formally sit down and talk to enhance their relationship and establish a smooth coordination at sea. This is the right forum to set the mechanisms for the safety of those using the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, he said. Chinas Coast Guard ship 5204 prepares to anchor at Manila port, Jan. 14, 2020. [AFP] Duterte critic warns of Beijings new diplomatic approach Meanwhile, Sen. Leila De Lima slammed the Chinese coast guard chiefs visit, saying Philippine officials should be wary of Beijings sudden change in its diplomatic approach. Imagine our Coast Guard discussing protocols at sea with the very people who regularly intimidate our own fishermen, in our own territory, De Lima said in a statement issued from Camp Crame, where she has been detained during the past two years over what she said were false drug charges. [President Rodrigo] Duterte gives the best seat at the banquet table to China, while we wait for whatever crumbs they might throw around, she said. De Lima has been Dutertes top critic, and has often questioned the perceived preference the Philippine leader gives to China. Beijing claims most of the mineral-rich South China Sea, including areas that reach the shores of its smaller neighbors. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims to the maritime region. Since becoming president three years ago, Duterte has gravitated the Philippines foreign policy toward China and Russia, shifting away from its traditional rival the United States, which has been Manilas military ally during the past seven decades. Duterte has been less aggressive against Chinese encroachment in the sea, despite a 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that ruled in favor of Manila in a case against China. Last week, the Philippine military chief said he would not expect a shooting war with China over the sea dispute, saying it could be resolved diplomatically. While the political circus drags on inside the Beltway, Congress is sitting on critical legislation needed to deal with the deadliest opioid fueling the nations drug overdose crisis. During the last few years of the Obama administration, drug overdose deaths began skyrocketing and have climbed steeply to more than 70,000 a year more Americans than were killed during the entire Vietnam War. The surge is now being driven by an especially deadly synthetic opioid called fentanyl. As much as 80 times more powerful than heroin, only a few grains of this chemical compound are enough to cause a fatal overdose. Unfortunately, the legal prohibitions on the various forms of fentanyl expire next month unless Congress reauthorizes them. If Congress fails to act, illegal labs in Mexico and China stand ready to flood the United States with what would be a legalized poison. There is broad bipartisan support for reauthorizing the fentanyl ban, but House leadership, despite the looming deadline, is blocking the measure. A Washington Post editorial on Monday, urging Congress to act, suggested that the delay may be because of congressional consternation over related sentencing guidelines. That may be true, but the House has yet to make public any rationale for the delay. The agreement will provide access to transportation for rural communities and economic livelihood programming for families, the US Embassy said The Egyptian government approved on Tuesday an amendment to a bilateral assistance agreement signed through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) worth $6 million to increase educational opportunities and strengthen the livelihoods of the people of North Sinai. "The amendment to the North Sinai bilateral assistance agreement supports the Egyptian governments efforts to spur inclusive economic development in the governorate. Through this agreement, USAID will build on previous investments in North Sinai on the provision of potable water to 300,000 residents and wastewater services to 100,000 residents. New activities under this amendment will provide access to transportation for rural communities and economic livelihood programming for families," the US Embassy in Cairo said in a statement upon the signing of the agreement last December. According to US Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, the agreement reflects the US strong and enduring partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation and the US governments commitment to the people of Egypt, especially for critical economic development efforts in Sinai. "This latest support for Egypts priorities in North Sinai is part of the four decades of partnership between the American and Egyptian people, to bolster self-reliance, foster stability, promote economic growth, and reduce poverty," the embassy said. The USAID programme in Egypt, totaling over $30 billion since 1978, promotes a healthy, educated, and employed population. Search Keywords: Short link: MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Nalini Rajamannan a specialist for patients with valvular heart disease in Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology, Sheboygan, WI confirms FDA statements to Senator Amy Klobuchar Minneapolis Senate Office on January 13, 2020. Senator Klobuchar has followed the investigation since 2014, during the Senate Judiciary Committee Investigation led by Senator Charles Grassley (IA). Dr. Rajamannan met with Program Division Director for Bioresearch Monitoring West, at the FDA Branch in Minneapolis MN to review medical outcomes of the use of the non-exempt heart device, (Please See Linked Affidavit signed by the FDA, the Doctor and patients.) The surgical protocol for these devices began in 2006, as reported by the Project on Government Oversight. In 2007, the device manufacturer confirmed the "exempt status" in a two-line email to the hospital. The saga related to the heart device is outlined by Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal's new book "An American Sickness" highlights the issues related to exempt medical devices in the chapter, "How to get into a Patient's Heart? Follow the Money." The chapter outlines the events summarized by eye-witness Dr. Nalini M. Rajamannan in the series "The Myxo Files a XXIV: A Tale of Three Rings" as published by Kindle Publishing on Amazon.com. FDA Branch office Minneapolis MN Dr. Rajamannan received and submitted to Senator Klobuchar the FDA Congressional to the Senate Finance Committee's Chairman Grassley(IA) after several years of investigations, classifying the device as not exempt from reporting the device to the FDA, and that the device manufacturer needs to submit a new approval application. (See Linked PDF of the FDA Congressional Letter.) The Chicago FDA office released an FDA Freedom of Information in anticipation of the meeting in Minneapolis, MN. The Inspection report confirms the University decision to stop the study after three months. The information will help the 667+ patients to finally may get answers about whether medical devices placed in their bodies are tested and safe, as the Food and Drug Administration begins to allow access to volumes of previously shielded data from consumers as written to then-Senator Richard Lugar (IN). and Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI). The Senate Finance committee is involved in these investigations on behalf of Medicare and Medicaid because government dollars fund the use of medical devices in patients' health. More importantly, the new changes to the FDA reporting laws as outlined by Kaiser Health News will help patients know more about medical devices implanted into their bodies. Dr. Nalini Rajamannan is a heart valve expert in the field of cardiovascular medicine. She earned her undergraduate science pre-professional degree from the University of Notre Dame, her Medical Doctorate from Mayo Medical School and her post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic and Research Fellowship on the NIH training Grant. She also worked at the Mayo Clinic as a staff consultant in Internal Medicine and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University and the Lakeside and Westside VA. Currently, she practices consultative valvular medicine and Osteocardiology at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute, WI. Press Contact Oscar Delgado Press Officer for Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute Former NBC Bureau Chief Latin America 773-573-6890 [email protected] Related Files FDAAffidavit_ Investigation and Testimony from the Victims_12-19-2018+JMJ.pdf Related Images senator-klobuchar-and-dr.jpg Senator Klobuchar and Dr. Rajamannan Coffee Meeting in Hart Building FDA Branch office Minneapolis MN Related Links Project on Government Oversight The Daily Northwestern SOURCE Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute "We are grateful to be a part of the rich history of the wood industry serving our customers, producers, and industry partners continuously for 125 years" - John Smith, President of PLM. Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM), the largest mutual insurer dedicated to wood-related businesses, is celebrating its 125th year in business in 2020. Established in Philadelphia, the birthplace of insurance, the company is commemorating this historic anniversary with a year of giving, featuring several campaigns and events designed to support the Greater Philadelphia community and beyond. To mark this special milestone, PLM is also introducing a new streamlined website (still available at http://www.plmins.com) with a focus on its rich history and unique culture. The revamped website will offer convenient access to the resources policyholders and producers need to succeed, including a dedicated loss control center providing support and safety information for wood-related businesses. Further, insureds, producers and partners of PLM can visit the websites anniversary page to learn more and get involved in the anniversary celebrations and upcoming charitable events. Today, PLM will be kicking off its year of giving by providing employees with $125 each to donate to the charity of their choosing. More details on this and other charitable initiatives will be made available throughout the year. We are grateful to be a part of the rich history of the wood industry serving our customers, producers, and industry partners continuously for 125 years, said PLM President John Smith. As a mutual insurance company, we wake up every day with only one objective, and that is to serve our policyholders. On behalf of those who came before us, our employees, and myself, we thank our customers and producers for placing their trust in us. This year, we are marking this special anniversary with a year of service and volunteering and we encourage our fellow industry members to celebrate with us. Learn more about the companys history in this video: https://youtu.be/DD4SNtOvC38. For more information regarding PLMs 125th anniversary, including a schedule of events, please visit https://www.plmins.com/125. Sean Rayford/Getty Images 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is calling on financial regulatory agencies to investigate whether associates and attendees at President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago illegally traded in defense company stocks or commodities after he gave them a heads up that he was planning something big in response to Irans killing of an American contractor in Iraq. The Daily Beast previously reported that Trump told allies at his Palm Beach club that he had something big in the works to address Irans aggressive behavior in the region and that they would read about it soon. The president specifically mentioned to some of his associates at Mar-a-Lago that hed been in contact with his senior national security and military advisors on possible plans to hit back, two sources told The Daily Beast. He did not mention specific plans of attack or human targets for a military response, the sources noted. He kept saying, Youll see, one of these club-goers said, describing a conversation with the president that occurred just days before the U.S. attack. Just days later the U.S. launched a mission to assassinate Irans top military leader General Qassem Soleimani while driving near the Baghdad airport. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration decided to strike the Iranian general because he was planning imminent attacks against American interests. Those claims have since fallen apart, with the president himself tweeting that it doesn't really matter whether the threat was imminent or not. Trump Told Mar-a-Lago Pals to Expect Big Iran Action Soon Now, Senator Warren (D-MA) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) are calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to determine whether there may have been any illegal trading in defense company stocks or commodities related to individuals advance knowledge, according to the letter Warren sent to the agencies, which cites The Daily Beasts reporting. Warren also asks the agencies for a briefing on the matter no later than Feb. 13. Story continues Individuals who were guests at President Trumps resort may have obtained confidential market-moving information, the letter says. These private individuals ... would have had the opportunity to obtain significant profits simply by being guests or members at President Trumps private resort. Warrens letter notes that several contractors stock prices jumped following the assassination of Soleimani. Northrop Grumman stock prices increased by over 5 percent and Lockheed Martins stock prices increased by 3.6 percent, according to the letter. Warren said The Daily Beasts reporting about Trumps conversations at Mar-a-Lago went beyond what U.S. officials said publicly prior to the strike, including threats against Tehran on Twitter. And while Warren said her team has no way of knowing which individuals received information from President Trump in advance of the attack, if individuals had made securities or commodities trades based on that information, they could have violated the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984. That law bars individuals from purchasing or selling a security while in possession of material, nonpublic information. The civil penalties are three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided, according to the letter and criminal penalties can add up to $5 million or 20 years imprisonment, or both. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. An exit sign for Fort Lee, N.J., is viewed as cars travel across the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey in Fort Lee, N.J., on Sept. 7, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Supreme Court Justices Skeptical of Prosecution in NJ Bridgegate Case WASHINGTONThe Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to uphold the convictions of the two former New Jersey political operatives who orchestrated the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandalthe Bridgegate traffic-congestion scandal of 2013but the justices didnt seem to have been moved. Justices wondered why the prosecution had been brought, in what they indicated was a confusing case in which no money or property was traded for political favors. Like several of the justices, Justice Stephen Breyer expressed confusion about the governments theory of the public corruption case during oral arguments on Jan. 14. I dont see how this case works, Breyer told Deputy Solicitor General Eric J. Feigin. The two individuals are Bridget Kelly, former deputy chief of staff to then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and William Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Prosecutors say the plan was devised by David Wildstein, a Port Authority political appointee and Baronis de facto chief of staff. Wildstein became a witness for the prosecution. Christie, a high-profile ally of candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 election, attended the oral arguments in person at the Supreme Court. He was never charged in connection with Bridgegate, and denied knowing about the plan. The government contends that Kelly and Baroni committed fraud as they conspired to close two of three local access lanes leading to the toll plaza of the frequently congested George Washington Bridge in a political payback scheme. The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River that connects Fort Lee, New Jersey, and New York City. Run by the Port Authority, its said to be the busiest motor vehicle bridge in the world. The plan is said to have unfolded over four days in September 2013 and was designed to inundate Fort Lee with traffic after its Democratic mayor, Mark Sokolich, chose not to endorse Christies reelection effort. Kelly and Baroni allegedly plotted to gridlock Fort Lee as political payback for Sokolich. Kelly and Baroni lied about a traffic study in order to hijack Port Authority resources to gridlock a town, cause maximal harm to its residents, and endanger public safety, according to the governments brief. That was both outside their authority and repugnant to the goals of safe and efficient transportation. Attorneys for the two claim they were engaged in routine bare-knuckle political behavior, not criminal activity. The alleged conduct here was petty, insensitive, and ill-advised. But in our system, political abuses of power are addressed politically, they wrote in a brief. If the convictions are upheld, I think the chilling effect on honest public servants is going to be severe, Kellys attorney, Jacob M. Roth, told the Supreme Court during the hearing. The justices questioned whether what Kelly and Baroni did was actually a crime and seemed skeptical of the governments argument that it had been defrauded of its property when the two local access lanes to the bridge were closed. Chief Justice John Roberts said to Feigin, Your theory is that by the actions in this case, they have commandeered the lanes on the expressway? Yes they commandeered the lanes and the resources necessary to reallocate, Feigin said. Roberts replied, Theyre still being used for public purposes. Because if other people want to use the highway to get to Fort Lee, they can. They have nothing to do with the scheme at all. Justice Elena Kagan also pushed back. Its not appropriating the George Washington Bridge, its reallocating lanes on the George Washington Bridge. Justice Samuel Alito suggested even if the accused persons employed deceit, that didnt mean they were acting outside their authority. Isnt it often the case that somebody who has the authority to do something may lie about why the person is doing the thing because, if the real reason was exposed, it would cause a furor, people would be angry? He added, But that doesnt show the person doesnt have the authority to do it. The case is cited as Kelly v. U.S. Its unclear when the Supreme Court will hand down its decision. The family of tragic Harry Dunn today insisted they have not given up hope of extraditing the wife of a US diplomat, despite Boris Johnson warning the chances of success are 'very low'. The PM played down expectations of a legal breakthrough despite the Home Office submitting a request for Anne Sacoolas, after she was charged with causing the 19-year-old's death by dangerous driving last month. Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: 'I think that it's right that we made the appeal for extradition.' But he added: 'I think the chances of America actually responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. That's not what they do.' The US Department for State has already insisted Mrs Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity, stating that a request to extradite somebody with immunity would be an abuse. However, the Dunn family's spokesman Radd Seiger said their views on the prospects of success were 'diametrically opposed' to Mr Johnson's. Mr Dunn died after his motorbike crashed into a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year. The 42-year-old suspect, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity after the collision and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy. The Home Office submitted an extradition request for Anne Sacoolas (left) last week after she was charged with causing Harry Dunn's (right) death by dangerous driving in August The PM (pictured on BBC Breakfast today) played down expectations of a legal breakthrough despite the Home Office submitting a request for Anne Sacoolas The Dunn family's spokesman Radd Seiger said their views on the prospects of success were 'diametrically opposed' to Mr Johnson's The 42-year-old suspect, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity after the collision and was able to return to her home country Mr Seiger said: 'I do not know what is in the Prime Minister's mind in making those comments. 'The parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him, but we expect to do so within the next few days. 'Certainly, if he is basing those comments on what is currently emanating from Washington he may well be right. 'However, the extradition request has now been delivered and therefore the legal process has commenced. 'Mr Johnson's officials have been working extremely hard over the last few months to prepare a through and diligent case. 'Harry's family will, as always, take things one step at a time and will not prejudge the outcome of the process. 'But as I have stated many times publicly, my analysis of the prospects of success are diametrically opposed to Mr Johnson's, given my detailed discussions with officials both in London and Washington.' A spokesman for the US state department said last week that it had a strong law enforcement relationship with the UK, but an extradition request would be highly inappropriate. It said the US will continue to engage with the UK government and said they have been transparent on all matters, both legal and diplomatic. After a meeting with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel, Mr Dunn's family pressed repeatedly for a meeting with the Prime Minister. The family's MP, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, has written to Boris Johnson to request a face-to-face meeting. In the letter, Ms Leadsom urges the Prime Minister to 'hear at first hand what they have been through', adding that a meeting would 'go a long way to assure them that the case and their concerns are being taken seriously'. The family said they said they are 'pleased' with the extradition request, adding that they feel it is a 'huge step towards achieving justice for Harry'. Confirming the request last week, a spokesman for the Home Office said: 'Following the Crown Prosecution Service's charging decision, the Home Office has sent an extradition request to the United States for Anne Sacoolas on charges of causing death by dangerous driving. 'This is now a decision for the US authorities.' The family have initiated various legal proceedings against the Foreign Office, the US government and Mrs Sacoolas herself after their lawyers disputed the granting of diplomatic immunity. Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said that he was not considering succession plans or a potential transfer of power to one of his sons because he was going to head the government for another ten years. The premier was speaking at an event with journalists in Phnom Penh and said he needed to hold the post of prime minister for at least another ten years, even if his eldest son Hun Manet was qualified to take over. The Prime Minister on Tuesday marked 35 years as the head of the government, extending his lead as one of the longest-serving prime ministers in the world. In 2018, Hun Sen had said that Hun Manet could succeed him to head the government. I need 10 more years to hold the post as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Even though Hun Manet has the adequate qualification, he needs to wait till 2028 or after 2029 or until 2030 to be involved with the prime minister position, he said. Political analysts and observers have long speculated over when and how Hun Sen will hand over power, and if it would be to his eldest son Hun Manet. These speculations were compounded after Hun Manets ascent to Commander of the Cambodian Army and the Cambodian Peoples Party winning all the parliamentary seats in the 2018 national ballot. Hun Sen claimed that there was no power transferring system in Cambodia and only elections could make Hun Manet prime minister. His father is still working [as prime minister], how does he have the ability to grab power from his father? However, in parliamentary democracies, any elected member of parliament in the majority can be selected to become prime minister by lawmakers forming the government. The prime minister was speaking at an annual event he holds with journalists from across the country, this being the fourth year he has organized the meeting. Mumbai, Jan 14 : Actor Avinash Tiwary recently paired opposite Mrunal Thakur in Karan Johar's segment of the anthology horror flick, "Ghost Stories". He says working with a powerful filmmaker as Johar adds mileage to an actors career in Bollywood. "I think the moment the news goes out that an actor is working with a powerful filmmaker as Karan Johar, people take a notice. Curiosity is generated about the actor. It is almost like it adds up to your status as an actor when you work in (Johar's banner) Dharma Productions. So, every new actor of the new generation has a Dharma film on his or her bucket list," Avinash told IANS. Johar's segment also features Heeba N Shah, Kusha Kapila and Kitu Gidwani among others. "Ghost Stories" released on Netflix on January 1. The anthology consists of four short films directed by Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar. Avinash continued: "I have worked with different directors, in a short film and a feature, and shooting is always a chaotic affair. But when it comes to Karan, everything is hassle-free, well planned and well organised. The film set is so conducive for creativity that as a performer you are bound to deliver your best! He is a master to extract my best performance. Karan Johar is special." The actor made his debut as a Bollywood lead actor in the 2017 film "Laila Majnu". The film was a dud, but he has a couple of interesting projects lined up now -- the Netflix original film "Bulbul" and the feature film "The Girl On The Train", which stars Parineeti Chopra. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Tony Garnett, who has died aged 83, was a pioneering producer of television drama in the 1960s and the BBC enfant terrible behind the powerful documentary-style Cathy Come Home, an angry polemic against homelessness, the first television play to be reckoned a social and political landmark and arguably the most influential programme of the decade. A working-class intellectual and unregenerate Marxist, Garnett had been working as a jobbing actor when, with the young director Ken Loach, he was recruited in 1964 by the BBC's head of drama, Sydney Newman, to create a series of new television plays in the increasingly fashionable genre of social realism. Tony Garnett. Credit:BBC Worldwide. Phil McCarthy Photography Garnett's role, officially assistant story editor, effectively became that of co-producer and after the success of the raw slice of south London life, Up The Junction (1965), which included a harrowing backstreet abortion scene, he was promoted to producer, a role Newman defined as someone who could inspire writers, control risk-taking directors and supervise, organise and manage a complex production. Working with Jeremy Sandford, a writer new to television, Garnett and Loach had hoped to stir public reaction with Cathy Come Home (1966), about a homeless young London family battling to stay together, and this they certainly did. Loach had shot it on location in three weeks in an observational style redolent of documentary, with handheld cameras on 16mm film, as used by news cameramen, giving it an entirely different texture. Amid the heated politics over the arrest of J&K Police DySP Davinder Singh, the BJP on Tuesday also came down heavily on the Congress over its leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asking Army Chief General Naravane "to talk less and work more", after COAS had said that the Army is ready to act if they get orders from Parliament to take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 'Is this the way to talk to Army Chief?' Addressing the media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Three days ago, Army Chief Gen Naravane in very clear words said that we are ready to take back PoK also, you must have seen that within few minutes after his statement, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury with sarcasm raised questions over Army Chief and told him, 'You work and don't speak'. Is this the way to talk to Army Chief? Making a reference to the same Congress leader also absolving Pakistan of the Pulwama terror attack, Patra continued, "here you (Congress) are working to give clean chit to Pakistan. What is the problem?" Linking the Congress to Pakistan, Patra said there are "too many coincidences" that shows a conspiracy 'Hafiz Saeed will say, I love you Congress' Patra raised how Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had made remarks in Parliament seeking internationalisation of the Kashmir issue, during the debate over the abrogation of Article 370. Accusing the Congress of making comments in support of Pakistan, Patra said, "At whose behest are Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Surjewala are making such comments? I want to openly say that there is something wrong, there is some connection with Pakistan. Wait till 6 pm in the evening, Hafiz Saeed and Imran Khan both will tweet in favour of Congress. I am saying you all that wait for some time, there would be a time again when Hafiz Saeed will say, 'I love you Congress' because earlier also he had said that." READ | Congress absolves Pak of Pulwama attack, jumps to give religious spin on J&K DySP's arrest READ | 'India a party of Gods, Mamata chief-of-demons': BJP's motormouth MLA Surendra Nath Singh Pakistan quoted Rahul Gandhi at UN Last year, Pakistan banked on former Congress President Rahul Gandhis political statements on Jammu and Kashmir in its 115-page dossier against India which the country submitted before the United Nations Human Rights Council. In August, Gandhi wanted to visit Jammu and Kashmir to asses the situation but he was stopped and sent back from Srinagar airport. After returning to Delhi, the Congress leader said that the situation in Kashmir was not normal and there were some reports of people dying in the troubled state. This was the second time Pakistan quoted Gandhis remarks to build its case against India at the United Nations. Earlier, Minister for Human Rights for Pakistan Shireen Mazari too used Rahul Gandhis statement in her two-page letter on Kashmir to the UN. READ | Satya Nadella's CAA view 'example of how literate need to be educated': BJP's Lekhi READ | BJP's Tajinder Bagga demands capital punishment for arrested J&K DySP Davinder Singh Press Release January 14, 2020 PRC DISTRIBUTES N95 MASKS TO PREVENT RESPIRATORY DISEASES - GORDON Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, on Monday said they are distributing N95 masks to prevent respiratory diseases that could be caused by hazardous particles from Taal Volcano. "As I speak, we are distributing about 1,800 N95 masks, and we have ordered another 20,000. Hopefully, in the next 2 or 3 days we will be able to add more. Hopefully, it will not undergo a series of eruptions. But obviously, it's not only just Batangas, if this happens some more, Cavite, Tagaytay, Manila, among will be affected and people should help themselves acquire masks. If you don't have an N95 mask, you can put a damp diaper on your face, it is the most primitive. In the meantime, wag sanang umasa ang mga tao na mabibigyan sila ng mask. Napakahalaga na matuto sila," he said. There has been a high demand for the said mask, with people buying them by the boxes. In an interview, Gordon also called on the people to use improvised masks such as covering their faces with damp diapers to protect themselves from hazardous volcanic particles that could get into their lungs if they do not possess N95 masks which is said to be the most effective protection from breathing in hazardous particles since it gives a very close facial fit and filters at least 95 percent of airborne particles. Gordon pointed out that based on his experience when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the government should prepare for respiratory and other kinds of diseases caused by the particles coming out of the volcano. The PRC chief disclosed that though there is still no need for one at the moment, they are already preparing to put up a big hospital bed with additional beds in Batangas to accommodate sick people. Gordon also advised people who are staying in their houses to arm themselves with brooms and check their roofs after an ash fall because its weight could cause their roofs to collapse or cave in. "The other thing that I would like to repeat and repeat and repeat - people have to go and check, those who are not in the evacuation centers but those who are in their houses, every time we have a copious amount of ash fall, they should have a walis tingting that they could use to sweep the ashes from their roof because a lot of people get injured or are killed when their houses or the roof of their houses collapse because of the weight of the ash or lahar deposit. Sinabi ko nga noon sa mga kababayan ko noong pumutok ang Pinatubo, umakyat tayo sa bubong at pagpapalahin tayo ng Panginoon. At nailigtas namin ang mga bahay naming," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 21:39:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a gathering and extends Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as personages without party affiliation ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 14, 2020. Wang Yang and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the gathering. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday gathered with leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as personages without party affiliation ahead of the Spring Festival. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended festival greetings to them at the gathering held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Lewis Capaldi recently wrapped up his tour of Australia and New Zealand. And when the Scottish crooner arrived in Auckland International Airport last Monday, he was treated to a special rendition of his hit song Someone You Loved. The 23-year-old and his entourage were escorted by man dressed in a traditional costume. Warm welcome: Lewis Capaldi was treated to a special rendition of his hit song Someone You Loved by a group named Hatea Kapa Haka who performed the song in their language after he arrived in Auckland last Monday He took them to a cleared section of the airport where a choir, also dressed in a traditional ensemble, stood ready to perform. The group, called Hatea Kapa Haka, welcomed him in song with a traditional Powhiri - which a formal welcome. Just seconds into the song, Lewis recognised they were performing his global hit in their native language. Surprise: The group, called Hatea Kapa Haka, welcomed him in song with a traditional Powhiri - which is known as a formal welcome. Just seconds into the song, Lewis recognised they were performing his global hit He proudly smiled back at his pal who also realised they were singing his song, putting their own spin with layered harmonies. Lewis listened to the group intently and even sang part of the song with them toward the end. The Brit Award-nominated artist even shared the moment on Instagram, writing: 'Thank you so much for the Powhiri welcome from Hatea Kapa Haka... was a class way to be welcomed to New Zealand.' Thankful: The Brit Award-nominated artist even shared the moment on Instagram, writing: 'Thank you so much for the Powhiri welcome from Hatea Kapa Haka... was a class way to be welcomed to New Zealand' Lewis finished a short tour Down Under, performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, as well as performances at the Falls Festival. He recently received four nominations for the upcoming Brit Awards including Male Solo Artist and Album of the Year. Someone You Loved spent seven weeks at number one in the UK, as well as topping the charts internationally - beating Lizzo's Truth Hurt in back October. A high-profile meeting of opposition parties lost much of its sheen on Monday as six major rivals of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government were not present during a discussion on issues such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the state of the economy. Later, 20 parties, led by the Congress, demanded the withdrawal of the CAA, and launched an attack against the central government over slowdown in the economy. They also called on chief ministers who have announced that they will not implement a proposed all-India NRC to suspend the updating process of the National Population Register (NPR). The CAA, NPR and NRC is a package that is unconstitutional, which specifically targets the poor, the downtrodden, the SC/STs [Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes] and the linguistic & religious minorities, the parties said in a resolution after the meeting in the Parliament complex. Some leaders suggested that political parties should join the ongoing protests against CAA and NRC in Delhi and elsewhere, but at least four senior leaders rejected the idea saying these were spontaneous protests that should not be given a political colour, according to people familiar with the matter. But six key regional forces the Trinamool Congress, the Shiv Sena, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) were not present at the meeting. Last week, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she would boycott the meeting to protest the violence during a 24-hour nationwide strike called by central trade unions, pointing fingers at Left and Congress supporters. DMKs TR Balu, a former Union minister, did not turn up for the meeting on Monday, and party officials conveyed to the Congress managers that this was over differences between the Tamil Nadu allies over local body elections in the state. Hours before the meeting, BSP leader Mayawati took to Twitter and spoke against Rajasthans ruling Congress for poaching six of her legislators earlier this month. In this situation, if the BSP joins the meeting called by the Congress, it will hurt the morale of the party supporters in Rajasthan. So, we will not join this meeting, she said, while clarifying that her party was against CAA and NRC. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav did not confirm his partys participation and the Shiv Sena initially maintained that it were informed about the meeting at the last stage, according to two senior Congress leaders who did not want to be named. The two Congress leaders, however, contended that the Sena, a long-time BJP ally that recently joined hands with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form a government in Maharashtra, was informed much in advance. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the party was not invited. The AAP had no information about any such meeting. We were not invited, he said. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said the absence of some parties did not cast a shadow over Mondays meeting. All the parties have a common stand on the issue of NRC, CAA. Even if they have not attended the meeting, we remain united on the issue and the purpose, he said. Political analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay said the absence of the key parties meant some of them refused to give the Congress the moral leadership of the Opposition bloc. The meeting was aimed to regain the relevance in the opposition space. Even as we see the emergence of the ideological contestation against the BJP, the political leadership is missing in action. But for parties such as the AAP or the BSP, who are in position of conflict with Congress, why should they provide moral leadership to the Congress? Issue is with the people, not with parties, Mukhopadhyay said. The deliberations, which went on over more than three hours, focused on the citizenship debate, and the prevailing economic and jobs situation. Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad took a jibe at the Oppositions resolution against CAA, commenting that it must have made Pakistan happy. He said the Opposition ended up unnecessarily attacking the Modi government in the process. Opposition unity stands exposed as major parties like SP, BSP, TMC and AAP kept away. The resolution is neither in national interest nor in the interest of security. It is also not in the interest of those minorities who fled neighbouring countries to escape persecution, Prasad said. In her opening statement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said, at the meeting: The government has let loose a reign of oppression, spreading hatred and trying to divide our people along sectarian lines. There is unprecedented turmoil today. The Constitution is being undermined and the instruments of governance are being misused. Students and the young have in particular been targeted. In several parts of the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh, large sections of the population are being harassed and attacked. The real issue facing India today is the collapse of economic activity and slowing growth and development affecting all sections of society, especially the poor and disadvantaged. The Prime Minister and Home Minister have no answers and want to divert the nations attention from this grim reality by raising one divisive and polarizing issue after another. It is for us to work together and thwart the designs of this government, she added. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment and economy, and said: People are angry and also scared of their future. The government has failed in its work, and the students in universities and farmers are agitated. In the resolution drafted by Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, the parties accused the Centre of creating an economic disaster, and sharpening communal polarisation and attacking democratic rights, allegations that Prasad rejected as a bundle of lies. At least 10 chief ministers, including BJP ally Nitish Kumar in Bihar, have rejected an all-India NRC, and the state assembly in Left-ruled Kerala has passed a resolution against CAA. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Parliament canteen may soon go fully veg India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 14: The Parliament canteen could soon be going vegetarian as IRCTC, a subsidiary of Indian Railways is likely to be replaced by Haldiram or Bikanerwala as the caterer. Private vendors Haldiram, Bikanerwala in addition to the government-run ITDC are among the key contenders. IRCTC has often faced issue over quality and price of the food served for parliament staff, visitors and the MP's. The move could prove to be controversial as certain items like biryani, chicken cutlets, fish and chips are on high demand. The issue will be taken up during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session. In the absence of a parliamentary panel food, the decision will be taken by ok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Parliamentarians had in the Winter Session agreed to let go of subsidy at canteens when Speaker Om Birla had moved a proposal. The subsidies in these canteens have long been a contentious issue and the government had reduced them a few years ago following a hue and cry after it came to light that Parliament canteens were being subsidised to the extent of 80 per cent of the cost. Out of the total subsidy of Rs 17 crore, Rs 14 crore is at present availed by Parliament staff and others who visit the premises while Rs 3 crore is by MPs. The price of meals is likely to at least double -- a plate of biryani which costs Rs 56 will be at least Rs 112. There are currently five canteens in the Parliament complex run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. Boris Johnson today suggested the UK could pull out of the Iran nuclear deal if Donald Trump proposes a replacement for the crumbling accord. The UK, Germany and France are desperately trying to save the deal - designed to stop Iran from developing atomic weapons by offering economic incentives - in the face of US opposition. But Mr Johnson signalled a shift in position this morning as he hinted he would be willing to ditch the current agreement if an alternative 'Trump deal' was put forward. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister pleaded for a cooling of tensions in the bitter stand off between Iran and the US. In his first major TV interview since the general election, Mr Johnson also welcomed Tehran's admission that it made an 'appalling mistake' in shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane. 'The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down,' Mr Johnson said. The PM's intervention came as the trio of leading European nations launched formal action under the existing nuclear deal - known as the JCPOA - in a bid to rein in the Iranian regime. The move paves the way for possible sanctions to be imposed in response to Tehran's attempts to roll back parts of the deal. The three countries said in an official letter they are triggering the 'dispute mechanism' contained within the agreement, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic. The leaders of the three nations said in a statement that they've been 'left with no choice, given Iran's actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments'. In his first major TV interview since the election, the PM welcomed Tehran's admission that it made an 'appalling mistake' in shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane The Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2015 with the US, Russia and China also supporting it. But simmering tensions in the region following the US killing of a top Iranian general and a retaliatory missile strike by Tehran mean the agreement is now at risk of completely falling apart. The accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet by the Iranian regime last week and anti-government protests which followed have also increased instability in the region. Mr Johnson told the BBC Breakfast programme he 'did not envisage' any escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. On the issue of the existing nuclear deal, Mr Johnson said: 'My point to our American friends is, "look, we have to stop our Iranian friends acquiring a nuclear weapon". 'Thats what the JCPOA deal does. If were going to get rid of it, we need a new agreement. 'It was negotiated by President Obama. If were going to get rid of it, lets replace it with a Trump deal. 'President Trump is a great dealmaker, by his own account and many others.' Mr Johnson welcomed Iran's apology for unintentionally shooting down the passenger jet. 'I'm glad the Iranians have accepted responsibility and identified it as an appalling mistake and it does appear that it was a mistake,' he said. 'It is very important that the bodies are repatriated in a dignified way and that the families are allowed to grieve and to have closure. 'Clearly, as President Rouhani has said, Iran made a terrible mistake. It is good they have apologised. 'The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down.' Ukraine says the pilots were killed immediately when the Iranian missile struck the plane just below the cockpit (the wreckage is pictured at the crash site near Tehran) Iranian president Hassan Rouhani (pictured) has called the shooting down of the Boeing passenger jet an 'unforgivable error' and vowed to punish those responsible The PM also defended his handling of the Iran crisis, after facing criticism for not returning from a Caribbean holiday immediately. 'I was not in this country but I worked very hard, as you can imagine, in making sure there was a European response,' he said. Mr Johnson said Britain had played its'traditional role' in serving as the bridge between the 'European powers and the United States' as the latest crisis unfolded. He also insisted there was no need for Britain to have been informed before the US drone strike which killed the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq. 'This was not our operation,' he said. 'There was no reason for us to be told.' BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Irans airspace security is important for both Iran and the world, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a meeting with officials in Tehran, Trend reports citing IRINN. Rouhani noted that Irans judicial system should organize a special trial with the participation of ahigh-level judge and dozens of experts in connection with the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane. The president added that this is not an ordinary case, and the whole world will watch this trial. Rouhani said that not only one person is to blame for the planes downing. The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed in Tehran province on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people on board. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff issued a statement on Jan. 11 saying that the aircraft was shot down by the Iranian Air Defense System. Following the incident, airlines of several countries stopped flights to Iran. [January 14, 2020] Star2Star Receives 2019 Customer Experience Innovation Award from CUSTOMER Magazine SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star2Star Communications, provider of the worlds only Full Spectrum Communications Solution, announced today that TMC , a global, integrated media company, has named the Full Spectrum Communications Solution as a 2019 Customer Experience Innovation Award winner, presented by TMCs CUSTOMER magazine . The 2019 Customer Experience Innovation Award recognizes best-in-class companies setting the standard in delivering exceptional customer experiences through all channels, including social. The Full Spectrum Communications Solution was recognized for its future-forward, end-to-end delivery of communications products for voice, video, mobile, chat, fax, texting, presence management, and more. The platform offers pure and on-premises cloud deployments that allows customers to choose their ideal solution. It can also be customized for the specific needs of their industry through custom development and integration, in addition to its complete portfolio and cutting-edge add-on options likeDesktop as a Service (DaaS), 4G LTE Failover, enhanced SD-WAN, and more. We made major strides in our product and overall portfolio in 2019, said Michelle Accardi, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Star2Star. We are very proud of what we were able to accomplish last year and that our efforts to provide the most user-friendly and complete communications solution on the market are being recognized. We are elated to receive this award for CX Innovation! Congratulations to Star2Star Communications for receiving a 2019 Customer Experience Innovation Award. Their Full Spectrum Communications Solution has been selected for setting the standard in delivering world-class customer experiences across all channels, said Rich Tehrani , CEO, TMC. Were pleased to recognize this achievement and know we will continue to see great innovation from Star2Star in 2020 and beyond. About Star2Star Communications Star2Star offers unparalleled value, reliability, quality, and scalability. Star2Star unifies business communications including voice, video, fax, mobile, chat, and presence management. Merged with Blueface, the leading pan-European UCaaS provider, Star2Star possesses a global influence and customer base. Star2Star's award-winning, patented Constellation Network overcomes the reliability and quality limitations of other communications technologies and enables companies to choose the deployment methodology that aligns best with their needs. For businesses who require high-quality voice, redundant networks for continuity, and ultra-reliable communications, Star2Star's StarCloud+ architecture offer the highest guaranteed SLAs in the industry at an affordable price. Businesses with less complexity, who seek the best communications capabilities for their employees and customers, can consider the StarCloud solution the optimal choice. With a customer retention rate of 99.85%, Star2Star has been recognized by a multitude of leading analysts. Star2Star was named to the Forbes Most Promising Companies list, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 five times, and the Inc. 500|5000 seven times. The company was also named by IHS as a Top 10 Hosted Business VoIP/UC Provider, ranked in the Frost Radar in the North American Hosted IP Telephony and UCaaS Industry report, and has been in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for UCaaS, Worldwide for the last six years. Casey OLoughlin [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA), challenging the election of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This followed the withdrawal of the appeal by Mr Nwosus lawyer, Solomon Umoh. The respondents in the matter, including Mr Ihedioha and the PDP, did not object to the application of Mr Nwosu to withdraw his appeal before the apex court. The Supreme Court had on December 20 held that Mr Nwosu was not a candidate in the March 9 governorship election. Mr Nwosus counsel said it was based on that ruling that he was withdrawing his appeal. Based on the judgment of this court in appeal SC. 1384/2019 delivered on December 20, 2019, and subsequently, on my advice to my client, we have decided to withdraw this appeal, Mr Umoh said. The Supreme Court judgement referenced was on a case marked SC. 1384/2019, which held that Mr Nwosu was not validly nominated as a candidate of the AA to participate in the March 9, 2019 governorship poll. The apex court held that he lacked the locus standi to file any case as relates to the election. Based on the withdrawal by his lawyer, the apex court in a unanimous ruling read by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, dismissed Mr Nwosus appeal. Mr Nwosu was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) until he defected to the AA before the elections. He was supported by the then outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha. Mr Ihedioha eventually defeated the candidates of the AA, APC and other parties to win the election. New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday (January 14,) released the list of candidates for all the 70 constituencies of Delhi in the assembly election. The party has repeated 46 sitting MLAs and 15 sitting MLAs have been replaced, 9 seats that were vacant have been given to new candidates. Delhi Assembly election 2020 result will be declared on February 11 after the postal ballots and electronic voting machines (EVMs) are opened and their votes added to find out the winners. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is contesting from New Delhi seat and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia from Patparganj, Cabinet minister Satyendar Kumar Jain from Shakur Bastia and Atishi Marlena to contest from Kalkaji seat. In the 2015 assembly election, 6 women were given tickets by AAP, this time the number has increased to 8. Here's a list of candidates and their constituencies: Constituency Candidate Narela Sharad Chauhan Burari Sanjeev Jha Timarpur Dilip Pandey Adarsh Nagar Pawan Sharma Badli Ajesh Yadav Rithala Mahinder Goya! Bawana Jai Bhagwan Upkar Mundka Dharampal Lakra Kirari Rituraj Jha Sultanpur Majra Mukesh Kumar Ahlawat Nangloi Jat Raghuvinder Shokeen Mangol Puri Rakhi Bidlan Rohini Rajesh Nama Bansiwala Shalimar Bagh Bandana Kumari Shakur Basti Satyendra Jain Tri Nagar Jitender Tomar Wazirpur Rajesh Gupta Model Town Akhilesh Pati Tripathi Sadar Bazar Som Dutt Chandni Chowk Parlad Singh Sawhney Matia Mahal Shoaib lqbal Ballimanm lmran Hussain Karol Bagh Vishesh Ravi Patel Nagar Raaj Kumar Anand Mot Nagar Shiv Charan Goel Madipur Girish Soni Rajouri Garden Dhanwati Chandela Hari Nagar Rajkumari Dhillon Tilak Nagar Jarnail Singh Janakpuri Rajesh Rishi Vikaspuri Mahinder Yadav Uttam Nagar Naresh Balyan Dwarka Vinay Kumar Mishra Matiala Gulab Singh Yadav Najafgarh Kailash Gahlot Bijwasan BS Joon Palam Bhavna Gaur Delhi Cantonment Virender Singh Kadian Rajinder Nagar Raghav Chadha New Delhi Arvind Kejriwal Jangpura Praveen Kumar Kasturba Nagar Madan Lal Malviya Nagar Somnath Bharti R K Puram Parmila Tokas Mehrauli Naresh Yadav Chhatarpur Kartar Singh Tamidar Deoli Prakash Jarwal Ambedkar Nagar Ajay Dutt Sangam Vihar Dinesh Mohaniya Greater Kailash Saurabh Bharadwaj Kalkaji Atishi Tugalakabad Sabi Ram Pehlwan Badarpur Ram Singh Netaji Okhla Amanatullah Khan Trilokpuri Rohit Kumar Mehraulia Kondli Kuldeep Kumar (Monu) Patparganj Manish Sisodia Laxmi Nagar Nitin Tyagi Vishwas Nagar Deepak Singla Krishna Nagar SK Bagga Gandhi Nagar Nmeen Choudhary (Deepu) Shahdara Ram Niwas Goyal Seemapuri Rajendra Pal Gautam Rohtas Nagar Santa Singh Seelampur Abdul Rehman Ghonda SD Sharma Babarpur Goyal Rai Gukalpur Ch. Surendra Kumar Mustalabad Haji Yunus Karawal Nagar Durgesh Pathak The names of new candidates who replaced 15 sitting MLAs include Dilip Pandey who has replaced MLA Pankaj Pushkar from Timarpur, Jai Bhagwan Upkar replaced MLA Ramchandra from Bawana, Dharmpal Lakra replaced Sukhbir Dalal from Mundka, Rajkumar Anand replaced Hazarilal Chauhan from Patel Nagar, Princess Dhillo replaced Jagdeep Singh from Hari Nagar, Vinay Mishra replaced Adarsh Shastri from Dwarka, Virendra Singh Kadian replaced Surendra from Delhi Cantt, Raghav Chadha replaced Vijender from Rajendra Nagar, Atishi Singh replaced Avatar Singh from Kalkaji, Ram Singh Netaji replaced Narayan Dutt Sharma from Badarpur, Raju Dhingan replaced Rohit Kumar Mairolia from Trilokpuri, Kuldeep Kumar replaced Manoj Kumar from Kondli, Chaudhary Fateh Singh replaced Chaudhary Surendra Kumar Gokulpur, Shoaib Iqbal replaced Asim Ahmed Khan from Matia Mahal. In the mid-term poll in 2015, the AAP had swept the election, winning 67 of the 70 seats. Five years on, the AAP is seen as a stronger contender. The party launched its election campaign for Delhi with the slogan - 'Achhe Bite 5 saal, Lage raho Kejriwal'. Earlier in the day, BJP's ally LJP had released a list of 15 candidates for the assembly election. The assembly election in Delhi was held on February 8. The Model Code of Conduct came into force in Delhi on January 6 after the Election Commission of India announced that the assembly election in Delhi will be held on February 8. The election to the 70-member assembly promises to be a triangular contest with the AAP hoping to retain power on the plank of development and the BJP and the Congress determined to put up a spirited challenge. A Huntsville company has a new tool in the competition for employees and employee loyalty in this fast-growing Alabama tech town: free graduate college classes. If youre thinking thats fairly common, theres a twist. Radiance Technologies companys new classes will happen at the company itself. Students will pay for and take courses in a group at the office, and Radiance will pay them back when they finish one. I wanted to make it easier for our people, Radiance CEO Bill Bailey said Friday. Bring it in-house, have it here. Bailey remembers being a young professional seeking post-graduate education. It was an exhausting cycle of work, driving to class, class, driving home, taking care of the family and then studying. If I could just reduce the administrative trivia and the (travel) for the classes, then I think Ive added a lot of value, he said. So, thats the way were doing it. Bailey explained his idea to Lane Fabby, whose is the founding chancellor of Radiance University. She went looking for a university partner and found one. Auburn University and Radiance University signed a formal agreement on Friday. Fabby said this is the first of a series of innovative steps the university is planning to develop. Weve cobbled together a program that looks like its going to serve all of our needs, Bailey said. Its going to put more graduates in a management and technical field. Its going to allow me to increase the value of my employees. Hopefully, it makes them more attached to Radiance. Recruiting employees and keeping them is a challenge in Huntsville, and its getting more challenging by the month. Deloitte interviewed 94 employers in the region for an employment survey late in 2019 and found companies plan to fill 14,000 new positions over the next three years. Thats across a 14-county region in north Alabama and three-county region in southern Tennessee, but the center of the action is Huntsville, where aerospace, defense and manufacturing jobs are opening rapidly. Radiance Technologies and Auburn University sign an agreement Jan. 10, 2019 to offer Auburn engineering classes at Radiance to make it easier for company employees to further their educations. Standing from left, Radiance President Dave Diaddario, Auburn University Engineering Department Chair Dr. John Evans and Radiance University Chancellor Lane Fabby. Sitting (left to right) Auburn Dean Chris Roberts and Radiance CEO Bill Bailey. Specifically, Radiance and Auburn are offering workers a new systems engineering and product innovation post-graduate program specifically designed for Huntsville, Auburn University Dean Chris Roberts said at Friday at the agreement signing. The program is based on cohort building, a method of encouraging students to take courses as a group so they can work together and support each other. There are a lot of statistics that indicate the success of students is improved if theyre participating as part of a cohort, Roberts said. Roberts said he is excited by a CEO willing to make this a priority for his employees. If we can bring the quality of our academic programs to bear for companies in our state, he said, thats a win for Auburn, thats a win for Alabama. How does the program work? Each course can be a little different, Roberts said. Sometimes, students watch a real-time Auburn class on video so they can ask questions. Other classes are streamed later. Assignments are flexible and team-based. Roberts said Auburn sees a massive, expansive market in engineering in Huntsville. So do The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Athens State University, Georgia Tech University and other schools. You have a lot of people working in engineering fields that may or may not have engineering degrees, Roberts said. But they are transitioning into engineering because of the need and the pure opportunities here. By PTI GUWAHATI: Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said he will leave politics if a single person over five lakh is given citizenship in the state. Referring to the "rising" Muslim population, he said, "Ajmal or his son or his grandson will be the Assam chief minister after 30 years and no one can stop it." Speaking in support of granting citizenship to Hindus, Sarma, who is also the chief of NEDA, BJP's version of the NDA in the northeast, said a Hindu "cannot be a Jinnah as he never attacks anyone" and is secular. The minister was speaking during the debate on the governor's address in the one-day special session of Assam Assembly. He said the amended citizenship law will not violate the Assam Accord. "I'll leave politics if one person more than five lakh is given citizenship. If a single person is added beyond five lakh, the Assam government will take responsibility," the finance minister said. He also supported granting of citizenship to Hindu Bengalis, which is being vehemently protested against by various outfits. "A Hindu cannot be a Jinnah. Not a single Hindu king has destroyed a mosque or a temple. A Hindu is always secular and does not attack anyone," Sarma said. "In Assam Accord, many things were left unresolved. We haven't violated the Assam Accord, but are addressing unresolved issues," he added. The historic Accord, which was signed after the six-year-long Assam Agitation, was a four-page document that did not include many things, Sarma claimed. The minister advocated the formation of an assembly committee to study the Assam Accord in detail to find out its deficiencies and unresolved issues. "Even the NRC was not part of the Assam Accord. It was evolved in a meeting between the AASU, Assam government and the Centre in 2005. The Assam Accord didn't speak about children of those coming before 1971, so it's inconclusive," he added. The Citizenship Act was amended in 1987, 1993 and 2003; and the spirit of the Accord was touched many times earlier than the CAA this time, the minister said. "The Assam Accord is not that bad. If we had read it properly, 1966 would have been the cut off year and 1967 voter list would have been the NRC. I regret that," he claimed, citing the Clause 5 of the pact. He alleged that the ongoing agitation against the CAA is driven by misinformation that over one crore Hindu Bangladeshis will enter Assam. "Who is this Pramanik in Bangladesh saying 2.5 crore people will come to Assam? Is there a conspiracy to destabilise Assam? There are many Islamic fundamentals working to destabilise Assam," Sarma claimed. He stressed that Hindu Bengalis will not affect the culture of Assam as there are many examples of Assamese marrying Bengalis. "Assamese nationalism cannot be based on language. It'll be on the love for the land. For example, we don't speak Missing language but they are part of Assamese nationalism. The theory that Hindu Bengalis will destroy Assamese culture is wrong," the minister added. An alleged riot atop a juvenile prison has come to an end, hours after the teenage prisoners took to the roof. NSW Police confirmed just after 3pm that all three of the prisoners were down from the roof of the Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre at Werrington in Sydney's far west. Police are now speaking to the prisoners. "Officers from Nepean Police Area Command were called to the facility just after 12.30pm following reports of youths on a roof," police said in a statement. Hong Kong: CE on virus control measures (To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.) Health authorities on the Mainland and in Hong Kong have established communication channels in the prevention and control of diseases, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said. Ahead of todays Executive Council meeting, Mrs Lam explained that such communication channels have been operating on many fronts concerning the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan. We have received information about the disease, we have received information about the genome sequencing, so that our experts could look at whether we could put in place faster systems to identify the virus. Mrs Lam pointed out that the Government was also invited to participate in a trip to Wuhan to understand efforts being made to deal with the situation. With the arrangement of the National Health Commission, the Government has sent its representatives to Wuhan to examine the situation concerning the cluster of pneumonia cases, and to learn about the prevention and control measures and clinical management there. This story has been published on: 2020-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Wyoming-Utah Ag Days Jan. 27-28 in Evanston Bridger Feuz This years Wyoming-Utah Ag Days, featuring workshops to help cattle producers, sheep producers, landowners and even alternative crop producers, are scheduled Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 27-28, in Evanston. Sessions both days at the communitys Roundhouse are from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and include two track options. We have really tried to pack a lot of great information into this years ag days, including many timely topics, says Bridger Feuz, University of Wyoming Extension livestock marketing specialist and area educator based in Uinta County. Day one topics target traditional livestock agriculture, and day two features one track focused on technology for ag producers, Feuz says. Monday sessions include culling livestock; understanding the wild horse issue; weed management 101; side-by-side use in ag; feed and mineral; what influences bull cost and what can you spend on a bull; if cows could talk: what your cows can tell you about your range; and ranch horse care. Mondays keynote speaker, Mary Budd Flitner, will discuss her book, titled My Ranch, Too: A Wyoming Memoir. Flitners book expresses a straightforward attitude about living on a ranch in Wyoming. Tuesday sessions include topics in hemp; forms of business ownership; strategic mineral supplementation for sheep; small flock production; feed value calculator; apps for ranching; telling your social media story; and drone use in agriculture. Feuz, Tuesdays keynote speaker, will discuss the livestock market outlook. Participants can attend any or all sessions but must RSVP to be included in the lunch sessions. To reserve a meal during the lunch session, call (307) 783-0570 by 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Funds and trusts invested in the UK have seen a significant bounce since December's General Election saw Boris Johnson's Conservative party win a decisive majority. Top performing trust, JPMorgan Smaller Companies, was up almost 16 per cent in just one month. After years of stunted flows amid uncertainty over the UK's political backdrop, the average UK All Companies fund climbed 5.1 per cent between 12 December 2019 and 10 January 2020, according to AJ Bell. But UK smaller companies funds performed even better, up 7.8 per cent on average, with the top performer, VT Teviot UK Smaller Companies, up more than 11 per cent. Boris Johnson led his Conservative party to victory following the General Election last month Investment trusts focussed on British firms have been the real winners since the election, however, with UK All Companies trusts delivering 8.2 per cent on average, UK Smaller Companies 8 per cent, and UK Equity Income 5.1 per cent. The more than 5 per cent gain for UK All Companies funds compares with a loss of 0.08 per cent during the previous 30-day period and a return of only 1.74 per cent during the same period the previous year. The UK Equity Income sector has also risen 5.1 per cent since the election. However, those figures compare to a 4.3 per cent rise for the stock market, as measured by the broad FTSE All-Share index, over the same period. The FTSE All Share stock market saw a 4.3% rise in the month after the election Laura Suter, personal finance analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'Sentiment towards UK stocks has dramatically improved since the December general election, as evidenced by widespread gains among UK focused funds and investment trusts. 'The large majority gained by the Conservatives fuelled a Boris Bounce as investors hurried back into domestically focused companies that had been out of favour for so long.' Top performing funds Looking across all UK-focused funds, the highest performer was the VT Teviot UK Smaller Companies fund, which has returned 11.34 per cent since the election. The 67million fund, managed by Andrew Bamford and Barney Randle, invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks from the bottom 10 per cent of the UK stock market in terms of company size. Several other micro and small cap funds were among the best performers during the period, including Liontrust's UK Micro Cap fund (up 10.38 per cent), Schroder UK Smaller Companies (up 10.29 per cent) and Investec UK Smaller Companies (up 9.85 per cent). Top 10 UK-focused open ended funds since the general election Fund Performance 12/12/19 - 10/01/20 VT Teviot UK Smaller Companies 11.34% SVM UK Opportunities 11.05% Liontrust UK Micro Cap 10.38% Schroder UK Smaller Companies 10.29% TM Cavendish AIM 10.05% Investec UK Smaller Companies 9.85% Threadneedle UK Smaller Companies 9.81% Liontrust UK Smaller Companies 9.62% Premier UK Growth 9.38% Schroder Institutional UK Smaller Companies 9.17% Source: AJ Bell/FE Analytics Top 10 UK-focused investment trusts since the general election Investment trust Performance 12/12/19 - 10/01/20 JPMorgan Smaller Companies 15.74% SVM UK Emerging Fund 14.05% Schroder UK Mid Cap 13.68% Downing Strategic Micro-Cap 12.09% Odyssean Investment Trust 11.76% Henderson Opportunities Trust 11.73% Henderson Smaller Companies 10.73% Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust 10.52% Lowland Investment Company 10.42% Aberdeen Smaller Companies Income Trust 9.49% Source: AJ Bell/FE Analytics Top performing trusts At the top of the investment trust table was the 245million JPMorgan Smaller Companies investment trust, managed by Georgina Brittain and Katen Patel, which returned 15.74 per cent in just under a month. Suter added: 'UK-focused investment trusts had been on stubbornly wide discounts to their net asset value in the lead-up to the election, but benefited from a boost to share prices in the Boris rally as investors bid up UK stocks. 'The managers of JPMorgan Smaller Companies seek to own companies with a competitive edge, frequently operating in niche growth markets, which rather than being dependent on GDP are forging their own growth. 'Hot on its heels since the election with a 14 per cent gain is the SVM UK Emerging, a growth companies fund managed by Margaret Lawson and Colin McLean with a bias towards consumer services, financials and industrials. 'Another notable gainer since Boris Johnson bagged his comfortable working majority is Schroder UK Mid Cap, with sentiment towards the FTSE 250 index turning positive as the index is perceived as a proxy for the UKs domestic economy.' The Future Sustainability Summit opened today in Abu Dhabi, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates and 90 global leaders and innovators from 45 countries including four presidents and a prime minister to drive sustainability innovation. Among the national leaders at the Future Sustainability Summit, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, spoke about how the country, one of the worlds most vulnerable to climate change, is advancing its long-term technoeconomic plan for adaptation and resilience called the Delta Plan 2100. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, highlighted how his nation is combating climate change with its Fund for Environment and Climate Change and as a member of the Global Green Growth Institute. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company, also spoke on sustainability. The Future Sustainability Summit, hosted by Masdar and part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, is being held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). Other opening day speakers included Armen Sarkissian, President of Armenia; Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of Mali; and Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone. Engineer Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman, Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi presented on how Abu Dhabi is catalysing a sustainable tomorrow, enhancing the energy sector, and keeping pace with the latest developments. The UAEs leading public and private sector officials are showcasing the countrys best practices to a global audience. They include Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, founder, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education on Strategic Philanthropy: How Generosity Can Achieve Real Results; Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, on The Power of Culture to Inspire Sustainable Change; and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State and Chairman, Abu Dhabi Global Market, on How Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability Will Transform Our Lives. The Future Sustainability Summit is being held under the theme Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment, and shaped by four major pillars: New Centres of Gravity, New Production Models, New Consumption Models, New Investment Models. The Future Sustainability Summit is reaching new heights in the quality and quantity of speakers and delegates, and bringing together world leaders from government, business, finance, and innovation to look at opportunities to accelerate sustainable development, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar. The Future Sustainability Summit will take the UAEs sustainability innovations to a global audience, and exchange best practices among the worlds thought leaders including four heads of state. Bringing Africas Sustainability Innovations to the Forefront Bringing Africas sustainability innovations to the forefront was Akon, Co-Founder and Chairman, Akon Lighting Africa, on What Tomorrows Generation Demands of Todays Leaders. Gunter Pauli, Entrepreneur and Author, South Africa joined the panel The Transition to the Circular Economy: Will Plastics or Energy Lead the Way?, and Evans Wandongo, Executive Director and Chairman, Sustainable Development for All-Africa, Kenya, presented on Small Scale Clean Tech in the Global South: Creating Sustainable Livelihoods. Renewable energy investment With global renewable energy investment reaching $288 billion, according to the United Nations, Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Director, Head of Energy EMEA, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, moderated the panel Renewable Energy at Scale in the Global South: Creating Wealth from Sustainability and Patrick Odier, Senior Managing Partner, Bank Lombard Odier & Co was on the panel Rethinking Philanthropy. Meeting Paris Agreement goals As the Paris Agreement turns four in 2020, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Former President of Iceland, Laurent Fabius, Environment Patron on Environmental Governance, United Nations; and Francesco La Camera, Director General, the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) shared the stage on the panel Before Its Too Late: Meeting the Paris Agreement. Driving the future of food security As the UAE advances its National Food Security Strategy 2051, Abdulaziz AlMulla, Co-Founder and CEO, Madar Farms, took a deep dive on The Future of Food. Shifting sustainability actions Wednesdays day-two programme will include sessions on shifting sustainability actions across industries. Sandrine Dixson-Declve, Co-President, Club of Rome, will present on Three Things You Need to Do Now to Make A Difference; Faraz Khalid, CEO, Noon, will be on the panel The Latest Fashion Trend: Sustainability is the New Black; and David Sandalow, Co-Director, Energy and Environment Concentration, SIPA, Columbia University will moderate Go Green or Stay Home: The Transportation Revolution. - TradeArabia News Service By IANS NEW DELHI: The government is considering a proposal to extend further incentives to salaried taxpayers in the upcoming budget. The Finance Ministry may allow individual taxpayers to pay a lower flat rate of tax if they forego all exemptions. The new structure would be similar to tax rates proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman late last year where the base corporate tax rate was reduced to 22 per cent from 30 per cent for companies that agreed to forgo all exemptions and incentives. The tax was kept at even lower rate of 15 per cent for new manufacturing companies. "After tax sops for corporates last year, the government is looking at ways to incentivise the individual taxpayers that form a major source of revenue for the Centre. While major changes in tax slabs could wait for some time, a scheme similar to the one implemented for the corporate sector is being examined for individuals too," said a source privy to discussions on the issue in the government. At present while individual income upto Rs 2.5 lakh per annum is exempt from tax, a 5 per cent tax is levied for income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. A higher 20 per cent slab is for income between Rs 5 lakh and 10 lakh while a 30 per tax rate is applicable for income above Rs 10 lakh. In addition, the government also levies a surcharge in slabs on super rich for income above Rs 50 lakh. The source said that though there is broad understanding on implementing a flat income tax rate for individuals, discussions is still going on its quantum and how it could fit a tax structure that has three to four different slabs. Tax experts who did not want to be named on the issue told IANS that the government could look at a flat rate somewhere in between the 5 and 30 per cent income tax rates. The ideal would be around 15-18 per cent rate that would be lower than the peak rate of 30 per cent and the second rate of 20 per cent. Also, the new lower flat rate of tax may be applicable only for annual income of upto Rs 50 lakh. Sources said that a higher flat rate is also being looked at for the super-rich but discussions on this have remained inconclusive. At present, an individual can save upto Rs 1.5 lakh per annum under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act by making investments in insurance plans and few other specified instruments including buying a pension plan run under the NPS. An additional self contribution (up to Rs 50,000) under section 80CCD (1B) is available as NPS tax benefit. In addition, there are deductions for contributing towards paying premium for health insurance and for paying installment for homes bought on loans. While the flat rate of tax may be attractive to a certain category of taxpayers that want a higher share of their monthly earnings in hand, experts say the move could also dissuade people from increasing their contributions towards savings. India's household savings has dropped to 17.2 per cent level in 2017-18 from 23.6 per cent in 2011-12. Data for FY 19 is not available. Higher domestic savings is crucial to mobilise funds for investments in the economy. A state law that deems certain officeholders ineligible for the Legislature is raising questions about whether Texas House candidate Josh Flynn is allowed to run for the seat while keeping his current position as a Harris County Department of Education trustee. Flynn, one of three Republicans to file for the House District 138 primary in March, joined the HCDE board in January after winning the Position 4, Precinct 3 election in 2018. The board elected Flynn president at his first meeting. The law in question is a section of the Texas Constitution that deems any person holding a lucrative office under the United States ineligible for the Legislature. The law does not define lucrative office, but a 1992 Texas Supreme Court opinion issued by then-justice John Cornyn determined that an office is lucrative if the office holder receives any compensation, no matter how small. Flynn and his fellow HCDE trustees receive $6 per meeting, as required by state law. The Constitution and the Supreme Court opinion do not appear to specify when lucrative officeholders must resign in order to be eligible. However, a 1995 attorney general letter opinion determined that the law does not disqualify the holder of a lucrative office from running for the legislature ... if the officeholder resigns from the lucrative office before filing for the legislature. Asked about his resignation plans, Flynn wrote in an email, If I were to win the election in November of 2020, then I will resign my position with the HCDE. The race for House District 138, which covers part of northwest Houston between Interstates 10 and 290, is sure to attract significant statewide attention in 2020. Longtime state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, retained the seat by 47 votes last cycle and is not seeking re-election. Democrats are targeting the district and view it as a key opportunity to flip one of the nine seats they would need to reclaim control of the lower chamber. Flynn, a longtime conservative activist, is currently the secretary for the Texas Republican Party. His father, state Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, has served in the state House since 2003. Flynns term as HCDE trustee expires in December 2024. He is one of three Republicans to file for House District 138, along with conservative activists Lacey Hull and Claver Kamau-Imani. Democrats Akilah Bacy and Josh Wallenstein, both attorneys, are also running. Wallenstein, who ran for an HCDE seat in 2018 and lost in the Democratic primary, appeared before the board last month to urge Flynn to resign as trustee or withdraw his filing for the state House. Flynn did not respond to Wallensteins comments at the time. The HCDE, Texas last remaining county education department, runs alternative schools, provides special education therapy and, through a federal program, provides preschool to students in northeast Houston. Kay Smith, a former HCDE trustee, resigned her position on the board in November 2015 to mount an unsuccessful run for House District 130 the following year. Eric Dick, a current board member, is running for Houston City Council and was able to retain his seat, department officials confirmed to the Chronicle earlier this year. The constitutional lucrative office provision applies to the Legislature and does not reference municipal offices. In a statement, Paul Simpson, chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, said, We have not yet certified any candidate for the ballot, and will evaluate any challenges as required by law. The Texas Secretary of States Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Monday is the deadline to file for 2020 elections in Texas. jasper.scherer@chron.com During his visit, Bezos is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other government officials and industry leaders. Amazon founder and chief executive officer Jeff Bezos landed in India on Tuesday for a three-day visit. He paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi soon after his arrival. Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/xDXAT9cBgf Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) January 14, 2020 During his visit, Bezos is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other government officials and industry leaders. According to CNBC-TV18, his itinerary also includes an Amazon event for entrepreneurs and sellers in Delhi and a "mega Prime Video event" which will include interactions with top Bollywood actors. He is also scheduled to attend an event known as SMBhav, which focuses on small and medium businesses in India on 15 and 16 January New Delhi. [January 14, 2020] Verizon Media launches privacy-focused search engine, OneSearch NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Media today announced the launch of OneSearch, a new consumer search experience with enhanced privacy features. Available for free today on desktop and mobile web at www.onesearch.com , OneSearch doesn't track, store, or share personal or search data with advertisers, giving users greater control of their personal information in a search context. Businesses with an interest in security can partner with Verizon Media to integrate OneSearch into their privacy and security products, giving their customers another measure of control. We deeply believe in consumer trust and choice, both for our user community and our partners, said Michael Albers, Head of Consumer Product, Verizon Media. In support of our commitment to trust and transparency, we are excited to launch OneSearch, an innovative new online search experience built for privacy-minded searchers. With it, you can search the internet with increased confidence, knowing your personal and search data isn't being tracked, stored, or shared with advertisers." OneSearchs privacy-focused features for consumers include: No cookie tracking, retargeting, or personal profiling No sharing of personal data with advertisers No storig of user search history Unbiased, unfiltered search results Encrypted search terms This is in line with our strong commitment to lead the industry over the last couple decades, added Albers. We are excited to evolve further, along with our partners and users, delivering a brand-new, privacy-minded experience for the search ecosystem. To allow for a free search engine experience, OneSearch is an ad-supported platform. Ads will be contextual, based on factors like search keywords, not cookies or browsing history. For example, if someone searches for "flights to Paris," they may see ads for travel booking sites or airlines that travel to Paris. OneSearch is immediately available today for the North American market on desktop and mobile web. It will be available via mobile app on Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) later this month, with availability in other countries coming soon. To learn more about OneSearch, please visit www.onesearch.com . Verizon Media, a division of Verizon Communications, Inc., houses a trusted media ecosystem of premium brands like Yahoo, TechCrunch and HuffPost to help people stay informed and entertained, communicate and transact, while creating new ways for advertisers and media partners to connect. From XR experiences to advertising and content technology, Verizon Media is an incubator of innovation and is revolutionizing the next generation of content creation in a 5G world. VERIZONS ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/. Media contact: Brittany Votto 510.501.0704 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, has left Moscow following talks on the settlement of Libya's political crisis, without signing a ceasefire agreement and work on conflict resolution will continue, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "Yes," a representative from the ministry said when asked whether Haftar had left Russia not having signed the ceasefire agreement with Libya's internationally recognised prime minister, Fayez Sarraj. "Work will continue (on conflict settlement)," the ministry said. On Monday, Sarraj and Haftar met in the Russian capital for talks mediated by Russia and Turkey. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Haftar had asked for a little extra time to look at a draft ceasefire agreement between Libya's conflicting sides. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:40:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close TOKYO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nissan Motor Co. on Tuesday said it is in "no way" considering dissolving its alliance with Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., after reports the automaker may have been planning for a split. "The alliance is the source of Nissan's competitiveness. Through the alliance, to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, Nissan will look to continue delivering win-win results for all member companies," Nissan said in a statement. The Yokohama-based automaker's statement comes following media reports that executives at the firm had been expediting plans for a possible split from its French partner Renault. Tensions have long-been reported between Nissan and Renault and have been punctuated by former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn's arrest in 2018 for financial misconduct and subsequent escape to Lebanon last month while on bail. Ghosn forged the alliance between the two automakers and Mitsubishi Motors, rescuing Nissan from near-bankruptcy around 20 years ago. Now considered a fugitive for jumping bail, Ghosn, a once-feted business heavyweight who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese citizenship, was widely credited as the force behind Nissan's rapid turnaround from near-bankruptcy since 1999. In 1999, Ghosn was sent to Nissan and served as the chief executive officer following the Japanese automaker's capital alliance made with Renault. He served as Nissan's president from 2000 and its chief executive officer from 2001 to 2017 and oversaw the auto group becoming the second-largest of its kind behind Volkswagen AG, according to figures for 2018. He lost his chairmanship posts at all three automakers after his arrest in 2018. H arry Dunn's family has said it does not agree with Boris Johnson's view that the chance of successfully extraditing US suspect Anne Sacoolas are "very low". The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that he did not think it was likely that the US suspect charged in connection with the teenager's death would return to the UK. Despite saying it was "right that we made the appeal for extradition", Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast that sending Mrs Sacoolas back to face justice was "not what (the US) do". Harry Dunn was killed in a collision last year / PA "I think the chances of America actually responding by sending Anne Sacoolas to this country are very low. That's not what they do," he said. But the Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said: "I do not know what is in the Prime Minister's mind in making those comments because the parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him but we expect to do so within the next few days. "Certainly, if he is basing those comments on what is currently emanating from Washington he may well be right. Anne Sacoolas has been charged in connection with the teenager's death / Sky News "However, the extradition request has now been delivered and therefore the legal process has commenced - Mr Johnson's officials have been working extremely hard over the last few months to prepare a thorough and diligent case." Mr Seiger continued: "Harry's family will as always take things one step at a time and will not prejudge the outcome of the process, but as I have stated many times publicly, my analysis of the prospects of success are diametrically opposed to Mr Johnson's given my detailed discussions with officials both in London and Washington. Boris Johnson says chances of Harry Dunn suspect being extradited to the UK are 'very low' "Should the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ultimately make the political decision not to return her, that will not be the end of the matter. "But the fact that they are prejudging the request without having even read it shows where we are with the current administration in terms of their approach to upholding the rule of law and right versus wrong." Commenting on what would happen if an extradition request was blocked, Mr Seiger added: "If that is what transpires, the campaign will swing into action deploying a number of measures, including blockading the bases, and we will sit down with British officials to discuss what they will do, not only on Harry's family's behalf, but the whole nation's to ensure that justice is done and that no one ever suffers the same fate as Harry. Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles, stepfather Bruce Charles, family spokesman Radd Seiger and father Tim Dunn outside the Ministry Of Justice in London / PA "Clearly, not only are we not safe around the bases, but none of us will get justice should the worst happen. "That is not a sustainable position and I have made that crystal clear to the Government and the point has been taken on board. "But we will take one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Unlike the Prime Minister, there is no doubt in my mind." Mr Dunn died after his motorbike crashed into a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year. Mrs Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity after the collision and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy. The US State Department has said the extradition request for Mrs Sacoolas is highly inappropriate and would be an abuse. 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 Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions An undertrial prisoner, who had escaped from custody two years ago, was arrested after exchange of fire with police near Panchenda Bridge here, a police official said. Vishal sustained injuries in the encounter and he is being interrogated after being provided treatment, New Mandi police SHO Deepak Chaturvedi said. The prisoner carried a bounty of Rs 25,000 on his head and had been on the run since escaping police custody in 2018 while he was brought to the district hospital here for a medical examination, the station house officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gay Conservative Student Commits Suicide After Backlash Over Drag Queen Story Time Protest There has been an outpouring of grief from the community following the suicide of the university student who led a protest against a drag queen reading event for young children supported by a Brisbane library. Wilson Gavina self-described gay conservative who gained some media attention two years ago when campaigning against same-sex marriagetook his own life Monday morning after footage of the protesters chanting Drag queens are not for kids went viral on social media. The protest sparked significant backlash on social media and a rebuke from the states Liberal National Party. If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Australia), 1-800-273-8255 (U.S./Canada), or 116 123 (UK). The outspoken 21-year-old, who was previously president of the University of Queenslands Liberal National Club (UQLNC), led a protest group of 15 to 20 people to confront those involved in a Drag Queen Story Time event at Brisbane City Council library on Jan. 10. Club members explained in a post on their now-deleted Facebook page, Today the UQLNC took a stand to defend LNP values against a corrosive gender ideology. After a ratepayer-funded Drag Queen Story Hour finished this Sunday, we decided to make a public demonstration against the Brisbane City Council endorsing it. We stayed outside the room in which it was being heldwaited until the event was over to make our pointdid not respond to the insults which were hurled at us, and left when directed by security. The event, where drag queens led children and their families in song, dance, reading, and craft classes, was hosted by Brisbane City Council in partnership with LGBTQIA advocacy group Rainbow Families Queensland. Before news of the suicide broke, the clubs Facebook page had been overrun with comments from people condemning the protest, The video of Gavin and fellow protesters on social media caught the attention of leaders in the community, including federal MPs and singer Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas. Queenslands Liberal National Party distanced itself from the protest, saying it did not represent party values and that the university club had been disaffiliated last month. On Monday following reports of Gavins suicide, Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said in a press conference that the party would not be commenting at this time out of respect for the family. I think today is a day to think about a bit of compassion and respect for people, she said. Friends, Opponents Respond Rainbow Families Queensland released a statement saying, Rainbow Families Queensland were informed earlier today that the leader of yesterdays drag Storytime protest took his own life this morning. We are deeply saddened by this news and extend our sympathies to his family. One of the drag queens at the event told the ABC they were deeply saddened from the news. Id really like to give my condolences and sympathy to the family and friends, Diamond said. The support that I have received today on social media has been phenomenal, and I thank everyone for their support and kind words. A spokesperson for the university said that it was providing support to students and staff impacted by the tragic events. The university understands that the events of the past two days are very distressing for many people, the spokesperson said. Mutual respect and diversity are core values of the university, and we hope that everyone shows consideration for those affected during the difficult days ahead. Conservative Christian blogger David Pellowe told Eternity News that he had the pleasure of interviewing Gavin in the lead up to the same-sex marriage plebiscite in 2017 to hear his views on gender identity in society. Gavin revealed to Pellowe why he was campaigning for the No vote and explained his conservative views based on his Catholic faith. Theyre not going to stop at marriage, Gavin said. Their goal is to tear down the family and every traditional institution in Australia. They just hate everything that I love they hate me because Im a conservative. And they hate me more because Im a gay, and I can say to them, Im gay. Im not a homophobe, I love gay men! You cant call me a homophobe just because I oppose same sex marriage, just because Im against your agenda. You cant shout me down the way you can most people. You cant shout me down by saying Im a bigot and Im a homophobe. At the time, Gavin was the spokesperson for an organisation representing LGBTIQ voting No called Our Voice. Our Vote. He was a man of conviction, and a man of compassion, Pellowe said. However, his detractors would like to reframe it. The truth is that he, motivated by love of neighbour felt the need to intervene in the injustice he saw being promoted. Fellow UQ student and friend Drew Pavlou posted on social media that Gavin was at his core a very decent and kind person that cared for others. He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain. Today is a reminder of all we must do to affirm to young marginalized Australians the intrinsic worth and value of their lives. Liberal MP George Christensen responded to the tragedy by announcing that he was deleting his Twitter account. Suicide happens when Twitter keyboard warriors pile on an individual for a political protest. Twitter is broken. It is for ad hominem attacks & pile ons not real discourse. And it is aid[ed] & abetted by the media. I cant delete the media but I am deleting my twitter account. Bye, the backbencher said in his last tweet. The Australian Associated Press contributed to this report. The royal family is still picking up the pieces following Prince Harry and Meghan Markles shocking exit announcement. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently revealed their plans to become financially independent and step down as senior members of the royal family. While the family is doing their best to bring Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, back into the fold, they are hardly the first royals who wanted to escape the spotlight. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their royal exit After struggling with the royal spotlight for the past two years, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked royal watchers around the world when they announced they are stepping down from their previous positions in the monarchy. Taking to Instagram, the couple declared that they are no longer senior members of the royal family and are seeking to gain financial independence from the crown. The move came as a huge surprise for the royals, who are scrambling to get ahold of the situation. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen, they wrote. Prince Harry and Meghan also revealed that they want to split their time between the U.K. and North America. They did not reveal where they plan on setting down roots, but there has been a lot of speculation that either Canada or Los Angeles will be their home base. In closing, the Sussexes assured their followers that they will continue to support Queen Elizabeth and the other senior members of the royal family. This includes working with them on joint projects, though specifics have not been ironed out. Who else wanted to escape the royal spotlight? Although Harry and Meghans announcement was a major surprise, they are not the first royals who wanted a more private life and they probably will not be the last. According to Express, Queen Elizabeths youngest son, Prince Edward, expressed similar sentiments in a shocking interview in 1996. When asked whether or not he was going to marry his girlfriend, Sophie Rhys-Jones, Edward slammed the reporter for prying into private matters. If you shut up, mind your own business, and let me do it when I want, its much more likely to happen, Edward shared. The more people second-guess, the less likely it is. I just wont do it. Edward went on to talk about the pressures of living under the royal spotlight. He admitted that people living in the public eye have little hope for privacy, but for the royals, there is absolutely no escaping it. Looking back, Edwards statement applies perfectly to Prince Harry and Meghans situation. The two have struggled with negative press over the past two years and have experienced a difficult time escaping the pressures of the limelight. Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markles plan work? At first glance, Harry and Meghans plan should give them a lot more privacy in their personal lives. But there are a lot of things to consider about their surprise exit. For starters, the idea that Harry and Meghan will become financially independent is a lot easier said than done. The Sussexes pay for the majority of their yearly expenses with an allowance from the crown, and it could easily take years for them to break out of that cycle. They also plan on setting up a second home base in North America. This means purchasing a home somewhere in Canada or the U.S. and providing security for themselves around the clock. Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That Might Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters https://t.co/2SCvbmfke6 Kasie Hunt (@kasie) January 13, 2020 Prince Harry and Meghan have yet to reveal any specifics about their plan. Penny Junor, an expert on the royals, is doubtful that they can pull it off. [I] cant quite see how its going to work, she stated. I dont think its been properly thought through. How did the royal family react? Turns out fans were not the only ones surprised by Harry and Meghans announcement. Sources claim that the royal family was completely blindsided by the move. The couple apparently did not inform Queen Elizabeth or Prince William about their plans, which is why the royals are scrambling to keep things together. Following Harry and Meghans post on Instagram, Buckingham Palace released a statement calling it a complicated issue that will take a long time to work out. Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through, the statement read. Queen Elizabeth just confirmed it herself. https://t.co/uMELFOmZJn Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) January 13, 2020 A source added that Prince Harry and Meghan spoke with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Prince William about their future role in the monarchy. The Queen released a statement claiming she is entirely supportive of their desire to leave the royal life behind but made it very clear she wishes that they would have handled it differently. Prince Harry and Meghan have yet to follow up after their shocking announcement. They have already made a few public appearances in 2020, though it is unclear how many royal engagements they will fulfill in the coming months. "I ask the leaders of Congress--Do you have any doubts as to who were the perpetrators of the Pulwama attacks? I challenge the Congress leadership to come on camera and say if they have any doubts about the Pulwama attacks. If they have any doubt about our Army or our Intelligence agencies. If they have doubt that Pakistan didn't do Pulwama, they should come forward," said Patra while speaking to the reporters here."Whenever surgical strikes happen, they do not believe the Army's stands and even the PM's statements. They keep asking for evidence. These are too many coincidences. Three days ago, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury taunted the Army Chief and asked him to work and not to talk. On the other side, his party is giving Pakistan a clean chit. Why?" he added.The BJP leader further added that Chowdhury had earlier stood up in the Parliament and raised questions regarding the abrogation of Article 370."This is the same Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who had stood up in the Parliament during the abrogation of Article 370 and had said, "Did you ask Pakistan? Did you ask UN? This is a bilateral issue." Why are they singing the tune of Pakistan," he added.The BJP leader launched a scathing attack at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and raised a question as to why is he acting as an 'ally' of Pakistan."Why is Rahul Gandhi acting as an ally of Pakistan? This is our question. When Pakistan submitted a dossier at the UN, Rahul Gandhi's name featured on top of the list," said Patra."I say this with extreme sadness that we may be political rivals, but the way the Congress party is behaving, it does not behove of a political opponent, this behoves of some kind of larger conspiracy," he added.Patra's statement came soon after Adhir Ranjan on Tuesday said the "troll regiment of RSS" would have been more strident and vociferous had arrested Jammu and Kashmir cop Davindar Singh been "Davindar Khan" and raised a question on who the "real culprits" behind the Pulwama attack were.Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davindar Singh was arrested along with two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir on January 11.Citing the incident, Adhir Ranjan demanded a "fresh look" in the Pulwama attack in 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February last year."Had #DavindarSingh by default been Davindar khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion," the Congress leader said in a series of tweets."The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we can not afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish," he tweeted."Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," he said in another tweet.Singh and the terrorists were arrested while they were travelling together in a vehicle on the National Highway in J-K. (ANI) The chair of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, Fianna Fails Sean Fleming has warned that people who registered to vote last September or October will not be registered to vote until February 15 and therefore will not have a vote if the general election is called for either February 7 or Valentine's Day. The register of electors is officially updated every year on February 15, a date fixed in law (Electoral Act 1992, s.1). Mr Fleming told RTE Radios Morning Ireland that the disenfranchisement of the people could affect the outcome of the election in some constituencies. Weve never had an election in mid February before. People who moved house or moved constituency and registered to vote wont have a vote. However, he pointed out that there are a number of options to avoid disenfranchising these people if the Taoiseach were to call the election for after February 15 or if a measure is passed in the Dail on Wednesday. It would take 10 minutes to change the date for the register (of electors) to come into effect from February 1. The option of people registering on the supplementary register of electors has a short window of opportunity, he said because the election has not yet been officially called. Mr Fleming cautioned local authorities who consider combining the draft register of electors with the supplementary register, pointing out that the form for the supplementary register has to be stamped by the Garda Siochana. That is a lacuna that needs to be clarified. Commenting on reports that a number of councils were considering that option, Mr Fleming said that while it was a common sense approach, it was not legal and required clarification. There was no mechanism by which the two registers could be combined, he said. I want nobody to be disenfranchised. If we go into a general election without this resolved, people wont have a vote, thats most unfair. These incredible pictures show what freedom means to 50 top photographers from around the globe. Free-to-use photography app Agora asked its 3.5 million users to take a photo which they thought would best illustrate the theme of 'freedom'. After nearly 20,000 entries, 50 images have made it to the final and are now being voted on --competing to be crowned the 'World's Best photo of #Freedom2020'. Voting is open now and the winner will be selected by January 23, with the top photographer will win $1,000 (Rs 70,850). On the edge: A man stands precariously on a cliff edge in Yosemite National Park, in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Photograph: @joeshelly/Agora Images Freedom is a state of mind: A man is seen meditating in front of the Taj Mahal in India. Photograph: @jordisark/Agora Images Happy High Jump: A young novice plays high jump on the white wall of the Pagoda. This Pagoda is known as Myatheindan Pagoda which is located in northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar. Photograph: @aungthuya/Agora Images Jump: A woman captured mid-jump as she leaps across a viewing point in the mountains of Montenegro. Photograph: @anskar/Agora Images Silks: Performing aerial acrobatics while hanging from a 500 ft slackline from a 600 ft cliff is something that I definitely don't see everyday. I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful expressions of art that I have ever seen in my entire life. The cliffs of the Fruit Bowl are huge. I set up an anchor and had to rappel with the camera for 100 ft (30 m aprox) to get the right angle while acrobatic aerialist artist Liz Thomas was hanging from her silks. Under my feet there was nothing but 600 ft (200 m apro.) of air before touching the ground. Photograph: @dmartphoto/Agora Images Freedom at Sea: This beautiful image of a kayaker was taken in Stow, Massachusetts, in the United States. Photograph: @benskaar/Agora Images Drops of freedom: Rural boys enjoy a rain bath after a long, scorching summer. A story of green childhood fun and retrospective of happy memories of childhood days. Photograph: @pranab_basak/Agora Images Free jump: A little child returning home from school. The child was so happy that he threw his umbrella and jumped all of a sudden. Photograph: @shibasishsaha/Agora Images Road to Freedom: A walker has this isolated road all to himself as he strides along the central lines in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Photograph: @franciscopaez/Agora Images Breaking Free: A boat breaks through the ice. Photograph: @tom.bridges/Agora Images Free like a boat: The image was captured in Lake Konigsee, Bavaria, Germany. Photograph: @seplb/Agora Images Back Home: I spotted this child on his way back home after having worked with his parents all day in the fields. This was a moment for him to be free from hard labour and become a kid a. This kid was playing with an old bike wheel while he was coming back home. Photograph: @mdabirhasan/Agora Images Like a Phoenix: A fire-eater leaps in the air on Labadi beach, Ghana. Photograph: @eighthman/Agora Images Fighting: Surfers fight against the tide to surf. Photograph: @carlesrgm/Agora Images Besides the High Court from where the commission will function, the government has allotted the staff who will be attached to the members of the commission for their day-to-day work. Hyderabad: In the days to come, police officials of different ranks, including Director-General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy and Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar who were directly or indirectly involved with the encounter of the four alleged accused in the Disha gang-rape and murder will be regular visitors to the High Court premises. The three-member commission appointed by the Supreme Court to probe the 'encounter of the four alleged accused in the Disha gang-rape and murder case is likely to function from the High Court premises. Top sources told Deccan Chronicle that such commissions are normally allotted a government guest house, which functions as their office. In this case, the commission is being allotted a court room from where all the proceedings will take place. It is learnt that the commission had sought the court room. The statements of all those concerned with the encounter, right from the team that participated in it to their higher-ups, including the DGP and the commissioner, will be recorded before the commission in the court room. Since there is ample security in place within the court premises, it was suitable, sources said, adding that more security personnel will be posted outside the court room from where the commission will work. Besides the High Court from where the commission will function, the government has allotted the staff who will be attached to the members of the commission for their day-to-day work. The accommodation and other arrangements like vehicles, security cover and other paraphernalia for the commission members have not yet been finalised. Sources said that the government has sought some more time to finalise these arrangements which would mean that there is likely to be a further delay in the arrival of the commission in Hyderabad to kickstart the probe. ''It might take another week to 10 days for the government to finalise the remaining arrangements,'' they said. Last week, Deccan Chronicle had reported how bureaucratic procedures were delaying the arrival of the commission, which has been given six months time, to complete the probe and submit its report to the Supreme Court. The commission, comprising former Supreme Court Judge V.S. Sirpurkar, retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Rekha Sundar Baldota and former CBI Director D R. Karthikeyan, met in Nagpur in the third week of December last year and forwarded their requirements to the state government. The commission is likely to hold its second meeting this week after which, based on the state governments communication, it will finalise the date of arrival of the members. ''Already, a lot of time has been lost in making the arrangements,'' remarked an official. The woman known as Disha to protect her identity was gang-raped and murdered on November 28, 2019. The four accused in the case Muhammed Arif, J. Naveen, J. Shiva and Chennakeshavulu were gunned down in an early morning ''encounter'' on December 6. China's foreign ministry on Tuesday said that they have "never been a currency manipulator" in response to the United States removing Beijing from its list of offenders. President Donald Trump's administration is dropping its designation of China as a currency manipulator in advance of the signing Wednesday of a Phase 1 US-China trade agreement. The action announced Monday comes five months after the Trump administration branded China a currency manipulator. It was the first time that any country had been so named by the US since 1994 during the Clinton administration, even though most independent experts concluded that Beijing had stopped doing so years ago. Also Tuesday, Geng hit back at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's comments warning Silicon Valley not to facilitate China's use of surveillance technology, saying certain Americans "keep fabricating lies to attack and slander China." Many analysts say tech competition is a key component of recent tensions between the US and China. Beijing has come under global criticism for its deployment of intrusive surveillance technology in the far western region of Xinjiang, where alleged central databases and AI-powered cameras flag individuals for detention in suspected mass internment camps. Finally, Geng praised African countries following a flurry of visits by China's top diplomat, singling out African support of the Chinese stance on Taiwan. "Relevant African countries' leaders and foreign ministers explicitly reiterated that they uphold the One China principle and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory," Geng said. Tsai Ing-wen was reelected as Taiwan's president by a landslide Saturday in a victory that signalled strong support for her tough stance against China among voters determined to defend their democratic way of life. It marked a major setback for Beijing, widely seen as backing Tsai's pro-China opponent. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has spoken up about the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act that has witnessed continuous protests for the past few weeks in India. Nadella said that he is shaped by his Indian heritage and his immigrant experience in the US. The Microsoft CEO said that he hopes for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead an MNC. "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," said Nadella in a statement that was posted by Microsoft. Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft pic.twitter.com/lzsqAUHu3I - Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) January 13, 2020 This statement comes right after Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Buzzfeed News quoted Nadella on the CAA. Talking at an event in Manhattan Nadella was quoted saying, "I think what is happening is sad... it's just bad... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys." The Microsoft statement appears to be a further clarification of his quote to Smith. By popular demand, here's the verbate pic.twitter.com/I8YcMDJsf8 - Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 13, 2020 Smith released the detailed quote by Nadella. The CEO had said, "I'm not saying that any country doesn't and shouldn't care about is own national security, border do exist and they're real and people will think about it, I mean after all immigration is an issue in this country, it's an issue in Europe and it's an issue in India, but the approach that one takes to deal with what is immigration, who are immigrants and minority groups, that sensibility." The Centre passed the act on December 11 and issued a gazette notification last week announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10. As per the legislation, non-Muslim citizens from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have faced religious persecution and moved to India before or on December 31, 2014 will be given citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the act across the country. Also read: DPIIT to discuss draft e-commerce policy on data storage on January 14 Also read: Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to get pay package worth Rs 1,721 crore, but he's still behind Apple's Tim Cook Broad-Reaching Coalition Testifies in Support of Marylands Community Choice Energy Legislation at Senate Finance Committee Hearing Get the Credit You Deserve: Tax Credit Information in English, Spanish, and Hmong Big Agriculture Just Lost Bills In States Across The Country NRDC Sues Over Energy Dept.s Illegal Refusal to Update Light Bulb Energy-Saving Standards Wisconsins Opportunity to Transform Early Care and Education Bernie Sanders's Key to Success in Democratic Primary? Organizing in Black & Latinx Communities #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke: Harvey Weinsteins of the World Can't Exist Without "Systems of Power "It's a Beginning": Rosanna Arquette on Weinstein Rape Conviction & How He Assaulted, Spied on Her Headlines for February 25, 2020 Details about why Iran air defense forces mistook a Ukrainian airliner for a cruise missile remain murky, but one thing is clear: Safeguards for operating surface-to-air missiles are supposed to prevent that kind of mistaken identity and all of them failed. The error, which killed all 176 people aboard the plane on Wednesday, is probably the result of multiple layers of failure that extend into high levels of the government and military, said Steven Zaloga, senior analyst for missile systems at the Teal Group. "There's any number of potential problems here," Zaloga said. "This incident strongly suggests that the methodology has failed and the technology has failed as well. There should have been a methodology worked out to prevent fratricide." Iran has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation of what happened, and bring the "culprits" to justice. Among the questions that remain is why authorities allowed civilian flights to operate during the tense hours after its attack on the Iraqi bases. Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 was flying in a very different manner than the cruise missile it was supposedly mistaken for. It was following the normal departure path from Tehran's airport and was clearly transmitting its identity when it was taken down. While a highly effective weapon against short-range threats, the SA-15 Tor missiles used in the strike early Wednesday have a guidance system that's designed for use in war zones and can't by itself easily distinguish between airliners, cruise missiles and other military aircraft. As a result, nations that deploy the Tor typically link them into a broader air-defense command system capable of tracking civilian planes, Zaloga said. In those circumstances, soldiers operating missile batteries aren't supposed to fire them without approval from higher authorities. Flight 752, a Boeing 737-800, was transmitting its position for civilian radars and the newest flight tracking system that uses global-positioning data, according to data posted by FlightRadar24. While the Tor's radars might not have been been able to discern between civilian and military targets, other systems in Iran were tracking the plane and that information should be available to missile battery commanders, he said. Iran has offered changing explanations for why it shot down the jet in the pre-dawn darkness. A statement released early Saturday said that the plane had turned toward a military base. FlightRadar24's track for the Boeing 737-800 showed it flying a normal profile. About two minutes after becoming airborne, it made a slight turn to the right, which is typical for departures from that runway. When it climbed to about 7,900 feet (2,408 meters) altitude, it suddenly stopped transmitting its position, most likely as it suffered damage from the missile. At least two other planes that departed that morning followed nearly identical paths and several others flew nearby, according to the company's data. "Even without having been made directly aware of this flight, a SAM operator crew should have easily been able to identify that this flight pattern and radar profile was completely at odds with any suspected U.S. missile or combat aircraft strike package," Justin Bronk, a specialist in military technology at Britain's Royal United Services Institute, wrote in a post on the think tank's website. A later statement by Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of Iran's Aerospace Force, said the jet was identified as a cruise missile. The U.S. versions of those self-guided drones are designed to hug the ground to avoid detection, often flying within 100 feet of the surface, Zaloga said. The Ukrainian plane was rapidly climbing and was several thousand feet higher. The missile operator was supposed to obtain approval before commanding a strike, but communications were disrupted and he only had 10 seconds to decide, Hajizadeh said. Despite criticism of Iran's explanations of the missile attack, the regime was praised by some for not attempting a broader cover-up. "Not withstanding two days of denials, this is an admirably frank admission of guilt," Bronk said in a tweet. "Will help avoid further escalation with the West, help the victim's families grieve, and prevent years of conspiracy rubbish. Well done." The apparently mistaken missile firing came just hours after Iran launched several ballistic missile barrages on bases in Iraq at which U.S. troops were stationed and Iran's air-defense system was on high alert. An earlier U.S. attack in Iraq that killed Iran's top general also heightened tensions. "We accept full responsibility for this action and we will obey any decision taken by the authorities," Hajizadeh said. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, which had initially adamantly denied a missile was involved, said it hadn't received any information on the plane being shot down despite repeated requests for information from military authorities. In spite of those factors, the failure points to broader issues with Iran's air-defense system, Zaloga said. Even though the country has had some successes, such as when it shot down a U.S. drone last June, it's generally seen as antiquated and ineffective, he said. "The source of the problem may be that they thought they were better than they were," he said. Among the questions that also remain is why authorities allowed civilian flights to operate during the tense hours after its attack on the Iraqi bases. The Federal Aviation Administration, which had imposed several flight restrictions on U.S. carriers in the region in recent months as tensions rose, reissued those warnings prior to the Tehran crash. The FAA became more aggressive in issuing such warnings in the wake of the 2014 loss of a Malaysian Airlines plane. There are relatively few surface-to-air missile systems operating around the world that are sophisticated enough to take down a jetliner and they typically aren't activated unless there's an imminent threat, Zaloga said. But last week's incident shows better controls are needed. "That is something that needs to be discussed at an international level," Zaloga said. It wasn't the first such case of tragic mistaken identity. In 1988, an Iran Air Airbus A300 was shot down by the U.S. Navy over the Persian Gulf, killing 290 people. Its crew mistook the jet for an Iranian fighter jet. In 2014, a Russian-made Buk missile downed Malaysia Airlines flight as it flew over eastern Ukraine, where fighting was occurring between rebels and that country's forces. Iranian officials may have allowed flights to continue because they didn't want to signal to the U.S. that it was involved in the missile attack against the Iraqi bases, Zaloga said. The result put those planes as risk, Simon Petersen, a director of missile defense issues at Terma A/S, said in a tweet. "So basically every passenger on every civil plane was used as human shields," he said. - - - Bloomberg's Yasna Haghdoost, Arsalan Shahla and Aoyon Ashraf contributed to this report. Boris Johnson and Donald Trump Getty Boris Johnson tells Donald Trump to step back from outright war with Iran. "Let's dial this down," the UK prime minister said, adding that "I don't want a military conflict between us, the United States and Iran," in an interview with the BBC. Johnson also appeared to mock Trump's boastfulness, calling him "a great deal maker, by his own account." The comments came as the UK defence secretary said the country would need to forge new defence alliances with other countries as the US risks "[withdrawing] from its leadership around the world." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Boris Johnson has told Trump to "dial down" his conflict with Iran and step back from outright war. The UK Prime Minister said on Tuesday that war in the region would not be in the UK's interests. "Let me be very clear. I don't want a military conflict between us, the United States and Iran," he told the BBC in a live interview inside his Downing Street residence. "Let's dial this down." In comments which appeared to mock the president's boastfulness, Johnson also insisted that the Iranian nuclear deal should be replaced with a new deal negotiated by the president. "President Trump is a great deal maker," Johnson said, before adding "by his own account, and many others." "Let's work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead." Johnson's comments came after the UK defence secretary said the country would not automatically back the US in future wars. "The assumptions of 2010 that we were always going to be part of a US coalition is really just not where we are going to be," Ben Wallace told the Sunday Times. Story continues Wallace said that Trump's isolationist policy, in which it risks "[withdrawing] from its leadership around the world" meant the UK would need to look to other international defence allies in future. "We are very dependent on American air cover and American intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets," he said. "We need to diversify our assets." Wallace's comments were described by the former Conservative foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday as "courageous and right." "American commitment to leadership of the alliance of democracies is weaker than it's been in some time," Hunt told BBC Newsnight. "Ben Wallace pointing out that we can't take American leadership for granted is courageous and right." Trump threatens to cut off intelligence ties with the UK Boris Johnson Trump Getty The comments came as the US threatened to cut off security ties with the UK, if Johnson allows Chinese telecoms company Huawei, a role in Britain's 5G network. "Congress has made it clear they will want an evaluation of our intelligence sharing," one senior US official told the Guardian, with another official adding that "Donald Trump is watching closely." However, Johnson refused to rule out going ahead with the Huawei deal, telling the BBC that "The British public deserves access to the best possible technology." He added: "If people oppose one brand or another they have to tell us what's the alternative?" Read the original article on Business Insider Reporters raise their hands to ask questions to President Moon Jae-in during his New Year's press conference broadcast live, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap Moon's blind faith in regulations leaves much to be desired By Lee Min-hyung The government will introduce "much stronger" regulations to bring soaring housing prices back to their original state beyond stabilizing the overheated real estate market, President Moon Jae-in said in a New Year's press conference, Tuesday. "My view is that (the real estate policy) should be not be centered on stopping housing prices from rising further, but driving down the prices in some (speculation-ridden) areas," Moon told reporters. He pledged to keep coming up with far more intense measures to end real estate speculation. Speculative capital has a tendency to continue finding "indirect speculation routes" for some time after the government introduces regulations, according to the President. "For this reason, the incumbent administration will not cease to come up with much stronger measures when it sees the previous and existing regulations do not work any longer," Moon said. Economists and market experts, however, voiced their consensus that such "blind faith" in regulations would never become a solution to calm the overheated housing market in the long run. A woman protests against the nuclear deal reached with Iran before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with Jewish community leaders at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center to discuss the deal on Sept. 3, 2015 in Davie, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) France, Germany, UK Blame Iran for Violating Nuclear Deal, Trigger Mediation France, Germany, and the UK announced they have triggered a formal dispute resolution process in response to Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal, according to statements released by European diplomats on Jan. 14. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Unions representative for foreign affairs, wrote that he received a letter from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom to [trigger] a dispute mechanism of the agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). They will now oversee the process which requires intensive efforts [and] approach in good faith by all, he said, adding that its more important than ever to preserve the accord. In a statement, the UK, France, and Germany said they have no choice but to take action amid the escalation of tensions between Washington and Iran, after the White House ordered the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, and Tehran announced it would pull back from key components of the nuclear deal, including the limit on centrifuges. The Europeans said they cant credibly move forward to save the agreement without the dispute resolution process being initiated. We have therefore been left with no choice, given Irans actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments under the JCPOA and to refer this matter to the Joint Commission under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism, the ministers said. They added: We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving the JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue while preserving the agreement and remaining within its framework. In doing so, our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA. The United States reimposed its sanctions on Tehran after President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and called on other major powers to abandon it, saying that the lack of sanctions has allowed Iran to pursue its ambitions in the Middle East. And on Jan. 10, the White House announced more sanctions against the regime after it launched a barrage of missiles at Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops on Jan. 7. Hours later on Jan. 8, Iranby its own admissionshot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing 176 people and prompting protests across the country. On Jan. 14, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Trump needs to come up with his own deal to replace the 2015 deal, and he noted that the accord had many, many faults. President Trump is a great deal-maker, by his own account and many others. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead. That is our opportunity, Johnson told the BBC. New Delhi: Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday Kuala Lumpur is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row. Vowing to find a solution, Mahathir said, "We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it. "If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people," Reuters quoted Mahathir as saying. India summons Malaysia envoy Earlier, India conveyed a strong protest to Malaysia over Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's comments claiming that India was taking action to deprive some Muslims of their citizenship. Malaysian envoy was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry and he was conveyed India's anguish over Mohamad's comments, official sources said. It was also conveyed that such remarks are both ill-informed and insensitive, the sources said, adding Malaysia was asked to take a long-term and strategic view of the relations between the two countries. Mohamad made some adverse comments against the citizenship law at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. The ministry also said Malaysia should refrain from commenting on the internal developments of India, especially without a right understanding of the facts. After visiting the media centre at the Kuala Lumpur Summit on Friday, Mohamad had reportedly said: "I am sorry to see that India, which claims to be a secular state, is now taking action to deprive some Muslims of their citizenship." "If we do that here, you know what will happen. There will be chaos, there will be instability and everyone will suffer," he said. Responding to Mohamad's reported remarks, the ministry in a statement said: "According to media reports, the Prime Minister of Malaysia has yet again remarked on a matter that is entirely internal to India." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Animal made its way onto the tracks at Busby in East Renfrewshire at 8.48am The highland cow escaped from Pollok Country Park in Glasgow on January 14 A highland cow left trains at a standstill today after escaping from a country park and making its way to a railway line in Scotland. The animal, which escaped from Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, left commuters facing morning delays after it was able to walk onto the tracks at Busby in East Renfrewshire at 8.48am on January 14. Following the incident, Scot rail took to Twitter to share footage of the cow, which escaped through a breach in a fence, stood on the tracks. The highland cow, which escaped from Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, stands on the tracks at Busby in East Renfrewshire at 8.48am on January 14 The animal, which escaped through a breach in the fence, looks around at its surroundings and remains on the tracks During the clip, the large animal was seen standing on the tracks and looking around at its surroundings. The cow was then filmed walking down the tracks and causing an approaching train to slow down and stop. Glasgow City Council were later dispatched to the scene and assisted Scot Rail in moving the cow back to the country park. Following the incident, Network Rail Scotland shared footage of the cow being led back to a field as a member of staff rejoiced: 'There you go.' In a tweet Network Rail Scotland wrote: 'We've moved the animal clear of the railway assisted by @GlasgowCC staff. @Scot services are returning to normal, though there is some disruption ongoing at Glasgow Central while trains which were unable to depart are moved from the station.' The cow begins to walk down the tracks as an approaching trains slows down and eventually stops Following the incident, the highland cow, which escaped from Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, is assisted back into a field Glasgow City Council tweeted: 'The coos have been retrieved and moooved back to Pollol Park. Our cooncil team are working with rail staff to check where the breach in the fence is...maybe they just needed a wee calf!' The comical scenes, which have since received more than 27,000 views on Twitter, have also seen a number of social media users share their thoughts on the unusual disturbance. One person wrote: 'He liked it so much he wanted to stay for heifer and heifer.' While another commented: 'Imagine explaining to your work you got delayed because of a cow.' Elsewhere another user added: 'Thank goodness no harm done. He can be forgiven.' ScotRail took to Twitter to share footage of the scene and assure commuters that they would have the cow 'moooooved' as soon as they could Network Rail Scotland later shared footage of the cow being taken back into a field Following the incident, Glasgow City Council said the cow had been retrieved and moved back to Pollok Park A vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) is being developed in Vietnam. A group of US experts are coming to Vietnam in January to cooperate in the development, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, who spoke at the conference on deploying measures to step up the production and ensure free epidemics in livestock held in late December 2019. Cuong said the research and development of ASF vaccine has gained encouraging initial results. Vietnam plans to cooperate with the US and Netherlands to produce the vaccine. The US side has reported satisfactory results in the vaccine production. In January 2020, the US will send specialists in agriculture to Vietnam to join forces with Vietnamese scientists to research and produce ASF. In the near future, together with biosafety solutions, we have better conditions to strive for sustainable livestock development, Cuong said. The minister went on to say that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) not only cooperates with state-owned institutes and universities, but also with large corporations to conduct research and development of ASF vaccine. Prior to that, in July 2019, MARD gathered a meeting to discuss some initial results in developing vaccines and using biological products in preventing and fighting ASF. While waiting for MARD to allocate budget for vaccine research and production and set up a grade-III laboratory, the research team has been asked to prepare the production of 300-500 vaccine doses to serve experiments. According to Nguyen Thi Lan, director of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, said the university has conducted research on the next-generation inactivated vaccine for pigs, with success in laboratory and small-scale experiment. When carrying out virulence testson pigs, the scientists found three ASF virus types with high virulence, thereby determining the pathogenesis and the distribution of the virus in pig organs. The experimental vaccine was used at threepig farms affected by ASF belonging to three different households in Hung Yen, Ha Nam and Thai Binh provinces. Sixteen out of 16 sows and 15 pigs used for meat of these three households were healthy after more than two months of vaccination. Some sows gave birth to healthy piglets, while unvaccinated pigs all died from ASF. Lan said the vaccine is safe for pigs and has a high protection effect for vaccinated pigs (100 percent of pigs with natural infection stay alive). While waiting for MARD to allocate budget for vaccine research and production and set up a grade-III laboratory, the research team has been asked to prepare the production of 300-500 vaccine doses to serve experiments. The problem now is the lack of material facilities and equipment to produce vaccines on an industrial scale. Some months ago, on biorxiv.org, American scientists announced they found a vaccine that reportedly could induce protection against the ASF virus. There is still no commercial vaccine to fight ASF. Mai Chi Chinese demand drives up Vietnam's pig prices The strong demand in China for pigs, due to its year-long struggle against African swine fever, has caused local pig prices to surge over the past week. However, the local market is also facing a pig undersupply. HOLYOKE - A drug suspect fleeing from police burst into an Elm Street apartment Monday night, terrifying the residents inside, police said. Noel Garcia-Muriel, 38, of Springfield, was eventually apprehended by police on a second-floor porch in the rear of 298 Elm St., said Holyoke police spokesman, Lt. James Albert. Garcia-Muriel was found with cocaine and crack cocaine, and was charge possession and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance. But he was also charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering, trespassing and disorderly conduct for forcing his way into the apartment, Albert said. The arrest was the result of increased patrols following two fatal shootings in Holyoke over the weekend. Holyoke police detectives, assisted by officials with the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Homeland Security, were patrolling areas in the city considered to be hot spots for high amounts of criminal activity, Albert said. During a check at one such spot on Elm Street, officials spotted Garcia-Muriel standing in a hallway of 298 Elm St. When they attempted to talk to him, he ran inside the building. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Holyoke District Court. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals on Tuesday said it has divested one plot of its industrial land in Dahej, Gujarat for Rs 99 crore, as part of the strategy to divest non-core assets. "The company has divested one of its plots of industrial land in Dahej...for total transaction value of Rs 99.2 crore," the fertilisers and industrial chemicals producer said in a regulatory filing. The deed of assignment was executed last month and the transfer order from Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation has been received, the filing said. The company has received the sale consideration and paid all the related charges and its share of transfer fees, it added. The company's existing nitric acid plant is situated in Dahej where it continues to have adequate unutilised area in order to take care of any future expansion. Shares of the company were trading at Rs 114.55, up 4.47 percent on teh BSE in morning trade. On Saturday, Taiwans first female president, Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive party (DPP), won re-election in a landslide victory that dealt a decisive blow to Beijings aggressive efforts to dictate Taiwanese politics. The first thing to note about Tsais victory is that it had a lot to do with the ongoing unrest in Hong Kong. At the beginning of 2019, Tsai had an approval rating in the low 20s. The pro-reunification Nationalist Party (KMT) had won 2018s local elections, handing the DPP a huge defeat on the strength of voters economic concerns. Many Taiwanese werent pleased with an economy slowed by Beijings coercive measures. Chinas autocratic head of state, Xi Jinping, sees Tsais pro-independence political stand as the ultimate threat to his aim of reunification with Taiwan and had decided to use Chinas economic power to teach her a lesson. Beijing had issued a travel ban in 2018 forbidding mainland tourists from traveling to the island. Since tourism is one of the biggest industries in Taiwan, the ban was projected to result in 700,000 fewer mainland tourists in just six months, costing Taiwan a staggering $900.5 million. Voters backed the KMT later the same year, and Tsai was forced to resign from her position as DPP chair. With a dangerously low approval rating and no political momentum to speak of, Tsai looked to be as good as dead politically this time last year. Then, a few months later, protests erupted in Hong Kong. For years, Beijing has pointed to Hong Kong as a successful example of the One Country, Two Systems framework and tried to persuade Taiwan to embrace the same model as the only peaceful means of reunification with the mainland. But when millions of Hong Kongers began to protest a Beijing-backed extradition bill that would have intruded on Hong Kongs judicial independence and Hong Kongers political freedom, the reverberations were felt in Taiwan. Authorities botched their handling of the initial protests, allowing them to evolve into a pro-democracy movement. Protesters began to demand universal suffrage and other reforms. Hong Kong polices brutal attacks against protesters and city officials complete capitulation to Beijing did not go unnoticed by Taiwanese voters. Story continues Seizing on the resulting fears that reunification would turn Taiwan into another Hong Kong, Tsai framed her reelection as the only way to preserve and protect Taiwans hard-won democracy. As long as I am here, I will stand firm to defend Taiwans sovereignty. As long as I am here, you would not have to fear, because we will not become another Hong Kong, she promised, and voters responded. One voter who traveled back to Taiwan to cast her vote told a South China Morning Post reporter, It is pathetic to see Hong Kong losing its freedoms and democracy. It reminds me that I have to cherish my vote, and safeguard democracy in Taiwan. Shes not alone. Thousands of overseas Taiwanese who made the trip to Taiwan to cast their votes last weekend shared her concerns and helped propel Tsai to victory: In the end, the incumbent collected 57 percent of the ballots cast, or 8.17 million votes, a record in Taiwans history, while Beijings preferred candidate, the KMTs Han Kuo-yu, took only 39 percent. (A third-party candidate took the rest.) The second thing to note about Tsais landslide is that it provides further evidence of the failure of Beijings policies toward Taiwan. Beijing regards Taiwan as a province and has been trying to reassert control over the island since 1949. Before Taiwan held its first democratic election in 1996, Beijing viewed the election as a significant step toward Taiwanese independence and threatened to use force to stop it. Its Peoples Liberation Army fired missiles at the island as a warning. The election only went ahead after the U.S. intervened to safeguard it. After that, Beijing tried to win Taiwan over by deepening economic ties with the island. According to a Rand Corporation report, Beijing has openly proclaimed that the goals of this approach include encouraging peaceful reunification and using business to pressure politicians. Xi continues to use this carrot and stick approach to Taiwan today, in increasingly desperate attempts to secure reunification as a key part of his political legacy. While building economic ties with Taiwan, Beijing has engaged in relentless efforts to isolate the island from the rest of the world. During Tsais first term, seven small nations cut their diplomatic ties with Taiwan after Beijing lured them away with economic incentives. In late November 2019, Wang William Liqiang, a self-identified Chinese spy who is currently seeking political asylum in Australia, claimed that he was personally involved in Chinas efforts to meddle in Taiwans 2018 election by creating more than 20 media and internet companies to launch targeted attacks, and spending roughly $200 million over an unspecified period to invest in television stations in Taiwan. Wang also alleged that hed funneled $2.8 million on behalf of Beijing to help the KMTs Han, a favorite of Beijing for his pro-reunification stance, win the 2018 Kaohsiung mayoral election. The ruling DPP took Wangs allegations seriously and pushed through an anti-infiltration law to counter Beijings political meddling. KMTs Han denied that hed received any financial assistance from Beijing, but Wangs allegations cast a long shadow on his effort to unseat Tsai that he couldnt shake off. Many voters worried that a vote for Han would allow Beijing to wield more power to suppress Taiwans democracy. Some even said that a vote for Han would be a vote for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In the run-up to Saturdays vote, Xi unveiled a wide range of measures to further promote economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Shortly after announcing these measures, with under two weeks to go before the election, he sent a new Chinese aircraft carrier to sail through the Taiwan Strait in hopes of intimidating voters inclined to back Tsai, and of warning Tsai that Beijing would attack if she took steps to declare Taiwans independence should she win. Despite Chinas repeated military and economic threats and its efforts to isolate Taiwan from the rest of the world, Taiwanese handed Tsai a huge victory and dealt a serious blow to Xis dreams of reunification. On Saturday, Chinas aggressive stance toward Taiwan was proven a failure. The third thing to note about Saturdays result is that Chinese culture and democracy are in no way inherently incompatible. This may seem to be an odd point to Westerners, but Beijing has long insisted democracy is a Western political model that cant be translated to Chinese culture. PRC officials argued that Chinese people could only enjoy peace, prosperity, and stability by accepting the Communist Partys authoritarian rule. But in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, that has been revealed as a lie. South China Morning Post reports that some mainland Chinese, defying Beijings travel ban, traveled to Taiwan last week to witness history. One of them said she was envious of Taiwanese getting to vote for their leaders directly, something that has never happened in Communist China. Contra the party line, Chinese people, like everyone else on this planet, crave the right to self-determination, to chart their own destiny and choose their own form of government. Upon winning her election, Tsai called on Beijing to join her to construct sustainable and healthy ways of engagement, in a sign that she is willing to talk as long as Beijing respects Taiwans sovereignty and freedoms. Given that Beijings policies have failed spectacularly in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Xi would do well to listen to what she has to say. More from National Review London (AFP) - Korean pop superstars BTS helped launch a global public art project in London on Tuesday inspired by their message of inclusivity and involving renowned artists including Antony Gormley and Tomas Saraceno. The K-pop septet has teamed up with an array of artistic talent from around the world to help forge a series of contemporary exhibits going on display in five cities across four continents. The project -- "Connect, BTS" -- used the boy band's support for "diversity, love and care for the periphery" as the starting point for the series of disparate multi-disciplinary artworks. They will be complemented by video messages introducing the piece recorded by BTS. "We're very excited and really happy to be part of this project," said band member RM -- real name Kim Namjoon -- at a launch event at London's Serpentine Galleries, where one of the exhibits was unveiled. "We have always been inspired by the ability of music to communicate across borders and barriers which is not very different from what art does," added band mate Suga, as they joined via live video-link from the South Korean capital Seoul. BTS, the first K-pop group to top charts in the US and Britain, has seen its global profile surge in recent years. They completed a lucrative world tour in 2019 before performing in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve. The floppy-haired musicians, all in their 20s and often sporting earrings and lipstick, have built a predominantly youthful fan base on a message of self-acceptance and tolerance. The curators of "Connect, BTS" hope to tap into their huge online profile and tens of millions of followers on social media sites like Instagram and Twitter. "This project will encourage appreciation of diversities and establish ground for great new synergies to be born," said its art director Daehyung Lee. - 'Out of their silos' - The various artworks will go on show in the Korean and British capitals, as well as in Berlin, Buenos Aires and New York. Story continues The London offering, "Catharsis", by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, features an audio-visual simulation of a re-imagined old-growth forest portrayed in a single continuous camera shot. It can be seen at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park until March 15. Meanwhile in New York's Brooklyn Bridge Park, British artist Gormley has crafted 18 kilometres (11 miles) of looping and coiling aluminium into a vast "drawing in space" which will be unveiled on February 4 and remain there until March 27. "This is a really wonderful example of, in a way, people jumping out of their silos and in a sense making something that could just be an idea a reality," Gormley said. Berlin's Gropius Bau venue will host its offering, a series of performance works by over 17 international artists, from Wednesday until February 2. Buenos Aires is set to showcase Argentine artist Saraceno's "synthesis of art, science and environmental activism" from January 21 for two months. Meanwhile two works will be unveiled in Seoul at the city's Dongdaemun Design Plaza between January 28 and March 20. Throughout the United States, resisters pushed back on a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Some states made their point by holding out until the 2000s to establish a holiday signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Other local governments found creative ways to minimize King by generalizing the holiday, so as not to name him, or creating a dual holiday, so the honor wouldnt be his exclusively. Texas eventually got around to it, but it also has a Confederate Heroes Day that this year falls one day before MLKs. San Antonio leaders wisely chose a different path, and San Antonio activists, ever resourceful, have overcompensated for the sins of others. So, on Monday the city will put on one of the largest MLK marches in the country. Its the highlight of more than 1,000 events from Jan. 10-26 that are part of DreamWeek. Each day offers experiences that nudge us out of our comfort zones. An event tonight will showcase a talk on wage equity thats listed as a demand, Pay Her What Shes Worth. The discussion is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the YWCA Olga Madrid Center on the West Side. Another event features a discussion of Kings legacy of resistance and what we can do when laws and law enforcement practices stifle protest. Its from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Travis Park Church downtown. Both events are free. National holidays, when theyre relevant, give us a multitude of teaching moments and opportunities to cross self-imposed borders and meet people unlike us. Thats Kings legacy, too. But the Student Leadership Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio gets the prize for its Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience, a bus tour of civil rights landmarks in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. At its most powerful, the tour drew a line from slavery to mass incarceration. Now in its ninth year, the tour ended by challenging a group of 45 students to connect what they learned on the trip to their leadership aspirations. It was no coincidence the tour paid homage to the journeys of young Freedom Riders who in the 1960s boarded buses to Southern states, sat at whites-only lunch counters and faced violence from police and white mobs. The bus got back Saturday. On Sunday, two of the students 21-year-old juniors Sydney Brown and Christopher Garcia met me at a coffee shop near the UTSA campus to digest their experiences. It was Browns second trip and her first as a facilitator and part of the faculty. The return visit brought new experiences, especially at the Equal Justice Institute in Montgomery, Ala. The institute has been much in the news thanks to a new movie, Just Mercy, that tells the story of its founder, Bryan Stevenson, and his work on mass incarceration. The group saw the movie there on opening day in an auditorium that was all their own. Its also where the group visited one of the nations most compelling new monuments, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, dedicated to the victims of white supremacy. The memorial features 800 massive steel blocks that are suspended from the ceiling, each etched with the name of a county in which African Americans were lynched, and if known, the names of the victims. Brown was moved by an exhibit at the Equal Justice Initiatives Legacy Museum, where people can pick up phones and hear the original testimony of the initiatives clients. She met Kuntrell Jackson there. At 14, he received a life sentence for a murder he didnt commit. The initiative won his release. Garcia, a history major who wants to teach high school social studies, sought out the trip because he wanted to learn more about civil rights than what can be found in books. He was struck by an exhibit of segregated classrooms and a sign that that read, No Blacks, No Dogs, No Mexicans from 1939 El Paso. He stood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., where marchers were beat up in whats known as Bloody Sunday. Garcia took dozens of photos to document his experience. But at the 18th-century Whitney Plantation in Louisiana, he stopped clicking. The silence startled him. A guide showed them various sites, including rusty cells used first for slave auctions and later to hold convicts and a memorial to slaves who participated in an 1811 revolt. Many of the slaves who were caught were executed and beheaded. The memorial depicts rows of decapitated ceramic heads mounted on steel rods burrowed into the ground. There, Garcia stopped taking pictures, partly out of respect. It was also awe because what was meant as a warning to slaves didnt end the rebellions. For the future teacher, its a lesson that will stay with him for future lectures and future MLK Days. Elaine Ayala is a columnist covering San Antonio and Bexar County. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eayala@express-news.net | Twitter: @ElaineAyala West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, while addressing a science and engineering fair in Kolkata on Tuesday, said that mythological character Arjunas arrows had nuclear power and chariots mentioned in the Mahabharata actually flew. He immediately drew flak from scientists and scholars. In Mahabharata, we had a situation where Sanjay narrated everything and not from the field (the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas). We had those arrows of Arjuna that had nuclear power, Dhankhar said while addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Eastern India Science and Engineering Fair 2020 where he was the chief guest. He also said that although aircraft was invented by man in the 20th century there was Udaan Khatola (flying chariots) in Ramayana. If we delve into our scriptures...plane was invented in 1910 or 1911. But in Ramayana we had Udaan Khatola, said Dhankhar. For the record, the Wright brothers Orville and Wilbur made the first aircraft that flew on December 17, 1903 in North Carolina in the US. Dhankhar said that the world can no longer afford to ignore India. Scientists criticized the governor and said that he should refrain from making such statements as they have a negative impact on the society. He is showing symptoms of insanity. As scientists, we get furious when we hear such things. Someday he may say Lord Krishnas chakra had powers of hydrogen bomb. This is absurd. Since he is a governor, people listen to what he says. I am afraid that such statements can have a negative impact on the society. He means to say that we had everything in the past and there is nothing new, said veteran nuclear physicist Bikash Sinha, a Padma Bhusan and Padma Shri awardee. Someone should tell him that he should stay calm and refrain from such statements so that his position as a governor is not affected, said Sinha. Jadavapur University professor Nrishimha Prasad Bhaduri, an expert on ancient scriptures, said, The governor seems to have mistaken poetic imaginations and foresightedness depicted in the Ramayana and Mahabharata for achievements of science. We all know that no man went to the moon when H G Wells wrote First Man in the Moon. Leonardo Da Vinci imagined airplane much before it was created. Bhaduri said that atoms and molecules have been mentioned in Nyaya Vaisesika but as basic elements of nature and not as destructive energy. Arjunas Pashupatastra (a weapon) and the Pushpaka Rath (chariot) are nothing but works of great imagination. Poets and artistes have through the ages conceptualised things that science achieved much later. But conceptualization and realisation are different things altogether, said Bhaduri. BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyz and Tajik officials have held initial talks on border issues following another round of clashes between Kyrgyz and Tajiks residing close to a disputed segment of the two Central Asian states' shared border. The talks were held at a border checkpoint near the Tajik village of Guliston and the Kyrgyz village of Kyzyl-Bel in the southern Batken region on January 14. Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Jenish Razakov, who led the Kyrgyz delegation at the talks, told RFE/RL that the sides did not reach agreement during the first round of talks. The Tajik delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Azim Ibrohim. The talks are being held after gunshots were fired along the border on January 9. Kyrgyz officials have said gunshots were fired from the Tajik side, prompting the brief evacuation of 254 Kyrgyz nationals, including 139 children, from a village near the location of the clashes. No casualties were reported. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry summoned the Tajik ambassador over the incident, while Tajikistan blamed the residents of the Kyrgyz village for provoking the unrest. The segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in the southern Batken region where the incident took place has seen similar clashes in the past, including at least 10 skirmishes last year. In December, six Kyrgyz and three Tajiks were wounded in clashes in the area, while violence in September claimed four lives. Many border areas in the former Soviet republics in Central Asia have been disputed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Georgetown study finds that the return on a liberal arts education is not typically immediate at 10 years, the median return is $62,000 but over the decades of a career, it is solid. Only doctoral universities with the two highest levels of research activity, well-known institutions such as Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, fared better in the schools estimated return on investment. The median 40-year return of $918,000 at liberal arts colleges is more than 25 percent higher than the median for all colleges, researchers found. A transatlantic flight as forced to divert to Shannon Airport this afternoon after the crew reported a technical issue that would prevent them from landing at their destination. British Airways flight BA-274 left Las Vegas in the US at 4.40am Irish time and was due to land at Londons Heathrow Airport at 2.55pm. At around 12.30 pm however, while the flight was still west of Ireland, the flight crew of the Boeing 747-400 jet contacted to advise them of an issue. The pilots confirmed they had a slight technical problem that would affect their crosswind landing capability at Heathrow and therefore they would be unable to land there. It is understood the flight crew reported a possible problem with the jets rudder which would have impacted their crosswind landing capability in London where the effects of Storm Brendan were still being felt. The crew opted to divert and land Shannon as a precaution and have the issue investigated. A replacement aircraft was flown in to take the passengers onto Heathrow. The flight was also carrying company engineers who were flown in to investigate the problem. The flight landed without issue at 1.21pm. The flight crew did not declare an emergency and confirmed to controllers that they would not require emergency services to be standing by for they as they expected to make a normal landing. A British Airways spokesperson confirmed: The aircraft diverted to Shannon as a precaution after a minor technical issue. We have sent a replacement aircraft to fly our customers back to Heathrow as soon as possible. We have apologised to our customers for the delay to their journey. The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority. The incident jet was expected to remain grounded at Shannon until the issue could be resolved. Shares of recently-listed CSB Bank continued to remain under pressure and dipped 1.7 per cent to Rs 194.65 on the BSE on Tuesday. The stock has thus fallen below its issue price of Rs 195. The Kerala-based bank was trading at its lowest level since its listing on December 4, 2019. CSB Bank had made a strong debut at the bourses at Rs 300, a 54 per cent premium to its issue price. The stock has since erased all its listing gains, and tanked 38 per cent from its life-time high of Rs 314, touched on the second day of its listing. According to the bank's shareholding pattern as on ... Russia seized Crimea in 2014, after which Kyiv started banning people entry into the country if they travel to the peninsula illegally namely beyond Ukrainian-recognized checkpoints. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has said it wasn't privy to information that Swedish recording artist Alban Nwapa (stage name Dr.Alban) was banned from entering Ukraine after he performed in Russian-annexed Crimea. "The Security Service of Ukraine has no information about the Ukraine entry ban specified in the inquiry regarding said foreign citizen," the SBU told Ukrayinska Pravda, RFE/RL reports. In December, Nwapa on his Instagram account thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for allegedly interceding in having the authorities allow him to cross into Ukraine. The artist had previously done a gig in Crimea and allegedly broke Ukrainian law by not receiving permission through the proper channels. Read alsoAmid Western condemnation, Putin opens Crimea bridge to rail traffic media "I was forbidden to enter Ukraine because of my previous show on the disputed island of Crimea. With the intervention of the president, I was able to get to Ukraine," Nwapa initially said. He later altered the post on December 16 acknowledging the entry ban but omitted the reference to Zelensky allegedly having helped him. "Meeting Ukrainian President...Zelensky," Nwapa said. "I was banned entering Ukraine because of my previous show in the Crimea peninsula...Ukrainians don't like it.... It's just not easy or possible for me and many people to know that entering Crimea then you are breaking Ukrainian law. Many foreigners won't know this." Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, President The unpleasant aftermaths of colonialism are still plaguing Africa. In 1960 French Cameroun, was granted independence by France. In 1961, The United Nations organised a referendum in the most significant event in the history of the southern and northern parts of the British-administered trust territory of Cameroon. In a referendum that was ill-conceived, the people of the northern and southern parts of the British-administered trust territory were asked on the 11th of February 1961 to determine whether the territory should join neighbouring French Cameroun or Nigeria. The option of independence was not on the ballot having been opposed by Andrew Cohen, the UK representative to the UN Trusteeship Council. The Muslim-majority Northern Cameroons voted in favour of joining Nigeria, whilst the Christian-majority Southern Cameroons voted in favour of integration with French Cameroun. Northern Cameroon officially became part of Nigeria on 1 June 1961 whilst Southern Cameroons became part of French Cameroun on 1 October 1961. This half-baked referendum has dogged the country of French Cameroun ever since. The English speaking minority which represents 8 million of the countrys 25 million have persistently fought against marginalising and inequality since 1961. Successive French Cameroun governments have used excessive force to silent any dissent. However, between 2016 and 2017 the winds of change had gathered momentum from the English-speaking people for independence. A movement was formed with a view of attaining independence through peaceful means for the English-speaking region of the country. The response from the countrys president, Paul Biya, the worlds longest serving dictator was vicious. Thousands of peaceful demonstrators were killed, arrested and detained without trial. On the 1st of October 2019, the leader of the English-speaking people, Sisiku AyukTabe, declared independence from French Cameroun and named the country, Ambazonia. On the 5th of January 2018, whilst at the NERA hotel in Abuja Nigeria, with his leadership team, he was abducted in what was later confirmed to be a joint operation by the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments. On the 1st of March 2019, after considering all the evidence, the Nigerian Federal High Court concluded that the arrests and subsequent deportations of the leaders by the Nigerian government was unlawful and unconstitutional. On the 20th of August 2019, the political detainees went through a 19 hours trial ending with life sentences. This was in flagrant disregard of the Abuja High Court Judgement which had demanded that they be returned to Nigeria immediately. As the leaders continue their fight for freedom from behind bars, the movement that was fashioned to attain independence by peaceful means has now moved into what has become Africas newest conflict which has claimed more than 15,000 lives already. There are numerous reports from respected international organisations that the French Cameroun military are committing acts of war crimes. With France and the West uninterested in intervening to bring the conflict to a close, the question that remains is when would this avoidable bloodsshed end and if these two nations will live in peace thereafter. This Publication was sourced and Supported by: Paulette Mengnjo aka Mama AMBAZONIA, UK. This is a great opportunity to increase your organizations capacity to leverage a shared development model to decrease costs, speed innovation, and accelerate transformation. LF Energy, a nonprofit, vendor-neutral initiative from The Linux Foundation, whose mission is to accelerate the energy and electricity sectors worldwide decarbonization goals through open-source technology, announced it is partnering with Dutch distribution system operator, Alliander, to host a free Open Source Bootcamp for Energy. The Open Source Bootcamp for Energy will be hosted at Allianders Duiven offices, just 10 km from Arnhem, on 6 Feb from 9:00-17:00 CET. The free event is designed for utilities professionals as well as their suppliers and vendors. This full day of training will teach attendees how to leverage best practices for open source software within their enterprises. The bootcamps instruction includes details on developing software in an open source environment, business strategy, license compliance, and managing an open source program office within an organization. "If we want to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, open source is the only way for the energy and utilities industries to develop and scale the infrastructure and technology we need to meet this goal, says LF Energy Executive Director Dr. Shuli Goodman, Ph.D. We are offering free attendance to our Open Source Bootcamp for Energy to encourage utility professionals, suppliers, and their teams to attend and start tackling this challenge. This is a great opportunity to increase your organizations capacity to leverage a shared development model to decrease costs, speed innovation, and accelerate transformation. Event speakers include: Shuli Goodman, Executive Director, LF Energy Ibrahim Haddad, VP Strategic Programs, The Linux Foundation Jon Aldama, Vice President, FOSSID Those interested in attending the event may register here. Members of the media who wish to attend should email lfenergypr@walkersands.com. This event is possible through Allianders LF Energy membership and commitment to the acceleration of the energy transition through the collaborative development of green technology through open source. In addition, LF Energy is pleased to announce several organizations have joined as new LF Energy members, including: Find more information on becoming a member here: https://www.lfenergy.org/join. About Alliander Alliander is an energy network company. We transport gas and electricity to more than three million consumers and businesses in the Netherlands each day, and are committed to providing a reliable, affordable, accessible and sustainable energy supply, both now and in the future. Alliander consists of a group of companies employing over 7,000 people in total. Together, we stand for high-quality knowledge of energy grids, energy technology and technical innovation. Our shareholders are Dutch provinces and municipalities. Together with them and our partners, we discuss our plans for the future and offer solutions to complex energy infrastructure issues. About LF Energy A first-of-its-kind initiative, LF Energy provides a 21st century plan of action to solving climate change through open frameworks, reference architectures and a support ecosystem of complementary projects. In addition to RTE, members include Energinet, TenneT, Alliander, Elering, IBM, Recurve, Stanford University, OSISoft, Unicorn, Root9B and more. Find further information here: https://www.lfenergy.org. When it comes to updating professional skills, continuous learning is more important to Millennials and adult Gen Zers than to Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, according to a survey of 1,048 adults, conducted by getAbstract, a company that summarizes top business books, articles and videos. More than half of Millennials (58 percent) and adult Gen Zers (52 percent) said success in their careers depends on updating their skills and knowledge frequently, compared with 35 percent of Gen Xers and 34 percent of Baby Boomers. However, younger workers are also more likely to feel stressed about the need to continuously update their skills and knowledge. Almost one-third (31 percent) of Millennials and Gen Zers said engaging in continuous learning stressed them out, compared with 19 percent of Gen Xers and 15 percent of Baby Boomers. Overall, though, engaging in continuous learning was most often associated with good feelings, with fulfilled, accomplished and motivated the most cited emotions by all generations. The workplace and its demands are changing more rapidly than ever before, thanks to technology, said Andrew Savikas, president of getAbstract US. Its clear that all generations -- but especially Gen Zers and Millennials -- know this and deeply understand that actively seeking new skills and knowledge is essential as they are advancing in their careers. Fortunately there are more resources than ever to learn new skills and gain knowledge, and ways to integrate that learning into everyday work. Younger generations expect employers to provide learning opportunities Nearly all respondents (93 percent) said it was at least somewhat important that their employers provide resources for continuous learning, but younger generations were more likely to say it was extremely or very important. Of adult Gen Zers, 84 percent said it was extremely or very important, as did 78 percent of Millennials; 71 percent of Gen Xers; and 63 percent of Baby Boomers. How important to you is it that your company provide training/materials to update your skills and/or knowledge? Adult Gen Z Extremely important: 52.9% Very important: 31% Somewhat important: 11.5% Not so important: 3.5% Not at all important: 1.2% Millennials Extremely important: 45% Very important: 32.9% Somewhat important: 17.2% Not so important: 3.9% Not at all important: 1% Gen X Extremely important: 33.7% Very important: 36.9% Somewhat important: 20.4% Not so important: 6.5% Not at all important: 2.5% Baby Boomers Extremely important: 30.1% Very important: 33.3% Somewhat important: 26.3% Not so important: 3.8% Not at all important: 6.5% People management, time management and leadership are most important skills to learn Across generations, the skills most important to update through continuous learning were people management, time management, leadership and communication. Millennials were most likely to select multiple skills, while Gen Zers were most likely to select technical skills like UX design and artificial intelligence. Footnotes: Generations are defined as: people born 1996-2001 Gen Z; 1977-1995 Millennials; 1965-1976 Gen X; 1946-1964 Baby Boomers. The survey was conducted on Dec. 12-13, 2019, of SurveyMonkeys online panel and consisted of 1,048 completed responses. Respondents were full-time workers ages 18 and up. About getAbstract getAbstract is an online library offering 20,000+ text and audio summaries of business books. getAbstract finds, rates, and summarizes relevant knowledge to help people make better decisions in business and in their private lives. The company's expert editorial team finds and rates the most relevant business books, articles, and video talks, and summarizes them into 10-minute abstracts. Their constantly updated online library provides quick and easy access to relevant knowledge for employees at every level. The company's worldwide community includes millions of readers, including one-third of Fortune 100 companies. Founded in 1999, getAbstract is headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, with offices in Boston and Aventura, Fla. Media Relations Contact: Katie Curnutte 617.640.9765 katie@kingstonmarketing.group France and its five partner nations in the Sahel region of West Africa pledged Monday to bolster their fight against jihadists waging an increasingly deadly insurgency, while urging allies to join their effort to restore government control across the vast region. President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Chad also called on Washington to maintain its "crucial support", after a top US general confirmed the Pentagon was weighing a drastic troop reduction in Africa. "The heads of state... underscored the need for greater cooperation in implementing the current initiatives in the Sahel and a stronger international commitment," the leaders said after a summit in Pau, southwest France. At a press conference after the talks, Macron said he would send 220 more soldiers to reinforce France's 4,500-strong Barkhane operation, tasked with training and assisting under-equipped and strained local forces. The so-called G5 leaders also urged joint efforts to help end the civil war in Libya, "which continues to foster instability in the Sahel," according to the statement. The summit comes as France's military presence, which began in Mali in 2012, is being questioned by many in the region who chafe at the increasingly prominent role played by a former colonial power. Such criticism had riled French officials, not least after 13 soldiers were killed in a helicopter collision in Mali last month while pursuing jihadist fighters, the deadliest toll for the French military in nearly four decades. "The G5 leaders expressed their desire for France's continued engagement in the Sahel, and urged a greater international presence at their side," the statement said. 'Clear position' Visiting the region last month, Macron complained of a lack of "clear political condemnation of anti-French feelings" on the ground, saying he was loath to send soldiers to countries where their presence was not "clearly wanted". On Friday, hundreds of people gathered in the Malian capital Bamako to protest the presence of the 4,500 soldiers in France's Barkhane operation, carrying posters reading "Down with France, Barkhane must leave" and "France is a brake on our development". Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita held talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris last November. By LUDOVIC MARIN (AFP/File) On Saturday, Defence Minister Florence Parly was more blunt: "We need to determine a clear position from political leaders on what they want or not," she told France Inter radio, noting that 41 French soldiers have been killed in the Sahel region since 2013. Jihadist fighters have recently stepped up their campaign against military and civilian targets, with UN chief Antonio Guterres warning this month that "terrorist groups are gaining ground." On Thursday, 89 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military camp at Chinegodar near Niger's border with Mali, the worst jihadist attack in its history. Guterres was to attend a dinner later with Macron and the Sahel leaders, along with the heads of the EU Council and the African Union. Cash shortfall Despite the French presence and a 13,000-member UN peacekeeping force in Mali dubbed MINUSMA, the conflict that erupted in the north of that country in 2012 has since spread to its neighbours, especially Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of civilians have been killed and more than a million displaced, with hundreds of troops dead, including dozens of French ones. Macron had called for a clarification of the "political and strategic framework" of the Sahel fight in his talks with Mali's Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Burkina Faso's Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Niger's Mahamadou Issoufou, Mauritania's Mohamed Ould Ghazouani and Chad's Idriss Deby. Macron ordered a review of the Barkhane operation after the Mali helicopter disaster, saying "all options are on the table," implying a potential drawdown of French troops. France's President Emmanuel Macron stands in front of the coffins of 13 French soldiers killed in action in Mali last November. By Eliot BLONDET (POOL/AFP) France has long complained that only Britain and the US have provided support for the operation, deploring the lack of significant contributions from EU allies. Last year, only $300 million (269 million euros) of $400 million pledged by the international community in cash and material support to the Sahel was delivered, according to the French presidency. ABCs Shark Tank panel has developed a solid chemistry on the air and behind the scenes. Though Mark Cuban didnt join the show until Season 2, the billionaire is still considered by fans to be one of the original sharks, along with Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin OLeary. Queen of QVC Lori Greiner became a permanent investor in the tank during Season 3. When Cuban first became a fixture on the hit reality show, some werent thrilled with the fame that preceded him. Shark Tanks Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Kevin OLeary | Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Television Shark Tanks success Now in its 11th season, Shark Tank remains a fan favorite on ABC. When asked about what makes the show such a success, Herjavec credited the power of ambition. Its the American Dream. Its the desire to better ones position in life, and who doesnt have that desire? he told Business Insider in 2014. I think when people watch the show, they always think, That could be me, and it really could. I mean, anybody can get on our show. With todays influx of competition programs such as American Idol, The Voice, or Americas Got Talent, Herjavec noted that contestants on Shark Tank just need an idea. Its the only show where you dont have to have God-given talent in order to be successful, he said. You dont have to have a voice, and you dont have to be able to dance. You can come on with an idea, and get an investment, and become very wealthy. Sought-after shark Many entrepreneurs who enter tank seem to throw their bait in Cubans direction, hoping hell bite. Even if other investors make an offer, contestants seem to hold out until Cuban makes a move, much to the chagrin of the rest of the panel. When asked in the Business Insider interview if he gets offended by this, Herjavec shared that he hates losing a deal to any of his fellow sharks. Of course, we all get offended, he said. But I hate it when Kevin gets a deal from me, or when Lori steals a deal from me, too. Herjavec revealed he wasnt a big fan of the Mavericks owner when he started swimming in the tank. I used to hate Mark for the first two years. And he didnt like me either, he said. I think when Mark first came in, it kind of shifted everything because he was so big, and he invested in everything. The millionaire investor shared that now, his relationship with Cuban has evolved to a friendship. I think a couple of things have happened since then. I think weve all figured out how to deal with Mr. Cuban, and I think Mr. Cubans lost enough money to realize, Oh, I shouldnt invest in everything, Herjavec shared. I think we respect each other, so we can yell at each other and then have lunch together. Taking a tip from Cuban Herjavec has even taken advice from Cuban over the years. Early in my career I spent most of my time just trying to make a living and protect my downside, he revealed, according to NYSE. Then Mark Cuban told me when I first started on Shark Tank that I had to dream bigger. Turns out Cuban was onto something. He was absolutely right who would have thought that Id be here on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange having just rung the opening bell, Herjavec said, not that long ago I didnt even know this world existed, so my advice to everyone out there is to dream big, always dream big. Watch ABCs Shark Tank on Sunday nights! [January 14, 2020] Leading German Car Manufacturer Chooses Getac for Worldwide Provision of Rugged Mobile Devices and Solutions Announcement marks another major global customer win for Getac in the automotive industry DUSSELDORF, Germany, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Getac, a leading rugged mobile computing manufacturer today announced it has been selected by the BMW Group to supply rugged mobile devices and solutions across its global network for a wide range of applications including R&D, production, warehouse logistics and workshop diagnostics. The announcement expands on an existing technology partnership between the two companies, which has seen Getac supply rugged equipment to the BMW Group for vehicle and application testing over the last six years. With the partnership renewed, Getac has received a large new order from the BMW Group for its S410, V110, F110, A140, UX10 and T800 series rugged notebooks and tablets. Rugged solutions for a range of complex requirements In order to provide solutions that meet the BMW Group's complex requirements, Getac has adapted its equipment to the individual needs of the various user groups within the company. In the area of research and development, security and the protection of sensitive data is of paramount importance. In logistics, when using the internal BVIS picking system, the Getac A140's clear, 14-inch display and optional barcode and RFID readers make recording key data simple and efficient. Every Getac notebook and tablet offers high reliability and powerful performance, allowing users to perform complex tasks as efficiently as possible. They are also from IP52 and up to IP65 rated for water and dust resistance, offering peace of mind in harsh environments and helping to meet the high quality standards of the automotive industry. Fast services at the workshop At the BMW Group, the semi-rugged S410 notebook isbeing used to perform international vehicle diagnostics. Key features include wireless and wired connectivity for direct access to diagnostic data and rapid vehicle tests, while Getac's LumiBond 2.0 touchscreen technology provides brilliant readability, even in direct sunlight. Four advanced touch modes (Touch/Rain, Glove or Pen) offer efficient handling of service orders, for high-quality operations and short delivery times. Industry 4.0 Reliable and rugged computers enable digital transformation Under the key areas of "Industry 4.0" and digital transformation, Getac's rugged solutions help open up new ways of optimizing the entire value chain for automotive production. Getac: Leading competencies in the automotive industry Getac's market share in the automotive industry is growing steadily thanks to its ongoing commitment to R&D, implementation of the latest technology, comprehensive service concept, and ability to customize solutions to individual customer requirements. This is the only way to meet the high demands of the industry. "The special challenge when working with the BMW Group is the wide range of application areas the company has, each with specific equipment demands that needed to be met," explains Rick Hwang, President of Rugged & Video Solutions Business Group at Getac. "We are therefore very pleased BMW has chosen Getac solutions again, continuing the success it has already achieved in worldwide process optimization with the help of our devices." Eric Yeh, Director Sales and Operations at Getac Technology GmbH, adds: "We are very proud of the new major order from the BMW Group. This is another great success for us, especially as it is also an acknowledgement of our ongoing efforts to support our customers and meet their expectations in the best possible way." About Getac Getac Technology Corporation, a key subsidiary of MiTAC-Synnex Business Group (2018 annual revenue $38 billion USD), was established in 1989 as a joint venture with GE Aerospace to supply defense electronic products. Today, Getac's business coverage includes rugged notebooks and tablet PCs not only for the military, but also for the automotive and process industry, the police, fire departments as well as utility, manufacturing, transportation and logistics customers. For more information visit de.getac.com. 2019 Getac Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. Getac and the Getac logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Getac Technology Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1075740/Getac_BMW_Group.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1007166/Getac_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /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 Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAIC). If you are a shareholder of Science Applications International Corporation and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at: http://pjlfirm.com/science-applications-international-corporation/ 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 Young KMT members urge party to review position on China policy ROC Central News Agency 01/13/2020 09:57 PM Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) The heavy defeat suffered by the Kuomintang (KMT) in Saturday's presidential and legislative elections has sparked calls for internal reforms and a review of its stance on relations with China from its younger members. The 28-year-old "1992 consensus" the KMT has advocated as the basis for interaction between Taiwan and China may be "outdated," Taipei City Council Yu Shu-hui () said in a post on her Facebook page a day after the elections. "The question of whether a formula born 28 years ago is still appropriate for today and can still be identified with was answered by the voting," the 43-year-old Yu wrote. Describing the "1992 consensus" as an "outdated suit," Yu, a member of the younger generation within the over 100-year-old political party, suggested the KMT to find a new path. Old positions, she argued, should be reviewed because "political parties should not be bound by inflexibility." Part of the problem with the "1992 consensus," she wrote, is that many Taiwanese today do not know how the "1992 consensus" came about, and it has now been "distorted" into being equated with China's "one country, two systems" model and used to "smear" people. The consensus was a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then KMT government and the Chinese government. The consensus has been consistently interpreted by the KMT as both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledging there is only "one China" with each free to interpret what "China" means. However, Beijing has never publicly recognized the second part of the KMT interpretation. The "one country, two systems" model has been used by Beijing to assert that Hong Kong and Macau are part of China while giving them some autonomy in running their own affairs. Unlike them, Taiwan has been a self-ruled political entity with its own constitution, national flag and national designation called "the Republic of China" since 1949. Like Yu, departing Legislator-at-large Hsu Yu-jen (), 41, also doubted whether the KMT's broad political positions are aligned with mainstream thinking in contemporary Taiwanese society. "The 1992 consensus has collapsed," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday, and warned that the KMT would never beat the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the next decade if it failed to fix the "structural problem." He said the election results indicated that people voted against the KMT's China-friendly path. "Anti-China sentiment was particularly strong in the under-45 age group," Hsu said. That age group encompassed 7 million eligible voters, including 1.18 million first-time young voters, and nearly 70 percent of them are anti-China, he said. In four years, the anti-China group will not shrink but the group of elderly KMT supporters will, Hsu cautioned. He urged the party to hold internal debates on its China policy and invite younger voices to join. "The KMT must convince people that it can handle cross-Taiwan Strait relations properly without sacrificing Taiwan's freedom and democracy," he said. In Saturday's presidential election, Han Kuo-yu () of the KMT lost to incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP by nearly 20 percentage points, while James Soong of the People First Party -- a KMT splinter party -- got only 4.3 percent of the vote. Tsai received over 8 million votes, the most any presidential candidate has won in any direct presidential election in Taiwan, which have been held since 1996. The KMT also won only 38 seats in the 113-seat Legislature in the legislative elections, falling short of the DPP's 61 seats. Among KMT members at the local level, Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (), who won office in the traditional DPP-stronghold in 2018, and Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei () both urged the party to listen to people's opinions. As the "1992 consensus" failed to win public support, the KMT should reconsider the orientation and future path of its policy on China, Wang was cited as saying by her aide Monday. In a platform presentation forum ahead of the election, Han reiterated his party's long-held position that adherence to the "1992 consensus" must be the basis for any cross-strait interaction. Tsai argued that the "consensus" was "a mere illusion" because China does not recognize the idea that each side is free to interpret "one China" as it sees fit. (By Fang Cheng-hsiang, Chiang Yi-ching, Hsiao Po-yang and Elizabeth Hsu) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday expressed shock over BJP leader Raghuraj Singh's threatening statements about "burying alive" all those who raise slogans against Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Slamming the BJP leader for his outrageous remarks, Sanjay Singh demanded strict action against Raghuraj Singh. "This is a shocking and shameful statement! This is Hindustan, not Taliban. Why is BJP not taking any action against its member? He should be facing strict actions for saying such things," the AAP leader said. READ | UP Minister's Shocking Threat: 'Will Bury Alive Those Sloganeering Against PM Modi, Yogi' Raghuraj Singh's controversial remarks BJP leader Raghuraj Singh made a series of controversial statements on Monday, against the people and students carrying out protests against the UP government as well as the Centre over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Singh used the terms "will bury alive", "will beat you", while speaking about agitators, and also said that the government "will respond to bullets with bullets" if rival countries plotted an attack against India. Here's what Raghuraj Singh spoke: "You will take tax money for your university and raise slogans against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi? I will bury you alive," Singh said while addressing a public gathering organized in support of the amended Citizenship Act. READ | SHOCKING: BJP Neta Says Those Sloganeering Against PM Modi, UP CM 'will Be Buried Alive' Over the ongoing protests across the nation where students gheraoed the Vice-Chancellors of the universities causing a ruckus and hindering daily functioning of the universities, the UP minister said that those who cause unrest would not be spared. "I want to tell the (Aligarh) Muslim University that the Muslims in Aligarh are very peace-loving. However, if you Gherao our officials and Muslim brothers, we will beat you. We will not leave anyone," Singh said. Reiterating the Center's stand of implementing NRC across the country, he said that people have the right to stay in the country, but "this is not a Dharamshala" implying that outsiders infiltrating illegally will be detained. READ | Citing Threats From 'lumpen Elements', AMU VC Seeks Security For Himself, Family The UP minister also expressed his opinion over Pakistan and China, stating that the Centre will not bow down to any act of the neighbours that goes against our national interest. "If Pakistan raises its eyes, it will not be seen on the map. If China bats an eye, we will respond to its bullets with bullets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not scared of anyone," said Raghuraj Singh. READ | Amid The Prevailing Law & Order Situation In UP, AMU To Remain Shut Until Further Notice New Delhi, Jan 14 : Twitterati heaped praise on the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government after it granted tax exemption to "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior", a biographical period movie. "The film has been granted tax exemption in view of the story of the film that highlights the sacrifice and valour of Tanhaji and is an inspiration for the young generations," said the government spokesman. Reacting to the news, Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and wrote, "Thank you Shri Yogi Adityanathji for making #TanhajiTheUnsungWarrior Tax-Free in Uttar Pradesh. I would also be delighted Sir if you watched our film. @myogiadityanath #TanhajiUnitesIndia." As the announcement was made, Twitterati hailed the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government and #ThankYouYOGIji, #Tanhaji_TaxFree began trending on the Internet. A user on the micro-blogging site wrote, "#ThankYouYOGIJi for maintaining hopes in the hearts of us. Thanks for all the work you have done till now for us." "A true warrior's tribute to a true warrior Tanhaji - The unsung warrior. Tax Free in UP", added another. A post read, "Booked for today show, was hoping to be tax free in Maharashtra. Really disappointed. If Devendra Fadnavis was CM 100% would have been tax-free. Tanhaji is Maratha pride Indian pride." A netizen wrote, "Tanhaji The Unsung Warrior has been granted Tax Free status in Uttar Pradesh . It's disgraceful of Shiv Sena for not making the film Tax Free in Maharashtra from where Tanha ji Malusare belongs...#ThankYouYOGIji" -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive finance market size is anticipated to reach USD 344.1 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research Inc. A progressive increase in vehicle registration, a high percentage of automotive ownership per household, and increasing average price of advanced vehicles are the factors favoring the growth. Automotive finance providers aid customers from emerging economies like China and India to purchase and lease vehicles at affordable prices. This factor is playing a key role in supporting the market growth in the emerging economies. Key suggestions from the report: Banks segment generated the highest revenue share in 2019 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period. Customers from the major emerging and developed economies prefer government banks and authorized financial institutions for loans and credit, to avoid any risk factor or discrepancy in the transaction process Direct automotive finance is expected to remain the most adopted method of financing automotive parts over the forecast period, as it is easily accessible through banks The leasing segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the increasing customer preference for owning advanced vehicles with high-tech and enhanced safety features without bearing the complete cost of the vehicle Passenger vehicles segment is expected to witness remarkable growth during the forecast period, owing to the availability of abundant and easily accessible information regarding automotive finance preferences and increasing new passenger car registrations Europe is expected to dominate the automotive finance market over the forecast period owing to the presence of a large number of leading automotive finance providers in the region and adoption of advanced tools such as e-contracts, biometrics, and machine learning Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, Hitachi Capital; Ford Motor Credit Company; Daimler Financial Services; GM Financial Inc.; and Ally Financial are some of the key players in the market Read 160 page research report with ToC on "Automotive Finance Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Provider Type (Banks, OEMs), By Finance Type (Direct, Indirect), By Purpose Type (Loan, Leasing), By Vehicle Type, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2026'' at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/automotive-finance-market/ Implementation of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and business analytics by automotive finance providers over the past few years has led to improvements in the quality of service and level of customer satisfaction. These advanced technologies make the financing process more organized and secure. These technologies also utilize new price points obtained from data analysis and ongoing market channel development trends. Regular standardization of automotive finance levels, customer segments, and models has led to the development of innovative finance tools and improved customer knowledge. The investment companies are required to thoroughly understand the existing opportunities to better comprehend their capabilities in the present and the future scenarios for better decision-making and prioritizing their investments. The situation will be further improved by the standardization of credit checking systems. Specialized operating models, such as risk-based pricing are used to ensure cost-effective deployment of loans that match to the requirements of economies of scale. The young population prefers leasing vehicles of choice at a trivial cost for a certain period of time and then switching to a better and more advanced models according to the changing preferences or requirements. However, various factors such as the changing customer behavior and lack of a clear technology roadmap are expected to challenge the market growth. Grand View Research has segmented the global automotive finance market based on provider type, finance type, purpose type, vehicle type, and region: Automotive Finance Provider Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2026) Banks OEMs Other Financial Institutions Automotive Finance Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2026) Direct Indirect Automotive Finance Purpose Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2015 - 2026) Loan Leasing Others Automotive Finance Vehicle Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2026) Commercial Vehicles Passenger Vehicles Automotive Finance Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2015 - 2026) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. Asia Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Middle East & Africa (MEA) & (MEA) South Africa Find more research reports on Automotive & Transportation Industry, by Grand View Research: Automotive Aftermarket The global automotive aftermarket size was valued at USD 369.2 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2019 to 2025. The global automotive aftermarket size was valued at in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2019 to 2025. Automotive Transmission Market The automotive transmission market size was USD 132.2 million in 2015. Evolving transmission systems according to the performance requirements across several vehicle type The automotive transmission market size was in 2015. Evolving transmission systems according to the performance requirements across several vehicle type All-terrain Vehicle Market The global all-terrain vehicle market size was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2019 to 2025. Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. 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: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. President Emmanuel Macron raised the Kashmir issue during a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying France continues to track developments in the region closely. The matter came up last Friday, according to a statement from Elysee Palace, which added that the two leaders agreed to work together to ease tensions in West Asia by urging all parties to show restraint. An Indian statement issued on Friday made no reference to the Kashmir issue. The development comes at a time when the European Union mission in New Delhi is holding discussions with the external affairs ministry on a visit to Kashmir by envoys of the EU states, including France. In the spirit of trust and frankness that characterises their relations, the French President and the Indian Prime Minister discussed the situation in the region of Kashmir, which France continues to follow closely, the Palace statement said. A group of 15 envoys and senior diplomats, including the ambassadors of the US, Norway and South Korea, visited Kashmir last week the first such trip organised by the Indian government. The external affairs ministry said more visits will be organised as the situation in Kashmir progressively normalises. People familiar with developments said dates are yet to be fixed for a visit by EU envoys. The EU has called on India to end restrictions and detentions in Kashmir. It has also called for talks between India and Pakistan to resolve disputes. During their conversation, Macron and Modi expressed their shared view on the necessity of de-escalation in the Middle East and agreed to work together towards easing tensions by urging the parties to show restraint and responsibility, the French statement said referring to the Iran-US stand-off following the killing of al-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in an American drone strike. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to implementing goals defined during Modis visit to Chantilly in France last August and during Indias participation in the G7 Summit in Biarritz. They agreed to intensify ministerial visits from both sides. Macron and Modi expressed their interest in strengthening the bilateral partnership in the military and civil nuclear fields, and enhancing operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They also agreed on the importance of remaining in very close contact in view of the upcoming decisive events in 2020 with regard to climate change and biodiversity. The Indian statement had said Modi had reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership, and expressed satisfaction at the steady progress in the multifaceted relationship. The statement said the two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest in bilateral relations as well as regional and global situations. It said the two leaders agreed to keep in touch and enhance strategic cooperation, including in defence, civil nuclear energy and maritime security. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 23:22:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close XINING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to nine in a road collapse accident in the city of Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Authorities put the number of injured at 17, all of whom are in stable condition, according to the city government. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Monday when a section of Nandajie Street collapsed and a public bus fell into the hole. The city government sent more than 1,000 rescue workers and more than 30 vehicles to the site, which is around 80 square meters. The bus had been lifted out of the hole by Tuesday morning. Rescuers have found the bodies of the nine victims. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked in high spirits today as she waved to fans outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The Dutch monarch, 48, put on an elegant display in dazzling blue earrings and a matching fitted gown as she arrived to attend the annual New Years reception. The royal managed to maintain her typically polished appearance despite windy conditions as she happily gestured to the crowds alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander, 52, at the event. Maxima, mother to three daughters Catharina-Amalia, 15, Alexia, 13, and Ariane, 11, has enjoyed a relatively quiet Christmas and New Year period following a busy year of engagements. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked in good spirits today as she posed outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam The royal managed to maintain her typically polished appearance despite windy conditions alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander, 52 She returned to royal duties last week in the city of Ugchelen, visiting De Wending, an institution for addiction treatment and recovery assistance. Today the queen looked stylish in an embroidered knee-length shift dress which cinched in at the waist and was emblazoned with an intricate two-tone blue and grey pattern. The chic gown boasted a navy blue fur trim around the collar and hemline and Maxima donned a pair of suede stiletto heels to finish off the outfit. She teamed the sophisticated ensemble with a pair of statement teardrop sapphire earrings. The couple, who share children Catharina-Amalia, 15, Alexia, 13, and Ariane, 11, waved happily to onlookers as they entered the event Maxima's chic gown featured a navy blue fur trim around her collar and hemline and she carried a blue suede clutch bag On her hands she wore a matching blue ring, paired with silver bangles, and carried a navy blue suede clutch bag in her other hand. Her windswept blonde hair was worn loose around her shoulders while her make-up was natural to show off her glowing complexion, with a subtle hint of blue eye-shadow. The pair looked close as they shared a smile in front of their royal onlookers. King Willem-Alexander looked smart in a navy blue suit, which he matched with a red and white patterned tie. He cut a handsome figure, finishing off her outfit with a white pocket square and a pair of dark purple leather brogues. Dutch Princess Beatrix was also present and waved at the reception as she arrived wearing an elegant monochrome dress which she paired with a black wrap adorned in fluffy pom poms. Dutch Princess Beatrix waved at the reception as she arrived wearing an elegant monochrome dress The queen's windswept blonde hair was worn loose around her shoulders while her make-up was natural to show off her glowing complexion, with a subtle hint of blue eye-shadow Maxima, an international financier by trade, married Willem-Alexander in 2002 in Amsterdam. They were seen smiling before the event Last Wednesday, the royal showed off her sartorial prowess in her first public event of the decade after taking a break from appearances over the festive period. Maxima, an international financier by training, was married to Willem-Alexander in 2002 in Amsterdam. She was born in Argentina before she married into the Dutch royal family, three years after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville, Spain. Her husband Willem-Alexander became king after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated in April 2013 after 33 years as reigning monarch. Queen Maxima has reportedly said that she had no inkling Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when they first met. For African-Americans who grew up with the legacy of segregation, disfranchisement, lynching, and violence, retreat from social struggle was unthinkable. Martin Luther King Jr., however, learned from some important mentors how to integrate spiritual growth and social transformation. As a historian, who has studied how figures in American history struggled with similar questions, I believe one major influence on King's thought was the African-American minister, theologian, and mystic Howard Thurman. The influence of Howard Thurman Born in 1899, Thurman was 30 years older than King, the same age, in fact, as King's father. Through his sermons and teaching at Howard University and Boston University, he influenced intellectually and spiritually an entire generation that became the leadership of the civil rights movement. Among his most significant contributions was bringing the ideas of nonviolence to the movement. It was Thurman's trip to India in 1935, where he met Mahatma Gandhi, that was greatly influential in incorporating the principles of nonviolence in the African-American freedom struggle. At the close of the meeting, which was long highlighted by Thurman as a central event of his life, Gandhi reportedly told Thurman that "it may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world." King and others remembered and repeated that phrase during the early years of the civil rights movement in the 1950s. Thurman and King were both steeped in the black Baptist tradition. Both thought long about how to apply their church experiences and theological training into challenging the white supremacist ideology of segregation. However, initially their encounters were brief. Thurman had served as dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston University from 1953 to 1965. King was a student there when Thurman first assumed his position in Boston and heard the renowned minister deliver some addresses. A few years later, King invited Thurman to speak at his first pulpit at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Their most serious personal encounter the one that gave Thurman his opportunity to influence King personally, and help prepare him for struggles to come came as a result of a tragedy. A crucial meeting in hospital On Sept. 20, 1958, a mentally disturbed African-American woman named Izola Ware Curry came to a book signing in upper Manhattan. There, King was signing copies of his new book, "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story." Curry moved to the front of the signing line, took out a sharp-edged letter opener and stabbed the 29-year-old minister, who had just vaulted to national prominence through his leadership of the Montgomery bus boycott. King barely survived. Doctors later told King that, if he had sneezed, he easily could have died. Of course, King later received a fatal gunshot wound in April 1968. Curry lived her days in a mental institution, to the age of 97. It was while recuperating in the hospital afterward, that King received a visit from Thurman. While there, Thurman gave the same advice he gave to countless others over decades: that King should take the unexpected, if tragic, opportunity, to meditate on his life and its purposes, and only then move forward. Thurman urged King to extend his rest period by two weeks. It would, as he said, give King "time away from the immediate pressure of the movement" and to "rest his body and mind with healing detachment." Thurman worried that "the movement had become more than an organization; it had become an organism with a life of its own," which potentially could swallow up King. King wrote to Thurman to say, "I am following your advice on the question." King's spiritual connection with Thurman King and Thurman were never personally close. But Thurman left a profound intellectual and spiritual influence on King. King, for example, reportedly carried his own well-thumbed copy of Thurman's best-known book, "Jesus and the Disinherited," in his pocket during the long and epic struggle of the Montgomery bus boycott. In his sermons during the 1950s and 1960s, King quoted and paraphrased Thurman extensively. Drawing from Thurman's views, King understood Jesus as friend and ally of the dispossessed to a group of Jewish followers in ancient Palestine, and to African-Americans under slavery and segregation. That was precisely why Jesus was so central to African-American religious history. The mystic Thurman was not an activist, as King was, nor one to take up specific social and political causes to transform a country. He was a private man and an intellectual. He saw spiritual cultivation as a necessary accompaniment to social activism. As Walter Fluker, editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project, has explained, the private mystic and the public activist found common ground in understanding that spirituality is necessarily linked to social transformation. Private spiritual cultivation could prepare the way for deeper public commitments for social change. King himself, according to one biographer, came to feel that the stabbing and enforced convalescence was "part of God's plan to prepare him for some larger work" in the struggle against southern segregation and American white supremacy. In a larger sense, the discipline of nonviolence required a spiritual commitment and discipline that came, for many, through self-examination, meditation and prayer. This was the message Thurman transmitted to the larger civil rights movement. Thurman combined, in the words of historian Martin Marty, the "inner life, the life of passion, the life of fire, with the external life, the life of politics." Spiritual retreat and activism King's stabbing was a bizarre and tragic event, but in some sense it gave him the period of reflection and inner cultivation needed for the chaotic coming days of the civil rights struggle. The prison cell in Birmingham, Alabama, where in mid-1963 King penned his classic "Letter from Birmingham Jail," also accidentally but critically provided much the same spiritual retreat for reflections that helped transform America. The relationship of Thurman's mysticism and King's activism provides a fascinating model for how spiritual and social transformation can work together in a person's life. And in society more generally. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 You are here: Business Air Macao Monday officially launched an air route between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Macao. The air service, under the flight number NX019/NX020, operates every day. The flight leaves Macao at 9:35 a.m. Beijing time and arrives in Beijing at 12:30 p.m. The return flight departs Beijing at 1:45 p.m. and arrives in Macao at 5:10 p.m. Air Macao now offers scheduled services for both Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. So far, there are five air routes linking Beijing and Macao. Beijing Daxing International Airport, put into operation on Sept. 25, 2019, is expected to realize a passenger throughput of over 100 million a year in the future. The Navy is getting ready to roll out a new force structure assessment that will set the bar for the fleet size for years to come, but it won't include new high-tech unmanned vessels the service has been testing. Drone ships will not be included in the Navy's next ship count goal, which Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said will "come out in a couple of weeks." Gilday spoke about the new force structure review on Tuesday at the Surface Navy Association's national symposium outside Washington. The Navy has been working closely with the Marine Corps to determine the best size for the future fleet, Gilday said. Marine leaders, including Commandant Gen. David Berger, have said unmanned surface and underwater vessels will be vital in future Marine Corps operations. "We need to pursue unmanned technologies and we need to solve tough technology and policy issues associated with unmanned instead of running away from it," Gilday said. Gilday said unmanned vessels acquired by the Navy would be in addition to the final force-structure review count that could be released this month. Much of the technology is still in development. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly previously said the next force structure review is likely to exceed the 355-ship fleet last called for in 2016. That assessment was completed years before the Defense Department released its National Defense Strategy, which calls for building a more lethal force that can take on a peer threat. Related: Acting Navy Secretary Hints at Naval Force Larger Than 355 Ships The Navy is investing heavily in unmanned surface and underwater vessels. The department's last budget proposal included a request for $400 million in fiscal 2020 to build a pair of large unmanned surface vessels. And budget documents showed the Navy wanted a total of $2.7 billion to build 10 of the ships over the next five years. The Navy and Marine Corps experimented with the 40-foot long autonomous Expeditionary Warfare Unmanned Surface Vessel during an exercise last year. The Navy also last year sent a 132-foot long self-driving ship from California and Hawaii and back again with barely anyone onboard for much of its voyage. Gilday said the Navy and Marine Corps are working closer now that at any point in his career, and both services will continue experimenting with unmanned technologies. As that new technology is developed and makes its way into the fleet, the CNO said the force-structure assessment could change. "It's not something that we want to leave on the shelf," Gilday said. "... You will see some changes in those numbers." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Read More: Navy's Plans for Unmanned 'Ghost Fleet' Remain Shrouded in Secrecy Judith L. Judy Hill, 76, of Pardeeville, passed away peacefully Jan. 9, 2020, surrounded by her loving family at the UW Hospital Madison from a courageous battle of Metastatic Melanoma Brain Cancer. She fought Melanoma for over 10 years before it metastasized and had a constant painful struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 38 years. Judy was a 13 year Breast Cancer Survivor. Judy was born on Sept. 10, 1943, in Portage to Earl and Evelyn (Bush) Smith. She graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1961 and married her high school sweetheart Jim Hill June 8, 1963. Together they were blessed with 56 years of marriage and two children. Judys employment after high school started with the Portage Daily Register and then became a hair stylist with Dianes Beauty Salon. She later then was employed by the Pardeeville Area School District for many years as a high school study hall supervisor and transferred to the Pardeeville Elementary School to be a teachers aid. During that time at the school, she drove bus for Smith Bus Service. She later started work part time at Barbalee True Value in Pardeeville before she decided to become a full time house wife due to her RA. Ed Filipowski, a public relations executive who became one of the fashion industrys most influential behind-the-scenes players through his work with companies like Gucci, Versace and Marc Jacobs, died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 58. Rachna Shah, a partner at the firm, said the cause was complications of a recent operation but gave no other details. In an industry of large personalities, Mr. Filipowski blended into the scenery. But over the course of 30 years, he and his main partner, Julie Mannion, established a worldwide footprint for their firm, KCD. They organized fashion shows for Prada, turned mere store openings for Chanel into celebrity-fueled media bonanzas, and handled P.R. for John Galliano during his largely successful comeback at Maison Margiela, after he had been fired from Dior for making anti-Semitic remarks. A Frenchman who could not wait to get a seat on his commute home was caught entering his train by its window amid France's ongoing national transport strike. In a video shared on Twitter, the unnamed man could be seen taking his white jacket off, passing it through the train's rectangular top window, which has a height of about 11.8 to 15.7 inches, before sliding in himself in order to grab a seat before the flock of people orderly waiting for the train's doors to let them through. Amazed onlookers could not believe their eyes as the commuter pulled the stunt, which was uploaded on the social media platform with the caption 'I'm speechless.' Commenters joked France had descended into 'madness' as the country hits the 40th day of a strike which has paralysed most of the nation's transport network since December in protest of Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform. The law change would have seen France's retirement age raised by two years. A French commuter was caught entering a train by its window in a video shared on Twitter amid the national strike which has been paralising the country's major transport networks since December In the video, the man clearly did not think twice before he boarded the train, desperate to get a seat, but he was criticised online by enraged French commuters who thought his actions were 'rude' and 'selfish,' given the number of elderly or pregnant commuters that could have benefited from a seat. Onlookers can be heard commenting as the man slides himself onto the train, with a child repeatedly asking his mother if he 'can do the same,' and a woman in stitches claiming she's going to 'send him to Facebook.' Commuters have been left with no option but to be creative, with people battling for seats on the few methods of transport that are running. However, things have been easing back to normal after French President Emmanuel Macron said he would scrap the reform 'To demonstrate my confidence in the social partners... I am willing to withdraw from the bill the short-term measure I had proposed' to set a so-called 'pivot age' of 64 with effect from 2027, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe wrote in a letter to union leaders a day after they met seeking to end the labour action last week. The man slid himself between the narrow top window of the train in order to get in before the impatient other passengers waiting for the train's doors to open (left) The government was seeking to fuse 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system it said would be fairer and more transparent but which unions feared would see millions work longer for a smaller retirement payout. Particularly vexing was the proposal to impose a 64 'pivot age' that people will have to work until to qualify for a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age. On Friday, Macron defended the reform, saying that for the pension system to remain viable as a growing number of retirees live ever longer, 'either one has to contribute more, or one has to agree to work a little longer', while insisting he does not want to see pensions lowered. People could not believe their eyes as the man prepared to enter the train through the window, taking his jacket off The government said the proposed 'pivot age' would plug pension deficits set to soar in coming years, saving five billion euros ($5.6 billion) by 2023 and some 11 billion euros by 2026. Philippe said Saturday the concept of an 'age of equilibrium' would remain part of the reform, though he did not spell out what this means. The premier also announced there would be a conference, as demanded by unions, to study ways of financing the pension system, which must come up with proposals by the end of April. The passenger did not hesitate to pass his head and body through the window, while onlookers claimed they'd 'send the video to Facebook' Yesterday, it was announced eight out of ten TGVs (the French high-speed rail service) would be circulating, and that more metro lines resumed operation in Paris as well. If the conference fails, the government will take the 'measures necessary to achieve equilibrium' in the system by 2027, the prime minister warned. But if it achieves its mandate, the parliament will be able to work the resulting proposals into the draft pension reform bill. The government seeks to present its reform plan to the cabinet by January and the National Assembly by February 17, but it can still be redrafted later. The moderate CFDT union welcomed 'the withdrawal of the pivot age' from the bill. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who is worth $117 billion burnt his fingers when he pledged just $690,000 to a wildlife recovery organisation towards Australian bushfires relief efforts -- leading to social media users slamming him for donating a pittance which he makes in less than 5 minutes. One woman even claimed she raised nearly twice what Amazon pledged by selling her nude photos online. "Our hearts go out to all Australians as they cope with these devastating bushfires. Amazon is donating 1 million AU dollars in needed provisions and services. Find more about it and learn how customers can help as well," Bezos posted on Instagram. This was enough to put the social media platforms on fire. "Worldwide people have raised around $10 Billion....This dude could match that and still have $100 BILLION... Truly an inspiration," posted a user on Bezos' Instagram. "So you're donating 690k US dollars to an entire country burning. Amazon makes about that much in 10 minutes," posted another. To put things in perspective, Amazon today has a market cap of $936 billion. Facebook has pledged $1.25 million towards bushfire relief efforts and metal band Metallica, which Forbes estimates is worth $68.5 million, has pledged $750,000 which is more than what Amazon has offered. US media personality Kylie Jenner is even giving $1 million while Elton John has donated $1 million towards the Australian wildfires. "This may sound horrible, but $690,000 is a pittance for #JeffBezos. That's like me putting $2 into the Salvation Army bucket," tweeted one user. "Agree anything helps. However, when your [sic] the world's richest person and you only donate .000059 per cent of your worth, it's [what] makes you cheap. It's more of PR move on his part. Celebrities with far less money donated more," wrote one user under the Bezos post. Instagram model Kaylen Ward told Buzzfeed that she's raised more $1 million by offering to send a nude photo to anyone who showed her proof that they donated to one of a list of organisations working in Australia. Since September, fires have ravaged more than 80,000 square km -- an area larger than Ireland -- and left 28 people dead, besides an estimated one billion wild animals in Australia. The fires have released some 349 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the past four months, according to the non-profit Journalists for the Planet, compared to 532 million tonnes of the country's total annual emissions in all of 2018. The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (S), a militant group held responsible for the massacre of 84 Adivasis in 2014 in Assam, is likely to join peace talks, sign "a comprehensive" accord with other factions and join the mainstream soon. Security officials said that at least 50 rebels of the militant group including its top leaders Saoraigora and G Bidai left their camps in Myanmar and crossed the borders in Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday. The group deposited their weapons to security forces and is now staying in a guest house provided by the security forces. Three top leaders are likely to visit New Delhi soon and meet senior officials of Union Home Ministry to finalise the agreement to be signed soon. Formed in 1986 with a demand for a sovereign state for the Bodo community, the outfit was later divided into different factions. Three other factions are already in a ceasefire and are engaged in peace talks for years but the home ministry was reluctant to sign a treaty till the faction led by Saoraigwra joined the process. "This is a very significant step towards establishing permanent peace in Assam, particularly in areas under Bodoland Territorial Council. We just hope the Bodo youths who took up arms join the mainstream and the development process. They will soon lay down their arms officially and join the talks," a security official said. The MHA had ordered an all-out operation against NDFB (S) after it had allegedly gunned down 84 Adivasis including women and children in December 2014 mainly in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur district. More than 500 cadres and linkmen were arrested and over 60 killed so far till the outfit showed a willingness to lay down arms and join the peace talks. Home minister Amit Shah in November last year said here that the Centre was willing to talk to all groups laying down arms but those refusing to do so would be dealt with sternly. Sources said that the outfit agreed to join the peace process after Hagrama Mohilary, a former militant leader-turned politician talked and persuaded them. Mohilary, who led Bodo Liberation Tigers, another similar militant group had laid down arms, signed the Bodo Accord in 2003, contested election of Bodoland Territorial Council, an autonomous council under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and became its chief executive member. Mohilary's party Bodoland People's Front is now an ally of the BJP-led government in Assam. Prince Harry, who has never even met his father-in-law, with Meghan in Auckland in October 2018 For almost a week, Harry and Meghan have been dominating headlines in every corner of the world. Their astonishing decision to stand down from their duties and to leave Britain has thrust the brightest of spotlights on the Royal Family in general and the 93-year-old Queen in particular. But with details of their future so uncertain, and so many unanswered questions, comes a dramatic new development and one which goes to the very heart of the battle to salvage the couple's reputation. Pages of a defence document submitted to the High Court reveal the inside story of how the relationship between the Duchess of Sussex and her elderly father Thomas Markle has been shattered and how loyalty and family trust have all but disappeared. They provide an account of the deep undercurrent of resentment and harshness not just of Meghan towards her own family, but also of Prince Harry, who has never even met his father-in-law. These are extraordinary times for the royals, but this new twist threatens even to overshadow the developments of the past six days. Ignored calls, acid accusations, the ghosting of her father and smouldering silences all are mentioned in the court papers. The background is the bitter fallout between father and daughter in the run-up to the royal wedding in May 2018. Mr Markle and the Duchess have not spoken since before the ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Pages of a defence document submitted to the High Court reveal the inside story of how the relationship between the Duchess of Sussex and her elderly father Thomas Markle has been shattered and how loyalty and family trust have all but disappeared (pictured: a young Meghan with her father Thomas Markle) But now Mr Markle has handed over previously unseen messages and letters from him which set out his attempts to mend the relationship with his daughter after heart surgery forced him to miss the wedding. His only contact from her has been in a handwritten letter sent to him in August 2018, three months after the ceremony, in which she accused him of 'lying' and inflicting 'pain' on her and her new husband. That letter is at the heart of a court case in which the Duchess of Sussex has accused the Mail on Sunday of breaching both her privacy and her copyright after it published extracts. The newspaper, which is the sister paper of the Daily Mail, was given the letter by Thomas Markle after five close friends of the Duchess gave anonymous interviews to a U.S. celebrity magazine attacking him and which he said were false and had left him 'devastated'. The new details are contained in the defence document, lodged with the court by the Mail on Sunday, which paints a vivid and disturbing picture of the deterioration and breakdown of the relationship between Meghan and her father, a retired Hollywood lighting director. For the Royal Family, this is another unwelcome move which looks certain to lead to the extraordinary spectacle of Thomas Markle giving evidence in the Queen's court against Her Majesty's granddaughter-in-law. These are uncharted waters for the royals, who have for generations avoided courtroom dramas. No wonder informed sources say other family members, while sympathetic to Harry and Meghan's predicament, are 'queasy' about the developments. They were surprised when the Duke and Duchess decided to move the case from the usual royal lawyers to another more aggressive firm. It not only raised eyebrows at the time, but also suggested the couple were set on their path. Not since the Old Bailey case against Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, which collapsed so dramatically 17 years ago and in which there was a real threat that members of the Royal Family would be forced to give evidence, has a royal been so close to a legal showdown as Meghan is now. In 44 pages, the Mail on Sunday sets out its case and the background to Thomas Markle's absence from his daughter's wedding. He reveals how he fully intended to travel to Britain for the nuptials, giving the date of his departure for London from his home in Mexico as May 16, 2018. A smiling Meghan was seen for the first time since leaving the country today boarding a sea plane in Vancouver Island, Canada Meghan is seen boarding a sea plane on Vancouver Island on Canada's Pacific coast today He and his daughter exchanged messages which included details about a wedding suit and new shoes. But on May 3 he was admitted to hospital with chest pains. After discharging himself, he remained confident he would still travel. Then came the fiasco over staged paparazzi photographs. Embarrassed, he told his daughter he would not now come and the chest pains also returned. On May 16 the day he was meant to be flying he underwent an emergency heart procedure. Afterwards, he texted his daughter to say that he was OK and received a response, he believes, from Harry, but signed from 'H and M'. According to the court documents, it admonished him for talking to the Press and for causing hurt to his daughter. In a curt reply, Mr Markle texted: 'I'm sorry my heart attack is . . . any inconvenience for you.' Thomas Markle claimed that all his further calls were either ignored or that his daughter had changed her phone number. Last year, I revealed how Harry had suddenly changed his numbers. The tragedy of this family breakdown has haunted the royals ever since. To some, Mr Markle seemed an unpredictable, possibly vulnerable, figure. To others, he was a victim who had been ruthlessly driven out of Meghan's life because she was now a royal duchess. To compound the difficulties, in February last year People magazine published a story in which it claimed to 'put the record straight' over the Duchess's relationship with her father and criticism of her style as a royal. Meghan Markle arrives with her mother Doria Ragland at Cliveden House hotel in the village of Taplow near Windsor, on the eve of her wedding to Prince Harry It was based on interviews with five friends at least one of whom was thought to be one of the Duchess's co-stars in Suits, the TV legal drama in which she starred for six years. The article painted Meghan in a glowing light, while insisting the negative stories about her were lies, and, crucially, referred to the private letter she had sent him the previous August. The magazine also claimed that Mr Markle's response to the letter had been to ask for a 'photo-op' with his daughter. The court papers say this was false. In fact, Mr Markle suggested a photo only to take the media heat off the three of them by suggesting a harmonious relationship. There is one other twist. The Mail on Sunday documents reveal how Meghan 'caused or permitted' one of her close circle, the Canadian Jessica Mulroney, to put pressure on Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne a former business associate of the Duchess to change an interview she had given to ensure a more favourable impression was conveyed. It is a sign of the sophistication of Meghan's circle where media management is concerned. The next step could well be the High Court in London and the unbelievable prospect of the wife of the Queen's grandson battling with her own father over truth and lies, like an unedifying scene from a soap opera. No wonder within the Royal Family they are holding their breath over where this troubled couple will end up. The UN's Colombia mission chief on Monday urged President Ivan Duque's government to better protect former FARC rebels, after Colombia thwarted one such attack. "Peace cannot be fully achieved if the courageous voices of social leaders continue to be silenced by violence, and if ex-combatants who have given up their weapons and are committed to reintegration continue to be killed," said Carlos Ruiz during a meeting of the UN Security Council. Colombian police said Sunday that they had thwarted an attempted attack on the former Marxist FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono. Londono was targeted by other former guerrilla leaders who broke with the 2016 peace deal that has seen them take up civilian life. The UN has reported that 2019 was the deadliest year for ex-FARC combatants in Colombia. The total of 77 deaths that year surpasses the 65 murders recorded in 2018 and the 31 in 2017. The authorities' ability to thwart the attack on Londono shows the "serious commitment" of President Ivan Duque to protect ex-combatants, according to Colombian Foreign Minister Claudia Blum. She is in charge of overseeing the implementation of the peace deal signed with the FARC. Blum also confirmed Duque's request in early January that the UN prolong its peace verification mission in Colombia until 2022. According to Colombian authorities, 80 percent of the attacks are carried out by illegal armed groups and criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking and other illegal activities. His team insists hes well positioned to win Iowa and New Hampshire, so perhaps its fitting that Sanders is looking like a top target heading into the debate. On Monday, he was on the defensive facing anonymous reports that he told Warren during a private meeting in 2018 that a female candidate couldnt beat President Donald Trump. Warren confirmed the report in a statement Monday night, while Sanders has vigorously denied it. That was just days after news leaked that the Sanders campaign was privately encouraging volunteers to play up concerns about Warrens appeal beyond educated voters. Given her recent struggle for momentum and Sanders rise, this is a fight that Warren wants and needs. And dont forget that Biden and his allies have raised consistent concerns about Sanders signature policies and his status as a self-described democratic socialist. Sanders has been an afterthought in past debates, but he enters this one as a central player. A 17-year-old Pakistani boy will reunite with his family after almost two years after he inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory in 2018. Mubarshar Bilal, who is also known as Mubarak, was released from the juvenile home in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Tuesday morning and was later taken to Attari-Wagah border for handing him over to Pakistani authorities, officials said. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia said Bilal was released from Juvenile Home at 7 am on Tuesday. An order pertaining to his release from the Centre was received five to six days back, Kalia told PTI. Talking to reporters at Attari in Amritsar on Tuesday, Bilal said he was very happy to join back his family in Pakistan. "I am very happy today (to return home)," said an elated Bilal. He also praised Indian authorities for treating him well and said that he was indebted for that. Bilal said he had left home in a huff following a fight with his family members. "There was a bit of a fight at home and I left it in anger. I could not come to know (entering India) and then I was caught by the BSF personnel," said Bilal, adding that he spent almost 20-22 months here. "I have a mother, brother and sister there (in Pakistan)," Bilal replied to a question. Asked whether he will come to India again if he gets a visa, he replied, "surely." Bilal had been kept in juvenile home in Hoshiarpur after he was held by the Border Security Force in February 2018. Bilal, a resident of Kasur district in Pakistan, had inadvertently entered Indian territory. He was held from Khemkaran village of Punjab's Tarn Taran district and was later booked under the relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. Bilal was acquitted of all charges by the Juvenile Justice Board in September 2018. Various social activists here had even launched a campaign to release Bilal and repatriate him to Pakistan. Ihor Redkin is the resident of Kyiv; he was never convicted or judged before Kyiv's Svyatoshynsky district court has arrested Ihor Redkin for two months. The man is the suspect in the murder of Amina Okueva, the Ukrainian combat volunteer and medic. UNN news agency correspondent reported that on January 14. The judge granted the motion of the prosecution team, as it requested that Redkin stays in custody until March 11, 2020. Amina Okuyeva was killed in a gunfire attack in Kyiv region in October 2017. She and her husband Adam Osmaev were in the car on the railroad junction, when the attackers opened fire from an assault rifle. The woman sustained a deadly head wound; Osmaev got his leg hit injured but survived the attack. The National Police of Ukraine opened a criminal investigation under the "intentional murder" article of the Criminal Code. Gardai are appealing for help in locating a missing 15-year-old from Dublin. Christine Green was last seen at Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords on Saturday, January 11. She is described as being 56 with a broad build. She has blue/green eyes and brown hair. Anyone with any information that can assist in locating Christine is asked to contact Gardai in Ronanstown on 01 666 7700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. NEW YORK - Federal prosecutors announced charges Tuesday against six New York City correctional officers accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle drugs to inmates at the Rikers Island jail complex. Fifteen other people, including several inmates, also were charged in criminal complaints unsealed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. The scheme had been under investigation since early 2019, prosecutors said, and involved guards sneaking a smartphone, marijuana and other drugs into the troubled jail complex. Investigators said they found a dozen clear plastic bags of marijuana after searching one inmate involved in the conspiracy. They said he also had an iPhone and charger in his laundry bag. Authorities said they reviewed financial records, conducted surveillance and listened to recorded calls in which the defendants used coded language to talk about the smuggling. In at least one instance, prosecutors said, Oakland Raider jerseys was code for marijuana. Contraband smuggling enterprises have long plagued city jail facilities, Margaret Garnett, the commissioner of the citys Department of Investigation, said in a news release. The arrests today are another example of a pattern in which inmates and outside conspirators identify correction officers vulnerable to corruption and use them to carry drugs and other illegal substances into the jails. The Department of Corrections officers charged in the case are: Darrington James, 30, Patrick Legerme, 29, Aldrin Livingston, 31, Michael Murray, 28, Angel Rodriguez, 23, and Christopher Walker, 28. It was not immediately clear whether they had defence attorneys to comment on their behalf. A dozen of the defendants were expected to appear before a federal magistrate Tuesday. Prosecutors said three others remained at large. New York City lawmakers voted in October to close Rikers Island, one of the worlds largest jails, and replace the complex with four smaller jails intended to be more modern and humane and closer to the citys main courthouses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. Rikers is scheduled to shutter by 2026. THE Central Bank needs to improve its communications with credit unions about how it regulates them. And the regulator of the industry also needs to recognise the diversity within the credit union sector, a major peer review of how the Central Bank deals with the local lenders has found. The review said that the Central Bank effectively performed its regulation and supervision of the credit union sector, but highlighted improvements that could be implemented. It was undertaken by an experienced team of international regulatory experts from the International Credit Union Regulators' Network (ICURN). The review found credit unions had a low level of awareness of the annual Probability Risk and Impact System (Prism) reports carried out by the Central Bank. The authority was also told to better-notify credit unions when there was a change of Central Bank supervisor. There is said to be a big role for the regulator in supporting risk management frameworks in credit unions, which can be weak. According to the peer review, unions that improve their risk profile should benefit from increased flexibility from the register of credit unions at the Central Bank. This would allow larger and more successful credit unions to expand, it is believed. More regulatory staff are needed for on-site inspections, meanwhile. The peer review recommends that the Central Bank needs to do more to encourage credit unions when they attempt to develop additional services. "Setting out explicit and clear expectations would aid efficiencies and limit uncertainty on the part of developers and participants," the peer review stated. It comes after controversy in 2016, when 11 credit unions that were trying to launch a debit card were told they did not have the approval of the Central Bank, despite the initiative being announced. There was confusion over whether or not the initiative had the approval of the regulator. The latest report follows huge consolidation within the sector. The number of credit unions has fallen by 122 over the past four years to 248. This has meant a third of stand-alone credit unions have disappeared. Credit unions have a strong brand, the international reviewers also found, but their return on assets continues to decline. However, assets have grown and the level of non-performing loans has come down since the last peer review in 2005. Registrar of credit unions Patrick Casey said the Central Bank recognised the importance of external scrutiny, and it would consider the findings and recommendations in the review. MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2020 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSX.V: CJC, FSE: YXEP, OTC-BB: CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2020 drill program at its flagship Sakami project in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory. The Company plans to drill approximately 25,000 metres. The drill program is fully-funded. Details are as follows: QPM currently has $6.5 million in cash; Drilling costs are low, at approximately $200/metre; Two drills are on-site and drilling can be done year-round; and Drilling will focus on:1) expanding the La Pointe deposit and the Simon new high grade discovery (see press release of March 26, 2019) with results that include 14.20 g/t Au over 2 m, 5.05 g/t Au over 5.06 m, and 4.66 g/t Au over 3.50 m; and 2) testing additional new targets across the 13-km mineralized trend striking SSW-NNE that includes the Apple, Peninsule, JR and Ile showings (with gold mineralization detected in drill holes, grab and trench samples) (see press release of October 22, 2019). Normand Champigny, CEO of QPM, stated: "Following our successful financing late 2019, we are about to undertake the most significant drilling program to date at Sakami. We anticipate completing over 25,000 metres of drilling by the end of this year. With the increased geological understanding of the project following our recent program, we are looking to speed up the discovery and resource identification process." Qualified Persons Normand Champigny, Eng., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Jean-Sebastien Lavallee (OGQ #773), geologist, Vice-President Exploration, director and shareholder of the Company, both Qualified Persons under NI 43- 101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects, have prepared and approved the technical content of this release. About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation QPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly-prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore this project to advance it to the mineral resource estimate stage. For more information please contact: Jean-Francois Meilleur President Tel.: 514 951-2730 jfmeilleur@qpmcorp.ca Normand Champigny Chief Executive Officer Tel.: 514 979-4746 nchampigny@qpmcorp.ca 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. SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572999/Quebec-Precious-Metals-to-Drill-25000-m-at-Sakami CHICAGO Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday that a powerful lobbyist and close confidant of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan should cooperate with federal investigators, and compared the language the man used in an email lauding an official for keeping quiet about a rape in Champaign to that of a crime syndicate. In his first public comments since top agriculture official John Sullivan resigned amid fallout over the email, Pritzker criticized Mike McClain for shrugging off a question about whether he was cooperating with federal investigators in a sweeping probe that reaches from Chicago to Springfield. This McClain email is emblematic of a culture that has been poisonous in Springfield for far too long, Pritzker said. Those who protect the culture, those who tolerate it, those who promote it, will have to answer for their role in it. He added: Anyone who thinks that its OK to talk about these things like theyre in a crime syndicate doesnt belong in Springfield anymore. We need change." The July 2012 email McClain, a former lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison and a close adviser to Madigan, sent to two officials in the administration of then-Gov. Pat Quinn was first reported by WBEZ. In it, McClain sought leniency for Forrest Ashby, a longtime state worker who was facing a disciplinary hearing. For Gods sake do not let this disciplinary meeting get out of hand, wrote McClain, who like Ashby is from Quincy. He has kept his mouth shut on Jones ghost workers, the rape in Champaign and other items. He is loyal to the Administration. Over the weekend, Sullivan resigned as the Pritzker administrations agriculture secretary after it was discovered that he knew of McClains email at around the time it was sent but did not report it. During a news conference at the downtown Thompson Center, Pritzker did not directly address a question on whether McClain recommended Sullivan for the top agriculture job, saying he does not know whether the powerful lobbyist weighed in. I do know that I received a lot of recommendations about John Sullivan, Pritzker said. There were a lot of people who think very highly of him and I want to add that as the director of the Department of Agriculture he did terrific work for me. A source has told the Tribune that federal investigators have asked McClain to cooperate. Pritzker was critical of McClains response last week was asked last week by a WBEZ reporter whether he is cooperating. In a video, McClain said, Theyve asked when asked about the feds approaching him, then appears to grin. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. McClain did not directly say that he has declined to cooperate, fueling speculation that he is not. If an investigator contacts someone and asks them to cooperate, they should cooperate and not to put a smug grin on their face and to laugh about not cooperating like Mike McClain did, Pritzker said. Asked whether he believes McClain should cooperate against Madigan if asked to, Pritzker said, Oh I think anybody that is interviewed by an investigatory body should be forthcoming with information that they have. Pritzker also ripped the broader political culture in Springfield, which has been roiled by a string of high-profile criminal investigations. Whether youre a leader or a member or a lobbyist or anybody engaged in that Springfield culture, youve got to ask yourself what direction youre taking things or what youve done to contribute to it or what youre doing to alleviate the concerns that voters and the rest of us have about this culture and the corruption, Pritzker said. Ive insisted that to everybody, to all the leaders and chairs of committees as well as to the members themselves. Pritzker did not directly criticize Madigan, even though McClain was his close ally for years, and did not directly answer whether he believes Madigans denial that he did not know anything about the rape email. The investigations have to proceed here and thats how were going to discover who knew what and hold accountable people that deserve to be held accountable, Pritzker said. GALLERY: Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mueller Probe Witness Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography, Sex Trafficking Charges George Nadera witness in then-special counsel Robert Muellers investigation and charged in a case involving foreign donationspleaded guilty on Jan. 13 on charges of sex trafficking and possessing child pornography, and will now serve at least 10 years in prison. The 60-year-old entered a guilty plea in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District stated in a press release on Jan. 13. Nader admitted to transporting a 14-year-old from Europe to Dulles International Airport [in Virginia] for purposes of illegal conduct in the early 2000s. Nader also admitted that he possessed child pornography while he was in New York in September 2012, the office stated in the release. In exchange for the plea, the government agreed to dismiss an indictment involving similar charges returned in the Eastern District of Virginia in July 2019, the U.S. Attorneys office wrote. He now faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 50 years when he is sentenced in April, officials stated. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the release said. It noted that Nader, who is Lebanese American, was previously convicted of transporting child pornography in Virginia in 1991. Naders name shows up a number of times in Muellers report, which investigated whether Donald Trumps presidential campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election. The final report submitted by Muellers office in early 2019 found no evidence that the campaign coordinated or conspired with the Russian government in its election-interference activities. Nader was charged in a 2019 case involving foreign donations to Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. Prosecutors had alleged that Nader and other defendants funneled money via a donor from the Middle East to Clinton, reports stated. Those charges arent related to the child pornography case in Virginia. According to his lawyers, Nader was hired as a contractor for the Department of Defense, and he was also hired as an adviser on the Middle East during the Bush administration, reported the National Review. The U.S. Attorneys office added that the Nader case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. A first-term member of parliament whose father was Maltas president will be sworn in as the countrys prime minister on January 13, replacing Joseph Muscat amid a crisis over the murder of a journalist who investigated corruption in his government. Eligible members of the ruling Labor Party on January 11 cast 58 percent of their ballots for 42-year-old Robert Abela, who is a trained lawyer specializing in labor and industrial law, as well as a former bodybuilder. The outgoing prime minister promised to resign in December after protests demanded his ouster over an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017 while she was investigating graft among the upper echelons of the Mediterranean countrys government and business community. During his victory speech, Abela promised to repair the countrys reputation. "Malta is not going through any tragedy, but it is going through a sensitive time from which it will emerge stronger," Abela said. "We will continue to strengthen rule of law and good governance. An influential businessman with alleged links to government officials was charged with complicity in Galizia's murder on November 30. The suspect, Yorgen Fenech, pleaded not guilty to that and other charges. He was charged after prosecutors refused his request for immunity from prosecution in return for revealing details of the murder plot. Implicated in the crime are Muscats former chief-of-staff and a former tourism minister, among others. Both men resigned late in 2019 and deny any wrongdoing, including having business links with Fenech. Three other men are in custody for carrying out the murder -- they, two brothers and a friend, were arrested in December 2017 and have pleaded not guilty. Alfred and George Degiorgio and Vincent Muscat were paid 150,000 euros ($165,000) for the killing, according to Reuters. The head of Reporters Without Borders in Britain, Rebecca Vincent, told AFP that Abela "has his work cut out for him" and promised she and other human rights campaigners would "hold this administration to account in ensuring full justice for Daphne [Caruana Galizia]." Malta is the EUs smallest member state. With reporting by AFP, PBS News Hour, and Reuters Digital skills are becoming ever more important with the opportunities to 'skill up' are growing. According to figures, at least 82% of advertised openings today require some level of digital skills. In addition digital skills carry a large wage premium, with figures showing roles requiring digital skills pay 29% (8,300) over those roles that do not (37,000 vs 28,700) with the premium increasing at higher skill levels. And jobs in the digital sector now account for 20 per cent of all vacancies in the UK as the boom in the tech economy shows no signs of slowing down. What are T Levels? T Levels are an alternative qualification option for students after completing their GCSEs, the new courses will be equivalent to three A Levels. The two-year courses have been designed in collaboration with businesses and employers to prepare students for specific industries. Firms such as IBM and Fujitsu have been involved in developing the courses to make them relevant and effective. They are aimed at helping students develop the current skills in demand by industry today. Each course is tailored to the needs of the job role and industry it covers, aiming to give students the skills and knowledge they need to pursue their chosen career. Progression to a higher apprenticeship or university is also an option; T Levels attract UCAS points in line with 3 A Levels. In 2020, these courses will include: Digital: digital production, design and development Construction: design, surveying and planning Education: childcare Who are T Levels for? Students who finish their GCSEs this summer will be the first year of pupils able to choose and study the new T Level courses. More T Levels will become available in more subjects and in more areas in subsequent years. T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. A T Level industry placement will last for at least 45 days when and how you complete it depends on the T Level, college and employer. Which subjects are included in Technical Education and which will be available as T Levels? Technical Education will eventually be offered across 15 routes, with 11 having T Level options, including, Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care, Business and Administration, Catering and Hospitality, Construction, Creative and Design, Digital, Education and Childcare, Engineering and Manufacturing, Hair and Beauty, Health and Science, Legal, Finance and Accounting Why are T Levels being introduced? T Levels are a new choice after GCSEs. They will be developed using Apprenticeship Standards, designed by employers and approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education. The expectation is that a T Level will be up to 1,800 hours over two years including a 45-day placement in the specific industry, a significant increase of hours to the current Technical Education courses. This differs from apprenticeships which are more suited to students who know the occupation they want to pursue and are ready for the world of work. T Level courses are made up of core theory, concepts and skills for the industry and also specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation. All students will also have to achieve a minimum standard in maths and English if they havent already achieved them. Whats in it for me? T Levels will be available in subjects and industries that dont traditionally fall into the academic A Level categories or arent widely available, opening up the options to achieve qualifications in more vocational or technical disciplines think digital production, legal, engineering or software development. A completed T Level course is the equivalent of three A Levels. For more information on T Levels, visit: https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/ or https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk The Armenian economy grew by at least 7.5 percent last year, Economy Minister Tigran Khachatrian insisted on Tuesday. Although the full-year indicators of Gross Domestic Product have not yet been summarized we can already say that we will have a growth rate of at least 7.5 percent, he told a news conference. Government data cited by Khachatrian shows the financial and other services sector expanding by almost 15 percent in the first 11 months of 2019. The governments Statistical Committee also recorded more than 9 percent increases in trade and industrial output in that period. Armenias GDP has increased robustly in real terms since 2017 after years of sluggish growth that followed the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. GDP growth reached 7.5 percent in 2017 but slowed to 5.2 percent in 2018, which saw a dramatic regime change in the country. Khachatrian said last month that it will accelerate to at least 7.5 percent in 2019. The International Monetary Fund also forecast faster growth in the country. For this year we project growth to be at around 6.5-7 percent, the IMFs resident representative in Yerevan, Yulia Ustyugova, told RFE/RLs Armenian service in November. Ustyugova cautioned that this growth is largely driven by private consumption, rather than rising investments or exports. The challenge remains how to generate sustainable, long-term growth that is driven by investment and exports, rather than consumption, she said. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report released last week, the World Bank said the Armenian economy will grow by 5.1 percent this year and slightly faster in 2021 and 2022. The bank estimated Armenias 2019 growth at 6.9 percent, sharply up from 4.2 percent projected by it in June. Gogglebox Australia star Symon Lovett was begging airlines and hotels to refund him on Monday, after failing to get the correct American visa on time. The 32-year-old was shocked to discover he couldn't legally enter the U.S. because he'd visited Iran on holiday two years ago. His 2017 trip means he must obtain a special visa to enter America and can't simply apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Devastated: Gogglebox Australia star Symon Lovett (pictured) was begging airlines and hotels to refund him on Monday, after failing to get the correct American visa on time Symon didn't realise his mistake until it was too late, and he is booked to fly out on Thursday. He explained on Instagram: 'Story background: In 2017 I went to Iran for a holiday. It was great, beautiful people and great scenery. 'But because of that trip, I now need to apply for a special visa to visit the USA. But I didn't know that until after I booked the flights.' Blindsided: Symon was shocked to discover he couldn't legally enter the U.S. because he'd visited Iran on holiday two years ago. His 2017 trip means he must obtain a special visa to enter America and can't simply apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) In 2015, the United States changed the guidelines for its Visa Waiver Program. Visitors who have been to Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen must now obtain a visa under the Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. In normal circumstances, Australian citizens can enter the USA for up to 90 days after being approved through ESTA. Symon continued: 'The flights were non-refundable and left in one week. This visa takes a minimum three weeks [to be approved].' 'I am sad': Symon managed to get his money back from The Freehand Hotel but was told by STA Travel that his airline tickets were non-refundable After visiting the American Embassy in Melbourne, Symon had hoped that his plans could still go ahead. But his emergency appointment to sort out his visa was scheduled for January 21, which is five days after his flight. After this setback, he contacted his hotel and airline asking for refunds. He managed to get his money back from The Freehand Hotel but was told by STA Travel that his airline tickets were non-refundable. Symon rose to fame on Gogglebox Australia alongside his best friend and housemate, Adam Densten. In 2019, the duo confirmed they would be leaving the show after five years. Kolkata, Jan 14 : Four persons have been arrested from the city and its nearby areas for allegedly duping the SBI of Rs 40 lakh which they obtained as loan by submitting forged National Savings Certificates (NSC) as collateral, a police officer said on Tuesday. Acting on a complaint filed by in July last year by the Regional Manager of State Bank of India's zonal Office here, personnel from the Shakespeare Sarani Police station on Monday night picked up one of the accused from Falta in neighbouring South 24 Parganas district, while two others were arrested from the city hub Esplanade and another from Dum Dum in North 24 Parganas district. All four have been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code including criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. As per the complaint lodged by RM Sandip Chowbey, the accused persons produced 60 National Savings Certificates (NSC) each of Rs 1 lakh face value to the bank and obtained a term loan of Rs 18 lakh and overdraft of Rs 22 lakh, and siphoned of the money. "Later, it was found all the 60 NSCs were forged and manufactured," said city police's Joint Commissioner (Crime) Murlidhar Sharma. The verification process of such collateral securities were also intercepted by the alleged fraudsters to dupe the bank, Sharma said. The police were also looking into the role played by the branch manager and the postal department. "The roles of then branch manager and the postal department are also not beyond doubt, is being verified," he said. The police also seized 60 NSCs of face value Rs 10,000 each and 84 Kisan Vikas Patras(KVP) of face value Rs 50,000 each from the accused. "All these NSCs and KVPs are manufactured. It seems that they were planning to dupe some other bank with those forged securities," said Sharma. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 (IANS) Kerala on Tuesday became the first state in the country to file a suit in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Article 131 states that the Supreme court is the guardian of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 14 which states that if there is any kind of violation of the fundamental rights, then one can go directly to the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution (this being a fundamental right too). But when there is a dispute which arises between the States of India or between the State Government and the Union Government then it is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution to resolve these disputes. Among the others who have already approached the apex court on this includes the Indian Union Muslim League - the second biggest party in the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala and also Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala. sg/skp/ The U.S. will keep billions of dollars of tariffs on Chinese goods in place until after the 2020 election as leverage to keep Beijing from violating a phase-one trade deal, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. The $360 billion in scheduled tariffs is slated to be kept in place and only reviewed for potential trimming after the election a detail that is reportedly not specified in the text of the agreement. The U.S. currently has heavy tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, while China has tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. products. The only non-public component of the agreement is a confidential annex with detailed purchase amounts, which has been previously described, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Bloomberg in an email. There are no other oral or written agreements between the U.S. and China on these matters, and there is no agreement for future reduction in tariffs. A deal is expected to be signed in Washington on Wednesday, with the U.S. dropping its designation of China as a currency manipulator ahead of the deal. The two countries have been locked in months of back-and-forth negotiations after a deal was principally agreed to in October. The initial deal included China purchasing $40 to $50 billion worth of American agricultural products, along with agreeing to guidelines on how it manages its currency. It also included a provision that addresses Chinas history of intellectual property theft, specifically as it pertains to the forced transfer of American technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. But impending U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods caused Beijing to stall signing the deal. U.S. agriculture and manufacturing have been hit particularly hard by the longstanding trade war, with farmers receiving $30 billion in compensation to offset losses, and manufacturing hitting its lowest level in more than a decade. More from National Review Abdulfatah Ahmed, former governor of Kwara, has admitted that his administration sold government properties but it followed due process. This was in response to claims by the present governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, that the previous administration sold government properties to friends and cronies. The governor had accused his predecessor of selling 110 government properties, including the house meant for the deputy governor. Read Also: My Predecessor Sold Everything, My Deputy Lives In A Rented Apartment: Kwara Gov Abdulrahman said this after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock on Monday. However Ahmed, in a statement by his spokesperson, Muyideen Akorede, his media aide, said his administration followed due process in selling government quarters to civil servants, and members of the 7th Kwara state house of assembly on owner-occupier basis after state executive council approval. He said he got the inspiration to sell off the government properties following the federal governments monetisation policy, which sought to shed the financial burden of maintaining government-owned properties. The U.S. government has cleared the sale of the F-35 Lightning II jet to Singapore, expanding the Joint Strike Fighter program in the Pacific. The State Department last week approved the sale of up to 12 short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets and related equipment to Singapore for approximately $2.75 billion, officials said in a news release. Singapore will join the United Kingdom and the U.S. Marine Corps in flying the B variant. Italy, which has a single B variant operated by its Navy, has committed to buying more; Japan has also committed to buying STOVL jets. But the majority of allied partner, or Foreign Military Sale (FMS), nations operate the conventional F-35A model, flown by the U.S. Air Force. The STOVL option makes sense for the island city-state given Singapore's geographic constraints, according to Robert Farley, an assistant professor at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. Related: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Saw Record Production, Big Hurdles in 2019 "Acquisition of the F-35 is in line with the long-term defense relationship between Singapore and the United States, which has supplied previous generations of fighter aircraft," Farley said in an Op-Ed published in The Diplomat. "Historically, the desire for vertical and/or short-takeoff and landing (VSTOL) capabilities was driven first by concerns over the availability of runway space during a general conflict," he said. "In this context, it's not at all difficult to see Singapore's interest in the aircraft. Singapore already trains and quarters much of its air force abroad, mostly due to a lack of space in and around the country. While the F-35B doesn't eliminate that problem entirely, it does simplify some operational problems during periods of conflict." The sale will expand the stealth jet's network of global operators. The program was founded by nine partner nations: the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada -- though Canada has not committed to buying the aircraft. FMS customers include Israel, Japan, South Korea and Belgium. In August, a group of Republican senators urged the Defense Department to expand the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program with additional foreign sales to create a stronger coalition of allies. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Aug. 6, Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said the U.S. would benefit by having more F-35s on flight lines around the world. The lawmakers' call for expansion came shortly after the Pentagon lost one of its F-35 NATO partner nations. The Defense Department officially booted Turkey from the program in July because of its purchase of Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air-missile systems. In September, the U.S. opened the door to Poland as a potential F-35 FMS customer. That month, Poland was approved to receive 32 Lockheed Martin-made F-35A Lightning II aircraft with support and associated equipment, for an estimated cost of $6.5 billion. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: Army's New Sighting System Could Lead to Reckless Shooting and Fratricide, Experts Say LYON, France A French former priest accused of sexually abusing some 75 boys when he worked as their scout chaplain is on trial in Lyon, Frances worst clergy abuse drama to reach court so far. Church hierarchy is suspected of covering up Bernard Preynats actions for decades, and a French cardinal was convicted last year of failing to report him to police or prosecutors. The cases repercussions reached all the way to the Vatican. Preynat has admitted to abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s, and told the court Monday, I have heard the suffering of these people, which Im guilty of causing. I hope that this trial can unfold as quickly as possible. The trial briefly opened Monday but was quickly delayed because of a lawyers strike. The proceedings resumed Tuesday, though some lawyers pleaded for a new delay. Preynat, now 74, is charged with sexual assault of 10 minors between 1986 and 1991. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Hes also accused of abusing dozens of others in the 1970s and 1980s, but those alleged incidents happened too long ago to prosecute. Parents first alerted the diocese to alleged molestation by Preynat in 1991. The priest swore to the then-cardinal that he would no longer touch a child, and no other victims have come forward saying he abused them after 1991. At the time of the abuse, Preynat was in charge of the Saint-Luc scout camp in a private Catholic school in Sainte-Foy-les-Lyons in the suburbs of Lyon for 20 years, then continued his career as a priest until 2015. In 2014, the priest was overtaken by his past. Alexandre Hezez, who said he had been abused as a child by Preynat, went public as an adult and asked church hierarchy why he was still in office. Other victims came forward too, one by one. Nicolas Vaux-Montagny is an Associated Press writer. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has advised everyone should take their time to breathe as he commented on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to quit as senior royals. The heir to the Norwegian throne, 46, became the first European royal to weigh in on Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle's, 38, news yesterday. According to Royal Central, when questioned about the Sussexes' shock announcement, Crown Prince Haakon said: 'I think if everyone should take their time to breathe, and I am sure they will find good solutions.' His comments come as the Queen, 93, said she wanted a plan found for the Sussexes in a matter of days, following a summit at Sandringham with Prince Harry, 35, Prince Charles, 71, and Prince William, 37, yesterday. Crown Prince Haakon, 46, became the first European royal to weigh in on Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle's, 38, shock announcement they'd be stepping back from life as senior royals Crown Prince Haakon is the only son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja and the heir apparent to the throne of Norway. The 46-year-old has two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 15, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 14. The Duke of Sussex last travelled to Norway in February 2019 on a solo trip, while The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also visited the country for a four-day tour in February 2018. Crown Prince Haakon's parents King Harald and Queen Sonja also attended Prince William and Kate's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 2011, but were not present at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018. Crown Prince Haakon suggested everyone 'take time to breathe' in order to find solutions to the Sussexes announcement (pictured, the Duke and Duchess at Canada House last week) Crown Prince Haakon made the comments as Prince Harry joined other senior members of the British royal family at Sandringham to discuss his family's future in The Firm. After the family meeting at Sandringham yesterday, Her Majesty released a historic and emotionally-charged statement regretting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell decision. The 'big four' Windsors are not expected to meet again in person but will be consulted by phone as their private secretaries thrash out a deal over their titles, tax bills, royal duties, funding and living arrangements in Canada and the UK as well as who will pay to protect them. Sir Edward Young for the Queen, Clive Alderton for Charles, Simon Case for William and Fiona Mcilwham for Harry have been ordered by Her Majesty to get a deal done within days. Crown Prince Haakon has hosted senior members of the British royal family in recent years (pictured, with Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, in February 2018) Prince Harry met with the Queen and other senior royals at Sandringham yesterday with the family hoping to get a deal done in days (pictured, Prince Harry and Meghan at Canada House last Tuesday shortly before their announcement) Yesterday's unprecedented meeting represented the first time that Harry had met with his closest relatives since early November, with the prince and his wife having taken a six-week break in Canada over the Christmas period. The Queen has said that hammering out a viable blueprint for Harry and Meghan's financially independent future was proving 'complex' and indicated more details need to be ironed out - including their use of the Sussex title to build their business brand in North America. Although they arrived back only last week, Meghan, 38, has already returned to the country. Aides have now been set to work to try to come up with a workable solution to the crisis preferably by Friday. [January 14, 2020] ON24 Continues to Scale International Presence with Strategic Leadership at Helm SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As world markets become interdependent and technology adoption continues to increase, marketers around the world are turning to ON24 , the marketing technology leader helping enterprises create live, always-on and personalized digital experiences that drive revenue. That's why ON24 today announced it is furthering its investment internationally to best serve customers around the world. With global accounts comprising over 25% of ON24's customer base, this commitment will ensure customers can create digital experiences that drive revenue for audiences across geographic regions, now and in the future. As part of this investment, ON24 announced that Tim Collin has joined as VP and Managing Director of EMEA and Daniel Harrison has been named VP of APAC and Japan. "Our number one goal is to best serve our customers, no matter where they are located or what industry they are in," says Sharat Sharan, CEO and Founder, ON24. "Our international investments and strong global footprint will help us advance the value and services we can bring to our customers around the world. We're delighted to have Tim and Daniel on board to drive this mission." Harrison will lead the APAC team from the Sydney office. In this role, he will focus on developing the business and best serving customers across APAC and Japan. Harrison comes to ON24 after serving more than seven years at Oracle, where he was General Manager of Customer Experience for Oracle Digital, helping companies improve their customer experience across sales, service and marketing. ON24 is opening a Japan office in 2020 and recently moved to a new, larger office near Sydney's Darling Harbor to accommodate its regional expansion. Based in the London office,Collin is responsible for optimizing and driving ON24's EMEA business, sales, customer success, and marketing efforts. Collin, who previously worked at Spredfast and Marin Software, has extensive experience in helping software companies scale and optimize their offerings to EMEA and ensure they are tailored to each unique market. The company also recently expanded its EMEA operations and relocated to the Kings Cross District. ON24 is the only data-rich digital experience platform with multilingual capabilities in over 35 languages. It's now the most trusted channel for driving revenue worldwide: Along with European customers like SAP, Autotrader, and Ernst & Young, worldwide ON24 serves 9 of the top 10 tech firms, 6 of the Big 10 accountancy practices, 7 of the top ten asset management firms and 8 out of ten pharmaceutical companies. ON24 maintains the largest global support footprint of any engagement webinar marketing platform with offices around the world, including the key regions of Singapore, Sydney, and Stockholm. The company will host its Webinar World Sydney this spring and Webinar World London in the fall of 2020 for those marketers looking to learn how to create digital experiences that drive revenue. About ON24 ON24 is on a mission to transform the way marketers market, powering the live, always-on and personalized experiences that businesses need to create engagement, deliver data, find demand and drive revenue. Through the ON24 Platform, marketers can build data-rich, interactive webinar and content experiences, understand audience behavior and turn that intelligence into action. Informed by more than a billion engagement minutes -- including 12 million polls, 1.3 million surveys, 1.5 million conversations, and conversion of over 17 million resources -- marketers drive more revenue from ON24 experiences than any other digital channel. Headquartered in San Francisco, ON24 has a wide global footprint with eight offices in key regions, including London, Munich, Singapore, Stockholm and Sydney. For more information, visit https://www.on24.com. CONTACT: Keith Chapman, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/on24-continues-to-scale-international-presence-with-strategic-leadership-at-helm-300986429.html SOURCE ON24 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] In Retrospect: News from the Jan. 13, 1922 and Jan. 12, 1972 Souderton Independent Amber Heard has been very open about being bisexual, both privately to her family and friends, and publicly in the media. So it didn't come as a complete surprise when the Aquaman star was photographed passionately kissing a woman in Palm Springs, California on Sunday. That mystery woman has been identified as Bianca Butti, 38, a cinematographer living in Los Angeles who was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time last year. Courageous: Los Angeles-based cinematographer Bianca Butti, 38, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and a second time in 2019 Passionate: On Sunday, Butti was spotted packing on the PDAs with Amber Heard outside a hotel in the California resort town of Palm Springs From the moment they stepped out the Colony Palms Hotel in the Southern California resort town, the two ladies packed on the public displays of affection near the front doors. In between some laughing and giggling, they stopped to embrace and share a romantic smooch or two and then hopped into Heard's vintage Ford Mustang car and drove off. No doubt, the romantic moment was a reprieve for Butti, who's been undergoing a completely new round of treatments for her second breast cancer diagnosis, which she has been documenting on the Instagram page, @buttibeatsit. Happy times: The Aquaman star, 33, and Butti also shared a number of laughs On the go: The pair kept up the PDAS when they drove off in Heard's classic 1968 Mustang Turns out some of her friends started a Go Fund Me page for her last August to help pay for the back bills she had already accumulated and new and future costs. In a note on the fundraising page, Butti explains how she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015 when she was just 34-years-old, and that it was confirmed to have returned in March 2019. 'I was beyond devastated. A new tumor appeared in my right breast, almost 3 years since I was declared cancer free,' she explained with heartfelt emotion. For the first diagnosis she underwent a traditional western treatment of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Now, after extensive research and personal experience, she decided to seek more alternative treatments. Public battle: Butti has been documenting her cancer treatments and state of mind and body on the Instagram page, @buttibeatsit New approach: For her second diagnosis, Butti decided to seek more alternative treatments 'I will say that getting a cancer diagnosis for the second time, is a lot less scary than the first time, she confessed. 'I firmly believe that the most powerful treatment is the treatment one believes in.' With that new mindset, Butti opted for a more integrated approach offered at the Center For New Medicine in Irvine, which is about 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. But her insurance wouldn't cover much of the cost, so she and her family and friends are hoping to raise $60,000, which would cover most of her current treatments; anything beyond that amount will go towards future therapies. Her alternative plan includes: mistletoe, high dose vitamin c, a cutting edge procedure called cryoablation (where they actually freeze the tumor), nutrition, exercise, and oxygenation treatments, acupuncture, herbs, supplements and emotional therapies. Fundraiser: A few friends started a Go Fund Me page for Butti last August to help pay for her mounting bills from both treatments; to date it has garnered over $18,500 First approach: She underwent a traditional western treatment of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for her first diagnosis, which resulted in her losing her hair: she's pictured in 2016 At last check Butti's Go Fund Me page has raised just over $18,500. In one of her last Instagram posts, she explained how to reach 'a place of real healing and repair of the body, one must be completely relaxed.' She added, 'It's amazing how difficult that can be! Working on that in a serious way. Meditation helps. Exercise helps. Beautiful landscapes help. Feeling supported by loved ones helps. Coming at it from all angles.' Butti's resume as a cinematographer includes several episodes of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta that aired in 2013, the upcoming Bella Thorne movie Leave Not One Alive, the thriller Uncanny and a few other independent films and shorts. New mantra: 'I firmly believe that the most powerful treatment is the treatment one believes in' Devastating: Butti was told she was cancer free for three years when she got the news of her second breast cancer diagnosis in march 2019 Heard dated female photographer Tasya van Ree for four years starting in 2008. It was during that relationship, in 2010, that she came out about her bisexuality. The couple would call it quits in 2012, not long after she met Johnny Deep while filming The Rum Diary 2011. They began living with each other after her split with van Ree, and eventually were married in February 2015. The actress filed for divorce from Deep in May 2016 and obtained a temporary restraining order against him. From there, the former couple accused each other of varying forms of physical and verbal abuse during their time together. Since their split, Heard has been romantically linked to tech entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Heidi Klum's ex Vito Schnabel and most recently Argentinian director Andy Muschietti. James Murdoch and his wife have issued a furious rebuke at his family for promoting climate change 'denials' across their various media platforms amid the ongoing Australian bushfire crisis. James, 47, and his activist wife Kathryn issued a statement on Monday to The Daily Beast where they said they were 'disappointed' by the coverage of the fires by Fox News and other News Corporation outlets. 'Kathryn and James views on climate are well established and their frustration with some of the News Corp and Fox coverage of the topic is also well known. 'They are particularly disappointed with the ongoing denial among the news outlets in Australia given obvious evidence to the contrary,' their statement read. James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn have issued a stunning rebuke of his father's media empire and its coverage of the Australian bushfires. Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch (right) remain at the helm of Fox and News Corp Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch who are now at the helm of the Fox and News Corp empire Lachlan became the CEO of Fox News in a reshuffle which put James on the outs of the day-to-day running of the family business in 2018. Since then, he has worked at the helm of the investment fund Lupa Systems but he retains a seat on the board of News Corp. He rarely speaks out about the running of Fox or News Corp and insiders at the latter say his unprecedented statement is akin to him 'p****ng inside the tent'. The 'denial' James and Kathryn refer to includes allegations that arson and not climate change are to blame for the bushfires which have killed 27 people and hundreds of millions of animals since they took hold earlier this year. It has spurned a furious debate in Australian media and politics. It began with an announcement from the New South Wales Police service on January 6 that the force had taken action against 183 people since the start of the bushfire season. The number related to 24 people who were accused of deliberately setting bushsires, but many more who were accused of lesser crimes like failing to comply with a total fire ban or failing to properly discard of lit cigarettes on matches. Conservative media outlets however ran away with the 183 total figure. Soon, social media erupted with claims that nearly 200 people had been arrested for starting the fires. Columnists at News Corp's various Australian newspapers covered the arson arrests, as did countless other outlets around the world. 27 people have died and hundreds of millions of animals have been killed in the fires in Australia Climate change activists have hit out at the spread of 'disinformation' like this report, shared by Fox's Sean Hannity, that the fires have in part been caused by arsonists But some of the newspapers have been accused of downplaying the severity of the fires in comparison to other news stories. Namely, The Australian was accused of burying it from its front pages. On Saturday, the newspaper issued a strong defense of its coverage of the topic. It said it was not promoting one opinion over another but was presenting all sides of the ongoing public debate on the issue. Rupert Murdoch is yet to comment directly on the controversy. Earlier this year when asked about his network and newspapers' coverage of climate change, he dismissed the notion that he or anyone else was in denial of it. 'There are no climate-change deniers around, I can assure you,' he said. Neither Fox nor News Corp. immediately responded to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Tuesday morning. Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comin are now fully-fledged MEPs. This Monday, the two JxCat representatives attended the European Parliament to participate in the first plenary session of the new political season. It began with a reference to the pairs position and that of Oriol Junqueras, absent thanks to a ruling by Spains Supreme Court. The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, opened the plenary by referring to the European Court of Justices (ECJ) ruling on their immunity and recognizing Puigdemont, Comin and Oriol Junqueras as having been MPs since 2 July. However, in the case of the ERC leader, in accordance with the guidelines of the Junta Electoral Central (JEC or Central Electoral Board) and the European Parliament, Sassoli stated that Junqueras is no longer an MEP, declaring Junqueras seat to be vacant by virtue of a decision made by the Spanish authorities. While Sassoli was addressing Parliament, however, Vox leader Jorge Buixade demanded the right to speak by clapping his hands in the middle of the chamber. This prompted Sassoli to call him to order in an attempt to silence him. "Calm down, calm down, theres nothing to discuss" Sassoli added. Puigdemont and Comin, who have joined the parliament as "non-Inscrit" MEPs, seating themselves at one end of the chamber, have not expressed their intention to address the parliament. Nevertheless, the former president, together with MEPs from the Green Group (to which ERC belongs) raised a banner calling for Junqueras' release. Sassoli did not refer to the appeal which Parliament received from the Supreme Court this morning, calling for Puigdemonts immunity to be withdrawn. To respond to it, Sassoli must first inform the plenary of its existence before submitting it to the legal affairs commission. Puigdemont does not rule out travelling to Spain Following the plenary, Puigdemont and Comin participated in a press conference organized by the platform promoting dialogue between Catalonia and the European Union, together with ERC MEP Diana Riba. Puigdemont, the leader of JxCat, called on the PSOE to vote against the appeal, which is to be debated by Parliament, in an attempt to "de-judicialize" the political process. Puigdemont declared that "We only ask you to be consistent". He went on to say that he has not ruled out travelling to Spain, based on the fact that if his immunity is respected throughout the EU, it should also include Spain. Puigdemont declared that "We have taken risks so far and it hasnt gone too badly", going on to assert that "legal avenues" still exist and that they will "fight" for Spain to treat them like the other EU member states. He refused to give any further details, though he said that if they were able to enter Spain as MEPs the first thing they would do would be to visit the political prisoners. PORTLAND, Ore. and SPOKANE, Wash., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Springbrook, a leading provider of fully integrated, cloud-based ERP and payments software for local governments, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of BIAS Software, an innovative Washington-based provider of cloud-based accounting software for local public agencies. This transaction marks Springbrook's first add-on acquisition since becoming a portfolio company of Accel-KKR, a leading Silicon Valley-based technology-focused investment firm. BIAS Software provides a fully integrated financial management system for local governments including financial budgeting and reporting, payroll management, fixed asset management, cash receipting and a citizen-facing Utility Billing solution. The company's BIAS Software's Core Suite, BARSFUND, and all BIAS suites of applications are built on OCBOA financial reporting principles favored by many local agencies and special districts for its simplicity and transparency. "BIAS is well-recognized and trusted among local agencies and special districts in Washington for its powerful and easy-to-use financial software solutions, and its client partnership culture," said Max Schnoedl, Springbrook's CEO. "Since becoming an independent company singularly focused on serving local governments, we continue to look for ways to add value to our customers. We see tremendous synergy in building on BIAS's expertise in OCBOA-compliant financial administration software and to deepen Springbrook's market leadership position in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region in partnership with BIAS co-founders Mark Felchlin and Wes Hein." "At its core, BIAS was founded to serve the needs of local governments and that focus hasn't changed in nearly three decades," said BIAS co-founders Mark Felchlin and Wes Hein. "Like the several hundreds of small agencies and special districts that we work with in Washington, local governments provide the essential services including public safety, health and human services, public works, transportation and infrastructure that we all depend on every day. Now as part of the Springbrook family, we are excited about the prospect of helping more agencies in the Pacific Northwest region do the same." About BIAS Software: Since 1991, Spokane, WA-based BIAS Software has been committed to providing powerful financial accounting solutions designed specifically to help local government entities increase efficiency, reduce errors and make informed financial decisions. Our financial systems help local agencies and special districts run their daily financial operations with ease, confidence and transparency. For more information, visit https://www.biasonline.com. About Springbrook: Springbrook is a leading cloud-based finance and administration software provider for local government. More than 1,000 cities, towns and districts from coast to coast use our suite of modern, high-performance solutions to manage their finances, payroll and utility billing. We believe in citizen-centric government that empowers its community with financial transparency, efficiency and a seamless payment experience. Springbrook is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with regional offices in New York and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.springbrooksoftware.com. Media Contact: Stephanie Murphy Sr. Marketing Manager Springbrook Software Ph: 503-442-1697 Em: [email protected] SOURCE Springbrook Software Related Links http://www.springbrooksoftware.com A gas leak that resulted in residents being evacuated in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Tuesday afternoon has been resolved, according to fire officials. Firefighters first reported the leak on Twitter around 12:50 p.m., happening near the corner of 11th and Harrison streets. Deborah James, the BBC podcast presenter who has incurable stage four bowel cancer, has revealed her body is currently 'free' of the disease. In an emotional post to her 90,000 Instagram followers, the mother-of-two, 38, who was diagnosed at the age of 35 in 2016, said that after '10 operations, too many scans, a lot of chemo, some fancy drugs, lots of tears' she was 'still standing'. The former deputy head, who presents the Radio 5 Live podcast 'You, me and the Big C' and recently returned from a holiday in Mauritius, said her most recent scans showed 'no evidence of cancer in my body'. Scroll down for video Presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live podcast 'You, me and the Big C' Deborah James has revealed that there is currently 'no evidence of cancer' in her body. It's three years since she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at the age of 35 The emotional Instagram post made by James to her 90,000 followers earlier this week The star vowed to take her continued treatment 'one day at a time' The mother-of-two, a former deputy head from South West London, has shared her journey with the disease including candid photos of herself undergoing treatment Posting a defiant photo of herself on a beach on the Indian Ocean island, James, who writes under the name 'bowel babe', wrote a long post detailing her journey with the disease and calling the recent news 'bonkers' but vowing to be 'realistic', saying she would be back to treatment tomorrow. She wrote: 'Ok Cancer - you chose the wrong girl. 3 Years on, 10 operations, too many scans, a lot of chemo, some fancy drugs, lots of tears...Im still standing - and you (according to my most recent scans!) are still sleeping!' She added: 'In fact, we have cut you out, burnt you, zapped you, ablated you, used radiotherapy, used targeted therapy, used every tool in the book and right now in fact according to my team we are "rewriting the text book!"'. James pictured with her husband and two children, Hugo, centre left, and Eloise, centre right She added that the news her type of stage four cancer, which she says has an 8 per cent five-year survival rate, had put her 'in a place I never thought possible'. James, who continues to live well, running frequently and enjoying holidays abroad as well as a busy career as a broadcaster and campaigner, has been brutally honest about her diagnosis, often sharing photos during treatment and asking people to not ignore unusual symptoms. Last summer, the mother-of-two even candidly discussed the prospect of dying with her young daughter, Eloise, during an interview. In the podcast with Lisa Snowdon for Fabulous magazine, James is heard asking Eloise, aged nine: 'Do you ever worry about me dying?'. A recent photo of Deborah receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London The mother-of-two pictured with her two children, Eloise, far left, and Hugo, right, on the steps of the Royal Marsden hospital Deborah (pictured here in hospital) has undergone countless rounds of grueling treatment and operations after she was diagnosed in 2016 Deborah James, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2016, recorded a podcast for Fabulous magazine with her daughter Eloise. The mother-and-daughter discussed how her mum having cancer made Eloise feel Her daughter responds clearly 'no' before James says: 'Do you just get used to your mum living with cancer?' Eloise responds 'Yes...and you get to go to nice places'. THE SYMPTOMS OF BOWEL CANCER, WHICH DEVELOPS FROM POLYPS IN THE COLON AND RECTUM Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Symptoms include: Bleeding from the bottom Blood in stools A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks Unexplained weight loss Extreme, unexplained tiredness Abdominal pain Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50 Have a family history of the condition Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease Lead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. Advertisement During the frank podcast 'Things I Told My Daughter', James also discussed how she's living with cancer, saying she's lucky that her body is responding to treatment and her team of doctors at London's Royal Marsden Hospital are 'keeping a lid on' her disease. The former deputy headteacher was training to be a headteacher when she was first diagnosed with the condition after feeling lethargic and passing blood in her stools. Deborah has seen her public profile rise since her diagnosis through campaigning for better bowel cancer awareness. The mother-of-two launched the #BowelBabeForStrictly in January last year in an effort to be named as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. Deborah presents Radio Five Live podcast 'You, me and the Big C' - pictured here with co-presenters Racheal Bland (right), who passed away in September 2018, and Lauren Mahon (middle) However, she later confirmed she wouldn't be joining the line-up of stars, despite being previously backed for the show by Kevin Clifton. She revealed some of her closest family believed she would be named as one of the contestants, saying: 'I'm not, Mum I'm not on Strictly. I hate to break it to you.' Deborah presented Radio Five Live podcast 'You, me and the Big C' - with late co-presenter Racheal Bland, who passed away in September 2018, and Lauren Mahon. In June last year, James told runners at a charity run that her cancer was going to have to 'work around me because Im quite busy and I enjoy my life'. An argument being forwarded to oppose the sloganeering of La Ilaha IlAllah in public protests is that it alienates the non-Muslims who are a part of these protests. The argument may be correct, but by simply blaming the slogan it misses out the underlying reason behind this alienation. Why does the slogan alienate non-Muslims? Or for that purpose, why does a Muslim wearing hijab or skull cap alienate non-Muslims? On 12 January 2020, as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor spoke against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and later at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), a group of students, standing at a short distance away from him protested, chanting the slogan of Islamic monotheism, "La Ilaha IlAllah". They were protesting against Tharoor's 29 December, 2019, tweet where the MP called protesters in Kerala chanting La Ilaha IlAllah as giving comfort to 'Islamic extremism'. The protesters whom he targeted were protesting in solidarity with the students of Jamia who had been attacked by the Delhi Police in their campus on 15 December, 2019. As Twitterati rallied, both in his support and against him, some important questions were raised that need to be answered. An argument being forwarded to oppose the sloganeering of La Ilaha IlAllah in public protests is that it alienates the non-Muslims who are a part of these protests. The argument may be correct, but by simply blaming the slogan it misses out the underlying reason behind this alienation. Why does the slogan alienate non-Muslims? Or for that purpose, why does a Muslim wearing hijab or skull cap alienate non-Muslims? Muslims being denied residence on rent, job applications being turned down merely because the applicant is a Muslim and Muslims being refused loans are widely known and well-documented phenomena. All of this happens, merely because the victim carries the identity of being a Muslim with her/him. Be it their hijab, their beard, or simply, their name. The "alienation" by this slogan, in fact, is just another manifestation of the same problem deeply rooted Islamophobia. The recent incident at IIT-Kanpur when the institute set up a panel to decide whether the poem Hum Dekhenge, penned by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, is "anti-national" or "communal" makes the matter clearer. A renowned poem of a literary genius is being viewed as "anti-national" merely because of the use of Islamic terminology in it. So essentially, the problem isn't with the slogans of La Ilaha IlAllah, but any and every expression of Muslim identity. The ongoing movement against CAA and NRC, as has been explained here, began in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) precisely as a movement against this Islamophobic nature of Indian society. And since the alienation of non-Muslims by this slogan is a part and parcel of the same problem, the argument that it should not be raised in public is deeply fallacious as it does not take into account the underlying reason behind this alienation. The slogan, in fact, should be taken as a call to recognise and overcome Islamophobia in Indian society. Another argument against the use of La Ilaha IlAllah in the ongoing protests is that the struggle is for the constitutional values of secularism and equality, and thus it must not be given a religious tone. This argument fails to recognise the true nature of this agitation. As the agitation sparked from AMU spread to Jamia, and then to the streets, the Muslim-centric nature of these protests became even more evident. The protesters were mostly Muslims. Muslim-dominated localities and towns became the hub of protests. Even when the government backlashed, especially in Uttar Pradesh, the target were individuals and groups with Muslim identity. If the fight is really to save constitutional values, why is it that Muslims dominate the scene despite being a mere 14 percent of the Indian population? It is because the existence of Muslims alone have been directly targeted by the CAA-NRC combination. And so the Muslims are out there to safeguard their existence and hence dominate these protests. Had the Muslims come out to protest against this law because it was unconstitutional they would have come out on the streets long back when the Aadhaar Bill was cleared by dubbing it as a Money Bill, when constitutional and statutory institutions such as Election Commission of India and Reserve Bank of India were being attacked, and when Article 370 of the Constitution was de-operationalised. Mere invoking of the Constitution cannot be construed to mean that the ongoing movement is for safeguarding the Constitution. The Constitution is being invoked by Muslims as it promises them the right to human existence. So in essence, it is a fight for Muslim existence, Muslim dignity, and Muslim identity. To cover all of this under the cloak of fight for the Constitution will be a facade. Uncovering this cloak is important not merely because it covers the true nature of the ongoing movement. It is even more important because a comparison with other identity-based movements makes it amply clear the cloak itself is a result of Islamophobia. When Adivasis in Jharkhand and Odisha resisted various mining projects with the slogan "Our land, our minerals and our rights" their movement was seen as a fight for Adivasi rights, not constitutional values. Also, the word 'our' in their slogan did not evoke a similar response as La Ilaha IlAllah is raising today. Similarly, in March 2018, when the Supreme Court issued order diluting the provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989, the Dalits came out on the streets to protest against this order. Back then, it was seen as a Dalit uprising. Nobody delegitimised the Dalit struggle by covering it up as a fight for constitutional values. So why this hesitation to see this movement as a Muslim movement? Islamophobia. Period. He has been out in force promoting his latest film, The Gentlemen, in recent days. And on Monday, Matthew McConaughey and some of his co-stars were back in promo-mode that included a stop for an interview with Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM Channel in New York City. After sitting down with Cohen, the 50-year-old star headed back out to the bustling streets of Manhattan where he was mobbed by fans as he made his way to his waiting car. Cool customer: Matthew McConaughey, 50, was bombarded by fans after another day of promoting his new film The Gentlemen in New York City The Texas native looked casual-cool in a green teddy coat that came down to mid-thigh and faded blue jeans. He also wore brown leather boots, dark sunglasses and his hair pushed back off his face in his trademark style. Being the fan friendly star that he is, McConaughey stopped briefly to chat and accommodate some folks waving their sharpie pens. Fan friendly: The A-lister looked casual-cool in a green teddy coat, jeans and sunglasses as he signed autographs and took selfies before hopping into his awaiting car Just moments before, the Academy Award-winning actor posed with co-stars Hugh Grant and Charlie Hunnam and Cohen after their interview at the SiriusXM Studios. Fellow co-stars Michelle Dockery and Henry Golding have also joined the trio on some of the recent promotional stops in New York over the last few days. After a screening of the film on Saturday, McConaughey took to Instagram to share a photo from the event, as well as a snap from outside a pizzeria. Promo mode: Hugh Grant and Charlie Hunnam joined McConaughey for an interview with SiriusXM host Andy Cohen on Monday in New York City The Gentlemen was written and directed by Guy Ritchie, who's best known for iconic films like Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and RocknRolla. His latest action crime film follows American expat Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that hes looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him. The Gentlemen premieres in the US January 24, following a January 1 release in the UK. The Gentlemen and lady: Henry Golding, Guy Ritchie, Tim League, McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, and Hugh Grant attended a special screening of The Gentlemen at the Alamo Drafthouse on Saturday in Manhattan After the tragedy of Flight 752, we can see how amazing and supportive Canadians as a whole have been to the Iranian-Canadian community. From a political point of view, the prime minister has been doing an excellent job. There has been continuous communication to the Canadian public with updates on the incident. The investigation has prioritized providing answers to the public. In addition, special measures have been put in place for families of those affected to receive emergency visas. Justin Trudeau, along with other politicians in various roles, have also visited vigils and memorials and have shown support for the affected communities. All of these actions demonstrate that this tragedy is being taken seriously and exhibits compassion toward the friends and families of those affected. Outside of the political sphere, the media has provided excellent coverage on the issue. They have been highlighting all the victims and providing us with their story, while also amplifying the voices and perspectives of the countless affected community members and families. Public opinion deems this a Canadian tragedy. Most of the individuals on the flight were headed to Canada, and a large number of them were Canadian. It is not being sold or demonstrated as purely an Iranian issue, it is not being ignored or brushed off. It is being presented as it is, a tragic incident. Colleagues, friends, and family members were all lost in this tragedy. This could have been used to promote hate and division, but I, as an Iranian-Canadian, am very grateful of the overall tone, a collective mourning and coming together from communities across the country. Flags have been lowered to half-mast, vigils and ceremonies have been organized across the board, and mental health services have been promoted. Individuals and organizations have also been hard at work to ensure the memory of those who were lost does not fade. For instance, the University of Toronto, my current institution, has implemented a scholarship to support future Iranian students wishing to study at the university and for students of any background that take Iranian studies. One of the victims was a member of the MD/PhD program at the University of Toronto, a colleague and friend of mine. In response to his loss, the faculty and student body came together as a whole and are currently in the process of brainstorming and organizing ways to leave a legacy for the loss of this student. Moving to Canada from Iran was the best decision my parents ever made. Many Iranians are not happy with the current system in their home country. The lack of freedom, constant oppression, and unwillingness of the government to listen to the requests and demands of its people. These have contributed and motivated many to flee Iran and seek a better life elsewhere. My parents were among many Iranians who made this choice; they fought to bring my older sister and I to Canada when I was less than a year old. Every morning I wake up, I feel blessed with the freedom and opportunities their decision has provided me. Canadians are stereotyped as being nice. This is not true. Canadians are more than just nice. They are accepting, they are open, and regardless of where we are from, if we are Canadian, we will all be seen and treated as such. So thank you to everyone involved for ensuring that individuals and communities affected by this devastating tragedy are not alone, and the pain is shared. Thank you Canada for being the best country in the world and somewhere I am proud to call home. Reza Fakhraei is a medical student at the University of Toronto. Read more about: A suspected hare courser has been jailed for two months after he led police on a dangerous pursuit through the countryside at speeds of 100mph. Nelson Hedges, 32, was reported to police by members of the public who were concerned he had been hare coursing in his silver Mazda Tribute near Iselham, Cambridgeshire. The forces Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) spotted the vehicle, covered in mud and with dogs in the boot, driving through the village. In an attempt to get Hedges to stop, another police car parked across the road and signalled for him to pull over. Despite this Hedges manoeuvred around their car, mounting a pavement, and sped off. He drove at speeds of nearly 100mph in a 40mph zone and darted across two junctions without stopping, before driving onto a field in a bid to escape, causing an estimated 200 worth of damage to crops. After doing a U-turn in the field Hedges made his way back onto the B1104, heading towards Isleham at excessive speeds before again trying to lose officers by driving through a field. They caught up with him as he drove up a hill and used tactical contact to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion. Hedges, of Guildford Road, Guildford, Surrey, was also disqualified from driving for 19 months, with an extended retest, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and criminal damage at Cambridge Crown Court on 7 January. He was ordered to pay 200 in compensation, 500 in costs and handed a ten-year criminal behaviour order (CBO). DC Tom Nuttall said: Hedges was so intent to make off from police he drove at ridiculous speeds and straight through junctions, risking the safety of other road users. Im grateful to the member of the public who called to report their concerns. Tipoffs like these help us target those causing problems in rural areas - we remain committed to tackling these kind of offences. It comes as a prominent rural group recently called for tougher punishments for people convicted of wildlife crimes such as hare coursing. Rural crime cost the UK 50m in 2018 as brazen criminals continue to target farmers' livelihoods, figures from last year show. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has said there is still 'much to discuss' over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move to North America after the Queen agreed to allow the pair to quit their senior royal duties. After the unprecedented Sandringham summit on Monday, the Queen gave her backing to Harry and Meghan's new 'independent life' away from full-time royal duties and said they will begin a transition period living in the UK and Canada. The move has raised questions over the costs of the couple's security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (right) has said there is still much to discuss over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move to his country after the Queen sanctioned the couple's move Mr Trudeau said: 'That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on. 'We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them. 'I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have.' He said the federal Canadian government had not been involved 'up until this point' about what the couple's move to the country will involve. 'There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have,' Mr Trudeau said. 'We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well.' The Queen on Monday agreed to allow Harry and Meghan to split their time between Canada and the UK with their son Archie while an agreement was made on their future following their shock resignation as senior royals The Sussexes enjoyed a 'general feeling of appreciation' in Canada, he added. The decision came as finance minister Bill Morneau said the Canadian government has not yet discussed if it would help cover the security costs associated with Harry and Meghan living in Canada. 'No, we haven't spent any time thinking about this issue,' Morneau told reporters in Toronto on Monday. 'We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role. We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time.' The Duchess of Sussex, then Meghan Markle, speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the One Young World summit in Ottowa in September 2016. Prince Harry meets Justin Trudeau during a bilateral meeting in Toronto in September 2017 A Trudeau spokesperson declined to comment on whether Canada's taxpayers would foot the bill. There have been concerns that the large cost of providing security for Harry and Meghan could lead to a backlash in Canada and damage the status of the monarchy there. Harry and Meghan are entitled to 24/7 taxpayer-funded protection at home and abroad as members of the royal family. Buckingham Palace, the UK Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and the Home Office have already discussed the future of the couple's security. Asked about the issue of who will fund their security, the British Home Secretary Priti Patel told the BBC: 'I'm not going to provide any detailed information on the security arrangements for either them or any members of the Royal Family or for any protected individuals - that's thoroughly inappropriate for me to do so. 'At this moment in time, right now, the royal family themselves need some time and space for them to work through the current issues that they're dealing with.' Campaigners have said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who are charged with protecting senior officials including the Governor General, must not write a blank check on millions of dollars worth of protection, while others have suggested Harry and Meghan should foot the bill themselves. The Queen said on Monday that she'd held 'very constructive' talks with Harry, his brother Prince William and their father Prince Charles in a bid to chart a course through the fallout of the bombshell announcement. Their effective resignation last week followed a year filled with rumours of infighting between the brothers and reports of Meghan feeling unwelcome in the highly traditional and structured royal family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family,' the 93-year-old monarch said in a statement after the first day of meetings at her Sandringham estate in eastern England. Harry and Meghan said they wanted to 'carve out a progressive new role within this institution'. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,' the queen said. The monarch stressed the couple told her 'they do not want to be reliant on public funds' but did not address the issue of whether they would keep their royal titles. Harry and Meghan are formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Five percent of their income is from public funds. The rest comes from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall, a hereditary private estate dating back to 1337, which funds the public, charitable and private activities of his family. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK,' said the queen, stressing that there were still 'complex matter' left to resolve. 'I have asked for final decisions to be reached within days,' she said. A recent poll conducted two days before the couple's shock announcement found that more than 60 per cent of Canadians would support the appointment of the Duke of Sussex as the Governor General of Canada. The mostly ceremonial role, which is to act as the Queen's representative in Canada, provides both a residence - Government House in Ottowa - and a security detail. Some 61 per cent of the Canadians polled said they would support having Harry replace current governor general Julie Payette when her term expires in two years. The poll came despite Harry never having expressed any interest in the post, which has been held by Canadians since the 1950s but was previously held by Britons. Specialty chemicals producer Lanxess has completed the sale of its chrome chemicals business to Chinas Brother Enterprises, the company announced this week. The divestment of the operation to the Chinese leather chemicals producer was due to be closed... New Delhi: Arpita Khan Sharma and Aayush Sharma welcomed home their second bundle of joy, baby girl Ayat on December 27, 2019. The gorgeous new addition to the family shares her birthday with mamu Salman Khan. Arpita recently took to her Instagram account and posted a few unseen pictures of Sallu Bhai holding baby girl Ayat in his arms while his mother Salma Khan looks on. Arpita along with the amazing pictures shared a heartwarming note. She wrote: Theres nothing in this world that scared me & the only reason was I knew I had you by my side & you would never let anything happen to me. Now ayat has been blessed with the same security. These hands are god sent.Overwhelmed, grateful & thankful for @beingsalmankhan & my amazing mom @salmakhan1942 two people who only have love to give. Arpita and Aayush got married at the grand Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad on November 18, 2014. Their son Ahil was born on March 30, 2016, and daughter Ayat on December 27, 2020. By 2050, there could be 10 billion humans living on Earth. Its a prediction Chris Packham is gravely concerned about. Were all aware of the climate and environment emergency, suggests the Southampton-born broadcaster, 58, and there are plenty of conversations about biodiversity loss taking place. But the massive threat posed by human population growth is the elephant in the room. So, he decided to make a documentary for BBC Two, titled Chris Packham: 7.7 Billion People & Counting. If people watch this and they dont think, then we are doomed... muses the naturalist. We did everything we could to make this a programme which would prick up peoples ears, because it confronts them with any number of different issues ethical, moral and biological. Packham travels around the globe in the one-off film to see the impact that our rapidly growing population is having. The human species is not particularly good at change, but weve reached a point in our history when, confronted with a number of serious problems, people are still putting their heads in the sand. My duty is to pull peoples heads out of the sand and ask them to look, listen, think about and to come up with ways in their own lives where they can make some positive progress. Among the places he visits is heads to Lagos in Nigeria. Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing these issues, the finger is often pointed at sub-Saharan Africa, because that is where the human population is growing most rapidly at the moment, and most rapidly in Nigeria - hence our visit to Lagos, he explains. We were very keen to address the fact that you cant point the finger at large families with poor black children as being the problem. Actually, at this point, we [in developed countries] are the problem, because, when it comes to exacerbating climate change and biodiversity loss, we are the principal consumers. In exploring how the world canre-balance its consumption to accommodate the needs of more than two billion more people, Packham even analyses his own lifestyle choices. Because Ive got no kids, but Ive got 10 hoovers, and the cost of producing those, and the batteries that are in them, and replacing them... Thats the damage that we are doing, in this point of time. On the topic of Packham having no children, a particularly memorable segment of the documentary sees him interview a couple going through IVF treatment. When he was in his 40s, Packham was diagnosed with Aspergers, alifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world,processes information and relates to other people. Its something I can almost invariably cope with, if I know what Im going to be doing. If youre going to go into a situation that you know its not your comfort zone, then you canprepare yourself and manage yourself in that situation. What was an issue was this programme was bound to expose me to the worst excesses of the things that I fear most. Im a pragmatist, the talkative star continues. I have to remain in a position where Im not going to give up. Because Im determined to make a last stand, if thats what it comes to, for our environment. And to do that, I need to remain active and I need to remain capable about thinking about things, about communicating as best I can to try and make people change their minds in the right direction. "So, not being overwhelmed and swamped by pessimism is something that I have to constantly guard. Heavy gunfire erupted in the Sudanese capital Tuesday at two bases of the country's long feared security agency, causing traffic jams, an AFP correspondent and witnesses reported. Shooting broke out at the bases of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the powerful security arm of the now ousted Islamist regime of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, in the upscale Riyadh district and in Khartoum North, witnesses said. An AFP correspondent reported that gunfire at the Riyadh base of NISS, not far from Khartoum airport, was heavy and steady. It was still unclear what triggered the shooting, but all streets leading to the two bases were cordoned off, causing traffic jams. Security agents of NISS were at the forefront of cracking down on protesters during the nationwide uprising that erupted against Bashir in December 2018. The army ousted Bashir in April last year, and the country's new authorities have vowed to reform NISS. Search Keywords: Short link: Thirty-five illegal revenue collectors terrorizing Onitsha particularly Upper Iweka and Niger Bridge Head Onitsha and its environs have been arrested by the Anambra State anti tout outfit, Focused Initiative Against Touting, FIAT, set up by Anambra State Government Ministry if Transport. The State Commissioner for Transport Dr Christian Madubuko, who disclosed this said that out of the 35, three have been convicted and sent to prison, while others are on bail. Dr. Madubuko disclosed this while parading another twenty arrested by operatives of FIAT yesterday at different locations in Onitsha. Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Onitsha Terminal Park, Dr. Madubuko, said those granted bail with their case pending in the court will face the wrath of the law without pardon. Dr Madubuko said the state is aware of the big wigs behind illegal touting in the State and Onitsha in particular and we warned them to desist from their illegal activities or face the consequences of their action. We are aware that some henchmen are behind these touts, but let them continue to hide one thing is certain, you cannot run away from your shadow, the state government us like their shadow, they cannot run away, let them hide under their pillowcases, we will get them there. Am warning everybody who has a hand in terrorizing the people of Anambra State that the law enforcement agents are watching them, the state is watching them and God is watching them, we will follow them and will get at them. We are assuring customers from outside the state who are being harassed to continue coming to the state to do their businesses that the coast is clear, we will leave no stone unturned in sanitizing Anambra State, particularly Onitsha of touts who terrorizing you. Feel free to come to the state to do your business, we are working with security agents to rid the state of these miscreants, who are terrorizing you, we must encourage those who are coming to the state to invest. We must continue this exercise, touts must leave the state people must be free to do their business, we cannot be discouraged by anybody, so Nigerians coming to do business in Anambra State, particularly Onitsha should feel free to come. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Alibaba Group (BABA), Mastercard (MA), NVIDIA (NVDA) and others. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today. You can see all of todays research reports here >>> Alibabas shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet Commerce industry over the past year (+52.7% vs. +22.6%) and the Zacks analyst believes this performance momentum to continue given steady improvement in core commerce along with strong growth in metrics. Further, Alibabas strengthening cloud business with its expanding customer base continues to drive its performance. Its New Retail strategy is also gaining significant momentum in the market. This is aiding growth in its Tmall Import, Hema fresh food grocery business and Intime Department Stores. Additionally, the consolidation of Ele.me and Cainiao Network is acting as a tailwind. However, the companys increasing investments, uncertain economy and macro headwinds in China are major concerns. Also, rising competition poses a risk. (You can read the full research report on Alibaba here >>> ) Shares of Mastercard have gained +13.1% in the past three months against the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry's rise of +10%. The Zacks analyst believes that the company's revenues have been gaining from higher switched transactions, increase in cross-border volume and gross dollar volume. Numerous acquisitions made over the years have fueled its inorganic growth. The company is benefiting from shifts in payments, from physical to digital. Investment in technology has also kept the company at the forefront of the rapidly changing payments industry. Its solid capital position enables investment in business. Story continues However, escalating costs might put pressure on margins. In order to gain customers and new business, Mastercard has been incurring high levels of costs under rebates and incentives, which remain a concern. (You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>> ) NVIDIA's shares have gained +50.6% over the past six months against the Zacks General Semiconductor industry's rise of +25.3%. The Zacks analyst believes that NVIDIA is benefiting from strong growth in GeForce desktop and notebook GPUs, which is boosting gaming revenues. Solid momentum of its real-time ray tracing technology is also a positive. Increase in Hyperscale demand is a tailwind for Data Center business as well. Growing adoption in the inference market is an upside too. Further, the solid uptake of AI-based smart cockpit infotainment solutions is a boon. Additionally, strength across mobile workstation products is aiding Professional Visualization revenues. However, in the near-term management expects strong sequential growth in Data Center to be offset by a seasonal decline in GeForce notebook GPUs and SoC modules for gaming platforms. Moreover, the U-China trade war remains a key concern. (You can read the full research report on NVIDIA here >>> ) Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Apple (AAPL), Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Tesla (TSLA). Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> Sheraz Mian Director of Research Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>> Today's Must Read Alibaba (BABA) Drives On Cloud Growth; Investments Hurt Strategic Buyouts Aid, Elevated Expense Hurt Mastercard (MA) NVIDIA (NVDA) Gets a Boost From Gaming Business Recovery Featured Reports Expanding Portfolio, Services Strength to Aid Apple (AAPL) Per the Zacks analyst, expanding portfolio with the launch of new iPhones and Watch series 5 and Apple TV+ bodes well for Apple's prospects. Order Flows to Aid Lockheed (LMT), F-35 Budget Cut A Risk Per the Zacks analyst, steady contract flow from Pentagon and U.S. allies boost Lockheed's revenue growth. Gigafactory 3 Progress to Aid Tesla (TSLA) Amid High Capex While the ramp up of production at Shanghai Gigafactory is a positive for Tesla, the Zacks analyst is worried about high capex and R&D costs, which may dent profits. Fiserv (FISV) Rides on First Data Buyout, Competition Rife Per the Zacks analyst, buyout of First Data will help Fiserv emerge as one of the world's largest payments and financial technology providers. ConocoPhillips (COP) Banks on Oil-Rich Eagle Ford Acres The Zacks analyst believes that huge acreage holdings in the prospective Eagle Ford Shale play will drive ConocoPhillips' oil volumes. Allergan (AGN) Buyout by AbbVie Rewarding for Shareholders With Restasis expected to face generic competition, the merger with AbbVie may be rewarding for its shareholders, per the Zacks analyst. Strategic Initiatives Aid Aon (AON), High Debt Level Hurts Per the Zacks analyst, a number of acquisitions and collaborations have helped Aon enhance its capabilities, which has in turn improved its bottom-line. New Upgrades SYNNEX (SNX) Rides on Product Strength, Acquisition Strategy Per the Zacks analyst, SYNNEX is benefiting from solid demand for its portfolio of products and services. Also, the company's buyout of Covergys is a key driver. Upbeat Unit Revenues & Low Fuel Costs Aid Gol Linhas (GOL) The Zacks analyst is impressed by the solid unit revenue growth owing to strong air travel demand. Modest fuel prices and improving yields further add to this optimism. Silicon Motion (SIMO) Gains from Growth in Embedded Storage Per the Zacks analyst, Silicon Motion has been gaining from its leading position in client SSD controllers. New Downgrades High Costs, Poor Asset Quality Hurt Credit Acceptance (CACC) Per the Zacks analyst, elevated expenses due to rise in compensation and marketing costs will hurt Credit Acceptance's profits. Deteriorating credit quality due to rise in provisions remains a woe. Sluggish Markets & Higher Costs to Hurt AGCO Corp (AGCO) Per the Zacks Analyst AGCO's results will bear the brunt of weak market for the North and South America segment, elevated expenses and unfavorable foreign currency headwinds. Bed Bath & Beyond's (BBBY) Dismal Comps Trend Hurts Sales Per the Zacks analyst, Bed Bath & Beyond has been witnessing soft comps for a while now due to lower store transactions. Also, dismal comps trend is mainly hurting the company's top-line performance. undefined undefined Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Rating: 2.0 /5 Star Cast: Director: Available On: Alt Balaji, Zee5 Duration: 8 episodes/ 20-30 minutes Language: Hindi Story: Code M follows Indian Army Lawyer Monica Mehra, who discovers a conspiracy while investigating a military encounter case. Her study brings forth several revelations which expose many Indian Army's secrets and ethical wrongdoings. Disclaimer: The review for Zee5 and Alt Balaji collaboration series, Code M is based on the first three episodes of season one. Jennifer Winget to play army officer in her debut web series Code M | FilmiBeat Review: Jennifer Winget's debut web series, Code M, sees the actress in a powerful role. She isn't just an army officer but is investigating the army officers for an open and shut case as an army lawyer. The show has a great premise, we have always see Army officers at the forefront on screen but this is the first time we will see an army officer from a different angle. Code M starts with three army officers attacking a remote house at the Rajasthan border between India and Pakistan. During the firing, we two militants are killed off, along with an army officer who takes a bullet to his neck. The case starts to draw the attention of the public, when the mother of the alleged militants burns herself claiming her kids were innocent. We first meet Jennifer at her own Bride to be party, but there too, she picks on a gun to teach some goons a lesson. The party ends sooner than expected as she is called to Jodhpur for an investigation by her uncle. The case which was reported to her as open and shut, starts to grow more as she gets tipped offs from the alleged militants family and friends. Jennifer's character comes off one dimensional, even after adding aspects like her a to be husband, an ex-lover in close proximity and a pressing case to solve. Even though fierce and strong, she has little conviction towards the case. As a lawyer, unfortunately, she does not look convincing but does great as an Indian Army Officer. She is given very little information about the case and is pressured easily by the Colonel. A heavy effort has been made to show Jennifer strong on-screen but she just looks headstrong and unreasonable at times. Monica's (Jennifer) lover, Officer Angad played by Tanuj Virwani, makes a powerful impression but still is always a step behind the lead actress of the show. The complexity of their relationship is played off as earth-shattering but seems forced with unnecessary flashback scenes. Code M has a sense of pride as all the characters are part of the Army, but at times it goes as far as to look cocky. Jennifer says dialogues like, 'You may know, Mumbai Police, Pune Police, but I am the Indian Army'. Another time she threatens a character asking, 'Tum Indian Army se Punga Loge'. By the end of three episodes, we have a strong premise, with a slow pace and plenty of awkward scenes. The 20 minutes episodes are not enough to develop a complicated case, and the show eventually turns into a simple whodunnit story. The highly edited scenes and slow screenplay makes the case look like a subplot of the series, when it is the main plot of the show. In almost every scene Jennifer has a loud enough presence, enough that you end up missing out on other characters. She looks fabulous and makes you want to root in Major Monica Mehra. Overall, I hope the episodes ahead do justice to the show since it is a new premise and an interesting one, which will uncover the possible layers in the Indian Army. The conspiracy theories at the centre of the show also make you want to sit through. Jamtara Web Series Review: Netflix Original Series Has Little To Offer Karan Arjun Completes 25 Years, Twitter Shares Rare Photos Of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan BOSTON A former executive for a drug company was sentenced Monday to 33 months in federal prison in a bribery and kickbacks scheme that Massachusetts prosecutors say helped fuel the national opioid epidemic. Michael Gurry, a former vice president at Insys Therapeutics, was also sentenced to three months of probation and ordered to forfeit about $3.6 million and pay restitution, which will be determined later. The 56-year-old Scottsdale, Arizona, resident is the first of seven former leaders at the Arizona-based company being sentenced this month in Boston federal court. Prosecutors say Insys Therapeutics employees paid millions of dollars in bribes to doctors nationwide to overprescribe Subsys, a powerful, addictive fentanyl-based painkiller for cancer patients. Prosecutors had sought 11 years in prison for Gurry, arguing he was instrumental in the companys scheme, even if he didnt actively engage in bribery. They said Gurry, as head of the companys reimbursement center, came up with strategies to mislead insurers so that theyd cover the costs of the medication that could approach $19,000 a month. Prosecutors said Gurry authorized workers to use a set of talking points meant to convince insurers that Subsys had been prescribed to the patient for cancer pain. Gurrys lawyers had argued for less than a year in prison, noting hed served with distinction in the military. In court, Gurry apologized to people who had become addicted to Subsys and suggested he wasnt aware it was being overprescribed or abused. Three victims spoke in court Monday about how theyd been prescribed the drug even though they didnt have cancer and detailed how their lives were ruined by addiction. Gurrys lawyers said theyll appeal the sentence. Australian fashion designer Collette Dinnigan has lost her home in Rosedale, NSW, to the bushfires ravaging the south coast. The spectacular clifftop cottage was destroyed on New Year's Eve when an inferno reached the homestead. The two-bedroom property, which Collette had originally purchased for $950,000 in 2018, had recently been renovated and was being rented out. Devastating: Australian fashion designer Collette Dinnigan has lost her home in Rosedale, NSW, to the bushfires ravaging the south coast Gone: The two-bedroom property, which Collette had originally purchased for $950,000 in 2018, had recently been renovated and was being rented out The beachfront retreat was just 20km south of Batemans Bay, and a three-hour drive south of Sydney. Thousands of homes have been lost to the out-of-control bushfires, with 60 per cent of houses in Rosedale reportedly being destroyed on December 31. As reported by The Australian on Tuesday, real estate agent John Haslem - who sold the property to Collette in 2018 - said: 'Except for three houses, the whole clifftop of North Rosedale was incinerated.' In the path of destruction: Collette's property is one of thousands lost to the bushfires, with reports claiming 60 per cent of houses in Rosedale were destroyed on December 31 'During the fires, Batemans Bay and the seaside suburbs felt like a war zone. Most people abandoned their homes and headed for the beaches,' Mr Haslem added. Collette, who is based in Rome, has yet to comment publicly on her property burning down two weeks ago. Instead, she took to Instagram on January 1 and January 5 to express her sympathy for those affected by the bushfires and share links to where her fans could donate. Silent: Collette, who is based in Rome, has yet to comment publicly on her property burning down two weeks ago. Pictured: a photo of how the kitchen used to look 'Thinking of those back home in Australia who have lost their homes and loved ones. We feel a great loss for all the animals that have had to suffer such horrific deaths and for the devastation to all our native flora and fauna,' she wrote in one post. Collette stepped back from the fashion spotlight in 2013 to concentrate on product design, interiors and special projects. She is married to Bradley Cocks, with whom she shares a seven-year-old son, Hunter. She also has a 15-year-old daughter, Estella, from a previous relationship. Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav on Tuesday accused the opposition parties of spreading "lies and canard" on amended Citizenship Act and blamed the Congress for trying to "bail out Pakistan" of its terrorist activities in India. The BJP national general secretary also castigated the rivals for taking help of lies on the CAA after failing to face Prime Minister Narendra Modi politically. "It is a conspiracy by the opposition parties to spread lies, canard and misleading people to provoke unrest and violence in the country in the name of opposing CAA," he said at a press conference here. The BJP leader asserted that the entire country is in support of the Prime Minister and his policies. Coming down heavily on the Congress, Ram Madhav said "Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have gone to the extent of attempting to give clean chit to Pakistan in the Pulwama terrorist attack incident." Replying to a question on the Congress tweet on DSP Davinder Singh, the BJP leader said "The Congress is attempting to blame the entire security forces for the mistakes of one police man. The security personnel have completely dedicated their lives for the nation." "This is not all, the Congress had also attempted to blame RSS and bail out Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Mumbai where 250 people from six different countries were killed," he said. Apart from creating violence by misleading people inside the country on the new citizenship law, Ram Madhav also accused the opposition parties of attempting to tarnish Indias image at the international level. In the name of opposing the CAA, the opposition parties are also going against the Indias basic character. "The Congress and other opposition parties are opposed to Indias basic character of giving shelter to hapless people," he alleged. Asked about the nationwide protest against CAA, Ram Madhav said that many people are opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as they do not have complete information about it. He said there are two types of opposition to CAA, one by some people having less information on the amended act and by others who deliberately opposed it even though they have complete information. "The opposition do not even make any attempt to know the facts. So they try to mislead people," Ram Madhav said adding that the citizenship act was already there, but the Modi government amended it to fasttrack the process. The amended citizenship law envisages providing Indian nationality to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who came to India as refugees prior to December 31, 2014, he said. Asked about Kerala governments move to Supreme Court on the CAA issue, the BJP leader said "The CAA is part of the Constitution and therefore all states are duty-bound to implement it. However, they are free to move the court and we are confident that the CAA is completely legal and according to the framework of the Constitution." He said the BJP has therefore launched a nationwide campaign to inform people the truth about the CAA. "The CAA is totally constitutional, legal, non- controversial and non-discriminatory," he said. On the prevailing economic situation in the country, Ram Madhav said the government will certainly take measures in the next months budget to overcome the difficulties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu 14.01.2020 LISTEN The Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah- Bonsu said before then the Minority in Parliament were in support of the new voters' register. So he is shocked the NDC has made a sudden U-turn with a strong campaign against the Electoral Commission decision to compile a new voters' register ahead of the 2020 elections. According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is deliberately sabotaging and frustrating the work of the Electoral Commission (EC). "Im very surprised the NDC and other members of the opposition are raising red flag with ECs to compile a new register,we had a meeting in Parliament in which members of the minority agreed with ECs decision to conduct a new register so am shocked with the sudden u-turn, Osei Kyei Mensah- Bonsu exclusively told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Pae Mu Ka on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7. He continued, some parties have made it a business to continuously attack the Electoral Commission for reasons I cant understand. I don't understand why they always do this, they did the same against the Referendum, new voters register will help in ensuring we have free and fair elections. The Majority Leader in Ghanas Parliament has called on NDC and other political parties to give the Electoral Commission space to conduct the 2020 elections in peace. For a country that has successfully conducted several elections, the Suame Member of Parliament said, I believe we are going to vote in peace and whoever emerges as president will do so through a transparent and fair process. A woman claimed she was refused a haircut by barber shop staff who said men are put off when they see a female in the store. Cloe Freeman, 29, said she asked for a traditional fade at Misters Mens Hairdressers in St Helier, Jersey but was told her presence could make other male customers feel uncomfortable. The civil servant has said she found the incident upsetting and is demanding an apology from the hairdressers. Cloe said: I wasnt even given a chance to say what I was looking for. I was told that they dont service women, end of. But I think when you look at my hair for just two seconds, it is pretty obvious I wasnt coming in looking for a bouncy blow dry. The only reason I couldnt get what I wanted was because I was a woman. I had been shaving my own hair for quite some time and a while ago decided to try out a new style and approached Image Barbers at Wests Centre to get a fade. Initially I was a bit apprehensive, but when the guys in the barber didnt blink an eye, I then felt comfortable enough to approach a few different barbers in town. Cloe added that she had gone to salons in the past but found that barbers had better expertise in the style that she wanted. She added: I was particularly taken aback by the reception I got when I walked into Misters because I have had fades done by around four or five barbers shops in town and not one of them made me feel unwelcome, or even acted as though me being there was unusual. In addition to what Ms Freeman described as an unnecessarily abrupt reception, she added that the shop was completely empty at the time. She added: What I was looking to get done would take around 20 to 30 minutes and, as the place was completely empty, it made the situation even stranger. Cloe said that although she recognised that the barbershop may not have intended to discriminate against her, the incident had shown a general lack of awareness. A woman who worked at Misters Mens Hairdressers, but would not give her name, defended her position to refuse Cloe a haircut. She said: Women sometimes come in here looking for a haircut because it is cheaper than in salons. But when men come in and see a woman sitting here they are put off coming in as they dont like being here when a woman is here. But Advocate Barbara Corbett from Corbett Le Quesne law firm has waded into the argument, and said the treatment of Cloe was discriminatory. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Disparities in bladder cancer survival by race/ethnicity and gender are likely related to differences in diagnosis. We assessed disparities in stage at diagnosis and potential contributing factors within a large, integrated delivery system. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 7244 patients with bladder cancer age 21 years diagnosed from January 2001 to June 2015 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Bivariate analyses compared stage at diagnosis - as well as comorbidities, health plan membership length, and health care utilization prior to diagnosis - by race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models with urologist as a random effect were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) versus non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In multivariable analyses, stage at diagnosis varied significantly by race/ethnicity (P < .001). Non-Hispanic black patients had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with MIBC than non-Hispanic white patients (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.67), whereas Asian patients had significantly lower odds (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49-0.91). Women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with MIBC than men (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). Non-Hispanic black women had the highest proportion (39%) of MIBC diagnoses. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, a greater proportion of diagnoses occurred at younger ages. Health care coverage within an equal-access system did not eliminate disparities in stage at diagnosis by race/ethnicity or gender. Studies are needed to identify etiologic factors and aspects of care delivery (eg, patient-physician interactions) that may affect the diagnostic process to inform efforts to improve health equity. Clinical genitourinary cancer. 2019 Sep 12 [Epub ahead of print] Kim N Danforth, Tiffany Q Luong, David K Yi, Ayae Yamamoto, Aniket A Kawatkar, Philip H Kim, Ronald K Loo, Margo A Sidell, Stephen G Williams Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA. Electronic address: ., Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA., Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA; Department of Quality and Risk Management, Kaiser Foundation Hospital and Health Plan, Pasadena, CA., Department of Urology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego, CA., Department of Urology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Downey, CA., Department of Urology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Riverside, CA. PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31917174 BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iranian airlines continue flights to European countries, except Sweden, Chairman of the Association of Iranian Airlines (AIRA) Maqsood Asadi Samani said, Trend reports referring to Tasnim News Agency. Sweden has closed its airports for Iranian airlines, Samani said. Decisions made on flights are usually emotional in nature, and experience shows that in such cases, the flights are resumed shortly, the AIRA chairman noted. Samani added that Iranian planes are not provided with fuel at London airports, and thus, if needed, Iranian airlines refuel their planes in former Yugoslav countries. On Jan. 8, the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed in Tehran province killing all 176 people on board. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff issued a statement on Jan. 11 saying that the aircraft was shot down by the Iranian Air Defense System. Following the crash, airlines of several countries suspended their flights to Iran. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On the eve of trial Monday, the lawyer for the man charged with murder in the slaying of an innocent 67-year-old bystander in a reputed gang-related shooting in New Brighton two years ago said his client would weigh a plea deal, if offered. Attorney Robert Reuland said Isaiah Kelson, 23, has signaled his openness to entertain a plea if it did not include a life term in prison. Reuland said Kelson would consider a manslaughter plea, although he didnt say what sort of sentence the defendant was seeking. My client is open to hearing what the D.A. might say about that, said Reuland, who made no admission of guilt on Kelsons part. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 25 years; the minimum is five years. Kelson, an alleged gang associate, would face a sentence of up to 25 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Frances Williams on July 10, 2018. The victim was standing at a bus stop near the intersection of Jersey and Pauw streets when she was shot, said police. Prosecutors have made no plea offer to Kelson. However, at Mondays conference, they did extend offers to Kelsons two co-defendants, West Brighton residents Jaleel Hewitt, 27, and Marquise Tart, 26. They are charged with conspiracy, criminal facilitation and hindering prosecution, but do not face murder charges. Hewitt rejected an offer to plead guilty to fourth-degree conspiracy in exchange for a sentence of 18 months to three years behind bars. Tart snubbed an offer to plead guilty to hindering prosecution. His proposed sentence would have been three to six years in prison. Justice William E. Garnett said jury selection for the three defendants would begin Thursday in state Supreme Court, St. George. He denied motions to sever Hewitt and Tarts case from Kelsons. The judge said the facts of the defendants cases are inextricably intertwined. They stem from the events leading up to and including an attempted revenge shooting. Garnett said the defendants know many of the witnesses, and he did not want to jeopardize those individuals safety by requiring them to testify at two trials. Meanwhile, the judge directed prosecutors to turn over all witness statements to the defense by 5 p.m. Tuesday. But he said those witnesses contact information would remain confidential for the time being. Their names will only be made known to defense lawyers. Garnett didnt say when hed require prosecutors to divulge the contact information. Assistant District Attorney Adam Silberlight said at a prior conference that he anticipated doing so one or two business days before the witnesses testify. Bail reform laws which became effective Jan. 1 now require prosecutors to release such information at the outset of the case. Prosecutors can seek a protective order, as they have done in this case, to withhold the information until the trial. Garnett said state lawmakers were naive to think the early release of such information would not potentially jeopardize some witnesses. With respect to Williams shooting, authorities said the events were set in motion by a brawl earlier that day near the Staten Island Courthouse in St. George that resulted in the death of Robert Craigwell, 26. The incident began when rival gang members became embroiled in a physical altercation, said authorities. Kelson, Sean Oliveras of West Brighton, and Craigwell rushed to the courthouse on Central Avenue after seeing a social media post about the fracas, authorities said. Hewitt arrived in a separate vehicle. An indictment said Kelson, Oliveras and Craigwell, who was armed with a loaded gun, parked the car near the courthouse and walked to Fort Place. Craigwell then pointed the gun toward the crew that had been fighting with his associates, but was killed when a van pinned him against a home on the corner of Fort Place and Montgomery Avenue, said the indictment. After Craigwell was struck, Kelson and Oliveras allegedly fled the scene and returned to West Brighton to retrieve their guns. The two men, along with Hewitt, then discussed heading to New Brighton to shoot associates of those individuals involved in Craigwells death, said the indictment. Oliveras and Kelson went in one car and Hewitt followed in another. Oliveras and Kelson spotted someone they believed was a rival gang associate and exited the car, the indictment said. They allegedly fired several shots at someone running down Pauw Street. Hewitt had parked his car behind his co-defendants during the shooting, officials said. Williams, a beloved community figure affectionately known as Ms. Franny, was struck in the head while Oliveras and Kelson were shooting at the intended target, officials said. The mortally wounded Williams, who had been placed on life support, died Aug. 2, 2018, in Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. After the shooting, Oliveras, Kelson and Hewitt got back in their respective cars and sped away to West Brighton, authorities said. Cops pursued and caught Oliveras trying to get rid of the gun used to hit Williams, said officials. Oliveras is also charged with murder. His case is pending in state Supreme Court, St. George. Among other things, Tart is accused of rendering criminal assistance to another person while knowing that person has committed a high-level felony, such as murder. Mario Romano is Hewitts lawyer; Rick J. Pasacreta represents Tart. Besides Silberlight, Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Botelho and Arda Ozdinc are prosecuting the case. C amp Taji military base, north of Baghdad, has been targeted with a missile strike, Iraq's armed forces has said. The Iraqi camp, which reportedly hosts US forces, was targeted with Katyusha-type rockets on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Iraq's military has now issued a statement saying there were no casualties after the strikes. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to reports, there are US and coalition forces in the base. It comes amid tensions in the region between the US and Iran following the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani . In the wake of this, Iran mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, claiming to have believed it was a missile fired as part of disputes, killing 176 people on board. It initially denied this, with protests taking place across the nation since the revelation. On Sunday, four were injured after eight Katyusha rockets were fired at Balad air base. Canada to Seek Iranian Military Procedures in Shoot Down of Flight 752 - Investigator Sputnik News 03:48 14.01.2020 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Canada will seek Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' military procedures after it shot down Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight 752 following a missile strike on Iraqi bases housing US forces, Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) Senior Investigator Natacha Van Themsche said during a press conference on Monday. "We also have questions on procedures, for example, being followed by the military as well why was the airspace not closed considering the tensions and what had happened just hours earlier," Van Themsche said. TSB Chairwoman Kathy Fox said two investigators are on their way to Tehran on Monday as part of the international team of investigators working under the guidance of Iran's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Fox pointed out that there are early signs Canada will be allowed to play a larger than originally expected role in the investigation of the crash. The full scope of Canada's role in the investigation will likely be determined during the meeting, Fox said. Canada has been invited to observe the crash site, examine the wreckage and participate in the downloading of data from the aircraft's recorder box. On Wednesday, UIA Flight 752 crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport minutes after takeoff. All 176 people on board were killed, including 63 Canadians. Iran took responsibility for unintentionally downing the airplane shortly after launching ballistic missile strikes against two US bases in neighboring Iraq. Iranian officials have expressed regret for the accident, and government spokesman Ali Rabiei announced on Monday that President Hassan Rouhani is following up on a number of issues related to the crash. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three new appointments in the Dublin and London offices of Equity Trustees Fund Services have strengthened the capability of the 130-year-old Australian business as it pursues its global growth objectives. "The Fund Services division of our business has built a market leading proposition over two decades in independent fund governance," said Harvey Kalman, Head of Global Fund Services at Equity Trustees. "It's critical in maintaining our reputation for independent expertise and client service to appoint experienced members of staff that can continue to allow us to provide a market leading service to our clients and the investors in the funds for which we are responsible," he said. The appointees will report to Kevin Lavery, CEO (Ireland) and Chief Operating Officer (UK & Europe) of Equity Trustees Fund Services. They are: Ronan Walsh, Investment & Portfolio Risk (Dublin) With 20 years' experience spanning Australia and Europe, Ronan joins the team to head up our Independent Investment and Portfolio Risk oversight function. With a proven track record in all areas of investments including fund risk, strategic asset allocation, asset management, portfolio construction, governance and foreign exchange markets. He has previously held roles including CIO at Crescent Wealth, GM of Investments at REST Industry Super, as well as roles with VicSuper, Russell Investments, Citigroup Global markets, MLC Investment Management and Lend Lease Investment Management. James Ellison, Head of Operations (London) James was formerly the Head of Fund Accounting Oversight at BMO Global Asset Management (EMEA) where he was responsible for more than 20 fund structures incorporating 175 sub-funds across UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, Cayman and Guernsey and AUM of around 40bn. Previously he held roles as fund controller at JP Morgan Asset Management and Goldman Sachs. David Ryan, Investment Oversight Manager (Dublin) David joins Equity Trustees after three years with global custodian, fund administrator and asset servicing provider Societe Generale Securities Services. Prior to that, David worked at leading asset servicing providers CACEIS and International Financial Data Services. "Our newest team members each bring significant expertise to our European business," said Mr Lavery. "They each have exceptional backgrounds having in worked with major global asset managers and service providers and bring a deep understanding of the regulatory and operational environments from around the globe. We welcome them to Equity Trustees and congratulate them on their appointments." Equity Trustees Fund Services provides independent fund governance, risk and compliance, product development and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and most recently Dublin. From our London and Dublin bases, the company provides a comprehensive range of UCITS Management Company and Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) services to domestic and international Investment managers More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com Media inquiries Alicia Kokocinski General Manager - Marketing & Communications +61 3 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024 akokocinski@eqt.com.au Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia's leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said Qassem Soleimani was killed as part of a broader strategy of deterring challenges by US foes that also applies to China and Russia, further diluting the assertion that the top Iranian general was struck because he was plotting imminent attacks on US targets. In his speech at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institute, Pompeo made no mention of the threat of imminent attacks planned by Soleimani. It only was in response to a question that he repeated his earlier assertion that pre-empting such plots was the reason for the Jan. 3 American drone strike on Irans second most powerful official. His speech, The Restoration of Deterrence: The Iranian Example, focused on what he called an administration strategy to establish real deterrence against Iran following earlier Republican and Democratic policies that encouraged Tehrans malign activity. Democratic and some Republican lawmakers have challenged the administration over the self-defence rationale supported by undisclosed intelligence over imminent attacks. US President Donald Trump has said the potential targets included four US embassies. On Sunday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he had seen no intelligence forewarning of imminent attacks on embassies. Trump on Monday added new fuel to the controversy by saying it really doesnt matter whether Soleimani posed an imminent threat. Pompeo said there was a bigger strategy behind the killing of Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, Irans elite foreign espionage and paramilitary force. President Trump and those of us in his national security team are re-establishing deterrence real deterrence against the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said. Your adversary must understand not only that you have the capacity to impose cost but that youre in fact willing to do so, Pompeo said, adding that the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal from which Trump withdrew in 2018 had emboldened Tehran. America now enjoys the greatest position of strength regarding Iran weve ever been in, he said, pointing to the damage done to the Iranian economy by US sanctions that Trump re-imposed following his withdrawal from the nuclear deal. The importance of deterrence isnt confined to Iran, Pompeo said. In all cases, we must deter foes to defend freedom. Thats the whole point of President Trumps work to make our military the strongest its ever been. He cited the resumption of lethal military aid to Ukraine for defence against Russia-backed separatists, Trumps withdrawal from an arms control accord with Moscow and tests of a new US intermediate-range cruise missile. Pompeo also pointed to increased US naval exercises in the South China Sea in response to Chinas militarization of disputed islands and Trumps imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports as aspects of the administrations deterrence strategy. Were restoring credibility to deterrence, he said. A bikini designer who prides herself on promoting body positivity has revealed how her flat stomach can bloat in a matter of hours if she gorges on food after not eating all day. Karina Irby, 29, showed how easily your flat stomach can bloat in a matter of hours, and what might be the cause, in a social media post on Monday. 'Who else starts the night looking a treat and ends the night looking six months pregnant? I do,' Karina, who owns Moana Bikini, said. Scroll down for video Five hour change: In a raw post she uploaded to social media on Monday the Gold Coast-based owner of Moana Bikini showed how easily your flat stomach can bloat in a matter of hours Karina explained that within an hours of getting home, relaxing and taking off her tight clothes her midsection was 'normal' again 'This is from sitting in the car for over three hours in Spanx, drinking way too many bottles of water because I was so hungry, and then eating too much Japanese food from accidentally starving myself,' she added. Karina, from the Gold Coast, explained that within an hour of getting home, relaxing and taking off her tight clothes her midsection was 'normal' again. 'It's crazy how the body works! Keep in mind every body is different so please don't judge your own reactions based on someone else's,' she said. 'This is just a funny little reminder to not be hard on yourself if your tummy decides to puff up.' Her one million followers, who are used to seeing similar 'reality check' type messages, said they were glad she made such a post. 'It's crazy how the body works! Keep in mind every body is different so please don't judge your own reactions based on someone else's,' she said Just three years difference! Her one million followers, who are used to seeing similar 'reality check' type messages, said they were glad she made such a post 'I started at a personal training gym @starke_fitness and participate in four, 45 min sessions a week. I lift weights, heavy weights,' she wrote on Instagram 'I get THE WORST bloat from soy sauce. The sodium just holds every ounce of water in me,' said one woman. 'You always make me feel better about myself after a rough day. Your messages are inspiring,' said another. A third added: 'I needed this. Today I was so bloated after eating cereal and I felt like crap for hours'. Previously, Karina has revealed how she shapes the body of her dreams with a personal trainer and healthy appetite. 'I started at a personal training gym @starke_fitness and participate in four, 45 min sessions a week. I lift weights, heavy weights,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I only do cardio once or twice a week, but still incorporate weights into my exercises. I eat well and I eat a lot.' PIERRE, S.D., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AJC commends South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for signing an executive order prohibiting state offices from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. The executive order requires vendors seeking contracts with state agencies, authorities, commissions, departments, or institutions of the State of South Dakota to not engage with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel. This order applies to companies, or contractors, with more than five employees who enter into a contract with South Dakota that involves the expenditure of $100,000 or more. South Dakota is the latest state to take concrete action against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which seeks to delegitimize and demonize Israel. Other states that have passed similar measures include Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. South Dakota is the 28th state to have enacted an anti-BDS executive order or legislation. "Governor Noem has taken bold action to combat the insidious BDS movement that encourages punitive actions solely against Israel," said Laurence Bolotin, Director of the AJC Chicago Region, which covers South Dakota. "BDS proponents do not advance peace at all. Peace only will be achieved in direct bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." SOURCE American Jewish Committee There is a new internet watchdog in town and it is powered by Verizon. The tech giant released a 'privacy-focused' search engine, called OneSearch, which encrypts searches, leaves results unfiltered and claims to not store or transfer user information. The platform is also Advanced Privacy Mode enabled, meaning all search result links expire within an hour. However, some users are suspicions about the platform, as Verizon has come under fire in the past for its tracking customers as on the internet without permission. Verizon launched a 'privacy-focused' search engine, called OneSearch. It has a simple design, with a black background and white text. Underneath the search box is a list of privacy solutions OneSearch offers such as 'No Cookies', 'No Personal Profiling' and 'Keyword Encryption' The search engine has a simple design, with a black background and white text. Underneath the search box is a list of privacy solutions OneSearch offers such as 'No Cookies', 'No Personal Profiling' and 'Keyword Encryption'. Michael Albers, Head of Consumer Product, Verizon Media, said: 'We deeply believe in consumer trust and choice, both for our user community and our partners.' 'In support of our commitment to trust and transparency, we are excited to launch OneSearch, an innovative new online search experience built for privacy-minded searchers. With it, you can search the internet with increased confidence, knowing your personal and search data isn't being tracked, stored, or shared with advertisers.' Users have the ability to toggle the Advanced Privacy Mode on and off before searching, which Verizon explains adds 'another layer of privacy in the event that multiple people use the same device or if a search results link is shared with a friend.' This is in line with our strong commitment to lead the industry over the last couple decades,' added Albers. However, some users are suspicions about the platform, as Verizon has come under fire in the past for its tracking customers as on the internet without permission 'We are excited to evolve further, along with our partners and users, delivering a brand-new, privacy-minded experience for the search ecosystem.' But one feature that many users may get excited about is that OneSearch is ad free, which means you will not be bombarded with shoe ads after searching for a pair of boots or see travel booking sites if you search for 'flights to New York'. The search engine is available in North America on both desktop and mobile web and will be ready for Android and iOS download later this month other countries will have access 'soon'. Verizon's platform may be what the world has been waiting for, but looking at its track record has left some users uneasy. Gregory Hammond, a web developer, shared his concerns about the search engine on Twitter Tuesday. 'Daily reminder that just because a site says they are privacy-focused doesn't mean they are, you always should see who is behind that site because they may not have a good record of caring about privacy,' he wrote. The search engine is available in North America on both desktop and mobile web and will be ready for Android and iOS download later this month other countries will have access 'soon' OneSearch comes nearly two years after Verizon was ordered to pay a 1.35 million fine over its 'supercookie' that the government said followed phone customers on the Internet without their permission. The firm used this technology to deliver targeted ads to customer's smartphones. The Federal Communications Commission said in 2016 that it found that Verizon began using the supercookies with consumers in December 2012, but didn't disclose the program until October 2014. Verizon updated its privacy policy to disclose the trackers in March 2015 and gave people an option then to opt out. However, the supercookie technology crossed a line, according to the FCC, based on its open Internet regulations. A start-up chemical manufacturer is the latest private industry outfit to set up shop on Cheyney Universitys campus joining two other firms that are part of the universitys long-term financial sustainability plan to raise revenue while expanding educational opportunities for students. ASI Chemicals, which manufactures chemicals for pharmaceutical products, is launching its operations in space it is leasing in the campus state-of-the-art Science Center. University President Aaron Walton said having the chemistry-based company will provide internship opportunities for students as well as expand the variety of science disciplines students are exposed to. ASIs President Rich Tyburski said he saw the campus science building as a good fit. He recalled his own internship while a student at Villanova that led to a job as an entry-level scientist. I was able to work my way up from there, he said. Getting that real-world experience helped me tremendously. Were looking to create that pathway for Cheyney students now. ASI, formed by two principals formerly with IsoSciences, are looking for students seeking a science degree to intern with them but also may have opportunities for students pursuing business or marketing degrees. ASI joins Navrogen a research and development biology-based company, and Epcot Crenshaw, a company that provides solutions to environmental problems, in leasing space on the 275-acre campus that straddles the Delaware-Chester county line. Talks are ongoing with other potential corporate partners to locate operations on the campus, according to a university news release. Finding corporate partners to locate on its campus is part of the financially struggling historically black universitys strategy to put the school on sound financial footing. That is critical to maintaining the historically black universitys accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The commission announced it has conditionally reaffirmed Cheyneys accreditation through 2022-23 but wants to see proof over the next 10 months that it is on track to climb out from the mountain of debt it has accumulated over the past decade. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Viola Davis leads a talented ensemble of young actresses in her newest coming-of-age movie Troop Zero. And the actress brought her favorite little girl to the premiere Monday at The Grove in Los Angeles. She shimmered in a sleeveless lilac satin top as she walked the red carpet with daughter Genesis Tennon, nine. Mama's girl: Viola Davis shimmered in a sleeveless lilac satin top Monday as she walked the red carpet with daughter Genesis Tennon, nine, at the Los Angeles premiere of her movie Troop Zero Davis paired the cowl neck top with a pair of skintight black leather pants, which hugged her toned legs. She completed the ensemble with a gold bangle and a pair of silver metallic strappy stilettos. The proud mom arrived with Genesis, who went bold in a red suit jacket, featuring black lapels and accents. Her look was finished with a black ribbed top, matching pants with sparkling silver stripes down the sides and a pair of black leather high-heeled boots. Leather queen: Davis paired the cowl neck top with a pair of skintight black leather pants, which hugged her toned legs Silver stunner: She completed the ensemble with a gold bangle and a pair of silver metallic strappy stilettos Lady in red: The proud mom arrived with Genesis, who went bold in a red suit jacket, featuring black lapels and accents Big girl boots: Her look was finished with a black ribbed top, matching pants with sparkling silver stripes down the sides and a pair of black leather high-heeled boots Matchy matchy: Davis also posed on the carpet with the film's director duo Bert and Bertie, who matched in head-to-toe black ensembles Retro chic: Co-star Allison Janney went retro in a burgundy and powder blue gingham suit with a double- breasted jacket featuring wide lapels and flared pants. It was paired with a matching blue top, which featured an asymmetrical hem draping down her leg Leading lady: Janney posed on the red carpet with Mckenna Grace, who leads the talented ensemble of young actresses as Christmas Flint Angelic in white: The 13-year-old dazzled in a floor-length white satin off-the-shoulder dress, trimmed in black and unbuttoned at the bottom to reveal a pair of black strappy heels Layered look: Jim Gaffigan sported an olive suede jacket with a tan sweater, layered over a caramel dress shirt, finishing the look with slim dark denim jeans and caramel leather sneakers Davis also posed on the carpet with the film's director duo Bert and Bertie, who matched in head-to-toe black ensembles. Co-star Allison Janney went retro in a burgundy and powder blue gingham suit with a double- breasted jacket featuring wide lapels and flared pants. It was paired with a matching blue top, which featured an asymmetrical hem draping down her leg. She completed the look with burgundy jewel earrings, a matching costume ring, a structured red clutch and red open-toe stilettos. Janney posed on the red carpet with Mckenna Grace, who leads the talented ensemble of young actresses as Christmas Flint. The 13-year-old dazzled in a floor-length white satin off-the-shoulder dress, trimmed in black and unbuttoned at the bottom to reveal a pair of black strappy heels. Jim Gaffigan sported an olive suede jacket with a tan sweater, layered over a caramel dress shirt, finishing the look with slim dark denim jeans and caramel leather sneakers. Pretty in pink: YouTube sensation Johanna Colon, who also stars in the movie, donned a bright pink dress with a sequined top and a layered tulle skirt, paired with matching metallic sneakers Beauty in burgundy: Lidya Jewett rocked a cropped purple striped sweater with pleated burgundy trousers and white sneakers Classic chic: Kai N Ture cut a classic look in a mod black dress trimmed in white beads with matching beads in her hair and black Mary Janes with a gold dragon embroidery Serving looks: Raegan Revord sported a lilac jumpsuit with satin lapels, paired with a tiger faux fur bomber jacket. Milan Ray looked cool in a printed black t-shirt with a distressed cropped denim jacket, a scarlet pencil skirt and black and white leather platform Nikes Greaser vibes: Bella Higginbotham donned a blush hued gown with a black leather moto jacket and black heels YouTube sensation Johanna Colon, who also stars in the movie, donned a bright pink dress with a sequined top and a layered tulle skirt, paired with matching metallic sneakers. Lidya Jewett rocked a cropped purple striped sweater with pleated burgundy trousers and white sneakers. Kai N Ture cut a classic look in a mod black dress trimmed in white beads with matching beads in her hair and black Mary Janes with a gold dragon embroidery. Raegan Revord sported a lilac jumpsuit with satin lapels, paired with a tiger faux fur bomber jacket. Milan Ray looked cool in a printed black t-shirt with a distressed cropped denim jacket, a scarlet pencil skirt and black and white leather platform Nikes. Bella Higginbotham donned a blush hued gown with a black leather moto jacket and black heels. Troop Zero is about a group of misfit girls with sights on winning a talent show against a group of snobby scouts, premiering January 17 on Amazon Prime. Scout's honor: Troop Zero is about a group of misfit girls with sights on winning a talent show against a group of snobby scouts Movie night: The film was directed by duo Bert & Bertie, premiering January 17 on Amazon Prime Squad goals: Janney, Grace and Davis posed on the red carpet with writer Lucy Alibar Girl power: They were also joined by Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios Group photo: Colon held up a matching pink satin shawl as she posed with Higginbotham, Gaffigan, Grace, Janney and Charlie Shotwell Q&A: Gaffigan and Davis participated in a Q&A after the screening : Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday he will continue speaking out against wrong things even if it costs his country financially amid growing concerns about Indias curbs on palm oil imports from Malaysia after a diplomatic row. India, the worlds largest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules to effectively bar imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the worlds second-biggest producer and exporter after Indonesia. A notification from Union commerce and industry ministry moved the import of refined palm oil and palmolein from the free to restricted category. People familiar with developments said the move was specifically aimed at Malaysia because of Mahathirs remarks on Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Mahathir last month criticised the CAA and said people are dying because of this law, prompting New Delhi to dismiss his remarks as factually inaccurate. New Delhi had strongly criticised Mahathirs remarks at the UN General Assembly in September that Kashmir had been invaded and occupied. As Malaysian palm refiners stared at massive losses, Mahathir said his government will find a solution. We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand, we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it, the 94-year-old premier told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people. The people cited above said India had made its position very clear to the Malaysian side. We called in the Malaysian charge daffaires to register a protest. We have said such statements go against the spirit of the long-standing ties between India and Malaysia. There is nothing more to say, said a person who declined to be identified. The Indian government has informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil, Reuters reported on Monday. Indian traders are now buying Indonesian crude palm oil at a premium of $10 per tonne over Malaysian prices. External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said last week the new notification was not country-specific. The status of the relationship between any two countries is (something) any business would look at before they get into trading. India was Malaysias biggest buyer of palm oil in 2019, with 4.4 million tonnes of purchases. In 2020, purchases could fall below 1 million tonnes if relations do not improve, Indian traders said. Though Malaysian officials said they were trying to sell more palm oil to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress has said the matter should be sorted out with India. We wish to implore upon both governments to use all possible diplomatic channels to resolve this issue putting aside any personal or diplomatic ego, it said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) B oris Johnson has said there was "no reason" for the UK to be "notified" over the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani. The Prime Minister was not warned about the US airstrike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian general, prompting a major rise in tensions in the Middle East. Critics described President Donald Trump's failure to inform the PM ahead of the mission as a major blow for relations between the UK and the US. In his first major interview since the general election, Mr Johnson sought to play down the lack of communication over the issue despite having been blindsided by the news while on holiday. Boris Johnson has denied Donald Trump not informing him of the airstrike was an issue (REUTERS) / Reuters He said: "This was not our operation. There was no reason for us to be involved. "It was perfectly right for it to go ahead as it did." Mr Johnson, who came under fire for failing to return from his Caribbean holiday when the killing took place, also defended his response to the incident and said he worked "very hard" to ensure there was a European response. After the killing took place, Mr Johnson was accused by Labour's Emily Thornberry of "sunning himself and drinking vodka martinis", instead of dealing with the crisis. He did not comment on the situation for several days, with his silence described as "deafening". Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also asked Mr Johnson to confirm what the UK was told before the airstrike. Aerial images of Iran missile strike 1 /6 Aerial images of Iran missile strike What appears to be new damage at Al Asad air base in Iraq is seen in a satellite picture via REUTERS What appears to be new damage at Al Asad air base in Iraq is seen in a satellite picture via REUTERS What appears to be new damage at Al Asad air base in Iraq is seen in a satellite picture via REUTERS Al Asad air base in Iraq is seen in a satellite picture taken is seen in December, before the missile strike via REUTERS What appears to be new damage at Al Asad air base in Iraq is seen in a satellite picture via REUTERS Mr Johnson has since called for the deescalation of tensions, and upped calls for this after Iran made retaliatory strikes on bases occupied by UK and US troops. Speaking to the BBC today, Mr Johnson said the UK played the "traditional role" of serving as "the bridge between the European powers and the United States." I was not in this country but I worked very hard, as you can imagine, in making sure there was a European response, he told the BBC. Iran: Tehran Plane Crash - In pictures 1 /13 Iran: Tehran Plane Crash - In pictures via Reuters AP AFP via Getty Images People stand near the wreckage after a Ukrainian plane crashed near Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran ISNA/AFP via Getty Images AP AP via Reuters AP Rescuers check the debris following the plane crash via Reuters Part of the wreckage from Ukrainian plane that crashed in Tehran shortly after take-off via Reuters On the nuclear deal, he added: "If we're going to replace it, [the JCPOA] let's replace it with a Trump deal. "President Trump is a great deal maker. Somehow or another we've got to stop Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon." On the shooting down of a passenger plane over Iran, which the nation's government claim was accidental amid the heightened tensions, Mr Johnson said: Im glad the Iranians have accepted responsibility and identified it as an appalling mistake and it does appear that it was a mistake. It is very important that the bodies are repatriated in a dignified way and that the families are allowed to grieve and to have closure. Clearly, as President Rouhani has said, Iran made a terrible mistake. It is good they have apologised. The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down. Overall, he called for tensions to be ratcheted down between in the Middle East. If the 2015 Iran nuclear deal does collapse, a "Trump deal" negotiated by the U.S. president should replace it, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday. Johnson said the U.K. would come under pressure to jettison the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran signed between Iran and the U.S., U.K. Germany, France, Russia and China but said the deal, known formally as the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) should be replaced in order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "We're going to come under pressure, everybody will say, 'well you've got to get rid of this nuclear deal, the JCPOA,' that's what Trump wants. My point to our American friends is, look, somehow or other we've got to stop the Iranians acquiring a nuclear weapon, that's what the JCPOA does, but if we're going to get rid of it, then we need a replacement," Johnson told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday. President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018, calling it "the worst deal ever" and arguing that Iran was not adhering to the conditions of the agreement and opposing so-called "sunset" clauses within it that lift restrictions on Iran's nuclear program at certain points. Johnson said that if the U.S. could not tolerate the deal as it stood, another would have to be negotiated by Trump. "The problem with the agreement is that from the American perspective it's a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by (former) President Obama and from their point of view it has many, many faults. Well, if we're going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal, that's what we need to see," he said. "I think that would be a great way forward. President Trump is a great dealmaker, by his own account and many others, let's work together to replace the JCPOA and to get the Trump deal instead," Johnson added. Speaking on the recent period of heightened U.S.-Iran hostilities, Johnson emphasized that he did not want to see a military conflict in the Middle East. "I don't want a military conflict between us, the United States, and Iran. Let's dial this thing down." "Iran, when you look at it, is an amazing country. It's eight million people, it has a young population, they're literate, they should be orientated towards free markets, towards our way of doing things, and yet they're the captives and prisoners of this approach of the (Iranian) government that they have." "Well, we're not easily going to change the government but we need to engage with the people of Iran and we need to work for peace." Despite pressure from President Trump to abandon the deal, European signatories, Russia and China have so far stood by the Iranian deal, a decision made harder by Iran's reaction to the U.S. withdrawal from the deal, including its announcement last summer that it had breached the deal by exceeding its stockpile limit of low-enriched uranium. On Monday, Johnson and his German and French counterparts Chancellor Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, issued a statement in which they reiterated their commitment to the deal but urged Iran "to reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement and return to full compliance; we call on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation; and we remain ready to engage with Iran on this agenda in order to preserve the stability of the region." Speaking on Tuesday, Johnson said there had been a "good European response." "The U.K. payed its traditional role which is to serve as the bridge between the European powers and U.S.," he said, rebuffing questions over why the U.K. had not been consulted ahead of the U.S.' assassination of Iranian military commander Qasem Suleimani, prompting a rapid escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions. US President Donald Trump, Britain's Prince Charles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Afghanistan's Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would be among the world leaders attending the 50th annual meeting of WEF next week in the Swiss ski resort town Davos. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020, taking place on January 20-24, will focus on establishing stakeholder capitalism as a way of addressing the world's greatest challenges, from societal divisions created by income inequality and political polarization to the climate crisis we face today, the Geneva-based International organisation for public-private partnership said on Tuesday. From India, actress Deepika Padukone will be present, besides over 100 CEOs as well as political leaders including union ministers and chief ministers. Underpinning the meeting will be the Davos Manifesto 2020, a document that builds on the original Davos Manifesto of 1973, which set out for the first time the stakeholder concept that businesses should serve the interests of all society rather than simply their shareholders'. The Davos Manifesto 2020 provides a vision for stakeholder capitalism that touches on a range of important issues of our time, including fair taxation, zero tolerance for corruption, executive pay and respect for human rights. "Business has now to fully embrace stakeholder capitalism, which means not only maximizing profits, but use their capabilities and resources in cooperation with governments and civil society to address the key issues of this decade. They have to actively contribute to a more cohesive and sustainable world," said Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and Executive Chairman. Building on the Manifesto 2020, this year's programme focuses on achieving maximum impact on the Forum's platform for public-private cooperation across six core areas of activity: Ecology, Economy, Society, Industry, Technology and Geopolitics. Among the initiatives to be launched at the Annual Meeting is one that aims to plant 1 trillion trees over the next decade and to equip 1 billion people with the necessary skills in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Nearly 3,000 leaders will participate in this year's Annual Meeting. Besides Trump, Merkel, Prince of Wales, Ghani and Khan, top political leaders taking part include Han Zheng, Vice-Premier of the People's Republic of China; Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain; Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation; Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of Austria and Ivan Duque, President of Colombia. Besides, Felix Tshisekedi, President of Congo; Lenin Moreno Garcs, President of Ecuador; Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece; Barham Salih, President of Iraq; Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland; Omar Al Razzaz, Prime Minister of Jordan; Khaltmaagiin Battulga, President of Mongolia; Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway; Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority; Andrzej Duda, President of Poland; Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore; and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, will also be present. Leaders from international organizations include Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; Roberto Azevdo, Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO); Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary-General, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Liu Fang, Secretary-General, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO); Angel Gurra, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank; Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Guy Ryder, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO); Jrgen Stock, Secretary-General, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); and Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will also attend the summit. More than 1,680 leaders from the private sector will participate in the Annual Meeting this year, including Members and Partners of the World Economic Forum. Leaders from civil society taking part in the meeting include Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC); Luca Visentini, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC); Micah White, Co-Creator, Occupy Wall Street; Kenneth Roth, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch; Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director, Greenpeace International; David Miliband, President, International Rescue Committee. This year over 120 of civic-minded young leaders will also join as members of the WEF Global Shapers, Young Global Leaders, and Social Entrepreneur communities. The WEF said it will also welcome 10 leaders under the age of 20 representing the viewpoints of younger generations. Adding a new dimension this year is the Arts and Culture Festival. Running alongside the Annual Meeting, the Festival will feature a number of sessions and immersive art installations, including those featuring the participation of the winners of the 26th Annual Crystal Awards and Cultural Leaders. The 50th Annual Meeting will also be climate-neutral for the fourth consecutive year. New initiatives to boost resource efficiency and reduce emissions will build on the Forum's 2018 ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] Amify Adds Top Talent to Help Brands Win on Amazon CINCINNATI, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Amify, a premier Amazon-as-a-Service provider that maximizes brands' potential on Amazon through a direct-to-consumer Amazon Marketplace Solution, announced today the hiring of two additional management executives to its new Cincinnati office strategically located near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Amazon air hub. Brian MacDonald, a highly respected name in Cincinnati advertising, joined Amify this week as VP of Strategy and Advertising. In his new role, MacDonald will lead creative, media and e-commerce strategy for client brands. MacDonald comes to Amify from Barefoot Proximity, a leading Omnicom agency, where as SVP of Experience Strategy he led integrated marketing and advertising for global brands. His 15 years of experience in data-driven marketing, ad tech and direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales will bolster Amify's capability as the premier Amazon Marketplace managed service provider. "The Amazon landscape is constantly changing and often unpredictable," MacDonald said. "It's critical for brands to control and protect as much as they can on the platform to maximize profitability and achieve success. In my experience, brands prefer their own website as an e-commerce channel over third-party marketplaces due to the many benefits of a direct-to-consumer approach. I'm looking forward to helping our clients achieve the benefits of that approach combined with the power and scale of Amazon." Shelly Helser also joined Amify this month as VP of Operations, where she will help guide clients through the complex road to success on Amazon. Helser comes to Amify with 25 years of experience at Procter and Gamble, where she launched innovation on billion-dollar brands and led operations for the new venturesdivision. "I've owned small businesses and can easily understand that the complexity of the Amazon Marketplace can be overwhelming. So, whether brands are moving from first-party (indirect) to third-party (direct) sales on Amazon or dipping a toe into Amazon Seller Central for the first time, the process can be a real challenge," said Helser. "I'm excited to work closely with Amify's client brands to make their onboarding process seamless, increase their revenue and maximize their profits using the world's largest e-commerce marketplace." Amify's two strategic hires continue a period of accelerated growth for the company, which recently opened a second headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio to supplement the corporate office in Washington, D.C. "Since opening our new offices in Cincinnati, Amify has experienced tremendous growth, setting the stage for an exciting new year," Amify CEO Ethan McAfee said. "Adding Brian and Shelly to our team allows us to continue our growth and solidify our reputation as the industry's most trusted full-service partner for brands looking to succeed on Amazon." About Amify Amify is a two-time Inc 500 award winning Amazon-as-a-Service (AaaS) provider that helps brands maximize potential on the Amazon Marketplace. Amify offers a direct-to-consumer solution that helps client brands maximize profit and navigate the challenges faced by selling on the world's largest online retail platform. Amify's unique solution protects brand integrity, accelerates sales, optimizes supply chain and logistics, and provides end-to-end platform management. Amify has partnered with over 1,000 brands, managed over $100M in sales on the platform and provides best practices to help brands win on Amazon. The company has two corporate offices and a number of warehouses strategically located across the U.S. For more information, please visit https://goamify.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amify-adds-top-talent-to-help-brands-win-on-amazon-300986673.html SOURCE Amify [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Inspector General for Child Welfare Julie Rogers will be the new Nebraska ombudsman after the Legislature accepted the recommendation for her appointment from its Executive Board. But the 46-2 vote didn't come until after several senators stood to talk about the No. 2 candidate, acting ombudsman Carl Eskridge, who has been with the office since August 1996 and served as the deputy ombudsman under Marshall Lux, who was in the position 38 years before retiring in 2018. The state ombudsman leads a team of behind-the-scenes investigators, the problem-solvers for people involved with state agencies and for people with questions or complaints about how the agencies are dealing with their issues, including the high-profile Corrections Department and child welfare. Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks said she was perturbed that the Executive Board, in discussing the recommendation, failed to publicly acknowledge and show gratitude for Eskridge's stellar qualities and professional excellence, and she wanted to get that on the record. She was taking nothing away from the qualifications of Rogers, she said, and would vote for her appointment. But the longstanding and outstanding reputation of a noble, kind, brilliant, hardworking and gentle man of God was sullied by the lack of acknowledgement by the board, Pansing Brooks said. The list of qualifications used to choose Rogers, she said, also described Eskridge perfectly. Executive Board Chairman Mike Hilgers had said Rogers scored highest on an objective ranking based on experience and abilities in complex dispute resolution; knowledge of state government and its operations, administrative, statutory and constitutional law; analyzing complex administrative and grievance issues; writing and communication skills. The decision to not recommend Eskridge was not because of his lack of suitability to do the job, Pansing Brooks said. "If this decision was made to get fresh, younger energy, that should have been said," Pansing Brooks said. "If this decision was political, due to his admirable and beyond-reproach stint on the City Council of Lincoln, that should have been said." She objected to Hilgers not saying that it was a tough decision or that the qualities looked for in the ombudsman applied to Eskridge, or for giving him immense thanks for his decades of service to the state. Protocol would suggest that the acting ombudsman be given his due, she said. Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers said that, as a driving force behind the creation of the ombudsman's office, he has a deep concern about who should head the office. He had nothing personal against Rogers, he said, but would take the same stance against anyone other than Eskridge who would be considered for the position. "Mr. Eskridge, due to his years of experience in the office, and his understanding of its operation and mission, would be the perfect and logical person to groom a successor when he retires," said Chambers, who joined Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha voting against Rogers' appointment. Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, praised Rogers, saying she has been transparent, a great communicator and worked well with senators in her role as inspector general. Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz said the ombudsman office is a valuable, important resource that must be protected and deserves the senators' respect and support. As a member of the hiring subcommittee of the board, she said, she found Eskridge's depth and breadth of experience to be impressive in corrections, juvenile justice, health and human services, and the state's whistleblower laws. "He was the candidate I found strongest, and he deserves our thanks and our respect," Bolz said. But she would support Rogers to do that work, she said, because Rogers has both the skill set and the strong moral compass necessary for the office. Hilgers said the hiring committee, whose membership besides him was Chambers, Bolz, Sen. John Lowe of Kearney and Speaker Jim Scheer, had a number of hard conversations during the process. He said he took the integrity of the process seriously and wanted to make clear it was not his place to name publicly anyone who applied for the position but did not get it. "I would not disclose that," he said. Now that it is public, he said, he wanted to say Eskridge has been an outstanding public servant during his more than two decades of service to the state and the Legislature. "He has one of the biggest hearts that there is in this state," he said. "He is an outstanding man." Everyone should hope to have excellent candidates for a position such as those who applied for ombudsman, Hilgers said. The bad news is, the committee and the Legislature could only choose one. Rogers, too, he said, has been an outstanding public servant and will be an outstanding ombudsman. Rogers' appointment will begin Wednesday. Eskridge will return to his position as deputy ombudsman. Rogers said in her application for the job that her certification as inspector general taught her the importance of government oversight, but also the importance of getting to the truth in government, whatever it is, without regard to partisanship, allegiances, status or influence. She said Tuesday she plans to carry out her new role by being tough but fair in holding government accountable to its citizens, especially those who are powerless and most vulnerable. Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSLegislature Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 13, 2020 | 03:11 PM | PADUCAH According to City of Paducah officials, the Paducah Compost Facility, located at 1560 North 8th Street will be closed to the public during the weekdays until further notice beginning Tuesday. The facility will be open on Saturdays for the purchase of compost, and for residents to drop off brush, leaves, and yard debris. A two-yard bucket load of compost costs approximately $20. The facility, which is operated by the City of Paducah Engineering-Public Works Department, is typically open Monday through Saturday from 7 am until 3 pm, and closes on Sundays. For more information about the facility, visit the website linked below, or contact the Engineering Public Works Department at 270-444-8511. The compost facility in Paducah will be temporarily closed to the public to allow for routine brush grinding. On the Net: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a press conference after the Senate Policy luncheons in the Capitol on Tuesday Dec. 10, 2019. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressing concern that a weak trade deal that fails to address "structural inequities" in the U.S.-China relationship could harm American workers and businesses for years to come. Trump and Chinese officials are due to sign a partial trade deal on Wednesday after years of intense bilateral negotiations. Both sides reached an agreement last month, in which Washington agreed to cancel some new tariffs and reduce rates of other duties in exchange for China purchasing more American agricultural products and addressing U.S. concerns on areas of technology and financial services. Schumer, one of the Democrats most supportive of Trump's crackdown on China, previously accused the president of caving to Beijing with the phase one trade deal. In his letter, Schumer wrote that without firm commitments from Beijing that it will curtail its unfair practices, including forced technology transfers from foreign companies to local players, U.S. innovators will "continue to lose billions of dollars." American firms will struggle to gain fair access to the Chinese market and millions of U.S. jobs will be at risk, he said. "By giving away leverage with a temporary deal of some reduced tariff in exchange for American goods and vague promises of reform, as China has made time and time again, these structural issues will only become more challenging to address in future negotiations," Schumer wrote. "China pledging to make short-term purchases of American goods will not address the fundamental problems that undermine long-term U.S. economic opportunity, prosperity, and security," he added. On paper, the phase one deal includes "commitments from China to import various U.S. goods and services over the next two years" worth at least $200 billion, according to a U.S. Trade Representative document. Beijing is said to have also agreed to end its "long-standing practice" of forced technology transfer. Schumer asked Trump to elucidate on six specific questions about the kind of commitments he had received from Beijing as part of the deal: What commitments, if any, address the Chinese government's subsidy programs that continue to harm U.S. industry and workers? What commitments, if any, has China made on substantive state-owned enterprise reform as part of the "phase one" agreement? What commitments, if any, will curtail the dumping of Chinese products, which puts American firms out of business and threatens U.S. jobs? What commitments, if any, will hold China accountable for unauthorized intrusions into U.S. commercial computer networks and cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property and sensitive commercial information? To what extent will this "phase one" agreement regain lost market share for U.S. farmers? Should farmers expect that additional rounds of program funding will address these inequities? While experts have said the agreement is a step in the right direction, many are still unsure of exactly what the two countries are agreeing to and how they will enforce their deal. During the trade war, the U.S. slapped tariffs on more than $500 billion in Chinese goods, while Beijing retaliated by putting duties on more than $100 billion in American imports. CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report. 14 Jan 2020, 11:27 AM Aviation ministry asks operators to register drones by Jan 31 or face action The Aviation Ministry announced a scheme on Monday asking operators to voluntarily register their drones by January 31. The ministry said that those who fail to register will face action under the Indian Penal Code and Aircraft Act. The number of illegal drones in India is likely to be between 50,000 and 60,000, co-chair of a FICCI committee on drones, Ankit Mehta, had said on October 22 last year. Siemens to support Adani coal project in Australia despite protests German engineering group Siemens said it would fulfil its contractual obligations to a controversial coal mining project in Australia's outback, attracting criticism from environmental groups on Monday. Siemens was awarded a contract last year to provide signaling technology for a railway line to transport coal from a remote coal mine run by India's Adani Group in northern Queensland state. The German company had said it would decide by Monday on its involvement in the project. On Saturday, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg called for Siemens to review its role in the project. CCI orders antitrust probe against Amazon, Flipkart India's antitrust body has ordered an investigation into alleged competition law violations by Amazon.com Inc and Walmart's Flipkart, it said in an order on Monday. The Competition Commission of India said that exclusive arrangements between mobile phone brands and e-commerce platforms, as well as allegations of e-commerce companies giving preferential treatment to certain sellers "merits an investigation". Sebi extends deadline to separate roles of chairman, MDs to April 2022 In a huge relief for corporates, market regulator SEBI has extended the deadline given to companies to separate the roles of chairman and managing director by two years till April 2022. The Sebi board in March 2018 had accepted the Uday Kotak-led panel's recommendations to split CMD and chairman's posts in listed companies. Hyundai Creta beats Kia Seltos in December, sells 6,719 units Kia Seltos managed to sell only 4,645 units in the month of December. The Seltos was beaten by Hyundai Creta that sold 6,719 units in December. In a month-on-month comparison with its November figures, the sales of the Seltos have dropped down by 67% as the SUV sold 14,005 units in November. Microsoft CEO Nadella speaks out about India's citizenship law Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella has expressed grief over the Citizenship law. "I think what is happening is sad, primarily as sort of someone who grew up there... I think it's just bad," Nadella told BuzzFeed at a Microsoft event in Manhattan. Retail inflation touches 7.35% in December, highest since July 2014 The consumer price index (CPI) continued to breach the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) medium-term target of 4 per cent for third consecutive month in December 2019 at 7.35 per cent, which is highest since July 2014. The spike in retail inflation is attributed to high food prices. This also marks a spike in inflation from November when the retail inflation was 5.54 per cent. Malaysia will introduce an immigrant pass in June to help authorities track foreigners in Sabah, officials said, a move that could make it harder for militants to slip in and out from the nearby southern Philippines, according to an analyst. The proposed Sabah Temporary Pass, to be known by its Malay acronym PSS, will help standardize the various documents held by foreigners in the eastern state and facilitate law-enforcement operations, Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said. The PSS is a control mechanism which will provide whereabouts and movement information of foreigners in Sabah, Muhyiddin told reporters over the weekend. Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo, has a population of 3.9 million, including about 1.1 million who are not Malaysian citizens, according to official statistics. In September, the states Foreigner Management Committee agreed to issue the new identification card to replace the three documents currently issued to foreigners living in Sabah. Filipino refugees, who had escaped to Sabah after bloody clashes between government forces and Muslim secessionist rebels in the southern Philippines in the early 1970s, carry a visitors pass known as IMM13, which was issued by the Malaysian immigration department. IMM13 holders are allowed to stay in the state and receive other benefits, including medical services and access to education. To ease bank transactions, foreigners living in Sabah also often identify themselves using a document issued by the states chief minister, or a census certificate. Muhyiddin, who spoke during a public event in Papar town in Sabah, said the PSS card would contain security features, including the holders biometrics. It can be obtained after payment of 120 ringgit (U.S. $29) in fees and must be renewed every three years, officials said. More than 136,000 people living in Sabah would be eligible for the PSS card, Muhyiddin said. With such information and orderly records, any long-term action can be implemented more strategically, the state-run news agency Bernama quoted him as saying. The PSS card does not confer permanent residency to the foreigners and would not provide a guaranteed path toward Malaysian citizenship, the Home Ministry said in a statement. Analyst: PSS would help track down foreigners with terror links Wan Shawaluddin Wan Hassan, a professor and migration expert at the University Malaysia-Sabah, said the cards security features would enable authorities to determine if the holder had any terror links. The security feature can be used to detect Abu Sayyaf group members, he told BenarNews, referring to the Islamic State-linked group based in and around the Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines. In May 2017, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon led pro-IS fighters from the Philippines and other countries in a siege of the southern Philippine city of Marawi. The militant takeover precipitated a five-month battle with government forces that left the city in ruins and 1,200 people dead, most of them militants. The proposal to issue a new ID card received mixed reactions from Sabah residents, with many calling for the immediate deportation of foreigners living in the state. The government should deport IMM13 holders to their country of origin, resident Sylvia Rosli told BenarNews. That document was issued during the war [in the southern Philippines]. She said the same policy should be adopted for foreigners who hold other forms of identification. Once all is settled, then only think of issuing a pass for them, she said. Shuyang Ana in Kota Kinabalu contributed to this report. AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Monday hit out at Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, alleging that he is the "part of the DDA scam" involving flats for economically weaker sections, a charge refuted by the BJP leader. On Sunday, Singh had claimed that flats should have been made available for Rs 6.90 lakh and Rs 11 lakh in easy installments. "(But) after years of struggling, those beneficiaries have been told to arrange Rs 19 lakh and Rs 24 lakh, which means three times more than they claimed and promised," the AAP leader had said. Hitting back on Monday, Puri accused the AAP of resorting to "lies". "Fact remains. They neither have the will nor capability to do any good for the people of Delhi. No matter how many times they repeat it, or how shrill their tone gets, lies will remain lies," he said in a tweet. "The DLF constructed 772 houses which have all been allotted. This means the people have found the pricing to be reasonable, which was done by the DDA in a transparent manner," he said in another tweet. Singh said the way Puri and the Delhi Development Authority officials reacted after the AAP's "exposure", it showed that "they were involved in the scam." The DDA had on Sunday said the EWS flats being referred to have been built by private developers and the cost indicated in the brochure was "tentative". "Private developers have to build EWS flats mandatorily whenever they develop a housing colony. Fifty percent of EWS flats developed by private developers are transferred to DDA at price linked with CPWD index," the DDA said in a statement. Thereafter, these flats are offered by DDA to eligible beneficiaries. The price charged by the DDA is based on actual cost and the formula is approved by the authority. The price indicated in the brochure in 2014 was tentative, the DDA added. The AAP leader said the statement is "a big lie" and adds to the "severity of the corruption" that has been going on and there is a dire need for a proper investigation. "The Hon'ble Minister said he has no information about the 772 EWS-category flats, dismissing the allegations as baseless. But a legal notice has been addressed to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, PMO, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and this has also been sent to Puri," he claimed. "Why is he telling lies? It just solidifies the doubts around the scam regarding the DDA flats under the EWS category," he said. DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market : Focus on Application, Approach, Type, Line of Therapy, Treatment Strategy, Country Data (15 Countries),and Competitive Landscape - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global neoantigen cancer vaccine industry analysis projects the market to grow at a significant CAGR of 34.69% during the forecast period, 2023-2030. The neoantigen cancer vaccine market is expected to generate $227.1 million revenue in 2023, owing to the expected launch of first neoantigen vaccine Tedopi in the market. Further, the market is forecast to generate $1,826.1 million revenue by 2030. Expert Quote The real issues with neovaccines are higher cost, turn-around times, and limited efficacy. The cost and time to manufacture have come down in the last four years and as technology improves it will come down more. Scope of the Market Intelligence The neoantigen cancer vaccine market report provides a holistic view of the market in terms of various factors influencing it, including reported clinical findings, financing and partnership opportunities, expected market and current clinical landscape. The scope of this report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the products expected to be allied with the oncology market. In addition, the study also includes exhaustive information on the unmet needs, perception on the new products, competitive landscape, market share of key players, growth potential of each underlying sub-segment, and company, as well as other vital information with respect to the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market. Key Companies in the Market The key manufacturers who have been contributing significantly to the neoantigen cancer vaccine market include Roche, Medimmune, Moderna Therapeutics/Merck (in 50-50 Joint venture), Advaxis, Agenus, Genocea, Gritstone Oncology, Neon Therapeutics, Nouscom, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Immunovative Therapeutics, Medigene, Vaccibody, Brightpath Biotherapeutics, Geneos Therapeutics, among others. Key Questions Answered in This Report What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? How is each segment expected to grow in the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market during the forecast period and what is the estimated revenue to be generated by each of the segments by the end of 2030? What are the key developmental strategies which are implemented by the major players in order to sustain in the competitive market? What are the expected key regulatory implications in the developed and developing regions for the neoantigen cancer vaccines? Who are the leading players with significant offerings to the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What is the expected market dominance for each of these leading players? What is the expected compound growth rate to be witnessed by the leading players in the market during the forecast period 2023-2030? What are the key applications in global neoantigen cancer vaccine market? What are the major segments of these applications? Which are the dominant disease types to which the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market caters? Which oncology specialty is expected to hold the maximum market share during the forecast period (2023-2030) ? What is the scope of the global neoantigen cancer vaccine market in North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest-of-the-World? Key Topics Covered Executive Summary 1 Product Definition 2 Research Scope 3 Research Methodology 4 Neoantigen Vaccines in Cancer Immunotherapy: Overview 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Cancer Antigens 4.3 Targeting Cancer Neoantigen: A next wave of innovation in Oncology? 4.4 Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Mechanism of Action 4.5 Types of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccines, by Product Type 4.5.1 Personalized neoantigens vaccines 4.5.2 Off-the-shelf Neoantigen vaccines 4.6 Types of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market, by Neovaccine Types (Biological Platform) 4.6.1 Nucleic acid/DNA/mRNA Vaccines 4.6.2 Peptide Vaccines 4.6.3 Dendritic Cell-based Vaccines 4.7 Types of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine, by Delivery Strategies 4.7.1 Lipid-Based Approaches 4.7.2 Peptide (SLP) Mediate Vaccine Delivery in Conjunction with an Adjuvant 4.7.3 Sequential immunization of Viral Prime and RNA Boost 4.7.4 Direct Injection of Unformulated mRNA Vaccines Encoding Neoepitopes 4.7.5 Other Approaches 4.8 Prediction Software for Neoantigens 4.8.1 Limitations of Neoantigen Prediction Process 4.9 Limitations of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccines 4.9.1 Lower Tumor Mutational Burden 4.9.2 Neoantigens Maturity 4.10 Future Prospects 4.10.1 Multi-Epitope Vaccination 4.10.2 Combination with Other Kinds of Immunotherapies and Conventional Treatments 4.10.3 Combination with Traditional Cancer Therapies 5 Legal Requirements and Regulations 5.1 Overview of Regulatory Pathway for Neoantigen Cancer Vaccines 5.1.1 U.S. FDA Guidelines for BLA Submission 5.1.2 EMA Biologics License Application Process 5.1.2.1 Centralized Procedure 5.1.2.2 Decentralized Procedure 5.1.2.3 Mutual-Recognition Procedure 5.2 Regulatory Challenges 5.3 Successful Regulatory Strategies 6 Market Landscape 6.1 Growth Share Analysis 6.1.1 Growth Share Matrix by Oncology Specialty 6.1.2 Growth Share Matrix by Product Type 6.1.3 Growth Share Matrix by Region 6.1.4 Growth Share Matrix by Line of Therapy 6.1.5 Growth Share Matrix by Type of Therapy 6.1.6 Growth Share Matrix by Type of Neovaccine 6.2 FDA Review Landscape 6.3 Patent Landscape 7 Market Dynamics 7.1 Overview 7.2 Emerging and Current Market Trends 7.3 Market Drivers 7.3.1 Increasing Global Prevalence of Cancers 7.3.2 Increase in Adoption of Personalized Medicine to Tailor Patient's Treatment on an Individual Level 7.3.3 Significant External Funding for Executing Research and Development Exercise 7.4 Market Restraints 7.4.1 Higher Cost of Personalized Cancer Vaccines 7.4.2 Hurdles in Clinical Development and Optimization Process 7.4.3 Uncertain Reimbursement Scenario 7.4.4 Payer Uncertainty and Outcome-Based Pricing 7.4.5 High Capital Requirement Hampering the Expansion of Global Reach 7.5 Market Opportunities 7.5.1 Treatment Gaps 7.5.2 Reduced Turnaround Time and Cost 7.5.3 Partnerships and Collaboration Between Various Healthcare Stakeholders 7.5.4 Data Analytics 8 Pipeline Landscape 8.1 Emerging Neoantigen Vaccines 8.2 Clinical Trials Heat Map 8.3 Pipeline Analysis 8.3.1 By Phase of Development 8.3.2 By Type of Therapy 8.3.3 By Product Type 8.3.4 By Treatment Strategy 8.3.5 By Type of Neovaccine 8.3.6 By Delivery Approach 8.3.7 By Line of Therapy 8.3.8 By Oncology Specialty 8.3.9 By Route of Administration 8.3.10 By Core Product Status 8.3.11 By Neoantigen Payload 9 Competitive Landscape 9.1 Key Strategies and Developments 9.1.1 Synergistic Activities 9.1.2 Funding and Expansion Activities 9.1.3 Mergers and Acquisitions 9.2 Partnership and Financing Opportunities 10 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Product Type, 2023-2030 10.1 Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines 10.2 Off-the-Shelf Neoantigen Vaccines 11 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Type of Neovaccine, 2023-2030 11.1 Nucleic Acid/DNA/mRNA Vaccines 11.1.1 DNA Vaccines 11.2 RNA Vaccines 11.3 Peptide Vaccines 11.4 Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccines 12 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Line of Therapy, 2023-2030 12.1 First Line Neovaccines Regimens 12.2 Second Line Neovaccine Regimens 12.3 Later Lines Neovaccines Regimens 13 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Therapy Type, 2023-2030 13.1 Mono Therapeutic Regimens 13.2 Combinatorial Regimens 14 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Therapeutic Specialty, 2023-2030 14.1 Hematological Malignancies 14.2 Melanoma 14.3 Breast Cancer 14.4 Gastrointestinal Cancer 14.5 Lung Cancer 14.6 Solid Tumors 14.7 Urinary System Cancer 14.8 Prostate Cancer 14.9 Head and Neck Cancers 14.10 Gynecologic Cancers 14.11 Brain Cancer 15 Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market by Region, 2023-2030 15.1 Overview 15.2 North America 15.3 Canada 15.4 Europe 15.5 Asia-Pacific 16 Company Profiles 16.1 Moderna Therapeutics 16.1.1 Company Overview 16.1.2 Role of Moderna Therapeutics in the Global Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine Market 16.1.3 Technology and Capabilities 16.1.4 Financials 16.1.5 Key Insights About Financial Health of the Company 16.1.6 SWOT Analysis: Moderna Therapeutics 16.2 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 16.3 AstraZeneca plc 16.4 Agenus 16.5 OSE Immunotherapeutics 16.6 Advaxis 16.7 Medigene 16.8 Neon Therapeutics 16.9 Genocea Biosciences 16.10 Immunovative Therapies 16.11 Gritstone Oncology 16.12 Nouscom 16.13 NantBioScience 16.14 Immunovaccine 16.15 BioLineRx 17 Anticipated Milestones For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h00tds Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Smart litter box toletta monitors cat health signals 24/7. Hachi Tama Inc., a Kanagawa, Japan-based pet-tech startup, completed its $4m ($1=100) Pre-Series A funding. The company intends to use the funds to further improve the accuracy of the patented early-detection algorithm included in their smart litter box. Led by Koji Hori, Founder and CEO, Hachi Tama is a pet-tech startup which created a litter box called toletta to help cat owners and veterinarians work more closely together to improve feline health. The box is equipped with the Internet of things (IoT) and patented measurement technology that constantly monitors a cats weight fluctuations, urine frequency, urine volume and more. Cat owners can share this data with their veterinarian as a way to help identify signs of urinary disease before its too late. An artificial intelligence (AI) camera in the litter box captures an image of the cats face. The camera uses patented deep-learning technology to automatically identify an individual cat even when there are multiple cats in the household using the same litter box. Have a look at the box here https://youtu.be/W-J8JLX-kHs. FinSMEs 14/01/2020 Light snowfall is expected across Northern Massachusetts on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Less than one inch of snow should fall from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning in Northern Berkshire, Franklin and Worcester counties, according to the National Weather Service. Similar amounts are expected close to the border between Berkshire and Hampshire Counties as well as in northwestern Middlesex County near Fitchburg. Dry this morning with more clouds than sunshine. Light rain spreading in across most areas this afternoon into the evening. Portions of western & central MA will see a wintry mix, the National Weather Service said in a tweet. Precipitation ends late tonight. Dry this morning with more clouds than sunshine. Light rain spreading in across most areas this afternoon into the evening. Portions of western & central MA will see a wintry mix. Precipitation ends late tonight. #mawx #ctwx #riwx pic.twitter.com/euXVbz8gzp NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 14, 2020 A hazardous weather outlook was issued for Berkshire County, where a wintry mix is possible in the afternoon into the night. Freezing drizzle and light snow accumulations are expected in more elevated areas. Highs across the state are expected to reach just below 40 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesdays cooler weather was preceded by unseasonably warm conditions over the weekend, with much of the state seeing temperatures in the upper 50s and lower 60s on Saturday and the upper 60s on Sunday. Boston and Worcester on Sunday set new record highs for the month of January. [Back to seasonal temps] Talk about going from summer back to #winter in a day! #Boston went from an all-time January record high of 74F yesterday to light #snow this morning! And instead of running 30-35F above average, high temps are just about normal today. #MAWx #RIWx #CTWx pic.twitter.com/UPnIWiUiao NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 14, 2020 Mild and dry weather will briefly return Wednesday, with highs expected to reach around 50 degrees for parts of the state. Scattered rain and snow showers are possible Thursday. Gusty winds are also expected late this week, and a wind advisory for the Cape and Islands may be issued. Much colder weather is expected later Thursday into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Ice and widespread, heavy snowfall is possible over the weekend. A climber who became stranded on a steep ice wall on Italys Grigna mountain was airlifted to safety on January 11, fire authorities said. The man became stuck at around 2,100 meters, they reported. This video shows a man on a steep snowy slope being winched up to a helicopter before being dropped on shallower ground. Credit: Vigili del Fuoco via Storyful This morning, intensive consultations were held in Moscow with the participation of the Libyan parties and with the support of the Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers, which addressed issues related to the ceasefire announced on Sunday in response to the appeal made by Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The results of the consultations will be known tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, a research fellow of the Institute for Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Center for Modern Turkish Studies Amur Hajiyev, believes that the Russian-Turkish initiative, which was announced on January 8 in Istanbul, can be considered the best, most authoritative and acceptable version of the Libyan settlement: "Previously attempts to resolve the situation in Libya were made by other authors of international relations, international organizations were involved, however, neither Pariss efforts in July 2017 and May 2018 to conduct general elections in Libya, neither Rome's mediation activity in November 2018, nor Abu Dhabi's attempts to start the process by convening an international conference, nor Berlin's ideas have so far been able to bring the Libyan crisis closer to a solution. Various options for the Libyan settlement are being proposed now, but for one reason or another, all of them are deemed insufficient or ignored either by the Libyans or by the countries concerned." Amur Hadzhiev names four aspects of why the Russian-Turkish initiative is so good. First, in preparing the document, Moscow and Ankara relied heavily on the experience gained during many talks held between by Russia and Turkey in the framework of the Syrian settlement. Second, Moscow and Ankara, realizing that the escalation of tension would risk exacerbating the situation, categorically reject any military solution and advocate an inclusive political dialogue with the Libyan people being the main actors. Moreover, the peace process is proposed to be launched under the auspices of the UN and on the basis of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Third, Russia and Turkey do not ignore the efforts of previous contenders for mediation. The parties propose to take those important developments into account that were achieved earlier, especially in the context of the Berlin process. This approach demonstrates the desire of Moscow and Ankara to solve the Libyan issue with maximum efficiency and minimal losses. Fourth, the Russian-Turkish mediation is aimed at preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Libya. That is why Putin and Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire, which is currently being implemented. The joint Russian-Turkish intermediate mechanisms worked out in Syria have already been effective in the face of various provocations by ill-wishers. "The joint Russian-Turkish statement on Libya is a summary of earlier Russian-Turkish agreements in the context of the Syrian crisis. That is why this peace process is the most promising and attractive," Amur Hajiyev believes. Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, the three major contenders - Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have engaged in a Twitter meme battle, which going by the impressions are a hit. The sparring parties have borrowed inspiration from ad films and popular Bollywood songs to woo voters ahead of the February 8 battle for ballots. The most recent meme, first shared by incumbent AAP on January 12, used a screengrab of the 1993 Shahrukh Khan-starrer Bazigaars song Chupana Bhi Nahi Aata. Dear @AamAadmiParty & @BJP4India, As you can see in the picture, Kajol (Delhi) doesn't seem interested in either of you and is actually looking towards Congress! We assure you that we will rescue Delhi from both of you. https://t.co/PTxzvNg40L January 13, 2020 The AAP IT team depicts Shahruk Khan as Kejriwal, Kajol as Delhi, and supporting actor Siddharth Ray as BJP. In the scene from the song that talks about unrequited love, Ray can be seen looking at Kajol with wistful eyes, while she is seemingly enticed by Shahrukh Khan.Shortly after, Delhi BJP retorted with a fresh spin on the same meme, altering the parties depicted by each character. Attacking the ruling party in the national capital and elucidating how the joke is on AAP itself, the official twitter handle of the saffron partys Delhi wing wrote:Soon, Congress jumped on the bandwagon and wrote:Last week, the three political parties amused netizens with their memes using an old Ambuja Cement advertisement. The meme, first posted by AAP, caught on and each party shared their own version of the same commercial, rewriting the characters to suit themselves. Getty Images California could become the first state to make its own prescription drugs under a proposal announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who says it would take the power out of the hands of greedy pharmaceutical companies." The Democratic governor wants the nation's most populous state to contract with generic drug companies to make medications on its behalf so it could sell them to its nearly 40 million residents. The goal is to lower prices by increasing competition in the generic drug market. His proposal also would create a single market for drug pricing in California, with companies having to bid to sell their medicine at a uniform price. Lawmakers would have to approve the proposal before it could become law. A legislative leader in charge of reviewing the plan gave a tentative endorsement last week. "If Costco can have a Kirkland brand, why can't California have our own generic brand? said Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, an emergency room doctor from Fresno who chairs the House Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Priscilla VanderVeer, vice president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which represents brand-name drug companies, said she's waiting for more details from Newsom before commenting. Newsom's office did not say how much the drug proposal would cost, prompting criticism from some Republican lawmakers who said the state should not compete with private companies. "When the state runs it, it costs more money, said Republican Assemblyman Devon Mathis, who's also on the health subcommittee. The money is coming out of families pockets paying all those crazy taxes." California law requires drug companies to report any price increases to the state. The median increase for generic drugs over a recent three-year period was 37.6 percent, according to a report from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. That analysis was based on the list prices of the drugs and did not include discounts or rebates. Also, the report did not include generic drugs that decreased in price because companies were not required to report that. Nationally, generic drug prices have been decreasing overall, according to a report that AARP produced with the University of Minnesota. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:01:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Comprehensive anti-corruption efforts by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government in recent years have achieved remarkable results and the Chinese experience is worth learning from, foreign experts and scholars have said. In his speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC held here on Monday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed strengthening checks and oversight over the exercise of power as he demanded consistency in full and strict governance over the Party. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed upholding and improving the Party and state supervisory systems, adding that the efforts would ensure the Party's line and policies be faithfully followed and provide a strong guarantee to securing a victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty. Sundar Nath Bhattarai, acting chairman of the China Study Center in Nepal, noted that the Chinese leadership has for years strongly advocated combatting corruption and strict governance, adding that a comprehensive anti-corruption system from the village up to central levels has been established. The CPC has prioritized anti-corruption work, which provides a strong guarantee for China to deliver on its two centenary goals, Bhattarai said. Ivona Ladjevac, head of the center for the Belt and Road Initiative at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Serbia, said that Xi's speech shows China's determination to uphold and improve supervision of the Party and the government. It also shows that China will continue its anti-corruption campaign and maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards corruption, Ladjevac added. Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan expert on international relations, said that China's remarkable achievements in combatting corruption has boosted Chinese confidence and provides lessons for the world, especially African countries. Alexander Zelenkov, an Asia expert at the Voice of Russia radio station, said the results China has achieved in fighting corruption are obvious and impressive. The Chinese government has attached great importance to anti-corruption and adopted a systematic approach to solving the problem, said Zelenkov, adding that he is convinced that China has found an effective anti-corruption policy suited to its national conditions. Pierre Picquart, a professor at the University of Paris VIII, said that China's achievements in fighting corruption have improved the transparency of social governance and helped promote social fairness and justice. China's success in fighting corruption can provide reference for other countries given its status in the world, Picquart said. Volker Tschapke, former president of the Prussian Society, a German association, said he was impressed by China's anti-corruption campaign and its anti-corruption infrastructure, which have strengthened checks and oversight of power. It takes tremendous effort and courage to follow through with an anti-corruption drive for such a large country like China, said Tschapke. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Cambodian-Princess-Has-a-Bat-Mitzvah.html Elior Koroghli, a member of the Cambodian Royal Family and an Orthodox Jew, recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, the first of its kind in Cambodia. Many Jewish bat mitzvah girls feel as special as a princess. Elior Koroghli, a bat mitzvah girl from Las Vegas, actually is one. She recently celebrated her bat mitzvah in Cambodia, where her great grandfather His Majesty King Monivong once reigned, and where the current monarch, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, is her cousin. "It was such a wonderful time to bond with family," explains Elior's mother, Susan, in an exclusive Aish.com interview. This was Eliors second bat mitzvah celebration. The outgoing twelve year old celebrated earlier in her hometown of Las Vegas where she and her family are members of the Chabad Jewish community. The Koroghlis routinely host dozens of guests for Shabbat in their beautiful home. On Sukkot, their huge sukkah can hold up to 120 guests. The Koroghlis have people for Shabbat every week, Rabbi Mendy Harlig, Rabbi of Chabad of Henderson in Las Vegas, explained. Sometimes his shul holds community celebrations in the Koroghlis home. Elior with her parents, Ray and Susie Koroghli, her brothers and her sister at a Chanukah menorah-lighting during the celebration. (Photo: Kang Predi/Teh Ranie) Susie and Ray Koroghli met in the United States, where Susies family lived. Her father, Thay Sok, was a Cambodian diplomat and Susie (whose full name is Sathsowi Thay) was born in Washington DC. Though her family lived all over the world and she spent much of her childhood in California, Susie grew up steeped in Cambodian culture at home. She met Ray, a Persian Jew from the Iranian city of Shiraz, after he came to study in the United States in the 1970s. Ray and Susie were both living in Las Vegas and met at a birthday party of a mutual friend. "I was tired -- I had just come from work," Susie recalls, but when she met Ray she realized he was someone special. The pair bonded but given their religious differences marriage wasn't something they were ready to discuss. "We got to know each other for quite awhile," Susie remembers. After years of study, Susie converted to Judaism and married Ray, determined to build a Jewish home. Even though they were not yet Orthodox, Ray sometimes attended the Orthodox synagogue Chabad of Southern Nevada. One day, Susie was waiting to meet Ray at the synagogue when she listened to a Torah class given by Rabbi Mendy's brother, Rabbi Shea Harlig. The class was "What is God?" and spoke to Susie in a profound way. "I'd always thought something bigger created all this -- Heaven and earth. I was riveted and wanted to learn more and more. I started learning from that day on." The bat mitzvah girl in traditional Cambodian dress. (Photo: Kang Predi/Teh Ranie) Rabbi Shea had heard that his new student was a princess but he took it with a grain of salt. At first I thought it was a compliment her mother told her, he recalls with a chuckle. Eventually Rabbi Harlig realized that indeed Susie was a real live royal. She took some classes in Judaism and then she started growing, Rabbi Harlig says. As Susie took on more and more Jewish observance she gradually moved her family to fully embrace an Orthodox Jewish life. After learning about Judaism, Susie had an Orthodox conversion. She and Ray embrace an Orthodox lifestyle. They remarried in an Orthodox Jewish ceremony. When their children were ready for school, they chose an Orthodox Jewish school. They threw themselves into their warm Jewish community, building a home full of Torah and mitzvot. Eliors twelfth birthday was on the fifth night of Hanukkah in December 2018. Her family hosted a grand bat mitzvah for Elior and her friends at their home in Las Vegas. A year later, the family travelled to Phnom Phen for a second event: a royal gala celebration with the Cambodian royal family. Elior's Bat Mitzvah celebration was held in the historic Raffles Hotel Le Royal which her grandfather, King Norodom Sihmoni, helped found. "My cousin, Princess Norodom, suggested we hold it there," Susie explained, given the hotel's royal connections and beautiful grand ballroom. Before the hotel was ready to host its first ever bat mitzvah celebration, there were a few hurdles to take care of. First, the hotel's entire kitchen had to be made kosher. That gargantuan fell to Rabbi Bentzion and Rebbetzin Mashi Butman, who founded Chabad of Cambodia in 2009. Together with Susie, they kashered (made kosher) the hotels kitchens. They flew in Israeli star chef Kobi Mizrahi to prepare a bat mitzvah feast fit for a king - literally. Throughout all the preparations, Susie kept a watchful eye on the cooking, including overseeing some food that was prepared in a local hotel kitchen for her guests during the gala ten-day visit. Elior's grandmother, center, is the daughter of King Monivong, who ruled Cambodia until his death in 1941. (Photo: Kang Predi/Teh Ranie) Dressed in traditional royal Cambodian garb, Elior and her family made speeches, lit a large menorah, and talked about their gratitude to God. Guests enjoyed a gala kosher meal. A few days later, in a separate royal ceremony, Elior and her parents and siblings were formally presented to King Norodom Sihamoni and the queen mother, Queen Norodom Monineath. "They said it was so wonderful that we chose to celebrate our daughter's birthday in Cambodia. It was wonderful to be all together with my family." Eliors bat mitzvah celebration continued on Shabbat at the Chabad Cambodia Jewish center. When the family walked to and from the Jewish center, a royal honor guard accompanied them. Even though Elior, her brothers, and her mother are members of Cambodias royal family, their Judaism gives them another source of royal feeling as well. My wife lights up the room wherever she goes, Ray says. People are just drawn to her and are fascinated by her knowledge of Judaism, as well as her actions. Asked if his wife is a Cambodian princess, Ray responds, I call her my queen. Now back home in Las Vegas, Susie says that the entire Bat Mitzvah celebration was perfect. Her family was able to celebrate with Ray's family as well, as 30 people from Las Vegas flew to Cambodia to join their celebration. Ray and Susie plan to celebrate their son's Bar Mitzvah in Israel. Describing the beauty of her family's royal gala and visit, Susie sums up her feelings with a heartfelt "Baruch Hashem," thanking God for leading her on her Jewish journey and making this unique Bat Mitzvah celebration possible. Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office Steven Rocket Rosen, a former Fort Bend County prosecutor and Richmond defense attorney who for years represented clients in high-profile cases, died Tuesday after a two-year battle with ALS. "We lost a great man today in Rocket Rosen," the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office said on Twitter. "A formidable attorney and former Fort Bend County prosecutor, Rocket battled his ALS diagnosis with dignity, spending the last few years speaking to honor, character, resilience, and positivity. Rocket, it was our honor to know you." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya and Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 In the wake of a bribery case involving some of its members, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) seems to be trying to distance itself from its secretary-general, Hasto Kristiyanto, while declining to help search for the cases main suspect: PDI-P politician Harun Masiku. Ahmad Basarah, one of the party's central executive board heads, said on Monday that Hasto was the one who knew why the PDI-P wanted Harun to have a seat in the House of Representatives. Basarah added that the decision was based on the party's "subjectivity" and that it was a "secret" that should not be disclosed to the public. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 Photos: Petfinder Start your day off right by looking at some lovable pups! There are dozens of dogs up for adoption right here in Baltimore. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder, an online adoption site that lists more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of dogs near you. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Chaz, Australian shepherd and Boston terrier mix Chaz is a handsome male Australian shepherd and Boston terrier mix being kept at Needful Souls Dog Rescue. Chaz is ready to make friends he's happy to keep company with other dogs. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. Chaz is already neutered and vaccinated. From Chaz's current caretaker: Read more about how to adopt Chaz on Petfinder. Chaz is a 5-year old miniature Australian shepherd and Boston terrier mix, who weighs 26 pounds. This boy has the softest and most beautiful brindle coat. Chaz likes to go for walks and playing with other dogs at his foster home. Chaz has not been around small children or cats. He would love to cuddle up with you on the couch and receive belly rubs. Joy_Me, chihuahua mix Joy_Me is a winsome female chihuahua mix staying at Animal Allies Rescue Foundation (AARF). Joy_Me is happy to keep company with other dogs, cats and children. Fear not: She is already house-trained. Joy_Me is already spayed, and she has had all her shots. Here's more about Joy_Me: Read more about Joy_Me on Petfinder. This pup will snuggle with you on the couch. She will need an owner who is patient as she gets used to her space, create rules and bathroom usage. Joy_Me doesn't have any major health concerns, but she has a minor heart murmur. It doesn't require any medication at this point, and might not ever. Reily, pit bull terrier Story continues Reily is a darling male pit bull terrier dog currently residing at Pitties and Purrs. Reily is friendly as can be, and he'll get along great with your other dogs. Have no fear: He's already house-trained. He is vaccinated and neutered. Here's more about Reily: Read more about how to adopt Reily on Petfinder. This pup is a super cute boy with a gorgeous smile. He loves to play and run around on the farm and does well around farm animals. Mya, pit bull terrier Mya is a female pit bull terrier dog currently housed at Pitties and Purrs. Mya is happy to keep company with other dogs. Good news: She is already house-trained. Mya is already spayed, and she has had all her shots. Here's more about Mya: Apply to adopt Mya today at Petfinder. Mya is a 7-year-old pit bull terrier, and weighs around 56 pounds. A home with a male dog to match her energy level and size would be ideal. Mya is also currently a little protective over her space and food, so she would need to be separated from other dogs while eating. She would also do best in a home with children over the age of six as sometimes she can accidentally knock little ones over. Mya has a lot of love to give and enjoys short walks around the neighborhood, including car rides and snuggling on the couch. Sahara, Rhodesian ridgeback and American Staffordshire terrier mix Sahara is a darling female Rhodesian ridgeback and American Staffordshire terrier mix currently residing at Needful Souls Dog Rescue. She's already house-trained. She is also spayed, and has had all her shots. Here's more about Sahara: Read more about how to adopt Sahara on Petfinder. Sahara is a dynamic young little lady who loves to play and run around. Sahara would do best in a home where she is the only dog. She is a little over 2-years-old and weighs 60 pounds. She is fully vetted, spayed and micro-chipped. Sahara would be an amazing companion to an active person or family that loves the outdoors, including hiking, running and water activities. Daily 30 to 60 minutes walks twice a day would also suffice. Sahara walks well on the leash. She knows her commands and is very loyal and protective of her people. This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. New security camera footage posted online shows two Iranian missiles struck a Ukrainian passenger airliner after takeoff from Tehran on January 8. The new video, which was verified by The New York Times, emerged on January 14 amid continued protests in Iran as President Hassan Rohani called for a special court to be set up to investigate the downing of the plane by the countrys air defenses that killed all 176 people on board. Also on January 14, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili announced the first arrests made over the air disaster, without naming them or specifying how many. The New York Times said that the missiles were launched from an Iranian military facility some 13 kilometers away from the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing 737-800. The footage shows that neither projectile immediately took down the plane which catches fire and is circling back toward Tehran airport, it said. The video was originally uploaded on YouTube by an Iranian user. "Extensive investigations have been carried out and some people have been arrested," Esmaili said. He added that around 30 people had been arrested in the protests over the air disaster as thousands of protesters took to the streets in Tehran and several other cities to vent their anger with the clerical establishment over the incident. Meanwhile, new videos circulating on social media purported to show fresh protests on January 14 in the evening at universities in Tehran, along with clashes between students and Basij militia loyal to the establishment. Rohani said earlier that all those responsible for the unforgivable error must be punished." Daily protests have been held in Iranian cities since January 11, after the country's military said UIA Flight PS752 was shot down "unintentionally" by an antiaircraft missile shortly after it took off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport three days earlier. Most of those killed in the disaster were Iranian and Canadian nationals. The crash occurred with Irans air-defense forces on high alert following an Iranian ballistic-missile attack a few hours earlier against U.S. forces in Iraq. "The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts," Rohani said in his speech, adding that the Iranian armed forces' admission in the incident was a good first step. "For our people it is very important in this incident that whoever was at fault or negligent at any level" faces justice, he said. WATCH: Fresh Protests As Iranian President Calls Flight Downing An 'Unforgivable Error' Authorities in Tehran denied using live ammunition on demonstrators, after videos posted online purported to show police and security forces opening fire and using tear gas to disperse protesters near Tehrans Azadi (Freedom) Square on the night of January 12. Reuters said videos showed blood on the ground and images of people who appeared to be security personnel in the vicinity of protests carrying rifles. Other posts showed police in riot gear hitting protesters with batons on the street, the agency said. The U.S. State Department has warned Iranian authorities that Washington was not going to "tolerate" violence against the protesters. "We want the regime to know that the United States is watching, that the world is watching, and that we are going to shine a very, very big light on any abuse by the regime to their own people," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told RFE/RL on January 13. The Ukrainian airliner was carrying 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, 10 Afghans, three Germans, and three Britons. Iran has invited Canada and Ukraine to take part in the investigation into the plane disaster. A team of Canadian experts visited the site on January 14 where the Boeing 737 crashed, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Earlier in the day, Iranian state TV reported in an online post that aviation officials from Iran, Ukraine, and Canada held a meeting in Tehran on January 14 over the investigation of the crash. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was glad Tehran had identified the downing of the plane as an "appalling mistake" and added that it was important the bodies of the British victims are now repatriated. Asked whether Iran should face consequences, Johnson told the BBC, "They're clearly guilty of an appalling error, I don't think we are currently envisaging any further escalation of the tensions." Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of the aerospace division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said on January 11 that his unit accepts full responsibility for the tragedy. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his deep sympathy to the families of the 176 victims and called on the armed forces to "pursue probable shortcomings and guilt in the painful incident. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and the BBC AUBURN Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul brought Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2020 State of the State message to Cayuga County Monday. Inside the Equal Rights Heritage Center, Hochul presented a condensed version of the address, which outlines the governor's legislative proposals for the year. While there was a focus on issues of statewide importance combating hate crimes, addressing climate change, an inclusive equal rights amendment and a $300 million plan to "reimagine" the Erie Canal a significant portion of the lieutenant governor's presentation highlighted Cuomo's economic development agenda. In his State of the State address, Cuomo proposed a 10th round of the regional economic development councils and a fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. There are 10 regional councils across New York. Central New York's council consists of representatives from Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. Central New York has been a leader in the regional council initiative. Since 2011, the region has received $789 million to support 801 projects. "The collaboration among the neighboring counties is extraordinary," Hochul said. Auburn has benefited from the regional council process, but it will directly benefit from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. In 2018, Cuomo visited the city to announce it had won $10 million in the third round of the annual competition. Last year, Hochul traveled to Auburn to announce the projects that will be supported by the state grant. The funding proposed by Cuomo $750 million for the regional councils and $100 million for downtown revitalization will allow the state to continue its investments in cities like Auburn, Hochul said. "There's so much going here," she added. Several Auburn and Cayuga County leaders attended Hochul's presentation. Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman lauded Cuomo and Hochul for proposing a progressive agenda for 2020. She also likes that upstate New York would benefit from several of the plans outlined in the State of the State. McNabb-Coleman, a Democrat, is seeking more information about two issues that weren't addressed in Hochul's remarks. She expressed concerns about the new bail reform law. Many local leaders across the state have asked Cuomo and lawmakers to consider improvements to the law. Another topic that wasn't covered by Hochul: How the state will close a $6.1 billion budget deficit. Cuomo hinted that the state may ask counties to pick up some or all of the growth in Medicaid costs. Since 2013, the state has been covering increases in Medicaid spending. "Any time you have unfunded mandates it's a huge concern to us," McNabb-Coleman said. Auburn Mayor Michael Quill also praised Cuomo and Hochul for setting an "aggressive agenda." But he said city officials have their own concerns, including state aid and arterial maintenance funding. Arterial maintenance funding has been a problem for years. The state reimburses Auburn and other cities for maintaining state-owned arterial highways. But the reimbursement rate hasn't changed since 1987. State lawmakers approved a bill that would raise the reimbursement rate, but Cuomo vetoed the measure in November. "We've complied with the governor's tax cap," Quill said, referring to the property tax cap that was one of Cuomo's earliest legislative achievements. "We've done it year after year after year. But we're being punished on the other end because we can't afford these other projects by keeping it within the 2 percent." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 8 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it will assume the security costs associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to split their time between Canada and Britain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. "I think that is part of the reflection that... needs to be had, and there are discussions going on," Trudeau said in an interview with Canadian television channel Global. "We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, where the dispositions are and those are decisions for them," he said. Harry and Meghan caught the world off guard last week when they announced their intention to step back from frontline royal duties. According to Trudeau, Canadians are "very supportive" of having the royal couple live in Canada, but there are still "lots of discussions to have." "We haven't spent any time thinking about this issue," said Canadian finance minister Bill Morneau, who was interviewed earlier Monday about British press reports that Trudeau had assured Queen Elizabeth II that Canada would cover security costs for Harry and Meghan. "We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role," Morneau said. British press had reported Canada would contribute $650,000 (500,000 pounds) per year. Canadian media have estimated that protecting the couple and their baby son Archie would cost about $1.3 million (Can$1.7 million) per year. Canadian taxpayers have traditionally contributed towards security costs when members of the Royal Family visit the country. Prince Harry and Meghan, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have said their official plan is to continue to "fully support" the queen and honour their duties to the Commonwealth and their patronages. But they want to make 2020 a transition year to carve out their new role and launch their new Sussex Royal charitable entity and seek to raise their own sources of income. On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II allowed her grandson Harry and Meghan to split their time between Canada and Britain. But she frankly admitted that the couple's decision was not welcome news. a/indst-jl/cjc/to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there are 'discussions going on' as to whether his country will cover security costs for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle (pictured November 2017) as they split their time between Canada and Britain Sheep graze in a field shrouded with smoke haze near at Burragate, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. Wildfires continue to burn after warm dry weather hastened an early fire season in Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Read more Virginia Young knew the fires were coming. As an Australian forest expert, she had contributed to research predicting longer and more severe bushfire seasons as the world warms. But even she was taken aback by the sheer scale of the blazes that have imperiled much of the country - including her own home. Now she worries Australia is on the brink of a "major ecological shift." Climate change has pushed natural phenomena, like wildfire, to mutate into more disastrous and deadly versions of themselves. Temperatures are soaring to heights scientists didn't expect to see for decades. Landscapes that are usually resistant to fire - including rainforests home to rare, vulnerable species - are going up in flames. The blazes are so big they generate their own hellish weather. Fire tornadoes, formed when spinning winds generate a massive rotating column of fire, ash, vapor and debris, are impossible to control. A volunteer firefighter in New South Wales was killed on Dec. 30 when one of these twisters overturned his truck. "Ember attacks" occur when violent winds around wildfires pick up burning pieces of debris and carry them aloft, only to land in a flammable spot and start another blaze. Fire whirls - short-lived, swirling vortices of ash, dust and flame that are generated when updrafts of hot air become twisted as they rise along the leading edge of a forest fire, have been reported by witnesses. These whirls behave unpredictably - so much they're sometimes called "devils" - and they can contribute to ember attacks, said Janice Coen, a project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The heat from Australia's blazes has fueled fire-generated thunderstorms known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These mushroom-shaped clouds act like chimneys, venting heat and sucking in surrounding air to intensify fires, making their behavior more unpredictable and unstoppable. Neil Lareau, a meteorologist at the University of Nevada at Reno, said he's never seen pyrocumolonimbus clouds on such a large-scale. A weather station in New South Wales recorded an air temperature of 158 Fahrenheit as pyrocumulonimus clouds advanced. That's roughly as hot as most saunas, though the number can't be verified since the instruments were not designed to work at such high temperatures. In some spots, fires have even restarted in areas that have already burned, said Tufts University climate scientist William Moomaw. "Basically you've created a lot of charcoal" in burned forests, he said. Megafires, where two wildfires converge into one massive inferno, have also been reported. And they are nowhere close to dying out. "This is a real wakeup call," not just for Australia, but for the world, said Nerilie Abram, a climate scientist at Australia National University in Canberra. "We need to be looking at this and saying, how much worse do we want to let this get?" The scale of this fire season is unprecedented, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said this week. Across the continent, 15 million acres of forest and farmland have been scorched. At least 25 people killed and a billion animals harmed. The current fires in New South Wales are the largest in state history and have burned more area than has been ever been documented in eastern Australia. The disaster is the result of climate change combined with an unlucky confluence of weather extremes. Australia has never been as hot and dry at the same time as it has been during the spring and summer of 2019 and 2020. In December, Australia broke its high temperature record twice in two days. A weather station in Nullarbor, a desert region along the southeast coast, reported a high of 49.9 degrees Celsius, or 121.8 degrees Fahrenheit, a national record for that month. The country's scale for measuring fire danger, known as the accumulated forest fire danger index, was the highest on record in December. That means most of the country had turned into a tinderbox. Without climate change, these scorching highs would not have been possible, according to Andrew King, a climate scientist at the University of Melbourne specializing in extreme events. Even with global warming, he was "astonished" to witness them. "The temperatures we're experiencing this summer I think many scientists didn't expect to see for several decades yet," he said. By the end of December the average temperature across the continent was 5.8 degrees Fahrenheit above the norm. Australia's record-setting heat and drought were caused in part by several factors. From the west, a see-saw circulation pattern known as the Indian Ocean Dipole caused air to sink over Australia, heating and drying the continent. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away and about 10 miles up, in the thin, frigid slice of the atmosphere on top of the South Pole, something shifted. In an event that's unprecedented in 40 years of recordkeeping, temperatures over Antarctica rose rapidly, causing the polar vortex over the southern hemisphere to break down, and even reverse direction. This had a series of cascading effects on weather patterns: The westerly winds that blow across the Southern Ocean shifted northward. Cold fronts moved across Australia, bringing intense wind but little rain. These factors "all came together to create a really bad situation," Amy Butler, a researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences in Boulder, Colorado. Scientists say the dramatic events unfolding in Australia illustrate the kinds of disasters that will soon confront the rest of the world. "Australia: you have just experienced the future," University of Redding climate scientist Ed Hawkins tweeted. The island continent is the hottest inhabited continent, and its unique geography means it is "highly exposed" to climate change's influence, said Griffith University climate scientist Brendan Mackey. It won't take much warming to push life there from a comfortable existence to the edge of extinction, making it something of a bellwether for the warming world. Though the planet has experienced, on average, 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit of warming since pre-industrial times, Australia in 2019 was 2.7 degrees warmer than average. And those are just averages, Abram pointed out. "We tend to have this idea that our climate is gradually warming and these types of impacts will be gradual . . . but the Earth system doesn't work like that," said Abram. "There's no reason to expect that a gradual increase in temperature will contribute to a gradual increase in the types of fires we're having to fight." "It's quite scary," she added. By turning forests that once absorbed carbon into flaming carbon sources, the wildfires are contributing to the very problem that makes them more likely. Satellite observations suggest that emissions from the fires may be on par with what Australia produces annually by burning fossil fuels. The weeks of living under fire's unrelenting threat has exhausted Young. Like her neighbors in the coastal village of Durras, New South Wales, she keeps an emergency kit packed and has picked out a spot on the beach, tucked under a cliff, where she and her husband might hide if the inferno overtook them. In early January, after forecasters predicted particularly dangerous fire weather, the couple evacuated. The fires have been advancing so quickly -- often as fast as 40 miles per hour -- waiting to see flames was not an option. When they returned two days later, "my house was still standing,"said Young, the head of the climate program for the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society. "The luck of three wind changes, quite literally." But better than most people, Young knows the danger is far from over. In the past, January and February have the hottest months in southeast Australia. The climate-changed future will likely be even worse. We are heading off into completely unknown territory, Young said. Many more extreme or catastrophic days lie ahead. "Hopefully, this special Beanie Boo will raise awareness around the world about these devastating fires raging through Australia and will provide help to all wildlife affected by the tragedy," said Ty Warner, CEO and founder of Ty Inc. About Ty Inc. Ty Inc. is the largest manufacturer of plush in the world. Katy Koala will be available worldwide. For more information, visit Ty.com About WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) WIRES is Australia's largest wildlife rescue organisation and has been rescuing and caring for native animals since 1985. It officially launched as a not-for-profit organisation in March 1986 with its mission to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same. WIRES has 28 branches and over 2500 volunteers who are involved in the rescue and care of wildlife in NSW and they assist many thousands of sick, orphaned, injured and displaced animals every year. The WIRES Rescue Office operates 365 days a year so the community can report sightings of native animals in distress. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076615/Ty_Inc_Save_the_Koala.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076616/Katy_Koala.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076096/Ty_Logo.jpg Related Links http://Ty.com SOURCE Ty Inc. Microsoft's Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella has voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant lead a multinational company in India that benefits its economy. The Hyderabad-born Nadella, 52, also stressed that every country should protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," Nadella said on Saturday. "I'm shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," Nadella said. He was speaking to editors at a Microsoft event here when he was asked by the New York-based outlet BuzzFeed about his view on the CAA and if he has concerns about working with the Indian government in terms of how they were using data. BuzzFeed posted Nadella's verbatim response to the question on Twitter. Nadella described what is happening in India as "sad". "I obviously grew up in India and I'm very proud of where I get my heritage, culturally in that place, and I grew up in a city, I always felt it was a great place to grow up, we celebrated Christmas, Diwali. "I think what is happening is sad, primarily as sort of someone who grew up there, I feel, and in fact quite frankly, now being informed, shaped by the two amazing American things that I've observed which is both, it's technology reaching me where I was growing up and its immigration policy and even a story like mine being possible in a country like this," Nadella said. "I think it's just bad...If anything, I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India, or becomes the CEO of Infosys, that should be the aspiration, if I had to sort of mirror what happened to me in the US, I hope that's what happens in India," Nadella said in response to a question. According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship. The Centre last week issued a gazette notification announcing that the CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11. There have been widespread protests against the Act in different parts of the country. In UP, at least 19 persons have been killed in anti-CAA protests. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German man released from hospital after bitten by big fish or maybe a shark PHUKET: A 75-year-old German tourist has been released from hospital after suffering serious wounds to his right leg from what police believe was a bite from big fish at Nang Thong Beach, north of Khaolak in Phang Nga province on Sunday (Jan 12). tourismmarineSafetypoliceanimals By The Phuket News Tuesday 14 January 2020, 05:40PM Marine species expert Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat suspects the bite may have been from a bull shark. Photo: Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat / Facebook The tourist, Hans-Peter Malten, was discharged from Bangkok Hospital Phuket today (Jan 14), explained Maj Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police in his report. Maj Ekkachai visited Mr Malten at the hospital yesterday (Jan 13). Mr Malten said that he and his wife went for a morning walk along the beach on Sunday morning. At about 7:15am, Mr Malten went for a swim while his wife stayed on the beach, Maj Ekkachai explained. While he was swimming about six to seven metres from the beach, he felt that there was a big fish swimming nearby and then he was bitten on his right leg, he added. Mr Malten called his wife for help, and she helped him back to the beach and informed staff at the hotel where they were staying. The hotel staff then called 1669 for an ambulance, Maj Ekkachai said. Mr Malten was rushed to Andaman Hub Medical Center in Khaolak, then transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket later on Sunday, he added. The bite left a 20cm long wound, and severed a tendon, in Mr Maltens right leg, Maj Ekkachai noted. The wound was not inflamed, so he was discharged from the hospital, he said. Maj Ekkachai made no guesses as to what had bitten Mr Malten, and did not explain any measures to prevent other tourists from being bitten. However, marine species expert Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat posted online that the bite may have been by a bull shark confused by the turbidity of the water where Mr Malten was swimming. Dr Thon also noted that shark attacks in Thailand were incredibly rare, saying that it had been more than 50 years since a person was reported as being bitten by a shark in Thailand. In Phuket in 2015 there was much conjecture about whether or not Australian tourist Jane Neame, 37, was bitten by a shark at Karon Beach in August that year. (See story here.) Experts told Nisit Jansomwong, the Governor of Phuket at that time, that they were almost certain a bull shark was responsible for the attack (See story here.) An extensive hunt for the suspected shark was launched, but no such shark was ever found. China likely to increase pressure against Taiwan: analysts ROC Central News Agency 01/13/2020 05:08 PM Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) China is likely to increase its pressure on Taiwan on many fronts as a result of Saturday's presidential and legislative elections, foreign and local analysts who observed the polls said at a workshop Sunday afternoon. President Tsai Ing-wen (), whose campaign focused on protecting Taiwan's sovereignty from China, won re-election by 19 points over the Kuomintang's (KMT) Han Kuo-yu (), who was perceived by many as being friendly to Beijing. Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also maintained its majority in the Legislature, meaning that the Taiwan independence-leaning party will maintain complete control of Taiwan's government for the next four years. Beijing cut off official contact with the Tsai administration during her first term and has pressured Taiwan because of her party's stance. It poached several of its diplomatic allies, ran military missions not far from Taiwan, and kept its citizens from visiting Taiwan on more than one occasion, hurting Taiwan's tourism sector, and that may not change after Tsai's re-election, according the experts. "There is a significant possibility that things will take a turn for the worse, depending mostly on what Beijing does," Jacques deLisle, director of Asia Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) based in Philadelphia, said during the workshop. According to deLisle, coercive actions such as military muscle flexing and the poaching of allies, and economic incentives such as luring Taiwanese to work in China and lowering barriers of entry are likely to continue, he said. China's carrier battle groups' sailing through the Taiwan Strait and overflights of Chinese fighter jets will probably increase in frequency, he warned, and argued that military might could be the last tool left in Beijing's toolbox to influence Taiwanese attitudes. The scenario where Beijing pursues an armed conflict is unlikely, however, due to high direct and indirect costs, a possible U.S. intervention and wider security implications for the region, deLisle said. Domestically, there is little reason for Tsai to change her approach toward Beijing because she and the DPP have now been elected twice with a similar stance, which rejects the "one-China principle" and "1992 consensus," deLisle said. Both of those formulations either state directly or imply that Taiwan is part of China, something most Taiwanese do not accept. At the same time, any attempt by Taiwan to change the direction of cross-Taiwan Strait relations could hurt relatively robust U.S.-Taiwan relations at present, deLisle said. Other analysts echoed deLisle's views. "Certainly, in the Xi (Jinping) administration, if a tight grip results in failure, the response will be to tighten the grip more and the reflection is 'we should have tightened earlier,'" said Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Chinese President Xi is capable of tactical and rhetorical shifts, Blanchette said, but there is no indication his administration will fundamentally rethink its policy on issues of core territorial and political importance." Lai I-chung (), president of the Prospect Foundation, said a change in Xi's Taiwan policy is unlikely because doing so would be tantamount to admitting to a mistake, which would pose a risk to his position atop the Chinese Communist Party. On the effects of the elections on Taiwan internally, Shelley Rigger, Brown Professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College in the U.S., said the election results suggested that not all of Tsai's supporters were fans of the DPP. This was illustrated by the difference in the number of votes received by Tsai and by the DPP in the legislative political party vote. She warned that the DPP's victory in the presidential election, which centered heavily on external relations, did not guarantee a victory in the next local elections in late 2022, which could focus more on her domestic agenda. Kharis Templeman, adviser to the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, said the KMT needs younger candidates who can speak the language of people under 40 and its new party chairman needs to focus on a youth strategy. The KMT also has to adjust its position on key issues related to relations with China, such as the 1992 Consensus, because it seems detached from reality, Templeman said. The policy was applied in 2008 when a KMT administration gained power and established warmer relations with Beijing, but the China of 2008 is not the China of 2020, he said. Analysts agreed that external events such as Xi's speech in January 2019, in which he reiterated the one China principle and the "one country, two systems" model for Taiwan, the Hong Kong protests, a divided KMT, the selection of Han as the KMT's presidential nominee, and sovereignty issues, were the main factors that contributed to the victory of Tsai and the DPP. The workshop, titled "Post-Election Outlook for Taiwan and Beyond: Stability or Uncertainty," was organized by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), and co-organized by the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the FPRI. (By Emerson Lim) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK - A former congressman should serve nearly five years in prison for insider trading, especially after coming to represent the cynical idea that those in power who make the laws are not required to follow them, prosecutors said Monday. Christopher Collins, 69, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday after the Republican pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement officials about feeding inside information about a biotechnology company to his son. His lawyers say their humbled, penitent and remorseful client should face no time behind bars. But prosecutors wrote in presentence arguments to a federal judge that Collins doubled down on his crime by lying to investigators. They also said that his crime was exacerbated by its total gratuitousness because Collins at the time needed no money since he had $13.8 million in assets, not including another $6.9 million that was owed to him. They also were critical of a recommendation by the courts Probation Department that Collins be sentenced to only a year and a day in prison. Probation officials cited the fact that Collins was concerned for his son, Cameron Collins, who has pleaded guilty and also is to be sentenced this month. Prosecutors, though, noted that Cameron Collins is also wealthy, with a net worth of over $21 million, including over $1.2 million in cash and a residence in Florida valued at nearly $2 million. In committing insider trading and later lying to federal agents to cover it up, and in continuing to actively serve in the House of Representatives during that time period, Collins came to embody the cynical idea that those in power who make the laws are not required to follow them, prosecutors wrote. They said Collins should be sentenced at the top of a recommended federal sentence guidelines range of 46 to 57 months, in part because his crime was brazen and to assure the public that those in power do not stand above the law. Prosecutors cited numerous letters written to the judge expressing deep frustration and disappointment with the former congressmans behaviour. They noted that Collins own sentencing submission had emphasized his strong moral compass with repeated reference to his membership in the Boy Scouts, but prosecutors said this only underscores that he was well positioned to know better. Collins represented western New York since his election to the 27th Congressional District of New York in 2012. Collins pleaded guilty after he was charged with leaking information about a biopharmaceutical company, so his son and friends could avoid $800,000 in stock losses before an announcement of a drug trial failure caused the stock price to plunge 92%. An indictment said Collins learned the bad news in an email from the chief executive of Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd. while Collins was attending the Congressional Picnic at the White House on June 22, 2017. At the time, Collins sat on the company board and was its largest shareholder, with nearly 17% the the shares of the biotechnology company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Auckland, New Zealand. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday cited Jammu and Kashmir police officer Davinder Singhs arrest for alleged militant links and said questions will now arise about the real culprits behind the last year Pulwama attack. The comments prompted a sharp reaction from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which hit out at the Congress for absolving Pakistan of its role in the attack. Singh was arrested on Saturday while on his way to Jammu along with a wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militant and his two accomplices Chowdhury said the reaction of the troll regiment of the [BJPs ideological fountainhead] RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] would have been more strident and vociferous had Singh been Davinder Khan. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of colour, creed, and religion, Chowdhury tweeted. Now the question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it. A car bomb attack on a paramilitary convoy in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama in February last year left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead and brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. The attack prompted India to carry out an airstrike on a Jaish-e-Muhammad camp in Pakistan after the group claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan captured and later handed back Wing Commander after Abhinandans MiG-21 jet was shot down during a brief dogfight between Indian and Pakistani warplanes a day after the strikes. Chowdhury said Singhs arrest has exposed a chink in the armour. BJP spokesman Sambit Patra hit back and asked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul Gandhi, whether they have any doubt about who the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack were. If you believe Pakistan was not behind it, then you should tell us clearly as to who was involved? Patra asked. Patra accused Rahul Gandhi of working as an ally of Pakistan and blamed the Congress for linking religion to terror attacks to target the Hindus. He said Congress leaders have invented terms like saffron terror and Hindu terror, and had even linked the RSS to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The Congress is best at attacking India and defending and protecting Pakistan. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala wondered whether Singh was a mere pawn and sought clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah and a thorough probe. At whose instance was Davinder Singh acting and bringing terrorists to Delhi as reported. Are there any people who are in the echelons of power who are involved with him [Singh]. Is there a larger conspiracy? Is he only a pawn or a carrier in the larger conspiracy that is unleashed? he asked. Surjewala said these are the questions that Modi and Shah need to answer. He added the two should take note of this entire issue and carry out a thorough investigation. I find this story preposterous and I find his explanation hogwash, he said. For how long has he been acting as a conduit for terrorists and other terror factories. Was Davinder Singh connected to the 2001 Parliament attack? What is Davinder Singhs connection with the Pulwama attack, where he was posted as DSP [deputy superintendent of police], and 42 of our soldiers lost their lives, he asked. What is this conspiracy is what the nation wants to know. In a letter to his lawyer Sushil Kumar, Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had said he helped one of the terrorists killed in the assault and arranged his stay in Delhi at the behest of Jammu and Kashmir polices Special Task Force and Singh. Surjewala said Singh was posted there when the Pulwama attack happened. He also asked as to where did the RDX in Pulwama attack come from. A mother-of-three died of lung cancer on Christmas Day - less than two years after the former nurse went to her GP with chest pains. Debbie Platts died at home in Sapcote, Leicestershire, at the age of 45 on Christmas morning, after her battle with the disease came to a tragic end. Debbie started showing symptoms in February 2018, waking up one morning with excruciating back pain and a chest infection. As her pain persisted, she decided to get checked out to see what was wrong, and a CT scan and biopsy revealed she had a mass on her left lung. Mother-of-three Debbie Platts (pictured with her husband Sam) died at home in Sapcote, Leicestershire, at the age of 45 on Christmas morning, after a two-year battle with lung cancer Doctors told them the devastating news that she had terminal cancer which could only be managed by treatment. The selfless former nurse - who was a non-smoker - shared her story through a popular blog and Facebook page, as she wanted to comfort and support others living with the illness. She left behind her husband Sam and her three daughters, Chanel, Taylor and Paris. Sam said she remained positive right until the end despite becoming almost unable to walk. 'It's been a rough couple of years but the last few months have been really rough. Her illness took over quite a lot towards the end', he said. 'She was beautiful, she was amazing, she was the nicest, most caring woman I met. She was brilliant, always smiling, even at the end.' Sam said she remained positive right until the end despite becoming almost unable to walk. She is pictured three days before she died Debbie was determined to carry on with life as normal and created a Facebook page, Nurse with the big 'C'urse, where she regularly posted photos and updates about her treatment and future plans. She told LeicestershireLive last year : 'I didn't want sympathy or pity, I just wanted my story to be heard, because when you are given a diagnosis like this, you can have all your close family and friends with you but still feel so isolated, scared and alone.' She spoke of the challenge of living with cancer, saying: 'It's one of the last things I think of at night and within minutes of being awake, it's there at the forefront of my mind. 'I try to distract myself thinking of all the wonderful things I am yet to experience and places I need to visit. It helps me to cope. 'I need those goals to aim towards so that on the bad days, it's my loved ones, goals and memories that get me through.' Debbie in hospital, being visited by her baby niece. The family announced her death on Christmas Day with a post on the Facebook page Debbie and Sam got married in summer 2018 at Sketchley Grange Hotel and they spent time in Ibiza and Rhodes, despite her illness. The family announced her death on Christmas Day with a post on the Facebook page. It urged people to 'hold on to everyone you love a little tighter and a little longer tonight and never take the good times for granted because life can be so cruel and snatch those precious moments away.' Sam said: 'We still did Christmas dinner and everyone came round. In fact, more people came round than we expected. 'We had about 25 to 35 people. It's what she would have wanted.' Her funeral at South Leicestershire crematorium was attended by some 300 people, with Chanel reading out a poem that was written especially for the occasion. Sam, 37, said he is determined to keep raising awareness of lung cancer, as people misconceive that it's a smoker's illness, whereas Debbie never smoked. He and around 30 family friends are taking part in a charity bike ride from Leicester to Skegness in aid of Loros Hospice, who provided care for Debbie in her final weeks. They also plan to keep the blog and Facebook page going. Asked what advice he would give to a family whose loved one had just been given a terminal cancer diagnosis, Sam said: 'Everyone takes things differently, it's such a hard thing to deal with. 'You have to try and be as positive as possible. Look into all the options you have got. 'Hope is a wonderful thing, keep it with you all the way. 'If you let things get on top of you, things can deteriorate more quickly. 'We had bad news and bad news, but Debbie always stayed positive.' For the latest updates from the family, visit the Nurse with the big 'C'urse Facebook page. Visit the Loros Hospice website for more information about the charity bike ride. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka. Friday, Jan. 10 11:25 p.m. A 27-year-old woman was experiencing suicidal thoughts and sought mental health help from MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland emergency room. She attempted to harm herself before deputies arrived. The woman was cooperative and told ER staff what she was feeling. The deputy also filled out the Mental Health Petition. 9:51 p.m. A 32-year-old Edenville Township man was arrested on two outstanding Midland County warrants for probation violations. Deputies made contact with the man after being called to the residence to assist with a civil stand-by. 9:45 p.m. A deputy responded to a vehicle crash on private property in Edenville Township. 9:41 p.m. Officers performed a liquor inspection in the 400 block of East Ellsworth Drive. 7:11 p.m. Officers responded to a car-deer crash in the area of Bay City Road and Longview Street. 6:54 p.m. Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Ingersoll Township. 4:45 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to an Edenville Township residence to assist Michigan State Police troopers with a 38-year-old woman who overdosed on prescription medication. She was treated at the scene by EMS, but refused to be transported. 4:30 p.m. A deputy responded to a car-deer crash in Ingersoll Township. 4:18 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township location for a single-vehicle rollover crash. Deputies arrived along with fire personnel and were unable to locate the accident. Deputies and Edenville Fire checked the surrounding area and were unable to locate an accident and or any signs indicating an accident occurred. 4:10 p.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and Airport Road. 3:55 p.m. A deputy investigated the death of a 97-year-old Porter Township man. The death appeared to be from natural causes. 12:38 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Warren Township location in reference to a possible stolen boat. Upon arriving, contact was made with the caller, a 41-year-old Saginaw man, and his 28-year-old stepson who resides in Jerome Township. It was explained the man is going through a divorce with his 46-year-old wife. The man noticed his boat missing from the marital residence in Jerome Township and then saw it at a residence in Warren Township. The stepson said his mother told him to take the boat so the caller did not sell it. The stepson said he brought it to a friend's in Warren Township and the caller could have the boat. The stepson was just doing what his mom asked. The caller said he was all set with the boat and he was going to haul it away. The caller was also advised on marital property and referred to the courts reference child custody issues. 11:07 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Hope Township residence to speak with a 59-year-old woman regarding a suspicious vehicle in her driveway. She said when she went outside to feed her animals, she noticed an unknown tan Chevrolet vehicle sitting in her driveway with a man inside. She spoke with the man, who said he was sitting there all night. She said the man appeared to be under the influence of something and had immediately left her property after she spoke with him. She said he left northbound on North Stark Road. The deputy checked the area, but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle. 8:21 a.m. Officers performed a warrant arrest following a traffic stop in the area of Ashman and East Nelson streets. 7:21 a.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of West Buttles and Jerome streets. 5:50 a.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Isabella Street and Vance Road. 4:55 a.m. Officers responded to a report of larceny/fraud in the 6100 block of Eastman Avenue. 4:53 a.m. A 33-year-old Flint woman was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant out of the 67th District Court following a traffic stop in Greendale Township. (Reuters) - New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams did not comment on the U.S. economic or monetary policy outlook on Tuesday in remarks prepared for the London School of Economics and Political Science. Reporting by Jonnelle Marte 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. A Kazakh woman demonstrated in front of the Chinese consulate in Almaty on January 14 to demand the release of her husband from house arrest in China's northwestern province of Xinjiang. Farida Qabylbek said her husband had been imprisoned for 13 years on espionage charges, then sent to a so-called reeducation camp and finally sentenced to house arrest. Authorities in Almaty warned her that her protest was illegal. A 20-year-old man was apprehended at a Delhi Metro station on Tuesday for allegedly carrying a pistol and a live bullet in his baggage, officials said. Vishal Pal had kept the pistol and the live bullet in his bag, and it was detected during x-ray screening of his luggage at 1 pm at the Shahdara metro station, they said. Pal was handed over to the Delhi Police as he did not have a gun licence, the officials added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GSV Ventures, pioneering early stage venture fund and co-host of the ASU GSV Summit, has announced today the selection of 200 seed and bootstrapped education and talent technology startups to present at the ASU GSV Summit. These entrepreneurs are uniquely advancing social and economic mobility by bending the arc of human potential through innovation in education and workforce. The "Elite 200" will present at the 2020 ASU GSV Summit from March 30th to April 1st in San Diego this year. Three companies will be chosen as finalists during the Summit, receiving a prize package of $250,000 cash and $100,000 in Google Cloud credits. "Unlocking the potential of our next generation, and enabling them to thrive in a rapidly changing world, means we must put our best thinking and capital towards innovating how we prepare individuals to achieve their potential through lifelong learning and engaging and dynamic work environments," said Deborah Quazzo, managing partner of GSV Ventures. "This competition has uncovered some incredibly driven and inspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a big impact. We congratulate the Elite 200 and look forward to hosting these entrepreneurs in San Diego." The GSV Cup is a uniquely cross-sector competition -- spanning "pre-K to gray" sectors and including technologies in corporate learning and talent management, workforce analytics, early childhood, K-12, HireED and postsecondary education. The Elite 200 represent 21 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, North America, and South America. The GSV Cup is proud to partner with Google Cloud, Holon IQ and Brand Capital International for the competition. The submissions were judged by the world's best known venture investors, including Accel, Adreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, First Round Capital, ICONIQ, Lightspeed, Owl Ventures, NEA Norwest Venture Partners, Reach Capital, and Shasta Ventures, among others The 2020 ASU GSV Summit will be held from March 30 to April 1 in San Diego. The 2019 Summit drew 5,000 attendees from over 45 countries, including more than 500 investors representing $5 trillion of capital. To see the selected Elite 200, visit: https://www.asugsvsummit.com/presenting-companies About GSV Ventures GSV Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that is focused on the $7+ trillion learning and talent technology sector. The fund is currently investing out of GSV Ventures Fund II, backing innovative entrepreneurs across the across the "Pre-K to Gray" Arc of Learning and Talent technology. Portfolio holdings include Andela, Pluralsight, TurnItIn, Coursera, Coursehero, Outlier, and Degreed, among others. SOURCE GSV Ventures Toyota's driver Fernando Alonso and co-driver Marc Coma on their way to second place in stage eight of the Dakar rally. (Photo: AFP/Franck Fife) The stage was shrouded in mourning after the death on Sunday of Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves. The motorbike and quadbike categories were cancelled for the stage, a 477km loop incorporating straight sections with several chains of dunes to test handling skills. "I'd like to dedicate this victory to Paulo because I'm a former biker," said Serradori, an amateur who drives an SRT. "It's not easy to get motivated after a day like that and my co-pilot Fabien was there as well. But there are two fighters in the car and I'm very happy with this result." Serradori finished 4min 4sec ahead of Toyota's Alonso, with Argentinean Mini driver Orlando Terranova in third, at 6:19. Alonso, who had finished four times in the top 10 without having made the podium in a stage, was quick to heap praise on his co-driver/navigator Marc Coma, a five-time Dakar champion on a motorbike. LIMITED AMBITIONS "Today we had an amazing day," said Alonso. "We had one puncture unfortunately and we lost a little bit of momentum there, but otherwise the stage was nearly perfect and Marc was unbelievable, you know - the dunes, the navigation. In his first Dakar Alonso had limited ambitions ruled out winning a stage but now he believes it is within his grasp. "Initially I thought it was impossible," he said. "But after today, obviously when you are second maybe there is a chance, so we will try." He said not having motorbikes setting the route had upset the rhythm of the stage. "Having no bikes changed a lot, especially for the first two or three cars," he said. "I benefitted from starting from the back ... I'm happy to complete the day without any issues. It was a beautiful stage, quite fast with a lot of dunes, so it was good. I think the dunes are harder than tracks, but for whatever reason I feel more comfortable. "I'm not coming from the dunes at all but it seems that I can get a good rhythm and a good flow in the dunes and I'm enjoying so far this second week of the Dakar." His second place sees him consolidate his 13th place in the overall standings, more than 3hr 10min off the pace set by Carlos Sainz. The battle continues atop the general classification between the leading trio of two-time winner Sainz, defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and Stephane Peterhansel, a 13-time winner (seven in cars, six on bikes). Sainz had to open the way on the stage and was swiftly caught by Al-Attiyah and Peterhansel. But the veteran Spaniard then drove his Mini to keep pace with his rivals, meaning he retains the rally lead, 6:40 ahead of the Qatari and 13:09 in front of the Frenchman. Tuesday's 9th stage sees the cavalcade travel to the eastern town of Haradh on a 410km special. PHOENIX, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia, the nation's fastest-growing dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise, is looking forward to 2020 after another record year of success. Capping off a groundbreaking year of growth by awarding 120 new franchise licenses and opening 43 new daycare centers, Dogtopia ranked as the No. 1 pet services franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine's 41st Annual Franchise 500 List. Overall, the company ranked in the top 100 at No. 71 on the list, an increase of 133 spots from the 2019 ranking. Each year, the Franchise 500 acknowledges top companies for outstanding performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the franchise system. The highly coveted list is seen as a gold standard in the franchise industry and dominant competitive measure for franchisors. Additionally, individuals seeking established franchise concepts with proven systems and results use the Franchise 500 as a primary comparative research tool. "We are humbled to earn the top spot in the pet services category by Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 this year," said Neil Gill, CEO and President of Dogtopia. "As Dogtopians, we all work hard every day to create a fun and safe environment for both the dogs and our pet parents. This honor can be attributed to the dedication of our amazing franchisees, the committed teams in our daycare centers and the unparalleled support we provide." In 2019, the Phoenix-based brand had shown exponential growth, with a combined total of more than 250 locations sold and in development, a 524% increase in unit sales and a 32% same-store sales increase compared to 2018. The brand unveiled several real estate advancements pushing them ahead of the pack, including the first Dogtopia @ Work corporate campus in Michigan. Dogtopia plans to continue this growth with a goal to open at least 60 new daycare centers in 2020, averaging more than one new Dogtopia each week. "Our focus of being locally owned and operated and ensuring the highest level of care within one of the hottest growth industries will help us maintain this position," said Gill. "Receiving this prestigious industry ranking and recognition from Entrepreneur is quite the honor. We are proud of this achievement and our position as the trusted authority in the sector." With more than 125 locations across North America, Dogtopia is the nation's fastest-growing brand in the booming $79B pet industry. At Dogtopia, dogs enjoy an open-play environment with protective rubber flooring to ease joints while promoting safe socialization, exercise and education. Dogtopia's fees are all-inclusive with meals prepared according to each pet parent's request at no extra charge, or pet parents can bring their own food. Dogtopia's webcams also provide pet parents with peace of mind and the ability to check in on their pups when they are away. The Dogtopia family is composed of both single-unit and multi-unit operators, including husband and wife teams, father and daughter/son duos, siblings and many different types of business owners. About Dogtopia Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the pet services industry, offering an experience focused on quality of care, safety and transparency in the market. With an emphasis on education, exercise and safe socialization for dogs, pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com. Media Contact: Rachel Shaykin, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300, [email protected] SOURCE Dogtopia Related Links http://www.dogtopia.com Makar Sankranti marks a harvest festival in India and it is a time where you see the sky lit up with vibrant colours of the kites flying in the sky. In North India it is celebrated as Lohri; in South India, it is celebrated as Pongal; in Assam, it is celebrated as Bihu. It is celebrated to mark the commencement of Summer, and Uttarayan, a six months period, equivalent to Summer Solstice. The festival is most popularly celebrated in Gujarat. Here are two of the most popular festivals to visit in the state. Best of Kite Festivals to attend in Gujarat to get Instagram-worthy pictures International Kite Festival Each year, Gujarat celebrates more than 200 festivals and the International Kite Festival is regarded as one of the biggest celebrated festivals in the state. It is so popular that locals from across the country come to experience the celebration. During the festival, local food such as Undhiyu and Jalebi is served to the crowds. The festival is heavily influenced by international participants such as Japan, Malaysia, the USA, Indonesia and more. The festival is majorly popular in the state as Uttarayan. It is held in multiple locations across the state including Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat and more. ALSO READ | Makar Sankranti 2020: Maharashtrian Dishes Prepared On The Auspicious Day ALSO READ | Makar Sankranti 2020: Know The Best Places To Fly Your Beautiful Kite In Maharashtra Kutch Rann Utsav Creating a mosaic of exquisiteness, Kutch offers a plethora of varied hues to look at. It is one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse districts of the state and is also a celebratory land of art. Known as the Kutch Utsav or Rann Utsav, the festival is a 3-day extravaganza organised at various locales around Kutch. The festival begins in the Bujh city and goes around the district with a grand finale again being held at the preliminary destination. Apart from the kite festival, this cultural fest allows visitors to enjoy the true flavour and diversity of the Kutch region. ALSO READ | Makar Sankranti 2020: Here's All You Need To Know About The Sacred Hindu Festival ALSO READ | Makar Sankranti In Delhi And Places To Fly The Kite In The National Capital NBCUniversal continues to give back to New Mexico. The company purchased a studio in Albuquerque in 2019 and got involved in the states Give Back program. Eastern New Mexico University is home to the latest academic program to benefit from a workforce development initiative supported by film productions around the state, said Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes. A check for $17,014 was presented Tuesday to the ENMU Department of Theater and Digital Filmmaking. The check from NBCUniversal was part of the Film Incentive Give Back program, based on expenditures from the television series Midnight, Texas Season 2, which filmed in the state over a two-year period. To date, more than $680,000 has been paid to film and media education programs around New Mexico from production companies that do business in the state under a unique Give Back program to boost workforce training. The nonresident crew Give Back requirement is one of the initiatives of the Economic Development Department under the Film Incentives Tax Credit, which is helping to sustain a long-term industry cluster in New Mexico. This is a unique part of our film incentives law, Keyes said. The industry is investing in workforce development, which will lead to better careers for our students and more jobs in New Mexico. Thats how we create higher-paying jobs and diversify our economy. The ENMU Digital Filmmaking program provides a comprehensive education in all facets of the arts. Students study acting, directing, visual design, sound design, and screenwriting, as well as technical skills like camera operation, lighting, sound recording, and postproduction. The Digital Filmmaking program at Eastern New Mexico University is immensely pleased to be receiving this donation from NBCUniversal through the New Mexico Film office Give Back program,said Neil Rutland, chair of the Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking. These funds will go toward meeting the financial needs of our students through scholarships, grants, and other assistance that will aid them in the production of their student films and acquiring important industry internships. Contributions have also been given to film and media programs in Carlsbad, Espanola, Las Vegas, Alamogordo, Taos, Los Lunas, Roswell, Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Under other agreements with the state, both Netflix and NBCUniversal are required to provide $55,000 a year to the Economic Development Department for workforce development. NBCUniversal has also initiated an aspiring director internship program for students in New Mexico. We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday asked people to take money from Congress leaders and vote for his party in the upcoming municipal elections in the state. Addressing a public gathering in Sangareddy district, the AIMIM leader also took a jibe at Congress and said they speak of secularism but bJP and Congress are the two faces of the same coin. Citing that there is no difference between Congress and BJP, Owaisi said "Congress party has RSS in its heart in BJP is in their mind. They speak of secularism. These three things brain, heart and tongue should be at one point. When the heart speaks then the brain admits it and tongue will speak," he said. "On January 22, please use your votes wisely. People in Congress have a lot of money, take it from them. You'll be getting it due to me. Just vote for me. If they are giving you (money) then take it. Whatever they give, take it and loot it. I say to Congress to raise the rate, my price is not Rs 2000 only. I am worth more than that," Owaisi said. Polling for municipal elections will be held on January 22 and the results will be declared on January 25. The Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad also condemned the violence in Bhainsa town of Telangana's Nirmal district. "I appeal to Telangana Chief Minister KCR that the incident which happened in Bhainsa is condemnable. I request CM to initiate necessary action on the responsible persons. I also request KCR to give compensation to the people who suffered a loss in communal violence. I also request the people of Bhainsa to maintain peace," he said. Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Bhainsa till January 15, which witnessed clashes between two groups. According to Telangana Police, clashes took place between two groups who started pelting stones at each other in the late hours on January 12, which turned violent resulting in 13 houses and 26 vehicles being set on fire. Three police officials, including District SP and DSP who were part of the police team that reached the spot sustained injuries in the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ST. LOUIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to wheat, growers tend to get out of a season what they put into it. The newest WestBred Hard White Spring Wheat variety offers growers in Southern Idaho the performance trifecta: high yield potential, excellent test weight and excellent standability, in addition to very good milling and baking quality. Newly available for the 2020 growing season, WB7696 is bred specifically for growers in Southern Idaho and has performance comparable with region best sellers including WB7589 and DAYN, according to Bayer head-to-head trials from 2016-2019. As a seed supplier with Thresher Artisan Wheat, Ken Morgan had the opportunity to see WB7696 in on-farm trials and on production fields last year. "My customer who grew it for seed production in 2019 had uniform fields, good standability and good disease resistance," he says. "Most importantly, it yielded as well as competitors and had better end-use quality for the mill they work with." Based on this performance, Morgan says he will recommend that local growers take a close look at it when it's more widely available this season. "WB7696 is targeted for irrigated acres," advises Trenton Stanger, WestBred Technical Product Manager for Montana and Southern Idaho. "It has been a top performer in our breeding trials the last four years, and it really thrives when inputs are managed for yield, protein and grain quality." In addition, WB7696 offers a very good overall disease package. "Growers can look to this new variety to provide excellent resistance to Yellow (Stripe) Rust, which can be a problem throughout southern Idaho," says Stanger. As a CSO variety, WB7696 features WestBred wheat's newest germplasm and was bred to exceed the company's toughest standards. Features of WB7696 Excellent yield potential Excellent test weight Very good overall disease package Excellent standability Very good protein content Very good milling and baking quality Certified Seed Only (CSO) Short plant height with medium maturity For additional information on WB7696 or other WestBred CSO varieties, contact your local WestBred representative or visit WestBred.com. About WestBred Wheat WestBred wheat provides seed suppliers and their growers access to the highest yield potential wheat seed, as well as testing, education, resources and experienced representatives to help maximize their yield potential. Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower's fields. WestBred and Design and WestBred are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. 2020 Bayer Group. All rights reserved. SOURCE WestBred wheat Related Links http://WestBred.com A lawless outback town likened to the 'old Wild West' is facing calls to be shut down after a nurse was killed. The body of Gayle Woodford, 56, was found in March 2016 after she was brutally raped and murdered outside the settlement of Fregon, in South Australia's far north. A coronial inquest into the death of Mrs Woodford this week heard pleas to shut down the settlement, because of extreme violence and lack of law enforcement. Gayle Woodford's (pictured) body was found buried in a crude grave three days after she went missing from her Fregon home in SA's north Retired GP Dr Glynis Johns told the inquest on Tuesday she had been pushing for a full time police presence in the settlement for some time, according to ABC News. 'I was very worried about Fregon, everyone who worked in that clinic was concerned about the level of violence I was particularly worried that young children were exposed to this violence,' she said. She said the whole place conjured up an image of the 'old Wild West', a 'lawless place' after witnessing a man walking down the main street with a machete, reports Adelaide Now. 'He was walking erratically and the machete was glinting in the sun,' she said. The GP told the inquest the violence in the community was going unaddressed- despite the local health service pushing for more permanent law enforcement. A lack of funding from the state government was thought to be the reason for not establishing permanent police in town. The 56-year-old went missing in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands (pictured) in the vicinity of Fregon and Marla in the South Australia's Far North But the lack of police was no the only issue according to the retired GP. Fregon also had no safe houses for women and children to escape domestic violence. Former Fregon nurse Belinda Shultz also presented evidence to the inquest on Tuesday where she said staff were effectively told to toughen up if they complained of violence. 'You were being told that it was OK for this culture of violence to be happening in this community and this is just the way it is out here,' she said. 'If you don't feel like you can cope with that level of violence then, that level of risk, then perhaps you're not the right fit for this job, perhaps you're not strong enough, tough enough.' Colleague of Gayle Woodford, Belinda Schultz (right) arrives at the Adelaide Coroners Court in Adelaide, Monday January 13, 2020 She told the inquest the health clinic had to be closed on a weekly basis due to violence in the community. Mrs Shultz also said verbal threats became so common for medical staff they stopped recording them. To make matters worse, there was very limited resources to seek help if something went wrong. 'Very few households had landlines, there was no mobile phone coverage and the majority of the pay phones were not in service,' she said. The four-wheel-drive ambulance Ms Woodford used for work, which was found being driven by the 34-year-old man charged with theft and her alleged murder Mrs Woodford was on call with the Nganampa Health Council on the night she was killed. She had been working as a remote area nurse with the council for nearly five years before her abduction and murder. Dudley Davey was sentenced to life in prison for her murder, after pleading guilty to the rape and murder. He had an extensive history of violent sexual offending before the 2016 murder. Dudley Davey (pictured third from left) subsequently pleaded guilty to her rape and murder and is serving a minimum 32-year jail term It's believed Davey tricked Ms Woodford into opening a security cage around her home and then pounced as she walked to her ambulance. Opening an inquest into her death on Monday, counsel assisting Ahura Kalali said a 'catalogue of blunders' meant Davey 'slipped through the cracks' and was left unsupervised at the time of the murder. He said Davey should have qualified for the national child offender register which would have allowed police to monitor and share information about him. The inquest will also look into whether an application was made to indefinitely detain him, under a law that locks up offenders unwilling to control their sexual instincts. Husband of Gayle Woodford, Keith Woodford, arrives at the Adelaide Coroners Court in Adelaide, Monday January 13, 2020 Other issues to be examined will be the overall safety of remote area nurses and the presence of police in such communities. An emotional Mr Woodford said his wife was 'very safety conscious', but the nurses were regularly put in situations where they went alone to visit the homes of patients. He rejected claims by a senior executive of Nganampa Health Council that Ms Woodford could have let herself out of the cage for a personal errand when she was attacked. Husband of Gayle Woodford, Keith Woodford (pictured, centre) outside the Adelaide Coroners Court on Monday January 13, 2020 'That statement is disgusting,' he said. 'To think she was out there doing anything else but her job is absolutely woeful.' Ms Woodford's death sparked policy changes designed to protect nurses from similar violent attacks. Mr Woodford said if the laws had been in place earlier, his wife's murder would have been prevented. The inquest is expected to run for two weeks before deputy coroner Anthony Schapel. Tyler Perry is set to release his first film, A Fall From Grace, with Netflix on Friday. And along with the famous director, and the thriller's stars, Mariah Carey joined the team at the New York City premiere. The All I Want For Christmas hitmaker showed off her curves in a lowcut and skin tight dress to celebrate the new film on Monday night. Curvaceous:Mariah Carey showed off her curves in a lowcut and skin tight dress to celebrate the new film, A Fall From Grace on Monday night in NYC Carey took a break from her ultra glamorous looks and wore a simple white black sweater dress, with a deep v-neckline revealing her ample curves. The dress has multiple circular and different geometric patterns at her waist and down her sleeves. She teamed the long sleeved dress with black tights and knee high boots in a black leather finish and featuring a stiletto heel. Simple: Carey took a break from her ultra glamorous looks and wore a simple white black sweater dress, with a deep v-neckline revealing her ample curves Catching up: She caught up with the film's writer and director, Perry, on the black carpet and the pair posed for a photo together Always beaming, the mother-of-two beamed with a flawless complexion, with bronzed and blushed cheeks and a nude lip. Her blonde hair was down in a long sleek look, styled over one shoulder. She kept accessories to a minimum wearing a diamond ring and circular earrings. Clean look: Perry looked slick in a black bomber jacket featuring white trim and accents at the shoulders With the stars: He posed with the film's stars Bresha Webb and Crystal Fox She caught up with the film's writer and director, Perry, on the black carpet and the pair posed for a photo together. Perry looked slick in a black bomber jacket featuring white trim and accents at the shoulders. He teamed the jacket with a black dress shirt, leaving the top button undone, matching pants and bright white sneakers. Grace: The film stars Crystal Fox, as Grace a recent divorcee who finds love with a younger man but after remarrying, his secrets destroy her With a legend: Cecily Tyson also stars, she posed with Webb A Fall From Grace is his first collaboration with the streaming giant. The film stars Crystal Fox, as Grace a recent divorcee who finds love with a younger man but after remarrying, his secrets destroy her. Things take a violent turn, leaving Grace in jail to be tried for the murder of her husband, with no body. Her lawyer (Bresha Webb) digs into the case to try and find the truth behind Grace's story. It was written, directed and produced by Perry, he also co stars. A friend on the carpet: Phylicia Rashad stars as Grace's friend Flowing: Angela Rigsby shined in a champagne colored gown The film comes after a big year for Perry, he wrapped production on his BET show Bruh, played quadruple duty in 2019's A Madea Family Funeral, and hosted a Democratic presidential debate at his Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, Perry became the first African-American to outright own a major film studio, as he also retains all ownership of his screenplays. A Fall From Grace releases on Netflix January 17. Together: The cast together A disabled woman has expressed her anger at the design of two recently-revamped central London branches of Starbucks, saying the company is discriminating against wheelchair users by only having high tables in their interior. Wheelchair-user Ann Webster, from Derbyshire, shared on Twitter an image of herself with one of the high tables, which come with high stools, in the St Pancras station branch of the global coffee chain. The public servant wrote: 'I went along to the refurbished Starbucks at St Pancras International and disabled people have indeed been banished to drink outside - no standard height tables inside at all.' Webster followed up with the hashtags: '#takingthedis #EqualityAct #lessfavourabletreatment' Scroll down for video Wheelchair user Ann Webster, a public servant from Derbyshire, visited the newly renovated branch of Starbucks at St Pancras station and discovered that the coffee giant had removed all accessible seating in favour of high tables, with normal height tables placed outside the branch The coffee company responded to Mrs Websters initial complaints after spotting a photograph of her in the store on Twitter The response to Ann Webster's complaint explained that the company was trying to encourage a 'grab and go' culture in the store and said they had been The St Pancras Starbucks branch, close to the Eurostar terminal in the London station and open 24 hours a day, underwent a renovation in 2019 and appears to have removed all accessible seating for disabled customers. Webster followed up her tweet with another, which read: 'They have the standard tables outside in the cold and the high ones inside - talk about less favourable treatment.' She told MailOnline that the staff in store were 'were lovely and so apologetic, but there was nothing they could do.' After Webster's tweet was spotted by a member of the Starbucks Twitter account team, she was reassured that 'senior management' would look at the issue. However, more than a month on, she says the company has gone 'silent' on her after initially responding to her complaint to say that the 'new and improved' design of the store was designed to cater for the 'take-away' market. A district manager for the company said while designers planned 'thoughtfully' to make the store easily accessible to all customers, it hadn't been possible. They wrote: 'Unfortunately with this new lay-out we have tried to make adjustments where possible but on some occasions this has not been possible [SIC].' Webster was then invited to enjoy 'another branch' instead. Under the Equality Act of 2010, stores are required to take positive steps to remove the barriers people face because of a disability. Companies must ensure a disabled person receives the same services, as far as possible, as someone who's not disabled. After responding saying that the company was discriminating against disabled customers, she shared the correspondence on social media, sparking fury from others. @Esther_Leighton wrote: 'Such an awful reply. What bit of 'anticipatory' do they struggle to understand? A mixture of tables should have been provided.' @MikScarlet added: 'Go get them. There is no excuse. This refit took out sitting tables so removing accessible solutions.' @EmmaisaChampion penned: 'This is awful. I am very short, have hip, knee and back problems so climbing up to get onto one of those stools would be really difficult for me too. What about children? Babies in buggies?' Webster told MailOnline that she had been alerted to the re-fit at Starbucks by another Twitter user, Christiane Link, who had already tweeted the company after discovering a similar situation at a London Bridge Starbucks store. Link wrote: Oi @StarbucksUK, your newly refurbished store at St Pancras station has no wheelchair accessible tables inside anymore. Same at London Bridge. So disabled people sit in the cold or whats your plan?' A spokesperson for Starbucks told the MailOnline: 'We strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone, and we apologise for how this was handled. 'We take seriously our responsibility to ensure our all areas of our stores are accessible to everyone, and were looking into this complaint as a priority with relevant internal teams.' " " Goodfreephotos Statue of Athena in the Parthenon , Nashville, Tennessee. Greek gods are, by nature, pretty multifaceted. Take Aphrodite, for example. She's known for her otherworldly beauty and love of love, but she's also remembered as the deity who fed a guy's horses magical water that caused them to crush and eat his body after he denied her advances. So, yeah, you could say these mythological characters are kind of complex. Case in point: Athena. Regarded as the goddess of wisdom and war, the patron of Athens is also considered the goddess of all things crafty. She's the one you can thank for the gifts of cooking and sewing, but she's also the skilled and courageous immortal who lent a hand to guys like Hercules, Perseus and Odysseus, so they could go down in history as heroes. Here are seven more facts that make Athena a legend with many layers: Advertisement 1. She Represents a Unique Form of Intelligence "She is the essence of cunning intelligence, for which the Greeks had a word: 'metis,'" says Richard P. Martin, Antony and Isabelle Raubitschek Professor in Classics at Stanford University. "It is not 'wisdom' or learning in the senses we usually think of. Instead, it is the skill at judging a situation and figuring out, on the fly, exactly what moves to make. It is through metis that people know how to steer ships in rough seas, or command a rushing chariot team, or put together complicated carpentry projects (like the wooden Trojan Horse Athena taught the carpenter Epeios to make that). It's savoir-faire, savvy, know-how and it does not always respect rules or color inside the lines. That's what makes her appealing." 2. She's Considered the Greek Equivalent to the Roman Minerva ... but She's Definitely Distinct One common misconception that Martin wants to correct? "That she is abstract, neutral and rather boring 'wisdom,' that's a later allegorical interpretation, which comes to the fore when the Romans start to associate Athena with their own native goddess, Minerva." 3. Her Origin Story Is Kind of Crazy "The story went that Zeus had impregnated a goddess, Metis her name means that category of 'cunning intelligence,'" Martin explains. "But then learned that the eventual offspring would be stronger than he was and would overthrow him. So, he swallowed the goddess, got a huge headache, and had his son Hephaestus split his skull with an axe. Out popped a full-grown, fully-armed Athena." 4. Athena Had a Hand in Offing Medusa When Perseus, the only son of Zeus and Danae, set out to behead a monster known for turning men to stone, he needed some help. Enter Athena and fellow god, Hermes. The duo gifted the half-mortal Perseus a few items to make battling Medusa a bit easier: winged sandals, the helmet of Hades, Athena's shiny shield so he could see Medusa's approach, and a special bag in which to tote his enemy's head around. Athena also supposedly guided Perseus' hand as he sliced the snake-haired monster's head off. Advertisement 5. She's a "Shark Tank"-worthy Inventor The number of everyday tools and artsy supplies Athena is credited with producing is astounding. Farmers can thank her for inventing the plow, rake, yoke and bridle. She's also considered the inventor of the chariot and she designed the first ship. Other trademark Athena items include the earthenware pot, flute and trumpet. And did we mention she's considered the first one to teach the science of mathematics, in addition to coming up with stuff like spinning, weaving and cooking? 6. Athena Was a Badass Warrior With a Crafty Side "The craft of war is another one of her cunning-intelligence based skills," Martin says. "How to fight, parry, plan tactics etc. So was the craft of weaving, hence her connection with the giant robe." Giant what? More on that in a second. 7. Her Birthday Was Considered a Big Deal in Ancient Greece "Her birthday was celebrated in Athens every year in late July with a huge procession to her temple on the Acropolis (the Parthenon still mostly standing from the fifth century B.C.E.)," Martin says. "A woven cloak as big as the sail of a boat was actually hoisted onto the mast of a boat that was put on a wheeled carriage like a modern parade float. It was later folded up and brought to be deposited in her temple a sort of birthday present from the whole city for their patron goddess." Now That's Interesting Athena was famously a virgin and never married or had children ... except for that one kid she kind of had. According to myth, Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and fire, tried to rape Athena after she visited his workshop for weapons. While she managed to get away, some of his semen fell on her thigh. She wiped it away with a piece of wool and threw it on the ground, but in true mythology fashion, a son named Erichthonius was born from the discarded semen. Some argue he's actually the son of Hephaestus and Gaia (Earth) since he sprouted from the ground. A WORLD WITHOUT WORK Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond By Daniel Susskind Fearing that a newfangled technology would put them out of work, neighbors broke into the house of James Hargreaves, the inventor of the spinning jenny, and destroyed the machine and also his furniture in 18th-century England. Queen Elizabeth I denied an English priest a patent for an invention that knitted wool, arguing that it would turn her subjects into unemployed beggars. A city council dictated that Anton Moller, who invented the ribbon loom in the 16th century, should be strangled for his efforts. But centuries of predictions that machines would put humans out of work for good a scenario that economists call technological unemployment have always turned out to be wrong. Technology eliminated some jobs, but new work arose, and it was often less grueling or dangerous than the old. Machines may have replaced weavers, but yesterdays would-be weavers are now working jobs their forefathers couldnt have imagined, as marketing managers and computer programmers and fashion designers. Over the past few centuries, technology has helped human workers become more productive than ever, ushering in unprecedented economic prosperity and raising living standards. The American economy, for instance, grew 15,241-fold between 1700 and 2000. But if humans fears that technology would replace them have been unfounded in the past, this time is different. So argues Daniel Susskind, a fellow in economics at Oxford, in his new book, A World Without Work: Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond. Susskind declares that machines are getting so smart that theyll soon replace humans at a growing list of jobs, potentially including doctors, bricklayers and insurance adjusters, thus ending what he calls the Age of Labor. Without some sort of intervention, he says, the inequality inherent in todays economy will metastasize into an even greater divide between the haves and have-nots. This argument flies against the face of much modern economic thought. As Susskind succinctly summarizes, economists largely agree that while machines have sometimes completely substituted for everything a worker does (think of elevator operators), more frequently, they complement workers jobs, taking over some routine and predictable tasks but in the end making workers more productive. Bank tellers feared the advent of automated teller machines, for example, but A.T.M.s actually motivated customers to use banks more, and so increased the number of bank branches and also the number of bank tellers, who were freed up to do tasks other than dispensing cash. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Veteran journalist Twink Macaraig has passed away on Tuesday after a years-long battle against cancer. This was confirmed by her network TV5. Macaraig served as a news anchor for television networks TV5 and ABS-CBN. Her works were also published in various online platforms including Esquire Philippines and Philippine Star, where she served as a columnist. She also worked as a part-time faculty member and lecturer at the University of the Philippines Diliman-College of Mass Communication. Industry colleagues and personalities took to social media to extend their condolences to Macaraigs loved ones. Fellow journalist Ces Orena-Drilon on Twitter said she will always remember Macaraig for her courage. Youre in a better place now, (Twink Macaraig) Rest peacefully, said former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te. This is a developing story. Businesses in Victorias north-east are bracing for shocking losses from this summers bushfires that could exceed an estimated $200 million for the region's economy over three months. A survey of 200 tourism-dependent businesses in the north-east found that half of them experienced 100 per cent losses between January 2 and 9. Another quarter of operators had losses exceeding 75 per cent, the survey by Tourism North East found. The summer period is among the busiest for many businesses in the high country. Fire crews carrying out controlled burning near Corryong on January 7. Credit:Jason Edwards The region includes the alpine resorts of Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham. It also takes in popular destinations, including Mansfield, Rutherglen and Bright. Helped by continued optimism towards the upcoming US corporate earnings season and improved relations between the US and China ahead of a ceremonial signing of the phase one trade agreement later this week, Australian shares climbed to fresh highs on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 58.5 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 6962.2, breaking above the previous high of 6933.2 hit late last week. The performance of the local market mirrored strong gains on Wall Street with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at record highs on Monday The market is running hot and you'd need to have a steel spine to go short, said James Whelan, portfolio manager at VFS Group. While money is cheap and the global economy isn't cactus then the default setting is to buy. The rally in US markets came ahead of quarterly earnings results from financial giants Citigroup, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo due before the opening bell on Tuesday. Sentiment was also helped by news the United States Treasury no longer deems China to be a currency manipulator, a notable change of stance before both nations sign off on the first phase of their trade agreement on Wednesday. Coupled with a strong Chinese trade report for December, those feel-good vibes flowed through to the local market with every sector closing higher on Tuesday, led by gains of more than 1.2 per cent for industrials, utilities, materials and consumer staples. Supermarket operators were in demand with Woolworths climbing 2.5 per cent to $38.38 while Coles Group added 1.4 per cent to $15.69, coinciding with a bullish analyst note from UBS. Among the miners, Rio Tinto rose 1.9 per cent to $103.97, BHP Group 1.3 per cent to $40.05 while Fortescue added 1.9 per cent to $10.99. Among the banks, Macquarie jumped 1.2 per cent to $141.13, closing at record highs. Three of the big four banks finished higher, led by the Commonwealth which rose 0.8 per cent to $83.17. Westpac was the exception, falling 0.1 per cent to $24.57. Pilbara Minerals was the top performer on the benchmark for the session, soaring 11.4 per cent to $0.39. Other suppliers of battery materials also enjoyed strong gains on Tuesday. Pendal Group finished at the other end of the score board, declining 5.1 per cent after reporting further client fund outflows in the final quarter of 2018. Japan's Emperor Naruhito will pay a state visit to Britain in the coming months, British officials announced on Tuesday, in the first state visit after the country leaves the European Union. Britain is set to leave the bloc on January 31 after nearly 50 years and has begun to tilt its diplomatic and economic attention more towards the rest of the world. "Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in spring 2020," said a brief statement from Buckingham Palace. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will stay at Windsor Castle, west of London. It will be the third Japanese state visit to Britain under the reign of 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, who has been on the throne since 1952. She hosted emperor Hirohito in 1971 and his eldest son emperor Akihito in 1998. Naruhito, 59, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 last year following the abdication of his father, Akihito. Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip paid a state visit to Japan in 1975. They no longer undertake long-haul travel. After Brexit, Britain will attempt to strike trade deals with countries around the world independent of the EU. For state visits, Britain summons all its traditional pomp in a bid to cement cultural, diplomatic and economic ties. Queen Elizabeth hosts guests at a castle or palace and the red-carpet visits typically involve ceremonial events, lavish banquets, cultural trips and political talks. The last state visit to Britain was made by US President Donald Trump in June last year. Search Keywords: Short link: At one point, nearly 30 men and women had entered the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. As of this week, only a dozen of them remain. Among those who have exited the contest are three sitting U.S. senators, five current or former U.S. representatives, and three governors. Among those still standing is an entrepreneur whom nobody in the political world had ever heard of until early last year: Andrew Yang, the only non-politician left in the race aside from Tom Steyer, the billionaire hedge-fund manager bankrolling his own campaign. Why has Yang succeeded where so many more-experienced Democrats failed? In a sea of candidates whose rhetoric offers only familiar, talking-point-laden jargon, Yang sticks out like a sore thumb, and thats to his advantage. He built his campaign from the bottom up, starting with no political experience or name recognition to speak of and rising from there chiefly by embracing his status as a little-known outsider. Likely because he faced a stiff challenge in gaining any public attention at all, Yang began his campaign willing to go anywhere and talk to anyone, and he remains that way even after having outlasted half the field. His first chance in the spotlight came last February, when he joined Joe Rogans immensely popular podcast for a two-hour chat. This was a preview of things to come for Yang. Embodying one of his slogans, Not Left, Not Right, Forward, he hasnt shied away from granting access to conservative outlets. He did a lengthy interview on The Ben Shapiro Show last April and, later that month, gave a lengthy interview to National Review. As I noted in the resulting profile, my conversation with him gave me an immediate sense of why his campaign was already resonating with voters, especially younger ones who had never before been interested in politics: Talking to Yang is like talking to your undergraduate economics professor in office hours as he tries to find a way to communicate with students who were too bored to pay attention the first time he explained something in class. He thinks he gets it, and he wants you to get it, too. Story continues In other words, Yang is unconventional, and thats the secret to his success. He talks like a person, not a politician, and he talks to voters as if theyre people, not potential votes. Just this morning, for instance, amid the brewing spat between Senators Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Yang tweeted, Watching this Elizabeth Bernie dynamic is upsetting. We have big problems to solve and both want to solve them. Im sure thats where they would want our attention focused too. While other Democratic campaigns likely would be paralyzed with indecision at the sight of two front-runners dragging each other into the mud either remaining cautiously silent or gaming out a detailed strategy for a precisely worded, carefully evasive comment that might redound to the benefit of their own polling numbers Yang just says what he thinks. The core of his platform, the Freedom Dividend a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for every American adult is an excellent example of how Yangs routine willingness to flout customary political tactics has contributed to his rise. When Yang announced during the September debate that his campaign would give away $1,000 per month for a year to ten American families, he was met with audible laughter from several contenders on stage, including California senator Kamala Harris. Four months later, Harris is out of the race, and Yang is still standing. Yangs ability to come across as less programmed than his opponents is apparent in nearly everything he does. Last month, for instance, he announced that anyone who donated any amount to his campaign would be entered for a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to see the newest Star Wars movie with Yang after the debate. Yes I am that candidate, he acknowledged in the tweet, followed by a smiley face and a thumbs-up emoji. What I wrote in my profile of Yang last April is still true: He wont be the Democratic nominee. But several of the things he told me at the time have been proven true as well: Most Americans are still going to be finding out about me when they watch these debates, he goes on. Theyre going to see me. Theyre going to Google me. Theyll be like, Whos that guy? He pauses to chuckle at his own comment. Then the more people dig into my vision for the country, the better Im going to do. Given that hes managed to stick around longer than many veteran politicians whose campaigns were boosted by constant media acclaim, it seems that Yang was right. More from National Review (Natural News) The news media has taken notice of Irans suspicious activity following the recent crash of a Ukrainian jetliner, which in many ways resembles what the United States government did in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. While Iranian authorities invited Boeing and U.S. aviation experts to join their investigation into what happened, they reportedly did this after Iran had already begun to clear out much of the debris from the crash site using bulldozers the implication being that Iran is trying to hide or destroy evidence. According to the state-run IRNA news agency in Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi stated that both Ukraine and the Boeing company had been invited by Iran to participate in the investigations, along with representatives from Canada and the other countries whose citizens died in the tragedy. This invitation was extended not long after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, citing Canadian and other intelligence agencies, went public with the claim that this plane, which crashed in Iranian territory, was shot down by an Iranian missile. Though Trudeau refused to cite the specific intelligence that told him this, he said of his own accord that, in his opinion, a surface-to-air missile struck the plane and caused it to fall to the ground. The intelligence evidence suggests very clearly a possible and probable cause for the crash, Trudeau is quoted as saying. Bellingcat, an open-source investigation website that worked for years to link the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 to Russia back in 2014, says that images it verified show that Iran had been using bulldozers to clear the field, located in Shahedshahr on the outskirts of Tehran, of plane debris before outside investigators could even get there. Sponsored solution from the Health Ranger Store: The Big Berkey water filter removes almost 100% of all contaminants using only the power of gravity (no electricity needed, works completely off-grid). Widely consider the ultimate "survival" water filter, the Big Berkey is made of stainless steel and has been laboratory verified for high-efficiency removal of heavy metals by CWC Labs, with tests personally conducted by Mike Adams. Explore more here. No one knows how to clean up a site before the inspectors come better than the Iranians, joked Richard Allen Grenell, the current United States Ambassador to Germany, in a tweet, obviously referring to Irans past alleged coverups of its nuclear weapons programs. Virtually all pieces of the plane were removed yesterday say locals, added CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer in a separate tweet. Scavengers now picking site clean. No security. Not cordoned off. No sign of any investigators. While U.S. officials are parroting the claim that it is highly likely an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed the jetliner, killing all 176 people on board, the world may never know the undeniable truth now that all of the evidence has been removed from the site. One thing is for sure: Governments around the world lie to the public all the time As we recently reported, there were similar anomalies on September 11, 2001, and beyond when investigators went to look for the wreckage from all the downed airplanes, only to find that there was none. Even though television imagery appeared to show American Airlines planes striking the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, on-site crews revealed that there was no evidence of any airplane wreckage at all. In the case of 9/11, it doesnt appear as though the wreckage was cleared out quickly by the government like it supposedly was in Iran following this more recent incident. Instead, it would seem as though some of the 9/11 airplanes in question the ones that supposedly hit the Pentagon and crashed in Pennsylvania didnt actually exist in the first place. While its easy to jump all over Iran for possibly pulling a false flag, here, lets not forget that our own government did the exact same thing nearly 20 years ago, the repercussions of which are still with us in the form of naked body scanners and full-body pat downs, aka government-sanctioned molestation. For more related news about government false flag events, be sure to check out FalseFlag.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com Fears are growing that the mystery virus which has killed one person and infected dozens in China could spread. The World Health Organization has now told hospitals around the globe to prepare, in the 'possible' event of the infection spreading. Scientists are baffled by the virus which has never been seen before. Tests have so far shown it is a type of coronavirus. Forty-one cases have been contained in the Chinese city of Wuhan since December. One patient has died of the pneumonia caused by the virus. However, the first identified case outside of the country in Thailand last week raised concerns the virus could cross borders. The woman, a Chinese national who was on holiday in Thailand, triggered a step-up in surveillance at airports. Although the virus was initially thought to be transmitted by animals, the WHO said there is now evidence of human-to-human transmission. A 61-year-old Chinese woman on holiday to Thailand has been struck with the mystery virus that has killed one person and infected dozens in China. She is the first to be diagnosed outside of China and has now returned in a stable condition Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, acting head of WHO's emerging diseases unit, said it had given guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection control in case of spread. This includes the potential of 'super spreading' in health care settings, which is when a few ill patients can transmit the virus to dozens at a time. Discussing the potential spread of the virus, Dr Kerkhove said: 'This is something on our radar, it is possible, we need to prepare ourselves.' THE NEW CORONIVURS IN CHINA TIMELINE December 31 2019: The WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Around 44 suspected cases were reported in the month of December. January 1 2020: A seafood market was closed for environmental sanitation and disinfection after being closely linked with the patients. January 5 2020: Doctors ruled out severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) as being the cause of the virus, as well as bird flu, Middle East respiratory syndrome and adenovirus. Meanwhile, Hong Kong reported January 9 2020: A preliminary investigation identified the respiratory disease as a new type of coronavirus, Chinese state media reported. Officials at Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported the outbreak's first death on January 9, a 61-year-old man. January 13 2020: A Chinese woman in Thailand was the first confirmed case of the mystery virus outside of China. The 61-year-old was quarantined on January 8, but has since returned home in a stable condition after having treatment, the Thai Health Ministry said. January 14 2020: The WHO say there is some 'limited' human-to-human transmission of the virus. Two days previously, the UN agency said there was 'no clear evidence of human to human transmission'. Advertisement Some hospitals in China, a tourist hotspot for some 595,000 British tourists each year, have already been directed to report cases of fever in anyone who has travelled to Wuhan in the past 14 days. The city is home to 11million people. Investigations have identified the respiratory disease as a new type of coronavirus, which cause cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and a fever. There has been some 'limited' human-to-human transmission of the virus, the WHO said. It has backtracked on its statement on January 12, when it said there was 'no evidence' of such. The virus was largely speculated to have come from an animal, considering the majority of sickened people worked or visited a seafood market in Wuhan. But since cases have cropped up without any exposure to the food market, there is reason to believe it can be transferred between humans. The WHO added that cases have mainly been seen in small clusters among family members, but there is potential for wider spread. A Chinese woman was quarantined in Thailand with the coronavirus, authorities said on Monday, the first time it has been detected outside China. She was able to return home on Wednesday in a stable condition. The news came ahead of a flux of Chinese tourists to Thailand for Lunar New Year on January 25. Other possible cases emerged up in 15 travellers who returned to Hong Kong and following visits to the city in Hubei province. One suspected case was also reported in Singapore. It was feared the life-threatening SARS, a highly contagious virus, was behind the flurry of cases in Wuhan. SARS killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. But no cases have been recorded in the world since 2004. But SARS, bird flu, Middle East respiratory syndrome and adenovirus have now been ruled out following investigations, authorities have said. The US drone attack that killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, took US-Iranian relations to the brink of war with the potential to destabilize the entire Middle East and shake the global economy. Although no casualties resulted from Tehran's retaliatory launch of more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq, the attack took the conflict to another, extremely dangerous level. To avoid further friction from sparking a broader war, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reached out to various countries that could help de-escalate the situation. Pakistan was one of the first countries he approached after the strike on Soleimani. Pompeo tweeted Jan. 3, Pakistans Chief of Staff General [Qamar] Bajwa and I spoke today about US defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani. The Iran regimes actions in the region are destabilizing and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also discussed the crisis with Bajwa, who called on everyone concerned to pursue diplomacy over inflammatory rhetoric. Bajwas main concern was to keep the situation in Iran from derailing the Afghan peace process. Pakistan had facilitated negotiations between Washington and the Taliban in December 2018. Ostensibly, a new crisis next door could complicate matters despite the absence of a breakthrough thus far. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington and instructed Bajwa to visit Iran and contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message: Pakistan is ready to play its role for peace but it can never again be part of any war. Stressing the need for de-escalatory measures, Khan planned to send Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to meet with his counterparts in the United States, Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as Pompeo. Arriving in Tehran Jan. 13, Qureshi presented Pakistans perspective to President Hassan Rouhani and stressed the need for a diplomatic solution. Soon after drone attacks on two Saudi oil facilities in September, Khan and Bajwa visited Tehran to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran, believed by many to have been behind the strikes. Maintaining good relations with both countries requires a delicate balancing act. Amid the current friction between Tehran and Washington, Islamabad wants to remain neutral and steer clear of a regional conflict. Nevertheless, settling the current crisis is in Islamabads interest for several reasons. First, Pakistan faces the prospect of being drawn into the conflict if it stretches on and leads to a proxy war in Afghanistan. Iran has built ties with the Taliban over the past decade, and given that Afghanistan is already destabilized, any retaliation by Tehran on US interests there could be disastrous for the region. Understandably, even the Afghan government has been urgently encouraging Washington and Tehran to de-escalate. Some credible threats to the United States remain, and Esmail Qaani, Soleimanis successor as Quds Force commander, vowed at Soleimanis funeral to remove America from the region. Second, the current scenario could cause a breakdown in the Afghan reconciliation process if Iran starts using its influence. As Qureshi observed, The crisis will have a negative impact on Afghanistan, and Pakistans efforts in this regard could be undone. Some elements, who have been waiting for this [kind of] moment, may try to derail the Afghan peace process. If a peace deal between the government of President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban is hindered, it would ultimately delay any plans for a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Third, in case of war or turmoil in Iran, there could be an influx of refugees to the relatively unstable Pakistani province of Baluchistan. The Pakistani army has been working since early last year to seal the 620 mile border with fencing to keep out militants. Any new emergency could compound Pakistan's security problems. Finally, although Shiites are a minority in Pakistan, they are the second-largest Shiite population in the world, behind Iranians. Islamabad recognizes Pakistani Shiites affinity for Iran and cannot risk sectarian discontent among the population. To maintain peace at home between Sunnis and Shiites, Pakistan gives top priority to nurturing good relations with Iran, even though Islamabad has close relations with Irans nemesis Saudi Arabia. Thus, de-escalating the current US-Iranian crisis is very much in Pakistans interest. The current atmosphere of insecurity and latent threat to oil assets in the region is a setback for the entire Middle East. Iran had announced on Jan. 5 that it will no longer abide by the restrictions on its nuclear program in accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is being nominally kept alive by the remaining signatories China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain. Negotiating a new nuclear deal remains the best option for de-escalation and restoring stability in the Middle East. Colocation and cloud computing are both third-party hardware and software services that involve data management and storage. They may seem largely the same at first glance, but there is a major difference. Cloud computing services utilize remote servers that are hosted online to process and store data so that you or your organization doesn't have to rely on local servers or PCs. On the other hand, colocation involves renting a space for servers and other hardware at an alternate location, so you won't have to build your own data center. To put it another way, cloud computing is a service that's instantly available, usually for a monthly fee, that has already taken care of installation, software, and storage space and is waiting for you to use it. Colocation is like renting a reliable computer/server room that's waiting to be equipped with your organization's hardware and software solutions. It's basically like outsourcing an IT department. Both of these approaches can have great value depending on the size and goals of your organization. Cloud computing advantages Cloud computing services are often preferable for startups or smaller businesses that may find it difficult to afford a large IT department or that may lack the experience to run one. Cloud storage is already proving incredibly useful for the general public thanks to options like cloud photo storage, and cloud services are expected to continue expanding dramatically. In fact, it's estimated that the public cloud market will grow to $331 billion by 2022. In addition to the general public, flexible cloud services offer great benefits to organizations. Arguably the biggest advantage offered by cloud computing is the cost reduction. There's no need to invest in building or renting facilities, you won't need expensive hardware, and there's no need to staff a large IT team. Cloud solutions also generally provide reliable data security with authentication protocols, data encryption, and customizable access control settings. Some cloud providers may even offer additional security protocols to further protect your company's data. Cloud services are also highly scalable, making them ideal for a business looking to expand in the future. It's much easier to expand an organization's cloud capacity rather than having to purchase more physical infrastructure, which gives cloud companies a significant speed advantage vs others. The cloud also offers excellent data recovery options, since you can access stored data from any computer with an online connection instead of relying on physical hard drives. Colocation benefits Colocation is great for larger companies that require reliable IT departments. Building a data center is expensive, as is maintaining one, and the high costs simply don't make sense anymore for many companies. It's much more cost-effective to simply rent a space to stock your own computer rooms. Some colocation companies will even take care of staffing an IT team for you, so you can focus on running the core of your business. Interconnected data centers are a must for large-scale growth, and businesses operating throughout a country, or internationally, need multiple data centers to form a reliable ecosystem to manage, store, and process massive amounts of data. Reliable colocation services allow for convenient and efficient global connectivity that simply can't be achieved with an in house data center. Customizable services also allow organizations to maintain complete control over their data infrastructure and installation processes. In addition to superior connectivity and control, colocation centers are also backed up through multiple power grids, meaning you'll always stay online. You'll also enjoy unmatched security thanks to constantly updated firewalls and security measures to keep your data safe. Combined efforts Of course, cloud services and colocation don't have to be mutually exclusive. Plenty of companies take advantage of both by housing cloud servers in outsourced data centers. Colocation can help larger companies transition into cloud computing since colocation already involves storing data at an offsite facility. A colocation support team can make the transition significantly easier than if you handled everything on site. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Britain could end up giving EU fishing fleets access to its waters in exchange for favourable terms on the continent for City financiers, the bloc's trade chief has suggested. Phil Hogan, the Irish commissioner who will be one of the key figures in the next round of Brexit talks, said there would be "trade-offs" to make in talks with both sides seeking concessions in different areas. The suggestion is likely to enrage Brexiteers, who see fishing rights as a major part of British sovereignty despite the industry's marginal role in the UK economy, accounting for just 0.1 per cent of GDP. There certainly will be trade-offs, particularly at the end of the negotiations," Mr Hogan, the EU's trade Commissioner told the Irish Independent. "The EU will be seeking concessions on fishery access and the UK will very probably be seeking concessions on financial services. Some Brexiteers have made grand promises about the effect of leaving the EU on Britian's fishing industry. Tory MP Peter Aldous told the BBC's Today programme only this week that there would be a "sevenfold" increase in the amount of fish that could be caught by UK fishermen. "Wed see a sevenfold increase of what our quota stocks, those fishing stocks that are subject to quota, are and can actually be caught by UK vessels in the south and north sea," the Waveney MP told the programme. But the EU is insisting that fishing access must be part of any basic trade agreement signed by the end of the year and has said it will be willing to defend its own interests. Boris Johnson has set himself a cliff-edge to secure an agreement by the end of the year, so will be under pressure to sign to avoid a no-deal on WTO terms. But Fishing rights are important to some countries like France, which makes use of British waters meaning EU leaders will also want to avoid no-deal at the end of the year if possible. The City of London, Britain's financial centre (AFP) Key parts of Britain's financial services sector will be largely locked out of EU markets after Brexit unless special agreements can be drawn up. The changes are already hitting some businesses: on Tuesday French oil company Total announced it was moving its London-based treasury department back to Paris because of Brexit. The group had moved operations to London in 2013. Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Show all 8 1 /8 Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a fake wall POOL/AFP via Getty Images Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes REUTERS Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty EU diplomats from member states discussed the bloc's approach to fishing rights in negotiations as part of seminars with Commission officials on Tuesday morning. A slide presentation drawn up by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier's team warned that the "challenge ahead is unprecedented in scale" and that EU objectives include "continued reciprocal access" to waters and "stable quota shares". Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2020 -- The global iron and steel casting market was valued at US$ 130 Bn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of more than 4% from 2018 to 2026, according to a new report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) titled 'Iron and Steel Casting Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20182026.' The iron and steel casting process involves production of any object of desired shape and size by pouring or injecting molten iron and steel into a mold. Such products are manufactured on a large scale for a wide range of sectors such as oil & gas, agriculture, automotive, power generation, industrial units, and manufacturing machinery. Market to be driven by growth of heavy industries such as construction, mining, and automotive Growth of heavy industries such as automotive, mining, and construction is a major driver of the iron and steel casting market. Especially, rising demand from the construction industry is likely to propel the demand for iron and steel casting products in the near future. Construction equipment need to be sturdy, strong, and long-lasting. They need to incur low costs for maintenance and withstand varying pressures and different climatic conditions. This type of equipment also requires raw materials with excellent properties. Iron and steel are among the most commonly used raw materials in the manufacture of equipment for heavy industries such as power generation, manufacturing machinery, oil & gas, electricals, and industrial equipment. Traditionally, the mining industry has been an important end-user of iron and steel casting products. The industry is focused on reducing its operational costs. The low-maintenance and long-lasting nature of iron and steel casting products make them suitable for use in the mining industry. The automotive industry uses iron and steel casting products to offer sturdiness and strength to auto components and parts, so that they can withstand varying temperatures and possible vehicle accidents. Availability of aluminum alloys as substitutes in the automotive industry to hinder market Automotive manufacturers have shifted their focus toward cast aluminum instead of the conventional iron and steel products. They want to benefit from superior properties of aluminum casting products such as corrosion resistance, lightness, and high performance. These products can also help manufacturers meet the emission limits set by different regulatory bodies. Furthermore, use of aluminum can reduce the total weight of a vehicle by 10% to 15%. Use of aluminum is preferred in electric vehicles to reduce the vehicle weight. This, in turn, increases the durability of batteries. There are several other factors that drive the use of aluminum in the automotive sector. Increasing adoption of aluminum casting products acts as a restraint of the iron and steel casting market. Investments in infrastructure development by governments to drive market for iron and steel casting products Governments of developed countries such as Canada, the U.K., France, and the U.S. are planning to invest in the maintenance of infrastructure projects. On the other hand, governments of developing countries such as Brazil, South Africa, China, and India are planning to develop Greenfield projects. A few examples of such projects include the proposed bullet train in India; metro railways in several cities of India such as Pune and Nagpur; and the Belt and Road Initiative by China. Other countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, and Tanzania are also planning to take initiative for such projects. Such projects require iron and steel casting products in large quantities, which increases the demand for iron and steel casting products. Request A Sample - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=20456 Global iron and steel casting market segmented based on material, application, and region In terms of material, the global iron and steel casting market can be divided into gray iron, ductile iron, steel, and malleable iron. The gray iron segment holds the leading market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period, due to low manufacturing cost, high tensile strength, ductility, and impact resistance of gray iron. Based on application, the market can be segregated into automotive & transport, pipes & fittings, pumps & valves, machinery & equipment, and others. Various properties of iron and steel such as ductility, durability, and impact resistance make them highly suitable for use in the automotive & transport sector. The automotive & transport segment accounts for the leading share of the market. In terms of region, the global iron and steel casting market can be classified into North America (the U.S. and Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), Europe (Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia & CIS, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific) and Middle East & Africa (GCC, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa). Medium degree of competition in the market A large number of iron and steel casting companies operate in the market. These companies range from small and local manufacturers to medium-sized national-level companies and even, multinational companies. While large companies such as ArcelorMittal and Tata Steel account for a considerable share of the global market, the rest of the market is fragmented. The level of expertise of iron and steel casting companies is a significant factor affecting the competitive ability of market players. In terms of expertise and use of technology, multinational companies are better than small- and medium-sized companies. Some of the important companies in the market include Tata Steel Limited, Kobe Steel, Ltd., ArcelorMittal, Nucor Corporation, and Hitachi Metals Ltd. by Shafique Khokhar Muslim extremists have accused Shahbaz Masih and Muhammad Ishaq of burning pages of the Quran over a grudge against the Christian. their respective families have had to flee out of fear and are hiding at a secret location. Faisalabad (AsiaNews) Two friends from Faisalabad, Pakistan, have been arrested on charges of blasphemy. Shahbaz Masih, a 40-year-old Christian, and Muhammad Ishaq, a 39-year-old Muslim were taken into custody on 27 December, two days after Christmas, and are still in prison. As a result of the situation, their families have had to flee for security reasons and are now at a secret location. Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) will represent both, providing legal, moral and other support to them, said HRFP president Naveed Walter, speaking to AsiaNews. The two men are accused of offending the Prophet Muhammad under section 295-B of the Pakistani Criminal Code, one of the laws on blasphemy. The case dates back to late 2019 but has not received any media coverage. Rights groups have complained about this lack of attention. Walter said that his organisation will continue its efforts to repeal the blasphemy laws and practices, including the demand of changing the process in which the innocents become victimised whilst the complainants have no punishments, even after their allegations are proven false and due to personal grudges and vested interests. In his community, Shahbaz is a well-known Christian. His accusers, Shahzaib and Ahmad, hold a grudge against him for being a Christian. On 27 December the two surrounded him at the market, dragged him to a nearby landfill where children collect paper, and beaten. His screams drew the attention of his friend Ishaq, who came to his aid. At that point, the attackers accused both of blasphemy, of burning pages of the Quran. A riot followed, with a nearby mosque calling on Muslims to kill both men. When police arrived, it took the two friends to a police station, questioned them and moved them to a prison, where they are still being held. Human rights groups slam the cops for giving in to extremist pressure and formally recording the case. For their part, radicals threatened to burn the homes of Christians as well as that of the Muslim man, "guilty" of being friends with the Christian. For this reason, the families of the accused went into hiding at an unknown location. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in person in central London at Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday, at a hearing scheduled to process the submission of defence evidence. The hearing was the latest procedural step in the extradition request from the US for Assange, which will be subject of a scheduled four-week trial beginning next month. It was revealed that, since his last hearing on December 19, Assange had been granted just two hours total to review that evidence with his legal team. What is being conducted in the British courts is not a trial but a legal farce, designed to cover up the lawless rendition of a political prisoner to a country that brazenly assassinates political opponents. Assange is wanted by his US persecutors on trumped-up Espionage Act charges that could see him jailed for 175 years. Assange and whistle-blower Chelsea Manning are being persecuted for their role in bringing to the worlds population the truth about the war crimes, anti-democratic intrigues and mass surveillance conducted globally by the US government and other imperialist powers, including the United Kingdom. WSWS reporter Thomas Scripps speaks outside the hearing Assange appeared defiant in court. He held a short conversation with his lawyer Gareth Peirce and nodded to and saluted his supporters gathered in the public gallery before the hearing began. He also raised his clenched fist to the gallery as he left the dock. Peirce began the hearing with reference to the continuing and deliberate isolation of Assange from his lawyers and the impossibility of conducting a defence on this basis. According to Peirce, evidence that is yet to be submitted includes a volume on prison conditions that she has only begun to discuss with her client. There are three further substantial volumes of exhibited material that Assange had not yet had a chance to see at all. The legal team had hoped, Peirce noted, to have time to go through this material while Assange was held in the cells at Westminster Magistrates Court, after a difficult journey in a police van from the maximum security Belmarsh prison where he is being incarcerated. However, court security insisted that an interview could not be guaranteed, and that any session would be limited to just one hour. Peirce explained this has set us back on our timetable enormously. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser was unmoved. She stated that there were 47 people held in the courts cells and eight available interview rooms, and that therefore the decision to limit Assanges time was not an unreasonable position for them to take. Baraitser has repeatedly refused to direct Belmarsh prison to make more visiting time available to Assanges lawyers, despite the availability of interview rooms. In a previous hearing, she brazenly questioned how important it actually was for Peirce to go over this information in detail with her client. When Baraitser asked how much time had so far been available to Assanges legal team to discuss the evidence in question with him, Peirce responded that, since their last contact with the court, they had just two hours. This was compounded, as what little time was available this week was reduced by the last-minute change of the hearing date from Tuesday to Monday. Peirce said, We did not book a visit for tomorrow [Tuesday] because we thought it was a court day, so we have lost the opportunity for that. If it were made available, we would take it. Baraitser made no move to address this issue. Protesters outside yesterday's hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court In the coming days, Assange will have just one hour-long Thursday afternoon session at Belmarsh to review the remaining evidence before the deadline for submission at the end of the week. On Belmarsh prisons continued refusal to allow Assange sufficient time to review his case with his lawyers, Peirce said, We have pushed Belmarsh in every way and indicated that the legal team were seriously considering launching a judicial reviewit is a breach of a defendants rights. Speaking outside the court, Joseph Farrell, WikiLeaks ambassador and a Centre for Investigative Journalism board member, said, Julian has had extremely poor access to his lawyers. The reason he was brought here in person was that after the hearing he would be able to stay and work through the evidence, at least pieces of it, with his lawyers. Due to the various limitations here at Westminster court the judge said that he would be entitled to an hour. His lawyer pointed out that since the last time he spoke to the court he had only received two hours with his lawyers and that the way Belmarsh has been acting is brinking on judicial review. The idea that somebody doesnt have access to their lawyers when theyre facing a life sentence, when they have 175 years [of imprisonment] ahead of them, when the prosecution has had 10 years to mount the hardest case that they have with unlimited resources, and for somebody to have three hours with their lawyers in order to sign off on their future, its unacceptable. Also in attendance at the hearing was independent journalist Tareq Haddad. Haddad resigned from the US magazine Newsweek in December after its editors refused to publish his story on the documented doctoring of an Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) report on an alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria, in April 2018. The WSWS spoke with Haddad about his resignation and about his views on the Assange case: I frequently write about foreign affairs and international politics. When Turkeys invasion of Syria started, I was asked to report on that and a week into the Turkish invasion there was alleged white phosphorous use by Turkey, so I investigated that. In the course of that investigation I was interviewing a lot of chemical weapons investigators or people from bodies related to chemical weapons such as the International Committee for the Red Cross. As I was doing that story, I started to hear rumblings of leaks within the OPCW. At the very beginning it wasnt something I could report on but as I followed it more closely it reached the point at which I thought okay, something needs to be printed. And that point was the documents released by WikiLeaks, then the letter which hadnt yet been released by WikiLeaks, which was published in the Mail on Sunday, and then when that letter was verified by Reuters . Even when I had this, I was told I couldnt report on it, and that was the moment I had to resign. Also, in the process of trying to write this story, I was personally attacked and smeared as a journalist despite not having any prior issues with my stories. It was only when I tried to write anything controversial that my character started to be attacked. They said that the sources I was using for my storiesnot just this one but all themwere bad sources or that I was editorialising. Ive got over a thousand by-lines for International Business Times, Ive got over 200 by-lines for Newsweek and this never came up. It was only when I was trying to discuss the doctoring of chemical weapons reports. Asked about the wider war danger in the Middle East, Haddad said, So whats happened in Syria is part of a much wider process. Essentially, whats been happening for the last 50 or 60 years is that the United States and the United Kingdom have been repeatedly breaking international law, invading countries, not respecting international sovereignty. Now theres a fairly recent alliance of Russia, China, Iran, Iraq that all kind of agree that were stronger together than apart and our alliance should be centred on two things: international sovereignty and the following of international law. They have their own bad records in these areas, but they understand that its in their interests to stand up for this, because theyve been the victims of US foreign policy all this time. My understanding of whats going on in relation to Assange is that freedom of speech is very quickly dying or already dead in the Western world. This case is symbolic of something much bigger. People need to be aware of it and understand the complexity of the case. Its inspiring to see so many people here. I think its one of the most important court cases in the history of the West, for sure. And it will have a symbolic outcome. If freedom of speech is not respected here, in the case of Assange, its not going to be respected in wider society and the world that we live in is not going to look the same in a few years. Were already going down that path of authoritarianism. Assanges next procedural hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 23. Agrarians are protesting against the opening of the land market continues at the Verkhovna Rada. Farmers came to Verkhovna Rada despite the fact that MPs will not consider the land market this week. 112 Ukraine correspondent stated this. Protesters demand to postpone the law providing for the sale of Ukrainian lands, to hold a referendum and adopt rules under which the state and local governments will have the right to buy shares. To the left of the protesters, we see that another rally is taking place. As is clear from the posters, these people are against the bill on hunting grounds. There are more than fifty of them. So far we do not hear slogans, the correspondent said. As it was reported earlier, on December 20, 2019, the farmers protesting against land sales have blocked a number of roads in Zaporizhia, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions. About 200 local farmers and land share owners block the international highway M-16 Odesa-Kuchurhan in the area of Kuchurhan customs point. A huge line of cars gathered in this direction. At least 20 tractors block the road. 3rd Annual Cyber Future Dialogue in Davos Cyber Future Dialogue brings about Cyber Future Foundations commitment to raise Hope for a secure future and serve with Humility towards advancing trust in cyberspace for the Humanity. For the third year, the Cyber Future Dialogue will be held at the historic Schatzalp Hotel, overlooking the Davos Promenade. The date of this years Dialogue is 21, January 2020, from 10:00 until 18:00 local time. Citizens, businesses and nations around the world are grappling with the challenges and consequences of ever-increasing cyber-attacks and disruptions, said Valmiki Mukherjee, Founder & Chairman of Cyber Future Foundation. Cybersecurity has become a key topic for Boards and Executive suites, which now demands executive decisions and actions. It is absolutely essential for leaders to come together to focus and deliberate on the fundamental aspects of cyber risk, and address this collectively. This goal can only be achieved through collaboration and informed decision-making at the highest levels. Captains of industry, government leaders, and cyber security experts must begin to work together to make these decisions and put them into action, as with any other business imperative. Only then can we hope to reverse the threats now upon us. The mission of the Cyber Future Dialogue is to develop a set of guiding principles which address the challenges, and harness the potentials of global connectedness in cyber space. This includes the basic elements of CyberSecurity, CyberEducation, CyberRisk and CyberPeace. For more information on this event, including discussion topics and bios for past and present speakers and delegates, please visit the event website at: http://www.cyberfuturedialogue.org. It will be streamed live from Cyber Future Foundations YouTube channel at: http://bit.ly/37MBNo0. To request a press pass for the Cyber Future Dialogue in Davos, and the Cyber Future Summit in Dallas, please email requests and credential information to: hcollum@cyberfuturefoundation.org. Cyber Future Foundation (CFF), is a Dallas, Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit. CFFs mission is to provide guidance and certification for educational programs in cybersecurity world-wide, contribute to the development of effective public policies in cybersecurity, create a platform for developing trust in cyber space, serve as a super-connector for global cybersecurity thought leaders and catalyze collaborative efforts through its network of alliances and public-private partnerships. Please visit our website at: http://www.cyberfuturefoundation.org No direct or indirect association, endorsement or affiliation with World Economic Forum, nor any connection with the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum is implied. All copyrights are the property of the respective owners. Baby Archie's lack of titles suggests Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have been planning to step back from the royal family as early as last year, an expert claimed today. Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine, said that Archie's lack of titles hint at his parents' 'wider masterplan' to step back from their roles as royals. The couple's son was named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor following his birth on May 6 last year. As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have assumed the title of Earl of Dumbarton. However the couple stated he would simply be known as Master Archie, which at the time was said to be in line with his father's wish that he grow up as a private citizen. Majesty's Joe Little said that Archie's lack of titles hint at his parent's 'wider masterplan' to step back from their roles as royals (pictured in Cape Town in September) Mr Little told the Express: 'The fact Archie isn't Earl of Dumbarton or styled HRH makes me wonder whether this wasn't already part of a wider masterplan.' According to the regulations of the House of Windsor, Archie is not automatically entitled to the HRH styling, which only extends to grandchildren of the monarch. The Queen did, however, opt to forgo the rules for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's two younger children - Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. When the Queen dies, Harry's son could become a Prince. However this is now in doubt and could possibly be part of the new Megxit deal being fleshed out courtiers. Why was Archie not born a prince or HRH? King George V - Harry's great, great grandfather - limited titles within the royal family in 1917 as far as grandchildren of the serving monarch. This means Archie, as Harry and Meghan's first born, is too far down the line of succession to be an HRH or a prince. George V, speaking in 1917, declared that: 'The grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms.' The eldest son and heir apparent of a duke can use one of his father's lesser grade peerage titles by courtesy. So Archie is entitled to call himself the Earl of Dumbarton - one of the subsidiary titles Harry received from the Queen on the morning of his wedding. However his parents have never stylised him as such, instead opting for Master Archie. As such, his full title is Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The same is true of Zara Phillip's children, Mia Grace Tindall and Lena Elizabeth Tindall. However, as neither of their parents are not Dukes or Duchesses, they have no secondary titles to take, as Archie potentially did with the Earldom of Dumbarton. While great-grandchildren are not normally titled HRH or Prince, that privilege does extend to first-born heirs, which is why Prince George was designated as such on in birth in 2012. In that year, the Queen issued letters that deemed all of Prince William's children would be designated HRH from birth, which is why Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis enjoy those titles. As such, their full titles are; His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, and His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge. Advertisement Yesterday it was confirmed that the Queen would sanction the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new 'independent life' away from full-time royal duties. Royal biographer Penny Junor described the Queen's comments - which featured the word family eight times - as 'warm and friendly and supportive'. In an unusual move Harry and Meghan were not referred to as the duke and duchess in the statement, raising questions about whether they will retain their titles. Harry and Meghan made clear in their statement last week they want to step back from being senior royals, become financially independent and split their time between North America and the UK. The head of state said: 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' In another development, William and Harry made a joint show of strength by issuing a statement denying a newspaper claim about their relationship which they branded 'offensive and potentially harmful'. The statement did not name the newspaper but the Times has a front page story about the crisis, and says a source told the publication that Harry and Meghan 'regarded themselves as having been pushed away by what they saw as a bullying attitude from the Duke of Cambridge'. A number of questions remain unanswered, with the central issue being how will the Sussexes fund their future lives and whether any future deals will have to be scrutinised by the palace. The Royal timebomb: From launching their own Instagram account to hiring PR firm and building HRH brand... the signs that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have long been plotting to quit The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have displayed various tell-tale signs over the past year that they have long been looking to quit as senior royals. Rumours of a rift between Prince Harry and his brother William first emerged last March when he and Meghan split from Kensington Palace to form Sussex Royal. They also launched their own Instagram account in April, trademarked more than 100 products with their name in June and employed a new PR firm in September. Meghan also revealed her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed in Africa last October, and they spent Christmas in Canada away from the royals. In addition, the couple decided not to announce their newborn child Archie's godparents after his christening last July in a break with royal tradition. And last week, a portrait of the Queen with the next three heirs to the throne - Charles, William and George - was released, with no sign of Harry in the picture. Here is a timeline of their past year as they said last night they will step back from royal duties and split their time between the UK and North America from now on: February 2019 - Meghan makes a surprise trip to New York where she enjoys a two-day baby shower with close friends including Serena Williams and Amal Clooney. The lavish $300,000 event was attended by her celebrity friends including Amal Clooney, Gayle King and Jessica Mulroney and took place in a $75,000-a-night penthouse at a top Manhattan hotel. March 14 - Rumours of a rift between Harry and William emerge after the Sussexes split from Kensington Palace to form their own royal household. It meant Harry and Meghan took on their own staff with offices in Buckingham Palace, and appointed their own new communications staff, reporting to the Queen's Communications Secretary, Donal McCabe. April 2: Harry and Meghan launch their own Instagram account, saying it will be used for 'important announcements' and for sharing the work that 'drives' them. The account - which began with a message saying 'We thank you for your support, and welcome you to @SussexRoyal' - now has more than ten million followers. Prince Harry and Meghan launched their own Instagram account on April 2 last year April 4 - The couple move into Frogmore Cottage following taxpayer-funded renovations that reportedly cost around 2.4million. The couple later said they left their previous residence of Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace because it 'could not accommodate their growing family'. May 6 - Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is born at the Portland Hospital in London after Meghan goes into labour in the early hours of the morning. It is a break from tradition with previous royals, including the Duchess of Cambridge, who have previously visited the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London to give birth. May 8 - The duke and duchess present baby Archie to the world at a press briefing at St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The couple later reveal they chose not to use the courtesy title Earl Dumbarton, which Archie was allowed to use, nor to style him Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, opting for plain 'Master' instead. July 7 - Archie is christened at an intimate ceremony attended by close family. Royal baptisms are traditionally private but Harry and Meghan went one step further by going against convention and deciding not to announce Archie's godparents, with the couple facing criticism from some quarters. A christening photograph shows Harry and Meghan with their son Archie and (left to right) Camilla, Prince Charles, Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William and Kate in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle last July June 20 - Harry and Meghan confirm they are splitting from the Royal Foundation charity with William and Kate to start their own initiative, Sussex Royal. It is later revealed it will officially launch in 2020. The split came 16 months after the 'Fab Four' appeared on stage to launch their vision for a shared working future and joked that they were 'stuck together for the rest of our lives'. June 21: Harry and Meghan issue a trademark application for their Sussex Royal brand on more than 100 items, from hats to T-shirts and newspapers to gloves, as they appear intent on turning their brand into a global empire. The news is first revealed by the Daily Mail in late December 2019. Documents published by the Intellectual Property Office show the trademark applications made by Sussex Royal last June July 28 - It is announced Meghan is guest editing the September issue of British Vogue and she chooses to put the faces of 15 'changemakers' - including activists, politicians and artists - on the cover rather than herself. Prince Harry also interviewed anthropologist Dr Jane Goodall and tells her he will only have two children for the sake of the planet. Prince Harry interviewed anthropologist Dr Jane Goodall for British Vogue last July and told her he will only have two children for the sake of the planet August - The couple are heavily criticised in the press for using private jets to go on holiday with Archie to the south of France, despite their environmental campaigning. They used four private jet flights in just 11 days, with their return visit to Nice seeing them hosted by Sir Elton John. In September, Harry defends the use of the transport and claims it was to 'ensure their safety'. September 3: Meghan hires top crisis PR firm Sunshine Sachs which once represented Harvey Weinstein in a bid to improve her public image following a series of damaging controversies. Royal watchers pointed out that PR is traditionally handled by Palace staff, and said the move to work with an American company exposed the US focus of their ambitions. September 23 - Harry and Meghan take Archie on a two-week Royal Tour of South Africa, while the duke also visits Botswana, Malawi and Angola alone. In Angola, Harry visits a minefield where his mother was pictured walking through 22 years previously while on charity work to call for an end to landmines. October 1 - Prince Harry issues a statement criticising the press for its coverage of his wife and confirms they will take legal action against a newspaper over a story. Referring to the death of his mother Diana in 1997, he said: 'My deepest fear is history repeating itself. I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person.' October 21 - Meghan reveals her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed during the duke and duchess's trip to Africa and says 'It's not enough to just survive something... You've got to thrive.' In the same programme, Harry reveals he and brother William are on 'different paths'. November 14 - The duke and duchess confirm they will not spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family. It is later announced they are taking a six-week break and they spend the holidays in Canada. They decided to spend the period including Thanksgiving with Meghan's mother Doria Regland, and the Queen was thought to have backed the decision. December: Prince Harry is said to ask Charles about spending more time in Canada and the US, but is told to come up with a more thorough plan. December 31 - Harry and Meghan share a picture of the Prince holding Archie while standing by a lake in what is thought to be their Canadian Christmas hideaway of Vancouver Island. They accompanied the post with a message saying: 'Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and thanking you for your continued support!' The Duke of Sussex holding his son son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in Canada in December January 3, 2020 - A portrait of the Queen with the next three heirs to the throne - Charles, William and George - is released by Buckingham Palace, with no sign of Prince Harry in the picture. It was only the second time such a portrait of the monarch and the next three in line to the throne has been released, with the first being in April 2016 to celebrate Her Majesty's 90th birthday. The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George pose on December 18 in a photograph to mark the start of the new decade in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace Early January: Harry sends a draft proposal about his future role to Charles - but is told he still needs to think it through further, especially regarding funding, it has been claimed. Harry allegedly asks for a meeting with the Queen, but she says she will not discuss his proposals until he has gone over them in detail with Charles. January 7 - Harry and Meghan return from their break and visit Canada House in London to thank the country's High Commissioner for the hospitality they received. Their first official engagement of the new decade was to publicly thank the Commonwealth country for hosting them during an extended private break over Christmas. January 8 - The duke and duchess announce in a statement released by Buckingham Palace they are stepping back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and are 'working to become financially independent'. They also reveal they will split their time between the UK and North America. HEVC Advance Announces the Addition of Huawei as a Licensor and Licensee BOSTON and SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- HEVC Advance, an independent licensing administrator, today announced that Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., along with its affiliates, have become Licensors and Licensees of the HEVC Advance HEVC/H.265 Patent Pool. As a Licensor, all of Huawei's HEVC/H.265 essential patents will now be available through the HEVC Advance Patent Pool. As a Licensee, Huawei gains access to the over 10,000 (and counting) world-wide patents essential to implementing the HEVC/H.265 video codec standard. "Patent licensing provides reasonable reward for innovation, incentivizes further investment in research and development and drives continuous industry progress. Patent pools are one of the many ways to license IP. Huawei is very pleased to work with other video technology contributors to provide one-stop licensing to implementers of patents, while remaining open to individual licenses and providing patent implementers the opportunity to choose different licensing models based on their own business needs," said Jianxin Ding, Head of Global Intellectual Property, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. "Working with HEVC Advance enables Huawei's innovation in media technology to be widely used in the industry and brings consumers the convenience and delight of advanced video technology, whether in their daily life or at work." "Our collaboration with Huawei sets a very good example of mutually beneficial and consensual SEP licensing," said HEVC Advance CEO, Peter Moller. "Huawei is one of the largest and most important technology companies in the world. It is a leader in innovation and intellectual property, and has contributed significantly to the development of many standards that are widely used in the telecommunication and media industry. Having the support of Huawei represents another big step forward toward our goal of eliminating IP barriers and enabling the benefits of HEVC technology to reach all consumers and all market participants. We look forward to working with Huawei to promote a healthy and collaborative SEP licensing environment in China and the rest of the world." About Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei operates in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. For more information about Huawei, visit www.huawei.com. About HEVC Advance HEVC Advance is an independent licensing administrator company formed to lead the development, administration, and management of an HEVC/H.265 patent pool for licensing essential patents. HEVC Advance provides a transparent and efficient licensing mechanism for HEVC patented technology. For more information about HEVC Advance, visit www.hevcadvance.com. Contact: press@hevcadvance.com Contact: corporate.comms@huawei.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 00:36:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fifty Cambodian garment factory workers were killed and 1,956 others were injured in traffic accidents in 2019, said a National Social Security Fund (NSSF)'s report released on Tuesday. The figure showed a slight increase when compared to 2018, the report said, noting that in 2018, road crashes killed 42 garment workers and injured 1,821 others. The country's multi-billion-U.S.-dollar garment industry is comprised of about 1,000 factories, employing approximately 750,000 workers. Workers usually travel to and from their factories every day by standing in the back of flatbed trucks, which are often overloaded with up to 50 people. NSSF director Ouk Samvithyea said last year, his officials had introduced traffic law to some 23,873 drivers and 30,747 garment workers. "We will continue to educate them about the traffic law and hope that casualties from road crashes involving garment workers will go down this year," he told reporters after the NSSF's annual meeting. A grieving Londonderry mother has called on those behind an attack on her home to tell her why she was targeted. The 27-year-old mother-of-three, who is too scared to be identified, said she is terrified to stay in her St Eithne's Park house after an early morning attack. All the windows in her home and car were smashed by a man wielding a hurling stick. She says she desperately wants to stay in her home as it was where she held a wake for her stillborn baby daughter two years ago. "My children and I sleep at the back of the house," she said. "I heard some noise at around 4.30am and woke up. I went downstairs and opened the curtains and saw the windows were broken and there was glass everywhere. "My neighbour was out in the street and waved me out. It was then that I saw my car had been smashed up. I was terrified. I can't understand it." The mum said her peace of mind has been shattered by the attack she believes is a case of mistaken identity. "I am a mother of three children," she said. "I have no idea why anyone would want to do this to us. There are children in this house. I dread to think what would have happened if no one woke up and this attack was allowed to continue. "I don't feel safe here in my home anymore. "But I don't want to move as this home is where I brought my baby daughter back to when she was stillborn. "This is where she was waked from, so I don't want to move from those memories. But I am terrified. I want to know why I was targeted and if I am still in danger. "I want to know if me and my children are going to be safe in our home." Police appealed for information in the wake of the attack. Inspector McDermott said: "We've received a report of a man, with a hurley stick, running from the area. "He is described as wearing a hooded top and it's believed he headed towards the Springtown Road and got into a car. "I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to get in touch on 101, quoting reference number 171 of 13/01/20." A segment of the border barrier that covers parts of the U.S.-Mexico border. Photo: Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images Before Donald Trump announced his ultimately successful run for president in 2015, he was a blowhard real-estate magnate turned reality-TV host who couldnt remember basic talking points about his own nascent campaign. Advisers knew he needed help, so in order to keep him on message regarding a key feature of his eventual platform restricting immigration, particularly from Mexico and Central America they settled on a mnemonic device: Having him tell people that he was going to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. How do we get him to continue to talk about immigration? Sam Nunberg, one of Trumps early political advisers, told Roger Stone, another adviser, according to the New York Times. Were going to get him to talk about hes going to build a wall. It worked like a charm. By capitalizing on Trumps penchant for bragging about himself and how good he was at building things, his advisers had ensured, to the best of their abilities, that their wayward candidate wouldnt veer too wildly off script. Then the device took on a life of its own. At Trumps campaign rallies, Build the wall became a rallying cry, uniting his followers behind what many no doubt saw as a literal campaign promise despite its roots as a memory trick. Hardly one to reject popularity, Trump responded by making a nearly 2,000-mile concrete barrier spanning the entire U.S.-Mexico border into a pillar of his national security platform. His commitment to this project and desperate desire to prove hes making progress on its construction in the lead-up to the 2020 elections now boasts a ballooning list of costs, both financial and political. The stalemate stemming from his demands that Congress give him $5.7 billion to build part of the wall in December 2018 resulted in the longest government shutdown in U.S. history; it ended with him getting none of the money hed demanded. The president has since been able to secure funding piecemeal as part of various emergency declarations, favorable court rulings, and spending bills $3.6 billion here, $1.375 billion there but has relied primarily on diverting funds from the military to bankroll what was, until this week, a roughly $11 billion project. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion more, bringing the total cost of the wall up to $18.4 billion and counting. No restrictions have been placed by Congress or the courts on how much the president can take from the Pentagon budget for the project, and hes responded by siphoning off billions, leading to the delay or cancellation of several federal construction plans including road repairs, a waste-treatment facility, and schools for the children of servicemembers. The new funding is projected to allow the administration to complete 880 miles of wall by 2022 a timetable that still doesnt bode well for Trumps promise to finish 450 miles by the end of 2020. Its hard right now to be able to say whether were still going to be able to meet that [450-mile] goal, but Im confident that were going to be close, Mark Morgan, acting commissioner for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said in December. So far, about 101 miles of new barrier have been completed; at least 90 miles of that replaced already-existing structures, but Morgan insisted that it all be considered new anyway. Theres plenty to ridicule about the presidents mad dash to produce results on a project that exists largely because he couldnt remember what to say on the stump. Hes already had to downgrade his supporters expectations several times. What he framed initially as a concrete barrier spanning the entire border has materialized as a roughly 100-mile network of steel slats, fencing, and privately owned brush country and desert that many of its owners dont wish to cede to the federal government, let alone the presidents racist vanity project. People smuggling drugs into the U.S. have been using commercially available power saws to cut holes in the newly constructed steel wall, passing contraband through largely unencumbered. And Trump has taken his reality-TV instincts to new extremes, unrolling a plan to use webcams to video record live feeds of the construction process so that everyday viewers can have visual evidence that something is, indeed, happening at the border. (This development has also rankled contractors who dont want their proprietary techniques available for competitors to see, according to the Post.) But ultimately, any progress made on the wall in whatever modified form it ends up taking testifies to how seamlessly racist rhetoric can facilitate racist policy. The dilemma facing a president who promised to keep Mexicans out of America is that he must appear to be keeping Mexicans out of America. We now have a $18 billion bill and miles of flimsy and grotesque architecture to show for it. Detainees at a WA detention centre claim they have been denied medication and given rotten food, prompting what they have referred to as a hunger strike over the alleged conditions at the facility. Mikaele Mounga, 45, called WAtoday from the Yongah Hill Detention Centre on Monday, saying the tensions at the facility were reaching boiling point due to the conditions he said detainees were experiencing. Detainees at Yongah Hill Detention Centre. Mr Mounga is originally from Tonga, but had his Australian spousal visa cancelled after being imprisoned. When Mr Mounga was released, he was moved into immigration detention in New South Wales before he was transferred to Yongah Hill in Northam. Australians will gain access to $50 million in rapid assistance to recover from the bushfire crisis in a Morrison government move to inject funds into major charities. The Salvation Army and the St Vincent De Paul Society will receive cash within days so they can help people pay for clothing, petrol, bus tickets, electricity and other household expenses. The Salvation Army and the St Vincent De Paul Society will receive cash to help people pay for clothing, petrol, electricity and household expenses. Credit:Robert Peet The program is to be announced on Wednesday as another part of the government's $2 billion recovery fund and will also include financial counselling to prevent those in need falling into debt. Cash payments will be made "when necessary" to cover emergency costs for those directly affected by fires, including those who live and work in affected areas. TEHRAN, Iran, Jan.14 Trend: With the support of the Iran's Ministries of Oil and Energy, the 16th International Energy Exhibition of Kish will be held from January 20 to 23, 2020. The exhibition to be held in Kish Island will present strengths and capacities of engineering, contracting, consulting, expertise and experience of Iran's oil, gas, refining, petrochemical, electricity and energy industries, will be held in Kish Island, Trend reports citing IRNA. The event will be attended of Iranian oil industry experts, and more than 140 Iranian and international companies from China, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and South Korea, alongside associations and organizations operating in the oil, gas, refining, petrochemical, electricity and energy industries are expected to participate in the exhibition. This International Exhibition is sponsored by Ministries of Oil and Energy, Kish Free Zone Organization, National Iranian Oil, Gas, Refining and Distribution Companies, Oil Industry Equipment Manufacturers Association, Iranian Industrial Equipment Manufacturers Association, Electrical Industry Syndicate and Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. The 16th International Kish Energy Exhibition also aims to support domestic production and offer solutions to overcome the US sanctions with the participation of knowledge-based companies and startups. Mamata Banerjee upset after not being allowed to speak during PMs meet Mamata Banerjee is like a demon, protecting them who killed Hindus: BJP MLA India oi-Mousumi Dash Lucknow, Jan 14: After the controversial statement by Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh where he said that the "anti-CAA protesters were shot like dogs in BJP-ruled states", now another BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh, MLA Surendra Singh has made another controversial statement by comparing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with "a demon", accusing her of protecting those "who killed thousands of Hindus". On Monday the BJP MLA stated while addressing to media, "In a democratic system, Mamata Banerjee has pure traits of a demon. She has no values or characteristics of women." When questioned about Mamata's opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said, "She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. We can only call such a leader a demon." Singh made a controversial statement he said, "The BJP is a party of devtas and SP, BSP and TDP are parties belonging to 'rakshas' (demons)". 'Bengal isn't UP': Mamata Banerjee deplores Dilip Ghosh's 'shot like dogs' remark JNU Violence: Delhi HC orders cops to seize phones of whatsapp group members | OneIndia News Giving protection to terrorists means protecting demons, he added. On the government's decision to implement the police commissionerate system in the state, the BJP leader said no system can make a change until officers, workers and leaders are not sensitive towards the society. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 16:05 [IST] During student discussion time in AP Language class at Dunmore High School, Mia Chiaro, senior class president, who will be eligible to vote in the 2020 election, debates global warming. Read more DUNMORE, Pa. Nick Stanco was a freshman in high school when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were debating ahead of the 2016 general election. Stanco thought Trump was funny. Trump became a joke among his friends. Re-posting pro-Trump memes was a way to annoy and subtly flirt with girls on Snapchat. But when Stanco looked more seriously into Republican positions, he liked the partys stance on guns and individual liberties. Now hes a senior at Dunmore High School and plans to register with the GOP to vote in his first presidential primary. Mia Chiaro got involved in local politics to fight an expansion of the towns landfill. Shes a registered Democrat, also planning to vote for the first time in a presidential election. Shes passionate about climate change and womens rights, topics she often finds herself debating with Stanco, a friend and fellow student council leader at the high school near Scranton. For people turning 18 in the months before a major presidential election, coming of age in a highly polarized social and political environment, registering with a party is one of the first times they formally define identities theyve been developing for years. Are they Republicans? Democrats? Something else? Nothing altogether? And in Pennsylvania, a battleground state where primaries are open only to people registered with that party, theyre forced to join a camp if they want to participate. When you look at our area, theres so many people who dont have the same views," said Nora Haggerty, a senior who is registering as a Democrat. "Theres so many people that dont like Donald Trump, but then there are so many who so strongly support him. Its so weird, because we all come from the same area. In Dunmore, a small borough adjoining Scranton, the students are members of a tight-knit, mostly white, working-class community. Many of the teachers at the high school also attended it. They root for the Dunmore Bucks, and commiserate when the weather is such that they can smell the landfill Pennsylvanias largest. The area has historically been Democratic. The town council still is, but the region has grown more Republican over the years. Clinton narrowly won in Lackawanna County and lost in neighboring Luzerne. And at Dunmore, seniors in a purple part of a critical battleground state are feeling that split. Some register the way of their parents. Others are heavily influenced by friends. (A study by Tufts University found that young people largely inherit their politics from their family, followed by television and Facebook.) A lot of people ... they just see your party and dont want to listen to what you have to say, said Katie Hilson, a Democrat, whose mom is a Trump supporter. One thing Ive gotten from my mom: I try to see the good things [Trumps] doing, because I dont want to see him fail because hes still our president. But I have my own opinions, separate from the house I grew up in. Most say theyve been given education and encouragement from teachers to make up their own minds. Teachers at Dunmore mostly said they try to keep their political leanings a mystery, though some admitted they cant help being honest with their students about whom they support. On the whole, the turnout rate among the nations youngest voters, 18- and 19-year-olds, was just 23% in the 2016 primary nationally still, an increase from previous cycles. People turning 18 are a bit of a blind spot for political campaigns. They are eligible to vote but dont have the record of doing so that campaigns use to target likely voters. Political parties are starting to pay more attention to young voters, said Abby Kiesa, director of impact at CIRCLE, a Tufts research institute that studies the political lives of young people. The 2018 elections had the highest midterm youth voter turnout in at least 25 years, the institute said. If interest remains high, young voters could have a big impact on how Pennsylvania votes in 2020, since they lean Democratic. Pennsylvania is so big, and theres so many young people, Kiesa said, You have to believe this is an important group. This is pretty much an all-Trump table At seventh period lunch, Brian Fabricatore, 16, completed an unofficial survey of his friend group six guys and one girl. This is pretty much an all-Trump table, he said. With some exceptions, the young men at Dunmore say they lean Republican, largely because they support Trump. Most of the girls consider themselves to be Democrats. That reflects national polling, which shows Trump is viewed more favorably by men (42% of men supported him in an Economist/YouGov poll this month, compared with 34% of women). Back when Trump first came on Stancos radar, he said, the appeal was mostly humor. The jokes have stuck. TikTok and Instagram are high school political battlefields. Following the recent Iranian crisis, the boys shared memes of World War III jokes including one fake tweet where Trump says hes drafting all people with Android phones to go to war first. The girls mostly roll their eyes, but sometimes the jabs cross a line. Last year, when Alabama passed an anti-abortion bill, some of the boys shared a series of Instagram posts from women outraged by the ban, with the song Hoes Mad playing in the background. The boys mostly like Trump. Theres an attention side of it, Chiaro said. Its just like a way to get people upset, to rile up the girls, the whole masculine group loves Trump. Stanco admits thats a part of it. Just historically, when you think Republican, you think males, and when you think liberals, you think more female, said Stanco. Chiaro, who is senior class president, will attend the University of Pittsburgh next year and hopes to become a lawyer. She worked on the local campaigns of Democrats running for council in the fall. Chiaro likes former Vice President Joe Biden because she thinks he has the best shot at beating Trump, but is also interested in former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., because hes younger. Among the seniors, motivations for voting varied. Madilyn Cianci said fears of student-loan debt led her to register Democratic. Shes worried about how her family will afford Pitt, where shell study biology next year. William McHale said health care drew him to the Democrats. Hes diabetic, and recently turned 18 and has seen his out-of-pocket costs soar. My family has dealt with a lot of medical issues in the past, and I think they should expand Obamacare, anything to help out with that," he said. Richard Conte III registered as a Republican because hes seen his parents construction company thriving over the past few years. I think hes a good leader for the United States," Conte said of Trump. "Just like his economic principles ... and I like his style. He says some stupid stuff but I like his style. Conte put a Trump bumper sticker on his car last year, which caused a rift with his girlfriend. She started crying, he said. I took it off, but, yeah, we didnt last. Paris Alunni turns 18 in two weeks and hes still unsure how hell register. Id probably register independent because Im more smack dab in the middle, he said. Nationally, theres been a trend of more young people not registering with a party, said Kiesa, of Tufts. If you think about Gen-Z, these are folks who were first eligible in the 2018 election, so their entire teenage years so far have been characterized by the 2016 election, the rancor in D.C. ... Its kind of understandable that people might say, Oh, if thats what partisanship is, I dont want to be a part of it. For Chiaro and Stanco, a day that involved several political debates ended in student council, where that was all put on hold to make plans for a voter registration drive in the spring, a fundraiser for the leukemia foundation, and a debriefing on last months semi-formal dance a topic, finally, where there was consensus. A lot of people were very upset about the DJ, and so was I, Stanco said. Chiaro nodded, adding with embarrassment: He played the Kidz Bop version of Gold Digger." " " Tony Webster /Flickr (CC By 2.0) Your house and its contents have been destroyed by fire. Do you know what you need to have in order to file a homeowners insurance claim? After the storm has cleared or the fire has died down, your sense of relief at surviving may quickly give way to a sense of shock when you gaze at the charred or battered wreckage that used to be your home and all the stuff inside it. If there's any consolation, it's that you have a homeowners insurance policy that will help to make you whole again. But before that can happen, you have to file a homeowners insurance claim. While documenting your personal disaster and the harm that it's caused you may be emotionally painful, it's an essential step in getting on with your life. And the process isn't necessarily that complex or difficult, especially if you've had the foresight to prepare for it in advance with a careful inventory of your home and property. Advertisement How to Prepare for the Worst-case Scenario One of the most important steps in filing a claim is something that you need to do in advance of any disaster to visually document your home and your personal property, so that you can prove to the insurance company what everything is worth. "All you need is a smartphone camera," advises Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a California-based consumer advocacy organization. "Make a video, 10 minutes of narrating about the inside and outside features of your home. Mention things such as 'here's my grandmother's dresser that we inherited.' Then make sure that you store that file in the cloud or email it to a relative." It's a good idea to store your policy information in some similarly safe place online as well. Additionally, it's a good idea to create a written inventory at the same time, according to Robert Buckel, vice president and product manager at Erie Insurance. "Take the time to list of all your personal possessions, along with their estimated value," he says via email. "If there is fine art or jewelry in the home, get those appraised and keep the appraisal somewhere safe, and fireproof. Letting your agent know of any items you collect of high value beforehand will come in handy in case of a loss. Many insurance policies also limit how much coverage applies to fine art, jewelry and other high value items, so your agent can help you make sure they are properly covered." It's important to regularly go over your inventory and make sure that it is up-to-date, according to Angi Orbann, vice president of Property for Personal Insurance at Travelers Insurance, who also suggests that you keep receipts for items, and upload the written inventory into cloud storage as a precaution. Advertisement What to Do After Disaster Strikes Fast-forward to the disaster aftermath. It's important to contact the claims department of your insurance company as soon as possible after a disaster strikes or a loss occurs, according to Tim Bowen, assistant vice president of home operations at MetLife Auto & Home. "When contacting the claims department, be ready to provide your policyholder information as well as policy number, if possible," Bowen says. "If not, your claims associate should be able to locate your policy using your personal information. Once the policy is located, the claims associate will capture what happened, provide emergency assistance if necessary, and walk you through the next steps in the claim process based on the type and scope of the loss reported." Insurance companies are trying to make the claims process easier and quicker. Allstate Insurance, for example, enables policyholders to file a claim online, or else by contacting their agent, according to Jenny Fitzpatrick, product director for Allstate Insurance. Either way, you'll eventually need to document the disaster by sending photos and a description of the damage and when it occurred, she explains via email. Advertisement Temporary Fixes Once you've filed your claim, a repair vendor can make temporary repairs, such as boarding up windows, while your insurer evaluates your filing, prepares an estimate and explains to you what coverages, deductibles and limits may apply. "Allstate can recommend repair vendors if needed, but homeowners may choose their own, too," Fitzpatrick says. Meanwhile, your insurer will evaluate your claim and do an on-site inspection to assess the damage. "Customers should also not get rid of anything until the insurance company inspects the home," explains Buckel. "This will help determine the amount of the loss and how much needs to be replaced. This may also help determine the cause of the loss." If you've paid for replacement-value coverage, Bach notes that it's a two-stage process. Initially, she says, the claims adjuster will only give the actual cash value "what you could have sold it for on Craigslist" and wait until you've actually replaced the items to pay the remainder. That ensures that policyholders actually replace the items, instead of just pocketing the insurance payout. HowStuffWorks may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Now That's Important When you do your photo or video home inventory, be sure not to leave anything out. "Open closet doors, drawers and remember to photograph the garage contents," recommends Janet Ruiz, director for strategic communication at the Insurance Information Institute. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trumps embrace of anti-government protesters in Iran is another departure from his predecessors, who feared such overt support could backfire and inadvertently help hard-liners in the Islamic Republic. Trump has tweeted repeatedly in recent days in support of protesters who surged into the streets in anger over the apparently accidental downing of a Ukrainian jetliner and their governments initial attempt to conceal its role in the disaster. But his encouragement carries a risk by seeming to confirm the claims of Iranian hard-liners who accuse the U.S. of fomenting the unrest. When the Iranian people are upset with their government for blatantly lying about shooting down a plane, he should have taken the high road and send his condolences to the families, said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at Center for Strategic and International Studies. By seeming to make it about him, he de-legitimizes the protesters and allows the government to portray the protests as a U.S. plot. Previous administrations have sought to keep some distance between Washington and demonstrators opposed to Irans Islamic leadership. That was why the Obama administration offered only muted expressions of support during the major political unrest in Iran in 2009. Trump and his team have no such qualms. They see their pro-demonstrator comments even the presidents tweets in Farsi on Sunday as a way to further pressure Tehran. Popular anger swelled Monday in Iran over the downing of the Ukrainian jet, which was apparently knocked out of the sky by an Iranian missile hours after the Islamic Republic fired a barrage of missiles at Iraqi bases housing American soldiers. Irans action was in response to the U.S. killing of its top military leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a drone strike. All 176 people on board the jet, including scores of young Iranians and people of Iranian descent, were killed, prompting widespread shock and outrage in Iran and around the world. Ali Rabiei, a government spokesman, insisted Irans civilian officials learned only on Friday that the Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane. The Guard answers directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The point is that we did not lie, Rabiei said. He went on to blame the U.S. for spreading the shadow of war over Iran. Ebrahim Raisi, the head of Irans judiciary, issued a warning to protesters, saying the agents of America and agents of foreign countries want to use anger over Flight 752 to compromise Irans security. Iran often blames anti-government protests on foreign conspiracies. Yet others say the Trump administrations hands-on approach might not make any difference. The reality is when (President Barack) Obama offered only tepid support to Iranian protesters in 2009, the regime still called them American agents and crushed them. If the Trump administration offers more enthusiastic support, the regime will call them American agents and attempt to crush them, said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert and senior fellow in the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The best thing any U.S. administration can do is inhibit the regimes ability to shut down the internet and repress people in darkness, he said. But, I think the Islamic Republics penchant for repression is high regardless of whatever anyone says in D.C. In a series of tweets sent since late last week as protests against Irans shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger jet intensified, Trump has personally exhorted the Iranian people to rise up and be heard. He has applauded the apparent refusal of some to walk over painted flags of Israel and the United States at a Tehran campus in a quiet show of defiance. He has also demanded that the government allow the protests and protect the demonstrators. To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS, he tweeted on Sunday. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people! On Saturday, as protests grew following the admission by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp that it had unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian plane, Trump tweeted, To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: Ive stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage. Beyond supporting the protesters, Trump and fellow Republicans have denounced Democrats, saying they have not expressed robust backing for the Iranian demonstrators. Even under threat of tear gas or even gunfire, the brave people of Iran are themselves displaying more willingness to criticize their own brutal rulers than we saw in the initial responses from some Democrats and so-called experts right here at home, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Monday on the Senate floor. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also joined in, following an unprecedented appeal to the Iranian people last year to send in photos and videos of security forces cracking down on protests that erupted over fuel price increases that the government had blamed on U.S. sanctions. The United States is with them in their calls for freedom and justice, in their justified anger at the Ayatollah and his minions, Pompeo said in a speech at Stanford University on Monday. And I repeat President Trumps insistence that Iran not harm a single protester. The world must do the same. The voice of the Iranian people is clear, Pompeo tweeted over the weekend. They are fed up with the regimes lies, corruption, ineptitude, and brutality of the IRGC under @khmanei_irs kleptocracy. We stand with the Iranian people who deserve a better future. Following the announcement that they will be stepping back as members of the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly wants to make Los Angeles their new home, but only after the presidency of Donald Trump ends. A source told the Daily Mail: "It's by no means an immediate thing, but there is a long-term plan to end up back in the US with a second home in Canada, where they will also spend a great deal of time." The source added that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex used the words "North America" in their statement because that's where they plan to live eventually; however, it does not pin them down in one place. Friends of the couple told the publication that while they will be living in Canada at first, their main aim is to have a home and business in Los Angeles. Their ultimate plan is to base their home, charitable endeavors and other business dealings in the U.S., possibly in Los Angeles. The former "Suits" actress grew up in Los Angeles with her mother, Doria Ragland, who currently lives there. Doria was recently seen walking her two dogs near her home last week right after the Sussexes' announcement that they would be splitting their time in the U.K. and North America. Trump Critic Markle has been openly critical of Trump in the past, even calling him "misogynistic" and "divisive" in 2016. She also threatened to move to Canada if he defeated Hilary Clinton during the 2016 Elections. Markle said at the time that she was considering remaining in Toronto where she filmed "Suits" if Trump won. Markle was also on maternity leave during Trump's visit in the U.K. and could not make it. But according to a report by Politico, after news broke that she would miss his visit, Trump was asked by a Sun reporter during a pre-trip Oval Office interview in June if he knew Markle was critical of him during his campaign. "I didn't know that, no. I hope she's okay," Trump responded. Trump was then asked about Markle's comments and fired back, saying that he did not know that she was "nasty." "A lot of people moving here, so what can I say? No, I didn't know that she was nasty," the current POTUS added. Trump later clarified that he meant the comments made by Markle were nasty. Meghan Concerned About Racism? Markle's concerns about returning to a Trump-led America also has something to do with his racist comments. During her time in the U.K., the biracial Duchess has faced racist online abuse and media coverage. The absence of the U.S. government in the Sandringham discussion does not mean the couple would not end up setting in America one day. But if they moved there, that would presumably involve making arrangements with U.S. authorities. Right now, a Trump-led government might not be inclined to welcome her, Prince Harry, and their son Archie warmly or to use taxpayers money to help cover their security costs. It has also been reported that Canadian Prime Minister already assured Queen Elizabeth II that his country would contribute in the security bill for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's protection while they stay there. New Delhi: Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik on Tuesday backed Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravanes statement on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Naravane had said, there is a parliamentary resolution that entire Jammu and Kashmir is part of India. If Parliament wants it, then, that area (PoK) also should belong to us. When we get orders to that effect, we'll take appropriate action. Naik said the Army Chief wasnt wrong in making such a statement and that the government will definitely consider the proposal. Army Chief Naravane's remarks came days after Gen Bipin Rawat took over as India's first Chief of Defence Staff with a mandate to bring in convergence in the functioning of the Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force and bolster the country's military prowess. General Naravane said the focus of the training will be on preparing the Army for future wars which will be network-centric and complex. "We are prepared to deal with challenges along the northern border," the Army chief said when asked about China enhancing military infrastructure. "We are initiating rebalancing of preparedness along the northern border, including moving advanced weapon systems," he said. He said the focus will be on integration within the Army and among the three services. Congress on Naravanes statement Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the General to talk less and work more. Taking to Twitter, the opposition leader said, @ New Army Chief, Parliament already had adopted unanimous resolution on #POK in 1994, Government is at liberty to take action and may give direction (sic). If you are so inclined to take action on POK, I would suggest you to confabulate with CDS, and @PMOIndia.?Talk Less, Work More. Chowdhurys reaction came a day after the Congress said it does not comment on the institution of the Army. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Keisha Williams orchestrated a $5.4 million fraud and traveled the world with her investors' money, according to federal officials. In 2018, Keisha Williams, a 43-year-old Virginia woman, pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges stemming from a multimillion-dollar scam that saw her bilk dozens of investors out of over $5.4 million for a fake business opportunity. Williams built a network of more than 50 investors by promising to double their money through a business opportunity in the burgeoning market of telemedicine, which is expected to be worth $64 billion by 2025. But instead of launching what she promised would be a lucrative health-care software business with the money she got from her victims who included an elderly cancer survivor, a recent widow and a special needs teacher Williams spent nearly all of it on herself in ways that a federal judge would later describe as "appalling." Williams, whose scam is the subject of a recent episode of CNBC's "American Greed," spent roughly $1 million on trips to far-flung locales such as Brazil, Tahiti and Thailand, according to court documents. "She would rent the largest villas on the island. She brought a personal chef with her [on trips]. And, she traveled in style," Grace Hill, an assistant U.S. Attorney in Virginia, told CNBC about Williams' lavish jet-setting habits. Keisha Williams traveled to Rome and stayed in a five-star hotel. Source: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia Williams and her girlfriend stayed in a cabana with four butlers at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in the Bahamas and at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria in Italy, where she reportedly complained to employees that the Mercedes-Benz the hotel provided to pick her up was "too small" and did not match her "vision of luxury," according to court documents reviewed by The Washington Post. She also bragged to a friend via text message about a trip to Bora Bora, where she claimed to "have the biggest Villa on the island." Four Seasons in Bora Bora Source: Four Seasons The much-talked about opposition unity appeared to unravel on Monday as key allies DMK and Samajwadi Party skipped the meeting convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi to plan a joint strategy to take on the Modi government on issues such as Citizenship Amendment Act and the student protests in parts of the country. Besides DMK and SP, key opposition players Trinamool Congress, Mayawati's BSP and the latest entrant to the opposition block Shiv Sena also did not send their representatives to the meeting. With Delhi elections next month, Congress had not even bothered to call the AAP, which otherwise sticks with the opposition block in Parliament. Putting up a brave face, Congress claimed that leaders of 20 opposition parties had attended the meeting called by Gandhi. We are all together on these issues, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here to questions on key absentees at the meeting. Raju Shetti of Swabhiman Paksha, a Congress ally, also skipped the meeting. Shetti is upset with the raw deal his party received in the power sharing arrangement in Maharashtra. "Congress remembers us only when it has to attack the BJP. I deliberately skipped the meeting," he said. A senior Congress leader said its all-weather ally DMK was upset at certain remarks made by the Tamil Nadu Congress President K S Alagiri on the local body elections in the state. Congress tried to placate the DMK by asking Alagiri to issue a clarification, but that failed to mollify the coalition partner. SP is reportedly in talks with the AAP for an alliance to get a foothold in Delhi which prompted it to stay away from the meeting convened by Gandhi. A communication gap was said to be the reason for Shiv Sena staying away. However, sources said that the latest entrant to the opposition camp was not too keen and had offered to send its leader Priyanka Chaturvedi for the meeting, which was declined. Chaturvedi, a frontline Congress spokesperson, had quit the party to join the Shiv Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha elections last year. Mayawati is upset at the Congress for poaching its MLAs in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and had made it clear that she would not attend the meeting convened by Gandhi. Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee also distanced herself from the meeting accusing the Congress and the CPI(M) of indulging in dirty politics after the violence in the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday last. Irans Jan. 7 ballistic missile strike against bases housing U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq was carefully calibrated, clearly owned, highly symbolic, proportional, limited and with what appears thus far to be no resulting American casualties. As a scholar of political communication for over 40 years, it is clear from a rhetorical perspective, the verbal message issued by Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was strategically crafted, making it easier for President Donald Trump to do nothing in response. In a tweet shortly following the missile strike, Zarif succinctly proclaimed: Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression. His use of the phrase concluded proportionate measures in self-defense was deliberate and telling. What is noteworthy is President Donald Trumps subsequent decision not to deliver a speech to the American people after consulting with Secretary of State (Mike) Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and members of the national defense team, as well as to take no additional action, was in essence a move toward de-escalation. Trumps optimistic, though chest-thumping, message following Zarifs response suggests this was indeed a move to de-escalate the crisis. In a late-night tweet, Trump bragged: All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. If, in fact, this was a deliberate effort by the commander-in-chief to scale back his rhetoric, we should be thankful. Sadly, however, Iraq is the battlefield, being caught in the middle between the U.S. and Iran. They now will increasingly turn against the U.S. which, of course, is what Iran wants and will create ongoing instability. In short, it must be admitted that Iran behaved in a more calculated and rational manner than Trump and certainly more than many would have predicted. It provided the U.S. an off ramp from a crisis Trump created and perpetuated as a result of the presidents hasty and less-than-careful decision-making, as well as his constant saber-rattling a crisis that for days spiraled and of which he had lost control. Hopefully, Trump will not take a victory lap in days to come. Assuming he resists this irresistible tendency and usual habit, a cataclysmic event may temporarily have been averted. The turmoil, however, is far from over. Proxy groups undoubtedly will respond, and the region will remain unstable until Iran and the U.S. can come to the negotiating table something that thus far has not been possible. To accomplish this will require Trump to tone down his rhetoric and repair the damaged relationship with our allies. In short, it will necessitate him behaving like a president, acting primarily on behalf of the American people rather than his own selfish interests. I wish I could be more optimistic he will do so. Tivoli Lighting Names New National Sales Manager With more than 50 years of innovation and linear lighting leadership, Tivoli Lighting continues to grow with the addition of Carrie Verkuil to the position of National Sales Manager. The announcement was made by "Larry" Lien-Chung Lin, Vice President for Tivoli Lighting. In her new role, Verkuil will execute strategies to develop and expand Tivoli Lighting's total sales, both in the United States and abroad, as well as lead a team of outside sales representatives. Verkuil brings more than 35 years of lighting industry experience to her new position. She is a member of and has served on several committees within the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), Designers Ligting Forum (DLF) and the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC). In addition, Verkuil was a contributor to the Illuminating Engineering Society's Best Practices for Hotel Lighting. Prior to joining Tivoli Lighting, she has worked in all areas of lighting sales from distribution to regional sales manager for manufacturers. Verkuil attended The University of Texas at Arlington. For more information about Tivoli Lighting, visit tivolilighting.com or call (714) 957-6101. About Tivoli With more than 50 years of innovation and experience, Tivoli continues to lead the linear lighting industry with its award-winning architectural and theater LED-based products that offer improved appearance, quality, performance and energy saving advantages. Tivoli's team continues to strive to incorporate innovation, color quality, and longevity of life into every product it manufactures and engineers for high quality performance and extended service life. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005688/en/ Shah Mahmood arrived in Oman MUSCAT: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who is currently on regional peace mission, has arrived Muscat, the capital of Oman. The FM will express condolence with the Royal family over the sad demise of Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said. Earlier, while expressing the condolence over the death of Sultan Qaboos of Oman with the Omani people and government, the foreign minister said that Sultan Qaboos was known as a just and noble-hearted ruler. The late sultan was born on November 18, 1940, in Salalah, the capital of Omans southern province of Dhofar. Qaboos is a direct descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Said dynasty, which created the sultanate in the 1600s after expelling the Portuguese from Muscat, now Omans capital. Sultan Qaboos was educated in India and at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Throughout Sultan Qabooss five-decade rule, he was credited with using Omans oil wealth to transform the sparsely populated Gulf nation into a rich country with a vibrant tourism industry and high standards of living. Omans Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said died on Friday after more than four decades as the countrys ruler, though a murky succession process means that the identity of the next sultan may not be known for days. Ritesh Agarwal-led Indian hospitality unicorn Oyo, currently the second top unicorn after Paytm and valued at nearly $10 billion in the country, has acted tough by laying off thousands of employees in India and China, after Japanese giant SoftBank tightened its noose around it. According to Asia Times, the company has let go about 1,200 employees in India "and plans to shed a similar number in the next four months". According to Oyo, it is lying off poor performers and has set up a "meritocracy-based" performance evaluation programme. Attempts for a detailed statement from the company on the current controversy went unanswered. According to reports, SoftBank has given Oyo a deadline of March 31, 2020 to phase out contracts or businesses, which are not EBITDA-profitable. The company has a deadline to post positive Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for its self-operated hotels and July as the deadline for positive EBITDA of its ancillary businesses. "The decision to layoff such a huge number of employees can also be attributed to the plans of Oyo to list publicly in the US within the next three years," the report added. Founded in 2013, Oyo's self-operated business includes Oyo Townhouse, Silverkey, Collection O, Oyo Flagship and Oyo Homes and ancillary businesses include Weddingz.in. SoftBank's Vision Fund has so far invested about $1.5 billion in Oyo, pushing the hospitality company's valuation to $10 billion but learning from WeWork fiasco, the Japanese conglomerate is now looking at the companies it financially back from a different lens. Also backed by Airbnb Inc., Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Oyo currently works with 10,000 hotel owners in the country. A New York Times report recently quoted current and former Oyo employees as saying that the company was "indulging in questionable business practices". The article claimed the "SoftBank Jewel in India" is facing toxic culture and troubling incidents. "While Ritesh Agarwal's Oyo aims to be the world's biggest hotel chain, its growth was fuelled by questionable practices, employees said," as per the report. The hospitality chain denied the allegations, saying it is committed to "growing the right way" by meeting the needs of property owners and guests. "With regard to complaints of a small section of property owners in India whose payments are disputed, multiple escalation mechanisms exist and we continue to provide resolution," said the company. The company reported a loss of Rs 2384.69 crore in the financial year 2019 -- a 5.5 times jump from Rs 360.42 crore loss in the previous financial year. "We are committed to growing OYO the right way -- by meeting the needs of property owners and of the guests we serve together. We work hard every day to ensure that our values are upheld by thousands of committed employees around the world, and we are subject to regular external audits to ensure proper compliance and adherence to our Code of Conduct," an Oyo spokesperson said in a statement earlier this month. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a human resources expert, is tackling your questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society. The questions are submitted by readers, and Taylor's answers below have been edited for length and clarity. Have a question? Do you have an HR or work-related question youd like me to answer? Submit it here. Question: Theres a social butterfly on my team who everyone likes, but its starting to seem like she spends more time distracting us than working. Something needs to change, but I dont want to get her in trouble. What should I do? Anonymous Johnny C. Taylor Jr.: In the workplace, youre bound to encounter people with different personalities, cultural backgrounds and ideas. And thats a good thing! The ideal workplace is diverse. Its where differences come together to create a unique and enriching work environment. Of course, personalities dont always blend seamlessly. Sometimes theres dissonance when temperaments and communication styles collide. You should start by making it clear to your co-worker that, although she is well-intentioned, she is nevertheless distracting others. Fortunately, you dont need to say this out loud; you can signal it through action. Try refraining from asking her unnecessary questions and offer only short responses to her chatter. This can signify that youre trying to be productive, sending her a social cue to get back to work. Your co-worker could very well decode this message, correct her behavior and solve the problem. However, take care that she doesnt misinterpret this signal. By creating a perception that youre unwilling to socialize, you run the risk of diminishing her morale and inadvertently affecting your teams ability to collaborate. Telecommuting: How to request benefits: Ask HR Workplace culture: A prominent issue in 2019: Ask HR Another approach is to verbally establish boundaries. When the situation warrants, communicate that youre busy and dont have time for small talk. You might say something like Sorry, Ive got a lot to do right now, but lets catch up later. Story continues Again, this message could be enough. And you can always follow up with a suggestion to get together after work. There, you can enjoy each others company and build camaraderie without cutting into your teams productivity. If both of these efforts fail, it will be time to take a more direct approach. It might be uncomfortable, but you should have a candid conversation with your co-worker about the problem you see. Focus on your needs not what shes doing wrong. That way, she can see it as a request for a favor rather than a criticism of her. Remember: People love to help other people, but they hate feeling judged. You could even acknowledge your discomfort in raising the subject, then say youve chosen to be transparent out of respect for her and, more importantly, because you genuinely value your relationship. Emphasize that its not a matter of right or wrong, but of different styles, and this should be understood and accepted by you both. As a last course of action, talk to your supervisor and dont worry about getting her in trouble. Your supervisor should resolve the problem in a way that makes your workplace work better for you, her and your team. Leggings may be undeniably fashionable, but not always appropriate in the workplace. Q: Are leggings appropriate in the workplace? I think they are, but some of my co-workers disagree. Anonymous Taylor: Leggings are undeniably fashionable today, so the question of whether they are work-appropriate comes up a lot. And the answer really depends on the particular workplace culture. In more conservative industries, like banking or law, employers may frown on leggings under all circumstances, especially if the position is client-facing. Business-formal dress codes generally dont include leggings. On the other hand, more informal workplaces, like you might find in the creative industries or in technology startups, are more likely to view leggings as appropriate attire. The answer also depends on the employers brand, as well as the employees position. Some employers dont allow external-facing employees, like a receptionist, to wear leggings, yet are more flexible with internal-facing employees, such as IT. Similarly, a five-star steakhouse may require waiters and waitresses to wear formal attire, while a neighborhood diner allows leggings. The world of work is ever-changing. This includes how employees dress and the corresponding expectations of employers. Thanks to increased telework and the gig economy, the volume of work performed outside of the formal office environment is rising. That trend may be behind the move toward more casual dress in workplaces. However, this doesnt necessarily apply to your workplace. If youre unsure of your organizations dress code, the answer is probably in your employee handbook. It may contain a stringent dress code or general guidelines to follow. If the advice is unclear, ask human resources staff about how leggings are perceived at your place of business. You may gain some valuable knowledge about the unwritten rules that guide your culture at least when it comes to fashion. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: My co-worker is too chatty; are leggings OK for work: Ask HR Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 22:25:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is holding an e-sports competition in capital Jakarta with the aim at fostering athletes in the country. The tournament commenced on Tuesday and will run for just under three weeks, said Christian Wihananto, producer of Gerena Free Fire, the organizer of the event. Under the theme "Free Fire Master League (FFML) Season 1", the event features a total of 24 professional e-sports teams, according to Wihananto on Tuesday. "We hope this event will be able to create new e-sports athletes with a good achievement," said Wihananto. The tournament offers a total prize of 1.2 billion rupiahs (some 87,900 U.S. dollars), he noted. All the teams posting the top six position will get tickets to the grand final of the next tournament the "Free Fire Indonesian Masters 2020 Spring", local media reported. The government has attempted to promote the sport by building communities of e-sports across the archipelago to make it more accessible. Meanwhile, head of the Indonesian Creative Economy Council, Triawan Munaf, said the government is also considering classifying e-sports as an industry which has the potential to be tapped into. There are no clear warning signs for eruptions like the Taal volcano USA Today quotes Tracy Gregg, regarding the Taal volcano in Philippines which erupted Sunday forcing thousands of residents to flee. Gregg discussed the difficulty in predicting such eruptions. The truth is that we have no good precedent for how such a large volcano gears up into a cataclysmic eruption," she said. "We know that such eruptions occur ... but we don't know what specific advance signs such a gigantic eruption would give us because we've never witnessed one. Don't take an offer that doesn't work for you or your business, even if it's the only one on the table. That's the key takeaway from the latest episode of Shark Tank, in which two co-founders refused to give more than a third of their company to Kevin O'Leary. Husband-and-wife duo Stephane Jean-Baptiste and Yve-Car Momperousse were pitching Kreyol Essence, a line of skin, hair, and body products made with organic black castor oil from Haiti. There, on a company-owned farm, the founders say as many as 300 farmers and other workers harvest the seeds from the Ricinus communis plant and extract the oil. They were seeking $400,000 for 10 percent equity in the Miami-based business, which sells its products on its website and through retailers like Whole Foods. Jean-Baptiste and Momperousse launched the startup in 2014 with a primary focus on bulk sales, they told the Sharks. However, in 2016, they lost one of their top clients and sales dropped from $130,000 in 2014 to $40,000 two years later, prompting the couple to consider closing up shop. "It challenged our relationship, and we felt we had failed our community and our ourselves," Jean-Baptiste said on the show. "It's my culture and identity, it's everything my parents sacrificed to get us here." Instead of shuttering, they pivoted to a direct-to-consumer business model and took in $327,000 in sales the following year. At the time of filming in 2019, the founders said they expected to close the year with $2 million in sales thanks to a deal with Ulta to sell in 1,200 stores. On the company's website, products range in price from an $8 bar of soap to $60 for a 3.4-ounce bottle of face and hair oil. Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, and Lori Greiner dropped out early but praised the company's success and Momperousse's skills as a salesperson. That left O'Leary, who saw potential but believed it would be a risky investment. He offered $400,000 for 37 percent equity, which stunned the couple. Momperousse tried to counter for 20 percent equity, but O'Leary declined. "I'm impressed by you, but now we are having a tough-love discussion," he told the co-founders. "It's about money, I want to make money." Momperousse, like other sharp entrepreneurs who've recently appeared on Shark Tank, proposed a royalty deal to keep O'Leary as an investor but reduce the amount of equity he would receive. Eventually, the trio settled on a $400,000 investment, for 5 percent equity and a 25 cent royalty on every item, in perpetuity. The BJP on Tuesday attacked the Congress, saying the opposition party is "best at attacking India and protecting Pakistan". BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also targeted the Congress over comments of two of its leaders on the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Davinder Singh for links with terrorist. Police on Saturday had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, along with two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, besides an unidentified lawyer who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits. While Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wondered about the real culprits involved in the last year Pulwama attack, which had killed over 40 CRPF personnel, his party colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala asked if Singh was a mere pawn and sought clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Patra said the Congress has been reduced to giving oxygen to Pakistan and attacking India, and alleged that the opposition party has a history of defending the neighbouring country. He likened the opposition party to a python who "devours" its mother. Patra dared Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi to make it clear if they have any doubts on who were the perpetrators in the Pulwama attack. Linking the Congress to Pakistan, Patra said there are "too many coincidences" that shows a conspiracy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Final Type 056 corvette wraps up production Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2020/1/14 5:13:47 China has reportedly completed work on its final coastal defensive Type 056 corvette, military analysts said on Monday that bigger warships for high sea operations could be the new focus. The Aba, named after the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, finished production at the end of December, Aba Television reported, without mentioning an expected commission date. The Aba is the last ship of its kind, Aba Television said. While the report did not directly name the ship's model, a photo was revealed that depicted a warship from the same class: the Hanzhong (hull 520), a Type 056 corvette. With a full displacement of 1,300 tons, the Type 056 guided-missile corvette is 88.9 meters long and 11.14 meters wide, according to js7tv.cn, a website affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The warship is small and yet a powerful tool in China's costal defense operations, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. PLA Navy officials did not reveal how many Type 056 models it will have in operation. Public reports have indicated over 60 have been launched since 2012. If future Type 056s are not scheduled for production as the Aba report suggested, it would mean the current inventory was sufficient for costal defense operations. Shipyards could shift their focus on building larger warships, a military analyst who asked not to be named told the Global Times on Monday. China commissioned its first Type 055 destroyer, the Nanchang, which has a displacement of more than 10,000 tons, on Sunday. More Type 055s and 7,000 ton-class Type 052D destroyers are expected to join the Navy. The larger ships will contribute to China's deep blue water strategy, experts said. Chinese military enthusiasts also expect the Chinese shipbuilding industry to develop a more advanced frigate, but no official reports have confirmed their theories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Disability Minister Finian McGrath has made the shock decision not to run in the general election. Mr McGrath has been a TD since 2002 and has run in six Dail elections. In a statement, Mr McGrath said he had given the matter careful consideration and said stepping down was the right decision for himself and his family. I am far from retiring and will remain involved in political activism, supporting disability issues, he said. I hope to spend some time encouraging the 13pc of Irelands population who have some form of disability to get involved in politics at a local or nation level, he added. He was first elected to the Dail in the then Dublin North Central constituency in 2002 after failing to get elected on two previous elections. He was re-elected in the three following elections. Mr McGrath has long been an advocate for people with disabilities before he entered politics and campaigned tirelessly on their behalf on becoming a TD. He joined the Independent Alliance before the 2016 General Election with his close political ally Shane Ross. The group agreed to enter government with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and remained in place when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar succeeded the Mayo TD. Opinion poll research carried out by Mr McGrath in his Dublin Bay North constituency showed he would be in a battle to win the final seat. He is not being replaced on the ticket by any of his supporters. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a jibe at the Opposition meeting called on Monday to devise a strategy to take on the BJP-led Centre on Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Are! Ye gang to banne se pahale hi tukde-tukde ho gaya! the BJP leader said in a tweet, taunting the Opposition over absence of six major rivals of BJP at the meeting. Chouhan attached a link on Hindustan Times sister publication Live Mint along with the tweet. Are! Ye gang to banne se pahale hi tukde-tukde ho gaya! https://t.co/jFupQk4Qd3 Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) January 14, 2020 Six key regional forces - the Trinamool Congress, the Shiv Sena, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) - skipped the high-profile Opposition meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Last week, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that she would boycott the meeting to protest the violence during a 24-hour nationwide strike called by central trade unions, pointing fingers at Left and Congress supporters. DMKs TR Balu, a former Union minister, did not turn up for the meeting on Monday, and party officials conveyed to the Congress managers that this was over differences between the Tamil Nadu allies over local body elections in the state. Hours before the meeting, BSP leader Mayawati took to Twitter and spoke against Rajasthans ruling Congress for poaching six of her legislators earlier this month. In this situation, if the BSP joins the meeting called by the Congress, it will hurt the morale of the party supporters in Rajasthan. So, we will not join this meeting, she said, while clarifying that her party was against CAA and NRC. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav did not confirm his partys participation and the Shiv Sena initially maintained that it were informed about the meeting at the last stage, according to two senior Congress leaders who did not want to be named. The two Congress leaders, however, contended that the Sena, a long-time BJP ally that recently joined hands with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form a government in Maharashtra, was informed much in advance. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the party was not invited. The AAP had no information about any such meeting. We were not invited, he said. Later, 20 parties, led by the Congress, demanded the withdrawal of the CAA, and launched an attack against the central government over slowdown in the economy. They also called on chief ministers who have announced that they will not implement a proposed all-India NRC to suspend the updating process of the National Population Register (NPR). Shaynna Blaze is known for her risky fashion choices. And the 56-year-old TV star was at it again while attending the premiere of War Horse on Tuesday, at Melbourne Regent Theatre. Striking a pose on the red carpet, Shaynna flaunted her trim pins in a pair of quirky black harem pants with slits up the side. Star power! The Block star Shaynna Blaze, 56, (pictured) flaunted her trim pins in quirky harem pants as she led the arrivals at War Horse at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on Tuesday Shaynna paired the glamorous pants with a black singlet top, which flaunted her toned and tanned arms. Possibly believing she was seeing Aladdin, the beauty finished the outfit with a pair of black strappy heels and a shiny black belt. Shaynna opted to wear several pearl necklaces to the event which were layered over each other, which complemented the outfit perfectly. Accessories: The Channel Nine star wore her blonded hair back. She finished her look with minimal makeup and a matte lip The Channel Nine star wore her blonded hair back. She finished her look with minimal makeup and a matte lip. Joining Shaynna on the red carpet was Gogglebox stars Wayne Mott and Tom Walsh, with the couple cutting a glamorous figure. Wayne beamed on the red carpet, wearing a pink shirt which he wore slightly unbuttoned along with a pair of loose-fitting jeans and tan-hued shoes. Loved up: Former Gogglebox stars Wayne Mott (L) and Tom Walsh (R) both opted for shirts for the red carpet, with both men choosing to wear them partially unbuttoned The former Channel Ten star had his arm affectionately around Tom's waist, as he happily smiled at the camera. Tom opted to go for a white and black polka dot shirt, which he also wore partially unbuttoned. He paired the loud shirt with black slacks and shiny black sneakers. Beaming: The former Gogglebox couple looked loved up on the red carpet Real Housewives of Melbourne star Pettifleur Berenger kept her look upmarket. The reality TV star wore her a chic black top which ruched down the middle. She paired the top with a long polka dot skirt, as well as a stylish quilted and studded bum bag which she wore on her hips. Stylish: Real Housewives of Melbourne star Pettifleur Berenger, 55, (pictured) kept her look chic, wearing a ruched top and polka dot skirt The blonded beauty finished the outfit with a pair of black, pointed boots. The Melbourne-based star wore her shoulder length tresses out, and slightly curled. She opted for a high-gloss makeup style, along with a rogue lipstick. Actress Michala Banas opted for an all-black ensemble, wearing an off-the-shoulder black top which she paired with loose-fitted pants. Black to basics: Actress Michala Banas, 41, (pictured) opted for an off the shoulder black top, which she paired with flaring black pants The former McLeod's Daughter star finished the classic outfit with a black handbag she wore slung over her shoulder along with pointed black heels. She wore her raven tresses back, while she opted for a glossy makeup style and red lipstick for the event. Comedian Jo Stanley wore a tight black ensemble, which clung to her fit physique. Glam: Jo Stanley, 47, opted for a fitted tight black dress, which she paired with a red clutch She carried her belongings in a red clutch. She finished her outfit with a pair of strappy heels. Comedian Luke McGregor appeared happy to be on the red carpet, with him shooting the camera two thumbs up. The flame-haired comedian opted for a casual style for the play, wearing a black button down shirt. Pleased: Utopia star Luke McGregor, 37, (pictured) put thumbs up while on the red carpet The ABC star finished his outfit with olive chinos. Former Triple J announcer Tom Ballard also attended the premiere, alongside a mystery man he posed with on the media wall. Tom also kept his look casual, wearing a blue short sleeve shirt, black pants and tan-hued boots. New Delhi, Jan 14 : In an initiative towards providing help to kidney patients at an affordable price, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday will be inauguarating a facilty in Jasola that will provide treatment for as less as Rs 500. The Medi-Dialysis Centre has been set up by the Jain society Bhagwan Mahavir Relief Foundation Trust. The centre will be overseen by the Bhagwan Mahavir Relief Foundation and Dr. Hedgewar Memorial Trust. The Trust said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has provided its building at Jasola for the centre. Dr. Hedgewar Memorial Trust Vice President Sukhraj told IANS: "With the inspiration of the Sangh, the Jain society has opened this dialysis centre. In comparison to charges for dialysis in hospitals like Max and Apollo (Rs 5,500), it's just Rs 500 here. Poor patients will get dialysis at a lower rate. There will also be a meditation centre so that the health of patients can also be improved through meditation and yoga practice." The RSS volunteers are running more than one and a half lakh service projects across the country, and the list of services is gradually increasing. RSS sources say that in view of the increasing cost of medical treatment, the Sangh is motivating its volunteers to provide cheaper treatment to the poor. The Trust has a total of 24 trustees, who have worked hard in the last two years to set up this centre. The centre is equipped with all the modern machines and facilities. The centre will also provide the patients with facilities for yoga, chanting and meditation. The specialists will be helping the patients and latest technology will be used so that patients are cured and do not need dialysis later. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi 'sanghchalak' Kulbhushan Ahuja, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari would be present among others at the inauguration ceremony to be held at Jasola from 4 p.m. The other question framed by the five-judge bench include the extent to which the court can examine whether a particular practice is an integral part of a religion or its religious practices, or should that be left to be determined by the head of that religious group. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said the nine-judge Constitution Bench was not going to decide on the plea for reconsideration of its verdict permitting the entry of women of all ages in Lord Ayyappas Sabarimala temple and other individual cases, but the larger issue of legality and essentially of religious beliefs and practices discriminatory to women. The larger question would address the legality and essentially of religious beliefs and practices barring the entry of women in mosques and temples, genital mutilation in Dawoodi Bohras and the ban on the entry of Parsi woman in the fire temple after she had married outside the Parsi community. Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, heading the nine-judge Constitution Bench, said they would decide on larger issues referred by the five-judge Constitution Bench and not individual cases pending before the court. However, Chief Justice Bobde made it clear that the bench would not be examining the legality of issues like polygamy and nikah-halala amongst Muslims. We will decide the questions of law on womens entry to mosques/temples, genital mutilation by Dawoodi Bohras, entry of Parsi women in fire temples who marry outside the community. We will not decide individual cases before the court, CJI Bobde added. Putting to rest all the questions, CJI Bobde said the nine-judge Constitut-ion Bench would only look into the proposition of law emerging from cases pending before the court and referred to by the five-judge Constitu-tion Bench by its November 14, 2019 order. Besides CJI Bobde, the other judges on the bench are Justices R. Banu-mathi, Ashok Bhushan, L. Nageswara Rao, Mohan N. Shantanagoudar, Abdul Nazeer, R. Subhash Reddy, B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant. CJI asks lawyers to decide questions As some lawyers, including Indira Jaising, Rajeev Dhavan and others questioned the seven questions framed by the five-judge Constitution Bench in its November 14 order, Chief Justice of India, S. A. Bobde said all the lawyers appearing before the court would meet in a conference on January 17 to reframe or add to the questions. Besides reframing/ adding to the question, the lawyers would apportion among themselves, the question they will address before the court and the time needed. The CJI directed the Supreme Court secretary-general to convene and coordinate holding of the conference and to be present in it. The court gave three weeks for the entire exercise to be completed, including written submissions by the senior lawyers. The CJI said that cases before the constitution bench were being taken up chronological order and the matter before the nine-judge bench was older. He said this as Indira Jaising told the court that the hearing on a batch of petitions (over 60) were listed for January 22, thereby suggesting that there may be some overlapping. At the start of Mondays hearing, senior counsel Indira Jaising, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the court the questions to be addressed by it (court) would be just academic, if divorced from the facts of the cases pending before it. She said that every Constitution Bench hearing must be for some reason and purpose. Telling the bench it cannot tell how religion is to be practised, senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan said the court could not decide on the essentiality of religious practices as it was outside its jurisdiction. Of the seven questions framed by the five-judge bench by its November 14 order include the question on the interplay between freedom of religion under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, and the other fundamental rights, particularly Article 14. The other question framed by the five-judge bench include the extent to which the court can examine whether a particular practice is an integral part of a religion or its religious practices, or should that be left to be determined by the head of that religious group. Proximity's headquarters and primary operations are based in Montrose and Grand Junction, areas of western Colorado designated as opportunity zones under the 2017 Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Opportunity zones offer tax incentives for investors to fund investments in low-income areas throughout the U.S. The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) launched the CORI Innovation Fund initiative in September 2019 and the investment in Proximity is the first placement for the fund. This is the third opportunity zone investment for Proximity and in August 2019 the startup became one of the first operating businesses in the country to receive equity investment under the federal opportunity zone construct. Proximity provides software, hardware products and apps that enable coworking spaces to efficiently operate including solutions for billing, member management, resource scheduling, communication and access control. Coworking spaces are hubs for entrepreneurs seeking connections to collaborators and potential customers, as well as affordable, flexible space for daily work, meetings or events. Shared workspace also supports the growing number of remote and freelance workers who want to work outside their homes and can perform their jobs from any location with fast and reliable internet. For communities actively building startup ecosystems, establishing a coworking space is often an early step to attracting and supporting entrepreneurs and drawing digital talent. The Proximity Network has a national footprint and contains many coworking spaces located in rural areas and recovering economies poised to support the growth of new businesses and entrepreneurs. "This important investment in our current fundraising round further accelerates the growth of our network and allows us to broaden our reach to more coworking spaces, entrepreneurs and members of the mobile workforce," says Josh Freed, CEO of Proximity. "The CORI Innovation Fund is an authority on opportunity zone investment and is a great partner in pioneering how opportunity zone funding can work to support rural economies and spark change in communities like ours." CORI is responsible for the Rural Innovation Initiative (RII), a program to support the creation of startup ecosystems in small and rural communities. Durango, Colorado is among the most recent cities to join the RII which partners with communities to create an ecosystem where startup businesses can thrive with abundant ideas and talent, strong physical and technical infrastructure, programs to promote coding and job skills and a support network of like-minded communities to assist in realizing growth potential. "Success and growth of startups is not limited to urban areas and the tech hubs we commonly recognize," says Jay Bockhaus, Managing Partner of the CORI Innovation Fund. "We are impressed with Proximity's business growth, their mission supporting the coworking space industry and the potential of the Proximity Network to reach freelancers and small businesses across the country. Our goal is to reduce barriers to funding in rural areas and enable companies in a wider variety of locations to reach their growth potential and our investment in Proximity exemplifies these principles. The strong mission alignment between CORI and Proximity will enhance the trajectory of startup growth occurring throughout the country." About Proximity Proximity is connecting the mobile workforce through a growing network of coworking brands. Proximity software helps coworking spaces manage their member communities by providing digital door access, conference room booking, event management, membership billing, guest visit and package delivery notification and controlled internet accessall through a single platform. The Proximity School of Coworking provides space owners and community managers with the training and resources they need to run a successful coworking space. Proximity was founded in 2015 and is based in western Colorado. Learn more at www.proximity.space . About the CORI Innovation Fund The CORI Innovation Fund invests in growth businesses located in qualified opportunity zones in the United States to enhance economic growth and job creation in small communities. The Fund seeks to find attractive, technology-enabled operating businesses in rural geographies, which are under-served by traditional venture capital institutions. The CORI Innovation Fund identifies, funds and supports the best tech entrepreneurs American small towns have to offer. Learn more at www.corifund.com . About the Center on Rural Innovation and the Rural Innovation Initiative The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a nonprofit action tank that is sparking the revival of small towns across America by helping them build rural innovation hubs. CORI launched the Black River Innovation Campus in Springfield, VT; developed and regularly updates the Rural Opportunity Map that provides the unique Rural Opportunity Mapping tool for identifying areas of opportunity in rural America; and launched the Rural Innovation Initiative (RII), which works to bridge the opportunity gap in rural America by helping communities build the capacity to create resilient, innovation-based jobs. RII communities receive intensive technical assistance as they execute an innovation hub strategy: an economic development model that works to educate and train local residents in digital skills, employ them in new economy jobs and empower them to launch startups that will drive their digital economy. Learn more at www.ruralinnovation.us . Contact Holly Williamson Head of Growth, Proximity [email protected] 970-412-2075 Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proximityspace Twitter: https://twitter.com/proximityspace LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/proximity-space Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proximityspace/ SOURCE Proximity Space Related Links www.proximity.space Photo: Paul Sarkis/SHOWTIME The Gallagher family has taken up residence on Showtime for a decade now, and the network just announced that it has renewed its hit series Shameless for an 11th and final season. Thats it. Theyre really going to be done. Emmy Rossum, who played eldest sister, Fiona Gallagher, left the show after its ninth season, and now William H. Macy and the rest of the gang will close up shop once the final episodes have aired this summer. (The original incarnation of the show, which was based in the U.K., also ran for 11 seasons, which means there have been like 20 years worth of Shameless produced for TV.) Producer John Wells has a huge new development deal with Warner Bros. TV, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, has 13 new projects in development through that, so if you love John Wells youre still in great shape. And if you love Shameless, well, you will have 22 seasons worth of episodes you can revisit whenever you want. And thats not nothing. In his very first book release, Hansson shares a compilation of articles he has written over the course of his 40 years in the sales industry, diving deep into his personal experiences and sharing invaluable lessons learned to teach the next generation of salespeople how to adapt and succeed in any period of their career. The new book covers an array of subjects applicable to sales professionals at any stage in their career. From learning how to build strong client relationships and growing your pipeline, to navigating through harsh economic times, Hansson provides the knowledge and tactics necessary to move forward and succeed in sales. "Hans Hansson is successful in every sense of the word: as a business owner, writer, salesperson, and individual. He challenges you to discover your sales archetype. Through this insight you can determine a personal path and a niche. 'Stop Selling Yourself Short' is conversational, like getting advice from an esteemed best friend. You can trust a businessman with forty years of experience because 'it matters who says it.' This publication is an easy and fast read but calls you back time and again as any good reference book. Enjoy the journey!" said Chris McElroy, Real Estate Investor. Hansson began his own sales training with a local food service company, where his drive, integrity and work ethic helped propel the business from a small two-man operation into a thriving business enterprise. From there, Hansson embarked on a career in commercial real estate; he built his reputation while a top producer with TRI Commercial Brokerage. Today, Hansson still serves as an active real estate broker while also running Starboard Commercial Real Estate, the largest privately owned and locally based commercial real estate firm in San Francisco, California. The insight, experience and savvy sales tactics he has learned along the way have become the foundation for his success. "My hope is that this book will give you some guidance that would empower you to be the very best salesperson you could be and not sell your success short," shares Hansson, author of Stop Selling Yourself Short. Stop Selling Yourself Short is available in both digital and paperback and can be found online at Amazon.com , Barnes and Nobles , and Apple Books . To learn more about Hans Hansson and Starboard Commercial Real Estate, please visit www.starboardnet.com and www.hanshansson.com . About Starboard Commercial Real Estate Starboard Commercial Real Estate is the largest independently owned commercial real estate company in San Francisco, California. Starboard was established in 1991 with a unique vision of what a commercial real estate firm should be. With a combined total of 55 years representing landlords and tenants, members of the firm are devoted to serving clients with the highest ethics and professionalism. By implementing the latest technology, Starboard combines innovative market techniques with hard work, pursuing every opportunity to meet its clients' commercial property goals. Our brokers are highly qualified professionals supported by skilled support staff and a full-service in-house graphic and website design team. Our brokers have access to critical information on existing tenants in San Francisco and more than 1,814 office buildings and over 103 million square feet of office space throughout San Francisco. In 2000, Starboard became the San Francisco member of TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services, a national affiliation of independent real estate firms located in more than 200 markets with 62 offices in 8 countries, including North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Using national and international real estate expertise, Starboard provides clients with local know-how on a global scale. Hans Hansson, managing principal, previously served on TCN Worldwide's Board of Directors and served as regional vice president for two years. For more information, visit www.starboardnet.com . Media Contact: Natalie Wolfrom PR for Starboard TCN Worldwide 415-609-7092 [email protected] SOURCE Starboard Commercial Real Estate Related Links http://www.starboardnet.com She received her third Academy Award nomination and first since 2006, for her role in Bombshell on Monday morning. And Charlize Theron was spotted treating herself to some new furniture following the exciting news later in the day. The 44-year-old beauty kept a low profile as she walked around Los Angeles solo. Scroll down for video Special day: Charlize Theron celebrated her third Oscar nomination, and first since 2006, on Monday with some retail therapy around Los Angeles Charlize stunned in a cream, grey and beige toned sweater. She teamed the look with a pair of form-fitting black tights and a pair of white sneakers. The American-South African actress accessorized with a $2000 Givenchy bag and a pair of trendy shades over her eyes. Designer! The American-South African actress accessorized with a $2000 Givenchy bag and a pair of trendy shades over her eyes Keeping it casual: Charlize stunned in a cream, grey and beige toned sweater Charlize styled her short blonde hair over to one side and she stunned with a dewy complexion. Her makeup was complete with bronzed cheeks and a modest pop of color on her lips. The mom-of-two shared her excitement over her Bombshell nomination on Twitter earlier in the day. 'Holy s**t. I am floored. Thank you @TheAcademy,' she initially Tweeted. Oscar nominee! The mom-of-two shared her excitement over her Bombshell nomination on Twitter earlier in the day Top contender: Bombshell has received three nominations for this year's upcoming Academy Awards 'Making BOMBSHELL is one of the great highlights of my career,' she shared in another message. 'Thank you to my fellow producers, our incredible director Jay Roach and our brilliant screenwriter Charles Randolph, and a multi-talented group of actors and artists who gave 100% of themselves in making this film. Bombshell has received three nominations for this year's upcoming Academy Awards. Charlize is up for Best Actress, co-star Margot Robbie is nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Makeup and Hairstyling also got a nod. The beauty is up against Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women) and Renee Zellweger (Judy). Leading ladies: Charlize (left) played Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman (right) starred as Gretchen Carlson Margot's Best Supporting Actress sees her compete against, Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell), Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Scarlett Johansson (Jojo Rabbit) and Florence Pugh (Little Women). Bombshell is based on the true accounts of several women at Fox News who in 2016 set out to expose former CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Charlize played Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman starred as Gretchen Carlson, while Margot's character, Kayla Pospisil, was made up. A Lehigh Valley man faces felony charges in a shooting during a training exercise last year that left the victim paralyzed from the neck down, police said. The suspect, 29-year-old Cody J. Saylor, of Allentown, was a role-player during the weapons training session in September at Threat Assessment Tactical Solutions in Stroudsburg, according to police. He failed to swap out his live Glock 19 9mm handgun for a paintball gun being used in the exercise, and shot 46-year-old Darin J. McMahon in the neck, Stroud Area Regional police said in a news release Tuesday. Saylor was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on felony counts of aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, in addition to misdemeanor reckless endangerment. He was released on $75,000 unsecured bail and faces a preliminary hearing scheduled Feb. 10 before District Judge Kristina Anzini to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the case toward trial in Monroe County Court. No phone number could be found for Saylor, and a call for comment to his attorney was not immediately returned. Saylor was working with Rockwell Training Group during the force-on-force weapons training session, according to police. That company is based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and did not immediately respond Tuesday to a phone message and email seeking comment. Threat Assessment Tactical Solutions, at 103 Kraemer Ave., deferred comment to an attorney, who did not immediately return a phone message. Police were called about 2 p.m. Sept. 15, 2019, to a shooting at the business, which offers an indoor "shoot house" where customers can use so-called simunition weapons that fire paint while participating in different scenarios, Stroud Area Regional Police Chief Jennifer Lyon says in the release. Officers found McMahon, who is from Delaware, lying on the floor, unresponsive and not breathing, police said. Others were trying to revive him with CPR, and he was found to have suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, according to police. McMahon was flown by medical helicopter to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. Family of the father of two have started a gofundme.com effort to raise money to support his family. "During the commotion at the scene, officers reported one of the men performing CPR commented that a 'safety check' was not conducted and that a live round was fired," Lyon wrote in the release. "At this time, officers located a 'live' 9mm Glock pistol on the floor of the garage, opposite of where McMahon was found." Police were directed to the shooter, identified as Saylor, standing across the street from Threat Assessment Tactical Solutions, according to the release. Investigators learned Saylor had exchanged his simunition gun for his personal Glock 19 before leaving the facility for lunch, the release states. After returning from lunch, Saylor never secured his Glock pistol in the designated lockers, and never retrieved his assigned simunition gun before beginning the next scenario, when the shooting occurred, the release states. Stroud Area Regional police were assisted at the scene by the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit, Suburban EMS, St. Lukes EMS and Stroudsburg Fire Department personnel. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Wireless AirPods are demonstrated following the product launch of the iPhone 7 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. (Photo by Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group) (Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images) Deloitte predicts private 5G networks, low-earth orbit satellites and higher sales of smartphone accessories will be technology topics of prime interest in Canada this year. Duncan Stewart, director of technology, media and telecommunications research at Deloitte Canada, said in an interview that private 5G network trials are trending in Germany, South Korea and the U.K. and we should expect Canada to follow quite closely. A city or company can opt for a private 5G network by building its own network infrastructures like towers and cables. Then it would contract network support from a mobile operator, Deloittes Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Predictions 2020 report said. Alternatively, it can build and operate its own 5G network using its own spectrum. Spectrum helps transmit signals to operate and power various services in the wireless industry. In Canada, the government is in charge of allocating spectrum to companies through a closed auction. Its a good thing that Canada has not laid out all the spectrum. That may happen with private 5G, it may be necessary for regulators to set aside some spectrum for private 5G instead of public 5G, Stewart said. And if youve already auctioned off all the bands to the public providers, there wouldnt be anything left for private. So it may, in fact, be a good thing that Canada has not moved as fast as some others. Right now, Canada does not have the necessary spectrum to roll out 5G networks that will eventually power wireless services, and wont until at least 2021. Stewart said that private 5G networks are best used for ports, industrial environments, manufacturing plants, and logistics centres; all locations where highly sensitive information is managed. The report predicts that more than 100 companies worldwide will have begun testing private 5G deployments by the end of 2020, collectively investing a few hundred million dollars in labour and equipment. Growth of low-earth orbit satellites Story continues By the end of 2020, the report predicts there will be more than 700 low-earth orbit satellites that will offer global broadband internet. These satellites orbit close to the earths surface, giving it the ability to transmit data and offer telecommunications services at faster speeds and cost less than building network infrastructure on the ground. This is especially beneficial in remote and rural locations where it can cost millions of dollars to build infrastructure to roll out broadband services. In some areas like Canadas north, there may be partial service by the end of this year, Stewart predicted, adding that it would benefit Canadians who have very slow connectivity or no access at all. The federal government indicated earlier last year that it plans to connect 100 per cent of Canadians to high-speed internet services by 2030. In July 2019, Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Navdeep Bains announced $85 million of investment in Canadian satellite company Telesat to build and test its low-earth orbit satellite constellation. Smartphone accessories Stewart said that the sale of smartphone accessories will grow this year. In 2020, the report projected the global smartphone accessory market to be worth just over $100 billion. The reason the smartphone accessory market is bigger than, [for example,] the [virtual reality] goggle market is that people actually love their phones and use them all the time, Stewart said. Everybody in Canada has a phone and uses it between two and 10 hours a day. Nobody in Canada or almost nobody has a [virtual reality] headset and the people who have them almost never use them. Stewart expects growth in the wireless headphone market will grow because Canadians may choose to replace their wired headphones. The report said 129 million units of wireless headphones will be sold in 2020 globally, compared to 46 million in 2019. Canadians will upgrade because they want hassle-free products with better audio quality, Stewart said. Besides providing basic amenities at 'Gangasagar Mela' in West Bengal, the South 24 Parganas district administration is also using QR code wrist bands, mobile apps and a software for crowd monitoring system to help the pilgrims, an official said on Tuesday. Every year on Makar Sankranti day lakhs of pilgrims gather at Sagar island in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district from across the country to take a dip at the confluence of the Hoogly river and Bay of Bengal and offer prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram. South 24 Parganas District Magistrate P Ulaganathan said the district administration is using the QR code-based wrist bands to address the problem of missing persons and a real-time crowd monitoring system through the application of information technology for the convenience of pilgrims. More than 30 lakh pilgrims from across the country gather here for the annual event and the challenge for the district administration is to manage the pilgrims while crossing the Muriganga river to reach Sagar Island safely and vice versa, the official said. "This year we are expecting that more than 30 lakh pilgrims will visit Gangasagar Mela as there is no Kumb Mela this year," he said. To reunite missing pilgrims with their kin is also a hurdle for the administration as many elderly persons or children who get separated from their families often fail to provide their addresses, the DM said. "Usually, 5-6 lakh senior citizens and children come each year. About 10,000 missing cases are registered every year and of them, 2,000 are critical," he said. For these cases, the police and district administration find it difficult to locate their families as they cannot even tell the states they have come from, he said, adding, they are provided shelters and efforts are made to send them back. "About two lakh wrist bands with a QR code, named 'Parichay' have been distributed among elderly pilgrims and children visiting the mela free of cost to help them find their families in case they get lost in the crowd," Ulganathan said. Names, addresses and mobile numbers of family members of senior citizens and children are stored in the bar-coded waterproof bands and volunteer can easily fetch information about those who are lost and it will make easier to unite them with their kin, he added. The administration has also introduced a real-time crowd monitoring software system known as 'Sagar Suraksha' for the convenience of pilgrims. "This will help us to count the number of pilgrims in a marked area through the analysis of feed of high-resolution cameras. The software which not only gives over-crowd and trespassing alerts, but also provides forthcoming crowd gathering alert," the DM said. High-resolution cameras have been installed in different points like Lot no 8, Kachuberia, Namkhana and the 'Gangasagar mela' ground, he said. In the year 2017 five Gangasagar pilgrims, including a woman had died in a stampede at a jetty at Kochuberia. The stampede occurred when there was a huge rush of pilgrims to board vessels to reach the mainland. In addition to the Gangasagar mobile app, coined as 'Atithi Path', providing information about the fare, route chart, timings of tide, vessel and puja, the administration has introduced a vehicle tracking and management system for timely movement through the use of GPS technology named 'Vahan Darshan'. "Due to the lack of physical monitoring, buses and launches sometimes become off route in intermediate lanes during their duty, so a GPS device installed in all vehicles will enable us to track their movement," another official said. "We have taken an initiative for those who are not able to make it to Gangasagar this time can take a holy dip, right at home. They can place an order for Ganga water at our website and the water will be couriered to them along with prasad and holy tika. We have received more than 1,000 such orders, which is encouraging," Ulganathan said. 'e-Snan', the first-of-its-kind-initiative by the administration, allow people can take a bath with the 'Ganga Jal' at their convenience while watching 'LIVE Gangasagar' via Gangasagar website and take the feel of SahiSnan, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK dairy sector can only prosper post-Brexit if the government secures free and frictionless trade with the EU, the NFU says. Delegates at the Semex Conference the first big dairy conference of the year heard how dairy farming needs the right investment and trading environment. The conference comes after a year of uncertainty for the sector, particularly in the liquid milk market. This has seen big implications for dairy farmers, such as those affected by the Tomlinsons closure. Speaking at Semex on Monday (13 January), NFU Vice President Stuart Roberts said the government needs to 'back British farming like never before'. Its absolutely clear that whether its milk, cheese, butter or yogurt, the British public still value dairy with 98% of households regularly buying products that are nutritious and produced safely to high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection. If Brexit is about putting the British brand around the world then the UK dairy sector can deliver that, he said. To realise this, Mr Roberts said there must be a free and frictionless trade deal with the EU and a future trade policy that doesnt allow imports of dairy products produced to standards that would be illegal to produce in the UK. He added: The alternative is the damaging threat of trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules meaning UK dairy farmers would face higher fees on exports, as much as 48% on butter and 57% of cheddar cheese. With the UK dairy sector exporting 3.2bn litres of products to the EU, its essential we secure a deal with the EU or face costs in the region of 500m. Mr Roberts said: We need government to back British farming like never before and put in place the right policies so dairy businesses can continue doing what they do best providing great tasting, traceable and affordable food for the nation. Toronto: Canada's Transportation Safety Board said Monday that Iranian officials have invited it to participate in analysis of the voice and flight data recorders from the Ukrainian jetliner shot down by a missile that killed 176 people including 57 Canadians. TSB chair Kathy Fox said Iran has invited the agency to take part as an observer for the download and analysis of the "black boxes" wherever and whenever that takes place, and the agency hopes to play a larger role. Canada's Transportation Safety Bureau chair Kathy Fox is working to ensure Canadian investigators play a meaningful role in the process. Credit:The Canadian Press After initially pointing to a technical failure and insisting the armed forces were not to blame, Iranian authorities on Saturday admitted accidentally shooting it down in the face of mounting evidence and accusations by Western leaders. "We are working very hard to build trust daily in order for us to brought in," Fox said. "Canada's role is evolving. It remains to be seen how far that will go." Myanmar sends 200 Rohingya Muslims captured at sea to camps in Rakhine Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 6:15 PM About 200 Rohingya Muslims arrested at sea last month by Myanmar's navy have been sent back to Rakhine, where state-sponsored violence has prevailed in recent years. Images showed 17 men, women and children looking exhausted from their ordeal as they climbed down from a wooden boat on to a beach near Sittwe, the capital of the western state of Rakhine, on Monday. Wearing identification numbers around their necks, they lined up on the sand before being escorted away by armed police. The Rakhine state minister for security and border affairs said they were taken to Thechaung camp. The remaining 156 were transported further north to Ngakhuya camp in Maungdaw township. The camp is a processing site for returning refugees on the Bangladeshi border. Colonel Min Than said their fate would be decided by the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD), a government department overseeing Rakhine. "I'm not sure whether action will be taken against them or not." The captured Rohingya came from both sides of the border, Min Than said, although it was unclear how they ended up on the same boat. Seasonal calmer waters have seen an increase in the number of Rohingya Muslims putting their lives in the hands of traffickers in a desperate bid to reach Malaysia or Indonesia by boat. But few make it as far as Kawthaung, Myanmar's southern-most tip, where the group of 173 was picked up mid-December. Myanmar's Rakhine came to global attention in 2017 when more than 750,000 Rohingya, mostly women and children, fled to neighboring Bangladesh to escape a military crackdown that UN investigators have said was carried out with "genocidal intent." Bangladesh was already hosting some 200,000 Rohingya when the exodus began. In this file photo, taken on September 7, 2017, a smoldering house that was consumed by fire is seen in Gawdu Tharya Village near Maungdaw in Rakhine state in northern Myanmar. (By AFP) The violence against Rohingya Muslims has also seen Myanmar accused of "genocide" at the UN's top court in The Hague. Thousands still remain in Myanmar. They live under apartheid-like conditions, confined to camps and villages and denied access to healthcare and education. The Rohingya have inhabited Rakhine for centuries, but the state denies them citizenship. Bangladesh refuses to grant them citizenship, too. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A man had to be rushed to hospital after taking a sexual stimulant used for breeding bulls that left him with three-day erection. The man in Mexico, whose name and age is unknown, is believed to have taken the stimulant as he excitedly planned to have s.e.x with a 30-year-old woman. However he ended up needing surgery to tackle the persistent engorgement at Specialist Hospital 270 which in Reynosa a city on the US Mexico border, La Republica reports. Doctors told the newspaper: He had taken a s3xual stimulant which he had bought in Veracruz, used by farmers in that region to invigorate bulls for insemination. The man is claimed to have travelled to Veracruz, in east Mexico, to buy the stimulant. He underwent surgery but there have been no updates on his condition. Just last October, a dad from east London had an operation to remove part of his p3nis to stop his constant, painful erections that lasted three days. James Mudd, 38, said his embarrassing problem began after a motorbike accident just before Christmas of 2015. He had corrective surgery and screws put in his neck and also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after the crash, so was given anti-depressants. Doctors believe these meds caused James his p3nis problems. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates It was just three years ago that millions of women and their supporters worldwide took to the streets many of them in those now-famous pink knit hats to denounce President Trump. It was the very first Womens March, held the day after Trumps inauguration, to protest the new presidents sexist statements and boasts about sexual assault during the campaign and in the years leading up to the election. Many women felt gut-punched that hed won anyway. That gut-punch feeling has pretty much continued daily for the past three years for many Americans and people around the world you know, for anybody who cares about climate change, gun control, a compassionate immigration system, a functional and fair health care system, equality for transgender people, and our country earning respect on the international stage. Just minor issues. Theyll take to the streets again for the fourth Womens March this Saturday. Here in San Francisco, railing against the president is the epitome of preaching to the choir, but a big rally and march are planned anyway. Because you cant not have a Womens March in San Francisco. We felt that in the fourth year, its really important that everybody comes together for the common good, said Sophia Andary, co-chair of Womens March San Francisco. I think its pretty obvious the country is going in the wrong direction and has been going in the wrong direction since 2017. Its definitely not getting any better. We have an administration that doesnt represent the people, Andary said. It doesnt value what America values, which is diversity, immigrants and hardworking people. All those people are getting lost in the shuffle. The theme for the local march is Together We Rise, and it will begin with a rally on the Polk Street steps of City Hall. People are encouraged to arrive by 11 a.m., and programming will start at 11:30. A march down Market Street to the Embarcadero will begin at 1:30 p.m., and 35,000 to 50,000 people are expected to attend. The rally will feature a performance by the women who play the Schuyler Sisters in the local production of Hamilton and will include speeches from local women officials including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu and Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen. (No mention on the roster of any of the citys three female supervisors. Also, howd we get back down to just three of 11 supervisors being women? Not long ago they held the majority. Sigh.) More Information Inside the newsroom Like the news articles The Chronicle publishes, our columns aim to be thoroughly reported, using interviews, research and data to back up the writer's observations. But unlike regular articles, columns allow writers to offer their own perspective to the reporting, and tell readers what they think about an issue. Heather Knight's On San Francisco column is produced by talking to numerous sources, attending events across the city and interviewing a spectrum of people, including politicians, bureaucrats and regular residents. She writes from the press room at City Hall and gets her ideas from sources, reader tips and observations gleaned from her own life as a San Francisco resident. See More Collapse Kimberly Ellis, former executive director of Emerge California, which trains women to enter politics, will serve as the emcee. Several female artists, writers and activists will also speak, including a personal hero of mine, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. She was a stay-at-home mother of five when the Sandy Hook massacre took place in 2012, and she posted a Facebook message about how Americans should do more to reduce gun violence. In the rare example of a Facebook message leading to great things, that message sparked a grassroots movement fighting for gun safety measures, and Moms Demand Action now has a chapter in every state and 6 million supporters. Watts, who recently moved from Colorado to the East Bay, told me in an interview that Florida is the Petri dish for the NRA to test its ideas, and California is the Petri dish for activists like her to test theirs. Shell speak at rallies Saturday in San Francisco and Walnut Creek. When Trump became president, Watts was concerned that not only would he do the bidding of the NRA, but her volunteers would find other important causes to concentrate on, and Moms Demand Action would lose momentum. In fact, neither of those things happened, she said, noting that 18 states have passed stronger gun laws since Trumps election and her membership has quadrupled in the same period. This is an issue that impacts everyone in America, whether youve been directly impacted by gun violence or youve sent your kindergartener to school, and theyve essentially had to rehearse their death, she said. I think this issue is always top of mind. Nearly 100 Americans are shot and killed every day, she said, mostly in urban homicides or rural suicides. She said finally gun control is no longer a third rail of American politics and that every candidate for the Democratic nomination for politics is talking about it. Speaking of which, if a Democrat wins in November, will there be a fifth Womens March next year? What if Elizabeth Warren becomes the first female president? Will there still be a march? Hell, yeah! responded Andary. We had our first black president. Did that change racism? No. I really hope people do not get comfortable regardless of the outcome. Thats when we get in trouble again. P.S. Not long after Trumps election, I asked for that rare breed residents of San Francisco who support him to agree to be interviewed. Im asking again. If youre a San Franciscan who still supports the president, Id love to hear from you. Editors note: A previous version of this column incorrectly stated Mayor London Breeds plans for Saturdays rally. She is expected to speak. Remember that bizarre state law requiring teachers to pay for their own substitutes when theyre out on long-term sick leave? The issue came to light in May when parents at San Franciscos Glen Park Elementary were irate that a beloved second-grade teacher out battling cancer had her paycheck docked to cover the cost of her substitute. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The San Francisco Unified School District said it was the states fault because of a 1976 law allowing teachers to go on sick leave for five months and be fully paid minus the cost of their replacement. But the San Francisco school district also is managing the program more harshly than some other California districts by not allowing teachers to use fully paid sick days donated by their colleagues before getting docked the money. Now there might be some relief. State Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino (San Bernardino County), has introduced legislation that would repeal the 1976 law. No public school employee on extended sick leave should ever lose the majority of their salary while they are in the fight for their life, Leyva said in a statement. In that moment, the employees job is simply to survive. Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, will be the bill's co-sponsor, spearheading its passage in the Assembly. This 40-year-old policy doesn't make any sense, he said. Its heartless, and it needs to be changed. The burden of paying for substitutes should not be on the teachers themselves. Susan Solomon, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, said she will raise the issue when negotiations for a new teacher contract begin next month. The contract expires June 30. Solomon said shell press for teachers to be able to use sick days donated by their colleagues first. Thats exactly the issue, she said. We have to correct the contract or try to. Laura Dudnick, a spokeswoman for the school district, said the union and district must negotiate for new language in the contract before changes to the policy can be made. We look forward to working with the union to update the policy to reflect any new state laws that take place, she wrote in an e-mail. The results are in! I told you in my last column that more changes are coming to Sutro Tower including, by 2023, a repainting of the whole thing. The top three color schemes in contention are the current red and white, rainbow, or gray. I support red and white or rainbow, but certainly not gray. And you wise readers agree. I put the issue to a vote on Twitter, and respondents cast 533 votes. Two-thirds voted to keep the love-it-or-hate it tower red and white, 29% backed rainbow and a mere 5% want it to be gray. (And one person let me know he accidentally voted for gray and wanted to take his vote back.) The surprise write-in choice, offered up several times, was international orange to match the Golden Gate Bridge. Im open to that idea too. But I repeat: no gray. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Instagram: @heatherknightsf Regime forces, with support from the Iranian militias, have conducted a campaign of arrests, following protests and demonstrations reports Deir Ezzor 24. Assads forces, backed by a number of Iranian militiamen, carried out a campaign of arrests a few days ago against dozens of young men in the western Deir ez-Zor countryside, sources told Deir Ezzor 24 network. Our correspondent said that the campaign was carried out after the people of the western Deir ez-Zor countryside staged demonstrations in al-Shumeitiyah village and the areas around it, demanding the Fatemiyoun and al-Nujabaa militias leave the western Deir ez-Zor countryside, after the bloody campaign they carried out against the people of Deir ez-Zor, which started with a massacre in Raqqa countryside that resulted in the killing of more than 20 young men, eight of them the al-Busaraya tribe from Deir ez-Zor province, in response to the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani. There are still a state of tension among the people of the western Deir ez-Zor countryside, which is under the control of Assads forces, because of the retaliatory actions carried out by the al-Nujabaa and Fatimiyeon militias, local sources told Deir Ezzor 24 network. Many Iranian militias are deployed in the areas of Deir ez-Zor, west of the Euphrates, to carry out the Iranian agenda that aims at occupying the region at all levels. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. While Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India, down south, the festival is known as Pongal and in the north, it is celebrated as Lohri. Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi are some other names of the same festival. (Image: PTI) German FM warns Iraq over Daesh threat The top German minister Heiko Maas also reiterated the right of the Iranian people to express their opinions in peaceful means. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned Monday that Daesh/ISIS terror group may return to Iraq in case of the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country. "TROOP WITHDRAWAL WILL MAKE A FERTILE GROUND" "The troop withdrawal from Iraq will make it a fertile ground for terrorism and attacks will hit the region and Europe," he said at a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman. Iraq has been roiled by protests since October against deep-seated corruption and living condition amid calls for the withdrawal of US forces from the country. As for tensions between the US and Iran, Maas said, "If Iran wants to de-escalate, then it must stop agitation in its region, which also applies to Iraq". Tension soared earlier this month after the US assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a drone attack in Iraq. Tehran retaliated with firing a dozen ballistic missiles at Iraqi airbases housing U.S. troops. The Queens statement was from the perspective of a grandmother, carefully handling a vulnerable Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a royal author has said. Penny Junor described the monarchs words on the future of Harry and Meghan as friendly and warm. The Queen, after a crisis summit with Harry, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge at Sandringham, said the royal family supported the couples desire to create a new life, but would have preferred them to be full-time royals. Expand Close Harry and Meghan with the royals (Yui Mok/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Harry and Meghan with the royals (Yui Mok/PA) The pair, who do not want to be publicly funded, will have a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK, but final decisions will also be reached in the coming days. I think its a positive statement. It sounds friendly and warm, the way the Queen talks about family so much, Junor said. That shes supportive of their decision is really good news. She added: It read to me like a grandmother talking about the family. The royal writer said it gave the couple space to find their perspective. I think it will take the pressure off them. I think theyre in a very vulnerable state at the moment. I think theyre unhappy, they feel isolated and unloved, unappreciated and they needed careful handling, she said. My reading from that statement is that the family has been sensitive to their vulnerability. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes the Queens statement, which uses the word family eight times, was intended to be very gentle and very informal. Its just the way its written is extremely informal, and I think thats to make it very friendly, the royal biographer told the PA news agency. And I think its quite gentle. And I think thats probably the whole approach, its gently, gently. And interestingly enough, she keeps mentioning family, the whole way through. Its certainly not Oscar Wilde. But I just think its a very together and quite loose statement and obviously its just to keep everybody happy moving forward. Asked about the next steps following the statement, Ms Seward said: She said in the coming days, so thats very quick for the royal family. I think well be hearing more quite shortly I think this is a bridge. Ukraine's foreign trade in goods sees deficit increase to $9.4 bln 22:30, 14.01.20 2042 Exports of goods to the EU grew by 4.4%, while imports from EU rose 7.5%. Photo taken on Jan. 12, 2020 shows the ingredients of making eight-treasure rice pudding, including raisins, Chinese wolfberries and honey dates, at a workshop in Zunyi, southwest China's Guizhou Province. It is a peak season for food companies in Zunyi to produce eight-treasure rice pudding, so that they can meet the market needs ahead of the Chinese Spring Festival. (Photo by Luo Xinghan/Xinhua) 5 1 [ Editor: ZY ] The devil works hard, but The Bachelor producers work harder. As seen in the week 2 episode of the ABC reality series, Peter Webers quest for love continued the drama leftover from the premiere. Starting with Hannah Browns appearance down to Kelsey Weiers Champagne Gate debacle, there was plenty of buzz surrounding the latest installment. But who went home on The Bachelor Week 2? Webers second rose ceremony and the events from the week reveal theres more to come. [Spoiler alert: The Bachelor Season 24 Episode 2.] Did Hannah Brown and Peter Weber get back together on The Bachelor? Despite the outcry from Bachelor Nation fans, Weber and Brown did not get back together on The Bachelor. The two continued their conversation from the premiere. And both parties were still torn, uncertain of how to go on with their lingering feelings. Brown admitted she wasnt sure if she made the right choice when sending Weber home on The Bachelorette. Meanwhile, Weber questioned whether Brown was missing all the what ifs and not the real him. Youre the one who said no to me. Ive never said no to you, Weber said. He later told Brown he wants someone to want me as bad as I want them. That said, Brown and Weber got closer and appear to share a spark. Brown climbs into Webers lap. But before anything could happen, Peter ended the moment. I cant do this, Weber said, choosing to go back to his group date over getting back together with his ex. Kelsey Weier, Hannah Ann Sluss, and Victoria F. make a splash on The Bachelor Week 2 After Weber and Browns emotional rollercoaster on The Bachelor, Weber canceled the group date. He also promised to continue later that evening with a cocktail party. But even so, a few of his contestants werent too happy with the schedule change, wondering whether Weber was ready to move forward. When speaking with Natasha Parker at the cocktail party, the contestant confronted Weber, directly asking him about Brown. And Weber confirmed hes focused on his Bachelor journey. Im moving forward and Hannah B is in the past, Weber said. Meanwhile, Weber connected with Sydney Hightower. During their one-on-one time at the cocktail party, Sydney opened up about growing up in a Southern town, dealing with bullying and racial profiling, as her father is black and Dominican and her mother is white. And after their moment together, the bachelor gave Sydney the group date rose. Then at the second group date, which truly felt like a challenge in Americas Next Top Model, Weber had a few of his women walk a fashion runway show for Revolve. Hannah Ann Sluss won over the crowd and judges with her professional modeling skills, winning the overall challenge. However, despite struggling with nerves and anxieties after comparing herself with other contestants, Victoria Fuller won Webers second group date rose for the episode. As mentioned, Kelsey got involved with Champagne Gate in the episode. Prior to the second group date, Kelsey brought over a bottle of champagne she had previously saved over the past year for a special moment. She explained she wanted to pop the bottle with Weber. However, the producers conveniently placed two bottles of champagne out that night one being Kelseys. Then Hannah Ann popped the bottle with Weber. Naturally, both women argued. Kelsey said Hannah Ann stole the champagne bottle on purpose. However, Hannah Ann refuted the claim and the fight seemed to die down. Then on the second group date, Hannah Ann told Weber about the drama with Kelsey, telling him she felt bullied. Later, Weber asked Kelsey about Hannah Anns claims, which she denied. This left Weber confused. And now, fans must wait to see the aftermath on Jan. 20. Who goes home on Peter Webers season of The Bachelor Week 2? Peter Weber and his Bachelor contestants | ABC/Craig Sjodin Between the group date drama with Brown and Champagne Gate, The Bachelor Week 2 still managed to have a rose ceremony, where Weber eliminated a handful of contestants. So here are the women still in the running and the three who went home. Alayah, 24-year-old orthodontist assistant from Texas: In the running Alexa, 27-year-old esthetician from Illinois: In the running Courtney, 26-year-old cosmetologist from Florida: Eliminated Deandra, 23-year-old home care coordinator from Texas: In the running Hannah Ann, 23-year-old model from Tennessee: In the running Jasmine, 25-year-old client relations manager from Texas: In the running Kelley, 27-year-old attorney from Illinois: In the running Kelsey, 28-year-old professional clothier from Iowa: In the running Kiarra, 23-year-old nanny from Georgia: In the running Lauren, 26-year-old marketing executive from California: Eliminated Lexi, 26-year-old marketing coordinator from New York: In the running Madison, 23-year-old foster parent recruiter from Alabama: In the running Peter Weber | Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage Mykenna, 22-year-old fashion blogger from Canada: In the running Natasha, 31-year-old event planner from New York: In the running Payton, 23-year-old business development representative from Massachusetts: Eliminated Sarah, 24-year-old medical radiographer from Tennessee: In the running Savannah, 27-year-old realtor from Texas: In the running Shiann, 27-year-old administrative assistant from Nevada: In the running Sydney, 24-year-old retail marketing manager from Alabama: In the running Tammy, 24-year-old house flipper from New York: In the running Victoria F., 25-year-old medical sales representative from Virginia: In the running Victoria P., 27-year-old nurse from Louisiana: In the running Read more: Will Peter Weber Get Engaged? The Bachelor and Chris Harrison Say the Finale Will Break Tradition The president of Portlands police union ruffled feathers this week with a blunt statement ahead of contract talks that repeated his belief that the city is becoming a cesspool and argued that local politicians are giving short shrift to public safety and the citys livability. In July 2018, I said our city was becoming a cesspool and today I stand by that assessment; our once vibrant city is on the wrong track, Officer Daryl Turner wrote Monday on behalf of the Portland Police Association. His statement comes as the city begins contract renewal negotiations with the union. The contract for rank-and-file officers, sergeants and detectives - expires in June. Turner blasted efforts by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty to seek changes in the next contract and her invitation to leaders of a national police reform campaign who addressed the City Council in October. They recommended city officials push for changes that would restrict use of deadly force, hold officers accountable for misconduct and allow greater civilian oversight. Turner said the meeting lacked context and fundamental knowledge on the rights all public employees have under collective bargaining laws, the Oregon Constitution, and the United States Constitution. He criticized recent public forums that Hardesty and Mayor Ted Wheeler organized to draw public input on the contract talks and characterized local government efforts as paltry to help people who are homeless, have mental illnesses or addictions. He also urged the city to address a serious staffing shortage in the Police Bureau, which has about 104 officer vacancies with an authorized strength of 1,001. On Tuesday, Bobbin Singh, executive director of the Oregon Justice Resource Center, condemned Turners remarks in his own prepared statement, saying they were disappointing and even harmful. Upholding fairness, dignity, and equity by identifying and addressing problems in policing is an opportunity, not a threat, for members of the Portland Police Association, Singh wrote. The upcoming contract negotiations are a critical opportunity to make steps toward all of Portlands communities feeling safe, valued, and included. For too long, Mr. Turner and others have been eager to push a self-serving and misleading conversation around policing and community well-being.'' Below are Turners and Singhs full statements: Officer Daryl Turners statement: On the State of Public Safety in Our City As we move into a new year, the Portland Police Association (PPA) and our members face many challenges. It will take time to adjust to the change in leadership from former Chief, Danielle Outlaw, to our new Chief, Jami Resch, and the realignment of command staff, supervisory staff, and their priorities. Contract negotiations for both the police and dispatchers is a critical topic for the PPA. But we will not lose sight of the many other important issues we face; particularly, the severe and catastrophic staffing shortage that has a huge impact on how we provide resources to meet the evolving needs of the diverse communities we are called upon to serve. Our commitment to you, our PPA members, is unwavering. We will not be distracted by the false narratives and self-serving agendas of those who seek to drive a wedge between police officers and our community. We recently heard a lot about contract concerns from City Hall and the media. On October 1st of last year, activists from the anti-police group Campaign Zero gave a nearly two-hour presentation to Portlands City Council at Commissioner Jo Ann Hardestys invitation. It was obviously choreographed and orchestrated, but it lacked context and fundamental knowledge on the rights all public employees have under collective bargaining laws, the Oregon Constitution, and the United States Constitution. On top of that, Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Hardesty hosted two separate community listening sessions to hear priorities for the upcoming negotiations between the City and the PPA. We again saw the lack of basic understanding of public employee rights. As an organization, the PPA believes our community and residents should have input on public safety priorities. However, my concern is that these two forums were not widespread across the city, neighborhoods, and businesses. The forums appeared to be skewed toward a prescribed outcome and to set unreasonable expectations causing frustration for some community members. The forums also ignored the broader issues faced by our community. Meaningful conversations about public safety are vital to our evolution as first responders, as an organization, and as a community. Historically, neighborhood associations have been a mainstay for civic involvement, the Portland way of life. At a time when their very existence has come under fire, its even more important for the PPA to support and connect with our neighbors to talk about whats important to them. Over the past two years, Ive attended several meetings with neighborhood associations, business associations, and other community gatherings across the City. Residents are frustrated with the City and Countys paltry humanitarian efforts to have adequate resources for those who are homeless, in mental health crisis, and experiencing addiction issues. I hear the same things again and again: people dont see enough police in their neighborhoods; due to limited police staffing, livability issues continue to go unaddressed; our community wants proactive policing to reduce crimes of opportunity; and they are alarmed about gun violence citywide. Portland police have been called to twenty-five different shootings that showered residential neighborhoods with hundreds of bullets. Weve seen two homicides and several wounded and we are just into the second week of the new year. This weekend, two unrelated traffic stops by officers with the Gun Violence Reduction Team (GVRT) led to arrests and the seizure of two guns. The Mayor recently described our city as successful and vibrant. Yet, we continue to spend millions of taxpayer dollars and things are not getting better. For example, the Citys Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program (HUCIRP) reportedly cleaned 2,828 campsites, collected 1,954 tons of garbage, removed 8,000 gallons of human waste, and removed 457,461 needles from July 2018 June 2019. The problem is worse than ever. And the city just approved an over $22 million contract with Rapid Response over the next five years to continue the cleanup efforts. While Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Hardesty were eager to hold narrowly focused forums on the contract, they have neglected to prioritize, with the same sense of importance and urgency, the issues affecting the day to day safety and livability of our communities at large. In July 2018, I said our city was becoming a cesspool and today I stand by that assessment; our once vibrant city is on the wrong track. The first responders of this city, the rank and file of the Portland Police Bureau, and the call takers and dispatchers of the Bureau of Emergency Communicationsthe boots on the ground who do the workare the foundation of public safety in our city. As the subject matter experts who take the calls for service every day, we are frustrated. We have firsthand knowledge of the fears, anxiety, and frustration of a community disillusioned by empty promises made every election cycle. Through all the changes, I know our officers and dispatchers are and will continue to be the steady driving force in building relationships and trust in the community while providing the highest level of service. The PPA and the community at large support you in your efforts as we move into the new year with new hope and new opportunities. Bobbin Singhs statement as executive director of Oregon Justice Resource Statement: Daryl Turners State of Public Safety in Our City was disappointing and even harmful. Were among the many people in Portland who want to see criminal systems guided by the latest research and social science and following best practices. Upholding fairness, dignity, and equity by identifying and addressing problems in policing is an opportunity, not a threat, for members of the Portland Police Association. A lack of transparency and accountability around law enforcement officers who are alleged to have engaged in or have actually engaged in misconduct or wrongful use of force hurts our community. It also hurts officers who are trying to do the right thing. Building more trust with the community, improving training and practices, and creating safer conditions for officers would be good for PPA members and Portlanders. Whats more, Mr. Turners statement continues down the same outdated path of peddling the politics of fear and anger, deflection, and making allegations that those who seek a more nuanced and sophisticated approach to community well-being are anti-police. The evidence does not support Mr. Turners zero-sum mentality that any increase in accountability and transparency will reduce employee rights and due process. The data support the fact that our community and our law enforcement officers will be safer if our city incorporates national best practices and model provisions into the union contract. The upcoming contract negotiations are a critical opportunity to make steps toward all of Portlands communities feeling safe, valued, and included. For too long, Mr. Turner and others have been eager to push a self-serving and misleading conversation around policing and community well-being. Too many Portlanders have paid the highest price for our unwillingness to address police violence head on, particularly people of color, and people experiencing mental health crises. It is past time for an honest conversation about acknowledging the harm done, encouraging healing, and acting to prevent future tragedies. Portland deserves better from Daryl Turner and the Portland Police Association. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page Gurugram-based real estate firm RSP Developers plans to invest around Rs 500 crore into a 12-acre research and development (R&D) centre and a co-living facility in the city by 2023, managing director Satya Priya Yadav told Moneycontrol. "The first phase of the 12-acre e-novation Centre project is ready and a 7-acre space comprising two blocks have been developed. The first block has been leased to BMW Group for its research and training centre," Yadav said, adding this is perhaps the first R&D Centre in the NCR. The company is into built-to-suit commercial projects. Until recently the trend has been for R&D projects to be largely concentrated in South India, especially in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. The total area taken up by the automobile major in Gurugram is over 5 lakh sq ft, he said. "BMW Mini is using the facility for research and training of their staff. The block taken up by the company has been customised to meet their requirements. The second block meets the general requirements of all clients, including IT and R&D clients who may take up space in the future," he added. "We have already invested Rs 300 crore and may spend another Rs 150 crore once the entire project is ready within the next three years," he said. When asked if the company plans to replicate the model elsewhere, Yadav said the model is a little tough to develop and replicate. "Efficiencies have to look into. We may replicate it provided our existing clients wants to expand to another destination," he said. These are preleased built-to-suit buildings that are customised on a long-term lease basis. "The period of lease for such facilities vary from nine to 18 years," he told Moneycontrol. The company is also planning to develop serviced apartments within the campus. "We have dedicated a block spread across 1 lakh sq ft in a 1.5-acre area for residential, short stays or training purposes perhaps under the co-living model," he said. "We are open to getting in a third party provided the third party takes care of our existing tenants requirements," he added. The residential facility would comprise around 110 rooms. "These will be part of our second phase and would be ready within the next three years. They are expected to be completed by mid-2023," he said. "We envisage that the total cost for the entire Gurugram project would run into Rs 500 crore by 2023," he added. The company is also planning to develop a commercial project in Indore where it is targeting the joint venture (JV) model and have identified a few land parcels, Yadav stated. The company also plans to develop a couple of built-to-suit projects in Gurugram. "Talks are on. We are in the process of acquiring land," he added. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is set to begin his two-day trip to the United States on Wednesday in a bid to support efforts for de-escalating and resolving tensions in the Middle East through political and diplomatic means. According to the Foreign Office, Qureshi, who will meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor Robert O' Brien and other senior Administration officials, will focus on Pakistan's diplomatic outreach, undertaken on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the wake of the recent tensions in Middle East or the Gulf region. "The objective is to support efforts for de-escalation and resolution of differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means," the foreign office said in a statement. "The Foreign Minister's visit to the US is part of these endeavours," it added.Qureshi will also have meetings in the Capitol Hill and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, besides engagements with the media, think tank community and the Pakistani diaspora. In addition to reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations between the US and Pakistan, Qureshi will also underscore the value his country attaches to a broad-based, long-term and enduring partnership with Washington in line with the vision of the leaders of the two countries. He will further highlight Pakistan's role and continued resolve to support the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. Qureshi's US visit succeeds his trip to Tehran and Riyadh on Sunday. According to Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi, Qureshi held talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and other officials on the current situation in the region. The minister then travelled to Riyadh to hold talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and consult on the issues of regional peace and stability.According to Pakistan media reports, Qureshi, in a statement on Saturday, had said that Iran owning up to its mistake of downing Ukrainian passenger plane would likely ease up tensions in the region. "Iran's confession of downing Ukrainian passenger plane should ease up tensions as the region can neither endure tension nor can it tolerate war anymore," he said.Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan would play an active role to reduce growing tensions in the region but it could never again be part of any war. Iranian armed forces last Saturday admitted that they unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian airliner, killing 176 people on board, and blamed "human error" for the mistake. The plane downing, as well as the subsequent missile attacks by Iran on US bases in Iraq, came in retaliation to top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a Pentagon-ordered airstrike on January 3 near Baghdad International Airport. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File image: Satya Nadella Microsoft's Indian-origin Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella, on January 13, voiced concern over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying what is happening is "sad". He added that he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. Nadellas comments came while speaking to editors at a Microsoft event in Manhattan where he was asked about the contentious issue. "I think what is happening is sad... It is just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," Nadella was quoted as saying by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of New York-based BuzzFeed News. In a statement issued by Microsoft India, Nadella said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds. "I am shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," Nadella added. Commenting on Nadellas statement, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Meenakashi Lekhi tweeted: How literate need to be educated ! Perfect example. Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA ? (sic). Last week, the Centre had issued a gazette notification announcing that CAA has come into effect from January 10, 2020. CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11. According to the amended law, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who came from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and faced religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be eligible for Indian citizenship. There have been widespread protests against the Act in different parts of the country. At least 19 persons were killed in anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh. (With inputs from PTI) Things are so bad in America, we are told Gen Z has embraced Bernie Sanders socialism just as a way to get by. Meanwhile the ever unhelpful Joe Biden advises unemployed coal miners to "learn to code." Apparently, the great-paying Ukraine energy sector, where they might even have some demonstrated aptitude, is no longer hiring. Then this story comes along: Taco Bell paying managers six figures! That isn't even the highest in the industry; places in California like In-And-Out are so desperate to get decent managers that they pay half again that amount. And it's not just California. Even in my modestly growing fly-over hometown, the Fight for $15 is over without a shot or law being fired. If you have a pulse and can pass a drug test, the giant UPS hub will match that, and with great benefits. And a mere high school grad here can find plenty of ordinary jobs paying better. Overall national data about the booming Trump economy confirm all this. As I have written before, we are in a demographic sweet spot for jobs the next several decades. Mike Rowe has even built a whole media empire just showing people all the interesting, well paid jobs (sometimes gross, but never dangerous) that are available without any college experience. There's one catch: an employee actually has to show up on time and do the work competently. That's a big stretch for the Ruling Class Democrats. Hunter Biden isn't the only guy who made out big without doing anything but "network." Consider that Bill Clinton was never in a courtroom (at least as an attorney), and yet Dem cronies got him a job as a law professor, and then Arkansas power-brokers handed him the attorney general post two years after he passed the bar exam. Daughter Chelsea, as Democrat royalty by 2000, started out with an amazingly well paid series of jobs. Likewise, Barack Obama, just out of school, appeared only once in a courtroom, taking a job with a liberal law firm that paid him to do politics. He also was a part-time law school instructor (trust me, world's easiest prestige job; even a dummkopf can do it). The generous University of Chicago would later give Michelle Obama a $300K no-work job as her husband climbed the political ladder. Apparently, Michelle was irreplaceable, as the position was ended once she left. Hillary Clinton did, from time to time, show up in court for the Rose Law firm, being named one of the country's 100 most influential lawyers by the National Law Journal. This was proven a joke. She was influential by being on the board of Legal Services Corporation and other liberal causes while serving as the fundraising cut-out for the many Bill Clinton payoffs, as in Cattlegate. It's not so much that the Ruling Class Dems have never worked outside government; it's all the sleazy, dishonest jobs they finagle in the private and non-profit sectors. That leaves them out of touch with how ordinary Americans make a living. Perhaps now, with so many people spending their days between real work and family, there will be less interest in grievance politics and its well compensated promoters. Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, Ky. Photo credit: Mike Mozart. Health warnings were issued after a thick haze from the bushfires in Victoria descended on Melbourne Tuesday morning, reducing the air quality in the Australian city to the "worst in the world". IMAGE: Melbourne commuters walk wearing a mask as the city suffers hazardous air quality oin Melbourne, Australia. Air quality levels have dropped to hazardous on Tuesday as bushfire smoke from ongoing fires in East Gippsland has blown into the city. Photograph: Luis Ascui/Getty Images Melbourne's air quality went down overnight to "hazardous" due to bushfire smoke. Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton said, "I think overnight for Melbourne it did reach the worst in the world." Sutton said warmer temperatures would help lift "particulate matter" that had resulted in the poor air quality. IMAGE: The bushfires in Australia as seen from space. Photograph: @EuropeanSpaceAgency/Facebook He warned that people might experience a worsening cough and a dry nose and throat. "For those vulnerable groups -- over 65s, under 15s, pregnant women and people with existing lung/heart disease or diabetes -- we are saying avoid exposure to the smoke by staying indoors and limiting physical activity," he said. According to the Environmental Protection Authority's AirWatch website, the air quality in Melbourne was "very poor'' and visibility down to 900 metres in some parts of inner Melbourne Tuesday morning. IMAGE: A woman walk past a mural depicting a Koala and firefighters as the city suffers hazardous air quality in Melbourne, Australia. Photograph: Luis Ascui/Getty Images Sixteen fires were still burning and 1.4 million hectares have been destroyed across Victoria. The entire state was choking under a blanket of bushfire smoke, including Geelong town, the Latrobe Valley, Central Victoria, Gippsland and the North Central regions, considered to have "hazardous" air quality at 7 am (local time). In Melbourne's Central Business District, the smoke was measured at "hazardous" levels between 12 am and 4 am (local time). While heart and respiratory patients were being told to keep safe, the healthy were being warned to stay inside. IMAGE: A plume of bushfire smoke rises above Mount Taylor Road bordering local farm land in Karatta, Australia. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images ABC report said several outdoor suburban swimming pools were shut down and horse races at Werribee suburb were also cancelled. Australian Open organisers also temporarily suspended qualifying matches and player practice sessions for Tuesday morning. Sutton said people in East Gippsland and the state's north-east, where poor to hazardous air quality is likely to remain for some time, should try to let fresh air into their homes when possible. "When conditions are good that's the time to open doors and windows to air your house, to get the smoke out and then when the air quality's poor, close doors and windows, stay inside, minimise your activity," he said. TUCSON, Ariz. A Tucson man convicted of wounding his ex-girlfriend and fatally shooting her new boyfriend has been sentenced to 58 years in prison. Pima County prosecutors say 38-year-old Daniel Benjamin Miller was sentenced Monday. A jury last November found Miller guilty of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault. According to Tucson police, 54-year-old Michael Grove was visiting the woman at her home in June 2018 when Miller arrived. Police say Miller shot both victims before driving off in a pickup truck. Grove died at a hospital. Millers former girlfriend recovered. Her name hasnt been released. Police say Miller fled Tucson and was arrested a few days later in Phoenix. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Urology Laser Market size is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2025, rising at a market growth of 5.7% CAGR during the forecast period. Urology laser surgical equipment is used for incision and resection of soft tissue and tumor ablation. Laser therapy is a medical treatment that utilizes a strong light beam to cut, burn, or destroy tissue. In many fields of medical treatment, therapeutic lasers can be used. The oldest known medical lasers have been used in ophthalmology and dermatology. A medical laser is a non-invasive and efficient source of light for tissue treatment that offers fast healing without scarring or discoloration. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05838711/?utm_source=PRN The accelerated need for medical lasers to treat multiple diseases and the growing need for non-invasive treatments are among the factors that drive growth in the medical lasers industry. The extensive demand in developing countries for aesthetic laser procedures is expected to raise the market share of medical laser. The use of lasers in the treatment of urolithiasis, urinary strictures, and bladder tumors has made it safe to treat older patients with several comorbidities without further need to change the treatment with anticoagulant medications. Furthermore, laser procedures are less invasive, minimize hospitalization time and allow for a shorter time for bladder catheterization, sometimes even removing the need for bladder catheterization. More stable performance and a lower number of reoperations are also characterized by these procedures. There are also expectations that laser equipment will become a necessary and indispensable asset in all urology wards due to increased competition among laser manufacturers, decreased purchase and maintenance expenses, as well as increased operational safety. To order to maintain its market position, factors such as increased availability of innovative portable laser surgical devices and versatility and effectiveness play an important role in the segment of portable laser surgical devices. In addition, market studies on laser devices for urology discuss factors such as the increasing prevalence of urological disorders, product and technology launches, and the growing value chain M&A. Nonetheless, higher costs associated with urological surgical procedures, product recalls, complications associated with laser surgical devices can impede the proliferation of laser technologies in the medical industry. Based on Laser Type, the market is segmented into Holmium Laser System, Thulium laser system, Diode Laser System and Other Laser Type. Based on Application, the market is segmented into Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Urolithiasis, Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) and Other Application. Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product launches and Partnerships & Collaborations. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix, Stryker Corporation and Johnson and Johnson (Ethicon, Inc.) are some of the forerunners in the Urology Laser Market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Olympus Corporation, Johnson and Johnson (Ethicon, Inc.), Stryker Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Richard Wolf GmbH, Cook Medical, Inc. (Cook Group), Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, Lumenis Ltd. (XIO Group), Allengers Medical Systems Limited, and Becton, Dickinson and Company. Recent strategies deployed in Urology Laser Market Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: Nov-2019: Olympus signed an agreement with RocaMed, an innovator of quality medical products. Under the agreement, Olympus will distribute the RocaFlow Double Chamber Pump System and Tubing Sets, which are used in urology procedures including trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and ureteroscopy for kidney stones. Oct-2019: Cook Medical signed an agreement with Quanta Systems, a company that offers innovative laser systems for a variety of specialties. Under the agreement, Cook will distribute the comprehensive offerings of Quanta's holmium and thulium laser systems in some territories. The company will make sure that the physicians have access to the latest laser technology for the treatment of their patients together with the Cook's comprehensive line of disposable products. Acquisition and Mergers: Oct-2018: Boston Scientific acquired Augmentix, a medical device company. Its portfolio includes the SpaceOAR Hydrogel System, which has been designed for minimizing the common and weakening side effects experienced by men after undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment. The addition of Augmentix's portfolio enhances the position of Boston in prostate health segment. Apr-2018: Olympus signed a definitive agreement to acquire lithotripsy system design and production technology from Cybersonics Inc. The acquisition supports Olympus in driving growth in designing and producing competence in lithotripsy through adding its powerful urology portfolio to Olympus. Apr-2018: Boston Scientific completed the acquisition of NxThera, a company that developed Rez?m system, a minimally invasive therapy (MIT) for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). NxThera became a part of Boston Scientific Urology and Pelvic Health business. The addition of NxThera's portfolio complements the Boston's urology portfolio that includes holmium laser platforms and GreenLight XPSTM Laser Therapy system. Geographical Expansions: Feb-2018: Richard Wolf opened a new subsidiary in Singapore for expanding its healthcare services to Asia. The new subsidiary has been marked as the 15th subsidiary of the company. Product Launches and Product Expansions: May-2019: Stryker unveiled a new visualization platform in its arthroscopy department. The platform includes Connected OR Hub and HipCheck, HipMap, 1688 Advanced Imaging Modalities (AIM) 4K Visualization Platform, which are designed for increasing the overall surgical experience in arthroscopy. This can also be used in laparoscopy, urology, ENT, colorectal, and gynecology. Sep-2018: Boston Scientific announced the launch of LithoVue Empower Retrieval Deployment Device. This device would be used with LithoVue Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope and compatible nitinol retrieval basket for allowing the urologists in operating a basket and ureteroscope at the time of recovering kidney stones via flexible ureteroscopy (URS). May-2018: Olympus launched EMPOWER laser portfolio line in order to deliver full range of capabilities in Ho: YAG lithotripsy specialized in fragmentation, dusting, and soft tissue ablation. The benefits of EMPOWER solutions include greater dusting capability, greater versatility, a stabilization mode, etc. Scope of the Study Market Segmentation: By Laser Type Holmium Laser System Thulium laser system Diode Laser System Other Laser Type By Application Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Urolithiasis Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Other Application By Geography North America o US o Canada o Mexico o Rest of North America Europe o Germany o UK o France o Russia o Spain o Italy o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o South Korea o Singapore o Malaysia o Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA o Brazil o Argentina o UAE o Saudi Arabia o South Africa o Nigeria o Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled Olympus Corporation Johnson and Johnson (Ethicon, Inc.) Stryker Corporation Boston Scientific Corporation Richard Wolf GmbH Cook Medical, Inc. (Cook Group) Karl Storz SE & Co. KG Lumenis Ltd. (XIO Group) Allengers Medical Systems Limited Becton, Dickinson and Company Unique Offerings Exhaustive coverage Highest number of market tables and figures Subscription based model available Guaranteed best price Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05838711/?utm_source=PRN 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 Kathleen Ayala, 30, also faces weapons charges stemming from the attack that occurred early Sunday at a mobile home complex in Millville, New Jersey A woman accused of using a nail clipper to stab her husband has been charged with murder, authorities announced Tuesday. Kathleen Ayala, 30, also faces weapons charges stemming from the attack that occurred early Sunday at a mobile home complex in Millville, New Jersey. Ayala and Axel Torres, 35, were arguing in their trailer when the dispute turned physical, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. Torres left the trailer, but prosecutors said Ayala chased after him, repeatedly stabbing him with the nail clipper. Officers with the Millville Police Department arrived at the mobile home community at around 1.06am on Sunday morning and found Torres unconscious at the scene. Ayala and Axel Torres, 35, were arguing in their trailer when the dispute turned physical, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Officers with the Millville Police Department arrived at the mobile home community at around 1.06am on Sunday morning and found Torres unconscious at the scene Torres was rendered aid at the scene and was taken to Cooper Hospital in Camden but died there on Monday. According to court documents, Ayala told police she was responsible for the attack but only wanted to scare her husband and did not intend to physically harm him. She stabbed him with a metal file from the clippers. Torres suffered wounds to his feet, hands, shoulders and left leg. Ayala apparently was not injured. She stabbed him with a metal file from the clippers (stock) Torres suffered wounds to his feet, hands, shoulders and left leg. Ayala apparently was not injured Ayala had been responsible for getting Torres back on the property, after the stabbing. It was then that authorities were contacted. Ayala initially was charged with assault, but prosecutors announced Tuesday that the count had been upgraded to murder following Torres' death. Ayala is currently being held at the Cumberland County jail It wasn't known if she's retained an attorney. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya has assured all the depositors in Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic in the wake of an order by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping to 35,000 the withdrawal limit. I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic. Honble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is appraised of matter and is personally monitoring the issue. She has assured the government will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern, the Bengaluru South MP said on Twitter on Tuesday morning. I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic. Honble Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman is appraised of matter & is personally monitoring the issue. She has assured Govt will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern. pic.twitter.com/pmoAcUFAu7 Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) January 13, 2020 His tweet also had a letter as attachment which he had written to Sitharaman apprising her about the situation. The letter said that Surya reached out to Sitharaman three times on January 13 after which she reassured him that the depositors need not panic. RBI had, on January 10, imposed certain restrictions on Sri Gururaghavendra Sahakara Bank Niyamitha. In particular, a sum not exceeding 35,000 of the total balance in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account may be allowed to be withdrawn subject to conditions stated in the above RBI directions, a notification from the bank said. The regulatory body said that the bank will continue to undertake banking business with restrictions until its financial position improves. These directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of January 10 and are subject to review, it said. Many people took to Twitter to post open requests to the government and tell them about their financial situation. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @Tejasvi_Surya my father has all his savings for his life and my brothers wedding as deposits in Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Niyamita, a cooperative bank which is clamped down by the RBI..I dont want to lose my father for this. can someone help? said a Twitter user Gauri Vishwanath. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @Tejasvi_Surya my father has all his savings for his life and my brothers wedding as deposits in Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Niyamita, a cooperative bank which is clamped down by the RBI..I dont want to lose my father for this can someone help? Gauri Vishwanath (@GauriVishwanath) January 12, 2020 Sir, please investigate Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank. Thousands of people are now on the streets. Please help, said another user Satish. The bank has been restricted from granting or renewing any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets Washington: As if the House of Windsor's internal dramas weren't enough, the tensions inside another globally powerful dynasty have now burst into public view. As the son of the world's most powerful media mogul, James Murdoch is aware that even the mildest criticism of his family's media empire is guaranteed to generate headlines. James Murdoch: concerned about climate change and News Corp. Credit:AP So James knew exactly what he was doing when he publicly attacked News Corporation's climate coverage at a time when the company's reporting is under intense scrutiny. Last week, News Corp Australia commercial finance manager Emily Townsend told senior management she found it "unconscionable" to continue working for the company, given she believed it had misled readers about the cause of bushfires sweeping across Australia. The introduction of the internet has improved the lives of many Ghanaians in many ways. For instance, the impact of online shopping on the economy cannot be overlooked. This is because this act of buying various goods and services via the internet has gained tremendous growth over the years. This can be explained by the fact that the majority of consumers have realized that it is so convenient and easy to get the products they need comfortable from where they are. Source:foxybeauty.co.za Online shopping in Ghana The use of online shopping, particularly during Christmas or any other holiday season can lessens the need to stand on long queues waiting to pay for what you need. With this kind of shopping, you just order for your electronics or any other thing you want and wait for it to be delivered. Therefore, we can define online shopping as convenient and automated types of commerce that lets consumers to buy various products and services from the seller through the internet. Therefore, consumers visit the site of the retailer to get the product they want. Alternatively, they can do a thorough search on different vendors with the help of a shopping search engine such as Google. The search engine will display the availability of products and prices at various e-retailers. With the latest improvement of technology, clients can do online shopping using a PC and communication gadget such as desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers and smart-phone. An online shop aims at reducing the physical analogy of buying products and services at the ordinary shopping center. The process of purchasing the products in an online shop is known as business-to-consumer (B2C) online shopping. A good online shopping site in Ghana lets the client to browse the companys range of goods and services, view photos of products, together with the details about the prices, specification of the items, and features . Best online shopping sites are designed to enable shoppers to use search features when getting specific models, brands or items. All online clients must have access to the internet and a vilified method of payment so that they can complete a transaction. Some of the common methods of payment include a credit card, an Interac-enabled debit card, or a service such as PayPal. The largest of these online retailing companies include Alibaba, Amazon.com, and eBay. Source: enterprise54.com When it comes to using online shopping sites in Ghana to buy stuff, the majority of people are scared to purchase or sell things. This is because they fear of being scammed, their lack of trust in the e-commerce industry and also lack of knowledge of how the process works. In this article, you will get to the list of online shopping sites in Ghana that you need to consider when you want to buy or sell something. I just interviewed a lot of people around me if they would ever purchase anything online. Almost 75% of those I interviewed said no and this explains how the majority of people perceive using these online shopping sites. However, that is not their fault. The educational system in Ghana tends to be extremely theoretical that all that vital things that learner are required to learn are derelict where the old age theory of lectures are forced on them day in day out. Here is a list of the most reputable online shopping sites in Ghana where you can purchase any goods you need and this will range from online shopping sites for electronics such as computers, phones and tablets. List of online shopping sites in Ghana 1. Jumia online shopping Jumia Ghana is one of the successful online shopping sites in Ghana that has numerous products for online consumers. The e-commerce firm has its branches in other African nations such as Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire. Besides from shopping for clothes and electronics, the site has diversified into other deals such as Jumia travel that allows you to book hotels. There is also Jumia food. Once you order your favorite food, it will be delivered to your home at the similar price as that of ordering it from a restaurant. 2. Melcom Ghana online shopping Source: Georgebritton.com Melcom Online is the newest online shopping site in Ghana. When you visit melcom ghana online shopping site, you will be able to purchase various types of goods such as electronics, clothes and office furniture. You will have any of this products shipped to your doorstep once you make an order. The moment you decide to do your shopping online, you can get all you need to purchase from Melcom online shopping site in Ghana straight from their online store, right from your house. Perhaps, you are a busy person with numerous things to do during the week, and when the weekend comes, you may just need to relax. However, you still need to get that latest sound system for your home and replace it with the one that is faulty. All you might want to change your wardrobe or purchase some new furniture or just get some household items. While life is becoming more complex for us with hundreds of the things do on the go, technology has managed to meet all our daily needs like shopping can be done with just the click of a few buttons and visiting the cheap online shopping site in Ghana once you know what you want to purchase. Note that the online shopping comes with its own flaws. Fraud and the increase of counterfeit goods are prevalent among the flaws. For this reason, you need to make sure you do your online shopping with a reputable online shopping site in Ghana that is reliable and has stood the test of time. In Ghana, only a few brands fall into this category and Malcolm is one of the brands. Melcom online shopping site has progressively become Ghanas leading chain of e-retail stores with 36 retail outlets. In a quest to increase and meet the current and demanding prerequisites of consumers to suit their lifestyle, Malcolm has established the melcomonline store to help you purchase anything you want online. READ ALSO: How to use Ecobank Internet Banking 3. Deus.com.gh Deus.com.gh is a powerful and reliable Online Retail Store with an ethical promise to customers to provide high quality but cheaper Printers and Toners delivered at their door-step. Deus was incorporated in 2018 as a Specialized and final destination in the provision of Printers and Print Toner and Ink Cartridges. From that time, it has continued to grow tremendously by focusing on providing quality deals at aggressively low prices. Over the years, Deus have successfully expanded its product line to include a wide variety of heavily discounted brand name consumer toner Cartridges that cant easily be found through other distribution channels. Today Deus has the largest Catalogue of Printers, Photocopiers, Scanners, Toner Cartridges and Ink Cartridges in Ghana by simply operating with the principle of specialization and ensuring that it fill the gap that is created by others. World Top brands such as Hp, Canon, Epson, Lexmark, Samsung, Ricoh and Konica Minolta are few among the many they sell. This is why Deus.com.gh remains customers online Shopping choice throughout Ghana. Deus also operates on the principle of revising the old adage of buy low, sell high. "We at Deus feel that a better way is to buy quality low and sell low. Selling low creates opportunity and loyalty from our customers." It is their goal to enable resellers around Ghana to grow their business profitably and make Deus their preferred destination. Deus offers 7 days free return policy, Same Day Delivery, secured online payment with acceptance of payment from Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) and Mobile Money (MTN, Vodafone Cash, Airtel/Tigo) and offers Cash on Delivery to selected Locations in Ghana. Ordering from Deus.com.gh is simple and convenient as the site is built with easy to use tools such as the smart and intelligent Elastic Search System, Order by WhatsApp, WhatsApp notifications on all orders and related activities and Easy Checkout. Join Deus Today and Enjoy a new shopping experience 4. Alibaba Online Shopping Site Source: pakistankakhudahafiz.com Alibaba.com is the leading online commerce firm that originates from China with some branches in Ghana. The site has millions of users and hosts millions of traders and companies across the globe. Note that Alibaba handles more business than any other e-commerce firm in Ghana due to some reasons. The main benefit of using this site is that it offers a Secure Payment. Alibaba online shopping site uses a safe payment method when Ghanaian retailers purchase from suppliers who use the site to sell their goods. In Alibaba, payments for the goods or services are only released to the seller the moment buyers approve that they have received the product. Additionally, the site strives to protect the suppliers by notifying the payment receipt before shipping the products. Some of the commonly used payment methods comprise bank transfers, letter of credit, Western Union, PayPal, and Escrow. At Alibaba online shopping site, they offer trade Assurance to their clients. Note that this free service will refund a buyer up to a covered amount if the seller fails to ship on time or the product shipped is of low quality. 5. Kaymu online shopping Source: dignited.com Kaymu is an online shopping site that was established in 2013, to provide localized C2C and B2C products in African countries, the site brings together buyers and sellers to make deals on new and used fashion products, smartphones, jewelry, and household appliances. The platform was Kaymu initially launched in Nigeria and Pakistan and later started operating in 32 other countries. Kaymu is designed to utilize the similar model as that of eBay and the only difference is that it does not offer first-party product sales. Again, this shopping platform uses a separate e-retail site for each of the countries it operates in. Kaymu has been experiencing tremendous growth in just one year and started offering its services to consumers in Ghana and Morocco in late 2013, before expanding their market area to other developing economies. 6. Kikuu online shopping Source: .busyghana.com Kikuu online shopping is one of the best online shopping sites that link Ghanaian consumers to a wide variety of products both in Ghana and other parts of the world. With this platform, you are only required to pay the amount you view on the site which is relatively cheaper. It will take almost 10 days to receive the goods from the supplier. Shopping online is a convenient and efficient way of buying and selling your stuff. However, you need to make sure that you use cheap online shopping sites. Currently, the number of Ghana online shopping sites has been increasing day in day out. Therefore, you need to conduct thorough research to ensure that your transaction is safe. Additionally, the majority of these sites provide tracking options that can help you see exactly where the product you purchased is, and let you know what personal information the website. Other shopping online sites for electronics and other items such as cloths include the Zoobashop. The website has a wide variety of items such as smartphones, home appliances, food, drinks & groceries, fashion and beauty products, baby, kids & toys and lots more. Cheki Ghana is the leading car website in Ghana that allows sellers to sell their cars to potential clients. READ ALSO: Internet Service Providers in Ghana Source: YEN.com.gh les gendarmes pendant le defile Internet The North West and South West Regions are teeming with military officers, barely one month to the February 9, twin elections. For the past one week, military trucks, buses and pickups have been ferrying these uniform officers into the restive Northwest and Southwest Regions. For instance, on Monday, January 6, at about 3:00pm, over 15 trucks, pickups and buses, filled with Gendarmerie officers, drove into the Gendarmerie Legion in Buea. According to the Southwest Legion Commander, Colonel Henri Tchinda Mbouzikeu, the presence of the troops dispatched to the Southwest on the in- structions of the Government, is to protect the population and ensure that peace and serenity reign before, during and after the February 9 polls. These officers are here on a mission to secure the population and to do everything so that the elections of February 9 will be held in a serene atmosphere. He added that the elements of the defence and security forces will be sent to the six Divisions of the region, where they will be expected to protect the population from the Ambazonia fighters, and bandits who are taking advantage of the Anglophone Crisis to terrorise the population. On Sunday, January 5, it was the turn of the police and Tuesday, January 7, it was the elements of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR. In fact, these officers come in various contingents and move into the various Divisions of the Regions. According to our security sources, the move is to ensure that the population is well protected before, during and after the elections. Colonel Tchinda urged the Southwest population to turnout massively and exercise their civic duties. The population should be confident in the National Gendarmerie and go out to vote knowing that the Gendarmerie is there to protect them What is happening in the Southwest Region is what is also happening in the Northwest Region. Politicians, especially those of the opposition parties are already raising concerns over the militarisation of the two regions. According to them, the Government has deliberately put the two Regions under military siege to scare voters from going out. They said the so called peace and protection that Government is highlighting as the reason for the massive deployment of troops to the two Regions is just a smoke screen to deceive the international community. These military officers have been brought into the Northwest and South- west Regions not to maintain peace and order, but as ambulance voters to vote for the CPDM. They would be deployed to the hinterlands where people have fled to vote as locals of the area. You will see the number of votes that would come from Lebialem, Ndian, Kupe-Muanenguba, Bui, Menchum, and Boyo where people have deserted because of the war. Votes from these Divisions will not be cast by the people, but by these uniform officers. The law gives the military the privilege to vote in their area of work, as such, they would be voting on behalf of the people, our source who preferred anonymity said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2019. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Education Spending Tops Californias $220 Billion State Budget Proposal California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a $222 billion budget proposal with plans to spend nearly record-breaking $48 billion on increased K-12 funding, including a $900 million to tackle the statewide shortage of teachers, especially in math, sciences and for special-needs students. Education is made a priority in the $222 billion plan, which was introduced during a news conference at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on Jan. 10. The 52-year-old Democratic governor called for a steady focus on the basics, starting with addressing the states need for more educators by dedicating massive investments in teacher recruitment. The state has a well documented, long-term, statewide teacher shortage in the areas of special education, science, and math, Newsom wrote in his proposal (pdf). He added not only rural areas but also the high cost of living areas, have reported difficulty hiring fully-trained teachers regardless of the subject. Newsom is proposing roughly $1.2 billion to increase ongoing funding for the Local Control Funding Formula, the main source of school spending. An additional $900 million would go toward educator recruitment and training, including $350 million in competitive grants to districts for teacher training in mental health intervention, English learner supports, anti-bullying efforts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) development. According to a 2017 survey conducted by Palo Alto-based Learning Policy Institute, about two-thirds of California principals serving schools with high proportions of students of color and students from low-income families reported that they had to leave teaching positions vacant or hire teachers with substandard credentials. This is partially a result of fewer college students pursuing teaching careers following post-recession teacher layoffs across the state. The institute reports that between 2002 and 2013, enrollment in teacher-education programs declined by about 70 percent, and it has barely budged upward since. To make it more affordable to become a teacher, Newsom proposed to provide $100 million to pay a $20,000 bonus for teachers willing to teach four years in a high-demand subject. Newsoms K-12 budget also steers $900 million in increased funding for special education, $300 million to improve the lowest-performing districts, $300 million to expand community schools, and $70 million in additional state funding for the federal meals program. That includes a farm-to-table fresh fruit and vegetable program to improve nutrition in school meals. Additionally, the 2021 budget includes funding for several programs designed to help homeless children, whose numbers have been rising as Californias homelessness crisis worsens. A recent state audit found that schools and districts reported 274,714 homeless studentschildren living in cars, motels, shelters, campgrounds or doubled up with another family, due to financial hardship. They look nothing alike. I'm still hoping for Shawn Mendes gay porn in the future. Fingers-crossed! Reply Thread Link I was going to say they should make a porno together. Reply Parent Thread Link they can call me when they get some scruff or a beard on there face I hate twinks clean shave boys.give me a bearded hairy chested man any day. Reply Parent Thread Link He looks exactly like Shawn Mendes- what is everyone in this post smoking? I've thought he's looked like him since he premiered on Sean Cody lol Reply Parent Thread Link My baby Kaleb on ONTD. What in the world? Reply Thread Link What a day to be alive? I preferred him on SC tbh. Reply Parent Thread Link Mmmhm I hate that he's trapped at MEN Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Ohhh that's where I know him from... Interesting. Reply Parent Thread Link i'd fucking watch lmao Reply Parent Thread Link I am lol at that gif, I have no context for it. Its like my two kittens that sniff each other but humans. Reply Thread Link Ok but....what is happening in that gif Reply Thread Link Talk about boundaries on that interviewers part. I always wonder if you're asked a question like that do you say yes so you don't come off like an asshole. Because I would def say no Reply Parent Thread Link What in the fuck?! Not completely analogous but this reminds me of that roundtable where Jeff Bridges asked for Cary Mulligan's inner sole. Clearly this guy, like Jeff Bridges, has a fetish. Reply Parent Thread Link Lol. It was unbelievable. At least he didnt ask to sniff his asshole. Shrugs Reply Parent Thread Expand Link omg thought that was Steve Jobs in that gif Reply Thread Link In response to a great deal of questions weve had today, below is a statement from Elizabeth Warren: pic.twitter.com/PdBCHJQCJE Kristen Orthman (@KristenOrthman) January 14, 2020 Reply Thread Link I dont like this. I dont truly believe Bernie believes a women could never be president especially since he wanted her to run in the past. Warren is still my #2 choice by far but I dont like that they are feeding into this and dividing the two progressives now that Bernie is the front runner of the early states & California. Reply Parent Thread Link I could see Bernie being a cynic about misogyny in politics, and blunt enough to voice his opinions. I could also see him thinking Warren should run as a protest or statement candidate thinking she wouldn't win. What's shocking is that Warren sat on this and then leaked it for points. It's bound to backfire! Reaffirming my thought that she has good ideas and bad political instincts. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link NEW: @BernieSanders campaign manager responds to report that in 2018 Sanders told @ewarren that a woman couldnt win in 2020.@fshakir: It is a lie. pic.twitter.com/JTgugmlb2k Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) 13. januar 2020 Bernie's campaign is already calling it a lie Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is completely off topic, but it seems like a perfectly measured response. people will turn it around to criticize her, as usual. i don't find it that hard to believe that sanders felt that a woman couldn't win against trump, many people have shared that opinion, however cynical it seems. pundits will flame this into more than it is and more than it needs to be Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I was not expecting a political thread in this post. lol. Just because of this posts subject matter, Im cackling. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link hes not wrong tho Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's such a dumb move considering he's on record speaking in favor of the concept of a female president as early as like 1988 lol idk what they think she's gonna gain from this, right up there with posting her 23andme results in terms of dumb tactics Reply Parent Thread Link Anyway, this guy shouldn't do it. Shawn will need work after hours singing career peters out. Reply Thread Link Lol Shawn is gonna be 55 and ugly and be like "I'm gay ya'll" Reply Parent Thread Link Just like Alex or whatever his name is from Nsync Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I feel like the real Shawn wouldnt even be at all sexy in a sex tape. Id watch but probably only once. Reply Thread Link I think hed be like the Liberty Bibbity douche except naked. Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like hed ask a lot of questions. Is this ok? Yeah? Oh, sorry did I accidentally elbow you while switching positions? Should I go? Reply Parent Thread Link "are you mad at me? it feels like your mad at me" Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And "can I cum in you? If its okay? I can but if not, its ok but Ill jus- lets- can I just- is it ok- *grunt**snort**groan*" Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That gif... what lmao Reply Thread Link Stu <3 Reply Parent Thread Link yeah i got you i got you on camera you on candid camera now you aint know that brenda meeks scary movie 1 recording in theater movies regina hall camcorder filming pic.twitter.com/izeyDIPMuo reaction videos (@findurmeme) November 22, 2019 I knew this post would bring out the heauxs and thots. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I dont remember where its from but its Stu @ SC Reply Parent Thread Expand Link https://music.apple.com/us/album/lover/1468058165 I got chu bb Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Stu beefed the fuck up. Hes hella cute tho. Iconic lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This was peak Stu. He's too big now. Reply Parent Thread Link If he looks like Shawn Mendes, I look like Maluma (but not douchy). Reply Thread Link Re that gif- godiwishthatwasme Reply Thread Link wow that man is hideous. give him the job @sebastianstudios Reply Thread Link Not even ugly hot. Just Gollumesque. Reply Parent Thread Link Omggggg lol But a lot of their models have huge dicks tho. Too bad about the faces and bodies Reply Parent Thread Link Who is William Seed? Reply Thread Link WILLIAM SEED. my fave. He is the SEX GOD. Perfect man for me and I dont even have a type. Hes drop dead gorgeous. Idk if hes like Southern Californian (even tho hes giving me lowkey midwestern vibes), but hes that MAN for me and he knows how to fuck. Just. Reply Parent Thread Link Love your icon! Reply Parent Thread Link Nestle has revealed plans to bring new variant KitKat Gold to the UK. Already available in Russia, KitKat Gold is described as offering a tasty combination of crispy wafer and smooth milk chocolate, topped with creamy white chocolate with sweet caramel notes. Arriving in the UK and Ireland very soon, according to Nestle, the bar made its debut in 2018 in Australia and New Zealand, and was added to the permanent range following strong sales. People are constantly looking for new taste sensations when they treat themselves and others, said Alexander von Maillot, Nestle global head of confectionery. They also want chocolate that is visually appealing, so they can share it with friends and on social media. KitKat Gold has that special something. The launch of KitKat Gold has followed the development of variants including a ruby chocolate bar that launched in the UK in April 2018. Last year, Nestle unveiled KitKat Chocolatory, a service that enables consumers to visit the Create Your Break online store and design an eight-finger KitKat from four types of chocolate and 14 ingredients. Nestle said around 1,500 different flavour combinations could be produced. Imagine throwing shade at veteran Kenyan rapper Jua Cali? Could never be me. If there are artistes who are untouchable, then Jua Cali is undoubtedly top of the list. But thats just my opinion. The Calif Records co-founder is credited with being one of the pioneers of the Genge music movement alongside the likes of Nonini. In fact, Jua Cali is known as the de facto King of Genge while Nonini is the self-titled Godfather of Genge. Nearly twenty years since Jua Cali recorded his first track Ruka in 2001 -, the Genge genre has evolved into Gengetone, courtesy of fast-rising groups such as Ethic, Ochungulo Family, Sailors, Boondocks and others. The new wave of Gengetone, which took root in 2019, continues to divide opinion among Kenyans on social media owing to its lewd content. #Gengetone On Monday, the hashtag #Gengetone was a top trending topic on Twitter after a section of fans proclaimed that the genre is already on its death bed. Amid the thousands of tweets, a certain fan saw it fit to blast Jua Cali for working with Gengetone stars. Manze @juacaliGenge I respected you until you started doing Gengetone with kids Your game is dead. Your legacy dead too #gengetone, tweeted @marvin_masika. In response, Jua Cali reminded the fan that he started the genre and revealed that he has recorded a whole album with Gengetone stars. Legendary stuff. I started this genre what do you expect? You have never bought tickets to any of my events so you have been dead to me my whole career. Nimerecord a whole album with this kids.. posted Jua Cali. Find below some sampled tweets: ??????? I started this genre what do you expect? You have never bought tickets to any of my events so you have been dead to me my whole career ?????. Nimerecord a whole album with this kids.. https://t.co/odZ0sfA6Pq JuaCali (@juacaliGenge) January 13, 2020 True ?Ive never bought tickets Your genre is trash? phero254 (@marvin_masika) January 13, 2020 If you have listened to those doing gengetone during interviews, they say they grew up listening to genge and were inspired. So juacali hakuanza gengetone, but kazi yake ili inspire gengetone. Which means gengetone is a fruit of genge. Give respect where it is due Milliciachris (@milliciachris) January 13, 2020 Q. Before Juakali, ESir (RIP), Nameless, Gidi/Maji, Krupt, Lady S, Wahu and others of that generation, how were we doing musically as a country? Learn to appreciate the transformation those fellows brought along.. And thats un-erasable musical history. Viva.. Chlyph, CPA (K) (@Chlyph) January 13, 2020 Q. Before Juakali, ESir (RIP), Nameless, Gidi/Maji, Krupt, Lady S, Wahu and others of that generation, how were we doing musically as a country? Learn to appreciate the transformation those fellows brought along.. And thats un-erasable musical history. Viva.. Chlyph, CPA (K) (@Chlyph) January 13, 2020 When I read some fool trying to criticize @juacaliGenge mi huwa nacheka tu coz he clearly doesnt have an idea where and how far we have come from enjoying genge music so kama hautaki kuskiza genge and gengetone Kaa Na mama yako leave @juacaliGenge alone chimano shihembetsa (@CShihembetsa) January 13, 2020 Lakini watu hutaka nini? They even change their style/rebrand to win you over, you still want to bring them down! Then you will be dancing to that junk from west africa that you dont even understand! Charity begins at home!!!! kaka_braza (@SteveOnyangoII) January 13, 2020 Lakini watu hutaka nini? They even change their style/rebrand to win you over, you still want to bring them down! Then you will be dancing to that junk from west africa that you dont even understand! Charity begins at home!!!! kaka_braza (@SteveOnyangoII) January 13, 2020 Thats no way to talk to a [email protected] has been doing a great job supporting gengetone millenials,thats what legends do,they support the upcoming. Slomow Mwas Kimura (@slomow_mwas) January 13, 2020 Nguyen Dinh Chi - Deputy director, Tri Dat JSC As a company providing services for foreign-invested manufacturers in Vietnam, in 2020, we aim to extend our business by 20 per cent, winning over more customers from countries with developed industries such as Japan and South Korea. Foreign-invested enterprises always pay attention to technology, the environment, human resources, and safety, so supporting companies like us also have to make them a priority in our development orientation. Besides this, with the continuous change of manufacturing technologies, I think staff should improve their foreign language skills, particularly English, so that they can approach and work with advanced technologies. Meanwhile, the government should have incentive policies in terms of corporate income tax for newly-established companies. Supporting enterprises need to be assisted with a lower import tax so that we can increase our competitiveness with better prices and technologies. Also, there should be conferences to exchange experience among enterprises operating in the same fields, and business-matching events so that we can create supply chains and integrate into global development. Aleksandrs Parfjonovs - Head, Vietnam Operations Grindeks JSC I noticed many improvements for businesses such as free trade agreements and many dialogues with the gorvernment like the VBF. This is important for both businesses and the government towards understanding each other. Vietnam is among the fastest developing economies in the Asia, therefore actual steps for the improvement should be taken fast, while keeping in mind the sustainability of the growth. As for the general business climate, it is moving in a positive direction, with most important issues such as the extremely complex taxation rules being actively discussed. Over the year, I have noticed improvements in many areas, and hope it will be continued in the same way. With regards to my field, in general the pharmaceuticals business is one of the more restrictive and sensitive businesses in Vietnam. The main serious challenges that need to be addressed are particularly certificates for pharmaceutical product requirements in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines. Vietnam is our main market in Southeast Asia and we are working with our partners on bringing more high quality medicine to the country. William Badger - Director of Community Outreach, Concordia International School Hanoi Overall, I think the business environment in Vietnam is very positive. There is a lot of interest here. The biggest concern will just be the environment. Our business is related to family, both international families of diplomats or investors and also to Vietnamese children. Vietnam, at the moment, is considered a family-friendly destination thanks to the availability of high-quality schooling. But if we look at the air quality or other environmental issues, the country might be labelled as a dangerous post for families, which will affect the educational environment. Other than that, Vietnam provides us a very favourable environment for investment. We have actually expanded and been increasing our investment significantly these past few years. We have been and we are investing in Vietnam for the long term and expect to be in here for 50 years or more, providing top-quality education. This helps attract more people coming to Vietnam and helps keep Vietnamese families staying here. Rad Kivette - CEO cum executive director VinaCapital Foundation I have been in Vietnam for 20 years and see that the country has made an effort to improve the investment environment for enterprises. However, similar to other developing countries, there are still many things that need to be done and one of the most important issues is the reduction of paperwork and consistency of laws. I think Vietnams legal system is quite decent but there are numerous overlapping laws and conflicts, and sometimes there are gaps where foreign investors, especially new ones, face difficulties in completing procedures to start their business and investment in Vietnam. They need more comprehensive efforts from the government to tie all of the laws together to make it work. Lastly, the government has to sync its work across all ministries to make sure that all existing laws are consistent. Colin Blackwell - Founder and CEO Enablecode Co., Ltd. Vietnam has needs that align with a range of policies, strategies, and resolutions with an effort to reform its education towards Industry 4.0. Specifically, the Fundamental and Comprehensive Reform of Higher Education in Vietnam 2006-2020 and the National Strategy on Human Resource Development 2011-2020 have focused on lifelong learning and soft skills, technical skills, and interpersonal skills for all students. Higher education institutions, with regards to Industry 4.0 should focus on the learner, supported by technology, in-person guidance, and industry-relevant content to meet the learners individual needs. It is necessary to focus on building unrivalled student experiences through flexible programme structure that enables lifelong learning and provides learners with multiple entries and exit options. It is also required to enhance the skills of the teaching staff at all levels of the state education system by providing them with access to international standard continuous professional development and teacher training in modern educational practices. To further encourage foreign direct investment in this sector, local public education institutions should be encouraged to partner with private international education institutions for the training of teachers working in public schools. Kitamura Shu - Senior representative Japan International Cooperation Agency The number of listed companies in the Vietnamese equity market has been steadily increasing due to the strong demand for capital mobilisation of private companies as well as the progress of state-owned enterprise restructuring in recent years. On the other hand, the market has more potential to grow in both volume and quality, and there still remains several challenges to be tackled going forward. Currently, the market is classified as a frontier one by Morgan Stanley Capital Information (MSCI), the third classification following the developed market and emerging market. Although it had been expected that Vietnam would enter into the upper classification in the annual MSCI review process this year, it was concluded that the country would retain the current status. This fact suggests that the Vietnamese market still has challenges to be tackled going forward to be verified as an emerging market. Overall, the key challenges must be solved, such as weaker corporate governance and disclosure of listed companies, unfair trading including manipulation and insider trading, lower compliance of market intermediaries, and an insufficient investor protection framework. Vu Minh Anh - Founder and managing director, Terraverde Travel I have seen improvements across the board. In the travel industry, more rational policies are now in place regarding entrance and exit procedures. Visitors from some certain markets now benefit from visa exemptions or are allowed to extend visas, such as visitors from European countries. However, more improvements are needed in the upcoming time. The policies towards MICE visitors need to be more specific. In this regard, Vietnam can look at the lessons from some other regional markets such as Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong to develop the capacity to hold large events in the country. For example, we need specific policies for certain visitor groups, allowing visa exemptions from three to five days for MICE visitors to stay for a short-term in Vietnam to attend the events. For large events to take place in Vietnam, we need support in tax regulations or infrastructure from the government and the tourism administration, so that we can compete with regional peers in holding such events in Vietnam. Ta Quang Tung - General director A Au Vocational Guidance Corporation In 2020, some new professions will be launched in relation to the advancements of the digital transformation, following the recruitment trends of industry 4.0. We expect to become a versatile and comprehensive vocational training system, spreading the values of vocational education to the community and meeting the goals of economic and social development. To reach further goals, businesses need to be aware of the importance of building the next generation of leaders with enough enthusiasm and capability. Improving local customer service quality should be focused to maintain the roots of business and companies reputation, as well as to keep the needs of the customer at heart. Besides that, building a better corporate culture coupled with social responsibility is also a long-term vision for the local sustainable business development. Kenneth Atkinson Founder Grant Thornton Vietnam Making tourism more sustainable is a continuous process of making optimal use of environmental resources, enhancing the respect for host communities, and ensuring viable long-term economic operations. The fair distribution of benefits among tourism stakeholders requires adequate management practices and evidence-based public policies. The United Nations published the sustainable development goals, and the World Bank supported several actions in Vietnam and the future Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030. This should be the economic, social, and environmental framework to developed the ASEAN as a future leading tourism destination. Through ecotourism services, smart city development, forest re-plantation, and national parks promotion, we must diversify Vietnams portfolio and reduce overcrowding in congested areas, such as in the major cities. Mandatory policies and investment from both central and local authorities are required for the development of new facilities, or through public-private partnerships,which need to be developed to support existing properties and future developments, aligned with environmental responsibility measures and fully developed waste management programmes. Rev Hossein Soodmand was arrested and tortured before being hanged after a sharia court convicted him of apostasy Iran has bulldozed over the grave of a pastor who was executed by the regime in 1990 for leaving Islam for Christianity. Rev Hossein Soodmand, who converted before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was arrested and tortured before being hanged after a sharia court convicted him of apostasy. The last person ever to be executed for the crime of abandoning one's religion, Rev Soodmand was buried in 'cursed ground' in the city of Mashhad. In early December his unmarked grave, over which his family could only lay a simple slab of stone, was bulldozed. His daughter Rashin Soodmand told Article 18, a group which promotes religious liberty in Iran: 'For years we had to travel to this remote place to visit his unmarked grave, and we were not even allowed to construct a gravestone bearing his name. 'And now they want to completely remove the only sign of him left for us. We will take our appeal to any relevant national or international institution about this disrespect and cruelty.' A spokesman for Article 18 told Fox News the decision to desecrate Rev Soodmand's grave would have been made by officials. 'The Iranian authorities certainly made the call,' he told the broadcaster, 'We dont know who exactly - perhaps the local mayor - but our understanding is they are expanding the cemetery and selling off plots to wealthy families who can afford them.' Rev Soodmand grew up on the outskirts of Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, in a middle-class, fairly religious family. As a youth he and his friends would spend afternoons teasing Christians, telling them they were 'unclean' and hurling stones at them. On one occasion when he was seven he threw one that smashed a woman's water bucket, before fleeing, tripping over and hurting his knee. He expected the Christian woman to punish him, but she helped him up, cleaned his wound and gave him some sweets. In early December his unmarked grave (pictured), over which his family could only lay a simple slab of stone, was bulldozed According to one obituary of Rev Soodmand, he never forgot the act of kindness and it was the seeds of what turned him to Christianity. It continued to germinate when he joined Ahvaz for military service, where he was once taken to hospital where an Armenian Christian saw him and left him a cross. Rev Soodmand reportedly said that night Jesus was in his dream, where he was given something to eat and woke up feeling better and left the hospital. But the pastor told his family of his decision to turn to Christianity and was asked to leave. After moving to Tehran, he became a street vendor and lived with Christians, while devoting himself to studying the Bible. He became the top student at Bible classes, going on to sell books for the Bible Society across the country. Rev Soodmand married a blind woman he looked after called Mahtab Noorvash in 1970 and they lived in Isfahan. He joined the Assemblies of God and became an assistant pastor, before taking over as pastor in 1977. The pastor moved his family - with two children - to Mashad and he was ordained in 1988. But his church was forced to close under a cloud of persecution and he was arrested by religious police and tortured. Hossein continued to work when he was freed, so was re-arrested in 1990 and put in solitary confinement before he was later executed. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe A longstanding West Hollywood meeting place for people trying to get sober is facing the wrecking ball, and that has upset many in the community. The shabby wooden building at 621 N. Robertson Blvd. -- known as the Log Cabin -- was built in 1936. Or 1928. No one seems to know for sure. In any event, the city of Beverly Hills -- which owns the property -- has told the Lions Club of West Hollywood -- which owns the Log Cabin -- that it must "remove" the building and vacate the premises by March 31. Thousands of people have signed an online petition to save the Log Cabin, and West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran has asked his city attorney to issue a cease-and-desist order to block the demolition. The building sits in a tony neighborhood right by the Beverly Hills border. It sticks out among the area's upscale salons and luxury clothing stores. The Lions Club has been the Log Cabin's steward for almost 100 years, said West Hollywood Lions Club President Gyula Kangiszer. 'A MAGICAL PLACE' "Every morning people come there and they talk about this building as a magical place," he said. "When you are thinking about fighting an addiction, some people go to the mountain, some go to the beach. In the busy city life, this Log Cabin is a similar escape for those that come here." News of the Log Cabin's possible demise worries many in the sobriety community. "The Log Cabin is like an iconic way station for sobriety in Los Angeles," said James Maclean, who spoke with me after running a support meeting across the street at the West Hollywood Recovery Center. "You know that if you show up to the Log Cabin, there's going to be some sort of meeting and some sort of sobriety and someone to help you," he said. Losing the Log Cabin would be like losing a part of West Hollywood history, Maclean said. 'OUR CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THOSE WITHIN THE BUILDING' The cities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills issued a joint statement Monday night that said a contractor inspected the Log Cabin and "found portions of the building in poor condition." Both cities understand the importance of the Log Cabin and the lives that have been changed there, Beverly Hills City Manager George Chavez said in the statement. "Our concern is the safety of those within the building," he added. The two cities are in discussion for a "shared approach to the current uses" of the property, according to the statement. "The City of West Hollywood is committed to preserving the availability of addiction recovery support group space and will work with our neighbors in the City of Beverly Hills to explore all available options," West Hollywood Mayor John D'Amico said in the statement. The City of West Hollywood is expected to carry out its own audit of the Log Cabin's condition. A MOVE TO SAVE 'A POTENTIAL HISTORIC STRUCTURE' As of Tuesday morning, more than 5,800 people had signed the online petition opposing the demolition. The petition calls the building "a much beloved and important community resource." It says a survey of West Hollywood properties that might qualify as historically or culturally significant found the Log Cabin was built in 1928 "to house Troop 27 of the Boy Scouts of America." A 2016 City of West Hollywood survey pegged the construction date as 1936. It's unclear when the building became a hub for sobriety and recovery meetings, but it has been one for decades. In a statement on Facebook, Duran said he's asking West Hollywood's city attorney to issue a cease and desist order against the Lions Club and Beverly Hills to prevent them "from attempting to demolish a potential historic structure without due process of law." Added Duran: "Some see [the Log Cabin] as a crappy run down rustic building that needs to be torn down. I see it as a place where MIRACLES have happened for decades." Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Gyula Kangiszer's name and misidentified his gender. LAist regrets the error. Security firm Tenable has warned individuals and businesses who are using Windows 7 to ensure that their systems are patched and up-to-date as support for the operating system expires on Tuesday. Microsoft announced some time ago that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 would reach their end of life on 14 January. Tenable senior research engineer Satnam Narang said: "With Microsoft discontinuing support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 on 14 January, it is imperative that consumers and businesses take steps to ensure their systems are not vulnerable. "In December 2019, Microsoft released fixes for CVE-2019-1458, an elevation of privilege vulnerability that was exploited in the wild. "It affects both Windows 7 and Windows 2008 systems. Users of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 who opt not to migrate to newer versions are at risk of being preyed upon by bad actors, leaving them vulnerable to attacks especially since these systems wont be supported by Microsoft. "We strongly encourage consumers and businesses to take stock of what Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 assets remain and make immediate plans for migration." The date marks the first Patch Tuesday for Microsoft, the day on which the company usually releases fixes for its many products. Technology research firm GlobalData said the end of support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 provided an opportunity for both Microsoft and PC manufacturers in Asia, as new hardware would be in demand. With Windows 7 coming to an end of life, we expect businesses in Asia to offset some of their needs by purchasing new PCs," GlobalData's head of Technology and Telecoms Data, Nishant Singh, said. "This should reflect in a slight bump in PC sales in 2020. However, most enterprises in the cost-conscious markets of Asia will choose the option of upgrading their existing compatible PCs to Windows 10, as this will provide the cheaper option. Singh added: While it remains to be seen how Microsoft eventually handles the release of Windows going forward, for now, it appears that there will be no major releases of Windows beyond Windows 10. As such, Windows 10 provides a clear upgrade path for all businesses in Asia who need to move on from Windows 7. The GRU was active in the 2016 presidential campaign, hacking the servers of the Democratic Party and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman and releasing their emails that summer and fall. The disclosures disrupted the Democratic convention and undermined Clintons campaign in the critical final weeks, and the U.S. intelligence community concluded that with such actions Moscow aimed to help Trump and hurt Clinton. Criminal Background Records Anytime the federal government takes action that affects pre-employment background screening, hiring managers should take note. This action could impact how they manage new employee background checks. The President recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the federal Fair Chance Act, which, subsequently, brings Ban-the-Box rules to a large part of the federal government and brings a complete Ban-the-Box implementation on a nationwide basis closer to fruition. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com opines: Anytime a significant action such as the Fair Chance Act is implemented hiring managers should take note and make sure they are working with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency, such as CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, in order to remain compliant with law. For the last several years Ban-the-Box legislation has swept across the country. Designed to give everyone a fair chance at employment by eliminating the potential of discrimination by removing the criminal history box on applications, Ban-the-Box has now made it to a nationwide, federal level. A recent legislative act, the National Defense Authorization Act, contains the Fair Chance Act, an act designed to create Ban-the-Box type regulation within the federal government. From Littler.com (Dec 24 19): On December 20, 2020, the president signed legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which includes the federal Fair Chance Act (the Act). The Act prohibits federal contractors that have openings for positions within the scope of federal contracts, as well as all federal agencies, from inquiring about or seeking criminal history information from an applicant until after a conditional job offer has been extended. The Act and multi-jurisdictional state and local ban-the-box laws are intended to give ex-offenders released from prison and those with past criminal background records a better opportunity at obtaining employment by eliminating or at least deferring any pre-employment inquiry into an applicants criminal history. (1) Almeida adds: Anytime the federal government takes action that affects pre-employment background screening, hiring managers should take note. This action could impact how they manage new employee background checks. The federal Fair Chance Act is designed to get more Americans working, especially those individuals trying to gain employment after release from prison. From ACLU.org (Dec 20, 19): When Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) reintroduced the Fair Chance Act earlier this year, he said: This bill would give individuals who are reentering society from prison a fair chance at truly achieving the American dream. The Fair Chance Act would ban the box that employers use to ask about arrest and conviction history on job applications. It also requires that federal agencies and contractors subject a prospective employee to a criminal background check only after a conditional job offer is made. (2) Almeida concludes: A best practice for all employers is to work with a third-party pre-employment background screening agency, such as CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, in order to remain compliant with all laws governing background screening and, specifically, the use of criminal history reports. CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party employment screening company, an advocate of SHRM, a member in good standing with the PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) and for over 17 years has maintained an A+ Rating with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). The company has highly trained operators well versed in the needs and requirements of companies and organizations large and small utilizing public records, such as criminal background records, as part of a hiring process. Assisting companies in maintaining full compliance under the law is a central tenet of all client relationships with CriminalBackgroundRecords.com. Notes: (1) littler.com/publication-press/publication/new-federal-fair-chance-act-applies-federal-contractors-and-agencies?utm_source=Mondaq&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=View-Original (2) aclu.org/news/smart-justice/a-fair-chance-at-opportunity-the-u-s-government-bans-the-box/ The US Senate is likely to begin the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump on January 21 after the House of Representatives last month impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, a top Republican Senator has said. The 435-member House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached in vote that was based on bitter political divide. Now, the 100-member Senate, where the Republicans are in majority, needs to put Trump on trial before he can be removed from the White House. After holding it on for weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to send its impeachment to the Senate sometime this week and that could be as early as Tuesday. The impeachment in the Senate is unlikely to pass through given that GOP has majority in the 100-member Senate. Top Republican Senator John Cornyn, who is also Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, on Monday told reporters that the Senate is likely to start the impeachment trial next Tuesday, January 21. Tuesday (January 21) is what it's feeling like, he said. "We'd actually be glued to our chair starting Tuesday, I think," he said in response to a question. According to Cornyn, after House sends its articles of impeachment, the Senate will likely take a few days to deal with logistics of the trial. Prominent among these include Chief Justice John Roberts and all Senators and sending summons to Trump's team. The Senate will also pass a resolution establishing the trial rules. The New York Times reported that in the coming days, Pelosi is expected to choose half-a-dozen or so managers to argue on the Senate floor for Trump's removal from office. Those managers, who will be selected at least partly from the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees, form just one element of a trial full of complicated procedures, the report said. Cornyn on the Senate floor alleged that Pelosi delaying the impeachment is hurting the Democratic presidential candidates. The only people who seem to gain anything from this are the Democrats who are running for president but who are not United States Senators, and thus aren't going to be tied up during the impeachment trial, he said. Meanwhile Republican Senators Corny, Mike Lee, and Jerry Moran announced to cosponsor Senator Josh Hawley's resolution to allow for the dismissal of articles of impeachment against Trump for failure to prosecute. It's been three weeks and counting since the House passed articles of impeachment, and Speaker Pelosi is still playing games after insisting the President's removal from office was urgent. This critical change will reinforce the Constitution and help prevent the House from using impeachment for personal political gain like the Speaker is sadly doing now, Cornyn said. Our Constitution guarantees a fair and speedy trial to defendants, and Congress must provide these same guarantees to public officials facing impeachment. Speaker Pelosi has had three weeks to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, but instead she is choosing to use the impeachment articles for political gain, Moran said. Moran said the resolution requires the Senate to move forward with impeachment trials in a timely manner and helps prevent Congress from playing political games with the impeachment procedure. According to Senator Lee, the authors of the Constitution created the impeachment power to be a rarely used constitutional safeguard of the public trust. It was never meant to be a partisan tool used to harass a sitting president. This rule change will limit the House's ability to play partisan political games with impeachment. If a president is a true threat to the republic, articles to impeach him should be delivered to the Senate with haste, Lee said. Republican Senator Ted Cruz in an interview to NBC-Dallas-Fort Worth's Lone Star Politics' said the trial in the Senate is going to be fair and would respect due process. It means that it is going to be very very different from the one-sided partisan show trial that we saw in the House for the last several months. The last several months House Democrats did an entirely one-sided hearing, presentation, he alleged. They did not follow the precedent from the Clinton impeachment. They didn't follow the precedent from the Nixon impeachment. They didn't allow the minority to call witnesses. They didn't allow the White House to cross examine those witnesses, Cruz said. Democratic Senator Kamala Harris, who is of Indian origin, feared that the trial in the Senate might not be fair. The American people should expect their representatives in the Senate to seek the truth, not cover up the facts, she said in her remarks on the Senate floor. We now face a choice: will we insist that we have one system of justice that applies equally to all? Or will we continue to have two systems of justice, in which some are above the law? [] This moment in our history will have consequences, she said. The Senate is charged with deciding whether the President of the United States, with all of his power and supposed wealth, will be held accountable for his actions or whether we will finally live up to the principle: Equal Justice Under Law.', she said. There is no question that President Trump's misconduct has left a vacuum of leadership in our country, and the American people are looking to the United States Senate to demonstrate that their leaders are worthy of the public's trust, Harris said. The Democratic presidential field is set to have its smallest and potentially most influential debate yet. It could also become among the most contentious if candidates bring their campaigns' offstage issues onstage. On Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST, six candidates are slated to gather at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, to slug it out less than three weeks before the first-in-the-nation caucuses in that state. Gone are the two-night, 10-candidates-at-a-time spectacles that marked the earliest debate rounds of the Democratic contest last year. This two-hour debate will feature former Vice President Joe Biden; former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind.; Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts; and billionaire activist Tom Steyer. With fewer candidates onstage, there will be more time for each to spar, and one of the biggest questions in Democratic politics this week is whether the Sanders and Warren campaigns will escalate their spats with each other. Warren blasted Sanders for sending volunteers out to "trash" her after his campaign reportedly circulated talking points aimed at Warren supporters, alleging she does not bring new voters into the process. Sanders, accused of telling Warren in a 2018 closed-door meeting that a woman couldn't win the presidency, responded to the anonymously sourced report by saying Warren's staffers were lying. This will be the first debate round in which all the participants are white. A dozen Democrats are still campaigning, and notable names missing from the stage include Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey dropped out of the contest on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The Democratic Party set the highest bar yet to qualify for this debate. Candidates must have reached at least 5% support since Nov. 14 in at least four national or early-state polls, or at least 7% support in two state polls from Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada. Candidates must have also secured donations from at least 225,000 unique donors, with a minimum of 1,000 unique donors per state in at least 20 U.S. states, territories or the District of Columbia. Yang and Booker met the donor threshold but fell short in polls. Booker got eight candidates to sign a request to the party to lower the qualification thresholds; that didn't happen. Yang offered to help fund the cost of more polling, and on Saturday his campaign put out a statement complaining about the Democratic National Committee's process and saying Yang's camp had commissioned its own polls showing him at 5% in Nevada and New Hampshire. Bloomberg, who is self-funding his campaign and spending massively on paid staff and television advertising, met the poll qualification but is not accepting contributions and so did not meet the donor threshold. Gabbard, who threatened to boycott previous debates, alleging that the party and the media were "rigging the election," met neither requirement. Many potential Iowa caucusgoers remain undecided in their choice of which candidate to support. A particularly strong or weak performance from a candidate could bring welcome momentum or unwelcome peril in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. And, of course, what makes Iowa so attractive is that a big win in the Hawkeye State could give a successful candidate more credibility with undecided voters in other states. But not to worry: If you love debates, there are plenty more coming _ in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 7; in Las Vegas on Feb. 19; and in Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 25. Tuesday's debate in Iowa, co-hosted by the Des Moines Register and CNN, will be shown on the cable channel and can also be viewed on the Register's and CNN's websites and apps. Wolf Blitzer and Abby Phillip of CNN and Brianne Pfannenstiel of the Des Moines Register will moderate. What's at stake for each candidate onstage? ADVERTISEMENT Biden probably has the least to lose of the five candidates onstage. His decent polling in predominantly white Iowa is just the cherry on top of his thus-far unshakable strength with voters of color elsewhere, whose support could provide Biden with a path to the Democratic nomination. If a poor debate performance contributes to a poorer performance in the Iowa caucuses, it still poses a risk to Biden's nomination chances, of course. But unlike some of the other Democratic candidates, Biden could probably withstand a modest finish in the Hawkeye State. Buttigieg, by contrast, probably needs to do very well in Iowa to pave his own path to the nomination, given his inability thus far to attract voters of color. Could strong victories in predominantly white Iowa and New Hampshire help unlock support from more diverse voters in the primary states that follow? It's harder to see that happening if Buttigieg does poorly in Iowa, so he needs a debate performance that keeps his supporters energized and the door to future voters open. For Klobuchar, it's probably now or never. The senator from Minnesota has never broken into the top tier of the race but has polled better in neighboring Iowa than in any other early-voting state, although she's still getting support only in the single digits. Who knows _ a surprise top placement in Iowa could attract undecided moderate voters who might be worried about Biden's age or Buttigieg's inexperience. But she's running out of time to make a breakthrough. Sanders, like Biden, has one of the most valuable assets in the Democratic primary: a decent amount of support among voters of color. But unlike Biden, Sanders has faced persistent questions, even among sympathetic liberals, about whether he is too left wing to secure the Democratic nomination. One potential cure for that kind of hand-wringing? Winning right out of the gate. It's not been Sanders' style to make big splashes at the debates, but a steady performance followed by a top finish in Iowa would make the senator seem more electable to undecided voters. Steyer almost didn't meet the polling threshold in time to qualify for the debate, but he did so with a flourish: A new Fox News poll showed him polling at 15% in South Carolina, second only to Biden's 36%, undoubtedly thanks to Steyer's blizzard of advertising there. Unlike his fellow billionaire candidate Bloomberg, who has already become the much bigger spender, Steyer had the good sense to get in the race early enough to collect the small donors required to qualify for the debate stage. A good debate will certainly help Steyer, but given his nearly bottomless advertising budget, the debate stakes feel lower for him than for, say, Klobuchar. At one point over the late summer, Warren was polling as Democrats' top choice in Iowa. Her shine has since faded a little, with Warren not placing first in an Iowa state poll since early November. The upside: The latest Des Moines Register poll shows that she has the field's highest favorability rating with Iowa Democrats. Warren might be well positioned to make a closing argument that she's the best choice to unify the progressive and moderate wings of the party behind a single candidate. ___ (c)2020 Los Angeles Times ADVERTISEMENT Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ANKARA (Reuters) - Dutch, Belgian and French companies are interested in a massive canal project on the edge of Istanbul, Turkish state media cited Transport Minister Cahit Turhan as saying on Monday, despite the opposition's strong criticism of the project. President Tayyip Erdogan and his AK Party say the 45-km (28-mile) Kanal Istanbul, which should be completed in 2026 and link the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, aims to ease traffic and prevent accidents along the nearby Bosphorus Strait. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, along with environmentalists and urban planners, says the canal fringing Istanbul will turn the city of 15 million people into a "construction site" for years and destroy ecosystems vital for marine animals and migratory birds. On Monday, Turhan said Turkey would initially earn $1 billion annually from ships passing through the canal, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. He did not provide further details on the international companies he said were interested. "When 50,000 ships pass through the 68,000-capacity canal, we will have an annual revenue of $5 billion, we will attain these figures down the line," Turhan said, adding that the canal would have up to three times the capacity of the Bosphorus, which also links the Marmara Sea and Black Sea. Turhan also said the canal project would cost a total of $15 billion, with construction costs around $10 billion. Imamoglu has said the project would be difficult to finance, wreak environmental havoc and paralyze life in Turkey's biggest city while construction proceeds. Erdogan, however, has said the project will go ahead "whether they like it or not". Kanal Istanbul is one of the most ambitious of the mega-infrastructure plans undertaken in Erdogan's 17-year rule, and has drawn criticism from environmentalists, petitioning citizens and the city's mayor. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Dominic Evans) The "Europe Process Oil Market 2019-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Market Outlook The process oil market in Europe has shown compelling growth in terms of revenue with a CAGR at 3.61% and 3.25% in terms of demand for the forecasted years 2019-2027. The Europe process oil market is mainly fueled by growing vehicular production, the personal care industry, and rising demand for process oil in the textile industry. The UK is expected to be the fastest-growing country in the process oil market during the forecasted period. The country's market is primarily driven by motor vehicle production as the rubber process oil is used in the wide range of automobile products, such as rubber parts of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, to enhance the processing of rubber and rubber compounds. Hence, it contributes to the growth of the process oil market. There is a huge demand for personal care and beauty products in Russia due to the surging aged women population in the country. Some major foreign manufacturers like L'Oreal, Oriflame, and Avon have set up their production plants in the country. Paraffinic process oil is one of the important ingredients that is used while making cosmetics products such as petroleum jelly, cold creams, and ointments. This oil is used for its odorless, colorless, and moisturization characteristics, which has resulted in creating a huge demand for process oil in the personal care industry. Key Topics Covered: 1. Europe Process Oil Market Summary 2. Industry Outlook 2.1. Market Definition 2.2. Porter's Five Forces Model 2.2.1. Bargaining Power of Buyers 2.2.2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 2.2.3. Threat of New Entrants 2.2.4. Threat of Substitutes 2.2.5. Threat of Rivalry 2.3. Regulatory Outlook 2.4. Market Trends 2.5. Market Share Outlook 2.6. Market Attractiveness Index 2.7. Key Insight 2.8. Market Drivers 2.8.1. Increasing Demand for Process Oil in the Textile Industry 2.8.2. Growing Personal Care Industry 2.8.3. Rising Vehicular Production and Growing Automotive Sector 2.9. Market Restraints 2.9.1. Restrictions in the Usage of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (Pah) 2.9.2. Emergence of Dry-Type Transformers 2.10. Market Opportunities 2.10.1. Opportunities Presented By Adhering to the Usage of Low Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (Pah) Oils 2.10.2. Mounting Exploration Activity of Hydrocarbons in Non-Opec Regions 2.11. Market Challenges 2.11.1. Fluctuating Raw Material Prices 2.11.2. Changing Crude Oil Prices 3. Process Oil Market Outlook By Type 3.1. Naphthenic Oil 3.2. Paraffin 3.3. Aromatic 3.4. Non-Carcinogenic 4. Process Oil Market Outlook By Application 4.1. Tire Rubber 4.2. Polymer 4.3. Personal Care 4.4. Textile 4.5. Other Applications 5. Process Oil Market Regional Outlook 5.1. Europe 5.1.1. Country Analysis 5.1.1.1. the United Kingdom 5.1.1.2. Italy 5.1.1.3. Germany 5.1.1.4. France 5.1.1.5. Spain 5.1.1.6. Russia 5.1.1.7. Rest of Europe 6. Company Profiles 6.1. Chevron Corporation 6.2. Gazprom 6.3. Gp Petroleums 6.4. Apar Industries Ltd. 6.5. Lanxess Process Oil 6.6. Royal Dutch Shell Plc 6.7. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. 6.8. Hollyfrontier Refining Marketing Inc. 6.9. Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. 6.10. Ergon North South America 6.11. Total Sa 6.12. Petrochina Company Ltd. 6.13. Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. 6.14. Exxon Mobil Chemical Company 6.15. Petrobras 6.16. Repsol S.A. 6.17. Sasol 6.18. Iranol Company 6.19. Jx Nippon Oil Gas Exploration 6.20. Nynas Ab 6.21. Sunoco Lp 6.22. Lukoil 6.23. Orgkhim Biochemical Holding 6.24. Panama Petrochem Ltd. 6.25. Petronas Lubricants International 6.26. Rosneft 7. Research Methodology Scope 7.1. Research Scope Deliverables 7.1.1. Objectives of Study 7.1.2. Scope of Study 7.2. Sources of Data 7.2.1. Primary Data Sources 7.2.2. Secondary Data Sources 7.3. Research Methodology 7.3.1. Evaluation of Proposed Market 7.3.2. Identification of Data Sources 7.3.3. Assessment of Market Determinants 7.3.4. Data Collection 7.3.5. Data Validation Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rfwetd View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005410/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press 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 Following the row that broke out after Satya Nadella voiced concern over the fallout of the amended citizenship law in India, the BJP on January 14 said the Centre was doing what the Microsoft CEO had said in his official statement issued after the controversial remarks. While BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra did not attack the Indian-origin CEO at the party's press briefing here, another party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi made an unequivocal jibe at Nadella in a tweet saying his comments showed "how the literate need to be educated". To a question about the CAA, Nadella, CEO of one of the world's five biggest multinational technology firms, was quoted by Buzzfeed's editor-in-chief as saying that what is happening in India is "sad". The CEO later issued a more nuanced statement, saying every country should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. He also spoke about his upbringing in a multicultural India and subsequent immigrant experience in the United States to say that his hope for India is where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation. Asked about the controversy following Nadella's remarks, Patra while referring to the Hyderabad-born CEO's statement noted that he had given a "clarification". "That is what the government of this country has done. We are looking after national security and protecting borders. "As far as immigrants are concerned, there is a process for citizenship. Anybody can apply for citizenship. Even the prime minister has said so. Once they apply for work permit, for citizenship, many have become citizens. Of course anybody can then do whatever the Constitution has bestowed on them (sic)," Patra said. In her tweet, Lekhi was, however, critical of Nadella. "How literate need to be educated! Perfect example," Lekhi said on Twitter in response to Nadella's remarks and also posted his statement issued later by Microsoft India. "Precise reason for CAA is to grant opportunities to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan & Afghanistan. How about granting these opportunities to Syrian Muslims instead of Yezidis in USA?" she went on to say. . A former Navy SEAL who became a medical doctor has now joined NASA's latest class of astronauts. Dr. Jonny Kim will add the title of NASA astronaut to his long list of accolades as he just graduated on Friday from training for a mission that will send him along with 11 other astronauts into outer space. Kim will make history as the first Korean-American NASA astronaut to embark on assignments to the Space Station, on Artemis missions to the Moon and potentially on the first human exploration mission to Mars. A father and husband, the 35-year-old from Los Angeles, California, says he always chased adventure and getting out of his comfort zone, but it took a while to find his calling. California man Jonny Kim, 35, went from a Navy SEAL to Harvard medical doctor to NASA Astronaut, after graduating from training this month Jack of all trades: Kim pictured in his military uniform left, his white medical coat center, and right in his blue NASA uniform He will be the first Korean-American astronaut with NASA to embark on assignments to the International Space Station, the moon and possibly Mars. Kim pictured triumphantly pumping his fist at his graduation ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, on January 10, 2020 US Senators Ted Cruz (C-R) and John Cornyn (C-L) pose with Nasa and Canadian Space Agency graduating astronauts on January 10 The 13 astronauts, 11 from NASA and 2 from CSA, are the first candidates to graduate under the Artemis program and will become eligible for spaceflight, including assignments to the International Space Station, Artemis missions to the Moon, and ultimately, missions to Mars, according to NASA Kim said as a youngster he felt like 'the epitome of that quiet kid who just lacked complete self-confidence,' in a 2018 interview with Annals of Emergency Medicine. Then at the age of 16 he learned about the United States Naval Special Warfare Command and found his career path. 'Going into the Navy was the best decision I ever made in my life because it completely transformed that scared boy who didn't have any dreams to someone who started to believe in himself,' he said. Kim graduated from high school in 2002 and enlisted in the US Navy. He was assigned to SEAL Team Three. He was commissioned as an officer through the Navys enlisted-to-officer commissioning program after he graduated from the University of San Diego with a math degree in 2012. Then he served as a Special Operations Combat Medic, sniper, navigator and point man on over 100 combat missions in two deployments to the Middle East including Ramadi and Sadr City Iraq. His military honors include a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. The US Embassy in Seoul, Korea praised Kim for becoming the first Korean American NASA astronaut to venture to the Space Station and missions to the moon Kim shared this picture from his NASA training days in Texas Kim then returned stateside and attended Harvard Medical School where he specialized in emergency medicine and graduated in 2016. Kim said he was inclined to pursue medicine after seeing his friends killed in combat. One moment that changed his career trajectory was feeling helpless in 2006 as he tried to treat a friend who was shot in the face. That friend eventually died from his wounds. 'There wasn't much I could do, just make sure his bleeding wasn't obstructing his airway, making sure he was positioned well,' Kim said in an interview with the Harvard Gazette. 'He needed a surgeon. He needed a physician and I did eventually get him to one, but that feeling of helplessness was very profound for me.' Kim was a resident physician in emergency medicine with Partners Healthcare at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital when he was selected to be an astronaut in June 2017. 'I was happy, jubilated, excited all these emotions,' Kim said on the moment he found out he was selected by NASA for its next astronaut class. Kim shared this tweet Monday saying: 'A true privilege and honor to walk among the @NASA Astronaut Corps with my brothers and sisters. We know there are many qualified and deserving candidates out there - we're the lucky ones to represent humanity. Let's work towards a better future for our world and our children' 'My wife was there. I told her and she was jumping up and down in the grocery store. So we looked silly. I was about to pay for the food,' he said. Kim spent two years in the astronaut training program and graduated on January 10. He and 11 other men and women were selected for NASA's Astronaut Group 22 out of 18,300 applicants. In the grueling training process the group trained in spacewalking, robotics, International Space Systems, T-38 jet proficiency and Russian language, according to Task and Purpose. Now he's eagerly awaiting his first assignment, likely to the moon, then beyond. 'I'm excited for the adventure,' Kim told the Gazette in 2017. 'I think it'll be another occupation where I say, "I can't believe I'm getting paid for doing this."' Gushing with pride, Kim pumped his fist as his NASA graduating ceremony on January 10. 'A true privilege and honor to walk among the @NASA Astronaut Corps with my brothers and sisters. We know there are many qualified and deserving candidates out there - we're the lucky ones to represent humanity. Let's work towards a better future for our world and our children,' he tweeted Monday. We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply don't succeed. Zooming in on an example, the China Putian Food Holding Limited (HKG:1699) share price dropped 56% in the last half decade. That's an unpleasant experience for long term holders. And we doubt long term believers are the only worried holders, since the stock price has declined 33% over the last twelve months. On top of that, the share price is down 11% in the last week. Check out our latest analysis for China Putian Food Holding While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, China Putian Food Holding moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. It could be that the revenue decline of 4.5% per year is viewed as evidence that China Putian Food Holding is shrinking. This has probably encouraged some shareholders to sell down the stock. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). SEHK:1699 Income Statement, January 13th 2020 We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on China Putian Food Holding's earnings, revenue and cash flow. A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 10.0% in the last year, China Putian Food Holding shareholders lost 33%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 15% per year over five years. We realise that Buffett has said investors should 'buy when there is blood on the streets', but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality businesses. Most investors take the time to check the data on insider transactions. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling. Story continues Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on HK exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. ADVERTISE Hypebot & MusicThinkTank With the internet and digital technologies driving rapid change within the music industry, articles about new releases and who has been hired and fired are no longer enough. Our up to the minute industry news alongside insightful commentary helps our readers sift through the rumors and developments to find the information they need to keep their businesses moving forward. Hypebot is read daily by more than 30,000 music industry professionals including executives and senior staff of music related tech firms, internet based music sites, every major label group and most indies as well as many managers, artists and members of the live music community: Contact us for the latesst stats, ad rates and sponosorship opportunites. We also offer combined rates with MusicThinkTank. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) heads for the weekly Senate Republicans policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 7, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Rand Paul Says Hell Force Vote on Hunter Biden Testimony If GOP Supports Impeachment Witnesses Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he will force a vote on calling Hunter Biden to the witness stand in the Senate impeachment trial if his colleagues support Democrat calls for ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify. My colleagues cant have it both ways. Calling for some, while blocking others, Paul said on Twitter. He shared a Politico report that said Paul warned colleagues at a Republican lunch last week that they couldnt vote for Bolton and not vote on witnesses that President Donald Trump wants. Paul told fellow GOP members that conservative voters would be upset if lawmakers who could be unseated were undercutting Trump. My colleagues cant have it both ways. Calling for some, while blocking others. If we are going to give a platform to witnesses the Dems demand, I look forward to forcing votes to call Hunter Biden and many more! https://t.co/hrOzVyiG9x Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 14, 2020 If we are going to give a platform to witnesses the Dems demand, I look forward to forcing votes to call Hunter Biden and many more! Paul added on Twitter. Biden was at the heart of Trumps July phone call with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump accused Biden and his father, former Vice President and current 2020 Democrat Joe Biden, of corruption related to Ukraine. Hunter Biden served on the board of the energy company Burisma from 2014 to 2019 and Joe Biden admitted last year that he pressured Ukraines leadership in 2016 to oust the prosecutor who was probing Burisma. Both Bidens have denied wrongdoing. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly called on four Republican senators to vote with his 47 members to bring witnesses in during the trial. He wants Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Robert Blair, a senior adviser to Mulvaney, and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security at the Office of Management and Budget, to testify. The witnesses have direct knowledge of administration decisions regarding the delay in security assistance funds to the government of Ukraine and the requests for certain investigations to be announced by the government of Ukraine, Schumer wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Some have wondered about Schumer pushing to vote on witnesses. Im a bit baffled why Democrats are so enthusiastic about forcing witness votes to embarrass GOP senators, former top McConnell aide Josh Holmes wrote on Twitter on Monday. That seems like a terrific way to end up with Hunter Biden in the chair. Law professor Jonathan Turley, who testified during the impeachment inquiry, said that Biden would be a relevant defense witness in a conventional trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). (Senate TV via AP; Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) McConnell hasnt ruled out witnesses but said he has the votes to start the trial without voting on the matter, citing precedent during the trial of President Bill Clinton. The 1999 precedent does not guarantee witnesses or foreclose witnesses, McConnell said on the Senate floor last week. Trump was impeached last month. The Senate was expected to receive the impeachment articles soon after but House Democrats withheld them for weeks. The caucus was meeting on Tuesday morning and would discuss sending the articles over, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said. Pelosi said over the weekend that holding the articles got a positive result but McConnell said Monday that it achieved absolutely nothing. Mahindra vehicles have, over the years, made their presence felt in various international markets. In many of these, the companys offerings stand for their hardy build. You don't find them crossing rugged terrain rather than being used in high-profile applications. That has now changed. Presidential campaign convoy of Taiwan is now added to this list. In a recent tweet by Anand Mahindra, chairman - Mahindra Group, a Mahindra Scorpio pickup car can be seen as a part of the Presidential campaign convoy in Taiwan. Naturally, Anand Mahindra was thrilled to see this and shared his emotions through the tweet. Indeed a moment of pride. And I have to admit that @InvestIndiaTPE broke this news to me first! https://t.co/XYYaYMFwsr anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 10, 2020 Indeed a moment of pride he tweeted. He further added how he first got to know of the fact from Invest India Taiwans tweet. For those unaware, Invest India is a government of India-run entity that aims to facilitate the nations investment in other countries. This is not the first time that a Mahindra vehicle is being a part of such a highly advanced exercise. Back in September last year, his Holiness, the Pope was seen travelling in a Mahindra KUV100 during his visit to Mozambique. Anand Mahindra was equally thrilled at the time. The 2-door single cab Scorpio variant that we see in the video below is sold in only select countries. With one of them finding it such an important role for one only shows how highly Mahindra vehicles are regarded for their makes globally. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, yesterday paid a visit to the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF). Upon arrival, HM the King was welcomed by the BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Minister of Defence Affairs, Lieutenant-General Abdulla bin Hassan Al Nuaimi. HM King Hamad was accompanied by National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, Major-General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. While receiving a briefing about the BDFs development plans, HM the King expressed pride in the BDF and its brave personnel, stressing that BDF affiliates enjoy his great appreciation, and are always a source of pride for Bahrain and its people. HM King Hamad extended thanks to all BDF personnel for their patriotic efforts of safeguarding the gains and achievements of Bahrain and its people, as well as for their constant vigilance and readiness to carry out their duties, in light of the rapidly unfolding developments in the region. HM the King affirmed that Bahrain always hopes that security and peace prevail in the region and the entire world. HM the King, the Supreme Commander, wished all BDF servicemen continuous success in carrying out their noble His Majesty being received at the BDF General Command. duties. [January 14, 2020] Artprice by ArtMarket.com: How to Objectively Define Contemporary Art in 2020? PARIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ -- For the sake of coherence, clarity and transparency, Artprice's editorial team has always divided Art History into five main periods with artworks being classified according to a simple and indisputable criterion... the birth year of their creators: 'Old Masters' artists born up until 1760 artists born up until 1760 '19th century' ... artists born from 1760 to 1860 ... artists born from 1760 to 1860 'Modern' artists born from 1860 to 1920 artists born from 1860 to 1920 'Post-War' artists born between 1920 and 1945 artists born between 1920 and 1945 'Contemporary' artists born after 1945 As time advances, the period we refer to as 'Contemporary Art' is getting longer. It now covers artists as diverse as Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) and Oscar Murillo (b. 1986), Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945) and Kaws (b. 1974), Martin Kippenberger (1953-1997) and Cory Arcangel (b. 1978). On the other hand, our classification excludes Gerhard Richter (b. 1932), David Hockney (b. 1937) and El Anatsui (b. 1944). According to thierry Ehrmann, Artprice's founder and CEO of ArtMarket.com: "An objective 'periodization' of Art History helps us to study the market, its structure and its evolution, even if it means distinguishing far too categorically sometimes what is Contemporary from what is not. But the fact that Maurizio Cattelan generates thousands more Instagram posts than Marcel Duchamp and that a work by Kaws is suddenly as expensive as the best paintings by Pierre Soulages naturally raises numerous questions about the trends and contradictions that drive the Art Market, but also about the very notion of Contemporary art." In art, 'Contemporary' doesn't mean 'alive today'... How should we label the uvres of Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) or of Pierre Soulages (who has just celebrated his 100th birthday)? Although their careers began shortly after WWII, Kusama and Soulages produced some of their best works long after the deaths of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat And yet, on the Art Market, Kusama's and Soulages's prices are growing gradually whereas those of Jean-Michel Basquiat, for example, are still posting substantial volatility. Perhaps we should see Contemporary art quite simply as art that has not yet become perfectly established. That's the fundamental difference between Marcel Duchamp and Maurizio Cattelan, between Duchamp's Fontaine (1919) et Cattelan's Comedian (2019). Whereas Duchamp's famous urinal remains controversial, few question its place in Art History, whereas Cattelan's banana taped to the wall still has a long way to go before it is accepted. This distinction remains ambiguous for certain artists. Look at Jeff Koons there is a good chance today his work will be seen as having singularly marked the latter decades of the 20th century and his Rabbit (1986) sculpture is clearly already considered a kind of 'classic'. However, his creations are still causing serious controversy and his approach to art has not yet been fully accepted. The recent Appeal Court ruling that Koons plagiarized the work of a French photographer in his work Naked (1988) is just the latest in a series of obstacles the American artist has faced. Our birth-year analysis (based on 2019 results) throws up three exceptional dates... 1955, 1960 and 1974. Born on the East coast of the United States exactly 10 years after WWII, Jeff Koons and Christopher Wool make 1955 the best'vintage' in our Contemporary Art results ranking filtered by year-of-birth. Neither have ever represented the USA at the Venice Biennale, but their works have been acquired by major American museums for decades. Two other artists also made a significant contribution to the results of the 1955 vintage: Kerry James Marshall (born in Alabama), who has ranked among the world's Top 100 artists by annual auction turnover (all periods combined) over the past two years, and the Chinese artist, Zhou Chunya. With an annual auction total of $129 million in 2019, Jean-Michel Basquiat still dominates the Contemporary Art Market. Almost alone, he made 1960 one of the best 'vintages' of the second half of the 20th century. Glenn Ligon, the second best performing artist born in 1960, contributed only $1.9 million. Curiously, the new stars of Street Art, Kaws and Banksy, were both born in 1974, on either side of the Atlantic Kaws in Jersey City in the USA, and Banksy in Bristol, England. So, despite its lack of flexibility and its limitations, the historical classification adopted by Artprice remains coherent with the auction results recorded in 2019 (filtered by birth-year). If a new start date were to be chosen for the 'Contemporary' category, it could be argued that the year 1965 would be a logical separation date. However, the continuing market volatility on works by several major artists born during the 20 years prior to 1965 Albert Oehlen (b. 1954), Rudolf Stingel (b. 1956), Zhang Xiaogang (b. 1958) and Damien Hirst (b. 1965) suggests that their positions in Art History are still not yet fully established. Copyright 1987-2020 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: https://en.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2019/10/biographie_oct2019_WhosWho_thierryEhrmann.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5 million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. Artprice by Artmarket's 2018 Global Art Market Report published in March 2019: https://fr.artprice.com/artprice-reports/le-marche-de-lart-en-2018 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: http://serveur.serveur.com/press_release/pressreleasefr.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (4.7 million followers) https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department http://web.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076397/2019_Contemporary_Art_auction_turnover_Infographic.jpg Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artprice-by-artmarketcom-how-to-objectively-define-contemporary-art-in-2020-300986541.html SOURCE Artprice.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Queen has agreed to a "period of transition" while details of their new role are hammered out, the family announced. Harry and Meghan will spend time in both the UK and Canada during this period. The couple revealed last week that they wish to step down as senior British royals and live part-time in North America. The Queen said she had agreed that Harry and Meghan could split their time between the UK and Canada but that "complex matters" would have to be resolved. The monarch added that she had ordered final plans to be drawn up in the next few days. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a local television station Monday that discussions are ongoing over who will pay the costs of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security for their proposed new life in the country. Trudeau said "there is a general feeling of appreciation for the Sussexes" in Canada, but talks continue as to the exact arrangements. The iconic Hoffman Estates-based retailer sought bankruptcy protection in October 2018 and has continued to struggle since its sale to Transform. The company announced plans to close about a third of its remaining Sears and Kmart stores in November and told the state it planned to lay off 195 employees in its headquarters and other field offices by Jan. 25, according to the filing with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. As an impeachment inquiry turned up the heat on Donald Trump over his irregular efforts to investigate rival Joe Biden, Russian military intelligence got to work hacking the Ukrainian gas company that once employed his son Hunter Biden. Those, at least, are the conclusions of a US cybersecurity firm published this week. According to Area 1 Security, the Russian campaign to target Burisma Holdings in Kiev began in November. The mechanism they used was a fairly unsophisticated phishing tactic. First, they created fake web domains imitating the sites of Burismas subsidiaries (for example: kub-gas.com instead of kub-gas.com.ua). Then they sent emails to employees inviting them to visit the fake sites and enter their credentials. According to the security firms report, the tactics were successful the hackers broke into one of Burismas servers. It was unclear if they found what they were looking for. Or indeed what that was. But the timing and the scale of the interventions suggested they were looking for information that could be used to undermine the Bidens. Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Show all 26 1 /26 Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Donald Trump Accused of abusing his office by pressing the Ukrainian president in a July phone call to help dig up dirt on Joe Biden, who may be his Democratic rival in the 2020 election. He also believes that Hillary Clintons deleted emails - a key factor in the 2016 election - may be in Ukraine, although it is not clear why. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Whistleblower Believed to be a CIA agent who spent time at the White House, his complaint was largely based on second and third-hand accounts from worried White House staff. Although this is not unusual for such complaints, Trump and his supporters have seized on it to imply that his information is not reliable. Expected to give evidence to Congress voluntarily and in secret. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Second Whistleblower The lawyer for the first intelligence whistleblower is also representing a second whistleblower regarding the President's actions. Attorney Mark Zaid said that he and other lawyers on his team are now representing the second person, who is said to work in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge that supports claims made by the first whistleblower and has spoken to the intelligence community's inspector general. The second whistleblower has not yet filed their own complaint, but does not need to to be considered an official whistleblower. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rudy Giuliani Former mayor of New York, whose management of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 won him worldwide praise. As Trumps personal attorney he has been trying to find compromising material about the presidents enemies in Ukraine in what some have termed a shadow foreign policy. In a series of eccentric TV appearances he has claimed that the US state department asked him to get involved. Giuliani insists that he is fighting corruption on Trumps behalf and has called himself a hero. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Volodymyr Zelensky The newly elected Ukrainian president - a former comic actor best known for playing a man who becomes president by accident - is seen frantically agreeing with Trump in the partial transcript of their July phone call released by the White House. With a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of his country, and the Crimea region seized by Vladimir Putin in 2014, Zelensky will have been eager to please his American counterpart, who had suspended vital military aid before their phone conversation. He says there was no pressure on him from Trump to do him the favour he was asked for. Zelensky appeared at an awkward press conference with Trump in New York during the United Nations general assembly, looking particularly uncomfortable when the American suggested he take part in talks with Putin. AFP/Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pence The vice-president was not on the controversial July call to the Ukrainian president but did get a read-out later. However, Trump announced that Pence had had one or two phone conversations of a similar nature, dragging him into the crisis. Pence himself denies any knowledge of any wrongdoing and has insisted that there is no issue with Trumps actions. It has been speculated that Trump involved Pence as an insurance policy - if both are removed from power the presidency would go to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican would allow. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rick Perry Trump reportedly told a meeting of Republicans that he made the controversial call to the Ukrainian president at the urging of his own energy secretary, Rick Perry, and that he didnt even want to. The president apparently said that Perry wanted him to talk about liquefied natural gas - although there is no mention of it in the partial transcript of the phone call released by the White House. It is thought that Perry will step down from his role at the end of the year. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Joe Biden The former vice-president is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination, which would make him Trumps opponent in the 2020 election. Trump says that Biden pressured Ukraine to sack a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that Bidens son Hunter was on the board of, refusing to release US aid until this was done. However, pressure to fire the prosecutor came on a wide front from western countries. It is also believed that the investigation into the company, Burisma, had long been dormant. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Hunter Biden Joe Bidens son has been accused of corruption by the president because of his business dealings in Ukraine and China. However, Trump has yet to produce any evidence of corruption and Bidens lawyer insists he has done nothing wrong. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Barr The attorney-general, who proved his loyalty to Trump with his handling of the Mueller report, was mentioned in the Ukraine call as someone president Volodymyr Zelensky should talk to about following up Trumps preoccupations with the Bidens and the Clinton emails. Nancy Pelosi has accused Barr of being part of a cover-up of a cover-up. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pompeo The secretary of state initially implied he knew little about the Ukraine phone call - but it later emerged that he was listening in at the time. He has since suggested that asking foreign leaders for favours is simply how international politics works. Gordon Sondland testified that Pompeo was "in the loop" and knew what was happening in Ukraine. Pompeo has been criticised for not standing up for diplomats under his command when they were publicly criticised by the president. AFP via Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Nancy Pelosi The Democratic Speaker of the House had long resisted calls from within her own party to back a formal impeachment process against the president, apparently fearing a backlash from voters. On September 24, amid reports of the Ukraine call and the day before the White House released a partial transcript of it, she relented and announced an inquiry, saying: The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Adam Schiff Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, one of the three committees leading the inquiry. He was criticized by Republicans for giving what he called a parody of the Ukraine phone call during a hearing, with Trump and others saying he had been pretending that his damning characterisation was a verbatim reading of the phone call. He has also been criticised for claiming that his committee had had no contact with the whistleblower, only for it to emerge that the intelligence agent had contacted a staff member on the committee for guidance before filing the complaint. The Washington Post awarded Schiff a four Pinocchios rating, its worst rating for a dishonest statement. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman Florida-based businessmen and Republican donors Lev Parnas (pictured with Rudy Giuliani) and Igor Fruman were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on 9 October. Separately the Associated Press has reported that they were both involved in efforts to replace the management of Ukraine's gas company, Naftogaz, with new bosses who would steer lucrative contracts towards companies controlled by Trump allies. There is no suggestion of any criminal activity in these efforts. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Taylor The most senior US diplomat in Ukraine and the former ambassador there. As one of the first two witnesses in the public impeachment hearings, Taylor dropped an early bombshell by revealing that one of his staff later identified as diplomat David Holmes overheard a phone conversation in which Donald Trump could be heard asking about investigations the very day after asking the Ukrainian president to investigate his political enemies. Taylor expressed his concern at reported plans to withhold US aid in return for political smears against Trumps opponents, saying: It's one thing to try to leverage a meeting in the White House. It's another thing, I thought, to leverage security assistance -- security assistance to a country at war, dependent on both the security assistance and the demonstration of support." Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal George Kent A state department official who appeared alongside William Taylor wearing a bow tie that was later mocked by the president. He accused Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps personal lawyer, of leading a campaign of lies against Marie Yovanovitch, who was forced out of her job as US ambassador to Ukraine for apparently standing in the way of efforts to smear Democrats. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Marie Yovanovitch One of the most striking witnesses to give evidence at the public hearings, the former US ambassador to Ukraine received a rare round of applause as she left the committee room after testifying. Canadian-born Yovanovitch was attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump while she was actually testifying, giving Democrats the chance to ask her to respond. She said she found the attack very intimidating. Trump had already threatened her in his 25 July phone call to the Ukrainian president saying: Shes going to go through some things. Yovanovitch said she was shocked, appalled and devastated by the threat and by the way she was forced out of her job without explanation. REUTERS Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Alexander Vindman A decorated Iraq War veteran and an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Lt Col Vindman began his evidence with an eye-catching statement about the freedoms America afforded him and his family to speak truth to power without fear of punishment. One of the few witnesses to have actually listened to Trumps 25 July call with the Ukrainian president, he said he found the conversation so inappropriate that he was compelled to report it to the White House counsel. Trump later mocked him for wearing his military uniform and insisting on being addressed by his rank. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Jennifer Williams A state department official acting as a Russia expert for vice-president Mike Pence, Ms Williams also listened in on the 25 July phone call. She testified that she found it unusual because it focused on domestic politics in terms of Trump asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponents. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Kurt Volker The former special envoy to Ukraine was one of the few people giving evidence who was on the Republican witness list although what he had to say may not have been too helpful to their cause. He dismissed the idea that Joe Biden had done anything corrupt, a theory spun without evidence by the president and his allies. He said that he thought the US should be supporting Ukraines reforms and that the scheme to find dirt on Democrats did not serve the national interest. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Tim Morrison An expert on the National Security Council and another witness on the Republican list. He testified that he did not think the president had done anything illegal but admitted that he feared it would create a political storm if it became public. He said he believed the moving the record of the controversial 25 July phone call to a top security server had been an innocent mistake. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Gordon Sondland In explosive testimony, one of the men at the centre of the scandal got right to the point in his opening testimony: Was there a quid pro quo? Yes, said the US ambassador to the EU who was a prime mover in efforts in Ukraine to link the release of military aid with investigations into the presidents political opponents. He said that everyone knew what was going on, implicating vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The effect of his evidence is perhaps best illustrated by the reaction of Mr Trump who went from calling Sondland a great American a few weeks earlier to claiming that he barely knew him. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Laura Cooper A Pentagon official, Cooper said Ukrainian officials knew that US aid was being withheld before it became public knowledge in August undermining a Republican argument that there cant have been a quid pro quo between aid and investigations if the Ukrainians didnt know that aid was being withheld. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Hale The third most senior official at the state department. Hale testified about the treatment of Marie Yovanovitch and the smear campaign that culminated in her being recalled from her posting as US ambassador to Ukraine. He said: I believe that she should have been able to stay at post and continue to do the outstanding work. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Fiona Hill Arguably the most confident and self-possessed of the witnesses in the public hearings phase, the Durham-born former NSC Russia expert began by warning Republicans not to keep repeating Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories. In a distinctive northeastern English accent, Dr Hill went on to describe how she had argued with Gordon Sondland about his interference in Ukraine matters until she realised that while she and her colleagues were focused on national security, Sondland was being involved in a domestic political errand. She said: I did say to him, Ambassador Sondland, Gordon, this is going to blow up. And here we are. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Holmes The Ukraine-based diplomat described being in a restaurant in Kiev with Gordon Sondland while the latter phoned Donald Trump. Holmes said he could hear the president on the other end of the line because his voice was so loud and distinctive and because Sondland had to hold the phone away from his ear asking about the investigations and whether the Ukrainian president would cooperate. REUTERS The tactics also seemed to mirror those used against employees of the US Democratic Party in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. Then, two hacking groups connected with the Russian state, Cozy Bear and Fancy Bear, gained access to emails from Democratic Party servers. Compromising material was then leaked and promoted via a network of trolls. The former group, linked to Russias foreign intelligence service, was particularly successful at hacking, evading detection for several months. According to the authors of the report, the discovery was an early warning of significant Russian interventions into the forthcoming 2020 campaign. The cyber campaign only showed up on the security firms monitoring network on New Years Eve. According to an American security source quoted in The New York Times, it ran in parallel to a more conventional spy operation in Ukraine itself. Burisma, and the Bidens connection to it, are obvious targets for dirt digging. According to some polls, Joe Biden is best placed to beat Donald Trump in 2020. It seems likely this is why president Donald Trump lent his weight to a conspiracy theory alleging that Mr Biden, when he was vice president, tried to fire a Ukrainian prosecutor who was allegedly investigating Burisma. While the conspiracy theory is bunk, business in Ukraine is rarely entirely clean. Burisma would likely not have appreciated unfriendly investigators rummaging around for possible skeletons. Burisma Holdings and the Russian Ministry of Defence had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication. The defendants were referred to the Supreme State Security Prosecution and ordered detained pending investigations Egypt's Administrative Control Authority (ACA) has arrested all the members of an international human trafficking ring made up of eight individuals, headed by a Palestinian woman. According to a statement issued by the ACA on Monday, the gang was involved in counterfeiting government documents and luring foreign patients who needed to undergo kidney transplant surgeries, in violation of Law No. 5 For 2010 regarding the regulation of human organ transplantation. The defendants were referred to the Supreme State Security Prosecution and ordered detained pending investigations. Search Keywords: Short link: By no means can there be optimization at the expense of hospitals and maternity hospitals. This is what deputy of the Prosperous Armenia faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Arman Abovyan wrote on his Facebook page. He particularly wrote the following: Dear citizens, I learned that several medical institutions, particularly maternity hospitals are being closed in small settlements across the country. Taking into consideration the fact that this is a major issue, I have addressed the Ministry of Healthcare with the request for clarification. I personally believe that by no means can there be optimization at the expense of hospitals and maternity hospitals. This is inadmissible. I will understand what needs to be done as soon as I receive a response from the ministry. Govt eyes cyber HQ to combat hacker threat BANGKOK: The government is launching its first-ever cybersecurity office to combat hacking, amid growing concern over thieves targeting everything from everyday banking transactions to data in the Chim, Shop, Chai stimulus scheme. technologySafety By Bangkok Post Tuesday 14 January 2020, 08:50AM Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta. Photo: Bangkok Post The move, which is aimed at bolstering state efforts to crack down on cybercrime, was agreed by the national commission on cybersecurity, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. The office must be established this year, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said after the commission's inaugural meeting yesterday (Jan 13). Criminal hackers target databases of both private and state agencies. Banks are their prime targets and the financial institutions have implemented various measures to protect themselves. Nevertheless, a vast amount of data has been hacked from banks, Mr Buddhipongse said. Also in the hackers firing line was the Chim, Shop, Chai (Taste, Shop, Spend) scheme, in which several million people registered online to receive 1,000 baht to spend at participating shops last year. Customer information kept on the companies databases was vulnerable to hacks, admitted Mr Buddhipongse. The hackers wanted their data for business purposes, he said. According to investigators, the hackers involved are based both in Thailand and overseas. Many registered their SIM cards in neighbouring countries before using their cellphones to try and hack data from state and private agencies, the minister said. He also said some residents in the insurgency-plagued far South owned up to 100 SIM cards each, raising grave concerns over cybersecurity. Fake news is not the only threat we are facing, Mr Buddhipongse said. The hackers are trying to steal data from almost every state agency and this is happening every day. Meanwhile, the launch of the government's Anti-Fake News Centre in October last year has led to a string of arrests. One case involved an alleged hacker and his accomplices accused of using a computer program to illegally acquire Line group users information, Mr Buddhiponse said earlier. In October alone, the centre flagged 7,962 messages on social media before verifying 45 of them as fake news. Under the Computer Crime Act, it is illegal to anonymously acquire personal information by using computer systems and also to share obscene links. The offence carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail and/or a 140,000-baht fine. A contraflow system being tested as part of Operation Brock (AP) A motorway in Kent is set to be closed overnight for more than two weeks to remove a series of barriers introduced to alleviate traffic caused by a potential no-deal Brexit. The M20 was closed between junctions seven and nine from 8pm on Monday and reopened at 6am on Tuesday as works began. It is due to be closed at the same times for the next 15 days with diversions in place. The work will return the M20 to its normal state for the first time since Operation Brock was introduced. The M20 contraflow was designed to manage queues of trucks heading to Europe, via ferries or the Eurotunnel to France, in the event of a no-deal Brexit (AP) Operation Brock came into force in Kent at 6am on 28 October, three days before the UK was due to withdraw from the EU. But the government announced shortly before the 31 October deadline that the scheme will be ended as soon as possible after a further delay to Brexit was confirmed. Lorries heading for Europe had faced a 30mph speed limit on a 13-mile stretch of the coastbound carriage of the M20 as part of Operation Brock. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: All other traffic on the motorway, including lorries carrying out UK deliveries, would have been forced to use a 50mph contraflow of two lanes in each direction on the London-bound side of the road. Motorists were warned to allow for extra travel time and to make sure they had food and water in their vehicles in case of delays. Several holding areas to park lorries were also created to house stationary lorries, including at Manston Airfield. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- The measures were aimed at minimising disruption and keeping local traffic moving. Operation Brock was initially deployed on March 25, four days ahead of the first planned Brexit date. It was deactivated around three weeks later following the delay to the UKs withdrawal from the EU, but the steel barriers for the contraflow system and 50mph speed limit remained in place. Story continues Ashford MP Damian Green told BBC News he was pleased the "wretched barriers" were finally being removed. "It's been a miserable place to be driving for the past nine months or so and so everyone will welcome it going away," Mr Green said. While Highways England project director Nicky Potts said: "Removing the Operation Brock barrier is good news for drivers and the people of Kent and reflects the decreased risk of disruption to cross-channel services in the coming months." A rash is a change in the skin that can result in bumpy, blotchy, or scaly patches. Many people have had an itchy rash at some point in their lives. Many are harmless and will go away on their own, but others may be more persistent due to underlying causes or conditions. Many different factors can cause an itchy rash, including: an allergic reaction to foods, medications, or objects, such as nickel earrings touching or exposure to environmental allergens diseases such as chickenpox chronic conditions, such as psoriasis infections such as ringworm infestations such as scabies Sometimes, an itchy rash will improve without complicated treatment or prescription medication. However, a rash can be an early indication or warning sign of a more serious long-term health concern, which a person should address. It is important to take itchy rashes seriously, particularly if they are long lasting and of unknown origin. Here are eight of the more common examples of itchy rashes. 2. Skin allergy A range of everyday products and plants from rubber gloves to poison ivy contain different allergies that can cause an itchy rash in people who are sensitive to them. The medical term for this response is allergic contact dermatitis. According to the National Institutes of Health NIH, nickel, which inexpensive earrings for pierced ears often contain, is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms can develop within a day or two after exposure but may take weeks to go away. Calamine lotions and oatmeal baths might help control itching. Severe forms, including a rash on the face or an uncomfortable rash that will not go away, may require prescription topical or oral steroids. Avoiding known triggers is the best way to prevent future episodes. 3. Psoriasis Many doctors and skin specialists consider psoriasis to be an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that disrupts the normal cycle of skin cells. A haywire immune system causes white blood cells to wreak havoc in the skin, resulting in red, raised, scaly plaques. Around 2% of people living in the United States have psoriasis. It is a genetic disease that runs in families, so it is not contagious. This means that a person cannot contract psoriasis from coming into contact with someone who has it. The location and appearance of plaques depend on the type of psoriasis. With plaque psoriasis, which affects 90% of people with psoriasis, pink or red plaques develop in symmetrical patterns on the elbows, knees, and near the hairline. These plaques usually have a layer of white dead skin cells. Another common type of psoriasis is guttate psoriasis. People with guttate psoriasis develop multiple little raised, red papules and plaques. More severe forms of psoriasis, such as erythrodermic psoriasis, which affects a large portion of the body, or pustular psoriasis, which causes pus-filled blisters, are less common. Psoriasis can also cause pitting and other damage to fingernails and toenails. In addition to the physical and social discomfort that an itchy psoriasis rash can cause, it can also lead to other complications, including psoriatic arthritis. This affects up to 30% of people with psoriasis and carries an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic syndrome. Treatment depends on the severity of an individuals psoriasis. Options range from topical skin treatments to light therapy to systemic medications that target the immune system. Read about 12 home remedies for psoriasis here. 4. Hives Hives, or urticaria, are a kind of itchy rash triggered by the bodys release of histamine in response to: eating certain foods, including shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts taking medications that someone has an allergy to, such as sulfa drugs and penicillin insect bites sunlight intense physical activity infections The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology report that roughly 20% of people will experience hives at some point in their lives. In most cases, hives get better within a few days. However, some people have hives for months at a time. Allergies rarely cause these long lasting or chronic cases of hives. Antihistamines can usually control itching and discomfort in acute cases. Learn more about how to treat hives here. 5. Heat rash Also known as miliaria, heat rash develops when the sweat glands in the skin become blocked, causing inflammation and itchy red bumps. Heat rash does not usually require treatment and goes away on its own, particularly when the person with the rash moves to a cooler area. Read about 12 home remedies for heat rash here. 6. Diseases Some other conditions can also cause an itchy rash. Some common examples include: Chickenpox The primary symptom of chickenpox is a rash that develops into itchy, fluid-filled blisters. These will eventually scab over. Chickenpox is highly contagious, so individuals with the condition must avoid contact with others until no new blisters form, and all of the old blisters have scabbed over. Antihistamines and lukewarm oatmeal baths can help control the itching. Measles A very contagious virus causes measles. It typically results in a brownish blotchy rash, but other symptoms may develop before the rash appears. These include fever, white spots inside the mouth, and a runny nose. Hand, foot, and mouth disease As the name suggests, hand, foot, and mouth disease can cause an itchy or painful rash on the hands or feet or both. It is most common in children under 5 years old. It is a contagious virus that can spread through nose and throat secretions, feces, or scabs and blisters. Aside from a rash, other symptoms include fever, sore throat, and mouth sores. 7. Bites Bedbugs, which are roughly the size of poppy seeds, can cause very visible and itchy welts and rashes. People who are highly sensitive or allergic to bed bugs may need antihistamines to reduce the itching. It usually takes professionals to remove bed bugs. However, some of these methods may help. The scabies mite, which is invisible to the naked eye, can also cause an itchy rash. A person can develop scabies after direct contact with a person who has the condition, or through contact with infected objects. Scabies is readily treated but requires prescription medication. 8. Infections Infections can cause an itchy rash on different parts of the body. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a circular, red, or brown itchy rash with a thicker edge. Athletes foot is ringworm that develops on a persons foot. However, it can spread from one body part to another. Both ringworm and athletes foot require antifungal creams, sprays, or sometimes oral medications for treatment. Senate Republicans signaled they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump as the House prepares to send the charges to the chamber for the historic trial. One GOP lawmaker said the suggestion articles of impeachment would be thrown out if they were not sent from the House to the Senate would be rejected because 'both sides need to be heard'. It will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a serious and dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not set the timing for the House vote that will launch the Senate action. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe. Democrats said the vote could be Wednesday. With the impeachment trial starting in a matter of days, senators are still debating the rules of the proceedings. GOP senators are conferring privately about whether to allow a motion to dismiss the charges against the president or to call additional witnesses for testimony. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arriving at the Capitol in Washington on Friday. Pelosi hasn ot relayed the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial three weeks since President Donald Trump was impeached on charges of abuse and obstruction President Donald Trump speaking to the media before leaving the White House on Monday Sen. Roy Blunt, who is part of GOP leadership, said on Monday: 'I think our members, generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss. They think both sides need to be heard.' Trump suggested over the weekend he might prefer simply dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to charges from the House, which he considers a 'hoax'. It was an extraordinary suggestion, but one being proposed by Trump allies with support from some GOP senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But it is clear McConnell does not have the votes needed from his GOP majority to do that. One key Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said she too would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges. Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses. 'My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called,' Collins said. Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run led by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell supported simply dismissing impeachment charges against President Trump. Her is pictured (above) leaving his office to depart Capitol Hill last week 'I've said I'd like to hear from John Bolton,' Romney told reporters Monday. 'I expect that barring some kind of surprise, I'll be voting in favor of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments.' Democrats have been pushing Republicans, who have the majority in the Senate, to consider new testimony, arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosi's month-long delay in transmitting the charges. McConnell is drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead. Approving it will be among the first votes senators take after they are sworn as jurors by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the Court of Impeachment. Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial. He prefers to model Trump's trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clinton's trial in 1999. Sen. Mitt Romney arriving for a closed meeting with fellow Republicans about the looming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, last Tuesday It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump. Most Republicans appear willing to go along with McConnell's plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later, rather than upfront, as Democrats want. Collins is pushing to have at least the promise of witness votes included in the organizing resolution. She and the others appear to be gathering support. 'I've been working to make sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, and yes, that would include witnesses,' Murkowski told reporters. McConnell is expected to huddle privately with senators at their weekly lunch Tuesday. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters the House vote might come Wednesday. 'Could be,' he said. The Sports Minister is to meet with a senior UEFA delegation today to discuss the financial crisis at the FAI. Officials travelling to Dublin for the meeting with Shane Ross include UEFA's General Secretary and its Financial Director. The Thief Knot by Kate Milford, illus. by Jaime Zollars (Clarion, Jan. 14, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-328-46689-1) This standalone fantastical middle grade mystery, set in the world of the Greenglass House books, stars the eponymous group of six kids, who are intent on solving the case of Peony Hyde. When Marzana Hakelbarends parents are asked to investigate kidnapping suspects, Marzana and Nialla Giddis, her best friend, set out to solve the case themselves, with the help of a magician, a ghost, and a few others with useful skills. What follows is an adventure filled with puzzles, family secrets, and friendship. Former Pope Benedicts new book supports celibacy for Catholic priests, in contradiction of Pope Francis remarks. The Vatican has tried to downplay a split at the top of the Roman Catholic Church over whether priests should be allowed to marry. Pope Francis is considering easing some restrictions on celibacy But retired Pope Benedict has rushed to its defence in his new book, underscoring the divisions between Catholicisms progressive and conservative fronts. Al Jazeeras Neave Barker reports from London in the United Kingdom. Colombia: 'Significant strides' towards integrated peace, UN envoy tells Security Council 13 January 2020 - Colombia has continued to make "significant strides in its peace process", the top UN envoy in the country told the Security Council on Monday. Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu, who also heads the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, pointed out that even in the face of "serious challenges" - particularly in terms of security for conflict-affected communities - greater participation and improved security in last October's regional elections "demonstrated the positive impact of the peace process on Colombian democracy". In November 2016, the Secretary-General welcomed the signing of an historic UN-backed peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP rebels, ending an armed conflict that had been ongoing since 1964. The UN envoy hailed the "invaluable work" of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition, spelling out that "thousands of former combatants who only a few years ago were armed with weapons of war continue to forge new lives through the opportunities provided by peace, despite many difficulties and security risks". He gave credit for these and other achievements to efforts made by the Colombian Government; former FARC-EP rebels; the international community; and social leaders, public officials and many others working every day to consolidate peace. "I can't think of a more encouraging example to begin the new year than the image of former adversaries working with a local community to build a bridge together", the Mission head told the Council. Long-term reintegration Introducing "a welcome development" at the end of December, he updated the Chamber that a "reintegration roadmap" had been adopted to establish a framework for a long-term reintegration process. "Consultations between the Government, particularly the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization, and FARC were key to the finalization of this document, and the Mission is looking forward to supporting the parties in its implementation", he said. He added however, that more than 9,000 former combatants living in more remote areas - facing high security risks and obstacles in accessing basic services, education, employment and opportunities - still needed "specific attention" as do over 2,000 children of former combatants. The UN envoy welcomed 128 "additional accreditations for former combatants" since the Secretary-General's September report as "a positive first step" and called on the relevant actors to "intensify efforts to resolve the situation of former FARC members whose accreditation remains pending". 'Profoundly' worrying developments He informed the Chamber that pervasive violence in conflict-affected areas continues to threaten peace and pointed to several "profoundly worrying developments" by outlawed armed groups, namely attacks against community leaders and former combatants. "Peace will not be fully achieved if the brave voices of social leaders continue to be silenced through violence and if former combatants who laid down their weapons and are committed to their reintegration continue to be killed", stressed the Special Representative. He maintained that these "hard-won gains must be protected, preserved and built upon" by comprehensively implementing the Peace Agreement. Citing Cauca, Choco and Narino as "epicentres" of violence, he flagged that "rural areas affected by a limited State presence and persistent poverty, and where illegal armed groups and criminal structures continue victimizing populations, especially ethnic communities, to control illicit economies" continued to be a chronic issue. Lauding the Peace Agreement's creation of a crop substitution programme to support families transitioning away from coca cultivation, for cocaine manufacturing, he said it was just one of its "far-sighted provisions" to address "a multitude of challenges that have afflicted Colombia for decades". "We remain convinced that the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, in all its interconnected aspects, provides the best possible hope for Colombia to lay the foundations for a more peaceful and prosperous future", he concluded, underscoring that the Security Council's support "will remain key". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party announced on Tuesday that it will contest all the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly polls scheduled for February 8 and released its first list of 15 candidates. LJP leader Kali Pandey, who is the party's in-charge for the Delhi polls, said his party's alliance to the BJP was confined to Bihar and added that this was for the saffron party to decide if it wanted a tie-up in the national capital as well. "It is for the bigger partner in alliance to take a call about any tie-up. We have seen what happened in Jharkhand," he told reporters referring to the BJP's loss in the Jharkhand elections. The BJP had fought the polls on its own after it failed to finalise an alliance with its partner All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). The LJP, too, had fought separately. The LJP's Delhi unit president Vinod Nagar said the party will fight the polls in the city with all its might. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bigger the lie, the more likely the buy-in -- that must be the theory underlying a plan relentlessly executed by Bill and Hillary Clinton to suck money from the public in support of a supposed charity currently known as Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Unlike the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that was originally funded primarily by the Gates family, the Clinton Foundation was meant to take money from the general public, and from governments. So, affairs of the Clinton Foundation were never supposed to be directed by the Clinton family. But public records apparently prove that strict rules governing the conduct of public charities are not applied when it comes to long-time public servants such as the Clintons. Incorporated but not Organized Incorporated on Oct. 23, 1997, just as word started to leak of Bill Clintons dalliance with Monica Lewinsky and while doubts crested concerning foreign funding for the Clinton legal defense effort, the main Clinton charity was originally named The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation in papers filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State by three lawyers. However, to qualify for federal tax-exemption, a charity must be formally organized not simply by lawyers but by, at least three truly independent directors, who needed to adopt articles of incorporation and bylaws in a formal organizational meeting before the entity conducted official operations. Bylaws for this entity may not have been formally adopted by initial directors (referred to as Trustees) until Dec. 23, 1997 as you can see for yourself by reviewing these materials available through the main Clinton Foundation website. A reasonable question to ask is: what did The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation do, if anything, prior to adopting bylaws, and how did they accomplish these actions before becoming formally ''organized ``? Formless aggregations of individuals are not organizations Well before Dec. 23, 1997, Clinton allies laid groundwork required to erect the Clinton Foundation in a portion of Little Rock that had long been run-down, depressing local property values. However, the IRS explains that only organizations are eligible for exemption from taxes, not formless aggregations of individuals: An individual, partnership, or formless aggregation of individuals, however, cannot qualify for exemption under IRC 501(c)(3). If it is determined that no organization exists, the applicant will be advised that no ruling or determination letter can be issued [emphasis added]. Newspaper accounts, court records and other publicly available information show that early efforts on behalf of the Clinton Foundation were not conducted in corporate form, but instead loosely and informally, chiefly by Clinton political supporters. For example, on Nov. 7, 1997, City of Little Rock public meeting notes state: [Little Rock] Mayor Dailey said he received word from Skip Rutherford, local coordinator for the Presidential Library at 7:00 AM, that President and Mrs. Clinton has selected the site along the Arkansas River in Little Rock as the location for the proposed William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library [emphasis added]. In this C-SPAN clip, Rutherford is clearly seen explaining widespread activities carried out through Nov. 7, 1997: In 1997, and for years afterward, Bill and Hillary Clinton were not lawfully designated directors, trustees, officers, or agents of the purported legal entity that was supposed to operate the presidential library and research center only in Little Rock. How did Bill and Hillary Clinton have lawful authority to pick the site for Bills presidential library? Moreover, did The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation even exist as a lawfully organized corporate entity in 1997? Admissions Against Interest Under siege late in 1997, in 1998, and then safely through the Impeachment trial by early 1999, the Clinton team must have been sure that loyal elements within the Arkansas Attorney Generals office, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Attorney Generals office would never prosecute those responsible for operating the Clinton Foundation illegally so long as the Clintons remained resident inside the White House. Though required to do so, the Clinton Foundation never filed an informational return (on Form 990, or 990EZ) for the short period from Oct. 23, 1997 through Dec. 31, 1997. This is important because, somehow, the Clinton Foundation acquired financial resources sufficient to pay lawyers and fund operations starting late in October. And a key unanswered question remains: who advanced them the money? In a report to Michigan government authorities, filed in July 1998, Rutherford explained why the Clinton Foundation did not file an IRS Form 990 or 990EZ for 1997 because: The organization [was] not in existence last fiscal year--[Not Applicable] [emphasis added]. In the second informational return the Clinton Foundation ultimately did file with the IRS for 1999, on Nov. 20, 2000, an officer of the entity admitted, under penalties of perjury: The Foundation began operations in 1998 [emphasis added] and is in the early stages of raising funds to meet the exempt purposes. Program development is in the very early planning stage and no significant program service expenses have been incurred. So, The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation did not exist in 1997, even as elements within the IRS rushed to grant federal tax-exemption to the entity back to Oct. 23, 1997 as this Determination Letter, found on the Clinton Foundation website clearly states. Times were certainly different from 1997 through 2000, but we remember when the IRS rigorously and ruthlessly enforced key charity laws and regulations under President Obama. Are former Presidents above the law? Stillborn in 1997, the Clinton Foundation has managed to grow into a network of entities, none of which has ever lawfully been organized or operated. This allegation is now supported by some 200 podcasts, averaging two hours in length each, most of which are accompanied by pull-down slide presentations that readily take viewers and should take investigators into details of what seems to be the largest set of unprosecuted charity frauds in history: Bob Mueller, James Comey and Rod Rosenstein may have missed the early development of this scam, from 2001 through 2005 when the FBI and DOJ investigated the Clinton Foundation as these redacted records reveal. And, on the 10th anniversary of devastating disasters that flattened portions of Haiti, Hillary Clinton actually crowed about US Attorney John Hubers unconfirmed decision to wind down the latest investigation of potential Clinton Foundation crimes: This week, the Justice Department determined that the lies that were peddled about me, my family, & @ClintonFdn are without merit. I couldnt be more grateful to everyone that stuck with us while we continued to focus on the work. Lets keep going. https://t.co/PfhqybPaWy Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 12, 2020 The Clinton Foundations record of exploiting natural disasters to source funds for which they never account is as long as it is shameless. Americans across the political spectrum must push our government authorities to hold operators of the Clinton charity scam network to account. Bleachbit notwithstanding, overwhelming evidence of unprosecuted charity frauds dating to Oct. 23, 1997 hides in plain sight Check applicable laws, then check facts for yourselves and remember these words from John Adams: Facts are stubborn things [emphasis added]; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. During the 2016 election cycle, the mainstream media failed to probe the heart of the more recent Clinton Foundation scandal -- how the Clinton family may have exploited Hillarys position as Secretary of State and her standing as presidential frontrunner through November 2016. Building fortunes through operating charities is a monstrous affront to decent, law-abiding people of all political persuasions, so it is not a partisan thing, here, to attack the Clintons for their known public record of transgressions. In fact, a better question might be to wonder why Democrats, including Bernie Sanders, are not much more insistent that ongoing Clinton charity scams be fully exposed, and aggressively prosecuted by state, federal and foreign governments. Carl Harris Jr was about to be tried for murder for allegedly killing his wife 30 years ago in Alabama, marking the closure of a cold case that was revived in 2016. Instead, prosecutors announced during a dramatic courtroom appearance that charges against the 55-year-old man had been dropped. Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams announced that Ozark police had arrested a new suspect, 54-year-old Jeff Beasley, for the death of Tracy Harris, who disappeared from her home on 7 March 1990 and was discovered a week later in the Choctawhatchee River. An autopsy report showed that she was probably strangled before she died from drowning. The Dale County District Attorney's office said Mr Beasley had admitted killing her. 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 has now been charged with murder and is being held on a $150,000 bond after being booked into Dale County jail on Monday, according to the Dale County Sheriff's Office. He has not yet entered a plea. During the cold case investigation, Mr Adams said one of his aides noticed "very important information regarding a witness" who was last interviewed in 1990. The witness Mr Beasley's ex-wife connected investigators to Mr Beasley, reportedly a friend of Carl and Tracy Harris at the time of her death. During an interview, Mr Beasley admitted to the murder, according to the district attorney's office. Ozark Police Department Chief Marlos Walker said Mr Beasley was living in Ozark at the time of the murder, and he was still living in Ozark when he was arrested, according to the Dothan Eagle. Police arrested Mr Harris in 2016 while he was living in South Carolina. His defence attorney filed a motion last week disputing Ozark police and revealing Mr Beasley's confession. Defence attorney David Harrison said: "I do thank the district attorney's office for looking into the witness and dropping the charges against my client, but no one has apologised to my client for what he has gone through since his arrest." Mr Beasly had previously pleaded guilty to burglary in 1991 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, though it's unclear how much time he served. Pruitt is based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office and will focus on defending Fortune 500 clients in high-stakes litigation and enforcement matters in federal and state courts across the country. He has extensive experience devising and executing nationwide defense strategies for multibillion dollar, precedent-setting disputes. As a skilled litigator and trial advocate, Pruitt has handled over 100 depositions and trial examinations. Pruitt joins the firm from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner. "We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to the firm. He is a seasoned litigator who brings first-chair trial experience, as well as an impressive track record guiding clients through critical phases of complex litigation," said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. "His experience handling high-stakes matters and successfully working with expert witnesses will be of great value to our clients." Over the course of his career, Pruitt has represented clients in high-profile and groundbreaking litigation matters, including BP in multidistrict and related civil litigation arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; the State of Georgia in a rare "original jurisdiction" dispute with Florida in the U.S. Supreme Court over water rights; and Tronox in antitrust proceedings brought by the FTC regarding Tronox's global acquisition of Cristal. "Andrew is recognized as a 'go-to' attorney for expert deposition and trial examinations," said Mark Klapow, co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Litigation Group. "He has earned a reputation for crafting winning strategies for clients facing highly technical commercial disputes based on scientific issues." In addition to his trial experience, Pruitt brings an active pro bono practice to the firm, including representing numerous political refugees seeking asylum in the United States from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. "I am excited to join a firm with a deep commitment to its clients and a strong collaborative culture," Pruitt said. "I look forward to contributing to the growth of the firm's complex litigation and trial practices." Pruitt earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School. About Crowell & Moring LLP Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with approximately 550 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, London, and Brussels. Media Contact: An Pham Senior Manager, Media PR & Communications +1 202.508.8740 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP Related Links http://www.crowell.com MUA Ltd, through its subsidiary MUA Insurance (Kenya) Limited (MUA Kenya), announced on the 13th January 2020 that it is entering into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire 100% of Saham Assurance Kenya Limited (Saham Kenya). The transaction is subject to regulatory and other relevant approvals. The move is a strategic opportunity with a significant growth potential that allows MUA to reinforce its presence in East Africa and especially in Kenya. The acquisition represents a major breakthrough in MUAs regional expansion journey. MUA reaffirms the ambitious targets set out in its three-year Strategic Plan Ambition 2020. MUA Kenya will occupy a more robust position in the Kenyan short-term insurance market with complementary strengths and economies of scale between MUA Kenya and Saham Kenya expected to lead to significant value creation. This transaction is another important milestone in the execution of our Strategic Plan MUA Ambition 2020, as we will reach a critical mass that will allow us to fully capture the significant growth potential of the insurance markets in East Africa, said Bertrand Casteres, Group CEO of MUA. We are convinced that MUA Kenya will strongly benefit from the consolidation with Saham Kenya by realising considerable synergies. The two companies not only share product and distribution strengths but they are also aligned by a common culture around people, risk management and innovation. This acquisition further reaffirms our commitment to position MUA Kenya as a strong player in the short-term insurance industry in Kenya. We aim to continue bringing innovation, professionalism and customer-centric products into a Kenyan market full of opportunities. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Earth is said to be in a perfect "Goldilocks zone" away from the sun (not too cold, and not too hot), which enables life to thrive on the planet's surface. But Earth's balmy temperatures would not be possible without the greenhouse effect, which traps solar energy on Earth's surface and keeps the planet warm. The greenhouse effect arises from Earth's atmosphere. Visible light from the sun, as well as invisible ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, can penetrate the gaseous layer that blankets our world. Roughly 70% of these energetic rays are absorbed by Earth's oceans, land and atmosphere, while the remaining 30% are immediately reflected back into space, according to NASA Earth Observatory. How the greenhouse effect works. (Image credit: Siberian Art/Shutterstock) As the planet's surface heats up, it releases some of the infrared energy that it had absorbed, but that energy doesn't make it back out of Earth's gaseous atmosphere. Instead of shooting back out into space, the infrared energy closely hugs our planet and, therefore, raises Earth's overall temperature. This is similar to how a human-built glass greenhouse works, trapping heat from the sun to keep plants warm in the winter. Without an atmosphere, our world would be as cold as the lifeless moon, which has an average temperature of minus 243 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 153 degrees Celsius) on its far side. Because of the greenhouse effect, Earth maintains an overall average temperature of around 59 F (15 C). Greenhouse gases and climate change Greenhouse gases include several naturally occurring molecules like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone as well as several manufactured ones, like chlorofluorocarbons, according to the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. Over the past century or so, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, intensive agriculture, livestock raising and land clearing have dramatically increased the concentrations of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere, to the point where it's changing our planet's climate. Greenhouse gases produced by human activity are the most significant driver of climate change. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Since the middle of the 20th century, greenhouse gases produced by humans have become the most significant driver of climate change, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased by more than 40% since the start of the Industrial Revolution, from roughly 280 parts per million (ppm) to more than 400 ppm today. The last time Earth's atmosphere had similar carbon dioxide concentrations was during the Pliocene epoch, between 3 million and 5 million years ago, according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. That's at least 2.8 million years before modern humans roamed the planet. Fossils show that forests grew in the Canadian Arctic during the Pliocene, and savannas and woodlands spread over what's now the Sahara desert. While some people still doubt the reality of human-induced climate change, the evidence for it is overwhelming. Since the 1850s, the average global surface-air temperature has risen by around 1.4 F (0.8 C), and ocean temperatures are now at the highest levels ever recorded. Increases in greenhouse gases in the coming decades are expected to harm human health, increase droughts, contribute to sea level rise, and decrease national security and economic well-being throughout the world. The greenhouse effect on other planets Because the greenhouse effect is a natural process, it affects other bodies in the solar system, too. And, in some cases, that provides a warning about how things can go awry. A perfect example of this is Venus, which is roughly the same size as Earth and not that much closer to the sun. Billions of years ago, when the sun was cooler and dimmer, Venus may have had a temperate climate that could have allowed for liquid water oceans on its surface. Simulations suggest that the planet's average temperatures ranged from a low of 68 F (20 C) to a high of 122 F (50 C) for about 3 billion years, potentially even allowing Venus to support life. But as the sun aged and grew brighter, excess water vapor would have entered Venus' atmosphere. This potent greenhouse gas trapped heat and raised the planet's surface temperature, leading to a vicious feedback cycle in which hotter temperatures led to more water vapor in the atmosphere, further heating the world a process known as the runaway greenhouse effect. When Venus' oceans vaporized, its planetary plate tectonics would have ground to a halt, as there was no water left to help lubricate the shifting of geological plates. The increasingly thick atmosphere might have created a drag on Venus' rotation period, leading to its bizarrely slow spin, in which a year goes by with only two days passing. The dense cloud cover also led to hellish surface temperatures on present-day Venus, with an average of 700 F (370 C) hot enough to melt lead. "I think Venus is an important warning: Greenhouse atmospheres are not theoretical," Ellen Stofan, director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and former chief scientist at NASA, previously told Space.com. On Mars, greenhouse gases such as water and carbon dioxide might have been released during ancient impact events. Some scientists speculate that such wallops could have raised Mars' overall temperature enough for the planet to have liquid water on its surface for significant lengths of time. However, because Mars is smaller than Earth, it's gravitational pull is weaker. Therefore, these gases drifted away, and eventually, the Red Planet reverted back to the cold and dry world it is today. Saturn's distant moon Titan, which has a thick nitrogen atmosphere with about a thousand times greater concentration of methane as Earth, is also subject to the greenhouse effect. With data from the European Space Agency's Huygens probe, which landed on Titan in 2005, researchers are getting a better understanding of how methane absorbs short-wavelength infrared radiation and are using that information to develop climate change models of our planet. The greenhouse effect is also expected to warm the worlds of other star systems. Many astronomers speak of a narrow habitable zone around a star the area where a planet would be at the perfect distance to maintain liquid water on its surface, between 0.95 and 1.4 times the Earth-sun distance. However, others have argued that such models need to be broadened. A thick atmosphere of molecular hydrogen, which is a potent greenhouse gas, could potentially give a world clement temperatures even if it were 15 times farther from the sun than Earth is. Additional resources: If the first day of campaigning is anything to go by, its going to be an election chock full of surprises. Weve known for months who would not be contesting any fresh vote, the likes of Michael Noonan and Enda Kenny having made it perfectly clear any future battles would be conducted without their reliable presence in the trenches, while in Cork North Central 75% of TDs elected last time out will not be contesting the vote next month. Within minutes of Leo Varadkar informing his Cabinet of his intention to hold a general election on February 8, however, announcements were dropping. The first big one was a bombshell. The revelation by Finian McGrath - Independent TD for Dublin Bay North, Disabilities Minister, and erstwhile member of the Independent Alliance - that he would not be seeking re-election put the cat among the pigeons. It leaves an opening in one of Dublins most hotly-contested constituencies for the likes of the Social Democrats to target. It sees a four-term TD unexpectedly refuse his seat, and it surely spells doom for the Independent Alliance - already minus one Boxer Moran for the coming contest. Just four days ago Mr McGrath had welcomed the Cabinet to his local haunts to discuss disabilities issues. He himself had nipped in to secure the final seat on count day four in Dublin Bay North at the last time of asking, emerging victorious after five minutes of electoral carnage saw Labours Aodhain ORiordain pay the price for five years of coalition with Fine Gael. A popular figure in the Dail with a deeply-felt devotion to the rights of the disabled, Mr McGrath represented the stable side of the Independent Alliance, contrasted with his more bombastic colleagues Shane Ross and John Halligan. In signing off from Leinster House, he said his political record shows that I have been radical, pragmatic, open and always willing to take responsibility to serve my constituents. I did my best, he said. Former TD and Attorney General, Senator Michael McDowell meanwhile took the opportunity to confirm that his immediate future lies in the Seanad, not the Dail, with his commitment remaining reform of the Oireachtas upper house. But for everyone ruling themselves out, others are waiting in the wings including those who lost their seat previously such as Mr O Riordain and Joanna Tuffy of Labour, as well as new blood. Twice-elected MEP Matt Carthy quickly confirmed he would be seeking election to the Dail for his home constituency of Cavan/Monaghan, in order to ensure the legacy of departing local TD Caoimhghin O Caolain would be maintained. In Sligo/Leitrim former MEP Marian Harkin announced her plan to run for TD, and made it abundantly clear she would be happy to be at the centre of any moves to form a Government. Meanwhile, an expected announcement which may prove to be quite the headache for Fine Gael saw Verona Murphy, whose candidacy in the recent Wexford by-election proved so controversial, announce her decision to run as an independent, with her views on migration issues apparently stronger than ever. Expect sparks to fly. Sudan ends mutiny by ex-security agents linked to Omar al-Bashir over demands for better compensation and severance pay. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudans sovereign council, said on Wednesday that the countrys airpsace was open, and that all intelligence buildings were under the control of the army, following a revolt by former security agents linked to Sudans toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir. The violence which left two soldiers dead and four injured, was the biggest confrontation so far between the old guard and supporters of the new administration, which helped topple al-Bashir in April after 30 years in power. The security agents surrendered late on Tuesday after negotiations with their leaders. In a televised speech, al-Burhan said he would never allow a coup to take place. Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said: After more than 15 hours of a standoff the Sudanese armed forces said the situation has been resolved. It looks like the situation, for now, has been contained. Earlier, heavy gunfire erupted in Khartoum after the agents, who had belonged to a feared security service, rejected the financial compensation offered after their unit was disbanded. Violence broke out at the Directorate of General Intelligence Service office, formerly known as the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) the powerful security arm of al-Bashir. Masked members of NISS dressed in military uniform set up checkpoints in one of Khartoums main residential streets near the headquarters and were seen firing shots into the air, witnesses said. In a televised statement, Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Saleh said the gunmen were former employees upset at the terms they had been offered upon their dismissal. Members of the Rapid Support Forces block roads in Khartoum [AP Photo] Authorities had closed Sudans airspace for five hours as a precautionary measure after the start of the shooting. The gunmen were angry after being told to either retire or join the notorious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The events that occurred today are under control, tweeted Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, a former World Bank economist. We renew our confidence in the armed forces to contain the situation. NISS security agents were at the forefront of cracking down on protesters during the nationwide uprising that erupted against al-Bashir in December 2018. The army deposed al-Bashir four months later and the countrys new authorities pledged to reform NISS a key demand of the uprising that called for his removal from power. Create confusion Lieutenant-General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of the military council and head of the RSF, said former Sudan intelligence chief Salah Gosh was behind the shootings. This is a coordinated plan by Salah Gosh and another member of the National Congress party including some generals from intelligence service, he told a news conference during a visit to Juba in South Sudan. The person behind this shooting today is Salah Gosh. He has many generals active within the security sector with an aim to create confusion and fighting. Dagalo said while he would not consider Tuesdays incident a coup attempt, any such action would not be tolerated. We will not accept any coup, we will not accept any illegal change. The only change will come from the Sudanese people, he said. Gosh could not be immediately reached for comment. Authorities had closed Khartoums airport because of the proximity to the site of unrest. New Delhi: France has said it continues to follow the situation in Kashmir closely, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation in Kashmir in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Friday. In the spirit of trust and frankness that characterises their relations, the French President and the Indian Prime Minister discussed the situation in the region of Kashmir, which France continues to follow closely, France said. The statement was released by the French Embassy in New Delhi on Monday, although it was issued from Paris last Friday. France also said the two leaders had discussed the need for de-escalation in the Middle-East, a reference to the US-Iran military tensions. Interestingly, the statement on the phone call that was issued by New Delhi last Friday had made no direct reference to the two leaders discussing Kashmir. New Delhi only said that the two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest in bilateral relations as well as regional and global situations. France has close strategic ties with India, is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is also a member of the European Union. It may be recalled that the absence of the ambassadors belonging to member-nations of the European Union (EU) from the foreign envoys delegation that visited J&K last Thursday and Friday raised eyebrows. In response to certain media reports that claimed that the EU envoys did not want to be part of a guided tour, the ministry of external Affairs had said last Thursday this was factually incorrect. The MEA said the EU envoys wanted to visit J&K as a single group and that it wanted the group visiting on Thursday to include envoys from several regions in the world. It indicated that the EU envoys could be taken separately as a single group to J&K at a later date. In a statement issued from Paris, France said, The President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of India expressed their shared view on the necessity of de-escalation in the Middle-East. They agreed to work together towards easing tensions. donald trump trump tower Drew Angerer/Getty Images The Trump administration has repeatedly changed its rationale for President Trump's decision to kill Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the infamous commander of Iran's Quds Force, in a drone strike earlier this month. Some aides have insisted that Soleimani and his forces were planning an imminent attack that threatened American lives. Only the president provided more specifics on what was being targeted, but without providing any evidence. Then he and some top advisors seemed to backtrack, saying Soleimani "could have been" targeting US embassies. "I think it would have been four embassies, could have been military bases, could have been a lot of other things too. But it was imminent," he recently told Fox News. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, ratcheting up tensions between the US and Iran, but in the aftermath, the US has struggled to explain and justify why it had the infamous commander was killed. Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, was killed early in the morning on Friday, Jan. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq. The strike soured relations between the US and Iraq and led the Iranians to retaliate with a missile attack on US and coalition forces, and as tensions skyrocketed, a passenger jet was accidentally shot down, killing all 176 people on board. Previous administrations opted against killing Soleimani over concerns it would endanger more Americans and civilians by creating greater unrest in the region. Here is how the Trump administration has tried to justify Soleimani's killing: trump soleimani Leah Millis/Reuters; Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP 'Actively developing plans.' Shortly after the strike took place, the Department of Defense released a statement saying the general had American blood on his hands, stating that his forces were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans. The Pentagon blamed him for a rocket attack days prior to his death that killed a US civilian contractor and wounded several American service members. Story continues The statement said that "Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," adding that the "strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans." 'Imminent attack taking place.' Hours after the strike, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters: "I can't talk too much about the nature of the threats, but the American people should know that President Trump's decision to remove Qassem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives." He said that "there was in fact an imminent attack taking place," further explaining that "it was the time to take this action" and that "the risk of doing nothing was enormous." The use of the word "imminent" is key. International law, as it relates to self-defense, stipulates that striking an enemy first to prevent an attack is only lawful when that attack is thought to be imminent, in other words happening or about to happen; there are also other requirements, such as that the anticipated attack leaves "no choice of means, and no moment of deliberation." The administration's shifting justifications have raised questions about the legality of the strike. 'Imminent and sinister.' Later that Friday, Trump told reporters that "Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him." 'Planning, coordinating, and synchronizing significant combat operations.' Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told reporters on Jan. 6 that the he and other decision makers would have been "culpably negligent" if they had not eliminated Soleimani. "He was," the general said, "planning, coordinating, and synchronizing significant combat operations against US. military forces in the region and it was imminent." "If you're looking for imminence, you need look no further than the days that led up to the strike that was taken against Suleimani," Pompeo said Tuesday, Jan. 7, referring to the rocket attack and the assault on the US Embassy in Baghdad. The Trump administration briefed Congress last Wednesday. Following the meeting, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said it was "probably the worst briefing, at least on a military issue, I've seen in the nine years I've been here." Other lawmakers suggested that they were unconvinced an attack was imminent. Others, however, were more supportive. 'Looking to blow up our embassy.' Soleimani's death brought the US and Iran to the brink of war and in its wake, some Iraq began calling for US troops in their country to leave. Facing intense questions about the necessity of killing the Iranian general, including from lawmakers briefed on it, the administration began to offer more details. "We did it because they were looking to blow up our embassy," Trump told reporters, adding, "We also did it for other reasons that were very obvious. Somebody died, one of our military people died, people were badly wounded just a week before." Trump didn't provide any evidence to support this, and soon other officials began to backtrack from this assertion. 'We don't know precisely when.' On Thursday, Pompeo told Fox News: "There is no doubt that there were a series of imminent attacks being plotted by Qassem Soleimani. We don't know precisely when and we don't know precisely where, but it was real." 'Could have been a lot of other things.' The following day, the president expanded on his earlier statement, again without providing evidence. "I think it would have been four embassies, could have been military bases, could have been a lot of other things too. But it was imminent," Trump told Fox News. 'They could have been targeting the embassies.' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told CBS News on Sunday that he "didn't see" specific evidence that Soleimani was targeting US embassies. "What the president said with regard to the four embassies is what I believe as well," he explained. "He said that they probably, that they could have been targeting the embassies in the region. I believe that as well, as did other national security team members." Trump's national security advisor, Robert O'Brien, similarly called these threats "consistent" with intelligence, saying: "It is always difficult to know exactly what the targets are, but it certainly is consistent with the intelligence." 'It doesn't really matter because of his horrible past.' On Monday, Jan. 13, Trump tweeted that the "fake news media and their democrat partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' or not." He stressed that it was but added "it doesn't really matter because of his horrible past!" NBC News, citing a handful of current and former US officials, reported Monday that Trump actually authorized the killing of Soleimani seven months ago as a retaliation should an Iranian attack kill any American. The NBC report is consistent with a Washington Post report from last June that revealed that Pompeo had been privately warning Iran that the death of a single American would trigger a military response. "Each passing day raises new questions about the strike that killed General Soleimani. Was there really an imminent threat? Was it part of a larger operation? What was the legal justification? What is the path forward?" Rep. Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said in a statement Monday, as he called on the administration to clarify things for the American people. Read the original article on Business Insider Vietnam has set a target to eliminate malaria by 2030, since it has recently achieved remarkable results in preventing and combating the dangerous tropical disease. Malaria pushed back thanks to joint efforts from the health sector at all levels and from public self-awareness. (Photo: qdnd.vn) The information was revealed by Assoc. Prof., Dr. Tran Thanh Duong - Director of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, as quoted from the Peoples Army Newspaper. For many years, during the implementation of the national malaria prevention programme, Vietnam has gradually deployed appropriate strategies to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality. As a result, from over 1 million cases of malaria, with 4,646 deaths from malaria in 1991, the figures were significantly cut down to just 5,930 infected cases without a single fatality in 2019. Many provinces and cities have no longer witnessed the outbreak of malaria at all. In 2019, Vietnam recognised malaria elimination in 25 provinces and cities, including 16 northern provinces, one central locale and eight southern provinces, namely Son La, Yen Bai, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, An Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Can Tho and Hau Giang. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Duong said that the success was due to the attention and investment from the Party and State, as well as the participation of the governments and the community at all levels, combined with the devotion and efforts from medical staff under the meaningful support from international organisations. Along with that, Vietnam has applied scientific advancements in malaria detection, diagnosis and treatment, as well as implementing active preventive measures, such as using artemisinin and its derivatives to treat plasmodium falciparum malaria in the 1990s, applying indoor residual spraying (IRS) and using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) as of recently. To realise the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, Dr. Duong emphasised that the local health and preventive medicine agencies need to strengthen timely surveillance, detection, diagnosis and treatment for malaria patients, while promoting communication to raise awareness regarding measures to prevent and combat malaria, especially for those who often work and sleep in forests. He also affirmed the need to organise investigations in infected cases strictly in line with the set regulations, as well as zoning area with malaria parasites to thoroughly treat the source of the disease and supplying sufficient quantities of malaria medicines to the concerned health facilities.Nhan Dan Joaquin Phoenix proved that a film does not need a distinctive budget before it can create connections with its viewers. The recipient of Golden Globes' Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, Joaquin, set records after he portrayed the role of Arthur in the "Joker" film. With its small production budget of $62.5 million, the film bagged $93.5 million sales during its opening weekend, beating "Deadpool" and claiming the crown for the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. When fans felt like they already had the closure in the film, the actor revealed another deep secret again. "Joker" a Psychological Test? Joaquin appeared on "60 Minutes" where he also talked about the film - most especially its critical depiction of mental illness and issues occurring in the society. The 45-year old actor started to describe the film by comparing it to the Rorschach Test -- a psychological test where the takers explain their insights of certain inkblots and have those analyzed using either psychological interpretation or complex algorithms. "It says something about the person viewing it and what they think that it's about. That's really rare for a film to kind of have that effect on people. So in some ways, I welcomed it," Joaquin disclosed. Moreover, the "Joker" actor clarified to Associated Press before his "60 Minutes" appearance that people tend to interpret the movie only the way they want most especially when the viewers "do not know what is right and wrong." In the end, he just wished for people not to see "Joker" differently and let be a "normal" film that successfully connected with people instead. In addition, even the film's director Todd Phillips saw the movie as not a piece of some welcoming piece, and they intended to make it that way. The filmmaker also previously pointed out through The Wrap that they did not make the movie only "to push buttons" in the end. "It wasn't, 'We want to glorify this behavior.' It was literally like 'Let's make a real movie with a real budget and we'll call it f******* Joker'. That's what it was," he went on. What Made It Controversial With the recent news events in the U.S. about gun abused, criticisms rose and even led people to think that Arthur, Joaquin's character, was too similar to real-life people. According to Time's film critic Stephanie Zacharek, "In America, there's a mass shooting or attempted act of violence by a guy like Arthur practically every other week. And yet we're supposed to feel some sympathy for Arthur, the troubled lamb; he just hasn't had enough love." However, some other critics were not left impressed with the "cut-and-dried" movie of Joaquin that they even compared his character to incels - a term used to call people who take out their anger on women. Arthur's mom in the movie, who empowered Arthur to do violent things, added more speculation that the movie is a test to unveil what is really happening in the world. is pretty much blamed for all his suffering. Amid all these theories and criticisms, Warner Bros. issued a statement to explain that neither Joker nor the film "is an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind." READ MORE: REPORT: Joaquin Phoenix Arrested Few Days After Golden Globes Win WASHINGTON - After 18 months of economic combat, the United States and China are set to take a step toward peace Wednesday. At least for now. President Donald Trump and Chinas chief negotiator, Liu He, are scheduled to sign a modest trade agreement in which the administration will ease some sanctions on China and Beijing will step up its purchases of U.S. farm products and other goods. Above all, the deal will defuse a conflict that has slowed global growth, hurt American manufacturers and weighed on the Chinese economy. But the so-called Phase 1 pact does little to force China to make the major economic reforms such as reducing unfair subsidies for its own companies that the Trump administration sought when it started the trade war by imposing tariffs on Chinese imports in July 2018. The U.S. has yet to reveal details of the agreement, though U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has said they would be made public Wednesday. Most analysts say any meaningful resolution of the key U.S. allegation that Beijing uses predatory tactics in its drive to supplant Americas technological supremacy could require years of contentious talks. And skeptics say a satisfactory resolution may be next to impossible given Chinas ambitions to become the global leader in such advanced technologies as driverless cars and artificial intelligence. The signing of the Phase 1 deal would represent a welcome, even if modest, de-escalation of trade hostilities between China and the U.S., said Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University economist and and former head of the International Monetary Funds China division. But it hardly addresses in any substantive way the fundamental sources of trade and economic tensions between the two sides, which will continue to fester. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York , complained that the Phase 1 deal appeared to make very little progress in reforming Chinas rapacious trade behaviours and seems like it could send a signal to Chinese negotiators that the U.S. can be steamrolled. The thornier issues are expected to be taken up in future rounds of negotiations. But its unclear when they will begin. And few expect much progress before the November U.S. election. Phase 2 -- I wouldnt wait by the phone, said John Veroneau, who was a U.S. trade official in the George W. Bush administration and is now co-chair of the international trade practice at Covington & Burling. That is probably a 2021 issue. Under the Phase 1 agreement, which the two sides reached in mid-December, the administration dropped plans to impose tariffs on an additional $160 billion in Chinese imports. And it halved, to 7.5%, existing tariffs on $110 billion of good from China. For its part, Beijing agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. products. According to the Trump administration, China is to buy $40 billion a year in U.S. farm products an ambitious goal for a country that has never imported more than $26 billion a year in U.S. agricultural products. The deal may be most notable for what it doesnt do. It leaves in place tariffs on about $360 billion in Chinese imports a level of protectionism that would have been unthinkable before Trump took office. Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics calculates that the Phase 1 agreement will leave nearly two-thirds of Chinese imports covered by Trumps tariffs. Beijings retaliatory tariffs affect more than half of American exports to China. The average U.S. tariff on Chinese imports has risen from 3% in January 2018 to 21% now. High tariffs between the worlds two biggest economies, Bown says, are now the new normal. The Trump administration argues that the Phase 1 deal is a solid start that includes Chinese commitments to do more to protect intellectual property, curb the practice of forcing foreign companies to hand over sensitive technology and refrain from manipulating their currency lower to benefit Chinese exporters. In advance of the Phase 1 signing, in fact, the Treasury Department on Monday dropped its designation of China as a currency manipulator. And by maintaining significant tariffs on Chinese imports, the administration retains leverage to force Beijing to abide by its commitments something the United States says Beijing has failed to do for decades. Weve never punished them before, said Derek Scissors, China specialist at the American Enterprise Institute. If you dont have tariffs, you can write down anything you want, and the Chinese will cheat. The administration contends that, however narrow the Phase 1 agreement may be, it represents a significant breakthrough. Across the board, its a really, really good deal for the United States, Lighthizer told Fox Business Network on Monday. And it will work if reformers in China want it to work. And if that happens, great. If it doesnt happen, (the pact) is fully enforceable... We expect them to live up to the letter of the law. Well bring cases -- well bring actions against them if they dont. Scissors said the trade war has already delivered a benefit for Trump, even if it hasnt forced Beijing to make major changes to its economic policy: Trumps tariffs have reduced Chinese exports to the United States and narrowed Americas trade deficit with China. The president has long lambasted the U.S. trade gap with Beijing as a sign of economic weakness, though many economists disagree. A wide trade deficit can actually reflect economic strength because it means that a nations consumers feel prosperous and confident enough to spend freely on imported goods as well as on home-grown goods. So far this year, the U.S. deficit with China in the trade of goods has declined by 16%, or $62 billion, to $321 billion compared with a year earlier. And the deficit will narrow further if Beijing lives up to its pledges to buy dramatically more American imports. Trumps tariff hikes have proved to be a headwind for Chinas economy, which was already slowing, though the damage has been less than some forecasters expected. Chinese global exports eked out a 0.5% increase in 2019 despite a plunge in sales to the United States, according to Chinese customs data. Chinese exporters responded to Trumps tariff hikes by shipping goods to the United States through other countries and by stepping up sales to Asia, Europe and Africa. The government reported double-digit gains in 2019 exports to France, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Southeast Asia. Economists said the tariff war slowed Chinese growth, which hit a multi-decade low of 6% in the quarter ending in September, by as little as 0.6 percentage point. Weak domestic demand and the cooling of a construction boom inflicted more damage. It is unrealistic for the U.S. government to think they could defeat China by exerting extreme pressure, said Tu Xinquan, director of the China Institute of WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. As an economy with a massive size, China will gradually absorb such external shocks. China didnt get everything they wanted out of this deal, and the U.S. has obviously not got the structural changes in the Chinese economy they wanted, said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics. But they are going to get a substantial increase in exports and a reduction in the bilateral trade (deficit), which I think the Trump administration will clearly see as a win. ___ McDonald reported from Beijing. More than 1,000 ancient woodlands in the UK are at risk being wiped out by housing projects and new infrastructure developments, the Woodland Trust has warned. This is the highest number of woods recorded as being at risk since the charity started compiling data in 1999 and the first time it has topped the thousand mark. Of the cases the Trust has identified, 801 are being actively threatened by live planning applications. The remaining 263 are included in council site allocation plans as areas for future development such as for housing or business use. Scroll down for video More than 1,000 ancient woodlands in the UK are at risk being wiped out by housing projects and new infrastructure developments, the Woodland Trust has warned. Pictured, the Glyn Davis Wood in Warwickshire, which is under threat from the HS2 railway development According to the Woodland Trust, the rise in threatened woods is partly down to a growing number of road and rail infrastructure developments, like the HS2 project. They argued that there is also a lack of awareness over changes to planning rules that strengthen protection for woodlands against inappropriate development. Ancient woods those where woodland has been in existence since at least 1600 in England and Wales or 1750 in Scotland also face other threats, the Trust warned. These include a growth in outbreaks of tree diseases from imported plants and wood, along with nitrogen pollution from poultry farms adjacent to woodlands. 'We are in the grip of both a nature and a climate emergency,' said Woodland Trust director of conservation and external affairs Abi Bunker. Recently political parties have made bold promises about tree planting. This is welcome, but the first step in helping trees to combat climate change and helping our threatened nature is to protect the valuable trees and woods we already have.' 'These new figures make for depressing reading,' she added. 'Whats even more depressing is these are only the cases we know about. There could be many more woods under threat.' According to the Woodland Trust, the rise in threatened woods is partly down to a growing number of road and rail infrastructure developments, like the HS2 project, pictured Ancient woods those where woodland has been in existence since at least 1600 in England and Wales or 1750 in Scotland also face other threats, the Trust warned. These include a growth in outbreaks of tree diseases along with nitrogen pollution from poultry farms The trust said that they are aware of 800 woods have suffered loss or damage from development since 1999. Such has come from either the felling of parts of the individual woodlands or the close encroachment of developments which put the woods at at risk of pollution, disturbance and invasive species. However, trust officials also noted that 1,101 ancient woodlands have instead been being in the same period of time. The number of #AncientWoods under threat in the UK from built development has topped the thousand mark for the first time since our records began. Protection for our irreplaceable ancient woods and trees must be given high priority https://t.co/gV2MJUPYPF pic.twitter.com/8qAr1SO2uj Woodland Trust (@WoodlandTrust) January 14, 2020 Ms Bunker has called for 'real protection' to cover irreplaceable ancient wooded habitats and trees, alongside legislation, policies and resources to address the growing challenges presented by tree diseases. 'Ancient woodland is one of our most precious natural habitats,' she added. 'These complex ecosystems have evolved over centuries and are home to thousands of species, many of which rely on it for their survival.' 'Losing ancient woodlands is a travesty, especially to inappropriate developments that could go elsewhere.' WHICH ANCIENT UK WOODLANDS ARE CURRENTLY AT RISK? The Woodland Trust said that current ancient woods at risk in the UK include: Nun Bank Wood, West Yorkshire the supposed resting place of Robin Hood, which will be affected if a relief road around Kirklees goes ahead. Smithy Wood, next to the M1 at junction 35 near Sheffield could be lost to new motorway services. Mileplain Plantation, Attlebridge, Norfolk will suffer direct loss if the county council approves plans for a sand and gravel quarry. Coed Wern in Glasinfryn, Bangor will suffer direct losses if plans for 39 holiday lodges are approved. The Woodland Trust said that current ancient woods at risk in the UK include Coed Wern, Mileplain Plantation, Smithy Wood and Nun Bank Wood (pictured) Source: The Woodland Trust Advertisement The International Federation of Consulting Engineers has secured a major agreement with the African Development Bank that will see the international funding organisation include the use of seven FIDIC standard contracts for the next five years. Under the terms of the agreement, FIDIC has granted the Bank a non-exclusive licence to refer to the seven major FIDIC contracts (see list in notes below) for projects they finance and the documents may be used as part of the Banks standard bidding documents. The contracts include the latest 2017 Second Edition FIDIC contracts and 1999 editions, which cover a wide range of international construction and infrastructure work. The move by the African Development Bank is another significant endorsement for FIDIC contracts from a multilateral development bank, following similar agreements signed with the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in recent months. FIDIC chief executive Dr. Nelson Ogunshakin said: We are delighted to have signed this agreement with the African Development Bank, an organisation doing fantastic work fighting poverty and improving living conditions for people in Africa. The signing of this agreement means that FIDIC has now entered into similar licencing agreements with almost all of the major global funding organisations. By adopting the FIDIC contracts on major projects, the AfDB is demonstrating that they endorse the fair and balanced approach that these documents offer to parties on major construction contracts and we believe that this will create more certainty in the market as banks, lenders, investors and clients adopt them. The Banks endorsement should also provide additional comfort to the financial, institutional and private equity investors operating in the global market to adopt the use of FIDIC standard procurement contracts as an effective tool to mitigate the risks associated with investable infrastructure asset class. Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Frank Mvula the Banks Director of Fiduciary Services & Inspection, said: We are glad to have concluded an agreement with FIDIC that would enable us to incorporate FIDIC contracts in some of our standard bidding documents. There is no doubt that the use of FIDIC contracts is a step towards enhancing equity and fairness as well as efficient and effective contract management as emphasized under the Banks new Procurement Framework. FIDIC President Bill Howard said: Im delighted that FIDIC has concluded this agreement with the African Development Bank. Its a key aim of ours to strengthen FIDICs relationships with the multilateral development banks and other international funding institutions as improved communication and cooperation will bring benefits to the whole industry. Agreements like these can only be good for FIDIC, the global infrastructure sector and the banks and I look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with the Bank over the coming years. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, one of his primary election opponents and a city commissioner candidate all denied complaints to the city auditors office that theyve violated a voter-approved $500 campaign contribution limit. In written responses to the auditors office, Wheeler, mayoral candidate Ozzie Gonzalez and city commissioner candidate Jack Kerfoot said the donor limit approved by voters in November 2018 isnt enforceable because its been deemed unconstitutional by a Multnomah County circuit judge since June 2019. The responses address campaign finance complaints filed last month by Ronald Buel, a member of political action committee Honest Elections Oregon. Buel and other PAC members said they believe the city policy as a whole is still enforceable because the judge only deemed parts of it unconstitutional. Buel has also filed a similar campaign finance complaint with the Multnomah County director of elections against County Commissioner Lori Stegmann. Buel is asking that all four campaigns be fined and that the Portland city auditor conduct an audit of all contributions of $100 or less received by Wheelers campaign. The city auditors office has to make a determination about the complaints by Jan. 23. Portland voters in 2018 approved Measure 26-200, which amended the city charter to limit individual or political committee donations to $500 per election cycle in city races, limit campaign spending and require campaigns to disclose advertising funders and as well as impose other restrictions. Multnomah County voters approved a similar measure in 2016. Honest Elections Oregon organized both measures. Multnomah County Circuit Judge Eric Bloch struck down the county rule in 2017 and did the same to parts of the Portland rule in June, saying they violated the Oregon Constitutions prohibition on limiting free speech. The circuit courts decision on the county measure was appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments regarding the matter in November 2019, Kafoury said. A ruling in the case is expected sometime this year and will likely impact the Portland measure. The city appealed Blochs ruling in the Portland limits case to the Oregon Supreme Court, which said its putting that appeal on hold until it rules in the Multnomah County case. Buels complaint against Wheeler takes issue with more than $40,000 contributed in 15 cash and in-kind donations. Buel also claimed Gonzalez, a TriMet board member, and Kerfoot, a retired renewable energy consultant campaigning for incumbent Commissioner Chloe Eudalys seat on the council, each have accepted four donations over $500. The complaint claims $14,000 in cash contributions to Gonzalez exceeded the limit and $106,000 for Kerfoot. Wheeler announced in November that he would limit contributions hed accept from individuals to $5,000 and from organizations to $10,000. Amy Rathfelder, Wheelers reelection campaign manager, said they plan to stick to their self-imposed limit while we await the outcome of appellate court consideration. We are proud of our campaign and the support we have earned from Portlanders from all walks of life, Rathfelder said in a Jan. 8 statement to the city elections officer. Gonzalezs campaign held a press conference Jan. 6. to denounce Buels complaint. John Vinje, Gonzalezs campaign manager wrote to the elections officer the same day describing the complaint as defective and void on its face. C. Robert Steringer, an attorney representing Kerfoot, noted in a Dec. 30 letter that the contributions flagged by Buel, between $1,000 and $40,000, were all donations Kerfoot made to his own campaign. Steringer said the city commissioner candidate has limited outside contributions to $100. Wheelers campaign reports having raised more than $216,000 as of Monday, most of which he collected in 2018, according to state records. Gonzalez has raised $54,500 and Kerfoot has raised $106,000. Wheeler and Kerfoot havent reported accepting any donations since the complaints was filed on Dec. 19, state records show. Gonzalez has reported accepting one more cash contribution over $500 since then a $2,500 donation. -- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The arrest of a deputy superintendent of police who was awarded a gallantry medal less than six months ago is shocking on various counts. DSP Davinder Singh, posted at Srinagar airport in the anti-hijacking squad, was arrested on Saturday by the Jammu and Kashmir police while travelling with two Hizbul Mujahideen militants. One of the arrested Hizb men is a big catch as he is a top commander involved in several recent terror incidents. It comes as a surprise when a veteran member of the security forces is caught colluding with someone, home-grown or foreign-trained, fighting the State. Its at par with betraying the country on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency. Singh will be thoroughly interrogated and perhaps some of what motivated him will soon emerge. Some of it may already have, for as IGP Vijay Kumar told the press, Singh was being treated as a militant for his involvement in a heinous crime. Yet it is important to know the deeper motivation behind his action. Did he switch sides for money? If the Hizb men were his contacts in the world of terror a legitimate relationship for a security officer then had he got so close to his sources that he unwittingly crossed a line between proper handling of sources to actively colluding with them? Had he become disgruntled with the current political leadership for whatever reason? Or is this all just a big mixup? It is also stunning that this gentlemans name figured in the case of Afzal Guru, who was hanged almost seven years ago for his alleged involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack; his guilt was determined, according to the honorable trial judge, to satisfy the collective conscience of the nation. Guru apparently claimed to his lawyer Nandita Haksar in a letter that Davinder Singh had asked him to take Muhammed, a co-accused in the Parliament attack, to Delhi and arrange his stay there. In that 10-page letter to Ms Haksar, who reproduced it in her book, The Many Faces of Kashmiri Nationalism, Guru alleged it was DSP Davinder Singh who forced him to confess (during the Parliament attack investigation) to being in touch with militants and supplying them with weapons. Guru was tortured under Davinder Singhs supervision; he was stripped naked, put in ice water, given electric shocks and had chillies stuffed and petrol poured in his anus. Davinder Singh later confessed to as much to a TV channel. In America, the fact that Davinder is now treated as a terrorism suspect which Guru denied himself being would be enough to show the earlier case as vitiated and it being dismissed. However, Guru is dead; proving that at the very least, the government ought to have inquired into his allegations and postponed his hanging till the investigation was complete. We may never know the entire truth of this sordid affair, but one thing is for sure: our criminal justice delivery system is rotten to the core. In January 2013, the Ghana Statistical Service declared that the contribution of fisheries to Ghanas Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had declined and that the fisheries sub-sector was one of the worst performers in the year 2012, as far as the economy of the country was concerned. The main causes of dwindling fish stocks have been identified as overfishing and the use of destructive fishing gears. Unsustainable fishing methods like light and chemical/dynamite fishing, use of destructive fishing gears like monofilament nets to catch fish, including juvenile fish, increased fishing effort due to increase in number of fishing vessels, increased number and size of fishing gears, use of ice at sea resulting in prolonged fishing trips and weak compliance and enforcement of the Fisheries Laws and Regulations to mention a few. In other words, systemic overfishing is worsened by illegal catches and trade. It is estimated that Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing any type of fishing that is practiced in contravention of existing legal, management and conservation measures earns up to US$36.4 billion each year, globally. In 2018, ninety-eight (98) IUU infractions were recorded in Ghana, out of which, about twelve (12) were settled by the Fisheries Settlement Committee. And in 2019, one hundred and seventy (170) IUU infractions were recorded out of which, about fifteen (15) cases were settled by the Fisheries Settlement Committee, with the rest are still under investigation. In an effort to address the challenges and reverse the situation, the Government of Ghana enacted the Fisheries Law (Act 625) in 2002 and promulgated the Fisheries Regulations (Legislative Instrument 1968) in 2010 to give effect to the Fisheries Act. This was followed by the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 880) an Act to amend the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) to give effect to international conservation and management obligations, to empower the Minister to make regulations to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in accordance with international obligation of the country and other related matters. What, then, does the law say about IUU fishing? According to section 88A of Act 880, a fishing vessel is presumed to be engaged in IUU fishing if it is shown that, contrary to the conservation and management measures applicable in the fishing area concerned, the fishing vessel has been used to fish without a valid licence, authorisation or permit issued by the flag State or the relevant coastal State; the owner, operator, charterer or master of the fishing vessel has not fulfilled the obligations to record and report catch or catch-related data, including data to be transmitted by a vessel monitoring system; the fishing vessel has been used to fish in a closed area, during a closed season, without or after attainment of a quota or beyond a closed depth; the owner, operator, charterer or master of the fishing vessel has falsified documents in relation to the fishing vessel; the fishing vessel has engaged in fishing a stock which is subject to a moratorium or for which fishing is prohibited; the fishing vessel used prohibited or non-compliant fishing gear; the fishing vessel has falsified or concealed its markings, identity or registration; the owner, operator, charterer or master of the fishing vessel has concealed, tampered with or disposed of evidence relating to an investigation concerning the fishing activities of the fishing vessel; the owner, operator, charterer or master of the fishing vessel has obstructed the work of officials in the exercise of duties in inspecting the fishing vessel for compliance with the applicable conservation and management measures or the work of observer in the exercise of duties under this Act; the fishing vessel has taken on board, transhipped or landed undersized fish in contravention of this Act or Regulations made under this Act or the conditions of licence in force; the fishing vessel is used for fishing but has no nationality and is a stateless fishing vessel, in accordance with international law; the fishing vessel engaged in a fishing activity with another fishing vessel which is on the IUU list or register of a regional fishing management organisation. So, therefore, this is the law and useful tool a useful tool, but the next hurdle is how to ensure compliance and enforcement. It has been recommended that in order to be able to overcome Financial the challenges of weak enforcement of the law, substantial financial resources should be committed to implementation while a maximum level of co-operation should exist between enforcement officers and at-sea-observers. Ensuring compliance with the law and enforcing it, according to the experts, will also require an adequate number of fisheries officers at the landing beaches while the fisheries enforcement officers should be adequately motivated. Dealing with Political interference will be another critical challenge in compliance and enforcement The writer is a journalist and a lawyer. Four people held in connection with the violence that took place during anti-citizenship law protests in the city on December 20 have been granted bail. District Sessions Judge Sanjay Kumar Pachori allowed the bail plea of the four accused and ordered that they may be released after furnishing sureties of Rs 1 lakh each. The police had booked 258 people and arrested 85 for the violence during protests against the amended citizenship law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mathilde Bellenger with Robin Millard in London (Agence France-Presse) Sandringham, United Kingdom Tue, January 14, 2020 12:05 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32210f4f 2 Lifestyle Queen-Elizabeth,Prince-Harry,Meghan-Markle Free Queen Elizabeth II on Monday allowed her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to split their time between Canada and Britain during a "transition period" in which the family will figure out how to deal with their shock resignation from front-line royal duties. The monarch said she held "very constructive" talks between Harry and his older brother Prince William and their father Prince Charles aimed at charting a course through the fallout of the bombshell announcement. Meghan reportedly joined the conversation by phone from Canada after abruptly jetting out of Britain last week. Their effective resignation on Wednesday followed a year filled with rumors of infighting between the brothers and reports of Meghan -- a biracial American actress with a strong social media presence -- feeling unwelcome in the highly traditional and structured royal family. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family," the 93-year-old queen said in a statement after the first day of meetings at her Sandringham estate in eastern England. 'No public funds' Harry and Meghan said they wanted to "carve out a progressive new role within this institution" -- a statement that some read as a slight at the way the royal family has been run under Britain's beloved monarch. The queen frankly admitted that Harry and Meghan's decision was not welcome news. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family," she said. The monarch stressed the couple told her "they do not want to be reliant on public funds" but did not address the issue of whether they would keep their royal titles. Harry and Meghan are formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Five percent of their income comes from public funds. The rest comes from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall heredity private estate. It dates back to 1337 and has officially reported assets worth 1.1 billion ($1.4 billion, 1.3 billion euros). The queen said there were still "complex matters" for the family to trash out. "It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK," she said. The Daily Mail tabloid said Charles was furious at Harry for making the announcement without winning the queen's consent and had left the meeting early. Struggles with spotlight Debates over Harry and Meghan's future have divided British public opinion and dominated newspaper front pages for days. A YouGov poll suggested 46 percent of respondents supported their decision. Yet 57 percent also thought they treated the queen unfairly. Harry and William put up a rare united front as the talks began by issuing a joint statement denouncing a report in The Times that claimed the couple felt "pushed away from the royal family" by William's "'bullying attitude". William and Harry formed a close bond following their mother Diana's death in Paris car crash in 1997. But Harry admitted last month they had drifted apart and were now on different paths. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful," they said in their joint statement. Harry has been open about his mental health issues in coming to terms with his mother's death when he was just 12. The couple admitted in October to struggling with the spotlight following their wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018 and their son Archie's birth 12 months later. Existential crisis Meghan likes to vacation in Canada and is currently there with Archie. But the Daily Mail said "her real dream" was to settle alongside other celebrities in Los Angeles -- "but not while President Donald Trump is in charge", it added. Their official plan is to continue to "fully support" the queen and honor their duties to the Commonwealth and their patronages. But they want to make 2020 a transition year to carve out their new role and launch their new Sussex Royal charitable entity and seek to raise their own sources of income. They also want to keep their newly-renovated Frogmore Cottage home on the queen's Windsor Castle estate as their British base. Some royal commentators said it was in everyone's interests to quickly settle what was fast becoming an existential crisis that questioned the monarchy's place in the modern world. The family is "falling apart and should try to put itself back together," The Evening Standard newspaper wrote. The Sussexes need to accept they have "caused a lot of upset" while the others must understand that the pair are "deeply unhappy with the role cast for them as minor royals hanging on the purse-strings of their relatives". A TEENAGER suffered a head injury in a brawl in Conisbrough. Eight males aged between 15 and 20 were involved in a fight which began in Park Road at 1.30pm on Saturday, January 4 and continued into the town centre, a spokeswoman for the police said. We believe those involved were between 15 and 20-years-old said the spokeswoman. One 16-year-old boy suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital. He has since been discharged. Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area or who has dashcam footage of the incident. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 426 of January 4. Alternatively, you can stay completely anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers via their website Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling their UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Despite some past political differences, we have always been able to work with Jeff, when it comes to helping the folks we represent, Lower Township Mayor and Assemblyman-Elect Erik Simonsen said. A united front ... will be critical if we are to truly push back against the progressive insanity that has infested the Democrat party, both in Trenton and Washington, DC. On the issues that affect our quality of life locally and the principles that are most important to our voters, we stand on common ground (with Van Drew), said Middle Township Mayor and CapeGOP Second Vice-Chair Tim Donohue. I realize that President Trump has made his endorsement, but Republican voters in the Second District deserve a choice, Richter wrote to Davis. As Chairman of the Atlantic County Republican Committee ... you have an obligation to run a fair and impartial convention and endorsement process.There are also two other Republicans in the primary, Egg Harbor Townships Brian Fitzherbert, who has received many local endorsements, and Bob Patterson, of Haddonfield and Ocean City. General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh on Tuesday sent a first-degree murder charge to the Grand Jury against 25-year-old Marquise "C-Banger" Burress in the shooting death of 29-year-old Robert Gill. However, the judge did not find enough proof against the second defendant, Javonte Wynn, and that case was dismissed after he took some time to deliberate. The criminal problems for Wynn continued, though, as he has now been charged in Federal Court with being a felon in possession of a gun. The victim's body, with multiple bullet wounds, was found on a driveway on South Street in the early morning of last June 19. Detective Corey Stokes acknowledged it is unknown why the body wound up there, and there is no known motive. No murder weapon was found. The opening state witness, who said she had been seeing Gill at the time, gave scant information during her testimony. She said the state had been "harassing" her and said the detective "ruined my son's birthday" when he chose to bring her in for an interview at the time of the celebration. After the woman had been dismissed from court, the state played portions of a video of her police interview in which she spoke much more freely. She said Burress and Wynn had been at her home on the afternoon prior to the morning of the slaying. She told of Burress holding a gun that had been tucked under a couch cushion. She said she went to her bedroom later and Gill joined her there. She said she heard voices outside the bedroom that appeared to be those of the two earlier visitors. The woman said Gill left the bedroom around 5 a.m. and she afterward got word from her sister that he wanted her to call him. She said she reached him on the phone, and as they were talking, she heard 6-7 shots. She said she then hung up. She said she later "wished I had stayed on the line." She said she tried twice more to reach Gill to no avail. In one she asked if he was okay. Detective Stokes said he located video showing Gill with Burress shortly before the slaying, and he also located a red car with some missing hub caps that Burress had been driving. He said cell phone records showed Burress and Gill in the same vicinity around the time of the crime. Both defendants were not arrested initially, and Wynn was not in jail until August and Burress not until late November. Prosecutor Miriam Johnson told Judge McVeagh that the female friend of the victim told that she had heard voices outside their bedroom that appeared to be those of the earlier visitors - Burress and Wynn. The Wynn attorney, Blake Gilbert, said he had heard no proof against his client. He said, "We were just along for the ride for the Burress hearing." Burress, who also has a gun charge against him in the case, is represented by attorney Chad Wilson. Attorney Wilson asked that the bond for Burress be lowered, while Ms. Johnson thought it should be raised. Judge McVeagh kept it at $200,000. Army chief General MM Naravane on Tuesday asked soldiers deployed along the India-China border to display steadfastness and resilience. In an address broadcast on All India Radio on the eve of Army Day, the army chief asked soldiers posted in Siachen and along the India-Pakistan border to remain vigilant at all times. I have no doubt that you shall ensure necessary operational ascendancy with respect to our western adversary (Pakistan), while displaying steadfastness and resilience along the northern borders, he said, assuring the soldiers that their operational and logistics needs would be met at all costs. Last week, Naravane cautioned against a collusive threat to Siachen glacier from Pakistan and China and also explained how India would deal with a possible two-front war scenario. He said the army was balancing out its deployments to cater for threats from both the west and the north. He said significant capacity building was happening along the northern borders with China as part of the re-balancing exercise, including the deployment of advanced weapons in the countrys east. He said on Tuesday that in its quest to remain sharp and contemporary, the army had analysed the geo-strategic landscape and the evolving character of war as relevant to the Indian context. He said the governments decision to create a department of military affairs under the chief of defence staff was a seminal step and would created civil-military synergy, enhance productivity in strategic outcomes and enable greater integration among the three services. Speaking at a Veterans Day function, Naravane said the army was pushing a case for the granting special pensions to emergency commissioned officers and short-service commissioned officers who fought in the 1956 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. He said the proposal had been sent to the defence ministry. Such officers are not entitled to pension for which they need to complete 20 years of service. [January 13, 2020] Kyriba Reports Major Chinese Clients Go Live in Past 12 Months Kyriba, the global leader in cloud treasury and finance solutions, announced today that major Chinese clients, including the world's largest developer of polyurethane, Wanhua Chemical Co., and Didi Chuxing Technology Co., China's largest cab hailing service, and others are now live on Kyriba's cloud finance technology network. In just over three years since Kyriba officially launched its business venture in China, the company has hired sales, marketing and product support engineers to meet the growing demand from Chinese companies, and is now seeing double digit growth in the region. "Wanhua has realized the optimization, integration and automation of end-to-end domestic and international payment processing systems with Kyriba Payments, laying the foundation for the eventual integration of the entire group's ERP solution," said Kou Chunpeng, project manager of Wanhua Chemical Global Cloud Financial Platform. "Kyriba's advanced Currency Risk solutions also help Wanhua more easily adapt to unpredictable economic changes, and supports Wanhua's overseas growth strategy, while meeting global regulatory standards." For the full case study featuring Wanhua Chemical, read "Wanhua Reduces Its Manual Payments by 98% in Less Than Six Months." Wanhua Chemical Group, headquartered in Yantai, is a global leader in the isocyanate industry. It has four production bases in China and Europe and has established subsidiaries and representative offices in more than 10 countries and regions. The company is named as a 2018 Global Top 50 by Chemical and Engineering News. In addition to Wanhua Chemical and Didi, major domestic corporations and banks have partnered with Kyriba to expand their international footprint and mitigate risk of internationalization, including SUNGROW, HAND, and many others. "Kyriba is honored to welcome China's major corporations and banks to partner with Kyriba," said Jean-Luc Robert, CEO, Kyriba. "Kyriba has the capacity and strategy to help Chinese companies simplify financial management while mitigating exchange rate risks associated with doing business overseas." Chinese companies will face alarming exchange rate risks over the next five years due to economic volatility, according to EY risk consulting experts. "Exchange rate risk management will undoubtedly become a key indicator of corporate financial management and risk management," said Mr. Liang Shangwen, head of financial services and risk consulting, Greater China, Ernst & Young (China) Enterprise Consulting Co., Ltd.1 The new wave of support from Kyriba helps Chinese companies at a critical time when CFOs demand modern cloud solutions to manage their finances, and help them mitigate global market currency volatility. "China is a key market for Kyriba in the Asia Pacific region and we have invested in our talent and local data infrastructure to comply with Chinese regulations, a major investment that reflects our commitment to our customers in China," said JaeSon Kim, APAC managing director for Kyriba. "We will continue to invest in our people and innovate our product to help put Chinese corporations in a strategic position to grow internationally." Kyriba recently announced it has doubled the number of clients in the Asia Pacific region in the past 12 months. In October 2019, Kyriba was awarded the "Global Treasury Management Service Innovation Award" by Golden Finance for its leading technology and outstanding contributions in the field of cloud treasury and financial management solutions. Kyriba is established as the pioneer in cloud treasury solutions, and continues to be recognized as a leader by IDC (News - Alert), the premier global provider of market intelligence, and other analyst firms. About Kyriba Corp. Kyriba empowers CFOs and their teams to transform how they activate liquidity as a dynamic, real-time vehicle for growth and value creation, while also protecting against financial risk. Kyriba's pioneering Active Liquidity Network connects internal applications for treasury, risk, payments and working capital, with vital external sources such as banks, ERPs, trading platforms, and market data providers. Based on a secure, highly scalable SaaS (News - Alert) platform that leverages artificial and business intelligence, Kyriba enables thousands of companies worldwide to maximize growth opportunities, protect against loss from fraud and financial risk, and reduce costs through advanced automation. Kyriba is headquartered in San Diego, with offices in New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai and other major locations. For more information, visit www.kyriba.com.cn. _____________________________ 1 China Merchants Bank and Ernst & Young jointly release the "2019 China Enterprise Exchange Rate Risk Management White Paper" to create foreign exchange New Future for Risk Management. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005959/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] China slams US, other states for congratulating Tawain's Tsai on election win Iran Press TV Monday, 13 January 2020 6:06 AM Beijing has slammed the United States and other states for breaching the 'One China' policy by offering congratulations to President Tsai Ing-wen of self-ruled Taiwan on her re-election. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was reacting on Sunday to the statements issued by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as well as top diplomats from Britain and Japan to congratulate Tsai, a strong opponent of the internationally-recognized 'One China' principle. Tsai, of Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was re-elected over the weekend with some 57 percent of the vote, while Beijing-friendly rival Han Kuo-yu from the opposition party Kuomintang received 39 percent. Sheng further said Taiwan which is viewed by Beijing as a wayward province was "a local affair in China." "China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to [the congratulatory messages] and has made solemn representations to the countries concerned," Geng was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying. "It is hoped that the countries concerned will earnestly abide by the 'One China' principle, not develop any official relations and conduct any official exchanges with Taiwan, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, not send any wrong signals to Taiwan pro-independence forces," he added. China considers Taiwan part of its territory under the 'One China' policy, which refers to the diplomatic acknowledgement that there is only one state called China, despite the existence of two governments, one in Beijing and another in Taipei. Most world states including the US, Japan and Britain recognize the policy. Beijing is especially angry with Washington, which has been courting Taipei, including in the form of extensive military cooperation. Meanwhile, Chinese state media cast doubt on the legitimacy of Tsai's campaign by accusing the Taiwanese leader of using "dirty tactics" such as "cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes." In an op-ed on Sunday, Xinhua said "external dark forces" were partly responsible for the election results. Chinese state media have also accused Tsai for fear-mongering as she frequently invokes Hong Kong's protests as a warning about a Beijing-controlled Taiwan. Tsai and her party are "orchestrating tensions," wrote the nationalistic Global Times on Saturday. At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese leader "wantonly hyped up the so-called threat from the Chinese mainland while slandering Han Kuo-yu's mainland connections," it said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that Teckie Hinkebein has joined its corporate communications team as a manager of media relations. She will report to Beci Brenton, corporate director of public affairs. Teckie brings more than a decade of communications expertise to our corporate communications team, said Jerri Dickseski, HIIs executive vice president of communications. Her knowledge of media relations and marketing, existing relationships with local media and her deep roots in the Gulf Coast community give her a unique skill-set that we are excited to have at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Hinkebein will serve as HIIs spokesperson for Ingalls Shipbuilding where she will focus on the divisions programs, people and capabilities by pitching stories and responding to media queries from local and trade media. Prior to joining HII, Hinkebein served as director of marketing for the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport since 2015. She has also held several marketing and communications positions in the Gulf Coast area, including director of new market develop, community and government relations for Wetlands Solutions; director of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, and she conducted marketing and client development for Balch & Bingham LLP. In 2007 she earned a bachelors degree in communications and information sciences from the University of Alabama. A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file/hinkebein-teckie Hinkebein is a member of the United Way Community Investment Team, Mental Health Association of South Mississippi Board of Directors, Coast Young Professionals, the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport. She is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast. Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Mission Driven Innovative Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 42,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: Story continues HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries Contact: Beci Brenton Beci.Brenton@hii-co.com (202) 264-7143 This may be a straightforward contest between Leo and Micheal but smaller groupings will be key in deciding who is crowned king, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell. Obviously, the general election is now on. That was the clear and unambiguous declaration from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin on RTE radio yesterday morning after several days of intense media speculation driven by the coy talk fromTaoiseach Leo Varadkar. The countrys youngest-ever leader says he has his mind made up, leading many to conclude that the election will be held on Friday, February 7, or a week later on St Valentines Day. For the first time since 2007, we have a genuine head-to-head contest between Varadkar and Martin as to who will be taoiseach, meaning this campaign is likely to be the most personalised and presidential campaign in living memory. Whether it is a three- or a four-week campaign, it is worth looking at the chances of all of the parties, groupings, and unaligned Independents who may be critical in forming the countrys next government. Fine Gael 47 seats Swept into office in 2011, the party is now nine years in office. Following a bruising first five years in office, Enda Kenny and his troops failed to get any credit from the public for dragging the country back from the economic abyss. In fact, he lost the election and saw 26 of his colleagues elected in 2011 lose their seats. It was a remarkable reversal of fortune for Kenny, who returned with just 50 TDs. The loss of so many seats in Munster in particular 15 in total severely damaged the partys standing. Even though he managed to cobble a minority government together and stayed in office for more than a year, he was fatally wounded by that result and his authority was shot. Replacing him with Varadkar in the summer of 2017, the party began to enjoy a prolonged honeymoon reflected by a substantial lead across many opinion polls over Fianna Fail. It appeared at one stage that Varadkar was assured of re-election and came under significant internal pressure in 2018 to call a snap election to capitalise on that lead. He didnt and his party has since endured a torrid time in office. National scandals such as the cost overruns in the National Childrens Hospital and the National Broadband Plan, coupled with significant internal party discord involving Maria Bailey and Murphys and Verona, means the shine has very much come off Varadkars halo. Between retirements, resignations, and deselections, Varadkar is also facing into this election 10 seats down before he even begins. That is a lot of ground to make up. The party is clearly looking to Brexit and the economy as its key selling points and, on a good day, would hope to return with 55 to 60 seats if it has genuine hopes of winning that historic third term in office. Fianna Fail 45 seats Led by Martin since 2011, the partys near-total demise that year came after allowing the economy to go off a cliff. Martin, despite significant personal tragedy at the time, won the leadership and has steered the party to happier times. Not universally loved by his own colleagues, he took them from 20 seats in 2011 to 44 in 2016 and the party became the largest at local level following an impressive performance in 2014. Following the 2019 local elections, it remains the largest party and has gained significant ground in Dublin in particular. Within the Dail parliamentary party, Martin has faced down significant pressure on many issues and won out. Most notably, his stance to support the Governments laws to liberalise abortion came despite a large majority of his own TDsopposing the plan. Winning two of four by-elections in November has given the party a lift and with the two parties virtually neck-and-neck in Dail numbers, and momentum behind Martin, he appears favourite at this stage to win out. But, having lost two elections as leader, this is his last chance and the stakes could not be higher. Sinn Fein 22 seats Mary Lou McDonald failed in her first electoral test when her party lost two of their three MEPs and 80 of its local authority councillors. She says she and her party have learned the lessons, but while they capitalised on the public anger against austerity in 2014 and 2016, they have yet to convince people they can deliver credible solutions. For the first time, Sinn Fein says it is ready for government, even as the junior party, but Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, and Labour have all ruled out entering power with them. Were the local election results to be repeated, Sinn Fein could lose up to 10 of its current TDs and McDonald knows that if she fails again, her tenure as leader will be cut short. Labour Party 7 seats Nearly wiped out in 2016, the party has struggled for relevance in the 32nd Dail. A reasonable if unspectacular performance in the 2019 local and Europeans and later the four by-elections has given some in the party hope that it can increase its Dail seat total next time around. While the Brendan Howlin/Alan Kelly conflict has been parked, it appears that it is merely a matter of time before the young pretender will ascend to the top position. Should it manage to win more than10 seats, then expect the party to be central to any government formation talks and Howlin could yet end up astanaiste. Solidarity/PBP 6 seats Their councillors were squeezed last summer and should that be repeated, the ranks of this hard-left grouping could be greatly depleted. The somewhat farcical split by Paul Murphy from within the group only highlights their current unfitness for high office. They will not feature in any government talks as most others see them as unsuitable to govern. Green Party 3 seats Leader Eamon Ryan, a former communications minister, has made no secret of his desire to re-enter Government. While the climate change agenda will be one of the key themes of the election, and the party will undoubtedly make gains, there is a major question as to how ready it is to capitalise on any green wave which may arise. Ryans big challenge is to win more seats than Howlin, as they are in a race to become tanaiste. Social Democrats 2 seats The party, born out of disaffection with the Labour Party, could struggle to grow its Dail presence but hopes that Gary Gannon could win a seat in Dublin-Central. They again could end up being crucial in government formation talks. Independents 24 seats The Independent Alliance appears to be no more with the decision of Kevin Boxer Moran to paddle his own canoe next time, and their time in Government is coming to an end. No one expected them to last as long as they have and recent opinion polls show that the influence of Independent TDs in the next Dail is likely to be reduced. A small number of individual Independents could well be needed to shore up any working Dail majority. A British man savagely punched a Thai commuter after becoming enraged when he knocked his phone to the floor and failed to apologise profusely enough. Footage taken on a smartphone on Bangkok's Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) metro line shows the Thai man bump into the tourist, causing his iPhone to fall on the ground. Jean Yean, the woman who filmed the incident, told MailOnline: 'The Thai carelessly walked into the train at Wat Mangkorn station then hit the foreigner who's using his phone, then the foreigner got angry and the fight began.' The British man can be seen squaring up to the frightened Thai man on the Bangkok metro on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean The Thai man, wearing a striped brown shirt, tries to move away from the British man's punch on the Bangkok metro on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean She noticed that it was a new iPhone 11 with 'three cameras' that fell. The man apologised for the accident but the British man can be seen flying into a fit of rage, smashing him across the face. The attacker, who is a head taller than the slight man, can then be seen stalking him as he moves around the train. The yellow-shirted Thai commuter creates a distance between the attacker and his victim on Bangkok's Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean A yellow-shirted Thai passenger and a man who appears to have been with the British traveller, try to calm the situation and stop the violence from escalating. Both men stand in between the thug and his victim but he still manages to land a couple more blasts on the Thai man's chin. The man got off the train at Hua Lamphong but the British tourist followed him and continued the ruck outside the train, the filmmaker said. The man travelling with the British man, pictured second from right, hold his hand up to his companion on the Bangkok metro on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean The British man can be seen stalking the slight Thai man on the Bangkok metro on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean The yellow-shirted commuter gets between the attacker and the man who nudged him on the Bangkok underground on Sunday. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean The furious British tourist can be seen after the Thai man knocked his phone from his hand on Sunday in Bangkok. Credit: Facebook / Jean Yean The clip was posted to Thai Facebook page Red Skull-addict, an indie media site, where many of those commenting called for the brute to be caged. One Facebook user said: 'They should have taken the [beaten] person to the station staff. Then have taken the injured person to the police station. The wrongdoers must pay.' Another asked: 'Why are foreigners so angry?' Shahdol: Eight infants, newborn to two-and-a-half-month old, died in the last 12 hours -- six in the government Kushabhau Thakre district hospital and two in Birsinghpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, a senior official official of health department said on Tuesday. Chief Minister Kamal Nath asked health minister Tulsi Silawat to look into the matter. Silawat has ordered a probe into the incident. He sent condolences to the families. Kushabhau Hospital is one of the biggest district hospitals in Jabalpur division. There has been an angry outburst among the bereaved families since the tragedy. District collector Lalit Kumar Dahima has constituted a committee to investigate the causes. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Kamleshwar Patel reached Shahdol District Hospital on Tuesday morning after the death of six children. He met the families of the children and expressed condolences to the family and directed the collector to investigate the incident. The kids in Shahdol who died the intervening night of January 13-14 are mostly tribal. They were admitted to Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital in serious condition. Four of them were identified as Shyam Narayan Kol, Suraj Baiga, Anjali Baiga and Subhash Baiga, Chauth Kumari and Phoolmati. The authorities are investigating if there was negligence in treating them on the part of the staff on duty. Preliminary investigations suggested that all six cases in Satna were caused by pneumonia. Two newborns under the age of one month died after vaccination at Anganwadi centre in Koneita village in Veerasinghpur area of Satna district. Five other children were seriously ill. Reports said when the kids were taken seriously ill after vaccination they were moved to hospital in Birsinghpur. The post-mortem reports said two deaths had occurred due to clotting of milk in trachea. After the incident on Monday, the District Collector and the police reached the spot and assured the angry families to get the matter inquired. SOUTHWICK Police are seeking a man wanted in connection with an alleged larceny from a victims Berkshire Bank account late last month. Sgt. Thomas Krutka said the suspect, posing as the victim, withdrew a large sum of money from the account. The victim, who lives in southern Connecticut and has no connection to the area, was recently notified by the bank of the withdrawal. Police posted surveillance images of the suspect on the departments Facebook page Monday. Krutka said the suspect lives in Springfield. He has been identified and we are in the process of tracking him down to speak with him, he said. Those with information are asked to call police at (413) 569-5348. Callers can remain anonymous. The Golden Globes, wise heads will have it, is a crazy night of fun with too many award categories producing silly results skewed by small voting numbers. Only about 800 people vote in the Globes, but at least 10 times that number are eligible for Academy Award duty, meaning that on the big night relative sanity should prevail. That, however, doesn't always turn out to be the case. Last year Globe voters predicted the destination of quite a few Oscars, and in 2020 may do so again. The Oscar nominations dropped yesterday lunchtime, and as usual there are some odd choices and some surprising omissions. Despite his sterling work on The Irishman, Robert De Niro has been overlooked in the Best Actor category while Leo DiCaprio, who shouted his way most un-edifyingly around the set of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, gets an exceedingly generous nod. Greta Gerwig is not on the Best Director shortlist, which is entirely comprised of middle-aged to elderly men. Not much joy either for her partner, Noah Baumbach, whose Marriage Story started out as a heavy awards contender but has since fallen from favour. Saoirse Ronan's Best Actress nomination is cause for celebration because many observers thought she wouldn't make the cut. Incredibly, it's her fourth Oscar nod but she's never won and is highly likely to be overlooked again. Indeed she might be beginning to wonder if she's not another Glenn Close - nominated seven times, never a winner. Read More The heaviest nomination tally (11) went to Joker, Todd Phillips' stylish, nihilistic superhero prequel, with The Irishman, 1917 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood all securing 10. All four are in the running for Best Picture, as are Little Women, Jojo Rabbit, Marriage Story, Ford vs Ferrari and, refreshingly, Bong Joon-ho's dark Korean satire Parasite. Joker, 1917 and The Irishman are probably the favourites in this category, with Martin Scorsese's three-hour 'thriller' likely to do better in a broader voting pool, and Sam Mendes' Golden Globe-winning anti-war epic also a strong contender. Either would be very worthy winners. Read More The Best Director award could go to either film as well: I think it should go to Mendes for the extraordinary logistical miracles required to create his compelling film, but Scorsese, who believe it or not only has one Best Director Oscar, would be hard to argue against. The other nominees are Todd Phillips, Bong Joon-ho and Quentin Tarantino, and let's pray to God he doesn't win it. In the Best Actor category, Joaquin Phoenix would now be a narrow favourite after winning at the Globes. As a consequence, we may have to endure another of his bizarre and unhinged acceptance speeches, but in fairness he was brilliant in Joker, giving an oddly graceful, tragi-comic portrayal of a marginalised man in mid-breakdown. Video of the Day Read More Up against him are Adam Driver (for Marriage Story), who is his main rival, Jonathan Pryce for The Two Popes, Antonio Banderas for Pain and Glory and Mr DiCaprio for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. As we mentioned earlier, Saoirse will start as a rank outsider for Best Actress, though if she did win it would be richly deserved as she's superb as the wilful Jo in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. More likely to bask in triumph on the night are Scarlett Johansson, who gave perhaps her finest performance ever in Marriage Story, and Renee Zellweger by virtue of the fact that she won the Golden Globe for the Garland biopic Judy (she did not deserve to). Cynthia Eviro is up for her powerful turn in the slavery epic Harriet, and Charlize Theron is nominated for her impersonation of Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. Johansson should win, Zellweger might. Read More Johansson has also been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as a Hitler-loving boy's mother in Jojo Rabbit. I would love to see Florence Pugh win for her excellent work opposite Saoirse Ronan in Little Women, but Laura Dern is surely the favourite in this category, having already won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a chillingly slick LA divorce lawyer in Marriage Story. Margot Robbie (Bombshell) and Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell) are also nominated. Read More And so to the Best Supporting Actor category, which has become slightly controversial. Brad Pitt has always seemed an affable fellow: he's been through the wringer of late, and it was hard not to feel happy for him when he won in this category at the Golden Globes. He did so, however, with a fairly forgettable performance in a rather ordinary, and ultimately nasty film (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and at the expense of Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, who were both excellent in an exceedingly good film (The Irishman). All three are nominated here, alongside Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes) and the ever-popular Tom Hanks (for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood). Pesci should win, and I would not complain if Pacino did, but if Brad does it again I'll throw something at the television. Read More In terms of choosing one picture that will dominate, I'm not sure it's going to be that sort of year. Joker has 11 nominations but they may not materialise into lots of Oscars, and while I expect The Irishman to fare better than it did at the Globes, one should remember that it's a Netflix-funded film, and the streaming service is not yet beloved by the Academy members. I think Mendes' 1917 may be the film most likely to win big in multiple categories, and if so this would be entirely appropriate: it's a magnificent film, a genuinely cinematic experience. Read More While the Academy has not done quite as badly in terms of diversity among nominees as Bafta, which was lambasted the other day by award-winning director Steve McQueen for its predominately white and male roster of award-hopefuls, the 2020 Oscar nominees list will disappoint many. Greta Gerwig's exclusion from the director's shortlist does seem baffling, and Cynthia Eviro is the only black performer to have been nominated in any major category. But unless we start going down the road of quotas, this is bound to remain an annual controversy, and surely it's the business of the Oscars to pick the best movies, rather than the most worthy ones. Meanwhile, in terms of quality, this looks a pretty decent year, and all predictions (even mine!) should be taken with a grain of salt. All will be decided on Sunday, February 9. French English The Falcon 8X Archange to serve the French Air Force Saint-Cloud, 14 January 2020 On 30 December 2019 the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) ordered the Archange airborne strategic intelligence program, comprising three Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X aircraft equipped with the Thales new-generation payload CUGE (universal electronic warfare capability). A contract has been awarded for the first two aircraft. Dassault Aviation and the dozens of French companies associated with the Falcon programs wish to thank the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the DGA and the French Air Force for their confidence. The required level of performance of the Archange Falcons necessitates highly complex integration work, something that is at the core of Dassault Aviation and Thales know-how. I am very proud and happy with the decision of the Ministry of the Armed Forces. The Archange Falcon will serve the French forces in the same way as the Falcons 10, 200, 50, 2000, 900 and 7X are already doing it, declared Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. The special mission Falcons provide the perfect illustration of the dual competences of Dassault Aviation: our civil aircraft benefit from the cutting-edge technologies developed for our combat aircraft, which in return benefit from the industrial processes deployed for the highly competitive production of the Falcon aircraft. The tri-jet Falcon 8X is the latest addition to the Falcon range. The business jet version can carry 8 passengers and 3 crew members over a distance of 6,450 nm (12,000 km). It has digital flight controls which stem directly from Dassault Aviation's experience acquired with the Mirage 2000 and Rafale. It is equipped with an EASY digital flight deck and the totally unrivalled FalconEye combined vision system (CVS). Exported to more than 90 countries, the Falcon aircraft are flexible and economic to fly. Their handling qualities, aerodynamics and versatility render them capable of fulfilling missions that go beyond civil aviation standards. They are designed by the design office that also develops the Rafale and nEUROn combat aircraft. Over the last 50 years, Dassault Aviation has customized many Falcons for purposes such as medical evacuation, cargo transport, maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, etc. These multirole aircraft represent about 10% of the Falcon fleet in service across the world. * * * ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION: With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,500 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2018, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 5.1 billion. The company has 11,500 employees. dassault-aviation.com PRESS CONTACTS: Corporate Communications Stephane Fort - Tel +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com Mathieu Durand - Tel +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com Attachment The show floor at E3 2020 is going to have some empty spaces again this year. Sony today confirmed widespread speculation that its skipping the massive game industry event for the second year in a row. The console maker told GamesIndustry.biz that it will not be appearing at this years E3, saying we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year. Instead, Sony says that it will make appearances at consumer events around the world to show off new games for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Presumably, Sony will also showcase the PS5 itself at some of this shows, but it will likely unveil the next-generation console at a Sony-hosted event. Related: Jim Ryan: PlayStation 5s Bigger Differences Are Yet To Be Revealed Sonys decision not to attend E3 2019 led to a lot of predictions that the show was starting to fade into the sunset, with several commentators saying they werent surprised that one of the biggest names in gaming had dropped out. That same year, the ESA, which organizes E3, leaked identifying information of scores of attendees, which looked to many like the final nail in the shows coffin. Following E3 2019, plans to rebrand the show as a more consumer-focused show (full of cringe-inducing details about how the ESA wants to use the social good brand of E3 to gain positive chits for future use) leaked to the public. They werent met with as enthusiastic a reception as the ESA would have liked. As for Sony, its looking more and more likely that it will unveil the PS5 in February. Thats when the recently announced PlayStation Experience will come to an end, after serving as a month-long showcase of Sonys brand. Also expected in February is the next PlayStation Meeting, an event similar to the one Sony used to announce the PlayStation 4 in 2013. That same year, Sony still attended E3. It revealed more details about the upcoming console, which makes it likely that the publisher has even more of its events coming later this year, where it can slowly dole out more information after the official PS5 unveiling. EDWARDSVILLE A steady line of about two-dozen people continuously filed into St. Boniface Catholic Church throughout the day Monday, for the public visitation of Edwardsville attorney Randy Gori. Some visitors hugged, others dabbed at their faces with tissues. All emerged somber. Missouri and Illinois license plates were plentiful in downtown Edwardsville on Monday as friends, family and colleagues from the legal community joined with local employees and residents to honor and pay respects to Gori and his legacy. Randy was always kind; he was always generous, Allan Napp, of Alton, told an Intelligencer reporter outside of St. Boniface shortly after spending time at the visitation. By the number of people that have come out today, that probably goes without saying. He always had a smile on his face and always seemed happy to see you, Napp added. I dont know if he has ever met a stranger. A St. Boniface volunteer stood at the gated Buchanan Street entrance and exit, directing traffic as needed, as higher-than-normal traffic formed near the church, located at 110 N. Buchanan St. Gori co-founded and owned the Gori Law Firm in Edwardsville to handle a growing number of asbestos and mesothelioma cases in Illinois and that business took root here and grew nationwide. According to its website, the firm has recovered more than $3 billion for its clients. Two years ago, Gori branched out, entering the real estate business with Gori Realtors and he also owned Gori Property Management, which serves as an intermediary between property owners and tenants in Madison and St. Clair counties. A private funeral mass and burial will be held. Gori was killed Jan. 4 in his Edwardsville home. A Missouri man is charged and in custody. Managing editor Brittany Johnson contributed to this story. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at (618) 659-5735. The Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank said that the depositors' money was 100 per cent safe after RBI imposed restrictions on the lender. The Bengaluru bank's chairman K Ramakrishna said, "Your money is 100 per cent safe with Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank. It's my responsibility." The Chairman said that Rs 300 crore was locked up due to 62 loans. Amid the panicking customers, the bank relayed a call placed by Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya on the loudspeaker. The MP said that he has spoken to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to help the customers. "I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic. Hon'ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is appraised of matter & is personally monitoring the issue. She has assured Govt will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern," he tweeted following the panic among depositors. I want to assure all depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank to not panic. Hon'ble Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman is appraised of matter & is personally monitoring the issue. She has assured Govt will protect interests of depositors. Grateful for her concern. pic.twitter.com/pmoAcUFAu7 - Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) January 13, 2020 Chairman Ramakrishna said he would meet the customers of the Bengaluru bank on January 19 again with details and numbers. The RBI had imposed restrictions on the Bengaluru bank and curbed withdrawal at Rs 35,000. "...As from the close of business on January 10, 2020, the aforesaid bank shall not... grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment... In particular, a sum not exceeding Rs 35,000 of the total balance in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account may be allowed to be withdrawn subject to conditions..." the RBI said in a statement. The Bengaluru-based lender cannot issue new loans or make any new investments without prior approval from the banking regulator for the next six months. The directors of the bank and the RBI are scheduled to undertake a meeting on Tuesday. The Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank case comes on the heels of the PMC Bank case. RBI had capped withdrawal from the PMC Bank at Rs 1,000 initially, which was eventually increased to Rs 50,000. The restrictions were imposed due to financial irregularities, following which a huge scam involving the top officials of the bank was unearthed. Also read: Sharad Pawar meets Anurag Thakur over revival of fraud-hit PMC Bank Also read: PMC Bank scam: Only 10% of deposits withdrawn as RBI clampdown continues UK's Johnson urges new nuclear deal with Iran "Somehow or other, we've got to stop the Iranians acquiring a nuclear weapon," Prime Minister Johnson said. Following weeks of turmoil and death resulting from U.S.-Iranian tensions, Britain on Tuesday urged a new nuclear deal with Iran. "LET'S REPLACE IT WITH A TRUMP DEAL" In his first exclusive interview since the December election, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC that work is needed to negotiate a new deal that would replace the previous 2015 deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Let's work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead," Johnson said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, who unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, claiming it was flawed beyond fixing. Lets replace it [JCPoA] with a Trump deal. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 19:52 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3222386f 1 World research,newton-prize,United-Kingdom,Indonesia,bilateral-cooperation,researchers Free Indonesian researchers are set to acquire a share of the 2019 Newton Prize, which recognizes the best research and innovation partnerships funded through the Newton Fund a major bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. This years iteration of the annual program saw a shortlist of six joint Indonesia-UK projects competing for a share of the 1 million pound (US$1.3 million) prize. Among the projects on the Indonesia shortlist are research on the protection of coastal communities from climate change impacts, sustainable bridge infrastructure as well as the prevention of infectious diseases and urban resettlement through the lens of gender. The winner of the prize is set to be announced at the Newton Prize reception held on Tuesday. In addition, the 2019 Newton Prize also celebrated partnerships between the UK with China and the Philippines. Up to 200,000 pounds are to be awarded to the project considered the most impactful and of the highest quality. There is also an additional prize of up to 500,000 pounds for a project that serves as an exceptional transfer of knowledge with the UK. We have more British and Indonesian researchers working together than ever before, with joint programs across health, energy, biodiversity and sustainability driving positive change in the lives of many in Indonesia, UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Heather Wheeler, said in a statement. First launched in 2016, the Newton Prize is part of the Newton Fund program, which aims to build research and innovation partnerships between the UK and 17 partner countries to support their economic development and social welfare, and to develop their research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth. Research and Technology Minister Prof. Bambang Brodjonegoro, who also serves as the head of the recently established National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), responded positively to the accomplishment, saying that the shortlisted Indonesian projects were relevant to one of the most urgent matters in the country, natural disasters. "Through the Newton Fund, the amount of research and innovation funding between Indonesia and the UK has increased rapidly from 2014 to 2019. We have run 15 collaborative research and innovation programs and 22 research proposals have been launched, he said, adding that the government also appreciated the collaboration, which aimed to increase the contribution of Indonesian research to internationally reputable scientific journals. (rfa) The Seattle City Council passed a bill Monday that establishes new restrictions on corporate donations in local elections, delivering a blow to the likes of Amazon. The bill prohibits companies from spending money on city elections if at least 5% of their stock is owned by foreign investors. Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle, would fall under that umbrella, as foreign investors hold at least 9% of its stock, according to Reuters. Lorena Gonzalez, City Council president and the bill's author, said the campaign finance restrictions would result in a "big shift" in how corporations can influence local elections. "We have an epidemic of big money in our elections, and this step helps to address the appearance and risk of corruption in our local elections," Gonzalez said. "Essentially, this legislation closes a loophole that previously allowed foreign persons to use their ownership in a corporation to influence political activity." Representatives from Amazon weren't immediately available for comment. Amazon poured a record $1.5 million into Seattle's city council races in 2019, hoping to elect a number of candidates viewed as more friendly to businesses. By comparison, Amazon donated just $130,000 to city council candidates in 2015. Amazon's effort largely failed when socialist candidate Kshama Sawant was reelected last November. Sawant pushed for a "head tax" on the city's largest companies, such as Amazon, with the goal of using it to fight Seattle's housing crisis. The Seattle City Council approved the tax in May 2018, only for it to be repealed a few weeks later, after intense pressure from Amazon and other businesses. Seattle is the second city to pass restrictions on foreign influence in local elections, following in the footsteps of St. Petersburg, Florida, which passed a similar ordinance in 2017. Kerala became the first state to challenge the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA after it moved to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The plea has been filed as an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution which empowers Supreme Court to hear disputes between government of India and one or more states. The petition states that the CAA violates right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, right to life under Article 21 and freedom to practice religion under Article 25. It argues that CAA is discriminatory because it covers only a class of minorities from a class of countries sharing borders with India and to which and from there have been trans-border migration. Also Watch l Kerala Assembly passes resolution demanding withdrawal of CAA While the Hindus from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are covered by the Impugned Amendment Act, the defendant did not consider the issues of the Hindus, primarily of Tamil descend, in Sri Lanka and Hindu Madhesis in Terai of Nepal, whose ancestors migrated to Sri Lanka and Nepal respectively in the eighteenth Century from the then British India, Kerala governments petition says. It further says that CAA covers certain religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and overlook other reportedly persecuted religious minorities and sects such as Ahmaddiyas, Shias and Hazaras. Kerala argues that if the object of CAA is to protect the minorities who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, then, the Ahmaddiyas and Shias from these countries are also entitled to same treatment extended to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities. The Kerala assembly had earlier passed a resolution stating that the CAA is against the secularism envisaged by the Constitution of India and urged the central government to repeal the law. The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress headed UDF Opposition came together to pass the resolution at a special session of the House. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been at the forefront of opposing the law, had also written to 11 chief ministers to come together to oppose the CAA. At least 60 petitions filed by individuals and political parties challenging the validity of CAA are pending before the top court and are likely to be heard on January 22. There were protests in Kerala last month against the CAA, with several hundred people coming out in Kochi and Kozhikode, demanding the scrapping of the new law. The protesters said the act is divisive and discriminatory in nature and was aimed at polarising the society. The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to illegal migrants from Buddhist, Hindu, Sikhs, Jain, Parsi and Christian faiths, who have come to India from the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, on or before December 31, 2014. BANFF, Alberta, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Iowa based agtech startup FarrPro, Inc. has been awarded the prestigious Dr. F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production with its Haven product. The award was presented at the 2020 Banff Pork Seminar to FarrPro's CEO and co-founder, Amos Petersen, by Dr. Ben Willing, University of Alberta, chair of the F. X. Aherne Prize committee. The prize is named after the late Frank Aherne, an esteemed scholar and major contributor to science-based progress in the Canadian pork industry. "The Aherne Prize recognizes individuals who have developed either original solutions to pork production challenges or creative uses of known technology," explains Willing. "There is no better place to celebrate industry innovation than the Banff Pork Seminar and we are pleased to acknowledge grassroots inventiveness in the pork industry." FarrPro's Haven is a heat and light supplementation platform for use in farrowing crates that creates draft free microclimates for two neighboring litters. Its design delivers highly efficient heat energy to piglets and promotes healthy creep behavior while significantly reducing pre-wean mortality and energy use. "In Iowa we understand the importance of supplemental heat for newborn pigs and recognize that our friends to the north have many of the same environmental challenges we have here," said FarrPro co-founder Chris Hanson. "We are thrilled that the prize committee recognized our Haven as being an innovative solution to an age-old problem in the industry. As we look to expand sales outside of the U.S. the most logical place to go considering climate, proximity, and large number of farrowing operations, is Canada." The Aherne prize is the first international award, and third award overall, for the Haven having been selected as the National Hog Farmer's 2019 New Product Tour "Producer's Choice" award winner and also selected as one of National Hog Farmer's Top New Products in 2019. In preparation for additional sales and wider distribution, FarrPro continues to add to its team by recently hiring veteran Des Moines, Iowa businessman Sheldon Ohringer to serve as President. Ohringer has over 30 years of experience in the areas of sales, acquisitions, mergers, IPO's and billion-dollar valuations. FarrPro currently has Haven units in over 300 commercial farrowing crates in three Midwest states and is now taking orders for new units to be delivered in late February. For more information: www.farrpro.com SOURCE FarrPro, Inc. Related Links http://www.farrpro.com/ President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique has received a special congratulatory message from his counterpart President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Presidents Office in Maputo in Mozambique. President Museveni hailed the bilateral relations between the two countries of Mozambique and Uganda. The congratulations message was delivered on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni by his Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi. President Museveni wished his counterpart Nyusi a successful tenure in office with continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Mozambique. Stories Continues after ad Nyusi said that Mozambique is the second home of Museveni and he appreciates the visit of the President in 2018. He pledged to visit Uganda and further boost the bilateral and mutual interests between the two countries. Ssekandi there after addressed a press conference and said that the NRM government is extremely grateful to the political and democratic mentorship given to the NRA/NRM revolutionaries that ushered in the current government in 1986. He thanked the people of for continuing electing President Nyusi and the FRELIMO party in general. He said he was pleased to be at the swearing in ceremony. He said that the training given to the Fronasa prepared President Museveni and which has enabled the country, Uganda, to entrench peace and also export it to other countries like, Somalia, DRC and Burundi. The meeting and press conference were attended by the Minister of Foreign of Mozambique Jose Pacheco, senior officials in the Presidents Office of Mozambique and the deputy principal private secretary to Ssekandi Kityamuweesi Musubire The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court Monday to lift an injunction so it could start barring immigrants who need government assistance from achieving legal status. In August, the administration changed a so-called 'public charge' rule, which would require immigrants to prove that they are unlikely to ever need public assistance as they seek green cards or another change in legal status. During the rollout of the rule, acting Deputy Director of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli memorably revised the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: 'Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge,' he said during an interview on NPR. Deputy Director of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli became the poster boy for the rule in August when he revised the poem on the Statue of Liberty to justify the Trump administration's move President Trump's administration is trying to change the definition of 'public charge' to make it more difficult for immigrants who have taken public assistance to obtain green cards The rule soon became entangled in the courts. A New York judge issued a nationwide injunction in October blocking the rule. Last week, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit kept in place that injunction. While two similar injunctions were lifted by federal appeals courts in Virginia and California last month, the New York one still applies nationwide. On Monday night, Solicitor General Noel Francisco encouraged the Supreme Court to lift the injunction as the rule goes through the appeals process. At issue is whether the Trump administration can broaden the definition of who's a 'public charge.' The new rule defines it as an immigrant who's received at least one public benefit - including Medicaid or food stamps - for more than 12 months within a three-year period. A 1996 regulation defines a 'public charge' as someone primarily dependent from government assistance, as it makes up more than half of an individual's income. The 2019 'public charge' rule is in line with the Trump administration's hardline approach to immigration, which has included calls for the construction of a southern border wall, a so-called Muslim ban and tightening flows of legal immigration into the U.S. Cuccinelli became the poster child for the 'public charge' rule on the heels of the administration's announcement. 'Self-sufficiency is a central part of America's proud heritage and we proudly stand behind that tradition,' he argued in August on CNN. Chicago Ignores ICE, Releases 1,070 Criminal Aliens Chicago area jails released 1,070 inmates who were in the country illegally in fiscal 2019, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE said it had requested, via an immigration detainer, that Cook County jail in Illinois notify the agency when the aliens were to be released. However, the detainers were ignored and the inmates were let out. The most concerning issue about working in an area that refuses to cooperate with ICE is not only that we do not know which criminal aliens are being released from custody, but the public doesnt know either, Henry Lucero, ICEs acting deputy executive associate director for Enforcement and Removal Operations, said in a statement on Jan. 10. ICE provided the example of Rasheed Abass, a 50-year-old South African national, who was arrested in June for indecent exposure. In July, he was arrested again, this time for assault. ICE said it lodged detainers after both arrests, but neither were honored, and Abasss current whereabouts are unknown. Politicians and advocates of sanctuary policieswhich shield illegal immigrants from immigration authoritiessay the policies make communities safer. Advocates say the policies mean illegal aliens will come forward to report crime without fear of deportation. In July 2019, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Chicago police will not team up with ICE to detain any resident. We have also cut off ICE from any access from any CPD databases, and that will remain permanent, Lightfoot said. Lucero said not having access to standard Illinois law enforcement databases makes it impossible to accurately tell how many illegal aliens have been arrested, released, and then committed additional crimes. However, with the limited information ICE can verify, we know that police resources are being wasted, more people are being victimized, and its a matter of time until something more significant happens, he said. ICE placed a detainer on a 22-year-old from Lithuania on Dec. 3, 2018, following his arrest for attempted murder, aggravated battery of a victim over the age of 60, and aggravated battery in a public place. The man, Rokas Ablacinskas, was released on Sept. 17, 2019, and remains at large. Following a press conference by ICE in Chicago last week, where it was announced that arrests of illegal aliens are down in the city, Lightfoot wrote on Twitter: Not sorry. I will never apologize for protecting immigrants and refugee families in Chicago. However, ICE says it only lodges detainers on individuals who have been arrested on criminal charges and who ICE has probable cause to believe are removable aliens. The agency says regions that forbid ICE into jails to pick up aliens are forcing ICE to operate out in the community more, which results in officers arresting other illegal aliens who may not have been on their radar. Last October, at the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police held in Chicago, President Donald Trump criticized the citys sanctuary policies as a disgrace. I will never put the needs of illegal criminals before I put the needs of law-abiding citizens. Its very simple to me, Trump said. File photo shows Thomas Jefferson University's East Falls campus. Jefferson announced a new deal with a real estate investor that could help the nonprofit pay for its continued expansion in the Philadelphia health care market. Read more Thomas Jefferson University is exploring a deal to raise money by selling ownership in some of its real estate to a large health-care real estate investor. Under an initial agreement signed between Jefferson and Toledo, Ohio-based Welltower Inc., the two would create a joint venture whereby Welltower would acquire a stake in certain real estate assets of Jefferson. Jefferson did not say what real estate assets it might sell as part of its new deal with Welltower, which has $30 billion in real estate investments. If Jefferson reaches a final agreement, it could help the rapidly expanding nonprofit pay for the pending acquisition of Fox Chase Cancer Center from Temple University and for Temples interest in Health Partners Plans, a Medicaid insurer. It is a creative way for Jefferson to finance some of its activities off balance sheet, said Joshua Nemzoff, a New Hope investment banker for the nonprofit hospital sector. Nemzoff called the proposal more thinking outside the box from a system in a very competitive market. Jefferson has grown significantly through acquisitions from three hospitals in 2015 to 18 now including the pending deal for Einstein Healthcare Network. Under CEO Stephen Klasko, Jefferson also acquired Philadelphia University. Only two of those transactions required any cash payment. In addition to the real estate joint venture, Welltower could help Jefferson both pay for new outpatient centers and decide where to put them. A third component of the partnership would place Jefferson clinicians at senior housing, assisted living, and memory care facilities owned by Welltower in the region. Welltower properties in the Philadelphia region include 14 Genesis Healthcare nursing homes, eight Brandywine Living assisted living facilities, and eight ManorCare nursing homes, according to third-quarter 2019 data posted on the companys website. In addition, Welltower owns South Jersey medical office buildings used by Cooper University Health Care and Virtua. If the Welltower deal is completed, it could help relieve some financial pressure on Jeffersons balance sheet. When Standard & Poors Global Ratings downgraded Jefferson last June by one notch to the still-strong "A" rating, the rating agency cited limited cash flow and heightened debt levels. Jefferson had about $2 billion in debt at the end of June. That move did not reflect the pending addition of Einstein Healthcare Network, which has nearly $450 million in debt and has struggled historically to break even financially. Nor did it include any debt Jefferson may have to take on to pay for Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temples interest in Health Partners. Neither Temple nor Jefferson has yet publicly disclosed the price tag on their deal, but S&P said in a note last month that it expects the sale to generate significant capital that [Temple] will use to pay down its currently elevated debt position and grow its unrestricted reserve cushion. Temple had about $500 million in debt at the end of June. One way of looking at unrestricted reserves is the amount of cash on hand to calculate the number of days an entity can continue operating without new revenue. That figure is typically a very low 60 to 80 days for Temple Health. Jeffersons annual operating income, excluding extraordinary items, has drifted down since the financial year ended June 30, 2016, the first full year it owned the former Abington Health. That year, Jeffersons operating income was $94 million on $3.1 billion in revenue. In the year ended June 30, Jefferson had an operating loss of $7 million on $5.2 billion in revenue excluding a $58 million gain from the sale of a controlling interest in a dialysis business by Kennedy University Hospitals Inc. Jefferson acquired Kennedy, which has three hospitals in South Jersey, in 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Donald Trump's impeachment trial will begin next week if the House sends articles of impeachment to the Republican-led body on Wednesday, as expected. The trial will begin on 21 January, he said. Mr Trump will become the third president in US history to face an impeachment trial. The Republican leader who said that he was in "total coordination" with the White House as the House moved to impeach the president, setting off a stalemate between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Senate over the assurance of an impartial trial with witnesses and evidence said that he will consider how to deal with witnesses "at the appropriate time" but likely after the Senate has heard opening arguments. Asked whether there can be a fair trial if there are no witnesses, Mr McConnell appeared to dismiss the question, saying that after the House process, "you really gotta wonder what the definition of a fair trial is". In September, Democrats launched their impeachment inquiry into the president's alleged abuses of power with Ukraine, which he had pressured to announce an investigation into Joe Biden and his son in exchange for congressionally approved military aid while the country faced an ongoing Russian assault. Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Show all 26 1 /26 Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Donald Trump Accused of abusing his office by pressing the Ukrainian president in a July phone call to help dig up dirt on Joe Biden, who may be his Democratic rival in the 2020 election. He also believes that Hillary Clintons deleted emails - a key factor in the 2016 election - may be in Ukraine, although it is not clear why. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Whistleblower Believed to be a CIA agent who spent time at the White House, his complaint was largely based on second and third-hand accounts from worried White House staff. Although this is not unusual for such complaints, Trump and his supporters have seized on it to imply that his information is not reliable. Expected to give evidence to Congress voluntarily and in secret. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Second Whistleblower The lawyer for the first intelligence whistleblower is also representing a second whistleblower regarding the President's actions. Attorney Mark Zaid said that he and other lawyers on his team are now representing the second person, who is said to work in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge that supports claims made by the first whistleblower and has spoken to the intelligence community's inspector general. The second whistleblower has not yet filed their own complaint, but does not need to to be considered an official whistleblower. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rudy Giuliani Former mayor of New York, whose management of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 won him worldwide praise. As Trumps personal attorney he has been trying to find compromising material about the presidents enemies in Ukraine in what some have termed a shadow foreign policy. In a series of eccentric TV appearances he has claimed that the US state department asked him to get involved. Giuliani insists that he is fighting corruption on Trumps behalf and has called himself a hero. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Volodymyr Zelensky The newly elected Ukrainian president - a former comic actor best known for playing a man who becomes president by accident - is seen frantically agreeing with Trump in the partial transcript of their July phone call released by the White House. With a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of his country, and the Crimea region seized by Vladimir Putin in 2014, Zelensky will have been eager to please his American counterpart, who had suspended vital military aid before their phone conversation. He says there was no pressure on him from Trump to do him the favour he was asked for. Zelensky appeared at an awkward press conference with Trump in New York during the United Nations general assembly, looking particularly uncomfortable when the American suggested he take part in talks with Putin. AFP/Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pence The vice-president was not on the controversial July call to the Ukrainian president but did get a read-out later. However, Trump announced that Pence had had one or two phone conversations of a similar nature, dragging him into the crisis. Pence himself denies any knowledge of any wrongdoing and has insisted that there is no issue with Trumps actions. It has been speculated that Trump involved Pence as an insurance policy - if both are removed from power the presidency would go to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican would allow. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rick Perry Trump reportedly told a meeting of Republicans that he made the controversial call to the Ukrainian president at the urging of his own energy secretary, Rick Perry, and that he didnt even want to. The president apparently said that Perry wanted him to talk about liquefied natural gas - although there is no mention of it in the partial transcript of the phone call released by the White House. It is thought that Perry will step down from his role at the end of the year. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Joe Biden The former vice-president is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination, which would make him Trumps opponent in the 2020 election. Trump says that Biden pressured Ukraine to sack a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that Bidens son Hunter was on the board of, refusing to release US aid until this was done. However, pressure to fire the prosecutor came on a wide front from western countries. It is also believed that the investigation into the company, Burisma, had long been dormant. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Hunter Biden Joe Bidens son has been accused of corruption by the president because of his business dealings in Ukraine and China. However, Trump has yet to produce any evidence of corruption and Bidens lawyer insists he has done nothing wrong. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Barr The attorney-general, who proved his loyalty to Trump with his handling of the Mueller report, was mentioned in the Ukraine call as someone president Volodymyr Zelensky should talk to about following up Trumps preoccupations with the Bidens and the Clinton emails. Nancy Pelosi has accused Barr of being part of a cover-up of a cover-up. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pompeo The secretary of state initially implied he knew little about the Ukraine phone call - but it later emerged that he was listening in at the time. He has since suggested that asking foreign leaders for favours is simply how international politics works. Gordon Sondland testified that Pompeo was "in the loop" and knew what was happening in Ukraine. Pompeo has been criticised for not standing up for diplomats under his command when they were publicly criticised by the president. AFP via Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Nancy Pelosi The Democratic Speaker of the House had long resisted calls from within her own party to back a formal impeachment process against the president, apparently fearing a backlash from voters. On September 24, amid reports of the Ukraine call and the day before the White House released a partial transcript of it, she relented and announced an inquiry, saying: The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Adam Schiff Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, one of the three committees leading the inquiry. He was criticized by Republicans for giving what he called a parody of the Ukraine phone call during a hearing, with Trump and others saying he had been pretending that his damning characterisation was a verbatim reading of the phone call. He has also been criticised for claiming that his committee had had no contact with the whistleblower, only for it to emerge that the intelligence agent had contacted a staff member on the committee for guidance before filing the complaint. The Washington Post awarded Schiff a four Pinocchios rating, its worst rating for a dishonest statement. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman Florida-based businessmen and Republican donors Lev Parnas (pictured with Rudy Giuliani) and Igor Fruman were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on 9 October. Separately the Associated Press has reported that they were both involved in efforts to replace the management of Ukraine's gas company, Naftogaz, with new bosses who would steer lucrative contracts towards companies controlled by Trump allies. There is no suggestion of any criminal activity in these efforts. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Taylor The most senior US diplomat in Ukraine and the former ambassador there. As one of the first two witnesses in the public impeachment hearings, Taylor dropped an early bombshell by revealing that one of his staff later identified as diplomat David Holmes overheard a phone conversation in which Donald Trump could be heard asking about investigations the very day after asking the Ukrainian president to investigate his political enemies. Taylor expressed his concern at reported plans to withhold US aid in return for political smears against Trumps opponents, saying: It's one thing to try to leverage a meeting in the White House. It's another thing, I thought, to leverage security assistance -- security assistance to a country at war, dependent on both the security assistance and the demonstration of support." Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal George Kent A state department official who appeared alongside William Taylor wearing a bow tie that was later mocked by the president. He accused Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps personal lawyer, of leading a campaign of lies against Marie Yovanovitch, who was forced out of her job as US ambassador to Ukraine for apparently standing in the way of efforts to smear Democrats. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Marie Yovanovitch One of the most striking witnesses to give evidence at the public hearings, the former US ambassador to Ukraine received a rare round of applause as she left the committee room after testifying. Canadian-born Yovanovitch was attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump while she was actually testifying, giving Democrats the chance to ask her to respond. She said she found the attack very intimidating. Trump had already threatened her in his 25 July phone call to the Ukrainian president saying: Shes going to go through some things. Yovanovitch said she was shocked, appalled and devastated by the threat and by the way she was forced out of her job without explanation. REUTERS Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Alexander Vindman A decorated Iraq War veteran and an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Lt Col Vindman began his evidence with an eye-catching statement about the freedoms America afforded him and his family to speak truth to power without fear of punishment. One of the few witnesses to have actually listened to Trumps 25 July call with the Ukrainian president, he said he found the conversation so inappropriate that he was compelled to report it to the White House counsel. Trump later mocked him for wearing his military uniform and insisting on being addressed by his rank. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Jennifer Williams A state department official acting as a Russia expert for vice-president Mike Pence, Ms Williams also listened in on the 25 July phone call. She testified that she found it unusual because it focused on domestic politics in terms of Trump asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponents. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Kurt Volker The former special envoy to Ukraine was one of the few people giving evidence who was on the Republican witness list although what he had to say may not have been too helpful to their cause. He dismissed the idea that Joe Biden had done anything corrupt, a theory spun without evidence by the president and his allies. He said that he thought the US should be supporting Ukraines reforms and that the scheme to find dirt on Democrats did not serve the national interest. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Tim Morrison An expert on the National Security Council and another witness on the Republican list. He testified that he did not think the president had done anything illegal but admitted that he feared it would create a political storm if it became public. He said he believed the moving the record of the controversial 25 July phone call to a top security server had been an innocent mistake. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Gordon Sondland In explosive testimony, one of the men at the centre of the scandal got right to the point in his opening testimony: Was there a quid pro quo? Yes, said the US ambassador to the EU who was a prime mover in efforts in Ukraine to link the release of military aid with investigations into the presidents political opponents. He said that everyone knew what was going on, implicating vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The effect of his evidence is perhaps best illustrated by the reaction of Mr Trump who went from calling Sondland a great American a few weeks earlier to claiming that he barely knew him. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Laura Cooper A Pentagon official, Cooper said Ukrainian officials knew that US aid was being withheld before it became public knowledge in August undermining a Republican argument that there cant have been a quid pro quo between aid and investigations if the Ukrainians didnt know that aid was being withheld. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Hale The third most senior official at the state department. Hale testified about the treatment of Marie Yovanovitch and the smear campaign that culminated in her being recalled from her posting as US ambassador to Ukraine. He said: I believe that she should have been able to stay at post and continue to do the outstanding work. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Fiona Hill Arguably the most confident and self-possessed of the witnesses in the public hearings phase, the Durham-born former NSC Russia expert began by warning Republicans not to keep repeating Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories. In a distinctive northeastern English accent, Dr Hill went on to describe how she had argued with Gordon Sondland about his interference in Ukraine matters until she realised that while she and her colleagues were focused on national security, Sondland was being involved in a domestic political errand. She said: I did say to him, Ambassador Sondland, Gordon, this is going to blow up. And here we are. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Holmes The Ukraine-based diplomat described being in a restaurant in Kiev with Gordon Sondland while the latter phoned Donald Trump. Holmes said he could hear the president on the other end of the line because his voice was so loud and distinctive and because Sondland had to hold the phone away from his ear asking about the investigations and whether the Ukrainian president would cooperate. REUTERS Following hours of hearings, multiple witness testimonies and a 300-page committee report detailing the timeline and evidence for the charges against him, the House voted to impeach the president on 18 December, by a vote of 229-198, largely along party lines. Ms Pelosi initially refused to submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate as the Majority Leader boasted about his and Republicans' alliance with the administration. Mr McConnell also endorsed a resolution that would dismiss the charges against the president, which also include obstruction of Congress during the impeachment investigation. On Tuesday, Ms Pelosi said a Senate dismissal amounts to a cover-up. She said: "The American people will fully understand the Senate's move to begin the trial without witnesses and documents as a pure political cover-up. Leader McConnell and the President are afraid of more facts coming to light." Ms Pelosi will proceed with a vote to assign managers and transmit the articles to the Senate on Wednesday. John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, will preside over the trial. He will begin swearing in members of the Senate before the trial begins. New Delhi: Almost a week after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a 'Support CAA' meet a school in Mumbai, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra directed all schools in the state asking them to ensure that their premises are not used for hosting any political event, a move which invited criticism from the BJP. According to reports, the Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has issued a notice directing district as well as Zila Parishad officials to ensure that no political gathering or campaign related to CAA should happen in a school in the state of Maharashtra. Sources in the department said the notice has been issued to the director of education asking to direct all schools to ensure students are kept away from taking part in any political event. Earlier, newly-appointed Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray had also expressed his displeasure on BJP's pro-CAA campaign in a city-based school. Terming the BJP's campaign 'ridiculous', Aaditya had suggested the politicians to speak on issues like gender equality and cleanliness. "To campaign abt an Act in schools is ridiculous. What is the need or such political campaigning justification, if there is no ill intent? The politicisation of schools mustn't be tolerated. If politicians want to speak in schools, speak on gender equality, helmers, cleanliness," he wrote. Reacting on the development, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya hit out at the Maharashtra government for issuing notice to the school in the state. "The CAA has been passed in the Parliament and the President has also given its assent to it," he said. "It's unfortunate Thackeray Sarkar issued Notice to Dayanand School of Mumbai for education program on #CAA, CAA passed by Parliament. President gave assent. Implementation started now. We condemn Maharashtra's Shivsena NCP Congress Govt action," Somaiya tweeted on Monday. On January 10, the BJP had organised a talk on contentious Citizenship Amendment Act Dayanand Balak Vidyalaya school at Bhimani Street in Matunga area. Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur (File photo) A suspicious letter has been delivered to Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur at her residence here. The letter allegedly contains a powder-like chemical substance along with some pictures. A team of police officials visited her house in Bhopal on Monday after she complained to the police about the letter which is written in Urdu. According to reports, Pragya Thakur received an envelop at his Riviera Towne residence in the city through post. When she opened the envelop she found a packet along with the letter. "The letter contained pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with cross signs on them," Pragya Thakur told the police. She said when she touched the packet she got irritation in her hand. She alleged threat to her life. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team of Bhopal police is examining the letter. Pragya's security has been beefed up after the incident. Akhil Patel, Additional SP, Bhopal said, "She received the letter in October, but she opened it only on Monday. Police is investigating into the matter." According to sources, the letter also contains the photos of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and a burnt tricolour. Pragya said she received threat to her life earlier also but the police did not take any action even after she complained. The Durham Constabulary, the police force responsible for the surrounding county, first went public with the mystery in November in a last-ditch effort to find the source of the money. Inquiries to residents, village organizations, the post office and local bank had yielded nothing, nor had tests for fingerprints. These bundles are always left in plain sight such as on pavements and discovered by random members of the public who have handed them in, John Forster, detective constable of the Durham Constabulary said in a statement released in November, after the fourth bundle that year was handed to the police. He appealed to the public to come forward with any relevant information. The news of the cash drops spread quickly, drawing international attention and heated speculation about who, or what, might be behind them. The village residents were also praised for their honesty, as they consistently turned the cash over to the police. When no one came to claim it, the finders received the money themselves. At least one element of the mystery came to an end on Monday, when the Durham Constabulary said that two people had come forward as the villages philanthropists. They both asked to remain anonymous, and the police referred to them as only the good Samaritans. Mr. Forster said in a phone interview on Tuesday that the pair who, he said, knew each other but appear to be unrelated did not choose Blackhall Colliery at random. I must be missing something. In her Jan. 9 Thursday Opinion essay, How Democrats can attract Republican voters, Sheila Bair asked Democrats to pick someone whom Republicans such as she would find suitable as their nominee. I appreciate that appealing to Republicans could be helpful in securing a Democrat as the next president. And that the president should appeal to a majority of the country, unlike the current one. But she and other Republicans have had plenty of time to find someone to run against President Trump and save her party from the situation it created. If this thought occurred to her in the past three years, shes not letting on. In this file photo taken on June 08, 2019, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) return to Buckingham Palace after the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour', in London. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Jan. 13, 2020, said Prince Harry and his wife Meghan would be allowed to split their time between Britain and Canada while their future is finalised. AFP Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's wish for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors. Harry and his American actress wife will now begin a "period of transition" that will see them split their time between Britain and Canada as they also seek a lifestyle less encumbered by royal duties and to end their reliance on public funding. It comes after what the 93-year-old queen described as "very constructive discussions" between herself, Harry, his elder brother Prince William and his father and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, at the monarch's rural Sandringham estate in eastern England. A final decision on the future of the couple, officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be determined in days, she said in a statement. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family," Elizabeth said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." The statement was highly unusual both in its informal tone and its personal nature, addressing the couple by name rather than by their titles. Meghan, who is currently in Canada with their infant son Archie, had been expected to join Monday's discussion by telephone. The royal crisis was triggered when Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, publicly announced last week that they wished to step back from royal duties and spend more time in North America. Although there had been initial discussions about their future, neither the queen nor Charles were consulted beforehand, a step seen as hurtful and premature by a family whose roots go back through a thousand years of European history It also exposed suspected divisions in the Windsor family and prompted soul-searching over what it means to be royal in the 21st century. "NEW ROLE" Harry and Meghan say they want a "progressive" new role for themselves and financial independence. As one of the world's most glamorous couples, they have also made clear that they were struggling with the intense media scrutiny. Last year, they announced legal action against a British tabloid, and Harry said papers had been bullying his wife in a way reminiscent of the hounding his mother Princess Diana had suffered before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. But it is unclear how they will pull off a partial pullback from royal roles - which some media have dubbed "Megxit" in a play on Britain's tortuous Brexit departure from the European Union - or who will pay for a transatlantic lifestyle. Currently, they are mainly funded by money from Prince Charles's Duchy of Cornwall estate as their royal roles have precluded them seeking personal incomes. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the queen said in her statement. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said most Canadians are very supportive of having the royals in the country. "But how that looks and what kind of costs is involved, there is still lots of discussions to have," Trudeau told Global News in a television interview. There are no provisions in Canada's Citizenship Act that confer Canadian citizenship status to members of the royal family by virtue of their status as a member of the monarchy, Canada's immigration deparment said in an emailed statement. To become legal permanent residents of Canada, they would need to apply through normal immigration processes, the statement added. Prince Charles, 71, has long sought a leaner royal family, but it is unclear how Harry and Meghan would fit into that model - especially if they essentially become Hollywood superstars. In trying to resolve the crisis, the most powerful members of the so-called royal "Firm" are aware that the final outcome could shape the monarchy's future. Elizabeth has served the country loyally since ascending the throne in 1952, earning the respect and admiration of most Britons, including many republicans, but the family has also sometimes faced accusations of being aloof and out of touch. The breakdown in royal relations has dominated the British media for days, with newspapers running a host of stories, based on quotes from unidentified royal insiders, about a split between Harry and William, the Duke of Cambridge, and anger at the top of the family amid suspicion of leaks and ostracism. In a sign of the tensions, Harry and William issued a rare public statement on Monday to denounce a report by the Times newspaper based on an unnamed source which said Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by "a bullying attitude" from William who had not been welcoming to Meghan. "FALSE" "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge," the statement said. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The furore over the couple, who married in May 2018 in a glittering ceremony watched by millions round the world, comes after a tough 2019 for the royal family. Prince Andrew's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came under uncomfortable scrutiny while the queen's husband, Prince Philip, 98, received a police warning over a car crash. (Reuters) NSIC and M/s Mitutoyo South Asia Pvt Ltd have joined hands in the area of industrial metrology to provide skilled manpower to MSME units and create employment by way of providing training on latest technological machines of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM). The MoU was signed by OP Singh, Centre Head, NTSC (Okhla) and Harrish Bajaj, Director, Mitutoyo South Asia (Japan) in the presence of Vijayendra (IAS) CMD, NSIC and P Udayakumar, Director (P & M) and N Bajaj, Managing Director, M/s Mitutoyo South Asia Pvt Ltd at the NSIC - Technical Services Centre, NSIC Campus, New Delhi. "NSIC is in tune with the changing needs of the world market and is committed to bringing the latest technology in with world-class service to the MSME sector", Vijayendra, CMD, NSIC. Under the Memorandum of Understanding M/s Mitutoyo South Asia Pvt Ltd will provide CMM machine CRYSTA - APEX with necessary probing kits and software and will create a Skill Development Centre in "Advanced Training Centre" of NSIC - Technical Services Centre (Okhla) wherein state-of-art training will be imparted to trainees and services to MSME units. This skill development centre will bridge the gap between institution and industry in the area of industrial metrology. Also present on this occasion were Satvinder Singh, CGM and Manoj Lal, General Manager (SG), NSIC. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AMSTERDAM, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent utility research carried out by Smart Grid Forums indicates that the pressure is on for European utilities to develop their roadmaps amidst the transition from TDM to PSN technologies. There is now real urgency for utilities to raise the profile of the telecoms department on the organisational agenda to more powerfully drive the migration to MPLS networks and maximise security, reliability and visibility. With a broad and diverse range of utility telecom tools and technologies already on the market, as well the testing of new solutions on the horizon, the time to make key technology procurement choices is now. As the grid modernises, the design of utility telecom networks needs to be fully scrutinised and reconsidered, particularly within low voltage distribution networks. "The pace of progress has been slow within the utility telecom environment to date, with only a few utilities leading the way in the migration to MPLS networks" explains Marcella Cilia, Conference Producer at Smart Grid Forums, the organisers of Utility Telecoms 2020. "The initial difficulty lies in the selection process of the telecom technologies, but with this comes a bigger challenge around understanding the complexities of implementing and operating these new technologies to support existing internal utility services such as teleprotection and telecontrol. As a result, this year's programme has been created to address the strategic, application, implementation, and configuration issues that need to be considered before the MPLS transition is complete." Utility Telecoms 2020 takes place 25 - 27 February 2020 in Amsterdam. Over 3 intensive conference days participants will get the opportunity to review the most advanced implementation case studies, participate in technology innovation panel discussions, problem solve during the end-user roundtable discussions, forge new relationships during the evening networking reception, and quiz tech experts through the exhibition area running alongside the conference. Discussion topics include: Telecom network refurbishment establishing a robust framework to maximise lifecycles of legacy infrastructure whilst effectively integrating next generation IP-enabled technologies establishing a robust framework to maximise lifecycles of legacy infrastructure whilst effectively integrating next generation IP-enabled technologies System design testing, configuring, and futureproofing systems and advanced utility telecom solutions to support the modernisation of the smart grid testing, configuring, and futureproofing systems and advanced utility telecom solutions to support the modernisation of the smart grid System architecture engineering traffic flows to effectively manage high volumes of data across medium to low voltage distribution networks engineering traffic flows to effectively manage high volumes of data across medium to low voltage distribution networks Advanced G networks fully leveraging 5G capabilities within wireless communication infrastructures to ensure ultra-low latency and guaranteed levels of redundancy fully leveraging 5G capabilities within wireless communication infrastructures to ensure ultra-low latency and guaranteed levels of redundancy Public carrier relationships establishing greater trust between utilities and public telco providers to maintain high QoS and ensure utility needs are met establishing greater trust between utilities and public telco providers to maintain high QoS and ensure utility needs are met Cybersecurity fully protecting telecom networks through advanced prevention and detection systems in alignment with telecom network transformations Speakers include: Alberto Sendin , Telecommunications Project Manager - Iberdrola , - Cyrille Gerard , Project Manager - EDF , Bas Mulder , Senior Consultant OT Stedin , Wolfgang Zeitler , Network Architect Bayernwerk , Pal Josten , Lead IT Infrastructure Eidsiva , Antonello Monti , Director of the Institute for automation of Complex Power Systems E. ON Energy Research Centre RWTH Aachen University , Tim Godfrey , Technical Director EPRI , Dominique Verhulst , Global Energy Practice Leader - Nokia , - Ullrich Feuchtinger , Product Manager - Siemens , - Bas Kruimer , Business Director Intelligent Networks & Communication DNV GL , Steven Blair , Lecturer University of Strathclyde With many more in the process of finalising the contributions. Join the solution zone: Utility telecom system suppliers and system integrators are invited to join the solution zone, to raise their brand profile, demonstrate their products and services and share their expertise with the most targeted and influential group of utility telecom implementation leaders and decision makers. Capped at 10 stands we ensure a focused and relevant display of the latest tools, technologies and services for our utility audience and maximum visibility for each of the exhibitors. Testimonials from past Smart Grid Forums events "This conference provided an array of technically detailed presentations. Rather than being too generic and high level, the material presented facilitated much learning in a short time frame. There was also an excellent level or informal interaction amongst participants. A couple of days that were certainly well spent." - Cormac Long, IP Technical Consultant, ESB Ireland "A great opportunity to access energy sector trends and increase knowledge and share experiences" - Sandra Monteirn, IT Specialist, TAESA Once again Smart Grid Forums has presented a high-quality conference focused on one of the most important challenges for utilities. An excellent blend of conference sessions, exhibition and networking that enabled participants to have highly successful, driven, forward-looking and open discussions."- Aurelio Blanquet, Director for Networks Digital Platform, EDP Distribuicao "Lots of very technical presentations! Very interesting and diversified." - Christophe Bechet, Referent telecom et cybersecurite, EDF To find out more about Utility Telecoms 2020 please visit: https://www.smartgrid-forums.com/UTC20PRWEB Media Contact: Mandana White Smart Grid Forums Evergreen House North Grafton Place London, NW1 2DX. United Kingdom Tel: +44-(0)-20-3691-1700 SOURCE Smart Grid Forums College students have been using more and more marijuana in recent years, but that trend has been particularly pronounced in states where the drug is legal, according to a new Oregon State University study. The study published Monday in the journal Addiction is the first to look at multiple states that legalized recreational marijuana between 2012 and 2017. While the results are intuitive, the research could be important for setting policy to prevent young people from getting hooked on drugs, one of the key researchers said. As states start to legalize recreational marijuana, there could be a lot of public health implications, said Harold Bae, an assistant professor at the universitys College of Public Health and Human Services. But the policymakers probably cannot do anything, because they do not have any evidence based on studies such as ours. The study found that the growth in marijuana use was particularly pronounced for women, students 21 and over and students living off-campus. These are very clear risk factors that could be used to guide screening for selective prevention, the authors wrote. As many people know first-hand, people experiment with drugs and other things in college. A risk that comes with that is the potential for habitual drug use. That, Bae said, is why the results alarmed him. The results showed that the longer marijuana was legal in the state, the greater the increase in use among college students. And those students, Bae said, appear to be more likely to be using the drug habitually not just experimenting. The researchers used data from a twice-a-year questionnaire, called the National College Health Assessment, that students can fill out anonymously if their universities decide to participate. The findings parallel a similar study done by two of the same lead authors that looked just at Oregon college students. They found the same pattern that students used it more after recreational stores opened in 2016. The new study looked at 48 states, seven of them where recreational marijuana was legalized. The study does not name the states. The over 834,000 survey participants were between 18 and 26 years old and were students at 135 universities in states where recreational marijuana was legal during the study period, and 454 where it was not. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Three passengers were arrested with foreign currency equivalent to Rs 1.64 crores by the Customs department at the airport here on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Abubakkar, Abdul Kader and Firose. A press release from the Customs department said, "On Tuesday morning the three passengers from Chennai who were bound for Bangkok by Thai Airways flight TG 338 were intercepted after they had cleared Immigration and were proceeding to the security hold area." The officials informed that they were frisked on suspicion, which resulted in the recovery of the unaccounted cash. "They appeared to be nervous and walking in a rather hurried manner. When asked whether they were having any currency to declare they answered in negative. They were further inquired and searched in which foreign currency worth 232700 US Dollars which is equivalent to Rs 1.64 crores were recovered from them and seized under Customs Act 1962," the press release said. "All three were arrested and further investigation is underway," it added. (ANI) Japan's musical instrument giant Yamaha is asking people not to climb inside its musical instrument cases and hide there. For their own safety, they say, following reports that former Nissan Motor boss Carlos Ghosn and now international fugitive fled Japan by doing exactly that: hiding inside a musical instrument case. It didn't name Ghosn specifically in its announcment on Twitter, but said, quote: "We won't mention the reason, but there have been many tweets about climbing inside large musical instrument cases. A warning after any unfortunate accident would be too late, so we ask everyone not to try it." Ghosn hasn't actually said that he was smuggled out of his house arrest in a music case -- that was on Lebanese media reports that Reuters cannot confirm. He's now exiled in Lebanon where he faced the media last week to again deny the corruption charges against him. Yamaha's tweet has been liked over 50,000 times and it posted a follow-up reminding followers again that its cases are designed for instruments and not people. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (1st R), U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (2nd R), and other U.S. officials meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He (1st L), Central Bank Governor Yi Gang (2nd L), and other Chinese officials in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) US Trade Deal Ends Chinas Slow Walk of Trade Violation Enforcement News Analysis The Trump administrations 86-page Phase 1 trade agreement requires regular meetings to assure that China does not continue to slow walk compliance with its promises. The Phase 1 truce commits China to respect U.S. intellectual property rights, not to engage in currency manipulation and to buy $200 billion in goods and agricultural products to help narrow Americas $419 billion trade deficit. In addition, it also revives President Trumps semi-annual U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue (CED) that met only once in July 2017 before the launch of the Sino-U.S. trade war. The World Trade Organization (WTO) claims that the 500 trade disputes filed by members have been settled in an average of 14 months. Since the Clinton administration negotiated the November 1999 agreement paving the way for Chinas entry, the United States has filed 124 WTO complaints and won about 85 percent of complaints. But the Trump administrations 2018 Report to Congress on Chinas WTO Compliance states that that the United States had been forced to resort to the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism to change problematic Chinese policies and practices 23 times regarding: (1) local content requirements; (2) discriminatory taxes; (3) hundreds of prohibited manufacturing subsidies; (4) inadequate intellectual property rights and enforcement in the copyrights; (5) market access barriers; (6) restrictions on suppliers of financial information services; (7) export restraints on raw materials; (8) market access for foreign electronic payment services; (9) abusive use of trade remedies; (10) domestic agricultural commodities support; (11) protectionist tariff-rate quotas; (12) and discriminatory technology licensing. The report concludes that Chinas WTO entry has proven to be ineffective in securing Chinas embrace of an open, market-oriented approach to the economy and trade. Furthermore, the WTO enforcement rulings have been ineffective because Chinese government officials responsible for enforcement are often beholden to local interests and unwilling to enforce judgments against locally powerful companies or individuals. Chinas ability to delay WTO enforcement rulings for years is based on retention of its special and differential treatment as a developing nation, despite having the worlds second largest economy. According to WTO developing nation status rules, China is legally allowed to provide subsidies in agriculture and set higher barriers to market entry than nations defined as developed, like the United States. The Obama administration continued the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) set up by the Bush administration to help level the playing field for U.S. workers and firms. But the S&EDs eight meetings under Obama prioritized efforts to induce China to deepen cooperation on global challenges such as a climate change. The S&ED was renamed as the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue under the Trump administration and was held in July 2017. That meeting between the U.S. and Chinese delegates turned more into criticism and lost its focus on outcomes, according to news website Industry Global News24. It also added, the process was later abandoned as it got argumentative and the Trump administration pressurized China for economic concessions. The next U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue meeting is expected to be scheduled soon after the signing ceremony for the Phase 1 trade truce on Jan. 15 in Washington D.C., the Wall Street Journal reported. The Chinese authorities acknowledged that the semiannual discussions are part of the settlement, as the meetings provide a platform for conversations that will ensure firm and smooth relationships ahead, Industry Global News24 said. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In 1967, a group of students from Duquesne University, as well as a few students from neighboring universities, gathered to pray, armed with two resources: the Book of Acts from the Holy Bible and The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. The ways in which God showed up to this meager yet hungry group, evidenced by personal God-encounters and prayers in an unknown language, at a small retreat center called The Ark and the Dove in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, birthed a Holy Spirit awakening within the Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit outpouring at Duquesne quickly spread to campuses of other Catholic universities, particularly the University of Notre Dame, where students began to have their own experiences with the Holy Spirit. These encounters were evidenced by a renewed vitality in prayer, the gift of tongues and other charisms (gifts given by the power of the Holy Spirit), and expressions of deep, heartfelt worship. In the early days, we were known as Catholic Pentecostals, explains Walter Matthews, executive director of the National Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Locust Grove, Virginia. Later, Cardinal Suenens from Belgium, who had surreptitiously visited the Renewal in the United States, suggested a name change so as to better fit into Catholic understanding. Thus, we became known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. As the Renewal spread nationally, South Bend, Indiana, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, became two key centers, as early leaders who emerged subsequent to the Pittsburgh experience were based primarily in these two cities. Internationally, Notre Dame played a significant role because at the time, the famed university served as a place where missionaries from other countries would come for refreshment. As Matthews explains, A number of these missionaries encountered Renewal groups, were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and returned to their countries, causing the Renewal to spread quickly outside of the United States. To foster this new awareness and way of life within the Catholic faith, two primary outlets emerged (which are still in existence today): prayer groups and covenant communities. Prayer groups were created to meet once a week in church halls, basements, classrooms, and school buildings for the purpose of prayer, studying Scripture, worship, and to exercise the gifts of the Spirit. Covenant communities were formed as a way to emphasize more intentionality in relationships and the daily joining of lives with other believers, using the early church as a model. Similar to past revivals and awakenings in church history, the Renewal has encountered its fair share of issues, such as learning how to engage and mentor younger generations. Even the Renewal needs a renewal; otherwise, we ourselves can get ossified, says Dr. Mary Healy, professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, international speaker, and author. Still, she continues, its very exciting to see what God is doing with a new generation that has contact with the Renewal and a passion for reaching the lost, who understand that we cannot do that without the power of the Holy Spirit. As for what Dr. Healy currently sees God doing within the Renewal, she focuses on three areas: a new impetus for unity within the Body of Christ, divine healing, and a great awakening to our identity and authority in Christ. I really believe that building bridges needs to be initiated by Catholics. We need to take the initiative and be humble enough to learn from our brothers and sisters. To the degree we do that, our Protestant brothers and sisters will be willing to learn from us. She says that when followers of Christ gather as one, there is a unique anointing that comes, a special power from on high. When we repent of the ways we look down on one another, it so pleases the Lord, noting that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us. Dr. Healy has a passion to see all members of the Body equipped as ordinary healers, a call that first arrested her on a mission to Brazil with renowned evangelist and Global Awakening founder Randy Clark. She regularly teaches on the connection between evangelism and signs and wonders, helping every Catholic realize that the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside them is not limited to a select few. While Dr. Healy sees the Lord awakening baptized believers to their glorious identity and authority in Christ, she also observes that many in the Catholic church are currently operating at a lower level than was shown in the New Testament. She states, We need a renewal of the mind for what God desires. Thats what I try to do in my ministry. As the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal enters a new season of commissioning (inspired by the Vaticans formation of CHARIS), Ron Riggins, chairman of the NSC, projects a deepened vision and mission to: Bring the baptism in the Holy Spirit to the Church; Build unity in the body of Christ; and Serve the poor, both corporally and spiritually. Riggins states, The Holy Spirit did not come down upon the Apostles simply so that they could rejoice in having received this current of grace. ... But the Holy Spirit equipped the Apostles to become missionary disciples equipped with charisms to evangelize with the Good News and fulfill the Great Commission. Though distinct theological differences separate Catholics from protestants and evangelicals, there is most assuredly a strong common denominator: the same Holy Spirit. May we see each other through the same lenses of love, forgiveness, gifts, mission, power, and grace that we ourselves have been offered. And may we, together, do good, glorifying Jesus as we go through brotherly love and the power of the Holy Spirit. If you would like more information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal or to find a Renewal Center or prayer group in your area, please visit https://www.nsc-chariscenter.org or email chariscenter@nsc-chariscenter.org. BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Vernier Software & Technology has partnered with SAM Labs to teach middle school students important coding and computational thinking skills through data-collection STEAM activities. Students can use a variety of Go Direct sensors with SAM Labs STEAM Kits and the Google Workbench programming canvas to collect real-time experiment data and bring their SAM Labs projects to life. "Teachers can now easily integrate STEAM, data collection, and coding into their classrooms as they engage students in fun, hands-on learning," said John Wheeler, CEO of Vernier Software & Technology. "Students can create both simple and complex creations, practice coding, and learn important 21st century skills when they use Vernier sensors and SAM Labs STEAM Kits in Google Workbench." SAM Labs STEAM Kits are available in three versions based on class size and provide all the materials teachers need, including teacher-created lesson plans, step-by-step activities, and comprehensive technical support. Once students build their projects using the kits' programmable SAM Blocks, they can connect the Go Direct sensors using Bluetooth wireless technology in Google Workbench and build Blockly programs that make the hardware interact. Teachers will be able to access a new series of free Blockly coding activities in Google Workbench that interact with Vernier sensors. These activities are designed to engage students in science, develop coding skills, and practice peer collaboration. In an introductory activity, students integrate Vernier sensors with Google Sheets and SAM Labs blocks to design an experiment to explore the factors that affect electromagnetic strength. Each of these activities comes with complete teacher resources and materials to help them get started teaching these important skills. Vernier Go Direct sensors that are compatible with the SAM Labs STEAM kits include the Motion Detector, Force and Acceleration Sensor, Sound Sensor, 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor, and Temperature Probe. To learn more about the Vernier and SAM Labs partnership, visit www.vernier.com/sam-labs . About Vernier Software & Technology Vernier Software & Technology has led the innovation of scientific data-collection technology for 39 years. Vernier was founded by a former physics teacher and employs educators at all levels of the organization. The company is committed to teachers and to developing creative ways to teach and learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using hands-on science. Vernier creates easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. With worldwide distribution to over 140 countries, Vernier data loggers are used by educators and students from elementary school to university. Vernier technology-based solutions enhance STEM education, increase learning, build students' critical thinking skills, and support the science and engineering practices detailed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Vernier business culture is grounded in Earth-friendly policies and practices, and the company provides a family-friendly workplace. For more information, visit http://www.vernier.com . About SAM Labs SAM Labs creates kits that bring together hardware, software and curriculum for engaging, hands-on learning experiences for all students grades K-8. SAM Labs kits include everything teachers need to teach STEAM and coding in an accessible, fun, standards-aligned, and interactive way without needing to be coding experts. For more information, visit http://www.samlabs.com . SOURCE Vernier Software & Technology Related Links https://www.vernier.com Latin Americas Despegar Wants to Double Bookings by 2025: How Realistic Is That? When you compete with larger players, you sometimes need to ignore the conventional wisdom if you want to avoid getting crushed. Thats the view of Despegar, an online travel agency in more than 20 Latin American countries. Since he became Despegar CEO in 2017, Damian Scokin has charted a distinctive course. Scokin has ignored the playbook used by global online travel players whenever their methods havent suited regional dynamics. He has improvised even though Expedia Group holds a 14 percent stake in the Argentine company. Scokin believes his approach is paying off. Despegar forecasts growth. In December, executives predicted their company would double its annual gross bookings within five years. Not everyone is as optimistic. After the presentation, Brian Nowak, managing director of research at Morgan Stanley, didnt change his model for the company, and his model assumes it will take Despegar longer than five years to double its bookings while also widening profitability. One hesitation is that Latin Americas pace of economic growth has been volatile. Despegar faces well-capitalized competitors, despite being ranked by Euromonitor as the largest travel intermediary in Latin America. Its top regional rival is CVC, Brazils biggest travel agency that has mostly had offline sales, which has acquired Almundo, an online travel agency based in Argentina. (For details, see our story on Almundo.) CVC already sold about as much travel offline as Despegar sold online in Brazil. CVCs acquisition of Almundo signifies its first big push in e-commerce in multiple countries. Despegar is small by global standards. In the year through October 2019, Despegar processed about $4.6 billion in travel reservations, adjusted for the ups and downs of currency exchange. In comparison, the global giant Expedia Group handled about 20 times as many gross bookings during the same period. Here are a few ways Despegars strategy stands out from the approach of global behemoths. Story continues Pursue Offline-to-Online The conventional wisdom is that online travel agencies should focus on what they do best, which is online bookings. Yet Despegar has seen offline sales as a path to growth. Roughly 5 percent of its total sales come from old-fashioned call centers, which it opened in late 2015. Scokin expects that the share of offline sales in contributing to revenue will keep rising this year. Scokin said some consumers remain comfortable with using the phone. He believes his company can shift customers from offline competitors. Then, once it has them via call centers, it can coax them into using online tools. We havent observed any cannibalization of online sales, Scokin said. In developed markets, online travel agencies focus their acquisitions on agencies that can fill gaps in either geography or product. Yet Despegar has eyed acquisitions differently. In April, Despegar paid about $25 million in cash to run the travel sales at Falabella, one of the largest retailers in Chile. The Falabella business has been mostly offline. In the last three months, Despegar introduced a new customer relationship management system. The tool lets its call center agents type in a customers email address and see their recent activity, such as searches and purchases. It also offers agents with relevant advice on how to help the customer more efficiently. Make More and Smaller Acquisitions Global travel players often only consider large acquisitions, at least for other agencies. But Scokin prefers small deals. He believes those have a higher chance of success for Despegar, which has about $300 million in cash to spend. Economic turmoil has knocked down the prices of potential acquisition targets. Despegar has a narrow focus for acquisitions, Chief Financial Officer Alberto Lopez Gaffney said. It looks for sizable travel agencies with both online and offline businesses that Despegar believes it can make more efficient and profitable. Consider how this strategy affects how Despegar evaluates potential acquisitions. The next most significant player online in Brazil is ViajaNet. ViajaNet takes a pure-play online approach. It has raised about $19 million from investors like General Catalyst. So it may not meet Despegars criteria for companies with an offline presence and a discounted price. We look for M&A opportunities all across Latin America, and Brazil has some attractive opportunities, Lopez Gaffney said. Our two key markets are Brazil and Mexico. Limit the Addiction to Free Google Referrals Since early November, Expedia Group and TripAdvisor have underperformed. Their executives have blamed Google, among other reasons. They said Google is sending them fewer free referrals from search users than before. You might assume that a small agency like Despegar would be even more reliant on gaming Googles search engine than global giants. Yet Despegar only relies on Google for only 12 percent of its site traffic, Scokin said. Despegar is most likely less dependent on Google for free customer referrals than companies like Expedia and TripAdvisor, though those latter companies dont break out their numbers. That freedom reduces its exposure to Googles rising cost for advertisers. Despegar said it has worked hard at boosting other forms of unpaid traffic, such as brand advertising that encourages consumers to download its mobile app and book directly. Expedia, which holds a minority stake in Despegar, could, like other Western travel brands, learn from Despegars modest exposure to Google. In the past two years, Despegars overall marketing costs as a percentage of all gross bookings have dropped. Emphasize Mobile Usage During a Trip Every travel company says it can drive direct, repeat bookings by encouraging people to download its mobile app. Yet the efforts to encourage consumers to install an app and then repeatedly use it are more easily desired than achieved. Many companies struggle to get consumers to use their apps after the shoppers have booked flights or hotels. Not so with Despegar, Scokin claimed. Out of 100 travelers, about 35 open up the app during their trip, which is a high number as an industry standard, Scokin said. The company doesnt offer tours and activities yet, though it will add it in the next few quarters. Its a huge opportunity, Scokin said. Despegar has recently added services that make its app useful during trips, beyond flight and hotel bookings. It offers regionally relevant services that global players have broadly overlooked, he said. For example, Despegar lets users buy some destination services while using the payment methods of the customers home country. In 2018, it added a button that allows users to call a Despegar agent for free via voice-over-internet or Wi-Fi in case they need help. Two-thirds of Despegars traffic comes from mobile web or its mobile app, underscoring the mobile-first behavior of many Latin American online consumers. More than 35 percent of its bookings come through mobile web or mobile app. To boost bookings, Despegar has run sales that are only available via its mobile app. It has also run promotions, like an app week of deep discounts for Brazilians, that have boosted app installs. Innovate in Loyalty While many loyalty programs in Western markets are narrow, Despegars is flexible, suiting Latin American preferences. Scokins team has been rolling out a loyalty program, Pasaporte. It works with co-branded cards with local banks. It began this year in Brazil. Unlike in the loyalty model in many developed markets, Despegar lets users merge points across family members into one account. It also makes it easy for consumers to double-dip and earn points in an airlines program and Pasaporte, too. Despegar will launch Pasaporte in Argentina in the first half of 2020, with Mexico by the first half of 2021, Scokin said. Critics Push Back Despegar faces some modest skeptics. Despegar charges consumers a fee for making bookings online, something the global giants dont. It accounts for about a quarter of the companys so-called take rate, or revenue derived per booking. That fee may not be sustainable as competition heats up, undermining its forecasts for revenue growth. Wild cards include how well Despegar keeps its marketing expenditure efficient as it tests branding campaigns. Other potential headwinds are building customer service centers and automation technologies, managing the cost of installment payments, adapting to possible changes in how airlines distribute and charge commissions for airfares, discovering ways to spend more efficiently on brand marketing, and the unknown costs of debuting new products and services, such as vacation rentals, opaque rates, and a loyalty program. Despegar also uses installment payments with 0 percent interest as a lever to raise consumer sales. It does so much more than U.S. and European online travel companies have done to date, though installment tech company Uplift bets that the U.S. will catch up. The company said its contracts with financial partners minimize its financial risk. Despegar also needs to move faster in making package sales a majority of its business, some analysts said. Packages account for about 20 percent of its business, while Latin Americans spend between 40 and 70 percent of their leisure travel dollars on packages offline and online. To be fair, some online travel brands in developed markets have also struggled at selling packages to mobile-first customers. Despegar has decided not to offer a paid subscription service for added benefits the way MakeMyTrip has with its Double Black program, where users can avoid cancellation fees for bookings by paying an annual fee. Given the potential for subscriptions in travel, as smaller European player eDreams has shown, that might prove to be a mistake. In other words, too many Despegar customers cant afford to buy their trips outright. That fact, combined with how Despegar has significantly changed its cost model and revenue model, may make it trickier to predict how future economic turmoil might impact the company. Payments Path to Painless Scokin retorted that such critiques mischaracterize the Latin American market, and he said Despegar is better differentiated than both regional and global online players when it comes to offering the most breadth in ways for consumers to pay. The breadth of our payments beats everyone elses, Scokin said. We have about 90 banking partners, and also more convenient ways to pay. OXXO is a convenience store with 17,000 outlets in Mexico, and last July, we added the ability for its customers who lack bank accounts, or have limits on their banking accounts, to pay in cash at a store for their online Despegar travel purchases. Whether its letting customers pay for travel with more than one credit card or debit card, with bank transfer or deposit, with cash payment at a store, and via a consumer loan, we have the most options, which makes us stand out and helps sustain word-of-mouth marketing for our brand, Scokin said. In the past three years weve embraced a tremendous breadth of new initiatives, from adding call centers to doing M&A to building a loyalty program, to bringing in new talent at all levels, to adding payment methods, to building a new engineering center, etc., Scokin said. Everyone is really tired, Scokin said. But Im proud of what weve accomplished because its given us momentum ahead of everyone else in a dynamic market. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. Punjab ministers on Tuesday sought disciplinary action against Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa for raising a "banner of revolt" against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on public platforms. Reacting to the ministers' demand, Bajwa said he will not be "browbeaten by such tactics" and that he is accountable to the people of Punjab. The demand for action against Bajwa, a former Pradesh Congress Committee chief, comes days after he said he would not support Singh's leadership for a second term unless action is taken on the desecration of religious texts. The issue came up for an informal discussion just before a Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, a government release said. "All the Punjab ministers on Tuesday demanded disciplinary action by the Congress leadership against Partap Singh Bajwa for raising a banner of revolt against the chief minister on public platforms," it said. Bajwa dared the chief minister to hold a public debate with him on the issues raised by the ministers and let the people decide. "My accountability is to the people of Punjab and I shall not be browbeaten by these tactics of Amarinder Singh who could not muster enough courage to rebut my allegations but needed the shelter of his reluctant Cabinet colleagues to do the same," an official statement quoted him as saying. The ministers pointed out that despite repeated pleas asking him to express his opinions within the party forum, Bajwa continued to criticise Singh and his government in the media and other platforms. They accused Bajwa of "playing into the hands" of Shiromani Akali Dal and AAP by pitching himself against his own party leadership, especially at a time when the entire opposition was in a "state of disarray", posing no real challenge to the Congress in the state. "Such rebellion, if not nipped in the bud, could send the wrong message down the rank and file of the Punjab Congress," the ministers said. "While the Congress is run on democratic principles, where every member has a say, such public display of difference of opinion and mutinous declarations from a senior member are detrimental to the interest of the party," they said. The ministers said that the chief minister had made it clear from the outset that he was committed to bringing the culprits in the incidents of desecration of religious texts to book, but would not indulge in vindictive They praised Singh's leadership, saying under the present government, the Congress had swept all elections in the state which clearly showed that people were happy and satisfied with the chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex started a frenzy unlike anything that the royal family had never seen before when they announced that they wanted to step down from their positions as senior royals. The announcement came on the heels of a rather rough year for the royal couple. Meghan had been constantly bashed in the media for everything from eating avocados to wearing jeans to Wimbledon and flying in a private jet. Eventually, she and Harry decided that they had had enough and wanted to become financially independent. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage Since then, sources have reported that members of the royal family were shocked at their decision to step down, but what other choice did the Sussexes have? Meghan Markle and Prince Harry step down Harry and Meghan announced their big change on the Sussex Royal Instagram. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, the pair wrote. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. And now, the two will be spending more time in Canada and the U.S. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support. The Queens response to Megxit Some people have dubbed Meghan and Harrys decision to distance themselves from the royal family as Megxit. Queen Elizabeth II held a meeting with Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry to discuss the future of the Sussexes following Megxit. Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family, the Queen said in a statement. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. What led to Megxit? In addition to Meghan and Harrys criticism in the media, there were also rumors going around that there was tension between the pair and the rest of the members of the royal family. According to a source, this made Harry and Meghan feel as if they had no choice but to step away from the family. This is not how they wanted to handle this, but Meghan and Harrys hand was forced, a friend of the couple told People. There is so much bad blood in that family its toxic. If relationships had been better, things would have been different. [January 13, 2020] The Global Cyber Insurance Market size is expected to reach $21.4 billion by 2025, rising at a market growth of 27.2% CAGR during the forecast period NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Cyber Insurance Market size is expected to reach $21.4 billion by 2025, rising at a market growth of 27.2% CAGR during the forecast period. The number of companies, both large and small, has grown significantly over the past few years, opting to invest seriously in cyber security services. Many areas of the cyber industry, however, still need improvement to help businesses be fully prepared for cyber-attacks. This is most apparent when companies experience a cyber-incident and lack clarification as to how any economic or commercial damage resulting from the incident can be recovered. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05832280/?utm_source=PRN A cyber insurance policy, also known as cyber risk insurance or cyber liability insurance coverage (CLIC), is intended to help a company mitigate risk exposure by offsetting recovery costs following a cyber-related breach of security or similar event. Technology, social media and Internet purchases play key roles in how most of today's companies conduct business and attract prospective customers. Such vehicles also act as cyber-attack gateways. Cyber-attacks are likely to occur, whether perpetrated by run-of - the-mill hackers, terrorists, insiders, or even nation states, and can cause moderate to severe losses to large and small enterprises. Organizations frequently have to determine what risks to prevent, accept, control or transfer as part of a risk management strategy. Based on Organization Size, the market is segmented into Large Enterprises and Small & Medium Sized Enterprises. Based on Application, the market is segmented into Banking & Financial Services, IT & Telecom, Healthcare, Retail and Others. The banking and financial services applications segment recorded the dominant market share in 2018. As a result of increasing monetary operations, it has grown as a core industry. It is prone to a higher number of incidents in hacking like large-scale fraud, breaches, and heists. Banking and financial services protection is a matter of concern as these services are known as the foundation of economies. Over the forecast period, the healthcare application segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. Digital vulnerabilities have been generated by rapid digitalization in the healthcare sector to allow easy access to customer data. Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Aon Plc., American International Group, Inc. (AIG), Allianz Group, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Lockton Companies, Inc., Chubb Limited, Munich Re Group, AXA XL SA, Zurich Insurance Group and Lloyd's Group of London Ltd. Recent strategies deployed in Cyber Insurance Market Collaborations, Partnerships, and Agreements: Jun-2019: Aon collaborated with CyberCube, a leading provider of cyber risk analytics for (re)insurance industry. The collaboration is aimed at delivering innovative cyber (re)insurance solutions to its insurance carrier prospects and clients through integrating CyberCube in Aon's CyberMetrica platform. May-2019: Munich Re signed a partnership agreement with Curv. The assets held in Curv wallet are covered up with the sum of $50m . Dec-2018: Aon teamed up with Norton LifeLock, a Symantec brand in order to develop a comprehensive solution, which helps in providing protection online to high-net-worth individuals and helping them in safeguarding their assets from lurking cyber criminals. This solution comprises of Aon's customized and individual risk diagnostic and enhanced cyber insurance that offers broader coverage to high-net-with segment. Oct-2018: AXA teamed up with Slice Labs in order to launch a new cyber insurance policy that is designed for SMBs. This policy has been powered by Slice's Insurance Cloud Services (ICS) platform and AXA XL's cyber insurance solution for providing comprehensive cyber insurance protection together with real-time intelligence to proactively counteract cyber risks. Apr-2018: Aon announced its collaboration with HP for helping the companies in strengthening their business continuity and disaster recovery planning with the help of cyber risk management services and comprehensive IT security. Together these companies will provide Aon cyber resilience evaluation, HP DaaS, Aon premier cyber insurance panel, and Aon incident response services. Acquisition and Mergers: May-2019: Allianz Group signed a definitive agreement to acquire Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society (LVFS) and Legal & General Insurance. These acquisitions help Allianz to enter in Cyber insurance market in UK. Jul-2018: American International Group, Inc. took over Validus Holdings, a Bermuda reinsurer and specialist insurer. The acquisition adds diversified franchises to AIG comprised of Validus Re, a reinsurance platform, Talbot, a Lloyd's syndicate, Crop Risk Services, AlphaCat, an insurance-linked securities asset manager, etc. Expansions: Sep-2019: Chubb expanded its reach to India by opening a new business services center in Hyderabad , Bengaluru. The professionals of this center will support highly impacted areas such as analytical areas and digital technology areas for supporting the Chubb's global insurance operations. Product Launches and Product Expansions: Nov-2019: Allianz introduced a new cyber proposition, which offers comprehensive cover and access to incident response-services and prevention support to mid-corporate businesses. It will insure the business against cyber-attacks including lost income and costs. Nov-2019: Zurich Insurance introduced new cyber insurance for the manufacturing industry. With the launch of this insurance, Zurich has extended its footprints to the manufacturing business. Aug-2019: Chubb launched Pro ERM cyber insurance offerings for professional services firms. These offerings comprise of cyber, privacy and network security liability, electronic, social and printed media liability, first party cyber coverage, and professional liability. May-2019: Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), a part of Munich Re, launched a new HSB Farm Cyber Insurance solution. This solution helps in protecting farmers and farm technology from malware, hackers, and other cyber-attacks. Scope of the Study Market Segmentation: By Organization Size Large Enterprises Small & Medium Sized Enterprises By Application Banking & Financial Services IT & Telecom Healthcare Retail Others By Geography North America o US o Canada o Mexico o Rest of North America Europe o Germany o UK o France o Russia o Spain o Italy o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o South Korea o Singapore o Malaysia o Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA o Brazil o Argentina o UAE o Saudi Arabia o South Africa o Nigeria o Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled Aon Plc. American International Group, Inc. (AIG) Allianz Group Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Lockton Companies, Inc. Chubb Limited Munich Re Group AXA XL SA Zurich Insurance Group Lloyd's Group of London Ltd. Unique Offerings from KBV Research Exhaustive coverage Highest number of market tables and figures Subscription based model available Guaranteed best price Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05832280/?utm_source=PRN 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-global-cyber-insurance-market-size-is-expected-to-reach-21-4-billion-by-2025--rising-at-a-market-growth-of-27-2-cagr-during-the-forecast-period-300985658.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The prosecution yesterday called its fourth witness in the trial of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Christine Sedina Tamakloe Attionu. She is facing charges including conspiracy to steal, stealing, unauthorized commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering and contravention of the Public Procurement Act. In his evidence-in-chief, the witness, Samuel Kotei Neequaye, who was her former driver, told the court presided over by Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe about how he was once made to collect GH50,000 cash and deliver it to Ms. Attionu. Mr. Neequaye, who is still at post, told the court that it was not the first time he was made to carry out such a duty for the former embattled ex-MASLOC boss who is on trial together with Daniel Axim, a former Operations Manager of MASLOC. The court has already heard how an amount of GH500,000 was returned to Ms. Attionu in a 'Ghana Must Go' bag at a filling station in Accra. The money, according to Samuel Quansah, a second prosecution witness, was a refund of an investment MASLOC made in a private microfinance company, Obaatanpa Microfinance Company Limited, in 2014. The refund was necessitated by a high interest demanded on the investment made by the erstwhile managers of MASLOC under the leadership of Ms. Attionu. The two are facing 78 counts of charges for allegedly stealing and misappropriating a total amount of GH3,198,280 whilst at MASLOC, and willfully causing a GH1,973,780 financial loss to the state. Evidence The fourth prosecution witness, Samuel Kotei Neequaye, led in his evidence-in-chief by Stella Ohene Appiah, a senior state attorney, told the court that on August 31, 2016, he was at the office when Ms. Attionu called him to pick some money from the accounts office of MASLOC. He said he went to the office and met one Auntie Vic who gave him a cheque voucher to sign and the amount of GH50,000 was given to him to give to Ms. Attionu which he did. Mr. Neequaye told the court that it was not the first time he had preformed such a duty for Ms. Attionu as he had done that several times. EOCO Investigations The witness told the court that he was in the office sometime after December 2016 when he received an invitation letter from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The following day, I went to EOCO and they showed me a signed cheque voucher if I knew anything about it. I denied it because I couldn't remember doing that. So from there I came back to the office and went to the accounts office and saw the same Auntie Vic and she brought out the receipt book and I saw the cheque voucher which I signed so that is where I remember signing the voucher, he told the court. Inquiry The witness told the court how he had to go to Ms. Attionu's house after he found out from EOCO that she had stated that the GH50,000 was not given to her. I had the information that she denied receiving any money from me so I went to her house that this is the information I got that she hasn't received any money from me. And she told me no, she hadn't said anything like that and that she knew I brought her the money and she received the money, he narrated. Cross-Examination In his cross-examination, Agbesi Dzakpasu, who represents Ms. Attionu, asked the witness if there were official documents at MASLOC which showed several instances where money was given to him to give to Ms. Attionu and he said yes. Hearing continues on January 20. ---Daily Guide A report released this month by the nonprofit American Atheists provides scorecards on what it calls separation of religion and government in the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A release on the second edition of State of the Secular States calls it the most comprehensive analysis of state-level policy measures affecting religious equality ever conducted. In the 2019 reports introduction, author Alison Gill, the organizations vice president for legal and policy, says it provides an expanded review of more than 40 statewide law and policy measures, both positive and negative, pertaining to religious equality and the separation of religion and government. The four areas in which the 45-page report reviews policies include state constitutional protections around religious liberty, legislation that impacts youth, such as policies around issues like child marriage, health care, particularly in terms of womens health, and what it calls special privileges for religion, such as tax exemptions. The report found 10 states have strong protections for religious equality; 21 states, including Massachusetts, and territories, have basic separation of religion and government; and 21 states have religious exemptions that undermine equality." The scorecard on Massachusetts lists it without comprehensive sex education, something its Senate is expected to address in proposed legislation this week, and without Medical Aid in Dying. In a ruling that is expected to be appealed, a Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled Jan. 10 that patients do not have a constitutional right to physician assisted suicide and doctors could be prosecuted for prescribing lethal medication for this purpose, but doctors may provide information and advice on Medical Aid in Dying to terminally ill, competent adults without fear of prosecution. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Mary Ames also ruled physician suicide an issue that should be addressed by the Legislature. A number of states, including Vermont, allow for Medical Aid in Dying. In Brandts book, however, Sheeran is portrayed as operating at the highest levels of the Mafia. One section claims that Sheeran is accused of being one of only two non-Italian members of the Mafias ruling body the Commission of La Cosa Nostra in a late-1980s civil racketeering lawsuit filed by Rudolph W. Giuliani, then the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Another section says the suit accuses him of acting in concert with the ruling commission. In fact, the suit makes neither accusation, according to an attorney who handled the case for Giulianis office and who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. BELOIT, Wis., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has become the first airline in the Middle East to introduce Comply365, a new state-of-the-art technology platform to host the extensive technical documentation of its Flight Operations Department. More than 6,000 employees will benefit from the replacement of multiple existing documentation systems with Comply365's single ProAuthor platform, which will be used to manage and distribute company manuals and all documentation from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), making compliance-related documentation and tracking much easier. "Etihad Airways is committed to expanding its sustainable practices and broadening the use of simplifying technology is a key element of our strategy," said Captain Sulaiman Yaqoobi, Etihad's Vice President of Flight Operations. "The airline needed a single place to author and manage all of our documentation, which is extensive, as well as a reliable mobile app for our flight crew," said Captain Yaqoobi. "Comply365's solutions are the best fit for our requirements, not just to manage our documentation in one place, but also to have a cloud-based solution hosted in a data center in the UAE. "The automated standards tracing feature of this system will also save time and improve accuracy over our previous manual process, as well as boosting our visibility over a document's revision status, and automating workflow and standards tracing." As the first Middle Eastern client for this advanced system, Etihad Airways is a significant addition to the base of airlines across the globe who rely daily on Comply365's platform for authoring and digital delivery of operational (manufacturer and company) manuals via mobile apps. Comply365 CEO Tom Samuel said: "I am pleased to welcome Etihad Airways into our client community. It is exciting to be partnering with such an innovative and global brand. Our team is looking forward to working with Etihad to simplify and automate its compliance management environment, and to help deliver higher value operational content to pilots and other operational staff." ABOUT COMPLY365 Comply365 is the leading provider of enterprise SaaS and mobile solutions for content management and document distribution in highly regulated industries including aviation, rail, and energy. Comply365 supports the world's most mobile and remote workforces with targeted and personalized delivery of job-critical data that enables safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Every day, hundreds of thousands of pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, rail conductors and engineers, as well as energy workforce rely on Comply365 for digital delivery of operational content including OEM and internal company manuals. Having played an instrumental role in the regulatory approval of electronic flight bags (EFB) to replace the traditional, paper-based, pilot flight bags, Comply365 partners with clients to transform their industries. ABOUT ETIHAD AIRWAYS Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. The airline was established by Royal (Emiri) Decree in July 2003 and is wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. The airline serves 80 passenger and cargo destinations with a young fleet of more than 100 aircraft. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gina Duwe Comply365 Marketing Coordinator [email protected] +1 608.313.1500 Tony Harrington Etihad Airways [email protected] +971 56 992 2245 SOURCE Comply365 Related Links www.comply365.com A woman is suing American Airlines and a former employee after the latter took her phone number from her luggage tag and proceeded to barrage her with more than 100 text messages. Ashley Barno was waiting to board a flight from San Diego to Chicago in April 2019 when she first received a message from an unfamiliar number. The message, seen by the Washington Post, asked how she was doing, followed up by: Btw I must tell you that you are gorgeous! Ms Barno was simply told to guess when she asked who the sender was and how they got her number. He eventually admitted to taking the number from her bag tag. A later message complimented Ms Barno on her grey top, indicating that the person messaging could see her. 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 Once onboard the flight, Ms Barno continued to receive messages from the unknown sender, who revealed he was also on the plane. He persistently asked her to come and sit next to him, telling her hed watched her board the jet. After Ms Barno asked him to leave her alone, he sent 10 messages in a row, including the following: Friendship with me will be very beneficial for you!! I can always give you good seats, access to the lounges and free flights too!! You can think about it! During the flight, Ms Barno told a flight attendant about the situation, who ensured the pair were sitting in different sections of plane and regularly checked in with her. [Its not] the first time hes done something like this, the flight attendant said, alleges Ms Barno. After touching down, the man in question, who had identified himself only as Ahmad, appeared to be escorted off the plane by law enforcement. Ms Barnos harassment did not end there however; according to the lawsuit, filed last week, the man did not stop contacting her for a long period of time, and also sent her sexually-suggestive images. The lawsuit claims American Airlines knew of its employees propensity to inappropriately contact its customers yet continued to retain him as an employee, and asserts that Ms Barno has had difficulty eating, sleeping and socialising since the incident. Just knowing that he knew what I looked like, and that we were in an enclosed plane and that theres no way out, like really, really scared me, she told NBC7. An American Airlines spokesperson told The Independent that the man was not on duty for the airline at the time of the incident. American Airlines takes the privacy and safety of our customers seriously, they added. We investigated the allegations and took appropriate action. The employee involved in the complaint is no longer employed at American Airlines. From a motorcyclist balancing a large tyre on his head to another playing clarinet while on the move, these drivers could possibly be the worst in the world. The snaps, taken from around the globe, and collated by Shareably, capture some of the most reckless drivers ever to be spotted behind the wheel. Among the shocking snaps is a motorcyclist who is joined by a furry companion, and another who decided to squeeze into a tight space - no matter what the cost! Elsewhere, a motorist decided to park up in a trolley bay - despite there being a free space right next to it. Spare tyre! This motorcyclist, from an unknown location, set off on his journey with a large tyre balanced on his shoulder. There are no words... Road rage! Another driver was so infuriated by the selfish way this car parked, he decided to draw lines to make him feel even more special Off his trolley! This driver, from an unknown location, decided to park up in the trolley bay - despite there being a free space right next to it Tight squeeze! If you think you're bad at parking, take a look at this attempt. Feel any better? Road hog! According to this driver, from an unknown location, yellow lines are there to be broken! Ice ice baby! Windscreen heaters were invented for a reason, but it doesn't seem this motorist, from an unknown location, has quite figured that out yet Stuck in the mud! Another driver, from an unknown location, attempted to take a short cut on the grass rather than stick to the road...that'll teach him! Car-azy! This lady, who appears to be the driver, posed for a quick snap after achieving what could possibly be the worst parking effort we've ever seen Room for a little one? It seems someone, from an unknown location, had finally had enough with this motorist Keeping afloat! This man, from the US, refused to let his floats be an inconvenience to his journey Sun shield! While this driver, from an unknown location, may have found the perfect way to block out the rays, he hasn't nailed it completely Balancing act! One driver, from an unknown location, hit a solid rock and attempted to keep going! Musical interlude! While most things can wait, for one driver, from an unknown location, his patience wore thin...and he just had to get his clarinet out "The world is still on edge over escalating tensions between rival foreign powers that could at any moment erupt into a full-blown war, and everyone is asking the same harrowing questions: Can Harry and Meghan really leave the royal family?" Stephen Colbert deadpanned on Monday's Late Show. Last week, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced they plan to "step back" from being senior royalty to become financially independent, "but like many millennials who move out, they will stay on the queen's Verizon family plan." "The palace was shocked shocked! and so today the queen held a royal family summit to work out a future for Prince Harry and Meghan," Colbert said. And the queen's statement after the summit, that she and the other royals "are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family" with a "more independent life," is "way nicer than the statements that came out of royal summits in the old days," he said, paraphrasing Henry VIII: "I'm starting a new religion so I can get divorced and kill my next wife." Yes, Britain's royal family is "like the Kardashians with an occasional beheading," Trevor Noah said at The Daily Show, but Harry and Meghan announcing "they're no longer going to be on the family phone plan anymore" is "an unprecedented crisis." Meghan called into the meeting from Canada, he said, "and I'll be honest, I don't blame Meghan for not going. Because nothing good happens when white people invite you to the countryside." On paper, the couple has a charmed life us commoners "kiss frogs to try and become royalty," Noah said, but "for Harry and Meghan in particular, the reality of being a royal couple has been far from a fairy tale." That's largely due to Britain's tabloid press, he explained. "Now everyone is wondering what they will do to support themselves without any of that royal cash. Well, good news: Meghan's already got herself a job," thanks to some high-level "hustling" by Harry. Story continues "I would have loved to have been a fly on the cucumber sandwich" at the queen's "Megxit" summit, Jimmy Kimmel said at Kimmel Live, but is the royal family really "upset that Harry and Meghan want to move out and become financially independent? Isn't that every parent's dream, to not have their 35-year-old kid still living with them?" More stories from theweek.com Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah agree the Warren-Sanders showdown was the Iowa debate's main event Bernie Sanders tried to shake Elizabeth Warren's hand after the debate. She brushed him off. Former mafia prosecutor: It sounds like Trump associates were plotting 'a mob hit' against Marie Yovanovitch NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canterbury Consulting, an independent investment advisory firm overseeing more than $23 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019, will host its Annual Investment Forum on January 22, 2020 in Newport Beach, Calif. The forum is a yearly assembly of prominent thought leaders in investment management that Canterbury Consulting hosts for its endowment, foundation, healthcare organizations and family clients. This year's forum marks the first time business students from the University of California, Irvine and Chapman University will be attending the invitation-only event as part of a joint Canterbury career development program. Valuation Relevancy The forum's first topic, "Are Valuations Now Irrelevant?" will be presented by Rob Arnott, founder and chairman of Research Affiliates. Arnott has published more than 130 articles in such journals as the Harvard Business Review and Financial Analysts Journal, where he also served as editor-in-chief from 2002 through 2006. He has received seven Graham and Dodd Scrolls, and four Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy awards from the Journal of Portfolio Management. Investing Psychology "The Psychology of Investing" will be the subject of Morgan Housel's presentation. Mr. Housel is a partner at The Collaborative Fund and a former columnist at The Motley Fool and The Wall Street Journal. He is a two-time winner of the Best in Business award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, the New York Times Sidney Award, a two-time finalist for the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism, and the Columbia Journalism Review for the Best Business Writing 2012 anthology. In 2013 he was a finalist for the Scripps Howard Award. Washington Outlook Libby Cantrill, managing director and head of public policy at PIMCO, will review the nation's political climate in her assessment "A View from Washington: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Cantrill is also a member of the firm's Americas Portfolio Committee. Additionally, she is the co-head of PIMCO's New York Office and is a founding member of PIMCO Parents and PIMCO Women. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2007, she served as a legislative aide to a member of Congress and also worked in the investment banking division at Morgan Stanley. Ms. Cantrill is a CFA charterholder and a regular contributor to Bloomberg and CNBC. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Breakout Sessions Canterbury Consulting's 2020 Annual Investment Forum will offer two concurrent breakout sessions for the audience to participate in. The first, "Implementing a Co-Investment Program for Taxable Investors," seeks to educate forum attendees on how private capital co-investment programs can afford investors more control over their private capital portfolios and provide the potential for return enhancement. Canterbury will moderate the session featuring Michael Dal Bello, investment partner at Pritzker Private Capital and Eric Zoller, founder and partner of Sixpoint Partners. The discussion will cover the history of co-investing, as well as the advantages and challenges of implementing a co-investment program from both the LP and GP's perspective. During the second breakout session, "Navigating Challenges Faced by Nonprofit Staff and Trustees" participants will be able to discuss and learn more about their challenges and opportunities among peers. Canterbury will lead the interactive session and examine opportunities institutions have to better balance investment considerations, organizational objectives, and governance models while maintaining alignment with their overall mission. The invitation-only Annual Investment Forum takes place January 22, 2020, at the Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach, CA. Information and videos on the event can be found at canterburyconsulting.com. About Canterbury Consulting Canterbury Consulting is an independent investment advisory firm based in Newport Beach, Calif, overseeing more than $23 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019. Canterbury provides consulting services to tax-exempt organizations including community foundations, educational endowments, religious organizations, arts and cultural foundations, health care organizations as well as individuals and family offices. Founded in 1988, the firm designs and manages custom investment programs aligned with each client's specific goals. Canterbury acts as the investment office for its diverse clientele and provides objective investment advice, asset allocation, manager selection, risk management, implementation, and performance measurement. Canterbury strives to deliver performance and service that exceeds client needs and expectations. Learn more about Canterbury at www.canterburyconsulting.com. SOURCE Canterbury Consulting Related Links https://www.canterburyconsulting.com When Daniel Fuentes visited a local veteran, the front room of the mans house was about 40 degrees. The room has a chimney, but purchasing and chopping wood has been too much of a physical and financial burden for the veteran and his family. Thanks to a grant-funded program out of Veterans Inc. to assist low-income and disabled veterans, Fuentes is going to help this veteran and his family keep their home warm with the installation of a pellet stove. The last thing a veteran wants to do after making proper choices in their life, being a homeowner, being in their community, is have to turn around and not be able to live the life they want to live in their home due to a disability or due to a financial hardship, Fuentes said. Once were able to change that, add some positivity to their lifestyle, allow them to move more independently, itll have a severe impact on their day-to-day life. Veterans Inc., the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England, is the recipient of a $1 million grant to be distributed over three years as a part of the Veterans Housing, Rehabilitation and Modification pilot program out of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. At Veterans Inc., theyre calling it the home repairs program. The pellet stove project will be the first in the program, with a goal of helping more than 60 veterans in three years. Veterans Inc. received the grant last summer and Fuentes has been building up the program. Other agencies that have received the grant run loan programs. Veterans Inc. is running the program at no cost to the veterans who will benefit from it, said Fuentes, who served in the Army from 2009 to 2013, including a tour in Iraq, and has been with Veterans Inc. for more than three years. They gave a lot and sacrificed a lot, mind, body and soul for this country, so we want to give some of that back, said Fuentes, a 29-year-old Worcester resident. Fuentes said the program will help about 20 veterans each year with a mix of home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades. Fuentes will find local contractors to install wheelchair ramps, lower countertops, add electrical outlets or widen doorframes to increase accessibility. The rehab portion is for homes that might be in despair and the veterans, because theyre low-income and disabled, they dont have the physical or financial capabilities to be able to repair their leaking roof or replace their furnace thats costing them so much, Fuentes said. I could be doing a roof, a wheelchair ramp, or replacing a stove or anything in between. It encompasses a lot. Its all based on the need of the veteran. Energy efficient upgrades could include appliances and boilers. The last thing you want is due to financial burdens is for a veteran have to leave their home that theyve owned for quite some time, Fuentes said. The goal is to allow them to continue to live in their home independently and continue to be a factor in their communities." When a client applies, Fuentes makes sure the veteran meets the proper eligibility: that the person is a low-income and disabled veteran. Then, Fuentes has to make sure that the project will help allow the veteran live more independently and is not a pet project that was previously forgotten. Fuentes will do an in-home assessment to see what fixes a veteran needs and move forward with approval. Fuentes then has to do a historical check with the state historical society and complete an environmental review through the HUD system. When thats complete, Fuentes can get submit a voucher for funding after getting three quotes. Fuentes said theyve had a steady flow of applications coming in but Veterans Inc. is continuing to look for veterans to apply for services. I cant wait to get started. Once we put the first hammer to a nail, or whatever the case is, Im sure from there it will start to accelerate itself once we can get that out there and show the proof of the work were doing, Fuentes said. Veterans can apply for the program in-person at Veterans Inc. at 69 Grove St. in Worcester or online. Applications can be dropped off, emailed, mailed or, Fuentes said hes even willing to go pick up an application in-person if a veteran needs the help. While Fuentes said right now the program is focusing on Greater Worcester, the grant covers all of New England. If Ive got to go to Skowhegan, Maine, to help a veteran get a wheelchair ramp or something, were gonna do it, Fuentes said. Anyone who wants more information about the program can call Fuentes at 508-791-1213 extension 1112 or email homerepairs@veteransinc.org. Related content: Avaya Announces Participation at the Needham Growth Conference Avaya (News - Alert) Holdings Corp. (NYSE:AVYA) today announced it will present at the 22nd Annual Needham Growth Conference at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York. Michael McCarthy, Vice President-Investor Relations, will be available to host one-on-one meetings with investors on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. For more information about these and other events, access the investor page of Avaya's website https://investors.avaya.com/. About Avaya Businesses are built on the experiences they provide, and every day millions of those experiences are built by Avaya (NYSE: AVYA). For over one hundred years, we've enabled organizations around the globe to win - by creating intelligent communications experiences for customers and employees. Avaya builds open, converged and innovative solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration - in the cloud, on-premise or a hybrid of both. To grow your business, we're committed to innovation, partnership, and a relentless focus on what's next. We're the technology company you trust to help you deliver Experiences that Matter. Visit us at www.avaya.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005705/en/ DES MOINES, Iowa Democrat Cory Booker dropped out of the presidential race Monday, ending a campaign whose message of unity and love failed to resonate in a political era marked by chaos and anxiety. His departure now leaves a field that was once the most diverse in history with just one remaining African American candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who is struggling to register in the polls amid a late entry into the race. Since launching his campaign last February, Booker, a U.S. senator from New Jersey, struggled to raise the type of money required to support a White House bid. He was at the back of the pack in most surveys and failed to meet the polling requirements needed to participate in Tuesdays debate. Booker also missed last months debate and exits the race polling in low single digits in the early primary states and nationwide. In an email to supporters, Booker said that he got into this race to win and that his failure to make the debates prevented him from raising the money required for victory. Our campaign has reached the point where we need more money to scale up and continue building a campaign that can win money we dont have, and money that is harder to raise because I wont be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington, he said. For African Americans, Bookers exit is more meaningful than just being one less option to consider. It means that we dont count, said Helen Moore, a member of the Keep the Vote-No Takeover grassroots organization in Detroit. Now, we cant look forward to any black candidate being considered from now until its time to vote. They are completely out of the picture. Booker had warned that the looming impeachment trial of President Trump would deal a big, big blow to his campaign by pulling him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. He hinted at the challenges facing his campaign last week in an interview on the Associated Press Ground Game podcast. If we cant raise more money in this final stretch, we wont be able to do the things that other campaigns with more money can do to show presence, he said. In his email to supporters, Booker pledged to do everything in my power to elect the eventual Democratic nominee for president, though his campaign says he has no immediate plans to endorse a candidate in the primaries. Its a humbling finish for someone who was once lauded by Oprah Winfrey as the rock star mayor who helped lead the renewal of Newark, N.J. During his seven years in City Hall, Booker was known for his headline-grabbing feats of local do-goodery, including running into a burning building to save a woman. Bookers seat is up for a vote this year, and he will run for re-election to the Senate. His exit from the presidential race narrows the field to 12 candidates. Alexandra Jaffe is an Associated Press writer. Enow Abrams Egbe Archives Barely 25 days to the February 9 Legislative and Municipal elections, the Board Chair of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Enow Abrams Egbe, says almost all the materials required for the polls are in place. The ELECAM boss was speaking in Yaounde Friday, January 10, during a working visit to the National Printing Press, the Military Air Base N 101, and other institutions involved in the production of electoral materials. He was there to assess the progress of work done by the Commission in place. The Chairperson of ELE- CAM was accompanied by the Director General of ELECAM, Board Members and other officials. We are on a tour to evaluate the performance of the Director General and his team in terms of material preparations and we are very pleased that, at this moment, the work is well done. We have less than 28 days to go for elections and we can comfortably say now loud and clear that Elections will effectively take place on February 9 and all the polling stations will be furnished with all their electoral materials, he said. He equally lauded the Director General of ELECAM, Erik Essousse and his team, for a great job, while urging them to remain vigilant and concentrated to make sure that everything moves in the right direction. Talking about the electoral materials already in place and the various units, during the tour, the ELECAM Board Chair cited transparent ballot boxes, voters cards, polling materials, among other things. The groups concerned are work throughout the day to ensure that all the electoral materials are de- livered to ELECAM latest January 25. SOPECAM has the contract to produce all the electoral materials for the Legislative and Council elections of five political parties. The materials include ballot papers and campaign materials. The political parties include: the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM; Social Democratic Front, SDF; National Union for Democracy and Progress, NUDP; Alliance for Democracy and Development, ADD; and Cameroon National Salvation Front, CNSF. The Director of the Production Department of SOPECAM said all the materials for the election of Members of the National Assembly have been produced and delivered to Elections Cameroon. The department, he said, was finalising those of the Municipal Councillors. At the National Printing Press, work is almost done and sealed. The Director of the institution disclosed that, for the moment, they have the contract with ELECAM to produce envelopes for the election of Municipal Councillors. The different units are lodged in canopies that have been set up for the purpose of the elections. When each of the institutions finish producing the electoral materials, they are immediately handed to ELECAM teams that carry out controls to ascertain quality and quantity before the materials are transported to the Yaounde 101 Airbase for deployment to the field. Despite the progress made in the production of electoral materials, uncertainty still looms in the Northwest and Southwest Regions as kidnappings of opposition political party officials in recent week has been surging. There have been repeated threats from separatist fighters that elections will not hold in the Anglophone Regions in the heat of a war. But Government has insisted that the security of the electorates in guaranteed with the deployment of over 700 gendarmerie officers in the two Regions. The fire was everywhere you went in downtown Bound Brook on Monday. Charred bits of wood and soot dotted the sidewalks for blocks, carried there by heavy winds. The air had an acrid smell. Water from firetrucks continuing to douse hotspots ran in rivers through the streets. Local businesses - the ones able to open in the aftermath - played news coverage in a loop on televisions as patrons chit-chatted about the 7-alarm blaze that turned the town into an inferno for hours. In the shadow of the smoldering ruins of two under-construction apartment buildings that fueled the intense blaze, residents of homes that line the neighboring streets stood huddled in groups, anxiously awaiting word when they could return, or at least retrieve some belongings from damaged buildings. Between 100 and 200 residents were evacuated during Sunday nights blaze and many homes were still without power. Firefighters continue to pour water on the remains of the Bound Brook fire, on Jan. 13, 2020.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Shanika Prescott, who lives next door to the apartments in a modest home, was evacuated shortly after the flames broke out, and she took her children to her mothers house for the night. We have no idea whats going on, Prescott said, as firefighters continued to work. "Im about to just go in, I want to get stuff and leave. Her 8-year-old son, Imran, danced around the yellow caution tape as his mother talked to a reporter, his jacket getting stuck by thorn bushes. "I was just hearing people shouting fire, and my dad saw the sparks, Imran said. I was a little scared. The Red Cross local chapter said they were providing emergency assistance to 24 people from 11 families. Many are from the boarding home at 18 West Main St. that burned to the ground and a nearby apartment building also damaged in the blaze. Once they are in temporary shelters, recovery volunteers will connect them with local agencies to help with more permanent housing. Mary Savage, who lives in an apartment adjacent to one of the now-smoldering construction projects, looked on Monday as firefighters continued to spray water on her home. Why is my door the only door open? she wondered out loud, as the jets of water sprayed mist on the crowd of onlookers. Her front door was the only one in a row of six that had been opened in the hours since her family had evacuated, and Savage was worried about possible looters targeting her daughters expensive sneaker collection. Time was running out for residents in her building at the corner of West Main Street and Drake Street anyway. Savage said the building was set to be demolished by the fall. But no one expected to be out so soon, and building managers werent able to give residents a timeline for when they might be able to grab the basics, like fresh clothing. Although the building was not directly affected by the flames, it was a casualty of the smoke and water from next door. A pair of firefighters in blue jeans and hoodies told Savage and her kids not to expect to get into the home anytime soon. One of them said hed ask a suited-up firefighter to shut her front door. An investigation into the cause of fire could take months. The two incomplete apartment complexes, considered another key building block in Bound Brooks revival, will have to be razed. Bound Brook Mayor Robert Fazen said construction crews would demolish the buildings and just start again from scratch. Neighbors watch as firefighters battle the 7-alarm fire on Jan. 12, 2020.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for A few blocks over on Church Street, residents started trickling back into their homes around 10 a.m. Monday, more than 12 hours after they were given evacuation orders. It was my first time witnessing a fire, I didnt know if itd spread more or if the fire would come toward our home," Kyliah Lynch said from her front porch, three homes away from the smoldering wreckage. She spent the night at her sisters home. I just wanted to get as far away as possible, she said. Lynchs mom, Wanda Barnett, said the fire was unlike any the town had ever experienced before. Its spooky to see theyre really trying to build up the town and this happens," Barnett said. An officer escorts a woman away as firefighters battled the blaze on Jan. 12, 2020.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for While residents were focused on immediate concerns, Bound Brook officials were starting to turn an eye towards the weeks and months to come for a town that has been plagued by flooding, but they say is poised for a revival as a growing commuter hub centered around the NJ Transit train station just a couple blocks from the buildings that burned. Our day of glory was set back another six months unfortunately, said Anthony Pranzatelli, the board president of the Bound Brook Revitalization Partnership. In place since 2009, the partnership oversees an improvement district in downtown Bound Brook. Two Meridia buildings have been a key part of that plan. The first of the pair, built several years ago, is almost fully leased. The second Meridia building was the project where the blaze ignited. Its just a setback, Pranzatelli said. George Capodagli, the owner of Capodagli Property Company behind the two Meridia buildings, referred questions to his attorney. Mayor Fazen said the fire was a setback not a roadblock. He described it as a pause in the towns revitalization efforts. Officials said they remain confident in the future. Pranzatelli recalled the past history of frequent flooding and fires, including a 2010 blaze behind the ShopRite. Five kids were charged with setting that one. Bound Brook has always survived and come back stronger than before and we will again, Pranzatelli said. This is of course a challenge, but by no means is this the end. This is only the beginning. Bound Brook is resilient and we will recover. Not only will Bound Brook survive this, but it will thrive in this new decade," Kate Knowles Brindle, the revitalization partnerships downtown manager said in an email. Bound Brook is the oldest community in Somerset County. Weve been beating the odds for centuries and we will again, she wrote. Rev. Linda Owens of The Bound Brook Presbyterian Church hands out food the church purchased for firefighters at the fire scene, on the morning of Jan. 13, 2020. "We love our firefighters," Owens said.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. Jenna Wise may be reached at jwise@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaRWise. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. He's in the business of helping animals, so Dr Chris Brown admits he's been finding it 'really hard' watching Australia's wildlife suffer from the bushfires. Speaking to Brisbane's Hit105's Stav, Abby and Matt on Tuesday, the 41-year-old celebrity vet called into the radio show from South Africa, where he's currently hosting I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Chris admitted that he's felt helpless being so far away from home, but said he's been doing whatever he can from afar. Far from home: He's in the business of helping animals, so Dr Chris Brown admits he's been finding it 'really hard' watching Australia's wildlife suffer from the bushfires 'I'm up quite late every night, just speaking to my vet mates back home. I've got a few mates working out in South Australia at the moment with the koalas, and through Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,' he said. 'I wish I could be back there. It's just the reality of a job. You've got to be at a certain place at a certain time. But, thankfully, you can help out with fundraising and in other ways, and hope to make a difference.' And while he's been unable to be hands-on with the Australian wildlife, Chris said he's been 'doing a bit of vet work' in South Africa. Into the wild: Speaking to Brisbane's Hit105's Stav, Abby and Matt on Tuesday, the 41-year-old celebrity vet called into the radio show from South Africa, where he's currently hosting, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! On Sunday, he shared photos of himself treating a kudu bull, considered to be one of the largest species of antelope. 'Morning call out to this kudu bull that's been lethargic and suddenly lost weight. And nervously smiling through the moment you learn if enough sedation was given,' he captioned the photos. 'And the towel over his eyes? It keeps him calm during this time. Oh and those horns are over 5 1/2 feet in length and he knows how to use them.' Helping hand: While he's been unable to be hands-on with the Australian wildlife, Chris said he's been 'doing a bit of vet work' in South Africa But Chris said the fires back home are never far from his, or the celebrity participants' minds, with everyone on the reality show being kept updated. 'I realise, absolutely, that's where the need is, back in Australia, and the animals of Australia are certainly front of mind at the moment,' he told Stav, Abby and Matt. And while he may be unable to help out physically, Chris has been using his social media platform to raise awareness for the Australian wildlife. Watching on from the jungle: Chris admitted he's felt helpless being so far away from home, but said he's been doing whatever he can from afar 'It's time to talk about the other quiet Australians. These fires have been a disaster of unfathomable proportions,' he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. 'But I fear that for so many Aussie animals, they may also represent a tipping point. A point at which the existing struggles to survive in our warming world become no longer bearable. 'With 800 million animals now lost in NSW alone and over a billion nationwide, it feels like the right time to put faces to these horrific numbers. And truly understand what we are about to lose forever.' Washington, Jan 14 : Hackers, allegedly linked to the Russian military intelligence agency GRU, attacked Burisma, the Ukrainian company for which former US Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter had worked in the past, according to a report by a cyber-security firm. Hunter Biden had worked for Burisma, is one of the largest natural gas producers in Ukraine, between 2014 and 2019, Efe news reported. "The campaign against the Ukrainian oil and gas company was launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Army or GRU," the eight-page report by Area 1 Security, the Silicon Valley-based cyber-security firm, said on Monday. According to Area 1, the phishing attacks targeting Burisma began last November, a month after the Democrats launched a formal impeachment inquiry against US President President Donald Trump. The aim of the Russian hackers allegedly was to obtain information intended to harm the Biden family, according to The New York Times citing cyber-security experts. The hackers allegedly tried to steal information from Burisma using different techniques. For example, they created fake websites that resembled the login pages of Burisma's subsidiaries. They also sent emails to Burisma's employees that resembled the company's internal communications, according to the report. Several US media outlets, believe that there was a parallel with the computer attack against the team of Trump's rival Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential campaign. In that case, US intelligence agencies concluded in a 2017 report that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered an influence campaign aimed at the US election through cyberattacks because he had a "clear" preference for Trump. Both Moscow and Trump have rejected these claims. The alleged attack on Burisma occurred in the context of the impeachment of Trump, who Democrats accuse of having pressured his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, to open an investigation for corruption against the Biden family in an attempt to hurt him in the face of this year's election. Trump, who is running for re-election, is awaiting the start of the impeachment trial in the Senate. The idea is to start the morning hours with a selection from the coffee program, but if patrons choose to have a beer for breakfast, they can do that, too, at San Antonios newest brewery, Longtab Brewing. Located just inside Loop 410 off Bandera Road on the Northwest Side, Longtab opened Monday with coffee service and three beers: an American pale ale, an India pale ale and a Belgian honey blonde I love coffee and beer, so my idea was to create the kind of place that I would want to hang out at, all hours of the day, owner David Holland said. Longtab is operating a seven-barrel brewing system thats in open view of the tasting room. Head brewmaster Mike Brown was in the process of brewing an oatmeal stout Tuesday, and he plans to introduce a Scotch ale and a dark rye India pale ale in the next 10 days. On ExpressNews.com: The Top 5 San Antonio breweries in 2019 Our approach to beer is to use 100 percent ingredients that are sourced here in the U.S.A., Holland said. That leads to some imposed challenges when your focus is on German and Belgian-style beers, but were up to it. The coffee program is hardly an afterthought. With beans sourced in Guatemala, Longtab features a full lineup of espresso, cappuccinos, lattes (hot and iced), pour-overs and flavor infusions. A selection of pastries also is available daily. Longtabs kitchen also serves pretzels, bratwursts and a variety of panini. Both Holland and Brown are Army veterans, serving in the special forces as Green Berets. A special patch that is awarded to those soldiers is called a longtab, providing the inspiration for the brewery name. Holland said that a special beer will be dedicated to one of the tap handles, and a portion of the sales of the beer will be donated to charity or the family members of fallen Green Berets. Longtab Brewing, 4700 Timco, Suite 105, 210-947-4766. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Online: longtabbrewing.com Chuck Blount is a food writer and columnist covering all things grilled and smoked in the San Antonio area. Find his Chuck's Food Shack columns on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com, or read his other coverage on our free site, mySA.com. | cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver Police have charged the parents of a 16-month-old boy who was taken along with a running car from a northeast Harris County gas station early Monday. The two suspected car thieves are also facing charges after allegedly abandoning the child in MacGregor Park in Houstons Third Ward less than an hour after stealing the car, police said. Jabari Jonathan Davis and Vincent Leon Cannady, both 19, were charged with auto theft and felony kidnapping, while the parents 21-year-old Kimberley Cook and 29-year-old Anthony Blue were charged with child abandonment. The toddler was alone in his parents Chrysler 300 while the couple played 8-liner games inside a gas station convenience store near Homestead and Old Humble roads just after midnight Sunday, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. They originally told deputies they only left the child alone in the car momentarily, but later confessed that they were at the gas station for about 30 minutes before they noticed the child was gone. When the parents came out to check on their child shortly after midnight, the car was gone and so was their son, according to HCSO homicide detective Ben Beall. Just 25 minutes after the parents reported the theft to police, a park ranger closing up MacGregor Park spotted what he initially thought was an animal in the roadway, but it turned out to be the baby boy police had been searching for, Beall said. The boy was shivering cold and alone, according to Houston police officer Kerry Clopton. Its pretty chilly out here, Clopton said. There are a lot of wild animals out here. Things could have ended up differently had the park ranger not come by here and located the baby. The child was taken to Texas Childrens Hospital but was quickly released into custody of his grandparents, Beall said. Moments after police found the child, officers spotted the Chrysler on Loop 610 near Texas Highway 225 and attempted to pull it over, but the driver sped away, Beall said. The driver eventually stopped near North Loop 610 and T.C. Jester, where officers took the two men into custody. Court records show that both were on deferred adjudication for separate unrelated charges and each separately ordered to stay at an in-patient facility called Young Men About Change in Humble, in lieu of prison time. Records show that Cannady absconded from the facility in October but was ordered back in November. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com A ceremony marking the transfer of humanitarian aid from volunteer organizations of Latvia, Estonia, Sweden and Finland to the population of Donetsk and Luhansk regions has taken place in Kramatorsk on Monday, January 13. "Humanitarian assistance includes a variety of clothes for adults and children (summer and winter), shoes, textiles (curtains, sheets, blankets) and bed linen. A separate load is intended for the non-profit organization Slovyansk Central District Hospital. This includes a medical dressing (bandages, gauze, cotton wool), medical clothing and medical equipment (functional beds in the amount of 30 units, an electrocoagulator, a laparoscopic stand and equipment for minimally invasive care and other equipment for sterilization," Donetsk Regional Administration said on its website. The items were collected by non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, enterprises and citizens of Latvia, as well as volunteer organizations in Estonia, Sweden and Finland. Delivery of goods to settlements will be carried out by the National Guard of Ukraine, which will take the donations to Slovyansk (clothes, textiles, shoes), Novoluhansk (clothes, textiles, shoes) and Mykolaivka (medical equipment and clothes). Part of the humanitarian aid will be sent to Luhansk region. According to Deputy Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration Vadym Filashkin, Latvia has been transferring such humanitarian aid for the sixth year in a row, in particular, from 2014 to 2019. Latvian representatives delivered about 300 tones of humanitarian aid to residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Juris Poikans announced the decision to sign an agreement between the Latvian city of Saldus and the Ukrainian city Bakhmut, and also stated that the Latvian government will transfer EUR 25,000 for the needs of the Slovyansk hospital. Congressman Ted Yoho speaks at an event assessing the results oof the Taiwan elections at the Heritage Foundation in Washington on Jan. 13, 2020. (Lynn Lin/Epoch Times) Chinese Regime Would Have Much to Lose if It Tries to Take Taiwan: Rep. Ted Yoho The Chinese regime will have nothing to gain if it tries to forcibly unite Taiwan with the mainland, Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) said days after the islands President Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected on a platform promoting a tougher stance against Beijing. Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won a resounding victory on Jan. 11, defeating her main rival, Han Kuo-yu, of the Kuomintang party (KMT), who favors friendlier ties with the mainland, by a margin of nearly 20 percent. Her win was widely viewed as a firm rebuke of the Chinese regime, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory, despite the self-ruled island having its own political system, military, and economy. The people of Taiwan have spoken very succinctly, very clearly, that they want to have their sovereignty, self-governance, Yoho said at an event analyzing the election results hosted by think tank Heritage Foundation in Washington on Jan. 13. In a strident response to Tsais re-election, Beijings top diplomat Wang Yi, in comments carried by Chinas Foreign Ministry, warned that those who split the country will be doomed to leave a stink for 10,000 years, adding that reunification across the Taiwan Strait is a historical inevitability. The Chinese regime has never ruled out using military force to claim Taiwan as its own. It also proposes unifying the island under the one country, two systems framework, currently used to govern Hong Kong and Macauan option firmly opposed by both the DPP and KMT. China will have much to lose should it try to take Taiwan, Yoho said. Itll force an international backlash with countries and companies wanting to divest from China. The congressman added that Beijing, in its dealings with Taiwan, should learn from the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong. For over six months, the city has been roiled by protests against the Chinese regimes growing interference in the city. Many are angered by what they view as a violation of the regimes pledge to maintain the citys autonomy under the one country, two systems formula. If you threaten ones freedom, democracy, and sovereignty, there will be a huge cost paid, Yoho said. Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, predicted that the regime is unlikely to use military force anytime soon. The risks are high, Glaser said at the event. Its not just a matter of seizing Taiwan, its a matter of holding it. Its a matter of winning over the people of Taiwan. She added that Beijing could also face a massive insurgency if it chose to resort to force. Look at what happened in Hong Kong. We at least have to ask the question: would the people of Taiwan fight for their own sovereignty and independence? And I personally believe that they would, Glaser said. In the meantime, the regime is likely to ramp up pressure on Taiwan, including by continuing to poach its diplomatic allies, and increasing military incursions into the Taiwan strait, she added. Glaser noted that thus far, Beijing has not done much to harm Taiwans economy, except limiting the amount of Chinese tourists to the island. However, the regime may pursue other means to do so, if it believes that poor economic performance will help prevent the DPP from staying in power. As for the regimes insistence on using one country, two systems as a model to absorb Taiwan, Walter Lohman, director of the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation, told The Epoch Times affiliate NTD that the election results were unlikely to change Beijings stance. One country, two systems has been dead for a long time [in Taiwan], Lohman said, adding that the idea never really lived except for in the minds of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership in Beijing. CCP leaders are unlikely to depart from this framework because theyre in their own bubble, he said. Theyre thinking about these things on their own terms without enough external references, and without a bureaucracy that really has the ability to challenge conventional wisdom on it. After Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, the city police on Tuesday entered Mahatma Gandhi founded Gujarat Vidyapith campus to disrupt a kite-flying event organised by a group of students to mark their protest against the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The students, however, went ahead with their programme and flew kites carrying anti-CAA messages, who were joined by several activists. About a dozen cops in three vehicles entered the campus at around 10 AM and reached the playground adjacent to hotels where the event was planned. Being a holiday, there were very few students and faculties in the campus. Students alleged that policemen started asking for their identity cards. "We were shocked to see policemen in front of our hostel. One of them asked for my identity card. When I protested, the cops started shouting at me and said that they have all the right to come to the campus without anyone's permission," said Himanshu Sharma, a first-year student of Gandhian Philosophy at the varsity. One of the cops, captured in the video, told the students that "We have all the rights to come inside the campus without taking anyone's permission. We are here to maintain law and order. What if violence breaks out here." Apart from students, some activists including Nirjhari Sinha, Shamshad Pathan and Nachiketa Desai also participated in the event. After IIM Ahmedabad, police enter Mahatma Gandhi founded #Gujarat Vidyapith to disrupt kite festival organised by some students who wanted to fly kites carrying messages of anti CAA @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/vjiBMGfw0J satish jha. (@satishjha) January 14, 2020 Research scholar Utpal Anish, one of the organisers of the event, said, "Our senior trustees had told to do something to express our solidarity with students of Jamia and JNU who were subjected to police brutality. And, accordingly, we decided to fly kites carrying anti- CAA messages. There was nothing illegal about it as it was planned inside the varsity ground." Despite repeated attempts, vice-chancellor Anamik Shah did not respond to phone calls. Sources said that last year, after hearing about the event, some of the officials had tried to stop the students from organising it. Gujarat Vidyapith was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 during the freedom struggle. it is a deemed university that has a history of accommodating dissent. Earlier last week, about a dozen cops had entered prestigious IIM-Ahmedabad and tried to disrupt their event. The students had planned sit-in, canvas signing, preamble reading, candlelight vigil and discussion. The students were forced to conduct these events inside a classroom instead of an open ground where they had planned. A bench comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and Ajay Rastogi said no merit was made out to interfere with the High Court order, and dismissed the petition. New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal against a Jharkhand High Court order, which directed the State Public Service Commission to modify results of the preliminary exam (PE) of the Combined Civil Services 2016. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by Dipak Kumar and others challenging the High Court order passed in October 2019, which quashed the state government resolution of February 12, 2018 and the revised results announced by JPSC in August, 2018, which announced 34,634 candidates as successful. The JPSC published the advertisement for the Combined Civil Services Competitive Examination, 2016, to fill 326 posts in different civil services. The advertisement had a rider that the number of posts could be increased or decreased. According to the process of selection based on the preliminary examination, the candidates selected for the main examination would be about 15 times the vacancies in different categories. In December 2016, the PE was held, and 5138 candidates were declared successful in the result published in February 2017. A reserved category candidate moved the High Court saying those with fewer marks than his were declared successful in unreserved category. Later, the government came out with a resolution on the issue stating reserved category candidates who got equal to, or more marks than the last selected candidate in unreserved category, would appear in the main exams. After implementation of this formula, 6,103 candidates were declared successful. Later, the second revised list was published on the PE results wherein 34,634 candidates were declared successful. This was challenged in the High Court, which was dismissed. The court also directed JPSC to publish the results of the main examination, confined to the candidates declared successful in its first revised results published in August 2017. ss/prs tech2 News Staff The Indian space agency ISRO is collaborating with the European aerospace company Arianespace to launch its next telecommunication satellite mission, GSAT-30. The satellite is due for launch into orbit on Friday, 17 January 2020 at 2.35 am IST from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch will mark the 107th flight of the Ariane V launch vehicle by Arianespace. On launch day, the Ariane 5 will be carrying a second telecommunication satellite for European space company Eutelsat Konnect. The rocket will first place the GSAT-30 in orbit, followed by the release of Eutelsat's Konnect. The entire mission is supposed to last 38 minutes and 25 seconds. About GSAT-30 The GSAT-30 was designed and manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It will be placed at a longitude of 83 East and will provide high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services to the mainland and India's islands. It will provide extended coverage in the C-band, which helps television broadcasters beam their programs across the country, in Australia, Gulf countries and a large number of Asian countries too. The satellite also has one Ku-band beacon downlink signal for ground tracking purposes. GSAT-30 has a mission life of 15 years, and will be replacing the Insat 4A satellite currently in orbit. About KONNECT Konnect, a satellite owned by Eutelsat communications and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, is a new-generation high-throughput telecom satellite that can deliver services across Europe and Africa. Weighing around 3,620 kg, it will operate from an orbital slot at 13 degrees east. It will provide internet access to both companies and individuals at speeds of up to 100 Mbps, as per Eutelsat's website. With all-electric propulsion and operating on Ka-band frequencies, Konnect is designed to stay useful in orbit for 15 years. The high-capacity broadband satellite will deliver significant resources for broadband services across Europe and Africa and set a new benchmark for flexibility in High Throughput Satellites, the website claims. It will also be used for community networks connected to Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile phone backhauling and rural connectivity. Arianespace's Ariane 5 is a heavy-lift launcher that can carry payloads of 10 metric tons to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) and 20 metric tons into low-Earth orbit (LEO). Job Title: Data Clerk (No Experience Job Opportunities)) Organization: Asili Farms Duty Station: Uganda About US: Asili Farms is a fully-mechanized farming company that manages dual-season production of high-quality maize and soybeans for supply to regional food processors. Asili became operational in January 2014 and is currently farming on over 5,000 ha of land in Western Uganda under conservation agriculture and precision farming approach to maximize yields efficiently and sustainably. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Prepares source data for computer entry by compiling and sorting information; establishing entry priorities. Reviewing data for deficiencies; resolving discrepancies by using standard procedures or returning incomplete documents to responsible parties for resolution. Maintains data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures. Verifies entered data by reviewing, correcting, deleting, or re-entering data; combining data from both systems when account information is incomplete; purging files to eliminate duplication of data. Secures information by completing database backups. Maintains operations by following policies and procedures; reporting needed changes. Maintains confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Making daily reports about the completed work Vs the set targets Perform any other related work assigned by the authority. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold an Honours Degree in Computer Science, ICT, Statistics, Information Systems or Quantitative Economics. Computer operation skills in database maintenance Good interpersonal skills. Excellent communication skills How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit their applications to the head office which should include; photocopies of academic testimonials, a CV with at least 3 referees to the Human Resource Manager, Asili Farms. Alternatively, apply to peninah.nangobi@agilis-partners.com Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2020. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Moroccos national carrier Royal Air Maroc, RAM, will launch Thursday, Jan. 16, its first direct flight from Casablanca to Beijing, China. The route will be served by B787-9 Dreamliner, of 302 seats including 26 in business class. The flight to depart from the Mohammed V airport in Casablanca will take 13 hours to reach the Chinese capital, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Departures from Beijing are slated on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. China has become the leading tourist market in the world and Moroccan authorities hope to lure more Chinese tourists to the kingdom. In 2016, Moroccan authorities decided to exempt Chinese nationals from visa requirements in a bid to bolster tourist arrivals. Two years later, 180,000 Chinese tourists visited the North African Kingdom. Chinese Tour operator C Trip had pledged to bring annually 500,000 Chinese tourists to Morocco. Chinese business community is also targeted when RAM CEO Hamid Addou announced the direct route in September. With the Beijing new service, RAM is expanding its destinations in the Asian continent. The national carrier currently serves Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan. (Alliance News) - Emmerson PLC on Tuesday said it has finalised the feasibility study components for the connection to road networks for its Khemisset potash project in northern Morocco. The potash development company said it has completed a detailed options study to determine the optimal site location for the project installations, and associated connections to existing highways. The options study is a "crucial" part of the feasibility study to assess all potential solutions available for the various components of the project, Emmerson said. As a result, the company said it has considered proximity to existing infrastructure as a factor in site selection and will pave about 3.2 kilometres of the main connection to the highway, along with the slip lanes at the connection point. Meanwhile, the design of the unpaved roads will allow "significant heavy" vehicle traffic, Emmerson noted. The company said the total budgeted capital cost required to connect the Khemisset site to existing highway infrastructure is USD2.0 million. This is slightly higher than previously expected USD1.3 million, Emmerson said. "We identified the location of the Khemisset project as one of its major strengths from the outset; the proximity to world class existing infrastructure is a key tangible benefit," said Chief Executive Hayden Locke. "The ability to have such a simple and cost-effective end-to-end logistics solution will benefit the Project not only through financing and construction, but throughout its lifecycle," added Locke. Emmerson shares were trading 1.0% lower in London on Tuesday at 3.91 pence each. By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The New York Times Oyo, once one of Indias fastest-growing tech startups, is now rapidly scaling back. In recent weeks, Oyo, a budget hospitality company, has pulled out of dozens of cities, cut thousands of hotel rooms, started laying off employees and slashed other costs as it faced pressure from its biggest investor, Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, to curb vast operating losses. The retreat has been swift and sweeping. In India alone, Oyo has lost more than 65,000 rooms or about a quarter of what it had offered to travellers since October, according to internal data from current and former employees that was reviewed by The New York Times. This month, Oyo also stopped selling rooms in more than 200 small Indian cities, according to company documents and one current and one former employee. The moves come on top of more than 2,000 layoffs around the world, which Oyo began rolling out last week, according to six current and former employees. Before the cutbacks, Oyo had about 20,000 workers in 80 countries. Oyo said some of the data obtained by The Times was inaccurate but declined to be specific. In an email to employees on Monday, Ritesh Agarwal, the companys chief executive, said Oyo was focused on sustainable growth and profitability which meant layoffs. Unfortunately, some roles at Oyo will become redundant as we further drive tech-enabled synergy, enhanced efficiency, and remove duplication of effort across businesses or geographies, he wrote in the email. The Economic Times, an Indian publication, first reported in December that job cuts at Oyo were coming. Oyos actions are part of a broader pullback by startups funded by SoftBank. Armed with a $100 billion fund known as the Vision Fund, SoftBank has shovelled money into startups across the globe in recent years. That has given many young companies fuel to expand, often with little thought for profit. Last year, some SoftBank-funded startups began running into trouble most notably WeWork, the office space company, which failed to go public when investors began questioning its losses. WeWork ultimately ousted its chief executive and slashed its valuation to less than $8 billion from $47 billion. WeWorks fall led to questions about other startups that SoftBank had financed and whether those young firms could make money. Last month, dog-walking service Wag underwent several rounds of layoffs before SoftBank sold its shares at a loss. Construction startup Katerra, another SoftBank-funded company, also cut its staff. This month, layoffs have gathered momentum at startups that SoftBank had invested in. South American delivery service Rappi and San Francisco car-sharing startup Getaround said they were laying off employees. Zume, a company that used robots to make pizzas and had been valued at $2 billion, cut more than half of its workforce. It also stopped making pizzas. Some investors and startups said they were now approaching SoftBanks Vision Fund cautiously or, in some cases, avoiding it altogether. We have advised almost all of our companies to steer clear, said Josh Wolfe, an investor at the venture capital firm Lux Capital who has been critical of SoftBanks strategy. Everyone else was fearful to say the emperor had no clothes. SoftBank declined to comment on Oyo and other startups in which it has invested. Agarwal founded Oyo in 2013 to organise Indias small independent hotels into a chain. The company markets rooms online and takes a cut of each stay. Agarwal, who has become a business star in India, has said he aspired to make Oyo the worlds largest hotel chain by 2023, displacing Marriott. But as Oyo tried to expand globally, in part pushed by SoftBank, it spent heavily on incentives to attract hotel owners and customers to its site. That resulted in losses in India, where Oyo has said it will lose money through at least 2021. Masayoshi Son, SoftBanks chief executive, began investing in Oyo in 2015. SoftBank and its Vision Fund now own half its stock. While Son has called Oyo a jewel of his fund and urged it to grow quickly, he has since changed his stance. As Oyos losses have mounted, senior leaders at the company have told employees that SoftBank had demanded that it become profitable on a basis known as EBITDA earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation by mid-2020, according to current and former employees. In another sign of SoftBanks shifting position, Yahoo Japan, which is half-owned by SoftBank, pulled the plug in November on a Japanese apartment-rental venture with Oyo. Most of the Oyo employees involved in the Japan venture have been laid off or relocated, current and former employees said. Oyo faces other troubles in India. On Friday, Indian income-tax authorities visited the companys headquarters just outside New Delhi, requesting reams of documents. The tax department and Oyo said the government was examining whether the company was properly withholding and remitting income taxes on payments to vendors. The Times reported this month that Oyo had offered thousands of unlicensed hotel rooms and sometimes offered free rooms to government officials to deter enforcement. The Times also described how some Oyo employees worked together to commit fraud against the company. In his email on Monday, Agarwal said the behaviour described by The Times would violate the companys code of conduct. We take all the allegations very seriously and are looking into each and every one, he wrote. To stem losses, Oyo has also cut back on staff and supplies such as mineral water and cleaning fluids in the hotels it runs itself, according to the current and former employees. Oyo staff members managing some of the hotels have been instructed to save more money on electricity bills by switching off lights, elevators and even boilers for hot water, they said. Morale has plummeted among thousands of Oyo workers globally, current and former employees have said. Prabhjeet Singh, an Oyo business development manager who left the company in September, said employees who criticised the company ran a greater risk of losing their jobs. Its a culture of silence, he said. Oyos reputation has deteriorated so much in India that other employers are reluctant to hire its former workers, said Singh, who has been unable to land another job. They look at me as if Ive done a crime working at Oyo, he said. Vindu Goel, Karan Deep Singh and Erin Griffith c.2020 The New York Times Company PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DHVANI, the Activ(ist)Wear brand, is thrilled to announce their sustainable Terra collection and a new partnership with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit dedicated to directly impacting climate change via reforestation. DHVANI designs, manufactures, and sells athleisure apparel. The young startup company will be planting one tree for every item purchased from their website. This includes all in-stock items as well as pre-ordered items like their Terra collection, which is made of fabric derived from recycled plastic bottles. "Every tree we plant removes about 48 pounds of carbon from our atmosphere per year. One acre of trees planted removes 2.5 tons," said Avi Brown, CEO and co-founder of DHVANI. "We want to empower our customers to be change-makers who make a direct and measurable impact in the fight against climate change. Buy One, Plant One and Terra will bring high-quality, fashionable Activ(ist)Wear to customers while driving the kind of change that young people like Greta Thunberg are rightly championing." The trees will be planted in Australia, which is currently experiencing unfathomable destruction due to bushfires which have spread over 17.9 million acres. The area is home to koala, wombat, and kangaroo habitats which will need to be restored and rehabilitated when the fires stop. "This reforestation project is providing a social impact for local communities as well as creating an environmental impact for nature and wildlife. It's fantastic to have such a positive mission supported by DHVANI," said Matt Hill, Chief Environmental Evangelist of One Tree Planted. The partnership will begin January 14, 2020. It is one of many cause-oriented programs led by DHVANI's leadership team. Founded in 2018, DHVANI aims to promote causes and values that create positive change in the world. Their mission is to #StandForSomething and they encourage all to join in the movement, and to invite their friends to stand with them. "We believe individuals can change the world. We're committed to providing everyday opportunities that allow our community to not only support causes, but to become active participants," said company spokesperson Angela Williams. To stay up to date, visit DHVANI at dhvani.com or contact spokeswoman Kate Gardiner at Grey Horse: [email protected]. SOURCE DHVANI Related Links http://dhvani.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would "teach a lesson" to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar if he resumed fighting after abandoning ceasefire talks in Moscow. Haftar left Moscow on Tuesday without signing a peace deal aimed at ending nine months of fighting with the UN-backed government in Tripoli. "We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country's legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya," Erdogan told a meeting of his party in Ankara in a televised speech. Erdogan said the issue would now be discussed at talks in Berlin on Sunday attended by European, North African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as the UN, EU, Africa Union and Arab League. "The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later unfortunately he left Moscow, he fled Moscow," Erdogan said. "Despite this, we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcherDX, Inc., today announced it has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Personalized Cancer Monitoring (PCM) technology, a bespoke, minimally-invasive and highly-sensitive product intended for early-stage cancer treatment monitoring and recurrence surveillance. ArcherDX's technology enables healthcare providers across community and academic care settings access to genomic information in their laboratory, saving critical time and allowing world-class, cost-effective care locally. The goal of the Breakthrough Devices Program is to provide patients and health care providers with timely access to medical devices by speeding up their development, assessment, and review, while preserving standards, consistent with the FDA's mission to protect and promote public health. The program will provide ArcherDX with enhanced communication with the FDA regarding technology validation and clinical trial protocols and could expedite the review process. Jason Myers, ArcherDX Chief Executive Officer and co-founder said, "Fewer than 1% of cancer patients receive any genomic profiling for the monitoring of their cancer. Millions of individuals who undergo cancer treatment and the millions more who survive and achieve remission, need a sensitive, personalized means of detecting relapse earlier. We believe our bespoke product can improve both therapy monitoring and recurrence surveillance and given the substantial need, we look forward to additional collaborative interaction with regulators to deliver our PCM product to patients as soon as possible." As part of an on-going collaboration, TRACERx1 investigators, led by Professor Charles Swanton, Group Leader, UCL and the Francis Crick Institute, and Dr. Christopher Abbosh, Principal Clinical Fellow, UCL, are utilizing ArcherDX's technology to detect low-volume minimal residual disease at high levels of sensitivity to help achieve TRACERx's goal of a more personalized approach to developing cancer treatments. The PCM Breakthrough designation follows Breakthrough Device Designation for ArcherDX's STRATAFIDE which, upon approval, would be the first pan-solid tumor device employing genomic sequencing testing technology to accept both tissue and blood that can be used in local hospital or regional reference laboratories. About ArcherDX ArcherDX is advancing molecular diagnostics with a robust technology platform for genetic mutation detection by next-generation sequencing. By combining patented Anchored Multiplexed PCR (AMP) chemistry in an easy-to-use, lyophilized format and powerful bioinformatics software, the Archer platform dramatically enhances genetic mutation identification and discovery. ArcherDX provides oncology-focused research products and is pursuing regulatory approval for multiple companion diagnostic assays. ArcherDX is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Learn more at www.archerdx.com and follow @ArcherDXInc on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. 1 *TRACERx (Tracking Cancer Evolution through therapy (Rx)) is the single biggest investment in lung cancer research by Cancer Research UK. Taking place over nine years, the translational research programme is the first study to look at the evolution of cancer in real time and immense detail. Researchers follow patients with lung cancer all the way from diagnosis through to either disease relapse or cure after surgery, tracking and analysing how their cancer develops. TRACERx is led by UCL (University College London) via the Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence and also supported by the National Institute for Health Research, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, Francis Crick Institute and the Rosetrees Trust. About UCL UCL was founded in 1826. We were the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it, and the first to provide systematic teaching of law, architecture and medicine. We are among the world's top universities, as reflected by performance in a range of international rankings and tables, and are committed to changing the world for the better. Our community of over 41,500 students from 150 countries and over 12,500 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems. www.ucl.ac.uk | Follow us on Twitter @uclnews | Watch our YouTube channel YouTube.com/UCLTV. About The Francis Crick Institute The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King's College London. The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a brand new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1,500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under a single roof in Europe. http://crick.ac.uk/ SOURCE ArcherDX Related Links http://www.archerdx.com Mumbai, Jan 14 : A top official of the University of Mumbai was on Tuesday shunted on "forced leave" for making derogatory remarks on women and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a two-day long agitation. Yogesh Soman, the Director, Academy of Theatre Arts (ATA) in the varsity, had allegedly made objectionable remarks against Gandhi and women on social media recently, the varsity's Chhatra Bharti unit President Shridhar Pednekar said. "Students of ATA also harassed by him had to resort to a sit-in agitation at the Kalina Campus since January 13, along with Chhatra Bharti and All India Students Federation, Disha Vidyarthi Sanghatana and other activists," Pednekar said. Finally, with the intervention of legislator Kapil Patil, the University Secretary on Tuesday issued a letter stating that Soman had been sent on a "forced leave", after which the students called off their strike. The students spent a night of peaceful agitation, sitting in the campus, singing patriotic songs, raising slogans and clapping. Prominent among them Apurva Ingale, Amir Kazi, Sagar Bhalerao, Amrin Mogar, Sahin Bansod, Rohit Dhale and Baban Thoke. At least twice, the university authorities asked the students to withdraw their sit-in protests, but they refused and later even Patil joined them. The legislator urged the varsity administration to take immediate action against Soman and also redress the students' grievances. The university authorities said that after sending Soman on "forced leave", a fact-finding committee will enquire into the students complaints before taking further measures. A letter to the effect was issued by University Secretary Ajay Deshmukh, which was shown to the students who called off their protests. Among others, the students complained that since six months, there were no teachers appointed to teach them, a particular line of ideology was being imposed on the students, and Soman allegedly indulged in mismanagement which even the temporary teachers in ATA have resented. A nurse wearing a face mask, walks in a hallway of a hospital in Guangzhou, China on Jan. 13, 2004. (Getty Images) Another Chinese City Reports Mysterious Pneumonia, as Thailand Confirms Spread of Wuhan Virus Thailand authorities said a visiting Chinese tourist has been diagnosed with a new strain of pneumonia thats the first confirmed case outside of Wuhan City, China. Meanwhile, in southern Chinas Shenzhen City, a patient has been hospitalized for another mysterious type of severe pneumonia. Chinese authorities on Jan. 11 publicly released the complete genetic sequence of the coronavirus that causes the respiratory illness, allowing public health professionals to detect whether a patient has the same illness that was first confirmed by Wuhan health authorities on Dec. 31, 2019. WHO reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak and any animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement Jan. 13, in response to the Thailand case. Chinese authorities havent yet identified the cause of the illness, although they say several patients had visited or worked at a seafood market in Wuhan that also sells wild game. Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea all have identified people with pneumonia-like symptoms who recently traveled to Wuhan and have quarantined them in hospitals. Thailand Thailands public health ministry said on Jan. 13 that the patient is a woman from the central Chinese city of Wuhan. After she was found with pneumonia-like symptoms on Jan. 8, Thailand authorities quarantined her at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, in Nonthaburi. Public health officials hand out disease monitoring information after performing a thermal scans on passengers arriving from Wuhan, China at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 8, 2020. (Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images) The ministry added that the Chinese tourist has recovered from the illness and can fly back to Wuhan. China The Nanshan District Peoples Hospital in Shenzhen City reported that a patient has been admitted for severe pneumonia, according to a Jan. 12 statement published by Chinese state-run media. Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team drive their vehicle as they leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan, China on January 11, 2020. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) The hospital statement said the patient is a 41-year-old Indian national and a teacher in Shenzhen. She didnt travel to other Chinese cities in recent months. She developed a cough after the new year and had a fever for about two days, but didnt visit a doctor or report being ill. On Jan. 11, she went to the Shekou Peoples Hospital in Nanshan district. Soon after, the patient experienced severe respiratory failure, and was transferred to the Nanshan District Peoples Hospital. The hospital said the patient had severe pneumonia; laboratory tests ruled out coronaviruses SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), and the Wuhan strain. It also ruled out influenza and avian influenza. A nurse wearing a face mask walks in a hallway of a hospital in Guangzhou, China, on Jan. 13, 2004. (Getty Images) Sean Lin, a U.S.-based expert in microbiology and former virology researcher for the U.S. Army, said its highly unusual for a hospital to rule out the Wuhan coronavirus within 24 hours of a patient being admitted. He said testing for coronaviruses usually takes more than a day. Common viruses only take several hours to test, but its unlikely that the hospital would need to make a statement regarding an illness caused by a common virus. I believe the conclusion was premature, he said. He also found it unusual that while other Asian countries and regions have suspected cases, neither Wuhan or other Chinese cities have reported new suspected cases. Its not like the only traffic out of Wuhan is through flights, he said, adding that its irresponsible of Chinese authorities to not issue alerts, nor provide public information via press conferences or media interviews. Since the outbreak, Wuhan authorities have heavily censored discussions about the illness. Eight Wuhan residents were detained after sharing information on social media. Foreigners who move to Australia might be shocked to learn that simple mistakes can potentially lead to fines and even criminal records. Florence Montalvo Cruz, family solicitor at the Refugee Service of Legal Aid New South Wales believes some of the crimes committed by people who weren't born in Australia are actually due to the unique nature of the laws. 'One of the things that my dad likes to do is that when he goes to the market, sometimes he tastes the fruits, for example, a grape. And I know that a lot of people from different cultures have that similar practice,' she told SBS. 'But what they don't understand is that in that situation, when they're taking fruits in those supermarkets, technically speaking that's shoplifting.' From not locking your car door to smoking at the train station, Daily Mail Australia takes a look at some of the most obscure laws that people mistakenly break. Smoking at train stations Smoking at train stations is illegal in most states of Australia. In Victoria, smoking is an offence in all areas of train stations. Adults will be fined $212 and children $72 if caught. Fines range from $300 to $550 in New South Wales for anybody caught smoking on metro, train, bus or ferry services - or at their designated stations. Queensland Rail and Western Australian authorities have also banned smoking at all train stations. In South Australia, laws prohibiting smoking at train and bus stops were passed in May 2012, while the Northern Territory have placed bans on all bus stops. Smoking at train stations is illegal in most states of Australia and can land someone a $550 fine (stock image) Having your feet up on the train Following on from smoking at train stations, people can also be fined in Australia for having their feet up on seats of the train. Each state has varying fines, ranging from $100 through to $261 for being caught with their feet on seats while travelling. Driving with an international licence - in some circumstances The laws surrounding driving with an international licence can get a little murky as people transition from holidaying in Australia to moving to Australia. Most states - other than the Northern Territory - allow foreigners who are spending three months or less in the country to drive using an international licence. For licences not written in English, the driver must carry a formal English translation or an International Driving Permit. Anybody who plans to live in Australia on a more permanent basis needs a local licence after three months - which is where some people tend to slip up. Not having a local licence after the three months has lapsed means a driver would be subjected to laws relating to being an unlicenced driver. Following on from smoking at train stations, people can also be fined in Australia for having their feet up on seats of the train (stock image) Not locking your car door In an attempt to crack down on car thieves, some states have made it an offence to leave your car unattended without locking it. In New South Wales, drivers must lock their cars if possible if they are more than three metres away. The law states the driver must 'secure the windows if possible' and 'lock the doors immediately after leaving the vehicle'. In Victoria, it is illegal to leave 'motor vehicle unattended with keys in ignition, motor running, brakes not secured or doors unlocked.' Those who break the law face a $117 fine, which can be escalated to $360 if the driver is ordered to face a magistrate. Drivers in Queensland face an on the spot fine of $44 for not securing their car and removing the key from the ignition. In an attempt to crack down on car thieves, some states have made it an offence to leave your car unattended without locking it (stock image) Swearing in public Whether you agree or not, swearing in a public place can land you in a lot more trouble - and debt - than you expected. Even though it's become normal to drop a swear word when you get frustrated, it is actually considered illegal when visiting parks, beaches and restaurants, right across Australia. The Summary Offenses Act 1988 states: 'a person must not use offensive language in or near, or within hearing from, a public place or a school.' Anyone caught in New South Wales, can be fined up to $660 or might even be required to complete up to 100 hours of community service. In South Australia the maximum penalty is $1250 or three months imprisonment. Not registering your pet When moving to Australia, foreigners may not realise that they're required to register their dogs with local councils. The registration process alerts authorities to the presence of the dog, and is done to ensure safety and to keep tabs on your pet's whereabouts. Failing to register a dog or cat in New South Wales can result in a $330 on the spot fine. Courts can choose to impose a maximum penalty of $5,500 or $6,500 if the breed of dog is considered dangerous. Fines in Queensland vary depending on whether there are additional offences, but generally begin at about $266 per offence. In Victoria, fines range from $83 to $413 for varying offences relating to owning animals. ALBANY A group of state lawmakers on Monday called on their colleagues in the Legislature to swiftly pass measures that would ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state. "It's time that we ban all flavors of e-cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, and protect the next generation of New Yorkers from nicotine and these deadly products," said state Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-Manhattan. "We're going to take action this year and ban these products." The lawmakers were flanked at their news conference by representatives of social justice groups, including NAACP leaders, parent advocates, public health organizations and health care providers. Their pledge to pursue legislation against the tobacco and vaping industries took place three days after a state Supreme Court justice struck down New York's ban on the sale of certain flavored electronic liquids, granting an injunction sought by the vaping industry that challenged the legality and constitutionality of an emergency order issued last year by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the state Health Department. The ban was issued in September by the state agency's Public Health and Health Planning Council, a day after Cuomo signed an executive order to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and related products. The swift action, which the vaping industry said would cripple its more than billion-dollar-a-year industry in New York, followed an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and deaths across the country. The decision by acting state Supreme Court Justice Catherine Cholakis found that the state had overstepped its authority and that the regulation of the vaping industry and flavored e-cigarettes in particular should be handled by the Legislature. The push against any flavored nicotine products in both chambers of the state Legislature follows a policy enacted earlier this month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that will prioritize "enforcement against certain unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to kids, including fruit and mint flavors." Those advocating for a statewide ban include Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, D-Brooklyn, who said: "It is time we get real about the toll tobacco is having on our state and our communities. ... I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of tobacco use and nicotine addiction. The new FDA policy, which enables enforcement actions against companies that do not cease manufacturing, distribution or sale of unauthorized flavored e-cigarettes, has limitations that will not stop youth and others from having access to flavored nicotine, according to some state lawmakers. Hoylman said the FDA policy exempts menthol products and doesnt restrict refillable pods or the disposable vaping products that he said are extremely popular among youth. "It turns out the only thing the (federal) administration proposed to ban are the closed pods containing flavors Juul already said they would stop selling," Hoylman said, referring to the leading vaping company. "It turns out that, once again, Washington is sucking up to big tobacco and Juul, doing their bidding by allowing them to continue targeting our children, communities of color (and) LGBTQ people, just like big tobacco has done for decades with menthol cigarettes." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association, said the ruling issued last week by Cholakis confirmed their challenge of the legality and constitutionality of the state's now-scuttled emergency ban on flavored vaping products. "What scientists from the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Public Health England, and the Royal College of Physicians have concluded is that vapor products are safer than smoking cigarettes," Abboud said. "For that reason, policies that target less harmful vapor products clearly are not based on science. Very simply: Bans dont work, they never have." The state's emergency regulation was an effort by Cuomo's administration to use state policymaking to limit the availability of vaping products in New York, but the judge found that type of action is "reserved constitutionally to the Legislature and not to the executive branch." She noted that the policy was also not the product of any biomedical research. In his annual State of the State address last week, Cuomo noted that he also supports legislation that would create a law banning the products. "We will continue our legal fight, but let's pass a clear, strict law restricting the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, restricting advertisements, and banning dangerous chemicals or products," Cuomo said. "Let's do it the first thing this session, let's sign it and let's make it a reality." Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who co-sponsored a 2016 bill to ban flavored e-cigarette sales, on Monday said she is renewing her push for the legislation. An Eau Claire man who was sentenced to four years in prison after he gave illegal drugs to a Chippewa Falls man in 2016 who later died from using them has been convicted of possessing cocaine with the intent to deliver. Dustin M. Leshock, 31, 3008 33rd Ave., pleaded guilty last week in Chippewa County Court to the cocaine charge, as well as OWI-2nd offense. Judge Steve Gibbs set a sentencing date for May 6. Leshock remains in custody. According to police reports and court records, Leshock sold one-tenth of a gram of heroin to 19-year-old Allyson K. Mayer on Nov. 28, 2016, for $45 at a business in Lake Hallie. Mayer shared the drug with her boyfriend, 18-year-old Isaac C. Repetto later that evening at a home in Chippewa Falls. Repetto and Mayer went to bed; when she woke up the morning of Nov. 29, Repetto was deceased. Mayer attempted to revive Repetto by giving him CPR. She also gave him a shot of Narcan, a chemical that is used to stabilize someone who is overdosing. When searching the scene, officers found unused syringes and tie-offs used in drugs. Leshock pleaded guilty in April 2017 to manufacturing and delivering of schedule I and II narcotics and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. In August 2017, Judge James Isaacson sentenced Leshock to four years in prison and four years of extended supervision. Leshock was given credit for 253 days already served. However, court records show that Leshock completed the Wisconsin Substance Abuse Program at the Stanley Correctional Institution on Jan. 18, 2019, and that his remaining two-year prison sentence would be converted to extended supervision, and he was released from the Department of Corrections on Feb. 4. Leshock was arrested April 6 about two months after he was released from prison. According to the new criminal complaint, Chippewa Falls police stopped Leshocks vehicle because he was driving with expired plates. Leshock failed a field sobriety test. While searching his car, officers found 5.7 grams of cocaine in baggies, as well as a meth pipe. Leshock previously told Judge Steve Cray that he has been battling addiction for many, many years, and wanted to enter rehabilitation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Kalamazoo Valley Law Enforcement Training Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College is offering a four-week-long Corrections Officer Academy that runs from February 17 to March 13 to help fill the growing number of open corrections positions in state prisons. Classes are held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Groves Campus. The Corrections Officer Academy is a Michigan Sheriffs Coordinating and Training Council-approved, 160-hour certification program for correctional personnel supervising inmates in county jails. The average starting salary is $35,849 while highly experiences workers can earn as much as $53,306. This four-week program focuses on obtaining the skills necessary to maintain the safety and security of a correctional facility. The tuition is $1,200 and the program is eligible for funding through the Kalamazoo Promise, Veterans Administration Education Benefits and the Michigan No Worker Left Behind program. The academy curriculum consists of the following training modules: Booking and Intake Correctional Law Cultural Diversity Custody and Security Defensive Tactics Ethics in Corrections Fire Safety Interpersonal Communications Prisoner Behavior Report Writing Workplace Harassment Stress Management Suicide Awareness First Aid / CPR / AED Open enrollment will take place at the Groves Campus Monday, February 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Due to limited space for the academy, candidate evaluations will be conducted to determine admittance into the program. Admission to the program will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. To be eligible for academy consideration, participants must: be at least 18 years of age; possess a high school diploma or equivalent; apply to become a Kalamazoo Valley student; have no prior felony convictions (including expunged convictions); and successfully meet minimum scores on Kalamazoo Valley placement tests. Minimum Next Generation Accuplacer placement scores include a 236 in Reading and a 247 in Writing. Individuals interested in coming to open enrollment should bring their drivers license and placement scores. To reserve a seat in the academy, a nonrefundable deposit of $250 is required at the time of registration. The application deadline is February 12. For more information, visit http://www.kvcc.edu/corrections or contact Victor Ledbetter at 269.353.1261 or vledbetter@kvcc.edu or Kenyatta Herrion at 269.353.1280 or kherrion@kvcc.edu. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. Mayor Christine Lundberg delivered her Springfield State of the City Address 2020 on Monday, putting a focus on vision, guts and gravitas moving into the future. She said she wants everyone to have a chance to help shape the citys vision. SPIRIT OF SPRINGFIELD AWARDS Vonnie Mikkelsen, president and CEO of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce was awarded the Spirit of Springfield Leadership Award. Lundberg touted Mikkelsens work with the WorkReady initiative, which helps support career and technical education programs in schools. The Spirit of Springfield Small Business Award went to the Busy Bee Cafe, which has provided a free Thanksgiving meal for the community for 15 years. Lundberg also announced that Wayfair would be recognized with the Spirit of Springfield Large Business Award. The company plans to reach more than 400 employees by early 2020. I want to emphasize we will have to take risks and be bold to get where we want to go, Lundberg said. And she also said city staff are serious about the decisions they will have to make. Among the many points Lundberg discussed was the appointment of a new city manager. There will be a meet and greet with candidates from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 at City Hall. In her speech, Lundberg highlighted the successes of Eugene Springfield Fire and Springfield Police Department in reaching out to the community. The American Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign installed more than 450 smoke alarms, Lundberg said. And instructors with the police department led a Mental Health First Aid training for city employees. Lundberg also highlighted successes in Springfields downtown, including the addition of 15 businesses in 2019 and the First Annual Block Party. Regarding infrastructure, Lundberg said some projects funded by the recent road bond have already been completed and more on the way. Numerous construction projects look to add more residential housing and apartments to the city, Lundberg said. And Homes for Good, Lane Countys housing agency, is working to create affordable housing by developing a 70-unit apartment complex. Springfield resident, Kori Rodley, thinks the mayor needs to do more to address affordable housing and not just market-rate housing. "There has not been too much focus on affordable and low-income housing," Rodley said. "One of the concerns that I have, if we're so focused there's a danger that we could leave people out of the future." If you want to weigh in as the city looks to plan for the future, a community survey will be rolled out. "This is an exciting time. Be part of the future of Springfield. Everyone is welcome," Lundberg said, closing her speech. Photo: The Canadian Press Relatives of one of the flight crew of downed Ukrainian airliner at a memorial near Kyiv, Ukraine. Iran said Tuesday that authorities have made arrests for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which killed all 176 people on board and set off protests in the country demanding accountability after officials initially concealed the cause of the crash. Iran's Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said some individuals" were arrested after extensive investigations." His statement on the judiciary's website did not say how many people had been detained or name those arrested. Iran at first dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane, but in the face of mounting evidence officials acknowledged on Saturday three days after that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States. The plane, en route from Tehran to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians and 57 Canadians, many of whom were Iranians with dual citizenship. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant. Iran's president on Tuesday called for a special court with "a ranking judge and dozens of experts" to be set up to probe the incident. The responsibility falls on more than just one person," President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech, adding that those found culpable should be punished. There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly, he said, without elaborating. Rouhani called the incident "a painful and unforgivable mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case by all means. This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court, he said. While Rouhani pointed to mistakes and negligence, he also repeated the government's line that the plane tragedy was ultimately rooted in U.S. aggression. It was the U.S. that made for an agitated environment. It was the U.S. that created an unusual situation. It was the U.S. that threatened and took our beloved (Soleimani), he said. Rouhani called the government's admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a first good step. He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian plane's flight recorder have sent it to France for analysis. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the shootdown. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane, I wished I was dead. Novostia announces that it has been awarded EUR 2.5 million grant from the European Union under the highly competitive Horizon 2020 EIC Accelerator. The EIC Accelerator is part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot that supports topclass companies with funding opportunities and acceleration services to help them develop and bring to market innovative products that have high potential to drive economic growth. Novostia aims at improving the quality of life of people suffering from heart valve disease, especially children and young patients, providing them with a unique, durable, anticoagulant-free and silent heart valve prosthesis. "This grant, together with our recent financing round of CHF 6.5 million, will accelerate the development of our technology toward the first in human studies. We appreciate the trust and support from the European Union, our investors, and partners and look forward to bringing this long-awaited innovation to patients and physicians", said Geoffroy Lapeyre, Novostia CEO. About Novostia Novostia is a privately held medical device company incorporated in 2017 in Microcity Neuchatel, Switzerland, developing an innovative artificial heart valve. For more information, please visit www.novostia.com Caution: Novostia technology is an investigational device not yet approved for sale. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005535/en/ Contacts: Geoffroy Lapeyre Chief Executive Officer g.lapeyre@novostia.com The list is likely to include House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Schiff led the formal House impeachment inquiry against Trump last year. Nadler leads the committee that drafted and approved the two articles of impeachment against the president. House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that Pelosi would release the names of the managers, who will effectively act as prosecutors in the president's trial, sometime before Wednesday's vote. Wednesday's House resolution is expected to have three functions: To transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, name the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial, and fund the trial itself. WASHINGTON The House will vote Wednesday to send two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Wednesday's vote will trigger a series of carefully choreographed procedural steps between the House and Senate, culminating in a walk across the Capitol by the House impeachment managers, who will be carrying the actual articles of impeachment in their hands. The managers will then physically deliver the articles to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams, a career public servant and former member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's staff. The actual delivery of the articles is likely to occur Wednesday afternoon, although House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday that the ceremonial walk could potentially be pushed back to Thursday morning. The handover will mark the end of a nearly month-long delay in transmitting the documents, which Pelosi orchestrated in an attempt to force concessions out of McConnell, R-Ky. Chief among them has been the ability to call witnesses, which Democrats have long demanded as part of any trial they would consider to be a "fair" one. But McConnell has said the question of witnesses should be shelved until partway into the trial itself, as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Absent a last-minute change of heart by McConnell, Wednesday's vote will represent a political defeat for Pelosi. The House voted on Dec.18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign to pressure Ukraine into launching investigations into Joe Biden and other domestic political opponents. The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme. Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's wish for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors. Harry and his American actress wife will now begin a "period of transition" that will see them split their time between Britain and Canada as they also seek a lifestyle less encumbered by royal duties and to end their reliance on public funding. It comes after what the 93-year-old queen described as "very constructive discussions" between herself, Harry, his elder brother Prince William and his father and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, at the monarch's rural Sandringham estate in eastern England. A final decision on the future of the couple, officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be determined in days, she said in a statement. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family," Elizabeth said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." The statement was highly unusual both in its informal tone and its personal nature, addressing the couple by name rather than by their titles. Meghan, who is currently in Canada with their infant son Archie, had been expected to join Monday's discussion by telephone. The royal crisis was triggered when Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, publicly announced last week that they wished to step back from royal duties and spend more time in North America. Although there had been initial discussions about their future, neither the queen nor Charles were consulted beforehand, a step seen as hurtful and premature by a family whose roots go back through a thousand years of European history It also exposed suspected divisions in the Windsor family and prompted soul-searching over what it means to be royal in the 21st century. "NEW ROLE" Harry and Meghan say they want a "progressive" new role for themselves and financial independence. As one of the world's most glamorous couples, they have also made clear that they were struggling with the intense media scrutiny. Last year, they announced legal action against a British tabloid, and Harry said papers had been bullying his wife in a way reminiscent of the hounding his mother Princess Diana had suffered before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. But it is unclear how they will pull off a partial pullback from royal roles - which some media have dubbed "Megxit" in a play on Britain's tortuous Brexit departure from the European Union - or who will pay for a transatlantic lifestyle. Currently, they are mainly funded by money from Prince Charles's Duchy of Cornwall estate as their royal roles have precluded them seeking personal incomes. "These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the queen said in her statement. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said most Canadians are very supportive of having the royals in the country. "But how that looks and what kind of costs is involved, there is still lots of discussions to have," Trudeau told Global News in a television interview. There are no provisions in Canada's Citizenship Act that confer Canadian citizenship status to members of the royal family by virtue of their status as a member of the monarchy, Canada's immigration department said in an emailed statement. To become legal permanent residents of Canada, they would need to apply through normal immigration processes, the statement added. Prince Charles, 71, has long sought a leaner royal family, but it is unclear how Harry and Meghan would fit into that model - especially if they essentially become Hollywood superstars. In trying to resolve the crisis, the most powerful members of the so-called royal "Firm" are aware that the final outcome could shape the monarchy's future. Elizabeth has served the country loyally since ascending the throne in 1952, earning the respect and admiration of most Britons, including many republicans, but the family has also sometimes faced accusations of being aloof and out of touch. The breakdown in royal relations has dominated the British media for days, with newspapers running a host of stories, based on quotes from unidentified royal insiders, about a split between Harry and William, the Duke of Cambridge, and anger at the top of the family amid suspicion of leaks and ostracism. In a sign of the tensions, Harry and William issued a rare public statement on Monday to denounce a report by the Times newspaper based on an unnamed source which said Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by "a bullying attitude" from William who had not been welcoming to Meghan. "FALSE" "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge," the statement said. "For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful." The furore over the couple, who married in May 2018 in a glittering ceremony watched by millions round the world, comes after a tough 2019 for the royal family. Prince Andrew's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came under uncomfortable scrutiny while the queen's husband, Prince Philip, 98, received a police warning over a car crash. DES MOINES, Iowa Elizabeth Warren made a forceful case for a female president and stood behind her accusation suggesting sexism by progressive rival Bernie Sanders in a Democratic debate that raised gender as a key issue in the sprint to Iowas presidential caucuses. Sanders vehemently denied Warrens accusation, which threatened to split the Democratic Partys left flank as well as the senators longtime liberal alliance at a critical moment less than three weeks before voting begins. Look at the men on this stage. Collectively they have lost 10 elections, Warren exclaimed on Tuesday night. The only people on this stage who have won every single election that theyve been in are the women. An incredulous Sanders responded: Does anybody in their right mind think a woman cant be elected president? he asked. Of course a woman can win. There was a final moment of tension between Sanders and Warren after the debate ended. Having shaken the hands of her other competitors, Warren was shown in video declining to shake Sanders extended hand. With the Democratic field tightly bunched among four leading candidates, the debate offered an opportunity for separation. But none of the six candidates on stage had the kind of moment likely to reshape the race in the final weeks before voting starts. Instead, the debate was generally marked by a focus on weighty issues of foreign policy, climate change and how to provide health care for all Americans. Even when disputes emerged, most candidates quickly pivoted to note their larger differences with President Donald Trump. For his part, Trump spent Tuesday night campaigning in Wisconsin, a state that is critical to his reelection effort. He tried to encourage the feud between Sanders and Warren from afar. She said that Bernie stated strongly that a woman cant win, Trump said. I dont believe that Bernie said that, I really dont. Its not the kind of thing Bernie would say. Despite such prodding, the debate stage drama was far from the explosion some Democrats feared. Candidates moved with ease through a variety of topics, disagreeing with each other but generally avoiding personal attacks. Sanders did step up his attacks on former Vice President Joe Biden over his past support of the Iraq War and broad free-trade agreements. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who was mired in the middle of the pack, seized on Warrens shifting positions on health care. Billionaire Tom Steyer acknowledged making money from investments in the fossil fuel industry, but highlighted his decade-long fight to combat climate change, an issue that came up repeatedly throughout the night. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, sometimes struggled for attention in a debate that often featured points of conflict between his rivals. Perhaps his strongest moment came when he described how, as a military veteran who is vocal about his faith, he could stand up to Trump in a general election. Im ready to take on Donald Trump because when he gets to the tough talk and the chest thumping, hell have to stand next to an American war veteran and explain how he pretended bone spurs made him ineligible to serve, Buttigieg said. And if a guy like Donald Trump keeps trying to use religion to somehow recruit Christianity into the GOP, I will be standing there not afraid to talk about a different way to answer the call of faith and insist that God does not belong to a political party. Questions surrounding war and foreign policy dominated early on. Sanders drew a sharp contrast with Biden by noting his own opposition to a 2002 measure authorizing military action against Iraq. Sanders called the Iraq invasion the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country. I did everything I could to prevent that war, Sanders said. Joe saw it differently. Biden acknowledged that his 2002 vote to authorize military action was a mistake, but highlighted his role in the Obama administration helping to draw down the U.S. military presence in the region. Several candidates condemned Trumps recent move to kill Irans top general and his decision to keep U.S. troops in the region. We have to get combat troops out, declared Warren, who also called for reducing the military budget. Others, including Buttigieg, Biden and Klobuchar, said they favored maintaining a small military presence in the Middle East. I bring a different perspective, said Buttigeg. We can continue to remain engaged without having an endless commitment to ground troops. The debate featured just six candidates, the fewest of any such forum this cycle after escalating party rules prevented other candidates from participating. For the first time, not a single candidate of color appeared on stage. Every candidate was white, and four were men. That was a stark contrast from the earlier days of the 2020 contest, which featured the most diverse field of candidates in history. The party is trying to navigate broader debates over how to reflect and embrace the crucial role women and minority voters will play in 2020. To defeat Trump this fall, Democrats need to ensure black, Latino and suburban voters are excited to vote for them against the Republican president. The debate marked one of the final moments the senators in the race will participate in a campaign-related event before returning to Washington to sit as jurors in Trumps impeachment trial. Those proceedings are likely to begin by the end of the week, making it difficult for senators running for president to spend time with voters Iowa in the contests final days. Some things are more important than politics, Warren said. I will be there because it is my responsibility. ___ Peoples and Superville reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Des Moines contributed to this report. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. At least 55 people have been killed and more are missing following avalanches in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir over the last 24 hours, officials say. Pakistani officials on January 14 said many villagers were still stranded by the avalanches in the Neelum Valley area following heavy rain that also triggered landslides. Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayan region, which is divided between Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its entirety. In Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said at least 10 people, including soldiers, were killed after several avalanches hit the area. Extreme weather has killed more than 110 people across Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan in recent days. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Guan Yanping (F) and her colleagues walk across a bridge. [Xinhua] Guan Yanping has dedicated herself to providing medical services to residents in remote mountainous villages around Bingzhouluo, a town in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Guan has nickname 'Basket Doctor.' Why? Many of the mountainous villages around the town are still not linked to the outside world by roads, so Guan always carries medicine and medical devices in a basket on her back when she makes house calls. Guan, a doctor with Sanzao Hospital, in Jinwan District, Zhuhai, in South China's Guangdong Province, signed up, in March 2017, to become a member of the first group of medical workers from the district to provide medical services in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. In recent years, Zhuhai has sent more than 100 medical workers to various hospitals in the autonomous prefecture to help the locals improve their health. The move has been part of the poverty-alleviation collaboration between the eastern and western regions of China, and a significant initiative in China's poverty-relief work. Last year, Guan was honored as a model worker, under the poverty-alleviation collaboration in Yunnan Province, for her dedication to helping locals become healthier. She was also selected the "most admirable medical worker" in Jinwan District. "What fulfills me most is the health awareness of residents in Bingzhongluo has improved, and I am really happy to see more villagers come to our hospital to seek help whenever they feel sick," she once said. Guan has applied to expand her service term from six months to three years. Guan Yanping (L) and her colleagues walk along a trail to a mountainous village. [Xinhua] Over the Mountains Bingzhongluo is the most remote town in the prefecture. Guan has climbed mountains, crossed over bridges and walked along the narrow, winding trails along the cliffs more than 300 times to visit 46 remote villages. During her first visit to a mountainous village, Guan carried a big box full of medicine and medical equipment. She became exhausted as she climbed the mountains with the box in her hands. After she returned to the town, she bought a basket that she could carry on her back. Since then, she has carried medicine and medical equipment in that basket, and the locals have called her "basket doctor." On January 12 this year, Guan and her colleagues visited Biwang, a village located deep in Biluo Snow Mountain. The purpose of their visit was to provide physical checkups to 65 villagers, and to ask the villagers to sign family doctor service contracts so they could receive more specific medical services. The local government built houses for villagers at the foot of the mountain as part of the village-relocation program. Most of the villagers had begun moving to the new village. Guan and her colleagues had to climb over two mountains to reach the residents who were still in the old village. The trails winded along the cliff, and the team had to use both their hands and feet to navigate the steep slope. "The first time I climbed the mountain, I was out of breath and my legs trembled. Now, I am used to climbing mountains, just like the locals," Guan told a Xinhua News Agency reporter. The team set out at 8:30 a.m., and finally reached the village at 1:30 p.m. Guan Yanping (2nd, L) provides medical services to residents in Biwang. [Xinhua] Warmest Love After they ate their lunch, Guan and her colleagues set up three tables in the village so they could receive the villagers. Guan provided the checkups. The village's doctor, Li Zhenlin, sat next to Guan, and served as her interpreter. Li could speak Mandarin and four ethnic languages. "Don't drink too much wine," Guan told a 61-year-old villager, who had hypertension. The locals have the habit of drinking wine. She always tries to convince her patients not to drink excessively. Guan and her colleagues worked late into the night on January 12, and they spent the night in the village. The next day, they visited Xiaochala, the only village of the Dulong ethnic group in the town. When they visited Xue Luojun, who had a serious mental disease, he was lying on his bed. When he saw Guan, he sat up and smiled at her. His mother told Guan that he had been waiting for her to visit. Guan helped wash Xue's hair and cut his fingernails. She also applied ointment on the eczema on his neck. "You look great," Guan told him, as they sat in the sun outside the house. Guan still remembers the first time she met Xue. He was afraid of meeting people, and he seldom came out of his room. Thirty-eight other residents of the town suffer from mental diseases, and Guan has visited each of them. "They actually understand in their hearts. What they need is psychosocial rehabilitation. As doctors, we give them hope, and they will have the confidence to live," Guan said. Guan has tried her best to help the locals improve their health awareness, and she has worked tirelessly to conduct research and popularize public health information. She has established more than 5,000 health files on the residents. Guan said she hopes, by the time she leaves, she will produce a research report, to give to the local government, to help improve local public health and basic medical care. Guan Yanping (L) helps a villager perform a rehabilitation exercise. [Xinhua] (Women of China English Monthly December 2019 issue) New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Bangladesh's state-owned radio public broadcaster, Bangladesh Betar and All India Radio on Tuesday inaugurated a content sharing programme. The inauguration of the programme took place during the India and Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Ministers Meet 2020. Bangladesh Information Minister Muhammad H Mahmud, who arrived here on Monday, and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar also held talks on bilaterally planned biopic of Bangladesh founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. An MoU between National Film Development Corporation of India and Film Development Corporation of Bangladesh was also signed. (ANI) Boris Johnson yesterday pledged to bring forward a plan to tackle the social care crisis within months. The Prime Minister said his 80-seat majority meant the new administration had a chance to deal with a problem that had been 'shirked by governments for 30 years'. Mr Johnson said he wanted to bring about a 'massive change in the way we fund social care'. The Conservatives have pledged that no one will have to sell their home to pay for care. Boris Johnson (pictured during visit to Stormont in Belfast) pledged to bring forward a plan to tackle the social care crisis within months But Mr Johnson yesterday sounded a warning that this did not mean better-off pensioners should not contribute financially. He said a key question was: 'Should taxpayers be paying for people who might be able to afford it?' During the election campaign, the Conservatives pledged to hold cross-party talks in Mr Johnson's first 100 days. But a Government source last night said this did not mean Labour would have a veto, particularly given the PM's new majority. They added: 'We are not going to be having some long-drawn-out discussion with the Opposition we want to get on with this. 'Of course we would like to reach a consensus which everyone feels they can support. But this is going to be our plan.' In an interview with BBC Breakfast yesterday, the PM insisted that the social care crisis was a priority. He said: 'We will bring forward a plan this year and we will get it done within this Parliament. The prime minister said he wanted to bring about a 'massive change' in the way social care was funded 'This is a big, big thing. I mean, this is a potentially massive change in the way we fund social care, and we've got to get it right. 'We have got to think very carefully about how we do it because there are lots of quite important moral and social issues contained in it. The key thing is that everybody must have safety and security in their old age nobody should sell their home to pay for the cost of that care. We will do that.' The PM is said to have initially favoured a system in which care costs were funded by the taxpayer. But Chancellor Sajid Javid warned this would leave the Treasury with an annual bill of more than 6billion, even if people were required to pay their residential costs. Other ministers are also said to have concerns about whether Britons of working age should pay the full care costs of those able to contribute. Downing Street yesterday gave no clues as to exactly how the extra cash will be raised. But Theresa May's former deputy Damian Green said the new government was serious about devising a lasting solution. Mr Green, who oversaw previous government attempts to resolve the issue, said: 'The solution has got to involve getting a lot of new money into the system.' Meanwhile, ministers will today bring forward legislation to lock in a planned 34billion increase in health spending over the next four years. A small number of people at a few federal agencies have vast power over the protection of American air and water. Under the Trump administration, the people appointed to those positions overwhelmingly used to work in the fossil fuel, chemical and agriculture industries. During their time in government they have been responsible for loosening or undoing nearly 100 environmental protections from pollution and pesticides, as well as weakening preservations of natural resources and efforts to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Of 20 key officials across several agencies, 15 came from careers in the oil, gas, coal, chemical or agriculture industries, while another three hail from state governments that have spent years resisting environmental regulations. At least four have direct ties to organizations led by Charles G. and the late David H. Koch, who have spent millions of dollars to defeat climate change and clean energy measures. Gretchen Goldman, research director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noted that many Republican administrations had brought in people from regulated industries. Theres nothing inherently wrong with hiring people from the private sector. But we need to make sure they are making decisions in the public interest, she said. The Trump administration has said it is focused on ending government overreach, and agency officials said it should be no surprise the administration has tapped people who have dealt first-hand with regulations and share President Trumps deregulatory goals. Administration press officers added that top agency officials had spent years in public service as well as in the private sector; that all agency officials undergo ethics training; and that those who have worked for industry had signed recusal statements. Senior administration officials, an overwhelming majority of whom the Senate has given their advice and consent to, understand that economic growth and environmental protection do not need to conflict, Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, said in a statement. The Environmental Protection Agency When Clevelands heavily polluted Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969, it galvanized the nation and helped lead to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Since then, the E.P.A. has tracked pollution and enacted regulations to guide clean air and water laws and reduce levels of toxic substances. The Trump administration has argued the agencys rules have become too onerous particularly for the fossil fuel and agriculture industries. Andrew R. Wheeler Head of the E.P.A. Former fossil fuel lobbyist. Now in charge of regulating (and deregulating) industry. PAST LIFE As a lobbyist, Mr. Wheeler represented an electric utility, a uranium producer and, most significantly, a coal magnate who paid Mr. Wheelers former lobbying firm more than $2.7 million over eight years to loosen restrictions on coal companies. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Wheelers job is to enforce clean air and water laws. During his tenure, he has rolled back regulations and made it easier for highly polluting coal plants to keep operating . Peter Wright Head of land and emergency management Previously represented Dow Chemical in the cleanup of toxic Superfund sites. Now oversees E.P.A.s Superfund cleanup program. PAST LIFE 19 years as an attorney at Dow, one of the worlds largest chemical makers . He fought to Mr. Wright spent. He fought to lessen Dows responsibility to contribute to the cleanup of a toxic waste site in Midland, Mich. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Wright oversees the E.P.A.s ongoing cleanup of thousands of Superfund sites , as well as emergency response and waste programs. Anne Idsal Head of air office Former attorney at Texas environment agencies that fought federal regulations. Now oversees regulations that limit air pollution at the E.P.A. PAST LIFE sued the E.P.A. over a plan to reduce air pollution in the state and require new controls on coal-fired power plants. In 2017 she told the Texas Observer she Ms. Idsal worked at Texas state agencies thatin the state and require new controls on coal-fired power plants. In 2017 she told the Texas Observer she wasnt sure whether humans had an effect on climate change WHAT SHE GETS TO DECIDE As head of E.P.A.s air office, Ms. Idsal now oversees decisions on regulating air pollution and climate change , including whether to impose controls on coal-fired power plants. Alexandra Dapolito-Dunn Head of chemical safety Former attorney and law professor at nonpartisan state environmental organizations and universities. Now oversees chemical regulations at the E.P.A. PAST LIFE Ms. Dapolito-Dunn spent several years working in nonpartisan organizations focused on the environment, including as executive director and general counsel for the Environmental Council of the States and the Association of Clean Water Administrators. WHAT SHE GETS TO DECIDE Under Ms. Dapolito-Dunn, the E.P.A. has decided not to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to impaired brain development in children, and has proposed new restrictions on asbestos that agency scientists said did not go far enough Nancy B. Beck Principal deputy head of chemical safety Previously worked in the chemical industry against regulations of chemicals. Now in charge of chemical regulations (though currently in a temporary position at the White House). PAST LIFE Ms. Beck ran the E.P.A.s chemical office for the first two years of the Trump administration but is now temporarily at the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Before joining the E.P.A., she served at the American Chemistry Council, which lobbies to weaken regulations on chemicals . WHAT SHE GETS TO DECIDE At the E.P.A., Ms. Beck pushed to weaken rules on toxic chemicals like the pesticide chlorpyrifos , as well as the review process for other toxic substances like the paint stripper ingredient methylene chloride. David Fischer is filling in for her at the E.P.A. while she advises the White House. David Fischer Deputy head of chemical safety Previously helped chemical companies navigate chemical safety laws. Now oversees federal implementation of chemical safety laws. PAST LIFE Mr. Fischer held several positions over a 10-year span at the American Chemistry Council , including serving as senior director in the chemical products and technology division. He later joined a public relations firm. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Fischer has stepped into Ms. Becks previous E.P.A. role during her temporary move to the White House, and is now a top policy adviser on chemical regulations . David Ross Head of the water office Previously sued to block an E.P.A. clean water rule. Now runs the Office of Water. PAST LIFE challenged the E.P.A.s clean water rule Mr. Ross represented industry clients like the American Farm Bureau against E.P.A. water regulations before entering state government. As an assistant attorney general of Wyoming, he WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Ross has led efforts to restrict the scope of the Clean Water Act and to weaken an Obama-era clean water regulation known as the Waters of the United States. Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta Head of research and development A career E.P.A. scientist, who now serves as E.P.A.s top science adviser. PAST LIFE Dr. Orme-Zavaleta has been with the E.P.A. since 1981, working with Republican and Democratic administrations on a range of issues including water pollution and chemical exposure risk. WHAT SHE GETS TO DECIDE Her office is in charge of a proposed new regulation that would restrict the use of scientific studies the E.P.A. can use when creating or modifying pollution regulations. David Dunlap Deputy head of science policy Former chemicals expert for Koch Industries. Now oversees federal research on toxic chemicals that will determine if more regulations are required. PAST LIFE Mr. Dunlap previously served as a policy chief at Koch Industries , focusing on water and chemical management. Earlier, he served as a vice president of the Chlorine Institute, which represents producers and distributors. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Dunlap is the top political deputy overseeing E.P.A.s pollution and toxic chemical research at the Office of Research and Development. Mr. Dunlap helps to review chemicals to determine if they require new restrictions. He has recused himself from work on one particular chemical, formaldehyde, because Koch Industries is a major formaldehyde producer. Department of the Interior The Interior Department manages more than 500 million acres of land and 1.7 billion acres of ocean floor, as well as the plants and animals living there and the oil, gas and other minerals that lie below. Under the Trump administration, the agency has removed regulatory obstacles to fossil fuel development. David Bernhardt Head of the Department of the Interior Former lobbyist for oil, gas and farming interests. Now oversees all federal land and natural resource use. PAST LIFE Former lawyer and lobbyist for oil and gas companies including Halliburton, Cobalt International Energy, Samson Resources, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Bernhardt leads the Interior Department, overseeing millions of acres of federal land and waterways. Under his tenure, the agency has weakened protections for endangered species, rolled back regulations on methane fought by the oil and gas industries, and weakened protections for fish in order to divert water to California farmers. Douglas W. Domenech Oversees oceans, coasts and American territories Previously worked as an oil lobbyist and on lawsuits to weaken environmental policies. Now oversees policy decisions over oceans and in U.S. territories. PAST LIFE Mr. Domenech was the director of the Fueling Freedom Project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Koch-funded group that promotes fossil fuels. Before that, he was the secretary of natural resources in Virginia, where he supported oil drilling off the states coastline . WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Domenech has been closely involved in most major policy decisions at the Interior Department, including scaling back national monuments in Utah and reversing endangered species protections . William P. Pendley Acting chief, Bureau of Land Management A conservative attorney who has advocated selling off public lands. Now oversees 250 million acres of public lands. PAST LIFE Mr. Pendley has long been critical of public lands and the environmental movement , and has compared government regulation to tyranny. He once compared climate change to a unicorn because neither exists. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Pendley is in charge of all federal public land across 12 western states, and decides whether or not to grant leases to fossil fuel companies for oil exploration and mining . He currently is overseeing the move of the Bureau of Land Managements headquarters to Colorado. Scott A. Angelle Head of offshore safety and enforcement Previously opposed former President Barack Obama's halt on drilling after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Now oversees safety measures put in place after disasters. PAST LIFE pushed to lift the Obama administrations moratorium on Gulf Coast drilling imposed after BP spill . Shortly after being appointed to the Interior department, he told a group of oil and gas executives, As Louisianas secretary of natural resources, Mr. Angelle. Shortly after being appointed to the Interior department, he told a group of oil and gas executives, Help is on the way . WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE overseen efforts to roll back Obama-era offshore drilling regulations Mr. Angelle has, including safety requirements on blow-out preventers and real-time monitoring. Aurelia Skipwith Director of Fish and Wildlife Services Previously worked for the agrochemical giant Monsanto. Now oversees the recovery of threatened and endangered species. PAST LIFE Ms. Skipwith co-founded, with her fiance, and served as general counsel of an agricultural consulting company, AVC Global. She previously worked for agricultural companies like Monsanto . WHAT SHE GETS TO DECIDE The Fish and Wildlife service oversees most wildlife protection in the United States as well as 150 million acres of land conservation and development projects on the nations wildlife refuges. James F. Reilly Director, U.S. Geological Survey Used to be a geologist for an oil and gas company. Now he oversees an initiative to restrict the way the government uses climate change models. PAST LIFE Dr. Reilly worked for 15 years as the chief geologist for Enserch Exploration, an oil and gas company based in Dallas. He also worked at NASA and was an astronaut for 13 years. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE ordered that scientific assessments from the U.S. Geological Survey focus on climate models that project the effects of climate change through 2040, rather than 2100 Dr. Reilly has, which had been the previous standard. Federal scientists say that would be misleading because the major impacts of current emissions may be felt after 2040. Daniel Jorjani Solicitor of the Department of the Interior Formerly an adviser to organizations led by the Koch brothers. Now a top attorney overseeing President Trumps policy of encouraging fossil fuel production and development. PAST LIFE Mr. Jorjani served in the Interior Department under George W. Bush, and then worked for three different groups connected to the billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch , who have spent millions opposing efforts to fight climate change. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE provides legal advice and oversees legal opinions regarding all Interior Department regulatory policies , including the decision to Mr. Jorjani, including the decision to end criminal penalties for the incidental killing of migratory birds in the course of business activity. Department of Energy In addition to overseeing the countrys nuclear arsenal, the Energy Department helps to develop energy from fossil fuels as well as renewables like wind, solar and geothermal power. Under the Trump administration it has rolled back energy efficiency measures for appliances and light bulbs, and promoted the export of coal and liquified natural gas. Dan Brouillette Head of the Department of Energy Former lobbyist for the insurance industry and for Ford Motor Company. Now secretary of the Department of Energy. PAST LIFE Mr. Brouilette was senior vice president of the United Services Automobile Association and at the Ford Motor Company . He has lobbied for the Business Software Alliance, Lockheed Martin, Time Warner, Entergy & Verizon. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE Mr. Brouillette oversees the countrys nuclear energy stockpile and the national laboratories conducting energy research and development . In December, one of his first acts as secretary was to roll back Obama-era energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. Neil Chatterjee Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Formerly coordinated opposition to climate regulations as an energy adviser for Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. Now serves as the countrys top energy regulator. PAST LIFE As the energy policy adviser to Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, Mr. Chatterjee helped fight regulations Mr. McConnell considered cumbersome, like the Clean Power Plan rules restricting coal-fired power plants . WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. Recently the commission ruled that wind, solar and other clean energy sources can be assessed a surcharge when bidding into the countrys largest power market, a move aimed at propping up fossil fuels and potentially discouraging new investments in renewable power . Daniel Simmons Assistant Head of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Used to work for an organization that called for the elimination of the Department of Energys office of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Now he runs that office. PAST LIFE Mr. Simmons was vice president for policy at the Institute for Energy Research, which is funded by fossil fuel interests , including Koch Industries. He held the same position at the groups advocacy arm, the American Energy Alliance, which once called for the elimination of the office of energy efficiency and renewable energy. WHAT HE GETS TO DECIDE The departments mission is to help support the development of clean, renewable and energy efficiency technologies and support a global clean-energy economy. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Any agency that writes a regulation or rolls back a regulation works with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. This obscure but powerful division of the White House Office of Management and Budget performs cost-benefit analyses on all regulatory actions before they are finalized. Some examples include the E.P.A.s plan to weaken regulations on coal plants and the Interior Departments plans to loosen protections for endangered species. Paul Ray Head of Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Former corporate attorney who represented Exxon and other companies that fought environmental regulations. Now he runs the agency that oversees every regulation. Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe is working around the clock to stop scammers getting a slice of millions of dollars raised to help those affected by the bushfire crisis, with more than 4500 fire-related campaigns launched on the platform since January 1. More than $28 million has been given to bushfire-related fundraisers on GoFundMe since November last year among an enormous overall donor drive, however there are concerns that some money may end up in the pockets of swindlers. Emphasising the sheer amount of money being donated, three bushfire fundraisers are in the top five GoFundMe pages of all time for Australia Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Help save Kangaroo Islands Koalas and wildlife and Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities. GoFundMe asks donors to pay an optional fee when making a donation. Scammers are targeting bushfire charities. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has had nearly 250 reports since it launched a dedicated hotline for bushfire-related scams last week, resulting in the removal of illegitimate crowdfunding efforts. Australia: Legal action taken against 183 for arson-related offenses as deadly bushfires rage; at least 25 people killed Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Correction appended Australian authorities have taken legal action against 183 people on bushfire-related offenses, some for deliberately setting fires that have ravaged parts of the nation. Police in the state of Queensland have determined that arsonists lit 103 of the blazes. Ninety-eight culprits have been identified, 67 of them juveniles. Legal action has also been taken against people in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania on bushfire-related charges, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Other local reports vary slightly, stating that police in Queensland "picked up" 101 people for setting fires, "32 adults and 69 juveniles," The Australian reports. In New South Wales, which has borne the brunt of the blazes, 24 people have been charged since Nov. 8 with intentionally setting the bushfires, The Australian said. "Since November, police have also taken legal action against 53 people for failing to comply with a total fire ban and against 47 people for discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land," the Sydney Morning Herald added, noting that legal action broadly means anything from receiving a citation to facing criminal charges. Twenty-five people have died as a result of the bushfires since they began. Thousands of homes have been destroyed and hundreds of millions of animals and livestock have been killed. Thus far, 13 million acres of land have burned across the continent, amassing an area twice the size of the U.S. state of Maryland, The Epoch Times noted. Australian media reports that many people, including teenagers, are attempting to save Koala bears that have been disproportionately impacted by the fires. Most of the fires are being set by young people aged 12 to 24, according to Janet Stanley, a bushfire expert at Melbourne University. Some of the blazes are set by young children. Unfortunately, 10 percent of people who we think light fires are 10 years old or younger, Stanley said last month in an interview with Newscorp. The Melbourne University research fellow began researching bushfire arson after she lost her home to it in 1983. Older men are also prone to lighting fires, she said. They often have a history of child abuse and neglect. They probably dropped out of school at a very early age, living on the edge of society, likely to be unemployed, not engaged in the community. In most cases, they dont intend to cause this chaos, they might just like to make a fuss, she added. It is estimated that around 85 percent of the fires are started by humans, either by accident or arson. Thirteen percent of the cases have been confirmed that the blazes were started by arson. Photojournalists have snapped pictures in recent days with no special lenses showing the dire conditions, complete with red skies and smoke-filled atmospheres. The fires have been especially severe along the nation's eastern coast and has necessitated that residents evacuate to beaches for safety. President Trump called Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Monday, offering assistance to the Australian government to help fight the fires. Morrison tweeted his gratitude thanking Trump for the "strong messages of sympathy, support and friendship for Australia during our terrible bushfire season." The Australian prime minister has committed more than $1.4 billion over the next two years to assist in recovery efforts. The rural fire service of New South Wales tweeted Tuesday that 1,588 homes had been destroyed in that state alone since the fire season began, 672 of which occurred since the beginning of 2020. Correction: January 13, 2020: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that 183 people were arrested. While legal action was taken against them, not all were arrested. Mumbai, Jan 14 : If the government feels that students are wrong, then it can engage in a debate with them, but it is absolutely not right to have them beaten up by the police in their campus, feels filmmaker Kabir Khan. Khan was speaking to IANS on Tuesday, when he opened up on the incident of police brutality on the students of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University last month. The students were beaten up by the police while staging a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA. Khan, an alumnus of Jamia, told IANS: "I feel strongly about these issues. It was, for me, a very uncomfortable visual when I watched those students of Jamia walking out with their hands in the air. I feel students have an absolute right to dissent, students have a right to protest. If you stop students from protesting, then it is the death of democracy. How can you prevent them from expressing dissent?" The filmmaker recently took to the streets of Mumbai along with several other Bollywood personalities to join the common people protesting against the CAA. Talking about the incident of police brutality on Jamia students, he added: "If the students don't like something and they want to talk about it, you cannot stop them from doing so. If you think they are wrong, you can debate with them. But don't have the police suppress them and beat them up in their campus. That's not the culture we want." Khan also expressed shock at the thrashing of JNU students by masked outsiders in Delhi last week. Talking about the incident he shared: "All of us, as we grow up, as we start working, we all become a little corrupted and indifferent. But students are the idealistic future of our country. Our university campuses are the future of this country. What they produce will be the way India will be 10, 20 or 30 years from now on. I think it's very important to respect that." The filmmaker said he feels students are showing us the path to become more brave and courageous as a society. He expressed: "I'm so glad that students across the country are registering their protest, making all of us braver and more courageous in being able to express our opinion." On the work front, Kabir Khan is all set for the release of his web series "The Forgotten Army: Azaadi Ke Liye", which narrates the story of the soldiers of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA). Starring Sunny Kaushal, TJ Bhanu, Rohit Chaudhary and debutant actress Sharvari, the web series airs on Amazon Prime videos from January 24. Khan is also readying for his upcoming feature film "'83". (ANSA) - Rieti, January 14 - Ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti told a party retreat near Rieti Tuesday that he was proposing a five-point strategic plan in view of a government 'verification' after regional elections in Emilia Romagna and Calabria at the end of the month. "We will propose to the government a fully fledged strategic plan for Italy: five political objectives with concrete measures to be adopted," he said at the party huddle at Contigliano. The points are: a green revolution to boost growth; a "simple Italy" to cut red tape in favour of businesses and citizens; an 'Equity Act' for wage parity between men and women and a north-south balance; increased spending for education; and a plan for health care and health assistance. Zingaretti said the PD was also in favour of boosting the powers of the government in an electoral reform now being discussed. "We must evaluate the strengthening of government powers," he said. "We must not be afraid. "We must field proposals opening talks with the other (government parties". A 'verifica', or assessment of the status and health of the government coalition, is scheduled after the Emilia Romagna and Calabria elections, both taking place on January 26. It was called to allay constant bickering over policies including budget issues and a reform of the statute of limitations. New strategy needed to meet mounting challenges Having optimism is oftentimes better than having pessimism. Yet blind optimism could be a recipe for failure. The same is true of the stalled nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea. Having a balanced view is crucial to breaking the deadlock and keeping the ball rolling. Now the question is whether President Moon Jae-in and his government are making an objective and correct assessment of the deteriorating situation. In his New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, Moon seemed to put forward wishful thinking without having a sense of reality. He said it was premature to be gloomy about the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. He certainly meant that it is not the time to give up on hope for a breakthrough in the impasse and an eventual success in denuclearizing the North. "I think we are not at the stage for now to be pessimistic about South-North dialogue and North Korea-U.S. dialogue, although it is not a time to be optimistic." He described U.S. President Donald Trump's letter, which was sent to Chairman Kim Jong-un last week to congratulate him on his Jan. 8 birthday, as "very positive" and a "good idea." Moon stressed relations between Kim and Trump which he apparently believes can lead to a resumption of dialogue. This, however, is a far cry from the North Korean view that personal ties between the two leaders are insufficient to put the stalemated talks back on track. Former North Korean chief nuclear envoy Kim Kye-gwan said Saturday that it would be "absentminded" to anticipate the North's return to dialogue because of the leaders' friendly relations. Kim, now a foreign ministry adviser, made it clear that his country would not resume negotiations unless the U.S. fully accepts its demands for sanctions relief and security guarantees. The North has suspended talks with the U.S. although it has yet to close all the dialogue channels. It has already threatened to take a "new path." Kim Jong-un even mentioned a "new strategic weapon," hinting at retracting his self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and ICBM testing. Adviser Kim also scoffed at President Moon's efforts to act as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang. He derided Cheong Wa Dae for announcing the delivery of the congratulatory birthday message to Kim on behalf of Trump. Moon, however, has kept waving an olive branch to the North. During the press conference, he floated the idea of promoting inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges, including joint projects in border areas and individual tours to the North by South Koreans. He also expressed hope for the formation of a single team for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and a joint bid to host the 2032 Olympics. Moon should be careful not to be out of touch with reality. We don't want to tell him to change his policy of active engagement with North Korea. Instead, we call on him to set a new strategy to better cope with mounting challenges arising from the North's hardened stance. WEST HAVEN How to most effectively use new federal funding to attack three areas of gun violence in Connecticut and nationally brought advocates to a weekend forum at the University of New Haven. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro joined community leaders, law enforcement officials and healthcare providers to brainstorm leveraging the money to address the correlation between domestic violence and gun violence, how to safely store guns, and how to reduce suicide by firearms. DeLauro was at the forefront of efforts to secure $25 million in gun violence prevention research. It was approved in December as part of the appropriations package. DeLauro termed the gun violence issue a public health emergency, stating she and others in Congress have been trying to get funding passed year by year for 20 years to try and move this forward. Congress passed a law in 1996 called the Dickey Amendment, which stipulated that the Centers for Disease Control could not use federal funding for research that promoted gun control. The recent appropriations package provided $12.5 million each for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The sum is half what Democratic leaders requested, but is the first time in two decades that the CDC has received direct funding to look into the issue. The NIH will receive half the money to award grants to scientists. Taking action should never have taken more than 20 years, DeLauro said. The significance of this achievement cannot be understated, and it follows on the progress we made earlier this year by holding the first hearing on gun violence research in more than two decades. This is a major step forward to helping reduce the pain and suffering families endure every day due to the scourge of gun violence. DeLauro said the grants would be disbursed in the next few weeks and part of the reason for Saturdays forum was to try and figure out how to take advantage of the resource and dollars now available. Panelists were generally in agreement that a smart way to expend some of the funds would be to figure out a way to build a one system fits all database that could be used by those studying the issues of gun and domestic violence. Currently, the panelists said, there are myriad databases being used but they can be conflicting and confusing in the information being disseminated, which limits the effectiveness of the data. Jeremy Stein, executive director of CT Against Gun Violence, suggested that part of the money could be used to secure funding to set up a permanent state commission dedicated to finding solutions to gun violence. Stein said such commissions have been set up in other states, but it has been difficult to find money in lean budget years for such an effort in Connecticut. He said a state commission here would help in having gun control policy initiatives brought to the legislature backed by evidence-based research. Others speaking at Saturdays forum were Kristin and Mike Song of Guilford, the parents of Ethan Song, 15, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his friends house on Jan. 31 of 2018. The Waterbury states attorneys office concluded that he accidentally shot himself in the head; a juvenile friend of Ethans was charged with second-degree manslaughter. Ethans parents became strong advocates for tougher gun-safety storage laws after their sons death. Last session, legislators on a strong bipartisan vote passed Ethans Law which requires all firearms, loaded and unloaded, to be stored safely in homes that are occupied by minors. The Songs have been on a mission to pass federal legislation that mirrors the Connecticut law. They have the backing of the Connecticut congressional delegation, but the bill has yet to come up for a vote in Washington. The Songs support using a portion of the federal funding to build a more cohesive, across-state-border approach to what they refer to as common-sense safe gun storage initiatives. This is a journey we never chose, said Kristin Song. But we will not give up until Ethans Law is passed nationally. Despite the $25 million in funding, Democrats were unable to convince the Senate to take up a bill that would require universal background checks, which was passed by the House but is opposed by President Donald Trump. The rise of e-commerce presents increased risks to the safety of customer data. - Photo thebank.vn Vietnam is facing increasing cases of personal data theft, with more entities collecting, analysing and processing data for different purposes without notifying customers. The ministry said that new services using personal information, such as online payments, e-commerce, games, cryptocurrency trading and multi-level businesses, have raised issues related to national security and social order and safety. Therefore, the development of a decree on personal data protection is needed, the ministry said. It said that Vietnams internet use is growing rapidly. The number of internet users accounts for about two thirds of the population, of which there are 58 million Facebook accounts and 62 million Google accounts. Along with a large number of users, the amount of data generated also increased. The ministry said that personal data is assessed as an input of the digital economy. Sectors and fields such as tax and e-commerce all use personal data to authenticate and identify users. Last year, a bank in Vietnam exposed the personal data of more than two million customers. In previous years, customer data of a series of large companies in the retail and aviation industries also fell into the hands of hackers. Vietnam is also the country with the highest number of individuals exposed in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Several companies were mentioned in the report regarding their data breaches, including the exposure of VNG Companys 163 million customer accounts; Mobile World and Dien May Xanhs breach including five million emails and tens of thousands of payment card numbers; and customer data of FPT Company was posted publicly online. According to the ministry, this is a problem of data management, which must be fixed to prevent and handle legal violations involving personal information, while complying with international law. In terms of policies, the draft decree has regulations on personal data protection focusing on regulations licensing the transfer of personal data of Vietnamese citizens to foreign countries, registration of processing sensitive personal data, revising a number of provisions of the law on personal data protection. It will define the rights and responsibilities of agencies, organisations and individuals in protecting personal data, aiming to agree guidelines, policies and laws on personal data protection of agencies, organisations and individuals, and creating a legal basis for them to protect personal data. The draft decree also includes concrete sanctions for violations on personal data protection. The ministry said that more than 80 countries have issued documents on the protection of personal information. The draft has been sent to ministries and agencies to collect ideas and opinions. Its expected to be submitted to the Government later this year. Proteger a Mexico: un enfoque integral para que el gobierno no nos falle, published in Spanish and introduced in November at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, delivers a diagnostic of the development and impact of the landmark Mexican government health care initiative launched in 2004 that provided care to tens of millions of Mexicans, most of them peasants and farmers. University of Miami President Julio Frenk, the former health minister of Mexico from 2000 to 2006, was the driving force behind strategizing and coordinating passage of the popular initiative. In the books broader and more personal argument, Frenk writes that his deep concernIm worried for Mexico he notes in his opening lineowes to the rise in Mexico and around the world of populist rhetoric that eschews accountability and instead blames the otherpolitical opponents, migrants, ethnic or religious groups, or other societal scapegoatsfor any range of problems that occur. I dont think anyone imagined five years ago that we would see the return of the rhetoric and practices of the 1930s and '40s, he said in a recent interview, referring to the abuses and atrocities that led to World War II. After all the optimism that followed the Allied victory, the construction of a very prosperous society, the extension of democratic practices, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, I certainly didnt think as someone born in the first decade after the war, that we would see a return to that. And yet we are seeing it. Frenk cites the three Cscrime, corruption, and corporatismthat plague Mexico and other countries, eroding its social fabric, and perpetuating inequalities. In Proteger, he tackles corporatism, which claims privilege for certain groups in societyand excludes othersas the most pernicious. Despite Mexicos long transition to democracy launched with the student uprisings in 1968, which eventually led to the historic 2000 election that ended 72 years of single-party rule, Frenk says that the institution of health care had remained a bastion of corporatism. Regardless of need or even status, prior to enactment of Seguro Popular, only one question dictated access to care: Who is your employer? Motivation to write The centerpiece of Proteger is a case study on Mexicos health care system. Frenk bookends this conceptional core with an opening reflection on his personal biography and a closing call for unity that can be expanded to other countries. He begins with the why for the book: When Frenks grandparents immigrated to Mexico in the 1930s, fleeing persecution and poverty from a disintegrating Germany, they were welcomed with open arms as strangers in a strange land despite cultural and linguistic differences. My motivation is very simple. The German government failed my ancestors in the 1930s. Not only did the government not protect them, but the government itself then became the main perpetrator of the violation of their rights. It was the generosity of strangers that saved my grandparents and my fathers lives and made my life possible. Mexico is the country that did thatand I owe a debt of gratitude. In the epilogue, Frenk reemphasizes the concept of generosity, advocating national unity based on universal care for all, and espousing his hopes for a future where his two daughters and their generation (the book is dedicated to Sofia and Mariana) are protected in a Mexico free from the dangers of populism and the restrictions of corporatism. Defining protection Frenk advances the premise that a governments fundamental responsibility is to protect its citizens on three levels: individual, from attacks and violence against person or property; community, providing economic opportunity, clean air, safe food and drinking water; and national, protecting borders and sovereigntywhich extends to planetary safeguards, such as protecting the planet from climate change. He warns readers not to confuse this fundamental duty with two distortions that governments sometimes advance: protectionism, the use of trade and tariffs to shield domestic industries, or the corporatist demagoguery populist leaders use to aggrandize themselves. Im talking about protection against the real risks that citizens face, he said. Not the fear mongering and inventing of imaginary enemies so that then the leaders of the government can proclaim themselves the protectors of the nation, he explained. Experience and expertise For the essay core, Frenk draws on his decades of experience as a public health specialist and, in a recent interview, discussed his role bringing Seguro Popular to life in the early 2000s. Health care is a right. Its not a merchandise like a car that you buy, and its not a privilege, he said, explaining that in corporatist thought your occupational position mediates the way you exercise that right. The reforms that I led when I was minister of health were meant to break that, Frenk added. Half of Mexicos 100 million people at the time lacked access to health care. Fifty million non-salaried workers and their families, mostly poor peasants but also lawyers, doctors, and other professionals lacked care because they had no employer. Frenk set up a multidisciplinary task force that spent nearly two years studying the problem. To counter the barrage of criticismyoure too idealist, youre dreaming, these people are barely literate and dont understand insurancehe responded from his training as a social scientist. Lets do a pilot, try it on a small scale, then conduct an independent assessment. The pilot in five Mexican states proved to be a success. It turns out that poor people have a very good sense of what it is to not drive yourself even deeper into poverty because you have to pay out of pocket for health care, he said. Frenk took advantage of his non-partisan status to earn trust with all five of the political parties at the time. I knew I had a political jobI wasnt naive, but my mantra is that I am a health professional in a political job, not a politician in a health job. He conducted hundreds of meetings with leaders in the Mexican congress to build consensus, met repeatedly with the secretary of the treasury and president to earn support. I told my staff: If any of the people who are eventually going to vote on the legislation wants to talk with me, I am available, he said. Build a legacy In Proteger, Frenk urges the current Mexican administration to build on the progress made during the past 15-plus years with Seguro Popular. He hopes President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will anchor his own legacy by working to remedy the imperfections that have surfaced and avoid making an irreparable mistake. He uses the closing section to contemplate the natural inclination to build a legacy and leave something of value behind. To do so, Frenk says, leaders must meet two requirements: avoid making an irreparable mistakeusually having to do with inappropriate behavior, such as sexual misconduct or committing an act of corruption, and thinking that they are above the lawor believing that everything before me was wrong and that Im here and will be remembered as the person who fixed all the mess I inherited. He describes Lopez Obrador as a righteous man and does not believe he will succumb to the first flaw but is worried by other signs of the second. What Im describing here in Mexico is the erosion of democracy, institutions being dismantled, he said. Its an erosion that could take time, a story thats unfolding. Embracing diversity Proteger a Mexico, or Protecting Mexico advances Frenks belief that diversity creates richness, a credo that he has seeded in a range of initiatives and dimensions as University of Miami president since 2015. Each of us is all of us, theres no pure anything, he said. We need to understand that the history of the human species is the history of mobility and intermarriage, and that this notion of purity has led to the worst atrocities. We need to embrace that we are multidimensionaland thats a richness that we carry diversity within each of us. That then will allow us to be much more empathetic and to embrace our own diversity. Technavio has been monitoring the global industrial wireless automation market since 2014 and the market is poised to grow by USD 2.01 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of almost 7% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005339/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global industrial wireless automation market 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire) Read the 164-page research report with TOC on "Industrial Wireless Automation Market Analysis Report by Solution (Field instrument and Communication network), by End-users (Process industry and Discrete industry), by Geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America) and Segment Forecasts, 2019 2023". https://www.technavio.com/report/global-industrial-wireless-automation-market-industry-analysis The rising use of machine-to-machine (M2M) services across industries and advent of 5G URLLC technology are factors anticipated to boost the growth of the market. M2M communications are gaining traction across the end-user industries for managing several facets of business due to its ubiquitous connectivity and pervasive accessibility at low cost. The deployment of M2M services is made possible through advances in wireless solutions. M2M communication reduces costs by minimizing equipment maintenance and downtime, improves customer service, and boosts revenue. Industries and government authorities across regions are supporting the technology due to such benefits associated with M2M services. This is encouraging new installations of wireless automation solutions in the industrial sector. Thus, the rising use of M2M services across industries is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Major Five Industrial Wireless Automation Market Companies: ABB ABB is headquartered in Switzerland and operates the business under various segments such as Electrification Products, Robotics and Motion, Industrial Automation, and Power Grids. The company offers WirelessHART instrumentation solutions. Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Systems, Inc. is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business units: Infrastructure Platforms, Applications, Security, Other Products, and Services. The company offers Cisco Connected Factory Wireless solutions. Emerson Electric Co. Emerson Electric Co. is headquartered in the US and operates under various business segments, namely Automation Solutions and Commercial and Residential Solutions. The company offers Wireless Sensors instruments, Wireless Plant Network Solutions, and Wireless Infrastructure. Honeywell International Inc. Honeywell International Inc. is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business segments: Aerospace, Home and Building Technologies, Performance Materials and Technologies, and Safety and Productivity Solutions. The company offers SmartLine Wireless Pressure Transmitter and OneWireless Network. Rockwell Automation, Inc. Rockwell Automation, Inc. is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business segments: Architecture Software and Control Products Solutions. The company offers HART Communication Protocol and SMART SENSORS. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Industrial Wireless Automation End-users Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 2023) Process industry Discrete industry Industrial Wireless Automation Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 2023) APAC Europe MEA North America South America Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005339/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: https://www.technavio.com The Delhi High Court Tuesday directed the police to look into traffic restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed for a month due to protests against the amended Citizenship Act, while keeping in mind the larger public interest. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar asked the police to look into the issue while also keeping in mind that law and order is maintained. The court passed the order while disposing of a PIL filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni seeking a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to lift restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is vital as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters are forced to take the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, the plea said. The court said: "We hereby direct the concerned respondent authority (police) to look into the restrictions on usage of road -- Kalindi Kunj- Shaheen Bagh Stretch, that is, Road No. 13 A (between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj) as well as Okhla underpass, in accordance with law, rules, regulations and the government policy." It further asked the authorities to look into the issue keeping in mind "larger public interest" and also maintenance of "law and order" situation. The court refused however to direct the authorities to look into the issue in a time bound manner. During the hearing, Sahni said the road closure is causing huge inconvenience to lakhs of commuters everyday and they are compelled to take different routes for last one month. He said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing. The petition claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, UP and Haryana. It said the petitioner has given representation to the authorities on January 3 but no action has been taken till date. Besides Delhi Police, the plea had made the Centre and the Delhi government as parties, seeking from them requisite assistance to the police in addressing the issue. Due to the heavy traffic on alternative routes, it takes 15-20 minutes for people to cross just one traffic signal at Ashram, it said. Citing several reports, it said that on an average, Ashram Chowk is used by around 30,000 vehicles every day. With the Kalindi Kunj road closure, an additional 1 lakh vehicles are flowing through the intersection. The high court, on January 10, had refused to entertain an application, in the form of letter, seeking directions for removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh here in order to clear road blockages that are causing traffic congestions at the DND route. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This survey was commissioned by AARP in Maine to gauge the support of registered voters for a state retirement savings program. Results show that Maine voters want state lawmakers to support such a program. More than one in five (22%) Maine voters say their employer does not offer a retirement savings plan, and most (84%) say they would likely take advantage of a plan to save for retirement if it were offered. Top Findings Nearly all (88%) Maine registered voters believe it is very important to be able to save for retirement while working. Two in three (67%) Maine registered voters support a publicprivate managed state retirement savings program. Most (86%) agree that state lawmakers should support legislation that enables workers to save for retirement. As taxpayers, most (82%) are concerned (very: 46%; somewhat: 36%) that some Mainers have not saved enough for retirement and could end up relying on public assistance programs. Background A financially secure retirement is out of reach for millions of American workers and small business owners. Retirement savings plans can be costly to operate and challenging to manage, leaving many workers and small business owners without access to a retirement plan. To help workers better prepare for their retirement, AARP is supporting states in their efforts to create and implement a state retirement savings option that would enable businesses to offer employees a way to save via a payroll deduction. These publicprivate managed programs would be easy for employers to set up, and they would have low costs and low risks to the employer and the state. Methodology The sample of 602 registered voters in Maine ages 2564 was drawn from a registered voter list. A phone survey was fielded October 514, 2019. Half of the interviews were conducted via landline phone and half were conducted via cell phone. All data are weighted by age, gender, and race/ethnicity according to the October 2019 Maine state voter database statistics. For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact media@aarp.org. Suggested citation: Sauer, Jennifer. AARP Maine Retirement Security Survey. Washington, DC: AARP Research, January 2020. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00348.001 The DMK on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of Opposition parties convened by Congress on CAA, NRC, and NPR since its party chief MK Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. Chennai/Delhi: The DMK on Tuesday said it skipped a meeting of Opposition parties convened by Congress on Citizenship (Amendment) Act, NRC, and NPR since its party chief MK Stalin was accused of violating coalition dharma over local body polls. While DMK also said time would tell whether the ties have become normal again, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief KS Alagiri, who made the comment against Stalin, sought to downplay the discord and asserted that both parties were "two joined hands" and the alliance would go on. A day after avoiding participating in the meet for showcasing opposition unity, the DMK was non-committal on restoration of ties with its old ally, notwithstanding the regret reportedly expressed by Alagiri. "We did not take part in the meeting since our chief was accused of violating coalition dharma," senior leader TR Baalu said in Chennai. The party did not participate in the meeting at Delhi on Monday since it was felt that TNCC president Alagiri's recent statement was an "accusation against party chief MK Stalin," Baalu, also a Lok Sabha MP, said. Speaking to reporters, Baalu, a former Union Minister said he felt that Alagiri could have avoided issuing the statement. Asked if the ties with Congress have now returned to its "old status," (since Alagiri has reportedly expressed regret and met party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard) Baalu was non-committal. He said: "Time will tell whether it has returned to the old (normality indicating bonhomie) status or not; why are you concerned?" Wondering whether the press was a doing post-mortem of the issue, he said his party felt that Alagiri issuing a statement on the matter was not correct. "Only this much we can tell you now," he added. TNCC chief KS Alagiri, after meeting Sonia, told reporters in Delhi that DMK and Congress were two joined hands and lofty ideology was the backbone of the ties between them. He asserted, "Our alliance will continue" and underscored that panchayat polls and the matter related to it cannot alter the ties between Congress and DMK. Asked if the bitterness that surfaced after he released a statement over local polls has dissipated, he said it was not against the DMK, adding "there is no bitterness." When reporters drew his attention to Baalu's remarks, he quoted a Tamil phrase to mean that both differences and bonhomie were common in a relationship. He said the ties between his party and the Dravidian outfit was akin to family bonding. "I would like to make it clear that there is no sadness or anger in our family," he said. Alagiri said he shared a good rapport with Stalin and there was no scope for the two joined hands to get separated. "The coalition is going on good, I have told our party chief (Sonia Gandhi)." On his party reportedly "demanding" over 100 seats for next year's Assembly polls and the DMK getting dejected over it, he said: "This is all imagination. Is it possible to predict what will happen next year in politics? On 10 January, Alagiri had said that Congress was not allotted a fair number of posts of local bodies chiefs by the lead partner DMK and this went against "coalition dharma". "Of the 27 district panchayat chief posts, not even one, not even that of a vice president has been given to us so far. We regret to inform this is against coalition dharma," TNCC President K S Alagiri and Congress Legislature Party leader KR Ramasamy had said in a joint statement. A day after making the statement, Alagiri had said that "a view had to be articulated and it was done by the party; our friendship continues as usual, there is no problem." Elections to rural local bodies in 27 districts of Tamil Nadu was held in December 2019. Chinas foreign minister says one-China principle is universal consensus after Taiwans voters stinging rebuke. Taiwans independence movement is doomed to stink for eternity, Chinas top diplomat has warned after the islands President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing. Tsai, who has drawn the ire of Beijing for refusing to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of one China, secured a record-breaking win in Saturdays vote. But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed her victory and warned supporters of Taiwan independence during a week-long tour through Africa. Splitting the country is doomed to leave a name that will stink for eternity, Wang said in a statement on Monday. The one-China principle is a universal consensus held by the international community, he said, and one that will not be affected in the slightest by a local election in Taiwan. Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan by force if necessary, dislikes Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China. Over the past four years, the Chinese government has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island. But the strong-arm tactics pushed voters to back Tsais Democratic Progressive Party, fuelled in part by Chinas hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. After Tsais victory, China doubled down on its one-China principle, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang emphasising that: There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, left, with Zimbabwes President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare is currently visiting several African countries to highlight Beijings political interest and economic clout in Africa [Jekesai Njikizana/AFP] He also criticised those countries that congratulated Tsai for her win, including the US, Britain, and Japan. We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, Geng said in a statement. Wang issued the warning during a trip that took him to Zimbabwe, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea and Burundi, highlighting Chinas growing political interest and economic clout in Africa. African leaders on his trip all clearly expressed adherence to the one-China principle, said Wang in a statement. They all see Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinas territory, he added. A 48-year-old man "viciously" kicked and punched his father to death following a drunken argument on the deceased's 74th birthday, a barrister has told a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. Mark Tims, with an address at Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony 'Tony' Tims at the home they shared in Rowlagh Green on July 13, 2018. Prosecuting counsel Michael Delaney SC today opened the trial and told the jury that he is confident the evidence will show that the accused man "assaulted his father in a vicious and sustained manner that led to his death." Mr Delaney said the accused and his father lived together at the family home in Rowlagh Green but they had a "difficult and volatile" relationship and had many arguments over the years. Both men were heavy drinkers, he said, and many of their arguments related to their drinking. July 13 was Anthony Tims's birthday and he spent the afternoon and evening drinking in Finches pub in Clondalkin before returning home at about 8pm. The accused man had been drinking cans at home and had, Mr Delaney said, "consumed a considerable amount of alcohol". An argument started, counsel said, and it was "probably a case of one word borrowing another" before the accused "set upon his father punching him in the face several times." Mr Delaney said a mug may have been used to strike the older man and when Mr Tims fell to the floor the accused kicked him in the head and the trunk. The accused man's partner Elizabeth 'Liz' McDonagh tried to intervene, counsel said, but the accused pushed her back. She went to a neighbour for help and when she returned she found Anthony Tims on the kitchen floor "in some distress and calling for help". Mr Delaney said the accused then grabbed his coat and, according to Ms McDonagh, kicked his father again a number of times before leaving on a bicycle. Mr Tims was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 10pm that night. A post mortem would show that he suffered multiple fractured ribs which caused air to enter his chest and led to both his lungs collapsing, causing his death. 'Substantial amount of alcohol' Meanwhile, Mr Delaney said, the accused man met a friend on the street near Rowlagh Green and spoke to him about what had happened. Together they went to an off-licence and bought a "substantial amount of alcohol" which they drank at a nearby green area. The accused man remained in that area for nearly 24 hours until he was found by a garda search party the following evening at about 8pm "hiding in some undergrowth". Mr Delaney said the accused knew his father had died because he was in phone contact with family members. During four interviews at a garda station he admitted assaulting his father although Mr Delaney said some of the details of his account may differ from the account given by counsel. Mr Delaney further explained to the jury that Mr Tims has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and therefore accepts he is responsible for the unlawful killing of his father. He said that the issue the jury will most likely have to look into is Mark Tims's state of mind at the time of the assault and, in particular, whether he intended to kill or cause serious injury to his father. The trial continues in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt and the jury of seven women and five men. Harvard Professor Sues New York Times Over Epstein Article Harvard University professor Lawrence Lessig filed a lawsuit against the New York Times, alleging defamation against him in an article about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Although Epstein, 66, died in prison in August 2019, the fallout from his associations has continued to the present day. A number of news organizations have reported on those associated with Epstein, including The Epoch Times. Lessig took issue with a New York Times article that claimed he said taking money from Epstein was fine if it was taken in secret. The situation concerned the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Joi Ito, the head of the schools Media Lab. Ito tried hiding the labs financial relationship with Epstein. He resigned on Sept. 7. The next day, Lessig wrote about the situation in a blog post. A friend of Itos, Lessig said that he thought years ago, when Ito told him about Epsteins proposed donations, that he supported his friend. The truth is thatas I thought about it thenif Joi believed as he did after real diligence, I didnt believe he was wrong to take Epsteins money anonymously, Lessig wrote. He said that universities are funded in part by criminals, some of whom use wealth derived from their crimewhich he claimed included Epstein. He also wrote, I think that universities should not be the launderers of reputation. I think that they should not accept blood money. I believe that if they are going to accept blood money (type 4) or the money from people convicted of a crime (type 3), they should only ever accept that money anonymously. Anonymityor as my colleague Chris Robertson would put it, blindingis the least a university should do to avoid becoming the mechanism through which great wrong is forgiven. Later in the post, he said he should have known that he should have urged Ito not accept. The New York Times wrote an article about Lessigs position. It is hard to defend soliciting donations from the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law professor, has been trying, writer Nellie Bowles wrote in the piece. Lessig said he wasnt defending Epstein and said clearly that taking money from Epstein was wrong. In a new post on Monday, he announced the suit against the paper. Today I filed a defamation actioncall it a clickbait defamation actionagainst the New York Times, he announced. Including a screenshot of the headline and article, he wrote, This title and lede are false. Yet Ive foundin the months since this was published, facing the endless attacks I get in person and onlinethat the challenge is to focus anyones attention enough long to see just why they are plainly false. Offering a tweet-length proof, that a perfectly tweetable headline is flatly false is not, it turns out, simple. Attempts to get the paper to correct these two false and defamatory statements were rebuffed, he said. A New York Times spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email: Senior editors reviewed the story after Professor Lessig complained and were satisfied that the story accurately reflected his statements. We plan to defend against the claim vigorously. SYDNEY (Reuters) - The quality of air in Australia's capital was the worst of any major city in the world on Monday as smoke drifted in from fires, prompting shops and offices to tell staff to stay home and the national gallery to close its doors to protect its art. While not in any imminent danger from fire, Canberra sits between blazes ravaging the east coast and others inland, and its skies have been darkened by smoke this week. The National Gallery of Australia said it would not open on Monday in part to protect works being shown in its Matisse and Picasso exhibition, including some borrowed from the Musee Picasso in Paris. "Closing our doors allows us to mitigate any risk to the public, staff and works of art on display," the gallery said. The exhibition includes Picasso's portraits of his wife, Olga, and lover, Marie-Therese, both on loan from Paris, it said. Southern-summer fires have devastated more than 8 million hectares (19.8 million acres) of Australia's bushland and killed at least 24 people and countless animals. Acrid, yellowish smoke has blanketed towns and cities, raising concern about public health. Canberra health authorities warned the city's 400,000 residents to avoid outside physical activity. Many businesses and government departments, including the Department of Home Affairs, ordered non-essential staff to stay home, media reported. Air quality readings show the smoke was at hazardous levels early on Monday - and the worst among all major cities - before wind dispersed some of it during the day. NASA images have shown smoke billowing from Australia's east coast drifting over New Zealand and even reaching South America in less than a week. (Reporting by Jonathan Barrett in Sydney; Editing by Robert Birsel) A man had his eyes stitched shut and his face covered in pig skin after suffering a rare reaction to an antidepressant which caused him to 'burn from the inside'. Jonathan Laird, from Greenfield, Indiana, was prescribed lamotrigine tablets in April 2016 to boost his mood after being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Within a month of taking the pills, the 38-year-old was suffering flu-like symptoms and his eyes became so sore it felt as through 'glass was piercing them'. The symptoms rapidly escalated and he developed red raw sores inside his mouth and lips, as well as at the back of his throat and across his entire body. Mr Laird went to hospital and was immediately transferred to an intensive care unit where he was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). The rare condition causes the immune system to attack healthy skin, mucous, genitals and eyes. The skin on Mr Laird's face started rotting and flaking off, leaving his flesh exposed and prone to infection. Doctors wrapped his face in pig skin grafts, which keep affected wounds sterile before a proper skin graft can be done. They have long been used as a wound dressing in burns patients. Jonathan Laird, from Greenfield, Indiana, was prescribed lamotrigine tablets in April 2016 to boost his mood after being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder The skin on his face started rotting and flaking off due to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, leaving his flesh exposed and prone to infection (pictured wrapped in bandages to protect him from infection) Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), is a disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals and eyes. It causes the immune system to attack healthy skin and bodyparts. Doctors wrapped part of his face in pigskin (right) as a wound dressing to prevent infection SJS often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash on the skin that spreads and forms blisters. It does the same to the mucous membrane, reproductive organs and eyeballs. Mucous membranes are a soft, thin layers of tissue which line the digestive system, the inside of the mouth and nose and the genitals. When Mr Laird was admitted to hospital, doctors scrambled to save as much of his healthy skin as they could. They even stitched his eyes shut for two weeks in a bid to protect his eyeballs because the disorder had made them ultra-sensitive to light. Recalling his ordeal, Mr Laird said: 'When you have Stevens-Johnson Syndrome you basically burn from the inside out. 'It starts as a rash and then the rash erupts into blisters. 'They stitched my eyes shut to protect my vision [and] they bound my hands together so I couldn't rip the tube out that was down my throat. WHY WOULD DOCTORS PUT PIG SKIN ON HIS WOUNDS? Putting pig skin on an open wound, a procedure known as a pigskin graft, is a treatment usually used to help people who have suffered severe burns. Burns and open wounds become very susceptible to bacterial infections, which can quickly become deadly, and are also extremely painful if nerve endings are exposed to the air. Human skin grafts ideally from the patient themselves are the gold standard treatment for injuries like this but they are not always available at first. Pig skin may be grafted on a procedure called a xenograft to temporarily protect the wound from bacteria and viruses from the outside environment, and also to reduce pain by covering the wound with something which feels like normal flesh. Pig skin is used because it is so similar to that of humans. It is also often used in scientific studies or trials of skin procedures. The skin is processed in a lab beforehand to make sure it is sterile. Doctors may also use synthetic skin coverings or skin grafts from dead people. Source: Burn Centre Care Advertisement Within a month of taking antidepressants, the 38-year-old (recovering in hospital) was suffering flu-like symptoms and his eyes became so sore it felt as through 'glass was piercing them' The symptoms rapidly escalated and he developed red raw sores inside his mouth and lips, at the back of his throat and across his entire body WHAT IS STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME? Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red-purple rash that spreads and blisters. SJS affects up to six people per million in the US. Its UK prevalence is unknown. Other symptoms may include: Fever Unexplained widespread pain Blistering of the skin, mouth, nose, eyes and genitals The top layer of skin then dies and sheds. SJS' cause is often unclear but may be as a side effect of medication or an infection, like pneumonia. People are more at risk if they have a weakened immune system, or a personal or family history of the disorder. Treatment can include stopping unnecessary medications, replacing fluids, caring for wounds and taking medication to ease the pain. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement 'I don't remember much. I fell in and out of consciousness. I felt like I was dreaming all the time, I don't think I really knew that my eyes were stitched shut. 'I had to communicate with my parents with pen and paper because I couldn't talk, so they would say something, and I would write (my answers). 'I said something like, "Am I going to die?" because I didn't know and that was really hard for them to read. I just looked horrible, I looked like a plane crash.' Mr Laird said he initially dismissed his symptoms as his body adjusting to his medication. He added: 'But when I woke up [one] morning I felt some bumps inside my mouth with my tongue and I thought "well what is that? That's weird". 'They were like blackish red and when I opened my mouth and used my phone's flashlight to see better, I could see in the back of my throat I had like two or three different bumps that were the same colour, like sores. 'My eyes started to feel like they had little pieces of glass in them, it was very uncomfortable, and I was scared to touch them or rub them because it literally felt like I was going to cut my eyes.' Mr Laird, who was already struggling with depression and bi-polar disorder, said he felt helpless in hospital. He added: 'Even simple things like going to the bathroom I couldn't do without calling for a nurse. I felt very vulnerable. 'One of the nurses I remember was amazing she took me into the shower so I could have my first shower in three weeks and I had to get naked in front of her, and I started crying, I just felt completely vulnerable. 'I was at this person's mercy who had to guide me and bathe me and it was just a really weird feeling.' On June 1, Jonathan was released from the hospital and has continued to recover ever since. His skin will eventually grow back. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday took over the probe in the case of Jammu and Kashmir Police's Deputy Superintendent Devinder Singh, who was arrested on January 11 for transporting two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the transfer to the NIA, following the revelations made by Singh during his interrogation to a joint team of the NIA, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Jammu and Kashmir Police's CID. The NIA can now interrogate Singh thoroughly to find out the real motive of the terrorists and his links to Hizbul Mujahideen and other terrorist organisations during their previous operations in the Valley. On January 11, Jammu and Kashmir Police intercepted a car at Mir Bazaar before the Jawahar tunnel in Kulgam district and found Singh was travelling to Jammu along with two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists - Naveed Babu and Asif Ahmad -- and lawyer Rafi Ahmad. The police had intercepted the vehicle while tracking the movements and location of Babu, a former Special Police Officer, when he made a phone call to his brother. Babu is accused of being involved in the killing of 11 people from outside Kashmir, including truck drivers and labourers in south Kashmir in October and November last year, and forcing a shutdown in south Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year. All were arrested and a case initially lodged at Qazigund police station in Kulgam. During his interrogation, Singh, however, maintained that he had no any link to Hizbul militants and that he was taking the terrorists to surrender but interrogators have dismissed his claims. As per sources, a sum of Rs 12 lakh may have been given to Singh to move out the two Hizbul militants to Jammu on their way to Chandigarh and onward to Delhi to carry out attacks on or before the Republic Day. Singh, who was posted in the anti-hijacking squad at the Srinagar international airport, was suspended from service on Monday and is likely to be stripped of all his awards, including a gallantry medal for anti-militancy operations on August 15 last year. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has clarified that "he was never awarded any gallantry or meritorious medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs as has been reported by some sections of the media". In a series of tweets, it said that Singh was only awarded a "gallantry medal during his service by the erstwhile J&K state on Independence Day 2018" for his "participation in countering a fidayeen attack by terrorists at the district police lines in Pulwama on August 25-26, 2017, when he was posted as a DSP in the district police lines, Pulwama". Singh had disclosed that he had put up the terrorists at his Indira Nagar house in Srinagar, right next to the Army`s 15 Corps Headquarters, and thereafter accompanied them to Jammu in a car driven by the Hizbul overground worker, an intelligence source said. Since the arrest of Singh and the two Hizb militants, security agencies carried out multiple raids across the Union Territory, specially Srinagar and south Kashmir, and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition stashed by the officer and the terrorists. Jammu and Kashmir Police have claimed to have recovered an AK-47 rifle and two pistols from Singh`s residence in Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar and another AK rifle as well as a pistol based on Babu`s confession. Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh on Monday spoke to officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs about the developments in the valley since the arrest of Singh and two militants. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla was also briefed about the incident on Monday and a report of the initial questioning of Singh was also shared with him through other officials in the Home Ministry. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against "wrong things" even if it costs his country financially. India, the world's biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the world's second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia. The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathir's criticism of the amended citizenship law. The 94-year-old premier, whose outspoken nature has soured ties with both India and Saudi Arabia in recent months, earlier accused India of invading Kashmir. As Malaysian palm refiners stare at a massive loss of business, Mahathir said his government would find a solution. We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand, we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it," he told reporters. "If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people." The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery was down 0.9% in afternoon trade. Reuters reported on Monday the Indian government had informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil. Indian traders are instead buying Indonesian crude palm oil at a premium of $10 tonne over Malaysian prices. India's foreign ministry said on Thursday the palm curbs were not country specific but that "for any commercial trading, the status of relationship between any two countries" is something a business would consider. India was Malaysia's biggest buyer of palm oil in 2019, with 4.4 million tonnes of purchases. In 2020, purchases could fall below 1 million tonnes if relations don't improve, Indian traders say. To make up for the potential loss, Malaysian officials say they are trying to sell more to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan. But replacing the top buyer won't be easy, and that's why the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, whose members include palm workers, has urged the two countries to talk things out. "We wish to implore upon both governments to use all possible diplomatic channels to resolve this issue putting aside any personal or diplomatic ego," it said in a statement. Malaysia's Primary Industries Ministry, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is engaging with its Indian counterparts to try and sort out the issue, according to a Malaysian government source aware of the discussions. He declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. The ministries could not immediately be reached for comment. Joanne Cornelius said she was the second person to call for help. The Arch Cape resident, who called 911 when a Portland father and his two children got swept out to sea on Saturday from Falcon Cove Beach near her home, said that when she reached the Coast Guard, they told her someone had already called for help but with unreliable cell reception on the rural stretch of coastline, the call connection had been lost. Its just an unfortunate, horrible, sad thing, Cornelius said of the tragedy in a phone call with The Oregonian/OregonLive on Monday. Jeremy Stiles, 47, his 7-year-old daughter, Lola, and his 4-year-old son, William, were walking on an off-beach trail near the Clatsop-Tillamook county line on Saturday when a sneaker wave swept them into the ocean. Lola was rescued from the water but died Saturday afternoon, and William is still missing. Jeremy Stiles was rescued and is now recovering from hypothermia at Seaside Hospital, according to the family. Jeremy Stiles and the childrens mother, Jamie Stiles, operate a coffee shop at 8044 N.E. Glisan St. called Mother Lovin Coffee. Lola was a first grader at Northeast Portlands Vestal Elementary School. A fundraiser was set up to help the Stiles family with funeral expenses. Cornelius, who lives near the trail where the Stiles family had hiked down to the beach, said the lack of cell reception is just one example of how treacherous the area can be, especially for those who arent familiar with it. This is not a state park area, Cornelius said. Its a dangerous place. Its hard to get down to the beach. Theres no access other than over the rocks and rough trails. The small community of Arch Cape is a rugged point of coastline which has several vacation homes, but Cornelius said fewer than 20 people live there full-time. She said those who live in the area tend to have a good sense of just how overwhelming the high tides can be, but those who are visiting dont always have the same awareness. Even those who do live there, she said, are cautious around the ocean. Ive lived here since 1972, and Ive never seen such high water, she said of this weekends king tides. Cornelius said she had just finished taking pictures of the unusually high tides from a spot near her house, when a woman pounded on her window and asked her to call 911. After emergency crews arrived, Cornelius said she saw them bring Lolas body up from the trail, and then her father. There was a woman with them whom Cornelius said was completely drenched, wearing socks but no shoes, and had blood running down her face. Its unclear who the woman was. She was in hysterics," Cornelius said. I just wrapped her in my arms and squeezed her as tight as I could. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dhiana Puspitawati and M. Hazmi Mohd. Rusli (The Jakarta Post) Malang/Bandar Baru Nilai Tue, January 14, 2020 12:16 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c32211fc9 3 Opinion maritime-security,South-China-Sea,Natuna,North-Natuna-Sea,China,Indonesia Free Indonesia is the worlds largest archipelagic nation. Encompassing much of the Malay archipelago, Indonesia has its share of maritime claims on the South China Sea within the area of the Natuna Islands. Indonesia has yet to resolve issues involving maritime boundary disputes with some of its neighbors, including Vietnam, Malaysia and China. In April 2019, a video went viral in Indonesia showing an official Vietnamese fishing vessel, believed to have been conducting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU Fishing) in Indonesian waters, ramming into the starboard broadside of Indonesian warship KRI Tjiptadi-381. The video angered many Indonesians and raised questions about national maritime sovereignty. Recently, a number of Chinese fishing vessels and three Chinese coast guard vessels were reported to have entered the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near what Indonesia now calls the North Natuna Sea. This has agitated Indonesian authorities, who have said China violated Indonesias sovereign rights in its EEZ. China may exercise freedom of navigation in the EEZ but may not fish in the waters legally. In response to the illegal activity, Jakarta issued a diplomatic protest against Beijing and deployed its warships to the North Natuna Sea to face China. China argued that the waters around Natuna had been their fishing grounds for generations, as the area was within its self-proclaimed nine-dash line. So to whom does the EEZ area in the North Natuna Sea belong? The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has created a number of maritime zones with varying degree of jurisdiction exercised by coastal states. The UNCLOS provides that coastal states have sovereignty over their territorial seas extending up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Within the territorial sea, a coastal state has sovereignty and absolute power over its marine area, subsoil and airspace above. Furthermore, a coastal state may make claims for an EEZ (which involves maritime waters) and continental shelf (seabed and subsoil underneath the sea) in maritime zones beyond 12 nautical miles up to 200 nautical miles measured from the baseline of the coastal state. As far as EEZs and continental shelves are concerned, a coastal state may only exert sovereign rights to exploit living and non-living resources in that particular maritime zone. Unlike in the territorial sea, foreign ships may exercise freedom of navigation in the EEZs of another coastal state. A coastal state has much less power in its EEZs and continental shelves than in its territorial sea. Indonesia has yet to entirely resolve its maritime boundary delimitation with Vietnam, particularly the EEZ between the two states in the North Natuna Sea. This creates a grey area where affected states may exert sovereign rights. The territorial confusion creates a blame game where both states may claim they have jurisdiction over the grey area. In the face of such uncertainty, Article 74 of UNCLOS 1982 provides that states shall make every effort to enter into practical provisional arrangements, which will serve as a temporary settlement until the boundary line is discussed and properly fixed by both nations. A very good example of the application of Article 74 of UNCLOS 1982 was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2012 between Indonesia and Malaysia on the maritime boundary delimitation in the Strait of Malacca, where the EEZ boundary line has yet to be fixed. Unless Vietnam and Indonesia properly resolve maritime disputes involving EEZ claims in the North Natuna Sea, the area is open to be claims by both nations. Indonesia has the right to send its vessels to carry out naval patrols while Vietnam may conduct activities allowed by UNCLOS in areas it considers part of its EEZ. China on the other hand does not claim maritime areas around Natuna as its EEZ but as part of its historic waters within its nine-dash line. This is the reason that China believes it has the right to fish there. The nine-dash line was rejected by the Permanent Court of International Arbitration in 2016, which held that the line was against the spirit of UNCLOS 1982. The territorial tussles between Indonesia and Vietnam and recently with China are uncalled for. It is a fact that the Southeast Asian claimant states of Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines do not possess the resources or capacity of China in asserting their territorial integrity in the South China Sea. As such, these nations should put their differences aside to face China and finalize the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. The South China Sea should be reserved for peaceful purposes and any conflicts must be mitigated to ensure that the spirit of UNCLOS 1982 is upheld and respected. *** Dhiana Puspitawati is an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, and heads the Indonesian Center of Ocean Governance. M. Hazmi Mohd. Rusli is an associate professor at the Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Hilary Duff and new husband Matthew Koma just returned home to Los Angeles from their dream honeymoon in South Africa. Now it's back to the everyday responsibilities of being a parent of two children. And on Monday, Duff, was spotted heading to a birthday party with her daughter Banks snuggled up in her right arm and son Luca following close behind. Back to reality: Hilary Duff, 32, was back at her mommy duties one day after returning home from her South African honeymoon with new husband Matthew Koma The Lizzie McGuire star, 32, showed off her fit figure in light blue jeans and a black t-shirt. Keeping with her casual style, she wore burgundy sneakers and pulled her long blonde tresses back into a ponytail. On this day, she had her one-year-old little girl decked out in a white dress. Her seven-year-old son, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie, opted for a more easy-going style in black shots, long-sleeve shirt, sneakers and a beanie cap. Hands on: The Lizzie McGuire star showed off her fit figure in blue jeans and a black t-shirt as she headed to a party with daughter Banks, one, and son Luca, seven Glowing: The actress looked fit and ready after returning from her honeymoon to South Africa Duff currently stars in the TV Land series Younger, which was renewed for a seventh season last summer. Playing Kelsey Peters is the longest television role she's had in her career after Lizzie McGuire. Most recently she had been filming the reboot series of Lizzie McGuire, but the production for the Disney Plus show was put on hold after original series creator Terri Minsky stepped down. So far a new showrunner has not been named. Duff has yet to respond publicly to the show going on hiatus or to the show's original creator Terri Minsky parting ways. Reunited: Hilary Duff shared a sweet snap of herself holding her daughter BJP MLA Surendra Singh has compared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with a demon "Lankini" and called her "chief" of demons. He alleged that Banerjee is protecting terrorists who killed thousands of Hindus. "In a democratic society, Mamata Banerjee has traits of a demon. She has no human values and no women characteristics. She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. That's why we can call her demon and not a human. She is like the Lankini of Sri Lanka," Singh told ANI referring to the Trinamool Congress protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kolkata visit and the amended Citizenship law. "In Bengal, Mamata is not a leader but a Lankini. BJP won 18 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, now the party will sweep Assembly polls in West Bengal. India is a party of God. And SP, BSP, TMC are parties of demons. Giving protection to terrorists means protecting demons. We can call her chief of demons," the BJP legislator from Ballia added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) OAKLAND (BCN) The judge in the trial of a transient man charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland in 2018 denied a defense motion Tuesday to move the case away from Alameda County. Superior Court Judge Allan Hymer said the defense did not meet its burden of showing that John Lee Cowell, 29, can't get a fair and impartial jury in the case in which he is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Wilson and her sister 26-year-old Letifah Wilson on the platform at the MacArthur station at 9:36 p.m. on July 22, 2018. Cowell also is charged with a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait, a charge that would result in life in prison without parole or the death penalty if he's convicted. Assistant Public Defender Christina Moore said she doesn't think Cowell can get a fair trial locally because "prevalent and persistent news coverage has demonstrably prejudiced potential jurors of Alameda County." Moore said 55 percent of respondents in a survey the defense recently conducted of 470 Alameda County residents said they believe Cowell is definitely guilty or probably guilty of murder. She said those numbers include people who indicated they have no familiarity with Cowell's case, but 81.5 percent of the 315 people who said they are familiar with the allegations against him said they believe he definitely or probably is guilty of murder. But Assistant District Attorney Micheal O'Connor said the media coverage of Cowell's case "is not in the kind of fever pitch" that's caused other cases in the state, such as that of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King in Los Angeles, to be moved to other counties. O'Connor also said there's not "a frenzy" as there was in the case of former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle, who was charged with murder for fatally shooting Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station on Jan. 1, 2009. The trial of Mehserle, who claimed that he meant to user a Taser stun gun on Grant instead of shooting him, was moved to Los Angeles, where he ultimately was convicted of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Hymer said that in evaluating the change of venue motion for Cowell, he took into consideration his 28 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney and 22 years as a criminal judge. "I've been involved in situations where there has been extensive and inflammatory pretrial publicity but in the subsequent jury trials there were verdicts that were favorable to the defense," Hymer said. The judge said the nature of the crime and the fact that it was committed on BART are inflammatory factors, but he said because of social media and the prevalence of news on the internet, that would still be true even if Cowell's trial were to be moved to another county. "To that extent a change of venue would accomplish nothing," Hymer said. He said he will try to ensure that a fair and impartial jury is selected for Cowell's trial by careful questioning of small groups of potential jurors instead of bringing in large panels. He said such a method was successfully used in the 2011 trial of Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV and co-defendant Antoine Mackey for the murders of journalist Chauncey Bailey and two other men in Oakland in the summer of 2007. Wilson's family members and a large group of their friends and supporters applauded loudly when Hymer denied the change of venue motion. Outside of court, Wilson's mother Alicia Grayson said she's happy with Hymer's ruling. "This (Alameda County) is where it happened and this is where it (the trial) should stay," Grayson said. She said Cowell "should be judged by his own peers" in Alameda County. The first panel of potential jurors in Cowell's trial will be brought to Hymer's courtroom on Wednesday morning. But on Wednesday afternoon, another judge, Superior Court Judge James Cramer, will hold a hearing to receive a new report on Cowell's mental competency that's being prepared by psychiatrist Jason Roof of University of California at Davis. Roof was scheduled to interview Cowell at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Monday. Cowell's trial could be suspended if Roof indicates in his report that he thinks Cowell is mentally incompetent. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 08:32 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c322063c2 1 Opinion #commentary,commentary,Jokowi,Xi-Jinping,China-Indonesia,international-relations,diplomacy,diplomatic-tension,diplomatic-relations,diplomatic-missions Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo can easily ease the tension between Indonesia and China over the two countries overlapping claims to the waters north of Natuna. He only needs to phone Chinese President Xi Jinping to wish him well on the upcoming Chinese New Year. The two have met at least eight times as presidents so far and appear to have built a strong personal bond. As a Muslim, Jokowi should not worry about the possibility of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) prohibiting Muslims from conveying a Chinese New Year greeting; the MUI is only concerned about Christmas greetings. The timing is also perfect as this year the two countries will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. The opportunity beckons for President Jokowi to raise the Natuna issue directly with his counterpart. I suggest that President Jokowi begin the conversation with a light, personal matter, such as his Chinese zodiac, which is the ox. President Xis is the snake. Gong xi fa cai Mr. President. We all believe China will continue to prosper under your leadership. China is now the locomotive of the worlds economy, no longer the United States, Jokowi might say in opening his telephone conversation. The warm relationship between Indonesia and China received a boost when Jokowi announced 30 projects worth US$91.1 billion under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) program last year. A recent study by United States-based think tank Pew Research Center, however, discovered that Indonesians are wary of Chinas growing influence, although they welcome its economic growth as a positive trend. To settle the issue beyond doubt, Jokowi should openly raise the Natuna issue. As appeared on The Jakarta Post front page on Monday, a China Coast Guard vessel attempted to intercept Indonesian warship KRI Usman Harun during its routine patrol against foreign trawlers in Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ), north of Natuna. President Xi, in Indonesia this issue is very sensitive, because it concerns sovereignty. I just dont want this problem to sour the happy celebration of our bilateral relations, Jokowi could tell Xi. I believe such a personal approach would be effective and the Chinese leader would instruct the countrys coast guard and other elements of the state to stop flexing their muscles in the face of Indonesia. A confrontation with Indonesia will only backfire, as other ASEAN member states will act in a show of solidarity. The tension seemed to have died down. Just one day before Jokowi visited Natuna to assert Indonesias sovereign rights in its EEZ off Natuna last week, Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang issued a cool response to the measures taken by Indonesias Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) against Chinese fishermen, who have often been backed by the Chinese coast guard. Geng underlined the importance of bilateral ties. China always views the bilateral relationship with Indonesia from a strategic and long-term perspective. We believe Indonesia will also bear in mind the bigger picture of bilateral relations and regional stability, properly resolve differences with China and foster a favorable atmosphere and conditions for celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, he said. Last December Geng said China did not care about Indonesias EEZ as China claimed the waters as its traditional fishing grounds. Indonesia froze its relations with China following the aborted coup attempt blamed on the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in 1965, which Jakarta accused of being linked to Beijing. The ties were restored in 1990, after then-Chinese foreign minister Qian Qichen met with then- president Soeharto during the funeral of Japanese emperor Hirohito in 1989. Both nations then discussed in detail the requirements from both sides to reopen relations. On Chinas part, it was mostly unconditional, including with regard to Indonesias sovereignty. We do not need to exaggerate the current bilateral problem, said a senior observer who follows the bilateral relations from the Chinese and Indonesian sides. Diplomatic sources in Jakarta recalled that the tough shooting and sinking policy of Jokowis first maritime affairs and fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti against hundreds of foreign boats around Natuna had restrained Chinese vessels from fishing in the waters. Susis successor Edhy Prabowo, however, pledged to shelve the bold policy. Edhy, who accompanied Jokowi on the visit to Natuna, appeared to swallow his own words when he vowed to punish the foreign poachers. For better or worse, Indonesia and China have to solve the dispute once and for all, or else it will become a pebble in the shoe as the late former Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas put it. The two countries will mark 70 years of their relationship (actually 45 years because of the 25-year hiatus), which has become more intimate over the last five years. As true friends, they should be able to put differences behind much broader common interests. Not only has destiny dictated that Jokowi and Xi know each other, but as persons they are compatible, at least according to the Chinese horoscope. The ox and snake work pretty well together due to their common interests. Jokowis Gong xi fa cai to Xi would hopefully mark an ideal impetus to partnership between the two countries in this Year of the Rat for the sake of the well-being of their peoples. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised the White House for revising a warning for travellers to Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised the White House for revising a warning for travellers to Australia. The United States is one of the top source countries for tourists to Australia, along with China and New Zealand. But last week the State Department published a warning saying tourists should 'exercise increased caution' when flying down under. The advice has now been changed to 'exercise normal precautions'. Mr Morrison thanked US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their urgent intervention in the travel warning. 'That's one that particularly needed my intervention and I was very happy to do that,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. Mr Morrison said whether Australia had the capacity to welcome tourists due to the bushfires had frequently come up in conversation with world leaders. 'There's a bit of a misconception overseas that the entire continent has been affected,' Mr Morrison said. 'You can still go swimming on the reef, and still be visiting Kakadu.' He said Australian embassies and Tourism Australia were 'actively involved' in briefing foreign governments on travel advice for Australia. The federal government will meet with Australian tourism operators on Friday to discuss what can be done to help them. The United States is one of the top source countries for tourists to Australia, along with China and New Zealand. Tourist hotspot Bondi Beach is pictured The Australian Tourism Industry Council welcomed the prime minister's intervention, saying it was necessary. Executive director Simon Westaway said the perception abroad was most of the country was inaccessible or impacted by fires. 'Brand Australia has taken a hit,' Mr Westaway told AAP. 'It's just been very difficult to have a consistent narrative on us being open for business.' Mr Westaway said Friday's meeting should not only review the direct impact of the fires on tourism, but also secondary impacts, like regions that rely on travellers passing through for cash flow. 'We need to look at all the different levers to get stimulus going,' he said. The NSW government announced the main road from Canberra to the NSW south coast will reopen on Tuesday, encouraging tourists to visit the area. Just two days before President Trump and Vice Premier Liu He is set to sign "phase one" of a long-awaited trade deal, the Treasury Department of United States on Monday announced that China will no longer be designated as a currency manipulator. The US has made the decision because China has agreed to refrain from devaluing its currency to make its own goods cheaper for foreign buyers. READ | Phase-I Trade Deal Includes China Buying USD 200 Bn American Products Over Two Years: US China was added to the list five months ago by the US citing the former's tactics of currency devaluation after its government allowed the yuan to slip below a 7-to-1 dollar ratio for the first time in over a decade. Trump had repeatedly argued that the Chinese had depreciated their currency slowly to help offset tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods amid an ongoing trade war between the two major economic superpowers. READ | China Auto Sales Fall Again In 2019 Amid Trade War China will now be in monitoring list In the midst of escalating trade tensions over the summer, Trump had directed his Treasury secretary in August to formally label China a currency manipulator after the country's central bank allowed the yuan to depreciate. However, China will now be moved to the "monitoring list" joining nine other countries including Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam. "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation while promoting transparency and accountability," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a statement. READ | While Shuttered At Home, China Exploits Social Media Abroad Also, the US and China, two of the world's largest economies finally brokered a partial trade deal late in the year 2019 after a series of trade wars that disturbed the financial markets across the world and also complicated the lives of American farmers and consumers. The United States hadn't labeled any country a currency manipulator since it tagged China in the early 1990s under President Bill Clinton. Designating a country doesn't immediately trigger penalties, but it is seen by other governments as a provocation. READ | China Defends Barring Rights Chief From Hong Kong With Cuppa, we have created a smart lamp that works individually without WIFI, Bluetooth, APPs, a smart phone or a remote controller, but is still smart and minimalistic. Cuppa, the worlds first LED lamp that integrates full-body touch control technology with cordless design, is now available on Kickstarter. While there are other LED touch lamps on the market today, most of them come with either long cords that make your desktop messy or short ones that limit the lamps use to specific areasor they cant be used at all if there isnt a socket nearby, said Cuppa Founder Kevin Smith. Cuppa solves all these problemsand allows you to say goodbye to that messy desktop for good. Inspired by the shape and size of a coffee cup, Cuppa is a lightweight, portable lamp thats available in three colors so it looks great with all furniture styles and home and office decor. It features patent pending 360-degree Any Touch technology that allows it to be turned off and on with a touch anywhere on its base. We wanted to focus on simplicity, functionality and reliability in the design of Cuppa in addition to being eco-friendly, Smith said. With Cuppa, we have created a smart lamp that works individually without WIFI, Bluetooth, APPs, a smart phone or a remote controller, but is still smart and minimalistic." Cuppa, which is available at an early-bird price of $99 during crowdfunding, has the following features: Cordless Offers 360-degree Any Touch, allowing it to be turned off and on from any part of its base LED Bulbs, saving up to 80 percent in energy use and easy on the eyes Features Stepless Dimming Waterproof Flame-resistant Eliminates the risk of electrical shock Weighs about two pounds, making it easy to move and difficult to topple Cuppa is also equipped with a memory mode, that allows it to be returned to its previous brightness level. Both the memory mode and stepless dimming make it easy for users to customize Cuppa to their favorite light level. The portable light also features Type C fast charging, which means it can provide light for as long as 12 hours with a full charge (2.5 hours) and can last for two hours with only 10 minutes of charging. Cuppa can also be charged with a power bank, which makes it the perfect back up lamp in case of an electrical black out. For more information, or to pre-purchase Cuppa at a crowdfunding discount, visit the Cuppa Campaign Page on Kickstarter. "It's with a full heart that I share this news -- I've made the decision to suspend my campaign for president," Booker wrote in a Medium post published on Monday, Xinhua reported. Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) US Senator Cory Booker has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race, acknowledging that he has failed to build the support needed to win the Democratic nomination. "Our campaign has reached the point where we need more money to scale up and continue building a campaign that can win -- money we don't have, and money that is harder to raise because I won't be on the next debate stage and because the urgent business of impeachment will rightly be keeping me in Washington," the senator from New Jersey wrote. Booker launched his campaign in February 2019 and has consistently lagged behind his competitors in fundraising. He also did not qualify for Tuesday's debate in Iowa, which will be the first to feature only white candidates. Booker wrote that he believes the best way to beat President Donald Trump at the ballot box in 2020 is "to reignite our spirit of common purpose to take on our biggest challenges and build a more just and fair country for everyone". The senator's campaign message of peace and unity failed to resonate with voters eager for a more aggressive posture against Trump, a leading American media outlet said in a report. pgh/ A tough battle in the General Election campaign which will have the economy at its centre is on the cards, according to Laois Fine Gael TD and Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan. The Minister told the Leinster Express that the campaign is underway with the calling of an election imminent. The main issues will be the economic success of past years both nationally and here in Laois where unemployment has fallen by 60%, he said. While the Minister highlighted the creation of more jobs in Laois, he accepted that more needs to be done, especially for commuters. We need to achieve a better life work life balance for those in jobs. There are major quality of life issues for those who work in Dublin, he said. He pointed to infrastructure improvements in Laois, the biggest of which being the services at the Midand Regional Hospital Portlaoise. He accepted that the hospital's future would once again be a big issue on the doorsteps. He insisted that the hospital would not be downgraded despite comments from the HSE chief executive Paul Reid which called in to question the existence of many Accident and Emergency departments. Paul Reid needs to be reminded that these are political issues. I haven't spoken with Mr Reid and I am not about to enter a public row about it but I am satisfied that the Dr Susan O'Reilly HSE plan (to downgrade the hospital) is discarded, he said. As to whether the RIC controversy of recent weeks will impact on the doorsteps, Minister Flanagan said he approached the holding of the event with the best of intentions but acknowledged that there was confusion. He said reconciliation and peace remain the most important issues. The Fine Gael TD said he is expecting a t0ugh battle. He said he was privileged to stand and represent Laois. He said he had been honoured to be Minister for Justice. Minister Flanagan shares the Fine Gael ticket with Offaly-based TD Marcella Corcoran Ke nnedy. President Donald Trump's administration is asking Democratic People's Republic of Korea leaders to resume negotiations over the country's denuclearization, national security advisor Robert O'Brien told Axios. What Happened "We've reached out to the North Koreans and let them know that we would like to continue the negotiations in Stockholm that were last undertaken in early October," O'Brien told the publication. "We've been letting them know, through various channels, that we would like to get those negotiations back on track and to implement Chairman [Kim Jong Un's] commitment," the Trump security advisor added. The negotiations between the countries stalled after an October meeting in Stockholm, Sweden fell out. The United States suggested that the meeting ended on a positive note, but North Korean leaders said that the American government was misleading the public, and there was no agreement on the countries continuing the talks. Why It Matters The Trump administration has frequently been calling on North Korea to resume talks over denuclearization, with little response from the country's dictatorial regime. The U.S. special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, urged the Kim administration to respond to the U.S. requests for talks in December last year. Biegun's comments came after the country's claim of having conducted a "very important test" at a satellite launch site earlier in the month angered President Trump. Instead of responding to the request for talks, Chairman Kim threatened the U.S. with a "Christmas gift," understood to be a long-range missile test by many analysts. O'Brien, who earlier said that the U.S. would express its "disappointment" to any such unwanted gift, told Axios that the fact that no such gift was delivered is an "encouraging sign" for the relationship between the two countries. Photo Credit: Donald Trump via Twitter 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. The world of paid digital advertising is changing fast. Over the last year alone, marketers have had to adapt to big changes on Facebooks platform. They now have to reckon with the continued growth of Amazon, which is taking an ever-larger bite out of online advertising budgets. Even Google, long the alpha dog in digital marketing, is altering its approach with the changing times. Over the past few years, an interesting trend has emerged. Google Shopping ads steadily are increasing their search engine results page (SERP) share when compared to text ads. Shopping ads typically have higher engagement rates probably because Google users like pictures more than text ads and come at a lower cost-per-click (CPC). In response to this change, digital ad budgets are shifting dramatically. Traditionally, these would be pretty evenly split between text ads. As SERPs have changed, however, ad spend ratios in some business sectors have ballooned to as high as 90/10 in favor of Google Shopping. If youre working on an e-commerce marketing campaign, these developments underscore the importance of optimizing for Google Shopping success. Here are three steps you can take to get started. Step 1: Determine Your Ideal Cost per New Customer Before you launch your first campaign, its important to define the parameters for success and failure. These will serve as a useful guide as you experiment with bid strategies and your cost for conversions. To measure your return, you first must determine how much youre willing to spend for each new customer. This number naturally will vary, depending on the type of business and if you are using the value of each transaction, the lifetime value of a customer, or something in between. Profit margin will play a major role as well. A brand might have an average profit margin of 60 percent to work within, for example, while a reseller might have only a 20 percent profit margin. Sellers also must decide if theyre looking to optimize for profit or for customer volume. For example, you can make US$500 from five customers at $100 profit each, or on $1 of profit from 500 customers. While the higher per-sale profit might seem more attractive, it actually can be deceiving. By lowering your per-sale price and reducing your profit per-sale, you might be in a better position to achieve enough sales volume to end up with more total profit. Once youve set the financial boundaries for your campaign, its time to start optimizing your product offerings. Step 2: Audit and Optimize Your Google Shopping Feed Most e-commerce platforms have the ability to generate a product feed that can be sent directly to the Google Merchant Center. Before you pull the trigger, however, you should audit your feed to ensure each product is sending the correct search signals. A D V E R T I S E M E N T These are the most important areas to watch: Product Categorization: The general rule here is to be as accurate as possible. For example, a spoon should be classified as a spoon rather than dinnerware. Otherwise, your products may not appear when shoppers are searching. The general rule here is to be as accurate as possible. For example, a spoon should be classified as a spoon rather than dinnerware. Otherwise, your products may not appear when shoppers are searching. Product Attributes: Depending on your product offerings, these could include color, sizing, material or gender. Remember, if your target shopper is searching for a green cashmere womens sweater, you need to provide the right information to appear on the SERP. Depending on your product offerings, these could include color, sizing, material or gender. Remember, if your target shopper is searching for a green cashmere womens sweater, you need to provide the right information to appear on the SERP. Product Titles and Descriptions: People search differently when theyre using a search engine versus when theyre on your site. As a result, your onsite product titles and descriptions might not be search-friendly. The challenge here is that whatever is on the site will be whats passed through to the merchant center. Fortunately, feed-management platforms like Feedonomics, GoDataFeed or Feed Logic can act as a go-between for your site and the Google Merchant Center. This allows you to retain your onsite titles and descriptions, while at the same time delivering optimized search info for Google Shopping. Feed managers also can provide simultaneous customized feeds for other platforms like Facebook, Bing, or dynamic remarketing vendors. People search differently when theyre using a search engine versus when theyre on your site. As a result, your onsite product titles and descriptions might not be search-friendly. The challenge here is that whatever is on the site will be whats passed through to the merchant center. Product Photography: Because Google Search is so visually focused, product photography plays an important role in conversions. Your onsite photos should look good and be free of watermarks or other text. Your photos also should align with the search results youre targeting. Because Google Search is so visually focused, product photography plays an important role in conversions. Your onsite photos should look good and be free of watermarks or other text. Your photos also should align with the search results youre targeting. Product Diversity: With Google Shopping campaigns, product price has a large impact on ranking factor. For example, larger price-point items relative to the competition come with higher click costs and lower click-through-rates. This likely is because Google believes your higher-priced item will receive fewer clicks than competing items, and Google in turn will make less money (remember, Google makes its money off clicks). On average, 60 percent of the time users will buy a different product than the one they clicked on initially. Just because they clicked on a cheaper, lower-margin product doesnt mean thats what they ultimately bought. To account for those factors, send Google a full range of products rather than focusing on the higher-margin, more expensive ones. This strategy will help your overall click costs balance out. With Google Shopping campaigns, product price has a large impact on ranking factor. For example, larger price-point items relative to the competition come with higher click costs and lower click-through-rates. This likely is because Google believes your higher-priced item will receive fewer clicks than competing items, and Google in turn will make less money (remember, Google makes its money off clicks). Site Optimization: The ultimate goal with Google Shopping ads is to drive high-quality traffic to your site, so the site can act as the salesperson. However, if your sites not well designed, your conversion rate will suffer. Keep in mind, the first thing your Google Shopping visitors see will be a product page, so give yours plenty of attention. Use recommended products or breadcrumb trails so visitors easily can browse and discover new products. Step 3: Begin Your Campaign Now that youve established a budget and optimized your product feed, its time to start advertising. Many marketers choose to use automated bidding platforms to run their campaigns, but weve found this approach has a couple of important limitations: Shopping tends to be more fluid than other ad categories. Marketers need to monitor their search query reports actively to see what theyre actually showing up for. Thats something automated system cant do. When you adjust bids on shopping ads, youre making those products eligible to show in different searches. Low bids will show for more specific searches, while higher bids will show up in much broader searches. Automated platforms dont have a good handle on this subtlety. For a Google Shopping campaign, youll want to have as much control over the process as possible. To accomplish this, consider running one product line, category or brand per campaign with ad groups made up of single item IDs. Other marketers find this approach cumbersome, but it can be useful for two important reasons: The level of control and insight gained using this approach drives the best performance possible by identifying whats being clicked on versus what products actually are being purchased. This process will allows you to maintain a much more precise return on advertising spend (ROAS) goal. As your campaign continues, make sure to audit your search query reports regularly. This will reveal which of your products are showing up based on search terms. The info also will enable you to continue optimizing your feed while making informed adjustments to your bidding strategy. Give Your Customers the Information They Need Its becoming increasingly clear that e-commerce operations no longer can rely on text ads alone to drive traffic. As Google Shopping continues to grow as a share of SERP, marketers must provide Google the information shoppers need to make purchasing decisions. With the right product optimization and a disciplined campaign strategy, youll begin seeing real results. Online trolls targeting a British backpacker who died falling from a cliff edge in Australia have been branded as heartless by her mother. Madalyn Davis, 21, fell to her death from the Diamond Bay cliff tops in Sydneys eastern suburbs a selfie spot popular with tourists. In a statement on her Instagram story, Rebecca Smith said their family had been subject to abhorrent comments and vile opinions posted on her daughters social media profiles. She warned any further comments may lead to legal action from the family, who have said they plan to lobby the Government and social media companies following alleged online abuse of the 21-year-old. Ms Davis, a make-up artist from Lincoln, had the opportunity to live her dream while she was travelling, according to her mother. Paying tribute to her beautiful girl, Ms Smith wrote: She was an inspiration to many including us as her parents. Her accidental passing has been so sudden and has rocked us to our core. There will forever be a hole in our lives that will never be filled, a hole our family can barely face comprehending. Can we please ask at this most difficult time and in our deepest grief that all speculation and character assassinations cease, if not for us as her mum and dad then for Madalyns little brother and sister who are hardly able to process this awful loss. The statement on Instagram continued: Being able to read messages of support has given us so much strength, and we want to thank you for these kind words. Sadly, we have also had to read some abhorrent comments and vile opinions on Madalyns Instagram profile. We cannot comprehend how at such a traumatic time, a select few can be so heartless and target the most vulnerable suffering such acute emotional pain. A GoFundMe page set up by Ms Davis family says that they hope to call on the Government and social media giants to take action in dealing with online trolls. Ms Smith said it would be the familys final statement on her daughters death and that any continuance of negative or hateful comments regarding Madalyn on social media channels may face legal action. She added: We cannot continue to endure this relentless persecution. The 21-year-old had been travelling around Thailand and Bail before arriving in Australia. New South Wales Marine Rescue said it began searching for Ms Davis at 6.30am after receiving reports that a group of people were taking photos inside the fence at the cliffs, but could not find her. A body was retrieved from the water about four hours later. Waverley Council, the local authority for the area, commissioned an urgent report regarding visitor safety at Diamond Bay Reserve following the incident. The Foreign Office said staff at the British Consulate in Sydney are in contact with local authorities at Diamond Bay following the incident. The corpses of a married man, Ifeanyi Nwokwu, and his alleged lover, Nkechi Ucha, have been discovered in Ebonyi state. A source said they were discovered in the mans house on Monday night in Umuezeoka Umueze, Ezza Effium, in Ohaukwu LGA of the state. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that following the disappearance of the couple for days, the neighbours organised a search party during which their decomposing bodies were discovered. Some marks on their foreheads, believed to be injuries, led the villagers to suspect the deceased might have been murdered and their corpses dumped inside the room by unknown persons. A villager, who declined not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the concubine was a widow. This is a worrisome development as this is not the first time we are witnessing this kind of ugly incident, he said. Sometimes last year, a similar incident happened where armed robbers killed a young man in this same Umuezeoka Umueze community and till now, the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not been brought to book. The villager said the spate of killings and armed robberies in the community has reached an alarming proportion. So many of our illustrious sons and daughters can no longer visit home because of the fear of the unknown, our aged fathers and mothers have been living at the mercy of this terror men. I am pleading with the Inspector General of Police and Ebonyi State government to please come to our aid as our people can no longer sleep at home and those of us who are in the cities can not come home because of cases of similar nature. We are pleading for a police post which can help in securing the lives and properties of my people. We are also pleading with the police to use their high powered intelligence gathering to unravel the killers of these people. READ ALSO: Another villager said the deceased widow was dating both Mr Nwokwu and another man in the community. He said the other man has been arrested by the police as a prime suspect. Ifeanyi Nwokwu and Nkechi Ezaka Ucha are lovers. The woman lost her husband years ago, the man invited the woman to where he built his house. Meanwhile, the wife of the man stays in her fathers compound. In the night, the man and the woman were found dead inside the mans house. The two lovers had wounds on their foreheads and some arrests have been made. There is a man who is known by everybody in the community for also dating the woman and he has been arrested. This one that died in the community is not known for dating the woman, unlike the one that was arrested. People are suspecting that it may be the man who is known by the community for befriending the woman that masterminded the crime, the villager said. The coordinator of Effium Development Centre, Agbo Sunday, confirmed the incident. He said the community and government would support the investigation in order to unravel and bring the culprits to book. The incident that led to the death of Ifeanyi Nwokwu and Nkechi Ucha is quite unfortunate. I sympathize with the families over their untimely death from such mysterious circumstances. I also want to urge to people not to take laws into their hands as security agents have waded into the matter, even as investigation is on to gear to unravel the circumstances that led to their death, he said The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, also confirmed the incident. Advertisements She said the police have launched an investigation into the matter. Yes, there is a report that two persons, a married man and a widow were, found inside a room but we dont have the detail of the incidents. According to the report, their bodies have started decomposing. But the perpetrators are not yet known and I assure you, police are investigating the matter and very soon we will unravel those behind it she stated. Ukraine exports over 32 mln tonnes of grain since July 1 14:40, 14.01.20 362 Ukrainian farmers have already shipped 15.1 million tonnes of wheat abroad. Ludhiana's hosiery industry has high expectations from the general budget. In the same budget, hosiery entrepreneurs have sent suggestions to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where they have demanded the rate of income tax to be equal for all industries, lower production costs and strengthen the domestic structure. There are about twelve thousand small and large units of hosiery in Ludhiana. Apart from this, about eighteen to twenty thousand crore rupees are being traded annually, besides eight to one million people are directly and indirectly connected with this industry. Most of the units are set up in the small and unorganized sector. The entrepreneurs say that duty on raw materials and machinery should be minimum. In addition, the duty on imports of finished goods should be increased. Michael Patra appointed as new deputy governor of RBI Import of machinery be custom duty-free Head Ajit Lakra of the textile division at the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organizations says that in order to encourage the hosiery industry, Ludhiana has to declare knitwear clusters in the budget. The import of machinery that is not being manufactured in the country should be exempted from duty. Apart from this, 22-24 percent custom duty is being levied right now. The construction of machinery in the country should be given due consideration. For this, agreements should be made with foreign companies. Yarn banks should be made to reduce the cost of small industry. There is a need to buy yarn from mills and give it to small entrepreneurs at low prices. Gold and silver prices decreased for the second consecutive day, know today's rate Safeguard duty should be imposed According to Sudarshan Jain, head of the Knitwear Apparel Manufacturers Association of Ludhiana, Bangladesh's share of apparel exports worldwide was 2.6 percent in 2000, which rose to 7.7 percent in 2018. India's share has increased from three to just 3.3 percent in these 18 years. Imports to India from Bangladesh were 2,800 crores two years ago, which has now reached Rs 7,000 crore. There is a need to impose safeguard duty in the budget to control cheap imports. ICICI wants 12 crores of bonus back from Chanda Kochhar, petition filed in High Court The refund should be arranged on time Harish Dua, president of Knitwear Apparel Exporters Organization, says the industry is deeply troubled by delays in government refunds. There is no timely refund of the Technology Upgradation Fund nor the Rebate on State and Center for Taxes levies (ROSCTL). For the past nine months, garment exporters have not received a refund of four percent of ROSCTL at around Rs 5,800 crore. Due to this, the working capital of the industry is getting stuck. The refund should be arranged on time. In addition, duty drawback should be increased. Apart from this, subsidies and more incentives should be given to increase exports and loans should be arranged for exporters according to the global rate. Iffath Fathima By Express News Service BENGALURU: A hectic, fast-paced lifestyle has taken a toll on a number of women, with 33 per cent of them in the country suffering from irregular menstrual cycles, reveals a study. A survey done by a womens health, wellness and menstrual tracking app - Nyra by Vivant - a Singapore-based start-up, showed that a third of women in the country between the ages of 18 to 35 years have irregular periods due to their lifestyles. Though a majority of the people registered on the app have regular cycles (67 per cent), doctors in the city pointed out that they see a number of cases in the this age group that prove otherwise. Irregular periods can lead to fertility problems in the long run. Dr Pallavi Prasad, fertility consultant, NOVA IVF Fertility, said, Irregular periods in women happens usually due to unhealthy lifestyles. This apart, about 15 per cent of woman have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Dr Savitha Shetty, consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, said, Cases of women with irregular periods, especially in the ages of 16-35, is on the rise. All these cases are due to changes in lifestyle, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits. Many of them end up eating frozen food or tinned food, which is not good for health, leads to obesity, and consequently, irregular periods. In urban set ups especially, women are now working late, odd hours, which can take a toll on their bodies. Dr Sowbhagya, senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, Manipal Hospitals, Malleswaram told The New Indian Express that its the sedentary lifestyle followed by people these days thats affecting menstrual cycles. These days, people, and in this case women, dont engage much in physical activity and eat junk food regularly, which results in them putting on weight. In earlier times, women were more active, so no such problems cropped up, she added. CEO of Vivant, Adrit Raha, said that a majority of millenial women follow a preventive care model of living. Data derived from the app shows a new wave of menstrual irregularity among millenial women, due to the advent of stressful and fast-paced lifestyles, he said. Peripheral Nerve Stimulators Market 2020 Research Report: Information by Product (Transcutaneous, Implantable), End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Centers, Specialty Center), Region (Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa) Forecast till 2024 Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Market Analysis The global peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) market was valued at USD 750.36 million in 2018 and is expected to exhibit a solid 7.7% CAGR over the forecast period from 2019 to 2024, according to the latest research report from Market Research Future (MRFR). The global peripheral nerve stimulation market is profiled in detail in the report, including a detailed analysis of the markets major drivers and restraints. Latest Free Sample PDF Available @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/8056 The leading players operating in the global peripheral nerve stimulation market are also profiled in the report. The report thus gives readers a complete overview of the global peripheral nerve stimulation market, including economic and competitive trends likely to determine the markets growth prospects over the forecast period. Peripheral nerve stimulators comprise a small electrical device that is surgically placed next to one of the peripheral nerves. The stimulation provided by this electrical device is recognized as a reliable way of treating chronic pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation devices are especially used in neurological diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and others. According to the WHO, both epilepsy and dementia account for around 50 million patients around the world (2017). This number is likely to grow over the coming years, with the increasing geriatric population around the world acting as a key driver for the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and dementia. Increasing awareness about neurodegenerative diseases is also likely to be a key driver for the peripheral nerve stimulation market over the forecast period. The increasing development in the field of medical devices is likely to be a major driver for the global Peripheral Nerve Stimulators Market over the forecast period. The field of nerve repair devices is likely to stay prominent in the global medical devices market in the coming years, as it is a lucrative revenue generator, due to the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. The increasing geriatric population is also likely to drive the development of nerve repair devices in the coming years, leading to steady growth of the peripheral nerve stimulation market over the forecast period. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Market Competitive Analysis: Leading players in the global peripheral nerve stimulation market include SUNMED Inc Stimwave LLC SPR Therapeutics LLC Medline Industries Inc. Boston Scientific Corporation Vygon SA ElectroCore Inc. Enteromedics Avanos Pain Management NeuroMetrix Inc. NeuroSigma Inc. B. Braun Melsungen AG. In December 2019, SPR Therapeutics announced the 1000th placement of its Sprint PNS system. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Market Segmentation: The global peripheral nerve stimulation market is segmented on the basis of product type, end user, and region. By product type, the global peripheral nerve stimulation market is segmented into transcutaneous and implantable. By end use, the global peripheral nerve stimulation market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory centers, specialty centers, and others. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Market Regional Analysis: North America is likely to remain the leading regional market for peripheral nerve stimulation devices over the forecast period. The presence of major market players in North America and the growing geriatric population in the region are likely to be the major drivers for the peripheral nerve stimulation market in the region over the forecast period. The growing geriatric population in the region is likely to drive the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons in the region, which is likely to be a major driver for the peripheral nerve stimulation market in the region. The strong presence of leading medical device manufacturers in North America has also led to a growing adoption of technological advancements, leading to widespread adoption of the latest models of peripheral nerve stimulators. This is also likely to be a major driver for the peripheral nerve stimulation market in North America over the forecast period. Europe is likely to hold the second largest share in the global peripheral nerve stimulation market over the forecast period due to the growing geriatric population in the region and the growing awareness about neurodegenerative diseases. Asia Pacific is likely to be the fastest growing regional market for peripheral nerve stimulators due to the growing geriatric population in the region. The Middle East and Africa market for peripheral nerve stimulators is also expected to exhibit steady progress over the forecast period. OBTAIN RESEARCH REPORT DETAILS WITH TOC @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/peripheral-nerve-stimulators-market-8056 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 Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com UP govt has made Tanha ji movie tax free. Actor Ajay Devgan has thanked Yogi ji for this. #ThankYouYOGIji, declared Department of Silk and Textile, Uttar Pradesh, on its official twitter handle. The announcement comes after the Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapak was made tax free in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan a couple of days ago. There is a pattern here. Ajay Devgans Tanhaji is being tax-exempted where there is a BJP government while Chhapak has been made tax free in Congress-ruled states. If one observes the pattern closely, one will find that these movies have been declared tax free not because of the subject or merit but what political stand the actors or filmmakers may have taken on issues like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the JNU violence. Ajay, who essays the title role in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, had tweeted on January 10: I have always maintained that we should wait for proper facts to emerge.I appeal to everyone -- let us further the spirit of peace and brotherhood, not derail it either consciously or carelessly. #JNUViolence Thank you Shri Yogi Adityanathji for making #TanhajiTheUnsungWarrior Tax-Free in Uttar Pradesh. I would also be delighted Sir if you watched our film @myogiadityanath #TanhajiUnitesIndia Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) January 14, 2020 According to reports, Ajays tweet was seen as his stand on Deepikas JNU visit, which many felt was planned in haste. During her visit, the Chhapaak leading lady stood silently in solidarity with JNU students, causing a political storm over the film. Thus both actors made their stand clear on the CAA as well as the JNU violence. Speaking to IANS, Janata Dal United general Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP KC Tyagi said, We are living in a time which is so unfortunate that real heroes like Tanhaji are divided into Hindu-Muslim and subjects like acid attack become the whipping goats of politics. Tyagi added: Both films deal with great subjects and should be watched by the entire country and not just a few states. State governments should make films tax free not as per their political convenience but the subject they deal with. Watch: Chhapaak - Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Rekha & others attend star-studded premiere Also read: Tanhaji vs Chhapaak box office collection day 4: Ajay Devgns film crosses Rs 75 cr, Deepika Padukone-starrer struggles at Rs 21.37 cr He also said that Chhapak shows how women have been subjected to violence through acid attacks. It should be declared tax free everywhere because it makes people aware of subjects like acid attack and protects womanhood. Tanhaji is a Maratha hero but he is unsung and unknown. It is unfortunate that this film is made tax free only by BJP-led state governments and not in Congress-ruled states. This film should also be watched by everyone so that this unsung hero is celebrated. Tanhaji has grossed Rs 75.68 crore at the domestic box-office so far, while the figures for Chhapaak stand at Rs 21.37 crore. It will be interesting to watch which state gives both the films a tax-free status. Follow @htshowbiz for more Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said tensions around Iran had triggered the disaster for the Ukrainian Boeing, Reuters reported. I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families, Trudeau said in the interview. The U.S. makes its determinations. We attempt to work as an international community on big issues. But sometimes countries take actions without informing their allies, he said. As reported earlier, Ukrainian plane crashed on January 8 near Tehran, leaving 176 people killed. On Saturday, the Iranian military said that the Ukrainian Boeing was shot down, the human factor was to blame. Iran noted that they expected an attack from the US, and therefore the country's air defense systems were put on full alert. The plane was shot down on the very day when Iran attacked the Iraqi bases where the US military is stationed. The attacks were retaliated for the assassination of US forces by Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. By Sonali Paul MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Public support for Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slumped to its lowest levels amid widespread anger over his government's handling of Australia's bushfire crisis, according to a survey released by Newspoll on Monday. At least 28 people have been killed in the fires that have destroyed 2,000 homes, and razed 11.2 million hectares (27.7 million acres), nearly half the area of the United Kingdom Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to the crisis, even taking a family holiday to Hawaii while fires were burning. He acknowledged during a television interview on Sunday that he had made some mistakes. "We have heard the message loud and clear from the Australian people," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million ($34.56 million) wildlife protection fund. "They want to see a Federal Government adopt a very direct response to these natural and national disasters," Frydenberg said. The Newspoll survey showed Morrison's approval rating dropped 8% since the last poll on Dec 8 to stand at 37%, scoring lower than opposition Labour leader Anthony Albanese. It is Morrison's worst showing in the poll since he took over leadership of the ruling Liberal Party in August 2018 when a backbench uprising ousted former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. No margin of error was provided for the poll, which surveyed 1,505 people from Wednesday to Saturday, although it was about 2.5% points in previous Newspolls. The poll was taken after Morrison announced a A$2 billion bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers - responses that were viewed as belated. Morrison said on Sunday he would take a proposal to Cabinet to hold a Royal Commission national inquiry into the bushfires, including examining the response to the crisis, the role and powers of the federal government and the impact of climate change. Story continues After weeks of raging fires whipped up by erratic winds and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions eased over the weekend with showers forecast for New South Wales (NSW), the worst hit state, over the next few days. "If this BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed," the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Twitter. Here are key events in the crisis: *Australia's pristine 'AAA' sovereign rating is not at "immediate risk" from the fiscal and economic impact of bushfires raging across the country's east coast, S&P said on Monday. *The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said on Monday bushfire victims can submit damaged banknote claims to redeem their lost money. *The Australian government committed A$50 million to an emergency wildlife recovery program on Monday, calling the bushfires crisis engulfing the country "an ecological disaster" that threatens several species, including koalas and rock wallabies. *German engineering giant Siemens said it would fulfil its contract to provide signalling for a rail line to a controversial new coal mine being built by India's Adani Group in Australia's outback, drawing criticism from green groups on Monday. *Frydenberg announced A$50 million in funding on Monday for protecting wildlife and restoring damaged habitat, with a focus on threatened species, like koalas, with heartbreaking images of rescues of burned animals having gone viral around the world. *Since October, thousands of Australians have been subjected to repeat evacuations as huge and unpredictable fires scorched more than 11.2 million hectares (27.7 million acres), an area nearly half the size of the United Kingdom. *Across New South Wales, 111 fires were still burning late on Sunday, 40 of them not yet contained, but none at emergency level. *A number of fires burning in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and into Victoria have merged across more than 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. They do not pose a threat, authorities say, despite being in an area hard to reach. *The government said on Sunday it would provide A$76 million ($52 million) for mental health counselling and healthcare consultations to firefighters, emergency workers, individuals and communities. *Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday an out-of-control and unpredictable fire that is moving slowly in the state's south, poses a possible threat to lives and homes in the area. *South Australia said on Sunday that more than 32,000 livestock animals, mostly sheep, had died in recent fires on Kangaroo Island, while fire services are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected worsening weather conditions on Monday. *Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Friday to protest against government inaction on climate change, and were supported by protesters in London. *Australia's wildfires have dwarfed other recent catastrophic blazes, with its burnt terrain more than twice the extent of that ravaged by 2019 fires in Brazil, California and Indonesia combined. *Westpac estimated total bushfire losses to date at about A$5 billion, higher than the 2009 bushfires in Victoria but smaller than the Queensland floods in 2010/11. It forecast a hit of 0.2% to 0.5% on gross domestic product. *The Insurance Council of Australia increased to more than A$900 million its estimate of damage claims from the fires, and they are expected to jump further. *About 100 firefighters from the United States and Canada are helping, with 140 more expected in coming weeks. *The fires have emitted 400 megatons of carbon dioxide and produced harmful pollutants, the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme said. *Smoke has drifted across the Pacific, affecting cities in South America, and may have reached the Antarctic, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organisation said. ($1 = 1.4468 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sonali Paul; additional reporting by Colin Packham in Sydney, Editing by Peter Cooney & Simon Cameron-Moore) Chrome News Track is a yet another exclusive from Chrome Data Analytics and Media which conducts study on News Content aired across India by choosing the "Most Aired, Most Watched and Most Discussed News of the week". The automated data picked from 30200 Chrome DM Panel Homes across India. It analyses the effectiveness of the News aired on television every week and categorises it through three broad segments namely Most Aired, Most Watched and Most Discussed. Most Aired News in Week 02: According to the Chrome News Track data for the Week 02 - 2020, JNU Violence News was the most Aired News this week, followed by News about US Airstrike in Iraq. The News about Delhi Assembly Election 2020 stood at the 3rd spot, the Case of Death of Children in Rajasthan was next in the list and News about Stone Pelting at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara In Pakistan managed to take the fifth and the last spot. Most Watched News in Week 02: The data also unveils that JNU Violence News was the most watched news for the week grabbing maximum eyeballs, followed by US Airstrike in Iraq. The news about Case of Death of Children in Rajasthan, Delhi Assembly Election 2020 & Stone Pelting at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara In Pakistan also generated interests amongst viewers and are placed at 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively in the list. Most Discussed News in Week 02: On the other hand, taking a closer view of the Most Discussed News category, the news about JNU Violence News has been the talk of the nation making it the most discussed news whereas the News Case of Death of Children in Rajasthan happens to be the 2nd most discussed news as per the automated data picked from 30200 Chrome DM Panel Homes. US Airstrike in Iraq became the 3rd most discussed news among masses. Stone Pelting at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara In Pakistan and Delhi Assembly Election 2020 are placed at 4th & 5th respectively in the list. ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group and Georgia State University are pleased to announce that Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of SPANX, will join Noble CEO, Mit Shah, for the 7th annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series on the main stage at the 2020 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 20th held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Sara was selected as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the world and Forbes Magazine named Sara the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world. In support of her mission to empower women, Sara created the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and she signed The Giving Pledge committing to donate half of her wealth to charity. Today, Sara still owns 100% of the company and has never taken outside investment. "Sara's journey is one of vision and grit strengthened by her commitment to family and community and emboldened by her boundless generosity," said Shah. "Her story will serve as an inspiration to all, but particularly to our industry's women leaders and our next generation of hospitality entrepreneurs and professionals." The Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series was established and endowed at Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality, in the Robinson College of Business, in honor of Dr. Bharat Shah, a renowned leader and philanthropist. Dr. Shah, an immigrant to the United States, founded the series to share the intimate and diverse personal journeys of icons whose stories of struggle, perseverance, commitment and faith have led them to achieve the American Dream. "Our goal as a conference is to provide sessions and speakers who are informational, inspirational, and who provide valuable insights not found anywhere else," said Lee Hunter, Conference Chair. "Sara Blakely exemplifies all of these, and we are grateful she is going to share her remarkable journey with us. We remain honored to host this incredibly significant speaker series and thank Mit and the Noble team for their leadership and dedication to our industry." Over the years, Shah has brought thousands in attendance and a worldwide viewing audience into the living room for candid conversations with highly admired leaders including Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton; Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International; Tom Baltimore, Chairman, President and CEO of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.; Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp.; Mark Elliott, CEO of Hodges Ward Elliott; and his father, Bharat Shah, in the inaugural leadership speaker series. The Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series is open to industry participants and Georgia State University students who hold tickets for the conference. For additional information on the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, please visit hunterconference.com For additional information on the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series, please visit bharatmshah.com or robinson.gsu.edu/academic-departments/hospitality/about/bharat-shah About Noble Investment Group Since 1993, Noble has specialized in making income and value-add investments in upscale hotels throughout the United States. Through its private equity real estate funds, Noble has invested nearly $4 billion in communities throughout the country, creating thousands of jobs. As a fiduciary to state pensions, university endowments and foundations, Noble's endeavors help to preserve and grow our limited partners' capital which provides retirement benefits for our country's teachers, policemen and firefighters as well as financial resources for students to attend college. For more information, please visit nobleinvestment.com About Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Hunter Hotel Investment Conference is an education- and networking-focused event for hotel investors. Long recognized as one of the nation's top national hotel conferences, its goal is to provide accurate industry performance and trend information alongside unprecedented networking and educational opportunities. Entering its 32nd year, the annual conference is held March 18-20, 2020 in Atlanta, GA, and will host nearly 2,000 attendees. The conference is presented by Hunter Hotel Advisors, the nation's leading investment advisory firm focused exclusively on the hotel industry. About Georgia State University Georgia State University provides its world-class faculty and more than 53,000 students from 170 nations and territories with unsurpassed connections to the opportunities available in one of the 21st century's great global cities. A national leader in graduating students from diverse backgrounds including more than 3,000 international students, more African American students graduate each year from Georgia State than any other public or nonprofit higher education institution in the United States. Georgia State is the #1 public university in Georgia to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees to African-Americans, Asians and Latinos and is ranked the #2 most innovative university and #3 best undergraduate teaching experience in the United States. SOURCE Noble Investment Group Related Links http://www.nobleinvestment.com Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday he will continue speaking out against wrong things even if it costs his country financially, amid growing concerns about Indias curbs on palm oil imports after a diplomatic row. India, the worlds largest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules to effectively bar imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the worlds second-biggest producer and exporter after Indonesia. A notification from Indias ministry of commerce and industry moved the import of refined palm oil and palmolein from the free to restricted category and people familiar with developments said the move was specifically aimed at Malaysia because Mahathirs remarks on Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). As Malaysian palm refiners stared at massive losses, Mahathir said his government will find a solution. We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it, the 94-year-old premier told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people. The people cited above said India had made its position very clear to the Malaysian side. We called in the Malaysian charge daffaires to register a protest. We have said such statements go against the spirit of the long-standing ties between India and Malaysia. There is nothing more to say, said a person who declined to be identified. The Indian government has informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil, Reuters reported on Monday. Indian traders are now buying Indonesian crude palm oil at a premium of $10 per tonne over Malaysian prices. External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said last week the new notification was not country-specific. But he added: The status of the relationship between any two countries is (something) any business would look at before they get into trading. India was Malaysias biggest buyer of palm oil in 2019, with 4.4 million tonnes of purchases. In 2020, purchases could fall below 1 million tonnes if relations dont improve, Indian traders said. Though Malaysian officials said they were trying to sell more palm oil to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress has said the matter should be sorted out with India. We wish to implore upon both governments to use all possible diplomatic channels to resolve this issue putting aside any personal or diplomatic ego, it said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 14:36:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese procuratorates have stepped up efforts to punish offenders polluting the environment along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced Tuesday. Prosecutors in 11 provincial regions along the economic belt filed charges against 22,310 people for suspected crimes involving destroying environmental resources in 2019, up over 20 percent year on year, said Zhang Xueqiao, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, at a press conference. Meanwhile, they approved the arrests of 7,084 suspects involved in such cases, an increase of 43 percent from the previous year, according to figures from a white paper on ensuring the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt released by the SPP Tuesday. The white paper, the first issued by the SPP, aims to make the public realize that the situation of environmental protection remains grim along the Yangtze River, Zhang said. "We hope to improve our capacity and professionalism by spotting problems and seek solutions through the comprehensive and timely review of relevant work," Zhang explained. Pune Police recently dished out a savage reply to a Twitter user asking for a womans number and their answer has now won hearts on the micro-blogging site. It all started when a woman took to the site to ask the department for the number of Dhanori police station. The department obliged and gave the number. However, another Twitter user decided to reply to the womans tweet and asked Pune Police for her number. The department, in turn, came up with an apt reply. Before knowing what Pune Police replied, take a look at the conversation between the woman and the department. @PuneCityPolice Can I get the number of Dhanori police station please. Need urgently! Nidhi Doshi (@nidhidoshi12) January 12, 2020 Yes madam, this is 020- 27171190 dhanori police chowki contact number. PUNE POLICE (@PuneCityPolice) January 12, 2020 Heres what the man asked: @PuneCityPolice can i get her number please ? Chiklu (@abirchiklu) January 12, 2020 Sir, we are more interested in your number currently, to understand your interest in the ladys number, Pune police wrote in their reply tweet. Further adding, they respect the persons privacy and he can DM his number. Sir, we are more interested in your number currently, to understand your interest in the ladys number. You may DM. We respect privacy. https://t.co/LgaD1ZI2IT PUNE POLICE (@PuneCityPolice) January 12, 2020 Since being shared on January 12, the tweet by Pune police has garnered close to 16,000 likes and over 3,700 retweets. Tweeple connected well with the reply and their comments expressed the same. While some condemned the man for such a question, others couldnt stop applauding the departments gesture. Heres how they reacted: You made me smile , rarely happens nowadays. Rahul Verma (@rahulverma08) January 12, 2020 The person handling this tweeter account deserves a salute, great respect to you sir, and thank you for making our life safe. Haresh Jaiswal (@JaiswalHaresh) January 12, 2020 I'm your Jabra fan Pune police Nivedita (@nivedit70981666) January 12, 2020 Just a few days back, on January 7, a tweet by the Pune Police ticked peoples funny bone. It was a witty reply to a picture of two traffic violators. What do you think of the departments reply? JANUARY 14, 2020 UTSA faculty, staff and students are invited to attend public forums today featuring the third finalist candidate for vice president for the Office of University Relations. Reporting directly to the president and working in concert with all other vice presidential areas, this VP will serve as the chief university relations officer, providing leadership communications, institutional marketing, community relations and governmental relations functions at UTSA. Responsibilities include providing high-level oversight and strategy development to reach, influence and collaborate with the universitys external stakeholders; supervising the units within the Office of University Relations portfolio; and representing UTSA throughout the state and nation to advance the universitys mission, vision and strategic initiatives. The forums will be held on both the Main and Downtown campuses. Candidate 3 Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 Philosophy of Success in University Relations Introduction by Dean Hendrix, UTSA dean of libraries 2:152:45 p.m., Main Building, Regents Room (MB 3.106), Main Campus Introduction by Dean Hendrix, UTSA dean of libraries 2:152:45 p.m., Main Building, Regents Room (MB 3.106), Main Campus Philosophy of Success in Government Relations and Community Engagement Introduction by Rod McSherry, associate vice president for innovation and economic development 4:154:45 p.m., Durango Building, La Villita Room (DBB 1.116), Downtown Campus The search committee would like to receive feedback from faculty, staff and students who attend any of the candidate forums. Please complete an online survey for each candidate you were able to hear from. Mumbai attack mastermind on Tuesday pleaded "not guilty" in two terror financing cases against him as the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief finally recorded his statement in a Pakistani anti-terrorism court here. The Counter Terrorism Department had registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17. He is held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. At a hearing on January 10, a questionnaire was handed over to Saeed by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court. "In response to a questionnaire handed over to him by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore regarding terrror financing charges against him, Saeed on Tuesday submitted his reply in which he dismissed all charges against him. He pleaded not guilty," a court official told PTI after the in-camera hearing. The official said the ATC adjourned the hearing till Wednesday for final arguments. The cases of terror financing have been registered against Saeed in Lahore and Gujranwala cities in Punjab province on the application of the Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police. Saeed was produced at the ATC under tight security. Journalists were not allowed to enter the court premises for the coverage of the proceedings. Bubble tea enthusiasts can now incorporate the drink into their skincare routines. Picture from Unsplash and Lazada/Mistine PETALING JAYA, Jan 13 If youve ever wanted to smell like your favourite boba beverage, look no further than Thai beauty brand Mistines milk tea body lotion. Infused with real black tea and milk, the product is packaged in a cute tube that resembles a cup of the popular brown sugar milk tea beverage. It currently retails for 99 baht (RM13) on Lazadas Thai website. According to HuffPost, black tea can be a beneficial ingredient when applied directly to the skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Milk is also well-known for being an effective thirst-quencher for parched and dry skin. Mistines post on their milk tea lotion has garnered more than 8,000 reactions and 1,000 comments so far from Facebook users who couldnt help but marvel at how far the obsession with bubble tea has come. How did the pearl boba trend even reach this point? wrote Ja Mali Ja Mali. Meanwhile, other users cracked jokes about the lotion's sweet scent possibly attracting unwanted pests. Will ants come out (if I wear this)? said Nuttaporn Khamsook. Bubble tea enjoys widespread popularity amongst sweet tooths in Thailand and the drink is even used as a food offering at some Buddhist temples. New Delhi: The Supreme Court dismissed the curative petitions filed by two Nirbhaya convicts on Tuesday. Two convicts Mukesh Singh and Vinay Kumar Sharma had filed the curative pleas after a Delhi court issued death warrants against them. A curative petition is the last legal remedy available to a convict apart from mercy plea. A five-judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan was hearing the curative pleas. Reacting on the development, Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said that, "This is a big day for me. I had been struggling for the last 7 years. But the biggest day will be 22nd January when they (convicts) will be hanged." According to the black warrant, four convicts in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya Gang gangrape and murder case will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail. The order was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora who issued the death warrants against the four death row convicts -- Mukesh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31). The plea filed by Mukesh claimed that it was Ram Singh who was the main culprit in the case and Nirbhaya died of the wounds inflected by him. It claimed that Mukesh did not play a serious role in the incident. It also cited the numbers of rape and muder cases where Supreme Court or various High Courts have turned the death sentence into life imprisonment. The plea also said that Mukesh's case was affected by media and political pressure. It called for an open hearing of the curitive petition. News Nation has also accessed the plea filed by Vinay Kumar Sharma. In his petition, Sharma asked the top court to, allow the present curative petition and set aside the final common judgmentpass any other or further order(s) as this Honble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the present case and in the interest of justice and equityand for this act of kindness, the petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Sources said the jail authorities will approach the Uttar Pradesh prison authority asking for a hangman from Meerut to carry out the executions. The four convicts will be kept in isolated cells and will not be allowed to interact with other prisoners. Their family members, however, can visit them any time, the official said. According to an earlier report by The Indian Express, the Buxar Central Jail is ready to supply its famed "Manila" rope for the hanging of the convicts, and 10 such ropes have been readied to be supplied to the capitals Tihar Jail. The jail has expertise in making the wax-coated manila rope that it sells for Rs 180 a kg and which can easily withstand the tension caused by the fall of a person weighing up to 80 kg sent. The jail produced several kinds of ropes used with handcuffs and for pitching tents. Clothes and durries are also woven by its inmates. The jail, probably the only one in the country making manila rope, supplies several types of ropes to different jails. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. JUNEAU, Alaska - A derelict Alaska tugboat floated away from the spot where it was anchored in Juneaus Gastineau Channel before eventually running aground, officials said. The tug Lumberman travelled several hundred yards from the Juneau docks before coming to rest near the Juneau Yacht Club Saturday, The Juneau Empire reported. Dave Borg, City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors harbourmaster, says he received a report around 5 p.m. that the boat was off Norway Point, where the yacht club is located. Looks like shes aground now, Borg said Sunday. The tugboat may have dragged its anchor before eventually coming to a halt, the U.S. Coast Guard said. There were a couple anchors with her, said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Blake Fleming. Not sure if shes still dragging those along with her or what happened. Boat owners in nearby harbours were notified as Juneau officials and the Alaska Marine Exchange monitored the Lumberman. Juneau Docks and Harbors will continue to assess the situation and consult with the Coast Guard, Borg said. The borough does not have the resources to deal with the tugboat independently, but the vessel is not impeding a navigable waterway, Borg said. From what Im seeing, I dont believe shes in the main channel. We dont get a ton of shipping out there, Borg said. Lumberman has been in Gastineau Channel since about May 2018 and has presented jurisdictional issues for removal. The channel is a patchwork of Juneau, state and federal lands and the tugboat was recently on state tidelands, making the boats removal the responsibility of the state, officials said. Those of us in the insurance industry constantly hustled to prevent significant reforms because changes threatened to eat into our companies enormous profits. We were told by our opinion research firms and messaging consultants that when we promoted the purported benefits of the status quo that we should talk about the concept of choice: It polled well in focus groups of average Americans (and was encouraged by the work of Frank Luntz, the P.R. guru who literally wrote the book on how the Republican Party should communicate with Americans). As instructed, I used the word choice frequently when drafting talking points. Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Matthew Continetti writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Michelle Cottle examines two primary contests that will shake the parties well beyond the states in play. But those of us who held senior positions for the big insurers knew that one of the huge vulnerabilities of the system is its lack of choice. In the current system, Americans cannot, in fact, pick their own doctors, specialists or hospitals at least, not without incurring huge out of network bills. Not only does the current health care system deny you choice within the details of your plans, it also fails to provide many options for the plan itself. Most working Americans must select from a limited list made by their companys chosen insurance provider (usually a high-deductible plan or a higher-deductible plan). Whats more, once that choice is made, there are many restrictions around keeping it. You can lose coverage if your company changes its plan, or if you change jobs, or if you turn 26 and leave your parents plan, among other scenarios. This presented a real problem for us in the industry. Well aware that we were losing the choice argument, my industry colleagues spent millions on lobbying, advertising and spin doctors all intended to muddy the issue so Americans might believe that reform would somehow provide less choice. Recently, the industry launched a campaign called My Care, My Choice aimed in part at convincing Americans that they have choice now and that government reform would restrict their freedom. That group has been spending large sums on advertising in Iowa during this presidential race. This isnt the first time the industry has made choice a big talking point as it fights health reform. Soon after the Affordable Care Act was passed a decade ago, insurers formed the Choice and Competition Coalition and pushed states not to create insurance exchanges with better plans. President Moon Jae-in attends the New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday the state prosecution is still powerful despite a set of administrative and legislative measures to reform the organization. He called for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to push for "self-reform" while speaking at his New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae. Moon avoided a direct answer when asked if he has "confidence" in Yoon. He instead said, "I think he has already gained trust from the people in such aspects of strict probes and investigation not submissive to power." When used in the context of prosecution-related issues, the word "power" usually means the presidential office. If Yoon takes the initiative in reforming "the culture" of his organization, he would receive more public trust, Moon said. He stressed that his administration's prosecution reform drive is not related to ongoing investigations into high-profile scandals involving former and sitting Cheong Wa Dae officials. The recent replacement of several senior prosecutors close to Yoon has nothing to do with the reform drive either, he added. The president was responding to questions about a controversy over the justice ministry's reassignment of Yoon's lieutenants. Moon said the right to appoint new senior prosecutors by the president and the justice minister "should be respected." Freedom at a price Harinder S. Sikka is currently the group director, strategic business, Piramal Group. After graduating from Delhi University, he was commissioned in the Indian Navy in January 1981. He served till 1993 before taking premature retirement as a Lieutenant Commander in 1993. He recently produced a film, Nanak Shah Fakir, which won acclaim at the Cannes, Toronto and Los Angeles international film festivals. The film won three national awards including the Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on national integration. Calling Sehmat is his second book and has been made into the hit film, Raazi, by Meghna Gulzar. In this interview with Swetha Amit, Sikka talks about the idea behind his book and touches upon topics of freedom and spirituality. What inspired Vichhoda? How did the idea come about? I strongly believe that in a patriarchal society like ours, we have long underrated women who are in almost every way at par with men. For far too long, we have brushed their strength, bravery, achievements and laurels under the carpet and the sadly, have only demeaned and belittled them using every possible platform. While the trend of reading books is going down dramatically, the silver screen has further added insult to injury by portraying women as sex symbols in item numbers; and show them playing second fiddle to the hero. In reality, women play an equal if not more powerful part than men. In fact, their role as a mother (creator) raises them to an elevated pedestal in society. Vichhoda therefore covers all these aspects and more, where a beautiful, petite next-door girl transforms herself to stand up to every situation thrust on her. She fights in self- defence like a soldier yet shows an extreme level of compassion and love for her children. It therefore makes a unique story, which will help in generating values in the minds of those who have long treated women as a weaker section of society. After the success of Calling Sehmat,I realised that stories such as this make a deep impact on the minds of the younger generation. The very fact that Calling Sehmat has been published in six languages and has been appreciated in India and overseas shows that if we make a sincere effort to convey the strength and attributes of women, society will start looking at them with greater respect. Since Vichhoda is based on a true story set during the 1947 riots, what kind of research was involved while writing this book? I learnt about the story of Vichhoda when I visited Pakistan in 2007. At that time, I was working on Calling Sehmat. I was moved by Bibi Amrit Kaurs story, and decided to take it up as my next project. My first aim was to connect with the Sikh gentleman who had helped Bibi (the lady on whom the story of Vichhoda is based) to meet her children. That took time, energy and of course, resources; but once that was done, the rest was fairly simple. However, working on areas where this gentleman was not connected, such as the visa process, parts of Bibis stay at Muzaffarabad, digging out old newspapers and clippings showcasing her reunion and connecting with people who were in touch with Bibi, both in Pakistan and Kashmir, was a tedious process. Both your books have strong women protagonists. The character of Bibi Amrit Kaur especially showcases a lot of resilience when shes molested. Considering how molestation of women continues to occur at an alarming rate, what message would you like to convey to society through your works? The very fact that we treat women as a burden and do not celebrate the birth of a daughter, sets a black mark of comparison and an unseen dividing line =between a boy and a girl right from birth. When a bride enters the house, she is expected to bring dowry as if she is bringing an amount in barter for her being a burden to her new family; whereas in reality, it is this bride who is the raison detre of the familys future growth and fortunes. The fact that she is demeaned by her parents in the first place ensures that the stigma stays with her wherever she goes. Molestation of women basically showcases the sick minds of people in general and polity in particular. How often have we seen politicians using obsceneremarks against women, not only in public but also shockingly, inside Parliaments. It is therefore, of utmost necessity to bring out the true essence, deep-rooted values and unending sacrifices women make in binding a family together. Unless we talk about this publicly, there is no hope of changing this mindset. In villages, even today, girls are made to work in fields while boys are sent to school. An uneducated girl is therefore forced to become a burden and brutalized for the rest of her life. Vichhoda intends to break this stereotype of a woman in society. Education was considered a bane especially by fundamentalists. Do you see a change in attitude today? Not having their women educated has served the narrow purposes of the fundamentalists for long. This way they have complete control over thoughts and actions of their women folk. However, society is changing. No thanks to the fundamentalists though, women are realising the value of education and awareness in their lives. I have picked up stories of women who have broken out of the mould and shaped their lives and those of the others. And I strongly believe that the one who gives birth should be the first to be educated. There is an interesting line in your book about how entrepreneurs earned respect and jealousy in equal proportions. Can one exist without another in the world? Knowledge gives you a good acumen to gauge and judge others, but when knowledge is shrouded in ego, your judgement of others is inflicted with insecurities and jealousy. Our pride blinds us, and we see only negatives in a person. A simple mind with lower needs result in a happier existence, with love and sharing. I truly believe in the popular adage, Life is beautiful when it is simple, but it is so difficult to be simple. The character Bibi Amrit goes through traumatic experiences. It is said that time is the best healer. What are your thoughts on this? Can an individual move on in life without being haunted by the ghosts of the past as time elapses? In cases such as these where scars run so deep, I have seen that the trauma runs through generations. My own mother still carries the brunt of partition whereas my grandmother carried the pain till her last breath. Though I have personally not experienced the trauma of 1947, I have closely observed aged people still struggling with the horrific memories. I was however, witness to the 1984 carnage. I was a Naval officer then and saw how polity-led goons carried out the carnage. My own course mate Capt Upender Singh Jassal was burnt alive as a consequence of which his entire family his parents, brother and sister died of the shock and grief. In the case of partition, the damage was much more severe. Around one million families were displaced. People saw trains loaded with dead bodies arriving in India. Hundreds of people were forcibly converted or displaced in Pakistan too. The memories are traumatic on both sides. We cannot expect time to heal such wounds. More importantly, I have met dozens of people in Lahore who were forced to convert to Islam but still practice their own religion while they continue to live there. I am not sure their future generations will do the same due to the hostile environment in Pakistan. 7. Its clearly seen that spirituality forms an integral part in your book. What is your take on spirituality? Do you see it as a form of healing? Spirituality was the mainstay for Sehmat after she returned from Pakistan in a state of depression. It is indeed not the easiest of routes to take. However, if practiced with strict discipline, it is the best way forward. Women have this strength in abundance as part of their make-up. Men are different and can be viciously vengeful. Women have always brought compassion and balance to society. Spirituality was strongly embedded in both Sehmat and Bibi, which that came from their positivity and faith in goodness. Bibi knew while the world around her did not, that she would one day re-unite with her children. Her faith exuded calm to the otherwise chaotic sequences in her life. I hope her story will provide that calming effect to readers as well. That is possibly why the book is a success. Another interesting line is your book states "A bird born in a cage often thinks that freedom is a crime." What does freedom mean to you? I feel truly honored to answer this. Over a decade ago, a man carrying birds in a cage passed by our home. He had dozens of parrots and humming birds on display. I made him open the cage and free them, though he cautioned me against doing so, saying the birds were safer in the cage, as when freed they were at the risk of being attacked and killed by other larger birds. The bird seller had a point, but my answer was simple Even a moment of complete freedom is better than decades in a golden cage. Do you have any more books in the pipeline? Five more books are in the pipeline and all are based on true stories. Its a promise to my readers that the other books will also have deep-rooted messages and will compel us to think and evolve. Chicago police and firefighters were called to the 3000 block of West 85th Street around 3 a.m. for an extra-alarm fire, officials said. It was struck out about an hour and a half later. (ANSA) - Turin, January 14 - The prolonged use of mobile telephones can cause tumours in the head, according to a ruling by Turin's Appeals Court on Tuesday. The court upheld a 2017 decision by a lower court in the town of Ivrea regarding the case of a Telecom Italia employee hit by an acoustic-nerve neuroma. The ruling will reopen the debate about whether there is a link between mobile-phone use and cancer. A report last summer compiled by Italy's Higher Health Institute together with several other agencies said that there is no evidence that prolonged use of mobile phones raises the risk of malign or benign tumours over a 10-year period. But the report also stressed that there was a lack of data about "the effects of long-term use of cell phones that started during childhood". STRATFORD Decades before the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, Stratford residents were among those leading the fight for womens suffrage and this week the town began a yearlong celebration of some of its most notable women to mark the centennial. The Town Councils monthly meetings this year will feature presentations highlighting notable Stratford women, ranging from suffrage activists to contemporary leaders. On Monday Mayor Laura Hoydicks daughter, Paige, a senior at Marist College, began the celebration by reading a biography of Vivianna Olivia Snowden, a pioneer Methodist Episcopal Church pastor. Snowden, who went by the name Anna Oliver in her professional life, was born in New Jersey in 1840 and moved to Stratford to live with her sister on Academy Hill around 1885. She died in Maryland in 1892, broken in health and spirit, believing she had failed in her attempts to gain equal suffrage for women, Paige Hoydick said. However, Annas niece, Lillian Snowden, took up Annas fight for equal suffrage after the turn of the 20th century and became one of Stratfords leading suffragettes. The town would go on to host a number of large gatherings as the movement gained steam, according to early 20th century newspapers unearthed by the Stratford Historical Societys David Wright, who is preparing the biographies to be read during the council meetings. For example, the Oct. 17, 1912 Bridgeport Evening Farmer reported that no expense has been spared to make the suffrage meeting at Redmens Hall tonight a glowing success. The organization referred to is one of Americas oldest fraternal organizations, a fact reflected in its now-culturally inappropriate name, which played host to many prominent womens suffrage meetings in its hall on Church Street. This will be the third big suffrage meeting in the town and it signifies that Stratford is the banner suffrage town in the state, the Evening Farmer reported. Four years later, the newspaper reported June 28, 1916, more than 300 suffragettes from throughout Fairfield County paraded the principal streets of the town today in honor of the first annual suffrage convention. The houses on the thoroughfares through which the parade passed Elm Street, Judson Place, Main Street and Church Street were decked in gala attire. The suffragettes listened to a speech from Katharine Martha Houghton Hepburn mother of the legendary actress and then the president of the Connecticut Womens Suffrage Association who the Farmer referred to only as Mrs. Thomas N. Hepburn. Its highly likely that these Stratford Suffrage leaders had been inspired, at least in part, by Anna Oliver, Paige Hoydick said during Mondays Town Council meeting. The mayor thanked Wright and the historical society before introducing her daughter Monday. As a student leader in her own right, I was really happy that she was able to read the first biography, the mayor said. Recognizing this centennial provides an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate a milestone in our republic, both nationally and here in town, Hoydick said in announcing the towns celebration of the centennial. For more than 100 years, Stratford has seen strong, passionate, capable female leaders. The stories being presented are remarkable. Anyone wishing to nominate a woman from Stratfords history to be recognized can send an email to Wright at dwright@townofstratford.com. Were certainly open to suggestions, he said. In addition to the monthly presentations at council meetings, the Stratford Library is partnering with the Baldwin Center and Stratford Lifelong Learners to host Votes for Women, a presentation showcasing Connecticut women who fought on a local, state and national level for womens right to vote. The event, to be presented by the Connecticut Womens Hall of Fame, is scheduled for Feb. 25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Center. For more information, visit www.TownofStratford.com/19thAmendment. WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement this morning that the House will vote tomorrow on transmitting the two articles of impeachment to the Senate sets the stage for the trial of President Trump to begin this week. Even presuming Trump's acquittal, this process could still play out more unpredictably than you might think. After all, this is only the third time that the Senate has held such a presidential impeachment trial in the 232 years since the Constitution was ratified. In the Trump era, it also feels like a safe bet to always brace for chaos. The fact that Pelosi has refused until now to send over the articles that passed on Dec. 18 is a reminder of the imperative to expect the unexpected. Two stories that broke overnight underscore the inherently unpredictable nature of a sprawling investigation that includes international intrigue and involves several state and non-state actors. A cybersecurity firm released a report alleging that the GRU, Russia's military intelligence service,successfully hacked into Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company that put Hunter Biden on the board of directors when Joe Biden was vice president. Democrats impeached Trump for abusing his power by allegedly pressuring Ukraine's president to announce an investigation of that company in exchange for a meeting at the White House and the release of hundreds of million dollars in security assistance that Congress approved but the president froze in the hours after his July 25 call with Volodymyr Zelensky. And Lev Parnas, one of Rudy Giuliani's Soviet-born associates who says he was helping the president's personal lawyer with his work in Ukraine until getting arrested as he tried to leave the United States with a one-way plane ticket, turned over thousands of pages of documents and text messages to House investigators, some of which his lawyer says could be relevant to the impeachment trial. Against this backdrop, here are 10 known unknowns as the Senate trial looms: 1. What did the Russians get from Burisma? Area 1 Security, a California cybersecurity company, said it discovered on New Year's Eve that the GRU had launched a successful cyber "phishing" campaign against Burisma Holdings, as well as several subsidiaries and partners, so that hackers could gain access to internal email accounts. "It was not known what material the GRU gained access to, and if any of it will be released," The Washington Post reports. "The GRU also targeted a media organization founded by Zelensky, the firm said." The GRU is the entity that hacked the servers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta in 2016, releasing their emails that summer and fall at strategically inopportune times for the victims. If the Russian government releases hacked materials from Burisma, how will the media cover it and how would politicians react compared to four years ago? What if the Russians put out fabricated emails that look like they're authentic but are intended only to sow disinformation about the son of a leading Democratic presidential candidate? 2. What did the Democrats get from Parnas? Parnas's attorney Joseph Bondy tweeted that he traveled to Washington over the weekend to deliver the contents of an iPhone 11 to Democratic staffers on the House Intelligence Committee. Bondy also said that Parnas has provided investigators with materials from a Samsung phone, and he added that material from an iPad and another iPhone will be shared. "After our trip to DC, we worked through the night providing a trove of Lev Parnas' WhatsApp messages, text messages & images-not under protective order-to [investigators], detailing interactions with a number of individuals relevant to the impeachment inquiry," Bondy tweeted, adding the hashtags #LetLevSpeak and #LevRemembers. The Wall Street Journal reports that the messages include exchanges not just between Parnas and Giuliani but also messages that he exchanged with former Texas congressman Pete Sessions, current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and former Hill columnist John Solomon. Giuliani, Parnas, Sessions and Solomon were all involved in the efforts to recall Marie Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine to replace her with someone they thought would be more pliable. Bondy said he expects at least some of what he provided will become public and/or shared with the Senate. He told Axios that the materials "aren't helpful" to the president and added that his client, who is currently under house arrest, wants to testify before Congress. 3. Who will Pelosi pick as her impeachment floor managers? The San Francisco Democrat did not name the floor managers during a closed-door meeting with her members this morning. These people will essentially perform the role of prosecutors during the Senate trial. It's widely expected that Pelosi will pick House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., but there are other slots to be filled. Some Democrats had been pushing for her to tap Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, for example, the Republican-turned-independent who voted for impeachment. But while he'd add a nonpartisan veneer to the process, he could also be less predictable than a Pelosi loyalist like Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who sits on the Intelligence and Judiciary committees. Just how close is Pelosi holding her cards to the vest? House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 in Democratic leadership, told reporters last night that even he doesn't know whom she'll pick. "Do I have some ideas? Yes. But I'm not going to share them," the Marylander said. "Do I know all the names? No. By the end of the week, you're going to know." 4. Will the Senate vote on a motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment? In a strategic shift, Trump called over the weekend for the charges against him to be promptly dismissed by the Senate as soon as they arrive instead of holding a trial. Top Senate Republicans rejected this idea yesterday, saying that they don't have the votes locked down to do so and expressing concern that it would hurt the president and vulnerable lawmakers up for reelection this fall if it looks like the GOP is short-circuiting the process. "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said that he wants the trial . . . to follow the format used 21 years ago in the trial of President Bill Clinton. In that case, the Senate approved a resolution that would have allowed the Senate to vote to dismiss the charges. But senior Republicans signaled Monday that they are not inclined to include such a provision in the resolution that will kick off Trump's trial," The Washington Post reported. "Several closely watched Republican senators said Monday that they would reject immediate dismissal of the charges against Trump, including Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Susan Collins, R-Maine). 5. How many Republican senators will vote to call witnesses? "Senior White House officials . . . increasingly believe that at least four Republicans, and likely more, will vote to call witnesses," CBS News reports. "In addition to Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, [Collins], [Romney] and possibly Cory Gardner of Colorado, the White House also views Rand Paul of Kentucky as a 'wild card' and [Alexander] as an 'institutionalist' who might vote to call witnesses, as one official put it." Collins told reporters she's trying to ensure the process hews as closely as possible to what the Senate did for Clinton. Murkowski said she wants to make sure there's an ability to get additional information, including witnesses, if the opening arguments don't answer all her questions. 6. Does John Bolton testify? The former national security adviser said last week that he would be willing to testify if he receives a Senate subpoena. At least four Republicans would need to join all the Democrats to vote for witnesses for this to happen. Romney said yesterday that he plans to vote against early motions by Democrats to get witnesses before opening arguments, but he said he could vote to hear from witnesses later. "I presume I'll be voting in favor of hearing from John Bolton, perhaps among others," he told reporters yesterday. "That could change depending on what happens in the ensuing days and during those arguments, but I'm not going to be voting for witnesses prior to the opening arguments." A new Quinnipiac University poll finds that two-thirds of Americans want to see Bolton testify during the Senate trial. For context, the survey found that 51% of respondents approved of the House voting to impeach Trump. 7. How aggressively does Trump assert executive privilege? White House spokesman Hogan Gidley suggested on Fox News Tuesday that the president's lawyers would probably invoke executive privilege to limit testimony, especially from Bolton. "We're happy for anyone to come forward and testify," Gidley claimed. "There are obviously rules of executive privilege that past administrations have [claimed]. We will most likely do the same thing." 8. If Bolton appears, do Republicans vote to compel Hunter Biden too? Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt this morning that he "can't imagine" a scenario where Bolton appears but Trump allies don't try to call their own witnesses whose testimony would help the president. "I can just assure you and all your listeners that it will not be a one-sided proceeding where only the Democrats have a chance to even attempt to call witnesses," Cotton told Hewitt. 9. Does Giuliani get his wish to defend Trump on the Senate floor? The former New York mayor told reporters as he prepared to celebrate with the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago on New Year's Eve that he'd love to try the case. "Giuliani, whose dealings with Ukraine are a key facet of the impeachment case, has been lobbying the President to join his legal team on the Senate floor during his upcoming trial," CNN reported yesterday. "Giuliani has pressed Trump to make him part of the team of lawyers who will argue the case, [according to] a White House official and two sources close to the President. Giuliani has argued that he knows the case against the President inside-out. The White House declined to comment. . . . Sources said they did not expect Giuliani to ultimately join the team and said Trump has been advised against tapping Giuliani because of his involvement in the key facts at the heart of the impeachment case against Trump." 10. Could the State of the Union be postponed? Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on Feb. 4. There is a precedent for this happening during an impeachment trial: Clinton delivered his State of the Union on the night of Jan. 19, 1999, after his lawyers spent that day defending the president in the Senate. And Trump relishes this kind of showmanship. For example, his 2020 reelection campaign just announced a rally in Iowa on the Thursday night before the caucuses. It will take place at Drake University, which is also hosting tonight's Democratic debate. But some congressional Republicans are starting to suggest that maybe Trump should hold off until after his expected acquittal so that he could take a victory lap. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., accused Pelosi this morning of delaying the articles until now so that the "impeachment cloud hangs over the president during his State of the Union address." The congressman said the president should "tell her he'll deliver the State of the Union only after our country clears the divisive impeachment hurdle." "It's not just America watching the State of the Union each year," Banks wrote on Twitter. "Tehran is watching. Hong Kong is watching. Taipei is watching. Each have made clear in the last year they want their cities & nations to look more like USA. Trump must deliver message of peace, strength & unity to freedom-loving peoples around the globe! Getting impeachment out of the way makes that message and State of the Union address stronger!" Were now in the early stages of RRSP season, the time of year when Canadians traditionally focus on tax-advantaged saving for retirement. In large part, its driven by the advertising and sales lead-up to the annual RRSP deadline, which this year falls on March 2. But its important to realize that RRSPs arent your only choice. The government offers two great options for tax-advantaged saving for retirement. In addition to the long-established RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan), theres also the more recent TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account), started in 2009. Since they work differently, that naturally leads to the question of which should you contribute to if as is pretty common you only have enough money to do one and not both. The short answer is this: If you have to choose between the two, the RRSP is the ideal option in a common but specific set of circumstances. That generally applies when youre investing long-term for retirement, youre in a reasonably high tax bracket now when you contribute, and you expect to enjoy a typical middle-class retirement in a somewhat lower tax bracket. The TFSA is more of an all-purpose savings vehicle that has the advantage in most other situations, whether investing long-term for retirement or for a shorter-term goal. Now lets delve into the details. Both RRSPs and TFSAs shelter you from tax on interest, dividends and realized capital gains on your investments while the funds stay within the account. With an RRSP, you get a tax deduction up front from making a contribution generally resulting in a tax rebate but all the money becomes fully taxable when you eventually take it out. The TFSA is the opposite: you dont get a tax rebate on contributions, but you dont pay tax on withdrawals either. So if youre choosing between the two, in large part the choice boils down to whether you should pay the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) now (as you do with the TFSA, since there is no tax rebate) or later (as you do with the RRSP because withdrawals are taxed). Which choice saves you the most tax depends critically on your tax rate now versus later. If youre in a higher tax bracket when you put the money in than when you take it out, then you get a bigger tax break with the RRSP. If you take the money out when youre in a higher tax bracket than you are now, then the TFSA has the tax advantage. If your tax rates are the same when the money goes in and then comes out, then the tax impacts are equivalent. (Note those results assume you also invest your RRSP tax rebate normally into your RRSP as well rather than just spend it on your lifestyle.) While figuring out which is better is fairly straightforward in concept, putting it into practice is more difficult. After all, its hard to predict what tax bracket youre going to be in decades from now. But, although you cant know now for sure, most people live on far less income in retirement than at the salary-earning peak of their working years. So, RRSPs make a lot of sense in the common situation where youre currently earning a fairly high salary and youre saving for a typical middle-class retirement. But there are many other situations where youll fare better with a TFSA. To start with, the TFSA is far more flexible. Dipping into a TFSA never has a tax impact, whereas you can expect to receive a big tax bill if you need to draw on your RRSP for a sudden need while youre still earning a good salary that puts you in a high tax bracket. (You can take out specified amounts from your RRSP without tax consequences for a first-time home purchase or for education, but you have to repay those amounts back into your RRSP according to rigid timetables or count the money as income and pay tax on it.) Also, dipping into an RRSP results in permanent loss of the contribution room, whereas you can put back the money from TFSA withdrawals after waiting until the next calendar year. In addition, youre forced to convert your RRSP to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or annuity by the year you turn 71 and then you have to make mandated minimum withdrawals starting the following year. In contrast, TFSAs come with remarkably few strings attached when it comes to withdrawals. So if youre looking for flexibility and especially if you might need the money while still working the TFSA is the clear winner. The scales also tilt in favour of the TFSA if youre among the minority of people who end up in a higher tax bracket in retirement. Complicating the picture is the need to factor in the potential impact of clawbacks on key seniors benefits that are sometimes triggered by RRSP and RRIF withdrawals. Oddly, these kinds of benefit clawbacks dont typically affect middle-income seniors that much, but they have a far greater impact if you have either a high or low income as a senior. Bottom line If you have to choose between an RRSP and TFSA contribution, go with the RRSP if youre in a fairly high tax bracket now, expect to be enjoy a typical middle class retirement in a lower tax bracket, and are pretty confident you wont tap the funds before you retire. Otherwise, go with the all-purpose and flexible TFSA. Know your contribution limits You need to be aware of your RRSP and TFSA contribution limits, since you generally pay hefty financial penalties if you exceed them. However, it is pretty common for middle class contributors to accumulate more unused contribution room than they will ever manage to use. For both RRSPs and TFSAs, you get additional contribution room each year, but you also accumulate unused contribution room from previous years. For RRSPs, you can contribute up until March 2 of this year and still have the contribution generate a tax deduction against income on your 2019 tax return. For TFSAs, contributions count in the year they happen. The annual additions to RRSP contribution room are based on 18 per cent of earned income from the previous year (minus adjustments for employer pension benefits if any) to a maximum contribution of $26,500 for 2019. The annual addition to TFSA contribution room is a set amount each year ($6,000 for 2020) which is available to all Canadian residents 18 years and older. Your online CRA account tracks your unused contribution room for both your RRSP and TFSA. You can also get your unused RRSP contribution room from your CRA Notice of Assessment. Later this month, David will publish his new book, The Sleep-Easy Retirement Guide, available at bookstores across the country. David Aston , a freelance contributing columnist for the Star, is a personal finance and investment journalist. He has an M.A. in economics and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Reach him via email: davidastonstar@gmail.com Read more about: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested this week that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate in order to harm Senator Bernie Sanderss presidential campaign. The top House Republican said Pelosis decision to withhold the impeachment articles against President Trump for weeks while demanding that Democrats are assured a fair trial was aimed at ensuring that Sanders would be tied up with the Senate trial in the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses. This is the dirty little secret that nobody is talking about, why the speaker held these papers, McCarthy told Fox News on Sunday. Remember what happened in the last nomination process, where the [Democratic National Committee] chairman, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz had to resign the night before the nomination convention started because they had found out they had cheated Senator Bernie Sanders from the opportunity to become the nominee. They are doing the exact same thing right now, McCarthy said, referring to internal DNC emails leaked by Wikileaks in 2016 that showed Wasserman-Schultz and other DNC officials had exercised bias against Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton. This benefits Joe Biden. This harms Senator Sanders, who is in first place and could become their nominee, because he will be stuck in a chair because Nancy Pelosi held the papers, different than what she said to the American public why she had to move so urgently, the California Republican continued. Its the exact same thing they did to him four years ago. Sanders and fellow Democratic 2020 candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren will be forced to sit through the impeachment trial during primary season after Pelosi submits the articles to the Senate on Wednesday. Senator John Cornyn floated the same speculation Monday on the Senate floor. If youre Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, or any other candidate who isnt a member of the Senate, youve got to be glad the Speaker sat on these articles for nearly four weeks, the Texas Republican said. Having your competitors stuck in Washington, literally in their seat, while youre hitting the campaign trail? Well, that seems like a pretty good advantage to me. Story continues A spokesman for Pelosi responded on Tuesday, accusing the House Republican leader of having no idea what he was talking about. Impeachment has nothing to do with politics or the presidential race, Pelosis deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill wrote on Twitter. As usual, the Minority Leader has no idea what hes talking about. More from National Review Its easy enough to design a bad airplane, but it takes real gumption to put it into production despite all signs to the contrary. There are many reasons why less than first-rate aircraft are produced in quantity. The most dominant factor is the perceived urgency of the need. If war is threatening, or if an existing conflict is not going well, governments are more willing to take risks. Sometimes hubris also figures in. A government official might give the nod to a company with a good track record without fully evaluating the design being submitted. And theres always the question of timing. An aircraft that was a good choice when contracts were first let might be overtaken by technological advances or other developments. The unfortunate result for pilots, especially in combat, can be a fatally flawed airplane. What follows are our picks for seven not-so-magnificent planes that for a variety of reasons never should have made it off the drawing boards. Messerschmitt Me-210 The same Luftwaffe that used the vaunted Me-109, Fw-190 and Me-262 to such deadly effect in World War II was also responsible for a hefty portfolio of bad airplanes. In fact, this article could be composed almost entirely of Luftwaffe types, but to be fair only two are included, as there are plenty from other countries to choose from. Although it was Hermann Gorings pet project, the Messerschmitt Me-110s shortcomings in the vaunted Zerstorer (long-range escort fighter) role were already evident in 1937, so Willy Messerschmitt proposed a follow-on to the sadly inept chief of the technical office, Ernst Udet. An ace fighter pilot and brilliant aerobatic flier, Udet was a bon vivant, totally unsuited for the position into which he was thrust. He unwisely approved mass production of the Me-210 without the usual competition for contracts. (Udets role in the sad scenario that followed was played by Kurt Jurgens in the 1955 film The Devils General, in which a Junkers Ju-86 took the part of the Me-210.) Messerschmitt Me-210. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-363-2270-18, Photo H. Nicke) Messerschmitt Me-210. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-363-2270-18, Photo H. Nicke) The new plane was intended to be more versatile than the Me- 110, for it was envisioned as a high-speed dive bomber, a reconnaissance aircraft and a medium-range heavy fighter. Its most advanced feature was an extremely complicated remote-controlled rear armament system. The Me-210 proved to be dangerously unstable during its first flight on September 2, 1939the day after Adolf Hitler invaded Polandand the pilot had to feather an engine. Among many quick fixes, a meter-long extension was added to the fuselage and later a large single rear fin replaced the twin rudders. Testing continued, with the necessary lead-time parts being secured for mass production. Speed recordsetting test pilot Fritz Wendel was forced to bail out of a prototype on September 5, 1940, when its horizontal stabilizer failed in a dive. A long series of modifications followed, spurred on by the discovery that the Me-210 had a vicious stall in a steep bank. Further problems were discovered when an operational training unit used the preproduction aircraft in combat on the Eastern Front. While the pilots of the test unit considered the aircraft equal to or better than the Me-110 in most respects, they reported that in a nose-high attitude the Me-210 could suddenly stall or spin without warning. (Ironically, the famous Messerschmitt leading edge slats, which had been specifically forbidden in the design by the Luftwaffe, later proved to be the cure for this problem.) There were many other problems, including engines breaking away from the aircraft in flight and a dangerous tendency to turn over on its back on landing. The situation drove the already harried and drug-bedeviled Udet first into an ugly confrontation with Messerschmitt and then to suicide. Mass production of the Me-210 was already well underway by that time, and Udets successor, Field Marshal Erhard Milch, was under Hitlers orders to vastly increase aircraft production. A top-level decision to cancel the program in the spring of 1942 was reversed, and further testing ensued. These test results indicated that the aircraft, as then modified and configured, was suitable for operations. That this view persisted in spite of the Me-210s very high accident rate shows how desperate the Luftwaffe had become. In the end, the highly modified Me-210 morphed into the very successful Messerschmitt Me-410, equipped with the much better performing Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines rather than DB 601Fs. About 200 Me-210s had been delivered, another 370 were being assembled and parts for a further 800 were being prepared when the official cancellation finally came. Thus at least 600 badly needed aircraft were lost to the Luftwaffe, while the Messerschmitt firm took an estimated 30 million Reichsmark hit. Milch, out of revenge as much as frustration, demanded that his old enemy Willy Messerschmitt be removed from his decision-making posts at Messerschmitt. Fairey Battle It is perhaps unfair to include the handsome Fairey Battle in this collection, since it was a very advanced aircraft for its time. Its listed here primarily as an indictment of the benighted thinking of the Royal Air Force, which sent men into combat in a plane known to be a deathtrap. The RAF had suffered such devastating losses providing close air support during World War I that it failed to develop an adequate aircraft for the role in the postwar years. At a time when the Luftwaffe was developing the Junkers Ju-87 dive bomber, the RAF opted for a light bomber, i.e., a 200-mph aircraft with a 1,000-pound bomb load and an armament package consisting of a single .303-inch Browning firing forward and a Vickers of the same caliber on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit. Fairey Battle fighter-bombers of RAF No. 218 Squadron fly in formation over France. (IWM C 2116) Fairey Battle fighter-bombers of RAF No. 218 Squadron fly in formation over France. (IWM C 2116) The specification for the Battle, a low-wing cantilever three-seat (pilot, bombardier, radio operator/gunner) monoplane, was issued in 1932. Delays in engine development postponed its first flight until March 10, 1936, when there was a perceived need for mass production. The Battle looked like and shared the characteristics of many cutting-edge aircraft of its era, particularly the 1932 Consolidated P-30/PB-2 two-seater of 1932. Faireys foresight in placing the very first order for Rolls-Royce Merlin engines endowed the aircraft with the comparatively high speed of 257 mph at 20,000 feet. Unfortunately, the Battle was to enter combat at low altitudes, where its speed was reduced to about 210 mph, some 125 mph less than the Messerschmitt fighters it would encounter. On the plus side, the Battle was easy to fly. The initial order for 155 aircraft was soon followed by more, to be built in the new shadow-factory system established in March 1936, which allowed private companies to operate government-owned factories. Ultimately more than 2,200 Battles were built, doing their most useful work as trainers, target tugs, squadron hacks and engine test-beds. One of the factors that induced the British government to continue manufacturing an aircraft already known to be obsolete was the need to keep production lines going, with workers in place, for later and more advanced weapons. The same situation occurred in the United States on more than one occasion, as with the production of the Vultee Vengeance series of bombers. The Battles obsolescence made it available for sale to other governments, and some were delivered to Belgium, Turkey and South Africa. About half the Battles built were constructed in Canada or Australia, and used by their respective air forces. The real tragedy was that 160 Battles, despite their obvious vulnerability, were sent to France as a part of the Advanced Air Striking Force. They prospered at first, and a Battle gunner scored the first RAF aerial victory of the war, shooting down an Me-109. The handsome but tired Fairey monoplane was soon to meet its doom, however. When the Germans knifed into France during their historic May 1940 offensive, Battles were committed to low-level attacks. Of the first 32 put into action, 13 were shot down and almost all the rest were damaged. The following day seven out of eight Battles were destroyed trying to stem the German tide. On May 12, in an attack against bridges over the Albert Canal, all five participating Battles were shot down. There was more bad news to come. When the Germans reached Sedan, the site of their famous victory in 1871, 63 Battles were thrown into the breach. Of these, 35 were shot down and the remaining 28 suffered damage. Mercifully, the continued loss of airfields to the Germans forced the remaining Battles to return to Great Britain. They flew their last operational sorties in October 1940, against German-occupied French ports. Oddly enough, given the Battles dismal combat history, a smaller, redesigned version of the aircraft, the Fairey Fulmar, proved to be an effective Fleet Air Arm fighter in the Mediterranean. Convair 880 & 990 There are some instances in the commercial marketplace when a manufacturer puts a perfectly good airplane into production only to find there is no place for it because of the competition. Take the case of the wide-body Lockheed L-1011 and the Douglas (later McDonnell Douglas) DC-10, both of which were good aircraft, but the total market for that type was forecast to be about 1,500 airplanes. Both companies needed to sell about 750 planes just to reach the break-even point, making it very difficult for either to achieve a profit. Furthermore, both firms were confronted with a surprising amount of competition from the larger Boeing 747 even as they encountered insurmountable problems. Douglas faced terrible management and production difficulties that would lead to its later merger with McDonnell, while Lockheed ran into an engine dilemma with Rolls-Royce that almost bankrupted the firm. Convair 880 (Aviation History Collection/Alamy) Convair 880 (Aviation History Collection/Alamy) A similar no-win situation applied to the fast, beautiful Convair 880 and 990 series. They were brought into being because Convair management agreed with Howard Hughes, a major stockholder in TWA, that their higher speeds would sell. Unfortunately, they ran into the triple whammy of Boeing, Douglas and rising fuel costs. Convairs military business was good, with a flow of F-102 and F-106 fighters supplemented by the beautiful B-58 Hustler bomber. It had made profits with its line of Convair 240, 340 and 440 piston engine transports. These served airlines well, and had the T-29 and C-131 military derivatives to add to the bottom line. Convair tiptoed into the jet passenger liner world with turboprop conversions of its earlier aircraft, including the 540 Cosmopolitan. It was natural to wish to compete with Boeing and Douglas in the age of jet transports. Naturalbut not very wise, as Boeing was in a position to meet the new competition with variations of the 707, and introduced the 720 and later the 727 to do just that. Convair elected to use a civilian version of the General Electric J79 engine that powered the B-58. It created a very sleek-looking transport with a narrow fuselage that accommodated 80 to 124 passengers, seated four abreast in first class and five abreast in tourist class. The narrow fuselage created less drag but resulted in limited capacity. Thirty orders were received from TWA and 10 from Delta Air Lines, and the Convair 880 (the designation derived from converting the cruising speed to feet per second) made its first flight on January 27, 1959. Testing confirmed that the aircraft was fast enough to be advertised as the fastest airliner in the world, but it almost crashed when high-speed flutter tore off a large portion of its vertical fin and rudder. The test pilots landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base, and production aircraft were modified to correct the problem. Sales did not meet expectations, and a financial catastrophe loomed for Convair. The firm tried to modify the 880 to meet the demands of different airlines, but in the end only 65 were sold. Convair attempted to meet the Boeing 720 with a modified version of the 880, eventually calling it the 990. The 990 was intended to have a cruise speed of Mach .91, or about 635 mph. Flirting with near-supersonic speeds caused unexpected drag problems. Discussions with Richard Whitcomb of NACA on his area rule theories led to a solution involving the use of antishock bodies known as speed pods, two of which were placed on each wing. The speed pods added to the already classy looks of the Convair airliner, but they were nonetheless an engineering lash-up. They required the structure to be strengthened and a larger vertical surface to be installed. Instead of a modification, the 990 turned out to be almost a new design. Thirty-seven 990s were delivered, and they saw extensive use around the world by a number of airlines. High fuel costs inhibited their use, however, and most were retired after only a few years of service. Over the years, approximately 30 different airlines used Convairs. In that time they were involved in no less than 17 crashes and five hijackings. Of the 102 Convair 880s and 990s built, only a few survive today. One 880, purchased by Elvis Presley and christened Lisa Marie, can still be seen near Graceland. Another example became a tanker, a third a restaurant and a fourth a strip club. A handsome 990 is part of the Swiss Transport Museum collection in Lucerne. For Convair, the program was a $425 million disaster, the largest loss up to that time in business history, and the end of its interest in commercial aviation. Brewster F2A Buffalo Many will protest the inclusion of the Brewster Buffalo in a list of aircraft that should not have gone into production, contending that in the hands of Finnish pilots it did splendid work against the Soviet air force. But as test pilot Eric Brown has said, the climate and the opposition must have favored the Buffalo. The climate was below-zero cold much of the time, and the opposition leadership had been decimated by Josef Stalins insane purges from 1937 on. In fact, the Buffalos inclusion in this list is not so much a complaint about the airplane as it is about the abominable management of the firm, which not only built bad aircraft of its own design, but also fouled up production of the magnificent Chance Vought F4U Corsair, built under the F3A-1 designation. Conditions at the plant were so terrible that even some Brewster workers called for government intervention, which came about in April 1942. Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo fighter, August 1942. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command) Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo fighter, August 1942. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command) Working in a ramshackle factory in Queens, the Brewster firm had produced a design for the XSBA-1 scout bomber in 1936. A midwing monoplane with retractable landing gear, it was quite advanced for the time, and 30 examples were built at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia. By now determined to enter the monoplane fighter age, the U.S. Navy let a contract to the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation on June 22, 1936, for the XF2A-1. The stubby little fighter, which looked like a scaled-down XSBA-1, made its first flight on December 2, 1937. A competition ensued between the Brewster, the Seversky XFN-1 a navalized version of the P-35and the Grumman XF4F-2, which became the immortal Wildcat. Severskys entry was quickly ruled out as too slow. The Navy decided in June 1938 that the Brewster, although 10 mph slower than the 290-mph XF4F-2, was more satisfactory, and ordered 54 aircraft. Eleven of the Brewsters began entering Navy service in 1940 as its first operational monoplane fighter. The remaining 43 aircraft on the initial order were declared surplus and sold to Finland, where they gave good service in what the Finns called the Continuation War. The Navy placed an additional order for 43 F2A-2s with the more powerful 1,200-hp version of the original 950-hp Wright R-1820 engine. Another 108 aircraft were ordered as F2A-3s in 1941, with the primary purpose of keeping the production line in operationan error in judgment by the Navy. The Brewsters were also purchased by the Netherlands (70), Belgium (40) and Great Britain (170). The RAF nicknamed it the Buffalo, and finding it unsuited for combat in Europe, dispatched the Brewsters to Malaya to equip five squadrons of the RAF, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Japanese made quick work of these, with a few survivors going on to fly in the defense of Burma. The Dutch had more success with their Buffalos, one of which managed to sink a Japanese destroyer with 100-pound bombs. But it was at the Battle of Midway that Brewster Buffalos were the most costly. When the Japanese attack began, it was met by Marine fighter squadron VMF-221, employing 20 Buffalos and seven Grumman F4Fs. The Zeroes slaughtered the F2A-3s, resulting in 12 Buffalo pilots missing in action, one killed and two wounded. The Buffalo did not engage in combat again for the United States. Ironically, the greatest service the Brewster Buffalo provided the United States was the data gleaned in a full-scale wind tunnel analysis by NACA at Langley Field. Within five days, the NACA team discovered a series of small drag-inducing problems that, when cleaned up, added 10 percent to the aircrafts speed. In the following months, NACA applied the same analysis to no fewer than 18 military prototypes, including the Buffalos archand most successfulrival: the Grumman Wildcat. Heinkel He-177 The Heinkel He-177 was so bad that the Luftwaffes official name for it, Greif (meaning Griffon, but in this case standing for Grief), was even more appropriate than its unofficial name of Luftwaffenfeurzeug, or Luftwaffes Lighter. The second nickname stemmed from the aircrafts unfortunate habit of bursting into flame, while the first characterized the whole sad programfrom the bureaucratic meddling of its beginning to the facts-of-life conditions of its end. Heinkel He-177A-2 "Greif" prototype in 1942. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-624-1766-31A Photo Keiner) Heinkel He-177A-2 "Greif" prototype in 1942. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-624-1766-31A Photo Keiner) Curiously enough, the airplane itself was a cleverly designed solution to Germanys needs for a long-range heavy bomber and an antishipping weapon. One German He-177 pilot claimed that a well-maintained Greif was a potent aircraft that was pleasant to fly, and could be successfully operated from auxiliary fields even late in the war. Unfortunately for the Luftwaffe, and especially for the many crewmen who died flying the He-177, the initial basic concept of a clean long-range bomber with coupled engines (two engines in one nacelle, both driving a single propeller) was brilliant. It was also essential, since the specifications called for a 335-mph aircraft with a 4,160- mile range carrying 2,000 pounds of bombs, and no conventional layout seemed capable of that. Enter the masterminds of the Luftwaffes senior hierarchy. If the Junkers Ju-87 was so successful at dive bombing, why shouldnt the Heinkel He-177 fare equally well? So they also insisted that the aircraft have the structural strength to make medium-angle diving attacks. Other advanced features included that elusive dream of aerodynamicists, surface evaporation cooling, and remotely controlled gun turrets. The He-177s most radical design feature was its coupled power plants. The 2,700-hp Daimler Benz DB 606 24-cylinder liquid-cooled engines were basically two 12-cylinder DB 601s positioned side by side with two crankshafts driving a single propeller shaft gear. In theory this arrangement produces less drag and improves maneuverability. Furthermore, the DB 601 engines were proven and in production. Heinkel was trying for too much too soon. Evaporative cooling had to be abandoned in favor of conventional radiators, and manned gun turrets proved necessary. This meant more fuel would be required for the same level of performance. These and other changes drove the planes weight up and its performance down, while eroding the designs structural integrity. Then the bureaucratic coup de grace came with a demand that the aircraft be Stukafied with 60-degree dive bombing capability. This forced a radical redesign, including incorporation of a cumbersome system of four single-wheel oleo legs that retracted in the manner of a yoga class of stout elderly people doing squat-thrusts. The accompanying weight increases brought on the customary weight-saving measures, one of which called for the elimination of engine firewalls to save a few pounds. The He-177 situation was further clouded in the spring of 1939 when the young and fast-rising but apparently dimwitted Luftwaffe chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Hans Jeschonnek, put the plane on the back burner in favor of medium bombers intended to frighten Great Britain enough to stay out of any war that Germany started. Times change, however, and the He-177 came back into favor again, with the program pushing forward despite numerous crashes and fires, many of the latter caused by the idiotic decision to remove the firewalls. The inner cylinder blocks of the adjacent 12-cylinder engines got so hot that they ignited any accumulated oil or grease in the bottom of the cowling. When a fire started there was nothing to prevent it from quickly spreading to the fuel and oil lines, with catastrophic results. But there was no other heavy bomber at hand, and the Luftwaffe continued to build slower, heavier versions for operational use. By the end of 1943, some 260 He-177s had been completed (about half a months production of the B-24 at its peak). Pilots found the aircraft performed well enough, although it was tricky on takeoff and landing. It was used on the Russian Front, and miserably misused as a transport to get supplies to surrounded Stalingrad. It performed reasonably well in its antishipping role, but was to have its greatest moment in Operation Steinbock, Hitlers feeble attempt to pay back the Allied air raids with another attack on London. Some 550 bombers were gathered together, including 35 Heinkel He-177s, for sorties against London in January 1944. The operation was a total failure, but the He-177s speed gave them an advantage that partially offset their shortcomings. Just as the He-177s seemed to have almost enough numbers and sufficient reliability to become a potent force, Germany ran short on aviation fuel, and heavy bomber operations were curtailed. He-177s were sprinkled around Germany on airfields to become targets for marauding P-47s, and they did their last Luftwaffe lighting on the ground. Curtiss C-76 Caravan Every nation assumed it would run short of aluminum during World War II, and took steps to find alternate solutions. The British arguably did the best with the magnificent de Havilland Mosquito. The Soviet Union found ways to incorporate wood construction into many of its aircraft until the last years of the war. Germany sought to emulate the Mosquito with its Moskito, the Focke Wulf Ta-154, and might have succeeded had its Goldmann Tego-Film glue plant not been destroyed, with no adequate adhesive substitute available. Curtiss C-76 Caravan. (National Archives) Curtiss C-76 Caravan. (National Archives) In the United States several manufacturers, particularly Fairchild, used molded wood products to good effect, and Curtiss decided to build an all-wood twin-engine transport at a new plant in Louisville, Ky. An initial order for 200 was to be followed by mass production in a plant the famous Higgins PT-boat firm planned to build in New Orleans. Designated the Curtiss C-76, the transport presaged later aircraft with tricycle landing gear and a hinge-up nose as well as conventional side-loading doors. Designed to accommodate a crew of three and as many as 45 troops (some accounts say 23), the aircraft was intended to have a maximum speed of 192 mph and a range of 750 miles. Unfortunately for Curtiss, woodworkers were hard to find, and despite years of wood and fabric work, the task of building an all-wood aircraft seemed beyond the capability of its engineers. The C-76 became so overweight that it proved impossible to carry any load without exceeding the center-of-gravity limitations. Five were built in the St. Louis plant and 20 in Louisville before their utterly disappointing performanceand the decline in worries about the shortage of aluminumput an end to the whole dismal affair. Perhaps the saddest thing about the C-76 was the penumbra of doom it forecast for Curtiss, as an aircraft manufacturer that had clearly lost its grasp on the discipline. Boulton Paul Defiant There are some aviation problems that areor should be obvious upon inspection. One of these was the inane concept of turning a modern fighter into a ship of the line by equipping it with four guns mounted in a turret and requiring a gunner. The idea was that the turret-equipped fighter would fly parallel to enemy bomber formations and hose them from the sky. The RAF had done a wonderful job in nurturing a relatively large number of small companies through the Depression years, sustaining them with tiny contracts for a few aircraft and often subcontracting to them the production of aircraft from larger firms. When Britain at last realized that it must rearm with thousands of planes, the RAF was faced with moving the small companies from building a few aircraft per year to turning them out by the thousands. Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. Is of No. 264 Squadron, RAF, in August 1940. (IWM CH 884) Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. Is of No. 264 Squadron, RAF, in August 1940. (IWM CH 884) As a result, rather fanciful specifications were sometimes included in contracts. Thus in 1935 a contract was let to Boulton Paul to build single-engine fighter with performance comparable to contemporary fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. And drawing on its experience with the Hawker Hector biplane, which had carried a four-gun Frazer-Nash turret, the RAF specified there would be no forward-firing armament. Instead, the aircraft would mount a turret. This suited Boulton Paul, which had pioneered the use of a pneumatic powered gun turret in its Overstrand bomber of 1934. The firm purchased the rights to a French-designed electro-hydraulic turret and became a leader in the field. The prototype Defiant made its maiden flight on August 11, 1937, but the first production plane didnt fly until July 30, 1939, as considerable design and manufacturing difficulties cropped up along the way. There was no way the Defiant could offer the performance of the Spitfire or the Hurricane, as it was larger and heavier, with more dragbut it topped 304 mph and was pleasant to fly. The Defiant went into combat on May 12, 1940, with great success. By May 30, No. 264 Squadron claimed 65 victories. The Germans, believing they were attacking a conventional single-seat fighter equipped with forward-firing machine guns, would obligingly attack from the rear, running into the full fury of the four-gun Boulton Paul turret. Once the Germans caught on, however, they began attacking from the front. Given their superior performance, Me-109Es made short work of the hapless Defiants, which were soon withdrawn from daylight operations. The RAF needed night fighters, however, and the Defiant proved to be an adequate interim aircraft for that task, obtaining the highest ratios of kills to interceptions during the winter of 1940-41. It was replaced by more advanced types, however, and then relegated to mundane tasks such as towing targets. For further reading, Aviation History contributing editor Walter J. Boyne recommends: Warplanes of the Third Reich, by William Green; Messerschmitt Me 210-Me 410 Hornet, by Peter Petrick and Werner Stovker; and Fairey Aircraft Since 1915, by H.A. Taylor. This feature was originally published in the July 2008 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here. By PTI SRINAGAR: Searches continued for a fourth day on Tuesday at the residence of J&K police officer Davinder Singh who was arrested for ferrying two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, officials said. They said the searches were conducted at Singh's Indiranagar residence and an under-construction house of the officer in the same locality. "Some documents have been seized during the searches," an official said, but refused to divulge details. The officials said Singh was living in the house of a relative where he had allegedly kept the two militants overnight before he was nabbed by police in Kulgam district on Saturday. In a swift operation, police had arrested Singh, a deputy superintendent of police, at Mir Bazar in Kulgam on Saturday, along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba, a district commander of the banned outfit, and Altaf. ALSO READ: NIA takes over probe into arrested Jammu and Kashmir policeman Davinder Singh A lawyer, who was working as an overground worker for terror outfits, was also arrested. The police officer is being questioned by sleuths of various security and intelligence agencies. Singh, who was in line for promotion as a superintendent of police later this month, was posted at the anti-hijacking unit at the Srinagar airport. He was under the radar of the police when the plan was being hatched to smuggle out the terrorists, an official had earlier said on the condition of anonymity. Singh's name had also surfaced during investigations into the 2001 Parliament attack after convict Afzal Guru had alleged his role. The probe, however, was in Singh's favour. Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): Yoga guru Ramdev has said that Deepika Padukone should hire persons like him for offering correct advice, days after the actress had visited Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi following the violence at the campus earlier this month. "Deepika Padukone needs to study about political, social and cultural issues. She should understand more about our country. Only after gaining knowledge, she should take decisions. I feel she should have persons like Swami Ramdev for correct advice," Ramdev said at an event here on Monday. On January 7, Padukone joined the protest at JNU after a masked mob entered the varsity campus and attacked the students and teachers with sticks and rods on January 5. Several BJP leaders questioned the support extended by Padukone. On the other hand, the Congress threw their weight behind the actress for her stand. (ANI) A rapid diagnosis centre has cut waiting times for patients with non-specific symptoms who may have cancer from 84 days to 6, and costs less than current usual care if used at more than 80% of capacity, a new study by Swansea University researchers and NHS colleagues has shown. Published in the British Journal of General Practice, the study is the first complete analysis of the cost-effectiveness of rapid diagnosis centres (RDCs). RDCs are now being established within the NHS, building on experience in Denmark. They are aimed at the large number of patients who have vague and non-specific symptoms that could be due to cancer, but who do not meet the criteria for urgent referral. The researchers evaluated the RDC in Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), which has been running since June 2017 at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. Patients are referred to the RDC by their GPs. They are typically seen at the RDC within a week for a morning session where they are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, examined and given a computerised tomography (CT) scan. They then see a clinician and a Macmillan clinical nurse specialist to discuss and act on the findings. The research team examined the period from June 2017, when the centre opened, to May 2018. As well as the 189 patients who used the centre, the team also simulated a larger virtual group of 1000 patients, based on real-life data. They compared patients who followed the RDC route with those who were treated in the standard way. They analysed the costs incurred but also the benefits to patients, using "quality-adjusted life years" (QALYs), the standard NHS measure combining quantity and quality of life. The researchers found that: The average time to a cancer or non-cancer diagnosis, or to discharge from the clinic, was reduced from 84 days in usual care to under 6 days, if the diagnosis is made at the RDC appointment. If further investigations are arranged in the RDC, the time to diagnosis is just over 40 days. As long as the RDC runs at 80% capacity or over, it is less costly, as well as more effective, than standard clinical practice. If the RDC is run at full capacity of 5 patients per session, Swansea Bay University Health Board could save 157,858 and gain 9.2 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for every 1,000 patients attending the RDC. Lead author Dr Bernadette Sewell, from the Swansea Centre for Health Economics at Swansea University, said: "Our study shows that rapid diagnosis centres are beneficial for patients and the NHS. They cut waiting times, which means any treatment that people need can start earlier. The longer it takes to diagnose cancer, the worse the outcomes can be for patients and the more expensive it may be for the NHS to treat. "The key is to ensure that the centres run at least at 80% of capacity, as the RDC in Neath Port Talbot Hospital is now doing. "Not everyone with cancer displays 'red flag' symptoms which indicate the disease and make the patient eligible to be referred to an urgent suspected cancer pathway. As many as one in two might present with vague symptoms, or symptoms which are commonly found in a range of other conditions, such as weight loss, abdominal pain or fatigue. These patients tend to bounce around the healthcare system, taking longer until a diagnosis can be made, with potentially worsening symptoms, anxiety and costs to the NHS. These previously underserved patients are the people that RDCs can really help by diagnosing or reassuring them quickly and cost-effectively." Dr Heather Wilkes, GP lead of the Swansea Bay University Health Board RDC, says: "The provision of this service, and the ongoing commitment to it by SBUHB as a diagnostic resource for primary care, has made a massive difference in trying to speedily investigate and care for some of the most difficult cases in our community. It is highly valued by patients and GPs alike and has been established as a permanent service following our evaluation." The study was funded by Cancer Research UK. Andy Glyde, Public Affairs Manager for Cancer Research UK in Wales said: "This research is exciting because it shows how new ways to diagnose cancer can benefit patients and be cost effective for the NHS. It can be particularly difficult to diagnose patients with symptoms that aren't specific but still concerning, like loss of appetite or stomach pain. There now needs to be a decision about how this pilot can be integrated into normal practice, including linking up with the Single Cancer Pathway*. We know that diagnosing cancer at an early stage improves survival, so it is important that the Welsh Government and NHS Wales continue to improve the way we test and diagnose cancers in Wales. This needs to include ensuring we have the right number of specialists to run cancer tests" ### Notes to editors: The study is: "Rapid cancer diagnosis for patients with vague symptoms: a cost-effectiveness study". Published in BJGP and available here The researchers are: Bernadette Sewell, Mari Jones, Helen Gray, Heather Wilkes, Catherine Lloyd-Bennett, Kim Beddow, Martin Bevan and Deborah Fitzsimmons The cost reductions do not necessarily release additional cash, though they would mean more resources available for other services More information about The Swansea Centre for Health Economics (SCHE) at Swansea University, which is part of the College of Human and Health Sciences. Swansea University is a world-class, research-led, dual campus university offering a first class student experience and has one of the best employability rates of graduates in the UK. The University has the highest possible rating for teaching - the Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2018 and was commended for its high proportions of students achieving consistently outstanding outcomes. Swansea climbed 14 places to 31st in the Guardian University Guide 2019, making us Wales' top ranked university, with one of the best success rates of graduates gaining employment in the UK and the same overall satisfaction level as the Number 1 ranked university. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results saw Swansea make the 'biggest leap among research-intensive institutions' in the UK (Times Higher Education, December 2014) and achieved its ambition to be a top 30 research University, soaring up the league table to 26th in the UK. The University is in the top 300 best universities in the world, ranked in the 251-300 group in The Times Higher Education World University rankings 2018. Swansea University now has 23 main partners, awarding joint degrees and post-graduate qualifications. The University was established in 1920 and was the first campus university in the UK. It currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 350 postgraduate courses to circa 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University has ambitious expansion plans as it moves towards its centenary in 2020 and aims to continue to extend its global reach and realise its domestic and international potential. Swansea University is a registered charity. No.1138342. Visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk For more information: Kevin Sullivan,Swansea University Public Relations Office Tel: 01792 513245, k.g.sullivan@swansea.ac.uk Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SwanseaUni Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swanseauniversity PARIS, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) and BNP Paribas Cardif, the world leader in bancassurance partnerships and creditor insurance1, have signed a new agreement for the delivery of services to support the insurer's compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 17. Led by its operations in France, CGI will provide business consulting and system integration services for a 21-month period to help BNP Paribas Cardif comply with IFRS 17 before its January 1, 2022 effective date. Issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, IFRS 17 redefines the way insurers calculate and report margin on insurance contracts. These new rules impact actuarial modelling, closing processes and accounting, as well as IT systems and operations. Compliance with IFRS standards is required in 100+ countries worldwide and permitted in many other countries. Covered insurers are in the process of assessing the new standard and evaluating their obligations and options as the January 1, 2022 effective date looms on the horizon. CGI, a leading end-to-end services provider, signed a partnership in 2018 with Moody's Analytics, a leading provider of financial intelligence, to support insurance companies with the implementation of the Moody's Analytic's RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17. CGI's partnership with Moody's Analytics, combined with its business consulting and systems integration capabilities, were key to its selection for this contract. CGI will work with BNP Paribas Cardif's actuarial, finance and IT teams to implement and deploy the RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17 within the company, using an innovative, end-to-end methodology. "Compliance with IFRS 17 will have a significant impact on our financial reporting and performance," said Muriel Puron-Chambord, BNP Paribas Cardif's Chief Financial Officer. "This is one of our top strategic projects over the next two years, and we are confident CGI has the ability to address our challenges by delivering consulting services, methodological support and the Moody's Analytic's RiskIntegrity solution for IFRS 17 integration expertise." "We look forward to helping BNP Paribas Cardif successfully complete this strategic project," said Pierre-Dominique Martin, Senior Vice-President, CGI Business Consulting. "Leading insurers around the world rely on CGI business consultants' in-depth knowledge and our end-to-end capabilities to complete transformation projects and meet regulatory requirements." About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 77,500 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With Fiscal 2019 reported revenue of C$12.1 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. ___________________________ 1Source: Finaccord - 2018 SOURCE CGI Inc. Related Links www.cgi.com [January 14, 2020] Software AG to Appoint Matthias Heiden as New Chief Financial Officer Software AG (Frankfurt MDAX: SOW) today announced the appointment of Dr. Matthias Heiden as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Dr. Heiden will be taking over from Arnd Zinnhardt, who will step down after 18 years in the role. Dr. Heiden will join Software AG and assume the role of CFO and Member of the Executive Board officially after a transition period is completed. Dr. Heiden is a highly accomplished finance leader with an extensive background in the software industry and international experience within large global DAX-listed companies. He will join Software AG from SAF-HOLLAND S.A., where he is currently CFO with overall responsibility for a wide range of key functions, including: Finance, Controlling, HR, Investor Relations, Legal & Compliance, and Corporate Communications. Headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, SAF-HOLLAND is Europe's largest independent commercial vehicle supplier. Before joining SAF-HOLLAND, Dr. Heiden spent 12 years with SAP (News - Alert) SE in a range of senior leadership roles, including CFO SAP Deutschland and SAP Head of Global Treasury. His final role with SAP was that of Regional CFO for Middle and Eastern Europe, where he was a member of both SAP's Global and European Leadership teams overseeing significant revenue streams across all lines of business. While at SAP, he was a key player in its transformation to a subscription and cloud-based business model and was co-sponsor of SAP's own finance transformation program, "Finance Run Better Together." Software AG's Chairman of the Supervisory Board Dr. Andreas Bereczky sad: "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Heiden to Software AG. His track record gives him an excellent understanding of how software businesses run; combined with new CFO DNA, I am certain he will make an outstanding contribution to Software AG." He added: "On behalf of the Supervisory Board, management team, and all of our employees, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Arnd for his significant contribution to the company over the past 18 years, including the key role he played in the development and implementation of our new strategy, Helix." Sanjay Brahmawar, Chief Executive Officer of Software AG, commented: "I am excited that Matthias Heiden is joining the Software AG team. With his extensive international and software experience, we have found a strong finance leader to support our transformation journey going forward. In addition, I would like to extend my gratitude to Arnd for everything he has done for the success of Software AG and our people." Arnd Zinnhardt added: "I have very much enjoyed my time at Software AG and would like to thank my colleagues for their support over the years. We successfully developed Software AG and shaped the company to what it is today. Now that the new Helix strategy is starting to come to fruition, I am pleased to be able to pass the torch to Dr. Heiden." Dr. Matthias Heiden said: "Joining Software AG at this stage in its transformation journey is very exciting. Its financial strength and innovation agenda are compelling. I look forward to taking the company and its finance function to the next level in executing the Helix transformation agenda in the coming years." Dr. Heiden holds a PhD in Business Administration from Saarland University in Germany. He lives with his wife and daughter in Speyer, Germany. Software AG's Q4 and annual financial results will be announced as planned on January 29, 2020. About Software AG Software AG offers Freedom as a Service. We reimagine integration, spark business transformation and enable fast innovation on the Internet of Things so you can pioneer differentiating business models. We give you the freedom to connect and integrate any technology-from app to edge. We help you free data from silos so it's shareable, usable and powerful-enabling you to make the best decisions and unlock entirely new possibilities for growth. Learn more about Software AG at www.softwareag.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005093/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The fires have not just been more abundant than previous years. They have also affected the heart of the forest ecosystems in the countrys southeastern coast, where iconic wildlife reside. These forests help support water supplies for the most populated regions of the country, such as Sydney and Melbourne. Foreign policy has rarely come up in this cycle of Democratic primary debates. But after Donald Trump brought the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran last week, its sure to play a larger role in Tuesdays debate. Some commentators have suggested that the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Irans retaliatory missile strike put Democrats in a bind, forcing them to both condemn Soleimani and Iran while expressing concern about Trumps unnecessary escalation of violence. Others claim that the incident has drawn a sharp line between moderate and progressive candidates. But the differences between the candidates responses are more rhetorical than substantive. Advertisement While Bernie Sanders (and, OK, fine, Andrew Yang too) unequivocally condemned Trumps dangerous escalation, other candidates, including Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer, first condemned Soleimani and noted that he had the blood of American service members on his hands, then condemned Trumps dangerous escalation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than their positions, the candidates are more likely to try to distinguish themselves. This doesnt mean that Sanders is sympathetic to leaders of Iran, as hes made clear in subsequent interviews. Nor do these stances mean the others agree with Trumps approach. Biden has said he believes the seeds of this crisis were planted by Trump himself when he pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear agreement. Buttigieg took some flak from the right for tweeting that those killed on the Ukrainian jet shot down by the Iranian military were caught in the middle of the U.S.-Iran crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Elizabeth Warren, meanwhile, was attacked for a supposed flip-flop when she called Soleimani a murderer immediately after the strike then issued a more Sanders-like message condemning Trump as a reckless president the next day. In fact, there was no contradiction: Soleimani can be a murderer and killing him can be reckless. Michael Bloomberg, the candidate who came closest to defending the strike on Soleimani and tediously attacked Sanders for calling it an assassination, wont be onstage on Tuesday. Neither will Tulsi Gabbard, the supposedly anti-war Assad apologist. Theres not likely to be that much substantive disagreement at the debate itself, even if some candidates include more throat clearing about what a bad guy Soleimani was than others. All will likely condemn Trump for withdrawing from the nuclear deal, needlessly bringing the country to the brink of war, failing to disclose the intelligence behind the strike, and showing a general contempt for congressional oversight. All are likely to call for a return to diplomacy and turning the page on the era of endless wars. Rather than their positions, the candidates are more likely to try to distinguish themselves. Biden will tout his extensive foreign policy experience. Sanders will highlight his consistent anti-war record and probably once again bring up Bidens vote for the Iraq war in 2002something Biden has had trouble explaining during this campaign. As for Elizabeth Warren, shes developed a unique and compelling foreign policy message that links her anti-corruption focus to efforts to combat authoritarianism globally. But she has struggled to demonstrate how that approach translates into responses to specific crisessomething shell be under pressure to do on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than any division, the debate is likely to highlight the degree to which skepticism about military action has become more mainstream within the party. Trumps escalation has simplified foreign policy messaging for Democratic candidates across the left-center spectrum. In 2016, Trump made the casewhich was convincing to some on the leftthat he was less likely to use military force than Hillary Clinton. He still routinely promises to end needless wars and bring troops home, but thats going to be a harder case for him to make now that he very nearly started a major new shooting war in the Middle East. As always, a lot will hinge on how the moderators frame the discussion. Vague questions like What would you do about Iran? will only prompt a parade of similar-sounding talking points. The candidates are far more likely to argue about Iraq in 2003 rather than Iran in 2020. There are a few ways, however, that the moderatorsjournalists from CNN and the Des Moines Registercould stoke a more substantive conversation. Advertisement Advertisement They could, for example, ask candidates whether they would try to convince the Iraqi government to allow U.S. troops to remain in the country (even Sanders says he wouldnt immediately withdraw them) and, if so, what the mission of those troops should be. Advertisement Advertisement The candidates are all critical of Trumps praise for dictators and also, to varying degrees, skeptical of military-led regime change. So, it might be interesting to ask them what, if anything, the U.S. should be doing to support the anti-government protests in Iran. Its also very easy to criticize forever wars and call for Congress to rein in executive power, but presidents tend to see that power differently when they wield it. So, they should be asked, under what circumstancesif anydo they believe the president should be able to order military force without congressional authorization? Most of them say they want to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Forcethe legal framework that has allowed for the ever-expanding war on terrorismbut what would they replace it with? While its possible to use the Iran episode as a springboard for an illuminating discussion of how these potential presidents view the Middle East and military force, its going to take a little work to get them off their talking points. New Delhi: Fuel Rates Today: Petrol and diesel prices witnessed a downward trend for second consecutive day on Tuesday, January 14. The rates came down by up to 10 paise across major cities of the country. According to the Indian Oil website, the petrol rates are Rs 75.70 per litre in Delhi, Rs 81.29 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 78.29 per litre in Kolkata, and Rs 78.65 per litre in Chennai, respectively. On the other hand, the diesel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai remained at Rs 69.06, Rs 72.42, Rs 71.43, and Rs 72.98 per litre, respectively. In Noida, petrol is retailing at Rs 76.80 a litre, while diesel price is Rs 69.34 a litre. The price of petrol in Gurugram is Rs 75.00 a litre while diesel was selling at Rs 67.89 a litre. India is 84 per cent dependant on imports to meet its oil needs and any spike in global prices has a direct bearing on its economy. Not just imports but even domestic crude oilwhich forms the raw material for making petrol, diesel and other petroleum productsis priced according to international benchmarks. Middle East accounts for more than two-thirds of the countrys oil imports, with Iraq and Saudi Arabia being the top suppliers. Why Petrol, Diesel Prices Change Every Day? The fuel prices are in India are revised daily. Petrol and diesel prices are revised every day at 06:00 am to sync it with the variation in global oil prices. Oil marketing companies (OMC) review the global fuel prices and decide petrol and diesel daily. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum release the new rates at 6 am every morning. Generally, when international crude oil prices gain, prices in India move higher. Other factors also impact the price of fuel like rupee to US dollar exchange rate, cost of crude oil, global cues, demand for fuel, and so on. Why Fuel Prices Differ In Every City? The price of fuel includes excise duty, value-added tax (VAT), and dealer commission. As VAT varies from state to state, the price of fuel is different in every city. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Published on 2020/01/13 | Source Na Young-hee made a special appearance in "Crash Landing on You" out of loyalty to writer Park Ji-eun. Advertisement She appeared in the tvN Saturday / Sunday drama "Crash Landing on You" as the wedding shop owner who helps Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) and Seo Dan (Seo Ji-hye) with their wedding plans. What drew attention was her spy-like customer service in trying to sell her 'imported' dresses. Despite her short appearance, Na Young-hee performed the North Korean dialect very well in an elegant voice. In addition, her elegant style and gestures matched her tone of voice and character. Na Young-hee's special appearance has everything to do with her friendship with writer Park Ji-eun. They met in the 2009 drama "My Wife is a Superwoman" as well as "My Husband Got a Family", "My Love from the Star", "Producers" and "The Legend of the Blue Sea" for 11 years. Although she was busy with her work, she kept her word for Park Ji-eun and made the special appearance. Viewers appear pleasantly shocked at the sudden surprise. Na Young-hee is currently starring in the KBS 2TV drama "Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life" as Hong Yoo-ra, a chaebol and Chief of Justice. ___________ "Crash Landing on You" is directed by Lee Jeong-hyo, written by Park Ji-eun, and features Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Sun-young, Kim Jung-nan. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2019/12/14~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:00 on tvN. United Airlines would provide flights from Butte to Denver during the summer if it gets a two-year commitment of revenue guarantees, which means at least twice the amount of cash that Butte could pony up now, a local airport official says. The community was successful in raising nearly $200,000 to match $200,000 from Butte's Tourism Business Improvement District, or TIBID, making it possible to offer a sizable revenue guarantee for one year. Airlines typically do revenue guarantees one year at a time, so local officials planned for providing money for a first year before focusing on a second. They have been courting United to offer the Denver flight. But airlines are constantly reassessing boarding numbers, fuel prices and other market factors and United wants two years of guaranteed money that it would only collect if enough seats are not sold on the flights, JR Hansen, a member of Buttes Airport Authority Board, said Monday. The cost of the guarantee might go up too, he said. The $400,000 goal was based on a previous, now outdated estimate that SkyWest gave for providing a Denver flight, and United says it might not be enough, Hansen said. The federal government announced last month it will continue to subsidize SkyWest Airlines twice-a-day flights between Butte and Salt Lake City. United also sought the federal subsidy but would have provided flights from Butte to Denver. The TBID board had planned to meet Monday to discuss the possibility of committing money for a second year of revenue guarantees to United, and many others in the community were expecting to attend. But the meeting had to be called off because it wasnt posted publicly at least 48 hours in advance as required by law. It was rescheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Chamber of Commerce, 1000 George St. United relayed some of their parameters for a Denver flight by email over the weekend, Hansen said, and there are other things to consider now, too. United is recommending that any air service from Butte to Denver start in the summer of 2021, not this year, and then be offered again in 2022, Hansen said. The airline wants at least nine months of prep time to market the new flights and sell tickets, he said. The landscape also changed last week when Boeing announced that its 737 MAX aircraft would not return to service this summer. Authorities around the world grounded the MAX series after two of the planes crashed in October 2018 and in March 2019, killing 346 people. The MAX was going to be a big part of Uniteds fleet, Hansen said, and its unavailability means an overall shortage of aircraft and changed plans for later this year. United also says flights during winter months, something Butte officials also wanted, are not financially feasible because air travel drops off significantly in Butte after the Christmas holidays, Hansen said. Travel to Bozeman goes up in January and February, in part because of nearby ski resorts, but not here. The bottom line for Butte is it must come up with $400,000, and probably more, for a second year of revenue guarantee if it wants a seasonal Denver flight through United. Hansen said he does not see that as a setback but a plus. A two-year deal would provide more certainty to the airline and to Butte, he said, and now the community knows for sure that it must raise enough money for two years. Based on Uniteds current parameters for a Denver flight, the TBID board was to meet Monday afternoon to discuss the issue of committing more money and possibly getting some of it by raising a $1 per night hotel tax to $2 per night. Thats something many in Butte, including airport officials, commissioners and county Chief Executive Dave Palmer, have been recommending strongly for three years. TBID board members, all hoteliers, have been reluctant to increase the tax, suggesting it could hurt business and leave the local hotel industry as the primary subsidizers of the flights. Palmer, Hansen and officials with the Butte Local Development Corp. and Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce, who spearheaded the fundraising campaign to match the current TBID contribution, had planned to attend the Monday TBID meeting. When the board meets, Hansen said he and others would recommend to the board then that it increase the bed tax and pledge some of the money to a minimum guarantee. The way the minimum guarantee works is that if United agrees to start service, and enough seats are sold on the flight, the guarantee would not come into play and then could be used to try to attract yet another flight. Hansen said last month that "if United's analysis and that of our own consultant are right, the Denver flight is going to be a home run, and we can use that minimum revenue guarantee money for the next flight." Hansen said United is definitely interested in establishing a seasonal flight to Denver, and that would be great for Butte because it would mean more connections to more cities and could bring more travelers here. But as time goes by, market forces change, he said. I dont want people thinking United was moving the goal post, he said. They are not moving the goal post. They are taking the current economic environment and making an assessment about financial risks. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Uzbekistani counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov held wide-ranging talks on Tuesday, vowing to boost bilateral trade and investment and explore possibilities for a preferential trade agreement. "Welcome FM Abdulaziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan. Comprehensive talks on our bilateral agenda. Appreciated his insights on regional issues of common concern," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Emphasising on the need to boost bilateral trade and investment, the two ministers agreed to work towards early conclusion of the feasibility study to be jointly conducted by the two sides to begin negotiations for a preferential trade agreement, the MEA said in a statement. The External Affairs minister reiterated the need for early operationalisation of the USD 200 million of Line of Credit extended by India to Uzbekistan for which Uzbek side is in the process of finalising necessary details of the identified projects, it said. Referring to the strategic partnership of the two countries, both the ministers emphasised on the need to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges and implement the agreements reached during the visits of President of Uzbekistan to India in October, 2018 and January last year, the visit of chief minister of Gujarat (October 2019) and that of Defence Minister (November 2019) to Uzbekistan. Foreign Minister Kamilov reiterated the invitation extended by President of Uzbekistan to the prime minister to visit Uzbekistan. Kamilov briefed Jaishankar on Uzbekistan's efforts to liberalise its economy, create business friendly conditions and attract foreign investment, including that from Indian companies. The ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, counter-terrorism and security, information and communication technology, development partnership and promote cultural exchanges, the statement said. Kamilov hailed the initiative of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers with the participation of Afghanistan, which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in January last year. Cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), was also discussed during the meeting, the statement said. Later in the day, Jaishankar also met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Tom Petrcek. "Good conversation with FM @edgarsrinkevics of Latvia on global issues, technology opportunities and contemporary challenges," Jaishankar tweeted "Welcomed Czech FM @TPetricek to his first #RaisinaDialogue. Confident it will inspire him to lead a broader engagement with India. Happy to renew my association with this important partnership. Have high expectations from its future," he said in another tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 14, 2020] NEC Energy Solutions to Provide 100MW of Grid Energy Storage Projects in Northern Ireland for Gore Street Energy Storage Fund NEC (News - Alert) Energy Solutions, Inc. (NEC ES), announced today it will provide 100MW of energy storage in Northern Ireland for the Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (GSF) and project developer Low Carbon. The 100MW of energy storage will comprise two 50MW projects located in Drumkee, County Tyrone and Mullavilly, County Armagh. The two projects, which are currently under construction, are the largest projects to date in Northern Ireland and are expected to derive revenue from the new Irish "Delivering a Secure Sustainable Electricity System" (DS3) program. The System Operator of Northern Ireland has indicated that running the power system with increasingly high levels of renewable energy is a major challenge due to the intermittent nature of wind power and its technical characteristics. The purpose of the DS3 program is to enable Ireland to meet its target of 75% non-synchronous and renewable (i.e. wind and solar) electricity across the all-island network. The DS3 market consists of both fixed and standard contracts available across the Irish grid in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. "Northern Ireland has made tremendous progress adopting renewable energy. Last year 44% of electricity consumption was generated by renewable resources. This easily beats Northern Ireland's renewable target of 40% and occurred one year ahead of its 2020 deadline. Energy storage, via the DS3 program makes more of this possible", said Steve Fludder, CEO of NEC Energy Solutions. "We are pleased to extend our partnership with Gore Street Capital. We invested in the Gore Street Energy Storage Fund and we look forward to working with Gore Street Capital on these and future projects. We also have excellent experience with Low Carbon operating and maintaining their two projects in the UK and we're eager to collaborate with them in Northern Ireland." NC is providing turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) including its GSS end-to-end grid storage solution and its AEROS controls system, NEC's proprietary energy storage control software. Both 50MW projects will be completed and commissioned in Q1 2021. This transaction marks the second tranche of projects that NEC has been awarded by both Gore Street and Low Carbon. "We are pleased to award this important EPC contract to NEC Energy Solutions, one of Gore Street's long-term strategic partners, following a significant competitive tender process. We chose NEC Energy Solutions because they have offered the optimal commercial and technical proposal," commented Alex O'Cinneide, CEO of Gore Street Capital, the investment manager of Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC. "We look forward to working once again with NEC Energy Solutions on these significant projects, among the largest of their kind in Ireland. As investment in sources of volatile renewable generation to supply the grid in Ireland continues to increase, supported in particular by excellent wind generation potential, assets such as these will form a major step in advancing Ireland's climate change objectives." About NEC Energy Solutions NEC Energy Solutions designs, manufactures, and integrates smart energy storage solutions for the electric grid and applications with critical power needs. Its megawatt-scale energy storage and control systems provide greater stability to the grid while maximizing renewable generation, while 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 www.neces.com. About Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Plc. Gore Street Energy Storage Fund is the first publicly traded fund established to provide investors with a sustainable and attractive dividend over the long term by investing in a diversified portfolio of utility scale energy storage projects primarily located in the UK, North America and Western Europe. The fund went public on May 25, 2018 on the London Stock Exchange. About Gore Street Capital GSC is a private equity firm with a leading renewable investment expertise. Established in 2013, GS has provided a platform to acquire, develop and manage global renewable energy and has a highly experience management team. Gore Street has some energy storage experience - they have been behind the Cleveland Potash project in North Yorkshire, the Lower Road project in Brentwood, Essex and the Port of Tilbury project co-located with London's Port of Tilbury. All projects included NEC Energy Solutions hardware and software. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. 2020 NEC Corporation View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005403/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Heavy gunfire broke out in Sudan's capital Tuesday as several agents of the long-feared security agency launched a "rebellion" against a restructuring plan, prompting a closure of the international airport. The shots were fired at some bases of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service, formerly known as the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the powerful security arm of longtime president Omar al-Bashir. NISS agents were at the forefront of a crackdown against protesters during a nationwide anti-Bashir uprising that erupted in December 2018 and finally led to his ouster by the army last April. Witnesses and an AFP correspondent reported that gunfire broke out at the agency's bases in Riyadh and Khartoum North. All streets leading to the two bases were cordoned off, causing traffic jams, witnesses said. The AFP correspondent also said several vehicles carrying soldiers and troops from the Rapid Support Forces had headed towards the bases. "Troops from operating centres of the intelligence started a rebellion in some parts of the capital," government spokesman Faisal Mohamed Saleh later told state television. He said some troops had came out on the streets, set up barricades and opened fire in the air. "This happened because those troops rejected the amount of money they got for their retirement," Saleh said, adding there was no immediate report of any casualties. "But we are calling on the people to avoid coming near these areas," he said, adding that negotiations were being held. The security agency, in a statement, said it was "assessing the situation". "In the process of restructuring NISS, there are some members who have rejected the financial compensation offered for retirement," it said. A security source told AFP that the first shooting broke out in the city of Al-Obeid after which gunfire erupted at NISS bases in Khartoum. "Negotiations are now on to solve the issue as they have financial demands," the source said on condition of anonymity. Authorities also closed the capital's airport, the civil aviation authority said. "Khartoum airport has been closed for five hours until 8 pm local time (1800 GMT) for security reasons," spokesman Abdelhafiz Abdelrahim told AFP. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the situation was under control. "We want to tell our people that the situation is under control and this will not stop us from achieving the goals of our revolution," he tweeted. "I assure that Sudanese armed forces and other regular forces have the capacity to handle the situation," he wrote. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) OAKLAND (BCN) A large group of people gathered at a West Oakland home on Monday to support homeless mothers who occupied the home nearly two months ago but now face eviction because a judge ruled they have no valid claim of possession. Among those who spoke outside the home at 2929 Magnolia St. in support of mothers Dominique Walker, 34, and Sameerah Karim, 41, and the others at the house was Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan, who said she will fight to get the Council to buy empty homes to house the homeless. "We will fight against predatory foreclosures and wrongful evictions that are displacing our community and causing more people to become homeless," Kaplan said. She said homelessness in Oakland has increased 47 percent since 2017 in part because of soaring home prices. Walker and Karim and four other women, who are with a group called Moms 4 Housing, moved into the house on Nov. 18, saying they want to call attention to Oakland's homelessness crisis and to vacant, investor-owned homes in the city. But Alameda County Superior Court Judge Patrick McKinney ruled on Friday that the mothers have no valid claim of possession to the house. McKinney's ruling means that the mothers face eviction from the house by the end of this week. Eviction orders in Alameda County are enforced by the sheriff's office. The mothers have said they don't plan to leave the house voluntarily, but sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said on Friday that deputies are prepared to evict the women at a time that's safe for the deputies and the women. Southern California-based real estate investment firm Wedgewood Properties bought the house, which had been vacant for two years, for $501,078 at a foreclosure hearing on July 31. Kaplan said Monday that Wedgewood should negotiate a deal with Moms 4 Housing and the Oakland Community Land Trust, a nonprofit that buys property and converts it to affordable housing. The nonprofit would buy the house and allow the women to continue living there. Carroll Fife, the regional director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, a group that supports the mothers, also called on Wedgewood to sell the house to the land trust at the same price for which the firm bought the property. Fife said selling vacant homes to the land trust to help provide affordable housing to low-income people should become a model in Oakland. Fife said she believes the current housing system in Oakland "does not work." Referring to vacant houses that are bought and then re-sold, Fife alleged that multi-million corporations such as Wedgewood "are making profits off of what shouldn't be a commodity." Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The last five years have set the record for ocean temperatures. (AP) Beijing: The world's oceans were the warmest in 2019 than any other time in recorded human history, especially between the surface and a depth of 2,000 m, according to a study. The study, published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, found that the past ten years have been the warmest on record for global ocean temperatures, with the last five years holding the record. According to the researchers, the 2019 ocean temperature was about 0.075 degrees Celsius above the 1981-2010 average. To reach this temperature, the ocean would have taken in 228 sextillion joules of heat, they said. The amount of heat we have put in the world's oceans in the past 25 years equals to 3.6 billion Hiroshima atom-bomb explosions, said Lijing Cheng, an associate professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The international team of 14 scientists from 11 institutes across the world, call for action to reverse climate change. The researchers used a relatively new method of analysis to account for potentially sparse data and time discrepancies in instruments that were previously used to measure ocean warmth specially from the ocean surface to 2,000 m deep. The newly available data allowed the researchers to examine warm trends dating back to the 1950s. The study also includes ocean temperature changes recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US. The two independent data sets indicate that the past five years have been the warmest on record for global ocean temperatures. The researchers also compared the 1987-2019 data recording period to the 1955-1986 period. They found that over the past six decades, the more recent warming was about 450 per cent that of the earlier warming, reflecting a major increase in the rate of global climate change. It is critical to understand how fast things are changing, said John Abraham, a professor at the University of St. Thomas in the US. "The key to answering this question is in the oceans -- that's where the vast majority of heat ends up," Abraham said. The researchers noted 2019 broke the previous records set in prior years for global warming, and the effects are already appearing in the form of more extreme weather, rising sea levels and harm to ocean animals. According to the researchers, humans can work to reverse their effect on the climate, but the ocean will take longer to respond than atmospheric and land environments. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL Learning , the K-12 personalized learning platform used by more than 8 million students, announced the results of a new research study that demonstrates IXL helps students achieve greater learning gains in both math and reading. The evaluation of IXL's impact meets the required rigor of the What Works Clearinghouse and the Every Student Succeeds Act Tier 2 standards for evidence-based interventions. The study, which examined data from approximately 4,000 students in grades pre-K to 12 during the fall semester of the 2018-19 academic year, found that IXL had a positive effect on student achievement in math and reading as measured by the NWEA MAP tests. The key findings of this study are: IXL positively impacts student learning: Students using IXL outperformed students without IXL on the MAP math and reading tests. Students using IXL outperformed students without IXL on the MAP math and reading tests. More IXL usage leads to higher achievement: The IXL effect was even larger for students who answered more questions and mastered more than 25 skills on IXL. "This research is the latest proof point thateven with a single semester of useIXL boosts academic outcomes," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "We're thrilled to see improvements in student achievement and proud that we've created an environment that equips learners for success." IXL makes personalized learning easy for teachers to implement through the IXL Real-Time Diagnostic, comprehensive K-12 curriculum, personalized guidance, and actionable Analytics. IXL offers over 8,000 skills that cover math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish, and are aligned to the Common Core and all state standards. More than 400,000 teachers and 8 million students around the world are using IXL. For more information about IXL's research studies, visit: www.ixl.com/research About IXL Learning Currently used by 8 million students and by schools in 95 of the 100 top districts, IXL is an integrated learning platform that effectively supports personalized learning in math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish. With more than 60 billion questions asked and answered around the world, IXL is helping schools successfully use technology to improve education. To learn more about IXL, visit www.ixl.com , facebook.com/IXL and twitter.com/IXLLearning . Press Contact Eric Bates IXL Learning [email protected] 650-436-5534 SOURCE IXL Learning Related Links http://www.ixl.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 15:11 728 48be62e941b44f04afae568c3221ae90 1 World Indonesia,#Indonesia,#France,France,defense-cooperation,#defense-cooperation,Prabowo,#Prabowo Free Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly on Monday, as the two countries aim to strike a defense cooperation deal this year. Prabowo visited Parly at the French Ministry of Defense in Paris on Monday during which the two ministers discussed steps to strengthen bilateral defense ties and efforts to help advance the Indonesia's defense industry. "As two strategic partners, Indonesia and France have good defense cooperation. Indonesia wants to continue to enhance defense cooperation, especially in areas that can improve the TNI's [the Indonesian Military] equipment and advance the Indonesian defense industry," Prabowo said at the meeting, as quoted from a press statement shared by Indonesian embassy in Paris. Indonesia's Ambassador to France Arrmanatha Nasir said there were plenty of opportunities to increase defense cooperation because the two nations enjoyed good bilateral relations and each had an independent foreign policy. During Monday's meeting, according to Arrmanatha, the two ministers agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation into a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which is expected to be reached this year and serve as a framework for future defense cooperation. The DCA will cover cooperation in training and education, defense industry development, science and defense technology, intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism, as well as collaborations in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian missions during disasters, he said. In 2017, the two countries signed a letter of intent to increase defense cooperation including maritime security and maritime cooperation. Since 2013, Indonesia and France have hosted an annual Indonesia-France Defense Dialogue (IFDD), where the two countries discuss training and education, as well as counterterrorism cooperation. "As a country with an advanced defense industry, France can be a strategic partner in Indonesia's efforts to modernize its weaponry defense system and accelerate the development of our national defense industry. This will support efforts to make the national defense industry a part of the 'global production chain', Arrmanatha said. In this context, our defense minister placed special attention on the development of the defense industry when discussing defense cooperation. In Paris, Prabowo also held meetings with defense companies that produce ammunition, fighter jets, vessels, radars and avionics systems, with Prabowo expressing hope the French defense industry could help Indonesia to improve its defense capacity through technology transfers. Prabowo's visit to France was the first high-level meeting this year, with the two countries celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. (dis) In this file photo taken on July 30, 2019, Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), left, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) after participating in the first round of the second Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season in Detroit. Read more DES MOINES, Iowa The two leading liberal presidential candidates battled furiously Monday on the fraught topic of gender in American politics as they prepared to meet in Iowa for a debate that may be the last high-profile gathering before the states caucuses. The question of whether a woman could be elected president in the United States was fueled by a CNN report that cited sources saying Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had told Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., that a woman could not win the White House in 2020. Sanders heatedly denied the report, which his campaign manager Faiz Shakir told CNN was "a lie." "It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn't win," Sanders said in a statement. Two people with knowledge of the conversation at the 2018 dinner at Warren's home told The Washington Post that Warren brought up the issue by asking Sanders whether he believed a woman could win. One of the people with knowledge of the conversation said Sanders did not say a woman couldn't win but rather that Trump would use nefarious tactics against the Democratic nominee. "What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could," Sanders said in the statement. "Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016." Warren's campaign issued a statement late Monday saying that the fate of a female candidate was among the topics "that came up." "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed," she said, adding: "I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry." The dispute played out in advance of a Des Moines debate whose importance is heightened by an unprecedented circumstance: Soon after the debate, three of the six participants Sanders, Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. will depart for Washington as impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins. The unpredictable impeachment schedule means the three will likely have only a limited amount of time in Iowa in the three weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses, curtailing their ability to connect with voters here in the final stretch of the campaign. It was not immediately clear how the gender dispute would be taken by those voters. Since Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss to Donald Trump, many voters have expressed a deep concern about the odds of another woman defeating him for reelection. Former vice president Joe Biden touched on the topic earlier this month when he noted that Clinton faced "unfair" sexism during her campaign. "That's not going to happen with me," Biden said. Warren increasingly has worked to revive the anti-Trump spirit of the 2017 Womens March and persuade women to side with her. A September Washington Post poll found that 23% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said a man would be more likely than a woman to defeat Trump in November. The broader question of electability has hung over the campaign since its inception. Going into Tuesday's debate, four of the top contenders have sharpened their arguments about why they represent the strongest challenger to Trump in November. Biden is expected to highlight his foreign policy experience, according to an adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss debate deliberations. The topic has risen in the minds of many voters amid recent skirmishes with Iran, and Biden has offered himself as a safe bet against a president many in the party loathe. A senior adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss debate strategy, said Biden will try on Tuesday to make the case that his eight years of experience in the White House standing next to the commander in chief makes him the right choice. "I think he will say Trump's dangerous actions speak to why it's so important to hire someone who, on day one, can start to pick up the pieces," said a Biden adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. "Biden has that experience. He's sat in the situation room. He has extensive experience on the [Senate] Foreign Relations Committee." Biden, whose camp had long downplayed his chances in Iowa, has ramped up his schedule in Iowa, recently surpassing Warren for the number of events held in the state. He has more than doubled his spending on television ads with his campaign and a super PAC backing him spending more than anyone else over the past two weeks. He has landed the states most coveted endorsements, sent out-of-state surrogates in to campaign on his behalf and is planning significant time in the state over the next week. "We have long had a theory of the case in Iowa and elsewhere is when push comes to shove, caucusgoers fundamentally care about one thing above all else: that's beating Trump," said Pete Kavanaugh, Biden's deputy campaign manager. Sanders heads into the debate homing in on Biden's foreign policy record as well, but to make the opposite point: Biden has a history of making the wrong call at key moments, Sanders has argued, including his vote to authorize war with Iraq. On the electability front, Sanders has argued that his top fundraising numbers, swelling crowd sizes and lead in some polls show he can excite the party and win. While it was unclear how Sanders would approach the flap with Warren at the debate, his campaign advisers have signaled in recent days that they are much more interested in drawing a contrast with Biden, particularly pressing on his past comments about cutting Social Security and building on an argument pushed out by a top Sanders surrogate over the weekend that Biden has as spotty record on supporting African Americans. Warren plans to paint herself as a unity candidate who would be acceptable to the liberal and establishment wings of the Democratic Party. The leak of Sanders's alleged comments also could play into her new emphasis on gender in recent weeks. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is hoping to stay above the fray and show he can attract voters who left the party to support Trump. A representative for the Buttigieg campaign declined to comment on debate strategy, but the candidate has been drawing a few key points of distinction between him and his fellow candidates over the past few weeks, including shots at Biden's vote in favor of the Iraq War. Six candidates will be on the debate stage, the smallest group so far to participate. It also will be the first debate featuring only white candidates, a lack of diversity underscored Monday when Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who is African American, dropped out of the race citing as one reason his inability to qualify for the debate. Four candidates Sanders, Biden, Warren and Buttigieg are bunched at the top of the polls leading into the caucuses. Yet, with three weeks to go, the race remains fluid 45% of Iowans said they could be persuaded to back a different candidate in a Des Moines Register/CNN poll last week. "It's not unexpected to have Iowans taking their time considering all the candidates. But when you have people saying they've narrowed it down to their top four or top three choices, we're in new territory," said Matt Paul, who was Clinton's Iowa state director in 2016. "There's going to be such high interest in this debate." The effort to persuade prompted disputes between the candidates over the weekend. Sanderss team tangled with Bidens team over Bidens vote for the war in Iraq. Nina Turner, a national co-chair of the Sanders campaign, wrote an opinion article published Sunday in a South Carolina newspaper that Biden has repeatedly betrayed black voters to side with Republican lawmakers and undermine our progress. But the fight between Sanders and Warren, who previously had criticized each other only in passing, eclipsed that feud. Sanders said it was "sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren't in the room are lying about what happened." Warren informed Sanders at the meeting that she planned to run for president, according to one of the people with knowledge of the conversation. The fight followed a weekend quarrel over a Politico report that the Sanders campaign issued a script painting Warren as an elitist for volunteers calling voters. Warren said she was "disappointed" and warned of a repeat of what she referred to as the "factionalism" that cost Democrats the White House in 2020. Adam Green, a Warren ally, said Warren plans to make a broader closing argument on the big themes of her campaign and focus the energizing nature of her campaign. "Warren's closing argument is that she can best unite and energize all factions of Democrats, plus win swing voters in the general," said Green. "This debate is all about big-picture vision and electability against Trump." The Washington Posts Matt Viser, Cleve R. Wootson Jr. and Chelsea Janes contributed to this report. The results of an 18-year study of Atlantic tarpon by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science revealed that these large silvery fish take extensive seasonal migrations -- 1,000s of kilometers in distance -- beyond U.S. borders. The new findings can help protect the fish, which is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN -- International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the main draw of a more than $6 billion catch-and-release sport fishing industry in the United States. Using electronic satellite tags, the UM research team tracked nearly 300 Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in coastal waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, including as far away as Mexico, Belize and Nicaragua. The results showed that the mature tarpon make extensive seasonal migrations along a warm, seasonally moving ocean-water feature known as the 26o C isotherm where temperatures remain constant. They also found the fish use both freshwater and estuarine habitat throughout their life and identified several previously unknown spawning locations in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. "Our findings show that there is international connectivity in the U.S. multibillion-dollar recreational tarpon fishing industry," said Jerry Ault, UM Rosenstiel School professor and a co-author of the study. "This is of great importance to anglers and scientists alike to better understand and protect this valuable -- and vulnerable -- fish and the people who rely on it." Atlantic tarpon, known as the Silver King, are considered one of the greatest saltwater sport fish due to their size and spectacular fighting ability. They can reach up to eight feet (2.5 meters) long and weigh up to 355 pounds (161 kilograms), with an average speed of 35 miles per hour. While tarpon fishing is predominately catch-and-release in the United States, subsistence and commercial harvests of tarpon occurs in many other countries. Sport fishing for tarpon is also very popular in other countries. Despite the history and importance of recreational catch-and-release fishing for tarpon in the U.S., Atlantic tarpon are now threatened throughout their range by recreational fishing release mortality, directed commercial harvests, intensive harvesting of key prey species, and habitat degradation, said the scientists. "A myriad of professional charter boat captains in the Florida Keys rely on tarpon fishing bookings as their principal source of income," said the study's lead author Jiangang Luo, a research scientist at the UM Rosenstiel School. "If the tarpon population declines, or alters their migration patterns due to climate changes, it would significantly affect lives and livelihoods in Florida and beyond." Using the 18-year dataset, the researchers also found that shark predation on tarpon is more significant than previously known across the southeastern United States, Gulf of Mexico, and northern Caribbean Sea. To the Editor: In Donald Trump Is a Hostage to 1979 (Sunday Review, Jan. 12), Stephen Metcalf argues that President Trumps decision to kill Qassim Suleimani stems from his obsession with being the anti-Jimmy Carter. But the image of Jimmy Carter as a weak president defies reality. As a former submarine officer, Mr. Carter considered a naval blockade of Irans ports, but his national security and military advisers were concerned that it would enhance the influence of the Soviet Union and lead to the hostages being returned in coffins. As president he reversed the decline in post-Vietnam War defense spending. All the weapons systems that President Reagan used to help bring down the Soviet Union were greenlighted by Mr. Carter. Even his conservative critics applauded his tough response to the Soviet Unions invasion of Afghanistan and his threat of military force to block any Soviet drive to the Persian Gulf. He warned the mullahs in Tehran that any show trials or physical harm to the hostages would bring instant military retaliation. They heeded his warning. Iran providing Round-the-clock services to families of Ukraine plane crash victims IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Sunday that special working group for handling consular affairs of victims of Ukraine plane crash is ready to offer services round the clock to their families. Commenting on the latest decisions of the working group, he said that the group was formed on the order of President Hassan Rouhani to provide the families of the victims round the clock services via telephone number 00982161153009. Instructions for issuing visas for applicants linked with the disaster in Afghanistan, Sweden, Canada, Ukraine, and Britain have been announced and visas for 50 Ukrainian and nine Canadian applicants have so far been issued. Mousavi also announced meetings between the director of Foreign Ministry's consular affairs department with the Swedish and Italian ambassadors. All 176 passengers aboard the Ukrainian Boeing 737 were killed after it crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran's main international airport early Wednesday. There were 167 passengers and nine crew members on flight PS-752 that burst into flames mid-sky and crashed into ground near Parand, a city southwest of Tehran. Among the victims were over 140 Iranian nationals with others belonging to other countries, including Ukraine, Sweden, Germany and Britain and Canada. 8072**1424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 14, 2020, provider of enterprise-grade in-memory computing solutions based on Apache Ignite, is kicking off the new year with participation in multiple industry events during January and February 2020. GridGain experts will share their unique insights on the latest in-memory computing technology developments and trends. "2020 will be a pivotal year as in-memory computing becomes a foundational technology in enterprise datacenters that seek to drive real-time business processes based on huge volumes of data," said Terry Erisman, executive vice president of marketing and alliances at GridGain Systems. "From developing HTAP capabilities to implementing digital integration hub architectures to achieving high performance, massively scalable production environments, our expert team can help attendees understand how to apply in-memory computing technologies to their specific use cases." Meetups In-Memory Computing Essentials for Java Developers, Chicago (https://www.gridgain.com/resources/meetups/in-memory-computing-essentials-java-developers) - January 16, 2020 - Denis Magda, GridGain Vice President of Developer Relations and Apache Ignite PMC member, will present the fundamental capabilities of in-memory computing platforms that are proven to boost application performance and solve scalability problems by storing and processing massive datasets in RAM and on disk. - January 16, 2020 - Denis Magda, GridGain Vice President of Developer Relations and Apache Ignite PMC member, will present the fundamental capabilities of in-memory computing platforms that are proven to boost application performance and solve scalability problems by storing and processing massive datasets in RAM and on disk. Enabling Java for Low-Latency Use Cases at Unlimited Scale, Silicon Valley (https://www.gridgain.com/node/6242) - January 23, 2020 - Denis Magda, GridGain Vice President of Developer Relations and Apache Ignite PMC member, will discuss how in-memory computing, combined with a Java Virtual Machine, results in a Java-powered solution that enables consistent low millisecond response times at an unlimited scale. Webinars Distributed Computing with Apache Ignite (https://www.gridgain.com/resources/webinars/distributed-computing-apache-ignite) - January 29, 2020 - Denis Mekhanikov, Client Service Lead at GridGain, will discuss approaches to designing and executing distributed computations and consider the pros and cons of each approach. Conferences DeveloperWeek 2020 (https://www.gridgain.com/node/6224) - February 12-16, 2020 - Denis Magda, GridGain Vice President of Developer Relations and Apache Ignite PMC member, will present, "In-Memory Computing Essentials for Software Engineers." In his session, Magda will introduce attendees to the fundamental capabilities of in-memory computing platforms that are proven to boost application performance and solve scalability problems by storing and processing massive data sets in RAM and on disk. - February 12-16, 2020 - Denis Magda, GridGain Vice President of Developer Relations and Apache Ignite PMC member, will present, "In-Memory Computing Essentials for Software Engineers." In his session, Magda will introduce attendees to the fundamental capabilities of in-memory computing platforms that are proven to boost application performance and solve scalability problems by storing and processing massive data sets in RAM and on disk. PGConf India (https://www.gridgain.com/company/news/events/how-boost-and-scale-postgres-sharding-in-memory-data-grids) - February 26-28, 2020 - Denis Mekhanikov, Client Service Lead at GridGain, will present, "How to Boost and Scale Postgres - from Sharding to In-Memory Data Grids." Attendees will learn practical solutions for scaling Postgres, including built-in caching, sharding, and in-memory data grids like Apache Ignite. About GridGain Systems GridGain Systems is revolutionizing real-time data access and processing by offering an in-memory computing platform built on Apache Ignite. GridGain solutions are used by global enterprises in financial services, software, e-commerce, retail, online business services, healthcare, telecom, transportation and other major sectors, with a client list that includes ING, Raymond James, American Express, Societe Generale, Finastra, IHS Markit, ServiceNow, Marketo, RingCentral, American Airlines, Agilent, and UnitedHealthcare. GridGain delivers unprecedented speed and massive scalability to both legacy and greenfield applications. Deployed on a distributed cluster of commodity servers, GridGain software can reside between the application and data layers. CONTACT: Terry Erisman GridGain Systems terisman@gridgain.com (650) 241-2281 GridGain is a trademark or registered trademark of GridGain Systems, Inc. Apache, Apache Hadoop, Hadoop, Apache Ignite, Ignite, Apache Kafka, Kafka, Apache Spark, and Spark are trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. TUV leader Jim Allister has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of double standards for ruling out a coalition government with Sinn Fein. Mr Allister said it was jarring that the Taoiseach was in Belfast celebrating Sinn Fein's return to government, while Fine Gael refused to share power with it in Dublin. Leo Varadkar has pledged not to form a coalition with Sinn Fein under any circumstances after the next Dail election. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin yesterday adopted the same position and said he didn't trust Sinn Fein. Mr Allister said: "Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin wouldn't have a Shinner about the place in Dublin, but they insist we can't have a government without them. "It is a huge contradiction that they don't practise what they preach and they need to change the record regarding mandatory coalition in Northern Ireland." Both the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fail leader recognised Sinn Fein "for what they are and the instability they bring", the TUV leader said. "They have the unmitigated cheek to insist that we do here what they would never be prepared to do," he added. "Leo Varadkar has never been called a bigot for refusing to sit in government with Sinn Fein. Yet those of us who share the very same position here are branded as the ultimate bigots." Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald also accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of double standards on the issue. "If Sinn Fein can govern in partnership with the DUP, with people that we still have profound political differences with... how on earth is it logical to then say Sinn Fein isn't good enough to be in government in the south?" she told RTE. Estes Forwarding Worldwide The addition of the Broadcast and Media vertical is an exciting complement to our already robust lineup of services. Our goal is to secure our place as the premier freight forwarder in the industry, and the addition of this highly specialized service will help us do just that. Scott Fisher, CEO & P Estes Forwarding Worldwide, a leading United States domestic and international freight forwarder specializing in custom logistics solutions, recently announced the addition of a new, specialized service line serving the broadcast, media and production industries. EFW, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estes Express Lines, is a non-asset freight forwarder who works with clients across the globe and all industries to craft and execute customized logistics solutions. Currently offering domestic, home delivery, truckload brokerage, exhibit and international logistics services, Broadcast and Media will be new to the companys service lineup. We saw the opportunity to acquire JTA Freight, a logistics company specializing in the television and broadcast vertical, as an opportunity to not only further expand our service offering, but support the long-term growth strategy of our company, stated Scott Fisher, CEO & President of Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Thomas Cross will serve as Vice President, Broadcast and Media and lead a specialized team of experts out of EFWs new Hartford, Connecticut office bringing the total number of EFW regional offices to thirteen. With over twenty years of logistics experience in the television and broadcast industries, Mr. Cross adds further depth to the EFW leadership team. The addition of the Broadcast and Media vertical is an exciting complement to our already robust lineup of services, explained Mr. Fisher. Our goal is to secure our place as the premier freight forwarder in the industry, and the addition of this highly specialized service will help us do just that. About Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW) EFW is a leading domestic and international freight forwarder in the United States, providing customized logistics solutions for clients around the world and across all industries via air, ground and ocean freight. A subsidiary of Estes Express lines and located in Richmond, Virginia, EFW is uniquely backed by Estes Express Lines extensive line haul network providing EFW clients with a hybrid transportation network. The company has received industry awards including Specialty Carrier of the Year and E-Commerce Delivery Carrier of the Year and has been recognized by Global Trade Americas as a leading 3PL to watch. To learn more about EFW, please visit the companys website at http://www.EFWnow.com. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released the full list of 70 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election, in which the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will seek a second consecutive term. The National Capital is likely to see a three-cornered fight between the ruling AAP, the Congress, and BJP. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released the full list of 70 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election, in which the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will seek a second consecutive term. The National Capital is likely to see a three-cornered fight between the ruling AAP, the Congress, and BJP. Incumbent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal set to contest the polls from the New Delhi seat and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is contesting from the Patparganj seat. After the list was released, Kejriwal tweeted, "Best wishes to all. Dont be complacent. Work very hard." Sisodia, speaking to the media, said, "Last time six women were given tickets by AAP, this time eight women have been given tickets. Best wishes to all. Dont be complacent. Work v hard. People have lot of faith in AAP and u. God bless. https://t.co/JuuvriCoNG Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 14, 2020 According to the list released by the party's Political Affairs Committee, AAP leader Atishi will contest from the Kalkaji constituency, while another party leader Dilip Pandey will contest the Timarpur seat. Both had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Additionally, Satyendra Jain will contest from Shakur Basti, Jarnail Singh from Tilak Nagar, SK Bagga from Krishna Nagar, and Jitendra Tomar from Tri Nagar seats. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) releases the list of candidates for #DelhiElections2020. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to contest from New Delhi, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia to contest from Patparganj. pic.twitter.com/Blkm5JX2tD ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020 Reports also said that while AAP has fielded sitting MLAs in 46 of the 67 seats it had won in the 2015 polls, at least 15 incumbent legislators have been denied a ticket. Meanwhile, new faces have been given a ticket for six seats. Delhi will go to polls on 8 February and the counting of votes will take place on 11 February. The Model Code of Conduct is in place. Soon after the poll dates were announced by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on 6 January, Kejriwal said that the 2020 Assembly election will be based on "development" Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 6, 2020 During a press conference, he appealed to the people of Delhi to "vote for us (AAP) only if you think we have done good work in the last five years". He added, "We will run a positive campaign, will not abuse anyone." In the party's manifesto which is likely to be launched at the end of this week, AAP is likely to focus on key components like "building a robust public transport infrastructure, redesigning of roads, cleanliness, drinking water and single-window clearances of projects," a Firstpost report noted. "The poor condition of roads at many places inside the city and in the outskirts, unplanned and erratic movement of vehicles, and illegal parking have always led to severe traffic congestion in Delhi, causing loss of productive man-hours. Route rationalisation for smooth movement of buses, improving super-trunk routes that connect long distances, and last-mile connectivity are on the cards," the report said. Additionally, a renewed focus on cleanliness including solid waste management, getting rid of landfills, and cleaning the Yamuna along with ways to provide drinking water, are issues that are likely to be added to the AAP manifesto. With inputs from agencies New York's attorney general, Letitia James, has launched an investigation into whether the New York City Police Department has been targeting communities of color for subway fare evasion. James, who in 2018 became the first African American and the first woman to be elected as attorney general in New York, explained why she launched the investigation in a statement released on Monday. 'We've all read the stories and seen the disturbing videos of men, women, and children being harassed, dragged away, and arrested by officers in our citys subway system, which is why we are launching an investigation into this deeply troublesome conduct.' The statement says that James sent a letter to NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea requesting fare evasion data. New York's attorney general, Letitia James (pictured), has launched an investigation into whether the New York City Police Department has been targeting communities of color for subway fare evasion James and her team believe that the data and other information may shine a light on whether officers have exhibited racial biases or engaged in discriminatory practices in their enforcement of these laws and regulations throughout New York City's subway system. 'If groups of New Yorkers have been unfairly targeted because of the color of their skin, my office will not hesitate to take legal action,' she said. 'While we are hopeful that the NYPD will cooperate thoroughly with this investigation, we will not hesitate to use every investigative tool at our disposal to protect subway riders and the people of this city.' James' investigation comes just three months after nearly 1,000 protesters took to the streets of Brooklyn to demonstrate against the NYPD after several violent arrests on the subway, and over its plans to put more officers on the beat to catch anyone who skips paying the fare. Toward the end of last year, several videos emerged of NYPD cops violently arresting seemingly nonviolent subway riders. The demonstration was said to have been brought on in part by two headline-grabbing incidents involving the NYPD that occurred on October 25 at different Brooklyn subway stations, which drew accusations of excessive force by police. James and her team believe that the data and other information may shine a light on whether officers (file image) have exhibited racial biases or engaged in discriminatory practices in their enforcement of these laws and regulations throughout New York City's subway system A video of the first incident showed at least 10 police officers storming onto a stopped subway car and tackling an apparently unarmed black man inside, sparking accusations of excessive force. The 19-year-old, who had his hands up and was seated at the time of the incident, was thought to have had a gun, but did not. He was later charged with theft of services. The second incident involved two groups of teenagers who were said to have been fighting on the platform. In the course of breaking up the fight, a police officer was caught on camera punching two black teens. One of the teens was 15-year-old Benjamin Marshall, who was punched in the face. His lawyer said his family intends to file a $5million lawsuit against the officer and the NYPD. The other issue is that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan for an additional 500 Metropolitan Transportation Authorities (MTA) officers to patrol the subway lines and arrest anyone who jumps the barriers rather than pay the $2.75 fee. (Alliance News) - Shares in Nigerian oil firm Lekoil Ltd crashed Tuesday after the company confirmed late Monday it has been duped by fake investors. Lekoil was 65% lower in morning trade in London at 3.25 pence per share, having more than doubled early January when announcing a major loan. This gives it a market capitalisation of around GBP16.8 million. The stock is down 21% from a year ago. Lekoil had asked for shares to be suspended in London on Monday, as it said the Qatar Investment Authority was querying the USD184.0 million funding. The shares resumed trading Tuesday morning. The company at the start of January said it had agreed the loan with the QIA to fund drilling and development at the Ogo field off the coast of Nigeria. However, Lekoil said representatives from the QIA had questioned the validity of the loan agreement. It also confirmed it had paid USD600,000 to Seawave Investment Ltd which acted as an introducer to those "purporting to be the QIA". After the London market close on Monday, in another statement, Lekoil then confirmed the loan seems to have been agreed with people "who have constructed a complex facade in order to masquerade as representatives of the QIA". Lekoil said it conducted due diligence on both the people offering the loan as well as introducer Seawave. "As such, while Lekoil seeks to establish, alongside its legal counsel and nominated adviser, the full facts of this matter, the facility agreement can no longer be considered to be legally binding or enforceable and it should therefore be assumed that none of the funding, as set out in the announcement of January 2, will be forthcoming," said Lekoil. "As set out in more detail below, an investigation committee has been constituted on the matter." Lekoil also confirmed its only financial exposure is the USD600,000 so far paid to Seawave, with no fees paid to those offering the loan. By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. With todays acquisition of PatientFinder, Definitive accelerates progress against its strategic roadmap to provide end-to-end go to market solutions that bridge the gap between data and action. This is an industry milestone, said Jason Krantz, Founder and CEO of Definitive Healthcare. Definitive Healthcare, the leading provider of data, insights, and analytics on the healthcare provider market, today announced the acquisition of PatientFinder, a software analytics firm that helps life science companies and healthcare providers find patient clusters who would most benefit from their products and services. We have always had the best data on healthcare organizations and professionals. We amplified the value of that data this year when we integrated Commercial Claims analytics. With todays acquisition of PatientFinder, Definitive accelerates progress against its strategic roadmap to provide end-to-end go to market solutions that bridge the gap between data and action. This is an industry milestone, said Jason Krantz, Founder and CEO of Definitive Healthcare. Its demonstrative of our commitment to enabling client growth by integrating patient and provider insights directly into our clients existing processes for strategic analytics, go-to-market planning, and field execution. The acquisition supports the Definitive vision to entrench contextual data and insights within a businesss end-to-end commercialization effort. PatientFinder technology allows clients to build highly customized cohorts of patients by analyzing their diagnosis and treatment history and align that intelligence with the physicians and facilities who provide care to those patient populations. Uniting the PatientFinder solution with the accuracy and breadth of the Definitive Healthcare provider data and best-in-class all-payer claims data is a win-win for our combined clients and a game-changer in the market, said Dave Thornton, CEO and Founder of PatientFinder. We are incredibly enthusiastic about becoming a part of the innovative team that has made Definitive one of the industrys fastest growing companies with the highest customer satisfaction and industry-leading retention rates. Definitives clients which include 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, 8 of the top 10 medical device firms, and over 2,500 of the top healthcare providers, healthcare IT, healthcare staffing and consulting firms utilize the Definitive platform to solve their most critical revenue generating objectives. Clients analyze referral patterns, patient leakage trends, total and average charges, patient outcomes, and population health trends to drive a complete end-to-end commercialization effort. This is the second acquisition for Definitive Healthcare over the past year, following the HIMSS Analytics data services division in January 2019. With this acquisition, and with continuing investments in new talent, Definitive Healthcare now employs a 400-person workforce and continues to grow quickly. In 2019, Definitive was recognized, for the third consecutive year, for rapid growth by INC. 5000 and Deloitte 500 in their respective lists of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and was named 2019s #1 Best Place to Work (Large) by the Boston Business Journal. Learn more here. About Definitive Healthcare Definitive Healthcare is the leading provider of data and intelligence on hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Its product suite provides the most comprehensive and highest quality data available anywhere on 8,800 hospitals and IDNs; 148,000 physician groups; 1.7 million physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals; 11,200 ambulatory surgery centers; 14,600 imaging centers; 91,600 long-term care facilities; 40,000 clinics; 1,400 ACOs and HIEs; more than 4 billion commercial medical and Rx claims; 115,000 clinical trials; and 900 Canadian hospitals. The companys data provides its 2,200+ clients with the analytics and insight needed to effectively segment and research the healthcare provider market. Definitive Healthcare is backed by 22C Capital, Advent International and Spectrum Equity. For more information, or to trial the service, visit https://www.definitivehc.com/. Media Contact Tory Waldron PR Manager twaldron@definitivehc.com (781) 454-6822 A Forsyth County judge has continued the trial of a Winston-Salem man charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from a local businessman. The ruling came after the mans defense attorney argued that his client, Charles Dewayne Washington, might not get a fair trial partially because of news coverage. Washington is charged with two counts of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy. Jury selection was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning. On Monday, Judge Eric Morgan held a hearing on several pretrial motions, including one to prohibit prosecutors from introducing information about Washingtons prior conviction for embezzlement in 1989. Washington was found guilty of embezzling $6,352 from the Young Democrats of Forsyth County while he was the organizations treasurer. Morgan did not make a decision Monday, and on Tuesday the Winston-Salem Journal published an article about the hearing. On Tuesday, Morgan granted the motion to keep Washingtons prior conviction out of the trial. 14.01.2020 LISTEN The golden pot is broken. Its contents spilt all over. And it appears everyone is up in arms to chastise the messenger that broke it. The Akans say when an Elephant falls everyone gives him a beat-down, even the tiniest insect. But are we infallible? Are we Saints? Louis Farrakhan Sr. leader of Nation of Islam (NOI) has an advice for all of us. He says: "When you see men fall, don't laugh. Learn. Learn. Because you are on your way up. And the things that tempt them to fall, you and I, are not free from those temptations. Know from the weakness that will cause us to stumble and fall. When you laugh at somebody else's fall, white or black, rich or poor, your enemy or friend, you are laughing and opening a way for your own demise-- when you do that. Because to laugh and not learn, to make mockery and not to understand is to make the same mistakes yourselves. Did you hear me?" Of course, did we not hear this? Flee from temptations. The French would say: 'Fuyez les tentations.' Oftentimes we hear and read this phrase, and oftentimes we remind ourselves of the consequences thereof or the impending dangers, yet we fall and keep on falling. Why? The answer lies in the womb of our actions and inactions. One thing seems to be certain though. It's what I've described as the Adamic diseases--- Money, Power and Sex. The three are lingering as man can't do away with any of them, it appears They absolutely show no sign of truncating their combined prowess and venomous power to out-do the vulnerable---man. The Book of Genesis gives humanity a gist of what's to befall us. In the early chapters of the Holy Book, a story is told about the "Forbidden Fruit". Also known as the fruit of Life and Death. Adam and Eve believed to be the first humans on Earth have done the unthinkable. The two have eaten the fruit, God has instructed them not to eat (see Gen. Chpt. 2:16-17). It's understood to be the origin of sin. God questions Adam Adam instead of owning up his disobedience character, blames God and Eve, of course. "It's the woman you put here with me. She gave me some of the fruit from the tree. And I ate it." (Gen. 3:2.) Undoubtedly,, man has fallen more than a million times since our Great-great Grandpa--- Adam fell on the 'sword' himself. Since time immemorial these diseases have befallen, the wise, the rich, the powerful, the most famous, the strongest etc. Remember biblical Samson, how he broke his Nazirite vow? According to Midash Samson lost his strength because of his relationship with Delilah-- a foreign woman and not because his hair was cut. So why do we keep falling? Somehow, we haven't been able to appraise ourselves well with the lessons of the past. Yes, we know how Babylon fell. We know what caused Solomon to grieve painfully and we certainly know who orchestrated Samson's fall but none of it has transformed us to be a perfect man. Suffice to say, we're perfectly not perfect and genuinely not genuine because we are humans. And this imperfection has time and again spawned us to the brink of precipice and on countless times to the abyss (when temptations avail themselves). What is Sex Wikipedia defines sex as an activity by humans solely for physical and emotional pleasure. It can contribute to human bonding. However, in my viewpoint, it can show its true colours. Sex can turn relationships sour, make and unmake one. Sex wields power. It's charming and it exudes immeasurable influence. Sex has been mischaracterized sometimes because of the way it's been used. Sex, at its very beginnings, may appear innocuous but it could be dangerous when it falls into its mischief element. Men have used it in both ways- positive and negative. And women have done likewise. So who are we to blame? What is Power Power commands. But powerful men or women are not immune to temptations. In fact, they seem to be more prone to temptations than many vulnerable. Theirs are often, politically-motivated. Political vendetta has become new norm. And the recent amorous video that saturated our airwaves speaks to that. The story burst out like a monster child born with piercing horns. The woes of Kan Dapaah Who did trouble find in the alley? Albert Kan Dapaah Minister in charge of National Security has become a victim amid calls for his resignation But Member of Parliament of Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong says Mr. Dapaah should not be crucified over the amorous video with a lady identified as Chantelle kujavu. I am not clean, neither is any man, hence it will be unfair and hypocritical to castigate my fellow man for engaging in such an act. Let the clean cast the stone, he made the remark on an Accra-based Oman FM on Monday. Why has this phenomenon crept into our body-politik? The quest for political power seems to be the driving force. You may beg to disagree with me. But it seems this kind of 'Gotcha Politics' didn't exist or wasn't so prevalent in our political dispensation roughly a decade ago. I learned it happened some time ago, when the NDC was in power. At the time its arch rival----the NPP was in opposition. Some hold the view that it's payback time as the NPP now finds itself at the driver's seat. Really? How long can we inflict this wound upon ourselves? In my view it's some disgruntled individuals or politicians who have gained reputation to smear and undo their fellow politicians. And I think it's about time we cautioned to them that this is not cool. It's more than dirty. It's uncouth and must not be entertained in our body-politik. What would they gain one may ask? Don't forget power commands. And it gets things done by hook or crook means. Also remember the saying: Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Indeed, it gives credence to my assertion that: When the righteous falls demons dance... It makes one wonder more: To what extent are we going to allow this evil practice tear our society and homes apart? Money Money like sex also has power and influence. But.what is it about money that makes it appear evil? What's about it, that makes men and women fall? 1 Timothy 6:10 says 'for the love of money is the root off all evil'. Note, the emphasis is on love of it and not money as legal tender. Remember bees like honey and women like money. It's believed the powerrful have oftentimes used money to win sex.. But that seems to be an erroneous impression. That is not always the case. One school of thought argues, some powerful or influential men have been seduced and harassed by women. Caution It is against this backdrop that Mr. Agyapong cautioned ladies not to allow themselves to be used as instruments for destruction as no amount of money is worth the risk. On Sunday 12 January 2020 , a video of Mr. Kan Dapaah surfaced,and was seen 'sweet-talking' a woman purported to be his mistress. It's understood the video call was recorded by the lady. Mischief was at work. The plot was thickening. From the clip it appeared the 66-year-old National Security boss was somewhere in Europe, possibly on national assignment. Well, I am not going to repeat any of that.. However, it can be deduced from the footage that Mr. Kan Dapaah who seemed oblivious of the recording threw all caution to the wind and little did he know that the meat put in his plate was laced with lead. AUBURN, Ala., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today its continued expansion across Texas with its newest restaurant in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village. Following the brand's debut in Arlington last month, the new Fort Worth-Ridglea Village location marks Chicken Salad Chick's seventh Dallas-Fort Worth area opening, emphasizing the brand's continued growth in the metroplex. Located at 6124 Camp Bowie Boulevard, the Fort Worth-Ridglea Village restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on January 28th and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. During grand opening week, guests will experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include: Tuesday, January 28 Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make a purchase and enter to win free chicken salad for a year.** Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make a purchase and enter to win free chicken salad for a year.** Wednesday, January 29 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick Tumbler. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick Tumbler. Thursday, January 30 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. Friday, January 31 Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.*** Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.*** Saturday, February 1 Any guest to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free Chick cooler. Fueling the Fort Worth area expansion are experienced multi-unit operators Meggie and John Schissler of J&M Hospitality, LLC. Following their third Chicken Salad Chick opening in Burleson just four months ago and upcoming opening in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village, the Schisslers have plans to develop four more restaurants over the next few years. The duo got their franchising start following Meggie's time working on Chicken Salad Chick's marketing team. In the two years she spent in the role, she gained extensive knowledge on the brand and fell so much in love with the concept that she and John decided to open their own. The Schissler's continued growth and success with their restaurants in Fort Worth, Hurst and Burleson has made them standouts in the fast-casual industry, while earning them a spot on QSR Magazine's 2019 Young Leaders to Watch list. "Four years ago, John and I were opening Chicken Salad Chick's first Texas location and now we're able to celebrate our fourth opening in our home state," said Meggie Schissler. "Franchising with Chicken Salad Chick and serving these amazing communities throughout the Fort Worth area has been such a rewarding experience. We're thrilled to continue our growth in our favorite state and bring the brand's fresh and flavorful chicken salad to even more neighborhoods throughout Northern Texas." The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in 2008 by founder, Stacy Brown. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu offers a variety of options suitable for any guest. Under the leadership of CEO Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the company now has more than 145 restaurants currently open in 16 states and remains a standout brand within the fast casual segment. Chicken Salad Chick in Fort Worth-Ridglea Village will be open Monday Saturday from 10:30a.m. 8p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends. *Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, purchase a Chick Special and are required to download the Craving Credits app. Redemption will start 2/3. ** Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, must purchase a Chick Special and are required to download the Craving Credits app. 10 winners will be announced at the end of the day. Redemption will start 2/3. ***Limit 1 kids meal per adult meal purchased. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/chickensaladchickftworthridgleavillage/ About Chicken Salad Chick Founded in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Today, the brand has more than 145 restaurants in 16 states and is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious, Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers and Entrepreneur's Top Food Franchises for the second consecutive year and QSR's Best Franchise Deals and Nation's Restaurant News' Next 15 in 2019. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information. Contact: Shana Rosenthal Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick Related Links http://www.chickensaladchick.com Foreign Affairs Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Kamilov will meet his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and will later today attend the inaugural session of the awaited Raisina Dialogue that will focus on geopolitics and geo-economics. Besides paying a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Uzbekistan minister will further on Wednesday address the Raisina Dialogue, the annual flagship event of the MEA and the ORF Foundation. Kamilov is set to emplane for his country on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not the most popular among the royals. In fact, they struggle with all the negative publicity they receive, which might have driven them to make the bombshell announcement last week. However, when they announced their decision to take a step back as "senior members" of the royal family, their social media accounts became an instant hit. Their Instagram followers grew as much as 500,000 more, closing in on the official Instagram accounts of the ever-so-popular Prince William and Kate Middleton. An Interesting Move The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their 10 million followers, welcomed the New Year from a remote vacation home in Canada. When they came home and made the announcement that shocked the world, more so the royal family, the official Instagram account of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex added an instant 500,000 followers. The post where Harry and Meghan announced that they were planning to become more financially independent members of the royal family got 1.8 million likes and about 144,000 comments so far. The move surprised everyone that it sent shockwaves to the other members of the royal family. In fact, it even led to Queen Elizabeth II to hold crisis talks with other members of the family. A senior royal source told Daily Express that the talks are progressing well, particularly because governments are already involved. After their family meeting on Monday at the Sandringham Estate, the Queen released an emotional statement, saying that they have accepted the decision of Harry and Meghan and that they are getting the family's full support. However, the details of the changes still need to be ironed out. An insider said that it is in the best interest of everyone that the changes be resolved soon, but not at the expense of the desired outcome. The withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan as seniors members of the royal family meant a lot. For the other members of the royal family, it meant additional work. For some, it could mean getting better opportunities to be there for the Queen and her needs. A Revealing Move When the royal couple came back from their vacation in Canada, they made a private visit to the Hubb Community Kitchen then went straight to Canada House. The couple considers this kitchen special as it was one of the first initiatives of Meghan as a Duchess of Sussex. In their Instagram post, they shared their visit to the kitchen. In the photos, the couple can be seen talking to some women of the Hubb Kitchen. It is a special project that supports the Grenfell Tower tragedy. That post alone has sparked more than 22,000 comments and 680,000 likes. Several fans of the royal couple were too quick to express their support to Meghan and Harry. While the family is in transition, the fans wished the couple well and happiness to the rest of the family. The move that Harry and Meghan made is fueled by their desire to be independent members of the royal family. And although they may be dividing their time in the U.K. and North America, one thing will remain the same and true: these two are members of the royal family in action and in spirit. Of the several glitches that the power sector is tripping on in recent times, tariff is one of the major fault areas. Very much aware of the problem, the government has now set up an inter-ministerial group, headed by home minister Amit Shah, to discuss the proposed National Tariff Policy, which is being considered as a major reform to energise stressed power assets. That power tariff is a politically sensitive matter is obvious from the fact these proposed reforms are hanging fire for quite sometime now and the composition of the group of ministers (GoM) betrays the governments intention to make it as broad-based as possible so that the views of all quarters can be heard and accommodated. According to an Economic Times report, the GoM will have 10 ministers, eight with cabinet rank and two having independent charge, giving it the character of a mini cabinet. Almost a year-and-a-half back, power and renewable energy minister R.K.Singh had informed the Lok Sabha of the governments intention to amend the National Tariff Policy (NTP) of 2016. Nothing much was heard about the matter in the interim. Now in its second term, the NDA government has decided to push through the contentious reforms and the cabinet secretariat where it was earlier sent for approval had referred the amendments to the Shah-led GoM. What are the highlights of the proposed key amendments? One significant provision that had been included in the amendments is the imposition of penalties by an appropriate commission on distribution companies (discoms) for power cuts other than force majeure conditions or technical faults. The government does not want consumers to pay the price of inefficiencies of discoms and, therefore, an amendment to the NTP suggests that AT&C (aggregate transmission and commercial) losses in excess of 15 per cent shall not be passed on to consumers but shall be borne by discoms. While ensuring 24-hour adequate power supply to all categories of consumers, the draft policy has proposed that in case of power cuts other than in force majeure conditions or technical faults, an appropriate penalty, as determined by the state electricity regulatory commission shall be levied on the discom and credited to the account of the respective consumers. The draft policy has suggested that any subsidy would have to be given through direct benefit transfer (DBT) i.e. directly in the bank accounts of such consumers. Also, there should be an appropriate commission to ensure that cross-subsidies are reduced and the tariff for all consumer categories are brought within 20 per cent of the average cost of supply. It has also called for simplification of tariff categories and rationalisation of retail electricity tariffs. However, not all the proposed amendments are easily implementable. For example, take the case of DBT. Though DBT had been by and large a success in the case of cooking gas, for electricity subsidy it could pose significant challenge in implementation. Most subsidised consumers for electricity are rural and many of them are poor. Even with the steady progress of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, many rural and poor customers are not active users of bank accounts and financial inclusion will take more effort and time. Challenges notwithstanding, these consumer-centric proposed amendments are steps in the right direction. Also, it is a no-brainer that unless the tariff structure is overhauled there is little chance of power distribution companies to come out of the present rut. And if the financial condition of discoms remains poor, the woes besetting the power generation sector will never end. According to a Business Standard report, the power generation sector, which has the highest load of non-performing assets worth Rs 2 lakh crore, has seen a minimal resolution of stressed projects during the current financial year. The problem with discoms, as we have seen in the past, is that they are hardly allowed to function and operate in a commercially viable manner by the respective state governments. Political interference has marred the performance of these entities. In recent times, we have seen how states like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have dithered on power purchase agreements. Also, for obvious political reasons, state governments, almost always, drag their feet when it comes to revising power tariff, dealing a debilitating blow to discom finances. As regards the proposed amendments to the NTP, the Economic Times report suggests that state governments and discoms have already voiced their opposition regarding clauses such as penalties for load shedding. It has to be kept in mind that electricity being on the concurrent list, any amendment or any policy for the power sector will need states support to succeed. Prayas (Energy Group), a Pune-based NGO, puts it succinctly: given the vast differences across states, the policy (NTP) should be flexible to incorporate state-specific realities in design and implementation. Therefore, the policy should preferably have broad principles which the states are encouraged to adopt and adapt to their requirements. The Amit Shah-led inter-ministerial panel will, therefore, have to make every effort to bring states on board regarding the proposed amendments to the National Tariff Policy to make power reforms a success. Congratulations, eathoneypig.com got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Eathoneypig.com scored 66 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3.5/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 15 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the eathoneypig homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if eathoneypig has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the eathoneypig homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the eathoneypig homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the eathoneypig homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the eathoneypig homepage on Twitter + the total number of eathoneypig followers (if eathoneypig has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE Welcome to Honey Pig Korean BBQ DESCRIPTION Seoul Gooldaegee Honey Pig Korean BBQ KEYWORDS Honey Pig Honeypig Korean BBQ barbeque Annandale Centreville Ellicott City Restaurant Galbi Bulgogi OTHER KEYWORDS honey pig, honey, promotions, password, subscribe, honey pig store get your, pig store get your honey The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United Kingdom) UTF-8English (United Kingdom) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. The language of eathoneypig.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for eathoneypig.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The URL of the found Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND It is an honor to receive this recognition, particularly given that it is one that is voted upon by my peers statewide. Lori Keeton, an attorney who specializes in municipal litigation, was recognized as a member of North Carolinas 2020 Legal Elite by Business North Carolina Magazine. Since 2002, Business North Carolina has honored Tar Heel attorneys by publishing a list of the states top attorneys. Winners are chosen by their fellow North Carolina lawyers from a statewide ballot. The ballot asks attorneys living in North Carolina one question Of the Tar Heel lawyers whose work you have observed firsthand, whom would you rate among the current best in these categories? Only 3% of the state's attorneys make the list. Keeton explained that this recognition holds special significance to her: "It is an honor to receive this acknowledgement, particularly given that it is one that is voted upon by my peers statewide." For more information about the methodology used by Business North Carolina and to view the full list of attorneys receiving this recognition, visit http://www.businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite. MUSCAT King Oyo Nyimba of Tooro over the weekend visited Muscat in Oman as a presidential envoy to deliver an invitation to his Majesty Haitham Bin Tariq the Sultan of Oman ahead of the first World monarchs conference that will be hosted in Fort Portal in September this year. The World monarchs conference, the first ever of its kind will be hosted by Tooro Kingdom. King Oyo has invited all Kings of the world and the United Kingdom will be well represented among the 27 monarchs that head countries, said Mr Charles Mwanguhya, the Kingdom Information Minister. Today (Sunday) in Muscat his Majesty Dr Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV offered his condolences to his Majesty Haitham Bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman upon the passing of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, in the same vein he congratulated him upon his enthronement as the new leader of the sultanate of Oman Tooro Kingdom Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Basaliza Henry Mutegeki Araali said. He added, The king is visiting these countries as a presidential envoy, you know the invitation letters were co-signed by him and the president and by the nature of these monarchs being heads of state in these countries, the king couldnt invite them thats why he went as a presidential envoy to deliver the invitations. According to the Observer, an online publication of Oman, The message was received by His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tareq al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, when he received in his office King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba of Toro Kingdom, Envoy of the President of Uganda. Relations of cooperation between the two countries and means of enhancing them for the interest of the two friendly countries and peoples were reviewed during the meeting. Asked about the purpose of the summit, Mutegeki explained, Our world today is faced with unprecedented challenges not limited to poverty, conflicts, terrorism, and the burden of disease, youth unemployment, underdevelopment and the climate change emergency. It is therefore essential that monarchs from various parts of the world come together and put joint efforts towards providing not only support but ideas from Royal background that would make the world better today, tomorrow and the future. He said the world monarchs have never met to share their experiences and jointly voice up and guide the world on sustainable peace and inclusive development and cooperation between kingdoms. The summit will be co-hosted by President Yoweri Museveni and King Oyo in Fort Portal from September 7 to 11 under the theme; Monarchs for sustainable peace and inclusive development. According to Mutegeki, the high level summit will be attended by 107 reigning monarchs (27 sovereign and 80 Non sovereign) including Kings, Queens, Sultans, Emirs, Emperors, Grand Dukes and Princes together with over 10,000 delegates including Royal families, government, youth, women, religious, cultural and private sector leaders from the 107 Kingdoms/Monarchs. King Oyo is currently visiting his fellow monarchs to share the urgent need, aspirations and outcomes of the first world monarchs summit 2020 as well to deliver the official summit invitation Mutegeki said. King Oyo has so far visited Saudi Arabia and Oman. Related ADC has designed this high density, mixed-use project that aims to serve as a model for what can be done with urban infill development. The 7-story building will have 135 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. This project is unique in the fact that 11 of these units will be rent-restricted for low-income housing. When completed, Anton NoMa will also boast approximately 9,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor and two levels of subterranean on-site parking. The design of this unique, upscale community will incorporate a palette of organic materials inspired by the natural elegance of Walnut Creek. It will be constructed with a strong commitment to sustainable building by pursuing LEED or Green Point certification. Anton NoMa will be loaded with all the conveniences needed to manage a busy lifestyle and come home to unwind in luxury. This community will offer extensive amenities including a community room and kitchen, a fitness center looking into a landscaped courtyard with a pool, spa, barbecue area and firepit. An outdoor rooftop lounge as a retreat where residents can entertain al fresco and take in views of Mount Diablo. This ideally located community also gives residents easy access to employment, shopping, cultural activities and transportation. Anton NoMa's proximity to BART features a short 25 minute commute to the Oakland City Center and 35-minutes to San Francisco. The scheduled opening is Fall 2021. About Architecture Design Collaborative Architecture Design Collaborative (ADC) is a Top 25 Architecture Design Firm. ADC's philosophy of diverse design and collaborative nature has led to national and international recognition. https://adcollaborative.com About Anton DevCo Anton DevCo is a developer, owner, builder and operator of market-rate and affordable apartment communities in California. With more than 25 years of experience in multifamily housing, Anton DevCo has developed 60 communities and more than 9,000 units in the state. Anton DevCo currently owns and manages two-dozen apartment communities. For more information, visit http://antondev.com/ . Contact: Chris Weimholt [email protected] www.adcollaborative.com SOURCE Architecture Design Collaborative Related Links https://adcollaborative.com [January 14, 2020] Saudi Telecom Regulator to Grant New MVNO Licenses In 2020 The Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) released yesterday a Request for Application (RFA) to issue foreign mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) with licenses, enabling them to invest in Saudi Arabia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005413/en/ Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Governor of the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) (Photo - AETOSWire) This decision will play a role in achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030's objective to increase the dynamism of the information technology and communication sector (ICT) through the use of digital technologies, while further developing the Kingdom's knowledge-based economy. Licensing of MVNOs is also a key pillar in the five-year strategy established by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to accelerate the ICT sector's grwth by 50% and elevate its contribution to GDP by $13.3 billion. Until recently, Saudi Telecommunications Company, Etihad Etisalat (News - Alert) Company ("Mobily") and Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia ("Zain") were the only mobile telecommunications operators in Saudi Arabia. The government has since offered MVNOs licenses to Virgin, Etihad Jawraa and Lebara. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Governor of the CITC, noted: "While new licenses will enhance prospects for investment in the sector, it is also a concrete demonstration of Saudi Arabia's commitment to welcoming innovative companies to realize the Kingdom's commercial opportunities. What distinguishes the ICT sector in the Kingdom is the breadth of new opportunities we offer where cutting-edge companies can allow their creativity to flourish in a rapidly expanding market." Currently valued at $28.7 billion in 2019, the ICT sector in Saudi Arabia is forecasted to enjoy exponential growth in the years to come thanks to a young and tech-savvy population, 58% of whom are under the age of 30. Companies awarded with a license will gain access to a market of more than 43.8 million mobile subscribers, with a mobile penetration rate of 129% of the total population. Saudi Arabia also has one of the highest social media penetration rate worldwide. To review the competition document and apply, please visit CITC's website: https://www.citc.gov.sa/en/RulesandSystems/RegulatoryDocuments/Licenses/LicensingRegulatoryFrameworks/Documents/MVNO-RFA-EN.pdf Applications should be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. (Riyadh time) on Monday corresponding to 10/5/2020 AD. *Source (News - Alert): AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005413/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] VALPARAISO Porter County Councilman Jeff Larson, R-at-large, announced his intentions Monday to run for the North District Porter County commissioner seat, which sets up a primary battle with incumbent Republican Jim Biggs. "My goal as a Porter County commissioner will be to listen to public input, ensure public safety, prioritize drug enforcement, streamline government operations, increase access to public services, promote common sense growth and be fiscally diligent with our hard earned tax funds," Larson said. "In my service as a county councilman, I have focused on ensuring improved communication by involvement in many different arenas including listening to our residents, opening lines of communication with county leaders, collaborating with the commissioners, reducing excessive spending by responsibly managing taxpayer funds, and bringing new ideas to old and immediate problems," he said. Larson also cited his role in giving county employees raises, reducing insurance costs, improving 911 services and undertaking building improvements without tax increases by using proceeds from the hospital sale money now invested in a foundation. Dharmesh Bhatia Natural gas traders are awaiting more clarity from the US Weather Models, futures are trading flat and volatility remains low as traders study the latest weather forecasts for any hint of a lingering cold spell. Some speculators are also looking for early signs of a short-squeeze due to the huge short positions held by traders. US natural gas in storage fell at a rate of less than one-third the five-year average as 2019 ended with unseasonably warm weather across much of the country. One the inventory front, EIA reports 44 Bcf pull from gas storage stocks for the week ended January 3, versus estimates of 52-53 Bcf. A 44 Bcf withdrawal would be much less than the 94 Bcf pulled in the corresponding week last year as well as the five-year average draw of 184 Bcf. The oil-to-gas ratio recently reached 30:1, and could increase further as expect average gas prices will fall for a second consecutive year in 2020 to their lowest level in over 10 years. Over the last five years, that ratio has averaged 19:1, but oil prices have risen in the last year while gas has edged lower. Mild weather and a glut of new supply have held back gas, even as US exports of super-cooled LNG have soared. On an energy counterpart basis, oil should trade about six times over gas. Gas production rose about 10% in 2019 to a record 92.05 (bcfd), according to the EIA. It is also expected that the pace of growth may fall as energy firms cut spending, but EIA still expects output will rise about 3% in 2020. A natural gas surplus has pushed global prices so low that US producers may soon have no incentive to export the fuel. Futures show the premiums for European and Asian gas over American prices is vanishing this summer. That may prompt US exporters to forego loading scheduled cargoes of LNG to avoid locking in losses. Forward prices for May at the Japan-Korea marker hub, a key LNG benchmark in Asia, are about $2 per mmBtu above the US Henry Hub rate. In Europe, the arbitrage is still open but under pressure. The premium to Henry Hub is about $1.70 per mmBtu. Reduced LNG exports from the US could actually ease the global oversupply later in 2020. Americas gas exports have surged to a record amid the nations shale boom, stoking a glut already fed by burgeoning supplies from projects in Siberia, Australia and Qatar. LNG projects continue to ramp up in the US just as global demand is being trimmed by mild temperatures in the northern hemisphere winter. If exports from the US slow, there could be a drop in prices, returning the arbitrage to profitable levels. (The author is Associate Vice President, FX and Commodities, Emirates NBD) : The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The idea and practice of universal and compulsory primary education is about 150 years old. In comparison, the idea of universal early childhood education (ECE) is much more recent. Private schools have pre-school classes, but this is not true of government schools, except in some cities. Although the need for ECE for all, and particularly the underprivileged, has been emphasised in policy documents, universal ECE is not practiced the way it should be. Twenty-five years ago, Pratham started its work with ECE in slums of Mumbai. How can anyone start balwadis (pre-school education centres) when there are no trained teachers, no space and no money to support the project? Despite the constraints, we did set up 3,000 balwadis in three years. They depended on the enthusiasm and skills of local young women who received a bit of training and big doses of motivation as the local community called them didi and teacher. The main reason why this project scaled up quickly was because of a strong latent demand. Parents, especially mothers, wanted their children to go to pre-schools just like the children of middle-class families. We also found that they were happy as someone else was looking after the children for a couple of hours. They could use the time to relax or earn. Of course, they wanted the children to learn, but these other reasons were significant too. The demand for pre-school education had another dimension. Although the pre-school centres were for children between three and five years, most of the children who came were four or five. So, we expected the four-year-olds to stay in our pre-school centres for two years. But we found that a large proportion started moving to kindergartens in private schools after one year because parents were eager to give their children English education. If parents can see an alternative they think is better and within reach, they go for it. That was 1995-98 when a majority of children in slums of Mumbai still went to the municipal schools. Today the municipal school enrolment has dropped to nearly 30% of what it used to be. Government policy and practice has not kept pace with peoples aspirations as the economy liberalised. Most young mothers in the next decade will not be very young, as median age of marriage has increased from 18.2 years in 2001 to nearly 21.7 in rural India and 23.4 in urban India by 2016. Further, most of them would have had at least five years of schooling. These changes in the profile of the Indian mother need to be taken into account when thinking of the education inputs to be designed for the Indian child of the next decades. In addition, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of females (15 to 64 years) has dropped significantly over the last 30 years. It was around 32% in the early 1990s and it is estimated to have dropped to about 25% in 2019. The status of participation of women in the labour force is both a reflection of their status in society and the needs of the economy. Higher economic growth will need much greater labour force participation of educated, skilled women both in rural and urban India. This is likely to be correlated with the structures that society creates to look after young children, so that young females can be freed for work. The Integrated Childhood Development Scheme was created first in mid-1970s. Although it has had its successes, there is a need to expand and upgrade it to ensure that children get adequate educational inputs of the kind that are not modelled after the formal school. Second, there is a need to create day care centres that will allow mothers of young children to work when they find opportunities. The cause of universal compulsory primary education got a big boost in the 1990s as Unicef, the world over, started talking about primary education: the best investment a country can make. In India, with a liberalised economy, this tagline was picked up by many, then young, industrialists. Later, many who became billionaires created big foundations for education. The link between social justice and education had been around for more than a century in India, but its connection with economic growth was new. The two together created the force necessary to push for at least the creation of infrastructure for education. It is now important to stress that early childhood education is not only good for the child but it is good for the mother, the family, the society and the economy. It is for these multiple reasons that we need to strengthen and expand early childhood care and education based on what we know about the growth of the child. Madhav Chavan is co-founder, Pratham Education Foundation, which is releasing its Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) on early child education today. The views expressed are personal BEIJING China said Monday it barred the head of the internationally renowned organization Human Rights Watch from entering Hong Kong due to the groups support for the territorys ongoing protest movement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Human Rights Watch had instigated anti-China activists to engage in radical violent crimes, and incite separatist activities hyping Hong Kong independence. Groups such as Human Rights Watch were responsible for the current unrest in Hong Kong, and deserve sanctions and must pay a price, Geng said. Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watchs executive director, had planned to open the organizations annual world report in Hong Kong this week but was barred from entering on Sunday and put on a flight back to the United States. Roth said in video posted to his Twitter account that the reports focus is Chinas efforts to deliberately undermine the international human rights system. China pledged last month to sanction organizations that it said performed badly in relation to anti-government protests that have roiled Hong Kong for more than seven months. The National Endowment for Democracy and Freedom House were among the other groups cited for sanctions. Mass demonstrations underpinned by distrust of Chinas ruling Communist Party began in Hong Kong in June. Protesters rallied initially against a bill that could have sent criminal suspects to face trial on the mainland. Although the legislation was later withdrawn, protesters demands expanded to include calls for universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality. A former British colony, Hong Kong was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee that it could retain its own political, legal, economic and social freedoms under the rubric of one country, two systems. But protesters say their liberties have been steadily eroding under Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has increasingly tightened one-party authoritarian communist rule on the mainland. Roth has visited Hong Kong numerous times and he said this is the first time he has been denied entry. Joanne Cornelius had just finished taking photos of the breathtaking waves and extreme high tide outside her home on the Oregon coast when a frantic woman pounded on her window and asked her to call 911. Children had been washed out to sea by a wave, the woman said. A family visiting the Falcon Cove beach from Portland had been storm-watching on the remote beach on Saturday when a powerful wave caught them by surprise, sweeping the father, his 4-year-old son and his 7-year-old daughter into the surf. A police officer pulled the girl from the waves, but she died at hospital. The boy's body has not been found, and the US Coast Guard has stopped searching for him. The father, Jeremy Stiles, 47, survived and is recovering in hospital from hypothermia. Jeremy Stiles, 47, is seen posing for a photo with his children Lola Stiles, 7, and William Stiles, 4, and a woman believed to the kids' mum. Source: GoFundMe Its a dangerous beach. Its a thing that people have to be aware of in winter at the beach at the Oregon coast, Ms Cornelius said. Theres dangerous waves, and when the signs are up, people have a tendency to walk right by, she said, recalled seeing the family heading toward the beach a few minutes earlier as she returned from photographing the waves. It was tragic, just absolutely tragic. Sneaker waves Family members said in a statement on a fundraising page that the family had been walking on a beach trail when the waves came crashing in. The GoFundMe posting, which has so far raised A$40,000, identified the children as William and Lola. Our hearts as you can imagine could not be more broken as both children were loved beyond measure by our entire family and so many others, the statement said. It's a scenario that plays out all too often on the Oregon coast, a rugged and treacherous shoreline that is made more dangerous each winter by powerful storms and sneaker waves" fast-moving surges of water that materialise within seconds to swallow a seemingly dry beach with knee-deep water. In most areas, the beach is flanked by steep bluffs or rocky outcroppings that make it hard to run away. Story continues On Saturday, a fierce storm blowing ashore was made even more dangerous because of an unusually high tide, called a king tide, that added three metres to the tops of already huge waves, said Rick Hudson, emergency manager for the nearby town of Cannon Beach. Authorities say the father was holding the two children when a wave swept all three into the water in the Falcon Cove area, south of the community of Cannon Beach. Source: Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP King tides occur when the sun and moon line up and their combined gravity makes the tides much higher and much lower than normal. They can cause flooding and inundate normally dry beaches. The waves at high tide on Saturday were 4.5m and swells further out were up to 12m, with winds of about 40 kph, the Coast Guard said. Sea spray and foam covered the entire beach, authorities said. When he walked out on that beach, he may have seen 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 metres) of beach that wasnt occupied by the highest level of surf and he may have thought it was safe, but the sneaker waves come up can catch people off guard, Hudson said of Stiles. If you have a 20-foot (6m) wave and you add the king tide, now you have a 30-foot (9m) wave, he said. Coastal towns rely on winter storm watchers for tourism and even advertise when the king tides will make the ocean more spectacular. Beachside hotels offer storm-watching packages to attract customers during the off season. But authorities also post warnings on social media and on the beaches about the dangers and advise people to watch from a safe distance. People come out here because they want to be weather-watching, but they dont realise how dangerous the weather can be and how fast it can change, Hudson said. You can be in a raincoat, watching the beautiful storm happen, and all of a sudden you have a 30-foot wave, and it swells up and goes all the way up to the maximum part of the beach and you have nowhere to go. In January 2017, a man and his three-year-old son were swept out to sea by a rogue wave in southern Oregon as his wife looked on helplessly. The man's body was found the next month but the toddler's body has never been recovered. A Coast Guard helicopter continues the search for the missing boy near Falcon Cove Beach. Source: Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP She was soaking wet On Saturday, Cornelius watched helplessly from her home. After she called 911, she was patched through to the Coast Guard and directed them to the Falcon Cove area, a rugged and rocky stretch of beach. Then she saw a grim procession: The girl's body brought up the path to an ambulance, followed by her father, in shock and distraught as he was bundled into a car with warming blankets. A woman with the group was in hysterics, with blood on her face, Cornelius said. I tried to get her to go into my house to warm up, but she refused. She was wearing no shoes and she was soaking wet, Cornelius said. Oregon State Police, the agency investigating the drownings, released no further details on Monday. The officer with the Manzanita Police Department who pulled the girl from the water declined interview requests. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. German police carried out raids on suspected Islamist militants across the country early Tuesday over allegations they were plotting an attack, Berlin officials said. German authorities are on high alert for Islamist threats to Europe's most populous country, which has in recent years suffered several attacks. "On suspicion of planning a serious violent act endangering the state, search warrants are being executed in Berlin, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia," the Berlin attorney general's office said via Twitter. The alleged militants of Chechen origin are aged between 23 and 28 and "suspected of having scouted locations for a possible Islamist attack", Berlin police said in a statement. The suspicions were prompted by pictures found on the mobile phone of one of the suspects during a routine police check, it added. German magazine Spiegel said the suspects may have had a synagogue in Berlin in their sights after video material of the building was found. The suspects also allegedly scouted out several shopping centres as possible targets, said the magazine. Some 180 officers took part in the raids, confiscating cash, hard drives and knives. Police would not confirm Der Spiegel's report on possible targets. But they added that "based on the current information, there was not yet any concrete danger of an attack". Germany's deadliest attack was a truck rampage at a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016. The attacker, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, hijacked a truck and murdered its Polish driver before running over another 11 people. He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan four days later while on the run. Since then, German authorities have thwarted nine attacks believed to have radical Islamist motives. Most recently, police in the western city of Offenbach arrested three men in November for allegedly planning a bomb attack in the name of Islamic State. That same month, a Syrian was arrested in Berlin accused of having procured key components for an explosive device and discussing bomb-making tips with other suspected Islamists in an online chat group. Germany's security services estimate there are around 11,000 Islamic radicals in Germany. Of them, some 680 are deemed particularly dangerous and capable of using violence -- a five-fold increase since 2013. Around 150 of these potentially dangerous individuals have been detained for various offences. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I ran's president Hassan Rouhani vowed to punish those behind the accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane as it emerged suspects behind the fatal error have been arrested. Iran first denied having being responsible for the incident, in which 176 people were killed, but later admitted the jet was taken down amid fears it was a missile. The incident came amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, after Donald Trump ordered the killing of military leader Qasem Soleimani. Prior to the jet incident, Iran had conducted retaliatory strikes for Soleimani's death on bases in Iraq occupied by US troops. They were therefore on high alert for a militarised response from US forces. In a televised speech on Tuesday, President Rouhani added that the "tragic event" would be investigated thoroughly. "It was an unforgivable error ... one person cannot be solely responsible for the plane crash," he said. "Iranian armed forces admitting their mistake is a good first step ... We should assure people that it will not happen again," he said, adding that his government was "accountable to Iranian and other nations who lost lives in the plane crash". A judiciary spokesman confirmed some people had been arrested for their role in the crash. Trudeau blames Tehran plane crash deaths on Trump-Iran showdown It comes after Canadian leader Justin Trudeau blamed the showdown between Donald Trump and Irans leaders for the deaths of those on the plane. He said those who died when the aircraft was downed by an Iranian missile could have been right now home with their families if it was not for escalating tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Tehran has been rocked by protests with demonstrators calling Iranian officials "liars" for denying any involvement in the fatal crash. An Iranian missile defence system brought down the passenger plane after it took off from Tehran airport. What would it be like if Hugo Chavez and Bill Ayers ran the city prosecutor's office? San Franciscans are about to find out, now that Ayers's stepson, Chesa Boudin, son of Weather Underground terrorists and translator to none other than Hugo himself, has made his first move as San Francisco district attorney. He's kicked off his term with purges for insufficient revolutionary fervor, taking a page from Andrei Vyshinsky, Stalin's famous show trial prosecutor who enforced ideological purity. According to KQED: Just two days into his tenure as San Francisco's District Attorney, Chesa Boudin fired at least seven prosecuting attorneys. Boudin said the actions were necessary to carry out the progressive policies he campaigned on. "I had to make difficult staffing decisions [Friday] in order to put in place a management team that will help me accomplish the work I committed to do for San Francisco," Boudin said in a statement. It's not unusual for a newly elected district attorney to restructure the management team, said Lara Bazelon, a law professor at the University of San Francisco. The attorneys are at-will employees, which means they can be fired without reason. Difficult staffing decisions? "Necessary" to carry out "progressive" policies? What an impressive bomb of Newspeak we have there. And quite a lie, too, because since when has it ever been difficult for a far leftist to ever go after someone whose ideology wasn't pure enough? That's what Chesa went after, just as Vyshinsky once did, and for the same leftist reasons. Enforcing ideological purity is the left's bread and butter. The only thing "difficult" about his purge for him might be in explaining himself to what's left of law and order in that city, as if that mattered. Why did he do it? Because the purged were prosecutors who prosecuted, crooks, at least, as if that were their jobs. The justification cited by KQED is that one of the seven "should have been fired years ago," which might even be true, given what's turned up in the wake of Kamala Harris's former office. But it doesn't explain the other six. Outliers can be convenient. Bottom line: Chesa has no use for such prosecutors who prosecute, and the only thing he wants prosecuted is "the system," the idea of there being laws against crimes. It goes to show the depth of ideological conformity being demanded now in what's clearly going to be a highly politicized D.A.'s office. Professionalism is the enemy of the people now. What's it like for the ideologically impure? Here's one of them speaking about what it's like to be purged for the good of the collective, now euphemized as "difficult staffing decisions": Boudin ran on an anti-incarceration platform including the creation of a Wrongful Conviction Unit and an Innocence Commission a vision that may have conflicted with the priorities of the fired attorneys. But the attorney who was fired said they were "absolutely willing" to follow Boudin's new policy directives. "For someone who ran on a platform of second chances, I know I never got a first," the attorney said. So he's getting rid of prosecutors whose past crimes included...prosecuting, even though they now say they are onboard with his crazy train. And unlike the felons he coddles, no second chances for them. They're a bunch of Bukharins groveling before Chesa, saying, "Oh, Chesa," "oh, Chesa" the way Stalin's minions pledged their fealty and fake crimes to Stalin. Those protestations don't matter to Chesa any more than they did to Vyshinsky, who shipped the grovelers off to the Gulags. Two things stand out about this: One, how did Chesa and his minions get the information that those particular prosecutors were not onboard with Chesa's plan to let crooks go free? How did they know? Who informed? Was there a spy network? Vyshinsky certainly used them; it sounds as though Chesa is taking that page from the Book of Vyshinsky, too. Message to the prosecutors remaining: You are watched. Two, notice how the fired prosecutors are unwilling to use their names for KQED out of fear of reprisals from Chesa himself, even though as fired people, presumably, he can't touch them. Apparently, he can. And he may well have them on notice that he'll go after them since the only thing he wants to prosecute is "the system." That puts a target on these people's backs. Some of the seven fired attorneys, unfortunate creatures who worked in the gang units and other unpopular places in Chesa-world, are suing for reinstatement, of course. They didn't actually do anything counter to young Chesa's agenda, but as Vyshinsky explained in his purges earlier, that doesn't matter. From Wikipedia: Vyshinsky recommended that investigators and judges consider "the wider social perspective" of each individual case in the context of class struggle. As a result, an actual commission of a crime was not required for conviction: people could have been convicted for being perceived as bourgeois ("class responsibility") or simply if that was considered to be beneficial for the Communist Party, for example in the "educational" role of the judicial system (thus, the importance of show trials, even with completely false[citation needed][dubious discuss] accusations). See, you don't even have to do something wrong to get fired by San Fran Vyshinsky -- just thinking the wrong thing will be sufficient. Which will pretty well put a chill on office cooler conversation for starters, it will also lead to a lot of cover-your-keister and records destruction as minions attempt to stay one step ahead of the ideological enforcers. Stalin's society was all about keeping secrets, too, especially ideological secrets. San Francisco will now be the same. That must be some atmosphere they've got going in the San Francisco DA's office right now. Imagine being too afraid to express your thoughts as is no doubt the situation now with Chesa at the helm, that you refuse to say anything. Now that word is out that prosecuting crooks and targeting gangsters is a firing offense, San Francisco is all set for a great crime wave. Apparently it takes an iron-fisted Stalin or a Chavez to create that much chaos. Image credit: RIA Novosti, CC BY-SA 3.0. A baby born without an anus was 13 hours old before doctors noticed something was wrong with her. The girl, who was born to a 22-year-old first time mother, weighed 5lbs (2.3kg) and appeared to be healthy. But more than a dozen hours after the birth, her mother realised she was both urinating and defecating through the same hole. A closer examination by the doctors revealed that she in fact had no anal opening anal defects occur in around one in 5,000 babies. Doctors at the Armed Forces Medical College in the city of Pune, India (pictured) reported the case of the young girl in a medical journal. They said they would have to carry out surgery to repair the birth defect Doctors at the Armed Forces Medical College in the city of Pune, India about 93miles (150km) south-east of Mumbai revealed the baby's condition. In a medical case report they wrote that the condition 'was initially missed because of cursory examination at birth and the gluteal fold not adequately stretched to look for anorectal malformation'. HOW AND WHY CAN A BABY BE BORN WITHOUT AN ANUS? Being born without an anus is a type of anorectal malformation, as they're known medically. It is a birth defect which may be caused by an underlying condition Down syndrome, spinal defects and Townes-Brocks syndrome, for example, raise the risk or it may have no obvious cause. It happens because the cells which make up the rectal opening, the end of the bowel and the urinary system all start off as a clump while a baby is in the womb. If they don't separate properly into their own specific functions, the baby may be born with a deformity. Anorectal malformations are thought to affect around one in 5,000 babies. Babies born with the defects may have a fistula a channel or opening which connects the bowel to the vagina, meaning they pass stool out of their genitals. Constipation may also be a symptom. The malformations can usually be corrected with surgery. Source: University of Rochester Medical Center Advertisement There had been no signs before the birth that anything might be wrong with the baby, and the mother was in good health. Doctors said they had examined the anus and found it to be 'apparently normal' shortly after the labour. But they had not noticed the deformity, which they later discovered was 'entirely covered by hyper pigmented [darkened] skin'. Scans showed the girl did have a normal rectum but skin had grown over the opening and a channel had developed between the bowel and the vagina. This meant that faeces was travelling through the channel, known as a fistula, and being excreted out of a different hole to the rectum. The doctors did not find any underlying genetic conditions which could be responsible for the deformity the girl had developed. In many cases the cause of deformities like this are not clear it caused by the cells which make up genitals and anus not separating properly while a baby is in the womb. Surgeons can usually repair the condition by creating an anus during an operation and connecting it to the bowel so it functions normally. The medics had not operated at the time they wrote the case report but said they would operate to give her a colostomy bag and then later repair the deformity. The report was published in the Medical Journal Armed Forces India. WEST CHESTER A Honey Brook man with a history of violent crime and a reputed membership in an East Coast street gang lost his bid on Monday to reduce his $1 million bail on an attempted murder charge, in which he hoped to be able to visit with his children on weekends. Common Pleas Court Judge Patrick Carmody refused to lower the bail for Michael Joseph Limoges Jr. after hearing from the prosecution and bail authorities who said his string of crimes extended beyond those he is currently incarcerated for in Chester County Prison. In addition to the attempted murder charges, said Assistant District Attorney John McCaul, Limoges faces unrelated home invasion robbery and stolen gun charges in Honey Brook. He is obviously a danger to the community, said McCaul, arguing against Limoges attempt to get his $1 million bail cut in half. According to Limoges attorney, Phillip Simon of the Ciccarelli Law Offices in West Chester, his client had no intention of getting a bail amount that would allow him to win his release from the prison before his case comes to trial. Rather, he said the size of the bail meant he was being held in the maximum- security wing of the Pocopson facility, which prohibits him from receiving visitors from his family. Simon said that Limoges, who has been incarcerated on other charges at the prison since December 2018, had been unable to meet with his children at the prison. He said Limoges hoped he could do so if his bail was set at $500,000. Simon noted that in addition to being unable, realistically, to post that amount in cash, he is also being held on state prison detainers. In 2012, Limoges then high school age was sentenced to five to 10 years on armed robbery charges stemming from a hold-up outside a Honey Brook bar and restaurant he committed with three acquaintances. Carmody agreed that the nature and number of the charges that Limoges is facing should keep the bail at its current level. This is a very serious case, he said in denying Simons motion. Limoges, who appeared in court with his hair in a bun on top of his head and his face dotted with tattoos, said little before being returned to prison to await trial on the attempted murder and companion cases. McCaul had also suggested over Simons objection that Limoges is a member of the United Blood Nation street gang, an offshoot of the West Coast-based Bloods Gang, and had been in contact with other members of the gang in Pennsylvania and New York while he was in custody. Carmody, however, did not indicate that the connection had any bearing on his decision to maintain the current bail. According to a criminal complaint filed by Trooper John Pisker and Corporal Wesley Foster of the state police at Embreeville, Limoges, also known as Dot, had fired two shots at a Downingtown drug dealer, hitting him in the head and leg, during a botched robbery. According to the complaint, Limoges and two other men met the dealer, identified as 34-year-old Jeremy Yarnall, in the parking lot of the Walmart in West Sadsbury on Dec. 3, 2017. Yarnall had come to meet the three men to sell them about two grams of heroin. While he was seated in a rear passenger seat, Limoges allegedly pulled out a loaded .22 caliber revolver with a wood handle and demanded that Yarnall give him everything. When Yarnall refused and began attempting to get out of the car, Limoges fired the two shots. Yarnall, however, survived and was able to get out of the car as the trio drove away. Limoges, 26, was arrested a year later and charged with weapons offenses after he was allegedly found in possession of a semi-automatic handgun which, because of his prior robbery conviction he is prohibited from having. While in prison, he made numerous attempts to convince his girlfriend, the mother of his children, to help dispose of a gun that was involved in the 2017 shooting. He was charged last month. In addition to the attempted murder and robbery charges, he also faces counts of obstruction of the administration of law and intimidation of witnesses. To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544. WASHINGTON - House Democrats in 2020 plan to pass legislation on top party priorities like health care, infrastructure and climate as well as more under-the-radar subjects like modernizing Congress and redistricting - all while trying to fully fund the government on time for the first time in 24 years, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said. The No. 2 Democrat, who is in charge of the floor schedule, outlined his legislative priorities for the year in an interview with CQ Roll Call. The aforementioned issues were among a long list that Hoyer said Democrats plan to pursue in the second session of the 116th Congress. Others the Maryland Democrat mentioned include education, taxes, the annual defense and intelligence authorizations, and reauthorizations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and National Flood Insurance Program. Many of those issues, like health care and climate, will follow up on legislative efforts Democrats started last year as they took back the House majority. "We got done what we said we were going to get done," Hoyer said. "I think we had a very successful year. Now, one successful year doesn't make a successful Congress. And we mentioned some of the things that we need to get done." One thing Democrats still want to get done on health care is legislation on surprise billing, where patients are charged out-of-network prices for services they thought were in-network. The House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees have competing plans. ADVERTISEMENT In the spending deal Congress passed in December, lawmakers only extended funding for several expiring health care programs through May 22 - pressuring themselves to pass a comprehensive measure addressing surprise billing and prescription drug pricing by Memorial Day. Hoyer said it's "possible" the House could act on surprise billing legislation before May but noted that leadership hasn't set a time frame. Democrats passed HR 3 in December to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, but they may have to follow up, he said. The House will also pursue legislation to strengthen the 2010 health care law, Hoyer said. "We've already passed bills on protecting preexisting conditions, but that was a very high priority for us, and we may do something else," he said. Surprise billing, prescription drug prices and preexisting conditions are the "big" health care issues Democrats will be focused on this year, Hoyer said, but he also mentioned maternal mortality rates and youth vaping. He didn't rule out other topics, including reinsurance and subsidies to make health care more affordable. Infrastructure with offsets Infrastructure was among the top three issues that Democrats campaigned on in 2018. After an effort with President Donald Trump on a $2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan blew up, Democrats want to move ahead without him. "We're gonna have to figure out how to pay for it on our own," Hoyer said. "That'll be tough, but we're going to work on that. And I'm hopeful that we'll do that relatively early in the year, certainly before May." While Hoyer said Democrats would welcome Republicans to that effort, he thinks they're "politically afraid." The politics aren't much easier for Democrats, who will be out on a limb supporting revenue increases to pay for a plan with little chance of enactment. ADVERTISEMENT (EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM) "That's a legitimate concern," Hoyer said. Hoyer hopes Democrats will be willing to take that risk and look for ways to pay for other bills. Democrats several times last year waived their "PAYGO" rule requiring legislation that increases the deficit to be offset by spending cuts or revenue increases. "My recommendation to our caucus is that, yes, we do it less because we need to be concerned about the deficit and the debt," Hoyer said. (END OPTIONAL TRIM) On infrastructure, decisions need to be made beyond paying for new spending that Democrats want to authorize. One is whether to package Transportation and Infrastructure Committee bills on infrastructure like highways, bridges and ports with education and housing infrastructure bills under the jurisdiction of other committees. Hoyer has advocated for not merging the three, but no decisions have been made. The proposals "will be focused on being environmentally sound and moving towards renewable, clean infrastructure construction and use," Hoyer said. A broader climate plan from the Energy and Commerce Committee and other panels is also a priority, Hoyer said. Those committees will consider recommendations that the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis plans to submit in March. ADVERTISEMENT "These will be real proposals that if (they) became law would accelerate and ensure our reaching by 2050 or earlier a carbon, if not carbon-free, a very radically reduced carbon imprint," Hoyer said. (EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM) The House will also act this year on recommendations from the Select Committee on Modernizing Congress, Hoyer said. Washington Rep. Derek Kilmer, who chairs the select committee, said Hoyer has been a "bullish, enthusiastic and an active participant" in discussing reforms. The committee has reported out some recommendations and is considering others. "All of it is in broad service of having the institution function on behalf of the American people," Kilmer said. "Part of my admiration for Steny is that's the mantra he brings to work every day." (END OPTIONAL TRIM) Just like with health care and infrastructure, House Democrats in 2020 want to do more on the third plank of their "For the People" 2018 campaign agenda: cleaner government. Since the Senate has not acted on HR 1, Democrats' government overhaul focused on campaign finance, voting and ethics, the House will break out at least one big piece of that bill and pass it as a stand-alone. "I'm particularly interested in redistricting reform," Hoyer said. "I'm very committed to trying to get legislation through that will require a fair redistricting process in every state." House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren told CQ Roll Call she introduced a stand-alone bill last year and is supportive of advancing such a measure through her committee but hasn't identified a timeline. The California Democrat doesn't know if Republicans would support that but said she hopes so because "it's important for polarization in the country." Unlike in 2019 when Congress spent weeks early in the year in a partial government shutdown, Democrats can get to work on their party priorities right away in 2020. "We are here working on substance, other than trying to keep the government open," Hoyer said. After Democrats won the House majority in 2018, Hoyer made it a goal to pass all of the chamber's fiscal 2020 appropriations bills during a four-week period in June. He held a series of meetings and calls with key players in early 2019, including top House and Senate appropriators, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, to ensure the process went more smoothly than the fiscal 2019 one that led to the shutdown. By the end of June, the House passed 10 of the 12 fiscal 2020 bills, which compromised 96% of funding. Hoyer blamed the Senate for the continuing resolutions that Congress relied on until it struck its broader December deal. This year, Hoyer hopes the government is fully funded before the fiscal 2021 year begins Oct. 1; that hasn't happened since 1996. He again has set aside the month of June to pass appropriations bills through the House and is confident they can at least pass the same 10 measures as last year if not all 12. (EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE) One thing that will make the fiscal 2021 process easier than the fiscal 2020 process is topline spending levels for defense and nondefense spending were agreed to as part of a budget deal passed in July, Hoyer said. The timing of that deal helped delay the Senate from advancing its fiscal 2020 bills, and Hoyer hopes senators will start the process sooner so the chambers can resolve differences and have the president sign them before Sept. 30. "They have to have the will to do it," Hoyer said of the Senate. Hoyer said he's recommended that the Appropriations committees, in deciding fiscal 2021 subcommittee allocations, give each of the 12 panels their proportional share of the $2.5 billion increase for defense and $2.5 billion increase to nondefense accounts from fiscal 2020 levels. "It's not a big enough number really to cause I think a major problem," he said. Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey told CQ Roll Call she agrees with that approach. As for Hoyer's goal to get all fiscal 2021 bills done on time, the retiring New York Democrat said it depends on whether the White House is a willing partner. Hoyer "is the cheerleader," Lowey said. Last year's budget deal should also help the defense authorization bill advance earlier in 2020. Hoyer said he wants to bring it to the floor in May, two months earlier than last year. Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith told CQ Roll Call he's aiming for a late April markup, which he said will focus on making the Pentagon more effective, encouraging competition and "getting the most bang for the buck." The debate the House engaged in last week about "reasserting Article 1 congressional authority over warmaking" is likely to resurface again in the NDAA, the Washington Democrat said. "Steny has done a great job running the floor," Smith said. "And it's helped us get our job done and pass a lot of meaningful legislation." --- (Mary Ellen McIntire and Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.) --- (c)2020 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved Visit CQ Roll Call at www.rollcall.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A shopper for Instacart navigates through the aisles as she shops for a customer. Instacart isn't budging on the default tip rate on its platform amid growing calls for food and grocery delivery companies to increase payouts to contract workers. Nilam Ganenthiran, Instacart's president, said the current 5% rate is appropriate as the default, though customers have the option of giving more. "I truly think it's right for our shoppers, right for our customers and right for the ecosystem," Ganenthiran told CNBC. Instacart counts on contractors to shop for customers' orders and, in many cases, deliver them to their door. Workers, who have lobbied the company to reinstate the 10% default tip that was reduced in 2016, are calling for a national boycott on Sunday, following a three-day strike in November. In an open letter to customers published on Medium, a group called "Instacart workers" is also urging customers to show their support on Twitter with a #DeleteInstacart hashtag on the day of the boycott. The tipping fight gained attention last year after food delivery service DoorDash was criticized for not paying drivers the full amount that customers tipped. The company responded by announcing that it was changing its model so that "every dollar customers tip will be an extra dollar in their Dasher's pocket, and customers will be able to tip at checkout or after the delivery." Still, in November, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine brought charges against DoorDash, accusing the company of pocketing tips meant for workers and misleading customers about where their money was going. Washington: Reporters for Iran's state media routinely toe the government line. In the chaotic aftermath of Iran's admission that it shot down a Ukrainian airliner, that admission appears to have pushed several journalists to resign, shaking Tehran's grip on the national narrative. A man lights a candle at a gathering to commemorate the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Credit:AP On Wednesday, Iranian state television reported the deaths of 80 US soldiers in Iranian strikes against bases in Iraq in response to the US killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. In the following days, the same outlets continued to repeat claims that technical problems had caused the crash of a Ukraine-bound passenger jet shortly after its takeoff from Tehran. None of it was true. No US troops died in the strikes and Tehran shot down the Boeing jet, it admitted Sunday. The dispassionate attitude of the court to the fact that threats may be voiced in the courtroom is depressing, the lawyer of the Armenian second president Robert Kocharyan Hayk Alumyan told reporters. As reported earlier, today's trial did not take place due to the absence of CST former Secretary General Yuri Khachaturovs attorney, Mihra Poghosyan. The lawyer informed the court that he was not participating, since the court was not able to ensure the parties competitiveness and allowed insults and threats to be heard. At the previous trial, the representative of the injured party made a statement - respond with respect on March 1, otherwise you will find yourself ' The second half of the phrase could not be heard. The defense side took this as a threat. We are not afraid of the threat. However, the fact that a threat may sound in the courtroom and the court will be dispassionate about it depresses us, the attorney noted. Judge Anna Danibekyan did not find anything offensive, defiant or threatening in the words of the injured party. Sara Ali Khan admitted about her crush on Kartik Aryan on a chat show where her father Saif Ali Khan was also present. Soon, the two Kartik and Sara were made to meet by Saras Simmba co-star Ranveer Singh. Imtiaz Ali looking at a couple to cast for his unofficial sequel to Love Aaj Kal decided to cast the two together. And they say love happens. Kartik and Sara were then spotted together many times. Sara would pick him up from the airport, Kartik rushed off to Bangkok to surprise her on her birthday, picked her up from dance classes and gyms and the story seemed like a fairytale. Till one day, a Woh came in the way of the lovebirds. Ananya Panday, who played the Woh in Pati Patni Aur Woh, seemed to be the reason for the woe when Sara and Kartik just stopped being spotted together and avoided each other. Call it a planned strategy or an unplanned one but they met again only earlier this week at the office of producer Dinesh Vijans Maddock Films and the paparazzi were also tipped off about the photo opportunity that had eluded them since mid-September. Valentines Day is not far off when the Imtiaz directed and Dinesh produced untitled film will be released. The poster and the trailer launch is not far off and hence a meeting was on the cards to discuss the promotional plan of the film. Sara and Kartik met each other, looked into each others eyes and then posed happily for a picture and went their ways. It will be interesting to see if they continue being good friends, get back into a relationship or well, just wrap the promotions and go their own ways, says an industry source. Films and commercialism always takes precedence over personal choices at times or so we reckon till Sara and Kartik come clean on what happened between them. Sony won't be going to this year's E3 event in Los Angeles. The company's PlayStation arm, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), told several industry outlets that it wouldn't be attending the show, which is put on each year by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Sony said the event didn't line up with the company's strategy for 2020. "After thorough evaluation SIE has decided not to participate in E3 2020. We have great respect for the ESA as an organization, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year," a spokesperson for SIE told The Verge. "We will build upon our global events strategy in 2020 by participating in hundreds of consumer events across the globe. Our focus is on making sure fans feel part of the PlayStation family and have access to play their favorite content. We have a fantastic line up of titles coming to PlayStation 4, and with the upcoming launch of PlayStation 5, we are truly looking forward to a year of celebration with our fans." The ESA, responding to Sony's decision, said it still expected this year's E3 to be "an exciting, high-energy show featuring new experiences, partners, exhibitor spaces, activations, and programming that will entertain new and veteran attendees alike." South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday it was too early to be pessimistic about stalled denuclearisation dialogue between the United States and North Korea, adding that Pyongyang has not yet shut the door to more talks. Moon said U.S. President Donald Trump's recent letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was a good sign that underscores his commitment to negotiations. Moon was speaking at a news conference at the presidential Blue House. "Some were concerned about a new round of provocations just in time for Chairman Kim's birthday," Moon said. "Instead, President Trump sent him birthday wishes to stress his willingness to talk. It was a great idea." On Friday, a South Korean official said Trump had asked the South Koreans to pass on birthday greetings to North Korea. Over the weekend, however, North Korea released a statement saying it had already directly received a letter from Trump and ridiculed South Korea for trying to "meddle" in U.S.-North Korea relations. In that statement, a North Korean foreign ministry official said that although Kim likes Trump personally, he would not make policy based on his personal feelings. "North Korea made clear that the door to dialogue is not closed by saying they will come back to talks only when their demands are accepted," Moon said of that North Korean response. "The U.S.-N.Korea talks are not active right now, but I would say both leaders - President Trump and Chairman Kim - continue to trust one another and continue with their efforts." South Korea has been increasingly sidelined as denuclearisation talks between the United States and North Korea have stalled. In his New Year's speech on Jan. 7, Moon said there was a "desperate need" for ways to improve ties with North Korea. Rising tensions and international sanctions have blocked many of Moon's proposals for inter-Korean projects, and Pyongyang has spent the past year criticising Seoul as being beholden to the United States. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said the United States had reached out to North Korea seeking to resume talks, according to an interview published on Sunday by Axios. Channel 4 has commissioned Chivalry, a 630 comedy drama from Baby Cow Productions. Written by and starring Sarah Solemani and Steve Coogan, Chivalry skewers and satirises the complex state of contemporary sexual politics, while asking if romance can survive in the post #MeToo era. An unlikely couple are put together by a cynical studio exec to salvage a failing movie. Bobby (played by Sarah Solemani), is a woke writer/director and mother of one, with a precarious relationship and a dodgy visa. She has industry heat after her successful, low-budget indie debut and is promised studio funding for her feminist Biblical biopic if she can rescue this sexually controversial thriller first. Cameron (Steve Coogan), is a successful film producer and ladies man, who has just been dumped by yet another twenty-something girlfriend (via WhatsApp). He knows he must detoxify his sexist movie or face ruin, and thus, an unlikely partnership is forged. As Bobby and Cameron work through their gender tensions, a creeping attraction and the nagging feeling that they are just pawns in the studios agenda for a Saudi buyout, reshooting a toxic sex scene becomes the tip of the iceberg. Sarah Solemani said: Chivalry was born through a series of fiery debates with my comedy hero and renowned feminist, Steve Coogan. I am thrilled to be working with him, Christine Langan and Channel 4 commissioner, Caroline Hollick, on bringing this timely story to the screen. Steve Coogan said: I am delighted to be working with the very funny, clever Sarah Solemani in the landscape of what in less enlightened times was called the battle of the sexes. Chivalry is more of a painfully honest, funny fencing match. We will attack, riposte, lunge, parry and counter-parry and perhaps, when the bout is over, take off our masks revealing our true selves. Caroline Hollick, Channel 4 Head of Drama said: Im so pleased to be able to bring the combined creative brilliance of Sarah Solemani and Steve Coogan to Channel 4. In this era of #MeToo and complex gender politics, Chivalry feels the perfect way to explore this pertinent issue with a sense of fun, a razor-sharp wit and with romance at its heart. Christine Langan CEO and Executive Producer, Baby Cow Productions: With irresistible chemistry, Sarah and Steve have delivered a truly refreshing take on contemporary sexual politics with a liberating, modern spin on romance. Baby Cow is thrilled to be working with Channel 4 drama, whose bold appetite for good humoured debate made it the natural home for Chivalry. Chivalry has been commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Drama Caroline Hollick and is a Baby Cow Production. Share this story Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar left Moscow on Tuesday without signing a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending nine months of fighting, leaving the future of a fragile truce uncertain. The commander's abrupt departure in the early hours of Tuesday was a setback for an international diplomatic push in recent days, though Moscow insisted it would continue mediation efforts. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- who first brokered the Libya truce deal with President Vladimir Putin of Russia last week -- warned he would "teach a lesson" to Haftar if his forces resumed fighting. Haftar and his allies were in Moscow on Monday for talks with the UN-recognised government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj that is based in Tripoli. Sarraj's government has been under attack since last April from forces loyal to Haftar, who is based in the east of the oil-rich North African country with his own loyalist politicians. The two sides had agreed to the ceasefire that took effect at the weekend and were in Moscow to sign a long-term agreement. The talks raised hopes of an end to the latest fighting to wrack Libya since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. But after seven hours of negotiations, only Sarraj had signed on to the agreement and Russian officials confirmed to AFP that Haftar's delegation had left without inking the deal. Berlin talks Fighters loyal to the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) on the roof of a building in an area south of the Libyan capital Tripoli. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) "We will pursue our efforts in this direction. For now, a definitive result has not been achieved," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Sri Lanka. Russia, European powers and Libya's neighbours "are working in the same vein and motivating all Libyan sides to agree rather than continue sorting things out by force", Lavrov said. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted a source in Haftar's stronghold Benghazi as saying he did not sign because the agreement did not spell out a timeline for disbanding groups allied with Sarraj's Government of National Accord (GNA). Erdogan reacted angrily, saying in a televised Ankara speech: "We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country's legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya". Erdogan said the issue would now be discussed at talks in Berlin on Sunday to be attended by European, North African and Middle Eastern countries as well as the UN, EU, Africa Union and Arab League. "The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later unfortunately he left Moscow, he fled Moscow," Erdogan said. "Despite this, we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community." Political process Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- following years of turbulence since the 2011 killing of Kadhafi. Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced, according to the United Nations. Both sides in Libya's conflict agreed to a ceasefire Sunday to end nine months of fighting, but eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar on a Moscow visit refused to sign it. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) Putin and Erdogan made a joint call for a ceasefire, which started early Sunday and was welcomed by the United Nations. The leaders of Turkey and France on Monday called for a more permanent truce which would pave the way for a political process, while Germany was preparing its summit on Libya. Putin late on Monday discussed the talks in Moscow with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Kremlin said, following her visit to the Russian capital on Saturday. Turkey and Russia's diplomatic initiative came despite the countries being seen as supporting opposing sides. Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA in January in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. The GNA has signed agreements with Ankara assigning Turkey rights over a vast area of the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean, in a deal denounced by France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus. Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces, which are also supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt -- all regional rivals of Turkey. Several hundred Russian mercenaries are reported to be in Libya supporting Haftar. Putin said any Russians in the country are not in Moscow's pay. [January 14, 2020] Rohit Bhargava, Innovation and Marketing Expert and Bestselling Author, To Headline GS1 Connect 2020 EWING, N.J., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rohit Bhargava, innovation and marketing expert and bestselling author, will be the featured keynote speaker at GS1 Connect 2020, a conference and exhibition hosted by GS1 US, June 15-18 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference theme, "Make Your Mark," reflects the organization's partnership with industry leaders and digital innovators to help them achieve significant breakthroughs that transform the supply chain. During the keynote speech, Bhargava will explore two pressing issues facing GS1 Connect attendees: innovation and building trust. In his presentation, "How to Be More Innovative and Transform Your Business," Bhargava will explore how to break free from constrained thinking to be more innovative every day and will reveal five key habits that business leaders can use to drive growth in 2020 and beyond. He will not only illuminate what it takes to build trust in a skeptical world, but will also give participants an inside look at some key megatrends that are shifting the way business is done and the impact on our collective future. After a successful 15-year career as a brand and marketing strategist at two of the largest agencies in the world (Ogilvy and Leo Burnett), Bhargava is now the bestselling author of five books, including his signature book series, Non Obvious, which is updated annully with 15 new trend predictions. He has consulted at some of the world's largest companies and is also an adjunct professor of storytelling at Georgetown University. His blog has been named one of the top 25 marketing blogs in the world by AdAge magazine, and he was additionally recognized by Trust Across America as a "Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business Behavior." "Rohit's humorous and insightful perspective about how employees and organizations can build trust and innovate is incredibly relevant for GS1 Connect 2020 attendees," said Bob Carpenter, president and CEO of GS1 US. "While business evolves at an unrelenting pace, Rohit will show us the power of breaking away from traditional thinking to truly lead and anticipate future trends." In addition to the keynote presentation, GS1 Connect 2020 will offer comprehensive content featuring: Industry sessions across grocery, foodservice, retail and healthcare sectors, revealing GS1 Standards success stories to achieve supply chain visibility, to meet consumer demands for transparency and convenience with quality data, and how to best address regulatory requirements. An Innovation Track focusing on the impact of disruptive technology, such as blockchain, machine learning, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, virtual reality and augmented reality, and why GS1 Standards are foundational to any technology implementation. A Tech Track and exhibit area revealing the latest products and solutions. The Startup Lab, a showcase of emerging technologies that could have a significant impact on commerce, and an additional Pitch Competition where up-and-coming companies present their capabilities before an expert panel to win cash prizes. GS1 US University, which features standards certificate courses and workshops for those who are new to GS1 Standards or anyone looking to enhance their GS1 Standards knowledge. Co-located industry meetings and solution provider user groups to help attendees maximize their travel investments. Opportunities for attendees to connect directly with trading partners through Trading Partner Roundtables and "How to Do Business With" sessions. To learn more about GS1 Connect 2020, visit https://gs1connect.gs1us.org/. About GS1 US GS1 US, a member of GS1 global, is a not-for-profit information standards organization that facilitates industry collaboration to help improve supply chain visibility and efficiency through the use of GS1 Standards, the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. Nearly 300,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading partner collaboration that optimizes their supply chains, drives cost performance and revenue growth while, also enabling regulatory compliance. They achieve these benefits through solutions based on GS1 global unique numbering and identification systems, barcodes, Electronic Product Code (EPC)-based RFID, data synchronization and electronic information exchange. GS1 US also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC). www.gs1us.org View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rohit-bhargava-innovation-and-marketing-expert-and-bestselling-author-to-headline-gs1-connect-2020-300986403.html SOURCE GS1 US [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy has said there is still time for potential voters to register to cast their ballot in the General Election, amid concern thousands would be denied their chance to go to the polls. Mr Murphy tonight issued a statement urging those unsure if they are registered to vote to check their status ahead of the deadline next week, Wednesday January 22. As per the Electoral Act 1992, the register of electors is updated every year on February 15. With the General Election Read More: However, those caught in between can apply to their local council to be included in a supplement to the register for the General Election. The Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government said the Register of Electors which will apply to the General Election on February 8 is the 2019-2020 register, plus the supplement to that register. It is up to each of us as individuals to ensure we are correctly registered to vote and the best way to do that is to check directly with the relevant local authority, Mr Murphy said. However, the crucial point today is that there is still time to register to vote in this General Election. Voters have been urged to consult checktheregister.ie to see if their details are included on the 2019-2020 electoral register, or with their local City or County Council. Those on the register will be able to vote in the General Election. Those who are not on the register should check with their local City or County Council to see if they are on the supplement to the register. Eoghan Murphy Those not on either the register or the supplement will need to obtain a relevant form - in most cases an RFA3 form - from their local Council or checktheregister.ie. This form will need to be completed and brought to a garda station with photo ID a Garda station where it must be stamped by a member of An Garda Siochana. This must then be sent to the relevant Council by close of business next Wednesday, January 22. Aarti Dayal, the accused in the honey trap case, was on Tuesday brought here from Indore jail for questioning by the Income Tax department. Key accused in the case, Shweta Vijay Jain, was also questioned by the Income Tax department on Monday. The persons accused by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) include several IAS officers, two journalists, and four businessmen. A total of six persons, including five women and a man, were arrested in connection with the case. The matter came to light after an Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) engineer filed a complaint alleging that two women were blackmailing him by threatening to make some objectionable videos viral. The engineer was later suspended from the service by the IMC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AdhereTech, the leading manufacturer of connected devices for increasing adherence and connecting patients to care, announced today that it has appointed Digital Health veteran Chris OBrien as the companys new Chief Executive Officer. Josh Stein, AdhereTechs Cofounder and founding CEO, will continue to serve as both President and as a Member of the companys Board of Directors. Since I cofounded AdhereTech eight years ago, it has been my greatest honor to serve as our CEO, said Stein. Over that time, AdhereTechs incredible team has built a thriving healthcare technology business, with customers including many of the worlds largest pharmaceutical firms, pharmacies, and healthcare companies. Yet Im most fulfilled by the positive impact that AdhereTech has been able to deliver for so many patients with cancer, MS, HIV, and other serious diseases - over the last two years alone weve increased the number of patients by over 650%. The Board and I are wholly confident that Chris is the perfect leader to drive AdhereTechs future growth and expansion, Stein continued. Chris is a seasoned executive who has led and scaled numerous businesses in technology and healthcare. Additionally, his connection to AdhereTech runs deep. I first met Chris back in 2012 when he was a mentor to early-stage healthcare companies in the Blueprint Health accelerator program. Its long been said that adherence is the greatest health problem in America, said Chris OBrien. Sadly, most adherence platforms are either ineffective or fail to scale. I was absolutely blown away by the data that AdhereTech and its partners have published on the effectiveness of our Smart Bottle Programs over many thousands of patients. At Everyday Health, Chris was instrumental in growing our Healthcare Professional business by more than 500% during his time with the company, said Ben Wolin, co-founder of Everyday Health and Chairman of AdhereTech. Chris is the perfect executive to help AdhereTech broaden access to its Smart Bottles while expanding into new product categories. Chris OBrien was most recently General Manager of the Healthcare Professional business at Everyday Health (acquired by Ziff Davis), where he grew the audience to over 800,000 US Physicians. Chris has long been active in the NYC venture community, having helped to start a number of venture-backed businesses, most recently Motionbox, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2010. Chris started his career as a software developer at Bell Labs and Bell Communications Research. About AdhereTech AdhereTech is a healthcare technology company that has developed the only medication adherence platform that is clinically-proven to be effective, via published data from multiple leading specialty pharmacies. AdhereTechs customers include many of the largest pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, as well as many other large healthcare firms. AdhereTechs programs result in patients staying on the medication longer, with increased adherence while they are on therapy, driving 1+ additional fills of medication per patient each year - as published by numerous Fortune-50 healthcare companies and peer-reviewed journals. Patients love using AdhereTech, with programs receiving an average patient satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5. Learn more at http://www.adheretech.com Look at this group, threatening to get legal with you over what, exactly? It seems most likely that knowledge of your very existence threatens to upend their ideas about their father, and hence -- about themselves. Judging only on the facts you present -- your birth father does not seem like the greatest guy in the world. Ironically, if his family would let you in, you might learn otherwise. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Black Hawk helicopters will begin flights over the stretch of border that includes New Mexico as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations adds the militarys premier utility helicopter to the El Paso-area fleet. The Black Hawk can get to a location faster, remain longer, and carry more people, systems, or cargo in all kinds of weather, according to a news release from CBP Air and Marine Operations. The U.S. Army is transferring three Black Hawk helicopters to the El Paso Air Branch to replace older UH-1N Huey helicopters now being retired and sold. The increased capabilities of the Black Hawk will allow us to respond to the further reaches of our area of operation much quicker than we are able to with our UH-1N Hueys, said Mitch King, El Paso Air Branch deputy director of air operations. The Black Hawk will allow us to support federal, state and local partners in the Boot Heel of New Mexico with much more reliability and speed than we are able to now, King said in response to a question from the Journal about how the helicopters will be used in remote areas of New Mexico. CBP uses helicopters for border enforcement, search and rescue operations and natural disaster response. Air and Marine Operations in El Paso has not flown a Black Hawk in the region since 2008. The El Paso Air Branch has the largest area of responsibility in the Southwestern region and encompasses part of West Texas and all of New Mexico and Oklahoma. The speed and range of the Black Hawk are a game changer for the El Paso region in responding to law enforcement or medical emergencies, according to CBP Air and Marine Operations. I think thats wonderful and will be very beneficial for Hidalgo County. Everything is on foot now or horseback, especially because we have a lot of mountainous terrain, said Tisha Green, Hidalgo County manager. The sparsely populated county is home to remote ranchland and 86 miles of border with Mexico. Animas business owner and rancher Trisha Elbrock welcomes the addition of the Black Hawk helicopters. If its going to help and help our Border Patrol and make things safer down here, I have no problem with them, Elbrock said. She recalled seeing one of the distinctive sleek black helicopters about a decade ago on her ranch but did not know why it was on the border. It landed here south of my house. I think it was just a special deal. They dont do it very often, Elbrock said. Hollywood movies have contributed to the high-profile reputation of the Black Hawk helicopter in military operations. Although some New Mexicans in the rugged Boot Heel welcome the extra air support, other border residents are concerned about Black Hawks in the skies over the border. Were allowing the militarization of a civilian enforcement force, which in this case is the Border Patrol. Border Patrol is not a military unit. Its not an army, said Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights. The organization advocates for immigration reform and human rights in the El Paso and southern New Mexico region. Garcia said the Trump administration has portrayed the border as a dangerous no mans land in an effort to get more funding for border enforcement. They have been promoting a narrative that says the border is just a piece of land in the middle of the desert with nothing there but criminals not acknowledging there are millions of people living along the U.S. border, millions of U.S. citizens, and they are going to be impacted by this militarization, Garcia said. The El Paso- Las Cruces-Ciudad Juarez border region alone is home to more than 2.5 million people. The Army uses the Black Hawk for moving troops and for conducting medical evacuations and air assault operations. The helicopters assigned to the border will not be outfitted for fixed military-style gunnery but rather adapted for CBPs use, according to the El Paso Air Branch. Air and Marine Operations pilots are training on the units first Black Hawk, which was delivered in November. The second helicopter is expected to arrive in the spring, and the third is scheduled for next year. Meanwhile, a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss strategy, said the White House wants the dismissal option available to the president and not necessarily tucked into the organizing resolution. The official also noted that a motion to dismiss could come later in the trial, once the senators have had ample time to digest opening arguments and ask questions. Its been a long time coming, but the GV80 is about to arrive LISTEN 02:23 Were finally in the final hours before the Genesis GV80, the brands very first SUV, makes its global debut. Its been a long time coming, including a letdown in December 2019 when everyone expected it to shine so bright, but this time its the real deal, and theres even a live stream ready to go set to go live at 8:30 PM EST. Weve embedded that stream below for you to watch right here on topspeed.com, but to help keep you comfortable during your wait, lets talk a little more about it. Genesis as a brand was launched just a little over four years ago, as a spin-off of the Hyundai brand and quickly became the Korean automakers luxury arm. Similar in a way to what Lincoln is to Ford and Cadillac is to Chevy, Genesis aims to provide the best luxury possible while still not going north of the too-expensive border. The brand effectively competes against brands like Audi, BMW, and even Mercedes to some extent. This far, however, Genesis has only taken a hold on the luxury sedan market with models like the G70, G80, and G90. So, the GV80 represents the brands first step into the SUV segment, but it wont be the last. Once the GV80 launches, a GV70 and a flagship GV90 are both set to come to market within the years that follow. As for the GV80, Genesis has launched a few teaser images that basically showed off the car, and weve seen numerous spy shots. It wont look quite like the GV80 concept as it will be boxier and a little less futuristic, but its set to wow the crowd and anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one. The interior will feature high-end materials comparable to that of the German competition while the powertrain offerings will range from V-6 to V-8 engines with as much as 420 horsepower. AWD will be a given, of course, and a hybrid drivetrain will likely be introduced sometime in the near future probably before the GV70 or flagship GV90 launch. Below the embeded live stream below, weve listed various bits of information for the soon-to-launch GV80, so be sure to check out everything we know so far while you wait! "We are committed to offering our customers superior service and support," said Todd Fierro, President, Spartan Emergency Response. "The partnership with Palm Fire Rescue Group will strengthen our product distribution and service capabilities in the Florida market. We look forward to a successful relationship." Palm Peterbilt Truck Centers will add to its current inventory of more than four million parts to support Spartan Emergency Response. Palm Fire Rescue Group is offering Emergency Vehicle Technician training for current technicians and plans to recruit additional team members who specialize in fire truck repairs. "As a leader in the industry for more than half a century, we pride ourselves on our commercial trucking expertise," said Vic Weiger, founder of Palm Peterbilt Truck Centers. "The partnership with Spartan allows us to better respond to the needs of our customers. We are eager and honored to represent Spartan Motors Emergency Response throughout Florida." For more information on Palm Fire Rescue Group, visit www.palmfirerescue.com. About Spartan Motors Spartan Motors, Inc. is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and retail vehicle industries (including last-mile delivery, specialty service and vocation-specific upfit segments), as well as for the emergency response and recreational vehicle markets. The Company is organized into three core business segments: Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services, Spartan Emergency Response and Spartan Specialty Vehicles. Today, its family of brands also include Spartan Authorized Parts, Spartan Factory Service Centers, Utilimaster, Royal Truck Body, Strobes-R-Us, Smeal, Ladder Tower and UST. Spartan Motors and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, aftermarket product support and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,500 associates, and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, California, Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota; Saltillo, Mexico; and Lima, Peru. Spartan reported sales of $816 million in 2018. Learn more about Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com. SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc. Related Links http://www.spartanmotors.com Michigan officials demanded an extensive set of records Monday from Enbridge Inc. in an investigation of the companys oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes, according to the Associated Press. In a letter to the Canadian company, the state Department of Natural Resources requested documents dating back to 1953, when two 20-inch pipelines were placed across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac. They are part of Line 5, which is located in the straits of Mackinac between Lakes Michigan and Huron. It carries crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. The move is the latest in the controversy over Enbridges Line 5, as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attempt to nullify or renegotiate that December 2018 agreement between Enbridge and former Gov. Rick Snyder, which was finalized days before Snyder left office. The agreement requires Enbridge to construct and pay for a $500 million tunnel under the Straits that would house Line 5 and other utilities. The deal also requires Enbridge to hand ownership of the tunnel over to a state oversight panel after it is completed. According to the DNR, the request sent Monday set a 30-day deadline for Enbridge to submit key information regarding its ongoing violations of the state-granted easement conditionally allowing the Canadian companys 66-year-old Line 5 oil pipelines to occupy the Straits of Mackinac. The documents requested today from Enbridge will provide important information in the departments continuing review of the companys performance, said Ed Golder, spokesman for the natural resources department, in the AP report. Enbridge, based in Calgary, Alberta, said in a statement it had received the information request. We are committed to making a safe pipeline even safer by investing $500 million in the construction of a tunnel under the Straits to house the pipeline thereby further protecting the waters of the Great Lakes and everyone who uses them, said Michael Barnes of Enbridge in a statement. In the letter, natural resources director Daniel Eichinger asked Enbridge to provide all company letters, emails, reports and other materials involving any spills or leaks from Line 5, according to the AP. He also requested documents involving gaps that have appeared beneath the pipelines and damage to the pipes outer coating, as well as curves that might have formed in the piping and strikes by ship anchors or other objects. For Love of Water, an environmental group, supported the letter. At the conclusion of this process, these serious and continuing violations of the easement by Enbridge should trigger the state to shut down the dangerous dual Line 5 oil pipelines in the Great Lakes before its too late," said Kelly Thayer, deputy director of FLOW, in a news release. However, the National Wildlife Federation was critical of the timing of the request. While it is commendable for Gov. Whitmer to ask for key information about the poor state of Enbridge Energys Mackinac Straits oil pipeline, it is shocking that the governor waited over 6 months after ordering the easement review to ask for this basic information," said Mike Shriberg, Great Lakes regional executive director of the NWF and a past member of the Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board. "Given the governors campaign pledge to decommission the Mackinac Straits oil pipeline and her failed negotiations with Enbridge, this review is proceeding at a pace that is not responsive to the threat that Line 5 poises to the Great Lakes. As full-time working senior royals, Harry and Meghan have been entitled to round-the-clock protection from a specialist unit within the London Metropolitan police. But family members who are not as actively involved in royal duties are not entitled to such protection. If Harry and Meghan are stepping back, will they still receive the same level of protection? And if they are living in Canada, who should foot the bill? The southern state calls the new law, which triggered nationwide protests, a violation of Indias secular constitution. Indias southern Kerala state on Tuesday became the first state to legally challenge a new citizenship law that has triggered nationwide demonstrations. The Kerala government, in its petition to the Supreme Court, called the law a violation of the secular nature of the Indian constitution and accused the government of dividing the nation on religious lines. The citizenship law backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party provides a path to naturalisation for people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, unless they are Muslim. It has led to nationwide protests and clashes with police, leading to 23 deaths. Kerala will always remain in the forefront of this fight to protect the Indian constitution and the fundamental rights of its citizens, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The suit that the Kerala government has filed in the Supreme Court today against the unconstitutional CAA is in line with this fight to save citizens rights through constitutional methods, he told Al Jazeera. We are one of the first states to decide that we would not implement this law that violates the core of the constitution. We have also approached other chief ministers, respectful of the constitution, to take similar steps to defend it. The rallies have slowly morphed into much wider anti-government protests. Sunny Kappikkad, a prominent Dalit activist, said major protests against the CAA have come from the state governments the first being from the West Bengal state, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Kerala government has joined the mass protests by passing a resolution in the state legislature and now challenging the law in Supreme Court, Kappikkad told Al Jazeera. These are major moments in the anti-CAA protest. This adds relevance when we understand the fact that mass protests doesnt really influence the BJP government at the centre, as they have scant respect for the voice of the common man. Critics say the law will be used in conjunction with a citizenship list that could require all Indians to produce documents proving their origins, a challenge in a country where many people lack official records, including birth certificates. Political challenges for Modi over the passage of the new law are mounting with a number of Indian states saying they will not implement it. Chief Minister Banerjee, a staunch Modi critic, has led several mass rallies in West Bengal against the law. Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states, which are governed by the opposition Congress party, have also announced they will not impose the new law. The law has also been rejected in the western state of Maharashtra, where Congress is part of a coalition government. Modis government insists that the law is needed to help persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who came to India before 2015 by giving them Indian citizenship. But critics have questioned why Tamil and Rohingya refugees from Sri Lanka and Myanmar respectively have been kept outside the purview of the new law. Leena Reghunath contributed to this report from Kochi Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 04:08:24|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (L) speaks during a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan, on Jan. 13, 2020. Visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Monday called for tension de-escalation in the Middle East. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Monday called for tension de-escalation in the Middle East. In a press conference in the capital Amman after talks with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, Maas said Germany has been maintaining coordination with Jordan which is a key player and hub for stability in the region. He called for efforts to support stability and security in the Middle East, adding Germany will continue to support Jordan as it has received a large number of Syrian refugees. Maas also said Iran should not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries, especially Iraq, suggesting no withdrawal of international troops from Iraq to prevent the country from being a fertile land for terrorism. Germany has started the Berlin Operation to reach a truce in Libya, the German official added. For his part, Safadi highlighted the need for dialogue and de-escalation in the region, saying any escalation in the region will have serious consequences on the region and Europe. Underlining the need for continued war on terror, Safadi said this war is not over as the Islamic State still represents a threat. The Jordanian minister also voiced appreciation for Germany's support to the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue and warned against the serious consequences of the lack of peace in the region. Photo taken on Jan 11, 2019 shows an automatic container dock in Tangshan, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua] China's foreign trade volume in 2019 stood at 31.54 trillion yuan, growing 3.4 percent year-on-year, data released by the General Administration of Customs show. The country's exports rose by 5 percent to 17.23 trillion yuan and imports grew by 1.6 percent to 14.31 trillion yuan last year, while its trade surplus increased by 25.4 percent to 2.92 trillion yuan. In the meantime, the European Union, ASEAN, the United States and Japan remained China's top four trading partners. Elizabeth Warren doubled down on her feud with Bernie Sanders and confirmed he told her a woman couldn't win against President Donald Trump. Warren released a statement Monday night confirming a report the Vermont senator made the remark to her in December 2018, when the two had a private meeting to discuss the upcoming presidential race. 'Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry,' she said in a statement released by her campaign. She called the two of them friends in the fight for the progressive agenda. 'We have been friends and allies in this fight for a long time and I have no doubt we will continue to work together to defeat Donald Trump and put our government on the side of the people,' the Massachusetts senator said. Her statement follows a report of a meeting the two senators held at Warren's Washington D.C. apartment in December 2018 to discuss their presidential runs. They agreed to remain civil to one another on the campaign trail. Elizabeth Warren statement on meeting with Bernie Sanders Bernie and I met for more than two hours in December 2018 to discuss the 2020 election, our past work together and our shared goals: beating Donald Trump, taking back our government from the wealthy and well-connected, and building an economy that works for everyone. Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed. I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry. Im in this race to talk about whats broken in this country and how to fix it and thats what Im going to continue to do. I. know Bernie is in the race for the same reason. We have been friends and allies in this fight for a long time and I have no doubt we will continue to work together to defeat Donald Trump and put our government on the side of the people. Advertisement Warren then told him she thought should could win based on her economic policy and her appeal to female voters, to which Sanders responded a woman couldn't win the presidential election, CNN reported. The network cited four sources familiar with the meeting in its report. Sanders, however, denied he made such a remark. 'It is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn't win,' Sanders told CNN in a statement. 'It's sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren't in the room are lying about what happened. What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could. Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016.' The two progressive candidates - who describe themselves as friends - have turned to attack one another as the battle for the Iowa caucus fight heats up ahead of Tuesday's crucial debate. The bickering has opened a new window into their political rivalry, which they have carefully managed to keep in the shadows through public displays of unity, such as having their arms around each other at Democratic debates. But there are also fears among Democratic strategist that a woman cannot beat President Donald Trump, pointing to Hillary Clinton's failure to do so in 2016. Elizabeth Warren confirmed a report Bernie Sanders told her a woman can't win the presidential election Bernie Sanders has gone into attack mode after an influential poll showed him in lead in Iowa The bickering between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren has opened a new window into their political rivalry, which they have carefully managed to keep in the shadows through public displays of unity such as their hug at the July presidential debate Sanders' campaign has gotten more aggressive in recent day and has let loose on Warren, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg - his leading competition for the state - after an important poll showed him leading the battle for the Iowa caucuses. It's a new aggressive stance for the Vermont senator and the fierce criticism could preview a fiery debate for voters on Tuesday as the first contest for the Democratic presidential nomination approaches on February 3. But it's Sanders' dust up with Warren, with whom he is friends and shares a progressive agenda, that is garnering the most attention. His campaign has a script for volunteers that describes the Massachusetts senator as a candidate of the elite who can bring no new voters to the Democratic Party. 'People who support her are highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what,' the script, obtained by Politico, says and adds: 'She's bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party.' Warren said she was disappointed in Sanders' actions. The two have been long time supporters of one another and share a similar agenda, including Medicaid For All and free college tuition. 'Bernie knows me, and he's known me for a long time,' Warren told reporters this weekend while she campaigned in Iowa 'I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me,' she said. 'I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction.' She warned Democrats don't want a repeat of 2016 when Sanders' supporters and senator himself didn't embrace nominee Hillary Clinton after a bitter party primary. 'We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016, and we can't have a repeat of that,' Warren said. 'Democrats need to unite our party and that means pulling in all parts of the Democratic coalition.' Democratic presidential contenders have flooded Iowa this month ahead of Tuesday night's debate and the February 3 caucuses. Only six contenders will be on the debate stage - Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer. As the caucuses approach, the in-fighting could get worse. Sanders, who garnered the top spot in the influential Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll on Friday for the first time, shrugged off the report of friction with Warren, calling it a 'media blow up' and saying he and Warren are 'friends. Sanders also attacked Joe Biden, saying Biden 'doesn't really have any volunteers' and that 'no one is really excited about him.' Sanders has also attacked Pete Buttigieg, saying he doesn't have support among African Americans 'I got to tell you, I think this is a little bit of a media blowup, that kind of wants conflict,' the Vermont senator told reporters in Iowa. 'Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine,' he noted. 'We have worked together in the Senate for years. Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together, we will debate the issues.' 'No one is going to trash Elizabeth Warren,' Sanders added. 'We have hundreds of employees. Elizabeth Warren has hundreds of employees. And people sometimes say things that they shouldn't. You have heard me give many speeches. Have I ever said one negative word about Elizabeth Warren?' The script - to be used by volunteers in Iowa calling voters or knocking on doors - also attacks Sanders' fellow front runners Biden and Buttigieg. It notes Buttigieg lacks support among African Americans and young people while it says Biden 'doesn't really have any volunteers' and that 'no one is really excited about him.' Sanders also attacked Biden during a Democratic forum in Iowa Sunday, reminding voters he opposed the 2002 authorization for military force in Iraq, which Biden voted for. 'In 2002, I helped lead the effort against the war in Iraq, which turned out to be the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of America,' Sanders said. 'The war in Iraq was based on a series of lies.' The Sanders campaign also attacked Biden on his vote for the Iraq War, issuing a statement calling it the 'worst foreign policy blunder in modern American history.' Amy Klobuchar will be among the six contenders on the debate stage in Des Moines Tuesday night Attendees listen as Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign event on Sunday 'It is appalling that after 18 years Joe Biden still refuses to admit he was dead wrong on the Iraq War, the worst foreign policy blunder in modern American history,' Sanders senior advisor Jeff Weaver said in a statement Sunday. 'Bernie Sanders saw the same information and had the judgment to vote against the Iraq War. That's the kind of commander in chief we need someone with the toughness and judgment to get those calls right, not someone who undermined Democratic opposition, enthusiastically supported a disastrous war, refuses to admit mistakes, and then tries to rewrite history.' It's a notably aggressive stance from Sanders, who usually focuses on policy positions and not attack lines in his debate performances and campaign stops. The senator said he is simply running a presidential campaign. 'We are going to be talking about the record,' he said. 'People are talking about my record. I was just asked a question about my record. That's kind of what a campaign is about. We will contrast records nothing wrong with that.' Even President Donald Trump has noticed Sanders' rise in the polls. 'Wow! Crazy Bernie Sanders is surging in the polls, looking very good against his opponents in the Do Nothing Party. So what does this all mean? Stay tuned!,' he tweeted on Sunday. The winner of the Iowa caucuses has gone on to be the Democratic nominee in nine of the 11 cycles since 1976. The Democratic field in Iowa is in flux as Friday's poll showed. Buttigieg, who had been leading, dropped to third place behind Sanders' lead and Warren's second spot. Biden came in fourth. But Sanders' three point lead in the poll is narrow and within the margin of error - an indication the race for the state is wide open. Additionally the senator has lead fundraising among the contenders, giving him the funds to stay in the contest for the long hall, leading to concerns among Democratic strategists that a bruised and exhausted nominee will emerge to take on President Trump in November. [January 14, 2020] Seeq Corporation Expands Series B Funding with $24 Million to Fuel Advanced Analytics Growth Strategy SEATTLE, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seeq Corporation , a leader in manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) advanced analytics software, announced today that is has secured a $24 million expansion of its Series B funding. This expansion round is led by Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the corporate venture subsidiary of the worlds leading integrated energy and chemicals company, Saudi Aramco. It includes renewed participation by Altira Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, Second Avenue Partners, and other existing investors. Seeq enables engineers and scientists in process manufacturing organizations to rapidly analyze, predict, collaborate, and share insights to improve production outcomes. Customers include companies in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, mining, food and beverage, and other process industries. The funding will accelerate Seeqs expansion of development, sales, and marketing resources, and will also increase its presence in international markets. Seeq is providing an important improvement in software for customers in process industries to accelerate insights, action, and impact on their production and business outcomes, comments James Sledzik, Venture Executive at SAEV. We are pleased to be leading the effort enabling Seeqs continued growth. Upon final closing, Seeq expects the Series B expansion to reach approximately $30 million, which is in addition to Series B funding led by Altira Group. With the backing of SAEV and our existing investors, Seeq is positioned to continue its rapid growth by addressing market demand for advanced analytics innovation, says Steve Sliwa, CEO and co-founder of Seeq Corporation. Through our direct sales personnel and more than 50 channel partners, our customer base has expanded to more than 40 countries with deployments as large at 5,000 users within one company. This announcement follows a momentous 2019 for Seeq. Last month, the company announced it had achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Industrial Software Competency status and that its advanced analytics solution was available in the AWS Marketplace . These achievements will enable Seeq customers to rapidly investigate and share insights from process manufacturing data stored either on premise or in the AWS cloud. Azure Marketplace . Cloud-based Seeq deployments enable engineers at companies like Royal Dutch Shell PLC to access faster insights and reporting on real-time data. Other companies using Seeq include pharmaceutical industry leaders such as Merck and Roche, as well as chemical industry leaders like Lonza and Covestro. In addition to cloud support, Seeq partners with an extensive set of process automation vendors for on premise deployments by connecting to and working with systems sold by OSIsoft, Siemens, GE, Honeywell, Emerson Automation Solutions, Inductive Automation, AVEVA, AspenTech, Schneider Electric, and others. Highlighting the companys momentum, in August 2019 Seeq ranked #369 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, and in November 2019 ranked #43 on the Entrepreneur 360 list . Seeqs new release, R22, introduces features enabling support for the integration of structured data from SQL Server, MySQL, and CSV files; easier distribution of Seeq Workbench analyses to coworkers; and an expansion of Seeq machine learning integration and features. To learn more about Seeq Workbench and connectivity options, along with other Seeq products and features, visit seeq.com . About Seeq Corporation Founded in 2013, Seeq publishes software applications for manufacturing organizations to rapidly find and share data insights. Oil & gas, pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, utility, renewable energy and numerous other vertical industries rely on Seeq to improve production outcomes, including yield, margins, quality, and safety. Headquartered in Seattle, Seeq is a privately held virtual company with employees across the United States and sales representation in Asia, Canada, Europe, and South America. About Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures LLC (SAEV) is the corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the worlds leading fully integrated energy and petrochemical enterprise. Headquartered in Dhahran with offices in North America, Europe and Asia, SAEVs mission is to invest globally in start-up and high growth companies with technologies of strategic importance to its parent. About Altira Group Altira Group LLC is a Denver, Colorado-based venture capital firm that works closely with entrepreneurs to scale emerging oil and gas and industrial technology and software companies. Founded in 1996, Altira has invested over $1B with partners in over 60 companies. Its Fund VI partners include a select group of U.S. super-independent oil and gas companies that help accelerate the growth of Altira's portfolio companies by serving as large, fast-adopting customers. The Altira team has over half a century of combined experience building successful technology companies. www.altiragroup.com About Chevron Technology Ventures Formed in 1999, Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), operating as a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., pursues new business solutions and externally-developed technologies that have the potential to enhance the way Chevron produces and delivers affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy. CTV fosters innovation, supporting vibrant startup ecosystems and championing technology integration internally. Through its investment portfolio and internal use pipeline that trials technologies for use within Chevron, CTV has supported a wide range of pioneering companies that are helping to shape the future of energy. About Second Avenue Partners Second Avenue Partners (www.secondave.com) is a Seattle-based provider of management, strategy, and capital for early stage companies. Formed in 2000, the firm seeks strong entrepreneurial teams; innovative concepts with market-disruptive opportunities; and models that take advantage of cutting-edge technologies. Second Avenue Partners was an early investor in companies such as Insitu, Wiserg, and MarketLeader. Contact: Michael Risse Seeq [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d7f3194-0b6a-44f7-b468-f7a659aa5da7 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - MarijuanaStox announces publication of an article that discusses The Yield Growth Corporation (CSE: BOSS) (OTCQB: BOSQF). The company has been aggressively addressing demand for health, wellness, and beauty products infused with premium-cannabis and hemp-based products internationally with subsidiary, Urban Juve in addition to psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin Mushrooms Offering Major Breakthrough for Mental Health Psilocybin Mushrooms are offering sizable breakthroughs for a myriad of mental health issues. In fact, we're already seeing a groundswell of interest, as mushrooms become a promising candidate for anxiety and depression because it, "Appears to disrupt the sorts of engrained brain activity patterns that are the hallmark of those diseases," says Business Insider. Other studies are looking at psilocybin mushroom's effect on anxiety, PTSD, and alcoholism. Researchers at New York University found psilocybin mushrooms caused a "rapid and sustained" reduction in anxiety and depression in patients with cancer, as reported by the Financial Post, for example. Psychiatrists at Johns Hopkins University even found that mushrooms can help with smoking cessation, and another study found it can assist with alcohol dependence. Better, researchers from the University of California David found that micro-dosing with psychedelic drugs for a prolonged period of time showed promise. "Our study demonstrates that psychedelics can produce beneficial behavioral effects without drastically altering perception, which is a critical step towards producing viable medicines inspired by these compounds," said David Olson of UC Davis, as quoted by Esquire. Another study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single mushroom-based treatment can help improve the lives of cancer patients' quality of life for nearly five years. This study builds on a 2016 study that provided treatments to 29 people suffering with life-threatening cancer, and were also diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Story continues Of the 16 surviving participants from that study, 15 participated in a follow-up study, which found "reductions in anxiety, depression, hopelessness, demoralization, and death anxiety were sustained" for nearly five years, as reported by IFL Science. But this is just the start of a bigger story. As researchers see further benefits of psilocybin mushrooms for the treatment of mental health issues, it's already creating sizable investment opportunities. Yield Growth Corporation is a Major Beneficiary of Mushroom Boom To date, Yield Growth has made substantial headway with the mushroom story. In late 2019, for example, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Flourish Mushroom Labs Inc. completed the acquisition of a catalogue of mushroom formulas as the foundation of a mushroom edibles business. The formulas and know-how acquired relate to formulations that may be used to create ready to eat packaged food products or packaged food products that may be mixed with mushroom varietals of the consumer's choice. The formulations include soups, teas, hot cocoa, elixirs and truffles. Flourish has engaged the developers to create additional products to add to the base catalogue and commercialize the formulas, going to market first with mushroom based soups and coffees. The subsidiary also completed initial development of a mushroom coffee formula, and will launch a new line of mushroom-infused coffee mixes, infused with various wild mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shitake, Chagas and Cordyceps. "Our research indicates that edible mushrooms are in a period of high growth," says Yield Growth CEO Penny White. "Yield Growth intends to add to its cannabis wellness assets through acquisitions in companies. Edible Mushrooms may experience hyper-growth as the movement to decriminalize psilocybin (magic mushrooms) grows, similar to how the popularity of hemp has grown with the legalization of cannabis." Other than infused-coffee, the subsidiary entered into an agreement to license 126 formulas based on ancient Ayurvedic medicine to its wholly owned subsidiary Flourish Mushroom Labs for use in products infused with functional or magic mushrooms for a 50 year term. Licensed formulas include skin care formulas such as face masks, body oils, creams, face oils, exfoliants, food and beverages formulas such as teas, ayurvedic herbal blend formulas, and other wellness formulas for the purpose of developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling products worldwide, excluding Canada. The formulas may be used in foods, beverages, personal care, skin care, cosmetic and other wellness products that are infused with functional mushrooms or psilocin or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or any combination thereof. As the story begin to pick up momentum, companies like Yield Growth will be major beneficiaries. For more information, visit the company's website at https://yieldgrowth.com. About MarijuanaStox MarijuanaStox.com is a leading web destination for all cannabis related companies. Investors can also find current marijuana-related quality financial, medical, legal and social news. MarijuanaStox.com is a media agency in North America dedicated to the cannabis industry, helping companies that operate in the space to attract quality investors, working capital and real publicity. Since 2005, we have had public companies in the US and Canada have rely on us to grow and succeed. Legal Disclaimer Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this article contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Winning Media which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Winning Media, which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com, is only compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation. Pursuant to an agreement between Winning Media (partners of MarijuanaStox.com) and The Yield Growth Corp, Winning Media has been paid four thousand dollars for advertising and marketing services for The Yield Growth Corp. We own ZERO shares of The Yield Growth Corp. Please click here for full disclaimer. Contact Information: 2818047972 ty@marijuanastox.com SOURCE: MarijuanaStox.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51439 She's the daughter of one of the most famous supermodels in the world, and has been thrust into the spotlight herself thanks to her own burgeoning modeling career and, most recently, a new relationship. But Kaia Gerber, daughter to Cindy Crawford, looked like she hadn't a care in the world on Monday, when she was snapped at work on a photoshoot in Miami, Florida, where she was dressed in a fabulously retro striped midi dress posing next to a classic Pontiac. Gerber, 18, had her dark brown hair styled into a sleek bob, and minimal makeup on her smiling, youthful face. Modeling's in her genes: Kaia Gerber, daughter to Cindy Crawford, looked like she hadn't a care in the world on Monday, when she was snapped at work on a photo shoot in Miami, Florida Her garment was a mix of '60s and '70s style inspirations, with a large collar as well as large capped sleeves. The dress featured a black stripe down the front with large buttons, while the rest of the pattern was a mix of peach, maroon, black and white stripes. She wore a pink and white floral corsage, and gold bangles and a watch on one wrist. At one point, Gerber slung a gorgeous peach and cream Louis Vuitton purse over her shoulder, and she wore mod-style heeled white loafers adorned with gold buckles on her feet. Chic, mod and sexy: Gerber was dressed in a fabulously retro striped midi dress posing next to a classic Pontiac Kaia has been in the headlines even more than usual of late, thanks to her budding relationship with Saturday Night Live funnyman Pete Davidson, who is eight years her senior. However on Monday it was revealed that the couple, who began dating late last year, are slowing things down while Pete works on himself. As told to E! News, Davidson is 'taking a break to work on his mental health,' which means he is also taking a break from his romantic life with the younger Gerber. Having fun: Kaia, 18, had her dark brown hair styled into a sleek bob, and minimal makeup on her smiling, youthful face The comedian, who last month not-so-subtly mentioned that he was planning to head back to rehab while appearing on SNL, has previously sought treatment once, back in 2016. 'It became very clear that he had to go and do this and couldn't wait any longer,' a source told E!. Days earlier, Kaia's mom Cindy and dad Rande Gerber were spotted having a rather intense interaction downstairs from Kaia's New York City apartment, evidently in reference to their daughter's boyfriend Pete. Retro vibe: Her garment was a mix of '60s and '70s style inspirations, with large capped sleeves and a mix of peach, maroon, black and white stripes Later that evening, Pete himself was seen leaving the same spot. Since that time, Kaia has not been seen by Pete's side, and Cindy and Rande have returned to Los Angeles with their daughter. Now, a second source has reported that Pete checked himself into 'a program,' and as with most treatment programs, it means he has had to limit (or stop altogether) contact with others, including Kaia. The same insider went on to specify that Kaia in fact 'doesn't know if she wants to continue in their relationship,' due to the fact that she 'wasn't comfortable with what she saw and doesn't know if she can handle it.' Style to spare: At one point, Gerber slung a gorgeous peach and cream Louis Vuitton purse over her shoulder Side-eye style: She also wore a pink and white floral corsage, and gold bangles and a watch on one wrist 'What she saw happen with Pete was very concerning and scary for her,' the close source continued. 'She cares about Pete and wants him to get better, but their future is very much up in the air.' Yet another source told E! News that Pete 'understands' how Kaia feels and 'knows he needs to focus on his mental health,' making sure to also say that there's 'no bad blood between the two.' While it remains unconfirmed whether Kaia's parents had a direct hand in their daughter's boyfriend's decision to seek help, his participation in the program has meant that Kaia and Pete are currently taking some needed time apart. Grown up gal: Kaia has been in the headlines even more than usual of late, thanks to her budding relationship with Saturday Night Live funnyman Pete Davidson, 26 Center of it all: On Monday it was revealed that the couple, who began dating late last year, are slowing things down while Pete works on himself Davidson is 'taking a break to work on his mental health,' which means he is also taking a break from his romantic life with the younger Gerber: Seen here in an Alexander Wang campaign CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the Registered Logistics Technician Apprenticeship through the NJMEP Pro-Action Education Network. "The new Registered Apprenticeship Program complements our existing suite of apprenticeships in Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician (IMPT), Technical Sales Representative, IMPT Food, and IMPT CNC," said Patricia Moran, Director of Apprenticeships, NJMEP. "Throughout industry, there is a shortage of apprentices and so we are continuing to make significant investment in growing skilled technicians who can be the future of our businesses." "The Logistics Technician Apprenticeship Program addresses the core technical competencies of higher skilled, front line material handling and distribution workers in all supply chain facilities," said John W. Kennedy, Ph.D, CEO, NJMEP. "As the skills gap in New Jersey widens, NJMEP recognizes the important role of apprenticeships, which offer on-the-job training with classroom and online instruction, play in building a pipeline of future skilled talent," continues Kennedy. "Our new registered apprenticeship program is designed to develop not only the skills they need to perform as technicians, but support in learning life and business skills to enable them to progress their careers." For those apprentices in the Logistics Technician Apprenticeship Program, they will earn while learning. The breakdown of the 1-year program for the participants: 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training and classroom training hours Based on the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Logistics Technician Certification Focuses on the foundational supply chain education with emphasis on Lean Standards and Six Sigma (Green Belt) Program content consist of: Supply Chain Logistics, Material Handling, Equipment Operations, Quality Control, Order Processing, Inventory Control, Safety Measurement and more No educational costs for the student "NJMEP apprenticeship programs are comprehensive and combine skills-based training with the academic knowledge to back it up" said Torsten Schimanski, Learning & Development expert for NJMEP. "The program follows the proven German Dual-Education apprenticeship path with the necessary adaptation to employers and employees in the United States." NJMEP offers apprenticeship programs to all manufacturing and logistics companies in New Jersey in form of consortium classes. Every employer can participate despite company size and location, NJMEP offers a solution. "We also encourage people interested in becoming an apprentice to contact us" adds Schimanski. NJMEP is a core hub for employers in the manufacturing industry. The NJMEP Registered Apprenticeship program provides employees with a comprehensive overview and introduction to Logistics and the necessary skills required to contribute more to their employers. Certified Logistics Technician certificates are accredited under ANSIISO 17024 making it the only national certification body globally with this designation for logistics. The Pro-Action Education Network includes US-DOL approved apprenticeship programs (Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician (IMPT), Technical Sales Representative, IMPT Food, IMPT CNC, and Logistics Technician), Train-the-Mentor, on the job training, and career advancement training; as well as the Food Training programs that have received national support from National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST-MEP). The National NIST-MEP Network alone provides a 14.4:1 Return on Investment nationally and 15.3:1 in New Jersey. NJMEP's apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs approved by the U.S DOL provide employer-driven training to create a more productive, highly skilled workforce for employers and help reduce employee turnover. The programs provide job seekers with increased skills, and a nationally recognized credential to support future career advancement and increased wages. About NJMEP: NJMEP is a private, notfor-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey's manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance. For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $4.16 billion in value. Our services are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development. NJMEP also has a signature philanthropic program, Manufacturing Cares, which is designed to provide a platform for manufacturers to give back to the community by pooling efforts to increase our impact. SOURCE New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program The government may impose anti-dumping duty on a Chinese medicine used to treat different kind of bacterial infections with a view to guard domestic players from cheap imports. The commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated a probe into an alleged dumping of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride from China following a complaint filed by Aarti Drugs Ltd. Aarti Drugs Ltd has filed an application before the directorate for investigation into the imports from the neighbouring country, with which India has a huge trade deficit of over USD 50 billion, for imposing anti-dumping duty. DGTR in a notification said that on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the domestic industry about dumping of the product originating in or exported from China, "the authority, hereby, initiates an investigation". In the probe, DGTR will determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping. If it will be established that the dumping has impacted the domestic industry, the directorate would recommend imposition of the duty. The finance ministry will take the final decision to impose the duty. Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride is used to treat different types of bacterial infections, including skin infections, bone and joint infections, respiratory or sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and certain types of diarrhea. The period of investigation is April 2018 to June 2019 (15 months). It would also look at the data of 2015-18. Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of the World Trade Organization. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trade practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers with regard to foreign producers and exporters. [January 13, 2020] KLM looks ahead to 2020 tech and travel trends and adds Cork, Ireland to European network KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, at the end of 2019 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines looked to the future of travel and what to expect in 2020 as travellers are changing the way they search, book and travel and how technology and passengers influence travel in 2020. KLM has been seeing an increase of 10% more users on Google Assistant while Gen Z and millennials tend to choose to travel to a 'Destination Instagram'. Estee Ng, Country Manager for Malaysia said, "Instagram is a great platform to look for travel inspiration and the KLM network obviously offers some amazing instagrammable destinations. Our hub Amsterdam is by far a favourite, but also our new destination Cork, Ireland is stunning and has so much to offer. The much loved 'Deck of Cards' houses in Cobh, in Cork Harbour are definitely an Instagram winner!' KLM flights will start daily flights between Amsterdam and Ireland's second largest city Cork from March, 2020. The flights will be operated by using Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 equipment, seating 88 - 100 passengers per flight. KLM just landed their KLM Dream Deals with deals to Europe, including Cork and the Americas. Return economy class light fare tickets, include hand baggage only, from Kuala Lumpur to European destinations start at MYR 1,890 (all-in) . Flights can be booked until 4 February, 2020 for travel from 17 January until 30 November, 2020. To view all destinations and book a flight visit www.klm.my or call KLM Reservation at + 60-3-77124-555. KLM offers convenient daily flights between Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and a daily flight between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Schedule: KUALA LUMPUR - AMSTERDAM WINTER (until 28 March, 2020) SUMMER (29 March 24 October, 2020) Flight number From To Departure Arrival Departure Arrival KL810 KUL AMS 23:50 05:55+1 23:20 06:00+1 KL809 AMS KUL 20:50 15:50+1 20:50 14:50+1 SOURCE KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil soared 85 percent in 2019, compared with the previous year, official data showed Tuesday. The 9,166 square kilometers (3,539 square miles) cleared was the highest number in at least five years, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. In 2018, the deforested area was 4,946 square kilometers. The sharp increase overlapped the first year in office of President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate change skeptic who has eased restrictions on exploiting the Amazon's vast riches. The data was collected by the satellite-based DETER system, which monitors deforestation in real time. It comes after fires ravaged swaths of the Amazon basin last year, igniting a global outcry and diplomatic feud between Bolsonaro and European leaders. The number of fires in the rainforest rose 30 percent to 89,178 in 2019, compared with the previous year, the latest official data show. Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called on Bolsonaro to reverse his environmental policy, which the campaign group says has accelerated land clearing and encouraged attacks on forest defenders. In recent months, three indigenous people have been killed in two separate incidents in the northeastern state of Maranhao. One of them died after being ambushed by loggers. The others were killed in a drive-by shooting. View of the landscape from the BR163 highway, near Santarem, Para state, Brazil, in the Amazon rainforest in 2019 Expert: Iran, Chinas Game to Distract Trump From the Indo-Pacific After the United States killed Iranian military leader Soleimani, the response from China, another key player in the Middle East, has been quite muted. The Chinese regime called for dialogue, not escalation. But an expert says that Chinas footprint in the Middle East is not as innocent as its sentiment. China expert and former Defense Department staff Joseph Bosco said that China wants to use Iran to distract President Trump from focusing on his Indo-Pacific strategies and tackling the threat from the Chinese regime. He said that Chinas support might be a big factor in Irans recent provocations. The more crisis the United States has to deal with elsewhere in the world, the better it is for Chinas strategic interest as they see them, the former China Country Director of the Office of the Secretary of Defense told NTD. The Chinese regime has close trade and diplomatic ties with Iran. It has also been found undermining United States sanctions on Iran. Days before Soleimanis killing, China, Russia, and Iran hosted a joint military exercise. Its the first time Iran has joined a military exercise of this scale since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. On Dec. 31, 2019, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Beijing to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for the fourth time within a year. This September, the United States imposed sanctions on several Chinese entities and individuals for transferring oil from Iran. In 2018, the United States charged the CFO of Chinas tech giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, for allegedly trading with Iran. Irans defense imports come mainly from Russia and China. Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) meets with Chinas special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun in Tehran. Behind them hang portraits of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) and the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Oct. 22, 2019. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images) They (the Chinese regime) want to present the image of being a responsible stakeholder, [an] international player that tones down conflicts rather than stirring them up, Bosco said, But behind the scenes, they really are stirring up trouble in a lot of places. They want to have political influence there, said State Secretary Mike Pompeo of Chinas footprint in the Middle East. We brook no ill towards them if theyre trying to have economic engagement. We want the Chinese economy to be successful, Pompeo said during his speech on Monday at Stanford University, But Ive been pretty clear about the risks that come when theres not a straight-up transparent deal with the Chinese. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during an event hosted by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif. on Jan. 13, 2020. (John G. Mabanglo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The Middle East may learn from its predecessors in terms of accepting Chinese money. Pompeo said countries in Southeast Asia and Africa now recognize that some of their transactions with the Chinese regime have proven to be debt traps, which put these countries in the political thrall of the Chinese communist party. They didnt anticipate it. They dont want it. And now they are coming to the United States to help figure out a path back, he said. Pompeo said the Middle Eastern countries are in a different dynamic since these are wealthy countries that arent in need of Chinese money. But the United States is making sure that they are aware of the risks. After 9/11, the United States shifted its focus from keeping Beijing in check to cracking down on terrorism in the Middle East. Some experts have argued that China has become the de-facto beneficiary of the tragedy. Since 2001, the Chinese Communist regime has seen extensive growth and expansion. From NTD News TAGAYTAY, Philippines - A volcano near the Philippine capital spewed lava into the sky and trembled constantly Tuesday, possibly portending a bigger and more dangerous eruption, as tens of thousands of people fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. Government work was suspended and schools were closed in a number of towns and cities, including Manila, because of health risks from the ash. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. The restiveness of the Taal volcano and several new fissures in the ground nearby likely mean magma is rising and may lead to further eruptive activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The volcano was spurting fountains of red-hot lava 800 metres (half a mile) into the sky, and the massive column of ash and volcanic debris at times lit up with streaks of lightning. The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days. Level 5, the highest, means such an eruption is underway. More than 350 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded near Taal since Sunday, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. The Philippine institute said about 50 volcanic earthquakes were detected over eight hours Tuesday, indicating rising magma. It also warned that heavy and prolonged ash fall was possible in nearby villages. The speed in the rise of magma is important (in determining) when the volcano will have a strong eruption and if it will slow down and freeze, said Renato Solidum, who heads the institute. As of now, we dont see activities slowing down and the earthquakes still continue. More than 38,000 people have been relocated so far to over 200 evacuation centres, Dujarric said. He said U.N. teams are visiting centres and supporting authorities, who have asked for help getting face masks. The picturesque volcano in the middle of a lake in Batangas province south of Manila rumbled to life Sunday in a powerful explosion that blasted a 15-kilometre (9-mile) column of ash, steam and rock into the sky. Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 65 kilometres (40 miles) to the north, closed the countrys main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ash fall eased. More than 500 international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed due to the overnight airport closure, affecting about 80,000 passengers, airport manager Ed Monreal told The Associated Press. Hopefully the wind direction does not change. As long as the ash fall does not reach us, then we can be back to normalcy, Monreal said. The disaster-response agency counted more than 40,000 evacuees in Batangas and nearby Cavite provinces who took shelter in nearly 200 evacuation centres. Officials expected the number to swell. Solidum warned residents from returning to high-risk villages based on perceptions that the eruption was easing. He warned of pyroclastic flows, super-heated material from the volcano that can travel at great speed and incinerate anything in their path. Solidum said it would take time for Taals restiveness to ease and the lives of affected villagers to return to normal but added its difficult to predict the volcanos behaviour with certainty. We have to make sure that people understand and, of course, government, that this is not an activity that will just be a short while, Solidum told a news conference. President Rodrigo Duterte visited hard-hit Batangas, which has been declared a calamity zone for faster disbursement of emergency funds. Accompanied by top disaster-response officials and Cabinet members, he promised the national government would help with the cleanup and reconstruction of the devastated province once the eruption ends. The government disaster-response agency has not provided details of damage but journalists saw dozens of houses ruined by heavy ash and frequent quakes in two Batangas areas. At least six people have been taken to a hospital in Tagaytay city in Cavite due to respiratory ailments caused by the ash, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. The eruption has not directly caused deaths or major damage. The death of a driver in a crash on an ash-covered road was linked to slippery conditions. The small island where the 1,020-foot (311-meter) volcano lies has long been designated a permanent danger zone, though fishing villages have long existed there. Those villages were all evacuated, though volcanology officials have called for a total evacuation of endangered communities within a 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) radius of Taal. Taals last disastrous eruption, in 1965, killed hundreds of people. It is the second-most restive of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where much of the worlds seismic activity occurs. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people. ___ Gomez reported from Manila. Associated Press journalists Celine Rosario and Kiko Rosario in Manila, Aaron Favila in Tagaytay and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. Matty Maher, the patriarch of only the third family to steward the venerable dive bar McSorleys Old Ale House since it opened in the East Village of Manhattan in the mid-19th century, died on Saturday in Queens. He was 80. The cause was lung cancer, his daughter Teresa de la Haba said. Mr. Maher, who could trace his career at McSorleys to a bit of end-of-the-rainbow serendipity in Ireland, began by tending bar at the saloon in 1964 as an Irish immigrant. He graduated to manager as the beer hall, surrounded by neighborhood blight near the Bowery, tottered at the brink of bankruptcy; survived the loss of a gender discrimination case in 1970 that forced McSorleys to delete the last two words of its durable slogan vowing Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies; and endured a Health Department ordinance that, while it banned smoking, had the unintended consequence, Mr. Maher said, of encouraging customers to drink more. The bar was immortalized early in the 20th century by the paintings of John Sloan of the Ashcan School (one, displayed at the 1913 Armory Show, was said to have been priced at $500 and failed to sell) and by Joseph Mitchells 1940 profile in The New Yorker titled The Old House at Home, the bars name when it was opened by John McSorley about 1854. US Treasury Drops Currency Manipulator Designation for China Sputnik News 00:55 14.01.2020(updated 04:41 14.01.2020) The decision comes as both countries move towards improving trade relations and sealing the Phase One trade agreement on Wednesday. To that end, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the head of the country's negotiating team in US-China trade talks, is slated to stay in Washington from Monday to Wednesday. The US Department of the Treasury announced Monday that, as part of its semi-annual currency report, it will no longer designate China as a currency manipulator. "The Treasury Department has helped secure a significant Phase One agreement with China that will lead to greater economic growth and opportunity for American workers and businesses," US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in the Monday release from his department. "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability." This announcement followed the US Treasury's delivery of its semiannual "Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States," which reviewed the currency practices of 20 top US trading partners. Mnuchin previously labeled China a "currency manipulator" in August 2019 after Beijing and the People's Bank of China allegedly violated "China's G20 commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation" and allowed the yuan to drop to a unprecedented level of seven yuan-per-dollar threshold. The designation, which had not been placed on China since 1994, was the first step in the Treasury's move to have the International Monetary Fund (IMF) "eliminate the unfair competitive advantage created by China's latest actions." However, the IMF did not appear to agree with the US' assessment and declared in its annual review of China's economic policies that the yuan and Beijing were "broadly in line" with the fundamentals and not significantly over- or undervalued. While no nation is now currently labeled a "currency manipulator" by the US Treasury, the department has placed a total of 10 trading partners on its "Monitoring List": China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam. During an interview Monday evening with the Fox Business TV network, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said his office is "about finished" translating the Phase One trade agreement with China, which includes commitments on currency manipulation. Beijing and Washington are expected to ink the deal on Wednesday. The agreement will reverse the trend of nearly two years of tariff wars between the two economic superpowers. "We're going to make it public on Wednesday before the signing," Lighthizer said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Fate of Fort Denison There are many people who consider that Fort Denison, being one of the oldest landmarks in the history of Australian settlement, should be retained, although its inartistic, not to say unsightly, appearance is recognised. However, "Sydney Boy" suggests it should be demolished, and an up-to-date depot be established there, that a picturesque feature should be made of the unique spot and that its original native name Mattawanwio should be revived. Flag exchanges The proposal to exchange Union Jacks and photographs between schools in New South Wales and Great Britain, bearing the same names, is making satisfactory progress. Mr. E. S. Smithurst, the hon. secretary of the sub-committee of the British Empire League, which is promoting the scheme, points out that it is a picturesque one, and though no doubt depending largely for its success on sentiment, has yet its practical side, reported the Herald. Drummoyne Horticultural Society COLCHESTER This small Connecticut town is grieving in the wake of news that it has a possible connection to the deaths of four people found in a Florida house Monday. Former residents Tony Todt and his wife, Megan, have not been in contact with family for more than a week, according to several news reports. Four bodies were found inside a central Florida home and sheriffs officials said they have one person in custody. WESH 2 News in Orlando reported that through Osceola County court records it determined the home where the bodies were found was leased by Tony and Megan Todt, originally from Colchester. The names of the victims and the person in custody have not been released. Investigators havent said how they were killed or what charges the person in custody would face. The couple has three children, reports said. Todt was a physical therapist in Colchester. Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Burt said Tuesday the district has no record of children of the missing Todt family attending Colchester public schools. There is a general sense of sadness and shock, Burt said. People have been affected by this. Burt said, especially because the town of Colchester is small, we take precautions in a case like this, he said. The district sent crisis teams to each of its schools Tuesday morning; the teams consist of guidance counselors and other professionals equipped to support students, he said. The central office also alerted staff to the situation and advised them to refer students who might need support to counselors. The superintendent met with First Selectman Mary Bylone Tuesday morning to make sure community leaders were on the same page with regard to address the situation. We do want to get together to help everyone in this situation, he said. Bylone said, The community is distraught. Bylone spoke of some of the reactions around town, while emphasizing that we dont really know what has happened as authorities have not officially identified the bodies or a man who appears in a photo with police outside the home. When they hear accusations, people are stunned, Bylone said of speculation about what occurred. She has been surprised by the amount of correspondence shes received from residents, some of whom were angry that anyone would make accusations, some of whom were angry at the possibility that may have happened, she said. They [the Todts] were connected to a lot of people in the community, Bylone said. As a physical therapist, Anthony Todt treated a lot of local residents, including student athletes at Bacon Academy, according to Bylone. Bylone recalled that one woman said she wouldnt be walking if it werent for Todt. Colchester is Kind, a local group that aims to foster a stronger sense of community in our town using kindness to build connection, according to its Facebook page, even named Anthony Todt a hero of the day last month, according to Bylone. The group confirmed this Tuesday. Bylone reflected on the inquiries and the social media frenzy that has followed the Todts disappearance and the news out of Florida. People want to know. They want to figure it out and put the pieces together so that they can have closure. But while Bylone recognizes that urge, she believes its better to spend time on healing than speculation, especially when it comes to town government. The town will not be sharing information on the case going forward, but instead will focus on how to support the community, Bylone said, noting on a meeting she had that morning with the superintendent of schools and Val Geato, director of Colchester Youth & Social Services, where the group discussed how best to provide that support. Staff have already made calls to local resources residents could use for support, and they will be putting out more information online, according to Bylone. If community members feel a vigil would be helpful, the town would support it, the first selectman said. I just feel like our energies should be on healing and hope, she said, adding that she doesnt think anyone will truly understand the tragedy, even after all the facts come in. A missing persons report was not filed in Connecticut in connection with the case, State Police spokesman Trooper Josue Dorelus said Tuesday. A sign on the door of Family Physical Therapys Park Avenue, location, where Anthony Todt practiced, indicates the business was closed for the holidays and would reopen after Jan. 1. But the first of Januarys come and gone, and he [Anthony Todt] hasnt been here, said Dr. Priya Tandon, who runs a medical practice in the same building. Last week, Tandon said, she heard something odd from Todts employees: that they hadnt been paid and had no idea where he was. It wasnt the first unusual occurrence to happen recently. Sometime in November or December, FBI agents came to Family Physical Therapy, according to Tandon. When she asked the landlord about it, he told her Todt was allegedly being investigated , she said. Hearst Connecticut Media does not have confirmation of the investigation. Tandons understanding is that Todts family has been living in Florida full-time and, as hes managed his practice in Colchester, hes traveled on weekends and holidays to visit them, she said. She does not know of any relatives of the Todts who live in Colchester, she said. [Todt] struck me as a good person, Tandon said. He was a good man. I would refer patients to him all the time and he did a good job. Tony Todts Linkedin profile says he earned his masters degree at Sacred Heart University and that he also operated a physical therapy business in East Hampton. Town records show that Anthony and Megan Todt owned a home on Waterhole Road from 2006 until June 2017, when they sold the property, said Town Clerk Gayle Furman. Anthony Todt filed a trade name for his physical therapy business in 2008 for a location on Wall Street, and then refiled it in 2012, when the practice moved to its Park Avenue location, Furman said. No trade name was filed for the location on Middletown Road, according to Furman. After checking town records, the town clerk described the atmosphere of sadness in Colchester that day. She even noticed the mood among people leaving the polls of the towns special election for state representative, she said. Malaysia is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against "wrong things" even if it costs his country financially. India, the world's biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the world's second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia. The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathir's criticism of ... (TNS) The Cambridge, Mass., City Council voted to Monday night to ban the municipal use of facial recognition technology, becoming the fourth community in the state to do so, the ACLU of Massachusetts announced. Northampton and Somerville have already passed similar bans, and the Springfield City Council took its first steps Monday night to restrict the use of the software as well. bill before the State House would also establish a statewide moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology and other forms of biometric surveillance, including the analysis of a persons gait or voice, until the legislature regulates the software.Cambridge joins a small but growing number of cities who are stepping up to protect residents from intrusive and undemocratic technology, Cambridge City Councilor Marc McGovern, former mayor of the city, said in a tweet.Proponents of legislation banning the use of facial recognition technology at the state or municipal level argue privacy laws have not caught up with the software, as regulation at the state and federal level of biometric surveillance is nonexistent.They also say the software is inaccurate and biased when it comes to factors of age, gender and race. In the proposed statewide moratorium, legislators wrote that many of the databases that use facial recognition technology are plagued by racial disparities and other biases.Face recognition technology has a history of being far less accurate in identifying the faces of women, young people, and dark skinned people, the bill states. Such inaccuracies lead to harmful 'false positive identifications.The ACLU of Massachusetts launched a campaign in June called Press Pause on Face Surveillance that aims to make the public more aware of the alleged dangers of face surveillance and the need for a statewide moratorium on its use, according to the organizations statement. poll conducted by the Beacon Research and released by the ACLU in June showed nearly eight in 10 Massachusetts residents support a moratorium on government use of the technology, the statement said.Privacy laws have not kept pace with advancements of digital technology," said Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts. But Massachusetts cities and towns are stepping up to ensure that face surveillance technology doesnt get out ahead of our basic rights. January 14, 2020 (Springdale, Arkansas) Who Is Like Our God, a new single from The Reid Phifer Project , is set to go for adds to Christian AC and Worship-formatted radio outlets today. This song is our declaration that there is no one like our God, says Reid Phifer, songwriter of the single and the bands namesake. Phifer, who leads The Reid Phifer Project, is a worship pastor and songwriter. Originally from Arkansas, he now is based in the Chicago area. Desiring to make a difference for the Kingdom of God with his music, Phifer donates 100 percent of music royalties to ministries that are making a difference in the world in Jesus name. Who Is Like Our God, produced by Ryan McConnaughay, is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and other digital retailers and streaming services. The Reid Phifer Project has played at numerous venues, including opening for Crowder during the summer of 2019 in front of more than 10,000 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The band is scheduled to hit the festival circuit this summer, including opening for Bethel Music at Amplify in Arkansas. For more information about The Reid Phifer Project, check out the bands website and follow the band on Facebook and Instagram. ### With help from the community, Crime Stoppers has upped the reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the November slaying 55-year-old of Jacqueline Vigil. It is now offering $7,500. Vigil, the mother of two New Mexico State Police officers, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery or attempted carjacking while sitting in her car in the driveway of her West Side home on Nov. 19. Tips from the public led to detectives recovering a jeep about a week later that they suspect was involved in the homicide. In December, Crime Stoppers announced a $6,000 reward $5,000 of which was from Vigils family and $1,000 from Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers now says Fair Plaza Associates is contributing $500 and Commercial First Realty is contributing $1,000, for a total of $7,500. Today, Toyota announced a wide-ranging new initiative called Kinto, which will see the company expand into ride sharing, carpooling, subscription-based leasing and more. Kinto isnt a single program, but a package of four separate programs meant to expand the companys presence in the European market and find new ways to make car travel accessible to people who might not be able to afford the full cost of a new vehicle. The new announcement is part of the company's adapt to a car industry that's shifting away from a model based on ownership and toward one focused on usage and accessibility. Toyota has announced four new programs for the European market, which it has collectively branded as 'Kinto,' which will include a new short term rental app, a car pool service, and two streamlined leasing options The first major part of the program will be Kinto Share, a car-sharing service similar to Zipcar or Car2Go, which will let subscribers book cars by the hour or by the day using a smartphone app. Share is an expanded version of Yuko, a limited program Toyota has been operating in Dublin, Copenhagen, and a small selection of other European cities as a pilot. Through Yuko, customers were able to pick up cars from self-service locations for 8 per hour, or 55 per day with included perks like comprehensive insurance, 50km worth of free gasoline, and complimentary street parking passes. Toyota hasn't detailed the pricing plans for Kinto Share, but it's likely to be in the same range. Another part of the Kinto family of programs is Kinto Join, which will let users connect through a smartphone app to find potential carpool partners traveling to general areas or specific destinations. Toyota will compete with Zipcar and other short term car rental services with Kinto Share, which will let subscribers take out a hybrid Toyota vehicle for an hourly or daily charge Toyota says this feature will also support group programs for employees at large companies who might want to coordinate daily commutes. The third part of the Kinto initiative is Kinto Flex, which will let customers lease cars through an ongoing subscription plan rather than signing a limited term agree for one specific car. The last program is Kinto One, a comprehensive leasing program that will bundle full car payments, insurance, and maintenance costs into a single monthly payment to help streamline the leasing process. Kinto is part of our strategy to grow our total European business, Toyota Motor Europe CEO Johan van Zyl, President said in a statement announcing the new services. Kinto Share is based on an earlier test program called Yuko (pictured above), which Toyota operated in a small selection of European cities including Dublin and Copenhagen In markets where it can be viable and sustainable, adding mobility services to our traditional business model will allow us to respond to new customer needs and meet the emerging mobility requirements of cities and regions. WHAT IS TOYOTA KINTO? Toyota Kinto is a package of four separate services that will be available in Europe in 2020. The four programs are: Kinto Share is a ride sharing program that will let users rent a Toyota hybrid vehicle using an hourly or daily rate. is a ride sharing program that will let users rent a Toyota hybrid vehicle using an hourly or daily rate. Kinto Join will let users and even employers organize carpools among themselves. will let users and even employers organize carpools among themselves. Kinto Flex is a leasing plan built around an open-ended subscription instead of a limiter-term contract for a single vehicle. is a leasing plan built around an open-ended subscription instead of a limiter-term contract for a single vehicle. Kinto One is a streamlined leasing program for a single vehicle that will include insurance and maintenance fees into one monthly payment. Advertisement The Kinto program originated in Japan last year, where the company launched the subscription-based leasing program in a general and premium tier offering. The program also supported a gamification system that awarded drivers points for safe driving that could be put toward reducing future payments. The brand name Kinto is derived from the Japanese word Kintoun, or Flying Nimbus, the name of a cloud which provides on-demand transport for a famous animated character in Japan, the company explains in a statement. Just like Kintoun, Kinto wants to be available every time a customer looks for easy and clever ways to move around, wherever and whenever. The company says the four newly announced Kinto services will be limited to Europe, with specific pricing options and other details to be revealed at a later date. In the US, Toyota uses the Kinto brand for a program that allows users to temporarily rent cars by the day or by the house, specifically to work for delivery or taxi services like Lyft. That US program is not connected to this newly announced European initiative. Toyota also says it's investigating making its own ride-hailing app similar to Uber and Lyft, though there's no promise it will ever be released. PoK officials have said that many villagers were still stranded in the avalanches in the Neelum Valley area following heavy snowfall and rains that also triggered landslides. Many people were reported missing and feared dead as rescue efforts got underway, they added. (Photol: PTI) SRINAGAR: At least ten people including three Army jawans were killed and several other persons were injured or went missing after a series of avalanches hit Kashmir during the past 24 hours, officials here said on Tuesday. A report from Muzaffarabad said that as many as 57 people were killed following heavy snowfall and avalanches in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir over the last 24 hours as the local authorities struggle to clear and reopen highways and evacuate people to safer places. PoK officials have said that many villagers were still stranded in the avalanches in the Neelum Valley area following heavy snowfall and rains that also triggered landslides. Many people were reported missing and feared dead as rescue efforts got underway, they added. The plains and upper reaches of Kashmir Valley and also PoK received heavy snowfall on Sunday and Monday, paralysing life in many parts of the Himalayan region. Officials said that three Army men were killed and another went missing after their post in Machil sector along the LoC in Kashmir Valleys Kupwara district was swept by an avalanche on Tuesday. They added that five soldiers were trapped under heaps of snow. The Army launched rescue operations and traced four of the soldiers three of them already dead and the fourth one injured. One soldier was still missing as reports last came in. In a similar incident, five civilians, including a man and his two sons, were killed after they were hit by an avalanche in Risen Kolan village of Gagangir area of the Valleys central district of Ganderbal late Monday night, they said. The sources said the search operation by locals and police continued throughout the night. Russia, if youre listening ... So began then-candidate Donald Trump back in July 2016 when he invited Russian hackers to find damaging information on Hillary Clinton, his opponent in the upcoming presidential election. And he got what he wanted, in spades, and rode the wave of Kremlin-backed discontent all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. It's apparently going to be deja vu all over again this time around, except without Trump's public plea for Russian assistance. Because the Kremlin knows what he wants -- dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden, who continues to lead the Democratic field in national public opinion polls, and his son Hunter, who served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. This is exactly what Trump was seeking when he asked the newly elected president of Ukraine to "do us a favor" in a July 2019 phone call. Now comes news that Russian hackers have been digging around inside Burismas computer servers. Which means that if theres dirt on the Bidens, its going to come out. And if there isnt, expect Kremlin spies two manufacture some. Either way, Russia is going to try to help to keep their man Trump in the White House for four more years. Of that there can be little doubt. Every American, no matter his or her political leanings, should be outraged by this. But in our hyper-partisan era, there'll be many, many who call themselves Republicans, or conservatives, who'll turn a blind eye on this most unAmerican activity. A small handful, thankfully, still stand up for what's right, for keeping our nation's elections free from foreign interference. But those brave souls aren't in positions of power. One might reasonably wonder why so many remain silent. Are they afraid only of enraging Trump, or might there be reasons that are even more nefarious? Suppose, to consider just one possibility, that Russian hackers have already unearthed dirt on, say, Sen. Marco Rubio, the Florida Republican who was a onetime Trump critic but now defends all the president's outrageous behavior. Might that explain his switch from critic to sycophant? If the Kremlin helps to decide who is our president, and works to turn his critics into supporters, America, both as an ideal and as a nation, is finished. A San Diego woman is suing American Airlines, alleging that an employee got her phone number from her luggage tag and stalked and sexually harassed her by sending over 100 text messages. Ashley Barno says she was boarding a flight to Chicago from the San Diego International Airport and got a text asking how she was, according to messages obtained by McClatchy News. The person, who is referred to in the lawsuit as John Doe, said, Btw I must tell you that you are gorgeous! I think you didnt remember me, I work for the airline!! Barno learned that the man, who said his name was Ahmad, was on the same flight as her, according to The Washington Post. He admitted that he got her phone number from her bag tag and asked if she wanted to sit next to him. Texts from an American Airlines employee to Ashley Barno. When she said no and asked him to leave her alone, he replied, Friendship with me will be very beneficial for you!! I can always give you good seats, access to the lounges and free flights too!! You can think about it! he wrote, adding in later messages, Just looking for one chance to prove my self!! I will be very respectful to you always. Barno told a flight attendant about the messages and the attendant reassured her, saying they would stay seated away from each other on the plane, according to The Washington Post. When the plane landed in Chicago, Barno said security guards escorted the man from the plane and the flight attendant told her that it wasnt the first time hes done something like this, Joseph Samo, her attorney, said. The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines knew of its employees propensity to inappropriately contact its customers yet continued to retain him as an employee. The employee involved in the complaint is no longer employed at American Airlines, airline spokesman Joshua Freed told The Washington Post. American Airlines takes the privacy and safety of our customers seriously. We investigated the allegations and took appropriate action. Barno is suing for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention, sexual harassment, stalking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A victim can be shaken up and traumatized for months after an event, Samo told McClatchy News in a statement. It seems to us that American Airlines felt the situation was resolved when she returned safely back to San Diego. I dont believe they realized the emotional effect would last much longer than the threat to her physical safety. The suit also says that the man kept her phone number and did not stop contacting her for a long period of time, and also sent her sexually-suggestive images. A thug who launched a sickening one-punch attack on a defenceless stranger during a night out in Sydney has been sentenced to 10 months jail. Jay Farmilow was captured on CCTV punching Sebastian Loutkovsky from behind outside Strike Bowling bar in Moore Park on June 15 last year. The 32-year-old approached his victim outside the bar after a brief verbal exchange. Farmilow punched Loutkovsky while he was walking with a group of friends, knocking him to the ground. Jay Farmilow was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a coward punch attack in Moore Park in June 2019 Farmilow attempted to kick the 23-year-old on the ground but was held back by a friend, with his vicious punch leaving Loutkovsky with a broken jaw which required surgery. The Matraville man fled after the attack, and was only apprehended after a public call out weeks later. Farmilow had a dozen drinks before the attack, and had a history of assault, the court was told according to 9News. Farmilow was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 16 months in jail with a 10 month non-parole period. He appealed his conviction, and was granted bail until his hearing on March 12. India: Hindu extremists protest 114 foot tall Jesus statue amid escalating persecution Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Hundreds of hardline Hindus gathered to protest a planned Jesus statue that will rival Rio de Janeiro's "Christ The Redeemer" for its size, claiming the structure will go against the spirit of communal harmony. On Monday, members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the hardline parent organization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, staged protests in the southern state of Karnataka's Ramanagara district, the Times of India reports. Carrying saffron flags as around 1,000 police stood by, protesters demanded that the state government reverse its decision to allot land for the proposed 114 foot Jesus statue or face further demonstrations. The Jesus statue is expected to stand atop a hillock named Kapalabetta in Harobele, a village of 3,500 where Christians form a majority. The land is owned by the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Many Hindus believe the hill where the statue is set to stand is the abode of a Hindu deity, Munieshwara (a form of Lord Shiva). However, no temple currently exists there. "We want to stop (the statue), since it goes against the spirit of communal harmony and encourages religious conversions which is rampantly carried out by Christian missionaries," Prabhakar Bhat, a top RSS functionary, told Indian media. We will not allow a statue of Jesus to be erected at Kapalabetta. They are trying to make it a Christian land just like Pakistan is a Muslim state, he added. However, Father Cyril Victor Joseph, chairman of the archdioceses' media commission, told UCA News that the controversy is unnecessary, as the land in Ramanagara district has long been owned by the church. We used the same land for decades and conducted the Way of the Cross during Good Fridays, he said. A cross was there, and we wanted to replace it with a statue of Jesus after the land was donated to us. According to Joseph, the land was donated to a Catholic trust under the diocese in December 2019 by former state minister and Congress party leader D.K. Shivakumar, a Hindu. Shivakuma helped inaugurate the project on Christmas Day. Amid backlash from hardline Hindu groups, construction of the white granite statue stopped soon after it started last month. Joseph said the state government has agreed to intervene, asking officials to study the issue and clarify ownership. Until then, we are asked to wait, Joseph told UCA News. Since the 2014 election of President Modi and the rise of his Bharatiya Janata Party, there has been a rise in Hindu nationalist violence and discrimination against religious minorities. India ranks as the 10th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List. Every year more violent incidents are registered, mainly because the government is looking the other way, an Open Doors USA dossier on the situation in India reads. According to Open Doors, Hindu radicals view Christians as alien to the nation. Driven by a desire to cleanse their country from Islam and Christianity, nationalists do not shy away from using extensive violence to achieve their goals, an Open Doors fact sheet reads. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms 2019 report warned that religious freedom conditions in India continued a downward trend in 2018. The commission warned against the growth of exclusionary extremist narratives that facilitate campaigns of violence, intimidation and harassment against non-Hindu minorities and lower-caste minorities from both public and private actors. America is forgetting what it means to be America, and thats not a joke, says Ileana Paugh Johnson, whose arrival to the United States is one of her best memories. Johnson grew up in communist Romania and knows intimately the ills of a socialist society; over her years as an educator, shes seen how quickly communisms lies can take hold. All youth, born in or around the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, those whose parents and grandparents survived decades of socialism tyranny under the boot of the Communist Party, suddenly became socialists, using the same playbook about the wonders of socialism as in America. How is that possible? she said. Johnson says the answer is quite simple. Theyve taken the same playbook used to implement communism in Europe, and its working like a charm in the United States. Ileana Johnson grew up in communist Romania. It wasnt long after she arrived in the U.S. that she realized how communism had also planted seeds here. (Courtesy of Ileana Johnson) Behavior and Indoctrination My first impression, as an inquisitive mind, was that when a child did not behave properlyand properly is defined as what the Communist Party deemed as proper behavior, they would get a bad grade in behavior. And believe it or not, there was a subject in school called behavior, Johnson said. Parents were always incredibly careful about what was said around children; something casually repeated by an innocent mind might be reason enough to haul a parent off to jail if it didnt fall in line with what the Party deemed acceptable. At school, students sat in straight rows with hands behind their backs. It felt primitive; they werent there to learn, but to behave, and if they didnt, they were hit or slapped in the face by teachers. If a student did get a low score, she said, the childs parents would have to come down to the school for an obvious, embarrassing dress down in front of everybody, because they did not raise their child properly. Still, even as a child in Romania, Johnson had an impulse to accumulate and impart knowledge to other people. She wanted to be a teacher, one who taught information, not behavior. Johnson at her school desk in Romania, a few years before immigrating to the United States. (Courtesy of Ileana Johnson) Johnsons parents werent Communist Party members. Communists had confiscated her grandparents farm, her parents home, and all of their possessions. They were moved to a concrete block apartment with nothing much in terms of possessions and they received an egalitarian salary, which was about $40 a month, Johnson said. They understood what communism was, and they understood the rhetoric. So they didnt want any part of it. Of course, that also meant they suffered more for it. They were always harassed more than other citizens because they were not [Party] members. They were automatically considered bad, Johnson said. Johnson was nearly 20 when she came to the United States, after shed married an American citizen. She remembers coming out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York dazzled by the lights and the freedomand just that she wasnt being followed everywhere by the police. I wanted to kiss the ground, Johnson said. She would have, had it not been frozen, as it was in January. New York was only the first stop, on her way to a Southern town where she would live. It didnt take long to see that communism was spreading its roots in America too. In the early 1980s, Johnson sought work as a substitute teacher and immediately encountered copious amounts of ominous red tape, which she found reminiscent of the communist bureaucracy state she was familiar with. She was told she would have to be licensed to be a teacher, and then she learned all about what licensing entailed. Universities are famously left-leaning, and the teachers college where she sought her credentials wasnt any different. Johnson saw how teachers could be indoctrinated into an ideology, and then sent off to further indoctrinate students. It was also obvious that the ideology was socialism. In 1989, the so-called communism fell, but it didnt really fallit kind of regrouped itself and morphed into this global communism, Johnson said. In 1989, Johnsons father died in communist Romania the day before she graduated with her doctorate; a few months later, Romanian communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu was tried and found guilty of genocide, and was executed for his crimes. Johnsons mother defected, and lived with Johnsons family for a time. She taught Johnsons daughters the Romanian language, and about the realities of life there under communism. I even took my oldest daughter [to Romania] when she was 5, and she understood enough at that age, Johnson said. She remembered all the shortages of food. This was in 1985 when we went, and there was still communism then, and it was the worst its been, under Ceausescu. And of course, Romania had the worst version of it, because of who was in power. My children know very well what communism was like. As a teacher, Johnson taught economics and various languages to 11th and 12th grade and college students. She could see they too had learned about communism as childrenin a different way. They were so indoctrinated by the time they reached me, Johnson said, remembering the students Che Guevara T-shirts and casual denigration of America. In the beginning, it shocked her how little Americans understood of their own civics, how the government operates, and how the economy works. They were already indoctrinated, and you cannot change their minds unless you place them in a communist society for a few months and let them see for themselves and suffer what its like to live under a dictatorship. When a poll came out a few years ago showing the younger generations majority support for socialism, Johnson wasnt surprised at all. She says people born around 1989, even in Romania, have been indoctrinated into thinking that socialism is good. Thats because the same people who wrote the slanted textbooks in America have brought those textbooks into countries around the world through NGOs, Johnson said. International baccalaureate schools were also brought in, which shaped the first generation of globalist citizens, who reject their own history and nationalism to the benefit of global collectivism, Johnson said. She met several Romanian students who she said became the young leaders of a country which had just shaken the yoke of dictatorship but elected yet again more of the former communists to power. These communists had repackaged their images and fooled the electorate who had no history of a democracy to fall back on, they were still beholden to decades of meager welfare dependency to the point of nostalgia. A man walks at the Heroes of the Romanian 1989 Revolutions cemetery during a commemoration on the occasion of the 30 years of the Romanian Revolutions first victims in Timisoara, Romania, on Dec. 15, 2019. (DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images) Covert Communism Today, Johnson is keenly aware of all the aspects of society in which communism has planted seeds. It was about 10 years ago when she started doing such research. Johnson retired in 2008 and moved to Virginia, where she had several friends coming up against property rights issues, which were tied to Agenda 21 being brought to their locale. Johnson started seeing Agenda 21 everywhere, and decided to look into it. Then I started researching more and more, and a lot of things that made me uncomfortable, because it 100 percent had elements of property confiscation and nationalizationas [what] happened under the socialist tyranny that people in my country in Romania had to live under for decades, Johnson said. Agenda 21 is a sustainable development action plan drafted by the United Nations, detailing a myriad of goals pertaining to how society should be organized. I read thousands and thousands of pages, Johnson said. The document itself that was issued in Rio [de Janeiro in 1992] is about 40 chapters. Environmental conservation is a seemingly benign topic, and Johnson is all for conserving natural resources and not abusing them, but this wasnt what she was reading in the plan. This was all about central planninga key tenet of socialism, leading the way to communism. Under the guise of being environmentally friendly, comprehensive land use plans are drawn up with the goal of eroding private property rights. The jargon itself may be complicated, but the idea is not. It is the same thing that has played out in every socialist country. Sustainable development sounds innocuous. Its defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Heres the important question to ask: Who decides? Who gets to decide what the present needs are, what the future needs are, and what that compromise looks like? This is central planning. Its Collectivism 101, Johnson said. People hold a banner reading The Heroes never die as they march in the memory of the people who lost their lives during the 1989 Revolution in Timisoara on Dec. 16, 2019, as the city commemorates 30 years since the bloody anti-communist uprising that paved the way for democracy in Romania. (DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images) I started recognizing it, that its starting at the local level all the way up to the United Nations, which has infiltrated itself already in our society, Johnson said. Smart meters, green building certifications, and conservation easements are a few of those commonplace and innocuous sounding things that can pave the way for collectivism. Then there are outright stated goals like redistribution of population based on resources, which was how communist Romania justified confiscating Johnsons parents and grandparents homes and land. From there, Johnson started speaking to groups here and there about what she was learning. Not everyone had the time to read thousands of pages of such rhetoric, and she was more than happy to pass on this knowledge. Most of this is pro bono work, Johnson said. I do it because I feel like its my way of paying back my adopted country for giving me the opportunity to have a good life. And I certainly have worked very hard to be where I am; nobody has given it to me on a platter the moment I waltzed out of the airport at JFK. Johnson worked minimum wage for $3.10 and ended up becoming a college professor with a doctoral degreesomething she never would have been able to do in communist Romania because her parents were blue-collar workers, the proletariat, and not Communist Party members. I love America, because you can have the opportunity to be what you want to be, she said. She has traveled to many countries, and to many places all over the country, and seen little pockets where education still thrives, but it is just few and far in between. Education is crucial, because the multibillion-dollar public education system is teaching students to be ashamed to be American, to be ashamed of the color of their skin or to be ashamed of all the things that America has done for the good of the world. Johnson asked, if theyre being taught to hate the society they live in, then how can these students then go on to do good for society? We have to change that. Johnsons greater hope is that the education system can be overturned, but for the moment she is doing her part to educate her fellow Americans. Its like dementia, she said. Eventually, they forget everything about who they are and where they came from and who theyre related to, Johnson said. And its a sad day, because theyre no longer the human beings they were born to be. Thats how we are, were getting to that level in our country, Johnson said. Growing up in a communist society, you learn to be pessimistic because youre disappointed time and again, Johnson said, so its hard to take an optimistic view. Generally by nature, Im a realist, Johnson said. But I have learned to be more optimistic in this country because so far, it has been a good life for so many of us who have immigrated to the United States and have become American citizens. And we have tried very hard to make America better. Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: A day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar spoke on the National Register of Citizens on the floor of the state assembly on Monday, opposition leader Tejashawi Yadav of the RJD accused him of being a "Deceit Lord" and "Mr Marketeer". After attending the special session in the state assembly on Monday, Yadav had accused Nitish Kumar of having struck a secret deal with the BJP that led him to support the CAB (now CAA) in both houses of Parliament. Kumar's statements on the floor of the assembly over the NRC and NPR were declared "unreliable" by Tejashawi Yadav. He tweeted, "India has never seen any egotistical "Deceit-Lord" like Nitish Kumar. He cares about power not the people". Continuing his tirade against Kumar, Yadav said, "He pledges by "Conditions put forth to remain in power" not the CONSTITUTION by selling mandate, mortgaging principles & ideology. Therefore, stop misleading Mr.Marketeer". The RJD also castigated the NPR, saying it is the first step towards the NRC. "We want the statement of the chief minister on this but Nitish Kumar ji is always misleading people. First, he supported the CAA in Parliament and now is indulging in gimmicks", the party's official Twitter handle said. Meanwhile, responding to Yadav's tweet, Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, spokesperson of the JD-U, said the terms used by the RJD leader are beyond his comprehension level. "Tejashawi Yadav is nothing but a "Doubting Thomas" whose level of political intelligence and understanding is incapable of matching Nitish Kumar. I wonder who is sharing such terms which Tejashawi Yadav can't understand but is foolishly tweeting," he said, adding that the people's mandate was honoured by Nitish by disassociating from the RJD which had been infamous for bad governance for long. Millville Fire Department is breaking new ground with Hansel, who is training to be an arson detection K9 the very first pit bull to hold that job in New Jersey, and possibly the nation. A lot of people believe pit bulls cant do the job, said Tyler Van Leer, a career firefighter at Millville Fire Department, who has become Hansels handler. But believe it or not, pit bulls are great at scent work. Labs and bloodhounds are the main choice, but hes going to change the tide. Not only for the breed but also for scent work. Hansel was one of over 30 dogs dogs rescued from from a dog fighting ring in Ontario, Canada, in 2015. The future for these animals was looking grim when a court ruled every dog should be euthanized because of Ontarios ban on pit bulls, until one man stood up for them all. Rob Scheinberg, owner of Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary in King City, Ontario, helped to change the courts decision, then paid to test every animal physically and mentally to determine if they were viable for adoption or to become working dogs. After the tests, 21 dogs passed and were sent to Dogs Playing For Life, a non-profit organization in Florida that provides trained dogs to military veterans. I got a call saying a few of them were good working dog candidates and we went down to see them and took five of them, said Carol Skaziak, founder of Throw Away Dogs Project, based in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. The organization takes unwanted and untrained dogs who have the potential to be rehabilitated and trains them for jobs with law enforcement. Hansel was one of the dogs Skaziak took in. Along with the help from her co-founder Jason Walters, who has worked in law enforcement and specializes in canine training, Hansel was partially trained and ready to be placed. My co-founder knows what departments are looking for, so he preps them, said Skaziak. We dont certify them because the dogs have to work with their handlers in classes to do that. But we get them ready to pass all the tests, he was probably 50-percent trained. He had more training than Tyler did. 'This picture makes me cry every time,' Carol Skaziak said about this photo of Tyler Van Leer and Hansel. "They have only ben together for a few months but the dog is so content. He found his purpose and his human.' Van Leer had brought up the idea of a working dog to his Chief, Michael C. Lippincott, after watching police K9 demonstrations at an outdoor event in Millville. I was watching the crowd and how they reacted to the demonstration and everybody loved it," Van Leer said. "It was the highlight of the entire event. I thought it would be pretty cool to have a working fire dog. My chief looked around and said Lets do it. I didnt even know where to start. Thats when the Millville police became involved. Skaziak was contacted by Millville Officer John Butschky informing her the fire department was looking for a working dog. She told him she knew just the dog for the job. The fire department paid for Hansel and Van Leer to go through a 16-week training program with the New Jersey Police Canine Association at a facility in Voorhees. Hansel was trained to detect odors by playing with towels that had the scent of certain accelerants. When on a job, Hansel searches the area for these scents to help determine if arson was involved. He is associating that odor with play, said Van Leer. So when he is searching and he smells it, its called play drive. As a reward if he sits, he gets his ball. So when he smells that odor he knows hes about to get that ball. Its the same with drugs and explosive detection. Its all about getting the dog familiar with that odor. Hansel will be graduating from his training on Friday and his first shift for the department will be on Sunday. It is very hard to place them and it is very hard to convince places that they are great dogs. The police chiefs that agree to do this are changing legislation and I dont know if they realize how big it is, said Skaziak. We are so excited, this is huge. Im hoping fire companies around the country will take a second look at these dogs. Mackenzie Fitchett can be reached at mfitchett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. For Locals Only! Our new Facebook group, South Jersey Locals Only, is your place to celebrate life in the best part of the Garden State. Close Johnson talks about 'replacing' Iran nuclear deal with 'Trump deal' Boris Johnson has backed Donald Trump to come up with a new agreement to replace the existing Iran nuclear deal, describing the US president as a great deal maker in an interview with the BBC. The PM also backed the royal family to sort out the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs exit from full-time duties and claimed he would consider a crowdfunding campaign to encourage the public to bung a bob for a Big Ben bong to mark Brexit on 31 January. It comes as Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon claimed Mr Johnson was fuelling support for independence after he formally rejected her request to hand referendum powers from London to Edinburgh. As it happened... The loss of sand has caused erosion and increased salinity as well as subsidence in the Mekong Delta. The studies of the Mekong River by Prof Stephen Darby from Southampton University found that within several years, the river bed fell by several meters on a section of hundreds of kilometers in length. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Mekong River Commission (MRC) also said the river bed of Mekongs two major tributaries in the delta decreased by 1.4 meters in 1998-2008. The overexploitation of sand is the reason, they said. The study published in Nature journal last November showed that sand exploitation on a river section tens of kilometers long was unsustainable because it cannot be replaced quickly enough by natural sediment from the river upstream. Expressing his worry about the changes, Vu Trong Hong, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said there are many reasons causing the lowering of the river bed. The study published in Nature journal last November showed that sand exploitation on a river section tens of kilometers long was unsustainable because it cannot be replaced quickly enough by natural sediment from the river upstream. First, the silt is blocked by hydropower works in the upper course. Sediments include sand, gravel and pigments. Without sand and gravel, the river bed has been lowered gradually. In principle, to push water away, there must be a certain amount of sand and mud. When the water is clear, the river does not flow. It is just like a reservoir. The river has to snap the riversides and it will only continue flowing when it can get enough sand, Hong explained. The overexploitation of sand and gravel in the lower course is another cause. The demand for sand and gravel in Vietnam is very high, and the mines that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Ministry of Construction reserve for exploitation cannot satisfy the demand. This is why the Mekong river bed has declined and it will continue declining very rapidly, Hong warned. Vietnam plans to set up many new urban areas and open new highways. Where will the sand and gravel be obtained for these construction works? An analyst blamed unreasonable programming by central agencies. When considering construction projects, it is necessary to think about how much natural resources the works will need and if the existing resources can satisfy the demand, he said. Too many urban area projects have been licensed, which has resulted in a sharp decrease in natural resources and the erosion of the river bed, he concluded, adding that the unreasonable programming, not sand exports, have caused the lowering of the river bed. Thanh Lich Mekong Delta farmers expect good harvest of Tet flowers Farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region are expected to have a good flower and ornamental plant harvest, as well as good prices, for the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, which falls on January 25. Looking back, our lives in 2009 seemed less complicated, less compromised. I remember the bright stars, not yet morning, as we drove to hear my old friend Helen Pedersen sing the Dawn Chorus with the Sydney Philharmonia on Balmoral Beach in January that year. That moment, more than a decade ago, was just pleasure and when the sun came up over thousands of visitors on the beach, the sky was a kind of blue we only had back then. Thousands of protesters rally in front of Sydney Town Hall calling for action on climate change. Credit:Rhett Wyman Next Sunday, the choir will sing its Dawn Chorus on the steps of the Opera House, now far too often a sepulchre in the smoke. Perhaps all our gatherings now must be for protest as well as for pleasure. As Sydney prepared itself for the opening weekend of the Sydney Festival last weekend, it also prepared itself for a long year of anguished climate rallies. Helens gone now and so too had my faith in our ability to shift recalcitrant governments. That was before thousands poured on to the streets last Friday to protest political inaction. Loading Two great results since those rallies one, the Prime Minister is being forced to shift his language; two, his popularity (according to Newspoll) has taken a hit. Less popular than Bill Shorten back in the day. Is that even possible? And its taken a hit because he wasnt able to pretend well enough. I mean no disrespect to the Prime Minister when I applaud this nosedive but its a clear sign his newly enunciated recognition of man-made climate change doesnt convince anyone. He deserves this sharp rebuke. Three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, the first contest in the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has taken a narrow lead in polls in that state. The Des Moines Register poll published January 10 showed Sanders with a three-point lead, with the top four Democrats bunched closely together: 20 percent for Sanders, 17 percent for Senator Elizabeth Warren, 16 percent for former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, and 15 percent for former Vice President Joe Biden. It was the first poll in several months to show Sanders with a lead in Iowa, with the results seeming to reflect the impact on the Democratic campaign of rising popular antiwar sentiment. The polling period followed the January 3 assassination of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani by US drone-fired missiles, when there were widespread fears that the Trump administration was about to launch a major war in the Middle East. Sanders has been openly appealing to antiwar sentiment since the Iran crisis exploded with the killing of Suleimani. He publicly condemned the warmongering of the White House and, in a statement issued jointly with Representative Ro Khanna, a co-chairman of his campaign, noted the connection between war and mounting social inequality in the United States. We know that it will ultimately be the children of working class families who will have to fight and die in a new Middle East conflict, not the children of the billionaire class, they said. Sanders also stepped up his criticism of the foreign policy record of former Vice President Biden, the choice of the Democratic Party establishment for the presidential nomination, citing Bidens 2002 vote for the Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution that gave the green light for the Bush administration to invade and occupy Iraq. While antiwar voters may have illusions in Sanders, his own record is that of an adamant defender of American imperialism, who has only tactical differences with open warmongers like Trump and more cautious warmongers like Biden. In recent months, in his foreign policy statements, Sanders has referred to an axis of dictatorial rulers linked to Trump, including Vladimir Putin in Russia. In this way, he has sought to link his criticisms with the ongoing right-wing Democratic campaign to impeach Trump for withholding US military aid to Ukraine. Sanders has suggested that, as Trump supposedly did in relation to Ukraine, the president was subordinating the overseas interests of American imperialism in the Middle East to his personal political interests by using the assassination of Suleimani to boost his standing with ultra-right elements in his political base. Reinforcing the poll numbers, there were three significant new endorsements of the Sanders campaign over the past week: from the Sunrise Movement, which is focused on opposing climate change; from the Dream Defenders, a civil rights group formed after the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida; and from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1984, the largest union in New Hampshire. The Sunrise Movement said that 80 percent of its members, most of whom are under 35, supported Sanders. The group participated in a rally in Iowa City, the home campus of the University of Iowa, attended by more than 900 people and addressed by Sanders and Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. SEIU Local 1984, with about 10,000 members employed by the New Hampshire state government, backed Sanders over four other candidates who sought its endorsement. According to polls, Sanders has also opened a small lead in New Hampshire, followed closely by Biden, Warren and Buttigieg. In response to the strength of the Sanders campaign, particularly in Iowa, the Democratic Party establishment has voiced growing concern. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate who lost to George W. Bush in 2004, made his first appearance of the 2020 campaign at a rally for Biden in Iowa, where he defended Bidens vote for the Iraq war, claiming Biden, then chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had been deceived by Bushs promise to negotiate with Saddam Hussein rather than invade Iraq. Jim Messina, Barack Obamas campaign manager in 2012, gave an interview Saturday to Politico in which he claimed that Trump preferred Sanders as the Democratic candidate because the Vermont senator embraced the label socialist, which is supposedly poison in American politics. An accompanying article in Politico, under the headline, Endangered Democrats sound the alarm on Bernie and Warren, cited comments by Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, a co-chair of the Biden campaign, warning that Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate could be wiped out at the polls in November. The wrong person at the top of the ticketand Im not saying who that isthere would be down-ballot carnage all across the country, and I think that people are starting to recognize it, Richmond said. Joining in an effort to boost the Biden campaign were three members of the House of Representatives from the group identified by the World Socialist Web Site as CIA Democrats. The threeConor Lamb of Pennsylvania, a former Marine Corps prosecutor; Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, a former Air Force captain; and Elaine Luria of Virginia, a former Navy commanderannounced January 4 that they are supporting Biden. These were the first of the 11 CIA Democrats to endorse a candidate for the presidential nomination. The godfather of the group, Representative Seth Moulton, a former Marine Corps officer and Iraq war veteran who won a House seat in 2014 and later founded VoteVets, a political action committee to recruit former military-intelligence operatives to run for Congress, was briefly a presidential candidate last year. Perhaps the clearest suggestion of a concerted stop-Sanders effort, developing behind the scenes, came in a report published in Sundays New York Times, in which former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a last-minute entrant in the race for the Democratic nomination, suggested that he would not use his vast personal fortune to block a Biden nomination. According to the Times: Mr. Bloombergs advisers have indicated to Democratic officials that he would not be inclined to keep pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into a prolonged contest with Mr. Biden for the nomination. If the former vice president emerged as an overwhelming favorite after Super Tuesday, Mr. Bloomberg would reorient his campaign into an organization dedicated to battering Mr. Trump The clear implication of this account is that if Sanders or Warren, rather than Biden, were to emerge as the frontrunner, Bloomberg would stay in the race and spend virtually unlimited sums against them. After deciding early last year not to run for president, because of the perceived strength of Biden as the frontrunner, Bloomberg reversed himself and entered the race in late November, at the point when Bidens poll numbers and fundraising were at a low ebb. The entry of Bloomberg and the stepped-up spending by fellow billionaire Tom Steyer have the potential to reshape the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The latest estimates peg Bloombergs spending at $211 million and Steyers at $106 million, with their combined total dwarfing the spending for the nearly two dozen other candidates who have at one point or another sought the nomination. Fueled by the two billionaires, total campaign spending in December 2019 tripled from December 2015, from $50 million to $150 million, even though in 2015 there were nominating contests in both capitalist parties while this year Trump is effectively unopposed as the Republican incumbent. Steyer has poured more than $22 million into TV and radio ads in South Carolina and Nevada alone, the states which vote third and fourth in the contest, making him responsible for three-quarters of the combined spending in both states and boosting him into second place in some polls. Bloomberg has ignored the first four states in favor of dumping resources into the March 3 Super Tuesday contests that will choose nearly 40 percent of Democratic delegates. Three more candidates who participated in the early debates sponsored by the Democratic National Committee have dropped out of the contest since January 1, mainly for lack of sufficient funds to compete either with the four frontrunners or the two billionaires. Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro quit the race on January 2 and endorsed Senator Warren four days later, making campaign appearances with her in New York City and Iowa. Author Marianne Williamson, who qualified only for the first two debates, laid off her entire campaign staff and on January 10 announced her withdrawal from the race. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey announced Monday that he was leaving the race for lack of funds and a path to victory, as he put it. Booker, with close ties to Wall Street and billionaire supporters of charter schools, raised $22.3 million for his campaign. This sum would have been sufficient for a general election campaign, let alone the primaries, a few decades ago. Now such a war chest is considered a drop in the bucket. The author also recommends: Bernie Sanders says some wars are necessary [11 January 2020] A heartbreaking photograph of an echidna with its spines melted by bushfires has brought attention to how the animals suffer during the raging blazes. The photo was taken in Sydney's northern beaches where the small mammal had managed to escape a controlled burn in the nearby bushland. The image has raised concerns about the impact wildfires are having on the native species, particularly the endangered population in South Australia's Kangaroo Island. A heartbreaking photograph of an echidna with its spines melted by bushfires has brought attention to how the animals suffer during the raging blazes The image was shared by Citizen Scientist Data Collection App- 'EchidnaCSI' which is run by researchers at the University of Adelaide. Scientists explained how echidnas go into a state of hibernation called 'torpor' when the're threatened by fire. 'When there's a bushfire echidnas won't try to outrun it, instead they burrow down into the ground or hide in fallen logs to wait it out,' the post reads. The state of hibernation allows the species to conserve energy so they can stay inactive, hidden and protected for longer. The University researchers shared the image from August 2019 as a way of raising awareness of the plight of Kangaroo Island's echidna population. The scientists said it was likely many of the local populations would have ended up in a similar way because of the severity of the fires. Bushfires are devastating much of Kangaroo Island and being labelled as 'virtually unstoppable' 'Currently, bushfires are devastating much of Kangaroo Island and being labelled as 'virtually unstoppable' and we worry about the loss of echidna numbers during this time' the scientists said. 'Echidnas on KI are already listed as endangered and although they can survive fires by digging underground, these fires may be too intense to hide from.' The researchers are appealing for Australians to help build up their a database of how many of the animals are still alive in the wake of the recent bushfires. Submitting sightings and photographs through the app will help scientists get a better picture of how bad the death toll has been for the native species. Police are to be sent on anti-LGBT+ raids in an Indonesian city after a man was jailed for drugging and raping dozens of men in Britain. Responding to the convictions against Manchester-based Indonesian student Reynhard Sinaga, the mayor of Depok in West Java said he wants officers to prevent the spread of LGBT and protect the children. British police believe Sinaga attacked 195 men and prosecutors described him as the most prolific rapist in British legal history. The student is reported to have family ties to Depok and the case has received widespread coverage across Indonesian media. Plans to storm the homes of LGBT+ people, announced by Depok mayor Mohammad Idris, have been condemned by the national human rights commission. Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Show all 11 1 /11 Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Reynhard Sinaga was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for life and must serve a minimum of 30 years after he was convicted of offences against 48 men Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed The bedroom floor, where dozens of rapes took place, in the the home of Reynhard Sinaga Sinaga, who was convicted on 159 sexual offences including 136 counts of rape in Manchester between January 2015 and May 2017, drugged 48 men and filmed himself sexually violating them while they were unconscious in his city centre apartmen Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed A general view of the night club Fifth in Manchester where Reynhard Sinaga watched and picked up men that he later raped Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed CCTV grab of Reynhard Sinaga on Princess Street The Indonesian student posed as a good samaritan, offering the men a place to sleep or more drink, the court heard Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Reynhard Sinaga, middle, appearing in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on the day he was charged Julia Quenzler /SWNS.COM Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed A general view of the apartment Montana House next to the night club The Factory Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed The living room at the home of Reynhard Sinaga His victims who were mostly heterosexual had little or no memory of the assaults, which Sinaga filmed on his mobile phone. The men left the flat unaware they had been violated. Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed The iPhone 4 taken by a victim and used to convict Reynhard Sinaga Sinaga was caught after one of the men regained consciousness and fought him off, before taking his phone to the police Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Bottles of alcohol which were used to spike victims in the home of Reynhard Sinaga Sinaga is thought to have laced alcoholic drinks with a drug such as GHB, known as liquid ecstasy, to incapacitate his victims Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Greater Manchester Police has urged anyone who believes Sinaga may have approached them on a night out to come forward. Officers say he may have been committing crimes for 10 years Greater Manchester Police/PA Reynhard Sinaga: Most prolific rapist in UK history jailed Mobile phones found in the home of Reynhard Sinaga When Greater Manchester Police examined the attackers multiple digital devices, they found 3.29 terabytes of graphic material the equivalent of 250 DVDs depicting sexual assaults. Jurors who had to watch some of the mobile phone footage were later offered counselling Greater Manchester Police/PA Mr Idris, who is reportedly known for his anti-LGBT+ statements, said he had sympathy for Sinagas family and wants to set up centres to assist those he called victims in his community. After the plans were published on the citys official website, they were criticised by the head of the National Commission on Human Rights, Beka Ulung Hapsara. Mr Hapsara said such raids would increase the risk of persecution and other law-defying acts. The commission said it had also written to the Depok government to express its concerns. Amnesty International condemned what it called the latest vicious campaign against LGBT+ people in Indonesia, and said there can be no justification for these hateful raids. The authorities in Indonesia repeatedly launch humiliating crackdowns on suspected same-sex activity, and misuse laws against loitering or public nuisance to harass and arrest [LGBT+] people, said Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesias director. Homosexuality is not regulated by law in Indonesia, except in Aceh province where Islamic law bans same-sex relations. But the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation has recently seen a rise in hostility towards the LGBT+ community. Nearly 90 per cent of Indonesians who understand the term LGBT+ feel threatened by the community, and believe their religion forbids same-sex relations, according to a 2018 survey. Such sentiment has been fuelled in part by government officials and public figures. A study last year found almost 50 anti-LGBT+ statements were made on record by authority figures in a single month. Dede Oetomo, an Indonesian LGBT+ activist, said the community was braced for hysteria over the Sinaga case, with media often ignoring requests to avoid making the convicted rapists sexuality the focus of their coverage. A 22-year-old Depok resident who identifies as bisexual said the planned raids would violate private spaces and waste public money. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunniwell Lake Ventures LLC., hosted a Medical Device forum during the first day of JP Morgan Chase Health Conference in San Francisco and unveiled their new flagship fund, the Hunniwell Lake Healthcare Fund. The Palo Alto based fund will focus on fostering a new wave of innovation in undercapitalized segments of the medical device space. Hunniwell's vision is to be the enabler for emerging medical device companies with the potential to be billion-dollar international players, and in turn help raise the quality of healthcare and make surgical procedures more accessible worldwide. Hunniwell is building a concentrated portfolio of 15 to 20 companies at the imminent or early revenue stages, with investments ranging up to $5M. "This new fund is searching for bold entrepreneurs who are looking to disrupt the highly concentrated medical device sector using new technology," said Richard Fang, Managing Director at Hunniwell Lake Ventures. "These innovators should be challenging the status quo in the fastest growing surgical segments such as RF/ultrasonic surgical devices, Advanced Laparoscopy/ Endoscopy, Robotics and Visualization, & Wound Care." Richard Fang will be managing the fund alongside co-founder Daniel Teo. Richard Fang is the former CEO of Reach Surgical, a leading international brand of surgical instruments with presence in six continents around the world. Reach Surgical was recently sold to private equity. Richard is a Ph.D. in Physics from Purdue and formerly part of the R&D team at J&J. He brings 15 years of experience in the Chinese market for talent, distribution channels, supply chain, and strategic partnerships. Daniel Teo was CFO of Reach Surgical, where he also had responsibilities for establishing and advancing all of its international businesses and joint ventures. He is a career CFO/COO who has orchestrated numerous fund-raising, acquisitions, and divestments for different companies. Daniel is a graduate from Cambridge University majoring in (Medical) Physics, holds a Master's degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business as well as Accounting and Finance qualifications from the ACCA in London. The Hunniwell Medical Device Forum alongside the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference attracted over 120 investors and corporate executives including leading medical device and healthcare experts who are reimagining the future of healthcare. At the forum, a speaker from the medical field, said, "The medical device industry is ripe for disruption. Some of the new innovations that are coming out of the medical device field right now will alter the landscape of how we treat patients for years to come. Hunniwell is positioning itself to help create meaningful change and lasting innovation in the medical device healthcare fields." This fund is seeking to build an entrepreneurial environment where innovation is given the opportunity to demonstrate its full potential. This environment will foster innovations that have a greater chance of commercial success, allowing entrepreneurs to improve the monetization of their ideas and have a greater long-term human impact. To be considered for investment please submit business plans to: [email protected] For more information about Hunniwell Lake Venture visit their website: http://hunniwell.com About Hunniwell Lake Ventures Hunniwell Lake Healthcare Fund I invests in extensions of proven technologies within overlooked segments of the medical device space. It provides entrepreneurs with a longer runway to develop a more complete portfolio of products before monetizing their innovations. We leverage our entrepreneurial spirit, operational experience and global networks to help companies achieve higher profitability earlier, through improved market access, greater capital efficiency in R&D, and lower manufacturing costs. PR Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Hunniwell Lake Ventures LLC Related Links hunniwell.com Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram attract billions of users daily. With the popularity of these sites, it is not surprising that many patients have turned to social media to share their health experiences or to learn more about their medical conditions. Family physicians are in a unique position to provide accurate information about a variety of health topics. By meeting patients where they are on the internet, family doctors can educate the public and support policies to advocate for community health. They can also find an outlet for professional engagement and connection as well as personal creativity. Yet entering the world of social media can be daunting. Professional society recommendations for social media use tend to be either too restrictive, focusing on what not to do, or too general to provide practical tips. In this article, we explore some best practices and challenges that have emerged as more physicians and patients are using these platforms for health information. Be professional in your social media interactions with patients and the public, be judicious about sharing patient stories, obtain informed consent before sharing information involving patients, be careful with potential conflicts of interest, and know your employers policies. Before jumping in or reassessing your use, take some time to define your goals, listen to the conversation, and think about how you want to present an authentic online persona. Advocating for a cause. You can use social media for advocacy in several different ways: listening to and amplifying the stories of those with particular experiences, informing people of issues they were previously unaware of, organizing supporters for a specific cause, and pushing for more direct actions. Sometimes, simply sharing a day-to-day experience in health care can have a meaningful impact. For example, a story about the difficulty of obtaining a much-needed prior authorization for a patient can initiate a larger conversation on social media about insurance companies and barriers to effective care. Additionally, physicians use social media to mobilize around community issues, ranging from local concerns like a hospital closing to larger discussions about health equity. This method of advocacy also allows physicians to capture timely issues in the news cycle and offer the physician perspective. Finally, family physicians can influence public policy. While fact and data will legitimize particular issues, patient stories are often what legislators and staffers remember and what compel them to act. The physician can use the story as a springboard to writing and publicizing an editorial or letter to the editor, meeting with a legislator, or helping organize a community event. Connecting with other physicians. In many ways, social media has become the new doctors lounge. Due to the proliferation of hospitalists and electronic health records, family physicians have fewer opportunities to interact informally with subspecialists than in the past. Social media has allowed many physicians to engage with prominent subspecialists around the world in a virtual doctors lounge and participate in multidisciplinary conversations in scheduled chats or asynchronous question-and-answer sessions. For example, Dr. Lin has participated in discussions with specialists on Twitter about evidence and best practices for chronic pain management, prostate and lung cancer screening, infectious disease prevention, and interventional cardiology. As in real life, specialists do not always agree with each other or their own societys practice guidelines. Nonetheless, these debates are helpful in understanding the hot topics in the field and the implications for primary care patients. Promoting your practice. A strong social media presence can help you recruit patients to your office, retain current patients, and have more control over your online reputation. For example, when patients search for a physician online before scheduling an appointment, seeing a positive social media presence can alleviate isolated negative reviews they may find. Providing health education to the public. Education can focus on general topics such as fitness or wellness, or on a topic in which you have particular interest or expertise. How you distribute content on these topics can vary from simply sharing links to news or research articles (along with your perspective or commentary) to producing original content in the form of infographics, blog posts, podcasts, or videos. With the latter approach, social media can become a creative outlet and perhaps even reduce burnout. The first step in developing a high-performing social media presence is determining your goals. The more well-defined your objectives, the easier it will be to identify an audience, decide what to share, and measure effectiveness. The social media aims for family physicians can be as diverse as family physicians themselves. The most basic aim is connecting with current patients, and a previous article in FPM discussed how family physicians can do this. 1 Additional goals include the following: As you grow into your brand, the content you share will begin to develop certain themes that followers will learn to expect. Once you become known for something, it becomes part of your brand. Your goals and identity may evolve over time, but the key is staying true to yourself, what you care about, and what aligns most closely to your aspirations for being on social media. Much has been written about what a social media brand should entail, but it comes down to authenticity. In an increasingly technological world, people crave human connection, so the more dimensions of yourself you can share (including professional and personal aspects of your life), the more authentic your brand will be. If you like sharing news stories mixed with occasional photos of your dog, dont be afraid to do so. If you have a passion for Star Wars and medicine, feel free to express it. Do what feels most authentic to you. Having a clear intention, audience, and message will ultimately lead to a clear brand. By nature of our work and expertise, physician voices can attract attention even with just a tweet or two, but a social media following really grows when a doctor has a clear brand on which followers can depend. Having a clear brand is useful for you too, as it helps reduce the noise so you can focus on the conversations that matter to you and accomplish your objectives. A high follower count or going viral isnt necessarily the sign of an effective brand; if your purpose is advocacy or engaging in the latest research, it is often more important to reach the target audience than to reach a high number of people. That said, the more you develop your brand, the more likely that your social media following will grow, which could lead to professional opportunities such as paid speaking engagements, writing opportunities, or sponsorships. Knowing your audience also involves taking the time to listen to the communities that you are trying to join. For a doctor, this means listening to patient advocates equally if not more than other physician leaders. Connecting with patients outside the treatment setting and the doctor-patient relationship enables a wider perspective of the healthcare-industrial complex in which we exist. The tone and content of your social media presence should align with your objectives and the community you are building to accomplish those objectives. Its a good idea to start by following thought leaders who are already achieving similar goals to see what they are doing on social media. Who do they follow? What sort of content do they share? What tone of voice do they use (casual, scholarly, etc.)? How often do they post and on what platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)? What hashtags, podcasts, blogs, or publications are prominent in their field? As you better understand the landscape around your areas of interest, you can better hone your message. Once you have identified your goals, you must consider your audience. For example, to disseminate accurate medical information, you want to reach health professionals and the general public while following and interacting with the top scientific minds in the field to be aware of current findings. If you are trying to create social or political change, then your audience is health care leaders, policymakers, political leaders, and patients who inform their work. AVOIDING COMMON CHALLENGES If youve used social media for any length of time, youve probably witnessed friends, family, or colleagues who have gotten into trouble because they failed to follow basic social norms. To avoid common social media challenges as a physician, the following norms can be helpful. Be professional. Physicians face unique challenges being on social media, in part because the lines between their professional and personal lives can become blurred. Being personable is encouraged; being unprofessional is not. Physicians represent their profession in the way they treat others and in the quality of the information they provide. They should continue to operate under the professional principle of first doing no harm. Refrain from offering medical advice to individuals on social media. It is better to share general educational tips than specific medical advice and, where indicated, it may be worth explicitly noting this to your followers. It is difficult to obtain detailed and verifiable information from online accounts, so you cant always be sure who youre talking to online. Furthermore, given the privacy concerns of sharing any personal health data on social media, doctors should discourage others from exposing themselves to unnecessary privacy risks by sharing intimate information. Be careful when posting about patients. Everything posted on social media is stored forever and owned by the company that runs the platform. Always think before posting: Is this something patients or their family members could see and recognize as their own information? Is this your information to share? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) should be a starting point to consider before sharing sensitive details about patients online. Additionally, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act allows the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to investigate and financially penalize a hospital or practice for HIPAA violations.2 Furthermore, the 1996 Communications Decency Act amended with the Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act protects internet service providers and interactive computer services from being held liable for indecent or defamatory content posted by third-party users.2 Physicians should be aware of these laws as they navigate using social media. Most health professionals understand that discussing specific cases even without using a patients name may reveal enough information for a third party to recognize a patient. To protect patient identity, exploring a medical condition in generalities or using fictionalized accounts is recommended rather than using a specific case. If you need to use an actual case, especially where a specific image or video is involved, provide informed consent and invite the patient, guardian, or power of attorney to sign a media release prior to publication on any online platform. Once the information is shared, the patient and the physician lose control over how it may be circulated, so it is important to take the time, separate from a medical or procedural consent to care, to help the patient understand the risks and benefits of such an act. As people use social media and follow health professionals online, physicians must not only be careful about posting details that could violate HIPAA but also make sure the patient descriptions they use are not disrespectful. Sensational posts may generate follower engagement, but as members of the medical profession, we hold ourselves to a higher ethical standard and should not exploit a patient encounter. Careless posts can disrupt the trust between a patient and physician. Be selective when interacting with patients. Questions about whether to friend or follow your patients or accept their connection requests on social media are inevitable, but these issues are not new. Long before the introduction of the internet, doctors who live in small towns and communities have been acquaintances and friends with patients in real life and have had to navigate these boundaries. The anonymity and ubiquity of relationships on social media, where individuals have many more friends and connections than they could ever truly know, could tempt some physicians to befriend more people, patients included, than they typically would. Some doctors make a point of never friending or following patients on social media, while others initiate requests and accept everyone. Of course, you should follow your institutions policies on social media and professionalism, but we advise being selective in who to friend or follow on social media, whether they are patients or not. Whether in real life or digital life, doctors have to determine their own boundaries and comfort level when it comes to engaging with patients outside of the exam room. Protect against misinformation. Physicians on social media have a professional responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the health-related content they create or share. Health professionals can be as vulnerable to misinformation as laypersons, particularly when they share information initially posted by someone else. Be wary of sharing an unreferenced statement or statistic that another user has shared. If you cannot verify it, either dont share it or add a caveat that the information has not been personally verified. Its better to share content that includes a link to an authoritative source. Limit screen time. Family physicians have multiple personal and professional commitments, so it is important when considering your social media goals to also consider how much time you can dedicate to using these tools. Building an online brand can require a substantial time commitment, especially in the start-up stage. When Dr. Lin began his blog Common Sense Family Doctor in 2009, his goal was to post twice per week, which required around three to four hours per week, not including additional time spent reading and commenting on other blogs and social media accounts. He gradually reduced the posting frequency to two to three times per month after about four years, when the blog was well established. Today, it receives an average of 20,000 page views per month. In this quickly evolving social media world, Twitter has become a place where family physicians can develop their online brand without spending a lot of time. Dr. Sevilla has attracted close to 30,000 followers on Twitter by sharing the latest health news (spending approximately 15 minutes daily scanning for hot topics in health news and posting them to Twitter), sharing information at conferences (approximately one hour daily at the conference posting pearls from lectures and retweeting other attendees posts), and participating in Twitter chats (approximately one hour weekly in which a moderator poses several questions around a theme, providing a great opportunity to share your point of view and network). While social media can be helpful for many purposes, these platforms also are designed to be addictive. Algorithms learn what users like and create feeds of information to encourage them to keep checking the sites. Growing a community and purpose on social media can be fulfilling, but it can disrupt the physicians initial intent of joining the platform or pursuit of other life passions. Like younger users, adults should limit screen time, disconnect as needed, and allow time for activities in real life or reflection. Instead of filling up time with scrolling through social media, make sure you are taking appropriate breaks and exploring curiosity, creativity, and innovation in other ways as well. Follow institutional policies. Especially for those low in their institutional hierarchy, from medical students to entry-level employees, it may feel as though you cannot participate publicly in social media without violating institutional policies. In most cases, that isnt true, but before starting, you should know your employers social media policies. Some institutions are more conservative than others. Most simply request that employees remain professional in their social media presence and clearly state that the opinions shared are personal and do not reflect those of the employer. In most situations, it comes back to the goals of using the platform. For those looking to further an advocacy agenda, individual voices and stories are important. Institutions, whether they are public or private entities, may limit individual rights to free speech depending on the type of speech involved and an employees position (e.g., if it contradicts the employers position). When in doubt, seek guidance from a local mentor to sort out the specifics of the situation. Remember that nothing we do in public is apolitical. For example, by overlooking certain political content, family physicians may be implicitly supporting the status quo. You will have to balance staying true to your objectives within the local political-organizational landscape where you work. Otherwise, you may have to find another job. Avoid conflicts of interest. Economic gain can be a reason that some physicians get involved in social media. While an increased volume of patients can be a benign effect of social media involvement, potential conflicts of interest may also arise. Sponsored content, also known as influencer or native marketing, is often paid content from a third party, but it can appear to be coming directly from the individual (in this case, the family physician). For example, a marketing agency could target physicians who generally speak about prenatal vitamins, asking them to publicly support a pharmaceutical companys brand. For social media influencers, sponsored content can be an important revenue stream, but for family physicians, sponsored content poses an ethical conflict of interest. The Federal Trade Commission now has guidelines on transparency around sponsored content. If social media influencers are getting paid for mentioning a product or even an idea, they must reveal it. Marketing partnerships should not be hidden in a small hyperlink. For physicians, sponsored content should be disclosed similarly to other conflicts of interest. For most physicians, this wont be an issue, but those with 5,000 to 25,000 followers on a platform may be approached to post sponsored content. Its also important to be aware of the ethical implications of making certain endorsements or statements on social media. Medical ethics encompass respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These ethics could be violated if a physician, for example, sponsored a product known to cause harm in certain populations but did not disclose that fact. In addition, given the power dynamics of the physician-patient relationship, a physicians patients may feel pressured to purchase a product their physician endorses online. While there is limited case law on health professionals online endorsements of questionably effective products, high-profile physicians like Dr. Oz (Mehmet Oz, MD) have been called before Congress for deceptive marketing of supplements.3 Family physicians who accept payment for their content should consider if the content is consistent with current standards of care and evidence-based medicine. Ultimately, this is a personal decision, but it could impact a family physicians reputation. Additionally, family physicians should be aware of laws surrounding promotion. The assertion by new Finance Minister Conor Murphy that an extra 2bn will not be enough to fund the ambitious but necessary programme of work facing the devolved government has been proven correct. In this newspaper today distinguished economist Dr Esmond Birnie puts the required capital expenditure at an eyewatering 5bn. And then we would need a further 500m at least on an annual basis to meet recurrent costs. Little wonder that the Prime Minister was coy when asked about what sums of money the Treasury would forward to cement the new administration and put the province on a more solvent footing. Dr Birnie's calculations take into account things like tackling the health waiting lists, the cost of transforming the health service along the Bengoa proposals, sewage and water treatment improvements which are deemed vital to allow further development in Belfast and to a lesser extent Londonderry, settling the health workers and teachers pay disputes, and huge infrastructure projects. Of course these will not all be solved in a single year but work has to begin on them as soon as possible. Politicians here may believe that they are at the centre of Mr Johnson's universe and that they deserve rewards for their intransigence which has led to the province facing a huge bill just to get running properly again. The financial plight of the various government departments is a direct result of three years of political abstinence. The job of keeping the lights on at our schools and hospitals continued in their absence but there were no ministers available to plead for extra funding on an annual basis and the deficit continued to pile up. While the Prime Minister has pledged that Westminster will be supportive of the new Assembly and Executive, that is a phrase which can mean anything he wants it to. He knows that Wales, the north of England which has delivered his huge majority, and Scotland will be watching what happens on this side of the Irish Sea very carefully and will not be behind the door in seeking parity. It will be interesting to see if whatever funding is delivered has strings attached and how much of the shortfall will actually come out of our pockets rather than from the Treasury. Dr Birnie has delivered a huge wake up call to both the parties and the public and we need to take heed. Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Tuesday met Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and urged him to lodge an FIR in connection with the police action on campus last month, officials said. Akhtar met Patnaik and other senior police officials. On Monday, Akhtar had said the varsity administration will "explore the possibility" of moving court for registration of an FIR against "police brutality" on the campus after hundreds of angry students gheraoed her office demanding action against the Delhi Police. On December 15, as violence over the citizenship amendment act flared up, police personnel entered the campus and cracked down on students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Monday suggested that Delhi Police should have dealt with protesting students in a mature manner, sources said. Top officials of Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik appeared on Monday before the panel chaired by senior Congress leader Anand Sharma to discuss rising crimes in Delhi-NCR. Without mentioning the recent incidents of violence at JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, members of the panel questioned the way in which police dealt with the protesting students and the frequent imposition of Section 144 in the national capital which causes trouble for the common man. Mr. Baroni was sentenced to 18 months in prison in February and reported to a federal corrections facility in Pennsylvania in April, but he was released on bail after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in June. Ms. Kelly was sentenced to 13 months but will remain free unless the Supreme Court rules against her. The justices also struggled to decide a second legal question: whether the Port Authority had been defrauded of anything. The object of the deception was not to obtain property, Justice Elena Kagan said, paraphrasing the words of the key federal law under which the defendants were prosecuted. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. echoed the point. The object of the scheme was not to commandeer lanes on the bridge, he said. The object was to cause a traffic jam in Fort Lee. And if they could have done it some other way, they would have done it some other way. Mr. Roth, the lawyer for Ms. Kelly, drew a distinction between lies resulting in personal gain expense account fraud, say and ones told about the allocation of government resources. The federal property fraud statute is concerned with cheating the government out of its property rights, Mr. Roth said. And thats just not what we have here. What we have here is an abuse of power, a political abuse of power. Allowing criminal prosecutions of such abuses under property fraud laws could have sweeping consequences, Ms. Kellys lawyers wrote in their Supreme Court brief. Under the governments theory, they wrote, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross could be prosecuted for giving what the Supreme Court found in June was a contrived reason for trying to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. State-owned has called off the divestment of its stake in housing finance subsidiary Can Fin Homes, the lender announced on Tuesday. In 2018 too, the bank had forgone the stake sale after receiving lower than expected price quotation. In September last year, the lender again invited bids to sell 30 per cent stake in Can Fin Homes, but has now backed out without giving reasons for the move. "We hereby inform the stock exchanges that the Bank has decided to call off the divestment process of its entire stake in Can Fin Homes Ltd, which was under progress," said in a filing on Tuesday. Bids were invited through merchant bankers for sale of 3,99,30,365 equity shares of face value of Rs 2 each, constituting 29.99 per cent stake in Can Fin Homes. Can Fin Homes has a pan India network of 132 branches, 20 affordable housing loan centres and 20 satellite offices with customer base of over 1.2 lakh. (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.) Iran is now at that equilibrium point of confrontation with the United States, when a considerable part of the world's sympathies is on its side, and the country does not want to lose this precarious balance Reuters Iran admitted that it shot down a Ukrainian plane with its own compatriots for the same reason that the Russian authorities released Ivan Golunov. The upper layers of the regime do not want to bear joint responsibility for erroneous decisions made at lower levels of their own bureaucracy, in this the military bureaucracy. And they decreased responsibility to the lowest possible level - to "air defense system operators". Do not forget to recall that the air defense was in full and nervous combat readiness due to the exacerbation that the Americans arranged. However, this did not sound like a blame-shifting: the United States created the context, but the fault lies in Iran. Other countries in a similar situation (from the USA to the USSR and Russia) preferred unity and defended the actions of their military, even Ukraine in 2001 began with this, and paid ex gratia compensation, without formal legal admission of guilt. Although none of them shot down a plane taking off from its own capital airport. But Iran is now at that equilibrium point of confrontation with the United States when a considerable part of the world's sympathies is on its side, and it does not want to lose this precarious balance. Only to an observer with very specific optics, Iran seems a country which started, continued and naturally ended up as an absolute villain, having shot down a civilian plane. Armed Forces internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752 Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 In fact, the whole story about how President Trump killed the acting general of another country (and with him another 10 people) to annoy his election rivals, and almost started this is a great war in the region, has been heard in a world without much enthusiasm. The Iranians, even after their bloodless slap in the face of two US bases in Iraq, did not appear in this story as a one-dimensional aggressor and villain. But if now the Iranians began to deny the blame for the downing of Ukrainian plane, if they started to be silent, here they would become villains. And now the recognition of the tragic mistake returns the balance that was lost. The Iranians are again between the villain (because of a regime there) and the victim (because of Trump and the role of America in the third world). Especially since those who died on the plane are mostly Iranians, and they would have to hide, be silent and repent in the face of their own people, and families in Iran are large and cross-border, and those whose children study in Canada are not the poor people, and it is still unknown what is worse to push them away or hug their relatives over the wreckage, as before over the tomb of General Suleimani, and condemn and punish several Revolutionary Guards from air defense. Photos have been released from the Broadway premiere of Manhattan Theatre Club's My Name Is Lucy Barton, starring Laura Linney. Adapted by Rona Munro from Elizabeth Strout's novel, the play is directed by Richard Eyre at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Linney, according to a press release, "plays Lucy Barton, a woman who wakes after an operation to find much to her surprise her mother at the foot of her bed. They haven't seen each other in years. During their days-long visit, Lucy tries to understand her past, works to come to terms with her family, and begins to find herself as a writer." The creative team will include Bob Crowley (scenic and costume design), Peter Mumford (lighting design), John Leonard (sound design), and Luke Halls (projection design). WWE RAW REPORT: A CONTRACT SIGNING, R TRUTH GOES IN AND OUT IN 3 MINUTES, BLACK/MURPHY III, AND A NEW DISCIPLE FOR THE MESSIAH We are in Lexington, Kentucky and your announcers are Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler. Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. Before Randy says anything, he poses on the turnbuckles. Randy says he was asked to come out tonight and excitedly welcome everyone to Raw. But, excitedly is not really his style. Randy wants to invite a specific WWE Superstar to come to the ring. Randy tells AJ Styles to get his ass out here. Randy says he will show why he is a favorite to win the Royal Rumble and he will hit AJ with the three most dangerous letters in the WWE . . . . R . . . K . . . AJ Styles comes out. AJ asks if Randy is going to brag or pretend he has another knee injury. AJ says he really thought Randy was hurt and he got an RKO. Now you think you are the favorite to win the Royal Rumble. It is not true and you know it. Randy asks why. AJ says you missed him hitting the sweetest RKO last week for the win. AJ says many many many people said it was probably the best RKO they had ever seen. Some or most said that his RKO was Phenomenal. AJ says it was so good that maybe it is all he needs to throw 29 other people over the top rope to win. AJ says that includes Orton, Brock Lesnar . . . Drew McIntyre makes his way to the stage. Drew says that includes Drew McIntyre. He says he has had a few tough weeks with his opponents. He had to deal with the conga line last week and he overcame that. Drew says he is seeking some bigger opponents. He says that he sees Randy Orton and AJ Styles in the ring with an RKO comparison contest. Drew says his Claymore is bigger. He wants to show who is the favorite to win the Royal Rumble. Drew asks if the people want to see them talk all night or do you want to see a Triple Threat Match? Match Number One: Randy Orton versus AJ Styles versus Drew McIntyre Orton sends Drew to the floor and then Randy sends AJ to the apron. Styles goes for a springboard move and Orton with a forearm. Luke Gallows pulls AJ to the floor to stop an IEDDT. Orton with an RKO to Anderson and Drew with a Claymore to Gallows. We go to commercial. We are back and Drew chops AJ on the turnbuckles and then sets for a superplex but AJ crotches Drew. AJ chops and punches Drew. Orton punches AJ and kicks Drew. Orton sets for a superplex on Styles but Drew hangs from the turnbuckles and hits a hanging German suplex on Orton at the same time. Drew punches AJ and Orton punches Drew. AJ kicks Orton and Drew kicks AJ. Drew punches Orton and AJ with a double thrust to Drew followed by an enzuigiri. Orton clotheslines AJ. Drew with a head butt to knock Orton to the mat and then Drew head butts AJ. Drew with a Future Shock DDT to AJ and then Drew sets for a Claymore but Orton drop kicks Drew and sends him to the floor. Drew trips Orton and sends him into the ringside barrier and apron. Drew runs Orton into the ringside barrier and AJ with a slingshot forearm. Orton with a backdrop driver onto the ringside barrier. AJ sends Drew into the ring post. Orton picks up the ring steps and he hits Drew with them. Styles returns to the ring and Orton drops the ring steps. AJ with a kick to Orton and an IEDDT to Randy. AJ mocks Orton's RKO set up and he waits for Randy to get up but Orton blocks it. AJ with a Pele Kick. Orton avoids an RKO again and he kicks AJ in the midsection. Orton sets for the Styles Clash and Orton hits it for a near fall. Orton walks around the ring and he twists to the mat and goes for the RKO but Styles with a rollup for a near fall. Orton with an RKO but Drew with a Claymore to Orton and Drew gets the three count on AJ. Winner: Drew McIntyre We go to commercial. We are back with a look at the return of the Big Show last week. Akam and Rezar talk in the locker room and Seth Rollins enters. He says he hopes that you are as excited about tonight as he is. Opportunities like this don't come along that often. This fist fight is an opportunity. This will be a demonstration. If you are not with us, you are against us. It would behoove you to be with them because nothing and no one can stop them. Can Kevin Owens stop them? Can Samoa Joe stop them? Can Big Show stop them? This is unstoppable. This is the destiny of Monday Night Raw. Seth says he has sacrificed everything. He has sacrificed more than anyone can understand to ensure that destiny stays intact. They must impose their will. They must show what happens when you do not embrace the Monday Night Messiah. Match Number Two: Ricochet versus Mojo Rawley Ricochet with a waist lock but Mojo with a take down. Ricochet with a handstand head scissors and drop kick. Mojo with a knee to the midsection. Ricochet sends Mojo over the top rope to the floor. Ricochet with a springboard drop kick to knock Mojo off the apron. Ricochet with a flip dive onto Mojo. Mojo avoids a springboard move and Mojo hits a running shoulder tackle for a near fall. Mojo with shoulders in the corner. Mojo with a gutwrench suplex and a punch in the corner. Mojo with a splash into the corner. Mojo goes for an Alabama Slam but Ricochet holds on to the ropes. Ricochet with a shoulder from the apron followed by a kick into the turnbuckle that Mojo's head was resting on. Ricochet with a springboard cross body but Mojo catches Ricochet. Ricochet lands on his feet and hits Recoil. Ricochet goes up top for the 630 splash and the three count. Winner: Ricochet The Street Profits are in the back and Montez says Ricochet is making the impossible possible. Montez wants to call the show Monday Night Smoke. Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, and the Big Show are getting ready for their Fist Fight. Montez asks Angelo who is his pick. Angelo says he is working on his Oscar ballot. Montez says the Oscars might have the stars, but WWE has the constellations. Match Number Three: Charlotte Flair versus Sarah Logan Charlotte with a boot to the head as the bell rings. Charlotte goes for the figure four but Sarah gets to the ropes and goes to the floor. Charlotte goes after Sarah on the floor and punches and chops Logan. Sarah and Charlotte exchange forearms. Charlotte with a chop and Sarah blocks a Fallaway Slam on the floor. They continue to fight as the referee continues to count. Sarah grabs Charlotte by the hair and Charlotte is sent back into the ring. Charlotte with a back breaker and flatliner into the turnbuckles. Charlotte with a figure four and she bridges to force Sarah to tap out. Winner: Charlotte Flair Charlotte thinks about leaving the ring, but she decides to help Sarah to leave the ring first and throws her to the floor. We go to commercial. Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens are in the back talking about the rules and Joe says not to worry about the rules. Joe says when we are in a fight, our opponents are on the ground. Big Show shows up and he tells Kevin not to stress about the rules. Show says we have this and he has a size 7X fist. Show says this needs to reintroduce itself to Seth Rollins. Kevin and Joe like the plan. Coverage Continues on Next Page If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here! Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 20:59:12|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- As one traverses central Kenyan counties that include Muranga, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Meru, the major shift that is happening on farms in the region is noticeable. Coffee trees that once dotted the landscape of the region for years are fast disappearing and in their place avocados and macadamia are taking over. The shift that started years ago has gathered pace as the price of coffee in the international market becomes erratic, with most of the times declining, hurting local farmers. "I grew up seeing coffee all around me but these days you have to travel for long to find a farm hosting the crop," Andrew Kariuki, a resident of Kirinyaga said in a recent interview. "People have shifted to avocado and macadamia because there is hope in the new crops. The prices are good and the market is liberalized, unlike coffee where you have to sell through cooperatives." Kariuki recalled that he started working on his parents' coffee farm while aged about seven and did so until he completed his secondary schooling. "During school holidays and weekends, we would head to the farm and pick the berries and deliver to a buyer. I did this with my five brothers and two sisters as our parents relied on family labor to cut costs," he said. It is from coffee that his parents got income to pay their school fees up to college level and take care of their other basic needs. And this was the story of many families in the regions. But like many other farmers, Kariuki's parents have uprooted their coffee bushes and replaced them with fast-maturing horticultural crops, such as avocados and macadamia. This is because of the declined income from coffee, the once top income provider. Data from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) shows that in 2019, the price of a 50-kilo bag of coffee ranged from 11,000 shillings (110 U.S. dollars) to 130 dollars, down from a high of 230 dollars two years back. The drop in prices led to declined earnings for farmers, according to the Coffee Directorate, with farmers' earnings standing at 30 million dollars in the first nine months of 2019. In 2018, earnings stood at 47.7 million dollars, shrinking from over 50 million dollars in 2017. The fall in earnings has led to a massive decline in production as farmers reduce acreage under the crop and shift to better-paying crops. On Caroline Karimi's farm in Muranga County stand not only avocado trees but also macadamia from which she harvests the fruits and nuts and sells to various buyers. She sells the avocado fruits to a company in Nakuru, North West of the capital Nairobi, which buys for the Chinese market. But she also has an option of selling to Kakuzi, a firm in the region that exports the fruits to Europe. For macadamia, she supplies to Jungle Nuts, a company in the region that buys, processes and exports the nuts. "Payment is prompt, which is unlike coffee where one has to supply and wait for months before one gets paid," she said. Besides low prices, the vagaries of climate change that include lengthy dry and cold spells and unpredictable rains have affected coffee growing, heaping high production costs on farmers amid stifled income, making the crop unattractive. But avocado and macadamia prospects are bright as consumption of the fruit and nuts rises globally from the Americas to Europe and Asia. Kenya exports up to 50,000 tonnes of avocados a year, with the country trailing only South Africa in the continent. The Chinese market is also opening up after Kenya and China signed a deal in 2019. The East African nation not only exports Hass avocados to the Asian nation but also mangoes, French beans, peanuts and macadamia. Avocados are highly nutritious, the reason why their demand has risen globally, said Beatrice Macharia of Growth Point agro-consultancy. "They are further used in the cosmetic industry and one can extract oil from them, making them a high-value crop," she said. New Jersey judges would get a seat on the board overseeing investments of the states $78 billion fund, under a bill passed by the state Legislature Monday. The bill (S3871) would add a member of the Judicial Retirement System to the State Investment Council. Unlike other public retirement funds, the Judicial Retirement System is not represented on the investment council. The legislation would bring the councils total membership up to 16. The bill passed 39-0 in the Senate and 75-0 in the Assembly. Raymond A. Batten, a retired Superior Court judge who is now in private practice, told a Senate committee previously that the change is a simple matter of fairness and equity. The Judicial Retirement System is the most underfunded of all of the state pension funds. Its projected depletion date is significantly earlier than the other funds, and its members are appropriately concerned about the depletion date, he said. Having that representation on the State Investment Council will give at least some measure of confidence to the Judicial Retirement System beneficiaries that their interests are being protected to the same extent as the other pension fund beneficiaries. The Judicial Retirement System is indeed the least healthy of the seven pension funds. Under the states accounting rules, it has enough assets, $210 million, to cover about 31 percent of its $671 million in liabilities. Measured under national accounting standards, it has $168 million in assets and $922 million in liabilities, for a funded ratio of just 18 percent. The judges pension fund assets are comprised of contributions from the state, from employees and investment returns. The state has for decades now contributed less than what is required by actuaries or nothing at all. Want more pension news? Enter your email address to be the first to know: Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In November of 2019, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey State Police announced the use of Collaborative Response Graphics (CRGs) as the central component of a new Statewide Mapping Initiative designed to secure New Jerseys critical infrastructure. That action has firmly established CRGs as New Jerseys common operating picture. What started in New Jersey as a must-have communication and collaboration tool is now being championed across the United States resulting in CRGs quickly becoming Americas Common Operating Picture. Because there are an array of emergency notification platforms deployed throughout the public safety market, CRGs are designed to integrate with preexisting, collateral and ancillary systems as a geo-rectified mapping layer. Based in Ewing, New Jersey, the Critical Response Groups innovative CRGs are solving the long-standing and well acknowledged challenges of first responders being unfamiliar with incident locations and unable to effectively communicate and coordinate responses between multiple agencies. CRGs are designed to be sophisticated, yet simple to use maps that allow first responders to coordinate their actions, easily communicate and save critical time as they respond to emergencies both outside and inside any location. We studied how the U.S. Military Special Operations community leveraged common operating pictures to plan and coordinate their missions overseas. Seizing on those lessons, we created CRGs to domesticate and standardized the development and use of common operating pictures to plan for and coordinate the actions of our first responder community here at home, said Phil Coyne, President of the Critical Response Group. When an emergency occurs at a facility, many emergency personnel will respond, most of whom will have little to no familiarity with the layout of that facility. CRGs provide a pre-existing and standardized common operating picture of that location that can be easily understood and operationalized. With CRGs, you can assemble a team of officers and other first responders from anywhere, who have never worked together, take them to a school or piece of critical infrastructure that none of them has ever walked in, and theyll be able to immediately orient themselves to the scene, communicate critical location-based information, and work together to save lives, said Coyne. CRGs are quickly being adopted across the country as the standardized common operating picture to plan for and coordinate the response to critical incidents. CRGs enhance response time and improve command and control during an incident. They have been validated by thousands of real-world incidents under the most stressful conditions and are deployed across the United States and internationally to protect schools, businesses, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure. CRGs are also being used during special event planning and have been recognized as a protective measure best practice. For more information on the Critical Response Group, Inc. and Collaborative Response Graphics (CRGs) visit their website at crgplans.com. You can also visit https://youtu.be/10aghbY3AKI A total of 22 horses and a further eight emaciated animals have been found on a Queensland property in what authorities have described as a "distressing" situation. Inspectors and a vet have visited the property in the Gowrie Mountain area, west of Toowoomba, following complaints, and directed the horses' owner to feed them. A total of 22 horses, some former racehorses have died on a Queensland property with another eight in an emaciated state. Biosecurity Queensland deputy director-general and chief biosecurity officer Malcolm Letts said it was "distressing" to see the animals, some of which are former racehorses, in such a condition. The issue was first referred to the department by the RSPCA on January 6. The person contracted to look after the animals by the owner - who is not based on the site - was contacted the following day, with inspectors and a vet organised to visit the property three days later. Toronto, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) has voted to join ten unions representing more than 250,000 Ontario workers to launch a coordinated Charter challenge against the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act formerly Bill 124. This Ford government legislation unduly interferes with the rights of workers to free and fair collective bargaining. It threatens pay equity and benefits for contract faculty and other marginalized workers, and will erode the foundations of Ontarios important public services including our outstanding public education system. This legislation violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and cannot be allowed to stand, said Rahul Sapra, President of OCUFA. Ontarios faculty will work shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues across the public sector to ensure this unfair legislation is struck down. Ontarios university faculty and academic librarians firmly believe in the right to free and fair collective bargaining. It is through this process that equity is fostered; ensuring that good jobs and fair pay are provided to traditionally under-compensated groups, including women-identified, racialized, and contract faculty. In addition, OCUFA will be making the case that this legislation undermines university autonomy and independence by imposing a province-wide regime of bargaining. The joint Charter challenge has been launched by a coalition of unions, coordinated by the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), representing workers across the broader public sector, including: AMAPCEO Ontarios Professional Employees; the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE Ontario); the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE); the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 636; the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC); the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC); the Service Employees International Union (SEIU Healthcare); the Society of United Professionals (IFPTE) Local 160; the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 175; and the United Steelworkers (USW). Fords attack on the rights of public sector workers is part of a broader anti-worker agenda as evident by his earlier actions that reduced Ontarios minimum wage and stripped away basic employment rights from the provinces most vulnerable workers. Doug Ford doesnt believe in fair labour laws or workers rights, said Sapra. He has manufactured a fiscal crisis to create a race to the bottom where Ontario workers have fewer and fewer rights and Ontarios public services have fewer and fewer resources. Ontario currently has the lowest per-student and per-capita funding in the country and constraining collective bargaining rights will only deepen that crisis. OCUFA will work with our colleagues across the education and broader public sector to hold the Ford government to account and defend the rights of all workers to fair pay, safe working conditions, and job security. We will challenge Fords attacks on workers rights in the courts and work in our communities to show the Ford government that Ontarians reject its austerity agenda. Surveillance footage shows the stunning moment a thief robs a bakery at gunpoint, making off with handfuls of cash - before returning to demand a slice of bread. The brazen suspect was caught on camera holding up the shop in Boca del Rio, a city in the Mexican gulf state of Veracruz, on Saturday night. The unidentified man was seen grabbing a small piece bread from a rack and calmly walking to the cash register attendant, placing the item on the counter. As he reaches into his bag as though to pay, he immediately catches the female employee's attention when he nonchalantly brandishes his weapon. The terrified woman opens the register and steps aside to allow the armed man to walk behind the counter and grab all of the money from the register before he leaves. Surveillance camera at a bakery in Mexico captures the moment a man (center) places down a piece of bread and pulls out a gun on the cash register clerk (right) in a robbery attempt on Saturday The unidentified thief walked around the counter and took all the money out from a cash register before walking out He then encounters a man, who appeared to be another store employee or possibly the manager, and they exchange words. A couple of seconds pass before the armed robber appears to remember that he has left something inside. The man then heads straight to the counter and demands that the woman to place a piece of bread that he 'intended to purchase' in a paper bag. The bakery thief (center) walked back into the shop moments after robbing it and ordered the store clerk (right) to place the bread on a bag to go The armed man, who has not been arrested by authorities, made sure to leave with the bread which he used as an accessory to rob the bakery on Sunday None of the employees were harmed during the robbery. Authorities had not arrested the suspect as of Tuesday. It is unknown how much money in total the thief escaped with. According to Mexican news outlet La Silla Rota, the town of Boca del Rio was listed was the most safest city in the state of Veracruz in 2019 despite averaging one violent assault per day. Building on a shared conviction that physician expertise can inspire new technology to resolve unmet needs in the health care sector, the two organizations have launched the RedCrow Hub on the AMA's Physician Innovation Network (PIN), an online platform that connects physicians with entrepreneurs seeking to drive solution development with insight and feedback from front-line medical care professionals. The integration of the AMA's PIN platform with the RedCrow community creates a unique nexus point for health care innovation where health care startups can benefit from greater insight and expert involvement, while physicians can have a greater role in driving technology that responds to real clinical needs. "Overlooking physician requirements is one reason new medical technology may not live up to its promise," said AMA CEO James L. Madara, M.D. "The AMA believes when physicians and entrepreneurs are aligned on the challenges and opportunities in health care, we can expect meaningful advances from medical technology. The new collaboration brings together the expertise of physicians and the passion of entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge technology that improves the way the health care system works." "We expect the RedCrow Hub to become a vibrant community," says Orrin Ailloni-Charas, M.D., RedCrow's managing director. "I'm hopeful that physicians will find many opportunities to share their expertise and, perhaps, join startups in areas in which they are passionate. The AMA shares our vision for fostering innovation through the inclusion of the medical community and we are very excited about this collaboration." "In the digital age, it has become extremely important to know who you are interacting with online," said RedCrow CEO Brian A. Smith. "The AMA's PIN gives the RedCrow network the ability to share their expertise with not only our fundraising companies but with any company or individual seeking feedback or validation. Each user can create a robust profile which lends to the credibility and success of this community" Physicians, entrepreneurs and health care companies interested in engaging on the RedCrow Hub can register at no cost and will have full access to the AMA's PIN platform. Media Contacts: Robert J. Mills American Medical Association Phone: (312) 464-5970 Aishlin Harrison RedCrow Phone: (415) 569-4481 About the American Medical Association The American Medical Association is the physicians' powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care. About RedCrow RedCrow, which was created as a result of the 2012 Jobs Act, is a direct-investment and marketing platform for healthcare innovation, providing curated deal flow for all investors. RedCrow leverages industry experts to provide comprehensive analysis on healthcare startups, enabling a wide array of investors to help healthcare innovation succeed. When a startup joins RedCrow, it's equipped with the tools, such as interactive, virtual deal rooms, it needs to market its company and investment opportunity. RedCrow leverages the knowledge of its crowd of experts to identify and support innovative companies. SOURCE RedCrow Related Links https://www.redcrow.com Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday apologised on Twitter after he was criticised for his remark that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants power without responsibility, something which has been "the prerogative of eunuchs". On Monday night, Tharoor alleged that Kejriwal is trying to have it both ways by making statements deploring the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) but has not taken any tangible action. "He has not even shown human compassion one expects from a chief minister from victims of violence in his state. In any other state, had students been bashed up in this manner, the chief minister would have visited them and shown them some concern," Tharoor told a TV channel. "Mr Kejriwal really wants power without responsibility, which we all know has been the prerogative of eunuchs for ages," he said. The remark drew sharp criticism on social media as netizens accused him of "transphobia" and asked him to apologise to the LGBT community. "Apologies to those who found my quote about 'power without responsibility' offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, & most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate & withdraw it," Tharoor tweeted on Tuesday morning. He did not directly mention the "eunuch" reference which had sparked outrage. For the ninth consecutive year, EKU's online degree programs are ranked among the best by U.S. News and World Report. We have grown dramatically since our first online class was taught in 2006, but the quality of our courses and the commitment of our faculty continues to set the standard. U.S. News & World Report has once again ranked Eastern Kentucky Universitys online degree programs among the best in the nation. EKU is 39th on the list of Best Online Programs for Veterans. The school also made the top 50 list of Best Online Programs in Nursing for the fifth consecutive year, performing better than any other Kentucky school. EKUs online bachelors programs and graduate degrees in education moved up in the rankings, landing in the top 100. We are incredibly proud of our online programs that excel in these high-profile rankings year after year, said Tim Matthews, executive director of the Office of eCampus Learning. We have grown dramatically since our first online class was taught in 2006, but the quality of our courses and the commitment of our faculty continues to set the standard. EKU is repeatedly recognized as a leader among military friendly schools, and online programs are no exception. The university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides funding for tuition expenses that are not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active duty service members qualify for reduced tuition. Students and families also benefit from flexible admission and withdrawal policies while on deployment. Online degrees were assessed using four weighted categories: engagement; services and technology; faculty credentials and training; and expert opinion. Graduate programs were also scored on student excellence, a category that included undergraduate GPAs and acceptance rate. Student engagement, which refers to interaction between online students and their instructors, plays a key role in student success. Class size, graduation rate, retention rate and time to degree completion were also measured in this category. In the services and technologies category, the best performing schools reported lower levels of student debt, as well as higher instances of advanced learning technologies and support services such as academic advising, tutoring and career placement assistance. Faculty and administrators are an important part of the ranking algorithm. Schools rose in the rankings based on the number of faculty with terminal degrees in their disciplines and resources dedicated to preparing instructors to teach in the online environment. U.S. News and World Report also solicited deans and top officials to provide their expert opinions of institutions offering similar programs by completing a peer assessment survey. Consistently recognized as having some of the nation's best online degree programs, EKU strives to make quality education accessible to everyone. EKU is an accredited, brick-and-mortar institution that has prepared students for success for more than a century. Today, more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree options are available in a variety of fields. To learn more about EKU Online programs, go to go.eku.edu/usnews20. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of sex trafficking after a woman claimed they held her against her will and forced her into prostitution. James Manford Jarrell and Jeffrey Allen Kobel, both 50 of Roscommon, Michigan, allegedly forced the woman to clean their house on Roberta Drive which hosted drug deals. The woman finally escaped after several days but was arrested for stealing a car 3am on Friday. She claimed to be a victim who had been transported north from Ypsilanti. Michigan residents James Manford Jarrell (left) and Jeffrey Allen Kobel, both 50, allegedly forced the woman to clean their house on Roberta Drive 'She didn't know the men up north. She was very scared. She was nervous. She thought her life was going to end if she didn't escape,' Michigan State Police Lt. Derrick Carroll told 9 and 10 News. The woman had initially tried to flee but was unsuccessful. Kobel faces 15 years and/or $20,000 fine for the one-count felony charge of unlawful imprisonment, in addition to being a habitual offender, third offense 'She had managed to get them to stop at a rest area. Her plan was to escape but one of the men followed her to the restroom, waiting outside the door and then brought her back to the vehicle,' Carroll said. The victim's claim of narcotics at the residence gave the police the opportunity to get a warrant to search the home. After the raid by the MSP emergency support team, strike team investigative narcotics group (STING), MSP canine, MSP Houghton Lake Post and Crawford County Sheriff's Office, the duo were arrested. On Tuesday they were being held at Crawford County Jail. Jarrell is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, and one count unlawful imprisonment. The charges are all felonies and the latter is punishable by 15 years and/or $20,000. He was also charged with being a habitual offender, fourth offense and his bond was set at $100,000 cash surety. Kobel also faces 15 years and/or $20,000 fine for the one-count felony charge of unlawful imprisonment, in addition to being a habitual offender, third offense. His bond was set at $25,000, 10% cash surety. Both are due to appear in court on January 28. CARMEL, Ind., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced a new operating model that realigns the company from three operating business segments into two divisionsConsumer and Worksite. The new structure will create a leaner, more integrated, customer-centric organization that better positions CNO Financial for long-term success and shareholder value creation. "CNO is transforming its organizational structure to build a leaner, more agile company," said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer. "Consumer purchasing behaviors are rapidly changing across all industries, including insurance. Consumers increasingly want to choose how to be servedwhether to meet with an agent face-to-face, speak with an agent over the phone or at work, or shop online. Our new structure will capitalize on the strengths of our top five captive agent force and our top five direct-to-consumer business to enable our middle-market consumers to better access our products, irrespective of distribution or brand." Under the new structure, CNO will organize around two business divisions that reflect the customers served by the company. The Consumer Division will serve individual consumers, engaging with them on the phone, online, face-to-face with agents, or through a combination of sales channels. This structure unifies consumer capabilities into a single division and integrates the strength of CNO's agent sales forces and industry-leading direct-to-consumer business with proven experience in advertising, web/digital and call center support. The Worksite Division will focus on worksite and group sales for businesses, associations, and other membership groups, interacting with customers at their place of employment. By creating a dedicated Worksite Division, CNO will bring a sharper focus to this high-growth business while further capitalizing on the strength of its recent Web Benefits Design acquisition. To support the new organizational structure, the company also announced the realignment of its senior leadership. Scott Goldberg has been named president of the Consumer Division. has been named president of the Consumer Division. Mike Heard has been named president of the Worksite Division. Goldberg and Heard will report directly to Bhojwani and remain in the company's Executive Leadership Group. Both appointments are effective immediately. CNO will also centralize certain functional areas previously housed in the three business segments, including marketing, business unit finance, sales training and support, and agent recruiting, among others. CNO will continue to market its products under its three primary brands: Bankers Life, Washington National and Colonial Penn. All policy, contract, and certificate terms, conditions, and benefits also remain unchanged. As a result of the consolidation from three operating business segments to two divisions, Joel Schwartz, president of Colonial Penn, will leave the company on April 10, 2020. He will remain in his current position until then to ensure a seamless transition. "Joel is a highly respected and valuable business leader who has significantly contributed to the growth and success of CNO. He was a driving force in developing our direct-to-consumer business and building our web and digital platform. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him continued success in his future endeavors," added Bhojwani. The initiatives are expected to reduce gross annual run-rate spending by approximately $22 million by the end of 2020. The company is expected to incur a pre-tax charge of approximately $14 million in 4Q19, mainly attributed to severance and the previously announced IT restructuring. The charge will be classified as a non-operating expense. CNO plans to invest approximately $11 million of the annual run-rate savings to support various technology and growth initiatives. These investments, which are largely outsourced services and new positions, will enable increased digital functionality and enhanced customer service, while also avoiding various future costs. CNO will begin reporting under a different segment structure beginning in 1Q20. Details will be provided at the Investor Day on February 26, 2020. For more information, visit CNO online at CNOinc.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. This news release may contain or refer to forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give expectations of the future using terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," and other terms tied to future periods. Results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations. They involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" CNO Financial Group, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company has no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement. SOURCE CNO Financial Group Related Links http://www.CNOinc.com Tens of millions of workers, students, agricultural workers and farmers joined a one-day general strike and protests throughout India last Wednesday, registering their opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modis government and its austerity measures and promotion of Hindu chauvinism. Indian supporters of the International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site campaigned among striking workers in Chennai, in the south, and Kolkata, in the east. They distributed copies of the WSWS perspective The fight against communal reaction in India is the fight for socialism and discussed with strikers the central political issues in the strike, above all the need for a revolutionary socialist program to fight the Modi government and the reactionary agenda of the entire Indian ruling class. Under conditions where Modis Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) government and its allies are whipping up Hindu communalism, aiming to weaken and split growing working class opposition to its austerity measures, the workers who joined the strike and protests cut across all communal, caste and ethno-linguistic divides. Striking workers In a politically significant development, striking workers demanded the repeal of the BJPs anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This was in addition to economic demands, such as higher wages and permanent jobs, and opposition to the privatisation of public sector industries, a new contributory pension scheme and pro-investor amendments in labour laws. The CAA is aimed at intimidating Indias many-millioned Muslim minority, while subjecting the entire population, especially the poor, to outrageous harassment to prove their citizenship via a National Register of Citizens (NRC). In Chennai, strikers joined a protest in front of the Mount Road post office. Anganwadi (Child Care Centre) workers were prominent. When workers began to march, however, the police blocked them and herded them onto buses. The protesters were driven to a detention zone and not released until the evening. An Anganwadi female worker, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals from the authorities, told the WSWS: We are participating in this strike to demand that our jobs are made permanent. There are over 250,000 Anganwadi workers in Tamil Nadu state. Though our official working hours are 8am to 4pm, we have to stay longer. Our job is to look after the children in child care centres and feed them. Parents are supposed to come at 4pm to take their children back. If parents do not turn up to collect their children, we have to escort the kids to their homes. That means we stay at work without overtime pay for more than an hour. She was critical of the role of the trade unions in curtailing this struggle. I have been regularly participating in one-day general strikes every year with the hope of becoming a permanent employee, she explained. The unions are not helpful in this regard. A group of three-wheeler drivers spoke in favour of socialism and the establishment of a workers government. A WSWS reporter speaks to Murugan (right) Murugan said: I agree that workers need to fight for their own government. Only then will all their pressing demands be resolved. But no other party is talking about this idea of fighting for a workers government to establish social equality. Jegatheesh, a member of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC ), which is affiliated to the Stalinist Communist Party of India (CPI), said: The unions dont have a radical program to fight on. For them, the general strike is a way of making compromises. The unions organise their annual general strike to control the fuming workers. We [CPI] used to collect money from workers in the factories and other workplaces but now our party got 150 million rupees from the DMK [Dravida Munnethra Kazhagam, a Tamil bourgeois party] for its election fund. We dont agree with this. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which is affiliated to the Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, held a protest rally at the bus terminal in Sriperumbudur, a major auto industry hub, 40 kilometres from Chennai. Less than 100 workers participated, however, in an area where hundreds of thousands of workers are employed in globally-connected auto and related industries. The police arrested the protesters when they moved just 100 metres from the bus stand. Those arrested included some Anganwadi workers, as well as CITU leaders at the Yamaha India, Royal Enfield and Hyundai auto plants. Around 50 workers from Motherson and some other auto plants in the area held a rally in the same bus stand under the banner of the Left Trade Union Centre, a regionalist splinter faction from the Maoist All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU). Motherson workers have been on strike since August 26, demanding a wage rise and opposing harsh working conditions. The police arrested them also as they began to march from the bus terminal. Ajit, an Axil worker, denounced the Modi governments CAA and NRC. He told the WSWS: These measures are against the people and trying to divert them from the real issues. I am from Madurai [460 kilometres from Chennai] and have come to Sriperumbudur for work. Earlier, I thought, through the media campaign, that north Indians were ignorant and voted for the BJP. But now, through your explanations, I understand that the BJPs rise is due to the betrayal of the working class by parties like the CPM and CPI. Ajit Now students in north India are united in fighting against the CAA. I support them. I like your partys program. It is working to develop an international consciousness among workers and youth. Now I begin to understand that immigrants should not be called illegals. They are victims of imperialism and capitalism. I am inspired by your socialist and internationalist ideas. Thiyagarajan, a Motherson worker, said: The Modi government has cut 30 billion rupees from education and is spending 39 billion rupees to build detention centres [for illegal immigrants]. Only your party has explained the need for a united fight on all the social problems. The unions have not expanded the general strike and not called out workers from all companies. Thiyagarajan was critical of the unions role in isolating the striking Motherson workers. Failing to call out the contract workers is wrong and gives strength to management. The union has not even called out workers from other Motherson plants across India. I agree with you that the social crisis is a global crisis of capitalism. I will read the WSWS. Anganwadi workers protesters in Mount Road Yogalakshmi, an Anganwadi worker, said: All the Anganwadi workers are contract workers and their basic salary is 4,000 rupees [$US56] a month. I have worked for 39 years, but get only 4,500 rupees. We are hired as part-time workers but the government burdens us with a lot of work, like pre-school maintenance, health checkups for pregnant mothers, etc. Yet our salary remains that of a part-timer. We are in the CITU union. We thought the union would solve our problems but nothing has changed for years. Teachers and students are united in this struggle. The police attacked the people fighting against CAA. I understand from what you say that the state is not for the poor and oppressed people, but for rich people. I am in favour of your idea of workers power and international socialism. In Kolkata, Tapan Chatterjee, a bank employee, commented on the governments attacks on workers social and democratic rights. We never felt so insecure before. All the public sector workers are in fear. Nobody knows what will happen next. Workloads are increasing. When Modi came to power I supported him. But I never thought the situation would turn out like this. We all should fight against the privatisation of the public sector. I know this one strike will not change much. But we should fight. The authors also recommend: The Indian general strike and the global fight against communalism and war [11 January 2020] Young South Koreans hit the beach in mock Marine Corps boot camp South Koreans take part in mock Marine Corps boot camp in Pohang By Daewoung Kim POHANG, South Korea (Reuters) - Hundreds of South Korean students braved freezing winter temperatures this week to test themselves against the rigors of Marine Corps boot camp. First started in 1997, the week-long camp aims to challenge participants with its physical activities, but also inspire potential recruits for South Korea's massive military. Nearly 600,000 South Korean troops are stationed around the country, aimed largely at deterring North Korea across the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that divides the two countries. Dressed in combat uniforms, the mix of young men and women clambered aboard armored amphibious vehicles on Tuesday in a mock beach invasion that included smoke bombs. More demanding activities included carrying heavy rubber boats along the beach, running through obstacle courses and learning to march. "I was surprised because the training was more challenging than Id thought, but I made it," Moon Eun-ji, an 18-year-old high school student who wants to become a Marine. Kim Tae-un, a physical education teacher, said he brought his students to the camp to help them develop mental strength. "Although it is very difficult, we are having a good time by relying on each other, helping each other and communicating," he said. Faced with a declining number of eligible young men, South Korea's military is planning to shrink the number of active duty troops from almost 600,000 to 500,000 by 2025, while spending billions of dollars on new weapons to modernize the force, according to the Ministry of Defence. South Korea is one the few countries in the world that has compulsory conscription for all able-bodied men, but that has come under increasing scrutiny, with the Supreme Court allowing for conscientious objection for the first time in 2018. The government also announced that the commitment would be shortened. By this summer, new Marine Corps conscripts, for example, will be facing 18 months of service instead of 21. (Additional reporting by Sangmi Cha and Minwoo Park; writing by Josh Smith; editing by Nick Macfie) Washington is no stranger to a cocktail culture. After all, it was Kentuckian Henry Clay who introduced the mint julep to the barkeep at the venerable Willard Hotel two centuries ago (they still use his recipe today), but it was another hotel that provided me with a unique experience. The Watergate in Foggy Bottom is infamous for being the site of the scandal that led to the resignation (before he could be impeached) of President Richard Nixon. If no one is occupying Room 214 aka the Scandal Room curious visitors can get a peek at where G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt orchestrated the break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters, then located next door to the hotel. Irans president calls for a special court to investigate crash and for all those responsible to be punished. Irans judiciary announced the arrests of an unspecified number of suspects after the accidental shoot-down of a commercial passenger jet during a major confrontation with the United States last week. In comments carried by state media, spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested. He did not offer additional details. Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from the capital Tehran, said one person detained was the individual who posted video of the missile striking the airliner. We just received a statement from the Revolutionary Guard saying the person who filmed the moment of the strike that took place the video that was shared around the world that brought in question the narrative the Iranians said initially that person has now been detained, she said. Hes been held for questioning about the events he witnessed and the footage he filmed. Last Wednesdays downing of the Ukrainian airliner, en route to Kyiv from Tehran, killed all 176 passengers and crew on board. It happened just hours after Iran launched missile attacks on US targets in Iraq in retaliation for the US assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. After days of denials, Iran on Saturday admitted its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down the plane in a disastrous mistake, saying air defences were fired in error while on alert after the attacks against two Iraqi bases hosting US troops. US President Donald Trump previously threatened to strike 52 targets within Iran if Tehran targeted US citizens or assets following Soleimanis killing. Irans delayed acknowledgement of the shootdown triggered small protests in Tehran and elsewhere, with hundreds of people taking to the streets to direct their ire towards senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, amid allegations of being misled. Videos posted on social media that could not be independently verified appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters. The government has denied a cover-up and police rejected reports it opened fire on demonstrators. Rouhani calls for special court In a televised address on Tuesday, Irans President Hassan Rouhani promised a thorough investigation into the unforgivable error of shooting down the plane, the latest in a series of apologies from a leadership grappling with public anger. Rouhani called for a special court to be set up with a ranking judge and dozens of experts to investigate the tragic event. This is not an ordinary case. The entire world will be watching this court, Rouhani said, adding everyone responsible in the accident must be punished. For our people, it is very important in this incident that whoever was at fault or negligent at any level faces justice, Rouhani said. Anyone who should be punished must be punished. The president called the governments admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane the first good step. We should assure people that it will not happen again, Rouhani said, adding that his government was accountable to Iranian and other nations who lost lives in the plane crash. Al Jazeeras Assed Baig, reporting from Tehran, said Rouhanis comments were a watershed moment in this country because people arent used to the military and state institutions taking state responsibility and accepting that they are wrong. Baig added Rouhani mentioned the downing of the plane was not the fault of just one person operating the air defence system rather, there were many issues involved. He also said that ultimately its the US thats responsible for the heightened level of tension, again referring to Trumps threat to target 52 sites but added this isnt an excuse for the military and other people, Baig said. International experts Most of those on board the flight were Iranians or dual nationals. Canada, Ukraine, Britain and other nations who had citizens on the plane have scheduled a meeting on Thursday in London to consider legal action against Tehran. Iran has invited experts from Canada, France, Ukraine and the US to take part in the probe into the air disaster. On Monday night, Canadas Transportation Safety Board said its investigators flying to Tehran would be granted access to the wreckage and black box flight recorders of the downed airliner. The government from the very beginning invited international teams for the investigation. If there was going to be a cover-up they wouldnt have done that, said Mohammad Marandi, head of American studies at the University of Tehran. The government and the armed forces protected the black box. They could have damaged it beyond recognition and say that it was destroyed in the crash; they didnt do so. They protected it. Congress leader and advocate Salman Khurshid and other lawyers stage a protest march against CAA and NRC at Supreme Court premises in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Hearing the bail petition of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, aka Raavan, arrested for his protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Jama Masjid last month, a Delhi court on Tuesday asserted that it is ones constitutional right to protest and said people were out on the streets as inside Parliament, things which should have been said were not said. Additional sessions judge Kamini Lau, questioning the Delhi police on the charges listed against Mr Azad, said: You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan. Even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India. The judges remarks are significant in the context of the protests across the nation by college students, activists and the Opposi-tion parties against the religion-based CAA. Mr Azad was arrested on December 21 over a dramatic protest a day before at Delhis iconic Jama Masjid, where he surfaced suddenly despite a heavy police presence and slipped away after being taken into custody. Fifteen other people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on January 9. In his bail request, Azad said the police invoked boilerplate charges against him and arrested him mechanically, without following due process of law. He also alleged he had been falsely implicated. The hearing on the bail plea will continue on Wednesday. On Tuesday, additional public prosecutor Pankaj Bhatia, representing the police, got off to a rough start in the Tis Hazari courtroom when he pleaded ignorance about the FIR listing charges that Azad faces in Uttar Pradesh. The additional sessions judge, who asked for details of these charges, expressed surprise when the prosecutor said he would find out. Opposing Azads bail application, the prosecutor said the Bhim Army chief gave inflammatory speeches at Jama Masjid to incite the gathering to carry out violent protests against CAA. To this, the judge said, Inside Parliament, things which should have been said were not said, and that is why the people are out on the streets. We have full right to express our views, but we cannot destroy our country. We cannot disintegrate it. When the judge asked about the evidence to prove the allegations against Azad, the prosecutor referred to social media posts of the Bhim Army chief, wherein he calls people to come to Jama Masjid and sit in dharna (protest). At this, the judge asked, What is the problem with going to Jama Masjid? What is wrong with dharna? It is ones constitutional right to protest. Where is the violence? What is wrong with any of these posts? Have you read the Constitution? The prosecutor also referred to Azads social media posts to argue that he had incited violence. When the prosecutor read out a post by the Bhim Army chief about going to a dharna at Jama Masjid, Ms. Lau said: Where is the violence? What is wrong with any of these posts? Who says you cannot protest? Have you read the Constitution? None of the posts were unconstitutional. When the prosecutor argued permission needed to be taken for such protests because Section 144 was in place, the court shot back saying, What permission? Even the Supreme Court has said repeated use of Section 144 is an abuse of the law. Last week, the Supreme Court in a significant order on restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir had said that Section 144 CrPC, a British-era law that banned large gatherings, cant be used as a tool to suppress differences of opinion. The judge said that she had seen protests even outside Parliament. I have seen many people and many such cases, where protests happened even outside Parliament. Many of them are Chief Ministers now. Azad is a budding politician, what is wrong with his protests? When the judge asked if the police had any video or audio recordings showing objectionable content against Azad, the public prosecutor replied that there was no voice recording and no video of the incident, and there were only statements of witnesses in the case. We just have a drone CCTV footage, the public prosecutor said. The judge rebuked the police, saying, Do you think the Delhi police is so backward that it has no tools to record? There must have been some recording. Give me details of the last three FIRs registered against Azad. Also show is there are any prohibition on such gathering. Show any law that prohibits this kind of gathering. Azads lawyer Mehmood Pracha told the court his client was suffering from polycythemia, a blood disorder, for which he was not given proper treatment by Tihar jail authorities, till a magistrate gave directions. Paracha contended that Bhim Army chief was deliberately put in harms way. There was no ground for this arrest. He was arrested just because he had to be arrested. There is no whisper of allegation of any of the offences mentioned in the FIR, except that he gave incriminatory speeches. he said. Paracha said Azad showed the world that this new law posed problems to those belonging to the SC and ST category, other than Muslims. Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned a paramilitary attack which left a man with life-changing injuries. The 39-year-old was attacked in the Burnaby Walk area in the west of the city on Monday evening at around 6.pm. He was shot in the knee and ankle. He had got out of a car and was walking down the street when he approached from behind and shot. The driver of the car he had got out of then tried to move the vehicle to offer assistance. The gunman then opened fire on the car. However, the driver was not hurt. The new Justice Minister said paramilitary attacks had to end. Naomi Long said: Violence has no place in our society and the actions of those who terrorise their own community by bringing guns on to the streets must be condemned by all of us. "Nothing justifies such attacks and they have no place in a Northern Ireland that is trying to move forward." She continued: "These criminals would like you to think that they are protecting their community and that the victims deserve what they get. But the reality is that those who carry out these barbaric attacks dont care about people or justice or solving social problems. They are only interested in exerting control and exploiting our communities. They dont offer protection; they inflict fear using shootings, beatings, drug dealing, intimidation, and protection rackets as a means to do so. Explaining that she is committed to working with Executive colleagues to end the harm caused by paramilitaries, the minister added: The New Decade, New Approach document provided a commitment to put a priority on tackling these issues and I very much welcome that. The Tackling Paramilitarism Programme has been working for the last three-and-a-half years to tackle issues associated with paramilitary activity and criminality in our communities, including prevention work, increasing confidence in the criminal justice system, activity to tackle the perpetrators, and providing support for individuals and communities that are subject to paramilitary activity. I want to work with communities to increase confidence in the police and criminal justice system so that everyone has confidence that issues and offending behaviour can be dealt with in the appropriate manner. Police said it was fortunate no one lost their life and are appealing for information. Nine people, including four soldiers, were killed in three avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir since Monday night, police and defence sources said. An avalanche hit an Army post in Machil sector along the Line of Control on Tuesday, trapping five soldiers. A rescue operation was launched and four soldiers traced. While three of them were declared dead, another was injured and was undergoing treatment at a local military facility, the sources said, adding efforts are on to trace the missing soldier. Another avalanche struck a village in Gagangir area of Ganderbal district on Monday night in which five civilians were killed while four others were rescued, police said. In the third incident, a 29-year-old BSF jawan was killed and six others were rescued after an avalanche hit their post along the LoC in Kashmir's Naugam sector at 8:30 pm on Monday. Officials identified the deceased as constable Ganga Bara of the 77th battalion of the force. "There were a total of seven troops deployed in the affected area. While six were safely rescued, constable Bara could not be revived even after much effort," a senior officer of the border guarding force said. The jawan hails from the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal and had joined the BSF in 2011. The Border Security Force (BSF) is deployed along the LoC under the operational command of the Army as part of guarding the front against Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stirred by the plight of New Jersey Toys "R" Us workers who lost their jobs when the Wayne-based retailed filed for bankruptcy and shuttered stores across the country, the state Legislature on Monday passed a bill requiring larger employers in New Jersey pay severance to laid-off workers. The bill (S3170) would require New Jersey employers with at least 100 employees provide their workers 90 days notice up from 60 before a large layoff or a plant closing or transfer that will put at least 50 people out of work. It would also force these businesses to pay their workers one weeks severance for every year of service. The payout increases by an additional four weeks if the employer doesnt comply with the 90-day notification rules. More than 30,000 workers nationwide lost their jobs, including some 2,000 in New Jersey, when the famous retail giant closed its doors. Employees were initially let go without severance. Two of the private equity funds that owned Toys RUs, facing public pressure, have since established a $20 million severance fund and workers won a $2 million settlement. United For Respect, a nonprofit group advocating for the bill, said that if signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey would become the first state with such a severance mandate. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, which represents 20,000 businesses here, has warned the bill will deter companies from locating or expanding in New Jersey. The bill passed 29-0 in the state Senate and 55-21 in the state Assembly. Murphy has until Jan. 21 to veto or sign it. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Two teenagers who were babysitting a two-year-old are facing charges after giving him a vaping device, filming him inhaling from it and then posting the video on Snapchat. Two teenagers who were babysitting a two-year-old are facing charges after giving him a vaping device, filming him inhaling from it and then posting the video on Snapchat. It's not clear when the video was uploaded to Snapchat, but it started circulating on Sunday. Video shows the child inhaling from the vape device, before coughing and falling down. The boy begins to cry as the unidentified babysitter and an 18-year-old friend of hers, who was present at the time, laugh in the background. Video of a two-year-old boy (pictured) inhaling from a vape device was shared on Snapchat while a 17-year-old was babysitting the child in Pennsylvania Trooper Cliff Greenfield told WTAE: 'This is something very serious. We're taking it very seriously and there will be consequences.' 'This is definitely something not to be laughed at. The child was in their care and the 17-year-old was charged with babysitting that child and certainly violated that duty of care.' Authorities say the child took the vaping device from a nearby nightstand and instead of taking the device away, the teenagers recorded the moment. The child coughed, fell down and cried after inhaling, while two teenagers laughed in the background The device is believed to have contained 3 percent nicotine and did not have any traces of THC. The child did not display any ill effects, other than coughing, after inhaling the smoke. Authorities notified the child's parents, who were unaware of that the incident ever took place. Authorities addressed the situation on Twitter, saying the Crime Investigation Unit are aware of the footage. 'The Troop A, Indiana Criminal Investigation Unit is aware of a video and is investigating the related incident in which a 2-year-old child was given a vaping device,' they wrote. Authorities: 'The Troop A, Indiana Criminal Investigation Unit is aware of a video and is investigating the related incident in which a 2-year-old child was given a vaping device' KDKA reports that charges of endangering the welfare of a child are pending. The Unified School District of Armagh, Pennsylvania, confirmed that they believe two students in the area were involved in the matter. Superintendent Dr. Barbara Parkins said in a statement: 'United administration was made aware of the video today, and the matter is being investigated by the authorities. 'We believe that two of our students were involved in the situation. The names of those students were provided to the authorities.' The 17-year-old's mother said that her daughter made a mistake and that it was quickly blown out of proportion. The girl has reportedly received death threats and will be removed from school following bullying. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. The county has narrowed its search field for a mysterious petroleum odor that keeps assaulting the county to two or three areas it is watching very closely, including one in southern New Jersey, according to Emergency Services Director Tim Boyce. The operating theory is its a fixed facility of some sorts, said Boyce. A storage place, a manufacturer, a rail yard, the ships in anchorage It doesnt appear that its a transient issue. Its just happened too many times. The county has seen three major events including one just about a week ago that quickly blew through Chester on the way to New Castle County, Del., Boyce said. The first event took place in the western part of the county on the morning of Oct. 25, but officials were never able to track its source. The 911 Center began receiving calls around 10 a.m. that day from police, firefighters and residents in the area of Chester Heights, Aston and Concordville of an unidentifiable odor that smelled like gasoline or home heating oil. The second came in mid-November, with an odor reported along the Industrial Highway in Ridley Park and Chester. Boyce said his department worked with first responders and the state Department of Environmental Protection to try to pinpoint the source of the smell, but the concentration was too thin for meters to pick up. The DEP is heading up the investigation and has now assigned someone full time to the Chester Fire Department for faster response times in the event another release occurs. Boyce said his department is supporting the investigation, and has secured grants and county funding for additional weather stations in the area. The department is also now using a crowdsourcing weather service called Weatherlink.com, which provides a more accurate, real-time representation of winds on the ground by combining data from private and public weather stations. This will help his department to know not only where the odor is coming from, but also where it is heading in case an evacuation order needs to go out to a school or other facility. The DEP has meanwhile been going over records including aerial photography and inspecting many facilities around the county, Boyce said, and has partnered with air quality department sin New Jersey and Delaware to make sure it isnt something originating from out-of-state. The National Weather Service has also joined the hunt. Boyce said Chester had several reports over the summer of a gas-type smell, but those appeared to be smaller, isolated incidents. One person driving in Chester Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. said she encountered a heavy smell that she at first thought was an automotive problem with the truck in front of her. But, then I was like, Is this THE smell?' she wrote in an email. After a while, I wasnt sure I was going to be able to breathe thank God my car moved out the area. I really almost thought about pulling over it was really heavy on my chest, like a heavy weight and I worried about my breathing. Boyce said THE smell is more of a petroleum-type odor. Emergency services have had a hard time tracking it because they have had to rely on calls coming in from residents complaining of the odor some of which might not even be related. Some people report gas and different fumes, he said. People say, I live near the refinery, it smells like this, is it that regular odor or something else?' But with the addition of the Weatherlink information, aerial photographs, backing of the DEP and money to add more weather stations, Boyce said he hopes to be able to zero in on the next release if it occurs with more precision. Boyce said fire departments in the area are also going to be receiving upgraded handheld weather meters they can use on scene to determine the makeup of the odor and more state resources will be coming in in next few weeks for longer term testing. Theres a lot going on and I hope within the next two weeks even more will go on, he said. Boyce added that if the DEP identifies the source and finds that it is a legal matter, it will forward its findings to the state Attorney Generals office, which would then take up its own investigation. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin is pleased to announce Shana P. Nogues has joined their award-winning legal team as a personal injury attorney. Nogues has nearly a decade of experience handling complex personal injury, product liability, premises liability, and automobile accident defense cases. "Shana is a talented lawyer with a wealth of experience," said Mark Clark, manging partner. "She is the ideal addition to our team of attorneys and we are very excited to have her join our firm." A graduate of Tulane University School of Law, Nogues has been published in newsletters and journals on topics ranging from workers' compensation claims to trial strategies. She serves as a mentor for children committed to Florida's dependency system and is an active member of the Florida Association of Women's Lawyers. At Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin, Nogues will handle personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability cases for clients in Florida and throughout the United States. For more information, or to contact Nogues, visit www.clarkfountain.com. About Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin The attorneys at Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin, a West Palm Beach law firm, have been representing clients in all areas of personal injury litigation, including automobile and trucking accidents, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice law for three decades. Clark Fountain attorneys have secured more than one billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for their injured clients in Florida and throughout the United States. For more information visit www.clarkfountain.com. SOURCE Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin Related Links https://www.clarkfountain.com Milliken & Company (Milliken), a global diversified manufacturer with more than a century and a half of materials science expertise, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Borchers Group Limited (Borchers), a global specialty chemicals company known for its innovative high-performance coating additives and specialty catalyst solutions from The Jordan Company, L.P. (TJC). The acquisition is expected to close in January 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005789/en/ Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Borchers carries a respected portfolio of additives for the coatings, inks and adhesives markets with a comprehensive range of cobalt-free driers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, wetting agents, polymerization catalysts and adhesion promoters. The addition of Borchersparticularly its expertise in specialty coating additivesfurther builds Millikens comprehensive solutions portfolio, aligned with the companys strategic objective to develop a global range of growth platforms. Im thrilled to accelerate our commitment to innovation and sustainability with the acquisition of a company so aligned with our values, shared Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company. Borchers brings particular technical expertise that will boost Millikens strengths and propel our growth. Devlin Riley, president & CEO of Borchers, said, "We are ecstatic about partnering with Milliken to further invest in our business, build out our global platform and continue providing innovative and satisfying solutions to our customers. Combining our capabilities and approach with the depth of Milliken's technology and innovation will allow us to provide exemplary solutions to the markets we serve. I want to thank the TJC team for their guidance and strong partnership." Erik Fagan, a partner at TJC, added, Devlin and the Borchers team have guided the company through a period of strong organic and acquisition growth. We are proud to have partnered with Borchers management and excited to see the continued impact their products will have for their customers. We look forward to taking scientific leaps forward for our customers as we combine the strengths of Borchers and Milliken, said Russ Rudolph, senior vice president, Millikens Chemical Division. Borchers expands our reach and grows our technological expertise, enabling us to further chemical innovation in the global specialty chemicals market. Jones Day represented Milliken in the transaction. Moelis & Company LLC acted as financial advisor, and Mayer Brown LLP acted as legal advisor to Borchers and TJC. About Milliken & Company Milliken has been solving everyday problems with innovative solutions for more than 150 years. Our research, design and manufacturing expertise reaches across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemicals, floor covering, healthcare and performance and protective textiles. An unwavering commitment to ethics guides our work to redefine how we add strength and protection to products, how we infuse vibrancy and color into our surroundings, and how we care for the environment. For us, success is when discoveries made within Milliken help us all have more meaningful connections with the world. Discover Milliken at www.milliken.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Borchers Group Limited Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Borchers is a global coating technologies platform providing value-added products that are critical components of overall formulations. The companys products are often specified into customers formulations, which results in high retention rates and long-term relationships. Borchers sells a broad set of products to approximately 1,000 customers in a wide variety of applications and end markets. With manufacturing facilities in the United States and France along with technology and business development centers in the United States, Germany, China and India, Borchers is able to support both regional and multinational customers around the world. To learn more about Borchers, please visit www.borchers.com. About The Jordan Company, L.P. TJC, founded in 1982, is a middle-market private equity firm that manages funds with original capital commitments in excess of $11 billion. TJC has a 38-year track record of investing in and contributing to the growth of many businesses across a wide range of industries, including Industrials, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare & Consumer, and Telecom, Technology & Utility. The senior investment team has been investing together for over 20 years and is supported by its Operations Management Group, established in 1988 to initiate and support operational improvements in portfolio companies. Headquartered in New York, TJC also has an office in Chicago. For more information, please visit www.thejordancompany.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005789/en/ I think its outrageous, said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the top Democrat on the armed services committee, who called it a slap to the military as well as a slap to Congress and another example of Congress sitting down and trying to direct resources that are of critical need to the Department of Defense, and then having those needs disregarded by the president for a project that is more political than necessary for national security. Auburn University faces another $10 million lawsuit alleging that it discriminates against students who move to Alabama to work and attend school. The lawsuit, filed in Lee County Circuit Court by Auburn attorney Mark Tippins, asserts that former Florida resident Nicholas Pero was told in 2017 by university admissions employees that he could establish Alabama residency to qualify for the lower tuition rate available to the states residents. The filing follows on the heels of the lawsuit Tippins filed last fall for a Valley man and his daughter alleging the same conduct by the university. Jeffrey Prosser and his daughter Brooke also seek $10 million. Auburns tuition costs posted online for the upcoming 2020-21 year is nearly $6,000 per semester for in-state students, nearly $16,000 per semester for out-of-state tuition. A routine academic year normally consists of two semesters. Pero did as instructed by university employees, buying property and working full time in Alabama for more than a year, Tippins said. It was part of Peros long-term plan to establish a branch of his familys electrical engineering business in the state. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at five places in Manipur and Nagaland in connection with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) (NSCN-IM) terror funding case, officials said. The anti-terror agency conducted the raids in Imphal in Manipur and Dimapur in Nagaland at five premises of close associates and relatives of accused Alemla Jamir, wife of Pungting Shirmrang alias James Jamir, a member of the Steering Committee of NSCN (IM), the NIA said. The searches, conducted at the premises of close associates and relatives of Alemla, have led to recovery of cash of Rs 82.6 lakh, documents of different properties worth Rs 3 crore, incriminating diaries, photographs, digital devices including fifteen smart phones, one hard disk, one pen drive, one memory card and four laptops. "Certain insurgency and extortion-related literature as well as other incriminating documents have also been recovered during the searches. The searches have also revealed that unaccounted money (in cash) is being used for purchase of properties." The NIA registered a case on December 20 last year under Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act that relates to terror funding of NSCN (IM) wherein unaccounted funds were being taken by the cash courier Alemla from Delhi to Nagaland. Alemla is allegedly working for NSCN (IM) and was arrested on December 18 last year at the domestic airport in Delhi while carrying Rs 72 lakh in cash, said NIA. On January 10 this year, an NIA Special Court here had extended the judicial custody of accused Alemla for one month in the instant case. "Pungting Shimrang is absconding while further investigation in the case continues," the NIA said. Minh, also Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a meeting with representatives of press organisations on January 14. The Deputy PM expressed his great empathy for reporters covering events abroad while they do their utmost to promptly convey the images and contents to readers both at home and abroad. He thanked the media for their cooperation and support over the past year and expects them to continue working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020 when Vietnam assumes the chairmanship of ASEAN and non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council. On the occasion, Deputy PM Minh awarded certificates of merit to individuals and groups who demonstrated excellent performances in external information services. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2020) - EuroLife Brands (CSE: EURO) (FSE: 3CMA) (OTC Pink: EURPF) ("EuroLife" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated enterprise focused on the pan European hemp, cannabinoid, and health & wellness sector, is pleased to announce its return to Europe to assess opportunities in the CBD Hemp sector and to meet with leading European hemp companies. Mr. Derek Ivany, Chairman of the Eurolife Advisory Board and President of JJ WOLF Investments Ltd. ("WOLF"), a merchant banking and advisory firm, will join Shawn Moniz, CEO of EuroLife, to identity and assess opportunities within premium CBD markets in Europe on behalf of EuroLife. "We are building off the groundwork established on recent expeditions to Europe which identified a number of potential opportunities including the equity investment in state-of-the-art industrial hemp cultivation operation located near Dresden, Germany," said Shawn Moniz, CEO of EuroLife. "I believe that those companies equipped with low cost production combined with tactical downstream capability will be successful and we continue to execute on mandate of establishing EuroLife Brands as one of Europe's premium hemp CPG companies. We continue to be very encouraged by the response we are receiving as we plan for this trip." With a population of over 700 Million citizens, and over 500 Million in the EU alone, the European opportunity within the hemp and cannabidiol marketplace is large growing at a substantial pace. A robust hemp market exists in the EU today, with production in most member nations. In 2018, European cultivation grew by over 40% from 2015 to more than 40,000 hectares of production. Hemp production is centered in France, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Romania, with Germany making inroads and playing an increasingly important role in the hemp market share. The Company also announces it has arranged for a non-brokered private placement of 10,000,000 units (each a "Unit") of the Company at a price of $0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of $500,000. Each unit consists of one common share (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.075 per common share at any time on or before the 24-month anniversary of the closing of the offering. Net proceeds from the funds raised will be used to complete the acquisition of the Dresden Hemp transaction, and continued expansion across Europe. All shares and warrants are subject to a four-month hold period. About EuroLife Brands Inc. EuroLife Brands (CSE: EURO) (FSE: 3CMA) (OTC Pink: EURPF) is a leading global markets cannabis brand empowering the medical, recreational and CPG cannabis industry worldwide through a data-driven CBD marketplace supported by exclusive and unbiased physician-backed cannabis education and detailed consumer analytics. For additional information: Contact: ir@eurolifebrands.com or visit EuroLifeBrands.com No stock exchange or securities regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Issuer's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Issuer or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedar.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51469 As many as 26 active members of the banned insurgent group Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), including its president and commander-in-chief, were brought back from Myanmar on January 11, an official statement said on Tuesday. Top leaders including its president, general secretary, commander-in-chief and finance secretary were part of the group. "They carried 25 weapons, more than 50 magazines, more than 900 assorted ammunition and communication equipment with them. Four family members also accompanied the group," the statement said. The group headed by its president, B Saoraigwraits is one of the four Bodo militant groups in Assam. "While the other three groups are currently under ceasefire with the government and are talking to the interlocutor for a political settlement to the Bodo issue, Saoraigwra's group was active in Myanmar along with other North-East insurgent groups," it said. They had formed a joint platform namely United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia along with NSCN-K (a Naga militant group) and ULFA/I (another militant group of Assam) With the group now opting for peace, the decades-old Bodo militancy in Assam has finally come to an end ushering peace for the state in general and Bodo areas in particular. The Central government has welcomed the move and his supporters to "abjure violence and opt for peace". "The government is seriously considering various options to find a comprehensive and final solution to the Bodo political issue with the involvement of all stakeholders such as Bodo civil society organisations, political parties and Bodo militant groups," it said. The demand for a separate state of Bodoland has been in the centre stage in Assam for about last half a century, with both Bodo overground organisations and militant groups highlighted the demand in the past leading to violence, agitations and protests. "Agreements were signed in 1993 and 2003 to resolve the vexed issue. A Bodo Territorial Council under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution was created in 2003 to meet political, developmental and identity-related aspirations of the Bodos," the statement read. However, the demand for Bodoland state continued despite vociferous protests by non-Bodo groups in the state. "If the Government of India and Assam government succeed in finding a final settlement to the Bodo issue while keeping intact the territorial integrity of Assam, it will go a long way to improve the law and order situation and bring prosperity and progress to the state," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After experiencing the Amazon fires and hitting the highest deforestation rate in 10 years, it seems Brazil's government has never learned from the effects of environmental degradation as it announced on Friday it was pushing ahead its plans to allow European companies to conduct mining on indigenous lands, according to an article by Reuters. In a public statement on the Mining and Energy Ministry website, Minister Bento Albuquerque on Thursday briefed European diplomats on proposals and informed them that "significant leadership" from native communities had asked for the opportunity to mine on their lands. The ministry said the meeting gathered representatives of France, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands and the European Union. President Jair Bolsonaro, who led the initiative along with his efforts to push farming and ranching, criticized the tribes for slowing economic progress. Reuters previously reported that Bolsonaro's farm-friendly initiatives, allowed Chinese companies to gobble up record volumes of Brazil's farm goods and expand agricultural lands deeper into the Amazon which further bolstered its deforestation. Meanwhile, European leaders raised their concerns that his policies will increase deforestation and threaten indigenous cultures. In a report by Latin Post, Amazon deforestation in 2019 is at its highest in more than a decade and has increased by as much as 30 percent in August. "There is a lot of misinformation regarding this issue, so it is important that the international community listen to what the government has to say," said Alexandre Vidigal, secretary for geology and mining at the ministry, in the statement. Said initiative has drawn criticism from indigenous advocates not only in Brazil but around the globe. The Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), which advocates for native rights in Brazil, has argued against the president's plans to open up mining on indigenous lands, saying most tribal groups are actually against the plan. In the recent years, conflicts between illegal garimpeiros, as miners are called, and natives have led to bloodshed on both sides. The Guardian reported that a fifth of Yanomami's indigenous population died from diseases after 40,000 garimpeiros flooded the reserve in the 1980s. Yanomami is Brazil's largest reserve. According to Survival International after the miners were expelled, the area was declared a reserve in 1992 following a campaign by Survival, photographer Claudia Andujar and Davi Kopenawa, director of the Hutukara Yanomami Association. Experts claim that the weakening of environmental enforcement began around 2012 and has continued under Bolsonaro. Indigenous leaders argue that the garimpeiro invasion which has worsened under Bolsonaro's term, has brought malaria, prostitution and violence. Meanwhile, scientists claim the mercury the miners use to separate gold particles from mud and silt pollutes the rivers and disrupts the food chain. Moreover, their pits and barges disturb ecosystems, scare away wildlife, and fill rivers with mud that distorts the behavior and breeding of fishes. In an interview with The Guardian, Garimpeiros said they voted for Bolsonaro after he promised to legalize their trade. "We know it damages the environment," says Antonio Almeida who runs a bar in Yanomami. "But there is a lot of nature, no way you can kill it all." Congratulations, belizearchives.gov.bz got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Belizearchives.gov.bz scored 70 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3.5/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 23 Dec 2012, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. belizearchives.gov.bz is very popular in Facebook. Furthermore its facebook page has 350 likes. The total number of people who shared the belizearchives homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the belizearchives homepage on Twitter + the total number of belizearchives followers (if belizearchives has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the belizearchives homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if belizearchives has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the belizearchives homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the belizearchives homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Preserving Belize National Heritage - Belize Archives and Records Service DESCRIPTION Belize Archives and Records Service preserving Belize national heritage. KEYWORDS Belize archives national heritage history news mahogany logwood OTHER KEYWORDS The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English UTF-8English DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache/2.2.19 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.19 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 (PHP/5.2.17) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of belizearchives.gov.bz as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for belizearchives.gov.bz by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK FOUND FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/pages/Belize-Archives-Records-Service/214808878550679 DESCRIPTION wards': 'Belize Archives and Records Service is the winner of the Public Service 2007 Department of the Year Award. LIKES 350 PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT 17 PAGE TYPE Government organization TIMELINE PAGE TIMELINE The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Union Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah flew a kite here on Tuesday during Uttarayan festival. He went to the rooftop of a building and flew kite with dexterity. People took selfies and photographs with Shah and greeted him. During the festival of Uttarayan, the sky over most cities of Gujarat is filled with kites from dawn to dusk. The festival is associated with a change in sun's run in relation to earth and decline of winter. Apart from flying kites, people in Gujarat also make special dishes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 13:05:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YANGON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar will cement China-Myanmar "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai has said. Xi's state visit to Myanmar from Friday to Saturday is of great significance to China-Myanmar relations, Chen said in an interview with Xinhua, adding that the two countries will continue to maintain high-level political mutual trust, in-depth economic cooperation, close coordination on international and regional affairs, and robust people-to-people exchanges. Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 70 years ago, the two countries, as friendly neighbors, have constantly developed ties on the basis of mutual respect, trust and assistance and established a model of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, Chen said. Leaders of the two countries have reached consensuses on the joint construction of the Belt and Road and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, Chen said. Myanmar's government has established a steering committee chaired by state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to implement the tasks related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which showcases the country's resolution to participate in the BRI, Chen said. With joint efforts from the two sides, the BRI and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor will become a road to peace and development and bring benefits to the two peoples, Chen said. With bilateral economic cooperation continuously strengthened, China has been Myanmar's largest trading partner and important source of foreign capital for years. In the first nine months of 2019, the trade volume between China and Myanmar stood at 13.54 billion U.S. dollars, up 17.9 percent year-on-year. Chinese enterprises invested 150 million dollars in Myanmar and signed new project contracts worth 4.77 billion dollars, up 238.1 percent from a year ago. In addition, China attaches great significance to and encourages people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, Chen said. China has become Myanmar's largest source of foreign tourists and there are more than 150 direct flights between the two countries every week, a figure seven times larger than three years ago, Chen said. Noting that Chinese films and TV series have become hits in Myanmar, including "A Dream of Red Mansions," Chen said the people from both countries maintain mutual exchanges. Chen said China has built projects to improve the wellbeing of Myanmar people during the past years. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has built 23 China-Myanmar friendship schools in major regions and states. Daw Khin Kyi Women Hospital and Natmauk General Hospital were renovated by China in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Chinese doctors conducted more than 6,000 cases of cataract surgery for free in Myanmar under the "Bright Journey" program over the past three years. The program was jointly organized by China's Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Myanmar's Sitagu Shwe Pyi Hein Eye Hospital and Visakha Foundation. China welcomes students from all over the world, in particular those from Myanmar and other countries and regions along the Belt and Road. In 2019, more than 700 people from Myanmar applied for scholarships awarded by the Chinese government, up from 600 in 2018, Chen said. China and Myanmar will continue to support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, the China-ASEAN and the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanisms, and jointly safeguard and promote peace and development in the region and beyond, Chen said. In regard of the upcoming meeting between leaders of the two countries, Chen said China and Myanmar will take Xi's visit as an opportunity to open a new chapter of bilateral relations. Efforts will be made to enhance the synergy of the two countries' development strategies and strive for progress in major economic cooperation projects, Chen said, adding that both countries will witness the signing of a series of cooperation documents during the visit. It is believed that Xi's visit at the beginning of the new year will be successful and mark a new milestone in the history of China-Myanmar relations, Chen said. [January 14, 2020] The Annual Marie R. Pistilli Women in Electronic Design Award Opens Call for Nominations For the past 56 years, the Design Automation Conference (DAC) has developed a vibrant worldwide community of electronic design and systems professionals as well as improved the diversity among attendees. For more than two decades, the Marie R. Pistilli Award, named for the former organizer of DAC who passed away in 2015, has been recognizing those individuals who have supported to advance the profile of women in the electronics industry. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Marie R. Pistilli Women in Electronic Design Award. The Marie R. Pistilli Award honors a woman or man in semiconductor-related industry or academia. Nominees may hail from technical or non-technical backgrounds and must be individuals who have made notable contributions to advancing the profile of women in EDA. Past recipients have played key roles in creating, launching, or managing products that involved contributions from women or created opportunities for women in the industry. Some have been leaders within a company or organization helping to raise the awareness of women, while others have been mentors or role models for successful women in technology. This year's honoree (to be announced prior to DAC) will be presented with the award at the 57th DAC General/Opening Session on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. The 57th DAC will be held at Moscone West Center in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) from July 19-23, 2020. DAC will co-locate with < rel="nofollow" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.semiconwest.org%2F&esheet=52156824&newsitemid=20200114005040&lan=en-US&anchor=SemiCon+West+2020&index=3&md5=c3fe55d70b4cb723ffe9b6d13accecb0" shape="rect">SemiCon West 2020, which is being held at the Moscone Center, North and South Halls, July 21-23, 2020. "As we enter this new decade with the focus on women and women's advancements in STEM, the DAC organization is proud to continue the Marie Pistilli legacy," said Michelle Clancy, 57th DAC Publicity and Marketing Chair. "Marie had the foresight to honor those who have made tremendous contributions to the electronic industry and we continue to honor those who share in her passion for the electronics industry in an effort to make our industry a place where diversity can thrive." Past recipients of the award include: 56th DAC - Iris Bahar, Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at Brown University 55th DAC - Anne Cirkel, Senior Director, Technology Marketing at Mentor, a Siemens Business 54th DAC - Janet Olson (News - Alert), Vice President of Engineering for RTL Synthesis R&D, Synopsys 53rd DAC - Soha Hassoun, Professor/Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Tufts Univ. 52nd DAC - Margaret Martonosi, Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University 51st DAC - Diana Marculescu, Professor, Carnegie Mellon University 50th DAC - Nanette Collins, Nanette Collins Marketing & Public Relations 49th DAC - Dr. Belle Wei, San Jose State University 48th DAC - Limor Fix, Intel (News - Alert) Corporation 47th DAC - Mar Hershenson, Magma Design Automation 46th DAC - Telle Whitney, Anita Borg Institute 45th DAC - Louise Trevillyan, IBM (News - Alert) Research 44th DAC - Jan Willis, Calibra Consulting 43rd DAC - Ellen Yoffa, IBM Research 42nd DAC - Kathryn Kranen, Jasper Design Automation, Inc. 41st DAC - Mary Jane Irwin, Penn State University For more information and to submit your nomination, visit the Worldwide Women in Electronic Design webpage. About DAC The Design Automation Conference (DAC) is recognized as the premier event for the design of electronic circuits and systems, and for electronic design automation (EDA) and silicon solutions. A diverse worldwide community representing more than 1,000 organizations attends each year, represented by system designers and architects, logic and circuit designers, validation engineers, CAD managers, senior managers and executives to researchers and academicians from leading universities. Close to 60 technical sessions selected by a committee of electronic design experts offer information on recent developments and trends, management practices and new products, methodologies and technologies. A highlight of DAC is its exhibition and suite area with approximately 200 of the leading and emerging EDA, silicon, intellectual property (IP) and design services providers. The conference is sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE (News - Alert)), and is supported by ACM's Special Interest Group on Design Automation (ACM SIGDA). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005040/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The New York Times reports that Bernie Sanders is considering releasing a list of potential Supreme Court nominees he would pick from if elected president. Sanders said this during an interview with the New York Times editorial board. He noted that his wife believes he should release such a list, as President Trump did during his 2016 campaign. Who would be on a Sanders Supreme Court short list? William Kunstler is dead. So is Lynne Stewart. So is Judge Stephen Reinhardt. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez only tended bar. She isnt a member of the bar. Does a Supreme Court Justice have to be an American? If not, Sanders might look to Venezuela for candidates. Joking aside, it would be quite interesting to see how Sanders used a Supreme Court short list. Would he try to comfort voters by going with mainstream left-liberal jurists? Would he instead pick the most extreme leftist jurists along, perhaps, with some far left non-jurists and/or non-lawyers? Would he go so far as to pick members of the hard left National Lawyers Guild. Perhaps the answer depends on when Sanders releases the list. If he releases it as a candidate for the Democratic nomination, he would likely go pretty hard left. If he were to become the nominee, he might opt for a more reassuring list. But maybe not. My hope is that Sanders releases a list, and does so before the Democratic National Convention. Id love to find out how far to the left Sanders would reach in making his selections. Fresh from notching a third straight Big Bash win, the Perth Scorchers have their backs to the wall to continue the streak after their flight home was cancelled due to heavy haze in Melbourne. Adam Voges' men defeated the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday night and then boarded a flight to Perth via Melbourne but were told on arrival at Tullamarine Airport the second leg home had been cancelled due to heavy smoke in the air. The Perth Scorchers were stuck in Melbourne overnight after smoke haze forced the cancellation of their flight home. Credit:Melissa Adams The Scorchers are now not due to arrive in Perth until 6pm on Tuesday, just 24 hours before they play the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium. The bitter irony of the situation is their opponents are already safe and sound in Perth, having arrived on Monday afternoon. President Hassan Rouhani of Iran called on Tuesday for a special court to examine the recent downing of a passenger plane that killed 176 people, as protests flared for the fourth day in several cities over the disaster and officials shifting explanations for it. But even as the president made the announcement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a powerful arm of Irans military, said it had arrested a person it identified as having recorded a video of a missile attacking the plane, which undercut the militarys initial denials that Iran was responsible. The arrest was announced by Iranian media outlets affiliated with the Guards. The contradictory messages from the president, who is elected, and the Guards, who answer to Irans clerical leaders, reflect the competing power centers in the Iranian government. For three days after the crash of a Ukraine International Airlines jetliner, the military blamed mechanical failure. It eventually acknowledged that it had mistakenly shot the jet down with a missile, but insisted that human error was to blame, not any systemic problem. Bahrain says it would welcome the arrival of Saudi Arabia to the Formula 1 race calendar. Former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, who some years ago helped to broker the deal that took the sport to Azerbaijan, said last week that he thinks Saudi officials are "already talking" to Formula 1 about a race. Now, Britain's Daily Mail quoted a source as saying a deal to begin in 2021 is "as good as done". Saudi Aramco, which is the desert kingdom's ultra-wealthy national oil company, has reportedly signed as a sponsor on a race deal that could involve a $65 million a year fee payable to Liberty Media. But with Abu Dhabi also on the calendar, yet another race in the Persian Gulf could be worrying for Bahrain. But a spokesman for Bahrain's F1 circuit said: "Since our first race in 2004, our goal has been to grow the fan-base for motorsport in the region. "We would, therefore, welcome initiatives which can support that growth and believe that a future race in Saudi Arabia would be complementary." Yet another new race on the cards for 2021 is Miami, but F1 CEO Chase Carey admitted that local opposition remains an issue. "We still have some issues to resolve in Miami," he told CNN. "It's clearly an addition to Austin. So in our goal, we think the US is a big enough market and a broad enough market and (in terms of) growing the US, I think having two races will actually make both stronger." There are good reasons for government to call a commission of inquiry into a systemic problem so grave, so pervasive it requires extensive examination. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2020 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. There are good reasons for government to call a commission of inquiry into a systemic problem so grave, so pervasive it requires extensive examination. Winnipegs police headquarters scandal is not one of those problems. Mayor Brian Bowman has been calling for a public inquiry into the HQ construction ordeal for years. He has demanded a probe not only into allegations of fraud and kickbacks tied to the renovation of the former Canada Post building, but also into other city real estate deals gone bad. In 2017, Bowman and the executive policy committee went further, and demanded the province call an inquiry into a broad range of city hall operations, including examining conflict of interest rules and the interactions between elected officials and top bureaucrats. The proposed terms of reference were so vague and unfocused, they were essentially meaningless. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has refused to call an inquiry into the police headquarters affair, arguing the province cant launch expensive probes into every project that goes over budget or where taxpayers dollars were wasted. Hes right. Even with the allegations of criminal wrongdoing (which provincial prosecutors said lacked sufficient evidence to go to court), the issue doesnt meet the threshold needed to call a commission of inquiry. Public inquiries are expensive; they typically run in the millions of dollars and can last years. A commissioner, usually a retired judge, must be hired. Commission counsel, investigators, research and other staff must be retained. Months of investigation typically occur before public hearings begin. Expensive space must be rented to conduct hearings. Finally, the commissioner must sift through all the evidence and write a report. Its a comprehensive and costly process. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has refused to call an inquiry into the police headquarters affair, arguing the province cant launch expensive probes into every project that goes over budget or where taxpayers dollars were wasted. (Trevor Hagan / Free Press files) There have been several commissions of inquiry conducted in Manitoba in recent years. Wrongful convictions, such as the case of Thomas Sophonow, have been put under the microscope. A 2011-13 probe into the violent death of five-year-old Phoenix Sinclair and the state of Manitobas child-welfare system were examined. The Taman inquiry in 2008 probed the investigation and prosecution of former police officer Derek Harvey-Zenk and the related cover-up within the Winnipeg Police Service. A 1998 commission of inquiry was called to examine allegations of vote rigging by Manitobas Progressive Conservative party in the 1995 provincial election. In all the above cases, there were systemic failures that required investigation; the integrity of the justice system, the child-welfare system, law enforcement and the provinces electoral system were called into question. The problems that arose in those cases required legislative (and other) changes to prevent similar events from happening in the future. Commissions of inquiry are not designed to find fault or assign blame. Theyre not replacements for police investigations. Their objective is to identify systemic problems in government. If there are allegations of criminal wrongdoing, the proper response is a police investigation. In the case of the WPS headquarters, the allegations were investigated by the RCMP in a lengthy probe. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has refused to call an inquiry into the police headquarters affair, arguing the province cant launch expensive probes into every project that goes over budget or where taxpayers dollars were wasted. Not all police investigations lead to court proceedings. Sometimes there is insufficient evidence to proceed. There is a two-pronged test for prosecutors to bring cases to court: there must be a likelihood of conviction and prosecuting the case must be in the public interest. In the case of the WPS headquarters, there was no likelihood of a conviction. There is no evidence, or even a suggestion, that fraud and kickbacks occur on a regular basis at city hall. There is no systemic failure that would justify an expensive commission of inquiry. The city has launched civil action, naming several individuals and companies it accuses of fraud. Thats the right course of action. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. If there is evidence during civil proceedings that can prove the allegations, perhaps taxpayer dollars can be recouped and findings of guilt (under a lower burden of proof used in civil actions) can be had. If they havent done so already, city officials can take steps to implement a more rigorous spending-approval process. Spending millions more on a commission of inquiry would not help protect taxpayers. It would simply cost a lot of money for something that would provide the public with little in return. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA Queen Elizabeth II may have blessed plans by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, to become part-time residents of Canada, but the monarchs status as the countrys formal head of state doesnt mean the couple can expect any special treatment on many fronts. When it comes to immigration, taxation and even what they call themselves, Harry and Meghan will be no different from any other newcomers to Canada. But one area where they could receive unique consideration is their personal security. The couple, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have offered little detail about their plans, including where they intend to live in Canada, how much of their time they will spend in the country and how they plan to become independent of funds set aside by Britain for its royals. [Analysis: Megxit is the new Brexit in a Britain split by age and politics.] But when they do make their move, the duke and duchess wont get a V.I.P. pass through immigration. 14.01.2020 LISTEN The Founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Percival Kofi Akpaloo, has chided the opposition NDC for complaining about the compilation of new voters' register by the Electoral Commission (EC). According to him, during the limited registration exercise, the EC spent GHC 487,980,714 but now the 2020 registration is expected to cost GHC 390, 265, 486 which is even cheaper than the limited registration conducted in 2016. "so I dont why the NDC are complaining, Percival Kofi Akpaloo told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Pae Mu Ka on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7. He continued, the amount of GHc487.9 million spent by the Charlotte Osei-led EC on just limited voters registration in 2016 was much more than the proposed amount of GH448 million to be spent by the Jean Mensah-led EC, not on limited registration but on an entirely new biometric system with more functionalities. According to him, the current register is flawed and that there is no doubt that the voters register is over-bloated. He wondered why any political party or group would be opposed to an exercise by the EC intended to enhance the credibility of the polls in December. Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and US President Donald Trump during the annual Nato heads of government summit at The Grove hotel in Watford, Hertfordshire. Donald Trump should produce a replacement for the Iran nuclear deal, Boris Johnson said as the UK, France and Germany accused Tehran of breaching the terms of the agreement. The European allies, which remain part of the troubled nuclear deal despite the US presidents opposition, said Iran was not meeting its commitments and referred the matter to the agreements dispute resolution mechanism. Calling for a US-backed replacement deal, the Prime Minister said one of the problems the American leader had with the agreement was that it was negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. A new Trump deal could be a way out of the current crisis, Mr Johnson suggested. Under Mr Trump, the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which eased sanctions in return for Iran agreeing to restrictions on its activity in an effort to ensure Tehran did not acquire a nuclear weapon. Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement. The problem with the JCPOA this is the crucial thing, its why there is this tension the problem with the agreement is that from the American perspective its a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by President Obama. From their point of view it has many, many faults. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) If we are going to get rid of it, lets replace it and lets replace it with the Trump deal. Thats what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward. President Trump is a great deal-maker by his own account and many others. Lets work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead. In the latest indication of the problems with the deal, the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany, the E3, issued a joint statement confirming they were beginning the dispute resolution process. But they insisted they were not joining Mr Trumps policy of maximum pressure on Tehran. The statement from the E3 said they had no choice but to act, given Irans actions which include ignoring restrictions on enrichment of uranium. The E3 said: We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving the JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue, while preserving the agreement and remaining within its framework. In doing so, our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will update MPs in a Commons statement on Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile the Prime Minister said he did not envisage any further escalation in the tensions between the US and Iran, adding: Lets dial this thing down. He said he was glad Iran had acknowledged that it made a terrible mistake in shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane last week. Irans judiciary said arrests have been made over the incident, in which 176 people, including four Britons, died. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 President Hassan Rouhani called for a special court to be set up to handle the process, saying: This is not an ordinary case. The entire world will be watching this court. Mr Johnson said: Im glad the Iranians have accepted responsibility and identified it as an appalling mistake, and it does appear that it was a mistake. It is very important that the bodies are repatriated in a dignified way and that the families are allowed to grieve and to have closure. Clearly, as President Rouhani has said, Iran made a terrible mistake. It is good they have apologised. The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down. The PM defended his role during the tensions, after facing criticism for not returning from his holiday immediately after the US strike which killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. I was not in this country but I worked very hard, as you can imagine, in making sure there was a European response, he said. The Prime Minister added there was no need for Britain to have been informed by the US before the attack because this was not our operation. A team comprising members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will visit the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University on Tuesday to conduct an investigation on several issues. The team will investigate the incident of violence, that took place on December 15, of the lathi-charge by the police, ruckus in the university library and lathi-charge on students. They will also speak to the injured students. Massive and violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) took place on December 15 in Jamia between the Delhi Police and students of University. The agitators had set ablaze four buses near New Friends Colony, injuring at least six policemen and two fire brigade personnel. Locals of the Sarai Julema are in Jamia Nagar had allegedly clashed with police. The situation turned critical when the police got into action. Several Jamia students are also said to have been injured in the clash. Around 100 students were also detained by the police but were released later. Live TV On Monday (December 13), university Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar had said that Delhi Police entered the campus without permission during the anti-CAA protests and the process of filing an FIR against them will begin from Tuesday. "The FIR process is going on but what you are demanding cannot be fulfilled as we are government employees. Regardless of all that we have sent our objection to the same government we work for. Delhi police entered the campus without any prior permission and the fight against the attack will continue," Akhtar said while interacting with the students. Hundreds of students were seen protesting outside the office of the Vice-Chancellor, demanding an FIR against Delhi Police for the December 15 violence that was unleashed on the campus. Among other demands, students sought rescheduling of exam dates and assurance from the varsity on the safety of students. Jamia vice-chancellor had said, "A team of NHRC had already visited the campus and we have provided the required evidence to them. A team will again visit the university on Jan 14. The commission will take statements and proofs from injured students and witnesses (of December 15 incident). I hope they will try to see through our point of view." Najma had also said that the university authorities had written a letter to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) immediately after the incident took place and requested to initiate a high-level probe into the matter. The JMI Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the Deans, Head of Departments and other officials on Monday had announced that the ongoing semester exams in the varsity stand cancelled till further notice. The Jamia administration has also announced that the new schedule will be declared later. Does pointing out the possibility of incremental progress mean giving up on a truly universal system? No. By all means lets make something more ambitious, such as Medicare for all, a long-term goal. But this goal shouldnt stand in the way of policies that would immediately benefit millions of Americans, and save thousands of lives. And while we debate the ideal health system, we mustnt forget that Trump and his allies are as determined as ever to undo the progress weve made. Its true that so far repeated Republican attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act have failed. In 2012 the Supreme Court rejected claims that the whole law was unconstitutional. In 2017 a Republican-controlled Congress narrowly failed to repeal Obamacare. And a variety of narrower efforts to undermine health reform and send insurance markets into a death spiral have fallen short: Markets seem to have stabilized, and one by one, states that initially rejected Medicaid expansion have been relenting. But the people who want to take away your health care havent given up. The latest attempt is a lawsuit claiming that the 2017 tax cut, which reduced the penalty for not having insurance to $0, somehow made the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Its a ludicrous claim, both in terms of substance would the law suddenly become constitutional if the penalty were a penny? and because its clear that this was not legislators intention. But the Trump administration has joined the suit and a partisan Republican judge has indeed ruled that the A.C.A. as a whole should be struck down. Clearly, this case is headed for the Supreme Court. But Trump doesnt want it heard until after the election. Why does Trump want to leave this court case hanging? Partly because his side would probably lose. As I said, the lawsuit is ludicrous, although, given the partisanship of Republican-appointed judges, it might prevail anyway. Alma Property Partners acquires Tikkuri, a retail center serving the Tikkurila community in the heart of Vantaa. The Tikkurila area has been developing quickly over the past few years supported by excellent transportation links and significant population growth. The retail centeri is located next to the Vantaa town hall [] A rare beauty that bestows fearlessness for Buddhists Life can be hard. When faced with fear, crisis, and hardship, some Buddhists call out to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara for help. Avalokiteshvara immediately responds by bestowing fearlessness, according to Chapter 25 of the Buddhist scripture known as the Lotus Sutra. Stated in the same chapter: He rains down sweet dew and Dharma rain, Which extinguish the flames of affliction. Dharma refers to the Buddhas teachings that Buddhists believe to be the universal, eternal truth. The Lotus Sutra mentions 33 different forms of Avalokiteshvara: male or female, human or nonhuman. Avalokiteshvara could be anyone from a god to a layman, a king to a beggar, an elder to a youth, or even a heavenly dragon, and all manner of spirits. Whatever form Avalokiteshvara takes is always the best for the situation at hand and the spiritual growth of the being seeking help. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is known as the bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy. Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara are on earth solely to save living beings from the pain and suffering that comes from being bound by the cycle of birth, life, and deatha cycle that Buddhists call samsara. Just as a mother selflessly puts her childrens needs before her own, so does the bodhisattva put the needs of all living beings first. As a high spiritual being, a bodhisattva has only one lifetime to undergo before obtaining the state of a supreme Buddha. And during that lifetime, the bodhisattva vows to attain enlightenment (spiritual awakening) in order to help others, a selfless act that Buddhists call bodhicitta. Buddhists believe they will receive the blessings and protection of bodhisattvas by reciting mantras and bringing offerings to them at temples. The name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara changes from country to country, but each represents the same deity. Many may be familiar with the Chinese name Guanyin. In Korea, Avalokiteshvara goes by the name of Gwaneum. A Korean 13th-Century Sculpture of Gwaneum Right now, a rare sculpture of Gwaneum can be seen up close at the Smithsonians National Museum of Asian Art. The devotional figure is on loan from the National Museum of Korea, in Seoul, and can be seen in the exhibition Sacred Dedication: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. The Gwaneum sculpture is believed to have been made for a temple around 12201285, late in Koreas Goryeo period (9181392). Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Gwaneum) Korea, Goryeo Dynasty, circa 12201285. Gilt wood and gilt copper and iron with crystal inlays. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul) Glistening from head to toe in gold, the wooden Gwaneum is carved, swathed in jewels and a simple silk robe, and topped with a stunning metal crown intricately rendered with lotus flowers, bejeweled flames, and wooden ribbons that seem to flutter. A jewel on Gwaneums third eye, between and slightly above his eyebrows, denotes one who sees with enlightened vision, that is, can see beyond our physical plane. He sits almost nonchalantly with his left foot extending directly toward us and his right leg bent, raised to hip height and extended out to his side: a pose called rajalilasanaSanskrit for royal-ease pose. Korea, Goryeo Dynasty, circa 12201285. Gilt wood, gilt copper and iron. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul) Not only is this Gwaneum the oldest known gilded wooden figure in an informal pose, but it also has a crown. To find a bodhisattva sculpture and crown surviving together is rare. 14th-Century Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara To understand more about the Gwaneum figure, the Freer Gallery invites viewers to draw upon the painting Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara in its collection. Although the Gwaneum figure was made a century prior to this Avalokiteshvara hanging scroll painting, its helpful to compare the two pieces of Goryeo period art. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Gwaneum), Goryeo Dynasty, mid-14th century, Korea. Close-up of the painted panel on the hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. Gift of Charles Lang Freer. (Freer Gallery of Art) In the painting, the bodhisattva is helping Sudhana, a young pilgrim, shown at the bottom left of the picture. The scene is from Entry Into the Realm of Reality in the Flower Garland Sutra, where Sudhana meets Avalokiteshvara as one of the 53 teachers that Bodhisattva Manjushri has told him to find on his path to enlightenment. In the painting, Avalokiteshvara is adorned with jewels similar to those of the wooden Gwaneum, but in the hanging scroll, Buddha Amitabha is clearly painted on Avalokiteshvaras crown, something missing on the figure. On the gilt-wood Gwaneum, an empty space can be seen on the crown where its believed that the Buddha wouldve been secured on a separate metal plaque. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Gwaneum), Goryeo Dynasty, mid-14th century, Korea. Hanging scroll mounted as a panel; ink, color, and gold on silk. Gift of Charles Lang Freer. (Freer Gallery of Art) The bodhisattva in the painting is holding a set of crystal rosary beads in his right hand, leading scholars to believe that the wooden figure may have held some at one point in time. Avalokiteshvara has a halo in the painting and is encased in an oval called a mandorla, both signs of a divine being. These also may have been once a part of the wooden figure. Avalokiteshvara is painted sitting on the rocky outcrop of his celestial home at Mount Potalaka, which some believe could be an island off the coast of West India. If the place sounds familiar, its because the Dalai Lamas home Potala Palace in Tibet is named after Potalaka. Tibetan Buddhists believe that each Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Consecration Versus Curiosity The exhibition also presents in-depth research about the figure from the National Museum of Korea, including how the figure was made and the dedication objects found inside. Buddhists practice consecration ceremonies, which they believe invite the spirit of the enlightened being onto the figure being dedicated. Inside the Gwaneum figure are two sets of dedication objects: One set dates from when the figure was made in the 13th century, and another set is from some 200 years later. Items inside include woodblock-printed Buddhist texts in Sanskrit, and objects symbolizing the Buddhist concept of the universe. Dedication materials found inside the sculpture. Korea, Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon period, circa 12201500. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul) Some of the offerings inside are incomplete; perhaps their removal was deliberate in order to protect heavenly secrets at the time the figure was taken from the temple and out of worship. As consecration is such a solemn practice, the laying out of these pieces from their revered context somehow undermines the exhibitions aim to present how Buddhists once revered their beloved bodhisattva. For many Buddhists believe now, as they did then, in Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvaras ability to relieve suffering. In the words of the Lotus Sutra: That for those who hear his name or see him, And who are mindful of his name unceasingly, He can extinguish the suffering of all realms of existence. To find out more about the Sacred Dedication: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece exhibition, which runs through March 22 at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonians National Museum of Asian Art, Washington D.C., visit Asia.Si.edu Texas has become the first state to refuse the resettlement of refugees, under the provisions of an executive order (EO 13888) issued by President Trump in September 2019. The order makes the resettlement of refugees contingent on the prior written consent of states and localities. In his letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared that his state has had to deal with the consequences of an immigration system that Congress has failed to fix and that he had a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here. Therefore, he could not consent to initial refugee resettlement in 2020. Abbotts decision comes at a time when a federal judge in Maryland is weighing a case filed by three refugee resettlement agencies to prevent the state consent provision in the executive order from taking effect. Responding to the governors claims, Rev. John L. McCullough, president and CEO of Church World Services (CWS), one of three agencies that filed suit against the Trump administration, declared: "Governor Abbotts decision is cruel, harmful and a rejection of the values of Texas communities. Texas has long been a leading state in refugee resettlement. It also flies in the face of our nation's legacy of welcome supported by the governors from 42 states who have committed to continue welcoming refugees. According to the Pew Research Center, since the 2002 fiscal year Texas has resettled an estimated 88,300 refugees, second only to California, with cities like Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth considered among those most welcoming to those seeking asylum. These historically high numbers have sharply declined in the past four years. According to CWS, Texas resettled around 7,800 refugees in 2016. By 2019, that number had dropped to 2,458 refugees. In the past few weeks, numerous refugee resettlement agencies, including a group of 350 evangelical Christians, sent letters to Abbott urging him not to close the door on refugees. However, these pleas were of no avail. The Texas state decision, despite being framed as a specific and timed response to a broken immigration system, the onslaught of illegal migration and limited resources, is not surprising given Abbotts political trajectory. This is not the first time that the Texas governor has tried to prevent refugees from resettling in his state. In the aftermath of the Paris attacks in late 2015, Abbott declared that Texas no longer wanted to take in any of the 5.6 million Syrian refugees who had been displaced since the civil war in that country broke out in 2011. However, at that time, states did not have the legal right to refuse refugees. It was the prerogative of the federal government, which continued to send refugees to Texas regardless of the governors stated objections. Trumps executive order, issued in September 2019, aimed to encourage ultra-right governors, mayors and other local officials to block refugee resettlement. The official deadline for governors to let the State Department know whether or not they will consent to refugee resettlement is June 1. However, since the agencies dealing with the resettlement process have to submit proposals for federal funding by late January, the de facto deadline is much earlier. While Texas is the first state to officially communicate its refusal to take in refugees, there have been fierce debates in numerous other states, including North Dakota and Tennessee, about whether or not to decline resettlement this year. According to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), 42 governors have indicated their willingness to take more refugees, while six states have yet to announce: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina and Wyoming, all headed by Republican governors. The crisis over refugee resettlement, while affected by local conditions in certain states, has to be seen in the context of the vicious ongoing war against immigrants that has been waged by the Trump administration. This war has taken the form of a series of inhumane policies, including family separations, detention, immigration raids and deportations calculated to deter working-class immigrants. In addition, the administration has prioritized militarizing the Southern border while at the same time drastically reducing the number of refugees allowed asylum in the United States. In January 2017, in one of his first acts as president, Trump issued an order capping the number of refugees admitted into the US that year at 50,000, less than half of what had been proposed the previous year. The cap for the current year has been lowered even further to an astonishing 18,000 refugees in a country of nearly 340 million people. By framing the refugee resettlement question as one of states rights, the Trump administration is merely trying to pave the way to reduce this cap even further in the coming year. How would you like your 2020 housing affordability crisis served up? Chilled, with a stark chaser of home buyer's anxiety, or red-hot, with an extra helping of simmering renter's anguish? While the frantic hand-wringing over ever-escalating home prices in America's top cities has become a national obsession, far less attention has been paid to the skyrocketing rental costs in those very same marketssending many renters into Thoreauvian "lives of quiet desperation. What's a stretched city dweller to do? After all, folks flocked en masse to rentals over the past decade as prices for homes got further out of reach. For some, leasing was a safe harbor while trying to bank enough cash to buy a place; for others it was their only urban entry point. Now we have the highest percentage of renters in a generation, outnumbering owners in about a third of all big citiesand rental costs are going up, and up, and up. The harbor has become a holding pen. But here's the news: Even in the nation's largest and priciest urban meccas, there are still pockets of affordability. And the thrifty data team at realtor.com set out to find 'em! Granted, these neighborhoods may not be your first options. But if you pick the right area, you can live in the big city, stay safe, and maintain a reasonable commute. You knew there would be a few compromises along the way, right? Because city living isn't likely to get much cheaper in the foreseeable future. I expect affordability to very much remain a main challenge for the housing market in 2020 for both buyers and renters, partly because theres very limited new-housing supply, says George Ratiu, senior economist for realtor.com. The lack of new construction to meet demand has a trickle-down effect on the rental market, Ratiu continues, since people who are unable to find a home to buy are continuing to rent. "For young professionals looking for a place to rent, the major trade-offs center around location, proximity to public transit and amenities, as well as building features," he says. To find out where, we partnered with the rental site Zumper to pinpoint rental prices in ZIP codes across the nation's 10 largest metros. That data was then screened through crime data provided by Sperling's Best Places to weed out ZIPs with high crime rates. We then plotted the areas on Google Maps from the city center and checked out weekday morning commutes, eliminating places that were more than 45 minutes away from the city. These neighborhoods may be a little rough around the edges in some cases (we're looking at you, Philly and DC) or a trek to the bright lights of downtown (hello, Miami), but they are the most affordable options for renters looking for a big-city experience. Affordable rental neighborhoods Tony Frenzel Median one-bedroom rent: $2,960 Most affordable neighborhood: East Elmhurst (ZIP code 11370) Median one-bedroom rent in East Elmhurst: $1,755 East Elmhurst, Queens Google Maps Located in Queensthe largest and second most populous of New York City's five boroughsand close to LaGuardia Airport, East Elmhurst offers cultural diversity, ethnic restaurants, and easy proximity to Manhattan via public transit. Once fancifully dubbed "The Coney Island of Queens" thanks to a huge Ferris wheel and pair of long-defunct amusement parks, the area still has its diversions: It's home to Flushing Bay Promenade, a waterside park. In the 1950s and '60s, the neighborhood was home a number of notable African Americans, including Malcolm X, Ella Fitzgerald, and Willie Mays. In the '70s it was one of the first neighborhoods where African Americans could buy homes. With homeowners staying for decades, the New York Times in 2011 called it the citys most stable neighborhood. Rentals are also relatively affordable. A newly remodeled one-bedroom apartment with a backyard, in-unit laundry, and modern kitchen with breakfast bar is asking $1,900 a month. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,425 Most affordable neighborhood: Dunwoody (30360) Median one-bedroom rent in Dunwoody: $871 Apartments in Dunwoody realtor.com The northern Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody is centered around the Perimeter Mall, a shopping destination surrounded by acres of office space. Located at the nexus of two main freeways, it's a hub for workers, renters, and shoppers alike. The area is also full of apartment complexes (we counted nearly 20 in a three-block radius) with amenities such as pools, gyms, and pet accommodations. The area is also close to schools, public transit, medical facilities, and downtown Atlanta. The historic heart of the town, Dunwoody Village features shops, restaurants, and boutiques, as well as the Dunwoody Farmhouse landmark. A one-bedroom at Dunwoody Glen starts at $999 a month, and features include hardwood floors, plentiful storage, upscale baths with tiled floors, and a gym and an outdoor pool for the complex. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,500 Most affordable neighborhood: West Roxbury (02132) Median one-bedroom rent in West Roxbury: $2,186 Home in West Roxbury realtor.com West Roxbury is a wicked nice place to live, as the locals might say, and it's just 30 minutes to Boston proper. Residents here can enjoy the burbs while enjoying close proximity to the busy city. The area features a main commercial hub with cafes, restaurants, and shops on Centre Street, while still offering up relatively affordable rents. And for those working in the heart of Boston, there's easy access to Interstate Highway 95 and the commuter rail. Local highlights include Millennium Park, with its 100 acres of playing fields, walking trails, and a canoe launch on the Charles River. Upscale shopping can be found at nearby Legacy Place in Dedham. "You get the convenience of living in the city with a small town feel," one resident posted on Niche, a website that ranks and reviews neighborhoods. "My neighbors are all really nice and I feel safe where I am. I live in a nice, quiet neighborhood with several buses around that I can just hop on to go to the city." Rentals currently available include this brand-new, pet-friendly one-bedroom complete with hardwood floors, a new kitchen with granite countertops, and in-unit laundry. The $2,000 monthly rent includes a parking space. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,035 Most affordable neighborhood: Mission Bend (77083) Median one-bedroom rent in Mission Bend: $700 Apartments in Mission Bend realtor.com Living in Mission Bend, 20 miles from downtown Houston, means a commute to work in the city center will take about a half-hour. Renters here can enjoy a more rural setting with parks, playgrounds, and good schools, without being too far from the big city. Diversity in the town of 38,000 is a major plus. Its great to be able to do things like pick up bubble tea in one shop and walk down the street to an African foods store to buy some hard-to-find ingredients for a new recipe, notes one review on Niche. One-bedroom units at the centrally located El Sol Del Rio start at $645, or you could opt for a two-bedroom place at The Life at Westpark for an affordable $920. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,199 Most affordable neighborhood: Windsor Hills (90056) Median one-bedroom rent in Windsor Hills: $1,657 Apartments in Windsor Hills realtor.com The hilltop area with views of downtown Los Angeles is a slice of what's been dubbed Black Beverly Hills. Together with neighboring View Park, Baldwin Hills, and Ladera Heights neighborhoods, the area makes up the highest concentration of black affluence on the West Coast, according to the Los Angeles Times. The area has been home to celebrities such as Ray Charles and Ike and Tina Turner. However, the historically African American community has seen a shift in its demographics, as new residents discover this hidden gem close to job hubs like downtown L.A. and Santa Monica. The suburban feeling includes Mediterranean-style houses, palm trees, and views of the downtown skyline. But for shopping and nightlife, prepare to get in your car and head to nearby Culver City or Marina del Rey. Closer by, the Ladera Center includes a Ralphs, a Starbucks, and a Wells Fargo. The neighborhood also boasts such parks as the sprawling Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. If you want to get a foothold in the neighborhood, check out this one-bedroom apartment with new flooring and paint, available for $1,695 a month. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,700 Most affordable neighborhood: Kendall West (33185) Median one-bedroom rent in Kendall West: $1,251 Apartment complex in Kendall West with one-bedroom rents for less than $1500 a month realtor.com Way, way west of Miami, this neighborhood is about as close a renter can get to the Everglades without actually living in the swamp. And that's not to say the neighborhood is swampyit's just a hike from the bright lights of South Beach. As one resident on Niche put it, "Its a great place to live and not filled with the stress that you find in the eastern parts of the county." If there's one complaint about the area, it's the traffic. It will take a renter a while to get to Miami proper. But if you're a renter looking for relative quiet, this might be an ideal spot to soak in the South Florida vibes. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,495 Most affordable neighborhood: Somerton (19116) Median one-bedroom rent in Somerton: $800 Complex in Somerton in Philadelphia realtor.com Philly has a well-earned rep for being vastly more affordable than New York City, but rent prices in the City of Brotherly Love have been on the rise. That said, there are still deals to be had. Make your way to Somerton, in the far northeastern part of the city, and you'll find a mix of single-family homes and apartments, as well as townhomes, for rent. The area includes supermarkets, restaurants, and a Wawa convenience store. It's close to public transit for those who work in Center City. If you'd rather drive, expect about a 15- to 30-minute commute down Interstate Highway 95. Nearby schools attract college students, and the area is in close proximity to highways and malls. If you're sold, you can find a one-bedroom right in the heart of Somerton for $900 a month. Median one-bedroom rent: $3,473 Most affordable neighborhood: Sunset District (94116) Median one-bedroom rent in Sunset District: $2,380 The Sunset neighborhood realtor.com San Francisco renters can justifiably feel like urchins with noses pressed against the glass when visiting the city's trendy neighborhoods like the Mission District and South of Market. The great nightlife! The fab restaurants! The easy commutes! The crazy, crazy prices! But those willing to brave the fog and a slightly longer schlep to work can hop on a streetcar and head farther out to the Sunset District. There, youll find an almost suburban quiet and somewhat affordable rents. While there are stretches of single-family homes, there are also business districts such as Taraval Street, which offers shops, restaurants, and the Taraval streetcar. Ocean Beach is at the far end of the neighborhood, a brisk mile-and-a-half walk. Along with the streetcar for a 40-minute downtown ride, the area also has easy access to the freeway for those who work in Silicon Valley. Its always been a very residential section of the city, says Chris Galassi, managing broker and co-owner of Goodwin Realty. A lot of families are renting out here because there are a lot of schools, and many are reputable. While he notes that rentals are affordable relative to other parts of the city, theyre not the cheapest. Here's proof: A two-bedroom, one-bath home with a recently remodeled kitchen is asking $3,200 a month. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,200 Most affordable neighborhood: Chevy Chase (20015) Median one-bedroom rent: $1,838 Townhomes in Chevy Chase, MD Benjamin C. Tankersley/For The Washington Post via Getty Images Its not that Chevy Chase. Although it shares the name of the famously well-heeled Maryland suburb, this northwest DC neighborhood is just across the border. Theyre right next to each other, says listing agent Maile Ramzi. Those who live here still see themselves as urban dwellers, according to the website urbanturf.comeven if the homes resemble suburbia. Residents enjoy a walkable shopping district, a nearby Metro station, and access to downtown DC. The area also offers a commercial district offering everything from locally owned cafes such as the Booeymonger sandwich shop to the multinational Whole Foods supermarket, to high-end shopping at Neiman Marcus. So residents dont need to leave the neighborhood if they dont want to. And the main tenants in this upscale locale? The diplomats like the area, Ramzi says. Its very close to Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue. Plus, the townhomes offer garage parking, another hard-to-find perk. Its a nice place to live, Ramzi adds. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,450 Most affordable neighborhood: Elmwood Park (60707) Median one-bedroom rent: $1,150 Apartment building in Elmwood Park realtor.com Just about 30 minutes from downtown, this lovely urban-suburban village has long been a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood. And the neighborhood offers plenty of perks, with bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, according to Niche. Plus, the schools are highly rated. For those looking to rent, look no further than this brand-new, two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with high-end finishes, an open fireplace, an electric fireplace, and a balcony. It's available for $1,950 a month. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,180 Most affordable neighborhood: Northwest Dallas (75229) Median one-bedroom rent: $747 Residence at Midtown in Northwest Dallas realtor.com This particular corner of Northwest Dallas has a cool cluster of Korean businesses and restaurants. If you're in the mood for kalbi, karaoke, and cheap rents, this slice of Big D offers all the spice (and singing) you'll need. Although the area doesn't have the official designation of Koreatown, there's plenty of Seoul to spread around. And if soju isn't your beverage of choice, this densely residential suburb also offers plenty of other bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. And rents are cheap, including this one-bedroom at the Residence at Midtown, now available for $875 a month. The post Living High on Low Rent: Where the Bargains Are Hiding in America's Biggest Cities appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. A scene from Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown. [China Daily] The Chinese musical Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown, hit the stage at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing from January 10 to 12, which will be followed by a nationwide tour throughout 2020. Based on the popular children's book series by Chang Yi titled Monsters in the Forbidden City, the musical focuses on the adventures of Li Xiaoyu, a little human girl who broke into the world of Chinese mythological monsters and became friends with a dragon's daughter, whose wedding gown disappeared before the wedding day. The musical is a sequel to the first Chinese musical adapted from the children's book series, Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Shinning Stone, which made its debut in Beijing in 2018 with over 60 shows in about 20 Chinese cities. A scene from Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown. [China Daily] A scene from Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown.[China Daily] A scene from Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown.[China Daily] A scene from Monster in the Forbidden City: Secret of the Disappearing Wedding Gown.[China Daily] (Source:chinadaily.com.cn) Iran arrests Ukrainian plane crash suspects The announcement came amid rising anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the downing of the jetliner last Wednesday. Iranian authorities have arrested a number of suspects in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane last week, the country's judiciary commission said on Tuesday. The suspects were arrested "for their role in the plane crash," commission spokesman Ghulam Hussein Ismaili said in statements cited by Press TV. "HUMAN ERROR" The arrests came after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded his country to establish a "special court headed by a senior judge" to prosecute those responsible for plane tragedy. Iran said the aircraft was "unintentionally" shot down by a missile after flying towards a sensitive military site, terming it a "human error". The incident came hours after Iran fired a dozen ballistic missiles on airbases housing US troops in Iraq, in response to the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US drone airstrike near Baghdad airport on Jan. 3. There were 82 Iranians among the plane victims, in addition to 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Britons and three Germans. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 17:00:39|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- If you want to see where global warming is happening, look to the seas. The world's oceans in 2019 were the warmest in recorded human history, a new article said Tuesday. Conducted by an international team of 14 scientists from 11 institutes worldwide, the study also found that global ocean temperatures keep rising and speeding up. According to the article published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, the global ocean temperatures in 2019 were about 0.075 degrees Celsius higher than the average from 1981 to 2010. To make such a tiny temperature change happen, the Earth's oceans have absorbed a huge amount of heat equal to 3.6 billion Hiroshima atom bomb explosions, said Cheng Lijing, lead author of the article and researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "This measured ocean warming is irrefutable and is further proof of global warming," Cheng said. Data used in the study were recorded by China's IAP and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A new method allowed the researchers to examine warmth trends dating back to the 1950s. Records for ocean warming have been broken almost yearly since 2017. The study also found that over the past six decades, the world's oceans have increased in temperature on average by 450 percent, and the past five years have been the warmest on record. "If you want to understand global warming, you have to measure ocean warming," said John Abraham, co-author and professor at the University of St. Thomas in the United States. He stressed that ocean warming is an important indicator of global climate change since the vast majority of global heat ends up in the oceans. The effects of global warming are already appearing and will continue in 2020 in the form of more extreme weather, rising sea levels and losses of ocean animals. Marine heatwaves in the North Pacific in 2013, hurricanes near the Gulf of Mexico in 2017 and the recent catastrophic fires in Australia are the major consequences of global warming, said the researchers who also called for global action to reverse climate change in the article. "There are no reasonable alternatives apart from the human emissions of heat-trapping gases to explain this heating," Cheng said. "The more we reduce greenhouse gasses, the less the oceans will warm," said Cheng, suggesting that reduce, reuse and recycle are the major ways forward to clean-energy development. However, humans can work to reverse their effect on the climate, but the oceans will take a longer time to respond than the atmosphere and dry land. Researchers will further examine how warming impacts oceans beyond temperature. They plan to study how water temperatures affect the water's buoyancy, which directly affects the distribution of nutrients and heat. Three police officers who were killed during a disturbance in a suburb of Hanoi last week have been honored with national merits and honorary titles from Vietnams leaders. The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs announced on Sunday that the prime minister had issued a decision on granting certificates of national merit to the three police officers, who died while performing their duty in Dong Tam Commune, located in the suburban district of My Duc in the capital. The officers were Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Thinh, Second Lieutenant Duong Duc Hoang Quan, and Lieutenant Pham Cong Huy. On Friday last week, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong signed a decision to award the First-Class Feat of Arms Order to each of the three police officers. The officers were honored for their outstanding service, which greatly contributed to national protection, the decision reads. A funeral will held for the three officers at a state funeral home in Hanoi from 7:30 am on Thursday. The disturbance erupted on the morning of January 9 in Dong Tam Commune, where some units of the Ministry of National Defense and competent forces were building protective walls around Mieu Mon Airport, a military airfield. According to the Ministry of Public Security, a number of rioters, armed with grenades, petrol bombs, and other weapons, attacked those working at the construction site. The three were killed subsequently. On Friday, the investigation unit of Hanoi police launched criminal proceedings against the case to investigate three charges including "murder," "illegally storing and using weapons," and "resisting on-duty officers." Around 30 people have been arrested for the investigation, and legal proceedings have been launched against 22 as of Tuesday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. A new study shows how popular apps, including Grindr, OkCupid, Tinder, and the period-tracking apps Clue and MyDays, share intimate data about consumers with dozens of companies involved in the advertising business. The details include data that could indicate users sexual orientations and religious beliefs, along with information such as birthdays, GPS data, and ID numbers associated with individual smartphones, which can help tie all the data back to a single person. The study, conducted by an advocacy group called the Norwegian Consumer Council, examined 10 apps and found that they were collectively feeding personal information to at least 135 companies. The list of companies receiving the information includes household names such as Amazon, Facebook, and Google, but the majority are little-known outside the tech industry, such as AppsFlyer, Fysical, and Receptiv. The data-sharing isnt limited to these apps, the researchers say. Because of the scope of tests, size of the third parties that were observed receiving data, and popularity of the apps, we regard the findings from these tests to be representative of widespread practices, the report says. Many of the companies involved make money compiling details about individual consumers to build comprehensive profiles in order to target personalized ads. However, there are increasingly other uses beyond targeted advertising, says Serge Egelman, a digital security and privacy researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, who studies how apps gather consumer data. Hedge funds and other businesses buy location data to analyze retail sales and plan investments, and political campaigns use reams of personal data from mobile devices to identify potential supporters for targeted outreach. In the wrong hands, databases of information that include details like sexual orientation or religious affiliation could leave consumers vulnerable to discrimination and exploitation, the NCC says. Its all but impossible to determine where all the data ends up. Story continues The NCC says its study uncovered numerous violations of Europes sweeping privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and practices within LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr were particularly egregious. The organization is filing an official complaint against the company and a number of other businesses that received data from Grindr. The same problems extend to American consumers. Theres no reason to think these apps and countless others like them behave any differently in the United States, says Katie McInnis, policy counsel at Consumer Reports, which is joining more than 20 other organizations to call for action from regulators. American consumers are almost certainly subjected to the same invasions of privacy, especially considering there are hardly any data privacy laws in the U.S., particularly at the federal level. The NCC analyzed Android appsall available on iPhones as wellchosen because they were likely to have access to highly personal information. They included the dating apps Grindr, Happn, OkCupid, and Tinder; the period tracking and reproductive health tracking apps Clue and MyDays; a popular makeup and photo editing app called Perfect365; the religious app Qibla Finder, which shows Muslims which direction to face while praying; the childrens game My Talking Tom 2; and the keyboard app Wave Keyboard. Every app in the study shared data with third parties, including personal attributes such as gender and age, advertising IDs, IP addresses, GPS locations, and users behavior. For instance, a company called Braze received intimate details about users from OkCupid and Grindr, including information users submitted for matchmaking, such as details about sexuality, political views, and drug use. Perfect365, which counts Kim Kardashian West among its fans, sent user data, sometimes including GPS location, to more than 70 companies. Consumer Reports reached out to Grindr and Match Group, which owns OkCupid and Tinder. The companies did not respond to CRs questions prior to publication. A Perfect365 representative told Consumer Reports that the company is in compliance with the GDPR but did not respond to specific questions. App privacy policies often make it clear that data is shared with third parties, but experts say its impossible for consumers to get enough information to give meaningful consent. For example, Grindrs privacy policy says its advertising partners may also collect information directly from you. Grindrs policy goes on to explain that the ways those third parties choose to use or share your data is governed by their own privacy policies, but it doesnt name all those other companies, in case you wanted to investigate further. At least some of those other businesses, including Braze, say they may pass your information on to additional companies, in what amounts to an invisible chain reaction of data-sharing. Even if you had time to read all the privacy policies youre subject to, you wouldnt know which ones to look at. These practices are both highly problematic from an ethical perspective, and are rife with privacy violations and breaches of European law, Finn Myrstad, director of digital policy at the NCC, said in a press release. The U.S. doesnt have a national privacy law equivalent to the GDPR, but California residents may have new rights that could be used prevent some of the practices outlined by the NCC, thanks to the California Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect Jan. 1. But whether or not the CCPA will actually protect consumers all depends on how the California attorney general interprets the law. The attorney generals office is set to release guidelines for the CCPA in the next six months. The report makes it clear that even if you have laws on the books that protect consumer privacy rights and preferences, that doesnt really matter unless you have a strong cop on the beat, McInnis says. Consumer Reports is signing on to letters with nine other U.S.-based advocacy groups calling on Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California, Oregon, and Texas attorneys general to investigate, and asking that regulators take this new information into consideration as they work toward future privacy regulation. There are lessons here for consumers as well. A big problem is that consumers generally worry about the wrong things, Berkeleys Egelman says. Most people really care about apps secretly recording audio or video, which doesnt really happen all that often, but then dont understand all the things that are being inferred about them just based on their location data and the persistent identifiers that uniquely identify their devices. Consumers can take a number of steps to protect their privacy. These include adjusting privacy settings for Facebook and Google, limiting which apps have permission to access things such as location information, and deleting old accounts youre no longer using. You may not be able to solve the problem entirely, but you dont have to wait for federal regulators to make meaningful changes that will protect your privacy. For more information, check out Consumer Reports Guide to Digital Security & Privacy, or follow our steps for 30-second privacy fixes you can tackle right now. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2020, Consumer Reports, Inc. Teenagers who binge drink in their senior year of high school may exhibit dangerous behaviours later in life, including driving while intoxicated, according to a study which suggests parental support during this phase of a teen's life may help curb later risks. Researchers, including those from Yale University in the US, assessed data from the NEXT Generation Health Study -- a study in the US of high schoolers that followed 2,785 young people over the course of seven years. According to the study, published in the journal Pediatrics, the protective effect of parental monitoring, and the awareness among teens about their parents' attitudes about alcohol lasted as much as four years after leaving high school. Additionally, the study said young people who binge in 12th grade were, two years later, six times more likely to drive while intoxicated compared to those who did not binge drink. Binge drinkers in 12th grade were also four years later, more than twice as likely to drive while intoxicated, the researchers said. "There is great prevention power in intentional parenting, and a strong, reliable, mutual relationship here can make all the difference in the world, including helping to identify the development of youth alcohol/drug use disorder and the need for specialized treatment services for addiction," said lead author Federico Vaca from Yale University. "As kids get older, we tend to step away from them. We think: 'They've got this.' But if kids think we approve or disapprove of them drinking, that can have a powerful effect," Vaca said. According to the researchers, the findings provide a valuable opportunity to bolster the roles of parent monitoring and support in preventing teens from binge drinking alcohol, with a focus on intentionally strengthening the teen-parent relationship. "A key take-home message here is: Just because kids are getting older, it doesn't mean parents should stop inquiring about where they are going, who they will be with, and how they are spending their money," said Vaca. "Parents should continue to be intentional about their relationships with their teens, staying connected and mindful about how their teen spends his or her free time. This could make the all the difference," Vaca added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hedge funds finished 2019 on a high note in December, posting an industrywide 1.73% return for the month, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. By comparison, the S&P 500 Total Return Index was up 3.02% in December. For the year, the hedge fund industry gained 10.70%, the largest annual return since 2013 when the Index gained 11.12%. The S&P 500 Total Return Index posted a 31.49% return in 2019. All but one hedge fund index was in the black in December as a number of positive economic developments offset the impact of negative indicators. Equity markets finished the year strong, with U.S. stocks enjoying their best year since 2013 when the S&P 500 Total Return Index gained 32.4%, said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. Good news on the trade front came in the form of an apparent phase one agreement between China and the U.S., as well as U.S. House passage of a revised trade pact with Canada and Mexico. Elsewhere in the world, Japan announced plans for a fiscal stimulus while reports of increased exports from Germany raised hopes of an economic uptick there. Among Decembers gainers, the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index led the way with a 13.68% return. Other sectors posting solid monthly gains included the Healthcare and Biotechnology Index with a 6.10% return, the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index, up 5.79%, the Emerging Markets Global Equities Index, gaining 3.58%, and the European Equities Index, returning 3.26% in December. The lone sector in the red for December was the Volatility Trading Index, down 0.10%. The Equity Market Neutral Index and the Volatility Trading Index were the only ones in negative territory for the year, dropping 0.45% and 0.31% respectively. Posting the biggest one-year gains in 2019 were the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, up 27.63%, the Healthcare and Biotechnology Index, returning 24.94%, the Technology Index, gaining 19.49%, the Emerging Markets Eastern European Equities Index, returning 19.20%, and the Emerging Markets Global Equities Index, up 16.72%. For a complete table of BarclayHedge Hedge Fund and Sub-Index results for December, as well as historical returns, click here. About Backstop Solutions Backstops mission is to help the institutional investment industry use time to its fullest potential. We develop technology to simplify and streamline otherwise time-consuming tasks and processes, enabling our clients to quickly and easily access, share, and manage the knowledge thats critical to their day-to-day business success. Backstop provides its industry-leading cloud-based productivity suite to investment consultants, pensions, funds of funds, family offices, endowments, foundations, private equity, hedge funds and real estate investment firms. BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop, currently maintains data on more than 7,100 hedge funds, funds of funds and CTAs. The BarclayHedge Indices are utilized by institutional investors, brokerage firms and private banks worldwide as performance benchmarks for the hedge fund and managed futures industries. Former climate change minister Denis Naughten has ramped up pressure on environmentally conscience general election candidates by pledging to run a poster-free campaign. Mr Naughten said the material used to make election posters takes "several hundred years" to decompose and he planned to run without using any in acknowledgement of the serious situation facing the environment. "I want to make a clear statement of intent in relation to my determination to try to reduce the amount of plastic being generated rather than just soundbites," he told the Irish Independent. He said it would be "disingenuous" to ask businesses and supermarkets to reduce plastic if he was not doing so himself. "There is no doubt that election posters are unsightly and have no place in our towns and villages where local groups are working hard to present their area in the best possible light," he added. Mr Naughten also called on local authorities to designate specific areas where posters could be placed rather than allowing them to cover entire communities. None of the main political parties is running poster-free campaigns. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said some of his candidates would run poster-free campaigns, but said there was no restriction on using them. Mr Ryan said he would be using old ones and also supported having designated areas for posters. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail said there would be restrictions on posters for their candidates. Fianna Fail Longford-Westmeath candidate Joe Flaherty said he spoke to local community groups about areas where they did not want posters erected and he agreed not to put any in these places. Independent Councillor Sharon Keoghan, of Meath County Council, said she would be running a poster-free campaign and urged others in her constituency to do the same. "There are many other effective channels to use at election time without littering the countryside with posters," Ms Keoghan said. (Natural News) Many of us struggle with insomnia, and when you wake up after a night of tossing and turning, it can be hard to say for sure just how much time you actually slept. However, if youre turning to sleep apps or smart watches to help you pin down just how much shut-eye youre getting, you could be inadvertently making the problem worse. Sleep trackers seem useful on the surface. Many of them monitor your movement and heart rate while youre sleeping in the form of a bracelet or watch. Actigraphy, which has been used for medical sleep tests for many years, is one of the measuring tools used to record your movement with an accelerometer. Periods of time spent being still are considered to be asleep. Some also have a heart rate tracker that can detect drops in heart rate that may signify sleep. At a recent science festival in Cheltenham, England, sleep disorder specialist Dr. Guy Leschziner said that the publics increasing obsession with measuring their sleep is backfiring. He added that reading how bad sleep deprivation can be for your health is contributing to the problem. He said that a lot of patients come to him with sleep data from apps, and he has trouble convincing them to stop using them. Most apps, he pointed out, only track movement and arent clinically validated, so they cannot be relied upon to give a true picture of a persons sleep quality. Using these apps is leading to a disorder known as orthosomnia, wherein people feel stress and anxiety about perceived sleep problems, causing their bodies to produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that keep them awake. The term was coined in 2017 in response to the growing problem. The condition has been likened to orthorexia, an unhealthy preoccupation with eating healthy food. The power of the elements: Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site. Insomnia, in contrast, is seen when you have regular, ongoing problems falling asleep, wake up frequently throughout the night, wake up too early and have trouble falling back asleep, and still feel tired when you wake up. Last year, the UKs Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology reported that doctors are concerned about sleep trackers causing people who sleep normally to become anxious about sleep problems that dont exist. Some people naturally need less than the general recommendation of eight hours, and being told theyre not getting enough sleep can cause what is known as the nocebo effect wherein expecting negative symptoms can make people feel worse physically. Different people also have different sensitivities to caffeine and blue light before bed as well. Having trouble sleeping? Heres what to do instead of using apps Instead of apps, Dr. Leschziner suggests that people trust their own feelings when they wake up in the morning. If you wake up feeling tired and like you didnt get a good nights sleep, you may have a problem, but if you wake up feeling refreshed, dont nod off during the day, and are generally ready to sleep around the same time each night, theres no need to worry. If you do have legitimate trouble sleeping or suspect you have insomnia, experts say establishing a sleep routine is essential. Going to bed and waking up around the same time every day can help you spend more time asleep, so you should avoid sleeping in on weekends, for example. If youre having trouble nodding off, breathing exercises, meditation, visualizing happy memories and listening to calming music are all natural approaches to insomnia that can help. Its also a good idea to avoid technology and screens in the hour before bed to help your body prepare for peaceful slumber. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk TheGuardian.com A person was struck and injured by an NJ Transit train Monday night in Montlcair, authorities said. The trespasser was taken to a nearby hospital with unspecified injuries" after being hit around 7 p.m. near the Claremont Avenue crossing, NJ Transit Spokeswoman Kate Thompson said. The identity of the person and how they were struck were not released. Train service in the area was briefly suspended after the incident but was running again with 60-minute delays as of 8:45 p.m., Thompson said. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Hannibal Uwaifo, President of the African Bar Association Facebook The President of the African Bar Association, AFBA, Hannibal Uwaifo, has, in a correspondence to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson, suggested that an imposed solution to the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon, either through conquest or from a third party, will only mean more wars. The AFBA President, thus, suggested a United Nations organised and supervised referendum for Southern Cameroonians to decide their fate. In the letter dated January 10, Hannibal Uwaifo bemoaned that the indifference of the international community and silence of major powers, has encouraged untold suffering and human rights violations to go on unabated in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. Trenches have been dug and the Government of Cameroun has been encouraged to kill and imprison more as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and great countries like Great Britain, which handed the Southern Cameroon to Francophone Cameroun, have refused to speak decisively and hold the Cameroun Government accountable for crimes committed against defenceless citizens of Southern Cameroon, the letter stated. Asserting that there is no end in sight to the violence in the affected Regions, the African Bar President outlined that the Swiss-led dialogue process, encouraged by the international community, has, so far, been embraced only, by the so-called Separatists. He went further to remark that the Cameroun Government has, so far, not made known its stance on the Swiss-led mediation process. In his correspondence to the British Prime Minister, AFBAs Hannibal Uwaifo also detailed the historical background of the conflict. He cited various highpoints in the history of the two Cameroons, the decolonisation process, the referendums, the terms of the proposed union between the two States and other relevant high points. On the way forward, the African Bar President, speaking on behalf of the Executive Councils of the African Bar Association, proposed a referendum for Southern Cameroonians to decide their fate. He wrote: Given all these considerations, the African Bar Association is of the strong opinion that, rather than third party suggesting solutions for a problem which they are not suffering, the best and most transparent and democratic solution would be a UN-organised referendum in the British Southern Cameroons, for its people to pronounce themselves on whether they wish to continue to live under Cameroon; to form some kind of association with Cameroon, documented by treaty, or to govern themselves within their own internationally defined territory. Citing practical examples, AFBAs President further stated: Scotland, Quebec, New Caledonia, Bougainville, the UK itself within the European Union, South Sudan and many other countries, have resorted to referenda to settle such supreme matters of interest to their people. There is no reason to deny the people of Southern Cameroons a similar opportunity for this supreme matter. We firmly believe that the people should be given a chance to speak for themselves. This will automatically lead to a ceasefire. The conditions for such a referendum can be worked out to ensure transparency and fairness. On the second option, Hannibal Uwaifo, on behalf of African lawyers, suggested that, if any of the parties to the conflict is uncomfortable with the referendum option, the second best option will be for the matter to be settled at the International Court of Justice, ICJ. Here, he said, the ICJ will decide on; whether the territory of the Southern Cameroons belongs to the Republic of Cameroon or the people of the British Southern Cameroons. SPRINGFIELD An Illinois anti-abortion advocacy group argues the U.S. Supreme Courts decision legalizing the procedure is outdated and out of step with modern science. The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based law firm, filed a brief last week on behalf of Illinois Right to Life in the highest courts first abortion-related case in years. It challenges whether a Louisiana law mandating doctors who perform the procedure have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is unduly burdensome. The Societys filing is technically in support of the Louisiana law, but its focus is on the Supreme Courts landmark 1973 ruling. Roe v. Wade should be revisited, according to the brief, because its three major tenets are no longer applicable: pregnant women and mothers do not face substantial social burdens as they once did; the scientific community agrees life begins at conception; and 38 states now have some version of a fetal homicide law. Together, those assertions are enough for the highest court to reassess whether fetuses qualify as persons under the law and can be granted the protection of the 14th Amendment, Thomas Olp, the Societys vice president and senior counsel, said. That amendment ensures government does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law or the equal protection of the laws. There have been significant changes, and the court should take a new look at Roe in terms of those changes, he said. Just as its important that slaves were human beings and therefore persons protectable by law, now we need to agree preborn human beings are entitled to protection. Essentially, the Thomas More Societys and Illinois Right to Lifes reasoning is fetuses should be wholly protected by all statutes, not just a few most notably, fetal homicide laws. The position expressed here ignores the actual question facing the Court in the Louisiana case whether forcing doctors who provide a full range of reproductive health care for their patients to have admitting privileges in a local hospital [and] elevates the beliefs of politicians and ideologues above concern for womens health, Ameri Klafeta, director of the American Civil Liberty Unions Womens and Reproductive Rights Project, said. We reject that view. She added the argument detailed in the groups brief mirrors that heard in the Illinois General Assembly when legislators were debating the Reproductive Health Act. Signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June, it enshrined womens access to reproductive health care as a fundamental right. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Open auditions have been announced for the UK premiere tour of Bring It On: the Musical. The auditions will take place from 10.00am and 6.00pm on 22 January at The Place, 17 Duke's Road, London WC1H 9PY. Auditionees must book a spot here. To be in with a shot of being cast through the open auditions, any applicants must have strong dance and acrobatic skills (especially street dance and urban techniques), and not have agent representation. Any actors with representation are encouraged to ask their agents to put them forwards through Spotlight. The producers have stated that, though artists of all ethnicities will be considered for the production, it is a requirement of the show for the majority of the company to reflect a range of BAME backgrounds. Follow-up auditions will take place on 24 January, with casts having to be available from April 2020 to then join the show until December 2020 inclusive. The brand new production will open at Birmingham Hippodrome from 2 to 6 June 2020, and will then visit Sunderland Empire from 9 to 13 June, Milton Keynes Theatre 16 to 20 June, Wales Millennium Centre 23 to 27 June, Stoke Regent Theatre 30 June to 4 July; Hull New Theatre 7 to 11 July, Bradford Alhambra Theatre 14 to 18 July, Manchester Opera House 21 to 25 July, Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre 4 to 8 August, New Theatre Peterborough from 18 to 22 August, Malvern Festival Theatre 17 to 21 November and Edinburgh Festival Theatre 24 to 28 November. Further tour dates and creative team are to be announced soon. Based on the hit film of the same name, the show has a score by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt, with lyrics by Miranda and Amanda Green. Book is by Jeff Whitty. DSCCs New Analyst in Japan Hiroshi Tsutsu Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) has hired Hiroshi Tsutsu as Director of Display Research. Tsutsu-san has 35 years of display industry experience at Matsushita, TMDisplay and Japan Display in both technical and business management roles. According to DSCC CEO Ross Young, We are thrilled to have Tsutsu-san join our team. He has deep experience in OLED and LTPS LCD display manufacturing and development, business planning, marketing, customer knowledge and more. He will be an asset to our mobile display and display equipment related reports and consulting as well as other areas along with our event business. Tsutsu-san was most recently at Japan Display Inc. (JDI) for 7 years where he held the position of Senior General Manager. At JDI, he was involved in mobile display planning and helped boost revenues by nearly 6X from 90B to 530B Yen. He worked closely with Apple which was JDIs largest customer. He also played a key role in developing budgets and mid-term plans. Prior to JDI, Tsutsu-san was at TMDisplay for 10 years where he rose to the position of General Manager. At TMDisplay, he was also involved in mobile display planning and also worked closely with Apple. Prior to the planning role, he was involved in their OLED display promotion efforts where he managed over 100 employees. He was also involved in automotive display planning for 4 years and in corporate planning for 2 years where he steered the company away from TVs to mobile displays. His initial role at TMDisplay was in OLED R&D where he developed a new driving method. At Matsushita Electric, he was involved in LCD and OLED R&D for 17 years where he rose to the position of Team Leader. He has extensive science, engineering and physics expertise and authored numerous patents and scientific publications. While at Matsushita, he spent 2 years at Cornell in their Department of Materials Science and Engineering as a visiting scientist where he studied the use of SiGe alloy as a TFT semiconductor material as a way to help Matsushita differentiate its technology from its competitors. He later helped develop very high mobility LTPS TFT technology at Matsushita reaching mobilities of 300cm2/Vsec. Prior to his work on SiGe, he helped ramped up both their dry etch and wet etch processes. Tsutsu-san has a MS in Physics from Kyoto University, speaks and reads English at a very high level and won an Outstanding Poster Award at Asia Display. To speak with Tsutsu-san, please contact tsutsu@displaysupplychain.com. ABOUT DSCC Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) was formed by experienced display market analysts from throughout the display supply chain and delivers valuable insights through consulting, syndicated reports and events. The company has offices in the US, Europe, Japan, Korea and China. DSCC is on the web at http://www.displaysupplychain.com and can be reached in the US at info@displaysupplychain.com or (770) 503-6318. "These hires, new roles and promotions and geographic expansion mark a significant milestone in the continued evolution and growth of AE Works. I couldn't be more thrilled for the future of our company. We are positioned to grow our impact, states Michael Cherock, PE, President and CEO of AE Works AE Works Ltd. (AE Works), a building design and consulting firm, is continuing to grow their team and expand their geographic reach with the opening of a new Washington, DC office, strategic new hires and new organizational roles. The new Washington, D.C. office is simultaneously occurring as the top Mid-Atlantic design firm also expands its Pittsburgh headquarters with strategic hires and new organizational roles. These moves position the firm with an office footprint that support clients where and how they work. The growth in Washington, D.C is in response to AE Works securing several contracts with federal agencies. Supporting this new larger office in Washington, DC and expansion in Pittsburgh, AE Works is excited to welcome seven (7) new team members who will be working across a range of AE Works projects and services. The firm is excited to welcome the following new hires: Dawn Cindric, AIA - Manager, Architecture Michael Carroll, PE, LEED AP, DCEP - Senior Project Manager Thomas Wallof, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - Project Architect Ashley Swann, NCIDQ - Interior Designer Colby Campbell, NCIDQ - Interior Designer Demetrios Giannoukos, EIT - Electrical Engineer - EIT Chris Hutchins - Assistant Project Manager In addition to this sustained growth and new staff, AE Works created three new organizational roles to strategically support client engagement and deliver the firm brand promise. As AE Works prioritizes career growth and development, all three roles were filled through internal staff. These new organizational roles and promotions include: Richard Witt, Jr. AIA - Chief Client Officer. In this role, Witt will be responsible for client engagement across the organization. Mary Margaret McCarty - Client Development Advisor. In this role, McCarty will be responsible for operational sales strategy development and execution. Carly Khanna - Chief Brand Officer. Khanna will be responsible for AE Works brand image, experience and promise. These hires, new roles and promotions and geographic expansion mark a significant milestone in the continued evolution and growth of AE Works. These strategic initiatives reinforce our vision to develop a single-source solution for our clients that helps tame building complexities and enables their success through their physical spaces. I couldn't be more thrilled for the future of our company. We are positioned to grow our impact, states Michael Cherock, PE, President and CEO of AE Works. Marking thirteen years in business this year, AE Works remains focused on sustained growth and expanding services, including Owners Representative services and security-focused training related to building design. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with regional offices in State College, PA and Washington, DC, the company currently has 40 employees with continued plans to hire. World leaders in reptile and amphibian research say there is an urgent international need to acknowledge the evidence for global climate change and take immediate action to help save these vulnerable animals. The Aotearoa Climate Change Declaration was announced at the 9th World Congress of Herpetology (the study of the reptiles and amphibians) held last week at the University of Otago, which was attended by 870 delegates from 57 countries. Many of the 621 presentations made at the week-long World Congress described the impacts of climate change and other environmental changes on the health of the world's amphibian and reptile populations. "We know that at least 40 per cent of amphibians are threatened by extinction, and reptiles are not far behind, making them the most threatened groups of vertebrates on the planet," says University of Otago Zoology Professor Phil Bishop, who is the 9th World Congress of Herpetology Director. The Declaration highlights the necessity of scientists and society to become more harmonious with the ecological workings of the planet, including climate stability and conservation of biodiversity. "There is an absolutely critical need for more awareness and action for global conservation efforts, and as a Congress we have decided to take an important lead role in working towards that goal," Professor Bishop says. "Our declaration following this conference reflects that urgency and we implore national governments to take immediate action to prevent further losses of important species due to the impacts of climate change." The World Congress of Herpetology is held every four years and over the last week many talks highlighted the precarious nature of amphibian and reptile populations and the severe threats they are facing as a result of climate change. "It is highly likely that we will observe many species going extinct in front of our very own eyes in the next decade. "We have declared that we will strive to reduce the future footprint of our Congress, and encourage science and society to join us by resolving the tremendous challenges we are facing in a climate-changed world." Professor Bishop says that planning will now start for the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in four years' time which will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (August 2024). ### LIMERICK, and the rest of Ireland is set to go to the polls on Saturday, February 8 to elect a new Dail. This Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will set the wheels in a motion for a General Election to take place in just three-and-a-half weeks. He will ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the 32nd Dail, which was being governed by his Fine Gael party through a Confidence and Supply deal wih Fianna Fail. The Fine Gael leader outlined his plans to the Cabinet this Tuesday morning. One more candidate declared this morning; Cllr Frankie Daly in the city, while former councillor Seighin O Ceallaigh is set to run for Sinn Fein in the county. It's the first time in more than 100 years that a general election will take place on a Saturday, and there are fears of a low turnout in Limerick, with many rugby fans travelling to the Ireland v Wales Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium. In the Limerick City constituency, there are four seats up for grabs, with ten candidates already declared. They are: Maurice Quinlivan (Sinn Fein), Jan OSullivan (Labour), Willie ODea and Cllr James Collins (both Fianna Fail), Senators Kieran ODonnell and Maria Byrne (both Fine Gael), Cllr Brian Leddin (Green Party), Michael Ryan (Aontu), Cllr Frankie Daly (Independent) and Jenny Blake (Social Democrats). More candidates are likely to declare in the coming days. Meanwhile, in the rural Limerick constituency, five candidates have so far declared in what is a three-seater ward. They are Niall Collins (Fianna Fail), Tom Neville and Patrick ODonovan (both Fine Gael), Claire Keating (Green Party),and Cllr Richard ODonoghue (Independent). Mr O Ceallaigh a former Sinn Fein councillor is expected to be added to the party's ticket following a convention on Friday in Newcastle West. He is the only candidate going forward. There are currently 74,394 people eligible to vote in the city area, and 68,596 in the County area. However, these figures are based on the voter eligibility for the last council elections. Unlike these, the City constituency includes parts of South East Clare and North Tipperary. And there are fewer people eligible to vote in the election for the lower house. The Aviation Ministry announced a scheme on Monday asking operators to voluntarily register their drones by January 31. The ministry said that those who fail to register will face action under the Indian Penal Code and Aircraft Act. The ministry said in a notification, "The presence of such drones as well as drone operators has come to the notice of the government which do not comply with the CAR (civil aviation requirements). In order to facilitate the identification of civil drones and drone operators, a one-time opportunity for voluntary disclosure of such drones and drone operators is being provided... All persons in possession of drones are required to complete the process (of online registration) by January 31, 2020." This notification comes days after top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone attack. He was leaving the Baghdad airport when the US military fired missiles, killing him on January 3. A senior Indian government official said that the attack "precipitated the government to take action to regulate hundreds of non-compliant drones" that are operating in the country. "What happened at Gatwick airport in December 2018 was already there on our mind," the official said to PTI. The number of illegal drones in India is likely to be between 50,000 and 60,000, co-chair of a FICCI committee on drones, Ankit Mehta, had said on October 22 last year. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on August 27, 2018, had issued the CAR to regulate the use of civilian drones in the Indian airspace. Under these regulations, a process has been prescribed for drone operators to obtain Unique Identification Number (UIN), Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) and other permissions. Called the "No Permission-No Take Off" regulation, a drone operator has to use the DGCA's software programme DigiSky to obtain valid permissions before operating drones in India. In the notice issued on Monday, the ministry said, "On successful submission of voluntary disclosure of possessing drone, a Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN) and an Ownership Acknowledgement Number (OAN) will be issued online which will help in validation of operation of drones in India." However, the DAN and the OAN do not confer any right to operate drones in India if it does not fulfil the DGCA's drone regulations, the ministry clarified. Also read: How Modi government has killed its own drones project Also read: Air India is finally going to a new owner, here's why Google has received a patent in India for its technology for creating virtual graffiti in a mobile virtual and augmented reality system, something that would help you leave a message for you or your friend at a location in future. The company in its patent specification filed with the Patent Office says that with virtual graffiti, if one may wish to leave a message for his or her friend to try a particular menu item at a restaurant, the message may be virtually written on the door of the restaurant, and left for the second user to view. When the friend visits the restaurant, he or she ... Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Officials of the Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday welcomed Chinese counterparts on a week-long visit, marked by exploratory talks and exercises. A marching band greeted the Chinese Coast Guard as its Vessel 5204 laid anchor at the Port of Manila, led by Major General Wang Zhongcai. The visit was unprecedented, considering reports that the Chinese Coast Guard would harass Filipino fishermen and intimidate foreign ships in the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea claimed and occupied by Manila and contested by Beijing. Admiral Joel Garcia, commandant of the PCG, said it's about time they discuss sensitive maritime issues with the Chinese. "Kahit may hidwaan tayo, wala pong ibang solusyon kundi diplomasya. Wala pong ibang solution kundi pumunta tayo sa isang lamesa, mag-usap harap-harapan, at sabihin natin ang ating hinaing," Garcia told reporters. [Translation: Even if we have a conflict, there's no other solution but diplomacy. There's no other solution but to get to the negotiating table and talk, discuss our grievances.] He said he will appeal to the Chinese Coast Guard to make sure Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea are safe. "Ang hilingan natin sa kanila na sa ganang Pilipinas ay dapat mabigyan po ng ng karapatan mangisda traditionally ang ating mga Pilipino na hindi hinaharass," Garcia said. [Translation: We will ask them to allow the Filipino fishermen to traditionally fish without being harassed.] In an earlier media briefing, Garcia said he wants to prevent untoward maritime incidents like the Chinese vessel ramming and sinking Filipino boat Gem-Ver near Recto Bank in June last year. The Philippines has protested the "callous abandonment" of the 22 Filipino fishermen, who were left to float in the open sea for hours before they were rescued by a Vietnamese vessel. President Rodrigo Duterte called for sanctions against the Chinese crew during his bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in August 2019. The Chinese Coast Guard did not issue statements to the media. But the PCG reported on Twitter that during a cross-deck visit, Zhongcai told Filipino officials on board CCG Vessel 5204 that Chinese President Xi Jinping "has high regard on cooperation and sincere diplomacy with the [Philippines] and CCGs port call in Manila is a major initiative to achieving such goal towards peace, cooperation, and harmony between [the Philippines] and China." The CCG is staying in the country until January 17. The goal is to set up new mechanisms of coordination, including establishing better communication lines between forces on patrol, and exploring how to de-escalate tensions in disputed waters. Critics earlier questioned the supposed "red carpet treatment" for the Chinese Coast Guard in the country. The PCG has denied this, saying there's nothing irregular about the visit since it is covered by a 2016 memorandum of understanding between Manila and Beijing. Meanwhile, in an apparent show of goodwill, the Chinese donated 600 pieces of N95 face masks and boxes of food packs for those affected by Taal Volcano's unrest. Garcia said the Chinese crew members chipped in to help, since they are already on their way to Manila when news about Taal broke. CNN Philippines' David Santos and Eimor Santos contributed to this report. A flu alert for London children was issued today as it emerged that fewer than one in five two and three-year-olds have been vaccinated. The 19 per cent immunisation rate for the capital for pre-school children is only half of that achieved in the rest of the country. Problems were caused in November when about a quarter of supplies of the nasal vaccine that is given to children were delayed by manufacturing problems. Since the start of winter, 23 flu outbreaks have been reported in London, the lowest in the country, mostly affecting schools. Doctors are concerned because children are regarded as super spreaders of the virus due to poor hand hygiene. Fourteen people died from flu on intensive care units last week and there have been 58 deaths across the UK since the end of September. Public Health England, which had aimed to vaccinate a record 25 million people, was unable to say whether any of the deaths were in London or involved children. It is known that about 150 children up to the age of four have been admitted to intensive care units across the UK in the past three-and-a-half months. 150 Children up to the age of four admitted to intensive care units across the UK with flu in the past three-and-a-half months Hospital admissions to intensive care for flu have increased by 20 per cent in London in the last week, while overall hospitalisation rates for flu increased by six per cent. Professor Paul Plant, PHE London regional director, said: Flu is starting to have an impact in London but it can be prevented by getting the vaccine, which is still available at GP surgeries. Flu can be serious and even deadly for very young children so parents should make sure their toddlers are vaccinated. Current evidence suggests the vaccine is a good match for the main strain of flu that is circulating. Dr Vin Diwakar, regional medical director for NHS London, said: Our message is simple the flu season is here and it can be dangerous for children. A quick, painless nasal spray from a GP can help little ones fight off the flu and keep safe. I strongly encourage parents to book the free vaccine today. The flu season begun earlier this year, compared with last year, and GP consultations for influenza-like illness are higher. Last year, about 45 per cent of pre-school children were vaccinated in England. The free vaccine reduced the risk of children contracting flu by almost half. Pre-school children are vaccinated in GP surgeries, while primary school children receive it in schools. Ballia (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 14 (ANI): BJP MLA Surendra Singh has compared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with a demon "Lankini" and called her "chief" of demons. He alleged that Banerjee is protecting terrorists who killed thousands of Hindus. "In a democratic society, Mamata Banerjee has traits of a demon. She has no human values and no women characteristics. She is giving protection to those who killed thousands of Hindus. That's why we can call her demon and not a human. She is like the Lankini of Sri Lanka," Singh told ANI referring to the Trinamool Congress protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kolkata visit and the amended Citizenship law. "In Bengal, Mamata is not a leader but a Lankini. BJP won 18 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, now the party will sweep Assembly polls in West Bengal. India is a party of God. And SP, BSP, TMC are parties of demons. Giving protection to terrorists means protecting demons. We can call her chief of demons," the BJP legislator from Ballia added. (ANI) 2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump is pocketing money from donors and giving them access to the White House and the scam is being run through his DC hotel. In December 2019, CREW uncovered the scheme while investigating odd spikes in room rates at Trumps DC hotel, On November 7th, CREW flagged a massive spike in the cost of a room on December 14, suggesting that every less expensive room in the hotel was sold out, leaving only pricey suites. Presumably, rooms were taken up by donors to Trump Victory Committee, a joint fundraising committee of the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign. The exorbitant cost is even more evidence that hosting fundraisers at the Trump International Hotel is one of the best ways to sell out the notoriously empty venue, sending donor money right into Trumps pocket. Lucky donors who managed to snag a room were also invited to the White Houses holiday open house, meaning that the cost of a room at Trumps DC Hotel and donations towards his reelection included exclusive political access for the buyer. Trump is doing it again around election night 2020, Rooms at Trump International Hotel are entirely unavailable on November 2nd and 3rd. Those dates just happen to be the day before and the night of the 2020 presidential election. And not only that: The night after the election a basic room costs $1,600, a major spike of nearly 5 times the average cost, which is around $331Trump is cashing in on his political position and his supporters are helping. With a potential sale of the hotel on the horizon, it is possible that President Trump sees election night 2020 as a last hurrah of influence peddling in his DC hotel. Trump has taken the old form of political corruption to a more blatant level. Donors arent just getting access by donating to a campaign. Donors are being rewarded with access to the president and the White House by paying Trump cash. This is called bribery. Trump is selling influence. He is also selling access to the White House. If the majority of voters have their way, Trumps corrupt reelection bash will be turned into a going-away party for this president and his criminal circus. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook When Chelsea Anders saw a box of face masks at her local Ulta last month, she thought it would be a great gift from 'Santa' to her 10-year-old stepdaughter, Cadence. On Christmas morning, the little girl pulled it out of her stocking and decided to use the 'unicorn' mask. Within two minutes, she complained to her parents that it was burning. When Anders, 27, ripped the mask off, little Cadence's face was bright red. Anders, of Waukee, Iowa, said she washed her stepdaughter's face for 10 minutes every 20 minutes for three hours - and applied aloe vera - before the redness went away. She is one of just several women and mothers who told DailyMail.com they or their children were left with redness and burns on their faces after using products from Yes To. The company has since pulled one of its masks, Grapefruit Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Unicorn Paper Mask, from stores after dozens of complaints via phone calls, emails and on its social media accounts. Multiple customers have complained of redness and burning from Yes To's Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Unicorn Paper Mask. Chelsea Anders said her stepdaughter Cadence (left) had a red face for three hours. Anna Weitzman, 26 (right), from San Francisco, California, said her face burned for eight hours A direction on the back of the package (pictured) told consumers: 'Tingling? Yes, it's working!' The recall came after social media was flooded with photos of women with reddened faces who said they used the unicorn sheet masks, a purple-colored paper mask meant to 'brighten' the skin. Anna Weitzman, 26, said she bought the masks from her local Target in San Francisco as a present for her girlfriend because she thought they were 'cute' and 'kid-friendly'. Yes To doesn't say that it's products are meant for kids, but many consumers feel that they are targeted towards children. 'I had used their face masks multiple times before...so we put them on and within about four minutes, my girlfriend said she was feeling that she was in pain,' she told DailyMail.com. 'So I began feeling it too and our skin began to feel like something was burning. We washed our faces to get the residue off...but it burned for the whole day, like eight hours.' Weitzman said she could only use cool water on her face for a day-and-a-half and she couldn't put on make-up because her skin was so sensitive. Kayla Pegues, 35, said she also bought the mask at Target in her hometown of Mount Vernon, Washington. Within five minutes of applying the mask, she said she started feeling really hot. 'I took it off and my face was just bright red and it looked and felt like a severe sun burn,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I thought I was having an allergic reaction and I never had one like that before...I'm just super glad my nine-year-old daughter didn't use it.' Anders said that after her stepdaughter's reaction to the product, she decided to try it herself to see if the problem was the mask or just the young girl's sensitive skin. She had the same reaction. 'I had to apply aloe vera for two days and I couldn't take hot shower for three days because it was so painful,' Anders said. Weitzman (above and below) said Yes To offered her a $10 gift card to Target as compensation, but she is not accepting it Many of the women and girls who used the masks said they were hesitant to take them off even after feeling a burning sensation because of an instruction on the back of the package that said: 'Tingling? Yes, it's working!' Dr Jason Miller, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group - which has offices in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania - says the very tingling sensation the product is encouraging should be cause for alarm. 'That's your skin's way of telling you that something is wrong,' he told DailyMail.com. 'We do chemical peels on patients and we take a layer of skin off, which can have a tingling sensation, but that's being supervised under a medical provider.' It's not clear which ingredients, or ingredients, are causing the reactions but Dr Miller says it could be a host of things including vitamin C and lactic acid. Both of these, when applied in high concentrations, have been proven to cause skin irritations. Anders, 27 (left), from Waukee, Iowa, said she tried the mask after her stepdaughter used it and that she couldn't take a hot shower for three days. Kayla Pegues, 35 (right), from Mount Vernon, Washington, said her face looked and felt like a 'severe sun burn' Yes To announced on January that it would be recalling the unicorn mask and begin an investigation (above) Courtesy of WHO Multiple complaints were posted to Yes To's social media accounts as well as retailers who sell the mask, including Target and Ulta. On January 3, Yes To said it was removing the unicorn mask from store shelves. As of Monday, it is not available for purchase on Target's website, but it is from Ulta and Amazon's websites. Consumers have complained about other Yes To products, including the charcoal mask and the cucumber under-eye masks, but no others masks have been pulled. All the women that spoke to DailyMail.com says they hope Yes To is encouraged to test their products better and have clear warning labels about skin irradiation. Weitzman said that, after emailing the company, representatives contacted her back and offered her a $10 Target gift card as compensation. 'I'm not going to take it and I feel like this was a minor blow,' she said. 'I don't think $10 was worth pain for an entire day.' Yes To did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com's request for comment. YEREVAN. The first Milan-Yerevan flight from budget airline Ryanair has arrived in Yerevan today. Speaking to reporters, Tatevik Revazian, Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia, and answering a question about which countries citizens this first flights passengers mainly were, said: "It is early to say which citizens of the country have arrived in Armenia on the first flight. It takes time for us to analyze and understand all these data. On the whole, I can say that the plane was quite full, and the passengers were very happy. We hope that both tourists and Armenians have come to visit Armenia. According to Revazian, the flight delay was due to the flight traffic controllers strike in Italy. "It has nothing to do with Armenia," she added. Initially they had been on the list initially to cancel flights to Armenia, but we quickly called Ryanair's management, convinced them not to cancel the first flight, and they removed it from the list; that is, the delay was the best option that could be." She reminded that Ryanair has opened 6 destinations from Armenia: Berlin, Memmingen, Athens, Thessaloniki, Rome, and Milan, while Wizz Air to Vilnius, Vienna, Air Baltic announced Riga, Transavia announced Paris direction. "All are low cost [airlines], and I think they will create serious competition in Armenia," she added. "Previously we had 7 destinations to Europe, now we will have 17 destinations." Revazian thinks the flights of budget airlines can increase interest in Armenia. "When we went to the talks, we talked in numbers, and they became convinced that there really is a market, there are great opportunities," she said. As a person raised in Denmark, I know that people are a little tired of flying to the same places, they want something new, and Armenia is something new for them; it's exciting. It seems to me that many will be interested now, when it is easier and more affordable to reach Armenia; and the flight is in daytime; it will affect that too. The US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie Sullivan has underscored the need for women in influential positions to mentor young girls to be independent and confident. This, she stated is important because women need mentors to succeed and make an impact in society. Ambassador Sullivan made the call at the Mentors' Forum organised by Standard Chartered Bank in collaboration with Mentoring Women Ghana. The event is to gather established women leaders to mentors to younger women and to recruit more mentors. The US Ambassador to Ghana stated that women need mentors who are tried and tested in their career to succeed. Women benefit greatly when leaders, especially women, take the time to mentor other women and set them on a path to greater success," she said. For her part, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Asiedua Addae partnering Mentoring Women for the Forum is in line with their community engagement programme Futuremakers. The programme seeks to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion for young people especially women in our communities, she explained. She noted that it is also an opportunity to build a really strong network of mentors across professions and industries. Mrs Addae said mentees will benefit from a wider range of skill, expertise and experience as well as open up new opportunities for them. Great mentors always offer critical insights as to the right behaviours, opportunities and also offer tools for success she stressed. Their aim, Mrs Addae said is to contribute to creating a better society of strong, empowered women ready for a better future. ---Myjoyonline.com - An accident on the Tano river has caused the water to become highly poisonous - The accident is said to have occurred directly opposite the Ghana Water Company treatment plant at Techiman-Tanoso - The highly poisonous water resulted in the death of fishes and crocodiles in the river The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Offinso North has revealed that an accident on the Tano river has caused the water to become highly poisonous resulting in the death of its creatures According to the NADMO, the acid in the batteries have diluted into the water after a truckload of batteries from Kumasi to Burkina Faso fell into the Tano River at Techiman-Tanoso, culminating in the death of fishes and crocodiles. Joy News reports that the accident is said to have occurred directly opposite the Ghana Water Company treatment plant at Techiman-Tanoso. Truck load of batteries in the Tano river Source: UGC READ ALSO: Investments yield the right returns in Ghana Dangote asserts This, therefore, makes it harmful for human consumption as some communities along the Tano River have been asked to stay away from the water body as it is feared to be poisoned. According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Offinso North, the communities; Techiman, Tanoso, Chira, Duayaw Nkwanta and Bechem are to immediately refrain from drinking from the Tano River till further notice. District NADMO Coordinator, Mamoa Elijah, in a statement issued on Monday, January 13, 2020, said the order was necessitated by the accident at Tanoso in the Bono East Region, involving an articulated truck carrying car batteries. Death fishes as a result of poisoned water Source: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Ken Agyapong jabs Kan Dapaah for falling for a lady with long fingernails In other news, Africas richest man, business magnate and entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote has indicated that it is advisable to make investments in Ghana since those investments yield the right returns. Dangote who was speaking in an interview on Bloomberg TV identified Ghana together with three other countries including his home country Nigeria where he is establishing a multi-billion-dollar petroleum refinery, as having the right investment climate. He revealed Accra, which is the capital of Ghana is one of the top investment destinations in the sub-region. READ ALSO: One year on; Ahmed Suale yet to receive justice - Family demands justice Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh By Miya Tanaka, KYODO NEWS - Jan 15, 2020 - 10:15 | Japan, All, World Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday urged Beijing to respect international norms and work toward addressing his country's concerns over increasing Chinese maritime assertiveness ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan next spring. Kono took aim at China during his speech at a think tank in Washington, where he has been visiting to meet with Defense Secretary Mark Esper to discuss the tense situation in the Middle East and other issues. The minister said in the speech that Japan "cannot overlook" the frequent violation of its territorial waters around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea by Chinese government vessels. The islets are also claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu. While Japan plans to welcome Xi as a state guest this year, Kono said China needs to "work hard" to improve the situation, or "otherwise we may find a difficult environment for the visit." "International norms, such as freedom, democracy and legal order have been built up and maintained by the countries including Japan and the United States and others, overcoming difficulties. If China makes light of the international norms, they have to pay the cost," he said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Later in the day, Kono met Esper at the Pentagon near Washington and the two agreed to cooperate in dealing with the situation in the Middle East, where Japan is sending a Self-Defense Forces vessel and patrol planes to help safeguard commercial shipping. At a joint press conference with Kono, Esper said he appreciates Japan's efforts and added, "We will continue to share information and cooperate on operations in the Middle East, as we work to promote freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce." Kono said he told Esper that Japan will make "persistent diplomatic efforts" to ease tensions and stabilize the situation in the region. The SDF is assigned to gather information for the safety of Japanese shipping, although its area of operation will not include the Strait of Hormuz, a critical sea lane that borders Iran and through which around one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Sending the SDF overseas has often been controversial for Japan, which places various limits on the use of weapons and force in light of its pacifist post-World War II Constitution. [Getty/Kyodo] But Japan, which heavily relies on the Middle East for crude oil supplies, has decided on the latest dispatch amid calls from the United States that Tokyo should also play a role in protecting ships. Kono noted that the SDF will operate separately from the U.S.-led maritime coalition to ensure safety of key waterways in the Middle East. The decision has been taken in consideration of the long-standing friendly relations between Japan and Iran. On North Korea, the two affirmed that ballistic missile launches pose a "serious threat" to the region and confirmed the importance of the full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions for a "complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement" of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Kono said. While uncertainties linger over whether North Korea will resort to major military provocations amid stalled denuclearization talks with the United States, Esper said the U.S. military remains "ready to fight tonight if necessary." But he emphasized that the United States still believes that "the best path forward is through a diplomatic solution that results in the denuclearization of North Korea." The two did not discuss the burden-sharing issue regarding the cost to host U.S. forces stationed in Japan, with Kono telling reporters that it is too early to start the negotiations. Japan's so-called host-nation support, which totals nearly 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion) annually, covers costs for base workers, utilities and other items. The current five-year payment agreement is set to expire after March 2021. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Japan and South Korea should shoulder more costs as they are protected by U.S. forces stationed in their countries. A new study published online January 13, 2020, in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reports that mothers who suffer severe mental stress during pregnancy may have babies with abnormal development in important areas of the brain even before birth. It is already known that babies with congenital heart disease show abnormalities in brain growth and brain biochemical reactions. The study, carried out by researchers at the Childrens National Hospital, cautions that more research will be necessary to confirm this conclusion. Nonetheless, the authors say that mothers needed to have screening for mental distress incorporated into their standard antenatal care routine, as well as getting the support they need if they are exposed to excessive stress, in order to prevent harm to the developing fetal brain. Color Doppler Ultrasound of Fetal Brain (Middle Cerebral Arteries ) Many Other Radiological Images (CT, MRI, PET CT, X-ray) in my portfolio. Image Credit: Springsky / Shutterstock The study The most frequently seen fetal congenital anomaly is congenital heart disease (CHD). It refers to any of a host of structural defects in the heart. The study was based on screening pregnant women with babies who had been found to have a significant heart defect. In addition, the researchers found that pregnant women, in general, have a lot of psychological distress, in general. Mental issues are the most common pregnancy complications, found in over a fifth of women either before birth or in the first year following birth. However, when it comes to having a baby with a heart defect, almost double this number will have mental complications including severe stress. The study included 48 women who had been told their fetuses had CHD, compared with 92 women who had normally developing pregnancies. The researchers used tested and standardized screening tools to screen these women for stress and anxiety. Evaluation using standardised tools, namely, the Perceived Stress Scale, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, for stress, anxiety and depression, respectively, showed that a good number of these women had experienced severe stress. The 140 fetuses were imaged by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 21 and 40 weeks, for a total of 223 sessions. The total brain volume (TBV) was measured in cubic centimeters. In addition, certain parts of the brain such as the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and the hippocampi on both sides, were also measured for volume. The findings The scientists found, to their surprise, that the stressful mental state of pregnant women reflected on the intrauterine environment of the fetus. As a result, the brain showed impaired development in certain parts involved in normal learning, coordination, social development and behavioral learning. The study showed that the presence of CHD was linked with stress, depression and anxiety in 65%, 29%, and 44% of pregnant women, respectively, compared with only 27%, 9% and 26% of mothers in the other group. The presence of stress and anxiety in the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with a reduction in hippocampal and cerebellar volume in those mothers whose babies had been diagnosed with CHD. This affected specific sites the inner side of the head of the left hippocampus and the underside of the head and body of the right hippocampus and certain areas of the left lobe of the cerebellum. Implications The reduced growth in these regions is important because memory and learning are mediated in part by the hippocampus, while cerebellar function is crucial to motor coordination as well as being essential to proper social and behavioral development. The hippocampus is already known to be affected easily by stress. It is possible that the diagnosis of CHD could have happened at a time during pregnancy when the developing brain structures were especially susceptible to damage. During the third trimester, when the fetal cerebellum is the fastest-growing brain structure, the excessive stress could have had an impact on its growth. The researchers noted that all women in both groups had no prior history of depression or anxiety, and none had been on medications. None had ever been to mental health professionals for therapy. Most of them were well educated, with over 80% being college-educated while 75% were professionals. This meant that they probably had access to adequate resources for such conditions as anxiety and depression. Thus, the study shows that all pregnant women should be screened routinely for anxiety and stress, and appropriate measures need to be offered to combat these conditions during pregnancy. Stress during pregnancy is a toxic factor that impacts both the mother and fetal health. The researchers conclude, We hope this becomes standard practice elsewhere. The study adds urgency to the task of identifying expectant mothers who are stressed out during pregnancy so that appropriate interventions can be performed to reverse this condition early in pregnancy. Lead author Yao Wu says, Our next goal is exploring effective prenatal cognitive behavioral interventions to reduce psychological distress felt by pregnant women and improve neurodevelopment in babies with CHD. By IANS NEW DELHI: Vinay Sharma, death-row convict in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, in his curative petition before the Supreme Court said his entire family suffered due to the criminal proceedings. "The petitioner is not the only person being punished, his entire family has suffered greatly as a result of the criminal proceedings. The family faced societal wrath and humiliation for no fault of theirs. "The petitioner's parents are old and extremely poor. The case has been a huge drain on their resources and now they are left almost empty-handed," stated the curative petition filed through senior advocate Adhis C. Aggarwala and Advocate A.P. Singh. ALSO READ: Last time India saw four convicts being hanged on same day was 1983 "The petitioner's father earns a meagre living. The family has no savings and live in the R.K. Puram Harijan Basti. If the petitioner is executed his entire family will be destroyed," it stated. The plea further said, the state had no evidence in the form of psychiatric structured clinical judgment, based on the appellant's life in the prison (around 7 years) and life prior to it, in the background of his mental impairment, his adjustment to and interaction with other inmates and officials. A Delhi court on Tuesday while issuing death warrants against the four convicts in the case observed "despite being afforded sufficient time and opportunity" they didn't exercise legal remedies. ALSO READ: Nirbhaya case: Death row convict Vinay Kumar Sharma moves curative petition in SC "It's apparent from the record, sufficient time and opportunity was given to the convict to exercise and exhaust their remedies as available to them under the law. Either the remedies have been exercised and exhausted by the respondents or have not been resorted to," said Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora. In these given facts and circumstances, when reasonable time and opportunity had been afforded to the convicts to exercise their remedies, there was nothing to delay any further in passing orders on the application seeking issuance of death warrants, the court said. The court has set 7 a.m. on January 22 for their execution. ALSO READ: Ready to hang Nirbhaya convicts as desperately need money for daughter's wedding, says Pawan Jallad A 23-year-old woman was gang-raped and tortured on December 16, 2012, which led to her death. All the six accused were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder. One of the accused, a minor, and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another committed suicide in Tihar Jail. Four of the convicts were sentenced to death by a trial court in September 2013. The verdict was confirmed by the Delhi High Court in March 2014 and upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2017, which also dismissed their review petitions. New Delhi: Indias flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue, began on Tuesday with seven former heads of state or government sharing their perspectives on challenges facing the world, including the US-Iran tensions, Afghan peace initiatives and climate change. During the inaugural session, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Danish PM and ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said he would like to see a global alliance of democracies to stand up to oppressive rulers and regimes and India could play an important role in such a coalition. India can play an important role in this... I am an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indias participation in this alliance is important, he said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue but had to call off his four-day visit due to devastating bushfires in several parts of his country, sent a video message for the dialogue. Also Read: Raisina Dialogue: 'Have Delivered To Great Measure On PM's Expectations Of Creating Platform', Says Jaishankar In his message, Morrison said India is and will remain the strategic lynchpin in the Indo-Pacific. The term Indo-Pacific reflects the recognition that Indias power and purpose will be vitally important to the region and to resolving and supporting shared security challenges. India has taken on an increasingly active role in the Indian Ocean, he said. Prime Miniater Modi after the event tweeted, Attended the @raisinadialogue in New Delhi. Over the years, this has emerged as a vibrant forum for discussing important global and strategic issues. I also had the opportunity to meet leaders who are great friends of our nation. Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Indian foreign policy seeks to achievea focus on key challenges, a broad engagement with many parties, and managing, if not leveraging, global contradictions. Also Read: Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif To Begin Three-day India Visit Today Advancing our interests in a multipolar world and contributing to global good is what it is all about, he said. During the inaugural session here, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, Rasmussen, former Bhutanese premier Tshering Tobgay and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, discussed global challenges. Important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in modern world, climate change, were part of the discussion. During the inaugural session, the spiralling US-Iran tensions following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike, were also discussed. Without a change in the government of Iran, peace in the Middle East is not possible, former Canadian PM Harper said. Climate change cannot be tackled through targets. We need zero emission technology and development, Harper said. Former Afghan president Karzai said Americans must realise they cant force others to follow their line. They couldnt do it with Afghans, how can they do it with Iran? he said, adding that wisdom must prevail and that wisdom must come from US. Discussing the challenge of climate change, former New Zealand premier Clark said achieving zero carbon is important to combat climate change, but it is important to get national consensus on achieving this target. Tobgay said he was a believer in multilateralism, but the UN Security Council had failed on climate change. Talking about prospects of peace in Afghanistan, Karzai hoped for intra-Afghan dialogue between the government and the Taliban. Were optimistic about peace, we are Afghans, he asserted. Harper said one of the great challenges that liberal democracies are facing is coping with political protests in their own countries which have arisen primarily as a combination of new technology, the uneven distribution of organisation and rise of nationalism. I think these are things creative leaders will learn to accommodate. I think the great strength of liberal democracies is that they are often wrong but over time correct their errors, he said on being asked about whether the trans-atlantic liberal order he had envisioned was fraying. Talking about India, Harper hailed Prime Minister Modis leadership, saying India will be a country that is self-defined. India is not going to be a bastion of Western liberals. Under the current Government identity is coming back in a big way, he said. Jaishankar, in his remarks, said five years ago, Prime Minister gave us a challenge and it was his view that as a rising power, India should not just be participating in global conversations organized by others, but it was important that it creates its own platforms, organize discourses and shape narratives. Five years later, I can state with some confidence that we have delivered to a great measure on those expectations, he said. The fifth edition of the prestigious Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, will bring together 700 international participants from over a 100 countries, in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. The three-day conference will see participation of 12 foreign ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the EU. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarifs participation assumes significance as it comes following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. WASHINGTON Senate Democrats said Tuesday that they have enough votes to win passage of a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's ability to wage war with Iran. We now have a majority of colleagues, Democratic and Republican, who will stand strong for the principle that we shouldn't be at war without a vote of Congress," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said. Kaine is the chief sponsor of a resolution that would bar Trump from using military force against Iran unless Congress specifically voted to authorize such action. The Virginia Democrat said the legislation could come up for a Senate vote as early as next week. The United States should not order American troops to risk their lives in the Middle East "unless we have the guts to have the debate and have the vote to say that a war is in the national interest," Kaine said. Democrats argued that Trump acted recklessly when he authorized a drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani a decision that heightened U.S.-Iranian tensions and sparked fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Republicans hold a 53-seat majority, and most GOP senators are likely to oppose the resolution, arguing it's unnecessary and unconstitutional. Kaine said four GOP senators agreed to support his resolution: Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana. Young expressed concerns about an earlier version of Kaine's bill. Kaine said he revised it to win more GOP support, and a spokeswoman for Young, Amy Grappone, confirmed Tuesday that he will support the revised bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the war powers measure a "blunt instrument" and suggested it could project American weakness at a critical moment. "Consider what message the Senate should send to Iran and the world at the very moment that Americas actions are challenging the calculus in Tehran for the better, McConnell said in a Senate floor speech Monday. We appear to have restored a measure of deterrence in the Middle East, so lets not screw it up. Story continues The House of Representatives passed a similar resolution last week, but GOP leaders slammed it as a meaningless PR stunt. Unlike the Senate measure, the House bill does not carry the force of law; Trump can ignore it. Kaines version carries the force of law. Lee said he decided to vote for Kaine's resolution last week after Trump administration officials delivered a classified briefing on the Soleimani strike that he called "insulting and demeaning." Lee said officials warned lawmakers against debating the merits of war with Iran, arguing it would "embolden" Tehran to see division in Congress. The message in that closed-door briefing was that "we need to be good little boys and girls and not debate this in public, Lee said. I find that absolutely insane. Its un-American, its unconstitutional, and its wrong. Even if Kaine's resolution passes the Senate and the House, Trump is likely to veto it. There's little chance Kaine and his allies could get the two-thirds super-majority needed to override a veto. But debate in Congress will probably ratchet up pressure on Trump to justify his decision. The president and his advisers have given conflicting accounts of the intelligence behind the decision. AG Barr: 'The president clearly had the authority to act' in Soleimani strike Secretary of State Mike Pompeo initially suggested Soleimani planned an "imminent" attack on U.S. interests in the Middle East then said he didn't know where or when that attack would unfold. Trump said Friday that Soleimani planned an attack against four U.S. embassies. Sunday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he had not seen intelligence to support that assertion. The question of whether a Soleimani-planned strike was "imminent" is crucial; if it wasn't, Trump should have sought congressional approval before killing him, lawmakers and national security experts said. The strike would be legal if Soleimani "was involved in mounting a military action that was imminent that is, about to happen," and if by killing him, the plot was foiled, said Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and diplomat during the George W. Bush administration. If those criteria were not met, what took place will be widely viewed as an action of choice and not necessity, one leading to an open-ended conflict between the United States and Iran," Haass told lawmakers at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday. The chairman of that committee, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., mocked the administration's shifting justifications for the attack. "We heard the strike went forward because Soleimani did so many bad things in the past and was plotting for the future. Then, when that didn't work, they went back to an imminent threat, but we didn't know when or where it would take place," Engel said. "Next, it was going to be an embassy attack. Then four embassies were going to be attacked. Then maybe it wasn't four embassies." Engel blasted Pompeo for declining to testify at Tuesday's hearing and said he will ask the Trump administration for its official legal justification for the strike. "I think the administration is not being straight with the country or the Congress," Engel said. Pompeo was traveling in California on Tuesday. He has staunchly defended the Soleimani strike as a legally appropriate action against a terrorist. He said Americans are safer as a result. Contributing: William Cummings This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran: Senate could vote next week on limiting Trump's war powers Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The trade-union of Mauritanian journalists (SJM) in a statement issued here Tuesday called on the government to review conditions of eligibility to the public fund for the private media Hudsons Bay Co. named Iain Nairn as president of its namesake Canadian department-store chain, and he said one of his initial focuses will be to intensify efforts to lure millennials. The role had been vacant since March when Alison Coville left the post. The appointment of Nairn, who most recently headed the Swedish design and stationery business kikki.K, took effect Jan. 12, according to a statement Monday. Chief executive officer Helena Foulkes said the company took time to conduct a thorough, worldwide search to ensure we found the right person. In an interview, Nairn said hell be accelerating strategies already in place for the chains product mix, including reducing some brands and introducing others. Theres a whole kind of demographic thats grown up completely digital, so making sure that were relevant to that demographic is important, he said. Its a tough market out there, so theres more work to be done for sure. Earlier this month, HBC minority shareholders including Catalyst Capital Group Inc. won a months-long battle to secure a higher price for the company, which also owns Saks Fifth Avenue, after chairman Richard Baker and allies sweetened their take-private bid. That valued the struggling Canadian retailer at about $2 billion. Catalyst, a Toronto-based private equity firm, agreed to support the new deal, but still has the right to terminate the agreement under certain circumstances. Shareholders plan to vote on the offer next month. The strategy remains the same whether its under public or private ownership, Nairn said. Originally from the U.K., he previously was CEO of David Jones, an Australian department-store chain. He has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and South Africa. HBC has worked to develop its digital business, and creating an app last year was a key effort, he said in the interview. The future of retailing and brand management is around that sort of seamless digital omnichannel approach, he said. Nairn plans to visit all 89 stores in the next few months, talking to customers and stakeholders. Theyre all profitable, theyre all contributing to the success of the business, he said. We have to think forward a number of years to understand what is going to be the needs of the consumer and whats relevant in this click-and-collect, click-and-deliver world. During student discussion time in AP Language class at Dunmore High School, Mia Chiaro, center, senior class president, who will be eligible to vote in the 2020 election, debates the dangers of global warming with Nick Stanco, left, on January 7, 2020. Read more Teens across the country are preparing to cast their ballots for the first time during the 2020 election cycle. And in Pennsylvania in particular, the primary system sort of forces first-time voters to solidify a political identity in order to participate. My colleague Julia Terruso went to a town outside of Scranton to talk to high school seniors about how theyve been forming their political identities. In other news this morning, Mayor Jim Kenney reacted to a particularly violent weekend in the city, the Supreme Court will hear arguments today about the Bridgegate controversy from 2014, and a former Philadelphia Museum of Art exec has lost his current job after more fallout regarding his alleged behavior with female colleagues. Josh Rosenblat (@joshrosenblat, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) For young people turning 18 in the months before a major presidential election, registering with a political party is the first time they formally define the political identities many of them have been developing for years. Republicans? Democrats? Something else? Nothing? But in a state such as Pennsylvania, where the primary is closed, youre sort of forced to join a camp in order to participate. In Dunmore, a small borough outside Scranton, politics have become more muddled. Historically Democratic, the region has grown more Republican over the years. And at the local high school, the would-be first-time voters are feeling that split. A lot of people ... they just see your party and dont want to listen to what you have to say, said one student, a Democrat whose mom is a Trump supporter. Joshua Helmer is no longer employed at the Erie Art Museum, according to an unsigned statement posted on the museums Facebook page yesterday. The 31-year-old went to Erie after he separated from the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2018 for undisclosed reasons. Pressure for Helmers removal grew this past weekend with the circulation of a petition and a New York Times article alleging he entered into relationships with female subordinate museum staffers while dangling possibilities for professional advancement. Hundreds of current and former Philadelphia museum staff members signed a statement that expressed solidarity with the women who spoke out in the Times article. The statement calls for structural change, and signers say the allegations against Helmer barely scratch the surface. In less than 48 hours, police said, seven people were killed and 12 others were wounded by gunfire. In a 10-hour stretch on Sunday, 10 people were killed or injured in less than 10 hours. The violence spanned neighborhoods across the city. The outburst pushed the citys homicide total to 14 homicide victims in 12 days so far in 2020. Police stats show that its the most killings this early in the year in five years. What you need to know today Through your eyes | #OurPhilly Great shot, @visual21nate! This picture reminded me of our story from October 2018 on old man crews, or Phillys original skateboarders who refuse to put away their decks. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats interesting Opinions For too long, U.S. policy in the Middle East has been addicted to dictators and autocrats, neither of which care for their people. And this gap between the people and their leaders is the main factor driving instability and violence. write Brian Katulis and Michael Rubin about U.S. policy in the Middle East. Katulis and Rubin are co-editors of a book that asks what really causes instability in the region. Philadelphia is stepping up its enforcement of labor laws. The Inquirer Editorial Board writes about how that could impact workers. As my colleague Frank Kummer reported last week, Philadelphia is spending more than it ever has on recycling. David Masur, the executive director of PennEnvironment, and Alex Danovitch, a principal at Nothing Left to Waste, offer ways that Philly can both recycle better and save money while doing it. What were reading WHYY has a story about a small group of Philadelphians who are trying to sway some undecided caucus-goers in Iowa with handwritten notes. The Information has a story about Twitters power structure and changes that might be coming to the social media site. Included is a mention of a potential feature that will allow users to tip sending each other money from their tweets." In a completely unrelated note, you can follow me on Twitter at @JoshRosenblat . The Wall Street Journal reports on an online service that matches people who want to have children, but not necessarily the romance thats often associated with it. Your Daily Dose of | Photos of the Week Every Monday, my photojournalist colleagues make a gallery of recent pictures theyve taken and tell the story behind one of them. This week, staff photographer Michael Bryant talks about capturing the short-lived burst of snow that moved through the region on Wednesday. A top secret spy claims New Zealand is 'compromised' due to Chinese influence and they could lose their membership with intelligence agency Five Eyes. The unnamed senior intelligence official alleges New Zealand's membership is 'on the edge of viability' as they have a weak attitude towards the communist country, the Financial Times reported. The Financial Times claims New Zealand is 'attractive to Beijing as the soft underbelly' of Five Eyes. A top secret spy claims New Zealand is 'compromised' due to Chinese influence and they could lose their membership with intelligence agency Five Eyes. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Andrew Little (pictured), the minister who overlooks spy agencies in New Zealand, slammed the allegations by the unnamed source as 'incorrect'. 'Our relationships with our Five Eyes partners remain strong and enduring,' he told Newshub But Andrew Little, the minister who overlooks spy agencies in New Zealand, slammed the allegations by the unnamed source as 'incorrect'. 'Our relationships with our Five Eyes partners remain strong and enduring,' he told Newshub. In 2018, a US analyst said 'the CCP [Chinese Communist party] has gotten very close to or inside the political core' of New Zealand and Australia. Opposition leader Simon Bridges was accused of violating electoral laws when he accepted a $100,000 donation from a Chinese businessman. In December, a ban on foreign donations over $50 to political parties was announced by Mr Little. 'The new law bans all foreign donations over $50 and places a due diligence requirement on party general secretaries in relation to all donations,' he said. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was slammed by Anderlini for allegedly going 'out of her way to avoid even mentioning the topic of Chinese political interference'. Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance which has Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States as its members. An 18-year-old lady identified as Abigail Felix has allegedly taken her life in the Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos State. Abigail, who is from the Republic of Benin, was said to have taken the deadly DD insecticide leaving no suicide note. According to a police source, Abigail, who moved in with her employers, the family of Akinrinmade, two years ago, was responsible for cleaning the house and attending to customers at her madams shop. A day before her death, Abigail had reportedly left the house without informing anyone of her whereabouts. After searching for her with no result, a case of a missing person was lodged at the nearest police station. The police hinted that the next day, Abigail snuck into one of the rooms in the house and when interrogated, she failed to disclose where she was the previous night. READ ALSO I Attempted Suicide 18 Months Ago Comedienne, Real Warri Pikin She allegedly ran into another room in the house where she locked herself in and refused to open the door. Efforts to get her out failed until the door was pulled down and she was found with foamy substances around her mouth with a bottle of the DD insecticide by her side. She was immediately rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital LASUTH where she died as doctors battled to save her life. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, Bala Elkana, says Abigails body has been released to the family as no foul play was suspected. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 14, 2020 Heightened geopolitical risks as a result of trade conflicts among major countries and tensions between the United States and China will not affect the flow of foreign funds into Indonesia, Bank Indonesias top official has said. The governor of the central bank, Perry Warjiyo, said geopolitical risks would have little impact on the Indonesian economy, especially the flow of investments, even though global stocks had been under selling pressure following the recent killing of an Iranian general. He said although share prices in Asian markets declined following the incident, the flow of foreign investment into Indonesias debt and equity markets remained high. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/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 The Centre is "worried" about disposing of imported onions as not many states are interested to take it despite the key kitchen stable is being offered to them at an average landed cost of Rs 55 per kg and bearing the transportation cost, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on January 15. Retail onion prices, which were ruling over Rs 100 per kg in most cities since the past two months, have started softening now on arrival of imported onions and new kharif crop. However, prices have still not fallen to the normal levels. "So far, we have contracted 36,000 tonnes of onion. Of which, 18,500 tonnes of shipment has reached India, and states have been able to take only 2,000 tonne after much persuasion. We are worried about its disposal because it is a perishable commodity," Paswan told reporters. "Tomorrow, someone should not go to court and say imported onions were rotting," he said. The minister further said the Centre is offering imported onions at an average landed cost of Rs 55 per kg and also bearing the entire transportation cost. Despite all, the state governments are not coming forward to buy and retail it. Asked why prices are still high despite imports, Paswan said, "The imports are being done to improve the domestic supply and check prices. If state governments are not ready to take the imported onions, what can we do?" So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments have taken the imported onions. Many states have withdrawn their demand, he added. Sources said the taste of imported onions is different from the homegrown ones and consumers are not buying it in the retail markets when domestic onion is available at the same rate. Stating that a shipment of 5,500 tonne was cancelled before it set on sail in the absence of demand, Consumer Affairs Secretary Avinash Srivastava said 4,000 tonne of imported onions is expected to arrive in the next two days and 14,500 tonnes by the month-end. The government is importing onions through state-run trading agency MMTC. Imports are being undertaken from Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt. Onion prices shot up due to 25 per cent fall in the kharif production. Paswan also said the ministry is keeping a close watch on prices of other commodities, especially edible oils and pulses. The government will take action at appropriate time. By Trend Several people have been arrested in connection with the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 by the Iranian Air Defense System near Parand city in Irans Tehran province on Jan. 8, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said at a press conference. Esmaili added that the interrogation of these individuals and the investigation are ongoing. The spokesman added that the planes black box was sent to France by a team of experts from Iran and Ukraine, Trend reports with reference to Entekhab news website. Esmaili said that the issue will be further studied when the black box is read. The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed in Tehran province on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people on board. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff issued a statement on Jan. 11 saying that the aircraft was shot down by the Iranian Air Defense System. Following the incident, airlines of several countries stopped flights to Iran. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A woman charged with killing a former Arkansas state lawmaker and her one-time employer faced new charges on Tuesday alleging that she plotted to have the victim's ex-husband killed. Rebecca 'Becky' O'Donnell, 48, previously pleaded not guilty to capital murder in the killing of former state Sen. Linda Collins, 57 - who was described by O'Donnell's boyfriend as her 'best friend'. And she has now been charged with two counts of criminal solicitation to commit capital murder and two counts of criminal solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence. Four inmates told State Police that O'Donnell had talked with them about shooting or hanging Collins' ex-husband, retired judge Phil Smith, 70, and arranging to have the death look like suicide, according to an affidavit filed on Tuesday. O'Donnell also talked with inmates about blowing up her 2005 Honda Civic, which is being held at the Randolph County jail, 'to destroy any evidence that may be in the vehicle,' the affidavit states. Scroll down for video Rebecca 'Becky' O'Donnell, 48, who has pleaded not guilty to capital murder in the killing of former state Sen. Linda Collins, 57 (pictured together, left), is now facing charges for allegedly trying to have Collins' ex-husband, Phil Smith (right), killed O'Donnell on Tuesday was charged with two counts of criminal solicitation to commit capital murder and two counts of criminal solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence One inmate said O'Donnell 'told her that Phil Smith needed to be killed and a "suicide note" was to be left so the "charges would be dropped off her,"' according to the affidavit. Smith and Collins had divorced in October 2018 and were involved in a bitter battle over their assets in the months before her death. Three inmates said O'Donnell told them they could take a bag of gold and silver worth up to $30,000 at Smith's home as payment. Another inmate gave the investigator handwritten 'suicide notes' she said O'Donnell had written, the affidavit said. Two inmates said O'Donnell also sought the killing of the prosecutor who had been handling her case, while another said she wanted Smith's current wife, Mary Smith, killed to make it look like she was in the process of leaving Smith, according to the affidavit. That prosecutor unexpectedly recused himself from the case late last year. O'Donnell is accused of killing her former boss and friend, Collins, and then soliciting inamtes in jail to destroy evidence, including her seized Honda Civic Collins was found dead and wrapped in a blanket outside her home in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on June 4, 2019 One inmate told investigators O'Donnell also wanted her to kill a judge who had initially presided over her case before recusing last summer. Collins' family said last month they believe the case against O'Donnell is strong, despite the recusals. 'Ultimately, we want the focus of this case to remain on bringing justice to Linda,' Collins' family said. 'Our hope is that Judge (John) Fogleman will take the actions necessary to set this case back on track, and make it an urgent priority to provide transparency to the public in this case.' A hearing date had not been set yet for O'Donnell's new charges. Collins, who went by Collins-Smith in the Legislature, was found dead and wrapped in a blanket on June 4 outside her home in Pocahontas. O'Donnell, Collins' former campaign aide, is scheduled to go to trial on October 19 for the killing. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty. Police have said Collins was stabbed to death and O'Donnell was captured on video removing security cameras inside the former lawmaker's home. O'Donnell was arrested on June 14 as she and her boyfriend, Tim Loggains who at one stage had power of attorney over Collins' finances were on their way to a visitation of the murdered woman's body. Last June, Loggains defended O'Donnell, and claimed she was Collins' 'best friend' He told Good Morning America: 'Becky's not capable of this. I haven't questioned that at all. 'Either she is the best actress in the world and a sociopath and completely fooled me or there is not a chance she did this.' O'Donnell was arrested in connection to Collins' murder on June 16 As DailyMail,com previously reported, Collins and her husband of 12 years, Phil Smith had gone through a bitter divorce not long before her killing. O'Donnell gave evidence for her during the contentious divorce proceedings. Collins was granted a divorce in October 2018, but battles over their $1million assets were continuing right up to her death. Smith, who has now been barred from hearing any future cases after being accused of tampering with the record of his divorce, alleged his wife hid assets so he couldn't get his hands on them and asked a judge to jail her for contempt of court. After the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capped to Rs 35,000 the withdrawal limit of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday said that the Central government is committed to protecting the interests of the bank's depositors and urged them to not panic. Surya, a lawmaker from Bengaluru South, also revealed that his family has an account with the Bengaluru co-operative bank and said that current situation is not like the PMC bank issue. "I have met with many depositors of this bank. To be honest, my family also has an account here. I met the Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) yesterday and today a meeting is underway at RBI with depositors and bank authorities," he told reporters here. "I can assure all of you that the government is committed to protect the interest of the depositors. This issue is nothing like the PMC bank issue, so do not panic," the BJP leader said. On January 10, RBI had imposed certain restrictions on Sri Gururaghavendra Sahakara Bank Niyamitha. "In particular, a sum not exceeding Rs 35,000 of the total balance in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account may be allowed to be withdrawn subject to conditions stated in the above RBI directions," the notification said. The regulatory body said that the bank will continue to undertake banking business with restrictions until its financial position improves. "These directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of January 10 and are subject to review," it said. The bank has been restricted from granting or renewing any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The sex life of hermaphroditic animals is determined by one fundamental question: Who assumes the female role and produces the costly eggs? Hamlets avoid this dilemma by engaging in reciprocal egg trading. Scientists have now used microeconomic models to analyze the circumstances required for this complex system of trading to work. Their results have been published in The American Naturalist. The hamlets that live in coral reefs in the Caribbean are hermaphrodites. One of their mating strategies is to pass eggs on to each other. Here, the role of the sperm donor is preferable because producing eggs requires more energy. If both animals adopt the two roles successively when mating with the same partner, neither is at a disadvantage - it's a fair deal. Traders, providers, and cheaters Other populations from the Serranidae family do not engage in trading of this kind. Instead, they pass their eggs on unconditionally when they encounter an individual of the same species who is available for mating. Reciprocal egg trading is presumably not an original evolutionary strategy, as the exchange is reliant on complex reciprocal behavior. An interdisciplinary team of researchers has now investigated the factors that could be responsible for the evolution of egg trading in hamlets - but not in other Serranidae. For this, the researchers developed a model that takes account of a third type of behavior that can undermine the success of the egg trading strategy: one of the two fish - the "cheater" - pretends to want to reciprocate by providing eggs of their own, but then withdraws from the trade after fertilizing their partner's eggs. Biology and game theory Professor Georg Noeldeke, an economist at the University of Basel, is an expert in game theory. "Game theory asks how decision behavior can best be adapted to situations that are primarily determined by the decision behavior of other individuals," he says. "In principle, it doesn't make much difference whether this is animal behavior or the behavior of humans." In collaboration with the marine biologist Oscar Puebla and the behavioral ecologist Jorge Pena, the microeconomist Noeldeke therefore believed he could design a game-theoretic model of the mating behavior of hermaphrodites that explained both the emergence of egg trading and the prevalence of this strategy over other possibilities. Four necessary conditions The results reveal restrictive conditions that must be met in order for reciprocal trading to invade and be maintained in a population. First, eggs must be relatively costly to produce. Second, it must not be too difficult to find a partner. "It only makes sense to wait for someone with whom a fair trade is possible if there's a relatively high probability that I'll encounter someone like that in the first place," explains Noeldeke. Third, it mustn't be too easy to find a partner either, as otherwise the possibility of cheating is too attractive. Last of all, it must be possible to identify cheaters prior to fertilization and hence avoid mating with them. This is the only way that the trading strategy is worth pursuing, says the researcher. "This model has enabled us to demonstrate theoretically, for the first time, which factors hold the key to explaining the egg trading system," says Noeldeke, describing the significance of the findings. "We now hope that other biologists will gather the necessary data to test our theory, and we can't wait to see the results." ### Turkey's Hidden Christian Population May Exceed Two Million Taking into account the conversion to Islam of Anatolia's major Christian populations, namely the Armenians, Assyrians and Pontic Greeks, Turkey's current population of Muslims with Christian roots may exceed two million, historian Vasileios Meichanetsidis wrote for the U.S. think tank Gatestone Institute. An estimated 300,000 Armenians were orphaned by the 1915 genocide and raised as Muslims in Turkish and Kurdish households throughout Anatolia. Based on the rate of population increase in Turkey, the descendants of the survivors alone could exceed two million people, Meichanetsidis said. Armenians from Turkey's northeastern Black Sea town of HemAin converted to Islam to avoid persecution in the 16th century, similar to some 250,000 Pontic Greeks who lived in and around the neighbouring major province of Trabzon during the 17th and 18th centuries, the article said. There are currently about 200,000 people in HemAin who still speak a dialect of Armenian. Ottoman policies of special taxes on non-Muslim communities, social segregation and systematic mistreatment led to the Islamisation of Anatolia's Christian populations, it said. The Ottoman Empire took men and young boys from newly conquered lands, converted them to Islam and trained them in the imperial military, and took girls and young women to be placed in harems. The empire also confiscated churches and other buildings that belonged to Anatolian Christians as shown in church documents, the article said. Most of the remaining Greek population in Anatolia was forcibly converted to Islam, and those who refused were exiled or killed, in the period between 1913 and 1923, it said. The Armenian genocide of 1915 also affected the Assyrian community, which faced massacres and their orphans were raised in Muslim households, according to the article. Their current descendants have started to ask about their roots, the article quoted President of the Assyrian Genocide Research Centre Sabri Atman as saying. "They number in the thousands," Atman said. "They seek to understand what they have endured and continue to endure." Children of the converts who declare openly their Armenian identity face hostility from the state, their employers, neighbours, and even their own families, the article quoted author Raffi Bedrosyan as saying. Assyrians face a similar hostile environment, according to Atman. ST PAUL Looking to better prepare young Minnesotans to enter the workforce, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is proposing the state invest $448 million in higher education this year. On Monday, Jan. 13, Walz rolled out the third of his four 2020 bonding proposals , which are expected to total approximately $2 billion . At a news conference at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Walz proposed hundreds of millions be put toward updating and maintaining public college and university campuses throughout Minnesota. In a Monday news release, Walz said "insufficient space, aging facilities, and outdated technology on college campuses arent just holding our students back theyre holding Minnesota back in the face of a workforce shortage thats impacting every corner of the state." Per Monday's release, the $448 million would help fund renovations, update technology and increase capacity, particularly for high-demand programs like health, business, technology, manufacturing and child development. And state assistance should help ease campuses' budgets, hopefully preventing tuition hikes, Walz said. $142.5 million of Walz's higher education bond proposal is devoted to asset preservation and building and safety improvements on state campuses. Per Walz's release, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities currently hold approximately $1 billion in deferred maintenance needs to state-supported buildings. ADVERTISEMENT Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra said Walz's proposal demonstrates his "steadfast support" for higher education and workforce development. "The capital projects and asset preservation work included in the Governors proposal would have a direct impact on the success of our 350,000 students by improving campus teaching and learning environments, enhancing STEM classrooms and labs, and streamlining critical student support services," Malhotra said. $224.2 million of Walz's higher ed proposal is devoted to University of Minnesota. President Joan Gabel said in a statement that "investing in the University of Minnesota directly strengthens our entire state," and that Walz's proposal shows the administration's "commitment to the strong, foundational partnership between the state and the University." Also included in Monday's announcement was a proposal for $30 million in bonding devoted to capital projects requested by Native communities and communities of color. In Monday's release, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said that these communities have "been left out of state initiatives that foster growth and opportunity." "That's why our Administration proactively sought out requests from communities that have not traditionally participated in the state bonding process to ensure Minnesotans of all backgrounds benefit," she said. Walz has also recommended that all local governments who receive general obligation bonds commit to equal pay for equal work and workforce participation parity. According to Walz's office, local governments and state agencies have in total requested $5.3 billion state funding for local projects , not all of which will be funded in 2020's package. Though Walz has not yet released his final proposed bonding total for 2020, state Republicans have remained wary of the $2 billion estimate. TAGAYTAY, Philippines Philippine officials appealed Monday for desperate residents who were evacuated from towns endangered by the erupting Taal Volcano not to return to their homes because of the risk. Thousands of villagers were evacuated Monday after the volcanos sudden escalation of activity Sunday, with the states Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warning of an imminent hazardous eruption that could cause a violent tsunami in the lake waters surrounding the volcanic island. The institute raised the alert level to 4 on a scale of 5 Sunday. The initial explosion Sunday sent a plume of ash into the air in a spectacular sight that caught many by surprise in the communities around the volcano, which is about 40 miles south of Manila. Ash from the volcano blew into the capital city Monday. The eruption forced flight cancellations at Manilas main airport, while power was cut to large areas in the surrounding Batangas province. Overnight, earthquakes associated with the rumbling volcano rocked many areas. And rain compounded the deteriorating situation, turning the coarse ash into thick, solidifying mud that clung to cars, windows and roofs. Angelica Sinfuego, 32, who is pregnant, said she walked for three hours Sunday with her two children, Genean, 12, and Xyrene, 10, to reach safety. She was forced to handle things on her own because her husband, Jainan, has gone abroad in his case, to Saudi Arabia, where he is an automotive technician to find work and make money. It was like the end of the world. I was praying, Please protect the baby, please protect the baby, as we negotiated the darkness, she said, speaking while sprawled on a gymnasium floor in Santo Tomas, where they were taken by troops who picked them up from the town of Talisay. The afternoon sun was nowhere. It was dark, like night time. But the perilous situation did not deter some people from returning to their homes after they initially fled to safety. Some residents found ways to get back to check on their livestock despite warnings of the dangers. We are asking assistance from the government to bring in more soldiers to help us control our residents who ignore warnings and go back, said Wilson Maralit, mayor of the town of Balete, which sits on the lake surrounding the volcano. They slip through our security cordon and are returning there. While we also understand that they want to check on their livestock, we dont want them to get harmed. Residents of nearby towns were hosing mud off their windows and roofs Monday even as tremors continued to rock surrounding towns. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council strongly urged a total evacuation of the volcanic island and surrounding areas that are susceptible to a volcanic tsunami, or those living within an 8-mile radius from the main crater. Jason Gutierrez is a New York Times writer. Part of a grey whale's tail is seen during a whale tour in the Laguna Ojo De Liebre on Mexico's Baja California peninsula (Reuters) Solar storms and sunspots may cause grey whales to become disoriented, leading to the animals becoming stranded, researchers believe. The finding suggests that migrating animals may use a magnetic sense to navigate, which is disrupted by solar activity, according to scientists at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. They analysed 31 years of data on grey whale strandings. The researchers found that grey whales are more than five times more likely to become stranded when there is high solar activity. READ MORE Scientists are unsure if whales use magnetoreception to navigate, but it seems likely because the ocean offers so few other clues, researcher Jesse Granger told Space.com. Granger said: Whales are stranding a lot more often when the sun is doing crazy stuff. Granger added that while most of the rays from sunspots are blocked or scattered by Earth's atmosphere, some radio waves make it through. There's a huge chunk in the radio frequency (RF) wave range that does make it all the way to the Earth and it's been shown in several species that RF noise can disrupt a magnetic orientation ability." This week, experts are investigating the first confirmed stranding of an orca in England and Wales for almost 20 years, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said. The juvenile male killer whale, approximately 15ft long, became stranded in salt marsh in The Wash on the east coast of England. California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mother and calf underwater in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America It is the first confirmed orca stranding that the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, of which ZSL is a partner, has investigated in England and Wales since 2001. Orcas are a priority species for research by ZSL as they are top predators which can absorb significant concentrations of marine pollutants such as chemicals known as PCBs which accumulate as they go up the food chain. Story continues ZSL's Rob Deaville and Matt Perkins collected blubber, liver, muscle and kidney samples from the marine mammal, which was internally mostly intact despite its apparently decomposed condition having probably died weeks ago. Tests will analyse the samples for marine contaminants, while genetic analysis will help determine which population the animal came from and teeth have been collected to accurately assess its age. The experts said there was no evidence of recent feeding as its stomachs were largely empty. The team found a large fragment of plastic in the first stomach, although it had not killed the orca as the stomach was not blocked. Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive officer of Amazon.com Inc., speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will face a wave of protests from small business owners when he travels to India this week. Bezos will appear on stage Wednesday at Amazon's Smbhav event for a fireside chat alongside Amit Agarwal, who heads Amazon's India operations, according to Bloomberg. Smbhav is an annual event held by Amazon in New Delhi that's aimed at helping the company connect with millions of small and medium-sized businesses in the country. Jeff Bezos tweet Bezos has also sought a meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and celebrities from the Bollywood movie industry, Bloomberg reported. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the details of Bezos' visit. Not everyone is expected to welcome Bezos when he touches down in India. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a group that represents 70 million traders and 40,000 trade associations, is planning a "National Protest Day" on Wednesday. The group plans to host protests across 300 cities during Bezos' visit. The CAIT claims Amazon is hurting small businesses by using heavy discounts to lure shoppers online and away from brick-and-mortar stores. "If they could not empower existing retailers on their portal, why they are looking for more retailers?" Praveen Khandewal, CAIT secretary general, and B.C. Bhartia Nagpur, CAIT national president, said in a statement. "Amazon is trying to create false propaganda that it is the true friend of traders, though it is the worst enemy." It comes as Amazon faces additional roadblocks that threaten to upend its goal of expanding in India. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday launched a probe into whether Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart have violated competition laws by promoting "preferred sellers" on their platforms and offering deep discounts. "Allegedly, there is an existence of various vertical arrangements between Flipkart with their preferred sellers on the platforms; and Amazon with their preferred sellers on the platforms, respectively which leads to a foreclosure of other nonpreferred sellers from the online marketplace," the order states. "These preferred sellers are also alleged to be affiliated with or controlled by Flipkart/Amazon either directly or indirectly." A spokesperson from Amazon told CNBC in a statement: "We welcome the opportunity to address allegations made about Amazon; we are confident in our compliance, and will cooperate fully with CCI." A representative from Flipkart said the company is reviewing the CCI notice, but that it's "fully compliant" with India's competition laws. "We take pride in democratizing e-commerce in India and giving market access to [hundreds of thousands] of [micro businesses], sellers, artisans and small businesses, making quality and affordable goods available to consumers through our transparent and efficient marketplace while creating lakhs of jobs," the spokesperson said. Amazon and Flipkart were forced to alter their operations in the country after India enacted new e-commerce rules in December 2018. The rules prevent foreign-owned e-commerce companies like Amazon from selling products through affiliated companies they own a significant stake in, or from offering special discounts and exclusive deals in the country. Amazon pulled an estimated 400,000 items from its shelves as a result of the new rules, while Flipkart removed thousands of products from its platform, according to The New York Times. Amazon and Flipkart have become fierce rivals in India, which is poised to become one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in the world. Amazon has poured more than $5 billion into its India business, went on a hiring spree in the country last year and announced a partnership with India's Future Retail earlier this month. Walmart in 2018 paid $16 billion to acquire Flipkart. The duo had moved a curative petition in the apex court after a Delhi court issued a death warrant in their name and announced 22 January as the date of their execution. Besides them, two other convicts named Pawan Gupta and Akshay Singh are also slated to be executed on the same day. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the curative petition of two of the four death row convicts Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh. Finding "no merit" in the curative plea, the last judicial resort available for redressal of grievances, the apex court cleared the way for the execution of the four convicts on 22 January at 7 am in Delhi's Tihar Jail premises. The only option now available to the convicts is that they can file a mercy petition before the President, reported Bar and Bench. #BREAKING - Supreme Court clears the way for execution, dismisses curative petition by 2 convicts. 5-judge bench finds no merit in the curative plea by Vinay, Mukesh.@utkarsh_aanand with details#JusticeForNirbhayapic.twitter.com/Knq4Z7W9it News18 (@CNNnews18) January 14, 2020 A five-judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, Rohinton Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan pronounced the verdict in the chambers after they took up the matter around 1.45 pm. The verdict of the top court was delivered after the parents of the victim moved the court seeking to expedite the procedure to hang all the four convicts. The duo had moved a curative petition in the apex court after a Delhi court issued a death warrant in their name and announced 22 January as the date of their execution. Besides them, two other convicts named Pawan Gupta and Akshay Singh are also slated to be executed on the same day. On 16 December 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern was brutally raped in a moving bus in South Delhi by six people. The woman had boarded the nearly empty bus in Munirka in South Delhi along with her male friend on her way back home on 16 December that year. After raping and brutalising the woman and beating her friend, the assailants had thrown them out of the bus. After receiving initial treatment in New Delhi for a few days, she was shifted to the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where she succumbed on 29 December, 2012. Six people were arrested in the case, including a minor. During the trial, the driver of the bus was found dead in his cell. The Juvenile Justice Board found the minor guilty of gangrape and murder and awards three years term at a probation home. In July 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions filed by three of the accused Mukesh, Vinay and Pawan. The fourth convict, Akshay's review petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court in December, 2019. The Shiv Sena on Tuesday dubbed the book comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji as "height of hypocrisy and sycophancy" and asserted that Modi is "not the king of India". Advising BJP leaders to read some books on Chhatrapati Shivaji, an editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said even Prime Minister Modi would not have liked being compared to the 17th century Maratha warrior king. The Marathi publication, however, said the "wave of anger" in Maharashtra was against the book, titled "Aaj Ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi", and not the prime minister. The book, written by BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, has created a political storm in Maharashtra, where Shivaji Maharaj is a highly revered figure. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, have criticised the book for comparing Modi with Shivaji Maharaj, calling it "insulting". "The wave of anger is not against Modiji but against the book, which in itself is height of hypocrisy and sycophancy," the Shiv Sena said in its mouthpiece. Even Prime Minister Modi would not have liked this kind of comparison, it said. "He is a popular prime minister of the country and known as a decisive leader. Even after this if you ask whether Modi is the king of India, the answer is no," the Marathi daily said. "Before the Lok Sabha polls, Modi was described as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Now he is called Shivaji Maharaj of this era. Such sycophancy not only results in insult of the country, God and religion, but puts Modi also into an awkward situation," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. Suggesting that Delhi-based BJP leaders read some books on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Sena said they need to understand the history of Maharashtra as 11 crore people of the state did not like such a comparison between Modi and the Maratha king. The BJP leaders from Maharashtra should openly condemn such a move, the Shiv Sena said. "We appreciate that descendants of Shivaji Maharaj have expressed their disappointment over the book," it added. BJP's Rajya Sabha member Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, who is a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has demanded that the book be banned. BJP MLA Shivendraraje Bhosale, who is also a descendant of the Maratha warrior king and is the cousin of former Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, said it was unfortunate that some "bootlickers" were creating problem for the party's image. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Officials work on the Oktibbeha County Lake dam after County Engineer Clyde Pritchard warned the dam's failure was imminent. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-14 07:30:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A staff member displays the banknotes and coins included in the 2019 edition of the fifth series of the renminbi at an Industial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) branch in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States has dropped its designation of China as a currency manipulator, according to a report from the U.S. Treasury Department released Monday. In its semiannual Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States, the Treasury Department said no major U.S. trading partner at this time met the relevant legislative criteria for currency manipulation. Noting that the department assessed developments over the last several months with China and its currency practices, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that "China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability." Mark Sobel, U.S. chairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum, an independent think tank, said on Twitter that this is "good news," calling the designation "blatant" and "errant" political act. "China shouldn't have been designated to start with," said Sobel, who was the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and served as deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department. He noted China's current account surplus is small as a share of GDP, and there is "scant intervention." Amid heightened trade tensions, the U.S. Treasury Department decided to label China a currency manipulator in August, drawing strong criticism from domestic and abroad, with many calling the designation groundless and irresponsible. Even Lawrence Summers, former U.S. treasury secretary and economic advisor to former President Barack Obama, lashed out at the decision, saying that such a move has damaged U.S. credibility. After concluding the annual Article IV consultation to review the Chinese economy, the IMF released a report which didn't back the accusation, affirming its view that China's exchange rate is broadly in line with economic fundamentals. The People's Bank of China, meanwhile, said China deeply regrets the U.S. Treasury Department's designation, noting that such a label on China does not meet the quantitative criteria for so-called currency manipulators set by the department itself. In a recent statement, the central bank said China will continue to let the market play a decisive role in exchange rate formation and keep the renminbi's exchange rate generally stable at a reasonable and balanced level. The U.S. Treasury Department under the Trump administration previously released five semiannual reports on major trading partners' exchange rate policies -- including one in May 2019 -- none of which labeled China as a currency manipulator. In the newly released report, the Treasury Department added Switzerland on its "monitoring list," which means its foreign exchange policies merit close attention. In the May 2019 report, the department put China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam on the monitoring list. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UFP Industries (UFPI), formerly known as Universal Forest Products, today announced that Benjamin McLean, CEO of Des Moines, Iowa-based Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Inc., was appointed to its Board of Directors, effective January 10, 2020. McLean joins the board with more than 20 years of wide-ranging business experience that includes transportation and logistics, as well as technology systems and strategy. McLean joined Ruan in 2007 and was named to his current role of CEO in 2015. Were excited to draw upon Bens expertise in transportation, logistics and technology to help improve our extensive transportation operations, said UFPI Chairman William G. Currie. As the CEO of a large company, Ben also brings valuable experience in business and strategic planning to our board. McLean earned his B.S. in computer engineering, Juris Doctor, and M.B.A. from Northwestern University. He serves as a board member for a number of community and industry organizations, including the Iowa Business Council and American Transportation Research Institute. Universal Forest Products, Inc. (n/k/a UFP Industries) UFP Industries is a holding company whose subsidiaries supply wood, wood composite and other products to three robust markets: retail, construction and industrial. Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more about UFP Industries, go to www.ufpi.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on managements beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like anticipates, believes, confident, estimates, expects, forecasts, likely, plans, projects, should, variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Story continues ---------------AT THE COMPANY--------------- Dick Gauthier VP of Business Outreach (616) 365-1555 The orca stranded in salt marsh in The Wash (ZSL-CSIP/PA) Experts are investigating the first confirmed stranding of an orca in England and Wales for almost 20 years, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said. The juvenile male killer whale, approximately 15ft long, became stranded in salt marsh in The Wash on the east coast of England. It is the first confirmed orca stranding that the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, of which ZSL is a partner, has investigated in England and Wales since 2001. Expand Close ZSLs Rob Deaville and Matt Perkins store samples for analysis in the lab (ZSL-CSIP/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp ZSLs Rob Deaville and Matt Perkins store samples for analysis in the lab (ZSL-CSIP/PA) Orcas are a priority species for research by ZSL as they are top predators which can absorb significant concentrations of marine pollutants such as chemicals known as PCBs which accumulate as they go up the food chain. ZSLs Rob Deaville and Matt Perkins collected blubber, liver, muscle and kidney samples from the marine mammal, which was internally mostly intact despite its apparently decomposed condition having probably died weeks ago. Tests will analyse the samples for marine contaminants, while genetic analysis will help determine which population the animal came from and teeth have been collected to accurately assess its age. Interesting day out yesterday, examination of a fragrant juvenile male killer whale in the Wash- difficult terrain and access issues. First weve examined in England for nearly 20 years, more to follow next week. Huge thanks to @APCbirding RAF Holbeach and @MCA_media #CSIoftheSea pic.twitter.com/6MWw712oQz Rob Deaville (@strandings_man) January 11, 2020 The experts said there was no evidence of recent feeding as its stomachs were largely empty. The team found a large fragment of plastic in the first stomach, though it had not killed the orca as the stomach was not blocked. Images of what the Allies found when they liberated the first Nazi death camps towards the end of World War II brought the horror of the Holocaust to world attention. Many of the ghastly pictures were at first held back from the broader public, partly out of concern for those with missing relatives. The concentration and extermination camps were liberated one by one as the Allied armies advanced on Berlin in the final days of the 1939-1945 war. The first was Majdanek in eastern Poland, which was freed on July 24, 1944 by the advancing Soviet Red Army. But it was only the following year that media coverage was encouraged by the provisional government led by General Charles De Gaulle set up after the liberation of France. - 'Death Marches' - In June 1944, as it became clear that Germany was losing the war, Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler ordered that camps be evacuated before they were reached by Allied troops, and that their prisoners be transferred to other camps. This mainly concerned camps in the Baltic States that were most exposed to advancing Soviet troops. Officers of the SS paramilitary in charge were ordered to cover up all traces of crimes before fleeing. The sprawling Auschwitz-Birkenau complex in southern Poland, liberated by the Red Army on January 27, 1945, was gradually dismantled from mid-1944 and its more than 60,000 prisoners evacuated. When the Soviets arrived, only 7,000 prisoners remained, unable to walk and to follow their comrades on what became known as "Death Marches" to other camps. - Images not widely shared - The discovery of the first camps had little impact on the public at large because the images were not widely shared. Russian and Polish investigators photographed the camps at Majdanek and Auschwitz, and US army photographers made a documentary on Struthof, the only Nazi concentration camp based in what is now France. But France in particular did not want them broadcast to avoid alarming people with relatives who were missing after being deported, captured or conscripted. A turning point came on April 6, 1945 with the discovery of Ohrdruf, an annex of the Buchenwald camp in Germany. - 'Indescribable horror' - When American forces -- accompanied by US war correspondent Meyer Levin and AFP photographer Eric Schwab -- entered Ohrdruf, they came across a still-blazing inferno and skeletal prisoners executed with a bullet to the head. The Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, Dwight Eisenhower, visited the camp on April 12, describing afterwards "conditions of indescribable horror". The Allied leadership decided immediately that all censorship should be lifted so the world could see evidence of the Nazi atrocities. That evening France's communist daily Ce Soir published on its front page a picture of a mass grave. Days later Eisenhower said journalists should visit camps "where the evidence of bestiality and cruelty is so overpowering as to leave no doubt in their minds about the normal practices of the Germans". Although the first arrivals at Nazi death camps like Auschwitz documented the horrors they found there, some of the more disturbing images were initially kept back from publication Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday threatened to resign when the seer of 'Panchamasali Guru Peetha' warned that the community will leave him, if a BJP MLA from the community is not made the minister during the upcoming cabinet expansion. The chief minister, who is awaiting the BJP high command's nod to expand his cabinet, amid intense lobbying by the aspirants, wanted the seer Vachanananda swamiji and the 'Panchamasali' community to understand his "situation." Yediyurappa pointed out that he has come to power because of the Congress-JD(S) legislators who rebelled against the then coalition government. The incident took place when Vachanananda swamiji, while addressing an event at Harihara, near here, said "chief minister, you are a good person, Murugesh Nirani (BJP MLA)has helped you a lot, he has stood by you..if you leave his hands this time, the united Panchamasali community will leave your hands." As the swamiji was making this statement, Yediyurappa, who was seated next to him, rose and threatened to leave the stage. "If you speak like this I will go away...what are you speaking...kindly pardon me, I will leave, you should not speak like this, if you speak like this I can't work..you can give me suggestions, you cannot threaten me," he said, as the swamiji tried to convince Yediyurappa and asked him to take his seat. As Yediyurappa acceded to his request, the seer said he was not threatening him but was putting forward the rights of the community. The chief minister, who was visibly upset, was seen talking to Home minister Basavaraj Bommai next to him, who even tried to convince the seer not to continue with the topic. Nirani, a MLA from Bilgi who was Industries minister in the previous Yediyurappa government, was seated on the stage when the incident occurred. Later addressing the event, Yediyurappa said he was not "selfish" and was even ready to resign. "Vachanananda swamiji has spoken, through you I request him to understand my situation also. If 17 legislators (Congress-JDS), few even as ministers, had not resigned and stayed away, Yediyurappa could not have occupied this Chief Minister position. You (swamiji) need not make people raise their hands on any demand, if you tell me, I'm ready to listen to you," he said. Stating that he was ready to take suggestions from the swamiji on all issues, including on how to run the administration for the next 3 years, Yediyurappa said "I'm ready to bow my head and listen to it, if you don't want I'm even ready to resign and go home, I'm not someone who wants to stick to the chair." Further noting that if he says that the financial condition of the state is not good it will become headline in papers tomorrow, he said he will have to wait till March for the situation to improve. "I dont have selfishness, I'm aware that if the Panchamasali-Lingayat community had not stood by me, I could have not sat on this chair (CM)... but kindly understand my situation also," he added. Yediyurappa is expected to expand his ministry later this month after discussing with BJP national president Amit Shah during his visit to the state on January 18. As the chief minister has already made it clear that 11 of the disqualified JDS-Congress MLAs who got re-elected in the bypolls on BJP tickets will be made ministers, lobbying has been on within the party for the remaining ministerial berths. Currently there are 18 Ministers, including the chief minister in the cabinet that has a sanctioned strength of 34. The cabinet expansion will not be an easy task for the chief minister as he will have to strike a balance by accommodating the victorious disqualified legislators as promised and also make place for the old guard, upset at being "neglected" in the first round of the induction exercise. He also has to give adequate representation to various castes and regions in his cabinet and also deal with allocation of key portfolios. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Tuesday released a "post-mortem report" on the government's education model, accusing the dispensation of "failing" to utilise 46 per cent of the budget for the sector in five years. Delhi president Subhash Chopra said it was a matter of "grave concern" for the residents of the city that 46 per cent of the Delhi government's education budget has remained unspent. No immediate reaction on the report was available from the Chopra said, "When the came to power, the budget for education was Rs 866 crore which was raised to Rs 5,912 crore when the party demitted power." "In the last five years, the education budget of the Kejriwal government went up to Rs 26,577 crore but out of this amount, only Rs 12,243.06 crore has been spent," he said at a press conference here. Chopra and former Delhi education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely alleged that the number of students leaving Delhi government schools was high during the AAP's five-year rule. "If the Kejriwal government's education model was so good then why over 1,32,000 children left its schools in the last few years," Lovely asked. He also alleged that the number of economically weaker section (EWS) students has gone down in the past five years. Delhi Congress chief spokesperson said the outgoing government "failed" to fill 500 vacant posts of principals in its schools. Officials from Midland Countys juvenile detention center said during Mondays commissioners court meeting that the most common offenses committed by Midlands youth are now aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. In previous years, the most common offense committed by juveniles was drug possession, Deputy Chief Amanda Britton of the Barbara Culver Juvenile Center said. Now, the top offense for girls is assault and the top offense for boys is terroristic threats, she said. Our youth in Midland County are becoming more violent, she said during a presentation at Mondays meeting. Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Forest Hanna said the shift toward more violent offenses could still be drug-related. Like anything else with drugs, now theres money involved, he said in an interview. Some [offenses] might be related to the buying and selling of drugs. Hanna said the increase in the number of charges for making terroristic threats could be due to juveniles copying their peers or playing pranks. The news picks up things that happen in schools, and students make threats that they never plan on carrying out, he said. The number of children being charged with crimes and entering Culvers system has also increased, Hanna said. In the fiscal year that began in September 2018, there were 389 children charged, he said. By the end of this fiscal year, there will be a total of 468 if the current pace continues. Hanna attributed this increase to an overall population increase in Midland County compared to last year. Hanna said the total number of offenses committed has stayed relatively the same meaning that although more children are committing offenses, theyre committing fewer offenses. There were 580 offenses committed last fiscal year, and if the current pace continues, 588 would be committed fiscal year 2020. Culver began a partnership with Texas Tech Psychiatrists this week to assist them in treating and providing resources for their detainees with mental illnesses, Hanna said. He said the contract will involve two items: civil commitments to state hospitals and evaluating detainees. The agreement will assist in moving children with mental illnesses to hospitals rather than the detention center, as well as help detainees receive treatment and consults for medications. Nationally, 90 to 95 percent of children in detention centers have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, Hanna said, with the average being six traumatic events. Sixty percent of high-risk juvenile offenders have a parent who is incarcerated, he said. In addition to the partnership with Texas Tech Psychiatrists, Hanna said Culver has begun working with the United Way of Midland. The nonprofit will serve as the vehicle for donations for Culver, he said. He said this allows donations to be used without the strings associated with state funding. Hanna also said Culvers board is starting an advisory board to look into the history of juvenile justice in the county and assess what needs to be done for the future. That boards first meeting is planned for March, he said. The next commissioners court meeting will be 9 a.m. Jan. 27 at the Midland County Courthouse. Some suspects have been arrested for firing the missile that brought down a passenger plane shortly after takeoff in Iraqs main airport. The judiciary spokesperson, Iran, Gholamhossein Esmali, said extensive investigation has taken place and some individuals are arrested, on Tuesday. He did not give further information on the arrest. About 176 passengers were killed on Wednesday morning, en route to Kyiv from Tehran. The plane was brought down a couple of hours after Iran had launched missile attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq. The attack was in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Military Chief Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. Initially, Iran denied having any involvement in the crash blaming it on technical difficulties. The plane caught fire due to a technical defect and this resulted in a crash, the transport minister of Iran Mohammed Eslami had said on Thursday. Nevertheless, further investigations proved that the missile attack brought the plane down. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Thursday stated that evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. Iran on Saturday, admitted that indeed the plane that was brought down was due to a missile fired at it by its officials mistakenly. This acknowledgement led to protests against senior officials which included Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Aljazeera, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday in a televised address promised that a thorough investigation would be carried out. He said, for our people, it is very important in this incident that whoever was at fault or negligent at any level faces justice, anyone who should be punished must be punished. He commended the governments admission of shooting down the plane, saying it is a first good step. He said such occurrences will not happen again and that his government was accountable to Iranian and other nations who lost lives in the plane crash. New Delhi: India's flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue, began on Tuesday with seven former heads of state or government sharing their perspectives on challenges facing the world, including the US-Iran tensions, Afghan peace initiatives and climate change. During the inaugural session, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Danish PM and ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said he would like to see a global alliance of democracies to stand up to oppressive rulers and regimes and India could play an important role in such a coalition. "India can play an important role in this... I am an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's participation in this alliance is important," he said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue but had to call off his four-day visit due to devastating bushfires in several parts of his country, sent a video message for the dialogue. In his message, Morrison said India is and will remain the "strategic lynchpin" in the Indo-Pacific. "The term Indo-Pacific reflects the recognition that India's power and purpose will be vitally important to the region and to resolving and supporting shared security challenges. India has taken on an increasingly active role in the Indian Ocean," he said. Prime Miniater Modi after the event tweeted, "Attended the @raisinadialogue in New Delhi. Over the years, this has emerged as a vibrant forum for discussing important global and strategic issues. I also had the opportunity to meet leaders who are great friends of our nation." Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Indian foreign policy seeks to achieve -- a focus on key challenges, a broad engagement with many parties, and managing, if not leveraging, global contradictions." "Advancing our interests in a multipolar world and contributing to global good is what it is all about," he said. During the inaugural session here, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, Rasmussen, former Bhutanese premier Tshering Tobgay and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, discussed global challenges. Important challenges facing the world related to globalisation, 2030 agenda, role of technology in modern world, climate change, were part of the discussion. During the inaugural session, the spiralling US-Iran tensions following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike, were also discussed. Without a change in the government of Iran, peace in the Middle East is not possible, former Canadian PM Harper said. "Climate change cannot be tackled through targets. We need zero emission technology and development," Harper said. Former Afghan president Karzai said Americans must realise they can't force others to follow their line. "They couldn't do it with Afghans, how can they do it with Iran?" he said, adding that wisdom must prevail and that wisdom must come from US. Discussing the challenge of climate change, former New Zealand premier Clark said achieving zero carbon is important to combat climate change, but it is important to get national consensus on achieving this target. Tobgay said he was a believer in multilateralism, but the UN Security Council had failed on climate change. Talking about prospects of peace in Afghanistan, Karzai hoped for intra-Afghan dialogue between the government and the Taliban. "We're optimistic about peace, we are Afghans," he asserted. Harper said one of the great challenges that liberal democracies are facing is coping with political protests in their own countries which have arisen primarily as a combination of new technology, the uneven distribution of organisation and rise of nationalism. "I think these are things creative leaders will learn to accommodate. I think the great strength of liberal democracies is that they are often wrong but over time correct their errors," he said on being asked about whether the trans-atlantic liberal order he had envisioned was fraying. Talking about India, Harper hailed Prime Minister Modi's leadership, saying India will be a country that is self-defined. "India is not going to be a bastion of Western liberals. Under the current Government identity is coming back in a big way," he said. Jaishankar, in his remarks, said five years ago, Prime Minister "gave us a challenge" and it was his view that as a rising power, India should not just be participating in global conversations organized by others, but it was important that it creates its own platforms, organize discourses and shape narratives. "Five years later, I can state with some confidence that we have delivered to a great measure on those expectations," he said. The fifth edition of the prestigious Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, will bring together 700 international participants from over a 100 countries, in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. The three-day conference will see participation of 12 foreign ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Uzbekistan and the EU. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif's participation assumes significance as it comes following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik happens to be the only rival of the BJP which, despite all criticisms, has stood by the latter during all political crises. Though the two parties traded acrimonious charges during 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections held simultaneously in the state, never after that have they presented themselves before the public as adversaries. On the other hand, they have displayed an uncommon bonhomie which still remains decoded. The regional party has never faltered to extend its unequivocal support to the BJP when it comes to passing controversial bills in the Parliament. The BJD, which claims itself a secular party and enjoys Muslim support in the state supported passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 in the Parliament. Prior to this it supported the Triple Talaq Bill and abrogation of of Article 370. In the aftermath of passing CAA, when the BJPs rivals upped their ante against the NDA, Naveen remained silent. Though a few Muslim organisations, initially raised voice against the CAA and the proposed NRC, Naveen pacified them by meeting the leaders and assuring that no Muslim in the state will be affected by CAA. He also assured that NRC will not happen in the state. Critics say the astute politician Patnaik, who has convincingly defeated the BJP elections after elections, at present senses no threat from the latter and hence does not want to lock horns with it. By extending support to BJP in the House, Naveen has successfully shielded his scam-tainted ministers against actions by investigating agencies. He also managed to extract more grants to roll out new schemes and fund the existing ones, thus further securing his vote banks at grassroot levels, says Professor Kishore Chandra Swain, a political analyst at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. The 435-member House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached in vote that was based on bitter political divide. : The US Senate is likely to begin the impeachment trial against Donald Trump on January 21 after the House of Representatives last month impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, a top Republican Senator has said. Now, the 100-member Senate, where the Republicans are in majority, needs to put Trump on trial before he can be removed from the White House. After holding it on for weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to send its impeachment to the Senate sometime this week and that could be as early as Tuesday. The impeachment in the Senate is unlikely to pass through given that GOP has majority in the 100-member Senate. Top Republican Senator John Cornyn, who is also Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, on Monday told reporters that the Senate is likely to start the impeachment trial next Tuesday, January 21. Tuesday (January 21) is what it's feeling like, he said. "We'd actually be glued to our chair starting Tuesday, I think," he said in response to a question. The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal challenging a Jharkhand High Court order directing the State Public Service Commission to revise the results of the preliminary exam (PE) of the Combined Civil Services held in 2016. A bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and Ajay Rastogi said there was no ground to interfere with the impugned judgment passed by the high court. "The Special Leave Petition is accordingly dismissed," the bench said. Advocate Shubhashis Rasik Soren appeared for one of the intervenors in the case in the apex court. The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by Dipak Kumar and others challenging October 21, 2019 order of the high court, which had quashed the state government resolution of February 12, 2018 and the revised results announced by JPSC on August 6, 2018 declaring 34,634 candidates as successful. JPSC had issued an advertisement for conducting the Combined Civil Services Competitive Examination, 2016, for filling up in all 326 posts in different civil services with the rider that the number of posts could be increased or decreased. It stated that on the basis of the preliminary examination, the number of candidates to be selected for main examinations would be about 15 times the vacancies in different categories. The PE was conducted on December 18, 2016, and the results were published on February 23, 2017, declaring 5,138 candidates to be successful. A plea was filed in the high court by a reserved category candidate saying those with fewer marks than him were declared successful in unreserved category. The state government then came up with a Resolution stating that candidates of reserved category, who had secured equal to, or more marks than the last selected candidate in unreserved category, should be allowed to appear in the Main Examinations. Following this, 6,103 candidates were declared successful. Thereafter, a Resolution was issued by the state government in 2018 which resulted in the publication of second revised results of PE wherein 34,634 candidates were declared successful. Some aspirants challenged the resolution and the subsequent publication of the results, in the high court in 2018 which was dismissed. The High Court bench quashed the resolution and the result declaring 34,634 candidates as successful. It had also directed JPSC to publish the results of the Main Examinations, confined to the candidates, declared successful in its first revised results published on August 11, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Tuesday ordered the countrys Police Commander in Chief Sao Sokha to apprehend any suspects involved in an alleged torture case that resulted in the death of a man who was detained for his participation in a land-rights protest. Tuy Sros, a resident of the Ou Chrov district of Banteay Meanchey province, died in police custody on Jan. 1 after being held from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31 following the protest in which five other villagers were also detained. Hun Sens order to arrest those responsible came during a press event Tuesday. We need to arrest those involved with the torture, said Hun Sen. They must be prosecuted. We cannot accept this. We must investigate to see the truth, he said. In an interview with RFAs Khmer Service, the Police Commander in Chief said the military police have established a five-member joint committee of military and regular police, the courts, and the prison system to investigate the allegations of torture. He said that anyone involved, regardless of their seniority, would be prosecuted, but also said he did not know how many were involved. We are still conducting an investigation. As we are in the investigation stage, we will provide more details following our investigation, said Sao Sokha. Fair investigation necessary Am Sam Ath, the deputy director for the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), urged authorities to hold a fair investigation. We need to find out who was behind the torture, he told RFA. [They] need to conduct a thorough investigation, he added. Meanwhile, a lawyer representing two clients claiming to have witnessed Tuy Sros torture told RFA that he was in Banteay Meanchy province to submit court documents and defend his clients. I am meeting with my clients to collect evidence and witnesses, Sam Tithseiha said. Three others who were also detained filed a complaint at the court alleging that military police tortured Tuy Sros. One of those witnesses, Him Kiri, told RFA that the three of them were assaulted by the provincial military police, and that he would inform his lawyers of the incident. He said they kicked him and he has not recovered from the assault yet. Ive developed a painful cough and I have bruises on the left side of my ribs, he said. I was beaten at the provincial military polices headquarters, said Him Kiri, adding he is not afraid to speak out because he has already been beaten. Him Kiri confirmed that Tuy Sros died Jan. 1 when he was arrested and tortured to death at the prison. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Irish American Cultural Society of Stamford / Contributed photo The Irish American Cultural Society of Stamford is inviting the public to attend its St. Patricks Day Parade Fundraising Pancake Breakfast Sunday, Jan. 26. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1200 Shippan Ave., Stamford. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. ISRO has an exciting year ahead with a bunch of cool space missions and it is starting this year with the launch of satellite GSAT-30 that is scheduled for January 17. However, this satellite isnt aboard PSLV or any rocket developed by ISRO. Arianespace The satellite instead will be launched aboard an Ariane-5 rocket -- developed by Arianespace -- one of the worlds first commercial rocket launch partner. The rocket will be launched from the Ariane Launch Complex at the Guiana Space Centre, situated at Korou -- a Frech territory located near the northern coast of South America at 02:35 hours Indian Standard Time. GSAT-30 weighs a hefty 3357 kilograms. It is going to serve as a replacement for the INSAT-4A, while also providing better coverage. GSAT-30 is expected to have a mission life of 15 years. The satellite is specifically created to maximise the number of transponders on the satellite bus. The satellite provides India and regions surrounding India coverage in Ku-Band with extended coverage in C-Band. The satellite has been configured on ISROs enhanced I-3K bus structure to provide better communication services from geostationary orbit in C and KU bands. Arianespace ISRO has revealed that the spacecraft would be primarily used for supporting VSAT network, television uplinking and teleport services, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG). Along with that, the satellite will also be responsible for DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity etc. Basically, the television channels at your home display content across the nation thanks to satellites like the GSAT 30. Along with GSAT-30, Arianespace will also be sending EUTELSAT KONNECT -- a telecommunications satellite for Eutelsat from the Guiana Space Centre. In case you were wondering, this is the first time ISRO is sending a satellite to space on the Ariane rocket, youll be surprised to know that the nation has been launching satellites since 1981. In fact, Arianespace has orbited 23 satellites and signed 24 launch contracts with ISRO. An anti-government protester drops oil on burning tyres and wood in Beirut (AP) Lebanese protesters have blocked several roads around the capital Beirut and elsewhere amid protests against the ruling elite, who they say have failed to address the economys downward spiral. Demonstrators burned tyres and blocked three main roads leading to the capital from the south, east and north, bringing traffic to a standstill. School and university students took part in some of the protests and hundreds marched down main highways, raising Lebanese flags and blasting rallying songs through loudspeakers. Expand Close Protests took place in Beirut and elsewhere, blocking several major road routes (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protests took place in Beirut and elsewhere, blocking several major road routes (AP) In Beirut, dozens rallied outside the Central Bank, chanting against the governor and his financial policies. Security forces separated the protesters from the banks entrance. In the northern city of Tripoli and in Akkar province, protesters sat in the streets and blocked several roads with burning tyres or bricks. In the southern city of Sidon, dozens of protesters marched down the streets, rallying outside banks and government offices. Expand Close The ruling elite has been blamed for not resolving Lebanons worst economic crisis in decades (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The ruling elite has been blamed for not resolving Lebanons worst economic crisis in decades (AP) Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with the local currency plummeting, losing over 60% of its value over the last weeks while sources of foreign currency have dried up. Meanwhile, banks have imposed informal capital controls limiting withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers in the country, which relies heavily on imports of basic goods. Panic has set in among residents who fear their deposits are in danger. Nationwide protests for three months have failed to pressure politicians to form a new government to institute drastic reforms. The protesters returned to the streets after several weeks of relative calm, following the designation of Hassan Diab as prime minister in mid-December. Expand Close Soldiers patrol the streets during the unrest (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Soldiers patrol the streets during the unrest (AP) But he has so far failed to form an emergency government amid political divisions and jockeying for power. The previous prime minister Saad Hariri resigned in late October. Lately, protesters had focused their ire on banks, rallying at the premises or outside banks and demanding access to their deposits. Dozens have also taunted politicians who showed up in shopping malls or restaurants, sometimes chasing them out of public places and decrying their failure to address the economic crisis. Nationwide protests began in mid-October in Lebanon, denouncing years of government mismanagement and corruption, calling for the political elite to step down. They only let me so far in the yard, and I just kept saying, Please, let him see me. Hell come out. My baby will walk out of there, even with all those guns," she said. But they just ignored anything I was trying to do. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-15 04:51:03|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Appeal for Systematic Climate Action signed by over 500 Croatian scientists was submitted on Tuesday to the government, the parliament and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Energy here. The scientists claim that climate change is the most serious crisis that humanity has ever faced, so they urge the government and other institutions to take real measures to tackle this problem. They have presented 11 demands which include an urgent declaration of climate emergency on the national level, raising public awareness of the problem and involvement of experts in policy-making related to the climate crisis. The scientists are also seeking the implementation of programs that provide sustainable energy and lifestyle changes for Croatians to save energy, calling for solidarity among generations, races, religions and all countries in the world as a prerequisite for humanity to face the challenges of a climate emergency. They argue that small countries cannot be excluded from the global transformation towards a sustainable society. Croatia has been presiding over the Council of the European Union since Jan. 1. Climate changes are among Croatian priorities of the presidency, the government has claimed. In October last year, prime minister Andrej Plenkovic said that it is necessary to work on economic development which is ecologically more viable to ensure a successful transition to a low-carbon and circular economy. MEDIA COURTHOUSE A 32-year-old Glenolden man was sentenced to 30-60 months in a state prison Tuesday for possession and dissemination of child pornography, both felonies of the second degree. Daniel Newberg, of the 400 block of Werner Avenue, was also sentenced to six years of consecutive sex offender probation on one count of criminal use of a communication facility, a felony of the third degree, and must register as a sex offender for 25 years under Megans Law. Newberg was arrested Feb. 11, capping an eight-month joint investigation by Glenolden police and county Criminal Investigation Division Detective Sgt. Kenneth Bellis, a member of the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He entered an open guilty plea to all three counts before Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge G. Michael Green in August. Investigators with CID received information that child pornography was being downloaded and viewed at Newbergs residence. He was at home when investigators arrived with a warrant to search his home shortly after 6 a.m. June 14, 2018. Newberg told investigators he had been using a file-sharing program on his computer for about 10 years and admitted that he used the program to download child pornography. A forensic examination on two laptop computers seized during the search revealed 83 videos and more than 188 images of child pornography. Assistant District Attorney Danielle Gallaher recommend the 30-to-60 month sentence with seven years of probation. She said the sentence was based on the large volume of images involved, Newburgs pedophilia disorder diagnosis and because some of the images involved children as young as 10 being forced to perform sex acts with adults. Defense attorney John Flannery characterized his clients actions as a cry for help, pointing out this was his first brush with the law and providing numerous character witnesses to that end. Flannery also said Newburg had been bullied as a child, suffers from depression and has tried to kill himself several times. The last attempt came after detectives served the search warrant at this home. Newburg also apologized to this family and the victims Tuesday, saying he never intended to harm anyone. Newberg has been free on 10 percent of $40,000 bail since Feb. 14, according to online court records. He was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence immediately Tuesday and is not eligible for early release. The United States announced on January 13 that they have removed the label of currency manipulator imposed on China, as both countries are set to sign the phase one trade deal on Wednesday. The US treasury department, in a statement, said that it assessed Chinas currency practices and the developments over the last several months, in an apparent reference to the impending deal. The Treasury Department has helped secure a significant Phase One agreement with China that will lead to greater economic growth and opportunity for American workers and businesses, said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. China has made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation while promoting transparency and accountability, he added. The treasury department submitted the semiannual report on macroeconomic and foreign exchange policies of 20 major trading partners. Though it has removed the label of currency manipulation, the report found that 10 countries merit close attention to their currency practices. Other nine countries placed on the monitoring list are Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Vietnam. Read: Phase-I Trade Deal Includes China Buying USD 200 Bn American Products Over Two Years: US Chinas Vice Premier in Washington Chinas Vice Premier Liu He is in Washington to sign the much-awaited phase one trade deal which opens the door for further negotiations. The confirmation came after US President Donald Trump announced that he will be signing a comprehensive trade deal, at the White House, in the presence of high-level representatives from China. I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 Read: China Unveils Driverless Smart Bullet Train Ahead Of Beijing Winter Olympics Earlier, Trump had claimed that China, during the phase one deal, agreed to many structural changes and massive purchases of agricultural product, energy, and manufactured goods, among others. The US trade representatives had also confirmed the historic and enforceable agreement with China on Phase One trade deal. It said that the US will be maintaining 25 per cent tariffs on approximately $250 billion of Chinese imports, along with 7.5 per cent tariffs on approximately $120 billion of Chinese imports. Read: China Says Won't Change Position On Taiwan After Tsai Ing-wen's Victory Read: Chinas Vice Premier To Sign phase One Of Trade Deal In Washington Next Week (With inputs from agencies) TORONTO and WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Janice Stein leads an international jury of thought leadersCameron Abadi, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine; Sir Lawrence Freedman, distinguished author and former winner of the Lionel Gelber Prize; Margaret MacMillan, professor of History and award-winning author; Kishore Mahbubani, veteran diplomat and celebrated author; and Jeffrey Simpson, Canada's most decorated journalistfor the awarding of this year's Lionel Gelber Prize. "We are so pleased to announce the jurors for the 2020 Lionel Gelber Prize, which was created in memory of our uncle, a Canadian scholar, diplomat and author," said Sara Charney, Chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize Board. "This marks the thirtieth anniversary of the annual Prize, which has been continuously awarded since 1990. We are delighted that the Prize attracts such distinguished jurors, year over year." About the Prize: The Lionel Gelber Prize, a literary award for the world's best non-fiction book in English on foreign affairs that seeks to deepen public debate on significant international issues, was founded in 1989 by Canadian diplomat Lionel Gelber. A cash prize of $15,000 is awarded to the winner. The award is presented annually by The Lionel Gelber Foundation, in partnership with Foreign Policy magazine and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Last year's winner was Adam Tooze for his book Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. Key Dates: The Jury will announce its shortlist of five books for the 2020 Lionel Gelber Prize on Tuesday, February 11 and reveal the winner on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Read the full release here: https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/gelber/wp-content/uploads/2020-Jury-Announcement.pdf SOURCE Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy Conservative Sebastian Kurz was sworn in Tuesday as Austria's chancellor after controversy over alleged corruption. The move meant a comeback from the collapse of his previous government. By Stefan J. Bos Kurz and Austria's new conservative-green coalition ministers entered the Presidency building in Vienna, the capital, for a somewhat historic swearing-in ceremony. It marked the moment that the world's youngest democratically elected leader returned at the head of an unlikely coalition. Kurz, 33, returned to the top job as Austria's chancellor after a seven-month absence. But the conservative politician will lead a new and very different coalition, with the leftist Greens. And the Cabinet sworn in by President Alexander Van der Bellen is Austria's first with a female majority. It also marks the first time that the environmentalist Greens have entered the country's national government. Analysts say that the mixture of Kurz's center-right People's Party and the Greens, traditional adversaries, could set an example for other countries. It could send a message to neighboring Germany, where polls suggest a similar combination may become possible after the next election. Reclaiming the title Kurz reclaims the title of the world's youngest serving head of government from Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin who is 34 and took office last month. Kurz, seen as a political talent who became foreign minister at 27, played a leading role in all but shutting down the Balkan route used by many migrants to Europe in 2016. He has made a hardline on migration, a hallmark of his party. He first became chancellor at 31 in late 2017, leading a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party. But in May, a video showing then-Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache offering favors to a purported Russian investor prompted Kurz to pull the plug. Parliament then ousted Kurz in a no-confidence vote. In recent months, Austria was led by a non-partisan interim government under Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein. The Freedom Party scandal prompted a snap election in September, from which the Kurz's People's Party and the Greens emerged as the big winners. Great expectations However, Austrian President Van der Bellen told the new Cabinet that Austrians "have great expectations of you." And he added that the trust that was "carefully rebuilt" must increase further because "Austria's democracy and its institutions live on citizens' trust." The coalition agreement includes Green pledges such as action against climate change including a target of "climate neutrality" by 2040 and of improved government and administrative transparency. But it also has conservative priorities, such as moves to cut Austrians' tax burden and continuing Kurz's tough line on migration. And the new chancellor has made clear that he still opposes efforts to distribute migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty around Europe. It's not just Iowa: An exclusive Suffolk University/USA TODAY Poll of Nevada finds another early-voting state where the Democratic presidential race is tightening, former Vice President Joe Biden is struggling to hold front-runner status and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is showing strength. As Democratic contenders prepare to debate Tuesday in Des Moines the final debate before the opening caucuses in Iowa the field is shrinking and the race may be heading toward a showdown between a familiar centrist and a firebrand liberal who represent starkly different choices for the party. Click 'play' above to hear more about Tuesday's debate in Iowa. In Nevada, the third state on the calendar, the new survey shows Biden leading Sanders by a single percentage point, 19%-18%. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is third at 11%. Some of the same dynamics were apparent in a Des Moines Register/CNN Iowa Poll released last Friday. Sanders held his first lead in the iconic survey, at 20%, followed by Warren at 17%, Pete Buttigieg at 16% and Biden at 15%. In both states, the second-tier candidates seemed to be having trouble breaking through. In Nevada, Biden has dropped by 9 points and Warren by 7 points from the average of recent statewide polls calculated by RealClearPolitics.com. Sanders' support has proven steadier, dipping by 2 points. No other candidate has broken into double digits in the Silver State. "Looking at the totality of the data, you'd have to say that Biden, Sanders and Warren are in a tier of their own," said veteran Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. But, he added, "it's late to say it's early, but there's still time for things to happen. What happens in Iowa and what happens in New Hampshire will affect what happens in Nevada." Choosing the nominees: When are the 2020 presidential election primaries? Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg sit atop polls in the first three nominating contests of the 2020 primary season. With the opening Iowa caucuses now just three weeks away, the Democratic contest is heading into a rollercoaster seven weeks that could well determine the Democratic nominee who will face President Donald Trump. The Feb. 3 caucuses are followed by the New Hampshire primary on Feb. 11, the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29. Super Tuesday contests on March 3 will then chose a third of the delegates needed to claim the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in July. Story continues 2020 campaign trail: As impeachment trial looms, senators who are running will have to balance role as jurors Des Moines debate: Candidates seek momentum The calendar could raise the stakes for the Des Moines Register/CNN debate, which will have six contenders on stage. "Every candidate will be looking for that 'breakout moment' to generate momentum," predicted David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, although he noted that in the past any post-debate bumps have been short-lived. "To date, we have only seen mini-moves of candidates spiking after debates, to be followed by a settling back to the same front-runners that we've had all along." The average of recent polls in New Hampshire show the same four contenders clustered at the top: Sanders at 21.5%, Biden at 18.8%, Buttigieg at 18.3% and Warren at 14.8%. That quartet plus Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and environmental activist Tom Steyer qualified for Tuesday's debate. Iowa magic? Do the Iowa caucuses predict who will win the party nomination? Leading Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders face off during the Democratic presidential primary debate Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. In the Nevada survey, Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Steyer were at 8%. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Klobuchar were at 4%. Another 22% were undecided. Biden and Sanders showed strength not only in leading the pack but also in the loyalty of their supporters, who by nearly 2-1 were committed to sticking with them. Two-thirds of their backers said their minds were firmly made up. But among supporters of Warren and Buttigieg, nearly six in 10 said they might change their minds. The candidate with the most fervent support was Yang. Among his backers, 73% said their minds were made up; just 18% said they might change them. (Put another way, only four of his 16 supporters said they might switch to someone else.) The poll of 500 likely Democratic caucus-goers, taken by landline and cellphone Wednesday through Saturday, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. 2020 candidates on the issues: Your guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more Democratic field continues to shrink Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar at Democratic debate in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 2019. Meanwhile, the record-sized Democratic field continues to shrink. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who was at 2% in the Nevada poll, withdrew from the presidential contest Monday. In recent weeks, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former Housing Secretary Julian Castro and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson also have pulled out, saying they saw no realistic path to the Democratic nomination. That has significantly reduced the diversity of the Democratic field, a potential concern for a party that counts minorities among its core supporters. Asked for their second choices, 21% of those surveyed in Nevada picked Warren, 19% picked Biden, 12% picked Sanders and 10% picked Buttigieg. Those findings may raise a red flag for Sanders. While he is essentially tied with Biden as a first choice, Biden and Warren are better positioned to pick up support if and when other candidates drop out. Health care: Where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand on prescription drug costs, Medicare for all and more Climate change: We asked the 2020 Democratic candidates their thoughts on climate change. Here's what they said The economy: A visual guide to the 2020 Democratic candidates thoughts on the national debt and capitalism Those who picked Biden as their first choice were inclined to support Warren as their second choice. Sanders' supporters also were inclined to support Warren. Warren's supporters divided between Sanders and Biden. Buttigieg's supporters divided between Biden and Warren. Steyer's supporters went to Biden. One more prospect: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. A late-starting candidate, he hasn't been certified for the Nevada caucuses. But the millions of dollars he has spent on TV ads nationwide haven't gone unnoticed. A 55% majority of the likely caucus-goers in Nevada say they've seen them. When it came to the issues that mattered, three dominated the others: health care, chosen by 22%, climate change by 14%, and the economy by 10%. What about defeating or getting rid of Trump? That was chosen by just 4%, ninth on a list of 15 choices. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election 2020: Nevada race narrows, Biden-Sanders faceoff looms The Europeans reiterated that they opposed Mr. Trumps withdrawal from the deal and were not joining his campaign of maximum pressure to cripple Iran economically. Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance, they said. The three nations took the right step, the State Department said in a statement, adding that nations must unite behind this effort to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its continued destabilizing actions. There was no immediate reaction from Tehran. The 2015 agreement restricted how many centrifuges Iran could use to enrich uranium increasing the percentage of U-235, the rare isotope crucial to its use in nuclear fission how highly it could enrich the metal, and how much uranium it could stockpile. It has taken a series of steps beyond those limits, trying in vain to pressure the Europeans to make good on a commitment to ease the economic pain of American sanctions. Earlier this month, in response to the Suleimani killing, Iran said it would no longer abide by any restrictions in its uranium enrichment, but without specifying what it would actually do, which was taken by the Europeans as a useful ambiguity. Reports and videos on social media on Tuesday show students in several universities in Tehran continuing their protests against the regime on a fourth day with slogans against the Supreme Leader, the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia. A video from Shahid Beheshti University showed pro-regime students on one side and the protesting students on the other chanting against each other. The pro-regime students were using a loudspeaker to drown the voices of the protesting students who shouted at them: "Beware, we are united!" In another video the students retort "Basij and IRGC members are our Da'ish" when pro-regime students, mainly Basij militia members, chant "Down with Israel, Down with Britain. Pro-regime and protesting students chanting against each other at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Students at Tehran University chanting against Khamenei. In Art University students chanted "We are children of war, let's fight to the end" while in Tehran University the slogans were against the state-run broadcaster and Khamenei while at Tehran Medical Sciences University the students are calling for the resignation of officials. The students chanted that they would give their lives "to take Iran back" and called on Khamenei, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to resign and called him a murderer. For the first time a slogan chanted by the students said they did not want a referendum or reforms. The slogan called for "strikes and revolution" instead. The Revolutionary Guard which is under Khamenei's direct command was responsible for downing a Ukrainian plane last week. The authorities concealed the truth from the public for three days. President Hassan Rouhani's administration says even the president was kept in the dark for two days. According to social media reports security forces as well as plainclothes agents are heavily present outside the university and nearby areas and prevent people from stopping or gathering or allowing the students to get out of the university campus. The rally at Tehran University is still going on (15:00 GMT). At around 17:00 GMT news emerged on social media about the protest at Tehran University spreading out to the street while other reports claimed students at Amir Kabir Industrial University had been locked in the campus with a group of vigilantes (Basij militia) who were beating up the students. To be continued. NHS doctors should not prescribe melatonin to treat jet lag, scientists say. Melatonin is a hormone which is produced naturally by the body during darkness and is thought to play a big role in controlling how and when people sleep. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last year published a new rule allowing doctors to prescribe it for jet lag. But researchers now argue there are too many 'unanswered questions' about it they say it doesn't stop jet leg, causes side effects like headaches and feeling sick, and can cause seizures in people with epilepsy. It had started being used because past studies found taking it can reduce symptoms such as tiredness and brain fog and it's thought to help the body clock stay in time. The scientists said it isn't worth prescribing it because jet lag clears up on its own within a few days so doesn't need medication. Melatonin could reduce the symptoms of jet lag, according to past research, but it does not stop the condition completely and may have negative side effects such as headaches and feeling sick, researchers said (stock image) 'Since jet lag is a self-limiting short term problem and there is limited published evidence of the benefit of melatonin on symptoms, we do not think that it is appropriate for such a product to be made available through the NHS,' said experts at the scientific journal, Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. Jet lag is the name given to a tired, groggy feeling and difficulty sleeping normally that people get when they fly to different time zones. Travellers may find their body clocks are out of sync with day and night at their destination and that this has physical impacts on their health. Researchers reviewed 10 past studies and four reviews of other studies into the benefits and drawbacks of melatonin taken from between 1986 and 2005. They found that melatonin did appear to reduce people's jet lag symptoms those who took it rated their symptoms a 27 out of 100, with 100 being the worst, while those who took a placebo a fake pill rated their jet lag 47 out of 100, on average. But taking the medication doesn't get rid of the condition completely. WHAT IS JET LAG? Jet lag is a condition which people develop after travelling to different time zones on long-haul flights. It is caused by the body's internal clock, which dictates when you feel alert, hungry and sleepy, being thrown out of sync with the daylight hours where you're staying. Getting sunlight at unusual times, such as when your body naturally expects it to be night, can disrupt the hormone melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. The more time zones someone crosses, the more likely they are to get jet lag. And it's thought to be worst if people are travelling east hours get later in that direction so they 'lose time'. Symptoms of jet lag include feeling sleepy during the day, being unable to sleep at night, stomach problems and constipation or diarrhoea, feeling unwell and difficulty concentrating. Jet lag usually clears up on its own within a couple of days. To avoid it, experts suggest getting a lot of rest before travelling; spending a couple of days re-timing your schedule to match times at your destination; and sleeping on the plane if it is night where you're going. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement And melatonin could increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy, the researchers found. While people with autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's disease are not recommended to take it because it can make the immune system more active. The drug may also reduce the effectiveness of other drugs like contraceptives, diabetes medicines, blood-thinners and anti-epilepsy medications. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin researchers added: 'Overall, melatonin appeared to have a modest effect on symptoms of jet lag compared with placebo. 'Adverse effects reported with melatonin include headache, nausea, drowsiness and sedation.' Melatonin is available for jet lag on the NHS in 3mg tablets, which cost the health service 10.83 for a five-day course, or an oral solution which costs 13. It is generally prescribed for insomnia overall, melatonin products were prescribed 974,122 times in 2017/18 at a cost of 35,968,140 to the NHS. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin researchers said they were worried that expanding the list of conditions for which it could be prescribed might end up with it being overused. Dr James Cave, the journal's editor, added: 'I have concerns... that you will get licence creep, and that it will be used for people with sleep problems in general, and it's not really a good way of dealing with those.' The review was published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, which is run by the British Medical Journal. Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's No. 2 automaker, said Tuesday its flagship Telluride sport utility vehicle has been named the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Telluride was one of three finalists for the award, the others being Hyundai Motor Co.'s Palisade and Lincoln Continental's Aviator, the company said in a statement. "Winning the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year is an honor that marks Kia's arrival in the top tier of the world's automotive manufacturers," Sean Yoon, chief executive officer of Kia Motors North America, said in the statement. "The Kia Telluride makes owning an SUV look cool while offering the smooth ride and rich interior of a luxury vehicle without the luxury price," Kirk Bell, secretary-treasurer of the North American Car of the Year, Utility of the Year and Truck of the Year (NACTOY), said. NACTOY jurors voted for the Telluride after spending months carrying out test drives, comparisons and other evaluations. The Telluride beat 12 semi-finalists and three finalists in the utility category, Kia said. About 60,000 Tellurides have been sold in the U.S. market since its launch in February last year. Strong demand for the vehicle helped Kia post a 4.4 percent on-year rise in U.S. sales at 615,338 units. Assembled specifically for the U.S. market in Kia's West Point, Georgia, plant, the Telluride is the first Kia vehicle to be exported from the U.S. In November, the Telluride was named the 2020 SUV of the year by MotorTrend. (Yonhap) Up the stairs, into the fire, I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher. Sam Springsteen, the youngest son of legendary New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen, was among the 15 new Jersey City firefighters sworn in Tuesday during a ceremony at City Hall. It was a long road, and he was very dedicated," Bruce told reporters following the ceremony in the council chambers. Sam Springsteen, 25, along with his class endured five months of training at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. Prior to joining the Jersey City Fire Department, he graduated from the Monmouth County Fire Academy in 2014 and served as a member of the volunteer Colts Neck Fire Department in Monmouth County. I dont know what to sayIt wasnt easy, Sam said as he hugged and took pictures with family and friends, including his mother Patti Scialfa. Into the Fire, which appeared on Springsteens 2002 studio album The Rising, was inspired by the sacrifice of the firefighters killed on 9/11. Theyre such nice ppl," Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said of Bruce and Patti in a tweet. We got to spend some time in my office talking about music but more than that theyre proud parents of a new JC Firefighter. Springsteen is one of 204 new firefighters hired under the Fulop administration, which has boosted the departments ranks to 666 uniformed firefighters and superiors. The Boss @springsteen + Patti visited us in #JerseyCity City Hall today. Theyre such nice ppl. We got to spend some time in my office talking about music but more than that theyre proud parents of a new JC Firefighter. Congrats to all the new FF joining the best FD anywhere. pic.twitter.com/oU95Aj9JWv Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) January 14, 2020 Also sworn in were: Luke Gibbons, Thomas McFarlane, John Bramley Jr., Conor Keim, Shane Richeal, Jason Garrison, Omar Soto, Sean Brady, Connor Wujciak, Angel Ortez, Francis Degnan, Richard Ferment, Andrew Crilly and Francesca Zappella, the younger sister of one of Jersey Citys first female firefighters, Constance Zappella. Francesca Zappella, 26, who graduated from the fire academy at the top of her class of recruits, was sworn in while standing with her older sister. Jersey City swears in 15 new firefighters at a ceremony in City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Among the graduates was Francesca Zapella, right, sister of Constance Zapella, left, the first female firefighter in Jersey City who is now a battalion chief. The two are the first sisters to serve in the JCFD. Constance Zappella, 40, a firefighter for 18 years, was among the first two female firefighters in the citys history when she joined in 2003. She has since become the fire departments first woman battalion chief. She definitely inspired me to go to the fire department, said Francesca, who was a police officer for three years in Jersey City. If I hadnt seen how much she loved her job I dont think I wouldve switched over. Constance Zappella recalled an essay Francesca wrote about her when Francesca was 10. Constance never thought she would be the motivating factor in her sisters decision to pursue a career as a firefighter. Jersey City swears in 15 new firefighters at a ceremony in City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Among the graduates was Francesca Zapella, sister of Constance 'Connie' Zapella, the first female firefighter in Jersey City who is now a battalion chief. The two are the first sisters to serve in the JCFD. In this photo, taken in 2003 when Connie was sworn in as a firefighter, Francesca, then only 10 years old, wears her older sister's cap. Pictured with them are, from left to right, sister, Christine, brother Peter and mother, Mary Ann. (Photo courtesy of Constance Zapella) Im speechless, which doesnt really happen often, I am very proud of her today, Constance said. Im glad shes running into burning buildings with me. Police Officer Joseph Connors, 30, Francescas fiance and father to their 16-month old daughter Olivia, said his future wife is tougher than he is. Its a safe house thats for sure, said Connors. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered the Delhi Police to look into the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj traffic blockade. The order came while the High Court was hearing a public interest litigation that sought courts intervention to remove the traffic restrictions, which have been in place since December 15 last year. The court said that managing traffic was the duty of the police. The court said that the cops must work in a time-bound manner on the issue. The High Court also asked the police to keep in mind larger public interest, maintenance of law and order. Route number 13A, through Kalindi Kunj road, between Noida and South East Delhi and further to Faridabad has been shut since December 15, the day when the protest began at Shaheen Bagh, leading to massive traffic congestions during peak hours. Noida traffic police have advised commuters to opt for Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) flyway or the Chilla Regulator route for travel between Delhi and Noida. What the plea said? The petition, filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni, sought direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to withdraw the closure of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh Stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is quite crucial as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters who use these roads are forced to take alternative routes Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, it said. The plea said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing. It claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, UP and Haryana. Violence in Delhi The national Capital witnessed some of the most violent protests against the CAA in December last year. From Seemapuri to Delhi Gate to Jamia, violent clashes were reported in various areas of the national capital. The CAA and chronology of protests The agitation erupted after the Narendra Modi government passed the contentious legislation in Parliament on December 11. Two days later, President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent and making it a law on December 13. The Citizenship Act grants Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan in half the time of other groups if they can argue they suffered religious discrimination in their country of origin. President Donald Trump deserves a fair trial, but Republicans are threatening not to give him one. Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of office and obstruction of Congress. These are extremely serious charges. The Constitution states the U.S. Senate will hold a trial during which House managers make the case, with the senators as its jurors. The Constitution obligates senators to act impartially, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will not be impartial and Trump is innocent. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz agree. Simply declaring a person innocent of legally presented charges is not sufficient under our system of justice to confer a judgment of innocence. The president deserves his day in court to present exculpatory evidence and witnesses. If the president is denied this opportunity, justice will be denied and the Constitution will be trampled. Republicans argue the House process was unfair to Trump. However, the House invited the president to participate, but he refused. Trump also refused to provide any documentation and blocked his aides from testifying under oath. Naturally, citizens ask if Trump is innocent, why not prove it? Trump declared the impeachment illegitimate, but that is not the presidents call. The Constitution gives the House the sole power of impeachment. McConnell calls impeachment political, but thats true in a broader sense than he means. McConnell defines political to mean partisan: whats good for the party rather than whats best for the country. The Constitution provides for impeachment for political not necessarily statutory crimes against the public. A president may be removed for using the powers of office for personal gain, gross neglect of duties, lying to the Senate about a treaty and favoring a foreign government. Such acts are high crimes and misdemeanors because the president violates his duty to use presidential powers to serve the public. The Constitutions authors agreed that because the presidency was invested with the executive power, a check on the abuse of the office was needed in addition to the quadrennial presidential election. Founding Father George Mason argued that a rogue president could manipulate elections to stay in office, but impeachment was the way to remove him during his term. The House makes a compelling case against Trump. Trump called on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine to announce an investigation of his main rival, Joe Biden, to smear him and support the conspiracy theory that Ukraine intervened in the 2016 election to help Hillary Clinton. To get his way, Trump postponed meeting with Zelenskiy and withheld U.S. military aid appropriated by Congress. Late last August, when a whistleblower exposed the Ukraine affair, Trump sent a message to his ambassador that there was no quid pro quo of military aid for the smear of Biden, a claim contradicted in sworn testimony, and he released the military aid. The House voted to impeach Trump for this gross abuse of office. New evidence has surfaced that demands Senate examination. In a meeting last summer, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urged Trump to release the military aid, but Trump refused. The White House says the president was concerned about corruption, but Trump did not mention corruption in the call with Zelenskiy. When Zelenskiy asked about military aid, Trump asked him to do us a favor though by smearing Biden and furthering the conspiracy theory. Republicans should relish the opportunity to show the House how to run a proper trial with presidential witnesses and documentation. The Senates dignity as an institution independent of the presidency is at stake. If McConnell, Cornyn and Cruz present a sham trial without serious consideration of the evidence, they not only fail to do their constitutional duty, they deny Trump a fair trial. And they deny the public its rightful expectation of republican government in which no one is above the law. Stephen Amberg is an associate professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Jessica Tiller Weiss PR is rebranding as Pugh & Tiller PR as president Ray Weiss turns over the leadership reins to executive VP Matthew Pugh and co-founder Jessica Tiller. Weiss will take on the senior counsel position, focused on strategic direction of the firm and advising key clients. Matt Pugh He said planning for the management transition has been underway for some time and the name change will help Pugh and Tiller bolster their reputations as leaders in the PR business. The firm is relocating from Baltimore to Annapolis to increase its proximity to the Washington market. Pugh will continue to lead the firm's tech practice, while Tiller is responsible for its insurance, employee benefits and commercial real estate practices. Donald Trumps determination to pursue a maximum pressure campaign on Iran was most apparent when he ordered the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, called for the destruction of Iranian cultural sites, ramped up sanctions on the regime and refused to honour Iraqs desire to have a country free of American influence. In justifying their confrontational strategy, Trump and his Secretary of State Michael Pompeo have drawn attention to the Iranian regimes increasing influence in the region and its moral bankruptcy, most evident, they claim, when its forces accidentally, and initially denied, shooting down Ukraine Airlines Flight 752. This tragic loss is reminiscent of a similar event 32 years ago, when USS Vincennes blew up Iran Air Flight 655 over Iranian territorial waters, killing all 290 passengers. The U.S. government never admitted legal responsibility and initially denied it had deliberately targeted a commercial aircraft. For Canada, the fallout from Soleimanis assassination and the death of 57 Canadians on Flight 752 is significant for several reasons. Soleimanis killing has expanded the conflict to include Irans proxies, ISIS and various militias within Iraq. As a result, the allies Iraqi training mission has been indefinitely suspended. As a contributor to that mission, Canada deployed 500 military personnel to Iraq and throughout the region. Soleimanis assassination has not only put Canadian soldiers and diplomats lives at risk but, as is now clear, ordinary Canadians as well. More importantly, with escalation now underway lines have been drawn in ways that Canada most likely did not anticipate in agreeing to join the training mission when Stephen Harper was PM. Not only has the Iraqi parliament requested a withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country but hostile Iraqi militias continue to target allied bases, making it impossible for countries like Canada to do their job. Should Canadian forces be asked to stay in the region and help the U.S. in its war against Iran that would be a significant shift in policy for the Trudeau government. These problems generate uncertainty about why Canada is there in the first place. Our presence in Iraq, for example, was intended to train and equip the Iraq and Kurdish security forces to withstand the resurgence of the Islamic State. But its underlying purpose has always lacked clarity and direction. Recall that shortly after becoming prime minister Justin Trudeau assured Canadians that our forces were no longer in harms way, a criticism that was levelled at Harper when it was revealed that military personnel were taking and returning fire. In 2018, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced Canada would extend our mission in Iraq until fall 2019, though he failed to provide any indication of what we or our allies would be doing after that. Now we know. In fact, even if Canadas leaders were not privy to the exact timing and location of Soleimanis assassination it was understood that Soleimani was in Americas crosshairs for some time. By moving B52 strategic bombers to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Trump has indicated a willingness to target Iran unilaterally, leaving Canada little room to promote a de-escalation in tensions. The problem is that the U.S. places far greater importance on ensuring its own security regardless of any collateral damage that may ensue. Indeed, if anything, by following the U.S. lockstep on its Middle East agenda, Canada is worse off through deeper and closer integration with the U.S. military mindset. This is because America has far more special forces deployed abroad than it does diplomats. Its kinetically driven foreign policy is akin to a very large hammer in search of nails. Absent any efforts to reinvigorate diplomacy and Justin Trudeaus aspirations to strengthen a rules-based international order look very, very weak. Clearly the status quo is unreasonable. A key test of Trudeaus resolve will be the position he takes on the looming U.S.-Iran war. Due to our lack of a diplomatic presence in Iran, Trudeau will not have much influence over the unfolding crisis. Indeed, unlike Jean Chretien, who chose not to take sides during the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Trudeau might be compelled to redouble Canadian efforts and commit to yet another American war, forgetting, perhaps, the sad lessons from our failed mission to Afghanistan the longest in Canadian military history. David Carment is a CGAI fellow at the School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Read more about: